Random books from Donna828's library

World Without End by Ken Follett

Philosophy Made Simple by Robert Hellenga

Remember Me by Laura Hendrie

Charming Billy by Alice Mcdermott

Lady Susan by Jane Austen

A Widow for One Year by John Irving

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Members with Donna828's books

Member connections

Friends: 3M3m, msf59, mthacher, Nancy618

Interesting libraries: amanaceerdh, amandameale, Griff, indygo88, jfetting, JGoto, jhowell, kambrogi, library_kate, MarthaHuntley, msf59, mthelibrarian, pinklady60, Rarcar1, Tasses, teelgee

LibraryThing authors: Meg Waite Clayton (megwaiteclayton), David Ebershoff (Debershoff), Rosina Lippi (greenery), Aimee Liu (AimeeLiu), Richard Price (rixsal)

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Donna828's reviews

Reviews of Donna828's books, not including Donna828's

Member: Donna828

Library856 books — see library

Reviews59 reviews — see reviews

Cloudstag cloud, author cloud

TagsClassic (55), Read in 2007 (52), Read in 2005 (47), Read in 2004 (46), Read in 2006 (43), Must Read Soon (42), Read in 1998 (41), Read in 2003 (39) — see all tags

Groups50 Book Challenge, Early Reviewers, Group Reads - Literature, Missouri Readers

Favorite authorsWilla Cather, Annie Dillard, Louise Erdrich, John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Marilynne Robinson, John Steinbeck, Amy Tan (Shared favorites)

About me I'd rather be reading...I read at least one book per week, mostly contemporary fiction with an occasional classic or nonfiction work thrown in for variety. I have kept a reading journal since 1997 and will continue this tradition on LT beginning in 2008.

Favorite books for 2008:

The Secret Scripture -- Sebastian Barry
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle -- David Wroblewski
The Maytrees -- Annie Dillard
The Master -- Colm Toibin
The Plague of Doves -- Louise Erdrich
The Age of Innocence -- Edith Wharton
Out Stealing Horses -- Per Pettersen
Gardens of Water -- Alan Drew

About my library My library consists of many of my favorite books of the past ten to fifteen years with several all-time favorites added for good measure. I own many of these books, but I am also a supporter of the local library.

I am slowly adding titles housed in my permanent collection which I plan to read sometime before I die. My fervent hope is that these TBR tagged books will diminish over the years rather than increase. This will be a real challenge due to my weakness for buying books.

"Must Read Soon" is my latest Tag. These are the books that are on the floor in my small library that nag at my conscience. They seem to be saying...."You bought me, now read me." I spend too much time in used bookstores and can't pass up the semi-annual library book sales. Most of these will likely be read and released due to overstuffed bookshelves.

Membership LibraryThing Early Reviewers

LocationMissouri, USA

Account typepublic, lifetime

Connection NewsConnection News

URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/Donna828 (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Donna828 (library)

Member sinceMar 25, 2007

Most recent activity

Donna828 reviewed, rated:
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson (read review)

Donna828 reviewed, rated:
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (read review)

Donna828 reviewed, rated, added:
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway (read review)

Donna828 added:
Gorky Park by Martin Cruz SmithNEW!

Donna828 added:
Rose by Martin Cruz SmithNEW!

Donna828 added:
The Milagro Beanfield War: A Novel by John NicholsNEW!

Hi,Donna! As, far as adding you to my friends, it's a bit strange. It says "Invitation sent. Waiting for approval." This is when I click on your profile. Maybe you can try it on your end, by adding me to your friends. I have read Case Histories by Atkinson and it was excellent. One Good Turn is the follow-up and I'm really looking forward to it. I started The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber, which is starting out very promising. Have you heard of it? Hope you're having a great weekend!
Mark

posted by msf59 at 8:09 am (EST) on Aug 31, 2008

Hi, Donna! Yes, I enjoyed Skeletons at the Feast. He's a good storyteller and he came up with a fresh premise. I don't think he's a real strong writer though, some of his prose was a bit weak, so I'm not sure I would read his other books. What did you think of his other novels? What sort of book was "Rose" by M Cruz Smith? I loved his Arkady books!
I see our friendship is still pending? Are you still mulling it over? HA Ha! Mark

posted by msf59 at 6:25 pm (EST) on Aug 30, 2008

What an honor to be added to your list of interesting libraries. Thank you. I'm curious as to what it is about my library that you find interesting. Is it the fact that we share 304 books or something else?

I loved reading your profile and looking over your books. I especially like the idea of listing your favorite reads of 2008. If it's OK with you, I may also do that with my profile. I think it gives others a quick, concise way to sum up your taste in reading.

posted by pinklady60 at 2:26 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2008

Thank you for the welcome. I love to read and I am loving this "librarything". I am looking forward to exploring all the benefits of the site (any tips are welcome). I love to see what other people are reading and what their comments are. My tastes are very wide ranging, I am an avid horse, dog, history enthusiast so I love books on those subjects. Your library was very interesting to me, I'm inspired by the amount you read, and envious!! I just started, 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle', from your recommendation - I love it already. I'm still adding to my library and I need to take some time to "tag" them properly, it's a work in progress.
Take care,
Marly

posted by msmarly at 3:23 pm (EST) on Aug 6, 2008

Hi Donna,

It is all new to me since Jack was only diagnosed with a Peanut Allergy last week. I am terrified pretty much all the time now. We just got an Epi-Pen today at an allergist's appointment. I will say the book was helpful to a newbie family like ours.

I loved Age of Innocence. I'm usually afraid of "classics" so I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It inspired me to buy (but not yet read) several other classic novels. I've begun Midnight's Children, but I don't love it (yet).

Thanks so much for leaving a comment on my 50 Book Challenge thread. I really love knowing other folks are reading it.

--Nancy

posted by nancyewhite at 8:01 pm (EST) on Aug 5, 2008

Hi,
I enjoyed my browse through your library today. I like looking at covers so I appreciated the fact that you have chosen covers for your collection. I also picked up some great future reads from checking out your rating system and comments. I look forward to checking out more of your recommendations.

leslie

posted by lesliecp at 3:12 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2008

Hey, Donna! You didn't mention the "Edgar Sawtelle" & the "Out Stealing Horses" books. I take it you loved them? Thanks for the info on Marilyne Robinson. Have you read her book "Housekeeping"? I have not but I heard it is excellent.
I guess I have read Erdrich. I read "Four Souls", a couple years ago. I also have "Master Butchers...", on hand too. It was buried in my tbr pile! Nice to have you as a friend, we'll chat again! Mark

p.s. I'm reading an excellent crime thriller called "In the Woods" by Tana French. It's an irish "Mystic River"

posted by msf59 at 8:07 pm (EST) on Jul 31, 2008

You seem to have a lot of friends! Good for you! There are couple of books on your '08 favorites, that caught my eye. "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is a book I'm so looking forward to reading. I have it coming through a book club. "Out Stealing Horses" is another one I'm very much interested in. How was "Plague of Doves"? I've never read her. You have a great library! Take care! Mark

posted by msf59 at 10:23 pm (EST) on Jul 30, 2008

I'm actually reading the same book as you are (Finn). I'm a little behind everyone else because my book didn't arrive on time, and yes I find it gruesome but very intriging. Alaska? I've heard it's beautiful, have fun and enjoy your vacation!

I have a few friends that go to SMS (I can't get over the name change either). I love Springfield it's such a beautiful city. I was up there in May for a children's literature conference at my college (Drury).

posted by beckylynn at 5:57 pm (EST) on Jul 16, 2008

I saw you read the book "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle", I've been wanting to read it for several reasons, but the main one being that Stephen King reccomended it on his webpage. Is it any good,(I assume so because of how you have it titled), so I guess a more appropriate question would be is it worth the price? Everywhere I go to buy the book it's extremley expensive and I just don't care to spend a whole lot on a single book unless it's highly reccomended. Thanks!

posted by beckylynn at 4:20 pm (EST) on Jul 10, 2008

Hi,
We share many books and many favorites. From perusing your favorites, I am bumping Angle of Repose and The Poisonwood Bible to the top of my to be read next list - a list which is shamefully long and sadly neglected! I'm looking forward to spending more time wandering among your books...
Happy reading,
Mel

posted by readaholic12 at 11:35 pm (EST) on Jul 8, 2008

Hi Donna. I'm liking this new "Connection News" feature! I just noticed that you rated The Story of Edgar Sawtelle 5 stars. I have that one on my wishlist & keep hearing good things about it. You apparently liked it as well. What did you like about it most?? I'm curious!

posted by indygo88 at 6:16 pm (EST) on Jun 29, 2008

Donna,

Humidity is right - I think we've gotten nearly 5 inches of rain this week, and I know we haven't gotten as much here as you have down there this spring. My grandparents lived in Littleton until my grandfather died, then my "grandma" (a younger second wife) moved to Mt Vernon, MO where her mother and brother were living. She is still there. I've got more relatives in Colo Springs, but I doubt we'll get down there on this trip. Isn't it funny how we just assume that our lives are completly unique, then we find someone who is connected to all the same places?

The War and Peace read was already started when I joined LT in March, but I was intrigued. I used to read more literary books than I have been lately, but never a lot of classic literature. We weren't introduced to it in school, and I tried it on my own after college, but it was rough going. I started the Middlemarch read, but my heart was never in it. George Eliot has never had much appeal, and I didn't make it past book 1. I'm looking forward to the new book, and will read whichever of the two leaders wins. I had a difficult time voting, since there were several that looked interesting, so my heart is not set on either one of them. For the short time I was plodding through Middlemarch, I did enjoy reading comments from other people about the same material. I felt less alone, and have had twinges of regret that I didn't stick it out a little longer. I hope the winner is announced soon - I'd like to get a copy of the book in time to take it with me when we leave for vacation next week.

Sandy

posted by sjmccreary at 10:54 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2008

Hi, Donna

We live in Lee's Summit, which is becoming more and more like Overland Park (not sure if that is a good or bad thing!)

We've always loved Springfield, and are pretty pleased that the boys are planning to move there. Our oldest son is in Rolla right now, but decided he didn't want to be an engineer after all, so he didn't enroll in school after he moved down there.

Where in Colorado did you live? That is another of my favorite places - my grandparents lived in Denver while I was growing up and we went out there every summer. We still make regular trips and have one planned for week after next to the Grand Mesa area - with a stop in Denver to visit relatives who still live there.

I fell in love with LT the first time I saw it. I expected the "new" to wear off, but so far I'm liking it more and more. I feel like I'm getting acquainted with the people here, and have started thinking of them just the same as I think of some of the the people I know in "real life". I know I sometimes spend far too much time here, when I could be reading, or should be working!

It's nice to meet you

Sandy

posted by sjmccreary at 10:30 am (EST) on Jun 3, 2008

Thanks for the welcome. That's (to me at least) the point. If you don't take a moment to collect your thoughts about something you've read it becomes an annoying vague memory. But without someone with whom to share those thoughts, there's little motivation for collecting them. You're right. It could become addictive.

I'm off to sea hauling ropes on a tall ship for the next couple of weeks. I'll add a bunch of shippy books to my shelf when I get back.

posted by EnglishPatient at 7:14 am (EST) on Jun 1, 2008

Thanks for your concise and sensitive reviews. I found myself agreeing with much of what you said about books I have also read. I'm new to this so my virtual shelf is still almost bare.

posted by EnglishPatient at 3:35 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

Hi Donna, thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries list. Our little dog's name is Lucy, she is 1/2 beagle and 1/2 daschund. We adopted her from a shelter where they told us she was shepard and doberman, big difference! Some day we will get a yellow lab, that is my childhood dog. Take care! Erin

posted by Rarcar1 at 4:52 pm (EST) on Apr 5, 2008

well i sort of gave up on the class. just had a lot going on but i make download the episodes from itunes and pick back up when i have time. i like the concepts of a new earth but it's really hard to stick with them! let me know if you make it the whole ten weeks! :)

posted by amanaceerdh at 4:57 pm (EST) on Apr 3, 2008

Thanks for your interest in my library, Donna. I see we share a lot of books, and a lot of favorites, and I enjoy your reviews, as well. I am glad you broke through your sci-fi aversion to read The Sparrow -- I, too, thought it excellent, and more about God and culture than about space travel. Have you read the sequel, Children of God?

You are clearly an old hand at recording your reading. I just began in 2007, finally -- after years of wanting to -- using LT's 50 Book Challenge group. I don't see you on there, but recommend it as a great way to get a little feedback on your reading while you keep a record. My current thread is at kambrogi in 2008

I, too, set a goal of reading all of Austen (as well as Dickens), but don't seem to move as quickly as I want to in that direction. MY TBR pile is so high! If you liked The Sparrow and admire Ann Fadiman, I wonder if you have read the non-fiction work, "When the Spirit Catches You, You Fall Down"? It is a study of cross-cultural confusion and the tragedy that results.

posted by kambrogi at 11:29 am (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

Hi – have you weighed in yet on the next book for Group Reads – Literature? The discussion thread is here. And Irish set up a poll for us here (it can be amended if there’s lots of interest in a book that isn’t on there yet). Hope to see you there!

Terri

posted by teelgee at 1:17 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Donna, I think we have very similar taste. I've been reading your reviews periodically and will continue to do so!

posted by 3M3m at 7:50 pm (EST) on Mar 5, 2008

very cool! I do hope you like it.

posted by library_kate at 12:21 am (EST) on Mar 1, 2008

i am doing the oprahthing, assuming i like the book when i read it this weekend. i actually like the idea of homework :) will let you know what i think. hope u enjoy the class too!

posted by amanaceerdh at 3:12 pm (EST) on Feb 29, 2008

we have 267 books in common, but i have never checked your page out before until now when i was checking out reviews for "the new earth," which i am about to read. a lot of your favorites are my favorites as well! i hope you enjoy jane austen's books as i much did!!!!

posted by amanaceerdh at 9:18 am (EST) on Feb 27, 2008

Hi Donna, thanks for the note. Yes, we have lots of books in common, and I was struck by how similarly we rated our books too.

I'm just getting started on War and Peace - only on page 70 or so - so I don't have too much to comment on yet, I feel like I'm just getting my bearings and getting to know some characters. I do see some parallels to contemporary issues - nationalism, imperialism, etc. that are fairly striking. It's going to take me a long time to read this one, as I'm reading endnotes, footnotes, looking at the dictionary, atlas, Wiki, etc - but learning a lot.

Do you know about the War and Peace group we've got going? It's called Group Reads - Literature. There are 25 or so LTers who are reading and commenting on the book - people are in various stages of reading. Pop in to have a look if you think you'd be interested. Here's a link to it.

Happy reading to you too.
Terri

posted by teelgee at 1:48 pm (EST) on Feb 16, 2008

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