Ronincats' Reading and Craft Summer Relaxations VI

A photo from my home state.

Hi, I'm Roni, and this is my 7th year in the 75 Book Challenge group. I read heavily in science fiction and fantasy, with a side dish of non-fiction and a sprinkling of mystery and romance. This year I'll be participating in the Lois McMaster Bujold year-long Vorkosigan read, the Arabian Nights read, the Harry Potter series reread, the American Authors monthly read (at least for some of the authors), the Science, Religion & History quarterly read, and The Culture group read, for starters. I typically read about 150 books and 50,000 pages a year. I also play around with pottery, beading and wirework, crochet, garden and pets, so pictures thereof will be sprinkled throughout my threads and can be found in my member gallery.

My final thread of 2013 is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/161637

My 2014 threads:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/170681 2/22/14-4/9/14
http://www.librarything.com/topic/167738 1/22/14-2/22/14
http://www.librarything.com/topic/162722 1/1/14-1/22/14

Goals and tickers:

Books Read in 2014:

January
1. Indexing by Seanan McGuire (420 pp.)
2. If the Shoe Fits by Laurie LeClair (244 pp.)
3. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold (313 pp.)
4. Hexed by Kevin Hearne (296 pp.)
5. Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern edited by Todd McCaffrey
6. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (297 pp.)
7. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling (309 pp.)
8. The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer (234 pp.)
9. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold (389 pp.)
10. The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (315 pp.)
11. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (345 pp.)
12. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (302 pp.)
13. Grimoire of the Lamb/The Chapel Perilous by Kevin Hearne (99 pp.)
14. The Librarian: Little Boy Lost by Eric Hobbs (98 pp.)
15. Longbourn by Jo Baker (332 pp.)

February
16. Bastion by Mercedes Lackey (342 p.)
17. The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (433 pp.)
18. Frederica by Georgette Heyer (437 pp.)
19. The Arabian Nights by Hassan Haddawy (428 pp.)
20. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch (320 pp.)
21. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (309 pp.)
22. The Silvered by Tanya Huff (484 pp.)
23. Before the Dawn by Nicholas Wade (179 pp.)
24. Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee (366 pp.)
25. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling (341 pp.)

March
26. Hammered by Kevin Hearne (312 pp.)
27. Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner (30 pp.)
28. Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (311 pp.)
29. Tricked by Kevin Hearne (370 pp.)
30. Half-Off Ragnorak by Seanan McGuire (368 pp.)
31. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie (396 pp.)
32. The Soul Mirror by Carol Berg (515 pp.)
33. Trapped by Kevin Hearne (322 pp.)
34. The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks (309 pp.)
35. Serendipity's Tide by L. Shelby (233 pp.)
36. Treachery's Harbor by L. Shelby (194 pp.)

April
37. Fealty’s Shore by L. Shelby (248 pp.)
38. The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski (265 pp.)
39. Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by Bart Ehrman (197 pp.)
40. What Makes This Book So Great by Jo Walton (446 pp.)
41. The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer (272 pp.)
42. The Celestial Globe by Marie Rutkowski (293 pp.)
43. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor (332 pp.)
44. Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett (381 pp.)
45. The Jewel of the Kalderash by Marie Rutkowski (320 pp.)
46. Hiero's Journey by Sterling Lanier (318 pp.)
47. The Unforsaken Hiero by Sterling Lanier (240 pp.)
48. Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold (338 pp.)
49. Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer (304 pp.)
50. The Normans by Lars Brownworth (210 pp.)
51. The Warlock's Curse by M. K. Hobson (398 pp.)
52. A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (353 pp.)
53. Fall of Light by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (307 pp.)

May
54. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (381 pp.)
55. Eight Million Gods by Wen Spencer (355 pp.)
56. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (390 pp.)
57. A Natural History of Dragons (334 pp.)
58. Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach (330 pp.)
59. A Change of Heart by Candice Hern (276 pp.)
60. Disenchanted & Co. by Lynn Viehl (417 pp.)
61. Hunted by Kevin Hearne (384 pp.)
62. Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal (364 pp.)
63. Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear (336 pp.)
64. Limits of Power by Elizabeth Moon (492 pp.)
65. Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon (503 pp.)
66. The Sea of Time by P. C. Hodgell (395 pp.)
67. Shattered Pillars by Elizabeth Bear (333 pp.)

June
68. Arabian Nights II translated by Husain Haddawy (266 pp.)
69. Steles of the Sky by Elizabeth Bear (429 pp.)
70. Dust Girl by Saray Zettel (290 pp.)
71. The River Kings' Road by Liane Merciel (431 pp.)
72. The Daemon Prism by Carol Berg (498 pp.)
73. Getting Schooled by Garret Keizer (302 pp.)
74. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (333 pp.)
75. The Martian by Andy Weir (369 pp.)
76. My Real Children by Jo Walton (320 pp.)
77. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (446 pp.)
78. Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard (348 pp.)
79. Spirits That Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (306 pp.)
80. Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (392 pp.)

July
81. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold (462 pp)
82. On Basilisk Station by David Weber (432 pp.)
83. Shattered by Kevin Hearne (332 pp.)
84. What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan (353 pp.)
85. The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner (319 pp.)
86. Legacy by James H. Schmitz (346 pp.)
87. The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde (289 pp.)
88. Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold (304 pp.)
89. A Taste of Poison by Aaron Kite (234 pp.)
90. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold (311 pp.)
91. A Civil Campaigne by Lois McMaster Bujold (405 pp.)
92. Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold (307 pp.)
93. The Vorkosigan Companion Lilian Stewart Carl (ed.) (469 pp.)
94. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (273 pp.)
95. Of Darkness, Light, and Fire by Tanya Huff (513 pp.)
96. A Marginal Jew: Volume IV by John P. Meier (667 pp.)
97. Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey (388 pp.)
98. Across the Great Barrier by Patricia Wrede (357 pp.)
99. Sing the Four Quarters by Tanya Huff (410 pp.)

Books Acquired in 2014:

January
1. Hell and Earth by Elizabeth Bear
2. Forty Thousand in Gehenna by C. J. Cherryh
3. Aunt Dimity: Snowbound by Nancy Atherton
4. The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson
5. Legacy by James H. Schmitz
6. Changer by Jane Lindskold
7. Dragon's Kin by Anne and Todd McCaffrey
8. Desolation Road by Ian McDonald
9. Grimoire of the Lamb/The Chapel Perilous by Kevin Hearne
10. Magnificent Devices 4-book set by Shelley Adina

February
11. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
12. Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee
13. Shannivar by Deborah J. Ross

March
14. Beast Master’s Circus by Andre Norton (301 pp.)
15. Destroyer by C. J. Cherryh (406 pp.)
16. Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds (580 pp.)
17. Spin by Robert Wilson (452 pp.)
18, Tricked by Kevin Hearne (370 pp.)
19. Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire (368 pp.)
20. Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon (497 pp.)
21. Buffalito Destiny by Lawrence Schoen (308 pp.)
22. Buffalito Contingency by Lawrence Schoen (274 pp.)
23. Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett (381 pp.)
24. The Daemon Prism by Carol Berg (498 pp.)
25. Trapped by Kevin Hearne (322 pp.)
26. Disenchanted & Co by Lynn Viehl (417 pp.)

April
27. The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke (254 pp.)
28. Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by Bart Ehrman (197 pp.)
29. Of Darkness, Light and Fire by Tanya Huff (513 pp.)
30. Rise of a Hero by Hilari Bell (578 pp.)
31. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
32. The Deaths of Tao by Wesley Chu

May
33. Forging the Sword by Hilari Bell (608 pp.)
32. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (352 pp.)
34. The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan (331 pp.)
35. Summerland by Michael Chabon (500 pp.)
36. China Court by Rumor Godden (304 pp.)
37. Super Finishing Techniques for Crocheters by Betty Barnden (128 pp.)
38. The Hidden Queen by Alma Alexander
39. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (309 pp.)
40. Hunted by Kevin Hearne
41. Grunt Life by Weston Ochse (420 pp.)
42. Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
43. Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire
44. Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
45. Getting Schooled by Garret Keizer (299 pp.)
46. Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon
47. Edwin High King of Britain by Eduardo Albert
48. The Sea of Time by P. C. Hodgell

June
49. Sinai Tapestry by Edward Whittemore
50. Moon Dreams by Brad Strickland
51. Off To Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer (387 pp.)
52. The Science of Discworld by Terry Pratchett etal. (385 pp.)

July
53. Ike by Michael Korda
54. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
55. What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan
56. The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner
57. Mere Humanity by Donald Williams (165 pp.)
58. Waking the Moon by Elizabeth Hand
59. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor

And finally into new business! Since I'm at my limit for pictures on LT, I'm trying to combine them.

First, the bowl I brought home Saturday. Second, the beads I bought today. The 6 small packets are $50 worth of Swarovski crystals. The one with the darkest pink is the same (rose) as those in the completed tree.

So what do you think of those pinks? (and a white)

I like the shiny ones in the square bags. In general I like pinks that are just a bit.... off... not bright.

Happy new thread!

And I love that new bowl/plate.

The pinks are in search of the right mix for a breast cancer survivor tree of life. Vibrant more than pastel has been the feedback so far on the last thread.

Hi, Lucy, and thank you!

From the last thread,

Richard, they have nothing in common. It's like the game of Telephone, just to see what mishmash occurs.

Thank you, Rachel and Reba.

Peggy, I still think yours held together better.

Stephanie, I'll definitely keep making them.

Thank you, Judy. I'll look for your meme results.

Melissa, I hope you'll try it.

Okay, I think I'm all caught up now! I'll finish one more book today and then post my June summary.

I like all the pinks for different applications, but specifically for breast cancer survivor jewelry I think the most popular will be the darkest pink in the square bags, or the darkish ones on the other side of the tube of beads.

And that bowl is absolutely gorgeous. I am a sucker for happy yellow dishes and things, and that is the perfect amount of yellow and the perfect shade to not be overwhelming. I wish I could buy it from you right now!

Congrats on the new thread, Roni! That's an intriguing photo up top. Does the rock formation have a name? Where is it?

Welcome, Julia. I'll make up each of the colors and you all can vote on the finished products.

Good question, Joe. No, that one doesn't but here's a photo of the Monument Rocks (about 20 miles south of Oakley on I-70).

>10 ronincats: Thanks, Roni. Woo, the Monument Rocks are really something, aren't they?

Congrats on new thread. Beautiful beads and spectacular photos. I've added Monument Rocks to the list of possible stops on the way home. Never heard of them and they look amazing.

Dropping by after a long time.

>5 ronincats: I like your bowl (as you already know); even brighter would work for me, too :0)

Hmm - for breast cancer, somehow, I remember paler colours. How about the packet in the top right corner, and the one diagonally down from it? Would you mix the pinks, or keep the Tree a single colour?

Roni, those are some fabulous Kansas pictures. I might have to take the Monument Rocks detour next time I drive to Denver by myself. Those rocks are spectacular!

From the last thread… I am so disappointed about your sales at those craft fairs. At least you got a book read and another tree of life necklace completed. I may have to order one of those for myself. I'm not much of a jewelry wearer, but I love trees and could see one of them as my signature look. I have an idea for a grandmother necklace adapted from the gold bead on pink cancer survivor tree idea. A tree with five pink beads for the girls and one blue for Griffin! PM me if you are interested in making one for me. I am not in a hurry for it.

Your #75 book was a good one. We may finally have a shared read. I am No. 14 on the hold list at the library. It shouldn't be too long a wait as they have 6 copies of The Martian. One of the booksellers at The Boulder Bookstore at Booktopia made a compelling case for it.

Roni, beads and miscellaneous supplies are in the mail. I hope they get there intact; I didn't wrap them very well & the PO folks were less than totally helpful.

Love the yellow and white bowl! As for the pinks, I'm partial to the dark pink in the small bag on the left under the one with the white beads.

Re The Martian, someone on another thread (I think it was Katie) said that Amazon has it for Kindle for $5! I already read it (audio version), but I'm seriously considering getting it for my Kindle so I can reread it.

I left here and went tearing off to Amazon where The Martian is actually $5.99 for Kindle, and it's on mine.
I love the Kansas pictures - who could have imagined? - and the yellow dish/bowl, a new favorite. I like all the pinks. I was wondering whether it might be possible to dangle the gold beads from the bottom of the tree pendants so that people could add years for themselves? (I think that the square pack on the left has my favorite shade, and I'd love to see that alone or maybe combined with the lighter ones just across from it on the right.) It's a lot of fun for a non-artistic sort like me to get to make a contribution.
Oh! Happy New Thread, Roni!!!

ETA: I'm dipping into God Stalk from time to time, and it's appealing to me. What I'm really reading is my ARC, City of Stairs, and I am loving it a lot! I could say that it's a touch of LM Bujold with a touch of C Miéville, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. I suspect that Bennett will turn out to be himself.

>11 jnwelch: Joe, it is amazing the way they just jut up from the flat plain.

>12 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, that and Rock City about 20 miles north of Salina--you can google them both for pictures.

>13 humouress: Hi, Nina. I'm going to try all sorts of variations

>14 Donna828: Donna--we could do gender or birthstone colors, or a combo on each branch.

>15 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. See below and see what you think.

>16 Storeetllr: Mary, I'm going to try them all, so we'll see how it turns out. I'm still thinking about The Martian at that price.

>17 LizzieD: Peggy, that's an intriguing idea. I'll bet i could work something out with gold beads underneath. Ooh, yes on God Stalk! I'll have to check out City of Stairs.

Here's the two I made this afternoon, NOT from the pinks, along with the pink tree from the last thread. The one on the left has these iridescent blue-green-purple tones so hard to capture on the camera.

>18 ronincats: Beautiful.

Thank you, Nina.

So, time for the June summary and then the half-year numbers:

June
68. Arabian Nights II translated by Husain Haddawy (266 pp.)
69. Steles of the Sky by Elizabeth Bear (429 pp.)
70. Dust Girl by Saray Zettel (290 pp.)
71. The River Kings' Road by Liane Merciel (431 pp.)
72. The Daemon Prism by Carol Berg (498 pp.)
73. Getting Schooled by Garret Keizer (302 pp.)
74. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (333 pp.)
75. The Martian by Andy Weir (369 pp.)
76. My Real Children by Jo Walton (320 pp.)
77. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (446 pp.)
78. Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard (348 pp.)
79. Spirits That Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (306 pp.)
80. Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (392 pp.)

13 books read, 4730 pages read.

Average book length=364 pages
Average pages read per day=158 pages

3 rereads, 10 new reads
6 library books, 3 ROOTS

3 science fiction
8 fantasy
1 nonfiction
1 regency romance

6 of the books were published in the current calendar year, 4 others in this decade.

3 male authors, 10 female authors, mostly US but one Iraqi and one English.

Half-Yearly Stats for 2014

Books read = 80
Pages read = 26,522 pages
Average # of pages per book = 331.5
Average # of pages read per day = 146.5

Books first-time reads = 61
Books rereads = 19

Books from library = 22
Books off my shelves = 15
Books acquired and read this year = 19

Science Fiction = 19
Fantasy = 42
Children's = 6
Nonfiction = 6
Fiction = 2
Romance = 7
Mystery = 0

Books acquired = 53
Total spent = $185.65

Books out the door = 11

I especially like the blue-green-purple one. The black really sets it off.

>1 ronincats: & >10 ronincats: Beautiful photos Roni - that rock formation is stunning.

>18 ronincats: Like!

Happy new thread. Roni! Loving the Trees of Life! Nicely done!

>1 ronincats: Love that cow ... Just sort of hanging out there. Rock Formation? What rock Formation!

Meg, Heather, and Marianne, thank you for visiting and your kind words!

Currently reading:


Returning Moth and Spark and Golden Girl (the latter unread) to the library today, and picking up Shattered by Kevin Hearne and Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold, both newly published in the last month or so. GG and M&S are due tomorrow, and although I could renew GG, I've got other books that are priorities and the third in the trilogy, just published, won't be acquired by the library for a couple of months, so I'll wait and get both of them at once to read.

We're off for a Costco run today, as well as the library. Tomorrow will be Post Office, haircut, check out what's happening at the consignment store, and check out the Qualcomm swap meet.

I will be reading Memory by Bujold this month, as well as the two library books I'm picking up today.

Hi Roni,
Great first half you've had, reading-wise!
I very much like the tree on the right....... :-)

>18 ronincats: The peacock beads are lovely, but the dark-wire tree...! It looks like something that would be in Atticus's shop. *swoon*

Love the yellow-glazed bowl because it's such a good, buttery shade. Guaranteed to raise my smiles.

Send me some Rainier cherries? Pllllleeeeeeeeeeeeze? :-)

Shoot, with all my summaries, I forgot to post my final book for June!



Book #80 Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (392 pp.)

This was the first Bujold where the first edition was a hardback instead of a mass market paperback. I compromised and got the Book Club Edition hardback because I couldn't wait for the paperback.

This book together with Memory comprise the linchpin in the Miles books. Events are set in motion here that will completely change his trajectory. I had forgotten how much of the book is seen not through Miles' eyes, but new outsider eyes and how much of it takes place on Barrayar. We get the most extensive view of Aral and Cordelia that occurs after those first two books, and appreciate it greatly. In addition, we have several events that reverberate in a much later book, Cryoburn. Although these two are pivotal, they are also the two I have reread the least, and I really appreciated this reread with the perspective of having read the later books. I'm going straight on to Memory.

>25 EBT1002: And a good thing too, Ellen! ;-)

>26 richardderus: I read the Atticus in the mall story, thank you! And I wish I could send you the cherries. I don't think they'd still be in edible condition by the time they got there.

Happy new thread, Roni! I love that bowl up the top.

Sorry, I couldn't stand Richard's pleading:

Memory ---- hmmm.... is that in an omnibus, a novella. I'm trying to figure out if I've read it? It can be so difficult to catch all the shorter works of a writer like Bujold....

Tell me to get to work, Roni - it's hot here and I've been having a hard time getting motivated!

>30 humouress: *barely sub-lethal drooling*

Hi Roni! Catching up on all the crafty tales! Love the idea of pink trees for breast cancer survivors! I personally really like the brightest pink beads - the ones in the cylinder. Being of fair complexion pink is about the only warm bright colour I think suits me, and it's got to be the "hot" pink variety for me or else I just look anaemic!
I'm super excited for you for getting your work into a shop! I'm coming to the conclusion that that's the best solution for my work too. Let someone else do the hard job of getting the sales, and let you concentrate on the bit you enjoy - making the stuff! But do tell, it's not a phrase we have in the UK to my knowledge - what's a consignment store?
Also, never heard of The Martian before. It has now shot firmly to the front of the TBR queue. A quick look on amazon shows me it's currently only out in hardback here, but I'll see if the library has a copy.

>31 sibylline: No, Memory is a full novel - the one where Miles turns detective to find out what happened to Illyan when his memory chip goes defective. (trying not to spoiler, here) Major change in Miles' life, most definitely. Set up in Mirror Dance, full flower in Memory (though Mirror Dance has its own arc of change, as well).

Lucy, yes, Memory is THE central book in the story of Miles. I don't think it is in any of the omnibi, and it got inadvertently omitted in the digital books on the CD that came with whichever book was sold with the CD (later than Komarr, at least). You can get it free with your Audible trial, according to Amazon, and it's available in Kindle or paper formats there.

There, there, Richard!

Hi, Hannah! Yes, there's much to be said for all that indeed! A consignment store takes people's stuff and sells it for a hefty commission--since they do do all that providing the space and the sales people.

Quite right, Jenn. Boy, you've been busy posting all those reviews in your thread--I've skimmed through them but not commented yet.

I've won TWO ER books for June, one from the regular selections and one from the Hatchette specials:

A Touch of Poison by Aaron Kite is an ebook and I already have been sent my copy.

The Ripper Affair by Lilith Saintcrow is the third of the Bannon and Clare steampunk trilogy. I read the first (The Iron Wyrm Affair) for ER in 2012 but didn't realize there was a second book until now. The library doesn't have it and the Kindle version is still $9.99, so I think I'll just skip it and I don't think it will make all that much difference.

Rats, I didn't get anything from either one. I better work on my reviews...I've gotten behind on ER books as well as everything else. Yes, finally gotten some into my thread - only a three-month gap in posting!

BTW, The Ripper Affair is also the last Bannon and Claire - Lilith was working on another book but the publishers didn't pick it up. She's not too sorry about it, and has moved on to another series or two, she says.

Hi Roni! I finally got to your thread, although I may have to backtrack because you've read so many books I've read or want to read and I want to know what you thought of them!

Your trees are gorgeous - I love the dark wire tree on the right. And the vibrant pink beads would be my choice.

I've probably reread Memory more than any other Miles novel, although I have to admit that I often skip the first 100 pages or so - too painful.

I'll be back to visit soon!

So Roni, I'm eager to hear what you found when you visited the consignment shop, and you haven't come in to report. I hope that it will be great news for you!

Thanks for the info, Jenn.

Dejah, welcome back! I probably have read Memory the least, along with Mirror Dance, due to some painful areas, but I'm rediscovering them with great joy on this reread.

Peggy, yes, we are back. The lady who owns the shop wasn't there, but we saw the displays for both the pottery and jewelry. She has the jewelry right up front in the cabinets where the cash register is--it looked like several of the trees are gone, unless she had them elsewhere. One pottery bowl gone, the rest still there. I didn't have my inventory lists with me, so I'm not sure if anything has sold.

>39 ronincats: Yay!

I'm reading Mirror Dance now (audio version) and am not enjoying it as much as others, mostly because Miles isn't in it a lot so far and I loathe Mark (so far), and am not liking Quinn much either. Please tell me it gets better. (I'm about 1/3 of the way through.)

Hi Roni, I am currently reading Cetaganda and really enjoying it. I love this year long group read of the series as so often I start a series and then it takes me so long to get back that it's hard to pick up the storyline again. Not sure what book is next in the series, perhaps The Borders of Infinity?

Thanks, Nina. I'm not stressing about it though--I'm hanging out on the patio grazing on your appetizers over on your thread!

Mary, savor it for the chance to look at Barrayar, and at Aral and Cordelia, through a stranger's eyes. We haven't seen so much of them since Barrayar. It's a gift we won't get again. And hang in there. It gets better!

Judy, yes, Borders of Infinity, which is really 3 novellas stitched together by a frame story. And if you've already read Mountains of Mourning separately, then you've only got the two novellas.

Mirror Dance has never been my favorite - but it is important. There can never be enough Aral and Cordelia.

I have read Mountains of Mourning (one of my favorites), but I will be looking forward to the other two novellas.

I love Mirror Dance--I think that's the first one where we see Miles from the outside. And where I realized how much of the humor in these stories comes from Miles. But poor Mark breaks my heart. He gets one of my most quotable lines near the end of Mirror Dance. "I am too a Vorkosigan. The one who was trained as a deep penetration mole and assassin." I love that Cordelia's attitude towards him is fat-positive. Gregor also comes into his own in this book.

I also love me some Nina Kiriki Hoffman, and Roni forgot to review Spirits That Walk in Shadow as well.

I do hope you're not putting pressure on Roni for a review. Because of course she never pressurises anyone else for reviews ;0)

Okay, fine, I'll continue with Mirror Dance (as if I wouldn't anyway, if only to be able to pick up the next book, which will, I assume, have more of Miles in it).

Happy Fourth of July, Roni! Will you be doing anything special today?

Dejah, quite right!

Judy, you will savor them.

QQ, not only Miles from the outside, but the Vor and Gregor and especially Aral and Cordelia! I found it fascinating. And yes, Mark's evolution is absolutely key. Oops, you are quite right, I completely missed it!

Nina speaks from experience, right? ;-)

Possess your soul in patience and forge onward, Mary--you won't regret it!! ETA and the next book is ALL Miles.

We are staying home and avoiding the crowds, especially the 800,000 at the beach (conservative estimate) and 600,000 at the fireworks on the bay. Lovely day, we'll be out on the deck drinking margaritas and supervising the beef ribs and yellowtail on the grill. I may get a few trees made.



Book #79 Spirits that Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (306 pp.)

This is a reread of one of the Chapel Hollow books, the newest and the one I've read the least. Don't start here but read The Thread That Binds the Bones first. In this book, Jamie is trying to get away from the repercussions of that book and to explore the outside world by going to college, but what she encounters when she meets her roommate brings her cousins in to support her.



Book #81 On Basilisk Station by David Weber (432 pp.)

The first and second books of this series are free for Kindle, and so I've loaded them on even though I have the original paperbacks. I'd read some negative criticisms over on the science fiction fans group lately and wondered if I would still get caught up in the story. The answer is yes. Yes, Weber does his characteristic major info dumps, at least three, but hey, skim over them if you aren't into the subject. While later in the series Honor emerges as a pretty classic Mary Sue and the plots get entangled even more heavily in politics, this is still a good mil-sf yarn.

I am one who loves her Honor, and I don't much care how imperfect the books are. That said, I haven't read the last two, but I have them and I will. Meanwhile, I ended up with two fantasies at the same time - a thing I try to avoid, and each is very very good! (City of Stairs and The God Stalk)

I requested both City of Stairs and Shattered in May, when I supposedly won Shattered, although I haven't seen it yet. But I have the library copy. And God Stalk is one that I push on everyone I can, so I'm glad you are enjoying it!

Okay, here we go. The one on the left is that first pink one I did. The one on the right is a new variation, and the one in the middle has the 5 different pink beads I bought last weekend on its branches.

So hard to capture the true colors!

The dark-iridescent beads are lovely, and I especially like the gold touch of the hanger dealie.

I don't at all like the mixed pinks one, it's unbalanced.

Happy Fourth smooches!

No, no, no, that was just a demo one looking at the beads. Here's what I went with for the first version.

OIC!

The finished one is lovely! And the dark iridescent one...well...ooo aaa

I'm a big fan of pink, but I confess I keep being drawn to the dark ones. They're all beautiful, though!

I really like the first 10 or so Honor books - On Basilisk Station is practically a comfort read for me.

Happy 4th!

Sticking in my oar again, I very much prefer the lower right pink beads, but I don't think that they would mix well with the others, and that's a bit disappointing.

I love the all bright pink ... and the iridescent one

So, I'm listening to the National Concert for the 4th on TV with their fireworks and watching the local fireworks down on the bay on my big monitor, Stars & Stripes Forever. Half a million people lining the bay watching it--I'm gad to be here at home. Of course, what I really love is to be right underneath so that they fill the sky overhead, like you can do in small town America. Here they have barges out in the bay for safety purposes--there are five of them and the shots from their weather camera atop one of the skyscrapers shows 4 of the barges at once. But the ones at the capital are better.

Two years ago there was a computer glitch, every firework went off at the same time 3 minutes before schedule, and there were 500,000 very perturbed people along the bay.

Ah, Happy Birthday, USA! You ain't perfect, but you've done well by me.

I remember that glitch. Must have made a helluva boom. We stayed home too. From our house in San Pedro, we could see our local show, the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Huntington Beach's show (though you need binoculars for that), and the AMAZING amount of illegal fireworks that the whole South Bay bought this year.

I see it as a sign of an improving economy. If people can spend hundreds, if not thousands of $$ on fireworks, things must be looking up ;)

Lovely pictures and lovely pendants, Ron.

Happy weekend for you.

>51 ronincats: Wow. I got Shattered from the library and just finished it!

Morphy, WOW! I also got Shattered from the library, since the ER version hasn't arrived, and I just this MINUTE finished it! That was something, wasn't it? Now we can join our fellows in pain for the next year until the next one is ready.

I'm going to give Kevin Hearne a try - I'll try not to gloat that I have so many to read.

^^^BURN HER SHE'S A WITCH

No other explanation fits as to how she's avoided the Iron Druid fever until now!

LOL! You only get to burn me if I weigh the same as a duck. And that's not happening!

I haven't read any of them either.....

>66 Dejah_Thoris:

Next victim!

>67 sibylline: *sigh* It pains me to do this to a relative, but...

My back was "out" so I took strong pain-meds and went to bed at 8:30 last night. Missed the whole fireworks thing (you can see ones all around the lake plus the entire lake is lined with lights along the shore -- it's wonderful). I certainly remember the computer glitch from two years ago -- I thought the Hash House had exploded. Hubby thought a plane had crashed. It was shocking, even from 2 miles away.

Hola! After a deliciously lazy day that reached 90 degrees (F) here, I didn't go to pottery because I knew Annie wouldn't be there (although it was open) and because I wanted to finish Shattered. I need to catch up with my visitors.

>55 richardderus: *smooch*

>56 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, it is for me as well. It's just a good adventure tale.

>57 LizzieD: Peggy, I'm really not thinking of mixing them, unless I put some whites in with one of the pinks--this was just a design sampler.

>58 AuntieClio: Thanks, Stephanie. Hugs to you, just because.

>60 mahsdad: Jeff, it made quite a bang here when it happened!

>61 connie53: Connie, I hope your knee is doing well and the weather is nice so you can enjoy your lovely garden.

>62 Morphidae: Morphy, as you can see, I checked in briefly just after I finished Shattered at 4:10 (pottery is 3 to5) and had to respond.

>64 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, they truly are clever and engaging--you will become as enamored as the rest of us.

>65 richardderus: I see the primary Hearne Satanic book warbler (no matter how much he might try to convince us he is simply a dispassionate reviewer) is weighing in again!

>66 Dejah_Thoris: >68 richardderus: That's a hefty duck for sure.

>67 sibylline: Ware Richard!! What I said to Dejah above.

Hi, Reba--you checked in while I was composing the above. We're 3 miles further away than you--it wasn't quite as loudly explosive!

It was amazing--absolutely no firecrackers in the neighborhood at all over the weekend. (San Diego absolutely prohibits all fireworks and confiscates those brought from Mexico if found.) I believe that is two years in a row. It used to be we'd be awakened at midnight on the fourth from the fireworks and guns being shot off. Guess enforcement is working.

Hope your back is back in, now. Ouch!

Book #82 Shattered by Kevin Hearne (332 pp.)

The seventh book in the Iron Druid series revolves among viewpoint chapters from Atticus, Granuille, and his old Archdruid, as some issues are resolved to a degree and others (surprise!) escalate. Still clever and eminently readable!

I unfortunately missed my Kindle Daily Reads yesterday, when one of my favorite fantasies was one of the specials. Today, The Face in the Frost by John Bellairs is back up to $7.99. Fortunately, I have it in venerable paperback, but I would wish to have pushed it off on all of you at the lower price--for that book, I willingly warble! Today I picked up both Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George and What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan, both of which have been on my wish list for some time. In fact, for the last 2 hours, I've been browsing through the latter on the back deck.

Oh how you tempt a girl with such a short review!!!!!! Is that all you're going to say about Shattered???? ;)

A Marginal Jew looks really interesting. I'm eager to see what you think of it.

>65 richardderus: I guess now is not the time to mention that I've only read the one Kevin Hearne that was given to me electronically. It's too hot for burning. Could you just dunk me repeatedly instead?

>72 ronincats: 'Still clever and eminently readable!' That's a recommendation if ever I read one, Roni, especially for a seventh book in the series.

>75 AuntieClio: *snork!* I haven't read any of them. May I please have a dunking, too?

Thanks Roni, my back is all fine again. Glad your night of the 4th was quiet and peaceful. Has it cooled off any?

>75 AuntieClio: >77 scaifea: A trio of us for dunking, it seems.

>79 michigantrumpet: We're in good company, then!

I keep checking the library for Shattered but no joy yet ... sigh.

I've read the first and have 2-4 lined up to go (in paper) - but I haven't gotten around to actually reading them. At this point I'd have to start again, I think. But I do _intend_ to read them...

>73 TinaV95: Yes, that's all I'm going to say. Anything else would be spoilers for earlier books.

>74 The_Hibernator: Rachel, this is the fourth volume of an excellent but very scholarly technical analysis. I don't really understand the significance of the different Greek and Latin and Aramaic words referenced, but he does a nice job of telling me. Also a sly sense of humor--speaking of Josephus in the chapter on the prohibition of oaths, "As a politician, military commander, turncoat supporter of the Roman emperor, and landowner, he had probably taken his fair share of oaths in his lifetime; he may even have kept some of them."

Stephanie, Amber, Marianne, and Dejah, I will let the whammy-master himself determine your fates. Ware!

Nina, I'm just hanging around your thread for the scenery and food, not waiting for reviews! Thank you.

Reba, I'm glad the back is okay. Got up to 89 again at the house today, so I would say, no, it hasn't cooled off.

Julia, has the library acquired it yet, or does it just have multiple holds on it? I was lucky to get in early on the list for it at my library.

Jenn, if you enjoyed the first one, you'll like the series.

So, I've been accepted for another outside show, at Seaport Village, a month from tomorrow. One that does a lot of advertising, so let's hope. I need to get busy making more jewelry. And I remind visitors that I would love feedback on the trees in >54 ronincats:.

Just reserved Shattered on audio from the library. I'm 20th in line, but apparently the library has 20 copies, so it shouldn't take too long. I thought I'd put a hold on it when it first came out, but guess it was just wishful thinking.

Book #84 What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan (353 pp.)

Heather put this book on my wish list when she reviewed it, and so when I saw it on the Kindle for $1.99 I grabbed it. It was a quick but very interesting read, organized around chapters with specific topics that really made me think about what Austen is doing with words.

Hi, Mary--hope you come to the top of the list soon!

Part of me hopes so too, but part of me is aware that, when I finish Shattered, I'll have to wait a long time for the next in the series. If that's the worst of my problems this month, I'll be a happy camper!

Sorry y'all. The Code is clear: Avoidance and/or shirking of one's readerly duties has but one outcome:

>83 ronincats: Ha! And if I believe that, I'll believe anything. I can see you twiddling your thumbs at me, Roni. Anyhow, I've got three reviews done since the last time you made you presence felt on my thread (but not Barrayar yet, sorry).

As for >54 ronincats: both trees look nice. The colours on the black and green are pretty. (When I suggested mixing pinks, that was the way I meant i.e. mixed on the same branch. Of course, the beads would probably have to be similar sizes; there seem to be different sizes of the pink beads.)

If I may say so, I think the pink on the left in >52 ronincats: is even nicer than the one in >54 ronincats:, maybe because the branches have more 'leaves'.

I prefer the crystal trees, like the first one in >52 ronincats: or the center one in >18 ronincats:.

Hi Roni,
I'm not a huge pink fan so it's hard for me to weigh in on the trees. I am guessing those beads are beautiful, though.

>83 ronincats: The library has not acquired Shattered yet. They have all of the other IDC books, so I'm hopeful.

>5 ronincats: What lovely beads. What do you plan to make with them?

Happy Summer Roni. I'm sorry to be out of touch.

Dangerous thread! I PROMISE as soon as I finish this durned book to get on the Hearne bandwagon!

>83 ronincats: Hubby walked to church yesterday (3/4 mile or so at about 9:30) and said he was dripping when he got there. Guess it is indeed pretty warm. We keep having rain but at least it hasn't been really hot except one day a couple of weeks ago. I'll take this, thank you very much.

The Austen book sounds most interesting. I've added it to the wish list.

No longer on wish list...just grabbed the $1.99 Kindle version myself

Still here.

*pause*

Is it getting a little warm in here, or is it just me?

*fans a little*

Nope, just some of those ol' middle aged lady hot flashes. Whew!

>97 michigantrumpet: lol!

Goodness but there are some serious book pushers here on LT! Of course, I'm guilty of it myself. I hope I like Hounded when I get around to it. I'm afraid I'll be stoned if I don't.....

Happy New Thread! Love the pictures of your home state. Beautiful.

I am not much of a pink fan and have never attempted to make a tree of life pendent but I like how you are experimenting with it. How would a tree of life pendant look if your gradiated each branch, starting with the lightest coloured bead near the trunk of the tree with the brightest, strongest pink bead at the branch tips? otherwise, I like the pink on silver creation best followed by the blue-green-purpose tones on black.

Sorry, gals, >88 richardderus: is the final arbiter. Regarding book whammies, anyway.

Thanks to Nina, Morphy, Ellen, and Lori for feedback on the trees. Lori, that's an idea I've been toying with as a possibility. Btw, the blue and green beads are on navy blue wire for the tree trunk, not black.

Mary and Julia, I'm sure your libraries will come through eventually...

I'll hold you to that, Lucy, but you have to read To Say Nothing of the Dog first.

Reba, a touch cooler here today. Huzzah on the Austen book--I think you'll enjoy it.

Oh, I have those too, Marianne. But unfairly, I have more when it's hot out.

Dejah, we'll still love you, even if we can't comprehend it.

So today's experiments:


On the left is silver and charcoal twisted wire on a charcoal frame with white ab crystals. Center is pink ab crystals on rose gold wire, and right is light rose on silver. AB is a finish that gives a metallic glint to the bead when it catches the light. You can see the previous trees in the row underneath.

Of the pinks, I think the translucent crystals look the nicest. I think my favourite is the small one on the right.

>100 ronincats: Ooo. I really like the one on the upper left.

My favorite is the one on the upper right.

All your trees of life are gorgeous, Roni. I'll wait until you hit a slow time before I narrow it down to the one I want. Sounds like you are gearing up for Seaport Village. I know that place gets lots of tourists who are planning on spending money! I hope they spend it at your booth!

So do I!!!

>100 ronincats: Ooooooo

The upper left is stunning. The crystals are intriguing, and the wire is a lovely complement to them. The center tree is a wee bit much-of-a-muchness in colors; the rose gold wire is lovely, and the beads pretty, but together they're...samey. The upper right is very sweet, and I expect ones like it will sell sell sell.

I'm with Morphy! Upper-left one definitely! Though I also like the one on the upper right, especially the little splashes of blue.

>107 Storeetllr: *poke* I like the one on the upper right. I think you are getting left and right mixed up again.

Hold your hands up and make an L with thumb and index finger. The one that looks like an actual "L" is the left.

*giggles*

>100 ronincats: All lovely, Roni, but I do especially love the one on the left. The charcoal wire and beads are very pretty.

Yep, yep. Count me in the upper right camp where I'm pretty sure I've been all along,

upper right #1, upper left #2

Thank you so much for all the feedback, friends! Nina, Rachel, Morphy, Donna, Lucy, Richard, Mary, Mary, Peggy, and Reba, I can see that the crystals get the most love. Morphy, be nice! '-)

Not too much accomplished today--off on some errands, and then went back to the stone chips for this tree tonight.

>112 ronincats: I "giggled"! That shows I was just teasing!

I really like the ones with the bigger crystals and stones instead of the smaller beads. I love the fullness of the one you created in 112. Some of the smaller beads give me the impression of a tree with arms and long twiggy fingers. (Can you tell I was frightened by the Wizard of Oz when I was a kid? )

>112 ronincats: Oh, yummy tree, btw.

>112 ronincats: Ooh, the closeup on that one really shows the beauty of those multicolor beads! Me likey.

>112 ronincats: Nice.
>114 streamsong: >112 ronincats: I like the trees with more 'leaves' too.

Hahaha! Apparently I can't tell left from right!

Let me try again: I love the little one with the pink crystals on the upper right for its delicate loveliness, and I also like the white one on the upper left with the touch of blue for its interesting colors.

I like the one in >112 ronincats: with the green stones and gold wire most of all.

>100 ronincats: Ooh, interesting colours. I think my favourite is the one on the upper right but I'm not very adventurous when it comes to colour.

>112 ronincats: Darn it. I like that one too.

Silly question - what do people hang the tree pendants from?

>112 ronincats: I like the ones with bigger "leaves" too whether they're crystals or stone chips. The color contrast between the stones and the metal is very nice in 112.

>113 Morphidae: Morphy, I "-) ed, which showed the same!

Janet, Morphy, Julia, Nina, Mary (no longer directionally challenged!), Heather, and Reba, thank you so much for weighing in. I do think if I do any more with the smaller beads, I will make more wire branches to fill it out. We'll see if these attract anyone at the sale.

Heather, I just wear mine on a chain. Silver or gold chains work fine. I also have some cheap ribbon necklaces that I show some of them on, and they are in some of my earlier pictures of sales--they come in colors, so can have green with green wire, etc.

Hello Roni - lovely pendants as always. I'm not a pink person but I really like the white one with the mixed coloured wires and the blue greens.

Have you got some pink grosgrain that you could make a choker-length display out of? It would really make the delicate little bead-made trees work.

*smooch*

Book #84 The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner (319 pp.)

Mystery is not really my genre, although I do enjoy an excellent mystery wrapped up in science fiction (e.g., Deadly Silents, Wrapt in Crystal). This is the first of a series that Caro and Richard have been devouring like potato chips and enjoying greatly. For me, it was okay, light entertaining reading for all that the protagonist is really not at all light and entertaining as a half-pay officer, injured and subject to depression. While not steeped in Regency details, I didn't pick up any errors. I think the Blind Justice series is a much more meaty series set in the same era but for summer reading this promises to be an interesting journey.



Book #85 Legacy by James H. Schmitz (346 pp.)

Schmitz is a woefully under appreciated science fiction author of the 60s, best known for his whimsical The Witches of Karres. However, his Telzey Amberdon and Trigger Argee stories, and most especially his Nile Etland book, are among the first in the genre to feature strong women characters. The Demon Breed and many of his other short stories are serious speculative science fiction while the Telzey and Trigger stories and Witches are more light-hearted romps of adventure stories. Legacy is the latter, with Trigger Argee as the protagonist, AND I am giving my extra copy FREE to the first person requesting it!

Hi, calm and Richard! You dropped in while I was working on the above message. Thanks, calm, for the feedback. Richard, definitely a possibility--I don't have any but I could undoubtedly acquire some.

>100 ronincats: All are wonderful, but I'm partial to the upper right one...

>112 ronincats: Very nice!!

Great reading going on here. Thanks for the reviews.

And thank YOU, Marianne!

So, the excitement today was a trip to the library to drop off Shattered and pick up Red Rising and The Song of the Quarkbeast. I also finally made it to the post office to send off a couple of packages.

It was another warm day here in Paradise--reached 85 at the house. The water temps are 73 and I HAVE to get down to the beach soon--it's warm enough to get into, although I won't go to La Jolla Shores as the anchovies have been swarming there in record numbers, and the predator fish and birds have been following them in.

Was it La Jolla beach where someone was bitten by a great white last week? *shudder* Yes, please stay out of the shark-and-other-predator-infested waters, 'k?

No, that was up in the LA area, Mary. Lots of leopard sharks in the La Jolla area--not an aggressive species--but no telling what such an aggregation of fish might attract.

Hi Roni, I absolutely love the pendant in >112 ronincats:!

We are having some lovely summer weather right now and I have been taking advantage of it and spending a lot of time outside. Unfortunately this means I have fallen quite behind here so I am spending some time this morning trying to catch up.

Lovely reading, Roni - and, of course, I've already said how much I love the pendants! Enjoy the weekend!

>127 ronincats: Anchovy infested waters? Hmmm ... of course they are fish but I never really pondered where they came from before. Learn something new every day.

Well, I know it was much earlier on the thread, but we're up to seven books in the Iron Druid series?! Good grief! I've only read the first two! I think we have the first six on the bookshelves, which El Husbando has read, but I don't think he knows about the seventh one. I guess it will make a good surprise gift some day when I feel like being nice. So, never? Hahaha. Juuuuust kidding... :P

I'll request the Schmitz book--I've read the (relatively) recent TnT collection and enjoyed both Telzey and Trigger very much.

Re the necklaces...I prefer the upper right pink one in 100. The silver trunk pops out, and I like how it curves. The middle one branches out a bit oddly. (I'm a fan of Fibonacci tree branches.) The 112 trunk also has a nice subtle curve.

>130 DeltaQueen50: Yes, well, there ARE priorities, Judy, and I think all of us here agree that reading time comes before LT time. Just don't forget us completely. And thank you.

>131 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, you have a great weekend too.

>132 michigantrumpet: Yup, that's what the water off La Jolla Shores looked like the other day. They seem to have moved on now.

>133 dk_phoenix: If you are patient enough, you can wait for the paperback version. No. 7 came out in hardback first. That's why I got the library one.

>134 quinaquisset: Yes, so much of Schmitz' work was hard to find prior to Baen collecting it all in those 6 paperback volumes in the 90s--it was a great boon to us. I of course got all 5 volumes AND kept all the earlier books I had. Legacy can also be found in Trigger & Friends in the Baen collections. I actually have three copies: 1) the original title of A Tale of Two Clocks published by Belmont Science Fiction in 1965; 2) the Ace printing titled Legacy published in 1979 (that's the same as the one I'm sending you); and 3) the one in the Baen collection series. PM me your snail mail, and it's coming your way!

Yes, the tree trunks are integral, and I try to make a lot of variations but I like the gently bending ones best too.

Just speaking, Roni, and loving #112..... I think I prefer the stones to the beads, but they are all lovely.
I'm about to finish City of Stairs and for a second thought that an ER review by "ronercat" was yours even though I know that you didn't get the book. I do think you'll want to though!

Book #86 The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde (289 pp.)

This is Book 2 in The Chronicles of Kazam. While I am a big Fforde fan and love his Thursday Next books, for some reason this children's series just doesn't suck me in. Don't get me wrong--these are quirky and entertaining, but I don't get immersed in them. 16-year-old Jennifer Strange is still trying to manage Kazam Mystical Arts Management in the absence of its director, and both King Snodd IV and iMagic are throwing wrenches in the works. The world-building is a lot of fun, but I think the plots appeal more to the 12-14 year olds the books are aimed at.



Book #87 Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold (304 pp.)

Lindskold is another author for whom I have a lot of admiration. I recommend her Changer all the time over Gaiman's American Gods as a treatment of the European gods in America and her Child of a Rainless Year is fantastic. This book is a straight science fiction book, unlike those. The premise is interesting--a young man thinks he has discovered one of the most fascinating and lost planets of a long dead Galactic Empire, but promptly crashes when he comes to be sure. The three major characters are not teens and not angst, but definitely young adults. Again, I liked the world-building a lot, but thought the story, though imaginative, did not break any new ground, nor was it particularly complex. This appears to be the first in a series, and if so, the ending leaves plenty of room for growth in these areas. Good summer reading in the sense that it is entertaining but not challenging.

Peggy, as long as it did not dip too heavily into the horror you noted at one point, I definitely will get it!

Hi Roni! I see I've missed lots of activity over here on your thread. Love all the tree of life pendants you have been creating, especially the pink ones for breast cancer survivors....such a fabulous idea!

You have been doing some excellent reading as well. I REALLY want to read The Martian but I am trying to be good and not buy any books for awhile. The kindle version is back up to $9.99 and my library doesn't have a copy. Wah! Oh well, I was able to pick up the kindle version of On Basilisk Station for zero dollars thanks to your heads up.

Saturday smoochings, Roni!

I'm with you on Fforde's Dragonslayer books, I've only read the first one and it didn't really excite.

Peggy, your review has convinced me to be sure to read City of Stairs, even though the author has just won the Shirley Jackson Award for his book American Elsewhere--which books tend toward horror.

Welcome, Heidi! Request your library to buy The Martian pronto!

Same to ya, Richard.

Thanks for the affirmation, Kerry.



Book #88 A Taste of Poison by Aaron Kite (234 pp.)

This e-book was received through LT's Early Reviewer Program.

This is a story of a poison princess that should appeal to the 8-12 year girl audience. The romantic elements of a girl and her best friend struggling against the evil king and his captain, and a reluctant prince who is in danger of her poisoned touch if they wed, were overshadowed for me by the degree of abuse involved, and her true impotence except for a lucky coincidence. There are no depths to this story--it is a fairy-tale wannabe--and the unrelieved evil of the villains and their plan over the entire life of the princess seem not only unrealistic (doh!) but improbable. The abuse keeps the tale from being charming while the format keeps the story from being gripping.

Oh phooey! I missed asking for your extra copy. Oh well.... that's what I get for not looking at your thread EVERY DAY!

I hope you learn your lesson, Lucy!! EVERY day, remember!!

Just stoping by to say "hi Roni". Hope you get some cooler weather soon!!

Hi, Roni! Hope you had a great weekend and the new week has begun happily!

Lindskold sound like an author I need to check out!

I felt much the same as you about Mirror Dance, and am reading Memory now, though, as I explained on my thread, I messed up and mistakenly read Komarr before Memory, though it hasn't seemed to ruin my enjoyment of Memory as I was afraid it would, though I can see what you mean about the changed trajectory. Really enjoying the Vorkosigan series much more than I expected I would!

I actually stalled out on Miles in...Mirror Dance, I think. Could not finish the book, and decided I was done with Miles. Then (a good while later) Diplomatic Immunity came out and I had to read it (quaddies!). What, wait a minute, Miles is what? and has what? How did that happen? Read A Civil Campaign. Oh. But where did that come from, and what exactly happened in those events that are referenced? Read Komarr...I went backward all the way to Mirror Dance and finally finished it, and have continued reading Miles since - but the backward was utterly necessary. But it was just as rewarding to find out how the heck _that_ happened than to encounter events in chronological order...

Hi, Reba! It's cool (and humid) today!

Mary, I'm getting ready to read Komarr next. One of the best things about Lois is that she really does make each book a complete story.

Jenn, I can see that. I just blew through the book when it came out, but it has been hard for me to reread until this last time, when I really appreciated looking at Barrayar and the Vorkosigans through an outsider's eyes. But yes, Mirror Dance and Memory are key to figuring out where and why Miles is in the later books.

I just came in at the end of a Harry Potter weekend last night, and watched the final movie again. It, of course, is the one I've seen least (only once before) and so would have been my priority--although had I known, I would probably have spent all weekend watching all 8 movies! But the truly frustrating part is that every 10 minutes there was a solid 2-minute block of commercials--the same ones over and over again, too. One of these days I will manage to acquire all on DVD.

We've been to Balboa Park today with Molly, and then down to the Embarcadero. Only in the 70s due to the heavy marine layer overhead--but very humid for us due to those same clouds.

>147 jjmcgaffey: I have Roni to thank for my own decision to finish Mirror Dance. About halfway through, I wanted to quit, but she talked me into continuing, and I am so grateful I took her advice!

I hope I haven't misled you about *Stairs*, Roni, but I don't think so. The two monsters are pretty intense while they are on stage, but that's only 8 or so pages of 450, so I believe you'll be good. I continue to mull over his suggestions about how history and religion work.
Just for your information, I've pulled *Deathly Hallows* for reading sometime this summer. That will mean that I've been through HP once. I confess that her writing is not to my taste, and it hasn't seemed to improve through the series. On the other hand, you can't beat the story.
I'd take 70s and humidity in preference to 90s and humidity. Oh well.
And I've never reread the Miles saga except for Shards of Honor, which I do dearly love.

{{Mary}} for the kind words!

Peggy, Bujold really does deserve rereading--she has layers you catch the second and third times through. I'm doing the HP reread this year, purportedly, although I think after doing the first two books the first two months I've not gotten back to them. Maybe the movie will get me moving again. And I do enjoy them.

I'm rereading HP via audiobook. I've watched the movies and read the books numerous times. I thought I'd do it differently this time! I'm up to Order of the Phoenix.

Book #89 Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold (311 pp.)

Lois does characters so beautifully! And her plots aren't bad either. This is a combination mystery involving both dead bodies and mangled equipment in the skies above Komarr. Politics, technology and personalities collide. Has Miles met his match?

Already partway through A Civil Campaign and right now unable to think of reading anything else.

Hi, my name is Mary, and I'm addicted to the Vorkosigan series. *sigh*

Uh Oh I missed a day, but I have a houseguest!!!!

I can't wait until it's been long enough so I can start Bujold all over again.

Ha, I'm doing the same, Mary! Mark and the butter bugs just arrived.

Lucy, since I started in the late 80s, I've been going through the entire cycle at least for every new book since. And then sometimes I reread them just to enjoy. It's one of those series where you don't want to pick up a book to check out a detail because, before you know it, you are reading the entire book again, just because.

>152 Morphidae: Morphy, listening to books is just so slow for me. I can read 3 or 4 books in the time it takes me to listen to one. I do like juxtaposing the books and the movies, though.

pick up a book to check out a detail because, before you know it, you are reading the entire book again

Hah! That happened to me when I wrote my review for Barrayar, because it had been a while since I read it. Maybe I can count it twice towards my 75. Think anyone will notice?...

>156 ronincats: I only listen to books when it isn't possible to read them - in the MetroMobility bus and when stuffing funeral/service programs at the church reception desk. So it can take months to finish one.

>157 humouress: Hey, I'm sure they wouldn't! Go for it!

>158 Morphidae: I don't think my attention span OR my memory would be sufficient for that type of reading! Either I would forget lots of parts--or I would want to know what comes next and end up reading the paper version after all, Morphy.



Book #90 A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold (405 pp.)

Continuing on with the Vorkosigan Saga for the year, I went straight into this one from the previous book, and I am going straight into Diplomatic Immunity next. I'll take a breather from Miles then, before the last two books.

While the books started coming out in hardback first, instead of straight to paperback format, I fudged on the first couple and got the Science Fiction Book Club editions. This is the first one I sprang for the first edition, AND got it signed by Lois when she came by Mysterious Galaxy promoting it. There are at least 4 different plots going on here--five if you count the preparations for Gregor's wedding--and about all I can say is count on the Koudelka girls to pull it all together. It takes place completely on Barrayar and is somewhat of a romp from beginning to finish. Bujold dedicates the book to Jane (Austen), Charlotte (Bronte), Georgette (Heyer) and Dorothy (Sayers), and those are some mighty fine influences!! Read it! But read all the previous 11 books first to savor it most completely.

Glad to hear the temps have dropped. It's beautiful here at the moment although we have had at least one thunderstorm every week since I arrived. Keeps the pollen under control at least :)

>159 ronincats: Do you think Miles maybe made a mess of things for a while there, Roni? :-)

>159 ronincats: Since you've just read A Civil Campaign - check this out.
http://www.echoschildren.org/CDlyrics/Butterbugblues.html
The complete story, with hardly a spoiler...

Ah, you can listen to it here:
http://echoschildren.bandcamp.com/track/butterbug-blues

I love Echo's Children, they have fantastic songs. Quite a few Vorkosigan stories (Two Falls Out of Three is fantastic, but it might spoil Memory if you listen to it. Didn't for me, but I'm not particularly sensitive to spoilers. Also love How It Is Applied). Some Honor Harringtons, and a good many original subjects.

Just this minute finished A Civil Campaign (on audio, which is my current preferred mode of reading), and must say it is my favorite so far. I laughed pretty much through the entire thing. Slapstick, maybe, but very well done.

>162 jjmcgaffey: Oh, what fun!

I'm in the middle of listening to Hunted right now. I'm anxiously awaiting the end of July so when my audible credits renew, I can purchase Shattered.

This one is playing havoc with both my nerves and emotions!!

I'm here, I'm here! I loved A Civil Campaign too!

Book #91 Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold (307 pp.)

Well, I just went ahead and powered through this one today. They are like Lay's potato chips--it's hard to do just one. I will take a break now, before the last two. NONE of this book takes place on Barrayar, in contrast to the last book. Twisty little mysteries in Quaddie space with galactic implications--trust Miles to be in the middle again! Ah, such fun story-telling.

>160 RebaRelishesReading: See, Reba, I envy you that. I love thunderstorms and miss them greatly.

>161 jnwelch: Why, Joe, whatever can you be talking about?

>162 jjmcgaffey: That's great, Jenn, and I look forward to exploring those other songs. Thanks for posting them here!

>163 Storeetllr: Mary, I was going to say that ACC is the most slapstick of them all, but then I remembered Captain Vorpatril's Alliance. You'll have to let me know what you think two books on. Remember, after ACC and DI, it's CVA next, before Cryoburn chronologically even though it's the last out.

>164 TinaV95: Way to go, Tina. I got the last one through my library, thank goodness.

>165 sibylline: Remind me--you've read the whole series already, right, before this year's group? More than once?

>159 ronincats: That's why I'm listening to the Harry Potter books. I've read them and watched them so many times, it doesn't matter!

Okay, Roni: I think you've talked me into trying the Vorkosigan series soon. Do I read it in chronological order or publication order?

Good point, Morphy.

Foggi, read them in chronological order, except that you have the choice of starting with The Warrior's Apprentice and then going back to pick up Shards of Honor and Barrayar in the main sequence. People have done it both ways with no ill effects. Falling Free is tangential to the series and 200 years earlier and can be read at any point (or not) but I wouldn't start with it.

>170 ronincats: Thanks!

>166 ronincats: Wow, you've gotten so far in the series in such a short amount of time, Roni. What a great reading experience.

Happy Friday Roni! Some college friends are bringing their daughter to Boston to look at school this weekend. We're planning a little reunion tomorrow. I was thinking of you as they live in Del Mar.

I'm definitely going to have to ask them about those anchovy schools. Hope yo have a great weekend!

Okay, Richard pointed me to Lois' own discussion of order for the Vorkosigan books, https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/293438-the-vorkosigan-saga-reading-order-de...

I had read this back when but not bookmarked it, so his link was quite helpful.

Hey, Richard! *smooch*

So there you go, Foggi.

Joe, like I said, they are like Lay's potato chips--it's very hard to stop at just one. I'm so happy for the series group read as it's a great excuse for yet another reread.

Marianne, I should have a great one. Looks like yours will be good too.

>174 ronincats: Thanks, Roni and Richard! I have requested Shards of Honor from the library.

I reread the Vorkosigan series not that long ago but all this chatter about the series makes me eager to reread it - again. I think I'll wait a few more months, though, and knock it out in November or December....or maybe sooner, lol.

If I live long enough, I'll be rereading the Vorkosigan series too! BTW, just finished Winterfair Gifts, which is a novella and enjoyable, though not as compelling as others I've read. Happy for Sergeant Taura (sp?) though.

>175 foggidawn: *and...another one bites the dust!* (Ear-worm!)

>176 Dejah_Thoris: Ahh, so addictive!

>177 Storeetllr: Of course you will, dearest Mary! You've one of "us" now. Yeah, well, it's short. No time for complex plots.

So, guess what I pulled off my shelves. A book that I bought when it came out, December 2008, but have never read past the first two articles, The Vorkosigan Companion. It has:

Preface by Lois McMaster Bujold.

Part One: Creator of the Vorkosiverse

- Putting It Together: Life, the Vorkosiverse, and Everything by Lois McMaster Bujold.

- A Conversation with Lois McMaster Bujold by Lillian Stewart Carl.

- Publishing, Writing, and Authoring: Three Different Things by Lois McMaster Bujold.

- A Conversation with Toni Weisskopf by John Helpers.

Part Two: Aspects of the Vorkosiverse

- Romance in the Vorkosiverse by Mary Jo Putney.

- Biology in the Vorkosiverse and Today by Tora K. Smulders-Srinivasan.

- "What's the Worst Thing I Can Do to This Character": Technology in the Vorkosiverse by Ed Burkhead.

Part Three: Appreciations

- Through Darkest Adolescence with Lois McMaster Bujold, or Thank You, But I Already Have a Life by Lillian Stewart Carl.

- Foreword to Falling Free by James A. McMaster.

- Foreword to Shards of Honor by James Bryant.

- More Than the Sum of His Parts: Foreword to The Warrior Apprentice by Douglas Muir.

- Foreword to Ethan of Athos by Marna Nightingale.

Part Four: The Fans

- Come for the Bujold, Stay For the Beer: Science Fiction Writers as Occasions of Fandom by Marna Nightingale.

Part Five: The Vorkosiverse Itself

- A Pronunciation Guide to the Vorkosigan Saga by Suford Lewis.

and mixed reviews. But if I read it now, it will be another Book Off My Shelves. :-)

Ooooo I'd *love* the pronounciashun gide cuz I thinks I does um wrong.

*smooch*

Well, somehow I forgot to add Memory to my reading spreadsheet and here! I was catching up my list in message 3 that has all the books read this year by month for my July books this month and realized there was no Bujold between Mirror Dance and Komarr in my list, and that's just plain wrong. So, I'm not sure exactly WHEN between July 1 and July 16 I read it, amongst the other 8 books between the above; I'll just have to add it here.



Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold (462 pp.)

Lois' blurb for this book in the timelines is "Miles hits 30; 30 hits back." and boy, does it big time! The pivotal book in the series, this book sends the storyline careening off in a different direction.

Hi Roni. I see you've been tearing through the Vorkosigan series! Mirror Dance is up next for me and I'm looking forward to it although I've heard it's not an easy read.

So I found this at a Ross Dress for Less that we went into after our meal at West Coast Barbecue in the same strip mall (pork spareribs and beef ribs with beans, sweet potato fries, cole slaw and green salad--yum, and over half came home with us for another meal). And I thought it might make a good display item, and at $15 the price was right. What do you think?



Obviously I need to make more tree pendants (a bunch are at the consignment store) and my other pendants could also take up a tray, but I think this makes them stand out more than just being on a cloth on the table.

I like that display unit!

Very nice for display. Maybe throw a few stray stone chips on it as well for decoration.

Love the vertical trays, Roni! The plain white dishes really make the beautiful stones in the pendants stand out.

>182 ronincats: Looks terrific! Be careful to focus on contrast. Pale-pink beads on silver wire would be lost against the white background. How about, as an optional accessory, some of those craft-store paper doilies in gold and silver or whatever, for contrast control?

That's a great display unit, Roni. At $15, what a deal!

I hope you're enjoying the weekend!

$15! I hope you got 2 or 3!!!! I like them very much.
Thanks for all the Bujold info here. I'll love getting back to Miles one of these times.
Happy Rest-of-the-Weekend!

Thank you, Lucy, Morphy, Julia, Richard, Dejah and Peggy! Morphy, I have plenty of stone chips to play around with. Richard, actually, in person the white does pretty well but I'll see what I can do about contrast. Peggy, there were two and my husband suggested getting both, but I thought there was value in only having one in terms of uniqueness. I may rethink it.

Tonight was pottery class. I have nothing to show, but I glazed two goblets, two mugs, and two good-sized bowls, as well as putting together two mug bodies in damp clay, so will have 6 pieces to show next week.

A friend on Facebook posted this site, called Thug Notes, which consists of short videos summarizing and analyzing books. The one she posted was Dune and of course I couldn't resist. This guy is hilarious and I suggest you check him out:
https://www.youtube.com/user/thugnotes?sub_confirmation=1&src_vid=8LazrN57iZ...

Love, love, love the display unit! How clever and unique!

Oh what fun - I loved the summary of Dune!!!!!! He even cleared up one or two things I'd never quite glommed onto!

yes, yes -- perfect display unit

That was a great video on Dune. I've got his vlog bookmarked and will check out more.

Tina and Reba, thank you for the display love!

Lucy and Morphy, yes indeed! I subscribed immediately. I also listened to Catch 22 and I can't wait to hear his take on Crime and Punishment, The Great Gatsby, 1984 and To Kill a Mockingbird, among others.

Richard, get thee over to this site immediately!

I'm looking forward to the Of Mice and Men.

>182 ronincats: I like it!

>194 ronincats: I'm an old Thug Notes subscriber, Roni! I think he's hilarious and usually spot on.

Since I've committed myself to reading Moby Dick: or the White Whale, I think he need to add it to his list!

>182 ronincats: - LOVE! That has so many wonderful uses, including as a display unit.

Stopping by to wish you a wonderful week.

Heather and Lori, thank you for the positivity regarding my display purchase!

Morphy, yes, I'm going to explore.

Richard--I don't understand why, with all your warbling, you have never introduced us to the Thug Notes!!

Dejah, you should suggest it.



Book #93 The Vorkosigan Companion edited by Lillian Stewart Carl and John Helfers (469 pp.)

The first article by Bujold about her writing history and process is the most interesting. This could be a useful resource for those wanting to keep track of all the details--lines of descent from the emperor, wormhole linkages, synopses of all the books (full of spoilers), and a concordance of all the characters and sites mentioned in the books. Overkill for all but the most devoted and compulsive of Bujold fans.

>189 ronincats: - OMG that was wonderful. I know the rabbit hole of videos I'll be watching tomorrow once I get to work. Yeah, what sort of kush job to I have that lets me watch videos all day. A great one! :)

Love the trees! I think your new display trays are a good idea.

Hi Roni, I think that display is a fantastic idea. It will set the pendants apart from everything else and with the right decorating will make them pop!

Love the new display unit, Roni. The white trays make the colored stones really stand out.

Roni, I may be talking to you soonish about your trees.

I like the white trays, Roni. Maybe you could use those for the dark jewellery and ye olde standard, black velvet, for the lighter ones?

>201 mahsdad: YEs, Jeff, isn't he great!

Thank you, Katie, Judy, Caro and Nina. I'm glad to get so much positive response on these trays.

Stephanie, absolutely no problem!

So on Sunday we went and checked out two farmers' markets as possibilities, one in the Gaslamp and one at Seaport Village. Then we had lunch at Seaport Village, before returning home with our specialty cheese from SV.

Then I finally cleared my work table and made a tree skeleton.

Yesterday I got caught up on little things, like packaging up books to send and calling in to activate credit cards. However, a headache hit before I could run out to the PO, bank and library. It cleared up in the evening and I put the leaves on my tree.


Heading out to run those errands today.

Pretty!

So where are you going to hide come the end of this week when Nerdstock (or what's more commonly known as Comic-Con) starts? Are you in San Diego proper? or are you far enough out to avoid the huddled masses?

Granted I wish I were going, if it weren't for all the thousands of people ;)

Cool and pretty! I watched *Gatsby* - pretty thorough!

I love the display unit! And since it's white, I guess you could put down a cloth or doily as someone suggested, in another color, to provide contrast with whatever you're displaying. Plus it makes optimum use of your table space, which will probably be very helpful!

Also, umm... did you say "specialty cheese"...? *drool*

That's a pretty one! And the photo of one of the farmer's markets is pretty too.

>208 richardderus: *smooch*

>209 mahsdad: I'm three miles from downtown--far enough to ignore as desired except for the coverage flooding all the local news.

>210 LizzieD: Yes!

>211 dk_phoenix: Yes, Faith, specialty cheese at Venissimo. http://www.venissimo.com/ A Stilton, a gouda and my guilty pleasure, gjetost.

>212 sibylline: Thanks, Lucy

So, yesterday we went up to Carlsbad to Tip Top Meats to pick up some lamb cuts and have lunch. It's been there for ages, over 45 years, and has the most reasonable quality meat in the area. And it has a restaurant with unbelievable prices. My husband had the braised short ribs for $8.98--must have been 2 pounds of short ribs along with barley soup, mashed potatoes and red cabbage. I just had a polish sausage sandwich--but they gave me two complete 12" long polish sausages along with the sandwich stuff, for 30¢ less.

On the way home, I dropped into the library to pick up



Book #94 The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (273 pp.)

I had put a hold on the large-print copy, as there was no line like there was for the regular copies. When I first opened it, the large, dark font seemed really strange, but once I started reading, I didn't notice it at all.

I enjoyed this--must have, since I read it all in one setting. Yes, it's sentimental, yes there are cliches, and yes, I enjoyed the book talk. It was an enjoyable light summertime read, chicklit from the male side with lots of book talk.

>213 ronincats: oh that meat market sounds fantastic! And holy damn, two links for your sandwich! That sounds like leftovers to me. :-)

One of my favorite little hangouts and live music places is about two blocks from work and it is so hard to resist just popping over for sausage bread, deep fried oysters, and bread pudding.

I received this from my brother yesterday. It's a huge coffee-table sized book of which he is a co-author and has the most gorgeous illustrations. His university mentor authored the first two editions. This is the first update in 20 years. My brother works for the water quality department of the state and spent many years monitoring streams, rivers and lakes all over in and collecting data on fish. I don't know how to force the touchstone to load the new book--it sends me back to the second edition.

Yes, Stephanie, I only ate half of one of them--the rest came home for a later meal. Your hangout sounds pretty marvelous too.

Today's pendant--I really need to get some necklaces done in different styles now.

What style are you thinking of next? You certainly have mastered the tree!

I've had that experience with large print too - and golly, the pages do fly by!

I looked up gjetost. O.M.G. I have GOT to get me some of that! I don't know of any cheese shops around here though. Maybe our upscale grocery store? *whimper*

Very pretty pendants - all of them!

And congratulations on the publication of your brother's book!

Congratulations to your brother! Now I know someone who's related to an author. :0)

Your trees look gorgeous; beautiful colours on the translucent one, and the green one looks bushy and summery.

Gjetost?

Easy recipe (ok, takes forever, but not complicated) for gjetost. I haven't made it, but I think I will - and I happen to have whey, since I make my own Greek yogurt. It may produce a very interesting effect, since it's cows' milk and yogurt culture, though...

http://radmegan.com/2012/01/homemade-gjetost-norwegian-goat-cheese.html

Different one, with the addition of cinnamon...hmmm.

http://www.withallyourlife.com/2013/05/homemade-mysost-cheesenorwegian-gjetost.h...

>218 sibylline: Since a number of trees are at the consignment shop, it's a matter of having a dozen so there are choices. I need to do some beaded necklaces next.

>219 Morphidae: Ah, yes, the closest cheese to fudge. Like peanut butter. I can eat it like candy. And careful, Morphy, nutritionally it is equivalent to milk chocolate!

>220 Dejah_Thoris: Thank you, Dejah!

>221 humouress: Thank YOU, Nina. And yes, gjetost--goat cheese!

>222 jjmcgaffey: See above, Jenn. If you do make it, I'll be very interested in hearing about the results.

I'll be interested to see what you do with your desire to do "different styles" of necklaces, Roni.... As a noncreative sort, I love that you post photos of your work!

And I saw a great bumper sticker today: "Art work is real work!"

Hi Roni! I hope things are well! Good to get caught up again!

>217 ronincats: I like the green one quite a bit!

Thanks for the review of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Seems to be a lot of consensus here that it makes an entertaining quick summer read. Waiting in the Hold line at the library...

Have a great weekend!

>224 EBT1002: See below, Ellen!

>225 DorsVenabili: Good to have you back, Kerri.

>226 michigantrumpet: You too, Marianne!

So, I'm puttering around today with combinations of focal beads, after which I pull out the "work" beads that pull it all together. I have multiple work stations because my "helper" keeps moving to whichever one I'm currently using.

I love the kitty - disapproves of you doing anything not directly related to kitty!

That's Zoe for you!



Book #96 Of Darkness, Light, and Fire by Tanya Huff (513 pp.)

This book is a repackaging of two early fantasies by Huff, first published separately in 1989 and 1990. I found it at a library sale in April and picked it up because Huff's fantasy is always entertaining at a story level. The first book, Gate of Darkness, Circle of Light, is urban fantasy set as usual for Huff in Canada, her own country. In this case, it is in Toronto, and is a typical urban fantasy with some nice touches, including having a intellectually disabled character for one of the main characters, and for having a couple of Toronto police trailing along on the edges of the action. I actually liked it better than her latest urban fantasies. The other book, The Fire's Stone, is a traditional quest fantasy again helped along by some fun characters. My enjoyment of these is nudging me to reread Huff's Summon the Keeper trilogy or to reread Sing The Four Quarters so that I could finally read the three sequels that I have at long last managed to acquire in the last few years. The latter is probably the way I will go, and my enjoyment of these suggests that it will not be overly arduous.

It's the paw that says it all, no? Dainty but authoritative..... 'I could tip this whole showboat over, lady.'

Ah, hah! Yes, the "helper." My "helper" jumped on my keyboard the other day and screwed up the formatting of an entire manuscript. Thankfully my other half figured out how to fix it, but I had a nice five-minute panic while the poor cat just sat there confused... "but I just want to be near youuuuuu!"

The helper (she? he?) is pointing out how alluringly exotic beads and fur look together.

I love the green tree and your 'helper'. Interesting selection of beads - looking forward to seeing what you make.

The dark-gold wire on the green tree is stellar.

I can't remember if you're a fan of Elizabeth Hand or not, but the book of hers I liked best is $1.99 on Kindle today: Waking the Moon.

Looking forward to seeing more necklaces - if you can persuade Zoe to let you make them.

I've just finished Sing the Four Quarters, myself.

Hi, Roni.
After a huge amount of skimming I am kind of caught up! I love the tree of life pendants and your 'helper", I have one of those too :) Looking forward to seeing more necklaces.
I cannot believe how many books you get through! I am a tad envious, well done of that front.
I gave you a kind of pattern for those gloves over on my thread. They were something I just kind of made up after looking through various patterns (most of them are too big for my hands), but if you want something more concrete I'm sure you could find a pattern on Craftsy. Hope you are having a nice weekend!

OK Tip Top is on the list for when we get home.

Hi, Roni ~ Just stopping by for a quick hello and to see what you've been up to, which is as usual "a lot!" Hope you are having a great weekend!

Roni, I am caught up with this gorgeous thread once again. Your jewelry is a feast for the eyes! I love the 3-tiered display stand. I may head over to my Ross store to see if I can get one to use for appetizers and Christmas cookies!

I thought your comments on A. J. Fikry were spot on. I loved that book and still plan to read the short stories featured in each chapter.

That is a beautiful cover on Kansas Fishes. You must be very proud of your brother. Congrats to him.

Lucy, Faith, Janet and Heather, Zoe accepts your homage as her due.

Richard, that's on copper--the copper wire with malachite is one of the most striking combinations.

Nina, I know. I saw that as I was reading these Huffs and thinking, I need to get back to that series.

Thanks, Nicole. Retirement helps, but I've always been a fast reader. I actually own at least one pattern for the gloves, but I liked how yours looked better. I'll check your thread out!

Reba, it's traditional German cooking.

Hi, Mary!

And hello to you too, Donna. Thanks for the affirmations on the display, A. J. Fikry and, yese, it is a gorgeous book.

So, yesterday was my husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary. We went to Croce's for dinner and had an heirloom tomato salad with burrata cheese, oysters on the half shell, and I had the seared scallops with summer squash ricotta and my husband had the twice-glazed pork chop with potatoes au gratin and spinach. Molten lava chocolate cake for dessert. After that, we went to the pottery studio and hung out during the South Park walkabout event. And I picked up the pieces I glazed last week.

Lovely lovely glazes! The shape of the mug in the front is wonderful...cooler sipping pool on top of warmer feeding pool. Clever!

>240 ronincats: Well, after a description like that, I hope you're going to cook it all for us.

>241 richardderus: Good point about the mug. But it's the goblets that intrigue me, with that semi-glazed idea going for them.

Thank you, Richard. It was an accidental shape, actually, but it seems to work.

Nina, I don't think so! And the bottom part of the goblets are glazed in a matte glaze--no shine.



Book #96 A Marginal Jew: Vol. IV Law and Love by John Paul Meier (667 pp.)

As you see, this is the fourth volume of Meier's epic work on the search for the historical Jesus, and this one deals with searching for the elements that go back to Jesus in the scriptures related to divorce, oaths, the Sabbath, the purity commandments and the love commandments. As always, Meier is thorough and comprehensive about explaining his reasoning and citing his references while being understandable and clear. But don't start here--start with Volume 1.



Book #97 Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey (388 pp.)

The first four volumes of this series are on sale for the Kindle for $1.99 each today, and that finally motivated me to pull this first book out of the tbr pile to see if I'd be interested in the others. It was a fast moving story on steroids for action--in fact, the action never stops at all. A quick read, obviously, and good for entertainment value, but I don't really see anything in it that makes me want to continue the series. Perhaps the violence and lack of any internal life in the characters contribute to that decision.

>243 ronincats: Happy accident, then!

#97 Yes, I see what you mean. It's an action book, little to no reflection. I enjoyed it because it's so transgressive in its presentation of angels.

I liked that, among other elements (the equal opportunity work offer at the end, e.g.), but it wasn't enough to make me want to continue, Richard.

I can completely agree with you, given that the Chronicles of St Mary's are yet to be read.

*gleeful hand-rubs*

Roni made a pendant for me almost identical to the one in the middle of >217 ronincats:. I get compliments every time I wear it! I love it.

I have a "helper" on my office days too. Sometimes I have to shut my office door to keep her out. Lord only knows what mischief she would do if I tried crafting. I haven't done anything artsy since we adopted her. =)

>243 ronincats: Sorry that one didn't work better for you, Roni. I've enjoyed the series, partly for the relentless and imaginative mayhem. I am a couple volumes behind, though, and grabbed all the daily-deal volumes for refresher purposes.

>248 swynn: Steve, I can definitely see it being more of a "guy" series!

>247 TinaV95: Hi, Tina! Love to see you here. Aren't our helpers wonderful?

>246 richardderus: I just purchased the second St. Mary's book, Richard, knowing that book 4 is out now. That gives me a bit of stretching room, and avoids the book 3 cliffhanger problem, right?

I forgot to add that both of the last two books are Books Off my Shelves or Read Our Own Tomes books, bringing me to 18 for the year.

My sister just sent back a box of books. I now have to make room for all the Iron Druid paperbacks along with some Jim Butchers, the Ocean at the End of the Lane and the latest Seanan McGuire, Gail Carriger, and Robin McKinley, now that I have them back. However, there are at least 9 books I won't be keeping. I think I'll keep The Golem and the Jinni at least for a while, but I have nice hardbacks I may donate to the library of The Shadow of Blackbirds, The Orphanage of Miracles, and The City of Dreaming Books.

So my give-away book this week is The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke. This is a trade paperback that I picked up in Kansas City in 2011 at the Kansas City meet up with Donna, Brenda, and Terri! Who wants it?

The goblets are really nice - but unless those are _very_ small bowls, that's a lot to drink! My parents have a set of earthenware goblets, and we checked and discovered that each one holds almost two cups if it's full up. Now they fill them to less than half - which is still almost 8 ounces of wine.

I'm liking these soft blues, on all the pieces. And the contrast with the matte oatmeal part. I love the bowls, too - I don't think I've seen the thickened edges on thrown bowls before, but I love that on molded (commercial) bowls so it's neat to see it here.

Roni, did I just read that book 4 in the St. Marys Chronicles is out? How did I not know this?! You have just made my day! love all of the pottery work, the mug has a great shape and nice colours.

Interesting to see your review of Sandman Slim. I bought it because it was the fav book of the year for one of the guys at Uncle Hugos. I haven't gotten around to it, but my friend who did had a hohum reaction to it.

Love the malachite! Now you need to make a fall tree with jasper chips, or a tree that's turning with green, red, orange and yellow.

>252 cammykitty: Ooh; nice idea!

Roni, I see from our local papers that ComiCon has hit your part of the world. (and then I realised what that conversation up-thread was about)

Ooh, I *love* the look of those goblets! V. cool!

Also liking the blue glazes and the goblets.

Jenn, no, the smaller one holds 5 ounces and the larger 7 ounces.

Nicole, happy to be of service!

Katie, those are great ideas.

Nina, better late than never. ;-)

Thank you, Amber and Heather.

I have had a lazy morning so far, although I finally got my summer weight quilt out of the attic for the bed--only a month after first deciding to. I've been looking for a book I need to discuss tomorrow night for book group--it's a reread, which is why I wasn't looking for it earlier, and couldn't find it or the first one of the trilogy ANYWHERE. Finally decided to look on my Kindle, where I thought I had the third one, BUT I must have read a library copy for the third one, because Across the Great Barrier is there on the Kindle. Whew! I still don't know where the first book is--it's possible I traded it away, but if I did, I didn't note it on LT.

>243 ronincats: Roni, I understand why you didn't connect with Sandman Slim. I don't like to admit it but sometimes the violence is what works for me. That, and the really interesting way he uses world mythologies to tell the story. I'll take that over the violence any day, but sometimes I just want to read something in which someone heinous gets the $hit kicked out of them.

Stephanie, I don't mind violence in the service of the story, but dislike it for its own sake. I love, for example, the Iron Druid books, the Toby Daye series, the Inspector Chen series by Liz Williams, and Changer by Jane Lindskold. All of these have considerable mayhem and substantial mythological substrata, but in all cases the characters and the story predominate over the violence.



Book #98 Across the Great Barrier by Patricia Wrede (357 pp.)

This is the second book of Wrede's Frontier Magic series, an alternative history frontier America after the Civil War that includes magic. Eff's first person voice has the laconic quality we associate with the Western as she joins a scientific expedition to explore the wilds across the Mississippi.

I heard from the Early Reviewers today that I won How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens from the July batch. As this was my professional area of expertise, I'll be very interested in the contents.

>258 ronincats:, Roni I'm the same way about violence. Don't like it just for it's own sake. It's satisfying to see the bad guy get taken down.

Whoo. Lots to look at and admire. Congrats to your brother on his book!
It's too late now, but this is one of the rare occasions when I can second RD in his recommendation of E. Hand. Waking the Moon may be my favorite.
Took my ma to have a basal cell cut out this morning and started Hounded. Many thanks to all who have been touting this series.
Funny....I can read violence without turning a hair as long as it's fiction.

Loving the glazes -especially the blue (my favorite color). Did I see it was your anniversary? Happy anniversary! Many congratulations. Mine is today.

>166 ronincats: Diplomatic Immunity is definitely my favorite Miles book thus far. I just love the dinner part scene!

>213 ronincats: I want to read A Storied Life of A.J. Fikry as well. I know my library has that one!

>202 cammykitty: Wow...how very relaxing this looks. Congratulations on so many things, including your incredible talent(s), the love you so readily give to others...and then, all the reading you accomplish. I marvel!

>259 AuntieClio: And I forgot another good one, Mark del Franco's Connor Grey series.

>260 LizzieD: Not too late, Peggy, because I went ahead and bought Waking the Moon on Richard's say-so. Therefore I am very happy to find out you liked it.

>261 michigantrumpet: thanks, Marianne! Hope you are having a nice anniversary yourself.

>262 Cobscook: Ummmm, Heidi--the dinner party scene is in A Civil Campaign, not DI.

>262 Cobscook: I'll take that as directed at me, not Katie, Linda, and thank you very much.

Glad to see a review of Patricia Wrede. She's local for me, and every time I've met her and everything I've heard about her makes me think she's a super nice person.

Oh, I'm a big-time Wrede fan, Katie! I've got everything she's published, and try to check in on her blog regularly.

So, we've been having temps in the mid to high 80s here at the house, so today was a beach day. My mom, when she first came out here to visit, said she had never understood why people flocked to the beach when it was hot. She thought it was like going to the lake or the swimming pool in Kansas--the only relief was when you were in the water. She didn't realize that on the beach it is 10 to 20 degrees cooler than even a quarter mile inland due to the water temperature. Water temp today was 72, above my cutoff point of 70 degrees (21 Celsius), so I got in, but the waves were strong--I think body surfing is a young person's sport! I got a little red, but had a good time sitting in my new Tommy Bahama beach chair from Costco and finishing my next book. We also had lunch again at the WaveHouse right across the boardwalk from the beach. Here is the view from the open air bar where we ate.




Book #99 Sing the Four Quarters by Tanya Huff (410 pp.)

After reading some other early Huff fantasies above, I was motivated to reread this book so that I could then read the other three books set in this same world which I only recently picked up through PaperBackSwap.com. This is a typical medieval fantasy world with an interesting magical system and set apart from many by the healthiness of the interpersonal relationships where there is the potential for alienation and tragedy. Cute, not deep, a great beach read. I'm going to read my new ER book, The Ripper Affair by Lilith Saintcrow, before starting the next in the series, Fifth Quarter.

I'm having a hard time putting necklaces together--been stuck on one focal bead I'm trying to use for several days now. My next show is a week from today.

Looks glorious.

'Tommy Bahama beach chair from Costco' ; sounds mutually exclusive to me, for some reason.

>267 ronincats: Oh! So jealous! I want to be there on the beach in my own Tommy Bahama beach chair from Costco. :)

I started The Ripper Affair Thursday night and finished almost half of it. Last night I was a bit tired so only read a few chapters. Pretty good so far. I think I skipped the second in the series, though, so I may be missing some important back story and will have to go back and fill in later. (I'd stop and read the earlier book but I'm enjoying this one too much.)

>267 ronincats: I knew you had to be on the west coast when you talked about the beach being cooler because of the ocean temp. That is SO not the case on Florida beaches!

*sigh* I would love to live closer to the beach, I'd be there every day!