Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Thirty-Three

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

September:

107) Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 3.8 stars
108) The Graybar Hotel: Stories by Curtis Dawkins 4.5 stars (audio) AAC
109) Jesus' Son: Stories by Denis Johnson 4.3 stars AAC
110) Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta 3.6 stars (audio)
111) The Punch Escrow by Tal M. Klein 4 stars ALA
112) Swing Time by Zadie Smith 3.3 stars (audio)
113) The Dark Dark: Stories by Samantha Hunt 4 stars (audio) AAC
114) Pastoralia by George Saunders 4.2 stars AAC
115) The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne 4.7 stars (audio/print)
116) What We Talk About When We Talk About Love: Stories by Raymond Carver 4.2 stars (audio) AAC
117) In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien 3.7 stars
118) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie 4.5 stars (audio)
119) American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse 4.2 stars (audio)
120) Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward 4 stars ALA

October:

121) The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen 3.6 stars (audio)
122) Solar Bones by Mike McCormack 4.2 stars
123) Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett 4.3 stars AAC
124) Things to Do When You're Goth in the Country: Stories by Chavisa Woods 4.3 stars
125) Ranger Games: A Story of Soldiers, Family and an Inexplicable Crime by Ben Blum 4.2 stars (audio)
126) Sourdough: A Novel by Robin Sloan 3.7 stars (audio)
127) Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan 4.7 stars ALA
128) Rules of Civility by Amor Towles 4.2 stars (audio)
129) Lightning Men (The Darktown Series) by Thomas Mullen 4.3 stars (audio)
130) Commonwealth by Ann Patchett 4.8 stars AAC
131) Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado 4.4 stars
132) A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson 4.2 stars

November:

133) Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History by Katy Tur 4 stars (audio)
134) Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks 5 stars (audio/print)
135) Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green 4 stars GN
136) Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor 3.8 stars (audio)
137) Turtles All the Way Down by John Green 4.3 stars (audio)
138) One More Warbler: A Life with Birds by Victor Emanuel 4 stars
139) Half in Love: Stories by Maile Meloy 4.3 stars
140) Day In, Day Out by Héctor Aguilar Camín 4.2 stars (E)
141) Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King 3.7 stars (audio)
142) Any Other Name (Longmire) by Craig Johnson 4 stars (audio)
143) Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann 4.7 stars
144) You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir by Sherman Alexie 4.3 stars (audio)
145) Human Acts: A Novel by Han Kang 4.4 stars

December:

146) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 5 stars (audio)
147) Men Without Women: Stories by Haruki Murakami 3.7 stars
148) Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay 4.2 stars (audio)
149) Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich 4.3 stars (audio)
150) The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash 4.2 stars ALA
151) Silver Screen Fiend by Patton Oswalt 4 stars (audio)
152) Gangsterland by Tod Goldberg 4 stars (audio)
153) Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb 3.6 stars (audio)
154) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway 3.8 stars AAC
155) The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield 4 stars
156) Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 4.2 stars (audio)
157) The Things We Don't Do by Andrés Neuman 4 stars
158) Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches by John Hodgman 4 stars (audio)
159) A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote 4.5 stars
160) Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish by Juli Berwald 3.7 stars (audio)
161) I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez 4 stars (audio)
162) The King Is Always Above the People: Stories by Daniel Alarcón 3.7 stars (audio)
163) Fools Crow by James Welch 4.5 stars

Welcome to the AAC IV! It should be another fun year. Some interesting and diverse authors.

January- Octavia Butler Completed Kindred
February- Stewart O' Nan Completed Songs For the Missing, In the Walled City: Stories
March- William Styron Completed The Confessions of Nat Turner
April- Poetry Month Completed Incendiary Art, There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé, Scriptorium,
No Matter the Wreckage
May- Zora Neale Hurston Completed Dust Tracks on a Road
June- Sherman Alexie Completed The Toughest Indian in the World, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir
July- James McBride Completed The Good Lord Bird, The Color of Water
August- Patricia Highsmith Completed Strangers on a Train
September- Short Story Month Completed The Graybar Hotel: Stories, Jesus' Son: Stories, The Dark Dark: Stories
Pastoralia, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
October- Ann Patchett Completed Truth & Beauty, Commonwealth
November- Russell Banks Completed Cloudsplitter
December- Ernest Hemingway Completed A Farewell to Arms

The General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/244600#
The Poetry Thread Continued: http://www.librarything.com/topic/254101#6045134http://cookingwiththemuse.com/wp...

155) The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield 4 stars

I loved Hadfield's memoir, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, from a few years ago. A couple of my LT pals mentioned that he did a children's picture book, based on his childhood in Ontario, I knew I had to give it a try. It is a delight and the illustrations are beautiful.

>4 msf59: Glad you carried that one over!! Happy new one/last one. (Hope I am not too early...)

>6 Berly: Thanks, Kimmers. The last strip was Batman slappin' him and this one is WW. I will keep switching off or try to find another superhero, taking a shot at the Orange Gasbag. I can't get enough of it.

Happy new thread!

If I was a young millennial, inclined to get lots of tattoos (and if I could stomach having his ghastly visage on my body), I'd get either the WW or the Batman permanently affixed.

But I'm not, so I'll just smile wryly every time I see them.

Happy 33rd, to finish out the year.

BTW, Santa Jeff sent you a care package. It might not get there this week, depending on the whims of media mail, but its not wrapped anyway.

Happy new one mate.

>8 drneutron: Thanks, Jim.

>9 mahsdad: I am tattoo-less also, Jeff. I am sure it will stay that way too. Care package, eh? Sounds fantastic! Rubs palms, gleefully.

>10 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

Happy new thread, Mark. To continue on with the movie talk from the last thread, The Ref is a fun Christmas movie if you are interested in checking it out.

Happy new thread, Mark. Those Hadfield illustrations are terrific aren't they? The Fan brothers who illustrated the book are so good!

>12 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I will keep The Ref in mind. Always nice to have a holiday film to watch.

>13 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I think the Fan brothers who illustrated The Darkest Dark, have a book out called the Night Gardener. I will have to request it.

Congrats Mark and yet another thread. Movies now too. Here's five I like, regardless of cinematic merit.

Rebel Without a Cause
Spinal Tap
Used Cars
Midnight in Paris
Burn After Reading

I mentioned on my own thread that I have hobbled myself. Took a tumble Saturday morning before breakfast and coffee, breaking my right ankle. Had surgery Sunday (plates and screws and everything nice—Oooo, sparklies!) Finally got home about 4:30 this afternoon and managed to make the first good cuppa I've had since Friday afternoon.

Any visit to a hospital ALWAYS turns into a long, strange trip.

Happy new thread, Mark! I'm eager to read your comments on Eleanor Oliphant.

>15 weird_O: Oh, ouch! I wish you a quick recovery, Bill!

From last thread: I loved Gods and Monsters, RD. Great choice. There are so many good British gay-themed films, including Prick Up Your Ears, My Beautiful Laundrette and Weekend. On the US front, were you a fan of Brokeback? I think it was a great film.

Brokeback Mountain contains a scene that causes me to sob in a most embarrassing and loud way, at the end where Ennis buttons his shirt over Jack's while talking to Jack when he's totally alone. I will never re-watch the film because I can't survive such a terrible, beautiful, poignant, agonizing moment ever again.

My Beautiful Laundrette and Weekend weren't favorites of mine, though Prick Up Your Ears got my vote for best adapted screenplay.

Happy new thread.

Morning, Mark! Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Mark!

>15 weird_O: Oh no, Bill. So sorry to hear about the ankle injury. Sounds like a rough one and it sounds like even more reading time in your future.

I like your film list. It fits your personality. Used Cars is a lot of fun, isn't it? An over-looked comedy. And Spinal Tap and Rebel are bona-fide classics too.

>16 tymfos: Thanks, Terri. I am having a good time with Eleanor Oliphant and will finish it up today.

>17 richardderus: Thanks, RD. And thanks for getting back to me on the gay-themed films- I vividly remember the last scene with Ennis. A heart-breaker, for sure and I can understand your reluctance to ever see it again.

>18 scaifea: >19 harrygbutler: Morning, Amber & Harry and thanks to you both!

Good morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you.

From your last thread: My husband doesn’t buy DVDs any more either, but he recently mentioned that he’d like to watch Orphan Black straight through, all 5 seasons, so that’s one of his Christmas presents.

The Librarians is great fun. We haven’t watched the new season yet.

Greetings, Mark and happy new thread! Seems like you've got springlike weather to finish your holiday deliveries! Soon all will be back to normal. Have a good one!

Morning, Mark! Happy new one!

>4 msf59: >7 msf59: Another good morning wish!! I meant I was glad you carried over the gasbag punching THEME!! LOL If you find more, keep posting them. It makes my day.

>22 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I enjoyed the first 2 seasons of Orphan Black but decided that was enough. There are only a handful of shows worth watching, beyond 2 or 3 seasons IMHO.

>23 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda and thanks. Yep, 50 degrees today. Nice, huh? Back to winter temps on the weekend and possibly a white Christmas.

>24 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie and thanks.

>25 Berly: Hooray for the Gasbag punching Theme! Let's keep that baby Rollin', Kimmers.

Happy new one, Mark. Have a great week. I hope the bags aren't too heavy.

2008-2016:


2016-2017:

>28 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. The volume has been light, we are getting parcel help and the weather has been mild, so all is good here.

>29 richardderus: I love it, RD. Thanks for sharing.

>4 msf59: Tell us how you really feel.

Happy 33rd thread, Mark!

Happy new one, Mark. I don't know how many I've missed. Big waves from over the pond.

I think we got your snow, Mark. Would you like it back?

I could've sworn I posted on your new thread, Mark, but I don't see it. Happy New Thread! I like those festive toppers!

Debbi wants to watch Orphan Black again, straight through, so like Karen's husband is getting from Karen, Debbi's getting the full DVD collection from me.

>31 The_Hibernator: I cannot hold back, Rachel. This is the only satisfaction that remains...at this point. Great to see you, BTW.

>32 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. This will probably be my finale.

>33 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. I am sure you missed a whole lot. Grins...But it is great to see you.

>34 Familyhistorian: No thanks, Meg, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I am sure we will get plenty before the season ends...

>35 jnwelch: I was waiting and waiting, Joe and nothing...Grins...just kidding. Glad to know Orphan Black is a big hit, in the Welch household. I really enjoyed the first couple of seasons and the lead actress is a marvel, but I am not sure I could handle a DVD collection, I am too busy with the books.

^After finishing Eleanor Oliphant, which was an absolute delight, I decided to go with Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches. I really enjoyed John Hodgman, when he appeared on The Daily Show, but I had not read any of his books. This little memoir is quite a treat. Hodgman narrates the audio and I found myself busting out in laughter, as I stumbled through the route today. Dude is funny!

Glad you are enjoying Vacationland. Read it earlier this year, and although I enjoyed snippets, got to say, I expected more.

May finish Turtles tonight. Just started Everybody Lies on audio during my morning commute. Interesting stuff.

Good morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you!

>26 msf59: Oh, husband and I have abandoned many a series, most recently Good Behavior with Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery. Too sleazy and over the top in the second season.

Morning, Mark! I'm about a third of the way through The Round House and it's a good 'un so far.

>39 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. So glad to hear you are still doing your A.M. walks. I am enjoying Vacationland. His humor is perfect for me. Everybody Lies sounds interesting and probably pretty disturbing, right?

>40 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I am pretty selective about TV watching. Hey, much like my book reading. Never heard of Good Behavior. A good thing, right?

>41 scaifea: Morning, Amber! I am so glad to hear you are enjoying The Round House. Erdrich Rules!

^I am not going on vacation for another 5 weeks, but I can prepare, right? Did I mention that the Freeburg clan are going to Mexico? B.A.G.

>43 msf59: Good morning, Mark! Yes, that's the right way to pack. :-)

>43 msf59: You certainly can prepare, although I must admit that my Kindle comes in handy when I'm away from home, in addition to the two or three books I always carry along.

>43 msf59: Mexico (with books) sounds terrific!

>44 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Lots of experience, plus bringing a Kindle along, is a perfect back-up.

>45 karenmarie: A Kindle is ideal for traveling. I don't read on one very often, due to a glut of print books, but it is always well-stocked.

>46 alphaorder: I will have to start doing some bird research too, Nancy. Smiles, dreamily...

Heading into the P.O...

>43 msf59: That's an accurate picture of what my packing will look like when we travel next week. I mean, eerily accurate. Why are you x-raying my suitcase, Mark?!

>43 msf59: Mexico, how was exciting. I shall look forward to the holiday reading list... glad you have started preparing for that now Mark.

Morning, Mark!

Mexico - great! When?

Vacationland sounds perfect for a cold work day.

>43 msf59: yeah, that's what my bag is going to look like on Saturday. I've gotten out of habit of using my Nook...

>48 scaifea: I was not being a creepy stalker, I promise, just bookishly curious...grins.

>49 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. I do not usually plan that far ahead on my reading, but by the middle of January, I should have a pretty good idea.

>50 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. We are leaving the final, week of January. 4 night, 5 days. Our first trip to Mexico, not counting a seedy trip to Tijuana, that I made, while visiting SoCal, in the mid-80s. Ewwww...

Vacationland has been a lot of fun.

>51 The_Hibernator: Where you heading, Rachel?

I'm going to Oregon for Christmas to meet my fiancé's family. Then I will be going to Ohio to meet my fiancé's friends.

>54 The_Hibernator: Sounds great. Where in OR? My sister and family live in Salem and, of course there are some wonderful LT folk residing in Portland.

>4 msf59: I love that. I have seen it on a mug and it's very tempting (except that I truly do not need any more mugs!).

Your warbling about Eleanor Oliphant was persuasive. I need to use an Audible credit and that's what I'm going to use it for.

Mexico sounds great! I have never been to that country.

My plans do not take me away from home except for a morning run or two, once I get over this dang holiday cold that has me home sick and in bed today. At least I get to catch up some on LT and do some reading.....

>55 msf59: "...there are some wonderful LT folk residing in Portland." Indeed!

Where are you going in Mexico, Mark? I've been to Cancun/Riviera Maya and Mexico City. I'd like to go to the Pacific coast sometime (but not Tijuana!).

I bought Vacationland for my cousin for Christmas. I hope he likes it - I didn't know much about it...

>47 msf59:. We're planning our March Iceland trip over the holidays. I am going to make sure there is some bird watching built in - with a guide, of course. Hoping to get some lifers.

Mark - reading that you have today off and have volunteered tomorrow
reminded me of our rural mailman's comments yesterday:

He brought us a package and, when I thanked him for taking my (finally written)
Christmas cards, he said:
"There have been more Christmas Cards going out this year than in any previous year."

We wondered why e-holiday-cards hadn't slowed the tide
and I added
that maybe people were feeling so hopeless about this year that they wanted to send out more CHEER.

"Well," he said, "that may be, but it sure is not bringing any more CHEER to the carriers!"

Hello, Mark. Nice to read about travel plans, yours and others. We'll be holding down the fort, sitting here at home.

Slowly reading Sense and Sensibility by Ms. Austen. My wife is a dedicated reader/rereader of Lady Jane and chided me for missing a plot point. I asserted that though I am only on page 60, I've read more words and sentences than are in whole damn book. Every little distraction diverts my eyes from a sentence, purges those last-read words from my cache, and causes me to start at the top again. I just may turn to World of Trouble to finish up Ben Winters' Last Policeman trilogy.

Happy steppin' on the mail route, my friend.

As I was leaving your thread, Mark, I stopped at the topper and said to myself, "That guy looks soooo relaxed and content. I wanna BE that guy!"

Really? Who's in Portland? I will be in Corvallis, which means I'll be flying in and out of Portland.

Mexico sounds good to me along about the end of January-beginning of February, when the snow's grey and the ice hides in sneaky little places to slip me up. Considering how close I was to it all youth long, it's perverse that only now do I think of it fondly.

Mark, my birding friend! Reading reviews in Library Journal for work and ran across a book that made me think of you immediately. Scheduled for release in February 2018, I think you might want to put North on the Wing: Travels with the Songbird Migration of Spring by Bruce M. Beehler on your list. *giggles to self about warbling to the warbler about a book in which someone tracks warblers*

Got me with a book bullet for Vacationland.

I am half done with Hour I First Believed and think that this author should have found an editor. The thing just goes on and on. Just when I think I will ditch it, something interesting happens. This is more like one of those Jeffrey Archer family dynasty series than it is a novel. It would have functioned better if it had been broken up into three novels than one huge behemoth single volume. I might be missing something, but I am figuring that there was a reason why I put this novel off for so long, and I should probably have put it off longer.

It is surprising, but I am enjoying George Guidall's narration. He is doing a good job of bringing an almost dead novel to life. Now I understand why you think so highly of him as a narrator. This is excellent work compared to his later narration of the Longmire series.

I haven't pulled the trigger on this novel, but it needed some serious editing. I am on CD number 14 and that is just a little over half-way. I'm not sure I want to travel all the way back to Alabama with this going-nowhere novel in the CD player. Surely Wally Lamb's subsequent novel are better than this one?

>63 The_Hibernator: I love Corvallis!!!!! I lived there for 13 years, 13 of the best years of my life.

My suitcase will have a small stack of books this time and an iPad loaded with other reading options available or downloadable. I know better than to take too many with me because the time is short. I'll be spending time with family and friends for the most part, and the reading will still be there, but since "life is a vapor" (James 4:14, paraphrased), I'll be sure to spend time with them while I can.

Mark, so glad that you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant . It's a happy story, overall! I was charmed by it . Hey , great fun , the Freeburg clan going to Mexico! Enjoy!

I met my daughter after work, for brews and eats, (Danger, Will Robinson!!) so I am late getting home and just a bit buzzed. Happy Holidays! So, any misspellings or other incoherence's, should be completely accepted and understood.

>56 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. Great to see you, but I am sad that you are under the weather. I hope the worst is behind you. I am sure you will enjoy Eleanor Oliphant and hooray for Mexico and Portland denizens!

>58 katiekrug: Hi, Katie. We are going to Rivera Maya. A resort & spa. All inclusive. Sounds perfect, especially in late Jan, early Feb.

Vacationland has been a lot of fun! I'll wrap it up tomorrow.

>59 alphaorder: Th Iceland trip sounds wonderful, Nancy. We were planning on going this past spring, but it just didn't pan out. Back to the back-burner.

>60 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. You must have read the memo wrong- I worked today and will work tomorrow. Off Friday, then work Saturday. Off til Tuesday. Not a shabby schedule. Thanks for your mailman tale. I have not noticed a big increase in Christmas cards, but I like your idea about people wanted more "Cheer" in their lives.

>61 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Glad to hear you are holding down the fort. I loved Sense and Sensibility. Did you stick it out or go with World of Trouble?

Glad you like the topper of the R & R Santa!

>63 The_Hibernator: Hey, Rachel. Kim, Rhonda and Juli, right off the bat. I am sure, all would be glad to meet up with you, if possible.

>64 richardderus: This is exactly why we picked that time frame, to visit the Maya Rivera, RD. I would never consider visiting in the summer months.

>65 MickyFine: "giggles to self about warbling to the warbler about a book in which someone tracks warblers." This is definitely worth giggling about, Micky. North on the Wing: Travels with the Songbird Migration of Spring sounds really good. Thanks for the rec. I will look into it.

>66 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I think you would have a good time with Vacationland. Wickedly funny. Sorry, to hear that Hour I First Believed has dragged for you. It has been a few years since I read it but I do agree that it could have used stronger editing. I still remember being fond of it, over all.

>68 thornton37814: "Life is a Vapor" is a good quote, Lori. I like your reading plans and preparations. Never hurts going over-prepared, considering the flip-side. Yikes!

>69 vancouverdeb: Hooray for Mexico & Eleanor Oliphant! There is hope in the world, Tonto!

Ah! You're right. You have a good memory for people's locations! Though I believe Rhonda is going on a trip?

>74 The_Hibernator: But I will be in Portland!! : )

Oh, Hi Mark! Yay for Mexico!

>70 msf59: - Lost in Space was my very favourite tv show, back in the day ! I had a crush on Will Robinson (and on the Robot, too, if truth be told). And wasn't Dr. Smith just the nastiest thing you loved to hate?

:-)

>74 The_Hibernator: I have been fortunate enough to attend a couple of Meet Ups, in Portland, so that helps with the memory thing. And yes, Rhonda & family are currently in Spain/Portugal. Not sure when they return. Maybe, you can meet with Kimmers.

>75 Berly: The Mexico trip will help me get through some of this winter, Kim. Really looking forward to it.

>76 jessibud2: I remember watching Lost in Space too, but I bet it has been 45-plus years since I have seen an episode. I always liked Angela Cartright.

Good morning, Mark! I hope the week is going well for you.

Morning, Harry. The week is going along fine. I am off tomorrow and then return Saturday. The mail should be light.

Morning, Mark! I've never been to Mexico - it sounds like a great place to go in January, though!

Good morning, Mark! Your upcoming schedule sounds doable and your trip to Mexico sounds fabulous.

Happy Thursday to you!!

Morning, Mark!

Great time to go to Mexico and get some sun. We're trying to figure out how to get out of winter for a bit in January or February - maybe to LA, where we have three nieces. Debbi has gone on her own in the past, but I may join her this time.

Buddhaland Brooklyn is very good so far.

>80 scaifea: Morning Amber. Looking forward to our trip. 5 weeks away.

>81 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. The mail is light. The weather decent. No squabbles from me.

>82 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. LA, in Jan or Feb sounds perfect. Taking a warm winter break is always appealing.

Morning Mark. Yeah, I'll see if I can meet with Kim without causing trouble with the tired kids.

>70 msf59: Sounds like a great evening!

Sweet Thursday, Mark. I understand that you have a light work load today (this surprises me -- are most packages already delivered?). Here it is going to be sunny and cold, perfect day for a run but I'll be spending it tucked up in bed with books, hot tea, and LT.

>84 The_Hibernator: I can't recall if you are a beer fan or not but if you are, Kim knows beer. Smiles...

Hope a Meet Up can happen.m

>85 EBT1002: Morning, Ellen. The parcels are still pretty heavy, but we are still receiving parcel help, so anything larger than a medium sized box, is whisked away by someone else. This makes it so much easier.

Your restful day sounds perfect. Enjoy and heal.

>86 msf59: Ah, that makes sense.

>72 msf59:

Yes, I could have mis-read or read & remembered the message from a different day.

Either way, I hope we get more of the glistening snow, though not measured in feet!

Zihuatanejo was a lovely location - Tijuana a quick drive through.

Happy Yule Book Flood!

Online BIRDWATCHING Magazine just announced that a new antbird has been discovered
in the mountains of Peru:

Cordillera Azul Antbird - so beautiful!

>87 EBT1002: We still deliver plenty of smaller ones but not lugging the big ones is a huge help.

>88 m.belljackson: Sweet Thursday, Marianne. An inch or so of snow, Sunday into Monday would be just fine. Not familiar with Zihuatanejo. Sounds nice though.

>89 richardderus: Hooray for a Yule Book Flood! Those are always special. Big waves to RD!

>90 m.belljackson: Hooray for the Cordillera Azul Antbird. New discoveries are perfect.

>90 m.belljackson:, >91 msf59: What a beauty it is to bear such a cumbersome polysyllabic ycelpture.

>92 richardderus: Great observation, RD. Poor little guy.

^"A former ocean scientist goes in pursuit of the slippery story of jellyfish, rediscovering her passion for marine science and the sea's imperiled ecosystems.
Jellyfish have been swimming in our oceans for well over half a billion years, longer than any other animal that lives on the planet. They make a venom so toxic it can kill a human in three minutes...
"Gracefully blending personal memoir with crystal-clear distillations of science, Spineless is the story of how Juli learned to navigate and ultimately embrace her ambition, her curiosity, and her passion for the natural world."

I have been hearing some buzz on Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone for a couple of months now and once I found it on audio, I thought I would give it a go. Berwald narrates it too and is doing a fine job. Honestly, I have not thought much about jellyfish before, but she definitely makes these translucent animals intriguing.

>92 richardderus: >93 msf59:

I dunno > Cordillera has a wonderfully Hispanic rhythm and voice and Azul joins well with bleu...non? eh? si?
while Antbird thunders in with germanic anglo thumps.

(now to go look up cordillera)

>95 m.belljackson: "Mountain Blue Antbird" doesn't scan that well either, at least to me.

>96 richardderus:

Egad.

Full name even more of a mouthful: Myrmoderus eowilsoni...a distant derus?

Just checking in :)

Like your Mexico suitcase planning. Hubby still mocks me for this year's France trip when he found that I had stashed a few emergency books in each of the small hidden drawers in the foot well of the back seat of the car.

Of course he had reason to mock since I had my e-reader and at least two other stashes of books...

Good morning, Mark! Happy day off. I hope it includes some reading.

Morning, Mark!

>96 richardderus: >97 m.belljackson: "Myrmoderus eowilsoni...a distant derus?" Wouldn't this be something? Smiles...

>98 BekkaJo: Hi, Bekka. Good to see you. I see you know how to pack for a trip. My kind of person.

>99 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. If it stays dry, I will go on a hike with Bree and Duke this A.M. and then Star Wars this afternoon. I will have to squeeze in that reading time, but I am sure I will.

>100 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

Good morning, Mark! Enjoy the day off!

>102 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry and thanks...I WILL!

"James Welch Jr., (1940-2003) who grew up within the Blackfeet and A'aninin cultures of his parents, was a Native American novelist and poet, considered a founding author of the Native American Renaissance. His novel Fools Crow received several national literary awards, and his debut novel Winter in the Blood was adapted as a film by the same name, released in 2013."

^Thanks to Katie, I had requested Fools Crow from the library and I am finally starting it. I can't believe I have not read or heard of this author before, especially since his writing and subject matter are smack in the middle of my bookish wheelhouse. I know a few of my other LT pals have read this too, glad that I can finally join the crowd.

>104 msf59: Sounds good Mark. I will add it to the wishlist.

Happy Friday, Mark. Enjoy the day off!

I'm one of those who read Fools Crow and liked it. The Indian Lawyer is the other of his that I read; not quite at the level of FC.

Have you heard of the GN Uncomfortably Happily? It's out of Korea, and made at least one "Best of" list. Pretty good so far - it's a chunkster. A graphic artist and his student wife move out of Seoul into the (fairly) nearby countryside, and have to figure out how to make a go of it.

>105 charl08: Hope to spend more time with it today, Charlotte.

>106 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Not far into Fools Crow but I am quite impressed. Looking forward to spending more time with it.

I will wait for your final verdict on Uncomfortably Happily, before requesting it. Those chunksters can take awhile to read.

“Morning. Frozen rime lusters the grass; the sun, round as an orange and orange as hot-weather moons, balances on the horizon, burnishes the silvered winter woods. A wild turkey calls. A renegade hog grunts in the undergrowth.”

“I could leave the world with today in my eyes.”

159) A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote 4.5 stars

I know many of my LT pals have enjoyed this seasonal gem, over the years and thanks to Karen's kindness, in sending me a copy, I finally read it. It is a beautiful little book and the writing is gorgeous. And clocking in at just under 50 pages, it can easily be read in one sitting.

Morning, Mark! I knew you would love A Christmas Memory. Enjoy your day off.

>108 msf59: That sounds good! Nice excerpts. I'll follow the warble of the wild 75ers, too. Maybe after Christmas.

>109 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Yep, I really enjoyed A Christmas Memory. I will be adding this my keeper shelf.

>110 jnwelch: You will enjoy this one, Joe. I can always lend you my copy, if you would like.

>96 richardderus:, >101 msf59: He's the pretty one. :)

>112 richardderus: Giggles...

^Off to see Star Wars...

Hope you enjoy it!

Adding A Christmas Memory to my wish list. It sounds perfect for these short chilly days.

I'm probably way too late to say happy new thread. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Feeling a bit better most days so things are looking up.

>115 drneutron: I sure did, Jim.

>116 TheWorstOffender: Hi, Jude. There is also a recent adaptation of A Christmas Memory but I have not seen that one too. Did you find your copy?

>117 EBT1002: It is very short, Ellen but the writing is good enough for multiple reads.

^I really enjoyed Star Wars The Last Jedi. Probably my favorite, outside of the original trilogy. I am not going to discuss the plot, it is pretty formulaic anyway, but for an action-heavy film, I never thought it got tiresome, like so many action films these days. Nice to see Carrie Fisher is her final role and, once again Daisy Ridley Rocks as Rey.

Planning to see it between Christmas and new year Mark. I’ve also got Carrie Fisher’s The Princess Diarist at the top of the tbr mountain too.

>121 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Carolina. I think reading/listening to The Princess Diarist is a fine idea. I thought I had it saved on audio, but I can't seem to find it. I may have to look deeper.

>118 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Missed you up there. Great to see you and glad to hear that you are on the mend. I hope the reading is going well too.

^I made a quick trip to the library for a few January reads. No sense in dawdling, right? They Know Not What They Do is a crime novel from Finland, courtesy of Jim. I appreciate it, Doc. What It Means When A Man Falls From the Sky is a story collection, I heard some raves about, including from Mr. RD, himself. I am ready with the Dickens for the Group Read and The Fact of a Body, a true crime tale and the only audio book here, has also been getting some serious buzz.

Stopping by to say I hope you have a lovely holiday!

Half the fun of going away on holiday is the anticipation, Mark. I am sure you will have a great time in Mexico. You said the clan is going - does that mean all of you including the dog? LOL I have The Fact of a Body on the shelves. I am looking forward to what you think of it.

I agree with RD What It Means When A Man Falls From the Sky is really good.

>125 Whisper1: Thank you ,Linda. Lovely image.

>126 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Yes, the Freeburg Clan are all going, minus the dogs. It will be here before you know it and I would like to shed a few pounds too. I better get crackin'...Looking forward to The Fact of a Body. It looks amazing.

>127 charl08: Ooh, another fan of What It Means When A Man Falls From the Sky. Sweet. Hope to get to it soon.

Good Morning, Mark. Happy Saturday!

>120 msf59: Great - can't wait to see it!

>124 msf59: All new ones to me. I asked Becca, and she knew about The Fact of a Body and plans to read it.

I hope today goes well and you have a great holiday weekend, buddy.

Morning, Joe. Just pulled up to work. Looks to be a decent day and a good one to travel on.

I thought of Becca, right away with The Fact of a Body. It sure seems like her cuppa.

Are you joining us on the Dickens?

Happy New Thread Mark! My , if you worked in Canada, you would have today off! No postal delivery here on Saturday or Sunday! Move on up to Canada, buddy! The trip to Mexico sounds fabulous!

Hi Mark, and happy Saturday to you! I hope your work day flies by.

>131 vancouverdeb: HEY!! Hands off our few remaining posties there, Canadian Poacher Woman!

Hey Mark, happy Saturday. I feel like this guy:

>131 vancouverdeb: Morning, Deb. Moving to Canada has its appeal but I could not handle the long winters. I would definitely have to move to B.C.

>132 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Looks to be a nice, winter day, with plenty of sunshine at the moment.

>133 richardderus: Now, that is a helluva watchdog, RD. Good job watching our postal backs.

Morning, Mark! Hoping the work day goes quickly and smoothly for you.

Morning, Mark! I'm so glad that you liked A Christmas Memory!

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.

>135 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. It looks like the day will go very smoothly. Thanks.

>136 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Yep, the Truman was a seasonal delight.

>137 Ameise1: Happy Holidays, Barb. Love the image.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Mark.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and may 2018 be a good vintage for you Mark.

Great library snags, Mark. I went ahead and purchased Nicholas Nickleby on my kindle so I can take my time reading it. I'm looking forward to the group discussion. Your other acquisitions look/sound good, too.

I hope it's an easy Saturday at work and you can glide into two days off and a wonderful Christmas. I'm still sick so I bailed on the trip to visit FIL today. I will call Wave to complain about our slow internet/wireless and do some reading in Reservoir 13 which I am quite liking.

>139 cameling: Thanks, for the holiday wishes, Caro! Love the image.

>140 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. You know I like a good vintage. Winks...

>141 EBT1002: Happy Saturday, Ellen. Sorry, to hear you are still ailing. Bummer! It looks like we will have a nice group for Nicholas Nickleby. I have the print edition but I think I am also going to do the audio.

Glad you are enjoying Reservoir 13. Unique little book.

-The New Yorker

Wishing you a very merry Christmas, Mark! May 2018 find us in the same pub together one evening.

>143 msf59: - blech

>144 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Cute kitty. Fingers crossed for a Pub Meet Up in '18!

>145 jessibud2: Sorry, to ruin the holiday spirit, Shelley. Grins...

Hi Mark, stopping by to wish you and your loved ones peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and for 2018!

Hi Mark. I can't add pictures but I wanted to add my best wishes for the holiday season to you and your family.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mark!

>143 msf59: That’s horrifying!!

>147 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! Great to see you.

>148 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley. Pictures or not, I appreciate the sentiment.

>149 Copperskye: Thank you, Joanne. Love the Christmas image. And I am sorry I made you slightly sick. Grins...

>151 msf59: Love it!!

It is that time of year again, between Solstice and Christmas, just after Hanukkah, when our thoughts turn to wishing each other well in whatever language or image is meaningful to the recipient. So, whether I wish you Happy Solstice or Merry Christmas, know that what I really wish you, and for you, is this:

>151 msf59: love it.

>151 msf59: love it.

>152 ronincats: Thank you, Roni. I love the image and the message. We need it now more than ever.

>153 Caroline_McElwee: >154 Ameise1: Yes, we need that kind of joy around here.

I love the image and message too!

Stopping by to let you know that I read and enjoyed the Maggie Smith poetry collection Good Bones. I am almost halfway through a great YA book, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Look what a trip to Boswell can do!

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy your well-deserved few days off. I am sure we'll be catching up this week.

>156 alphaorder: Happy Holidays, Nancy. We are definitely on the same bookish radar- I just downloaded the audio of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter and will get to it in the very near future. Glad to hear it is so good, although I am not surprised, I read and loved her poetry collection, Lessons on Expulsion, a few months ago. I highly recommend it.

Morning, Mark! We've got a handful of odds and ends to take care of before we leave Tuesday, but I'm hoping for some reading time this afternoon - I hope you can bookhorn some reading time in today, too! Happy Christmas Eve!

Morning, Amber! Happy Christmas Eve! Good luck with finishing up the packing and getting a little reading time in.

Happy Day Before Christmas, Mark!

>130 msf59: Yes! I have to check whether I already have it on the shelf, but I'll be joining in on Nicholas Nickleby.

Hi Marc, wishing you a very happy Christmas!

Hi Mark!

>151 msf59: LOL



Stopping by to wish you and yours all good things this holiday season.

Happy holidays! I am thankful this holiday season for all the good friends I have made in this group. You are all so supportive. I don't know what I'd do without you!

>151 msf59: That. Is. PERFECT.

Spend a wonderful day today and don't forget to read.

>160 jnwelch: Happy Christmas Eve, Joe. Have a great day with the family. And hooray for joining us on the Dickens!

>161 EllaTim: >162 karenmarie: Thanks, Ella & Karen. hugs to both.

>163 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel. And I appreciate the kind words. This is such a special bunch. No question about it.

^I finally started Baking With Kafka. Gauld is an absolute treasure.

>166 msf59: He's brilliant in the British and American senses of the word.

>164 richardderus: >167 richardderus: Happy Christmas Eve, RD! I have been squeezing in some reading. I am really enjoying Fools Crow, but it is a slow, savoring read.

And hooray for Mr. Gauld!

>166 msf59: - Ok, that did it. I just placed a hold on the book at the library. 46 ahead of me, though :-)

(Or in other words, Happy Christmas, to you and yours!)

Popping in to say Howdy and Merry Christmas to you Mark.

>169 jessibud2: Have you read Gauld?

>170 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian. Great to see you.

>171 luvamystery65: Ro came by! Ro came by! Yippee!! Thanks, my friend.

Wow. Can't keep up with your reading OR your threads, but I'm stopping by to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a new year filled with whatever makes you happy.

I hope you and yours have a merry Christmas, Mark!

Merry Christmas Mark - I dropped away a bit this year as far as reading the threads go.

Anyway I saw the Star Wars film earlier this week and liked it well enough, I'm not a big SW fan. Came home and read about the film and various fan reactions to it. Now looking forward to Darkest Hour.
My discovery of the year has to be that there's great Australian tv series out there - Rake, Jack Irish & the Underbelly series.

I visited Mexico several times in the distant past and always enjoyed it. Mostly work related, but that was related to the travel industry so was a lot of fun. I'll suggest John Reed's Insurgent Mexico as some light reading to get in the Mexico mood.

LT is down on Christmas Eve? What the heck? Bah, Humbug!

>173 ffortsa: Thanks, Judy. Always break-neck speed around here. I appreciate the good wishes.

>174 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry! Yee-Haw!!

>175 avatiakh: Thanks, Kerry. I appreciate you stopping by. I really liked the Star Wars film and I do not understand the mixed reviews.

I am sure you will love The Darkest Hour. You will knock it out in 30 minutes.

Looking forward to the Mexico trip and thanks for the book rec. I had not heard of it.

Happy happy joy joy, Mark. Here's a little holiday merriment from the Fitzgerald family:



Left to right: Scott, Zelda, and Scottie.

>178 weird_O: Thanks, Bill. A Fitzgerald Christmas photo and there is no alcohol in sight? Must be photo-shopped. Grins...

^Well, we are definitely having a White Christmas. About 3 inches fell through the day. The timing was perfect. I wish it would all clear up by Tuesday, for work, but with the temps seriously plummeting, that's not gonna happen.

A White Christmas for us too was still a nice surprise. Let's hope everyone's sidewalks are cleared up for you by Tuesday. Finished Mexican Daughter. Now onto reading the Toni Morrison essays.

We're getting an overnight snow...the very best of Christmas gifts. (Well, except for books, of course.)

Enjoy your holiday, Mark!

>181 alphaorder: Hooray for a white Christmas, Nancy! It is only supposed to be low teens on Tuesday, so the snow will not be going anywhere.

Thumbs up for Mexican Daughter?

>182 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. Hooray for a snowy Christmas. I LOVE the owl!

We got our snow the day before you did, Mark, but due to cold temps we will have enough left to call it a White Christmas here in Missouri. Sorry I have been neglecting my LT Pal and favorite mailman. Life is hectic these days. I'm glad to see you are in the Christmas Memory Club. I read it every year!


May the joy of the season continue into the New Year!

Dear Mark, best wishes to you and yours at Christmas!

Wishing you all good things this holiday season and beyond.

Merry Christmas from Philadelphia to you and your family, Mark! I hope that you get plenty of well deserved R&R and good reads to close out the year.

>184 Donna828: Thanks, Donna. Yah, for a white Christmas! Boo to arctic temps. It sounds like the grandkids keep you hopping, my friend and that is totally understandable.

>185 AMQS: Thanks, Ann. Great to see you.

>186 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

>187 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Good to see you. Hope all is well in PA.

Merry Christmas Mark!

>190 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deb. You are either up early or up very late. I am working on my 2nd cup of coffee, in a very quiet house.

Good morning, Mark. I hope you have a wonderful day.

>192 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mark!

Also, thanks to you and your cohorts at the PO for helping to bring Christmas to all of us :-)

>194 -Cee-: Thank you, very much, Claudia. Great to see you. And, yes, we do deliver! Smiles...

^Merry Christmas! I LOVE my Swap books- Birding Without Borders, (Why would anyone think I would like this one is baffling. Grins...) and CivilWarland in Bad Decline, a story collection by the great George Saunders. Yah!

Thanks, Kimmers! You da best!

Happy Holidays to you and yours! Its such a joy to be a part of this group, and I’m glad to call you friend.

wishing a holiday and new year of peace for you and yours!

>180 msf59: Hi Mark, we had a white Christmas too, which is quite rare for here. It was one of those snows that accumulated on the grass and trees but left roads and sidewalks bare. It's very convenient when it does that.

>197 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. This is a joyous group, that is for sure.

>198 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. Great to see you back.

>199 Familyhistorian: It is nice to have a White Christmas, Meg. It does enhance the holiday but now we deal with the aftermath.

Ooh snow. Looks lovely (especially compared to the rain/hail combo going here).

^Not only is there a few inches of snow, (about 3) on the ground we will also be dealing with a blast of arctic air, for a chunk of this week. Only 12 today and not much better tomorrow. Welcome to the work week. Sighs...

We had a perfectly lazy Christmas, with the kids, watching movies most of the day, by the fire. Not much reading got done though, the past couple of days- I am still not quite halfway through Fools Crow. It is a very good read but it is a slow savor, with the Native American rhythms, demanding a quieter pace. On audio, I should wrap up Spineless.

Send warm wishes...

>201 charl08: I would prefer a little snow over rain/hail. Keep snug/dry, Charlotte.

Good morning, Mark. Take care out there.

Good morning, Mark! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I’m sorry to hear that they temps are so dangerously low. Yipes. -1F now and only going UP to 7F. Take good care of our favorite Warbler today!

>166 msf59: I just got You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack for Christmas from my daughter. So much fun!

>178 weird_O: My, my. Zelda got so matronly. I always think of her as the quintessential flapper.

I've heard it's-2 in Twin Cities. It shall be a shock to return home from Oregon (green grass) to subzero weather!

Still a bit under construction, but here's the new group: https://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin2018

Happing Boxing Day!

Zero degrees, as I start the route. Oh, joy! I am leaving my iPad home for the rest of the week, to keep it safe, so my daytime visits will be limited. Just saying ...

>204 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. I will do my best.

>205 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. It looks like a big part of the country will be feeling the arctic bite
Hooray for Mr. Gauld!

>196 msf59: You are very welcome, Mark!! Enjoy.

And belated Holiday Wishes, aka Happy Boxing Day!!

>206 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! Good luck getting back to frosty MN! It was ridiculously cold today and more of the same tomorrow. Sighs...

>207 drneutron: Once again, thanks for setting everything up, Jim. You da best! I am going to wait a few more days before setting up my new thread.

>209 Berly: Thanks, Kimmers. I sure would have liked being off today, for so many reasons, but no such luck. Days like this, get me daydreaming about retiring.

Glad to see that you made it safely back home. Enjoy a lovely evening.

You sound like you could use a

>212 Berly: OMG, yes! Perfect timing. Thank you, Kimmers!

^A couple months ago I read an excellent poetry collection, Lessons on Expulsion and I quickly discovered she is also a novelist and had a YA book, recently released, called I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, which has received some very good reviews. No brainer- I had to read it and snatched it up on audio.

It begins very well, with a first-person narrative style, that reminds me of The Hate U Give, although I don't think this one takes on the social commentary, that that one did.

I hope you are enjoying being home in the warm with your books, Mark. I hope the frigid temps are short lived.

Was thinking of you today, Mark! Glad you are cozy at home.

>214 msf59: Will be curious to hear how you feel about this one. Gald you have company on your route.

I received The Misfortune of Marion Palm from my dad today, and dug right in. A nice bit of escapism. Reminds me a bit of Maria Semple.

For nonfiction, I am reading Origin of Others.

Picked up the new Michael Perry, Montaigne in Barn Boots, when we stopped at Boswell the other day. My brother already read it and Shawn is reading it now. Think I am up next.

BTW - Shawn just finished the most recent Tanya French. He liked it quite a bit.

This threads reads all sound so interesting! You have the best book taste, you warbler you.
Merry holiday seasoning and greetings to you ;)

>215 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Unfortunately, it looks like the arctic temps are here all week. Sighs...

>216 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. It was a tough one yesterday. It is supposed to be just as frigid today but I am hoping for lighter volume. Mexican Daughter is off to a promising start. Thanks for the book update. Not familiar with any of those. I will watch for your thoughts.

I liked the latest Tanya French too, although I still think she could use more editing.

>217 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Great to see you. Hope you had a nice Christmas with the family.

^Heading in to work...

Stay warm and safe my friend.

>219 msf59: Brrr! I hope the day goes well despite the cold, Mark. Cold here as well this week, though the temperature is not quite so low.

Mark, get yourself some of those *hand warmers* Little packets that you shake up and something is activated inside. They get very warm and stay warm for up to 7 hours. You put them inside your gloves or mittens and it works! I am never outside for the lengths of time you are but in frigid temps like these, I use them and they do work as advertised! Life savers!

Good morning, Mark! Brrrrrr. -2F and another high of 7F for you.

>222 jessibud2: We used to get those for daughter when she was in band. There are ones for your feet, too. Walmart carried them, as I recall.

>223 karenmarie: - You can get them everywhere here: Walmart, drug stores, HomeSense, sports shops, I've even seen them in convenience stores, at the cash out counter

>219 msf59: Brr... wishing you a good Day, Marc

-3 as I lumber out to the route. Much less mail, this should help considerably. Silver linings, however thin...

>220 Ameise1: >221 harrygbutler: Thanks, Barb & Harry. I am bundled up good.

>222 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I have used these in the past. They especially come in handy later in the day, as the mail begins to freeze solid.

>43 msf59: Looks like my suitcase ... but ....where are the books I took along as gifts for other people? There must be a second suitcase for them!

My Phoenix trip was wonderful although while I was there my critter sitters here in Montana had a rough time.

I know your Mexico trip will be warm and delightful!

>120 msf59: I also loved Star Wars The Last Jedi. Have not liked the last two films, so this was a good Christmas surprise.

Stay warm on your route! Frigid here in Montana, too. But at least I don't have to **stay** outside in it once the chores are done.

Not much reading done, but so far I thoroughly recommend Pure Land: A True Story of Three Lives, Three Cultures and the Search for… which I am reading for the FB Outside book club. Great narrative non-fiction about the true crime murder of a Japanese tourist on the Havasupai Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. As always, I am learning a lot about another Native culture and the wrongs done to them. (Sigh).

Morning, Mark! Sending you warm thoughts - it is cold here (for Georgia), but nothing like what you are dealing with. Abby, Birdy and I went to see the Star Wars film yesterday (and Daniel tagged along for a second viewing) - we loved it. So glad we didn't miss seeing it in the theater.

Minus 3! Yikes! I hope you are well bundled up!

>226 msf59: My walk to work was chilly (although I mostly couldn't tell under all the layers). With windchill it feels like -29C (-20F) around here.

Stay Warm! From a fellow ice sufferer.

>227 streamsong: Hi, Janet! Glad you had a nice getaway in Phoenix. It must have been a rude awakening, getting back home, with those arctic temps.

Yep, looking forward to our Mexico vacation. About 4 weeks away.

Glad you also enjoyed The Last Jedi. And Pure Land sounds interesting.

>228 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Hooray for seeing The Last Jedi twice. I am looking forward to seeing it again.

>229 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. It was about 5-6 degrees most of the day but it went much smoother than yesterday, which ended up being a rough one, with the weather and the hefty volume. A nasty mix.

>230 MickyFine: Hi, Micky! Only -20? Wow. Makes our temps look balmy. Keep bundled and safe.

>231 Berly: Thanks, Kimmers. Glad to be home. It will be in the teens the next couple of days and then back to single digits for the weekend. This is an arctic blast! Sighs...

Hi Mark, hope you're thawed out. I think it was colder today but, after experiencing the bitter cold yesterday, the second day of it didn't seem as bad. Of course, I'm hardly outside so it's tolerable.

No talk about the excellent Call the Midwife Christmas special?

>234 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Today was a bit better than yesterday. Lets hope tomorrow is even better.

I just recorded the CTM Christmas special, so have not seen it yet.

Think warm thoughts of Mexico when you head out in the morning.

Cold huh? I love this flip flop upsy daisy world we live in. Here it is light at 520am, and has been sunny and warm (where I have been, anyway) for 9 days straight. It is a bad sign for global warming (personal connection, my friends parents house burned to the ground from a wild fire that went through on Christmas eve...) but I am liking the warm, for now.

>236 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. It supposed to be just a tad warmer today but Mexico will be in my thoughts.

>237 LovingLit: Yep, this is our "flip flop upsy daisy world"! And with the guy currently in charge, we are in deep doo doo. I am sorry to hear about your friend's parent's home. What a tragedy. We had serious fires in California, a few weeks back that devastated millions of acres.

Keep cool, my friend.

Hope it is warmer for you Mark. We've had a tiny bit of snow. Excitement!
I'm reading The Most Dangerous Book - just brilliant - and thinking I should probably attempt Ulysses. Possibly...

Good morning, Mark, and good luck with the arctic blast. The house finches were avid feeders yesterday in our cold weather; I suspect I'll need to refill at least some of the feeders today.

>239 charl08: It is supposed to get to 14F, today, with light snow later. Glad you got some of the white stuff. Small amounts are not bad.

The Most Dangerous Book sounds interesting. Glad you are enjoying it. I have not read Ulysses.

>240 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Thanks for the bird update. I have not seen any house finches at our feeders. The only thing I have been seeing are juncos. Hardy little devils.

Off to the tundra...

>234 lindapanzo: - Hi Linda and Mark. I am really late to the party re Call the Midwife. I had never seen it before but borrowed season one from the library. After zipping through that, promptly borrowed season 2, and the day after finishing that one, watched the Christmas special on Monday. It feels a bit odd that so few of the original cast remains but I still have several seasons to catch up on, I know. In fact, I picked up season 3 from the library yesterday. It's -22C (-7.6F) here at the moment and though I do have to run a couple of quick errands a bit later on, I intend to come home and sit under a blanket, binge- watching, later on. I ove period pieces and series like these.

Mark, I hope you own a balaclava, one of the face hats that only allows the eyes to be seen. I think you'll be safe from being called a terrorist, in this cold! I don't think terrorists go out in this weather

Hi Mark! I hope you have a *safe* day weather-wise.

(You missed me in>223 karenmarie: above).

as the mail begins to freeze solid.?!!?! Well damn.

Keep warm, Mark.

Glad for the little warm-up, at least comparatively.

I worked yesterday - even got a lakeshore photo in - but am now off for five days. Hope to get some good reading done, although we will be heading to Madison for the day tomorrow.

Forgot to mention that my co-workers and I saw a Rough-legged Hawk hovering over us the other day. A great sight. Zoe IDed for me. :)

8 degrees, starting the route. A heat wave...

>242 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. Many of us are CTM fans. It is such a consistently great show, despite the cast changes. Glad you are having a good time with it.

Face masks don't work for me. It is confining and the moisture build up is irritating. A well-positioned scarf works just fine.

Morning, Mark! Brrr...

>244 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sorry, I missed you up there. However, diligent you try to be, one always gets lost in the shuffle.

>245 Ameise1: Big Waves to Barb.

>246 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Hooray for lakeside walks, vacation time and rough-legged hawks.

>248 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Afternoon, Mark! Brrr...

We're back, and ready to celebrate the end of the year, Mark. Sorry about this ridiculous weather; I hope you have a warm audio book to help get you through.

TOO. FRIGGIN. COLD!

My heart is with thee in thy suffering. At least I can crank up the heater and avoid the ice.

Signs it's cold in Canada: National Post does an article about just how cold it is in most of the country. *retreats back into blanket cocoon at her desk at work* Shared in case you want an "at least it's not that cold here" moment. :)

>253 MickyFine: - I actually appreciate that, Micky, as it's 19F here (not sure what that is on your fake temperature scale...), and this house is drafty. But working from home, at least I don't have to go out in it, so I send you my sympathies!

>253 MickyFine: - Oh, that's a great article! I am borrowing it to post on my thread, if you don't mind! lol! I actually just got in from a round of errands and while I was certainly bundled up I found it quite nice out. Of course, it's all relative. Walking from car to store, and store to car, I'd say each trip in the *fresh outdoors* was perhaps 1 to 2 minutes long. But the wind is almost non-existent and the sun is bright, which gives the illusion of a lovely afternoon. Cold. But lovely. :-)

>254 katiekrug: - 19F equals -7.222 C, just fyi. That would be warm here today! ;-)

>254 katiekrug: Oh that is balmy. We currently have temperatures of -20C (-4F) with windchill of -30C (-22F) (dang Fahrenheit is weird). The forecasted low for tonight is -32C (-25.6F) with windchills of -41C (the magic point where Celsius and Fahrenheit match).

>255 jessibud2: Go for it. I ran across it on a friend's FB feed. :)

Brrrrrrrrr! Hope you have warm socks, Mark!

>250 Berly: Hi, Kimmers. Yes it was brrrrr...today. Glad I am home.

>251 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Glad to see you back. Yes, we are getting quite a blast of winter and it doesn't look like it is planning on easing up soon. Sighs...

>252 richardderus: "TOO. FRIGGIN. COLD!" You can say that again, RD. Glad you are inside, avoiding it.

>253 MickyFine: "Alberta’s warmest place was almost as cold as Mars." WOW! This sure puts our weather in perspective, Micky. Thanks for opening my eyes, (they were frozen shut). Always encouraging, that somewhere else has it worse than you do. Grins...

>255 jessibud2: I am looking forward to the days where I am only out in the weather, for short bouts. Car to doorway. 2 more full winters left for me. I wish it was one.

>257 MickyFine: Anything below zero, is damn COLD!

>258 drneutron: Poor Mr. Bigglesworth. I bet he is frozen solid.

Well, apparently Toronto broke a 40-year record for cold today. Hope Chicago fared better

Big Brrrr. Brother who lives just north of Toronto said it was an inside day, no cross country skiing as it was -26 C. Yikes. Mexico is going to seem pretty fabulous.

Wishing you a wonderful 2018 and a year full of fabulous reading.



I have just posted a link to an amazing "best of" 2017 MASTER list on my thread. Have a peek if you are interested! There are even some ideas for best bird books of the year and I thought of you!

>263 mdoris: - Mary, my friends who live in Acton (about an hour west of TO) are avid outdoor types, skiers, big-time. And they even said it was too cold to ski today

>262 jessibud2: Wow! 40 years? That is crazy. And yes, Chicago fared much better and let's keep it that way. Okay?

>263 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. Yes, Mexico is looking better and better all the time. I will stop over on your thread and check out the Master List. Thanks!

>264 jessibud2: Too cold to ski? WOW!

^While I can still keep my peepers open, I thought I would post my '18 thread. Stop over and drop a star:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/279386#6298612

**I am still going to finish out my year over here, documenting my reading, saying hello and giving weather reports.

Haven't decided where to post my '18 thread.

I think I will only make it to 64 books this year, so I don't really belong over here. Also, I don't do a lot of chit chat on my own thread - I save that for yours, Mark! But maybe moving from Club Read to 75 Books Challenge will be the inspiration I need for the extra 10 or so books. Of course, I hope to do more birding in '18. Maybe less blog reading will make the difference. I do have lots of friends over here.

Already starred yours though!

Hope you had a good holiday!
Keep warm out there! Hope Chicago is warmer than Toronto’s chilly -26c today!

>267 alphaorder: "so I don't really belong over here." Pish Posh, Nancy. Once again...Pish Posh. Hitting 75 is not a prerequisite. I have not always hit 75, (pre-audiobook era...grins) and I know there are a few others that struggle to hit the magic number. So what?

There is only one place on LT and that is The Mighty 75! I sure hope you join us in '18 and I hope you continue to grace my threads with your bookish self.

>267 alphaorder:, >269 msf59: Let me assure you, we really don't care about the numbers! We just want to spy on encourage your reading. 😁

>268 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. Great to see you. Yes, we had a very nice holiday and our temps are no where near those deadly ones. Yikes! Keep bundled.

>267 alphaorder: >270 drneutron: See, Nancy! Our Fearless Leader has spoken! You have to now.

OK, you guys convinced me...

Off to set up my thread and introduce myself. Thanks for the hearty welcome.

Where do I find best of 2017 lists from LTers? (Not that I have put one together myself...)

>264 jessibud2:, >265 msf59: - I stand corrected. I just got an email from my friend. She and her husband were out cross-country skiing today for 2 hours. She said as long as you were layered in clothing, it was fine. No wind, which of course, made all the difference. I told her she was either brave or crazy. Still, it does not surprise me. They love outdoor sports.

Not me. ;-p

>272 alphaorder: Hooray!

>273 alphaorder: As far as I know there isn't a Best Books of the Year thread, although that is not a bad idea. People have been just posting their list on their own threads.

>274 jessibud2: I think the key there, Shelley, is movement. I have not cross country skied, but I imagine it is exerting. This helps in the cold.

>275 msf59: - Very true, about the movement and the exertion. Still, you won't find me out there..... :-)

I have only downhill skied. You work up pretty good sweat doing that too.

I think this might be the thing you are looking for....a LT best of 2017 thread. I went looking today for the same thing and found this!
https://www.librarything.com/topic/278377
oh, and maybe this one too
https://www.librarything.com/topic/277922

Keep bundled up out there, Mark! It warmed up here today so we had rain instead of snow, at least in the Lower Mainland where Vancouver is. The further east you go out of the city the more snow related accidents there were, or was it freezing rain?

Happy Friday, Mark. Stay safe and warm .

Good morning, Mark. Have a good Friday!

>273 alphaorder: Check out those links that Mary kindly tracked down in #278.

>278 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. LTers are the best people.

>279 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. We had a fresh coating last night. An inch or so. Might make it slippery. Another batch of light snow later today. Sighs...

>280 Ameise1: Happy Friday, Barb. I may need that many pair of socks. Smiles...

>281 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. It sure feels like a long work week. At least I have Sun and Mon off.

^My last audio of the year, will be a story collection, called The King is Always Above the People: Stories. I thought I had read Alarcon before, but, as usual I was incorrect. I know he is a highly acclaimed author from Peru.

I really enjoyed I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. I NEED to do much better in keeping up with my mini-reviews in '18. It is a goal.

My last print book, of '17, will be Fools Crow. 100 pages left.

I look forward to your thoughts about The King Is Always Above the People, Mark.

Happy belated Christmas, Mark! I'm finally back on line because, wait for it,...........modem problems! Specter tried to walk us through a reset over the tele but it was a dead as dead can be. So the service person came out yesterday and switched out our old with a new. My family and I feel as if we are alive again!

'Morning, Mark! Brrr. You're only one degree colder than we are here right now, but you've got snow, apparently, and we're clear. Stay warm and safe, favorite Warbler!

>278 mdoris: Thank you, Mary! I had already posted on my thread, but posted on the first link you provided, too.

>278 mdoris:. Thanks, Mary! Not like I need to add any more books to my wishlist - 615 there already, plus 503 books I own but haven't read, according to LT. But always fun to see what people most appreciated in the last year.

Morning, Mark!

>285 kidzdoc: Morning, Darryl. Have you read A pardon before? This collection is off to a very good start.

>286 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. Happy Holidays. Boo, to modem issues. Glad you are back online. You were missed.

Happy Friday, Mark! Stay warm, buddy.

>287 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. 11 at the moment. It is supposed to creep up to 18 later. We will see.

>288 alphaorder: Well, you asked for it, Nancy. LOL.

>289 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie.

11° there, 13° here! Frigid doesn't go far enough. It should end and tout suite.

Happy Alarcón Day!

>292 msf59: Good point!

Thanks for all your good wishes Mark! Wishing you and your family all the very best for a happy and healthy New Year. I do a lot of lurking and not much posting but I really enjoy your threads and hope you continue your inspiring warbling for many more threads to come. Stay warm!

>293 richardderus: Happy Friday, RD. I think it has inched up to 13 here. Definitely feeling a tad better than the last couple of days.

>294 alphaorder: Grins...When are you heading to Madison.

>295 vivians: Thanks, Vivian and Happy New Year. I do wish you would post a bit more. Always curious about your bookish thoughts.

Jeez, what happened to that >291 jnwelch: guy? Chopped liver, that's what I say.

>285 kidzdoc: I've read two of Daniel Alarcón's novels, Lost City Radio, which was okay, and At Night We Walk in Circles, which I was very fond of.

>294 alphaorder: On our way now!

>291 jnwelch: How the heck did you sneak in there? LOL. You are definitely not chopped liver. I am trudging along just fine. Thanks.

>300 msf59: He may end up being chopped liver if he keeps messing with Debbi or Becca. So might I, for that matter...

>300 msf59:, >301 kidzdoc: Phew! I have a knack of getting myself in trouble.

I'm in good graces now, Darryl, but who knows how long that will last. You're fine as long as you don't contact Debbi or Becca, except that they'll get really mad if you don't contact them. So I guess you're sunk, buddy, sorry.

Just heard that Sue Grafton passed away. As her daughter said, "the alphabet ends at Y."

Looks like your shift is almost at an end, Mark. Hope you are keeping warm. Do you have Saturday off this weekend?

>303 lindapanzo: I just heard a while ago, too. So sad. I read Y is for Yesterday in October and was really looking forward to Z.

Hi Mark!

>298 kidzdoc: Thanks, for chiming in on Alarcon, Darryl and it looks like I need to track down At Night We Walk in Circles. Sounds great.

>299 alphaorder: I hope you made it to Madison, before the snowfall, Nancy.

>301 kidzdoc: >302 jnwelch: Did I miss something with Becca, Debbi & chopped liver?

Glad you are back in good graces, Joe. May it continue...

>306 msf59: Becca and Debbi like you a lot, Mark, so it's completely different. They're very skeptical of Darryl and me, and periodically scare us both.

This all started when we were in the London Review bookshop with Darryl a few years ago. Debbi picked up a book on display titled "How to Kill Your Husband", and then laughed maniacally. Then she bought it. Then there was the holiday pic of me sitting and holding it while she stood over me with a big kitchen knife and even bigger smile. You get the idea. She'll surprise you, that one. And Becca's her mother's daughter.

>303 lindapanzo: I was listening to a bit of news radio on the way home, (in a minor blizzard) and an author was mentioned, but I did not catch the name. Sorry, to hear it was Sue Grafton. I was a fan of her work too, although I quit the series early on. I think I made it to H or I, I can't remember.

>304 Familyhistorian: Yes, I am home, all warm and cozy. Just finished dinner and now a good beer is calling my name. Yes, I am working tomorrow and the temps continue to be frigid through the weekend and beyond. Oh, joy!

>305 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Glad to hear you read through Grafton's alphabet series. I bailed early but I did enjoy those earlier books.

>307 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I had a feeling it was an inside joke. I am also very glad that Becca and Debbi are fond of the Warbler!

^The 2018 AAC General Discussion Thread is up. Stop by, drop a star and a comment, if you choose:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/279501#

^The Joan Didion thread is up, Stop on over: http://www.librarything.com/topic/279506#

>308 msf59: Better store some of tonight's warmth to keep you going tomorrow, Mark. Think Mexico!

>312 Familyhistorian: My daughter booked the trip yesterday, Meg. I will keep that in my thoughts throughout the day. Smiles dreamily...

^Really?? Looks like a rough one, to close out my work week, plus there is a fresh inch or two of the white stuff. I will be wearing the parka today and I hope the mail is light.

Morning, Mark! Be careful out there. Sending you warm thoughts.

Good morning, Mark, and happy last-day-of-the-work-week for you. Brrrr. Stay warm and safe.

Watch out for ice under that pretty snow, Mark. It snowed hard here too yesterday and boy, were the roads slippery! I drove and was lucky to make it home in one piece. I have snow tires, and was driving slowly and still skidded a bit, turning corners. I was so grateful no one slid into my car. I am set, though, with books and CTM dvds. Don't plan to go out till spring! :-)

Be careful out there!

Morning Mark! Keep toasty and safe out there.

Because a few asshats called in, they are calling mandatory OT. Once again, the healthy carriers who show up to work pay the price. And this looks to be a wickedly frigid day too.

Can you say Mexico?

Ouch. Sorry, Mark.

Sorry to hear about the unwanted OT, Mark. I hope the day goes well despite the frigid temperature and snow.

What Harry said, Mark. Sorry you've got such a tough day to end the year.

Football, beer and festivities await!

Grrr, that burns. I sure hope they compensate you well for being healthy, and responsible. Double pay, at the very least. Maybe a hot chocolate at the end of your day. Do the asshats get penalized in any way? Are they always the same people? I hope someone is tracking that

>315 Crazymamie: >320 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie and thanks for the warm thoughts. I am sitting here, watching the wind swirl the snow around. The temp has dropped to 1.

>316 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I am bundled up pretty good. I hope I don't fall over.

>317 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. It was very slippery yesterday and the snow will be covering the ice today. Hopefully the wind will keep the walkways clear.

>318 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda and thanks.

Ouch - sorry you have to be out in this weather!

>319 msf59: Yikes! Sounds like industrial action is needed: Industrial-strength beatings for the lazy ones.

Stay warm out there, Mark!

We’re having our typical crazy Colorado temperature swings. We had single digit temps for Christmas but now some Chinook winds have blown in and we’re back to light fleece jacket weather. It’s supposed to be pretty frigid here for New Year’s Eve, though, so we may forego the fireworks downtown. We’ll see.

>267 alphaorder: I think I’ve only reached 75 twice in the eight years I’ve been in the group and they haven’t even threatened to kick me out yet. :)

Well, I dodged a bit of a bullet. I only to carry about 30 minutes extra. Whew.

There were 8 call ins. 8! WTH?

Currently 5F, with 15 mph winds. Dreams of retirement, dancing in my head...

Happy New Year, Mark. You off 'til Tuesday?

I'll being trying anew in 2018.

Buh-bye 2017...

Ah, thank goodness for only 30 minutes extra!

^Honey, I'm home!

Not as bad as Jack up there, but I am glad that week is over. It looks like more of the same next week but at least I have 2 days off to thaw out and regroup.

>321 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry. Fortunately, the unwanted OT was less than predicted. I was home just over thirty minutes late.

>322 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I am home and having a beer. Yes, lots of R & R planned for the next 2 days.

>323 jessibud2: "Do the asshats get penalized in any way?" I seriously doubt it. That is the one problem with the union, it protects the asshats!

I was supposed to be off today too, because my day off is Monday. A holiday. I worked it for straight pay. The extra was time and a half.

>325 drneutron: I just cracked my first beer, Jim. So, all is good.

>326 richardderus: " Industrial-strength beatings for the lazy ones." I like the way you think, RD. Of course, they are the first ones to complain if anyone else takes off.

>327 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. At least you got a little respite. It does not look like we will get one, for quite awhile.

Thanks for encouraging Nancy. It is definitely not about numbers. Once I take my audiobooks off the table, I will also struggle to make 75.

>329 weird_O: Happy New Year, Bill. Yes, I am off until Tuesday. Thanks for the flame.

>331 msf59: - Oh, I am so sorry I am laughing but at least your sense of humour isn't frozen solid!
Enjoy the next few days off. Stay warm!

>302 jnwelch: I'm in good graces now, Darryl, but who knows how long that will last.

Knowing you, and Debbi and Becca, you've probably been in the dog house at least twice since you typed that message. 😎

You're fine as long as you don't contact Debbi or Becca, except that they'll get really mad if you don't contact them. So I guess you're sunk, buddy, sorry.

Yep. I'm convinced that the biggest risk to my life will come at the hands of those two. They are the main reason that I'm planning to retire to Spain.

>306 msf59: I can't remember much about At Night We Walk in Circles at the moment, but I did rate it 4-1/2 stars.

>307 jnwelch: They're very skeptical of Darryl and me, and periodically scare us both.

Periodically?! I think you misspelled persistently, Joe.

This all started when we were in the London Review bookshop with Darryl a few years ago. Debbi picked up a book on display titled "How to Kill Your Husband", and then laughed maniacally. Then she bought it.

Debbi got way too much enjoyment out of that book. Had the recipes for cooking husbands in it been more enticing I think both of us would have been in the soup.

>331 msf59: Enjoy your days off, Mark! You deserve it.

Mailmen and garbage men get all my respect...and those flaggers on construction crews--they can't even move around much. There was a crew out Thursday replacing power poles on the crest of a hill where the wind blows steadily. I don't know how you all manage to keep from freezing solid in this weather.

Enjoy your days off, Mark. Stay warm.

The week is over!!!! And 2017 almost is....

Happy Sunday, Mark. I hope it's filled with R&R.

Good morning, Mark, and I hope you are able to properly thaw and regroup, as you write above.

>334 jessibud2: Humor keeps me afloat in difficult times and with "you know who in charge", I need a daily jolt, sometimes an hourly one.

>335 kidzdoc: "They are the main reason that I'm planning to retire to Spain." Well, that is definitely not a bad thing, right, Darryl. Grins...I think I have so far avoided the dog house, with Becca & Debbi and I hope this lucky streak continues.

There were hit and misses in The King is Always Above the People: Stories, but he is a very interesting writer and I will be reading more of his work.

>336 laytonwoman3rd: I think mail-carriers and garbage men get overlooked, when it comes to the severe weather but I especially feel for the guys that are stationary. Movement is the real key.

>337 Familyhistorian: >338 Berly: >339 Ameise1: Thanks, Meg, Kim & Barb. I am looking forward to kicking back the next 2 days but next week, looks like another rough one. Just a few more weeks until Mexico! Just a few more weeks until Mexico!

>340 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I am properly thawed, after a good night's sleep. Making my way through my first cup of coffee. It should be a good A.M.

Fiction:

1) Anything is Possible
2) News of the World
3) Commonwealth
4)Infinite Jest
5) Lincoln in the Bardo

Nonfiction:

1) The Color of Water
2) Just Mercy
3) Death and the Life of the Great Lakes
4) Al Franken, Giant of the Senate
5) Secondhand Time

Best 5 of the Year:

1) The Color Water
2) Anything is Possible
3) Just Mercy
4) Commonwealth
5) Lincoln in the Bardo

GNs:

1) My Favorite Things is Monsters
2) The Best We Could Do
3) The One Hundred Nights of Hero

Poetry:

1) Olio
2) Lessons on Expulsion
3) Incendiary Art: Poems

^^Obviously, these are very difficult lists to make, since there are so many in close contention, but if I have to nail it down, these are the books I come up with. This was a fantastic year. It will be a tough one to beat but I am going to give it my best in 2018.

>343 msf59:. I need to pull News of the World off my shelf, obviously. Glad to see Death and Life of the Great Lakes on your list. Thanks for all of the warbling you did for that book. I still need to read Just Mercy too.

>345 alphaorder: News of the World is so good. Glad to see it was such a big hit on LT, right up there with A Gentleman in Moscow. I want to read more Jiles in '18.

Just Mercy is awesome. Just a notch below Evicted, IMHO.

>335 kidzdoc: Ha!

"You're fine as long as you don't contact Debbi or Becca, except that they'll get really mad if you don't contact them. So I guess you're sunk, buddy, sorry.

Yep. I'm convinced that the biggest risk to my life will come at the hands of those two. They are the main reason that I'm planning to retire to Spain."

Love it! I let them know, Darryl. I understand, believe me. I'm hoping there'll be a spare room available at your place in Spain, just in case.

>343 msf59: Love the lists, Mark! I'm a big fan of The Color of Water, too.

Cool to see Infinite Jest on the Fiction list, and thank you for bucking me up on that one. Like Ulysses, I respected it a lot, but couldn't put it in my Top 5 for enjoyment.

I'm surprised our NF lists are as different as they are. Usually you and I overlap on those.

I don't remember your talking about Lessons on Expulsion. How did I miss that? I've added it to the WL.

"I'm hoping there'll be a spare room available at your place in Spain, just in case." LOL.

>347 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Infinite Jest is still such a monumental, literary achievement, despite some of the work involved, in reading it. It just missed the Top 5 list.

Have you read any of my NF books, other than the McBride? They are all worthy reads. Born a Crime just missed the cut. It is such a great memoir.

I definitely didn't warble loud enough about Lessons on Expulsion. My bad. She also wrote Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Banner year for her.

^The bird feeders are hopping this New Years Eve morning. Mostly juncos, sparrows and a cardinal or two. Not sure, where the finches have gone.

>349 msf59: Hello, Warbler! Great list of your top 5s. Born a Crime made my top 5 and I have really got to get to Infinite Jest. But not until after I finish the tome of Nicholas Nickleby!

My hummingbirds are still very active at the feeder.

Mexico...soon!

>350 Berly:



^Hopefully this image, will carry me through the next few frigid weeks, Kim.

Loved Born a Crime. Narrowly missed the list.

Hi Mark!

My last post here on your 2017 thread. See you on the other side tomorrow! In the meantime,



Peace, Health, and Happiness in 2018

>343 msf59: Nice lists, Mark, I just lumped all 5* reads together.
Secondhand time was great. I read one of ther other books this year: Voices from Chernobyl it was almost as good.

Happy New Year, Mark! (And stay warm)

>352 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. Peace, Health, and Happiness to you too, my friend.

>353 FAMeulstee: Glad you like the lists, Anita. It was a great year of reading. I WANT to read Voices from Chernobyl.

>354 ffortsa: Happy New Year, Judy. Have a great one.

>349 msf59: Busy here today, too, Mark. Enjoy your New Year's Eve!

Yay for the end of 2017! And for your upcoming Mexico adventure! Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve, Mark, and see you on the flip side!

>356 harrygbutler: Happy New Year, Harry!

>357 Storeetllr: Happy New Year, Mary! Love the parrot!

^See you over at the new digs. B.A.G.