Jo-Jo at jo-jolovestoread.blogspot.com hosts Book Club Chatter every week.
The question this week is... "Does your group that meets in person usually meet at one of your members homes or a public location? And how do you decide where you are meeting?"
I belong to two book clubs. The first is a group that specifically discusses mysteries. It is sponsored by Barnes & Noble so we meet at the bookstore once a month. They reserve the reading area for us and, usually, provide our drinks. I like meeting there because we have instant access to books. Like most book clubs, our discussions are not limited to the book we're reading. We also discuss what we are reading outside of the book club. It's nice to go to the shelf and look at the book someone else is reading.
My other book group has been whittled (love that word!) down to just three of us. Because we live on opposite ends of the metro area, it's easiest to meet somewhere that is central to all of us. We have been meeting at different restaurants. We've even had servers who've read the discussion book and offer opinions :o)
M has been trying to win Daughtry tickets on a local radio station. Because she's eleven, I had to make the call. We've been trying since Monday. Every time I got thriough, they already had a winner. Today, though, there wasn't a winner when I got through but, sadly, we guessed the wrong songs. We ket trying and, I think the DJ wanted to give them to us. He kept giving us hints but when we called in with the correct songs, he had a winner. M is so bummed but more determined than ever to win those tickets. Wish us luck!
Daughtry opened for Bon Jovi when I saw them and closed their set with "Home". I love that song!
What is your policy when it comes to new authors? Do you feel comfortable purchasing a book or do you prefer to borrow new authors from the library? How often do you 'try out' a new author?
I love to find new authors but I don't usually buy hardbacks of authors I've never heard of. That's what libraries are for :o) There are a few exceptions, though. If we've chosen a new author for book club, I might purchase the hardback if I can't get a library copy in time. That said, both my book clubs tend not to choose new authors whose books are only in hardback. I will also buy a new author's hardback if someone whose reading tastes are similar to my own, recommends it. However, that person has, often, already bought the book and will loan it to me. Problem solved!
I don't mind trying new authors in paperback. Price, obviously, being the main reason but I know that if I don't like it, I can always pass it on, knowing I'll never see it again. I'm sure that someone will appreciate the new author even if I don't. Today, my purse was my Paisley tote bag . I hadn't carried it in quite a while and saw it, yesterday, in my purse closet. So, I decided I would carry it today. I wore a plain black sweater, blue jeans and black boots so the pattern on the bag was the "pop" my outfit needed.
FIRST LINE FRIDAY...First lines have always intrigued me since I heard an author say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. So, go to your To Be Read Pile, choose as many books as you want and share the first line. Be sure to include the title and author so that if your reader also finds it intriguing, they can find the book. Also, share your thoughts about the first line. Does it draw you in? Is it...exciting...thought provoking...scary...funny?
"At his desk, Amos Hines turned over the last sheet of the two-page legal document he'd been instucted to read."
Roses Leila Meacham
The first thing that gets my attention in this first line is the name Amos. I really like that name and am already hoping that this Amos is main character and will be around for a long time. Other than that, though, this first sentence isn't really that exciting... not that that's is a bad thing, like Seinfeld says. I'm sure some of the most beloved classic novels have less than stellar first lines. Although, I'm kind of wondering what is in that legal document.
I'm very excited to read this book as I've really only heard good things about it. I've read other book blogs that mention giveaways for this book but I can't find any. Even though I have the library copy right now, I think I'd like to have my own. I can't renew it as there's a waiting list. I'm not sure I'll finish it in the allotted time as I have two book club books to finish. Also, because, I've read such great reviews, it seems like a book I'd like to pass along to my friends as well as read again some day. If you are hosting a giveaway or know of one, please leave a comment, I'll definitely enter!
Booking Through Thursday has a great question today...Who’s your favorite author that other people are NOT reading? The one you want to evangelize for, the one you would run popularity campaigns for? The author that, so far as you’re concerned, everyone should be reading–but that nobody seems to have heard of. You know, not JK Rowling, not Jane Austen, not Hemingway–everybody’s heard of them. The author that you think should be that famous and can’t understand why they’re not…
Craig Johnson!!!
He is an absolutely amazing author! Everything about his writing is perfect! His characters, settings and plots are complex yet not so much so that they unbelievable. It seems effortless... and I still find myself thinking back to his novels. That, to me, is the mark of a great author. Because I read a lot, some books are forgotten as soon as I finish them but Walt Longmire (his main character, Sheiff of Absaroka County, Wyoming) has stuck with me. I find myself remembering plotlines or envisioning characters from Craig's books when I see a Wyoming license plate... which happens more often than you'd think... Wyoming is about 100 miles from here.
I've met Craig a few times as he's spoken at our book club. When he came last summer, he and his wife joined a few of us for dinner. While we discussed his novels, we also just had great dinner conversation. I could definitely see Walt in him. I think a lot of authors put a little bit of themselves in their main character.
My second bag of the day was my black Coach Sabrina I love the old style Coach logo contrasting with the new signature "C". I read a lot of handbag blogs, websites etc. and there is some debate about the new vs. old signature "C"... so, I'm definitely not the only one who is obsessed :o)
I'm so excited! Today is the first anniversary of my blog!
I wrote 115 blog posts during the first year. My goal, for the second year, will be to write at least 116. I'm even thinking about writing every day in February. It's a short month and considering I did it every day in July (one of the longer months), I think I can do it again.
I went back and read the two posts I wrote that day. I'm going to write two posts today, as well. There's an interesting question on "Booking Through Thursday" and I want to answer it. I have a great author who I want to share! I'm also going to carry another bag later today. So, I'll post a picture of that, too. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not... but, I carried the same bag today I carried that first day :o) Obviously, it's one of my favorites!
I have to say that I LOVE my blog's name! Before I started my blog, I read a lot of other blogs and was amused and impressed by their clever titles. So, I definitely wanted something that elicited the same response. The bags and books part of the title came very easily...no surprise there, really. I was resigned to the fact that I would have to title my blog something mundane like Kathy's Bags & Books when I was driving back from dropping M at school the day I started the blog. I just couldn't think of anything clever and that really encompassed me. Fate stepped in and Bon Jovi started playing on the radio... and to make it even better, it was their iconic..."Livin' On A Prayer". The clouds parted and the angels sang...well, not really! But I knew exactly what the blog title would be! How COMPLETELY me...Bags, Books & Bon Jovi... it's my three favorite things and (I think) it's pretty darn clever!
I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy reading yours. If you have any great ideas for my February blog posts, please let me know. Even though, it's a short month.. I'll probably still get stuck for things to blog about.
I don't normally watch CSI. It can get a little too graphic for me... especially when the bullet or knife is shown going into the body in slow motion. It always makes a "sucking" noise that makes me shudder a little. Anyway, I will be watching on Thursday. I saw a promo for next week's episode. Rocco Mediate, my favorite PGA player, will be a guest star. How fun! I really hope, though, he doesn't turn out to be the murderer. We don't need another degenerate on the Tour.
Karma is a good thing. I went to a shopping area that has metered parking. I know a lot of people just skip paying, especially when they are just running into a store as I did. However, I always pay. I'm sure it's my Catholic guilt kicking in but I really don't want to risk a parking ticket when a quarter put into a kiosk is so simple. Well, today, I had literally no change (the kiosk only accepts change and credit cards). I was only going to be in the store a few minutes so I really only needed a twenty-five cents for about 17 minutes. So, being the good girl that I am :o) I swiped my credit card...for a QUARTER!!! I think I even laughed as I did it. My time-stamped ticket printed and as I'm walking back to my car to put it on the dashboard, I see a crumpled $5 bill in the gutter. It was the universe's way of rewarding me for doing the right thing! I used my black Coach Carly today. I hadn't carried it since probably before Christmas so it was time to carry it.
FIRST LINE FRIDAY...First lines have always intrigued me since I heard an author say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. So, go to your To Be Read Pile, choose as many books as you want and share the first line. Be sure to include the title and author so that if your reader also finds it intriguing, they can find the book. Also, share your thoughts about the first line. Does it draw you in? Is it...exciting...thought provoking...scary...funny?
"I was on the second floor of a three-story walk-up on Chicago's North Side." The Chicago Way Michael Harvey
Definitely not the most exciting fist sentence but this debut novel has been likened to classic Noir novels of the past. It doesn't surprise me, then, that the first sentence is very staight-forward and to-the-point.
We are reading this mystery for my February book club. It's received great reviews and I'm looking forward to reading it. I'll probably start it tonight.
There is a quote in the front of the book that explains the book's title. It's taken from The Untouchables. I adore Sean Connery so, thanks to YouTube, here is the scene...
Today, January 15, is National Hat Day. Why is this significant? Because we held a private funeral service for my father-in-law today. There will be memorial service Sunday at the church where their family were members for over 50 years. He always wore a Fedora when he was in public. I can't even think of a time when I saw him without one. He wasn't a vain man who wore a hat to cover baldness. He was just of that generation of men who believed it was proper etiquette to wear a hat when in public. He was quite dapper, actually. I find it very fitting that his funeral held on National Hat Day :o)
I carried my Dooney & Bourke black satchel today. I felt I needed a very sedate black bag for the funeral and this one was the first one I pulled out of my purse closet.
Okay, so I scrambled my blog title a little bit....
I haven't really been reading a lot lately. Obviously, it's been quite stressful around here. I usually read before I go to sleep but, more often than not, I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I have found a novel that I am very excited to read. It is "Roses" by Leila Meacham. Publishers Weekly calls Roses an "enthralling stunner, a good old-fashioned read ... heralding the overdue return of those delicious doorstop epics from such writers as Barbara Taylor Bradford (A Woman of Substance) and Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds)".
I love epic family sagas. So, I put my name on the library waiting list. I try not to judge books by their cover but the cover is simply beautiful. I hope the novel lives up to all the hype. If you've read this, I'd love to hear your opinion.
I've missed blogging about my handbags. I had a rather funny handbag "mishap" the other day. I was walking through the Macy's handbag department (of course) on my way to a hair appointment when all of the sudden, I feel the front handle of my satchel break. I couldn't even carry it properly. I had to carry it under my arm like a huge clutch :o) It was like my purse was punishing me for looking at other bags. Crazy, I know but the timing was just a little curious :o) It's at the shoe repair shop waiting to be picked up after being repaired.
I hadn't bought a bag in quite a while and went a little crazy in Target the other day. I bought two purses and have my eye on a third. I may just ask for it for my birthday. It's not that it's expensive...it's from Target, so no worries there. It's just that J&M want to buy a birthday gift and I don't want them to spend a lot of money. Win/win, I guess.
My bag today was one of my Target purchases. It is also the same bag I want for my birthday :o) I bought it in black and the one I want is a muted fuschia. I don't have a problem with having two bags in the same style but different color. As a matter of fact, I think it is very practical. If I find a bag I love, why not have it in different colors? I'm not carrying both at the same time. This bag is big and slouchy and even though it's not leather, it feels so soft. I added a Kathy Van Zeeland key fob to the zipper pull for a little extra "pizzazz".
And just so my post title makes sense, here's a picture of Jon...
I haven't meant to have these long breaks in my blog. Life, however, is a different story. Not only did the holidays come and go as they always do but we dealt with the passing of my husband's father.
W, my father-in-law, had been in failing health for probably the last year or so. In the last six months, though, it became increasingly worse. He was hospitalized right before Thanksgiving and passed away a few days after New Year's Day. In the end, though, it was his decision to end care. He passed peacefully with our family by his side.
W was a brillant scientist. Without a doubt, he was the smartest person I have ever known. He held many patents for inventions that I cannot even begin to understand. Some of his inventions were used on the Viking Mars probes as well as in other space programs. He also "invented" mathematical calculations that are being taught today at universities around the world. Honestly, to say he was smart is an understatement.
Our family is gathering for his funeral and while I love to see my husband's brother and his family, I hate that it is under these circumstances. I dread the funeral, though. I remember the day of my Dad's funeral. I was almost physically ill getting ready. I just kept thinking how utterly inane it seemed that I should be "doing" my hair and deciding what shoes to wear on that day.
I hope my husband, his brother and my mother-in-law find peace on a day when it's needed so much.
~My son had, until last night, shoulder length hair. Although I thought he looked really cute, I never said anything. We all know that it wouldn't be cool to a 14 year old to have your Mom think you're cute.
~Anyway... last night he had his hair cut. It's actually pretty short. It's not a "buzz" but it's really close. I even saved a few locks of his hair. Again, I think it looks good and this time I told him :o)
~Why did he decide to cut it? He is "shadowing" at a Catholic High School on Monday. He has to be in their dress code and his hair was too long. I thought he'd have it cut just enough to meet their "collar-length" requirement. He decided he wanted it shorter. I'm still getting used to the "new" J. He looks so grown up.
~My husband took him to carpool this morning and said that H, the girl we carpool with, started screaming with excitement when she saw J. I told him that she probably spent the entire ride to school texting all their friends about his hair. He attends a rather small school and has told me that there are two other boys with longer hair. I'm interested to hear how his day was.
~My friend's boyfriend has offered to write a letter of recommendation to the high school for J. He is an alum and runs their IT. I can't believe it. What a kind thing to do!
~It amazes me that Thanksgiving is next week with Christmas coming right on its heels. My day planner is filled and more events keep getting added. I'm sure everyone knows how that is.
~Tonight is the season finale of one of my guilty pleasures... Project Runway. This is the first season I've watched and although, I've heard it's definitely not one of the best, I really like it.
~After the finale is the finale of Models of the Runway. It follows the models that the designers use. It's catty, fun and, definitely, a guilty pleasure. So, with that in mind... I'll be enjoying another guilty pleasure while I watch... Haagan Dazs Coffee ice cream! Yeah... that's right I'll be eating ice cream while I watch size 0 models strut down the runway. Sort of defines "irony"...don't you think?!?
I LOVE Teaser Tuesday. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! "Langdon could only stare. The idea of "order from chaos" was one of the great Masonic axioms." The Lost Symbol Dan Brown page 104 I am starting this book tonight. I read Angels & Demons recently and, like most readers, enjoyed it more than The DaVinci Code. I am on the library waiting list. I think I'm #339. I'm not in a huge hurry to read it so being that far down the list was okay with me.
At book club tonight, my friend, S, loaned me her copy. YAY! What a nice gesture. She is such a nice person. Besides having very similar tastes in books, she and I share a love of handbags. I look forward to seeing what she's carrying every month. I don't think she switches every day, like I do but, honestly, she rarely carries the same bag twice... to book club, at least.
Tonight, she was carrying a vintage black Dooney & Bourke All Weather Leather drawstring bag. She said it was a consignment store find. It is in gorgeous vintage condition... a little beat up with wonderfully aged patina. D&B AWL bags just get better with age... kind of like... well, you know :o) I carried a black studded shoulder bag. It's another one of my "rocker chick" bags. There's a lot of hardware on this bag, too. Carrying this bag while wearing a pair of jeans tucked into tall black boots, a black sweater, a leopard print scarf and some black and gold chandlier earrings has become one of my favorite outfits.
FIRST LINE FRIDAY...First lines have always intrigued me since I heard an author say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. So, go to your To Be Read Pile, choose as many books as you want and share the first line. Be sure to include the title and author so that if your reader also finds it intriguing, they can find the book. Also, share your thoughts about the first line. Does it draw you in? Is it...exciting...thought provoking...scary...funny?
"Arnold Bacon would have made a fortune if he hadn't taken his father's advice." Timeo Danaos Twelve Red Herrings Jeffrey Archer This first line is a little different. It's the first line of a short story in a collection I'm reading by Jeffrey Archer.
I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately. Not that I've been reading bad books. On the contrary, actually. It's just that I've not really been a reading mood. What?!? How does that happen? I'm not sure, really. I've just found myself not reading when I normally do... before bed, waiting in carpool and other random times. So, I figured a few short stories might nudge me back. Short stories don't feel like a commitment, you know. I can read one or two before bed and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Jeffrey Archer is a fabulous author! While not great literature, his stories and novels are tightly plotted and well-written. They hold my attention like few other authors and I know I won't be disappointed. I've been reading his novels since, probably, high school and will re-read one every so often. They are as good now as they were the first time I read them. While my favorite is definitely "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less", I am always amazed at the ending of "First Among Equals". It is beyond brilliant! The last line (and no peeking if you read it!) is perfection!
I carried my Vera Wang black satchel today. It's been two days since I switched bags. How is that even possible?!? Well, we were hit by a fall snowstorm that dumped 22" on us. So, we didn't go anywhere... even school. It was cancelled Wednesday and Thursday. It was a fun few days. We were completely lazy with snow shoveling being our main form of entertainment :o) Tunnels were built in our backyard, courtesy of my son and my daughter drank lots of hot chocolare. But, like any Denver blizzard, it's just a memory... well, except for the piles and piles of snow! I love our blizzards. Twenty-two inches of snow on Wednesday and it'll be 60° tomorrow.
FIRST LINE FRIDAY...First lines have always intrigued me since I heard an author say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. So, go to your To Be Read Pile, choose as many books as you want and share the first line. Be sure to include the title and author so that if your reader also finds it intriguing, they can find the book. Also, share your thoughts about the first line. Does it draw you in? Is it...exciting...thought provoking...scary...funny?
"Her satin shoes left damning footprints in the pearlescent dew on the moonlit garden path." Haunting Jordan PJ Alderman
I cannot believe how long it's been since I've blogged about First Line Friday. It's about time I get my act together and start doing it again every Friday.
I've already blogged about this book and i'm breaking one of my FLF "rules" as it's no longer in my TBR pile... it's my current book! Anyway, it's a great book and I'm really enjoying the premise even though I'm not normally into "supernatural" mysteries. I'm looking forward to reading other books in this series.
I like how the story is told in both times... 1890 with Hattie and present day with Jordan. I don't feel like I'm missing any of the story and I feel more connected to Hattie, the murder victim. She's a real character not just a plot device. One of my favorite lines, so far, is when Hattie tells Jordan, "We want you to solve my murder." What a great line... even if it isn't a first line :o)
We spent a lazy day around the house today. The kids were off school as it was a teacher comp day for conferences. We needed this day, too. We're all (well not my son) recuperating from being sick. M went to school on Monday but was home the rest of the week. She just had a fever and a dry, tickle cough. No "hiney" flu... we took her to the Dr. and her tests came back negative (as well as any type of flu and pneumonia). My husband is fighting the same crap (sorry to be so crude but, really, that's the best word for it). He was also tested and was also negative to the flu. So, we just took it easy today. We watched Footloose tonight. What a movie to bring back memories! J and I saw it on one of our first dates. It definitely holds a special place in my heart. As much as everyone remembers the "Footloose" song, my favorite song from the movie is Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear it for the Boy". Why? Because it's one of our "songs". When I first heard it, the lyrics reminded me so much of this great guy that I had just started dating. Did I know he would become the love of my life, my husband, my best friend and the father of my children? Yeah...I did. We double-dated on our first date with my friend, D, and I told her that I would marry him. Just about four years later, I did!
Anyway, here's the original video...if it doesn't make you want to throw your hair in a side pony, wear a neon sweatshirt and leggings with stiletto heeels with baby doll socks... you weren't an 80s girl like me.
~It snowed here for the first time this season. My son is "jonesing" to snowboard. Yes, there are two resorts open. Loveland opened on Wednesday and A Basin opened Friday. Ski season has begun!
~The Rockies are in the NLDS against the Phillies (sorry, Lori...lol) and game 3 was supposed to be here tonight. But because of a little snow (less than an inch) and cooler tempertures (Ok, the game time forecast was 28° and falling), it is postponed. I'd call them all wimps but, really... I was more than happy to watch the game in my nice, warm family room cuddled under a blanket :o)
~M was at 6th grade Outdoor Lab all week until Thursday when we received a phone call. She was in the clinic with a fever. So, J and I drove the hour drive into the mountains to retrieve our baby :o) She has had a fever ever since... poor girl. Apparently, she wasn't the only one... the nurse told us that many kids had left OL because of illness. She doesn't have the "hiney" flu (from my favorite morning show... Dom & Jane... do you get it? H1N1... kind of clever, I think). Every year, M will have a bout with a fever and it lasts a few days. Hopefully, she'll go to school on Monday.
~I bought two books at B&N Tuesday night. I was there for book club. There was an endcap of a book that I had heard about on some blogs. It was 50% off and, basically, staring me in the face. So, I picked it up. Then, I began to wonder...why is it 50% off... it's a fairly recent release... does that mean it's not that good? I'll draw my own conclusions. Do you want to know the title or should I be like the girls in my loop and not mention it? That drives Lori @http://lori-thequeensnewthrone.blogspot.com/ CRAZY. Hmmm, I'll think about it...
~The second book is Haunting Jordan by PJ Alderman. From Amazon... "RITA-nominated author P. J. Alderman weaves present-day supernatural sleuthery with nineteenth-century intrigue in the first book of an enchanting new mystery series set in picturesque Port Chatham, Washington.
Jordan Marsh left L.A. for the quaint Pacific Northwest town of Port Chatham in pursuit of some much-needed R & R. As the prime suspect in her cheating husband’s murder, she had been hoping to immerse herself in the restoration of the charming Victorian she’d just bought—and put all talk of homicide investigations behind her. But as she soon discovers, the coldest of cases cry out to be solved, too. For this old house comes fully furnished—with two garrulous ghosts who have a century-old murder of their own they’d like her to look into. Now, if Jordan can keep the L.A. police at bay, and sort through a suspect list of shady characters circa 1890, she might just clear a wrongly accused man’s name—and her own."
I'm really looking forward to reading this and I hope, hope, hope it's a great book, It's the first in a series and I love to read series books. There's not really a better feeling than to walk into a bookstore and see a new book in a series I love!
~I'm so completely happy that Fall is here! I have worn boots and jeans every day this week! Not only do I absolutely love my fall wardrobe, but seeing the fall colors in the mountains is always so wonderous. I hope you take a minute... or two... or three... to enjoy the beautiful fall colors.
~Like I said, it's pretty cold here today and I'm CRAVING a DQ Bizzard :o) I I'm going to try to talk my husband into making a run to DQ later. Cross your fingers that it works. My Blizzard of choice... chocolate ice cream with Butterfinger... soooo yummy!!
~We've spent the day inside today. J is watching The President's Cup (there is ten hours of coverage... he's in HEAVEN!), J is doing homework and M is trying to get better. For that reason, I can't post a picture of today's bag... there isn't one. My bag yesterday, though was one of my fall favorites (although, I do carry it all year). I carried my Louis Vuitton Mini Lin Ebene Speedy 30. I absolutely adore this bag! Because I'm too lazy to go out to the car and get my bag to photograph it, I found this picture in my files.Yes, I keep random handbag pictures in my files...I'm a purse nerd of the highest order :o) She's Sophina Brown, a STUNNING actress who starred in "Shark" along with James Woods (still a little ticked that it was cancelled). I think she looks so effortlessly chic in this picture and her bag (my bag...lol) just pulls the whole look together.
~Oh, the book that I referred to earlier... The Day the Falls Stood Still By Cathy Marie Buchanan What do you think?
If you are interested in...
~ an honest and thoughtful review of your novel... mysteries, historical and contemporary fiction and romance are my favorite genres
~ an interview
~ a guest post
~ a sponsored giveaway
... posted on Bags, Books & Bon Jovi, please email MyHandbagHabit@AOL.com
Who Are These Great People & Why Are They Following Me?
I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles. - Audrey Hepburn
As my blog title says, three of my very favorite things are Bags, Books and Bon Jovi. Of course, family and friends are high on that list, but, not every entry will include them. This is my place in cyberspace...
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