tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post223355775755458478..comments2024-03-18T15:27:31.588-07:00Comments on Musings of a Bookish Kitty: Sunday Salon: The Vietnam War (My Reading, Part 3)Literary Felinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-71576015664551975712010-09-05T16:15:00.829-07:002010-09-05T16:15:00.829-07:00Serena - The Matterhorn would be a great selection...<b>Serena</b> - The Matterhorn would be a great selection for a read-along! Keep me posted if you do decide to have one.<br /><br /><b>Heather J.</b> - Thank you, Heather. I think it will be a while before things settle down for me, given what's to come, but I'm excited about some of that change.<br /><br /><b>Iliana</b> - It's been nice to take the pressure off myself and accept that I can only do so much.<br /><br />Tim O'Brien has a way with words and adds enough humor into his book The Things They Carried that it makes it easy to read. Some of the time. :-)<br /><br /><b>Kris</b> - Thank you, Kris! I've been enjoying my reading quite a bit, fortunately. <br /><br /><b>Anna</b> - The Things They Carried would be a great book for a book club discussion. I hope yours went well!<br /><br /><b>Jen</b> - That sounds good! It's been nice jumping back into the urban fantasy after being away from it for so long. Reading too much of one kind of book does grow tiresome after awhile. I like to mix things up more often than not.<br /><br /><b>Alice</b> - You've had so much going on, what with the move and new job on top of everything else. I am so glad you read Paco's Story and The Things They Carried.<br /><br /><b>Lisa</b> - Yes, O'Brien's book definitely does stay with you long after you finish reading it.Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-34803157012458713162010-08-29T09:58:15.797-07:002010-08-29T09:58:15.797-07:00Absolutely agree with your opinions about The Thin...Absolutely agree with your opinions about The Things They Carried, except that I was immediately pulled in. Reading about the weight of the things the men carried, both tangible and intangible was gripping for me. It's really a book that stays with you.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05554217416500328610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-36718616406574256202010-08-21T08:36:47.877-07:002010-08-21T08:36:47.877-07:00Hi Wendy, I'm reading PACO'S STORY at the ...Hi Wendy, I'm reading PACO'S STORY at the moment, and it's everything you've said here. I've got the one by Tim O'Brien too and that's going to be next to be read after I finished Paco's. <br /><br />I'm experiencing the same situation with my blog and I've been blogging irregularly because of work. My blog has to go off the priority list at least for now. I'm glad we have each other here for support.Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623394887320093229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-72146309119563359452010-08-19T05:39:43.829-07:002010-08-19T05:39:43.829-07:00I think I'm going to take a break from urban f...I think I'm going to take a break from urban fantasy soon and try to get some classics read and some of these unread books on my shelves.Ladytink_534https://www.blogger.com/profile/14317480621483829078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-16875381312744510102010-08-18T11:09:01.826-07:002010-08-18T11:09:01.826-07:00As I always say, real life comes first. I've ...As I always say, real life comes first. I've had some crazy months on the home/work fronts myself, so I haven't been reading blogs as much as I'd like. Hopefully you'll be able to relax soon!<br /><br />I'm glad to see you were blown away by The Things They Carried. I just selected it as my next book club pick!Annahttp://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-33628125954585501482010-08-17T07:50:04.456-07:002010-08-17T07:50:04.456-07:00You sure do have a lot going on! Good luck with t...You sure do have a lot going on! Good luck with the house and I hope you get a break with work soon.<br /><br />If it was between reading and blogging, I have to admit that I would have to put reading above blogging too. I sure you you are getting in some good reading time every day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17182023445485838169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-24834863090651245242010-08-16T13:19:29.119-07:002010-08-16T13:19:29.119-07:00Oh Wendy, you sure have your hands full! I have mi...Oh Wendy, you sure have your hands full! I have missed seeing more of your posts but I think we all just go through moments when the blog has to take a back seat. Don't worry about that - just make sure you still have time for yourself and of course to relax with books when you get those little breaks :)<br /><br />One day I will read something by Tim O'Brien! I have a hard time picking up a book I know is about war because I just find it so hard to read about. Still I don't want to miss on a good read.Ilianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026669671843769219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-55813316179452910552010-08-16T07:56:21.143-07:002010-08-16T07:56:21.143-07:00Good luck keeping your life in balance. You'r...Good luck keeping your life in balance. You're right, something's gotta give, and it certainly can't be your career or your responsibilities at home. We'll all be here to read whatever you write whenever you have time to write it, so don't worry about that. :) Here's hoping that things settle down for you soon!Heather J. @ TLC Book Tourshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10474181812740579350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-25416141966317529202010-08-16T07:44:25.337-07:002010-08-16T07:44:25.337-07:00I'm so glad that you are participating in the ...I'm so glad that you are participating in the reading challenge and the readalong..>What great insights into two fantastic books...and another book for me to check out as well.<br /><br />We'll get links up as soon as we can.<br /><br />I hope that the summer ends well for you and that you get what you deserve from the appraiser. <br /><br />we were thinking of doing a readalong for the things they carried, but it seems everyone has read it...so maybe we'll change it to Matterhorn!Serenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04745809545249574387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-50113780622163440802010-08-16T06:09:23.274-07:002010-08-16T06:09:23.274-07:00Melody - Thank you, Melody! I hope you have a gre...<b>Melody</b> - Thank you, Melody! I hope you have a great week too.<br /><br /><b>Christine</b> - Being in the right frame of mind is a good idea. I hope you do like it when you get to it.Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-64906257655559150392010-08-16T05:56:46.171-07:002010-08-16T05:56:46.171-07:00The Things They Carried is on my TBR list. I keep ...The Things They Carried is on my TBR list. I keep waiting for the right mood to read it.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13098146236864874168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-57111567536886171542010-08-15T19:17:46.504-07:002010-08-15T19:17:46.504-07:00I've been wondering about you, Wendy. It's...I've been wondering about you, Wendy. It's so good to see you back and after reading your post, I can totally understand why you haven't been updating your blog as usual. I hope all things will go on well and smoothly for you, both work wise and the house moving. :)<br /><br />Hope you've a great week ahead!Melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967837585961009598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-14480877370168785082010-08-15T17:07:57.543-07:002010-08-15T17:07:57.543-07:00Carla - It's not always easy to find time for ...<b>Carla</b> - It's not always easy to find time for everything, is it?<br /><br />I hope you enjoy Terrier! Enjoy the State Fair. It's been so long since I was last able to go to one. My parents go every year, but I haven't heard them say whether they'd go this year yet or not.<br /><br />I hope you have a great week too!<br /><br /><b>Kathy</b> - Yes, I'm looking forward to the move although I wish all the stuff in between was already finished: the actual packing, looking for a new house, etc. LOL<br /><br /><b>Nicole</b> - It's always nice when you find extra time to read. I hope to get to Year of Wonders one of these days. <br /><br />It really was a stroke of genius, the way The Things They Carried was put together. Such an awesome book.<br /><br /><b>Laura</b> - Thanks, Laura. I just feel lucky I'm not carrying the load by myself at this point. <br /><br /><b>Heather</b> - The Vietnam War has so many different facets to it. It's definitely an interesting war to study and read about. Being so close to it through my father, it makes it even more fascinating. I do hope you are able to read both of the books and will enjoy them as much as I did.<br /><br /><b>Kathleen</b> - We can only do so much and so we do the best we can. Hopefully you will get a chance to read The Things They Carried one of these days. It took me years so you still have time. :-)Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-40192972580445186162010-08-15T16:51:12.898-07:002010-08-15T16:51:12.898-07:00Sounds like you've been as busy as me. It is h...Sounds like you've been as busy as me. It is hard to focus on blogging when the "real" world gets in the way. It's nice to have you back for the day and hope you will be back a bit more in the future, depending on your work schedule and busy house stuff. I haven't read The Things They Carried but haven't yet heard a negative review. I can't wait to read it. I had it out from the library but had to return it unread a few weeks ago.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739982274914536036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-44321772112758672782010-08-15T15:31:26.261-07:002010-08-15T15:31:26.261-07:00I read a lot of the posts for the Paco's Story...I read a lot of the posts for the Paco's Story read along, and think that that is definitely a book I want to read. I also just bought a copy of The Things They Carried, and am looking forward to it. I find the Vietnam War very interesting.<br /><br />It sounds like you are very busy right now, what with work and the house, and I hope things begin to calm down soon for you! Take care of yourself and try to relax as much as possible!Zibileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05857638467064749190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-4383342228967727632010-08-15T15:13:26.630-07:002010-08-15T15:13:26.630-07:00Wendy, you sure have a lot going on at the moment!...Wendy, you sure have a lot going on at the moment! Hope the work stuff reaches a state of manageable equilibrium. Glad you're still reading !Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07219439074687598827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-62289699837958900832010-08-15T15:09:18.920-07:002010-08-15T15:09:18.920-07:00I have surprised myself today and got quite a bit ...I have surprised myself today and got quite a bit of reading done in Year of Wonders. I might actually finish it today, or tomorrow.<br /><br />I read The Things They Carried. First as a short story and later the novel. I was blown away by it, especially by the way that the events could have been perpetrated by any of the men. He really set that book up brilliantly.Nicole (Linus's Blanket)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12473607646939202824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-39211033807994543272010-08-15T13:48:01.710-07:002010-08-15T13:48:01.710-07:00I can totally see why you haven't been around ...I can totally see why you haven't been around as much - your life has been crazy! I hope things settle down for you soon. Moving is a pain, but it's also exciting! <br /><br />I was blown away by The Things They Carried too.bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-54199822987497257872010-08-15T12:28:33.763-07:002010-08-15T12:28:33.763-07:00I remember when i took up ham radio and was trying...I remember when i took up ham radio and was trying to tackle morse code everybody kept saying just practice 10 minutes a day. I felt like saying that there are only so many 10 minute periods and it seemed like they were all filled up with other things! Like meals, and dogs and horses and work and this and the other. <br />It all seems to level out in the end somehow.<br />I've been reading/listening to shorter things lately. Finished up Whirligigs by Paul Fleischman and just loved it! Did Bull Run and Practical Magic before that. I think I'll try Terrier next week by Tamora Pierce.<br />Going to State Fair on Monday and back to work part time temp this week.<br />Have a great week!carlanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-78067064377321597182010-08-15T11:37:47.917-07:002010-08-15T11:37:47.917-07:00Florinda - I worked quite a bit of overtime last y...<b>Florinda</b> - I worked quite a bit of overtime last year too, although not quite as much--even with the furloughs last year. It's impossible to furlough an emergency service and not expect to pay out lots of overtime. While I'm not furloughing anymore, my staff who fall under a different union are. We're struggling to work out their schedules and ensure there's still plenty of coverage at the moment. We have until the 26th to come up with a schedule. And then it takes effect that day. :-S<br /><br />Finding a good balance can be tough. It's a constant struggle for me.<br /><br /><b>Alyce</b> - And then some! I imagine going back to work won't be an easy adjustment in some regards, and I can't blame you for wanting to put it off until your youngest is in 1st grade. If you can manage it, that's definitely a good way to go.<br /><br /><b>Sandy</b> - I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read The Things They Carried. I should have read my dad's copy before I gave it to him for his birthday all those years ago. LOL<br /><br />Paco's Story has a lot going for it and ultimately my complaint about it is minor. I loved that it was harsh and raw. It felt like I was reading two or three different novels at times, however, and I would like to have had a little more consistency in that regard.<br /><br />I do hope you can get your hands on The Other Side. I'd offer you my copy, but my husband's already claimed it and won't let go. :-(<br /><br />The move has been a long time coming, only it's been a big waiting game as we wait for the city to decide what it's going to do. We still have a ways to go, but at least the ball is rolling and we're a little less in the dark than we were before. I imagine once the actual appraisal is done, things will start moving pretty quickly from there. A lot hinges on how much the city is willing to give us for our house.Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-57906452451956016452010-08-15T10:32:54.376-07:002010-08-15T10:32:54.376-07:00The Things They Carried is a masterpiece. It is g...The Things They Carried is a masterpiece. It is graceful and heartbreaking and poignant. Paco's Story was not any of these things - it was harsh and raw. But they both present very real viewpoints on the Vietnam War, and I enjoyed both. I am ALL OVER that graphic novel. I have one more book to read for the challenge, and I think that is going to be it, if my library carries it.<br /><br />I did not realize you were moving! It is such a royal pain, but also will be a new adventure. I wish you lots of energy and luck in finding your next home!Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-49770491581052447202010-08-15T10:05:19.563-07:002010-08-15T10:05:19.563-07:00It sounds like you've been keeping very busy! ...It sounds like you've been keeping very busy! I've been thinking about what it will be like to go back to work after being out of the workforce for almost ten years, but have decided it doesn't make sense for me to do until my youngest is at least in the first grade since we don't want to do day care.<br /><br />I've been seeing a lot of good reviews for The Things They Carried, and have finally decided to add it to my wish list after reading this post.Alycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10919057159829023714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-18627555902279228592010-08-15T09:32:59.482-07:002010-08-15T09:32:59.482-07:00Last year you were dealing with furloughs, and thi...Last year you were dealing with furloughs, and this year it's overtime - the joys of working with the state, huh (in one way or another)?<br /><br />I'm glad to see you back, Wendy - I've missed you! My reading/blogging balance shifted a bit over the summer too - I was doing more reading, and I liked it. Now that I'm back at work full-time and through with traveling for a while, I have much less time to read, and I need to think about what I really want that balance to be.<br /><br />Reading about the Vietnam era appeals to me more when it's a backdrop than a central theme, to be honest, but I always like getting your take on books :-).Florindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09789402061034734894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-70173203548493058692010-08-15T07:56:12.172-07:002010-08-15T07:56:12.172-07:00Linda - Thanks for your kind words, Linda. That&#...<b>Linda</b> - Thanks for your kind words, Linda. That's all we can do, isn't it? We just do what we can, as best we can.<br /><br />I hadn't realized The Things They Carried was required reading for some schools. I think that's great. It's definitely a worthwhile book to read. If you do read it, I would love to know what you think.<br /><br /><b>Molly</b> - I've really missed you all too. Thank you.<br /><br />I have the Vietnam War Challenge to thank for getting me back into reading about the Vietnam War. I am not sure I would have been so eager to dive back in otherwise. It'd been years since I'd last cracked open a book about it. I kind of burnt myself out in my quest to learn more about it all those years ago. <br /><br />I hope you have a great week too!Literary Felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079276242303738719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31552114.post-76476220537658939882010-08-15T06:45:03.616-07:002010-08-15T06:45:03.616-07:00I have missed you, Wendy, but I am so glad that al...I have missed you, Wendy, but I am so glad that all is ok and it is just that cycle of life. I know that things will settle down sometime soon.<br /><br />I am so impressed with your diligence to read about the Viet Nam war. That is a topic that I feel I "should" read --- but I just can't bring myself to do right now. While I have not read Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, I did read In the Lake of the Woods and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is one of the books that stays with you a long time.<br /><br />Have a great week!Mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08414201637917215413noreply@blogger.com