Vivian, keeper of the Taffy for whom my heart swoons-- So sorry about the email coming back to you--I would say I don't know why that happened but I know now you are not fond of that. Did you send it to realstory@tds.net? That's the first piece of info I need, and then I will look into it. Of course, of course, of course--is all I can say to the above. There are as many ways to run a Friends group as there are libraries--and all I can say is I kinda wish I worked in your library. The Friends I worked with previously were not giving us gifts or funding scholarships--and that was okay. I was paid adequately and I enjoyed the benefits and frankly I've really never thought anyone else should have to pay for my schooling. So I get it. My thanks to you from afar for doing anything to help libraries and bookstores and the world in general, which is the category I put you in when you make adorable little Peter Rabbits playing mini-golf. BOOM. World better. And for the record? If someone wanted to give me $9750 I'd take it in nickels. Or credit card, whatever. That reminds me to put a PayPal button on this site. Ha! Congrats. I've never tried doing it mainly because I KNOW I would be the world's worst fundraiser. I salute you.

Unruly! You'd think we would know this, being librarian type people, but by all means, label your decorations in a way that makes sense to you! It will work. My house doesn't make sense to anyone else (people always seem stymied by where my silverware drawer is) but I pretty much know where everything is. So have it. My only rule for decorations is that they don't outgrow our four boxes (one for Mr. CR, one for me, one for the lil CRs, one for the nativity scene), so in past years I've had to give away/recycle some decorations that were okay and I'd had a while but that I just didn't love. This allows me to keep my traditional favorites (you know, the little ceramic mouse popping out of a present that I've had since I was ten) but every year still have the fun of purchasing one or two little things at holiday sales. I'd recommend the method to everyone! (Although Marie Kondo beat me to it--guess I'm only keeping the things that absolutely "spark joy.") Happy New Year, Unruly, and enjoy Year Two (when it starts) in your new palace!

I did! And I can totally see why Tyler's doing it, it takes a lot less time.

Unruly! So glad you are reading it! WOW. What a book. What a woman. And congrats on your new house--should get over there and comment that on your blog instead--hope you are settling in cozy-like!

Bybee, Yes, I was surprised. I've read Schechter before, and while he's not my favorite True Crime author, I usually find him much more skillful than this. But the problem could also be me: I'm very disjointed and tired lately, and that makes it hard to follow nonfiction as easily (I've found).

Brandon, I'm guessing there's some things in your comment that will make many female readers indulge in some revenge fantasies of their own...but I'm going to give you a pass because I think you've actually nailed a lot of what I didn't like or didn't understand about "Gone, Girl." I'm always depressed when the only picture given for female empowerment seems to be to out-violent, or "beat" the men. But I probably shouldn't say. I can't even remember how the book ended. Interesting that you found it enjoyable at all even if you thought it was nothing but shiny surface? I could say something about that being a typical male response--liking something pretty without really liking its substance--but I want to keep this above the belt. Literally.

Laura--So sorry I didn't see this comment until July 19!! (It got dumped in spam. Silly Typepad.) That book looks fascinating and I'm going to try and get it, although I'll probably have to do so through ILL--I can't imagine my public library is going to get it. Thanks! You never have to worry about going off-topic if the topic you're going to is BRIT TV! Loverly.

Hi! Yes, Ted Rall is an interesting writer, and although I'm not a huge fan of the graphic novel format, I found his bio of Snowden to be a good starting point. Thanks for the suggestion of "In the Plex"...I'm going to look into it! What did you think of "Future Crimes"? I think a lot of people thought it was too dense but I really thought it was an eye-opening read.

Oooh, Bleak House with Gillian Anderson. Always meant to watch that, I should make time for it now. I really did enjoy the British adaptation of "Our Mutual Friend," so perhaps all is not lost between Dickens and I just yet. Thanks for the reminder!

Yes, I must admit, in my old age, I'm starting to appreciate "life affirming." And I certainly love Helene Hanff!

Short post coming tomorrow and another post about a different book on Wednesday, MBP--and hopefully discussion on The Spree next week. Get reading!! :)

So glad you're on board! I thought the selections from books were interesting throughout--the David Copperfield almost made me want to try Dickens again, and I never thought I'd feel that way about Dickens. (I never really recovered from "Great Expectations" in high school.)

Okay Lynne! We're on. Now I just have to figure out how to organize this thing and make it happen!

Hi Bybee! Thanks for the vote of confidence. Also wanted to apologize that it took so long for your comment to show up. My software insists that you are spam, even though I keep trying to instruct it that you most certainly are not!

Oh, Stacy, you are so kind. I would guess some of you can stand my voice because you don't have to endure a lot of it. :) Wow, I am ALL OVER this new specific comment reply feature.

Hey!! Looks this! Names at the top AND specific replies to specific comments! How do you feel about this? How does everyone feel about this? Who knew? Typepad has really turned it up since last time I tried to format the comments in any way.

Oh my god, a free copy of 84, Charing Cross Road. Good on you for that score! What a great "store." Evidently I've going to have to put Baltimore on the (long) list of American cities I must visit.

Dearest Bybee, Well, sometimes I think my mission in life is to give people permission to dislike the books everyone else loves. Perhaps this is why phrases like "sure bets" and "crowd pleasers," when applied to books, make me nutty bar. Not every book can please every reader...and that is the way it should be!

Melanie, Yes, we book people are suckers for books about books and book people, aren't we? How can we help it? Can you think of a "meatier" book about books/bookstores that you could recommend to me? Kim, Oh, a girl after my own heart. I was a little bit proud of that sentence, although it's actually kind of clunky. Thank you. Oh, Jodi Picoult. Picoult doesn't even use a sledgehammer, she uses a jackhammer. Picoult and subtlety have never, ever been in the same room (or house, frankly).

Storey, Oh, I agree with both of those. Oprah also doesn't offer much in the way of nonfiction (or slightly more subtle fiction) and every year I play "How many titles HAVEN'T I read?" with the New York Times Notable list. Bleah! Was it just a few weeks back when there was a story about someone managing to buy their way onto the NY Times list outright? I should go track that down.

Lynne, Yes, some of the names were familiar to me as well. Although I certainly don't mean this as a personal gripe--I respect what they're trying to do with this list; I just wish it was more exciting! But you're right--most books that get any of the ALA's "stamps of approval" leave me pretty cold. I also find it a bit disingenuous that for years RA librarians have been barking at me that "it's all about the reader" and that librarians aren't supposed to have opinions about good books or books they (personally) love. Now, I've always disagreed with that, so I suppose I should be glad that this list is being made so librarians CAN share some of their "favorites." But I get the feeling that once again, on-the-front-lines librarians aren't supposed to have opinions, but the "tastemakers" in the ALA can. Pick one way or the other, kids--either no librarians should get to suggest favorites, or we all should.

Bybee, I really enjoyed that as well. Often when out driving around town, whenever Mr. CR or I see a boneheaded or selfish driving maneuver, we always look for the Jesus fish on the car's bumper (and disappointingly often, we find one). I know. We're terrible people.

Oh, Care, I knew you were a kindred spirit. Ah, The Commitments. Time for a re-watch. Happy BSPD yourself!

Biblomano, I'm glad you liked this one too, and you gave a much better description than I did. I got a real kick out of the Oklahoma kid. My favorite was when she went back to her high school, still didn't feel like she was learning much there or enjoying it, so enrolled in online school. Someone asked her if she wouldn't feel isolated that way, she pointed out she wouldn't feel any more isolated than she did in her actual high school. That was both heartbreaking and beautifully honest of the dear girl.

Robin, Fellow Jolly Child Rancher-- Tee hee--just hoping we get some sunshine/above freezing weather sometime soon for our children plants. :) Yes, I vastly preferred this one to Bootstrapper. Melanie, Goodness, farm wife. The only harder job than farmer. Thanks for the "Sous Chef" suggestion--sounds like what I need!