scaifea's 2019 Thread #11

From A Monster Calls, which I'll likely start in the next couple of days.

Hey, everybody!

From the Introductions Thread:
I'm Amber, a one-time Classics professor turned stay-at-home parent/lady of leisure. I spend my time sewing, writing, knitting, baking, and, of course, reading. Oh, and I run an Etsy shop and I'm co-writing a Latin textbook with a former colleague. So I keep busy.

My reading life is happily governed by lists, which means that I read a healthy variety of things across various genres.

I'm 43 going on 12 and live in Ohio with my husband, Tomm; our 10-year-old son, Charlie; and our two dogs, Tuppence the Border Collie and Mario the Golden Retriever.



Favorite Books from 2018
The Hate U Give
We Are Okay
Revenge
Uprooted
Doc
Trigger Warning
Sacre Bleu
The Sleeper and the Spindle
You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)
84 Charing Cross Road
In a Sunburned Country
Becoming

The five-ish or so books I have going at once and the On Deck books nearly all come from the following categories and lists:

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The Newbery Honor books
c. Cooperative Children's Book Center list

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker (and other) lists (combined, in chronological order)

6. For this category, I cycle through 9 different stacks:
a. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
b. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Maggie Stiefvater's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

7. An unread book from my shelves.

8. A book from my Read Soon! shelves.

9. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

10. Book-a-year challenge: Three years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've since been trying to fill in the gap years.

11. A book from the couple of series that I'm reading together with my mom.

12. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

13. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book (or two).

14. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

15. A Discworld book (so many of these are coming up soon on various lists, so I'm just diving into it)

16. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

What I'm Reading Now:
-Lincoln (U.S. Presidential Challenge)
-A Heart in a Body in the World (Printz Honor Book)
-Thud! (Discworld series)
-Children of Blood and Bone (audiobook)
-Inkheart (Charlie's bedtime book)
-The Wise Man's Fear (Read Soon! Shelves)
-His Majesty's Dragon (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list)
-The Master and Margarita (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list)

Books on Deck:
-Angels and Visitations (Gaiman bibliography)
-(an unread book from my shelves)
-The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six Others (from my Read Soon! Shelves)
-Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism (Buddhist reading list)
-Uncle Silas (Books by Year, 1864)
-Read It and Weep (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare re-read)
-Peyton Place (Banned Books)
-The House on the Borderland (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books)

Books Read

JANUARY
1. The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric (Read Soon! Shelves) - 7/10 = C
2. Viking's Dawn (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
3. Journey Outside (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
4. Leader by Destiny (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C-
5. Eugenie Grandet (audiobook) - 8/10 = B
6. The Man Who Was Thursday (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 8/10 = B+
7. The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
8. Bhimsa the Dancing Bear (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
9. Carpe Jugulum (Discworld) - 8/10 = B
10. All the Crooked Saints (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A
11. Boy with a Pack (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
12. The Robber Hotzenplotz (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
13. The Wonderful Year (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C
14. Treasure of Green Knowe (Charlie's bedtime book) - 9/10 = A
15. If on a Winter's Night a Traveler (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 8/10 = B+

FEBRUARY
16. The Night Diary (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
17. The Poet X (Printz Award) - 9/10 = A
18. The Puppy Place: Cody (Charlie's bedtime read-aloud) - 8/10 = B
19. Next of Kin (Boyne bibliography) - 10/10 = A+
20. Darius the Great Is Not Okay (Morris Award) - 8/10 = B
21. The Fifth Elephant (Discworld) - 8/10 = B
22. The Knife of Never Letting Go (recommended by my BF) - 8/10 = B-
23. The Book of Boy (Newbery Honor Book) - 10/10 = A+
24. Wish (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B
25. Crime and Punishment (Books by Year, 1866) - 8/10 = B+
26. Merci Suárez Changes Gears (Newbery Medal Winner) - 8/10 = B+
27. What the Night Sings (Morris Award) - 9/10 = A-
28. Big Tree (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B

MARCH
29. Storm Front (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10 = C
30. Young Mac of Fort Vancouver (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
31. This Is Water (Read Soon! Shelves) - 10/10 = A+
32. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+
33. The Battle of Bubble and Squeak (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
34. Nicholas Nickleby (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
35. The Two Princesses of Bamarre (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A
36. A Study in Emerald (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
37. Howl's Moving Castle (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
38. The Collectors (Schneider Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
39. Unstoppable (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B
40. Gold Dust (1001 Children's Books, audiobook) - 7/10 = C-
41. George Washington's World (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
42. The Heavenly Tenants (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
43. The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare Re-read) - 9/10 = A-
44. The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle (Schneider Award) - 8/10 = B+
45. The Truth (Discworld) - 8/10 = B-
46. The Swerve (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A-
47. A String in the Harp (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
48. Knight's Fee (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
49. Lolita (Banned Books) - 9/10 = A
50. Pancakes-Paris (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+

APRIL
51. New and Selected Poems by Mary Oliver (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B
52. The Firefly's Lovers and Other Fairy Tales of Old Japan (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
53. The Book of Three (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A-
54. A Visit from the Good Squad (Pulitzer Prize)
55. The Well of the Unicorn (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 6/10 = D
56. The Seeing Stone (1001 Children's Books, audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
57. Down Ryton Water (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
58. Thief of Time (Discworld series) - 9/10 = A-
59. The Puppy Place: Bear (Charlie's bedtime read-aloud selection) - 8/10 = B
60. The School at the Chalet (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
61. How the Whale Became (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
62. The Mysterious Benedict Society (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B
63. Ghosts of Greenglass House (Read Soon! Shelves) - 10/10 = A+
64. Noughts and Crosses (1001 Children's Books, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
65. Anger Is a Gift (Schneider Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
66. The Winged Watchman (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
67. The Last Hero (Discworld) - 8/10 = B
68. Witch Child (1001 Children's Books, audiobook) - 9/10 = A
69. Have You Seen Tom Thumb? (Newbery Honor Books) - 6/10 = C

MAY
70. Uncle (1001 Children's Books) - 6/10 = D
71. The Jazz Man (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C
72. When Breath Becomes Air (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A
73. My Friend Mr. Leakey (1001 Children's Books) - 6/10 = D
74. The Witches of Worm (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10= B-
75. Ficciones (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books list) - 10/10 = A+
76. Dogsong (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
77. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (Discworld) - 8/10 = B+
78. Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World (Stonewall Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
79. Smile (the book that Charlie let me borrow as a Mother's Day present) - 9/10 = A
80. Song of the Pines (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
81. On My Honor (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
82. Night Watch (Discworld series) - 10/10 = A+
83. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
84. Elidor (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
85. The Left-Handed Fate (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B+
86. The Lover's Dictionary (Read Soon! Shelves) - 7/10 = C+
87. Good Omens (reread before the show is released) - 9/10 = A
88. A Dog So Small (1001 Children's Books, audiobook) - 6/10 = D
89. Picture Us in the Light (Stonewall Honor Book) - 9/10 = A

JUNE
90. News of the World (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A
91. Afternoon of the Elves (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 9/10 = A-
92. The Wee Free Men (Discworld) - 9/10 = A-
93. You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack (picked up at the library today) - 8/10 = B+
94. The Winter Room (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B
95. A Traveller in Time (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
96. The Weathermonger (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 9/10 = A-
97. The Name of the Wind (Read Soon! Shelves) - 10/10 = A+
98. Mountain Born (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
99. Ash Road (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
100. The Ghost in the Mirror (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
101. Onibi: Diary of a Yokai Ghost Hunter (library impulse check-out) - 8/10 = B+
102. Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights (Read Soon! Shelves) - 7/10 = C
103. What Hearts (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
104. The Puppy Place: Lucky (Charlie's read-aloud at bedtime) - 7/10 = C+
105. Hurricane Child (Stonewall Award) - 8/10 = B-
106. Maisie Dobbs (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A
107. Magic Maize (Newbery Honor Book) - 6/10 = D
108. Doraemon (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
109. Going Solo (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B+
110. Monstrous Regiment (Discworld) - 9/10 = A
111. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
112. Lament (Stiefvater bibliography) - 9/10 = A
113. The Silver Pencil (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C

JULY
114. I'm a Stranger Here Myself (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B
115. Feathers (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A-
116. The Swish of the Curtain (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
117. Odd and the Frost Giants (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
118. Blood Water Paint (Morris Award Finalist) - 9/10 = A
119. A Fire Upon the Deep (Hugo Award) - 7/10 = C
120. A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld series) - 9/10 = A
121. Men, Microscopes, and Living Things (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
122. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
123. Charlotte Sometimes (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
124. Hurrah for St. Trinian's (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
125. Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B+
126. Ruby Holler (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B-
127. The Moved-Outers (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
128. A Monster Calls (Read Soon! Shelves) - 10/10 = A+
129. Damsel (Printz Honor Book) - 7/10 = C
130. Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey (Morris Award Finalist) - 10/10 = A+
131. Naked Lunch (Banned Books list) - 6/10 = D

AUGUST
132. Going Postal (Discworld series) - 8/10 = B+
133. The Ghost of Thomas Kemp (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
134. Naturally Tan (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A-
135. America Is Born (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
136. The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A

Charlie and his best friend, Miles (from our recent trip to Cleveland):



And The Gals:

126. Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech (Read Soon! Shelves, 310 pages) - 8/10 = B-
Dallas and Florida - the Trouble Twins, as the couple who run the orphanage call them - are taken in by an older couple, who want young companions on the canoe and bird-watching trips they're planning. The twins are slow to trust adults, since they've been placed in several homes with people who have mistreated and exploited them and then sent them back to the orphanage, where they don't fare much better. But Tiller and Sairy (the older couple with whom they are now staying) are kind and loving and patient, and they live in Ruby Holler, a utopia of woods and streams and wilderness, and between the people and the setting, the kiddos learn to trust and love.
I normally really enjoy Creech's books, but this one was a little too much: the kids were a little too exasperating, the mean adults a little too cardboardy-mean, the good adults a little too quirky in their niceness, and the ending a little too pat. Still, the story itself is interesting enough to have kept me engaged and helped me look past the saccharine parts.

127. The Moved-Outers by Florence Crannell Means (Newbery Honor Book, 147 pages) - 8/10 = B-
Follows the story of a Japanese-American family who are forced to move into a detention camp during WWII.
Not a terrible treatment of the subject, but the insistent patriotism of the main characters, despite all they go through, is a little grating and rings a little false.

Happy new thread! Am I first?

>8 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! And yes, you're first!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Amber my dear.

>10 foggidawn: >11 johnsimpson: Thanks, folks!

Happy new thread, Amber!
Enjoy A Monster Calls, I thought it was a very good book.

>5 scaifea: Nice picture of Charlie and Miles, both have an intriguing print on the blue T-shirt...

>13 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

I've been looking forward to reading A Monster Calls for a long while now; so many people here loved it.

I thought it was funny that they both wore blue shirts that day. Charlie's is from one of his favorite books, Wonder.

Happy new thread!

>14 scaifea: Ah, I see it is the cover. If it is a Charlie favorite, I might like it. I have put Wonder on my library wish list.

Happy new thread, despite two deeply ~meh~ reads to start us off. The Moved-Outers got up my nose from the instant I read your description.

>15 figsfromthistle: Thanks!

>16 FAMeulstee: Anita: Oh, I think you'll absolutely love it!

>17 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! I think it may have been fairly progressive for 1946, but yeah, not now.

Happy new thread, Amber!

Happy new thread!

>19 kidzdoc: >20 Familyhistorian: Thanks!

Today's agenda:
Charlie has been participating in several different summer reading challenges, including ones at Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books. Today we'll probably go cash in his reading list for his free books at one or the other of those places and then do a little shopping, of course.

On the reading front:
I started two yesterday: The Wise Man's Fear and Damsel.

Happy New Thread, Amber! And hooray for A Monster Calls. It is such a great read. There is an excellent film adaptation too, if you can track it down.

>23 msf59: Morning, Mark! I'm really excited about A Monster Calls - I've heard so many good things about it.

Morning, Amber! Happy New Thread!

I was excited to see you're reading A Monster Calls, too. A favorite of Debbi and mine. That illustration brings so much back.

>25 jnwelch: Hi, Joe!

I'll probably start it this afternoon - I'm really excited!

Thank you, thank you, Amber. A thread I can cope with.

Just wondering, have you read The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman? I stumbled upon it at a library sale on Saturday and read it lickety-split. A good tale Gaiman created to be read at an event in Australia. Eddie Campbell created drawings to be displayed during the reading. After the fact, Campbell generated more drawings and the story was published as a book.

Yeah, and I expect you'll say you read it long ago.

>27 weird_O: Hey, Bill!

Yup, I've read it and absolutely love it.

Happy new thread. Great photo of Miles and Charlies :)

>29 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba!

Happy new thread, Amber!

So did you and Charlie come home with some shiny new books?

Happy new thread, Amber.

>31 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

Charlie got $10 in store vouchers for his completed reading challenge sheets, so he bought the next two Diary of a Wimpy Kid books that he needed (he loves that series). I managed to get out of there without buying any books (!), but I did get a cool new bookmark with this image on it:



>32 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul!

Today's agenda:
Not much, really. Charlie has his last summer ballet class this evening, and we may walk up to the library again (I have holds waiting since just after Monday's trip), but otherwise we're just staying home today. I'm going to try to get some quality sewing time in this afternoon, I think, and some reading, of course.

On the reading front:
I started A Monster Calls and plowed through half of it before needing to force myself to put it down so I could make dinner. Wowza, you warblers were not joking - it's excellent! I also got a few pages read in Damsel, although not too many. It's a good story so far, but I've been really sleepy at bedtime lately and haven't had the stamina to keep turning the pages.

Happy new thread, Amber! Love the new bookmark, and hope A Monster Calls hits the spot for you as you read the second half. I - I guess enjoyed is the wrong word - his Chaos Walking trilogy, but it's violent enough I'm not sure I'd ever reread it. I think he does a good job exploring tough topics, so A Monster Calls is on my list to read someday.

>35 bell7: Thanks, Mary! I love that bookmark, too.

So far A Monster Calls isn't violent, but I have a feeling it will end up being a gut-puncher in that second half. I've not read the Chaos Walking books but I've heard really good things about them, so I'll probably give them a go at some point.

Morning, Amber.

Great to hear that A Monster Calls is grabbing you like that. Same with us.

>37 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!

I have a soft spot for books that have stories within stories, and this is a great one.

>36 scaifea: The Chaos Walking books would be a big nope for you, Amber. I can tell you why if you want, but knowing certain things about your reading tastes, I would not recommend them to you.

>39 foggidawn:, >36 scaifea: Was just going to say the same thing.

>39 foggidawn: Oooh, okay I need to know why now. PM or spoiler shield, STAT!

>40 lycomayflower: Laura: I love it when my friends look out for me! *heart*

I just heard Charlie shout in his room, "WHAT?!?!?," then he raced down the stairs to tell me that he finished the book he was reading and it landed on a *huge* twist and cliffhanger and now he has to wait for the next in the series to be published. Welcome to the world of good series reading, kid.

Also, in case you missed it, I love that boy tons.

ETA: This particular series he's reading is Hilo (The Boy Who Crashed to Earth is the first in the series - I can't get a touchstone to word for the series title).

>41 scaifea: I noped out, so maybe Foggi has more to add, but bad things happen to the dog.

>42 scaifea: Lol. Poor Charlie. I hate it when that happens!

>33 scaifea: Excellent bookmark!

>42 scaifea: I always considered myself lucky that I didn't get into Harry Potter until all the books were out so I didn't have to do any waiting between books. Wishing Charlie a quick publication date!

>43 lycomayflower: Laura: Oh, yeah, that's a big NOPE for me, so I don't really need any more info.

And yeah, he's learning the hardships of book nerd life.

>44 MickyFine: Micky: Isn't it a cool bookmark? I knew I needed it when I saw it.

I don't mind waiting on the next book in a series if the author is reliably consistent. I'm nervous about Ruthfuss, though...

>42 scaifea: I so feel his pain. The world's a cruel, cruel place.

Happy Hump Day, Amber.

>42 scaifea: What Richard said.

Love the bookmark, too. I had one or two (very bashed up) in this kind of style - one I remember had a fun bookplate in the front 'awarded to x for a y subject prize'. Not sure what happened to that one, though (probably buried under a pile of books).

>46 richardderus: Richard: Well, he had to lose his bookish innocence at some point, eh?

>47 charl08: Charlotte: Oooh, I like the idea of a bookplate like it!

>43 lycomayflower: Exactly. Nope, nope, nope.

It's funny, my instincts were the same for the Chaos Walking series and you, although I didn't think of the reason Laura gave (and should have). I also don't think it's your cuppa generally; hard to articulate why.

>49 foggidawn: So good to know - thanks to you both! (Now, if I can just remember that long enough to know not to read it when it comes up on one of my lists...)

>50 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. Honestly, it's so touching to know that I've got reading friends looking out for me. I love this place, just so much.

>51 scaifea: I was about to say the same about Chaos Walking, I did read the first book. I could handle the part you wouldn't, but otherwise is wasn't my taste either, very depressing read.

>52 FAMeulstee: Ooof, thanks, Anita. I'm not much for depressing reads, either, unless they're very, *very* well-written.

Today's agenda:
It's Thursday, which means it's Library Adventure Day for Charlie and me! We'll visit a new-to-us library branch in one of the two systems in which he have cards, pack a picnic lunch and find a park , and finish it off with a trip to the nearest ice cream shop. Then this afternoon I need to do the menu planning for next week and get my grocery list prepped for tomorrow's shopping.

On the reading front:
I started Going Postal yesterday, and also read a bit more of Damsel.

" Wowza, you warblers were not joking..." That is all I need to hear. Smirks, triumphantly.

Morning, Amber! Sweet Thursday. I am enjoying the day off. Have you started Wise Man's Fear?

>55 msf59: Morning, Mark! Are you ever wrong with your warbling, though? Triumphant smirk duly deserved.

Yay for a Thursday off! Too bad your a little too far away to join Charlie and me for our Library Adventure...

I have started Wise Man's Fear and will probably read more today. I'm trying so hard to read the series slowly because the third one is so far from being published, but once I start reading it just whizzes by!

So, this is kind of cool, if you're into absolute consumerism, I guess: this is close to where we live and is where we do most of our shopping, and where we go to the movies and such. Essentially, we're there for some reason or other pretty much every week:

https://www.chainstoreage.com/real-estate/top-10-retail-center-experiences-no-1-...

Library Adventure Day Report:



We checked out the Hebron branch of the Licking County Library, which was small but sweet, and the librarian was amazing, of course. When I asked her for picnic-worthy park recommendations, she suggested the Dawes Arboretum. There’s an admission fee, but the library has membership cards for patrons to check out! What a cool idea!! So, we found a neat new library and had a wonderful picnic in the gorgeous Japanese Garden area of the arboretum. And then we found a local Dari-Twist place with *amazing* ice cream! Library Adventure Success!!

>58 scaifea: That sounds like an excellent day, and the Arboretum membership being checkable-outable is The Bomb.

Hope the rest of the day is just as fun.

>59 richardderus: Richard: Isn't that such a wonderful idea, to be able to check out free passes to parks and such? Brilliant.

I've just sat through an episode of Supernatural while honest-to-goodness sobbing, so yeah, still a good day. Those Winchester boys...

>58 scaifea: I said this on Facebook as well, but the Japanese Garden at Dawes is one of my favorite places. Lots of happy memories there.

>61 foggidawn: It's beautiful! Very...outdoorsy...which generally isn't my thing, and believe me when I say I had an eagle eye out for potential snakes, ready to grab Charlie's hand and run screaming in the other direction, but the weather is gorgeous today and it was a lovely spot for a picnic. And, snake free! Result!!

>62 scaifea: I never saw a snake there, and I walked pretty much all of the trails at some point. I think it gets too much foot traffic, especially in the busier areas (like the Japanese Garden, the lake, etc.). After all, snakes are generally more scared of you than you are of them! Glad you had a snake-free experience.

>57 scaifea: It's a great place to buy a warm coat when it's Family Weekend, the weather has inevitably just turned cold, and a certain student announces they do not have adequate cold-weather gear.

Or at least, that was my introduction to Easton.

A lot of California libraries participate in Discover and Go, which is free or low-cost passes to museums in the area. I've never used it, but I look at it regularly...hmmm, yeah, there's some places I go to and some I've wanted to go. Maybe I will!

Sweet Thursday, Amber!

Your library adventure day sounds so great. I wish I'd had those when I was a kid, or that we'd thought of that with our kids. Such a good idea. Thank you for raising another reader. The more, the better!

>58 scaifea: Glad to hear you had an awesome adventure day, Amber. I'm not big on the outdoors either but a good garden every once in a while is loverly.

I see others have already wisely dissuaded you from reading the Chaos Walking series. One of the reasons I won't reread it.

Glad to hear you had a great library adventure day and got to see a new park to boot.

Going Postal I remember as fairly fun. I've dipped in and out of Discworld very much at random and really should go back and read the ones I missed. Hope you continue to enjoy Wise Man's Fear too. I devoured it when it came out and have had a long wait...but the good news is, by the time the next book comes out I reread the first two again, I'll have forgotten a lot and get to enjoy rediscovering the story.

>63 foggidawn: Oh, but you just know there are snakes in there somewhere, and I'll bet money I don't have that I am, in fact, more afraid of them than they are of me.

>64 lauralkeet: Laura: Ha! Yes, that happens frequently in the fall at Kenyon, as I recall.

>65 jjmcgaffey: Jennifer: You should! It's such a fantastic idea.

>66 jnwelch: Aw, thanks, Joe! Charlie and I have such a fun time on our Adventures, and I love him for still loving them with me.

>67 MickyFine: I do love a good Japanese garden, and so does Charlie, apparently. When we saw on the map that there was one, he got *so* excited.

>68 bell7: Mary: I'm such a dummy: I've just realized that I *have* read the first book of that series (I just didn't remember the name of the series). And guess what? I didn't like the things you all knew I wouldn't like! Here's my review from February of this year:

"Welp, this is definitely a page-turner and at first I thought I was going to love it absolutely. But then two things kept that love from happening:
1) After a while the whole thing started to seem like a very long episode of The Perils of Penelope; the main characters just keep falling from one urgent danger right into another and eventually it was just exhausting.
2) The dog. Oh, the dog. The best character of the book by far, he's treated so miserably through the whole thing until the ultimate Bad Thing happens and I nearly through the book across the actual room. Just, NOPE.

So I almost didn't even finish it, but then curiosity about how it ended won out over my despair about Manchee. I won't be continuing with the series, though."

I've been reading the Discworld books in order from the beginning, and it took a few entries before I decided that I really did like them, but now I think it's safe to say that I love 'em. And The Wise Man's Fear is excellent, of course. I don't want to invest in a reread, though, before that last one comes out, which is why I'm trying to stall for time. *sigh*

Today's agenda:
Grocery shopping this morning, then some cleaning, the weekly bill sorting, and then hopefully some afternoon reading time. I may act as sous chef again for Charlie, if he decides to make cupcakes.

On the reading front:
I finished A Monster Calls yesterday; mini-review to come at some point today, hopefully, but I will say here, WHOA. So. Good. And So. Many. Tears. I joked with Charlie last night that I needed to rehydrate after watching a particularly emotional episode of Supernatural yesterday afternoon, then finishing this book, and then watching Queer Eye with him in the evening! I think today I'll spend some time with Kvothe and The Wise Man's Fear...

Happy Friday, Amber.

Isn't A Monster Calls a knockout? I think our ventilation system was wonky, and even I got some tears while reading it. Your BFF and Madame MBH have been loving the new Queer Eye season, and shedding a lot of happy tears as they watch. Becca wants to meet the Fab Five.

>71 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I can't imagine *not* crying at that book. I mean, really.

Those Queer Eye boys are an absolute delight, and Charlie and I both want to meet them, too. Charlie completely idolizes Jonathan; I just want to give them all big hugs. I love watching the show with Charlie, because we frequently pause it to chat about what one of them has just said. It has sparked so many great conversations with him about kindness and acceptance and other important issues. Love it.

>72 scaifea: Apparently Queer Eye is currently filming in Philadelphia. I haven't seen them yet, but a nearby LGBTQ-owned bakery/cafe is featuring drinks named after the hosts in hopes that will lure them into a visit.

>73 lauralkeet: Laura: Philadelphia? Huh. That's a difference MO, then; I thought they were focusing on filming in traditionally, um, traditional areas (conservative south)... At any rate, that's cool! I'm slightly jealous that you have better chance than I currently do to run into them.

128. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Read Soon! Shelves, 225 pages) - 10/10 = A+
Absolutely stunning, this one. The writing is excellent and the story is devastatingly good. Warning: you'll need tissues. Lots of tissues. A boy, whose mother is dying with cancer, is visited by a monster at night. The monster tells the boy three stories and in return demands that the boy tells his own truth in the form of the fourth story. The line between reality and what's happening in the boy's head - and the line between boy and monster - blurs throughout, and the boy's truth is where those tissues will come in handy.

>75 scaifea: I know I should read that one, but the necessity for entire boxes of tissues has always kept me putting it off until some day when I'm in the optimal state of mental health to handle it.

>76 foggidawn: I get that. But at least no dogs are hurt in this one! Ha!

>58 scaifea: What a lovely day you had. The Arboretum looks beautiful and a perfect spot for a picnic.

>78 RebaRelishesReading: Reba: It *was* a lovely day!

>69 scaifea: Okay, so... I actually remember thinking, "Huh, I thought she read the first one and there was (the spoiler major dealbreaker)." And decided I was wrong, it must've been someone else. Nice to know I'm not totally losing it hahaha. I'm glad A Monster Calls was a good one for you. I need to be in the right frame of mind to read sad things, so one of these days I might get to it. Discworld is one of the few series I have absolutely no trouble reading at random, but I really do need to go back and fill in the gaps (including the first three books). The Patrick Rothfuss books are absolutely going to have to be a reread for me at this point, since I finished Wise Man's Fear in 2011. So...good luck, and I hope he writes fast! You do have The Slow Regard of Silent Things to tide you over some too.

Anyway! Hope you have a great weekend and have some good reading ahead.

>80 bell7: Morning, Mary! Yeah, I just didn't remember that there was a name to the series - I think I would have remembered the name of the actual first book (maybe).

And yep, I have Slow Regard on my shelves waiting for me.

Today's agenda:
Charlie's cousins are having a birthday party at a roller skating rink, so that's where we're headed today. The challenge for me will be resisting the urge to find a corner to sit and read my book instead of socializing with the in-laws (Tomm's still out of town, so I have to go this one alone)...

On the reading front:
I started Naked Lunch yesterday. It's not as incomprehensible as I've been told it would be, and although I'm sure it won't ever be on any Top Favorite lists for me, I'm happy to be reading it to see where the influence for so many other writers whom I do enjoy came.

Yesterday Charlie made Very Vanilla Cupcakes, and I'm here to report that they are *fantastic*! I'm having one for breakfast, even:



He even did the piping, which is pretty impressive, I think:

>83 scaifea: Breakfast cupcakes sound like heaven. *drool*

>82 scaifea: Ooooh. Naked Lunch! I started that and before I got to page 100, I couldn't comprehend it. It still calls to me, but I doubt that I've advance sufficiently to be able to comprehend it. Good luck.

I did come across a copy of Junky, which Burroughs wrote. It's pretty short and I got it because maybe it would help me prep for a retry of Naked Lunch.

Cupcakes. Mmmmmmm, goood.

>84 richardderus: Richard: I know, right!?

>85 weird_O: Bill: I’m not finding it too incomprehensible, but then again, I’ve read Hunter Thompson’s entire bibliography, so that’s likely set me up well for this. Being a member of the HST fandom is partly why I wanted to read this one.

>83 scaifea: Very impressive looking cupcakes! Did you take them to the party? The cousin's mom will be at the skating party so the in-law socializing shouldn't be as hard, or do I have that wrong?

>83 scaifea: Yum!

>87 Familyhistorian: Meg: We didn't take them to the party since it was a birthday party and they were having birthday cake. And yeah, you kinda had it wrong:

Tomm's brother's wife isn't the problem, I like her just fine; the actual in-laws (MIL & FIL) were there, and they don't skate. And it was bad. Charlie tried skating round once, decided he *really* didn't like it and would rather just sit and watch the others. MIL then started honest-to-goodness bullying him about not skating ("It's a skating party, Charlie, why aren't you SKATING?" and such like) until he started crying (?!), so I had to tell her to Back. Off. That went over like a lead balloon and she spent the rest of the party actively pissed off at both Charlie and me. So yeah, total shitstorm, as usual with her. Gah.

>88 kidzdoc: Darryl: They were definitely YUM!

Today's agenda:
NOTHING. A day of nothing but sitting, reading, napping, and nothing else in particular. Charlie and I have earned it after yesterday's disaster. He's spending the day reading and video gaming, so I'll likely be playing some MarioKart with him later, too.

On the reading front:
I read a bit of the Lincoln biography and a bit of Damsel; I'm hoping to get a good chunk of the latter finished today.

>89 scaifea: Yikes!! She sounds awful. Lucky Charlie has great parents like you to shore him up but a grandmother like that...wow!!

Hey Amber,Have I said Happy new thread? I don't think so, so happy 11th! Cudoos to baker Charlie for some awesome looking cupcakes.

>89 scaifea: Ugh! So sorry Charlie (and you) had to deal with that. I never liked skating, either.

>91 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba. Yeah, she's not a nice person.

>92 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

>93 foggidawn: Thanks for that. I used to love roller skating and went to the local rink every weekend when I was a kid, but that doesn't mean that I think Charlie has to like it. I mean, honestly.

What I used to call the Fun Fascists. "This is a party to do X so DO THAT AND ONLY THAT!"

Makes you want to rush right over to their next party, doesn't it. ::eyeroll::

{{{Charlie}}}

Happy Sunday, Amber.

Those Charlie cupcakes look delish.

A nothing day! That's my favorite kind of day. We had a something morning - all good, including breakfast out and wandering a fun street that includes an excellent bookstore - and now we're settling in for a nothing afternoon. (Debbi got me Don't Read Poetry as a treat; I've had my eye on it for a while now).

>95 richardderus: Richard: Exactly. And thanks for the Charlie hugs - I'll pass them along.

>96 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! The cupcakes are pretty amazing. And I like the sound of your morning!

89> I probably would have said something like "So why aren't YOU skating?". Or at least thought about saying it... What a nasty situation.

>98 jjmcgaffey: Yup, nasty. Which is usually what it is when she's around. *sigh*

Today's agenda:
Charlie and I will visit our two regular libraries today, and then I'm planning on spending the afternoon in my sewing space.

On the reading front:
I finished two books yesterday (mini-reviews to come) and started Naturally Tan, which is great so far.

Morning, Amber! I hope you had a nice weekend. I sure did. A bit too much celebrating. Enjoy your day.

Re: MIL. You'd think making her grandson cry would upset her and make her consider her behavior. But no. It's so sad, she's really missing out on a relationship with her grandson. I'm familiar with the personality type you're dealing with there, Amber, and I know she's not likely to change, EVER. It's painful and I'm sorry you and Charlie have to deal with that.

Now: onwards. Have a wonderful day! Enjoy your library visits and sewing.

>101 msf59: Morning, Mark. Part of is was good and part not so much. Glad you had a good one!

>102 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Yeah, she's not going to change. It's a bit easier now that Charlie's a little older and he and I can talk through her behavior. Within the first five minutes of our drive home I had him laughing about the whole thing, and I know he knows he can trust me to have his back, always, with her and with anything else. I'm grateful that he has a pair of *amazing* grandparents in my mom and dad to make up for it, too.

129. Damsel by Elana K. Arnold (Printz Honor Book, 309 pages) - 7/10 = C
For Prince Emory to become king, he must travel to a far land, defeat a dragon, rescue a damsel, and bring her back to his kingdom to be his queen. This is how generations of kings have become rulers in the kingdom of Harding. But when Emory rescues Ama, who doesn't remember anything at all before then, Ama begins to question her past, her role in the tradition, and Emory's true motivation for slaying the dragon.
The story is a clever one - I love a good rule-breaking, I-don't-want-to-be-a-princess princess - but the execution felt off. I'm generally not at all a prude about sex in books, but the encounters in this one seemed unnecessarily, um, something. Not graphic, really, but just, well, crude? Maybe just unnecessary. I will say that the author does a good job of making the reader really uncomfortable for the damsel, and she achieves this mostly through making Emory an absolute tool and in a very realistic way. I think the not-really-graphic-but-something's-off-about-it sex bits are a part of that, and they work in that way, sort of, but I think I still could have done without them. I'm fixating on this, aren't I? Apologies. One more thing that bothered me: the ending was too abrupt and oddly violent (oddly in the sense that the character who commits the troubling violence doesn't seem the type to do so at all right up until it happens, and so I was jarred out of the narrative because of it). I think the main issue, for me, was that Arnold is trying to go dark with this one, but approaches it in the wrong way, so instead of profound and intense, she ends up with troubling and ew.

130. Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu (Morris Award Finalist, graphic novel) - 10/10 = A+
A college freshman - a gay figure skating champ/hockey player from Georgia - adjusts to life on a small Massachusetts college campus, makes friends with his new teammates, bakes pies like a pro, struggles to overcome his fears in the rink, and copes with it all by keeping a vlog. Oh, and he's pretty sure he's falling for the hockey team captain, although he's also pretty sure he's straight (the captain that is).
Oh gosh, I loved this one! Bitty (the main character) is all kinds of adorable and funny, as are all of his teammates, who are a fantastic mix of typical crude college dudes and lovable & fierce friends who have each other's backs no matter what. I love that they accept Bitty as gay when he comes out to them as a matter of course, and that his sexual identity is just one of many Life as a College Kid topics. The love story is equally sweet, and Ukazu makes it so easy to root for both Bitty and Jack. Definitely recommended.

>104 scaifea: You're making me rethink having that one on my TBR list. I'll leave it for now, but I'm certainly in no hurry to get to it based on your assessment.

>106 foggidawn: Yeah, it's disappointing, because the story could have been really good. *shrug*

>105 scaifea: Ooo, Check, Please! I loved that so much. Glad you enjoyed! Bummer about your previous read, but I think you articulated what was wrong with it really well.

>108 lycomayflower: Laura: Ha! I was thinking about you while reading that one, thinking you'd probably love it! I like being right.

And thanks! It's funny how it's easier to write reviews about books that you either really love or really don't, eh?

Happy Unnamed Day of the Week, Amber.

I love that they accept Bitty as gay when he comes out to them as a matter of course, and that his sexual identity is just one of many Life as a College Kid topics. . I love just hearing this. Can’t wait until it becomes a matter of course everywhere. Kudos to the author - stories like this help everyone.

>110 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Agreed! Matter of course in this case is a very good thing. And in this book, I love that the college hockey jocks are also sweet and kind and caring, pretty much to a one, and that's also just No Big Deal. LOVE it.

Catching up, Amber. Setting up a new craft room on my thread--have 3 bins of fabric here beside me that go back to the craft room tomorrow morning, down from the attic.

>112 ronincats: Hi, Roni! Oooh, new craft room! Exciting!

Today's agenda:
Comfy Pants Day!! We're not going anywhere, as far as I know, today, and I don't really have any plans. So we'll just be puttering around the house, with maybe some sewing room time and maybe some reading time.

On the reading front:
I read bits of The Wise Man's Fear and Going Postal yesterday, and I started The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, too.

>114 scaifea: Woohoo for comfy pants! I hope it's fabulous. A complete do nothing day is my plans for the upcoming holiday Monday and I'm really looking forward to it.

>115 MickyFine: Comfy pants are amazing. It's not really a do-nothing day, since I'm working on sewing projects for my etsy shop, but still, it's nice to be home all day. Well, nearly all day - I forgot that Charlie and I are making cookies to take to the local library in celebration of this being our 1-year getting-our-library-cards anniversary. So, there will be a few minutes of regular pants and leaving the house, but not too much.

Charlie's craft project for today: he wanted a way to keep his colored pencils separated by, um, color, so we used a coffee can, hot glued toilet paper rolls to the inside, and decorated the outside with fabric scraps and patches. All his idea - I just did the hot-glue gunning. I think it turned out pretty well!

>116 scaifea: That's so sweet! (Literally.) I would say tell the staff there hello, but I don't know how many of them would remember me. Anyway, have fun!

>118 foggidawn: I hope they think it's sweet and not borderline crazy. I'll gauge their reaction first and then decide whether to mention that you're my friend. You may not want them associating you with the likes of crazy ladies with random cookies...

>117 scaifea: What a great idea! It looks fantastic, of course.

>117 scaifea: Charlie is a an organizer after my own heart. Looks awesome!

>119 scaifea: I don't know of a library staff member who wouldn't adore being given random cookies. It's nice to be appreciated. :)

>120 richardderus: Richard: I know, right? He comes from a long line (read: my mom and I) of crafty people, so it's not surprising that he'd come up with such a cool idea.

>121 MickyFine: I love that Charlie is as much of an organizer as I am. It drives Tomm a little nuts, though, I think.

And that's good to hear about the cookies - we're soon headed out the door to deliver them. And of course librarians deserve All The Cookies!!

>117 scaifea: They do look great. Sounds like Charlie shares my appreciation for order :)

>123 RebaRelishesReading: Reba: Yep, he’s the most organized 10yo I’ve ever met!

>122 scaifea: How did the librarians like the cookies, Amber?

>125 lauralkeet: Laura: They were a little surprised, but I think they liked them!

Today's agenda:
This morning, Charlie and I are making a birthday cake in celebration of Harry Potter's birthday (from Hagrid's recipe, of course), and then this afternoon we'll head to Easton for some school clothes shopping, and then we're meeting Tomm this evening at the movies for Kiki's Delivery Service. Also, I'm hoping for some sewing time somewhere in there.

On the reading front:
I finished up Naked Lunch yesterday (mini-review to follow soonish) and managed a very few pages of the Lincoln book.

Morning, Amber!

>117 scaifea: Love it!

Enjoy the day, my friend.

>128 jnwelch: Morning, Joe, and thanks!

You finished Naked Lunch?!!? Kudos to you, lady. I'll be looking for your review, mini or more.

>130 weird_O: Bill: Ha! Yup, I powered through. I can't say that I retained everything, or that some things didn't fly right by me, and I certainly can't say that I loved the experience, but I did it. I'm just about to post my review now, although it's teeny and doesn't say much, I'm afraid (too busy with cake baking today to put more thought into it).

131. Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs (Banned Books list, 298 pages) - 6/10 = D
The story of a drug addict and his haze-filled travels (there's more to it, of course, but, well, yeah).
I'm glad I read it, because I know that Burroughs was a huge influence on other authors whom I love (HST, in particular) and I really like tracing that sort of thing back, but otherwise I can't really say that I enjoyed this one. Dark and weird without the manic, this-is-nuts-but-I-love-it quality that HST can bring.

Today's agenda:
It's Thursday, which means it's Library Adventure Day! We'll pack a picnic lunch and go explore a library branch that we've not been to before, then find a park nearby for our lunch. That's pretty much all I'll get done today, because I'm completely tuckered from yesterday's baking/school clothes shopping/movie.

On the reading front:
Just a few pages in Naturally Tan is all I can report for yesterday.

Morning, Amber! I have still not read Naked Lunch, although I have had a copy on shelf for many years. I will still get to it.

>134 msf59: Morning, Mark! I suspect that you'd like Naked Lunch - think PKD, but with more drug-induced insanity.

Hope you had a great time with Library Adventure Day!

I can’t possibly get caught up here. Hope all is well!

I saw a twitter conversation today involving Stephen Fry and I thought of you. I seem to think you are a fan? It was about a fan that has his face tattooed on her. It was quite entertaining if you have Twitter!
https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1156493366357573632?s=21

>136 bell7: Hi, Mary! Well, we didn't have an adventure yesterday - Charlie woke up not feeling well, and to be honest I was over-tired from the day before, too, so we stayed home and will have an adventure next week.

>137 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle! Yes, I saw that! Too funny. Fry is so clever, isn't he?

Today's agenda:
Grocery shopping this morning, and then I'm having lunch with a former colleague (Tomm's working from home, so Charlie will stay with him). Fridays are Family Game Night, so we've got that to look forward to, too.

On the reading front:
I spent my reading time yesterday with Going Postal and The Ghost of Thomas Kempe. Oh, and I keep forgetting to mention that I'm still listening to Children of Blood and Bone a bit every day.

>139 scaifea: Aw, hooray for Family Game Night!

Well, it sounds like you both needed a rest day! Hope it was still fun/restful, and you have a great Family Game Night. What games might you play?

>140 foggidawn: We try to do it every Friday night, and we all love it!

>141 bell7: Thanks, Mary! It was very restful and just what we both needed. I think Catan may come out tonight, and then we'll see what else. Maybe Quixx, too, which it one of my favorites.

>131 scaifea: >132 scaifea: Chagrinned to report that I've lost track of my copy of Naked Lunch. But now I have to find it. Oh my.

ETA: I just saw that today (8/2) is the day Burroughs died. In 1997. Fitting...

ETA2: You'll be relieved to learn, Amber, that I found it. Looking straight at it but not seein'. :-)

>143 weird_O: Bill: Well, that post was a rollercoaster. I'm glad you found it!

Burroughs is a mood-read, I think; the proper mood, when it strikes, can't be fulfilled by anyone else's writing but absent the mood it's flat-out torture to drag one's eyestalks over the broken glass of his plots.

Happy game night!

>145 richardderus: Richard: That seems like an accurate description to me!

And thanks!

Happy Weekend, Amber.

I liked Children of Blood and Bone. I'm pretty sure it's her first. How's it going for you so far?

>147 jnwelch: Hi, Joe!

I'm enjoying it so far, although I'm still not too far into it. It seems like she's building a pretty cool and original world and of course I love that.

Hope you have a good Sunday, Amber!

>149 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! It was a good one!

Today's agenda:
Charlie and I will visit our regular library branches this morning, and then Charlie is baking cupcakes this afternoon for dinner dessert - we're having a friend over for dinner and board games.

Despite going shopping on Tax Free Weekend (yoicks) on Saturday and to the zoo yesterday, I still managed to finish two books this weekend, so I'll try to post my mini-reviews at some point today.

ETA: Welp, change of plans: Charlie woke up with a fever and an upset stomach, so all previous plans will be canceled for today. Honestly, my digestive system isn't feeling amazing this morning, either, so I suspect we've picked up a bug somewhere... Best to lay low and read today, I think...

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you guys have been hit with the crud, Amber, especially since it means cancelling a day of fun plans. I hope you and Charlie feel better soon.

Morning, Amber. We had a great weekend in Indiana. How far away from Turkey Run, did you live? Sorry, you guys are not feeling well. I hope you both rebound quickly.

>152 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. The poor kid keeps saying he's sorry that we have to cancel our plans! Ugh, feeling queasy is the worst, so yeah, I hope it hurries on out of here, too.

>153 msf59: Morning, Mark - I'm glad you had a good time! I grew up about 30 minutes south of Turkey Run.

And thanks - I hope this is just a 24-hour sort of thing. *sigh*

Sorry to see you are both feeling unwell today! Hope you bounce back quickly!
When does Charlie return to school?

132. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (Discworld series, 377 pages) - 8/10 = B+
A confidence trickster (Moist von Lipwig) runs out of luck and is faced with the hangman's noose when the Patrician makes him an offer he can't refuse - the job of Postmaster to a post office system in complete disarray. He finds stacks of letters, mountains of letters, that were never delivered, and they're not happy about it (the letters, that is). There's also the clacks system, run by corrupt businessmen who are essentially killing their workers with their slipshod approach to running and maintaining the towers. Moist's job is to get the post office up and running again, and he decides to take on the big corporate bullies, too, and beat them at their own game.
A solid entry in the Discworld series; I love the new character of Moist (I'm a sucker for the rascally, too-clever-for-his-own-good types) and I hope he shows up again soon.

>155 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! Me, too - I really detest feeling nauseous.

Charlie starts school on the 21st of this month, so we have a couple of weeks of summer left. How about your girls?

133. The Ghost of Thomas Kemp by Penelope Lively (1001 Children's Books, 186 pages) - 8/10 = B+
James and his family move into an old cottage, in which James gets the attic for his bedroom. It's been closed off for years, and when the workers open it up to renovate, they unwittingly let loose the spirit of a sorcerer, Thomas Kemp, from the 1660s. The spirit is moody and demanding, and tries to get James to help him re-establish his business in the village. When James resists, Thomas gets testy and starts breaking things, for which James gets blamed by his parents. He finds a local carpenter who is also a bit of an expert on spirits on the side, and together they try to put the ghost to rest.
This is a great ghost story for kids - it's fun and well-written, and the characters are interesting and easy to become friends with, plus the story isn't scary really at all. Definitely recommended.

Happy start to the week, Amber.

I was just thinking of your friend Charlie. Has he tried any Gary Paulsen books? He's the Hatchet/Brian's Saga author, among many others. I just added two more of his to the WL. I found him a reliable good read about ways of life (e.g. the wilderness, farm life) that aren't the usual these days.

>159 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! I don't think Charlie's read any Paulsen, but I've read several and enjoyed them. Charlie is more of a historical fiction and fantasy fan than an outdoorsy story kind of guy, so I'm not sure he'd get into Paulsen's stuff so much.

>158 scaifea: This was the class book (or rather, one of them) when I was about 9, with my favourite ever teacher. Happy days! Thanks for the reminder.

>158 scaifea: A Carnegie Medal! I should probably read that. Feel better, y'all.

Sorry ya'll have the stomach ghoulies. Hope you feel better quick!

>156 scaifea: One of the few Discworld books I've read. Love Moist!

>161 charl08: Charlotte: Oh, yay! I would have *loved* this one as a kid. And yay for favorite teachers!

>162 richardderus: Richard: It's a fun little book, for certain, with a couple of approaching-gorgeous passages.

>163 lycomayflower: Thanks, Laura. My stomach feels a bit better, and Charlie says his does, too, although when I checked his temperature around noon, the medicine had worn off and the fever was back. So, he's still not quite out of the woods.

Isn't Moist cool? Love him.

134. Naturally Tan by Tan France (Read Soon! Shelves, 258 pages) - 9/10 = A-
Charlie and I both absolutely adore Queer Eye, and watching it together has led to so many fantastic conversations about acceptance and loving kindness and self-care and self-love. I'm so grateful and happy that this show exists and that the cast are all so loving and open. And so this memoir-loving gal was delighted to get her hands on this book; reader, it doesn't disappoint. France tells us about growing up as South Asian and gay in the UK and about the struggles inherent in negotiating those qualities with the world, then moves on to moving to the states, starting multiple businesses, battling the immense stress caused by running those businesses, and finally, of course, getting cast and being a member of the QE show. He manages to be honest about himself and the world as he sees it in a lovely and gracious way, and walks the humble-and-grateful line without tipping over into humble-brag territory or insincerity at all. It's well done and engaging, and (as all honestly-written memoirs are, I believe) brave, and I'm grateful to Mr. France for sharing a bit of his life with us.

Our area returns to school the Tuesday after the labour day weekend. I think that’s the 3rd of September

>166 ChelleBearss: Chelle: Ooof. I miss that in Wisconsin, it was a state law that they couldn't start school until after the first of September. *sigh*

Today's agenda:
We're taking it easy again today to get Charlie a bit more time to recover - his fever didn't break until sometime last night, so I want him resting most of today. So I suspect he'll continue his Just Add Magic rewatch marathon, and I'll spend some time in the sewing room.

On the reading front:
After finishing Naturally Tan yesterday, I started America Is Born, but didn't get to far in.

Sorry to read about the party fiasco, Amber. I hope that you are both back to feeling better soon.

>169 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. We both seem to be back on track today, thank goodness!

Glad to hear you and Charlie are on the mend, Amber! Being urpy is no good when there's summer fun to be had!

>171 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! I agree!

Hi, Amber.

>160 scaifea: Fair enough on the outdoorsy Paulsen books. I'm glad you've enjoyed them. Good to know what Charlie favors. Seems like there's more high quality middle grade and YA historical fiction coming out than ever before, doesn't it. Fantasy, too, probably.

>173 jnwelch: There does seem to be a *ton* of historical fiction and fantasy for MG and YA, which is great. I love how many choices he has at that level.

Today's agenda:
Well, it's a bit up in the air, because last night at dinner one of my root canal teeth went a bit haywire and now it's hurting. *sigh* The root canal is about 8 years old, so I suspect it'll need to be redone. My dentist's office is closed on Wednesdays, though, because of course, but they have an emergency number that I'll call this morning. So, we'll see what happens with that today. Hopefully they can get me in somewhere. Luckily Tomm can work from home today so that Charlie doesn't have to be stuck in a waiting room for who knows how long. My birthday is tomorrow and we were planning on going out for dinner, but I'm postponing that, because of this stupid tooth. I want to be able to enjoy it, for sobbing out loud. And now it looks like I may be in a dentist's chair for part of my birthday. Faaaaantastic.

Okay, enough grumbling. Some good stuff: Charlie made Italian Spumoni Cupcakes with Chocolate Ricotta Frosting yesterday and they were amazing. He's really getting very good at this baking thing!

On the reading front:
Yesterday I started His Majesty's Dragon and made some progress with America Is Born, but not much since by bedtime I was upset enough about the tooth that I couldn't focus on reading.

>175 scaifea: Argh! Sorry to hear about the wonky tooth. Here's hoping it's a quick and (relatively) painless fix, so you don't have to delay your birthday dinner for too long.

Charlie's cupcakes sound amazing! I think I'm drooling a bit just thinking about them.

I will eagerly look forward to your thoughts about His Majesty's Dragon. I loved it to an unreasonable degree, though the rest of the series isn't as strong.

Morning, Amber! Happy Wednesday. Sorry, to hear about the tooth. Those are never fun. I am really enjoying Hollow Kingdom. This could end up being a cult classic. It might also be a hoot on audio, with the right narrator.

Ugh, good luck with getting your tooth looked at today. Closed Wednesdays? The nerve!

>175 scaifea: Ug, sorry about your tooth. Hope something can be done soon!

>176 rosalita: Thanks, Julia. I'm hoping it's quick and painless, too, but we'll see. I suspect I'll need a redo on the root canal. *sigh*

And the cupcakes *are* amazing! Although, of course, I won't be eating any of them today. Again, *sigh*

I'm really looking forward to HMD - I LOVED Uprooted tons, so I'm excited about this one.

>177 msf59: Hi, Mark! And thanks for the tooth sympathy. Rotten timing (no pun intended, but I won't deny that I like it). I'll have to give Hollow Kingdom a look...

>178 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I've left a message with the emergency number, so we'll see how it goes. Yeah, I'm annoyed that they're closed today, but I think they do it because they're open on Saturdays, which is also nice, so...

>179 lycomayflower: Thanks, Laura. Me, too. Gah.

Morning, Amber.

Sorry to hear about your darn tooth. There should be a tooth spray - one spritz and all is set to rights.

I'm imagining that you'll like Her Majesty's Dragon more than I did. I did read one or two more after that, but it never elevated off the ground for me (or snorted fire, for that matter). For some reason I wasn't that taken with Uprooted either, although both have so many fans. So it goes sometimes.

>181 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I'll stand in line for that tooth spray, for certain.

You didn't like Uprooted? Huh. I love that there are as many book tastes as there are books out there. Works out nicely, yeah?

Toothpain in aid of abstention from deliciousness. BUT a birthday indulgence, post-dentistry, is now de rigueur. Turning losses into wins!

>180 scaifea: Since you loved Uprooted I'm sure you have Spinning Silver on your radar as well. Also excellent!

>183 richardderus: Richard: Yes! I told Tomm today that my birthday dinner has been postponed, but nOT CANCELED.

>184 rosalita: Julia: YES!! I can't wait to get to Spinning Silver soon!

Tooth Update!:

My lovely dentist called me, said that he looked at my xrays before calling me back and guessed correctly which tooth was giving me problems, not because the xray showed anything bad (they were the last ones I took when I was there for a checkup), but because that's the oldest root canal in there and he could tell that when it was done, there was a lot of work that needed to be done on the tooth. The root canal itself still looks good he says, so he suspects infection underneath, and if that's the case I have two options: 1) a root canal redo, which he said has about a 50/50 chance of working at this point, or 2) a bridge or implant. I'll go in tomorrow for him to have a look in person and then we'll decide, but if it's as he suspects, I think I'll opt for the bridge. He offered to meet me at the office today, as he says he lives five minutes away and didn't have any special plans for today, but I'm not in that much pain and didn't want to make him come in on his day off. He's such a nice guy and I'm happy to have found him when we moved here last year.

So, no treats for my actual birthday, but a trip to the dentist instead, with at least two more trips after that to get things sorted. Such a great birthday present. Gah.

>186 scaifea: Argh, that's too bad, about your tooth. How sweet of your dentist to offer to come in on his day off, though! He sounds like a keeper.

Bummer about the tooth woes but awesome to hear that you have such a fantastic dentist.

Hopefully there's still some birthday shenanigans tomorrow even with your sensitive mouth.

>187 foggidawn: He’s wonderful! But yeah, bleed to the tooth. Horrible timing.

>188 MickyFine: We’ll see about tomorrow but I doubt it. We’ll probably just postpone the whole thing. Sigh.

Master of the Universe, what lousy timing! But you've got one heckuva a dentist there...

Hooray for good dentists! Too bad it coincides with your birthday. Hopefully your guys will treat you like royalty anyway, and then you'll receive the same treatment on the postponed celebration!

>190 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: I know, right? But yes, he's great. He also doesn't charge new patients for xrays if they've already had them that year elsewhere and thus their insurance won't cover it. He says that *he's* the one who needs them to do his job properly, so he won't make the patient pay out-of-pocket for them. Amazing.

>191 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. We'll see how tomorrow goes - I may just want to curl up with a book and not be bothered, if I'm in pain.

A timely reminder that I need to see my own dentist soon, Amber.

Sweet Thursday, indeed! Have a great day, Amber!

Happy birthday, Amber! I hope your lovely dentist can bring you some relief, and that you can reschedule your celebration for someday soon.

>193 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul. I wish I didn't have to today, but, well, there it is. *sigh*

>194 msf59: Thanks for the birthday owl, Mark!!

>195 rosalita: Thanks, Julia!

Today's agenda:
The dentist's office will call after 9am to let me know when I can come in, so things are a bit up in the air still, but other than that I'm hoping for a day of sitting in the rocking chair with a book and a cuppa tea. Tomm and Charlie gave me a replacement cup to the one I bought 5 years ago at Disney World and loved but which finally broke a few months ago, and I'm really happy about that (it's this one):

https://www.twiningsusa.com/our-products/accessories/accessories/plastic-clear-t...

And Charlie gave me Final Fantasy 9 for the Switch; it's my favorite video game of all time, but I've only ever had a version for the PS2, so it'll be so fun to play it again (plus, I think he wants to "borrow" it, too).

On the reading front:
I managed a few pages in the Lincoln biography (I wish I didn't find this one such a slog, but dang it, I do), and a few pages in America Is Born.

Happy birthday Amber! I hope all goes well with the dentist today. Enjoy your tea and reading, and maybe a game or two.

Happy birthday, Amber!

And good luck at the dentist (hate having to write that on your birthday :( )

>199 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! I hope so, too. And I'm really looking forward to the tea and books and games later on.

>200 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! I don't like that you have to write that, either...

Happy birthday, Amber, and hope the dentist visit goes smoothly. Tea and books and games sounds like a lovely way to celebrate.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday! Hope the dentist visit is quick and easy and gets you back in your chair relaxing soon!

I'll save the spiffy obsequies for y'all's dinner-out-indulgence and just say I wish like hell you didn't need to spend the 23rd anniversary of your 21st birthday in a dentist's clutches.

Thanks, Mary, foggi, Chelle, and Richard!

Dentist appointment at 11:40. *sigh*

Happy Dental Appointment Birthday, Amber!

I hope that, despite the tooth woes, you have a wonderful day, my friend.

Happiest of birthdays, Amber! May the tooth gods shine upon you!!

>198 scaifea: Atta boy, Charlie! He's caught on to the gift-giving secret early. Give 'em a book you want to read yourself (or in this case, a game you want to play). A shirt you'll want to borrow, etc. Make 'em cupcakes from a recipe you love. It's the only way to go!

Good luck at the dentist (I suppose you're already on your way).

Like Richard, I'll wait to wish you birthday happiness when you're ready to celebrate it. The date is only a number, like your age. The celebration is The Thing. (And we celebrate you every day around here anyway!)

Happy birthday, Amber! Hopefully the afternoon is filled with fun.

So, funny story... there's nothing wrong with my tooth. Yeah. I've been babying it since Tuesday night, eating soft foods and using the other side of my mouth, and this morning I did notice that the swelling was pretty much gone, but I still assumed that biting down on that tooth was a Bad Idea and I try to avoid Bad Ideas and so didn't do it. Dentist did all sorts of tests on it (cold, tapping, even had me bite down on a little wooden stick thing, which I was really hesitant to do because of the Bad Idea), and...nothing. No pain. X-rays? No infection, nothing wrong with the root canal. So, he thinks it's likely I just got something stuck under it, inflamed the gums and made the whole thing overly sensitive (because of course root canal teeth are always a little more sensitive than others) but then flossed whatever little bit it was out and it's healed itself. I apologized over and over for taking his time, but he's so super nice and is so patient. Love that guy.

So, in short, I'm a big dummy and it's a Birthday Miracle (TM)!!

And the birthday dinner is back on!! WOOT!

>207 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>208 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! The Deus Dentis did indeed shine down today!

>209 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Oh, yes, Charlie is very good at the gifts-that-serve-more-than-just-one-person thing. But he's also super good at giving gifts that he knows the person will love. So it works out fine.

Check out the above for the crazy good luck at the dentist.

And thanks for the lovely wishes!

>210 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

>211 scaifea: Well, ain't that a pretty fine birthday present?? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

>212 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: I know, right?!

Yay! for tooths that are fine! And happiest birthday!

>214 lycomayflower: Laura:

Huzzah!!! Time for the birthday hootenanny.

>215 scaifea:

>211 scaifea: fantastic news! I'm so glad you don't have some prolonged dental experience ahead of you, AND you now have TWO reasons to celebrate today!! Woo hoo.

Big smiles all around! No pain, no new root canal, birthday dinner — that's a run of good news and well-deserved.

Hurrah for the birthday miracle!

Also happy about your good dental news, Amber. Hope you have a happy happy birthday and enjoy the rest of the day!

>216 MickyFine: Ooooh, one of my very favorite Buffy lines!!

>217 lycomayflower: Laura: Aw, Cas in a monkey hat! Now *that's* a good birthday present...

>218 lauralkeet: Laura: Yes! It started out potentially awful, but turned out to be a pretty great birthday!

>219 rosalita: Julia: Big smiles for certain! Thanks!

>220 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>221 bell7: Thanks, Mary! It was a great day!

Today's agenda:
Grocery shopping and library visiting this morning, then weekly bills this afternoon with a side of reading, hopefully.

On the reading front:
I clocked some time with His Majesty's Dragon yesterday, in between the dentist visit and video gaming, and I'm really enjoying it so far. I also read a few pages in America Is Born, which isn't too bad, either.

Glad your tooth turned out to be OK and that you have such a great dentist! Happy Friday :)

>225 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba!

Happy slightly belated birthday, Amber.

I am reading Wonder now, almost finished. Thanks for mentioning it, or actually for the picture of Charlie with the Wonder t-shirt ;-)

>227 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul!

>228 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! Oh, I hope you're loving it as much as we do!

Today's agenda:
Vacuuming, a bit of laundry, and then just reading in my rocking chair with a cuppa (and possibly some time with my birthday video game). *happy sigh*

On the reading front:
Not much to report from yesterday because I was busy with odds and ends, and then I needed to finish watching season 5 of Supernatural because I couldn't NOT watch the last two episodes. And that last one nearly wrecked me, so then there was sit-and-stare-into-space-in-emotional-contemplation time, which would otherwise have been reading time. I did manage a few pages in America Is Born before bed, at least, and I may try to finish that one up today.

>230 scaifea: I read "Vacuuming" as "Valiuming" and thought, "ruh roh Raggy somethin' up with the inlaws!"

SO glad that's not the case.

>231 richardderus: Richard: Ha! Nope, all's fine here!

135. America Is Born by Gerald W. Johnson (Newbery Honor Book, 254 pages) - 8/10 = B
A history of the United States (and a bit about Canada as well), from Columbus to the end of the American Revolution, and written for what we now call Middle Grade kiddos. For being written in the 1950's, it's honestly not too bad, although there are a few bits that are definitely dated. It's thorough without being dry, and that's an accomplishment in itself.

>233 scaifea: That's pretty darn amazing, I must say, since the two things that date the fastest are science and history!

>230 scaifea: I needed to finish watching season 5 of Supernatural because I couldn't NOT watch the last two episodes. And that last one nearly wrecked me, so then there was sit-and-stare-into-space-in-emotional-contemplation time

>229 scaifea: Yes, I did, Amber, I gave Wonder 4 1/2 stars.
Review on my thread will come later this week.

>234 richardderus: Richard: Well, there *are* dated bits, but I still thought it was pretty engaging, so yeah. At least a little impressive.

>235 lycomayflower: *snork!* And also *smitten sigh*

>236 FAMeulstee: Anita: Yay!! I'm so glad you liked it!

>235 lycomayflower: Is it just me, or does that guy look a bit like Dr. McCoy?

>238 laytonwoman3rd:

>238 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: *snork!*

>239 lycomayflower: *SNORK!!*

I give you the incomparable Artemus Gordon, master of disguise, from the original Wild, Wild, West.

>241 laytonwoman3rd: And you think this gentleman looks like our Cas?

Indubitably.

OH...Amber...did you want your thread for anything?

>241 laytonwoman3rd: Linda:

>242 lycomayflower: Laura: I'm with DeanDean here. I mean, wha?!

>243 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Any excuse to share Supernatural gifs is just fine with me.

Nothing on the agenda for today, so I'm looking forward to a day of relaxing and reading. I started Thud! yesterday after finishing the Johnson book and at bedtime I started A Heart in a Body in the World, which is already a powerhouse; not sure what I'll start out with today yet.

I'd heard that LT has converted to being SupernaturalThing. I have a lot of catching up to do!

Your BFF will slide right into it, no problem. I'm not sure which of "the boys" is her favorite.

136. The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder by John Bellairs (Charlie's bedtime read, 153 pages) - 9/10 = A
Jonathan and Lewis travel to Europe to visit Jonathan's cousin, Pelly, and while staying at Pelly's old manor house, Lewis and his new friend, Bertie, accidentally release an evil witch-finder ghost on the grounds.
We love Bellairs and Charlie has really been enjoying them as our occasional bedtime read-alouds, but this one got a bit too creepy for him in the middle. We took a break for a couple of days and then he wanted to get back to it, and we were able to finish it then. It's good knowing that everything always turns out right in the end, and I think that helped. The characters are great and the stories are fun, so I suspect that Charlie will choose to continue with the series.

>246 scaifea: Hi, Joe! BFF watched Supernatural, too?! I should have known - she has such excellent tastes.

Happy Do Nothing Sunday, Amber!

>250 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! I've got Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars in the oven right now, but after those are finished, it really will be a Do Nothing But Read Day, and I'm looking forward to it!

>251 scaifea: Ooh. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but peanut butter and chocolate is an irresistible combination. Photo, please?

>252 kidzdoc: Darryl: This isn't my photo, but this is exactly what they look like (and they're delicious!):

>253 scaifea: Yum!

>253 scaifea: ...commence lethal-level drooling in 3...2...1...

>254 kidzdoc: >255 richardderus: *grins*

>253 scaifea: Must. Have. Now.

>253 scaifea: That reminds me of the ones my Aunt Rae used to make! It was always a treat to go to her house. She always had some made because they were Uncle Bud's favorites!

Your dentist visit sounded like the best one ever! A belated happy birthday, Amber. You must be glad to be able to get back to eating the amazing baking that comes out of your oven

>253 scaifea: *moan* peanut butter and chocolate make the world go 'round.

>241 laytonwoman3rd: I'll tell you what I told @lycomayflower. WWW was steampunk before anyone knew what that was. If you haven't seen the original TV series...you should. What a hoot. And Robert Conrad in tight pants, so there's that.

>253 scaifea: AAarrgh! Recipe!!!

>257 drneutron: You're welcome over anytime, Jim!

>258 thornton37814: Lori: *smile* I love memories like that.

>259 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! And yes, I am!

>260 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: AGREED.

>261 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Yup, I've seen episodes. Still don't think those two look alike. But the show was quality, I'll grant you that.

>262 ronincats: Roni: Easy Peasy: Yellow cake mix, two eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil; mix. Add 1/2 cup peanut butter; mix. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Spread in 13x9-inch pan and bake at 350F for 15-17 minutes or until edges are starting to brown. Done.

Today's agenda:

Charlie and I are driving down to Tomm's brother's (Tim) place for the day, between Dayton and Cincinnati - his MIL stays with the girls during the day while they're both at work, and we're going to spend the day with them (girls + MIL (not *my* MIL, but Tim's)) before they're all back in school. Should be fun.

On the reading front:
I started The Master and Margarita yesterday, which is a hoot already, and read a bit of A Heart in a Body in the World, which started out strong but is stalling a little for me now - hopefully it'll pick up again. For our bedtime read-aloud, we started Inkheart last night and I'm excited for Charlie to experience this one, because I LOVED it when I read it a few years ago.

Morning, Amber.

Oh, The Master and Margarita! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Sounds like it's off to a good start for you. Your BFF persuaded me to try it, and am I glad she did!

>265 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Yep, I'm enjoying tM&M so far and I'm not surprised that you and BFF did, too!

Today's agenda:
Charlie and I had planned on meeting his Cleveland friend at a huge and lovely arboretum halfway between us and them today so that they could hang out one more time before school starts, but the rain has scared said friend's mom away from the outing (for the record, I'm more than willing to let them play out in the rain, but *shrug*). Charlie is completely bummed, to put it mildly, so to try to make up for it, we're going on a comic book store/video game store/tabletop game store outing instead. We'll likely not buy anything (unless Charlie spends his saved-up allowance on something), but we both love to window shop at theses kinds of places, and the gaming store will be a new one for us.

On the reading front:
Nothing really to report from yesterday. Too tuckered from the drive there and back again to do much but sit and stare at the TV screen for a bit before bed.

Morning, Amber! Is this your first time reading The Master and Margarita? I finally got to it, a year or two ago. I liked it, but it was quirkier than I expected. Sorry, about the rain. It sounds like it would have been a fun trip.

I'm sorry your outing was cancelled on account of the rain -- I've had a similar experience and agree it's frustrating. I hope you and Charlie enjoy your "plan B".

>268 msf59: Morning, Mark! Yep, first time with tM&M and I'm loving the quirky so far!

And thanks - Charlie's really sad about it, but hopefully our alternate plans will help cheer him up.

>269 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura, and I'm sorry that your plans had to change, too.

Hopefully you will end up with a new board/card game that Charlie will like. Shout if you want any recommendations based on other likes you have!

Oh, boo, cancelled plans. Poor kiddo. Your plan B sounds really fun, though.

Morning, Amber.

What a shame for the esteemed young Charlie. I'm impressed with your improv skills.

>271 lunacat: No need - we have tons of games and have tons more on our wishlist!

>272 lycomayflower: Laura: We ended up having all kinds of fun with Plan B!

>273 jnwelch: Afternoon, Joe!

Thanks for the vote of confidence - it ended up working out really well.

So, lunch at Panera (one of Charlie's favorites), then we had a hoot at all the game/comic book shops. Charlie spent some of his saved-up allowance on some new D&D-type dice and we bought Tomm a birthday present: Ticket to Ride, Nordic Countries. He LOVES Ticket to Ride, and I think he'll flip over this version - Charlie and I are pretty excited at the find. Also, we saw some really cool knitted dice pouches at the gaming shop, so when we got home I looked up patterns online and have already started a test one. So, all in all, DAY SAVED!!

>275 scaifea: Huzzah! Browsing in game stores is always a delight. Have you and yours tried Disney's Villainous? You get to play as a Disney villain trying to reach your evil goal before anyone else. It's pretty fun.

>275 scaifea: Awesome! I love Ticket to Ride, and have requested it for the game night my friends and I have going this weekend.

>276 MickyFine: Mickey: No, we haven’t tried that one, but it sounds cool!

>277 foggidawn: Isn’t it a great game!?

>275 scaifea: Perfect! And new Etsyable product design is not ever a bad discovery, is it?

>279 richardderus: Exactly!

Today's agenda:
None! We're having a lounge-around-at-home day, and I'm all for it. Comfy pants, books, tea, possibly some board games... Sounds perfect to me.

On the reading front:
Another day of not much to report, although I did read a few pages in A Heart in a Body in the World last night.

Happy Wednesday, Amber.

Enjoy the lounge-around-at-home day. I love those, too.

Hey, I saw over on Mark's thread that you thought The Hollow Kingdom sounded interesting. I'm about 2/3 of the way through my copy. Want it when I get done? Happy to send it to you.

>283 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>284 drneutron: Jim: YES! Thanks so much!! I'll PM you my address!

Today's agenda:
Menu planning and prepping the grocery shopping list so it'll be ready for me on Monday morning, then sorting through the weekly bills, and then packing for Charlie's and my trip to Indiana this weekend - the last summer visit before school starts next Wednesday. I also need to fit a quick trip to the vet's office in there somewhere to pick up a Rx refill for Tuppence, and I'll try to get a new thread going today, too.

On the reading front:
I worked on His Majesty's Dragon yesterday, which I'm really enjoying, and managed a few more pages in A Heart in a Body in the World, too, which I'm struggling with - there's tons of good in here, but there are also some irritating bits as well; the irritating stuff makes me want to abandon it, but there's also some not-yet-revealed stuff that I really want to find out, so I'm sticking to it, I guess, even though the way in which the Stuff has Not Yet Been Revealed is part of the annoying stuff. Ugh.

Sweet Thursday, Amber.

School is starting up for your BFF, too. She's having a meet-and-greet with the parents and the kids this evening, and then it officially starts on Monday.

I'm reading a good sci-fi short story collection by Ted Chiang that you might like, called Stories of Your Life and Others. The title story was the basis for the movie "Arrival" with Amy Adams, which Madame MBH and I liked a lot. He has a second collection out now, called Exhalation, and our son is liking that one. It's on my WL.

>287 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!

Charlie's open house is on Monday, so we get to meet his new teachers then (he'll have three). I'm not ready for summer to be over! I enjoy hanging out with that kiddo so much.

Thanks for the book tip! I generally don't love short story collections (I have trouble getting into them for some reason), but this one sounds pretty good. I'll add it to the list.

The new thread is up:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/310227