Roberta's back! (luvamystery65) III

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! ;-)

Total books read/listened 161

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
44. **Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig
March
45. *We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
46. *The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson
47. Fables, Vol. 13: The Great Crossover by Bill Willingham
48. Jack of Fables, Vol. 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack by Bill Willingham
49. Fables, Vol. 14: Witches by Bill Willingham
50. The Fade Out, Vol. 1 by Ed Brubaker
51. The Fade Out, Vol. 2 by Ed Brubaker
52. The Fade Out, Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker
53. *War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
54. Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson
55. Jack of Fables, Vol. 8: The Fulminate Blade by Bill Willingham
56. *Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
57. *The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
58. Fables, Vol. 15: Rose Red by Bill Willingham
59. **As the Crow Flies by Craig Johnson
60. **Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman
61. **The Killing Lessons by Saul Black aka Glen Duncan
62. Cinderella: Fables are Forever by Chris Roberson
63. Jack of Fables, Vol. 9: The End by Bill Willingham
64. **Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye
65. Fables, Vol. 16: Super Team by Bill Willingham
66. *A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
67. A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman
68. Super Mutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki
April
69. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo
70. The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
71. Fables, Vol. 17: Inherit the Wind by Bill Willingham
72. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
73. Fables, Vol. 18: Cubs in Toyland by Bill Willingham
74. **Postal, Vol. 1 by Matt Hawkins and Bryan Hill
75. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
76. **Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
77. World of Trouble by Ben H. Winters
78. *Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
79. Postal, Vol. 2 by Matt Hawkins and Bryan Hill
80. White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones
81. **The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
82. **The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes
May
83. *The Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill
84. Fables, Vol. 19: Snow White by Bill Willingham
85. Fables, Vol. 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham
86. Fables, Vol. 21: Happily Ever After by Bill Willingham
87. Talking God by Tony Hillerman
88. Shaman Pass by Stan Jones
89. Fables, Vol. 22: Farewell by Bill Willingham
90. *To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
91. **Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
92. Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold
93. *Deliver Us by Kathryn Casey
94. *The Whites by Richard Price/Harry Brandt
June
95. **The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
96. **The Fireman by Joe Hill
97. **A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
98. That's Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms and What our English Says About Us by Erin Moore
99. Apt Pupil by Stephen King
100. *A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
101. *Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
102. *Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives edited by Sarah Weinman
103. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
104. *Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achibe
105. *The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
July
106. Outcast, Vol. 1 by Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta
107. Outcast, Vol. 2 by Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta
108. **Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
109. Saga, Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples
110. A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
111. Black Hole by Chuck Burns
112. *H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald
113. The Reluctant Matador by Mark Pryor
August
114. *Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus by Bill Wasik & Monica Murphy
115. Any Other Name by Craig Johnson
116. Monstress by Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda
117. Black Butler, Volume 1 by Yana Toboso
118. *The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
September
119. **Postal, Vol. 3 by Bryan Hill & Betsy Gonia
120. Phantom by Jo Nesbo
121. **Sex Criminals, Vol. 3 by Matt Fractin & Chip Zdarsky
122. Police by Jo Nesbo
123. Lazarus, Vol. 1 by Greg Rucka & Michael Lark
124. Lazarus, Vol. 2 by Greg Rucka & Michael Lark
125. Lazarus, Vol. 3 by Greg Rucka & Michael Lark
126. Lazarus, Vol. 4 by Greg Rucka & Michael Lark
127. The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza Parsons
128. *Thirty Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill
129. *Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill
130. *Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman
131. The Shining by Stephen King
132. *Sacred Clowns by Tony Hillerman
October
133. Turn of the Screw by Henry James
134. *Bird Box by Josh Malerman
135. Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill
136. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
137. *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
138. *The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
139. **Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne/J.K. Rowling
140. **Dry Bones by Craig Johnson
141. **Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
November
142. The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman
143. Lone Wolf and Cub, Volume 2 by Kazuo Koike
144. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
145. White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
146. The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth
147. Pretty Deadly, Vol 2 by Kelly Sue Connick
148. Velvet, Vol. 3 by Ed Brubaker
149. Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill
150. White trash : the 400-year untold history of class in America by Nancy Isenberg
151. Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham
152. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
153. An Obvious Fact by Craig Johnson
December
154. Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson
155. Silent Nights edited by Martin Edwards
156. The Chimes by Charles Dickens
157. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
158. The Doll-Master by Joyce Carol Oates
159. Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter
160. The Merry Misogynist by Colin Cotterill
161. A Strangeness in My Mind by Orhan Pamuk

November Plans
Continue with Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth
The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman COMPLETED
Pretty Deadly, Vol 2 by Kelly Sue Connick
Velvet, Vol. 3 by Ed Brubaker
Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 2 by Kazuo Koike COMPLETED
Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill
White trash : the 400-year untold history of class in America by Nancy Isenberg

My other threads on LT

Year Long Group Reads:

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

2016 Category Group Read: Fables by Bill Willingham

Personal Threads:

2016 Category Challenge Opposites Attract Challenge

Roberta Reads Horror! 2016

Roberta Tries to ROOT 2016

Hostesst with the Mostest:

Fantasy February 75 Group

April GeoCAT: Polar Regions, Islands and Bodies of Water Category Challenge Group

A Manual for Cleaning Women Group Read 75 Group

May 2016: Non-Fiction Horror!

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

Non-Fiction November (link will be posted mid- October) 75 Group not sure if I will put this up since both the 75 Group and Category Challenge group have year round non-fiction challenges this year. Last year was fun though, so I might.

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) COMPLETED Well aimed!
8. The Killing Lessons by Saul Black - Dave (AHS-Wolfy) COMPLETED Well aimed!
9. Mãn by Kim Thúy - Mamie (Crazymamie)
10. Super Mutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki - Joe (jnwelch) COMPLETED Well aimed!
11. That's Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms and What Our English Says About Us by Erin Moore - Susan (susanj67) COMPLETED Well aimed!
12. Spillover by David Quammen- Susan (susanj67)
13. On the Map: why the World Looks the Way it Does by Simon Garfield - Jim (drneutron)
14. Racism Explained to my Daughter by Tahar Ben Jelloun - Lori (lkernagh)
15. Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte - Judy (DeltaQueen50) COMPLETED Well aimed!
16. Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister by Alphra Behn - Liz (lyzard)
http://www.librarything.com/topic/180403 Volume 1
http://www.librarything.com/topic/181937 Volume 2
http://www.librarything.com/topic/182638 Volume 3

Photos

Kevin Hearne at Murder by the Book January 28, 2016



Lyndsay Faye at Murder by the Book March 25, 2016



Skip Hollandsworth at Murder by the Book April 5, 2016



Craig Johnson at Murder by the Book May 19, 2016

With the fabulous Julia in Dallas



My late great old man Bruce

May Round Up

*The Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill
Fables, Vol. 19: Snow White by Bill Willingham
Fables, Vol. 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham
Fables, Vol. 21: Happily Ever After by Bill Willingham
Talking God by Tony Hillerman
Shaman Pass by Stan Jones This is a nice series. Will make a good replacement for Longmire when we are caught up.
Fables, Vol. 22: Farewell by Bill Willingham
*To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf LOVED this so much. I'm not a huge fan of stream of consciousness writing, but this worked for me. She writes beautifully. It's my first Woolf so I am looking forward to more from her and discover more about her.
**Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit GREAT essays!
Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold
*Deliver Us by Kathryn Casey Creepy because this happened here.
*The Whites by Richard Price/Harry Brandt Excellent police procedural/psychological mystery

I feel like I'm missing something here, but I'll have to go back and look at my collections. Faves of the month are the Woolf and Solnit. As always, I enjoyed the Vorkosigan saga installment. I've finished the official Fables. It's a great series, but the ending was a bit anticlimactic. I still have a couple of spin offs to read in order to be completeist.

Deliver Us was well written. This happened here locally and one of the murders that was unsolved when the book came out last year was solved last month when the suspect William Reece confessed to killing Jessica Cain and Kelli Cox. Her body has been found and her parents were finally able to bury her. It's not all one murderer but the 50 miles of the I-45 corridor that these crimes have been committed has been a place of opportunity for young girls to be isolated and murdered.

I'm enjoying the Nathan Active series. I plan to continue.

June Possibles
The Fireman by Joe Hill
A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives edited by Sarah Weinman
A Town Like Alice by Neil Shute
The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte COMPLETED
That's Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms and What Our English Says About Us by Erin Moore

Will continue with the Harry Hole/Vorkosigan/Nathan Active....

Happy New Thread, Roberta!

We've been watching the horrific flooding in Houston on the news. Glad you're okay. Crazy how much rain you've had.

You sure know how to hang out with the right people - Craig Johnson and Julia. Can't beat that.

You liked To the Lighthouse more than I did, although I have high respect for it. (As you may recall, I kept hoping, while reading it, that a shot would ring out). I can recommend Mrs. Dalloway to you. That's the one of hers I absolutely loved.

>9 jnwelch: Joe, I'm not quite sure why I enjoyed the Woolf so much. I think I was definitely influenced by Rebecca Solnit's essay Woolf's Darkness. Add to that the narration by Juliet Stephenson and you have a surefire recipe for success.

Love that Julia and Craig Johnson is not too shabby either.

How are your son's in laws doing with all this rain?

Happy New Thread!
And I send you wishes that the floods get no closer to you!

Happy New Thread Roberta! But oh no, the flooding looks scary! I hope you stay safe and dry.

I'm always envious whenever someone mentions finishing a series. I've finished a few trilogies here and there, but I've got so many going that I never seem to make any real progress. But then, TOO MANY BOOKS seems to be the norm on LT, and certainly in this group! :-)

>10 luvamystery65: Son's in-laws in Houston are okay, thanks. They're in Kingwood. We worried about them, too.

Lovely new thread, Ro! Great photo of Bruce.

Happy New Thread, Ro! We miss you, my friend! LOVE all the great photos! So jealous you got to see Faye. I hope she comes through Chicago.

So sorry, to hear about all the flooding. Yikes! Keep us posted.

Happy new thread, Roberta!!

Happy new thread Roberta.

Love all the photos of the Murder by the Book.

Happy new thread Roberta, loving all the photo's my dear. Sorry to hear of all the flooding near you, hoping everyone one is safe and you are ok. Sending love and hugs from both of us from over the pond.

Happy new thread, Ro! This weather is crazy - stay safe, my friend xoxo

Happy new one, Ro!

Happy new thread with great photos! Sorry to see all the flooding out there.

Happy new thread, Roberta.

Happy New Thread, Roberta! Even though I lost track of the last one.... xo

Happy New Thread, Roberta and happy weekend.

Have a lovely, dry weekend Roberta.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday Roberta.

Happy new thread Roberta! Girl reading in a hammock with dog is my idea of summer. ;-) I always love looking at the author photo gallery. You do hobnob with some great authors!

I hope RL is treating you well and you are having a lovely weekend.

I hope that none of that flooding is affecting you, Roberta. Have a great week.

Time for some...



>11 mstrust: Howdy Jennifer! The floods have stayed safely away from me. Whew!

>12 Smiler69: Ilana! It's so hard to finish a series. I love when a series keeps me interested all the way through. So few truly do.

>13 jnwelch: Glad to hear that Joe.

>14 ronincats: Roni thank you. Miss my Bruce so much.

>15 msf59: Mark if you get to hear Faye then go for it. She had some issues with anxiety and PTSD last year so she likely won't do huge tours. She does mainly interview format now and then limited Q&A. She is very delightful and is passionate about what she believes in. It shows in her writing.

>16 scaifea: Hiya lady. Thanks again for the Moby Dick big read podcast link.

>17 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. Love my book signings. Got a new one to post shortly.

>18 johnsimpson: John I hope you and Karen are doing well. Thanks for the safe wishes.

>19 katiekrug: KAK! This weather has stopped flooding but the heat! Brownouts continue.

>20 Crazymamie: Thanks!

>21 tymfos: We are safe from the flooding. They really need to do something about it. Way too many people lost property for the second year in a row and people have died. Thank you.

>22 DianaNL: Howdy Diana!

>23 EBT1002: Ellen! Hola amiga!!!

>24 Ameise1: Thank you Barbara! I hope work is getting better.

>25 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul. The weekend was nice. My dad didn't answer his phone for Father's Day. He never does on the holidays and birthday because, "people keep calling me and the phone won't stop ringing." Cranky old cowboy. LOL! He answered on Monday. ;-)

>26 Thebookdiva: Thank you Abby!

>27 johnsimpson: Hugs to you and Karen John.

>28 lkernagh: Lori, Thank you. I love the hammock, book and dog. That is my idea of heaven. I do love my books signings. Mark Z. Danielewski is here tonight but I don't think I'm going to go. I haven't read anything by him yet. I do have a few of his books on my shelves. I do hope he comes back.

>29 Familyhistorian: I am fine in regards to the flooding in the area. Thank you so much. It's heartbreaking what everyone has gone through.

>30 DianaNL: Happy Summer to you too Diana! Now to beat this heat!

Hi there Roberta!! Just catching up. So glad the floods left you alone! Congrats on already reaching 100!! : )

Morning, Roberta!

Way to go on reaching 100, Roberta!

Glad the flooding didn't get you, too.

Glad to see you back and active again, Ro!

>34 Berly: >35 scaifea: >36 jnwelch: & >37 ronincats: Howdy there and thank you.

I've had a good reading month. I pulled a Mamie and did some serendipitous reading this month. Two of my monthly reads, The Fireman and That's Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms and What Our English Says About Us both mentioned Mary Poppins so I just had to go and read Mary Poppins. I'm pretty sure I read this as a child. I know I saw the movie many times. Just loved it and plan to read or listen to the rest of the books. So many people were talking about Heart of Darkness and I have the audio so I listened and of course I have a copy of Things Fall Apart that I was planning to read in August for the Category Challenge Group Read. I'm currently half way through. Last month, I was inspired to read Virginia Woolf due to an essay about her in Rebecca Solnit's Men Explain Things to Me. I found the Woolf so enjoyable after that inspiration. I think I'll do a little more of this serendipitous reading from now on. So if I say, I'm pulling a Mamie, then you will know what I mean. ;-)

I'll post my full reading at the end of the month.

Happy Saturday, Ro! Looking forward to your thoughts on The Fireman. I have it saved on audio.

I think you would really like Underground Airlines. Just sayin'...

>39 msf59: You are very wicked Mark. ;-)

Love that serendipitous reading, Ro! I was just thinking of something similar - I'm listening to The Sixth Extinction and during some of the discussion of fossils, she mentions Mary Anning, the 19th century fossil huntress (is that a thing?) and I remembered I have a novel about Anning to read (Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier).

>41 katiekrug: It's so fun to do that isn't it Katie? I think Susan read Remarkable Creatures. Or was it Judy? It sounds good.

Serendipity, baby! I love that you "pulled a Mamie" - some of my favorite reads have happened that way. And I am honored (and delighted) that you thought of me!

I read the Mary Poppins books when I was in elementary school, and I still treasure that memory. I revisited the first one on audio not too long ago and was thrilled that it held up.

"I pulled a Mamie" is very catchy!!

>43 Crazymamie: Sophie Thompson narrates the Mary Poppins books, so I will stick to audio for the next one.

>44 Berly: Kim, I love that I "pulled a Mamie" and yes it is very catchy.

June Roundup

I finished all my planned readings for June and my serendipitous reading as well. I ditched the Nathan Active #3 before I started because Mamie's review turned me right off of that one. I've started to dip into my July reading so I will give my monthly roundup now.

* owned before 2016 **new acquistions

**The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte I really enjoyed this book. I can see why it translated into a very popular telenovela. I haven't seen the USA show but it will be interesting to check it out. I was able to see Perez-Reverte this month and he is very interesting.
**The Fireman by Joe Hill My first Hill. Really good and there are shades of The Stand here. Look forward to more by Hill.
**A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
That's Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms and What our English Says About Us by Erin Moore My only non-fiction. Fun read.
Apt Pupil by Stephen King Very disturbing, but that's King.
*A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute I absolutely loved this story and it would have stood out above the rest, but I could not shake off the racist language and thoughts throughout the book. It dates the book. However, the story is beautiful and there is hope in the end that times are a changing.
*Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Beautiful and disturbing. Will definitely reread or listen again.
*Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives edited by Sarah Weinman What a great anthology this was!
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers so fun!
*Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achibe I couldn't put this down. My heart broke in the end.
*The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald How did I not know how incredible this book was? I tried to read it before but I just could not. I listened to the audio narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal. So perfectly, lovely was his narration. He held back and delivered so precisely. This will go on my reread stack and since it is due to Mamie constantly praising it, I will count it as her book bullet. Well aimed Mamie, well aimed.

This month I read 7 books and listened to 4 audiobooks. No GNS this month. Not a bad one in the bunch.

Nice round-up, Ro! Glad HoD worked for you. I have A Town Like Alice on my TBR shelves...

July Possibles

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James audio, multiple narrators, started
Passed and Present by Allison Gilbert
Outcast by Kirkman and Azaceta
Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald audio, narrated by the author
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Reluctant Matador by Mark Pryor started

>47 katiekrug: Thank you Katie! You and Mamie both warbled about the audio and I've had it in the queue so I moved it on up and listened after Arturo Perez-Reverte said that Joseph Conrad was his go to reread author. What a wonderful narration by Kenneth Branagh.

Oh, yeah, that narration is awesome. I loved it anyway, but I think listening to it really adds something...

>50 katiekrug: ;-)

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

No home internet for a couple of weeks starting on Thursday. I'll check in but that's what's up.

Wow! Congrats on getting through all your reading for the month already. But no home internet for several weeks? Your reading stats should double!

>38 luvamystery65: "I pulled a Mamie and did some serendipitous reading this month."
Good for you!

I must read or listen to Heart of Darkness one of these days. I still remember my favorite psych professor (this was a while ago, right?) encouraging me to read it. So I'll read it and think of Dan. Heh.

Hello Roberta. Because, I'm getting my Warble on, check out Brighton: a novel by Michael Harvey. I am devouring this one . It's a Boston crime story a la Ben Affleck's film 'The Town'. Have a great day!

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs dear friend.

Let's see how chatty we are, when you first log on LT on Wednesday 6th July, check your zeitgeist and post how many talk posts you have written, thank you. Can all who read this spread it about so we can get a good response, it is a bit of fun but it will be interesting to see the figures. I have set up a group called talk posts for the totals to be posted.

Happy 4th of July my dear.

Morning, Ro!

Oh! I am so thrilled that you loved The Great Gatsby!!!! Hooray!

I see Of Mice and Men on your July list - that's another favorite of mine.

YIKES to the no home internet for a couple of weeks.

Hi Roberta, hope you are well my dear and having a good week. Sending love and hugs.

Just stopping by to say hello, Roberta!

Hi there Ro! It's the weekend--whoohoo!

I hope your internet woes are almost over Roberta. Miss seeing your thread chug along. xx

Just saying hi, Roberta! I know this is not your main thread.... (right?)

I'm a month behind! CRAZY!!!

Y'all know the drill. It's time for some



>52 ronincats: Ro that no internet was rough, but so was my month of July. I've had some health issues and Auntie drama. I'm trying to find a balance.

>53 EBT1002: I enjoyed Heart of Darkness Ellen.

>54 brodiew2: I've got it on the wishlist Brodie. Thanks.

>55 johnsimpson: Thanks John and >56 johnsimpson: I had no internet at the time. Sorry I missed this.

>57 johnsimpson: & >58 PaulCranswick: Thanks for my Happy Independence Day from my British friends.

>59 ronincats: Morning to you too Ro. ;-) Thanks for keeping the thread warm.

>60 Crazymamie: Mamie I loved Of Mice and Men. Gary Sinise did a great job of narrating it.

>61 johnsimpson: Thanks again my friend. I hope all is well with you. I saw on FB that you have been to London.

>62 tymfos: Howdy Terri! Thanks for checking in.

>63 Berly: It's always hurrah for the weekend Kim.

>64 PaulCranswick: Internet woes are over Paul.

>65 EBT1002: Howdy Ellen. This is my main thread. I've just been neglecting it.

July Roundup
Outcast, Vol. 1 by Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta This series is ok, but I'm not "in love"
Outcast, Vol. 2 by Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Loved this
Saga, Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Back on track!
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
Black Hole by Chuck Burns Great artist, but this was a teenage wackadoo wet dream.
*H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald

Didn't read much this month even without internet. I've had a lot going on at home and I've been ill with an RA flare-up. It's trying to suck the life out of me, but I'm trying really hard not to let it. Back to books. It took me more than half the month to finish A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James. It is going to make it to my favorites at the end of the year. It is a multi point of view book, with a lot of violence. It was hard to track at times, but it comes together in the end. Yes it does. I love Marlon James' voice. Lots of foul language so if you shy away from that, then this book is not for you. I look forward to reading what comes next from Mr. James and I will also look at what else he has written.

I loved H is for Hawk. She moved me with this story of her grief and how she decided to tackle it. I do think I would have enjoyed it before my mom died, but I don't think I would have understood her the way I do now. Grief makes us mad and she goes through her share of wild and unpredictable behavior. She doesn't go off the rails, but she has her moments where she just can't be with people. That I understand very well. I miss my mom more than ever. This book hit the spot.

August Possibles
Any Other Name by Craig Johnson COMPLETED
Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman
The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza Parsons

Not planning much this month. Still need to catch up on last month's Hillerman.

Ro, I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well and life has been throwing up other challenges in your path. Hang in there, my friend!

>71 katiekrug: Thanks KAK. I miss chatting on here. FB is horrible with all the politics but we have to stand up for what we believe in.

Hi, Ro! It is so nice to see posting. We have missed you. Hope you are feeling better, my friend.

So glad you loved Seven Killings & H is For Hawk. Two of my favorite reads of last year.

Hope to see you around more.

Thanks Mark. I'm still struggling with my health but that is life. Guess what?

I GOT MY NEIL GAIMAN TICKETS for July 8, 2017!!! He is my rock star!

Sorry to hear about the RA flare-up--SO not fun--and auntie issues. Yay for the Neil Gaiman tickets!

Neil Gaiman tickets?! Woot!!

Way to go, Roberta! The Gaiman event should be great fun. Where is it?

Neil Gaiman tickets! Now, you know we will expect to hear all about it, down to the most minute details, right?

>75 ronincats: Thank you Ro and yes, yay for the Gaiman tickets.

>76 scaifea: I know! I saw him last year in Austin. It was a Friday the 13th. What a perfect night to see Gaiman, but we woke up that morning to news of the Paris bombing. The evening had a somber note, but it was still wonderful. He read his credo to us, which I absolutely love.

I believe that it is difficult to kill an idea, because ideas are invisible and contagious, and they move fast.

I believe that you can set your own ideas against ideas you dislike. That you should be free to argue, explain, clarify, debate, offend, insult, rage, mock, sing, dramatise and deny.

I do not believe that burning, murdering, exploding people, smashing their heads with rocks (to let the bad ideas out), drowning them or even defeating them will work to contain ideas you do not like. Ideas spring up where you do not expect them, like weeds, and are as difficult to control.

I believe that repressing ideas spreads ideas.

I believe that people and books and newspapers are containers for ideas, but that burning the people will be as unsuccessful as firebombing the newspaper archives. It is already too late. It is always too late. The ideas are out, hiding behind people’s eyes, waiting in their thoughts. They can be whispered. They can be written on walls in the dead of night. They can be drawn.

I believe that ideas do not have to be right to exist.

I believe you have every right to be perfectly certain that images of god or prophet or man are sacred and undefilable, just as I have the right to be certain of the sacredness of speech, of the sanctity of the right to mock, comment, to argue and to utter.

I believe I have the right to think and say the wrong things. I believe your remedy for that should be to argue with me or to ignore me, and that I should have the same remedy for the wrong things that you think.

I believe that you have the absolute right to think things that I find offensive, stupid, preposterous or dangerous, and that you have the right to speak, write, or distribute these things, and that I do not have the right to kill you, maim you, hurt you, or take away your liberty or property because I find your ideas threatening or insulting or downright disgusting. You probably think my ideas are pretty vile, too.

I believe that in the battle between guns and ideas, ideas will, eventually, win.

Because the ideas are invisible, and they linger, and, sometimes, they are even true.

Eppur si muove: and yet it moves.

>77 jnwelch: Joe I'm so excited even though it's a year away. It's at the Wortham Center.

>78 mstrust: I will, but it's next year!

I think I'm going to post Gaiman's credo on my FB page for some of my relatives to read.

>79 luvamystery65: Nice - 3500 seats or so. Not too small, not too big.

Hi Roberta, hope everything is well with you my dear and congrats on the Neil Gaiman tickets. Sending love and hugs my dear from over the pond.

"I GOT MY NEIL GAIMAN TICKETS". What?? How very cool, Ro! Ye, super jealous. I am still waiting for a Chicago appearance. It is a major city, you know?

>79 luvamystery65: Oh, gosh, but I do love that man. I'm gonna post it to my FB page, too, I think...

You've been missed, dear friend.

Sorry you are dealing with a RA flare and other RL issues. But congrats on the Neil Gaiman tickets!! Whoohoo!! Missed you and hope you get to be here a bit more again. Hugs.

>81 jnwelch: It is.

>82 johnsimpson: Thank you my friend. Hugs to you and Karen.

>83 msf59: I don't know why he hasn't been to Chicago Mark. What did y'all do to him?

>84 scaifea: This is one of your loves that I wholeheartedly agree on!

>85 rosalita: Thank you Julia. I do miss every one of you too.

>86 Berly: Thanks Kim. It's been a rocky couple of months, but I hope to put this behind me sooner rather than later. I'm so excited to see Neil.

Roberta, so sorry that you have been dealing with health issues. SO not fun. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.

I have been listening to Neil Gaiman narrating his The View From the Cheap Seats, and I have fallen completely in love with him. He is so full of fabulous. Truly.

Glad to see you posted up there BACK ON TRACK for the Saga, Volume 6, so maybe I will check it out after all because I was not liking where it was going. I felt like it had lost its rhythm.

Hoping that today is kind to you.

Glad the Gaiman tickets are a pick-me-up Roberta. Trust you continue on the mend dear lady. xx

Hi Roberta. I've started the thread for September Series & Sequels.

It's at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/229450

Hoping you'll all stop by.

Happy Friday, Roberta!

Hello Roberta! I finished The Gods of Gotham. I loved it and look forward to the others. But, I look forward to your general comments on the series.

I hope all is well.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a good Friday my dear and hope you have a lovely weekend. Sending love and hugs.

^Have a wonderful day, Ro! I hope to see you next month. Fingers crossed.

It's your birthday?! Hoping it is full of happy!

Howdy, Ro! Happy Birthday!,

Happy Birthday, Roberta!! I hope it's the best one yet!

Happy Birthday!

Have a great day, Ro!

Happy Birthday, Ro!

Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Ro!

Catching up first!

>88 Crazymamie: Mamie I'm thrilled to hear you have jumped on board the Neil Gaiman bandwagon. He is fabulous. Also, yes do give Saga another try. I think they found their course again.

>89 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul. Health is still not back on track but these things can take a long time. Still heading in the right direction. I'll be seeing my Dad soon, so that will be good for me as well.

>90 lindapanzo: I'm in Linda! Thanks for doing this. Woohoo!!!

>91 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie.

>92 brodiew2: Brodie I'm glad you loved GoG. I think you will enjoy the trilogy. I'm a huge fan, so that's my hope anyway.

>93 johnsimpson: Howdy John.

Thank you so much for my Birthday wishes. I'm working this weekend so nothing fancy for me, but I am planning a trip at the end of next month through the first week of October. Headed to Seattle, Port Townsend and Victoria! Woohoo! I plan to meet up with Ellen, Judy and Lori (lkernagh) so I am super pumped about that. This is a beautiful part of the country that I've longed to see. When my Dad's sisters asked where I wanted to go for a birthday trip, I didn't hesitate. Also, as luck would have it, Mark is flying into Houston on the day I leave. Fingers crossed we can meet up at the airport for lunch or beverages!

Again, thank you to >94 msf59: >95 Crazymamie: >96 katiekrug: >97 scaifea: >98 mstrust: >99 jnwelch: >100 DeltaQueen50: >101 drneutron: >102 ronincats: for the wonderful birthday wishes! You truly made my day.

Sneaking in here with one more wish for your Happy Birthday. Was it yesterday? How did I not know that? It was my birthday, too. Hugs to you, Roberta, as you struggle with health issues. You have to be healthy for your trip to the Great Northwest. I wish I could join in on those meet ups!

>105 Donna828: Donna Happy Belated birthday to you. Mine is on the 27th. Thank you for birthday wishes. I am trying very hard to get healthier before my trip. We are also planning some down time in our beautiful vacation rental so that we don't wear ourselves out.

Happy birthday!!! And let me know when you are going to be up in Seattle. Not sure I can break away from the kid stuff to head up there, but maybe...!

Belated birthday greetings, Roberta! Have a great weekend.

Same here, Roberta. Happy belated birthday!

>107 Berly: >108 tymfos: >109 brodiew2: Thank you for my bday wishes.

>107 Berly: I'll message you Kim.

August Roundup
*Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus by Bill Wasik & Monica Murphy
Any Other Name by Craig Johnson
Monstress by Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda
Black Butler, Volume 1 by Yana Toboso
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo

This was an incredibly slow reading month for me. I stopped and started a few things. I am still in the middle of The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza Parsons. That was for my Horror! Group. I'm enjoying it but I have to read and stop to read notes. Still, it's good.

I loved the Walt Longmire installment for this month and I'm happy I got back to Harry Hole. These are a bit unbelievable, but Harry has become my brain candy.

I loved Monstress. The artwork is incredible and I can see this going somewhere. Lots of unanswered questions, but I'm hooked. I also enjoyed Black Butler, especially the ending.

September Possibles
Phantom & Police by Jo Nesbo
The Shining by Stephen King
Coyote Waits & Sacred Clowns by Tony Hillerman
Finish The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza Parsons
Postal, Volume 3 by Bryan Hill
Sex Criminals, Volume 3 by Matt Fraction

Roberta, I read on Paul's thread that you are going to look around for my beloved Stash Christmas Morning Tea when you visit Victoria. I actually order it up from the US ! ;) I used to order it directly from the manufacturer in Oregon, and it arrived very quickly - here is a link to the tea and Stash Tea's website . https://www.stashtea.com/products/christmas-morning-black-tea I have amazon prime canada, and I can now order it from there. You might like to try Amazon com for the same tea.

It really is delicious! here it is on amazon - even more convenient. https://www.amazon.com/Stash-Tea-Christmas-Morning-Black/dp/B003D4J0KG/ref=sr_1_...

I hope you enjoy it! I can't find it my area of Canada, Vancouver, except at Christmas, so I just order it online.

Enjoy your trip!

By the way, I just purchase the tea bags. I also put one tea bag into my morning mug and the pour the just below boiling water onto it and time it for 3 minutes. I like my tea fairly strong.

>112 vancouverdeb: & >113 vancouverdeb: thank you so much! I'll order it and save room in my bag for Canadian chocolate.

R--Have you already left on your trip?

>115 Berly: Howdy Kim! I am flying out on Thursday to Seattle. Get there late. We head to Port Townsend on Friday afternoon. We will stay there until the 5th, but I plan to drive back into Seattle to meet up with Ellen on the 3rd. On to Victoria on the 5th where I will meet up with Lori (lkernagh) and Judy! Back to Seattle on the 6th and fly out at midnight on the 8th so I have an evening and a full day in Seattle.

I am super excited!

Good morning, Roberta! It's a Tuesday morning drive by Hi! :-)

>116 luvamystery65: That sounds like you are a ping pong ball, bouncing back and forth!! LOL. I don't think I can make it up there because I have out of town guests here on the end of your trip and work that I can't get out of on the 3rd. Dang it!! Hope you have a great time. Your meet-ups sound wonderful. : )

Hope you have a chance to see Mark the Warbler, Roberta. Safe travels!

Hi Roberta, hope all is well with you my dear and that you enjoy your trip to Seattle. Sending love and hugs to you dear friend.

Hope your having a great trip! (FB posts imply you are....) Can't wait to hear about your meet-ups - and don't forget to take pictures!

Yes, I hope you enjoy Seattle as well. Safe Travels!

Well it was probably a good time to head West weather wise, Roberta. I dare say that you are back in Texas now and hopefully completely unaffected by the storms sweeping down the eastern seaboard and seemingly moving in land.

Have a great weekend whichever part of the country is being graced with your presence dear. xx

Hi Roberta, I liked your posts on FB. I was absent several weeks on LT but should be back now.
I wish you a wonderful start into the new week.

Thinking about you, Roberta. Hoping your weekend is filled with fabulous.

Hi Roberta. Just wanted to say that I hope you're doing well. Give my regards to Virgie!

October is missing you here Roberta. xx

Have a lovely weekend, dear lady.

Hi, Ro!

*waves to Ro*

Howdy and thank you to everyone that has kept my thread warm. I plan to be by and update very soon. I have lots to share on the health front, my travels, meetups and my temporary foster puppy.

*patiently waiting*

*also patiently waiting*

I'm waiting too!

(Good thing I wasn't holding my breath!)

>131 ronincats: >132 Crazymamie: >133 tymfos: Thank you for your patience. >134 ronincats: I'm glad you weren't holding your breath either!

Here it comes...

October Reading Roundup
Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne/J.K. Rowling
Dry Bones by Craig Johnson

will finish up Doctor Sleep by Stephen King tonight

Not a bad read in the bunch. I'll highlight my favorites after I'm done with the King. It's not scary like The Shining but I am enjoying the more thriller aspects of it.

For my health update I am still in a flare up with my RA, but I am headed in the right direction. In early July I started the Autoimmune Protocol which includes a very strict elimination diet that is Paleo based. My inflammation has decreased to the point where my rheumatologist does not feel any in my hands and fingers anymore but the rest of my joints are still inflamed. I am decreasing though! I've lost about 20 pounds and still losing so that has helped my pain tremendously. I am at the point where I have been able to start walking again. Good thing because...

I am temporarily fostering a puppy. She leaves to her forever home in two weeks but I am having to walk her a lot. She is sweet girl named Poppy. She's gonna be big. My dogs are still a bit miffed at having her around.



Next up my travels and meetups!

So I went to Seattle, Port Townsend and Victoria. I was able to meet Mark at the airport in Houston as I was going to fly out and he was flying in. Mark and Sue were so nice. I had a nice chat with them. Wish it was longer.

With Mark at George Bush International Airport


I had a blast in WA with my aunts Virginia and Patricia. We had a lovely vacation rental in Port Townsend and spent a couple of nights in Seattle. My aunt Virgie and I drove into Seattle on evening to meet up with Ellen.

With my aunts headed to Bainbridge Island and the peninsula


View of Discovery Bay from the back of our rental


Meeting up with Ellen at the UW Bookstore


With our pilot Greg from Rite Bros Aviation. He took us out to the national forest and over the water to the San Juan Islands. Favorite part of the trip for me.


My aunts are a blast to travel with

At Pike's Market with my aunts.


At the Space Needle. Also went to Chihuly but I don't have any of the group photos. Need to ask my aunt for these. Chihuly is amazing!


We did head out to Victoria on Vancouver Island where I met up with Lori (lkernagh) and Judy (DeltaQueen) and Judy's sister Liz. What a treat that was! We didn't take any photos. Sorry. Judy is as witty as she is on here and her sister Liz sure can keep up with her. Lori was so amazing. She coordinated our evening and my afternoon shopping! I was able to go to Munro's and buy some books. Of course had to go to Murchie's and get some coffee and tea as well as some chocolates from Roger's. I'm really enjoying my tea! I wasn't able to see as much of Victoria as I liked. Seattle as well so I am planning a return trip in Spring of 2018 so I can see everything in bloom.



A huge shout out to everyone I met up with. You made my trip so EXTRA special! Ellen, my Aunt Virgie told my Aunt Patricia that when she met you she felt so right at ease as if she knew you forever. She is a reserved person so this is high praise indeed. Both my aunts commented that in Victoria it was as if we already had met Lori and Judy. Of course we have. Just not in person. ;-)

LOVE your updates and I'm so glad you had such a great vacation!

>140 katiekrug: Thank you KAK. It's been a tough year with my Aunt Dora's memory and health deteriorating and the death of one of my uncles in September. The vacation was a welcome treat.

Good to have you back, Roberta! Great to see the photos - although a few are blank on my computer. Sorry it's been such a tough year. I'm glad you had such a fun vacation with your aunts, and the most excellent meetups. We got to meet Ellen (and Karen, maggie44) way back when, and concur with your Aunt Virgie.

Good morning, Ro! I'm so glad your trip to the PNW was a god one. It is also very cool that you got to meet Mark and Ellen.

>138 luvamystery65: That picture of you and your aunts, at the bottom, is pretty cool. :-)

>142 jnwelch: Thanks Joe! Sorry not all the photos are showing up. Will look closer when I get back home.

>143 brodiew2: Howdy Brodie. Loved the PNW. Trying to plan a revisit in 2018. My aunts are so much fun to travel with. BTW I will be getting back to Spenser next year. The plan is to slot in 4 of them in my very crowed Category Challenge. Next up for me is Thin Air.

I am glad to hear it. Thin Air is good Spenser. there is no Hawk, but a new 'thug' is introduced. Of that era, I also enjoyed Hugger Mugger and Hush Money.

November Plans
Continue with Great Expectations by Charles Dickens COMPLETED
White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi COMPLETED
The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth COMPLETED
The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman COMPLETED
Pretty Deadly, Vol 2 by Kelly Sue Connick COMPLETED
Velvet, Vol. 3 by Ed Brubaker COMPLETED
Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 2 by Kazuo Koike COMPLETED
Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill COMPLETED
White trash : the 400-year untold history of class in America by Nancy Isenberg COMPLETED
Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham COMPLETED

Love the photos (although disappointed not to see Judy and Lori) and glad to have you back with us.

>145 brodiew2: Thanks for the info Brodie.

>147 ronincats: ;-)

I finished Doctor Sleep and I absolutely loved it. It's nothing like The Shining but it was nice to catch up with Doc and see how he managed all these years.

Howdy Roberta! I love your photos - you look great! (And your aunts do look like lots of fun :-) ) It's good to hear that you're starting to feel better too.

Your foster-puppy looks very sweet. I follow a writer (online, not in a crazed stalky way) whose daughter fosters puppies. She brought a super-cute one home and they thought they might keep him, but every time they turned around he seemed to have grown. They took him to the vet and asked what breed of dog he was, and he turned out to be a Newfoundland. So he had to go somewhere with a lot more room :-)

I love the photos! It looks like you had a wonderful time. And good on you for fostering Poppy, who is adorable, of course (aren't all dogs?).

Morning, Roberta! I love all the photos you posted - your aunts look like a lot of fun! And I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better.

Go Velvet! I hope you enjoy Vol. 3 as much as I did.

>150 susanj67: A Newfoundland is a huge dog!

>151 scaifea: Thanks Amber. Poppy is adorable and she is wearing me out.

>152 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie. I love to travel with my aunts.

>153 jnwelch: Thanks Joe! I love Velvet and I'm glad the next volume is finally available on Hoopla.

Hi Roberta, I loved all the photos of your trip and it seems you had a really good time, I must say that I missed seeing your comments but followed your trip on Facebook. Hope things are good with you my dear now you are back home and send love and hugs dear friend.

>155 johnsimpson: Thank you John. I hope you and Karen are having a lovely weekend.

Current reads/audios

Great Expectations


White Trash: The 400 Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg


White is for Witching by HelenOyeyemi

Loved all the photos and your aunts look like great fun.

I do hope that you are taking care of yourself with all this travelling around.

Have a lovely Sunday.

>158 PaulCranswick: Paul my aunts are a blast to hang out with.

The trip to PNW was so relaxing and I'm glad I did it. Now why I am fostering a huge puppy I don't know. I'm exhausted! ;-)

Hi Roberta, hope all is well with you my dear and that you are having a good weekend dear friend. I saw a photo on Facebook of you with a friend in pink. Sending love and hugs.

>160 johnsimpson: Thank you John. My weekend was low key. Our hot pink bling shirts from our hospital breast cancer fund raiser.

>161 luvamystery65: Great photo, Ro!! Hooray, for "hot pink bling shirts"!

Good luck with your November! Hope you enjoy White Trash. If you like it, find Hillbilly Elegy. A perfect companion piece.

>162 msf59: Thanks Mark! I really liked White Trash. It was very informative and thought provoking. I also finished White is for Witching and Great Expectations Whew!

Currently reading The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth and listening to An Obvious Fact by Craig Johnson. Getting a head start on next month's Longmire read. Want to spend December reading Christmas murder mysteries and a collection of horror short stories.

Howdy, Ro!

>165 katiekrug: Howdy KAK!

Hi, Ro! I started the audio of View From the Cheap Seats. It is great hearing Gaiman's voice. Very entertaining so far.

I am still a few behind in the Longmire series.

>167 msf59: Longmire has gotten better with each one Mark. Don't worry though, they'll wait for you.

Love Gaiman. Will see him in July! It will be my second time seeing him.

Good morning, Ro!

>161 luvamystery65: Cool pic!

>168 luvamystery65: I have yet to read a Longmire, but I may do so next year. I need to start listing 2017 potential reads. The list is lengthening daily.

Hi Roberta, have a great Thanksgiving my dear.

I am thankful for your presence in the group Roberta. xx

Roberta--I know you love a mystery...guess what day it is!!



Hugs.

>164 luvamystery65: I hope you are enjoying The Midnight Assassin. I found it very interesting.

>169 brodiew2: Brodie I do hope you get to dive into Longmire next year. It's a great series.

>170 johnsimpson: >171 PaulCranswick: >172 ronincats: >173 Berly: Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving wishes. I had a nice day at my cousin's home.

>174 Familyhistorian: I finished The Midnight Assassin yesterday. It is a very interesting tale in Texas history that I had never heard of before. I was fortunate to be able to hear Skip Hollandsworth speak about it. I know that he put in 12 years of research and was rather obsessed about these cases. It's one of those tales we will never truly know the answer to. There was so much information, but I think he pieced the book together as well as he could have.

>175 luvamystery65: I must have been very interesting to hear Skip Hollandsworth speak. Twelve years is a lot of research but it looked like he covered a lot of ground and made some interesting connections between events.

November Round Up
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens I'm warming up to Chuck
White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi Bizzare but good
The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth Interesting piece of Texas history
The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman Best one yet!
Pretty Deadly, Vol 2 by Kelly Sue Connick This one fell short of the first volume but I'll stick with it for now.
Velvet, Vol. 3 by Ed Brubaker Excellent series!
Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 2 by Kazuo Koike I'm enjoying this series
Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill These are silly but I love Dr. Siri and the gang
White trash : the 400-year untold history of class in America by Nancy Isenberg A MUST READ!
Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham
An Obvious Fact by Craig Johnson This series is so good. This one was tough but it was good.
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle Top Notch

LOVE the Velvet series by Ed Brubaker! Victor LaValle is such an excellent writer. I really need to seek out his earlier work. This was a great homage to Lovecraft's genius while acknowledging the racism in his work. White Trash was so well written. I knew some of this, but I learned a lot!

December Plans
Mostly Christmas related reading and I will finish up my last read for my Horror! Group and a short book about grief I want to end the year with.

Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson COMPLETED
Silent Nights edited by Martin Edwards COMPLETED
The Dogs of Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron will read next year
The Chimes by Charles Dickens COMPLETED
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens COMPLETED
The Doll-Master by Joyce Carol Oates
Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter COMPLETED
The Merry Misogynist by Colin Cotterill COMPLETED
Swing Time by Zadie Smith
A Strangeness in My Mind by Orhan Pamuk

>176 Familyhistorian: It was interesting. He even presented a slide show with some of the photographs in the books.

>177 luvamystery65: - That's a lotta reading, Ro! Good job :)

>179 katiekrug: Thanks KAK! The audios help and I went back to some GNs this month.

Hi, Roberta.

I'm warming up to Chuck Yes!

Lone Wolf and Cub?! I could hug you. :-) I love that Kazuo Koike series, and have every one of them. I don't know of any other fans of it on LT. So good.

>181 jnwelch: LOL!

Of course you love Lone Wolf and Cub Joe! You gave me the nudge you Book Pusher! I always get some good ones from you. This is right up my alley. Thank you.

>182 luvamystery65: Ah, even better! You're very welcome! I'm doing my happy dance over here in the heartland. :-)

Hello Ro! I hope all is well with you.

I saw Velvet over at Joe's a while back. I really need to look into that one.

>139 luvamystery65: "Ellen, my Aunt Virgie told my Aunt Patricia that when she met you she felt so right at ease as if she knew you forever. " AWW!! That is so sweet. I really enjoyed chatting with you and Virgie. I can't wait for a redo in San Antonio in March!

I read Grief is the Thing With Feathers in November and I can confidently say that much of it went over my head. And I loved it anyway. So, go figure.

>181 jnwelch:, >182 luvamystery65:

Hi, Roberta! I'm rewatching the Lone Wolf and Cub films at the moment, but I haven't tackled the manga.

>183 jnwelch: :-)

>184 brodiew2: Velvet is available via Hoopla! It's a great series.

>185 EBT1002: Can't wait to see you in March either Ellen. I look forward to the Grief is the Thing with Feathers.

>186 lyzard: I need to look for the films! Are they available on YouTube?

I don't know; they're on DVD here. (I wouldn't think so: they're from Toho, who are quite possessive.)

>177 luvamystery65: I love Dickens, but I do a lot better with his audiobooks than reading them myself. I've heard they're meant to be read aloud. Glad you're warming up to him!

Hi Roberta, hope all is well with you my dear and you are having a good week. Sending love and hugs dear friend.

>188 lyzard: There are so many choices on Amazon for Lone Wolf and Cub DVDs. I'll have to look into this after I've read a few more of the volumes.

>189 The_Hibernator: I enjoy the audios as well but I like to follow along on Kindle if I'm able.

>190 johnsimpson: Howdy John. We are finally getting some cold weather here in Houston. Feels like Christmas. Love and hugs to you and Karen.

Hi, Ro! Nippy here as well, let's us wear sweaters!

I am very much enjoying A Strangeness in My Mind so far!

>192 ronincats: Well our cold weather lasted about 2.5 days Ro. Now it is back to T shirts and flip flops. I normally don't mind but it would have been nice to have a cold Christmas!

>193 EBT1002: I'm about 25% in. I left some comments on your thread Ellen.

I'm closing out my reading for the year. Here is my reading for the month.

Spirit of Steamboat by Craig Johnson COMPLETED
Silent Nights edited by Martin Edwards COMPLETED
The Dogs of Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron will read next year
The Chimes by Charles Dickens COMPLETED So good.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens COMPLETED
The Doll-Master by Joyce Carol Oates COMPLETED She is creepy!
Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter COMPLETED Bizarre and powerful. I would never have appreciated this before my mom passed away. I would have thought it very odd.
The Merry Misogynist by Colin Cotterill COMPLETED Total nonsense that I love.
A Strangeness in My Mind by Orhan Pamuk still reading.

I'm ending the year with a last minute shared read of A Strangeness in My Mind. I was fortunate enough to see Orhan Pamuk discussing this book last November. I'm glad to be reading it now.

I won't be starting a personal thread in the new 75 Group for a couple of months. I hope to have more time to visit everyone that way. I have a lot of PLANNED reading next year in the Category Challenge so I'll try to stick to some heavy reading in January and February. I'll participate in a few group reads in the 75 including my Hillerman/Longmire Project. Here is the link to that thread and my CC thread if you want to come visit.

Navajo Mystery (Leaphorn and Chee)/Longmire Project

https://www.librarything.com/topic/244007

Roberta's Colorful Challenge

https://www.librarything.com/topic/238018

Thanks to all who have kept this thread warm in 2016.

Thanks for the links, lady! I have starred your CatChallenge thread. I'm going to have a thread here, but not until Jan. 1 (a little pet peeve of mine). But I have plans to participate in quite a few of the CAT Challenges so I will see you around over there, I hope!

Sweet Thursday, Roberta!

>195 luvamystery65: Good to hear re Grief is a Thing with Feathers. I've got it, and expect to get to it soon. My mother died a few years ago, so it sounds like it will make sense to me.

The Merry Misogynist - Total nonsense that I love. Perfect! Me, too.

>197 rosalita: You will definitely see me around my friend!

>198 jnwelch: Joe I always thought I understood the concept of grief until I experienced it. It really does change your perspective of things. I love that being Latina, openly expressing grief, has been culturally appropriate. I'm so happy to see that in the wider culture, we are being more accepting of it as well. At least it seems so to me. I've been off the mark before!

I love the Dr. Siri books. I so sang their praises (warbled) over in the GeoCAT this year and some people read them and poo pooed them for being silly. Of course they are silly! That is what I love about them.

"I won't be starting a personal thread in the new 75 Group for a couple of months." Say it ain't so, Ro! Say it ain't so!

I like your current and recent reads. Grief is the Thing With Feathers was a definite stand out. I did read a Hughes collection too, afterwards. He is one dark dude!

Did you watch any of the Dept. Q films? I finished the second. They lack the humor and that hurts, but the rest of it, is pretty well-done.

Happy holidays, Roberta.

I think I'll leave this wish on both your threads, Roberta!

Hi Roberta, Karen and I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and whilst we celebrate take a moment to think of those less fortunate than ourselves due to war, starvation and natural disasters. Sending love and hugs.

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

Best wishes, Roberta!

Dr. Siri books are NOT silly! They are charming! Delightful! Entertaining!

This is the Christmas tree at the end of the Pacific Beach Pier here in San Diego, a Christmas tradition.

To all my friends here at Library Thing, I want you to know how much I value you and how much I wish you a very happy holiday, whatever one you celebrate, and the very best of New Years!

Merry Christmas, Roberta.

Merry Christmas, Ro! Hope your work load is not getting you down. Holiday Hugs to my pal!

>200 msf59: Mark, I haven't watched Dept Q films yet. Still slowly making my way through Longmire.

Don't worry, I'll still be around. I'll set up a thread in 2017 group later in the year. I have so much heavy reading up front. It will actually give me more time to visit if I put off a thread. Thanks for being sad. You won't miss me. I'll be around!

>201 BLBera: >202 EBT1002: >203 johnsimpson: >204 PaulCranswick: >205 lyzard: >206 ronincats: >207 Ameise1: >208 msf59:

Thank you so much for the holiday wishes!

I finished A Strangeness in my Mind by Orhan Pamuk. While it was good, it wasn't great. It's a 50 year history of Instanbul that got lost in the battle between a life's story and a city's history. Neither won. There were some brilliant moments, like in the first half if Part IV. The story of Riyaha and Melvut's early life togethger was brilliant. You still got a sense of time and place but the story took center stage. I wish the whole novel had kept that tone. You can see that Pamuk is a wonderful writer. I am definitely going to read more by him, but this is not a shining star on his resume. It's not a total disaster either, so if it is in your TBR pile don't despair. It is worth reading.

With this selection, I close out my year. My faves coming up next.

Merry Christmas, Roberta!

Thoughts on my 2016 reading. I read 161 books/audios/GNs

GNs

I read through the whole Fables series and was able to get to Cinderella's side stories and Jack's too. The series started out with a bang. It ended well enough but lost a bit of steam for me. Good series but I read some really great ones this year including:

Velvet Vol. 2 and Vol 3. I love this series by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting because it features an older female in the lead. Colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser really does capture the past.

The Fade Out Vol 1-3. The whole trio by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips was incredibly well done. The story, the artwork and kudos to the colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser. She knocked it out of the park once again. Hollywood Noir done up to perfection.

I love the series Postal by Bryant Hill and Matt Hawkins. Three volumes so far. The 3rd volume is taken over by Bryant Hill although Isaac Goodhart continues the artwork. This series is dark and incredibly violent but there is sense of community and Mark (the postman LOL!) has his own sense of right and wrong. The series isn't perfect, but it has so much going for it. I hope it continues in the direction it has so far.

I started Lone Wolf and Cub later in the year. I really like it. I'll talk more about it in 2017 because I intend to tackle it next year. Consider this a nudge and a recommendation.

I'll say the Fade Out series will make my final cut for favorite GN! Have to count the whole series because it is meant to be read together.

ETA: I forgot to discuss Monstress and Bitch Planet. Those are female written and driven GNs too keep an eye out for.

Non-Fiction

I didn't read as much non-fiction as I would have like this year, but what I did read was really good. These are what stood out.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Incredibly uncomfortable and brilliant at the same time. I cried when he mentioned Malcolm X as an inspiration. When I read his first words, I thought of Malcolm X who I have been reading for years. The anger, and the passion spoke to me. I had a light bulb moment when he mentioned Malcolm because I could "feel" it in his writing. Think Coates is too angry? Think he is too narrow minded? Read the last speeches of Malcolm X, which were spoken in early 1965 three weeks before he was assassinated. So prophetic those speeches were. It is so sad that they were prophetic. As much as things have changed, Malcolm predicted how things would turn out. Coates anger saddens me but I don't think it is out of place. The fact that he had to write this for his son is heartbreaking.

Endurance by Alfred Lansing What a great adventure.

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit This was my introduction to Solnit. She is a warrior. This volume is not completely solid, but there are gems in here, including the title essay and the essay dealing with Virginia's Woolf's darkness, Explaining the Inexplicable. This year I have dealt with chronic illness and depression. This essay spoke deeply to me.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald In all honesty, and it's not nice to admit this but prior to experiencing my own grief, I would not have enjoyed this book at all. I would have thought that Macdonald was too much. I get it. Sadly, I do.

White Trash: the 400-year untold history of class in America by Nancy Isenberg READ this book! I knew some of this history, but I learned so very much. This book is timely.

Mediations by Marcus Aurelius Wow! I this is one I can read yearly. Top book for life.

For me and this is on feeling alone, The Coates book gets my top non-fiction of the year. The world needed Martin Luther King and we need our Van Jones and Cory Bookers but we also needed Malcolm X and the world needs the voice of Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Fiction

Standouts included

The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez This book didn't knock me out of the park and make me run and tell everyone about it, but it has haunted me all year. I read this in January and not a month goes by without me thinking about Antonio's story. It's not my story, but I too wish for the Laredo and Nuevo Laredo of my past like Antonio's Columbia of his past, the past not marred by violence. This one hit home softly and slowly.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe I cried so much

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James Mad, crazy, beautiful and brilliant.

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter Again, the thing about grief applies here too.

The Shining by Stephen King SK scared the crap out of me!

Kudos to Jo Nesbo for keeping me guessing on Police the 10th Harry Hole book. The series sags in the middle and yes, it does get unbelievable at times but this book makes the journey worth it. I cussed and cheered Nesbo throughout this book. At number 10 in a series, I'd say you deserve a spot at the top for me.

The Vasquez book is the one for me this year. Salud!

There you go. I had to talk it out but it's down to The Fade Out, Between The World and Me and The Sound of Things Falling.

I'm headed over to my new 2017 thread. Join me.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/238018

>212 Crazymamie: Thank you Mamie

Merry Christmas, Ro! I hope you had a good one.

>218 brodiew2: Thank you Brodie! I hope yours was nice too. Happy New Year!

Great lists, Roberta. I haven't yet finished A Strangeness in My Mind, but I suspect my final comments will match yours. I have about 200 pages to go.

Is Police the latest Harry Hole book? I think I have one to read before that one.

Happy New Year.

>220 BLBera: Beth Police is the latest Harry Hole book. He has a new one coming out in the US in May! I found The Leopard too unbelievable, but I've learned not to count Nesbo out. Phantom was good. I didn't know how Harry would come back from that one. Nesbo sure does come back with Harry and he jerks his readers around, but I found it satisfying. I do have to say that these are my version of cozy reads, so I just kind of go with it. Many times with a bit of an eye roll.

Maybe cozy isn't the best way to describe them. They're my mac & cheese?

"I do have to say that these are my version of cozy reads, so I just kind of go with it. Many times with a bit of an eye roll.

Maybe cozy isn't the best way to describe them. They're my mac & cheese?"

This made me laugh, Roberta! Me, too! I am ready for The Leopard, so I will keep your comments in mind. Happy Wednesday to you!

I decided to start my thread over in the 2017 75 Group after all. This year, it will be strictly social. My reading stats, reviews etc... will be on my Category Challenge read. No duplicate posting for me next year. Woo! Freedom...

2017 75 Group Roberta's Howdy thread

>223 luvamystery65: Argh! Another succumbs to the siren song of 2017! Ah, well. At least it's cutting down on the number of unread posts I have staring accusingly at me. :-)

>224 rosalita: I usually start my Category thread in October so this is positively late for me here. I've already closed out my reading stats for this year so I may as well start my new thread for 2017. LOL! I'm trying a new thing this year though. Only socializing on my 75 thread. I will keep all my info on my CC thread.

Will you join us in the Hillerman reading next year? I hope so! Let's see if Chee shapes up.

>225 luvamystery65: I'm planning to continue with the Hillerman books until we get to the end of the ones written by Tony. Then I'll bow out and let you all continue on with the others.

"No duplicate posting for me next year." Yay!!

Hi Roberta - Phantom is my next Harry Hole book. I'm with you with the eye rolling. I liked the early ones the best, I think.

I finished Swing Time, and it was great! One of the best of 2016 for me. I will be thinking about it for a long time. And it's one that I will definitely reread in the future.

Hi Roberta, Karen and I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and a prosperous and healthy 2017 dear friend, sending love and hugs.

>226 rosalita: Glad you will finish the original books with us Julia.

>227 EBT1002: Yes!

>228 BLBera: I really enjoyed Phantom Beth. It redeemed the series for me after The Leopard. The series is still a little over the top but I found Phantom and Police to be better plot and action wise. I am actually looking forward to the next one now.

Glad to hear that Swing Time is one of your best of the year. I'm really into Evicted right now and have sort of stopped at Part 4 of Swing Time I'll get back to it once I'm done with Evicted. I want it fresh in my mind when I go see Smith.

Lucky you, to get to see Smith. Will she read?

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Ro

Happy New Year, Roberta!

Happy New Year, Roberta!