Berly's Bookin' It! #6

I am hoping to read more of my TBR piles this year. They are everywhere. Some are under the window in my bedroom, some are stacked by my night table, in the study, downstairs in the bookcases, and then there is the Kindle....I know you all understand. So, I am posting photos of fantasy book nooks!! A girl can dream...

Reading Now
Under Major Dome Minor by Patrick DeWitt, April AphaCAT Y or U
We Were Eight Years in Power (367 pages) Ta-Nehisi Coates - (Slowly reading with Ellen)
Metabolic Renewal Roadmap (122 pages) by Dr. Jade Teta

Plans
Exit West (231 pages) by Mohsin Hamid
April: Far From the Madding Crowd (with Ellen ~ Yellow for ColorCAT)

Others??
Cloud Atlas Group Read (Category Challenge)
June? sooner?: Go, Went, Gone (with Ellen ~ translated for BingoDOG)
??? Swing Time by Zadie Smith (with Ellen ~ Yearlong: X, Z AlphaCAT)

Read in April
33. Start Without Me (278 pages) by Joshua Max Feldman *
32. The Hounds of Spring (160 pages) by Lucy Andrews Cummin 5.0
31. How to Get Run Over by a Truck (294 pages) (A) by Katie C.McKenna 4.5
30. I Feel Bad About My Neck (137 pages) by Nora Ephron 3.5 *
29. Neighborly: A novel (313 pages) (K) by Ellie Monago 3.5
28. The Ladies Room (220 pages) (A) by Carolyn Brown 4.0
27. The Jekyll Revelation (493 pages) (K) by Robert Masello 3.5
26. ...And the Earth Did Not Devour Him (126 pages) by Tomás Rivera

Read in March / 2,156 Pages / 7,234 Total Read / 1 Off the Shelf
25. C is for Crime (K) (320 pages) by Sue Grafton 3.5
24. Digging in: A Novel (241 pages) (K) by Loretta Nyhan 4.0
23. Alias Grace (468 pages) by Margaret Atwood 3.5
22. A Time of Love and Tartan (K) (247 pages) by Alexander McCall Smith 4.0
21. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body (320 pages) (A) by Roxane Gay 5.0 *
20. Death in a Strange Country (272 pages) by Donna Leon (K) (2 Guidos) 4.0
19. The Last Black Unicorn (288 pages) (A) by Tiffany Haddish 4.0

Rating System
You probably won't see many below three because I am less afraid to use the Pearl rule now, but "Anathema" tickled me. So many books, so little time!

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

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

Read in February / 2,928 Pages Read / 5 Off the Shelf
18. The Slow Regard of Silent Things (176 pages) by Patrick Rothfuss 4.0 *
17. Killman Creek (348 pages) by Rachel Caine 4.25
16. Salvage the Bones (271 pages) by Jasmyn Ward 3.75 *
15. Raisin in the Sun (151 pages) by Lorraine Hansberry 4.0 *
14. Princess Diarist (A) (272 pages) by Carrie Fisher 2.5
13. B is for Burglar (K)(320 pages) by Sue Grafton 3.5
12. A is for Alibi (K)(224 pages) by Sue Grafton 3.5 *
11. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike (A) (400 pages) by Phil Knight 4.5
10. Parable of the Talents (422 pages) by Octavia Butler 3.5
9. The Dead House (500 pages) by Harry Bingham 4.5 *
8. The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes--And Why (266 pages) by Amanda Ripley 4.0

Read in January / 2,150 Pages Read / 3 Off the Shelf
7. Black Swan Green (OTS) (294) by David Mitchell, ColourCAT Challenge 4.0 *
6. Parable of the Sower (345) by Octavia Butler 4.0
5. Vittorio, The Vampire (OTS) (288 pages) by Anne Rice 2.5 *
4. The Power (387 pages) by Naomi Alderman 3.75
3. God Stalk (271 pages) (K) by P.C. Hodgell, GR led by Roni 3.75
2. Talking As Fast As I Can (OTS) (209 pages) by Lauren Graham 3.0 *
1. Death at La Fenice (356 pages) (K) by Donna Leon, Two Guidos GR 3.75

* Off the Shelf

Longer Plans for Reading


RL Book Club #1
February - Evicted by Matthew Desmond
April - The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck
June - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
August - Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
October - Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
December - Choose books!!

RL Book Club #2
January - The Power by Naomi Alderman ✅
February - Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood ✅
March - Alias Grace continued ✅
April - I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron ✅
May -
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -



The Guidos Murder Mystery Thread
January - Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon ✅
March - Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon ✅
May - Dressed for Death by Donna Leon (originally published as Anonymous Venetian in 1994)
July - Death and Judgement by Donna Leon (originally published A Venetian Reckoning in 1995)
September - Acqua Alta by Donna Leon (also published as Death in High Water)
November - Quietly in Their Sleep by Donna Leon (also published as Death of Faith)

I am hoping these challenges will help me choose books I already own.



ColorCAT Challenge
January:Black - Black Swan Green by David Mitchell ✅
February:Brown - Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry ✅
March: Green - Neighborly: A Novel by Ellie Monago ✅
April:Yellow - I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron ✅
May:Blue - so many choices!
June:Purple - We are the Ones We have Been Waiting For by Alice Walker (The jacket cover is purple and, of course, Walker wrote The Color Purple, which I also have) or The Lady and the Peacock about Augn San Suu Kyi of Burma, by Peter Popham
July:Pink - Fever at Dawn by Peter Gardos
August:Grey - The Disappearing Spoon Sam Kean or Consider the Fork Wilson
September: Metallic -The Silver Star by Jeanette Walls
October:Orange -The Burning Girl Claire Messud or My Life in Orange Tim Guest
November:Red - Scarlet Marissa Meyer or Consider the Lobster DF Wallace
December:White - The Plague of Doves Erdrich or Moonglow Michael Chabon

And for color backup, Travic McGee by John D. MacDonald (thanks Joe!)



AlphaCAT Challenge

Jan: V, M - Vittorio the Vampire by Anne Rice (love a double V!) ✅
Feb : P, J - Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward ✅
Mar: F, I - Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman ✅
Apr: Y, U - Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Megn Tan and Under Major Domo Minor by Patrick DeWitt
May: Q, K -
June: G, R - ?? Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
July: S, A -
Aug: O, D -
Sep: B, E -
Oct: N, L -
Nov: T, H -
Dec: C, W -
Yearlong: X, Z - ?? Swing Time by Zadie Smith

RandomCAT Challenge
January - Read a Book Bullet: Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls ✔ ✔
February - Unusual Holidays (Portland Rose Festival): A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (rose-colored cover) ✔ ✔
March - Something that relates to "Headlines in the News": C is for Corpse ✔ ✔
April - Related to April (Published): The Hounds of Spring by Lucy Andrews Cummin ✔ ✔
May - book with a flower or other plant in the title or on the cover:

And Totally Random
LTER - Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman ✔ ✔
Feb - Arthur & George by Julian Barnes with Megan and Mark
Feb - We Were Eight Years in Power with Ellen (# in Title for BINGO Dog)
March - ...And the Earth Did Not Devour Him by Tomás Rivera (majleavy) ✔ ✔
March - Foucault's Pendulum (Karen) (1001 BINGO Dog)
April - The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro Paul's IAC
April - Far from the Madding Crowd with Ellen (Yellow)
June?? - Go, Went, Gone with Ellen (translated for BINGO Dog)
Possession
Midnight's Children

Something by Pynchon: Crying of Lot 49 because it's a condensed 152 pages; Gravity's Rainbow is typically considered his masterpiece; but, since you're not afraid of the big'uns, I'd recommend Against the Day (Thanks Majleavy!)



Bingo Completed
1. Famous Person in Title - Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls)
4. New to You Author - God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
7. Published 2018 - The Hounds of Spring by Lucy Andrews Cummin
10. Set During a Holiday - Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman
15. Humorous Book - Digging in: A Novel by Loretta Nyhan
16. Unread 2017 Purchase - Evicted reading
21. Autobio or Memoir - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
22. Poetry or Play - Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
23. Longtime TBR - Vittorio the Vampire by Anne Rice
24. Story Involves Travel - Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
25. Rank in Title - Princess Diarist by Carrie Fischer

Bingo Ideas
2. Published >100 vancouverdeb: years - Nickolas Nickelby
3. Originally in a Diff Language - Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
5. Relative Name in Title
6. Money in Title
8. X in the Title
9. >500 Pages
11. LGBTQ Major Character
12. See Below
13. Read a CAT
14. Number in the Title - We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
17. Something in the Sky in Title
18. Pacific Ocean Related
19. Fits at Least 2 KIT/CATS
20. Beautiful Cover

12. 1001 Books ??

I have read 170 of the first 200 listed in 1001 Books You Should Read Before you Die with LT as the source. That's 85% and I'm feeling pretty proud!

Still TBR ** likely candidates

Heart of Darkness
Rebecca by Daphne DeMaurier
Foundation Isaac Asimov
Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe
Atonement Ian McEwan
Murder of Roger Ackroyd Agatha Christie ??
Sidhartha Herman Hesse ??
Stanger in a Strange Land Heinlein
Woman in White Wilkie Collins
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep PK Dick
Spy Who Came In From the Cold LeCarre
God of Small Things Arundhati Roy
Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
The Big Sleep
Watchmen Alan Moore
The Reader Bernhard Schlink
**Faucault’s Pendulum Umberto Eco
The Thirty-Nine Steps John Buchan
Neuromancer William Gibson
Midnight’s Children Salman Rushdie
Possession AS Byatt
Brideshead Revisited
**Alias Grace Margaret Atwood
Day of the Triffids John Wyndham
Cold Comfort Farm Stella Gibbons
**Far From the Madding Crowd Thomas Hardy
Dick Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency Douglas Adam
Bleak House Charles Dickens
Jude the Obscure Thomas Hardy

Last year I read 47 out of the 85 new books I acquired. This year I am trying to read more off my shelves. We'll see how I do!!

New Books in 2018
✅ = read

✅ Princess Diarist (A) by Carrie Fisher
2) Not Perfect (K - Free Amazon First) by Elizabeth LaBan
3) We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
4) A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
5) Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs
6) Go, Went, Gone by Jeremy Erpenbeck (Beth's Fault!!)
7) The Soul of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery
8) Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
✅ Alias Grace (K) by Margaret Atwood
✅ Killman Creek (K) by Rachel Caine, (Stillhouse Lake Series #2)
✅ Neighborly (K - Free Amazon ) by Elllie Monago
✅ The Last Black Unicorn (Audbile credit) by Tiffany Hadish
✅ ...And the Earth Did Not Devour Him by Tomás Rivera
✅ A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
✅ B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
✅ C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
17) Poldark by Winston Grahman
✅ The Jekyll Revelation by Robert Masello
✅ A Time of Love and Tartan by Alexander McMall Smith
20) Bear Town by Frederick Backman
21) The Empath's Survival Guide by Judith Orloff, MD
22) A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
23) Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
24) Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenber, LT INDIEspensable Reader #72
25) Census by Jesse Ball, LT INDIEspensable Reader #72
26) Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
27) The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck
28) No Time Like the Past #5 (A) by Jodi Taylor
✅ The Hounds of Spring by Lucy Andrews Cummin

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

Favorites from this year:
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

Favorites from 2017:
Fiction
Kafka on the Shore by Murakami
The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey
This Thing of Darkness by Harry Bingham
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson
We Are Legion (We Are Bob) (Bobiverse#1) by Dennis E. Taylor
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Non-Fiction
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
Radium Girls by Katie Moore
Entwined: Sisters and Secrets in the Silent World of Artist Judith Scott Joyce Wallace Scott
Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay
Dr. Mütter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz

OK to come in now? Happy new thread, Kim.

Series I want to continue...

#6 The Deepest Grave Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham
#4 Lethal White Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith
#1 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
#4 D...by Sue Grafton
#5 No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor (have it)

Hi Reba! You are quick on the draw and get points. ; )

Second place is not too bad. :) Happy new thread!

>14 RebaRelishesReading: Oooo, sorry. I cut in too soon.

>13 nittnut: Second is still awesome and much appreciated. : )

>14 RebaRelishesReading: No....I was too slow! LOL

Happy new one, Kim. What a great spot up there.

Happy New Thread, Kim!

I like the fantasy book nook. In fact, it looks like it might be a good fantasy nap nook, too.

I'm about halfway through And the Earth Did Not Devour Him and liking it. Now I've got to get myself caught up on Michael's thread.

So, guess where I am? In the hospital! This is day #3. Sigh. I am feeling much better today, so I think the worst is over, but I have a few more tests scheduled today. Hopefully going home tonight. I have been stuck here without any real books, so good thing I had lots of Kindle on my phone.

I finished Alias Grace for my bookclub which is tonight and I don't think I am going to make it. Grrrr. And then I read C is for Crime by Sue Grafton and Digging in: A Novel by Loretta Nyhan. All 3 were great reads. Now I am starting The Jekyll Revelation.

Ellen--I swear I will get to Eight Years in Power soon!!

And ...and the Earth Did Not Devour Him, Michael!

RL has been...in the way. : )

Happy new thread!

ETA: Yikes, we cross-posted! So sorry you're in the hospital, especially without a book!

>18 Berly: So sorry to read that you're in the hospital. Feel better soon. Sending lots of good vibes.

>16 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara. I wish I was all comfy reading in that spot in #1.

>17 jnwelch: It is an all-purpose nook, LOL. I am determined to get to ATEDNDH as soon as I can. I don't have it with me currently...soon!

>19 drneutron: Thanks. It has been a rough month. I do have books on my phone, but not necessarily the ones I most wanted to get to. But I have read 3 so far and they have been good ones.

>20 Ameise1: Me, too! I will take those good vibes. Thanks. : )

Happy new thread Kim! But not happy at all that you're in the hospital. This messes with my expectation that you'll win Hamilton Lottery tickets.

Happy new thread, Kim. Absolutely LOVE that topper. That's where you need to be, NOT in the hospital!!! Hurry home vibes coming your way!

>23 SuziQoregon: Yes, I am in the hospital. And, no, I didn't get Hamilton tix. Life sucks. JK. I am feeling much better today.

They just changed one of my tests so instead of no breakfast and test at noon, I got breakfast and test is at 2:30. Yay for food! Boo for time change, because I have to wait for results before they spring me from this place. Oh well.

>24 jessibud2: Yup, I vote for the topper as a place to be. Of course, if it weren't for the hospital, I might be somewhere not earthly at all, so I am very thankful for the ER, doctors and nurses. : )

More good vibes--I love those! Thanks.

Happy new thread Kim my dear, loving the thread topper photos, like you I can only dream of something like this.

Oh man, Kim! Sorry about the hospital.

Oh Kim!! So sorry to hear you're in the hospital. Hope you're better and home soon.

Rotten news that you're in the hospital again, Kim. I hope they figure it all out and let you go home where your loved ones are. By which I mean your books, of course. Though I'm sure you'd like to see your family, too. :-)

>27 johnsimpson: Hi, John. Dream on!!

>28 banjo123: : ( It's not bad, except for the complete lack of sleep at night. I have a very nice roomie, but we have different medical teams and if one set isn't in taking stats, giving meds or taking blood samples, the other is!! I think the best I got was a two-hour stretch.

>29 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks. Fingers crossed for today. This is really cutting in to my TKD practice time, not to mention I am now officially out of shape. My next test is in one month. Yikes.

>30 rosalita: Thanks. I needed that laugh!

Sorry to hear you're in hospital. I congratulate you on getting any reading done; I couldn't back before Christmas. Too too many distractions. Hope you get out soon.

Yowsa, Kim! The hospital?!? I've been in those; I like Starbucks better.

...and the earth, etc., has waited this long for you to read it; it can probably hang on a bit more.

Oh no Kim my dear, in hospital again, have you got a season ticket. Hope all is well and you will be home soon. Sending very special healing love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

Oh no, Kim! Stuck in the hospital! I hope you will soon be released and things sorted out! Last thing I knew were on a plane. And to be stuck in the hospital without any books. This just isn't good. Oh , sure a bit of kindle on your phone, but that is not much to speak of! I do hope you are sprung tonight, as long as it safe for you to be going home.(((( hugs)))))

Cripes, the hospital?! Sending lots of positive vibes, Kim, to get you out of there healthy and back home to those books family members.

Good grief, Kim! How can I say Happy new thread at a time like this? I'm so sorry you're in hospital! Hope you escape soon - all well and rare-in to go!

Oh, no! Hope you get sprung soon!

>33 weird_O: There wasn't much competition for my time. It was read or watch TV. And my TV is broken. ; )

>34 majleavy: I would definitely take Starbucks right about now! The good news is I passed today's first test and am now just waiting for a Dr review of the second. Still crossing fingers (toes, eyes, legs, etc) that they will spring me tonight.

>35 johnsimpson: I am willing to trade in my seasons ticket!! Thanks for the healing love and hugs.

Oh my Kim I’m sorry you’re in the hospital. Hopefully you’ll be feeling better soon or right now...whichever you prefer.

>36 vancouverdeb: Just talked with the Dr and I am sprung! I am free! Just need my discharge papers and a ride from hubby. I get to sleep in my own bed tonight. Yay!

>37 jnwelch: Happily headed back to my books family!

>38 Carmenere: Not quite rare-in to go, but soon. I need sleep--hospitals are the WORST places to get rest.

>39 katiekrug: Thanks! I slipped the Dr a $20 under my IV so she'd set me free. ; )

>41 brenzi: I much prefer now, thank you. : )

Happy New Thread, Kim. So, sorry to hear you are in the hospital. You NEED a break, my friend. I sure hope they get everything in order, so you feel better and can go home.

I started Arthur & George. It is a slower read and one to be savored but I am really enjoying it so far. Barnes is such a terrific writer.

Thanks, Mark. Yes, break would be SOOOOO appreciated. : )

A&G is another one waiting for me when I get back home to my BOOKS!!

I got mixed up with A & G, I thought this was part of the Obama reads and that is why I had it on my radar. It looks like I was wrong but in a good way. I finally pulled it off shelf. Grins...

Megan will be so happy--she's the one who got A&G in my TBR pile. Grins back....

I'm late to your new thread so have just caught up with today's hospital saga. Poor you! But I'm super glad you get to go home tonight. Take it easy and enjoy getting back to your books and sleeping in your own bed.

Oh Twin! Get better. Take it easy. And yes, we do need a special 3 a.m. thread. Hope all is now well.

KIM! I hope by the time you see this evening post, you are home sweet home. I'm so sorry to hear you've been in the hospital, places that I know are not designed for rest. I hope you're feeling better and back in your lovely comfortable home.

xo

>42 Berly: Okay, I see that you're at least headed for home. Where you can rest. And read!
Whew.

Glad to hear your were out of the hospital almost as soon as I learned you were in it - between being the mandatory responsible adult transportation for my husband after his colonoscopy and being totally absorbed in a good book, this thread was born and fully active before I knew the last one was full up.

Also glad you had a competent phone so you had access to reading material. Being in a hospital is dreadful, being in a hospital without reading material, hell.

Happy new thread Kim!

Sorry you had yet another hospital visit. Yay for phone Kindle.

What a lovely restful topper, Kimmers.

Happy new thread.

>18 Berly: Oh dear. I hope your recovery is as quick as it is permanent. Look after yourself properly. xx

I came to whish you a happy new thread, Kim, but a happy back home seems more appropriate!
Were your allergies acting up again?

eta: sorry for the double post, having trouble with Talk. There seems to be a long delay before a post appears.

My previous messages seems to be eaten by the system, I hope thirth is the charm...

I came to wish you a happy new thread, Kim, after reading about your hospital stay "happy back home" seems more appropriate!
Were your allergies acting up again?

Happy new thread, Kim, and happy home-from-hospital.

Sending hugs.

Happy new thread, Kim! I was sorry to read that you had been in the hospital - so glad you are back home now. Please take good care of yourself, my friend. Sending you healing mojo and all of my love.

Welcome home.

Awww Kim! So sorry to hear about your unwanted visit with the hospital again! Was it another allergic attack?
I'm sure you are tucked and all comfy in your own bed asleep now. I am also one who cannot sleep in the hospital..I don't know how any one can with the constant bustle and the check ins every few hours...

Happy new thread...hopefully this one will be hospital/allergy free!

Good to hear you got sprung! Hope you got some rest.

>48 lauralkeet: Thanks--my bed was wonderful last night. No books last night, but my Hubby gave me my next Powell's INDIEspensable box. I saved it to open it tonight. Anticipation....!

>49 BLBera: Yes, all is well. Still tired but good. I passed all my tests--the only problem is we don't know what caused the incident. Sigh.

>50 EBT1002: Home!! And the kids even did the dishes!! (Perhaps with a little nudge from my better half?) : )

>52 quondame: Ewww!! Colonoscopies. I have had more than my share of those. : P

The good book sounds much better! What one is it? Luckily I have several books downloaded on my phone, so the hospital was only awful and not hell. LOL

>53 humouress: Hi! Thanks. I know. And yay!

>54 PaulCranswick: I really do have to do a better job of looking after myself, don't I? Me thinks you do, too. Hugs.

>55 FAMeulstee: Happy back home indeed! There's nothing like going in to the ER and then winding up there overnight for observation. I didn't bring anything! But they took very good care of me and as I said before, I would not be here without doctors and hospitals, so they rank high on my list.

>56 FAMeulstee: Hi...

>57 FAMeulstee: again! : )

>58 karenmarie: Hugs back!

>59 Crazymamie: Love and mojo happily accepted.

>60 majleavy: : )

>61 jolerie: I vote for a hospital/allergy free thread!! Thanks.

>62 SuziQoregon: Sprung and a good nights sleep.

Okay. Enough about that. ; )

Off to take my daughter to the dentist. She has anxiety, so I have to sit through it with her. It's okay because payback is she has to sit through a TKD one-on-one lesson. HA! There's a strong possibility I may watch more than participate. We will see about the energy level; definitely no pushups or jumping jacks yet. And there's a Starbucks nearby, so I will give her some money to spend on a coffee or hot chocolate, so she won't suffer too much. White teeth? Easy come, easy go. LOL.

Reading The Jekyll Revelation by Robert Masello. It is very good so far.



From the bestselling author of The Einstein Prophecy.

A chilling curse is transported from 1880s London to present-day California, awakening a long-dormant fiend.

While on routine patrol in the tinder-dry Topanga Canyon, environmental scientist Rafael Salazar expects to find animal poachers, not a dilapidated antique steamer trunk. Inside the peculiar case, he discovers a journal, written by the renowned Robert Louis Stevenson, which divulges ominous particulars about his creation of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It also promises to reveal a terrible secret--the identity of Jack the Ripper.

Unfortunately, the journal--whose macabre tale unfolds in an alternating narrative with Rafe's--isn't the only relic in the trunk, and Rafe isn't the only one to purloin a souvenir. A mysterious flask containing the last drops of the grisly potion that inspired Jekyll and Hyde and spawned London's most infamous killer has gone missing. And it has definitely fallen into the wrong hands.

I've missed the whole thread so far Kim, but so sorry to read about your time in the hospital, and very glad to read you made it out back to the books. Hope the TKD session goes well - admire your commitment (eta - from my couch!! :-)

Hospital YAY Hospital *stay* YECH Loretta Nyhan heh...compulsively readable nonsense, when skeevy "Lukas" renamed the place "Guh" I about bust a gut laughing at him.

*smooch*

So glad that you are on your way home, Kimmers! Hospitals are the worst for recovery, although I am very glad they were there for you when you needed them. And thank goodness for the books on the phone!

>68 charl08: Back among my books indeed! I have been busy logging recent book buys:

The Empath's Survival Guide by Judith Orloff, MD
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenber, LT INDIEspensable Reader #72
Census by Jesse Ball, LT INDIEspensable Reader #72 (Thank you, Hubby!)

Last year I managed to read over 1/2 of my 2017 purchases. This year I am only at about 1/3. So, I either have to read faster or buy less!!

>69 richardderus: A very apt description of Digging In: a fun, light, page-turner! Like you, I could not believe "Guh" was the new name of the business -- ridiculous!! LOL. You have a great memory, sir. : )

>70 ronincats: I took the day to get myself back on track and I am heading in to work tomorrow. We'll see how long I last before pooping out. Hoping to make a half day. : )

So sorry that I missed that you were in the hospital! You've had such a bad go lately!
Hope you are feeling better now that you are home! Take it easy!

I’m glad you’re back home, Kim. I’m one of those who really liked A Confederacy of Dunces, but it’s now everyone’s cups.

Sorry about the hospital! Yuck! I hope you can figure out what's going on. Seems like it's been a rough couple of months.

I agree with RD >69 richardderus: "compulsively readable nonsense" and Guh?!?

Oh no, not again! So sorry you have to endure these episodes. And of course not comfy that the medics don't know what caused it.

>74 jnwelch: A little cross-discussion to take everyone's mind off hospitals. I am one of those who hated A Confederacy of Dunces, but in regard to the reread theme on your thread, I suspect it might be better for me the second time.

>76 ffortsa: You're not alone, Judy. What made you hate A Confederacy of Dunces? I'm not sure what turns some readers off so much.

Happy new thread and good to be home after your hospital stay. You need to stop those! Sounds like you are back into your busy life after the latest scare. Hope you are well now.

>73 ChelleBearss: No worries. It is impossible to keep up here. : ) Glad to be home. Follow-up appt with my doc on Monday. And I made it through a half day at work!!

>74 jnwelch: I know nothing about A Confederacy of Dunces; just saw that it won the Pulitzer, was published posthumously, and was a tragi-comedy, "a Don Quixote of the French Quarter." I liked Don Quixote and the rest all sounded either great or interesting, so I grabbed it! Sounds like not everyone is a fan, so it will be an interesting read.

>75 nittnut: As long as the rough couple of months are BEHIND me, then I am good. ; )

Compulsively readable nonsense is deserving of its own place and time.

>76 ffortsa: Interesting that you'd be up for a re-read after hating C of D! Hmmmm....must be something good about it. LOL Now I want to move it up the TBR pile and see what all the fuss is about!

>77 jnwelch: What Joe said!

>78 Familyhistorian: It's not like I wanna have these medical issues...they just find me! LOL. Issue is not fully resolved, but I am so happy to be home and I have a very low-key weekend planned. Perfect!

For someone who pretty much only lies down to read, that top pic is my nirvana. Yum Yum YUM!

Sorry to hear you were admitted to hospital, what a crappy run!

>66 Berly: dental anxiety, I have been known to have a mild version of that. Thanks to practices that were less than kindly in days gone past....I hope her visit went well for her, and you survived as support person too.

The dishes are done, the laundry is folded, I am surprisingly not far behind at work, so I plan on reading this weekend. Yay!

Current books: I read the first essay in Eight Years in Power today and I plan to read the second tomorrow. So, I am back on track with Ellen.

And I am also going to FINALLY dive into ...And The Earth Did Not Devour Him, so majleavy won't think poorly of me either. ; )

I hate being behind on my LT commitments!!

Also, on the lighter side, I am 1/4 of the way into The Jekyll Revelation.

,>77 jnwelch: I'm not sure, except that Ignatius struck me as such an unpleasant infant, bawling because the world was so hard on him. Now that I know what to expect from him, I might see the story in a different light. (don't peek, Kim.)

>80 LovingLit: I really want that topper in my house. It would be put to good use, I'm telling you!

Sorry you know the anxiety my daughter experiences first hand. Happily, she did really well this time. She chose not to take her anti-anxiety meds and she didn't even wear her headphones. She actually conversed with the dental assistant! I just sat in the corner so she knew I was there. Normally I have to touch her leg or something every now and then to reassure her and get her to unclench her hands, but her fingers weren't even turning white. Whoohoo! The dentist even gave her kudos. Progress. : )

Happy weekend.

>82 ffortsa: LOL! I am blocked on my own thread. Dang it. {Goes again to move A C of D up higher on the TBR Tower.}

Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend! Happy reading!

Morning, Kim. Happy Saturday. I see you have been making the rounds early. I am sure it is nice being back at home. I hope you are feeling much better, my friend. Get some reading in.

'Morning, Kim and happy weekend.

I'm in the "meh" camp over A Confederacy of Dunces. I think the story of its author and publication are more interesting than the story itself.

>71 Berly: Nice haul. I vote for read faster, Twin.

It sounds like you are doing a lot - take it easy. Sending you lots of good health karma your way.

Hooray for reading this weekend. Scout and I made cookies yesterday, so the first thing I have to do is a little kitchen cleaning. My feet are sticking to the floor.

>82 ffortsa: Got it, Judy, thanks. It wouldn't surprise me if that was a key for other disliking readers. That didn't strike me that way; I found Ignatius absurd and the whole thing very funny.

>77 jnwelch: >76 ffortsa:

I remember trying to get through A Confederacy of Dunces
and finding the premise of what they were doing with the files,
(I think it was - it's been several years),
just incredibly stupid and unfunny.

>85 ChelleBearss: I actually made it to TKD this morning and I kept it to like 75% instead of going all out so I actually made it through class! Yay!

>86 msf59: Yes, I was playing on LT in the wee hours of the morning. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. Yeesh. But it was my own bed and not someone coming to poke or prod me, so it was all good. : )

>87 karenmarie: Dang it. Another not-liker. I am off to check the ratings on LT...

>87 karenmarie: I am back. Confederacy of Dunces actually has a 3.97 rating, which is pretty darn good! I am more and more intrigued by the contradictory feedback.

>88 BLBera: Read faster! Yes, ma'am. : )

I am still having some symptoms, but I see my regular doc on Monday. So we'll see what he says.

My son and his girl friend made cookies last night. Yum! The floor is not bad, but the countertops...yikes. They made chocolate chip. What kind did you make with Scout?

>89 jnwelch: Yay, Joe is a fan!! It is supposed to be very funny, but I guess if the humor doesn't strike you just right, it would tend to fall flat.

I am hoping I find the humor! Anyone else want to risk reading Confederacy of Dunces with me? It won teh Pulitzer...Open on the timing....

>90 m.belljackson: And another not-fan....

Remember these?



I went over to BullsEye Glass to get my huge glass panel cut down to size and to square up the edges. I am so glad I had them help me do it because the glass had lots of imperfections and was kinda brittle so it didn't break very smoothly. If I had done it myself at home, I think I might have lost the piece, which would have been so sad. But it turned out great and I think tomorrow I am going to go get it framed. I will post a picture when I get it back.

I also cut the other panel into thirds. I want to make a plate out of one single piece -- it has some very cool design stuff on it and I like the interplay of colors and swirls and drizzles. The other two pieces I will cut into strips and then maybe alternate with matching solids colors. I don't know -- I will have to go back to an open studio and play with it. Can't wait! I haven't done any glass work in forever.

: )

>92 Berly: My library has a copy, Kim, so I could take the risk and join you. All these comments make me curious!

>94 FAMeulstee: Awesome! Probably won't get to Confederacy of Dunces until mid-April. Anyone else? : )

>92 Berly: Frosted sugar cookies, with sprinkles, of course. :) I told her I was going to take them to school, and she said, "Not all of them." So I have to save some for her.

Kim, I can't believe what an energizer bunny you are for someone right out of the hospital.

I started Confederacy of Dunces once, but did not get far. Not sure that I am up for another try! But I am more mature now.

Your adventures with glass reminds me that I saw a video on Youtube (courtesy of Facebook) of a British artist who works with mosaics, garnering her material from old crockery and plates. It looked so fascinating. I'm more and more interested in making art with recycled materials. I know your glass is new, but the whole idea of doing something in the arts is hovering in my mind.

>96 BLBera: The perfect mix!!! Sprinkles do seem to get everywhere. LOL.

>97 banjo123: Ha! I came home and took a three-hour "nap."

I am glad you have grown up and are willing to give C of D another try. ; ) April-ish?

>98 ffortsa: Whatever artistic endeavor floats your boat--go for it!! I have seen several pieces made of recycled materials and there were gorgeous. I hope you find something to dive into.

I hope all goes well on Monday at your appointment, Kim. Sorry to hear about the hospital. Great glass work! I know nothing about glass work, but my sister has taken a few lessons in glass blowing and has made some really cool Christmas tree ornaments .

Glad you were able to get to TKD and are starting to feel a bit better! You seem to be keeping very busy!

Fingers crossed for your appointment, Twin. There must be a pill...

Yes, I will find sprinkles everywhere for the next little while.

A Confederacy of Dunces was hilarious the first time, in 1978? 1980? but in 2010 the cruelty stuck in my craw something fierce.

>100 vancouverdeb: Thanks. I have never tried glass blowing, but I have made glass Christmas ornaments. Maybe someday....

>101 ChelleBearss: Today is a non-busy day and I am ready for it. : )

>102 BLBera: I'd take a pill if they could figure out what to treat! Friday I didn't feel great. Yesterday was fine. Today is meh so far.

At least when you find the sprinkles it will make you think of Scout, which will make you happy, so think of them as a little gift.

>103 richardderus: Well, I am at least going to give the book a try and we'll see how it goes.

Hi Kim! I hope your 'meh' turns into 'good'. I also hope the non-busy translates into lots of good reading.

>105 karenmarie: That's an excellent plan!

So, I have been hearing about LT's new acquisition of Litsy and a few people have mentioned on their thread that they have joined. Once I remembered what my password was (I guess I haven't downloaded an app in a while!) I signed up. I have the same username as on LT...

Off to try and figure it out!

>105 karenmarie: I'll have a look for you Kim!

>107 charl08: I think I found you. Same user name? How long have you been on Litsy? You already have 889 followers!!

You are one of many people that I have seen talking about Litsy. Guess I better go figure out what it is!

>106 Berly: >108 Berly: >109 ChelleBearss: Litsy looks like a phone app. I'm trying to avoid phone apps. I mostly got the iPhone because AAA can't find your wreck with out a smart phone and I'm a Mac user. As I found out, it also makes entering modern books into LT so easy. But then I need something to do when out to dinner with husband and daughter who are glued to phones. I do love modern life, but every now and then remember big dinner parties with lots of conversation. Of course until I get good hearing aids I might as well stare at my phone.

Just Litsy'd you. My profile photo will tell the whole story.

>109 ChelleBearss: I am not sure if I am going to like it or not. I spend enough time on computers and phones as it is. But we'll see!

>110 quondame: See above ^^. I, too, like face-to-face better, but as long as I have those friends, too, I might as well have my on-line friends. I love the ones I have here!

And I hope you get better hearing aids soon!

>111 richardderus: I accepted you, but now I will have to take a close look at your profile photo! LOL. My imagination is running wild....

>113 Berly: You have to be careful who you accept, Kim. Vet them thoroughly! ;0)

>112 Berly: I love online connectivity - I programmed routers and switches and earlier communication devices for years and it made me very happy when I could aid communication rather than support security. Both are necessary, but I like lots of free information and the ability to connect so much. It's just that if I started to use FB, or even LT on my phone I'd never get off, I am that compulsive. At least if it is just my Mac, the dogs can get my attention and I have to move from time to time, to get comfortable. I guess any hearing aids would qualify as better, since I haven't gotten any. Aside from TV, I don't (think I) have trouble hearing what my husband and daughter say (when they are facing me and speaking clearly).

Do we follow each other on Litsy? I have times when I'm more active on it than others

>115 quondame: Susan, I'm pretty much bedridden from the long-term effects on my joints of a severe form of gout. If it were not for wifi and cheap Chromebooks, I'd be desperately bored. I love the age of interconnectivity and I **adore** things like Wikipedia etc etc because while I'm reading I can hop onto a search site or Wikipedia and look up things that catch my interest.

I shall Loftily Ignore the implications of the Equatorial Evildoer in >114 humouress:.

>117 richardderus: I am sorry to hear about you being laid up by gout. It is vicious. I wish I had worked in enabling tech, I loved UI work, but always ended up deep inside systems initializing and cleaning up after the protocol wizards. Still physically able to get around, I feel guilty to spend so much time isolated indoors with my books, dogs, and devices, but I also feel profoundly lucky that there is so much I do enjoy - and so many local restaurants to graze from. I shall cease whining about arthritic thumbs forthwith.

>117 richardderus: You see what I mean? Perfect example.

>114 humouress: {Shhhh! He might hear you.}

>115 quondame: You sound like a tech wizard that is easily tempted. Good thing you just have the Mac. ; ) And that you don't really need hearing aids.

>116 The_Hibernator: We do now! Not that I know how to work it yet. The day got away from me...

>117 richardderus: In your case, technology is truly a life saver and I'm glad you have it. {And you are very good at nicknames for people.}

>118 quondame: All in all, sounds like life is good.

>119 humouress: {I told you he would find out. Do you like your new nickname?}

>120 Berly: I shall do my best to live up (down?) to it.

My you have been busy since getting out of the hospital, Kim. What you want to do with your glass sounds interesting and good call to take it to the experts to get cut.

>121 humouress: ????? LOL

>122 Familyhistorian: Life goes on and I have to jump back in as soon as I can! I took another nap today. : )

I didn't make it to the frame shop today. It was a trip to the hardware store instead. Not nearly as much fun. : (

>123 Berly: The only way is up!

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your glass pieces when they’re finished.

Unless down is more fun. ; )

I will post them, whenever it happens.

Hi, Kimmers! I hope you had a good weekend and are getting back to your old lovely self. How are those current reads treating you?

Hi, Mark! The weekend was pretty good. Not my lovely self yet, but working on it. : )

I am enjoying the The Jekyll Revelation quite a bit.
Eight Years in Power deserves some thought, so I am only reading a chapter a week but it is good. On #3.
...And The Earth Did Not Devour Him needs a bit more attention.
I am stalled out on Arthur and George. Are you enjoying it? I am about 150 pages in....
I need to finish up something so I can start The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey for my RL Bookgroup.

I have done an awful job of reading off the shelf this month. I fear my challenges will go unmet. : (

>128 Berly: It’s the reading that matters, Kim.

>126 Berly: >123 Berly: I decided to go with red;people tell me it’s my colour. I left a memento to that effect on Richard’s thread. *wicked grin*

>129 humouress: Red is my favorite color, so I approve your choice.

Hello, Kim! Sorry to hear that you are still not all the way back to fabulous (in the physical health department). Sending you healing mojo and all of my positive energy. Take good care of you, my friend.

>120 Berly:, >121 humouress:, >129 humouress: My favorite Minions character! Scarlet Overkill, an excellent role model for girls! Dethrone the Queen, lob nukes all over the place, look fabulous all the while.

Yup.

>131 richardderus: Merci.

>129 humouress: Well, you're right. I HAVE been reading, so why be picky about what? Thanks, I feel better. And good color choice. *evil laugh*

>130 Crazymamie: Thanks Crazy. Off to my doc for a follow-up appt today...

>131 richardderus: >132 humouress: Red Rules!!! (I thought you meant Nina and I were your minions at first, but I see you meant the Minion Scarlet Overkill, so it's all good.)

Hi Kim - Keep up your naps.

>128 Berly: Challenges are made to be unmet. :)

I hope you continue to feel better.

Can't wait to see pictures of glass.

I might try the Coates essay collection next month.

"Challenges are made to be unmet" - YES!

This is my new motto - thanks, Beth :)

Hi Kim! Hope you are continuing to feel better...

>120 Berly: It is. I even have things to complain about. I can't ask for more.

>128 Berly: I am stalled out on Arthur and George.
Bummer. I did that too, but about half way through. I read a different book, and then went back to A&G. I found the second half rather different from the first, in terms of the turns the characters take. I couldn't quite figure out Arthur, but I felt I knew George.

>103 richardderus: I'm so glad you said that. It may be why I didn't like the book - I don't like any comedy that depends on cruelty. That eliminates a lot of stuff, I'm afraid.

I am nearly finished with Arthur & George. No question, it is a slow read and probably a bit wordy but I think it is an excellent read.

I also loved The Oregon Trail. I hope you will feel the same way.

Hi Kim!

I hope you continue to feel better.

No to Litsy - I do not need another time-taker on a device. I.Will.Be.Strong.

Happy Easter!

I've been on Litsy rather sporadically for a while. I guess I'd better head over and see if I can find all my LT friends who have signed on. :)

Glad you're feeling a little better and I hope they figure out what is setting off the reactions. The glass work is very cool - I must be a terribly sporadic visitor, because I didn't know you did that!

Few days since we've seen you, Kimmers!

Hope all is well and that you'll have a lovely Easter weekend.

Hope you are feeling more up, Kim. Have a great weekend and keep up the naps.

>134 BLBera: Twin--Naps are in! Challenges are made to be unmet! I like how you think. I am feeling better and I do hope you manage to fit in the Coates book. Happy Hump Day!

>135 katiekrug: Another fan of Beth's outlook on life. : )

Wishing everyone who celebrates a very happy



And if Easter is not your thing, or chocolate bunnies, then how about Happy Sunday?!

: )

Hope all is well, Kim and Happy Easter!

Hi Kim! Happy Easter to you.

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better and devoutly hope you're reading some Very Good Books.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Kimmers, may your house overflow with deliciously fabricated chocolate rabbits

>136 quondame: Hi!

>137 LovingLit: I think I have permanently stalled on A&G. It is not drawing me back in and I have so many books I want to read. Forgive me?

>138 ffortsa: la...la...la...I haven't read the book yet...

>139 msf59: I probably should get to the Oregon Trail since it is for my bookclub in like two weeks. I don't even have a copy yet!!

>140 karenmarie: I signed up for Litsy and haven't done a darn thing since. Life has been a little busy. You stay strong!

>141 nittnut: Sporadic visits from you are better than none at all. I'll take them! LOL I haven't done any glass work in a year or so, but I miss it.

>142 PaulCranswick: Thanks for the Easter wishes, Paul. I hope to make the rounds later today. Company is coming at noon and I have quiches to make!

>143 Familyhistorian: Thanks. Naps are a must. : )

>146 vancouverdeb: Happy Easter! May the chocolate bunny visit your house.

>147 karenmarie: Had lots of fun dying Easter eggs the other night and I have a full house for brunch today. Reading tie has been compromised.

>148 witchyrichy: Thank you and Happy Easter to you!!

>149 evilmoose: Now that's a wish I hope comes true! : ) Along with jelly beans.

>152 Berly:

Happy EASTER, April Fool's and First Day of a New Month,
start of Poetry month, and National Avoid the Careening Chinese Skylab Day!

My daughter and I used all natural dyes for the first time this year:
Red Cabbage (Green!), Beet (red, of course), and Tumeric (yellow).

Hi Kim! Wishing you happy Easter and chocolate bunnies.

>153 m.belljackson: Red cabbage gives you green? I’d have thought purple. I vaguely remember that it’s a natural alkali (?) indicator ie it changes colour.

>152 Berly: Did you roll them? We used to do that (although just down a little hill) - dye them with onion skins.

Hope you had a great Easter weekend!

Hey Twin - I hope your Easter was fabulous and you didn't wear yourself out.

>144 Berly: I have a follower! ;)

I got a phone call yesterday morning. First, when I picked up the phone, there was nothing. Then, Scout's voice: "Tita, there is candy hidden all over the house!" She sounded like she had had a little sugar already.

Happy Easter, Kim. We still enjoy our long Easter weekend. I' back to work tomorrow.

>153 m.belljackson: Thank you for the many and assorted happy wishes. I hope the weekend treated you right as well. Very cool that you used natural dyes. I used many and assorted kits left over from previous years. We got quite the variety of eggs!

>154 humouress: I also hope you had a great weekend and that this week is off to a good start!

>155 charl08: LOL. I have never rolled my eggs down a hill before. And why would you do that? Is it a race? And what color does onion skins give? I assume you use the ones from red onions?

>156 ChelleBearss: I did and the leftovers have been great! I assume you did, too, with little ones scampering about. : )

>157 BLBera: It was fabulous and of course I wore myself out! I am good at that. LOL. Just coming back to life today and hoping for the rest of the week to be easy week...

That is an awesome phone call from Scout. : )

>158 Ameise1: How nice to have a long Easter weekend. Sorry it was back to work today.

***Life has been far too busy and I am still not up to 100% yet, but this week should be a little easier and I hope to make it to more threads than just my own!! Thanks everyone for keeping it going for me. xoxo : )

>159 Berly:

We also tried the red onion, but a whole one barely yielded pinkish. Good you are feeling better!

Hi, Kimmers! Hope you had a nice Easter weekend, with the family. Did you track a copy of The Oregon Trail down yet? Just askin'...

Take care, Twinnie.

>150 Berly: I think I have permanently stalled on A&G. It is not drawing me back in and I have so many books I want to read. Forgive me?
I forgive you :)
Books are books are books. We are not wedded to them. I tend to have a misplaced loyalty to books I start, and it makes me resent them when I slog through them. Haven't cottoned on to that Pearl rule yet!!!

I hope your happiness was Easter-filled ;)

>169 katiekrug: They kind of go an orangey red - a bit like tie-dying, you put string on to make shapes. (I think: this is all back when I was a kid). The idea is a bit like conkers, try and crack someone else's without cracking your own. (And no, I don't really understand the point either).

Love the phone call in >157 BLBera:

Hi Kim!

I hope you're getting closer to 100%

Found you on Litsy! I've been kind of on and more off there for a while. The acquisition by LT may have been the nudge I needed to be more regular about posting.

Still not at 100% health-wise and running behind everywhere in life, but I did make it in to work today and so I think I have earned the evening out. I have been saving up my energy to go see Mohsin Hamid talk about Exit West at Literary Arts tonight AND I get to go to the author reception afterwards. It's at the Arlington Club, which is a very proper, stuffy social club downtown. LOL. Taking my oldest daughter and we are doing dinner beforehand so we can catch up. (Ha! That will be the one and only area that I am up to date on!) Then I will come home and collapse into bed. : )

>167 Berly: - Don't overso it, Kim! But good that you are on the way to *better*.

I have this book on my night table, waiting patiently in the queue. I heard the author interviewed (on the radio, not in person) and am very eager to get to it. I look forward to your impressions. Enjoy the evening!

Take care of yourself, Kim!

I'm jealous you'll be seeing Hamid speak. I loved Exit West. I'll be re-reading it this month, as my book group picked it for our next meeting.

Hope you enjoyed your night out! Hope you start feeling 100% soon!

Can't wait to hear about your evening out, Twin. I hope it was stellar, and that you didn't over tire.

Sounds like a lovely evening out and I hope you have the energy to fully enjoy it. Glad you are getting better.

>138 ffortsa: It's a younger person's book, maybe...I suspect Our Hostess will adore it seeing as she's still under 40.

Lucky you, getting to see Mohsin Hamid! I'm seeing Exit West all over LT tonight and I'm psyched because I'm going to read it really soon for a book group.

Happy Anniversary, Kimmers! I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend.

>167 Berly: Sounds fun. I did enjoy his book last year and thought it much better than The Reluctant Fundamentalist which originally made his name.

Enjoy a restful weekend thereafter, Kimmers.

Happy Anniversary! Hope you enjoy your weekend

>167 Berly: Hope it went well - another one jealous because it was such a great read.

I enjoyed reading Exit West with the PBS/NYT FB book club group in March. Perhaps that's why it seems to be all over LT right now? They had several video interviews with him, but I'll be interested to hear what you thought of him in person.

Happy Saturday! I hope you enjoy The Oregon Trail. It was a terrific story and I am ready to head west following the old ruts. It led me to other western books including two by Wallace Stegner: The Gathering of Zion and Beyond the Hundredth Meridian.

I loved Exit West -- it was one of my favorite reads in 2017. And I realize hearing him speak was days ago. Oh well.

Sending you energizing and uplifting thoughts!

I'll try to dig back into Eight Years in Power this week....

Hope your health is returning, sure and steady! Great that LT is back up, no? I missed it!!

I'm reading Exit West right now, and just loving it. I'm less than halfway in, so I'm not really sure what will happen next, but that's one of my favorite things about reading a good book!

Hope you continue to feel better!

Karen O.

Hi Kim!

I hope the Mohsin Hamid event went well. I haven't read Exit West, but was moved by The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Stopping by to say hello...hope all is well!

Oops sorry; looks like I missed your anniversary. I hope you had a great day.

Hi Kim! I hope you are feeling better. And hope you can make the meet-up next week!

Hi Kim . I hope your health is improving and that you are getting in some good reading.

Always a bit concerning when you are so silent, Kim (of course, I mean that in a good way! ;-) Hope all is well and that it is just *busy* keeping you away

Happy Sunday, Kim!

Hi Kim. Hope you are doing well!

Hi guys. I have good days and bad days. The good days are spent trying to keep up with work, house and kids. I do pop in here to see if anyone has posted on my thread and you all make me smile. And then I feel daunted by responding....

Please don't give up on me. I will be a regular again one of these days. : )



My most recent read is How to Get Run Over by a Truck by Katie McKenna, which I loved. Yes, she really did get run over...by an 18-wheeler, no less! And one would think a book about this would be endlessly tragic, but instead it is filled with hope, family, warmth and humor. Does she have pity parties and some anger? Yes! But McKenna rises above it and her honesty is breathtaking. Having had a few hospital stays myself, I could totally relate to her story, but I think even a well person would appreciate this one. And it REALLY is very funny. She was a theater major in college and does a great job as the narrator. Highly recommended.

As long as you are reasonably ok (no new trauma or drama), you don't have to jump every time one of us calls 'ooooh Berrrrrllllllly'. I suspect there are days where you might feel (metaphorically speaking) as if you had been run over by a truck, but as long as it's only a metaphor, I'm sure you will cope.

Good to see you back, Kim. Just surface as you are able to. Priorities, you know!

Be well

^I finally started this, (I was waiting for migration season to start. Grins...) and I am loving it. All thanks to you! B.A.G.

Glad to see you check in, Kimmers! We miss you and hope for the best for you.

Agree with everyone, just check in when you can and don't worry about responding to everything. Put your energy into taking care of yourself.

Good to see you surface, Kim. I hope that you are getting your strength back.

Good to see you check in with us!

>193 ffortsa: Judy--Unfortunately, it is not just a metaphor; not quite as bad as being run over by a truck, but I felt awful on Sunday and, in fact, slept 18 hours!! Yesterday was slightly better and I am hoping for just plain better today.

>194 jessibud2: Shelley--Priorities are a must!! LOL. Right now, my LT priorities are writing down my books so I can remember to update them once the "Search" system is back up and running smoothly.

>195 msf59: Mark--I am so glad you are enjoying the book. : )

>196 RebaRelishesReading: Reba--I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday. Crossing my fingers that I am up to it!!

>197 Familyhistorian: Meg--Look at me! I am back again...two days in a row. ; )

>198 thornton37814: Lori--Trying not to overdo it, but this week is jam-packed. : (

Off to work soon. We have a convention the second half of this week and I have to finish gathering all the booth props and write up a few display stand pieces. Wrote the pamphlet last week and it should arrive today. Also have to schlep everything down to the convention site....Convention runs Wed-Fri.

Wednesday I am supposed to host book club at my house to talk about Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck (which is very funny).

Saturday is another TKD Test. Hmmmmm......if I manage to not have any more allergic reactions between now and then, it's a definite maybe.

Sunday--Reba is in town!!

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better and have some fun plans for the weekend.

Hang in, take care.

Hi Kim - Hope you're feeling well enough to be at the meetup on Sunday!

You got me with How to Get Run Over by a Truck.

>199 Berly: I'm really looking forward to Sunday and hope you can be there both because I would like to meet you and because I hope you're feeling better.

Hi Kim!

Hang in there. I hope you enjoy the meet up!

Just popping by to say hello & that I've added you to my prayer list.
Sending well wishes & hopes for a complete recovery for you.

Hello Berly,
I am still in library queue for Grafton's 3rd. But I am in agreement with you. The characters are of much more interest than the story lines.

As for my multiple reads by the same authors, I seem to be reading more series books this year than in the past and for the most part am enjoying
them. I have been reading a lot of the Scandinavian Noir series and am loving the darkness of them. In the gloom of our PNW weather, they suit. ;-)

Hey, Kim:

I hope you are on the road to recovery and have lots of good books to keep you company.

re: A Confederacy of Dunces, I had thought I would read it. But then I read Avid Reader, by an editor who passed who the book. And ... it was an obnoxious dude talking about another obnoxious dude's book, and showing a sort of false introspection, and I was just super turned off by both Gottlieb's book and the thought of reading Toole's. Petty af of me, I suppose.

>201 streamsong: I just hope I have some energy left to enjoy the weekend! Today was a 13-hour day. Grumble, grumble. But I have almost everything ready for the convention set-up tomorrow.

Pamphlets
Table Toppers
Display pieces
Contact sheet
Banners
Presentation (we are one of the speakers)

Now, just have to update the slide show in the morning.

>202 SuziQoregon: Glad I hooked you with How to Get Run Over By a Truck! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And I will do everything in my power to make the meetup on Sunday. : )

>203 RebaRelishesReading: Aw! Thank you. I am really looking forward to meeting you, too!

>204 karenmarie: So far, so good. Hanging in there. ; )

>205 rainpebble: It is so nice to see you here! I am glad I found you again this year. And I will take all the prayers and good wishes that are sent my way. Thank you so very much.

>206 rainpebble: Grafton is the series I have been into this year. That and the Donna Leon Guido series. They are both murder mysteries and easy to fit in. You made me laugh with the tie-in between noir books and NW weather. You'd think we would go for humor or something, but no!!

>207 libraryperilous: Well, Confederacy of Dunces sits in my TBR Tower. Maybe it will make it to the top. Maybe not! I don't think your decision to pass on it was petty at all. There are way too many books eagerly awaiting out attention -- why force ourselves to pick up one that isn't making us smile with the prospect?

Hey Kim, hope you're feeling better soon, and that the convention goes well. I started listening to I feel bad about my neck but found her voice a bit off-putting. I should try again, maybe it was just my mood at the time. How to get run over by a truck should win prizes for the title alone.

>211 charl08: I am not sure I would like to listen to I feel bad about my neck, but I loved reading it. We'll see what bookclub thinks about it tomorrow night. ; )

What a terrible thing to have happen, but, yes, How to Get Run Over By a Truck is an awesome title. And truth be told, her situation definitely kept my little kerfuffles in perspective -- I mean Katie had to have an exterior rod installed to keep the pieces of her pelvis in place! (And to give you a feel for her sense of humor, she named the dang thing, but you'll have to read the book to find out who s/he is. The doctors even started calling it by name!)

I just bought Birding Without Borders. A big year is not exactly on my bucket list, but if money were no object, I'd probably do it. I will just live vicariously for now.

>212 Berly: I am interested to know what your book club thought about I Feel Bad About My Neck. I thought it was really funny.

I'm glad you're getting better. Take it easy - we don't want you out of commission again!

>213 nittnut: Hi there! It was a great discussion last night. 2/3 of the bookgroup thought I Feel Bad About My Neck was wonderful and very funny. The other 1/3 were deeply offended and wanted to know why anyone should worry about how their neck looks, and seriously questioned whether guys ever worry about that. This is the second time I have read it and I fell into the more feminist camp the first time and this time I thought it was just plain funny. Does this mean I have accepted that my neck is a lost cause and have moved on or that I better appreciate the NY sense of humor this time? I don't know. But we met for four hours and there was lots of laughter, friends and good food. So, it was a win. : )

HA. Funny that people were offended by the book. I read it about 15 years ago, and I mostly found it really funny. I am starting to understand about the neck, but I still find it funny.

Hey Kith - Stay well. I hope you feel well for your meet-up, and that there will be a report and pictures?

I think Ephron is very funny, or was, I guess. It's been a while since I read I Feel Bad About My Neck but I remember thinking it was a pretty honest - and funny - take on aging.

Oh that's funny, Kim. I haven't read Ephron, but I do feel bad about my own neck.

Hope to see you Sunday!

>192 Berly: How to Get Run Over by a Truck sounds like a good one. I read a great memoir from someone who sustained massive injuries from a cycle accident, it was uplifting more than depressing, yet really read with regards to the effects of the accident. In her case, they really were catastrophic injuries. The book is A Body Undone...

>200 Berly: That is a hard schedule for someone who is trying to recover, Kim. Take care of yourself. At least some of the things you are doing are energy givers rather than energy drainers. Sounds like the book club meet was on the energy giver side.

Glad to see you are back online! Hope that means you are back to 100%!

Happy Friday, Kim!

>213 nittnut:

Does Nora Ephron mention Barbara Bush wearing big fake white pearls to hide her neck?

That and the Bushes openly voting against Trump are about the only funny Bush things I've ever read.

Hiya, Kim. Just checking in. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Kim! Hope you're feeling better and better every day!

>215 nittnut: I am glad your neck is holding up well. Hmmmm.....Do you think necklaces draw attention to or away from your neck? ; )

>216 BLBera: Feeling pretty good today, Twin. Knock on wood. Glad you enjoyed I Feel Bad About My Neck, too.

>217 banjo123: Do you want my copy of the book? I can bring it Sunday.

>218 LovingLit: I have heard of that one. Katie was also injured while cycling. The truck broke every one of her ribs and pretty much shattered her pelvis. Not sure exactly what long-term effects she has, but definitely a few. She was so upbeat about the whole thing, I didn't leave the book thinking of her as damaged.

>219 Familyhistorian: I know it sounds like I am fine and doing all these things, but I am not...yet. In between my activities I literally crawl into bed and sleep! Multiple naps a day. Tomorrow is my TKD test and I have absolutely no idea how I am going to get through it. I have already decided I can't try to go all out on simple things like jumping jacks. I have to do them at like 50% effort. I will go and see how I do. There is no way I can do the 100 pushups. Maybe they will cut me some slack. Wish me luck!

>220 ChelleBearss: Not 100% still. Maybe more like 70%. But I am not in the hospital, so that's a plus! ; )

>221 Crazymamie: Yes!! It's Friday!

>222 m.belljackson: Barbara Bush does did wear those big pearls! LOL.

>223 jnwelch: Hey, Joe. I am here and so are you!. Life is good. : )

>224 SuziQoregon: Working on it! Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.