Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Eighteen

-Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park. One of our August vacation destinations.



^This is my female, blue grosbeak, trying to hide, from a determined birder. My photo of a lifer.

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

OTS- Off the Shelf

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
89) Six and a Half Deadly Sins (Dr. Siri Paiboun) by Colin Cotterill 3.6 stars (audio)
90) The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson 4.2 stars OTS
91) Bad Blood: Secrets & Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou 4.7 stars (audio)
92) November Road by Lou Berney 4 stars ALA
93) Sabrina by Nick Drnaso 4.2 stars GN Booker List
94) The Baker's Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan 3.7 stars (audio) OTS

August:

95) The Good People by Hannah Kent 4 stars (audio) OTS
96) The Man Who Climbs Trees by James Aldred 4.2 stars (E)

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#

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

-Emma Lazarus

“The New Colossus” was first published in 1903 in The New York Times.

Happy New Thread, Mark! Happy to be the first...

Happy new one, Mark. Beautiful topper.

^This was my orchard oriole, from the other day. He was singing his tail off, at the top of the tree but decided to fluff his feathers, just as I snapped the shot. What a beauty.

Happy new thread, Mark! Your August vacay spot looks so inviting!
Did you take the pic of the blue grosbeak with your new camera? Awesome.

Happy new thread, Mark. Beautiful photo of the park.

>5 alphaorder: My first visitor on #18! Yah! Thanks, Nancy.

>6 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb.

>8 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. Yes, the photo was taken with my Canon. It took many tries because she tried to stay concealed, but I was glad she was only about 15 feet away. I think she was tending a nest somewhere in there, so I hope we didn't stress her too much.

>9 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. Getting that mountain itch.

Happy new thread, and happy Sunday, Mark!

Excellent photo of the female Blue Grosbeak - congratulations. You're really getting the hang of your new camera quickly.

Happ new thread, Mark!
You are doing well with your new camera. Both birds were unknown to me, as they live only on your side of the big pond.
Happy Sunday!

Hiya, Mark! Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

>7 msf59: lovely shot Mark. I'm so envious of the variety of birds you have.

Happy new thread Mark. You are going to the gorgeous stomping grounds of my Denver girls. Hope that you have a wonderful time. Love the bird pics.

How did you like your Sedaris book? I always enjoyed listening to him on This American Life. His early books were some of my first recorded books. He is such an excellent reader.

Somebody on your previous thread said that they weren’t a fan of butterflies. I am not either. They spawn caterpillars. My poor New Orleans Bean plant (an outdoor plant here in Alabama - indoors in other places) had almost all of its leaves stripped off while I was gone to ALA by ravenous caterpillars. When I came back I had to pick handfuls of them off that poor plant every day. With the heat of the last month the poor plant is really stressed. It is tough, but I don’t know how I will replace it if it doesn’t make it. I love its purple flowers in the spring and would really miss it. No butterflies for me.

>11 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. I am very happy to have seen my female blue grosbeak but seeing the male, will be the real treat.



^Of course, not my photo, but hopefully one of these days. Fingers crossed.

>12 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. Always nice to see new birds, colorful or not.

>13 katiekrug: >14 drneutron: Thanks, Katie & Jim.

>15 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. I have a lot to learn in the photography department but I will continue to practice.

>16 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. do your daughters live right in Denver or on the outskirts?

>17 benitastrnad: >18 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I loved Calypso. I think it was a perfect introduction into Sedaris. By the time you are through, you feel like you read his memoir, or at least a nice slice of it. Yes, laugh out loud funny at times, but also poignant and heart-breaking at other times.

At this point, without being much of a gardener or horticulturist , I have no problems with caterpillars or butterflies. I do love watching them.

I got sucked into a science fiction book club that is just starting at our public library. I went in to check out a science fiction book I have been wanting to read and found a notice for a new sci/Fi book group. The first book they read was Ready Player One but nobody showed up for the discussion. The book I picked up is Year Zero by Rob Reid. I am 100 pages into it and it is really funny. The librarian told me that the title was on a list of books recommended by comedy writer John Hodgman. He was a writer for Jon Stewart on the Daily Show.

Year Zero certainly is funny. It is chucked full of Rock and Roll trivia. If you are a rock and roll fan this book is for you! All kind of rock from pop to Heavy Metal. In the first hundred pages I can’t count the number of times Led Zepplin or Metallica has been mentioned. So far I think it is better than Ready Player One.

I certainly hope that somebody besides me shows up on Thursday for the discussion as this will be a fun one to discuss.

Happy New Thread, Mark! Thank you for the Lazarus poem... reminds me that I have a book about her around here somewhere that I've been meaning to read.

And great pics, too! I'm sure it adds a whole new dimension to birding. I limit my pictures to flowers--they generally stay put ;)

^I was hoping to get out for a bird stroll, but every time I look out, a light rain is falling. Come on, for crying out loud! It looks to be clearing up now, so I may get going soon.

>7 msf59: Nice Shot.

And as far as the rain is concerned, you are more that welcome to send it my way. :)

Happy New Thread, Mark!

Beautiful photos up top.

It's been pouring hard by us; I think even the birds are trying to find dry places to hide out.

I can't remember whether you've tried the Dresden Files. The new one, Brief Cases, a collection of short stories, was just sitting there on display at our library, so I grabbed it. It's making for perfect rainy day reading.

Spectacular photo toppers, Mark. You've outdone yourself this time.

My reading rate has been extra slow but, tomorrow, I've got colonoscopy fasting and prep and so lots of time to read.

>21 msf59: Yes, one daughter lives right downtown near the hospital (she is a surgical nurse) and the other one a bit further away but still in the thick of city life. Last time we were there we visited Tattered Cover book store which was fun and another time we did the trip around the Rocky Mountain National Park with lots of dogs in the car. Denver people are dog people....fine with me!

>24 msf59: And we're so parched here and desparately need rain. What a crazy continent!

>22 benitastrnad: You read much more Sci-Fi and fantasy than I, so I would think the club would be a good fit. Year Zero sounds like a lot of fun. I will slap in on the list. I am also a fan of Hodgman. I really enjoyed his last memoir.

>23 kac522: Thanks, Karen. I do not think I had heard the whole Lazurus poem before and I am not familiar with the poet. I will have to research.

>25 mahsdad: Hi, Jeff. It is sure nice, when your subject will sit still for awhile. Birds can be tricky. It seems the more I get out there, the more comfortable I feel, although I still feel pretty clumsy. I took a few photos today, that I am going to toy around with.

Yep, it sounds like the west could use water. I wish I could help out.

>22 benitastrnad: Oh! Year Zero does sound like fun.

We have been desperate for rain this year. Now, all of a sudden, we've been having afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Not a LOT of rain, but better than nothing!

>26 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. Happy Sunday. Fortunately the rain moved on here, before noon, so I got out for a stroll. I have been relaxing this afternoon, after I cut the grass. Book, beer and baseball.

I did read a few of the Dresden Files books, but I felt that was enough. Glad you are enjoying the story collection.

>27 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda. Glad you like the toppers. I am looking forward to getting my own photos of the Rocky Mountain National Park next month. In the meantime, there will be birds. Good luck with the procedure tomorrow. And Go Cubbies! Nice win today.

>28 mdoris: I am sure the daughters love Denver, right, Mary? Yes, it is a city but look what lingers, just outside it's borders. Sorry, to hear about the lack of rain. I hope it improves.

>30 Storeetllr: Happy Sunday, Mary. Glad you starting to get a little rain, at least. We had a very wet spring here and it looks like we are getting enough in the summer months too. I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

>1 msf59: Looks like a wonderful destination. I would love a mountain holiday as well. There's something really special about it.

And nice pic of a really shy birdy:-)

Hey Mark and Happy New Thread! Your August vacation looks to be a good one! And are you saying that you took that photo of the female blue grosbeak? Your birding has really turned into quite the successful passion. If I'm remembering correctly, it was just in the past couple of years that you started this activity in your free time, yes?

I know i mentioned a while back that we had a Great Horned Owl perched on our back fence one evening. She seems to be a local resident. The other night I was out in the back yard (also known as a small park to those of us more used to urban-sized yards) filling the bird bath and there was a ruckus behind me. The magpies were going nuts! I turned and there in our blue spruce tree, about 20 feet off the ground and not more than 20 yards from me, was the GHO! She was struggling to get her balance on a branch that was perhaps a bit too small for her but she did get herself situated and the two of us watched one another for a few minutes. The magpies were not leaving her alone and finally she flew off. Later that evening we saw her silhouetted on our neighbor's roof. It's a good thing we don't ever, EVER let Abby go outside!

I saw your comments about the Tim Egan and I have added it to my wish list. I think he is such a good writer and the photos are quite interesting.

I finished and loved Richard Powers' The Overstory and now I'm reading The Unquiet Dead which has the Srebrenica massacre as its backdrop. Very interesting even though her writing doesn't hold a candle to Powers' (but few would).

When do you head for the mountains?

>24 msf59: Chuckling to myself. I know it's all about the local microclimate but after a decade of living in Seattle, I figure one just puts on a hat to protect from the rain and gets out there. Unless it's lightning, of course. I hope you did get your walk in.

Happy new thread, Mark! I love the toppers.

Happy new thread, Mark. Thanks re the tip on your last thread to listen to CDs on my laptop. Now why didn't I think of that - duh! Currently listening to Lightfoot while reading the threads. Hmm, I wonder what else is in my collection?

>33 EllaTim: "I would love a mountain holiday as well." Like minds, my friend. I hope you had a good weekend, Ella.

>34 EBT1002: >35 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Happy Sunday. I believe I started birding, late spring/early summer of 2016. So, not long, but I am so glad I made this decision. The rewards are endless.

I am so jealous of your GHO resident. I want one. WAH!! We are still in suburbia here and I don't think, they would make a home nearby. My daughter insists, that she saw a GHO perched on our shed many years ago, but I am skeptical, (Just being a Dad). I am so glad you are able to see them regularly. Hope you can get a few photos.

We fly to Denver August 12th. Yippee!!

>36 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda.

>37 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I didn't know if you used a laptop or not, so I am glad I supplied the idea, of the CD drive. I wish I did it more often. I have an immense CD library, just collecting dust. And hooray for Mr. Lightfoot.

-Greater Bird of Paradise

“Man is seldom content to witness beauty.
He must possess it. “

-Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare

“In the last three decades of the nineteenth century, hundreds of millions of birds were killed, not for museums but for another purpose altogether: women's fashion.”

“Between 1883 and 1898, bird populations in twenty-six states dropped by nearly half. In 1914, Martha, the last Passenger Pigeon on earth, died in the Cincinnati Zoo. Four years later her cage hosted the death of Incas, the last of the Carolina Parakeets.”

I am really enjoying The Feather Thief. I am a hundred pages in and learning a lot. And I knew nothing of the the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying. I never have fly-fished and I had no idea it was so obsessive. The Bird of Paradise were coveted for their colorful plummage.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>41 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>40 msf59: Feather Thief sounds captivating! Still in the midst of Exit West.

On another note, found this youtube video that a Center visitor took of my little beach!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=43&v=ed6SxQiQOwc

Morning, Mark.

>40 msf59: Great photo of the bird of paradise, and interesting info. It's mind-boggling to think of how many more birds we had in the 19th and 18th centuries.

Hope your week gets off to a good start.

>44 jnwelch: It's a beautiful bird. But it's also rather scary that we have lost so many bird species, and are in the proces of losing more. On a more positive note, birds that were severely threatened by this feather craze are bouncing back neatly, like the egrets.

By the way, birds of paradise like to collect beautiful objects as well, we're not the only ones. Have you watched the small series Attenborough did on them? Very interesting!

>45 EllaTim: Good points, Ella. Our son loves to watch Attenborough pieces, and I've been meaning to give them a try. Thanks for the tip on the birds of paradise series.

I did love Attenborough's humorous voiceover narration of Adele's hit song Hello.

Good morning, Mark! Happy new thread! Congrats on the grosbeak and orchard oriole; it's great that you were able to get photos of them both.

Happy Monday, Mark!

I can understand your wanting to see the male grosbeak. One of the thrills of my birding year so far is having the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks migrate through here. The males were breathtaking.

Staring at my long work week, but at least it is kicking off with a beautiful day, and I have some good books going, which always makes things go a bit smoother.

>43 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. I think you will like The Feather Thief and Zoe might too. I will check out the video tonight. Thanks.

>44 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Yep, there were mega-millions more birds in the 19th century, until we systematically eliminated them, along with the buffalo.

I missed that bit about the female being a blue grosbeak. I didn't know such a species existed. I have seen rose-breasted grosbeaks many time, you are correct.

I got a lot to learn about birds.

>45 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. Yep, some bird populations are improving and some are declining. I am astounded by how many bird conservationists are out there. Trying to take care of business.

I did love the Attenborough series.

>47 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry and thanks. Always nice to add a couple lifers to the list.

>48 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I do not see rose-breasted grosbeaks at our feeders but I do see them, on occasion, during my walks, since they nest here.

>50 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Blue Grosbeaks are not as common in this general area, so seeing one is definitely a treat.

>51 msf59: I noted, Mark, that the Friends of Earth-Raping and General Tyranny (da GOP) are anxious to dismantle the endangered species act ASAP. THEN we'll see the bird varieties diminish.

>39 msf59: It was a good tip, Mark. Now I have to find out what I have hidden in my collection. I hope the weather is treating you well for your long work week.

>53 weird_O: This presidency and these policies get more and more depressing, don't they, Bill?

>54 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Let me know what hidden gems you find. It looks to be a week of normal summer temps, which I can deal with.

>43 alphaorder: I loved the video of your favorite lakeside locale. Thanks for sharing, Nancy. And I can say I walked this area. Yah, me!!

>56 msf59: It was a little crazy down there today, Mark. Good thing I had sandals on because the water came over my feet as I stood in my usual spot to take my daily photo. Thanks for sharing image 143!

>57 alphaorder: It sure seemed calm this morning. Maybe there was more of a wind than I thought.

>56 msf59: that is one big lake! We don't get'em that big here :)
Happy new thread and I hope the rain is letting up! We had some much-needed sunshine here this weekend, and it was lovely.

Mark--Ha! Figures. I finally show up at your old thread and you have a new one!! Your topper is beautiful. Happy new one.

>59 LovingLit: It is a big lake, Megan and there are much bigger Great Lakes too. Glad you are getting some sunshine, my friend.

>60 Berly: Thanks, Kimmers. Everything is always moving quickly around here. Nothing should surprise you. Grins...

^I wanted to post this for awhile- This is my morning break spot. It is right behind, some office buildings, that I deliver to. On the right is a railroad embankment. I have seen a coyote, trotting along the tracks here. On the left is a small creek, with a small bridge that crosses it. I saw a Great Blue Heron in the creek yesterday and this is where I saw the family of wood ducks, a few weeks ago. The creek doesn't look especially clean but it holds wildlife. I have seen many different birds in this spot. Red-wing black birds love this spot and have dive-bombed me a time or two. There is a gray catbird that hangs out. During migration season, I have seen at least 3 kinds of warblers.

With all the concrete and the open spaces, this area gets HOT, so I am glad I get there early and I only spend less than ten minutes.

I brought my new camera this particular day, but I do not want to drag it around on a regular basis. I'll probably bring it along during fall migration.

>62 msf59:
Thanks for sharing your break spot. I love your description, to know there is so much wildlife beyond the concrete and that you have been experiencing it. Also loving your photos....

>62 msf59: How lucky to find a spot like this on your route. I'm sure most people don't think to wander behind the office buildings. I love hearing about how you find nature on the job, it's very cool.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you! How nice to have a regular creek-side spot to see all the comings and goings of our feathered friends.

>63 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. I will have to share a photo of my lunch spot, which is a much more shady spot. Less birds but I still see a few. I am fortunate that I have these locations. Not all routes do.

>64 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura. Not all office parks, have this, so I am lucky there. I try to make the best of my work day but I still dream about retirement, almost on a daily basis. Smiles...

>65 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. The creek doesn't look very clean and there is a little garbage strewn here and there but, if it holds this much wildlife, it can't be that bad.

I would pick up trash if I could, but the brush is dense and the embankment to the creek is steep.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Thanks for sharing your break spot photo. How nice that you have a place to view wildlife in the middle of your work day. I only get birds and squirrels out our office windows

I keep seeing The Feather Thief and the cover catches my eye every time. I think I'm going to have to read it!
As well as, from your last thread, The Stranger in the Woods. I picked it up once and thought about reading it but the thought of him stealing to survive, instead of just living off the land, kind of put me off.

Good morning, Mark.

>62 msf59: Looks like a good place to take a short break. Debbi liked The Stranger in the Woods, too.

I'm liking Circe and the Harry Dresden book, and the Portugal GN (it took him a while to get to Portugal!) and the Kevin Young collection. I feel like I'm starting to get my (challenging) reading mojo back, gradually.

Looks pretty nice out there. I'm heading out soon. Hope you have a relatively peaceful and well-read day.

>68 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. I wish I lived and worked in a more rural area, but I make do, with what I have.

I agree, the morals, presented in A Stranger in the Woods is sticky, to say the least, but this is a cracking good read and the lengths that the authorities went to capture him, is quite unbelievable.

>69 jnwelch: Happy Tuesday, Joe. Shaping up to be a nice, warm summer day.

Glad you are enjoying your current reads. I will be picking up Portugal, today.

Nature question, for my visitors: What are the little white butterflies called, that are flitting everywhere? Cabbage white?

**This question is not for Benita, who HATES butterflies...B.A.G.



^Not my photo. Since, I see them flitting about so much, I rarely see the black dots.

>72 msf59: Cabbage white butterfly may be right. I've also had people say they're white moths. There's a Forage Looper Moth that might fit the bill.

Nice looking break spot! Happy belated new thread, Mark.

>73 jnwelch: Thanks, for chiming in on the white butterfly, Joe. After researching a bit, I can only guess it is the cabbage white. There is nothing else that comes close and it definitely are not moths.

>74 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Good to see you. I wish my break spot was at the topper, instead. Grins...

"The full inside story of the breathtaking rise and shocking collapse of Theranos, the multibillion-dollar biotech startup, by the prize-winning journalist who first broke the story and pursued it to the end, despite pressure from its charismatic CEO and threats by her lawyers."

^Okay, thanks to Nancy's recent warbling about Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, I decided to make it my next NF audio. I am a couple hours in and I am fixated. This is a helluva story. I normally do not read 2 NF titles at once, but I am close to finishing The Feather Thief, (another terrific and unbelievable true-life tale), so why the heck not. Hats-off to Nancy.

>76 msf59: I'm looking forward to Bad Blood, Mark. But I'm still way down on the holds list. Just on my way back from the library where I picked up a L'Amour.

>76 msf59: Glad you are taken in by the book, Mark. It is really an amazing story. Are you keeping up with all of the names on audio? There sure are a number of them.

I hope to finish Exit West tonight. But then If You See Me, Don't Say Hi arrived and I couldn't help myself from starting it.

My audio is another captivating read: The Lost Chapters: Finding Recovery and Renewal One Book at a Time. Not many people seem to have found it yet on LT, so here is a PW review: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-525-53463-1.

>77 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I am sure, you will love Bad Blood, once you get to it.

>78 alphaorder: I am sure you enjoyed Exit West, Nancy. The Lost Chapters: Finding Recovery and Renewal One Book at a Time does sound good. You sure know how to find the gems. I'll be watching for your final thoughts.

The Patel story collection also sounds promising.

^I am pleased with this photo of a red-tailed hawk. He was not only a fair distance away but sitting high in a tree. I took this on Sunday, during my walk. There were a couple RTHs, flying around and I also got to hear one screech or scream, which is rare but always memorable.

I also saw 4 turkey vultures flying together but it was tough to get them in frame.

Nice sighting and shot!

I just out put this on Joe's thread, as you were talking about Charley Harper. I have the colouring in book! It is so lovely I refrained from giving it to a kid, and am planning on doing some colouring of my own :)

Happy Birthday, Mark!!

>80 msf59: Nice shot! RTHs are some of my favorite birds and we get them coming through our area spring and fall spring migration. Just beautiful.

Have a great day, Mark!

>80 msf59: great photo, Mark, and a very happy birthday to you!!

Happy Birthday, Mark. Many happy returns. Raise a glass for me. :)

How can LT be down on the morning of my birthday? It threw my whole routine off. How RUDE!!

>81 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Still learning...

>82 LovingLit: Hooray for the Charley Harper coloring book! Looks like a lot of fun.

>83 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. Words of wisdom...

HB HB! Hope you're celebrating today and hope it's a wonderful year ahead!

Hi, Mark! Happy birthday!

Happy birthday, old man!

I look forward to your thoughts about Bad Blood.

I hope you are having a peaceful book-and-bird filled Birthday, Mark! 🎂🎈

Happy birthday, Mark!

>84 drneutron: Hooray for the RTHs! They are our most common raptor.

>85 Carmenere: >86 katiekrug: >87 lauralkeet: >88 BLBera: Thanks, Lynda, Katie, Laura and Beth. Much appreciated.

>86 katiekrug: Like the owl.

Hippo Birdy, Two Ewes!

Happy Birthday, Mark, and have you ever seen the Hooded Warbler up on today's Cornell Lab page-a-day?
What a beauty!

Happy Birthday, my friend!! Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, buddy! Hope you're having a good one.

Happy birthday, Mark! If you have a drink for each and every one of us wishing you a good day, it will be a memorable one indeed . :)

Happy Birthday, Mark, have a good one!

-Hooded Warbler. This was the Cornell Lab "Bird of the Day" and I thought it was perfect for the Warbler's B'day. Someday, I hope to take photos this crisp and sharp. Stares off dreamily...

>87 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Did you see the hooded warbler this morning?

>88 BLBera: >90 vivians: >91 harrygbutler: >92 kidzdoc: >93 Donna828: >94 banjo123: >96 mahsdad: Thanks, Beth, Vivian, Harry, Darryl, Donna, Rhonda & Jeff.

>92 kidzdoc: Bad Blood is a good read, but this is some dark, sinister stuff, Darryl.

Cubs win, Brewers, Cardinals, and Pirates all lose. A good day for our Boys in Blue.

Happy Birthday Mark!

>62 msf59: It’s so nice to be able to look at some nature in your daily life isn’t it? I saw a red kite flying yesterday over a small park that’s about 5 minutes walk from our house, and it gave me a real boost. It’s the first time I’ve seen them so near - they have gradually been working their way eastwards after being reintroduced to England from a very small population in Wales. We’ve just come back from a holiday in the Baltic States and we saw lots of storks - and lots of stork nests on top of telegraph poles. Apparently, storks used to breed in Britain, but haven’t done so for hundreds of years, but there is a scheme to reintroduce them.

>97 mdoris: >98 m.belljackson: >99 lindapanzo: >100 jnwelch: >101 streamsong: >102 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Mary, Marianne, Linda, Joe, Janet & Anita.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mark. Hope you have some celebration planned. At least beer and cake.

>80 msf59: great shot.

Happy birthday Mark!

Happy birthday, Mark! Hope it was a good one

Happy Birthday, Mark and here's wishing that today is the first day of a wonderful year for you.

We are having a heatwave here in B.C. and I'm really feeling the heat. Doing my best to stay out of the sun and under a fan all the while keeping my books close at hand. :)

>104 msf59: yes I did see the hooded warbler, Mark! The calendar is on our kitchen island so I usually turn the page every morning at breakfast. A perfect birthday bird for you!

Hope you are having a great birthday, Mark. You must be relaxing with the beer and books by now!

Hey hey hey, Mark. Happy Birthday, young feller. Why don't you buy yourself a good book? And some beer, maybe. Little late in the day to be saying "enjoy yourself," but I'm sure you knew to do that.

Coincidentally, today is my 48th wedding anniversary. It didn't rain back then, but it sure was stinkin' hot. Today we have both downpours and stinkin' hot. Not aware of flooding in our area, but areas not far away—Hershey, Lancaster, etc.—are underwater.

Happy B-Day Mark! I'm sure you had a great day. And a Cubs win to boot!

>105 lindapanzo: Go Cubs! It would sure be nice to win today too.

>106 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian. Great to see you. I would love to see a red kite. And I hope they bring back the storks.

>108 Caroline_McElwee: >109 EllaTim: >110 jessibud2: Thanks, Caroline, Ella & Shelley.

>111 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. Keep cool in B.C. We have had a lot of hot weather too, but right now it is about normal, which I can handle.

>112 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura. Like you, I love my Bird of the Day calendar. I have it near my lap-top, so I can glance at it now and then.

>113 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Some family and friends took me out last night, so no books but beer definitely was involved.

>114 weird_O: Thanks, Bill. I have so many books right now, I don't have to purchase anything for awhile. Happy anniversary and sorry, to hear about your weather. Yuck!

>115 kac522: Thanks, Karen. Go Cubbies!

What happened to my Brewers??? Glad to hear you are enjoying Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup.

I thought I posted on your thread yesterday, then didn't!

Happy Belated Birthday Mark. I hope you had a wonderful day. You and I have been friends a very long time here and on BookMooch for a while, too. It's great knowing you, and you've given me a large number of book bullets, too!

>118 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. The Brew Crew are only a couple games back, there is plenty of time, to swing it back around.
Yep, loving Bad Blood. Jaw-dropping story.

>119 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. I do go a long way back and it has been a joy following you around, in your reading life.

>104 msf59: Dark and sinister sounds good to me!

Sweet Thursday, Mark.

I thought Circe was good in the first part of it, but she (Madeline Miller) really ups her game once Odysseus shows up. I'm about 2/3 through.

>122 jnwelch: I agree, Joe! I was thought the beginning was good but slow, and the second half totally gripping.

Aargh! I meant to leave you a birthday wish yesterday, but I was out most of the day and, when I got home, collapsed and didn't even look at my computer until this morning.

Anyway, warmest belated birthday wishes, Mark! Hope your day was extra special wonderful!

Happy birthday! Love the photo of the hawk - impressive stuff.

>122 jnwelch:, >123 vivians: oh yeah, definitely! I’ve reached that very point in the book. Well, Odysseus left, some spoilery stuff happened, and Athena showed up. And now it’s suddenly a page-turner.

>121 kidzdoc: Just about done with Bad Blood, Darryl. It is a helluva expose.

>122 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I am so glad you are having such a good time with Circe. I had a feeling you would. She is a terrific storyteller.

>123 vivians: >126 lauralkeet: I am so glad to hear that you are both fans of Circe, as well.

>124 Storeetllr: No problem, Mary. Thank you, my friend. We are having a family party on Sunday too, so the celebration will continue. Wait, until next year, for the big 60!!

>125 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I am hoping to get a little bit better every time out.

"Set against the assassination of JFK, a poignant and evocative crime novel that centers on a desperate cat-and-mouse chase across 1960s America—a story of unexpected connections, daring possibilities..."

Keeping with my objective, to bookhorn in my ALA book haul, whenever possible, I decided to go with November Road and it begins very well. It reminds me of Elmore Leonard, but with stronger writing chops. I have not read Berney, but he has sure got my attention here. An advance thank you, to Benita, who hates butterflies, but we love her anyway.

**Notice: This book does not come out until October. Yep, it is a teaser.

I am looking forward to getting a copy of November Road, Mark. I read The Long and Faraway Gone by this author and loved it.

>129 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. I am sure you will love November Road. I had a copy of The Long and Faraway Gone but now I can't locate it. Bummer.

Wow, what a Cubs win today!

>131 jnwelch: It was an amazing finish, Joe. And how about that walk-off bomb by Rizzo?

Happy Friday, Mark.

>133 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Enjoying your trip?

-Swallowtail. I took this last Sunday, on my walk. I wish my bird subjects could stay so close and so still.

**I can also confirm that the small white butterflies, I see fluttering everywhere, are Cabbage White. I have seen several on flowers and they have the black spots.

Morning, Mark!

Love the photo, Mark! Happy Friday.

Update on my reading: Started Reporter, Seymour Hersch's memoir, on audio and getting back to the stories in If You See Me, Don't Say Hi.

How much more do you have to go in the Theranos saga? Fascinating, isn't it?

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you!

Happy Friday, Mark!

We're off soon to the gym - just Becca and me this time, as Debbi is temporarily laid up.

I'll probably finish Circe today, and I plan to start an ER book, Dictionary Stories. Brown by Kevin Young was very good, but for me it went down a notch in the last quarter or so. I do plan to get his selected poems.

Should be another nice one. Hope it goes well today for you.

Gorgeous morning here, in Chicagoland. Birds singing...

>136 scaifea: Morning, Amber.

>137 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Glad you like the Swallowtail. Thanks, for the book update. Not familiar with Hersch. Should I be?

Deep into Bad Blood. Will finish it today. We are into the investigation/reporting now.

>138 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Happy Friday.

>139 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Perfect start to the day. My kind of weather. Good luck at the gym. Hope, Debbi's issues are temporary.

I would still like to sample the Brown collection.

Break Spot Report:

I saw my first house wren, at my break spot. Actually, a pair of them, with the male singing lustily. I wish I had my camera along. I might have got a good shot.

I also been seeing my wood duck family again, although the ducklings are nearly full-grown. They remain, easily spooked, so I only get brief looks, before they paddle into cover.



-House Wren (NMP- not my photo) Big voice for a little guy.

>134 msf59: Yep, it's gorgeous. :-)

Catching up on your birding adventures, Mark, and happy to see some butterflies make the cut as well.

>142 msf59: Nice. It's always good to see a bird family doing well. Are the young ducks as cute as their mother?

Good afternoon, Mark, and Happy Belated Birthday!

>142 msf59: I am sorry, also, that you did not have your camera, but I am glad to hear that you got to see the house wren.

I believe the reading bbug has has finally caught me again and is steering me in a specific direction, for now. I have just completed two YA novels, Ghost Boys and Dear Martin, which were both excellent. They deal specifically with fall out of police shootings of young black men. I have also just started a nonfiction title, Uncensored: uncomfortable. It is off to a good start.

>135 msf59: Lovely shot! Good detail too. That's a very nice camera you've got there, Mark!

The one I saw in my garden earlier this week was a female Black Swallowtail. Yours looks like a male Tiger Swallowtail. I wonder if it's regional, because I don't think I've ever seen a Tiger Swallowtail here in Colorado, but I've frequently seen the black ones.

I would still like to sample the Brown collection. Good! It's well worth it. For me, it just went down a bit toward the end. There are a bunch of good 'uns. I'll try to remember to post one or two over on the poetry thread. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on his selected poems.

>143 Ameise1: Have a great time, Barb.

>144 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda. Great to see you. I am locked into nature right now. Getting pumped about our Colorado trip.

>145 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. It appears that all of these young wood ducks, are still a dull, dark brown, like the mother, probably perfect camouflage. I don't know if the males, get their bright colors later on. I will have to research.

>146 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie. Thank you and it is great to see you again. Glad the book bug has bit you and you are back on track. I have not been reading much YA, but I am always interested in good NF. Let me know how "Uncensored" is.

>147 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Glad you like the photo, but I think I still have a lot to learn. Practice will really help. I am still learning my butterflies too, so I can't tell the difference between the males and females. Which butterflies should I watch for in CO?

>148 jnwelch: I am always interested in trying many different poets, Joe, so I want to try Brown. I like to take poetry slow, so it takes me awhile to get through a volume. I am not even halfway through the Oliver collection and I started that a couple of months ago.

A family party on the weekend as well! You are spoiled, Mark! How are they going to top that next year? Seriously, you deserve it!

>135 msf59: lovely photo Mark. I'm a butterfly fan.

And a wren sighting too. Great.

>151 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I love my birds and books but it is nice hanging out with family and friends, as well, especially if there is beer around. Grins...

>152 Caroline_McElwee: Hooray for butterflies and wrens! Happy weekend, Caroline.

^I loved The Hummingbird, when I read it a few years ago and looked forward to reading more of his work. I am finally starting The Baker's Secret, which came out last year. I will try this on audio. It did get solid reviews but I don't think I saw much LT activity on it. I have The Curiosity: A Novel on shelf too. I met Kiernan at Booktopia Vermont and actually had a beer with him. Nice guy.

I am also well into November Road, which I am quite impressed with.

Happy Saturday, Mark! Gorgeous weather in the mid-west this coming week. Hope you get the chance to bask in the sunshine.
I'll be interested in seeing your full report on November Road. Sounds like a good one.

'Morning, Mark! It's only supposed to get to 88F today, but that will be a humid 88F. The birds are pretty quiet here, still with the exception of the hummingbirds. Thee's a male on one of the feeders even as I type this, and it looks like he's being territorial - hyper-vigilant and not drinking.

>155 Carmenere: Happy Saturday, Lynda. Yep, another beauty here today and I have been loving these cool nights too. I am off the next 2 days, so I am looking forward to getting some hikes in.

November Road has been a terrific crime thriller. Should finish it tomorrow.

>156 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Keep cool, my friend and hooray for the busy hummingbirds. I am still keeping my eyes peeled for a male ruby-throat.

Today's Poem-a-Day is perfect for all the Bird Lovers - Joe will likely send up THE ROBIN!

>159 m.belljackson: Here we go, Marianne.



The Robin

Witter Bynner

Except within poetic pale
I have not found a nightingale,
Nor hearkened in a dusky vale
To song and silence blending;
No stock-dove have I ever heard,
Nor listened to a cuckoo-bird,
Nor seen a lark ascending.
But I have felt a pulse-beat start
Because a robin, spending
The utmost of his simple art
Some of his pleasure to impart
While twilight came descending,
Has found an answer in my heart,
A sudden comprehending.


Hi, Mark! Enjoy the day, buddy.

>159 m.belljackson: >160 jnwelch: LOL! Funny, I was going to post this when I got home. Nice job, Joe. One of those oldies that I like, although I have never heard of Bynner. Have you?

>160 jnwelch: That's a nice one Joe!

^My six day work week is over, now I get to enjoy the next two days off.

My goddaughter is in town, (from Cleveland) with her first baby, so we are going out to see her. I am sure beer will be involved.

Hi, Mark! I hope you're enjoying your weekend and spending time with your goddaughter and her baby.

>135 msf59: Nice shot of that butterfly.

>164 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. We had a short but nice visit with my goddaughter and her baby boy last night. Today we are hosting a family party but I plan on getting out for a bird walk first. Glad you like the butterfly pic.

83) Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan 4.4 stars

I knew very little about Edward Curtis, but this terrific bio set me straight. Not only do you get an inside look at the sad state of affairs of Native Americans in the early 1900s, you also get to meet heavy-hitters like Teddy Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan.
Curtis took more than 40,000 photographs, preserved 10,000 audio recordings, and is credited with making the first narrative documentary film.
Egan is one of my favorite NNF authors and he shines again here.

84) Calamity Jane: The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary by Christian Perrissin 4 stars

"Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Cannary) was a bona fide frontierswoman, a professional scout, a drunk, and sometime whore, doing whatever it took to stay alive in the hardscrabble days of American expansion."

^This is a solid illustrated bio, on a very colorful and scrappy western character. It also offers a nice, detailed look at the Old West too.

85) Sugar Money by Jane Harris 4.2 stars

“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.”

This one really caught me by surprise. For a somewhat dry subject, Harris keeps the narrative flowing fast and keeps the reader, completely engaged, with plenty of adventure and suspense. Historical fiction at it's finest. Looking forward to reading more of this author's work.

**A big shout-out to Benita, for sending this along to me.

Good morning, Mark. Just an FYI, that the *robin* in >160 jnwelch: is actually a European Robin. I have often wondered why the people in charge of naming birds (and changing names of birds, which does happen) chose to keep the name *robin* for both the European and the American bird when they don't look anything like one another at all. They don't even look like they are remotely related. The European looks like a small warbler while the American robin is a thrush.

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_robin

Morning, Mark! Enjoy your days off and your family visit!

Happy Sunday, Mark! Enjoy the day off. I hope you get your walk in, and yay for a party.

Happy Sunday, Mark! Sounds like a lovely day.

>169 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I realized this was not an American Robin but I did get a kick out of Joe's post. I do think the European version is pretty darn cute, as well, although I agree it is shaped more like a wren or a warbler.

>170 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. It is supposed to be a beautiful day too, so it will be nice to sit outside.

>171 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I am just a few minutes behind schedule but I will be out the door very soon.

>172 alphaorder: Happy Sunday, Nancy. Once again, I loved Bad Blood. Thanks again for the persuasive nudge.

Happy Sunday, Mark! Thanks for mentioning and reviewing Sugar Money. I loved Jane Harris's novel Gillespie and I, so I'm tempted to give her latest book a try.

Have a great weekend with your family!

Having a lazy Sunday reading Donald Hall's A Carnival of Losses.

Glad to see that you have started on the pile of books. I haven’t had a chance to get into the ones I set out to read first. I have been busy reading stuff for my various book clubs and I just started a new one. This one is devoted to science fiction. I have been having fun reading sci/Fi for the last year or so, and I am not slowing down. I just finished listening to Obsidio the third book in the Illuminae Files. This is a YA series and it has been darn good.

For nonfiction I am just about to finish reading Mad Enchantment by Ross King. This one is the story of Claude Monet and the painting of the last fo the water lily’s series. It has been full of historical tidbits about the Impressionists.

Common Yellow-Throated Warbler, (NMP). I saw several of these guys on my walk today. One of my favorites. They are a bit elusive and quick-flighted for me to get a photo, but I got several good looks.

>175 kidzdoc: Hi, Darryl. I think you would really like Sugar Money. Keep that one in mind. Fortunately, I have Gillespie and I on shelf.

>176 alphaorder: No lazy day for me, Nancy. We are celebrating my birthday with the family. I know, it is time for me to get over myself. Grins...

Ooh, I want to read A Carnival of Losses. It is on my list. I am sure it is amazing, right?

>168 msf59: Glad to read you liked this too: I thought it was really well done, hope it finds a wide audience.

I had no idea there was such a thing as an 'American Robin' - love 'our' robin - they are so brave, one in our garden who regularly inspects the pots right next to our French window whilst we're sitting on the other side of the glass!

>179 msf59: I am quite enjoying Carnival of Losses and will send it to you when I finish. Consider it a late bday present. :)

Hiya, Mark. Hope it's been a good weekend for you.

>161 msf59: Witter Bynner; I knew him as a translator. His Chinese Translations, including of Lao Tzu, were favorites of mine when I was in my 20s.

Shine, Shine, Shine is turning out to be really good. I have to remember which of our LT pals recommended it!

>161 msf59:, >162 EllaTim: I'm glad you and Ella liked the Robin poem!

>154 msf59: I've looked at The Baker's Secret a few times but never actually brought it home. I will be interested to see what you think of it, Mark. I hope you had a great party!

>177 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I hope you had a good weekend. Yep, I really enjoyed November Road. Good pick. Mad Enchantment sounds good too.

>180 charl08: Robins are one of our most ubiquitous birds, at least here in the Midwest. Glad you are happy with your version. They ate cuties!

>181 alphaorder: That would be great, Nancy. You da best!

>182 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. We did have a good party, at the house yesterday. Beautiful day to sit outside. I am glad you are enjoying Shine, Shine, Shine. I remember liking that one too.

>183 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. We had a nice time yesterday. Thanks. The Baker's Secret is a good historical novel. I like his writing.

Good morning, Mark! I'm sure it can be a real challenge to get photos of quick-flitting birds; it can be hard enough even to get a good enough look to identify some of them. Enjoy your day.

#184
I am glad you are liking November Road this is one of the books that I didn't pick up for myself. Or for my sister. Glad to see it found a good home.

>166 msf59: it landed on my mat yesterday after your recommendation Mark. It may be a few weeks before I get to it, but it's planned for Summer/Autumn reading.

>186 harrygbutler: Hi, Harry. At this point, I am still having a problem, keeping still, while taking a photo, especially from a distance. I will keep practicing.

>187 benitastrnad: I just finished November Road, Benita. Solid crime novel. I want to read his other work.

>188 Caroline_McElwee: That is great, Caroline. I hope you enjoy Shadow Catcher as much as I did.

-Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, (NMP). I saw both the male and female today on my walk. I never got a chance to take a snapshot, though. I was hoping to see a red-headed woodpecker, since I have seen them at this location before, but no such luck.



Barred Owl. My photo. They keep this bird here at the nature center, due to an injury. Last year, when I visited, I heard her hoot.



-Three young osprey. Obviously, my photo, but due to height, distance and the jitters, this was the best I could do. This nest is on a pole, about 20-30 feet up. I also saw one soaring. Mama, perhaps? I love these birds.

-Giant Swallowtail. Sorry, Benita. I wish birds could chill this close, for me.



-A cooperative chipmunk.

>191 msf59: Good pictures! Would like a walk in the first, and the swallowtail butterfly is spectacular.

Cool pics, Mark. The yellow swallowtail you have up there is indeed a tiger swallowtail. And nice giant one, too. Don't the white markings look like the outline of a smiling open mouth? lol! They are beautiful creatures, aren't they?

The osprey cam at Hellgate in Missoula, originally had 3 chicks hatch but 2 died very early on, in the first days. The survivor, though, is doing spectacularly and just weeks from fledging. In case you want to peek in: http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/. Size-wise, she is almost the same size as the parents but you know it's a chick because of the white tips on the feathers. She is also beginning to learn to eat by herself, in other words, to rip apart the fish the parents still bring in. Once in awhile, you see her stretching and exercising her wings, in preparation for the big day! Oh, and check out the youtube clip called Family Reunion, on the right sidebar. Do it full screen and you will be knocked off your feet at how awesome it is!

On one of my walks recently, I took a snap of the road that looks identical to your first one in >191 msf59:!

>192 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. I am glad you like the Giant Swallowtail. This might be the first time I seen one.

>193 jessibud2: Hooray for the swallowtails & osprey, Shelley! Nature is the gift, that keeps on giving. I have not checked the osprey cam in awhile. Thanks for the reminder. I will check it out.

I am glad you walk a similar path. I have only been on this one twice. A nice path, mostly through the woods.

The Louis L'Amour thread is up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/294348

I am looking forward to this one, since L'Amour was a childhood favorite. The Warbler may not have existed with out him...Okay, that's a stretch but you never know.

"This is the story of a professional British tree climber, cameraman and adventurer, who has made a career out of travelling the world, filming wildlife for the BBC and climbing trees."

^After finishing, November Road & Sabrina yesterday, I have decided to go with The Man Who Climbs Trees. I like switching back around with my NF, when possible and this one looks like a dandy. I received this as an egalley from Edelweiss. And no, I am not going to start climbing trees. Jeesh...

I am also enjoying The Baker's Secret on audio. I should finish that one today or early tomorrow.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you! Thanks for sharing your pics with us - that Giant Swallowtail is a stunner.

>182 jnwelch: Joe – I think it was me as I just finished Shine, Shine, Shine for my RL August book club meeting. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

Good morning, Mark! I like the chipmunk shot. I'll likely read something by L'Amour in August, but I don't know just what at this point — novel, short stories, western, adventure?

>197 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Glad you like the Giant Swallowtail. It sure was a beauty.

>198 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Glad you like the cooperative chipmunk and hooray for joining us on the L'Amour. You should stop by the AAC thread, once you decide.

>196 msf59: Sounds like a perfect book for you!

I never thought I'd be able to recommend a GN to you, Mark, but I just finished Sabrina (longlisted for the Booker) and it's really worthwhile. I've only read a few GNs (mostly on your recommendation) and don't have much basis for comparison, but I thought this one was really unusual and powerful.

>200 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Yep, this one sounds really interesting. Getting ready to dip into it very soon. I am also enjoying Bullets into Bells, another of your recs.

>201 vivians: Hi, Vivian. Funny, I just finished Sabrina yesterday. A very good read, with a dark, haunting vibe. The author is from Chicago too.

>197 karenmarie: Yes! Thanks, Karen. I loved Shine, Shine, Shine: A Novel, and just reviewed it over on my thread. I'll thank you there for pointing the way.

Hiya, Mark. I'm glad you liked Shine, Shine, Shine: A Novel. It was a special one for me.

I'm taking it easy today. We've been having some drama in my growing-up family, and it's not been swell. Nothing health-related, just someone getting wound up and blasting away at everyone else. I could use a beer. :-)

>203 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Sorry, about all the family drama. I sure hope it all gets sorted out, quickly. Hope you are having that beer.

^Well, I thought this was a timely E.R. win, for the Old Warbler. Yah, for Praise Song for the Butterflies, which comes out late August.

This is the first one I have requested, in a few months.

Hoktvlwv’s Crow

There were still songbirds then
nesting in hackberry trees
and a butterfly named Question.

I remember ivy trembling
at the vanishing point of your throat.

Then the timelines crashed.
California split into an archipelago.
Orchards withered under blooms of ash.

Now there is no nectar. No rotten fruit.
The air is quiet.

Once, in Russia,
Ornithologists trapped
a population of hooded crows,
transported them 500 miles
westward. Winter came.
They never caught up with their flock.

With crusts of calcified algae
we catalogue each day lost:
hot thermals, cirrus vaults,
fistfuls of warblers hurtling into dark.

There was no sound to the forgetting.
We knew the heart would implode
before the breath and lungs collapsed.

That the world would end in snow,
an old woman walking alone,
empty birdcage strapped to her back.

-Jennifer Foerster

From the collection Past Simple. I have not read that one yet, but I did just finish, Leaving Tulsa and she is a major talent. Here is the last stanza from the the title poem:

"Up here, parallel to the median
with a vista of mesas’ weavings,
the sky a belt of blue and white beadwork,
I see our hundred and sixty acres
stamped on God’s forsaken country,
a roof blown off a shed,
beams bent like matchsticks,
a drove of white cows
making their home
in a derailed train car."

Lovely photos Mark.

I met this funny little critter back in May, in a wildlife park. He was pretty grumpy, and chattering away to himself.

>207 Caroline_McElwee: I love it, Caroline. Thanks. We love our critters around here. Is it a hawk of some kind?

Morning, Mark!

>209 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Good to see you.

^The Pileated Woodpecker is the Cornell Lab Bird of the Day. Happy August 1st! I love this bird and have not seen one in awhile, well over a year, although I have heard them a couple of times.

>211 msf59: yes! I just flipped the page. I love Pileated Woodpeckers too. We saw one in our yard just before moving last December -- the first sighting there in 14 years! Needless to say they are not common on the city streets.

'Morning, Mark and happy Wednesday to you.

I haven't seen a Pileated in a while either. They are so prehistoric looking, aren't they?

Lovely photos, Mark! Love the cooperative chipmunk!

Good morning, Mark! It has been some time since I've seen a pileated woodpecker, though as with you, we've heard them while out birding. It has been even longer since we managed to see redheaded woodpeckers; we may need to go looking for them again sometime soon.

>212 lauralkeet: Hooray for the Pileated! Nice one to kick off the month with. I would love to see one in my backyard but we don't have deep enough woods nearby. I hope to see one, before year's end.

>213 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Funny, for how large they are, they still can be so darn elusive, but their call is a dead giveaway.

>214 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. Hooray for the chipmunks. We also have a regular visitor at our feeders too. Quite industrious.

>215 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. I also love the red-headed woodpeckers. I saw a couple earlier in the year but I hope to see a couple more. There are a few that winter here, as well.

>208 msf59: It's actually a grumpy little owl Mark. I didn't think to note down what kind, but he just made me laugh with his grumbling/chittering and pacing around as if he was giving the world a right telling off.

>166 msf59: Well, that one goes on the list. Love your nature photos. We had a close encounter with a red-tail hawk in our yard the other day, but no photo device at hand. We heard something hit the downspout at the end of our front porch while we were sitting on the patio, probably 20 feet away. Looked over and there sat the hawk at the end of the pipe, wondering how he missed that chipmunk that had just dived in there.

>218 Caroline_McElwee: Yah, for the grumpy little owl. I thought it had an owl face, but more of a hawk's body, that is why I was not sure. Cool.

>219 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda. I am sure you will love Shadow Catcher. Thanks for sharing the RTH story and the happy ending for the chipmunk.

I have not seen many hawks on my route, these past few weeks.

>195 msf59: I'm eager for Louis L'Amour month. I've never read him before but could pick out a bunch. I've started The Cherokee Trail.

Back home from a long weekend, very pleasant, in Green Bay. I got absolutely zero reading done.

Good morning, Mark!

>195 msf59: This looks like something I might be able to jump in on. I've read a couple of his Sackett books in the past and there are certainly more to be had. Jubal Sackett was especially good as I recall.

Hiya, buddy.

I like the Jennifer Foerster poetry, especially the last stanza to the title poem. She's new to me.

The Portugal GN: it's not a fast read, with twelve or more action boxes (not sure what to call them) to a page, and I thought the lead-up to the Portugal family gathering was a bit on the slow side. But now that I'm in the midst of the family gathering, I'm really enjoying it.

I had a good time with Circe, and now I'm having a good time with The House of Broken Angels. What a great character he's created in Big Angel!

>221 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Good to see you. Glad you like the Louis L'Amour AAC pick and will be joining us. Not familiar with The Cherokee Trail, so I'll be following your thoughts on that one.

>222 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie. Glad you interested in the L'Amour. I have read many of the Sackett books. Probably a dozen or so, at least, but I do not remember reading Jubal. Did you read Sackett's Land? I think that is where it starts.

>223 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I hope you check out Foerster's poetry. I really liked Leaving Tulsa, her latest, but I am sure you could start anywhere. Like I mentioned before, I have Portugal home from the library but have not started it yet.

I am so glad you went with The House of Broken Angels. It is such a good family drama and you are correct, Big Angel is a wonderful character. Urrea has such a rich, sense of humor.

>225 msf59: Action boxes: I think "panels" is the better term. Yeah, I'm definitely getting the humor in The House of Broken Angels. Big Angel just made the awful priest look like an idiot at Mama's funeral service..

^After, finishing The Baker's Secret, a WWII drama, set in France, I decided to stay with historical fiction, on audio, and I went with The Good People. This one is set in Ireland, during the 1820s and focuses on the lives of three different women, in a tiny village. I loved Kent's last novel, Burial Rites and this one is off to a promising start too.

>226 jnwelch: Come on, Joe! You are the resident GN guru! You should know these things. LOL. I am still a work in progress. I will give Portugal a shot and see for myself. Glad you are having a good time with the Urrea.

Oh I really enjoyed The Good People Mark even though it was a little out of my comfort zone.

Mark--I know I wished you a happy one on FB but here's another (now belated) wish for you! Thanks for being the great guy you are and for sharing your wonderful self here on LT.

Sweet Thursday, Mark.

>229 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. Good to see you and glad to know you liked The Good People. I am enjoying it.

>230 Berly: Thanks, Kim. I love the birthday song and the kind thoughts. Hugs to my pal.

>231 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb.

'Morning Mark! I hope you have a good day.

I'm reading The Call by Yannick Murphy. Touchstone isn't working. Looks like you gave it 4*.

>233 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I remember enjoying The Call. I have been meaning to get to more of his work. I think I have something else on shelf.

>217 msf59: My parents have a large property and they always have chipmunks coming to their back porch searching for snacks. They've even come up and taken a peanut out of Chloe's fingers. Cute little guys!

Morning, buddy.

Listening to Hendrix this morning. That's the way to start the day. :-)

Hope it stays cool enough for you.

Looks like we could do the Arboretum on Tuesday. Is that still a possibility for you?

>235 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. Chipmunks can get very tame, if being fed. I am sure Chloe loves it.

>236 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Hooray for Hendrix. Nice way to start the day.

Tuesday, would work fine. We will just have to keep an eye on the weather.

Mark! It's me. You seem to be doing great. Just reporting in: I finished an Amy Tan, and I have a Louis L'Amour in hand.

The word of the day: tsundoku.

My daughter in Boston sent me a link, via Facebook, to a BBC piece comparing and contrasting "bibliomania" to/from "tsundoku." She knows me. The former word has a bit of a pejorative overtone, whilst the latter is more light hearted. Naturally, both apply to an unusual degree of book buying/collecting. Ha ha.

I lost the link and FB now is concealing Becky's post from me. Just Google the two terms.

Thinking I should jettison FB.

>227 msf59: I think you will enjoy it. It is beautifully written and tells a compelling tale.
Happy belated :)
I hope you got your beer.

>238 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Always good to see you. Glad you are hanging in there so well, with the AAC, my final year. It seems like I am getting a good response to L'Amour so far.

Hooray for tsundoku!

>239 LovingLit: Thanks, Megan. I am about at the halfway point in The Good People and I am enjoying it quite a bit. She is a talented author, that is for sure.

Hi, Mark! I hope your Thursday went well. I've started a L'Amour for the August challenge and have a couple more waiting in the wings.

>241 harrygbutler: Hi, Harry. It was not a bad Thursday at all, for a workday. I hope you enjoy your L' Amour reads. I will probably start mine next week.

#227
A few years my real life book club read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. One of the readers described that book as “grim.” I was surprised that when Good People came out she went and got it from the library and read it. She like Good People. I asked her why she had read another if she thought the first novel was so grim. She said that Kent is a very good author and that the subject matter of the first novel was grim - not the writing.

I am reading Lincoln in the Bardo for my real life book group and I can’t say it is the best work of historical fiction I have read. I think it is rather frivolous.

I have trouble understanding why this novel would win so many accolades. It reminds me of my reaction to Europe Central by Wiliam Vollmann. It won the National Book Award and I wonder why? I found it very strange (not a Murakami or Garcia Marques kind of strange - just strange) and not strange in a good way. Oh well - can’t like every book.

>1 msf59:

Here's one for your mountain journeys -

"Venters had no name for this night singer,
and he had never seen one,
but the few notes,
always pealing out just at darkness,
were as familiar to him as the canyon silence."

Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey

>191 msf59: Looks like you are getting used to your camera, Mark. I especially like the butterfly shot. Happy Friday. Do you have two days off this weekend?

>238 weird_O: The image is from a wonderful book Lost in Translation.

Oh do we LT people know about this concept?

>243 benitastrnad: >244 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I know many of my LT pals loved Burial Rites and I am sure many will feel the same way about The Good People. She picks, dark and disturbing subjects, but she handles them expertly and her historical research is impeccable.

Sorry, to hear that Lincoln on the Bardo is not floating your boat. I thought it was amazing. More of a deep look at grief, than it was an historical document. It looks like this unique approach is just not your cuppa.

>245 m.belljackson: Thanks, for the Zane Grey prose, Marianne. He sure knew the American west didn't he?

>246 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Glad you like the butterfly photo. I am just off Sunday, this weekend. Next day off is Tuesday, but one more week before vacation. Yah!

>247 mdoris: Hi, Mary. We know all about tsundoku around here. We actually specialize in it. Grins...

>247 mdoris: Yep! Very familiar :)

Happy Friday!

My tsundoku is threatening to become a tsunami. Yikes!

Morning, Mark. Happy Friday!

I finished the Gwendolyn Brooks collection, so the Tony Hoagland collection you liked is next.

>250 ChelleBearss: Happy Friday, Chelle.

>251 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Yikes, a tsunami! I hope you have your life-vest on.

Do you recommend the Brooks collection? I have never read her.

Good morning, Mark! I hope your Friday goes well.

>247 mdoris: - Hmm, this sounds vaguely familiar (she says, as she winds her way around a pile or two...or three....). Love it (and have already forwarded it to a few friends who may recognize this concept)

>238 weird_O: - Yeah, Bill, re FB. I never had it and never wanted it so don't have to attempt to jettison it. But you can find everything you need to know about anything right here on LT, right? ;-) So, who needs it?

>249 msf59:

Riders of the Purple Sage is the only Zane Grey I can remember reading
and am taken in more by his descriptions than, so far, the slow moving plot.

The "night singer" brings back memories of a quiet canyon in Death Valley.

>252 msf59: I do recommend the Gwendolyn Brooks collection, Mark. Especially since she's a significant figure in Chicago history.

I will say that if I had it to do over again, I would've started about halfway through. Her early stuff just didn't grab me.

This is a famous one of hers:

We Real Cool

Gwendolyn Brooks

THE POOL PLAYERS.
SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

Hi Mark, you have been reading some great books lately - my poor wishlist! Currently one of my reads is another recommendation that I believe I got from you. Under the Skin by Michael Faber is quite the read - creepy, disturbing and original - I'm loving it!

I have read a lot of Louis L'Amour over the last few years, I find he can be spotty. One book of his I really enjoyed was Down the Long Hills. I'll look forward to seeing what you read.

Exceptional photo of Grand Lake. Looks like a great retreat.

>244 benitastrnad: we are in the minority Benita. I threw it aside at 100 pages. Not as original as the hype IMO, but I'm aware most loved it. My expectations for it were different. They can trip you up expectations.

>253 harrygbutler: Hi, Harry. I had a fine work day Friday. Thanks.

>254 jessibud2: Big, loving waves to Shelley.

>255 m.belljackson: I read Purple Sage a few years ago. It is not very good. Purple Prose might be a better title.

>256 jnwelch: Thanks for the Brooks comments, Joe and I like the We Real Cool poem. Spare but effective.

>257 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Good to see you. I loved Under the Skin. It is such a creepy book. There is an equally creepy film version too. I have been meaning to read more Faber.

I have not read much L' Amour over the last 2 decades, so I don't know how well is earlier stuff holds up. I can't remember if I read Down the Long Hills or not.

>258 LorisBook: Hi, Lori. Good to see you. Are you new to the 75? If so, welcome a board. I am looking forward to our trip to Grand Lake CO. Just over a week.

>259 Caroline_McElwee: Sorry, Lincoln didn't work for you either. It is definitely not for all tastes. At least you got out early.

>247 mdoris: LOL

Frank and I always tell eachother if we have any "core business" it is collecting books ;-)

Hi Mark, I'm about halfway through my Louis L'Amour book, The Cherokee Trail, which is about a widow from Virginia who takes over running a stagecoach stage. Absolutely loving it. So glad you picked L'Amour for the AAC. I think this'll be the first of many for me.

>264 lindapanzo: Happy Friday, Linda. I am so glad you are having a good time with L' Amour. I do not think I have read The Cherokee Trail. Try to give the Sackett saga a try. There are many to choose from. My favorite of his series books.

Yikes Mark, this thread has completely got away from me, too many good book discussions. Way back up there you and Vivian mentioned you liked Sabrina - glad to hear it, I have it coming from the library (at some, as yet undefined point in the future).

Wowza! I had a great reading month, in July. I read a total of 17 titles, which might be a record or close to it. It is hard to believe I work and have other interests, right? Yes, I did include a pair of GNs, Calamity Jane: The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary and Sabrina. I normally do not include Gns, in my monthly totals but I felt these were both substantial & worthy enough. I also included a couple of crime series books, with a Longmire and a Dr. Siri, which are shorter reads.
I did manage to bookhorn in a pair of story collections, Florida and Trigger Warning, both were fine reads. My literary selections were all solid: The Locals, Sugar Money, The Bonesetter's Daughter, Beautiful Music & November Road, which also doubles as a terrific crime thriller.
As usual my NF, kicked biblio-butt: Shadow Catcher, Calypso, The Feather Thief and Bad Blood, which may have been my favorite book of the month and that is saying a LOT!

**I owe a few mini-reviews on some of these titles. I hope to come through...

>266 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I know, it is hard to keep up around here. I really liked Sabrina but it was a demanding read and will probably not be for everyone. Bold choice by Booker.

88) Beautiful Music by Michael Zadoorian 4.3 stars

“Set in early 1970s Detroit, a racially divided city still reeling from its violent riot of 1967, Beautiful Music is the story of one young man’s transformation through music. Danny Yzemski is a husky, pop radio–loving loner balancing a dysfunctional home life with the sudden harsh realities of freshman year at a high school marked by racial turbulence.”

This one really resonated with me. Not because, I was a bullied loner, I was an average kid, fairly well-liked but I loved music, much like Danny and evolved much like he does, as he discovers rock n' roll, in his early teens and like Danny, I adored Led Zeppelin. The author describes the joys of music, with such insight and beauty, that I have to highly recommend this one.

87) Calypso by David Sedaris 4.4 stars (audio)

I started a Sedaris collection many years ago but never finished it. I decided to finally get back to him and I am so glad I picked this one, his latest. It is an absolute delight. Funny as hell but also tender and heart-felt, as well. It reads like an episodic memoir and this approach is perfect. Now, I get to go back and romp through his earlier work. Sedaris also narrates the audiobook, which is pitch-perfect.

Feeding your tumor to a snapping turtle? Priceless.

Happy Saturday, Mark! Congrats on a stellar reading month!

>272 ChelleBearss: Morning, Chelle. Just getting ready to head into the office. It is going to be a HOT one here today. Ugh!

Hi Mark. >271 msf59: - YES! If you have already read On Tyranny, then it follows that you ought to read The Truth Matters by Bruce Bartlett.

We are having our own baby trump days here in Ontario and our new baby trump premier has just found a loophole in the law that he has taken full advantage of: he has created his own online fake news station on the internet that is being paid for by taxpayer dollars. Which is not allowed, on radio, tv or print. But the law probably pre-dated internet. Needless to say, it is causing an uproar. But he is doing it anyhow. Because he can. Sound familiar? Grrrrr

So, >271 msf59: is more important than EVER! Add our Canadian flag to yours, please!

'Morning, mark, and happy Saturday to you!

Congrats on a stellar reading month, and I am so glad you liked Calypso.

>274 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. It looks like I need to request The Truth Matters. Thanks. Sorry, to hear about your own baby Trump. How unfortunate. I think we might start seeing a lot of these pop up around the world. Ugh!

>275 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Hot one here today, in Chicagoland. I need for my books and birds to keep me distracted.

Happy Saturday, Mark! I've been reading and stuff so not been posting much. Lots of good reading going on here. I see you've been spending some time reading of the wild frontier. I just finished Doc and I truly love reading about that time period and the folks who became legends because of it. I'm totally looking forward to continuing with Epitaph .
Have a wonderful weekend :0)

>277 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. Great to see you. Hooray for Doc. I am glad you were smitten by it, like many of us around here. Epitaph is pretty darn good too.

Morning, Mark.

I hope you can get done today before the heat takes over. We're planning on Shakespeare in the Park tomorrow, and I'm hoping it's not too hot.

Baez for MVP? He's remarkable. Another "swim" evasion of the tag yesterday, among the rest. Great to see Uhrlacher in the Hall of Fame, too.

The House of Broken Angels: Big Angel helped Ookie with his Lego creations in the shed, of San Diego and so on, and called Ookie a genius. And now Little Angel is helping Ookie. How great is that>

>279 jnwelch: >280 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe. Finally home and relaxing. Just finished watching a Cubs win and finished a book. Good look tomorrow at the Shakespeare event. Keep cool and hydrated.

Hooray for Baez. Easily, one of the best players in the game and he is a Cubbie!

I am so glad you are enjoying the Urrea. Yah!

-Harry Bliss

^"The Walking Drum is a novel by the American author Louis L'Amour. Unlike most of his other novels (whose number exceeds 100), The Walking Drum is not set in the frontier era of the American West, but rather is an historical novel set in the Middle Ages—12th century Europe and the Middle East."

^I have only read his westerns, but I had this one saved on audio, (for many years now) and it sounded really interesting, so I started it today. It actually moves along very smoothly and is well-written, at least in the early going. It came out in 1985. L'Amour died in 1988, so it was one of his last books.

Hi Mark! Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Beautiful Music sounds good.

Morning, Mark!

>284 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I worked yesterday but I plan on having a lazy day today. Beautiful Music is a good one.

>285 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

Bullet Points

I will not shoot myself
In the head, and I will not shoot myself
In the back, and I will not hang myself
With a trashbag, and if I do
I promise you, I will not do it
In a police car while handcuffed
Or in the jail cell of a town
I only know the name of
Because I have to drive through it
To get home. Yes, I may be at risk,
But I promise you, I trust the maggots
And the ants and the roaches
Who live beneath the floorboards
Of my house to do what they must
To any carcass more than I trust
An officer of the law of the land
To shut my eyes like a man
Of God might, or to cover me with a sheet
So clean my mother could have used it
To tuck me in. When I kill me, I will kill me
The same way most Americans do,
I promise you: cigarette smoke
Or a piece of meat on which I choke
Or so broke I freeze
In one of these winters we keep
Calling worst. I promise that if you hear
Of me dead anywhere near
A cop, then that cop killed me. He took
Me from us and left my body, which is,
No matter what we’ve been taught,
Greater than the settlement a city can
pay to a mother to stop crying, and more
Beautiful than the brand new shiny bullet
Fished from the folds of my brain

by Jericho Brown



^This is from the excellent anthology, Bullets into Bells, that Nancy recommended. I am still slowly making my way through it.

Good morning, Mark! Stay safe in the nasty heat.

>288 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Other than a quick food-shopping trip. I am staying indoors, with the books. A perfect plan, right?

Sounds wonderful to me! Enjoy your man cave, books, and, I assume, sometime today, beer. *smile*

Oh, there will be beer involved, at some point. No worries there, Karen. B.A.G.