Lynda (Carmenere)'s Book Nook- 1st nook

Welcome to my book nook, version 2019!

Hi all, I'm Lynda, retired since June 5, '09, LTer since October 14, '08, mom since April 5, '99 and wife since October 2nd '93....reader since..... forever!

2019 Ground Rules to self:

In an attempt to have some structure to my reading life, I will attempt the following categories monthly.......
January: Off my shelf - The Man from St. Petersburg
Kindle - Desert Solitaire: A season in the wilderness - Completed
Library Book Club - Small Great Things - Completed
Neighborhood Book Club - Sourdough - Completed
Finish it up - Less - Completed
NetGalley and other freebies for reyview - The Last Romantics - Reading
75 Books Challenge for 2019 : The 2019 Nonfiction Challenge Part I: Prizewinners (and Nominees!) in January - Educated

Library book discussion group:
January: Small Great Things
February: Homegoing
March: American Fire
April: Daughters of the Samurai
May: The Woman in Cabin 10
June: In Sunlight or in Shadows: Stories Inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper
July: Ginny Moon
Aug: Anything is Possible
Sept: Grocery: The Buying and Selling of food in America

Neighborhood Book Swap:
January: Sourdough by Robin Sloan
February: Of Bees and Mist - Erick Setiawan
March: Barefoot season by Susan Mallery
April: ?
May: The Rise
June: Before we were yours
July: Little Fires Everywhere
August: Once we were brothers
September: An Odyssey, A Father, A Son and An Epic by David Mendelsohn
October: ?
November: Educated Tara Westover

January

1. Desert Solitaire - Kindle - TIOLI Challenge #14 - 4.5 star
2. Small Great Things - library book club - TIOLI Challenge #9 - 4/5
3. Less - off my shelf - TIOLI Challenge #13 - 3.5/5
4. Mouse House - TIOLI Challenge #18 - 4/5
5. Sourdough - TIOLI Challenge #11
6. The Last Romantics- Lead Read - TIOLI Challenge #10

Welcome back!

Thanks, Jim! and thanks for getting the 75ers up and running in 2019!

Happy new thread!
>2 Carmenere: I LOVE that mug!

Thanks, Chelle! hahaha! I was wondering why I couldn't find myself in the threads and duh! forgot to star myself! Sigh, it may me one of those years

Happy New Year Lynda!

Thanks, Rachel! To you too!

Happy reading in 2019, Lynda!

Thank you, Anita! My reading may be slow but it is always happy!

Wishing you and yours a happy and joyous 2019, filled with peace, love, and great books.

Happy New Year and Happy Reading, Lynda!

>12 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks, Dejah! It's off to a fine start!
>13 Berly: Yes, Kim! It wouldn't be a new year without new books!!
>14 Deern: Thanks, Nathalie! Same to you!!

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Happy New Years Day, fellow readers!!
I'm up before anyone else, except Mittens, so a nice bit of reading time with Small Great Things
Later a stop at Walmart to pick up a table for Will's game/tv room. He'll be having a Star Wars marathon with his buds in the next few days and you know we need a place to put snacks and beverages, right?
Afterward, we'll pick up chinese take out and watch the Rose Bowl. Go Bucks!!

LT seems to be experiencing Y2K19! Things are a bit wonky and my posts are not being posted. Anyone else have problems?

I wish you from my heart a healthy 2019 filled with happiness, satisfaction, laughter and lots of good books.

Thanks, Barbara! That is a lovely wish and I wish the same to you as well!

Happy New Year, Lynda and Happy New Thread. Looking forward to sharing another year of books with you!

Morning Mark and Happy new year! I'm looking forward to another delightful year of reading with my LT buds!

Happy New Year, Lynda. I look forward to another year of lists from you!

>21 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! I'll try to deliver the goods!

Happy new year! Wishing you a year full of great reading. :-)

Happy 2019
A year full of books
A year full of friends
A year full of all your wishes realised

I look forward to keeping up with you, Lynda, this year.

>23 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! I wish the same for you!

>24 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul and I look forward to being kept up with!

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woo hooo! Buckeyes beat the Huskies in a very tight Rose Bowl. Yay for them and coach Urban Meyer in, supposedly his final game as coach. I'm hearing sophomore QB Haskins my throw his hat into this years draft. He had a hot year and there may be a lot of interest in him.
Now back to reading Small Great Things

Waaaa! It's cold! I don't wanna go out! Waaaa, be back later with hopefully a less painful shoulder.

X-rays done, waiting to see doc. Ugh didn't bring a book cause the one I'm reading is too heavy. I'll see if it's available for the iPad.

Yes! Got it on Kindle!!

<26 I can relate to the books being too heavy thing, Lynda. I am glad you could find yours on the Kindle.

Happy New Year!

I hope you don't have to wait too long for the doctor. BTW I have always an audio book with me when I'm out of home.

>28 alcottacre: Yeah, Stasia, I should have thought of that sooner. Sitting in chair and holding a book of a few hundred pages was actually painful so in the future I'll check the library website for an ebook version.
And thank you, happy 2019 to you too.

>29 Ameise1: Actually, Barbara, it was such a long wait but one can go thru withdrawal without a book in hand. I'm not a good audio reader. I'm getting adjusted to non-fiction on audio because I don't need to follow a plot or a large number of characters but my brain can not adapt to fiction on audio. I will however keep an ebook on my kindle in the future. I was lucky today because I was able to link into the hospitals wifi and download the library book.

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So as expected, x-rays show frozen shoulder and doc gave me a cortisone injection and prescription for 8 week of aggressive
manual manipulation 2-3 times a week. Ooooh, doesn't that sound like fun?! See him again in 8 wks for progress report.

>30 Carmenere: Since I’ve had both my shoulders replaced Lynda, I can commiserate. Good luck getting through the therapy. Oh and Happy New Year.

>31 brenzi: Oh my goodness! I didn't know that, Bonnie! I've heard about knee and hip replacements but not so much about shoulder. I hope your shoulders are now treating you well. Was it due to your job or simply wear and tear?

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I'm reading Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things and it's making my angry. Wonder how this book discussion is going to go.
Anyone else read this one and had similar feelings?

Morning, Lynda. Sweet Thursday. We ended up watching Birdbox too. I preferred the book. I like spare and quiet over loud and bloody. Have you seen A Quiet Place? Similar premise and one I liked a bit better.

I am loving Becoming.

>30 Carmenere: Ouch, ouch, and yuck. I hope that the shots and the therapy help - much better than surgery, if you can avoid it!

>33 msf59: I have not, Mark, but as a fan of The Office I very much would like to see Krasinski's film. I'll try to get my fingers on it. Wow, that is a very similar premise.

>34 alcottacre: Yeah, Stasia, in no way do I want surgery! In my opinion, Once you're cut you're never the same again. The dr also prescribed a more potent Aleve to help me thru therapy or whenever the pain to too much to take. hahaha he told me we don't usually see patients with frozen shoulder of both arms, albeit three years apart, guess I'm the anomaly. :0(

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I'll schedule an evaluation at PT facility associated with University Hospitals, hopefully sometime next week.

Today into tomorrow, Will is hosting a 24hour, probably longer, Star Wars Marathon with his buds. One way he sees his high school friends while home for winter break.

As long as I keep my arm close to my body, I can type and if the book is light or read on kindle I can read. LOL housework seems out of the question as I can not extend my arm without shooting pains up and down it. Although, the dr says I have to use it or it may become totally frozen, I'll still give it some r&r too. Might as well soak it up while I can. ;0)

>35 Carmenere: Sorry to see that you are going to have to do aggressive physio! Hope it helps though!
Could you get a housekeeper in to help with the cleaning until your shoulder is better?

Morning, Lynda! So sorry to read about your frozen shoulder - no fun! Hoping that the injection, the pain killers and the therapy do their job.

>35 Carmenere: Tell your doc you’re symmetrical! I hope the PT does the trick.

Ouch, I hope the physio works and that you have a great reading year.

Dropping my star! Hoping the PT helps your shoulder situation.

Happy new year!

Sorry to hear about the frozen shoulder thing. I think you're quite right about not wanting to try cutting, PT first!

>32 Carmenere: I got to halfway through with this book. And didn't like it, can't exactly remember why though.

>36 ChelleBearss: Nice thought, Chelle, but I'll turn over the reigns to Mr. Carmenere aka Bill. He'll pick up the slack for me :0)

>37 Crazymamie: Happy afternoon, Mamie! I hope so too, I've decided to return to the therapy clinic who treated my left shoulder. Better to go where I've been, and had good results) rather than start new with another facility.

>38 cbl_tn: Ha! I'm symmetrical! Love it, Carrie! and thanks!

>39 calm: Thanks, calm!

>40 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

>41 EllaTim: Thanks! Same to you!! I think I made the right decision and if pt doesn't work then I'll look at the other options but I'm willing it to work!
>32 Carmenere: Thanks for your feedback about SGT's. I haven't put into words exactly what's putting my off but I will continue to read to see if it sorts its way out and find the words to express the way I'm feeling.

Happy new year, Lynda.

#1-2019
Desert Solitaire
Edward Abbey
1968
Kindle library
4+/5

"The desert says nothing. Completely passive, acted upon but never acting,
the desert lies there like the bare skeleton of Being, spare, sparse, austere,
utterly worthless, inviting not love but contemplation."

The reader is taken on a lonely and intimate sojourn to the canyon lands of southeastern Utah as experienced through the eyes of Abbey while employed as a park ranger near Moab, Utah in the late l950's. His knowledge of flora and fauna are quite evident as he identifies the landscape surrounding his government issued trailer acting both as home and workplace.
Later, his hiking expeditions through rarely seen side canyons and hard to reach waterfalls are detailed and mesmerizing.
Abbey laments the lunacy of vacationers who drive through the parks yet never get out of their cars to explore, the affects of population growth and the lack of conservation employed even by the United States government.
He touches upon Mormons, the quest for mineral rights and riches, cowboys, old western lore, the lure of searching for a treasure not well defined and what we as a people have lost to man made reservoirs.
I have traveled this road and sadly, with the exception of short walks through Zion and Bryce Canyon, stayed mostly in my air conditioned car. It saddens me now to think upon the treasure we have within our borders which sometimes is taken for granted and utilized poorly.

>43 DianaNL: Thanks, Diana!

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It is with great sadness that I've just used the last of my peppermint mocha coffee creamer. Sigh. The holidays are indeed over.

Will's Star Wars marathon continues.

Hi Lynda. Wishing you a Happy New Year and wonderful reading in 2019, now that I have found and starred your thread. Oh dear on the frozen shoulder. "Manual manipulation" sounds.... not good. :-(

Sadness over using the last of your peppermint mocha coffee creamer. Even worse, is the frozen shoulder situation. Ouch! Good luck with the PT.

Star Wars rocks!

Fingers crossed that the PT works. Since I'm back regulary to the medical gym my shoulder is doing much better. Never stop moving and doing the exercises is diong the trick.

>45 Carmenere: Oh, that *is* sad. I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that it's very probably time to stop sneaking a spoonful of HoCho mix into my coffee until next Christmas...

Happy new year.
I wish, that you may find a good and solid path in 2019

>46 lkernagh: Welcome, Lori and thanks! I'm practicing mindfulness when it comes to manual manipulation, visualizing a really long and soothing massage which hits all the lovely pressure points that will release the tight muscles. But in reality, I'll probably be hooked up to weights and measures to get me started followed by, maybe, a short massage and either ice or heat. Eh, you got a do what you got to do.

>47 Berly: All is not lost, Kim! 15 minutes ago I remembered the naughty santa gift my husband chose on Christmas Eve, a four pack of Starbucks Via Instant Peppermint Mocha coffee. Yippee, four more days of deliciousness!
The guys wrapped up their Star Wars Marathon about 2pm yesterday afternoon , approximately 30 hours. That included all the SW episodes plus Solo and a little time for gaming and pizza.
ETA! Blaaaa, ditching the Via Instant! It's absolutely horrible and I'm ditching it. It's so bad it wiped away all my happy memories of Peppermint mocha creamer. *sob, sob, sob*

>48 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! I'm so happy to read your shoulder is much improved! You've got that right, movement is the key! It may not be pleasant but it works. I begin therapy on Wednesday, fingers crossed it is effective!

>49 scaifea: Morning, Amber! read my post above to Kim. I'm just too distraught to repeat it.
Although, I'm not complaining, cause I've loved the decent temps, it's just that it's not really conducive to hot flavorful beverages on chilly mornings. Know what I mean? It doesn't feel like winter.

>50 paulstalder: Welcome to my thread, Paul and for the lovely new year sentiment!

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Egads, more sadness. Just finished off the limited edition Thomas cranberry English Muffins. I should just go back to bed *sigh*

>44 Carmenere: This sounds lovely, Lynda. You're off to a good start.

I have TONS of food left from book club last night. You should stop over. There's wine, too.

<30 ouch, ouch, ouch. I can only imagine the pain you feel. I've added Desert Solitaire to the tbr pile.

I've found that sometimes injections help, but not always. I hope this one helps you, and I hope that there is no pain at the injection site.

I'm so sorry you are going through this!

Lynda, I can share your sorrow, as all my very favorite flavors of everything seem to be limited editions. It's slightly maddening.

Hoping the rest of Saturday is kind to you.

I hope the physio works quickly for you, Lynda. Sometimes flavours are favourites because they are limited so you don't get tired of them and that makes them a special treat. Well, anyway it's one way to look at it.

Morning, Lynda. Happy Sunday. I have sure been enjoying this Midwest weather. I am sure the shoe will drop at any time but I am taking advantage of it. Looks to be another mild week ahead.

Sadly, I have never read Abbey and he looks like a good fit for me too. I need to rectify that.

>32 Carmenere: Still actually have my original hips Lynda but the shoulders and knees are new and improved. Best thing I've done for myself. Arthritis was the culprit and I have to say I would not be nearly as active without these replacements. Playing pickle ball would've been impossible and I have so much fun doing that lol.

I said goodbye to the Cranberry English muffins myself a few days ago...a sad goodbye.

>52 BLBera: What kind of book club is that, Beth, if there's wine left over?! You need to find a new book club post haste!

>53 Whisper1: Yeah, Linda, I'm not putting much faith in the cortisone but it is supposed to help me get thru therapy. The dr also prescribed 500mg Naproxen (the same drug my dad was prescribed many years ago for rheumatoid arthritis), every 12 hours as needed.
Hope you enjoy Abbey as much as I.

>54 Crazymamie: Mamie, I considered buying 5 packages of cranberry muffins but reconsidered as frozen muffins just aren't the same. Right?! Only about 330 days till they're on the shelf again :0)

>55 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg, it's got to be better than it feels right now. You are absolutely right! The limited editions wouldn't be special if readily available. For example, I new spring was here when strawberries arrived in the produce section and now you can buy them year round so what's so special about them now.

>56 msf59: It's been fabulous, Mark, except these grey days are soooo tiresome. Ugh! still, better than icy, slushy roads with a windchill of -12.
Yes, please rectify the Abbey situation. Many bird sightings and descriptions are recorded. I read the ebook so no pictures, I'd be curious if the dead tree version had a few.

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I"m more than 1/2 way through Small Great Things and I'm finally beginning to find the words to describe my sour feelings about this book.

Also cracked open Sourdough and it's light heartedness is a comforting respite from SGT.

Well, people did have to drive, Lynda. :) I can polish it off.

>44 Carmenere: Good start to your reading year!

>59 BLBera: True, Beth! My bad! I'm thinking of the book club I'm a part of and since we're in a small neighborhood it's easy to find your way home or find a ride.

>60 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! I've had this one on Kindle for quite some time and glad that I've finally chosen to read it.

>57 brenzi: I think you missed my cogent comment Lynda lol

>57 brenzi: >63 brenzi: My goodness, Bonnie, I did! Oops, cross posting. Thanks for calling me out on that! I am not familiar with pickle ball so I Googled it and am now totally impressed with your athletic ability despite your replacements. I'm so glad they were successful! Doing something that brings joy and fun into one's life is medicine for the soul too, don't you think?
If you are going through cranberry english muffin withdrawal may I suggest I tried it last year and it's pretty good when you need a cranberry fix.

Where the Crawdads sing has been returned to the library, sadly unread. Of course someone has it on hold so I've re-requested it. Also put in a request for Reese's new book club pick The Library Book by Susan Orlean. Looks good, has anyone read it?

Morning, Lynda! Mark has read that one, I believe - I have it out from the library right now and hope to get to it soonish.

>66 Crazymamie: Cool, Mamie, I'll look forward to your review!

Lynda, I have The Library Book on hold at the library. That wording sounds redundant. Lol. So sorry about your shoulder. Hope the PT helps without too much pain. Good for Bill being your stand-in maid!

I am eager to hear what is so disturbing about the Picoult book. I pulled Desert Solitaire off the shelf to check for illustrations. There are prehistoric pictographs to introduce each chapter. They are an added bonus to one of my favorite nature books. I read it so long ago that it isn’t in my LT library. I see a reread in my future.

I loved The Library Book, Lynda. I think it would be a favorite around here.

>65 Carmenere: I've got both of those on hold at my library - no telling when I'll get my hands on them! I'm looking forward to them both.

Oh, the tyranny of the library due date! It heavily influences the order in which I read things.....

>68 Donna828: Great minds are thinking alike about The Library Book! Really, Desert Solitaire is one of your favorites?! I can see why, I hope to revisit it again in the future.
Hate and prejudice are key to Small Great Things and it's difficult to read let alone get into their heads are try to imagine their point of view.

>69 BLBera: Woo, Beth! I have a feel98nggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg-;pppppppppppppppppp(that was Mittens walking across my keyboard) I have a feeling if you loved it, I will too.

>70 Dejah_Thoris: I feel the same Dejah, here I had Crawdads in my house but the timing with the holidays was all wrong. The next time they arrive, I will drop everything else to read them, honestly!

I, too, hate the bane of library due dates. I want to keep them until I am done with them, not just by some arbitrary due date! :)

>72 alcottacre: Actually, Stasia, my library will allow me to keep books till I'm finished but they charge me .10 a day for allowing me the privilege ;0)

Jammie day, Jammie day! I'm calling it because I want to finish Small Great Things TODAY and move on to other books I've lined up for January.
Thanks to Will, I have the Wii hooked up to a tv again and can get a little more activity into my life during the cold, bleak winter days.
I've been watching a tv show which Bill enjoys called Counterpart and I am totally lost. Anyone else watching it?

#2-2019
Small Great Things
Jodi Picoult
2016
Library book discussion group
4/5

"Equality is treating everyone the same. But equity is taking differences into
account, so everyone has a chance to succeed." Kennedy McQuarrie

"There is a difference between active and passive racism." KM

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” Martin Luther King, Jr.


Ruth Jefferson is an accomplished neonatal nurse of 20 years. Turk Bauer's wife, Brittany, has just given birth to their first child, Davis. When Ruth is assigned to care for mother and son shortly after delivery, Turk, for personal reasons, demands she be taken off. Ruth's supervisor complies with his wishes and notifies Ruth not to touch, nor tend to Davis in any way. But when an emergency ensues, Ruth is faced with a moral dilemma which threatens her career, her livelihood and reputation.

Picoult's novel, as to be expected, was a difficult read. It is unnerving. It is uncomfortable. It slaps the reader in the face with bias, prejudice, hate, disdain and racism to the extreme (active racism) and then it gently massages in the idea that most everyone, in one way or another, often unknowingly and carelessly, participates in passive racism.

Picoult's writing is fluid and the story moves quickly. The characters are so well drawn and some actions so blatant that the reader moves through a series of emotions from sympathy to disgust to outrage. Most of all, Picoult's novel will make the reader think about and want to discuss the theme and examine the world in which we live in a new light.
Highly recommended.

Frozen shoulder evaluation and therapy begins today at 1:30pm. My first thought is to have a glass of wine when I return home but my pain med says to lay off alcohol during use to prevent stomach bleeding. Ugh!

It's snowing, more ugh! a drop of 30 degrees since yesterday.

On the bright side, we sold our maple sap evaporator and all the accouterments that go with it. Yeah! but that entails bringing in all the buckets from the shed to the garage and boxes of plastic jugs and tins from upstairs to the garage. Ugh!

Total bummer about the wine. We had a twenty degree drop in temps from yesterday, for which I am very thankful.

Hooray for the sale, but boo to all the work - I'm tired just thinking about it.

>77 Crazymamie: Glad your 20 degrees is a balm for you, Mamie!
Yeah, 200 buckets is a daunting task but I'm actually glad to see it all go. We had a blast making maple syrup and impressing our friends and relatives with our craft but our #1 helper will be away at college during most of the sap run and it's just too much work for the two of us.
A young man of about 30 is purchasing it and I wish him as much joy as we had.

Morning, Lynda. No snow here but it is windy and bitter cold. I am just about to wrap up Becoming. It will be my first 5 star read of the year. Just sayin'...

>79 msf59: Sigh, I just checked and I've moved from 800+ to queue position 632. At that rate, Becoming will probably be available in Marchish?, Well, another one to look forward to.

Ouch, Lynda. Sorry to hear about the frozen shoulder. And the wine, or lack of.

Thanks, Beth! I just returned home from first therapy session (What an awful drive - the usual 5 minute drive took about 30 minutes. A crash had me turn around and try an alternate route - it's a back road so road not plowed - blizzard conditions) it went well and I'm to return Friday. She felt the tightness in my neck and shoulder area and after some stretches I rec'd a mini massage.
I'm breaking with drugstore rules and having a glass of bourbon on ice. Got to work on that tightness, right?!

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So, what's next? I need to finish Less, Education, Sourdough and begin The Man from St Petersburg and The Last of the Romantics. With 22 days left in January, I think I'll concentrate on finishing Less and see what tickles my fancy the most.

>75 Carmenere: Great review of the Picoult book, Lynda. I can see why it was getting under your skin. Racism is a tough topic to read about. It looks like you will have more reading time now that you won't be making maple syrup. Too bad for the recipients of your labors.

>64 Carmenere: I usually use the Pillsbury mixes. The pumpkin is one of our favorite. The Lemon poppy seed is yummy, and the cinnamon mix is great for making muffins.

>75 Carmenere: I agree with Donna, the Picolut review is great. I recently read her most recent, A Spark of Light and I liked it a lot. I think most times her books are good, but there are some that lack continuity.

I hope the injection is helping you now.

>83 Donna828: Thanks, Donna! It is a difficult topic to read about but one which should be discussed openly, the ignorance is in the not knowing about the other and the not wanting to take the time to find out. I am so very grateful to have worked in a municipality where I was the minority, in a number of ways. I learned so much and made life long friends. I hope in some small way they might have learned something from me too.

>84 Whisper1: I love the Lemon poppy seed mix, Linda! (jots memo on my shopping list).
The only other Picoult I have read is Handle with Care and left a lasting impression on me. I own 19 Minutes so I should add that to my read soon stack.
Eh, not so sure if the cortisone is doing its magic but I think it made therapy a little less painful.

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It's so so so cold and snowed all night long. Grrr! Lake effect ptui!

Staying in, laundry, move the maple syrup buckets in shed and read Less.

I've got a lot of laundry to put away today, too. But other than that, I've taken all my housework off the schedule and will work on reading and watching the second halves of Twelfth Night and The Hate U Give. (My ADHD keeps me from watching movies all the way through in one sitting, or even keeping me on one movie at a time.)

>86 The_Hibernator: Yay, for taking housework off the schedule, Rachel! Enjoy watching the remainder of those movies. That's interesting about ADHD. Do you have a difficult time reading one book at a time? Seems like you would but I'd like to find out, for sure.

#3-2019
Less
Andrew Sean Greer
2017
261 pages
3.5/5

"You are the most absurd person I've ever met. You've bumbled through every moment and been a fool; you've misunderstood and misspoken and tripped over absolutely everything and everyone in your path and you've won and you don't even realize it." Carlos Pelu

"It's not that you're a bad writer. It's that you're a bad gay." Finley Dwyer

When author, Arthur Less of San Francisco, receives a wedding invitation to his ex-lover's wedding he realizes he can not stay around to observe it or even think about it. To get as far away as possible, he accepts every invitation he receives to book events around the world. He begins his trek of avoidance in New York City followed by Mexico City, Turin, Berlin, Morocco, India and finally, Japan. Though he avoids the wedding, chance run ins with former acquaintances and the making of new alliances can not help him avoid his 50th birthday. The trip becomes an introspective journey of regrets and missed opportunities.
The voice of the unknown narrator who seemed to observe Less from a distance, at first, was annoying and unconventional but eventually began to grow on me. There's a bit of humor and Less grows on the reader and can be quite endearing. All in all, a satisfying book with a sweet conclusion.

#4-2019
Mouse House
1957
63 pgs
TIOLI Challenge #18

This children's book, originally published in 1957, contains charming illustrations drawn by Adrienne Adams to accompany Rumer Godden's delightful tale of a young girl's jewelry box and the mouse family who repurpose it.. Rereading it brought to mind fond memories of curling up in my favorite little cubby and reading of a character, Bonnie Mouse, smaller than me, in fact, the smallest in her family who has the wherewithal, bravery, gumption and a little good fortune to change her circumstances and make a better life for herself and her family.

Thank you, Mamie, for reminding me of this quaint little book which I first enjoyed 50 years ago.

Morning, Lynda. Happy Sunday. We ended up with about 3 inches of snow. Not bad, but enough to shovel. I am looking forward to a lazy day with the books. Unsheltered is a Big Boy, so I hope to knock out a nice chunk. Are you a Kingsolver fan?

Hey, Mark! Only about an inch for us but have you seen the temps forecast for next Sunday?! 10's!
I am a Kingsolver fan and I hope to get to Unsheltered sometime in the near future.

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I'm scheduled for therapy 3x's a week for at least 6 weeks then my dr will reevaluate.

The evaporator et al will be picked up this morning! Yippee

I'm hoping to read 4 more books this month and the cold temps may help me out there. Next up is Sourdough for neighborhood book swap.

Morning, Lynda! I am so happy you rediscovered Mouse House - I still need to read it before I send it on its way.

>92 Crazymamie: Me too, Mamie! I hope you get to it soon. I almost want to read another of my mouse favorites The Mouse and the Motorcycle. We'll see, maybe I can "squeak" it in sometime this year.

oooo, co co co cold morning but only rec'd an additional inch of snow and it is sunny so that's a good thing. I'm hearing another storm is forecast for next weekend. What fun!

>93 Carmenere: The Mouse and The Motorcycle was one of Birdy's favorite books when she was younger, and we read it together over and over again. She still has her copy. Love what you did with the squeaking it in!!

>95 Crazymamie: Birdy has impeccable taste for good literature! :0) I renewed it from my school library an innumerable amount of times myself.

It's with great sadness, I watch as the evaporator equipment is carried off to another producer. Certainly, a chapter of our lives is closing. *sigh* Good memories

I will definitely look for Mouse House for Scout, Lynda. Thanks!

>98 BLBera: You are quite welcome, Beth, but the real thanks must go to Mamie for her mentioning Mouse House on her thread. It brought back long repressed memories to me. I hope Scout enjoys it too.

>93 Carmenere: >95 Crazymamie: The Mouse and the Motorcycle was one of my very favorites as a kid and a re-read it tons. A couple of years ago Charlie and I read it together, using my old, very loved Scholastic Book Fair copy! I'm happy to report that he loves all of the Mouse books, too.

Morning, Lynda. Enjoying my second off, and this one will include a stroll in the woods. No, I did not see the forecast for next weekend, although someone mentioned the possibility of a lot of snow. Ugh!

Good luck with all those therapy sessions and fingers crossed, it brings you relief.

>89 Carmenere: I am very disappointed that my local library does not have a copy of that one, since I have never read it and I really like Rumer Godden. Her In This House of Brede is one of my all-time favorite books.

Hoping the shoulder is on the mend!

>100 scaifea: How cool is that, Amber! If, while I'm at the library today, I see TMatM I will certainly bring it home. I feel I need to visit that little guy again.

>101 msf59: Looks to be a lovely day for a walk in the woods, Mark! Hope you're greeted by many old and new feathered friends.

>102 alcottacre: Stasia, I was surprised to see Godden authored In This House of Brede. I have not read it but you can bet it's on my TBR list now, especially since it is one of your all-time favored.

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Off to get ready for 10am library book discussion of Small Great Things followed by therepy and a bit of running around.

Great book discussion this morning. All seemed to agree it, Small Great Things, was a pretty good book but rather formulaic. In general, people of different races, faiths, sexual preference need to open lines of communication so we can learn to understand each other.

February discussion will be Homegoing which I've read and gave 5/5. I'll do a quick reread or maybe find the audio to refresh my memory.

A couple of years ago, I was going to attempt the libraries 100 book challenge. over 2 years choose books from their list, read them and take a very short quiz to prove you've read it. Complete it and you receive a fleece vest or jacket. I'm in!!

Therapy was fabulous! Much the same exercises but ended with heat and electrodes on my shoulder and arm which felt like human hands massaging or rippling like water, fluttering like butterflies and ants at a picnic. Each person gets their own electrodes so I all need to do is say I'd like heat and electrodes and voila! they pull them out of their cabinet.

>102 alcottacre: Hey Stasia! Funny how these things pop up, Kindle recommended for me In This House of Brede. For $1.20, I jumped on it.

Morning, Lynda! Hooray for therapy that was fabulous. Off to check out In This House of Brede.

>106 Crazymamie: morning, Mamie! I'm looking forward to therapy tomorrow simply to have more electrodes placed on my arm, lol I couldn't help but wonder what young therapists is training might do with those electrodes.

How did I lose you for this long, Lynda? I have no idea. Belated Happy New Year, and I wish you continued success with your physical therapy. The electrodes you mention sound like the Nursal pain therapy that my niece got me for Christmas. Sticky pads that look like bathtub decals?
Congrats on selling your maple equipment, but also, "awww", you sold your maple equipment. ;-)

>107 Carmenere: *belly laugh* OH, dear!

>108 mstrust: Jennifer is in the Nook!! So glad you've found your way! Welcome!

>109 Crazymamie: Have I got a naughty mind or what?! I guess I read too much, yeah, I probably read it somewhere, that's it!

>58 Carmenere: I new spring was here when strawberries arrived in the produce section and now you can buy them year round so what's so special about them now. Well, with strawberries it is different. There are tasteless California ones available all year round but when the local strawberries come in everybody goes nuts for the taste of real strawberries. So there is still some seasonality to what we eat, at least here.

I enjoyed Less and The Library Book, Lynda. Will you get to Orlean's book soon. Good to hear that you are enjoying the therapy if not the snow.

>111 Familyhistorian: Well, that is a very good point, Meg. Nothing beats a locally grown strawberry. My friends told me to make certain they are not GMO, I guess that's a thing with a lot fruits and veggies. *sigh*
I just checked and I am queue position #97 for The Library Book. It's going to be a little while. My luck, it will come in the same day as Becoming and Where The Crawdads Sing

#5-2019
Sourdough
Robin Sloan
2017
259 pgs
TIOLI Challenge #11
Neighborhood Book Swap
3.5/5

"I needed a more interesting life.
I could start by learning something.
I could start with the starter." Lois Clary

Lois Clary, freshly transplanted to San Francisco, is too busy in her new position as software programmer at General Dexterity to fix a decent dinner. What does an up and coming professional do? Order out, of course! She has the good fortune of discovering Clement Street Soup and Sourdough. Their double spicy soup sopped up with their delicious homemade bread quickly becomes her daily staple. When the owners are forced to leave San Francisco, they gift their Sourdough starter to their "Number One Eater", Lois, with the stipulation she must feed it, talk to it and play music for it as it is alive. The starter opens a new world to Lois and as the starter expands so do her bread baking skills, taking her life in a new direction.
Seventy-Five percent of this book was enthralling. It read as if it were a memoir or a non-fiction self-help book on starting your own business with interesting tidbits on the science of sourdough bread. The final 25% of the story declined with its absurd silliness and seemed rushed ultimately falling as flat as untended starter.

Next up:

Morning, Lynda! Sweet Thursday! Bummer about the ending of Sourdough.

Hey, Mamie! A bummer indeed. Non the less, Sloan's writing was solid and I hope to read Mr. Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore sometime soon.

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We, in Northern Ohio are in the midst of a polar vortex. Currently, it is 18 degrees and that's warm in comparison to Monday's forecast of 8.
An innumerable amount of snowflakes are forecast for Saturday. Perfect jammie day with a book or two

Here, my friends is the short list for the Tournament of Books.

America Is Not the Heart
Call Me Zebra
Census
The Dictionary of Animal Languages
The Golden State
The House of Broken Angels
The Italian Teacher
The Mars Room
Milkman
My Sister the Serial Killer
The Overstory
The Parking Lot Attendant
So Lucky
Speak No Evil
A Terrible Country
There There
Warlight
Washington Black

If you enjoy following along using the bracket system, click here

I have read exactly none of them. But I do have Warlight in the stacks.

Happy Friday, Lynda!

>87 Carmenere: Indeed. I have much trouble reading one book at a time. I'm generally working on 3 or 4 at a time, lol.

>118 Crazymamie: oooo, Warlight is good, hope you can get to it soon.
I've also read Washington Black I liked it and The Mars Room which I didn't care for much.

>119 The_Hibernator: That makes a lot of sense, Rachel. I think when it comes to reading we all have a little ADHD. :0)

Happy Friday, Lynda. I am watching the local weather, trying to get prepared for tomorrow. They are talking 6-7 inches. I just hope, I can make it into work in the morning and then we will see what happens, when I get there.

Have a good weekend. Happy weekend.

>122 msf59: Morning, Mark! The snow is forecast to begin here around 11am. The amount has been changing but the latest is 8-10 inches. Be careful out there, hopefully the snow will have lightened up by your afternoon commute. I'm to meet some former co-workers for lunch and I'm just not sure if it's still on. Naturally, I'm hoping it's not. I want to hug my books and sit by the fire with a cup of tea.

The snow started about 11am. Light flurries, calm about 30f. I thought nothing is going to become of this. Ahhhh, wrong! It's been snowing heavily for the past 3 hours and it's piling up. I'm snug as a bug, tea, some reading, Hungarian Goulash in the oven and now I've started watching Roma on Netflix.
Meet up with co-workers is postponed :0)

Hi, Lynda. Stopping by to drop a star and say hello. I hope you guys aren't getting snowed in up there - I think we have escaped the worst of it - it has rained most of the day today and just started snowing an hour or so ago. Sorry to hear about your shoulder - hopefully the PT will help.

>113 Carmenere: I have Sourdough on my list to read this year. I read Mr. Penumbra several years ago and enjoyed it quite a bit.

Trust that you are having a great weekend, Lynda and that you are managing to keep warm.

Thanks for posting the Tournament of Books list, Lynda. I love having our own March Madness…Book Style! The judges' comments are always so interesting and spot on. I've read 4 of the books thus far and will be reading The House of Broken Angels soon. Urrea is a favorite author for me. I also hope to be reading In This House of Brede off my shelves sometime this year. I need to stop requesting books from the library!

>75 Carmenere: I have a lot of Jodi Picoult books thanks to Diane Keenoy who graciously shared her books with me. But, I don't have Small Great Things. My library has this one and I'll get it this week when I venture out in the freezing cold.

I'm sorry to hear about your frozen shoulder. I can only imagine how very painful this must be. I got to a wonderful Chiropractor who is very good with acupressure. He knows where to find the tightness and follow the muscle and press where it hurts most. I have to pay out of pocket twice a week, but it is worth it!

I hope you are better soon!

>117 Carmenere: Can you please let me know what the tournament of books signifies. Is this a list that 75 challenge group folk will join in and read?

>125 rretzler: Robin! Hi and welcome to my thread. We are snowed in. We received about 12 inches yesterday and another three today from lake effect snow. It's just beautiful outside and so silent as it seems everybody is staying in. Top it off with 9 degrees f and we've got a huge dose of winter.
Yeah, the weather folk were telling us in Cleveland that Columbus would get the brunt of it but storms have a mind of their own and dumped on us instead.
My shoulder feels a wee bit better but I still can't extend it like before. A slow heal for sure.

>126 PaulCranswick: A weekend stuck in the house, Paul. It's just too treacherous outside. Still, I'm enjoying it. Books, Netflix, good food and wine. Couldn't ask for much more. Hope your weekend has been spectacular!

>127 Donna828: You are welcome, Donna! I will not be reading any beyond the three I've read. Although i didn't read this Urrea, he's got a good track record and is a favorite of mine too, it would be nice to see him win.

>104 Carmenere: I am going to have to move Homegoing up the list if you gave it 5/5. Thanks for the mention, Lynda!

>105 Carmenere: That is funny! I hope you enjoy it!

>128 Whisper1: I hope you like Small Great Things, Linda. I'm sure it will be similar to what you've come to expect from Picoult.
I'm also required to pay a portion of PT but money well spent!

>117 Carmenere: The Tournament of Books is a contest like the Booker or National Book Award only done in a novel way whereby the books go head to head and judges either eliminate or advance them to the next round.
And, yes, there are some 75ers who will follow/play along. Click on the link in post >117 Carmenere: to get your bracket.

>132 alcottacre: >104 Carmenere: Yes, Stasia, Homegoing is definitely worthy of a nudge up your TBR.
>132 alcottacre: >105 Carmenere: I also requested the movie version of In this House of Brede. Have you seen it?

Happy Sunday, Lynda. It was a tough day yesterday, but it could have been worse. I think we ended up with 6 inches. Super cold here, but at least I am off until Wednesday.

I hope you had a good weekend.

>135 msf59: Hey Mark! It is a glorious 5.9 degrees this morning. We rec'd well over a foot of snow, probs 18". I'm glad you can cozy up with the books for a few days. Just imagine what retirement can look like!

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I've got therapy scheduled for 12pm brrrr hopefully, it might be up to 8 degrees by then.

So far, The Last Romantics, a freebie sent to me by William Morrow Publishers as a Lead Read, has kept my interest. I'll be cuddling with it again later today.

Hi, Lynda! Is it weird that I'm jealous of your 18 inches of snow? We only ended up with 4-6" and I was so looking forward to a proper snow-in. *sigh*

>137 scaifea: Hahaha, I also looked forward to your snow in, Amber as I was not expecting one of my own. In any case I think we're both sharing in the frigid temps. It's funny, the sun is shining and looks much warmer than it is.
I'll be mucking out there later today with the hope that many are off for MLK day.

I thought House of Broken Angels was really good, Lynda. Can't wait to hear what you think. I need to read more by him.

>139 jnwelch: Urrea is a fabulous author and I look forward to reading his newest. Have you read The Devil's Highway? Extraordinary writing - enlightening story. I highly recommend it.

____________

For anyone snowed in, I recommend you watch Roma on Netflix. I won the critic's choice award for best picture. Excellent story, filmed in b&w/sepiaish with sub-titles. I found whether one is servant or wealthy employer their is a commonality everyone shares.

Also watched a few episodes of The Royal House of Windsor cause I've always been keen on the Royal Family.
It's basically a documentary with new and unseen footage. Seems to follow The Crown - or does The Crown follows TRHoW. Hmmmm. Whatever, I got thru the wedding of E & P and E's coronation. Well done and interesting.

>138 Carmenere: Yes, it is definitely cold out there and I'm glad I don't have to get out in it!

Stopping by to get caught up and stunned to learn about your frozen shoulder issue. OMG! Glad to learn that the therapy is working and here is hoping for a speedy recovery. Congratulations on the maple syrup sale.

>141 scaifea: I also stayed in yesterday. I spent time, way too much time, watching the activity at my bird feeders. Cardinals, Blue Jays, Juncos - hearty little creatures.
Blink and the weather changes is often Ohio's slogan and today is such an about face. 48 degrees and rain - Oops blink again and it's tomorrow and 18. Never a dull moment here.

>142 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori! Yesterday, my shoulder felt wonderful for about 20 minutes. I hope that is the start of the thawing phase.

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Electrodes today! Yippee, a reason to leave the house on the rainy, messy morning!

>143 Carmenere: Yes, definitely blink and the weather changes. Ever since the blizzard that wasn't, we've had snow, frigid temps, rain, ice, snow, melting, snow, melting and now snow again - and that's just in the week since the blizzard that wasn't. It looks sunny out there today, and we seem to have lots of birds at our feeders, but I think we need to get outside with some more birdseed.

I've tried electrodes on my knee and they seem to work wonderfully - at least for a while. Hope your shoulder is feeling better.

*****Breaking news in the book award world*****

ManBooker, gone?

>144 rretzler: LOL the blizzard that wasn't for you became the blizzard that was up north! Yup, the line that dissected the state moved north and we got hit pretty badly. We've learned to expect the unexpected so we were prepared.
Actuallly, Robin, my shoulder feels as if it is beginning to thaw. I'm hoping it continues on the right path.

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Therapy today and a quick stop at the grocery story to pick up necessities for our arctic polar express blast due to hit Wednesday/Thursday. Then next week 40's, 50's and 60's are being bantered about. *sigh* Got books, blankets, batteries and booze, we are all set :0)

Morning, Lynda. I hope you had a nice weekend. I am getting ready to head out to work. It is snowing, so the roads will be bad and then the deep freeze arrives tomorrow. Oh, joy! Hey, at least I have my books for company.

>148 mstrust: Be careful out there Mark! Are you wearing your nose mitten? It was made for weather like this.
Yes to the books! They definitely help us get thru winter!

Hi, Lynda!
>145 Carmenere: Reading between the lines, it seems the Man Group wasn't getting the returns it expected, so they're taking it's investment and putting it in elsewhere. I wonder who Booker will team with next.
I'd never heard of frozen shoulder before you, but I was searching Youtube yesterday for something completely different and a couple of videos about it popped up. I'm wishing you the best with your therapy.

>148 mstrust: That is very possible, Jennifer. Also, If I'm remembering correctly, the Man Booker has been having some problems in the last couple of years. I wonder, if at the heart of it, they were at odds with the direction the award was headed.
Thanks for the healing wishes. Your post inspired me to make a PSA on Frozen Shoulder (I've mentioned a little info about it but this explains it more fully. Everything you've wanted to know about Frozen Shoulder but were afraid to ask

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Wow! I just went out to pick up the mail and trust me when I say the tttttemps are changing drastically! The wind is picking up and the trees are really creaking. Slippery ice under the new fallen snow is not good either. School closings are rolling in.
Be careful out there all who are affected!!

#6-2019
The Last Romantics
Tara Conklin
2019
352 pgs
TIOLI Challenge #10
ARC/The Lead Read
4/5

Thank you William Morrow Books and author Tara Conklin for the opportunity to read and review The Last Romantics prior to its February 19, 2019 release.

"In a sense stories are all we have to tell us about the future."

"In poetry's stripped-down urgency, in its openness, the space between lines, the repetition and essentialism-poets can speak in ways that transcend culture and gender and time."

This novel of family dynamics and dysfunction begins in the year 2079. Fiona Skinner the youngest of the Skinner clan at the age of 102 is a renowned poet. As she addresses the audience who has assembled to discuss her poetry, a young woman with a name from Fiona's past questions her about a line contained in one of her most famous poems, "The Love Poem". To explain, Fiona must return and recount the days of her childhood and life with her sisters, brother and mother. This portion of the book brought to mind the elderly woman in the movie Titanic reminiscing about Jack. The technique works well here too.
The reader learns of the three events which shaped the lives of the Skinner children, "The Pause", "The Unraveling" and "After". The reader discovers that each family member grieves in a different manner and each moves on when reconciliation moves in.
Ms. Conklin throws in a few Easter eggs to keep the reader anticipating and surmising. A couple which I would have enjoyed seeing more fully developed were just dropped but in actuality were not essential to the story.
Very readable and fast paced despite the lack of a lot of action. At it's heart, The Last Romantics is a family drama sharing in the ups and downs which occur in the lives of every reader.

Up next:

ARC from Net Galley

and


This is a reread for library book club

Morning, Lynda. It is currently -20 out there and I am very happy to be in here. Can you believe I have activity at the feeders. Goldfinch, juncos, house finch and sparrows, so far. Hardy little guys!

I am sure you won't be going out much either. Enjoy.

>152 msf59: Yeah, Mark. I guessed the woodpecker at the suet feeder had frozen his little claws to the cage. I'd been hearing about "flash freeze". Thankfully, when I looked thru binoculars I discovered he was alive and pecking away! Incredible creatures!

The house has been creaking, popping and yawning all morning. The wind is whipping, the temps are dropping into the negatives and the sun is shining. Oooooo Mother Nature as a wicked sense of humor!!

Morning, Lynda! Sending you warm thoughts. Be careful in those temps.

>155 Crazymamie: Ha! Great minds, Mamie! I was just visiting your thread!

Bill and I are not budging from our house. Books, movies and something mexican from the instant pot.

I was watching some clips about the weather back east on the news last night. Wow. They said that 3-5 minutes and exposed skin would likely have frostbite. I guess you guys know to stockpile food every January.

> 157 "I guess you guys know to stockpile food every January" Ha, hope springs eternal! We don't stockpile just do a food run a couple of days prior to the weather event. I thought this was supposed to be an El Nino year. Ugh!

Morning, Lynda! Charlie and I aren't budging, either, but Tomm braved it this morning to go to work, poor guy.

Lynda: Stay warm! At least you have warm temps to look forward to next week.

The Last Romantics goes on my WL.

I hope the shoulder continues to improve.

>159 scaifea: Ha! Apparently, Tomm is as hardy as the birds hopping around my bird feeder. I want whatever he's having.
Cancelling therapy was no easy task this morning. "Everybody else is hereeee" I can not be coerced! but I did reschedule for tomorrow :0(

I'm making black bean soup in the instant pot with the recipe from their booklet. I'm getting a little worried, the reviews aren't stellar.

Ha! The soup is very good though next time I reduce the veggie stock to 5 cups rather than 6. De-Lish on a frigid day!

>2 Carmenere: I love that mug! Committed indeed.... heh.

I had seen that news about the Booker Prize. I'll be interested to see what happens. I'd be disappointed, especially because I feel like the nominees have been all around better than usual for the past two years, at least. I thought this year's lineup was quite excellent!

Soup is just the thing for this deep freeze.

And I'll be interested in how Homegoing is on reread. I read it, loved it, but am surprised and a bit dismayed at how little I remember it.

>164 EBT1002: Ellen said "And I'll be interested in how Homegoing is on reread. I read it, loved it, but am surprised and a bit dismayed at how little I remember it."
That is so funny, Ellen! When our proctor handed out the books at our group meeting in January I was joyful that I had read it and though "Oh great, I've read it I can just skim thru it this time to refresh my memory." Ha! I opened the book and it all seemed so unfamiliar to me. So, I'm reading it like like it was the very first time.

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Egads! It's -5! colder than it was yesterday. There's no escaping it today. I need to pick up a few grocery items for my mom, drop them off to her and go to therepy. Maybe by 10:30 the temp will go up a few notches. *fingers crossed*

Morning, Lynda! Be careful traveling in those temps today.

>166 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie, I'll try my best!
I'm starting off this fasting thing with 14:10. Is that ridiculous or what? My weight isn't the issue, I've been 126ish since high school, except for pregnancy, of course, I just want the mid life sludge to tone up and I need to start a walking routine again, indoors for the meantime.

>167 Carmenere: I don't think that is ridiculous, Lynda! Anything over 12 hours is beneficial.

Excellent!

>165 Carmenere: Fingers crossed indeed! Good luck today. Walgreen's sells those hand and foot warmer packs here, where it rarely gets below 40F at night.

>151 Carmenere: My dad started Homecoming and didn't like it. Something about all the characters not being likable? Which is weird. He usually likes cultural books.

I did 16 hr fasting for 4 weeks and actually managed to gain weight. I was hoping for some weight loss, but I mainly wanted to have fixed meal times so I wouldn‘t stress-snack all morning. While it worked nicely for most of the day, I got into a fasting panic vs evening, facing a 16 hr food-free period, and ate way too much just before closing time.

I‘m wondering if I should try again, maybe with 12 hours. Everyone else I know who tried it did lose weight.

I‘ve been looking at the black bean soup recipe... I‘ll make it once I’ve used up the other bean types I got in my pantry.

>170 mstrust: We have purchased those hand warmers for Friday night football games but, for me, and our weather, they are not warm enough! Sincerely, a bon fire in my mittens is what I need but since that's not doable I go with as many layers as possible. We use microwaved seat cushions too but by half-time they're virtually useless but still a nice butt protector from the cold metal bleachers.

>171 The_Hibernator: The thing that bothers me, Rachel, is the similarity in the names of the main characters. Effia and Esi, I know it's a trite complaint but it's hard for my head to wrap around the story line of each. Hmmm, I'll have to ponder the like-ability factor during my re-read.

Morning, Lynda. Good review of The Last Romantics. Sounds like a good one. Ooh, Homegoing. Boy, I loved that one.

>172 Deern: Hahaha, I've got to agree with you about the fasting panic attack! I've binged a bit at @ 6pm and it's a great time to do so, after dinner has to have a righteous dessert. Right?!

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I feel like crap (3 day head cold and congested to the gills) but I wanted to celebrate our libraries on a new thread so check out my new thread and tell me what it is about yours that you love........... https://www.librarything.com/topic/303377