Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Seventeen

-Grant Wood (1891-1942)

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

OTS- Off the Shelf

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) OTS
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

May:

54) Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover 4.6 stars (audio)
55) The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Gloss 4.2 stars OTS
56) Black Swans: Stories by Eve Babitz 4.4 stars OTS
57) A Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne 3.6 stars (audio) OTS
58) The Beekeeper's Lament by Hannah Nordhaus 4 stars (audio)
59) Tabloid City: A Novel by Pete Hamill 4 stars AAC
60) The Boy on the Bridge by M. R. Carey 3.8 stars (audio)
61) The Parking Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat 4 stars OTS
62) The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya 4.3 stars (audio)
63) Whispers in Dust and Bone by Andrew Geye 4.2 stars OTS
64) End of Watch by Stephen King 3.6 stars (audio) OTS
65) Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison 4 stars Good Reads
66) A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey 4.2 stars (audio)

June:

67) Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer 4 stars (audio)
68) Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned by Walter Mosley 4.2 stars (audio) AAC
69) Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year by Kenn Kaufman 4.3 stars
70) The Night of the Gun (Memoir) by David Carr 5 stars (audio) OTS
71) Bearskin: A Novel by James A McLaughlin 4.2 stars ALA
72) CIRCE by Madeline Miller 4.5 stars (audio)
73) Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck 4.4 stars
74) The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea 4 stars (audio)
75) Cathedral by Raymond Carver 4.3 stars
76) Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan 3.8 stars (audio)
77) There There: A novel by Tommy Orange 4.5 stars

July:

78) The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley 4 stars (audio) AAC OTS
79) The Locals by Jonathan Dee 4.3 stars OTS
80) Dry Bones (Longmire) by Craig Johnson 4 stars (audio) OTS
81) The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan 4 stars (audio) AAC
82) Florida by Lauren Groff 4.2 stars
83) Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan 4.4 stars (audio) OTS
84) Calamity Jane: The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary by Christian Perrissin 4 stars GN
85) Sugar Money by Jane Harris 4.2 stars ALA OTS
86) Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman 4 stars (audio) OTS
87) Calypso by David Sedaris 4.4 stars (audio)
88) Beautiful Music by Michael Zadoorian 4.3 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 Completed Tabloid City
June- Walter Mosley Completed Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
July- Amy Tan Completed The Bonesetter's Daughter
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#

American Coma

I believe in the burned field,
the sailboat on the sill
of a desert farmhouse.

That stars on the undersides of our skulls
can spell the way home
even when the lights have gone out,
the maps again erased.

The fray of a rope. Chafe of my hands.
Black horses broken loose
over a trampled dawn—your body
beneath the tin of a bent truck grating.
Footprints at the edge of the earth
where they found you. Magdalena

I believe you became the clouds,
the Sangre de Cristos’ pink rim of morning,
the musk of your blood on my t-shirt as I drive away,
all smoke and sooty desert in my rearview.

It’s not the fantasy of a land that survives
but its rocks, redwoods, ghosts,
armadillos crushed in roadside gutters through Texas—

I believe their blood can stay with you
six hundred miles to the Mexican gulf,
that you can use their remains
to bind bear claws, cowrie shells,
something to dance with.

That when you awake you will not remember
any of this: the sirens, sticky
tubes they cocooned around you

the way you looked at me from behind the in-patient door,
eyes empty boats dozing on the edge
and I on the rocks peering into waves
piecing together fins out of crushed armadillos
picked up from the roadsides I traveled to find you
where Chevy appendages, cigarette-butts,
the birdfood of petrified Wonderbread crusts
are the songs of detached, mechanical wings.

I believe
when America awakes
she will not remember any of this:
you smashed over the precipice—
a pipe dream hinged upon a dead saguaro root.

Your pages flapping, tar-stained,
blown into shadows of buttes.

I gather you like kindling,
set you on fire, the fugue of black
horses drowning in the surf.

—Jennifer Elise Foerster

“It is terribly true, even if the truth does not comfort, that if you look at the moon for long enough night after night, as I have, you will see that the old cartoons are correct, that the moon is, in fact, laughing. But it is not laughing at us, we lonely humans, who are far too small and our lives far too fleeting for it to give us any notice at all.”

^This is how the first story, "Ghosts & Empties" ends, in Groff's latest story collection, Florida. I think it opens with a bang. I know many readers and critics raved about Fates & Furies, but that one just didn't work for me. It just never clicked. I did enjoy her earlier novel, The Monsters of Templeton and I do recognize her talent, so I was pretty pumped about this collection. I just started it...

Anyone have any thoughts on Groff?

Happy New Thread

I haven't read any Groff's stuff but I heard a review recently of Florida, and I'm intrigued. It's on the list

Love the Grant Wood, Mark!

Happy new thread, Mark. Those are some dramatic looking thread toppers.

Another great topper painting Mark.

Have a good weekend.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>6 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. This might be a good place to start with Groff. I have heard very good things about Arcadia too, which I also hope to get to this year.

>7 kac522: >8 lindapanzo: Thanks, Kathy & Linda. The Art Institute has some great Grant Wood paintings. He has an interesting connection with the museum.

>9 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. I hope you have a nice weekend too.

>10 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

^On audio, I am moving on to The Bonesetter's Daughter for the AAC. Amy Tan does the narration, along with the actress Joan Chen. I have not read a Tan in many years, so I am looking forward to this one.

Happy new thread, Mark. Glad you are getting this on audio (>12 msf59:). I listened to it on audio and I really thought this one was particularly good.

We had rain last night, finally, and this morning, the air is deliciously COOL!! I have all my windows open in the house! It may only last through the weekend before the heat and humidity return next week but this is so welcome! Hope you are getting this reprieve, too.

Happy new thread, Marc. Nice topper up there.

>12 msf59: I'll be interested in your opinion on The Bonesetter's Daughter. I loved The Joy Luck Club when I read it years ago.

Do you have to work today? If so, keep cool!

Happy new thread, Mark! Great toppers! Also great is the weather outlook for the weekend. It looks Fabuloso!! Have a good one!!

Happy new thread, Mark! We've had thunderstorms this morning, but now we're in a lull or the front has moved on.

Happy New Thread, Mark. Nice toppers. It's good to see a Grant Wood that isn't, you know, a farm couple. He has a number of cool paintings, doesn't he. Kind of a folk art look. That's a lot of personality to fit into a simple landscape.

I haven't read Lauren Groff. I'm trying one now, Alif the Unseen, by G. Willow Wilson, who writes the Ms. Marvel series. Liking it so far - both Jesse and Debbi really enjoyed it.

It's better weather today; I hope it goes reasonably well for you.

>13 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. The Bonesetter's Daughter is off to a promising start. Tan is actually a good narrator. I can't even distinguish between the narrators, at least in the early going.

Yes, it is a beautiful morning here. Nice breeze, low humidity. Aahhhhhh...

>14 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. I am enjoying my Tan book. Yes, I am working today and tomorrow, but it will be gorgeous both days, so no complaints out of me.

>15 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. Happy Friday. Why can't summer stay just like this? It looks like another Heat Wave next week, so we better savor it.

>16 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry. Good to see you pop in. We are cooling off nicely for the next couple of days. I hope you get a little break too.

>17 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Happy Friday. Yes, Grant Wood is an interesting artist. Folk art is a nice way to put it.

Not sure, Groff is your cuppa, but you never know. I have had Alif the Unseen on my To-Read list for years. Maybe, you will finally supply the right nudge.

Gorgeous out here, at the moment.

Morning Mark. I have been so out of touch I didn't realize Groff had that new story collection out. As a native Floridian, the title definitely intrigues. I liked Fates and Furies but not nearly as much as many of our LT buddies. I'll be interested in how the collection goes for you.

I finished reading Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned last night and thought it was an interesting collection of connected stories, almost a novel but not quite.

>21 EBT1002: Happy Friday, Ellen. The Groff is off to a strong start. She now lives in Florida, so these stories seem to capture the strange vibes that seem emanate from that southern state.

Glad you enjoyed the Mosley. I may have to read another of that Socrates series.

I am one who liked and admired Fates & Furies. Hope Florida works for you.

Weather in Ireland was apparently remarkable; sunny and warm the entire time we were there. Good for us, but bad for the country. The government declared a drought a couple of days ago and imposed restrictions on the use of hose pipes, i.e., watering lawns and gardens.

I'm sorting out photos. About 1,200 I took.

I am about to finish listening to Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan and I really liked this one. He sure can wax poetic about a wave and I understand your impatience with this style. This morning on my way to work he was describing a wave that was a black wall with indigo tops and on a few waves the tops were a more mellow navy blue. What guy thinks like that? I think that he does that to make a point about why he is so invested in surfing. Or addicted to surfing, might be a better term. He seems to be hyper-aware of the expanse of the ocean, his position in it, and his place on the Earth as well as the individual wave he is riding and it is this that keeps him surfing even as he enters his 60's. His descriptions of the highs that he gets while riding the board are amazing.

Happy new thread, Mark! Love that new topper! So green and pretty

Happy new thread, Mark. Good to hear that your weather is more bearable, ours is as changeable as ever.

>23 weird_O: Welcome back, Bill. Good to see you. Glad you were one that liked Fates & Furies. You were not alone. I am loving Florida. Excellent collection.

I am glad you had such fine weather in Ireland, but I am sorry to hear about the drought conditions.

>24 benitastrnad: Hey, Benita. I agree with you about Finnegan's gorgeous descriptions of the surfing life but it was the repetition that ground me down a bit. I still consider it a good and worthy memoir.

>25 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. Glad you like the topper. It is hard to believe he painted that in the 1930s.

>26 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. A gorgeous day here in the Midwest. More of the same tomorrow. Yah!

Happy new thread, Mark! I eagerly await your verdict on the Tan book. I haven't read her in years, but really enjoy her. I am really enjoying The Last Dragonslayer series by Jasper Fforde. The humor is priceless!

>29 Berly: Thanks, Kim. I was just over at your place raving about your 2nd Meet Up of the week. Am I jealous? Hell ya!

The Bonesetter's Daughter has been very good. I am so glad I went with this one. Boy, I have not read a Fforde in several years. Hmmmmm...

^^Well, obviously, I didn't get a chance to attend ALA, in New Orleans, this past month but Benita did and out of incredible kindness and generosity she was able to pick me up this mighty book haul. Okay, I did ask her, to grab me a story-collection or two, if she could, (and of course, she included several) but this is mind-blowing. I am still shell-shocked, as I clear another shelf to make room for the bounty. Like I have said before, book people are the best people.

**If you noticed I could barely fit the postal truck in there, but I couldn't bounce the beer. Duh!

>31 msf59: You are a lucky and much-beloved man who clearly has his priorities strategy (beer over truck)!! Wow. Benita, you da best!

I have not had a chance to really study this book haul, with more bookish precision, but, of course, I am pumped about the new Kingsolver and Leif Enger. I also like the Dewitt, Shapiro and Nguyen. There are only a couple NF titles, but they do look good, especially The Fall of Wisconsin.

Great job, Benita.

Does anyone else recognize or are excited by, any of these new or upcoming books? Thoughts are welcome. I will have to seriously prioritize.

>33 msf59:

From early reviews, it sounds like The Fall of Wisconsin will clarify the downfall of a state
that has alternately saddened, depressed, and horrified the many Chicagoans who relocated here.

We anticipated the on-going glory of La Follette, not the return of McCarthy.

>31 msf59: WOWZERS....i bet others like me made the image bigger then raged with envy. What a haul! Happy reading to you.

>31 msf59: Holy bookshelves! What a haul!

Happy new thread!

>34 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Looks like The Fall of Wisconsin will be a late summer read. Looking forward to it.

>35 mdoris: Happy Friday, Mary. Wowza, is right. I hope most of the titles are visible enough. I tried the best I could, keeping it to one shot.

>36 tymfos: Thanks, Terri. Good to see you.

Happy new thread!

Hi Mark! Happy new thread!

>38 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>39 AMQS: Thanks, Anne. Great to see you, stranger.

Happy new thread, Mark!
After a few days away I found over 100 unread messages on your threads!! But those are done now ;-)
I love the paiting at the top with the books and the birds. Google tells me the artist is David Kroll.

>31 msf59: that will keep you quiet for a while Mark. What a delightful surprise.

>41 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. I know it is tough to catch up with all those posts.

Glad you like the toppers. The uppermost painting is by Grant Wood. A Midwestern artist. Not sure about the lower one, with the birds.

>42 Caroline_McElwee: Happy Saturday, Caroline. Nothing will keep this warbler quiet. Grins...

Happy new thread. Happy new books!

I am captivated by Bullets into Bells. About halfway through. Highly recommend.

>44 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Hooray for Bullets into Bells. That one is firmly on the list.

>31 msf59: Just WOW on that book haul! It pays to have good friends with good book taste, right? I’m excited to see a new Kingsolver book as she is one of my favorite authors.

I’m also excited that an old favorite like Amy Tan is the AAC author for July. Don’t faint, Mark, but I plan to join you in rereading The Bonesetter’s Daughter this month. I hope she passes the test of time. I thought I had a copy of The Joy Luck Club but, alas, it must be a victim of one of my book purges. *sad face*

>46 Donna828: Happy Saturday, Donna. Yep, very pleased with the generous book haul. The only issue, is how to bookhorn in many of these titles, in an all ready crowded reading schedule? Hey, great problem to have, right?

Glad to hear you are planning on a Tan read. I am into the second half of The Bonesetter’s Daughter and enjoying it quite a bit.

Hey Mark and happy almost-Sunday (a day off for you!).

I have put Florida on hold at my new library here in Pullman. I also started reading The Overstory and so far it's amazing. I know I will be warbling about this one, my friend....

>48 EBT1002: Happy Sunday, Ellen. I think you will love Florida. It is a terrific collection. It might contain her finest writing. The Overstory is all ready on the list, when Donna warbled about it recently, so you just confirmed it. Thanks.

Happy new thread, Mark! Amy Tan has been a favorite of mine, although I read most of her works pre-LT (was there really life before LT???)

Florida sounds great. I haven't read any by Lauren Groff so this might be a good place to start.

Hi, Mark! Did you get a chance to go looking for the blue grosbeak? Enjoy the day!

>50 streamsong: "was there really life before LT?" Honestly, I don't remember...grins.

Happy Sunday, Janet. Yep, enjoying my Tan read and yes, I think Florida is a fine place to start with Groff. I plan on reading a large chunk of it today.

>51 harrygbutler: Hi, Harry. I just got back from the Arboretum. I struck out again on my search for the blue grosbeak. I met a birding pal at that spot too. She has seen them there a few times and hung out with me, for about 30 minutes. She thinks they will move on, sometime next month, so I hope to see them before then.

-Osprey (not my photo)

I did get back to the Arboretrum this morning, to try and track down the elusive blue grosbeak. No luck again but I gave it another gallant effort. The weather was beautiful, with bluebird skies and I did see a few other birds. The highlight was an osprey that flew over head. I think this was the first time I saw one here. What a beauty!

Sounds like a lovely Sunday morning. Still planning on getting down there sometime with you.

Finished Bullets into Bells. Now I am starting Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, which Shawn just finished and called a real-life thriller. (touchstones not working)

>53 msf59: Beautiful birds, ospreys. I've been seeing a bunch of them here on the Space Coast of Florida - not a surprise, I suppose. Pelicans too - I like to sit on my balcony in the evening and watch them swoop low over the waves looking for fish.

Happy Sunday, Mark.

>31 msf59: Wow, that is so nice of Benita. You are a lucky guy, and book people are the best people, you're right.

We're enjoying the fine weather today. Alif the Unseen was really good, and I'll try to do a short review of it. I've now got a Nnedi Okorafor called The Book of Phoenix in front of me, and Children of Blood and Bone on Kindle. The sci-fi/fantasy kick continues!

Oh, my poetry book, The Tao of Now, may be too far out there if you're not steeped in Taoism. I will say he's doing a great job for those who are. My GN is Case of the Missing Men, which has been described as a combo of Nancy Drew and David Lynch. Very entertaining so far.

Happy Sunday, Mark.

>54 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. So you think I would like Bullets into Bells? Bad Blood sounds promising too. Let me know how it is.

>55 drneutron: Sounds like you have a good birding view, Jim. I have to get out a ways to see an osprey, but it is always one of my favorite birds of prey.

>56 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. It looks like I need to track down Alif the Unseen. Like I mentioned, I have wanted to read it, for a few years now.

I like the way your GN sounds. I may have to request that one.

>57 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Good to see you. I hope you are having a good weekend.

>58 msf59: Yes, yes, yes on Bullets and Bells. I would send you my copy, but I would like Shawn and my sister to read it. And most importantly, Alina was so moved by it that she wants to keep it!

>31 msf59: What an amazing book haul Benita send you, Mark. That must have been a wonderful surprise! As I am a history buff I am intrigued by The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington and put a hold on it at my library where it is on order. I think you are going to need more than one beer to get through that lot, my friend.

I enjoyed Alif the Unseen when I read it a few years ago. (It was an ARC from ALA.). f you have read Golem and the Jinni Alif would be a good follow-up. Or more of the Middle Eastern take on fantasy/mythology.

I finished Barbarian Days and really liked it. I have added it to my best of 2018 list. My 2018 list is long on really good non-fiction and short on fiction this year. For some reason I have had a great non-fiction reading year.

I am also deep into the third book of a work of “speculative fiction” (otherwise known as Sci/Fi)called the Machineries of Empire by Yoon Ha Lee. This one has thrown some real plot twists at me and I can’t wait to see how this series ends.

>60 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. That is no problem. I will request it from the library. Glad to hear it was such a hit with you and Alina.

>61 Familyhistorian: Happy Sunday, Meg. I am still a bit speechless and humbled by that mighty book haul. I need to start trying to decide which ones to read first...over a beer, of course.

>62 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I remember your warbling about Alif the Unseen. I think you may have been the first around here, to sing it's praises.

I am glad you loved Barbarian Days as much as you did. I liked it a bit less, but still thought it was a worthy memoir.

#64
Sometimes you find some gems among all those ARC’s. The problem is you don’t know what they will be when you pick them up off of those tables.

>1 msf59: There’s a lot of green in that Grant Wood!

That was so very kind of Benita to send you all those books - again I say “Wow!”. You’re going to have to tell us which of those arcs are winners, Mark! Get reading! :) I’ve heard good things about Sunburn.

Congrats on seeing the osprey today! I haven’t seen any here at the lake this summer (yet). Lots of pelicans, cormorants, and mergansers, though, so I’m not complaining.

Hi Mark! Love the Grant Wood topper. We saw a great exhibit of his work at the Whitney, when we were back east. He was really an interesting person.

I was also lukewarm on Fates and Furies But Florida sounds good!

Hi Mark. Well, we are in for another very hot week, apparently. Find that cooling headband that you said you had!! Stay cool!

>65 benitastrnad: Hooray, for the gems, Benita. I feel like a bookish prospector, chipping away for the treasure.

>66 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Yep, that is a lot of green in the topper. I was going for a mid-summer theme. You are correct, I have a LOT of reading to do, but that is always the case. My Must Read Now shelf, will have to take a backseat to the Benita Book Haul shelf. I will just have to keep grinding them out. I have not read Laura Lippman. Have you?

I always enjoy seeing the osprey. I am glad they are in our area, but I have to travel out a bit to see them.

>67 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I will have to attend a Grant Wood exhibition, one of these days. I should finish Florida today and it is a terrific collection. I am glad i didn't give up on her.

>68 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. It looks like an average week here, weather-wise. I think it will get hot again toward the weekend. Thanks for the reminder on the headband. I think I know where it is...

I am halfway through Bad Blood. I am still amazed that this happened. It is a true psychological thriller. I am thinking it might be a good one to take with you on your route. Not sure why touchstones aren't working, but here is what is about: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/books/review/bad-blood-john-carreyrou.html

Good morning, Mark.

>71 alphaorder: Wow, what a good review of Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies, Nancy. Sounds like a fascinating book.

Hope the day goes well, my friend.

>71 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. I will see if I can track down Bad Blood on audio. Have a good Monday, if there is such a thing.

>72 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Looks to be a warm one, but as long as the humidity levels stay reasonable, it shouldn't be bad.

>71 alphaorder: Ooooh Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies is right up my alley. Onto the wish list it goes.

I'm glad the day doesn't look too uncomfortable Mark, heat wise. We've bounced from 60's to high's in the 90's so I'm suffering a bit from the quick change.

The worse news is that we're starting to smell smoke from wildfires in neighboring states. This valley has smoked in so badly the last few years that schools had to suspend outdoor activities and people with lung conditions were advised not to go outside at all.

>74 streamsong: Hi, Janet. I am interested in Bad Blood too! I like a good NNF title!

It hit 92 here today, but not as humid. It looks like the heat & humidity will return full force later in the week. Ugh!

Sorry to hear about the wildfires. It sure seems like it is getting worse.

Hi, Mark! It was hot but not so humid here, too, today. Still, I avoided the impulse to go out and do some gardening. I do need to replenish the feeders, either this evening or early in the a.m.

>76 harrygbutler: Hey, Harry. Glad to hear that you are enjoying lower humidity to. Let's hope it lasts a bit longer. I took care of all of my feeders yesterday. I ended up tossing the finch thistle and bought fresh. The bag states it is good for 2 years. No goldfinch yet.

"How a lone man's epic obsession led to one of America's greatest cultural treasures: Prize-winning writer Timothy Egan tells the riveting, cinematic story behind the most famous photographs in Native American history -- and the driven, brilliant man who made them."

I love Timothy Egan, like many of us in the 75 do, but, for some reason I never got around to Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis, which came out back in 2012. Well, Bill delivered the nudge I needed, so this will be my next audiobook and I will start it tomorrow. I think I will request the print copy too, because it looks like there are photos in here, as well.

Honestly, I am not familiar with Edward Curtis, but he sure looks like a fascinating guy.

If you have not read Egan, track down, The Worst Hard Time, drop everything else and start reading it. You will thank me later.

"Martinique, 1765, and brothers Emile and Lucien are charged by their French master, Father Cleophas, with a mission. They must return to Grenada, the island they once called home, and smuggle back the 42 slaves claimed by English invaders at the hospital plantation in Fort Royal."

^As everyone knows, Benita recently surprised me with an amazing book haul, but she also sent me a few books earlier in the year, that I have been trying to bookhorn in, and Sugar Money is one of them. I have not yet read Harris, although I have had Gillespie and I on shelf for quite some time.
I know Bonnie warbled about her new one, so that is getting me pumped about this historical novel. I start it tomorrow.

wow, Mark! We are going to read Short Nights of the Shadow catcher at the same time. It is waiting for me at the library. We just saw an exhibit about Curtis at the Seattle Art Museum--fascinating.

How is The Bonesetters Daughter going? Have you finished it? Would you believe I have never read The Joy Luck Club.

>31 msf59: great book haul (by stealth)- I love how your book people go in and haul books for you :)

>80 banjo123: Love that bookish serendipity, Rhonda. I don't have the book yet but I plan on studying Curtis' work online. I also have The Immortal Irishman saved on audio. Maybe later in the year? Have you read that one?

>81 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. I finished The Bonesetter's Daughter yesterday. Good, solid read. If you can track down The Joy Luck Club, start with that one but, if not go with Bonesetter. It doesn't seem like Tan is for everyone but if she clicks, you will enjoy. Great to see you.

Morning, Mark.

Not much to report on my end. Off to see the Doc soon for a routine checkup. Stay cool to the extent you can, and enjoy that audio book.

Good morning, Mark! We have goldfinches off and on all summer, but they only seem to visit the nyjer feeder when there's too much competition at the regular feeders.

>83 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. My Egan audio is off to a terrific start. You might like this one too. Good luck at the doc appointment.

>84 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Funny, when we do get goldfinch, I rarely see them at the other feeders. I hope to see some soon. I do see them at work and on my walks, so they are definitely active.

A nice book haul, Mark. The Fall of Wisconsin sounds interesting, as does The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington. I'll probably add those to the TBR pile.

You got me with your discussion of Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies and I now number 80 on the reserve list which is probably a good thing because I have a few more holds I have to pick up today. I am not sure where I will find all the reading time and I have an idea of how you feel when faced with your book haul, eager and hesitant at the same time?

>79 msf59: I hope you enjoy Sugar Money Mark, I found it a gripping read.

Fantastic book haul.

Mark - Happy newish thread.

Nice book haul!

A new Kingsolver! Off to check it out...

How are you enjoying the stories in Florida? I loved that collection and have loved all of Groff that I've read. I did love Fates and Furies although I think my favorite was Arcadia.

Hi Mark. I just posted on my thread links to the Audubon photo contest winners. WOW doesn't begin to describe these photos!

Hi Mark - i read Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher a few years ago with my book group. One of our members is professional photographer so it was great to have her insights. You definitely should get the hard copy as Curtis' photographs are simply awesome.

Sugar Money was great - it read like a real adventure novel and I couldn't get through it fast enough.
Enjoy them both!

>86 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda. It may take me quite awhile to get to those titles, but I will let you know. The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington definitely sounds like your cuppa.

>87 Familyhistorian: "eager and hesitant at the same time?" The lives of a serious book reader, eh, Meg? I am definitely interested in Bad Blood too.

>88 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. Sugar Money is off to a great start. It surprised me how fast and fun the narrative is. I am impressed.

Hi Mark. Oh I hope you like Sugar Money. It didn’t have the impact for me that Gillespie and I and The Observations but it was great historical fiction.

I read a fiction account of Edward Curtis but can’t remember the name of it. Hmmmm

>89 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. Great to see you. I loved Florida. Groff is a terrific writer. I hope to finally get to Arcadia later in the year.

I am reading and enjoying Sugar Money at the moment. This might be your cuppa. Have you read Harris?

>90 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. I will stop over a little later. Thanks.

>91 vivians: Hi, Vivian. Always good to see you. Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher has been very good. Egan is easily one of the best NNF authors out there. I will request the print book too.

"Sugar Money was great - it read like a real adventure novel and I couldn't get through it fast enough." I am feeling exactly the same way. What a nice surprise.

I have Sugar Money, thanks to Vivian, and hope to get to it soon.

>93 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. Well, this might be the perfect place to start with Harris, because it grabbed me right away. Now I have two of her earlier books to look forward to. Yah!

>95 BLBera: I usually think of who I can pass books on to, as I am reading them, and this felt like a good fit for you. Glad you have a copy at hand.

Mark and All -

for a real home-grown birding treat, go online to:

First Look Book Club
Clock Dance: Day 2

and read "Dear Reader," then "click here."

I so want to read Sugar Money as I loved Gillespie and I.
Enjoy, Mark!

Morning, Mark! Lots of good book talk going on here (shocking!). I'm scrambling to get through all of my library books before moving day - fingers crossed...

>97 m.belljackson: Morning, Marianne. I will check out my "home-grown birding treat". Thanks!

>98 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. I am so glad I have Gillespie and I on shelf. Sugar Money is yours when I am done with it. B.A.G.

>99 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Yep, lots of good books going, and warbling abounds. Good luck with those library books.

Morning, Mark! Lots of great book talk here but mostly books I haven't heard of. I'll scurry off and investigate them :)
Hope your temps have cooled a bit. Ours dropped enough to be a bit more comfortable

Morning, Mark.

Children of Blood and Bone is pretty good, but not as good as I hoped. I'm not sure why it got picked for that Jimmy Fallon book club.

I hope today goes okay for you. This is a toasty summer week we're having. How 'bout them Cubs? Can Milwaukee keep this up?

Hey Mark! What a wonderful book haul via Benita!
Have a wonderful day!

Good morning, Mark! Right now I've got five blue jays hanging out around the peanut feeders (and possibly calling for me to refill the in-shell feeder). Otherwise, nothing particularly unusual.

>101 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. Things are beginning to heat up here again and it will be another HOT weekend. Ugh.

I hope there is at least one book, in your investigation that tickles your fancy.

>102 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. If you would have gave Children of Blood and Bone a Big Thumbs up, I would have added it to the queue. You are my fantasy go-to after all.

The Brewers have been very tough to catch up with. Come on, Cubbies!

Stay cool, Mark. It has been a tough year for you, weather-wise.

>103 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. That book haul, will give me a lot of choices, for the rest of the year and beyond, that is for sure.

>104 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Hooray for the blue jays. I have never seen them at my feeders, although I don't supply peanuts.

>105 msf59: Others will probably like Children of Blood and Bone more than me, I imagine. I thought it could have been much shorter, for sure. I do like the inspiration, which is racist police (and government) conduct in this country. If I understand it right, a movie's being made of it.

>106 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, for thinking of me. . It was a warm one today, pushing 90 but at least the humidity was moderate. And I am off tomorrow. Yah!

>108 jnwelch: Once again, I defer to you on this genre, Joe. I am swamped with books, like many of us are, so no problem filling that gap. Maybe, I'll see the film? Grins...

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly at night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is in the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself at sunset."

-Crowfoot Blackfeet

^Well, I picked up a library copy of Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher and I should have had a copy on hand, as I started the audio, but better late than never, right? There is not a huge amount of photo plates, in the book, but what is there is stunning. I am LOVING this book. Egan rules! And so does Curtis.

^This 1903, photo convinced J.P. Morgan to help finance Curtis is his epic Native American project.

>111 msf59: That is a wonderful photo! How old is it?
Did you mention somewhere that Curtis' photography can be seen on the web? I'd love to see it.

>112 EllaTim: That Curtis photo of the girl was from 1903. Pretty amazing, right? Just do a search for Edward Curtis photography and you should see plenty.

I have a copy of Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher n my shelves an plan on getting to it someday. I usually check out a hard copy of whatever book I am listening to so I can check things that I hear but don’t understand or want to contemplate some more. I had the hard copy of Barbarian Days and was glad that I did. There were photos in there that I would not have known about if I did not have a copy of the book with me.

Speaking of Barbarian Days - I finished it and really really liked this memoir/autobiography. I loved that title of that last chapter “When Mountains Fall Down Into the Sea.” It was so poignant and loving. He managed to convey the feelings of growing old so well and did so in the context of talking about sport, leisure, and pleasure. He made me lament his lack of dexterity, stamina, and muscle with every word of that chapter. This is going to be one of my favorite reads/listens of the year.

Hi Mark. I'm loving your comments about Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher. I, too, am a Tim Egan fan but have never gotten around to this particular work. I'll have to fix this oversight soon.

Thank you for the offer of Sugar Money! I PM'd you my new address on the Palouse. :-)

>113 msf59: Those very old photos are often very good quality. They used different techniques. I love that bronze look of the picture.

Will certainly look him up!

>114 benitastrnad: I think you would really enjoy Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher, Benita. I know you are an Egan fan. I still have The Immortal Irishman to get to. Fortunately, I have it saved on audio.

>115 EBT1002: Let me know what you think of the Edward Curtis photos, Ella and if you enjoy American NF, give Timothy Egan a try. He is one of the best.

>116 EllaTim: Hi, Ellen. You will flip for Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher. I knew very little about Edward Curtis. This was an eye-opener and, as a bonus, T.R. makes several appearances. I think you will also like Sugar Money.

^Okay, I took the next step and purchased a Canon PowerShot SX50. A good friend of mine owns one of these and he is not a birder but he does take excellent outdoor photos. I have been planning this awhile, I am glad it came together.

I am off today, so I am heading to the Arboretum shortly, to try the camera. I NEED lots and lots of practice. I hope the birds cooperate too.

Sweet Thursday, indeed.

Oh, love the camera! Have a great visit to the arboretum. Can wait to hear what you see and see your photos!

>118 msf59: - Congrats on the camera, Mark. I have a Canon Powershot SX240HS. Nice and compact but not nearly as fancy as yours. Mine does have a 20x zoom, though, which I love. The extent of my photo knowledge is basically point and shoot but the zoom is terrific and I have managed some very cool pics.

Enjoy. I expect you to enter the Audubon contest next year!

>117 msf59: Too late, Marc, both are already on the wishlist! I found Sugar Money in our library.
But Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher is not on their radar, the nearest one I could find through the wonderful WorldCat feature of LT is in Hamburg, and then in Heidelberg. I'll have to see how to find it.

>118 msf59: Sigh of Envy here, is there an emoticon for that? Have fun with it! How strong is the zoom? You'll need that for bird pictures. I have wanted to buy a new camera but i still have to decide what camera. There are so many choices, and it is an expensive buy...

Love your new camera! I can't wait to see the pics you'll be sharing.

I've been a fan of Edward Curtis for years, so I really enjoyed Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher when I read it a while back. If he hadn't taken on his mission to photograph the vanishing way of life of the also vanishing tribes, we would have little knowledge of that time.

I also read The Immortal Irishman last year. Wow! Lots of history, that although, the time period is familiar, these incidents are not. I think the Irish contributions in American history get overlooked in US history books - or at least it did back when the dinos and I were in school. This one truly reads like an adventure novel.

I had to cut my hike short, because I had a buddy coming over, to help me with a couple projects around the house and, of course, everything took longer than expected. Obviously, I have not cracked a book, so I that will be a priority for the rest of the day.

I did take a few photos, but I need some serious practice, before I get any good. Birds are difficult to photograph, which makes me, that much more impressed by those that can pull it off. Just give me some time...

>119 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. I felt like I had to hurry the Arb. I like taking my time. I was still there nearly 2 hours, but it felt rushed.

>120 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. I have a 50 x zoom, so it that should work well, but getting on a bird, in time to focus and snap, is an art form. Practice makes perfect, so that is what I will do.

Hope you can get those house projects done so you can move on to the important stuff, like books.

We had a nice business unit picnic today. They bring in food trucks and it was nice and shady with a surprisingly coolish breeze. A very nice event.

>121 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. Hooray for Sugar Money. Boo to no copies of Short Nights. I hope you can track a copy down.

My camera is a 50 x zoom, so it should work just fine.

>122 streamsong: Hi, Janet. I am loving the new camera, but I have a lot of work to do, before I am proficient enough to share.

Glad to hear you are such a fan of Edward Curtis. It took me awhile, but I am now a fan. Now, I need to read The Immortal Irishman. Maybe, later in the year? Love Mr. Egan.

>125 msf59: Hi Marc, I'm going to try and request they buy it. Never done a request before, I'm thinking to point them to the reviews here in order to convince them that it would be worth while.

Hi Mark! Congrats on the new camera and I know you will have fun practicing with it on your bird hikes. Can't wait to see a few of your photos! Stay cool. It finally feels like summer here -- we hit 93 today!

Good for you and your new camera, Mark. One doesn't usually have such luck, but here's a magpie (I think) I photographed in Dublin last week. We were admiring the statue of Oscar Wilde loafing on a rock, and several magpies were rummaging through leaves and roughage under shrubby plants. I just squatted down and took his/her photo with the zoom at 55mm.

>126 EllaTim: I hope the request, comes through, Ella. Fingers crossed.

>127 Berly: Thanks, Kim. I am feeling like a fledgling at this photography thing, but I will keep trying, my friend. Looks like you got some hot weather. Keep cool. We are getting hammered the next couple of days! Ugh!

>128 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Unfortunately, no image appeared. Sad face.

^This is one of my photos from this morning. This is one of my regular stops, at the Arboretum. It is called the Spruce Plot. This is facing east, with the sunlight filtering through.



^This little guy, was sitting right on the trail in front of me and gave me plenty of time, to get a shot off.

Changed the source, Mark.

Hi Mark, wow, you've gotten into nature photography - and it looks like you are a natural! I am home after being on the road for a bit and then visiting with my Mom in Victoria. I am taking note of The Short Night of the Shadow Catcher as I love anything to do with the American West.

Agreed. You are a natural. The forest photo is gorgeous, very contemplative.

>130 msf59: That is a gorgeous setting, Mark, and a lovely photo. That bench looks like the perfect spot to sit a spell and read a few chapters in The Overstory. Just sayin’...you’re going to be taken with that book...and it needs some warbling so more LTers will read it.

>110 msf59: Such a stunning photo. Noting that book for the wishlist.

>118 msf59: wishing you hours of fun with your new toy Mark.

>130 msf59: another stunning photo. Just beautiful. How lucky you are to have that tree palace on your doorstep Mark.

>130 msf59: Love the forest picture, Mark. I'd put that on the wall. Good luck with the photography - sounds like a new passion.

>130 msf59: Nice! And nice again, love that squirrel for giving you an opportunity to practice.

>128 weird_O: >131 weird_O: Ooh, I like that magpie, Bill. i would like to add it to my Life List. Thanks for sharing.

>132 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Great to see you. You will LOVE The Short Night of the Shadow Catcher. I hope you can track a copy down.

>133 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I still need a lot of practice but it is nice to have a nice subject or setting to take advantage of.

>134 Donna828: Hi, Donna. Glad you like the photo. I also like your sweet warbling, about The Overstory. Like all of us, my bookish plate runneth over, but I might be able to bookhorn it in.

>135 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. Loving the new toy. I wish I didn't have to work, so I could practice more. Yep, I am fortunate to have the Arboretum and many more forested places, within shouting distance.

>136 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. Looking forward to playing around a lot more with that camera. I want to get more experience before my Colorado trip next month.

>137 EllaTim: Yah, for the cooperative squirrel. I only got one bird photo, but it was back-lit and blurry. I will keep trying.

Ooof, great photos, Mark!

Hey, buddy. Happy Friday. Great work with the new toy.

I went into work yesterday, so I'm fully appreciating not-working. We head to teh gym soon.

I'm liking the kooky Case of the Missing Men, although it's no Lemire. Makes for a good time. I'm still reading the Tao of Now poems and started a new Dame Agatha, Death on the Nile. I've started others, like Circe and the new Urrea, but just can't get any traction. This is going to be a year with a lot of mysteries, thrillers, fantasy and sci-fi. So it goes.

>140 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. Glad you like the photos.

>141 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Yep, boo to work, even on a part-time basis.

Hope you can make the Arboretum and see some of this lovely scenery for yourself.

No problem, with comfort reading. What ever helps you get along.

Happy weekend, Mark.

>143 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. I hope you also have a nice weekend.

-An Oasis in the Badlands – Sioux, 1905

^I finished Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher. Wow! What another wonderful gem from Mr. Egan. This guy is batting a thousand, in my book. I do a fair amount of reading but I can't believe I was this unaware of Edward Curtis and his mighty contribution to the Native American cause. AND...his photos are breath-taking.

A new toy to play with, Mark? Congrats on the new camera. I'm sure you will be well practiced by the time your Colorado trip is over!

>146 Familyhistorian: Yep, Marky-Mark has a new toy and I am enjoying it. I am off next weekend, so I hope to spend a lot of time practicing with the Powershot.

Have a great weekend, Meg.

^Somehow I have missed Mr. Gaiman's short fiction, so Amber & Joe sparked my interest, by reading Trigger Warning recently, so I thought I would join this dynamic duo and start this collection on audio. Gaiman narrates, so that is a big bonus.

I am still loving Sugar Money too. I am into the second half of that one.

>130 msf59: Great shots, Mark! Glad that little cutie sat still and let you practice on him!

Hope you enjoy the Gaiman audio. I really enjoy listening to him narrate his own books.

>148 msf59: Woot!!

>149 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle! Yah, for the cooperative squirrel and the Gaiman collection. Honestly, I could listen to him, narrate the phone book. Have you read his short fiction?

>151 scaifea: It is off to a promising start, Amber. Like, duh....

^We started Sharp Objects on HBO. It is off to a pretty good start. Solid cast. I did love the book. My very first Flynn. Anyone else watching this limited series?

We are also 4 episodes into the 2nd season of The Handmaid's Tale, aka Mike Pence's America. It continues to be wickedly bleak. Anyone finish it?

Cause Of Death: Fox News

Toward the end he sat on the back porch,
sweeping his binoculars back and forth
over the dry scrub-brush and arroyos,

certain he saw Mexicans
moving through the creosote and sage
while the TV commentators in the living room,

turned up loud enough for a deaf person to hear,
kept pouring gasoline on his anxiety and rage.

In the end he preferred to think about illegal aliens,
about welfare moms and healthcare socialists,
than about the uncomfortable sensation of the disease

crawling through his tunnels in the night,
crossing the river between his liver and his spleen.
It was just his luck

to be born in the historical period
that would eventually be known
as the twilight of the white male dinosaur,

feeling weaker and more swollen every day,
with the earth gradually looking more like hell
and a strange smell rising from the kitchen sink.

In the background those big male voices
went on and on, turning the old crank
about hard work and god, waving the flag

and whipping the dread into a froth.
Then one day my father had finished
his surveillance, or it had finished him,

and the cable-TV guy
showed up at the house apologetically
to take back the company equipment:

the complicated black box with the dangling cord,
and the gray rectangular remote control,
like a little coffin.

-TONY HOAGLAND

^I just finished Hoagland's latest poetry collection, Priest Turned Therapist Treats Fear of God and was very impressed. I am now looking forward to exploring more of his work.

79) The Locals by Jonathan Dee 4.3 stars

A near perfect exploration of small town life, in New England, post 9/11. How economics and politics shape modern society and where wealth and the middle-class collide. Fans of Richard Russo should be particularly interested in this one. Insightful and well-written.

**I want to thank Nancy for passing this book on to me and I am passing it on to another LT pal.

>152 msf59: No, I tend to avoid short stories but I love his long fiction. I am trying to remember what I listened to him narrate. I thought it was perhaps American Gods but I just went and checked and it was Stefan Kaminski that narrated that one. Peculiar.

>156 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. I think there has been several different narrators, on the audio of American Gods, including a full cast version. The one I listened to was by George Guidall. Since, most of the narrative takes place in America, I don't think it would make sense if Gaiman narrated it, with his wonderful British accent.

81) The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan 4 stars (audio)

Amy Tan excels at mother and daughter relationships and she continues that theme here, with this multi-generational tale, looking at a successful Chinese-American woman, living in San Francisco and her fractious bond with her mother. Her mother's back story, growing up in China is the highlight here. I had not read Tan for many years but I am glad I decided to return to her work.

* This was also a solid audiobook, with Tan narrating, along with the actress Joan Chen.

**I read this for the AAC.

Hi Mark, I have Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher on my Kindle and if you say it was Egan at his best I’m sold. Love my NNF you know.

I just started enjoying Tony Hoagland and will look for his newest.

And I watched the first episode of Sharp Objects and will continue watching. Amy Adams is a favorite of mine.

Looks like you’re putting the new camera to good use. Lovely shot.

Shawn and I watched the first episode of Sharp Objects as well. Neither of us has read the book. I also haven't watched a tv series in over a year, so we'll see if I stick with it.

Finished Bad Blood. A must read. Will start There There today. Glad you enjoyed The Locals and that you are passing it along to another. I second you Russo comparison.

>159 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie! Glad my warbling paid off, on Shadow Catcher. It is a overlooked gem. What is your favorite Hoagland, to this point? I want to request another of his. I will always take a poetry recommendation, if you think I would like something.

Thanks for chiming in on Sharp Objects and my camera joy!

>160 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. I hope you stick with Sharp Objects. I am not watching much series TV either, especially during baseball season.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on There There.

Morning, Mark.

>154 msf59: Love this Hoagland poem. I hope he's right about it being the "twilight of the {Fox news-watching} white male dinosaur."

Good mini-reviews. I'm going to try to get back on track with doing those ASAP!

Watching the World Cup final - awfully tough to come back from two goals down (France is beating Croatia 4-2), but if anyone can do it, it's this Croatia team.

>162 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I really liked the Hoagland collection and I look forward to reading more of him. I keep falling behind on my mini-reviews but if I can squeeze in one more later today, I will at least be somewhat caught up.

No World Cup for me, this afternoon. Books and the Cubs game, a little later on.

Ended up going with Exit West before There There. Enjoying it quite a bit.

Hope you're staying cool today, Mark. It is another hot one. I did a lot of backyard chores early and it was hot sweaty work even at that hour.

Staying inside now in the AC with books and the Cubs, too, like you.

>164 alphaorder: Exit West is a good choice too, Nancy. I liked that one. I just finished Sugar Money. Terrific historical fiction.

>165 lindapanzo: Happy Sunday, Linda. I have not been outside much and I don't plan on it. Getting lots of reading in, which was the plan. Now, I have the Cubs game on. Lets go for the sweep!

82) Florida by Lauren Groff 4.2 stars

“Florida is mold, feral cats, snakes, bugs, humidity, rot, spanish moss, vines, gators, sinkholes, homelessness, tent cities, termites, mosquitos, hurricanes, lizards, panthers, "a damp and dense tangle," bleaching sun, dread and heat...”

“What had been built to seem so solid was fragile in the face of time because time is impassive, more animal than human. Time would not care if you fell out of it. It would continue on without you.”

Reading through this collection of stories, it quickly becomes clear that Groff has conflicted feelings about the Sunshine State, her current state of residence. These are dark tales, mostly set in Florida, with women or children dealing with difficult issues and trying to face down personal or natural threats.
Not every story sings, but most do and the writing is uniformly strong and well-paced. If you have not read Groff, this might be a good place to start.

-Female Downy Woodpecker at the suet feeder.



-Another regular visitor to the feeders

^Riley keeping lookout, at the feeders. He does not get quite as excited as I do.

Hi, Mark! Hope you have been having a good weekend - sounds like your plan of staying inside and reading is a winner.

I enjoyed Goff's Monsters of Templeton but just could not get into Fates and Furies. I'll have to try Florida as we seem to have had the same experience with the first two novels.

>168 msf59:, >169 msf59: Fun pics! I haven't seen any woodpeckers in my backyard for awhile. I'm currently rereading Watership Down, which is one of my favorite novels, and the rabbit reminds me of Hazel.

>169 msf59: That's a cute pic of Riley.

>170 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Great to see you. I have had a perfect indoor day, with a nice chunk of it devoted to the books.

Like you, I enjoyed The Monsters of Templeton and could not get into Fates and Furies. I think you will like Florida though.

Glad you like the photos. Expect a lot more.

>171 lindapanzo: Yep, Riley doesn't look as ferocious in this photo. Grins...

^I had a good reading day yesterday and finished Sugar Money. I also read some poetry and a few pages of a bird book. My next print book, will be Beautiful Music. I received this as an ARC from the publisher. It was published in May. I have not read Michael Zadoorian, although, I think I have The Leisure Seeker on shelf somewhere.

Has anyone else read this author? I have not seen much LT activity on him over the years.

Hi Mark: Love the Curtis photos.

I'm glad you liked Florida.

You remind me that I must read more Tan. I have some unread novels of hers on my shelf.

Love the pictures of your furry and feathered friends! Getting used to your new camera?

Morning, Mark.

I just finished the second Lemire Royal City, and it's dark but mighty good. Sounds like a recipe for a solid Mark read. :-)

I also read the Nnedi Okorafor Black Panther Long Live the King GN, which was certainly better than the other BPs I've read, although Roxane Gay also has a good one. I've yet to read one that I'd call outstanding, but maybe that's asking for too much for a costumed hero GN. I do like that they're getting established authors to cross over to GNs.

Have a good one today, buddy. I hope we can work it out for Morton Arboretum.

>174 BLBera: Morning, Beth. Yep, quite impressed with Florida. Hope to get to Arcadia, later in the year.

>175 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. Still getting acquainted with the new camera. This is going to take awhile but I love it so far.

>176 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. A muggy start to the day, out here. I hope this cloud cover stays in place, it makes it a bit more bearable.

Thanks for the GN update. I will have to request the Lemire. Yep, just my cuppa. I have been steering away from the superhero GNs, unless, of course, you highly recommend one.

Just for you, Mark:

Jewels of the Sky

Afternoon, Mark. Glad to read that you like both Egan and Curtis. I've know of Curtis for a long time, and when I say Egan's book about him, I put it on a wish list or two. There it has languished. I just may have to buy it retail. Oh oh. What did I just say!?!

Laura Gilpin is another photographer who specialized in Native American subjects. Here's a photo she took in 1959 of Maria Martinez, who lived at San Ildefonso Pueblo, northwest of Santa Fe. Martinez was known for distinctive black-on-black pottery that she developed with her husband, Julian, based on the remains of ancient ceramics.

>179 jessibud2: I loved the hummingbird link! Fascinating stuff. Thanks, Shelley. I am still trying to spot a male ruby-throated at my feeder. I hope my watching pays off.

I had to cave to tiny flying pig pressure and buy a larger hummingbird feeder. They were going through the small one in a day and a half. So it's the big one for the summer in the back yard. The small one seems to still be sufficient out front. It was hot this weekend but yesterday morning we had coffee and breakfast on the patio and enjoyed watching the aerial antics.

Glad you're enjoying your camera.

The Curtis photos are stunning.

I read a couple of Michael Zadoorian books (The Leisure Seeker and Second Hand) and enjoyed them. Looking forward to hearing what you think of Beautiful Music.

>180 weird_O: Thanks again for the nudge on the Egan, Bill. What a terrific bio. And I appreciate you putting Laura Gilpin on my radar. I was not familiar with her. I like that photo too.

I loved loved loved The Leisure Seeker Mark.

>182 SuziQoregon: Hi, Juli. Love the hummingbird comments. We don't get your level of hummer activity here. I have a medium-sized feeder and I normally change it, well before it is empty, just to keep it fresh.

Glad you enjoyed your Zadoorian books. Beautiful Music is off to a very good start. Very fast narrative too.

>184 brenzi: This is great to know, Bonnie, since I am really enjoying Beautiful Music and I have The Leisure Seeker on shelf. Yah!!

Indeed.

>186 msf59: Understand the feeling. Not sure of the outcome. Time will tell.

>110 msf59: wow wow wow.

>155 msf59: BB! WL'd it is :)

I am in need of a good book, stat. I have been a troubled sleeper lately, and reading (like always) helps me sleep by switching my mind off- well, not off, but to alternate worlds. So this evening I shall peruse the shelves for an accessible ensemble of words! Such fun :)

>187 katiekrug: >188 Familyhistorian: Yep, lots of distressed and disheartened Americans waking up this morning. Just when you think it can't get much worse...

>189 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Great to see you, as always. Sorry, to hear about the sleep issues. I hope this is temporary and I also hope you find just the "right" book to pave the way.

You should ask your Dad, if he is familiar with Edward Curtis?

The Millions Most Anticipated Books of Second-Half of 2018 is out! Going to park it right here, since I know lots of readers will see it.

https://themillions.com/2018/07/great-second-half-2018-book-preview.html

'Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you! I won't even attempt to try to catch up, but hope you're doing well.

>186 msf59: Yup.

Morning, Mark! All caught up here finally. I have that Egan in the stacks, and you are making me want to get to it.

Congrats on the camera acquisition - Abby has a Canon Rebel that she just loves, and she takes amazing photos with it.

>191 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Thanks for the list. I will check it out later. I am hoping I all ready have a bunch of these on shelf. Grins...

>192 karenmarie: Karen is back! Karen is back! Yippee!!

>193 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. Great to see you. I have missed seeing you around. I am sure you will love Shadow Catcher. Glad you have a handy copy on shelf.

Also glad to hear Abby likes her Canon. I am enjoying mine, but still taking baby steps.

>190 msf59: never thought I’d see an American President go on worldwide TV and commit treason for all to see. What they have on him must be incredible.

Quite possibly THE day that will live in infamy.

I give up, Mark! As rascals have been opening my suet feeder and absconding with said suet I started to used zip ties to secure the suet door. Yesterday, I find the suet feeder laying on the ground beside my house, the suet was gone yet the zip ties remained in tact. It was like Houdini left his calling card. Only going to feed feathered friends in winter from this moment on. I am at my wits end.
Better news..........the book is in the mail. You should receive by Saturday :0)

>196 lindapanzo: Another sad, shameful day, in America. Can we survive two more years of this, Linda?

>197 Carmenere: Sorry, to hear about all the suet feeder woes, Lynda. What a bummer. The squirrels seem to have left my feeder alone. Knock wood...

Happy Tuesday, Mark.

>186 msf59: Yes! Is he a bona fide Russian agent, asked to tear our country apart and alienate the rest of the world, or is he too stupid to be an actual Russian agent?

I'm reading a very well done GN called Portugal by Pedrosa, but it's a hard one to find. Great color work. I also picked up A History of Violence, which was made into a Cronenberg movie that I liked.

Hope you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the good weather today.

>190 msf59: I ended up going for Used and Rare by Lawrence and ?? Goldstone (a husband/wife team). I have had the book on my shelf for years, and all of a sudden it appealed. It was a good choice :)
Is Edward Curtis one to read? I will check him out and try to remember to ask dad about him. (eta: now I see he is a photographer.....still catching up...)

Sorry to hear about 'your' pres, making fools of the US govt....*cringe*

>199 jnwelch: Hey, Joe. Stopped at a favorite watering hole, for a beverage. Beautiful summer day.

Yep, still reeling over the Trump debacle. Ugh!

I am going to see if I can track down the Portugal GN. Sounds good. Let me know how The History of Violence GN is. I also loved the film.

>200 LovingLit: btw, this is Megan, formerly Ireadthereforeiam.....

>200 LovingLit: >202 LovingLit: I had a feeling it was you, Megan, but I am glad you clarified. I will just have to get used to it. I am not sure of any other Edward Curtis bios but I highly recommend Shadow Catcher. Try to remember to ask your Dad about him.

"David Sedaris returns with his most deeply personal and darkly hilarious book.

If you've ever laughed your way through David Sedaris's cheerfully misanthropic stories, you might think you know what you're getting with Calypso. You'd be wrong."

^ I started a David Sedaris collection, during my early days of audiobook exploration. I remember liking it but never finished it. I don't see a lot of LT activity on Sedaris (at least not on the threads I follow), but I have heard him a couple of times on book podcasts and I was determined to give him another try.

I started this today and I am very impressed. Yes, he can be very funny and eccentric but he can also be very tender and heartfelt.

Any Sedaris fans out there?

>204 msf59: I've read most of his books but not the last few. However, I did pick up a copy of Calypso and hope to get to it soon.

>204 msf59: I read Calypso at the beginning of July. Lucky me, it was a library copy hot off the presses. I am a BIG fan of Sedaris' writing. He has a story about guns in the most recent NYorker mag (July 9th, 16th) . This is what I said on my thread about Calypso.

.....Yes, I do like Sedaris very much and have read some these stories (there are 21 of them) before in the New Yorker mag but who cares. It is great to read them again! He is a pretty unique writer making keen observations about society, relatives, friends, politics and revealing some pretty personal and intense tidbits. GULP! He is intensely funny at times and searingly critical at times too. He hits stuff head on (frank!) but his observations are often spot on. Yes, I like Sedaris very much! He is a character!.......

Oh in this recent issue is a short story by Lauren Groff. I know there has been lots of talk about Florida on L.T. so I am looking forward to reading it.

>205 lindapanzo: What are a couple of your favorite Sedaris collections, Linda. I know he has written quite a few.

>206 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Good to see you. I will see if I can find the Sedaris New Yorker article. Thanks. Glad to hear you are such a fan. Like I asked Linda, up there, what are a couple of your favorite collections of his?

And yes, Florida is terrific. I hope you can track a copy down.

An Ordinary Night In Athens, Ohio

Those children in pajamas
in the big suburban houses

are not dreaming
of fireflies in jars,

nor model cars,
but of fist-fighting

on Mars
in bodies not their own;

they are not feeding the hamster
small bits of lettuce

and changing its name
from Joe to Josephine, and back,

but sprinting over the rooftops
of burning Dairy Queens

and aiming shoulder-launched rockets
into shopping malls.

They are not dreaming
of taking the quiz

and getting deeply hung up
on the answer to question four,

but of yellow school buses
wrapped in ruptures of flame,

and of playmates they knew
in second grade

floating facedown
over the dimes and tarnished pennies

in the wishing fountain.

-Tony Hoagland (another gem from Priest Turned Therapist Treats Fear of God: Poems

Mark, my oldest introduced the family to David Sedaris by way of his Santaland Diaries, which we now listen to every Christmas Eve. We also saw him live in Princeton, NJ a few years back. His live shows are readings, not stand-up, but he often previews not-yet-published essays. And his delivery makes the essay come alive; I imagine you get the same feeling from an audiobook. I agree with your description: funny and eccentric, but also tender and heartfelt.

ETA: Sedaris was on Fresh Air back in May, I'm behind on podcasts so haven't finished listening yet but it's a good one.

Hi Mark - thanks for the heads up re Sedaris - I've mostly just listened to him on the radio, reading his stories. I love his voice.

>206 mdoris: Thanks for the link Mary. I'm not sure I feel 'free' as a citizen of the UK, but I see his point about the gun laws.

Good morning, Mark. It appears you're settling right into your photography. So far I think I've liked the rabbit portrait best. Enjoy!

Happy hump day, Mark!

>208 msf59: Whoa. Dark.

I have a few Sedaris on my TBR list but have never picked him up. I've seen good things about Calypso so I hope you enjoy!

What a good Hoagland poem, Mark. They dream themselves into what children are experiencing elsewhere in the world, where it's not as peaceful as Athens, Ohio.

We're Sedaris fans, and got to see him do a night at Steppenwolf Theater, where his answers to audience questions were even funnier than what he read. He's a very clever guy. We found listening to him on audio to be way better than reading him, good as he is in print. As you say, he can often be tender and heartfelt. There's one of those in a recent New Yorker, where he talks about going to a shooting range with his sister, and then about children doing hide from the shooter drills in school, comparing that to his duck and cover training in the A-Bomb days.

Enjoy the day, my friend.

Good morning and happy Wednesday to you, Mark!

>194 msf59: Aw, shucks. Thanks.

Congrats on your new camera. Ain't digital da bomb? You can rack off as many shots as you want and delete the duds rather than pay for developing the duds.

David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors - looks like I have every book he's written. I won a coveted ticket to hear him read on August 21st at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. I bought the book from there (and they give a 10% senior discount on all purchases!), read it in June, and can't wait to see him.

I have:

Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays
Calypso
*Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
*Holidays on Ice
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Naked
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
*Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002)
When You Are Engulfed in Flames

* hardcover and audiobook.

>209 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. Good to see you and thanks for chiming in on Sedaris. I have really enjoyed his interviews and I am loving Calypso. What are a couple of your favorites?

>210 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I am not expert on Sedaris, but I would think Calypso would be a fine place to start, with him.

>211 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Glad you like the bunny photo. I am off this weekend, so I plan on getting some practice in, each day. It is a bonus, that the weather will be nice.

>212 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. I hope you can give Sedaris a try and I highly recommend listening to them on audio. He narrates perfectly.

>213 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Glad to hear you are a Sedaris fan. I would love to see him live, one of these days. I highly recommend Calypso, if you haven't all ready acquired a copy.

I want to read that New Yorker article.

>214 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Hooray for another Sedaris lover. It looks like you have plenty on shelf. Which are your favorites? I am trying to make a short list, so I can tick a few more of his off. This one has been very good.

Hi Mark - I mostly know Sedaris from the Santaland Diaries and from listening to him on "This American Life." He is hilarious. I would love to be in a room with him and his sister Amy.

Mark I have read all of the Sedaris books and can't choose one over the other but I must say I love his story when he is out on his fitbit garbage collecting daily and comes across a cow in labour. It's how he describes what he sees that is so unique and hilarious and never to be forgotten. Glad that you are enjoying his writing. i keep kicking myself that I don't do audio books because I can see that his voice and his style would make a great and good impact on the stories. I must......

I listened to a couple of Sedaris's books years ago. Might have to add another one to the ol' ipod.

>207 msf59: Happy Wednesday, Mark. Yet another beautiful day in a string of them. Woo-hoo.

As for Sedaris, I remember Me Talk Pretty One Day, Holidays on Ice, Barrel Fever, and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and liked them all. The one I started and didn't get through was Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls. Haven't read any Sedaris since then but ought to give that new one a try. Also Santaland Diaries.

I am so far behind on threads. Glanced through nearly 500 of your posts to try to catch up here. I don't have time to read them all. I was excited to see your comments on Sugar Money. That one is on my radar.

Hey Mark,

Well, I'll pile on to the Sedaris praise. To be honest I don't have too many of his books, but I love listening to him. We saw him in a reading last year for volume 1 of his Diaries and was hilarious.

Also just listened to him on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast. Recommend.

>218 BLBera: Hi, Beth. Thanks for chiming in on the Sedaris. It looks like I NEED to track down Santaland Diaries for the holidays. I think you would really like Calypso. Just sayin'...

>219 mdoris: Hi, Mary. If you ever want to give an audiobook a try, start with a Sedaris. They are priceless. I did listen to some of his Fitbit adventures, but not the one with the cow yet. Grins...

>220 SuziQoregon: Hi, Juli. I am glad his latest, inspired me to finally give him a complete try and it has paid off wonderfully. Hope you find something. The new one is really good.

>221 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. It was another beautiful day. Just about perfect, in my book. I am definitely picking out a couple more Sedaris books for future reading. This one has sold me on him.

>222 thornton37814: Hi, Lori. Good to see you. Sorry, you had to slog through all those posts. I am sure that can get tedious. I would completely understand the skimming. Sugar Money is a terrific read. Have you read Harris before? I had not.

>223 mahsdad: Hi, Jeff. I know you like your audiobooks, so try to track down any Sedaris audios you can find. Like you said, he is great to listen to. Glad you got to attend one of his author events. I would love to do that, one of these days.

>225 msf59: We are going away for a long weekend soon and I hate to take my Kindle in the summer. It gets overheated if I leave it in the car. Anyway, I plan to pick out a couple of "real print books" to take along and I'm thinking about the new Sedaris that you're reading, among others.

I'll probably get lots of reading in tonight, SINCE THERE'S NO BALLGAMES!!

Howdy, Mark! I agree with >226 lindapanzo:. No ballgames tonight so lots of uninterrupted reading time. I've got to put that time sucking contraption called an iPad in wayyyyy out of sight!

>226 lindapanzo: Have a great long weekend, Linda. I think taking along Calypso is a perfect idea. I will try to squeeze in some more reading tonight but I am looking forward to the Cubs/Cards tomorrow night.

>227 Carmenere: "I've got to put that time sucking contraption called an iPad in wayyyyy out of sight!" This is a brilliant idea, Lynda. I plan to do the same.

"The moment before the needle touches the record, that spooky little hum of electricity hanging in the air. There's a heaviness, but a good heaviness, a prickly, alive feeling that's the opposite of how you feel when a song you love fades out.

It's all pure possibility. The amplified click of the needle as it's lowered onto a record you're hearing for the first time, the little sizzle as the needle finds it s way into the groove. Time stops just then..."



^I am truly loving Beautiful Music. Zadoorian is quite the writer. His gorgeous descriptions of music are wonderful. Nick Hornby would be proud. I was a bit of a music geek as a kid too, especially in the early to mid-70s and had a similar evolution as the kid in this novel, although I was not a geeky outcast.

>229 msf59: - Oh, that sounds like my kind of book! Last year, I bought a turntable again and I never got rid of all my old LPs (and I have several of my dad's old LPs, too!). BB here, Mark!

I love David Sedaris Mark, and saw him in person where he signed his latest book at the time. I was so impressed with him because he had brought many copies of another book that he recommended that you could buy from him as he sat signing. That book was Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick which I also loved. I’ve read most of his books and will get to his latest at some point. One is just as good as the next.

>228 msf59: not for two weeks. I’ve got my first Cubs game of the season on Saturday afternoon. Finally!!

>230 jessibud2: The author really nails the joys of being an audiophile, especially as a kid. Buying a new album and bringing it home, was almost a ceremonial event, a religious experience. Sadly, I have got rid of all my albums but my love of music is still intact. I glad to see vinyl albums making a strong comeback. Never expected that. It is a worthy BB, Shelley.

>231 brenzi: That is a great Sedaris story, Bonnie. And, I agree Nothing to Envy was an excellent choice. I LOVED that book. And you will love Calypso.

>232 lindapanzo: Thanks for the clarification, Linda. Hooray for going to see the game on Saturday. It should be an exciting series. I hope to get to Wrigley sometime this season.

>229 msf59: love that description Mark.

I don't listen to as much music as I used to, and not the breadth I used to either. Must try and change that.

I don't really do comedic books, so not a Sedaris fan. I tried one years ago.

>235 Caroline_McElwee: Sweet Thursday, Caroline. "I don't listen to as much music as I used to." I am with you there. My book life has completely overshadowed my love of music and I rarely listen to anything, despite having a great CD collection. Books are bullies. Grins...

I have been listening to a few cuts here and there, while reading this book though, which is good, right?

^Looking forward to our trip to the Rocky Mountain National Forest next month. We will be staying at Grand Lake, on the west side of the park. I have a serious itch to see some mountains. It has been awhile. I'll most likely bring my new camera...grins.

Ah, your vacation sounds fabulous. When exactly is it again?

'Morning, Mark, and happy Thursday to you.

I particularly liked Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Holidays on Ice after my new favorite Calypso.

Yay for your vacation.

Good morning, Mark! Our CDs don't get much use these days, save perhaps in the car. I did get a sizeable batch of records a couple months ago, but even those have been put away for now. I don't really care for music while I read or work, which cuts into the time available for listening.

So glad you're loving Zadoorian. I definitely loved the two of his earlier books I read.

>238 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. We leave on Aug 12th and return the following Saturday night. Sure wish we could stay there 2 weeks.

>239 karenmarie: Sweet Thursday, Karen. Thanks for sharing the Sedaris favorites. I am nearly done with Calypso. What a joy this one is.

>240 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. I used to listen to music while walking the route and while driving. Now, it is all devoted to the BOOKs! I actually don't care for listening to music, while on the computer too, because I can't give it the attention it deserves. Glad to see, that I am not alone.

>241 SuziQoregon: Morning, Juli. Now, I am looking forward to reading all of his work. I think you will love Beautiful Music.

I just wanna say what everyone else has said. I've read one Sedaris, have another hiding in the TBR. What does Amy Sedaris write? Is her work as good as her brother's?

I still have a turntable and a long shelf of vinyl. Several years ago, I bought software to digitize vinyl and tape and put more than 4,000 tracks in an iPod. It's in the car most of the time, plugged into the sound system. But I use it sometimes when mowing.

Sweet Thursday, Mark.

Love that quote in >229 msf59: from Beautiful Music. Sounds like a good 'un.

These days I often go to Youtube for music I read about; it's so easy.

A History of Violence was a page-turner GN, and I can definitely recommend it. Some interesting differences from the film.

Now I'm reading a middle-grader GN by Hope Larson called All Summer Long; she's a talented author.

I'm finally starting to be able to think again, and returned to Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley, a bio that I'm liking a lot. And I've got Gaiman's Fragile Things going, another fine short collection. I finished The Tao of Now, and I'm about halfway into Kevin Young's Brown, a new collection from him. I'll likely be recommending Brown to you.

Pretty nice day again! Enjoy it, buddy.

>244 weird_O: Hi, Bill. It looks like Amy Sedaris is more of an actress and comedian, although she has wrote a few books too. I am not familiar with them.

Glad to hear you like music and a long shelf of vinyl. What kind of music do you like?

>245 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I am going to have to check out A History of Violence and it will give me the perfect excuse to see the film again. Let me know if the Larson, is something I would like. Good to know you are going a bit deeper into the books. Maybe, I will get to Fragile Things, later in the year.

Funny, I just saw the Kevin Young collection at the library yesterday. Yah! I will be going back. I appreciate all the GN and poetry recs, my friend.

I love playing my vinyl on the record player! It's hooked up to a Bose sound dock so I get really good sound. Lately I've been playing a lot of Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, but I'm thinking of getting out my Led Zep album (the first one with the crashing zeppelin on it) and my Stones LPs and rocking out. All my vinyl is from the 60s, 70s and 80s, plus a few from the 50s, as well as a large number of classical LPs.

Happy Friday, Mark.

>229 msf59: It has been a long time since I heard an album played but I think that description nails it. I very rarely listen to music these days and need to find something for my home to play the CDs that I have.

>247 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Hooray for vinyl and Led Zeppelin. I don't listen to much classic rock these days, but I can never resist Zeps. Have you ever heard Led Zeppelin III? That is an overlooked treasure.

I love the Stones too. Especially the Beggar's Banquet, through Exile on Main Street period.

>248 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Good to see you, stranger.

>249 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. You can play CDs on your laptop, right? If you use one? Do you have Spotify up your way? That is a good way to get kick-started.

^I have not read a Dr. Siri Paiboun series book, in quite some time, so I thought I would bookhorn in Six and a Half Deadly Sins, on audio. This is book 10 and it is another consistently entertaining series and I love them on audio.

Have a great weekend, Mark! Looking forward to mine too. Want to finish Exit West and then will probably start My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

Looking forward to seeing your birding pics!

Hope the long weekend is going well Mark. Your planned trip for >237 msf59: looks beautiful.
Your post about Dr Siri made prompted me to go and look on a certain book site to see what he'd published lately - I really like his other series about Jimm Juree. And v pleased to report there is a new one. So thank you! That's what I'll be reading this weekend, I think.

Happy three-day weekend, Mark! Have a wonderful time birding, camera-ing (I know, I know, not an official word but you get the idea), and reading. I guess baseball and beer will figure in there somewhere, too?

Bill and I have quite a few records upstairs, but the turntable is not hooked up. We gave Jenna a very nice portable record player two Christmases ago and she found about 30 or so duplicates between Bill's and my collections, and we let her take those back to her apartment. I don't know if she's listening to the vinyl, I'll have to ask her. We also have quite a few CDs here at the house.

I rarely listen to music anymore, alas. Lately, however, I've been on a Queen binge and Jenna bought me a 3-CD Hits set for my birthday. It's getting airtime. *smile*

Happy Friday, Mark, and the start to your 3 day weekend! Woot!

I do think you'd like All Summer Long, the Hope Larson YA GN. It's modest in scope but quite enjoyable. It reminds me of those Raina Telgemeier books.

I finished Fragile Things and liked it; some really stellar ones in there. I'm able to handle Circe now, and am a ways into that one. Thanks for the nudge on it.

There's nothing better than a long weekend. Enjoy it, buddy.

Got your message. Thanks!

>254 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Hooray for starting My Year of Rest and Relaxation. That one is on my radar. Did you read Eileen? Sadly, I never got around to it, but it is still on the list.

I plan on posting some of my own photos, a little later on.

>255 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. Getting pumped about the Colorado trip. It should be a blast. Mountains, nature and breweries. Could you ask for anything more?

I never did read the Jimm Juree series. Worth exploring?

>256 karenmarie: "I guess baseball and beer will figure in there somewhere." You got that right, Karen. I have the Cubs/Cardinals game on, as I type this and thinking seriously about a cold beverage, to perk up the proceedings.

I had a very nice bird hike this morning. More to follow...

>257 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe. I wish you could have joined me, at the Arboretum this morning. It was beautiful early on and then the rains came later on, but I had moved on to a different location by then.

I will keep All Summer long in mind. Thanks. I am so glad you got to Circe. I would be surprised if you didn't fall head over heels for it.

>258 drneutron: Thanks for letting me know, Jim.

^Well, I hit the jackpot this morning, thanks to my birding pals. I spotted a female blue grosbeak. A lifer for me. Several good looks too. Yes, it would have been perfect if the male had been around too, with his bright blue plumage but I will have to settle for Mama. I think she still had young nearby. She seemed to be protecting something. We did not linger long.



^Another beauty from this morning, was an orchard oriole. Also a lifer for me. The male was perched up high, singing quite the song.

**These are not my photos but I did take photos of both birds but not as clear as these. I will try to share them later on.

Wow, you are doing so well with adding to your life list! I don't get out on many organized walks. It's been a few years, at least. I did get to witness banding at a banding station a few years ago. Very cool.

Those 2 are beautiful!

>253 msf59: Nice to know the audios are good. I've had the first in that series on my ereader for ages (where good books go to be forgotten). Maybe I'll give the audio a try.

Have a great three day weekend. I'm on vacation as of about 3:30 this afternoon and we're headed to the coast for all of next week. Same little rental house we've had for many years. Fabulous spot.

>262 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. This wasn't even an organized bird walk. I just went with a married couple, that I have befriended and he is a photographer too, so I got some tips from him too. Yah!

I would love to volunteer at a banding station sometime.

>263 SuziQoregon: Happy Friday, Juli. Try to find time to squeeze in a Dr. Siri on audio. I think you will have a good time with them, plus they are shorties.

Ooh, your vacation plans sound great. Enjoy!

^I think I find my next topper photo! I took this with the new camera, at work, last week. I thought it came out pretty good.

Excellent! One you start playing around with your zoom, you will practically fall over, from amazement. Imagine this one, 20 times closer, without having to move a single step.

:-)

Enjoy!

>265 msf59:

Both the Milkweed and the Monarch are winners!

>265 msf59: >266 jessibud2:

Ditto! Very nice shot. My only suggestion is the same one as Shelly's. Experiment with the zoom, or experiment with cropping the image once you get it to your PC.

>266 jessibud2: >268 mahsdad: Thanks, Shelley & Jeff. I will keep experimenting with the new toy, with zooming and cropping. I think I will have to also employ more patience, to craft a better image.

>267 m.belljackson: Nice combo, eh, Marianne?

Happy Saturday, Mark. Lovely pic of the Monarch.

>265 msf59: This is lovely! (although I am less keen on butterflies after caterpillars have wrecked my raspberry plants. Annoying.)

I really like the Jimm Juree novels, but they don't seem to have made the same impact as Dr Siri. Killed at the Whim of a Hat: A Jimm Juree Novel is the first one.

>270 Ameise1: Happy Weekend, Barb. Glad you like the Monarch.

>271 charl08: You can't blame the parents for their kids bad behavior, right? Grins...Bummer about those raspberry plants.

Thanks for the Jimm Juree info. I am not reading as much crime series fiction, these days, so not sure I'll get to that one.

"A rollicking true-crime adventure and a thought-provoking exploration of the human drive to possess natural beauty for readers of The Stranger in the Woods, The Lost City of Z, and The Orchid Thief."

^Another kind and generous book pal of my mine, sent me The Feather Thief awhile back, guessing that this would be my cuppa and I have a strong feeling she will be right. There seems to be a glut of promising NNF books out there and I am loving every moment of it.

**I have never read The Orchid Thief. Bad Mark?

Happy Saturday to you, Mark! Congrats on the two exciting lifers.

Another suggestion re the camera - on my camera, if you continue pressing the shutter release, it takes a series of photos. Sometimes you get a better one if you just let the camera take multiple shots after you've lined the shot up. Then you can delete the ones you don't like. You probably already know this, but I use it on my cell phone AND camera to great advantage. Makes me look like a better photographer than I am, for sure.

Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday!

>261 msf59: Those are both gorgeous! I am learning more about birds than I ever thought I would know. *smile*

>269 msf59:

And Milkweed has the loveliest scent...

>274 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. Always a pleasure to add new birds to the list. I hope to add more in the coming weeks/months.

I appreciate the camera tip too. I have not tried the rapid fire method yet, but I will...

>275 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. Great to see you. Glad you are enjoying avian school. Grins...

>276 m.belljackson: I will give the milkweed a nice sniff, when I get back there next week.

We are heading to the northwest part of the state, for a family function/memorial today. This will be in a state park, right near the farm my grandparents once owned, so it is great location, that holds scores of fond memories. We will be back tonight. Lets hope this rain moves on. Sheesh...

Happy Saturday, buddy. Glad the Arboretum visit went so well. We'll get it to work one of these times. Tuesdays and Thursdays are particularly good for us.

We're off to get coffee and shop at the Farmer's Market. Fingers crossed the rain holds off.

Day off - enjoy it, buddy.

>277 msf59:

Hope you enjoy your weekend, Mark!

I’ll be interested in your thoughts on The Feather Thief Mark. I’ve had it on my Overdrive wish list for a bit now.

>279 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I hope you had a good Saturday. We had a long day but we are home now and I am watching the end of the Cubs games, beer in hand.

>280 Crazymamie: LOL. I love it, Mamie, despite the photo being upside down. Grins...

>281 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I am having a good weekend. Thanks. And tomorrow, looks to be a kick back day.

>282 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. Not far into The Feather Thief but it did grab me right away. I think this one will be a keeper.

Funny you should mention Fragile Things. Got a package from my daughter last week (a b-day gift) and inside was a hardcover book, no jacket, and no words at all on the cover. Ah. 'Twas Gaiman. Fragile Things.

I was forced...FORCED I tell you...to hit the bimonthly library book sale. Your heart should be warmed by my purchase of a Louis L'Amour, The Quick and the Dead. Shortest L'Amour on the table. Also got two Amy Tans—The Bonesetter's Daughter and Saving Fish from Drowning. Plus three Nesbos—The Redbreast, Nemesis, and The Thirst. Plus...ah, I guess I'll get a list up tomorrow.

Glad the bird-watching is rewarding you with fine spottings. I've not seen a female grosbeak, though I've seen males.

Happy Sunday, Mark.

>286 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. I hope you are finishing up a nice weekend.

>285 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Missed you up there. Congrats on Fragile Things. Have you read much Gaiman? Sorry, to hear you were FORCED to get the L' Amour, Tan and Nesbo books. I hate that, when that happens.

I should circle back and read more Nesbo, but The Redbreast remains my favorite of his work.

The grosbeak, was a blue grosbeak. I have seen rose-breasted grosbeak, here, which are fairly common but blue are a bit more rare. Which were you referring to?

Hi Mark! Hopelessly behind, but I am here. xoxo

>289 Berly: Visit me, at the new digs, Kimmers. Much more room over there.