The History Book Club discussion

Christine, here is your new thread in 2015. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

JANUARY

1. by J.A. Konrath
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Crime
Rating: A
Review: Second book that I have read by this author. Love my serial killers! Excellent book. Not for the squeamish. Never bored me which is easy to do.

2. by Sue Grafton
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Crime
Rating: B
Review: I am now on number 12 of the alphabet series by Sue Grafton. Loving them all. Very easy reads. Each read is similar but, I am still astonished that she can come up with new capers.

Christine you are doing great and wonderful effort. Let me try to help.

In front of the first book for the month of January - you need to have JANUARY - CAPS AND BOLD - it stands out that way. You only have to place the month before the first book completed in any of the twelve months. If you finish 19 books in January - you only have to have JANUARY before number 1 in this case.

On citation 1 there is no author's photo - same for book two - so all you have to add is (no photo) in parens at the end and leave out the blank icon photo IF THERE IS NO PHOTO BUT I FOUND THE ONE FOR YOUR FIRST BOOK.

Like this:

For one:

by J.A. Konrath

However for your first citation - I found the author's photo so I showed you how to fix the citation. Not sure why you did not find it.

For the second book here is the citation:

by Tammy Garner (no photo)

In the citation above - there was no photo of the author so you can see how we handled it.

Message 5 looks good Christine - the citation is great too - but make sure you place one blank space before and after the word by for perfect spacing otherwise everything is A-OK in your format. Congrats.

Keep me on my toes. I am on meds. No joke and old. Trying. Went back several times and fixed several things. Good to know about photos. First time I could not find photos!
couple of meds cause confusion. Again, no joke.

Will try to go in and fix again when on computer. On phone now. Too much work

Hard to do anything on phone - when you get back on the computer - you have the guidance to know what to do and you can always check the How To thread or post that you need help here and we are available. You will do just fine and really are doing quite well already.

Bently

Trying to use html to align like sample. Not having much luck. Will play around again.

Can't get it to align under photo of myself.

The aligning is not critical - try to fix the citations.

And you can bold the month.

<b>Put Text Here</b>

3. by Sue Grafton
Finish date January 2015
Genre: Crime
Rating: B
Review: Still on my quest to finish all of her books. More. Than half through. It amazes me how she is able to come up with so many different plots. I thing this is number 12 that I have read and can honestly say I think I only did not enjoy one book.

Sue Grafton is always great and your format is great too.

I love that series! I think I made it up to "R is for Ricochet". To continue now, I'd probably have to reread them over again as it's been a while since then.

by Sue Grafton

Actually, I bounce from letter to letter depending what is available at the libray. I don t feel as though they need to be read in any order. I am capable of putting the relationships and characters in order even if I don t read them in sequence.

Christine wrote: "JANUARY
1. by J A Konrath
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Crime
Rating: A
Review: Second book that I have read..."

Christine, you should cite your book the following way:

by J.A. Konrath

Jose. That is fine but, how do we keep track of the numbers.

Your rules but, makes more sense to keep a running track number with each entry.

I petition the format to be changed to include a number in front of book read....

Jose

If you look at the top of this thread, I do believe I was instructed to place a number by Bently in front of the book read.

I just checked snd there is a number in front of the Churchill book.

Jose

I also find there are differences how the Goodreads app or site works depending on what device I use.

If I use the Ipad app or Iphone app it responds completely different than if I sign in to the actual site through my browser. When I did the first book no photo came through because I was on Ipad.

Bently was able to find a photo and inserted it. I edited it for another reason and photo disappeared.

I think Goodreads responds differently to all operating systems if you want to know the truth.

I tried adding an image to my number one read "Bloody Mary". For the life of me it will not find one to upload. So, I give up on trying to get image up. If someone can get one up there please feel free to add it!

It is there Christine. Search for the book in the "add book/author" feature. Click on author tab and you will see his picture. Just click on "photo," then "add." Repeat for the link like you have. I hope this makes sense.

Christine wrote: "Jose. That is fine but, how do we keep track of the numbers.

Your rules but, makes more sense to keep a running track number with each entry.

I petition the format to be changed to include a nu..."

Jose was just trying to show you the correct citation - you are correct you still need to number all of the books

Christine wrote: "Jose

I also find there are differences how the Goodreads app or site works depending on what device I use.

If I use the iPad app or Iphone app it responds completely different than if I sign in t..."


The mobile app will give you problems - stick to the full featured app and you can edit them when you are on a computer. It is easier that way.

We cannot edit your messages - keep trying and use the technique that Bryan mentioned.

Also, maybe you should practice on the Mechanics of the Board thread - that gives you some detailed info.

Here is a thread which also gives some info

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks Bently. I was joking about the petition.

(smile) - you are welcome

4. by Tammy Garner (no photo)
Fiinish date: January 2015
Genre: Self-help
Rating: C
Review: I was able to download for free. In January these books are plentiful. I aways read them. Just hoping for a cure in a book for disorganization at times. Always a tip some where.

Yes it is the sustainability that gets you.

5. by Ruth Reichl
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: B
Review: Really enjoyed this foray from my typical reading. She was a food critic in Los Angeles and then the New York Times.

I enjoyed because it was a learning experience for me. I was able to learn about different foods, recipes etc. Just proves that the quest for knowledge on any subject is abundant.

I chose this book on a whim from Overdrive.

6. by Marie Kondō (no photo)
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Self-help
Rating: B
Review: Another one of my books that I wish was magic. Most books are pretty much the same when it comes to conquering clutter and organizing. However, I found this book to be different in her approach. Her approach is to gather all of the same items together and then purge. Not to do one room at a time or a small area at a time. She believes that all similar items should all be stored in one place. Clothes, books etc. I love her thoughts on books. The same as mine. Read them and then get rid of them as they are clutter. Keep a list in Evernote or Goodreads after you have read them and pass them along. I am a firm believer of electronic books. But, enough of that rant on books.

It was a New York times best seller and I ordered it by accident in print form. Duh! Think I need a book on organization? I do.

You can see that she is not a lover of books - I love the physical books themselves although I do have Kindles and the like. I am not sure I like her approach.

Bentley:

I have every electronic device known to man kind!

I do love my Kindle because I can carry it all over with me and I get so much more reading accomplished. I have my iPhone but screen too tiny. iPad too big. So, Staples had it on sale and it has worked great. Took it to the movie with me last night and read while all those trailers and commercials were on the screen. Got an extra half hour of reading time.

Yes, I have two Kindles - why I am not sure - I think I left one behind on a trip or something like that and got another (smile) - good idea.

7. by Agatha Christie
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B
Review: Think it actually might be my first mystery by Agatha Christie. Have watched Hercule Poirot's mysteries on TV before but never realized how well Agatha Christie writes. Can t wait to start another.

Read about the author in the back of the book and she was amazing!

What was particularly fun about the book was the fact that Hercule had to figure everything out without DNA and forensics. Just seems like forensics has taken all the fun out of crime solving!

I love all of Christie's books. You might want to also try her Harley Quin series.....she didn't write a lot of them and they were short stories.

by Agatha Christie

Jill wrote: "I love all of Christie's books. You might want to also try her Harley Quin series.....she didn't write a lot of them and they were short stories.

[bookcover:The Harlequin Tea Set: A Short Story|15..."

Jill wrote: "I love all of Christie's books. You might want to also try her Harley Quin series.....she didn't write a lot of them and they were short stories.

[bookcover:The Harlequin Tea Set: A Short Story|15..."


Will do!

Thanks!

Christine wrote: "Jill wrote: "I love all of Christie's books. You might want to also try her Harley Quin series.....she didn't write a lot of them and they were short stories.

[bookcover:The Harlequin Tea Set: A S..."

Don't forget your author citation.

Elizabeth Peters

Jill wrote: "Don't forget your author citation.

Elizabeth Peters"

We have to put down an author in a post? Was not aware. Thanks.

Christine wrote: "Jill wrote: "Don't forget your author citation.

Elizabeth Peters"

We have to put down an author in a post? Was not aware. Thanks."

I think I just messed up your precious post! What else is new!

That should be previous! Oh my! On phone now!

If you mention another author in your post that is not the author of the book you have read, s/he has to be posted as well. No problems......we all often forget that guideline!!!

Christine wrote: "6. by Marie Kondō (no photo)
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Self-help..."

I'm on the waiting list for this book at our local library since I'm a bit challenged by tidiness myself. But get rid of books? Just because I read them once? I hope the rest of the book offers options that will be easier for me to handle. :+)

Dave wrote: "Christine wrote: "6. by Marie Kondō (no photo)
Finish date: January 2015..."

How many books have you read two times? Me, never.

Her point is that a book is only printed information on paper bound. The intention of a book is to pass the knowledge that is in a book to a person. That is the only purpose of a book. If I want to read a book again, I would just buy it. I switched to Kindle and iPad books a long, long time ago. I can use Overdrive to get what I want from the library and other places on the net to get free books.

I ordered this book by accident from Amazon in hard copy. I had purchased the kindle copy and made a mistake along the line. Gotta get rid of the hard copy now.

8. by Karin Slaughter
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Crime
Rating: D
Review: book was pretty boring until the last chapter. Violent and twisted murderer. Pretty sick. I have read some of her other books which were much better.

Christine - hello

Try to get message 2 fixed with a bolded JANUARY

< b >JANUARY< / b >

Just take out the spaces and make sure you have all of the parts. You have not edited message 2 - additionally there is an author's photo - You must keep trying - why don't you do an edit - take it all out an start working on it from scratch.
You know what has to be done.

What happened to your second book which disappeared that we asked you to edit as well.

You must work on those edits.

Update: You have gotten the bolding down but now need to still correct the author's photo which is missing. There is an author's photo for that author and book.

Bently.

Just tried for a photo for number two again on iPad. Nothing coming up. Just icon.

Will try on computer.

But, have tried time and time again. Nothing comes up in app or when I use browser to access site.

Will try computer again.

Check number 1. See if it is okay.

The month is great - congrats

There is an author's image for that author. Just go in and fix it. We are talking about the Bloody Mary author and it is best to try this on the computer if you are unsure.

9. by Louise Penny
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Actually, I am quite excited to have found this series and author. This book was a five star for me. The former Chief Inspector of Homicide, Armand Gamache was able to solve the crime without the use of modern forensics. The book and Armand remind me so much of Agatha Christie books that I am thrilled to have found this series. If this book is representative of the other novels Penny wrote I have many books to look forward to read.

Message 2 is improved. Thank you

10. by Neal Thompson
Finish date: January 2015
Genre: Biography
Rating: A
Review:I do not give a book five stars unless I really enjoy it. I see some comments that people felt this book was boring. I feel the opposite. I LOVE trivia so this book was right up my alley with many simple facts at the beginning of each chapter as well as in the book itself.

What impressed me the most with the book is the author's sources. He did quite a bit of research on Ripley so that impresses me in a book. As an example, I personally do not put much credit in a book written by a liberal history teacher who has not done research and cited the sources and merely gives his opinion of a certain past or current event. In other words, twists to suit his view.

I visit Ripley museums in South Carolina, Virginia and other places when I get the chance. The content in the museums never seem to bore me and I can actually read all the plaques and descriptions without being bored.
When I was younger I really never believed anything that was in the museums thinking them staged. Now, I have a new view and will enjoy them more. Ripley was an American cartoonist, entrepreneur and amateur anthropologist.

He traveled the globe. He most loved China and visited after World War II and was saddened by the condition and the coming Communist takeover. Many believe this contributed to his healths down word spiral.

Ripley had very bad teeth and when he was young was shunned. Many believe that Bugs Bunny was fashioned after him.

He visited exotic locales that felt original and untouched by modernity. He found Bali to be one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. There is mention in the book of eating lotus leaves with one of his lovers. The lotus leaves apparently produce a high of some sort which I never knew.

In Singapore he tasted his first Singapore Sling. So, the drink really did originate there!

On his travels through Muslim lands, he found himself troubled by the "fanatical" teachings of Islam and the Koran.

He disliked the Soviet Union where he traveled by train. There was no food or water available for the entire day trek. There actually was a tourist agency created by Joseph Stalin. He said that it was the filthiest train he had ever seen in 158 countries he visited. He was relieved to reach Finland. More civilized and cleaner.

He drank and drank and drank. The book is filled with this fact and all of his drinking partners. That could be very repetitive to many reading the book.

One year a list of the richest men was published. Ripley was not mentioned because his income came from various sources and no single corporation. But, the cartoonist from Santa Rosa was now earning as much as General Motors president and ranked one of the highest paid men in America. I personally found this fascinating. Exact number are elusive. It is estimated that his income from all sources was at least a half a million dollars a year or $9 million in 2012 dollars. He had income from newspaper, radio, books, endorsements, film, and his Odditorium.

He was a womanizer to say the least. He felt women were wonderful in their place. And, he had many of them.

He loved animals. Especially dogs.

He did not trust the government with his tax dollars or anything else.

He tried to convince the Navy to raise the Arizona and give the dead sailors a proper burial. He actually was one of the first people to be involved with the memorial at Pearl Harbor. He made sketching for a design.

Since I am of Polish descent, I was surprised to learn that Warner Brothers was founded by some Polish Brothers from Pennsylvania.

He was a man who found his life and the world around him endlessly interesting and exciting. He felt that he must share this with his fans and believe me he had fans. I would never have known until I read this book what an impact this man had during his "time". His spirit lives on in TV show like Myth-Busters, River Monsters and more. Even America's Funniest Home Video's.

As the book states, LeRoy Ripley, may have been the most unbelievable oddity of all.

That sounds like you really enjoyed the book - good progress

FEBRUARY

11. by Larry Edwards (no photo)
Finish date: February 2015
Genre: Cooking/history
Rating: A
Review: Excellent book on history of cooking during the period. I thought it was going to be a cookbook when I purchased it. I was traveling with my two grand children so I try not to read books that require too much concentration. This was actually a special book. All of the recipes and chapters had a history of the food during the period as well as fantastic recipes. Spoiler alert! Lots of butter, eggs and rich dairy in most of the scrumptious cookie and cake recipes. I have not cooked in a while but, this might get me going. The recipes appear to be easy based on my own cooking experience as well as delicious.

Please note that this is not merely a cookbook but, a history book of those that worked in the abbeys, the residents of the abbeys, the history of the period etc.

A fun read. I actually read cookbooks and the recipes in totality. Not just peruse cook books