In Response to King of the Wild Frontier

Dear Wendy:

I'm thinking you have the type of books I love pegged pretty good now *g*. I think you've picked up that all my favourites have wounded in some way kind of way, hero. And *g* to set the record straight, it's not disgust, it's amused disbelief that you have all these great books sitting around so long without being read. But since I'm getting in the same predicament these days myself with a TBR pile that is, for the first time ever, starting to frighten me, I'm sure there is someone out there thinking Kristie, Kristie, Kristie!

And of all the ones I've strong-armed you into reading, I think Ride The Fire is the one you have given the highest grade to. For that I am very pleased. Ms. Clare does indeed have a wonderful way of weaving history into her books and making it interesting.

And I am also wondering if you have seen the movie Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day Lewis. To me, although different, they have a remarkable similar kind of 'feel' to them - considering one is a movie and the other a book.

And you are so right - "This is not a sunshine happy puppy dog rainbow kind of book" :-) And that's one of the reasons it's so highly placed on my favourite list. If given my druthers, I 'druther have a dark story then a light and fluffy one. That first chapter is HARD to read!!

And I'm not sure about the turgid thought thing. After my son came for a visit this evening (and to help me open my mail) we had a very mind boggling (for me anyway) conversation about male turgidity. I wasn't sure he was trying to put one over on his old mother or being more open then he has been since he was seven - but I know now that young men think of turgidity. A LOT. (Of course he totally freaked - which I found very amusing- when the conversation switched to my sex life - or lack of one. I think he quite honestly thought older people 'got over it'. I told him to wait until he was in his fifties and then revisit that thought again)

And again you are right - what makes a book a 'keeper' is an illusive and mysterious thing and one I can't explain either - except I know when I've read one.

In conclusion, knowing you are either a) a harsher judge, or b) I'm an easier sell - not sure which - a B+ is heck of a darn good grade and I'm glad you recommend this one!

We shall see in July which one I can nag you about next. I have a couple in mind (heh heh heh) because what would it be if I didn't Wendy, Wendy, Wendy you with a least one book.
And I am also thinking that you could possibly have an opportunity to do it back to me this time.

Yours truly,
Kristie J

PS: The only complaint I have to make is now I'm going to have that darn Disney Davey Crockett song running through my head for the rest of the evening. Hopefully it will be gone by morning.