Today's Featured Book:
Lonesome Dove
by Larry McMurtry
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 1985
Page Count: 864 pages
Summary:
Journey to the dusty little Texas town of Lonesome Dove and meet an unforgettable assortment of heroes and outlaws, whores and ladies, Indians and settlers. Richly authentic, beautifully written, always dramatic, Lonesome Dove is a book to make us laugh, weep, dream, and remember.
When Augustus came out on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake - not a very big one.
THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky.
In an effort to get the coffee going, Bolivar had spilled a small pile of coffee grounds into the grease where the eggs and bacon were frying. It seemed like a small enough matter to him, but it enraged Augustus, who liked to achieve an orderly breakfast at least once a week.
"I guess it won't hurt the coffee none to taste like eggs," he said testily. "Most of the time your eggs taste like coffee."
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I read Lonesome Dove for the first time in 1985 when it first came out. I couldn't stop recommending it to other people, and it has been one of my big recommendation successes as a librarian.
My happiest recommendation story was when I recommended it to my niece, Erin, a nonreader at nineteen, and a longtime cowgirl. "It was Lonesome Dove and my Aunt Debbie that made me a reader," she always told people.
I'm reading Lonesome Dove for the fourth time starting on May 1 with Nick Senger's longtime Chapter-a-Day Book Challenge. This year the focus is on American Masterpieces. Here's the schedule if you would like to join along.
I thought it would be a snap to find a used copy of Lonesome Dove, but after I searched three used bookstores without luck, I ended up buying a new copy of the book online. One bookseller said there's a Tik-Tok person who has set a whole new generation of readers on fire for Lonesome Dove, and that's the reason for the used book shortage.
I love the Lonesome Dove tv series, too. Here's a video from the 20th anniversary of the series that gives a bit of the flavor:
I never expected to like a Western, but it's these characters I fell in love with. Here's a link to my ten reasons for reading Lonesome Dove, if you'd like to hear a little more.
The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.
May 2nd - 8th - What's your typical process for writing a book review, from reading the book to publishing the review on your blog? (submitted by Page @ Pages of Perfiction)
What a great question! And I'm eager to hear the responses of others.
I'm probably the lamest longtime blogging book reviewer there is. Typically, I read a book, I write down a few notes about my favorite parts and quotes, and I very quickly scribble a book review.
I will usually write a book review as soon as I finish reading the book wherever I am at! Lol. I've typed up long emails to myself when I've had to so I can format it later. I like to write the review while the book is still fresh in my head before I move onto the next one.
ReplyDeleteHere's my BBH
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
This is one I've never read but on your recommendation I'll try to hunt up a used copy locally!
ReplyDeleteThe Friday 56 - I read Lonesome Dove over twenty years ago but don't own a copy. However, I did find Dead Man's Walk, the second prequel, a few days ago at a thrift store. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteBook Blogger Hop - Your reviewing style isn't lame. I wish I could write my reviews faster. Have a good weekend!
I was mistaken; Dead Man's Walk is the first prequel, and Comanche Moon is the second.
DeleteI have never read this book, and my first thought after reading that first line was, "No way. Not for me!" Lol! But then I read the page 56/56% excerpt and became intrigued. Then I read the rest of what you said about it and now I'm really curious. For your niece to say it's the book that made her a reader is quite a compliment! :) Regarding the reviews, that's how I write some of my reviews too, when I'm not posting it on my blog. I like to write, so I tend to write a lot more on my blog. We all have our reviewing styles. The important thing is that we are posting our reviews.
ReplyDeleteNormally I don't read books about men in the West, but you make this one sound intriguing. I'm also put off by the length!
ReplyDeletebest...mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I LOVE THIS BOOK. Now I want to read on in the series, though my husband, who did read the other books, says Lonesome Dove is the best.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed listening to this a couple of years ago. I may join the Moby Dick reading challenge later this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way about writing reviews. I haven't read this book but my husband just did and thoroughly enjoeyd it. I need to try it.
ReplyDeleteI've always been curious about this series. Thanks for featuring it!
ReplyDeleteI have not read this book but it sounds like a gem.
ReplyDeleteThat your niece credits it with turning her into a reader says so much about the power of this book.
It does sound fascinating, at some point I will have to find a way to get to it.
ReplyDeleteI usually take notes while I'm reading and then write my review right after I finish the book. Occasionally, I need a little longer to process my thoughts and take a day or so. Any longer than that and I start forgetting things. 🤦🏻♀️🤣 Hope you have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have influenced your niece.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that your review process is lame. I used to take copious notes, but then realised that I wasn't enjoying the book the same. I do review the book straight after though so that I don't forget things.
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/05/02/book-blogger-hop-process-of-writing-my-review/
I've seen the series, and maybe one day I'll have to try the book too.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get through Lonesome Dove. Going to read your 10 reasons post in a minute. I like the idea of a chapter a day. Maybe next year. I am finding I am being successful with War and Peace by reading a chapter a day.
ReplyDeleteI have such fond memories of reading Lonesome Dove back in the day. I think I have read it a couple of times now.
ReplyDeleteI have loved some books by this author, but I haven't yet read this one. It sounds like a good one to grab and savor. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFourth time reading it! Wow, then I need to check it out too...
ReplyDeleteOh, Lonesome Dove is a book I am CRAZY about! I’ve never seen the film, but I’ve read it several times, and probably fallen in love with Gus a few times over. My father worked in the Chicago Stockyards, as a third generation cattleman, before it closed in 1971. I have very clear, and cherished, memories of cowboys from those days. (If you like Lonesome Dove, you may very well like Owen Wister’s The Virginian…again, I never saw it as a film, but the book is wonderful!)
ReplyDelete