fuzzi's Visions of Reading in 2020

As I’ve done here on LT for several years, I'm envisioning completing the 75 and 100 books read challenges again this year:



75 Book Challenge thread:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314436)

100 Book Challenge thread:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314904)

---

This past year I read about 120 ROOT books, and so surpassed my challenge of 100, but I’ve decided to just repeat the 100 book challenge in 2020: I still have an incredible number books that have been languishing on my shelves for months, years!
(ticker needs to be redone, total in 2020 was 90)
My ROOTing Progress!!
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314686)

---

And here's a ticker for culled rehomed books, read or unread...because finding a good home for a book is important!



Books Culled Rehomed
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314902)

---

Here's my favorite thread on LT: https://www.librarything.com/topic/177029

All my reviews can be accessed here: http://www.librarything.com/profile_reviews.php?view=fuzzi

I didn't create a garden and butterfly thread for 2019, but if I make one for 2020 I'll post it here::

fuzzi's Puttering Around the Demesne in 2020!
(url)

---

I want to read through my Bible in 2020, and reread the Old Testament, which I missed doing in 2019:

---

Jump to February's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004588)

Jump to March's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004589)

Jump to April's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004590)

Jump to May's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004591)

Jump to June's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004593)

Jump to July's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004594)

Jump to August's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004595)

Jump to September's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004596)

Jump to October's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004597)

Jump to November's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004598)

Jump to December's Reads:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004599)

Jump BELOW the monthly posts for some discussion:
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7004600)

And we're OFF!!!

Maximum Security: Eclipse Winner (Champion 3 Year Old Male)

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

*75 Book Challenge* and
*100 Books in 2020 Challenge*
See combined ticker above for progress!

---

*AlphaCATKIT Challenge* (unofficial)
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313912)
January challenges are the letters "A" and "U" (yearlong challenge letters are X and Z)

"A"

Android at Arms by Andre Norton - (ROOT)


The Heart of What Was Lost: A Novel of Osten Ard by Tad Williams - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


The Six Bullerby Children by Astrid Lindgren - Read and reviewed


War Admiral: Thoroughbred Legends by Edward L. Bowen - Read and reviewed


Dark Interval by Joan Aiken - (ROOT) - DNF


Assault: Thoroughbred Legends by Eva Jolene Boyd - Read and reviewed

"U"

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin - (ROOT)


Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt - Read and reviewed

---

*American Author Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/314429#)
January is "Charles Frazier"

Thirteen Moons - DNF

---

*British Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313878#6991005)
January is Jeanette Winterson & Graham Swift

Waterland by Graham Swift - Did not read

---

*Classics-I-Have-Not-Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314434#)
Possible reads for January:

The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Read and reviewed

---

*Lord Peter Wimsey Group read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314832)

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers - Read and reviewed

---

*Nonfiction Reading Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314576#)
January is "Prizewinners and Nominees"

Guts by Gary Paulsen - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*RandomCat Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314037#)
January is "New Year's Resolutions": Read a book that is challenging

The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Read and reviewed

---

*ROOT aka Read Our Own Tomes*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314613)
See ticker above for progress
ROOT Total This Month: 18

The Heart of What Was Lost: A Novel of Osten Ard by Tad Williams


Guts by Gary Paulsen


Dark Interval by Joan Aiken

---

*Louis L'Amour Shared Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314432#)
January is Fair Blows the Wind (Chantry #1) - Read and reviewed

---

*UN-official SFF-KIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313800)
January is "I Meant to Read it in 2019"

The Heart of What Was Lost: A Novel of Osten Ard by Tad Williams - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

Books read and reviewed in January:
1. Fair Blows the Wind
2. The Song of Hiawatha
3. Whose Body?
4. The Heart of What Was Lost: A Novel of Osten Ard - (ROOT)
5. Guts - (ROOT)
6. The Six Bullerby Children
7. War Admiral: Thoroughbred Legends by Edward L. Bowen
8. Up a Road Slowly
9. Assault
10. Soldier's Heart

---

Books culled rehomed in January:
1. Guts - (ROOT)
2. A Little Magic by Nora Roberts
3. Winds of Change: Blood of Ten Chiefs 3 edited by Richard Pini
4. Black Ice by Michael Connolly
5. Night
and
6. Dawn by Elie Wiesel
7. The Mark of the Christian by Francis Schaeffer
8. In the Beginning by Chaim Potok
9. The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone
10. Kaspar by Michael Morpurgo (somehow I never entered this into LT!)
11. Little House in Brookfield by Maria D Wilkes
12. In the Land of the Big Red Apple
and
13. On the Other Side of the Hill by Roger Lea MacBride
14. Stories to Remember edited by Thomas B Costain
15. The Mouse That Roared by Leonard Wibberley
16. Cassie and Ike by Mary Carr Hanna
17. Dark Interval by Joan Aiken - (ROOT) - DNF
18. Soldier's Heart

---

Male authors read this month: 6 to date
Female authors read this month: 4 to date

---

Cumulative Stats
Books culled rehomed from my library: 18
Books read and reviewed: 10
ROOTs completed to date: 18 (2 read, 16 rehomed & unread)

Read and reviewed, not assigned to any challenge:

Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

*75 Book Challenge* and
*100 Books in 2020 Challenge*
See combined ticker above for progress!

---

*AlphaCATKIT Challenge* (unofficial)
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/315585#)
February challenges are the letters "F" and "B" (yearlong challenge letters are X and Z)

"F"

The Ferguson Rifle by Louis L'Amour - Read and reviewed


Binkle's Time to Fly by Sharmila Collins and Carolina Rabei - (ER) - Read and reviewed


False Colours by Georgette Heyer - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Dr. Fager by Steve Haskin - Read and reviewed


Prince Valiant, Vol. 9: 1953-1954 by Hal Foster - (ROOT)

"B"

Breakheart Pass by Alistair MacLean - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*American Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314360)
February is "Grace Paley"
- Did not participate

---

*British Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313878#6991758)
February is "The Naughty Nineties"

The Secret of Hunter's Keep by Joyce Stranger (1993) - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*Classics-I-Have-Not-Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314434#)
Possible reads for February:

---

*Lord Peter Wimsey Group read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/315976)

Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers - Read and reviewed

---

*MysteryKIT Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/315610#)
February is "Furry Sleuths"

Woof by Spencer Quinn - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*Newbery Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316991#)

The Giver by Lois Lowry (1994 Medal Winner) - Read and reviewed

---

*Nonfiction Reading Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316372#)
February is "Heroes and Villains"

Amazing Jewish Heroes Down Through the Ages by David Richard Goldberg - (ROOT)

---

*RandomCat Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/315559#)
February is "Still LEAPing Into the New Year: Read a book published in a Leap Year"

The Coming of the Law by Charles Alden Seltzer (1912) - (ROOT) - Cannot locate book!


Dr. Fager by Steve Haskin (2000) - Read and reviewed

---

*ROOT aka Read Our Own Tomes*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316284)
See ticker above for progress
ROOT Total This Month: 6

Woof by Spencer Quinn


Breakheart Pass by Alistair MacLean


False Colours by Georgette Heyer


The Secret of Hunter's Keep by Joyce Stranger


Dragonflies by Molly McLaughlin

---

*Louis L'Amour Shared Read Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/314432#)
February is The Ferguson Rifle (Chantry #2) - Read and reviewed

---

*UN-official SFF-KIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/315582)
February is "Transformation"

Abaddon's Gate by James S. A Corey - (ROOT) - Did not read


The Giver by Lois Lowry - Read and reviewed

---

Books read and reviewed in month:
1. The Ferguson Rifle
2. Binkle's Time to Fly - (ER)
3. Woof by Spencer Quinn - (ROOT)
4. Clouds of Witness
5. Breakheart Pass - (ROOT)
6. False Colours by Georgette Heyer - (ROOT)
7. The Giver - (Newbery)
8. The Secret of Hunter's Keep - (ROOT)
9. Dr. Fager
10. Dragonflies - (ROOT)
11. The Night the White Deer Died

---

Books culled rehomed in month:
1. Binkle's Time to Fly - (ER)
2. Woof by Spencer Quinn - (ROOT)
3. The Mouse on the Moon - (ROOT)
4. Dragonflies - (ROOT)
5. The Night the White Deer Died

---

Male authors read this month: 5 to date
Female authors read this month: 6 to date

---

Cumulative Stats
Books culled rehomed from my library: 5
Books read and reviewed: 11
ROOTs completed to date: 6 in February

Read and reviewed, not assigned to any challenge:

The Night the White Deer Died by Gary Paulsen

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

*75 Book Challenge* and
*100 Books in 2020 Challenge*
See combined ticker above for progress!

---

*AlphaCATKIT Challenge* (unofficial)
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316729)
March challenges are the letters "G" and "C" (yearlong challenge letters are X and Z)

"G"

John Henry: Racing's Grand Old Man by Steve Haskin - Read and reviewed


Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski (Newbery Medal 1946) - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


The House Without a Christmas Tree by Gail Rock - Read and reviewed


Arabella by Georgette Heyer - Read and reviewed

"C"

10230686::Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Caravan to Vaccares by Alistair MacLean - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry (Newbery Medal 1941) - Read and reviewed


The House Without a Christmas Tree by Gail Rock - Read and reviewed


Seattle Slew: Racing's Only Undefeated Triple Crown Winner by Dan Mearns - Read and reviewed

---

*American Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314360)
March is "David McCullough"

John Adams - Did not read

---

*British Author Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/313878#6991005)
March is Jane Austen & Walter Scott

Waverely by Sir Walter Scott - Did not read


The History of England by Jane Austen - Read and reviewed

---

*Classics-I-Have-Not-Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314434#)
Possible reads for March:

Waverely by Sir Walter Scott - Did not read

---

*Lord Peter Wimsey Group read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316905)

Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers- Read and reviewed

---

*MysteryKIT Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316726#)
March is "Golden Age"

Unnatural Death by Dorothy Sayers - Read and reviewed
This also fits the March Murder & Mayhem challenge:(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317099)

---

*Newbery Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316991#)

Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski (Newbery Medal 1946) - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry (Newbery Medal 1941) - Read and reviewed

---

*Nonfiction Reading Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317309#)
March is "Food"

10230686::Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*Nonfiction CAT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316758#)
March is "Biography"

John Adams by David McCullough - Did not read

---

*RandomCat Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316725)
March is "Seasons of Love"

Summerhills by DE Stevenson - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*ROOT aka Read Our Own Tomes*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317360#7083959)
See ticker above for progress
ROOT Total This Month: 4

Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski - (Newbery Medal 1946)


Caravan to Vaccares by Alistair MacLean


10230686::Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking


Summerhills by DE Stevenson

---

*Louis L'Amour Shared Read Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/314432#)
March is Over on the Dry Side (Chantry #3) - Read and reviewed

---

*UN-official SFF-KIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316759#)
March is "Series"

Dilvish, the Damned by Roger Zelazny (1st in a series) - Read and reviewed

---

Books read and reviewed in month:
1. The House Without a Christmas Tree
2. Over on the Dry Side
3. Strawberry Girl - (ROOT) - (Newbery)
4. Teddy Bear of the Year - (ER)
5. Call It Courage - (Newbery)
6. Unnatural Death
7. Caravan to Vaccares - (ROOT)
8. The History of England
9. 10230686::Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking - (ROOT)
10. Seattle Slew: Racing's Only Undefeated Triple Crown Winner
11. Dilvish, the Damned
12. Summerhills - (ROOT)
13. John Henry: Racing's Grand Old Man
14. Arabella

---

Books culled rehomed in month:
1. The House Without a Christmas Tree
2. Strawberry Girl - (ROOT) - (Newbery)
3. Teddy Bear of the Year - (ER)

---

Male authors read this month: 6 to date
Female authors read this month: 7 to date

---

Cumulative Stats
Books culled rehomed from my library: 3
Books read and reviewed: 14
ROOTs completed to date: 4 for March, 28 in 2020

Read and reviewed, not assigned to any challenge:

Teddy Bear of the Year by Vikki Vansickle - (ER) - Read and reviewed

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

*75 Book Challenge* and
*100 Books in 2020 Challenge*
See combined ticker above for progress!

---

*AlphaCATKIT Challenge* (unofficial)
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317656#)
April challenges are the letters "S" and "T" (yearlong challenge letters are X and Z)

"S"

Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy L. Sayers - Did not read


The Snare of the Hunter by Helen MacInnes - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


South by Java Head by Alistair MacLean - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Stand Proud by Elmer Kelton - (ROOT) - Did not read

"T"

Taming the Star Runner by SE Hinton - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


They Looked For a City by Lydia Buksbazen - (ROOT) - Did not read

---

*American Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314360)
April is "Francine Prose"

Did not participate this month

---

*British Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313878#6997625)
April is Bernadine Evaristo & Caryl Phillips

The Nature of Blood by Caryl Phillips - Did not read

---

*Classics-I-Have-Not-Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314434#)
Possible reads for April:

The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan - (ROOT) - Currently reading


Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift - Did not read

---

*The Group Monthly Theme Read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318327#)
April is "Adventures"

South by Java Head by Alistair MacLean - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


The Snare of the Hunter by Helen MacInnes - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan - (ROOT) - Currently reading

---

*Lord Peter Wimsey Group read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318091#7103885)

Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy L. Sayers - Did not read

---

*MysteryKIT Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317664)
April is "Espionage"

South by Java Head by Alistair MacLean - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


The Snare of the Hunter by Helen MacInnes - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*Newbery Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316991#)

Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz (1983 Honor Book) - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*Nonfiction CAT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317724#)
April is "Law & Order"

Wyatt Earp's Cow-Boy Campaign: The Bloody Restoration of Law and Order… by Chuck Hornung - (ROOT) & (ER) - Did not read

---

*RandomCat Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317842#)
April is "Showers and Flowers"

The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt - (ROOT) - Did not read

---

*Reading Through Time Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317479)
Second Quarter (April - June) is Ancient and Biblical Times

The Darkness and the Dawn by Thomas B. Costain - (ROOT) - Did not read

---

*ROOT aka Read Our Own Tomes*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318452)
See ticker above for progress
ROOT Total This Month: 5

Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz (1983 Newbery Honor Book)


The Changing Land by Roger Zelazny


The Snare of the Hunter by Helen MacInnes


South By Java Head by Alistair MacLean


Taming the Star Runner by SE Hinton

---

*Louis L'Amour Shared Read Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/314432#)
April is Borden Chantry (Chantry #4)

Borden Chantry - Read and reviewed

---

*UN-official SFF-KIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317745#)
April is "Time Travel"

The Changing Land by Roger Zelazny - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

Books read and reviewed in April:
1. Borden Chantry
2. Homesick: My Own Story - (ROOT) - (Newbery Honor)
3. The Changing Land - (ROOT)
4. The Snare of the Hunter - (ROOT)
5. South by Java Head - (ROOT)
6. Taming the Star Runner - (ROOT)
7. Bowdrie (reread)

---

Books culled rehomed in April:
1. Arabella
2. Homesick: My Own Story - (ROOT) - (Newbery Honor)
3. Taming the Star Runner

---

Male authors read this month: 4 to date
Female authors read this month: 3 to date

---

Cumulative Stats
Books culled rehomed from my library: 3
Books read and reviewed: 7
ROOTs completed to date: 5

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

*75 Book Challenge* and
*100 Books in 2020 Challenge*
See combined ticker above for progress!

---

*AlphaCATKIT Challenge* (unofficial)
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318917#)
May challenges are the letters "L" and "P" (yearlong challenge letters are X and Z)

"L"

North to the Rails by Louis L'Amour - Read and reviewed


My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier (1975 Newbery Honor) - Read and reviewed


Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite De Angeli (1957 Newbery Honor) - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Bowdrie's Law by Louis L'Amour - Read and reviewed

"P"

The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Prince Valiant, Vol. 9: 1953-1954 by Hal Foster - (ROOT) - Did not read

---

*American Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314360)
May is "E. Lynn Harris"
Will probably not participate unless the public library opens

---

*British Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313878#6998667)
May is Michael Moorcock, J.G. Ballard, and Brian Aldiss

Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock - (ROOT) - Did not finish

---

*Classics-I-Have-Not-Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314434#)
Possible reads for May: started The Oregon Trail, see June for details

---

*The Group Monthly Theme Read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/319731#)
May is "Martians and Spaceships: Speculative Fiction"

All Systems Red by Martha Wells - Read and reviewed

---

*Lord Peter Wimsey Group read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/319700#)

The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers - Read and reviewed

---

*MysteryKIT*
https://www.librarything.com/topic/318912)
May is "Novel to Screen"

The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers - Read and reviewed

---

*Newbery Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316991#)
Possible reads for May:

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier (1975 Honor) - Read and reviewed


Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite De Angeli (1957 Honor) - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*Nonfiction CAT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318877)
May is "Science"

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia by Bernard S. Martof - (ROOT) - Did not finish

---

*RandomCat Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318924#)
May is "Believe in Yourshelf"

The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Kalak of the Ice by Jim Kjelgaard - Read and reviewed

---

*Reading Through Time Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/317479)
Second Quarter (April - June) is Ancient and Biblical Times

The Darkness and the Dawn by Thomas B. Costain - (ROOT)

---

*ROOT aka Read Our Own Tomes*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/319774#)
See ticker above for progress
ROOT Total in May: 6

Nethergate by Norah Lofts

The Boat by Lothar-Gunther Buchheim

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (unread)


Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock (did not finish)


The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters


Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite De Angeli (1957 Newbery Honor)

---

*Louis L'Amour Shared Read Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/314432#)
May is North to the Rails (Chantry #5) - Read and reviewed

---

*UN-official SFF-KIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/318950#)
May is "Sentient Things"

Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock - (ROOT) - Did not finish


All Systems Red by Martha Wells - Read and reviewed

---

Books read and reviewed in May:
1. Watership Down (reread)
2. North to the Rails (reread)
3. The Pilgrim of Hate - (ROOT)
4. My Brother Sam is Dead - (1975 Newbery Honor)
5. All Systems Red
6. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club
7. Atlantic Fury
8. Bowdrie's Law
9. Black Fox of Lorne (1957 Newbery Honor) - (ROOT)
10. Kalak of the Ice

---

Books culled rehomed in May:
1. Catch-22 - (ROOT)
2. Lost in the Barrens
3. Sylvester
4. Rake's Progress
5. Stormbringer - partly read - (ROOT)
6. The Pilgrim of Hate - (ROOT)
7. My Brother Sam is Dead - (1975 Newbery Honor)
8. Nethergate - (ROOT)
9. The Boat - (ROOT)
10. False Colours
11. Black Fox of Lorne (1957 Newbery Honor) - (ROOT)

---

Male authors read in May: 6 to date
Female authors read in May: 4 to date

---

Cumulative Stats
Books culled rehomed from my library: 11
Books read and reviewed in May: 10
ROOTs completed in May: 6

Not assigned to any challenge:

Atlantic Fury by Hammond Innes (shared read) - Read and reviewed


Watership Down by Richard Adams (reread) - Read and reviewed

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

*75 Book Challenge* and
*100 Books in 2020 Challenge*
See combined ticker above for progress!

---

*AlphaCATKIT Challenge* (unofficial)
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320294#)
June challenges are the letters "K" and "Y" (yearlong challenge letters are X and Z)

"K"

Jericho's Road: A Story of the Texas Rangers by Elmer Kelton - (ROOT) - Did not read


The Big Silence by Stuart M. Kaminsky - (ROOT) - Did not finish


Kelso by Steve Haskin - Read and reviewed

"Y"

Touring Iran A Photographic Journey by Yassavoli - (ROOT) - Did not read

---

*American Author Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/321050#7179215)
June is "Jean Stafford"

Did not participate due to the public library being closed

---

*British Author Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/313878#6998672)
June is Penelope Fitzgerald & Patrick Gale

Did not participate due to the public library being closed

---

*Classics-I-Have-Not-Read Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/314434#)
Possible reads for June:

The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*The Group Monthly Theme Read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320908)
June is "Justice"

The Big Silence by Stuart M. Kaminsky - (ROOT) - Did not finish

---

*Lord Peter Wimsey Group read*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320863)

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers - Read and reviewed

---

*Louis L'Amour Shared Read Challenge*
(http://www.librarything.com/topic/314432#)
June is The Walking Drum (Talon #1)

- Did not finish

---

*MysteryKIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320312)
June is "Police Procedural/Private Investigator"

The Big Silence by Stuart M. Kaminsky - (ROOT) - Did not finish

---

*Newbery Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/316991#)

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (1983 Newbery Honor) - Did not finish, continuing to read in July

---

*Nonfiction CAT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320407#)
June is "Society"

Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us by Donald Trump Jr. - Did not read

---

*RandomCat Challenge*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320334#)
June is "Take To The Sea!"

Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed


Gray Seas Under by Farley Mowat - (ROOT) - Did not read


Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O'Dell - (ROOT) - Read and reviewed

---

*ROOT aka Read Our Own Tomes*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320973#7178415)
See ticker above for progress
ROOT Total in June: 3

Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O'Dell


The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman


Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

---

*Summer Group Read: James White's Sector General Books*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320907#)

Hospital Station - Moved to July

---

*UN-official SFF-KIT*
(https://www.librarything.com/topic/320304#)
June is "Aliens"

The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein - (ROOT) - Did not read

---

Books read and reviewed in June:
1. The Oregon Trail - (ROOT)
2. Kelso
3. Strong Poison
4. Merchanter's Luck (reread)
5. Streams to the River, River to the Sea - (ROOT)
6. Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague - (ROOT)

---

Books culled rehomed in June:
1. The Oregon Trail - (ROOT)
2. Streams to the River, River to the Sea - (ROOT)
3. Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague - (ROOT)

---

Male authors read in June: 3 to date
Female authors read in June: 3 to date

---

Cumulative Stats
Books culled rehomed from my library: 3
Books read and reviewed: 6
ROOTs completed to date: 3

Read and reviewed, not assigned to any challenge:

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

See https://www.librarything.com/topic/321866#7200246 for updated version.

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

See https://www.librarything.com/topic/321866#7200247) for updated version.

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

See https://www.librarything.com/topic/321866#7200248 for updated version.

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

See https://www.librarything.com/topic/321866#7200249 for updated version.

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

See https://www.librarything.com/topic/321866#7200250 for updated version.

From "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike and Trina Schart Hyman

See https://www.librarything.com/topic/321866#7200251 for updated version.

And the next one is for YOU!!

I love the Child's Calendar illustrations and poems! Happy Reading.

I think the January selections for the BAC in 2020 are Jeanette Winterson and Graham Swift. Check Paul's thread here.

Wow! I’m impressed you’ve already started a thread for 2020. I haven’t posted books in my 2019 thread for weeks! I was just getting on to catch up on my thread.

Here’s to reading your goal with many good books!

Hope 2020 is another great year of reading!

>15 laytonwoman3rd: thanks for the link. Paul's thread is often confusing!

I loved the pictures, too. Opposite from each of the poems is a full page illustration.

>16 catzteach: >17 Narilka: thanks!

>18 fuzzi: And now, Here's a link to Paul's 2020 thread (No.1) where he hopefully will list all the monthly authors.

Here's to a wonderful year of reading! Your thread is beautiful. I think I am also going to tackle Thirteen Moons for the Charles Frazier challenge.

Impressive organization!

>20 witchyrichy: thank you. I'd tried Cold Mountain once, didn't get into it at all, but I have liked "captive" stories and thought Thirteen Moons might be pretty good.

Here are some Indian captive stories that I'd recommend:

The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter

A Country of Strangers by Conrad Richter (a companion story to Light)

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom

Indian Captive by Lois Lenski

Happy new year and happy new thread!

Good luck with your reading and best wishes for 2020

>21 reconditereader: >23 foggidawn: >24 Peace2: thank you all for your kind words.

May 2020 be your best year, yet.

Beautiful illustrations!
Dropping a star, so I can fiollow you!

My 2020 75-book challenge thread is here

>22 fuzzi: Thanks for the list! I hadn't thought about "captive" stories being a genre. I shall tuck them into the TBR pile.

>26 SandyAMcPherson: thanks! I'll be over shortly to drop a star.

I fell in love with the illustrations, done in WATERCOLORS. Wow. I wish I was that talented.

>27 witchyrichy: it wasn't until I decided to try Thirteen Moons that I thought of it as part of a genre. I read a couple Elmer Kelton books this year that include captives of Native Americans that were well-balanced in their portrayal of a common occurrence in America's past.

Does anyone else enjoy setting up their challenge thread as much as reading a book? Or almost as much?

::guilty::

Happy New Year!

Happy new year! I wish you all the best in reading and in life. Good luck with all those reading challenges!

Hi, @fuzzi. I hope you have a fantastic 2020.

By the way, I meant to mention on another thread that you are the first person I have mentioned Hopscotch to who knew the film straight away. I can tell from you comments about it that you share our appreciation of it.

>32 pgmcc: oh my, I adore Hopscotch! I think I first saw it on cable TV back in the early 1980s.

I recently got a copy and shared it with my dh and adult son and they both enjoyed it as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX-TqWefqRQ

Matthau does the dry humor so well.

Have you seen him in A New Leaf? It was written by and also starring Elaine May.

We had an old VHS copy of it recorded from TV. A couple of years ago I got a DVD version. It turned out to be a 25 years commemoration edition and included interviews with the director and the author of the novel it was based on. Do not bother with the novel; the film was much better. The author would agree. He was involved with the production and was very happy with the result.

If this is the version you have you should look at the interviews. There are amazing back-story elements about the making of the film.

ETA: I saw A New Leaf once. I did not recognise the title as it is so long ago that I saw it.

As always, you are organized and ready! Happy reading!

>35 majkia: thank you!

>34 pgmcc: I'm pretty sure my copy was burned from an old VHS. I will look again to see if I can find it.

>29 fuzzi: LOL! No. I really wish I could just snap my fingers and have the new thread all up and ready for visitors. Yours is truly awesome, btw.

>37 fuzzi: The actor who played Agent Ross was Matthau's son and the pilot of the seaplane was his daughter-in-law. The director tells the story of how they ended up being in the film. I think you would enjoy those back-stories if you could see the interview.

>37 fuzzi:
The actor playing Agent Ross was Matthau's son and the pilot of the seaplane was his daughter-in-law. The director told the story of how they came to be in the film. I think you would enjoy the back stories if you could see the interview.

Apparently the scenes at the start in the beer tent were filmed at the real Octoberfest and the people sitting drinking did not know filming was going on. The cameras were set up on a balcony and spotlights were placed in front of them shining towards the people. No one could see the cameras. When the agents were meeting and exchanging the micro-film and the CIA picking them up nobody at the tables beside them realised it was a film. All the reactions were natural.

>29 fuzzi: ...enjoy setting up their challenge thread as much as reading a book?

Not me. Put a list of challenge reads and I am all about feeling stressed and resistant.

I took a risk even showing my intended reading for the beginning of the year.
And I haven't cracked a one so far. Finishing a library cascade that arrived on Christmas Eve day...

>38 laytonwoman3rd: >41 SandyAMcPherson: I'm one of those strange types who loves the actual organizational process. The stressful part for me is getting all the months posted quickly before someone pops in and says hi. 😂

@SandyAMcPherson I never read what I plan, don't sweat it!

>40 pgmcc: I recall Ross being Matthau's son, didn't realize his daughter-in-law was in the movie as well.

>33 fuzzi: I really liked A New Leaf. I use the needs a vacuum after meals bit rather too often.

>43 quondame: bwahaha! Me too. Oh, and the toga scene...

First book Fair Blows the Wind is read and reviewed.

I'm now working my way through The Song of Hiawatha, which is definitely outside my comfort zone.

>45 fuzzi: Have you heard the sections of The Song of Hiawatha set to music by Mike Oldfield? I admit that always plays in my head when I read it now.

>46 -pilgrim-: no, I haven't! I'll make a note of that (pun unintended), thanks.

Current book is Whose Body? by Dorothy Sayers, the first in the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. It's been a long time since I last read it, possibly 30 or more years, so it's like reading it for the first time.

My grandmother used to recite The Song of Hiawatha to me at bedtime or other cuddle times, so her voice is what I hear when I read it, also her cadence. She was required to memorize it when she was in school.

IIRC, it is on the album Incantations, Part 2

Wow. I picked up The Heart of What Was Lost and it's sucked me in! I only stopped reading as my dad is watching football and I can't concentrate enough to continue. I might not get much sleep tonight.

Took my 91yo dad for a ride this morning. After stopping by Habitat for Humanity's ReStore (an indoor and season-proof yard sale deluxe!) we browsed at our only local used bookstore.

I hit pay dirt:

By Lois McMaster Bujold
Paladin of Souls (Chalion series #2)
The Hallowed Hunt (Chalion series #3)

I've already read The Curse of Chalion, #1.

By Gary Paulsen
Tiltawhirl John
The Night the White Deer Died
Mr. Tucket (Tucket series #1)
Call Me Francis Tucket (Tucket series #2)
Tucket's Gold (Tucket series #4)
Tucket's Home (Tucket series #5)

I just need to find #3 in that series.

>51 fuzzi: That is super. I think most people here will appreciate finding treasure of that nature in such a place.

Did your dad have any such luck?

Nice haul!

>52 pgmcc: >53 Narilka: thank you!

My dad enjoys reading books by Stuart Woods and Robert B Parker, and he found a bag-full.

Um, two more books just arrived in the mail:

Assault: Thoroughbred Legends
War Admiral: Thoroughbred Legends

I wuz bad...

Bring 'em in, move some out...most unread:

A Little Magic by Nora Roberts
Winds of Change: Blood of Ten Chiefs 3 edited by Richard Pini
Black Ice by Michael Connolly
Night
and
Dawn by Elie Wiesel
The Mark of the Christian by Francis Schaeffer
In the Beginning by Chaim Potok
The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone
The Day After Tomorrow by Robert Heinlein
Kaspar by Michael Morpurgo
Little House in Brookfield by Maria D Wilkes
In the Land of the Big Red Apple
and
On the Other Side of the Hill by Roger Lea MacBride
Stories to Remember edited by Thomas B Costain
The Mouse That Roared by Leonard Wibberley
Cassie and Ike by Mary Carr Hanna

If you see something you'd like, shoot me a PM.

It seems we have both been reading Astrid Lindgrun today!

>57 -pilgrim-: which one did you read?

>58 fuzzi: The White Rose Rescue - one of the Kalle Blomqvist Mysteries.

>59 -pilgrim-: I'd not heard of that one before, any good?

>60 fuzzi: It was actually the third Kalle Blomqvist Story, but the first that I had read; actually my first Astrid Lindgrun other than Pippi Longstocking way, way back. But missing the previous ones didn't matter at all.

I liked it. Like the Secret Seven, but rather better written, with lots of description of beautiful Swedish countryside.

How was yours?

>61 -pilgrim-: I enjoyed The Six Bullerby Children. It's listed as the first in the series, and it sort of is, but some of the stories contained within are expanded and repeated in future books like The Children of Noisy Village and Happy Times in Noisy Village. I'd still recommend it.

My review:

The Six Bullerby Children by Astrid Lindgren

Delightful introduction to the six children who live in close proximity in Bullerby. Set in Sweden sometime in the early 1900s, this short book describes the day-to-day "adventures" of the three farming families as told by 7 year old Lisa. Fun read for an adult, too. Note: some of the stories here are expanded and retold in the second book of the series.

>51 fuzzi: Pay dirt indeed!

We like Gary Pualsen's writing. My favourite is Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod.
I haven't read it in a long time, though.

>62 fuzzi: Thank you - yes, that sounds interesting. The children seem younger there. My review is now up in my GD thread.

>63 SandyAMcPherson: that's one I'll watch for.

>64 -pilgrim-: I'll check it out, thanks.

I'm 43 pages into Dark Interval by Joan Aiken, and considering dropping it. Not one of her better works, so far.

Dropped and rehomed Dark Interval, went on to read Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt and Assault: Thoroughbred Legends by Eva Jolene Boyd


I'm hoping to get one more done by Friday evening so I can finish up January with ten books read.

>67 fuzzi: Oh. I should pull Up a Road Slowly out and re-read it.

>68 2wonderY: you should! I have another Irene Hunt waiting on my shelves, The Lottery Rose. There's only a couple more of her works left, bummer.

Four ten cent books followed me home from the thrift store...

Arabella by Georgette Heyer
Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer
The Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
My Dog Skip by Willie Morris

One of the Heyer's is book three in a series, anyone know if reading them in order is needful?

I don't think so. I would read These old shades before Devil's cub but I wouldn't worry about reading either of them before Regency Buck. As I recall, it stands alone. Actually, until I read your post and investigated I hadn't realised it was even connected to the earlier titles!

>71 Sakerfalcon: thanks! I'd rather not purchase the books without being fairly certain that I'll want to keep them.

>71 Sakerfalcon: I can vouch that >72 fuzzi: is a responsible book owner. She is not going to bring a book home that will not fit in or not BE wanted, and, in the event she finds it not possible to keep a book, she carefully re-homes it. She does not, "CULL" or "GET RID OF", books like some others we could mention.

:-)

>73 pgmcc: aw...shucks...:blushes:

ANNOUNCEMENT!


1/29/20 Eliza Kristine arrived!


1/29/20 Eliza Kristine meets her big sister Ruthie!

Mother and all are doing well.

Congratulations, @fuzzi, and welcome to Eliza Kristine.

Well done to Eliza's parents. I hope Mum is doing well. She should be very proud of herself.

Ruthie, you look like you are a proud big sister. I am sure you will look after Eliza very well in the coming years.

Lovely! What joy. :D

>75 fuzzi: Big news! Congratulations!

Sweet! Enjoy!!

It is lovely to hear some joyous news here - congratulations to mother and baby!

Ruthie looks like she's really proud of producing a little sister all by herself! I just love pictures of little ones like her with even littler siblings. Congratulations and best wishes to all. (Oh, and I love both girls' names, but Ruthie is special to me, because my grandmother's niece, who I called "Aunt" Ruth, was one of the truly remarkable women in my life.)

Congratulations! happy news!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Thank you all! Mother and both daughters are well, though Ruthie is "learning how to be a big sister..."

And just like that, six books came home with me today...

Tripoint by CJ Cherryh (previously read)
Dangerous Journey (children's edition, previously read)
West From Home by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
A Dog's Way Home by Bobbie Pyron

>86 fuzzi: What a fine haul!

>75 fuzzi: Oh! I'm just catching up. Congratulations Grammy!

That's a great face on Ruthie; she's obviously gonna be the best big sister.

I hope the weather cooperates so you get up there to see them all.

>88 2wonderY: we're planning a July trip as usual, though the route in reverse: up to New England, to Niagara Falls, to Chicago, then home.

You can see that I'm not excited about seeing my granddaughters...got all my hotel rooms already booked! 😁

Okay, just ONE more picture:


Eliza

aaawwww! Babies don't come sweeter than that!

>90 fuzzi:
Lovely. That is a great head of hair.

>90 fuzzi: Great blanket. The kid's OK too. I'm glad that nothing was too bad.

>91 tardis: agreed.

>92 pgmcc: her mother had a similar head of hair as an infant, maybe even more.

>93 quondame: thanks. It is a cute blanket, but alas! It belongs to the hospital...

>90 fuzzi: Lookee! Babies are so wonderful. Lucky you.

>90 fuzzi: There can never be "one too many" baby photos!

Like Peter, I was going to comment on the hair. She looks lovely.

As if I didn't have enough challenges...

https://www.librarything.com/topic/316991#7074730

>95 2wonderY: >96 -pilgrim-: thank you!

I need an infusion of baby-cuteness, guess I'll text my daughter for more pictures.

>97 fuzzi: I’ve read 30 Newberry winners. I didn’t realize I’ve read so many!

>97 fuzzi: I've read 17 of the medal winners, and14 of the honor winners. ALL of them, I loved. I think that says something about the quality of the winners. My grandmother looked for the Newberry award when she purchased books for us. You are in for some good reading!

Oh! Lots of good reading there! Great project.

I have read only 1 of the Medal winners and 2 off the Honor Lists. Perhaps not surprising since the Newbery Medal is meant to honour "American literature for children".

Though the 1 that I had read, and one from the Honor List were by Susan Cooper - both from the Dark Is Rising sequence.

How does an English author, writing novels about English children in the English countryside (part I could recognise in some detail when reading), count as a contribution to American literature?

>102 -pilgrim-: she was a resident of the US at the time the book was published:

Cooper emigrated to the United States in 1963 to marry Nicholas J. Grant, a Professor of Metallurgy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a widower with three teenage children.4 She had two children with him, Jonathan Roderick Howard Grant (b. 1965) and Katharine Mary Grant (b. 1966; later Katharine Glennon). She then became a full-time writer, focusing on The Dark Is Rising and on Dawn of Fear (1970), a novel based on her experiences of the Second World War. Eventually she wrote fiction for both children and adults, a series of picture books, film screenplays, and works for the stage.

>103 fuzzi: Thank you; that explains it. It took me by surprise because those novels are so rooted in a very specific set of places.

Out of curiosity, what makes literature "American"?
I had assumed that it referred to either subject matter or nationally of author.

>102 -pilgrim-: & >103 fuzzi:

I thought it was because she was showing them how to do it.

:-)

Runs around a corner before the books hit him.

>105 pgmcc: Shoes, cats or china, maybe, but not books!

>97 fuzzi: Excellent challenge! I think I have read 53 of the medal winners so far. I also have a thread in that group.

>104 -pilgrim-: For the purposes of that particular award, it means published in America, and by an author that is a citizen or resident of the United States.

>104 -pilgrim-: >107 foggidawn: As much as the current hypocritical administration rails against immigrants, they and their stories are basic to "American" literature.

Just a reminder of Green Dragon policies:

https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/User:GreenDragon#Green_Dragon_Policy_Con...

Thank you.

>108 quondame: Stepping carefully away from discussing any political views sbout immigration, there is maybe a difference in terminology here.

In Britain, we tend to use the term "immigrant" for people who, wherever they came from, now intend to permanently stay. And - I suppose because of the form of British "right to reside" laws, before EU rules altered them - residing permanently tends to equate to "taking citizenship".

So I instinctively assume that immigrants are citizens.

I really don't know how universal that assumption is.

But to be a resident, without being a citizen, seems to imply that your self-identification is with your former home, not the country in which you currently reside. So it seems a bit odd to claim people as "American" (or any other nationality) who do not think of themselves as such.

I have lived in other countries. I am happy to have been welcomed as a visitor. But I would be unhappy if they then claimed me as a national poet, or author (assuming that I produced anything good enough for anyone to want to!).

I have no intention of instigating a political debate about immigration. But I would be interested in how other people define "immigrant'. This is a question solely about terminology.

>107 foggidawn: Thank you for providing the succinct definition used there.

>110 -pilgrim-: An immigrant really just means a resident who wasn't born here. But that really hasn't anything much to do with the Newbery Award, just my idea of what makes up American Literature. I guess it's up to Susan Cooper to decide how she feels about having her books considered American. She came over to live in the USA and still does.

Thank you both for your thoughtful replies.

>111 quondame: I think it's up to the committee who decides who wins the awards to put their interpretation on the term "American".

I work with students on visas, and who have green cards. Legally there is a distinction between those who apply for immigration status and go through the proper channels versus those who break the law and come to a country illegally. If there are circumstances to justify the latter, such as political asylum, then asylum can and should be granted.

As far as Susan Cooper's case, she did marry an American, and so would be eligible to stay. I'm not sure if she's every applied for or been granted permanent residence or citizenship. Either case, it doesn't matter to me. :)

>97 fuzzi: I copied your very nice list and I'm considering working on it myself.
I've read at least 25 Award titles and own quite a few more. Will have to pull them out and refresh my memory of those. Could have been my children who read some of them. The ones I'm sure of have left lots of good feelings. Maniac Magee especially.

>112 fuzzi: I don't believe I stated or implied anything about legal or illegal entry to the USA. The word immigrant covers both. I've worked with a few temporary visa holders whose clear intention was to upgrade to a green card, and who successfully managed to do so. Has the Newbery committee ever considered a work by an undocumented resident of the USA? It would be interesting to know what happened.

>114 quondame: We'll literally never know which books the Newbery committee has ever considered (beyond those that are officially recognized as Medal and Honor books), because it's a matter of secrecy. If such a book had been published for children, they probably would have looked at it, but the logistics of publishing such a book would be tricky -- how do you not "out" the author? However, librarians (who make up the Newbery and all of the ALA Youth Media awards committees) are generally committed to seeking out diverse voices, especially in recent years.

>115 foggidawn: there are many books I would have chosen over those chosen by the Newbery committee, such as Where the Red Fern Grows, but everyone is entitled to their opinion of what constitutes excellency and what doesn't. I do note your statement about seeking out diverse voices, which I think is nice, as long as other works of quality are not given short shrift due to not being diverse enough.

>114 quondame: the word immigrant does indeed cover both those who come to the US through legal and lawful channels and those that don't. However, when a distinction has been made regarding the legality of said immigration, we probably should avoid using the broader "immigrant" definition so as to not obscure the context of the discussion. Nuff said.

If the Newbery committee likes what a resident of the US has written, and wants to give the author an award, so be it. Doesn't matter to me what their citizenship is.

After finishing my latest read The Secret of Hunter's Keep by Joyce Stranger I thought upon how the quality of this author's writing doesn't seem to be appreciated. She wrote for a mixed audience, good for pre-teens and up, good for adults. It's a shame that I rarely see anyone commenting on her books.

Ms. Stranger wrote about relationships, in which animals were involved. She is not a fluffy writer, but writes about real people and real situations.

If anyone wants to try her works, the best I've read is The Running Foxes, and it should be fairly easy to find here in the US.

She also has a Herriot-type of series about a young vet, but I never saw it as a copycat of James Herriot's works.

>116 fuzzi: I would probably have picked Where the Red Fern Grows over The Bronze Bow (the winner the year that book was eligible), but who knows what those committee discussions were like, especially since they happened nearly sixty years ago? I personally would also have picked Charlotte's Web over Secret of the Andes (one of the most notable cases of a beloved book, now considered a classic, being passed over for a book that has not had as much staying power). However, anything decided by committee has the potential to be great, or not. It's one of my professional goals to be on the Newbery committee someday, and there's a chance I'll achieve that goal next year, as I'll be on the ALSC ballot next month.

There's lately been some discussion about whether the "American" portion of the criteria should be dropped for the Newbery and Caldecott. When the awards were established, the organization wanted to encourage the budding area of children's publishing in the US, but now there's a push for recognition of a broader range of books. I can see their point, though I don't feel strongly enough about the issue to advocate one way or another.

>118 foggidawn:

@pgmcc can help with vote canvassing.

>119 suitable1: Thanks!

>118 foggidawn: I'll vote for you!

I liked The Bronze Bow but love Red Fern.

>119 suitable1:
That might be seen as foreign interference in an American election. I wouldn’t want to be accused of that.

>121 fuzzi: Thanks! When the ballot opens, I'll post a reminder on my thread in case anyone there is, or knows, an ALSC member.

>122 pgmcc: LOL! Thanks anyway!

>96 -pilgrim-: another picture...Eliza is NOT amused.

For March I've chosen a chunkster to read for both the American Author Challenge and the Nonfiction Reading Challenge:


John Adams by David McCullough

I used to own a copy in paperback, but rehomed it, unread, at some point.

Now I have a hardcover from the library and a three week loan.

I think I'll start reading this behemoth tonight.

Encouragement would be lovely...

>125 fuzzi:

How late can you stay up?

>125 fuzzi:
Good luck with reading the behemoth before it is due to go back, and kudos for "rehoming". I can always rely on you to be kind to books.

>124 fuzzi: Beautiful, even when she is angry. :-)

>124 fuzzi: That is one bemused little person.

>124 fuzzi: That photo is so great, so much personality!

Argh, a duplicate book ordered...why didn't I check LT first?

>130 fuzzi: It happens to us all. You are not alone.

I have several triplicates and just one set on purpose.

Particularly when publishers helpfully issue the same book under different titles..

No, I just didn't remember that I'd bought Kelso ONE MONTH AGO. Duh. I wish I knew someone who'd appreciate it.

>134 fuzzi: Yes, that does look rather specialised.

I actually did the same with an eBook on New Year's Eve: I bought it on Google Play, then when I couldn't find it in my Amazon recent orders list thought "Oh, I didn't get it yet", and bought it again there. The culprit is Necropolis: London and Its Dead - not so specialist, maybe, but books for Kindle cannot be passed on.

>135 -pilgrim-: that's not something one would probably find on the New Books shelf at the library. My sympathies.

I'm surprised that Amazon and Google weren't keeping track of your purchases, they monitor most everything else...

Ruthie is starting her little sister on the road to loving books!

>136 fuzzi: I don't use Google Books but Amazon will tell you if you attempt to purchase a kindle title twice. I think the issue here is that @-pilgrim- bought the book on one service, forgot about it, then purchased it again on the other. Google and Amazon understandably don't cross-reference product purchases between them, (but it would be nice if they did).

>137 fuzzi: Super-cute! Eliza looks very interested!

And Ruthie looks like a super-cool big sister in more ways than one.

>138 ScoLgo: Yes, that's right. So, when I got an Amazon hint of "you might also like", I thought, "I was meaning to get that, I thought I had' - but checked the wrong Recent Orders list. It serves me right for temporarily forgetting the world outside of Amazon (that only happens with eBooks, I hasten to add).

>137 fuzzi: Excellent - get 'em hooked early!
(And that is another adorable picture.)

>137 fuzzi: How perfect!

>138 ScoLgo: >139 2wonderY: >140 -pilgrim-: >141 quondame: thank you!

I've been requesting children's books through Early Reviewers and the best ones I've won have been forwarded to Ruthie.

I'm still working, have not been told to go home at this time.

As I work in a medical facility (as admin) they might keep us here, though away from patients.

I renewed John Adams for three more weeks, so if I do have to shelter at home I'll have an opportunity to read it.

Take care of yourself, fuzzi. I hope you and your family stay safe and well.

>144 Sakerfalcon: thank you! Same to you and yours.

This afternoon at work we found out that working from home was being strongly encouraged.

I can take a hint. I will be home until April 1.

I still have to get some job-related stuff done, but maybe there'll be time for reading and gardening...

I’ve been at home for a week now and have gotten nothing productive done. Well, except crocheting little animals. :) I hope you get some stuff done. Stay safe.

>147 catzteach: I want to see your animals!

This is what I have been working on for the past two days:



Pond in front (Pond #1)
1. Excess string algae removed
2. Water lilies repotted
3. Spillway (waterfall) scrubbed
4. Filter and media rinsed
5. Water pump unclogged
6. Weeding around perimeter

Pond in back (Pond #2)
1. Leveled
2. Backfilled (underneath)

I still need to repot the Arrowhead, Pickerel rush, and irises in pond #1. Eventually the two ponds will be connected with a waterfall from pond #2 into pond #1. Still pondering the best method...

Addendum: I just noticed a pun, anyone else see it?? 😂

>148 fuzzi: I’ll see if I can figure out how to post them. I think I start by putting them in my gallery?

And I love that pond!

Ok, I put a couple of pictures in my gallery. Now how do I post them?

>150 catzteach: thank you! I get a lot of joy with my pond, especially the wildlife it attracts.

>151 catzteach: go here for instructions to post pictures: https://www.librarything.com/topic/177029#4750147

I use width=200 for book covers, but width=500 for larger photos.

Ok, let’s see if this worked. It wouldn’t show me a preview.

Edited: I don’t see a pic on my iPad. Do you see one?

>153 catzteach: I see the placeholder for the picture but not the picture itself. I'm guessing you coded it incorrectly?

>153 catzteach: Put the arrow marks to either side of this:

IMG SRC="web address of your image location ending in jpg"

>153 catzteach: You used the URL of the web page in your gallery displaying the picture (https://www.librarything.com/pic/7396313), but what you actually need is the location of the image itself. I know the distinction is a little confusing! On Firefox, I can get that by right-clicking and saying “Copy Image Location”, but it might be slightly different on other browsers.

This is the location I used to get the below image to come up:
https://pics.librarything.com/picsizes/40/a9/40a98525d39798c636b754d7551434b4171...



It's very cute, by the way! :) And I love your pond, @fuzzi.

>156 YouKneeK: thanks for helping. I like seeing the animals.

And I love my pond, too.

Thanks guys! I’ll remember the location thing next time. Now I wonder why the pic is sideways.

>158 catzteach: For that pic, it seems kind of appropriate, actually. Did you take it on an iPhone? They seem to have a habit of producing sideways pictures.

Sometimes the photos rotate sideways in the member gallery, too. I think it has something to do with the length of the sides (portrait/landscape).

I just received a book through an internet source, and discovered this lovely inscription.

I wonder if Helen liked the book?

I wonder if Helen is still alive?

Wow! Small world...I searched on social media and FOUND HELEN!

She told me she hopes I enjoy the book.

>162 fuzzi: - how nice!

>149 fuzzi: Fantastic.

>162 fuzzi: Oh wow! Really cool.

>159 haydninvienna: indeed, I did.

>160 fuzzi: yeah, they are sideways in my gallery, too

>162 fuzzi: no way! That's awesome!

>162 fuzzi: That is lovely. I love connections like that.

>162 fuzzi: Wow! How lovely! Now she knows her book has found a good home!

Update: authorities are now telling us that we will be working from home until April 8th. Argh.

This will be interesting. April to June is the busiest time of the year for my duties. I have residents who have "matched" with our program and will join us at the end of June. There's TONS of forms, registrations, procedures that need to be completed in order to move them to our program. Much of it can be done online yet a good percentage of the work is still in paper form.

I'm going over to my office tomorrow to make a complete backup of my computer to an external hard drive, and grab all the recruitment folders that I need in order to get stuff done. Oh, and the payroll info!! Crucial for my residents!

Those in charge of the area (the Powers That Be aka PTB) have decreed that none of us can go anywhere for the next two weeks unless it's the grocery store, gas station, pharmacy, or other essential destination. I don't understand why they'd prohibit rides around the countryside, as my father and I have been doing. His alternative method of entertainment is going to WalMart (!!!). He's almost 92.

The weather continues to be nice, so I ordered some planting baskets for my pond:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9T68R9?tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=osi&amp...

I have a bunch of iris, rush, and arrowhead that I need to repot. I can go outside and do that for my "coffee break" time.

>90 fuzzi: What a cutie! Love that head of hair!

>124 fuzzi: What did you do to her? Whatever it was, stop! :)

>125 fuzzi: Excellent! I have one of McCullough's books home from the library now. I enjoy his stuff.

>137 fuzzi: I love that!

>161 fuzzi: Nice! Love the owl bookplate.

>162 fuzzi: Cool beans!

Thought I would mention that I am probably going to start Caravan to Vaccares this weekend. If the group does another Readathon, I will likely finish it over the weekend too.

>171 alcottacre: super, hope you enjoy that MacLean. I did.

Eliza at >124 fuzzi: was probably just annoyed at the photographer.

Hope you can enjoy your enforced stay at home. Take care.

>169 fuzzi:
I am struggling with various forms of bureaucracy that normally need either personal attendance of photocopied documentation. I don't personally possess either a photocopier or a scanner (or a printer that can connect to a phone) and would normally use the local library for those services. This was bad enough when it was inhabitable to go out due to chemo, but now all libraries are closed, I am stuck.

Where is the paperless office that we were promised decades ago?!

I too find the embargo on rides in the countryside frustrating. But the UK example may give some inkling as to the rationale - last weekend was very fine weather in the UK, particularly for the time of year. Apparently there were queries to climb Mount Snowdon! If people who would not normally prioritise visiting the countryside over more social forms of entertainment all decide to behave responsibly and enjoy our open spaces instead, then the more famous open spaces themselves become crowded.

Staying in the car can do no harm, but it does make policing the lockdown harder, if anyone, when stopped, can claim they are "just going for a drive".

My best wishes and sympathies to your father. I have been housebound for most of 2017-2020 (first falls, then chemo) and had been looking forward to using as many opportunities as possible to get out into the countryside by car (whilst I still can!)

>174 -pilgrim-: "Where is the paperless office that we were promised decades ago?!"

Quite. Every time we were told in this neck of the woods "it's here", the result was an immediate doubling of paper consumption.

>174 -pilgrim-: best wishes and sympathies to you as well.

Most of the bureaucracies I must deal with as part of my job have waived the usual requirements due to the current working situation. One department has always insisted on paper copies of certain forms, requiring that I either send them through the university mail system (where they often get lost) or drop off the forms at the department's remote office location. When I have asked about scanning the papers to them I was always told NO, emphatically. I just received an email stating that I can scan the forms to the supervisor in their department. It's a beginning.

>175 hfglen: I take screenshots a lot, and use the camera on my phone or iPad. It's something that can help, sometimes.

>173 MrsLee: thank you. Since my elderly father (91+) has given up his daily walks through WalMart (he was doing them for exercise), my working from home gives me the flexibility to take him for a morning ride through the countryside. We're not in a lock-down situation at this time, and taking a cruise to help alleviate his cabin fever is something we both enjoy. We stop to get gas or an item at a restaurant or grocery store, too, briefly.

Now about that huge coffee stain on my living room rug... :sigh:

Think I'll play a little hooky today. It's looking great for yard work this weekend, too!

From weather.gov (all temps are Fahrenheit):

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 1am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 7 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Working at home is getting very old. I'm thankful that my employer is making this possible, and I'm thankful that I HAVE a job, but I get frustrated at not being able to do everything that I need to do. Only portions of my duties are adaptable for remote limitations.

Whining mode is now *off*...

Here is an update on my ponds:


4/1/20 Pond Update: Pond #1 has been cleaned, all marginal plants (on the shelves) have been repotted in pea gravel and should do better. Spitter (gray heron on left) has been cleaned and reattached. Pond #2 has been backfilled, winter debris removed, marginal plants repotted in pea gravel, blocks have been temporarily placed around the sides. Connecting the two is still being contemplated.

EDIT: changed the photo to a better one with Cleo. Her ears are back because it was misting/drizzling at the time and she does not like getting wet.

>178 fuzzi: Wow!

>179 pgmcc: I'll take that as a compliment, thank you.

>180 fuzzi: That would be the correct interpretation.

Very nice! I love ponds, although I don't have one in my yard. I like Cleo, too :)

>182 tardis: thanks! Cleo loves everyone, and would make a great therapy dog if she were younger.

>178 fuzzi: That's a great pond!

Beautiful pond, fuzzi! I have not managed to get out in my yard this spring, so my pond is mostly sludge at the moment. I'm too wrapped up in the family history stuff.

>184 catzteach: thank you. It's my relaxation and joy.

>185 MrsLee: appreciate it. Your pond can wait, it sounds like you're following Ecclesiastes 3 pronouncements, which is good.

My waterfall box arrived early!



I plan to get it set up in Pond #2 TODAY, while the cooler weather is still here.

I came to the realization that, at this time, I am NOT connecting the two ponds. So I just needed a waterfall box with filter capabilities. This was the best one I saw for a price that was reasonable.

Have a lovely, peaceful, safe and healthy weekend

Have fun with your waterfall.

Several hours later: the waterfall is running and I've started a retaining wall that will encircle the pond. Whew.

>190 fuzzi: It's going to be beautiful!

I wanted my message this year to be fairly universal in a time we all should be pulling together, whatever our beliefs. Happy Celebration, Happy Sunday, Fuzzi.

>192 PaulCranswick: thank you! Blessings to you and yours today and every day.

This is my "Victory Garden" project, which I started on the spur-of-the-moment yesterday as the weather was delightful, cooler than normal (mid-60s). I wanted to get something done outside before the heat arrives.

The square planters have been lying fallow for 2-3 years, so I took out the weeds, added more soil and started planting. The two beds closest to the front of the photo are planted with carrots, beets, and Swiss chard. The back two beds are probably going to be planted with summer squash. The fifth bed on the left is what most of them looked like before I began cleaning up. I also had to watch for fire ants, who were in evidence in each of the boxes, whew.

The white fence sections are "tented" over the planted beds to discourage my ferals from using the planted containers as personal toilets.

I also had a huge selection of clay pots piled where the bags of sand are now located. Most of them were filled with soil and/or gravel from last year and even some from previous years to my shame. They're all emptied, the gravel removed for the most part, and the soil added to the gardens.

When I went to Sam's Club a few weeks ago I came home not only with some needed items but two large sheets of cardboard that were originally placed between layers of bottled water cases. I folded them in half and laid them down on the ground to the left of the planters, then mulched heavily with Cypress mulch (left side) and yard/grass clippings (on the right). I'll add more mulch to the right side eventually.

Those are Canna lilies growing up against the house. They'll get about 4' tall and produce a summer's worth of orange-speckled yellow blossoms that hummingbirds love.

The older and taller raised bed to the left has my milkweed coming up, and just beyond is a bed with pentas for the hummers and butterflies.

The lily in the large clay pot is some variety I found last year at the local farmers' market.

And the water feature is one of my frog & lily gardens. The frogs love perching on the side of the container which has a water lily in a pot in the bottom. I don't usually have mosquitoes in those pots as they are popular with dragonflies, who lay eggs in the still water. Their nymphs are voracious eaters of mosquito larvae.

I think this fits...


Happy Resurrection Day!

>195 fuzzi: I like it!

>195 fuzzi: Oh! I like it very much too.

>195 fuzzi: That's brilliant!

Happy Easter!

>199 quondame: love the bunny, thanks!

I think I've found a new author I like!

Last night I started a book The Snare of the Hunter by Helen MacInnes, an author who has been recommended to me but that I'd not yet tried.

I was unable to put it down until I forced myself when I was about halfway through...wow. A real page-turner!

More later when I finish and review...

Still working from home, though my hours have been reduced.

Reduction in work hours = more hours for reading...

>202 fuzzi: I appear to have the opposite problem. Working from home but my workload has been increased. :-(

Enjoy your extra hours reading.

>203 pgmcc:

Napping on the couch rarely counts as workload.

>204 suitable1: You know me too well.

>203 pgmcc: workload and work hours aren't necessarily the same...

...the work still has to be done, just in fewer hours.

Just dropping by to say hi!

>194 fuzzi: Nice start to your Victory garden.

I never would have found your thread without a mention of it on Paul's - I'm happy to have tracked you down!

Fabulous pond and pup, btw.

>207 figsfromthistle: >208 Dejah_Thoris: welcome, glad you tracked me down. And thanks for the compliments.

I'm debating continuing a new thread; it's been busier than usual this year!

Just dropping by to wish you a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

>208 Dejah_Thoris: Glad I was able to help Princess find your little nook, too!

>210 PaulCranswick: thank you, my friend. You are always welcome, and I enjoy every visit from you. 😊

I'm comfortably in a reread right now, Bowdrie by Louis L'Amour. There is no full-length novel about this young Texas Ranger, but enough short stories to fill two books, the second being Bowdrie's Law. If you're interested in seeing why some of us enjoy Louis L'Amour so much, this volume or War Party would be a good place to start experiencing this author's story-telling.

I noticed that a lot of my L'Amour's never have been reviewed, guess I'll be rereading them in the near future to fix that!

The carrots have sprouted!


My Water Rabbits, Blackberry and Dandelion

Don't let the rabbits near the carrots!

>214 Sakerfalcon: hahaha!

Did you get the reference?

>213 fuzzi:, >215 fuzzi: Watership Down, I presume?

>216 -pilgrim-: yep, that's it. And those two were my favorites.

When my cast iron rabbits were getting a little rusty, I spray-painted them specifically to look like those two characters.

>217 fuzzi: Awww.

>213 fuzzi: They're adorable - your carrot seedlings and your water rabbits.

>215 fuzzi: Yep! They are great characters. And I love how you gave your friends a new lease of life.

>213 fuzzi: When I first saw the picture I wondered what you were doing putting chocolate bunnies outside when Easter was long gone.

>221 AHS-Wolfy: bwahaha! And they weren't melting in the hot NC sun...

>220 Sakerfalcon: there are little things that give me joy, and these two bunnies are included.

Funny, the expensive stuff doesn't interest me, but I love nature and books, and associated items such as rabbit statues and butterfly wind chimes.

>218 -pilgrim-: :)

>219 Dejah_Thoris: thanks. I hope the live bunnies don't find my carrot plants, yet!

A friend of mine and fellow book-lover sent me this lecture by Bob Dylan, in which he talks of books he's read, and how they've influenced his songs:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/2016/dylan/lecture/

I can't put into words what his words did to me. I hope you enjoy.

My Water Rabbits and the discussion about Watership Down has inspired me to start a reread of an old favorite. It's been a while since I last visited Hazel and Fiver, and I'm looking forward to revisiting my lapin friends.

A large box arrived today...



Twenty books for 20 dollars, how could I resist?

Wow! I confess, I know nothing about Hammond Innes, but I hope you have fun with your new books!

>225 fuzzi: I didn't either until @PaulCranswick recommended his books. I was just going to pick up a couple...

>227 fuzzi: Aha! So this is Paul's doing! I should have known....

>226 Dejah_Thoris:, >227 fuzzi: That's a name I have not heard of for years! My father had several of his books.

>225 fuzzi: Super. Enjoy.

>230 pgmcc: you familiar with that author?

>229 -pilgrim-: I've been reading Alistair MacLean for a couple years, just read my first Helen MacInnes, and that's when Paul chimed in and recommended Hammond Innes. All the books are from 1969 or 1970 but in really good shape.

>231 fuzzi: I have one book by Hammond Innes some time ago and I believe I have a couple more hidden in Mount TBR. The name is certainly familiar to me.

>232 pgmcc: ooh! If you can find one, we can do a shared read.

>233 fuzzi: It may take some digging. I will have a look at the weekend.

ETA: I would love to do a shared read with you.

>234 pgmcc: excellent!!!

POLDARK FANS (AND SOON-TO-BE FANS)!

Amazon and others have the first three books by Winston Graham on Kindle for $4.99 US:

https://www.amazon.com/Poldark-Saga-Books-Winston-Graham-ebook/dp/B07HR22JSC?_bb...

I cannot recommend this author highly enough. He wrote engaging fiction about interesting characters you care about. And the history is woven throughout the tales without dragging down the narrative.

Hurry!

The weather continues to be cooler than normal, and I've taken advantage of it outside in the yard.


5/9/20 - Second pond, retaining wall is now complete, and I've added plants around the edges

Compare to post: https://www.librarything.com/topic/314426#7100515


5/9/20 - First water lily bloom of the year

>235 fuzzi:
I have Atlantic Fury. Are you OK with our reading that one?

>238 pgmcc: Harry has it, let me see if Paul has it as well.

>237 fuzzi: Beautiful!

>240 Dejah_Thoris: thank you! I derive pleasure from creating my little gardens as well as spending time in them just listening to the nature sounds.

Eclectic month of reads so far...

1. Watership Down (fantasy)
2. North to the Rails (western)
3. The Pilgrim of Hate (mystery)
4. My Brother Sam is Dead (Newbery)
5. All Systems Red (SciFi)

Pond is lovely! So tranquil.

>243 MrsLee: thank you. It's a joy to sit there and watch the water and frogs and everything.

>238 pgmcc: we're all prepared to go with Atlantic Fury tomorrow (Saturday).

Ready, set...GO!

>245 fuzzi: On my way.

I just completed my collection of Irene Hunt books with the purchase of William and Claws of a Young Century.

Her other works are:

Across Five Aprils (read)
Up a Road Slowly (read)
No Promises in the Wind (read)
The Everlasting Hills (read)
The Lottery Rose
Trail of Apple Blossoms

I hesitate to read the others too quickly, since there are no more...

>245 fuzzi: 27% through and enjoying it. Points of interest to discuss and one glaring error.

>248 pgmcc: I got about 1/3 through the book last night, and am also enjoying it.

Please use spoilers until I finish? 😉

>249 fuzzi: I was not planning to speak of it until you were ready to discuss it, so I will not mention the...and when...and the...

I am glad you got me to read this.

>250 pgmcc: super! I love it when others share their favorite authors, especially when I enjoy their works. And I'm happy sharing my literary likes with others, too.

Have to say that, despite having read it before - a long time before - I couldn't remember the story so well. Downed it in two sittings.

Did I do OK in recommending Innes? Your $20 not wasted?

>252 PaulCranswick: it seemed to start a little slow, and I was thinking along the lines of "not bad".

And then the storm hit...

...and I was unable to put it down until way past my bedtime. I had to find out what happened.

No, for this book alone my $20 was definitely NOT wasted.

After reading the last page and turning off the light, I lay quietly in the dark for a few minutes. Then I turned the light back on and searched until I found the quote I wanted to write down:

“Science is for the laboratory. Other men, who stand alone and face the elemental forces of nature, know that science as a shining, world-conquering hero, is a myth. Science lives in concrete structures full of bright factory toys, insulated from the earth’s great forces. The priesthood of this new cult are seldom called upon to stand and face the onslaught.”

Thanks for the recommendation. I look forward to reading more by Hammond Innes.

>253 fuzzi: I am so pleased that you liked it. I remembered that Atlantic Fury was a slow burner but I had forgotten how compelling it is in the eye of the storm. You have plenty there to choose from now!

I just thought, I'd let you know that I have dived in and started a thread in the group. xx

>254 PaulCranswick: it's rewarding when someone actually reads and LIKES a recommendation, hmm?

Please link to your thread.

In some ways I am reminded of my first Alistair MacLean read, HMS Ulysses. That was also an "edge of the seat" read.

>255 fuzzi:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/320459

HMS Ulysses was a great read too. I read everything by both authors in my youth and also the magnificent Eric Ambler.

>256 PaulCranswick: nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not another book/author bullet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the link...and the recommendations.

>257 fuzzi: Just to twist the knife a little further, I read Peter's (pgmcc) threads just before and discovered a shared admiration for........................Eric Ambler.

>257 fuzzi: You must have done some very canny dodging to avoid all of Peter's BBs for Eric Ambler!

>256 PaulCranswick: I was going to mention Eric Ambler. I love his work and Atlantic Fury was similar in a small way to Ambler's stories in that it presented the atmosphere of the time, and the sense of place.

>257 fuzzi:
The good news is:
You can get free e-books of some of Eric Ambler's works by signing up for a monthly newsletter from ericamblerbooks.com. The literary agency looking after his works is launching them in e-format and looking for readers to write reviews.

>261 pgmcc: I like you. :D

Addendum: The Care of Time has been downloaded to my phone, thanks!

>259 Sakerfalcon: I don't know how I managed to avoid them until now...but eventually the book bullets bite deep...

@fuzzi, as I do not know who else will be reading Atlantic Fury and may be reading this thread I will put my comments behind a Spoiler shield.

Atlantic Fury is a book I would not have thought of reading but for @fuzzi. She suggested we read a Hammond Innes book together so I got stuck in and enjoyed it from the off.

The detail in this book caught me straight away. The vessel that sank in 1944 is called The Duart Castle. Duart Castle is on The Isle of Mull and is the home of the MacLean clan. I am McClean. (There are about six different spellings, mostly the result of Sassanachs who wanted to write down our name and made the spelling up as they went along.) I have been to Mull and seen the castle from afar, but never visited. I stayed in a hotel in Salen on Mull. There was a war memorial across the road. There were something like twenty-one names on it. Eighteen of them were MacLean. I drank whisky with the bar man and two friend to 2.30am. He was getting married the following Saturday. He was MacLean.

As you can imagine, as soon as I saw the ship’s name I was hooked. It brought back a lot of good memories for me.

I spotted a glaringly obvious mistake early in the book that made me feel smug, but it was not serious enough to put me off the book. @PaulCranswick will have spotted this mistake too.

When mentioning survivors arriving in Ireland, Innes stated that they landed in Donegal, Northern Ireland. Donegal is not in Northern Ireland. It may have the most northerly part of the island but it is not in Northern Ireland.

While I have not been to the Outer Hebrides I have studied the geology, the morphology and meteorology. Innes described all of these accurately.

When he was describing Laerg I was wondering if it was real as many of his other locations were real. I searched Google Maps and could not find it. I wondered if he had modelled it on St. Kilda. When I Googled Laerg it popped up as fictitious island Hammond Innes had used in Atlantic Fury and which he had modelled on one of the islands of St. Kilda. Another smug moment.

As for the characters, they were perfect in that they were all flawed, except for Marjorie and her dad. Her dad was damaged rather than flawed. Marjorie, of course, was perfect.

The story brought out the rigidity of military discipline and hierarchy. As happened after the incident the military closed rank and threw Iain to the wolves to protect the institution. He had been doing his best and ended up on the wrong side of things every time.

Another wave of nostalgia hit me when Ross was heading back to Scotland to try to beat Iain to Laerg. The description of his trip included going to Crianlarich, and Killin. Another two places I visited and have fond memories of. He also mention Tobermory on Mull.

As you can see, the backdrop to the story gave me as much, if not more, pleasure than the story itself.

I did enjoy the story itself. I thought it was very human and was only a little bit out there with things like taking a rubber dingy into the North Atlantic.

Speaking of the North Atlantic, it was as important a character as any of the humans. I though Innes described it excellently and he did not over do it. His writing was very easy to follow and I did not come across any jarring bits that stick out like a sore thumb, except for him putting Donegal into Northern Ireland. 😊

I liked his meteorologist with the penchant for ham radio. In his description of how weather systems form in the West Atlantic, work their way up the East coast of the US before crossing the North Atlantic and hitting Ireland and Britain, was perfect for how the weather system worked in the 1960s and up until recently. With the weather systems forming further East in the Atlantic these days we have had hurricanes turning North earlier than normal and heading straight to us from the Mid Atlantic. Due to the climate changes we have had several hurricanes in the past few years when we never had hurricanes before. The first hurricane I remember reaching Ireland was in the late 1980s.

The ham radio brought me back. That used to be such a big thing and now it is almost forgotten.

Russian trawlers with lots of aerials onboard was another feature of the day. These trawlers were always hanging around when something interesting was happening in these waters.

Innes’s treatment of the relationship between Ross and Marjorie was very sensitively handled. I thought it was beautiful at the end when he was saying he has spent the time on Laerg alone did not say he and Marjorie did not get together but left it to the reader’s imagination as to whether they did. (Of course they did. Do you think he could visit Laerg and return without her grabbing hold of him and telling him what’s what? Sure the kiss before he headed off to Laerg in search of Iain was virtually a wedding ceremony. Sure he would have to marry her after that.)

The thriller aspect of the story was well done. I did not get fed up or bored when one disaster led to another. In this book all the disasters followed quite logically and not just because the author wanted to destroy all sense of hope in the reader.

The mystery was also well managed. We knew Iain had to do something on Laerg before it was discovered, but we did not know what. In the end it was something that would not have been considered as shocking today as it was then because there have been some widely publicized cases of people stranded on mountains sides after air crashes and only surviving by resorting to the same action as Iain. It was also interesting how Innes did not tell us what had happened but showed us.

I was reminded of Eric Ambler by two features. Firstly, Atlantic Fury portrayed the time in which the story took place perfectly. Ross’s accommodation in London, his travelling arrangements, the paucity of luxury everywhere. Perfect. Secondly, the book is more than just a story. It is exposing how institutions use people and destroy them to protect themselves. It weaves a love story into the mix as a little aside, but uses this to show personality traits of the main character.

Oh, by the way, did Iain jump into the Atlantic, or did he meet up with the Russians and start a third life? Who knows?



I am probably forgetting many things I wanted to say about this story, but I think I have probably said enough for the moment.

As you can see, @fuzzi, there is a lot about this book that I liked and am grateful to you for suggesting I read it.

>264 pgmcc: wow. What a write-up!

Thanks for hiding the spoilers.

I missed the error you noticed, as I am not from the area and my geography knowledge remains poor. No excuses, just an explanation of sorts.

The events within the book did not read like a soap opera, either.

>264 pgmcc: >265 fuzzi: I'm just shy of the mid-point of Atlantic Fury now. My library actually offers a few Innes books via Overdrive so I decided to hop aboard, (sorry, feeling rather nautical at the moment what with all the dashing about on the high seas ;).

I had thought perhaps the error Peter had noticed was meteorological in nature. Without clicking the spoiler tag, (thanks for that!), I have gleaned from >265 fuzzi: that the error is geographical. Like @fuzzi, I am not overly familiar with the geo-political boundaries of the region so that type of thing would go right over my head anyway.

Good book so far.

>264 pgmcc: I did spot the faux pas that Peter mentioned and he was right to be sure that I would spot it considering where my antecedents came from!

I largely agree with him too on his view of the book and his faithfulness in describing locale. Another similarity with Ambler is that both authors tend to pitch "ordinary" people into "extraordinary" circumstances. It isn't my favourite of his books but it is quite representative of his work.

>267 PaulCranswick: if Atlantic Fury is representative of Innes then I will definitely be enjoying the other 18 books!

I have that spare copy of The Naked Land available if anyone needs/wants it. Just let me know.

>266 ScoLgo: so glad you stopped by! The more the merrier...as long as you use spoilers or are deliberately vague as I attempted to be.

Most of you know I like to take photographs, especially of nature.

In the next post there will be a photo of a snake.

If you don't like snakes, feel free to scroll by...

Last warning...

Here's the story behind the photo, below:

I walked into the kitchen not 30 minutes ago and was looking outside at my ponds when I noticed movement in the newer pond, the one closer to the house. It was a black snake, probably a Black racer, swimming across the pond in an S pattern.

Note: Black racers are not venomous.

It exited close to the house, moved across the ground, then raised itself up and went into one of my half-barrel water gardens. The snake went underwater, but kept swirling around and around, something I found fascinating to watch. I thought it was going after the tadpoles that are in those tubs.

I keep my good DSLR by the kitchen window for opportunities like this, so I grabbed it as soon as I saw the snake and started snapping photos. The snake exited the tub, then rose back up to the edge and stuck its head in the water.The following is the best photo I took of what happened next:



I put down the camera saying something like "Oh no! He got one of my frogs!" and then went outside as fast as I could, not sure if there was anything I could do. As I ran up to the water tub the snake dropped the frog and took off into the weeds, and the frog jumped into the blue wading pool I have nearby.

I know snakes and birds and raccoons and all other types of predators eat the frogs outside by my ponds, but I don't want to see it when it happens. I hope the frog is okay. It jumped pretty far once the snake dropped it.

>270 fuzzi: That's a gorgeous photo, but please be careful. Their bites are very painful, apparently.

>270 fuzzi: Wow, what a photo, what a moment! That frog looks strangely bored to me, but maybe just resigned. I'm glad you saved him for another day, but poor snake who worked hard for a meal only to lose it to an angry god.

>270 fuzzi: Wow!

>271 -pilgrim-: thanks for the warning. The racers do just that, "race" away when approached. I would not have cornered it or grabbed it for the frog's sake, I just wanted to startle it. If my intervention was too late to save the frog, I would have walked away, sadly. I guess I'm just a softie.

>272 quondame: I noticed the look on the frog's face, too, and I suspect he was frozen in fear. I can walk up to the frogs by my pond and often they won't move away until I get past them, or if I reach down to touch them. Then they leap away.

There are lots of other frogs, lizards, mice, etc around the yard, the snake will get something eventually. I just don't want to see it!

>270 fuzzi: Fabulous photo! I'm so glad you rescued it.

>270 fuzzi: Wow! Great story and photo.

It seems to me that the wildlife has been particularly abundant and raucous this year. That's an amazing shot, fuzzi!

Daughter has been taking snake pictures as well this week. They had one climb the outside of their bedroom window, curl up on the edge of the second sash, and peer in at them. Then there was a larger, but still non-venomous snake curled in their driveway appearing to bite itself. Yesterday she took a video of a 6 foot black snake casually meandering through her front garden. She was able to get a heads on shot. She also reports wild ducks, a snapping turtle and a blue heron in the little creek at the back of their property.

The birds and rodents and deer have been bustling about in my tiny in-town yard too.

>277 2wonderY: appearing to bite itself: Ha. A worm ourobouros.

Amazing photo! We so seldom see snakes here - there are garter snakes around but they seem very rare. You have to go further south in Alberta for rattlesnakes and hog-nosed snakes. I saw a hog-nosed snake on a path in Dinosaur Provincial Park.

>275 Dejah_Thoris: me too!
>276 Narilka: thank you.
>277 2wonderY: I've noticed more wildlife, too. We've seen deer in the wooded lot next door, we're having daily visits by rabbits, and I've heard foxes "crying" too.

Yesterday evening I was walking down the driveway and saw a small brown snake (Storeria dekayi), thought the feral cats had killed it, but when I nudged it with my foot it slithered away.

It's possible the over-abundant rainfall this Spring has something to do with the wildlife being more apparent...or maybe because we're staying home during the Covid crisis we're noticing them more?

>279 tardis: we have almost 40 different types of snakes here in NC!
(https://herpsofnc.org/snakes/)

In my yard I have personally seen:

Brown snake
Worm snake
Ring necked snake
Green snake
Rat snake
Black racer

and one venomous type, the Copperhead. If they're too big to capture/rehome, they have to die. I cannot allow venomous snakes near my house where people, cats, and my dog walk.

Rat snakes eat copperheads :)

>281 fuzzi:
Thanks to St Patrick we have no snakes in Ireland. He put them in his car and drove them out of Ireland.

>281 fuzzi: >282 pgmcc: Coming as I do from a Land Down Under where everything is trying to kill you, I wish to point out that the Australian brown snake "(Pseudonaja textilis), often referred to as the common brown snake", is "(c)onsidered the world's second-most venomous land snake after the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)", another Australian snake. I discover from the Wikipedia article that the World Health Organisation has classified it as a snake of medical importance, a classification that I did not know existed.

>277 2wonderY: et al: It seems to me that the wildlife has been particularly abundant and raucous this year.: Here's some possible explanations.

>283 haydninvienna: I have read about the fauna of Down Under in books, and decided several years ago that I wouldn't add Australia to my bucket list of places to visit. Nothing personal! 😁

>284 haydninvienna: cool link, thanks!

>285 fuzzi: It's actually pretty safe, given that you observe 3 precautions: never put your hand in a hole (duh), shake your boots out in the morning before putting them on (redback spiders love boots), and make plenty of noise in the bush. Snakes are generally more than ready to get out of your way. Of course, that's on land. The water is a whole other game.

Australians have a kind of love-hate relationship with redback spiders (similar to the North American black widow). Mostly hate, in that most Australians kill them on sight, but there is actually an Australian brand of work boot called Redback, and there's a brand of beer (not bad either) called Redback.

>286 haydninvienna: sounds like precautions elsewhere, including here in the southeastern USA and in the southwestern USA (scorpions in the boots). I have learned to NOT put my hand anywhere if I can't see where it's going. I once put my hand down below the water surface in one of my barrel planters (mentioned above) and suddenly there was what looked like a length of rope that surfaced...it was a Black racer, and I am very VERY thankful that it did not bite me!

>286 haydninvienna: >287 fuzzi: Yes, growing up in the Mojave I was so conditioned not to put my hand where I couldn't see it (and never step outside without shoes) that I was unable to adequately explore tide pools on a field trip. I flat out could not do it.

>287 fuzzi: >288 quondame: Really, the idea that in Oz "everything is trying to kill you" is a bit of a joke. In Australia, to start with, there are no large land carnivores, so no bears, wolves etc. Snakes, despite their fearsome reputation, generally stay out of your way. Spiders you can nearly always avoid (I've seen plenty of redbacks, and killed a good few, but I've never been bitten).

Mind you, in the water in the tropical parts there are these guys, and these guys, and these guys ...

and just to beat the joke to death:

>289 haydninvienna: Danni Minogue...!

*shudders*

>289 haydninvienna: Wot? No drop-bears? ;-)

But there are fish in the coral reefs on the Mozambique coast that act like stonefish. Back in the day when you could get cheap, disposable footwear, one was advised to wear tekkies (UK: plimsolls) whenever you went into the water in Mozambique.

>290 -pilgrim-: >291 hfglen: I was once on a train in Canada (The Rocky Mountaineer, highly recommended) and we were all watching the country alongside the tracks for bears (saw a few) and other wildlife. I almost had the guide convinced of the reality of drop-bears.

For those who haven't encountered this little-known Australian carnivore, all you need to know about drop-bears is in this article.*
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*(be patient ...)
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*Check the date.

>289 haydninvienna: hahaha! Love it.

The Thorn Birds made an impression on me as a teen...and several books by Mary Patchett.

>292 haydninvienna: thanks for the clarification about "drop bears". That was a species I'd not encountered before. Glad we don't have them here!

>292 haydninvienna: I am glad to see that the Australian geographical research budget is being so wisely spent. :-p

BTW, what is the relationship, if any, between Vegemite and Marmite?

>294 -pilgrim-: There's a "recipe" for Vegemite in The Last Continent, where Rincewind tries to stew some vegetables in a can of beer over an open fire but falls asleep. The next morning he finds only a tarry mess in the bottom of the can. As he's starving he eats it anyway, and later sells the idea to some outback Australians. Marmite is extracted from yeast (only, AFAIK). IMHO Marmite is edible if approached rarely, Vegemite never is. Sorry, Richard; I tried the stuff, once, in Melbourne during the 2011 IBC.

>294 -pilgrim-: Australian Geographic is a commercial magazine, which used to be owned by the renowned entrepreneur and BS-artist Dick Smith. I'm not entirely pleased to discover that it's now owned by a media conglomerate that's based in Toronto.

>295 hfglen: Sacrilege! I can usually get Vegemite here but it's gone out of stock these last few weeks. Hugh, you were probably doing it wrong if you can take Marmite.

Marmite, Vegemite and Promite (which you usually don't see outside Australia) and some others are all the same basic idea: "The process to make yeast extract was invented in the 19th century by Justus von Liebig. Yeast cells are heated until they rupture, then the cells' own digestive enzymes break their proteins down into simpler compounds (amino acids and peptides), a process called autolysis. The insoluble cell walls are then separated by centrifuge, filtered, and usually spray dried." The differences in flavour are presumably due to different additions of spices, sugar and salt. In my search for the unavailable Vegemite, I discovered another one of the family: "Meridian" Yeast Extract. This one really is inedible.

>296 haydninvienna: thanks for the information. I'm still not interested in eating any of these products. My question to those who create stuff like Vegemite is...why???

>297 fuzzi: I suspect originally it was a way of converting a brewery waste product (spent yeast) into something that would turn a profit. But it turns out that all of the varieties of autolysed yeast are high in B vitamins, and therefore provide a completely vegan source of vitamin B₁₂. According to Wikipedia, 8 grammes of Marmite contains 99% RDA of thiamin and 80% RDA of B₁₂.

>298 haydninvienna: that makes sense. Still, ew.

>296 haydninvienna:, >297 fuzzi:, >298 haydninvienna: Personally, I like Marmite.

Now, dare I try Vegemite, I wonder?

>300 -pilgrim-: On your own head be it.

>293 fuzzi: I don't recall much about The Thorn Birds except it's length; but I enjoy frequent re-reads of The Ladies of Missalonghi, except for Missy's swamp encounter with LEECHES!

>301 hfglen: That is not where I was intending to put it!

>293 fuzzi:, >302 2wonderY: I have never read The Thorn Birds (although my grandmother had). I do, however, have vague memories of a young Richard Chamberlain...

>302 2wonderY: love the ladies of Missalonghi!

Wow have I hit a reading slump!

I was reading a new Kaminsky, The Big Silence, when I realized I was struggling to get more than a few pages read at a time. Thinking it was the book, I started a planned reread of The Walking Drum...

...um, no. It wasn't the Kaminsky that I was struggling with, just reading for some reason.

So I picked up an old favorite, Merchanter's Luck, started reading it, and it appears to be working. CJ Cherryh is one author that rarely fails to get me out of a reading rut!

Do any of you get reading slumps, and if so, how do you get out of them?

>305 fuzzi:

I have experienced reading slumps. They often follow my reading a string of books that did not give me the required buzz of enthusiasm. In the past I have found two things that get me out of it: one is the release of a book by one of my favourite authors; two is re-reading an Iain M. Banks novel. The former is not easy to schedule exactly when I hit a slump, but the latter has never failed me.

Hopefully you will get back on the reading track soon.

>305 fuzzi: I get reading slumps, too. Usually when my anxiety is super high or I’m really stressed out. I guess time just helps me get out of mine. Sometimes I’ll be able to find a book by a favorite author that helps. But usually it’s just me dealing with the stress and anxiety that helps. They are no fun.

>305 fuzzi: The "reading slump" seems to have become so common in the time of COVID-19 that one begins to suspect that it's a side-effect or something.

>305 fuzzi: I don’t really have a lot of reading slumps, but I do have periods of time where I’m having trouble focusing on books. In my case, I’m normally pretty good at plowing through a book even if I don’t like it (I’m horrible at abandoning books!), so a reading slump for me is usually the result of outside factors, not the books themselves.

When that happens, I try not to force it. I’ll usually still put some effort into reading, but if I find myself getting nowhere in my book because I can’t focus on it, I get up and go do something else so that I don’t end up just wasting time staring into space or frittering away time on my phone. Sometimes I’ll blow off some steam by doing something physical and then I can sit and focus on the book better. On rare occasions, particularly if I’m especially stressed or exhausted, I might spend a few days or even weeks watching a favorite TV show or try watching something new. Sometimes I’ll pull out a favorite addictive computer game. Sooner or later, I end up back at my usual reading levels without really trying.

>305 fuzzi: While I'm mildly surprised that it would be C.J. Cherryh's writing that would be slump dissolving, it's only mild in that her style and flow are idiosyncratic, so the effect on me would very likely not be the same as on you. Gene Wolfe can also blow away mindsets for me, rewiring my brain as I flow through his pages. The Knight was the most obvious instance of this.

>306 pgmcc: Iain M Banks...STOP!! NO MORE BOOK BULLETS! 😁

>307 catzteach: it's the end/beginning of the fiscal year, students are graduating and onboarding, so it's a bit stressful.

>308 haydninvienna: being forced to stay home and being unable to keep up with my work certainly has been stressful. But it's made my dog happy.

>309 YouKneeK: I can't force it, unfortunately. There have been times when I've picked a DVD off the shelf and watch an old favorite just to get my mind off other things...I think I've seen Jane Eyre (Timothy Dalton version) a dozen times!

>310 quondame: there is something about CJ Cherryh, or Louis L'Amour, and even some Anne McCaffrey books that help me with slumps...I enjoy rereading them.

>305 fuzzi: Reading slumps happen. I usually turn to an old favorite to get me back into the groove.

I seem to be in a multiple year slump. I thought I was getting out of it the beginning of this year, then when Covid19 became a thing, I quit reading altogether. I've given up trying to get out of it and am going with the flow. I am enjoying the two books I currently dip in an out of and am not worrying about when I finish them.

There are multiple reasons I think for me, but I'm not sure any one of them is the "cause." Sadly, I do not see anything in my near future that will change my reading habits, but who knows? I certainly never planned or thought it possible that reading would not be an A1 priority in my life.

>315 MrsLee: I think the past year has presented you with very many challenges and that the accumulation of those issues, associated with COVID19, and also your family records (that is not the best word describe your letters and pictures and other documents, but it is all that came to mind) project, have occupied your mind on other things and pushed reading down the priority list. I think you are doing great. Reading will find its place in time. I think your enjoying the books you are reading is important. You do not need any further stress.

Keep well.

>316 pgmcc: Thank you for that, I feel hugged. :)

>316 pgmcc: nicely put. Thanks. 😊

Yippee! I think Merchanter's Luck broke the reading slump!

I just finished Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O'Dell.

Thank you CJ Cherryh!

Yippee!

Fireworks! Cake! Bottles of pop!

Yay!

>320 pgmcc: I'm baking a cake! It's my father's 92nd birthday today. 😁