Ireadthereforeiam reads into 2017: Chapter 2

The art of Maryrose Crook- visual and aural.

BOOKS COMPLETED 2017

January
1. Amongst Women by John McGahern 184p
2. A Beautiful Young Wife by Tommy Wieringa 123p (Tally 307p)
3. To Die in California by Newton Thornburg 288p (tally 595p) (published 1973)
4. Five Go Parenting by Bruno Vincent (an Enid Blyton spoof) 104p (tally 699p)
5. The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton 314p (tally 1014p)
6. The Vegetarian by Han Kang 183p (tally 1,197p)
7. The Atomic Weight of Love by Elizabeth J. Church, 333p (tally 1,530p)
8. The Smell of Apples by Mark Behr 200p (tally 1,730p)
9. James K. Baxter Poems By James K. Baxter 103p (tally 1,833p)

February
10. Psychogeography by Will Self NF 255p (tally 2,088p)
11. Jernigan by David Gates 339p (tally 2,427p)
12. Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit NF 130p (tally 2,557p)
13. A Boy's Own Story By Edmund White 249p (tally 2,806p)
14. The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman 363p (tally 3,169p)

Currently reading:


Dining on Stones by Iain Sinclair, A Manual for Cleaning Women

2017 Films
1. Paterson
2. Sing
3. Hidden Figures

Also, I am heading into the BOND films, having just bought many of them on VCR. I printed myself off a list and an checking them off. I have decided to go for Roger Moores' Bonds first :) It is proving hilarious. In this round I have so far watched:

-The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
-Moonraker (1979)
-A View to a Kill (1985)
-The man with the Golden Gun (1974)
-Live and Let Die (1973)
-For Your Eyes Only (1981)

The only Roger Moore Bond film I have left to see is Octopussy (1983). I might go to The Connery ones next, chronologically.

BOOKS PURCHASED/ACQUIRED
1. The Smell of Apples by Mark Behr $6 (2nd hand)
2. Last Orders by Graham Swift $7.25 (new)

This was a fun conversation from the last thread, so I will continue it here.


This book (^) has some BIG words in it. Please, tell me how many of the following words you could define.

penury
avuncular
senescent
sarcophaguses
obdurate
hydrocephalic
animadvert
tatterdemalion
chimerical
exiguous

In the spirit or learning, I aim to memorise these words and their meanings. To this end I have printed off their definitions and will keep them handy in my wallet. Feel free to quiz me at any time!!

BOOK 10
Psychogeography by Will Self

Whoops, I meant to come back and review this book. Here goes....

This book contains a collection of short essays, possibly once newspaper columns, and to me don't all sit well within the psychogeography genre. Sure the initial essays are abut walking to and from places and paying attention to the "under imagined and unexplored" spaces, but the later essays are more expanded thoughts and opinionated vignettes. Imo.

The initial essay about walking from London to New York...meaning from his home to the airport in London, and then from the NY airport to his accommodation....just didn't feel authentic to me. Perhaps it was the journalist and photographer tagging along with the author in the NY section, which he himself noted was an impingement on his thought time. All in all the collection just didn't hang together for me, yet I would gladly read any one of the essays from a newspaper. Go figure.

Happy new thread! :)

Thanks Chelle! Lucky first spot goes to you :)

Happy New Thread, Megan. I am behind on the threads, so I hope you forgive your pal.

I LOVED your vacation photos, on the last thread. I could get in plenty of serious hiking, in those areas.

I hope you love Cleaning Women as much as I did. Swoons...

Happy new thread, Megan! I've seen all but three of those words in >5 LovingLit: before, but I could only define senescent, sarcophagus and hydrocephalic without referring to a dictionary.

I'm sticking with Hippopotamuseses. Cause Hippopotamuses like me too.

I can confidently define:
penury - from personal experience with the condition
avuncular - I have lots of this in my life - like 9 actual uncles
sarcophaguses
hydrocephalic - biology major
tatterdemalion - but only because I looked it up yesterday

I needed to know about exiguous. It did not mean what I thought it meant. It meant less than that. Lol

ETA: I looked up the words and shared them with my family. You can imagine their delight. My daughter says that I am obdurate when she is trying to talk me into a later bed time. This is extremely true.

>9 msf59: and I didn't even put up the ones of us at Lake Gunn, or Okarito, or Arrowtown! These three areas are tourist draw cards, for good reason.
I hope you do get to come here and do some hiking, or, tramping as we would call it. Although, tramping is more tough than a day walk, usually rough terrain or longer than a few hours.

>10 kidzdoc: no surprises for hydrocephalic, considering your profession. See? I'm learning already! And with my handy reference sheet, soon I'll be using the words in every day conversation....well, maybe not.

>11 nittnut: how about snufalufagus from Sesame Street for sarcophagus ;) That is what it sounded like to me.
I love seeing where you got your knowledge from though! Thanks for letting us in on that....of course, I can't play that game barely knowing any. You can take for granted that my knowledge of them all comes, howev obliquely, from Will Self.

BTW, my sister and I are planning a trip to NZ for February 2018. We are discussing doing a 2-3 day walk on the South Island. It needs to be less high adventure than otherwise because we won't be bringing heaps of gear, so I'm thinking Queen Charlotte. However, if you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear.

Happy new thread, Megan xx

Happy new thread!!



I readily know the meaning of:
penury
avuncular
senescent
sarcophaguses
obdurate
hydrocephalic
chimerical
exiguous

Off to look up:
animadvert
tatterdemalion

Oh! Animadvert is what everyone is doing to Trump!! And now I can call my daughter a tatterdemalion when she wears those ripped jeans again. LOL

>13 nittnut: Oooh, the Queen Charlotte track is lovely, I went past it last year and vowed to cross it off my list one day. You will beat me to it :) The Abel Tasman is also fantastic. I have walked sections of that but not theo whole length.

>14 PaulCranswick: thanks Paul! I bet you know all the words....in >5 LovingLit:
I have such clever friends!

>15 Berly: >16 Berly: seriously, I am impressed with the word knowledge around here, and quite frankly shocked at myself for the complete lack of it. I didn't think I was that poorly read!
Animadvert is certainly applicable to trump. The example in the definition I had was "we shall be obliged to animadveret most severely upon you in our report". Uh huh!

>17 LovingLit: Exactly!! LOL

Happy new one, Megan. What a great opening.

>18 Berly: I feel like this will be the first word I will casually use in a sentence...however casually one can drop that type of word in!
For example, i have animadverted my bookclub in the past for the lack of enthusiasm amongst members, but can say after tonight that I shall animadvert no longer! This evening there were a lively group, and we had a lot of fun. Plus there were macaroons, which were delicious.

>19 Ameise1: great image up top huh? I love her art, it's very deep and dark. And her band, The Renderers, are also fantastic. They are based in Arizona currently I believe. They are originally from NZ though, and I hope they eventually return as I'd love to see them perform again.

Happy new thread, Megan!

Happy new thread, Megan!
That is some dress at the top. Don't think it would be easy to wear, but it is stunning!

Happy new one, Megan!

Happy new thread!

>20 LovingLit: I am glad your bookclub is getting their act together!! And macaroons never hurt. : )

Hi Megan! I love your thread topper.

I'm glad your book club meeting was lively so that you didn't have to animadvert.

Hi Megan, happy new thread my dear and a great thread topper.

>21 scaifea: >23 Crazymamie: >24 drneutron: thanks!

>22 FAMeulstee: I think a lot of the old dresses, and many of the new wee/are hard to wear! Lucky this one is just a pretty painting, so I can admire it form without.

>25 Berly: I've never actually had one, so cannot compare the home made ones to bakery ones, but the bookclub ones were perfect looking! Perfectly circular, with a lovely 'foot' (I think that is what it is called). And buttery cream filling.

>26 karenmarie: he he. I see the words are catching on! I'm most sure still of the usages but insist on trying them, so please correct me if I get it wrong. I can be rather obdurate at times ;)

>27 johnsimpson: I love the rich colours and moody feel of Maryrose Crooks' paintings. She has a lot of dress paintings, and many others with dark backgrounds too. Look her up! (if you want) ;)

Eeeek, I might have to abandon Iain Sinclair's Dining on Stones. It is a little out there for me. There seems to be a lot going on, only I cannot find any threads to link the goings on. I am 50 pages in, and will give it another 20 or so.

Also.....I'm swapping out A Manual for Cleaning Women for Jernigan. On a whim. So I guess post #3 is actually redundant now. Thems the breaks!

Hurrah for reading whims Megan. Hope yours treats you well.

Happy New Thread, Megan. I love the word tatterdemalion. I had to look up exiguous, and I never would've guessed that meaning.

Hi Megan. Belated Happy New Year To You!

I hope it is filled with wonderful books that take you to exciting places.



I love your opening image!

Ooooh, Jernigan is goooood. Dark and gooood.

>31 charl08: see post above! The universe has a way of deciding for me what to read. The whim is actually a powerful universal force guiding my reading, right?

>32 jnwelch: tatterdemalion at least sounds like what it means, and I also like senescent. It is a good sounding word.

>33 Whisper1: Thanks! Never too late for greetings of any kind :)

*waving vaguely and heading off to bed*

Happy New Thread, Megan!

Megan--I miss reading a book with you. Just feel the love. ; ) Happy weekend!

>36 nittnut: I trust you slept well!

>37 vancouverdeb: thanks deb

>38 Berly: aw...I need to get over to the Obama thread asap! Thanks 😊

So. Hot. Here.
2 days running with a third forecast at or close to 30 degC. Just now come home from 4 hours at the local pool with the kids. No better way to soak up the day....outdoor pool of course ;)

>40 LovingLit: No. Sympathy. For. You. Signed...The Ice Lady. ; )

>41 Berly: fair call ;) I'd say the same in your position.
Meanwhile, I get back to watching Ghost on the telly. It's been a long while since I watched this film. And I should finish Jernigan tonight too. Awesome!

>41 Berly: Ha!

The idea of a cool drink by the pool sounds pretty nice right now. Instead, waiting in for a delivery. Oh the glamour.

>40 LovingLit:, >41 Berly: LOL!

Your HOT is our Spring.

>43 charl08: we are going coastal today. There are some lovely little caves (where the cool air resides!!) and rock pools across town at Sumner Beach. Oh, and cafes ;)

>44 Crazymamie: heat is funny, isn't it. When I lived in Perth (Australia), a 35 degC day never felt as hot as 30 does here, and it certainly didn't burn the skin as quickly as the sun here seems to.
I could never figure out if it was the generally hotter days either side of a hot period there (giving your pores the chance to open up) or some sort of ozone thinness issue here that makes it feel hotter.
Although, I do recall first arriving in Australia into a heat wave (3 days or more of 40degC or more). I had a throat infection, and the fan on me in bed felt like a hair drier! That was not pleasant....

Hi Megan, I hope you have a great week!

>46 AMQS: a long weekend here too :) Today is Waitangi Day, our national day. We've been to the beach, and now the lovely other has taken the kids to the pool. Yes! I have prepped dinner and am about to read. Aaaah. Some much appreciated down time.

Ooh, lucky! Our next long weekend is Presidents Day, which is Feb. 20. Usually my school district has a 4-day weekend, but this year it's only 3. Ah, well! Happy Waitangi Day! Enjoy your down time -- much deserved, and probably rare!

>48 AMQS: I can say that the only thing that interrupted my reading time was a little nap. Which is a huge success seeing as I hardly ever sleep during the day, and I had had three (double shot) coffees prior!!
I started A Boy's Own Story by Edmund White. It was originally published in 1983, but my edition is a pretty new one bought with my birthday gift voucher of 3-months ago.

Hiya

>6 LovingLit: Will Self is an acquired taste, I love his stuff, even more his opinion pieces ( i.e. point of view podcasts) .... would it surprise you know i knew most of those words ?

Howdy, Megan. just checking in with my pal. Hope you had a good weekend. Getting in any reading?

I think I know five from your list; I feel like my vocabulary isn't nearly as large as it should be, but I'm fairly good with context clues. Much of what I know is very field specific. ;)

The year's only just begun hasn't it? What do you mean it's February!!? Hola Other Megan. It's been a horrible long and cold winter, I'd love to be back in the southern hemisphere again. Maybe I should move to NZ and really confuse things.

I love hearing about your heat (I don't love hearing about how hot you are, mind you) when I've just been having a snow day. It's the first snow day we've had in 8 years ~~ it takes some serious snow to shut down the university ~~ and it has been a lovely day. I took a nice walk down by the lake, did two work-related phone calls (so, not really a day off so much as a day of less ~~ and comfy clothes all day!), messed about on LT, did a bit of reading in The Unwinding....

>34 LovingLit: Hmm. Dark and good sounds, well, dark and good. It seems you probably finished Jernigan last night or today. Overall impression? Are you recommending it?

Oh, lots of reading time AND a nap? Lucky! Hope it was amazing.

>50 roundballnz: I liked some of his pieces, particularly though it was the ones that were less opinionated amid more observational. It was psychogeography unlike what I have read before, so my rating of it had to contend with that too :)

>51 msf59: I am getting in some reading actually, I just started A Boy's Own Story by Edmund White (1983!). I bought this, and a few other reissues with my birthday voucher late last year. And i am actually reading them! Go me!

>52 London_StJ: I know them all now! So I can thank Will Self for that, if nothing else ;)

>53 evilmoose: yay! You're here/back! I'd imagine that your winters are indeed very cold. Our hot day yesterday didn't materialise until mid afternoon....meaning late nights for the kids, and an impromptu car washing session at 9pm seeing as it was so hot by then.

>54 EBT1002: we hardly ever have a snow day! And if they do, they aren't really called snow days as such. Just days when people have to come home from work/ collect their kids, as the roads are forecast to be treacherous.... I am more used to earthquake days actually! When schools and work buildings are closed following a large enough quake (anything over 5.0 on the Richter Scale, I think) to necessitate building inspections.
Hopefully nothing but a memory!

>55 AMQS: well, the nap involved Lenny lying on my back, and Wilbur lying next to me playing on the tablet. But I believe I did actually fall asleep for a wee while, so it counts as a nap in my book ;)

Hey, a nap is a nap! Well done.

Dark? Good? You had me checking out Jernigan ... and although you haven't yet posted a review ... I'm already hooked and have added that to my overflowing wish list. Drats .. hit with a book bullet before a posted review.... *sigh*

>54 EBT1002: oh yeah, and Jernigan was fantastic. I definitely recommend it! Review to come...

>58 Berly: I was pleased enough to simply be able to lie still. I let go of the usual timeframe rules that apply to tablet use. Cos it suited me :)

>59 cameling: I was going to write "beware, you are entering the kill zone". But decided that even though it's about book bullets it sounded a bit agro! Luckily I didn't write that then, huh.....
Do read it. If dark and good were enough to hook you, the actual book will reel you in!

BOOK 11
Jernigan by David Gates

The back of this book reports that this book deserves to have the kind of late blooming that Stoner and Revolutionary Road had. Considering I loved both of these books, I decided that this book must be mine. That was a few months ago, and now that I have read it I can report that it indeed should have a huge audience.

The story is of Jernigan, an Irish American whose life has played out a little differently to how he imagined it would, actually, the things he says and does even shock him as he says and does them. He is doing his best to support his teenaged son, but it isn't good enough. The main problem is alcohol. Jernigan can't seem to do much without it, and is oblivious to the fact that he has developed an addiction. It is the unfolding of this situation that gives the story its weight. Such a weighty topic is tough to see played out, but the author does a fantastic job of including the odd smattering of humour, however dark, into the narrative. Jernigan's naive hopefulness is an example of this. A thought will cross his mind, and he will act on it, convinced that it is this is the thing that will make today good/ fix his relationship/ get him sorted financially. He basically bumbles through his weeks, descending into alcoholism, and can't quite seem to figure out why things aren't working our for him. This books takes you right into the mind of an 'other', that you might pass on the street and easily dismiss.

I'm not sure when I accidentally unstarred your thread, but it's back to starred now. It probably happened when my keyboard was malfunctioning two or three weeks ago. I was doing all kinds of things to try to get it to function correctly again. I finally rebooted which solved the problem. I suspect a cat was responsible. ;-)

>62 thornton37814: always blame the cat, is my policy ;)
I unstar periodically. Usually when I am convinced that there is a new version of a thread up and running already. Which reminds me, I must come check out your thread. I have been awol for a few days, it was too hot and there were too many kids about for me to be prolific around here.

Oh, and I bought a book yesterday. American Pastoral by Philip Roth. Its the first in a three-book series, of which I foolishly read the last first! (not my usual modus operandi, and an epic fail as far as series reading goes.) I was pleased that I didn't already own it, and now I just need to get the second in the series, I Married a Communist.

To find all this out I referred to www.fictfact.com, remember that??! Is there any way I could have found out the books in the series here on LT? I couldn't seem to do that, annoyingly.

>64 LovingLit: If I have understood you right, if you cick on the book page say I Married a Communist. up top is the series link "The American Trilogy" & by the magic of LT you see all the books ....

https://www.librarything.com/series/The+American+Trilogy

of course this does not happen with all series, but the more well known ones seems to be there

>65 roundballnz: so it does! I wonder how I managed to stuff that up? Thanks!
I have them tagged American trilogy (1), (2) and (3) respectively, but couldn't find a place where the whole series was together.
Did you ever go on fact fact? I am a member, but don't seek out the latest series so it is kind of useless other than for tracking the next ones from a series that you are reading.

Today has been a win for exercise. I swam 1000m (in 26 minutes), and did a yoga class as well.

I found another good teacher one, that takes over from my last good one that turned out to be too far away and too difficult to attend for my one day off a week that I had then. This new good teacher happens to teach at my local library- convenient, but $20 for a one hour class. Luckily he also teaches at my university gym, for the much more reasonable price of $9 for the hour class. I believe there is a concession card I can get if I purchase 10 classes ahead, making each class $6.50. I have never seen such a cheap yoga class! It is a great incentive to go to regular classes again. I think it might be becoming necessary for me to build some relaxation time into my week.

So, feeling good and ready for a read before bed!

>64 LovingLit: Hi Megan! I also use fictfact because I like that they email me when new books are released from the series I like

However, if you want to look on LT you can go to the book page and at the top left near the book picture, under the name and author's name, it will show series: and a hyper link with what book it is in the series. If you click on the link it will take you to the series page and show the series in order.
Hope that helps

Hi Megan! Just a quick catch up. Bravo for exercise and finding relaxation time in your week.

>68 ChelleBearss: I use the series feature of LT all the time - it also shows which books you have cataloged that are in the series.

Hi Megan, you are impressive!: I swam 1000m (in 26 minutes), and did a yoga class as well I always think I want to do yoga, but I've yet to do anything at all beyond follow a few videos at home. The truth is, I don't like exercising, LOL!

Hooray for swimming and cheap yoga. I would never pay $20 for a yoga class because so far I haven't found a form of yoga to like... I've been on a walk this morning though, and it's a lovely day. 18C, which is pretty warm for February, and I'm loving it.
Sorry it's a bit hot, but nice that you're finally getting some summer weather!

>68 ChelleBearss: i think that is the main function of fictfact, to let people know the next book in the series that is coming out. I read older books usually, so if they happen to be part of a series, I either already know, or I find out quickly that there is another one already out there.
Thanks for the LT lesson! It seems obvious now that I see it on the book page ;)

>69 karenmarie: Its easy to find time in my week t his week, as I haven't started work or study, and the kids are at school. Boy, is it good. I should go to a movie today!!!

>70 lit_chick: I feel pretty good after that actually. I slept so well last night. And the cherry on the cake was that I ate well too. Well, I did have some lollies and 4 squares of dark chocolate with raspberry, but that is practically health food really, surely? ;)

>71 nittnut: I won't ever pay $20 for a one hour class either. I would for a proven teachers class that was 90 minutes, but not regularly. Its just too expensive. I love a good class though, Iyengar yoga is my yoga of choice. You hold the poses for ages, and really get into muscles that you never knew you had. Oh la la!
I used to cycle, but got out of that habit when the kids were born. Swimming to like too, but it is so hard to make myself go! I was very proud of myself yesterday for feeling sluggish and going anyway. I felt so much better after.
Happy B'day Jenn!! (for the other day)

Bought this second hand- congratulated self on not already having it-


.....then found this copy on shelf this morning. NOT filed in the Philip Roth section.


*book buying fail*

For now, I carry on with one I am slightly indifferent about. A Boy's Own Story just isn't grabbing me, all this in spite of its awesome cover!! I am shocked ;) (whaddaya mean you cant judge a book by its cover??)

Hi Megan! I remember my first encounter with a sarcophagus. Agatha Christie hid one of her murder victims in one.

>75 cbl_tn: cool! I love hearing about how people found out about the obscure words. I'll certainly never forget it now.

>73 LovingLit: Been there, done that. :)

>77 drneutron: it's got a different cover, how were we to know? ;)
Pride coming before a fall isn't new to me....at work last year I was telling/showing off to my colleagues that I don't get hay fever. The next day (next day!) I got hay fever. We had an officially recognised bad summer for hay fever this summer, and I happened to sit by an open window that didn't stay that way for long!

Hi, Megan. Like seeing all the books. Good review of Jernigan. Never heard of it but it sounds terrific.

The film version of American Pastoral came out here last year. Never read the book, so I want to do that first.

Hope you are having a great week.

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit is so good!

It looks like I have abandoned A Boy's Own Story for now, AND Dining on Stones (which I found inexplicable). I will finish them one day, as cannot seem to completely abandon any book just in case it has something for me somewhere in it. Glad in this instance though, that I grabbed the one that my instinct was telling me to. It is just the ticket- as they say.

>79 msf59: it's an oldie, Mark. Published 1991 or thereabouts. I recommend seeking it out! My copy is a reissue, all pretty and new. But there must be others out there! I think you'd love it. Really, I do.

>62 thornton37814: >63 LovingLit: I like the blaming the cat concept. Especially as I don't have a cat, so no one's feelings get hurt!

I've abandoned many books. Picking them up at a later time in my life sometimes works, and then there are others that I simply give away to a local library. Life is short and there are way too many books to enjoy.

>82 michigantrumpet: well, the no cat thing sure throws a spanner in the works!!! Still, I'd use the excuse for as long as I could, just to see hen someone noticed ;)

>83 Whisper1: I struggle to abandon, which is why when I do, I call it something else....like in progress. I have to be pretty angry at a book or its writing or story to let it go, my thinking being that there must might be some redemption. Funny thing is, I have reached the end of a book many times and gone, well- there was no redemption. Just wasted time. You'd think I'd learn!

>6 LovingLit: Whoops, I meant to come back and review this book. Here goes....


BOOK 10
Psychogeography by Will Self

This book contains a collection of short essays, possibly once newspaper columns, and to me don't all sit well within the psychogeography genre. Sure the initial essays are abut walking to and from places and paying attention to the "under imagined and unexplored" spaces, but the later essays are more expanded thoughts and opinionated vignettes. Imo.

The initial essay about walking from London to New York...meaning from his home to the airport in London, and then from the NY airport to his accommodation....just didn't feel authentic to me. Perhaps it was the journalist and photographer tagging along with the author in the NY section, which he himself noted was an impingement on his thought time. All in all the collection just didn't hang together for me, yet I would gladly read any one of the essays from a newspaper. Go figure.

Megan--Yay for swimming and yoga, and reasonable prices!! I had to laugh at your book buying duplicate story. 'Cuz I have never done that!! And learn something new everyday...I didn't realize the series listed up top are links. Well, duh! They are that blue color and I should have guessed. But it makes me a happy girl to know that now. I like Linda's attitude >83 Whisper1:, and I am getting better at letting go...work in progress. Happy almost weekend! : )

BOOK 12
Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit NF (130p)

I heard about this book on Suz/chatterbox's thread, and had been waiting for it to be returned at my library so I could have a go at it. At only 130 pages, it is short, and made up of a series of essays, feels even shorter. I love the opening anecdote- where at a party the author is asked and so gives a synopsis of her area of interest to a party-goer, and is promptly interrupted and told about a very important book on the same topic. The author actually happens to be also the author of the book the man is talking about to her, yet he cannot seem to pause long enough from his educating her to listen to that fact. This- so they say- is where the term 'mansplaining' came from.
The essays go on to talk about ways in which women are silenced, put down, or subjugated in modern society. It riled me. It fired me up. And it made me feel hopeless that things can change, especially given the current leadership in the U.S.. But then the author assured me that the changing of centuries-long attitudes takes a long time, and that we are on that road. And we are making progress. (we meaning everyone, btw, not just women.)

One quote stood out to me:

"...I've learned that a certain amount of self-doubt is a good tool for correcting, understanding, listening, and progressing- though too much is paralysing and total self-confidence produces arrogant idiots."

Hallelujah.

(edited to add book pic)

>86 Berly: the funny thing was that I was totally patting myself on the back for not already having it. My inner self must have known on some level that I did already have it, or I wouldn't have had to congratulate myself! Grr.
Now I wonder how much of LT there is to use that I don't know about!

>87 LovingLit: Good review of the Solnit. Funny, Benita had just stopped by my thread and sang her praises. I am not sure this one, would be my cuppa but a couple of her earlier collections really sound good.

>89 msf59: I have just WLd A Field Guide To Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit, actually. It sounds like it has a psychogeographic bent to it. Which lately seems to be my thing.
I'd definitely like to read more from her.

OK, Ill pop quiz myself. Lets see how I do on memorising my list!! (see >5 LovingLit: for what this is about!)

penury- poor
avuncular- kindly, as to a child
senescent- the process of decay
sarcophaguses- stone tomb or coffin
obdurate-stubborn
hydrocephalic- swollen or enlarged in the head
animadvert- criticise(?)
tatterdemalion- tatty or in disarray
chimerical- um....um....hard to pin down?? Not 100% sure on this one.
exiguous- small, in small amounts

I think that is pretty good! I could refine some, but hey. From zero to hero, it ain't bad. I can really see this book learnin' working out for me ;)

Hi Megan!

>73 LovingLit: I've done that too many times to count. I still have a lot of duplicates on my shelves, too, that need to be gone through. Oh well, increased 'cull' counts and more donations to the thrift shop.

>91 LovingLit: Book learning is good. You're doing quite well. Zero to hero - I like it!

Impressive stuff on the word list. Exiguous does not mean what I thought it did!

>92 karenmarie: I have done it a few times, but at least I hadn't read this one before buying it again, and then potentially reading it again! I have done that too, actually.
I take my not needed books to my university book exchange, housed in the post-graduate lounge which is shared by the staff also. There isn't often much there for me in return, but I have snagged a couple of goodies.

>93 charl08: I love a good surprise when if comes to words and their meaning! The definition is as follows:
exiguous
ɪɡˈzɪɡjʊəs,ɛɡˈzɪɡjʊəs/
adjectiveformal
very small in size or amount.
"my exiguous musical resources"

I watched The Handmaid's Tale last night on free to air telly. Fantastic timing and I had wanted to see the film ever since reading the book last (?) year. It was very good, and brought back aspects of reading the book that I had forgotten.
I guess I can thank trump for this resurgence in dystopian art.

>95 LovingLit: Atwood is actually going to be in my neck of the woods in April; several of my friends are attending her presentation. I keep meaning to read Handmaid's Tale, but I'm mildly afraid of the depression it will inevitably cause.

>87 LovingLit: I am going to check my library catalog for this one straight away. Great review.

>96 London_StJ: My mum said that when she read it a few decades ago, it terrified her. The thought that the rights of women could just be taken away like *that*. I didn't find it so outright scary, but very very thought provoking. Because, it could happen.


I'd love to see Atwood speak. in RL. I have her on CD reading a kids book she wrote way back when (and illustrated and created the typeface for as well!); it's called Up in the Tree and is very sweet. The kids like it still.

>97 LovingLit: If you look at photos of women in 1970s Iran and Afghanistan, it's quite clear that it could happen. The Swedish feminist MPs that were trolling Trump last week, are shown this week wearing hijabs for their meetings in Iran.

Just read her book has seen a surge in sales, attributed to Trump...

>98 avatiakh: I think the marked difference would be that in the book (and more obviously, the film) the women are divided very clearly by the uniform nature of their attire (robes). I think in today's world the attire may very well signal affiliation with whichever group, but a certain amount of individualism would be allowed. Thus giving people the impression that they have control over their lives....just a thought.

Are the Swedish MPs wearing the hijab to make a statement about choice, or in order to be culturally appropriate/accepted? I guess the answer could depend on one's own pov!

>99 charl08: that and Nineteen Eighty Four, which I really must re-read :)

I was thinking more of the rights of Iranian & Afghani women being taken away - which if you look at photos from the 1970s becomes immediately apparent. Other countries such as Saudi Arabia, women have never had rights. So even though we are free in the Western world there are women in other countries and in our own societies from these worlds who are not.
Iranian women activists have asked visiting female dignitaries to not submit and wear hijab, but the call goes unheeded as trade deals are more important. The group called 'My Stealthy Freedom' has called out the Swedish MPs as being particularly hypocritical.

>101 avatiakh: Ahhh. Yes, I got the point about the non-existent rights of women in those states. I hadn't thought significantly enough about female politicians and their predicament when visiting those states.
My friend's friend went with John Key et al to the Middle East a few years back, and told my friend the story that the host country wouldn't allow a female with the NZ party to sit at the negotiations table (perhaps it was a trade deal, Im not sure). Apparently JK made a strong case for allowing her there, but was still refused, and instead of replying her with another negotiator (which would have strengthened 'our' position), he left the seat conspicuously empty. I hope he also stated out loud that that was the case for the record, but didn't get that information. Im no fan of JK, nor of opening up yet more dodgy countries for trade...but I liked that he made some sort of stand against blatant misogyny.

Good that he stood up and showed some spine. The MP I dislike most has to be McCully, our FM. I voted against him the election before he came to parliament, that meant voting Social Credit, but it was worth it.

I am not even sure how many rights women in the US have; it can largely be dependant on who is head of house and in what community a woman lives.

I could define all but the final word in your list, Megan. Now I have a new word in my functional vocabulary. And I took an immediate book bullet for Men Explain Things to Me--it is on hold at my library as we speak!

>103 avatiakh: worth it alright. My local MP is Ruth Dyson, she is solid and dependable, and always shows up at community fairs etc. I don't mind her, and will usually vote either Green or Labour for the local representative. Dyson usually wins by a landslide anyway.

>104 Berly: Exactly! If one's keeper (which is what some husbands are, let's face it) decides you don't leave the house, then there is little you can do about it other than leave. Which is pretty tough to do in some situations (well, I'd say it would rarely be an easy thing full stop).

>105 ronincats: I am continually impressed by my fellow LTers extensive vocabularies! I must have been under a rock all these years....
I was thinking about my list (>5 LovingLit:) today when reading the novel A Boy's Own Story. I came across a word I didn't know and because it was one of few (that I didn't know) in that reading session, I wasn't bothered by it, i.e. didn't think it showy that the author had used it. It showed me that it is all relative. Had I known just a few more words from post #5 while reading Psychogeography, I might have forgiven it for the ones I didn't. But I have learned my lesson and simply memorised all the definitions. So a learning experience in more ways than one!!!

>102 LovingLit: >106 LovingLit: Have Historically been a Labour voter, but more recently swung to Greens (who are more recognisably left than Labour now) ... who knows what this year will bring but with Labour promoting Jackson & O'connor ..... well would take something stunning to swing me back.

Brave new world is another one worth a look, so is We but is a harder read....

>95 LovingLit: Ohh I need to watch that movie! I remember loving the book but the idea of that really happening scared me!

>95 LovingLit: I watched A Handmaid's Tale years ago and thought it was excellent. Must rewatch.

I first read Handmaid's Tale more than 30 years ago when it was first published. I liked it, but thought that it was science-fictiony and unlikely to happen in the US. I read it about 10 or 15 years later with my book group. By that time the US had seen the rise of extreme right wing Christian fundamentalism, and it seemed entirely too plausible to me. Now, even more so. Scary!

I love the word, "avuncular". Just sayin'...

Hope the week is off to a good start, Megan.

>107 roundballnz: I read Brave New World about ten years ago. Id love to read it again, as have done so much reading since then, I think id appreciate it more now.

>108 ChelleBearss: The movie isn't a bad version of the book. A little is left out, of course, but that is usually the case in movies from books. It is scary too, and it sinks in more maybe because of all the visuals.

>109 lit_chick: I think there is only the one version of the film....the 1990 one with Faye Dunaway, Natasha Richardson, Aiden Quinn and Robert Duvall. Id like to see any more versions if there were any. I have a thing about watching various versions....I did all three Great Gatsbys once :)

>110 arubabookwoman: That must be when my mum read it too. We don't think it can happen 'here', but a few changes in laws, starting small, and we are on the way. Yikes!!! Let's hope not.

>111 msf59: Hi Mark! Great start to the week. I had my first day of work today, as a Research Analyst. I didn't get to complete the task I was on before I had to leave, which felt bad. But hey- I can't do it all on the first day right? It was good, and Im back later in the week, and will hopefully get used to the computer systems and get quicker.
Also, I biked there and back, half an hour each way. So now I feel exercised, and smug ;)

>113 LovingLit: Whoohoo!! First day on the job!! Congratulations. : ) You look good exercised and smug.

>114 Berly: thanks! My knees are feeling it actually, after an hours bike riding.....I can practically hear them creaking.

In other news, there is a scrub fire in my 'hood! I just took Lenny down the road a bit where we could see actual flames on the ridge about 2 km from my house. It is encroaching into populated areas now, and the fire services are protecting properties and trying to stop it spreading. They have been battling it all yesterday afternoon and today and are using 11 helicopters, 2 planes and 120 firefighters (apparently)!! And there's sadly been a death- a helicopter pilot crashed into the hillside, at a location that me and the lovely other were only walking on about ten days ago.

I was awoken at dawn this morning by the sound of 4 choppers flying over our place on their way to the site.....of course I ran out to the gate to see, and sure enough the plumes of smoke were still visible billowing out and up. It is incredible. The hot winds have been fanning it, of course, so aren't helping at all. For once I am praying for rain!

>115 LovingLit: Oh! I hope you're not in danger! Maybe a little less excitement would be good.

>116 Berly: We aren't in danger, it is spreading through grass and scrub. They have managed to keep it away from the pine forests which are tinder dry!!! The suburbs on the flat are not in the fire's path, although a settlement over the hill called Governor's Bay is. We already have grab bags packed for earthquake preparedness, but we won't need them so I should rest easy tonight.

>117 LovingLit: Okay. Good. Now I can go to bed and actually sleep. : )

>118 Berly: you want me to yell at you to sleep? It seemed to work with Jenny/Lunacat that time she had insomnia. She got sick of me posting on her thread to GO TO SLEEP, so turned off the computer.
It's just one of the services I provide :)

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz.......

>120 Berly: it worked!!! (although..... you appear to have a problem with sleep-typing)

Loving the wordsmithery over here Megan.
Modesty of course does not permit me to tell you how many of the words I could have defined but the accumulation of words is a great habit to have as I am always (much to their irritation) telling the kids.

Yikes. I hope they get the fires out soon, but I'm glad it's contained to the grassland.

>119 LovingLit: And there I was, thinking this sleep service was one you provided for me only! I felt special, and now I'm just one of the masses. Alas and alackaday.

I'm looking forward to the series version of The Handmaid's Tale, which I guess comes out in late April. My husband is going to read the book in preparation. I'm interested to see what he thinks of it.

>113 LovingLit: Glad your first day went well!

Congratulations on starting your new job, Megan!

Congrats on the new job, and a successful first day, Megan! I hope the fires near you are now under control.

>115 LovingLit: Scary about the fire!

Congrats on the new job. Having been near a forest fire just the once, and that was quite enough, I admire your calm approach.

The sleep typing made me laugh a lot. Thanks!

>122 PaulCranswick: Modesty of course does not permit me to tell you how many of the words I could have defined
ha ha! Except, you just did! Im all for learning new words, and I think my tolerance for words unknown to me were lowered by Will Self because of his essay format. I can come across about ten words unknown to me in any given book and not get ratty about it but his all came within pages, and as he was already irritating me, I flipped into a rage. Well, not quite, but you know what I mean.

>123 lunacat: enough of the alackaday! It is just you and Berly, I promise ;) And only the one time with Berly....heck- now Im sounding like a cheating lover!

>124 ursula: yes, I haven't talked to a male who has read it. Ad will the series be on netflix, do you think?

>125 drneutron: Thanks! I quaffed my coffee and boiled egg for lunch (!!) and that gave me enough energy to get through the early afternoon and to bike home as well.

>126 karenmarie: thanks. It is always unusual the first few days, getting used to systems and processes. I just don't want to stuff anything up!

>127 jnwelch: >128 Oberon: the fires have spread overnight unfortunately, apparently there is a 500m front, and some forest plantations are affected. Frighteningly, I was able to smell smoke this morning! And as I type, I hear small planes flying over head, no doubt returning to their base to refill with fire retardant.
I'm convinced that the orange glow I could clearly see at the base of the smoke was flames this morning walking back home from school drop off. It is quite a spectacle for my side of the city to actually be able to see this unfolding before our eyes.

>115 LovingLit: Your description of the fire sounds so much like the way the one in Gatlinburg started out. I hope they get it under control quickly.

>129 charl08: I feel like the fires being on the hills, and me being on the flat, makes it a removed situation for me. But as I just mentioned above, smelling smoke this morning wasn't a good feeling!
The fire crews are protecting (life!! and) property as their first priority, so Im sure that they have it covered.

>95 LovingLit: "I guess I can thank trump for this resurgence in dystopian art." It does seem to be one consequence of his, um, leadership.

Really, I can't leave that be even though I know you can see my tongue firmly placed in my cheek. His leadership disgraceful occupation of the oval office.

The scrub fire sounds scary, Megan!!!

>133 EBT1002: Nice editing job. You had be worried there for a second. ; )

>132 LovingLit: Smelling smoke can only be unsettling. Hoping they get it under control soon.

>124 ursula: - My husband has been talking about reading The Handmaid's Tale, too! We'll see if he actually does...

>130 LovingLit: - The new version is on Hulu in the US - is that available in NZ?

>131 thornton37814: Just googled Gatlinburg and it doesn't reassure me! Yikes. I haven't caught up on how the fires are going officially yet today (my latest news is what I heard this morning, which I talked about above). But I travelled out out to university and went to the 7th floor to meet with my supervisor, and could see the fire(s) from an entirely different vantage point. So they are still going, clearly.

>133 EBT1002: yup- you had no business calling what he does "leadership" ;)
(I can smile, but I know his position is more serious for you folk in the US)
The scrub fire is now in the pine plantations, so is more a forest fire. But those firefighters, boy do they do a good job. They are tireless in their efforts in what must feel like throwing a thimble full of water on a burning haystack. (mixed metaphors? maybe, but these are unusual times)

>134 Berly: Still hoping to! See my comment above to Ellen, they are still raging. But no persons in danger, so that is something.

>135 katiekrug: I'd like to read it again too! Maybe for Ellen's reread challenge..... I have not heard of Hulu, but don't subscribe to tv services anyway. I'm trying to downsize my screen time...I guess my question was moot. But then again, there is the odd thing id like to watch, I wonder if I should access things like that via my computer somehow...not that I have one that goes. ;)

"Also, I biked there and back, half an hour each way." That is great! Can you do this, year round?

How did the first day go?

Little Lenny, doing his thing. He is such a crack-up.

Wilbur on a walk with me on Banks Peninsula last year, exploring the old WWII buildings that were lookouts for Japanese bots in the Lyttelton Harbour.

Some B&W shots of a cool hut near the house we stayed at on Banks Peninsula late last year. Pretty run down but really interesting. Someone obviously still stays there from time to time.

And because I couldn't resist, anyone care to sit in this lovely seat and take in the stinging nettles that area al around!!? The same seat features in the bottom right photo in the above post. A little different in colour!

>137 msf59: yes, Mark, I can do it all year around. The chances of me being rained on are a little higher in winter, but I'd still do it as it takes just as long as driving (across the city as opposed to when I go to university which is a little longer distance but away from the city). I figure it is a good way to build exercise into me week, and my lovely other bikes to work every day so I have no excuse ;)

Lovely photos! Little Lenny is a cutie! And loved those black and white!

>138 LovingLit: I remember watching Lenny mess about as a toddler! Now, look at him! You have great looking boys!

>140 LovingLit: I love these photos. I really like B & W photography. I should share more on my thread, although I have still not tried any myself. WTH?

>142 LovingLit: I LOVE the idea of biking it to work. I commute about 14 miles. It would not be realistic for me. Plus, how would I carry all my books?

Ohmygosh, I love the photos. Thank you for sharing!

>143 ChelleBearss: Lenny is the master of funny faces. he loves to perform, and his older brother is more than happy to capture his silliness on video or camera!!

>144 msf59: Lenny is a fully fledged year 1 school pupil now. He wanted to roller blade to school today (we are only 7 houses away so I though he could try). It took him/us twice as long as normal to get there, and on the way he said. Well, that didn't really work out, did it? It was so funny.
Oh, and while I'm doing -ism's.....Wilbur came out with this the other day:

"So, will I just go to Lincoln University if no others are invented by then?

LOLOLOLOL. Too funny. We talked about his options, and that they weren't necessarily limited to (my) NZs smallest, most rural university, if indeed that was the course he wanted to take.
I love B&W too, it has so much feel to it. But the redness of the shed was also really nice. Tough call!

>130 LovingLit: I recommended it to a male FB friend of mine and he read it and really liked it. So I know one. :) And I see Katie beat me to answering that it's a Hulu series, so I don't know what happens to things like that that maybe aren't available in other countries. When we were in Italy we just always got those online through some mumblemumblemaybenotentirelylegalmumble means.

>135 katiekrug: How is he on follow-through? Morgan is not great, but once he's expressed interest, I'll eventually shove it under his nose and say "hey, remember when you said you were going to read this? The time is now," and he'll actually do it.

>141 LovingLit: Love all the photos--your boys are so cute! The -isms and roller blading stories are perfect. And I am not sitting in those chairs during the summer. That's final.

And because this is all that I have on my mind today, here is a picture (from TVNZ) showing one of the many fires now still not controlled on the hills less than 5km from my house. Some suburbs are being evacuated now as they haven't been able to contain it. We also had a power cut today, as a fire tripped one of the lines...only half an hour or so thank goodness.
And my local library which is also has community spaces has been opened up as an evacuation centre. My local library. Talk about too close to home.
I am not expecting to be evacuated, but my parents in law probably will be, as they are at the base of the hills. Sheesh. I feel a bit angsty and am glad I have the day off work tomorrow to stay near the kids school just in case.

Sorry to hear you're feeling angsty (a bit stressed?) By the fire. Hope the firefighters do their thing - or maybe some rain. Or both.

Gulp. Huge kudos to the firefighters, they are incredible people. I really hope they can get it under control soon. It's terrible to watch natural habitat being destroyed like that. I hope your day off is lovely and not made too stressful by the fire.

Oooh, I love the black-and-white photos! Gorgeous! But not as much as the ones with the munchkins, of course.

Oh dear! That must be worrisome! Hope they can get that under control soon!

>149 LovingLit: I hope you can get some good air drops in to get it under control.

>147 ursula: - His follow through is.... moody? Erratic? He might follw through on the Atwood, though, because he brought it up himself, with no prompting from me. I'm usually saying, "Oh, you should read this" and he responds "Okay" but never does. Heh.

Sorry about the too-close-for-comfort fires, Megan. That would make me nervous. Stay safe!

It is much to close to you for comfort, for sure Megan! And your in-laws probably having to evacuate. Stay safe from me too and I hope that the firefighters can get the fires under control soon.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your boys and the others. The black and white ones are beautiful.

>149 LovingLit: The fire looks scary! I hope you won't get evacuated and can imagine you feel better when you are not far away from your kids.
(((hugs)))

This was an image taken overnight. The helicopters can't use their monsoon buckets in darkness, as the hills have wires and power pylons (and the brand new adventure park has a chairlift and zip lines for them to negotiate), so seeing them fly 'home' for the night in convoy was foreboding.
A state of emergency was declared yesterday afternoon, and 450 houses have been evacuated, including my parents in law.

I stayed up late last night following things, and popped out to the gate periodically to view the smoke which glowed bight orange over the hills viewed over the houses at the end of our street. I felt much better when I had a grab bag packed, just in case! Today will be the day that they nail this thing, I think. They have called in the army, and extra police and the weather isn't expected to be so warm, or windy today.

>150 charl08: slightly stressed, yes :)
Primarily it seems to be earthquake-related feelings returning. For me it is the sounds of the helicopters flying over, and for my lovely other, he was brought back to that time when he charged his torch (=flashlight). The winding mechanism makes a distinctive sound, and he used to wind it each night during earthquake times, to make sure we had light if we needed it. The senses are strongly related to memories!

>151 lunacat: I know its important mourn the homes lost (7 so far), but yes, the habitats of animals, and the distinctive look of our Port Hills will be changed. Luckily the most distinctive aspect of them is their yellow/brown grass, which should grow back in no time. The trees? A lot longer.

>152 scaifea: munchkins have a way of elbowing their way in to view :)

>153 ChelleBearss: Worrisome yes. There was some criticism that the state of emergency wasn't declared early enough. They seemed to have the two fires under control two days ago, and then yesterday afternoons wind change seemed to flare it all up again, and of course the two (or more) fires merged.....

>154 thornton37814: the choppers are dipping their buckets into swimming pools, and there are a few lakes they are also using. The light planes must be refuelling at the airport, as i see the fly over time after time to pick up more fire retardant.

>155 katiekrug: staying safe! Keeping an eye out my kitchen window at the smoke plumes. Ill be the first one to pack up and move if I feel too uncomfortable. They seem to move at will, in any and all directions. It is erratic, but I have faith in the experts who are fighting it.

>156 karenmarie: it is strange watching it all unfold before my eyes. And to think its all go on the other side of the hills too! Sheesh. Ill be glad when this "excitement" is over, actually.

>157 FAMeulstee: I think I might invite my mum in to hang with me today. We might walk for a coffee and relax here :)

Hanging out with your mum sounds like a great idea. Hope that your day brings an end to the fires. I feel sorry for those saying if it is or isn't a state of emergency. Either way they called it, rather suspect they would have been criticised.

Here's hoping the fire will be quickly brought under control!

>161 charl08: exactly, there is always someone with a criticism for something.
I just read a lengthy post on my community Facebook page - a woman talking about people who are the depths of humanity. I read on naturally, thinking maybe someone had looted or conned someone. All it was was that a reporter had asked her if she could walk on to her property to take a photo!!! She had said no, and the reporter had asked again, sating "I'm a reporter". Now to me, that is not someone acting in a cruel or depraved way, it is just someone asking a question and explaining their intent. Crickey, people are touchy.

>162 SandDune: thanks, me too.
I'm just about to get a venison forequarter into the slow cooker. It is huge, so I hope I have allowed enough time for it!

It's raining here in Auckland...is there any chance of rain down there?

Megan! Those fires are frightening!! I do hope you get some rain to help those mighty firefighters with their work. And yes, there are always folks happy to criticize, and so often there just simply is not a "right" call on something. But others are always sure that, with the limited information they have, they would know best what to do. Crikey is right.

I love the B&W photography, by the way.

Sending thoughts of safety and precipitation your direction.....

Oh dear, thinking of you and yours. I hope the fire will be under control soon.

>163 LovingLit: While I have no sympathy for intrusions into privacy for selling the news (my suffering isn't entertainment), I don't think I would have created a whole FB post about it.

Prayers abound for your safety. Glad you have the grab bag packed, just in case. Make sure to keep the car gassed up, too.

ETA -- Oops -- Forgot to post about the real reason I wandered over here! Congratulations on the first week of your new job!!!

>164 avatiakh: I think there is rain forecast for tomorrow, but today it is going to be 21, a few degrees cooler than the last few days. That may help. I think the ideal firefighting window is in the early AM, cooler temps, no wind, and vegetation already dampened a bit by morning dew. I see out the window that the wind seems to be picking up just now. I hope not to much!

>165 EBT1002: I was happy to see that one complainer (again, on my community Facebook page) was shut down pretty quickly by commentators using phrases like "Mr. Hindsight", "come back and comment after you've been elected to council" and "it so easy to complain, how about helping?"

>166 Ameise1: me too! I reckon it will be over by tonight. Although, I thought that yesterday morning too :)

>167 michigantrumpet: yes, me too. I do feel for people who are terrified and about to be evacuated, and I also feel like its is OK for a reporter to request permission to go on someone's land. Maybe the reporter used an entitled or aggressive tone or something. The comments section (which I sometimes call the "ra ra brigade"- the types who weigh in with inflammatory support despite no knowledge of the incident) came out with things like " I would have punched her". Charming.

I work my second day tomorrow! I hope my body can handle the bike ride....Im sure it will eventually :)

Hooray for new job and good first day. Hope day two was good. :)

>168 LovingLit: Hope it does rain. We've had steady downpour all day, colder too.

Just keeping an eye on things over by you. Very nerve-wracking. Did you have you Mum over?

>169 nittnut: Day two tomorrow, as we agreed it was more convenient for the both of us if we swapped it from today to tomorrow. Just as well, actually, as I was tired today after being up til after midnight last night watching the drama of the fires.

>170 avatiakh: Not due for rain til Saturday now they say. Maybe some drizzle tomorrow though, so that is good. Apparently the fires are confined but not fully controlled now. There is significantly less smoke today so that reassures me that the worst is over. YAY!!!

>171 Berly: Hi Kimmers, thanks for popping over. Mum came over and we had coffee and went shopping! How very mum daughter :).
There is a random suburban designer clothing shop a few streets over from me, next to a fish and chip shop and a hairdresser! I never go in, as I always have the kids with me, but today we went there with purpose. I got a singlet tunic top/dress (black, merino) which I will wear in winter with tights and a jacket, and also a t-shirt tunic top/dress (grey, cotton and polyester). the first was $25 down from $135!!! The second $35 down from $105. Woohoo, and I wasn't even going for me, I thought mum would buy the stuff.

BOOK 13
A Boy's Own Story by Edmund White

I couldn't get inside the character in the book. I tried! There were tonnes of spectacularly written passages, and just as many that I felt were over described. My reading may have been affected by the pressing local issue of a wildfire threatening the city, making the teenaged angst read a little....self-indulgent. But overall, this one fell flat for me. I cant say i liked him, but I did enjoy getting to know a teenaged boy getting to know himself and becoming comfortable with his homosexuality. A place I have never been.

Edited to revise rating (to 3)
Edited again to revise rating back to original 2.5 stars ;)

Well, you just made the news here Megan. All looks dramatic.

I think White popped up in the HIV/AIDS book I was reading, as one of the early campaigning group. I want to read something of his (I never have) but maybe I won't start with this one.

I really hope they can get the fire under control soon - the photos look awful. It's terrible for the people who've had their homes destroyed, and of course for the pilot who died. What a horrendous situation all round. I was thinking of you during the night and hoping for rain - fingers crossed.

It sounds like you had an excellent shopping trip! I do love a good bargain.

What Jenny said, Megan. I hope the fire situation improves, and my fingers are crossed for rain for you, too.

"it so easy to complain, how about helping?" is my favorite. Right on.

By the way, in Seattle we've already had more than twice our usual allotment of rain for the month of February, and the month is only half over. I wish I could send you some!

The worst of the fire is over. Hot spots will be dampened for weeks to come, but he smoke yesterday were barely visible from the afternoon. A relief! My parents in law are not yet allowed back in their house, but should be this afternoon.
Thanks for your comments.

>174 charl08: wow, international news? I suppose the dramatic footage helps. Wed night was doozy for that.

>175 lunacat: I think 11 houses all up were destroyed. The fire fighters were tackling it so hard, and pushing it back on many fronts from the edges of suburbs.

>176 jnwelch: all good! I've unpacked my grab bag, and there is water on the roads thus morning from a small amount of rain overnight.

>177 EBT1002: >178 EBT1002: yes, and now the controversies start with how the disaster was handled. One particularly argumentative government minister is the main person fuelling that fire!
Too many rainy days is tough on the psyche. Sunny day vibes coming your way!

"The worst of the fire is over."

HOORAY!!!!!!!

Yay for the worst of the fire being over. What a relief. How awful for the 11 homeowners that have lost their homes but thank goodness that it wasn't worse. I hope there is little or no smoke damage for your parents-in-law.

Glad to read the worst of the fire is over, Megan, sad politicans are fueling fire on how it was handled :-(

awesome!! Glad to see the worst is over!

Checking in on your welfare, only to join you in that sigh of relief. So glad that the fires are well on their way to being under control.

Now you can get back to more mundane things like job, reading, etc. I've a few Edmund White books. I liked his Flaneur: A Stroll Through The Paradoxes of Paris -- little perambulating collections of thoughts in a set of essays about his life in Paris.

I'm glad the worst is over too, Megan, and sad, too, for the people who lost their homes.

>179 LovingLit: Glad to hear that. Hope your relatives' home is OK.

>184 michigantrumpet: I'm adding this to the wishlist. Love books about walking around cities. Well, mostly. Not introduced by Will Self.

>180 EBT1002: yes, yippee. Now, for me at least, it is like it never happened! No smoke, but apparently still hot spots.

>181 lunacat: last night at about tea time my father in law turned up here, as he had been turned away from his street. The cordon was up. But his wife was in their house, she'd gone in before the cordon had gone up. Poor old G was at work, then barred from going home. No change to even get things out. His wife came out a bit later with a bag of things for him and they both went to my sister in law's place.

>182 FAMeulstee: politicians huh! We don't have them nearly as bad as those in the States!!!!!

>183 ChelleBearss: phew. A friend's place had their pipes to the house melted but the house was OK!

>184 michigantrumpet: I had my second day today! It was good, better than the first. I was quicker an more he was also more organised to get my tasks to me arranged back to back so that I could move from one to the other quickly. Hoorah!
That particular Edmund White book might appeal to me more.....

>185 karenmarie: There was footage of one guy watching his family home burning down from across the valley. :(

>186 charl08: I like books about perambulations too :). I want to read Rebecca Solent's one about walking, and some other psychogeographers have written about that too.

Megan--So glad the worst is over and you and yours are safe!! Phew! And happy that you had a great day at work. Life is truly good. : )

>189 Berly: yee ha! My friends got back to their house this afternoon after two nights out. But my parents in law didn't. Go figure. But everyone is alright, and their houses too.
And I finished my not-liking-it-very-much book, and so can start another!! Probably one with the words 'discursive psychology' in the title.....

Oooh, my new copy of Last Orders arrived today, the other copy I have is ratty and 'needed' replacing ;)

Hi. Just checking in to see how your evacuated family is going. So good that they are going to be able to go home. I'm glad the fires are mostly out. How stressful. Sorry the politicians are going to talk about it. *eyeroll*

>187 LovingLit: Whoa, that would suck and be a touch scary!

>192 nittnut: To be honest, I have stopped listening to the media drama now that I don"t need to know all the information! And it feels much better. I was surprised to see that the hills today still had a few places where smoke was rising, it was raining lightly all day yesterday (the paper said that was about as effective a fire extinguisher as "spit on a barbecue").

>193 ChelleBearss: Cripes yes! Also troubling her was that she had to evacuate and leave her dog behind as he ran off in fright :( But as the evacuation was mandatory....she had to hope for the best. It turned out OK though, they found him OK

Oh, and now I really am reading A Manual for Cleaning Women! I am 60 pages in and loving her distinctive voice.

>188 LovingLit: I just can't imagine having to watch your house burn down. Poor man.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

>196 karenmarie: weekend great. There was a bit of umming and aahing yesterday as to whether or not we would go and watch the provincial cricket final live, or on sky TV at my sister's place. But when our dad turned up with a HUGE slab of porterhouse steak for the BBQ, we decided to stay put!! Canterbury (my province) won the cricket, dinner was fab, and we were all happy :)

I thought Manual for Cleaning Women was really good, Megan. I can't believe I hadn't heard of her before. Thank goodness they put together this collection.

Hi Joe, I recall you and Mark co-warbling about it a while back. And funnily enough, I was clearing out some old emails the other day and came across one from a friend saying we should definitely check out that book, as it sounded great. And here I am now reading it!! Some are very short, and the ending can sneak up on me sometimes.

Hi Megan, scary stuff happening with your fire. I'm glad it's under control. We now have a regular wildfire season here, and have been too close a few times. Devastating.

Congrats on your first days in the new job, and biking there? I'm impressed! Out of practical curiosity I was wondering if there's a way to clean up when you get there? When my husband bought and finished the building where the office is, he had a shower installed for employees who commute by bike.

Love the photos, too. And I've read about stinging nettles, but I've never seen any. Now I know!

>197 LovingLit: I love cricket, Megan; I love porterhouse steak way more.

Have a lovely Sunday.

>200 AMQS: no, there isn't a shower at the destination of my bike ride. Even if there were, I wouldn't use it as am already cutting it fine with school drop off time and start work time. I just cool off, and get changed in the toilets before starting.
After all my boasting, I ended up driving Friday as it was forecast to rain, and (more to the point) I wanted to have time get a coffee on the way :)

The stinging nettles leave a raised welt that does indeed sting. Initially quite badly, but it subsides after a few minutes.

>201 PaulCranswick: Well, I wish you had have been here tonight then! The second half of the slab arrived here with my dad, and he marinaded it in baking soda to tenderise it and then fried it. I sliced it thinly and placed it atop an Asian noodle salad I had prepared earlier- it was a masterchef moment, I have to say.

-------------//-------------//-------------

Fire update.
Here I was thinking it was practically over! Yesterday was drizzly, and with very low cloud was too dangerous for choppers and fixed wing planes to drop their water/ fire retardant. Today they were back into it. Dad came with us to the mini trains and playground, and from there we had a good view of the action. Three planes in a row- cruising so low, and dropping 2000 litres of fire retardant, in purple! It was a spectacle, along with the 5 helicopters with monsoon buckets doing their thing (which is dropping 700 litres of water at a time).

They are getting there though!

>197 LovingLit: Sounds like a great evening. Wishing you a good week Megan.

I was pleased to discover Lucia Berlin's work. Kind of amazing to go unnoticed like that as a writer for so long.

To add: sorry to hear the fire isn't over. Those helicopters are spectacular to watch though.

>203 charl08: >204 charl08: The fire is in no way threatening the city now though! So that is the good thing. And they are continuing with dampening hot spots and containment. The dramatic part was Wednesday evening last week when the helicopters stopped for the night, and the thing took off across the hills at a rate of knots. From the news reports, the fire crews were concentrating on single houses at a time, dampening them with water trying to save those ones on the edge of the fire. Pretty full on!

Currently reading (as well as >195 LovingLit:) book chapter called Ideology, Language, and Discursive Psychology in preparation for starting university again as master's student next month. Exciting!! And very interesting.....looks like I am amped :)

Fell behind here, Megan, and catching up. I can sympathize with you regarding the fire situation. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Fire_(2003)

The only book I've read where there were more than a few words I didn't know was a science fiction novel by David Brin, one of my favorites, Uplift. I used to have a list of what those words were (I think there were 7 of them!), but I have no idea where it is. I guess I could reread the book...

>5 LovingLit: I was reading Nights at the Circus and came across this: "I should say the place was furnished--roughly, even exiguously...." and I thought of you!

>207 ronincats: thanks for the link. I hadn't heard of that fire, then again, do we often hear of fires in other countries? I suppose not unless they are particularly destructive or there is someone we know who lives there.
My lists of previously-unknown-to-me words are of use to me.

>208 Berly: I have read that! And I must have not known that word then either! Clearly I used the context to give me a clue, or just disregarded it. Glad to know that you are thinking of me when coming across interesting words :)

A fire somewhere is one thing. A fire you can see and in which people you know are being evacuated is quite another. I still remember how it felt to be moving into a brand new house, about 3 months pregnant, supposed to be on bed rest, husband out of town for work, in-laws in town to help, and the next day there's a fire burning up the hills above the house. You sit up on the porch into the night wondering if you'll have to leave and pondering the twist of fate that led to a fire the day after moving day.

Anyway, I hope it's nearly out and that you can all relax a little. Now would be a good time for some of that awful weather you had earlier in the summer.

>210 nittnut: I am completely untrained when it comes to fires! Aside from that grass fire I put out with the extra water bottles stored from the car last summer, that is!! (It looks now like my actions could be viewed as more than a silly Megan story!!! ;))
The biggest impression that they left on me is how it brought all then earthquake anxiety back for me. And for others. Those durn earthquakes, they left a legacy.....

Hooray for Cleaning Women! Hooray for Cleaning Women! I hope you love this collection, as much as I did, Megan.

Hope you had a good weekend, my friend.

>212 msf59: I had a great weekend, and I am loving A Manual for Cleaning Women! It is surprising, each story quite different, apart from some that are quite similar. :)
I am looking forward to an early night with a few more stories to satisfy me.

Must. Get. Off. LT.

Wednesday's to-do list

- get fringe cut
- get dinner organised
- read a chapter of Discursive Psychology
- tidy house *yawn*
- email boss and encourage him to eat the biscuits I left at work, so that I don't tomorrow
- read a story from A Manual for Cleaning Women
- get biking/work clothes ready for tomorrow
- do 50x sit-ups and 50x press-ups

Megan, I keep losing your thread for some reason and now that I've found it again I discover that it is, quite literally, on fire. Scary photos! I'm glad they are getting things under control. Fires and floods always seem the most ominous natural disasters to me because they move relatively slowly and people are for the most part helpless to stop them.

I've not seen the film version of The Handmaid's Tale but I'd like to. I wonder if it's available for streaming over here.

>214 LovingLit: that is quite the to-do list! I vote for removing "tidy house" and adding in book in bubble bath.

>215 rosalita: hehe. Literally, yes, on fire. 4 helicopters flew over this morning on their way to dampen down hot spots. They aren't coming over at dawn now though, a more civilised hour of 8am. This tells me that it is not as urgent as before. We are still officially in a state of emergency though, so that police etc have more powers to move people along if needed.

>216 ChelleBearss: While I am at it, I should add, go to the movies to my list! All to be done before 3pm, of course. Hm, is this possible? Image when I start back at uni, I'd kick myself if I hadn't made use of my free time!!!

Updated Wednesday's to-do list

- get fringe cut
- get dinner organised
- read a chapter of Discursive Psychology
- tidy house *yawn*
- email boss and encourage him to eat the biscuits I left at work, so that I don't tomorrow
- read a story from A Manual for Cleaning Women
- get biking/work clothes ready for tomorrow
- do 50x sit-ups and 50x press-ups

Looks like a few things will have to wait for tonight, like reading :|

I like your list and you've completed more than 50% of it.

Hooray for Cleaning Women! Hooray for working-out! I am proud of you.

You inspire me to actually make a list for each day, Megan! Thank you.

My Wednesday List: Make it through the day!! I am wiped. Must have been all the birthday hoopla. ; )

List update: I did them all apart from reading a chapter of my university book. Woops.
Luckily I haven't started university yet (officially). I will go there tomorrow though to print off informtion for Wilbur's try-athlon this weekend, and also some university readings, and to check emails and LT, as our internet is down. Very annoyingly down. Grrr. Everything is internet dependent now, so you really feel it when you don't have access. Currently I am on my son's computer, using the library free wi-fi while the kids are swimming at the pool (adjacent to the library) with my lovely other. At 5pm on a school night too! It's another lovely warm day, so we are making use of the outdoor pool while we still can (it closes for winter).

>219 Ameise1: I did the press ups just before bed, so they got ticked off too :)

>220 msf59: working out! Hehe, that is such an American way of saying it. I wonder what we say...maybe exercising? Doing weights? I also biked to work and back today- an hour on the bike. Woohoo- I've earned a beer tonight I think
'
>221 karenmarie: I love lists, and I know I'm not the only one around here to say so :). They get me through the day, and make me not stress about what I might be forgetting.

>222 Berly: making it through the day is at the top of every list, and sometimes is the only thing accomplished! But, it is an accomplishment. :)

Another ratty copy on my shelf that 'needs' replacing, is The Old Devils by Kingsley Amis, so I just ordered a natty copy from the book depo :)

Also, out internet is down, possibly for the weekend. So *boo hoo* I will not be LTing. Apparently copper is not the way forward, 4G wireless is. So we will change to that in 5-6 working days, and in the mean time await the technicians arrival.

Ok, see you later. I'm sure you keep up with the reading. Have a great weekend, Megan.

>227 Ameise1: ooooh, I'm back early. The internet technician guy came today......I was told he'd be here some time before three....he arrived at 2:45pm. Thank goodness I didn't hang about all morning waiting! I got some stuff done at uni instead.

Internet back on!

Day off today, read more Discursive Psychology, read three stories from A Manual for Cleaning Women (gooooood), got some jobs done at university, and made teriyaki chicken sushi for the kids tea.

This weekend is going to be busy...my friend Carla is turning 40, she lives on a small farm and is hosting an event called Carlapalooza to celebrate. Cool huh? All of us are going to that, and it is forecast to be hot- yay!


Sunday, W is doing a kids triathlon (although they spell it TRYathlon). It's going to be mammoth, kids, bikes, parents, chaos. But, hopefully also a really cool experience. Some of his mates are doing it too, so we'll hook up with them and see how we go. It'll be a big day, that is for sure :)

Glad to read your internet is back on, Megan, happy weekend!

So glad you've got your Internet back and good luck with the upcoming upgrade. I get the shakes when the Internet goes out these days, especially on the weekends when I don't have access to my work computer. :-)

Woohoo! Sounds like an awesome weekend, Megan, between Carlapalooza and Kids' Tryathalon. Fabulous celebrations, both! Got a chuckle out of your line: It's going to be mammoth, kids, bikes, parents, chaos.

>230 FAMeulstee: internet comes in very handy these days. I have had to get on board with all school communications coming via email or their Facebook page. Last year we actually had no reliable device upon which to view some of these websites, so it was a pain. Although, even when they do a text to all the parents, I can miss it!! Which was the case last year when the power went out, so they had to send all the kids home for lack of working fire alarm systems. I neglected to check my phone (or my emails!!) and was one of the last parents to turn up! Actually, the kids had a great day playing on the field with kids of other naughty parents ;)

>231 rosalita: yes, it's a funny feeling to be without. Unless you are on holiday somewhere, and you have tonnes of books and drinks.

>232 lit_chick: hehe, yes, chaos. And a coffee cart!!! Thank goodness :)
I have just collected together the items needed for the cycle transition zone....and my marvellous idea is to plonk a tomato stake (thin bamboo) near his bike with a tennis ball on top, so that he can find his bike amongst the ga-zillion other bikes. That was a 4.30am idea that one.

Hi Megan, glad to see you are back online my dear and hope you are having a really good weekend dear lady, sending love and hugs.

Have a great weekend! And embrace the chaos!

Hi Megan! Carlapalooza sounds like lots of fun. I hope you have a great time.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend, Megan.

>211 LovingLit: Sorry about the anxiety. I think you've had more than your share of natural disasters in Christchurch. E was watching one of those Discovery channel shows this morning about dangerous places to live and Chch was listed. They interviewed a lady about her memories of the big earthquake and E was asking me why she was so emotional. Good chance to talk about the feelings we experience during a trauma and how they stay with us and can be triggered by seemingly unrelated events, or related events. Then we talked about meeting you in Chch and how you lived there during the earthquake and he was amazed to realize he knew someone who had been there. Ah to be a kid and making so many connections! No. Too exhausting. LOL

Happy Weekend! Carlapalooza sounds like good fun! Hoping for photos of the TRYathlon. :)

He did it! It was fun, even when the drizzle settled right in. It was cool and now he wants to do next years one, to get another medal (everyone gets a medal, btw, as it is a TRY-athlon)
W is green goggles guy in top left photo, and on the left in the bottom pic.

Oh, and the palooza party was great too. Some tired adults and kids around here this afternoon :) Back soon to reply to comments!

Megan--How fun!! Go W!! What a great event. And your internet is working I see. And you have a 40th Carlapalooza to attend too! Life is good. : )

>234 johnsimpson: busy weekend, now it is Sunday evening and I'm chilling with the computer and half watching The Simpsons with W. All good!

>235 michigantrumpet: Chaos embraced....and it even rained which added to the chaos! It was nice to get home from the triathlon and warm up, rest up, and sit in a seat :)

>236 karenmarie: it was fun! The weather played ball, and so did the kids. The hosts had set up a baseball diamond in the paddock, and a croquet set in the other paddock. There was also giant jenga and an oversized paddling pool. And a huge bucket of beers and wine!

>237 Ameise1: thanks B!!

>238 nittnut: Hi Jenn!
That is nice that E now knows a fully fledged earthquake experiencer ;) I could have talked him through how outright weird and unsettling it is to see the walls of your home moving. But, I wouldn't want to give him nightmares, so best not actually.
I was chatting to my old yoga teacher the other day, she said that the fire week was hard for her because it brought back earthquake stress, and that she hadn't expected that to happen. It was the same for me, so was comforting to hear someone else speak my feelings.

>240 Berly: It was so cool seeing W go for it, even though he was nervous (warning, momma moment coming up). When I got up at 6.30 this morning and had my shower, on my way out, I noticed he was up already and sitting in a not-normal-for-him chair, just looking at me. He was up early and nervous!! He kept talking to me about how he was going to be OK at the triathlon "once the swim is over", or because he would just "stick with Luke " his friend. He was totally talking himself into it. And it worked :)

W is growing up!! Giving himself the old pep talk and working to get over the nerves. He's not even my son and I am proud of him! And you! Nicely done. Conquering the fear and crossing the finish line (with a nice medal!), those are great memories. : )

Great photos, Megan. Thanks for sharing them. W looks like he had a lot of fun. Understandable, that he'll like to take part next years event, too.

>239 LovingLit: Wilby looks a natural - no bike shots?

Trust that you have had a splendid weekend, Megan.

Megan, your weekend sounds action-packed. And well done Wilbur! I am reading a book at the moment by Greg Clydesdale of your university. As there are only two degrees of separation in NZ, I assume you know him :-)

Aww, looks like a great weekend was had!! Great photos!

Lovely pictures Megan, looks like a great opportunity for kids to try events. I'm not surprised you're all a bit tired after all that activity though! H open you get a chance to sit and relax - and read of course...

>239 LovingLit: Love the photos!! What a fun day.
>242 LovingLit: Definitely nice to meet other people who are experiencing the same feelings. :)

>243 Berly: it is a nice memory. His enthusiasm in the lead up was lacklustre at best. Im glad he pushed through it and finished. (he has the fitness, that was never the issue, it was the event)

>244 Ameise1: he wants to collect medals now! He confided in me that he was only doing it for the medal, and I said, well- you earned the medal because you completed the triathlon, so that is all good.

>245 PaulCranswick: there was a bike shot. None of the shots are mine though, I don't generally carry a photograph making machine with me. Luckily for me everyone else in the entire western world does, so I always manage to get a few pics.

>246 susanj67: Argh! I do knot know him! I will look him up immediately and report back if I have at least seen him on campus ;)

>247 ChelleBearss: t'was a great weekend. I was a little tired *ahem* ok, jaded, after Carlapalooza meant a late night and then the triathlon meant an early start. But we both did very well ;)

>248 charl08: last night W went to bed early, and didn't even want a story, or to read himself. He mumbled, can you just turn the light out? Im tired....no surprises there :) I went to bed only minutes after he did, but I read til ten pm. (am reading The Light Between Oceans which I am thoroughly enjoying at present!

>249 nittnut: fun day indeed. Will hope for sun next year, and bring the whole family, and a picnic.

>239 LovingLit: Go Wilbur! Go Wilbur! Atta boy! Very impressive.

Hi, Megan. Hope you had a fine weekend, my friend. You get any reading in?

>251 msf59: he's been given the gift of athleticism, and just seems to move very gracefully and skilfully. Says his mum!!! It's true though, he's always been coordinated and able to take to the physical stuff with relative ease. Lenny- not so much ;) He's more of a "throw yourself at it and see how it goes" kinda guy!!
Reading? Not until all kids were in bed last (Sunday) night! I read for over and hour, until my eyes closed of their own volition. Just how I like it.

>149 LovingLit:. be well...that looks mighty scary.

>253 Whisper1: it was! Officially, the city is still under a state of emergency, and there are still helicopters dropping in on the hotspots. The hill roads are still closed, and until they can replace the melted edge-marker posts, I guess will remain so. But, its all about dampening those hot spots, they are even digging out still smouldering tree roots. Kudos to the firefighters, it must be a tough and mucky job.

When it rains it pours! Work offers coming in left right and centre right now. None of them permanent, unfortunately.
The careers project has found some more money so that I can see that through to completion, and at least one course wants me to be the one to mark essays for it.....Im starting to think I should as for a pay rise before I accept the marking again. I always come in under the time that is allocated! And I can't say yes to it all I don't think.
Watch this space!

>255 LovingLit: Well that has to feel nice! Congratulations. I think you might bargain for the raise. ; )

BOOK 14
The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman 363p

Yes, well. This book. It is pretty exciting, I couldn't help but read it, and read it quickly and late into the night I did.

Something this book did so well was get you feeling empathy for almost all the characters. The woman who feels mothering instincts in her bones but just cant have one of her own, the man who grows to love another persons child as his own and himself grows and faces demons from his past, the other mother. But the child- oh boy do you feel her pain. It is all pretty raw emotion, described beautifully. But there is just something about books that span lifetimes that cannot capture the detail in peoples' lives, and it is these details that really grab me in literature. SO for that I took away a star, leaving a solid 4-star rating from me.


Edited: also, we are planning to watch the movie of this book at bookclub in the next few weeks. I'm not sure I can handle it!!! HAs anyone seen it?

>256 Berly: well, it seems there was a miscommunication re: the marking. I had expected to hear from them and when I didn't assumed they had found someone else to do it this year, but they thought they had confirmed with me already. So I kind of feel obliged now. Gr. No pay rise for me now, as I'm not really in a position to bargain any more.

>258 LovingLit: Well, phooey! But it is money and they obviously like your work. So kudos.

Love your review of ^^ and your explanation of your rating. ; )

>257 LovingLit: Nice review, Megan. My library has got a copy of it. I put it on my list.

>257 LovingLit: That one is already on my wish list. No idea when I'll get around to reading it.

>257 LovingLit: I had to let that one go back to the library unread last month, and now I'm regretting it after reading your review. I'll have to get it back sometime soon and actually read it this time.

>257 LovingLit: Good review, Megan. I read it last year and loved it. I like your comment about feeling empathy for almost all the characters - how true! I especially liked and felt for Tom, a man caught in the middle.

>257 LovingLit: I love it when a book makes me want nothing else but reading :-)

I missed a hell of a hullabaloo. Glad you and yours are safe! And a big huzzah for a successful triathlon!

>259 Berly: yeah well, you know...money is money at the end of the day. And i like to be able to do the marking for them, as I have done it before, and seem to be on the same page grades and feedback-wise as the teachers of the course are. Plus, she is my supervisor for Masters, so gotta behave!! ;)

>260 Ameise1: it was a quickie review, but its more than I have done in the past. My reviews used to be so comprehensive before I started studying!!

>261 thornton37814: it won't take you long to read, it is a very gripping tale and doesn't go where you think it is going to from the first few pages that seem to set it all up.

>262 rosalita: I think that might be best. I have abandoned a few, and let them go back to the library unread. I still hold those lost souls dear to me heart ;)

>263 karenmarie: Poor old Tom huh? He really was caught in a bind. I recognise those foreboding feelings he had, I have them too before any major decision. Im not sure I can handle the movie, I might be better off going to yoga which is my usual Wednesday night activity these days.

>264 FAMeulstee: I do too! But I have this thing about 'page-turners'...i can resent the book if it is hooking me in too hard, That will be why I don't usually read suspense, mystery or thrillers. I feel like them keeping me reading by withholding information, or the dangling of clues, is a cheap technique. I'd rather enjoy the journey and the unfolding of it all.

>265 London_StJ: yes, its been busy! But, thanks to scheduling I have yet to have all that I will have heaped upon me. My thread may very well be a barren place in a few weeks time.By then I will have my 2 jobs, (totalling 20 hours per week) plus my 0.5FTE masters, which will no doubt hit me like a tonne of bricks. I shall have to practice my relaxed breathing regularly!

>267 LovingLit: We call that "yoga breaths" around here ... usually to remind the five-year-old spitfire to calm down. Best of luck!

I heard a rumor that someone lost a tooth?! : D

>268 London_StJ: yoga breaths. Yes. At the kids' school they say "smell a rose blow out a candle" for calming breathing. It seems to work there!!

>269 Berly: where'd ya hear that!!? ;) It's true! It's true! It finally came out.

Go Lenny!!! Yay tooth fairy!!

Great picture - hope the tooth fairy was kind and generous...
When does uni start again?

It's so wonderful when they loose their first tooth. Great photo.
Happy Friday, Megan.

Aw, adorable!!

>270 LovingLit: Awesome! What does the Tooth Fairy bring these days? $2? $5?

A gap tooth grin! Love it!

>257 LovingLit: I remember liking Light Between Oceans as well, Megan -- and also gave it four stars. This is what I wrote in 2013:

If God grants your greatest wish and all you have to do is engage in a little willful self-deception, how easy is it to cross an ethical line to do so? After suffering three miscarriages, Isabel feels deeply the need for a child. Her need is even greater because she lives with her lighthouse-keeper husband on a remote island. She doesn't have mother or women friends on hand to share her grief. When a boat washes up with a small baby and a dead man, her prayers seem to be answered. How easy it would be, she convinces her husband, to claim the child as her own. With that small transgressive act, born out of grief and need, they build a life of lies, guilt and yes, joy in the little girl.

Be prepared for searing emotion and heartrending sadness, yet also the healing of forgiveness and expiation. This book also explores how far we will go in our self-deceptions and justifications. Beautiful characterizations and a lovely rendering of life lived in isolation on a small island off the coast of Australia. The plot moves along fairly quickly and the dialogue is spot on.

"... All this love, so bent out of shape, refracted, like light through the lens.”

And wowza on the tooth! Love that smile!

Hi Megan! >270 LovingLit: I love that picture!

>257 LovingLit: Great comments on The Light Between Oceans, Megan. So glad you enjoyed it.

Lenny has had a visit from the tooth fairy!

>271 Berly: he he. As you know, the actual tooth was lost on the way home from school. But the note Lenny wrote was accepted by the tooth fairy, and $2 was duly paid. The note says "To tooth fairy, my tooth got lost, Lenny from" (meaning from Lenny) :)



>272 charl08: $2 for a first tooth, $1 for every tooth thereafter. Other houses are more generous ;) Uni starts next week! As does my second job.....its gonna be busy. I expect my next thread will last for months and months.

>273 Ameise1: Len is not one to shy away from the camera, everyone else in the house would prefer not to have their photo taken, but Lenny is always keen.

>274 scaifea: IKR ;) Kids just are.

>275 ChelleBearss: Our tooth fairy gives $2 first tooth and then $1 for each successive one. W is annoyed that his friend got $5...its a tricky business!

>276 nittnut: we have an old Golden Book where the kids can whistle through the gap, so Lenny is convinced that he can whistle now. In fact, he always could.

>277 michigantrumpet: Good points in your review. I think the setting on the lighthouse was the deal maker. They knew they could get away with it. For however long.....and I really felt their pain. Having had three miscarriages myself. (although she really had two miscarriages and a stillbirth, from my reading of the book).

>278 lunacat: you know....weekends are the cause of much stress and bother around here. All child related of course. Already we have packed one off with the lovely other to go for fruit, and I am now seeking solace in my bookish pals :)

>279 karenmarie: cute as huh!? He's darling when he's not tantruming. Ha ha.

>280 lit_chick: We thought that the tooth fairy money was lost, just as the tooth itself was! But it was only thanks to Lenny's vigorous sleeping that the coin fell to the floor. Apparently Lenny sleeps as "busily"!

Edited to spoilerise!!

>257 LovingLit: What an incredible review. I own this book. I will try to find it among the piles. Thank you for such a lovely description!

>282 LovingLit: -- You know, I'm sure you are right. I think I ended up writing that review about six weeks after having read the book, so my reading retention may have been off. Good pick up, and it is good to be sensitive to that.

>283 Whisper1: I think you should have a read of it! It won't take you long, even if you find it half as exciting as I did you will rip through it.

>284 michigantrumpet: I think the back of the book even called it the way you did. Which surprised me a bit. Is a miscarriage by definition the loss of a non-viable foetus? I'm not even sure!

Lenny good old request getting in tooth lost though money give! He is too cute.

Have a great weekend, Megan.

Love the note. I remember the tooth fairy unfairness. Probably better to learn the lesson early though, eh?

>270 LovingLit: Hooray for Lenny's tooth! And his note! I love it.

I have been meaning to read The Light Between Oceans since it came out. I think it had just enough of a mixed LT response, that I never pulled it out the stacks. I want to see the film too. I love the leads.

I hope you have a relaxing weekend planned.

>286 PaulCranswick: he handled it remarkable well, considering.

>287 charl08: I don't recall what others got. I remember clearly though that I got less pocket money than everyone, I have to save up for two weeks to get my music magazine, and my BF could get a copy every week if she wanted.

>288 msf59: His note was so earnestly written, he chose the words himself. After asking me what to write, I asked him what he wanted to tell the tooth fairy, and he came up with that. To the point!
The Light Between Oceans is a good read, but isn't exactly amazingly written, if you know what I mean.