Joanne (coppers) Tries Again in 2018 - Part 2

Happy Easter, Happy springtime! And welcome to my second thread!

Here are some spring pansies from a year or two ago. There’s nothing flowering in my yard this early but I have managed to keep the rabbits from eating too many of my perennials as they come up. Once again, though, they have eaten nearly all of my phlox. :(



And Boomer kitty was feeling left out so here’s my sweet girl. She’ll be six next week.

Memorable books of 2017:

Favorites:
1. Old Filth Trilogy (Old Filth, The Man in the Wooden Hat and Last Friends by Jane Gardam
2. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
3. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
4. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
5. Commonwealth by Anne Patchett
6. Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
7. Sudden Sea by R. A. Scotti
8. The Blue Hour by Laura Pritchett
9. Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
10.The Tsar of Love And Techno by Anthony Marra

Most disappointing:
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Most entertaining:
Michael Connelly’s Bosch series

2018 Reading List:

JANUARY 2018
1. Cover Her Face by P.D. James OTS#1, 3.5 Stars
2. One Who Saw by A. M. Barrage OTS#2, 3.5 stars
3. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder OTS #3, 4.5 stars
4. Thornhill by Pam Smy 2 stars
5. Fools Crow by James Welch OTS #4, 4.25 stars
6. A Mind to Murder by P.D. James 3.5 stars

FEBRUARY 2018
7. Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff
8. Fox 8 by George Saunders 5 stars
9. The Poet by Michael Connelly 3.5 stars
10. American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee OTS #6, 5 stars
11. This is the Place: Women Writing About Home by Margot Kahn 4.25 stars
12. Mrs Miniver by Jan Struther OTS #7, 4 stars

March 2018
13. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen OTS #8, 5 stars
14. The Long Arm of the Law by Martin Edwards 3 stars
15. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 4.5 stars OTS #9
16. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (reread) 4.5 stars OTS #10
17. The Country of Pointed Firs by Sarah Orene Jewett 4 stars OTS #11
18. Persuasion by Jane Austen 4.5 stars OTS #12
19. White Houses by Amy Bloom

April 2018
20. Have Dog, Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto 5 Stars
21. The Closers by Michael Connelly OTS #13 3.75 stars
22. River of Darkness by Rennie Airth OTS #14 4 stars
23. Tin Man by Sarah Winman OTS #15 4.25 stars
24. Planet of the Blind by Stephen Kuusisto 4.25 stars

May 2018
25. A Higher Loyalty by James Comey 4.5 stars
26. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison 4.5 Stars
27. Crusoe’s Daughter by Jane Gardam OTS #16 4.5 stars
28. Daytripper by Gabriel Ba 4 stars
29. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah OTS #17 3.75 stars
30. The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths 3.75 stars

June 2018
31. The Blood-Dimmed Tide by Rennie Airth 4 stars
32. Echo Park by Michael Connelly OTS#18, 4 stars
33. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman OTS#19, 3.5 stars
34. Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Slade OTS#20, 5 stars
35. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara OTS#21, 4 stars
36. The Overlook by Michael Connelly OTS#22, 3.5 stars
37. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi OTS #23

>1 Copperskye: What a sweet little face! Meow!

https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/management/osprey-camera/



Last one. If anyone is interested, I’ve attached a link to Boulder County’s Osprey Cam which is set up north of Denver at the fairgrounds. There is a nesting pair setting up housekeeping. The female just showed up last night and chased away another female who was moving in on her nest and her mate. This pair have apparently had previous successful breeding years and the regular watchers are thrilled that she returned. They are kind of fun to watch as they build up the nest and bring in fish. The camera set up is great and there is sound, too. So great views of a handsome pair!

>5 thornton37814: Thanks Lori! She is a sweetie!

Happy Easter! Happy Spring! Happy New Thread!

Aw, Boomer! She is a sweetheart! Give her a skritch behind her ears for me.

>6 Copperskye: Very cool!

Happy Easter! Happy new thread! Lovely pansies and lovely kitty :)

Happy New Thread and Happy Easter, Joanne. Such a sweet picture of Boomer. Lovely kitty!

Happy new thread, Joanne!
>6 Copperskye: Thanks for the osprey link, went over immediately to watch.
It is a bit strange, over here it is afternoon, to see live a bird in the morning sun.

Happy new one, Joanne! Boomer is looking very elegant in that photo - what a beauty!

Happy new thread!

Happy Spring! Happy Early Birthday Boomer!

Thank you for sharing the bird cam link. I love those things!

Happy new thread!
>1 Copperskye: What a beautiful kitty!

Happy new thread, Joanne. You have read some great books so far this year! What a pretty kitty!

Happy new thread!

>8 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary and I will! Beautiful warm spring day today - but, oh, that wind!

>9 RebaRelishesReading: >10 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Reba and Deborah, I hope you both had a lovely Easter!

>11 FAMeulstee: I love checking on the ospreys, Anita. It’s always a bit of a shock to actually see the different time of day happening on the other side of the world, even when you certainly know that that is the case. I sometimes check the webcam at the beach we visit in Hawaii and if I look too early in the day, it’s still night there.

>12 Crazymamie: Thank you, Mamie!

>13 drneutron: Thanks Jim!

>14 PaperbackPirate: Thanks Pirate, me too!

>15 ChelleBearss: >16 BLBera: >17 mstrust: Thanks Chelle, Beth, and Jennifer!

19. White Houses by Amy Bloom

This is an historical fiction novel about the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and the journalist, Lorena Hickok, told from Lorena’s perspective. I’m of two minds about this one. I loved the first half about Lorena’s childhood and her brief time at the circus. The second half, though, which is really more about the secretive affair between the two women and as such, the heart of the book, seemed to drag a bit. But Bloom’s prose is gorgeous and I really did have a good time googling characters to see if they were real and learning more about them if they were. Well worth a read and a quick one (it’s fairly short at less than 250 pages). 4 stars

Your new thread is already blossoming with the joys of spring, Joanne!

Happy new thread. xx

Happy New Thread, Joanne! Love the pansy & Boomer topper! I will have to circle back around to check out the Osprey Cam. Ospreys have begun to return to our area too, to start setting up nests.

Hi, Jo - I think you told me you found on Amazon some window decals that you liked to keep birds from bashing into the windows. Do you remember the brand or can you tell me what kind they are? I'm looking now (another bird flew into the window this afternoon) and can't decide what to get. The reviews are all over the place. :) Thanks!

>20 PaulCranswick: Good to see you, Paul, thank you!

>21 msf59: Thanks Mark, and do check them out!

>22 Storeetllr: Oh no! :( Window Alert is the brand I bought. I don’t think we’ve had any bird strikes since I put them up. They come in different shapes if you don’t want leaves.

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Alert-Medley-Decal-5-Pack/dp/B0096UUSPC/ref=sr_1_2...

OK, thanks! I'm going to order some asap because I don't want to see (and hear) any more bird crashes.

Hi Joanne, just paying a return visit to your lovely new thread. Love the Boomer picture. Happy Early Birthday to her!

Ospreys are such cool birds. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen any since returning to Missouri to live. We have more than our share of noisy crows in the neighborhood these days. I saw one chasing a squirrel on our walk this morning!

Happy new thread, Joanne, and early birthday greetings to your beautiful Boomer!

>19 Copperskye: Interesting review, Joanne. I read the nonfiction Eleanor and Hick last year and thought it was quite interesting. If you're still interested in the subject I can recommend it as a way to get a more balanced accounting.

The osprey cam is neat. There is a wildlife area near here in Iowa that always has a bald eagle cam in the spring, and it's fascinating (and sometimes heartbreaking when things go wrong) to watch the little eaglets grow up.

>1 Copperskye: those are GORGEOUS pansies!

And the kitty is pretty, too.

>24 Storeetllr: I hope it works - I know how upsetting that can be!

>25 Donna828: Hi Donna, We have plenty of crows, ravens, and magpies around but, thankful, not in the yard. I checked in on the osprey cam this morning. She was being harassed by a red winged blackbird.

>26 tymfos: Hi Terri, Thanks!

>27 rosalita: Thanks for the recommendation, Julia. I may check it out. I also have an arc I picked up at ALA on the same subject, Undiscovered Country: A Novel Inspired by the Lives of Eleanor Roosevelt. Interesting that both books came out within weeks of each other.

>28 fuzzi: Hi fuzzi, Thanks!

We love seeing the ospreys as we take the ferry over the river. Last week, they were busy nest building.

And thanks for the book ideas about Roosevelt and Hickok. Added all of them to my TBR list.

Love the osprey cam! There was a report on our local news and your post made me go search our local RSPB site (well, localish) - we have a live link too!
http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/osprey-cam

Happy New Thread, Joanne.

>30 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! Happy to add to your tbr list! Now I’m trying to remember the last time I was on a ferry.

>31 charl08: Yea for another osprey cam to check out! I checked this morning but didn’t see them and of course, by this afternoon, it’s dark there. Tomorrow is another day.

>32 jnwelch: Thanks Joe!

20. Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey by Stephen Kuusisto

This was a lovely memoir by a poetry professor who, at 38, makes a fateful decision to get a service dog. Kuusisto, who was mostly blind from birth, is matched with Corky, the lab, and his life is profoundly changed. It’s a beautiful and poignant story of self-acceptance, faith, and love that also offers insights into the training of guide dog teams and the bond that develops between man and dog. Highly recommended! 5 stars

Aw, that sounds like a good one, Joanne! I'm a sucker for dog books as long as they aren't too sad. This one sounds sweet.

>35 rosalita: Hi Julia, It was very sweet and managed to avoid the terrible tearful pitfall that tends to afflict books with dog characters. Thankfully!

21. The Closers by Michael Connelly

Another solid entry in the Bosch series! 4 stars

Currently reading:
Bad Stories
Lasso the Wind
River of Darkness

>34 Copperskye: That one does sound good, Joanne. Is it spring yet?

>37 Copperskye: You are blazing the Bosch trail for me, Joanne! I am just starting Concrete Blonde, which I recall you thought was the best of the early batch.

>39 rosalita: The Concrete Blonde is a good one!

Morning, Joanne! You have caught up with me in the Bosch reading - now we are both ready for Echo Park.

>38 BLBera: It was a good one, Beth. Very uplifting. Spring has sprung, this week at least! It’s just after noon and in the low 80s, sunny and windy. I need to get out and water the perennials this afternoon. We haven’t had many spring showers, unfortunately.

>39 rosalita: Yes! I loved The Concrete Blonde! I hope you do, too. That was the one that cemented my love of the series. :)

>40 Crazymamie: Afternoon, Mamie! I have it here and I’m chomping at the bit to start it.

>41 Copperskye: Cemented your love for the series? I see what you did there! :-D

>42 rosalita: It really wasn’t very hard. Sometimes the right word just pours out. :)

Hi, Joanne. Just checking in with my pal. How are you enjoying Bad Stories? I have been curious about that one.

Not watching much on the TV front, since baseball started.

Another fan of Concrete Blonde! It's actually my first Bosch, then I went back and read the first two.

Wasn't the weather today fantastic!

>44 msf59: Hi Mark, Bad Stories is really good. It’s my in between book so taking it slow. We just started watching Unforgotten last night. A new Masterpiece Mystery program.

>45 Storeetllr: It sure was, Mary! A little cloudy today and rain/snow and cold tomorrow. :( The rain is always welcome, though!

>46 Copperskye: I started watching Unforgotten, too! I only got about halfway through the episode before something came up and I had to pause, but I was captivated!

>47 norabelle414: Hi Nora, It was good so I hope you get back to it!

>34 Copperskye: >36 Copperskye: Great review. I tend to avoid dog stories because of the tearful pitfall. I managed to get through Following Atticus but struggled a little.

Hope all is well and spring has arrived in full force.

Hi Karen! Now you’ve got me adding Following Atticus to my list. It’s pretty spring-like here...a roller coaster weather wise. Things are greening up and the flowering trees are flowering. My favorite season!

Hey there, Joanne! Hope you survived the gale-force winds today! It was so bad here, between the dust that was kicked up and the smoke from the fire just to the east of Pueblo, that the Tax Day Rally was moved inside from where we were going to have it outside. Funny thing: the venue they chose was a pool hall/bar. LOL Talk about weird. SO many rednecks in that bar! One came over and asked if he could have a couple of our signs - to use for target practice. *shudder* Anyway, I'm hoping hard for rain as predicted on Friday and Saturday.

Oh my, Mary, sounds like an interesting rally! But better than being outside in that weather. I don’t remember ever having wind like that around here before.

22. River of Darkness by Rennie Airth

This was such a good book! A police procedural that turned into a thriller with a few twists that made the last 100 or so pages just fly by. There was also an historical aspect in that it takes place in the English countryside just after WWI with a police detective suffering from the after effects of the war and personal tragedy. And it’s the first book in a (shortish) series. 4 stars

Morning, Joanne! You are reminding me that I have River of Darkness in the stacks - sounds like I need to get to it.

Good morning, Mamie! It’s a good one and darker than I was expecting (not that that’s a bad thing). It had been languishing on my Kindle for years.

>53 Copperskye: - I read this ages ago - like more than 10 years, I think... But I remember really liking it, though I never followed up on the others in the series. I did stumble across a paperback of it recently and snapped it up for a re-read.... which hasn't happened yet!

>56 katiekrug: I just looked at my notes, and I have it recommended by you back in 2012. Before the days of your Dirty Dozen.

Huh. I wonder what the context was, because I know I wasn't reading it then! I am 99% sure I read it when I was still living in DC, so pre-July 2005.

>58 katiekrug: Someone else might have read it, and you might have mentioned that you really liked it or something like that.

>56 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I’ve had it on my Kindle for at least 4 years. And, since I have no control over my book buying habits and none of my libraries own it, I’ve ordered the second book in the series.

>59 Crazymamie: It sounds as if you need to just read it now, Mamie, so that you can confuse another LTer about where they heard about it! :) I think I heard of it from Suzanne way back when.

I’m currently reading several books but mostly sticking to Planet of the Blind and Tin Man.

>53 Copperskye: I love that series, Joanne.

>61 BLBera: Hi Beth, I’m so glad to hear that! I didn’t know, really, if the series held up but I liked this first one enough that I had my fingers crossed for the next. :)

>53 Copperskye: Added it to the wishlist - although disappointed that the UK cover seems much less nice than yours!

>63 charl08: Isn’t that a great cover, Charlotte!? And for some reason, I didn’t notice the creepy guy in the gas mask right away. He kind of snuck up on me.

I had to magnify the photo to see the gas mask. I'm definitely adding this to the TBR list.

Hope you continue to enjoy spring!

Hi Karen! I feel better about that now. :) It’s a great read. I was enjoying spring until today - we’ve had a cold and wet rain/snow mix all day. It helps everything get green, though, so it’s ok by me. I hope you’re enjoying some good weather yourself!

23. Tin Man by Sarah Winman

An epic love story told in a spare, not much more than 200 pages. Ellis and Michael meet when they are twelve and develop a lifelong friendship and love. The first part is told from Ellis’s viewpoint, the second from Michael’s. The small kindnesses, dreams, sacrifices, and loses of the young men, and the people in their lives, pack an emotional wallop. Just a lovely story, uniquely told, that manages to be both sad and uplifting. 4.5 stars.

Publishing next month in the US. This was the first arc I’ve read from those I picked up at ALA in February and a great choice!

It's raining down here! Not much, but it's rained off and on for 3 days! Woo-hoo! (I NEVER thought I'd get excited about a little rain.) How are you all doing up there, Joanne? Tin Man sounds good. I guess I missed seeing it. Glad you enjoyed it! Have you read any other of the gazillion books you picked up? I've got all mine in a pile, waiting to catalog them in my library, but all I've done so far is read the comics. :)

>67 Copperskye: - That sounds good, Joanne. I'll keep an eye out for it. I loved her earlier novel, When God Was a Rabbit.

>68 Storeetllr: Good morning, Mary! Everything is green and the crabapple trees are in full bloom, bluebird skies -it doesn’t get much better! I was so tired of the brown tones of winter. I’ll bet you’re itching to get your garden set up! My ALA books are mostly still in three small piles on the floor. I’m reading Lawn Boy now. Along with three other books so it’s slow going.

>69 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Oh good! Sarah Winman is a new author for me and when I finished Tin Man I checked what other books of hers were at the library. When God was a Rabbit is on the shelf so I was hoping to pick it up when I’m there next. I’m glad to hear it’s a good one!

24. Planet of the Blind by Stephen Kuusisto

In Have Dog, Will Travel, Kuusisto’s heartwarming story of his life changing decision to team with a guide dog, he hints at his life pre-service dog. In his memoir, Planet of the Blind, he tells more of his life story. Nearly totally blind from birth, a fact his mother insisted on denying, he grew up denying it himself. A childhood fraught with painful struggles and bullying was followed by college years at the Iowa Writers Workshop and travels to Finland as a Fulbright scholar and a career as an adjunct professor. All done, amazingly, while doing his best to pass as fully sighted. Beautiful prose combined with a touching story of perseverance and, finally, self-acceptance. 4.25 stars

You can just tape little bits of plastic tape at intervals along the glass. Leave an inch or two so it flutters a little in the wind. I have done it on a few of my problem some windows

>71 Copperskye: Nice review of what sounds like a really interesting book, Joanne. Though I'm having trouble imagining how you could refuse to acknowledge your child is blind?! Did she just think he was exceedingly clumsy or something? It seems like the sort of thing that would be difficult to ignore!

>69 katiekrug: Okay, just letting you know that I am adding that one to your Dirty Dozen.

Happy Friday, Joanne! And I was thinking the same thing as Julia - that boggles the mind.

>72 augustau: Hi Kris! That’s a good idea, too! Luckily, I only had a problem with the slider (I think because the birds, from the feeder, can see through it and out a front window when the light is right). I don’t mind my frosted window leaves. I hope you have a lovely spring weekend!

>73 rosalita:, >74 Crazymamie: I know, right? It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to learn more about his childhood. I think it was mostly guilt, embarrassment, and fear her child would be labeled an invalid. He was born prematurely and over oxygenation of the incubator contributed to the scarring of his retinas, and a condition called “retinopathy of prematurity”. With his marginal, at best 20/200 vision in one eye, his mother insisted that he go to a regular public school (this is in the 60s), got him a bicycle which he rode through adulthood, and refused any accommodations or training. She’d rather admit to having a very clumsy child to one stigmatized with a disability. When as an adult he decided to get a dog, she pushed back because people would then know he was blind. She, it really goes without saying, seemed to have some psychological issues. His father was fairly remote. Amazing that he overcame it all with the help of some fine teachers and friends.

>67 Copperskye:, >71 Copperskye: Both sound great, Joanne. I'll definitely look for them. I think I have a Winman on my shelf as well.

>76 BLBera: I think you’d love Tin Man especially, Beth. I’m looking forward to reading more by Winman.

Happy Sunday, Joanne. I have not been by in awhile, so I wanted to pay you a visit. Tin Man sounds interesting.

I am sure your enjoying warmer weather. I know ours arrives tomorrow. Yah!! Seeing any bird activity?

Hi, Joanne!

>41 Copperskye: Concrete Blonde is next in line for me in the Bosch series. I was just thinking about reading that!

>53 Copperskye: I loved River of Darkness and have the next in that series waiting on the shelf. I don't know why I haven't gotten to it yet.

>71 Copperskye: Thank you for sharing your review! Sounds like a book I would like.

Every time I visit your thread, I add a few new books to my TBR. And, as I work through books by and about Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner, I keep adding more. I jotted a note last night on a page in All the Wild that Remains that I already have a lifetime of reading ahead of me. Sounds lovely if a bit overwhelming.

Hope you have a great week!

>78 msf59: Hi Mark, Nice to see you! I think you’d really like Tin Man. We’ve had a couple of lovely days (except it was pretty smokey today from fires in Arizona). Lots of birds, the usual suspects - finches (house, gold, lesser gold), chickadees, nuthatches, juncos, Bushtits, downy, flickers, collared doves. We’ve had towees and chipping sparrows drop in briefly. Not to mention the three squirrels that dine daily and do a pretty good job keeping the ground clean. I saw an osprey at the lake last week but no cormorants or pelicans yet. I noticed someone posted on nextdoor about seeing their first hummingbird of the year so I should get their feeder up soon.

>79 tymfos: Hi Terri, Lucky you to have The Concrete Blonde up next! I have The Blood-Dimmed Tide (the follow up to River of Darkness) sitting on the table next to me. I’m tempted to start it. Such a great title!

>80 PaperbackPirate: Hi Pirate! I think you’d like it and you’d probably like Have Dog, Will Travel, about him getting his guide dog, even more! Hope all is well with you this week - stand strong!

>81 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! Funny, the same thing happens to me when I visit your thread...! After I read All the Wild That Remains, I told myself I’d read something by Abbey, but I still haven’t done that. I know I have at least one on the shelf. One of these days. Hope your Monday was a good one!

25. A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey

This was a pretty good read, well written and engaging and about much more than Comey vs Trump. Comey comes across as a stand-up, thoughtful man who went through quite a few momentous events in his life. Reading the chapters about Hilary Clinton were painful (and I admit to rushing through them) but his conflicts and lack of good choices were made clear. The last 60 or so pages were all about Trump who, unsurprisingly, comes across as a horse’s ass.

Recommended even for the current events/politics averse. 4.25 stars

>83 Copperskye:

I just finished this too, my 25th book of the year.

I listened to the audio, which he reads. I think it added a nice dimension. I really appreciated it and highly recommend it. Great insight into the DOJ and FBI. Especially with all that is going on right now.

>83 Copperskye: Wow someone made Trump seem like a horse’s ass? Shocking. Lol

>83 Copperskye: OK, maybe. I do think the non-2016 election parts would be fascinating. Maybe it's all those crime novels I read but I'm very interested in how the FBI and the DoJ in general works.

>83 Copperskye: Great comments, Joanne. Maybe...

>83 Copperskye: Good review. Glad to know it's endurable, even with the painful parts (which you read through fast and I might skip altogether because I'm still raw and bitter). Thanks.

WE GOT RAIN LAST NIGHT! A good soaking. Now I'm sitting at the dining table looking out the patio doors, watching the grass grow. lol

>84 alphaorder: Hi Nancy, Both of us at 25! If I was still listening regularly to audiobooks, this is one I’d have absolutely considered listening to. I’m sure it worked very well that way.

>85 brenzi: Hi Bonnie, All he needs to do is open his mouth. Sometimes not even that...

>86 rosalita: Hi Julia, I always appreciate the behind the scenes stuff. His thoughts behind the Martha Stewart and Scooter Libby convictions were interesting, not to mention the John Ashcroft hospital bedside drama.
He talked about his childhood in Allendale, NJ, too, where an incident there sparked his interest in law enforcement.

>87 BLBera: I hear you, Beth. I was going back and forth but then there it was on the library’s Express shelf. Even then I let it sit at home for a week before I even looked at it.

>88 Storeetllr: You’d like it, Mary. As Nancy mentioned above, I’m sure the audio is great, and there’s a lot there besides the current madness.
It started raining here around 4pm yesterday and hasn’t let up. Great soaking rain and windy. The poor birds are looking pretty soggy and the squirrels bedraggled. No walk for me this morning but that’s ok - we really needed this. The weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm!

This pretty little boy dropped by my yard this morning. Turns out there were two males and one female. They didn’t stick around very long but I did manage to get a photo of one in my neighbor’s tree. (I also got a few nice leaf pictures because I haven’t gotten past only using the auto focus on my camera). :)

Western Tanager

Ooooh, that's so cool! I haven't seen any of them here yet. Maybe they're migrating south?

>82 Copperskye: Love the bird feeder update, Joanne. We get similar birds, although I would like to see a towheee, at my feeder.

>83 Copperskye: My LT pal, Nancy also warbled about A Higher Loyalty, so it looks like i need to track down an audio copy.

>90 Copperskye: Nice photo! I would like to see a Western Tanager. Maybe, in August? We get Scarlet Tanagers here, which are absolutely beautiful. Hope to see one soon.

Hi, Joanne. Hope life is treating you well. I just finished a book, I think you would like: The Jump-Off Creek. She reminds me of Paulette Jiles, which is high praise, indeed. Have you heard of Molly Glass?

>83 Copperskye: Thanks for the thoughtful comments about A Higher Loyalty. I stood with it in my hands at Powell trying to decide but ended up leaving it behind because I was afraid it would just make me so angry I'd be in knots. I'm still VERY upset about the 2016 election and regularly (at least daily) so incensed by the horses ass who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (or at least that's his formal address although he's generally in Florida or at some other of his golf courses) that my blood pressure is constantly about 10 points higher than it was during 2008-16. But it still might be worth reading what Comey has to say. I'll think about it some more.

>90 Copperskye: Nice picture, Joanne. What kind of camera?

>90 Copperskye: Great picture of a wonderful bird!

I feel like I have seen so many interviews with Comey that I don't need to read the book. But your review may have swayed my opinion.

Have a wonderful weekend!

>90 Copperskye:.

Love this bird and picture! Will be visiting my sister-in-law and family in June in Monument. I hope to go birding at least once. I know it won't be during migration, but still hope to see birds we don't see in the midwest.

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday, Joanne

>83 Copperskye: Intriguing review - maybe if it turns up in the library. I have ordered Hilary's latest bio, but there are lots of people ahead of me in the queue at the library.

>90 Copperskye: This one is gorgeous. I am enjoying watching our bird feeder a lot at the moment - all the leaves have come in on the hedge where it sits in the past week. Our visitors are ducking and diving and doing high speed manoeuvres to get to it.

>91 Storeetllr: Isn’t he pretty? I think they head up to the mountains for the summer.

>92 msf59: I think A Higher Loyalty would be great on audio, Mark. Hope you can get to it!

>93 msf59: Comparing her to Paulette Jiles - that certainly is high praise! I have a copy of her The Hearts of Horses here somewhere. Unread. Have you read that one?

>94 RebaRelishesReading: I’m with you on all that, Reba. It is a thoughtful book that goes well beyond the events of 2016. I couldn’t get my husband to read it, though. Mentioning Comey to him brings on talk of what he did to Hilary right before the election which segues into Hilary not campaigning in MI, etc, and on from there...

>95 BLBera: Thanks Beth. It’s a Canon rebel something. I’m not at all camera knowledgeable but I do like to take pictures.

>96 witchyrichy: Hi Karen, The interviews tend to rehash the same questions so there is more there but most everything pertaining to the events of late you’ve probably already heard. Hope your weekend was a good one!

>97 alphaorder: If you find you have some free time when you’re out here, Nancy, be sure to let me know! I know it’s hard when you’re with family and trying to do a lot but you never know.

>98 PaulCranswick: Lovely to see you, Paul! I hope the new week finds you well and treats you the same.

>99 charl08: Hi Charlotte, Now, for some reason, I have no desire to read Hilary’s book although I know a lot of people loved it. Sounds like you have some fun birds to watch!

26. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

I loved this warm-hearted coming-of-age story of Mike Munez, a talented landscaper looking for a break as he makes his way in the world. Biting social satire blended with humor and warmth. 4.25 stars

My current read is Crusoe’s Daughter by Jane Gardam.

>26 tymfos: Good to hear you liked Lawn Boy. It keeps popping up on blogs and such, and I was wondering if I should read it.

>101 Copperskye: Interesting! I've never heard of that one but you have never steered me wrong in the past, Joanne. I'll look for it at the library.

>101 Copperskye: - Glad to hear you liked this one, Joanne. Suzanne snagged me an ARC of it at ALA.

>102 alphaorder: It was a good read, Nancy, and I especially recommend it if you’ve been into heavy reading lately.

>103 rosalita: It was fun, Julia! I don’t think you could go wrong with it. :)

>104 katiekrug: That’s where I got my copy, too. It was similar in tone to This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!.

>101 Copperskye: Hooray, for Lawn Boy! I snagged an advanced copy from Good Reads. Maybe, I can bookhorn it in, this month. I never did read Harriet Chance, but I think I have it on shelf.

Happy Wednesday, Joanne. I am heading up to a bird festival in Wisconsin, for Friday and Saturday. I have been to the Horicon Marsh Preserve before and it is an amazing wildlife sanctuary. Should be a great time.

The Jump-Off Creek is the only one I have read by Gloss, but I plan on reading the rest of her work.

Thanks Joanne. I am looking for a camera that is user friendly and takes nice pictures.

>106 msf59: A bird fest! Sounds like fun! You have pretty good luck with GR giveaways, don’t you? Lawn Boy is a fun read - you’ll like it when you get to it. Same with Harriet Chance.

>107 BLBera: I got the Canon Rebel T6 because I’d previously had Canons that I liked (back in 35m film days). It was pricey but it’s easy to use in the, so far, limited ways I’ve used it. I also have a little Sony Cyber-Shot that I love and I think it takes great photos. My husband thinks it’s too small and has a problem with the tiny buttons but I like that it’s so small and it’s also waterproof to an extent. Just a basic point and shoot.
But I’m hardly an expert...

Just added Lawn Boy to my TBR list.

>108 Copperskye: I bought a small Pentax camera because I could add a telephoto lens and it has helped with bird pictures but, like you, I don't think I've really explored its possibilities. Maybe this summer...

Oooh, so much camera talk makes me happy!

I had a Rebel ti film camera that I took to Italy. I got some great shots of that trip! I'm resurrecting it and going to try it out to use as a backup camera since I can't afford a good DSLR just now.

>109 witchyrichy: Oh good, Karen, you’ll like it! Good luck with your bird photos!

>110 Storeetllr: I’ve gotten so spoiled with digital cameras. Going back to film would be an adjustment.

>101 Copperskye: I don't remember if I ordered that one or something else under consideration for this month's popular reading books. I know it was in the finalists where I was debating which to order, but I don't remember what won out.

>112 thornton37814: Hi Lori, There sure seem to be a lot of good books coming out each month. It must be hard to choose.

Boomer is such a pretty cat. Our Abby turned 17 years old this month. We're at the point where time grows even more precious....

>101 Copperskye: I need to read that one. He is a local author, one I heard speak at Booktopia when it was in Bellingham a few years ago.

>90 Copperskye: Yay! I LOVE Western Tanagers! So pretty.

>113 Copperskye: Our program is on a "point" system so I only have a limited number each month. If books are over a certain amount, they require more points. If a book would require more than 2 points, we consider it for purchase rather than order through the lease book system. At the end of approximately one year, we are allowed to permanently keep one of every five books. The ones we keep tend to be ones which support curriculum or are more literary.

>114 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, Wishing sweet Abbey a happy 17! Older cats are so darling. There was a lot of local flavor in Lawn Boy that I suspect would have been fun if I was familiar with the area.

>115 thornton37814: Who knew choosing which books to buy was so complicated. And pressure filled, I bet, to be sure you were getting the right ones.

Well LibraryThing sent me a message today that I received a “Tenner” Badge for being an LTer for 10 years! Wow! Where does the time go...hard to believe I’ve been here that long. But thank you, thank you, thank you to LT and my fellow book lovers who have helped me expand my reading horizons and find new authors and especially new friends - I appreciate you all!

I know the tradition is to, what else, buy books but I’ve been on a book buying binge of late and will have to consider the books I’ve bought in the last month or so my Thingaversary books...they include:

From last weekend’s trip to the Boulder Bookstore:
The Burning Room Michael Connelly
Murder in Belleville Cara Black
The Last Detective Peter Lovesey
Faith Fox Jane Gardam
Lilac Girls Martha Hall Kelly

From Independent Bookstore Day at the Tattered Cover:
They May Not Mean to But They Do Cathleen Schine
Orphan Train Christina Baker Kline
The Wild Inside Christine Carbo

From B&N with a coupon and gift card:
Emma Jane Austen
The Stars are Fire Anita Shreve
The Late Show Michael Connelly

A couple weeks ago from Amazon:
The Blood-Dimmed Tide Renne Airth

Still on their way from Book Depository:
The Queen of the Tambourine Jane Gardam
The Travelling Cat Chronicles Hiro Arikawa
Echo Park Michael Connelly

I should wait at least a week or two before I buy any more....sadly.

Hahaha, Jo, you're getting as bad as Paul Cranswick. Or, well, not bad, per se. I mean, you could be spending your money on much worse things than books, right? Anyway, nice batch you picked!

Congratulations on your 10th Thingaversary!

Hi Mary, Thanks! You’ve been around even longer if I’m remembering correctly! Yes, It could be worse! And I forgot to mention the several kindle books I’ve bought recently. Just a couple dollars each, but still. At least they take up less space.

Congratulations on your tenner badge! It is hard to imagine we've been doing this for that long, isn't it?

Congratulations on your ten years! Who thought this Internet thing would still be around?

Your book buying has yielded some terrific reads! Hope you get some time this mother's day to just relax and read!

Yes. This coming August it will be 12 years. I have no idea what I did before LT. I know I tried to keep track of books in a notebook, but I was never really a faithful recorder. Also, being on LT has broadened my reading horizon a lot! Plus, I've met such great people through LT and have enjoyed our many meetups over the years.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi Joanne. Nice book haul and congrats on ten years. I totally missed my Thingaversary on Feb. 21. It was nine years for me. I may have to make some late purchases 😉

Happy Mother's Day, Joanne! And Happy Thingaversary, my friend. I hit my 10th next month. We go back a long way and I hope this is the year we finally have a Meet-Up!

Nice "book buying binge" too!

Love the book haul!

I celebrated 11 years back in March. I am continually buying books, so I know I easily purchased 12 by that time in the year. :)

Happy 10th Thingaversary! My 10th is next month. I first heard of it from a scrapbook page in a magazine. They said they catalogue their books online and I was like, Yes please.

Happy Thingaversary, Joanne! I am so very glad you are here to pelt me with book bullets. I hope we can manage another meet-up sometime.

My lucky 13th Thingaversary is later this year. I can't imagine what I'd be doing without LT, except reading a lot more narrowly. My book horizons have expanded so much thanks to you and everyone else here.

Congrats on 10 years! And on the celebratory book haul!

>119 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba, Where does the time go?

>120 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen, yeah, who would have thought it would last this long.... I’m looking forward to finding more reading time!

>121 Storeetllr: Wow, 12 years! I used to keep track in a small journal, but just a listing of the title and author.

>122 brenzi: Thanks Bonnie, I remember several of us started around the same time. I love how we still keep in touch with each other! Next year LT will congratulate you so you don’t forget.

>123 msf59: Thank you, Mark! My first LT friend and still my buddy! Looking forward to meeting you soon!

>124 alphaorder: Happy 11th to you, Nancy! My tbr pile has certainly grown since LT.

>125 PaperbackPirate: Happy 10th to you, too, Pirate! LT must have been doing a lot of marketing about 10 years ago. I forget exactly where I heard of LT but keeping track of my books sounded pretty fun and I loved seeing my book covers all lined up on my home page. I didn’t realize there was such a social component!

>126 rosalita: Was there even internet 13 years ago, Julia? :) I do hope we get to get together again soon! In some ways Booktopia seems like it was just last year but it really was ages ago...

>127 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer! I haven’t bought any more books since I posted that list (except for one kindle book that obviously doesn’t count!).

27. Crusoe’s Daughter by Jane Gardam

Another gem from Jane Gardam. In this one, young Polly Flint is left in the care of her two maiden aunts in a lonely yellow house on a marsh near the Irish Sea. Polly finds solace in books, particularly Robinson Crusoe, as she faces the changes and challenges of the country around her. I loved all the quirky characters and following along with Polly throughout her life. 4.5 stars

Maureen Corrigan blurbs on the cover, “Gardam is the best British writer you’ve never heard of.” If you’ve never read her, I highly recommend giving her a try.

I had this one tagged as “rec. by Anne”, so thanks Anne (AMQS)! It was such a treat.

>126 rosalita: I am also at 13 years. I had been experimenting with using Access to catalog my library locally when Library Thing showed up. I seem to remember buying one of the scanners, too. But...as you have all pointed out, LT is much more than just a book catalog. Being able to connect with other readers has expanded my horizons!

>129 Copperskye: I liked this but I think the Filth books are hard to match.

Congrats on your ten years on LT.

>130 witchyrichy: Another long-timer! Good for you, Karen!

>131 charl08: Thanks and I agree, Charlotte. I loved the trilogy, especially the final one, Last Friends. Have you read any of the other books she’s written? I have a few on the shelf I’m looking forward to!

Belated happy 10th Thingaversary, Joanne!

>133 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita! I’m so happy to be here!

Belated Thingaversary greetings!

>82 Copperskye: >116 Copperskye: Prompted by discussion on this list, I just read The Blood-Dimmed Tide. To be precise, I stayed up until 1 or 1:30 in the morning to finish it. The early pages were not read in a rush, but near the end I just couldn't put it down. A very fine read for anyone who likes historical mysteries. I'm glad to see that you bought it. Read it!!! :)

Now I've got to get hold of the next one in the series.

Hi Terri, Staying up late with a book you can’t put down is a recommendation hard to ignore! I’ve got a couple hundred pages to go in The Nightingale and the
latest Elly Griffiths is waiting for me at the library. I was going to read the next Bosch book after that but maybe not.... :)

So glad you liked it!

Staying up late to finish a book is as good a recommendation as one can get! I'll be putting it on my Wish List.

Coincidentally, I stayed up till 1:30 am last night reading the last Iron Druid book, Scourged. I am this close to the end but just couldn't keep my eyes open a minute longer. I'll be finishing it today.

How are you doing, Joanne? Get any rain with this last storm? I loved the rain, and didn't mind that the temps plunged (I even had to turn on the heat), but now I'm ready for it to be warm and sunny again.

Saw the female blue jay again today. She must have a nest somewhere nearby. Wish the male would visit.

Hi Mary! I was reading late into the night last night too. I know when I have to close one eye so as not to see double that it’s truly time to give it up and turn out the light. :) Make sure you start with River of Darkness, the first in the series! I loved the rain we got over the weekend but could have done without the cold. Unfortunately, they go together here. We were pretty cozy with the fireplace on...hopefully that’s the last of the chilly weather for a while. But I kind of doubt it. We’re going to a concert at Fiddlers Green next weekend and I really hope we don’t get snowed on since that what tends to happen to us when we go to an early in the season outdoor concert!

Male and female blue jays look the same so I wonder if you have a different type of jay hanging around as well. I had a piñon jay at my feeder several weeks ago.

I saw a flycatcher on my walk this morning.

28. Daytripper by Gabriel Ba

I’m not a big fan of graphic novels but every now and then one will click with me. This one was thought-provoking and beautifully illustrated. 4 stars

Who are you going to see in concert? It's really too late in the season for snow, isn't it? I don't recall snow this late since I got here (summer 2013). Hail, on the other hand...

I am not sure which jay it is, to be honest. According to Merlin, based on the picture, it was a blue jay.

>140 Storeetllr: I’ve seen quite a few cold/snowy/rainy Memorial Day weekends here. It always seemed crazy to me that so many people would go camping. Luckily, it looks like it will be a lovely weekend this year. After such a warm and dry winter, maybe it’s not surprising. We’re going to see James Taylor. Bonnie Raitt was supposed to be with him but she had to cancel for health reasons. :( Should be fun!

Happy Wednesday, Joanne. Glad you liked Daytripper. I agree, it is a good one.

Have a good time seeing James Taylor. I have always enjoyed his music. I have never seen him but I did see Bonnie Raitt, years ago.

Hi Mark, I was posting on your thread...

I’ve never seen Bonnie Raitt and was looking forward to seeing them play together. Oh well. This will be my 5th time seeing JT (twice at Radio City and twice at Red Rocks). Always a good time!

29. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The first 100 - 200 pages, I kept looking at all the rave blurbs and reviews and best of lists on the cover and wondering if I was reading the same book. But I kept at it and at some point the story took over and I spent a couple nights staying up way too late with it until I couldn’t read any more. Two sisters, long estranged, each work, in their own ways, with the Resistance against the Nazis in occupied France. So, all in all, a pretty good story (eventually) with some writing that could have used some careful editing. Unanswered questions and unlikely events, aside, I’m glad I read it. The actions and bravery of, and horrors inflicted upon, those men and women who fought in the Resistance, needs to be remembered. 3.75 stars

Oh! Sweet Baby James! I've never seen him in concert, probably never will at this point, but I do like his music. I have a vague recollection of seeing Bonnie Raitt in concert once, but honestly, it could have been a dream or something. I like her music too.

>141 Copperskye: My husband and I purchased Taylor/Ratt tickets for Summerfest in MKE later in June. Looking forward to your thoughts.

>145 Storeetllr: That’s funny, Mary, I also had a vague feeling that I had seen Bonnie Raitt. She may have come on stage with somebody at some point at some concert I was at. Enjoy the weekend!

>146 alphaorder: Nice! The email I received about this weekend's concert only said she was bowing out of the first leg of the tour. I hope she’s back for your concert in June.

Have fun at the concert, Joanne! I love both James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt. It's a shame that Bonnie had to cancel but I'm sure the show will still be really good.

>144 Copperskye: I just read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah with my book club and we loved it too. Good to know she has other books that should be read!

Also have fun with James Taylor!!

Enjoy the concert! James Taylor is a favorite. Too bad about Bonnie Raitt. My brother in law, may he rest in peace, always cried when he heard her sing Angel From Montgomery.

>148 rosalita: Hi Julia, I’m sure it’ll be awesome!

>149 PaperbackPirate: Hi Pirate, I have an arc of The Great Alone but decided I should read The Nightingale first since I’ve had it for a while. I’m glad to hear you and your book club liked it! I also just realized that I have a copy of Night Road. Have you read any others by her?

>150 witchyrichy: Hi Karen, Oh, yes, I love that one, too!

Happy birthday, Skye! Today is my baby girl’s sixth birthday. She’s my constant shadow (and currently my foot rest) and I love her dearly.

>152 Copperskye: Skye is beautiful and your post gave me a morning smile :)

>151 Copperskye: Night Road sounds good but I haven't read any others by her. I will though. It seems like she loves to write about dark subject matter!

>152 Copperskye: Happy Birthday, Skye! It seems like only yesterday I was looking at her puppy pictures!

>152 Copperskye:, >154 PaperbackPirate: Right?!? Wasn't she just a puppy a few months ago? Happy birthday to Skye. Give her a good scratch between the ears for me.

Happy Saturday, Joanne! Enjoy the concert - crossing my fingers that it doesn't rain. :)

>152 Copperskye: aw. What a sweet-looking pup!

Happy birthday, Skye! It doesn't seem possible that she is six years old already, when I myself have not aged a day since she was a pup. Curious.

>153 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba and yea for the morning smile!

>154 PaperbackPirate: Some of my favorite reads have been pretty darn dark! And I know, I can hardly believe she is 6!

>155 Storeetllr: Will do, Mary! Pets are a lot like kids, I guess, they get older while we aren’t looking.

>156 fuzzi: Thanks fuzzi! She’s a keeper.

>157 rosalita: I know, right?? I think it has something to do with dog year calculations.... I certainly haven’t aged.

30. The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths

I really like this mystery series but I don’t read it for the mysteries. It’s the characters and the snark that I love. This one is the tenth and I was a little concerned because the action was moved to Italy and I love the usual Norfolk locale, but it all worked out and was a good addition.

My current read is The Blood-Dimmed Tide.

>152 Copperskye: Hooray for Skye! I remember when she was just a baby! Good looking girl!

Hi, Joanne. I finished Lawn Boy. What a good read! I hope T & M are a success. I like Evison's writing style and I will have to track down more of his work.

>160 msf59: Dogs are like kids, Mark, they grow up too fast...

Wasn’t Lawn Boy fun!? I just couldn’t help rooting for Mike and hope everything worked out for him after the end of the book.

I read and really liked This is your Life, Harriet Chance (the tone was similar to Lawn Boy). I have a copy of Revised Fundamentals that I need to get to.

Skye is 6?!? Wow, I still think of her as a puppy. I loved the only James Taylor concert I’ve been to. He’s a favorite of mine.

I have Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone waiting for me at the library. I fell in love with Alaska ten years ago when we visited and am looking forward to my return journey in print.

>34 Copperskye: OK, Joanne, you got me with Have Dog, Will Travel, and your recommendations are like gold, so thank you!

>129 Copperskye: Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed Crusoe's Daughter! I've loved everything I've read by Jane Gardam.

>152 Copperskye: What a sweet picture of your sweet Skye! Can she be 6 already??

Happy tenth LT anniversary, Joanne. Nice book haul.

I'm a Gardam fan, and Crusoe's Daughter sounds really good. I'm happy the new Griffiths is good. I hope to get to it soon.

>162 Donna828: Hi Donna! I have a copy of The Great Alone, too. I’ll be waiting to see what you think of it! I sometimes forget Skye is middle-aged now. She tends to act like a puppy still.

>163 AMQS: How nice to see you Anne! And thank you for the Jane Gardam nudges. Crusoe’s Daughter was wonderful. I think you’d like Have Dog, Will Travel!

>164 BLBera: Hi Beth, Welcome back! Crusoe’s Daughter and The Dark Angel we’re both very good, each in their own way. Enjoy them when you get to them!

How was the concert, Joanne? I saw a post on FB or Twitter the other day - Joni Mitchell went to Taylor's concert at the Hollywood Bowl, and it was apparently a very touching meeting. In the picture, she looks pretty ill, which is sad, because she had such a beautiful voice and I adore her music. In fact, I've been playing the Court and Spark album a lot recently - love Free Man in Paris!

ETA a link to a story about it: https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2018/06/04/joni-mitchell-makes-rare-...

Hi Mary, We had a great time at the concert! And such a beautiful night - the weather could not have been better. I really like Fiddlers. It’s fairly close to home (literally right next to the building I worked in for 13 years) and there are actual seats for this old lady. I saw the photo of JT and Joni Mitchell, too, but I didn’t recognize her. I had to look to see who it was. I’m so lame. Love her music though! Thanks for the Globe link!

Next week it’s Steely Dan/Doobie Bros. at the Pepsi Center. This is my summer of age appropriate concerts apparently. :)

31. The Blood-Dimmed Tide by Rennie Airth

Oh boy, this was a good one! I’ve already ordered the next in the series. If you’re a fan of Charles Todd’s Ian Rutledge books, give this series a try. 4 stars

32. Echo Park by Michael Connelly

This is another of my favorites in the Bosch series. A real page-turner. I stopped into a used book store in Ft Collins yesterday and picked up the next one in the series. 4 stars

I love the Airth series as well, Joanne. You have some good reads ahead, although I think the first ones are my favorites.

>168 Copperskye: Oh, Joanne! Stop doing that — forcing me to start new series! For shame, for shame.

;-)

>170 BLBera: Have you read all five already, Beth? They are fun!

>171 rosalita: You’ll thank me later, Julia! And turnabout is fair play and all that.... :) Also, there are only five.

I have read all of them, Joanne, so I am caught up. It's a good feeling.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Blood Dimmed Tide. I only have one left in that series now, unless Airth writes more (which I hope there will be more).

As for the Bosch series, I just started The Concrete Blonde. I have a lot left to read in that series!

Happy Sunday, Joanne. I hope you had a good weekend. It looks like you have been enjoying your books. I recently started Bearskin. A thriller set in the mountains of Virginia. This might be your cuppa too.

>173 BLBera: I’ll bet! I only have a handful of series that I’m caught up on...

>174 tymfos: I hope you like The Concrete Blonde as much as I did, Terri. It’s one of my favorites.

>175 msf59: Hiya Mark, we had a hot weekend out here. It’s cooled off to the mid-80s today though. Bearskin sounds interesting. I’m reading one you’d probably love - Into the Raging Sea, about the ill fated container ship, El Faro.

Ooh, Into the Raging Sea sounds great, Joanne. I just slapped it on my WL. Brand-new too. Thanks for the nod.

33. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

This is a debut thriller that started a little slow but once it kicked into gear, it didn’t stop. Londoners, Erin and Mark, are honeymooning in Bora-Bora when they make an interesting discovery while alone on a scuba trip. Sure, there are a plethora of really bad decisions made, but there’s nothing like a few poor choices (and unlikely results) to move a story along. A real page-turner and perfect beach read. 3.75 stars

34. Into the Raging Sea: Thirty-Three Mariners, One Megastorm, and the Sinking of El Faro by Rachel Slade

This was an absolutely riveting and tragic account of El Faro, the container ship that ran into Hurricane Joaquin while enroute to Puerto Rico from Jacksonville, Fl, in October 2015, and disappeared, resulting in the loss of 33 lives. The first half of the book tells of the mariners and the final hours aboard ship (possible because of the subsequent find of the ship’s VDR that had recorded hours of conversations on the bridge). The second half details the search and subsequent infuriating investigation. The author is a journalist and the book has a “you are there” feel - it’s impossible not to feel deeply as ill formed decisions are made. It’s a page-turner of a book even as you know it’s going to end tragically. This isn’t a technical story, it’s more a story of people - the mariners and coast guard personnel - who work the water. Highly recommended, 5 stars.

>177 msf59: Yes! You’ll love it, Mark.

>178 Copperskye:, >179 Copperskye: Both sound great, Joanne. You are on a roll with the reading. I hope you're having a great weekend.

>179 Copperskye: Not my usual fare, but I have to find a book set at sea for a challenge, and this one sounds perfect for that. Also sounds very good from your review - thanks for that!
Our sunny weather seems to have disappeared altogether here: good news for the garden though :-)

>181 BLBera: Hi Beth, Both books were good, although in very different ways!

>182 charl08: Hi Char, It would be a perfect book for a sea challenge! We’ve had hot (>90F) sunny weather all month until yesterday when it didn’t get out of the 60s(F). It was nice to finally get some rain and clear the smoke from the air.

Happy Tuesday, Joanne. I hope everything is going well for you. I have Into the Raging Sea on my list. I am hoping to track it down on audio.

It looks like we are sharing the same weather. Heat wave, (95 yesterday) and much cooler today and the rest of the week, which is fine with me.

We had some wild weather today, Mark, but it all seemed to miss us. Golf ball size hail just to the west, north, and east, but thankfully we just got the edges of the storms here at the house. Knock on wood for tomorrow!

Into the Raging Sea had caught my eye. Glad to see your glowing review. Book bullet!!

>186 tymfos: It’s a good one, Terri! I hope you like it when you get to it!

35. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

How anyone in California, particularly women, were able to get any sleep during the 70s and 80s when a serial rapist and murderer roamed the night, I have no idea. It was interesting reading this after a suspect had been arrested based on DNA evidence but so very sad that McNamara died before she could complete the book and see it published. A scary, satisfying, if a bit choppy, read. 4 stars

36.The Overlook by Michael Connelly

This was a more Bosch-lite than Bosch. I sometimes think the books are a little too long but this was a little too short at about 250 pages. There was none of the rich background I love while Bosch searched, in real time, for terrorists. Also, I rarely guess whodunnit, but I had one suspect pegged from the start. Well written, of course, but not up to par. 3.25 stars

My current read is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I hope you love Homegoing as much as I did, Joanne!

I was in Ghana for work earlier this year and stayed an extra day to make the trek to one of the slave castles. It was awful and humbling and heartbreaking, and I don't think I would have appreciated it as much if I hadn't read Gyasi's novel.

>188 Copperskye: Glad you enjoyed I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. A very unsettling read. I agree with you about the choppiness. It was probably due to the editing after her untimely death.

Hooray, for Homegoing! It is such an incredible read.

>188 Copperskye: I was a kid/teenager in California while this was going on, and I never heard about this guy until the book came out. I was in Orange County and I think he committed just one murder in Irvine and the rest in the central and northern part of the state. But the police weren't connecting the murders, so we never knew there was a serial killer.
And I agree, what a shame that McNamara didn't get to see what an impact her work had.

>190 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I think Homegoing is great - so sad and so well written. I can see how visiting Ghana after having read the book would be very meaningful. When I was reading that part yesterday, I remembered the photos of the Obamas visiting years ago. So of course I went to google for photos and more info. Not a chance I’ll be going there ever. Did you know you’d be visiting sometime in the future when you read it?

>191 msf59: Hi Mark! Oh, absolutely! If she could have finished it, it definitely would have been less choppy. Kudos to Patton Oswald and her writing partners for getting it done.

>192 mstrust: It was pretty amazing, looking back now, how the different police jurisdictions didn’t share data. We’ve come a long way, in what is to me, anyway, a fairly short period of time. As for me, I am way more careful now to be sure the windows and doors are locked!

Bonnie Raitt / James Taylor concert tonight!

>194 alphaorder: Whoot! Have a great time! I’m sad that Bonnie had to miss the Denver stop but I’m glad she’s back! Enjoy!

We are fortunate! Haven’t been to Summerfesr in quite sometime. I don’t miss the crowds. Thank goodness for reserved seating. Summerfest.com

It was a great show!

>193 Copperskye: - If I remember correctly, I read it before knowing I'd be going to Ghana. But when I found out we were going there (it was for work), I kept nagging my colleagues to read it. I think only one did - my boss, our CEO - good on him!

>196 alphaorder:, >197 alphaorder: Yay! I’m glad you had fun! Next concert for me is Jackson Browne.

>198 katiekrug: Good for you, Kate! Smart man to listen to you. I just finished the book - fabulous!

Your comments here are the nudge I really need to pick up Homegoing- it sits on my shelf in a marvellous pristine state. I love that Katie told her colleagues to read it - I feel like doing this with Go Went Gone, about the refugee crisis, but am a bit nervous about appearing overkeen.

I didn't realise the police in >188 Copperskye: didn't realise that it was the same criminal. Terrifying. (I think I'm still too scared to pick the book up)

Hi Charlotte, I bought a copy of Homegoing over a year ago. I had wanted to read it on vacation but then decided that the print was a little too small to read it with my contacts. I’m not sure why I continued to put it off, but I’m glad I finally did pick it up! You will be, too. I’m hearing a lot of good things about Go, Went, Gone. I’ll see how long I can put that one off. :)

>168 Copperskye: Hi Joanne. Thank you for putting Airth on my radar. Do I also have you to thank for the Peter May recommendation? I have been lax about keeping up with who suggests what lately...so many book bullets flying around here.

I hope your summer is going well. We are looking forward to our Breckinridge trip later this month. I will only be able to do a drive-by wave this time. Darn it. Well, the reason is a good thing. Our Lucky is still hanging around and seems to be at a plateau these days. We are paying our dog sitter Big Bucks for lots of TLC but want to get back here as quickly as possible. I would postpone the trip if it hadn’t been planned a year ahead and all our kids and grandkids will be there. Kind of a minor miracle when we can all get together. ;-)

So many book bullets here! I've been putting off reading both Homegoing and Go, Went, Gone. I've been sticking to my fluffy guilty pleasures lately and don't feel too guilty about it :)

>202 Donna828: Hi Donna! I’m looking forward to starting the third Airth book, it’s a good (and short) series. I have yet to read a Peter May book, although I have him on my radar. So you can blame me for Airth but not May. :) I love Breckenridge, especially in the summer. There’s so much for the kids to do up there! I certainly understand about the mixed feelings in leaving old dogs with the sitter. Even leaving Skye now, who is only six, leaves me fraught with guilt. :( I’m sure Lucky will have a great time getting spoiled while you’re gone!

>203 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle! After I finish my current read, Pachinko, I’ll be back to my light and fun mystery reads! Two kinda’ depressing family sagas in a row have me itching to get back to murder and mayhem! Homegoing was really excellent, though, and everyone seems to love Go, Went, Gone.

You sneaky girl, Joanne! When did you change your username?! I was looking on my last thread to get a list of people who expressed interest in the Dick Francis group read and I noticed this new person posting, copperskye. She seemed smart, and nice, and like we had a lot in common. So I went to her profile page to find out what her name was, and lo and behold! It was you!

I think it's lovely that you are honoring both of your beautiful girls with your new name.

>205 rosalita: Aw, thanks, Julia! It’s me! Just today it must have changed and your lovely comments here are what alerted me to it! I had requested a change several months ago and nothing happened and I forgot about it until recently. I requested again a week or so ago. And now there’s a whole new me...well, maybe the same old me just with a few more letters. I like this name better and Skye feels included. :)

And yay to maybe a Dick Francis group read to look forward to!!!!

Joanne, you changed your name! Love it!

>178 Copperskye: Terrific review of Into the Raging Sea! Marina and I just got home last night from Wales, and while I don't usually watch movies on flights, I like to have the flight tracker on while I read. For the first time (that I've noticed), the flight tracker yesterday had shipwreck sites (Lusitania, Titanic and many more) on the map, with the year the ship went down. From a historical perspective it was interesting, but from an awful-tragedy-at-the-bottom-of-the-ocean-we're-now-flying-over perspective it was a little unnerving!

>206 Copperskye: We definitely want Skye to feel included! In fact, what better way to celebrate your name change than with a new photo of your girl (hint hint) ...

I've added I'll be gone in the dark to my list. It's one I've been thinking of reading.

>207 AMQS: Hi Anne! Welcome home! I loved seeing your photos from your trip to Wales. I think it would be interesting to see the shipwreck sites on the flight tracker but pretty disconcerting as well. I mean, there you are on one commercial means of conveyance looking at the site of another’s final resting place...

>208 rosalita: I think I can round up a couple photos, Julia! And it’s time for a new thread, too.

>209 tymfos: I think it’d be right up your alley, Terri.