It was all about doing chores here at chez Chappy today.

Guess which one I was most anxious to address?

No, not dusting my bedroom–not even the ceiling fan blades. Not coming up with a completely new recipe for pot roast that hopefully won’t be bothering Mom’s stomach, which as been . . . cranky . . . since last night. Not doing laundry. Or taking Chappy out for a walk (though that wasn’t really a chore.)

Nope. the one I was most anxious to do was to give him a haircut. I didn’t even take that much off . . . all we ever really do is “trim around the edges.” Me, scissors, Chappy, and a selection of treats. No electric clipper, nothing that’s going to shave too close. Just a trim to cut away the raggedy-edges.

I paid particular attention to his furry little feet. I showed you his fuzzy feet a week or so ago, when La asked, but really, the fur was getting a little too out of control, making him slide around on the floors too much.

This is much better, now.

Except, of course, now his nails sound REALLY long . . . Sigh. I should have had the nail-grinder out days ago, except the fur on his toes was so long I was afraid it would get caught. I find it interesting that he has so much more fur than Katy did. Or at least, needs more trimming. She had feathery bits on her legs and under her belly that needed tidying from time to time, but not like him. Is it because he’s a boy? A different breeder? More curl to his fur? I’ve no idea, but really, I keep thinking that “Hobbit” would have been a great name for him, what with his short stature and furry toes….

Incidentally, Chappy wants to thank everyone for their kind comments on yesterday’s post. He’s feeling very chuffed and flattered and appreciated, and really, it’s a testament to his sweet disposition that it hasn’t gone to his head. (Although, it’s possible I may have told him that he needed to look good for his “public” when I pulled out the grooming scissors.) The fact that he wants now to refer to my blog readers as his “fan club,” really, I’m sure, will pass with time….

I had WANTED to catch up on my magazine reading today, but ran out of time. I’ve got an issue of Smithsonian that’s been waiting for over a week, and a copy of Whole Dog Journal (my favorite dog-magazine). And just the other day, my issue of Writers Ask came. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a journal for writers which consists of interviews with writers about various writing topics–their technique, inspiration, how they come up with character and place . . . all that. Interesting, if you’re a writer (which I sometimes like to fool myself that I am, though I’ve yet to get a single thing published, unless you count a dog-training tip in Click for Joy ). Anyway, Writers Ask is a sister publication of Glimmer Train Stories, which is a literary fiction magazine published by two lovely sisters that you may not have heard of, but is excellent, so I thought I’d just mention it in case you were interested.

Anyway, that’s pretty much been my day. No knitting or spinning to speak of, even though I was determined to get some spinning done today . . . Of course the whole Daylight Savings thing has thrown me off . . . I’m dreading tomorrow morning when, not only will it feel like my alarm is going off an hour early, but it will be dark again. I really, really hate waking up in the dark.

Now, I’m off to go back to the Audible.com website to try to figure out how to cancel my membership. I’ve found links on how to upgrade to a more expensive membership level. I’ve easily found locations for updating my credit card information to make it easier for them to bill me. Links for telling friends or giving them gifts? Easy. But I have yet to find a “cancel” button. I’m sure their service is perfectly fine, mind you, but I joined them last April, right after I’d gotten my first MP3 player, and have yet to download a single book. So, really, what’s the point? There IS a guide in the Help screens that will tell me how I “fulfill my financial obligation,” but I’ve got to tell you, if they bill me a single penny for cancelling when I’ve received not a single thing from them in the last 11 months, I will NOT be a happy person….

Tags: Chappy, Reading by Deb
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Hi, Chappy here.

Mommy’s tired today, so I thought I’d take over and let you know what she’s been doing today.

You know, to give her a rest–because that’s the kind of boy I am.

Well, the first thing is that Mommy and slept late this morning because she was up late finishing a book (She says to tell you it was His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik, and that she would have stopped at a bookstore today to buy the see-quill–whatever that is–except she was too tired.) But, anyway, we had a nice, relaxing morning–I love when I get to sleep on the bed–but around 10:30, she and Grandma went out. Without me!


That’s because they were going shoe shopping and said dogs aren’t allowed. Although that’s silly, don’t you think? Because I help Mommy pick out her shoes every day. Of course, I always encourage her to wear the kind that can go for walks, but she doesn’t always listen. But still, I consider myself something of a con-a-ser (or however you spell it). They were gone for hours, but I think they did pretty well, even without my help. And, naturally, I inspected everything when they got home. I don’t think those es-pa-drills are very practical for going for walks, but I guess they’re okay, although Mommy says they’re a little higher than she really wanted but that she loved the color. Well, they are green . . . I like that they match my collar.

But my favorite part of the day came next! We all went to the park! Even Grandpa!

(Sorry about all the excited-marks, I couldn’t help it. Because I was! Excited! I’m still excititated just thinking about it!)

Anyway, I was so happy about it, I made Mommy take a picture of me with both my grandparents. At the park. A chance like that doesn’t come along every day, you know, because usually when it’s nice enough to go to the park, Grandpa’s out playing golf. It really wasn’t that cold–right around 50 degrees Mommy says. She was wearing that pretty Celtic Dreams sweater of hers, too, and she looked just right–all, you know, warm and Mommy-ish.

I just love a chance to show off my family, you know? I think they’re just the nicest people–although I’m sure all of you are quite nice, too. I know I’ve really liked those of you I’ve met. (Hi Risa! Hi Liz! Hi Jessica! Hi Shelley!) But anyway, I got to show them off to a whole BUNCH of other dogs that we meat . . . um . . . meet . . . um . . . met. There was a poodle, and a corgi and a Manchester terrier and a beagle and two pugs and a really friendly terrier named Abby . . . It just made me so happy to get to show them my family, you know?

My least favorite part of the day? When we came home and Mommy gave me a bath. Blech. Though that’s still better than getting my nails trimmed, which she says we need to do really soon. And a haircut . . . I keep telling her that I like my fur nice and long and fluffy, but she says I start looking like a shaggy little sheep. You’d think that, what with the spinning and all, that she’d like that, but, whatever.

Okay, I’m really tired now, too–the fresh air, the greeting other dogs, the showing off my family, the bath, the running around the house to dry off after the bath . . . And blogging. Who knew blogging was so tiring? Although some of that could be the typing. It’s really not that easy with paws instead of fingers, you know. I have a whole new respect for how fast Mommy does this typing-thing. Anyway, I’m pretty sleepy, too.

I’m just glad I get to sleep on the bed again tonight.

I just love weekends.

Tags: Chappy, Family, General by Deb
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Good-bye, Islander.

Thanks for the memories, and for blowing your horn for us.
(Click the horn link!)

And, welcome Island Home–I’m sure you’ll be lovely. And big!

(And no, I did not take that stunning, gold-lit photo–it’s a notecard with one of Alison Shaw‘s pictures. Most of the rest of these pictures were actually taken by Mom.)

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Tags: Eye-Candy Friday, Martha's Vineyard by Deb
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Our driveway obviously had an interesting night last night. When I went out to get the newspapers this morning, not only were there footprints and tire tracks from yesterday, but three different kinds of animal tracks. Small little cloven hooves from, I’m guessing, a deer . . . though it seems awfully small for deer. A line of cat paws along the edge of the driveway, and little, scurrying squirrel prints . . . or something like a squirrel. Rabbit maybe?

Darn, where’s my girl scout manual when I need it?

Although, actually, I never made it to girl scouts. I was a Brownie drop-out . . . I’ve really never been a joiner, you know?

And, um, no, Knit-alongs don’t count.

1. Do you lend your books to other people? If so, any restrictions? I used to, but as a rule, the only ones I lend books to these days is family members.
2. Do you borrow books from other people? (Friends or family—I’m not talking about the public library) Very, very seldom. If someone really wants to insist, I’ll read a book they lend me, but for the most part, if I’m recommended a book, I’m more likely to just get a copy of my own.
3. And, most importantly—do the books you lend/borrow get returned to their rightful owners?? I ALWAYS return books I borrow, but, well, one of the main reasons I don’t lend books out to people I’m not related to anymore is that I’ve had them not returned far too often. So, no, not any more. Not if I can help it.

Tags: Reading, Weather by Deb
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I feel just terrible that I don’t have anything truly interesting of a knitting-nature to tell you. All three of my projects are moving on apace, they just don’t seem particularly fascinating to talk about. I’ve got about six of the fourteen inches done on the side panels to my Celtic Icon . . . but, you know, plain stockinette isn’t exactly riveting–to do or to photograph. My Tatami cardigan is slowly working its way through the seemingly-endless sleeve section. I think I’m about half way through them . . . and it’s only taken me, what, a month to get this far? And then the socks for Mom? I’ve got the foot about a third of the way done …

Sigh. At this rate, it’s going to be months before I get a chance to do something, anything new.

You did know that the new Knitty is out, right? I’d say that was just to torment me, stuck with these endless-feeling projects, but there’s not really that much I’m interested in knitting. Isabella is lovely, but not something I’d be likely to wear. And there are some adorable things for little girls, but since I don’t have one of those, they don’t do me any good. A lovely sock pattern or two . . . but still, nothing to really tempt me to throw my sweaters to the bottom of the knitting bag. . .

Unlike, say, this book which arrived in my mailbox today… (for which I blame Susan, in the friendliest, happiest, most grateful kind of way). It’s been months and months since I did any lace knitting . . . October! if only these sweaters weren’t standing in my way.

(Because you all know I’m pretty disciplined about too many WIPs, right? It’s usually one sweater, one lace project, and a pair of socks going. My having two different sweaters being worked on at the same time is highly unusual. And frankly, it’s making me just a little itchy….)

Two other things of note today? Mom got a new digital camera–a Kodak Easy Share. Let’s all welcome her to the 21st century, shall we? And we also got some snow today. Not a lot, only about an inch, but more than enough to completely mess up this morning’s rush hour for a lot of people–I was one of the very few people on time to work this morning, and there were accidents all over the place. But all that’s irrelevant because Chappy and I got to go out after work and play in the snow in the backyard.

I brought his little yellow frisbee with us and then basically stood there and watched him entertaining himself. His favorite way to play with this toy? To brace both front paws on it and then “hike” it backward through his hind legs, spinning around to pounce on it. He can keep him entertained that way for quite a while, and we now have some very interesting “snow art” back there . . . lots of short, firm strokes of cleared snow from the frequent frisbee sliding. Mostly, I stood there and laughed, enjoying seeing him so happy. Mom took some pictures through the window, which I’d share with you, but they’re still on her camera. I’ll show her how to get them on her computer tomorrow . . . one step at a time, you know!

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning by Deb
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Okay, my next non-knitting project?

As I was transcribing my reading list to the computer, there would be times . . . and those of you who know me will be shocked by this . . . that I couldn’t read my own handwriting, to decipher an author’s name.

This wouldn’t really be that much of a problem–all I needed to do for almost all of them was take a look at my Book List . . . the one I’ve had in excel for something like 15 years now . . . find the right entry, and copy the correct name.

Except, there were some books that I knew that I owned that weren’t on the list. Like, the book on the Boykin Spaniel, for instance. All I had to do was walk into the office and pull my copy off the shelf to get the authors’ names, but  . . . it wasn’t on the list.

You know what that means, don’t you? The list isn’t as up to date as I think it is.

Naturally, I need to address that! So, I printed it out . . . or at least, the relevant columns (Title, Author, Topic, Location). Then, the next step is to compare the list to the reality on my shelves . . . that shouldn’t take me long, right? I mean, I only have (approximately) 2,849 books, and the list is only 56 pages long…. Easy!

I suppose while I’m at it, I could pare out a few more books that I might (just might) be willing to part with. I’ve shown you my library, and I think it’s pretty obvious that I don’t easily let books go. It’s a reasonably safe bet that, once I’ve got my hands on them, they’re not going anywhere.

Don’t get me wrong, though–I’ve come by all of my books honestly–either as purchases or gifts. Not one of those is a book that someone lent me that I neglected to return. (Or at least, not that I can think of!) But still . . . once I own a book, I do not like giving them up. Since starting this list? I’ve removed exactly 136 books from my library. I know this because I moved them to a separate tab on my Excel spreadsheet . . . because you can’t just willy-nilly get rid of a book without cleaning out the catalog, huh? That’s just . . . chaos!

So yes, in my free time over the next however-many days, I’ll be wandering around with pen and paper, comparing reality to to my list  . . . I wonder how far off my actual count will be??

And don’t think that I don’t sometimes think that I did, in fact, miss my calling and should have been a librarian.

Sometimes I think about putting my yarn collection into a similar spreadsheet . . . but really, that would be scary, don’t you think??

And–on a completely unrelated note? I just heard from Planet Dog about this plea for help from the Michael Keenan support fund. This man ran back into a burning building to rescue a friend’s dog that he was pet-sitting, and is now in the hospital with burns over 80% of his body. He also apparently jumped into San Francisco Bay once to rescue to people whose car had gone in. The thing is, he’s an artist and doesn’t have insurance. Planet Dog has made a donation both to his fund and to Pets Unlimited, who is looking after the dog’s veterinary care. It’s certainly the kind of person who deserves a helping hand, so . . . if you feel so moved, head over and make a donation, won’t you? I did. Or at the least, help spread the word.

Tags: General, Reading by Deb
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Three thousand thirty-eight.

That’s how many books I read between January 1, 1996 and February 28, 2007.

123 months.

That’s an average of 24.699287 books a month, or an average of .764 books a day.

The month with the most reads? December 1999, with only 9 books.

The month with the most? July 2001, with 42.

The number of months that I equalled or exceeded 30 books? Twenty-one.

The number of months that I read less than 20 books? Forty-four

The number of months that I read less than 10? One

The year with the least reads was 2000, when I read only 182 books.

The year with the most reads was 2005, with 347 books.

The average per month? Remarkably similar, really, in the 20-22 books-per range but with a jump in August, where I apparently average 26 books a month.

Author with the most reads? Anne McCaffrey, with 198. (Mercedes Lackey was second, with 168, then Elizabeth Peters, David Eddings, Sharon Shinn, Diana Wynne Jones, Sharon Lee/Steve Miller, Dick Francis, and JK Rowling and Sean Russell tied for 10th place.)

Book with the most reads? Sharon Shinn’s Archangel, with 14 reads. I read that book for the first time on 5/3/97 (the first book of hers I read) and have read it fourteen times in the ten years since. No wonder she made the top-ten list for favorite authors, huh? Anne McCaffrey’s Freedom’s Landing comes in second, with 13 reads, followed by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (read 12 times, with the very first one being on 9/18/99). Behind that is David Edding’s “Belgariad” series, Sean Russel’s “Moonlight and Magic” duology (read for the first time in October 1996), and Mercedes Lackey’s “Mage Storm” trilogy–all tied with 11 reads apiece. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, incidentally, comes in at 9 reads in the period stated–but I still couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read it. I lost count at about 13 reads back while I was in high school, and I must have read it at LEAST five times between then and when I started my reading list, so that’s got to be up somewhere around 30. I’d guess that Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern books are right up there, too…

Oh, and I didn’t always track page numbers, but the one with the highest count is Diana Gabaldon’s Voyager (read 6/30/04). Next is Tom Clancy’s Debt of Honor (990 pages, read 6 times since 1996).

The average number of pages per book is 368.21

I’m obviously having a lot of fun here, but just a couple more statistics for you:

Number of people who guessed for my contest? 48

Number of people who waaaaay overestimated my abilities? 16 people who guessed over 3500. (And, really, Amanda? Liz? Eva? I’m flattered that you think I can manage over 40 books a month. I hope you ladies don’t think less of me.) The lowest guess was Jessalu‘s at 2,182 (at least she thinks I have a life outside of reading).

The winning guess? Amy, who guessed 3,012, and is therefore closest without going over–only 26 books off from the final total. (Ironically–and I think this is really funny–she was the very first person to guess, which means all the rest of you might not have bothered . . . except that then it would have been a really boring contest . . . I do love the irony, though!)

The closest guess on the high side was Samantha, who guessed 3,056–only 18 off. I’m feeling a little badly about her being so close, though . . . Samantha, would you like a consolation prize?? Speak up, if you do!

Thank all of you who played!!

And yes, before you ask, yes, I do have a full-time job, and I do spend at least an hour or so knitting or spinning each day. And no, I don’t read in the shower, or while blogging, or taking Chappy out for walks…

Now, I know what you’re thinking–Deb clearly has too much time on her hands. But for the record? I just finished my fourth book for the month of March . . . And in addition to all this number-crunching, I even squeezed a walk in for what my sister calls Parade Day.

March forth, everyone! Onward!

Tags: Monthly Reading List, Reading by Deb
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So, this morning, I got up and made some coffee.

Took my vitamins.

Cooked for me and Chappy.

Ate my breakfast.

Fed Chappy. (Doesn’t he look pathetic while he’s waiting for permission to eat? I mean, cute. He looks cute, not pathetic!)

Put on some make-up. And then guess who I saw?

Risa! She and I went to the Mall at Short Hills today–the first time she’s ever been there. (Shocking, I know, since she’s so proud of having grown up as a mall-rat.) We shopped for a while and then had lunch at Bloomingdales.

I had a pastrami wrap . . . really, a reuben . . . and it was quite tasty, even if I couldn’t finish all of it.

I’m quite proud of my purchases. A red merino/cashmere relaxed turtleneck from Ann Taylor, a greenish-blue (not that it photographed even a tiny bit green) pullover from JCrew (courtesy of Risa’s employee discount), and a beautiful blue sweater, also from Ann Taylor which was not only on sale and lovely, but is 100% cashmere. When I realized, I almost swooned!

I mean, all this beauty for about $65? Too good to be true!

After all that shopping, of course, we were hungry again, so we stopped at Cafe Beethoven in Chatham for some cappucino and a snack. (The cappucino is excellent there, it really is–lots of foam, like a good cappucino should have. You know, like the way they were before Charbucks came along.)

But, well, Cafe Beethoven is just a couple doors up from the Stitching Bee.

What can I tell you? It’s a sickness. I admit it. I appear to have a sock yarn addiction. They say admitting the problem is the first step….

Oh, and incidentally, if it makes those of you who were feeling teased and taunted by yesterday’s post feel any better, I want you to know that when I got home from work yesterday, they were all gone–so I couldn’t have any, either!

Really, it was a lovely day. Mom and I even got Chappy–still deliriously happy over getting to truly greet Risa without the monkeys cringing away–out for a walk. Nice. And now I’ve got to go–he’s looking for his supper!

Tags: Friends, General by Deb
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Yes, I know. I’m making myself hungry, too.

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Tags: Baking, Eye-Candy Friday by Deb
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Here’s the list of books finished in February:

1. TEAM OF RIVALS by Doris Kearns Goodwin. (754 p.) Incredibly good history book, about Abraham Lincoln and the four powerful, well-known men who were his main rivals for the Presidential nomination in 1860 . . . and who he convinced to be on his cabinet once he–a relative unknown–was elected. Great story, well-told, and just fascinating. Well worth the effort to carry it around the house while reading–it’s not a small book, but I really loved it.

2. SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN by Sharon Shinn  (355 p.) Fantasy book. Coriel usually lives with her grandmother, learning herblore to be a wise woman, but she spends her summers with her half-sister, who is betrothed to the dashing Prince Bryan  . . but as the years go on, she becomes disillusioned . . . A nice, gentle, beautifully-written book by a favorite author.

3. SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION by Lauren Willig (449 p.) You have heard of the Secret Pimpernel, right? The fictional British hero who saved hundreds of Frenchmen from the guilliotine during the French Revolution? Well, apparently, there was also a (even-more fictional) hero named the Pink Carnation, and this is the story of a modern-day graduate student finding his true identity . . . This book falls closer to the “romance” genre than I usually read, but it was pretty entertaining and fun . . . and now I’m going to have to pick up the sequel….

4. WORLDLY GOODS by Lisa Jardine (436 p.) History book, a bit dry, about the new importance of the merchant class during the Renaissance. Interesting topic, and the writing was certainly capable enough, and yet . . . it read like a series of short, disjointed sections that seemed as if they should have been connected. This is the second of her books that I’ve read, and this seems to be just her writing style, but it was a little too disconnected for me to really be able to enjoy.

5. THE EYRE AFFAIR by Jasper Fforde (374 p.) Pure, fun nonsense set in an alternate world where literature is a national obsession. They have “Will-Speak” machines on the corner which spout great Shakespeare soliloquies for a coin. Riots over artistic styles. And, oh yes, a lot of weird, weird things like vampires, and arch-villains who are bulletproof, preternaturally convincing, and purely evil. Enter Thursday Next, a Special-Ops operative for literary offenses, whose uncle Mycroft has just invented a Prose Portal which allows anyone to enter the fictional world  . . . just at the same time that Acheron Hades steals the original manuscript of Jane Eyre . . . and kidnaps Jane! (Yes, it’s weird, but oh, it’s so much fun.)

6. LOST IN A GOOD BOOK by Jasper Fforde (399 p.) Thursday Next, book two–newly-married, and finishing up a publicity tour on her involvement in the Eyre Affair, the multi-national corporation Goliath is trying to convince her to rescue its employee, trapped in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven.” And to convince her, they “eradicate” her husband–going back in time to have him die as a child, so nobody remembers him . . . except her. All while she’s discovered a way inside of fiction on her own . . . and becomes apprenticed to the Jurisfiction ranks, with Miss Havisham as her mentor….

7. WELL OF LOST PLOTS by Jasper Fforde (360 p.) My least favorite of the Thursday Next books, mostly because it entirely takes place inside of fiction, where Thursday is taking refuge from Goliath’s low-blow tactics. Thursday is not only on her way to becoming a full-fledged member of Jurisfiction, but helping vet the new “Ultra-Word” operating system, which will make old, ordinary books obsolete, all while fighting off a “mindworm” that threatens to steal away her memories of her husband . . .

8. SOMETHING ROTTEN by Jasper Fforde (393 p.) Thursday Next number four–two years later, Thursday emerges back into (her) real world with her two-year old son in tow, determined to do whatever it takes to get her husband back, her job back, her life back . . . except she’s brought along Hamlet, only to find that a crooked (and fictional) politician has declared that all Danes are the enemy . . . but of course, Shakespeare wouldn’t be the same without Hamlet. And then there’s the formidable assassin who’s been hired to kill her. On the plus side, she’s got her own, officially-registered stalker, Millon de Floss, who proves rather useful…. This series, as you can tell, is completely wacky, but it makes me laugh out loud every time.

9. FITTED KNITS by Stephanie Japel (137 p.) Exactly what it sounds like–a book of patterns for fitted knitwear.

10. PHOENIX AND ASHES by Mercedes Lackey (405 p.) A re-telling of Cinderella in a Victorian England that has magic–all part of the author’s “Elemental Mage” series. Eleanor is bespelled by her wicked stepmother to her house . . . until her own magical abilities awake . . .

11. SERPENT’S SHADOW by Mercedes Lackey (394 p.) The “Elemental Mage” version of Snow White–Maya is a half-English, half-Indian woman doctor trying to make a life for herself in England–not easy for a half-caste woman doctor–all while staying hidden from her mother’s evil sister, who has left India to try to find her . . .

12. WIZARD OF LONDON by Mercedes Lackey (377 p.) And this one is the story of the Snow Queen . . . although I think it’s the least recognizable of the series. This is told from the point of view of Sarah Jane and Nan–students of a London boarding school.

13. BLAME IT ON THE RAIN by Laura Lee (295 p.) A series of entertaining little anecdotes–each chapter is only 2-5 pages long–of how weather events have had major affects on history. Noah’s flood, the storm that blew away the Armada invading England, and, oh yes, the multiple attempts to invade Russia only to be defeated by the winter. (These chapters–scattered through the somewhat-chronological book–are titled “Gee, it’s Cold in Russia,” “Gee, it’s Cold in Russia, Part II,” and then parts three and four . . . which are separated by the chapter on Russia’s invasion of Finland, titled “Gee, it’s Cold in Finland.” Little touches like these amuse me, what can I say? Entertaining, informative, pleasantly-written, easy to pick up at a moment’s notice thanks to the short, breezy chapters…. nice.

14. AN ASSEMBLY SUCH AS THIS by Pamela Aidan (218 p.) The first book of her “Fitzwilliam Darcy” trilogy, which tells the story of Pride & Prejudice
from Mr. Darcy’s point of view. Hers isn’t the first to do this, by any
means, but I think it’s one of the best. I’ve read the entire trilogy
twice so far . . . um, give me a couple weeks and I can give you exact
counts . . . and think it’s entirely enjoyable. Definitely recommended.

15. KATZ ON DOGS by Jon Katz (228 p.) General guide to raising and training a dog–not so much about the training specifics as the mentality necessary–or at least helpful–to having a dog in your life. His “A Dog Year” is still my favorite, but this was generally enjoyable.

16. DUTY AND DESIRE by Pamela Aidan (238 p.) The second of the “Fitzwilliam Darcy” trilogy, and definitely the weakest of the three–this covers what he did between leaving Netherfield and seeing Elizabeth again at Rosings . . . but, frankly, it’s all just a little strange. A little too “occult” for Jane Austen, I think. Not horrible, and the scenes with his sister and friend Dy are charming, but . . . not the best of the series.

17. IMPOSSIBLE THINGS by Connie Willis (461 p.) Short stories by a wonderful sci-fi writer–some serious, some funny, some downright depressing. (I couldn’t even bring myself to read the first story about a not-too-distant future where all dogs have been wiped out by a fast-moving disease . . . unthinkable! Chappy thinks so, too.) Her writing is wonderful as always, but still . . . I’m ot really a short-story fan.

18. THESE THREE REMAIN by Pamela Aidan (335 p.) The grand finale of the Fitzwilliam Darcy trilogy and excellent. Not least because it contains some of my favorite scenes from the original–the infamous Proposal, the unexpected meeting at Pemberley–but plenty of other good, juicy stuff, too, like how he tracked down Wickham. You really can’t compare to the original because Jane Austen is too perfect in her own right, but still . . . these are excellent compliments.

19. PERFECT CAKES by Nick Malgieri (311 p.) A beautiful cookbook that I’ve had my eye on for a while . . . well, I do love cake. I haven’t made anything yet, but there are a number of things in here to tempt me!

Tags: Monthly Reading List, Reading by Deb
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