BLBera's Reading in 2016 - Part 1

Happy reading in 2016 -- may your reading cause an explosion of ideas.

My name is Beth. I teach English at my local community college. I tend not to plan my reading but go where the spirit takes me. I belong to a book club that meets once a month. Next week we'll meet to choose our books for 2016. Our January selection is The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, a reread for me.

I tend to read more fiction than nonfiction and more women authors than men. This year, once again, I would like to read more diversely, in every sense of the word. I like to discover new writers. In 2015, three of my favorites were first-time novelists.

I would also like to include more volumes of poetry to my 2016 reading.

Welcome to my thread. Lurk or stop and say hello.

January 2016
1. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
2. Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms*
3. And After Many Days*
4. The Man in the High Castle
5. The Pure in Heart*
6. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry*
7. The Tenderness of Wolves*
8. Golden Age
9. The Hanging Girl
10. A Trail through Time*
11. The Risk of Darkness*

*Off my shelves

Is it safe? I hope so.

Happy New Year, Beth!

I posted my five-star reads on my thread but doing it that way left out some of my true faves (and among the most memorable), including The Shore and The Woman I Kept to Myself and Crooked Heart.... it makes me wonder about my ratings. I wonder what would happen if I opted out of the rating game.

Anyway, I look forward to continuing to follow your reading adventures in 2016!

It is safe, Ellen. I was just trying to narrow my top 13 down to 10, which is, after all, an arbitrary number. I didn't even look at my ratings.

Hey, you're the first. Happy New Year. My daughter arrived about 10 minutes ago and is sleeping with her baby, so I am officially off duty.

Currently reading


Future reads:
Names for the Sea - Rhian
The Hundred Foot Journey - Marianne
The Electric Michelangelo - Charlotte
Strange Meeting - Charlotte
Life According to Lubka - Susan
The Poet's Tale - Charlotte
Ru - Joanne
Nooks & Crannies - Anne (for Scout)
This Is Your Life Harriet Chance - Joanne
Wyrd Sisters - Heather
Sacred Hunger - Donna, Paul, Rhonda
A Commonplace Killing - Charlotte
The Tin Can Tree - Charlotte
The House of Twenty Thousand Books - Roni
Just Mercy - Julia
Kamchatka - Katie
Rachel and Her Children - Linda
The Clock Winder - Jenn
A Long Walk to Water - Anne
Thirteen Ways of Looking - Charlotte
One with Others - Darryl
Buckle and Squash: The Perilous Princess Plot - Anne
The Storyteller - Nancy
Grey Souls - Charlotte
Haweswater - Charlotte
The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot - Charlotte
Sally Heathcote Suffragette - Charlotte
A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali- Deborah
April, 4, 1968 - Linda
The World Before Us - Liz
The Folded Clock - Liz

Hi Beth! I have Fates and Furies, The Shore, and The Turner House on my TBR pile for 2016. Glad to see they were among your favorites! Happy 2016!

Same to you, Amy. You are in for a treat. I still have the new Smiley to read, which I know you thought was great. Here's to another year of great reading.

Happy new year of reading, Beth!

Happy Reading 2016, Beth. Will be following you.

Happy New Year, Beth! Wishing you a spectacular year!

Thanks Katie, Barbara and Lynda. I'm off to star and visit shiny new threads, and then, since my guest has gone home, time to do some school work. My syllabi are due in duplicating on Monday... We'll see.

Happy New Year Beth! I hope the year is filled with great reading. I am certain that it will be a joy to watch Scout grow and develop this year. She's at an age where she's learning so many new things every day.

I'm following your reading Beth. Hope your new year is a happy one filled with cookies.

Happy New Year to you, Carrie. I'm taking the morning to visit the 2016 threads before getting to work on classes -- and cleaning. I'm still finding sprinkles everywhere. Scout is a joy. She was very happy to see Mommy and Daddy, but when asked, said she would "stay at Tita's house." After all, I have cookies.

Thanks Charlotte - There will be cookies. I'm thinking hearts for Valentine's Day.

Yay cookies! (and, really, yay Scout!)

Yes, Ellen. And let's hope for a 2016 meet up.

Welcome back!

Thanks Jim.

Hello Beth. May 2016 be a year of good reads, health and happiness.

Happy New Year and Happy New Thread, Beth! Looking forward to another enjoyable reading year and following along with my book buddies.

I wanted to post some comments on my last book of 2015, which was quite good.
The Whispering City is set in 1950s Barcelona. The protagonists are Ana Martí, an aspiring journalist and Beatriz Noguer, a professor in linguistics who has been blacklisted in Franco's Spain. Both women are trying to make their way in a society that is unfriendly to professional women and to anyone whose politics don't match those of Franco.

When Martí is given an assignment to write about the murder of a Barcelona socialite, she soon finds that she must tread very carefully.

Great setting. I'll look for more novels by Moliner, which is a pseudonym.

Thanks Linda and Mark.

Happy New Year, Beth! Dropping a star...

>22 BLBera: Wishlisted. Thanks Beth.

Happy new year! I have some of your favorites up there on my wishlist at the library, so you've just added a little extra impetus for them. :)

Hi Mamie - Happy New Year to you. It took me a while to find your thread. I was looking for "crazy." ;)

Hi Charlotte - Thanks for stopping by.

I'll watch for your comments, Ursula, when you get to them.

Ha! There is definitely loads of crazy there, just not in the thread title! Glad you found me.

Happy new year, Beth!

Happy New Year, Beth. I'll mostly be lurking, as usual, but your thread is starred.

Hi Beth! Happy New Year to you -- here's to another year of great reading. I wouldn't miss it -- your thread is a major inspiration for my own reading!

There you are! couldn't find your thread for looking. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2016, Beth!

Happy New Year, Beth! I just purchased the Kindle version of All My Puny Sorrows so I'm glad to see it on your year end favorites list. I also have Crooked Heart on my list thanks to you!

Hah, Mamie - I'll be over to check out the crazy.

Hi Terri - Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Colleen - I'll look for your thread -- on Club Read, right? Lurking is good.

Hi Anne - Thanks. I was thinking of you today as I read Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans. It's for young readers and very fun. I'll put it on Scout's future reading shelf. Ditto the inspiration. I hope you are enjoying your break.

Hi Lori - Thanks. I'm always afraid I'll miss people as I start out the new year.

Hi Joanne - I'll watch for your comments. Both are great reads. And I have Laura Pritchett on my list, thanks to you, I think.

Hey Beth, in the middle of the night (yes, last night, but today it again slipped my mind) I remembered that I had wanted to tell you it was Darryl who had sung the praises of Nada. I see that you may have caught up with him about that over on his thread. In any case, I'm looking forward to reading it and will be interested in your thoughts, too.

Hah! Great minds, Ellen. I did figure out it was Darryl. I do want to read it soon, but I have a stack of library books right now. I also got an ER book that I want to read; I'm trying to keep up-to-date on those. And I just found out I won one from December, too.

I hope you're relaxing. Do you get some time off work to recover? You strike me as someone with pretty healthy habits overall; I imagine the stress is the big thing you have to learn to manage. Good luck. That's my biggest challenge as well.

Beth, I am doing my cleaning tomorrow. You have sprinkles, and I have glitter from the girls' holiday dresses. It is everywhere!

I know what you mean by the difficulty of narrowing down a year's worth of reading to a precious few favorites. The Turner House made my honorable mention list which I haven't posted.

Here's to another year of good reading and grand mothering to both of us! 🍷

Hi Beth, just marking my spot. Happy New Year!

Beth, I put Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms on my Titlewave list for my next order, but the title looks soooooooo familiar... The girls have gone to bed now, but I'm going to look through Marina's shelves tomorrow -- I *know* I have seen this somewhere!

>34 BLBera: Oh, I really enjoyed Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms when I read is a couple of years ago - it and it's sequel, Horten's Incredible Illusions are waiting on Charlie's shelves for him...

Have a wonderful bookfilled 2016, Beth. Great to see you back again. xx

Donna - I'll be thinking of you as I try to put things in order around here. Those little ones can make big messes. But it's worth it.

Hi Nancy - I'll watch for your thread, too. There's so much going on during these first few days of the new year that I'm afraid I'm going to lose people.

Anne - The touchstone for Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms comes up with a different title, so many in the US, the title is different. I will write more comments later, but I think most young readers will really like it.

Hi Amber - Did you read it to Charlie? I would think this would be a fun one to read aloud.

Hi Paul - Thanks for the New Year wishes. I hope 2016 is a great year for you and your family as well.

1. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is about the power of reading. The description reminded me The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, which I loved. I have to say that this novel disappointed me.

Sara Lindqvist travels from Sweden to Broken Wheel, Iowa, to meet Amy Harris, a woman she's been writing to about books. When Sara arrives, Amy is dead. The town of Broken Wheel decides to take care of Sara, that Amy would have wanted them to make her welcome.

I love books and reading, but this story is a bit too contrived for me. The people are stereotypes, making it hard to fall into the story. I love books, but Sara just seems sad because she prefers books to people. It's hard to love a character who is so pitiable.

So, maybe I expected too much of this book, but my first book of 2016 didn't live up to my expectations.

One quote from Amy's letters that I loved: "Books are fantastic and probably come into their own in a cabin in the woods, but how fun is it to read a fantastic book if you can't tell others about it, talk about it, and quote from it constantly?" What is so great about LT.

Unfortunately, this was not a fantastic book.

2. Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms is the story of ten-year-old Stuart Horten. He is small for his age, and his name, S. Horten, unfortunately lends itself to the nickname Shorty, which he points out, his parents should have foreseen.

This is a quest story for young readers. After Stuart moves to a new town, he begins a search for his uncle's magic workshop. He has to try to avoid the triplets, April, May and June, who live next door to him, as well as an unscrupulous woman who wants the workshop so she can manufacture and sell the magic tricks there.

A great read for young readers that shows that ingenuity is as important as height. It's going on Scout's future reading shelf.

Next: And After Many Days, an ER book.

No, we haven't read it yet, although I'm glad you've reminded me of it - I'll move it up the list...

>44 BLBera: Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms looks awesome; I'll add it to grand-nephew Toby's future reading list (he turns seven in April).

You asked if I get some time off work to recover. I think my boss and colleagues will let me take the lead on what I feel like I can do. I had planned to have Thursday off this past week, anyway, and of course it's a 3-day weekend. Since the stroke happened on Tuesday, my schedule pretty much had a built-in recovery period. I have a doctor's appointment Monday morning and a dentist appointment at the end of the day so I'll go to work but only be there for a few hours. I think you're right that managing the stress is going to be the big challenge for me. I will talk with the doc on Monday about titrating my return to work -- I might plan to do shortened days for the coming week. Moving into winter quarter (Monday is the first day of classes so things will be off and running at the usual breakneck pace), I'm going to be fierce about getting to work out regularly and I'm going to practice saying no to some things. And I'm going to practice deep breathing to manage the in-the-moment stress.

What a journey.

Hi Amber - I'll be watching to see what Charlie thinks of it.

Ellen - I think HMM would be a great book for a little boy. There's a second in the series, too, but I haven't read it yet.

Whenever I have my check ups, stress is always the item that comes up for me to work on. Often, it manifests itself for me in problems sleeping. It will be good for me to leave one of my two jobs this year. Also, Miss Scout is a natural stress reliever. My daughter called me this morning and informed me that a new word is "crap." I confess, that is my fault. I guess it could be worse. :)

It's good that you can transition back to work next week. Be good to yourself.

Happy2016 Beth! I look forward to following your reading, and your adventures with Scout.

Thanks Rhonda. Ditto -- about the reading, not the adventures with Scout.

You just made me laugh with the story about Scout's new word. You know, sometimes a good curse word is a good stress reliever. And indeed it could be worse.... :-)

I have a lifelong relationship with insomnia although it has greatly improved in the past few years. Sunday nights tend to be troublesome....

Hi Ellen - My sleep has been good for the past week, but in the couple of weeks before Christmas, it was awful. We'll see what happens as the start of the semester approaches. We start again on Jan. 11.

Our winter quarter starts tomorrow. The real challenge of stress management shall commence.
I hope you sleep well for the next 7 days in preparation for the semester!

That was a short break. Take it easy.

I have to get back to my school schedule of sleep.

This break was inhumanely short -- only two weeks. It's usually three weeks but this year and next it's shortened. I'd be working, in any case, being staff (not faculty) and on a 12-month contract, but going in a bit later and coming home a bit earlier. I enjoy the campus when it's so quiet!

My daughter also goes back to school tomorrow. The break around Christmas seems even shorter because everyone is so busy with the holiday. I told Vanessa, maybe we should chuck the holiday and go away to a beach for a couple of weeks' relaxation.

I'll be in my office all week, getting ready for the semester's start on Jan. 11. My last semester with two jobs!

3. And After Many Days
One afternoon in 1995, Paul Utu leaves his home in Port Harcourt, Nigeria to visit a friend. Her never returns. This novel tells the story of his family, going back in time before the disappearance and ending thirteen years after it, when the mystery is solved. This is really the story of Paul's younger brother Ajie, as he tries to make sense of a world in which there seems to be little security outside the home. As the novel explores the boys' childhood, we get to know and love the Utu family. We also get a sense of the complexities of Nigerian politics.

Nigeria is a country of contrasts. In the villages, people still celebrate the yam harvest, while at home in Port Harcourt, Paul and Ajie listen to rap music and radio programs about Chopin. And although Paul and Ajie's father Bendic is a lawyer, there seems to be little he can do to find out what happened to his son or to prevent the oil company from destroying his village.

As Ajie visits his father's home village after a long absence, he thinks: "Few people, very few, have a treasure, and if they do, they must cling to it and not let themselves be ambushed and have it taken from them. Even though he feels this strongly, he is no longer certain whether the words are true or useful. And where is Paul when Ajie is in need of certainty?"

This is a wonderful first novel.

I have a stack of library books here; I'm not sure what I'm going to read next. I'll do some browsing this evening.

"My last semester with two jobs!" HOORAY!
I'm here to tell you that working two jobs is not good for you. :-)

>56 BLBera: Got me with that one.

>56 BLBera: - And After Many Days sounds really good, Beth. I've put a hold on it at the library and may be first in line when it's released.

I'm late, but I'm here! YAY! Happy New Year, Beth!!! I'm impressed beyond saying that you've already finished a couple of books and written about them. You go, Girl!

Three books already! Beth, you knock my socks off!

Ellen - And After Many Days is great -- and it was an ER book. My luck with those has been spotty.

Hi Katie - It was an ER book; I think it will be released soon.

Hi Peggy - Thanks for stopping by. I have to take advantage of the time I am on break.

Hi Nancy - I'm trying to get a good start because you know how hard it is once classes start.

I've decided to read The Man in the High Castle; I watched a couple of episodes on Amazon and have heard great things about Dick, so I'm going with some alternate history next. The Nazis and Japanese won WWII and divided up the United States.

I think I am fashionably late at this point, but it is the thought that counts!! Congrats on three books already.

"The Nazis and Japanese won WWII and divided up the United States."
I have to admit that the possibility is terrifying. Mostly about the Nazis.

Wow, three books read already! I thought I was doing good finishing one but then reading through your thread it looks like you had time off for the holidays - lucky! I hope you have a Happy New Year.

>62 BLBera: Oooh, The Man in the High Castle is wonderful - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Morning, Beth! I also liked The Man in the High Castle - and the story is differs quite a bit from the Amazon series, just to warn you. I think my favorite PKD so far is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.

If this keeps up, I won't be able to keep pace with my own thread!

Hi Kim - Good wishes are always appreciated.

Ellen - You have no idea; the book is really chilling.

Meg - I started the books last year, so it isn't as impressive as it seems. I did have some time off, but now must get back into the school mode. Our semester starts on Jan. 11.

Good to know, Amber. I am enjoying it. It's chilling.

Hi Mamie - I watched the first two episodes, so I've figured out that it's very different. It took me a while to adjust to the book, but now I am really enjoying it. I will definitely look for more by Dick.

Happy new year Beth! I see from the list of your favourite reads in 2015 that I haven't done very well at reading the books you recommended to me as Fates and Furies, The Shore and Crooked Heart are all still on my wishlist. Perhaps 2016 will be the year!

>44 BLBera: And you've hit me with another book bullet for Lissa Evans with Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms (which I think in the UK is published as Short Change for Stuart).

>47 BLBera: 'My daughter called me this morning and informed me that a new word is "crap." I confess, that is my fault. I guess it could be worse. :)'

Oh Beth! :-D I'm sure I'm going to get caught out like that with my nephews, niceces and godchildren as they get older!

>55 BLBera: 'My last semester with two jobs!'

Yay!

>62 BLBera: I had mixed feelings about the book of The Man in the High Castle when I read it last year although I watched the pilot of the new TV adaptation and that looked good. The TV show is on my list to watch once we finish our current TV series.

Happy New Year, Beth! I look forward to following your reading adventures this year!

Beth, I did giggle about Scout's new word :-)

I hope you've found something good for your next book.

Hi Heather - Too many books and too little time, right? I have quite a few of your suggestions still on my list, too. I have loved all three books by Lissa Evans that I've read. She was a great discovery for me in 2015. Crooked Heart was my favorite, though.

I wanted to read The Man in the High Castle after watching a couple of episodes of the TV adaptation. I find that they have very little in common, but I do like the book. Dick is very philosophical. Are there others of his that you prefer?

Thanks Deborah. I have starred your thread as well.

Yes, Susan, I have to be careful when I laugh; she will surely repeat things that people find funny.

I'm reading THe Man in the High Castle, which I'm enjoying.

I started watching the series of The Man in the High Castle - my husband and I watched 2 episodes and we're undecided on whether to continue or not. It seems pretty awful so far. The book was interesting, although I think my husband got more out of it than I did because of some thematic similarities to other PKD books he'd read. I'd only read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and Valis.

Wow, 3 books already! That's an incredible start. I also like a lot of your top picks from 2015. I will be reading Fates and Furies in February for one of my book clubs.

Hi Ursula - I haven't read any novels by Dick, so I can't compare them, but I am enjoying this one so far. What threw me in the beginning was that there isn't much similarity to the TV series -- at least to the two episodes I watched. I might go back and watch again. It was a little violent for me, but the premise is interesting.

Hi Alisia: Welcome. Well, I did start two of the books last week, so I haven't been speed reading. I did love Fates and Furies and will watch for your comments. I think it would be a good book for a book club; there is lots to discuss.

Scout makes me smile with crap! Yes, it could be worse!

Dropping a star here!

Happy New Year!

And After Many Days looks like a good one, Beth!

Hi Nancy - Yes, she is pretty cute. It's hard not to laugh sometimes, but her mom doesn't want me to reinforce certain behaviors. I guess it's easier for grandma to laugh. :)

Happy New Year to you, Roni. Thanks for the shiny star.

Anne - I think you would like it. I see it's on the ER list again this month.

Hi Beth! How am I already behind!! But I did want to say that I had high hopes for The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, but I won't rush to get it based on your review. Your other two reads sound excellent though!!!

>56 BLBera: I keep requesting And After Many Days from Early Reviewers and winning different books. It's in the January batch that just went up, so maybe I'll get it this time.

Hey Beth, you're chugging out the books! Great start to the new year.

Wow Beth, didn't take long for you to hit me with a book bullet. Your review of And After Many Days has me adding this to my OWL and requesting a copy from my library.

Hi Amy - The description of Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend sounded good, so maybe my hopes were too high? I loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and expected it to be like that, but Readers of Broken Wheel fell flat for me.

Carrie - Maybe this time you'll get lucky. I just request one book at a time. I've given it away, or I would send it to you.

Hi Lynda - I actually started two of the books last year, so it's not as impressive as you might think. I'm trying to get as much reading done as I can before school starts.

Hi Caro - And After Many Days was great. I would send it to you, but I already gave it away. So, so far in 2016, I have one less book on my shelves than when the year started. We'll see how long that lasts.

Well, I'm going to try to finish The Man in the High Castle tonight and finish my Christmas cards.

It's not like this is a unique dilemma but I got word today that Fates and Furies is ready for me to pick up at the library. I haven't really made much progress in Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and I still have four more library books on my bedside table. Oh, and I'm anxious to get back to Bring Up the Bodies, which I own, before I lose any of the thread....

Woe is me.

4. The Man in the High Castle - Quirky best describes this novel. Dick takes the premise that the Germans and Japanese won WWII and runs with it. He throws in a variety of characters and a banned book, stirs the mix and leaves us to contemplate the result.

A banned book is central, and one of the characters notes, "Amazing, the power of fiction, even cheap popular fiction, to evoke. No wonder it's banned within Reich territory..."

I liked it; it presents an alternate reality in a very thoughtful way. I loved the centrality of books, for example the I Ching is central: "...we live by a five-thousand-year-old book. We ask it questions as if it were alive. It is alive. As is the Christian Bible; many books are actually alive. Not in metaphoric fashion. Spirit animates it."

I read this because of the new series, but after watching the first two episodes, I have to say that the series does not resemble the book.

Next: The Pure in Heart. It's been on my shelf for a while, and I like this series. I'm also rereading The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry for my book club.

Ellen! I have nine library books stacked on my desk right now. Does that make you feel better? Remember, no stress. Fates and Furies is really good.

Good review of The Man in the High Castle, Beth. I think the only thing I didn't like about it was that I wanted more of it. And I feel like I need to read it again now that I know where it's going - I would probably pick up on some things I missed, I imagine.

Thanks Mamie. I will definitely read more by Dick, and you're right. It would probably be good to read this again. Now I'm anxious to see more of the series because it's hard to see where they could go with it. I imagine it will end by having the title and little other similarity.

I think you are probably right about that. I have only watched the first episode, and I was taken aback by how different it was already. I would like to see where they go with it, though, just out of curiosity.

>87 BLBera: Actually, it does make me feel a bit better. Heh.

Your praise for Fates and Furies is one of the reasons I have been so excited to get it. I've looked at it many times in bookstores and resisted the urge to buy, reminding myself that I am in the queue at the library and, if I'm going to purchase it, I want to wait until it comes out in softcover. Here's a new year's resolution I can keep: I will only purchase softcover books.
Anyway, I'll pick it up this weekend and see if I can get to it.

You're starting The Pure in Heart. That's on my January list, too.

Happy Wednesday, Beth!

p.s. I wish I could join you all in Iowa City later this month. As you may recall, I lived there for a year when I was doing my doctoral internship. It's a great town.

I'm so glad that you liked High Castle - I loved it and need to get round to more of his stuff.

Hi Ellen - Happy to help. I'll watch for your comments on Fates and Furies when you get to it.

I just started The Pure in Heart; I love Hill's writing. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get to this one; I loved the first one.

I've really only been to the bookstore, but I love college towns. That's what we miss in Rochester.

Hi Amber - Yes, I will definitely be reading more of his work. I think I have some things around here somewhere.

Maybe my resolution should be to catalog all of my books. I need to have a sleepover with someone who's a little obsessive to help me with that. I start and after a shelf, I need a rest.

Looking forward to your reviews again this year.

I enjoyed your thoughts on The Man in the High Castle. I also read it a couple months ago. I liked it but did not love it. I did finish the Amazon series too and agree that it, is a completely different animal, but I liked, the directions that it went in. It had it's slow spots and a few flaws, but overall I liked the show.

Thanks Karen. I appreciate the visit.

Hi Mark - I will check out some more of the series.

Horton's Miraculous Mechanisms looks like a fun one for our house. I've wish-listed it.

Happy New Year!

Interesting to read the man in the high castle debate. I do wonder why they give it the same name when so different (not that I've seen it, just from comments of others!).

Jenn - I can see young readers really liking it.

Hi Charlotte - Maybe to capitalize on a fan base? To make it more cinematic? Who knows?

>93 BLBera: Oooh, I *love* cataloging books! I'll be right over...

Nice review of And After Many Days, Beth. I assume that you also received it from the LT Early Reviewers program. It's on my list of books to read this month, and after your comments I'll be sure to get to it in the next week or two.

The welcome mat is out, Amber.

Hi Darryl: I did receive it as an ER book. It's a great first novel; I'll watch for your comments.

Beth, if you get the LT app for your phone, you can catalog your library through that by scanning barcodes.

Enjoy!

Well, Katie, if I ever used my cell, it sounds like a great idea...

Yes, Diana - Happy Dance!

My book group had its annual evening meeting and chose books for 2016:
My Brilliant Friend
THe Secret History of Wonder Woman
Etta and Otto and Russell and James
All the Light We Cannot See
Into the Beautiful North
Life After Life
Hell's Bottom, Colorado
THe Cartographer of No Man's Land
Northanger Abbey/Sense and Sensibility
Symphony for the City of the Dead
The Jungle Book
A Manual for Cleaning Women

I think it will be another good year.

That is a great list! So pleased you'll be reading HB,CO. My new group chooses books on Sunday...

I'm happy about the list, Katie. I think they'll be great discussion books. By the way, Happy Friday.

Happy Friday to you, too! Are the books listed in order, starting with February? I only ask because I plan to read a couple of them myself, and it might be fun to read them around the same time you do :) Specifically, My Brilliant Friend, Etta and Otto and Russell and James, and Into the Beautiful North. I also want to read All the Light We Cannot See, Life After Life, and The Cartographer of No Man's Land though I didn't have specific plans to read them this year...

They are in order, Katie. It would be fun to have a joint read.

Wishing you a most lovely weekend.

Oh, I really loved Hell's Bottom, Colorado - Katie recommended that one last year, and it was one of my top reads. That's a great list, Beth!

Thanks Barbara. It's beautiful.

Hi Mamie - I am happy with the list. I've read some of them before, but I look forward to discussing them -- especially Life After Life.

Hells Bottom goes on the list then. Thanks everyone!

ETA Already on the list. I'll just move it up (and hope for a better memory...)

I'm starting a list of books that appeal and the names of people who recommended them.

>114 BLBera: That's a good idea! I am always trying to remember who convinced me to pick up a given book.

5. The Pure in Heart is the second book in Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series. Hill has created real people. In this second novel of the series, we learn more about the Serrailler family and its dynamics. The major crime followed is the abduction of a nine-year-old boy. Idk - I hate reading about crimes that target children. Yet, Hill has created a realistic picture of what happens to the rest of the family and everyone involved in such a case, and without being gratuitously violent.

Excellent series; I hope to get to the next one sooner than I did to this one.

I can never remember, Rhonda. Also sometimes I lose track of books I'd really like to read, so this list should help.

I have to remember I've put them on the list. Maybe I should keep the list on my thread not just the LT wishlist.

Beth, I need to read that Susan Hill series. Sounds excellent!

Belated Happy New Year, Beth. I see you have got your reading year off to a good start. I need to start the Simn Serrailler series as everyone who reads it seems to rate it highly! Great list of Book Club books, I have a few of those on my own shelves so I will be watching closely.

Joanne has been recommending the Simon Serailler series for years. Just looked for the first one at the library. They have the print book, but I;m going to dig around and see if I can find audio versions.

Happy weekend to you, Beth!

I have read a few Susan Hill books but not the Seraillier series as yet. When I picked her for the BAC I had almost forgotten that her series was increasingly popular.

Have a great Sunday, Beth.

Hi, Beth! Looking forward to meeting up with you again soon!

Charlotte - I have to have things in front of me or I totally forget.

Hi Nancy - The two Susan Hill books that I've read have been excellent. I just ordered the third one because the second one didn't resolve everything, so I'll probably read that soon.

Anne - I think you would like the Simon Serrailler series. Happy weekend to you. I'm enjoying the last one before classes start.

Hi Paul - I haven't read Hill's Gothic books because I'm not a big fan of ghost stories although she is such a good writer, I would probably like them. The first Hill I read was nonfiction, Howard's End Is on the Landing, which I loved. the Serrailler series is really good.

Hi Amber - Me too although I think I'm going to have to cancel. I double booked my Sunday!

Hi Beth. I see that you enjoyed The Pure in Heart. I will try to get to that one soon and probably, like you, work my way through the series.

I'm about 3/4 through Bring Up the Bodies and I'm not sure what is next. I did bring Fates and Furies home from the library but I have others I want to read this month....

Using LT to manage my anxiety while I watch today's football game.

Hi Ellen - We'll have to agree to disagree about today's game. Go Vikes!

The Pure in Heart was great although there were a couple of unresolved issues at the end, so I think I am going to try to get to the next one soon.

Happy Sunday, Beth! I am sure you are deeply immersed in the game, at the moment. A tough, defensive effort, so far. I have been a fan of the Seahawks for many years now, but I really admire what the Vikings have done this season. Beating the Pack last week was amazing. So, may the best team win!

I am very impressed with your RL Book Club picks. Some excellent titles and it makes my heart soar seeing Cleaning Women on there. I LOVE it!!

You know, I don't even remember the first Susan Hill. I assume that some of it will come back to me when I get into the second in the series.

>105 BLBera: Thanks for the book list--I have a new book group starting on Wednesday, so I love the suggestions!

>106 katiekrug: Yours too please!!

I loved:
All the Light We Cannot See
Into the Beautiful North
Life After Life
Northanger Abbey/Sense and Sensibility
The Jungle Book

Should be a great year!

Also watching the Wild Card Game...!

Beth, all I can say is that today the better team did not in fact win. I feel so badly for your kicker.
And I wonder if there will be cases of frostbite among the fans who actually went to that game. Brrr.

I agree with Kim that your book group's list for the year looks really excellent!

Hi Ellen - The first Susan Hill will definitely come back to you -- a shocking ending.

Hi Mark - I missed most of the third quarter trying to get a little girl to take a nap, but I did see the ending. :(

Kim - I think they will be good discussion books. I haven't read the modernized versions of the Austen books but look forward to them. I also look forward to the discussion of Life After Life.

Ellen - :( Oh well. We seem to have bad luck with those last-minute kicks. I am especially excited about Into the Beautiful North and My Brilliant Friend because I've wanted to get to those for a long time, and now I will.

6. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a reread for me, and I still like it; it's a lovely little book about a bookstore owner. One of the many great quotes about books: "We read to know we're not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone."

It's my book club's January selection; I imagine some will find it a bit cheesy. I maintain the humor saves it from being TOO sweet.

Anyway, it was nice to finish it before my classes start tomorrow.

Next book: One from my shelves: The Tenderness of Wolves

Hi Beth, just stopped by to keep up to dateish with your thread. Your book club has picked a nice looking selection. Our neighborhood book club has a great list this year too, problem is, I've read 4 of the 8 books chosen. Ha! LT has me reading good books before other people discover them! I'm cool with that though, for those months I can catch up on my own TBR.
Hope your day back at school is not too hectic

Hi Lynda - I've read several of the selections this year, too. But it will be fun to discuss them, especially Life After Life. And I have wanted to reread that one anyway. I've also read All the Light We Cannot See, The Jungle Books and Symphony for the City of the Dead, and will probably reread at least some of them.

Thanks for the good wishes re: school.

I will be very interested in your take on My Brilliant Friend. The book-buyer at the U Bookstore raved about it (if he were on LT, he'd have given it ten stars!) and I read it and thought, well, meh. I read the second in the series and was similarly underwhelmed. I generally trust Nick's take on things but I'm not sure what the huge deal is about Ferrante's work.

Bummer about those Vikes, Beth! I really thought they would pull that one out. Hey, they had a good season, right?

Hi Ellen - It's our Feb. book, so I will post soon. I know I've seen some enthusiastic comments on it, so we'll see.

Mark - We should be used to disappointment by now. Remember the missed field goal in 98? Oh well.

I was so bummed!! : ( I love the Seahawks except when they play the Vikings. Then I have to root for MN.

>139 BLBera: It does feel like 1998 and every other time the Vikings have been on the edge of winning only to watch it slip away. IMO the weather here is just to toughen people up to survive the sports teams.

I've finally found your thread, Beth! You've read a few more than I have to date although I have a few in progress. Hoping I can complete at least one of those today.

>134 BLBera: Ah, Beth, that one I have as an audio still waiting to be listened to.

Kim - Well, we should be used to disappointment by now.

Hi Erik - At least they didn't embarrass themselves. One of these days... I might have to become a fan of women's bb.

Hi Lori - Thanks for visiting. I've been trying to read while I was on break. Things will slow down now.

Hi Barbara - I'll watch for your comments. I really enjoyed it.

Stopping by to get caught up and to wish you a lovely week!

Nice book group reading list. The only book on the list I have read is Life after Life, which I think opens itself up to an interesting group discussion.

Hi Lori - Thanks for stopping by. I think the Life After Life discussion will be very interesting.

>72 BLBera: & >86 BLBera: Glad you enjoyed The Man in the High Castle Beth. That was my first novely by Dick. I may try some of his other books - I have a copy of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in the TBR mountain.

>105 BLBera: That's a great list. I really want to try the Elena Ferrante series. I may join you and Katie with that one in February.

Just to report that I checked my reservation list, and put the order in for another book tagged 'LT rec BLBera' Fates and Furies and The Whispering City will hopefully turn up soonish. :-)

Hi Heather - It was my first novel by Dick, too. I think I will try others by him; I liked the thoughtfulness behind the story.

Join us! The more the merrier.

Hi Charlotte - I'll be watching for your comments when you get them. I thought both were excellent.

>144 BLBera: "I might have to become a fan of women's bb." Yessss!

>105 BLBera: Can I join your book group?

Or, maybe I should stick to tennis. The Australian Open starts next week. Go Serena! :)

Yes, Joanne. You are welcome.

For grammar nerds everywhere...:)

Sorry, grammar nerds. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/08/donald-trump-may-win-this...

I wanted to read The Risk of Darkness, so I'm going to try an audiobook; I have a long car ride ahead on Sunday, so I am all set.

Have a lovely weekend!

>151 Copperskye: Me too! Sounds like a great year ahead.

Thanks Diana.

You are welcome Charlotte - It might be a bit of a commute. We meet at noon today to discuss The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, which I liked a lot. I may have liked it a bit less on the reread, but I thought it was a fun read and think most book lovers will like it. We'll see what the group says.

So what did your group think of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry? I was in the minority in not loving it when I read it last year (or was it the year before?).

>153 BLBera: I will be interested in how the Simon Serrailler series works in audio format. You're driving to Iowa City?

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry just moved closer to the front of my book queue.

Have a great time in Iowa City.

Hi Katie - The group thought it was entertaining but not great literature. No one loved it as in a book they will read over and over again - note the use of the singular "they." :) We also discussed that a bit.

Hi Ellen - I've been listening to the Serrailler in the car. I don't have a lot of experience with audio, so some of you audio vets may have stricter criteria. The reader isn't annoying; I have read some audio books that I couldn't listen to. He does do the accents and changes voices, but it's OK. Also, I have been able to keep track of the various plot lines so far. I was concerned about that.

Yes, Iowa City tomorrow.

Thanks Paul. Have a great weekend. A. J. Fikry is an enjoyable read.

Well, I have some household tasks, some school work and some reading -- maybe not in that order. I hope to finish The Tenderness of Wolves today, which is turning into an excellent historical novel.

Have a great time in Iowa City, Beth. I'm sure there will be smiles all around, book buying and something yummy to eat.

Happy Saturday, Beth! We are bracing ourselves for another frigid blast.

Hooray for a Meet-Up! I should try to drive over to Iowa City one of these times.

Thanks Lynda. I suspect you are right.

Thanks Mark. I think it's a good day to stay inside and maybe bake, or something to keep warm. Snuggling under a blanket and reading doesn't sound so bad either.

How long is the trek to Iowa City for you?

I think Julia said it was about 3 hours. Not terrible...

Well, I have farther to travel than you do, Mark. What is your excuse again? :)

Hi, Beth! Hope you're getting a little of that blanket time and reading!
I am a solid Serrailler fan even if I don't particularly care for the man himself.
>152 BLBera: NOOOoooooo. I knew I was fighting a losing battle, but "they" will always be plural to me.
>137 EBT1002: Ellen, I'm pretty much with you. I say that I'm reading My Brilliant Friend, but I haven't picked it up in a couple of weeks. I will finish it, but whether I go on to the rest of the series is another question.

You got me there, Beth. Grins...

Beth, I wish you a relaxed weekend.

Hoping that you Saturday was filled with Happy, Beth. Thanks for the reminder about the Australian Open - love to watch that!

Hi Peggy - Regarding grammar, it is always changing. This is one change I'm OK with because it's used so commonly in speech.

I had a sisters' birthday lunch today and then a visit with my little Scout, so now I am going to have some reading time.

I hope I like My Brilliant Friend. I hate to have to read books I don't care for.

OK then, Mark. See you tomorrow?? :)

Thanks Barbara - That looks very like our landscape here right now.

Hi Mamie - I have to look at the draws. The time difference is kind of a pain for the AO, but yay! Tennis!

7. The Tenderness of Wolves is an excellent historical novel set in mid-nineteenth century Canada. The Hudson Bay Company is in charge, but facing possible competition as people tire of the corruption and abuse of power the company wields.

In this uncertain time, a trapper, Laurent Jammet is killed. The search for his killer sets many of the characters in Penney's novel in motion and reveals many secrets in the process. Told from several different points of view, this novel gives us a clear view of the times. Penney shows us the destruction the colonizers bring; people of the First Nation live in poverty. The lives of those with mixed blood are little better. The animals that were once so profitable are harder to find, putting the Company on the defensive even more. In unstable times, there is little tolerance for difference.

Descriptions of the setting are so vivid that I was shivering the entire time I was reading. This is really good historical fiction. I'm so glad I didn't leave this on my shelf any longer.

I think that I have The Tenderness of Wolves on my shelves somewhere also----I need to read it!

>171 BLBera: I have a copy of The Tenderness of Wolves. Your excellent review prompts me to try and find it somewhere amid all these books in each room.

>171 BLBera: Oh, I loved The Tenderness of Wolves! I read it the first year I was in this group - 2010. I'm so glad you liked it, too.

Have a great time at your meet-up! Wish I could be there.

Hi, Beth! I don't know if you'll see this before you leave ...

I don't know if everyone coming to Iowa City today for the meetup will see this, but I just woke up to no water — apparently the pipes in my apartment building have frozen. (It is -5 degrees F outside, so really not that cold.) I am trying to reach my landlord, but he is not always super responsive on the weekends. I will post more as soon as I know, but right now I'm not sure I'll be able to make the metope.

Hi Rhonda - It was really good. Besides being a good story, it gave me all kinds of things to think about. If it's not on your shelf and you'd like a copy, let me know and I'll send mine to you.

Good luck Linda. I'm still looking for my copy of The House of Spirits, which I know is around here somewhere.

Hi Joanne - I remembered hearing good things about The Tenderness of Wolves from people on LT. Well, I have a stomach bug, so will not make the meet up. I think it was fated not to be.

Julia - Oh no. I hope the problem gets fixed soon. This meet up maybe is hexed -- I have a stomach bug so will not be there.

I will lie low today, reading Golden Age

The House of the Spirits is one of my favorite Allende books. I know what it is like to lose a book around the house, I was hoping to read Rebecca soon, but I have misplaced my copy and haven't found it yet!

>152 BLBera: Thanks for posting that link, Beth. I work with a lot of trans and gender-queer students and this grammar change is one that I'm okay with, too. I believe we have to let language evolve, just as we let our cultural sensibilities evolve. Many of us continue to make the case that "he" does not genuinely include women; it feels important to acknowledge that our binary language does not genuinely include folks who identify outside that binary model.

*steps down off soapbox*

Oh! I have The Tenderness of Wolves on my TBR shelves! Thanks for recommending that I get to it sooner rather than later (you knew you were doing that, right?).

I hope the Iowa City meet-up is/was fun!

Hope those who make it to the meet-up have a grand time and that pipes are fixed and illnesses leave quickly!

Hi Alisia - I'm tempted to buy another copy, but I know I will find my copy as soon as I do that.

Hi Ellen - Grammar is constantly changing, so I am OK with this one, too. We already use this in speaking, so it makes sense to change it in writing, too. And there is the fact that "he" doesn't mean "she," as well. :)

Great that you already have The Tenderness of Wolves; it is excellent, and you will love it.

I didn't make it to Iowa City - a stomach bug. Next time. Sigh.

Thanks Kim.

Hi Beth! I really liked The Tenderness of Wolves when I read it a few years ago. I remember it having a strong sense of place and time.

Hi Carrie - I remembered that The Tenderness of Wolves had a lot of fans a few years ago. I'm glad I finally got to it.

Hope you're feeling better!

Have you read Gil Adamson's The Outlander? It's kind of similar to The Tenderness of Wolves.

Stopping by to wish you a lovely week, Beth, and happily dances away knowing the Penney book is a goodie.... I have a copy of that one on my TBR pile.

Sorry to read the stomach bug has found you and decided to become your friend. Here is hoping you are feeling better soon.

>171 BLBera: - The Tenderness of Wolves sounds wonderful, Beth! But maybe I'll wait until it warms up a bit until I read it. Hope you feel better!

Joanne - I was thinking of The Outlander as I read this; they are similar.

Thanks Lori. I am feeling better, thanks. I think it was a 24-hour thing.

Hah, Amy - It would be a good summer book.

I just watched Serena Williams win her first round match in the AO. Hooray tennis.

I am loving Golden Age. Although it is sad to see everyone getting old.

Hi, Beth! Sorry to hear about the stomach bug. Hope you are feeling better. I also enjoyed The Tenderness of Wolves. Glad you got to it.

Thanks Mark. I feel much better today.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better today, Beth. Sorry you had to miss the meet-up.

Glad to hear that you are feeling more the thing today. I just finished Thirteen Ways of Looking , but couldn't remember if you were a McCann fan or not. I did love his way of writing, a bit like Colm Toibin - although perhaps that's just me making the Irish connection?

Thanks Mamie - I'm much better today.

Hi Charlotte - Thanks. I like McCann; I've only read TransAtlantic, which I didn't love as much as some did. Thirteen Ways of Looking sounds interesting, though. I'll hop over to see what you thought of it.

I've got Thirteen Ways of Looking on my list, too. Read and loved TransAtlantic, then read Let the Great World Spin. Alas, it did not spin my world, even though it's highly reviewed here on LT.

I'm the same about Let the Great World Spin, but I'm hopeful that it was a one off as I read his Mexico book (title just now escapes me) and liked it a lot too.

Nancy: I liked TransAtlantic well enough but didn't love it. That's the only McCann I've read. Hmm. I wonder if I would feel differently about Let the Great World Spin.

Charlotte - I will have to look for the Mexico book title.

I was on the fence with Let the Great World Spin. I know many here loved the book, but I didn't dislike it but neither did I like it much. I had pretty much the same response to TransAtlantic. I suspect his writing style just doesn't quite appeal to me.

I'm glad I'm not the only one, Caro. Whew! I liked some things about TransAtlantic, but it's not a book I loved or would reread.

I'm so sorry to have missed you this weekend! I hope you're feeling better!

>171 BLBera: I loved The Tenderness of Wolves when I read it (in 2008 according to my LT review). I think the book has stuck with me more than some because of the power of the setting.

>196 BLBera: I think that lets you off Thirteen Ways of Looking - different strokes!

Glad to hear that you're feeling better, Beth.
You know I was with you on TransAtlantic although I'm not sure whether we agreed about what was less than wonderful. I haven't tried *Spin* not yet *Wolves*, but I have that one.
As to the singular "they". Yes, language evolves, and English is maybe the most flexible language ever. But "Everyone should get out their books," now and forever grates on me. I'm just no longer of this world. I continue to have trouble with "as well" as well. Grrrrrr.

Hi Amber - Yes, I was bummed not to be able to go. My stomach is better; now I have a cold. January stuff, I guess.

Yes, I agree, Lori, the setting was spectacular.

Well, I'm welling to try anything once or twice, Charlotte. :) Still, it won't be at the top of my list.

Hi Peggy - I'd have to look back at my comments to see what I found less than thrilling in TransAtlantic.

I guess the singular "they" doesn't bother me so much because it's already so common in speech. It is nice also to have a gender neutral singular pronoun (besides "it"). Still, I imagine we'll be discussing this for a while.

Wow! I miss threads for a couple of days, and am behind by 50 or 60 posts. Sigh. This might be one of those times I wait for new threads...

Almost finished with Golden Age.

Picked up The Whispering City today at the library. Looking forward to more Barcelona.

Ooh, that was a good one. I wonder if they will make a series of it. I'll watch for your comments.

8. Golden Age by Jane Smiley is the final book in the trilogy about the Langdon family. Smiley stayed with the family and its descendants through a century, from 1918 to 2018. I enjoyed the time I spent with the family, and while this final book was bittersweet as members of the family aged and died, it was also the most rewarding, I think. Smiley progresses though time, each chapter a year, and integrates historical events into the family history. I loved it.

As one of the characters reflects, "...but she did think right then that all golden ages were discovered within. No one would ever know that her father, Carl, the endless Iowa horizon, a pan of shortbread emerging from the oven, and her grandchildren laughing in the next room had indeed made her life a golden age."

The breadth of Smiley's achievement is only apparent after reading all three.

Next: The Hanging Girl

Hi, Beth! I have to get to this Smiley trilogy. I have had the first one saved on audio, since it came out. Bad Mark. Well, I am featuring Smiley on the AAC, so maybe I will try to read/listen to the first 2.

Perfect Mark. I loved the first one, liked the second one, but not as much and loved the third one. What is it about the second book in a trilogy? You will love them.

Beth, I recommended The Tenderness of Wolves to a friend at work based on your review the other day :-) And then I looked up where in the library system a copy might be found, and there's one about a 15-minute walk from home on the weekend.

I want to read that Jane Smiley trilogy - maybe a bit later in the year when the newness and shininess of the Netflix subscription has worn off!

Beth, I'm so sorry a stomach bug kept you from the Iowa City meet-up. I hope you are feeling better.

I read Some Luck and liked it okay. I'm surprised at how quickly the second and third installments have been published. I wonder - did she write them as one longer novel and then break it up? I guess that would be hard to do if one wanted each one to work as a stand-alone novel as well as one in a trilogy. Anyway, maybe I'll read the second one when Smiley is the AAC author later this year.

I'm a bit more than halfway through The Light Between Oceans and it's a solid read if not great literature.

Hi Susan - I'll watch for your comments on The Tenderness of Wolves. I hope your friend likes it.

Sometimes I think it's better to read a trilogy after all the books are published although Smiley did publish these quickly. I thought this was a good synopsis of the 20th century through the lives of one Midwestern family.

Hi Ellen - My stomach stuff is better, thanks. Now I have a cold, which is keeping me dragging. If Some Luck was just OK for you, maybe you don't need to read the rest of the trilogy. The second one was my least favorite.

I'll watch for your comments on The Light Between Oceans - I own a copy...

Have you been watching tennis? Go Serena!

Hope you feel better soon. I am not sure if I read The Tenderness of Wolves or just have a vague memory of listening to the abridged version on the radio. Probably that, so should add that to the TBR too!

Hey Beth! I think Tenderness of Wolves has been on my wish list for years! Sounds like I really need to add it to my collection of unread books.

Thanks Charlotte. The Tenderness of Wolves is worth a read.

Hi Lynda - If you would like a copy, PM me your address and I will send mine to you.

Are you all-together well again? Hoping so! Have a fabulous, book-filled, tennis-filled weekend. (I am reading your thread selectively so as not to get hit by all the book bullets bouncing around here--yikes!) : )

Well, I've lurked and lurked, so it seemed time to step out and speak, but that's about all I can do. I generally like Smiley, so I'm pleased with your pleasure in the first and third books of the latest trilogy. I hope I'll get to them!
Hope you're 100% well! Enjoy your weekend!!

Thanks Kim. I'll jump over and see you as well. I'm going to see Pericles at the Guthrie tomorrow; it's presented with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I expect great things. Our new artistic director is directing. My cold is getting better, more bothersome than anything else. What about you? Are you feeling better?

Hi Peggy - Thanks for delurking. I do a fair amount of that myself.

Thanks Diana; I hope your weekend is relaxing, too.

Happy weekend, Beth. Stay safe and warm.

Thanks Barbara.

Hi Beth! I didn't know that the OSF performed there. Is that the same production of Pericles that they did last year? It was supposed to be great, but we couldn't get tickets.

And happy weekend!

In the program notes, it says "in association with.." The Guthrie does work with other troops from time to time, so I assumed it was the troop. Our new artistic director is directing, Joseph Haj, so I don't know that it will be the same production. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm reading the play this afternoon between other household tasks, watching tennis, etc.

And happy weekend to you, too, Rhonda.

>105 BLBera: It sounds like a wonderful year for your book club, Beth. I missed the discussion ours had about Etta and Otto and Russell and James. There was certainly much to talk about in that one.

>206 BLBera: Oh dear…I have Early Warning lined up to read for the AAC. I am well aware of the second-book-letdown. I do agree with you that the books will stand stronger as a trilogy.

I feel the same way about Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet. I'm only in the third one but it is getting better as I view the changes in friendship over the years. I think that's why I favor long books or series based on a family saga. There are so many dynamics that can affect relationships and it is interesting to follow a person or family over a long period of time to see those changes.

>204 BLBera: I have wanted to start that trilogy too Beth but the only copies I can find of the first in the series are those huge early release paperbacks that I hate so and look so ugly on the shelves in the days I had any space to house them there anyway.

Have a great weekend.

Hey Beth. I've not yet watched any of the Aussie Open but I will do so and I will be rooting for Serena. We know her retirement can't be around too many more corners.

>216 BLBera: I miss being 4 hours away from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival!! With our Alaska trip this August, 2016 won't be the year for an excursion to Ashland but I'm hoping we can squeeze it in for 2017.

>204 BLBera: - So glad that you liked Golden Age. I agree that the three books together are quite powerful. I actually liked the second book best. By Golden Age, the family had gotten so big that I had a hard time keeping up with everyone.

>208 EBT1002: - I heard Smiley speak after Some Luck was published. If I remember right, she was always planning a trilogy, but she had all three written before the first was published so that they could come out close together. I liked that - otherwise, I think I would have lost track of the story.

Hi Donna - Amy liked Early Warning the best, so don't take my word for it. I can't wait to read Ferrante. It's our February book.

Hi Paul - It's an excellent trilogy.

Hi Ellen - I just finished watching Serena win a place in the quarters where she'll meet Sharapova. Fingers crossed. I just finished reading Pericles, so I'm all set for the play tomorrow. I think I might have to make a trip to Ashland one summer.

Hi Amy - I had a harder time keeping track of people in Early Warning. Funny. I remember -- that was the book festival two years ago, right? The line up that year was stellar. It makes sense that she had all three written because they were published close together. I'm with you; I would never have remembered anything about the people if I'd had to wait a couple of years between books.

Well, off to continue with The Hanging Girl, which is long and has to go back to the library next week.

Hi Beth! Hope you're having a great weekend. Sorry you couldn't make the meet-up. Being sick is no fun. Hope it passed quickly.

You got me with The Tenderness of Wolves!

Hi Beth--Got my meds and feeling much better. Thanks. And I am glad you on the mend, too. So psyched for Serena! I am glued to the TV watching all the matches. The Djokovic / Simon match was a marathon!! We used to have season tix to the Guthrie and I totally miss it. The downtown building is HUGE!!n Next time I am out that way I want to actually make it in to see something. ; )

Hi Beth. It's Sunday and I did not get caught up on LT this weekend. It ended up being a bit busy what with driving over to Bellevue to choose our vanity and sink-top for the bathroom remodel (it's time for the pink and green tile to go!!), a women's basketball game, a 3.5-mile walk this morning (the sun came out!), and laundry and other chores today. I'm slowly making my way through Fates and Furies, remaining optimistic but feeling a bit of skepticism creep its way in..... No worries, I plan to stick with it. I suspect she is setting the stage for something more interesting.

I highly recommend that summer trip to Ashland. It's a wonderful small town and the binge-theater-going is special.

Looking forward to your review of Pericles. I am hoping to go in a couple of weeks.

Hi Anne - Just a cold, thanks. I do feel better.

Hi Kim - Maybe our next meet up could be at the Guthrie. Pericles was great -- it was your Oregon SF crew. The Guthrie's new artistic director is Joseph Haj. Go Serena. I fell asleep for the Djokovic match.

Hi Ellen - As I said on your thread, I always feel bad when books I loved don't work for people. I do think the second half made the book. I'm going to have to put Ashland on my list.

Hi Erik - Thanks for stopping by. Pericles was great. I loved the staging and the music, among other things. It was a really different play from other Shakespeare, and I can see why it was such a crowd pleaser. Oh, and I loved the pirates.

Hi Beth,
I'm trying to get caught up and visit some threads but there is so much to read! I see that of your favorite books of 2015 I have only read one (the Atkinson, which also made my favorites list) so I have a lot to look forward to.

Great review of The Tenderness of Wolves which I have around here somewhere--however I don't think shivering the entire time I was reading is exactly what I'm in the mood for right now, so I'll save that one for later.

It looks like your book group has a great year lined up. I just read My Brilliant Friend and really enjoyed it, so I will be interested to see what you and your group think.

Hi Anne - It's so nice to see you back around here. I am looking forward to My Brilliant Friend next month. You had a great list of favorites for 2015, as well. I need to get back to Lively; she's one of my favorites. And I am lucky enough to still have several unread books of hers on my shelves.

I thought The Tenderness of Wolves was great historical fiction. Maybe July would be a better time to read it. Penney did a great job with the vivid sense of place.

Stay warm. D.C. looks like a giant mess.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland is a ton of fun, and lots of great restaurants down there as well.

>233 banjo123: What Rhonda said!! : )

>233 banjo123: and >234 Berly: What Rhonda and Kim said!

You just need to start planning your Ashland trip, Beth. :-)

Hmmm, I think I can find a month in Suzanne's Nonfiction challenge in which to read The Tenderness of Wolves. I will make it work.

ETA: I think it will fit for June: Natural History/Environment/Health. Yes?

Hey Rhonda, Kim and Ellen - It sounds like a trip to Ashland should be in my future.

Ellen - The Tenderness of Wolves is fiction, but you can make it work. :)

Hi Beth, I've been lurking more than posting. Heard a great show on the radio with David Crystal talking about his new dictionary for Shakespeare plays, so that actors can pronounce their words like Elizabethans. It was great to hear an actor speaking 'as they used to'. Made an interesting case for better acting, better rhymes and even more engaged Shakespeare students (surely too much this?!). I've never heard a play done this way but am now quite tempted.

Hope you are able to fit in the festival mentioned above.

Hi Charlotte - Me too. I've been trying to do school work, watch tennis and read, so LT comments have fallen by the way. I saw several from the Guardian list last week that look tempting.

I also want to read more Gardam. Sign.

9. The Hanging Girl is the sprawling latest entry in the Department Q series. In this one, Carl, Assad and Rose somehow become involved in investigating a twenty-year-old hit and run.

In the course of the investigation, Carl also visits his family to attend a cousin's funeral, is hypnotized, and finds that there is progress on the investigation of the incident that left Hardy, his partner, paralyzed. Did I mention sprawling? There's a lot going on, and while, overall, I enjoyed it, it could have benefited from a little editing.

Next: The Lake House. I've enjoyed the other novels I've read by Kate Morton, so I'm looking forward to this. Even though the cover is awful.

Hi Beth! Just checking in here. Between tennis, reading, and work, it sounds like you are keeping busy :)

Hi Katie - I've been doing some lurking. Amazing how many posts pile up when one stays away for a a couple of days.

Glad you enjoyed the Adler-Olsen. I quite like his Department Q series, too. Morton's The Lake House is another I want to get to.

Hi Nancy - Thanks for stopping by. I hope to get a good start on The Lake House tonight.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks Diana. And a happy weekend to you, too.

Morning, Beth! Happy Friday!

Thanks Mamie.

I started The Lake House last night and fell asleep at about page 15. So, this morning I am trying to decide whether to continue. I looked at the reviews here on LT, which were very favorable but did say it started slow, so I think I'll carry on, at least for now. I did enjoy the other books by Morton that I've read.

I continue to be on the fence about if I want to read The Lake House. Not sure why. I have the same feeling about The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Hi Beth! >238 BLBera: You sound like me this week!! I need tennis to be over so I can get caught up on the rest of my life, LOL.

Hi Alisia - I know I really liked one by Morton, but I see the last one by her, not so much. I'll keep going this evening and then decide.

Hi Kim - Great minds, right? So, Murray in the final? And, of course, Serena.

*lurk*

Lake House is in my tbr pile. LT reviewers overall gave it four stars.

Happy Weekend to you!

Hi Roni - you lurker, you.

Hi Linda - I saw that. I'm going to give it a try this evening, and see how it goes. If it doesn't work, I do have other reading material available. :)

So. Far. Behind. Only two weeks away and I'm 160 posts behind. Squeaking in a hello before you start a new thread.

Hello!

Hi Jenn - Join the club. Have a great weekend.

10. A Trail through Time is the usual fun, breathless romp through time. This time Max and Leon spend a great part of the book fleeing the time police. Max manages to visit Pompeii just as the volcano erupts and visits medieval England to join an ice fair on the Thames during and avoid the plague.

Fun reads that go quickly. I find them charming, great gym reads.

^ Love that series! And you were getting in shape, too. Well done!

>256 BLBera: Love the premise for that series Beth.

Have a great weekend.

Hi Beth! Happy weekend to you! I imagine you'll be busy grading and planning?

Thanks Kim - Serena :( Well, back to more reading time.

Hi Paul - Have a lovely weekend. It is a fun series.

Hi Anne - I do have some schoolwork this weekend, but I haven't seen Miss Scout all week, so I hope to get some face time with her.

I've decided to keep going with The Lake House; it seems like another light, entertaining read.

>256 BLBera: You are reminding me that I need to get back to that series - I have only read the first one, but I have the first three.

Happy Saturday, Beth!

Happy Saturday! I hope you get some quality Scout time this weekend!

Lurking again Beth. I kind of wish I could listen to a book whilst swimming but think I might be a danger to shipping. And sometimes it's nice not to think of anything at all!

Hey Mamie - They are really fun. They work really well for me on my ereader at the gym.

Hi Carrie - Happy Saturday to you. I am having some Scout time.

Hi Charlotte - I think I'd concentrate on staying afloat -- do they have things you could actually listen to in the water? I'm with you; sometimes it's nice to have quiet.

11. The Risk of Darkness is the third in the Simon Serrailler series. It takes up where The Pure in Heart leaves off, as they search for the person who's abducting children. But there are other crimes, too:

"Two women, a hundred or so miles apart, one young, battered to death in her garden, one old, battered almost to death in her house...They were unconnected and yet, to Serrailler, they seemed linked in some dreadful intangible way, part of a pattern, part of a connection with him and with his work and his life. He was angry at the apparently pointless, random violence..."

Hill doesn't wrap everything up and present us the solution. The books is about more than crime. Her strength, and the draw for me, is in the characters. In each novel we learn a little more about them. Simon is an ass about women; Cat and her husband are becoming burnt out and need a change. Other new characters have their own challenges. Life goes on, changes. I like that.

I look forward to the next novel in the series. Hill reminds me a bit of P. D. James.

Next: I'll carry on with The Lake House and look for another ebook.

Wonderful review of The Risk of Darkness, Beth. This series of Hill's is on my list ... must get to it sooner than later. Sounds like just my cuppa.

Yes, Nancy, I think you'll like it.

Great reviews here. I love the Serrailler series, and remember really enjoying The Tenderness of Wolves when I read it.

Thanks Terri - I just jumped over to your thread, and ditto, lots of great, tempting reviews. I have a feeling I'm going to get sucked into some series.

They do Beth - although what I really fancy is a lap counter. I do love a gadget! Finally got to Confession of the Lioness and as usual wondering what took me so long...

Oh! Hi Charlotte - I'll watch for your comments. I liked Confession of the Lioness; there was a lot to think about in such a small book.

Hi Beth! Hope your Sunday has gone well. I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since my last visit. *sigh* This book called War and Peace has really took over my life. Can't wait to finish and move on.

Hi Beth! I'd forgotten about the Jodi Taylor series. Glad to see it is still working for you! I'm going to have to try it sometime soon!

>236 BLBera: "Ellen - The Tenderness of Wolves is fiction, but you can make it work. :)"
How is it that I can read comments about something, absorb the gist and think "I really want to read that," and still not get the most basic detail about it? Oh well.

In any case, I have The Risk of Darkness in my amazon shopping cart (but I think I'll look for it at the used bookstore tomorrow).

I hope you have a good week ahead of you! Time with Scout, perhaps?

Happy Sunday, Beth! Hope you had a nice weekend. I have The Hanging Girl waiting, in the audio stacks. I really agree with your " it could have benefited from a little editing," statement. It seems, the last few books have suffered from this malady.

I also have the latest St. Mary's book, in the audio queue. I love this series. She is perfectly consistent.

Hi Lynda - Thanks for stopping by. I am not always good at frequent thread visiting; life tends to interfere. You all are tempting me to start a reread of W&P...

Hi Amy - It is a fun series, great for light entertainment, which we all need from time to time, right?

Hi Ellen - I did get time with Scout over the weekend. She is potty trained now, which is leading to visits to many public restrooms in various states of disgustingness. I leave that to the mom. Perks of being a grandma.

The Risk of Darkness keeps up the high standards of the series. I am so happy to have discovered Hill.

Hi Mark - I'll watch for your comments on The Hanging Girl. Are you expecting snow this week. We're supposed to get 8 to 10 inches tomorrow, with high winds, blizzard conditions. My daughter and I were thinking "Snow day!" but it is much more likely in her case; we hardly ever have snow days. :(

I imagine Taylor's books are a hoot to listen to.

Well, back to grading. This evening more of The Lake House, which I'm glad I kept up with.