Berly's Books Chapter Six

This one just grabbed me!! ; )

For those of you who don't know me, I am a mom of 3, married to a great guy (he introduced me to LT) and besides books, I love TKD, working in glass, and chocolate. I have had an eclectic "career" in nerve regeneration research, advertising, the NBA, and editing. Now I work with my husband cleaning industrial processed water and stormwater, getting it up to EPA standards. I do the marketing and the financial stuff.

There are more books coming in than going out and I am making but a small dent in the TBR piles; I haven't given up hope yet though! I can't because books are everywhere. Some are under the window in my bedroom, some are stacked by my night table, in the study, downstairs in the bookcases, and then there is the Kindle....I know you all understand. Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. ; )

Reading Now
Circe (A) by Madeline Miller
In the Midst of Winter (346 pages) by Isabel Allende, RL Bookclub
Demon Breed by James Schmitz (Part of The Hub:Dangerous Territory Collection)
These Truths Part 4

And Soon...
June--Less by Andrew Sean Greer, RL Bookclub
June--Pachinko With Twin and Ellen and Morphy
July--Warlight by Michael Ondaatje with Mark

return to Lost Children Archive (400 pages) by Valeria Luiselli
Dementia Reimagined (310 pages) by Tia Powell, MD
The Boy on the Bridge by M. R. Carey with Brynn
The Parents' Guide to Climate Revolution by Mary DeMocker
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra with Morphy
The Mars Room with Twin
A Visit From the Goon Squad (340 pages) by Jennifer Egan

Read in June / ??? pages / Total Read
D) These Truths Part 4 (518-789, 271 pages) soon
44. Inheriting Edith by Zoe Fishman 3.0
43. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz 4.5
42. In the Midst of Winter - Isabel Allende 3.0

Read in May / ??? pages / Total Read
41. E is for Evidence (208 pages) by Sue Grafton
40. Half-Moon Investigations (290 pages) by Eoin Colfer 3.75
39. A Spark of Light (366 pages) by Jodi Picoult 4.25
38. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk (K) (304 pages) by Kathleen Rooney 4.0
37. Fluke (321 pages) by Christopher Moore 3.75
36. The Library Book (326 pages) by Susan Orlean -- RL #1 bookclub April 4.0
35. Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave (400 pages?) (A) by Darynda Jones 4.5
34. Everything I Never Told You (306 pages) by Celeste Ng RL Bookclub 4.0
33. A Mind of Her Own (A) (100 pages?? not in print) by Paula McLain 3.5

Read in April / 1,433 pages / Total Read 11,421
C) These Truths Part 3 (109 pages)
32. The Orphan Daughter (A) by Cari Noga DNF (read 150)
31. Irma Voth (215 pages) by Miriam Toews with Twin
30. The Chemist (A) (528 pages) by Stephanie Meyer 3.0
29. The Great Believers (K) (431 pages) by Rebecca Makkai -- RL #2 bookclub April 3.75

⭐️ Favorite(s) of the month
Masterpiece 5.0
Stunning 4.5
Excellent 4.0
Very Good 3.5
Good 3.0
Average 2.5
Eh 2.0
Don't Bother 1.5
Bad 1.0
Anathema 0.5

A=Audio
L=Library
GN=Graphic Novel
IR=Indiespensable Readers
K=Kindle
LT=LibraryThing Early Reviewer



Books Freed = 115



Catalogued 33/50 shelves

Read in March / 3,763 pages / Total Read 9,988 pages
C) These Truths Part 3 (308-517, only read 100 pages)
28. I'm Fine and Neither Are You (266 pages) by Camille Pagan 3.5
27. The Trouble with Twelfth Grave (306 pages) by Darynda Jones 3.75
26. Her Royal Spyness (348 pages) (K) by Rhys Bowen 3.5
25. The Twin (343 pages) by Gerbrand Bakker 3.0
24. Eleventh Grave in Moonlight (321 pages) (A)(Charley Davidson #11) by Darynda Jones 4.0
23. The Sympathizer (Pearl Ruled at 50 pages) by Viet Thanh Nguyen
⭐️ Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (337 pages) by Gail Honeyman 4.5
21. Fatal Remedies (272 pages) (A) by Donna Leon 3.0
20. Stitches: A Memoir (333 pages) by David Small 4.0
19. Freedom Road (377 pages) (K) by William Lashner 3.0

Read in February / 3,570 pages / Total Read 6,225 pages
B) These Truths Part 2 (151-307, 156 pages)
18. I Will Never Leave You (K) (338 pages) by SM Thayer 2
⭐️ The Snakes (438 pages) by Sadie Jones 4.25
16. Noir: A Novel (A) by Christopher Moore (PR after 1 1/2 hrs or 100 pages)
⭐️ The Fire This Time (224 pages) by Jesmyn Ward with Twin 4.5
14. One Good Turn (541 pages) by Kate Atkinson, Jackson Brodie #2, 4.0
13. Preacher (436 pages) by Camilla Lackberg #2, 3.75
12. Future Perfect by Victoria Loustalot (Pearl Ruled at 71 pages)
11. Start without Me (288 pages) by Joshua Max Feldman, LTER, 3.5
10. Nerve (313 pages) by Dick Francis (Thank you Mamie!) 3.5
9. Rock Needs River (K) (185 pages) by Vanessa McGrady 3.0
8. Once Upon A River (480 pages) by Diane Setterfield 3.75

Read in January / 2655 pages
A) These Truths (150 pages -- Section One) by Jill Lepore 4.25
7. A Ladder to the Sky (384 pages) by John Boyne, INDIEspensable #77 4.0
6. How To Be A Woman (320 pages) (A) by Caitlin Moran 4.0
⭐️ Sometimes I Lie (264 pages) (K) by Alice Feeney 4.25
4. Pavillion of Women (316 pages) (K) by Pearl S. Buck 3.75
3. Ice Princess (420 pages) (K) by Camilla Lackberg 3.5
2. Becoming (448 pages) by Michelle Obama 4.0
1. The Curse of Tenth Grave (353 pages) (A) by Darynda Jones 4.0

RL Book Club #1
✅ February - Becoming by Michelle Obama
✅ April - The Library Book - Susan Orlean
✅ June - In the Midst of Winter - Isabel Allende
August - The Immortalist - Chloe Benjamin
October - There There - Tommy Orange
December - Choose books!!

RL Book Club #2
✅ January - Becoming by Michelle Obama
February - The Audacity of Hope by Barrack Obama
✅ March - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
✅ April - The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
✅ May- Everything I Never Told Youby Celeste Ng
June - Less by Andrew Sean Greer
September -
October -
November -

Four-month LT Group read
These Truths by Jill Lepore
✅ Jan Part 1 (1-150 pages) https://www.librarything.com/topic/301417
✅ Feb Part 2 (151-307, 156 pages) https://www.librarything.com/topic/303118
✅ March Part 3 (308-517, 209 pages) https://www.librarything.com/topic/304319
April Part 4 (518-789, 271 pages) https://www.librarything.com/topic/305408#

Powell's Indiespensable Readers Challenge

Hubby signed me up for this. Over the years I have received 79 installments, but I haven't read all the books yet. Not even close! In an effort to catch up -- I want to read 12 this year. The complete list (such as it is) can be found here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/301060#

Maybes
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
October--There, There by Tommy Orange
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra with Morphy -- Month TBD
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt

Done
✅1. A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne
✅2. The Fire This Time in February
✅3. The Snakes by Sadie Jones
✅4. Stitches by David Small
✅5. The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker
✅6. Irma Voth by Miriam Towes with Twin
7. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli -- reading
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

And to get me to read more Books I already own....



Color Challenge
Black -
Brown -
Green -
Yellow - One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson
Blue - Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman
Purple -
Pink -
Grey -
Metallic -
Orange -
Red -
White -

And another effort to read off my shelves...

a
b -- Pavillion of Women by Pearl S. Buck
c
d
e
f -- The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward
g
h -- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
i
j -- The Curse of Tenth Grave by Darynda Jones
k
l
m -- How To Be a Woman Caitlin Moran (Crazy & Katie's Fault)
n -- Nerve by Dick Francis
o -- Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield
p
q
r
s -- Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman
t
u
v
w
x
y
z

And I can't forget the...



https://www.librarything.com/topic/301134

✅ January - Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg
✅ February - Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon -- reading
✅ March - Preacher by Camilla Lack-berg
May - Stone Cutter by Camilla Lackberg
July - Gallows Bird alternate title Stranger by Camilla Lackberg
September - Hidden Child by Camilla Lackberg
November - Drowning by Camilla Lackberg

https://www.librarything.com/topic/301134
Dick Francis Horsey Adventures

✅ January-February — Nerve
March-April — Forfeit
May-June — Reflex
July-August — Rat Race
September-October — Break In
November-December — Bolt

I can't resist buying new books!!

I seem to manage to read around 50% of my newbies.

2017 47/85
2018 45/88

Let's see how I do this year!!

2019 18/50 Read

✅ Becoming by Michelle Obama, G*
✅ One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (Thank you, SS Paul!) G*
3. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith (Thanks, SS Paul!) G*
✅ A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne, INDIEspensable #77 *
5. The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne, INDIEspensable #77 *
✅ How To Be A Woman by Caitlan Moran* (Crazy & Katie's Fault) AC*
✅ Rock Needs River: A Memoir About a Very Open Adoption by Vanessa McGrady AP*
8. Smoke and Summons (Numina Book 1) by Charlie Holmberg AP*
✅ Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk: A Novel Kathleen Rooney
✅ Nerve by Dick Francis (Thank you Mamie!) G*
11. Happiness by Aminatta Forna (Thank you Paul!) G*
12. Self-Care for the Self-Aware by Dave Markowitz
13. Empathipedia by Dave Markowitz
✅ Fluke by Christopher Moore
✅ Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (Reba got this one, too)
✅ A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
17. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
18. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
19. A Killer In King's Cove by Iona Whishaw (Thanks, Twin!)
20. Reader, I Married Him edited by Tracy Chevalier (And this one, too!)
21. Audacity of Hope by Barrack Obama
✅ The Library Book by Susan Orlean
23. Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley, INDIEspensable #78 *
✅ The Snakes by Sadie Jones, INDIEspensable #78 *
25. The Bold World by Jodi Patterson, ARC *
26. Freedom Road by William Lashner *
27. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
28. Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
✅ Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
30. Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Wendy Vanderah AP*
31. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
32. Calypso by David Sedaris
✅. I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagan AP*
34. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Lyiselli, INDIEspensable #79 *
✅ Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones AC*
✅ Trouble with the Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones AP*
37. How Music Works by David Byrne
38. brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, INDIEspensable #35 missing book acquired
39. The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugani AP*
40. The Orphan Daughter by Cari Noga
41. Inheriting Edith by Zoe Fishman
42. The Parent's Guide to Climate Revolution by Mary DeMocker
43. Dangerous Subjects by Kenneth R. Coleman
44. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottleib
45. Dementia Reimagined by Tia Powell, MD
✅ Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
47. Divergent by Veronica Roth AP*
✅ In the Midst of Winter by Isabelle Allende
49. Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett INDIEspensable #80 *
50. Divide Me By Zero by Lara Vapnyar INDIEspensable #80 *

* = Free (which means I didn't buy it so I don't have to feel guilty!)
G=Gift
I=INDIESpensable (Gifts from my Hubby)
AC=Audible monthly credit
AP=Amazon Prime Kindle Read

Favorites from 2018:
Fiction
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Queen of the Tearling (the whole series! -- done) by Erika Johansen
First Grave on the Right (the whole series!!) by Darynda jones
Beartown by Fredrick Backman
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Hounds of Spring by Lucy Andrew Cummins

Non-Fiction
We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

Series I want to continue...

#10 Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
#3 The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman
#6 The Deepest Grave Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham
#5 Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith
#1 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
#5 E...by Sue Grafton -- reading
#6 Jodi Taylor
#4 The Chronicles of Kazam by Jasper Fforde, 2019??
#13 Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones
#2 The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman
#8 Thursday Next by Jasper Fforde
#2 The Rule of Many by Leslie and Ashley Saunders
#4 Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson, Started Early, Took My Dog

Finished

Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones

Happy New Thread, Kim!

Great photo of red tulips up there.

I thought Constellation of Vital Phenomena was terrific. I hope it’s a good ride for you and Morphy.

>13 jnwelch: Hi Joe. I am glad you thought that was a good one. Now I can really look forward to it!

And, as my first visitor, you get a ribbon and a big thank you!



Have a great weekend. : )

I had a very nice trip with my parents in FL. They are doing great in the retirement village on the independent living side of things. I took a tour and was relieved to see that the memory units and assisted living units were also really nice. I hope they don't have to go there for a while, but my mom is suffering from dementia and can't be left alone anymore. She only asked me who I was once, but could not remember who my kids were let alone how old they were and she often forgot where things are or where she was or how to get back to their apartment. My dad is coping pretty well but really needs to have someone in to stay with my mom every now and then so he can keep on living, seeing his friends, going on small adventures, etc. And I can see that her looping gets to him now and then. But all in all, pretty happy right now. The food was great!

I helped them finish getting me and my siblings on the list with all the doctors. Dusted their many artificial plants--theyare green again instead of grey! Decluttered the kitchen counter. Went to Bed Bath & Beyond to get organizers and then tackled the kitchen. And went through my mom's wardrobe to purge old and yucky stuff. She used to be such a stylish dresser and now she just doesn't care. So many shirts needed to go. Made me sad. She got angry at me but I explained that I was on her side and I wanted her to look nice. Of course, half an hour later, I don't think she remembered that we got rid of anything so all was well between us again.

I hope to visit them again sometime this summer in Wisconsin.

>1 Berly: Gorgeous! Happy new thread.

>15 Berly: Productive, but sad, visit to mom and dad. I've been there, so the feelings are familiar to me. I'm sad with you that your mom's decline is at that point where a facility is necessary to have close at hand.

Happy new one, Kim!

Sounds like the visit was very productive and went as well as possible. I am sorry about your mom - it's so hard to reverse roles with parents, isn't it? Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

>16 richardderus: I thought you might like the topper!! : )

It did make me sad, but we had a great time together and I know it gave my dad a break. Also, I will take every moment I can get with my mom while she still remembers me!! We shared lots of stories from when I was a kid and it was lots of fun.

Here are the before and after leaves of the artificial plant dusting dilemma. Ewwww!

>17 Crazymamie: Thanks Crazy!! Yes, it was hard to see her so in need of care. Thankfully, she is a very appreciative person and mostly very up. It makes it so much easier.

I'm glad you had a good trip to visit your parents but I know it must have been difficult. I think watching your parents age is actually harder than aging yourself (but that opinion could change :))

And then, also "Happy new thread". I really like the many statistics you show at the top of your thread. Most impressive.

Happy new thread, Kim!

>19 Berly: Lovely photo! Thanks for sharing.

They had a very nice wall honoring our veterans just outside the restaurant. My Dad. : )

>23 Berly: Lovely photo and what a nice thing for the restaurant to do :)

>20 RebaRelishesReading: Right now, them aging and me aging is kinda a tie, LOL. I just had an MRI last night because my knee is a wreck...again. I think it is torn meniscus, but we'll see. I would much rather have physical infirmities as I age than mental decline. Crossing my fingers that I get to keep my wits.

>21 thornton37814: Thank you!! Happy weekend.

>22 Crazymamie: My pleasure. Now I have to go see what you've been up to!

>24 RebaRelishesReading: It made my dad very proud and I love that it is in such a visible place. Right between the elevators and the bar and eating area.

On a separate topic, I was amazed at the range of ages. You have to be 65 to live there, but they have 9 people over 100 living in their facility!! And I took a chair exercise class with my parents and there were two people in their 90s doing their best. It was actually very inspirational.

Oh, and I won second place on the Wordscapes app on my phone over the weekend. Yay!

Happy new thread, Twin.

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. That is so hard. It doesn't sound like it was a restful visit! You are a maniac. However, if you ever want to come and organize me, I'm up for it. :)

I see you read Irma Voth; I haven't started it yet. Between too many library books and the end of the school year, I am a mess. Still, I do have Toews new one from the library Women Talking, so I may get to that. Does that count?

Smooches. Have a great weekend! Today is lovely, and I am sitting at my desk, grading. :(

I will go for a walk later, when I start to feel snarky comments coming.

Twin! Sorry you are in the middle of grading papers. Not much fun at all.

To be honest, I did not enjoy Irma Voth at all. I never connected with the main character. I didn't enjoy the humor and found so much sadness. The writing style had way too many short sentences for my taste. (See I am trying to emulate it here! Ugh.) I know others enjoyed it more, but it still only has a 3.5 rating on LT. So just skip it and try her new one and let me know what you think of that!

Still trying to figure out MN dates. : )

Thanks for the heads up on IV. I'll put it back on the shelf.

Yes, for a MN visit! I'll be gone the last half of May, just so you know. Can't wait.

I enjoyed your family visit pics here and on FB. So sorry about your mom's condition. Sounds like they are in a good place. This is a hard time to get through but we all do the best we can. hugs.

>30 BLBera: Good luck getting through the last month of school. Hang in there!! The warm weather was so nice in Florida. I think I brought some back with me because we are supposed to hit the 80s this week! Sending sunlight your way.

>31 RBeffa: Thanks, Ron. We all have to get through aging, illness and death because there just isn't a choice. Trying to do my best. Thanks for the sympathy. And hugs!

>1 Berly: Oh my, that one grabbed me! Happy new thread!

Nice start on a new thread, Kim.

I finished my reading of The Taming of the Shrew, which was prompted by my reading of Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler. I preferred the latter to the former. Sixteenth-century societies had a lot of bad ideas, one being the status of women. Keeping in mind the contemporary societies such as fundamentalist Christians and Islamics cling to such 16th century notions.

Happy new thread, Kim!
I love all the book pictures at the start of your initial messages.

Your visit to your parents reminds me when my parents moved to a similair place. Sadly no memory unit there, so my mom had to go elsewhere (nearby) when my father could not cope anymore. That was two years ago, and only last month he asked me to help him to sort out my moms things that are still with him in the apartment.

>25 Berly: I would much rather have physical infirmities as I age than mental decline.
I completely agree with you!

My MIL has dementia (don't know if it's Alzheimer's.) MrMorphy gets frustrated when his mother repeats her self or asks a question for the fourth or fifth time. I seem to have more patience and don't mind listening/answering again. His parents are in their 80s, have always been kind and generous, and are getting frail. They won't be with us much longer even if they are currently living independently.

I'm so sorry you are going through this and hope you have support.

>27 Berly: Must...resist...looking...up...new...game.

>33 quondame: Right?! LOL

>34 weird_O: Well, I have read Taming of the Shrew and liked it a bit more than you did, but maybe now I should give Vinegar Girl a try. I do like Anne Tyler!

>35 FAMeulstee: Hello, there! Glad you like my decorating efforts. : )

Moving is so hard--I am sorry your mom had to move again because of memory issues. Even close by is hard though--they are no long TOGETHER in the same space. I did not enjoy sorting through all their stuff down there. Good luck with helping your dad and I am sorry you are getting sucked into that!!

The aged parent thing is so so hard. I don't think I ever imagined either of my parents would be seriously ill or diminished in any way, right up until it became a reality. It sounds like your mother and mine are traveling a similar path, although my Mom knows who everyone is...her memory is just plain shot. And she doesn't have my Dad at her side anymore, because he left us almost 15 years ago. There's just no guidebook to help us cope with this. I hope my daughter is learning from our experience, so that when it happens to us...

Happy new thread Kimmers.

My Gran suffered from dementia in the last couple of years of her life and I found it heartbreaking. I used to spend so many evenings in her company listening to her stories, sharing her tea (and occasionally her whisky) and basking in her warmth and wisdom. She died holding my hand but not really knowing who it was so upset at her bedside.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Kim. The aging parent thing is definitely not easy. You are lucky, though, that things are going smoothly for your parents.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Kim!

I'm glad that you were able to spend time with your parents. My mother will probably be where yours is in the near future, but hopefully not for a few more years. She still recognizes the people she is closest to, and requires only small amounts of stimulation to recall the recent past. Her memory of past events remains strong, but she cannot be left alone for long periods of time. I'll spend most of June with them, and see them at least every other month for the time being.

Happy New Thread, Kim. Happy Florida vacation! Love the photos with your folks! Everyone looks quite content.

Hi, Kim. Yes, I've been through the aging agonies with my mother as well. My father died in 2000, and Mom lived on at home until about 2011, when she moved to a continuing care community as you described. Unfortunately, the move triggered her mental decline, and she moved through the various housing options fairly quickly.

There are some good guides to how to deal with people with dementia. Unfortunately, I didn't read them until afterwards, and was, I think, too eager to entertain her. It would have been better to be quiet and present and give her time to try to communicate.

I agree on the physical rather than the mental decline, if I have a choice, but the mental decline is fairly strong in my mother's family. So I am trying to do what is recommended, friends and exercise and new experiences and sleep!

Good luck with the knee. I hope it can resolve without surgery, and you are not impeded in your TKD!

>34 weird_O: >37 Berly: Entirely by chance, I picked Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer for my next read. Focused on Mormons and Mormon Fundamentalists (the polygamists). Good grief. (Hmmm... I just typed "God grief" instead of "Good Grief". Is that Freudian? Because there's a lot of grief in the first 90 pages that stems from what the perpetrators assert is directives from god.)

Here I am reading another book about husband/father as the all-wise, all-knowing family dictator. Absolute obedience is required. Yeesh.

This following Educated, Vinegar Girl, Taming of the Shrew and even, in some degree The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev. At least in Shakespeare's play and Tyler's novel, religion is not the motivation.

Lovely topper Kim.

Glad your visit with your parents was good on the whole. It is hard to see strong people become so fragile in later life. We were so lucky my dad didn't get dementia, he was with us totally to the end. I hope your dad is luckier than your mom.

Happy new thread Kim my dear, so glad you had a great trip to see your Dad. I love the photos that you have posted my dear and hope that you are having a great weekend. Sending love and hugs to you and your family from both of us dear friend.

Happy new thread, Kim! And so happy that you had a good visit with your folks.

Happy new thread, Kim! Already at #6!
I'm sorry that you're in such a hard situation with your mom. I have a good idea what it's like as my dad had brain cancer.
Congrats to dad for having his picture up on the veteran's wall! That's a big deal!

>15 Berly: Glad you were able to visit with your parents. Sorry about your mother but it sounds like they are in a good place.

And..happy new thread!

>14 Berly:. Woot!

>15 Berly:. My sympathy, Kim. It’s tough when the tables get turned, and the people you’ve looked up to need taking care of; as my Dad said, “Now you’re the parent and I’m the child”.

Love the photos of your mom and dad.

>19 Berly: I see your point there, I have tried to be there for family members before, one who was most certainly not up, and another who was just so stressed she was biting at everyone. It is just awful when you don't feel you can help someone.
Stressful either way though.

>45 ffortsa: I love that advice, be present...

>38 laytonwoman3rd: I am sorry you have experience with the aging thing, too. I can only pray that my kids don't have to go through this (Because that would mean I don't lose my mind!).

>39 PaulCranswick: Sorry, Paul, but I have to believe that as soon as she was free from her earthly body that she knew you were holding her hand until the end. What a nice gift you gave.

>40 drneutron: Thank you!

>41 jessibud2: So far, so good. Still not easy, but it could be worse.

>42 figsfromthistle: Thanks! Nice to see you here.

>43 kidzdoc: Darryl--I hope your mom doesn't decline for a long time. She is lucky to have such a great son. I plan to visit my parents again this summer, too.

>44 msf59: Hi Mark! Glad you like my photos. : ) Seein you makes me think of birds and I just remembered I need to put out new hummingbird food....!

>45 ffortsa: Judy--I can see you have travelled this road. I am doing all I can to keep the old noggin going strong. I think I am doing well on all categories except sleep!

Had MRI on Friday and I am seeing the doctor on Wednesday. Fingers crossed for an easy fix.

>46 weird_O: Wow, you are on a roll! I have way too many books that I am only halfway through, but no more religion books for a bit. Ahhhh!

>47 Caroline_McElwee: Hi there. : ) Yes, I am hoping that my Dad fares better. And me, too!

>48 johnsimpson: Overall, it was a great trip and I miss them already. Hope life is treating you and yours well, John.

>49 banjo123: : )

>50 mstrust: Sorry your Dad had brain cancer. Wow. Sometimes life just is so hard. We just have to do the best we can with what we've got.

>51 witchyrichy: Thank you! Life is what it is. She is very happy and I just want my Dad to protect himself while he takes care of her.

>52 jnwelch: I got several really nice photos of my parents togther and me with them. I know I will treasure those always. And I can't remember the last time I had them all to myself! It really was a special time.

>53 LovingLit: I hope I would have enough in me to help no matter what, just based on who she is and how wonderful she has been to me, but her cheerful disposition makes it so much easier. Lucky so far. : )

I have been busy lately getting ready for a conference here in Oregon. Last week I was making new trifold pamphlets and painting some display cubes, gathering items. Today was all about setting up a new TV and stand and synching it with our computer and updating our presentation. Tomorrow is move in and then Wed and Th are the show.

Not much reading happening.

I will be happy to see Friday. : )

>59 Berly: What type of conference?

All set up. Trifolds look good. Few last minute details on the video presentation to fix, but manageable. Hoping for lots of sales!!! I'll post some photos tomorrow.

>61 Berly: Sending sales wishes, Kim. Hope the customers are friendly.

>2 Berly: I’ve gone from 700+ to 100+ place at the library for Pachinko since February. Or about 200 places per month. At that rate, I’m thinking there is a strong possibility that I’ll be able to read it in June.

I'm sorry you're going through what so many of us have experienced with our parents Kim. If only all the money wasted by lobbyists on politicians were used for research into the issues of Alzheimers and dementia we might be able to make some headway. Lost both my parents to the ravages of Alzheimers.

Hey Kim, happy new thread! *Sigh* Sorry to read you're going through some rough roads right now. Seems we're at the age where we've got the parents on one side - kids and husband on the other - and we don't take care of ourselves. Hoping for better days ahead!

Hi Kim my dear, I hope the Machine Tool Conference goes well for you. Sorry to read that your mom is suffering from Dementia my dear, it is so hard for loved ones when your parents start to suffer and I hope the retirement home is good for them. I cannot imagine how you must feel sometimes my dear especially with the distance between you and them, it would be like us being in John O'Groats and our parents being in Land's End to have some idea of the scale of distance. We both miss our parents and for me it is nearly 30 years since my dad passed away and 24 since mum died and for Karen it is 12 years since she lost her mum and it will be 6 years in January since we lost her dad.

I hope you family are all well, we are both fine and dandy and starting to get giddy about our holiday even though it is eleven weeks away, sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

Hi Kim!

I love the octopus in >1 Berly:! Awesome.

Sorry that your mom is needing more care, but how nice they can be somewhere so pleasant. I have a friend going through that with her dad, and another friend going through that with both parents. It can be a really up and down thing.

I hope the conference is going well!

>15 Berly: Kim, that is heartbreaking about your mother. My mother had a ten-year bout with dementia before she died 12 years ago. Worst time of my life. My heart goes out to you and your family.

>27 Berly: Your wits look like they're in good shape. I'm trying not to look at the game itself as I am addicted to Word Chums and don't need another time waster. This said after spending four hours at the duplicate bridge table today. My partner and I came in first place so my wits are hanging in there, too!

>68 Donna828: First place! Terrific!

>62 charl08: It was a pretty good show. We were going through the leads today and assigning priorities. : )

>63 Morphidae: Awesome! Let us (Ellen, Twin and me) when you get it so we can read Pachinko together, hopefully in June!!!

>64 brenzi: Oh, I am sorry you had both parents go through Alzhiemer's. I have both my mom and MIL going through it. So tough. : (

>65 Carmenere: Me? Oh, am I supposed to take care of me, too? Dang! I knew I was doing something wrong. LOL. But it's true. I am feeling a little caught in the middle between parents and kids and everybody's needs. Hopefully the load will lighten soon.

>66 johnsimpson: Thanks for visiting and I love hearing that you are giddy about your upcoming vacation. : ) I can live off your happiness.

>67 nittnut: Hi there! Glad you liked my topper. I try. : ) The conference went well and I almost have everything put away again. Now I just have to get through all the piles of paper that have accumulated--between my trip to Florida and the show, I haven't been in the office much lately and my desk is covered!

>68 Donna828: Congrats on the first place in duplicate bridge!! Very nice. I love bridge and my Hubby and I used to play with his parents all the time. Now his mom can't really play anymore and I miss it. Sigh. And I did not hear you mention another word app. Nope. La la la la!

>69 ffortsa: Exactly! And hi.

Tim Conway. A favorite comedian of mine. RIP.

A while back I attended the Oregon Book Awards. Here is a list of the winners.

ELOISE JARVIS MCGRAW AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Emily Whitman of Portland
The Turning (Greenwillow Books)

LESLIE BRADSHAW AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
Shea Ernshaw of Bend
The Wicked Deep (Simon & Schuster)

FRANCES FULLER VICTOR AWARD FOR GENERAL NONFICTION
Kenneth R. Coleman of Portland
**Dangerous Subjects: James D. Saules and the Rise of Black Exclusion in Oregon (OSU Press)



SARAH WINNEMUCCA AWARD FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION
Apricot Irving of Corbett
The Gospel of Trees (Simon & Schuster)

ANGUS L. BOWMER AWARD FOR DRAMA
Andrea Stolowitz of Portland
Successful Strategies

STAFFORD/HALL AWARD FOR POETRY
Matthew Minicucci of Portland
Small Gods (New Issues Poetry & Prose)

KEN KESEY AWARD FOR FICTION
Leni Zumas of Portland
**Red Clocks (Little,Brown)



READERS' CHOICE AWARD
Beth Wood of Portland
Ladder to the Light (Mezcalita Press)

SPECIAL AWARDS:

STEWART H. HOLBROOK LITERARY LEGACY AWARD
José González of Portland

** I had Red Clocks already and night of I purchased Dangerous Subjects and also a runner up, The Parents' Guide to Climate Revolution. : )

Hi, Kimmers. According to the lovely FB pics, you had a fine Mother's Day weekend, with the family. Such a good looking bunch. How are those books treating you?

Hi Twin!

So sad to hear about Tim Conway. I loved him on "The Carole Burnett Show."

Hooray for Red Clocks! I loved that book. I'm looking at Dangerous Subjects and The Parents' Guide to Climate Revolution as well....

Doris Day, Tim Conway... just waiting for number three!

>76 Morphidae: - Number 3 was Peggy Lipton (actually, she was first, this week, before the other two). Sad losses

>77 jessibud2: Ah, I didn't hear about that one,p. That'll do it. Not that I'm honestly that superstitious.

>74 msf59: Mother's Day was lovely. I like my kids and they showed me that they like me back. : )

My books have been treating me fine--I have been neglecting them. Reading totals are way down for the month. I am hoping the second half picks up a little.

Just to encourage myself, I bought three books today. : )

>75 BLBera: Hi Twin! Glad to hear you liked Red Clocks. And I hope I hit you with a book bullet or two because Magpie Murders was definitely your fault. : )

Tim Conway made me laugh all the time! I loved him on Carole Burnette Show and how he made all the other actors crack up. He will be sorely missed.

>76 Morphidae: And Doris Day. Another really great person. I think I might have to watch a few old movies and episodes in their honor.

>77 jessibud2: Oooh! I missed that Peggie Lipton passed. Man.

>78 Morphidae: Okay that is three and done. I hope. Knock on wood.

Bookclub tonight at my house to talk about Everything I Never Told You!!

I haven't hosted a series or an author for a while. I'd like to do so this summer, during a month when the most interested folk have the time to do at least the targeted book, which is only 200 pp. long. I'd like to expose as many people as possible to the works of James H. Schmitz, a science fiction author who wrote from the late '40s through the 1970s. He is best known for The Witches of Karres, but imho has written much better works. Here is my bookshelf.


Many of his works, especially his shorter ones, were very hard to find for quite a while, but in 2000 and 2001, Baen published almost all of his oeuvre in a collection of 6 books, seen to the right of the shelf above. The book I would like to feature is Demon Breed, also found in the Baen collection The Hub: Dangerous Territory. Schmitz is known for his kick-ass female protagonists long before they became the current ubiquitous status quo in his stories about Telzey Amberdon, Trigger Argee, and the hero of Demon Breed, Nile Etland.

See my thread for more info if interested!

>80 Berly: I've put Calamity Jane on my To Be Watched soon list.

>82 ronincats: I don't know this author at all! And I love Sci-Fi. I will check out your thread! Thanks.

>83 Morphidae: Good one! I can' think of one of the top of my head, so I will have to browse....

*smooch*

Hi Kim

I am slowly putting my toes into the water of the 75 challenge threads. Thinking of you and sending good wishes!

>85 richardderus:

>86 Whisper1: Linda!!! It is wonderful to see you out and about on the threads, and especially mine! : )

I know you have been through the wringer and I cannot tell you how sorry I am, but I hope that you know you are so loved here. You lift my spirits and I hope I can do the same for you. Huge hugs and best wishes. Always.

>82 ronincats: I haven't heard of him either, but intrigued anyways.
>87 Berly: Do I get one of those kisses too, Kimmers!?

>89 PaulCranswick: Of course!!!!

>90 Berly:

>91 PaulCranswick: I am feeling the love even though I can't see the pic. : )

>92 Berly: Is that better?

A very belated happy new thread, Kim!

>19 Berly: Lovely pic of you and your mom.

>23 Berly: Nice pic of your dad, too.

I’m sorry about your Mom and MiL’s dementia. I was a witness to its ravages on family members through my friend Louise – 10 years for her husband before he passed away last year.

>79 Berly: Buying books is always a lift. I really enjoyed Magpie Murders.

>80 Berly: I heard about Doris Day and Tim Conway, but not Peggy Lipton. Okay that is three and done. I hope. Knock on wood. You remind me of my husband. He always counts threes. *smile*

>93 PaulCranswick:

>94 karenmarie: Hi Karen--Morphy actually started the three and done. I was just hoping she was right!

Books always make me feel better, except for when I finish a series that I really, really like, which is what happened today. Then I get a little sad. : ( I just finished Darynda Jones' series with Charley Davidson. It starts out with First Grave on the Right and finishes with Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave. What a fun, creative murder mystery series, filled with memorable and lovable characters and a little hot sex thrown in. Charley is one of my very favorite lead characters: snarky, bold, compassionate, imperfect, and she can talk to the dead! (It really helps solve murders.) Also lots of coffee is involved and each chapter starts out with a funny quote, like one you might find on a T-shirt. Highly recommended. Oh, and I listened to the entire series -- Lorelei King does such an amazing job that I might just look for other books she has narrated, nevermind the author!

>79 Berly: Hope you enjoy Magpie Murders!

Happy belated new thread!

>96 Berly: Ha, that's a great quote!

>96 Berly: Ooohhh, that is a quotable quote isn't it. Very T shirtable.

Condolences on your book bereavement. I hate that feeling, too. Did she end the series, or are you simply in waiting for volume the next?

>97 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle, looking forward to it!

>98 mstrust: She has lots of them. : )

>99 richardderus: Unfortunately, the series has ended. At least she says it has. Of course, the end left the reader with a question about where one of the main characters is...

One can only hope!

I may have to check out her other books and those read by the narrator (she rocks, too!)

Off the the symphony tonight with my FIL. My daughter is kind enough to stay with my MIL who cannot be left alone at this point. The program tonight is Mahler's Seventh Symphony and part of it will be sung by Storm Large. Can't wait!!

Hi Kim! I hope you enjoyed the symphony!

You have some great reading ahead of you. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is one of my all-time favorite reads and I also very much liked The Mars Room and A Visit from the Goon Squad. I'm still in for a June read of Pachinko, too.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's increasing demetia, Kim. The aging parents thing is just so difficult! I'm glad you had a good visit with them and got to see the place they are living. I also hear you about it being sort of a tie between their aging and your aging! This trip has given me new insight into the difficulty of aching legs. My mother died young (she was 61 and I was 22 at the time) but she had poor circulation and her legs always ached. As a teenager I was less than fully compassionate but now I have a bit more sympathy. Of course, it worries me to have any symptoms like hers since she died so young of multiple strokes. I want more time than she had!
In any case, I'm glad you got in the visit and have a clear image of where they are. I guess you may be flying back and forth to Florida more frequently now?

We have three more days in Taipei. We fly out very late Wednesday night so I'm not sure how that day will go. It's 15 hours later here than in Portland. We lost a day flying here and we get the whole day back on our return. I believe we land in Seattle a few minutes before we depart from Taipei. Ha.

>96 Berly: I haven't started this series yet - but I scooted over to my public library site and checked out the e-book for the first one on the list!

I hope that you enjoyed the Mahler. And hooray for Storm Large.

I hate to burst that "3 and done" bubble, but we've also lost Grumpy Cat, I. M. Pei and Herman Wouk. Or maybe that's ANOTHER 3...

Happy newish thread, Kim. I'm slowly getting back into circulation on LT. Sad to hear about your mom. It's hard but good to be there for her through this time. I was lucky that my younger brother was on hand to deal with most of my father's decline. I'm with you on hoping that when my time comes it doesn't come with brain altering disabilities.

>102 EBT1002: Welcome back to the US!! I have been following some of your exploits on FB and will have to catch up here on LT. I am psyched you approve of my future reading choices. : )

>103 ffortsa: Hope you enjoy the series!

>104 banjo123: So Storm Large actually sang The Seven Deadly Sins, but another artist. I preferred her half of the shore a bit more than the Mahler, but is was all great.

>105 laytonwoman3rd: Sigh. Let's stop counting. I don't think it is helping. : (

>106 Familyhistorian: Welcome back to LT! I have not been here much myself this month and I am missing my LT time. I can't put my finger on why life seems so busy right now, but it is.

I may get a bit more reading and LT time soon -- an MRI revealed a torn knee meniscus and I have a pre-op visit tomorrow with my doctor. Surgery is scheduled for next Friday, the last day in May. Their are two option for fixing it and he won't know which one until he gets in there. Obviously, I am hoping for the quicker fix! I am tired of gimping around and I want to get back to exercising, the sooner the better. : )

On the reading front, I just started A Spark of Light by Jodi Piccoult. I love her books and this one is particularly interesting in light of the recent anti-abortion laws recently passed.

Sorry about your knee, Kim :(

I am not a huge Jodi Picoult fan, but I read A Spark of Light last year and thought it was pretty well done.

>109 Berly: Hiss! Boo! Bad bad knee. *smooch* for the quicker option coming true.

Drat on the knee. Hope it heals quickly after surgery and that you have time to do some amazing reading.

Hi Kim! Sorry about your knee. It's always something, isn't it? I hope you get lots of good reading in.

Hi Kim, sorry to hear about the knee my dear and hopefully the surgery is successful and you are back in tip top condition. I hope that while you are recuperating you get some quality reading done. Sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

Thanks for all the good wishes! Had the pre-op appointment today. Now I DEFINITELY hope I get the easy fix. The longer one will require one month of no weight-bearing and then two months of PT. Ugh. And it would probably wipe out any chance of doing my next TKD test in November. I won't find out until I wake up after the surgery next Friday!! Crossing my fingers BIG TIME! But no matter what, it is fixable, so there is that. : )

I just finished Lillian Boxfish and it was absolutely charming. Not action-packed by any means, but a slow unfolding of her life. Lillian is taking a walk around her favorite city and hometown: New York. It is New Year's Eve and as she meanders through the streets, walking to her favorite haunts, we travel down memory lane with this spunky by elderly woman. She was the highest paid ad writer back in the 1930's, but of course, as soon as she got married she was forced to quit her job and be "just" a mom, as required by society and her employer back then. Lillian didn't surrender herself entirely. LOL. There are a few twists and turns and lots of humor and introspection. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Lillian.

>115 Berly: Sorry about your knee, Kim. Crossing fingers you do get the easy fix next week!

>115 Berly: Fast-healing whammys on their way.

>116 Berly: Utterly beguiling read!

Hi Kim, stopping by to get caught up so I will start off with belated happy new thread wishes. Sounds like a very productive and good visit with your parents, taking stock of the things. Always sad to see a parent decline - mentally, physically or just generally due to aging - especially when they live far away and not easy for frequent visits.

>109 Berly: - Oh dear, a torn knee meniscus. Okay, so I don't know what a meniscus is but anything to do with wrists, elbows, knees, hips and anything else that is key to mobility is not good in my books. Sending you best wishes for your surgery and a speedy recovery, post-surgery.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend.

Fingers crossed for the quick fix for you, Kim, even if it does mean less reading time!

>107 Berly: Sorry to hear about the knee Kim. Glad you will be getting it fixed soon.

Ugh, knee surgery. I hope that everything goes smoothly.

Oh no. Best of luck with the knee, Kim!

So sorry about the knee but at least you know what it is (or at least two things it might be) and it can get fixed. I am thinking I need to see my doc about my right knee. I don't suspect anything as serious as torn meniscus but something is going on in there! And my right heel is problematic again. I had two cortisone shots in it a few years ago -- it really helped but he said I have a notch on my heel bone (from the tendon that attaches there being tight and pulling on the bone, so the bone builds itself out more) and it feels like that is what is causing me pain. So. We'll see.

And ... more reading time! Yay! I guess you don't know how long the recovery will be until you know what is happening.

>117 FAMeulstee: Thanks! Me too. : )

>118 richardderus: Smooch.

>119 lkernagh: Thank you. Hope you are enjoying your weekend as well! Love that I have another day off tomorrow.

>120 Familyhistorian: I have my fingers and toes crossed! And I am thinking as an invalid, I will have MORE reading time. At least that's my plan. ; )

>121 Caroline_McElwee: Exactly!

>122 banjo123: Gracias.

>123 jessibud2: Merci.

>124 EBT1002: Oh no. SO sorry about your knee and heel. I am in the same boat. I actually have a spur on the other heel and the cortisone shots did not help much. I will deal with that AFTER the knee. LOL.

I just found my copy of Pachinko for our LT group read--getting my books lined up for June. I also have Less by Andrew Sean Greer , RL Bookclub 1, and In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende, RL Bookclub 2. That should keep me busy!

Just finished Fluke by Christopher Moore. I do love this author! His plots are highly improbably, yet they work for me and he has such a great sense of humor. This one follows a marine behavioral biologist and his photographer as they try to decipher songs of the whales. Except that then one of the whales flashes our heel a note on the back of his tail, which reads "Bite Me." And things get weirder from there. There's a little romance, a funny Rasta boy, some cool marine info and lots of fun. Great summer read.

And then on the darker but oh-so-politically-relevant side, I read Spark of Light by Jodi Piccoult. It's about a shooting at an abortion clinic. The police hostage negotiator knows one of the captives inside the center. He didn't know this at the start and feels he can no longer recuse himself as he has already made a connection with the shooter and besides he'll be damned if he'll leave her fate to anyone else. Then there are also: "A nurse who calms her own panic in order to save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it...a pro-life protester, disguised as a patient, who now stands in the crosshairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself...."

With this cast of characters, there are obviously thoughts from both sides of the abortion issue, and it has a really good plot, too. Picoult moves us back an hour in time with each chapter until the final chapter jumps forward and reveals the ending. Thought-provoking and riveting. Highly recommended. FYI -- I am definitely pro-choice. I wonder how it would read for someone pro-life?

Freed 40 more books today. Headed to Powell's to trade them in. Whatever they don't accept (For $) I'll be taking with me to a new location for Friends of the Library, which is apparently right across the street from where I do TKD. This might be dangerous!!

I really must get to Jodi Picoult, I think I have at least two that have been around for years. Glad you were impressed with this one Kim.

>129 Berly: I suspect the output will be exceeded by the inflow quite soon.

>130 Caroline_McElwee: Picoult is a consistent good read for me: Nothing less than 3 1/2 stars. What ones do you have hanging around? I have read 16 of hers and have Small Great Things waiting for me.

>131 richardderus: I can't lose either way. : )

I was very good today and only spent what I got from the trade-ins:

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
Junk DNA by Nessa Carey
The Physic of Everyday Things by James Kakalios

Good girl!! : )



So far this year I have freed 115 books and, including today's 3, have only brought in 51. So, I am making progress!!

Glad to see that you also liked Fluke. Moore is quite an odd little writer, eh!

>133 Berly: Impressive stuff! I liked the Ondaatje, I think he does that period so well.

>133 Berly: Yay for your progress Kim. I'm trying. I did manage to keep my in-coming books to single figures for the first month in 5 years!

Hi, Kimmers. I hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend. I know I am. Let me know, when you are ready to read Warlight and I will join you, on that one. I have been meaning to read it, since it came out.

>133 Berly: Yay! Go you! I'm on the net-inflow side, but they're 4-to-1 Kindlebooks so no extra space need be made.

To date.

Have a beautiful day.

>134 ChelleBearss: Christopher Moore is a deeply disturbed writer in the best of ways!! LOL

>135 charl08: I haven't read anything by Ondaatje in forever, so it should be good.

>136 Caroline_McElwee: Congratulations!!! It is so hard to show restraint. ; )

>137 msf59: It has been a very nice weekend, with today looking good as well. I'd love to read Warlight with you. June is looking pretty packed, but after that?

>138 richardderus: Thank you. And I feel no compunction adding Kindle books since, as you so aptly pointed out, they take up no space!!
I probably haven't even brought in 51 books if I break out the Kindle from the physical books. Hey--now I feel even better!

Ouch! Sorry about the knee, and I hope it's a quick fix, not the other kind.

My orthopedist said when I presented with that torn fascia that doctors used to think the bone bump-out oh the heel was the problem, then rethought and decided it was a side effect of the pull of the fascia. I hope yours resolves soon. It took me a long time, and I'm still careful, but at least I can wear my sandals again!

>116 Berly: I'm glad you had a good time with Lillian. I did, too. She's my new role model for aging!

So sorry to hear about your upcoming knee surgery. My husband had that done, but I don't remember any options. I think his was the simple surgery because I would remember if he did two months of therapy. He didn't have to do anything except give up running for a few weeks.

Sorry about the knee! Really! I have high positioned, small kneecaps (patella) and have had to live with a trick knee that dislocates if you slip, step in a hole, get knocked off balance, etc., since third grade, and it is NOT reparable by surgery, so I am VERY sensitive about my knees and very empathetic to anyone experiencing knee issues!

Hi Kim!

Lots of good books on tap for you, and I’m so glad you liked Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.

>127 Berly: I loved Fluke. I've got a couple of his in my tbr stacks - Lamb, You Suck, and A Dirty Job. I absolutely adored Island of the Sequined Love Nun. His titles are wonderful.

>133 Berly: Good ratio – 51 in, 115 out. Congrats!

Pachinko is on it's way to me so I'll be reading it in June!

Shall we do A Constellation of Vital Phenomena in July or August? I own it so there won't be a waiting period.

I'm sorry to hear about your knee. I know how frustrating mobility isssues can be. And, ugh, surgery! I hope you have a speedy, complete recovery and get back to those mats soon.

>96 Berly: I'm halfway through Summoned to Thirteenth Grave. I blasted through them all within the last couple of weeks. Good stuff.

>99 richardderus: >100 Berly: Supposedly there is going to be a trilogy(?) with their daughter as the main character. I can't wait!

ETA: I found this Jones quote: "Let’s just say I am hoping very much we will see Charley and Reyes, though in a more peripheral role. I really, really, really want to write a spinoff with Beep and Osh, even if I have to put it out myself. I can’t leave my readers hanging without closing that thread."

I've got Pachinko on my mind after following the discussion at Joe's Cafe. I got it last year and had it in the pool of books—all by women—that I read from from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. But I shied away after reading a couple of less-than-enthusiastic reviews. Now I will read it.

Finishing Elmet by Fiona Mozley, a first novel that was shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize. Less than 100 pages to go, and I still haven't made up my mind about it.

Good luck with the bone-and-gristle work. Years ago, my wife injured her knee. She whined and worried, fearing she'd need surgery. When the orthopedic guy concluded his examination, he said, "Well, if you were younger, this type of injury we'd treat with surgery."

"Too old, am I. You get that scalpel out right now." Okay, maybe she just thought that. But I heard her.

>133 Berly: well, someone has to free the books! I applaud you :)

Yikes re: knee stuff. The old joints huh? They can certainly be problematic....I am glad to say my orthopaedic issues are dormant right now. But I have been told to anticipate them as I (and my replaced joint) age.

Hi Kim, hope the knee is not troubling you too much my dear and hope you are having some good reading time, sending love and hugs dear friend.

Jenn has posted a link for free online copies of all of Schmitz' work in those Baen compilations on the group read thread!
https://www.librarything.com/topic/307199#6833006

I hope all went well yesterday, Kim, sending healing vibes.

Hi Kim!

I hope that your surgery went well and that your surgeon was able to use the easy-fix-lesser-recovery-time option.

Sending hugs and healing energy.

Adding to the post-surgery hugs Kim.

Warm thoughts and good wishes for your recovery!

Sending healing vibes!

Hoping your recovery is going well and you are getting some reading done. I had trouble getting into Lillian Boxfish but ended up really enjoying it. Lots of other good books here as well.

Healing energy for you, my friend!

I'm about to post on my thread about why I won't be in Portland July 1-3. I am *so angry* at my boss.

xoxo

Love you all for being here. I will read your posts and get bak to you soon, hopefully tomorrow. Surgery went well and with the quick recovery fix. Yay! Home on pain meds and not very coherent. More soon. Hugs to you all! : )

Hope that your recovery continues to go well, Kim. Take it easy!

Knee surgery?! Yikes! I'm glad it went well, Kim. Given your martial arts background, I'm sure you'll handle the PT beautifully. Sending lots of healing vibes.

Well, it was the quick fix, just shaving down the meniscus a little. It's better long-term if you can sew it back together, but mine was lifted up too much. The good news is my doctor (Who also is the doctor for our state men's soccer team, the Timbers) is working on a material that could eventually replace missing meniscus! Hope he gets it approved should I ever need to have this done again. This would mean so much for all those people with bad knees; bone on bone hurts!

I am currently nested in bed, with the knee up on pillows and I have tubes everywhere. There is a compression machine to prevent clots and an icer to prevent swelling. I have to detach everything in order to move anywhere! LOL. Today I am doing some of my walking without crutches and no real pain. That's a great sign.

Luckily, my timing is excellent because this is the middle of Roland Garros and watching tennis is a great thing to do when stuck in bed. Reading has been a little tough--I just don't have the concentration on pain meds, but today is looking better. : ) Maybe I can even catch up a little on LT!

Hi Kim my dear, take care and rest up while watching the tennis and hope you get some good reading done dear friend, I hope the family are waiting on you hand and foot while you are recuperating. Sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

Sounds like things are progressing to plan. Hope that continues and that you're up and about soon.

Glad to hear that the surgery was minimal and you at back at home healing!

You have my best wishes for comfortable and quick healing!

>159 Berly: How excellent that your situation was easily remediable. I'm amazed you can even watch tennis! Still, it's not that challenging, now is it? *smoochity smoochsmooch* for my less-limpy-aroundy pal

I'm glad it was a successful surgery Kim. I had a torn meniscus that was repaired arthroscopically in 2000 and proved to be a fix of sorts. It sounds like you had something more complicated than that. By 2014 I had both knees replaced in a very successful surgery and never looked back. Good luck with your recovery.

Glad to see you're on the mend!

Glad to hear your knee is repaired, Twin. Nice timing with the tennis, too.

My knee is a little gimpy after all the hills and cobblestones of Europe. Boo hoo, right?

I will be ready for Pachinko next week. I hope you are up to reading by then.

>159 Berly: Hope the tennis continues to be the right kind of distracting - glad to hear about the good timing of the competition!

Hey Kim!

I'm glad to hear that the easier-fix option worked. In bed watching tennis is not a bad thing at all. We watched the rather boring Federer/Mayer match, although Roger won so I'm happy, and then we watched the 5-hour Wawrinka/Tsitsipas match, which was stunning. Did you get to see it? And then Sloane Stephens beat Garbine Mugaruza. Very satisfying tennis day.

I hope you have a rapid recovery with lots of tennis and then as you get less fuzzy lots of reading.

I'm glad the surgery went well, and that you had lots of tennis to watch, Kim. :-)

Very cool that your doctor is working on material that would replace a meniscus. I read somewhere that researchers feel they're close to successfully creating replacement cartilage. Wouldn't that be great?

I was sorry to see Osaka and Serena go out, but neither played well at all, unfortunately. Federer was way too much for Mayer. I'm glad Keys and Sloane Stephens are still in it.

Hi Kim! I'm currently catching up on threads. Or at least trying to. :) Thought I'd let you know that I'm planning on flying into Portland on Sunday August 25 and back out on Labor Day. I will be busy Labor Day weekend, but will probably be able to set up a meetup sometime that week. Let me know if your'e interested.

I'm glad the surgery went well, Kim, and here's to a speedy recovery!

You guys are the best!! Thank you for cheering up my day. : )

Have abandoned three books and finally hit upon The Magpie Murders and I am enjoying it immensely. I managed to do the dishes today, too. But other than that and a little tennis, I pretty much slept. Poof! Another day gone.

'Morning, Kim!

I loved The Magpie Murders and hope you do too.

Poof! Another day healing. *smile*

Hi, Kimmers. I am glad the surgery went smoothly and you are home, recovering. Take it slow and easy, my friend. Gentle hugs.

Sorry, your books weren't clicking but you found satisfaction with Magpie Murders. It is such a good read.

Sometimes you need days of total relaxation, ones in which you accomplish nothing of significance. I had a day like that yesterday, and I'm better off as a result.

I hope that your post-surgical recovery continues to go well.

I hope your knee heals soon. I am awed by the tech devices being used!

It sounds like Magpie Murders is another one I should add to my list. (Sigh).

Yay for tennis and recuperation! I reupped my Sling TV subscription and added the sports package so I could watch nonstop.

I am adding Magpie Murders to my TBR list...I keep thinking I read it but the book I read is Murder of Magpies, and it was only so-so.

Oh, yeah, The Magpie Murders is a perfect pick, Kim. You need something to get caught up in. I liked his The Word is Murder that came after that, too, and I plan to read The Sentence is Death.

When I was laid up after hip surgery, I read all the Harry Dresden books that had been written up to then.

Keep feeling better, my friend.

Congratulations on getting through the surgery with minimal pain and a hopeful outlook. We're all going to have bionic parts if we live long enough...that meniscus replacement sounds very promising.

De-lurking to say get well soon, and so pleased it went well, and thanks for sending rain. We're good now. LOL

It is *impossible* to look at pansies with a frown. I hope you've got lots of reasons to smile today.

Good to see that you ended up with the better surgery option, Kim, and that your recovery is going well. I hope you are able to get back to more reading soon. Good on you for doing so well with rehousing books. I need to do some of that!

Kim, I’m so glad your doctor could do the “simple” fix on your knee. It sounds like you are in good hands. And you’ve found a book to keep you company. I will read The Magpie Murders someday. Right now, Pachinko is keeping me company. I don’t understand the mixed reviews. I think it’s a fascinating book. I had no idea of the background and harsh feelings between Korean, Japanese, and Chinese people.

I hope all is well with you, Twin. I loved Pachinko, by the way. :)

Sorry to see that you had to have surgery but glad it was an easy fix and that you are recovering!

I hope you are continuing to heal!

I've joined the highly exclusive knee brace fashion club with a torn medial ligament. I'll have an MRI this Friday to determine if anything else tore and if I need surgery.

Yay for Pachinko! I don't understand the mixed reviews either. It worked well for me.

I hope our favorite invalid is healing up and feeling reasonably good.

Hello, Kim! I, too, hope you're continuing to heal and doing well.

Stopping by to send healing thoughts!

*sigh*
Berly loves us not any more.
*teardrop*
She can't be arsed to come and say boo.
*sniff*

Glad to hear that your surgery went well!

Kim, I hope that you continue to recuperate well from your knee surgery. Isn't it amazing how the days fly by when recuperating?

If I were home recuperating, I'd be watching a lot of Women's World Cup soccer. and bundling up. It's been incredibly chilly all spring and even into summer. 60s are certainly pleasant but, besides a day or two, we haven't had any warm weather to speak of. No AC use whatsoever and, in fact, we've had to use the heat, even within the past couple of days.

I hope your recovery continues! Sorry I misused the first bits, but glad you had the tennis and the tv to keep you company. What a bummer that the pain meds make reading difficult- all that time, and no productive reading! Hmph ;)

Hope you are doing ok!!

Hi Kim my dear, hope the recovery is going well and you are being a good girl and getting lots of reading done. Hope that you and the family have a really good weekend and send love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

>159 Berly: Wow, this is serious. I love the images and I hope your month of June has been one of excellent recovery. I'm seeing my doc tomorrow to inquire about my right knee and right heel. I doubt there is any treatment in my near future but the right knee "buckles" now and then..... and the right heel just hurts. I know it's a combo of PF and a bone spur from so many years of tight fascia, but maybe she will have a suggestion.

xo

Hello Everyone!! Well, so much for June. I think I missed most of it here. Oops!

I wound up getting sick for another reason just days after the surgery, so I was totally out of the running. And then I recovered just in time to get back to work -- we have three new interns this summer! And I also had a friend come visit from NY for a few days. She left Saturday and I just slept yesterday away. ZZzzzzzzzz.

Headed in for PT tomorrow and that has been going pretty well. Still not allowed any big impact like running, but I can start walking and rowing (lightly). Flexibility is really good.

Reading has been meh. I was trying to listen to Circe on audio; I liked the story but the narrator is too hard to concentrate on (I kept falling asleep), so I just ordered the Kindle print version. Just finished Inheriting Edith and it was okay, an easy read which was just the ticket for me lately. Hopefully I am up for something more memorable now. And in print, I just started Divide Me By Zero.

I'll try and catch up with each of you on your own threads. This may take me a bit!!!

xoxo

She's back! Yay!

Sorry about the sickness after the surgery. Glad the PT is progressing.

Sounds like you'll be very glad to see June slip away, Kim. I hope your reading improves along with your flexibility and strength. Take your time catching up, we'll all be here.

Glad you're feeling better Kim but don't over-do yourself sick again!

I hope that this week is a more restful one for you, Kim!

^^^What >201 RebaRelishesReading: said...no overdoing! *smooch*

I hope you are on the mend, Twin. Take care of yourself. Glad the knee is improving, anyway.

Glad you are back and mending. I have a doctor's appointment on Friday to talk about my gimpy leg and am suspecting knee or hip surgery at some point.

I am off to the dentist this morning. Repair work on a chipped crown. I am not enjoying June. >: (

I'll be back this afternoon for some much needed LT time. : )

Woo, tough June, Kim. Sorry you got unrelatedly sick after surgery (adding insult to injury), and now you’ve got the dentist. Here’s to a joyful, healthy July!

At one point I got told, no more running (new hip). That was not great, but considering the pain that went away, it was a small price to pay. We just do a lot of walking and work out in other ways.

I am reading Good Omens - hilarious - so I can watch the Amazon Prime series, also written by Gaiman. David Tennant is Crowley - the first episode was also hilarious. I want to finish the book before I watch more.

>207 jnwelch: So, I can barely open my mouth after 4 hours at the dentist. And I still can't feel my nose or upper lip. So done with June!! : P But it's over until I go back in 3 weeks. Phew!!

Glad the not-running has helped out your hip. So far, I've been told I should be able to return to my normal activities. Hoping to finish PT by end of July and then get back to TKD classes. My flexibility seems to be really good. Just need to work on the strength.

>208 BLBera: I loved Good Omens, so now I have to look for it on Amazon. Can't wait!! : )

I think you'll like it.

Any news on a Minn. trip?

Good to see you back, Kim. June is just about over and I'm sure you'll be glad to see the end of it!

Glad to see you back, Kim!
With all the troubles this month, I hope for a continued progress in July.

I'm so glad you're back! And so sorry June has been so lousy.

I have a copy of Good Omens. Maybe I'll read that in July, along with my other planned reads.

Oh no about the dentist - I feel your pain- after a recent visit my mouth has only just about settled down again. Wishing you an event free July.

Hi Kim!

I hope your July is better than your June. Dentist on top of everything else, insult to injury. :(

>210 BLBera: MN Trip--Aiming for mid-September...still not pinned down yet. When I feel a little more recovered I'll get back to planning this.

>211 Familyhistorian: Happy to be back and CAN NOT WAIT for July and a new start.

>212 FAMeulstee: Had a great visit with my PT today. 100% of flexibility back. Working on strengthening now. Still not up for running, but she said I could start to do my TKD forms (Slowly and no jumping) and let her know if any particular angles or moves twinge and then we can work on them next visit. Hurray!!

>213 EBT1002: I think you will enjoy Good Omens--so much fun. I, on the other hand, am not going to plan anything for reading at this point. I need to read spur-of-the-moment. : )

Just finished Circe, which I loved! I think I am not alone in that assessment, either.

>214 charl08: My mouth has finally stopped hurting and I felt like I could chew today. Happiness!! Although not eating was definitely helping my weight loss goal. Ha!

>215 karenmarie: I know, right?! Horrible month. Ugh. But things are looking up and I am exited for the weekend. : )

Happy Friday, Kim! I am back from my whirlwind trip out east and now enjoying a few more days off at home. No complaints, here. Hooray for Circe. I liked that one too.

I am also reading Circe right now, Twin. Great minds, Twin minds... I am loving it.

Can't wait for your Minn. adventure - it must include a meet up with the Twin, right?

Take care of yourself.

Wow, sounds like June has been quite the busy recovery month for you, Berly. Here is hoping that July will be smooth sailing!

>218 msf59: Hurray for whirlwind adventures!! And some days to recover, too.

Circe was definitely fun. The most vulnerable, "human" god ever.

>219 BLBera: My MN trip (when I get it together) will definitely include seeing my Twin. : )

>220 lkernagh: Thank you for that wish--I second it!!

>221 Berly: OK - I'm happy.

Have a great weekend. Take care of yourself.

>221 Berly: : )

I am so done with June. Come play with me on the next thread.