Berly's ABCs -- Amidst Books and Chums #13

Summer is in full bloom!! These flowers are on my deck.

It's time to play. Come see what I've been reading and share your thoughts. LT is all about books and friends. : )

Reading Now
For We Are Many (A) by Dennis Taylor
Ecotopia (181 pages) by Ernest Callenbach
The Leavers (K) by Lisa Ko, RL Bookclub July read
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, Obama Read

Plans
The Sixth Extinction July Obama Read
The Sinister Pig -- July
in the Time of Butterflies -- August
Kafka on the Shore by Murakami -- August
Mr. Rochester (449 pages) by Sarah Shoemaker
I Am No One (LTER) by Patrick Flannery




Read in July
59. Bad Feminist (318 pages) by Roxanne Gay (Thank you, Twin!) 4.0
58. The First Word (330 pages) (K) by Isley Robson 3.75
57. News of the World (224 pages) by Paulette Jiles 3.75
56. Stillhouse Lake (K) (300 pages) by Rachel Caine 4.0
55. Sylvester: or the Wicked Uncle (400 pages) (K)( BAC) Georgette Heyer 3.0
54. The Lost City of the Monkey God (336 pages) (K) by Douglas Preston

Read in June / 2,297pages / 15,994 YTD
53. The Ice Twins (K) (320 pages) by SK Tremayne 4.0
52. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (320 pages) A Meg Lanslow Mystery by Donna Andrews 3.5
51. The Wailing Wind (304 pages) by Tony Hillerman 4.0
50. The Almost Sisters (339 pages) (LTER) by Joshilyn Jackson 5.0
49. The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths (504 pages) by Harry Bingham 4.0
48. The Complete Sherlock Holmes Short Story: The Red Headed League (A) by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Simon Vance 3.5
47. The Complete Sherlock Holmes Short Story: A Scandal in Bohemia (A) by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Simon Vance 3.0
46. The Dream Lover (400 pages) (K) by Elizabeth Berg (June RL Bookclub #1) 3.0

Read in May / 2,125 pages / 13,497 YTD
45. Dreams from My Father (480 pages) (A) by Barack Obama 3.5
44. As Time Goes By (335 pages) by Mary Higgins Clark 3.75
43. Borne (336 pages) (IR) by Jeff Vandermeer 3.75
42. A Wild Sheep Chase (353 pages) by Murakami 4.0
41. Hillbilly Elegy (272 pages) by JD Vance, May RL Bookclub 3.5
40. Ordinary Light (349 pages) by Tracy K. Smith 3.5

Read in April / 2,346 pages / 11,372 YTD
39. Love Story, with Murders (K) (400 pages) by Harry Bingham 3.5
38. Harry Potter (309 pages) re-read and April Obama Read 5.0
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 (208 pages) 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.

July--Summer Reads
1. All That Is, James Salter
2. The Sixth Extinction, Elizabeth Kolbert
3. The Lowland, Jhumpa Lahiri
4. Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
5. Washington: A Life, Ron Chernow
6. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr

August--Independent Bookstore Purchases
1. Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson
2. Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad
3. Nora Webster, Colm Toibin
4. The Laughing Monsters, Denis Johnson
5. Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China, Evan Osnos
6. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, Dr. Atul Gawande
7. Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms, Katherine Rundell
8. The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Richard Flanagan
9. Redwall series, Brian Jacques
10. Junie B. Jones series, Barbara Park
11. Nuts To You, Lynn Rae Perkins

And anytime, any month
By President Obama
1. Dreams from My Father
3. The Audacity of Hope
3. Of Thee I Sing a truly beautiful children's book

By Michelle Obama
1. American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America
2. Michelle Obama: In Her Own Words
3. We Rise: Speeches by Inspirational Black Women by Michelle Obama, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Rosa Parks
4. Michelle Obama: Speeches on Life, Love, and American Values by Michelle Obama, Stacie Vander Pol (Editor)
5. Michelle Obama: Our First Lady

And here are some other links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/books/president-obamas-reading-list.html

https://www.wired.com/2016/10/president-obama-reading-list/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/books/obamas-secret-to-surviving-the-white-ho...
(Coinciding with Mark's Poetry Month)

Completed This Year (✔ ✔ are ones I have read)
February -- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo ✔ ✔
March -- Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson ✔ ✔
April -- Harry Potter And the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling ✔ ✔
May -- Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama ✔ ✔
June -- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead -- reading
July -- The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
August -- Being Mortal Dr. Atul Gawande ✔ ✔
Junie B. Jones series, Barbara Park

What are you going to read? Click on the link and tell everyone!!

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 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling ✔ ✔
May- Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama ✔ ✔
June -- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead -- reading
July - The Sixth Extinction
August - Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande ✔ ✔
Junie B. Jones
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- Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance ✔ ✔
June - Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg ✔ ✔
July - The Leavers by Lisa Ko
August -
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: Discworld II by Terry Pratchett ✔ ✔
April - Poetry Month - milk and honey by rupi kaur ✔ ✔
April - Paul's CAC - Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood ✔ ✔
June BAC - Sylvester: or the Wicked Uncle (K) by Georgette Heyer ✔ ✔
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

Random

August - Kafka on the Shore by Murakami

October - The Doll's House by Camilla Gudova
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc

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...in no particular order.

# / Series / Author / Next Book / Progress
1 Chief Inspector Gamache / Penny, Louise / The Cruellest Month (#3) / 14% (2 of 14)
2 Dublin Murder Squad / French, Tana / The Likeness (#2) / 17% (1 of 6)
3 Constance Kopp / Stewart, Amy / Lady Cop Makes Trouble (#2) / 33% (1 of 3)
4 Cormoran Strike / Galbraith, Robert / Lethal White (#4) / 75% (3 of 4)
5 Alex Cross / Patterson et al / Along Came a Spider (#1) / 7% (2 of 27)
6 Alpha and Omega / Briggs, Patricia /Alpha and Omega (#0) / 38% (3 of 8))
7 Walt Longmire Mysteries / Johnson, Craig / Divorce Horse (#7.5) / 42% (8 of 19)
8 Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire / Duncan, Rod / The Custodian of Marvels (#3) / 67% (2 of 3)
9 Morgue Drawer / Profijt, Jutta / Morgue Drawer: Clink or Cooler? (#5) /80% (4 of 5)
10 Mercy Thompson/ Briggs, Patricia Shif/ting Shadows (#8.5) 83%/ (10 of 12)
11 Meg Langslow / Andrews, Donna/ We'll Always Have Parrots (#5) / 27% (6 of 22)
12 Spenser / Parker, Robert B / Promised Land (#4) / 13% (6 of 46)
13 Maggie Hope / MacNeal, Susan Elia/ Princess Elizabeth's Spy (#2) / 14% (1 of 7)
14 Fiona Griffiths / Bingham, Harry/ This Thing of Darkness (#4) / 50% (3 of 6)
15 Leaphorn & Chee / Hillerman, Tony/ Listening Woman (#3) / 29% (6 of 21)

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 by Colin Thubron, INDIEspensible Reader #63 ✔ ✔
13. Moonglow (IR) by Michael Chabon
14. The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell (from MichiganTrumpet) ✔ ✔
15: History of Wolves by Emily Fredlund, INDIEspensible Reader #64
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 by George Saunders, INDIEspensible Reader #65 ✔ ✔
27. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, Powell's INDIEspensible Reader #65
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
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) ✔ ✔
53. Hillbillly Elegy by JD Vance ✔ ✔
54. The First Word by Isley Robson (Kindle First Reader-Free) ✔ ✔
55. As Time Goes By by Mary Higgins Clark
56. The Grip of It by Jac Jemc, Powell's INDIEspensible Reader #66
57. Borne by Jeff Vandermeer, Powell's INDIEspensible Reader #66 ✔ ✔
58. Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker
59. The Sound of Gravel, by a Portland author Ruth Wariner
60. Sylvester: or the Wicked Uncle (K) by Georgette Heyer ✔ ✔
61. The Deepest Grave (K) Fiona Griffiths #6 by Harry Bingham
62. Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine (June Free Kindle Read) ✔ ✔
63. The Leavers by Lisa Ko
64. The Doll's Alphabet by Camilla Grudoba, Powell's INDIEspensable #67
65. Stephen Florida by Gabe Habash, Powell's INDIEspensable #67
66. The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed by astronaut Scoot Parazynski (Amazon Kindle Free July Pick)

July--Obama Summer Reads 2015

1. All That Is, James Salter
2. The Sixth Extinction, Elizabeth Kolbert
3. The Lowland, Jhumpa Lahiri
4. Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
5. Washington: A Life, Ron Chernow
6. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr

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

I have searched my TBR Tower and found that I actually own (but hadn't entered in my library) The Sixth Extinction, so that is definitely my July read. Anyone else??

Happy new thread, Kim!!

Happy New Thread, Kimmers! Nice flowery topper!

Good July Obama list. I loved The Sixth Extinction, the Coates and All the Light. I liked The Lowlands but did not love it.

Happy Reading!

Happy new thread, Kim, lovely colored lillies at the top!

Happy new thread! Hope you have a great day!

Happy New Thread, Berly!

I liked but didn't love All The Light We Cannot See, we read it for book club a while back. It's great for discussion, though.

Happy New Thread, Kim!

Beautiful topper. How great to have those on your deck.

I just read the new Fiona Griffiths and really liked it. What a series he has created.

Hi, Kim. I've been hit-and-miss with the Obama reading, but I do have The Lowland on the shelf. Despite Mark's lukewarm reaction to it, I'll give it a go.

>10 jessibud2: Thanks for stopping by!! And, for being quick on the draw, you get free movie tickets! And popcorn. : )



I haven't seen a movie in the theatre in so long! What is next on your list to see? And what's your favorite movie candy treat.

For me? Milk Duds and Despicable Me 3 or Wonder Woman!

>11 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Look at you having read most of the July Obama list already! Some might even say you are a reader. LOL

>12 FAMeulstee: Annita--Thank you! I love them, too. I just hope they last after all the wicked high temps we have been having.

>13 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! Is tomorrow the big day?! Thinking of you...

>14 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen. I liked All the Light We Cannot See a lot and it is absolutely a great book for discussion. Happy Wednesday.

>15 jnwelch: Joe--Totally jealous of you for reading the Fiona Griffiths already! They are so awesome. I still have three left to read: I am trying to space them out a little so I don't run out. So, actually, now that I think about it, you can be jealous of me because I still have them to look forward to!! ; )

>16 weird_O: Bill! Welcome aboard for the July Obama read. I hope you enjoy Lowland more than Mark did. I mean what does he know anyhow? ; )

Happy new thread!

Thank you, Jim!

I think my brain is on strike today, so this is where I am...

Happy new one, Twinnie. I love the flowers.

Thanks! I am so far behind on the threads, but I will head over to yours this afternoon. Off to work right now!

>16 weird_O: - For what it's worth, I really liked The Lowland. The added bonus for me was that I listened to it on audiobook, narrated by the magnificent Sunil Malhotra. He also narrated the audio version of Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone. He is a master of Indian accents of the various dialects so that even when you aren't seeing the character's names on the page, you can tell who is speaking just from his voice and accent. He is quite brilliant and I am sure I enjoyed this book all the more because of his narration.

>17 Berly: - Hi Kim. The last film I saw in the regular theatre was Hidden Figures. It was when I was in Montreal last month, visiting my mum. She hadn't seen it and neither had my aunt so I took them, even though for me, it was a second time. Worth every minute. But I am also a member of a dedicated documentary film theatre here in Toronto and I go to docs rather frequently. Several times a month, on average. The last one I saw, about a week ago was *Searching for Israeli Cuisine*, about the mix of cultures that define food in Israel. Also a second viewing for me but excellent. Tonight I am going to a premiere of a series of short films about and made in Canada, celebrating our sesquicentennial (150 years old, this Saturday!). Can't wait, as the previews look terrific.

As for snacks, I only buy popcorn if I have someone to share it as I can never eat a whole one on my own. But I always bring a secret stash of black licorice with me to nibble on! ;-)

>23 jessibud2: Thanks for the good word, Shelley. I haven't mastered audiobooking—I never would listen. Haha.

A new thread! Happy happy!!

>20 Berly: I always do that....

Happy new thread! Beautiful flowers in the topper!

Happy New Thread, Kim! I saw you put it up at my bedtime last night but you weren't done with construction at that point.

Hi Kim, happy new thread my dear and a great thread topper photo my dear. Hope that the weather has cooled a little bit for you my dear but not to the extent it has with us. From 30c down to 12c today in the space of four days so much so that we put the electric fire on when we got home this morning from doing a little bit of shopping.

The tooth is fine and only four days before it is pulled out so I can cope and will finish my 1,000th book by the end of Friday. Sending love and hugs dear friend.

>23 jessibud2: Nice endorsement!! A book bullet on my own thread. I have an audio credit and I am going to go get The Lowland right now. : )

>24 jessibud2: Wow. Your documentary film group sounds absolutely awesome! I wonder if we have anything like that here. My husband would love that, too. Any other medias you want to hit me with a bullet? LOL And I promise not to rat you out on the sneaky licorice.

How often do you get to use the word "sesquicentennial" (150 years old)? Not!! Happy Anniversary Canada!!

>25 weird_O: Huh? What did you say?

>26 EBT1002: Thanks! Wednesday has to be one of the worst English spellings ever. LOL

>27 mstrust: Thank you. I am enjoying the view right now. It's a beautiful sunny 73˚ on my deck. Love it!

>28 ronincats: Well then, you were very patient and get even more points for coming back to visit again today! Thanks. : )

>29 johnsimpson: Ooooh, chilly drop in temperatures. Sorry! Glad your tooth is holding up until you can go get it fixed. Take care, John. Drum roll for the 1,000 book on Friday! Waiting with baited breath....

Hi, Kim! Happy new thread with marvelous flowers up top!
You have read some great books this year.

>30 Berly: - How often do you get to use the word "sesquicentennial" . Actually, around here lately, it's being thrown around quite a lot, lol!

The doc tonight was just so excellent. It was actually a series of 6 shorts docs, thematically connected around the central theme of the Canadian Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. All the filmmakers were present for a Q&A afterwards, as were some of the subjects of some of the films. We were given a copy of our constitution, as well. Many aspects of the inequalities in our past and present were represented here, some of which were new to me. Unsettling, but important.

https://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=65163~fff311b7-cda...

Happy new thread, Kim. >8 Berly: Love that doorknob. >30 Berly: Actually we are throwing around the word sesquicentennial quite frequently lately!

>32 tymfos: Hi! Thanks and thanks! I hope to finish up another one before the month ends.

>33 jessibud2: >34 Familyhistorian: Well, sure, if you live in Canada, I suppose "sesquicentennial" is almost common. ; )

>33 jessibud2: I am glad the doc was so much fun and so informative. Love that you received a copy of the constitution! Thanks for the link.

Happy new thread, Kimmers.

I am a bit slow to catch up here and elsewhere with the ongoing holiday celebrations here for the end of Ramadhan.

Happy new thread Kim. Love the flowers - great colour.

My first exposure to the word sesquicentennial was back in the 1980s when the town I grew up in/near celebrated theirs. It is a most excellent word. Congratulations to Canada and all who call her home!

Good morning, Berly, and happy Thursday to you.

>38 rosalita: - Thanks, Julia! :-)

>36 PaulCranswick: Excuses, excuses!! OK. Well, that's a good one. Have fun!

>37 charl08: Welcome and thank you!

>38 rosalita: It is a most excellent word. ; )

>39 karenmarie: Morning!! Hope you have an excellent Thursday.

>40 jessibud2: : )

>31 Berly: I wonder if Woden would zap you for disrespecting his day. Those Norse gods can be touchy.

>31 Berly: I'm not listening. No no. I hear nothing.

Happy new thread, Kim. I wait until mid-day and I'm already 43rd! Enjoy our lovely weather. Our family is heading to Ashland for the Fourth so I expect it to be a little too hot there.

>42 ffortsa: Oops!! I bow before Woden with most sincere apologies! (Don't want to mess with Norse gods.)

>43 weird_O:

>44 Oregonreader: 44th actually. LOL. Ashland? How fun! It probably will be very hot though.

Okay, I have been to the office for a half day. Met the installation guys for our new microwave (the other one was 15 years old and had no display anymore--not helpful!). Signed son up for a summer class. Phew!

Now I am going to get back to Lost City of the Monkey God. I want to finish it this month!

I realized this morning that it's the last day of June and I am not going to finish another book by midnight. I thought about reading Love That Dog before heading for work, thinking I could probably crank it out in just a little while, but work called too loudly.

I hope you are looking at a four-day weekend! Or do you work on Monday?

We have two new people starting next week, so hubby and I are probably going to spend some of the weekend at work, making sure everything is all set up and ready, but I plan to take Mon and Tues off.

Also, this weekend, is the big 21 for Sarah!! I have a few last minute things to get.

And I have a friend from out of town coming tonight.

Busy, busy!!

Hope you have a great weekend. ;)

Happy weekend and happy birthday to Sarah! I hope your weekend is lovely. You'll probably need Monday and Tuesday to recover from all the fun though. ;)

Same to you! And thanks--I think I will definitely need the recovery time. LOL

Hi Kim, have a really lovely weekend my dear and a very happy 21st birthday to Sarah from both of us. Don't work too hard over the weekend and enjoy Monday and Tuesday dear friend, sending love and hugs.

Happy new thread, happy 21st birthday to Sarah and happy happy holiday weekend, Kim. Sounds like you're going to have a busy time, but I hope it'll be fun and that you'll also have some down time to relax and enjoy a quiet read.

Have a great weekend, Twinnie. Happy 21st to Sarah.

>47 EBT1002: I'll probably finish one before midnight. It's a graphic novel that finally became available through my library's ebook program -- with cats as heroes.

Happy Friday, Kimmers! Happy Birthday to Sarah.

And hooray for Monkey God!!

Happy 4th of July weekend, Kim! Looks like it will be a busy one! Enjoy :0)

Hi Berly!

You are busy, but it all sounds good (except for the microwave.)

Happy July 4th Weekend and happy 21st to Sarah.

>51 johnsimpson: Thank you, John. This should be a very good weekend here! Hope you have a lovely one as well, although I will wish you a less hectic one. ; ) Hugs to you and Karen.

>52 cameling: Hi Caro! Did I mention how nice it is to have you back here on LT? Well, it is!! Thanks for all the good wishes. Good luck at your MIL's this weekend.

>53 BLBera: Thanks, Twin. : )

>54 thornton37814: So, were the cats heroic? LOL. I didn't finish Lost City of the Monkey God, but I guess it will boost my numbers for July. How is it already July?!

>55 msf59: Hi Mark. I am really enjoying LCotMG. I just need more reading time. Sigh. Hope you don't have to work too much this weekend? I am sure you have plans that involve...beer!! : ) I am gearing up for a late night tonight. We are hitting the bars at 12:01, when Sarah will be 21! I will be a zombie tomorrow.

>56 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! Happy Fourth right back to you! I will have to hop over to your thread to see if you have any big plans for the weekend. I could do with less big and more reading!! : )

>57 karenmarie: Hey Karen! The new microwave is much prettier though. And it works. So it is all good. ; ) Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Just a reminder (Thanks to Bill's post on Mamie's thread)....

August is Kafka on the Shore group read. Grab a copy!!

>59 Berly: I suppose the cats were heroic. They saved the earth.

Happy Sunday, Kim! Hmmm, maybe I own KonS. If I do, I'll certainly slip that one into the mix :0)

ETA: Librarything says I do, I do! I purchased way back in 2010. Definitely time to read that baby.

>61 thornton37814: Cats who save the earth! That may be a book I need to read. I will mosey over to your thread to learn more.

Kim, Happy 21st birthday to Sarah!!!!!! I hope the celebration is fun fun fun.

Thanks for posting the reminder about Kafka on the Shore for next month. I can't believe it's already "next month." August seemed so distant once upon a time. :-)

Happy new thread, Kim! And happy 21 for Sarah!

With school holidays on the horizon I am thinking a movie with the kids, Despicable Me 3, or one of the other latest that would suit a nearly 6 year old and a nearly 9 year old. I like the characters on DM3, so that might work (plus, I will have coffee my all time fave movie treat!!).

>20 Berly: lol- I do that!

Aww.. you're so sweet, Kim. It's great to be back on LT again and being able to (sort of ... the list of threads just keeps growing in this group!) keep up.

I'm doing the Kafka group read in August too ... I have it in my re-read shelf, so all I have to do is dust it off.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!

^Have a fantastic 4th, Kimmers! Have a great holiday with the family. Hugs to my pal.

Happy 4th of July and Happy Newish thread! Your flower topper is absolutely gorgeous.

I'm planning to join the Kafka on the Shore read (next month!! wish we could slow summer down). It will be my first Murakami. :-)

>61 thornton37814: Well, saving the earth does qualify as heroic!

>62 Carmenere: Yay! Another Kafka on the Shore fan for August! Welcome aboard. : )

>63 EBT1002: Sarah had a really fun 21st birthday. Lots of friends and presents. She went out to her very first bar where she got a free drink and the announcer, a very fun flamboyant drag queen, introduced her to the crowd. It was a remarkably fun night with responsible drinking! No hangover the next day. : )

My oldest daughter organized all the friends and relatives to make this book for Sarah. Each page was a theme important to her. I made a page on the Vikings show and her favorite actor, Noah's Bagels, spooky spirits, oversize sweaters--you get the idea. It is a wonderful snapshot of her at 21 and will have great memories for her. There was also a page for best quotes of the night and everyone signed it. We are going to add pictures of the night to the back of the book, too. Very cool idea!

>64 banjo123: Thanks and thanks!! See above.

>65 LovingLit: I want to see DM3!! Love those characters. Tell me how it is.

>66 cameling: Glad to have you aboard for Kafka!!

I don't think anyone can keep up with all the threads. LOL But it is fun trying!

Happy 4th, Twinnie. Enjoy the day.

Happy 4th, Kim!

What a fun 21st for Sarah! And how sweet of your older daughter to organize the book.

PS - I meant to add this comment to my previous post but yes, I also love the idea of that book made for your daughter. What a treasure!

Banging and booming. Hooting and Hollering.



Enjoy the booms and sprinkles, but don't blow yourself up.

>68 msf59: That's my kind of 4th. Thanks for the beer. Cheers!

>69 streamsong: Hey there!! Glad you liked my topper. :) AND that you will join us for the Murakami. It should be a good first exposure. ; )

>71 BLBera: Happy Fourth Twin!!

>72 jessibud2: And the same to you!

>73 banjo123: It was very fun and I know she will treasure that book.

>74 jessibud2: Exactly!! They are such different kids but very close sisters. It is so nice to see.

>75 weird_O: WOW!!! I will try to be careful. ; )

Spent the day at work. Just waiting for hubby to finish up and then we are going home to watch the fireworks and have some dinner....not exactly in that order. ; )

Got the office all ship-shape: filed papers, shredded papers, put away boxes and parts; upgraded memory on two computers and got new keys made. I think we are ready for the new guys--they start tomorrow!!

How was the birthday party? any pics to share, Kimmers?

Hi Kim

Your opening image of the lillys is incredible!

Hi Berly!

Sarah's birthday party sounds wonderful. Such a great memory for her.

Happy Thursday to you and I hope the two new guys work out.

Hi Kim! Hope you are having a great week!

Happy new thread, Kim! Here is hoping you get to kick back and relax this weekend. You have been busy!

Hi Kim, hope you are having a good start to the weekend my dear and hope it is going to be a restful one for you dear friend. Sending love and hugs.

I am thinking that your daughters must have a very special relationship for the one to devise such a special gift.

>1 Berly: I adore lilies, especially the scent of star-gazer lilies!

Happy Sunday, Kimmers! Just checking in with my pal. Is RL, giving you a chance to get some reading in?

A very very belated happy new thread, Kim. I try to make my way back on LT.

>78 cameling: The birthday party was a blast! Sarah was very happy. : )



Sarah and older sister Jess--first (legitimate!) drink!!



Her favorite Monster Cake and the memory book.

>79 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Thanks. : ) Good thing I took a photo...the record heat has already killed them off. Sadness.

>80 karenmarie: Hi Karen--Happy Sunday. Our two new guys are very nice. One of them is absolutely killing it. The other, I think, will be more slow and steady. He is a little shy. ; )

>81 ChelleBearss: C--It was a good week, but too much work. I spent most of yesterday at the office again. Wearing many hats in the company is fun and interesting, but also time consuming at times. NOT going in today. That's also because I had an allergic reaction last night and after two Benadryls, there is nothing left of me today. I'll be fine tomorrow.

How are YOU doing? Hope you are catching some ZZZZZZs! I'll come over to say Hi.

>82 lkernagh: Lori--The only things on my list for today are to get copies of keys made and pick up a few crucial supplies at Office Max (for work). I made the mistake of getting cheap, imitation ink for our Canon printer and it is not working out very well, so right now we only have B&W copies. : (

Oh, and read!

>83 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. The weather here is absolutely gorgeous and we had a beautiful full moon last night. Jack's team had another tournament this weekend, but there were only 6 guys from his A team playing with the B team in an older bracket. They got killed! Oh well. Can't win them all. (My son is 16 and they were playing 19-year-olds.)

>84 ronincats: Roni--My daughters are pretty close to each other. Very different, but they love and celebrate that.

>85 Morphidae: MORPHY!!!!! Wow. How nice to see you here. This made my day. : )

>86 msf59: Mark--RL is permitting reading time, but my brain can only handle lighter stuff. I am sooooooo far behind on reviews. I may just post what the latest reads are with a sentence or two.

>87 Ameise1: Barbara--Another missing LT member! I hope you manage to find more time to be back here. You have been busy!

To all my LT pals

So far, in July, I have read...

58.

The First Word (330 pages) (K) by Isley Robson 3.75

I never would have thought of mixing a romance (with some very hot moments!) with the more important themes of the difficulties and rewards of raising an autistic child and growing up in an abusive household, but it worked quite nicely. And the antagonist was good. Well done.

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

A very quick read about Captain Jefferson Kidd, an older man tasked with returning a 10-year-old girl to her family in 1870. Johanna had been stolen and raised for four years by Kiowan Indians (her family was killed) and her remaining relatives live in Texas. The years in captivity/living with her Indian family have erased much of her early childhood memories and she no longer behaves or thinks like a white person. Capt. Kidd makes his living reading the news and telling the stories to people in small towns as he travels. The beauty of this story is watching The Captain and Johanna grow slowly closer. There is humor and adventure and the newspaper topics were an interesting glimpse into history. I liked this book very much, but did not find it as remarkable as some others did. 3.75

>91 Berly: Thanks so much, Kim. I have another busy week ahead before summer break.

>93 Berly: One more week...you can do it!! Best of luck. :)

56. Stillhouse Lake (K) (300 pages) by Rachel Caine 4.0

This is a very creepy, suspenseful novel about a woman with two children, ages 14 and 11, who are on the run. Gwen must constantly change her identity to hide from the do-gooders who do not believe she knew nothing about the horrific acts of her ex, Mel Royal, a serial killer. Can she ever be safe or find happiness? Can her children ever stay in one place long enough to make friends? They are finally catching their breath, living in a small town in a beautiful house on the lake when a body is found and Meg becomes a person of interest..again. Who can she trust?

How awful to be accused of a crime you didn't commit and vilified by the public. How hard to live in fear that one of your persecutors would wish harm to not only you but your children.

I couldn't put this one down!

55. Sylvester: or the Wicked Uncle (400 pages) (K)( BAC) by Georgette Heyer 3.0

A young woman has anonymously written a novel; in it she has several caricatures of current society darlings, including the man who now wishes to propose to her out of the blue. Aghast, she tries to flee, but alas her escape is thwarted by a downed carriage; and who should come along and find her? Her proposer and the villain of her book, Sylvester, the Duke of Salford. He helps Phoebe Marlow and her companion to the nearest inn, where they are promptly snowed in....A very typical enjoyable Heyer romance, but not my favorite.

54. The Lost City of the Monkey God (336 pages) (K) by Douglas Preston 3.5

The true story of the discovery of a forgotten city in Honduras, with all the trials, tribulations and excitement of a jungle foray. An interesting look at archaeology, lidar mapping, anthropology, and disease. A solid adventure.

Hi Kim, sorry Jack's team got beaten but it is always hard when you are playing against older kids, Rob used to find this when he played Junior Cricket as he played in all the junior teams from under Eleven through to Under Seventeen even though he was only Ten but as he progressed and got better it became a little easier for him but to get a team out they were of mixed ages for two or three years.

Hope you are having a good Sunday and have a good week ahead dear friend.

Hopefully RL is allowing you some breathing room now Kim. At least you are getting reading time. You have read some good ones recently.

Hope your Sunday is stellar. You've been reading up a storm and working too hard. Pace yourself, my friend.

>98 Berly: Exactly. He still had fun--he was playing soccer! Hugs to you and Karen.

>99 johnsimpson: I have been fitting in the books, which is very fun. I am well on my way to making the 75. I don't want to jinx myself, but maybe I'll even see 100 this year!!

Another very hectic week ahead and then I think life should calm down a little. At least there won't be such pressing deadlines. Wishing you a good one.

>100 Familyhistorian: Pacy myself. Words of wisdom!!! I am trying. ; ) Happy Sunday.

Hi, Kim! I hope you have a good week!

I just bought News of the World while on vacation and I'm really looking forward to getting round to it...eventually...

I'm another fan of News of the World, Kim. I'm happy that you had a good time with it. That's one we've been giving as a gift to folks.

Hey Kim - I hope you have a good week and that your new hires are settling in.

Stillhouse Lake and the Preston seem like good summer reads. I loved News of the World, glad you liked it, too.

>98 Berly: I'm pretty sure I put that one on my wish list awhile back and never got around to it. It still sounds interesting to me.

>103 scaifea: Amber, the good thing is now that you own the book you can read it right away or save it up for later. It's all good!!

>104 jnwelch: Joe--I love that you have favorite books that you give as gifts to people. : )

>105 BLBera: BethTwin--They are indeed great summer reads. The problem is I have so many!

>106 thornton37814: Lori--I probably gave it the least favorable rating on LT so far, and it was still a good one! Maybe you should get a copy. Just saying. ; )

Well, I'm glad you liked News of the World even though you didn't love it as much as I did! Ah, viva la difference!

Love the photo of Sarah and Jess. I'm glad the party was a success.

Added News of the World to Mount TBR.

Hi Kim, can't remember when I lasted visited. Summer seems to be flying by. Just over a month or so and kids (such as my niece and nephew, who'll be starting their junior and freshman years, respectively) start school again for the fall.

My sister has been raving about Tana French to me for years so I finally started the first one and am reading that right now. Different from my usual.

>108 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! I didn't love it, but I did like it a lot!! And your recommendations are still good as gold. The girls certainly had fun that night. : ) Remember to try and not work too hard, okay?

>109 Morphidae: Morphy--Good girl!! : )

>110 lindapanzo: Linda--Yeah, I was going to talk to you about that. LOL. I think life has been busy for just about everyone! I am just getting in to the swing of summer--don't even want to think about school starting again. Shhhh!

You'll have to report back on the Tanya French. I have The Likeness waiting for me.

Speaking of Tana French, I am just wrapping up The Trespasser. It is book 6 in the Dublin Murder Squad series. A good, solid read but she has got much wordier as her books have progressed. I wish they would have been edited down a bit. Just sayin'...

>112 msf59: Tana French "...has got much wordier as her books have progressed." Not a good sign. I enjoyed the first couple in the series but thought they could also have been edited down a wee bit. I liked In the Woods better than The Likeness, the latter stretched my disbelief just a bit too far. I have Faithful Place in the wings for one of these days.

Morning Kim!

>112 msf59: Well, I am not up to #6 yet, but I favor less wordy right now. Someone should mention that to her...just saying. ; )

>113 EBT1002: I liked In The Woods (one I apparently haven't catalogued here yet), so we will see with The Likeness. And who am I kidding? TL is not even in my urgent TBR pile, so...

Happy Tuesday guys!

I haven't even watched a minute of Wimbledon. Sigh.

Yesterday I had to rescue My Homeless Guy. His car died and he hasn't had the time or money to fix it yet. Good news though. He has a room in the house of a friend of his. And he is working a construction job and soon to start training on a second job. He cleared up the one tix (about not having a valid driver's license which he now has) and only had to pay $25 on the second. All clear! We are still texting him on a fairly regular basis and I am glad he feels he can call for help when he needs to. A widening circle of people in his court is a good thing.

Off to work soon and then taking one of the kids to the dentist. Maybe I can read in the waiting room...

"...he is working a construction job and soon to start training on a second job." That is a good trajectory. He is lucky to have you in his court!

I am wishing I could stay home all morning and watch tennis but my stress/anxiety is pushing me out the door to the office. I don't have any meetings until noon but it is so hard for me to give myself permission to stay home. My foot is still purple but I'm wearing Birkenstocks, will see how that goes.

I think In the Woods is far wordier than I'd like.

Kim, btw, there's a very weird long course championship schedule this year in IL. Senior state champs is this upcoming weekend and regionals is the weekend after, which is too bad since my niece is agonizingly close to a state time in the 100 and 200 free and very close in the 50 free, too. As it is, she'll be swimming in the 100 breast and 400 IM on Fri at state, as well as in all 3 relays, once each day.

I assume that, for the medley relay, she'll be swimming the breaststroke leg. The relays have two 18 year olds, my 16-year old niece, and a 14 year. The 14-year old is the best of them all.

>98 Berly: I didn't realize that one was a true story! It's on my TBR!

>116 lindapanzo: Noooooo...! I loved that debut.

>113 EBT1002: Faithful Place is better than The Likeness. It's one of my favorites in the series, along with Broken Harbour.

Hi Berly!

Sylvester is not one of my favorites, either, but still a good solid book. The Lost City of the Monkey God was a bit disappointing to me, frankly, because there was less archaeology than every thing else. However, lidar was interesting to learn about, as was leishmaniasis.

I hope you get the chance to watch Wimbledon. I had scheduled lunch with a friend today about a month ago, but when I realized it was the Quarter-finals today, I rescheduled for next week and will indulge in just sitting on the couch and watching tennis this morning.

>115 EBT1002: Ellen--How's the toe today? Did the Birkenstocks help? I think you should take full advantage of your injury and have everyone else run around and to things for you and you should watch lots of Wimbledon. : ) Looking for an upside here...

>116 lindapanzo: Linda--Wow! Your niece just keeps getting better and better! Wishing her lots of luck these next two weekends. Do you get to go watch any of the meets?

>117 ChelleBearss: Chelle-Look at you, still all active here on LT! We haven't lost you to baby fatigue yet. : ) Is Elissa sleeping well?

>118 msf59: Mark--And everyone is entitled to their own opinion! LOL

>119 lauralkeet: Laura--Good to know! Thanks. How's the purge going?

>120 karenmarie: Karen--I liked both books. Very solid reads, but I wouldn't go on a warbling rampage. ; )

I am recording some Wimbledon! Maybe I will even have time to watch it. Fingers crossed. Indulge away!!

>121 Berly: Jill's senior state meet will be streamed online so I can see all the races. They stick to the timeline pretty well so I'm thinking that, on Fri, I can watch her breaststroke. She's probably in the 3rd or 4th heat. Go to work and, late morning, watch the 400 IM and later, the 800 free relay. Both Sat and Sun, her relays are midday.

>121 Berly: hmmm, the purge is moving along, but slowly. Last week we had a very satisfying day of renting a UHaul van and taking lots of unwieldy junk items (old furniture & stuff) to the dump. It's tough to come down from that high. :)

>121 Berly: warbling rampage

I like that a lot. I envision a sliding scale from "mute, no birds involved" to "warbling rampage".

>124 karenmarie: I love the sliding scale!!

>122 lindapanzo: Linda-- That is awesome that the meets are streamed so you can watch! I love that idea. But won't you miss the chlorinated air? You know, that smell that permeates all your clothing and makes you reminisce all day long about the aquatic event? LOL

>123 lauralkeet: Laura--Oooh! That's great progress! Because if you start to think about all the little stuff you have to go through, that will just be depressing. Wait...don't go there! Don't lose that high!! I think you should dwell on that success for a while. ; )

>124 karenmarie: >125 lauralkeet:

A warbling scale:













Warbling Rampage

Just got my next Powell's INDIEspensable box!! Thank you Hubby. : )



1) Stephen Florida by Gabe Habash, the fiction reviews editor for Publishers Weekly: a character study of a young man, a wrestler who has lost his family in North Dakota. He finds his first true love, "fumbles through a close friendship, and navigates his coaches and teammates. Habash is a fantastic writer, and his first novel is extremely funny, dark, frenetic and ultimately hopeful." "A college wrestler in his senior season, when every practice, every match, is a step closer to greatness and a step further from sanity. Profane, manic, and tipping into the uncanny, it’s a story of loneliness, obsession, and the drive to leave a mark."



2) An advance copy of The Doll's Alphabet by Camiliia Grudova. "The stories...are by turns childlike and naive, grotesque and very dark, the marriage of Margaret Atwood and Angela Carter." I love those authors! Coming out October 2017--a perfect spooky Halloween read. If I can wait that long.

>127 Berly: - LOL! Love it!

Glad you're happy with your Powell's box. Somehow I've missed that they have one on offer. I've signed up for the Nocturnal Reader's Box and received my first one a few days ago.

>126 Berly: *plugs ears* ignoring that potential buzzkill!! :)

>127 Berly: that's fantastic! We need to spread that around and get everybody using it.

>128 Berly: That Stephen Florida book looks intriguing! I am a big fan of wrestling (the real stuff, not WWE junk) and "loneliness, obsession, and the drive to leave a mark" describes a lot of wrestlers I know in real life!

>127 Berly:



^I LOVE the Warbling Scale! And hooray for the Warbling Rampage!!

>129 jessibud2: Yay!!

>130 mstrust: My Hubby signed me up at the very beginning of the offer. I have loved it so much! I will have to take a look for the Nocturnal Reader's Box. That sounds dark and ominous...or is just that people tend to have more time to read at night?

>131 lauralkeet: La la la!!! : )

I wonder if I could find little B&W birdies and use those instead of stars for my ranking....

>132 rosalita: Stephen Florida sounds like a book bullet for you! It is out in hardback right now. Library...Kindle...?

>133 msf59: The Warbling Rampage is, of course, inspired by you!! BAG

Got it!! Instead of star ratings...bird warblers!!

>134 Berly: I recommended it to the library as an ebook acquisition, so we'll see what happens. Wrestling is a big sport in Iowa so I'm hopeful that they will pick it up.

>136 rosalita: Nice!! Hope they listen. How did you get so interested in wrestling? Anyone you know personally? : )

So, I after my big allergic reaction last week, which I treated with Benadryl, didn't use my Epi-pen and didn't go to the ER, I have decided that was a mistake. It took so much out of me!! I started Prednisone, a quickie course, two days ago to get me over the hump and I feel so much better already.

I did TKD last night and this morning I went for a walk. Gotta get my steps in!! I am hoping to get back on track and my goal is to lose 6 pounds by January 1. Wish me luck!!

>135 Berly:

Also, I started For We Are Many, the second in the Bobiverse series by Dennis Taylor. Great science fiction with a sense of humor. I hope it is as good as the first one, which I loved!!

Glad that your prednisone is helping! Feel better quickly!

>137 Berly: Wrestling is a hugely popular sport in in western Illinois and Iowa, where I've lived since the 1970s. Back in the Dark Ages at the start of my career as a newspaper sports editor, the local college's wrestling coach made a pitch to me for more coverage, and took the time to invite me to practice and explain the sport to me. It got me hooked and I've been a big fan ever since.

I think wrestling has a kind of competitive purity because it's just two evenly sized competitors going head-to-head, with nothing in the way of equipment to give either side an advantage. Just a singlet, shoes and headgear, on a circular mat. It's physically grueling but not brutal like boxing or MMA (neither of which I can watch). The wrestlers I've come to know personally tend to be extremely disciplined, hard-working, and not prone to pointing fingers when things go wrong. Of course there are always knuckleheads everywhere but they tend to be the exception, I think. Or maybe I just have good taste in friends. :-)

And there's WAY more than you wanted to know about wrestling. Feel free to skip most of it. :-)

>139 msf59: Thought you might like that!! : )

>141 ChelleBearss: Me, too! Thanks. I hit my 10,000 steps for today. So, one down.

>142 rosalita: I asked! LOL. It's always interesting to see how people make the connections to the things they love. Thank you for sharing. Sounds like wrestlers are a good group of people.

>128 Berly: They both sound good. What a nice hubby - he's a keeper. Do they have different offers or does everybody get the same books?

>138 Berly: Good luck. You are amazing.

>127 Berly: I like it, Berly!

>126 Berly: Meet streaming is wonderful. She's always in the first event of the morning in one of the early heats so we have to get the streaming set up fast. This time, there are at least 10 or 15 girls who qualified based on SCY times and those are always seeded last so we'll have a bit more time to get things ready. They also put a video tape on the state swimming association website so I can always go back and watch again.

Turns are her downfall and so she is much better at LCM.

btw, I think Grinnell video streams all of their meets. Here's hoping.

Not a fan of hot, humid pools, except when the temps cool off. Then I love them.

>130 mstrust: Ha!! I was close! Your Nocturnal Box is "the #1 box for fans of Horror, Sci-Fi, and Psychological Thrillers!" Hope you have fun with that. : )

>144 BLBera: The Powell's INDIEspensable box come very 4-6 weeks I think and everyone gets the same box. Sometimes one book, sometimes two and sometimes a little fun something extra, like a local vendor of chocolate or tea, or a mug. Fun!

>145 karenmarie: Yay! Me, too. ; )

>146 lindapanzo: Sending good thoughts for speedy turns!! And a fast set-up for your streaming. Let me know how she does.

My daughter is taking an English class this summer and unfortunately there is no audio for her current book, Ecotopia, so I have become the designated narrator. (She is dyslexic and prefers audio.) It is a book written in the 1970's and is surprisingly ahead of its time in the sustainability struggle. In it, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California have broken away from the United States. They have outlawed synthetics materials, cars, aluminum, etc. The work week is now 20 hours. They recycle everything and export nothing. After 19 years of isolation, a young reporter is allowed in to see what's what. Sarah has to write a paper on one topic and she chose recycling. It's interesting to see how far Oregon has come since the book was written, but how far behind the ideals we still are. The writing is a little dry, but still very insightful. About halfway through....

Good luck with the steps Kim! Hoping to get to the Bobiverse myself at some point.

>148 Berly: - Wow, that one sounds interesting, if a bit, hmm, unusual. Pity the writing is dry but still, it's something to think about!

>148 Berly: I love the idea of a 20-hour work week. Could we please implement that?

>147 Berly: Yes, rather dark and scary books along with exclusive artwork and additional swag like a wine glass and bookmarks. Each month has a theme and includes two books, though next month will have three.

Eeek! No nocturnal reader box for me, thanks.

Glad you're feeling better!

>147 Berly: Well, my niece had her second fastest time ever in 100 breast. Came in 91st out of 107.

In 400 IM, again, her second fastest time ever (so that 15 second time drop last month wasn't a total fluke), and came in 61st out of 71.

Glad she got an hour break as she looked like she was out of gas after the 400 IM (the time she added was nearly all in the free leg at the end). That 400IM really reveals strengths and weaknesses.

They did ok in their first relay, finishing middle of the pack.

>128 Berly: I love the cover on Stephen Florida. Of course, being from Florida, I was looking for that connection and I don't see it in that summary. Still, it sounds interesting.

I also love the new warbling scale you created in >135 Berly:. >127 Berly: is more beautiful but it would be difficult to implement. Maybe we'll all move away from star ratings and start using the warbling scale!

>148 Berly: That sounds fascinating (okay, apart from the dryness). Of course, those of us living today in Oregon, Washington, and northern California can well imagine breaking off from the rest of the country and setting up our own ecological rules! Well, in all truth, it wouldn't be all of those states, but along the I-5 corridor.....

My toe is healing. I have decided that I didn't break it (did I mention that I went to medical school in the past five days?) but badly jammed/bruised it. The purple is turning that lovely green of bruises although underneath the toe is still pretty dark. It hurts. Birkenstocks work better than running shoes or (gasp) boots (I had to wear grown-up shoes yesterday since I was presenting to the Board of Regents), but today I may have done a bit too much walking. You know, it felt better, so I thought a hike up to the U Bookstore was in order.... ha. Perhaps a bad idea.

I will be getting up early tomorrow to watch the women's final at Wimbledon. Go Venus!

Have a great weekend, my friend!

Peeking in and it looks like all is going "okee-dokee" in your world, Kim! Glad to see you are getting your steps in and here to cheer you on to your goal.

The Powell's INDIEspensable box sounds like a fabulous idea! Kind of like Christmas happening every 4-6 weeks, without the holiday stress. ;-)

Hey Twinnie - Happy Friday. I love the idea of the Powell's INDIEspensable box. And how fun that you get surprises.

It's great that you are reading to your daughter. I love to read aloud.

Have a lovely weekend.

82 to the bad, so I really skimmed, but Hi, Kim! Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Prednisone is miraculous when you need it. Hope you're well on the way to 100%!
I enjoyed *Bobiverse 1* too, but it will be a bit before I get to For We Are Many. Tad panned it, but he is more demanding of his scifi than I am. I'm hoping to get into Leviathan Wakes this weekend. Yippee!

Hi Kim! I liked Ecotopia back in the day, but when I tried to reread it -- it was way too dry. But it sounds like you and Sarah are getting something out of it!

Happy weekend, Kim.

>149 charl08: Thanks! Yesterday I had another reaction. Can't figure out what from. I was a bad girl and had McDonald's for lunch (I was with two 20-something coworkers and caved), but that is normally a safe bet. So, today will be another no-workout day, except for steps. Maybe I can workout vicariously through the Wimbledon players?! : )

>150 jessibud2: I think Ecotopia is worth the read despite the dryness, but we haven't finished yet. Just...so far, so good. We took a break from reading yesterday because we had a marathon session the day before. My voice should be up for more today.

>151 thornton37814: Hey! I am all up for a 20-hour work week. Everything except for the cut in pay. LOL

>152 mstrust: The Nocturnal Box does sound like an awesome box to get!! I'd consider signing up for it, but I can't even keep up with the new books I get as it is. I took a quick look and I have only read about half of the books I've brought in so far this year. Better not....

>153 nittnut: No, Nocturnal box for you, huh? LOL. Well, perhaps there is another kind of box out there, more up your alley. The beauty of books is the variety! Or you could just go find a bookstore. ; )

>154 lindapanzo: That's an impressive showing! Hope the rest of the weekend goes just as well or even better. Happy watching, Aunite.

>155 EBT1002: I am not sure how the cover of Florida relates to a young man who wrestles or the state of Florida. Guess I'll have to read it to find out!!

If our states broke away from the US we would have a lot of natural advantages with access to both soil and sea for food and lots of timber for buildings. But I don't think I would want to splinter off. Let's just encourage the rest of the country to be more sustainable. : )

I recorded the women's finals, but haven't watched it yet. Rooting for Venus, too!!

Glad to hear your toe is "merely" bruised and not broken, but I am sure it still hurts, so Whah!! I think you should download a Kindle book and skip that bookstore walk. Just saying.

>156 lkernagh: Hi!! "The Powell's INDIEspensable box sounds like a fabulous idea! Kind of like Christmas happening every 4-6 weeks, without the holiday stress. ;-)" I know!! It is always a pick-me-up. Most of the time, I don't open the box right away. I just put it next to my nifhtable, so I see it all the time and it makes me happy. I save it for a day when I need a boost and then I rip it open! Have a great weekend.

>157 BLBera: Hey Twinster! Happy weekend to you, too. Reading Ecotopia out loud with my daughter was kinda funny. You know how audio books have the speed settings you can choose? So I would say I was reading at about a 1.75 rate, because we were trying to get caught up. Whew that was hard to enunciate and keep any sort of inflection!

>158 LizzieD: Sorry Tad didn't love it, but I enjoy the Bobiverse just as much for the characters and humor as for the sci-fi, so I think it will still be good. Hope to listen to it today on my walk. Have fun with Leviathan Wakes! I haven't read that one yet, but it looks really good.

>159 banjo123: Yeah, I am not sure Ecotopia would be a stellar re-read, but the first time through is worth it!

>160 Ameise1: Happy weekend!!! So nice to see you more regularly again. ;)

Bad Feminist (318 pages) by Roxanne Gay

I enjoyed this book of essays about feminism and discrimination very much. I admit to skimming some of the chapters which analyzed current shows or media that I was not familiar with, but there was more than enough to draw me in. Sections include Me (about Roxanne Gay, the author); Gender and Sexuality; Race and Entertainment; Politics Gender and Race, Back to Me. I found that I like to read a chapter or two at a time, to give things a chance to marinate, so to speak. Gay is intelligent, sincere, compassionate and funny. I didn't agree with everything she said, but it surely made me think about how I perceive things, how I present myself, and how I stand up for my beliefs. A very good read. Thanks Twin!

>164 Berly: I knew you would love it, Kim. I'd love to have a drink with Gay; I loved her sense of humor. I'd also like to read her new book about eating and weight.

I just got a message for you on my thread. :)

>165 BLBera: I think a drink with Gay would be so much fun! I say her on Trevor Noah and she was just great. It was what motivated me to actually pick up the book and start it. We should work on setting up this night out on the town, the three of us! LOL

>166 BLBera: So I see, Twin!!

>166 BLBera: I added one more answering Kim on your thread, Beth ;-)

Hi Kim!

Hi Anita!

Off to watch another of my son's soccer tournaments. They won the opener yesterday 3-1 and my son had the first score. Yay! Again, they are playing in the under 20 bracket (my son is 16), but at least this time they have their whole team. Hoping today goes well...

Hey Twin - Have fun with the soccer. Is the weather nice?

Hi Anita.

Yes, let's definitely make plans for that drink with Gay.

I can't wait to hear what you think of We Are Many, Kim. Hopefully, it will garner lots of warblers from you. I got a big kick out of We Are Legion.

I'm reading Who Fears Death by the author of Binti. I read somewhere that a movie or TV movie is being made based on it.

Nice review of Bad Feminist, Kim. I suspect that it will end up in my library sometime this year.

>127 Berly: great warbling scale!!! I love the overloaded branch. And the whole thing smacks of Mark :)

>164 Berly: I wanna read it too!!!

>172 jnwelch: Joe, I have comfortably settled into the first half hour of the Bobiverse. : )

And look what I just saw!!



All These Worlds, the conclusion to the the Bobiverse Trilogy is available 8/8/2017!! I just pre-ordered my audio.

: )

Who Fears Death by the author Binti sounds awesome! Let me know what you think of it.

>171 BLBera: Jack's team won 2-1! Semi-finals tomorrow morning. And then finals in the afternoon if they win...

Here's to Gay, you and me!

Congrats to Jack's team! I haven't read any of Gay's work, but I heard her interviewed about her most recent book and it sounded really interesting.

>173 kidzdoc: Darryl--Thanks. And if I can finally get you to add a book to your TBR list instead of the other way around, I will be sooooo happy! Ha! ; )

>174 LovingLit: Hi Megan--I was definitely inspired by Mark on the warbling scale. I gave him full credit on his thread and here. LOL

Another Bad Feminist enthusiast. Yes.

>177 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda! I agree. I will have to look up more of her works.

>178 Berly: Ha! I've been hearing a lot about Roxanne Gay lately, mostly for her work but unfortunately also for the fat shaming comments others have made about her. I'll almost certainly buy and read Bad Feminist soon.

> 179 I am listening to Hunger on audio. Heartbreaking and eye-opening. I highly recommend listening to it, as she is both a great writer and reader.

>179 kidzdoc: Darryl--I just don't understand people who feel the need to make fun of other people. I have heard very good things about Roxanne Gay's next book and it has a 4.33 rating on LT currently--which is pretty darn high! I am overweight and I am currently trying to tackle the problem. I think her book will be an interesting companion--I love her insights and how a compilation of her blogs approaches the topic from a number of viewpoints. Gonna get it!



Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxanne Gay

From the New York Times bestselling author of Bad Feminist: a searingly honest memoir of food, weight, self-image, and learning how to feed your hunger while taking care of yourself.
“I ate and ate and ate in the hopes that if I made myself big, my body would be safe. I buried the girl I was because she ran into all kinds of trouble. I tried to erase every memory of her, but she is still there, somewhere. . . . I was trapped in my body, one that I barely recognized or understood, but at least I was safe.”
In her phenomenally popular essays and long-running Tumblr blog, Roxane Gay has written with intimacy and sensitivity about food and body, using her own emotional and psychological struggles as a means of exploring our shared anxieties over pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health. As a woman who describes her own body as “wildly undisciplined,” Roxane understands the tension between desire and denial, between self-comfort and self-care. In Hunger, she explores her past—including the devastating act of violence that acted as a turning point in her young life—and brings readers along on her journey to understand and ultimately save herself.
With the bracing candor, vulnerability, and power that have made her one of the most admired writers of her generation, Roxane explores what it means to learn to take care of yourself: how to feed your hungers for delicious and satisfying food, a smaller and safer body, and a body that can love and be loved—in a time when the bigger you are, the smaller your world becomes.

>180 alphaorder: Nancy--So nice to see you here. Thanks for chiming in! And now I will get the audio version instead of print. I would love to hear her thoughts in her own voice and I will enjoy listening to her as I get my steps in. : )

It would be great to listen to Gay read her book. Off to check to see if my library has an audio version...

Happy Sunday, Twin.

>176 Berly: Congrats on your sons team winning, Kim, I keep my fingers crossed for them making it to the finals.

>181 Berly:

I think you will really appreciate the audio.

Hi, Kim. We're enjoying a delightful Sunday. Not too hot, not too humid. Finished a book and about to take up another. Hope your Sunday is everything you want it to be.

Jack scored and they won 2-0!! Finals this afternoon. Just home to grab a quick bite to eat...

Yay, good for Jack and they won, hope they do well in the finals my dear, sending love and hugs to you all dear friend.

>186 Berly: Way to go, Jack.

Jill had her best race of the state meet this morning in the 400 free relay. 100 free seems to be her favorite, and best, race these days, along with the 200.

>164 Berly: and >165 BLBera: Great brief comments about Bad Feminist, Kim. I will dig into it later this summer and probably take your advice to read a chapter or two and let them simmer before reading the next couple chapters. I ordered her new one, Hunger, after reading about it in one of the lists about great new releases for the second half of the year. I think that our society has barely turned the dial on the unrealistic, unhealthy, and oppressively narrow expectations for women's bodies. I think the amount of energy (and money) we spend trying to fit into an idealized mold of what we should look like is a good way to keep us from spending our energy (and money) on more productive things. Like fighting for equal pay and reproductive rights.

Clearly I have opinions about this. Heh.

>186 Berly: Woot!! Go Jack!!

Hey Twin - Go Jack! He is on fire. Good luck with the finals.

>189 EBT1002: What Ellen said. Clearly women's rights in many arenas are not a done deal.

Happy Sunday, Kimmers. Hope you had a lovely weekend. I recently snagged the audio of Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body, so I hope to bookhorn it into the rotation. I have not read Gay...yet.

They won!! 2-1 in the final in the U-20 bracket. This is Jack and his grandad, who came to cheer them on.

Congrats to Jack! Lovely pic, above!

Congratulations to all! Quite an accomplishment.

>182 BLBera: Happy Sunday/Monday Twin!

>183 FAMeulstee: Crossing your fingers must have done the trick--they won!! Thanks. ; )

>184 alphaorder: I used an Audible credit today am really looking forward to Hunger.

>185 weird_O: Sounds like your Sunday was just about perfect! What's the newest book?

>187 johnsimpson: Success, John! They got the trophy. Happiness all around.

>188 lindapanzo: Congratulations!! It was a good sporting day for our LT relatives.

>189 EBT1002: Hi Ellen--I totally agree with your comments and look forward to reading Gay's Hunger later this summer, too. I am hoping it will help me to stay motivated about my weight, not for fashion, but for my own health. Not the idealized version of a woman, but the best woman I can be. Besides, less weight will make pushups in TKD much easier!!

>190 BLBera: Women's rights. I cannot believe that we are still not in control over the decisions concerning our reproductive health and well being. Drives me crazy!! And why do we still get paid less? Grrrr. I certainly hope progress will be made. The sooner the better.

>191 msf59: Mark--sounds like a fair number of us have Hunger ready to go in the near future. Hope you had a great weekend. : )

>193 jessibud2: >194 ronincats: Thanks you guys!

And a big congrats to Federer, although, to be honest, the tennis was not that exciting. 8 wins at Wimbledon!!

Hi Berly!

Congrats to Jack and thanks for sharing the pic of him and his granddad.

I agree that the tennis was not exciting, but it was a huge milestone. Plus, Roger won the Championship without dropping a single set. I also enjoyed watching the women Saturday, well, at least the first set. Venus's get-up-and-go got up and went, I'm afraid. I'm happy for Muguruza.

I hope you have a great week.

>198 karenmarie: Hey Karen--It was a huge milestone! And I am stoked for Federer. I can't believe he did it without dropping a single set. : )

I didn't get to watch the women's match, but I heard it kinda crumbled for Venus. I was pulling for her.

Are you happily back at home after your long time away settling up your mom's affairs? I couldn't believe what happened to your hubby--so scary! Glad he is okay. Yeesh!

I see someone is up early! Morning, Kimmers! And congrats to Jack! Nice accomplishment.

Hola Mark! Woke up at 4am for no good reason. Thought I'd play around here a bit and then try to hit the pillow again. Where are you going today on your last day of vacation? I thought I read somewhere you were going to go on a hike...

>199 Berly: I am stoked for Roger, too. I've already put the US Open App on my cell phone and uninstalled Wimbledon until next year. I was pulling for Muguruza simply to spread the wealth. Inconsistent with my pulling for Roger, but as I always tell my husband "I reserve the right to be inconsistent." *smile* I'm happily back at home with no plans to go back to CA anytime soon. And husband is angry but processing and doing okay. Thanks!

Just decided on my Amazon Kindle First July free pick: The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed by astronaut Scoot Parazynski. Trying to keep up my nonfiction stats and this looks like a good one!

>202 karenmarie: A US Open tennis app? Tell me more! Is it going to tell me who wins before I can watch the match? That would be bad. But if I could watch stuff...

No, I'm afraid you will not get rich off betting from it. It will have news, players, draws, schedules, probably live scores, etc. The majors all have an app..... You'll have to search for ' us open tennis' otherwise you'll get the snore-inducing golf app. (I have an excuse for my opinion of golf - I was a golf orphan as a child. *smile* )

>192 Berly: Congratulations to Jack and his team!!
Thanks for sharing the picture with his granddad.

>192 Berly: A great result especially in a U20 bracket. Very impressive.

Well, you got me with Bad Feminist in particular!

>205 karenmarie: Another get-rich scheme out the window, LOL. No, I meant I don't want to know the scores until I get a chance to watch the matches, since I tend to record them and watch when convenient. Thanks for the tip about the golf app--not a fan either, although not an orphan.

>206 FAMeulstee: Thanks and my pleasure.

>207 Oberon: He was very happy, as you can see. : )

>208 sibylline: I hope you enjoy Bad Feminist! There is a lot to think about.

I love the happiness, Kim. It makes me happy.

Hi Kim, well done to Jack and his team on winning the trophy my dear and a lovely photo of him with his Grandad. Hope you are having a good Monday dear friend.

Great photo of Jack and his granddad! Two great grins!!

Congrats to the footballer!

Astronaut book looks good. I've got a few Amazon firsts but haven't done very well at reading them.

>196 Berly: "...the best woman I can be." Yes!!!! (And I think you're already pretty terrific but I get the desire to be able to more easily do pushups!).

Thanks for posting that synopsis of Hunger, Kim. I'll be on the lookout for it and Bad Feminist when I visit my favorite local indie bookshop this week.

Congratulations to Jack and his teammates!

>210 weird_O: I am glad that our happiness made you happy, which makes me happy all over again!

>211 johnsimpson: Thanks. Today has been spent helping Sarah with her paper focusing on the recycling aspect of Ecotopia. Rough draft due tomorrow and she is done! The final is due Thursday, but she has to turn it in early because she is leaving for MN on Wednesday to go visit family.

>212 cameling: I know! It's a great pic of the two of them. : )

>213 charl08: I love getting my Amazon firsts because they are FREE!!! I have usually been able to find one that piques my interest and the ones I have managed to read have been pretty good. Heck, if I never get to them, no loss.

>214 EBT1002: You get me!! Thanks. One of the reason why we get along so well.

>215 kidzdoc: Oh! A favorite bookstore. I will look forward to seeing your purchases. ; ) And thanks for the kudos. He is a happy camper.

>201 Berly: Yep, a friend joined me on a bird hike this morning, taking advantage of a beautiful day. I then did a little food shopping and a couple chores around the house and then curled up with the books. A good last day.

Mark left a message for you/me on his thread today...I'm Kim, right?

>217 msf59: A fine end to a wonderful vacation. Hope the grind isn't too bad tomorrow.

>218 BLBera: Yes. You are Kim and I am Beth. Or not. : P LOL

Good morning Berly and happy Tuesday to you.

And good morning to you, Karen!! : )

Good morning, Kim. Your thread is humming along these days!

>222 EBT1002: Look who's talking! I love visitors. They make me happy.

So, I am supposed to finish The Leavers for my RL book group tomorrow night and I am only 1/3 of the way in. It's just not grabbing me. I started the section section from another character's POV, so maybe it will pick up now...

Anyone else read it?

I was on lauralkeet's thread and Katie mentioned sewing a pillow, which made me check out pillow images and then I saw these and they made me laugh!



Happy Tuesday!

I'm sure Katie would make those pillows for us, too!! :)

>223 Berly: I read it a couple of weeks ago, Kim. I liked it. It definitely did not grab me right out the gate though.

Awesome pillows!

>223 Berly: Sorry, The Leavers isn't really grabbing you, Kimmers. I really liked that one. I hope the narrative shift, kicks you into gear.

>225 lauralkeet: Oh, Katie.....!?!?

>226 EBT1002: The question of why she left is drawing me in. We'll see if it picks up for me.

>227 ChelleBearss: : ) Are you still getting sleep?

>228 msf59: I haven't given up by a long shot! I have some uninterrupted time tonight and tomorrow, so we'll see if that helps, too. Little snippets here and there are not very satisfying.

I've ordered Bad Feminist from the library, based on your comments, Kim.

>229 Berly: oh, now she's making excuses over on my thread. Something about having to learn how to embroider first. Sheesh. :)

>229 Berly: Ha, a little less than I would like!! :-p She had been waking every 2.5 hours on the dot to eat, but goes back to sleep easily. It could be worse.

I also loved The Leavers, Kim. But it did drag for me in places. Too much teen angst.

Kim, The Leavers was such a sad story. I understand the mother's pain, but I think she should have done so many things differently. I don't want to say too much and get into spoilers. I listened to the book and didn't care for the narrator so I thought my meh reaction was a result of my irritation with the reader's voice. I still think it will make for a good discussion, though. I wish I could come out and add my two-cent's worth!

Love the picture of Jack and his granddad. Congratulations to him! Also think the bird warbler ratings are awesome.

Hi Berly!

I love those pillows! Laugh out loud funny.

I hope you're having a good week so far.

Hey Kim! Terrific pillow covers! Me thinks I need a 3rd cup of coffee as it took a wee bit too long to get the Earth/Art pillow.
Have a wonderful day!

Hi Kim. I hope this isn't an intrusive post, but I saw on Donna's thread your mention of your mother-in-law. The loss of her capacity to play Bridge and Pinochle was one of the first really unnerving things for my mother in her long decline, so that spoke to me. I hope that you and your husband (especially) have an easier time that Donna and I had.

>224 Berly: great pillows! And the earth/art one comes in 34 colours- did you know?

>230 ronincats: I hope you enjoy it!

>231 lauralkeet: The noyve!!! Can you imagine slacking off like that?

>232 ChelleBearss: Well, hopefully you get longer and longer sleep intervals! Good luck and hang in there. Good thing babies are so cute. : )

>233 BLBera: RL has been in the way. Haven't read anything in two days. : /

>234 Donna828: I would love to hear your two cents worth!! Can you post it inside spoilers?

>235 karenmarie: Glad you liked the pillow talk. ; ) Good week so far, just not enough time.

>236 Carmenere: I know! It took me a second look to get the Earth one, but then I loved it. I could still use a coffee though. Thank goodness it is Friday!!

>237 majleavy: Hi there. Welcome and thanks for posting here. Both my mom and my MIL are starting the mental decline. My mom is actually farther along and already has not recognized me once. That really broke my heart. But luckily, both of them seem to be of good spirits as opposed to scared or resentful and angry. It will be what it will be. I am sorry that it was so difficult for you. And thanks for the good wishes. I am sure we will need them.

>238 LovingLit: I know! 34 colors!! Hmmmmmm. Purple is my favorite color, although it doesn't really match anything in my house currently. Who cares! Purple!!

I'm glad to hear that your mom and MIL are in good spirits. For sure, as I followed my mother from independent living to assisted to memory care, I met more than a few residents who continued to enjoy life and stay cheerful thought all the stages.

Reading about parents in declines is a bit disconcerting to me, since my wife and I are now entering that stage. Our parents have died, but our siblings are all in good health. Gots to get on that living will thingie.

Oh I so need that pirate cushion for my office chair.

Happy Friday indeed. I'm so done with this work week, it's been insane. Can't wait to get out of here and indulge in .... Wonder Woman! I am finally getting to watch the movie this evening with 2 of my nieces.

But first I need to pick up about 6 books the library is holding for me. yaay!

Hi Berly! I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a great weekend.

I'm sorry to hear about the beginnings of your mother's and MiL's mental decline.

My poor sister has her Stage IV Parkinson's MiL living with them. Shirley's always been a selfish, mean woman, and those attributes have become more pronounced in her declining days. Husband and I have both lost parents/step parents in the last 11 years and the one thing that is true for all 5 of them (and Shirley) is that their true nature always came out even more as they neared the end. Sweet, mean, selfish, giving, humble, narcissistic, whatever. I have all of this in mind as I turned 64 this year and want to age gracefully and make things as easy as possible for my daughter when my inevitable time comes. (>243 weird_O: Husband and I need to re-do and add to the collection of documents that will help daughter - wills, durable powers of attorney, advanced care directives. Resolved - call our lawyer on Monday make an appointment to update the documents we did in 1993 when daughter was born.)

>242 majleavy: I can only hope they stay of good cheer. It makes it so much easier on everyone. Hope you have a great weekend! And don't be a stranger here. ; )

>243 weird_O: Yeah, we haven't updated ours in forever. And it is not near the top of my To Do list. Remind me in a year would you? LOL

>244 cameling: ARGH! Yes, that is my pirate take on this past week. Which isn't over yet since I have to go in to the office today. Sigh. Next week should be calmer. I hope. What did you think of Wonder Woman? I haven't seen a movie in forever. I should fix that!

>245 karenmarie: Hi there! "Their true nature always came out even more as they neared the end." I think this is so true and I sincerely hope that as I age I do it with good grace and humor. Good luck with the document updates!! Yes, I have to do that, too. But not Monday. ; )

>245 karenmarie: >246 Berly: "Their true nature..." So true! My mother was always dreadfully insecure, and that was all that was left in her later years. It's a trait that I picked up from her, unfortunately; I've tried to keep her experience in mind as I keep aging.

>248 majleavy: Good luck! I think since you are aware of the tendency, it will help mitigate it a bit. ; ) What are you teaching in the fall?