This-n-That Picking Up Where I Left Off (Sep-Dec)

Happy new thread! Focus on books has been a challenge for many of us this year. I hope you get a new boost from your new leaf!

Happy new thread! Good idea to start a new one for the rest of the year :)

I really liked Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs. It makes an amusing contrast title-wise to your other read, Why We Sleep. I imagine worrying about whether your cat would eat your eyeballs would keep you awake! ;)

Happy new thread! I love that first leaf picture!

Happy new thread! I hope you are safe, too.

Good to see you're feeling able to get into reading again. And the leaf is a fabulous picture.

2020 has certainly been a difficult year so far and we are all feeling our way. Staying healthy and safe is our number one priority and for me, reading books is the best escape from the depressing reality. Good luck and good reading!

A new thread is a nice way to "re-boot". Happy new thread! I agree, it is challenging to keep positive and not let the news and events take over our lives. good thing we have books to escape into. ;-) Stay safe!

Nice new theme and great looking categories!

>24 This-n-That: Good to know that there are spoilers for Persuasion -- that's the one Austen novel I haven't read yet! I've read the others at least once.

I made it part way through an Elizabeth Gaskell festival. I need to resume! Ruth is really interesting and Mary Barton is a bit dry but quite good overall. Her writing focus varies considerably from work to work. I'll keep an eye on how your reading is going.

I'm reading Mary Barton myself and finding it a bit hard going. But I did love Wives and Daughters, and liked North and South.

>31 This-n-That: I've heard great things about Juliet Stevenson!

>30 This-n-That: Just knowing that you're working on a similar project is inspiring! :)

>26 This-n-That: - Oh, I love your Elizabeth Gaskell reading project! One of the few print books that I have kept in my collection is a 1904 Temple Classics copy of Cranford published by J.M. Dent and Co. The green soft leather cover is a bit worn/faded but the text is still very legible. One of these days I will read it, but thinking to save it for when I retire. ;-)

>26 This-n-That: I love Elizabeth Gaskell. I've read Cranford, North and South, and Wives and Daughters, with Cranford being my favorite.

Oh, I disagree about Henry Tilney -- he's so funny and kind! Oh well, I'm glad the audio version helped you to enjoy the novel a little bit more!

>40 This-n-That: Emma and Pride and Prejudice are my favorites too. :)

>43 This-n-That: I read The House on the Strand in high school and loved it, so I've read it a couple of times since then. It's probably time for a reread!

>43 This-n-That: I've only read one du Maurier book and will put this one on my wish list.

>49 This-n-That: Glad you enjoyed Sleepy Hollow. I often read and listen at the same time, especially if the language is difficult, such as translations. I would agree about Irving's words being "delicious." I'm not a big fan of Sleepy Hollow, but greatly enjoyed Rip Van Winkle.

Congratulations on completing your Bingo card!

>53 This-n-That: This reminded me of the five-year-old boy next door to me who made everyone promise not to even mention The Grinch because it would "worry" his little brother. Little brother could care less, it's the five-year-old who is quite fearful of The Grinch.

Well done on completing the whole card! That's something to take out of 2020 at least.

>53 This-n-That: A satisfying way to end the old year--congratulations!

>53 This-n-That: Hurray for completing the Bingo card!