Lori (thornton37814) Reads 75 x 2 in 2020 (Thread 1)

(L-R: Sherlock, Mr. B, and Barney)

I hope to read at least 150 in 2020. I'm approaching 225 for 2019, but many of those were children's books or travel books. My time to read actual books seems to be in decline. With many projects this year, 150 is probably a realistic number to set out to read.

I plan to keep a history or genealogy book in the current reads most of the year. I read lots of mysteries and historical fiction.

I also participate in the Category Challenge, and my categories there may give you an idea of some of my plans for the year. My theme for the category challenge is cats, and I usually post the category here in this thread as I read things too.

1. Maine Coon - Mysteries
2. Siamese - Historical Fiction
3. Norwegian Forest - Other Fiction & Literature
4. Persian - History & Genealogy
5. Scottish Fold - Travel
6. Ragamuffin - Food & Drink
7. American Shorthair / Tabby - Cats
8. Russian Blue - Poetry
9. Ragdoll - Juvenile/YA
10. Bengal - Other Non-Fiction

Shelter Cats = Abandoned Reads

I will also track journal articles, book chapters, and other shorter things read, but these will not count as "books read."

I will participate in some challenges each month although I may not commit to reading something in each of them each month. I'm also going to try the BingoDog challenge from the Category Challenge group.

1.
2.
3. An Incomplete Obituary for Damien Stewart Wilson by Sean Rose
4.
5.
6.
7. The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch
8. Death Finds a Way by Lorine McGinnis Schulze
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. The Art of Uzbek Cooking by Lynn Visson (GeoCAT)
14.
15.
16. The Little Berlin Cookbook by Rose Marie Schulze (Berlin native)
17.
18. A Killer in King's Cove by Iona Whishaw
19.
20.
21.
22.
23. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers (Arthur Ransome's Legacy Library)
24. Much Ado About Nutmeg by Sarah Fox
25. Keep Calm and Carry On, Children by Sharon K. Mayhew (World War II evacuation of children from London)

Happy new year! I’m glad to see the 2020 group up and going. I’ll wait until I’m home to set up my thread since I’m not traveling with a laptop.

Welcome back!

Happy 2020, Lori! A wonderful, delightful, and exciting year ahead.

>3 cbl_tn: It would be difficult to set up a thread on a tablet, although it could be done. However, you'll still have time to do so when you get home.

>4 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. Glad you keep us all rolling!

>5 richardderus: Thanks, Richard.

Happy new 2020 thread

I've found you and starred you and look forward to following your thread in 2020, Lori. The boys are getting big!

>7 paulstalder: Thanks!

>8 Familyhistorian: I plan to look around the threads later and drop stars. There weren't very many earlier today so I decided to hold off a bit on visiting.

Great "Read Around the World" program for Knox County (Tennessee) students: https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/as-seen-on-tv/read-city-usa-launching-ne...

HI Lori!! Great to see you here again! I need to follow your thread as I do enjoy reading mystery and Historical fiction as well. Love your categories and the picture of your fur babies!

Hi Lori, I'm here to read your stories!

>11 crazy4reading: Hope you find some enjoyable books if you stick around.

>12 DianaNL: Thanks, Diana.

I'll try to visit more threads in a bit. I spent Christmas eve and Christmas day sick. I struggled just to get through them. I stayed in bed most of yesterday and thought I was feeling better, but I'm feeling worse again this morning. It's really a sinus infection that is breaking up, and I really need to get rid of all the crud, but it's still coming. I need to go shower and head out to the grocery store to pick up chicken noodle soup. It's never easy when you're sick away from home. My SIL has one can of the traditional Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup, but I'd rather get one of the homestyle varieties with the egg noodles rather than spaghetti ones. I think the soup will help!

I hope you feel better soon, Lori.

Feel better, Lori. I've got you

ed.

I hope you're feeling better soon, Lori.

Those are three handsome fellows at the top of your thread :-)

>13 thornton37814: My freezer is now full of my MIL's homemade chicken soup (she brought a cooler full with her when she came for Christmas). Wish I could share some with you---it really does have magical healing properties!

Hi Lori my dear, I have you starred and will be popping along on a regular basis dear friend.

>14 Familyhistorian: >15 Berly: Thanks for the well wishes! I found chicken and dumplins (except they looked more like large noodles than what I call a dumplin) as one of the fresh choices at the little Brooks Grocery here in my brother's small town. My sister-in-law usually shops at "the Pig" (aka Piggly Wiggly), but I find that it smells bad and is just dirtier than I want a grocery store to be. I much prefer Brooks which has a lot of freshly prepared items as well as better looking produce and meat. It's not a large grocery store, but I found myself wishing I could shop at it back home so I didn't have to navigate a huge store (unless I'm shopping at Aldi).

>16 susanj67: They are handsome boys. I just had lots of love from them!

>17 laytonwoman3rd: That does sound good. I found homemade at Brooks and brought home a can of good soup too. I suspect I'll eat it tonight. I tried an oatmeal cookie earlier, and it was too spicy for me. I bought some jello too. I should be fine for tonight!

>18 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

Hi, Lori, I’m so sorry that the crud has got you down. I hope you’ll be feeling. U h better soon.

I lived in Alabama for a while (long and incredibly boring story) and I too found The Pig to be not what I want in a grocery store. They never seemed even moderately clean, and those few take. Over by Rainbow Foods were only marginally better. Publix is my store of choice, but I’ve just discovered a locally-owned and -sourced store called Detweiler’s that’s proving worth the little ride to get there.

Looking forward to reading your thread in 2020!

>20 Matke: It really depends on which store. The Pig in Amory was always clean as long as I remembered going there when I visited my parents. Management makes a big difference, I'm sure. I am feeling better today. The crud is not completely gone but it has significantly improved.

Best wishes for 2020!

Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!

>22 DianaNL: >23 PaulCranswick: Thanks for the New Year wishes!

Hope you are better soon!

>25 Ameise1: >26 cyderry: Thanks for the New Year wishes!

Wishing you 12 months of success
52 weeks of laughter
366 days of fun (leap year!)
8,784 hours of joy
527,040 minutes of good luck
and 31,622,400 seconds of happiness!!

Hi Lori my dear, wishing you and the Fur Boys a very Happy New Year from both of us dear friend.

Happy reading in 2020, Lori!

Happy new year and happy new thread!

Hi, Lori - best wishes for 2020 from me and my furboys to you and your furboys! :)

>28 Berly: Thanks!

>29 johnsimpson: The fur boys have decided to sleep in the new year. At least that's what they indicated a few minutes ago. That, of course, is subject to change.

>30 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita.

>31 foggidawn: Thanks!

>32 lyzard: Thanks to all and from all!

Happy New Year, Lori, and happy new thread!

>34 Storeetllr: Thanks!

2019 Year-End Meme:

Describe yourself: The Family Tree Problem Solver

Describe how you feel: Plum Tea Crazy

Describe where you currently live: Glass Houses

Your favorite time of day is: The Darkness

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Library at the Edge of the World

Your favorite form of transportation: The Long Flight Home

Your best friend is: Sworn to Silence

You and your friends are: The Chosen

What’s the weather like: The Dry

You fear: Wild Fire

What is the best advice you have to give: Grow Your Own Herbs

Thought for the day: The Grave's a Fine and Private Place

How you would like to die: Assaulted Caramel

Your soul’s present condition: A Sea of Troubles

What is life for you: Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums

Starred!!!!!

Sorry to hear you've been sick: I've had a touch of sinusitis myself, and hot homemade soup helped a lot. I wish I could share (the soup, not the sinusitis!).

>37 fuzzi: Thanks. I'm still making rounds. I've starred some, but I haven't visited the group in a couple days except ones I'd starred early one. I'm hoping to get to that before the ball drops, but I'm working on top reads of the year now!

Top reads of 2019:

5 stars

The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

5 star Children's Literature

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall
Miss Mink: Life Lessons for a Cat Countess by Janet Hill
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers and Josie Carey; illustrated by Luke Flowers
The Night of His Birth by Katherine Paterson; illustrated by Lisa Aisato
Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song by Cynthia Grady; illustrated by Michele Wood

5 star Cooking and Crafts

My Little Crocheted Christmas: 25 Projects to Make the Season Bright by Doerthe Eisterlehner
Sallie Ann Robinson's Kitchen: Food & Family Lore from the Lowcountry by Sallie Ann Robinson

4.5 stars

I Could Pee on This, And Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano

4.5 stars Children's Literature

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

Worst of 2019:

1 star

Dying Runs in My Family by Guy Conner
Going Places: A Motor Touring Guide to Wales
What's That Word? Vocabulary Quizzes by Douglas Grey

Love this.

>40 mitchma: Thanks!

>36 thornton37814: Favorites:

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Library at the Edge of the World
What is life for you: Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums
How you would like to die: Assaulted Caramel

: )

>36 thornton37814: Quite a list! And I'm with >42 Berly: about those favorites: laughed out loud at Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums!

Hope you are feeling better. I've been brewing up big batches of lemon, honey, cinnamon water to ward off the evil spirits. Seems to be working.

Happy New Year, Lori! Dropping a star.

I hope you are feeling better.

>36 thornton37814: Plenty of fun answers there!

>42 Berly: Those were some of my favorites too.

>43 witchyrichy: You have to admit it was a great option for a genealogist! I've never heard of adding cinnamon to the water. Hmmm! When I get home to East Tennessee, I'll be able to use some tea to help. The boys and I are going to try to get home tomorrow, even if we have to attach a boat motor to the SUV!

>44 harrygbutler: Thanks!

Your best friend is: Sworn to Silence
LOLOL

Best one yet!

Happy New Year, Lori. I hope 2020 is a great year for you. Love the kitties.

>46 richardderus: I thought that was a good one for that category!

>47 BLBera: Thanks!

>36 thornton37814: Fun answers! I'm with Richard: loved Your best friend is: Sworn to Silence.

Book 1. Facets of Death by Michael Stanley

Date Completed: 1 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: In this prequel to Kubu Bengu series, a heist at the world's largest diamond mine sends the straight-out-of-the-university Bengu and CID colleagues into investigation mode, especially when the robbers are killed but the diamonds remain missing. Suspicion falls to a local witch doctor, but the young officer comes up with a plan to solve the case. Will he succeed or fail? The novel felt disjointed to me because the chapters were so short. Ultimately the mystery itself was gratifying, but the novel's flow stymied by the writing. I received an advance review electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Happy New Year, Lori!

Sherlock, Mr. B and Barney seem to do fine sharing a food bowl. They must be good pals.

>51 jnwelch: They really are. I will say that Sherlock and Mr. B were in the midst of a great fight yesterday when I went out to my brother's shop to visit with them for awhile. I told them to settle down. They didn't really listen to me, but eventually I picked up Mr. B and took him to my chair across the room from where they'd been fighting. He got down. Then he looked up at me and begin "meowing" to me. I knew exactly what he was saying. "He started it." Like any good cat mom, I knew it took two to tango, but I had to laugh.

Hi Lori and Happy New Year! I love the use of cats for your category challenge. Very clever.

>52 thornton37814: Great story. :-)

Happy New Year, Lori!

>54 quondame: To you also!

Book 2. Much Ado About Nutmeg by Sarah Fox

Date Completed: 1 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: When a man goes overboard on a yacht and a vicious sports writer's body emerges from the same waters, Marley McKinney, the owner of Flip Side, a pancake house in Wildwood Cove, begins pursuing the case. In spite of reminders from the sheriff about dangers of her involvement, she questions people she encounters who are in town for the Golden Oldies Games. Marley prepares for her wedding with Brett as she runs her business and pokes her nose into the investigation. Although I did not read the previous five installments, I really enjoyed the setting and the central characters for this series. I want to go back and read the earlier installments. It's a perfect read for when you need something on the cozy side. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

>50 thornton37814: Congrats on your first book.
Also the second one looks interesting. Unfortunately my library hasn't got any copy of them.
Safe travels back home.

Happy New Year to you and you're already off to a great start!

>1 thornton37814: Awe! Such cuteness! Happy new year, Lori!

>57 Ameise1: It's coming out January 14 in the U.S. Maybe they'll eventually get a copy.

>58 DFED: Thanks

>59 paulstalder: Happy 2020 to you too!

>60 Carmenere: The boys do make great toppers!

3. Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie

Date Completed: 2 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Gemma at the request of the investigating officer works outside her own beat on a case in which a nanny is found murdered in a garden. She became involved because her good friend was a friend of the woman employing the nanny. This leaves Melody in charge at their precinct. When Chief Supt. Dennis Childs is critically injured following a meeting with Duncan in which he told Duncan the reason he transferred him before going to Singapore for medical treatment was to keep him safe, Duncan begins to piece together events of the last few investigations. He isn't certain who he can trust so he keeps much to himself until he needs Doug's assistance. He fears he could be a target. Gemma feels Duncan is shutting her out as he tries to protect her and their children by keeping the investigation quiet. Duncan, with the help of Doug and Melody, slowly pieces together the corruption case, but they must figure out how to blow it open without ending up as victims. Both threads would make excellent separate installments. The two together is almost too much of a good thing. I listened to the audio version read by Gerard Doyle.

Happy new year, and love your topper!

>63 banjo123: Thanks!

Hi Lori and Happy New Year!

I love your Cats Category, and the pic of your boys is very cute.

Congrats on 3 books already. I hope you’re fully recovered from the crud.

>65 karenmarie: Not really recovered. I have a feeling it will linger another two weeks. It's mostly gone. I just can't quite shake it. My voice is mostly gone this week. I'm supposed to sing on the praise team Sunday morning. I sent our worship pastor the message saying I would be there, but that I didn't know if I could sing on pitch or just croak like a frog!

Sorry to hear that, and I hope that shakes loose sooner than later. You might be a baritone or bass on Sunday!

Happy New Year, Lori!

Hi Lori! Your cats are sharing their bowl so nicely! If my little Boomer was there, she’d scarf up all the food before the others took their first sniff!

I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re reading this year!

>67 karenmarie: I probably just need to be a tenor which is pretty low in congregational singing if I'm singing down where the men sing. If Libby isn't there, Beth and I will figure out if she's singing alto or a high tenor. I'll take the other part. At least I don't need to sing first soprano this week!

>68 ronincats: Thanks!

>69 Copperskye: They have done that with the canned food ever since they were kittens. They each have their own dish for dry food.

Two decent reads from the off! A good omen. I hope.

Book 4. The Art of Uzbek Cooking by Lynn Visson

Date Completed: 2 January 2020

Category: Ragamuffin (Food & Drink)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: This installment in Hippocrene's International Cookbooks series focuses on Uzbekistan's cuisine. Their cuisine's influences come from many Asian countries as well as Russia. The author suggests New York and Seattle as cities where one can sample Uzbek cuisine. While I wouldn't mind sampling some dishes in the volume, none struck me as things I really wanted to make. The desserts looked tastiest to me. The book needs photographs to accompany the dishes in the unfamiliar cuisine as well as to accompany the information on typical Uzbek life and the place of food in the culture. The font used seemed to be an older font with less appeal to modern readers.

Book #4 already? Seriously? You are amazing. : )

I got a cookbooks for Christmas. It has lots of amazing photos, but only a few of the recipes appeal to me. Oh well. It is the thought that counts.

>62 thornton37814: Ah yes, the Crombie books are always a good choice. Glad to hear that you made it safely back home.

>66 thornton37814: >70 thornton37814: Hope your voice is getting better and stronger ... It's good that you are so flexible in singing different voices.
We don't have a choir anymore. I miss the singing.

>73 Berly: It will slow down soon, I promise. Only a few more days of freedom! I loved the cookbook I got at Christmas and will probably try one of the recipes next week at the latest. The one I reviewed in #4 is one that has been on my Kindle for a long while. I finally got through it because of the GeoCAT.

>74 Ameise1: I love Deborah Crombie! This one pretty much continued story lines from a couple prior installments.

>75 paulstalder: I can sing anything from first soprano to baritone . . . but probably not until the crud passes! It's worst early in the morning, and unfortunately I'm scheduled for early service praise team (8:00 a.m.)

Sending positive thoughts for your voice and for the disappearance of the crud. It sounds like I have a similar voice range although age has taken away the top most soprano range. I miss singing in a choir.

>77 witchyrichy: Too many churches no longer have choirs. I'm glad ours does.

I saw this one on Cheli's thread:

Did you have guests during the holidays, Answer the questions with titles of books you read in 2019

What would you call the event? A Christmas Memory

How did they find their way? Ship of Fools

How did they know they'd arrived? The Liar in the Library

Any special activities? Whimsical Cross-Stitch

Did your guests stay over? Iced Inn

Were there servants to help? Little Women

Was there turn down service? Knot on Your Life

How were the guests greeted? Homemade Root Beer, Soda, and Pop

Was dinner held for late comers? Only For You

And dinner was? Eggs on Ice

Afterward? Chats with Cats

>79 thornton37814: Cute!

>79 thornton37814: Oh, that meme's a little different. I like it.

Happy New Year! I hope you're feeling better. The kitties are huge!

>80 foggidawn: Yes!

>81 laytonwoman3rd: I decided I needed to give it a go. I read enough to find some good answers.

>82 nittnut: Two are about 14.5 pounds and the other around 11.

Looks like Mr. B may have designs on my 2019 SantaThing haul:

>79 thornton37814: How were the eggs on ice? sounds like an interesting recipe :)

>85 paulstalder: Honestly, it was either that or A Pocket Full of Rye. I decided they'd prefer the Eggs on Ice.

Spotted Mississippi Library Commission's 2020 Reading Challenge on my Facebook feed: https://mlcref.blogspot.com/2019/12/mlc-2020-reading-challenge.html

>84 thornton37814: Nice Santa Thing haul, Lori. There look like some interesting titles in there. I have read books by Alistair Moffat before but not that one.

I hope the crud is rapidly disappearing.

>88 Familyhistorian: I should enjoy reading this haul! I'm better in the afternoons than mornings. I just want to be better all day long!

Wow, look at you go! 4 books read and going strong! I hope you are feeling better.

Very good beginning of your new year of reading, Lori. Too bad you started out with the crud, though. We had six grandchildren here off and on for a week. It was a Christmas Miracle that no one was sick. Not even a sniffle!

Love the guest meme. And your answers on the usual reading meme. I may have to read some genealogy books this year to come up with more clever answers.

Happy Reading in 2020!

Happy New Year! I'm glad you are starting to feel better.

I loved your answers to the holiday guest meme! I may give that one a try, although I don't have as many books to choose from

>90 lkernagh: Still trying to cough some of it up, but generally feeling better.

>91 Donna828: It is miraculous no one came down with anything at your house. Thanks for the wishes.

>92 streamsong: I thought it would be easier to come up with stuff than it was. I guess it just depends on what you read.

>79 thornton37814: "Was there turn down service? Knot on Your Life" -- That made me laugh out loud!!

>84 thornton37814: Nice book haul from Santa Thing! And what a cute guardian.

Man, I hope you feel better soon and I am soooo jealous of your singing range. I've already asked for that in my next life. : )

>94 Berly: The minute I saw that book, I knew it was the perfect answer! Maybe you'll get that range in the next life. I just hope I can sing in tune tomorrow. I stayed in soprano range at the wedding, but the music didn't go very high on the responses we sang. I should be okay for singing lead. I don't know what my lower ranges sound like yet, and I'm a little afraid to try it cold turkey with the mic so I'll find someone with whom I can harmonize and get a better idea of what I can do before we go on the stage.

Book 5. Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler

Date Completed: 4 January 2020

Category: Norwegian Forest (Other Fiction & Literature)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: If you enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies, you'll enjoy this novel and may have viewed it. It's the typical workaholic female learning to achieve a life-work balance scenario. Haley wants to become a partner in her firm, but her boss tells her she must first attend a Christmas camp he attended the prior year. The camp, held at an inn somewhere within driving distance of Boston, allows visitors to experience a traditional Christmas and possibly form new traditions of their own. Haley finds herself drawn to Jeff, the inn owner's son. Jeff views this as his father's last Christmas camp because the inn is losing money. He plans to move his father to a corner apartment in a development he oversees. Can Haley let go enough to enjoy the season? Will her plan to save the inn drive an irreparable wedge between her and Jeff? I really enjoyed this one. I'd expected it to arrive via Overdrive before Christmas. When it arrived in the closing days of the year, I debated whether or not to return it unread or read it. I'm glad I chose to read it. It's probably my favorite Christmas story of those read for the 2019 season (even if it was read entirely in 2020).

>95 thornton37814: I hope you are better. I was told once that I shouldn't attempt to sing while having an illness that was affecting my throat, that I could do damage. I am sure I lip synched a few times during our chorales.

>97 fuzzi: I ended up being on 1st and 3rd service praise teams. I sang alto on both of them. I was a sub on the 3rd, and I bumped up to alto from tenor on 1st service because the alto was out, and one of the two sopranos could do a high tenor. The only other persons he would have pulled to substitute on 3rd service were some of the last to show up in the choir room so I got pulled for that. I'm supposed to sing soprano tonight on praise team. I should be fine.

>96 thornton37814: Sounds very interesting.

>99 Ameise1: It was one of those nice "feel good" Christmas stories! Hallmark movies tend to be very heartwarming!

Need to take a nap, but I'm hoping to get around to more threads this evening and drop more stars. I am so far behind this year.

Hi Lori. I don't read a lot of cozies, but I'm noting Much Ado About Nutmeg. It looks like a good one for a rainy day.

>84 thornton37814: Mr. B just wants you to sit down and read those so he can be nearby. :-)

And 2020 might be the year I finally get around to starting to read Deborah Crombie. I know I would like her, but part of me wants to finish a series or two before starting yet another one.

Have a great week ahead, my friend!

>102 EBT1002: I found it to be an enjoyable cozy. A lot of them really annoy me now, but I liked that one. Yes. Of course, Barney often beats Mr. B to my lap, but that's okay. I enjoy three cat pile-ups too! I really hope you give Deborah Crombie a try. Please remember that some of us suggest beginning with the second or third instead of the first, because the others are better. You can then go back and read the first one. If you decide to start with the first one, remember the series greatly improves.

Book 6. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

Date Completed: 5 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: In this first Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, his mother interests him in a case in which a corpse is found in a man's bathtub. Then his friend Detective Parker of Scotland Yard seeks his assistance in locating a missing man. Although Inspector Sugg suggested the man in the tub and Levy were one and the same, Detective Parker and Lord Peter knew evidence suggested otherwise. While the book is well-plotted, the writing style takes a while to engage the reader. I listened to the version read by Nadia May, a pseudonym for Wanda McCaddon. She read a bit more rapidly in places than the ideal speed.

Book 7. The Little Berlin Cookbook by Rose Marie Schulze

Date Completed: 5 January 2020

Category: Ragamuffin (Food & Drink)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: This small cookbook provides tourists with a take home souvenir of their time in Berlin by providing a way to remember dishes they tasted. I would never make a very good German because I'm not a huge fan of mustard or the pickled taste. The desserts appeal to me most, and I'm not likely to make those. The book did not contain a recipe for stollen which is a fairly common German Christmas fruitcake.

Hi Lori, you are off to an amazing start on your reading. I'm a Crombie fan too and have read all the series so far. I've always enjoyed the relationship between Gemma and Duncan and I missed that in Garden of Lamentations. But I still had a great time reading it.

Hope you have a great 2020!

Happy New Year, Lori! I hope that you're finally feeling better. My sick weather soups of choice are homemade chicken matzo ball soup, which my mother made when my brother and I were sick as kids (much better tasting than cod liver oil), and Down in the Tremé Carrot Coconut Ginger Shrimp Soup, using a recipe from the New Orleanian jazz musician John Boutté.

To my knowledge there aren't any Piggly Wiggly supermarkets in the immediate Atlanta metropolitan area. Publix, as you know, is my supermarket of choice, although I'm very fond of Giant, a Pennsylvania chain with supermarkets in the Delaware Valley, where my parents live. I don't know where else they are located in the US.

Great start to your reading year!

>108 kidzdoc: I recall a Giant on one of our trips, maybe in northern Virginia?

Hi Lori! Dropped my star.

Ugh - a dirty food store. I can understand wanting to avoid that one. I once avoided a grocery store for 10 years because I encountered a pair of underpants on the floor in front of the meat case. Who does that?!

>106 Oregonreader: Yes. I'm hoping to get "caught up" in the series this year. I should be able to do so.

>107 ChelleBearss: Thanks!

>108 kidzdoc: We actually don't have the "Pig" in East Tennessee either, but they are pretty popular in north Mississippi. The one in my brother's town is combined with an Ace Hardware store. That's an odd combination! Where I live the major grocers are Ingles and Food City. I like aspects of both, but I'd trade both of them for one of those Brooks Grocery stores. I know it would be too small for a city our size, but I love the smaller footprint and all the fresh stuff they offer. Kroger and Publix are available in Knoxville. We do have an Aldi, and I do get what I can there.

>109 fuzzi: I've shopped at Giant when visiting other cities.

>110 Fourpawz2: Thanks. That is really nasty! I'm back home now and shopping at my usual grocery haunts of Food City, Ingles, and Aldi. I do miss Brooks Grocery though. It's the perfect size store for me. Although I know I'd need to make trips to a larger store occasionally.

>96 thornton37814: Added Christmas Camp to the TBR list. I like a good Hallmark style story now and then. This year, mine was Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer. I chose it for the Nantucket setting and it did not disappoint.

>105 thornton37814: What a disappointment, no stollen recipe. But honestly when one can buy stollen in almost any bakery why make it?

I think there's a gene for Germanness, since I love mustard and adore pickled anything.

>96 thornton37814: I made a note to about Christmas Camp, although I may wait until next year. I've never been a big fan of the Pig - I'm a fan of Publix since childhood. Of course, we also shopped at Winn Dixie - and I'll never forget the reaction of a bunch of Northerners when I casually (and unthinkingly) mentioned that chain name, lol.

>113 witchyrichy: That one was on my wish list, but I didn't win it via GoodReads, and it was impossible to get the "new" releases from the library. It may be one of those off-season Christmas reads. Hope you like Christmas Camp.

>114 richardderus: I didn't need to buy it at Aldi this year. Uwe and Hannelore brought some to the choir Christmas party!

>115 Dejah_Thoris: Hope you like it when you get to it. There was a Winn Dixie for a short time in Tupelo, but it didn't last. Kroger pretty much ruled there. Tupelo was the larger city in our area of Mississippi. We had Sunflower, A & P (which later became Piggly Wiggly), Big Star, and an odd assortment of those little family-owned neighborhood stores and a bents and dents type grocery store when I was growing up. Big Star was one of the larger local chains. It was owned by Malone & Hyde out of Memphis. Most of them are gone now. The Amory store is now a Food Giant. Although Sunflower left Amory decades ago, a few still existed in the Mississippi Delta. I am not sure if they still exist or not.

Book 8. Keep Calm and Carry On, Children by Sharon K. Mayhew

Date Completed: 6 January 2020

Category: Ragdoll

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Sisters Joyce and Gina, forced to evacuate London amidst nightly German air raids, make friends on the train who will end up in the same village. One of these friends ends up in the home of a bad man, and the sisters and friend Molly determine to find a way to rescue him. In the midst of doing so, they uncover some illegal activity in the village. The story's rather abrupt ending sets the book up for at least one future installment. The story appears to be written at a 4th grade level for the most part. Narrator Joyce is a little older, but many 4th graders enjoy reading stories with slightly older protagonists. It lacks the impact of other books dealing with the evacuation such as Good Night, Mr. Tom. I received an electronic copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers with the expectation of an honest review.

A belated happy new year, Lori.

Sorry you had to start the year feeling ill. Had to laugh about you singing alto or tenor. But I hope it has cleared up now.

>118 EllaTim: I actually can sing anything from first soprano to baritone, but my tenor and alto range isn't as clear because of chest congestion. The head voice is clear at the moment so soprano is where it's at for me at the moment!

Lori, I am not completely caught up with you, but I am dropping a star in the meantime. Your boys are getting big - they grow up so fast...

You are off and running with the reading - good work!

>120 Crazymamie: Thanks.. I think everyone is behind on the threads at the moment!

Book 9. Off the Grid by John Hunt

Date Completed: 6 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 2 stars

Review: The author started with a story line focusing on a kidnapping and then switched to another story line involving the detective and a suspect from the earlier investigation in a relationship. The detective was called to investigate a dangerous situation. The action was set in northern Ontario. The plot really didn't flow and was rather confusing. The book contained more violence than I expected. The title didn't seem to fit the second and larger portion of the book. The writing left much to be desired. I received an electronic copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.

Book 10. Laurel Mercantile Co.: Family Recipes & Stories (vol. 1) edited by Erin Napier

Date Completed: 7 January 2020

Category: Ragamuffin (Food & Drink)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: This little souvenir recipe book contains many dishes Mississippians encounter at church pot luck dinners. The recipes come from Erin Napier's family. Since the family resides in the Southern part of the state, several recipes show a New Orleans influence. Versions of many dishes in the book already fill my own recipe box. It serves as an introduction to Southern foods for tourists visiting the Laurel area because of the HGTV show set in the town.

Book 11. Bible Personalities: A Treasury of Insights for Personal Growth and Ministry by Warren W. Wiersbe

Date Completed: 7 January 2020

Category: Bengal (Other Non-Fiction)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Wiersbe provides clergy a resource on preaching biographical sermons. He includes tips for the sermon as well as "notes" he made throughout the years on various Biblical persons. This section is not highly readable. It seems more like "note cards" with sound bites taken from other sermons, commentaries, and Christian books with information pertaining to the subject or some aspect of the subject's life. Perhaps my favorite takeaway from the entire book is a quote by C. H. Spurgeon on Paul pertaining to 2 Timothy 4:13:

He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching for at least thirty years, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He has been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostles says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, "Give thyself unto reading."

I actually looked up the passage in Spurgeon's sermon, and I think Wiersbe should have added a couple more lines to his note card for the next sentences in that selection state: The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains, proves that he has no brains of his own.

>124 thornton37814: You're burning it up in 2020, Lori! I'll take a pass on Bible Personalities, but I love the quote. Thanks for sharing it.

>125 Dejah_Thoris: It is a great quote. I think Wiersbe was just offering pastors his "index cards" in book form. I was surprised by some of the Bible persons not included. Still the book is a good resource for pastors preaching that type sermon.

I just saw your M. C. Beaton / TIOLI hint over on @PaulCranswick 's thread - good to know!

I noticed we didn't have a tribute challenge in January to all the authors we lost in 2019. I had been considering something along those lines, but it sounds as though you already have a plan. If your challenge is very author specific, I'll wait to post a more general challenge later in the year.

>127 Dejah_Thoris: Actually, I just figured someone would create one. There always seems to be one the month after someone died.

In that case, it will probably be me.

>129 Dejah_Thoris: It will make a good one. By the way, I noticed you are a member of Genealogy@LT. I'm trying to "resurrect" that group since so many of the mailing lists are going away--APG members list bit the dust in December and now all the Rootsweb lists will be shutting down. Please come join us over there!

Will do!

>131 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks!

>124 thornton37814: nice quotes and review.

>133 fuzzi: Thanks!

Wow! You're on quite the reading roll already this year!

I finally found your thread, Lori - happy new year 10 days late! And you've read 11 books already - amazing - I am feeling good about 2!

>136 cushlareads: I'm back at work now so it's slowing down. I'm making progress on a couple where I'm reading a chapter a day. I've got an audio book going too. I'm going to see whether or not I can finish a fiction book tonight. It may be tomorrow.

Book 12. Two Steps Forward by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Date Completed: 9 January 2020

Category: Norwegian Forest (Other Fiction & Literature)

Rating: 3 stars

Review:Jimmy returns home to Lancaster County after the ranch where he worked closed. He meets Sylvie, young widow of Jake, and her young son. Sylvie wants to breed her Arabian horse with an Amish carriage horse, but Jimmy knows the horse is worth much more. The two are drawn to each other, but will Jimmy get cold feet or be able to go against his mother's wishes? The book contains a pro-life message. Readers of earlier installments in the series will be happy to find Bishop David as well as Luke and Izzy in this one. With the horse breeding angle, the story didn't feel as "Amish" as some books, but many readers will enjoy it. I received an advance review copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program with the expectation of an honest review.

Kidding me - 12 books already!

Way to go, Lori.

>139 PaulCranswick: It's slowing down. I'm back at work now. I've got several things in process.

>139 PaulCranswick: Yeah, really - I’m only on three and four... 😀

>141 drneutron: I will finish another one this weekend. I'm not sure if it will be tonight or if it will be tomorrow. Lots to do between now and tonight when I have a chance to read though.

Book 13. A Killer in King's Cove by Iona Whishaw

Date Completed: 12 January 2020

Category: Siamese (Historical Fiction)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Lane Winslow left the British secret service and moved to King's Cove in rural British Columbia. She finds herself a suspect when a dead man is found in her creek. No one in the community knows the man. Inspector Darling and Constable Ames investigate. Because Lane is sworn to secrecy on many matters, she cannot always provide an answer to questions. Lane is held in the local jail until a man from Lane's past shows up confirming the man's identity and asserting Lane's innocence. Will that be enough to keep Lane out? Lane feels the need to clear her own name. The narrative includes flashback to WWI and WWII eras even though it is set just after WWII. I found this to be confusing at times and detract from the overall narrative. I think needed information from the past could come out in ways less disruptive to the novel's flow. Still the series shows promise. One cannot help but compare the series to Maisie Dobbs although that series begins a bit earlier. The author leaves an opening for a relationship to develop between the detective and Lane.

Book 14. Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David Von Drehle

Date Completed: 12 January 2020

Category: Persian (History & Genealogy)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Beginning with a garment worker's strike and then moving onto the day the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory went up in flames, the book tells the story of immigrant labor in unsafe conditions. The fire department could not reach building floors housing the factory. The fire escapes were flawed. Locked doors impeded exit for many. Some jumped to their deaths in efforts to escape the flames. The book goes on to detail the reforms brought about by the human tragedy and the trials of the plant's owners. The narrative holds the reader's attention. An annotated list of casualties appears before the "blind end notes." I hate blind end notes. Please number them so we know they exist!

>144 thornton37814: I'm pretty sure this is one of several books about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory I've read - it's a fascinating and horrifying story. It's a shame we only seem to manage significant reforms after disaster strikes.

>143 thornton37814: I've got this one on my kindle - I'll try and join you in reading it this month. Nice review!

>145 Dejah_Thoris: Yes. I read the one about the Triangle disaster for one of the challenges. I've had it for awhile--just never got around to reading it. Hope you enjoy the Whishaw book.

>79 thornton37814: Turn down Service? Knot on your Life

Love it!

>143 thornton37814: I actually prefer the Lane Winslow series to the Maisie Dobbs one, perhaps that is because it is set in BC so the reader gets to see some of the history of that area as well.

I didn't realize that they are closing down the Rootsweb lists. That isn't good news. I hope you are feeling better now, Lori.

Hi Lori! Drive-by hello, and congratulations on 14 books already for the year.

>147 cyderry: Yes. That was a good answer!

>148 Familyhistorian: It took me awhile to get into the Maisie Dobbs books. I'm still way behind with them. I'll see how this series progresses. I'm hopeful. Yes. Everyone is disappointed in the demise of the Rootsweb lists, and many small societies are trying to find a new way to communicate with members since they were offered to them free. They didn't really get much heads-up that they would be going away. Listserv software is dying. Everyone prefers forums now, but none of them work as well as the old Genforum boards did (before they were bought out several years ago). I doubt we'll go back to the days where people posted queries using Everton's Genealogical Helper (magazine), which is now defunct because of the advent of message boards and mailing lists, but I don't think a good solution really exists.

>149 karenmarie: Thanks! Getting ready to add #15!

Book 15. Doctored Evidence by Donna Leon

Date Completed: 13 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: In this installment, Commissario Brunetti investigates a case Lt. Scarpa dismissed based on circumstantial evidence. The old woman who was a nuisance to her neighbors because she listened to her television at a loud volume was assaulted and murdered. Money from her bank accounts disappeared almost instantaneously. His wife, reading their daughter's textbook, makes a remark about the seven deadly sins which guides his investigation. Suspects abound, but he identifies the person responsible for the crime, clearing the reputation of an immigrant woman. I listened to David Colacci's excellent audio narration. I enjoyed turning over Guido's wife's remark in my own head as well.

>144 thornton37814: Hi Lori! I have a copy of Triangle I vow to read it this year. I think I've waited so long to read it because it brings home many memories of Saturdays in the blouse factory where my beloved grandmother worked. I was allowed to go to work with her if I sat quietly. It gave me a huge lesson in just how very hard my grandmother, and others at the blouse factory worked. Some became hunch backed and stooped over from hours and years at the machines. What happened at the Triangle factory was a life changing event.

I forgot to add that I love the opening image of your cats. I am so very tempted to obtain a kitten. I had dinner with a friend Friday night. She has the most delightful orange cat. He has quite a unique personality.

>144 thornton37814: Well, at least I get to dodge that BB as I have already read that one!

Happy New Year, Lori!

>153 Whisper1: A kitten sounds like a very good idea, Linda. The presence of a cat can be so calming.

>152 Whisper1: I'm not really sure why I kept putting it off. I guess something else just interested me more.

>153 Whisper1: I hope you adopt a fur baby. They bring so much joy!

>154 alcottacre: Good thing you can dodge a few of them!

>155 laytonwoman3rd: I saw something on Facebook about some scientific study that said cats were good for your health, but I don't remember much about it.

Yep I see you are really slowing down! 15 books in 13 days. Still wowzer!

>157 PaulCranswick: Well, I've got something like 6 or 7 going. Of course two are year-long reads. A couple are books where I'm reading a chapter a day. One of the others is audio.

Exciting news! There will be an American equivalent of the British Library Crime Classics--The Library of Congress Crime Classics. Poisoned Pen Press will be collaborating with LC. See article in LCM: Library of Congress Magazine: https://www.loc.gov/lcm/pdf/LCM_2019_0910.pdf

Book 16. Waterland by Graham Swift

Date Completed: 14 January 2020

Category: Norwegian Forest (Other Fiction & Literature)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Tom Crick, a middle-aged history teacher, faces job termination due to consolidation of history into a more general subject area. He spends more time discussing events local to the Fens and his own story than the subject of history. He also faces challenges at home as his wife suffered a mental breakdown. Swift's writing style is unique. This book would lend itself well to a book group for discussion as readers will engage with the narrative differently.

>160 thornton37814: I'm pleased to see you enjoyed Waterland. It was a favourite of mine many moons ago.

>161 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. A Winterson book is on hold for me. I'm hopeful it will arrive in my reading app before the end of the month. If it doesn't, I'll probably read it in February.

>159 thornton37814: That is good news! I have really enjoyed the British books.

>163 witchyrichy: Yes. It will be interesting to see which books are selected.

Wow, you're just pumping out the books. My mom reads Amish books, too, so I should get her some. But she has Alzheimer's, so she doesn't really remember what she's reading all that much, so it seems like the new books thing is more for me than for her.

>165 The_Hibernator: I just add them to the mix. I enjoy them, but not a steady diet of them.

>144 thornton37814: Permaybehaps you'd enjoy a short, free online read about the fire...a novella with a magical tinge to it called Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes is at Tor.com and gets an almost-five-star rating from me.

>167 richardderus: Sounds interesting. I'll try to remember to check it when I'm on my iPad as I don't enjoy reading things of that length on my laptop. Trying to finish up a couple of other books at the moment.

Book 17. The Hidden Ways: Scotland's Forgotten Roads by Alistair Moffat

Date Completed: 16 January 2020

Category: Scottish Fold (Travel)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Moffat takes readers on a journey through some of Scotland's history by following ancient roads--or a rail route in one instance. From Robert the Bruce and Agricola to defending Scotland from German invasion during World War II, Moffat engages the reader by discussing not only the historic information but also the natural resources in the area. While each route contained an overview map of the route, the shortcoming of the book was the lack of photos to help readers unfamiliar with the area picture it. Some stories interested me more than others, but anyone who enjoys Scottish history will enjoy this travelogue.

Book 18. An Unhurried Life: Following Jesus' Rhythms of Work and Rest by Alan Fadling

Date Completed: 17 January 2020

Category: Bengal (Other Non-Fiction)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Alan Fadling shares insights learned which make time in our fast-paced society to wait on and listen to God. He shows the importance God placed on rest by emphasizing the Sabbath as well as the seven-year rests for the land itself. I really appreciated the insights offered by the author as well as his study of the subject evidenced by quotes from classic and modern authors. While I think his message is to be intentional in making a time alone with God, his guidance in helping people prioritize what is important and what needs to be dropped could perhaps be improved. I sometimes allow myself to become too overbooked, and Fadling's message showed me I need to slow down. I need to find time to enjoy life so I can hear God speak. I want to dig into some of the works cited.

Stopping by to wish you a great year of reading in 2020. Here and in the Category Challenge (Love your pictures of the cats).

>160 thornton37814: I have that on my list for this month.

>171 Kristelh: Thanks. I love my boys. I promise more--probably atop the next thread.

>172 fuzzi: Hope you enjoy it. I wasn't sure which Graham Swift to read, but that one was available so I picked it.

I really liked Waterland a lot

>174 Kristelh: I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Book 19. Death Finds a Way by Lorine McGinnis Schulze

Date Completed: 17 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Reviewing a book written by someone you know can be a daunting task. I avoided reading this even though I owned it because I feared I might not like the book. Janie Riley, genealogist, travels to Salt Lake City where she meets Clarissa. Janie observes Clarissa's soon-to-be-ex-husband giving Clarissa a difficult time. Then she notices someone watching Clarissa. When Clarissa turns up dead, and her papers turn up missing, Janie feels the need to make sure the murderer does not get away. She begins investigating Clarissa's case with memories of stolen glances at her work as they researched side-by-side. Will she remember enough to help bring a murderer to justice?

I found the book a fun and surprisingly pleasurable read. The ancestral story resonates with the reader. The modern plot as the story unfolded seemed implausible, particularly in regards to the way the police handled the case. In fact questions regarding this remain with the reader after the mystery's solution. Most genealogists will enjoy this adventure, particularly if heading to Salt Lake City for a research trip.

>160 thornton37814: >169 thornton37814: >170 thornton37814: Adding that one to the BlackHole! Thanks for the recommendations, Lori, especially of the Fadling book.

>177 alcottacre: I hope you enjoy those. I really enjoyed the Fadling book.

Hi Lori! Just dropping by to wave hello.

>179 humouress: Thanks. I'm already falling behind on commenting on threads. The amount of commenting I do is directly proportional to how rushed I'm feeling when I'm checking them. Much to do today, but I'm trying to allow myself a little bit of fun before I begin today's tasks.

>180 thornton37814: I tend to comment more on threads that 1. have topics that interest me and 2. don't have 100 UNREAD posts!

>181 fuzzi: Yes. If I have 100 unread posts, I tend to "skim" to see books they've read (by seeking the cover photos in the thread) and then look intently at the last few posts.

Book 20. She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge

Date Completed: 20 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: 14-year-old Aurora went missing from a camping trip 30 years ago. Now the police in an investigation led by DCI Jonah Steens recover her body in a hole near the river where the group camped. Along with the corpse, police discover drugs. Jonah calls all the campers as well as a teacher seen by the group for additional questioning. The story alternates between the "present" and 1983 when Aurora went missing. The back flashes really did nothing to move the story along except to present the story mostly from Aurora's point of view without revealing too much. While the mystery kept me interested, the writing itself lacked something I can't quite articulate. The blurb calls her a playwright. Perhaps the problem involves the difference in writing a novel and play. I look forward to the next installment of the series.

Book 21. Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson

Date Completed: 20 January 2020

Category: Norwegian Forest (Other Fiction & Literature)

Rating: 2 stars

Review: This collection features short stories and recipes/food memories. "The Mistletoe Bride" featured gothic elements and was probably my favorite story, but it seemed reminiscent of another story I read at some time. Only a couple of the recipes interested me. Most of the stories fell flat for me and didn't seem Christmas-y at all although they were all set around the holiday. Perhaps the reason for this is the author's cynicism for the holiday outlined in the book's introduction. I nearly abandoned the book in the middle of the introduction in spite of the fact the Pearl rule page point could not be invoked.

>183 thornton37814: I will give that series a shot. Into the BlackHole it goes! Thanks, Lori.

>185 alcottacre: I think it showed promise. I just won an ARC (or perhaps a finished copy) of the 2nd in the series on GoodReads. It hasn't arrived yet. I'd checked out the first in series over Christmas and just hadn't gotten to it. Fortunately I was able to finish in during my renewal period. Of course, I was motivated at that point by the win of the next in series.

Book 22. Generations and Change: Genealogical Perspectives in Social History edited by Robert M. Taylor, Jr. and Ralph J. Crandall

Date Completed: 21 January 2020

Category: Persian (History & Genealogy)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Although this book was published in 1989 and strides in technology since that time provide different avenues of research than existed at that time, this book still contains much relevant information for researchers today. The Board of Certification for Genealogists codified many genealogical standards incorporating the use of social history in genealogical research. At the time of the book's writing, some genealogists already incorporated social history methods or research in their own family narratives. This book showed its value to many more. However, it also demonstrated the standards held by many microhistorians to those academics who might undervalue it. I found the essays by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Patricia Trainor O'Malley, Lawrence J. Kilbourne, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, and Claudia L. Bushman most interesting. The essays on naming patterns were useful to those researching in the essay's focus area.



Book 23. The Asylum by Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Date Completed: 21 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mystery)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Morton Farrier finds an additional marriage for a client's father; however, he initially did not research it since the client told him not to research more recent generations. When the client adamantly denies the previous marriage and Morton's present work load allows him time, he retrieves the marriage record and death certificate for the first wife. The client wants to learn more about the first wife who died in an asylum. One must always prepare for unexpected discoveries, and this case illustrates the lesson. Genealogical ethics once again seem a bit problematic. Farrier discusses his case more openly than a professional genealogist should without written client authorization. I understand why the author had him discuss it with the person he did, but I don't think the story would suffer with the omission of the unethical behavior. Still I enjoyed this short story.

>187 thornton37814: I need to get that one for my daughter. She is very interested in genealogy. Thanks for the recommendation, Lori!

>188 alcottacre: The nation's best known genealogist asked a couple years ago via her Facebook page how many had read it and explained it was still useful. It's quite academic in tone so it may take a graduate student or better to appreciate it fully.

Book 24. Nightwoods by Charles Frazier

Date Completed: 22 January 2020

Category: Norwegian Forest (Other Fiction & Literature)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Luce lives in the lodge belonging to her late employer. She's actually "squatting" now, but lacking another place to go, she remains. She loves solitude. After her sister's murder, she takes in her delinquent niece and nephew. Although the situation does not meet state standards, the social worker in charge overlooks it. Frazier's well-drawn characters draw readers into the story even if that story does not resonate. The author invokes the Appalachian region's natural beauty, making full use of it to create an atmosphere appropriate to the action.

Looks like you are reading more than a book a day at this point, Lori, and there are some good ones in there.

>191 Familyhistorian: I think the staggering of some books that I'm reading a chapter a day or so in is helping my total. I know there is no way I can maintain the pace for the entire year, but I'd like to have at least 31 in January since I'm on such a good roll!

Book 25. Good Mews: Inspirational Stories for Cat Lovers by Kitty Chappell

Date Completed: 23 January 2020

Category: American Shorthair / Tabby (Cats)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: The author turns her cats' antics into stories teaching about a Christian's walk with the Lord. Each story is accompanied by a Scripture and 3 cat quotes. As a cat lover, these resonated with me! It would make a great gift for Christian crazy cat ladies or any other Christian who loves cats and wants to spend a few minutes each day thinking about cats and their relationship with God.

>190 thornton37814: I'm so glad that this off-the-radar read is making a deserved return to readerly awareness.

>194 richardderus: Frazier was the American Author Challenge author this month. I've read a few of his other books. I've liked some, and others seemed mediocre. This is one of his better books.

>195 thornton37814: I, unlike most people in the English-reading US, found Cold Mountain, um, not to my taste because THAT ENDING MADE ME MAD. *ahem* So this read, as well-written as the earlier one but without AN INFURIATING ENDING *ahem*, gave me a glad little glow.

>196 richardderus: I think you either like or don't like Cold Mountain for the most part. I'm a little divided on my feelings for it. I read it before LT in a period in which I didn't record all my reads and certainly didn't review them. I'm not sure why I quit recording what I read, but I've regretted it.

Book 26. An Incomplete Obituary for Damien Stewart Wilson by Sean Rose

Date Completed: 23 January 2020

Category: Norwegian Forest (Other Fiction & Literature)

Rating: 2 stars

Review: Damien Stewart Wilson suffered abuse at the hands of his father. He resides with his mother and could be classified as a religious seeker even though he and his mother were to be baptized at a Baptist church. Instead the troubled teen dies just days beforehand. I did not enjoy this. I skimmed the description, if I even did that, downloading it on the basis of the word "obituary." I'm sure an audience for this short story exists, but it does not resonate with me.

Book 27. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Date Completed: 24 January 2020

Category: Siamese (Historical Fiction)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Stevens, who served as butler to Lord Darlington of Darlington Hall and now serves for the American who purchased the mansion after Darlington's post-World War II death, takes a motoring trip and recalls the glory days of his service. Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, plays prominently in his memories as do the important world leaders who visited the home. Stevens did not know how to relax, and Miss Kenton tried to pursue him at inopportune times. They both let a life together slip from them because of their stubbornness. I listened to the audio version and although Simon Prebble portrayed the butler precisely, the book's writing style, being entirely told in Stevens' voice, made it a bit monotonous. I recognize the genius of the novel, but it went on too long in audio format.

Book 28. Clue by Paul Allor and Nelson Daniel; lettered by Neil Uyetake and Gilberto Lazcano

Date Completed: 24 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 2 stars

Review: This graphic novel, based on the classic board game is too modern for me. I wasn't a fan of the person illustration either which seemed "blocky" to me. There are a few extra characters--detectives, butler, and a doctor. I would prefer a historical graphic mystery to this.

>199 thornton37814: I loved this one, Lori, but I can see it not working in audio format.

>201 Crazymamie: I think it was just a little too monotonous because it was all one voice. As I stated, the narrator captured the butler's voice perfectly. I think it would work better in print.

Book 29. 23737474::Beheld by nesbittarashea::TaraShea Nesbit

Date Completed: 25 January 2020

Category: Siamese (Historical Fiction)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Nesbit imagines life in the Plymouth Colony in this fictionalized account providing a back story and after story to its first murder. The author writes in the vernacular of the day, creating a piece which helps the reader become absorbed in 17th century life. Much of the story's narration comes from the wife of the convicted murderer. Her differences with Bradford and Standish at times make the reader question her reliability as a narrator and at times create questions of the integrity of the colonial leaders. The book, lacking an action-driven plot, requires the reader to savor the characters and atmosphere created by the author. As someone who loves colonial American history, I enjoyed this book; however, it may not be a book for everyone. I received an advance review copy from Bloomsbury, the publisher. While an honest review was encouraged, it was not required.

>72 thornton37814: What?! No pictures in the Uzbek cookbook? Haha, When my son mentioned he was going to register for an intro to Uzbek language course I was briefly interested in info about Uzbekistan and its cuisine . He's since changed his mind and will now be registering for Romanian. I'll dust off the recipe books that have been passed down to me but sadly I know they do not have photos either. There's always Google.

>151 thornton37814: I just read Donna Leon's 29th installment of the Brunetti series, Trace Elements. The sad thing is I skipped the majority of the installments which came before. Hope to rectify that soon.

>204 Carmenere: You should join us in the Brunetti group read. Some of the folks are reading another author too, but the plan was to read 8 Brunettis this year. The one I just read was actually the December installment, but I'll be listening to the January one in February. (I have already listened to the February one.) Thread is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/315244

Hello Lori, I am belatedly finding and starring you! You also got me with >190 thornton37814: Nightwoods. I have been meaning to read more by Charles Frazier.

>206 AMQS: Hope you enjoy it, Anne! I was motivated by the American Author Challenge.

>206 AMQS: >207 thornton37814: I'm in the middle of Nightwoods. There are so many ways things can get worse that I am getting fewer pages read per distraction than is in any way reasonable. But here I am, next I'll check eBay, after that it's time to feed the dogs, then dinner........

>205 thornton37814: Thanks for the link, Lori, I'll check into it. :0)

>208 quondame: I can understand. I've read enough Appalachian literature to know how to get through it now. Of course, living in Appalachia, a lot of people want to read it, and I try to read some of it just so I can carry on a conversation.

>209 Carmenere: Please feel free to join us whenever. I'll be skipping the books I've already read or listened to. I still remember most of them.

Book 30. The Witch Elm by Tana French

Date Completed: 26 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: After being assaulted by burglars, Toby suffers several lingering injuries including head trauma. His uncle's cancer diagnosis precipitates his return to the home where he spent so much time. When his cousin's son finds a skeleton in the Wych Elm, the Garda looks at the family with suspicion. Toby can't remember certain things about the night long ago. Will the thieves who injured Toby be found? Will the murder investigators rely only on circumstantial evidence or seek the truth? I enjoyed Uncle Hugo, the genealogist, most in this story. It's too bad he died. He would make an excellent genealogist sleuth. The direction the story took in the last couple of chapters turned me off. The story seemed longer than necessary, and I disliked the ending. The characters used more profanity than my comfort level allowed.

Hi there. I've returned after a few years' absence, so I wanted to stop by and offer greetings!

Lori--Goodness! I can't keep up with your thread, posts or books!! Looks like you are having a great reading year.

Wow 30 books already, Lori.

I am in awe!

>212 Esquiress: Welcome back! Feel free to stop in any time.

>213 Berly: I think I've been driven to try to keep up the pace for the month of January. I'll see how much other commitments interfere next month.

>214 PaulCranswick: Actually 32. I finished 2 this morning I still need to review. I found a slim volume of poetry so I'd have something in every category this month. Of course, it won't get that great of a review from me, but I'll put a teaser out there.

Book 31. Be Free: Exchange Legalism for True Spirituality by Warren W. Wiersbe

Date Completed: 27 January 2020

Category: Bengal (Other Non-Fiction)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Years ago I owned most of Wiersbe's "Be Series" in print. I got rid of the collection in one of my moves, and I often regret some of the radical downsizing. Wiersbe's books are perfect for personal or group Bible study. His writing still speaks to Christians today. I read a chapter each day, although I read a couple of chapters on a couple of days, of the Galatians volume. Wiersbe frames everything from the historical context in which Paul wrote the letter. The Galatian Christians, influenced by the Judaizers, became too legalistic. Paul reminds them of the freedom in Christ they enjoy. I enjoyed revisiting this volume in my daily quiet time.

Book 32. Stag's Leap by Sharon Olds

Date Completed: 27 January 2020

Category: Russian Blue (Poetry)

Rating: 2 stars

Review: This slim volume of poetry won a Pulitzer Prize. I located it on a list of poetry everyone should read. I did not enjoy it. The volume focuses on her divorce and the feelings surrounding it. The author definitely took out her feelings through her writing. It was "TMI" (too much information). Although Olds' writing style excelled, the topic left me cold.

Book 33. Great Possessions: An Amish Farmer's Journal by David Kline

Date Completed: 28 January 2020

Category: Bengal (Other Non-Fiction)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: David Kline, an Amish farmer, describes the natural wonders around him in this book. The essays, first appearing in Family Life Magazine, share his love of birds, trees, and wildlife. His love of birds is quite evidence throughout the essays. One essay suggested fruits, both berries and ones growing on trees, one should seek to cultivate. The essay also suggested nut trees which should be planted. As I read it, I wondered how many of my Amish ancestors followed similar patterns of planting these for their own families. While they contributed to the family's cupboard, they also provided a source of entertainment through bird watching. When I read the title, I thought the book would focus more on aspects of farming, but I enjoyed this just as much.

Lots of great reading! I liked Northwoods very much.

>218 thornton37814: Added this one to the TBR list.

>219 witchyrichy: The book came in a gift collection at work, and I wanted to read it although I wasn't keeping it for the library. I really enjoyed it. It will go in our annual book sale.

Book 34. Stepping Into Rural Wisconsin: Grandpa Charly's Life Vignettes, from Prussia to the Midwest by Edward J. Kuehn and Linda T. Ruggeri

Date Completed: 28 January 2020

Category: Persian (History & Genealogy)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Author Edward J. Kuehn researched his grandfather Charly and grandmother Hulda. At first he created a small publication for his own family, but later he wrote this volume incorporating social history and family photographs. Although citations do not perfectly adhere to standards, one can follow them to locate cited sources. He also often discusses the evidence although he may or may not know that was what he was doing. I enjoyed reading this tribute to the author's beloved grandfather. I won this in 2018 from a GoodReads giveaway and misplaced it. I found it in a book box recently and pulled it out to complete the requested although not required review.

>218 thornton37814: argh. Book bullet...

>221 thornton37814: My father's family spent parts of 3 generations in Northern Wisconsin and my cousin still owns my grandfather's house in Ripon. Great-grandfather sold off the big house that became the headquarters of the Republican party - it was a white elephant to heat. When it was up for sale early this century we tried to persuade my rich brother to buy it, but no.

>222 fuzzi: It's a little older, but it's still a worthwhile read.

>223 quondame: It's fun to see those ancestral homes. I'm glad, though, that I don't have to haul wood to heat the fire, buy kerosene so I have light, haul water from a spring to the house, and use an outhouse or chamber pot. I'm thankful for central heat and air and indoor plumbing!

>218 thornton37814: Hi, Lori! That one sounds interesting; I'll have to pick it up if I run across it.

Hi Lori! Congrats on such a stellar January so far.

>211 thornton37814: Last year I abandoned The Witch Elm after 308 pages. I just didn’t care anymore.

>225 harrygbutler: Hope you enjoy it if you run across it.

>226 karenmarie: I'm glad I wasn't alone. It was sometimes a struggle. I thought about abandoning it early on. Perhaps I should have done so.

Book 35. The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch

Date Completed: 30 January 2020

Category: Siamese (Historical Fiction)

Rating: 4 stars

Review:Captured in their native Poland, Jacob and Eidel Rosen and children Max and Lydia arrive at Auschwitz. Men and women reside in separate quarters with little interaction. The family never sees Lydia again. Jacob wisely tells twelve-year-old Max to lie about his age to avoid the gas chamber where children are sent. The only thing remaining of Lydia is a portrait painted by Eidel which now hangs in an official's home. Will using that work of art as a bargaining chip boost the family's odds of survival? Read along to find out. Each chapter ends with a reflection by an elderly Max. The horrors of Nazi Germany's concentration camps always make me wonder how humans could treat others this way. Clinch captures the climate well, demonstrating both the prisoners' struggle for survival as well as the abuses they suffered.

>224 thornton37814: Sorry to spoil any romantic notions, but I'm pretty sure both houses were built with flush toilets as the men for whom they were built - and who had a strong hand in their design - ran the local utilities. Though there was at least one chamber pot in the attic, as I know from a small family scandal in this century. But then my uncle collected everything, so who knows the provenience of that.

>328 I thought I was finished reading about the horrors of the Holocaust, at least in fictional accounts---Sophie's Choice nearly did me in, especially as I read it when my own daughter was very young. But when Clinch took up the subject I decided I would have to see what he did with it, and I was impressed. A bit of a different sort of story, and one worth reading.

>229 quondame: I remember "the old home place" which had been the home of my great grandparents from family reunions in Mississippi. It had an outhouse. I was scared to use it. I think my dad's Aunt Ruey finally took me to the real toilet in her house which was on a nearby property because I kept begging my mom to take me home to use the restroom.

>230 laytonwoman3rd: Yes. His story took a different tone than many did.

Book 36. The St. Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre by Elisabeth Crabtree

Date Completed: 30 January 2020

Category: Maine Coon (Mysteries)

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Kat moves back to Hatter's Cove from Miami and takes a job at the newspapers where she once interned. A new bakery decides to open ahead of schedule in time for Valentine's Day. Tiffany, who served time for the manslaughter of her father, returns to town following her release. A man found dead by the bakery's dumpster with a bag of cookies bearing Kat's name creates a very tangled puzzle. A detective Kat knew in Miami began working for Hatter's Cove's police department on the day of the murder. The almost novel-length novella shows promise with an interesting main sleuth and a detective who apparently knows how to remind her when she crosses the line. I reserve judgment on the newspaper owner until future installments.

>216 thornton37814: I like reading Wiersbe, too, I guess I have three of his books.

>233 paulstalder: I have a lot of Wiersbe in my Kindle stash so you'll probably see several of his throughout the year. The book I'm using now will take me through about February 18 if I continue on the chapter a day format. I may double up a couple days, but I'll probably stick fairly close to that since I'm adding these to my quiet time with a daily devotional book and a read through the Bible plan.