Berly's ABCs -- Amidst Books and Chums #9

Books, A Comfy Chair, Roses, Pets and Rainboots -- how very Portland!!
"Napping with Monsters", Renée Zangara, 2015, Portland Art Museum

Notes on the Art of Poetry
By Dylan Thomas

I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on
in the world between the covers of books,
such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,
such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,
such and so many blinding bright lights,
splashing all over the pages
in a million bits and pieces
all of which were words, words, words,
and each of which were alive forever
in its own delight and glory and oddity and light.

Reading Now
Harry Potter (309 pages) re-read and April Obama Read
Why Science Does Not Disprove God by Amir Aczel (April--CultureCAT Challenge hosted by EBT1002)
Ordinary Light by Tracy K. Smith

Plans
Selected Poems 1966-1897 Seamus Heaney
A Wild Sheep Chase by Murakami
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Lincoln in the Bardo (IR) by George Saunders
The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story (K) by Douglas Preston
Evicted by Desmond
I Am No One (LTER) by Patrick Flannery
The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich




Read in April
37. The Captain and the Enemy (A) (192 pages) by Graham Greene, Narrate by Kenneth Branagh
36. Nutshell (208 pages) (L) by Ian McEwan 4.0
35. Being Mortal (OTS) (263 pages) by Atul Gawade -- RL Bookclub 4.0
34. LaRose (384 pages) by Louise Erdrich 4.0
33. We Are Legion (A) (382 pages) by Dennis E. Taylor, Narrated by Ray Porter 4.0
32. milk and honey by rupi kaur 4.0

Read in March / 3,448 pages / 9,026 YTD
31. We Are Called To Rise (305 pages) by Laura McBride 4.0
30. Self-Reliance (117 pages) by Ralph Waldo Emerson, March Obama Read 4.0
29. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (456 pages) by Anne Brontë 3.0
28. The Obsession (480pages) by Nora Roberts 3.5
27. The Sign of Four (92 pages) (A) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Read by Stephen Fry 3.0
26. Dr. Mütter's Marvels (304 pages) by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz 4.5
25. Insidious (447 pages) by Catherine Coulter 3.5
24. Hunting Badger (324 pages) (K) A Leaphorn Mystery by Tony Hillerman 3.5
23. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip (84 pages) (IR) by George Saunders 4.0
22. The Madwoman Upstairs (341 pages) by Catherine Lowell 3.75
21. The Globe: The Science of Discworld II (345 pages) by Terry Pratchett, for Paul's BAC 3.0
20. A Study in Scarlett (124 pages) (A) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, collection read by Stephen Fry 3.0
19. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (304 pages) (A) by Trevor Noah 5.0
18. The Night Beat (K) (30 pages?) Short story by Harry Bingham 3.75

Read in February / 2590 pages / 5,273 YTD
17. Talking to the Dead (368 pages)(K) by Harry Bingham 4.0
16. Life on Mars: Poems (76 pages) by Tracy K. Smith 3.5
15. Behind the Beautiful Forevers (256 pages)(OS) by Katherine Boo, for Feb Obama Reading Challenge 4.0
14. Invisible Man (608 pages) (A) by Ralph Ellison, read by Joe Morton, reread of a classic 4.0
13. Nights at the Circus (294 pages) by Angela Carter w/ Cammykitty (Late Bowie read) 2.5
12. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo (316 pages) by Amy Schumer 3.5
11. Entwined: Sisters and Secrets in the Silent World of Artist Judith Scott (LT)(215 pages) Joyce Wallace Scott 5.0
10. Jane Eyre, (457 pages)(OS) by Charlotte Bronte, classic reread for RL book group 4.5

Read in January / 2,683 pages
9. The Secret History of Wonder Woman (OTS)(332 pages not incl. the index) by Jill Lepore 4.0
8. Kindred (264 pages)(L)(K) by Octavia Butler 4.0
7. The Vegetarian (201 pages) by Han Kang 4.5
6. Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos Meg Langslow #3(288 pgs)(L)(K)by Donna Andrews 3.0
5. An Obvious Fact (336 pages)(A)(L) by Craig Johnson 3.5
4. Fun Home. A Family Tragicomic (232 page)(GN) by Alison Bechdel--RL Bookclub 4.0
3. Night of Fire (358 pages) (IR) by Colin Thubron 4.5
2. Fire Touched Mercy Thompson novel #9 (352 pages)(K)(L) by Patricia Briggs 4.0
1. Murder with Peacocks (320 pages)(K)(L) 1st in Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews 3.0

Rating System
I think I am giving out too many high scores, so I needed to post a rating chart and I borrowed Karenmarie's. You probably won't see many below three because I am less afraid to use the Pearl rule now, but "Anathema" tickled me. So many books, so little time!

Masterpiece 5.0
Stunning 4.5
Excellent 4.0
Very Good 3.5
Good 3.0
Average 2.5
Bad 2.0
Very Bad 1.5
Don't Bother 1.0
Anathema 0.5

A=Audio
L=Library
OTS=Off the shelf
N=New/Gift
GN=Graphic Novel
IR=Indiespensable Readers
K=Kindle
LT=LibraryThing Early Reviewer

Welcome to the President Obama Challenge!!

This is a chance to read one of his books, or several; independently or following a monthly theme. Just have fun and let us know what you are reading and what you think about it! There are more books suggestions on the thread.

April--Excellent Novels and Poetry collections
(Coinciding with Mark's Poetry Month)

1. Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese ✔ ✔
2. To the End of the Land, David Grossman
3. Purity, Jonathan Franzen
4. A Bend in the River, V. S. Naipau
5. Fates and Furies, Lauren Groff
6. Lush Life, Richard Price
7. Netherland, Joseph O’Neill
8. Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, Salman Rushdie
9. Redeployment, Phil Klay
10. Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison ✔ ✔
11. Plainsong, Kent Haruf
12. The Way Home, George Pelecanos
13. What Is the What, Dave Eggers
14. Philosophy & Literature, Peter S Thompson
15. Collected Poems, Derek Walcott
16. In Dubious Battle, John Steinbeck
17. Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn ✔ ✔
18. The Three-Body Problem, Liu Cixin
19. Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling planned re-read of April ✔ ✔

Completed This Year
February -- Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, Katherine Boo ✔ ✔
March -- Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson ✔ ✔

What are you going to read? Click on the link and tell everyone!! (✔ ✔ are ones I have read)

https://www.librarything.com/topic/250137

Plans for Reading


The President Obama Reading Challenge
https://www.librarything.com/topic/247375
February - Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo ✔ ✔
March - Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson ✔ ✔
April - I am thinking Harry Potter re-read
May-
Summer -
September -
October -
November -
December -

RL Book Club #1
February - Jane Eyre - Jane Austin ✔ ✔
April - Being Mortal - Atul Gawade ✔ ✔
June - America's First Daughter - Laura Kanole, Stephanie Dray
August - In the Time of Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
October - Commonwealth - Ann Patchett
December - Choose new books! ✔ ✔

And RL Book Club #2
January - snowed out : (
February - Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel ✔ ✔
March - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (read last year) ✔ ✔
April - Born A Crime by Trevor Noah ✔ ✔
May-
Summer - Off!
September -
October -
November -

And just maybe an occasional one from here, Mark's AAC or Paul's BAC

January AAC - Kindred by Octavia Butler ✔ ✔
February BAC - The Globe by Terry Pratchett ✔ ✔
March - Nope
April - Poetry Month - milk and honey by rupi kaur ✔ ✔
April - Paul's CAC - Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
May - AAC Zora Neale Hurston
June - AAC Sherman Alexie or BAC Georgette Heyer
July - AAC James McBride or BAC RL Stevens
August - AAC Patricia Highsmith
September - Short Story Month or The New Millennium
October - AAC Commonwealth (OS) Ann Pratchett and BAC Roald Dahl
November - AAC Russell Banks and BAC Poet Laureates
December - AAC Ernest Hemingway or BAC Neil Gaiman

luvamystery65/Roberta's Tony Hillerman and ???

January - The First Eagle
March - Hunting Badger ✔ ✔
May - The Wailing Wind
July - The Sinister Pig
September - Skeleton Man
November - The Shape Shifter

And because I don't have enough going on..maybe Ellen's Erdrich thread:

February: The Round House -- read before
March: LaRose reading now
April: The Master Butchers' Singing Club
June: The Birchbark House
August: The Beet Queen
October: The Bingo Palace
December: The Antelope Wife or The Painted Drum

Favorites from this year:

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah 5.0
Entwined: Sisters and Secrets in the Silent World of Artist Judith Scott by Joyce Wallace Scott 5.0
The Vegetarian by Han Kang 4.5

Favorites from last year:

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson 4.5
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore 4.5
A History of the World In 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor 4.5
Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes 4.5
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman 5.0
The Guise of Another by Allen Eskens 4.5
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs 4.5
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens 4.5
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchet 5.0
Eleanor Jason Gurley 4.5
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters 5.0
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal by Jeannete Winterson 5.0
And Again by Jessica Chiarella 4.5
As I Lay Dying by Faulkner 5.0

These are series I still want to follow. This list will evolve over time...

Dublin Murder Squad by Tanya French (on #2 The Likeness)
#2 Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
Cormoran Strike--#4 whenever that comes out
Alex Cross--I have read (17) and (23)
Alpha and Omega--Next is Dead Heat (4)
Author Terry Pratchett, Discworld, Wyrd Sisters Souloftherose's fault ; )
Longmire Series: now on (9)
The Gaslit Empire Series: (3) The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire
Morgue Drawer by Jutta Profijt (on book 6, not out yet)
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs--next up is (10)
Meg Langslow Mysteries by Donna Andrews (Read #1, 2, 3, 7, 20)
Spenser and Hawk Series, by Robert Parker (Read # 1,2,3, 15,16,20) And Ace Atkins
Maggie Hope series by Susan Ella MacNeal (on #2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy)
Fiona Griffiths Crime Series by Harry Bingham (on book #1)

Finished:
End of Watch in Bill Hodges Trilogy by Stephen King
Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children

New Books in 2017
✔ ✔ = read

A=Audio
N=New/Gift
GN=Graphic Novel
IR=INDIEspensable Readers
K=Kindle
LT=LibraryThing Early Reviewer

8th Thingaversary
1. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (GN) by Alison Bechdel ✔ ✔
2. The Vegetarian by Han Kang ✔ ✔
3. Commonwealth (TBR in October) by Ann Patchett
4. Swing Time by Zadie Smith
5. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer ✔ ✔
6. The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
7. Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter ✔ ✔
8. Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith ✔ ✔
+1. Self-Reliance and other essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson ✔ ✔

Others
10. Wait for Signs (A) by Craig Johnson (Free--Audible)
11. The Night Bird (K) by Brian Freeman (Free--Kindle First Pre-Release)
12. Night of Fire (IR) by Colin Thubron ✔ ✔
13. Moonglow (IR) by Michael Chabon
14. The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell (from MichiganTrumpet) ✔ ✔
15: History of Wolves (IR) by Emily Fredlund
16: Ordinary Light by Tracy K. Smith
17. Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
18. Dr. Mutter's Marvels by Christen O'Keefe Aptowicz ✔ ✔
19. Talking to the Dead (K) by Harry Bingham ✔ ✔
20. Love Story, With Murders (K) by Harry Bingham
21. The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths (K) by Harry Bingham
22. This Thing of Darkness (K) by Harry Bingham
23. The Dead House (K) by Harry Bingham
24. The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story (K) by Douglas Preston
25. Sherlock Holmes Collection (A) read by Stephen Fry (have read book 1, 2 ✔ ✔)
26. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip (IR) by George Saunders ✔ ✔
27. Lincoln in the Bardo (IR) by George Saunders
28. A Criminal Defense by William L Meyers, Jr (Free-K) no touchstone
29. 100 Books You Must Read Before You Die (A)
30. The Ice Twins: A Novel (K) by S. K. Tremayne
31. Insidious by Catherine Coulter ✔ ✔
31. The Last Mile by David Baldacci
32. The Obsession BY Nora Roberts ✔ ✔
33. We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride ✔ ✔
34. Good poems selected by Garrison Keillor
33. Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay Thank you BLBera!!
35. Milk and Honey poetry by rupi kaur
36. The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (I am on a Brontë tear this year!)
37. Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace
38. Why Science Does Not Disprove God by Amir Aczel (April--CultureCAT Challenge hosted by EBT1002)
39. Seamus Heaney collected works 1966-1987 (April--Mark's Poetry Month)
40. Kafka on the Shore by Murakami
41. A Wild Sheep Chase by Murakami
42. Babayaga by Toby Barlow
43. Sweet Lamb of Heaven by Lydia Millet (Tournament of Books)
44. Pond by Clare-Louise Bennett
45. All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks
46. The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky
47. For We Are Many: Bobiverse, Book 2 (A) by Dennis E. Taylor
48. The Almost Sisters: A Novel (LT ER) by Joshilyn Jackson
49. Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë ✔ ✔
50. The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway Mysteries) by Elly Griffiths
51. A Small Revolution (K) by Jimin Han (Free Kindle First)
52. News of the World (K) by Paulette Jiles (Ellen's Fault)

Coming with me?! : )

Is it safe? I love it >8 Berly:

Happy New Thread, Kimmers! Just left a post on the old thread too!

Happy new thread from me too, Kimmers!

>9 BLBera: Beth--Hello, my sometimes namesake!! Happy reading.



Sometimes I get called Beth, and BLBera gets called Kim. We like each other, so it's not a problem. ; )

>10 msf59: Hi, Mark! Thanks for the speedy welcome. And in honor of your April Poetry Month:

Pass The Poems, Please
By Jane Baskwill

Pass the poem please
Pile them on my plate
Put them right in front of me
For I can hardly wait
To take each tangy word
To try each tasty rhyme
And when I’ve tried them once or twice
I’ll try them one more time:
So pass the poems please
They just won’t leave my head
I have to have more poems
Before I go to bed.

>11 PaulCranswick: Paul!! Another favorite visitor. Hello, my friend. Happy weekend. : )

Happy New Thread, Kim! Lovely digs you have here--I like it all.

>15 ronincats: Hi Roni! Why thank you very much. Hope that means you'll be back quite often. ; )

Reposting from my last thread...



So, my latest audio book has been We Are Legion and I have been loving it. The next one is due for release April 17th and I just pre-ordered it. Yay!

This is awesome Sci-Fi with a sense of humor and Ray Porter does an amazing job at narration. Here is the plot summary of Book one in the Bobiverse.

Winner: Audible's Best of 2016 - Science Fiction

Bob Johansson has just sold his software company and is looking forward to a life of leisure. There are places to go, books to read, and movies to watch. So it's a little unfair when he gets himself killed crossing the street.
Bob wakes up a century later to find that corpsicles have been declared to be without rights, and he is now the property of the state. He has been uploaded into computer hardware and is slated to be the controlling AI in an interstellar probe looking for habitable planets. The stakes are high: no less than the first claim to entire worlds. If he declines the honor, he'll be switched off, and they'll try again with someone else. If he accepts, he becomes a prime target. There are at least three other countries trying to get their own probes launched first, and they play dirty.
The safest place for Bob is in space, heading away from Earth at top speed. Or so he thinks. Because the universe is full of nasties, and trespassers make them mad - very mad.

Happy new thread, Kim. Thanks for the heads up. I hope your weekend is as rosy as your topper!

Happy New Thread, Berly!

Happy new thread, Kim! Love the topper!

>18 Familyhistorian: Meg--You found me! And so early, too. : ) I hope you have a great weekend.

>19 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. Happy Friday.

>20 thornton37814: Lori! I am glad you approve.

>21 Berly: LOL, Kim. Hope it's a good one!

Okay, here's my first pass at quarterly stats, which I may amend category-wise when I see what cool things other people track.

First Quarter

# of Books Read: 31
. . . Pages read: 9,026
. . . Largest book read: Invisible Man (608 pages) (A) by Ralph Ellison, read by Joe Morton, reread of a classic 4.0
. . . Smallest book read: The Night Beat (K) (30 pages?) Short story by Harry Bingham 3.75
. . . Male vs. Female Authors: 13 vs. 18
. . . Non-Fiction vs. Fiction: 5 vs. 26 (includes 1 Poetry and 1 GN)
. . . Library / Audiobooks / eBooks / Physical Books: 3 / 5 / 6 / 17
. . . New Books: 50 / 17 read already
. . . OTS: 3 uh-oh!
. . . Rereads: 2

This book total is way up for me. Pretty psyched!!

**Updated 4/2 because I forgot a book. : )

>22 Familyhistorian: : )

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Kim. I love the topper. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Happy new thread Kim.

>13 Berly: Nice verse there. I share the feeling.

>17 Berly: Sounds good - I've not read much sci fiction since Becky Chambers, maybe I should go for this one.

Hope you're having a good weekend, and feeling recovered.

Happy New thread, Kim! I can tell the difference between you and Beth! :) Lovely topper! I hope you are gradually feeling better.

Happy new thread Kim, hope you have a really lovely weekend my dear and I hope you are feeling better dear friend.

>25 Ameise1: Good morning (at least here), Barbara! I am on the mend. At about 75% of well. I actually left the house yesterday!! Wishing you a happy weekend.

>26 charl08: Hi Charlotte. Thanks. My son is fully recovered, I am on my way, but Hubby has come down with the bug now. Luckily between my son and I, we have a few anti-nausea pills left. Enough to carry him through to a Dr appointment later today so he has managed to get some sleep. My daughter who still lives at home has run away to visit Auntie in Seattle, so hopefully she is safe. They warned us in the ER that this virus was highly contagious, and we have been diligent about washing hands and staying in our own rooms, wiping down common areas, all to no avail. Can't wait 'till this bug leaves my house!

>27 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb. Did you notice our toppers? ; )

>28 johnsimpson: Thank you, John. I have very little planned for the weekend except R&R.
And basketball Final Four!! Go Ducks!!!



>29 DianaNL: So cute! Thanks, Diana. Same to you. : )

Hi Berly!

I love reading other peoples' stats.

OTS?

Off the shelf--my own books that have been languishing in the stacks for a while. : )

Ah. I haven't put that stat in the 75 group thread because I'm a member of the ROOTs group (Read Our Own Tomes) too and have a thread with those books. But I am rather proud of the fact that so far I've read 14 OTS or ROOTs this year! Everybody in the group counts ROOTs differently; my rule is that if it was on my shelves before 1/1/17, it's a ROOT. I'll add that stat.

Well, my OTS or ROOTs stat is abysmal!! I blame everyone here for all their book recommendations which I totally happily succumb to. : ) And I am glad to finally know what ROOTs stands for. I was still trying to figure it out. LOL

>17 Berly: I am trying to expand my sci-fi reading. I will have to look for that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Kim!

Morning, Kim! Happy new thread! Glad to hear that you are on the mend, my friend. I picked up We Are Legion based on your review.

>35 alcottacre: >36 Crazymamie: Awesome!! Audible version I hope?

Happy weekend. : )

Happy New Thread, and Happy Weekend, Kim!

Intriguing painting up there. I've gone back to look at it a few times already.

Loving the poetry, thanks.

>12 Berly: drneutron and I have the same thing happen. Seems like a compliment from my end. :-)

>8 Berly: Sounds great to me!

>38 jnwelch: Hi Joe!! It is truly a crazy painting. Feel free to come back and take another look whenever the mood strikes you! I'll leave the light on for you.

A compliment indeed! Both ways. : )

Wishing you a fantastic weekend.

My reading plans for April have exploded!! This is why I write things down, I'd forget them otherwise...please see footnote down below....

Reading Now
We Are Legion (A) by Dennis E. Taylor, Narrated by Ray Porter
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
Being Mortal (OTS) by Atul Gawade -- April RL Bookclub
Harry Potter re-read and April Obama Read

April Plans
Nutshell (Library) by Ian McEwan
Poetry Month--Lots of Choices
Why Science Does Not Disprove God by Amir Aczel (April--CultureCAT Challenge hosted by EBT1002)
An Atwood??? for Paul's CAC
Lincoln in the Bardo (INDIEspensible Reader) by George Saunders
The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story (K) by Douglas Preston
Evicted by Desmond
I Am No One (LT ER) by Patrick Flannery

And I forgot...
A Wild Sheep Chase by Murakami
The Master Butcher's Singing Club by Louise Erdrich

>40 Berly: I know exactly what you mean about reading plans exploding, Kim!

Happy new-to-me thread Kim!

Happy new thread, Kim. I am partial to >8 Berly:, myself...

>37 Berly: Yep.

I plan to read Evicted this month, as well Kim or Beth? ;) Happy April Fool's Day. Do you and your kids do tricks?

Years ago, I played one on my kids that they are still mad about: I told them they didn't have to go to school, that it was a snow day. They are still trying to get me back.

>33 karenmarie: >34 Berly: Having a ROOTs thread and a goal helps to get to those books that have been on the shelf for a while. Sometimes I put down books that haven't been there since before 2017/01/01 (I count the same way as you, Karen.) I want to keep up my ROOTs reading and, hopefully, move some of them out of the house. Those shelves are way too crowded.

Hi, Kim. Your thread is sure busy today.

I just finished Erdrich's The Master Butchers Singing Club, which I think you were going to read soon (but it's not on the newest list). I had to finish it before Tuesday's discussion. If and when you get to it, let me know what you think.

As if I could stay away, Kim! I meant to tell you (and was struck speechless by the magnificence of your thread) that you hit me with a book bullet for We Are Legion. Also, you might be interested in an interview with the author of Lincoln in the Bardo, here:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/george-saunders-writes-ghost-story-abe-lincolns-g...

Happy new thread, and happy weekend!
I just noticed that you're in two RL book clubs- you're quite the achiever!

>41 alcottacre: Stasia--Yes, you would know about exploding book plans!! But since you read way faster than I do, you only get a little sympathy. LOL

>42 The_Hibernator: Rachel--Ain't no happy 'bout that fool!! ; )

>43 jessibud2: Shelley--Getting lost in a book is the best! Yesterday and today I have been lost in the threads! I think I am pretty much caught up with my friends. I do love LT.

>44 Crazymamie: : )

>45 BLBera: Beth--That is a good April Fool's joke!! Poor kids. Yes, I normally like to play a few pranks. (Don't quite have the energy this year.) I like lots of the little things, too. Short-sheeting the beds, switching out the milk with water, sugar and salt switch, etc. One of the best ones I pulled, was putting a scary Halloween mask on the post of the top load wishing machine at my house when I was a kid. My mom yelled bloody murder!!!

>46 Familyhistorian: Meg--I am going to have to look into doing some ROOTing! And I will dutifully adopt the 1/1 yearly start date.

>47 ffortsa: Judy--Dang it! That's my Erdrich read for April and I forgot it. And I just remembered that I want to fit in A Wild Sheep Chase at the end of April. Both of those are Ellen and Powell's fault. Aaahhh!! This year I have gone from unplanned reading to in-over-my-head planned reading.

BTW--What did you think of The Master Butchers Singing Club?

Happy New Thread, Kim. I just noticed Wild Sheep Chase on your April list. I recently read Wind Up Bird Chronicle and I've been looking for my next Murakami. This is it. Thanks!

>48 ronincats: Roni -- Wow. "The magnificence of your thread." Are you sure you are on the right thread?? LOL. Thank you.

Yes! Another hit. I hope you have fun with We Are Legion.



Off to check out the link, and another Thank you!

>49 mstrust: Jennifer--achiever, addict, whatever you want to call it. Yup. Guilty as charged!

Happy weekend right back atcha!

>52 Oregonreader: Hi Jan! Awesome. I have heard A Wild Sheep Chase is fun and crazy. And what else would you expect from Murakami? Have a great weekend.

Happy new thread, Kim!
Happy to read you are on the mend.

Happy new thread, Kim! Wishing you a great weekend!

>55 FAMeulstee: >56 tymfos: Thanks you guys! Happy April. Here's a little spring color...

Happy April, Kim! And happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Kim!! So you're rooting for the Ducks, aye? I've got them in the championship game but hoping Gonzaga takes it. So many good games. Love March Madness!

>58 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. Nice to see you! Happy April!

>59 Carmenere: Lynda--I have to root for the Ducks. My oldest went to U of O! Hope you are right and we make it to the championship. Whoohoo!! Have fun watching all the games.

>17 Berly: Just reading about this book made me laugh out loud..."corpuscles have been declared to be without rights, and he is now the property of the state." Just added it to my list. I caught up on your last thread and loved the pictures of the LT meet up, your new books, and especially your typewriter bag! But, was very sorry to hear how sick you and your son have been. I hope you both are feeling better.

Well, 61 messages in and I'm just getting here. Happy new thread!

Woefully behind, Kim, but glad you are feeling better! Happy new thread!

Oh my. The Heels just barely managed not to lose that game. My respects to your Ducks. I'm happy, but it could have gone either way.
Meanwhile, I hope your husband is much better soon so that the whole family can begin to feel better!

Happy Sunday, Kim.

Happy Sunday, Kimmers! I love your reading plans. Many gems there and I am glad you are getting to Being Mortal & Evicted. Both are such important reads. When do you plan to read A Wild Sheep Chase? I may yank it out of the stacks and join you.

>64 LizzieD: Ditto what Peggy said, Berly. My husband was literally rocking backwards and forwards with the stress.

Happy Sunday and I hope that your family is recovering and not re-sharing germs!

I tried to post here during our brief spell of functioning wifi yesterday but lost it when the wifi blinked out again. I finished LaRose yesterday (no wifi, might as well just read!) and loved it. I am way behind on comments about any books I have read. I don't think I ever posted comments about Confessions of Nat Turner or A Gentleman in Moscow, both of which deserve comments! So, perhaps today I will try to sneak in some comments about those two as well as LaRose.

Now I'm reading the second in Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, A Fatal Grace. An intelligent cozy and perfect for weekend reading.

I have to go in to the office for an hour or two today, mostly to work on my letter of interest for that job I'm sort of pursuing. Too bad because it is a lovely day here. I'll also sneak in a read.

Sorry about your Ducks. What a close game! I guess I'm sort of rooting for Gonzaga now although I honestly don't care one way or the other. In the women's game I'm rooting for South Carolina just because I respect their coach.

"My" Kelsey Plum has won every applicable award in the women's game so far; she is 8 for 8. Only one left, the most prestigious Wooden award, which will be announced on Friday. It's hard to imagine that she wouldn't win it after winning everything else.

I hope you're resting and feeling better, Kim!

>61 Dianekeenoy: Diane!! It's awesome to see you here. Thanks. : ) I am impressed that you went back and looked at the old thread--glad you got a kick out of the meet-up photos and many purchases. Also glad you enjoyed the write-up for We Are Legion. LOL I am feeling better and have high hopes of venturing outside in the sunshine today and maybe taking a walk. : )

>62 drneutron: Tic Toc Doc!! Where ya been? Happy Sunday. : )

>63 katiekrug: Katie--Nope. You are all caught up. At least here.

>64 LizzieD: Peggy--I don't want to talk about it. I am still sad. : (

Honestly, their three-pointers. None of them would go in!!! And to lose by one point. Why they couldn't pull off a three-point play on the last one instead of a two? Argh! So close.

>65 Ameise1: Hi Barbara. Hope today is treating you well. : )

>66 msf59: Hi Mark! Feeling kinda swamped by planned reads, although I did finish a poetry book yesterday! I am hoping to squeeze A Wild Sheep Chase in end of the month-ish. I'll keep you posted. Ellen wants in, too.

>67 karenmarie: We watched it a bar, which was fun. The crowd was going wild!

Everyone has had this darn sickness, but my daughter. She gets back in town today and I plan on wiping every surface down with disinfectant before she arrives. And I need to keep her away from Hubby for a few more days. I'd tell her to stay away longer, but her spring classes start tomorrow. Crossing fingers!!

>68 EBT1002: I feel your pain. My goal is write three reviews today because I am so far behind! I had internet and played on LT more than you, so I still have 100 pages to go in LaRose, but I am loving it! Enjoy your cozy mystery.

So, you are going to go in to the office to write a letter of interest for leaving that office, huh? LOL. Good luck!

Thanks for the Duck sympathy. Sigh. See comments in >69 Berly:. I'll watch the next game. Haven't decided who to cheer for yet.

I can't imagine "your" Kelsey Plum wouldn't win. 8 for 8 so far is impressive!! Has anyone else ever had a clean sweep?

I am doing my best to be a good girl and rest up. Last candidate interview at work tomorrow, so I am at least going in half day for that.

Happy Sunday. You should try to enjoy at least a little of the sunshine!

>50 Berly: Aw, come on! I want more sympathy. It is not my fault I read faster, lol. I just expect you are busier than I am.

Happy Sunday, Kim!

31. milk and honey by rupi kaur 4.0

The poems in this book are divided into four sections: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, and the healing and they cover topics like love, sex, rape, finding your voice, feminism, fathers and daughters, and self-acceptance. milk and honey is deceptive, for there is nothing sweet about this collection of poetry. It is emotional. Raw. At times, I felt exposed. Again, not my typical kind of poetry. Many are two-liners. Punctuation? What's that? And no titles. But, I set out to read just one poem for the day and wound up reading the whole book. How can it not be my kind of poetry if it is powerful, rips me open, and will stay with me forever?

Here's a sampling. These are tamer ones FYI. I have numbered them since I can't separate them by pages and I don't want anyone to think they are stanzas. Many of her poems seem like truths.

1.
you cannot leave
and have me too
i cannot exist in
two places at once

- when you ask if we can still be friends

2.
you tell me to quiet down cause
my opinions make me less beautiful
but i was not made with a fire in my belly
so i could be put out
i was not made with lightness on my tongue
so i could be easy to swallow
i was made heavy
half blade and half silk
difficult to forget and not easy
for the mind to follow

3.
people go
but how
they left
always stays

>71 alcottacre: LOL. Stasia--I would never hold your speed reading against you, but you definitely get less sympathy!! Ha! : )

Happy Sunday. Did I mention it is soooo nice to have you back?

>73 Berly: Thanks, Kim. It is extremely good to be back - despite your lack of sympathy for me :)

Great comments on Milk and Honey, Kim. I regret not picking up a copy in Powell's.

Yes, be good and rest. You want to get and stay well.

>74 alcottacre: xoxoxoxoxo

>75 BLBera: Hi, Bim. We really are twins--we posted at the same time! LOL. milk and honey is not flowery and lovely. It's very visceral. It has impact. It shocked me. I'd send you my copy, but I am going to share it with my daughters and see what they think of it.

>77 Berly: That's OK Kith. I'll just have to put it on my list for my next visit to Powell's. Definitely share it with your girls.

>69 Berly: Neither of my libraries had We are Legion so I was able to order it from Amazon as a Kindle for $3.99 and add audible for $1.99! A bargain! I read a quick sample and after just a few pages, I stopped and just ordered it! Looking forward to listening to it.

Dr Mütter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz 4.5

"A dazzling, young American surgeon who was so flamboyant and audacious that he wore colorful silk suits to perform surgery, embellished his last name with an umlaut, and was described as the 'PT Barnum of the surgery room.'"

Okay, yes, he was a character, but more importantly he was brilliant, innovative and compassionate. Mütter operated on the "monsters" society feared: cleft palates, unusual growths, the severely burned, and other oddities. He was one of the first to advocate explaining procedures to his patients; washing hands to limit infection; he developed the Mütter flap (a transplant of bridged skin, a technique used for over 150 years) and he was a forerunner in adopting the use of anesthetics. The book is filled with fascinating illustrations of his cases and photos of people, documents and instruments of the age (Mütter lived from 1811-1859). His medical collection of oddities is preserved today in the Philadelphia Mütter's Museum.

In addition, this was a historically fascinating time in Philadelphia. Societal hierarchies, women's rights or the lack thereof, class struggles, racism, the differences between America and Europe. Aptowicz writes with wit and clarity, working in so many details and truths without in the least bogging down the story. It is intelligent, fun, engaging, and charming. I loved this book! Anyone interested in medicine and/or history will enjoy this read.

>80 Berly: nice review!

>78 BLBera: It's a plan!!

>79 Dianekeenoy: Yay! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

>81 banjo123: Thanks. : )

Wishing you a good start into the new week, Kim.

>12 Berly: LOL, I like that image, you guys are like, ah well ;)

Happy new thread! I hope you are feeling OK, and maybe even soon feeling like a box of birds!!!

>40 Berly: I was going to make a list of Books I simply must read asap, but then I realised that it was pointless ;) I am itching read so many lately, but between early nights and busy days, the time just *disappears*!

>80 Berly: Very nice review and thanks for giving me some background on Dr. Mütter, who I just met recently in Mary Roach's Gulp. She spends some time in his museum of medical oddities.

>79 Dianekeenoy: That's exactly what I did!

Morning, Kim! Crossing my fingers that your daughter does not get the sickness. And you also have two very nice reviews! I need to check to see if our library has that poetry collection.

>84 LovingLit: 'books I simply must read asap' - laughing out loud on that one.

>51 Berly: regarding The Master Butchers Singing Club: This was my second time through, for my f2f group on Tuesday, and I'm sure I'll have insights after the discussion. The story explores the immigrant experience in a mainly rural area, as opposed to many that concentrate on city folk. Small town life in North Dakota is the central focus, and a couple of families in particular. It is quite a loving portrait of German immigrants between WWI and WWII. I found it a little slow to get into this time, but I loved the characters she follows and eventually it hit its stride for me.

>80 Berly: Nice review, Kithie.

Quick hello, Berly! I hope there are no relapses, no new sharing of germs, and that you're doing well.

>83 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara. You always leave me a friendly good morning and start my day off right, so I've decided you need a random present. Thank you!! Here's some chocolate!!

>84 LovingLit: Hi! What does a box of birds feel like?! Is that a good thing? LOL

I know. My ASAP list is constantly changing, but half the fun is making the list of what I could be reading! It's addictive! And I know you have even less time than before, but a girl can still dream, right? : )

>85 rosalita: Ah! That's good to know. I have Roach's Gulp waiting for in the TBR Tower and I will gladly visit Dr. Mütter's Medical Marvels again. ; )

>86 Crazymamie: Knock on wood, so far, so good. She seems to have escaped the illness.

It is a very interesting poetry collection. Let's just say I am not used to sex in poems! But they are powerful and worth a read.

>87 ffortsa: I look forward to your bookclub's thoughts on Erdrich's The Master Butchers Singing Club. Must be pretty good if you read it twice.

>88 BLBera: Thank you, Bim. ; )

>89 karenmarie: Hi! No relapse. Trying to pace myself. Made it into work today for about four hours. Had our last interview and then conferred. We all agreed on our top three picks, which is quite amazing in and of itself! We will see if our top pick accepts the job offer.

>90 Berly: Yummie, thanks so much Kim.

Good morning, Kim!!

*waits expectantly for chocolates*

>80 Berly: Adding that one to the BlackHole!

Someone can have my chocolates. I do not like the stuff - plus I am allergic.

Hi Berly!

Have you ever had See's Candies? It's a California brand, don't know if it's made its way up the coast. To me it is the best candy in the world. Better than Lindt, better than Godiva, etc. These are my favs - assorted dark chocolates.



And congrats on the four hours of work and decision made. I hope your pick accepts the offer.

Hi Kim, hope you are well my dear, sending love and hugs.

>96 karenmarie: - and then there are Purdy's (Canadian, and by far, the best! ;-)

I think we've had this discussion before, maybe on Darryl's thread?

http://www.purdys.com/

>80 Berly: Hi Kim! Great review of Dr. Mutter. That looks like something I need to read. :)

Good luck with the new hire. And you're feeling better?

>93 Ameise1: My pleasure. : )

>94 scaifea: And some for you....!

>95 alcottacre: Happy to add to your black hole!! And you can skip the chocolate. How about a fruit bouquet?

>96 karenmarie: I love See's candy! But our local chocolatier is Moonstruck. Yum!

>97 johnsimpson: Hi. Please help yourself. I think there is enough to go around at this point. ; )

>98 jessibud2: I remember you liking Purdy's on someone's thread. Look, frankly if it is chocolate, you can't go wrong!! : )

>99 nittnut: Dr Mütter's Marvels is a great book. I hope you have fun with it! I was premed, not so much into history, but I loved it. And I think vice-versa would be true too. If someone was into history, but not so much the science. And if you like both...score!!!

>100 BLBera: Thanks! I have been off the last antibiotic for o10 days and I haven't relapsed like I did the last few times so I think I am over the pneumonia and at this point just tired. Full recovery will just take time. : )

I was just going to chime in and mention that yes, Canada has the very best chocolate's Purdy's! Shelley - - just remember they originated right here in Vancouver! :) I even toured the factory " back in the day." They used to run the tours at Easter Time long before everything seemed to become " all scary" , whenever that was .

Oh, here is a virtual tour of the factory! :)

http://www.purdys.com/our-company/virtual-factory-tour.htm

Happy Wednesday, Kim.

>105 vancouverdeb: Another chocolate fan!! Thanks for the link--cool!

>106 Ameise1: Nope. Still Tuesday. LOL Happy Wednesday to you though.

I'm a Cadbury's girl through and through. Though I am NOT impressed with the changes that have been happening since Kraft took over a few years ago. They seem to have veered away from the big standard chocolate range and started putting ridiculous things in it. Also, bars of Whole Nut that used to have a decent number of whole hazelnuts in them, now have at least half as many nuts. They seem to be trying to Americanise it, which is ridiculous, it's a UK staple! *grumble grumble grumble*

Also, I believe the recipe for exported Cadbury chocolate is slightly different to the UK version. They'd better not plan on changing that.

Now I need to go and hunt some chocolate.

>101 Berly: Oooh, thanks! Yum!

I'm a Godiva kind of gal, myself, but a Lindt truffle will do in a pinch.

>102 Berly: I will take that over chocolate any day of the week!

Hi Berly! Happy Wednesday to you.

I grew up with See's in California and it's great. When we were in Chicago we went to a Moonstruck store and I got a box of adorable little "sundae" chocolates. We also went to Vosges and got a very pretty box of chocolates. Hate to traumatize anyone, but the cinnamon truffle was full of blue mold.
Last week I was trying to talk him into going to Hershey Park for vacation this year.

Jim has touted See's, but I've never had the opportunity to try it. And for some reason, Godiva doesn't sit well. Other than that, and my avoidance of nuts, any dark chocolate is wonderful.

See's, Seattle Chocolates, Moonstruck, Theo's Chocolate (another Seattle company), Fran's (another Seattle company)..... I'll eat any of these!!!

Heck, I'll eat M&Ms.

Any chocolate cast-off can come my way too :) I am not discerning when it comes to chocolate. Well, maybe I am actually. I don't want any of that powdery tasting dairy-free stuff, Cadbury's is now third best to Whittakers (dark with almonds maybe for today), and probably Lindt would be second (chilli dark if you please).

Also a dark chocolate fan here! See's is good and so is Ghiradelli. I adore truffles. Reba introduced me to a local chocolatier here in San Diego, http://eclipsechocolate.com/shop/, that is marvelous. On the plebeian side, however, I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and the hubby just brought home some Nestle Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups that are different but also very tasty. All consumed with a glass of Old-Vine Zinfandel.

All this chocolate talk is making me seriously hungry! Add me to the list that prefers dark chocolate. I am making a list of all these regional/local chocolate shops and will be placing some orders soon. Y'all should get referral fees. :-)

I'm drooling on my keyboard.

>92 Berly: I posted some comments about Master Butchers Singing Club on my thread and as a review of the book. I don't think there are any spoilers in it.

>108 lunacat: Oh dear! Kraft should not be messing with Cadbury! I like it just the way it is.

>109 scaifea: It's good to be flexible about chocolate options. That way there's more to choose from!

>110 alcottacre: Happy to provides alternatives. : )

>111 karenmarie: Happy Thursday!!

>112 mstrust: Hershey park!! That sounds wonderful. As I sit here eating my pastel colored Hershey kisses.

>113 ffortsa: Some times I like milk chocolate and others, it has to be dark chocolate. For instance, Easter bunny have to be milk chocolate.

>114 EBT1002: Yet another reason we are good friends. Chocolate in ANY form is a good thing!

>115 LovingLit: OH! I like chili and chocolate. That's a great combo. My least favorite is probably white chocolate. It is just too sugary. But I won't let it go to waste! ; )

>116 ronincats: Yup. Wine and chocolate go together. As does champagne. And some days are fancy chocolate and others, the common variety will do just fine.

>117 rosalita: Did I already mention I am sitting here eating my Hershey kisses? LOL It's a bad thing when your very own thread gets you in trouble!!

>118 BLBera: Sorry about that. I'll get you a Kleenex.

>119 ffortsa: Off to check out your book review!!

I finished LaRose by Louise Erdrich. The characters in it are a hot mess, but I loved it! Maybe that's WHY I loved it. Official review coming this weekend.

Looking forward to your review of La Rose.

And in honor of poetry month and my anniversary today.

Unending Love by Rabindranath Tagore

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star, piercing the darkness of time.
You become an image of what is remembered forever.

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers,
Shared in the same shy sweetness of meeting,
the distressful tears of farewell,
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man's days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours -
And the songs of every poet past and forever.

>123 SuziQoregon: Soon! ; )

>124 Berly: Beautiful and Happy Anniversary.

Happy anniversary, Kim!

Happy anniversary, Kim!

Have a happy anniversary!

Happy anniversary, Kim. I hope you have some nice plans for this evening.

Happy anniversary! What a beautiful expression of love in that poem!

Happy Anniversary, Kim!

>124 Berly: Wow, that's some poem. I'm sensing you and your hubby were meant for each other. :-) That's a special one - congratulations.

Happy Anniversary Kim my dear, hope you have a lovely day to celebrate.

Happy Anniversary, Kim. :)

Happy Belated Anniversary!

Thank you one and all for the Anniversary wishes!! We decided to celebrate tomorrow evening, instead of after a long day at work. We have reservations at our favorite new restaurant downtown. And I am glad the poem was a hit! I feel very fortunate to have found my Hubby--he is a keeper.

And what a day it was today! We had a huge storm with gusts of wind reaching 90mph. Our power went out for hours. Then it came back on, then we lost it again. As I went to work I saw several tree trunks pulled to the sides of the road. I thought I was in the clear until I rounded the corner and saw yet another tree lying across the road. I had to pull a u-turn and try another route. I took three three tries to leave my neighborhood this morning as I kept running into downed trees. The wind is still gusting, but at least I am home again and the power is on. Phew!

Oh no! Glad things are alright with you, but I can't help thinking that would have been a perfect excuse to call in to work. ; )

True!! But since it is our company, that would be like arguing with myself!! Besides, work had power and home didn't. LOL

>122 Berly: I just could not get into LaRose. I am going to have to give it another try at some point.

Happy weekend, Kim!

>139 alcottacre: I was going to talk you into it with examples, but I haven't written my review yet and I don't want to give too much away. I truly did enjoy it. So save it for later!

Happy weekend, Stasi!!

>140 Berly: My new bookshelves are here. Enough said :)

>136 Berly: Well, that's certainly a sight. Hope the wind settles down now. And enjoy your anniversary dinner tomorrow!

>141 alcottacre: I know! I just did a happy dance on your thread!!

>142 ursula: Branches are littering the streets everywhere! Crazy. And thank you. I shall!!! They have the best appetizers so I will make sure to tell you all about them. ; )

Happy Friday. Any more crazy weather expected?

>144 BLBera: No more weird weather! Thank goodness. It's Friday, it's Friday!! Happy weekend!

Happy anniversary, Kim. We had the wind up here as well. I wasn't out in it but my son's bus was rerouted as there was a tree across the road.

Hi Berly!

>121 Berly: I still give my 23-year-old daughter a chocolate Easter Bunny, and she still eats the ears off first. I prefer dark chocolate as a rule, but Butterfingers are a serious weakness of mine. I wish the grocery store wouldn't put a rack of candy right at the checkout lanes!

Happy Belated Anniversary, and sorry about the wind, power loss, and trees down. Whew.

Slightly belated anniversary wishes, Kimmers and thank you for the Tagore poem which is a timely reminder that India's first and so far only Nobel Prize winner for Literature was deserving of it.

Have a lovely weekend.

Happy belated anniversary, Kim! Hope you got around to finally celebrate at your fave restaurant. It seems like it's been a viscous spring. I certainly hope it settles down for everyone.

YIKES to the downed trees, Kim! Glad that the power is back on and that the storm has passed. And a belated very happy anniversary to you!

Happy Saturday, Kimmers. Hope you had a nice anniversary and I hope you celebrated National Beer Day, with full honors.

Happy Anniversary! And that's a beautiful Tagore poem. I thought no one else knew about him! But after all, he did receive a Nobel.

>146 Familyhistorian: It was wild! Blustery doesn't even cover it. Then today, we had a hail storm. What is with the weather? The hail looked so funny--it was bouncing up from the grass.

>147 karenmarie: It is good that some traditions never change. LOL. As to those items at the checkout line, that's where I got my pastel wrapped Hershey kisses. So much for willpower!!

>148 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I love that poem, as well as a few more by Tagore. Happy weekend!

>149 Carmenere: Off to the restaurant in a few. Can not wait! ; )

Ha, this spring weather has been something. Today it hailed!!

>150 Crazymamie: The power is still on. The wind is gone. The hail is over. Life is good. Off on our date night soon!

>151 msf59: I did celebrate National Beer Day, but without full honors. I had two girl friends come over and they brought some wine with them, so I had to switch over. I didn't want to make them feel bad you know. (And it was really good wine!!)

>152 cammykitty: Thank you very much for the anniversary wishes. And don't take my points away just because Tagore got a Nobel. I get around a little, you know! ; )

Just returned from the TKD test (which I was supposed to be in, but the pneumonia ixnayed!). It was great to see everyone and they appreciated my coming to cheer them on. I just found out there will be a makeup test in three weeks. I just might be able to pull that off, but I am a little intimidated because there will only be 5 of us in front of the Grand Master. No hiding under those circumstances!! So, I will have to see if I can 1) be well enough and 2) cram in learning a few nunchuck forms in time to take the test. Wish me luck!!

Weather update--just heard thunder. OMG!!

Good luck with the TKD and the weather. We're supposed to get thunderstorms tomorrow -- I suppose this is your severe weather from a couple of days ago. Only send the good stuff our way.

Oh, you had the strong winds, too, eh? Kind of scary! I don't think ours hit 90mph and I admit that I'm glad about that. I can handle all manner of bad weather but I hate strong winds! I'm glad your power came back on....

Glad you can still pursue the TKD and I'm glad you're nursing your pneumonia along. You are nursing it along, right? As in, resting? Hmm?

>156 BLBera: Sorry you are getting the nasty weather. I will have a talk with the weatherman about it for you. ; )

>157 EBT1002: I don't like strong winds at all! Very scary. I was in bed yesterday early morning listening for any loud cracks at which point I was prepared to dive on the floor beside the bed in case anything came crashing in.

As for resting...I took a nap today!! And I slept in! Do I get points? : ) If I do the TKD test in three weeks, it will be a very shortened format with almost no endurance, but demonstrating knowledge of all forms. Like an hour and a half as opposed to five hours. So an optimistic maybe....!

Okay, I'll grant you points for sleeping in and taking a nap. I just know how easy it is to keep pushing through, especially when you start to feel a bit better and the next thing you know you're down for the count again.
(I'll stop nagging now.)

>159 EBT1002: Yay! Points for me. And words of advice. I am feeling the love. Thanks. : )

>136 Berly: well if anything will stop you in your tracks, it is a tree of that size over the road. Sounds dramatic!

Well done for taking a rest, even if it was not that relaxing on account of the wind. I find it hard to relax in a storm as well, its too uncertain!

>161 LovingLit: It was huge!! Today is all back to normal though. : ) Are you finding any time for reading amidst all your jobs and being a mom? : )

Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary last night and had a marvelous time at this cool downtown restaurant, LeChon. The chef heard me explaining my allergies to the waiter and he shooed him off and took charge, recommending all these decadent dishes. Loved everything he suggested!! I only took photos of a few...the first one is smoked Beef Tartare with Foie Gras. When he took off the glass, this amazing smell wafted towards us!




Another steak dish and then below that is octopus. We also had a mushroom dish and empanadas.




And the prices were not bad. It is our new favorite restaurant!!

Glad to see the anniversary dinner was a success!

Happy Sunday, Kim!!

>163 Berly: It looks fantastic! Yum!

Happy anniversary! We will have to try LeChon--- everything looks gorgeous.

Yum - I want to eat there next time I'm in Portland. I'll add it to the list.

Well, I'm not sure I would have been good company for that dinner, unless you were really hungry and wanted to eat everything yourself, but I'm glad you and hubby had fun! And pretty cool to have the chef take particular interest in your meal!

I know we talked about talking today. I'm pretty wiped out and getting freaked out as I try to make plans for this airport interview. Once my next conversation with them gets scheduled, let's try to find a time. Do you take lunch breaks during the week?

Except for the octopus, it all looks wonderful and seems like a really special occasion to celebrate your anniversary.

Oh, Kim, your anniversary meal looks *wonderful*! I'm glad you had a good time :)

>163 Berly: Oooh, you a fancy girl!
It all looks delicious and I'm glad you had such a memorable anniversary. Thanks for posting the pics for us!

>163 Berly: Beef tartare is probably not my thing but the steak and octopus both look fabulous.

By the way you have already zipped past 2,000 posts this year on your thread and have only 200 or so posts to go to beat your best ever total (and it is only April!!).

Happy Sunday, Kimmers! Glad you had such a lovely anniversary dinner.

>164 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. We had a great time.

>165 ffortsa: Judy--it was so yummy! We totally followed the chef's recommendation and I didn't even get around to ordering any of the other things I wanted to try, so we'll just have to go back.

>166 banjo123: Rhonda--Absolutely--you should go try it!!

>167 BLBera: Bim--I'd love to take you next time you are here!

>168 EBT1002: NO worries, Ellen. Let me know when you can come up for air and we'll take then. This Wed and Th I am at a conference manning our booth and won't be available, but usually I can take my lunch break when I want. We'll find a time.

And as to the restaurant, not sure what didn't appeal to you, but there are lots of veggie things, too. The brussel sprouts are amazing and I already mentioned the mushrooms, and they have a mozzarella humita, some salads, and a pasta or two, as well.

>169 ronincats: Roni--I am not a big fan of octopus, but I have to admit it was delicious! I was definitely adventurous this trip. : )

>170 katiekrug: It was fantastic, Katie! You are a foodie--you would be in heaven there!! Come visit and I'll take you. ; )

>171 mstrust: Jennifer--The menu was definitely on the adventurous side. I am so glad we went there, because it was truly memorable. How often do you get the head chef telling you what to order? Had to do what he said!

>172 PaulCranswick: Paul--I tried the beef tartare and it was actually quite good, but I preferred the foie gras, so I ate most of that and Hubby had the meat. Both of us were happy with that arrangement.

As to almost reaching my highest yearly numbers already...I am not quite sure why this year is so different, but I sure am having fun here with all my LT friends. I couldn't do it without all of you. And thank you for being a frequent contributor.

>173 msf59: Hiya, Mark! Thanks. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!!

Just starting Nutshell by Ian McEwan in Kindle and The Captain and the Enemy by Graham Greene on audio. Where did my weekend go??

Whoot! I loved both of your current reads! And your anniversary dinner has such gorgeous presentation - wonderful that the head chef took you under his wing. Also makes for a fun memory.

I am guessing your weekend went to the same place that mine did - wherever that is!

Sounds like a great dining experience, and the food looks delicious!

I had beef tartare for the first time a few years ago and I loved it. I would definitely do that again. As I recall, Morgan was a little more skeptical about it. :)

Great review of Dr. Mütter's Marvels, Kim! I enjoyed the book as much as you did. I would highly recommend a visit to the museum that bears his name if you find yourself in Phiadelphia (which has many other attractions as well).

Your anniversary dinner looks fabulous!

Hi Berly!

All the food looks yummy for your anniversary dinner. I'm glad you had such a good time.

Early good wishes for the makeup TKD test, too.

I've only read 2 of the 13 Graham Greene books on my shelves, and don't know why because he was such a good author. Maybe I can squeeze one in this year.

I hope you enjoy The Captain and the Enemy and I look forward to your review.

Have a great week.

Wow, what a lovely looking meal. I'm glad you had a fabulous time, and that the chef paid such attention to your allergies.

>176 Berly: How true. My daughter once said that our workweek should be two days, and our weekend five, to balance things because the days go by so quickly.

Did I mention I LOVE your topper? ;)

>176 Berly: That is certainly how mine felt!

>177 Crazymamie: Of course you enjoyed The Captain and the Enemy! You talked me into that one! LOL

The chef was so nice. We learned all about him. He grew up in South America before moving to the states and he has only been in Portland since the restaurant opened, about a year and a half. Our waiter was super nice, too.

Sorry your weekend sped by like mine did. ; )

>178 ursula: Yes, but did Morgan like the steak tartare in the end? Or was there just more for you?! : )

>179 kidzdoc: I have been to Philadelphia, but it has been many years and I didn't know about the Mütter Museum last time. I hope I get to see it someday. Honestly, the food was amazing! If you ever get out my way, I'll gladly take you. And no Miracle Whip--I promise!!

>180 karenmarie: Mouth-watering I tell you!! : )

I don't think I have ever read a Graham Greene, but I am definitely enjoying The Captain and the Enemy, so I am glad to hear he has so many more books written. More to look forward to!

Tonight I went to my first TKD class in over a month. It was humbling to say the least. Can you say "out of shape"? I can!!! But it was good to go; I didn't hurt anything, and I have to start somewhere. I am more than a little foggy on my forms, so I have some major reviewing to do, but I taught myself the new form from books and YouTube yesterday and I did pretty well with that one in class today. Progress.

>181 lunacat: Thanks! It was a memorable, fun evening out with my best friend. : )

>182 BLBera: Your daughter is so smart!! Can she get that idea in front of the legislature or something?

I am so glad you love my topper! It's almost as good as yours. LOL

>184 alcottacre: Whoosh! And the weekend is gone. Sigh.

Good news! Monday is almost over. It's practically Tuesday!!

>163 Berly: Mmmm, looks yummie.

Happy Tuesday, Kim. Wishing you a lovely day.

>176 Berly: LIKE!

You should have a terrific time with Nutshell. What a fun, little gem.

>175 Berly: "...I sure am having fun here with all my LT friends." And we're having fun with you, Kim! :-D

>187 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Tuesday is gone. How about Happy Wednesday? : )

>188 msf59: Mark--Another fan of Nutshell! I am only about 20 pages in. Short on reading time this week. Spent today setting up for a big conference running tomorrow and Thursday. Had to run equipment over for show and tell, and get all the signage and brochures, etc. They ran out of tables, (how?!) and so I have to go over early tomorrow morning to finish the setup.

>189 EBT1002: Ellen--Yes, you are one of the people I have fun with!! ; )

My daughter and I are off to see the last Literary Arts author of the year. Did I mention I am going on the Patron Advisory Council next fall? So excited!! I met with the Development Director (she is awesome!) this week to brainstorm on their fall fundraiser called BookMark!. Last year was the first year and it went very well.



Siddhartha Mukherjee is speaking tonight. He is the author of The Gene: An Intimate History (Scribner, 2016), which Anthony Doerr calls “prodigious, sweeping, and ultimately transcendent. If you’re interested in what it means to be human today and in the tomorrows to come, you must read this book.” Dr. Mukherjee was awarded the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction for The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer (Scribner, 2010), heralded by The New Yorker as “an extraordinary achievement.” Dr. Mukherjee is an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and a cancer physician and researcher. A Rhodes scholar, he graduated from Stanford University, University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School. He has published articles in Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, The New York Times, and Cell.

I heard Matthew Desmond speak earlier in the year, also though Literary Arts, and he just won the Pulitzer for General nonfiction: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. His book is at the top of my TBR Tower!! And I have The Underground Railroad right underneath it.

2017 Pulitzer Prize winners:

Fiction: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Drama: Sweat by Lynn Nottage

History: Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 by Heather Ann Thompson

Biography: The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between by Hisham Matar

Poetry: Olio by Tyehimba Jess

General nonfiction: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond

>190 Berly: I'm fully swinging Wednesday, Kim. Wishing you a great one too.

>192 Berly: Wow, I've never read a Purlitzer winner before it was anounced butI likrd The Underground Railroad very much.

>191 Berly: Congratulations, Kim, but what is the Patron Advisory Council? I suspect something to do with the library?
How wonderful you will hear Siddharta Mukherjee!
I read the Dutch translation of The gene : an intimate history in January and was very impressed.

Hi Berly!

Congratulations from me too about being on the Patron Advisory Council!

How did Siddhartha Mukherjee's talk go last night?

>193 Ameise1: Reading a book before it is awarded the Pulitzer...definitely bragging rights!!

>194 FAMeulstee: >195 karenmarie: Thanks!! I am very excited to be joining the Patron Advisory Council of Literary Arts, a non-profit with five main activities:



1) The first is Portland Arts & Lectures. This is a series of author lectures. Last night they announced the lineup for 2017/2018.



2) The Youth Programs of Literary Arts currently serve public high school and alternative high school students throughout Multnomah County. This year the Youth Programs served more than 4,000 students with a variety of literary opportunities, including:

Writers in the Schools: semester-long writing workshops in high school classrooms
Books for classrooms and school libraries
Public student readings at local bookstores and cafés
Publication of student work in annual print and digital anthologies
One-day visits by local and world-famous authors
Students to the Schnitz: transportation, books, and tickets for school groups to attend Portland Arts & Lectures and Special Events
Verselandia! high school poetry slam
College Essay Mentoring Project: helping students with college and scholarship application essays

3) Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships supports, promotes, and celebrates Oregon’s writers and publishers. The award ceremony is April 24th and I am going. : )

4) Wordstock: Portland’s Book Festival will be on Saturday, November 11th, 2017.

The festival features more than 100 authors presenting 48 onstage events, pop-up readings, and workshops. Attendees enjoyed activities for readers of all ages, an extensive book fair, live music, a beverage garden, local food trucks, and more. Last year I helped set up the book fair and then coordinated the book signing after a panel of authors.

and 5) Delve Readers Seminars intimate discussion-based seminars led by an experienced scholar and they promise not to assign any essays. ; ) They typically meet 6 times and I think they limit the number of participants to 16. I read 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami this way, which was awesome.

Cool, right?!

Siddhartha Mukherjee was great last night! He made genetics easily accessible to the crowd and asked us some serious moral questions about gene manipulations, which the Millennials will be facing in the not too distant future. He was also seriously funny. I bought both of his books. : )

>196 Berly: Very cool, Kim!

"Did I mention I am going on the Patron Advisory Council next fall?" You mentioned it to me and I think it is SO awesome! Assuming I'm still in the region (which is, really, a good assumption to make), I definitely want to come to PDX for one of next year's literary arts events. All of them look wonderful! I would most love to hear Jesmyn Ward speak although if/when I read more by the others I may add them to my wish-to-see list. The Portland Literary Arts series is really first-rate. That's a remarkable lineup!

The Pulitzer list is great, too. I'm pleased about the Fiction and General Nonfiction categories and I'm intrigued by the Drama category as I believe that play may be on a local production docket. I'm not certain. And, with all the poetry reading we are doing around here, I'm interested in the Poetry winner. Maybe I'll see if our library has a copy of that.

Happy Wednesday, Kim!

I have now put Olio by Tyehimba Jess on hold at the library.

Congratulations! It sounds like you're going to be super busy next year!

>191 Berly: That is very cool! Congrats!

Oh wow. All those events in >196 Berly: Sounds very tempting. I'm not sure that I could resist signing up for them all! And Mukherjee had funny moments in his writing too, I thought. Despite the serious topic. (I've only read The Gene, but want to read the earlier book too.)

Hello Dear Friend

I hope all is well with you. I love the opening image. It is so lovely and feminine.

You rock Kim. You will be a great addition to the board.

>198 FAMeulstee: Thanks! : )

>199 EBT1002: I know I talked to you about Literary Arts when I saw you in Portland -- thanks for being so excited for me!! I think the upcoming lineup is truly awesome. I love how I usually have read, or at least know about half of the authors, and then there are always one or two that are new to me and expand my horizons. : ) I will check back with you at the end of summer to see which one you want to go to, but I really think you should plan on the Friday after off and then we can go do something else, too.

I have 5 poetry books awaiting me, so I think I will hold off on adding to the pile. But Olio is on the list!!

>201 mstrust: Thank you!! I am sure there will be many opportunities for me to chip in, but i'll have to see where the best fit is. My husband wants to practice saying, "No!". I promised him that I won't get sucked into too much. LOL

>202 Oberon: I am thrilled! Thanks so much. Although I will probably help out a few more times with the Fundraiser, I won't join the Advisory Council until the fall when all the newbies start. But I'm in!

>203 charl08: The only one I haven't been to yet is the OR Book Awards, which I will attend for the first time in two weeks. That way I will be able to hopefully contribute intelligently to conversations moving forward in all 5 areas.

>204 Whisper1: Hi there! It's so nice to see you out and about. All is well here. Just really busy. I spent today manning our company booth at the OR Convention Center and will be doing the same tomorrow. Loooooong days. But we got several good leads today, so it was worth it! Hope life is calming down for you and that all is well.

>205 BLBera: Thanks for the endorsement!! I appreciate it. : )

Kim it all sounds so exciting. Congrats and keep us posted

>196 Berly: oooh, WOW. That sounds like a fabulous initiative to get involved with.

Hi Kim, hope all is well with you and the family my dear. I was missing at the beginning of the week which was due to being busy and a lack of meaningful time to come on here but I am back now. It is nice to see comments when we are missing in action, what a great family LT is.

>196 Berly: Wow! This is an impressive author line up, Kim. I hope you are able to take advantage.

I know you are a bit of a science geek, so I think you would like my current audio, I Contain Multitudes. Joe recently enjoyed it too.

>206 Berly: "I really think you should plan on the Friday after off and then we can go do something else, too."
Absolutely.

OMG, what a line-up for literary arts. I think I am going to need to spring for tickets.

>208 jessibud2: It is exciting and you know I am going to share because, after all, it's all about books!!

>209 lauralkeet: It is right up my (our!) alley. I am very excited.

>210 johnsimpson: Ah! Nice to see you back. You are one of the steady ones here, so it is a rare thing when I don't hear from you. ; )

OMG! You are going to have so much fun on your Patron Advisory Council. Looks like your library gets in great people! And I'm sure you'll make some new book friends. Some who might even be brave enough to eat at restaurants that serve tentacles. ;)

>211 msf59: I just bought my season tix and my daughters have informed me that if I can't go for some reason, they have first dibs.

As soon as I finish responding to everyone here, I am off to check out I Contain Multitudes! You know me well--proud science geek that I am. ; ) Thanks for thinking of me!

>212 EBT1002: Excellent!! We'll figure out the date and get it on the calendar.

>213 banjo123: Yes!! You should buy your tickets soon though, because they have sold out the last few years.

>215 cammykitty: Hi! Literary Arts was actually not created through our library system: I assume we have a member or two on the board, but I don't know all the connections yet. Maybe I should take my new bookish friends to a less intimidating restaurant on the first go?! I anticipate lots of fun. ; )

If anyone is local and interested in Literary Arts, call soon!!

Subscriptions start at just $90. Box office at 503-227-2583. Portland Arts & Lectures has sold out for the last four seasons, and the deadline to renew is Friday, May 26.

https://literary-arts.org/box-office/

: )

>217 Berly: LOL! Maybe a little less, but if you are discussing Jules Verne, I can't think of a better one.

>219 cammykitty: Ha!! Chances are good Jules Verne would like the restaurant, but if not, I'd take him anywhere he wanted to go!!

Happy Friday, Kim. The project sounds gorgeous.

Hi Kim, and Happy Friday! Hope this finds you well, and with a good book in your hands. :)

Hope you have a great Easter weekend!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend, Kim!

BTW, I had a great time with Bob and the Bobs in We Are Legion. :-)

Happy Easter weekend, Berly!

Wishing you a very Happy Easter.

Hi Kim! Happy weekend!

By the way, what did we decide about timing for Kafka on the Shore and Wild Sheep Chase (which is still the best title ever)??

Hi Kim, wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend.

Happy Easter, Kim!

>221 Ameise1: Happy weekend, Barbara!!

>222 LauraBrook: Laura--Happy Saturday and I am reading Nutshell, a crazy, wonderful book. And I am on LT, so life is wonderful. : )

>223 ChelleBearss: Happy Easter to you , too!! And you have a little one, who is excited about the Easter Bunny, so even more fun! What is Chloe's favorite candy? I always like the chocolate bunny, but I am also very partial to jelly beans.

>224 jnwelch: Joe, I am very glad the Bobs were good company in We Are Legion. I loved the humor in that one!! And I have the second one waiting for me on audio. Happy Easter.

>225 karenmarie: Karen--Happy Easter! Wishing you good candy. ; )

>226 johnsimpson: Wishing you and Karen Happy Easter! Are you celebrating with family? We are going out for dinner with the relatives on Sunday and then later in the week, we have the East Coast family coming out on their Spring Break and I am hosting dinner on Tuesday. It is going to be a busy week!

>227 EBT1002: Happy Easter, Ellen!! I think we decided to chase after Sheep toward the end of the month. I am so behind!!! I haven't even started Why Science Does Not Disprove God for your religion challenge thread. OR my Obama re-read of Harry Potter. Oops.

>228 DianaNL: Happy Easter!! Love those eggs.

>229 Ameise1: That basket is so pretty!! Happy Easter weekend, Barbara!

>230 mstrust: Jennifer--That is just perfect. LOL! Happy Easter to you and yours. : )

Happy Easter weekend, Kimmers! Beautiful day in Chicagoland! Picture perfect for a Meet-Up! Just sayin'...

I hope you have an awesome meet-up. Mark!!! And I want pictures! Just saying'....

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Kim.

>232 Berly:, Hi Kim, we have Amy and Andy coming over for lunch, Rob is taking Hannah home and having lunch with Louise.

>236 BLBera: Happy Easter, Beth!!

>237 johnsimpson: Comings and goings--Hope you have a nice time with everyone.

>238 Berly:, Kim I hope you have a lovely meal out tomorrow my dear and then you are cooking on Tuesday, send something over if you have anything spare, lol. Sending love and hugs.