Roberta's back! (luvamystery65)

Welcome to my 75 thread! I am Roberta from Houston, Texas USA. As my user name will tell you I love a mystery most, but I now have an appreciation for many other genres, including urban fantasy, horror, space opera, and westerns.

I love dogs! ;-)

Currently Reading or Listening

EBOOK


EBOOK/AUDIO


GRAPHIC NOVEL


GRAPHIC NOVEL


AUDIO


AUDIO


BOOK

Books in 2016 *owned by me prior to 2016, **newly owned by me

January
1. * Three Slices by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson & Chuck Wendig
2. Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
3. Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham
4. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
5. Fables, Vol. 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham
6. Fables, Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham
7. *The Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik
8. Fables, Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham
9. Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman
10. Lumberjanes, Vol 1 Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
11. Fables, Vol. 6: Homelands by Bill Willingham
12. The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez
13. Fables, Vol. 7: Arabian Nights and Days by Bill Willingham
14. *Side Jobs by Jim Butcher
15. Fables, Vol 8: Wolves by Bill Willingham
16. **Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson
17. *Zer0es by Chuck Wendig
18. *Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
19. **Staked by Kevin Hearne
20. *Unbecoming by Rebecca Sherm
February
21. Jack of Fables, Vol. 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape by Bill Willingham
22. *A Bride's Story, Vol. 4 by Kaoru Mori
23. *A Bride's Story, Vol. 5 by Kaoru Mori
24. Jack of Fables, Vol. 2: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham
25. *A Bride's Story, Vol. 6 by Kaoru Mori
26. *The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
27. *Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
28. Jack of Fables, Vol. 3: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham
29. *Fairest by Marissa Meyer
30. Jack of Fables, Vol. 4: Americana by Bill Willingham
31. Fables, 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
32. Fables, Vol. 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham
33. Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham
34. *Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
35. **Working for Bigfoot by Jim Butcher
36. Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces by Bill Willingham
37. Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages by Bill Willingham
38. Jack of Fables, Vol. 5: Turning Pages by Bill Willingham
39. Jack of Fables, Vol. 6: The Big Book of War by Bill Willingham
40. Bitch Planet, Vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine by Kelly Sue Deconnick
41. *Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
42. *Sandman Overture by Neil Gaiman
43. Velvet, Vol. 2: The Secret Lives of Dead Men by Ed Brubaker
March
44. *We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
45. *The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson
46. Fables, Vol. 13: The Great Crossover by Bill Willingham
47. Jack of Fables, Vol. 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack by Bill Willingham
48. Fables, Vol. 14: Witches by Bill Willingham
49. The Fade Out, Vol. 1 by Ed Brubaker
50. The Fade Out, Vol. 2 by Ed Brubaker
51. The Fade Out, Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker
52. *War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
53. Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson
54. Jack of Fables, Vol. 8: The Fulminate Blade by Bill Willingham
55. *Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
56. *The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo

March Possibles *owned by me
*The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson AlphaKIT COMPLETED
*A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans DeweyCAT
**The Killing Lessons by Saul Black AlphaKIT
*The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov GeoCAT start but finish in April.
*How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman RandomCAT from Fragile Things
*The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo COMPLETED
*The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman GeoCAT
A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman
*War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy GeoCAT COMPLETED
*We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Horror! COMPLETED

April Possible *owned by me
*Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold AlphaKIT
*Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad AlphaKIT
*The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov March GeoCAT start but finish in April for Group Read.
Endurance by Alfred Lansing GeoCAT (Hoopla audio)
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat GeoCAT (Hoopla audio)
White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones
**The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan DeweyCAT
Perfume by Patrick Suskind Horror!
*Emma by Jane Austen tutored read by Liz I'll be following. reread
**A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin

My other threads on LT

Navajo Mystery (Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee)/Walt Longmire Project

Fantasy February

Non-Fiction November (link will be posted mid- October)

2016 Category Challenge Opposites Attract Challenge

2016 Category Group Read: Fables by Bill Willingham

April GeoCAT: Polar Regions, Islands and Bodies of Water

Roberta Reads Horror! 2016

Non-Fiction Horror May (link will be posted mid-April)

Paranormal Horror September (link will be posted mid-August)

Roberta Tries to ROOT 2016

A Manual for Cleaning Women Group Read

Photos

Kevin Hearne at Murder by the Book January 28th 2016

Book Bullets

(Yes, the photo is my homage to Judy, who can shoot out those BB forwards, backwards and riding on her horse!)

1. Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire - Mark (msf59)
2. Bad Penny Blues by Cathi Unsworth - Judy (DeltaQueen50) the sure shot herself!
3. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers - Mamie (Crazymamie)
4. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - Julia (rosalita)
5. Mob Cop by Fred Pascente - Jim (drneutron)
6. The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker - Joe (jnwelch) COMPLETED Well aimed!
7. Postal: Volume 1 by Matt Hawkins - Mark (msf59)
8. The Killing Lessons by Saul Black - Dave (AHS-Wolfy)
9. Mãn by Kim Thúy - Mamie (Crazymamie)
10. Super Mutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki - Joe (jnwelch)
11. That's Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms and What Our English Says About Us by Erin Moore - Susan (susanj67)
12. Spillover by David Quammen- Susan (susanj67)
13. On the Map: why the World Looks the Way it Does by Simon Garfield - Jim (drneutron)

Well I will jump in first then Roberta to express my delight that you will be returning to the fold in 2016! Missed you lots for most of the last year.

>7 PaulCranswick: Aw... Thanks Paul! I don't know that I'll be around more but at least it will be easier for my fellow 75ers to find me.

Wonderful opening, Roberta. I'm looking forward to your readings.

I'm with Paul - I'm so happy that you have a thread this year!

Great to see you in the group again, Roberta!

Welcome back!

>9 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara!

>10 scaifea: I'm glad to be back Amber. I don't know how I am going to keep up but I will do what I can and live with it.

>11 DianaNL: Thank you Diana!

>12 drneutron: It's great to be back with a personal thread here Jim.

Hi Roberta! Thought I should come over and find your thread before things got really busy here in the group. ;-)

Hi Roberta! I too am very happy you'll be back in this group in 2016. I've been looking around for signs of the War and Peace group read... is that still on, or has it be put off to another time? I'm eager to find out as it'll definitely impact the number of books I can plan for in January!

>14 lkernagh: Thank you Lori! I appreciate the visit.

>15 Smiler69: Thanks Ilana and here is the link for W&P. War & Peace Group Read

Glad to have you back, Roberta!

>16 luvamystery65: Thanks for that Roberta. Heading over there now!

WahHOO! Lovely to see you back here, Roberta! Dropping off my star, of course!

Dropping in on your new thread!

>17 lyzard: Thank you Liz!

>18 Smiler69: You are welcome Ilana. W&P is having an nice turnout.

>19 Crazymamie: A star! Thank you Mamie.

>20 thornton37814: Thank you Lori!

Howdy, Roberta from Houston, Texas!! Looking forward to tagging along, again, with my buddy.

Dropping off a star and looking forward to another year of reading adventures.

Back for more!!

Roberta! I'm thrilled that you're back! I was so hopeless at visiting the challenge thread and finding you. But now you're right here :-)

Hi Roberta, nice to see you back on here. I will be posting on your thread my dear on a regular basis to see how you are doing and what you are reading. Sending love and hugs.

Well look at all the fabulous folks that are visiting me already! Thank you >22 msf59: >23 SuziQoregon: >24 Berly: >25 susanj67: & >26 johnsimpson:

Hi Roberta, wishing you a very Happy New Year my dear from both of us, sending special love and hugs.

Dropping off my star on folks' 2016 threads now that 2015 is in its waning hours.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Roberta!!

Also starring threads now that I've wrapped up the 2015 thread and set up the new one!


Happy New Year!

Dropping a star.

>28 DianaNL: >29 johnsimpson: >30 Ameise1: Happy New Year!

>31 EBT1002: >32 ronincats: >33 Familyhistorian: Thank you! I am positively shining with the stars! ;-)

Happy New Year, Ro! Big Hugs to my pal!

So I am working today but that's okay. Someone has to do it. I finished my old year and started the new year reading Three Slices a short anthology by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson and Chuck Wendig. Got to get ready for Staked IDC number 8. It comes out on the 26th. The novella, A Prelude to War takes place between books 7 & 8. I wasn't that impressed but it sets Atticus up to go back to Toronto. The war with the vampires is heating up. I'm still reading the rest of the anthology and will mark it finished when I do.

GRAPHIC NOVEL

I read Fables, Vol 1 by Bill Willingham. I really liked the setup. Can't wait to get into this series. I have Volumes 2 & 3 lined up.

ETA: I also started Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman on audio.

>35 msf59: Thanks!

Happy New Year, Roberta!

Abby and I are fans of the Fables GNs - so fun!

Roberta, I posted this on my thread and FB, but wanted to make sure you saw it, so here goes:



"I wish you never-ending dreams
and the furious desire to realise some of them."
— Jacques Brel

EBOOK Three Slices by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson & Chuck Wendig

An anthology that I read for A Prelude to War, IDC 7.5. I wasn't that impressed but it sets Atticus up to go back to Toronto. The war with the vampires is heating up. I did enjoy the short stories by Dawson and Wendig. Dawson's takes place in the Blud series and Wendig's takes place in the Miriam Black series. I will be looking into both of these series for Fantasy February.

>37 Crazymamie: I hope you come over and give us your two cents worth over at the year long group read Mamie.

>38 Smiler69: That is lovely Ilana.

Yay! Roberta's here! I've missed you in this group. I don't get out of here often enough to follow wanderers to other places! I'm looking forward to the Hillerman and Johnson books once again. It was the only 2015 Challenge where I was a 100 percenter!

>41 Donna828: Thanks Donna. I missed folks around here that didn't get out much so I decided to go ahead and make a thread. I don't know how active or responsive I'll be but I am going to give it a go. I also am maintaining a thread in the 2016 Category Challenge and of course my Horror! Group that I loved last year but let fall by the wayside as RL got busy.

Happy new year, Roberta.

Have a wonderful bookfilled 2016, Roberta.

>43 BLBera: & >44 PaulCranswick: Thank you Beth and Paul! Today is my first day off work in the new year. Woohoo!

Hey, Roberta! I see your reading the Fables GNs. I'm definitely a fan of those. I'm getting ready to start vol. 7, they just keep getting more exciting the further you go in the series.

>46 Thebookdiva: Howdy Abby! I am reading Fables this year. Lots of folks around here rave about them so I decided I would devote this year to checking the series and side series out. I love that you are reading them. Join us in the year long read. It's in the 2016 Challenge Group but you don't have to be a member to participate. There is no set schedule, just pipe in whenever and wherever you are.

2016 Category Group Read: Fables by Bill Willingham

Oh! Thank you. I didn't know they had a challenge for the fables books. I will definitely check that out.

Hi Roberta! You've been starred!

>48 Thebookdiva: I hope to see you there Abby.

>49 cbl_tn: Thank you Carrie.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


LIBRARY BOOK
I finished my first Horror book of they year, Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. I always thought this book would be scary. It's more creepy than anything. Very creepy actually. Glad I read it.


GRAPHIC NOVEL LIBRARY LOAN

I also finished Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm. It built upon the set up of the first volume but was exceptional. The animals relegated to a second class life in upstate NY plot a revolution. They are foiled but not before lives are lost and roles changed. Rose Red stood out by coming out of her sister's shadow. I LOVED Goldilocks. She was perfect as the bat shit crazy revolutionary that would kill her own mother to advance her cause. Can 't wait to see her come back around. I do hope this series stays elevated at this level.

Happy Sunday, Ro! I loved Rosemary's Baby, both film and book.

I may have to return to the Fables series, at some point. I started Saga V. I love this series.

>50 luvamystery65: Oooh, Rosemary's Baby is super creepy. I was probably too young when I read that one (junior high, maybe?) and it stayed with me for a long time. It's probably what has led to my lifelong distrust of babies and small children. ;-)

I have Rosemary's Baby in the stacks. Have you read his A Kiss Before Dying? I thought that one was good, too.

Happy New Year, Roberta!

Just stopping in to say hello. Hello!

>51 msf59: Loved RB Mark. Can't wait to see what you think of Saga, 5. I am very happy with Fables right now Mark. It's early in but this series is right up my alley.

>52 rosalita: Julia you crack me up! Is this what we are blaming the distrust on?



RB was very creepy. I can't wait to read more by Levin.

>53 Crazymamie: I guess I know which Levin I will be reading next Mamie. Thanks!

>54 Berly: Thanks Kim! Same to you.

>55 jnwelch: Same to you Joe.

>56 Crazymamie: Howdy!

>57 luvamystery65: Tattoos, cigars, whiskey — now that looks like a fun baby to hang out with!

Let me try out this meme that makes the round on LT in the new year.

Describe yourself: Velvet, Vol. 1
Describe how you feel: Listening Woman
Describe where you currently live: Fun Home
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Homage to Catalonia
Your favorite form of transportation: The Dark Horse
Your best friend is: The Last Man
You and your friends are: The Faith Club
What’s the weather like: Cold Days
You fear: Changes
What is the best advice you have to give: Carpe Diem
Thought for the day: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues
How I would like to die: Pretty Deadly
My soul’s present condition: Small Mercies

Great answers, Ro!

Heh ~ Carpe Diem. Great answer! Enjoyed the book, too.

Happy New Year, Ro!

As far as RB goes, it didn't make me afraid of babies but old folks, like the ones who inhabit the apartment building.

Enjoy!

Wishing you a most lovely weekend, Roberta.

Happy Saturday, Roberta!

>59 luvamystery65: fun! I'm going to have to do that. Have a great start to your weekend Roberta!

Morning Ro! If you are working this weekend, I hope it is not to stressful. Fingers crossed for my pal.

I'm dropping a star here as well as at the Category Challenge, Ro. Just imagine me singing the Aerosmith power ballad, "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing"!

>59 luvamystery65: That horse is getting a workout! Judy and I are both riding him, too!

>59 luvamystery65: Don't you have those first two answers turned around? :-)

>60 katiekrug: Thanks!

>61 Storeetllr: The old folks were creepy and slightly annoying.

>62 DianaNL: Thank you Diana.

>64 Crazymamie: It was Mamie.

>65 Thebookdiva: Howdy Abby.

>66 msf59: I've had a four day weekend which ends today. :( I work this coming weekend. :( :(

>67 DeltaQueen50: Thanks Judy!

>68 cbl_tn: Carrie if I remember the story correctly, not a one of us truly wants to ride that bucking horse.

>69 ronincats: No Ro I don't. I did flip those two answers around a few times but decided that I feel as if I'm a listening woman but I look like Velvet. Or at least I used to when my hair was long and not totally salt and pepper. Let me see if I can find a photo and compare.

Have a lovely weekend, even though you have to work. xx

>72 DianaNL: Thank you Diana!

>69 ronincats: Okay Ro here is me with my killer weapon...



and here is Velvet Templeton with hers. She's hella sexy. As for me, well one can have goals. ;-)

>24 Berly: Go Velvet! Go Ro!

That is priceless, Ro! I love that Velvet series.

Happy Friday, my friend! Oops, you are working, right?

>75 jnwelch: Thanks Joe! You were the book pusher on Velvet, Vol 1 so I have you to thank. Love her so far!

>76 msf59: BAG right Mark? I'm off today and working Saturday and Sunday.

>74 luvamystery65: : ) Hope work goes well. Hugs.

Roberta, I hope your weekend isn't too busy.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a nice weekend my dear, Love and hugs from Karen and I.

>74 luvamystery65: Ah!!! Being totally unfamiliar with that Velvet and thinking only of the texture of velvet under my fingers led to my misapprehension, Ro. And yes, that's a killer likeness!

Roberta, I'm finally getting to your thread.

>59 luvamystery65: I love your answeres for the meme!

I don't know if you're working this weekend, I hope you'll have a good one.

Happy weekend, Roberta.

Quick fly past to wish you a splendid Sunday, Roberta.

>78 Berly: >79 Ameise1: & >80 johnsimpson: Thanks to all of you. My work weekend was not too bad. I went out of town this past weekend and had a nice time.

>81 ronincats: I wish I had Velvet Templeton's kick ass skills Ro!

>82 tymfos: Thank you!

>83 DianaNL: >84 Ameise1: >85 PaulCranswick: Thank you. I spent the weekend in San Antonio. It was relaxing.

The Fantasy February thread is up. Fantasy February

I hope you'll join us!

Hi, Ro! Have you already been to see Kevin Hearne or is that coming up? A friend of mine has been taunting me with the fact that he already has the audiobook of Staked, which is annoying. My library hasn't gotten it yet so I'm left in limbo at the moment.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Sunday Roberta.

>88 rosalita: Well Julia, as you now know, I did see Kevin Hearne this past Thursday. I should head out to the post office by this Thursday. Please feel free to remind me, as I am an airhead and I do want you to read your book!

>89 DianaNL: Where did you get my picture Diana? ;-)

>90 johnsimpson: Thank you John. Happy Sunday to you and Karen.

So its' the end of the month and time to wrap things up.

January Roundup

1. * Three Slices by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson & Chuck Wendig
2. Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
3. Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham
4. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
5. Fables, Vol. 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham
6. Fables, Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham
7. *The Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik
8. Fables, Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham I loved this one!
9. Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman
10. Lumberjanes, Vol 1 Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
11. Fables, Vol. 6: Homelands by Bill Willingham
12. The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez
13. Fables, Vol. 7: Arabian Nights and Days by Bill Willingham
14. *Side Jobs by Jim Butcher
15. Fables, Vol 8: Wolves by Bill Willingham
16. **Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson
17. *Zer0es by Chuck Wendig
18. *Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
19. **Staked by Kevin Hearne
20. *Unbecoming by Rebecca Sherm

I read a lot of GNs this month and that is trend I intend to keep up with for the year. I enjoyed the first volume of Lumberjanes. I hope to get to the next one around March or April. I am absolutely loving the Fables series! The ones that stood out for me are Volume 2 Animal Farm, and Volume 5 Mean Seasons. Jack of Fables is up next for me which is just fine. I love Jack (get Brad Pitt to play me) Horner!

Finally read Rosemary's Baby and it was creepy but not terrifying. A bit of it was dated, but I think that way of thinking was essential to the story and how Rosemary ended up being in her predicament.

The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez was beautifully written. At first, I didn't think the book was incredibly impressive, but I keep thinking about it so it definitely deserves a mention. I just bought another book by this author. He deserves more exploration on my part.

I loved Staked by Kevin Hearne. It's told in 3 POV like Shattered but the story is much more cohesive. It has that book 2-4 feeling to it. It got things back on track for me. Granuille is making decisions for herself and they are good ones. Atticus' reliance on his friends and the consequences for them takes a huge toll. Oberon discovers poutine and that is hoot.

Some good ones that I would recommend are Zer0es by Chuck Wendig, Unbecoming by Rebecca Sherm, Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely and Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman. Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson was good but Walt is getting on my nerves again. The Notorious RBG is a trendy fun read on Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Not a bad one in the bunch but I don't think my best of the year is in here either.

My favorites are The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez and for GN Fables Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham.

Left behind on my January possible list was The Reluctant Matador by Mark Pryor. I hope to get to that in March. Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue Deconnick still hasn't come in from the library. It's on order so I'll get to it when it gets here. The Skull of Pancho Villa is short story, Chicano Noir collection by Manuel Ramos. I'm going to squeeze that in this year. Maybe I can get it in for May, Murder and Mahem?

February Possibles *owned by me **newly owned by me

*Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
*Let the Right One In by JohnAjvide Lindqvist
*The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
*A Bride's Story, Vol 4 by Kaoru Mori I also hope to read Volumes 5 & 6
Bitch Planet, Vol 1 by Kelly Sue Deconnick if it comes in!
Jack of Fables 1-6 by Bill Willingham
*War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (3 month read) this one will be on the list through March.
* Sandman Overture by Neil Gaiman

Nicely done, Roberta! Looks like January was a success. You are reminding me to get back to the Fables series - so much fun.

Happy Sunday, Ro! Glad you enjoyed Staked. I still have Shattered to read and plan on reading it for FF.

Good luck with your Feb reads.

I need to catch up on Kevin Hearne, too, Roberta. I'm having a blast with The Aeronaut's Windlass.

Oooh, lots of lovely reading for January. I'll be continuing to work on War and Peace too. Strongly recommend The Aeronaut's Windlass for Fantasy February!

ETA Sixth in line at the library when the ordered copy of Staked comes in--good to know the story picks back up!

Nice roundup for January, Roberta. I also enjoyed Lumberjanes a lot and need to see if they have the second one at my library.

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you!

You did lots of reading in January! Best wishes for a good reading month in February.

I really have to get back to the Fables series--I am on #8 I think. Keep 'em coming!

I think I need to (re)find your other thread so I can keep a closer eye on you.

Roberta, you are reading up a storm. I wish I could get into graphic novels. The only ones I've liked were not novels. Maybe I should look for some more NF ones to give me a break between long books. I loved our January Hillerman book and am looking forward to Hell Is Empty, although, I too can get a bit exacerbated by Walt!

Hi, Roberta. I'll second Roni on The Aeronaut's Windlass; it was a blast. I'm also a ways into the new Vorkosigan, Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen. Lots of Cordelia!

>95 Crazymamie: I am really enjoying Fables Mamie. I love that trickster Jack. I am reading his tales right now.

>96 msf59: Shattered wasn't my favorite of the series Mark, but it was still good. Hearne does a multiple POV narration on Shattered and it continues in Staked.

>97 jnwelch: IDC is there when you need it Joe. I've just started on The Aeronaut's Windlass. It's SO GOOD! It pulled me in right away. I went to my library and picked up the CDs so I can keep enjoying the story while I'm driving. The narrator, Euan Morton, is excellent. I'm enjoying it so much I don't mind the "normal" speed that CDs have. ;-)

>98 ronincats: Thanks Roni! Loved my January reading. ^Please see above for my thoughts on Butcher's latest. I see why it was one of your favorites last year. It may well be one of mine this year!

>99 EBT1002: Ellen the Lumberjanes was fun. I'm going to get back to them in the spring. Have you read Velvet, Vol. 1? I just love her!

>100 thornton37814: Thank you Lori. So far I am enjoying everything I've picked out. Let the Right One In is very, creepy! I've put it on hold while I read/listen to The Aeronaut's Windlass.

>101 Berly: Kim I'm up to #8 on Fables too! Now, I've started Jack's stories. I checked out volumes 1-6 from the library and I'm spending my February "reading holiday" enjoying Jack. Naughty boys are so fun in fiction. RL, no thanks!

>102 EBT1002: I'm all over the place right now Ellen. I have a few homes right now on LT and I'm not spending too much time at any of them. The plus is that I'm actually getting some reading in. You can find a link to my haunts in thread >4 luvamystery65:

>103 Donna828: Concerning graphic novels, I say to each his (or her) own. If you don't care for the format then it's best you spend your precious reading time enjoying something you love. I always loved superhero comics growing up and in the late 80s and 90s one of my cousins would lend me his comics. Loved, X-Men, Batman, The Punisher. Lots of dark and angsty. Not for everyone.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that gets a little upset with Walt. I do plan on attending the next Craig Johnson signing this year. I missed the last two but I really do need to go hear this man and what makes him and Walt tick.

>104 jnwelch: Well if you read my response above you know that I'm still early in but I am hooked with The Aeronaut's Windlass. Butcher has developed into such an incredible writer. I love these characters already. I need to get back to the Vorkosigan Saga!

Just finished A Bride's Story, Vol. 4 5 & 6 by Kaoru Mori. What a fun series. I never read manga before this series. I think this was a fun introduction. I love Mori's drawing and while the entire series is excellent, I do love Amir's story the most.

Howdy, Ro!

Happy weekend, Roberta.

Morning, Roberta! Happy Saturday!

>107 luvamystery65: Abby is a huge fan of A Bride's Story, and I have read them, too. The artwork is so beautiful.

You are making me wan to get to The Aeronaut's Windlass sooner rather than later - Craig has already read it and loved it.

>107 luvamystery65:, >110 Crazymamie: Yay for A Bride's Story! Beautiful artwork and consistently intriguing story. My daughter loves to tease me about some of the "manly" things I enjoy reading (she's still ribbing me about Austenland), and this one would probably fit right in.

Very happy you are enjoying The Aeronaut's Windlass, Ro! (Not that I doubted you would at all.)

I finished The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher and it was incredible. The characters are well thought out and the story pulled me right in. The world building is there but it didn't sacrifice the plot to let you know what you were dealing with. Did I mention there are Cats in this series. I wish I wasn't allergic to cats!

I look forward to more from this series and the only thing that makes me sad is that it is going to be some time before we get it. Butcher's website says Peace Talks is still being worked on and the second in the Cinder Spires series, The Olympian Affair will be worked on when Peace Talks is finished. As much as I loved Dresden, I am quite happy with Harry's life at the moment and I really want to get my hands on another Cinder Spire story.

>108 katiekrug: Howdy KAK!

>109 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara!

>110 Crazymamie: Mamie, speed up The Aeronaut's Windlass. I really love the Bride's story books. Did I tell you Patricia Briggs and Anne Bishop are coming to sign next month. Love them!

>111 jnwelch: Joe your daughter loves teasing you but she is quite lucky to have a Dad that loves Jane Austen.

>112 ronincats: Ro I suspect this will be a favorite at the end of the year for me!

I know I haven't been around much but I'm spread out with threads all over the place. I am taking a break from most of my social media for Lent, but I'll still post my books read and my end of the month stats. I am hosting a few threads here and there, so it would be bad form to ignore this place completely. I hope you understand why I will be even more scarce. See you around a few threads and for sure I'll do my best to be back with a bang after Easter.

>114 luvamystery65: Yes, Ma'am! I will bump it up just because you said to!

>115 luvamystery65: We will miss you, but we totally understand, Roberta.

Go Ro! Go Ro! Good luck, my friend. You will be missed.

Thanks for the info on The Olympian Affair, Ro--I'd been looking for the next book and hadn't been able to find anything.

Ro--We'll take what we can get. : )

>113 luvamystery65: Really pleased you enjoyed The Aeronaut's Windlass. I have that on loan from the library at the moment and am excited about reading it!

>120 souloftherose: I'm also really happy you enjoyed The Aeronaut's Windlass, Roberta. What a fun book!

Have a happy weekend.

Hi Roberta, just passing by to wish you a lovely and enjoyable weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

Roberta, I am slowly catching up after a week lapping up the sun and surf in Phuket. As a result I am pleased to be in time to wish you a wonderful Sunday.

Happy Valentine's Day, Roberta!

Hi Roberta. I thought of you today as I took my first-ever excursion to the Seattle Mystery Bookshop (I know, unbelievable that I have lived her over 8 years and I'm just now making it to this place). I didn't buy anything but I was tempted. P was with me so I had to be good. ;-)

Anyway, just stopping by to say hello and wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

>127 EBT1002: Ohhh - a mystery bookshop in Seattle. I must remember that for my trip to Oregon and Washington in June.

I am so glad you're loving the Fables series. Definitely one of my favorites. I need to get back to it. I have my next two Jack of Fables Vol. 8, The Fulminate Blade and Fables Vol. 14: Witches out from the library.

>6 luvamystery65: Thanks for the shout-out on being "Miss Sure-Shot", Ro!

Stopping in to wish you a lovely Friday, Roberta! Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

>116 Crazymamie: >117 msf59: & >119 Berly: Thank you my friends.

>118 ronincats: & >121 jnwelch: I do plan on rereading or listening to The Aeronaut's Windlass >120 souloftherose: I need to head over to your thread to see how you liked it.

>122 DianaNL:, >123 johnsimpson: >124 PaulCranswick: Valentine's weekend was my weekend to work but it was not bad at all.

>125 Crazymamie: >126 Thebookdiva: >128 Berly: Aww...Thanks!

>127 EBT1002: Ellen! I'm glad the mystery bookshop made you think of me. Restraint? I'm proud of you.

>129 thornton37814: Right!

>130 DianaNL: Diana this was a great Friday for me. I went to Louisiana to the casinos in Lake Charles.

>131 SuziQoregon: Juli I am steadily catching up to you with Fables. Up next for me is Vol 13, The Great Crossover and Jack of Fables Vol. 7 The New Adventures of Jack and Jack. Please come by the year long group read of Fables. It's here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/206980

>132 DeltaQueen50: I only call it like I see it Judy.

>133 DianaNL: Thank you. I look forward to my weekend. No big plans.

>134 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie!

I have surely spent the month of February with the Fables community. I read the following which I'll hide with the spoiler function but I really did my best not to put anything too spoilery in it.

Fables 1001 Nights of Snowfall Not necessary to read but gives some backstory to several of the characters. Snow White is an emissary to the Arabian Fables and is trapped like Scheherazade of Arabian Nights fame. She spins a nightly story to save her neck.
Fables, Vol. 9 Sons of Empire This volume is about The Adversary plotting for war and the Fables plotting to get a jump on them. It's also about Fathers and Sons. Bigby and his father explore their relationship and Pinocchio tests Geppetto.
Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince This volume features Ambrose, The Frog Prince. He is truly the purest Fable. He remembers his past and in an attempt to redeem himself helps many others. One of my favorites
Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces In this volume the war is on and no one is safe. I loved this volume a lot too!
Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages The consequences of war are explored in this issue. A very creepy new guy is introduced.

Jack of Fables, Vol. 1: The Great Escape Jack gets kidnapped and taken to The Golden Boughs, a prison for Fables. Leave it to Jack to figure a way out. Jack gains a side kick.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 2: Jack of Hearts Jack heads to Sin City where he has a run in with Lady Luck No bueno! There is also some back story of when Jack was Jack Frost. Jack is so bad he's good in this one.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 3: The Bad Prince Jack gets recaptured and then stuck with his captors. Jack learns of his connection to Wicked John and also tells of how he sold his soul to the Devil.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 4: Americana I loved this volume only because we get a chance to meet some of the Americana Fables. Also, Hillary Page goes on her own adventure but nothing goes according to plan.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 5: Turning Pages My least favorite so far. Jack has a back story where he is a bad guy with no redeemable qualities. This gives us a glimpse of what Jack really thinks of anyone other than himself and there is no wink wink cuteness at all. We also get some background on the Page sisters and meet a few more Literals.
Jack of Fables, Vol. 6: The Big Book of War Jack has his own war front going on that has nothing to do with the Homelands. Of course Jack saves the day in his own mind. Things settle down but then once again are out of control.

I enjoyed Jack of Fables but he is a cad and should probably be read in small doses. Next up for me is the Crossover edition where the storylines of the Fables, Jack and the Literals all meet up.

Lovely to have you back, Miss Ro!

>137 rosalita: I'm trying to wrap up my reading for the end of the month. I'm still trying not to be on too much due to Lent but I did not "give up" LT due to running several threads for group reads. I miss everyone. Need to check with Katie to see if she has any ideas for our retreat. I can't wait!

Ro, I am exactly where you are with the Fables series and have placed my order at the library for Volume 13: the Great Crossover, along with Jack of Fables, Vol 7 and Fables, Volume 14: Witches, looking forward to all of them!

>136 luvamystery65: That's a lot of Fables reading! We're at the same place in the main series. I tried the first Jack of Fables and didn't enjoy it that much and decided to skip the rest as my library doesn't have them.

Happy Saturday, Ro! Glad to see you checking in. I ended up doing much better at FF, than I originally thought. Yah! I am enjoying an urban fantasy, Half-Resurrection Blues. Have you heard of it? If not, it might be your cuppa.

>138 luvamystery65: I am giving up lent for Lent. Well no rice, no cakes, no fast food, no carbonated (other than water) drinks sort of counts I guess.

Have a great Sunday, Roberta.

>139 DeltaQueen50: Judy I have downloaded Fables Volumes 13 & 14 from Hoopla for mid-week and I am waiting for Jack Vol 7 from the library. I was going to pace myself on this series but honestly, why should I? ;-)

>140 souloftherose: I don't think Jack is necessary to enjoy the series Heather. I do love a trickster so I will continue with him.

>141 msf59: Audible recommended Half-Resurrection Blues to me Mark. I listened very briefly to his voice. I'm going to have to mull that one over. I may go with print.

>142 PaulCranswick: Wow Paul! Your non-Lent Lent is very Lentish. ;-) I hope all is well with you and the family. Will be by soon to read what you have been up to.

February Roundup *owned by me **newly owned by me

7 books 17 graphic novels

This was a huge fantasy month for me due to Fantasy February. I try to take a reading vacation for this every year. Lots of GNs bumped up my numbers but I did read a couple of big books. Still making progress on War and Peace Should close it out in March with the schedule the Group Read is following. My favorites of the month are in bold along with some thoughts on a few of my reads.

21. Jack of Fables, Vol. 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape by Bill Willingham
22. *A Bride's Story, Vol. 4 by Kaoru Mori
23. *A Bride's Story, Vol. 5 by Kaoru Mori
24. Jack of Fables, Vol. 2: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham
25. *A Bride's Story, Vol. 6 by Kaoru Mori I continue to love Amir and Karuk's story best.
26. *The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher BRAVO! This one drew me in immediately and kept me invested.
27. *Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates I still don't know how to express what I feel about this book. It moved me deeply. I could tell that he was influenced by Malcolm X before he ever said it. Having read Malcolm X's last speeches in 2014, the 50th year anniversary of his death, it amazed me how prophetic he was. Some people speak their truth without regard to the comfort of others. Sometimes it's necessary.
28. Jack of Fables, Vol. 3: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham
29. *Fairest by Marissa Meyer I could have lived without this.
30. Jack of Fables, Vol. 4: Americana by Bill Willingham
31. Fables, 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
32. Fables, Vol. 9: Sons of Empire by Bill Willingham
33. Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham
34. *Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist This book suffered from too much going on. Did love Oskar and Eli though.
35. **Working for Bigfoot by Jim Butcher
36. Fables, Vol. 11: War and Pieces by Bill Willingham
37. Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages by Bill Willingham
38. Jack of Fables, Vol. 5: Turning Pages by Bill Willingham
39. Jack of Fables, Vol. 6: The Big Book of War by Bill Willingham
40. Bitch Planet, Vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine by Kelly Sue Deconnick
41. *Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Will reread. Still relevant.
42. *Sandman Overture by Neil Gaiman Oh Neil how I love you more and more.
43. Velvet, Vol. 2: The Secret Lives of Dead Men by Ed Brubaker Velvet Templeton kicks ass!
44. **Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig Miriam Black is a foul mouthed, bad girl. I like her a lot!

Mostly good reading for me this month. If I had to pick standouts I would go with, Between the World and Me, The Aeronaut's Windlass and Velvet, Vol. 2. The art in Sandman Overture is exceptional!

March Possibles *owned by me

*The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson AlphaKIT
*A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans DeweyCAT
**The Killing Lessons by Saul Black AlphaKIT
*The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov GeoCAT
*How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman RandomCAT
*The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
*The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman GeoCAT
A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman
*War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy GeoCAT
*We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Horror!

Oooh, How to Talk to Girls at Parties is a good one...

Happy weekend, Roberta.

Hi there. : )

>146 scaifea: They've made a movie of it so it should be interesting to see what they do with it.

>147 DianaNL: YES! I took my ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) exam for re-certification on Friday and it was one of the hardest exams I've taken since the initial time I was certified. I'm glad it's over and I have this weekend off.

>148 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara.

>149 Berly: Howdy Kim!

Thank you all for stopping by.

Currently I am continuing on the Fables journey. I do believe I will plow ahead and finish the series. I am discovering new GNs and series daily so I'm not as afraid to finish up this series as I was at the first of the year. There are a few side series as well so I have those to read.

I've picked up The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo, number 5 in the Harry Hole series. I did miss Harry but he's being more of an ass than usual right from the start. I'm sure there is a reason. If not I'll chalk it up to Harry being an ass.

I made it to book 4 in War and Peace!!!

I finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson for my Horror! Group monthly read. It was good. She is always so creepy. I started Frankenstein on audio, narrated by Dan Stevens. This is a reread for me but I got this version on sale at Audible a while back. Dan Stevens has such a beautiful voice. I am actually listening in normal time because I am in love with his narration. This also goes toward my Horror! group, as our theme this month is Women authors.

Happy Sunday, Ro! Glad to see you check in. I also liked We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

I stalled out on the Harry Hole series. I think I read 3. The Redbreast was clearly my favorite.

Hooray for Book 4 of W & P!

Oh, I loved We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Frankenstein. I believe they were both five-star reads for me.

>151 luvamystery65: I finished W & P yesterday. Now I'm reading The Road to Little Dribbling and a book self-published by a friend of mine. He's actually got a trilogy that was picked up by a lesser-known publisher, but I noticed it has a review in Kirkus. He did a local book signing Saturday, and some of us who sit together at the church meal on Wednesday night went to support him.

>152 msf59: I haven't quite given up on Harry, but I started at The Bat instead of The Redbreast like majority of folks. Harry seems almost normal in The Redbreast. Harry is a mess.

>153 EBT1002: Shirley Jackson is phenomenal isn't she? I liked Frankenstein well enough when I read it about 20 years ago or so. This time I'm listening and I don't remember it being this good. What a difference it's been for me listening to it.

>154 thornton37814: Lori I love local author book signings. I have picked up some nice reads this way. Independent bookstores are a treasure trove for these small publishing houses and local authors.

I saw on the DeweyCAT thread that you reread Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. It's one of my all time favorites. I've given away every copy I've owned. Time to get it on Kindle and Audible I think.

My Thingaversary is coming up next Monday! What to buy? I joined in 2009 so I get 7+1 to grow!

1. Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
2. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye can't wait for this one
3. Evicted by Matthew Desmond
4. Postal, Vol. 1 by Bryan Hill and Matt Hawkins
5. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
6. In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri
7. The Last Days of Magic by Mark Tompkins
8.

I get 3 more choices.... Should I go for Volumes 2 & 3 of Postal Marky Mark?

ETA: Found The Law and the Lady available at an area library via Freading app. I finally have a device I can use this with.

Jane Steele does sound like a good one. Faye is on a roll. Evicted is high on my T.R. list.

And hooray for Postal!! I would read the first one before diving completely in. Just sayin'...

How about Girl Waits with Gun? It was also terrific on audio. Just sayin'...

>157 msf59: Girl Waits with Gun is readily available at my library Mark so I won't buy that one. Buying the Mercy Thompson because I love this series and the author will sign it. Same for Jane Steele because I have adored everything Faye has written. I will buy the first Postal, Vol.1 and I'll save a spot for just in case I want the next one. The library system is slow to get new GNs.

>156 luvamystery65: Great list, Roberta!

If you're looking for another GN, check out Super Mutant Magic Academy. It's a standout.

>159 jnwelch: It's in transit from the library Joe. You already got me with that one.

>160 luvamystery65: Yes! *scampers back to hoard of GNs to look for another*

>156 luvamystery65: I loved The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet - great choice and happy thingaversary!

Hello my dear, thanks for your kind message. I am feeling ok just got a little pain but that is supposed to be good. Sending love and hugs to you my dear and Karen says hi.

>161 jnwelch: No worries Joe. You manage to give me GN BB without even trying. ;-)

>162 souloftherose: Thank you Heather. I have ordered a copy from my local independent bookshop.

>163 johnsimpson: John I hope you two have a lovely weekend.

>164 DianaNL: Thanks Diana. It's my weekend to work and I hope it goes well.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have finished War and Peace!!! I'll post thoughts at the end of the month.

Congrats!

>167 drneutron: Thanks!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Finished The Fade Out Volumes 1-3 and it was so excellent. The story takes place in 1948 Hollywood and there is a murder that is hushed up. Of course, like all good noir no one is entirely innocent. The story, art and coloring were well matched. Kudos to Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and colorist Elizabeth Breitweister.

>166 luvamystery65: Major announcement for a major achievement- especially amid all the other stuff you have been reading too, Roberta.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Happy Sunday, Ro! I have Fadeout #3 waiting in the wings. Is it just a trilogy? I also enjoyed Criminal: Volume 1. I LOVE this team.

Hooray for W & P! That is a big notch in your Biblio-Belt!

>169 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul. I'm working but obviously not too hard. ;-)

>170 msf59: Yes, to my understanding it is a trilogy. I hope they keep that way. I cannot wait for Criminal, Volume 1, but I am trying to save some Brubaker for later in the year.

So happy to be done with W&P.

Brubaker is very prolific so I don't think you'll have a problem with pacing yourself. My library has The Dead and the Dying, which is Volume 3. Happy Dance!

You've done the Velvet books too, right?

>172 msf59: Velvet is my idol and my introduction to Brubaker. See >74 luvamystery65:. :D B.A.G

Love those B.A.G.s, Ro! Keep 'em coming!

I'm on the third volume of The Fade Out, and just as captivated as you, Roberta.

Did you read Patricia Briggs' short story collection, Shifting Shadows? I liked it very much. It has the beginning Alpha and Omega story, and it's a doozy. So now she's got me interested in that series of hers.

WahHOO for you for finishing W&P!! You go girl! I also loved that Fade Out trilogy - I want more. And you were SO right - I LOVED Velvet!!! I have ordered volume two and now await its arrival. Thanks, Roberta!

>174 msf59: ;D

>175 jnwelch: Joe, I could not stop reading The Fade Out. So good. I will definitely reread.

I have read the entire Alpha and Omega series Joe. It does fill in some gaps that the Mercy books don't cover. Fair warning that the A&O series is a little more geared to romance instead of action. The Mercy Thompson series is more action oriented so I do enjoy it more. I loved Shifting Shadows. I loved Star of David and Redemption most. I also enjoyed Fairy Gifts and Roses in Winter. I wish they would bring Kara back to Mercy's world or feature her in A&O series.

It looks like we will be reading A Manual for Cleaning Women together with Ellen. I will see if Berly will join us and if yes, I will create a thread so we can chat freely in one place.

>176 Crazymamie: Thank you Mamie! I was so glad to finish W&P. The Fade Out was incredible. I do love Velvet Templeton. Finally, a female we can root for that is not under 30. Volume 2 ends with a huge cliffhanger!

"Finally, a female we can root for that is not under 30." Amen, Sister!

>177 luvamystery65: Wow, you sure have read Shifting Shadows. I loved "Star of David", too, and agree with you about Kara. She (Briggs) must have some plans for Kara; it just doesn't seem possible to develop that character and do nothing more with her. I really enjoyed the Alpha and Omega story, so I'm going at least give that series a chance, even if it does have extra mushiness.

That's good news re A Manual of Cleaning Women. You've got me busy now getting my hands on a copy.

^Ooh, I want to see you folks do a Group Read of A Manual for Cleaning Women!! Praying silently...

>180 msf59: Yes we will my other guru, and you better come and keep a running commentary. ;D

^I'll be right there, cheering the Group on!!

>182 msf59: That is so gross! Dallas Cowboy's suck! LOL!

>178 Crazymamie: Yes! Psst...please close your eyes and don't get traumatized by >182 msf59:

>179 jnwelch: Alright Joe, you're in. Looks like we can give it a go at the end of the month or towards the beginning of April. We can be flexible about the timing and use our spoiler functions. I'll post the link when I set up the thread. Also, don't get traumatized by the horrible Dallas Cowboy uniform up above. That Mark!

*blocking out >182 msf59: with hand while reading >183 luvamystery65:*

Jeez Louise, it's too early in the morning for whatever the heck Mark posted up there! thanks for the warning.

All sounds good re A Manual for Cleaning Women, Roberta. Thanks for leading our tour group.

Howdy Ro! I am all caught up here and just want to remind you of our Reading Retreat (tm) in 17 days!

You asked up in >138 luvamystery65: if I had any ideas for it. Not sure if you meant about what to read, how to "structure" it, how to limit the massive amounts of wine to be drunk... I am happy to report there is a good Mexican place within walking distance of the hotel, so we can drag Julia there - I am convinced she can't get good Mexican in Iowa :)

>182 msf59: My eyes! My eyes! *runs screaming from thread*

>166 luvamystery65: Woo!

>168 luvamystery65: The Fade Out sounds good - not available at any local libraries though so I will wait and see if they get it.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a good day my dear. The shoulder is progressing well and Karen is nursing me and keeping me out of trouble. Sending love and hugs.

Before I catch up here I have the link to the group read of A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. It's a informal little group read that runs from now until Mayish. See how informal that is? ;-)

A Manual for Cleaning Women Group Read

Now time for some...



>184 jnwelch: I look forward to our read. Mark has warbled this one up. Also, at Brazos Bookstore, they have really touted this work. They have rarely steered me wrong.

>185 katiekrug: I am so excited about our retreat Katie. I didn't know if you were planning on taking us anywhere other than the Mexican food place. I am told there is good Mexican food wherever you find 1st and 2nd generation Mexican families running the show. You must remember that I am from the border and I don't even think there is many good Mexican places north of San Antonio. LOL! As long as their margaritas and chips and salsa are good, I'm all in.

>186 Crazymamie: Mamie? I hope your corneas were not scarred as a result of that trauma Mamie.

>187 souloftherose: Thank you and I hope your library system gets The Fade Out. What an excellent series it turned out to be. It's a trilogy so you don't have volumes and volumes to contend with.

>188 johnsimpson: I'm glad your shoulder is progressing well John. Tell Karen I'm sending good mojo for the job situation.

All caught up for now.

>155 luvamystery65: You know, the greater appreciation for Frankenstien might be about the audio but it might also be about being in a different place in your life. I'm glad I read it in the past year; I'm confident I would not have appreciated it nearly as much earlier in my reading development.

>189 luvamystery65: Thank you for setting up the thread for A Manual for Cleaning Women.
I love that it runs "from now until May-ish." Perfect.

>185 katiekrug: >190 luvamystery65: Despite what the national media might lead you to believe, we have a good amount of Latino immigration here in little old white-bread Iowa. There are some Mexican places in the Iowa City area that are quite good (to me), but I've never ventured into classic Tex-Mex territory so I welcome the chance to conduct a thorough comparison. Very, very thorough.

I believe a similar thorough comparison will be needed in the wine category. Just planning ahead ...

This afternoon I sent an email out to colleagues requesting some data on students studying abroad this summer, and when I typed the part about "I'm out of the office starting March 31 so you need to get it to me by the end of next week" I realized I was smiling to myself and couldn't stop.

>192 rosalita: - I was only teasing! I just like that the Mexican place is within walking (stumbling) distance of the hotel so we don't have to drive/Uber/taxi :D Of course, there is always pizza delivery direct to the hotel and secret stashes of wine brought from home....

I love doing road trips in the States cause it seems no matter how small a town is, there is always a Mexican restaurant. So far my favorite Mexican restaurant was in the small town of Craig, Colorado. We stood out like a sore thumb, being the only Volvo in a parking lot of trucks and the only ones not sporting cowboy hats and boots. But everyone was so friendly, we sat a community tables and just ate and ate.

>193 katiekrug: I knew you were teasing — I was just teasing you back! I really am looking forward to checking out the food scene there. It's one of the best things about traveling, finding the things that make someplace unique.

Where are you guys meeting up for your reading retreat? And how long is it? What a great idea...So totally jealous!!! : )

Yep, me too. I'm totally jealous. And also wanting to know where the reading retreat is actually taking place. That, and imagining many margaritas consumed at a stumbling-distance Mexican restaurant.

Happy sigh.

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday!

>191 EBT1002: I agree about Frankenstein Ellen, but I do have to say that a good narrator always elevates a book for me. Dan Stevens was perfect. I finished the book on a day trip to San Antonio yesterday.

I'm excited about our group read.

>192 rosalita: & >193 katiekrug: Yep, re the immigration. I know KAK was joking. I love that the restaurant is a stumble away.

>194 DeltaQueen50: There are so many Mexican restaurants everywhere Judy. I'm pretty picky about what I like because we grew up eating both my grandmothers cooking. You just can't compare. The one thing I do love about Mexican restaurants that you don't get at home is the margaritas and some of the appetizers.

>195 rosalita: I am kind of worried because I gave up alcohol for lent. My tolerance may be low. LOL!

>196 Berly: Kim, Julia is headed to Dallas to see Bruce Springsteen. Katie came up with the plan for us to meet there. We are each getting a hotel room and we are going to visit, drink and read. It is a great idea. That Katie is a genius. ;-)

>197 EBT1002: See above^ I do wish you were coming Ellen.

>198 DianaNL: Thank you Diana.

>199 Thebookdiva: The same to you Abby.

>190 luvamystery65: I've seen A Manual for Cleaning Women written up in a number of places now, and it's always positive, Roberta. Should be a good read for us.

The Mexican restaurants in your part of the world are so good!

Sounds like a great meetup plan. Dallas will never be the same after the three of you are finished with it. :-)

>200 luvamystery65: - "That Katie is a genius."

Heh. Nope, just selfishly want some quality time with fellow book nerds!

I'm working so, so hard not to be super jealous of you ladies and your meet-up... *deep breaths...*

>201 jnwelch: Katie is a genius, no matter what she says! I wouldn't have thought a trip to see Springsteen could possibly be improved but this is going set a new high bar for future concert ventures.

>202 katiekrug: You're the only one of us who has met both of the others, so it's only fair to give you the matchmaking credit, my friend!

>203 scaifea: I so wish you could be there, Amber! You would fit right in, I reckon.

>201 jnwelch: Joe I bet your son's in laws took you out for some good Mexican food while you were here.

>202 katiekrug: I do think you are a genius Katie and yay for our book nerd reunion.

>203 scaifea: Aw...Amber I wish you were joining us.

>204 rosalita: I agree about KAK's genius. Well I agree with everything you said.

Happy Saturday, Ro! Hope you are getting some R & R in, this weekend. Fingers crossed.

Making any more progress in Cleaning Women?

>194 DeltaQueen50: & >200 luvamystery65:

As I was munching delicious empanadas last night in my favourite Mexican restaurant in cactus free Kuala Lumpur, I started to thinking about what I would request for a last meal as a condemned man (eating with Hani and Belle immersed in their handphones often occasions thoughts of my own demise). A number of years ago I would have probably had a steak au poivre with all the trimmings, but I twigged just in time that it would almost certainly be the chili con carne tacos they were about to serve me. I wasn't condemned other than to a running commentary of my failings as a driver and my ability to lose car keys but, for all the hand-bagging, the tacos made the late evening trip to the mall worthwhile.

I will say hello to Guru here too as I so rarely see her these days and wish her and dear Roberta a wonderful weekend at your respective ends of North America.

You are so busy, Ro! Happy first day of Spring!

A mini catch up and then on to a new thread for me.



>206 msf59: Mark I got plenty of R&R this weekend after a day trip to San Antonio on Thursday. I haven't started A Manual for Cleaning Women yet. I am finishing up quite a few things. I decided to take it on my reading retreat the first weekend in April and start it then.

>207 PaulCranswick: Thank you for the weekend wishes Paul. I love empanadas, especially the savory kind. I would love to know what Mexican food tastes like in KL.

I'm keeping your mum in my thoughts Paul.

>208 ronincats: I am Ro. Thank you we had nice cool weather for the first day of spring. Cooler than most of our winter weather. I loved it.

Up next a new thread...