karenmarie: a new normal with lots of books - V
Dette er en fortsættelse af tråden karenmarie: a new normal with lots of books - IV.
Denne tråd er fortsat i karenmarie: a new normal with lots of books - VI.
Snak75 Books Challenge for 2021
Bliv bruger af LibraryThing, hvis du vil skrive et indlæg
1karenmarie
Welcome to my fifth thread of Twenty Twenty-one.
The Good: Books, family, friends, kitties. A decent man in the White House. That decent man signs $1.9 trillion stimulus into law. There are three vaccines available here in the US. Bill and I are fully vaccinated, Jenna gets her second dose on the 29th and will be fully vaccinated on May 13th. Our three county libraries have re-opened, albeit on reduced day/hour schedules. But, it’s a start.
The Bad: The coronavirus mutates, people get complacent. I haven’t seen my daughter in 15 months. The vaccines are not available worldwide. Too many mass shootings all of a sudden. And WTF is it with people not wanting to get vaccinated?
The Ugly: The country is polarized. T**** is still spewing poison from Florida and the Gang of Psychos is still in his thrall. Lawlessness is justified by prejudice and religion.
I still love being retired, and am beyond grateful that I don’t have to venture out to work to earn a living ever again. I’ve paid my dues. Every day I don’t have to get up to an alarm is a cause for celebration.
I read and am a charter member of the Redbud and Beyond Book Club, started in 1997. We haven’t met since March of last year, and I’m not at all certain when we’ll be able to meet again. I am President for our local Friends of the Library (henceforth abbreviated FoL), and am sad that our Tuesday morning FoL book sale donation sorting meetings are still on hold and we’ve now had to cancel three book sales because of Covid-19 and an October 2020 cyberattack on our county, which includes the Libraries.
I have been married to Bill for almost 30 years and am mother to Jenna, 27. Bill and I live in our own little corner of paradise on 8 acres in central North Carolina USA. Jenna is currently working as a tutor for her community college.
We have three kitties. March pictures of all three. L to R: Wash, Inara, Zoe.
No theme for pictures although I do like posting ones of family members. This is Jenna, first day riding her bike without training wheels.
My goal last year was 100 books and I exceeded it by 24. This year’s goal will be 100 again. It’s a good goal, not too stressful and not too comfortable. No page goal, just tracking. I seem to read around 30000 pages per year and surpassed that too, last year, by 3,869 pages.
.
.
In response to the pandemic and in need of comfort reading, I’m reading/re-reading the Nero Wolfe mysteries by Rex Stout, all 47 of them. I started last April and will finish when it makes sense. I’ve currently read 29 of them.
New this year: With Julia’s blessing, I’ve taken over the Dick Francis Shared Read, now in its 3rd year. Here’s the link: Third Race at the LT Racetrack: a Dick Francis SHARED Read.
Every year I buy a new Lett’s Week to View Desk Diary. The first thing I do when I get it is to put in my name, address, phone number, and email address in case it needs to be returned to me, although it hasn’t gone out of the house since a meeting at the Library in February. Next, I transfer my voter registration card from last year’s to this year’s diary. I then write “God does not make bargains, but She does dispense grace.” across the top of the left inside front cover. Finally, I print out and tape in the two following quotes. The first I think I found in an old Ann Landers column and I don’t remember where I found the second one. But I’ve had both for decades and read them often.
The Good: Books, family, friends, kitties. A decent man in the White House. That decent man signs $1.9 trillion stimulus into law. There are three vaccines available here in the US. Bill and I are fully vaccinated, Jenna gets her second dose on the 29th and will be fully vaccinated on May 13th. Our three county libraries have re-opened, albeit on reduced day/hour schedules. But, it’s a start.
The Bad: The coronavirus mutates, people get complacent. I haven’t seen my daughter in 15 months. The vaccines are not available worldwide. Too many mass shootings all of a sudden. And WTF is it with people not wanting to get vaccinated?
The Ugly: The country is polarized. T**** is still spewing poison from Florida and the Gang of Psychos is still in his thrall. Lawlessness is justified by prejudice and religion.
I still love being retired, and am beyond grateful that I don’t have to venture out to work to earn a living ever again. I’ve paid my dues. Every day I don’t have to get up to an alarm is a cause for celebration.
I read and am a charter member of the Redbud and Beyond Book Club, started in 1997. We haven’t met since March of last year, and I’m not at all certain when we’ll be able to meet again. I am President for our local Friends of the Library (henceforth abbreviated FoL), and am sad that our Tuesday morning FoL book sale donation sorting meetings are still on hold and we’ve now had to cancel three book sales because of Covid-19 and an October 2020 cyberattack on our county, which includes the Libraries.
I have been married to Bill for almost 30 years and am mother to Jenna, 27. Bill and I live in our own little corner of paradise on 8 acres in central North Carolina USA. Jenna is currently working as a tutor for her community college.
We have three kitties. March pictures of all three. L to R: Wash, Inara, Zoe.
No theme for pictures although I do like posting ones of family members. This is Jenna, first day riding her bike without training wheels.
My goal last year was 100 books and I exceeded it by 24. This year’s goal will be 100 again. It’s a good goal, not too stressful and not too comfortable. No page goal, just tracking. I seem to read around 30000 pages per year and surpassed that too, last year, by 3,869 pages.
.
.
In response to the pandemic and in need of comfort reading, I’m reading/re-reading the Nero Wolfe mysteries by Rex Stout, all 47 of them. I started last April and will finish when it makes sense. I’ve currently read 29 of them.
New this year: With Julia’s blessing, I’ve taken over the Dick Francis Shared Read, now in its 3rd year. Here’s the link: Third Race at the LT Racetrack: a Dick Francis SHARED Read.
Every year I buy a new Lett’s Week to View Desk Diary. The first thing I do when I get it is to put in my name, address, phone number, and email address in case it needs to be returned to me, although it hasn’t gone out of the house since a meeting at the Library in February. Next, I transfer my voter registration card from last year’s to this year’s diary. I then write “God does not make bargains, but She does dispense grace.” across the top of the left inside front cover. Finally, I print out and tape in the two following quotes. The first I think I found in an old Ann Landers column and I don’t remember where I found the second one. But I’ve had both for decades and read them often.
On This Day
Mend a quarrel.
Search out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss a suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a letter to someone who misses you.
Encourage a youth who has lost faith.
Keep a promise.
Forget an old grudge.
Examine your demands on others and vow to reduce them.
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Tell someone you love them.
Tell them again,
And again,
And again.
**********
Whatever you do, death occurs. But if you have lived with a sense of reality and gratitude towards life, then you can leave the dignity of your life behind you, so that your relatives, your friends, and your children can appreciate who you were.
**********
2021 – a new normal with lots of books.
2karenmarie
books read
January
1. Washington's Farewell Address and Webster's Bunker Hill Orations, Introduction and Notes by William T. Peck 1/8/21 1/9/21 172 pages hardcover
2. Banker by Dick Francis 1/3/21 1/12/21 303 pages mass market paperback
3. Christmas Beau by Mary Balogh 1/16/21 1/18/21 224 pages mass market paperback
4. If Death Ever Slept by Rex Stout 1/22/21 1/25/21186 pages hardcover
5. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths 1/25/21 1/28/21 342 pages hardcover
6. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 1/29/21 1/30/21 438 pages trade paperback
7. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths 1/28/21 2/2/21 352 pages hardcover, Kindle
February
8. The Distant Echo by Val McDermid 2/5/21 2/10/21 450 pages mass market paperback
9. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo 2/11/21 2/12/21 353 pages trade paperback
10. Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn 1/15/21 2/15/21 373 pages hardcover
11. And Four to Go by Rex Stout 2/13/21 2/16/21 150 pages mass market paperback
12. A Promised Land by Barack Obama 11/20/20 2/17/2021 701 pages hardcover
13. Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo 2/17/21 2/19/21 322 pages trade paperback
14. We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper 2/19/21 2/23/21 433 pages trade paperback
15. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths 2/23/21 2/26/21 359 pages hardcover
16. A Wealth of Pigeons by Harry Bliss and Steve Martin 11/25/20 2/28/21 272 pages hardcover
March
17. A Darker Domain by Val McDermid 2/26/21 3/4/21 404 pages mass market paperback
18. Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz 3/4/21 3/7/21 417 pages hardcover
19. The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly 3/7/2021 3/9/21 421 pages hardcover
20. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman 3/9/21 3/9/21 59 pages hardcover
21. Little Black Sambo and the Baby Elephant by Frank Ver Beck 3/9/21 3/9/21 57 pages hardcover
22. Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo 3/9/21 3/12/21 302 pages trade paperback
23. The Skeleton Road 3/12/21 3/17/21 404 pages hardcover
24. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 3/18/21 3/21/21 351 pages hardcover
25. Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron 3/22/21 3/23/21 261 pages hardcover
26. Southern Discomfort 3/23/21 3/27/21 241 pages hardcover
27. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 10/18/20 3/29/21 audiobook 20 hours
28. Win by Harlan Coben 3/28/21 3/29/21 371 pages hardcover
**abandoned Murder At the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane 65 pages
29. Odds Against by Dick Francis Francis 3/30/31 3/31/21309 pages mass market paperback
April
30. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E.Schwab 3/30/21 4/5/21 444 pages hardcover
31. Fup by Jim Dodge 4/5/21 4/6/21 51 pages trade paperback 1983
**abandoned Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas 56 pages
32. Champagne for One by Rex Stout 4/9/21 4/10/21 205 pages mass market paperback
33. Plot it Yourself by Rex Stout 4/11/21 4/12/21 132 pages hardcover
34. Life of Pi by Yann Martel 4/12/21 4/15/21 325 pages trade paperback
35. Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar 4/16/21 201 pages hardcover
36. Three at Wolfe's Door by Rex Stout 4/18/21 4/19/21 184 pages hardcover
37. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman 4/19/21 4/20/21 355 pages trade paperback
38. Too Many Clients by Rex Stout 4/20/21 4/22/21 188 pages mass market paperback
39. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell 4/22/21 4/24/21 340 pages hardcover
**abandoned What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris 186 pages read
**abandoned North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett 71 pages read, rest missing
May
40. An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine 4/29/21 5/2/21 291 pages trade paperback
41. The Final Deduction by Rex Stout 5/3/21 5/5/21 188 pages mass market paperback
42. Out of Bounds by Val McDermid 5/5/21 5/7/21 421 pages trade paperback
Currently Reading:
January
1. Washington's Farewell Address and Webster's Bunker Hill Orations, Introduction and Notes by William T. Peck 1/8/21 1/9/21 172 pages hardcover
2. Banker by Dick Francis 1/3/21 1/12/21 303 pages mass market paperback
3. Christmas Beau by Mary Balogh 1/16/21 1/18/21 224 pages mass market paperback
4. If Death Ever Slept by Rex Stout 1/22/21 1/25/21186 pages hardcover
5. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths 1/25/21 1/28/21 342 pages hardcover
6. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 1/29/21 1/30/21 438 pages trade paperback
7. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths 1/28/21 2/2/21 352 pages hardcover, Kindle
February
8. The Distant Echo by Val McDermid 2/5/21 2/10/21 450 pages mass market paperback
9. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo 2/11/21 2/12/21 353 pages trade paperback
10. Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn 1/15/21 2/15/21 373 pages hardcover
11. And Four to Go by Rex Stout 2/13/21 2/16/21 150 pages mass market paperback
12. A Promised Land by Barack Obama 11/20/20 2/17/2021 701 pages hardcover
13. Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo 2/17/21 2/19/21 322 pages trade paperback
14. We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper 2/19/21 2/23/21 433 pages trade paperback
15. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths 2/23/21 2/26/21 359 pages hardcover
16. A Wealth of Pigeons by Harry Bliss and Steve Martin 11/25/20 2/28/21 272 pages hardcover
March
17. A Darker Domain by Val McDermid 2/26/21 3/4/21 404 pages mass market paperback
18. Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz 3/4/21 3/7/21 417 pages hardcover
19. The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly 3/7/2021 3/9/21 421 pages hardcover
20. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman 3/9/21 3/9/21 59 pages hardcover
21. Little Black Sambo and the Baby Elephant by Frank Ver Beck 3/9/21 3/9/21 57 pages hardcover
22. Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo 3/9/21 3/12/21 302 pages trade paperback
23. The Skeleton Road 3/12/21 3/17/21 404 pages hardcover
24. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 3/18/21 3/21/21 351 pages hardcover
25. Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron 3/22/21 3/23/21 261 pages hardcover
26. Southern Discomfort 3/23/21 3/27/21 241 pages hardcover
27. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 10/18/20 3/29/21 audiobook 20 hours
28. Win by Harlan Coben 3/28/21 3/29/21 371 pages hardcover
**abandoned Murder At the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane 65 pages
29. Odds Against by Dick Francis Francis 3/30/31 3/31/21309 pages mass market paperback
April
30. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E.Schwab 3/30/21 4/5/21 444 pages hardcover
31. Fup by Jim Dodge 4/5/21 4/6/21 51 pages trade paperback 1983
**abandoned Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas 56 pages
32. Champagne for One by Rex Stout 4/9/21 4/10/21 205 pages mass market paperback
33. Plot it Yourself by Rex Stout 4/11/21 4/12/21 132 pages hardcover
34. Life of Pi by Yann Martel 4/12/21 4/15/21 325 pages trade paperback
35. Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar 4/16/21 201 pages hardcover
36. Three at Wolfe's Door by Rex Stout 4/18/21 4/19/21 184 pages hardcover
37. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman 4/19/21 4/20/21 355 pages trade paperback
38. Too Many Clients by Rex Stout 4/20/21 4/22/21 188 pages mass market paperback
39. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell 4/22/21 4/24/21 340 pages hardcover
**abandoned What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris 186 pages read
**abandoned North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett 71 pages read, rest missing
May
40. An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine 4/29/21 5/2/21 291 pages trade paperback
41. The Final Deduction by Rex Stout 5/3/21 5/5/21 188 pages mass market paperback
42. Out of Bounds by Val McDermid 5/5/21 5/7/21 421 pages trade paperback
Currently Reading:
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks 5/8/21 418 pages hardcover 2005
Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero 5/5/21 244 pages hardcover 2007
Cumin, Camels, and Caravans by Gary Paul Nabhan 276 pages hardcover 2014
Deacon King Kong by James McBride 3/10/21 370 pages trade paperback 2020
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell 1/1/21 305 pages hardcover 2020
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg 11/9/20 321 pages trade paperback 2016
The Source by James Michener 10/1/20 909 pages hardcover 1965
Emma by Jane Austen 8/18/20 xxx pages, 1816
Moby Dick 5/1/20 517 pages trade paperback 1851
3karenmarie
books added - 2020 was the great conjunction of adds and culls, both at 128. Keeping the adds down will probably be as easy as it was last year because of the pandemic - no Friends of the Library book sales and no trips to used book stores and thrift shops.
**I spoke too soon - a FoL book donation with me getting first dibs has put me in the hole already.**
00. Friend Jessica - Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein. Given in December, but it offsets the first cull, below, so they're in the 00. black hole.
1. Amazon - Twice Shy by Dick Francis
2. ER - Sergeant Salinger by Jerone Charyn
3. Amazon - The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian Mortimer
4. Amazon - A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
5. FoL member Marian - In the Morning I'll Be Gone by Adrian McKinty
6. FoL member Marian - The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty
7. FoL member Marian - I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty
8. FoL member Marian - Police at the Station and They Don't Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty
9. FoL member Marian - Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty
10. FoL member Marian - Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty
11. FoL member Marian - The Death of a Joyce Scholar by Bartholomew Gill
12. FoL member Marian - Counterparts by Gonzalo Lira
13. FoL member Marian - The Hellfire Club by Jake Tapper
14. FoL member Marian - Lost Light by Michael Connelly
15. FoL member Marian - Echo Park by Michael Connelly
16. FoL member Marian - The Overlook by Michael Connelly
17. FoL member Marian - The Reversal by Michael Connelly
18. FoL member Marian - Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly
19. FoL member Marian - City of Bones by Michael Connelly
20. FoL member Marian - All Saints by Karen Palmer
21. FoL member Marian - Ripley Under Water by Patricia Highsmith
22. FoL member Marian - The Drop by Michael Connelly
23. FoL member Marian - The Dark Winter by David Mark
24. FoL member Marian - The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley by Jeremy Massey
25. FoL member Marian - Fair Warning by Michael Connelly
26. FoL member Marian - Reversible Errors by Scott Turow
27. FoL member Marian - Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
28. FoL member Marian - The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
29. FoL member Marian - Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
30. FoL member Marian - Death Descends on Saturn Villa by M.R.C. Kasasian
31. FoL member Marian - The naive & Sentimental Lover by John Le Carre
32. FoL member Marian - The Professionals by Owen Laukkanen
33. FoL member Marian - The Widow by Fiona Barton
34. FoL member Marian - The Looking Glass War by John Le Carre
35. FoL member Marian - The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John Le Carre
36. FoL member Marian - Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
37. FoL member Marian - The Chain by Adrian McKinty
38. FoL member Marian - The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
39. Amazon - The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
40. Kindle - The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
40. Kindle - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos
41. Kindle - Legion by Brandon Sanderson
42. Mark - We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
43. Kindle - Medieval People by Eileen Edna Power - saw it on Mamie's thread
44. Amazon - Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz
45. Kindle - The Chronicles of Barsetshire by Anthony Trollope - recommended by lauralkeet
46. Amazon - The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
47. Kindle - Theresa Marchmont or, the Maid of Honour by Mrs. Gore
February
48. Amazon - Deacon King Kong by James McBride
49. friend Karen - the President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer
50. friend Louise - Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
51. FoL member Marian - Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo
52. FoL member Marian - Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo
53. FoL member Marian - Gone Missing by Linda Castillo
54. FoL member Marian - Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo
55. FoL member Marian - The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo
56. FoL member Marian - After the Storm by Linda Castillo
57. FoL member Marian - Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo
58. FoL member Marian - Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo
59. FoL member Marian - Shamed by Linda Castillo
60. Amazon - Cumin, Camels, and Carabans by Gary Paul Nabhan
61. Amazon - Drive Your Plows Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
62. Amazon - A Darker Domain by Val McDermid
63. Kindle - My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
March
64. friend Jan - Remains of Innocence by J.A. Jance
65. friend Jan - Dead Wrong by J.A. Jance
66. Kindle - The Decameron by Giovanni Boccacio
67. Circle City Books - Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron
68. Amazon - The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid
69. Amazon - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
70. Amazon - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
71. Amazon - Win by Harlan Coben
72. Kindle - Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth
73. Sanford book store - Shooting at Loons by Margaret Maron
74. Sanford book store - Death's Half Acre by Margaret Maron
75. friend Pam Dennis - A Very English Scandal by John Preston
76. friend Pam Dennis - The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell
April
77. Amazon - Too Many Clients by Rex Stout
78. Amazon - Refusal by Felix Felix Francis
79. Amazon - The Survivors - Jane Harper
80. Amazon - Blue Nights by Joan Didion
81. Amazon - e.e. cumming: the Growth of a Writer by Norman Friedman
82. found on my shelves - don't know how I acquired it - Defending Jacob by William Landay
93. Kindle - Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham
94. Amazon - What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris
95. Amazon - The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
96. Amazon - Out of Bounds by Val McDermid
97. Thrift Shop - The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman
98. Thrift Shop - Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
99. Thrift Shop - Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
100. Thrift Shop - Land of the Living by Nicci French
101. Thrift Shop - The Crocodile Bird by Ruth Rendell
102. Thrift Shop - A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan
103. Thrift Shop - Wait Wait... I'm Not Done Yet! by Carl Kasell
104. Amazon - The Final Deduction by Rex Stout
May
105. Amazon - Homicide Trinity by Rex Stout
106. Amazon - Blind Justice by Bruce Alexander
107. Amazon - Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
108. Amazon - The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
109. Amazon - Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
**I spoke too soon - a FoL book donation with me getting first dibs has put me in the hole already.**
00. Friend Jessica - Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein. Given in December, but it offsets the first cull, below, so they're in the 00. black hole.
1. Amazon - Twice Shy by Dick Francis
2. ER - Sergeant Salinger by Jerone Charyn
3. Amazon - The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian Mortimer
4. Amazon - A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
5. FoL member Marian - In the Morning I'll Be Gone by Adrian McKinty
6. FoL member Marian - The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty
7. FoL member Marian - I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty
8. FoL member Marian - Police at the Station and They Don't Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty
9. FoL member Marian - Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty
10. FoL member Marian - Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty
11. FoL member Marian - The Death of a Joyce Scholar by Bartholomew Gill
12. FoL member Marian - Counterparts by Gonzalo Lira
13. FoL member Marian - The Hellfire Club by Jake Tapper
14. FoL member Marian - Lost Light by Michael Connelly
15. FoL member Marian - Echo Park by Michael Connelly
16. FoL member Marian - The Overlook by Michael Connelly
17. FoL member Marian - The Reversal by Michael Connelly
18. FoL member Marian - Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly
19. FoL member Marian - City of Bones by Michael Connelly
20. FoL member Marian - All Saints by Karen Palmer
21. FoL member Marian - Ripley Under Water by Patricia Highsmith
22. FoL member Marian - The Drop by Michael Connelly
23. FoL member Marian - The Dark Winter by David Mark
24. FoL member Marian - The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley by Jeremy Massey
25. FoL member Marian - Fair Warning by Michael Connelly
26. FoL member Marian - Reversible Errors by Scott Turow
27. FoL member Marian - Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
28. FoL member Marian - The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
29. FoL member Marian - Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
30. FoL member Marian - Death Descends on Saturn Villa by M.R.C. Kasasian
31. FoL member Marian - The naive & Sentimental Lover by John Le Carre
32. FoL member Marian - The Professionals by Owen Laukkanen
33. FoL member Marian - The Widow by Fiona Barton
34. FoL member Marian - The Looking Glass War by John Le Carre
35. FoL member Marian - The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John Le Carre
36. FoL member Marian - Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
37. FoL member Marian - The Chain by Adrian McKinty
38. FoL member Marian - The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
39. Amazon - The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
40. Kindle - The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
40. Kindle - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos
41. Kindle - Legion by Brandon Sanderson
42. Mark - We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
43. Kindle - Medieval People by Eileen Edna Power - saw it on Mamie's thread
44. Amazon - Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz
45. Kindle - The Chronicles of Barsetshire by Anthony Trollope - recommended by lauralkeet
46. Amazon - The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
47. Kindle - Theresa Marchmont or, the Maid of Honour by Mrs. Gore
February
48. Amazon - Deacon King Kong by James McBride
49. friend Karen - the President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer
50. friend Louise - Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
51. FoL member Marian - Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo
52. FoL member Marian - Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo
53. FoL member Marian - Gone Missing by Linda Castillo
54. FoL member Marian - Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo
55. FoL member Marian - The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo
56. FoL member Marian - After the Storm by Linda Castillo
57. FoL member Marian - Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo
58. FoL member Marian - Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo
59. FoL member Marian - Shamed by Linda Castillo
60. Amazon - Cumin, Camels, and Carabans by Gary Paul Nabhan
61. Amazon - Drive Your Plows Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
62. Amazon - A Darker Domain by Val McDermid
63. Kindle - My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
March
64. friend Jan - Remains of Innocence by J.A. Jance
65. friend Jan - Dead Wrong by J.A. Jance
66. Kindle - The Decameron by Giovanni Boccacio
67. Circle City Books - Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron
68. Amazon - The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid
69. Amazon - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
70. Amazon - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
71. Amazon - Win by Harlan Coben
72. Kindle - Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth
73. Sanford book store - Shooting at Loons by Margaret Maron
74. Sanford book store - Death's Half Acre by Margaret Maron
75. friend Pam Dennis - A Very English Scandal by John Preston
76. friend Pam Dennis - The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell
April
77. Amazon - Too Many Clients by Rex Stout
78. Amazon - Refusal by Felix Felix Francis
79. Amazon - The Survivors - Jane Harper
80. Amazon - Blue Nights by Joan Didion
81. Amazon - e.e. cumming: the Growth of a Writer by Norman Friedman
82. found on my shelves - don't know how I acquired it - Defending Jacob by William Landay
93. Kindle - Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham
94. Amazon - What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris
95. Amazon - The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
96. Amazon - Out of Bounds by Val McDermid
97. Thrift Shop - The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman
98. Thrift Shop - Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
99. Thrift Shop - Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
100. Thrift Shop - Land of the Living by Nicci French
101. Thrift Shop - The Crocodile Bird by Ruth Rendell
102. Thrift Shop - A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan
103. Thrift Shop - Wait Wait... I'm Not Done Yet! by Carl Kasell
104. Amazon - The Final Deduction by Rex Stout
May
105. Amazon - Homicide Trinity by Rex Stout
106. Amazon - Blind Justice by Bruce Alexander
107. Amazon - Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
108. Amazon - The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
109. Amazon - Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
4karenmarie
books culled - there are still quite a few books on my shelves, lurking in corners and 3 deep on the shelves, that need new homes.
00. Mi's Day by Mira Vest. Cousin Mira, published in 1947. I had two copies and gave one to my sister. I actually culled this one in December but won't go back and update 2020 statistics.
1. Lost Light by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
2. The Overlook by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
3. Echo Park by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
4. Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
5. City of Bones by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
6. The Drop by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
7. The Reversal by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
8. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
9. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn - won't read any more of the series
10. Field Gray by Philip Kerr - won't read the series - for Peggy
11. For the Time Being by Annie Dillard - for Richard
12. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
13. The Brass Go-Between by Ross Thomas
14. Voss by Patrick White
15. The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
16. Straight On Till Morning by Mary S. Lovell
17. Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas
18. Field Gray by Philip Kerr
10. Champagne for One by Rex Stout
20. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry
21. What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris blech
22. North Carolina as Civil War Battlegroud 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett - missing pages
bye-bye J.A. Vance!
23. Betrayal of Trust by J. A. Jance
24. Cold Betrayal by J. A. Jance
25. Cruel Intent by J. A. Jance
26. Day of the Dead by J. A. Jance
27. Dead Wrong by J. A. Jance
28. Deadly Stakes by J. A. Jance
29. Deadly Stakes by J. A. Jance I do not know why I had two copies. bad inventory control. *smile*
30. Failure to Appear by J. A. Jance
31. Injustice for All by J. A. Jance
32. Left for Dead by J. A. Jance
33. Partner in Crime by J. A. Jance
34. Remains of Innocence by J. A. Jance
35. Second Watch by J. A. Jance
36. Taking the Fifth by J. A. Jance
37. Trial by Fury by J. A. Jance
38. Until Proven Guilty by J. A. Jance
00. Mi's Day by Mira Vest. Cousin Mira, published in 1947. I had two copies and gave one to my sister. I actually culled this one in December but won't go back and update 2020 statistics.
1. Lost Light by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
2. The Overlook by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
3. Echo Park by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
4. Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
5. City of Bones by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
6. The Drop by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
7. The Reversal by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
8. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly - upgraded to hardcover
9. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn - won't read any more of the series
10. Field Gray by Philip Kerr - won't read the series - for Peggy
11. For the Time Being by Annie Dillard - for Richard
12. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
13. The Brass Go-Between by Ross Thomas
14. Voss by Patrick White
15. The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
16. Straight On Till Morning by Mary S. Lovell
17. Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas
18. Field Gray by Philip Kerr
10. Champagne for One by Rex Stout
20. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry
21. What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris blech
22. North Carolina as Civil War Battlegroud 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett - missing pages
bye-bye J.A. Vance!
23. Betrayal of Trust by J. A. Jance
24. Cold Betrayal by J. A. Jance
25. Cruel Intent by J. A. Jance
26. Day of the Dead by J. A. Jance
27. Dead Wrong by J. A. Jance
28. Deadly Stakes by J. A. Jance
29. Deadly Stakes by J. A. Jance I do not know why I had two copies. bad inventory control. *smile*
30. Failure to Appear by J. A. Jance
31. Injustice for All by J. A. Jance
32. Left for Dead by J. A. Jance
33. Partner in Crime by J. A. Jance
34. Remains of Innocence by J. A. Jance
35. Second Watch by J. A. Jance
36. Taking the Fifth by J. A. Jance
37. Trial by Fury by J. A. Jance
38. Until Proven Guilty by J. A. Jance
5karenmarie
Statistics Through March 31
29 books read
8 of them on my shelves before 01/01/2021 and not rereads
1 books abandoned, 65 pages abandoned
9129 pages read
20 audiobook hours
Avg pages read per day, YTD = 101
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 315
Book of the month: Win by Harlan Coben
Books Read By Month
January 6
February 10
March 13
Author
Male 45%
Female 55%
Living 69%
Dead 31%
US Born 59%
Foreign Born 41%
Platform
Hardcover 55%
Trade Pback 17%
Mass Market 22%
Audiobook 3%
e-Book 3%
Source
My Library 83%
Library 3%
Other 14%
Misc
ARC/ER 3%
Re-read 14%
Series 69%
Fiction 90%
NonFiction 10%
New to Me Authors 10
Author Birth Country
England 24%
Scotland 14%
US 59%
Wales 3%
Original Decade Published
1890-1899 3%
1910-1919 3%
1920-1929 3%
1950-1959 7%
1980-1989 3%
1990-1999 10%
2000-2009 17%
2010-2019 17%
2020-2029 34%
Category
Adventure 7%
Biography 0%
Chrestomathy 0%
Contemporary Fiction 0%
Fantasy 7%
Historical Fiction 7%
Humor 3%
Informational Nonfiction 7%
Memoir 3%
Mystery 21%
Poetry 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Suspense 0%
Thriller 45%
29 books read
8 of them on my shelves before 01/01/2021 and not rereads
1 books abandoned, 65 pages abandoned
9129 pages read
20 audiobook hours
Avg pages read per day, YTD = 101
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 315
Book of the month: Win by Harlan Coben
Books Read By Month
January 6
February 10
March 13
Author
Male 45%
Female 55%
Living 69%
Dead 31%
US Born 59%
Foreign Born 41%
Platform
Hardcover 55%
Trade Pback 17%
Mass Market 22%
Audiobook 3%
e-Book 3%
Source
My Library 83%
Library 3%
Other 14%
Misc
ARC/ER 3%
Re-read 14%
Series 69%
Fiction 90%
NonFiction 10%
New to Me Authors 10
Author Birth Country
England 24%
Scotland 14%
US 59%
Wales 3%
Original Decade Published
1890-1899 3%
1910-1919 3%
1920-1929 3%
1950-1959 7%
1980-1989 3%
1990-1999 10%
2000-2009 17%
2010-2019 17%
2020-2029 34%
Category
Adventure 7%
Biography 0%
Chrestomathy 0%
Contemporary Fiction 0%
Fantasy 7%
Historical Fiction 7%
Humor 3%
Informational Nonfiction 7%
Memoir 3%
Mystery 21%
Poetry 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Suspense 0%
Thriller 45%
6karenmarie
March’s Lightning Round
A Darker Domain by Val McDermid 2/26/21 3/4/21 404 pages mass market paperback
A Darker Domain by Val McDermid 2/26/21 3/4/21 404 pages mass market paperback
Highly satisfying mystery, with two cold cases for Karen Pirie. Back and forth in time, two investigations, multiple points of view. The resolutions are logical, supported by evidence, and the hints at the end of future actions are delicious.Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz 3/4/21 3/7/21 417 pages hardcover
6th in the Orphan X series, very satisfying. Evan discovers more about his past after he gets a call purporting to be from his birth mother. She asks him to help someone from his past life. Evan starts re-evaluating what’s important to him. Bad guys get killed, good guys are saved. There’s some very interesting and scary AI. Once again there’s a shocker at the end of the book, set up for the next book.The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly 3/7/21 3/9/21 417 pages hardcover
6th in the Lincoln Lawyer series. Mickey Haller is arrested for murder after a former client is found dead in the trunk of his Lincoln. Haller’s hauled off to jail, doesn’t waive his right to a speedy trial, and this makes some very powerful people very unhappy. Interspersed with the story, which takes place from October 28, 2019 to March 9, 2020, are hints of the coming pandemic, the first such hints in any new fiction I’ve read. A bit too much lecture about police, legal, and political procedure to make it completely enjoyable, nevertheless the plot and ending were satisfying.Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman 3/9/21 3/9/21 59 pages hardcover
My copy, inherited from Bill’s Great Aunt, was published in the 1920s, with a VERY politically incorrect cover. However, I found the story itself to be a tribute to a close-knit family and a children’s fantasy that works beautifully. The illustrations are charming, too.Little Black Sambo and the Baby Elephant by Frank Ver Beck 3/9/21 3/9/21 57 pages hardcover
My copy, inherited from Bill’s Great Aunt, was published in the 1920s, with a VERY politically incorrect cover. A very sweet story with gorgeous illustrations.Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo 3/9/21 3/12/21 302 pages trade paperback
This is going to be a series that I read much more slowly than I initially thought I would, because Chief of Police Kate Burkholder keeps repeating her mistakes, keeps mentioning the reasons she left the Amish community, keeps rehashing things. I guess the author’s doing that if people drop into the series, but I find it a tad irritating.The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid 3/12/21 3/17/21 404 pages hardcover
The mystery is a shocker. An Amish man, his brother, and his wife are dead from methane gas asphyxiation caused by a poorly ventilated cesspit. 4 children are orphaned. As the story progresses, more and more clues point to an unexpected culprit. Good story, good detective skills, a few lucky breaks.
Bleak, well and intelligently written. War crimes during the Balkan war of 1991, with multiple viewpoints and multiple timelines. People aren’t always who you think they are. I was irritated with the flashbacks and actually skipped the last couple, to tell the truth. The ending was a complete shock for several reasons.The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 3/18/21 3/21/21 351 pages hardcover
Four members of a retirement community meet to discuss cold cases but find themselves involved in some new cases, too, as there are conflicts about taking away an old cemetary on the property. Each of them has special qualities they bring to the Club. There is quite a bit about aging in a practical yet poignant way and we still have a lot to learn about each of the four. Intelligently and perceptively written, and lots of fun to read, too.The Bootlegger’s Daughter by Margaret Maron 3/22/21 3/23/21 261pages hardcover
First in the Deborah Knott series, we meet Deborah as she is pushed too far by a rigid and prejudiced judge and decides on the spot to run for his seat. At the same time Gayle, the 18-year old daughter of a woman murdered when Gayle was 3 months old asks Deborah to find out why her mother was murdered – she doesn’t care as much about who as why. Old troubles get stirred up, new troubles add to the mix, and soon Deborah is playing Nancy Drew.Southern Discomfort by Margaret Maron 3/23/21 3/27/21 241pages hardcover
The best parts of this book are the sense of time and place, beautifully written. Cynical, unmarried in a society that finds unmarried women inexplicable, intelligent and driven, Deborah Knott clearly loves her home. The writing is evocative of the feeling of belonging and deep knowledge of the people, social structure, and cultural mores that make me envious of the best part of the time and place even while understanding and abhorring the racial prejudice and homophobia that coexisted and inform much of the plot.
Second in the Deborah Knott series, Deborah becomes Judge Knott and starts presiding. Her brother Herman is taken ill, his daughter and her friends are raging teenage hormones, we run into several examples of male testosterone poisoning, a rash of missing animals, and community home-building ala Habitat for Humanity. A very satisfying read. One particular walk, late at night, with Deborah and her daddy is evocative of summer nights, a feast for the senses of sight, sound, and smell.Odds Against by Dick Francis 3/30/21 3/31/21 309 pages mass market paperback
Second book for this year’s Dick Francis SHARED Read, first book in the Sid Halley series. I’d forgotten how excellent this book was. Former jockey Sid Halley is a sad mope after a career-ending hand injury and is putting in time in a detective/enquiry agency. His wife has left him, too, and he passes the time basically doing nothing at the agency. He stumbles upon a possible case, takes it over with the blessing of the owner, and slowly starts figuring out the scope of the crime and just how evil the bad guys are. A very satisfying ending except forHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling 10/18/20 3/29/21 audiobook, 20 hoursthe torture he undergoes. Sid is intelligent, stoic, loyal, and trustworthy.
Fourth book in the Harry Potter series, 4th or 5th time I've listened to it over the years. It took 5 months this time due to isolating because of the pandemic. As always, full of delicious details with a good plot, wry humor, good vs. evil, and Harry growing stronger and stronger as a wizard. The blast-ended skrewts still amuse, as do S.P.E.W. and Hermoinecatching Rita Skeeter spying on Harry in the hospital wing as an unregistered animagus and capturing her.
7karenmarie
I’ll let the stats speak for me.
124 books read
1 Masterpiece
19 Stunning
67 Excellent
20 Very Good
12 Good
4 Average
1 Bad
0 Very Bad
0 Don't Bother
0 Anathema
Best Fiction
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Beastly Tales From Here and There by Vikram Seth
The Standing Chandelier by Lionel Shriver
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls
Best Nonfiction
Abraham Lincoln: Mystic Chords of Memory edited by Larry Shapiro
Dr. Seuss Goes to War by Richard H. Minear
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Top five overall for the LT Top Five Books of 2020 list:
Mrs. Caliban
How to Be an Antiracist
In the Heart of the Sea
The Standing Chandelier
Dr. Seuss Goes to War
9karenmarie
Welcome one and all.
12weird_O
Oh, a new thread, Karen. That makes ME happy.
My bookshelf project is progressing, but slowly, so slowly. #$*&@^^ But faster than my reading. So there's that.
My bookshelf project is progressing, but slowly, so slowly. #$*&@^^ But faster than my reading. So there's that.
14SandyAMcPherson
Hiya, nice to see a new thread.
15PaulCranswick
Happy new thread, Karen.
16RebaRelishesReading
Happy new thread, Karen. I enjoyed reading your opening comments and very much agree with them.
18FAMeulstee
Happy new thread, Karen!
19EBT1002
Happy New Thread, Karen.
I see that you are also reading Deacon King Kong (as well as Life of Pi). I have it on my shelves and keep not getting to it. How is it landing for you?
I see that you are also reading Deacon King Kong (as well as Life of Pi). I have it on my shelves and keep not getting to it. How is it landing for you?
20Whisper1
>1 karenmarie: Hi Karen. I've been MIA for awhile. The second Maderna injection left me with a very sore arm today and tiredness. But, the fact that I am fully vaccinated is a good thing. I have a very dear friend who thought that all this talk of Covid was a hoax. Sadly, she acquired the virus from a friend, is now hospitalized and is struggling. I love her and pray for her healing. We have known each other for 34 years.
21karenmarie
>10 drneutron: Thank you Jim, for all you do for our wonderful group.
>11 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie.
>12 weird_O: I know that new threads are particularly appealing to you these days, Bill, and I’m happy to oblige. Good to see you here.
>13 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley.
>15 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.
>16 RebaRelishesReading: I enjoy setting up each new thread, Reba, and am glad that you’re appreciative and in agreement with my opinion on parts of the state of the world.
>17 quondame: Thank you, Susan.
>18 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita.
>19 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I started Deacon King Kong and my reading is languishing, frankly. I don’t think I’ve been in the right frame of mind for it, and will need to re-start it one of these days soon.
>20 Whisper1: Hi Linda. I’m sorry the chronic pain and now the Moderna 2nd dose leaving you sore and tired have made you MIA. Even though I’m not doing too much more than I did prior to being fully vaccinated, the mental freedom from total fear and knowledge that I can do small incremental things are marvelous.
I’m so sorry that your friend of 34 years was a Covid denier. I absolutely do not understand this mindset and am sorry that she’s struggling right now.
…
Yikes. 2 Amazon boxes for Bill, and 2 Amazon boxes for me all put on the porch farthest from the entrance we use at the side of the house near the driveway. I appreciate the care shown to have the boxes not in an obvious place, and am sorry that they walked an extra 90 feet and up and down 10 steps. Mine had aquarium filters and 2 books. Bill’s had a desk fan (assembly required and wasn’t that fun!) and one of his favorite snacks.
>11 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie.
>12 weird_O: I know that new threads are particularly appealing to you these days, Bill, and I’m happy to oblige. Good to see you here.
>13 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley.
>15 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.
>16 RebaRelishesReading: I enjoy setting up each new thread, Reba, and am glad that you’re appreciative and in agreement with my opinion on parts of the state of the world.
>17 quondame: Thank you, Susan.
>18 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita.
>19 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I started Deacon King Kong and my reading is languishing, frankly. I don’t think I’ve been in the right frame of mind for it, and will need to re-start it one of these days soon.
>20 Whisper1: Hi Linda. I’m sorry the chronic pain and now the Moderna 2nd dose leaving you sore and tired have made you MIA. Even though I’m not doing too much more than I did prior to being fully vaccinated, the mental freedom from total fear and knowledge that I can do small incremental things are marvelous.
I’m so sorry that your friend of 34 years was a Covid denier. I absolutely do not understand this mindset and am sorry that she’s struggling right now.
…
Yikes. 2 Amazon boxes for Bill, and 2 Amazon boxes for me all put on the porch farthest from the entrance we use at the side of the house near the driveway. I appreciate the care shown to have the boxes not in an obvious place, and am sorry that they walked an extra 90 feet and up and down 10 steps. Mine had aquarium filters and 2 books. Bill’s had a desk fan (assembly required and wasn’t that fun!) and one of his favorite snacks.
22LovingLit
>6 karenmarie: there's 6 in the Orphan X series? Wow, that went quickly!
>8 karenmarie: I so love these memes, they are so spot on for me.
>8 karenmarie: I so love these memes, they are so spot on for me.
23LizzieD
ANOTHER new thread, Karen, and I'm late to it! It's very satisfying to browse through your initial posts though. I know you do them for yourself, but thank you for letting the rest of us look too.
Wonder what the new books are ----- hmmmmm.
Wonder what the new books are ----- hmmmmm.
24msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy New Thread! I don't think I mentioned this yet but tomorrow, I am leading my very first bird walk. Pretty excited but also just a tad nervous. I will have a couple experienced birders along for support, though. Along with my birder pal Mike, we did a recon of the area I will be covering. I did get another FOY- a pair of Hermit Thrush.
Wow, you have a lot of interesting books going. How do you like Deacon King Kong?
Wow, you have a lot of interesting books going. How do you like Deacon King Kong?
25karenmarie
>22 LovingLit: Hi Megan. It's a series that you love or hate because it's over the top in violence and evil people.For some reason, it really appeals to me. I said so when I initially put it in a thread several threads ago, but my daughter sent it to me. She knows me very well.
>23 LizzieD: Yup, Peggy, another new one. I'm thrilled to have visitors. You know me well, too, to know that I list my reads, acquisitions, and culls for myself. I also keep track of books read on a spreadsheet, but acquisitions and culls are very easy to keep track of here.
Of the newest acquisitions, one is for Jenna and one is for me. The one for Jenna is An Encyclopedia of Tolkien: The History and Mythology That Inspired Tolkien's World by David Day. Leatherbound, inexpensive, yet very well done. the one for me is e.e. cummings: The Growth of a Writer by Norman Friedman. The one I got is not the Arcturus paperback, but the Southern Illinois University Press edition, second printing, 1966.
...
I just had my first sip of coffee and heard and saw one Canada Goose fly due east. They live here year round now, so perhaps she/he was going out to breakfast.
>23 LizzieD: Yup, Peggy, another new one. I'm thrilled to have visitors. You know me well, too, to know that I list my reads, acquisitions, and culls for myself. I also keep track of books read on a spreadsheet, but acquisitions and culls are very easy to keep track of here.
Of the newest acquisitions, one is for Jenna and one is for me. The one for Jenna is An Encyclopedia of Tolkien: The History and Mythology That Inspired Tolkien's World by David Day. Leatherbound, inexpensive, yet very well done. the one for me is e.e. cummings: The Growth of a Writer by Norman Friedman. The one I got is not the Arcturus paperback, but the Southern Illinois University Press edition, second printing, 1966.
...
I just had my first sip of coffee and heard and saw one Canada Goose fly due east. They live here year round now, so perhaps she/he was going out to breakfast.
26karenmarie
>24 msf59: 'Morning Mark, and thank you. How very exciting for you. I hadn't given it any thought, but for someone as dedicated to birding as you've become, it's the next logical step. Congrats on the FOY.
I'm dithering around with all of my reads except for Life of Pi right now, and got Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dumbar at the Library yesterday. Friend Karen in Montana is reading it. Here's the Amazon blurb:
I'm dithering around with all of my reads except for Life of Pi right now, and got Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dumbar at the Library yesterday. Friend Karen in Montana is reading it. Here's the Amazon blurb:
A startling and eye-opening look into America’s First Family, Never Caught is the powerful story about a daring woman of “extraordinary grit” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
When George Washington was elected president, he reluctantly left behind his beloved Mount Vernon to serve in Philadelphia, the temporary seat of the nation’s capital. In setting up his household he brought along nine slaves, including Ona Judge. As the President grew accustomed to Northern ways, there was one change he couldn’t abide: Pennsylvania law required enslaved people be set free after six months of residency in the state. Rather than comply, Washington decided to circumvent the law. Every six months he sent the slaves back down south just as the clock was about to expire.
Though Ona Judge lived a life of relative comfort, she was denied freedom. So, when the opportunity presented itself one clear and pleasant spring day in Philadelphia, Judge left everything she knew to escape to New England. Yet freedom would not come without its costs. At just twenty-two-years-old, Ona became the subject of an intense manhunt led by George Washington, who used his political and personal contacts to recapture his property.
“A crisp and compulsively readable feat of research and storytelling” (USA TODAY), historian and National Book Award finalist Erica Armstrong Dunbar weaves a powerful tale and offers fascinating new scholarship on how one young woman risked everything to gain freedom from the famous founding father and most powerful man in the United States at the time.
27scaifea
Happy new thread, Karen!
I'm just now noticing that your cats are all Browncoats, and I love it.
I'm just now noticing that your cats are all Browncoats, and I love it.
28karenmarie
Thanks, Amber! Ah, yes. You're the first who's noticed. It's amazing that naming Inara in 2008 and the gingers in 2019, 11 years apart, converged ... not quite the right word but you get the idea... as Browncoats.
30karenmarie
Thank you, Connie!
...
Another hummingbird visited today, twice, and I saw a Bald Eagle surveying the Kingfisher Pond (our name for it) on my way in to town this morning. I completely forgot about my chiropractic appointment until my cell phone alarm went off but fortunately did a bit of rushing and wasn't late.
Fresh black oil sunflower, wild bird, suet, and hummingbird food are all out there. And of course there's not a single bird taking advantage right now.
...
Another hummingbird visited today, twice, and I saw a Bald Eagle surveying the Kingfisher Pond (our name for it) on my way in to town this morning. I completely forgot about my chiropractic appointment until my cell phone alarm went off but fortunately did a bit of rushing and wasn't late.
Fresh black oil sunflower, wild bird, suet, and hummingbird food are all out there. And of course there's not a single bird taking advantage right now.
33EBT1002
We had to stop feeding birds in our backyard. There was/is a salmonella going around getting shared finch-to-finch so until that clears up, we're on hiatus. They still come around for the water and we scattered a bit of cracked corn for the quail, so we still get to watch most of them.
34johnsimpson
Hi Karen my dear, happy new thread.
35streamsong
Happy New Thread, Karen!
I enjoyed Life of Pi, but haven't ever watched the movie. Onto the movie queue it goes!
I see you are also reading Hamnet. What do you think? That's the one I suggested for my RLBC and we'll be reading it together later this year.
I enjoyed Life of Pi, but haven't ever watched the movie. Onto the movie queue it goes!
I see you are also reading Hamnet. What do you think? That's the one I suggested for my RLBC and we'll be reading it together later this year.
36msf59
Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Getting prepared to shove off for my bird walk. Wish me luck. Cool start, barely 40 but dry, thank God. I also loved Hamnet. One of my top reads of last year.
37karenmarie
>31 BLBera: Thank you, Beth. Last year’s pattern seems to be holding of more than one thread per month. Thanks re the lightning rounds – an idea shamelessly stolen from Mark.
>32 richardderus: I’m looking forward to reading, it, for sure.
>33 EBT1002: That’s too bad, Ellen. I’ve decided that after the feeders are emptied this time I’ll wash them before putting them back out, but although I’ve read that there are some unexplained bird deaths, specifically finches, in our general neck of the woods, I haven’t seen any sick looking birds or bird carcasses. I hope you can start feeding/watching again soon.
>34 johnsimpson: Hi John! Thank you.
>35 streamsong: Hi Janet, and thank you. I haven’t picked up Hamnet in months and can’t really explain why. One of these days I’ll be in the right frame of mind, whatever that is, and actually re-start it and zip through it. I wanted it so badly, started it enthusiastically, and haven’t gone back to it.
>36 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy new birding title of Bird Walk Leader. Good luck on the walk today.
…
Coffee and book for the next little bit, but first visits to a few threads. I’m seriously behind visiting some folks, alas.
>32 richardderus: I’m looking forward to reading, it, for sure.
>33 EBT1002: That’s too bad, Ellen. I’ve decided that after the feeders are emptied this time I’ll wash them before putting them back out, but although I’ve read that there are some unexplained bird deaths, specifically finches, in our general neck of the woods, I haven’t seen any sick looking birds or bird carcasses. I hope you can start feeding/watching again soon.
>34 johnsimpson: Hi John! Thank you.
>35 streamsong: Hi Janet, and thank you. I haven’t picked up Hamnet in months and can’t really explain why. One of these days I’ll be in the right frame of mind, whatever that is, and actually re-start it and zip through it. I wanted it so badly, started it enthusiastically, and haven’t gone back to it.
>36 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy new birding title of Bird Walk Leader. Good luck on the walk today.
…
Coffee and book for the next little bit, but first visits to a few threads. I’m seriously behind visiting some folks, alas.
38richardderus
*smooch*
I got nothin'
I got nothin'
39richardderus
I lied:
40lauralkeet
>33 EBT1002:, >37 karenmarie: Here in NoVA the wildlife organizations have been urging people to empty and thoroughly clean their feeders every two weeks to prevent spread of bacteria. I follow a local wildlife rehab on Instagram, and they say this is a recurring annual "thing" that causes spikes in their intake of sick birds. We've only just put our feeders out so don't need to worry about it yet but this conversation is a good reminder (to me) to stay on top of it.
41EBT1002
>40 lauralkeet: Yes, our local Audubon society asked people to stop feeding for a while and then to do the regular cleaning. Luckily, this time of year there is lots of natural food for them-- and we still provide water.
42karenmarie
>38 richardderus: and >39 richardderus: Hiya, RD. *smooch*
>40 lauralkeet: I’ll start cleaning my feeders every 2-3 times they get empty, I guess – that should correlate closely to 2 weeks. Thanks for the info, Laura.
>41 EBT1002: I just checked our 3-county Audubon Society website and don’t see anything about bird illnesses or cleaning feeders. Info I had seen was anecdotal and on NextDoorNeighbor.
…
Ah, coffee. It’s cold out this morning – 36F – and should be a wonderful spring day here in central NC.
>40 lauralkeet: I’ll start cleaning my feeders every 2-3 times they get empty, I guess – that should correlate closely to 2 weeks. Thanks for the info, Laura.
>41 EBT1002: I just checked our 3-county Audubon Society website and don’t see anything about bird illnesses or cleaning feeders. Info I had seen was anecdotal and on NextDoorNeighbor.
…
Ah, coffee. It’s cold out this morning – 36F – and should be a wonderful spring day here in central NC.
43msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. You saw the details from yesterday's walk. Yep, it was a good day. I am heading out for a guided walk. This time with another group, led by our county forest preserve. Remains cool here but may hit 60 today.
44karenmarie
Thanks, Mark, and happy Friday to you, too. I bet you're glad to get the first one under your belt, and am glad that it went well. Enjoy today's outing.
45lauralkeet
>42 karenmarie: Karen, I found an article published in March that provides more background on the salmonellosis outbreak. It mentions the Pacific Northwest and Canada as being hardest hit, so I'm not surprised Ellen is on top of this with her feeders. Our local Audubon didn't report on it either.
https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/birdwatching/disease-outbreak-sparks-call...
https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/birdwatching/disease-outbreak-sparks-call...
47karenmarie
34. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
4/12/21 to 4/15/21
From Amazon:
The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.
The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days while lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional--but is it more true?
Why I wanted to read it: I’ve had this book on my shelves for 14 years, meaning that I had it sometime before I joined LT. I have never felt the urge to read it until Paul Cranswick mentioned it on his thread. It seemed like the right time to either read it or abandon and deaccesion it.
This review is an indication that I’ve read it. I cannot believe that it took me this long to get to a 4.5 star book.
There are many excellent parts, starting with Pi’s introduction to and believing in 3 major religions – Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. He does not find any reason to disavow any of them, which perturbs his family and all religious authorities he comes in contact with. This thrilled me, since it smacks of liberal theism, which I embrace.
The second interesting part is Pi’s discussion of animals in zoos vs. animals in the wild. I found this fascinating.
And, of course, the story of the sinking of the Japanese-owned, Panamanian-registered freighter Tsimtsum and Pi’s being cast adrift in a lifeboat for 227 days are the heart of the book.
But there are two stories about Pi’s time on the lifeboat. Which one to believe? The one with Richard Parker or the much more brutal one? I know which one I believe.
Even with all the gruesome details of mayhem and death on the lifeboat and Pi’s ordeal, I found this book sweet, emotionally gritty, and honest. The style immediately drew me in with wry humor.
Definitely re-readable.
Six word review: Tigers and brave boys, phantasmagoric, epic.
4/12/21 to 4/15/21
From Amazon:
The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.
The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days while lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional--but is it more true?
Why I wanted to read it: I’ve had this book on my shelves for 14 years, meaning that I had it sometime before I joined LT. I have never felt the urge to read it until Paul Cranswick mentioned it on his thread. It seemed like the right time to either read it or abandon and deaccesion it.
This review is an indication that I’ve read it. I cannot believe that it took me this long to get to a 4.5 star book.
There are many excellent parts, starting with Pi’s introduction to and believing in 3 major religions – Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. He does not find any reason to disavow any of them, which perturbs his family and all religious authorities he comes in contact with. This thrilled me, since it smacks of liberal theism, which I embrace.
The second interesting part is Pi’s discussion of animals in zoos vs. animals in the wild. I found this fascinating.
And, of course, the story of the sinking of the Japanese-owned, Panamanian-registered freighter Tsimtsum and Pi’s being cast adrift in a lifeboat for 227 days are the heart of the book.
But there are two stories about Pi’s time on the lifeboat. Which one to believe? The one with Richard Parker or the much more brutal one? I know which one I believe.
Even with all the gruesome details of mayhem and death on the lifeboat and Pi’s ordeal, I found this book sweet, emotionally gritty, and honest. The style immediately drew me in with wry humor.
Definitely re-readable.
Six word review: Tigers and brave boys, phantasmagoric, epic.
48richardderus
Happy Friday, my dear. We'll add >47 karenmarie: to our ATD list, I see. *smooch*
49karenmarie
Hi RD! I'm always happy to ATD with you 'cuz we're friends. *smooch*
...
Sad news, Freddie Mercury the Betta Fish went to fish heaven last night. I made a little casket for him and have buried him out by the Tiger Grass so I can see him from the Sunroom. I've got staples all over inside the top drawer of the dresser so I could use the box as his casket...
...
Sad news, Freddie Mercury the Betta Fish went to fish heaven last night. I made a little casket for him and have buried him out by the Tiger Grass so I can see him from the Sunroom. I've got staples all over inside the top drawer of the dresser so I could use the box as his casket...
50PawsforThought
>49 karenmarie: Aw, I'm sorry to hear about Freddie Mercury, Karen. Sounds like you've given him a good send-off and a nice resting place.
51jessibud2
>49 karenmarie: - Condolences for Freddie, Karen. When I was still teaching, we buried our class hamster in a small gold Godiva chocolate box. We said we could think of worse ways to go. :-)
52weird_O
Nice review of Life of Pi, Karen. I saw the flick, and I have copies of the book, but thus far, I haven't read it.
I've gotten started on How Music Works by David Byrne, the front man of Talking Heads. For the current AAC. Fascinating so far, but a lot for me to digest mentally.
My smarter younger brother visited yesterday, bringing gifts: five books from the Pottstown library's "book nook" to add to the TBR and the loan of five books from his treasured collection of Freddy the Pig books. So I'm also two or three chapters into Freddy the Magician. (I see that Touchstones is without "results" on that title; these pig books are loaners to me, so I am not going to fret about Touchstones.) The "book nook" is a used-book sales area in the library, and you can seek entry to the library for the purpose of browsing in the nook. No big bag sales yet.
Just a little more pressure to expand the shelving.
Sounds like you and yours are leading the pretty good life. :-)
ETA: I misspelled the pig's name when I posted this originally. Freddie (incorrect) instead of Freddy (correct). After I corrected the spelling, the Touchstone came up.
I've gotten started on How Music Works by David Byrne, the front man of Talking Heads. For the current AAC. Fascinating so far, but a lot for me to digest mentally.
My smarter younger brother visited yesterday, bringing gifts: five books from the Pottstown library's "book nook" to add to the TBR and the loan of five books from his treasured collection of Freddy the Pig books. So I'm also two or three chapters into Freddy the Magician. (I see that Touchstones is without "results" on that title; these pig books are loaners to me, so I am not going to fret about Touchstones.) The "book nook" is a used-book sales area in the library, and you can seek entry to the library for the purpose of browsing in the nook. No big bag sales yet.
Just a little more pressure to expand the shelving.
Sounds like you and yours are leading the pretty good life. :-)
ETA: I misspelled the pig's name when I posted this originally. Freddie (incorrect) instead of Freddy (correct). After I corrected the spelling, the Touchstone came up.
53quondame
>49 karenmarie: How kind to sacrifice the order of your drawer for the casket of a friend. RIP.
54FAMeulstee
>49 karenmarie: So sorry to read Freddie has left the land of the living, Karen.
You made him a worthy casket.
Vale, Freddie.
You made him a worthy casket.
Vale, Freddie.
55Whisper1
>49 karenmarie: I am sad for your loss of Freddy Murcury.
56karenmarie
>50 PawsforThought: Thank you, Anita. I feel good about how I honored his fishy little life.
>51 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Honoring pets is a good thing. A Godiva Chocolate Box is uptown for sure.
>52 weird_O: Thanks, Bill. I watched the movie trailer after I finished the book and may watch it one of these fine days.
Yay for the book nook. Our Friends group will be meeting in May to see if we can have a book sale sometime this year.
If you build more shelves, the books will come… always welcome for bibliophiles/bibliomaniacs, eh?
>53 quondame: Thank you, Susan. It had to be a little box of just the right size, you understand.
>54 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I did spend rather quite a bit of time on it but feel very good about it. 😊
>55 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda. The corner is empty… but I have a husband, and a daughter, and 3 kitties and peanut butter cookies just coming out of the oven. Life’s good.
>51 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Honoring pets is a good thing. A Godiva Chocolate Box is uptown for sure.
>52 weird_O: Thanks, Bill. I watched the movie trailer after I finished the book and may watch it one of these fine days.
Yay for the book nook. Our Friends group will be meeting in May to see if we can have a book sale sometime this year.
If you build more shelves, the books will come… always welcome for bibliophiles/bibliomaniacs, eh?
>53 quondame: Thank you, Susan. It had to be a little box of just the right size, you understand.
>54 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I did spend rather quite a bit of time on it but feel very good about it. 😊
>55 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda. The corner is empty… but I have a husband, and a daughter, and 3 kitties and peanut butter cookies just coming out of the oven. Life’s good.
57Familyhistorian
RIP Freddie Mercury.
58jessibud2
It was a small box, Karen. Very hamster sized. We had a full funeral for Riley the hamster. The students wrote their favourite memories. It was very touching but it made me choose our next class pet to be one with a longer lifespan than a hamster. I didn't want to do a funeral every other year. We got 2 guinea pigs after Riley, and they lived 5 and 7 years. Much better.
59karenmarie
>57 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg!
>58 jessibud2: So practical, Shelley. My 5th grade class had white rats. I had the honor of being rat monitor for a 4 week period. There was a chart, and each student got to have the rat of her/his choice for 15 minutes once a week (at least that's how I seem to remember it). We had baby rats that year, too... major excitement.
>58 jessibud2: So practical, Shelley. My 5th grade class had white rats. I had the honor of being rat monitor for a 4 week period. There was a chart, and each student got to have the rat of her/his choice for 15 minutes once a week (at least that's how I seem to remember it). We had baby rats that year, too... major excitement.
60richardderus
Freddie Mercury was a very old fish! The tiger grass will use him well.
*smooch*
*smooch*
61figsfromthistle
Happy belated thread wishes to you!
>47 karenmarie: That's the only novel of Martel's that I have not read. Perhaps I will add it to my buying list.
>47 karenmarie: That's the only novel of Martel's that I have not read. Perhaps I will add it to my buying list.
62msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. A very nice walk yesterday. It was a beautiful A.M. Finally got my FOY, Eastern Towhee, although they were poor looks. I don't think I got a decent photo all week. Heading out for another guided walk. Yep, 3 in a row. Enjoy your day.
63karenmarie
>60 richardderus: Ashes to ashes, dust to dust... yes. *smooch*
>61 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, and thank you. I find it interesting that you haven't read the novel he's most famous for. Of his other books, if you could only recommend one, which one would it be?
>62 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you. Congrats on your FOY. Wow. 3 in a row. Enjoy.
...
This morning I'm using my NPR-WUNC Sustainer Mug, enjoying my first sips of coffee.
>61 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, and thank you. I find it interesting that you haven't read the novel he's most famous for. Of his other books, if you could only recommend one, which one would it be?
>62 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you. Congrats on your FOY. Wow. 3 in a row. Enjoy.
...
This morning I'm using my NPR-WUNC Sustainer Mug, enjoying my first sips of coffee.
64figsfromthistle
>63 karenmarie: It really depends on what kind of story you enjoy. My least favourite was Beatrice and Virgil because there was way to much violence/cruelty to animals. His novel Self is a good choice if you like to read about gender fluidity. However, my favourite so far is The High Mountains of Portugal
65karenmarie
When doing a brief skim of his works, that's the one I thought I'd most likely enjoy the most. I'll put it on my wish list! Thank you.
66richardderus
Horrible. Saturday. Whee?
67karenmarie
Hiya, RD. Yup, Whee. Bill's just left to take trash/recyclables to the dump and go to a local pizza joint and bring him pizza and me a steak and cheese stromboli with extra marinara sauce. Can't wait.
68karenmarie
35. Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
4/16/21 to 4/17/21
From Amazon:
A startling and eye-opening look into America’s First Family, Never Caught is the powerful story about a daring woman of “extraordinary grit” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
When George Washington was elected president, he reluctantly left behind his beloved Mount Vernon to serve in Philadelphia, the temporary seat of the nation’s capital. In setting up his household he brought along nine slaves, including Ona Judge. As the President grew accustomed to Northern ways, there was one change he couldn’t abide: Pennsylvania law required enslaved people be set free after six months of residency in the state. Rather than comply, Washington decided to circumvent the law. Every six months he sent the slaves back down south just as the clock was about to expire.
Though Ona Judge lived a life of relative comfort, she was denied freedom. So, when the opportunity presented itself one clear and pleasant spring day in Philadelphia, Judge left everything she knew to escape to New England. Yet freedom would not come without its costs. At just twenty-two-years-old, Ona became the subject of an intense manhunt led by George Washington, who used his political and personal contacts to recapture his property.
“A crisp and compulsively readable feat of research and storytelling” (USA TODAY), historian and National Book Award finalist Erica Armstrong Dunbar weaves a powerful tale and offers fascinating new scholarship on how one young woman risked everything to gain freedom from the famous founding father and most powerful man in the United States at the time.
Why I wanted to read it: Friend Karen told me about this book and I was intrigued.
I hadn’t given much thought to George and Martha Washington’s slaves beyond the fact that I knew they had them, couldn’t have had the lifestyle and wealth they enjoyed without them, and that Washington emancipated them after his death.
It was more complicated than that, of course, in that Martha Washington had her own slaves, called Dower Slaves, who were legally not part of her dowry when she married Washington but whose lives he managed and was responsible for. Oney Judge was a dower slave.
This is a fascinating account of a page of history I never knew. It is a story of a young woman seeing free black people living in New York and Philadelphia as she served Martha Washington in her role as First Lady. It is the story of how the Washingtons sidestepped the law of Pennsylvania that required the freeing of a slave if that slave lived in Pennsylvania six months, going to great expense and inconvenience to do so.
It is the story of Oney Judge running away, helped by free blacks in Philadelphia, and successfully living the life of a free married woman in New Hampshire. It is also the story of the Washingtons sporadic but persistent pursuit of her, which pursuit only ended upon George Washington’s death.
The narrative is rich, detailed, interesting, and informative. There is so little information about Oney Judge that Dunbar speculates freely throughout the book, but historical facts are clearly identified and cited and speculation is clearly identified as such.
The only thing missing from this book are the interviews that Oney Judge gave in the mid-1840s to two abolitionist newspapers. They are mentioned in the Foreward, but I had to look them up.
Six word review: Runaway slave, relentless pursuit, fascinating history.
4/16/21 to 4/17/21
From Amazon:
A startling and eye-opening look into America’s First Family, Never Caught is the powerful story about a daring woman of “extraordinary grit” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
When George Washington was elected president, he reluctantly left behind his beloved Mount Vernon to serve in Philadelphia, the temporary seat of the nation’s capital. In setting up his household he brought along nine slaves, including Ona Judge. As the President grew accustomed to Northern ways, there was one change he couldn’t abide: Pennsylvania law required enslaved people be set free after six months of residency in the state. Rather than comply, Washington decided to circumvent the law. Every six months he sent the slaves back down south just as the clock was about to expire.
Though Ona Judge lived a life of relative comfort, she was denied freedom. So, when the opportunity presented itself one clear and pleasant spring day in Philadelphia, Judge left everything she knew to escape to New England. Yet freedom would not come without its costs. At just twenty-two-years-old, Ona became the subject of an intense manhunt led by George Washington, who used his political and personal contacts to recapture his property.
“A crisp and compulsively readable feat of research and storytelling” (USA TODAY), historian and National Book Award finalist Erica Armstrong Dunbar weaves a powerful tale and offers fascinating new scholarship on how one young woman risked everything to gain freedom from the famous founding father and most powerful man in the United States at the time.
Why I wanted to read it: Friend Karen told me about this book and I was intrigued.
I hadn’t given much thought to George and Martha Washington’s slaves beyond the fact that I knew they had them, couldn’t have had the lifestyle and wealth they enjoyed without them, and that Washington emancipated them after his death.
It was more complicated than that, of course, in that Martha Washington had her own slaves, called Dower Slaves, who were legally not part of her dowry when she married Washington but whose lives he managed and was responsible for. Oney Judge was a dower slave.
This is a fascinating account of a page of history I never knew. It is a story of a young woman seeing free black people living in New York and Philadelphia as she served Martha Washington in her role as First Lady. It is the story of how the Washingtons sidestepped the law of Pennsylvania that required the freeing of a slave if that slave lived in Pennsylvania six months, going to great expense and inconvenience to do so.
It is the story of Oney Judge running away, helped by free blacks in Philadelphia, and successfully living the life of a free married woman in New Hampshire. It is also the story of the Washingtons sporadic but persistent pursuit of her, which pursuit only ended upon George Washington’s death.
The narrative is rich, detailed, interesting, and informative. There is so little information about Oney Judge that Dunbar speculates freely throughout the book, but historical facts are clearly identified and cited and speculation is clearly identified as such.
The only thing missing from this book are the interviews that Oney Judge gave in the mid-1840s to two abolitionist newspapers. They are mentioned in the Foreward, but I had to look them up.
At the end of her life, Ona Judge made another bold decision: she would tell her story. She granted interviews to two reporters for abolitionist newspapers, the first of which, with Thomas H. Archibald, appeared in the Granite Freeman in May of 1845, almost forty-nine years to the day of her escape. Judge’s second, and final, interview appeared in 1847 on New Year’s Day in the Liberator, the nation’s most powerful abolitionist newspaper. Judge’s interviews are quite possibly the only existing recorded narratives of an eighteenth-century Virginia fugitive. Her oral testimony allows us to learn about the institution of slavery not only through the lens of white abolitionists and slave owners, but through the voice of a fugitive.Here’s a link to the interviews: Oney Judge Newspaper Articles, 1840s
Six word review: Runaway slave, relentless pursuit, fascinating history.
69quondame
>68 karenmarie: Thank you for posting the link to those articles. I'd heard the story before and with the tone of the articles it connects somewhat to the book I'm reading now Spider in a Tree which takes place in the middle of the 18th century and concerns Jonathan Edwards, his family and his slave Leah in Connecticut.
70msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. I am going to take a breather today from birding. Laundry, food-shopping and hopefully some yard work. Feeders still pretty quiet. I did have a couple of starlings drop by.
71karenmarie
>69 quondame: You're welcome, Susan. Spider in a Tree sounds fascinating - onto the wish list it goes!
>70 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you, too. Errands and yardwork sometimes just need to get done, don't they? I actually do not see a single bird right now.
>70 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you, too. Errands and yardwork sometimes just need to get done, don't they? I actually do not see a single bird right now.
72richardderus
>67 karenmarie: ...and...?
>68 karenmarie: Ick! Ownership does the damnedest, weirdest things to people. It's no wonder folk've been at gettin' rid of it for millennia.
With a *notable* lack of success.
>69 quondame: Spider in a Tree sounds a wee bit on the lugubrious side, too, unless it's Evans dangling over a not-metaphorical Lake of Fire in which case it would count as wish fulfillment for me.
>68 karenmarie: Ick! Ownership does the damnedest, weirdest things to people. It's no wonder folk've been at gettin' rid of it for millennia.
With a *notable* lack of success.
>69 quondame: Spider in a Tree sounds a wee bit on the lugubrious side, too, unless it's Evans dangling over a not-metaphorical Lake of Fire in which case it would count as wish fulfillment for me.
73karenmarie
'Morning, RD!
The steak and cheese stromboli was perfect. I ate half of it with a small container of marinara sauce and saved the other half for dinner with another small container of marinara sauce. The toaster oven heated the stromboli up perfectly. Total Yum.
There are many things that are tied to a zeitgeist that are innocuous that I can shake my head over and wonder how smart and good people believe/believedd them. However, slavery, religious persecution, racism, and sexism are not among those. Washington and Jefferson, and even Benjamin Franklin, had slaves, although Franklin had a change of heart and mind near the end of his life. All three did good things that led to the founding of the US. At a macro level each of the three is to be respected, even if at the micro level each is despicable for holding the views they did on slavery and acting upon them.
Even T****, arguably one of the most amoral and vicious people of these times and the worst President in the history of the country, launched Operation Warp Speed, which fast-tracked vaccine development through initial funding of $10 billion. This does not offset his criminal negligence in the federal response to the pandemic but was/is a good thing. I cringe to think where we would be now without the vaccines developed under Warp Speed.
Terrible things are happening, yet again, in this country, over slavery and racism. I don't know if this will be the beginning of the end for white supremacy's reign here in the US, but I sure hope it is.
...
I'm reading the next in my Nero Wolfe read/re-read, Three at Wolfe's Door, number 33 of 47.
The steak and cheese stromboli was perfect. I ate half of it with a small container of marinara sauce and saved the other half for dinner with another small container of marinara sauce. The toaster oven heated the stromboli up perfectly. Total Yum.
There are many things that are tied to a zeitgeist that are innocuous that I can shake my head over and wonder how smart and good people believe/believedd them. However, slavery, religious persecution, racism, and sexism are not among those. Washington and Jefferson, and even Benjamin Franklin, had slaves, although Franklin had a change of heart and mind near the end of his life. All three did good things that led to the founding of the US. At a macro level each of the three is to be respected, even if at the micro level each is despicable for holding the views they did on slavery and acting upon them.
Even T****, arguably one of the most amoral and vicious people of these times and the worst President in the history of the country, launched Operation Warp Speed, which fast-tracked vaccine development through initial funding of $10 billion. This does not offset his criminal negligence in the federal response to the pandemic but was/is a good thing. I cringe to think where we would be now without the vaccines developed under Warp Speed.
Terrible things are happening, yet again, in this country, over slavery and racism. I don't know if this will be the beginning of the end for white supremacy's reign here in the US, but I sure hope it is.
...
I'm reading the next in my Nero Wolfe read/re-read, Three at Wolfe's Door, number 33 of 47.
74BLBera
>68 karenmarie: Great comments, Karen. This sounds fascinating. I wonder why she didn't include the interviews? That would seem to be a key part of the story.
75richardderus
>73 karenmarie: I'm glad the stromboli delivered satisfaction. I've always really enjoyed them as well.
It amuses me, in a dark and unamusing way, that people think *chattel* slavery's outlawing means that slavery ended. Sharecropping and migrant farm labor are the means used to continue the enslavement of Othered people to feed the white middle class. Company towns were the means of enslaving people to provide energy for the industrial production of goods.
None of that's bothered anyone much, has it.
And soon it will be designed-without-selfhood robots controlled by an AI that will do the slave-work, and I can assume without fear of contradiction that this will bother precisely no one.
So it goes.
It amuses me, in a dark and unamusing way, that people think *chattel* slavery's outlawing means that slavery ended. Sharecropping and migrant farm labor are the means used to continue the enslavement of Othered people to feed the white middle class. Company towns were the means of enslaving people to provide energy for the industrial production of goods.
None of that's bothered anyone much, has it.
And soon it will be designed-without-selfhood robots controlled by an AI that will do the slave-work, and I can assume without fear of contradiction that this will bother precisely no one.
So it goes.
76quondame
>72 richardderus: Evans? You gave the good word on Spider in a Tree, so you know it isn't what it sounds.
77quondame
>75 richardderus: I consider student debt to be a form of slavery. You sell your future. It reminds me of the educated Greek slaves in Rome. It's worse that the powers lending the money are those doing everything they can to keep the wages so low that the loans take a long time to pay and that people cant pay for their own and their children's educations.
79richardderus
>76 quondame: *chuckle*
>77 quondame: It's slavery, and an insidious and particularly malevolent form of it. The System, this thing that we've been acculturated to calling by impersonal or depersonalized names like "the Market" as though it's some sort of impersonal Thing instead of the result of decisions and rules and motives of a group of people controlling a great deal of power, is most assuredly rigged against the hoi polloi getting more than is absolutely necessary to keep them quiet.
>77 quondame: It's slavery, and an insidious and particularly malevolent form of it. The System, this thing that we've been acculturated to calling by impersonal or depersonalized names like "the Market" as though it's some sort of impersonal Thing instead of the result of decisions and rules and motives of a group of people controlling a great deal of power, is most assuredly rigged against the hoi polloi getting more than is absolutely necessary to keep them quiet.
80karenmarie
>74 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. To me it would have been perfect to have the interviews as an Introduction or even have them as an Appendix at the end. It just made an extra step or two for those of us who wanted to read the interviews.
>75 richardderus: Slavery is more than chattel slavery, granted, which could be called historical slavery as compared to modern slavery. Here’s the link to the US Department of State’s page What is Modern Slavery?
AI/robots don’t bother me, although I’ve watched Battlestar Galactica and Blade Runner, both of which bring up the feelings and self-awareness of AI/robots, as do hundreds of books, articles, movies, and TV shows.
And so it goes.
>76 quondame: I had no idea what RD meant and have no idea what you mean, but go ahead… I like visitors and chatter.
>77 quondame: I feel for people caught up in student debt although I am opposed to the idea of forgiving student debt. This is based on the fact that I worked my way through college paying for it and Jenna was given money from one of her grandmothers and her dad and me to get through school debt-free. My 42-year old niece and her 39-year old wife have a stunning student debt load for a doctorate for the one and a masters for the other. They also make an obscene amount of money because of the degrees they wouldn’t have been able to get otherwise, so I don’t think their educations should be free when so many other students and families save and scrimp or work extra jobs or the students themselves work while in college. Repayment of the principal, see next 'graph.
What I’d like to see is interest-free student debt, completely managed by the federal government so the profit motive doesn’t creep in, with a very relaxed repayment schedule. This is, admittedly, without knowing how this could be accomplished. Scholarships are also a component in this. It’s all very complicated, for sure.
>78 RebaRelishesReading: *smile*
>79 richardderus: Keeping the hoi polloi down is absolutely the goal of the people in power.
>75 richardderus: Slavery is more than chattel slavery, granted, which could be called historical slavery as compared to modern slavery. Here’s the link to the US Department of State’s page What is Modern Slavery?
AI/robots don’t bother me, although I’ve watched Battlestar Galactica and Blade Runner, both of which bring up the feelings and self-awareness of AI/robots, as do hundreds of books, articles, movies, and TV shows.
And so it goes.
>76 quondame: I had no idea what RD meant and have no idea what you mean, but go ahead… I like visitors and chatter.
>77 quondame: I feel for people caught up in student debt although I am opposed to the idea of forgiving student debt. This is based on the fact that I worked my way through college paying for it and Jenna was given money from one of her grandmothers and her dad and me to get through school debt-free. My 42-year old niece and her 39-year old wife have a stunning student debt load for a doctorate for the one and a masters for the other. They also make an obscene amount of money because of the degrees they wouldn’t have been able to get otherwise, so I don’t think their educations should be free when so many other students and families save and scrimp or work extra jobs or the students themselves work while in college. Repayment of the principal, see next 'graph.
What I’d like to see is interest-free student debt, completely managed by the federal government so the profit motive doesn’t creep in, with a very relaxed repayment schedule. This is, admittedly, without knowing how this could be accomplished. Scholarships are also a component in this. It’s all very complicated, for sure.
>78 RebaRelishesReading: *smile*
>79 richardderus: Keeping the hoi polloi down is absolutely the goal of the people in power.
81quondame
>80 karenmarie: I think the benefits of nearly cost free education justify a great deal. My parents were able to pay for bachelor degrees for each of their 4 children, though my older brother pulled in some juicy scholarships as well, but weren't willing to support the graduate degrees. What that meant was that with funding as it changed from the 60s to the 70s is that my older sister and brother got fellowships for graduate school, which were not available to me and my younger brother. So I just went into the work force and he, low draft number that he had, scrambled for a graduate position and a job in Indiana. What the country got for the investment in my older siblings was a top level scientist and a strong effective advocate for women's health.
Interest free loans would be an improvement, though I'm all for debt forgiveness, for all that I paid for my daughter's private college (and K-12). But I'd like to see some quality assurance on the part of the educational establishments and a great deal more craft professions supported. The unfortunate practice of throwing together shoddy vocational training and arraigning for loans to draw in students who wouldn't be educated in any useful sense is just another aspect of the whole modern slavery issue.
Interest free loans would be an improvement, though I'm all for debt forgiveness, for all that I paid for my daughter's private college (and K-12). But I'd like to see some quality assurance on the part of the educational establishments and a great deal more craft professions supported. The unfortunate practice of throwing together shoddy vocational training and arraigning for loans to draw in students who wouldn't be educated in any useful sense is just another aspect of the whole modern slavery issue.
82connie53
Good to hear you loved Het leven van Pi, I have about the same experience as you have. Bought it many years ago and finally got to read it last year and loved it.
I'm sorry to hear about the death of Freddie.
I'm sorry to hear about the death of Freddie.
83msf59
Morning, Karen. Our weather is turning cruddy again but I am getting out this A.M. with my birding buddies and we are going to check out a new place. I really want to see a FOY red-headed woodpecker. Tomorrow most likely will not get out of the 30s with a possible snow/rain mix. Sighs...
We have a camping trip coming up, starting Thursday. Hoping for improvement.
We have a camping trip coming up, starting Thursday. Hoping for improvement.
84karenmarie
>81 quondame: I absolutely agree about quality assurance at both the college level and vocational level. And while we're at it, not every person should go to college. Vocational skills are needed and in demand and should be funded equally. And for those who can't or won't work towards a vocation, a living minimum wage is required.
>82 connie53: Same story, different LTer! And thanks re Freddie. It's very odd to NOT be getting him breakfast, saying hi, seeing him putter about during the day, enjoy snacks, then get a final nosh before I turn the lights out.
>83 msf59: Hi Mark, and happy birding adventure! I hope you get the Red-Headed Woodpecker FOY. We apparently have them in the woods behind the house 5 lots away. Boo, hiss, to snow. Where are you going and for how long?
...
Coffee, sneezing, reading, then the Friends Board meeting at 10. Busy morning, then relaxing afternoon.
>82 connie53: Same story, different LTer! And thanks re Freddie. It's very odd to NOT be getting him breakfast, saying hi, seeing him putter about during the day, enjoy snacks, then get a final nosh before I turn the lights out.
>83 msf59: Hi Mark, and happy birding adventure! I hope you get the Red-Headed Woodpecker FOY. We apparently have them in the woods behind the house 5 lots away. Boo, hiss, to snow. Where are you going and for how long?
...
Coffee, sneezing, reading, then the Friends Board meeting at 10. Busy morning, then relaxing afternoon.
85msf59
Morning, Karen. We discovered a new set of woods yesterday, that I really liked exploring, although no red-headed or pileated woodpeckers to be found. We did get a couple of singing titmouse.
We are heading to Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan. It is not far. Just under 2 hours. First time we have camped there. We come back on Sunday and then I leave for Oregon on Monday, with Bree, for a week. I hope to return to much warmer weather.
We are heading to Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan. It is not far. Just under 2 hours. First time we have camped there. We come back on Sunday and then I leave for Oregon on Monday, with Bree, for a week. I hope to return to much warmer weather.
86karenmarie
Hi Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Glad you had a good time yesterday although it would have been nicer with woodpeckers, right? Lots of travel ahead, yay!
...
I've just had my first sips of coffee and a bite of the last of my two peanut butter cookies. The other two are for Bill. Excellent brekkie, right?
...
I've just had my first sips of coffee and a bite of the last of my two peanut butter cookies. The other two are for Bill. Excellent brekkie, right?
87PawsforThought
>85 msf59: I saw the phrase "singing titmouse" and saw the below image in my head. The reality, while also lovely, was slightly disappointing.
88richardderus
Yodeleeewhooo hooo!
*smooch*
*smooch*
89karenmarie
>87 PawsforThought: Very sweet, Paws.
>88 richardderus: Hiya, RD! *smooch*
...
I've been watching two hummingbirds vie for position on the feeder, but I think they're both exhausted from migrating north and decided to coexist for a while on the feeder. They must have been there for 5 minutes. Not a very good pic, but you get the idea.
>88 richardderus: Hiya, RD! *smooch*
...
I've been watching two hummingbirds vie for position on the feeder, but I think they're both exhausted from migrating north and decided to coexist for a while on the feeder. They must have been there for 5 minutes. Not a very good pic, but you get the idea.
90karenmarie
37. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman
4/19/21 to 4/20/21
From Amazon:
Sylvia Barrett arrives at New York City’s Calvin Coolidge High fresh from earning literature degrees at Hunter College and eager to shape young minds. Instead she encounters broken windows, a lack of supplies, a stifling bureaucracy, and students with no interest in Chaucer. Her bumpy yet ultimately rewarding journey is narrated through an extraordinary collection of correspondence—sternly worded yet nonsensical administrative memos, furtive notes of wisdom from teacher to teacher, “polio consent slips,” and student homework assignments that unwittingly speak from the heart. An instant bestseller when it was first published in 1964, Up the Down Staircase remains as poignant, devastating, laugh-out-loud funny, and relevant today as ever. It timelessly depicts a beleaguered public school system redeemed by teachers who love to teach and students who long to be recognized.
Why I wanted to read it: Amber’s review of Middlemarch included a mention of Silas Marner, which reminded me of Silly Ass Marner as mentioned by the high schoolers in this book. I simply had to re-read it.
School correspondence is the bulk of the book, but it’s in Sylvia’s letters to her friend Ellen that we learn the most about her. The most devastating letter is one where she describes her after-school meeting with troubled and troublemaker Joe Ferone.
It was written in 1964 but when I started reading bits out loud to my daughter, she almost gasped with the relevancy to her high school years and feelings.
And even though I was not one of the super slows, I remember passing notes, having crushes on teachers, and all the other teenage emotions so stunningly portrayed here. And she absolutely nailed the types. Instead of Student Body President Harry Kagan I had Reggie Ausmus. Instead of class clown Lou Martin I had Richard Polehonka. Instead of hormone-filled Linda Rosen I had Judy Kirk. And on it goes.
Sylvia toys with the idea of leaving Calvin Coolidge High School for the private and posh Willowdale, enticed with small class sizes, ‘windows with trees in them’ as wistfully hoped for by one of her Super Slow students, and a Chaucer Seminar. Will she or won’t she leave?
Funny and serious, with all the comedies and tragedies that are a teenager's daily lot, I galloped through its 355 pages in just about 24 hours.
And have I mentioned how much I love epistolary novels?
Six word review: Read this book, become a teacher. **or** High School 101, timeless and accurate.
4/19/21 to 4/20/21
From Amazon:
Sylvia Barrett arrives at New York City’s Calvin Coolidge High fresh from earning literature degrees at Hunter College and eager to shape young minds. Instead she encounters broken windows, a lack of supplies, a stifling bureaucracy, and students with no interest in Chaucer. Her bumpy yet ultimately rewarding journey is narrated through an extraordinary collection of correspondence—sternly worded yet nonsensical administrative memos, furtive notes of wisdom from teacher to teacher, “polio consent slips,” and student homework assignments that unwittingly speak from the heart. An instant bestseller when it was first published in 1964, Up the Down Staircase remains as poignant, devastating, laugh-out-loud funny, and relevant today as ever. It timelessly depicts a beleaguered public school system redeemed by teachers who love to teach and students who long to be recognized.
Why I wanted to read it: Amber’s review of Middlemarch included a mention of Silas Marner, which reminded me of Silly Ass Marner as mentioned by the high schoolers in this book. I simply had to re-read it.
School correspondence is the bulk of the book, but it’s in Sylvia’s letters to her friend Ellen that we learn the most about her. The most devastating letter is one where she describes her after-school meeting with troubled and troublemaker Joe Ferone.
It was written in 1964 but when I started reading bits out loud to my daughter, she almost gasped with the relevancy to her high school years and feelings.
And even though I was not one of the super slows, I remember passing notes, having crushes on teachers, and all the other teenage emotions so stunningly portrayed here. And she absolutely nailed the types. Instead of Student Body President Harry Kagan I had Reggie Ausmus. Instead of class clown Lou Martin I had Richard Polehonka. Instead of hormone-filled Linda Rosen I had Judy Kirk. And on it goes.
Sylvia toys with the idea of leaving Calvin Coolidge High School for the private and posh Willowdale, enticed with small class sizes, ‘windows with trees in them’ as wistfully hoped for by one of her Super Slow students, and a Chaucer Seminar. Will she or won’t she leave?
Funny and serious, with all the comedies and tragedies that are a teenager's daily lot, I galloped through its 355 pages in just about 24 hours.
And have I mentioned how much I love epistolary novels?
Six word review: Read this book, become a teacher. **or** High School 101, timeless and accurate.
91jessibud2
>90 karenmarie: - I never read the book but I do remember loving the film, when I saw it, a million years ago (before I became a teacher)...
92RebaRelishesReading
>90 karenmarie: OH lordy...that's a blast from the past. It was fun, even way back when
93BLBera
>90 karenmarie: I remember reading this in high school and loving it! I should look for a copy. I might appreciate it more now.
94karenmarie
>91 jessibud2: I never saw the movie. Hmmm. Maybe one of these days.
>92 RebaRelishesReading: It's still fun even though I graduated high school in 1971.
>93 BLBera: Here's a question for you, Beth. Are most of your students at CC right out of high school or are they older students? My daughter dropped out of college twice, worked as a team leader for a cleaning service for 3 years, then finally figured out that she needed to go back to school and decided a 2-year degree in Business Administration made sense for her. But she was 25 when she did that.
>92 RebaRelishesReading: It's still fun even though I graduated high school in 1971.
>93 BLBera: Here's a question for you, Beth. Are most of your students at CC right out of high school or are they older students? My daughter dropped out of college twice, worked as a team leader for a cleaning service for 3 years, then finally figured out that she needed to go back to school and decided a 2-year degree in Business Administration made sense for her. But she was 25 when she did that.
95LizzieD
O!K! At least we get some justice or accountability for George Floyd's murder. I'll sleep better tonight, knowing that in the morning we still have a world's journey to go.
You are turning into a reading machine, Karen. Good for you! I had forgotten *Up/Down*. I wonder whether I still have a copy.........
You are turning into a reading machine, Karen. Good for you! I had forgotten *Up/Down*. I wonder whether I still have a copy.........
96quondame
>95 LizzieD: I keep wondering which will be the first police dept. to storm the statehouse and hold the legislature hostage.
97karenmarie
>95 LizzieD: I watched the verdicts being read. Chauvin looked like he was on tranquilizers. I am happy that the jury did the right thing, beyond glad that Darnella Frazier hit 'record' on her cell phone and posted it, glad that the police department was called to account after their initial lying report. Baby steps in the larger racial dialogue, but huge, huge, in police accountability.
>96 quondame: Most likely it will be in a red state.
...
Coffee being consumed in mass quantities, looking forward to a chiropractic appointment this morning. Post office, library, and grocery shopping after.
>96 quondame: Most likely it will be in a red state.
...
Coffee being consumed in mass quantities, looking forward to a chiropractic appointment this morning. Post office, library, and grocery shopping after.
98msf59
>89 karenmarie: Hooray for the hummers! They have not arrived here. Hopefully, next week.
Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday! Getting ready to head out with my birding buddies. Last time for awhile. Cold start but hopefully it warms up a bit.
Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday! Getting ready to head out with my birding buddies. Last time for awhile. Cold start but hopefully it warms up a bit.
99karenmarie
Hi Mark! Enjoy your birding adventure. Of course the camping adventure might include birds, right? *smile*
It's a beautiful day here. I see Cardinals and a damned squirrel. I had a White-Breasted Nuthatch on my suet feeder earlier this morning.
It's a beautiful day here. I see Cardinals and a damned squirrel. I had a White-Breasted Nuthatch on my suet feeder earlier this morning.
100katiekrug
Sounds like a busy day with all the errands! Good thing there is coffee to power you through :)
101karenmarie
Hi Katie!
Oh yes, life without coffee would be much, much harder. The only time coffee doesn't appeal is if I'm sick, then it's hot tea with lots of sugar.
I'm actually looking forward to going out, because the last time I was out was last Wednesday. My choice, of course, but still. Safe, normal errands, except for the Library. However, going into the Library soothes my soul. They're doing things right since they reopened with masks, social distancing, and capacity limits, and I want to go in the book sort room again just to take in the 17,000+ items that we had ready to go for the March 2020 book sale.
Oh yes, life without coffee would be much, much harder. The only time coffee doesn't appeal is if I'm sick, then it's hot tea with lots of sugar.
I'm actually looking forward to going out, because the last time I was out was last Wednesday. My choice, of course, but still. Safe, normal errands, except for the Library. However, going into the Library soothes my soul. They're doing things right since they reopened with masks, social distancing, and capacity limits, and I want to go in the book sort room again just to take in the 17,000+ items that we had ready to go for the March 2020 book sale.
102weird_O
17,000+ items that we had ready to go for the March 2020 book sale. Ohhhhhhhh. Be still my heart.
Listening to some Talking Heads on the YouTube. Reading David Byrne's account of how some of their music was created is fascinating, at least to me.
Listening to some Talking Heads on the YouTube. Reading David Byrne's account of how some of their music was created is fascinating, at least to me.
103BLBera
>94 karenmarie: Good question, Karen. We have a mix of students who are still in high school; we have a post-secondary option for high school students in my state. We also have a goodly number of nontraditional students like your daughter. My favs. :)
104karenmarie
>102 weird_O: I helped sort some of those books, and I had a very hard time just putting them in the cubbies to be boxed.
I have never listened to Talking Heads to my knowledge, but I have read interviews and books about how Queen created their music, so I understand the fascination.
>103 BLBera: By the time Jenna got to CFCC (Cape Fear Community College) she realized she had to put up or shut up and ended up with straight A's for her entire career there. She had it in her all along, just needed the right environment to thrive. I bet the mix helps the high schoolers, seeing the nontraditional students.
I have never listened to Talking Heads to my knowledge, but I have read interviews and books about how Queen created their music, so I understand the fascination.
>103 BLBera: By the time Jenna got to CFCC (Cape Fear Community College) she realized she had to put up or shut up and ended up with straight A's for her entire career there. She had it in her all along, just needed the right environment to thrive. I bet the mix helps the high schoolers, seeing the nontraditional students.
105richardderus
Perfectly bizarre day. Cold, but not snowy, and *really* windy...I thought Rob would come surf, but apparently it's not the right tide.
Sigh.
Thursday should only be so uneventful, too.
Sigh.
Thursday should only be so uneventful, too.
106msf59
"I see Cardinals and a damned squirrel." So do I. LOL. I need another baffle.
Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. We have frost on the pumpkin this A.M. At least it will warm up to the upper 50s. It looks to be a chilly camping trip but we are prepared. I did get an IL FOY, red-breasted nuthatch yesterday. I had a few in MN, in Feb.
I won't be online much through the weekend. We get back sometime Sunday.
Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. We have frost on the pumpkin this A.M. At least it will warm up to the upper 50s. It looks to be a chilly camping trip but we are prepared. I did get an IL FOY, red-breasted nuthatch yesterday. I had a few in MN, in Feb.
I won't be online much through the weekend. We get back sometime Sunday.
107karenmarie
>105 richardderus: It got down to 27F here at the house but is already 33F. Brrr. We had the wind yesterday, ushering in the cold front. The strawberry farmers are in dire straits, either watching their crops freeze or taking expensive measures. Sorry the tide was out on Rob visiting you today. I anticipate much uneventfulness here, too.
>106 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Sweet, if cold, Thursday to you, too. I've never heard of red-breasted nuthatches. I'm in their range, but if they hang out in the woods and eat insects, I'm not too likely to see them. I'll have to ask Louise if she's seen them here.
...
Coffee. A bit of Friends stuff later. Reading.
>106 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Sweet, if cold, Thursday to you, too. I've never heard of red-breasted nuthatches. I'm in their range, but if they hang out in the woods and eat insects, I'm not too likely to see them. I'll have to ask Louise if she's seen them here.
...
Coffee. A bit of Friends stuff later. Reading.
108figsfromthistle
>89 karenmarie: Glad you are enjoying the hummingbirds! Can't wait until they show up in my area :) I suspect that they will be delayed because we've had a temperature drop. From plus 20 to minus 6. Ah well, that's spring for you.
109richardderus
It's 48° today, with winds making it feel a lot colder. The strawberry farmers are for it, and that means higher prices in May, but it's really all Humanity's fault. These unstable weather patterns are a predictable consequence of unchecked climate change, and Al Gore's been hollerin' at Americans for twenty years about it. We could've done *some*thing effective to slow the train down a long damn time ago.
Anyway. It's almost the weekend. I need to mellow a bit.
Anyway. It's almost the weekend. I need to mellow a bit.
110karenmarie
>108 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. I haven't seen a hummingbird in two days, but we're back to very cold weather again, so they might be huddling in trees for warmth. Spring does bring a variety of weather, doesn't it?
>109 richardderus: Al Gore didn't invent the Internet like the Gang of Psychos would have it, but he did start talking early and loud, like you said, about climate change.
Please mellow - take deep breaths, drink more coffee, eat something sweet, read something that is not misery porn or atrocious writing.
I myownself have just finished the 34th in the Nero Wolfe series, Too Many Clients. "Satisfactory", as Wolfe would say. Archie's getting risque in his old age,actually saying the word nipples. This is an entry from 1960, so I was only slightly shocked.
Now on to a Library book, The Family Upstairs.
>109 richardderus: Al Gore didn't invent the Internet like the Gang of Psychos would have it, but he did start talking early and loud, like you said, about climate change.
Please mellow - take deep breaths, drink more coffee, eat something sweet, read something that is not misery porn or atrocious writing.
I myownself have just finished the 34th in the Nero Wolfe series, Too Many Clients. "Satisfactory", as Wolfe would say. Archie's getting risque in his old age,
Now on to a Library book, The Family Upstairs.
111SandyAMcPherson
Delurking to say Hi, and thanks for dropping by my thread. I'm back to scrambling to get the threads visited.
I did read a few books and am reviewing them on their book pages if not on Talk. My brain resembles a sieve and I know I'll forget the stories if I don't eke out something about the books. Yeah. Bob was a miss for me, as you saw.
I did read a few books and am reviewing them on their book pages if not on Talk. My brain resembles a sieve and I know I'll forget the stories if I don't eke out something about the books. Yeah. Bob was a miss for me, as you saw.
112karenmarie
Hi Sandy! Nice to see you here. In the same way that graphic novels and most contemporary fiction don't appeal to me, Bob didn't appeal to you. Thank goodness there are so many different genres, styles, subjects, and book art!
...
Our ginger babies are spreading their wings. Yesterday I let Zoe out through the Sunroom door just after Inara went out, and Zoe just had to show off. She ran over to a little black walnut tree and continued running up about 12 feet or so. I saw her looking around, and about half an hour later she was back in the house. Later, Wash, who will go outside on the back porch now IF I hold the kitty door open (although he'll come back in by himself), went out all by himself. Bill was working from home yesterday and reported the happy news. This is not to say I won't be cat-door-holder extraordinaire anymore, just that he's getting braver.
edited to add: For those of you who liked The Thursday Murder Club, there's good news. The second in the series, The Man Who Died Twice will be published in the US on September 28, 2021.
...
Our ginger babies are spreading their wings. Yesterday I let Zoe out through the Sunroom door just after Inara went out, and Zoe just had to show off. She ran over to a little black walnut tree and continued running up about 12 feet or so. I saw her looking around, and about half an hour later she was back in the house. Later, Wash, who will go outside on the back porch now IF I hold the kitty door open (although he'll come back in by himself), went out all by himself. Bill was working from home yesterday and reported the happy news. This is not to say I won't be cat-door-holder extraordinaire anymore, just that he's getting braver.
edited to add: For those of you who liked The Thursday Murder Club, there's good news. The second in the series, The Man Who Died Twice will be published in the US on September 28, 2021.
113FAMeulstee
>112 karenmarie: Our ginger babies are spreading their wings
My first reaction to that sentence was envisioning the gingers with little ginger wings ;-)
Nice to read the kitties are starting to explore the world outside.
My first reaction to that sentence was envisioning the gingers with little ginger wings ;-)
Nice to read the kitties are starting to explore the world outside.
114richardderus
Horrible dear, it's Friday and I'm already betting with myself what your take-out will be tomorrow. I'm hoping for another vicarious bite of steak'n'cheese stromboli....
115karenmarie
>113 FAMeulstee: Zoe just about flies around the house - she's only 6 lbs and has great vertical lift. Wash is almost 12 lbs and ... doesn't. *smile*
Heh. Gingers with little ginger wings...
>114 richardderus: I may end up disappointing you, RDear. We rotate among 3 restaurants and since we had it last weekend, we may go for something else this weekend. I usually let Bill decide, only because he cares so much more about what we get from take out than I do. Very rarely I have a particular hankerin', but not usually.
Another thing that might temp you is a chicken/provolone/mushroom hot sub and crispy onion rings. I may push for that this weekend.
...
Ugh. Vacuuming, dishwasher emptying and filling with dirty dishes, thorough cooktop cleaning. I'm done for the day.
Heh. Gingers with little ginger wings...
>114 richardderus: I may end up disappointing you, RDear. We rotate among 3 restaurants and since we had it last weekend, we may go for something else this weekend. I usually let Bill decide, only because he cares so much more about what we get from take out than I do. Very rarely I have a particular hankerin', but not usually.
Another thing that might temp you is a chicken/provolone/mushroom hot sub and crispy onion rings. I may push for that this weekend.
...
Ugh. Vacuuming, dishwasher emptying and filling with dirty dishes, thorough cooktop cleaning. I'm done for the day.
116SandyAMcPherson
Hi Karen.
Nothing to add here except I'm going to read Up the Down Staircase!
The title was much lauded when it first appeared on *my* horizon, back in ~1966. I didn't read it at the time, being thoroughly involved in starting first year Uni. Then I never thought of it again even when my elder daughter had it out from the school library. So - looking forward to the read as a preview for suggesting it for grandchildren. I gather the story still feels relevant.
Nothing to add here except I'm going to read Up the Down Staircase!
The title was much lauded when it first appeared on *my* horizon, back in ~1966. I didn't read it at the time, being thoroughly involved in starting first year Uni. Then I never thought of it again even when my elder daughter had it out from the school library. So - looking forward to the read as a preview for suggesting it for grandchildren. I gather the story still feels relevant.
117richardderus
>115 karenmarie: That sounds like a fine feast, and goodness knows I'm all about the provolone!
118quondame
>115 karenmarie: Crispy onion rings sound just the thing, but then I haven't found a reliable source with both good onions and good batter.
119karenmarie
>117 richardderus: I'll take a picture of our lunch regardless of where we get it, and I am now beginning to think that the chicken/provolone/mushroom hot sub and crispy onion rings is the only thing that will do tomorrow.
>118 quondame: I've probably had better, Susan, but these are very well done - not processed onion but real onion rings, and as long as I order them crispy they're marvelous.
>118 quondame: I've probably had better, Susan, but these are very well done - not processed onion but real onion rings, and as long as I order them crispy they're marvelous.
120karenmarie
I even plated it for you, RD!
121richardderus
>120 karenmarie: Truly delightful! Thanks, Horrible, I needed a vicarious feed. *smooch*
122streamsong
>120 karenmarie: Oh my! That does look good! Good thing you can't see me drooling!
The only OR I can find in town here are the slurried ones, then shaped into ringish things.
The only OR I can find in town here are the slurried ones, then shaped into ringish things.
123karenmarie
>121 richardderus: You're welcome, RD!. I only ate half, and will have the second half for dinner. Since Bill ate all of his hamburger and fries, he'll be on his own for dinner - we call it 'winging it'.
>122 streamsong: Hi Janet! I'm so sorry you can't find good OR in town. That's a shocking situation. I hate those minced, slurried, whatever-it-is-it-ain't-onion-rings.
>122 streamsong: Hi Janet! I'm so sorry you can't find good OR in town. That's a shocking situation. I hate those minced, slurried, whatever-it-is-it-ain't-onion-rings.
124karenmarie
39. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
4/22/21 to 4/24/21
From Amazon:
“Rich, dark, and intricately twisted, this enthralling whodunit mixes family saga with domestic noir to brilliantly chilling effect.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author
“A haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read.” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author
From the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.
Be careful who you let in.
Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.
She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.
Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.
In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.
Why I wanted to read it:I saw it on someone’s thread and thought that I needed to read it now. Apologies to whoever inspired me – I cannot remember. It was figsfromthistle! Anita, thank you for a marvelous read.
This was a compulsive page turner. The beginning was bit sketchy, in that there were several stories being told at once, in alternating chapters. Some were told from the first person, some were told from the third person. It took a while to get comfortable with who was telling what, and in what time frame.
If I said “Oh my goodness” once, I said it a dozen times, as layer after layer was peeled back and truths were revealed about the denizens of the house and their fates.
Jewell is a wonderful author – vivid impressions of the characters, compulsive storytelling, suspense and danger chillingly evoked.
I will definitely read more books by her.
Six word review: Layer within layer and non-stop revelations.
4/22/21 to 4/24/21
From Amazon:
“Rich, dark, and intricately twisted, this enthralling whodunit mixes family saga with domestic noir to brilliantly chilling effect.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author
“A haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read.” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author
From the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.
Be careful who you let in.
Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.
She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.
Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.
In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.
Why I wanted to read it:
This was a compulsive page turner. The beginning was bit sketchy, in that there were several stories being told at once, in alternating chapters. Some were told from the first person, some were told from the third person. It took a while to get comfortable with who was telling what, and in what time frame.
If I said “Oh my goodness” once, I said it a dozen times, as layer after layer was peeled back and truths were revealed about the denizens of the house and their fates.
Jewell is a wonderful author – vivid impressions of the characters, compulsive storytelling, suspense and danger chillingly evoked.
I will definitely read more books by her.
Six word review: Layer within layer and non-stop revelations.
125figsfromthistle
>124 karenmarie: That really was a good one! I had to stay up until it was finished ;)
Have a great weekend
Have a great weekend
126karenmarie
I'm glad you reminded me that you liked it, Anita - I just went back to your thread and confirmed that your review got me interested.
128lauralkeet
>124 karenmarie: You got me with this one Karen. I'm now #2 on the library hold list.
Happy Sunday! I'm enjoying my first cup of coffee while watching the feeders. They're quite busy this morning.
Happy Sunday! I'm enjoying my first cup of coffee while watching the feeders. They're quite busy this morning.
129karenmarie
>127 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Looks like your Library has a large-print edition and an audiobook available... I found it to be a compulsive read.
>128 lauralkeet: 'Morning, Laura! You're doing the same thing I am - drinking coffee, watching birds, and hanging on LT. There's a squirrel peering over the edge of the gutter, looking down at the suet feeder, but it's a 6-foot jump and he's given up. He was just staring at me and has gone to another part of the roof. Darned rodent. I hope you like The Family Upstairs when you get it.
...
Nothing more to report. I woke up from a pretty disturbing dream, filled with unwelcome detail, and am trying to cut the fog and obliterate the memory.
>128 lauralkeet: 'Morning, Laura! You're doing the same thing I am - drinking coffee, watching birds, and hanging on LT. There's a squirrel peering over the edge of the gutter, looking down at the suet feeder, but it's a 6-foot jump and he's given up. He was just staring at me and has gone to another part of the roof. Darned rodent. I hope you like The Family Upstairs when you get it.
...
Nothing more to report. I woke up from a pretty disturbing dream, filled with unwelcome detail, and am trying to cut the fog and obliterate the memory.
131karenmarie
'Morning, Amber! Yes to more The Family Upstairs love.
Bill and I had green eggs, over easy and hamless, with toast, for breakfast. I do not know which breed of hens Bill's boss raises, but green eggs are fun.
Bill and I had green eggs, over easy and hamless, with toast, for breakfast. I do not know which breed of hens Bill's boss raises, but green eggs are fun.
132richardderus
>129 karenmarie: Oh, it was weird-dream weekend? No one told me, I'd've prepared better. *shudder*
Well, it's the new week coming, so that's all done with! *smooch*
Well, it's the new week coming, so that's all done with! *smooch*
133karenmarie
Hiya, RD! All back to normal, dreams faded.
This coming week will be busy - our 30th wedding anniversary is on Tuesday. We're not going anywhere or doing anything, but I will make a nice dinner and dessert, we'll exchange cards, and reminisce.
*smooch*
This coming week will be busy - our 30th wedding anniversary is on Tuesday. We're not going anywhere or doing anything, but I will make a nice dinner and dessert, we'll exchange cards, and reminisce.
*smooch*
134msf59
Morning, Karen. I am off again. This time to Oregon to visit my sister's family. Other than my sister, I have not seen the rest of them in over 4 years. I will not be online much, but will check in when I can.
I hope everything is going well with you.
I hope everything is going well with you.
135karenmarie
'Morning, Mark! Safe trip, enjoy the time with your family.
I'm fine, thanks for asking.
...
Coffee, last minute adjustments to an informative email I'm sending out as President of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library. It should, finally, go out today. Last big thing to check of my list for a while. Relief is imminent.
edited to add: For my fellow Dick Francis enthusiasts, I've just created the thread for the 3rd book of the year. Here's the link:
Third Race at the LT Racetrack: Book 3, Bonecrack
I'm fine, thanks for asking.
...
Coffee, last minute adjustments to an informative email I'm sending out as President of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library. It should, finally, go out today. Last big thing to check of my list for a while. Relief is imminent.
edited to add: For my fellow Dick Francis enthusiasts, I've just created the thread for the 3rd book of the year. Here's the link:
Third Race at the LT Racetrack: Book 3, Bonecrack
136richardderus
Hey there Madam President. I'm glad your State of the Friends address to the peonage is done. One does so labor to make one's self understood at that level....
137karenmarie
Hey there, RD! Me, too. The President's Message has been sent, I've gotten my own copy as a member of the Friends, and we'll see what kind of feedback we get. One of the more obstreperous Board members sent me a somewhat snarky email this morning about the survey (embedded in the email). I told him that everybody's feedback was given to the woman writing the survey. She modified it as she saw fit and he'd see it in the email today. Harrumph.
I do love Muttley.
I do love Muttley.
138SandyAMcPherson
>129 karenmarie: "I woke up from a pretty disturbing dream..."
Novel-reading will do that to me which is why I am so careful about what I pick up these days.
Definitely don't look at my Jane Harper reviews, Karen! I don't mean to spoil people's anticipation. I do try to hide anything spoiler-ish. But one never knows, maybe just seeing the rating?
As you said before, Karen, it's always a matter of opinion and not the end of the world to differ on liking a story.
Novel-reading will do that to me which is why I am so careful about what I pick up these days.
Definitely don't look at my Jane Harper reviews, Karen! I don't mean to spoil people's anticipation. I do try to hide anything spoiler-ish. But one never knows, maybe just seeing the rating?
As you said before, Karen, it's always a matter of opinion and not the end of the world to differ on liking a story.
139streamsong
Happy Monday, Karen!
The Family Upstairs sounds very intriguing. Onto the wishlist it goes!
I watched the first episodes of Major Crimes this weekend. Hooray! Thanks for the rec.
The Family Upstairs sounds very intriguing. Onto the wishlist it goes!
I watched the first episodes of Major Crimes this weekend. Hooray! Thanks for the rec.
140karenmarie
>138 SandyAMcPherson: I’ve never related bad/disturbing dreams to my reading, except for The Exorcist in the 1970s. All lights on in the house, Christian Bible in hand, I I didn’t sleep for two nights. Fun times.
Sandy, I can’t think of a single book read by a single friend, here on LT and in the real world, that would cause me to change how I felt about that person at the most basic level. I might question their taste, but not their worth and their value as a friend. (Political opinions are another matter.) We can always agree to disagree – ATD – as richardderus and I frequently do, and remain good friends.
>139 streamsong: Hi Janet! I hope you enjoy it. And I’m glad you like Major Crimes. It’s well done, intelligent, emotive stuff.
…
Well, back from an errands run. Had to get a special dinner for tomorrow – our 30th wedding anniversary. We are both still being very circumspect about travel and most non-essential errands, so will have cards for each other. I think Bill’s got a little special something going, but my special thing will be making cheesecake and a very good dinner of perfectly cooked ribeye steaks and baked potatoes.
Sandy, I can’t think of a single book read by a single friend, here on LT and in the real world, that would cause me to change how I felt about that person at the most basic level. I might question their taste, but not their worth and their value as a friend. (Political opinions are another matter.) We can always agree to disagree – ATD – as richardderus and I frequently do, and remain good friends.
>139 streamsong: Hi Janet! I hope you enjoy it. And I’m glad you like Major Crimes. It’s well done, intelligent, emotive stuff.
…
Well, back from an errands run. Had to get a special dinner for tomorrow – our 30th wedding anniversary. We are both still being very circumspect about travel and most non-essential errands, so will have cards for each other. I think Bill’s got a little special something going, but my special thing will be making cheesecake and a very good dinner of perfectly cooked ribeye steaks and baked potatoes.
141klobrien2
>90 karenmarie: I love Up the Down Staircase, have since I was a teenager.
Nice to be caught up with threads, so I can post relatively currently!
Karen O.
Nice to be caught up with threads, so I can post relatively currently!
Karen O.
142SandyAMcPherson
>140 karenmarie: That was nice. 💝 I'd rather ATA but life isn't quite like that, so it is pleasant to know that ATD is also 'normal'.
Moving to latest reading: I have a new (to me) non-fiction today, just picked up this morning from the holds shelf at my local PL ~ The Language of the Goddess.
An artist (in the SK community) is an amazing textile craftsperson with her hand-stitchery. She referred to this book in a video-talk about what the embellishments mean. The designs are quite simple but relate back to paleolithic times with the imagery found on pottery and statuary mostly honouring goddesses, birth and women. It is an insightful book in many ways.
I'll review it at some point even though the book is only very loosely related to the reason I checked it out.
Moving to latest reading: I have a new (to me) non-fiction today, just picked up this morning from the holds shelf at my local PL ~ The Language of the Goddess.
An artist (in the SK community) is an amazing textile craftsperson with her hand-stitchery. She referred to this book in a video-talk about what the embellishments mean. The designs are quite simple but relate back to paleolithic times with the imagery found on pottery and statuary mostly honouring goddesses, birth and women. It is an insightful book in many ways.
I'll review it at some point even though the book is only very loosely related to the reason I checked it out.
143richardderus
>140 karenmarie: How lovely! A perfect plague-year anniversary, innit. Of course, it helps that it's the thirtieth not the third.
144karenmarie
>141 klobrien2: Hi Karen! Nice to see you here. I’m pretty sure that’s when I first read it. Wish I still had that copy…
>142 SandyAMcPherson: Agreeing to agree is my default mode, so civilly agreeing to disagree keeps things from blowing up. I hope you enjoy your new non-fiction. Intriguing statement about why you checked it out.
>143 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! We’ve exchanged cards. Bill got me a bottle of my favorite wine in the world, Justin Syrah, and two wineglasses engraved with 30th Wedding Anniversary, date, and our names. We’ll use them for dinner tonight, and I’ll drink red and Bill will drink some of the Dark Horse Sauvignon Blanc I’ve got in the ‘fridge.
By the time it was our third anniversary we had an 8-month old niblet (as Jenna calls herself, as in “your niblet”) and had gotten through the early marriage jitters.
>142 SandyAMcPherson: Agreeing to agree is my default mode, so civilly agreeing to disagree keeps things from blowing up. I hope you enjoy your new non-fiction. Intriguing statement about why you checked it out.
>143 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! We’ve exchanged cards. Bill got me a bottle of my favorite wine in the world, Justin Syrah, and two wineglasses engraved with 30th Wedding Anniversary, date, and our names. We’ll use them for dinner tonight, and I’ll drink red and Bill will drink some of the Dark Horse Sauvignon Blanc I’ve got in the ‘fridge.
By the time it was our third anniversary we had an 8-month old niblet (as Jenna calls herself, as in “your niblet”) and had gotten through the early marriage jitters.
145FAMeulstee
Happy 30th aniversary, Karen and Bill!
146karenmarie
Thanks, Anita!
My dad, my mom, me, and Bill.
My dad, my mom, me, and Bill.
147lauralkeet
Happy Anniversary, Karen and Bill!
>146 karenmarie: this is adorable.
>146 karenmarie: this is adorable.
148RebaRelishesReading
Happy 30th anniversary to you both. Sounds like you celebrate about like we do :)
149FAMeulstee
>146 karenmarie: Thanks for sharing the picture, Karen. You all look happy, and you wore a lovely wedding dress.
150karenmarie
>147 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!
Bill wanted a light gray suit - a color I abhor - with a white shirt - my dress is ivory - but I knew the first question he'd be asked at the tuxedo rental shop would be "What color is the bride's dress?", so I felt safe about his tux. His big rebellion was paisley for the cummerbund and tie, which you cannot tell in this pic.
>148 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! If it weren't a plague year we'd probably have gone to Angus Barn for dinner. We still might do that this summer, combining it with my birthday and Jenna's birthday. Or even have gone to a local restaurant where I order their Bowl o'Cheese, officially known as lasagna. Here's 2019's anniversary Bowl o'Cheese:
>149 FAMeulstee: You're welcome Anita. I still remember how radiant you looked in the wedding pic you posted ... last year?
Bill wanted a light gray suit - a color I abhor - with a white shirt - my dress is ivory - but I knew the first question he'd be asked at the tuxedo rental shop would be "What color is the bride's dress?", so I felt safe about his tux. His big rebellion was paisley for the cummerbund and tie, which you cannot tell in this pic.
>148 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! If it weren't a plague year we'd probably have gone to Angus Barn for dinner. We still might do that this summer, combining it with my birthday and Jenna's birthday. Or even have gone to a local restaurant where I order their Bowl o'Cheese, officially known as lasagna. Here's 2019's anniversary Bowl o'Cheese:
>149 FAMeulstee: You're welcome Anita. I still remember how radiant you looked in the wedding pic you posted ... last year?
151PaulCranswick
>144 karenmarie: The wine sounds lovely, Karen, but shouldn't you give a subtle reminder that the 30th anniversary is celebrated traditionally with pearls!
152karenmarie
Hi Paul!
To tell the truth, I so rarely wear jewelry that they'd just sit in a drawer. I'm just as happy with our spending money on getting a new roof, front/back porches and columns/railings painted, and the concrete and north wide of the house power washed this year (we had the entire house power washed 2 years ago). These are gifts to each other, sort of.
Bill always is much more sentimental than I am, and the wine glasses, wine, and 2 special found-on-the-Internet cards, blank inside with beautiful things written, are all I need.
To tell the truth, I so rarely wear jewelry that they'd just sit in a drawer. I'm just as happy with our spending money on getting a new roof, front/back porches and columns/railings painted, and the concrete and north wide of the house power washed this year (we had the entire house power washed 2 years ago). These are gifts to each other, sort of.
Bill always is much more sentimental than I am, and the wine glasses, wine, and 2 special found-on-the-Internet cards, blank inside with beautiful things written, are all I need.
153EBT1002
Way up there, agreeing with your perspective on student debt: forgive the interest, though not necessarily the whole loan. I heard one plan that involved a $10K forgiveness. If your debt was at or below $10K, it is forgiven; anything you owe above that is still due, but interest-free. I took out my student loans during the Reagan era and they were at 8% interest. It took a long time to pay them down at that rate (and eventually, we used a mortgage re-finance to cover the remaining balance so the interest was lower and was tax-deductible).
As I close in on retirement, jewelry and work-clothes are things I just don't feel tempted to buy any longer. :-)
Oh, and happy anniversary!!
As I close in on retirement, jewelry and work-clothes are things I just don't feel tempted to buy any longer. :-)
Oh, and happy anniversary!!
154johnsimpson
Hi Karenmarie my dear, happy 30th wedding anniversary to both of you. I love the wedding photo and you look gorgeous my dear, i think Bill is punching above his weight, lol.
I hope that you are both having a really lovely day, we celebrate our 37th anniversary at the end of July, where does the time go.
We are still waiting for our new grandchild to appear although Amy's due date isn't until Thursday.
Sending love and hugs to both of you on this very special day from both of us dear friend.
I hope that you are both having a really lovely day, we celebrate our 37th anniversary at the end of July, where does the time go.
We are still waiting for our new grandchild to appear although Amy's due date isn't until Thursday.
Sending love and hugs to both of you on this very special day from both of us dear friend.
157EllaTim
Happy anniversary Karen! You look lovely in that picture.
Bill chose a very nice gift! Well done. I hope you are enjoying your day.
Bill chose a very nice gift! Well done. I hope you are enjoying your day.
159karenmarie
>153 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! I like the idea of the $18K forgiveness and only principal after that. For my own undergraduate degree, I had a National Merit Scholarship, which paid for half my tuition/room&board. Mom and Dad paid for my freshman year. They paid for half my first semester of my sophomore year. By then I was working part time, then full time, carrying a full load. I graduated without owing a penny.
It’s amazing how things become less important over time, isn’t it? And thank you.
>154 johnsimpson: Thank you, John! We have had a wonderful day. I’m full of steak, potatoes, mushrooms, wine, and cheesecake. Almost comatose… *smile*
How exciting that Amy’s due on Thursday. I’ll come a’visiting tomorrow morning.
Sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
>>155 richardderus: Hiya, RD. I saw that there was a new Murderbot. Doesn’t interest me at all, so far, but who knows – perhaps it will intrigue me in a year or two or five. *smile*
>156 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I sure do miss my parents.
>157 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella. Bill’s very thoughtful about gifts, and very sentimental – much more than I am! We’ve had a great day.
>158 BLBera: Thank you, Beth!
…
I’ll be lucky to get another chapter or two read tonight. I used to be able to put away a sizable quantity of wine, but now one glass wipes me out. Plus, I shouldn’t really even be drinking with the meloxicam, but I’m skipping tonight’s dose.
It’s amazing how things become less important over time, isn’t it? And thank you.
>154 johnsimpson: Thank you, John! We have had a wonderful day. I’m full of steak, potatoes, mushrooms, wine, and cheesecake. Almost comatose… *smile*
How exciting that Amy’s due on Thursday. I’ll come a’visiting tomorrow morning.
Sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
>>155 richardderus: Hiya, RD. I saw that there was a new Murderbot. Doesn’t interest me at all, so far, but who knows – perhaps it will intrigue me in a year or two or five. *smile*
>156 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I sure do miss my parents.
>157 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella. Bill’s very thoughtful about gifts, and very sentimental – much more than I am! We’ve had a great day.
>158 BLBera: Thank you, Beth!
…
I’ll be lucky to get another chapter or two read tonight. I used to be able to put away a sizable quantity of wine, but now one glass wipes me out. Plus, I shouldn’t really even be drinking with the meloxicam, but I’m skipping tonight’s dose.
160figsfromthistle
>146 karenmarie: Happy anniversary! Great pic.
161LovingLit
>47 karenmarie: Re: Life of Pi: I’ve had this book on my shelves for 14 years
Lol- I have some long term tbr books as well, and some are so familiar to me that I feel like I have read them!
>140 karenmarie: >146 karenmarie: your 30th wedding anniversary plans sound wonderful :)
>159 karenmarie: I cannot read much if I have had a glass of wine either, I get too distracted, and usually have a bath or watch a film instead!
Lol- I have some long term tbr books as well, and some are so familiar to me that I feel like I have read them!
>140 karenmarie: >146 karenmarie: your 30th wedding anniversary plans sound wonderful :)
>159 karenmarie: I cannot read much if I have had a glass of wine either, I get too distracted, and usually have a bath or watch a film instead!
162karenmarie
>160 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita.
>161 LovingLit: They're all good friends, these books waiting patiently for their turn, aren't they, Megan?
...
edited to add: Well, I abandoned the first in the St. Cyr series, What Angels Fear. It should have been called A Regency Anachronism. Sheesh. I was spoiled at the age of 13 by reading my first Georgette Heyer, Faro's Daughter, and although I went through a phase of reading racy Regency romances about 20 years ago, really don't like them if they aren't period accurate. I am also on a Nero Wolfe read/re-read and keeping in mind Wolfe's unrelenting hatred of using 'contact' as a verb, didn't like to see 'contacted' here. And finally, a very specific, non-anachronistic complaint: author Candice Proctor used the word inviability instead of inviolability. Now, really.
>161 LovingLit: They're all good friends, these books waiting patiently for their turn, aren't they, Megan?
...
edited to add: Well, I abandoned the first in the St. Cyr series, What Angels Fear. It should have been called A Regency Anachronism. Sheesh. I was spoiled at the age of 13 by reading my first Georgette Heyer, Faro's Daughter, and although I went through a phase of reading racy Regency romances about 20 years ago, really don't like them if they aren't period accurate. I am also on a Nero Wolfe read/re-read and keeping in mind Wolfe's unrelenting hatred of using 'contact' as a verb, didn't like to see 'contacted' here. And finally, a very specific, non-anachronistic complaint: author Candice Proctor used the word inviability instead of inviolability. Now, really.
164Crazymamie
>163 katiekrug: What Katie said! Your celebration sounds wonderful, and thanks for sharing the photo. Craig and I celebrated 30 years last year in October, and it was lovely to have Daniel and Kaitlyn get married in that same month - they got married on October 2nd, and our anniversary was on October 6th.
165streamsong
Happy anniversary! Sounds like a grand day yesterday.
I am late to joining the Murderbot fan club but it's actually cynical, snarky and fun. I 'm reading the one before the newest. Like any series I just can't binge read them and space them out over months.
Sorry your latest in >162 karenmarie: was a bust.
I am late to joining the Murderbot fan club but it's actually cynical, snarky and fun. I 'm reading the one before the newest. Like any series I just can't binge read them and space them out over months.
Sorry your latest in >162 karenmarie: was a bust.
166karenmarie
>163 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie!
>164 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Our anniversary is actually just the day after Bill’s dad and stepmother’s anniversary. We wanted to get married on the 20th but the church wasn’t available. *smile*
>165 streamsong: Thank you, Janet. Oh yes, we had an excellent time. It was a combination of sentimental, reminiscent, lazy, and rich-food overload.
Well, so many folks like the St. Cyr series that I finally broke down and actually bought the first one – now removed from my catalog. A waste. I’m happy you’re enjoying the Murderbot fan club.
…
I had a chiropractor’s appointment this morning. It went well but will be the last for a while since my effing insurance doesn’t cover preventative care. And after there I just happened to stop in at the thrift store and this time got several books. First time out in a year, on March 10th, was a total bust, so this was a happy surprise.
The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman
Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
Land of the Living by Nicci French
The Crocodile Bird by Ruth Rendell
A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan
Wait Wait... I'm Not Done Yet! by Carl Kasell
>164 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Our anniversary is actually just the day after Bill’s dad and stepmother’s anniversary. We wanted to get married on the 20th but the church wasn’t available. *smile*
>165 streamsong: Thank you, Janet. Oh yes, we had an excellent time. It was a combination of sentimental, reminiscent, lazy, and rich-food overload.
Well, so many folks like the St. Cyr series that I finally broke down and actually bought the first one – now removed from my catalog. A waste. I’m happy you’re enjoying the Murderbot fan club.
…
I had a chiropractor’s appointment this morning. It went well but will be the last for a while since my effing insurance doesn’t cover preventative care. And after there I just happened to stop in at the thrift store and this time got several books. First time out in a year, on March 10th, was a total bust, so this was a happy surprise.
The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman
Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
Land of the Living by Nicci French
The Crocodile Bird by Ruth Rendell
A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan
Wait Wait... I'm Not Done Yet! by Carl Kasell
167SandyAMcPherson
>146 karenmarie: As >147 lauralkeet: said, this is indeed an adorable photo of you Karen. Altogether heart-warming. I love that Bill is so cool in his shades! Is there a back story to this?
168karenmarie
Thanks, Sandy. Actually, those were what are now called photochromic lenses - clear indoors and dark outdoors. I have looked at those pictures for 30 years, and it never occurred to me that people would think they were shades, but of course they would.
169SandyAMcPherson
>162 karenmarie: Sorry the first St. Cyr was so off-putting. I had the same feeling with book 1, but more because of the murder being too gruesome (for me) and the plot a bit over-complicated (for my pea-brain, anyway).
I'm wondering about the inviability ~ could be a spelling error with those insidious spell checkers changing words through out the novel.
Quite awhile ago, an acquaintance (Suzanne North, now passed away) spoke at our writer's guild meeting. I was enchanted with Suzanne as a speaker, especially when she made acute observations about the editorial process for her first novels.
She remarked on this occasion that the use of a computer-spelling checker had thoroughly auto-changed so many words that Suzanne had to manually (on the computer) check each change. She reminded everyone that copy-editors weren't available unless it was a very big-name publisher and for the budding novelists in the audience to make use of friends *not* for simply reading a manuscript but also to catch any weirdness like spelling errors that a computer check could miss because the word was in the dictionary database.
Too bad I didn't take more detailed notes, because she had some hilarious stories about editorial changes (or not). I do recall some very realistic comments such as the fact just because you had a book published doesn't mean you are now going to have an income like John Grisham. You might afford to take out a friend for a high-end specialty coffee on the royalties, though.
Yeah, I miss Suzanne. She was the salt of the earth. (Got side-tracked, Karen! I do hope you will try another book. Books 2 and 4 were 4-star reads for me.)
I'm wondering about the inviability ~ could be a spelling error with those insidious spell checkers changing words through out the novel.
Quite awhile ago, an acquaintance (Suzanne North, now passed away) spoke at our writer's guild meeting. I was enchanted with Suzanne as a speaker, especially when she made acute observations about the editorial process for her first novels.
She remarked on this occasion that the use of a computer-spelling checker had thoroughly auto-changed so many words that Suzanne had to manually (on the computer) check each change. She reminded everyone that copy-editors weren't available unless it was a very big-name publisher and for the budding novelists in the audience to make use of friends *not* for simply reading a manuscript but also to catch any weirdness like spelling errors that a computer check could miss because the word was in the dictionary database.
Too bad I didn't take more detailed notes, because she had some hilarious stories about editorial changes (or not). I do recall some very realistic comments such as the fact just because you had a book published doesn't mean you are now going to have an income like John Grisham. You might afford to take out a friend for a high-end specialty coffee on the royalties, though.
Yeah, I miss Suzanne. She was the salt of the earth. (Got side-tracked, Karen! I do hope you will try another book. Books 2 and 4 were 4-star reads for me.)
170richardderus
I've been roundly excoriated by writers and readers both for pointing out errors like that so I've stopped. It isn't worth it, and the stupidification of Society...audio"books" and podcasts and the like...won't be one scintilla changed by my standing there spluttering about it.
*smooch* for a happy Wednesday.
*smooch* for a happy Wednesday.
171karenmarie
>169 SandyAMcPherson: Interesting anecdotes, Sandy, especially about editorial screw ups and word processors and small-time authors needing to rely on friends for proofreading.
In explaining why I abandoned the book I only mentioned the irritating things about anachronisms and misused words, but bottom line the story was way too predictable, way too stereotypical, and way too uninteresting to me for me to want to continue.
I looked on the work page to check out some reviews, and most liked it but one LTer, limelite, was as unhappy with it as I was although she apparently actually finished it. She recommended the Sir John Fielding series by Bruce Alexander, so I've got the first one, Blind Justice, winging its way to me.
>170 richardderus: I don't think I've ever done that to you, RD, because those kinds of things bother me, too. I will never put myself out there as much as you do so won't ever get attacked as much as you do. I will continue picking apart things in ways that make sense to me, I guess.
...
Well, here's an irritating thing. I pulled North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett, got to page 71 of what turns out to be 87+ pages, and it repeated pages 57-71. Harrumph. I'll just record 71 pages read, keep the cool map in the back that detached while I was reading it, and remove it from my catalog and my life.
In explaining why I abandoned the book I only mentioned the irritating things about anachronisms and misused words, but bottom line the story was way too predictable, way too stereotypical, and way too uninteresting to me for me to want to continue.
I looked on the work page to check out some reviews, and most liked it but one LTer, limelite, was as unhappy with it as I was although she apparently actually finished it. She recommended the Sir John Fielding series by Bruce Alexander, so I've got the first one, Blind Justice, winging its way to me.
>170 richardderus: I don't think I've ever done that to you, RD, because those kinds of things bother me, too. I will never put myself out there as much as you do so won't ever get attacked as much as you do. I will continue picking apart things in ways that make sense to me, I guess.
...
Well, here's an irritating thing. I pulled North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett, got to page 71 of what turns out to be 87+ pages, and it repeated pages 57-71. Harrumph. I'll just record 71 pages read, keep the cool map in the back that detached while I was reading it, and remove it from my catalog and my life.
172FAMeulstee
>150 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, I posted those in 2019 when we celebrated 35 years.
173quondame
>162 karenmarie: Oh, that doesn't sound good for my exploration of the territory.
174SandyAMcPherson
>171 karenmarie: A mess of BB's! Yay.
Karen, these Sir John Fielding mysteries look really interesting. Only a few of them are in our PL but I can at least see how I like them.
Karen, these Sir John Fielding mysteries look really interesting. Only a few of them are in our PL but I can at least see how I like them.
175LizzieD
I predict that both Karen and Sandy will enjoy the Sir John/Jeremy novels. I read several but then haven't gotten back to them. I confess to liking St. Cyr just fine. Oh well.
Karen, I'm sorry to have missed your anniversary. I'm glad that it was a good celebration for you both. Enjoy year 31!
Karen, I'm sorry to have missed your anniversary. I'm glad that it was a good celebration for you both. Enjoy year 31!
176karenmarie
>172 FAMeulstee: Ah, 2019. I was just too lazy to go back and look. 35 years, now 37. Fantastic.
>173 quondame: Unless you can get the first at your Library, Susan, I’d be glad to give you my copy of What Angels Fear, Susan – it’s a mass market paperback in good, readable condition. Either way – Library or freebie – no harm, no foul.
>174 SandyAMcPherson: I had fun finding books for the first time in almost 14 months. My sweet little Public Library only has the 5th in the series, and I only read series in order these days.
>175 LizzieD: Ooh, Peggy, nice to hear. I’ll find out sometime on or after Saturday, when Blind Justice is due to arrive.
Thanks re our anniversary, Peggy.
…
The problem with having indoor/outdoor kitties and a philosophical position on NOT declawing cats ever in general means that our living room furniture has, in the last 20 years, become somewhat ah, shredded. I can’t see getting these recovered or more furniture for them to shred, am not thrilled with the idea of covering the furniture in plastic, and so, reluctantly, I think we’re going to go back to Bill’s This End Up furniture. We still have the sofa, would have to get the loveseat and all new cushions. Sigh. I do not particularly like it but am not willing to sink further into white trashiness. Blech.
>173 quondame: Unless you can get the first at your Library, Susan, I’d be glad to give you my copy of What Angels Fear, Susan – it’s a mass market paperback in good, readable condition. Either way – Library or freebie – no harm, no foul.
>174 SandyAMcPherson: I had fun finding books for the first time in almost 14 months. My sweet little Public Library only has the 5th in the series, and I only read series in order these days.
>175 LizzieD: Ooh, Peggy, nice to hear. I’ll find out sometime on or after Saturday, when Blind Justice is due to arrive.
Thanks re our anniversary, Peggy.
…
The problem with having indoor/outdoor kitties and a philosophical position on NOT declawing cats ever in general means that our living room furniture has, in the last 20 years, become somewhat ah, shredded. I can’t see getting these recovered or more furniture for them to shred, am not thrilled with the idea of covering the furniture in plastic, and so, reluctantly, I think we’re going to go back to Bill’s This End Up furniture. We still have the sofa, would have to get the loveseat and all new cushions. Sigh. I do not particularly like it but am not willing to sink further into white trashiness. Blech.
177quondame
>176 karenmarie: All 3 of my libraries have it, 2 as an e-book and it's currently available on one of those. You'll have to find another volunteer.
178Whisper1
Hi Karen. I'm stopping by to say hello and hope all is well.
>166 karenmarie: You found some very interesting books.
>166 karenmarie: You found some very interesting books.
179SandyAMcPherson
>175 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, just butting in here to say what others here have reassured me, that the reviewer isn't responsible for whether someone else likes (or doesn't like) a book. So no need to 'confess'.
I do like the St. Cyr novels (some more than others, for sure). Despite the flaws, I'll keep reading them. And when they become tedious to me, I'll quit. I have gone off the Ruth Galloway novels, after all. But I'm liking the Harbinder Kaur saga, so I'm still an Elly Griffiths fan.
The thing I'm always aware of is that my emotional mood and mental anxiety levels greatly influence my perception of what I'm reading. If the author has deeply-satisfying characterizations and action, then I can overlook the tropes, the predictability and maybe even a few ::eyerolls:: but I can't tolerate poor writing. My idea of poor writing probably differs compared to many other opinions but you likely understand what I mean.
I do like the St. Cyr novels (some more than others, for sure). Despite the flaws, I'll keep reading them. And when they become tedious to me, I'll quit. I have gone off the Ruth Galloway novels, after all. But I'm liking the Harbinder Kaur saga, so I'm still an Elly Griffiths fan.
The thing I'm always aware of is that my emotional mood and mental anxiety levels greatly influence my perception of what I'm reading. If the author has deeply-satisfying characterizations and action, then I can overlook the tropes, the predictability and maybe even a few ::eyerolls:: but I can't tolerate poor writing. My idea of poor writing probably differs compared to many other opinions but you likely understand what I mean.
180jessibud2
>176 karenmarie: - Hi Karen. My cats have always been indoor cats but I don't declaw them. My previous living room couch was quite shredded and, like you, I couldn't justify purchasing new furniture. So, I decided to get slipcovers. And I can wash those! I used to have a sofa-bed in the basement which was the room that was cat hair free for overnight out of town visitors. But after 3 basement floods over the course of 18 months, I decided to finally get rid of the living room couch and move the sofa bed up to the living room (it did not suffer any damage in the basement because I had raised it up on blocks). I now have both slipcovers on it. Thankfully, both cats use the (several) scratching posts I have around the house and have not used the couch at all (so far. I hope I haven't just jinxed things....)
181karenmarie
>177 quondame: Glad you can get it so easily, Susan. Anybody want it?
>178 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Yes, things are well. Thank you.
>179 SandyAMcPherson: I’ve done that with more than a few series over the years, Sandy, quit when they become tedious. Everybody’s definition of what makes a book/series tedious is different, of course.
I tend to read less nonfiction when stressed, falling back into favorite series or favorite books.
>180 jessibud2: Slipcovers are a good idea, Shelley. Our living room furniture is oversized, however, so am not quite sure how I’d accomplish that.
Before major shredding, a long-ago Christmas time according to the poinsettias. I’d also taken a gun safety course, and that was my graduation target. *smile*
…
Bill has an appointment with his GP to sign off on his upcoming cataract surgeries – first one is on May 10th. I’m gloriously unscheduled for today.
Coffee and a new book…
>178 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Yes, things are well. Thank you.
>179 SandyAMcPherson: I’ve done that with more than a few series over the years, Sandy, quit when they become tedious. Everybody’s definition of what makes a book/series tedious is different, of course.
I tend to read less nonfiction when stressed, falling back into favorite series or favorite books.
>180 jessibud2: Slipcovers are a good idea, Shelley. Our living room furniture is oversized, however, so am not quite sure how I’d accomplish that.
Before major shredding, a long-ago Christmas time according to the poinsettias. I’d also taken a gun safety course, and that was my graduation target. *smile*
…
Bill has an appointment with his GP to sign off on his upcoming cataract surgeries – first one is on May 10th. I’m gloriously unscheduled for today.
Coffee and a new book…
182jessibud2
Karen, I think you can find them in various sizes. If you sew (I don't), that would probably be better, though.
Just an fyi - poinsettias are poisonous to cats. I have a list of poisonous plants because I always have cats and, until Theo arrived, I always had a house full of plants. I have had to give away most of my plants and the only ones left are in one room that always has the door closed, and a few on top of my wall unit in the living room because so far, it has been inaccessible to him. Subject to change without notice, of course....
Just an fyi - poinsettias are poisonous to cats. I have a list of poisonous plants because I always have cats and, until Theo arrived, I always had a house full of plants. I have had to give away most of my plants and the only ones left are in one room that always has the door closed, and a few on top of my wall unit in the living room because so far, it has been inaccessible to him. Subject to change without notice, of course....
183karenmarie
On a scale of 1 = awful to 100 = professional seamstress, I am a -10. Abysmal. So, no, I don't sew. I don't even own a working sewing machine, although I have Bill's grandmother's 1928 White sewing machine. We use it as a book shelf for family Bibles.
We haven't had poinsettias in several years but none of our kitties ever ate them. The gingers, however, chew plants, so most of them are behind locked doors these days or up on shelves. Zoe especially, gets into everything.
Good luck keeping Theo away from the plants.
We haven't had poinsettias in several years but none of our kitties ever ate them. The gingers, however, chew plants, so most of them are behind locked doors these days or up on shelves. Zoe especially, gets into everything.
Good luck keeping Theo away from the plants.
184richardderus
Cats are, I've observed, like ill-tempered toddlers. Where do they particularly urgently need not to be? Yea verily, thereunto willst they repair with all possible speed, their untrammeled destructive urges to exercise thereon.
Thursday, Thursday! A new book day to boot! Yay!
Thursday, Thursday! A new book day to boot! Yay!
185richardderus
A duplicate post! Those are very rare now.
186karenmarie
Hiya RD!
Zoe is in everything. Today it was the cabinet above the dryer, simply because it was open for 10 minutes. She jumped down nonchalantly. I think she's brought a critter into the house, and it's in Bill's home office.
I've started An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine. So far I love it.
Zoe is in everything. Today it was the cabinet above the dryer, simply because it was open for 10 minutes. She jumped down nonchalantly. I think she's brought a critter into the house, and it's in Bill's home office.
I've started An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine. So far I love it.
187richardderus
>186 karenmarie: I loved that story, too. The author's got *exactly* the right touch for her slightly fussy, very odd voice.
188karenmarie
ATA! Yay.
189SandyAMcPherson
>184 richardderus: I loved that ... "Yea verily, thereunto ..." *smiling madly* because it is so true, too.
190ffortsa
You might look online for adjustable slipcovers. They aren't especially elegant, but can be configured to match the couch configuration. I wish I could remember the name, but alas, it's not accessible to my mental processor at the moment.
191richardderus
>189 SandyAMcPherson: 
>188 karenmarie: Yay indeed! I hope you'll continue to be as excited as I was. *smooch*
ETA size!
>188 karenmarie: Yay indeed! I hope you'll continue to be as excited as I was. *smooch*
ETA size!
192karenmarie
>189 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy!
>190 ffortsa: Thanks Judy. I have just started looking – upon consideration, I think that will be the better way to go – besides saving money I can keep comfort. 😊
>191 richardderus: Well, RD, as I’ve said to Bill many a time over our 30 years of marriage, “Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.” *smile*
Oh, it’s a wonderful book. I’ve already noted a quote for my review – absolutely stunning. I also love the way she says Tfeh to indicate disgust.
...
Well, I just realized it's the last of the month and I won't finish any more books today. Stats to follow!
>190 ffortsa: Thanks Judy. I have just started looking – upon consideration, I think that will be the better way to go – besides saving money I can keep comfort. 😊
>191 richardderus: Well, RD, as I’ve said to Bill many a time over our 30 years of marriage, “Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.” *smile*
Oh, it’s a wonderful book. I’ve already noted a quote for my review – absolutely stunning. I also love the way she says Tfeh to indicate disgust.
...
Well, I just realized it's the last of the month and I won't finish any more books today. Stats to follow!
193karenmarie
Statistics Through April 30
39 books read
8 of them on my shelves before 01/01/2021 and not rereads
4 books abandoned, 378 pages abandoned
11868 pages read
20 audiobook hours 20
Avg pages read per day, YTD = 99
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 304
Book of the month: Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Books Read By Month
January 6
February 10
March 13
April 10
Author
Male 49%
Female 51%
Living 64%
Dead 36%
US Born 62%
Foreign Born 38%
Platform
Hardcover 54%
Trade Pback 21%
Mass Market 21%
Audiobook 3%
e-Book 3%
Source
My Library 79%
Library 8%
Other 13%
Misc
ARC/ER 3%
Re-read 21%
Series 62%
Fiction 90%
NonFiction 10%
New to Me Authors 14
England 20%
Germany 3%
Scotland 10%
Spain 3%
US 61%
Wales 3%
Original Decade Published
1890-1899 3%
1910-1919 3%
1920-1929 3%
1950-1959 10%
1960-1969 10%
1980-1989 5%
1990-1999 8%
2000-2009 15%
2010-2019 15%
2020-2029 28%
Category
Adventure 5%
Biography 0%
Chrestomathy 0%
Contemporary Fiction 3%
Fantasy 13%
Historical Fiction 5%
Humor 3%
Informational Nonfiction 8%
Memoir 3%
Mystery 28%
Poetry 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Suspense 0%
Thriller 32%
New Stat, starting April. Thanks for the idea, fameulstee!
Book Acquisition Date
2007* 9
2009 1
2010 1
2012 1
2016 1
2018 1
2019 1
2020 4
2021 14
borrowed from friends 3
Library 3
*(joined LT, added 1853 books)
39 books read
8 of them on my shelves before 01/01/2021 and not rereads
4 books abandoned, 378 pages abandoned
11868 pages read
20 audiobook hours 20
Avg pages read per day, YTD = 99
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 304
Book of the month: Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Books Read By Month
January 6
February 10
March 13
April 10
Author
Male 49%
Female 51%
Living 64%
Dead 36%
US Born 62%
Foreign Born 38%
Platform
Hardcover 54%
Trade Pback 21%
Mass Market 21%
Audiobook 3%
e-Book 3%
Source
My Library 79%
Library 8%
Other 13%
Misc
ARC/ER 3%
Re-read 21%
Series 62%
Fiction 90%
NonFiction 10%
New to Me Authors 14
England 20%
Germany 3%
Scotland 10%
Spain 3%
US 61%
Wales 3%
Original Decade Published
1890-1899 3%
1910-1919 3%
1920-1929 3%
1950-1959 10%
1960-1969 10%
1980-1989 5%
1990-1999 8%
2000-2009 15%
2010-2019 15%
2020-2029 28%
Category
Adventure 5%
Biography 0%
Chrestomathy 0%
Contemporary Fiction 3%
Fantasy 13%
Historical Fiction 5%
Humor 3%
Informational Nonfiction 8%
Memoir 3%
Mystery 28%
Poetry 0%
Science Fiction 0%
Suspense 0%
Thriller 32%
New Stat, starting April. Thanks for the idea, fameulstee!
Book Acquisition Date
2007* 9
2009 1
2010 1
2012 1
2016 1
2018 1
2019 1
2020 4
2021 14
borrowed from friends 3
Library 3
*(joined LT, added 1853 books)
194karenmarie
April’s Lightning Round
Champagne for One by Rex Stout 4/9/21 4/10/21
Champagne for One by Rex Stout 4/9/21 4/10/21
A very solid entry into the series with an unusual beginning. Archie is asked to attend a party. A woman dies, Archie knows that she couldn’t have given herself the poison, and quite a few people get upset when he insists it’s murder. Vivid characters, solid logic, always entertaining bits with Fritz.Plot It Yourself by Rex Stout 4/10/21 4/11/21
Clever in the use of a writer’s style to determine fraud. Way too many characters, however, with four authors accused of plagiarism, four accusers, a large group representing two organizations who hire Wolfe to put an end to the fraudulent plagiarism claims, and various and sundry spouses, boardinghouse owners, etc. I vaguely recalled who the culprit was about halfway through and was correct. Not a bad entry, just an overwrought entry in some respects.Three at Wolfe’s Door by Rex Stout 4/18/21 04/19/21
Three novellas:Too Many Clients by Rex Stout 4/21/21 4/22/21
1. Poison à la Carte. A man is poisoned under Archie’s and Wolfe’s eyes and Wolfe feels honor bound to find the poisoner. The suspects are five of twelve beautiful actresses, all hired to deliver the food. Which one delivered the poison and delivered two plates instead of one? Very well done, although it relied on an elaborate ruse.
2. Method Three for Murder. Archie quits, is met on the stoop by a client with a dead woman in a cab, and Archie hires Wolfe to help him solve the case. Short, sweet, and with enough detail, nuance, and timetables to satisfy.
3. The Rodeo Murder. The rodeo’s in town. Lily Rowan hosts a publicity event from her penthouse and there’s a murder. Stereotypes galore, but it’s nice to see Lily Rowan again, and Wolfe and Archie are on top of it.
Solid entry in the series. Archie and Wolfe get pulled into a murder when Archie is hired to follow a man. All of a sudden there’s a murder and everybody wants to hire them. The characters are vivid and interesting, the dialogue witty. Archie’s first person POV is as snappy as ever. Wolfe fulfills the object of the client with the most money. Very clever.
195johnsimpson
Hi Karen my dear, it sounds like you both had a really nice celebratory meal for your anniversary.
Amy's due date came and went and still no sign, oh well it will come when it is good and ready, lol.
We hope that you have a really lovely weekend my dear and send love and hugs to you, Bill, Jenna and the Kitties from both of us dear friend.
I will post as soon as we have a Grandchild and hopefully a photo.
Amy's due date came and went and still no sign, oh well it will come when it is good and ready, lol.
We hope that you have a really lovely weekend my dear and send love and hugs to you, Bill, Jenna and the Kitties from both of us dear friend.
I will post as soon as we have a Grandchild and hopefully a photo.
197karenmarie
>195 johnsimpson: Hi John! Thanks for dropping by. You must be on pins and needles, waiting for the baby. Sending love and hugs to you and Karen, kitty skritches to Felix.
>196 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul!
And I have you to thank for it. Other people have raved about Life of Pi over the years here on LT, and I continued to neglect it. For some reason, your reading it at this time was the inspiration for me to read it or abandon and remove it from my shelves. It was a great read.
>196 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul!
And I have you to thank for it. Other people have raved about Life of Pi over the years here on LT, and I continued to neglect it. For some reason, your reading it at this time was the inspiration for me to read it or abandon and remove it from my shelves. It was a great read.
198richardderus
Happy Saturday! What are we having?
199karenmarie
Hi RD!
Bill left about 10 minutes ago, recyclable cardboard out the wazoo and some trash trash, too, for the dump run. Looks like Bojangles for lunch - some kind of white meat extravaganza for him and chicken strips w/ a biscuit for me.
I so do not like white meat chicken except for fried chicken strips. The grease diverts me from remembering that white meat is dry and tasteless.
Bill left about 10 minutes ago, recyclable cardboard out the wazoo and some trash trash, too, for the dump run. Looks like Bojangles for lunch - some kind of white meat extravaganza for him and chicken strips w/ a biscuit for me.
I so do not like white meat chicken except for fried chicken strips. The grease diverts me from remembering that white meat is dry and tasteless.
200richardderus
>199 karenmarie: Awomen. Deep-frying the tasteless stuff in spicy batter makes it worth the chewing.
Barely.
Barely.
201karenmarie
And it was wonderful! The Bojangles is short staffed - another fast-food restaurant in town told Bill the same thing when he went out for a burger/fries last Tuesday - and they didn't even have enough staff to keep all the fryers going. They are now offering $10.50/hour and still are short staffed. Being short staffed meant that our order was pretty much made to order. The biscuit was good, too, especially with Kerrygold butter and Simply Fruit raspberry. 🤗
202richardderus
>201 karenmarie: So they need to offer more, sounds like; but there's no point us going over that well-chewed territory when the country as a whole ain't a-gonna listen.
Name me a foodstuff that *wouldn't* be improved by butter and a good jam...*maybe* onions...
Name me a foodstuff that *wouldn't* be improved by butter and a good jam...*maybe* onions...
203karenmarie
I am stunned at the seller's market in housing and the buyer's market, so to speak, in fast-food workers.
I haven't given it a lot of thought, in depth, but neither condition makes a lot of sense to me.
I haven't given it a lot of thought, in depth, but neither condition makes a lot of sense to me.
204LizzieD
Good afternoon, Karen. I'm of no mind to consider any market of any kind. I will, however, add my great love to the pool for *Unsuitable Woman* and a teaspoon or so to the one for *Pi*.
I am closing in on the end of Sergeant Salinger. I had no idea! I'll also say that it's impossible for me to read Charyn without being changed; he's a powerful writer!.
Enjoy the weekend! I'm watching a Mississippi kite whirl around the sky. Glad to see them back!
To the cat/furniture discussion I'll only add that we've never had cats scratch the furniture - except for my darling Katie who put two long marks on my piano lid. Our current Archie Sparks and his mother Willow do eat holes in the sitting room rug. ????? Tully scratches the rug in the dining room, but he's never offered to chew on it. Declawing cats is an abomination - the equivalent of snapping off their first knuckle. Horrors!
I am closing in on the end of Sergeant Salinger. I had no idea! I'll also say that it's impossible for me to read Charyn without being changed; he's a powerful writer!.
Enjoy the weekend! I'm watching a Mississippi kite whirl around the sky. Glad to see them back!
To the cat/furniture discussion I'll only add that we've never had cats scratch the furniture - except for my darling Katie who put two long marks on my piano lid. Our current Archie Sparks and his mother Willow do eat holes in the sitting room rug. ????? Tully scratches the rug in the dining room, but he's never offered to chew on it. Declawing cats is an abomination - the equivalent of snapping off their first knuckle. Horrors!
205richardderus
...if one doesn't wish to have beclawèd home goods, one should not have one's self a c-a-t...not torture the animal with cruel body modifications.
206karenmarie
>204 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I really need to read Sergeant Salinger, since I also got it as an ER book - you did, too, right?
I'm envious of the Mississippi Kites - you're on the far northern edge of their breeding range.
Eating the rugs. Hmmm. I've never had that problem, and until these gingers haven't had the scratching the living room furniture. And, agreed. Declawing cats is pure animal torture.
>205 richardderus: For those of us who love kitties (which of course you don't RD, and that's another ATD for us), I feel that having kitties means putting up with their natural behaviors, which includes scratching things. And hunting. And of course Zoe's a serious hunter. She brings in lizards, rodents, and, until I recently put a break-away belled collar on her, birds. No birds for a week. Huzzah.
Three books received today - all ordered on different days.
Blind Justice by Bruce Alexander, first in the Sir John Fielding Mystery series
Homocide Trinity by Rex Stout, 36th in the 47-book Nero Wolfe series
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
I'm envious of the Mississippi Kites - you're on the far northern edge of their breeding range.
Eating the rugs. Hmmm. I've never had that problem, and until these gingers haven't had the scratching the living room furniture. And, agreed. Declawing cats is pure animal torture.
>205 richardderus: For those of us who love kitties (which of course you don't RD, and that's another ATD for us), I feel that having kitties means putting up with their natural behaviors, which includes scratching things. And hunting. And of course Zoe's a serious hunter. She brings in lizards, rodents, and, until I recently put a break-away belled collar on her, birds. No birds for a week. Huzzah.
Three books received today - all ordered on different days.
Blind Justice by Bruce Alexander, first in the Sir John Fielding Mystery series
Homocide Trinity by Rex Stout, 36th in the 47-book Nero Wolfe series
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
207connie53
Hi Karen. Just popping in to say Hi. I read congratulations are in order. So happy belated anniversary.
208karenmarie
Hi to you, too, Connie, and thank you.
209richardderus
I liked the Blind Justice series back when, but I think I stopped at Person or Persons Unknown and never got back to them. I think it was the rampant heterosexuality of them, but can't remember...something about prostitution...?
210karenmarie
We'll see. I don't mind rampant heterosexuality... 😀
Separately, Jenna sent this too me:
Separately, Jenna sent this too me:
211richardderus
Yes, speaking of heterosexuality, one's child does indeed spring forcefully to mind.
And that meme rocks!
And that meme rocks!
212karenmarie
40. An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
4/29/21 to 5/2/21
From Amazon:
Winner of the California Book Award
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award
Finalist for the National Book Award
“Beautiful and absorbing.”—New York Times
An Unnecessary Woman is a breathtaking portrait of one reclusive woman’s late-life crisis, which garnered a wave of rave reviews and love letters to Alameddine’s cranky yet charming septuagenarian protagonist, Aaliya, a character you “can’t help but love” (NPR). Aaliya’s insightful musings on literature, philosophy, and art are invaded by memories of the Lebanese Civil War and her volatile past. As she tries to overcome her aging body and spontaneous emotional upwellings, Aaliya is faced with an unthinkable disaster that threatens to shatter the little life she has left. Here, the gifted Rabih Alameddine has given us a nuanced rendering of one woman's life in the Middle East and an enduring ode to literature and its power to define who we are.
“A paean to the transformative power of reading, to the intellectual asylum from one’s circumstances found in the life of the mind.”—LA Review of Books
“The novel throbs with energy…Aaliya’s inventive way with words gives unfailing pleasure, no matter how dark the events she describes, how painful the emotions she reveals.”—Washington Post
Why I wanted to read it: Restlessly scanning the shelves in the Sunroom, I wanted something different. I’d like to think it found me.
Oh my, oh my, oh my. I was hooked from the first two sentences.
If you’re looking for exciting action, this isn’t the book for you, although subtle life-altering dramas take place. The richness of the book is in its oblique look at Aaliya’s life, and through her memories and feelings, the people around her.
Here’s a wonderful bit of Aaliya’s internal dialog:
Six word review: A splendid life without external trappings.
4/29/21 to 5/2/21
From Amazon:
Winner of the California Book Award
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award
Finalist for the National Book Award
“Beautiful and absorbing.”—New York Times
An Unnecessary Woman is a breathtaking portrait of one reclusive woman’s late-life crisis, which garnered a wave of rave reviews and love letters to Alameddine’s cranky yet charming septuagenarian protagonist, Aaliya, a character you “can’t help but love” (NPR). Aaliya’s insightful musings on literature, philosophy, and art are invaded by memories of the Lebanese Civil War and her volatile past. As she tries to overcome her aging body and spontaneous emotional upwellings, Aaliya is faced with an unthinkable disaster that threatens to shatter the little life she has left. Here, the gifted Rabih Alameddine has given us a nuanced rendering of one woman's life in the Middle East and an enduring ode to literature and its power to define who we are.
“A paean to the transformative power of reading, to the intellectual asylum from one’s circumstances found in the life of the mind.”—LA Review of Books
“The novel throbs with energy…Aaliya’s inventive way with words gives unfailing pleasure, no matter how dark the events she describes, how painful the emotions she reveals.”—Washington Post
Why I wanted to read it: Restlessly scanning the shelves in the Sunroom, I wanted something different. I’d like to think it found me.
Oh my, oh my, oh my. I was hooked from the first two sentences.
You could say I was thinking of other things when I shampooed my hair blue, and two glasses of red wine didn’t help my concentration.And with those sentences, the author, 54 years old at the time the book was published, somehow absolutely captures the voice of the 72-year old female narrator.
Let me explain.
If you’re looking for exciting action, this isn’t the book for you, although subtle life-altering dramas take place. The richness of the book is in its oblique look at Aaliya’s life, and through her memories and feelings, the people around her.
Here’s a wonderful bit of Aaliya’s internal dialog:
We all try to explain away the Holocaust, Abu Ghraib, or the Sabra Massacre by denying that we could ever do anything so horrible. The committers of those crimes are evil, other, bad apples; something in the German or American psyche makes their people susceptible to following orders, drinking the grape Kool-Aid, killing indiscriminately. You believe that you’re the one person who wouldn’t have delivered the electric shocks in the Milgram experiment because those who did must have been emotionally abused by their parents, or had domineering fathers, or were dumped by their spouses. Anything that makes them different from you.When I re-read this book, possibly next year, I will make sure to take notes from the first page. There are references to authors, books, quotes, artists, composers, performers, historical figures, philosophies, and so much more. Everything Aaliya is derives from her strong sense of self, her love of the written word and of beautiful music.
When I read a book, I try my best, not always successfully, to let the wall crumble just a bit, the barricade that separates me from the book. I try to be involved.
I am Raskolnikov. I am K. I am Humbert and Lolita.
I am you.
If you read these pages and think I’m the way I am because I lived through a civil war, you can’t feel my pain. If you believe you’re not like me because one woman, and only one, Hannah, chose to be my friend, then you’re unable to empathize.
Like the bullet, I too stray.
Forgive me.
Six word review: A splendid life without external trappings.
213richardderus
>212 karenmarie: So totally agree: "A splendid life without external trappings."
214RebaRelishesReading
>212 karenmarie: I've seen that one on various lists, etc. and wondered about it so I was a little bit primed for the BB you got me with. Great review.
215karenmarie
>213 richardderus: I'm glad you think so.
>214 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba! I must have seen it on someone's thread, because I ordered it on Amazon last May. Thanks re my review.
>214 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba! I must have seen it on someone's thread, because I ordered it on Amazon last May. Thanks re my review.
216msf59
Morning, Karen. I am back. I had a very nice trip and I enjoyed visiting with family. Lots of good bird news too, which I will get into on my thread. I have a lot of catching up to do, on LT. Yikes!
Of course, I am heading out with my birding buddies, in just a short while. Migration has exploded here, with no time to waste. I will put up my hummingbird feeder today. Yah!
Of course, I am heading out with my birding buddies, in just a short while. Migration has exploded here, with no time to waste. I will put up my hummingbird feeder today. Yah!
217karenmarie
'Morning, Mark! I'm glad you had a good trip. Enjoy today's birding buddies adventure. And yay for the hummingbirds, of course.
I've got a female Downy on the suet feeder right now, but otherwise it's quiet.
I've got a female Downy on the suet feeder right now, but otherwise it's quiet.
218richardderus
Oh happy day! Almost May the Fourth, New Books Flood, and while it's a smidge gloomy out there I am happily slurping bean-water and anticipating grilled cheese for lunch.
*smooch*
*smooch*
219SandyAMcPherson
>206 karenmarie: Oooh looking forward to your thoughts on the Bruce Alexander book. I have Blind Justice on request.
220karenmarie
>218 richardderus: 'Morning, RD! Yay for tomorrow's New books Flood. "Bean water." I've never thought of it that way before. I had grilled cheese sandwiches twice last week for lunch, so enjoy your anticipation and grilled cheese!
*smooch*
>219 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy! I'm hoping to get to it soon, after I finish The Final Deduction, the next up in my Nero Wolfe read-a-thon.
...
I've just pulled all the J.A. Jance books off my shelves, finally acknowledging the fact that I won't read any more of them. Interestingly, and in a way that does not laud my location-tag inventory system, I found one more than I have in my catalog. Sigh.
*smooch*
>219 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy! I'm hoping to get to it soon, after I finish The Final Deduction, the next up in my Nero Wolfe read-a-thon.
...
I've just pulled all the J.A. Jance books off my shelves, finally acknowledging the fact that I won't read any more of them. Interestingly, and in a way that does not laud my location-tag inventory system, I found one more than I have in my catalog. Sigh.
221SandyAMcPherson
>212 karenmarie: Splendid review, Karen.
I especially like the quotes you chose. Thanks for doing that.
I especially like the quotes you chose. Thanks for doing that.
222weird_O
Keep doin' what you are doin', mam. I think I have dodged the BB on that book you reviewed; I just can't afford to throw my body into the path of such obvious projectiles. Currently reading Wodehouse and Mitchell; not as conscientiously as I should. Need to apply attention to bookshelves.
223BLBera
>212 karenmarie: This has been on my shelf for a while. It sounds like I should dust it off and read it!
>210 karenmarie: Yes!
>210 karenmarie: Yes!
224streamsong
Several years back, I bought some anti-scratch/claw tape to put on the front legs of the couches. It was like very wide, heavy-duty double stick tape. The cats **hated** it and quickly broke their furniture clawing habit. It left behind a sticky residue when I removed it and was hard to clean off, though. My lighter colored couch still has a residue mark on one arm. It might be perfect to put on slipcovers as it wouldn't mark the furniture itself.
>210 karenmarie: **smile** perfect!
Looks like I need to read An Unneccessary Woman. Great review!
>210 karenmarie: **smile** perfect!
Looks like I need to read An Unneccessary Woman. Great review!
225karenmarie
>221 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks, Sandy. You’re welcome re the quotes, too.
>222 weird_O: Hi Bill. I know for a fact that you throw your body in front of other projectiles, but perhaps you can nudge into this one sometime down the road. *smile*
>223 BLBera: Hi Beth. If it’s already on your shelves, like mine was, it’s simply a matter of seeing if the opening grabbed you like it did me.
>224 streamsong: If the furniture wasn’t already shredded, I might consider that, Janet. I think slipcovers make better sense, and although Bill would much rather have his This End Up furniture down here, I’d prefer slipcovers, at least in the short term. Thanks re my review.
…
Well, good news on the daughter front. She figured out a while back that she wanted to live in/near Asheville NC because …mountains… and then found an entry-level job at Biltmore Farms Hotels in Asheville, full time with benefits. Her lease agreement is up June 30th in Wilmington. This job starts on May 17th and we were all stressed at her finding an apartment she could afford. She’s found one, subject to my co-signing for it, but what are parents for? It’s available May 29th and she’s been told that she can get a special rate for 2 weeks at one of the hotels in town of $35/night through her new job, so she’ll do that then sleep rough in the apartment until we can get her stuff moved in a somewhat leisurely manner before June 30th. Big sigh of relief.
>222 weird_O: Hi Bill. I know for a fact that you throw your body in front of other projectiles, but perhaps you can nudge into this one sometime down the road. *smile*
>223 BLBera: Hi Beth. If it’s already on your shelves, like mine was, it’s simply a matter of seeing if the opening grabbed you like it did me.
>224 streamsong: If the furniture wasn’t already shredded, I might consider that, Janet. I think slipcovers make better sense, and although Bill would much rather have his This End Up furniture down here, I’d prefer slipcovers, at least in the short term. Thanks re my review.
…
Well, good news on the daughter front. She figured out a while back that she wanted to live in/near Asheville NC because …mountains… and then found an entry-level job at Biltmore Farms Hotels in Asheville, full time with benefits. Her lease agreement is up June 30th in Wilmington. This job starts on May 17th and we were all stressed at her finding an apartment she could afford. She’s found one, subject to my co-signing for it, but what are parents for? It’s available May 29th and she’s been told that she can get a special rate for 2 weeks at one of the hotels in town of $35/night through her new job, so she’ll do that then sleep rough in the apartment until we can get her stuff moved in a somewhat leisurely manner before June 30th. Big sigh of relief.
226katiekrug
>225 karenmarie: - Great news about Jenna! I love Asheville. And isn't it nice when things work out more smoothly than anticipated?
Will that location be closer to you than Wilmington? Or about the same?
Will that location be closer to you than Wilmington? Or about the same?
227karenmarie
Hi Katie!
The only things I've done in Asheville is stay at a bed-and-breakfast for our honeymoon in 1991 while visiting Biltmore. And we've gone to Biltmore 2 times since then. I love Biltmore. I'm sure there's lots to do there that isn't Biltmore, too!
It's about 45 - 75 minutes further away, 3.5-4 hours instead of 2.75 hours. We still haven't seen the niblet since last January although she got her 2nd Pfizer shot last Thursday. I've already warned her that her Dad and I will descend upon her sometime after she's settled in (if she doesn't need to me to help her get settled too).
The only things I've done in Asheville is stay at a bed-and-breakfast for our honeymoon in 1991 while visiting Biltmore. And we've gone to Biltmore 2 times since then. I love Biltmore. I'm sure there's lots to do there that isn't Biltmore, too!
It's about 45 - 75 minutes further away, 3.5-4 hours instead of 2.75 hours. We still haven't seen the niblet since last January although she got her 2nd Pfizer shot last Thursday. I've already warned her that her Dad and I will descend upon her sometime after she's settled in (if she doesn't need to me to help her get settled too).
228katiekrug
>227 karenmarie: - I've only been to Asheville once, and we didn't make it to Biltmore :-P
229richardderus
Ooohhh, Asheville! We had a lot on Fontana Lake where we spent summers for a while in the 1990s. It was powerless and I loved it immoderately. Had to sell in the early 2000s, goddammit, or I'd be there now.
Anyway. I think it won't be forever before y'all'll discover the joys of Sylva and Bryson City and we permaybehaps will have to update our address books.
Anyway. I think it won't be forever before y'all'll discover the joys of Sylva and Bryson City and we permaybehaps will have to update our address books.
230lauralkeet
Ooh, I love Asheville. We went on vacation there pre-kids, and it was just lovely. I've always thought about going back. I've heard it's a sort of liberal enclave. Congratulations to Jenna on landing a great job! With benefits! And yeah I agree at this stage in life, parents exist to co-sign leases. Ha.
231jessibud2
Great review in >212 karenmarie:, Karen. And congrats to Jenna! Very exciting for her!
232karenmarie
>228 katiekrug: Conspicuous consumption at its finest. I love living vicariously there.
>229 richardderus: I wouldn't be adverse to moving closer to our daughter if/when we decide to downsize.
>230 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. Yay for liberal enclave. We've raised our daughter to be liberal. Thanks re her job, and we're happy to help out since we can.
>231 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Once we get the apartment locked in, she'll be able to breathe again for a bit. Next hurdle will be actually showing up for work on the 17th, after that getting everything out of the old apartment and getting it shut down.
>229 richardderus: I wouldn't be adverse to moving closer to our daughter if/when we decide to downsize.
>230 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. Yay for liberal enclave. We've raised our daughter to be liberal. Thanks re her job, and we're happy to help out since we can.
>231 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Once we get the apartment locked in, she'll be able to breathe again for a bit. Next hurdle will be actually showing up for work on the 17th, after that getting everything out of the old apartment and getting it shut down.
233LizzieD
>225 karenmarie: GREAT news!!!! Congratulations to Jenna! An entry into Biltmore industries is a very good thing. I have a cousin who sold wine at the estate for several years when he was a bit older than Jenna. He loved it but eventually went back to Wilmington where he lives if he isn't at his parents' place at Holden.
I wish her all the best. AND I'm waiting eagerly for you and Bill to be able to spend some time with her in the flesh!
Fine review of *UW*! I did love that book!
I wish her all the best. AND I'm waiting eagerly for you and Bill to be able to spend some time with her in the flesh!
Fine review of *UW*! I did love that book!
234connie53
>225 karenmarie: That's really good news. And very reassuring for mama. ;-)
235msf59
>225 karenmarie: Great news about Jenna! Such a beautiful area too.
Morning, Karen. Despite the clouds and dampness, we had a good walk yesterday and I managed to clock in a few FOY birds, including 2 more warblers. More clouds and dampness today but I am still heading out, this time on a guided walk. Busy, busy, busy...
Morning, Karen. Despite the clouds and dampness, we had a good walk yesterday and I managed to clock in a few FOY birds, including 2 more warblers. More clouds and dampness today but I am still heading out, this time on a guided walk. Busy, busy, busy...
236karenmarie
>233 LizzieD: Thank you on Jenna's behalf, Peggy. I think it's a good thing, too, as does Miss J. Everything Biltmore does is classy. Glad you liked my review of An Unnecessary Woman.
>234 connie53: Yes, this mama is more relaxed, too, because the joy and specter of Jenna living at home while looking for a job was a background stress.
>235 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Yes, we're very pleased. Don't you have family in Asheville? I know Ellen does. Good luck on your guided walk today.
...
Today I'm meeting with the head of the Book Sale Team for the Friends and our new Book Sale Volunteer Coordinator at the Library.
>234 connie53: Yes, this mama is more relaxed, too, because the joy and specter of Jenna living at home while looking for a job was a background stress.
>235 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Yes, we're very pleased. Don't you have family in Asheville? I know Ellen does. Good luck on your guided walk today.
...
Today I'm meeting with the head of the Book Sale Team for the Friends and our new Book Sale Volunteer Coordinator at the Library.
238karenmarie
Thanks, Amber.
239richardderus
Hidy.
*smooch*
*smooch*
240karenmarie
Hi RD! Talking with human beings face to face for 2 hours is, after over a year of not doing so, exhausting.
I therefore took about an hour nap in the hammock, listening to thunder rumbles.
I therefore took about an hour nap in the hammock, listening to thunder rumbles.
241johnsimpson
Hi Karen my dear, Elliott Robert Welch arrived into the world at 8.11 am this morning, weighing 8lb 4oz, mother and baby doing fine. Amy had to have a C-Section as the little fella moved into the breech position. We are so excited to see him hopefully tomorrow or Thursday at the latest to have a cuddle.
https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/f2/d4/f2d4ab95b33e65e636d71427877436d41767342_v5.jpg 3x">
https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/f2/d4/f2d4ab95b33e65e636d71427877436d41767342_v5.jpg 3x">242FAMeulstee
>225 karenmarie: Congratulations to Jenna!
Starting already within 2 weeks, wishing her everything she needs for keeping the job & her new place.
Starting already within 2 weeks, wishing her everything she needs for keeping the job & her new place.
243LovingLit
>210 karenmarie: barely enough, is spot on :)
>241 johnsimpson: I was just thinking about John and Karen's newest grandchild! (in the context of - when will they arrive!?)
>241 johnsimpson: I was just thinking about John and Karen's newest grandchild! (in the context of - when will they arrive!?)
244karenmarie
>241 johnsimpson: Congratulations! Excellent name, sweet baby pic. I can relate to the C-section - I had one too, almost 28 years ago now. Any will recover well and of course it's all worth it.
>242 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I know - her tutoring job ends next Wednesday and she starts the new job the following Monday.
>243 LovingLit: Hi Megan! I was wondering when the baby would arrive too.
>242 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I know - her tutoring job ends next Wednesday and she starts the new job the following Monday.
>243 LovingLit: Hi Megan! I was wondering when the baby would arrive too.
245msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday! We had a great walk yesterday and I clocked in 5 or 6 FOY birds. First great looks at a Baltimore Oriole & Rose-breasted grosbeaks. Heading out shortly. Strike when the fire is hot...right?
Yes, my brother lives in Hendersonville. I don't think we will get out there this year.
Yes, my brother lives in Hendersonville. I don't think we will get out there this year.
246karenmarie
'Morning, Mark, and a very happy Wednesday to you, too. You are indefatigable and fast becoming a birding addict. All good, of course. 😀
Ah yes, brother.
...
After yesterday's excitement of being with real live human beings for a whole two hours, I'm looking forward to today's quiet. Just me and the kitties.
Ah yes, brother.
...
After yesterday's excitement of being with real live human beings for a whole two hours, I'm looking forward to today's quiet. Just me and the kitties.
247lauralkeet
Hi Karen! Just stopping by to tell you my library was quick to provide me a copy of The Family Upstairs (requested based on your enthusiastic review). I started reading yesterday and am already about 90 pages in. You said it was a page-turner, and you were right!
248karenmarie
I'm glad you like The Family Upstairs so far. It's always a risk to wax enthusiastically about a book.
249richardderus
Hey Horrible! A lovely, peaceful day to yourself...the best kind. Spend it well.
250lauralkeet
>248 karenmarie: I agree, Karen, and now you will no longer lose sleep over it ha ha.
251karenmarie
>249 richardderus: I did have a lovely, peaceful day, thank you, RD. I read and puttered, filled bird feeders, and took a teensy nap.
>250 lauralkeet: Well, I wasn't holding my breath, but I like the idea of "Karen recommended a good book" and not "Karen recommend a sucky book that will traumatize me for years." *smile*
...
Coffee. I just e-signed a 39-page lease document for Jenna's new apartment. I must admit they made it easy, but wow.
>250 lauralkeet: Well, I wasn't holding my breath, but I like the idea of "Karen recommended a good book" and not "Karen recommend a sucky book that will traumatize me for years." *smile*
...
Coffee. I just e-signed a 39-page lease document for Jenna's new apartment. I must admit they made it easy, but wow.
252msf59
Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. The birding was pretty slow yesterday, with my birding buddies but I did get a gorgeous FOY, red-headed woodpecker. No photos, though. Heading out on a guided walk, although it is lightly raining and may do so, for the next few hours. Sighs...
253Crazymamie
Morning, Karen! Congrats to Jenna on landing the job and the apartment in the city of her choice. As you know, I have big love for the Asheville area. I am really hoping we can retire there. Love Biltmore and its grounds - we have been there many times, and Daniel and Kaitlyn visited there on their honeymoon.
Yowza to the 39 pages of lease document!
Yowza to the 39 pages of lease document!
254karenmarie
>252 msf59: Hi Mark! Happy Thursday to you. I hope you find many FOYs to offset the rain.
>253 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! 'Morning to you, too. Thanks re Jenna. Her adulting skills are improving daily...
Richard mentioned it above, that I may have a new address in the future, and frankly, the idea of downsizing and moving to Asheville is not unappealing. I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed with 8 acres and a large house, much of which we don't use. Maybe we'll both end up retiring there and have the Asheville LT Club!
>253 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! 'Morning to you, too. Thanks re Jenna. Her adulting skills are improving daily...
Richard mentioned it above, that I may have a new address in the future, and frankly, the idea of downsizing and moving to Asheville is not unappealing. I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed with 8 acres and a large house, much of which we don't use. Maybe we'll both end up retiring there and have the Asheville LT Club!
255richardderus
>254 karenmarie: You're her parents and Jenna will visit you wherever you are. But imagine how much easier it would be to lure her back to Asheville....
*smooch*
*smooch*
256karenmarie
Good point, RD!
This is just a pleasant little thought right now. We're going to be spending a butt-ton of money on a new roof soon, porches/columns painting, powerwashing, and some landscaping in the fall. All of this, of course, won't hurt if we decide to sell sooner than later.
This is just a pleasant little thought right now. We're going to be spending a butt-ton of money on a new roof soon, porches/columns painting, powerwashing, and some landscaping in the fall. All of this, of course, won't hurt if we decide to sell sooner than later.
257Crazymamie
>254 karenmarie: Now, how fun would that be?!!
258ffortsa
>212 karenmarie: I had a sneaky feeling that I already owned this book, and indeed I do, one of my kindle bargains. Your review is so fine, I might recommend it to one of my reading groups.
eta: congratulations to Jenna on her new job! And to John and Karen on the new grandchild. Good to hear the world is moving on, even if we, right now, aren't.
eta: congratulations to Jenna on her new job! And to John and Karen on the new grandchild. Good to hear the world is moving on, even if we, right now, aren't.
259karenmarie
>257 Crazymamie: Major fun for sure, Mamie. You'd probably have to stop answering your phone since your house always sounds like it's a place I'd like to be.
>258 ffortsa: I'm so glad you already have it, Judy! Even though I've now read it and I rarely recommend books to my book club that I've already read, when we start back up again I might make it my choice.
Thanks re Jenna. I felt so bad for her, graduating last May and all of us so cowed and flummoxed by the pandemic. It took her a while to get her resume together, a while to truly think about where she'd like to live, then applying for jobs, getting accepted, and THEN trying to find an apartment in the elusive Asheville apartment market.
>258 ffortsa: I'm so glad you already have it, Judy! Even though I've now read it and I rarely recommend books to my book club that I've already read, when we start back up again I might make it my choice.
Thanks re Jenna. I felt so bad for her, graduating last May and all of us so cowed and flummoxed by the pandemic. It took her a while to get her resume together, a while to truly think about where she'd like to live, then applying for jobs, getting accepted, and THEN trying to find an apartment in the elusive Asheville apartment market.
260johnsimpson
>258 ffortsa:, Thank you Judy for the lovely message, you are so right in that the world is moving on despite what is happening around the world.
261msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. It will not surprise you in the least, that I am heading out shortly with my birding pals. We got our FOY Baltimore Oriole at the feeders yesterday. I have also seen them a couple of times on my walks this week too. I also clocked in a quartet of FOY birds on yesterday's walk, including this gorgeous American Redstart:
-(NMP) Birders LOVE their warblers and this is one of many beauties. They are just tough to photograph or at least for me anyway.
-(NMP) Birders LOVE their warblers and this is one of many beauties. They are just tough to photograph or at least for me anyway.
262karenmarie
'Morning, Mark! Happy Friday to you. No, it does not surprise me at all. Enjoy your outing. Gorgeous bird. Thanks for the pic.
...
I just took my first sip of coffee - heaven. Bill has to have a Covid test over at the hospital at 8:20 so just left about 15 minutes ago. Yes, he has to get tested even though he's fully vaccinated. This will be the first Covid test between us ever.
This is for his first cataract surgery, which is Monday morning.
...
I just took my first sip of coffee - heaven. Bill has to have a Covid test over at the hospital at 8:20 so just left about 15 minutes ago. Yes, he has to get tested even though he's fully vaccinated. This will be the first Covid test between us ever.
This is for his first cataract surgery, which is Monday morning.
263weird_O
Hard evidence that things are opening up: I went to the FIRST (for me) library book sale in 15 months. A glorious day to drive 60 or so miles each way, just to select and buy 30+ books I certainly don't need and probably won't get around to reading. *Knocking on skull* "Hello? Weird_O? Anybody in there?" Oooh, but I had great fun.
Reality check. I am passing up a sale in the town I worked in for more than 25 years this Saturday. I got invited to have lunch with a granddaughter and get a tour of the Bryn Mawr College campus. Can't pass that up, even for a book sale.
Reality check. I am passing up a sale in the town I worked in for more than 25 years this Saturday. I got invited to have lunch with a granddaughter and get a tour of the Bryn Mawr College campus. Can't pass that up, even for a book sale.
264streamsong
Yay for Jenna! And since you're helping her move, yay for seeing her again.
Good wishes on Bill's surgery. I had to have both eyes done and no regrets.
And I am so jealous of >263 weird_O: going to a BOOK SALE! Not that I need any more books. I need to pick up four more at the library today. How did that happen?
I'll be heading off to several of my favorite flower nurseries soon as they offer small gift plants to Mom's. And tomorrow there's a farmer's market in town - bedding plants here I come!
Good wishes on Bill's surgery. I had to have both eyes done and no regrets.
And I am so jealous of >263 weird_O: going to a BOOK SALE! Not that I need any more books. I need to pick up four more at the library today. How did that happen?
I'll be heading off to several of my favorite flower nurseries soon as they offer small gift plants to Mom's. And tomorrow there's a farmer's market in town - bedding plants here I come!
265karenmarie
>263 weird_O: How exciting, Bill! And 30 books. Reading books is only one of the goals in acquiring them for some of us, of course. And granddaughters and tours of colleges definitely are more important than book sales.
>264 streamsong: Hi Janet! Jenna did say today that between her car and my SUV... implying that I can help move her stuff.
Thanks re Bill's surgery. I had cataract surgery on both eyes in December 2014 and I can't imagine how bad my vision would be if I hadn't had been able to have it.
Me too, going to a book sale. Of course I got to look through 2 sets of donations to the Friends, one in December and one in January and chose books from both of them personally, so have had some contact with books.
I can't imagine picking up 4 books at the Library - the pressure would be too great. I'm such a spur-of-the-moment reader, choosing books willy-nilly. I've discovered that if I take more than one book from the Library I rarely read a second one because a book on my shelves will get my attention after one book. Flighty.
Ah. Yes. Mother's Day. I'll be surprised, frankly, if there's any to-do made here, but that's okay. Too much else going on.
>264 streamsong: Hi Janet! Jenna did say today that between her car and my SUV... implying that I can help move her stuff.
Thanks re Bill's surgery. I had cataract surgery on both eyes in December 2014 and I can't imagine how bad my vision would be if I hadn't had been able to have it.
Me too, going to a book sale. Of course I got to look through 2 sets of donations to the Friends, one in December and one in January and chose books from both of them personally, so have had some contact with books.
I can't imagine picking up 4 books at the Library - the pressure would be too great. I'm such a spur-of-the-moment reader, choosing books willy-nilly. I've discovered that if I take more than one book from the Library I rarely read a second one because a book on my shelves will get my attention after one book. Flighty.
Ah. Yes. Mother's Day. I'll be surprised, frankly, if there's any to-do made here, but that's okay. Too much else going on.
266PaulCranswick
>263 weird_O: Bill's comments made me smile. My TBR is way North of 5,000 books and the years are on the wane but it doesn't stop my weekly visits to my bookstore temple.
268karenmarie
>266 PaulCranswick: Paul, your TBR is in excess of my entire catalog, but I do have 2,206 books thus tagged.
>267 drneutron: Our Friends organization is meeting next Thursday to discuss that very thing - a book sale. We're going to try to figure out how to try to hold one large sale (like in the past) or many small sales (like makes sense in the time of Covid) in the fall sometime. It may be premature since although our Library is open they are not allowing any use of the Multi-Purpose Room yet.
...
Coffee. Trying to settle on a new book.
>267 drneutron: Our Friends organization is meeting next Thursday to discuss that very thing - a book sale. We're going to try to figure out how to try to hold one large sale (like in the past) or many small sales (like makes sense in the time of Covid) in the fall sometime. It may be premature since although our Library is open they are not allowing any use of the Multi-Purpose Room yet.
...
Coffee. Trying to settle on a new book.
269FAMeulstee
>265 karenmarie: Reading books is only one of the goals in acquiring them for some of us
Indeed, Karen, books are nice to have around.
Good filled bookcases are comforting. To know you will always have enough books around to read is priceless.
Indeed, Karen, books are nice to have around.
Good filled bookcases are comforting. To know you will always have enough books around to read is priceless.
270msf59
Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. This is Global Big Day and yes, I will be part of it. I will be visiting a different area, with a different group. We will see how it goes. Have a great day.
271karenmarie
>269 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Comforting is the perfect word for it. I love looking at my books. I love that they are put on shelves without regard to author, genre, or condition. Very few series are kept together, and although I never deliberately plan it, sometimes two books next to each other create hilarious visuals. (none come to mind right now, unfortunately) I'm a user of tags for locations and although my volume isn't close to Paul's, I do have more books than I can keep track of in my head.
>270 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Good luck with Global Big Day.
>270 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Good luck with Global Big Day.
272ursula
I'm an outlier, I don't like having a lot of books sitting on the shelves waiting to be read. They oppress me.
I used to have a ton of books (working in bookstores will do that to you), but I try not to keep too many around anymore. Part of it is moving, particularly internationally. English books can be in short supply, but shipping them is prohibitively expensive. This time we had moving expenses partially covered and filled part of a container, so some books came with us, but honestly I'm in a hurry to get through them and get rid of them.
I enjoy reading some paper books of course, and can usually find them at second-hand stores in whatever country I'm in, but a good portion of my reading is digital books from the US libraries where I have cards.
I used to have a ton of books (working in bookstores will do that to you), but I try not to keep too many around anymore. Part of it is moving, particularly internationally. English books can be in short supply, but shipping them is prohibitively expensive. This time we had moving expenses partially covered and filled part of a container, so some books came with us, but honestly I'm in a hurry to get through them and get rid of them.
I enjoy reading some paper books of course, and can usually find them at second-hand stores in whatever country I'm in, but a good portion of my reading is digital books from the US libraries where I have cards.
273connie53
I love to have my books around me. And I love to order them from the unread to the read section. Once or twice a year I take them all out and clean both books and shelves. I never get rid of books. They just move upstairs to the read section.
274karenmarie
>272 ursula: Hi Ursula! I can imagine that after having worked in bookstores they might seem oppressive. I've never worked in a book store, but I do volunteer to go through books donated to the Friends (non-pandemic times - haven't done so since March 10, 2020) and sometimes it wasn't as much fun as others.
You have the perfect solution, especially living in Turkey right now - digital books from US Libraries.
>273 connie53: Hi Connie! We're in synch here, because several years ago I moved all my 'read' books to the Retreat upstairs. The books downstairs in the Library and Sunroom are, with few exceptions, tbr or reference. I don't usually read cookbooks cover to cover, so most of my cookbooks are downstairs in shelves in the kitchen.
Well, I've just spent about 30 minutes filling in a meme Richard posts on his threads. With his new thread, I got interested for some reason.
You have the perfect solution, especially living in Turkey right now - digital books from US Libraries.
>273 connie53: Hi Connie! We're in synch here, because several years ago I moved all my 'read' books to the Retreat upstairs. The books downstairs in the Library and Sunroom are, with few exceptions, tbr or reference. I don't usually read cookbooks cover to cover, so most of my cookbooks are downstairs in shelves in the kitchen.
Well, I've just spent about 30 minutes filling in a meme Richard posts on his threads. With his new thread, I got interested for some reason.
275karenmarie
Taken from RichardDerus's newest thread, which he took from one of PaulCranswick's threads.
***
1. Name any book you read at any time that was published in the year you turned 18:
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, 1971.
2. Name a book you have on in your TBR pile that is over 500 pages long:
Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi 1,648 pages
3. What is the last book you read with a mostly blue cover?
Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz
4. What is the last book you didn’t finish (and why didn’t you finish it?)
North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett. The book escaped into the world with only 71 of its purported 80 pages. However, I've just ordered another copy.
5. What is the last book that scared the bejeebers out of you?
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
6. Name the book that read either this year or last year that takes place geographically closest to where you live? How close would you estimate it was?
Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron. County seat to county seat, 54 miles.
7.What were the topics of the last two nonfiction books you read?
An escaped slave of George Washington's that he and Martha spent decades looking for, and a true crime book.
8. Name a recent book you read which could be considered a popular book?
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
9. What was the last book you gave a rating of 5-stars to? And when did you read it?
excluding a re-read of Pride and Prejudice, The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai in February of 2019.
10. Name a book you read that led you to specifically to read another book (and what was the other book, and what was the connection)
The Distant Echo by Val McDermid, first in the Karen Pirie series, which led me to read the 2nd in the series, A Darker Domain.
11. Name the author you have most recently become infatuated with.
Val McDermid
12. What is the setting of the first novel you read this year?
London and racetracks around London
13. What is the last book you read, fiction or nonfiction, that featured a war in some way (and what war was it)?
The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid. The Balkan Wars of the 1990s.
14. What was the last book you acquired or borrowed based on an LTer’s review or casual recommendation? And who was the LTer, if you care to say.
Train by Pete Dexter. Mark mentioned it on his thread.
15. What the last book you read that involved the future in some way?
The Second Sleep by Robert Harris
16. Name the last book you read that featured a body of water, river, marsh, or significant rainfall?
Glacial Lake Missoula and Its Humongous Floods by David D. Alt
17. What is last book you read by an author from the Southern Hemisphere?
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry - New Zealand.
18. What is the last book you read that you thought had a terrible cover?
Little Black Sambo and the Baby Elephant by Frank Ver Beck.
19. Who was the most recent dead author you read? And what year did they die?
Rex Stout, 1975.
20. What was the last children’s book (not YA) you read?
See #18.
21. What was the name of the detective or crime-solver in the most recent crime novel you read?
Karen Pirie
22. What was the shortest book of any kind you’ve read so far this year?
Fup by Jim Dodge.
23. Name the last book that you struggled with (and what do you think was behind the struggle?)
A Wealth of Pigeons by Harry Bliss and Steve Martin. The premise was more intriguing than the actual result.
24. What is the most recent book you added to your library here on LT?
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
25. Name a book you read this year that had a visual component (i.e. illustrations, photos, art, comics)
See #23
Sandy McPherson's Bonus Question:
26. What is the title and year of the oldest book you have reviewed on LT in 2021? (modification in itals)
Washington's Farewell Address and Webster's Bunker Hill Orations. Intro by William T. Peck. Published in 1916.
***
1. Name any book you read at any time that was published in the year you turned 18:
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, 1971.
2. Name a book you have on in your TBR pile that is over 500 pages long:
Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi 1,648 pages
3. What is the last book you read with a mostly blue cover?
Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz
4. What is the last book you didn’t finish (and why didn’t you finish it?)
North Carolina as a Civil War Battleground 1861-1865 by John Gilchrist Barrett. The book escaped into the world with only 71 of its purported 80 pages. However, I've just ordered another copy.
5. What is the last book that scared the bejeebers out of you?
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
6. Name the book that read either this year or last year that takes place geographically closest to where you live? How close would you estimate it was?
Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron. County seat to county seat, 54 miles.
7.What were the topics of the last two nonfiction books you read?
An escaped slave of George Washington's that he and Martha spent decades looking for, and a true crime book.
8. Name a recent book you read which could be considered a popular book?
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
9. What was the last book you gave a rating of 5-stars to? And when did you read it?
excluding a re-read of Pride and Prejudice, The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai in February of 2019.
10. Name a book you read that led you to specifically to read another book (and what was the other book, and what was the connection)
The Distant Echo by Val McDermid, first in the Karen Pirie series, which led me to read the 2nd in the series, A Darker Domain.
11. Name the author you have most recently become infatuated with.
Val McDermid
12. What is the setting of the first novel you read this year?
London and racetracks around London
13. What is the last book you read, fiction or nonfiction, that featured a war in some way (and what war was it)?
The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid. The Balkan Wars of the 1990s.
14. What was the last book you acquired or borrowed based on an LTer’s review or casual recommendation? And who was the LTer, if you care to say.
Train by Pete Dexter. Mark mentioned it on his thread.
15. What the last book you read that involved the future in some way?
The Second Sleep by Robert Harris
16. Name the last book you read that featured a body of water, river, marsh, or significant rainfall?
Glacial Lake Missoula and Its Humongous Floods by David D. Alt
17. What is last book you read by an author from the Southern Hemisphere?
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry - New Zealand.
18. What is the last book you read that you thought had a terrible cover?
Little Black Sambo and the Baby Elephant by Frank Ver Beck.
19. Who was the most recent dead author you read? And what year did they die?
Rex Stout, 1975.
20. What was the last children’s book (not YA) you read?
See #18.
21. What was the name of the detective or crime-solver in the most recent crime novel you read?
Karen Pirie
22. What was the shortest book of any kind you’ve read so far this year?
Fup by Jim Dodge.
23. Name the last book that you struggled with (and what do you think was behind the struggle?)
A Wealth of Pigeons by Harry Bliss and Steve Martin. The premise was more intriguing than the actual result.
24. What is the most recent book you added to your library here on LT?
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
25. Name a book you read this year that had a visual component (i.e. illustrations, photos, art, comics)
See #23
Sandy McPherson's Bonus Question:
26. What is the title and year of the oldest book you have reviewed on LT in 2021? (modification in itals)
Washington's Farewell Address and Webster's Bunker Hill Orations. Intro by William T. Peck. Published in 1916.
276SandyAMcPherson
>206 karenmarie: Blind justice ~ my hold request just came in for picking up by May 15.
I hope you enjoyed reading it, seeing as how
277richardderus
Be truthful...are you *really* going to read the Bugliosi, like, ever? 1648pp!! That's four hefty books in one!
*smooch*
*smooch*
278ffortsa
I'm trying to let go of a portion of my books, looking for various ways to make it not that painful. While I resist buying ebooks merely to replace paper ones, if I come across one on sale, I do that. Recently I've decided to go through the older, smaller paperbacks to evaluate the type size and foxing and general condition - some are back from my school days. And I remind myself that the library usually has what I'm looking for - although lately, I've come across some mystery titles that are not to be found anywhere. Alarming.
279karenmarie
>276 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy! Maybe we'll be reading it about the same time, eh?
My brain has died - someone else commented that the Sir John Fielding series would be less anachronistic and perhaps something I'd like. I'm not as good at keeping track of where I get BBs from as I should be.
>277 richardderus: I may never, RD, however, it is so satisfying to have it on my shelves! I haven't always kept track of how I acquire a book, and this one is landed on my shelves in 2010, but one of my tags is bookmooched, so some poor soul mailed a 5.5 lb book to me. And bonus! I just pulled it and opened it up, and it turns out that there's a CD inside the back cover of titled Endnotes and Source Notes. *smooch*
>278 ffortsa: Hi Judy! I have quite a few old mass market paperbacks too, and unless they have Serious Sentimental (or Intrinsic) Value, I'm getting more and more reconciled to getting rid of them.
What mystery titles are you not able to find?
My brain has died - someone else commented that the Sir John Fielding series would be less anachronistic and perhaps something I'd like. I'm not as good at keeping track of where I get BBs from as I should be.
>277 richardderus: I may never, RD, however, it is so satisfying to have it on my shelves! I haven't always kept track of how I acquire a book, and this one is landed on my shelves in 2010, but one of my tags is bookmooched, so some poor soul mailed a 5.5 lb book to me. And bonus! I just pulled it and opened it up, and it turns out that there's a CD inside the back cover of titled Endnotes and Source Notes. *smooch*
>278 ffortsa: Hi Judy! I have quite a few old mass market paperbacks too, and unless they have Serious Sentimental (or Intrinsic) Value, I'm getting more and more reconciled to getting rid of them.
What mystery titles are you not able to find?
280drneutron
>277 richardderus:, >279 karenmarie: Um, yeah, I read the whole damn thing…
281msf59
Morning, Karen. Have a great day today. Cool and damp here. I hope it clears up, before we go over to Bree's house later, to celebrate the day.
282karenmarie
>280 drneutron: Hi Jim! It does not surprise me to know that you read the whole damn thing and inspires me to tag it 2021 read. At 1,648 pages and 5.5 lbs. I could only read it here downstairs in my Bookseat, but perhaps I can start it this year and carry forward into 2022.
>281 msf59: Thank you Mark! Perfect Mother's Day wish and I thank you. Bill gave me a beautiful card from a company called cutpopup.com, an Anna Hummingbird. Here's the link to it on their website: Anna Hummingbird Card. He also got me some of my favorite licorice, - American Red Vines. As is with Peeps, they must acquire the proper level of 'doneness', so the package is open waiting for them to ah, mature.
Coffee in hand. I'm reading a marvelously dense historical fiction based on facts called The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks. And, of course, the other 8 books I'm officially reading...
>281 msf59: Thank you Mark! Perfect Mother's Day wish and I thank you. Bill gave me a beautiful card from a company called cutpopup.com, an Anna Hummingbird. Here's the link to it on their website: Anna Hummingbird Card. He also got me some of my favorite licorice, - American Red Vines. As is with Peeps, they must acquire the proper level of 'doneness', so the package is open waiting for them to ah, mature.
Coffee in hand. I'm reading a marvelously dense historical fiction based on facts called The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks. And, of course, the other 8 books I'm officially reading...
283richardderus
>280 drneutron: WHAT
NO!!
Oh my gracious...have your wrists stopped needing splints?
Why do I know Robert Hicks's name? ... Coffee's Little Secrets? That's on my Kindle for some unfathomable reason and he created it...
Anyway, enjoy your Sunday in as much peace and quiet as possible. *smooch*
NO!!
Oh my gracious...have your wrists stopped needing splints?
Why do I know Robert Hicks's name? ... Coffee's Little Secrets? That's on my Kindle for some unfathomable reason and he created it...
Anyway, enjoy your Sunday in as much peace and quiet as possible. *smooch*
284karenmarie
>283 richardderus: Hiya, RD!
Jenna's already called for Mother's Day. Just hanging, will make Instant Pot Chicken and Potato Soup for dinner.
*smooch*
Jenna's already called for Mother's Day. Just hanging, will make Instant Pot Chicken and Potato Soup for dinner.
*smooch*
285karenmarie
A couple of book things that Jenna has sent me recently:
286PawsforThought
>285 karenmarie: Love the first one, and wholeheartedly agree with it. I genuinely get occasional bouts of real anger over the Library of Alexandria. And with other libraries and museums that have been ruined.
288lauralkeet
>282 karenmarie: that hummingbird card is amazing, Karen. I just got lost in their website for a bit, definitely bookmarking it for future reference.
289karenmarie
>286 PawsforThought: Hi Paws! Anybody who burns books is just evil, in my opinion.
>287 richardderus: Julius Caesar wasn't Christian, but believe it or not, we have a family member who calls herself a Christian, and who has bragged about getting a new convert to burn her 'new age' books. I hasten to add this is not a biological relative, just an early-20s step-cousin.
>288 lauralkeet: It is an amazing card, isn't it, Laura? Glad you've bookmarked the website. I've already got 4 in the shopping cart, and am waiting on the answer to koalas, praying mantis, or frog for my soon-to-be-6-year old great nephew.
>287 richardderus: Julius Caesar wasn't Christian, but believe it or not, we have a family member who calls herself a Christian, and who has bragged about getting a new convert to burn her 'new age' books. I hasten to add this is not a biological relative, just an early-20s step-cousin.
>288 lauralkeet: It is an amazing card, isn't it, Laura? Glad you've bookmarked the website. I've already got 4 in the shopping cart, and am waiting on the answer to koalas, praying mantis, or frog for my soon-to-be-6-year old great nephew.
290ffortsa
>279 karenmarie: Happy Mother's Day!
The book I couldn't get hold of is the second in Harold Adams's series, Paint the Town Red. In fact, copies of it are selling (or are advertised for) enormous amounts of money on various sites. I just found one for $13 through ABE books and grabbed it.
Another series I like is the Alafair Tucker mysteries by Donis Casey. But I haven't done a serious search for that yet - just the library.
The book I couldn't get hold of is the second in Harold Adams's series, Paint the Town Red. In fact, copies of it are selling (or are advertised for) enormous amounts of money on various sites. I just found one for $13 through ABE books and grabbed it.
Another series I like is the Alafair Tucker mysteries by Donis Casey. But I haven't done a serious search for that yet - just the library.
291quondame
>282 karenmarie: Ooo, popups!
>285 karenmarie: >286 PawsforThought: Well, about the Library of Alexandria - it turns out that, due to lack of trained scribes and materials, that very little more of what was there would have made it to us than did. The supply of literate monks and parchment on which longer lasting records could be made and the tastes of the times had more to do with what we have now than the lack of source material.
>285 karenmarie: >286 PawsforThought: Well, about the Library of Alexandria - it turns out that, due to lack of trained scribes and materials, that very little more of what was there would have made it to us than did. The supply of literate monks and parchment on which longer lasting records could be made and the tastes of the times had more to do with what we have now than the lack of source material.
292LizzieD
Glad your day was good, Karen!
>285 karenmarie: Of course, every one of them is right.
I'll be thinking about Bill and you in the morning. I trust that all will go well and that he'll be thrilled when he gets his first glimpse of real color.
Sleep well!
>285 karenmarie: Of course, every one of them is right.
I'll be thinking about Bill and you in the morning. I trust that all will go well and that he'll be thrilled when he gets his first glimpse of real color.
Sleep well!
293msf59
Morning, Karen. It sounds like you had a nice Mother's Day. I saw several Anna's Hummingbirds in Oregon. They are as common there, as our ruby-throated in the East. We had a good time at Bree's yesterday. She put on a good spread, per usual. Another cool day here, struggling to stay in the low 50s. WTH?
294karenmarie
>290 ffortsa: Thanks, Judy! I just looked at it on Amazon, and am glad you found a copy on AbeBooks. Do you use bookfinder.com? I’ve found it helpful. Haven’t heard of either series, by the way.
>291 quondame: Ooh yes, popups. I just ordered 6, which will take me through next January for special birthdays.
Of course we’d probably all be hiding behind scrolls, and manuscripts, and books if nothing was ever lost (part of my version of heaven!), but it’s sad to think that Julius Caesar’s warmongering accidentally torched the Library of Alexandria.
>292 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, yes, it was. A combination of lazy and cooking, which I chose to do and loved, and reading and watching Forensic Files with bill.
Bill’s miserable – he’s off most of his meds under the surgeon’s orders and his blood pressure is up, his sugar is up, and he aches from head to toe without his NSAIDs. I’ll be glad when we’re back home this afternoon.
>293 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! I did, see above. I saw Anna’s in LA in 2017 when I was shutting my mother’s house down after her death. They are year-round out there, and of course we only have Ruby-Throated here from April – October. Yay for a good time at Bree’s. It’s deliciously cool here right now – 62F – but will get to 78F later today. We had some rain and distant thunder boomers in the night.
…
And so Bill has to be at the hospital at 9:30 for his first cataract surgery. I definitely can’t wait in the prep room with him because of Covid, don’t know if I can wait in the hospital’s main lobby or not. It’s quite spacious and social distancing was the norm way before Covid. We’ll see. I’m taking two books and a cell phone charger just in case I’m in the mood to watch something on my cell phone.
>291 quondame: Ooh yes, popups. I just ordered 6, which will take me through next January for special birthdays.
Of course we’d probably all be hiding behind scrolls, and manuscripts, and books if nothing was ever lost (part of my version of heaven!), but it’s sad to think that Julius Caesar’s warmongering accidentally torched the Library of Alexandria.
>292 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, yes, it was. A combination of lazy and cooking, which I chose to do and loved, and reading and watching Forensic Files with bill.
Bill’s miserable – he’s off most of his meds under the surgeon’s orders and his blood pressure is up, his sugar is up, and he aches from head to toe without his NSAIDs. I’ll be glad when we’re back home this afternoon.
>293 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! I did, see above. I saw Anna’s in LA in 2017 when I was shutting my mother’s house down after her death. They are year-round out there, and of course we only have Ruby-Throated here from April – October. Yay for a good time at Bree’s. It’s deliciously cool here right now – 62F – but will get to 78F later today. We had some rain and distant thunder boomers in the night.
…
And so Bill has to be at the hospital at 9:30 for his first cataract surgery. I definitely can’t wait in the prep room with him because of Covid, don’t know if I can wait in the hospital’s main lobby or not. It’s quite spacious and social distancing was the norm way before Covid. We’ll see. I’m taking two books and a cell phone charger just in case I’m in the mood to watch something on my cell phone.
295FAMeulstee
>294 karenmarie: Good luck to Bill with the cataract surgery, Karen, I hope your wait won't be very long.
296richardderus
>294 karenmarie: I expect Bill's done with the procedure by now, and you're probably just waiting to get home. What a relief when all his meds come back on board!! That pre-op painfest is The Worst.
*smooch*
*smooch*
297LizzieD
Just checking in, Karen, a thing I'll continue to do until I know that you and Bill are back home and more comfortable. Loving hugs!
299karenmarie
Hi everybody! Thank you all for the kind thoughts and best wishes.
We're home safe and sound. Everything went smoothly, Bill's on the couch eating a bit of lunch and taking the meds he couldn't take this morning. I'll be going out soon to pick up the prescription eye drops.
I must admit that within 15 minutes of them taking him back I was out the door and over at the thrift shop looking for books.
I found a beautiful hardcover copy of The Mirror & The Light, a beautiful trade paperback of Fahrenheit 451, and two trade paperback Georgette Heyers in excellent shape - published in the UK. All for $2.50. Whee.
We're home safe and sound. Everything went smoothly, Bill's on the couch eating a bit of lunch and taking the meds he couldn't take this morning. I'll be going out soon to pick up the prescription eye drops.
I must admit that within 15 minutes of them taking him back I was out the door and over at the thrift shop looking for books.
I found a beautiful hardcover copy of The Mirror & The Light, a beautiful trade paperback of Fahrenheit 451, and two trade paperback Georgette Heyers in excellent shape - published in the UK. All for $2.50. Whee.
300richardderus
>299 karenmarie: Oh yay on all fronts!
301quondame
>294 karenmarie: It's not really certain how much of the library was lost to Julius Cesare, as there was still almost 3 centuries of references to the library after his time. Not to mention libraries that existed in many other places after Egypt was no longer the primary source of grain for the Roman Empire. Some damage, but nowhere near total is the generally accepted.
302streamsong
>265 karenmarie: I actually have a total of 11 books checked out from the library. They are all due at different times - popular new books with a waiting list can only be kept for two weeks. Older backlist books with no one waiting can be renewed twice for a total of three months. So I have lots of choices within the framework of books that I have checked out - literary fiction, mysteries, sff, nf. But I'm not reading much off my shelf. Bad Janet!
>275 karenmarie: Oh dear. Something to distract me from the taxes I should be doing. But it's fun.
>299 karenmarie: I'm glad thing went well for Bill.
Great thrifting!
>275 karenmarie: Oh dear. Something to distract me from the taxes I should be doing. But it's fun.
>299 karenmarie: I'm glad thing went well for Bill.
Great thrifting!
Denne tråd er fortsat i karenmarie: a new normal with lots of books - VI.
