Norabelle414's Page 1: Reboot

(This thread number is in binary. Just so you know.)

My number one reading goal for this year is to just put last year behind me without worrying about what went wrong or why it went wrong or all the things that didn't get done or all the ways I didn't live up to my standards/goals for myself. Let's just stay focused on the future and move forward.

Other Goals for 2015:

• Read 20,000 pages
  
• Ignore the number of books I'm reading until the last week of December
  
• Average paper book length of 320 pages or more
  
• Catch up on LTER reading / reviewing
  
• Acquire fewer than 75 books
  
• Just keep reading in general, don't fall into a slump
  
  

Previous Threads:
2014, Act Six
2013, part XI
2012, module eta

Books read in 2015:

Paper books:
- The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler
- Rooms by Lauren Oliver
- Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
-

Audiobooks:
- One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B. J. Novak
-

Books acquired in 2015:

January:
1) The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory (free)

February:
2) Dubliners by James Joyce
3) A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
4) A Dance With Dragons by George R. R. Martin
5) TBD

March:
6)

2014 End-of-the-Year Summary
*some stats stolen from Stephen*

Books read: 60 (no comment)
Books purchased (paper+electronic): 44 (down 18!)
Books acquired (purchased+free, not electronic): 78 (down 1)
Books read before acquired: 15 (same)
Books borrowed (friends+library): 41 (down 18)
Books read that were on the shelf for a year or more: 2
Books deaccessioned: 10

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Books read: 60 (paper+audio)

Paper books: 46
Audiobooks: 14

Pages read: 13,672 (no audio)

Average paper book length: 297 pages (down 10 pages)
Median paper book length: 317 pages (up 7 pages)

Average pages read per day: 37.4 (down 9 pages)
Average pages read per week: 262.2 (down 60 pages)
Average pages read per month: 1,139.3 (down 300 pages)

New reads: 54
Rereads: 6

~~Fiction/Nonfiction~~
Fiction books read: 56
Nonfiction books read: 4

~~Gender~~
Books by female authors: 32
Books by male authors: 30
(one book written by 2 women; one book written by 1 woman and 1 man)

Female authors - average rating: 4.03
Male authors - average rating: 3.78

Books from the female perspective: 30
Books from the male perspective: 38

Female perspective - average rating: 3.98
Male Perspective - average rating: 3.87

~~Owned vs. Library~~
Owned books read: 14
Library checkouts: 41

~~Best books~~

The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
California by Edan Lepucki
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

~~Worst books~~

Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James
The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker
City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte
Ghost Train to New Orleans by Mur Lafferty

Currently reading:
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

Currently listening to:
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (41%)

Coming soon:
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

PAGES READ: 0
BOOKS BOUGHT: 0
BOOKS ACQUIRED: 0
BOOKS DEACCESSIONED: 0

DAYS REMAINING: 363
PAGES REMAINING: 20,000
PAGES PER DAY: 55.1

Currently watching:
Stargate Atlantis, season 4
Broadchurch, season 1
Portlandia, season 4
The Americans, season 1

Currently knitting:
Green scarf
purple cat sweater (not for Rory)
pastel gloves
red socks

Welcome back!

Yay, it's a Nora! Psyched you've made it over. Of course, I love your thread topper.

Hi Nora! Nice to have you here.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread and, yes, your topper is lovely.

Finally! I thought I might have to drag you kicking and screaming over here ;)

Happy new year, Nora!

Yay!

Happy New Year!

Hi Jim, Micky, Paws, foggi, Leah, Katie, and qebo! Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of A Brief History of Seven Killings. Hmm, I'll have to check out California, too. Love the thread topper. Happy year of reading.

Love the picture at the top of your thread!

Hi, Nora!!

Hi Beth!; Hi Laura!; Hi Amber!

Nora - lovely to see you rebooted for the new year so to speak. Have a great weekend.

Happy New Year, Nora! Your thread topper is beautiful. Dropping my star.

Excellent thread topper, my dear! I'm woefully far behind on this past season of DW, I keep hoping my spoiler-free existence can hang in there for another week or two when I can catch up.

Good luck this year, Nora! Can't wait to see what you read. :)

Hi Nora! *Hugs* :)

Hi Nora! Your goals sound great. Don't dwell on the past, look at what you'll achieve in the future. My goal this year is simply "be happy." Hopefully that means I'll spend a lot more time visiting people's threads on LT, because that DOES make me happy.

Happy New Year and happy weekend!

Hi Nora!

I really like you 2015 reading goals. It's interesting to see how each of us changes our goals from year to year. I've become much more realistic about what I can accomplish with my reading...and what I can't.

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to fun times together with other LTers in RL. :)

Happy New Year, Nora! I was getting worried when I couldn't see your thread over here but I am happy now! Looking forward to following your binary numbered threads. ;-)

Oh! Oh! You're back! And you're using binary numbers! Whoo hoo! "Reboot"! I get it, I get it!

In the immortal words of Bobby McFerrin: "Don't Worry; Be Happy".

Welcome back!

I found you! I, of course, have you starred. :)

>18 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul!
>19 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie!
>20 LauraBrook: Hi Laura! You have several more months before you have to be caught up with Doctor Who, but of course it's more fun if you can join in the conversations :-)
>21 Ape: Hi Stephen!
>22 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel! Thanks for the support. Good luck with your goal as well!
>23 SqueakyChu: Hi Madeline!
>24 lkernagh: Hi Lori!
>25 scvlad: Hi Steve!
>26 rosylibrarian: Hi Marie!

Hello, hello! I'm finally getting round to thread-visiting, and since you were so kind as to drop me off a panda, you were first in line. :)

Love that topper. Loved the Christmas special this year! But shh, I'll say no more, as someone mentioned above they hadn't seen it yet.

And I heartily agree with your idea to focus forward. 2014, bah, what's that?! It's all 2015 -- to infinity and beyond! :D

>28 beserene: Hi Sarah! There are plenty more panda photos where that came from :-)

TV Updates:

So, Netflix's contract with the BBC is expiring at the end of January, which means my Netflix queue is a NIGHTMARE of bright red expiration dates. I think I counted TWENTY-FIVE full tv shows in my queue that are expiring. Of course the contract could be renegotiated, but I'm still in panic mode. Obviously I can't watch all of that TV before it expires, so I did some digging and found most of them on Hulu Plus. Although I don't currently have Hulu Plus, I might get it in the future and then I can watch those shows. The only ones I couldn't find elsewhere are North & South (the 2004 miniseries, which I will definitely watch because it's only 4 parts and also Richard Armitage.) and Monarch of the Glen. Has anyone seen Monarch of the Glen? I watched the first 5 episodes and enjoyed it, but 56 episodes is a lot if it's not that great.

Especially since all the TV shows are starting up again! Here's what I watched this weekend:

Downton Abbey: Excellent season premiere. The dresses! The drama! The 1920s fire brigade! Anna Chancellor! I'm so happy it's back.

Galavant: Everything I expected it to be. Lots of singing. A little bit funny. Kind of trying too hard. John Stamos was excellent. It feels a little awkward and rushed but I suppose that's what happens when you try to make a comedy series with only 8 half-hour episodes.

Stargate Atlantis: I'm almost done with the series, and I'm pretty sure this is my favorite Stargate. I didn't like Dr. Weir but she's gone. Joe Flanigan is really hot, as is Jason Momoa, of course. Jewel Staite is delightful as always. It makes me sad that they're not making Stargate shows anymore, but I really think they'd have to reboot the whole series in order to do so since it has been EIGHTEEN YEARS since Stargate SG-1 started (and twenty-one years since the first movie came out!)

The Americans: I watched the first 7 episodes (on DVD from the library) and really enjoyed it. I'm picking up another DVD today, but I don't know if I'll get caught up by the time the third season premieres at the end of the month.

>30 norabelle414: I had this moment myself the other day. Opened up my instant list on Netflix and about had a heart attack. No more Top Gear? No more Doctor Who? No more countless other shows I've been meaning to get to? *sads*

Huh. I thought DA was super weak. Though I did like the fire brigade helmets.

>31 lycomayflower: I reeeeeeeally hope that the contract gets renewed :-/

>32 katiekrug: Mostly I was just glad to have the show back! I also thought it set up nicely for a good season, vs. last season in which almost nothing happened.

Oh, dear! I did not know about the BBC contract expiring! Morning, Nora!

>30 norabelle414: I used to watch Monarch of the Glen and really liked it. It's mostly a feelgood type of show, but with some more serious stuff thrown in now and then. I mostly tuned out when one of the main characters left (it felt weird after that, even though it was still an okay show, just not the same). Lots of fun and nice characters.

NOOOOO! Netflix can't loose BBC! What in the world will I watch? No more easy access to Sherlock and Doctor Who! Is Broadchurch BBC? I seriously need to rewatch that too!

I'm only halfway through Spooks and the first series of Doctor Who and am yet to watch Broadchurch so I'd be sad if BBC and Netflix part ways. I'll still get to watch "my shows", though, as I can - ahem - find them elsewhere, so it's not a disaster but still. An inconvenience.

Aaah, what? Why wouldn't they renew BBC? They are about to lose so many good shows that I wasn't quite done with yet.

>34 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie!

>35 PawsforThought: Thanks Paws! I think I'll keep watching it, but not prioritize it over everything else.

>36 leahbird: It doesn't seem to be ALL BBC shows, just shows that are a few years old? Broadchurch is NOT expiring. Classic Doctor Who IS expiring, but I don't know about modern Doctor Who or Sherlock. I will check when I get home.

>37 PawsforThought: I believe that Netflix has separate separate contracts for different countries, so you might be fine.

>38 rosylibrarian: I hope that they do renew the contract. The other option would be maybe BBC making their own streaming service? They certainly have the resources for it. I'd pay for that.

>36 leahbird: Sherlock is NOT expiring. Modern Doctor Who IS expiring.

This is what my Netflix queue looks like right now:

North & South- Until 2/1/15
Monarch of the Glen- Until 2/1/15
Blackadder- Until 2/1/15
The Catherine Tate Show- Until 2/1/15
Classic Doctor Who- Until 2/1/15
The Vicar of Dibley- Until 2/1/15
Luther- Until 2/1/15
Fawlty Towers- Until 2/1/15
The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Specials- Until 2/1/15
Little Britain- Until 2/1/15
The Tick- Until 2/1/15
Hyperdrive- Until 2/1/15
Jane Eyre- Until 2/1/15
The Buccaneers- Until 2/1/15
Come Fly With Me- Until 2/1/15
The League of Gentlemen- Until 2/1/15
Snuff Box- Until 2/1/15
Survivors- Until 2/1/15
Jekyll- Until 2/1/15
Copper- Until 2/1/15
Red Dwarf- Until 2/1/15
Outcasts- Until 2/1/15
Gavin & Stacey- Until 2/1/15
A Bit of Fry and Laurie- Until 2/1/15

*sob sob sob*

>39 norabelle414: I hope so. I need to check but the ipad is charging atm.

>41 norabelle414: Why do you have so much stuff we don't get? *cries*

ATTENTION WORLD:

This week's book HumbleBundle is a bunch of Doctor Who audiobooks!
https://www.humblebundle.com/books

You can pay what you want (literally. whatever you want) and get 8 audiobooks, or pay higher than the average (currently $13.10) and get 9 MORE audiobooks (including 5 with the voice of David Tennant!), or pay more than $15 and get 8 MORE audiobooks. That adds up to approximately one billion Doctor Who audiobooks.

You're welcome.

>42 PawsforThought: You have stuff that we don't get either.

>44 norabelle414: Not much. We have like a quarter of the stuff that's available in the US and about half of what Canada and the Uk have.

>43 norabelle414: ::snicker:: I totally don't want or need one billion Doctor Who audiobooks but I think I could be happy falling asleep to David Tennant reading to me.

ETA: Crud. All the Tennant read ones are Dalek stories. I'm so bored with Daleks. Boo.

>46 leahbird: Part of the money goes to MSF! Do it!

My "currently reading" list has expanded a little. I totally forgot that I was still in the middle of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix until I was reorganizing and reshelving my bookcase yesterday (is there anything more satisfying?!?). And yesterday instead of picking up The Americans, Season 1 I picked up The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. So current priority is:

Currently reading:
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling

Currently listening to:
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (49%)

>48 norabelle414: If I had better shelves I'd find it more satisfying but for now it's mostly stressful to re-organize my bookshelves. I did a complete overhaul a few months ago and now need to do some re-shuffling because of Christmas gift books. I don't know what I'm going to do (and I'm not making things better by going on Amazon and BookDepository and looking for more books. Oh, and the big annual book sale is soon, too.)

Rory is "helping" me reshelve my bookcases

At least he's helping by holding some books up. Mine always helped by pushing the books off in the floor and staring at me with that "You did that wrong and now have a chance to remedy it. You should thank me with food." look on their faces.

Yeah but I needed to put the rest of the Fs there! My bookshelves do not have space for frivolous things like cute cats.

>50 norabelle414: You made a gif! I am so impressed. Also, Rory is an adorable helper.

>53 MickyFine: Google does it for you if you upload several pictures that are very similar. Or if it thinks your picture needs twinkle lights or fake snow or something.

>50 norabelle414: Aw, hi, Rory!!

>54 norabelle414: Good to know! *pets Rory* So cute!

>54 norabelle414: Oh the almighty Google. One day it will become SkyNet but for now I let it run my life.

But he looks so handsome there.

That's what my head does when I'm near bookcases too. :)

Nora! Have you watched the premiere of Agent Carter yet???

>60 MickyFine: Yes! I watched the first two episodes and they were most excellent. I couldn't tell any of the identical white dudes apart, but who cares because Peggy is the best. And her clothes! And her disguises! So good.

>61 norabelle414: I so desperately want to cosplay Peggy.

>61 norabelle414: I couldn't tell any of the identical white dudes apart
I wonder if that was intentional...

>55 scaifea:, >56 rosylibrarian:, >58 Crazymamie:, >59 Ape: Rory says Hi :-)

>57 MickyFine: Maybe SkyNet will be nice to us since we've been so cooperative from the beginning?

>62 MickyFine: Omg that would be perfect for you.

>63 drneutron: Probably not, since they were supposed to be Peggy's enemy, Peggy's sidekick, and Peggy's sexist bosses. But it would be funny if it was!
I think the problem is rather prevalent in period-pieces in general. In hindsight we see particular clothing or hair styles as being very evocative of that period and we forget that people wore other, not-so-fashionable clothes as well. So everyone in a period piece looks the same because they're wearing that exact same evocative outfit.

>64 norabelle414: I think the problem is rather prevalent in period-pieces in general. In hindsight we see particular clothing or hair styles as being very evocative of that period and we forget that people wore other, not-so-fashionable clothes as well. So everyone in a period piece looks the same because they're wearing that exact same evocative outfit.
That's one of the issues I often have with period dramas (and non-dramas). I LOVE period/historical TV shows and movies, but they do tend to put everyone in near-identical clothing and hairstyles and they just become a great mass of indistinguishable dress up dolls. There's no personal style, there's no unfashionable people, there's nothing outside of the strict framework they've set up. Especially for men, as men's fashion has nearly always been more impersonal and clone-like than women's.

>64 norabelle414: One can only hope SkyNet will be good to the early adopters...

As for the cosplaying, if I get to go to the Edmonton version of Comic Con this year I may just do it.

I had less trouble with the identical white men but mostly because I knew some of the actors from other places (Chad Michael Murray from Gilmore Girls - seriously does that dude ever not play someone slightly douche-y? and Enver Gjokaj from Dollhouse). Also, yay for Jarvis! I'm just sad he couldn't be Paul Bettany. :(

>66 MickyFine: I didn't follow the show too faithfully but I think his character in One Tree Hill was fairly non-douche-y

>67 PawsforThought: Good to know. I've never watched it and Canadian Netflix doesn't have it. Maybe one day...

>68 MickyFine: I watched it regularly at the start but then it got more and more convoluted and soap opera-like (as is often the case) so I mostly clocked out. I liked most of the characters, though.

The first season or two of One Tree Hill was SO GOOD but like >69 PawsforThought: said, it got real weird. And not good-weird.

I loved Agent Carter, though I completely agree with you about the indistinguishable white dudes. Except, as you mentioned, for Chad Michael Murray -- because eevery time he was on screen, I was like "Tristan, quit pretending you're a grown-up; the headmaster is gonna catch you."

And then I remembered that show was like a decade ago. And I was confused and sad... but only momentarily because Agent Peggy Carter is awesome! Plus, HATS.

I watched and loved Agent Carter. I recognised Enver Gjokaj from Dollhouse, and I'm sure I've seen James D'Arcy from other things, but the other guys did merge a bit. I kept track largely through hair colour.

But that didn't matter, because I adore Peggy Carter, I made ridiculous noises of glee over every scene she had with Jarvis and the waitress...and remembered her Twitter feed of apologies to stuntmen and actors during every wonderful fight scene!

>48 norabelle414: I was reorganizing and reshelving my bookcase yesterday (is there anything more satisfying?!?

No. No there is not.

>50 norabelle414: Rory gif cuteness!!!!! What a nice helper he is. I've got two of them, and they're currently busy holding down my couch. They did, however, knock over two stacks of new, Christmas present, books just before napping. So helpful!

Dangit, I missed Agent Carter. And I totally agree with the discussion re: period clothing in movies. What up with that?!?

>71 beserene: A decade? If only. Chad Michael Murray was last on Gilmore Girls 14 years ago! I'm so old.
HATS! For real.

>72 archerygirl: Hi archerygirl! I've seen Haley Atwell's apology tweets too. So nice!

>73 LauraBrook: Hi Laura! Clearly your cats are telling you that you need to reorganize your books!

Happy New Year, Nora! Hope 2015 brings good things to you!

>75 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle!! Happy New Year to you too!

Murphy's Law of Library Holds strikes again! After several weeks of waiting and waiting for my library holds, I now have in my possession: The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, Yes Please by Amy Poehler, Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, The Americans Season 1 part 2, and Game of Thrones Season 1 part 2.

>77 norabelle414: We totally do it on purpose. Plot it all out. ;)

>77 norabelle414: Yay, Yes, Please! Amy Poehler is the best. I really enjoyed her joke last night with Tina about George Clooney and his accomplished wife.

I really enjoyed Agent Carter! Though I too had a hard time with the indistinguishable white dudes. Like, I didn't realize there were two different guys with scars on their necks until I saw people on tumblr talking about them.

>78 MickyFine: I knew it!

Speaking of which, I now also have Rooms by Lauren Oliver ready for pickup. It's the io9.com book club pick for January. All of my other holds are frozen so I should be safe for now!

>79 rosylibrarian: I haven't watched the Golden Globes yet, but I did start Yes Please last night and I'm enjoying it so far.

>80 bluesalamanders: Yeah, that took me awhile too. I'm so much more interested in the details of Peggy's life than the actual plot of the show.

_______________________________________________

I really want to get some books read, and I don't want to have to keep taking books back to the library unfinished like I was at the end of last year. So I'm employing some extreme measures. I calculated how many pages I have to read of The Three-Body Problem and Yes Please per day to return each to the library on time, and marked those amounts of pages with slips of paper. For example, I have to read 26 pages per day of The Three-Body Problem, so I put a slip of paper every 26 pages (rounded up to the closest chapter). It seems a little perfectionist, I know, but I've done it in the past and it works pretty well. We'll see how it goes!

ETA: I'm also going to try setting aside time for reading immediately upon arriving home from work every day. Reading before bed doesn't seem to be working; I either just don't do it, or I stay up too late.

>81 norabelle414: I do that (minus the actual slips of paper) for nonfiction reads that I'm enjoying but find really dense. I remember having 26 pages a day as a goal when I read the The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker (touchstones don't seen to be working) a few years ago and it worked really well.

>81 norabelle414: I don't mark every day, but do mark the current day's goal for books that are dense and slow going, calculated for the annual 75 pace.

>81 norabelle414: Right?? Peggy is more interesting than any of that!

...You know, I kind of feel that way about a lot of the shows I watch. The plot is fine and all, but I want to know more about the characters. Huh.

1. Characters
2. Clothes/Hair/Make-up
3. Scenery/Props
4. Music
5. Plot

Hehehe

That seems like a good system to ensure you get your books read on time. Does it take away from your enjoyment of the book at all?

>85 norabelle414: Yes, 100%.

>87 ChelleBearss: Nope. I enjoy books more when I have some momentum in them. When I only read a page or two at a time (like I have been doing lately) it really decreases my enjoyment.

>86 bluesalamanders:, >88 LauraBrook: :-D

I have to admit, plot ranks a little higher on my own list.

>90 MickyFine: It does for me as well in most cases besides this one.

Day 1 of my new reading plan went ok-not-great. I got a tiny bit of reading done when I first got home but mostly I was too distracted (though Rory did his best to keep me pinned to the chair). I read some more before bed but it was very late (my ideal bedtime is 10:30, and I turned out the light at almost 12 which is the absolute latest I can stay up and still be a functional human being the next day). Between the two sessions I read my pages of The Three-Body Problem but not Yes Please. I'm sure I'll catch up quickly in that one.

Today I have a meeting at the zoo so I won't be reading at home right after work. I think I will try to take one of my "at home" books with me (The Three-Body Problem or Yes Please) to read on the Metro instead of my purse book (Annihilation)

>92 norabelle414: Rooting for you. And have fun at the zoo! :)

Day 2 went okay, but better than expected. I had a few moments between getting home from the library and having to leave for the zoo, and I managed to read all of Tuesday's pages of Yes Please. Then I read most of Wednesday's pages of The Three-Body Problem on the metro. The zoo meeting was good; there was free pizza. I learned about what different departments of the zoo are going to focus on in 2015. I finished Wednesday's pages of The Three-Body Problem before bed (very late), but did not get to Yes Please. So I ended up at the same place as Tuesday evening.

I have no other plans tonight so hopefully I can catch up. I'm only a few pages from finishing Annihilation, so that will likely be my first finished book of the year. After that I will be in a predicament because lately I've been trying to carry a smaller purse, and hardcovers like The Three-Body Problem and Yes Please do not fit in it.

TV Updates, in reverse order:

Hindsight: This new VH1 scripted show is very similar to Being Erica, but not Canadian (and thus slightly worse). 40-something(?) Becca who is questioning her life choices passes out and wakes up as herself in 1995. She has the opportunity to do everything over and get it right this time. The show is heavy-handed with the '90s references, but if you can see past those it's pretty good even by comparison to one of my favorite shows ever. I did not understand the impetus for Becca to change (she wasn't promoted as high as she wanted in her job, she's marrying a guy who really loves her but she's been married before and she doesn't feel enough chemistry, she overheard her mother talking meanly about her in the bathroom). I also am not really clear on the timeline. She doesn't seem older than 40 in the present, but when she goes back in time 20 years she is either at least 24 or she didn't go to college. But in the present she works in the publishing industry, so I feel like she must have a degree? (or there would be mention that she didn't have one). I might go back and rewatch the first bit of the pilot to figure it out. The interesting characters and philosophical dilemmas are enough to keep me watching. Erica on Being Erica was always very clear about what her regrets were, but I feel like Becca is a more ambiguous character.

Agent Carter: A much better episode in my opinion (though the first two weren't necessarily bad). No new white dudes this week helped. I loved the look at Peggy's boarding house. Also something is definitely up with Peggy's friend who works at the diner. There's more to her than meets the eye.

Parks and Recreation: It's the last season!!! Wah! :-( But it is definitely going to be a great one. I love the concept of jumping a few years into the future, but at the moment it still feels weird.

Downton Abbey: I posted my thoughts on someone else's thread but I don't remember whose. I like this season a lot so far. Lady Mary was so scandalous this episode! Not only lying to her family and planning to have sex, but openly talking about it! Whaaaaaat? Lord Grantham is turning into such a curmudgeon. My favorite quote of the night was when he told Cora to tell her friend to stop flirting with his dog.

Galavant: Another solid two episodes. Hugh Bonneville as the pirate was especially delightful. I hope the plot moves along soon, though, because it's awfully slow for a miniseries.

North & South: I've watched the first three out of four episodes. I've not read North & South, but it seems to me to be pretty much the same plot as Pride & Prejudice, no? Richard Armitage is delightful as always.

March Family Letters: A webseries based on Little Women which is being released (but not produced) by Pemberley Digital (creators of The Lizzie Bennett Diaries, Emma Approved, and Frankenstein MD). I haven't actually started watching it yet but I thought I'd make sure it's on people's radar (*cough*Micky). I've never actually read Little Women all the way through, but I know the plot so I'm not concerned about spoilers.

RE: North and South, kind of but with more political/social commentary. Also, John Thornton is a teensy bit more heart on the sleeve than Darcy.

And thank you for the radar alert. Little Women is a long time favourite.

Haven't watched Agent Carter yet this week because I had to rewatch Princess Bride last night after finishing the Cary Elwes book. And I likely won't get to it until the weekend as I'm going to see The Imitation Game tonight with a friend.

ETA: I was in the middle of writing out a long post about how my contract is up for renewal (it's been three years since The Supervisor left! How time flies!) and I should know any day now what is going to happen. And then I got an email saying that the contract was awarded to my current company so nothing is happening. That's not ideal, but better than not having a job. Cheers!

Yay for having a job!

I second Zoe. Huzzah for job having!

Loved the Rory making like a bookend pic and a third Yay for your current job continuing!

>95 norabelle414: Agent Carter Oh man, if they pull something like Ward with Angie, I'm going to be very sad. I like Angie!

Having a job is great. ;) Happy weekend Nora!

Steady employment, woo!

Thought you'd like to see this good news from Netflix: http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/netflix-keeping-doctor-who-luther-more-bbc-serie...

The shows that WILL be disappearing at the end of the month are Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, MI-5 (Spooks) and Red Dwarf. Everything else stays.

ETA: There are apparently a few shows where there's no news on whether they're staying or not.

The shows definitely staying are: Doctor Who (classic), Doctor Who s 1-7, Copper s 1-2, House of Cards, Keeping Up Appearances s 1, Luther s 1-3, Monarch of the Glen s 1-6, North & South, Robin Hood s 1-3, The Buccaneers, The Office U.K. s 1-2, Top Gear s 17-20, Torchwood s 1-4, Wallander s 1-3

>98 _Zoe_:, >99 MickyFine:, >100 lkernagh:, >102 The_Hibernator:, >103 rosylibrarian: Thanks everyone! I was hoping that my previous company would win the bid because I really don't like my current company. However, there was also the (very very slight) risk of some other company coming in and getting rid of all current employees. So I'm glad that's not happening!

>101 MickyFine: I don't think it would be quite the same as Ward since Angie isn't on the inside, but it would still be sad. My guess is that it's more likely the opposite: Angie is a spy or assassin or something working for the good guys.

>104 lycomayflower:, 105 Yes I saw that; thanks ladies! The number of shows in my queue that are expiring went down by about half, and all of the remaining expiring shows are available on Hulu and/or Hulu Plus. Phew!

>106 norabelle414: And now you can breathe!

>106 norabelle414: Your theory would actually be kind of great. Although I think it might be more likely true of the new girl in the building. She got an awful lot of screen time.

>108 MickyFine: Oh something is totes up with her, too.

Reading updates:

I read a little more than I needed to this weekend, but then yesterday I read nothing. But it's snowing today (not sticking to the ground, unfortunately.) and I like to read when it's snowing. I am really enjoying all of my current books, though I keep having to stop Yes Please to go watch SNL clips online. And sometimes to cry, because it's the final season of Parks & Recreation :-(

I did get laundry done this weekend, though. So that's good.

>110 norabelle414: *sigh* Snow. I miss it. We've got a chinook blowing through again. They're promising wind gusts of 70 km/h this afternoon and evening.

>110 norabelle414: >111 MickyFine: I miss snow too. Living in the South = no snow.

I'm also very sad about Parks & Recreation ending, but I really like that they fast forwarded in time for the final season. It def gives the show a unique feel.

>111 MickyFine: & >112 rosylibrarian: You should come on over here. We've got snow in spades! (Ha!)

TV Updates:

Lots and lots of TV this week! My favorite thing about spring TV is that all the serious winter shows are airing at the same time as the fluffy ABC Family & CW shows :-)

The Flash (mid-season premiere): Typical. Good. Nothing special.

Sleepy Hollow: I almost forgot that this wasn't the mid-season premiere because last episode was so forgettable except for the return of Frank Irving. This week's episode was more "episodic" (i.e. "standalone") than earlier this season/last season, which the showrunners have stated they're going to start leaning more toward. It was a good episode, though the characters feel like they're floundering without an overarching plot since they killed Moloch in the winter finale. Katrina is not any better than usual but wasn't particularly bad in this episode. Special guest star: Michelle Trachtenberg's cleavage. (Sleepy Hollow has not yet been renewed for a 3rd season)

Gotham: Half of the stuff in this episode was good, and the other half made no sense. Dr. Tompkins and Det. Gordon have little chemistry, but still more than Barbara. Also, we meet Barbara's parents and they have even less personality than she does. Who knew that was possible?? (Gotham has been renewed for a 2nd season)

Jane the Virgin (mid-season premiere): I heart this show so much. It's so over the top but completely self-aware. It's the best kind of fluff - great writing, fun, and not too deep. I'm glad it's back, and that it's been renewed for a second season. And that Gina Rodriguez won a Golden Globe! She's the best.

The Fosters (season premiere): The writing on this family drama is pretty good, but I mostly watch for the diversity. It's sad that's a legitimate reason to watch a show, but true.

Chasing Life (season premiere): More good writing in a family drama. And Scott Michael Foster. Yum.

Grantchester (series premiere): A new mystery series airing on PBS after Downton Abbey. I'm not much for mysteries but I do enjoy British dramas and PBS and not turning off the TV after Downton and James Norton's face. So I was not disappointed. As far as mysteries go it was pretty good.

Downton Abbey: Get some, Lady Mary!! Also, didn't Rose used to be the troublemaker on this show? What happened to her? Isn't she supposed to be looking for a husband or something? Also, Lord Grantham is being such a dick this season.

March Family Letters (Episodes 1-7): Good so far, though we haven't seen much of Amy or Beth yet. The production isn't as polished as Pemberley Digital's series.

The Musketeers (U.S. season premiere): I was wondering how they were going to deal with Peter Capaldi's departure, and they basically just had his character kick the bucket in between seasons. That works!

Helix (season premiere): Season one was kind of meh for me, but this episode was great! I loved having immortal Julia show up on the island 30 years later. What a cool reveal!. I have high hopes.

Hart of Dixie: Watching this show is basically a one-hour-long "Squee!". I only breathe during commercials. I loved that Rose was back, because her friendship with Zoe is so awesome, and Lemon and Zoe's heart-to-heart in the bathroom, and Lavon and George being friends again.Yay!

Grimm (mid-season premiere): Meh. Welcome back?

Constantine (mid-season premiere): Meh.

Girl Meets World: I only watch this because I miss Boy Meets World (which is probably the only reason anyone watches it?) but it's getting seriously heavy-handed with the life lessons. Chill out and have some fun, girl. I also cannot believe that Topanga would ever let her daughter dress like that.

12 Monkeys (series premiere): Everyone else seems to be really enthralled with this new show, but I thought it was just okay. It's well produced, but the plot seems kind of derivative: in the future, a plague kills off most of the human population, so a guy goes back in time to find the person who started the plague and kill him.

Phew! All done. I probably won't be mentioning most of these again unless a) something exciting happens or b) someone wants to talk about them.

>111 MickyFine: That sounds, um, fun?

>112 rosylibrarian: I'm loving that too! I'm so glad that the final season doesn't have to be bogged down by Leslie's pregnancy. (Though to be honest it's kind of weird that there have been 4 episodes already (I haven't seen last night's yet) and no sign of the kids.) They did a similar thing for the last few episodes of Weeds (jumped forward a few years) and it worked so nicely. It makes everything feel very final.

>113 PawsforThought: Maybe if you get a really big snow blower some of it will drift over here.

>114 norabelle414: Downton Abbey: It's like they have Rose now, but they're not sure what to do with her. She got lots of attention last season, but now she's just . . . there. And I agree, Lord Grantham is as grumpy as a bear being poked with a stick.

>116 foggidawn: Exactly!

>115 norabelle414: Yeah, I'm not a fan.

>114 norabelle414: I finally caught up with Hart of Dixie last night. To me, it is starting to feel like the end of the series. I think it is because they have George and Lavon going after Lemon again. I honestly think AB has become my favorite character and I was really sad when they broke her up from Lavon. I am looking forward to seeing Wade get out of his Alabama comfort zone though!

>116 foggidawn: Really good point about Rose.

One day I'm going to finish reading a book! I swear it!

In the meantime, I deaccessioned TEN books today!
Wolf Hall (duplicate)
The Human Genome: Book of Essential Knowledge (not bad but not as good as my other genetics books)
Eve: A Novel of the First Woman (awful)
The Big Over Easy (duplicate)
99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special (uninteresting gift)
Stardust (duplicate)
Ethan Frome (duplicate)
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (duplicate)
Betsy in Spite of Herself (duplicate)
Bel Canto (duplicate)

I left them at the take-a-book, leave-a-book table in my apartment building. And in exchange, I only picked up ONE new book!!
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory (book 4 in the Cousins' War series, for which I already have book 1 and book 6)
It's a pristine condition (possibly unread) paperback. Go me!

Yay for deaccessioning!

I still need to read The Human Genome. I started it once and then put it down.

Do you ever do the Category Challenge? I've returned to that group this year and found that it's inspiring me to read a lot more, especially via the year-long SFF reads and the bingo card.

>121 _Zoe_: The Human Genome was not bad at all, just kind of misleading. Once I figured out that it's about the Human Genome Project and not the human genome generally, it made a lot more sense.

I tried the category challenge a few years ago but it's not for me.

>122 norabelle414: Yeah, I didn't find it bad either; I'm not quite sure why I put it down. I was meaning to get back to it right away, but now years have passed, so I'll probably have to start from the beginning again. Boo.

I'm not so interested in the general concept of the category challenge anymore, but I really like the TIOLI-style group categories, which are relatively new and more manageable in number.

Anyway, I hope your reading plan is going well!

Book Updates:

I'm so close, you guys!
The Three-Body Problem is due back at the library today and I only have 25 pages left! I have plans after work so I'm going to read through lunch today to try to finish. And then hopefully I'll be able to write a review!
Then I have to read about 150 pages of Yes Please and return it on Thursday, while seeing a play Thursday night. We'll see!
I've renewed Rooms by Lauren Oliver so it's not due for another two weeks, but I'm still hoping to have it finished by Feb 3 so I can join in the discussion on io9.com .
Today at the library I'm going to pick up I Am a Cat by Soseki Natsume.

>120 norabelle414: Yay for picking up The Kingmaker's Daughter. I really liked the one, and I really loved her character on The White Queen. (TV series and book.)

>124 norabelle414: Good luck with finishing your books!

Life Updates:

I've discovered some more details about my new contract, though I can't talk about them yet because I'm not supposed to know. I do know that I will be on the new contract and I won't be getting a salary decrease. So that's good.

>125 rosylibrarian: IKR, a perfect condition paperback for free! Faye Marsay was delightful (as she always is) as Anne Neville in The White Queen.

>124 norabelle414: Cheering for you to do ALL THE READING!!! :)

What play are you seeing on Thursday? I desperately miss the good local theatre I had back home. All we get down here are musical revues and while I love a musical as much as the next person... no. Just no.

TV Updates:
I'm fairly behind, but here's what I've watched recently:

Parks & Recreation: "Leslie & Ron" might be the single greatest half-hour of television ever. I'm pretty sure I'm still crying 6 days later.

The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore: I watched the first week of this new show, but I'm going to quit. I like Larry Wilmore, but I don' t like the format of the show. Shows of panels of comedians are not my thing.

Arrow: Wahhhhhhh Everyone is so sad! I really thought they were going to drag out the "Oliver is dead" plot over a few more episodes. Oh well. Also, I still want Roy and Thea to get back together.

The 100: I hope that Clark doesn't go crazy, because her being rational makes her my favorite character. This episode didn't really feel like a mid-season premiere, but I suppose that's okay.

Parenthood: Speaking of still crying several days later, there's only one episode of this show left. Ever! There's a lot left to cram into one episode, as Sarah has to get married, and the producers have said there will be a death, though they won't say who. It has to be Zeek, though, right? Anyone else dying would open more plotlines than it closes. My ideal ending, I think, would be a time jump to Zeek dying 8 or 10 years in the future, surrounded by his kids and grandkids and great-grandkids. But no one ever listens to me!

Hart of Dixie: Another awesome episode! Wade was awesome. Annabeth was awesome. LaVon was awesome. George and Lemon realizing they are just friends was SO, SO AWESOME! Because duh, and now George and LaVon can bromance it up all the time! I love LaVon, but Annabeth is the absolute best and if he can't see that then he really doesn't deserve her.

Grimm: Much better than last week! That seems to be Grimm's M.O. - lots of "two-parters" in which the first half is meh and the second half is great. I'm glad that Sgt Wu is on Team Grimm now, because he is hilarious. I also hope that Juliette wants to keep her Hexenbiest powers because she wants to fit in more with the group. I don't dislike Juliette, but she could stand to be a little more interesting

The Americans: Well, it happened. Amazon Prime was on sale this weekend and I drank the Kool-aid, mostly just so I could catch up on The Americans! I watched half of season 2 this weekend. I won't be able to catch up by the season 3 premiere this Wednesday, but I should be able to catch up by next week's episode. Season 2 isn't terrible, but it's starting to feel a little stagnant.

Game of Thrones: I finished watching the first season on DVD from the library. I was very underwhelmed, just like I was with the books. They're good, but not worth all the hype they receive.

Masters of Sex: I watched the first season a few weekends ago and really enjoyed it. However, once I started season two and the cast lost Allison Janney, Beau Bridges, Keke Palmer, Rose McIver, AND Nicholas D'Agosto, I lost interest. I might watch some more the next time my TV provider has a free Showtime weekend, but I won't go out of my way.

>129 norabelle414: I agree with all of the Hart of Dixie things. I so desperately want LaVon to realize that AB is where it's at because otherwise I'm going to like him less. And I like liking him.

Sorry, I forgot to include last night's TV:

Downton Abbey: A better episode than usual. I know that Anna didn't kill Mr. Green, but it would be much more interesting if she did. I'm so tired of this Mr. Bates plot, which is just a rehash of the season 2 Mr. Bates plot. Finally, some plot for Rose! Not that we didn't see this coming. Here's hoping she falls truly in love soon, and doesn't go back to being boring! Lord Grantham is not the nicest guy right now (especially to his wife, geez!) but Ms. Bunting needs to cut it out. I have a hard time believing that a gradeschool teacher doesn't know how to be nice and suck it up for a couple hours, especially since Tom asked her to. Why does she keep accepting invitations for dinner? And the girls really need to stop inviting her to dinner. Also, I knew Lord Gillingham wasn't going to take rejection well.
Can someone explain the Thomas/Baxter plot to me? I'm too dense for it apparently. What kind of drugs was he taking, and why?? Also, I've forgotten who Mabel Lane Fox was.

Galavant: I AM SO DISAPPOINTED! The only way a crazy cheesy musical like this was going to work was if it was a self-contained series, with a conclusion. Not this stupid cliffhanger bullshit with absolutely no conclusion! It was only 4 weeks long! They couldn't have made it 5 weeks and given it a decent conclusion? There's no way it's going to get renewed for another season and even if it does, no one is going to remember or care what happened in 11 months when the next season would air. If it had a conclusion ABC could air it all the time as a miniseries, and people would buy it on demand and such. And they could still have another series with a new plot if they wanted! But nope. This SUCKS.

>129 norabelle414: No wonder you don't have enough time to read. :-)

>128 MickyFine: The last two plays I saw were musicals (Fiddler on the Roof and Five Guys Named Moe) and were both excellent. The play I'm seeing this week is based on The Hound of the Baskervilles and I was super excited about it until earlier this week when I saw it on a list of "Best plays for kids!". Erm......

>130 MickyFine: I think the ship has sailed for me to want LaVon and Annabeth to be together (pun intended). If he was really good enough for her, he would have realized it before now. I'm done. Unfortunately, it's too late for a new love interest to be introduced since this is such a short season!

>132 qebo: It's not as much as it seems, and I really don't have anything else going on. I set aside time for reading every day but that time is mostly spent staring off into space and other procrastination-type behaviors.

>133 norabelle414: Yeah, but The Sound of Music also gets put on lists like that. I wouldn't sweat it.

>131 norabelle414: I got the idea she was someone that one of Mary's beaus jilted to pursue her, but I couldn't really remember either...

>131 norabelle414: I agree about Anna, Bates, Rose, Lord Grantham, and Ms. Bunting. And Gillingham. Mabel Lane-Fox is the one Gillingham dumped in favor of Mary. I wonder if that's what Charles Blake meant, when he told Mary that she had the ability to soften the blow -- perhaps he was indicating that Mabel Lane-Fox is not as "over" Gillingham as she professes? I'm not sure; that line went over my head (and apparently Mary's, too).

As for Thomas, someone in my Downton discussion group last week was speculating that it is some kind of conversion therapy, based on the glimpse we got of the magazine ad. And considering what Baxter said, I'm inclined to believe that's correct. I was just figuring it was some kind of recreational drug, but he sure doesn't seem to be having any fun...

>131 norabelle414: re Downtown I'm pretty sure that Thomas is using heroin to try to be straight. There was a lot heroin use for "therapeutic" reasons back then and Thomas seems to have decided that he'd be accepted if he wasn't gay. You know, instead of if he was nice.

Mabel Lane Fox was Gillingham's fiance who he left for Mary.

>137 foggidawn: I thought Blake meant Mary could sleep with him (Gillingham) to soften the blow and that she wasn't confused but a little shocked.

>139 leahbird: If that's what he meant, I'd be a little shocked, too.

Re: Thomas, >138 leahbird: That makes sense! I saw the "choose your own life!" thing in the magazine and thought he was taking night classes or something.
You know, instead of if he was nice.
HAHAHAHAHA!

Re: Mabel Lane Fox, >137 foggidawn: I figured it was something like that, but I don't remember the exact situation. Probably because Gillingham doesn't really do it for me so I tend to ignore him.

That line about softening the blow was over my head too! My thought was that maybe Charles Blake was insinuating that Mary should get engaged to him but how would that make Gillingham not feel awful? Mabel is clearly not over him though so that could work nicely.

>139 leahbird: I like that idea, but I'm pretty sure Charles Blake has no idea Mary slept with Gillingham. Hopefully, because I want them to get together!

I finished reading a book and returned it to the library on time and wrote 3/4 of a review! Yayyyyyyy!

Yayyyyyyy!

Also, I'm totally lost in A Brief History of Seven Killings and I need to check in with a paper copy (or ebook - that's how bad it is!) but in the meantime my library conveniently has acquired Wild Rover No More, the last Jacky Faber book! And it's even in mp3 format so I can listen on the OverDrive app instead of my damn iPod. I've got my tissues at the ready.

Nora, you should go over to my thread and follow the link to the music video. There is much eye candy to be had.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu - In 1967, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, a young astrophysicist named Ye Wenjie watches the execution of her father for teaching theoretical physics. Ye Wenjie is exiled to a labor camp, but a few years later is given the option to devote the rest of her life to astrophysics at a very remote, very specialized, secret defense research facility. Who could say no to that?

Forty years later, a nanomaterials researcher named Wang Miao is asked to help the police with the investigation of a string of suicides of physicists. All the victims were involved with a cult called "Frontiers of Science", and Wang Miao becomes a mole within the group to provide information to the police. He becomes enamored with a virtual-reality video game the members have been playing called Three Body. Eventually Wang Miao discovers why the physicists have been committing suicide, what the cult is all about, why they've been playing Three Body, and what all of this has to do with Ye Wenjie's astrophysics research from forty years ago.

This novel is a truly astounding feat. The story is unique and thought-provoking. Its setting is unequivocally Chinese - the Cultural Revolution and Chinese culture are like their own characters. It would be a shame to fail to mention the astounding translator - Ken Liu. To convey such meaning and nuance through a translation between languages that could not be more different is so impressive.

Though some parts of the book did get a bit too technical with the physics for me to follow, I still very much enjoyed the story and look forward to the sequels.






Currently reading:
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

Currently listening to:
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B. J. Novak
Wild Rover No More by L. A. Meyer

Coming soon:
Rooms by Lauren Oliver
I Am a Cat by Soseki Natsume

PAGES READ: 399
BOOKS BOUGHT: 0
BOOKS ACQUIRED: 1
BOOKS DEACCESSIONED: 10

DAYS REMAINING: 339
PAGES REMAINING: 19601
PAGES PER DAY: 57.82

>146 norabelle414: You almost had me but... physics. Not even David Tennant can get me to like physics.

>146 norabelle414: Hmm.

I think I'd like to try reading more East Asian books this year. I feel like it's a gap in my knowledge, and I really enjoyed The Three-Body Problem. Also, I talk about Asian animals almost every weekend, and I might be going to Japan on vacation in 2016. Here are some books I could read this year:

I Am a Cat by Sōseki Natsume
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
The Tesseract by Alex Garland
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan
The Lady and the Panda: The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal by Vicki Constantine Croke

All of which I own (except the first which I have currently checked out from the library)

>148 qebo: You would like it!

>147 MickyFine: You might not like it.

Ooh, trip to Japan!

I should probably read more Asian books too, both east and south.

From your list, I've read and really love Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress and had mixed feelings about The Wind-Up Girl. I think the second just tries to be to many things, most of which were pretty cool but not at the same time.

Agent Carter We totally called it on the new blonde girl down the hall. Russian do you think? Or maybe Hydra? Also, I love that Stan Lee cameoed this week.

>153 MickyFine: Definitely Russian. I think she's trained in the same place as Black Widow

>154 norabelle414: Agent Carter The Moscow ballet? :P

>146 norabelle414: I've had The Three Body Problem on my list for a while, but that review just pushed it to the top :-)

I am intensely curious about how to mark spoilers. Is there an LT feature I missed?

>156 archerygirl: It's the word "spoiler" in an HTML tag. I think it was implemented shortly after Amazon bought Goodreads and there was that huge influx of GR-ers coming over to LT. They use it on GR a lot.

More detailed directions: At the beginning of the spoiler text put "(left arrow)spoiler(right arrow)", and then at the end of the spoiler put "(left arrow)/spoiler(right arrow)"

Try it out!

>157 norabelle414: Well, that's far to obvious and sensible by half :-)

>153 MickyFine: I did not expect to get that Dottie reveal so fast! I'm putting my money on Red Room. I am prepared to lose my money ;-)

I've had a very busy day (and tomorrow at work will be busy as well) so only a few updates:

I finished Yes Please on time and returned it to the library. I don't have time to write a review until tomorrow evening.
I need to read 50 pages per day of Rooms to finish on time and I think I'll be able to.

I'm trying to keep my Ravelry profile more up-to-date to get my knitting more organized, so you can check on what I'm doing there, if you want! http://www.ravelry.com/people/norabelle414
I'm awful at remembering to take pictures though.

I'm way behind on TV again but I think I'll be able to catch up this weekend because I'm not working at the zoo and I have no other plans and it's supposed to be very cold and maybe snowy.

>158 archerygirl: I agree -- in fact, I thought the Dottie reveal was maybe too fast, because it just felt so thrown in to that episode. But she was excellently creepy -- "I. Want. That." -- what? I'm intrigued. Maybe she is Black Widow's mom? The internet speculation is rampant!

And Nora, in reference to some post way back that I am too lazy to find again, HELLOOOOO Grantchester. Because that man is super easy on the eyes and that is basically all anyone needs to know. :)

>160 beserene: I know, right?!



Look at that perfect hair.

*swoon*

Here's a scarf I just finished knitting for my coworker:

>161 norabelle414: My officemate who was home sick for a few days was telling me about Grantchester. She sent me a pic of him and my first reaction was, "Oooo." I am going to have to track this show down at some point.

>163 norabelle414: Very nice. Did the yarn do the colouring or was that you using multiple colours of yarn?

>164 MickyFine: Tada! http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/

It's color transitioning yarn

I have some lovely color transition embroidery floss that looks wonderful when doing leaves or water.

>165 norabelle414: Nice. One of my coworkers knitted a pair of socks where the yarn did all of the patterning for her. It's pretty impressive. I am still trying to figure out arm knitting...

>167 MickyFine: Arm knitting is way too complicated for me

>167 MickyFine:

I discovered arm knitting just before Christmas and love it. It produces great results as well.

>169 lunacat: I tried to make a scarf except I must have done something wrong because it started unravelling when I picked it up. Haven't attempted again but will eventually. Or maybe just learn to crochet. One hook has to be easier, right?

Knitting updates:
I finished the above scarf for my coworker, but she's out of the office until the 17th (long story, which I can elaborate on the 17th) so I haven't given it to her yet.
I'm almost done with a cat sweater I'm knitting for my friend, but the end of the pattern is weird so it's taking me awhile. If I can get it to work I'll probably be making more.
I took some pictures of my current and recently finished projects and they're up on my Ravelry page now. I would like to get my yarn organized at some point (ha!) and Ravelry will be a huge help with that.

Currently knitting:
purple cat sweater (not for Rory)
pastel gloves
red socks
jewel-tone fingerless mittens

Reading updates:

I'm not totally up to date on Rooms by Lauren Oliver, but I'm not terribly far behind. I still think I'll finish on time (tomorrow evening) or maybe one day late.

Drat! Double post.

One of the great perks of working at a library (at least the libraries I've worked at) is that we don't have to pay overdue fees (with rare exceptions). I still return all my stuff on time but I do like knowing I have the option.

>174 MickyFine: Not fair! Though I probably would never finish any books if I didn't have that 20 cents hanging over my head. Thankfully (unthankfully?) my deadline for reading Rooms is for an online discussion, not for returning the book.

>175 norabelle414: I hope the discussion (and also the book) is good. :)

Yes Please by Amy Poehler - As it turns out, Saturday Night Live is just about the least interesting thing Amy Poehler has ever done. While she was acting and writing at SNL she was also running an improv theater. Before she was on SNL she had a late-night comedy show on Comedy Central. After SNL she wrote, produced, directed, and acted in 3 tv shows and a web series all at the same time. She's a dynamo.

There was a small amount of mourning for me when reading this book. The Amy Poehler I thought I knew (who was completely amazing and perfect) does not exist. Instead I met this new, different Amy Poehler. She's crass, she smoked cigarettes and did drugs, she's very flawed, and she doesn't ever put up with bullshit. But she's even better than the Amy in my head. Her flaws are her strengths. Her mistakes are the best things she's ever done. She regrets nothing, because everything has gotten her to where she is, which is exactly where she wants to be.

The thing that really sets Amy (and her memoir) apart from the others is how much love she has. She loves her kids, and her friends, and her parents, and her plethora of jobs, and her life. She is just so uplifting that it feels like she's loving you as you read the book. Even the overly-familiar writing style, which I usually hate, was just endearing because it was filled with so much love. This memoir was everything I needed it to be, and didn't know it.

>177 norabelle414: - What a great review! I am keeping my fingers crossed that my library will get the audio of this...

Rooms by Lauren Oliver - When Richard Walker dies, his family returns to their old house in upstate New York to settle his estate: his estranged alcoholic wife Caroline, their depressed teenage son Trenton, their lonely older daughter Minna, and Minna's six-year-old Amy. But the house the family returns to isn't quite empty after all. Like most houses, this one has a storied history including the ghosts of a few former residents who haven't quite moved on.

The premise of the book is really excellent, but it doesn't live up to its potential. The characters are kind of boring and stereotypical. Minna literally has sex with every man she meets within an hour of meeting them (due to daddy issues, of course). Caroline "secretly" drinks vodka all morning because her husband cheated on her. Trenton is a teenager with acne who has trouble with girls and wants to kill himself. It's all been done before. The ghosts living in the house were slightly more interesting, but their stories were similar and I had trouble remembering who was who. In the end, all the issues are tied up in a neat, little, unrealistic bow. And then a tighter bow. And then a tighter bow. And then one more bow, just in case you didn't get the picture.






Currently reading:
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
I Am a Cat by Soseki Natsume

Currently listening to:
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B. J. Novak
Wild Rover No More by L. A. Meyer

Coming soon:
Mort(e) by Robert Repino

PAGES READ: 1,054
BOOKS BOUGHT: 0
BOOKS ACQUIRED: 1
BOOKS DEACCESSIONED: 10

DAYS REMAINING: 331
PAGES REMAINING: 18,946
PAGES PER DAY: 57.24

>178 katiekrug: Whoops! I almost missed you there Katie!
I'm glad you liked my review! While Amy Poehler does have an excellent reading voice, the paper edition has lots and lots of pictures and graphics. It's a trade-off.

>179 norabelle414: I forgot to mention that there is lots and lots and lots of adultery in Rooms, so those of you who are sensitive to that probably want to stay away.

>177 norabelle414: I felt the same way when I read Amy's book. I really only knew her from Parks and Rec since I've never been a big SNL watcher. It really opened my eyes to the kind of woman she is offscreen and how inspiring she is.

>180 norabelle414: I did both. I listened to her read it and then I checked out the ebook so I could look at the photos.

>160 beserene: Having seen this week's episode, I understand why they made the Dottie reveal last week, even though it felt too soon at the time. But the creepy factor to it was amazing.

>183 archerygirl: Yep, I totally agree. It makes so much more sense now!

Hart of Dixie (airing right now): OH MY GOD ANNABETH AND GEORGE!! I TOTALLY SHIP IT!!!!!!! This is the best thing ever!

>185 norabelle414: I totally agree. They are super adorable. However, I'm totally over Lemon and Lavon. Can that story arc just go away? Plus, can we give Zoe something more than pregnant lady tropes to do every week. I mean, I'm enjoying the adorableness of her and Wade being back together but I'd like them to have some real plot. This week and last week were kind of ridiculous on their end of things.

>186 MickyFine: I think that Lemon and Lavon are good together, but their story doesn't really thrill me. I did feel bad for her this episode though, because I think she really wants Annabeth to be happy and was not thinking (only) of herself.
At least Zoe's baby bump has made an appearance now! I do think that she is a more interesting character when she is being competent and confident, which she is not so far with the baby (which does make some sense because her mother is the worst).

Oh and the bit with Brent Bailey made me squee with delight.

>188 MickyFine: WHAT?! Did I miss him?!? What is wrong with me?????
(going back to watch it again.....)

ETA: Found him! I must have totally not been paying attention. So cute!

>189 norabelle414: Right??? I loved the difference between Alex Knightley and the total mama's boy. Although I'm sad there were no khakis.

Let me know when you've watched Agent Carter. I'm in need of some fangirling.

AGENT CARTER YES

It was so satisfying to see Peggy punch Thompson, even though after last week he's #3 on my ship list. And that tiny moment where Sousa is pointing the gun at her was so heartbreaking

>192 norabelle414: So who are #1 and #2 on your ship list? Sousa is totally first on mine. And he's kind of it, although Thompson might make it if he continues to grow like he did last week.

I cannot wait to see what they do with Peggy's interrogation because there are SO many places to go with it. So sad that there's only two episodes left. We better get a second season because I need some sassy 1940s in my TV schedule

>193 MickyFine:
Nora's Official Agent Carter Ship List:
1) Sousa, duh.
2) Dum-dum Dugan (she's said that her husband was rescued by Captain America, and Dum-dum is the only one we know for sure has been saved by Cap. Plus, he gets her and respects her more than anyone else)
3) Thompson (formerly #4)
4) Jarvis (formerly #3) (they have chemistry, and at first it seemed like his wife mightn't have been real. But now we know she's real, and I haven't forgiven him for lying to cover Stark's ass last week.)

>194 norabelle414: and all the Agent Carter posts: yes. To all this. Especially your ship list, though I have to say that Thompson is still the lowest on my list, because even after the previous week's confession, he's just too DB-sly for me. The way he just LEANED there, pointing his gun at Peggy -- I gotta be honest, I cheered when she clocked him. But Sousa, now that -- I totally agree -- was a heartbreaker. I feel bad for that guy. He's such a dear. But we'll see what happens in the interrogation room! (Doom music: Dunh-dunh-DUUUUNNNHHH!)

And, omg, yes this show needs to continue. I think it's pretty much the best comic book show on TV.

>195 beserene: Well clearly he did deserve the clocking. And if they're going to get together they need at least one more season for him to get his shit together before he's good enough for her. But he is headed in that direction. It's clear he has feelings for her so at the least he and Peggy are going to have an awkward conversation.

>196 norabelle414: I think you are right about his feelings, which makes me a little nervous if the series does get to continue -- I would hate for it to degenerate, Hunger-Games-style, into Team Sousa and Team Thompson, with most people forgetting that we are all on Team Peggy, actually, thank you very much. I like to think that the writers are smarter than that, though. I imagine, as perhaps you do, that Peggy would have to sit down and have an awkward but stern talk with Thompson about how she can't possibly engage in an office romance as she has so much important work to do. I also see a similar discussion with Sousa, but much more romantic, with her being perhaps a little conflicted because she really did think he was a possibility, but no, it cannot be... Peggy is a woman on a mission! And until that mission is done, she will not be distracted by Dreamy Sousa and the Snarky-Pout Kid!

God I love this show.

>194 norabelle414: Hmmm. Jarvis isn't on my list at all. He's MARRIED. And how can you ship him with anyone other than his wife with the back story they have? He committed treason to save her from concentration camps! Seriously, best back story ever. He and Peggy are totally my BROTP though. :)

>197 beserene: LOL at "the Snarky-Pout Kid."

TV Updates:
No new Hart of Dixie tonight :-( Not sure why not.

The last few episodes of Parks and Recreation continue to make me sob uncontrollably.

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Book Updates:
I have Morte out from the library and I'm greatly enjoying it. However, I seem to be the first person to ever read this particular copy, and that is very intimidating. What if I get a drop of coffee on it? How far can I open the spine? What if Rory rubs against it and it smells like cat? What if it falls off the nightstand and the pages bend? What if it's in my purse and there's also a pencil in my purse and it gets pencil marks on it? (I have removed all writing utensils and makeup from my purse, just in case.)

______________________________________

Knitting Updates:
I completely frogged the socks I was knitting for my brother (I was only halfway done with the leg of the first sock) because I think they were going to end up too big at the calf. I always forget that even though his feet are ginormous, he has skinny stick legs. Starting over with a smaller circumference now.

ATTENTION:

Audible has released a free audiobook for Valentine's Day: 22 minutes of classic love poems read by Richard Armitage. You're welcome.
http://www.audible.com/pd/Classics/FREE-Classic-Love-Poems-Audiobook/B00TA13B56/...

>199 norabelle414: Thanks for the head's up on HoD.

>200 norabelle414: Well, I may just have to give that a listen while I clean my apartment this afternoon.

Too bad you had to frog the socks when you were so far on them. I hope they turn out better this time around.

Happy Valentine's day!

>198 MickyFine: Jarvis is nowhere on my list for the same reason :-) Although, I'm the outlyer here, I think - my top ship is Peggy/Angie. I'd be willing to settle for Peggy/Sousa if that's the way they go, though.

OMG, avoiding all of the spoilers are KILLING ME! I'm only on episode 6 in season 2 of Hart of Dixie, and I was thisclose to clicking on the George spoiler way up there. GAH!

I'm now half-watching Argo as it's a friends that she leant to me last fall and I'm giving her a massage tonight, so I'm trying to squeeze that in. Plus, since my DVR has decided to be a punk-ass for the last week and a half, all show titles and descriptions that I record only say No Info Available, so I have no idea what show I'm watching and have to try and figure it out based on time and channel. I suck at this game.

What do you guys use to find out which Netflix/Hulu shows are leaving when? I found (and signed up for) Decider, but don't know if there's a better one out there.

And, holy crap, this is the best Audible freebie they've had in, like, EVER! ♥♥♥ Richard Armitage ♥♥♥

Will mosey over to Ravelry and check out your stuff. I've been getting into crocheting again, and there's been talk of two of my former library co-workers and I making a little crochet circle. I hope it works out, because I only know 1 stitch and sort-of know 1 other one, so all of my stuff looks the same. I couldn't quite "get" knitting when I tried it (though finger knitting and arm knitting I get), so that will have to wait a while I think. My brain can only handle learning one crafty thing at a time.

Go you, getting rid of 10 books! I'm super impressed!

I learned to crochet this weekend. So far, much more successful than my arm knitting attempt.

Agent Carter Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! This episode was so good! And there is no way we're making it to the end of the season without a cliffhanger and that is not good. I will be making angry noises next week that you'll probably hear from DC. ;)

>206 MickyFine: I'll be listening :-) I did notice that in the promo for next week they said "season finale" not "series finale" so they are at least interested in having another season.

>207 norabelle414: I remain hopeful. I don't think ABC announces pick-ups until May, so we won't hear for a while, but its second in its timeslot for ratings, so that's got to count for something. Yes, I am clutching to every straw I can find!

>207 norabelle414: I checked the interwebs last night and while there's lots of speculation going both ways, nothing conclusive yet.

I have to say I enjoyed all the screwball comedy in between the high drama in the episode this week. Particularly Peggy and Jarvis smashing the window and then realizing they're still handcuffed to the table. Gold.

>209 MickyFine: And the look on the operator ladies' faces when Jarvis said he had a signed confession! A good episode considering it took place almost entirely inside the office.

>210 norabelle414: True facts. So much was going on, I didn't even notice that almost all the action was happening at the SSR.

>211 MickyFine: Yes to all this. I loved the episode and will be super sad when the season ends next week!

Nora? *listens to echoes*

I'm here. I'm just not reading much or very talkative.

*waves*

>214 norabelle414: Well, I miss you. I will, of course, just be very patient and wait for talkativeness to return. :)

No ETA on that, unfortunately :-/

>215 rosylibrarian: Hi Marie!

>217 norabelle414: I'll pop by after I watch Agent Carter tonight after work. And OUAT comes back this weekend. :)

>219 MickyFine: I haven't watched Agent Carter yet but I'll probably get to it this evening. I am excited for OUAT.

I watched Agent Carter, but since you two aren't there yet, I'll say nothing. Can't wait to see what y'all think, though! :)

Agent Carter I liked it. There was no screeching on my part and although I desperately want another season, I'm relieved that there's no major cliffhangers that will always leave me wondering "what if?" I did squeal in delight though when Peggy gave that grin after Sousa asked her out. They are so adorable. I was also very pleased with how the arc for the season was resolved and the set up for some Hydra hijinks if it does get renewed. A solid season IMO.

>222 MickyFine: I felt the same way - there were a few intriguing things that could set up a season two if necessary, but no cliffhanger that will leave me flapping in the wind if season two doesn't happen. The only thing that would bother me, a little, is what happened to Dottie and what new menace she's causing. Peggy declaring that she knows her worth and doesn't need validation from anyone else made me a cheer a little, and I loved the idea of her and Angie moving into one of Howard's apartments. The idea of Zola and Ivchenko teaming up...well, no wonder Bucky was so thoroughly brain washed. Aww. I do plan to throw an undignified tantrum if season two doesn't happen, though, because the show has made me so happy.

OUAT on Sunday! Woot!

I found a teaser for this Sunday's episode of OUAT:
"Get ready Emma and Hook lovers because you will be beyond pleased with the amount of PDA packed into Sunday's premiere! Their looks of adoration will give you butterflies, and the opening credits are still rolling when you're treated to your first CaptainSwan kiss with coffee. It's clear that the past six weeks have been filled with many romantic moments. "

>224 norabelle414: Squee!

I is a happy fangirl.

Grinning over here, as OUAT is one of my guilty pleasures.

And I am in complete agreement with both of your assessments regarding Agent Carter (and Sousa through the whole episode... awww!) -- but I want more, right now! I absolutely adore the show and the idea that it might end up as a one shot deal makes me so, so sad. Crossing my fingers! And any other appendages I can think of!

The second Veronica Mars audiobook (Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham) is NOT narrated by Kristen Bell :-( :-( :-( :-(

>228 norabelle414: Aw, that sucks. I had hoped she would continue. I guess she has a lot on her plate though...

There is a shirtless Wade this week. You know, in case you need enticement to watch Heart of Dixie. ;)

>230 MickyFine: Don't worry! I watched it on-air and it was excellent. I'm really loving the arc with Lemon's mom. It's a really important aspect of Lemon's character and I'm glad that she (and we) are getting some closure.
Only two more episodes left! :-(

Reading update: I'm making very very slow progress in Mort(e). No progress in I Am a Cat. Both have been renewed and are now due on March 23.
I've pre-ordered Prudence by Gail Carriger, The Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan, and You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost), by Felicia Day. The former two come out in March and the later comes out in August.

>232 norabelle414: I was very excited when the Felicia Day memoir showed up on one of the selection lists at work (I order adult non-fiction for my library). Yay for nerdiness!

>232 norabelle414: >233 MickyFine: Yay, I didn't know Felicia Day had a memoir coming out!

>230 MickyFine: Did they cancel HoD? Is this the last season?

>234 rosylibrarian: They have not cancelled Hart of Dixie, but pretty much everyone is expecting this to be the last season.

New thread posted!