Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Twelve

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

OTS- Off the Shelf

January:

1) The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher 4 stars (audio)
2) The Fact of a Body: A Memoir by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich 5 stars (audio)
3) Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright 4.2 stars
4) What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky: Stories by Lesley Nneka Arimah 4.2 stars
5) The White Album: Essays by Joan Didion 4 stars (E) OTS
6) Nicholas Nickelby by Charles Dickens 3.7 stars (audio/print)
7) The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden 3.6 stars (audio)
8) Black Swan Green by David Mitchell 4.5 stars OTS
9) A Thousand Mornings: Poems by Mary Oliver 4.5 stars Poetry OTS
10) Strange Weather: Four Short Novels by Joe Hill 4 stars (audio) OTS
11) Woodsong by Gary Paulsen 4 stars (audio)
12) The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy 3.7 stars OTS

February:

13) Only Killers and Thieves by Paul Howarth 4.5 stars (E)
14) What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi 3.8 stars OTS
15) Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead 3.7 stars (audio) AAC OTS
16) Salt Houses by Hala Alyan 4.2 stars OTS
17) The Power by Naomi Alderman 4.3 stars (audio)
18) The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories by Denis Johnson 4.3 stars
19) Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions by Valeria Luiselli 4.2 stars
20) Barkskins by Annie Proulx 3.8 stars (audio) OTS
21) Artemis: A Novel by Andy Weir 3.6 stars (audio)
22) The Log from the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck 4.2 stars
23) The Country I Remember by David Mason 4.5 stars (Poetry)

March:

24) Don't Skip Out on Me by Willy Vlautin 4 stars ER
25) Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie 4.6 stars OTS (audio) OTS
26) An American Marriage by Tayari Jones 4 stars (audio)
27) Saving Tarboo Creek: One Family’s Quest to Heal the Land by Scott Freeman 4 stars
28) American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee 4.5 stars (audio)
29) The Night In Question: Stories by Tobias Wolff 4 stars AAC OTS
30) My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman 4.2 stars (audio)
31) Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson 3.4 stars E
32) Where Now: New and Selected Poems by Laura Kasischke 5 stars Poetry
33) The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks 4 stars (audio) OTS
34) Mozart's Starling by Lyanda Lynn Haupt 4 stars
35) Celine by Peter Heller 3.4 stars (audio) OTS
36) On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder 4.5 stars (audio)
37) Arthur & George by Julian Barnes 4.4 stars OTS
38) I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search by Michelle McNamara 4.3 stars (audio)

April:

39) Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu 5 stars GN
40) Since We Fell: A Novel by Dennis Lehane 3.3 stars (audio) OTS
41) All the Names They Used for God: Stories by Anjali Sachdeva 4.5 stars
42) Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scott Kelly 4.3 stars (audio)
43) We Are Okay by Nina LaCour 4.2 stars
44) The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe 5 stars (audio) OTS
45) In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose by Alice Walker 4 stars AAC
46) Becoming Unbecoming by Una 4.6 stars GN OTS
47) Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi 4.3 stars (audio)
48) The Book of Dust: Vol 1 by Philip Pullman 4.2 star
49) Birding Without Borders by Noah Strycker 4.5 stars OTS
50) Cove by Cynan Jones 3.7 stars
51) Career of Evil (A Cormoran Strike Novel) by Robert Galbraith 4 stars (audio)
52) When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors 5 stars (audio)
53) Happiness: A Novel by Aminatta Forna 4 stars

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

2018 AAC

January- Joan Didion Completed The White Album
February- Colson Whitehead Completed Sag Harbor
March- Tobias Wolff Completed The Night in Question: Stories
April- Alice Walker Completed In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens
May- Peter Hamill
June- Walter Mosley
July- Amy Tan
August- Louis L'Amour
September- Pat Conroy
October- Stephen King
November- Narrative Nonfiction
December- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Here is a link to the General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/279501#

"...she is beyond what names

her courage, she arrived quarreled by instinct, a petition
for presence. it was a woman who nanny'd neglect in maroon
parishes. hooting and hollering, she midwifed revolutions in rain
forests, amazons, and cities, sediments of her sorrow

beseeching, because the eye of the storm within her,
they called her magic, merely more, she was
a freedom fighter and she taught us how to fight."

-My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter- Aja Monet

^This is the last part of the title poem. April Poetry Month.

-Phillipine Eagle



-flame-crowned flowerpecker, (Phillipines) (This was the author's 5,000 bird)

^Just a few pages left in Birding Without Borders. A stellar read. Bird Geek Heaven.

Whew! That took some time...next is yours.

'Morning Mark! Guess I'm first! Happy new thread and happy Sunday to you!

I just love the name flame-crowned flowerpecker. I'm seeing the usual culprits here this morning - Jays, Cardinals, a Goldfinch, a pair of Cowbirds.

Happy new thread!
Love those opening toppers! We are glad you are part of our bookish tribe!

Nice to see the new thread toppers.

It’ll be a slower recovery than I’d like. I can’t do a lot, especially with my arms. No grip strength either. Nothing that’s hurt my chest muscles.

I’ll slowly get my concentration back I think. Short spurts for now, still.

>7 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. And hooray for being first and yah, for flame-crowned flowerpeckers! Not much activity at my feeders, yet this A.M. but I now know, an opossum is living under my shed. Sighs...It is like a revolving door under there. Last year we had skunks.

>8 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. And hooray for our bookish tribe! The best weirdos in the world!

>9 lindapanzo: Happy Sunday, Linda. Great to see you again. Are you just sticking with "light" reading at the moment?

Love >1 msf59:!! Happy new thread, Mark

Good morning, Mark! Happy new thread! Those are some good-looking birds in >5 msf59:.

Happy new thread, Mark. Great birds.

Morning Mark! Hope the sunshine warms things up near you and that you have a great day with birds, books, and beer!

Stay alert for slow possum crossing your driveway!

A few years back, my daughter and I were coming home and spotted one curled up in the center of the drive.
We thought someone had driven through and hit it while we were at work.

I sadly came from the back of the house with a shovel to move and bury.

It was gone!

Happy new one, Mark. Your topper image is stunning.

Hope you have a good Sunday!

Morning, Mark! Happy new thread! I also love your topper.

>11 jessibud2: >12 harrygbutler: >13 BLBera: Thanks, Shelley, Harry & Beth! And hooray for the birds!

>14 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Hooray for a warm-up! We NEED it bad. It will be nice to see everything green again.

>15 m.belljackson: Boo, to the dead opossum, Marianne. We are not happy with our new resident living under our shed, but it sure beats skunks.

>16 katiekrug: >17 Crazymamie: Thanks, Katie & Mamie! Glad you like the topper! It is in honor of migration season. Grins...

Getting ready to head out for a quick food shopping and then a solo bird walk, taking advantage of a nice morning. The afternoon is reserved for the books...

>10 msf59: I’ll probably read cozies and short stories for awhile.

I get tired fast.

Well, it was our first in person experience with a real possum playing possum.

Our skunks stay hidden except for one long ago stinky dog incident.

Lately, sightings have been of a very active and fortunately not feisty groundhog.

How are your Owls doing?

I have a pack of greeting cards of that top image Mark, long a favourite.

Happy new thread my friend.

We've had many encounters with urban wildlife over the years. Possums seem to think our yard is a good hospice. At least 3 have shuffled of their mortal coil here.

The latest was the other night when I was running, a skunk ran out in front of me. Had to stop to make sure I knew where he was going. Cute, but want to avoid.

Have a great rest of your weekend

>10 msf59: - Is there any way to seal off the bottom of the shed, to prevent further tenants? A few years ago a very sick skunk toddled across the backyard and died under my next door neighbour's deck. Animal Control came, removed it and about a week later, we called them again because I could still smell it and was worried that maybe she had left babies under there. They came back, checked, found nothing and set a humane trap at the point of entry in case anything emerged. Nothing did and it is now sealed off

Happy new thread, Mark. >1 msf59: Because those weirdos are your tribe. Hmm, while it would be nice to be included as part of a tribe does that mean we would have to become weirdos or maybe we are already weirdos?

>20 lindapanzo: Cozies and short stories sound perfect for your recuperation, my friend. Take it slow and enjoy.

>21 m.belljackson: I don't think I have seen a groundhog, in a couple of years. For such big animals, that can be elusive. I checked on the owls on Wednesday and they owlets were doing fine. Hopping all over the tree now. Plan on going back on Thursday.

>22 Caroline_McElwee: Oh, that is a perfect greeting card, Caroline. Sweet.

>23 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. Great to see you. Opossums seem to everywhere, along with skunks. I just hope the skunks stay far from our property. One of them sprayed my dog last summer. Ugh.

>24 jessibud2: We are been discussing sealing off the bottom of the shed, Shelley. We just have to make sure nothing is under there, when we do. A family of skunks found a home there last year. That was scary.

>25 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. We are definitely weirdos, but in the best possible way.

-American Kestrel

^It was a beautiful day for a bird stroll, but not many birds, heard more than saw, with one amazing exception- I saw my second American Kestrel, perched, like the one in the photo. I got a nice, long look too. Much better than the first time, which was 2 years ago. B.A.G.

The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America.

Hi Marc, happy new thread!

>28 msf59: Beautiful bird! Love the warm brown and the stripes. I saw a European kestrel today! Also our most common falcon.

>29 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. I got a very nice look at the kestrel. The European kestrel sounds like another beauty. A good bird day.

Happy new thread Mark. Your topper is stunning and I love all the birds.

>31 brenzi: Thanks, Bonnie. I have birds on the brain at the moment. I hope it doesn't get to overwhelming. Smiles...

So you're a bird-brain!! I mean that in the nicest of ways. : ) Happy new one!

>28 msf59: nice bird sighting, Mark! Sounds like you had a good weekend all around.

^Are we starting to see a theme here? Grins...This is my latest library haul, along with "Cove", (I can not find the touchstone) which is an advanced copy, (I started this one today). All these look great, including the DVD set, (Thanks, Shelley) and the new poetry collection by Tracy K. Smith, Wade in the Water.

The tasty beverage is a pale ale called Sex and Candy. With a name like that, it has to be good, right?

>35 msf59: Sounds like a perfect day.

I am reading Norwegian by Night, based on a rave recommendation from a publishing friend. (She as actually recommending American by Day but I thought I needed to start with the first one.) I trust her judgement, even though I wouldn't normally pick up something like this. NYT said: Has the brains of a literary novel and the body of a thriller. That about sums it up.

I think you would like this. Curious if you or any of your many thread readers have read this author before.

>36 alphaorder: I loved Norwegian by Night when I read it last year. Are you saying there’s a sequel.

ETA I see there is a sequel. It’s now on my Overdrive list. Thank you.

>33 Berly: Hooray for bird-brains. Thanks, Kimmers.

>34 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Since, I have next weekend off, I have big birding plans. Hope the weather holds out.

>36 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. I remember a couple LT pals enjoying Norwegian by Night awhile back but I never read it. It is back on the list. I'll see if I can track a copy down.

>37 brenzi: I think I remember you liking that one, Bonnie.

Love the bird book collection, Mark! I have Norwegian by Night on my list as well. But I think it's on the long list.

Great currently reading pile, and happy new(ish) thread. I must get back to Happiness soonish.

Wade in Water landed on my mat recently Mark, so it's near the top of the pile.

Morning, Mark!

Happy new thread!

>39 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I think we all share the "long list". Grins...And it never, ever, shortens.

>40 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I should start "Happiness" today or tomorrow.

>41 Caroline_McElwee: I loved Smith's last collection, Life on Mars, so I am looking forward to this one, Caroline.

>42 scaifea: Morning, Amber and thanks.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Monday to you!

Nice library haul. I am always glad to see the mail truck and a glass of your current brew, too.

Happy new thread!

>28 msf59: Good morning, Mark! Nice you got a sighting of a kestrel. We don't see them all that often around here.

Happy New Thread, Mark! And may your Monday be a good one!

>5 msf59: It's fun to see the birds from other countries. Scrolling quickly I saw the Phillipine Eagle and thought 'osprey', but then seeing the beak and the feet there was a double take - 'that's no osprey!' and scrolling down just a bit further saw your identification. I love playing 'name that bird' with your thread and a few others that post bird photos.

My RLBC enjoyed Norwegian by Night a few years ago. I'll also keep an eye out for American by Day.

>44 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. And hooray for the mail truck and brew.

>45 drneutron: Thanks, Jim.

>46 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Kestrels are such cool birds and they seem to like to perch out in the open, on small trees, making them easier to spot.

Happy Monday, Mark! Sounds like a good weekend was had! Love that beer name :)

>49 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. Not a bad day here and hooray for Sex and Candy!

Happy New Thread, Mark! Sorry to hear about your new neighbor. A groundhog lived under the shed in my parents' backyard for a couple of years. I don't think he lives there anymore, as he may have fallen prey to the neighbors' cats or the foxes that began to appear there last year.

Merry Monday, Mark, and many more.

Thanks to your thread for the news about a Derek Miller sequel! Like Bonnie, I really enjoyed Norwegian by Night so I'll add it to my list.

Hope you're seeing some spring flowers today!

>51 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Good to see you. Opossums are very elusive, so I doubt will ever see them, but we need to seal up the bottom of the shed one of these days.

>52 richardderus: Thanks, RD. Nice to see you pop in.

>53 vivians: Hi, Vivian. It looks like I need to prioritize Norwegian by Night. I need to track a copy down.

I did see some spring flowers but I want those trees to turn green. I need more color.

^Thanks to Beth, who has such a finely-tuned, book radar, I requested Happiness from the library and made it my next print book. Not far in, but it grabbed me immediately. She is such a terrific writer, her prose is like butterscotch. I know the story includes a fox and a green parrot, other than that, I have no idea where this tale will take me, which is a perfect path. I read and enjoyed her novel, The Hired Man, about 3 years ago, but I have still not read The Memory of Love, which I do have on shelf.

One minor quibble, with Forna- I wish she would come up with more original titles. Finding the right touchstone for these, are a pain in the butt. LOL.

>35 msf59: What a nice book haul.
I have something to send to you, but alas, I lost your address. Could you please post it on home page?

Thanks!

I came by your new thread, but it looks like I got distracted before I posted. Humph. Glad I came back!

I am presently at the art gallery waiting for W and his cousin to finish a little school holiday activity they are attending, prepping myself for the Killers gig tonight, and supping peppermint tea. Life ain't bad!!!

>56 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. I will PM you, pronto.

>57 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. I am glad you swung back by. Have a great time at The Killers show. I liked them, way back on their first album, but haven't heard them much since.

Friendship

Oh, the comfort —
the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person —
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,
but pouring them all right out,
just as they are,
chaff and grain together;
certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
keep what is worth keeping,
and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

-Dinah Maria Craik (1826–87)

April Poetry Month

>55 msf59: Aminatta Forma has published a new novel? And it has a 4.92 rating on LT?! *shrieks like a toddler in a candy store*

The Hired Man is superb, but The Memory of Love is even better, IMO. I have books lined up for May and June, but I'll plan to read Happiness in July.

>59 msf59: Thanks for this, my friend! A great way to start the day. Have a good one.

Happy new thread, Mark! I visited way back when posts 4 and 5 were still being worked on so I thought I'd come back in 10 minutes. But you know how that goes.
Hope you're enjoying spring!
My chipmunks are little Houdini's! The suet has remained in the holder, twist ties in place. I thought all was as it should be......till I refilled it yesterday and discovered they cracked the blue plastic roof enabling them to sneak through the top to the suet. But! they really have to work at it and just nibble at it and not take the whole dang suet block. I feel a little victorios. :0}
Have a good one!

Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday!

>28 msf59: Stunning! I have never seen one of these, but he is most handsome!

>35 msf59: Love your library haul photo - especially the reflection of the Cove book in the poetry book.

Good morning, Mark! When we put out dry cat food for a few feral cats, we sometimes had an opossum come around. I like them, but I can certainly understand wanting to keep wild animals from taking up residence under a shed.

The mockingbirds are back here (or at least one is, as I heard and saw it yesterday).

>60 kidzdoc: Morning, Darryl. Glad I made you giddy about the new Forna novel, but all the credit goes to Beth. And it looks like I NEED to read The Memory of Love in the coming months.

>61 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Glad you like the heart-warming poem. Goes well, with the sunshine today.

>59 msf59: Nice poem, Mark. With that sunshine you should get to see some green in your trees soon.

>62 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda and Good Morning. Lovely day in the Midwest. We have our suet feeder mounted on a tall shepard's pole and I have not seen the chipmunks climb up there, like the squirrels do. I just put out my last block of suet yesterday. I need to pick up more.

>63 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. Glad you like the kestrel. They are beautiful. Thanks for pointing out the reflection in the book haul photo. A happy accident.

>64 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Gorgeous day in Chicagoland. Opossums aren't much of a bother but I am worried about skunks burrowing under there, like they did last year.

>66 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Hoping for the trees to start budding and turning green. It should happen very soon, with this warm, sunny stretch. I want COLOR!!

Forna's titles are indeed blandly generic. Not every author can justify titles like The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, but Happiness? Srsly?

Howdy Warbler!

Happy Tuesday, Mark!

I just used the last suet a few days ago and need to get more, too. Just filled all the feeders, too. The birds are happy again.

>54 msf59: And it looks like I NEED to read The Memory of Love in the coming months.
Um, YES you do! That was a 5-star for me several years back. I'm glad to see she has a new book out.

Hiya, Mark. I'm a bit slow getting here, but Happy New Thread!

I hope I get an entry pass for your tribe of weirdos in >1 msf59:.

I've added Aminatta Forna's Happiness book to the WL, after all the praise for her books. I just finished The Book of Dust and, as you figgered, I loved it.

>69 richardderus: If it wasn't for these damn tricky touchstones, I wouldn't mind simple, unimaginative titles. LOL. I still find it surprising, that with so much talent, that Forna chooses these mundane titles.

>70 luvamystery65: Ro stopped by! Ro stopped by! Yippee!

>71 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I picked up a couple reserve suet blocks but I have to find something cheaper.

>72 lauralkeet: That is a perfect warble, Laura. Very professional. I am glad I have it on shelf. "Happiness" has been really good. She is such a good writer.

>73 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. No worries, you are one of the top weirdos on the Mighty 75 and you have excellent company. Hooray, for The Book of Dust! Wasn't that a fun book? Glad to see Pullman back in this world.

I made it finally Mark.

Happy new (ish) thread, buddy.

Glad you're enjoying Happiness, Mark.

>76 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! Good to see you, my friend.

>77 BLBera: Morning, Beth. Yep, loving Happiness. Boy, I am crazy about her writing. Thanks for putting this one on my radar.

^When I went downstairs this morning to turn on the coffee-maker, I saw a rabbit duck under the shed. It looks like I have an animal motel going on, under there. I need to start charging. We have had a chipmunk visitor too, but I am not sure where he is lodging.

The mallard couple have become regular visitors to the feeders too. Quack, quack...

Sounds like you are running a zoo. Lovely to see in the morning, though. We don't get much wildlife in our neighbourhood as it's a new street with very few trees. I can't remember the last time I even saw a squirrel here! Only birds.

'Morning Mark, and happy Wednesday to you! Ha. Mark's Animal Motel. You're a popular guy with the animals, too.

I have a possum living in the pampas-like grasses we have near the concrete pad, and there's a dratted raccoon out there somewhere - he's the reason I have to bring in one of my feeders every evening.

Morning, Mark. We're getting back in our home routine, finally.

We had rabbits for a long time, and they were a problem in our backyard garden, but they've been gone for a couple of years. We think more neighbor dogs by us scared them away.

I'm enjoying Less: A Novel per RD's recommendation, and I'm about 3/4 of the way through Brazen Rebel Ladies and liking it a lot. I gave copies of BRL to my sisters for their April birthdays, along with Naomi Alderman's Power.

I'm still enjoying that Paper Girls GN series (vol. 4 was another good one), and I'm about to start Lilac Girls on Debbi's recommendation.

I hope it's a good day for you. A bit chilly out there - but no snow!

>80 ChelleBearss: - "I can't remember the last time I even saw a squirrel here! ". Something I will be able to say - NEVER! lol

>80 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. Yep, we get plenty of squirrels too. I see them all day on the route too. As long as they leave my feeders alone, I have no problem with them.

>81 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yah, for Mark's Animal Sanctuary. As long as the skunks stay away, I am mostly content. We have raccoons too but they don't bother much.

>82 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Glad you are getting back into the routine. Thanks for sharing your current reads and I think that is wonderful that you gave Brazen Ladies, along with The Power, as gifts. That is a perfect pairing.

>83 jessibud2: LOL.

Did you see the news about the case that I’ll be gone in the dark was based on ... https://www.google.ca/amp/amp.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article209779364.html

>74 msf59:

Maybe after finishing Forna's Happiness, you can suggest a couple of titles!
(Wish Touchstone could be in alphabetical order - I gave up and clicked on the Tolstoy read many years ago.)

Without my beloved rescue Border Collie and Chesapeake, there are many more rabbits and a lot less lettuce out here.

Four poems into THE LIVING FIRE and I'm in love, though now need to research Joseph Brodsky.
"Anything But Standard" is still my favorite.
Though I will search awhile for a connection, the ones that aren't metaphorically hidden are most enjoyable.

Belated happy new thread, Mark!

When I was in South-Tyrol with Nathalie I saw a Black Redstart:

>86 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. I just read the article. WOW!! He is a bit older than I thought he would have been. I wonder how they tracked him?

>87 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I like that idea of coming up with alternate names for the Forna novels. LOL. I will have to think about that.

Glad you are enjoying some poetry. I have not heard of Brodsky. You will have to share something here or over on the poetry thread.

>88 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. Ooh, I like the Black Redstart. Is this a warbler? They look different from our American Redstarts.

"A poetic and powerful memoir about what it means to be a Black woman in America—and the co-founding of a movement that demands justice for all in the land of the free."

^Don't let that big, beautiful smile fool you, When They Call You a Terrorist is a tough heart-breaking memoir. After finishing up the dark and entertaining Cormoran Strike novel, I decided to switch to this powerfully written memoir, with the audiobook, narrated by the author. It packs quite a punch and nearly had me openly sobbing on the route. Fortunately, I was able to rein myself in. Very, close call, though. All ready at the halfway point...

This makes an excellent companion piece to The Hate U Give & Men We Reaped.

I am not sure who gets the credit for this one, but I will go with Ellen. Anyone else read it?

>82 jnwelch: Will be (re)starting Less tonight. I bought it last summer but the timing wasn't right. I LOVED his Story of a Marriage.

>91 alphaorder: I think you'll like it on a revisit, Nancy. I sure am.

>92 jnwelch:. I am sure I will too. I enjoyed these interview with Greer that I read this am. https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a19981258/andrew-sean-greer-intervie...

I've read it - loved it Mark.

Mark's backyard...

>91 alphaorder: Well, it looks like I need to read Mr. Greer. I had never heard of him.

>94 BLBera: This one caught me by surprise, Beth. I did not realize you had read it. Great stuff.

>95 Berly: I LOVE it, Kimmers. Is that a fox? if so, I have not had one of those...yet!

Hi there, Mark.

I'm finally back into reading The Right Stuff. I'm enjoying it as much as I was before.

^I just drove my wife to the airport. She is spending a long weekend in New Orleans with friends. It looks like I am holding down the fort here, with my birds, books & beer. Believe it or not, I have never been to the Big Easy! It is on the list!

>97 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Glad you jumped back into The Right Stuff. Funny. I just started watching the film, again. I have about an hour left. It is an excellent adaptation and faithful to the book.

Go Cubbies! Let's rally!

Mark, if you are on now, have a peek, quick. Mama and her chicks: https://raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/

>100 jessibud2: oh my. that's amazing.

#98
You could go to NO in June for the ALA conference. It is June 21 - 25. You could probably stay right on Burbon street if you wanted to and still go to the conference.

I got a free sound recording of When They Call You A Terrorist at the Denver conference. I haven’t listened to it yet.

>101 lauralkeet: - I know, isn't it? And now they are on the night cam, with an infrared filter so that we see them in black and white, but the birds themselves don't have any visible light that would bother them. It's such a window on a world we never see, isn't it?

>79 msf59: Oh, I had my first rabbit sighting on campus this week! Looks like efforts to remove their burrows (they had got too near to some drainage pipes I think) have not quite worked...

>79 msf59: Marc's animal motel, thanks for the laugh Marc, and you know, take care, cause rabbits are good diggers;-)

Morning, Mark!

We have a complete host of rabbits running round our yard at any given time. We don't garden, so they're welcome, and they keep Mario entertained (Tuppence couldn't possibly care less about them).

>100 jessibud2: >103 jessibud2: Thanks, for the Eagle Cam, Shelley. Just checked on them. The family is still fast asleep. Smiles...

That infrared camera is truly amazing.

>102 benitastrnad: Damn! I would like to make NO in June, for ALA, but it is not going to happen this year. Bummer. When They Call You A Terrorist is good on audio and a shorty to boot.

>104 charl08: Hooray for the rabbit sighting, Charlotte. Boo, to the rabbit relocation.

>105 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. We have been seeing quite the menagerie lately, at the Marky-Mark Animal Motel. I always get a kick out of the mallard couple that keep dropping by.

>106 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Glad you are not bothered by the host of rabbits, in your yard and we are all happy that Mario is entertained by our furry friends.
Smiles...

^The Black and White Warbler is featured on my Bird of the Day Calendar. Sweet Thursday, indeed. Sing it, baby!

>107 msf59: - Breakfast is being served in the nest, as we speak! Good morning! :-)

>109 msf59: thanks for posting that, Mark, I was a little behind on my daily calendar. I like using the code on the back of the page to download the birds' songs and calls.

>110 jessibud2: I missed breakfast, but I'm now totally addicted to the eagle cam.

>100 jessibud2: this is when I love what technology can do for us. Thanks for posting.

>111 lauralkeet: - You're welcome, Laura! :-) And just wait and see how fast they grow! Your heart will be in your throat once they start to get less wobbly on their feet and begin to starting *branching*, that is venture out to the branches, before they fledge. They will be fully grown by the end of the summer, those without white heads. Even now, though you don't see them (out of camera range) the parents are nearby, keeping close watch. I like how the camera operators change the angle at times, sometimes zooming in, sometimes pulling back for a longer view.

>112 Caroline_McElwee: - I totally agree, Caroline. I think the nest cams, when done well, are the most amazing windows into wildlife that has been invented because it's all raw, intimate and completely non-intrusive, which can make it difficult, when tragedy and drama at the nests happen, as they do. Most cams have a policy of not interfering with nature, letting it take its course. Hard on the observers.

Most raptors migrate and camera maintenance can be done in winter. Also, unlike songbirds, who build new nests each spring, raptors return to their native nests. The other nest I follow is an osprey nest, and at that cam, the University folks who run it (biology prof), also provide info and insights, so I feel that I am learning, as well: http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/

Yes, for all we might complain about the dark side of technology, things like nest cams (and LT!) are what make it worthwhile! :-)

Good morning, Mark! Have a great day.

I hope Sue has a wonderful time with her friends in NO. I was there once, in 1987, for a conference, and I remember how fantastic the food was (not at the venue, but out and about) and how good the music and 'Hurricanes' were.

>95 Berly: Perfect, Kim!

Good morning, Mark! Nice to have mallards visiting the feeders.

>89 msf59: >88 FAMeulstee: No, Mark, this Redstart is no warbler, it is an Old World Flycatcher, they are migrating birds.

Chilly start, on my last work day of the week, but it is supposed to be mostly sunny and mid-60s later on. Good day to make my weekly owl family visit...

>110 jessibud2: I missed the eagle family breakfast, Shelley. Maybe, I can catch lunch...grins.

>111 lauralkeet: Hooray for the Bird a Day calendar, Laura. Glad you have one. Nice way to begin the day.

>113 jessibud2: Wow! You should lead an LT Raptor class, my friend. We definitely can't get enough of these guys.

Morning, Mark. Sweet Thursday!

Should be a nice one. Going up into the 60s, supposedly. We're meeting up with a guy about some fixes needed in the house, and then I'm going to try to turn to the poetry. I've got the new Tracy K. Smith book, too.

I think you will want to read Andrew Sean Greer. Less: A Novel is a special one.

>93 alphaorder: Thanks for the link to that Andrew Sean Greer interview, Nancy. I just read the part in the book about the Pulitzer, and also about how he is in bed - love the editor's comment. Ha!

I was just over at Amazon doing a little bibliotherapy and noted that the Cornell 2018 Bird-A-Day calendars with the amazing Smartphone Birdcall feature*** are now $3*** . So if you missed getting one earlier (me), or want to buy the one for the other half of the US (just because) or know someone who'd like one ..... the time is now!

Just spotted a ruby-crowned kinglet on the route. I saw what appeared to be a kinglet flitting about in some brush, but when I saw the flash of red, I confirmed it. Grins...

>114 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I will have to get to NO one of these days, for the food and the music.

>115 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Quack, quack...

>116 FAMeulstee: It sure didn't look like a warbler, Anita. Good looking bird, though. Thanks for confirming.

>118 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Warming up fast out here. Should be shedding the light jacket soon.

Glad you have the Smith collection. I hope to start mine soon. The Greer is now on the list.

>119 streamsong: That is a helluva deal, Janet. Thanks for sharing.

>117 msf59: yeah, I actually gave the calendar to the hubs at Christmas, but I'm the one flipping the pages.

Happy Thursday night Mark. Spots central here in WI with the Brewers/Cubs, Bucks, and NFL draft! We'll be switching channels while I start Less.

>122 lauralkeet: I think that is great that your husband is in to birds too, Laura. I am working on my wife. She is definitely inching closer. She really enjoys monitoring the bird feeders. I have to get her on a few more bird walks.

>123 alphaorder: Big sports night, eh, Nancy? Getting ready to turn on the Cubs & Brewers game. Go Cubs! Grins...

I will watch for your thoughts on "Less". You have me intrigued.

^Sorry, for the poor quality of the photo, (I need a much better camera for birding) but I paid the GHO owlets my weekly visit today and they were right out in the open and we got very long looks. I brought a couple of good friends too and they loved it. We remained respectful and at a distance but the owlets were completely oblivious to our presence. Once again, no sign of Mama.

Hi, Mark! Hope you're having a great week! We had rain earlier this week (which was desperately needed) but now sunny and warm and things are greening up nicely. I set up my DSLR with a zoom lens on a tripod and have been trying to take some good shots of the birds out back. I took a few this morning of a downy woodpecker on the suet feeder and have hopes that at least one is good. The Pueblo Zoo is having their annual Brew at the Zoo event this Saturday, and, of course, I thought of you. Check out all the brewers participating. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-brew-at-the-zoo-pueblo-zoo-tickets-41780689166

>119 streamsong: Thanks, Janet! Great deal! I just ordered one.

Mark, dinner!! : https://raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/

Nice and zoomed in

>79 msf59: The rabbit on your thread has bigger ears than the one on mine, Mark, and I had the good fortune of seeing mine in a park rather than my back yard. We have had sunshine and warmth all week but, of course, rain is predicted for the weekend. Today was shorts weather. Amazing for here at this time of year but we'll take it.

Hi Mark. Like Meg I am enjoying our spurt of warm weather. We actually ate dinner this evening out on the balcony. Those little owls are sure growing up quickly - I can't believe how large they are now.

>79 msf59: love seeing rabbits, even though they are a pest here and breed like....rabbits. ;)

>109 msf59: that would be you, Mark! Raving about your latest read.

Good morning, Mark! Thanks for the illustrated owlet report. I'm considering a bird walk tomorrow morning, if the weather cooperates.

Congrats on the Cubs win! At least the Bucks pulled out another one, so we can watch them again on Saturday.

>126 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Ooh, I need a DSLR camera, for my birding adventures. That will have to be my next expense. I will have to stop over and see if you posted any photos.

Wow! The Brew at the Zoo sounds great. I am off tomorrow too. I wish I could teleport there and back. Grins...

>127 jessibud2: I missed dinner, Shelley but I just checked on the eaglets and they are up and ready for breakfast. So cute...

>128 Familyhistorian: The photo of the rabbit was not mine, but it looks pretty similar. We are not ready for shorts yet. Maybe next week? I can't wait to finally cross that line. Cool again here tomorrow. Boo!

>129 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. We are not warm enough yet, to sit outside, but next week we have a big warm up coming. I think the owlets are nearly full grown. They should be starting to fly soon. I hope I can see it.

>130 LovingLit: Hi, Megan! Yah, for the warblers. I hope to see some on my bird walk today.

>131 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. I hope you make your bird walk. This is my weekend off, so I plan on doing an organized walk each day. Looking forward to it.

>132 alphaorder: Go Bucks! Very happy for your team, Nancy. And yep, it was a very tight Cubs win.

^This is my weekend off, so I plan on going on an organized bird walk each morning. I am currently wolfing my eggs and ham down and getting ready to head out. I hope to get some LT time in later this afternoon and catch up on some neglected threads and then there are the long overdue mini-reviews and setting up the latest AAC and...sighs.

Can't wait to hear what you saw! Have a great weekend, friend.

Enjoy the weekend off and today's bird walk, Mark! Looks like a pretty day for it.

Sounds like a fun and busy weekend! Enjoy

Morning, Mark! Hooray for the weekend off - try not to get into too much trouble while the wife is away.

Enjoy your weekend off, Mark. I think it's supposed to be a nice one, though cool on Sat.

I finished The Right Stuff last night and liked it, but probably not as much as you did. Felt like the National Enquirer look at the early space program but it was entertaining and informative. I'm glad I finally read it.

I've got my first post-surgical follow up this afternoon, with the neck surgeon, and then probably read and watch sports, much as I've done all week. A friend is coming over with dinner on Sunday so that'll break up my new routines a bit.

Happy Friday, Mark, and yay for your days off. I hope you have wonderful bird walks.

>125 msf59: Thank you for the pic of the owlet. Even a tad blurry, it's your photo and he/she looks very peaceful and happy perching up there.

Owlets and Eaglets - what a great thread, thanks to you and Jessibud!

I love the owlet photo! I hope you have a great weekend of birds & books.

>90 msf59: Hi Mark.

I read When they Call You a Terrorist when it first hit the B&N earlier this year. Liked it enough that I just this week ordered 100 copies to use in an Interdisciplinary Project for all the Seniors at my school next year.

^WHEW! After the bird walk, (more on that later) I helped a friend power-wash the front of her townhouse, (she is putting it up for sale), then I came home and did yard-work for over 2 hours, (all of it needed to be done and the weather was nice). Now, I am inside, showered and ready for some R & R.
I NEED to block a chunk of time for the books, (I would have got more read at work) but for the moment, I poured myself a cold one and I am going to do a little catch up over here...

>136 alphaorder: Bird report coming up, Nancy. This is a great group to go out with. The naturalist holds these on Fridays, for April and May and then begins again in the fall, so unfortunately I can't make many of them.

>137 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe and thanks. It should be a very good weekend.

>138 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. I don't mind bird busy...smile.

>139 Crazymamie: Happy Friday, Mamie. It is much more likely that my wife will get in trouble, than little old me. She is in the Big Easy after all. Grins..

>140 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. It was a chilly start this morning but it finally warmed up enough for me to work outside in a T-Shirt. Glad you finished The Right Stuff. Yep, it was 5 star read for me. I almost done with the film too. Go Cubs! I have them on, behind me.

>141 karenmarie: Happy Friday, Karen. Looking forward to my bird walk tomorrow. New location and new group. Good chance to see a bald eagle too. I wish the owlet photo came in a bit better. They are so darn cute.

>142 m.belljackson: Hooray, for Owlets and Eaglets, Marianne. I am hoping to see a bald eagle or osprey tomorrow.

>143 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. From what I am hearing, the owlets may be fledging soon and might move on. I hope they stick around a bit longer. It has been a real joy to watch them.

>144 majleavy: Hi, Majleavy! Great to see you. Thanks for chiming in on When they Call You a Terrorist. I think ordering 100 copies is an excellent idea. I finished it yesterday. It might be the best book on race, that I ever read. It was that powerful.

-Palm Warbler

Had a good time on the bird walk. Another very nice forest preserve. My first time here. Nice group too. Cold start though, with a chilly wind, especially near the water. I saw my second different warbler of the season, with the Palm and also saw a couple yellow-rumps. Most of the highlights were water birds: shovelers, wood ducks, cormorants, spotted sandpipers, lesser yellowlegs, caspian terns, a solo sandhill crane flying above the lake and lots of tree swallows. Our guide heard a Eastern Meadowlark singing, a couple of times but we never saw them.

We also saw a muskrat swimming. Smiles...



-Spotted Sandpiper

I knew you'd finish Career of Evil before I did. I finished yesterday. So good. Can't wait for the TV adaptation in June. Tomorrow we're off on a quick trip to southern Oregon to see a couple of plays in Ashland (Othello and Henry V) so it's road trip audiobook time. It's been a couple of years so we're going back to the Inspector Montalbano series and will listen to The Snack Thief.

We had four days of summer this week and it was wonderful. Spent some time on the patio listening to lots of birds. The newsletter I got this week from our local bird shop talked about putting out suet cages filled with the pet hair from combing your pets because the birds love it as nesting materials. I picked up a suet cage and combed Abby a bit so now we wait and see . . .

Enjoy your birds, books and beer weekend!

Happy New thread and what a darling Sandpiper! They are cute little things. Not that tiny, but cute. I saw a couple of Great Blue Herons on my last walk. I don't usually see two together, but perhaps it is mating season?

We had a few sunny warm days this week Mark but Sunday is supposed to be snowy. Nothing that will stick but still...it’s almost May for God sake. Not that I care that much. I’ll be in Raleigh NC visiting my son. I hope it’s warmer there 😎

Have a great weekend

Nice bird sightings Mark! We're going on another bird walk next weekend, this one sponsored by Audubon Pennsylvania with a guide who I guess is quite well known in Philly. I'm looking forward to it. Oh, and there will be free coffee & donuts! Whoop.

>149 SuziQoregon: Hi, Juli! I also enjoyed Career of Evil. Will this be the first time that they adapt it for TV? I hope they do it justice.

Very interesting about the pet hair and suet. Our little dog doesn't shed much but if Bree's shepard was still living here, we would bales of nesting materials.

>150 vancouverdeb: Happy Friday, Deb. Yah, for Great Blue Herons. We see them quite regularly too. I am sure most of the birds are mating and nesting at the moment. I saw some very cute, little goslings today, swimming close to Mama.

>151 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. It looks like most of us are dealing with this unruly, un-spring-like weather. It was only in the upper 40s, when we started our walk this morning and only 50, for a high tomorrow. What the heck? Have a great time in NC. I LOVE that state and could see myself, retiring there.

>152 lauralkeet: Yah, for another scheduled bird walk, Laura. Let's hope the weather is much better by then. Coffee and donuts is a nice bonus too.

^I put up the hummingbird feeder today. They have been spotted in northern IL, so I thought I would supply some nourishment, until the flowers bloom.

My feeders have been hopping all day, except for the finch feeder. This remains quiet. I wonder if the goldfinch are busy building nests? I will have to ask a more seasoned birder.

I saw a news segment on "the dancing mailman" today. That wasn't you, was it?

Good Cubs game today. Those teams are evenly matched.

Came home tonight and saw that the goldfinches have turned bright yellow seemingly overnight. They’re gorgeous. They’re also going through thistle seed like they think I buy it at Costco.

Hope you see some hummers soon.

>149 SuziQoregon: I wish I had a dog or cat so I could do that!

>Hi, Mark! I posted a couple of pics I took with the DSLR. Not the best quality, but not too bad. I also posted one of Rosie which shows how good an image taken with one of the "big boys" (as opposed to a cellphone) can be.

>156 lindapanzo: I am the "birding" and "bookish" mailman, but definitely not the "dancing" mailman. That is someone else. Grins...

Lets win this series against Brew Crew! Go Cubs!

>157 SuziQoregon: I am baffled by our dearth of goldfinches, Juli, my only guess is that they are busy building nests. I will have to check the bird feed prices at Costco. I always forget to check. Go Hummers! I hope to spot one this week.

>158 Storeetllr: I will drop by, to check out the pics, Mary. Looking forward to it.

The Peace Of Wild Things

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

-Wendell Berry

^This is from my current Berry collection. I don't think I'll be able to finish it, it's a big boy, but I should get a good sample of his poetry.

I love that Berry poem.

Thought you might be interested in this list of birding festivals I found:
https://www.fws.gov/refuges/news/finding_Birding_Festivals.html

Nice Wendell Berry poem, Mark. That makes for a peaceful start to the day, doesn't it.

Enjoy your bird walk today. I'd save doing the dancing mailman for later; it might scare them away.

Mark, this just in, from my Audubon newsletter, fresh in y morning inbox:

Hummers in your area

Good morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you!

You sure were busy yesterday, between the birdwalk, powerwashing, yard work, and hopefully some B&B (brews and books).

Excellent birding report, too.

Happy Saturday! Have a good one.

On one of your recent threads, someone posted a link to a bird store with some cool stuff including bison hair for nesting.

So I contacted a friend who just moved to an area with lots of bison ... she had three bison babies (I've just learned they are called 'red dogs') born on her street/yard overnight. She's going to send me some bison hair as they begin shedding. I don't know if the birds will prefer it to all the horse hair surrounding my place, but hey! bison hair ... it tickles my fancy.

Stay out of trouble while your batching it, Mark. Have a great weekend. Yes, now that spring seems to be here, the yard work looms.

>161 alphaorder: Thanks for the bird festival list, Nancy. Glad Horicon is on there. Wouldn't it be cool, to be able to hit each one of these? Eventually, anyway...

>162 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe. I have found a few gems in the Berry collection. No worries, the dancing mailman is on the backburner. Grins...

>163 jessibud2: Ooh, a hummer update. Thanks, Shelley. I will check it out, in a minute. It is cool here today, I wonder if they would be active?

ETA: Nice Audubon info! It looks like our ruby-throated are right on schedule. They must not have got the memo, that spring has been delayed.

>164 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen. I was gone over 4 hours, this morning, but it was worth every minute. Report to follow. B & B will be my afternoon plans. Smiles...

>165 streamsong: Happy Saturday, Janet. Hooray for red dogs & bison hair. How cool is that? Let me know if it works.

>166 BLBera: No craziness, from this old warbler, Beth. I was in bed at 10 last night and I am sure it will be the same tonight. Hopping Saturday night, eh?

Hi Mark! Hoping the weekend of birding is as relaxing (the rest of it, that is) as you could hope for.

-Black-Crowned Night Heron, (my new favorite heron. B.A.G.)

Wow! What a really interesting morning, despite the chill, (only in the 40s). I attended a group outing at Lake Renwick- Heron Rookery Nature Preserve. This is a controlled nature area and is only open to the public once a week and only for a couple of hours, during mating and nesting season. I can clearly see why. There were more Great Egrets, than I have ever seen, in one area. Also multiple numbers of Great Blue Herons, cormorants, American coots and tree swallows. There were also grebes, buffleheads, shovelers and lesser scaup, (a small diving duck) which was a lifer. My highlight was seeing several Black-Crowned Night Heron, this was also a lifer and one I hoped to see today. Sadly, no eagles or osprey.

Of course, I had to check out another forest preserve, on my way home, for about an hour. A nice walk, but just the usual suspects. I did see a red-tailed hawk being mobbed by one pissed-off red-wing blackbird.

^This is a photo, (not mine), of the rookery at Lake Renwick. It is situated on a man-made island. Like the photo shows, it was covered with cormorants, herons and egrets. Pretty amazing.

>171 msf59: that is amazing Mark.

My experience with herons was in Amsterdam. They sometimes wander in the streets too, along the canals. Quite tame.

>170 msf59: Nice Mark! The black-crowned Night Heron lives in Holland as well, but it's pretty rare. A real sight.

>169 richardderus: It has been a very nice weekend, RD. Thanks. My evenings have been quiet, but that is okay with me. I have my books and beverages.

>172 Caroline_McElwee: I almost got whiplash, doing double takes, when I saw this rookery. LOL. Happy Saturday, Caroline. What is your weather like, across the pond?

>173 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. Glad to hear that the black-crowns are in Holland too. And they look similar?

^The Peter Hamill thread is up and running, for the AAC: http://www.librarything.com/topic/290673#

45) In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose by Alice Walker 4 stars AAC

“I wonder if America will ever have a place for poor people. It appears they are doomed to be eternal transients.”

“If the Civil Rights Movement is “dead”, and if it gave us nothing else, it gave us each other forever. It gave some of us bread, some of us shelter, some of us knowledge and pride, all of us comfort...It gave us history and men far greater than Presidents. It gave us heroes, selfless men of courage and strength, for our little boys and girls to follow. It gave us hope for tomorrow. It called us to life.

Because we live, it can never die.”

I am so glad I decided to go with this one, for the AAC. In this essay collection, there are 36 pieces, dealing with, being a black woman, mother and an activist, but the bulk of it, deals with her fight for Civil Rights and feminist rights. There is also plenty on her love of reading, especially southern literature, including her infatuation with Zora Neale Hurston and Flannery O' Connor. Bold, brash and insightful. An excellent read.

>176 msf59: Okay, that one sounds like a keeper. On the WL it goes.

>177 mahsdad: Hey, Jeff. I am sure the Walker would be good on audio too.

^Heading out for my final bird walk of the weekend. Boy, I could get used to this. Hope to spot something new and exciting. I will then pick up my wife from the airport. I am sure she had a great time. Lucky duck.

And yes, I am getting some reading in too. I will finish "Happiness" today.

Happy Sunday, Mark, and good luck on your bird walk.

Happy Sunday, Mark! Enjoy your bird walk, should be ideal conditions.
I woke this morning to discover, my birdfeeder which contains the sunflower seeds is GONE! The shepard's hook holder is bent over and those rascally rascals must have rolled it away when it dropped off the hook. *sigh* I'm sure it's around somewhere in the yard. I'll check when it warms up later today.

Good morning, Mark! Congrats on the black-crowned night heron and lesser scaup. Was that the first rookery you've seen? There's a natural one not too far from us that can be seen from a county park, but we don't usually get out walking at the park until later in the year, so I've never seen one as mobbed as that one seems to be.

>179 msf59: I read "I will finish with "Happiness" today" above and was getting concerned....

Happy Sunday, Mark. Looks like it'll be a nice one.

A friend is coming over to visit and bringing a Lou Malnati's pizza. She's a big sports fan and so, no doubt, we'll watch a hockey game or a ballgame.

>180 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. The walk went just fine. Nice group. Brief report to follow.

>181 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Cool start to the morning but all the sunshine sure helped. Did you locate the feeder? LOL. Raccoons, right?

>182 harrygbutler: Hi, Harry. The black-crowned was amazing. Yes, this was my first rookery but I am very sure it will not be my last. A stunning thing to see.

The Alice Walker essay collection sounds excellent, Mark. I'm on overload, but I'll keep it in mind. Nice pick for the AAC.

I'm glad you're having such good bird walks. That rookery is something else.

>183 richardderus: LOL. That definitely cracked me up, RD. No worries, I am still a very happy guy and plan on staying that way.

>184 lindapanzo: Happy Sunday, Linda. It is a nice day and rest of the week sounds great. Looking forward to it. Enjoy the pizza. I am a fan of that one.

Go Cubs! Can we sweep?

-Eastern Bluebird

Had a good time on my final walk, of the long weekend. Nice group, with lots of familiar faces. I like birding at this spot too, but it is always better with company. Nothing unusual, but did see plenty of birds. The bluebirds are always a highlight. Also a brown thrasher, sitting high in a tree. A Great Horn Owl was spotted. I did see it fly away, a couple of times, but could never get a bead on it, perched.

I had to leave early, they were still in full swing, to pick up Sue from the airport. Of course, she had a good time but is dragging a bit. Now, for some book time...

These are the only birds I have seen today. They were on FB. They remind me of you and Sue. : )



They are budgerigars and native to Australia. The wild ones are all green. The domesticated have been colour selected by breeding for many generations.

>186 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Walker is such a passionate writer. It comes through on every page. I will have to make sure to read more of her work.

Yah, for the bird walks! May will be a busy month for them too.

>189 Berly: Hooray for the budgies, Kimmers! They are adorable. Hope to see one on my trip to Australia, in a couple of years.

^For my return to work tomorrow, I decided to go with Educated: A Memoir as my next audiobook. I have heard nothing but glowing praise about this memoir. I also heard Westover interviewed on the NYT Books Podcast and she was smart and engaging.

Anyone else have this on their WL?

>191 msf59: I have a copy in my stack somewhere...

I am currently listening to A Higher Loyalty. On deck is the Lorrie Moore. I also have James Fallows's Our Towns pre-purchased for when it is released.

My weekend novel is Less, which I am enjoying quite a bit.

I am impressed with all of your birding! We are having work done on our house over the next few weeks, so I am not sure how early I will be able to get to work. Going to try to meet up with Zoe.

>192 alphaorder: Happy Sunday, Nancy. Looking forward to Educated. How is A Higher Loyalty? It seems to be getting decent reviews. Looking forward to the Moore essay collection. Do you have this in print? Not familiar with Fallows. Should I be? And "Less" is all ready on the To-Read list, thanks toy you and Joe.

Yep, I love getting out with a bird group. It feels like an education, one small step at a time, plus this time of year is exciting. Wait until Horicon. Swoons...

^Rhonda warbled loudly about The Jump-Off Creek and then kindly sent me a copy. It got lost in the book shuffle for awhile but it resurfaced when I was reorganizing my books and I immediately moved it to the top of the pile. I will start it tomorrow. I had not heard of the book or the author, until Rhonda sang her praises.

And Mark, Wendy is going to be so happy that you are reading this now! She is really sure that it's up your alley.

>193 msf59:.

Both the Moore and Fallows are audio, which I never did before meeting you. They are great companions for my 30-minute commute!

I read a lot of James Fallows's columns in The Atlantic, which is where I learned about his forthcoming book. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fallows

I am quite impressed with the Comey book, so far. His backstory is interesting.

Looking forward to Horicon - and seeing you - in May!

Hooray for long weekends and lots of bird sightings! i'm sure the pain of going back to work tomorrow will be mitigated by listening to Educate. I hadn't heard of the book before, so I looked it up and it sounds really interesting. What a childhood that must have been!

Bird feeder found and recovered! Intact nonetheless and with a little seed, as well. The lid was still on so the raccoon was a bit limited as to how much he could abscond with. Ahhhhh, Nature!

>195 banjo123: Looking forward to it, Rhonda. Stay tuned...

>196 alphaorder: Ooh, I would like to try the Moore collection on audio. Does she narrate it? I will wait for your final verdict on Fallows.

Hope to see you mid-May. Should be a big birding month.

>197 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. I have a long work week coming up but I have another long weekend coming up in two weeks, by taking a couple of vacation days. Yes, it is bird related...grins.

Yes, Educated does sound good. Looking forward to it.

>198 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Hooray for the recovered bird feeder. Are there any precautions you can put in place?

>198 Carmenere: - Take it in at night! Speaking from experience, the raccoons will win. They always do. I am on my second feeder, thanks to them. Well, third, actually; they broke the last one but they out and out stole one several years ago that I never found ;-p

>201 jessibud2: Very fortunate, Shelley, that the big critters leave my feeders alone. Fingers crossed.

^73 degrees today! Yahoo! Yes, we had plenty of sunshine this weekend but it remained cool, barely breaking 60. We should have 70s for most of the week and everything should turn GREEN! I will be switching to my walking shorts today. Yes, the legs are white and stark, but it has to be done. I expect the birds to be rejoicing out there and I will be right along with 'em.

>188 msf59: What a beautiful colour blue, that bluebird! Is it a common bird sighting for you?

I didn't see anything spectacular this weekend, but I heard my first Common Swift of the year, and later my first Cuckoo calling. And now of course it's raining. The first swift we look out for, I have a friend I compete with who sees one first, she has won, she saw four and I just heard one.

>204 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. Now, that I know what to look for, I see bluebirds regularly. They like more open spaces, so we do not see them at the feeders. Always a joy to see.

Yah, for the swift and the cuckoo calling. Must be a sweet sound.

Educated is a good choice, I think, Mark. My sister has recommend that too me and it sure is in the bookstores. I was pretty proud of myself yesterday. On my walk with Poppy, I finally positively identified a Downy Woodpecker. Turns out there are quite a few of them in the area where I walk, but it took until today that I could see the bit of red on it's head, along with the spots on the feathers. Saw the usual Trumpeter Swan and Canada Goose swimming in the shallows of the river today. But interestingly, the Trumpeter Swan chased the Canada Goose in the water. I did not know that the swan could swim so fast, nor behave so aggressively. Maybe a nesting thing, or a food " fight" ? The swan really got swimming fast and rushed up behind the Canada Goose and then flapped it's wings to say - get out of my area! The Canada Goose did not fly away, but he or she moved out of the way and kept it's distance from the swan after that.

>188 msf59: Good morning, Mark. I'm glad the walk yesterday yielded some birds, even if nothing too unusual. About all I saw while out driving about were many black vultures and some unidentifiable hawks.

'Morning, Mark! I hope your workday goes quickly, walking shorts and white legs included.

>181 Carmenere:, >198 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! And that's why I bring in our wild bird seed feeder every night. I even have an alarm on my cellphone set to remind me, which it did at the poetry reading at the library the other night. *smile* Our other feeders are either critter proof or on a pole that is critter proof.

Bluebirds like worms and such - I have a friend who buys mealworms and puts them out. He always has bluebirds during nesting season, although they're around all year here. Looks like they're year-round in Illinois, too.

>206 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb. Educated has started out very good. She is a good writer. Hooray, for IDing the downy. Keep in mind, the female does not have the red spot. And yes, swans are quite aggressive. You do not want to mess with them.

>207 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. We saw a pair of turkey vultures yesterday and Coopers Hawk.

>208 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Warming up fast. Want to get some sun on these legs.
Thanks for the feeding tips on the bluebirds.

It's getting up to the low 70s here this week, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Happy Spring-at-last!

Morning, Mark! We see loads of bluebirds here, as they love to hang out in the pecan grove behind our property. Craig put out a feeder with mealworms, and I saw my first one really close up this weekend - very cool!

Educated sounds very interesting. There are quite a few survivalists of all different flavors in the Northern Idaho/ western Montana region. I don't understand them, so perhaps should read a bit about a few of them, although I suspect they are all very different from each other. I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about the book.

>208 karenmarie: Mealworms for bluebirds, huh? I see the occasional Mountain Bluebird here and would love to attract more of them.

>208 karenmarie:, >212 streamsong: - Here ya go: Feeding mealworms to your birds

Personally, I love the dish, not so sure I want to deal with the worms. I am content with my one feeder of shell-less sunflower hearts. ;-)

Looks like a nice weather week ahead. I’m hoping to sit outside and read a bit. It’s been so long since we’ve had pleasantly warm weather.

>210 richardderus: Hi, RD! Hooray for the warmth. It is supposed to hit 80 tomorrow, the first time since early October. Yikes!

>211 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. Thanks for chiming in on the beloved bluebirds. I know they need open spaces, so I can see why you attract them at the Pecan Paradiso. We lack that in our immediate neighborhood, so no bluebirds, but they are not hard to find, if you know where to look.

>188 msf59: ooo, I like his jacket.

Big waves from over the pond.

First Red-winged Blackbird singing toward me!

Hoping for rain up here since it's turned into a Dust Bowl.

>191 msf59: I’ve just finished Educated and I found it a very compelling read.

Zoe and I just got back from an afternoon hike. We saw four warblers: Yellow-rumped, Palm, Pine (new to me!) and Orange-crowned (also new to me!) Imagine what I will see if I manage to get to the Center before work!

I hear that the migrants are really moving in this week. We had 3 TV stations out here today to talk about it. 2 weeks ago, the same stations were here talking about how to help the birds in the snowy weather. Glad there is so much interest.

>216 Caroline_McElwee: Are you referring to the bluebird or Kim's Budgies?

>217 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Great to see you, stranger.

>218 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Yah, for the red-wing! We have been seeing and hearing them for a few weeks now.

>219 SandDune: Hi, Rhian. Good to see you. Educated is off to a very good start. It reminds me of The Glass Castle. Have you read that one?

>220 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy! Yah, for the afternoon hike with Zoe and yah, for the warblers. I saw a report, earlier from Montrose Bird Sanctuary and both of those were spotted there as well. We should start seeing waves of migrants this week.



^Ooh, this pine warbler could be tough to identify for me. It looks pretty similar to a couple of other warblers.

-Harry Bliss

>223 msf59: - LOL!

>223 msf59: LOLOLOLOLOL

Just watched Dan Egan on PBS News Hour for their April Book Club. They then announced their May pick. Drum roll ... Educated!

>224 jessibud2: >225 richardderus: Grins...

>226 alphaorder: Good pick, Nancy. Educated has been very good in the early going. Reminds me of The Glass Castle.

>223 msf59: Lol!

Lots of great bird sightings for you! We need to start thinking about bird walks. Sounds like fun but I’m guessing they frown on dogs coming along. Lol!

The author of Educated was interviewed on NPR a month or so ago. I don’t remember if she was on Fresh Air or something else but it was an interesting interview. What a life!

>223 msf59: HAH!

>223 msf59: LOL

>228 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Good to see you. I am sure there are bird clubs, you could join. I think organized walks are the best, at least in the beginning. And yep, as far as I know dogs are not allowed.

I heard the author of Educated on the NYT Books podcast. Smart woman and gifted author.

>229 Storeetllr: >230 banjo123: Grins...

^May seems to be off to a good start, delivering some real spring-like weather. It is supposed to hit 80 today and it will feel great. Yes, my allergies are reacting to all the outside activities, but at this point, it is welcome.

Both, my current reads, The Jump-Off Creek & Educated are treating me fine too. Love starting the month on a high point.

^Another sign of spring, is my little chipping sparrow buddy is back at my feeders. He always feeds from the ground and he is one of my most faithful visitors, in the summer months. He is one of the smallest sparrows I have seen.

No hummingbird sighting yet...it is tough when I am at work during the day.

Good morning, Mark! We usually have a chipping sparrow or two around our feeders during the warmer seasons, too. On the bird walk on Saturday, we saw a first-of-season catbird, too.

Hi Mark. Spring has finally sprung here, too! And about time! Halleluyah!

As for the chippy I didn't know it was one of the smallest sparrows. All I know is that it's the easiest of them to ID, thanks to its red head! I haven't seen one here yet this season but I have fond memories (and some photos, somewhere) of a mama chippy feeding a giant *baby*. It was actually a baby cowbird. You know that cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of others and when they hatch, are fed and cared for as if they were part of the nest brood. Poor mama, having to provide enough food for that growing monster! He hopped after her all over my lawn as she would stop and feed him every now and then.

A new month means new books! I liked this list and thought you would too - some nice poetry, story collections, graphic novels.

https://lithub.com/14-books-you-should-read-this-may/

Here's another list. I knew of more books on this one. Have been waiting for the Russo.

http://www.signature-reads.com/2018/05/from-melissa-broder-to-allison-pataki-the...

And finally:

https://themillions.com/2018/05/may-preview-millions-anticipated-month-2.html

Glad the birds are back for you Mark! Spring is finally here!

>234 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. The next sparrow that should be popping up at the feeders, are the white-crowned. I like these guys too. Do you have them by you?

>235 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. I should clarify that the chipping sp is the smallest I see. The house sparrows, look like giants next to them. I have been seeing a pair of brown-headed cowbirds hanging around. I saw them on my front lawn, as I was leaving for work.

>236 alphaorder: Thanks, for the links, Nancy. I will check them out, when I get home. Enjoy your walk today. It is gorgeous out.

Awww! You missed me. :(:(:(

Happy May, Mark! Glad to see the warm temps have made it to Chicago. We've been loving taking the girls into the yard everyday. Elissa is really not too sure about the whole grass thing.

>237 The_Hibernator: >239 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel. I did see you last minute, but ran out of time. Great to see you and yah, for the birds. I have been seeing some good birds, all ready today.

>240 ChelleBearss: Happy May, Chelle. And hooray, for taking the girls outdoors, to soak up that restorative sunshine.

I am sure Nate is happy to be back on his bike too.

Come on, come on, come on, Mark. Get a new thread started so I can get back into the queue. I can't read all these posts.

I guess it's my own fault, isn't it?

Are you out and about in glorious spring weather? It is gorgeous here. At last.

>221 msf59: I haven’t read The Glass Castle. If it’s anything like as traumatic as Educated I might have to leave it a little while until I recover!

'Afternoon, Mark! I've seen a Chipping Sparrow recently at my feeders, too. Hope you're having a good day.

>232 msf59:

Are there nose and mouth masks that work for pollen?

>242 weird_O: Be patient, Bill. I usually go to about 300 posts. Just a few more days. And yes, I was out in this glorious weather today. I think it might have hit 85, or very close to it. Normally, I prefer 10 degrees cooler, but after this lousy spring so far, it was welcome.

>243 SandDune: It has been quite a few years since I read, The Glass Castle, but it is no way, as tough to read, as Educated. Yes, it has neglectful and reckless parents, but nothing like this Idaho crew. Wow!

>244 karenmarie: Good evening, Karen. Hooray for the chipping sparrow. I just saw mine out there, a few minutes ago.

>245 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I never thought about using a mask to prevent, allergy exposure. I am not sure it would help and it would probably be uncomfortable. I battle it the best way I can, but thanks for the suggestion.

I always enjoy those lists from Nancy. I think Ted Kooser is a poet you'd enjoy.

Nice day!

I'm a ways into Lilac Girls now, and it's really good. A recommendation from Debbi.

Good to hear that you finally have spring weather, Mark. I'm sure you enjoy it as you do your rounds.

>243 SandDune:, >246 msf59: Agree that Glass Castle is not hard to read (though I can't compare it to Educated because I haven't read that one yet).

Hi, Mark - Yay for spring! Saw my first male breeding goldfinch at the feeder today. Got so excited!

>247 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I am sure I will be adding to the TBR, once I finish looking at the lists Nancy shared.

Glad you are enjoying Lilac Girls. Would it be something I like?

>248 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I have been enjoying the weather but it jumped right into summer temps. Nice to be wearing shorts and short-sleeves.

>249 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Expect a lot of warbling on Educated. It is a very strong memoir.

Yah, for the male goldfinch. We just had one at the feeder too. Always a pretty sight.

Happy Wednesday, Mark.

>251 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Happy Wednesday. Good to see you posting around.

-Nashville Warbler

^I forgot to post this yesterday, but I saw my first warbler on the route yesterday, the Nashville. Warblers are tough to spot and to identify, but I am slowly learning. Sadly, I did see another warbler, but it was deceased. It must have collided with a storefront window, because it was laying on the sidewalk. It was a common yellow-throat and a beauty too:

Happy May, Mark and it's finally feeling like it! Another 80+ day here and nary a raindrop in sight. Lots of yard work on our schedule today! Have a good one on the route.

>201 jessibud2: I heeded your advice, Shelley and brought the birdfeeder in last night and brought out early this morning. *sigh* I guess it's going to have to be this way. Thanks for the idea.

>254 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. Yep, loving this warm-up, but we have rain moving in later this afternoon. Not sure if it will be heading your way. It has been dry here, so it is welcome.

Glad for the Nashville!

More poetry: https://themillions.com/2018/05/must-read-poetry-may-2018.html

>255 msf59: Just heard we'll be getting your rain tomorrow, Mark so another day of basking in sunshine :))

>254 Carmenere: - I know, Lynda. But think of it as morning exercise.

>253 msf59: - Those are gorgeous warblers, Mark. It's always so sad to see one dead. A couple of years ago, I found a sweet little junco on my driveway, clearly he had hit the garage door. Did you read my post on my thread about what I witnessed the other day? I was shocked beyond belief. I did not post the photos on my gallery as it was rather disturbing. I saw a little red squirrel eating a goldfinch. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that it had to have already been dead (maybe it hit the garage door or wall of the house), because how on earth would a squirrel ever catch a bird?

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

>253 msf59: The warbler and his bird warblers. Appropriate, for sure. I was treated to visits by one male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 4 times yesterday.

Good morning, Mark. Love those warbler photos. This is a cool hobby you've got.

Lilac Girls: yeah, I have no doubt you'd like it a lot. Very well-written, multiple viewpoints on life and death during WWII - Debbi warned me it's an emotionally tough one. So just your cuppa. :-)

>256 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Thanks for more new poetry links. These are always helpful.

With migration season in full swing, you never know what I might see out here and I love it.

>257 Carmenere: It looks like the rain will hold off until later this afternoon. Whew! I have my rain gear along, just in case...

>258 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. I will try to swing by your thread a little later on, to hear about about the flesh-eating squirrel. This is new to me...

Yah, I spotted a few more warblers...Glad the mail is so light, it is giving me a few extra minutes to gawk.

>259 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Getting a bit humid, but no complaints from the balmy Midwest. And hooray, for the warblers.

>260 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Yep, migration season is exciting for us birders, fledglings or not.

I will track down Lilac Girls. Another friend had recommended it too.

Morning, Mark! Hope you are enjoying the sun! Nate was so happy that he drove his motorcycle in to work for his nightshift. It's been glorious here and I finally slept with the window in my bedroom open. Ahhh :)

Good morning, Mark! Congrats on the Nashville warbler. We live somewhat south of their breeding areas, but if we get a chance to go birding this weekend we could have a chance to spot one on the move.

Warblers galore - lucky you all!

Today on SMITHSONIAN.com, there's this:

"Thirty-seven Warblers in a Hundred Days."

>246 msf59: Oh, oh. Be patient. Is that the trick? I'd a never guessed. Well, huh, I can do that. I think. If I have to. I guess.

My wife spotted a Northern Oriole again today, zipping in and out of a flowering tree right off our deck. She's hoping it is scouting a nesting spot. That would be so neat. We first saw it on the weekend.

Didn't get through the Alice Walker novel I started; perhaps I'll finish it this month. I have a Pete Hamill book called News Is a Verb. Just right for me: about 100 pages total.

Weather is glorious. Sat on the deck until after dark.

I finished listening to a book that I think would be a good one for somebody who liked Divergent. Illuminae is the first book in a space opera trilogy. The book has a very unique format, but the recorded version is very well done and accommodates the strange print format. Even though it could have botched the narration, it doesn't. Even though the print and the recorded version are different it works either way. If you get bored this summer with all that narrative nonfiction that is your usual listening fare, give this a try.

As soon as I finished book 1 Illuminae I got book 2 Gemina and am happy to see that it is read with a full cast, just as the first was. The readers are different in book 2 because near as I can tell (and I have only listened to it on the way to work this morning) it has different characters in it, but the same setting.

Hi Mark, I recently read Falling From Horses by Molly Gloss so when I read about Jump Off Creek here on your thread I couldn't resist picking myself up a Kindle copy. I'm looking forward to it.

>252 msf59: I try to do more often. I had a great meet-up with Paul S. and at the Tinguely museum.

Lol. Why 300 posts? But I guess I have chosen 200 for arbitrary reasons, so I can't blame you.

Hopefully your weather is as beautiful as ours.

>261 msf59: - Mark, I have added a couple of photos to my gallery but they aren't pretty. Fair warning

>263 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. Yep, it jumped right into July weather here, so I am soaking up the warmth and sunshine. Yah, Nate riding his bike again. I am sure he is a Happy Camper!

>264 harrygbutler: Hi, Harry. The warblers seem to be swarming the Midwest at the moment. I hope to see plenty more and I hope you get a chance to see the Nashville.

>265 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Hooray for Warblers galore and "Thirty-seven Warblers in a Hundred Days," sounds like quite a feat.

>266 weird_O: You can be patient, Bill. I know you can do it. The Northern Oriole sounds beautiful. I have not seen an oriole yet this year, but my eyes are peeled.

Good luck finishing the Walker and I am glad you have a Hamill in the stacks.

>267 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Glad you found a new fantasy trilogy that is ringing your bells. Thanks for the rec. I will keep it in mind.

>268 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. It looks like I need to track down Falling From Horses. I am really enjoying The Jump Off Creek and want to read more of her work. She reminds me of Paulette Jiles, who I adore.

>269 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Hooray for a Meet-up with Paul S.! These are always special.

>270 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel. I get a lot of traffic over here, so 300 posts, is a good total for me, otherwise, I would be busy making new threads all the time. I need to read books and look at birds, you know?

>271 jessibud2: I will be over shortly, Shelley.

I saw 2 different warblers today, on the route, including the Yellow Warbler ^ and the Palm Warbler. I missed a couple others. Just too damn fast.

I saw a 2nd Yellow, in the very same spot I did, last year. Happy Camper!

The migrants have certainly arrived!

Just about done with the Comey. I highly recommend. He reads it, so audio is good.

>276 alphaorder: Yah, for the migrants! A birder's favorite time of year. I am really enjoying swapping texts with you about our sightings. I just wish I had a more seasoned birder with me at all times. LOL.

I think I can find the Comey on audio. I will snag it. Thanks.

Many of you, are probably wondering how I get any reading in with all my birding activities and endless bird chatter, and you may have a valid point, but I miraculously had another solid month of reading in April, with 15 titles. And once again, NF ruled the roost, with Endurance, The Right Stuff, In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens, Birding Without Borders and When They Call You a Terrorist. These were all 4.5 to 5 star reads.
I got my monthly story collection in (although I was hoping for 2), with All the Names They Used for God, which was excellent. I knocked out a couple of solid YA books, with We Are Okay and The Book of Dust. I finally caught up with Cormoran Strike and also enjoyed Ms. Forna's new one, Happiness: A Novel .

I also read a pair of terrific GN books, both NF, with Brazen: Rebel Ladies and Becoming Unbecoming.

Sadly, one thing that did suffer, was my mini-reviews. All apologies and I hope to get back on track. I also hope I warble enough about the book, while reading it, that you get the general idea. Grins...

A couple of nice weather days. It felt great sitting outside. All that fresh air really helped me, I'd say.

Unfortunately, as we left the doctor's office this afternoon, we got caught in a hail storm. Ugh. Stopped for a pizza after that, got home, and it hadn't even rained here.

>278 msf59: Good for you for squeezing in some books between all the bird chatter, Mark. LOL.

>275 msf59: Lovely warbler there Marc! Still enjoying your bird sightings vicariously. The 'Nashville Warbler' made me laugh, makes me think of another kind of warbler:-)

>279 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. We got hit with some pretty good storms last night. Any damage or problems, up there in your neck of the woods?

>280 Familyhistorian: Well, Anita, my May is off to a good start with the books too, so I am staying on track. Smiles...

>281 EllaTim: And which warbler are you referring to, Ella? Hmmmmmmmm?

^I am a big fan of Hearne's Iron Druid series and A Plague of Giants kicks off a new series. I snagged an ARC of this late last fall but waited for the audio to appear, since I love his books in that format. It is a big one, 600-plus pages, so it will take me a bit to get through.

I only have a bit more to go on the excellent, Educated and then I will switch over. I will also be wrapping up The Jump-Off Creek, which has also been very good. Warble, warble...

Good morning, Mark. The eaglets are really growing fast!!

https://raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/

Rainy here today but still warm. I noticed growth this morning, even from yesterday! Halleluyah!

Have a good one

'Morning, Mark! Have a great Thursday. I've already seen Cardinals, Cowbirds, Titmice, and a Downy Woodpecker at the feeders this morning.

Morning, Mark! 15 books in April is the same as me, book twin :) I had two GN and 15 novels. Adding in those audios sure does help increase the reading :)
Stay dry today!

I am envious that you have so many colourful birds in the US.

Light rain falling but warm and humid. It should end up being a nice day...

>284 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. Hooray for eaglets! I will check out the cam when I get home.

I might stop by and see the owlets,after work, but I have a feeling they may have flown the coop.

>285 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Ooh, nice bird feeder action. I have been seeing a pair of brown headed cowbirds lately.

Wow - 15 books in April. I only hit 5. And I haven't been birding nearly as much as you!

I think the damp weather has put a damper on the warblers...maybe later on?

>286 ChelleBearss: Morning, Book Twin. Yep, thank heavens for my audiobooks. Without them, my numbers would be slashed in half. What will I do when I retire? Smiles, dreamily...

>287 Caroline_McElwee: Expect a lot more color, to show up over here, Caroline...

>289 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. My audiobooks beef up my numbers. I am grateful for that.

Good morning, Mark. Sweet Thursday!

It got very stormy here last night. I can imagine the warblers are lying low for a while.

I'm nearing the end of that mystery audio book, It Happens in the Dark. It's been a fun one. I listened to most of it on our car trip, so I'm finishing it up at home.

Is Darvish going to come around? I'd rather he struggle at the beginning of the season than at the end, so maybe it'll work out okay. This sure isn't what I expected.

Morning, Mark! It rained last night here - a good soaker - but birds are heavy around the feeder this morning. I haven't seen any new species - just the house finches, doves, a robin, a downy woodpecker, and grackles. That goldfinch the other day must have been a one-off. :(

>291 jnwelch: Joe, I enjoyed It Happens in the Dark too. Love the Mallory mystery series.

Hey Mark, decided I need to move around more and make my presence known. I've been in a real lurker mood lately. So to that end... Hi, hope you're having a good day.

Question, you being the expert audio book reader, what's the max rate you listen at? I find I can't go above 1.5, but even that depends on the narrator. Right now I'm listening to Save Room for Pie by Roy Blount Jr (a collection of stories and poems about food). He has such a distinctive voice that I had to listen to it at normal speed.

Also, I am loving Killers of the Flower Moon (or as I've come to think of it : Law & Order, Frontier Justice :) ), thank you again.

Love the bird pictures Mark - like Caroline, I am rather envious of the brightly coloured birds you have. I ordered a copy of Forget Sorrow which arrived today, as well as Illegal
by Eoin Colfer, so I am rather pleased with the GN's I have up ahead.

>291 jnwelch: Sweet Thursday, Joe. Decent day today. A bit humid, but no complaints. It started to drizzle, on my way home and prevented me from visiting the owl clan, if they are still there. Maybe, tomorrow?

Glad you are enjoying your mystery on audio. I hope you keep one going.

I sure hope Darvish is not a very expensive washout. Fingers crossed. We also need much more consistency out of the offense. With all that sheer talent, it is puzzling.

>292 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Thanks for the feeder update. I always enjoy those. My feeders have been hopping too. Seeing more goldfinch but waiting for a hummingbird or an oriole. Of course, my feeder watching time is limited, when I am working.

>293 mahsdad: Hi, Jeff. Good to see you. We would love to see you around the threads more. Lurking is fine, but...

My ancient Nano, only goes up to 1.25. Honestly, I don't increase the speed very often, only when it gets to poky or it is a massive audio.

>294 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I love the colorful birds too. Always put a smile on my face.

Please, keep the GN recs coming. My GN reading has slacked off, so new ones are always welcome.