The Read goes ever on and on...MrsLee 2018 part 2

Here we are.

Currently reading:
Euphemania
It Must Have Been Something I Ate
King Henry, IV, part 2
Alphonse Daudet - This is my classic for the month. Never heard of him. A collection of his writings. Just testing the waters.
Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn - I need something fun to read that doesn't take a lot of investment.

Your Doro Wat in the other thread reminded me of a scene in this week's Voetspore. The guys stopped at the market in Ponta do Ouro (Mozambique) to buy bread rolls, and the stall next door was selling bottles of a red substance labelled "Soldier". The stall owner was busy making it as they watched; she was pounding what looked like several kilos of birds-eye chillies and not a great deal else in a large bowl. So they stopped and sampled. Comments indicated that "it's hot -- but tasty" and "it just doesn't stop burning". Sounds like the ideal sauce for the Wat.

Happy new thread!

>2 hfglen: Um, I'll leave them to it. Is the program a documentary?

>3 humouress: It's a long-running series detailing the adventures of a group of guys exploring various routes through Africa, so yes, a documentary in which the protagonists take extraordinary overland routes and interact with the locals. Several series are available on DVD, but the commentary is in Afrikaans, and only two series have English subtitles AFAIK. (Tonight's was the last episode of the 11th series.)

Following you from France while gaving a café au lait on the terrace. Glad to hear you are feeling better and I hope the energy is flowing back in a satisfactory fashion.

>2 hfglen: Sounds tasty! The two comments were almost exactly what was said about the Doro Watt in this house. :)

>3 humouress: Thanks!

>5 pgmcc: I think I would feel a lot better if I were having a café au lait on a terrace in France, but things are looking up here, thank you.

*waving* So happy to hear you're feeling better! Hope the allergies abate soon.

>7 clamairy: Thank you! I have given in and am taking a pill for them. It did no good yesterday, I'm hoping it will have a cumulative effect and kick in today.

Still not reading much. Too many distractions, or perhaps I am too willing to be distracted?

>1 MrsLee: I have enjoyed Spencer Quinn's Chet books, have read the first four (I think).

>9 fuzzi: Yes, I've read a couple. Good fun.

>8 MrsLee: I feel your pain. It's allergy season here too and the meds just make me sleepy.

Just taking my place on your new thread! Hope the allergies abate soon and you get back to reading again.

I'm hoping you're feeling better, @MrsLee. You're missed.

I actually felt like picking up a book last night! Correction. I didn't really feel like it, but did it anyway and found myself happily reading until bedtime. I hate dry spells, and usually don't force things, but sometimes one has to push on through. The book was Thereby Hangs a Tail and it had me chuckling away. Sometimes the clever/cute is a tad too much, but the story moves along fast enough that I can handle it.

I have finished Euphemania, but not had time/will to review it yet. This weekend does not hold much hope of time to do so. When did my life get so busy? Not doing grand things, either. Just the small everyday tasks to keep everyone around me, and myself, going. I realize that I could drop out, but that would mean sacrificing my health and other's health, so I won't. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

>14 MrsLee: I enjoy those "Chet" light mysteries, and I think the author does a good job making sure the cutesy aspects don't ruin the story.

I FINISHED A BOOK!

This reading slump has been ridiculous. Anyway, made it through Thereby Hangs a Tail. So what do I do with these books? I enjoyed them very much, but I doubt they will compel me to read them again. Do I save them to share with others? Where in my house do I store them? Sigh. I suppose for now I will have to make room for them among my favorite mystery authors books. My poor dragons are getting crowded off of the shelves.

I'm not going to start anything new, still struggling to finish up the books I've begun. I am doing well on the physical side of my life though. Exercising again, eating right, feeding my mom healthy, tasty food with not much salt, gardening (sort of). Why can't I do it all? Oh, and working 8 hours a day.

>16 MrsLee: yippee!

I donate books to my coworkers, the local cancer center's waiting room "library", and Habitat for Humanity.

Someone will take it.

>16 MrsLee: Well done. Small victories all add up, especially when you have a busy home and work life.

>16 MrsLee: what is the secret to tasty low-salt cooking? I'm trying to reduce my sodium intake and it's not going well so far.

>19 Darth-Heather: for me, finding herbs and other low/no-salt alternatives are important. I like a few drops of vinegar (wine or apple cider) on many foods. Pepper is a decent substitute, too.

>20 fuzzi: oh yes, I've been peppering everything :) Are there certain go-to herbs that you enjoy?

I've tripped up a bit on condiments, so now I'm buying flavored vinegars to use instead of salad dressings and they make good meat marinades too. I would like to learn to make my own mustard. I just like salty stuff alot, especially pickles and olives... :(

>19 Darth-Heather: Roasting veggies in the oven brings out the natural sugars, and we rarely need to add salt. Sometimes I drizzle balsamic vinegar and toss them with it. Oil, butter and fat are great for flavor enhancement. :)

Chopped parsley and fresh garlic tossed into lightly sautéd (heat heavy skillet, which has a tight lid, very hot, add about 1/4 - 1/2 c. water or no salt broth, when it boils, add veggies which have been chopped to bite size bits, cover, make sure liquid is still boiling, shake pot once or twice and cook 5-7 min. depending on density of veg.) veggies while they are still hot and toss.

Fresh squeezed lemon juice added at the last minute into soups, stews, salads, etc. The chopped parsley and garlic go great with a squeeze of lemon juice in almost anything.

If you can take the spice, fresh chopped hot chilies, along with lemon, garlic and parsley are wonderful. If you are tired of parsley and have access to other fresh herbs, any of them can be substituted. Cilantro, rosemary, thyme, sage, green onions, etc. Mix and match. The secret is fresh, not dried, and add at the last minute so they do not lose their essence in the heat.

We do not fear fat in this household, so I use good oils such as olive, avocado, sesame and coconut (there are tons of others, these are just easily accessible and sort of affordable. I also use fat from roasting chickens and bacon (although unless you buy unsalted bacon, that might be salty), and butter. It doesn't take a lot to bring out the flavors of a dish.

Sesame oil and rice vinegar are a wonderful flavor boosting team. I use those, with a bit of sugar and some of my chili paste to make cabbage slaw-type salads.

Sugar is also something you can add just a bit of to bring out flavor in veggies or meat dishes.

Also wine/saki/beer. These added to stews and sauces make for tasty goodness.

If you think of the five heavenly flavors: hot spice, sweet, salt, sour and umami, and you include all but salt, you will still have a great tasting dish, especially if the salt is substituted with lots of fresh herbs and garlic.

>22 MrsLee: awesome, thank you! I took a lot of notes for my cooking workbook. I like the final paragraph about fulfilling the other four flavor profiles to get balance without missing the salt - I hadn't thought of it like this but it makes sense to keep in mind when designing my recipes.

My husband hunts, so I cook a lot of venison and wild turkey (and occasionally moose) and am always looking for ways to work with lean meats. We agreed-to-disagree on the hunting thing before we got married. ;) I appreciate that he is ethical in his approach, so he only hunts something we will use (not bear - it's yucky) and we use as much of it as we can.

I'm definitely going to try the slaw salads with sesame and vinegar and chili - that sounds excellent!

>23 Darth-Heather: Oooo, for game meats, you can get some wonderful flavors by studying the Indian curry recipes. Heating oil or ghee very hot in a cast iron skillet and tossing in whole spices like cumin and coriander seeds, allspice, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves and mustard seeds, then adding onions and garlic, then the meat which has been browned dark (umami), and some liquid. A slow simmer until meat is fall apart tender, add some veggies if desired and serve over rice. Yum. In fact, that's what we had for dinner! The meat was goat in our case.

>24 MrsLee: oh my, that sounds amazing! I love curry, but hadn't thought of using it for game meat. Turkey season is starting on Tuesday so I may get the chance soon to try this :) I haven't tried goat yet, but am curious about it. Is it like lamb?

>25 Darth-Heather: Taste is stronger and gamier (which in some parts of the world is no bad thing), and depending on the age of the animal and how far it's walked, it may be tougher.

>26 hfglen: Now that's interesting, because here I've found it to be milder than lamb.

Interesting, indeed. I was thinking of Namaqualand, where the choice is between goat that's lived on the local highly aromatic vegetation, or Karakul lamb -- think of it, they must do something with the contents of the pelts that go to make Persian lamb coats! And I'm sure Wikipedia will tell you that the lambs that provide the pelts are less than 24 hours old. So therefore Karakul lamb looks and tastes like wet grey cardboard.

>28 hfglen: :P That doesn't sound very appetizing.

I managed to finish three books in April, two of which I had already been reading in Feb./March. Dismal record for me. Ah well. I am now behind schedule on my 12 classics I was trying to read some of this year. Began reading The Works of Alphonse Daudet last night, and even though April is ending, I will continue this into May. So far, I've only read the first chapter of "Studio Love." It is surprisingly modern for the women's right movement, but I will see, because it may be that these "liberated" women end up either no better than they aught to be, married and happy little homemakers, or something evil to show women that living in a liberating manner will bring them to a bad end. I don't know enough about the author to tell yet, except that he was one of those who didn't bother with monogamy and suffered from syphilis.

I've also begun reading an ER win: Water at the Roots by Phillip Britts. Not quite what I expected, but not a disappointment, either. The poems are moving and lovely, the story an interesting one, so I'm happy with this win.

Finished Henry the IV, part 2 yesterday. The drama was pretty good, but my reading mood was off and so it took me two months to finish. Not good for continuity. Even so, I was able to pick up the main characters and plot. All the side characters became rather muddled for me though. Not sure what to think of Henry V. Seems a rather calculating and mean sort of man. Used Falstaff harshly, although I don't have much sympathy or care for Falstaff, either. Not sure why people have loved him so, I found him repulsive. Possibly the language barrier? I would like to read this in a more modern language to see if it makes a difference. Loved Henry the IV's speech about sleep, or the lack thereof. Also, one of the women who gave her father-in-law (or was he her father?) what-for because he deserted her husband when her husband needed him most.

I may not be reading much, but my dreams are pretty vivid!

Last night I went to a cheese and wine tasting class. The cheeses were amazing! So much so that I found myself only having a sip or two of the wines because I didn't want to become inebriated and not get the full taste of the cheeses. Some were melting, soft and creamy blues, others were creamy and filled with tasty herbs and spices, then there were the harder cheeses, oh my. What an experience.
BEST. DREAM. EVER!

That sounds delicious!

>30 MrsLee: I wouldn't have wanted to wake up from that dream! It sounds nearly as good as the ones where you're in a bookshop that has every book you've ever wanted to read on the shelves, along with amazing-looking ones you've never heard of ...

>32 Sakerfalcon: Yes, that sort of dream. Sadly, it segued into one about getting lost in the underworld of NYC with my husband, and then having to rescue him from the mental hospital because they had mistaken him for one of their patients! lol

I finished the first story by Alphonse Daudet, "Studio Love." A very short story which took me an inordinate amount of time to read. Partly due to the fact that is was written in first person, present tense, which I pretty much hate. Also, I'm no expert, but at times it seemed to switch tenses? I didn't stop to analyze because every time I did sit to read I just wanted to get it over with. In spite of it beginning with a surprisingly liberated and modern view of women, it did end with a marriage. Although, not every woman in it ended up married, so I suppose it was still somewhat modern for its time.

I want to read one or two more in this book before I put it aside. Do any of you have a recommendation for a specific story by Alphonse Daudet?

>33 MrsLee: I know of someone that actually happened to. A respected lady botanists, she had to stay in the mental hospital over the weekend until her prof could fish her out.

>30 MrsLee: Best dream ever is right! :o) To steal my favorite line from the film When Harry Met Sally, "I'll have what she's having!"

>36 clamairy: Great line from a great movie.

I am grabbing Personal by Lee Child, off of my TBR shelf to read. No, I haven't finished any of my current reads. They are pokey and meditation-worthy, or at least nothing I can read quickly. This is Mother's Day here in the U.S.A., so I want to sit by myself and read. Hoping this story will grab me and pull me along. I really hate this reading slump. Lack of concentration? Lack of ability to sit and do nothing but read? Me? Why?!

Hurray! I read a book! In two days! I'm still capable! Granted, the material was not challenging, but, yay!

Personal by Lee Child
I have been in one of the worst reading slumps ever, and Jack Reacher was just the ticket to kick my butt into reading again. I finished this in two days and it felt marvelous. Reacher is predictable. He does the right thing with very little fuss and frills. This story was predictable as well, but in all the right ways. There was no mind-blowing reveal for me at the end, but I didn't care because the journey was fun along the way.

>39 MrsLee: Sometimes that is all you need.

>39 MrsLee: hope that fixed your reading slump. I had one of those earlier t his year.

Glad to hear of your success!

Yay!!!

Feels good, don't it?!

I love Sandford's two series for the same reasons (Prey/Davenport and Flowers) - they don't hurt my brain, I love the characters (they kick as much ass as Reacher!) and they make me laugh and entertain me from start to finish. Great stuff.

>39 MrsLee: I know the feeling. Graham Greene helped me with The Quiet American and Dashiell Hammett is continuing the magic with The Maltese Falcon.

Well done on finding something that works for you.

Glad you are climbing out of the slump! Brain candy books are a great choice for that.

Some nice, healthy cooking ideas here, which I really ought to come back for.

>30 MrsLee: I wasn't sure at first, because it's usually cheese that causes vivid dreams (or so I've heard). I must say, your dreams make more sense than mine do; they usually segue too fast to be cohesive. Last night I dreamed about lizards - a combination of the book I'm reading, I suspect, and the fact that I kept coming across frogs hopping across the road in the rain.

In the meantime, it looks like my reading slump is ongoing. The odd thing is that I am reading, but I don't seem to be making much progress.

>43 Bookmarque: Oh sure, hit me when I'm at my most vulnerable! I've added the first book in the Davenport series to my wishlist. That's all the further I'm going at the moment though, due to cost, lack of reading time/will at the moment, and all these other books on my shelves calling out to be read.

Going to start another predictable win in my books, Talking God by Tony Hillerman. A bit more subdued that the Jack Reacher novels, but compelling and interesting, so it should be good.

>44 pgmcc: Thanks, and may your good reads continue!

>40 littlegeek:, >41 fuzzi:, >42 Jim53: & >45 catzteach: Thank you for the encouragement!

>46 humouress: I am sorry about your slow-down. I've decided not to force my reading. I have so many interesting books on my shelves that I want to read, like all the classics in my goals for the year, but they are not compelling. So hard to focus enough on them at the moment, because my brain seems to want escape, not engagement. I don't think this is a life-long mode for me; only a season. There is a lot on my plate at the moment that I'm trying to get right, so my brain escaping is like a release valve. I'm gonna let it do its thing.

As to the dreams, I have had whole mystery/suspense/action movies as dreams. Kind of fun. There used to be horror ones as well, which I am happy to say have not happened for awhile. The nice thing now, is that usually I am more of an observer during the scary bits. I've only ever written down bits and pieces which stuck with me though. When I wake up and try to tell someone about them, they don't have the same impact as they did when I was in the middle of them. Ah well.

>47 MrsLee: "So hard to focus enough on them at the moment, because my brain seems to want escape, not engagement. I don't think this is a life-long mode for me; only a season."

This is pretty much where I am as well, and I'm just going to have to go with it for the next six months or so.

>48 clamairy: that's a great thing about books - they are patient and will wait until you are ready :)

No problem, MrsL - what are friends for? Muhahahahaha!

Well, that was a short reading spurt of one book, apparently.

Tuesday night I didn't start a new book because my husband and I went to gather rocks for the garden from the river, then stopped at a new Mexican restaurant for dinner where I ordered a beer, husband ordered a beer, and the waitress brought us half of another beer (supposedly just a taste!) for comparison. Husband drank the "taste" and made (well, okay, there wasn't much force involved) drink the two full ones. Can't read when I'm tipsy.

Yesterday I found elderflowers blooming by my workplace, and grape leaves. So I sent a message to my sister to bring some ground game meat when she comes and I would make dolmas for Friday night dinner. So I spent the evening cleaning the grape leaves and picking the tiny, tiny elder-blossoms off of the stems because apparently the stems are poisonous! This is a tedious process which took me 2 hours to finish. Happily re-watching Death in Paradise on Netflix. Then I had to make the simple syrup and pour it over the blossoms. Got to bed at 10, when I usually am there at 9.

Tonight I need to spend getting some housework done because my sister is arriving Friday, and my two brothers on Saturday to celebrate my mother's 87th birthday with us. I don't see me having time to get involved in a book until maybe Sunday. :/ Still, life is fun too.

Sounds like you're having a lovely time. Books will be there when you need them. You know that.

>51 MrsLee: Have a wonderful family time. It sounds like nice things are what is keeping you from books.

Now, I am sitting in an airport waiting for my flight and Sam Spade is telling me I only anither thirty pages to read. Must go.

In spite of all the wonderful activity this weekend, I managed to finish a book, Talking God by Tony Hillerman. The company all went home by yesterday noon, so I was able to relax the rest of the day. I like spending time with Lt. Joe Leaphorn and officer Jim Chee.

I think the next quicky book I shall try will be Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines. Trying to keep it light for now.

Finished Water at the Roots by Philip Britts. What a lovely surprise for me. No time to do a proper write up at the moment. Let it suffice that this is a Five star book for me which will be cherished and revisited when I need perspective on the world at large. I know poetry about as well as I know wine, in that, I know what I like but can't tell you why. It is enough for me that I love it.

Still no time to write a proper review, but here is a sample of some of the poetry from Water at the Roots.

Sanctuary
I may not move, while that lone tuft of cloud
Still holds the fairy hues,
An opal thrown against the sky;
And were this shovel in my hand a waiting sword,
And all the great crusaders beckoned me-
I could not move, until the glory passed.
1936 Philip Britts

The Hour on Which we Look
Now is the harvest of Death,
Now the red scythe-blade of slaughter
Sweeps through the children of Eve.
We stand in a circle of silence,
The wings of the Reaper are hissing-
And what could our speaking achieve?

And we, as we stand in our silence,
Hear the laugh of the sower of fate,
Who scattered the seed in the hearts of the tribes,
And who reaps now the hate.

Only the music of a wild wind in trees,
Or the rumble of thunder, the roar of the rain,
The shouting of demons who ride on the storm winds of wrath
Can tell of the tempest that howls like a wolf on the plain;
Where the earth carried wheat, and the waters were sweet,
But now stink with the blood of the slain.
1940 Philip Britts

>56 MrsLee: I'm no fan of poetry (I don't appreciate it) but I liked both of those poems, thank you for sharing them.

>57 fuzzi: It was very difficult to choose only two to share. Most of them called to me.

I still haven't written my review for this work, Water at the Roots, and I think I won't share too much about it, due to its nature. However, if you are of a spiritual nature, and enjoy reading about people who have stretched themselves and struggled with the meaning of life, I recommend this to you. Even though the author of the poetry and essays was a member of a Christian group called the Bruderhof, the book is not written with that passionate evangelical push. I found it interesting in an historical way, and inspiring in the poetry, which covers organic gardening, war, ecstasy of discovering nature, and yes, some bits of faith.

This will be a book I return to when I need beauty and inspiration. Five stars from me.

Oh yeah. Poems that rhyme. I remember those. Haven't seen any for a while. Thank you for sharing.

My father-in-law knew a couple of Bruderhof residents. He admired their desire to share all their worldly goods, but there were other aspects he couldn't take.

Libriomancer was a fun adventure, but I don't feel the need to follow up with the next in the series. That has more to do with my mood than the quality of the read.

I began Chocolat yesterday. It is not as easy to read as the movie was to watch. I am not into the dark broodiness of it. Making the priest such an asshole. It is striking me as an arrogant thing, even though I can fully acknowledge that small towns can come across as the author portrays it, and I understand what she is doing, and I loved the movie. Just my mood again, I think.

Mmmm dark chocolate.

Wait.
No.

You said dark broodiness.

Not as appealing.

>61 Bookmarque: Hahaha! Right. Somehow, this is a book whose film completely did it better IMO. The film also portrayed the angst and troubles of the souls of folks, especially folks who try so very hard to be righteous and force others into righteousness as well (regardless of what their "righteous" bent is, it isn't always religion), and yet there was grace as well. There was a measure of forgiveness and understanding of the forces that move people. The book seemed to be more of a knee-jerk response, sort of "So there, you jerk!" kind of thing.

The following comment possibly steps across the line of religion in this group. I will remove it if required, but I beg tolerance until I get a chance to write my review, because it popped into my head while typing here and I want to remember it in case I use it in my review. Thank you.
I really can't go into more details without treading too far across the lines here, but if the roles of pagan and priest had been reversed, it would have been a typical book published by many Christian publishers, at least back when I was reading such books, the antagonist is all bad, the protagonist wins at the end and rather thumbs their noses at the "forces of evil."

>62 MrsLee: I think the spirit of the ban on politics or religion is to stop people preaching or arguing on the topics. My understanding would be that a discussion on the content of a book is fair dingum cobber. As long as one is not using it as an opportunity to convert or convince it is ok. I think your comments were grand for the GD. I await correction.

>62 MrsLee: I too would see your comments here as descriptive rather than anything else. That being so, they are 100% legit IMHO.

>62 MrsLee: Hugh and I are united!

>64 hfglen: & >65 pgmcc: :) Thank you. I try not to post anything that would cause pain to others, but sometimes my radar differs from other's.

Your consideration for others is commendable. I agree with Peter And Hugh on their understanding of the rule. I think there is one added result of the happenings, but I can't find the angle brackets on my phone so it will have to wait till tomorrow.

>62 MrsLee: I just read your review of Chocolat and I do not see it causing a problem in the GD.

By the way, my wife an a friend or ours read the book and loved it. I gave it a go and was finding it well written and was looking forward to good things. I was almost half-way through it and mentioned to my wife and the friend that I was finding it ok but that I was still waiting for something to happen. They both said, "Nothing happens!"

For some reason I could not build up the enthusiasm to go back to the book and have not gone near is since.

I have not seen the film.

>68 pgmcc: I hate it when that happens...

>68 pgmcc: The film is worth it for all the food, based around chocolate!

>70 MrsLee: Have you seen The Hundred Foot Journey? The food is so pretty.

>62 MrsLee: I would say that the events enable the idealistic young priest to escape from the mayor and turn his church's focus in a much healthier, more inclusive, more Christian direction. Everyone wins except the mayor, but he gets a chocolate orgy and IIRC an interest in Caroline; he falls from his pedestal and is freed from his restrictive worldview, so I think everyone wins.

>71 Darth-Heather: Yes, that is one of my favorites! In fact I was wishing I could watch it again on Saturday when I was watching "Burnt."

>72 Jim53:, that about describes it. You are only missing the Mesoamerican mythology and seductive chocolate dinner. I have a sauce recipe for enchiladas or tamales which has a combo of chocolate and chili among other things, which sends shivers of delight down to your toes. Mmmmm

On Sunday, I sat down and read The Girls at the Kingfisher Club all the way through. This is my review/reaction to the story.

A modern retelling of the tale "12 Dancing Princesses," this story is enchanting. Twelve sisters, locked away by their father from the world, manage to find a way to escape to the nightlife of New York city in the 1920s. The story of what became of them is told with the voice and mood of the fairy tale and carries the reader away.

What a fun read! I started it on an extremely hot day when there was little else I could do because my A/C was broken and all I wanted was to sit with an icy drink in front of the fans. This book was perfect for the occasion. Because the most of the action takes place in various speakeasies in New York City during Prohibition, I thought the suitable drink would be my lemon infused gin in a gilded teacup. It was.

I am now reading in the land of the Grasshopper Song by Mary Ellicott Arnold and her companion in the adventure ...Reed. I'll look it up when I have more time. Poor second authors. It is a nonfiction about two east coast white women and the natives they were sent to "mother" in a part of California near me, in 1908 and 1909. I have high hopes for it. Loving the women's narrative so far as they tell about their trek to get to one of the remotest and wild spots in California.

Mmm; lots of food and drink based books. Yum!

>62 MrsLee: I have been in this position numerous times. One of the most enjoyable things about this group is to watch rule-abiding folks who act in good faith try hard to respect the GD rules in reviewing books that are overtly or even controversially religious or political. Please continue! :)

>76 stellarexplorer: Thank you for the encouragement.

I'm still in the middle of my trip, will do a proper thread for that when I return. I bought my tablet along so I could make a dent in my Kindle library, but what with meeting GD folks in bookstores, and having lovely book purchases in hand, I've begun reading two print titles. One is about the literary history of bars in NYC. I left it at the resort in the Poconos, which we return to today, so I don't quite remember the proper title, but it is interesting.

The other is Rules of Civility, by Amor Towles, which I am enjoying very much, but in a different way than A Gentleman in Moscow.

Catching up is hard to do.

I finished reading Rules of Civility. I wasn't sure I was enjoying it along the way, but in the end, I enjoyed the trip. My mom is reading it at the moment, about half way through, and she says she loves how the cast and characters keep twisting. That's what I wasn't sure about while reading, and yet it felt right when it was finished. What I loved, was the setting, both place and time. I'm sure it meant more to me because I had just been in NYC for the first time, and so could "see" many of the places mentioned. It felt right.

I began reading:
Storied Bars of New York by Delia Cabe, interesting, easy to put down because each chapter tells of a different bar with a brief history of the place and peoples who frequented it. Also easy to pick up again, I'm thinking this will be finished in my bathroom, after I finish It Must've Been Something I Ate, which is also chapter length essays.
and
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin, this one I began, but it was heavy material, and I didn't want to read that on my trip, so I will start it up again after I finish In The Land of the Grasshopper Song, although I may slip in a mystery first. I'm feeling the need for a nice little mystery.
and
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz, which is good and interesting and inspiring for a lady who likes to ferment and likes to do it with as little fuss as possible.

Interesting note: there is a thread somewhere in Talk asking what are we reading for Pride month. I hadn't intentionally picked anything to read for it, but both James Baldwin and Sandor Ellix Katz were/are unapologetic homosexuals, and Sandor sprinkles in bits of alternative lifestyles encouragement throughout his book. :)

I haven't picked up a book since I got home though. Too many things to catch up on, too tired, etc.

>78 MrsLee: I really liked Rules of civility - what a great book to read in NYC!

>78 MrsLee: Rules of Civility is one that I have made a quilt to go along with the book. I made a wall hanging of a cityscape and then put a huge martini on it. I enjoyed the book.

>80 catzteach: Wow! I would love to see a photo of it.

Hmm, beginning of July and if my record-keeping is correct, I only finished 2 books in June. That is somewhat of a record low for me. Does it count that they were both 4 star books for me? Does it count that I have half a dozen nonfiction books I'm dipping in and out of at the moment? Sigh.

>82 MrsLee: I've had some very low number months, mainly due to real life interference.

It's July first, time to start anew!

>83 fuzzi: :) Thank you for the encouragement! Yes, real life has been busy this month, what with my vacation and getting ready for it, etc. Also, I'm finding myself whipped when I get home from work. No energy or mental ability to read, so that's 5 days out of 7 that I can't read. Then on the weekends I work like a crazy woman to get all the food prepped, clothes washed, garden cared for, etc. for the coming week. Still, I used to be able to read after work, and now I can't. Not sure what's up with that.

>82 MrsLee: You spent a lot of time meeting up with Green Dragoneers and giving away skeletons! Who could have had time to read?

>85 Jim53: LOL, this is true!

>82 MrsLee: It counts! It counts!

I finished in the land of the Grasshopper Song yesterday. A very gratifying read. The authors have a dry wit, and it can be found often between the lines. The way they "dealt" with the natives they were sent to care for was enlightening. It may be the first book I've read which simply regarded the natives as people and neighbors.

Then I tried Murder is Binding. Wish I hadn't. Oh well.

I need a refreshing book, I may just hop into one of my Nero Wolfe novels. Not sure.

>81 MrsLee: I don’t even know where the quilt is or if I took a picture. I’ll see if I can find it.

I picked up an Agatha Christie book to read as a comfort read. It did just that. Elephants Can Remember

The phrasing and conversations were very repetitive, with an almost lulling effect, although I became tired of it by the end of the book. I also solved the mystery fairly early on, but that is irrelevant because I was reading for comfort, not intellectual stimulation. I found it interesting that folks in their 50s, 60s and 70s were referred to in terms such as elderly, grey-haired, arthritic, etc. This was written in the early 1970s. We've come a long way, baby. That age group are my contemporaries now, and they are anything but decrepit and senile.

Instead of starting a new book, I'm going to try to push through the It Must've Been Something I Ate book I've been reading for several months now. Also want to finish Storied Bars of New York and Wild Fermentation.

Sounds like a lovely, soothing way to spend your time. I'm doing the same with my reading. Nothing upsetting or shocking. And good for you for solving the mystery. I never can with Dame Agatha.

>91 Bookmarque: I'm wondering if it's just that I've read so many mysteries that my mind knows most of the tricks? I never used to be able to solve any mysteries I read, but lately it is hard to find one I can't solve. And by solve, I mean knowing who did what and sometimes how, but not all the little details that take us there. Double identities, the death that isn't a death, and other tricks, I've read a lot of them so I think my brain sees the patterns and clues. Not always though, and it is great fun to be mystified through most of the story.

I did finish It Must've Been Something I Ate. I enjoyed reading it for the most part, if only for his enthusiasm over food, and his very dry sense of humor. As for the recipes, most of them I will not try and am not even interested in trying. They require complicated techniques, lots of equipment, and ingredients I don't have access to, not unless I want to pay through the nose to get them, and sometimes not even then. I am trying to get my kitchen and cooking down to the basics and simplify.

There were many references to New York City and the food purveyors there, which makes me want to go back. In many ways, his enthusiasm for food, and his confidence in his opinions on all subjects, remind me of Brillat-Savarin.

I did pick up one of my 5 BIG books that I want to finish this year. I began reading Sword at Sunset and it seems to have good promise. A story of King Arthur, by Rosemary Sutcliff, told as if he were an historical figure, not with all the legend stuff.

>92 MrsLee: I do hope you enjoy Sword at Sunset. Coincidentally I just donated my partially read copy a couple of weeks ago. If I ever decide to give it another go it will be in digital form anyway, and my copy had some water (at least I hope it was water) damage. Plus it had been collecting (inches of) dust for the past 17 years.

(It Must've Been Something I Ate looks like my kind of book!)

>93 clamairy: That does not sound like a good combination :0)

>93 clamairy: It may be a little more world building than I want to get into right now, but I'm going to give it a good shot anyway. At least her writing doesn't annoy me. :)

>94 humouress: It made for an unpleasant tactile experience. :o)

>93 clamairy: I ended up setting it aside and picking up The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey. It suits my mood much better.

Sword at Sunset is in first person. In trying to be authentic, none of the names of places or characters are recognizable to me, and don't seem to be on the tiny map provided in the book. Too much work for me at the moment, although it is what I would have gobbled up even 10 years ago or five? Will I ever read like that again?

>97 MrsLee: I hope so! I'm pretty much in the same boat. Plus I find I often choose to read meatier things in the Winter.

>96 clamairy: :0)

Or rather

:0x

Finished reading The Last Detective after bedtime last night. Ta Da! A mystery which kept me in the dark until the end! I certainly had suspected the culprit, but was led away by red herrings and an intense desire for it to be a certain other character I had little liking for. The only thing this was missing was a dose of humor. The main character, while not lovable, was interesting, but he needed someone to be his Watson, or counterpoint. His wife was good, but we only glimpsed her. Repartee, probably a good thing for an author to avoid if it doesn't come naturally to them, but done well, it will make me a fan forever. This mystery was good enough for me to read the next by this author though. The story was very well done. I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars, right up there with Agatha Christie, Dick Francis and Tony Hillerman in my estimation.

I think I am now ready to give James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son a serious try.

Still having trouble settling to read. I thought I was getting into it again, then fire.

Baldwin is still languishing by my chair. He takes a lot of brain work which isn't available right now. Instead I picked up The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault to try. The prologue left me confused and intrigued, now it is slow but interesting while the narrator describes their job as a lexicographer at a dictionary publishing house. I'll keep at it, even if it is just one chapter a day I am managing at present.

>101 MrsLee: Hey, a little reading is better than none. At least I hope so, because that's all I'm managing too right now.

Finished Storied Bars of New York: Where Literary Luminaries Go to Drink, by Delia Cabe. What fun this was to read! Full of trivia and enticing cocktail recipes, it makes me want to go back to NYC for a bar tour.

Glad you're back in the swing of things, but it's TOTALLY understandable in the situation.

Reading bits and pieces, here and there. Still in the James Baldwin book. I have to read it in small bits, it is so sad, discouraging, bitter and revealing. Written in the 1950s, we have come a long way, and yet clearly our hearts have not ("our" meaning the nation as a whole). Very glad to be reading it though, however difficult it is to swallow. This is the conversation I have been wanting to have with someone for a very long time, but it is an impossible one for me to start.

Yesterday at work was slow, so I was able to read some more in The Broken Teaglass. I am enjoying the way the author reveals bits and pieces of the backgrounds of the characters here and there. Glad I'm reading this one on my ereader, for instant dictionary access to words I don't know. Interesting that one of the words, carceral, mentioned as not being in the dictionary they are working on, wasn't in the ereader dictionary either.

I am also finding the inner workings of lexicography fascinating. Stuff I never thought about before.

Managed to finish two books yesterday! Granted, one was a very small picture book, but as you will see from my review below, it felt like a good read.

Bilbo's Last Song, This book is packed with more goodness inside than its size implies. Pauline Baynes created illustrations for the poem Bilbo wrote to commemorate his last adventure; the trip into the West with the elves. That's not all though. At the bottom of each page is a tiny picture to illustrate scenes from The Hobbit. That's not all though. The stanzas of the poem, one to a page, are surrounded by an illustration of various types of old withered trees, covered in wildlife and woodland creatures, and the first letter is illuminated beautifully. All of the illustrations are beautifully detailed with many lovely sights to discover. Tiny little jewels. At the end of the book, the quotations which inspired the illustrations are included, along with a bit of information about the pictures.

I also finished The Broken Teaglass. An interesting read, which somehow didn't do something for me in the end, but I'm glad I read it.

ETA: Oh, I definitely quit reading Sword at Sunset and got rid of it. Not happening for me, but others may (and apparently do, from the ratings) like it.

>106 MrsLee: I love Pauline Baynes illustrations in the Narnia series, will probably look for this book in the library system. :)

EDIT: local system does not have this book, but I have requested it through ILL.

>106 MrsLee: My sister still has a copy of Bilbo's last song. I look at it whenever I'm back at my parents' house. I too love Baynes' illustrations.

Bilbo's Last Song sounds lovely.

I'm torn over what book to begin. Reading has been so difficult for me lately. Just settling down to it seems such a chore. It isn't a problem with the books, it is with me. My random choosing off of the shelves picked Running with the Bulls: My Years with the Hemingways by Valerie Hemingway. I will try it, and if it doesn't appeal, guess I'll pick another mystery to read. They seem to be satisfying me consistently this year.

>110 MrsLee: I am finding it hard to get good books this year. I have had a couple of good ones, but many run-of-the-mill ones too. Last year I had a great run of books, albeit not very many.

The Hemingway book is probably going to be a skimmer. The author is very snide. Possibly she has earned it over her years of dealing with the family, but it doesn't seem fair to take pot shots at them after they are dead.

>112 MrsLee: I don't care for snide books...why can't people just tell the story and stop playing games?

It was slow yesterday at work, I had my tablet there, so I began reading The Grey Mask, a Miss Silver mystery by Patricia Wentworth. I've yet to meet Miss Silver, and I'm at chapter 10, but I'm enjoying the story very much.

>114 MrsLee: Enjoying the story is the main thing. I am glad you have found something that is rewarding your reading effort.

Finished two books today, but not much energy to review them at the moment.
Notes of a Native Son, by James Baldwin. Excellent
The Grey Mask by Patricia Wentworth, satistfactory

Managed to finish in a skimming sort of way Running with the Bulls by Valerie Hemingway. I don't know. This book should have been fascinating, but it was rather a slog to get through. There were enough interesting parts in it that I kept reading, but I didn't enjoy it. Was it the tone of the author? For all her protestations that she loved the Hemingways, etc., she seemed bitter and snide (not without reason on the bitter part). Or is it simply that looking too close at the lives of even the most celebrated writers ruins the patina and we see how really mundane it is? Or do I simply not have enough love of Hemingway the writer to be fascinated by all the dirty little tidbits of his life? This is not told without compassion, the author did seem to see the family individuals for who they were and loved them in spite of it. Somehow her voice doesn't ring true for me though. She was so young when she went into a strange and compromising situation, then her relationship with Mary Hemingway, and later marrying Hemingway's estranged son. I don't know. It all seems bizarre and a bit twisted somehow.

I read the first chapter in The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza by Lawrence Block. It seems promising.

That does sound weird...especially marrying the son. Ew. Not in the least tempted to read it or Hemingway although I did look at his old house in Key West a long time ago.

I'm happy to see that you are reading some. That Baldwin book must have ripped your heart out, though. I had a similar experience when I started listening to Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I had to set it aside but I do plan to go back and finish it.

How have I never seen a copy of Bilbo's Last Song?

>117 MrsLee: I haven't read that particular Bernie, but I enjoyed the first couple of the series. Hope you'll have fun with this one!

>119 clamairy: You've described it exactly. But I would read it all over again. Well worth the heartache to feel that one has gained a bit of insight. :) I would like to read something he wrote later in his life, to see if he had any insights about whether or not things have progressed. My thought is, yes, and no.

I hadn't seen the Bilbo book until recently either!

>120 Jim53: I read an hour past bedtime last night, so something must be good, although I have a hard time rooting for a burglar.

>118 Bookmarque: Hemingway is an author I have loved some of, not so much all of, his works. I've actually only read two that I can think of, maybe a couple more, or maybe I just saw the movies. For Whom the Bell Tolls I read while I was still in high school. I remember being absolutely captivated, and devastated. The Old Man in the Sea I love.

Recovering from a root canal, so not feeling up to being creative twice. So, I'm simply posting my review of The Burglar who Studied Spinoza here.

Bernie Rhodenbarr owns a bookstore in New York City, but supplements his income with burglary. His good friend Carolyn, owns a pet grooming shop, and has become his partner in crime. When one of their burglaries becomes complicated by a corpse, Bernie must solve the murder before he goes down for it.

This had many enjoyable aspects. The characters were interesting, as were the details of the city. The plot was nicely complicated, and although I saw some of it coming, I did not see the whole picture, so that was refreshing. Nor did I feel the author pulled the solution out of his hat at the end. I have problems rooting for Bernie though. Burglary to me is highly invasive and violating, not something to be taken lightly, so my heart wasn't in it. I also did not like that Bernie planted some evidence to make sure his allegations took; and there were chalk lines where the corpse had lain. Something done for TV and movie effects, not in life. With these quibbles, I won't seek out any more of these books, but if one dropped in my path, I might read it because I enjoyed the telling of the tale.

I am not committed to my next read, although I have opened two books and dabbled in them.

I'm dabbling in three books. I know exactly how you feel about not wanting to commit.

How do books feel about being dabbled? Sounds insulting.

>122 MrsLee: I think a root canal is creative enough for anyone. I wish you a swift recovery.

>124 suitable1: They sort of enjoy it in the short run, but it leaves them with no lasting satisfaction. ;)

>125 pgmcc: Thank you. Today it feels like I got socked in the jaw, but I can function. I'm putting of any serious brain work another day though.

I may be watching too many Midsummer Murders though. When I came to the reveal in that mystery I started hearing the theme song in my head.

Dipping into And Four to Go by Rex Stout. A reread of many times, I needed to remind myself that a mystery can be lots of fun without being simple or cloying.

Hope you recover quickly and completely!

Finished And Four to Go last night. As enjoyable as ever.

I'm enjoying Just Plain Folks by Lorraine Johnson-Coleman, although taking it in small bits due to my lack of concentration/time.

Also reading The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker. This is my second book by Parker and I find him readable, in the way that Dick Francis is readable for me. In other words, his stories hold me, but do not compel me to rereads.

*waving hi in the midst of everything else*

I never found Parker to be that compelling of a read either.

I finished The Godwulf Manuscript, which was very disappointing if you expected to be immersed in medieval literature, or learn anything about illustrated manuscripts. That wasn't really why I bought this on Kindle. Having read and enjoyed one Robert B. Parker Spencer novel, I thought I would try a couple more. They are okay. About in line with Lee Child, a bit more witty and sarcastic, very much dated in the 1970s. Parker describes the clothing in all its lurid details, along with the hairdos and the lifestyles. Sex, drugs and rock n roll, baby!

My random pick off the TBR shelves brought me The Picnic and Other Inimitable Stories by Gerald Durrell. I'm looking forward to this!

>131 MrsLee: Nope. Wouldn't expect that series would appeal to you at all. Robert Parker is nothing like Rex Stout.

Better luck w/ the Durrell!

>132 jillmwo: There are a fair amount of mystery authors which I can read, but I don't collect their books. Agatha Christie, Tony Hillerman, Dick Francis, Dashiell Hammett and many of the other noir writers are among some of them. I think Robert B. Parker may be there as well, but I will have to read one more book to know for sure. As I say, the first one of his I read was pleasantly surprising to me, the second rather meh, but with interesting bits in it, so a third is required, but not any time soon. :D

By the way, the Durrell is terrific! One story had me laughing so hard my husband wanted to know if I was okay, several others have had some lol moments, but all are amusing.

I think you winged me with the Durrell. I just requested it from the library on the far side of the county, where there is more money and more books.

>122 MrsLee: & >123 Bookmarque: I dabble in books, and wine... (Cheese I take a little bit more seriously these days. Perhaps delve would be the proper verbiage.)

Hey, I'm so pleased you guys got to hang out in RL. It made me very happy.

>134 Jim53: I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

>135 clamairy: Someday, I hope we can dabble and delve into cheese, wine and books together! I still want to take you literary bar hopping in NYC.

I finished reading The Picnic and Other Inimitable Stories by Gerald Durrell yesterday. Delightful, and it ended with a very seasonal creepy, creepy story!

My intention is to begin reading Sharpe's Fortress by Bernard Cornwall, as my reading chair book, today. I realize it is third in the series, and somewhere in this house, my LT catalog tells me, I have the second installment, but I can't find it and this is the book my blind draw pulled from the shelves. I figure this one will tell me whether I like them or not, then I can do a proper search and fill in if I do. If not, I will be able to re-home 2 books!

Yesterday I began on my tablet at work I began, The Case is Closed by Patricia Wentworth. Liking it so far, if work gets busy, I may have to bring my tablet home.

The other book which is engaging me at this time is in the throne room. Just Plain Folks Lots of small stories of exactly what the title says, about everyday plain colored folks in rural South Carolina. Folk wisdom, insights into a life I am unfamiliar with, poignant and sad at times, yet also hopeful. Good stuff.

Also still addicted to Midsomer Murders. In the 14th season, and I love how they managed to keep an Inspector Barnaby when the original actor wanted to retire.

Finished The Case is Closed. These seem pretty formulaic, and the author repeats the details a lot. Other than that, the characters are usually fun, and so it is readable if you can skim when they become repetitive. I won't be seeking out more, but will probably read the ones I have. Miss Silver, the detective, is rather a nonentity. I don't know why the author has her there at all. The other characters seem to get most of the facts and such, Miss Silver doesn't make enough of a showing to have any impact. The reader isn't allowed to see her method or reasoning capabilities. I like to engage with the detective in a story.

I've read a couple westerns by Robert B. Parker and enjoyed them enough to keep. My 90yo father has discovered Parker's other works, and has highly recommended them, so I guess I'll try. He's burning through a couple books a week!

I tried a Gerald Durrell a couple years ago, but it just didn't grab me. I recall putting it down and rehoming it, a "did not finish" for me.

Mysteries have never been a favorite genre of mine, but I've learned to appreciate some of them as I have gotten older. I love Laurie R. King's Holmes & Russell books (for the most part), enjoy Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael stories, but what I really, really like are Stuart Kaminsky's Rostnikov books, set in Soviet Russia...he does a lot of character-building which is something I thoroughly enjoy.

And for light-hearted fun I recommend Spencer Quinn's "dog" mysteries.

>139 fuzzi: I think my dad would have liked the Spencer novels, too.

My mom also loved the Durrell book, but she said she hated the last story, as it was so creepy. I wonder, do you like P.G. Wodehouse, or other British humorists? Because that is the camp I place Durrell in, but that sort of humor isn't for everyone.

One of these days I will try a Kaminsky mystery. I think he is on my wishlist so I don't forget him. :)

Oh, I love Gerald Durrell's books! I get a kick out of how he skewers big brother Larry--you have to wonder what their relationship was like after both were published.

>141 Marissa_Doyle: He dedicated this book to his sister, saying she was such a good sport through all the lampooning he did of her. I see that brother Lawrence was a prolific writer as well. Hopefully he took it in good nature. :)

I made a start on The Green Man's Heir by Juliet E. McKenna yesterday. It seems to have much potential as an interesting story, but I'm only on chapter 2.

>143 MrsLee: I hope you like it. I am half way through at this stage. I am still enjoying it.

Hello MrsLee! Consider me stupefied. ;-P Ypu hve managed to touch on three of my favorite literary subject all in a matter of a few posts. And it has nothing to do with fantasy.

>131 MrsLee: I'm sorry to hear that The Godwulf Manuscript was a disappointment. Spenser definitely falls within the hard boiled P.I. genre. If you decide to read more, the series is known for its snappy dialogue and 'hard hitting' action. I have enjoyed reading spenser over the years and, given the author's death in 2010, the estate chose a terrific author, Ace Atkins, to carry the torch. Probably more than you wanted to know.

>137 MrsLee: Sharpe! I read a few of these in the wake of watching the entire tv series featuring Sean Bean.

>140 MrsLee: I am intrigued by the Durrell and took the opportunity to check out a sample The allusion to Wodehouse helped greatly.

>140 MrsLee: I think I tried a Jeeves story once, but it was so long ago that I don't recall anything about it. I do enjoy British humor.

I adore James Herriott's books.

>144 pgmcc: Kindle says I am 50% through as well. It's a smidgen more graphic in the sex arena than I prefer, but the episodes have been brief and few. It is missing the sarcastic smart-ass humor to make it one of my "preferred" authors, but so far an absorbing and good read.

>145 brodiew2: Heh, when I first came to this group, it was because I loved Tolkien and Lewis. Those were the ONLY fantasy authors I had read. Fantasy is still not my go-to genre, but I have discovered a few excellent authors who have enriched my life here. I did not realize that Sean Bean was in the Sharpe series. I may have to look them up and watch a few as I adore him.

>146 fuzzi: Well, as you know, we each have our favorites, and what appeals to one doesn't always appeal to another, even if we think it should! lol

I finished Just Plain Folks this morning. It was a good read. An insight into a culture I would otherwise have no opportunity to see. Although I don't plan a reread of it, I do plan to keep it for awhile to loan out. The first few stories didn't overwhelm me, but after that, the author hit her stride and the characters came alive. All of the stories were an interesting window.

My new book for the Throne Room is Buried in Books: A Reader's Anthology by Julie Rugg. A collection of antidotes about reading from readers throughout the ages, what's not to love?

>147 MrsLee: By coincidence Juliet will be at Octocon this weekend. The sex was more graphic than I thought it would be. I wonder if she lets her teenaged sons read her books. :-)

I am enjoying the story and I think she has spun enough false trails to keep me wondering.

71% at this stage.

>148 pgmcc: I'm slightly bogged down, but more due to life than the story. Hoping to finish it today. She seems to have taken a page from Jim Butcher's Dresden files, in that, her protagonist beats the biggest, baddest, baddie he can imagine in the first half of the book only to find out that it was only the tip of the iceberg.

After that, I want to start Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome on my Kindle. It's been there awhile, since reading To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. It got a push to the front yesterday when I was reading the intro to Buried in Books: A Reader's Anthology.

My life has become slightly more complicated since Thursday night when my mom had her third fall in a month. She is battling a UTI and it has made her weak. She has never injured herself falling before, but this time she fell on her nightstand and has a nasty bruise on her ribs, so she is in a lot of pain and unable to do much for herself. This means I need to be on hand to help her in and out of bed and such. She is a trooper though. Hoping this is temporary. The EMT personnel said nothing seemed to be broken. My sister is coming Monday evening to stay a few days and help. We need to put our heads together and reevaluate mom's care needs. So, readjustments ahead.

Oh no. I'm so sorry MrsL. I hope she heals and you can find a solution that works for all of you.

>149 MrsLee: I am sorry to hear about your mother's fall and the aftermath. I hope she gets over the pain soon and can be a bit more comfortable. I am sure she is very frustrated being a trooper and not able to do everything for herself. Thinking of you and yours.

>149 MrsLee: Oh ouch. I hope your mom feels better soon.

>149 MrsLee: owie! The UTI would be bad enough, but a fall, too? I hope she heals well from both!

Thank you all. I am really looking forward to my sister's arrival today to ease the pressure a bit.

I managed to finish The Green Man's Heir yesterday. I will be giving it a solid three and a half stars. That's a good rating from me. It means that the book was enjoyable with few hiccups, but I won't feel the need to reread it. The story was interesting, and the characters were too. I am a bit partial to anything about the Green Man, and I thought McKenna did a good job with his nature and what it might be like to interact with him. Also with the naiads and dryads, etc. A fun read, and I would probably read a second book if she decided to make this a series.

The only reason it didn't make it to four stars, is that it didn't make me laugh, I didn't fall in love with anyone (meaning I won't be longing to return to their company), and it didn't move my soul in any way. Actually, if it had managed to hit all of those points it would have been a five star, but there you are.

>154 MrsLee: I found it good entertainment fodder. I agree there was not much humour in it. I thought some of Dan's actions appeared a little out of character, but then again he was probably suffering under the influence of Lin whom we did not know was a wyrm at the time that he was being rude to his landlady.

I met Juliet at Octocon and mentioned that you said there was more sex in it than you were happy with. She said there was more sex in it than is normally in her books, but she did it deliberately to show that sex alone was not sufficient to save Dan's relationship with the girlfriend who dropped him.

She also said that she is busy on other projects until the end of the year and that she will be working on another Green Man novel in the new year.

I am going to post a picture of Juliet on my thread if you want to get a look at this woman that writes raunchy sex scenes to make a point. :-)

BTW - some Durrell brothers books are on sale -


The Zoo Memoirs
By Gerald Durrell

and

The Alexandria Quartet
By Lawrence Durrell

ebooks you can get wherever you like to get them. $4 for each set of books.

>149 MrsLee: I'm so glad your mother wasn't badly injured. My mother wound up going to the hospital after she had a fall, and died within a few days.

>157 fuzzi:, yes, that happend with my grandmother and is an ever present fear.

>155 pgmcc: I did get that aspect of the sex, but regardless, I am a prude in my reading. :P I'm glad you got to meet her, and that she is considering more Green man novels. There is much potential there.

>158 MrsLee: She said she had fun writing the book. It is quite different from her normal high fantasy.

Weird thing this. I am really enjoying the writing in Sharpe's Fortress, I like Sharpe himself and find much of it to be interesting very much against my will. The problem is, I'm not so interested in Colonialism or army battles as such. Maybe this is something I should try to watch instead of read right now. There are so many books calling out to me from my shelves to try and I kind of resent being pulled into this one. My reading time and energy is so small right now.

Problem is, do I save this to try again a few years down the road? I know I would have gobbled it down a few years ago, what's to say that the pendulum won't swing again and then I can enjoy it like it deserves? I am intrigued that it is historical fiction. I think I answered my own question there. I will save this and the other book in the series I have to try again in a few years. Really, that the author is able to make me read when I have such a resistance to the story says a lot IMO.

However, I need to move on for now. I want to read something by W. Somerset Maugham. In reading the book of reading quotes, I find it interesting to see how some of these authors felt about reading, and he is one whose quotes intrigue me. Another is Franz Kafka! Here is an excerpt of one of his quotes about why we should read books that upset us:

"A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us." I love that.

Cornwell is like that. Years ago I read a few of his and boy are they battle-heavy. I felt like I'd been in a war after some of them. The history is great and spot on, but damn. Let up with the blood lust already!

>160 MrsLee: The tv series is very good, and if you are a Bean fan, even better. there are nine or ten tv films, each taken from the book series original run, before Cornwell went back into Sharpe's past.

Hurray! I finished a book! I contemplated DNF several times, but always I would pick it up to read one more page before deciding, then find myself twenty or fifty pages along in the story. Saturday it grabbed me in earnest and I knew there would be no stopping. Sharpe's Fortress is a great time capsule to another time and place, although not for the feint of heart. The battles are described with gritty detail.

Having finished one book, I am having trouble committing to another. I began the short stories of W. Somerset Maugham, and the first, Rain, while being a good short story, didn't encourage me to tackle another right away. I think I need to break these up with novels in between. I've plucked Reading Lolita in Tehran off of my TBR shelf, but haven't opened it yet.

I feel your pain, sister. Hopefully you can peel off a few minutes and lose yourself in something. Hope the plan for you mom is progressing.

>165 Bookmarque: Thank you. We are plugging along and refining things. Sadly, after the second round of antibiotics, my mom still has an infection. It is really dragging her down physically, emotionally and mentally. I do have great support though, in her caregiver, my husband and siblings and the recent Home Health Care folks we have had.

I'm thinking I should put the Reading Lolita in Tehran off until I've actually read Lolita. I did dip into the first chapter, and it was encouraging. Not sure. My son and his wife are coming this weekend to visit the ailing old folks, so I don't know how much time I will have to make any decisions about reading.

ETA: The anthology, Buried in Books is every bit as delightful as I thought it would be. It's like hanging out here with lots of book lovers, saying the same comfortable things to justify our bookish habits, but lots of these folks are from the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s. Some modern ones as well for good measure. Not all of the quotes are positive, some sections of the book have negative things folks have said about bibliophiles, but we know that is just sour grapes.

I finished all the Midsomer Murders last night. So tonight will be the first in a good long while without the compulsion to watch the show. I'm not sure how that will feel, it has become such a habit to relax to in the evenings. I am going to give it a good soldier's try to only read in the evenings for awhile, and if I fall asleep in my chair, so be it.

I used to watch that when we had cable. Deadliest place ever.

Right now we're wrapping up the final season of The Americans. It's tense and I'm tempted just to sit downstairs today and watch the rest, but we're eking it out. Then it will be on to something else.

Not reading again. Not sure when I will start up.

We have had a horrific fire in my end of the state. A whole town devastated. People not only have no homes to return to, but they have no jobs to return to either. The latest death toll is 63 with over 600 people still missing.

I fell in the middle of the night last Friday and hit my mouth/nose on the edge of my wood desk. It isn't pretty, and it hurts quite a lot. I can't bring my brain to settle down and read, just want to zone out with the TV at night. I come home from work exhausted. The miracle is, I hit the desk on the edge, not on the corner, which might have killed me. Although I scraped my eyelid on something, I didn't injure my eye. So far as I can tell, my nose is either not broken, or only crunched a little at the bottom. My teeth are not injured and I didn't get a concussion. Really, I feel like I had a great escape. Doctor says I should mend well. Only one person has asked me about it, and he thought I had a cold. The bruise makes me look like I am sporting a lovely black mustache. None of the customers ask me about it.

Then of course the holiday is looming. I hope I can generate enough energy to do the dinner we all love to eat. My brother and his son will be joining us this year and I'm really looking forward to it, I'm just really, really tired. I've set my alarm for an hour later in the morning this week, because my head doesn't feel like exercising and I thought sleep would help. Been sleeping about 9 hours (minus the wake-ups to roll over) each night.

Anyway. My heart is sad. I don't want to read, but I want to cherish my family and all the blessings in my life, because one never knows when they could be gone in an instant.

>169 MrsLee: it's horrific, and my heart goes out to those who have survived, and those who have lost someone.

I'm making myself read lighter tone books in the evening to clear my mind so I can sleep.

I'm praying about your injury, and the cause of it as well.

>169 MrsLee:

The disaster in Paradise will put things in perspective for may people. One would not think that a modern town could be devastated so quickly and in such a horrific way. Living so close to it is bound to play on your mind. I have had moments of stunned anguish just thinking of the plight of the people of Paradise. Everything wiped out over night and losing friends and loved ones. The people of Paradise are in dire need of support and understanding.

It is always good to remember that we will not be able to support anybody if we do not look after ourselves. Take care of yourself. I hope you recover quickly. Having that fall will have given you personal moments of shock and anguish and it will be difficult to sort your own difficulties out in the context of a nearby disaster. Take the time to give yourself space and time to heal. You are not zoning out in front of the TV. You are in rehabilitation and you need to relax and recuperate. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery. Be gentle on yourself. Take care.

>169 MrsLee: Oh my goodness! I am sorry to hear of your fall and your injuries. I am praying there is nothing too serious. The fires are horrible and it is hard to comprehend the devastation they have wrought. I wish you well, MrsLee.

>169 MrsLee: I'm so sorry to hear about your fall, especially while (I assume) you're still tending to your mother. What with the fires in your area, the smoke, the evacuations, and everything, that has to be kind of overwhelming.

I passed a marker in my life a few years ago, when I fell and broke my arm: I realized that from then on I have to keep one part of my mind alert to the possibility of a fall and just be careful all the time. I am naturally lacking in physical grace to the point of clumsiness, and I have to make an effort to pay attention to potential hazards of every kind because a little bump or trip or stumble can amount to so much more now. So I'm with you on the caution and the sympathy.

It's been a reduced reading year for me too, as I've adapted to some changes in routine that have cost me significant reading time.

> Then of course the holiday is looming.

That is exactly what the holidays are doing now. I'm having trouble working up any enthusiasm. We are honoring Thanksgiving with a much-reduced menu that includes roasting a turkey breast and not a whole bird, with Stove Top (gasp!) stuffing on the side, enhanced with some added vegetables. The only thing that gets the full traditional treatment is the pumpkin pies. Before we eat, we each say what we're thankful for, and in this time of stress and widespread tragedy I think that's the part that means to most to me.

Wishing you strength, support, and a small stack of light, comfortable reading matter to see you through to the new year.

Sending you hugs for encouragement and healing.

Hugs. I echo what >171 pgmcc: said.

You have been in my mind since the fire started, it is in the news in Sweden every day (there's a lot of Swedes in California, so it does makes sense).

Thank you, all. Love you guys. Mark and I will be spending our 35th anniversary, which is on Monday, at a fundraiser for the Paradise sports teams. A spaghetti feed, with, I think, a silent auction. Anyway, we plan to show up, look it over and at least make a donation, then if the food is not appetizing and the crowd is huge, we will donate a sum and go out for a beer.

>173 Meredy: I think it especially took me by surprise because I have been very diligent at working on my balance every day in my yoga routines. Balance doesn't really help when your brain goes sideways.

I felt worse yesterday than I had, so I went to the Acute Care Clinic to make sure there was no significant damage. The PA examined, dithered a bit, then sent me for x-rays to be sure there were no broken bones. She said what I really should have was a CT scan, but it couldn't be done that day and she wasn't convinced it was necessary. The x-ray was clear. Nothing broken in the bones. Faces are amazing, the amount of damage they can withstand. Anyway, I was a bit nervous, so I called my niece, who is an emergency room nurse, and she relieved my mind by sending me some gross photos of what to look out for. Both she and the PA think I have a concussion and that I need to be patient with my healing because it should take some time. Sigh. Today, I looked in the mirror, and my eyes are starting to turn up bruised. I look a treat.

>176 MrsLee: if anyone comments on your face just tell them "the other guy looks worse"... :D

I’ve been wondering how you are. Sounds like you have a concussion. If so, you shouldn’t be reading anyway. Let your brain rest and heal.

The fires are awful. I hear horrific stories every day. Living where I do, I worry that this could happen to my town, especially with the density we are creating. There is no more defensible space between houses. Flames would carry very easily through my city. I’m sure the density was part of the issue in Paradise. Those poor people.

Take it easy, be gentle with yourself, and heal.

>176 MrsLee: Concussions are serious stuff, take care and take it easy. On the two occasions I’ve had one I was confined to bed on doctor’s orders, told not to engage or move my brain or I might suffer later in life.
Not reading seems like just what a doctor would prescribe.

>176 MrsLee: Oh no! I hope you heal quickly. And good luck with the fires. My family in your general area say the air quality is horrid and it's triggering their allergies.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, but glad your injury isn't major. Hope you can have a good time on Monday despite the worry. Heal fast!

Sending healing wishes your way, MrsLee. I hope you don't feel any worse and can enjoy your planned activities today.

The fires are getting extensive coverage here in the UK too. The loss of life and destruction are horrific and I feel for you and all who are affected in any way by this disaster.

Thank you.

My nausea kept increasing yesterday and so I finally went to the ER for a CT scan. Well, Mark took me. I needed to be sure. Happily, the scan showed no bleeding, but they did confirm concussion and I am to stay home from work the next 2 days with only light chores, lots of rest and minimum screen time. I took a book with me because I knew the waiting time would be long, but couldn't read much at all. Can't concentrate. When I got home, I sat in the dark most of the evening, went to bed at 8:30 and slept most of the night.

I managed to get three loaves of sourdough bread baked before I decided to call it quits yesterday morning. Will get the ground pork seasoned for the sausage dressing this morning. Hoping to get the bathroom cleaned and my plants watered. I will be happy if those three things get done today.

>183 MrsLee: I wish you a speedy recovery but fear your interpretation of light chores might be at variance with that if the doctor. Take it easy and get well soon.

>169 MrsLee: Einaaa! Much sympathy.

>183 MrsLee: What Pete said in #184. I can't help remembering the look of horror on the cardiologist's face in June/July when I suggested that "light chores" might include returning two boxes of books from my study floor to the Railway Society library up at Inchanga, and shoving some books (well actually quite a lot of books) around to make space for the newly tagged ones. He restricted me to loads of less than 4 kg (shock horror on my side), but maybe he had a point, at least for a while. So do what Pete says.

>184 pgmcc: & >185 hfglen: Thank you, it has been difficult and not difficult to adjust my activity level. My will gets me up to do something, and after about 10 minutes, my body/head say to go sit and close my eyes for about 20-40 minutes. There is no denying my head, because if I try, it feels sick. So, taking it easy. No worries.

>186 MrsLee: Hugs. Take care.

>186 MrsLee: please ease off, relax. I know it's hard, but we want you to get better!

MrsLee, concussions aren't to be trifled with. Take it easy.

Any updates @MrsLee?

I'm here, but only a little bit. Trying to stay away from screens for the most part. Am reading only a little. Eyes and head don't like it. I did go to work yesterday for a half day. Kept the lights off in my office, closed my eyes for about 5 minutes every hour. I did fairly well, but of course pushed it more than I should have. When I got home I slept for 2 hours, then went to bed at 8 pm and slept until my alarm went off. Crazy.

I think it is getting better, and I'm being very, very good. Have a doctor appointment on Wed. to follow up.

This was the first Thanksgiving in 30 years where I sat and told everyone else what to do. Last time I was trying not to have my first baby too early. This time my first baby was doing most of the work! We did have a great gathering, lots (too much?) of fun. My head didn't allow for much hilarity on my part, but I still sat in my chair with eyes closed and enjoyed listening to others.

May I just say here, for those of you who do not know, my husband is a saint and a wonderful man. He does everything around here so I don't have to worry about anything.

Also, thank you, each one of you, for the concern you have expressed. I miss interacting and playing in the pub. Hopefully things will be back to normal for me soon. They are better each day.

>191 MrsLee: Sorry to hear you are not fully recovered. It sounds like you have to switch off a bit more. We miss you but we will put up with your absence if it means you "GET WELL SOON!"

Thinking of you and hoping you get the chance to have the rest you need. Your husband sounds like a real angel. He sounds just like the one my wife has. :-)

Wishing you all the best.

>191 MrsLee: Holding my thumbs for you.

>191 MrsLee: thanks for checking in. As long as we know you're absent due to "taking it easy", we won't worry.

Saying a prayer for a complete recovery.

Glad you are starting to feel the positive effects of all the resting. Sending healing wishes your way and looking forward to having you back here as soon as you are well.

I think I am getting better! Yesterday I only felt that underlying nausea/dizziness in the morning, and although I didn't have much energy towards the end of the day, and did have several sit-downs throughout the day, I really felt much more like my old self.

Today, no bad feelings at all yet. I'm still resting a lot though. I am able to read though!

Focusing mostly on Reading Lolita in Tehran. Very interesting to read, although I'm having a heck of a time keeping track of her timeline and the people mentioned. I don't think it is all due to my head injury, either. I find the look into hearts and minds of a people utterly alien to me is fascinating. Also, I enjoy her insights into modern literature, even though I haven't read many of the works she focuses on. She describes her thoughts well enough that I can understand her points as they relate to her people and the world around her. For those of you who have read and appreciated modern literature, especially the works of Henry James, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Vladimir Nabokov and Jane Austen, I think this would be interesting as well, to see how those artists affect people from a completely different culture than what they thought they were writing for. It shows how really great novels appeal to the humanity of the readers, and the trappings of time and place take a back seat.

I've begun Versus by Ogden Nash, for something lite on the side.

So glad to hear things are improving. Don't do what I do, which is to decide that since things are somewhat better, I can forget all my restrictions.

I think I took a bullet on Reading Lolita. Pretty impressive shooting for someone not at her best.

I've been a little worried about you, lady, so this is wonderful news.

>197 Jim53: Thank you, I'm trying to be good! I did have two or three people in the pub specifically in mind when I was aiming. ;)

>198 Bookmarque: Thank you. :)

So glad you are better! Being able to read is a good sign you are out of the woods.

I'm so glad that you are feeling better!

As to Reading Lolita I got interested, but LT tells me I probably won't like it? I think my local library will get a visit from me. Half-bullet taken? *grin*

Ack, I'm so sorry I wasn't here to worry about you after you fell. :o( Not that it would make any difference to you, but I feel guilty for not being here anyway. I do hope you're almost back to normal.

Is the mustache all faded I hope?

>201 Busifer: I don't know. The library may be a good way to go. I like her insights into the novels she discusses. Not just from a feminist point of view, but from a revolutionaries point of view and a culturally oppressed person's point of view. I wonder what all the authors, Jane Austen especially would have thought about what their books mean to these people? Then there are the insights into the whole modern history (from 1970 forward) of Iran, the people and the politics. She was one of the people who wanted the change, then to see the change go from what the original revolutionists had in mind to something they never dreamed of. It's interesting. Also sad and angering when she speaks of how women are treated now. There is a whole lot in it, but I can't say it has gripped me and won't let go. Her style is like reading a person's random memories, not linear. Or at least not to me. I think perhaps that with each author's section, she covers the same time period?

>202 clamairy: Silly lady. I knew you would be worried about me if you knew what was going on, so that's fine. lol I am better each day. Still so very tired, and achy bones, but that may be due to the season change and not the fall. Sadly, I am having a heckuva time getting back to my exercise routine. Sigh. The face is mostly back to normal, except for the cut at the bottom of my nose, not very visible. Any remaining mustache I'm afraid is my own, which I can begin plucking again to keep in bounds, now that the soreness is almost gone from my upper lip. :)

I spent about 40 minutes this morning trying to get a photo from my phone onto LT in the right position, instead of sideways. Why aren't these things easier? Anyway, I did manage it. It is my new profile photo. A Merry Christmas book-pile.

>203 MrsLee: I've had the same sideways phone photo issues with LT. I end up emailing the photo to myself and uploading from my PC or laptop.

I'm glad you're mostly mended. Scary though. Falling frightens me. I took two tumbles this year and landed on the same knee both times. The second time I was wearing shorts and now have a lovely scar. 😁

>203 MrsLee: I think that might be interesting, even if it's not the most entertaining, well written or well structured piece. I meet Iranian women who lives in Sweden through work, and their stories provides insights I wouldn't had come by in any other way. It's from that perspective that Reading Lolita in Teheran interests me.
But what you writes definitely marks it as a library book: nothing I need to own.

Thanks.

For the rotated picture thing - in your phone, edit to crop or rotate. You don't have to do it much, a little used to do the trick. Then the picture is aligned for posting online. I forget why it gets screwed up...something in the html language I think.

>206 Bookmarque: I practiced some more today. When I am on LT on my phone, I can only upload an image by taking a photo then with the phone. I can't seem to upload an image already on my phone. Also, there is no way to edit the photo I take. I only get the option of OK or Retry. Possibly because my phone is an Android and not an Apple? Anyway, at least I know that I either have to do it from my PC, or hold my phone sideways to get the correct shot. :)

Possibly there are other things, but I don't do so many images here that I worry about it. Usually I grab them from my FB uploads, which is easy enough when I'm on my PC, but not on my phone.

Speaking of which, I really need to buckle down and finish this book I'm in. If I do, I will have read a total of 50 books this year. Unheard of for me; half of what I normally read. Still, 50 is a nice number and it would be a shame to only get 49.

So great to hear you are feeling better!

I finished Reading Lolita in Tehran yesterday. I had to do it by reading, closing my eyes for awhile, then reading again, but I got it done!

I began reading The Children of Men by P. D. James. Somewhat interesting, I am intrigued, but I wish it were a little more exciting instead of first person narrative, which then switches to narrator and is all very scholarly and removed. Pretty sure that is significant to the plot though.

Tried to begin The World Until Yesterday by Jared Diamond. The premise is good: What can we learn from traditional societies, but I'm afraid my brain can't handle that much scholarly insight into the subject. I think a well-written article would do me well. I skimmed it, dipping in and out, and will pass it on.

Diamond tends to beat his points to death, marching them forward, relentlessly.

>209 MrsLee: I think I had the same problems with The Children of Men. It was a D.N.F. for me. My recollection is that I just got bored with it. This comment is in "spoiler" brackets so that I do not inadvertently influence your thoughts on the book while you are still reading it.

I have the Jared Diamond book and Guns, Germs and Steel. I have not read either of them and your comments are noted.

I am glad to hear you got through Reading Lolita in Tehran and took it easy. A bit of shut-eye can be really refreshing.

Hey... I loved both of the Jared Diamond books that I finished. (Which were Guns, Germs and Steel and The Third Chimpanzee.) I still haven't finished Collapse because I got really depressed by the Easter Island bit. :o(

I'm glad you're reading without too much distress, Lee.

>209 MrsLee:, >211 pgmcc: The film adaptation of The children of men with Clive Owen was good, as I recall. Of course, mostly I recall Clive Owen ;-)

>213 Sakerfalcon: In all honesty, that's why I'm reading the book. I haven't seen the film yet, and didn't want to until I read the book, but I do enjoy watching Clive Owen.

>210 Bookmarque: & >212 clamairy: I think that 10 years ago the Jared book would have been no problem. Now I looked at its width (as formidable as a Brandon Sanderson), and the repetitious scholarly presentation, and decided there wasn't enough reading time in my life left. As I skimmed, I found that I was familiar with most of the premises, so didn't weep to let it go. It did make me want to watch The Gods Must be Crazy again though. :)

>214 MrsLee: oh, my. I loved The Gods Must Be Crazy, have watched it several times.

I'll need to find a copy...

>214 MrsLee: >215 fuzzi: Ah, Leon Schuster, that great Sarf Efrican export. Actually, I didn't think his humour travelled.

Another The Gods Must be Crazy fan here. :) I ran across it as a teenager and laughed my head off. I watched it several more times as a teen, and then re-watched it as an adult maybe a year ago. My mom was visiting, and something made me think of it. She claimed she had never watched it, so I rented it. She fell asleep probably within 10 minutes, and somehow slept through all my laughter. :)

>214 MrsLee: I thought his humor very endearing. My whole family adores that film, and also the one about animals whose title has slipped my mind.

I finished The Children of Men last night. I'm not ready to review. My first inclination is two and a half stars. Why so low? Probably the wordiness and the lack of personality of the main characters. It was a very distant view of what seemed to be a passionate story. The idea of there being no more children in the world is very intriguing, but I'm not sure the author's ideas of what would happen were completely plausible? Since they were her ideas, I can't really argue, but my ideas differ (or maybe my hopes?). Still, the premise intrigued, and I suppose I was just hoping that something would happen. When it did, it was rather a small fizzle and not mind blowing.

Next up is Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch. I have hopes of an interesting and possibly gripping read.

>219 MrsLee: Have you watched The Children of Men movie? It differs quite a bit in the details but the main premise remains. The film is more of a wild ride than the book and worth a watch if you have not yet seen it.

>219 MrsLee:

Your comments on The Children of Men reassure me I was right to abandon that novel.

>220 ScoLgo: I have not. I may give it a watch sometime, but not right away.

(I had to google Clive Owen. Even after that, I have no idea who he is, as I have not watched anything he has done... Sometimes the world is small; sometimes it is huge!)

>223 Busifer: I liked him in the Bourne Identity and King Arthur. I don't think I've seen any of his other movies. Perhaps not your typical hottie, but something about him pleased me or I wouldn't have remembered his name! I think I must have seen him in another type of spy thriller with a woman, but I can't remember the name of it, and I might be thinking of someone else. After all, there are a few movies with that description out there. ;)

>223 Busifer:, >224 MrsLee: He was great in Gosford Park.

>223 Busifer: I have only seen a few films starring Clive Owen. For me, I liked him best in The Children of Men. Of course, Julianne Moore is also in that, as is Michael Caine, so the other cast members also kicked it up a few notches in my estimation.

In all honesty none of the above mentioned films are on my list; I tend to watch either indie films (I'll watch anything Jim Jarmush has had a hand in) or blockbuster mega-movies a la MCU, Star Wars, and the like. Which explains why I had no idea who he is ;-)

This has not much to do with reading, but it amused me, and you are some of the only friends I have who might appreciate it, so.

My great-niece, six years old, came for a visit on the weekend. She is one of those people who take forever to eat the minuscule amount of food which is on her plate. She isn't picky so much, just not in any hurry. So, while we were waiting for her (and my mother) to finish their dinner, she decided we should discuss unicorns, her current favorite animal. I am not much up on unicorns of the traditional variety because they involve too many pastel colors and glittery sparkles. Apparently, they live on clouds. Finally I contributed the narwhal. This, after her mother found a photo of one on her phone (phones are not typically allowed at the dinner table, but when auntie Lee brings up narwhal, an exception was made) which raised said great-niece's eyebrows, and now she is thrilled that there are also unicorns in the sea for the mermaids.

Anyway, dinner was got through, as was the visit, which was full of cookie-baking, Christmas decorating, seeing the lights in town, etc. Then they went home.

Yesterday I sent my niece this text: "It occurs to me that I could have told Nora that my favorite animal, the dragon, likes princesses too, similar to the unicorn. Only mine likes them for dinner: roasted medium-rare."

She responded: "Are you sure you should be around small children?"

:D

:D

I wish discussions at our table were whimsical like that. Presently our discussions involve human migratory patterns 4000 years ago and how they affect the present, the political situation that led to WWI, and the differences between various versions of tanks...

>228 MrsLee: 🤣

LOL Great story!

I should have answered my niece with: "I love small children! They are crunchy, yet tender." The old brain doesn't think as quickly as it used to.

>232 MrsLee: :D

>228 MrsLee: love it! "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings..."

>228 MrsLee: HAHA!

Didn't Stephen King say something like "I have the heart of a small boy. I keep it in a jar on my desk." ?

>232 MrsLee: One of my favorite things to tell people when they first bring their children over and meet our great dane is, "Don't worry about the dog. He loves children. In fact, he thinks they're delicious."

Most people get the joke right away but there have also been a handful of priceless reactions. Not everyone gets my sense of humor... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

>237 ScoLgo:
he thinks they're delicious

Fried or boiled?

Raw maybe?

Was it Oscar Wilde who said "I love babies, but I couldn't eat a whole one"?

>240 Sakerfalcon: I have seen it attributed to him.

The "Fried or boiled?" question is from a W.C. Fields film in which his character uses it.

In relation to Oscar Wilde's sayings, I read an account that stated that Oscar was wont to repeat some things that he heard rather than use only things he had thought of himself. The article recounted an incident in which Oscar overheard some clever expression and said, "I wish I had said that." One of his friends consoled him by saying, "Do not worry, Oscar; You will!"

I knew my friends here would understand me. :D

>241 pgmcc: I remember that from a Monty Python sketch about Oscar Wilde...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxXW6tfl2Y0

>237 ScoLgo: and >241 pgmcc: and >242 MrsLee: Was it Philip K. Dick who said that he had the heart of a small child (and kept it in a jar on his desk)? I can't recall the who -- just the joke.

I think it was Mr. King. See >236 Bookmarque:

>232 MrsLee::D

I finished two books yesterday!

Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch, a great addition to the series with much potential towards the future stories. It was a relief to me, since the last book had been filled with succubus sex scenes, to have this story be a straightforward mystery, no sex. He introduced a couple of new characters, and I hope they make appearances in the future.

Also finished Versus by Ogden Nash. His poetry is great fun if you like to play with words and meanings of words.

Picked up one of my top five books which are REALLY THICK to read. It was one which I was sure would hold my interest, because that is fragile at the moment and I want to keep reading. I almost started the next in the Aaronovitch series, but thought I would enjoy a change of pace. I am enjoying the book I decided to read, Lone Cowboy by Will James. His illustrations of cowboy life are lovely, and his prose is very readable.

Hmmm. I DNF'd the second Aaronovitch book. Maybe I'll give it another try.

>248 Jim53: I think it might be worth trying.

>247 MrsLee: I loved Will James' book Smoky as a child, but even more so as an adult read. His sketches were delightful.

I also love Ogden Nash, and can still quote several of his shorter works that I memorized in my youth.

"The panther is like a leopard..."

>250 fuzzi: ... except it hasn't been peppered.
If tou see a panther crouch
Prepare to say Ouch.

>250 fuzzi: I read Smoky a few years ago. I have Home Ranch as well. Cowboy writings are one of my favorite genre.

>251 haydninvienna: Indeed.

I began The Amulet of Samarkand last night as well. I believe Narilka shot the final bullet for that which hit its mark. It is pleasant for a holiday book which can be dipped into while waiting for company to arrive, or the timer to ring. This is the first time in at least six months I have felt the desire to be reading more than one book at a time. I used to juggle 5 or 6 at a time. It feels great just to be reading with a desire again.

>252 MrsLee: YAY! It's good when that feeling comes back :) I hope you enjoy the book.

I wish all of you who celebrate a Merry Christmas, and those of you who do not, may you have a lovely day.

I am sitting in my livingroom, with a cup of coffee and a shortbread cookie. In the Spirit of Christmas, apparently, both of my cats are curled up on my lap. These two are not usually that close to each other. The Christmas lights are twinkling on my book tree, in my crystal cabinate and in the little Victorian mouse scene. Everyone else is still in bed. Lovely quiet. Now to pick up my book.

>251 haydninvienna: better yet, if called by a panther...
...don't anther!

And I will bet
A silk pyjama
There isn’t any
Three-l llama.

>252 MrsLee: if you like cowboy books, check out Glenn Balch and Thomas Hinkle. And also try Mary O'Hara's books about ranching in Wyoming. Two of her better-known books were made into movies: My Friend Flicka and Thunderhead, though the books were much better.

>256 haydninvienna: bwahahaha!

I like you...

>258 fuzzi: Thanks, I like you too. I’m a few thousand miles away from my copy of the Collected Verse from 1929 on, else we could keep this up all day. And so we bid farewell to Mr Sponsoon ...

Sounds magical, MrsL. I hope you, Mark and the rest of your family have a peaceful and joyful day.

Merry Xmas, Mrs Lee!

>260 Bookmarque: Thank you, and the same for you and Ken and your family.

>261 littlegeek: Thank you Karen!

>258 fuzzi: and >259 haydninvienna: My favorite is The Tale of Custard the Dragon.

>254 MrsLee: Merry Christmas, @MrsLee.

I hope you and the family have a lovely time.

>254 MrsLee: Merry Christmas!

All: Christmas morning in England. Blessings to all, and a wonderful day.

>254 MrsLee: Merry Christmas. :)

Merry Christmas!

It is so great getting that desire for reading going. I felt only half human before I found it again, and it is so good to hear that you're back to yourself!

Thank you all, now we move on to Boxing Day. A day which I have never understood. In my young mind, when I first heard of it, I thought it was the day all the little children in England fought over their gifts. Or perhaps a day when when there were boxing contests all over England. I thought the two great sports of England must be cricket (a mysterious event, charmingly named) and boxing. It was years before I learned that Boxing Day had nothing to do with fisticuffs. Anyway, Happy Boxing Day to those of you who have one. Alas, I must be off to work.

Wishing you the best for the festive season and for the coming year.

>268 MrsLee: We have it, but it's now called something else, at least officially. I agree on the first impression, long ago dispelled by drunken bin men and others going house to house demanding "Klismus bokkis".

A belated Merry Christmas to you and your family, @MrsLee! I hope you've had a wonderful time and that you found some great new books under the tree.

>270 hfglen: A sort of adult "trick or treat" is it? I have put cookies out for the mail deliverer and the garp men, and lots of people give the newspaper delivery person a tip at this time of year.

>271 Sakerfalcon: Thank you. :) This year was more of a joke on me for gifts. Unintentionally of course. One son (really his wife, because he delegated) got me slipper socks which I can't wear due to the fact that I need to wear proper shoes at all times for foot pain. A whole box of them. The other son got confused on my Amazon wishlist and chose something for me which was on my daughter-in-law's list. It was pretty funny. No books. Husband came through with two gifts I told him to get for me. A banana tree and a bottle of Frangelico liqueur. No worries on the book end, because I tend to gift myself with those whenever I want one.

I told my kids that what I love most about our Christmas morning is sitting together and opening gift-wrapped boxes. It's the visiting and watching them laugh together that makes me happy.

No books? Oh no!

Yay for saving the day; a banana tree - we need that. Although, in this climate, the bananas may end up falling off by themselves.

>273 humouress: :D I wanted one so I would have leaves handy to cook in. I don't think it will produce bananas in this climate, but I have hopes it will survive. Fingers crossed.

>272 MrsLee: well, maybe a homeless shelter could benefit from the slipper sock mistake.

I put books on my Amazon wish list. I got a Prince Valiant (yes!) which was nice. I usually prefer to pick my own books.

>274 MrsLee: Oh; by banana tree you meant banana tree? I thought you meant one of these:

>274 MrsLee: you’re somewhere in Northern California, I think. FWIW, I believe that someone a few miles from here (southern England) not only had a banana tree survive but had some fruit from it.

>276 humouress: LOL! Yes, I bought a red banana tree (Musa Ensete Maurel II) is what the label said.

>277 haydninvienna: There is hope! I know there is at least one other banana tree in town because it grows over a fence in a backyard we drive by occasionally. Always tempting me to stop and steal some leaves which hang over. It isn't a good part of town, or I might overcome my introversion and go to the front door to ask if I could have one. :P Our part of California is in the Sacramento Valley. We get snow once about every 10 years, and not much at that. About 30 years ago we had 2 feet of snow, but that was quite the anomaly. Sometimes it freezes here, but usually not hard or for a long period of time. Again, I can remember once in the 35 years we have lived here that it froze hard (minus zero) for about 2 weeks. That might do my banana in, but I've read that if the base is well mulched with leaves or straw they can survive.

I bought a red banana tree (Musa Ensete Maurel II) is what the label said.

Is it just the skin or is the whole banana red?

I think it is named that because the leaves are red and green. Where is Hugh when we need him?

>280 MrsLee:

Should make an unusual Christmas tree next year!

>280 MrsLee: According to Wikipedia, the fruit of the red banana is reddish-purple and the flesh is sweeter than that of the common Cavendish banana. I seem to remember that the Elephant’s Child took with him a bunch of bananas, “(the little short, red kind)”, when he went adventuring on the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River.

>282 haydninvienna: love that story, the whole book, though especially The Cat That Walked By Himself.

>283 fuzzi: All being well, I still have somewhere a rather battered copy of the first edition, with Kipling’s own illustrations. He was a pretty good artist.

Now I'm feeling really bad for Hugh. He told me he is having trouble with the chat feature on LT, although he can read the comments. >282 haydninvienna: has now mentioned the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River. It must be killing Hugh not to be able to participate. :(

>285 MrsLee:. Oh dear. Sorry Hugh.

ETA: Actually, I thought he’d been a bit quiet but assumed he was preoccupied with Christmas.

Well an actual tree is a much more exciting present. Although I understand that a banana tree only has fruit once, so you have to start again after it produces bananas. But if you only want it for leaves, that's not such an issue, I suppose.

>285 MrsLee: Hugh might find this thread of interest, if he hasn’t seen it already: https://www.librarything.com/topic/301071#

>287 humouress: A banana “tree” is actually a big herb. The shoots come up each year from a perennial rootstock and produce a bunch of fruit. The bunch gets cut down and the “tree” dies, but you get a new shoot next year.

Incidentally, the leaf bases of the old leaves tend to surround the growing shoot with a lot of inflammable trash.

As far as I remember, fruit flies do not like a banana: the skin is too thick. But if you have any large winged creatures that like fruit (in Queensland that meant flying foxes, which are big fruit-eating bats) expect to lose a good deal of fruit.

Disclosure: we used to grow bananas in the back yard in Brisbane. Delicious!

Whee! Thanks to >285 MrsLee: and >288 haydninvienna:, I'm back in business! I have a "ladyfinger" banana plant in the garden, which fruits regularly (each time from a different sucker). >289 haydninvienna:, the creatures don't have to be winged. We have vervet monkeys in our suburb, and normally lose all our fruit to them.

I had wanted to suggest to Richard that anybody who can quote The Elephant's Child so convincingly can only be a natural resident of our Pub!

>290 hfglen: welcome back, Hugh! And thank you for the last sentence—you’ve made my night!

Our bananas were “ladyfingers” too. Smaller and sweeter than the usual Cavendish.

Thank you, Richard! I had wanted to suggest to Lee that red bananas -- at least the ones in Durban Bot. Garden -- stand only about hip-high and have bright red bracts (as opposed to Ladyfingers, which are about twice-man-high and have purple bracts).

>292 hfglen: Never seen bananas with red bracts. The bracts on ours were purple too, and so are those on the plantation bananas around Coffs Harbour in New South Wales (where the Big Banana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Banana is).

Musa ornata, red banana, in Durban Bot. Garden, 2006.

This is confusing. There are apparently red bananas with red bracts, pinkish leaves and inedible fruit, and red bananas that have purple bracts, green leaves and highly edible fruit. Both are called red bananas. So that’s all clear now, right?

Just in case you aren't confused enough, I've been thinking of the dear friend (alas now deceased) who gave us our ladyfinger banana. And promised us a plantain (cooking) banana from his garden when we were properly settled. And that reminded me of a very good lecture I once listened to about banana varieties in Uganda. Apparently the have innumerable strains of cooking bananas, eating bananas and brewing bananas, none of which are stable enough to be named. In particular, the difference between cooking bananas and brewing bananas is due to a single gene, which is inclined to turn itself on or off randomly (sounds a bit like the LT problem I had earlier).

I’m glad that’s all sorted then! I see plantains in the supermarkets in Doha, but I’ve never tried cooking them.

We don't have flying varmints, unless they be birds. We have squirrels, raccoons and opossums, so I doubt I will be able to get the fruit if there is any.

Glad to see you back in action, Hugh!

One of (the few) benefits of a very northern garden is that there's no slugs or snails, and no rodents; standard pests in all more southern Swedish gardens.
No slugs or snails because they can't winter. Of rodents there are plenty but there's also plenty predators, flying and walking, and so while our cabin is in the middle of farmland I've never seen traces of mice or rats, and the beaver don't eat what we plant ;-)
Neither do the otter. Or the fox.

On the down side most things that others takes for granted can't survive up there. We've contemplated planting an apple tree but odds are 50/50 for survival. Some things lives a couple of years, and then there's an extra dire winter and everything dies.

Dire in this case is a winter with bouts of mild weather. Then it's first cold and snowy, and then thawing, and then cold again. The ground gets covered in hard layers of ice, and everything dies.
A good winter consistently has temperatures at or below -10 deg C all way through, and reasonable amounts of (insulating) snow :)

(I'm a bit envious of any kind of banana "tree", plantain or not!)

>299 Busifer: That kind of severity would test the skills and patience of the most dedicated gardener!

Yesterday my daughter gifted me with this apron.

>301 MrsLee: That is awesome!

>301 MrsLee: Absolutely epic!

>301 MrsLee: Lucky you!

I hope you had a happy and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year's! I hope you enjoyed the Amulet of Samarkand. I'm always impressed by the breadth of your reading.

>301 MrsLee: wow wow wow...

>301 MrsLee: Very nice!

>301 MrsLee: That is very cool!

Thank you all. She had a vendor on Etsy make it. Ordered the color of dragon for me. Daughter says she can't believe how many "serpenty" dragons there are out there. She is well aware of my shudder response to serpents. I'm thinking about getting another one for myself in a different color.

>305 Karlstar: So far it is fun. Probably won't seek out the next one though.

The apron is wonderful! What a perfect gift.

>305 Karlstar:, >309 MrsLee: I thought books 2 and 3 of the Bartimeus trilogy were several degrees better than the first one (which I enjoyed).

>311 MrsLee: I finished the first last night. Stayed up 2 hours past my bedtime to do so, so I must have enjoyed it. Think I will revise my statement above to; if I come across them at a reasonable price, I may try another. One issue for me was that the two main characters annoyed me. I can see how that might change in future novels though.

Sadly, the mouse on my main computer seems to have died in the night. Something beyond a dead battery. I've ordered a new one, but it won't arrive until the3rd, so no year end wrap ups for me until then. Typing on my tablet with one finger is tedious.

Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, as it means more reading than updating and fooling away my time.

Happy New Year to all!

Hippo Gnu Ear!

>312 hfglen: Thank you!

It took me all day yesterday, but I finally finished Lone Cowboy. This is a mythical story of the author's life. A romance in the original meaning of the word. I believe that he used some of his experiences, and perhaps some of the stories he heard told by other cowboys to come up with a book of adventure. Especially for his early life. I was disappointed when I learned that, but when I accepted him as a storyteller, I sat back and enjoyed the story. I enjoyed it to a point. I don't think I would much care to be his friend (too much justifying of wrongs on his part, but not much forgiving wrongs of others), and I certainly wouldn't trust him.

I will wrap up this thread and start my new one when I can use my desk computer again.

I wrapped up my statistics from 2018, for what they are worth.

Year End Counts:
Mystery: 15
Fantasy: 5
Fiction: 17
Western: 1
Graphic Novel:
Drama: 5
Children: 3
eBook: 7
Audio: 1
Short Stories: 2
Novelette:
Scifi: 2
Comics:
Humor: 1
Poetry: 3
Pamphlet:
YA: 2
Cookbook: 2
Reread: 2
DNF: 5
Fiction: 38
Nonfiction: 18
Total: 56

Ratings:
Loved it, will probably reread, definitely keep***** 8
Liked it lots, will recommend, possibly keep to loan**** 11
Liked it, will probably not keep*** 31
Didn't like it, but others might** 5
Hated it, probably didn't finish, would like to shred*

Stats:
56 books read, 38 fiction, 18 nonfiction
33 by men, 21 by women, 01 combined male and female, 01 Anonymous
30 by authors I’ve never read before
48 physical books, 01 audio, 07 ebooks
Oldest writing was by William Shakespeare(in 1600s), oldest physical books from 1935 (Seven League Boots).
Oldest illustrations (1911) by Beatrix Potter.

Not counting ebooks, audio books or rereads
Books Retained After Reading : 25
Books Discarded: 18

Average date of original book published: 1921
Average date of book I read published: 1998

Other than the fact that I read half as many books as I usually do, and almost half of them were nonfiction (I usually read about 1/3 nonfic to fiction), there are not a lot of surprises here for me.

Let's see what 2019 has to offer!