Banjo's 2018 reading adventures

And happy new year to the 75-ers! This is a wonderful group that has changed my reading life over the past 5 years. I find that with this group, my reading is much more satisfying and challenging. Also, my TBR piles are getting higher and higher!

For those who don't know me, my name is Rhonda, I live in Portland, Oregon. I work in geriatric mental health, have a wonderful wife (aka Mrs. Banjo); we have a daughter (aka Banjo, jr) who is in her last semester of college. Also four fur-kids; Chica, the sweetest dog ever, and three cats. My reading tends to literary fiction and a fair amount of non-fiction.

Favorite books of 2017
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams
The Darkroom by Susan Faludi
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

2018 reading

1. Birds of America by Lorrie Moore
2. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
3. Catfish and Mandala by Andrew Pham
4. Patience and Sarah by Isabel Miller
5. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

6. Don't Skip Out On Me by Willy Vlautin
7. The Little Red Chairs by Edna O'Brien
8. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
9. Catherine the Great by Robert Massie
10. Zone ONe by Colson Whitehead
11. Love and Summer by William Trevor.

12. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
13. The Odyssey; a father, a son and an epic by Daniel Mendelsohn
14..The Garden of the North American Martyrs by Tobias Wolff
15. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
16. Citizen by Claudia Rankine
17. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
18. Open City by Teju Cole
19. Go, Gone, Went by Jenny Erpenbeck
20. Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblen
21. Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn

22. The Singer's Gun by Emily St.John Mandel
23. News of the World by Paulette Jiles
24. All that Sang
25. Horses Make A Landscape More Beautiful by Alice Walker
26. The Tenderness Of Wolves by Stef Penney
27. Miss Burma

28. Trouble and her Friends
29 Water at the Roots
30. Dunbar
31. Behold the Dreamers
32. Snow in August
33. Lillian Boxfish takes a walk
34. Goodbye Vitamin
35. Maphead

36. King Lear
37. Swearing Off Stars
38. A Drinking Life
39. Under the Lights and in the Dark by Gwendolyn Oxenham
40. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
41. No Heroes by Chris Offutt
42. Why be Happy When You can be Normal by Jeanette Winterson
43. La Bastarda
44. The Language of the Game by Laurent Dubois
45. The Power

46. When Breath Becomes Air 7/1
47. Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
48. Macbeth by Jo Nesbo
49. Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
50 Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Last year, I focused quite a bit on challenges, this year I think I will try reading more on whim. I will definitely dabble in the American Authors Challenge, The Non-fiction Challenge, and the Irish Authors challenge, but I am not intending to be a completist in any of them. My main goals are to enjoy my reading and to read some of the books on my TBR shelves!

Happy to see you here & happy new years to ya!


(Sunrise at Newgrange, Ireland)

Happy reading in 2018, Rhonda!

Happy new year, Rhonda. Star is now dropped :)

Happy reading in 2018, Rhonda. Hoping for another year of good books and good book gab.

Happy new year, Rhonda! Hope it'll be a good one full of great reads.

Welcome back! Happy new year!

Happy 2018, Rhonda!

Hope your 2018 is filled with great reads!

Happy New Year
Happy New Group here
This place is full of friends
I hope it never ends
It brew of erudition and good cheer.

Happy New Year! I wish you to read many good books in 2018.

Happy 2018, Rhonda, and hooray for reading on a whim!

I LOVE your topper -- very appropriate.

Happy new year Rhonda, from wet and grey Lancashire. Hope you have a good year of reading. Great topper - the loaned book in particular made me laugh.

>6 majleavy: Thanks! Great picture.
>7 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita!
>8 RebaRelishesReading: I am looking forward to following your reading also Reba.
>9 msf59: Books, beer, and birds! What could be better, Mark?
>10 PawsforThought: Thanks, Paws
>11 drneutron: Thanks, Jim
>12 jnwelch: I am looking forward to it, Joe. Thanks!
>13 thornton37814: Thank you, Lori
>14 PaulCranswick: What a great wish, Paul! Thanks.
>15 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! Cute!
>16 BLBera: Thank you Beth! I am looking forward to my 2018 reading.
>17 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte... it is wet and grey here also! And I am glad you like the comic.

Well, I am hoping to get time soon to review the rest of my 2017 books. (just quick thoughts really, more than reviews) and I wanted to think on what were my favorite books of 2017. But maybe later? It seems like to much higher thought for me tonight. I just went back to zumba for the first time in more than a month, and I am a bit whupped.

Also, I want to get to my book. I am reading Birds of America by Lorrie Moore Thanks, Mark!

Happy weekend, everyone! I am now going to try to comment on my December reading, since I didn't get around to that in 2017. Here is the list of books read:

91. Becoming Nicole by Amy Nutt
92. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
93. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
94. Hunger by Roxane Gay
95. You'll Grow Out of It by Jessie Klein
96. Ornament of the World by María Rosa Menocal
97. Books Burn Badly bu Manuel Rivas
98. We Were Eight Years in Power
99. Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
100. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
101. Chemistry: A Novel by Weike Wang
102. All the Names by Jose Saramago
103. The Parking Lot Attendant
104. Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash

The Parking Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat

I received this book from the Library Thing Early Reviewers Program. It is an interesting, and peculiar story about a young woman who is the daughter of two Ethiopian immigrants growing up in the Boston area. I found this book really compelling, and quite peculiar. The young woman's voice is witty and insightful, the story itself far-fetched enough that I think it's meant to be more allegorical than realistic. The book begins in a isolated "utopian" island community, where the narrator and her father have fled from some sort of unnamed danger. Then we shift to Boston, where our teenager develops a hard to define relationship with an older man who is a parking lot attendant, and a leader in an Ethiopian underworld.

What I got from the book is a bit of a meditation on the difficulty of straddling two worlds, as the child of immigrants; how easy it can be to get caught between worlds, and how easy it could be to be attracted to danger, and maybe to terrorism, if it somehow represented your culture and an opportunity to develop an authentic self. I am recommending this book and looking forward to other discussion/interpretations.

Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash

This is a graphic memoir about a 15 year old girl who develops a "crush" on her counselor in a Christian summer camp in the American South during the late 90's. I liked it. The author stuck to her own, very specific story, which was both a strength and a weakness. I liked that it really focused on what it was like to be a teenage lesbian in that kind of restricted environment; however it really did not put the event into context, either socially or in terms of Maggie Thrash's own life, and how it effected her later relationships. That would have probably strengthened the book. The art in the book is simple, juvenile seeming, which I liked because I felt it enhanced the story.

We read this for my lesbian book group, and other people were less positive about the story and the art. I will admit that I thought the story could have used a bit of editing. Teenage lovelorn angst does get a bit repetitive after a while.

All The Names by Jose Saramago

I read this while traveling. Saramago is such a quirky, strange and awesome writer. This is somewhat surrealistic story about a clerk in a records department, who becomes obsessed with the life of a random young woman, whose birth card he finds. There is a lot in here about individuality and dictatorship; very Portuguese.

Chemistry: A Novel by Weike Wang

I read this on the plane. It's about a young woman struggling in her PhD program and marriage, dealing with the aftermath of a difficult childhood. Parts were insightful, parts were cute, but overall, I was not blown-away. A decent first novel, but not a must-read.

My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

I know this got mixed reviews on LT. I loved it. Strout's quirky narrative voice really works for me, and I loved the way the book gave you pieces of Lucy's difficult life, and left you to infer the whole.

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

A short, beautifully written story about girlhood, friendships and growing up.

We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates

There have been lots of good reviews of this on LT, and I am not sure what I can add. Coates is genius. These essays ate great, especially the one on reparations. I also appreciate Coates's preambles, were he reflects on the essays in context of the time they were written, and reflects on what he could have done better.

Books Burn Badly by Manuel Rivas

So I read this for more context into Spain, for our trip. Now I realize that Spain is really a country of regions, and the regions are very different. Rivas is Galician, and this was written in Galician, not in Spanish. Galicia is actually close to Portugal, and I felt like the character in this book was closer to Portugal than the parts of Spain that I visited.

The book is a sprawling novel about politics, class and authoritarianism. I liked it, but had trouble following it at times, probably I don't know enough about the region. Great characters!

Ornament of the World by Maria Rosa Menocal

Another book read for the trip, and it was very useful to know more about the history, and the times when Spain was a multi-cultural place, with Muslims, Jews and Christians able to co-exist. The end of this era, of course, was very sad. I was glad that I read this, it definitely enhanced my experience in touring places like the Alhambra and the Alcazar.

You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein

I think Klein is funny in real life or on the radio, but this book is kind of meh. Easy vacation reading though.

Hunger by Roxane Gay

This is a book about Gay's relationship to her body, and to food. She describes the challenges of being not only obese, but super-morbidly obese. (A real medical term.) It was enlightening in that it gave me more insight into some of those challenges, like being unable to sit in regular chairs. Her writing is good, so the book was easy to read, but I felt that it could have been more insightful. I think that this was an important book for Gay to write, but that she is maybe too close to the subject to be objective.

For example, she was talking about how people react to her if she goes to the gym, and (I am paraphrasing a lot here, so hope I get this right), really did not like it when people make what she regarded as condescending comments. I wasn't sure people really were as condescending as she thinks. For myself, I am inspired when I see people working out in spite of obstacles. Still, Gay might have a point. For a while, at my gym, there was a woman who had been going a while and who had lost weight and gained mobility, but was still a lot bigger than most of the gym. People had a way of cheering her on, which Rose seemed to like. But I can see it would be hard on someone more introverted.

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

My last AAC for 2017-- a good companion with Orwell's Homage to Catalonia. I don't really have anything to say about the book. It was OK, but didn't make me want to read more Hemingway.

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

I read this because my book-group picked it, and didn't expect to like it, but really did. It's about the value of using intuition to make snap judgments, and when that works and when it doesn't.

Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt

This is the story of a family, coming to terms with the fact that one of the children is transgendered. The strength of the book is in its description of the parent's process in learning what transgendered means, on the best way to support their child, and to negotiate the school system. I found the parents both to be amazing in their devotion to their children's well-being. Nutt is a journalist, and the book is well done and insightful.

Nutt includes research about gender identity which is very helpful. My one critique of the book was that at times it was too much about this one family's experience, and did not include examples of the diversity of the transgendered experience. But that might have been too much.

What a lot of great books. I want to hear more about your trip. What was your favorite part?

If you loved Lucy Barton, you will love Anything Is Possible as well.

Wow, that's quite a list!

Quite a list, Rhonda! Popping in to say hi and Happy New Year!

Wow!! Great lot of reading for a traveling month. Go Rhonda!

>35 BLBera: Beth, the trip was great! It's hard to say a favorite. We loved Barcelona, but Lisboa was pretty awesome also. I have more details and pictures in last year's thread, which is here.

And definitely, Anything is Possible is on my list.

>36 drneutron: Yes, Jim, I read a lot on planes and trains!

>37 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb!

>38 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba! It will probably be some time before I have another month with so much reading.

Sounds like a great reading holiday Rhonda. I loved Books Burn Badly but agree, sprawling is a good description!

Hi Rhonda and Happy New Year as well as happy new thread, of course!
Your month of travel and reading sounds wonderful. Welcome back.

Way to wrap up the year! And way to break 100. : )

Thanks for the link, Rhonda. Lisbon looks great; onto the list it goes. I'm glad you liked the book I recommended; it helped me understand the history of Andalucia a little. The Alhambra is remarkable, isn't it? Sorry you got pick pocketed. :(

Overall, it sounds like a wonderful trip. And what a lot of reading you got done!

Hi, Rhonda. For some reason, I haven't been by in awhile, but I do see books being read and this puts a smile on my face. Hooray for Lucy Barton! Now, you have to read Anything is Possible, which is absolutely amazing, IMHO.

I liked your thoughts on the Gay book. I found it a tough book to get through, because of the pain and the rawness. I have to get to the Coates collection too. Fortunately, I have it saved on audio.

>40 charl08: Thanks! Have you read anything else by Rivas?

>41 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen!

>42 Berly: I know, 100 is pretty crazy. Not sure when I will do it again!

>43 BLBera: Lisbon is a great city, Beth. And it was a really fun trip.

>44 msf59: Hi Mark! Yes, it was a little hard to know what to think about Gay's book.

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. Day!



“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail

First book of 2018!

Birds of America by Lorrie Moore

I will review soon.

>46 banjo123: Great quote!

>47 banjo123: Waiting with bated breath...

>46 banjo123: Nice reminder of the day, Rhonda.

>48 msf59: and >49 majleavy: Thanks!

It has been a bit busy here lately. Today is Banjo, jr's last day at home before she goes back to college (for her final semester). Yesterday we did a lovely hike in the gorge. Today we volunteered picking up trash for the MLK day of service.

And poor Chica the dog had surgery today. Nothing big, basically removing ear wax, and all went fine, but now she is all whiny and sad from the anesthetic.

Birds of America by Lorrie Moore

This is a fine collection of short stories ; most about relationships and families. Moore is witty and sad with an insightful bite. My favorite stories were "Charades" and "People Like that Are the Only People Here: Canonical Babbling in Peed Onk." "Charades" focusses mostly on adult sibling relationships, during the charade game. The charades are hilarious, the relationships are ring true. "Peed Onk" refers to Pediatric Oncology, and this is probably the finest, and the most difficult story in the collection. IA family, whose names are never given, deal's with their infant's cancer diagnosis. It really felt true to the shock and terror that “The Mother” and “The Father” would feel in this situation.

Wow, Banjo Jr. is almost done with college? It seems she just left.

Great comments on the Moore. I liked A Gate at the Stairs and have wanted to read some of her short fiction. Maybe "like" isn't the right word. It was heart breaking.

Hi Rhonda. I'm in Portland. I'm doing some consultation with a colleague who works at Reed College tomorrow but Kim and I are planning to go to/meet at Powells in the afternoon. Might you join us? We'll do the usual shopping and then perhaps find somewhere to get a bite to eat.

>53 EBT1002: I am afraid I can't make it Ellen. But hopefully next time!

We'll connect in June, Rhonda!

Begin proactive here and keeping you in the loop! RebaRelishesReading is headed to Portland in April and BLBera is coming in June. I have set up a thread so we can talk about visits and who can come and what we want to do. : )

Hope you can come this time!!!



https://www.librarything.com/topic/285123

Hi Ellen and Kim! Hooray! Meetups! I will zip over to the thread.

Happy weekend! It's a book-filled few days for me; on Thursday we heard Jesmyn Ward speak. (amazing). And luckily, I just got a notice that Sing, Unburied, Sing is at the library, so I will bop over to pick it up later. Then today we volunteered at a book sort. (always fun). Tomorrow is our RL bookgroup. I think we are discussing Becoming Nicole.

Reading-wise, 2018 is a slow start. I have finished two books, and still need to review one of them. I am reading two books that I am not that crazy about, so they are going slow, but hope to have a couple more finished soon.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Thanks to the AAC, I have finally read this book about grief and loss. Didion is an excellent writer. This is the story of her reaction to her husband's death and their daughter's life-threatening illness. It's a hard book, and Didion is honest enough that I did not always like her. I really admire her writing, however, Recently I have read a couple of memoirs that failed, in my opinion, because the authors were too close to the subject to be objective. Here, Didion is very close to her subject, but she manages to also seem objective. I think what works here is spare writing, that doesn't include anything extraneous, and a great attention to details. Here is an example:

"There came a time in the summer when I began feeling fragile, unstable. A sandal would catch on a sidewalk and I would need to run a few steps to avoid the fall. What if I didn't? What if I fell? What would break, who would see the blood streaming down my leg, who would get the taxi, who would be with me in the emergency room? Who would be with me once I came home?
I stopped wearing sandals. I bout two pairs of Puma sneakers and wore them exclusively.

And now I have completed my favorite books of 2017. See in >3 banjo123: It was hard to pick, as there was lots of great reading last year, but I tried to focus on books that I keep trying to push on other people.

>3 banjo123: Hint, hint, you need to change the title to "2017." We read a lot of teh same books and I have A Gentleman in Moscow scheduled later this year with my RL bookclub. That's why we get along so well together! : ) Nice review of Didion's book.

Excellent review of The Year of Magical Thinking, Rhonda. Onto the wish list it goes.

>61 Berly: Thanks, Kim! I changed it. And so glad you are reading A Gentleman in Moscow Everyone on LT needs to read it.

>62 EBT1002: Thank you Ellen!

rest in peace Ursula Le Guin

I should really read A Gentleman in Moscow as well. I've heard so many good things about it! Maybe I should add it to this year's list. :)

>65 The_Hibernator: Yes! Definitely. Everyone needs to read it.

And here is something about the book, that I didn't realize until a good bit into it. It is told in an accordion structure. Per Towles:

"From the day of the Count’s house arrest, the chapters advance by a doubling principal: one day after arrest, two days after, five days, ten days, three weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, one year, two years, four years, eight years, and sixteen years after arrest. At this midpoint, a halving principal is initiated with the narrative leaping to eight years until the Count’s escape, four years until, two years, one year, six months, three months, six weeks, three weeks, ten days, five days, two days, one day and finally, the turn of the revolving door.

While odd, this accordion structure seems to suit the story well, as we get a very granular description of the early days of confinement; then we leap across time through eras defined by career, parenthood, and changes in the political landscape; and finally, we get a reversion to urgent granularity as we approach the denouement. As an aside, I think this is very true to life, in that we remember so many events of a single year in our early adulthood, but then suddenly remember an entire decade as a phase of our career or of our lives as parents.

Catfish and Mandala by Andrew Pham; Read for the non-fiction challenge, it won the Kiriyami Prize.
Andrew Pham is a Vietnamese American, who went back to Vietnam, and bicycled across the country; in an exploration of his identity and roots. I felt that the book could have used a little more editing and focus. The book is dedicated to one of Pham's siblings, Chi, who committed suicide at age 32. Chi's story really should be the center of the book; and it would be a good base for an exploration of the authors ambivalence about Vietnamese American identity. (which I think is the purpose of the book) However the book seems to careen from story to story; camping near the Tokyo airport, drinking with cousins in Saigon, an ex-girlfriends relationship with her birthfather. Each story is interesting in it's own right, but maybe not all in the same book.

Patience and Sarah by Isabel Miller

We read this "Lesbian Classic" for my book group. It was written in 1965, I think, and is a historical novel set in the 19th century; about two women building a life together. I read it back in the day, and liked it then, but was afraid that it would be too romantic and marshmallowy sweet on a re-read. It kind of is, but it is well written and, well, sweet.

I didn't have my old copy (maybe I lent it to someone who didn't give it back?) and so bought this new addition from Little Sister Press. That was a plus, because it has a forward by Emma Donaghue and an afterward with a lot of interesting and gossipy information about Alma Routsong (Isabel Miller was her pen name.)

Hi Rhonda >68 banjo123: sounds good, but maybe I'll pass on the Pham.

>66 banjo123: That's cool to know about the accordion timeline! I didn't read the spoiler yet though. Not reading the book until this fall....

>69 BLBera:. Thanks, Beth, I think both books are middling, probably worth it if you are interested in the topic,

>70 Berly:. I thought the structure was pretty cool, once I figured it out. the spoiler is pretty mild, but I think it’s more fun to be surprised,

It has been a crazy busy week at work. This weekend we are at the coast forMrs Banjo’s birthday.

Reading wise, I finished sing, unburied, sing. ward is an amazing writer! Now reading an ARC by Willie Vlautin.

>71 banjo123: "Ward is an amazing writer!" Indeed.

>72 EBT1002: yes, it's the best book of the year so far.

Happy weekend, everyone! Work has been super stressful this week; we have changed to a new electronic medical record system and the roll-out was not as smooth as I had hoped. I imagine all the kinks will work out in a few months, but in the meantime, all my problem-solving skills are going to figure out the new system, leaving nothing for the rest of my already stressful job. Hopefully next week will be better.

I did have a busy week otherwise. My Lesblan book group met to talk about Patience and Sarah} (It was pretty well liked) and we went to hear Claudia Rankine at the Portland Arts and Lectures. More about that later, but we LOVED her and I have purchased her book Citizen.

Today is fairly quiet for me, I do have a bunch of things to work on; taxes, for example. But I am hoping to catch up here a little and review my recently read books. Unfortunately, I slept badly last night. (work worries, uggh) so my brain is a bit slowed.

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Ward is such a lyrical writer. The different voices are amazing, including the story from the ghost, who was killed in Parchman Prison. I also love the way that Ward is able to show our common humanity, and help me to understand characters with a background very different than my own. This is a story of historical trauma, and it's effects on a present day African American family in rural Mississippi.

The only thing that kept this from being a five star read was the child narrator, Jojo. I don't like child narrators in general, but Ward could pull it off. However, Jojo was just too idealized; always kind and compassionate. I understand that in that environment, children grow up quickly, and sometimes it might mean taking on the care taking role at a young age. But he was just too nice to his little sister all the time, and never even seemed to think about being annoyed with her.

Love Rankine's work, rather jealous that you got to hear her speak. Hope work calms down for you.

>75 charl08: Thanks, it's bound to calm down.

Rankine was awesome, I really was not familiar with her work, and expected that she would read poetry. However, it turns out that she teaches at Yale, and recently taught a class on Whiteness. That's what she covered, and it was very enlightening. Plus, she was witty and charming, and funny; as well as brilliant and insightful.

Here is a quote from her:

Don't Skip Out on Me by Willy Vlautin

Vlautin is an American novelist of the West; the working-class; and rural/small town US. He is in the tradition of Steinbeck and Dos Passos. His novel Lean On Pete was made into a movie recently.
This is his most recent novel, and it is not his best. It's about a young half Paiute and half Irish ranch-hand, with ambitions to prove himself by becoming a boxer. He needs to prove himself worthy because of being abandoned by his parents at a young age. The boxing scenes are brutally violent, and the whole story is just so sad.
Vlautin tends to be a bit heavy handed with the moral and with his political point of view. Even though I agree with him for the most part, that doesn't make for the best fiction.
Vlautin lives in the Portland area and is part of the band, Richmond Fontaine. This book (but unfortunately not the ERC) comes with a CD that he feels accompanies the story.
If you are a fan, read and listen. But I have to warn you, prepare for heartbreak. If you are new to Vlautin, I would recommend The Free; which I feel is a far better book.

Great comments on the Vlautin, Rhonda. I am not familiar with him. I will add The Free to my list. The Rankine talk sounds great. Off to see if my library has collections of her poetry.

Have a great Sunday. I hope things start to go more smoothly at work. A new content management system was one reason I retired from my writing job. When programs don't work, it can be very stressful. Good luck.

Happy Sunday, Rhonda. I have not been by in awhile, but hooray for Birds of America & the Didion. Glad you enjoyed both.

I hope you have been doing well. I am really enjoying The Power. You might get a kick of this one. Just sayin'...

I became a Claudia Rankine fan after reading Citizen, Rhonda. I thought it was a remarkable and eye-opening book. I'd love to hear her speak. I'm glad it was such a good experience.

>78 BLBera:. Thanks, Beth. I am pretty sure things will smooth out at work. But right now it’s a bit mentally exhausting.

>79 msf59:. Mark, I will have to try the power for sure!

>80 jnwelch:. Glad you liked citizen since it’s now in my pile! Her speech was great, I will try to post a link when it’s posted online.

Other reading notes: I still need to review the little red chairs, which is quite an interesting book. Currently reading catherine the great for the nonfiction challenge and for my book group a tree grows in Brooklyn. Both really good reads.

The Little Red Chairs by Edna O'Brien
My first book by O'Brien, so far I am not a fan, The plot is interesting (a Balkan war criminal posing as a New Age Healer in a small Irish Community) and O'Brien is a decent writer. But the characters did not seem true to me; and I could not understand the relationship between Fidelma and Vlad.

I will probably try another O'Brien novel in the future, maybe one of her earlier works.

>76 banjo123: Sounds awesome.

>83 EBT1002: Very awesome.

Happy weekend, everyone! I am planning to take things kind of easy this weekend, as I am fighting a cold, but did volunteer at the booksort this morning, and tomorrow is book group. We read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn which I will review below..

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This well-loved story about young Francie Nolan, who is growing up poor and proud in Brooklyn in the early 1900's. Frannie is a wonderful character:

“She was made up of more, too. She was the books she read in the library. She was the flower in the brown bowl. Part of her life was made from the tree growing rankly in the yard. She was the bitter quarrels she had with her brother whom she loved dearly. She was Katie's secret, despairing weeping. She was the shame of her father stumbling home drunk. She was all of these things and of something more...It was what God or whatever is His equivalent puts into each soul that is given life - the one different thing such as that which makes no two fingerprints on the face of the earth alike.”

This book is really a window into another world. It has flaws; it is sometimes too wordy and the end is not nearly as strong as it should be. But, flaws and all, it is definitely a five star read.

Take care and feel better soon, Rhonda. I loved The Little Red Chairs, but I actually don't remember that much about it right now. I will definitely be reading Rankine soon.

>85 banjo123: I haven't read this since I was in high school. Maybe I should reread. I remember loving it.

Have a great weekend.

>85 banjo123: I read it for the first time last year and totally agree with you. Why did I wait so long?

Hope you don't actually come down with whatever-it-is.

Thanks Beth and Reba, I think that I am going to kick the cold. And Beth, definitely a good time for a re-read of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It is a great description of urban poverty, and of having different dreams for the future, while still loving one's roots. I had read it as a teen, but the only part I remembered really well was her picking out a dill pickle from the barrel.

>88 banjo123: Noted, Rhonda. I'm thinking it might be one I could use in class...I'll have to reread first.

>85 banjo123: Hooray for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I was a late-comer to this classic too but really enjoyed it.

Happy Sunday, Rhonda. Do you have a desire to read Barkskins? It is a big under-taking but I am finding much to admire here. It is quite the epic read.

>88 banjo123: Yay! for kicking the cold.

Enjoy what's left of your Sunday, Rhonda.

Rhonda - I just started Claudia Rankine's Citizen and am riveted! Thanks for mentioning her here. I was not familiar with her work.

>89 BLBera: See what you think about A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. The book group all liked it, but it did not lead to a very robust discussion, actually.

>90 msf59: Mark, I DO want to read Barkskins; but I think I am going to wait a bit. My 2018 reading seems to be off to a slow start, and I think more Prouix might just bog me down.

>91 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul!

>92 BLBera: That's so awesome, Beth! I have wasn't really familiar with Rankine either, and have Citizen on my shelves. Maybe I will move it up in line.

Speaking of reading plans, I am somewhat behind on my 2018 reading, and the Olympics are not helping. However, this weekend we are going up to Vancouver BC for several days. It is for a memorial service for Mrs. Banjo's uncle, and we will have a few days to relax as well. I am hoping that this leads to lots of reading; we are taking the bolt bus up, so that's 6 hours of reading each way.
I have my kindle loaded up.

Have a lovely weekend, Rhonda. Good luck on the reading. I read an essay on Serena Williams in the Rankine that is awesome. You will love Citizen when you get to it.

>93 banjo123: "...I am somewhat behind on my 2018 reading, and the Olympics are not helping."
I feel your pain.
I hope you got some reading done on the Vancouver trip. I've never taken the Bolt Bus but it sounds like a great deal!

I don't have the Olympics as an excuse, Rhonda, because I haven't seen much of it, but my reading is slipping slightly too.

Have a great weekend.

And back from BC! It was a good trip. Uncle Alf was a great guy; a WWII hero (RAF); champion tennis player, and he was always very kind to me. He died at 98, so he had a good run, but there were still tears at the memorial.

Wi-Fi at our AirBnB was very spotty, so I didn't get onto LT, but did get some reading done. I completed Catherine the Great and read Zone ONe by Colson Whitehead and Love and Summer by William Trevor. All very interesting reads, I hope to get reviews today.

>94 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!
>95 EBT1002: But the Olympics were fun, eh? The Bolt bus is a great deal! Much more reliable than the train, and less hassle than driving.
>96 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul@

I'll wait for your comments on Zone One, Rhonda. I've loved the books by Whitehead that I've read but this one has zombies, right? Not a fan.

> 98 Right, Beth, your typical Zombie Apocalypse Literary thriller.

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

I wasn't sure about this book at first, not being a huge Zombie fan. But Whitehead really knows his way around a sentence, and he sucked me in pretty fast. There is just so much here; politics, family dynamics, humor. The hero "Mark Spitz," as he calls himself, is trying to help rebuild after a zombie pandemic, and suffering from PASD (Post Apocalypse Stress Disorder).

Here is a favorite sentence:

"Josh didn't have the bearing of one who was going to make it to the other side; there was something taffy to him, despite the fact he'd survived this long, and to tell him the story would be like pouring coffee into a broken saucer."

Love and Summer by WIlliam Trevor

This book was disturbing, but it switched me to a full-on Trevor fan. So sad and so beautiful, full of weak, flawed characters; tragic choices.

"The events of that day had not receded for Miss Connulty. Her cruelty to the dead was their ceremonial preservation; the time for pain was over, yet her wish was that it should not be, that there should always be something left - a wince, a tremor, some part of her anger that was not satisfied."

>99 banjo123: Hmm. You may have convinced me to give this one a try, Rhonda.

The Trevor sounds great as well.

>101 BLBera: yeah, I think if you like Whitehead in general, this is worth it. It's not Underground Railroad; but it's an interesting read. It would be a great discussion book.

and Catherine the Great by Robert Massie

This is a good, solid biography of a fascinating woman. Also, it's a window into another world. It helped me put Russian history into a little bit more context. Very worth reading.

I do love my Russian history, so here's another one to add to the WL. Happy Friday, Rhonda. I hope you have a great weekend.

>103 banjo123: Fascinating to see this one travel around the threads. I'm not biting now, but maybe in the future (that mythical future when I have all the time in the world to read?!).

>104 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, it was fun. We saw "Black Panther"; which lived up to the hype.

>105 charl08: It was fun to have so many people reading it at once!

Happy weekend everyone! I have been getting some good reading in, will be back later with reviews.

Happy Sunday, Rhonda. Looking forward to seeing those book reviews. Love seeing what my pals are reading. I just finished American Wolf. I think this might be just your cuppa.

Hooray for Black Panther. We loved it too.

>108 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I have been having a lazy day; I so hate daylight savings time. It is beautiful in Portland today, so I am enjoying the crocuses and sunshine. And now hope to catch up on LT! And I will have to look for American Wolf--it sounds interesting.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

I read this because I want to be more science literate. Luckily, I wasn't really in a huge hurry, because although this is a small book, it still requires a good deal of thinking. Degrasse Tyson does a good job here, with a survey of information and enough colorful stories to keep one's interest.

An Odyssey: A Father, a Son and an Epic by Daniel Mendelsohn

This is just a lovely memoir. Mendelsohn's father, Jay, asks to sit in on a class that he is teaching at Bard College on the Odyssey. Mendelsohn weaves in the story of that class; a themed cruise that he takes with his father, to visit the historical sites in the Odyssey; his relationship with his family and especially with his father, a retired research scientist. He also covers marriage (both his parents' and Odysseus and Penelope's; father-son relationships; and the value of traveling in circles. Jay is quite a character, and I loved getting to know him. Here he is talking about Odysseus.

“I don’t know why he’s supposed to be such a haihhro,” he says. “He cheats on his wife, he sleeps with Calypso. He loses all of his men, so he’s a lousy general. He’s depressed, he whines. He sits there and wants to die.”

Mendelsohn uses ring composition to weave different strands together. Ring composition, as he explains in the book, involves digressions in narrative, with frequent forays into the past to explain what is happening now. Mendelsohn shows how ring composition is used in The Odyssey and also uses it liberally himself. I had noticed this technique when I read Mendelsohns earlier book; The Lost; A Search for Six of the Six Million; but at that time, I didn't realize it was a technique; I thought he was just writing like an old man talks. I do like this technique, as it helps in making connections between past and present; which, as a classics scholar, is one of Mendelsohn's strong suits. However, I think he overuses it in this book, and a more straightforward narrative could have helped certain parts of the book. However, that's a minor quibble, and overall this book is a jewel.

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

This was a re-read, for my book group. I like Yoshimoto. She has a light touch, almost chick-lit; but covers serious topics. Her protagonists tend to be young women, struggling with grief and loss, and finding their place in the world. In this novella, Mikage is alone in the world after the death of her grandmother. A young male friend invites her to live with himself and his mother, Eriko. Eriko was originally his father, is transgender, and owns a gay night-club. This allows Mikage time to heal and move on, but the plot continues difficult.

“To the extent that I had come to understand that despair does not necessarily result in annihilation, that one can go on as usual in spite of it, I had become hardened. Was this what it means to be an adult, to live with ugly ambiguities? I didn't like it, but it made it easier to go on.”

Rhonda - You got me with all of these although I already picked up a copy of Kitchen from the library's used book sale. I thought I remembered your raving about it. The others look very good as well.

Hi Beth! Kitchen is an easy read, I hope you enjoy it. I really like her characters. In this re-read, I noticed it does read a bit choppy; I think it was her first book.

I have two other books to review, both by Tobias Wolff. And both re-reads: I had been wanting to re-read In Pharoah's Army; and I also read In the Garden of the North American Martyrs; which I didn't realize I had already read until after I started it.

It seems that a theme for the month is father-son relationships; they are prominent for Wolff, and of course for Mendelsohn. And also a big theme in 'Black Panther" my movie of the month!

In the Garden of the North American Martyrs by Tobias Wolff

This is Wolff's first book, a great book of short-stories, full of flawed, sad characters, and a biting sense of humor. I think he is reminiscent of Raymond Carver.

In Pharoah's Army is Wolff's book about his experience in the Vietnam War.

Sad, terrifying and desperately funny. The part that really resonated for me was the way he connects his experience in the war with his relationship to his father. The part that really struck me both the first time I read it, and again this time, was when he was on the bus waiting to go to war, and wishing there was some way to get out of it.

"Nothing could stop it. Except....what? A breakdown? We'd just have to get on another bus. My pals from the Haight---the Hug Patrol in a human chain across the road? Nah, bunch of softies, they'd never get up this early. Hijackers. A gang of hijackers in front of a barricade, wielding shotguns and pitchforks and clubs, shining bright lights into the driver's eyes. The driver stops. The hijackers pound on the door until he opens it. They come up the steps and down the aisle, flashing their beams from face to face until they find the ones they're after. They call our names, and then we know who it is behind the blinding lights. It's our fathers. Our fathers, come to take us home.
Crazy.
But not as crazy as what they actually did, which was let us go."

Hi Rhonda--Just catching up around here. Your reading mojo seems pretty healthy!! Happy weekend. : )

>117 Berly: Thanks, Kim! The reading HAS been good lately.

I hope everyone is doing well! I have been a little distracted. Tomorrow I have cataract surgery. I am looking forward to improved vision, but the process is a little scary.

Hi, Rhonda. I am so glad you enjoyed both of your Wolff reads. I have not read either but they are now on the list.

I hope you had a good weekend, my friend.

Hope the surgery goes well Rhonda. Have you got some audios lined up for the recovery time?

>110 banjo123: I've seen good things about that book. Though I tend to avoid physics books these days because I've realized that they bore me silly. Maybe this one wouldn't.

>119 msf59: Mark, I would love to get your take on In Pharaoh's Army !

>120 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. The surgery went well, And I listened to Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. I am back at work today, although it's a bit frustrating because my eyes are still not computer ready. I have a long meeting this afternoon, so that should help.

>121 The_Hibernator: hi Rachel! You might need more advanced physics.

>122 banjo123: I can help her with more advanced physics book. 😀 Anybody interested in a group read of The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time in memory of Stephen Hawking?

>118 banjo123: Rhonda--Hope your eyes heal up quickly and you enjoy your new vision!!

>123 drneutron: M..A..Y..B..E..! Off to take a peek.

>123 drneutron: I don't know if you're serious, Jim, but: yes.

>125 majleavy: Really? I wasn't but that would be great! I've got a copy on my shelf that I've managed to get about 2 chapters into.

Speedy recovery, Rhonda.

>123 drneutron: I should have known we could count on your help, Jim! I will have to skip this group read; I need my physics a little bit more spoon-fed to me. I did love A Brief History of Time, however.

>124 Berly: Thanks, Kim! My eyes are doing well.

>125 majleavy: >126 drneutron: impressive, you two.

>127 BLBera: Thank you, Beth!

Happy weekend reading! My eyes are recovering well, the only problem now is that I don't have the right computer glasses. I have a number of books to review, hopefully tomorrow.

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

I wasn't sure how to review this powerful book, but then I realized that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here is the cover.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

I listened to this on tape after my eye surgery, it's a good reading, and an engrossing book, about a biracial American family dealing with the teenage daughter's death by drowning. Lots to think about related to love, parenting, and how damaging it can be when things go unsaid in a relationship.

Rhonda, I'm glad that your cataract surgery is healing. I read Everything I Never Told You a year or two ago and really enjoyed it. She has a new book out, which I have in my TBR pile. Got to get to it.

>131 vancouverdeb: yes and I have heard lots of good buzz about Little Fires Everywhere. It's definitely on my list.

Is anyone else following The Tournament of Books? I am really enjoying it this year, and it caused me to read Fever Dream in one gulp of a reading last night.

>129 banjo123: I have to thank you for mentioning Rankine - I loved Citizen as well; I've been lending it to my colleagues, who are also wowed by it.

I've had the Ng on my list for a while. Need to get to it.

I hope the eyes are improving, Rhonda.

I'm glad all is going well with eye recovery. I found the drops to be a pain (as in the rear, not that my eyes hurt) but it's so-o-o worth it in the end.

Hi, Rhonda. I thought Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine was powerful, too. She really enables the reader to empathize.

>133 BLBera: I am glad that Rankine is getting read! The Ng is very readable, although hard topics.

>134 RebaRelishesReading: My eyes are getting better! I am happy. I am pretty good with eye drops; I have had lots of eye issues in the past, so drops are easy for me.

>135 jnwelch: Yay! More Rankine love.

Rhonda--Another Rankine fan. And so glad your eyes are healing! Thank goodness for audio books in the meantime.

Hi, Rhonda. Meant to drop by yesterday and the day got by me. Glad your eyes are doing better. I had some issues with Everything I Never Told You, but I am happy it worked for you. I think I will still give her latest one a try, although she seems to be a divisive author.

Hope you had a good weekend.

>137 Berly: Thanks, Kim! Rankine was a great surprise at Literary Arts. She was not on my radar before that.

>138 msf59: Thanks, Mark! What issues did you have with Everything I Never Told You?

Open City by Teju Cole

Someone at work lent this to me, saying it was a "different read" and she thought I'd like it. And she was right on both accounts! The narrator is a Nigerian American Psychiatry resident, who spends a good deal of time walking around New York City (where he lives) and reflecting on things. It's an incredibly well-written book with no plot. I read some reviews that described this as "stream of consciousness," which I suppose it is, but usually I associate that style with being difficult to read. This is easy to read, and interesting, it's just never quite clear what the point was. Is that narrator a good guy, or a complete creep? Definitely a read that I will be thinking about for some time to come. A quote:

“Perhaps this is what we mean by sanity: that, whatever our self-admitted eccentricities might be, we are not villains of our own stories."

>140 banjo123: Oh, I loved this one. Although billed as fictional, for me it fits that category of books about walking the city. (I'm not sure there is a point, beyond that)

>140 banjo123: This does sound good, Rhonda. I just finished Lillian Boxfish, which is about her walking around the city on New Year's Eve. I don't know if I'm quite ready for another walking book. I'll add it to the list for future reading.

>141 charl08:, >142 BLBera: What is this Walking genre? I don't think I ever read another book that was all about walking in a city, now here there are two. I will have to put Lillian Boxfish on the list.

(but I do hope and trust that Open City is fictional, because I would hate to think that Cole was like his narrator at heart.)

It reminds me of hearing Cheryl Strayed talk once, about how tricky it was to make her story interesting when in fact, all she did is wake up every morning and walk, one step after the other.

Happy Passover and Easter weekend everyone! We have a weekend full of holiday celebrating, last night Seder with old friends; tomorrow another friend invited us for Easter dinner.

I have a couple of books to review, my March reading has been great! And for April, I have a special plan: I am going to read only Women Author's in April. I have been reading about gender and publishing, and this seemed like a good time to give that a try.

Happy Passover and Easter to you, too, Rhonda.

Hooray for a woman's author month. I did that in March for Women's history month. And I had a great reading month -- two five-star books.

>145 BLBera: hooray for 5 star reads! I do think that there is sometimes a value to focusing one's reading. We will see how it goes.

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

I am going to start this review with a link to the Tournament of Books, which you can find here. I have enjoyed following the TOB, and this year, Fever Dream won out over Lincoln in the Bardo; Exit West; Sing, Unburied Sing and other books. The reviewers all found this literary horror story impossible to put down.

Meaghan O'Connell wrote:

I had no intention to stay up past my bedtime to read an entire book that night, but putting it down was unfathomable. I was gripped, yes, but also sick with dread. I had to keep reading if for no other reason than with the hope that if I reached the end everything would be settled, the suspense would be over, the mystery solved. I was too ill at ease to look away. Getting up to pee in the quiet house had me genuinely unnerved, the way you feel after a bad dream. Vigilant. It had me clutching the walls in the hallway as I made my way to the bathroom, and later when I went to check on my sleeping son (I had to!).

And here is Shelly Oria :

"Well, Fever Dream saw me and went, Ha. “Ha” as in, I so got this. “Ha” as in, This sucker? I’m going to lure her into my cage, make a cute face so she pets me, AND THEN EAT HER ALIVE. You think I’m being dramatic? Read Fever Dream; this book will make you its bitch."

OK, so I had to read it after that build-up, so I got it from the library, but then forgot the above warnings and picked it up at 9 PM on a weeknight. I had to read straight through. Luckily it is only 180 pages.

Originally written in Spanish (translator Megan McDowell), it's a dialogue with woman who lies dying, in a conversation with a young boy, the son of a friend, who might be a ghost. Or maybe not? Creepy, great writing and translating, about parenthood and environmental terror. It's a gut punch.

I am not sure it's actually better than all those other books, but I can't argue with the judgement. I will not be forgetting this book soon.

Happy Saturday, Rhonda. Everything I Never Told You just fell a bit flat for me. I was expecting it to take off and it really never did. She seems to be one of those polarizing authors. I will still give her latest a try.

I am loving my current story collection, All the Names They Used for God. Another great new voice. Short fiction is rockin' these days.

You've convinced me to try Fever Dream, Rhonda, in daylight, on a weekend.

Wishing you a lovely holiday weekend, Rhonda.

>148 msf59: I can see that. Ng's characters are kind of two-dimensional, but the audio worked for me.

>149 BLBera: Yes, Beth! It is creepy. Did you read Things We Lost in the Fire? It's different, but reminded me of it. Schweblin is from Argentina and lives in Germany.

BTW, are people doing the Library thing Easter Egg Hunt? I thought it was fun.

Hi Rhonda, yes , I did the Easter Egg hunt this morning and found all 22 ! This is the first time I've ever tried one of the hunts and I was very happy that I was able to find the Easter eggs. I did have to use a few of the spoiler hints to find them all.

>151 banjo123: I didn't read Things We Lost in the Fire yet, Rhonda. I'll probably try this one first. I did do the hunt; I found 15 and was happy; I'm not very good at riddles, so it was a win for me.

>151 banjo123: I've been defeated by the last two, but fully expect to be shaking my head at my own ignorance in due course.

>152 vancouverdeb: I am glad you enjoyed the hunt! I also had to use some hints.

>153 BLBera: Things We Lost in the Fire was even more disturbing, but this one is a little creepier, if that makes sense.

>154 charl08: You will find them! I think some of them are easier for people from the US, actually.

This has been a good weekend, fun with friends, and last night we saw a movie, Bombshell, about Hedy Lamar. It was really well done.

And I have one more book to review!

Here Comes The Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn

I read this one for my lesbian book group. At first I wasn't sure I liked the book, I think because I was expecting a Lesbian Novel, instead of what this is, which is a novel with lesbians in it (really a better thing).

It's the story of a family of three women. The mother Delores and the older sister Margot, are working and sacrificing to send the younger sister to school so she can become a doctor and rescue the family from poverty. The younger sister, Thandi, really wants to be an artist, which of course is not understood.

All three women have unpleasant sides, and make some pretty questionable decisions in their quest to escape poverty. It was hard to like Margot, but also hard not to admire her tenacity.

The book gives a detailed picture of life in Jamaica, and the issues surrounding tourism and it's effects on the community. Mild I had some difficulties with the way prostitution/sex work was portrayed in the book, but it was thought provoking.

I loved Here Comes the Sun, Rhonda. What stuck with me the most was the contrast between the tourists and the people who work for them, and of course, the misogyny.

>157 BLBera: That's really true, Beth! I think what frustrated me was that despite all the misogyny involved, the main villains were women. It will be interesting to hear what the rest of the book group thinks.

I would think it would be a good discussion book, Rhonda, but lately I've been missing the mark with what I think would be good discussion books, so I'll watch for your summary.

>159 BLBera: I have also been having trouble telling what is a good discussion book! This turned out to be the best discussion we have had in some time.

Two more books finished, will be reviewing soon. The Singer's Gun by Emily St John Mandel; and All that Sang by Lydia Perovic which is hard to find on LT. It's a little small press novella, which I picked up when we were in Canada. It looks like I am the only one on LT who has it! That makes me feel erudite and special, especially since I liked the book.

I'll look for you comments on The Singer's Gun, Rhonda. I loved Station Eleven and have this one on my shelf.

The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel

I think this was Emily St. John Mandel's sophomore effort. This wasn't bad, but definitely not Station Eleven.

The writing here is excellent, and the story piquant enough to keep me reading to the end. But the plot and character's didn't sing, and so in the end, I think this was a forgettable read.

This is a story of duplicity, and I think, the yearning for a more authentic experience. The main character, Anton grew up in a family that dealt in stolen goods, and fell into a fake passports selling business. He wants a more conventional, less criminal, life. He manages to get into the life he wants, but through duplicitous means; which of course, doesn't end well.

Unfortunately, it didn't work as well as I would have liked, the characters were hard to believe in, in the end. Probably a 3, 3 and a half, star read.

>162 BLBera: Hi Beth, as you can see above, The Singer's Gun wasn't a huge winner for me. But I am looking forward to her next book!

All That Sang by Lydia Perovic

So, I bought this little novella in Vancouver BC at Little Sisters, which is a LGBTQ store. Lydia Perovic is an opera critic from Toronto.

I ended up really liking the book, it's a literary exploration of an art/music journalist who falls for a female conductor from France, and an exploration of unequal expectations in a relationship. Here is a passage:

"Maybe if this were a proper, mutual, happy love story, it would call for a story indeed. Maybe two people finding each other warrants a retelling, a founding through a story.
Two people, a man and a woman in particular. But we don't have a man and a woman here.
Maybe if I came from a proper, coherent-appearing, long-historicised country, speaking one language---that is if I came from somewhere other than Canada--I would have also wanted to keep alive the tradition of making stories believable.
Maybe if all this happened within the same language it would have fit better.
Maybe, Probably.
As it is now, I must speak about what is happening, but I can't give you a story. Plot is a form of self-medication: look, rejoice, there's a glimpse of sense. Fragments will come together to mean something. Let's ignore all what conspires against the narrative."

Great comments, Rhonda. I will definitely look for the Perovic - it sounds great. I have a copy of The Singer's Gun, but it will probably wait on the shelf for a while.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks, Beth! Hope your week is going well.

I realized I had a book I had forgotten:

News of the World by Paulette Jiles.

We read it for bookgroup, and everyone liked it. It is a historical novel about a young girl who had been "rescued" from captivity with the Kiowa, and is being brought back to her family by an ex-confederate soldier, who travels around reading aloud from newspapers in small towns throughout Texas for a dime per listener. The setting and historical facts are very interesting. Texas politics back then was very interesting. Also, apparently children taken captive by Native American tribes all ended up identifying with the tribes, and never really integrated back with their families.

The story is told from the ex-soldier's viewpoint, it is a short, well-written book. Mrs. Banjo and I were probably the most ambivalent; I think we both found the main character a little too evolved, tolerant of diversity, and, well just too 20th century for an ex-confederate soldier living in Texas.

Hooray for News of the World! That is definitely an LT favorite. Is this your first Jiles? She is a very good writer.

Hi, Rhonda! I hope you are doing well, my friend.

Hi Mark! Yes, it was my first Jiles. Are there others you would recommend?
And also, have you read Jump-Off Creek? You really should, lots in common.

Oh, and I just read The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney

I loved this book. It is, I would say, literary historical fiction mystery. I reluctant to read this because mysteries are not my thing, but this was great. It is set in Canada in the 1860's, and involves the murder of a trapper. Lots of details about Native Americans in the area, the Hudson Bay trading company. Wonderfully written with multiple interesting voices.

My family is going to read Jump-Off Creek for our reunion this summer in Bend! Good to know it's a good one.

My favorite Jiles is Enemy Women. Hmm, I never thought about the character being out-of-time in News of the World. But you are right; he does have a modern sensibility.

I also loved The Tenderness of Wolves. I am trying to find time to read her latest.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday! Then you can tell me how you hear about all these LT hunts--I only seem to hear about the winners once they are over. LOL

>172 BLBera: Oh, hooray for Jump-Off Creek and hooray for a family book read! Our book group all liked it, very spare, atmospheric language. It certainly made me feel grateful for living in a house with a floor.

I will look for Enemy Women. And for Stef Penney's latest.

>173 Berly: Looking forward to tomorrow, Kim! I just stumbled on the egg hunt, but it was fun, and not TOO hard. I did a pirate one once, and it was also fun, but super hard. I couldn't do it on a week that I was super busy.

Today was an absolutely gorgeous sunny day in Portland AND I got to meet up this afternoon with Kim, Reba, Juli and Jan, for the traditionally lunch at a brewery and then Powell's outing. Life is good!

The Woman's Hour by Elaine Weiss

This isn't one of my favorite non-fiction reads, and it took until near the end to get caught up in the story. But still, worth reading as it reminded me of how much history I don't know. This was about the fight to ratify the 19th amendment, for women's suffrage, in Tennessee. I hadn't realized before how much of the anti-suffrage movement was led by women, nor did I realize how much racism infused the debate. The South was against suffrage in large part because of not wanting to grant the vote to black women. Unfortunately some of the women's rights leaders bought into racist rhetoric in promoting the amendment, and also, once the amendment was passed, didn't work to make sure that black women also were able to exercise the right to vote.

This, and some of the in-fighting between different women's rights group, were reminiscent of our current political landscape, and that was interesting to read about. Also the final vote in Tennessee was very close, and very dramatic. That chapter was awesome!

Here was a great final quote from Carrie Chapman Catt on her speech after victory.

"The vote is the emblem of your equality, women of America, the guarantee of your liberty. That vote of yours has cost millions of dollars and the lives of thousands of women. Money to carry on this work has been given usually as a sacrifice, and thousands of women have gone without things they wanted and could have had in order that they might help get the vote for you. Women have suffered agony of soul which you can never comprehend, that you and your daughters might inherit political freedom. That vote has been costly. Prize it!

The vote is a power, a weapon of offense and defense, a prayer. Understand what it means and what it can do for your country. Use it intelligently, conscientiously, prayerfully. No soldier in the great suffrage army has labored and suffered to get a “place” for you. Their motive has been the hope that women would aim higher than their own selfish ambitions, that they would serve the common good.

The vote is won. Seventy-two years the battle for this privilege has been waged, but human affairs with their eternal change move on without pause. Progress is calling to you to make no pause. Act!"

>176 banjo123: What a stirring speech and a reminder of how hard-won and how precious is our right to vote. Here we are so many years later, still fighting against racism in the political process. Nice to be reminded of the past.

It was so good to see you today.

OK, in an incredibly useful use of time, I changed my topper, as the old one wasn't showing up any more.

Current reading: I have started Miss Burma, which is excellent so far. Also, my Lesbian book group is reading a sci fi book, Trouble and her Friends, which I am liking as well. So April is a good reading month.

New Books: Today it was Pachinko; Tales of Two Americas and Behold the Dreamers (we are reading for my other book group. Has anyone read Pachinko? It did well on the Tournament of Books, and I have a friend who was raving about it.

>177 Oregonreader: Yes, and great to see you as well, Jan!

Hope the meetup is full of books :-) I've heard raves about Pachinko too, but haven't read it! Your current reading list sounds really good.

>176 banjo123: I love the inspiration of the women in that period - such powerful words from people who worked so hard for equality.

Hi, Rhonda. As far as Jiles goes, I would recommend Enemy Women & The Color of Lightning. Unfortunately, Jump-Off Creek got lost in the book stacks, but I located it and it is back in a prominent position. Hope to get to it soon.

Did you attend the Meet Up?

So much fun to see you yesterday! How much damage did you go at Powell's? Where's the list of spoils? : )

>180 charl08: Thanks Charlotte! I think I will try to read Pachinko soon, so will let you all know what I think.

>181 msf59: Oh good, Mark. Jump-Off Creek is right up your alley, and short as well. But I understand about the lost in the stacks issue. I have an entire book case full of lost in the stacks.

Which did not stop me from getting more. >181 msf59: >182 Berly: It was Pachinko; Behold the Dreamers and Tales of Two Americas. I am TRYING to limit myself to only buying new books when I have hope of reading them in the next couple of months. I am having limited success with this goal, however.

I loved Behold the Dreamers, Rhonda. You should read that next. :)

It sounds like the meet up was fun. I hope to see you in the summer.

Love the new topper. So true.

It was great to meet you and hang out yesterday. Hope you’re enjoying your books from yesterday and that we can all do this again sometime soon.

>184 BLBera: Beth, that's great. Behold the Dreamers is a book group pick, so I have to read it soon.

>185 RebaRelishesReading: It was lots of fun, Reba! Hope we can do it again next time you are up to visit Quinn.

>186 banjo123: I hope so too. That will probably be next January though.

Can imagine Behold the Dreamers would make for a great bookgroup discussion (even though I had mixed feelings).

>187 RebaRelishesReading: Such a long time until January! but it is a good time for book buying.

>188 charl08: That's great, Charlotte! When everyone likes a book, sometimes the discussion is kind of dull, so I have high hopes for this.

And I hope everyone is having a good weekend. It is a bit cloudy and rainy here, but the blooms are beautiful and we had a nice walk in the Rhododendron Garden earlier, and only got a little wet. I will try to post some pictures later, and also a picture of Chica, who got groomed today, and now smells much nicer.

Spring!!

Cute Pets:

>190 banjo123: >191 banjo123: Love the spring and cute pet pics!!

Happy Sunday, Rhonda. I am starting The Jump-Off Creek tomorrow! Yah! I just finished Happiness: A Novel. You might like this one. Have you read Forna?

>192 msf59: Thanks, Mark! And no, I haven't read any Forna, I need to get to her!

Love the pics, Rhonda. It's going to be 80 here today, and some of the larger snow piles are still around! Weird weather.

Love the pictures Rhonda! We had our first spring rain of the year (it had been snowing until recently - snowiest April in MN history).

>194 BLBera: and >195 The_Hibernator: Thanks for stopping by, Beth and Rachel. What crazy weather you are having! Hopefully you get a real spring soon.

Trouble and Her Friends by Melissa Scott

This started out promising, I think Scott is a decent writer. But then it turned into a slog to read. I finished because it's for book club. I am not into Cyper Punk, so that's part of it, but a good story usually pulls me in and this one didn't.

>197 banjo123: Thanks for taking one for the team, Rhonda. One I don't have to add to my list!

Hi Rhonda, I love the pictures. That is one contented cat!
It was so good to see you again.

>198 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! We actually had a good discussion, and now I like the book a little better. But I still don't recommend it.

>199 Oregonreader:, thanks, Jan and likewise. Hopefully I will get to see you at another meet-up this summer!

I finished, and enjoyed, Miss Burma. I will try to put some thoughts together soon, although there are already some good reviews from this group, and I am not sure I have anything new to add.

Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig

This is a nice work of historical fiction, based on the author's own family story, and the story of Burma, pre, during and post WWII. It covers colonialism and it's aftermath, the oppression of ethnic minorities within Burma; and the difficulties of a mixed marriage. Oh, and a beauty pageant.

Water at the Roots by Phillip Britts

I have to confess to having skimmed through this book. I requested it from the Early Reviewers because Britts was described as an "English Wendell Berry." I was expected the intellectual, environmentalist poet/essayist. Instead, we had a religious poet/farmer/pacifist.

The poetry was so-so, and religion isn't my thing. Britt's life story was interesting, he was born in Devon England in 1917, became interested in religion, pacifism and farming. He joined the Bruderhof, a German Christian Communalist group, also pacifist, (kind of like the Mennonites.) There was a group in England, but being German and pacifist, things weren't comfortable during WWII in England, they emigrated to Paraguay and established a community there. Britts and his wife moved there with their children, Britts ended up dying young at age 30.

An interesting story, but this book was put together by Bruderhof members, with annotations between the poetry and few prose pieces. The annotations give a background, but it is very uncritical, and so for me was dull.

And happy weekend to everyone! It is beautiful today here in Portland, and we have been able to inaugurate eating meals outside. There is a lot to do here, Mrs. Banjo and I take off mid-week, to New Jersey for Banjo, jr's graduation! I can't believe that it's been four years already.

I can't believe it either! Congrats. What are Jr.'s future plans?

>204 BLBera: Jr. is coming back to Portland and looking for a job. It's lucky the economy is so good right now. She has a Psychology major, but doesn't really want to work in mental health. I think she is looking into business, maybe marketing? She would love a job involving pro-sports, and she does have a part-time gig lined up doing guest services for our soccer teams.

And we were walking Chica earlier, and one of our neighbors had a poetry box with this poem. I really love it.

When Giving Is All We Have
Alberto Ríos, 1952

One river gives
Its journey to the next.

We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.

We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.

We have been better for it,
We have been wounded by it—

Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.

Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:

Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.

You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me

What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give—together, we made

Something greater from the difference.

>206 banjo123: I like that, Rhonda.

Have a great Sunday.

Good luck to Banjo Jr. and her job hunting. I don't want to be in my twenties again, but it is so exciting to have a whole career ahead.

I love the poem.

Have a great Sunday. I hope you have another beautiful spring day. Spring has finally sprung here as well.

>203 banjo123: NO!!! Banjo Jr. can't possibly be graduating from college already!! Didn't she just leave a couple of months ago?

Congratulations on Banjo Jr's graduation! Exciting times ahead.

>207 PaulCranswick:. Thanks, Paul!

>208 BLBera:. I feel the same, Beth. I don’t want to be 20 again, but it is fun to see her with so many opportunities ahead. Glad you are finally getting spring.

>209 RebaRelishesReading:. It feels like only a few months, and also like a long time, all at once. She has grown up a lot in the past four years, which is so nice to see.

>210 vancouverdeb:. Thanks Deborah!

>206 banjo123: Beautiful poem, thank you for posting it.

>202 banjo123: What a shame this book wasn't better - sounds like his life had all the ingredients for a novel.

And congrats to Banjo Jr - hope the job search is fruitful.

>206 banjo123: Like!

>212 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! and yes, that book sounded better in theory than in reality.
>213 charl08: Thanks again, I am pretty hopeful. The job market here is pretty strong right now.

>214 jnwelch: I am going to have to look up more of his poetry.

Monday has been pretty rugged. I am short staff at work, so that's more work for me, and we are still struggling with changing electronic medical records. Plus, community mental health is always stressful; which is sad because a few more resources for our people could make a big difference, and would probably save money in the long run.

I am excited for tomorrow because we hear Viet Nguyen speak at Arts and Lectures.

In book news, I read Dunbar, by Edward St. Aubyn as I am trying to read all of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. It was not my favorite, but it did lead me to find my old copy of King Lear (pelican edition) from my freshman year at college and start a re-read.

I haven't read Dunbar, Rhonda. I had been reading the Hogarth retellings as well. I must check to see which others I have missed.

Happy Wednesday, Rhonda. I haven't been able to make the rounds like I used to, but I wanted to tell you that I loved The Jump-Off Creek and I now, want to read the rest of her work. Tell, Wendy thanks too. She was spot-on. I am also pitifully behind on my mini-reviews too. It is hard to catch up.

I also really liked Black Swans: Stories, which I just finished. Have you heard of Babitz?

>206 banjo123: That is a wonderful poem, Rhonda. I love it.

>191 banjo123: Cute pets, indeed. And of course, spring. I love pacific northwest springs: they last for about four months and are just the best. I will miss that.

I haven't read any of the Hogarth Shakespeare series although the concept appeals to me. I'll give one of them a try to see if I can get jump-started.

>216 BLBera: Hooray for another Hogarth enthusiast! I am looking forward to Nesbo's Macbeth.

>217 msf59: So glad that you liked Jump-Off Creek, Mark, and Wendy was also happy. I have heard of Babitz, but haven't read anything by her.

>218 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! I think that Atwood's Hag-Seed was my favorite of the hogarth's, so far.

We are back from our trip East for Banjo, jr's graduation. It was a great trip, and we are so proud of her accomplishments. It was also great to meet a bunch of her friends and their families on the trip.

John Leguizamo gave the commencement address, and it was great, political and funny, really highlighting immigrant experience. “Your Generation Z is the most politicized since the 60s. Yo, I didn’t even know what a midterm election was until this year. In my 50 years, I have never voted in a midterm election and shame on me. Shame on my generation for being asleep at the wheel,”

“You are also so lucky to have real live superheroes—like those kids in Parkland Fla.: Emma González, David Hogg, Anthony Borges, that beautiful black kid who shielded his Latino fellow student. They’ve taken to the streets and they’re holding our lawmakers accountable. This is your generation.”

More on the trip later, and also on my reading on the trip.

Sounds like a powerful speech Rhonda. I'm still waiting for the Nesbo - 19th in the queue.

Leguizamo's speech sounds great, Rhonda. Congrats to the Banjo family. Good luck with the job hunting.

I can't wait to get to Jump-Off Creek.

I agree that Hag-Seed is my favorite Hogarth so far. I did really like the Winterson one as well.

I love John Leguizamo! A girlfriend and I saw him in Mambo Mouth in 1991, an Off-Broadway one man performance about seven Latino characters in NYC, which is easily the most hilarious performance I've seen on stage. Colleen and I were in tears during the performance, and we were still laughing about it weeks later.

>221 charl08: I am waiting for Nesbo, also!
>222 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! I liked Winterson's Hogarth also. Really I have liked all of them, Dunbar so far is the weakest.

>223 kidzdoc: That's great, Darryl, that you saw Leguizamo back in 91. He did a great job with the speech, I think. I heard that some of the more conservative families weren't so happy with the speech. We ended up sitting next to a large African American family and they were really enjoying it. I was pleased with Drew that they went with an activist speaker. Last year they had the Rev. William Barber, who is a Drew graduate, and I heard his speech was pretty inspiring.

The whole graduation trip was fun. The graduation itself was pretty soggy... they braved weather forecasts to have it outside, and we got there early for seats. It was rainy and in the 50's; so lots of folks went and watched on tv monitors inside, but after having come that far we wanted to see it in person.

I mentioned to Mark that we did some birding. Birding, light, actually, because we don't know much, and didn't have binoculars. But the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey is close to campus, and has really nice walks. We went several times and saw some hawks, purple marten, catbird, yellow warblers, chickadee, junco, and, in the most exciting sighting, a barred owl. (we were able to identify birds because another birder in the blind told us what they were. And another birder told us about the barred owl, who was sitting close to the walk. Beautiful.

Graduation pictures:

The great swamp refuge:

>225 banjo123: Aww. I'm sorry to hear that the right wing snowflakes were not happy that a Colombian immigrant offended their racist tender sensibilities.

Nice graduation pictures! What field did Banjo, Jr. get her degree in? (Apologies if you've mentioned it already.)

>228 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl! I think most of the audience liked Leguizamo's speech, but there are a lot of wealthy parents in that group, and some of them are conservative.

Banjo, jr majored in psychology, but she isn't exactly sure what she wants to do next. She is looking for a job, and I hope she spends a couple of years working before she considers graduate school. Right now she has a part-time job working for Providence Park (where our soccer teams play), and she is enjoying that.

I am way behind on library thing, at work, and in life in general. I hope to catch up a little this weekend; I am going to do some speed reviews of my recent reading,

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

We read this for book group. EVERYONE liked it. Mbue weaves the stories of two families, one of Cameroonian refugees, the husband of this family works as a chauffeur for the second family. The second family is that of a stockbroker working for the Lehman brothers right before the fall. Mbue has sympathy with all the characters, and everyone has good and bad aspects. It is really interesting to see the differences and similarities between the two families.

This is a first novel, and there are some clunky parts. But overall, a good book, very well written and plotted.

Snow in August by Pete Hamill

The first book I have read by Hamill, and I really liked it. This book covers life in post WWII Brooklyn; Gang Violence; Anti-Semitism; and Jackie Robinson's first season with the Dodgers. The narrator, a sensitive young boy, is learning to balance loyalty to his Irish American neighborhood and it's values, with the wider world he learns about from association with an immigrant Rabbi who needs help turning on the lights on the Shabbos.

Highly recommended.

Maphead by Ken Jennings

This is a book about maps and map nerds, which I read for the non-fiction challenge. I found it to be a pretty mediocre read, with occasional glimpses of humor or interesting fact.

Lillian Boxfish takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

This bittersweet novel is about an elderly New York woman, a former advertising star and poet, and her perambulation through Manhattan on the last day of 1984. The character of Lillian Boxfish was modeled on a real life woman, Margaret Fishback "the highest-paid female advertising copywriter in the world during the 1930s," who was also a poet,and a mother. The book does a good job of exploring Lillan's life, her choices, and where they have led her; as well as exploring the limited options that women had during this time period.

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

This novel is about a young woman who is recuperating from a break-up with her fiancee and moves home to help care for her father who has early dementia. There are lots of serious issues in the book, but it's told in a light-hearted fashion. It was OK, but I felt a little bit overly cute.

>231 banjo123: That's the one I read for AAC too. I enjoyed it, and I don't think the author would be on my radar without the AAC.

>232 banjo123: My reaction was much the same as yours when I read it two or three years ago. It didn't live up to my hopes.

Happy Holiday Weekend, Rhonda. I hope you are making the best of it. I always enjoy following your current/recent reads. I am so glad you enjoyed your Hamill selection. I did too, but now I want to read Snow in August, plus a couple of his memoirs.

Yah, for Lillian Boxfish. I liked that one too. I think I have Goodbye Vitamin saved on my Kindle. I better move it up. I have wanted to read that for awhile.

>235 thornton37814: Thanks for stopping by, Lori! And I agree, the AAC has been good for getting me to read some writers I wouldn't otherwise.

>236 msf59: And definitely read Snow in August, Mark, it's a gem. I just finished A Drinking Life, and didn't like that as well (though it is still good).

A Drinking Life by Pete Hamill

I was so excited by Snow in August that I read a second Pete Hamill this month. This is a memoir of his early life, centering around the role that drinking had on his life. It was interesting, but I didn't like it as well. Real life is not as well plotted as his novel was, and I think maybe it was a bit repetitive to read the two in one month.

Bet definitely a good book, and one that sheds light on how destructive heavy drinking is to individual and family life, and to community.

Great reviews, Rhonda. I LOVED Behold the Dreamers - what an accomplished first novel! I can't wait to see what she does next. I liked Goodbye Vitamin more than you did, I think. Still, I guess I don't remember much about it, so there's that.

Snow in August goes on the list; I've never read Hamill.

Great graduation pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Beth! Everyone in the book group liked Behold the Dreamers; I think it's going to be on my best of 2018 list. And definitely read Snow in August.... it's a really good book.

Reading report:

Finished King Lear, which was awesome as usual. I don't think I have it in me to do a review, however.

Read an especially bad book for the lesbian book group. Swearing Off Stars. No one liked it; the plot, the writing, and the characters were all weak.

Rhonda - We shouldn't have to review Shakespeare, right?

>241 BLBera: Definitely, Beth!

I have finished Under the Lights and In the Dark, Oxenham's book about women's soccer. Review soon!

Oh, and now I am reading Pachinko and I love it!!!!

Ooh, I have that one on my e-reader. Maybe I should read that one next...

Under the Lights and In the Dark by Gwendolyn Oxenham

Oxenham is a former college soccer player, a sports journalist, and a women's soccer aficionado. In this book, each chapter tells the story of a different woman soccer player, or women's soccer topic. Portland plays a big role in the book (we are, after all, soccer city, and the promised land for women's soccer, given that our games typically draw 16,000 to 20,000 fans). She also gives an international perspective, covering players from Africa, South America and Europe.

I think that my favorite chapter was the one on Nadia Nadim, who is a professional soccer player and also a medical student. She was born in Afghanistan, and moved to Denmark as a refugee child. There she got involved in soccer, a perfect match for her intensity, and aggressive drive. She played last year for the Portland Thorns, and we loved watching her. Unfortunately, she left us to play for Manchester City.

The book really highlights the difficulties that women athletes have, and also the strength and drive they bring to the game. Women athletes are paid way less than men, even when they are super talented. It is also hard for women players to get the recognition, product endorsements, etc.

Happy Saturday, Rhonda. I am glad you are still recommending A Drinking Life. I hope to read that one some day. I recently finished The Night of the Gun and this might be the best addiction memoir I have ever read. Packs a serious punch and the writing is amazing.

Under the Lights and In the Dark sounds like a good one too.

Have a great weekend, my friend.

Thanks, Mark! {Under the Lights was good, though you probably need to be into soccer or women's sports to really enjoy it.

It's been a nice weekend. Today was Portland's Pride March, so that took up most of the day, but fun.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

This is probably going to be on my top books of 2018 list, and kept me up past my bedtime on three consecutive nights. It's a historical novel, and family saga, about a Korean family living in Japan. The time span is from 1910 to 1989. It's an interesting slice of a history that I knew very little about, and also sheds light on the current situation for immigrants and refugees in the US.

But the other thing about this book, is that it's just a great story, that kept me reading just one more chapter, wanting to know what happened, but hating the idea of ever finishing the book. I fell in love with the characters, and then had my heart broken again and again.

>226 banjo123: Another happy graduate family!!! Congrats to all three of you. Job well done. : )

>248 banjo123: I need to get on with this one!

I don't think I liked Behold the Dreamers as much as your book group - but how nice that everyone had a good read. I am feeling a bit 'off' recommending books after lukewarm reactions to Autumn. I don't think I realised just how much I liked it til I heard other people's reactions!

Hope that your daughter's job search is going well. So many decisions at that point!

>248 banjo123: I hadn't heard of Pachinko but it sounds good. The Korean/Japanese history is interesting and sounds like the book is too. On to the wish list it goes.

>248 banjo123: Great comments on Pachinko, Rhonda. I have it on my e-reader, so I'm thinking it will be a good one for my upcoming trip to Oregon. :)

>249 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

>250 charl08: Yes, definitely try Pachinko, Charlotte. Though I am a bit concerned that it is similar to Behold the Dreamers in several ways (easy to read writing style, topics on immigration and family ties, generally positive characters.) So you might not like it as much as I did.

and, speaking of Autumn, I still haven't read anything by Ali Smith and really need to.

>251 RebaRelishesReading: I think you would like it, Reba.

>252 BLBera: I am looking forward to seeing you soon in Oregon, Beth! And yes, read Pachinko; then we can talk about it.

Hi Rhonda, Pachinko sounds like it needs to go on my TBR stack. Thanks for the review. It was nice to see the graduation photo. I smiled when I saw how tall your daughter is compared to you. Each generation seems to be getting taller. My 15 year old granddaughter is 6 inches taller than me. Have a good weekend.

>254 Oregonreader: Thanks, Jan! Yes, good nutrition and all, makes for taller kids. I am so short that I was not surprised when Emma surpassed me. I think she was 12.

Happy reading all! I finished a couple of books last weekend, while camping, so am due for reviews, but it will probably be a few days.

Panchinko looks interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

>256 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! It is really a good read.

I hope everyone in the US is having a good 4th, and happy belated Canada Day to our northern neighbors. I am having a somewhat lazy holiday, for me. Usually we go to the Blues Festival, and fireworks, which is fun, but very crowded. This year we have opted for a small picnic this evening. We did a little hike this morning, and otherwise a bunch of lying around. I am super-tired; I think that work has been too intense lately.

I also am not too enthused about Independence Day this year, because I am so disgusted with the actions of my government lately. But then I saw this tweet from Neil DeGrasse Tyson:

"Independence Day in America — The badass fact that we celebrate the day we declared independence from England, long preceding the day we actually attained it."

Which made me think that it is possible to celebrate the intention, even while wanting to change reality. So maybe we can celebrate diversity and inclusion, even though that isn't where our country is now, or actually ever was.

Happy 4th, Rhonda. I hope you made the best of your holiday. Sorry, to hear work has been a trial. I hope that improves for you.

I enjoyed the last 2 days off but back to the grind tomorrow.

>248 banjo123: Rereading your review of Pachinko, now I am sorry I didn't pick it up yesterday at your urging. I was trying to be good and not go overboard on the books! Mistake! Sigh.

It was so great to see you again yesterday. : )

>257 banjo123:

Reading Frederick Douglas' 4th of July speech can give memorable historical insights.
An excerpt was surprisingly prominent on the front page of our local conservative newspaper.

Happy Friday, Rhonda. I am so glad you made the Meet Up with Beth. I have been wanting to meet her for some time. Jealous? Hell ya!

Loving the new Groff collection, Florida. She kicks butt here!

Oh, Rhonda, I have had Pachinko on my kindle for several months now. I keep almost deciding to read it. Your review is compelling. I will definitely fit it in this year.

>258 msf59: Thank you, Mark! I actually did have a nice time on the 4th and I am sure work will calm down one of these days. Right now I am doing two jobs, neither of them am I performing well at. Hopefully I can get things sorted out and get back into a groove by the end of the summer.

>259 Berly: Yes, that was a great meet-up, wasn't it? I would lend you my copy of Pachinko, but it's promised to a friend.

>260 m.belljackson: I saw the Douglas speech on twitter, it was really prescient. Interesting that he saw the beginnings of globalism.

"But a change has now come over the affairs of mankind. Walled cities and empires have become unfashionable. The arm of commerce has borne away the gates of the strong city. Intelligence is penetrating the darkest corners of the globe. It makes its pathway over and under the sea, as well as on the earth. Wind, steam, and lightning are its chartered agents. Oceans no longer divide, but link nations together. From Boston to London is now a holiday excursion. Space is comparatively annihilated. Thoughts expressed on one side of the Atlantic, are distinctly heard on the other. "

>261 msf59: Yes, Mark, you should be jealous. Beth is great.
I saw Florida at Powell's, will have to put it on the list.

>262 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! Yes, Pachinko is a really good read. Go for it!

And next some book comments. I am way behind with commenting on my readings, so I am going to keep it short, just to get caught up.

No Heroes by Chris Offutt

This is a memoir about a year that Offutt spent trying to return to his Kentucky home, teaching at Morehead college. He alternates between stories about his life, and about Kentucky culture; and interviews with his in-laws, who were Polish Holocaust survivors. The combination didn't quite work for me, even though parts of it were interesting.

Why be Happy When You can be Normal by Jeanette Winterson

Mrs. Banjo and I suggested this book for our book group, as none of the other members had ever read Winterson. And there are several adoption stories in the book-club, so I thought this would make for an interesting discussion. It was a re-read for me, and well worth the re-read. I had forgotten what an amazing writer she is.

Book group meets at the end of the month, so I will let you all know how it goes.

La Bastarda by Trifonia Melbea Obono

This is the first book by a woman to be published in English from Equatorial Guinea. It is a slim volume, about a young woman coming of age as a lesbian in a polygamous and patriarchal society. The writing is simple, and I think draws from traditional African story telling. She pretty much tells what happened, without the emotional content. I read this for my lesbian book group; and the book group had trouble with the book for that reason. However, I think we were all glad that we read it because it did give a window onto another world.

The Language of the Game by Laurent Dubois

He does a really good job of looking at soccer from an international perspective and talking about the political implications. Also, he tries to give equal attention to Women's soccer, so now I am a fan of his.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Really well-done speculative fiction, taking us into a world where women develop the power to send electrical shocks through their bodies. The power dynamics between men and women are reversed, and we see how that plays out over time. This book was challenging to read at times, because of the violence, and because it made me think.

Definitely recommended!

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon, wrote this book after being diagnosed with a cancer that eventually killed him. But even though it's a book about cancer, it's also a book about how to live. And Kalanitih, who thought about majoring in literature before deciding on medical school, is a wonderful writer.

“The physician’s duty is not to stave off death or return patients to their old lives, but to take into our arms a patient and family whose lives have disintegrated and work until they can stand back up and face, and make sense of, their own existence.”

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

I just love Strout, and I loved this book. She is so generous to her characters, and yet so honest.

>266 banjo123: Sounds like the basis for a great discussion Rhonda, look forward to hearing more.

So much good reading you're doing, Rhonda. I loved The Power and When Breath Becomes Air, as did my wife, and she also loved the Jeanette Winterson book.

>270 banjo123: Hi Rhonda. I agree that When Breath Becomes Air is a lovely book. His widow and mentor were at Chautauqua a couple of years ago to talk about it which was very touching too.

WOW! You have been reading some knockouts! Anything is Possible was a 5 star read for me and I agree When Breath Becomes Air is an excellent memoir. I also had a good time with The Power.

And last but certainly not least: I think, Why be Happy When You can be Normal is a perfect choice for the Book Club!

>272 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!

>273 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I think 2018 is going to be a great read out year.

>274 RebaRelishesReading: Oh, Reba, that sounds super sweet, and brave for his widow.

>275 msf59: Yes, Mark, some great reading. And I hope that the book group agrees with you about the Winterson, as I kind of fast-talked them into it.

One more book, finished last night:

Macbeth by Jo Nesbo

The most recent of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. I really liked it. He follows the plot of Macbeth really closely, with the setting being conflicts between and within a corrupt police department and feuding drug lords. Perfect, really, as Macbeth is really the story of a tribal warlord in Scotland. It is, however, very dark, and longer than the other books in the series.

>255 banjo123: I'm laughing about the height comment, Rhonda. That's how my daughter gets Scout to eat her "growing food" -- so she can be taller than her mom!

>259 Berly: Twin, it's always a mistake not to buy books. :)

>263 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda. You could point out to Mark that the road runs two ways between Minn. and Chicago... It was great to meet you, too.

Great comments, Rhonda. I also loved The Power - so much to discuss. I'll let you know how it works in the classroom.

Winterson is a wonderful writer; I loved that one as well. I think she has a new one coming out.

I will pick up Macbeth after seeing your comments.

>277 banjo123: Oh, I didn't do so well with this one. Glad it worked for you!
I think Winterson counts as fast-talking with justification.

Happy weekend!

>278 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! And yay! a new Winterson. Although there are several I have not yet read.

>279 charl08: Charlotte, I hope that the book group agrees with you. I think I was helped with the Macbeth in that I am especially familiar with the play. He really followed it closely.

>280 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! It is a hot one, but we have AC, so I will get by.

>277 banjo123:

TOIL AND TROUBLE by Mairghread Scott has an intriguing GN 3 witches backstory for MACBETH.

>282 m.belljackson: Thanks for the tip! I will have to look for it.

The weekend has been fine, though hot. It's going fast though. I have a couple of reviews to do, and I wanted to start a new thread, but maybe next week?

Happy Sunday, Rhonda. Glad to hear that about Nesbo's MacBeth. I was wondering about that one.

>284 msf59: Thanks, Mark! We did have a nice Sunday evening. Just got back from a benefit for Causa, an immigrant rights Organization, that my brother-in-law and sister organized. Really good blues music + pizza and beer!

Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

This has been on my shelves for several years, so I am glad that the AAC got me to actually read it. Tan does do a good job of setting the historical stage, and of introducing characters who are flawed, yet relatable. It's the story of a young Eurasian woman at the turn of the century, who winds up as a courtesan in Shanghai; and also the story of her American mother and the choices that she made. At times it was a bit over the top, and some bits of the plot seemed extremely unlikely. It is not, in my opinion, Tan's best work, but I did really enjoy the read.

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

I had been wanting to read this book because Green used his own experience with mental illness (he has anxiety and OCD) in developing the main character. I thought he did a great job of describing what it is like to live with anxiety/OCD; and am really happy that this book is available to the YA audience.

For me, the book was so-so. It has a bit of a cute-sy side to it, and the plot is just silly, and seems unrelated to the main point of the book. But I am not the intended audience for this book. For the young adult audience, those things are probably not a barrier; and I think it is really great for young people with mental illness to be able to see their lives reflected in fiction.

"By cell count, humans are approximately 50 percent microbial, meaning that about half of the cells that make you up are not you at all. There are something like a thousand times more microbes living in my particular biome than there are human beings on earth, and it often seems like I can feel them living and breeding and dying in and on me. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and tried to control my breathing. Admittedly, I have some anxiety problems, but I would argue it isn't irrational to be concerned about the fact that you are a skin-encased bacterial colony."

Hi Rhonda - Great comments. I have the Tan on my shelves and want to get to it. I think I might pass on the Green. I know all about it from your comments. :)

>288 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

I think it's time for a new thread, and some thoughts on recent reading. Here goes.