Humouress a decade on in 2020 - thread 4

Looks like I was hoping to make it to 4 threads this year since I didn't leave space for the last three months' books. So I'll start a new thread.

I'm Nina. I'm from England but living in tropical Singapore surrounded by guys - my husband (who tolerates my reading but is starting to make comments about my book acquisition habits), my two sons and their 3 year old golden retriever, Jasper.

I've introduced my 11 year old to LibraryThing; he's firelion ; sadly, superboy lost the reading habit once he acquired a smartphone. Firelion just got his first smartphone for his birthday so here’s hoping the same thing doesn’t happen to him.

I lean heavily towards fantasy (preferably high) with a smattering of sci-fi (space opera), mysteries (pre-war), young adult and juvenile fiction and school stories - or whatever else catches my fancy at the time. I'm trying to read books off my shelf, since my reading hasn't kept up with my acquisitions (anyone else have that problem?). I try (try) to review and rate all the books I read (which doesn't help my reading speed) and I don't put spoilers in (I hope). If you want to jump to a review, click on the relevant number in my monthly lists (>2 humouress:, >3 humouress: & >4 humouress:).

I tend towards the lighter side of things (hence my screen name) - because if you look at the dark side ... but why would you want to? Life’s hard enough. I tend to lurk more than post on LT, but I'm around, so please don't feel shy about joining me and posting here.

I am still trying to reach that elusive '75 books read in a year' target, for the tenth eleventh year.

75 Book Challenge 2019 thread 1
75 Book Challenge 2019 thread 3

75 Book Challenge 2020 thread 1
75 Book Challenge 2020 thread 2
75 Book Challenge 2020 thread 3

Green Dragon 2019 thread

ROOTs 2020 thread

So here we are heading towards the end of this very strange year. 8th of October was my birthday which coincided with the boys' school holidays so we did do a staycation in Singapore although we spent a lot of time in the room and we had to wear masks whenever we walked out. We splurged on a room in the Fullerton hotel, which is a converted colonial-era building (getting rarer in Singapore) which used to be the main post office/ finance ministry etc., and were fortunate to have a large balcony - actually, the balcony runs the length of the building and the other rooms on that side of the hotel also have access to it. My husband told me that at one point when he was sitting outside a couple of small kids were running up and down and waved to him whenever they passed him! But I didn't see anyone apart from the four of us whenever I was out there; I think hotel occupancy is still being limited at the moment.


My Thingaversary was in August (for this LT identity); even I can't buy enough books in one go to fill my quota but I buy more than enough during the rest of the year. Not the mention that Books Kinokuniya, whom I depend on to buy my physical books, have had to curtail the number of sales this year; although I've pretty much shopped them out in the fantasy department at this point anyway :0)

I shall stop rambling on now and come back tomorrow to finish setting up. Come on in (excuse the mess)!

November
73.

October
67. 66.

November

76) The Traitor's Game by Jennifer Nielsen
75) The Hallowed Hunt
74) The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
✔           73) The King's Man by Rowena Corey Daniells
72) Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
71) The Usurper by Rowena Corey Daniells
70) Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan
✔           69) The other miss bridgerton by Julia Quinn (2018)

October

68) Wishing Season by Esther Freisner
✔           67) The Uncrowned King by Rowena Corey Daniells (2010)
✔           66) Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (2016)

third quarter

From my second thread:

(if it's got a tick, I've posted my review to the book's page; stars are self-explanatory; clicking on the number will take you to the post where I've at least put down some ideas; last is the book title. I hope you appreciate the alliteration)

review posted/ rated/ written/ read

✔ / / (#) / Title

May

✔           41) The Phantom's Curse by Shelley Wilson (ARC)
✔       40) The Queen’s Secret by Jessica Day George (2019)
✔       39) Esme’s Wish by Elizabeth Foster (2017)
✔           38) The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler (2016)
✔       37) The Village Witch Doctor and Other Stories (1990)
✔   36) Oakleaf Bearers by John Flanagan (2006)
✔           35) The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George (2018)
✔       34) The Icebound Land by John Flanagan (2005)

April

✔       33) The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan (2005)
✔   32) The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo by Zen Cho (2012)
✔   31) Cabin Pressure; series 1 by John Finnemore (2008)
✔           30) Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis (2016)
✔       29) Lady in Gil by Rebecca Bradley (1996)
✔       28) The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (2004)
✔       27) Spellswept by Stephanie Burgis (2018)

From my first thread:

(if it's got a tick, I've posted my review to the book's page; stars are self-explanatory; clicking on the number will take you to the post where I've at least put down some ideas; last is the book title. I hope you appreciate the alliteration)

review posted/ rated/ written/ read

✔ / / (#) / Title

March

✔       26) Thornbound by Stephanie Burgis (2019)
✔   25) Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis (2017)
✔   24) Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale (2012)
✔       23) Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (2005)
✔   22) Princess at Sea by Dawn Cook (2006)
✔       21) Nevertheless She Persisted anthology (2020)
✔       20) Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook (2005)

February

✔       19) First Truth by Dawn Cook (2002)
✔       18) Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (2016)
✔           17) Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal (2018)
✔   16) How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason (2019)
✔       15) The Sound of Her Wings by Neil Gaiman et al
✔           14) Sound and Fury by Neil Gaiman et al
✔               13) 24 Hours by Neil Gaiman et al
✔           12) Passengers by Neil Gaiman et al
✔       11) A Hope in Hell by Neil Gaiman et al
✔       10) Dream a Little Dream of Me by Neil Gaiman et al
✔       9) Imperfect Hosts by Neil Gaiman et al
✔       8) Sleep of the Just by Neil Gaiman et al
✔               7) First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennet (2018)
✔       6) Forest Born by Shannon Hale (2009)

January

✔       5) The Lost Heir by Tui Sutherland (2012)
✔       4) The Book of Swords. Part 1 edited by Gardner Dozois (2017)
✔           3) The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (2018)
✔           2) Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (2018)
✔       1) Wings of Fire; the Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland (2012)

9

The constellation:

  You have got to read this one!                          
  Really good; worth reading                                
      Good, but without that special 'something' for me  
       Very nice, but a few issues                                   
           An enjoyable book                                                                        
           Um, okay. Has some redeeming qualities                  
                Writing is hard. I appreciate the work the author did    
               (haven't met one - yet)                                               
                     Dire                                                                            
                     Rated only as a warning. Run away. Don't stop.               

Purple stars, from Robin's thread:

5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5

Robin has made coloured stars for me (happy dance) so I'm back in business. The codes are now enshrined in my profile.

Reading at home :

‘Waiting for the boys to finish classes’ book :

Bedtime reading :Tashi series (yes, still), Robin Hood

Kindle :

Downtime : Skulduggery Pleasant

Overdrive :



Book club Six of Crows (we haven't had a chance to meet & discuss for a while)

online story

audio book

Libraries:

   

Reading inspirations

Ongoing series:

The Dark is Rising - Susan Cooper
Chronicles of the Cheysuli - Jennifer Roberson
Chronicles of the Kencyrath - P. C. Hodgell (group read, started January 2018; thread 2)
Tashi - Anna Fienberg
The Vorkosigan Saga - Lois McMaster Bujold (2014-2017 group read - savouring it before I run out of these glorious books)
**Farseer (group read starting March 2018)
***The Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan (relaxed group read starting January 2019)
{Tor read https://www.tor.com/2018/02/20/reading-the-wheel-of-time-eye-of-the-world-part-1...

Planning to read with the kids:
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snickett
Ranger's Apprentice - John Flanagan (group read starting January 2019)

Ooh, what about...

Miss Fisher mysteries
Cinder
Vatta/Honor Harrington
*Ready Player One
Earthsea book 1

Mmm - looks like I need to pick up the pace on some of these.

13

14

Okay, go.

Happy new thread!

>15 quondame: Thank you Susan, and welcome!

Happy new one!

Greetings, La Overkill. Your new Den of Iniquity is brilliant.

Happy new thread!

Happy new one, Neighbour.

>17 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita!

>18 richardderus: Merci beaucoup, Richard!



And welcome in.

>19 drneutron: Thank you doc!

>20 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! That long-awaited meet-up seems further away than ever this year :0(

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Nina!

Happy new thread!!

Happy new thread, Nina!

>22 foggidawn: Thank you foggi!

>23 MickyFine: Thanks Micky!

>24 curioussquared: Thanks Natalie!

>25 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita!

Welcome in everyone.

Happy New Thread, Nina, and a belated Happy Birthday as well.

Happy new one, Your staycation sounds like fun- the kids running by on the balcony made me laugh.

At the moment we're not even supposed to leave the county. I got completely distracted from the book we were supposed to be discussing on Thursday when one of the online bookgroup revealed she was phoning in from Namibia (and it's not even on my list!) Glad you were able to have a break even if it was in the form of a staycation.

>27 ronincats: Thanks Roni!

>28 charl08: Thanks Charlotte! Well, Singapore must be a lot smaller than any county.

68) Wishing Season by Esther Friesner

Genies were created to show magic to humans and to tease them. There are rules guiding the granting of three wishes only including the all important however clause - no using a wish to wish for unlimited wishes. But what happens if a genie, at the top of his class, on his graduating exercise forgets the clause? Or what if a master should refuse to use their last wish, trapping the genie in their service? Or what if a genie should run up against a more powerful ifrit or an ifrit runs up against a more powerful demon?

This is the story of Khalid, his master Haroun, the talking cat Boabdil and a whole host of characters who get caught up in a wishing season.

The story is well plotted, going in unexpected directions, and lots of fun. I think I found it funnier on this re-read having first read it many years ago and forgotten how it went except that it wasn't as funny as I was given to expect. I think, for me, I'm more likely to find humour in books when I'm not looking for it. So suspend expectations, hop on your flying carpet and enjoy the ride!

4****

>30 humouress: That's a BB!

69) The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

 

{Third of 4: Rokesbys series. Romance}(2018)

I'm seeing a lot of enthusiasm on LT for this and other Quinn series so I thought I would give this another go but reading it myself instead of listening to an audio version as I did for Because of Miss Bridgerton - although I did keep hearing the narrator's voice in my head at similar phrases.

I think Romance novels are not for me at this point in time. Don't get me wrong - I'm a sucker for romance, but I prefer the sweet innocence of falling in love to 'bedroom' scenes. After the first chapter, where I encountered anomalies such as a girl from Somerset nibbling on English cheese (Cheddar, anyone?), I took a breath, tried to suppress my critical side and enjoyed the story better.

Poppy Bridgerton is a cousin to the Bridgertons who are neighbours of the Rokesbys in Kent. She is kidnapped and taken aboard what she thinks is a pirate ship but the captain is Andrew Rokesby, a gentleman who uses the 'Infinity' as a cover to run secret messages to Portugal for the British government.

Similar to the first book. The usual fluff, obligatory bedroom scene - although I was hoping to get away without that - and anachronistic expressions but you could say the same for most Regency (I assume) romances. Par for the course, I suppose, so no marks off for that. I'm not so keen on the way the 'gentlemen' are expected to have some experience in the bedroom while the ladies would be ruined if they were found spending time with a man unchaperoned. Given all the other modern contrivances worked into these stories I think that could have been changed or at least not brought into the stories.

3 stars

>32 humouress: Maybe wait for Netflix to bring you the TV series based on the books. It's easier to forgive the idiot box for screwing things up (ENGLISH cheese?).

>33 richardderus: *sigh* Quite so.

>31 quondame: Ooh Susan - you sneaked in. Sorry I didn't see you before. I was just thinking I hadn't done the book justice; it's a lot more interesting than my first draft review makes it sound. I'm glad it hit the target anyway :0)

70) Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan

{Seventh published of 11 (or 12); Ranger’s Apprentice series. Fantasy, children’s, YA} (2007)
Group read.

I started reading this but then paused it to finish some library e-books before returning to it so my reading was a bit fragmented. I read it before the books numbered 5 and 6 in the series, per the author's recommendation, as events in this book take place before those in the other two.

The story opens with Will's imminent graduation to full Ranger status and Halt's surprising upcoming wedding. However as the festivities are concluded news comes of Erak's capture. Erak is the Oberjarl of the Skandians, erstwhile enemies of Araluan but now allies since the signing of a treaty. Will, Halt and friends travel to the desert country of Arrida to ransom him taking the princess with them as negotiator. But nothing is as simple as that and adventures ensue.

There was a risk involved in coming so close to the shoreline, he knew. But it was the lesser of two risks. They'd kept a steady south-east course through the night, driven by the unwavering northerly breeze that blew towards the coast at this time of year. Borne along by the wind, Erak had sailed in close to the land, inside a huge bay that took a bite out of the coastline. On the eastern end of the bay, on a raised promontory, stood the township of Al Shabah. By placing his ship inside the bay, and inland of the spot where the town stood, Erak knew that he would be screened by the dark land mass behind him. Also, as the sun slowly rose, which it would be doing in about another forty minutes, his ship would still be in darkness, while the promontory and town, to the east of his position, would be illuminated. He could have turned towards Al Shabah while they were still further out to sea, avoiding the risk of being spotted from the coast. But that would have increased the risk of being seen from the town itself. Even by night, Wolfwind would have been a darker shadow on the steely grey surface of the sea.

Flanagan writes well; he does good action scenes that don't go on forever and I like his banter, which amuses and doesn't seem forced. The characters in this fantasy world, which parallels ours, are believable - not too perfect or too angsty. My eleven year old is also reading this series and enjoying it; it is a good one for children and doesn't talk down to them. The characters do go through hardships and, since they become involved in battles, there is some killing and some deaths but I don't feel that these are traumatic for readers while still keeping the story realistic.

Worth reading, even for adults.

4.5 stars

>36 humouress: Glad you and your son both enjoyed Erak's Ransom, Nina.
I like the whole series, I might start his next series (Brotherband Chronicles) next year.

>37 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I think Firelion is already onto Brotherband :0)

It looks like we're getting the edges of the typhoon as it heads from the Philippines towards the Bay of Bengal. Usually we have heavy rain which exhausts itself after about half an hour or - due, I suspect, to climate change - a drizzle that lasts most of the day. Today we've had heavy rain that hasn't let up since early morning.

I have now (finally) got all my books back on my shelves - both old and new - after dusting and polishing the shelves and I took the opportunity of handling each book to go into my catalogue and update a few attributes and especially de-Amazon-ing the covers. I swapped out the covers that are automatically assigned (from the Amazon link to the ISBN) and changed them either to member uploaded covers or hunted through the web for better quality ones. And I happened to take a few pleasant detours along the way. I also added in cover artists' names to quite a few of my books. So all that took a few weeks which my husband can't understand because he says it took the four of us one evening to empty the shelves. Now that I'm using the new shelves too, I've spread out the books (which have been alphabetised since I started cataloguing them on LT, if not before) so I have space on most shelves to add more books in. Hmm ...

>39 humouress: Good work on your shelves, Nina, and your catalogue.
Lucky you to have space on most shelves, I just had to remove two books to add our new acquisitions ;-)

>40 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I doubt I'll be getting any more shelves (there's nowhere else to put them, for one thing) so I will have to be cautious with my acquisitions now. I did try to cull some books last year and managed to take less than ten off my shelves after trying my best. I do have one more bookshelf downstairs which is earmarked for my cookbooks so they'll be closer to the kitchen. Until then, they're sitting on the guest room bed and annoying my husband :0)

My cousins in the States are reporting that all news channels are confirming Biden has won. Is it finally done now?

71) The Usurper by Rowena Cory Daniells

{King Rolen's Kin}

King Rolen's children are scattered far and wide over Rolencia and are uncertain as to the fate of the rest of their family at the beginning of this book but each of them is determined to win back the crown for their family and avenge those that have perished. Byren tries to gather support from the spar warlords, thirteen year old Piro is in the hands of Power-workers but is looking for a way to turn that to her advantage and fifteen year old Fyn is in the hands of sea-dogs who harry the Merofynian ships carrying Rolencian loot and accepts his fate for now; the enemy of my enemy...

This is the third book in the series and I felt the action moved a lot faster; this time we moved beyond Rolencia and eventually covered the whole of the civilised world, going as far as the Osteron Isles (which seem to be formed from an extinct volcano). We are gradually seeing more of Affinity, different types of affinity beasts and different cults of Power-workers as the series goes on (although still not much about how it works, but at this point it is pretty established as part of this world) and in this book our three protagonists encounter different points of view; maybe the enemy we thought they faced isn't the real enemy. They are still very trusting, although that might be excused by their youth, and the writing could be stronger but I am enjoying this story. I'm looking forward to the next book - good thing I've borrowed the 'box set' on Overdrive - even though a lot of the side stories have been resolved by the end of this book. I like the newly introduced characters, though I have my suspicions about that mage's name.

3.5-4****

>42 humouress: Looks like Biden took Pennsylvania, and that mean he has won. It is all over the news here.

We are all very happy about the presidential result, if we wish for more senators, Nina. I have already bought and read the e-ARC of Trader's Leap and enjoyed it very much. I think I have most of their work, although between the individual chapbooks and the Constellations collections, it can be hard to tell.

>44 FAMeulstee: Phew! What a relief - finally.

>45 ronincats: Thanks for coming by Roni. I was trying to do some organising of the Liaden series - which is why I popped over to the website and found that their e-books are on offer for the month of November - but I finally gave up in confusion. :0)

72) crocodile on the sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
1999/2006

4-4.5*t

>42 humouress: I also just heard that Rump's law firm has decided to pull out and won't represent him or his further legal quests to derail the election. Hurray! I hope that helps him move on.

Happy fourth thread!!

>48 Berly: Probably pulled out because he cut their pay for not delivering ASAP and is already hugely in arrears.

>48 Berly:, >49 quondame: Apparently, lawyers all over are bailing because of the frivolous nature of the lawsuits. They can be personally censured for it, plus the reputation also damage it causes. Also, apparently, Giuliani is making a mess of things trying to tell everybody what to do.

Just stopping by to say hello.

And to thank you very much for the Book Cushion recommendation. Mine came today and is already saving my shoulders and neck. What a relief!

I’d tried something similar before. It looked like a pyramid and just didn’t work at all this is perfect.

>50 drneutron: The undignified end of his Presidency is somehow wholly befitting of the man. His friends (if he has any real ones left) should tell him it is time to go.

Have a lovely Sunday, neighbour.

>48 Berly: Thank you!

His behaviour is somewhat puzzling; US presidents haven't behaved like this before (I assume - or at least not in recent times). I think he's been looking at the wrong countries for examples to copy. We're wondering why he's getting support for his behaviour - maybe senior Republicans are hoping to hold on to the presidency?

>49 quondame: :0)

>50 drneutron: Ah!

>51 Matke: Hello Gail!

Oh, I'm so thrilled I could help and that it's working for you :0)

Hmm - maybe I should get in touch with the company and start taking commissions. Although I was given mine as a gift, so I ought to pass it on.

>52 PaulCranswick: I have an app that lets me listen to radio stations from all over the world on my computer and the news on the London station I have on said yesterday that he gave a news conference about COVID and not going into lockdown in which he almost hinted that maybe he wouldn't be in power next year.

Enjoy your weekend too, Paul. Yesterday was a public holiday for Deepavali so the kids' school has given them a day off tomorrow in lieu.

Hi, Nina!

Just a note to add to the discussion -- many are theorizing that Trump is only continuing his charade because his supporters are continuing to donate money to fund his bogus lawsuits, but there's some fine print that says he's allowed to use the money to pay for other debt, too. So he's wringing them dry in order to pay off his campaign debt, essentially. Typical, really.

>56 curioussquared: I can’t believe people actually believe in those lawsuits.

>57 humouress: I am unfortunately unsurprised at what people believe in anymore :(

Glad the boys tested negative, Nina!

>58 curioussquared: *shakes head* What can you do?

>59 ronincats: Thanks Roni; me too.

I don't usually do memes because my reading isn't usually wide-ranging enough but I saw this one on Paul's thread and I may be able to come up with some answers:

1. Name any book you read at any time that was published in the year you turned 18:
Mort by Terry Pratchett

2. Name a book you have on in your TBR pile that is over 500 pages long:
A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan (and a fair segment of the rest of the series, most of which are also door-stoppers)

3. What is the last book you read with a mostly blue cover?
The Book of Swords; part 2 for my September TIOLI Birthstone challenge (sapphire, if you want to know)

4. What is the last book you didn’t finish (and why didn’t you finish it?)
I don't like not finishing so I try to pick ones I'm pretty sure I can rely on the authors to deliver or have had good press on LT. I did have some library e-books that automatically returned or own books that I paused for library books but I've caught up on them. Will have to look ...
Ooh - I suspect Ready Player One because I was trying to read it before the film came out but, hey. It's still on my bedside table/ TBR mountain.

5. What is the last book that scared the bejeebers out of you?
I don't like being scared.
Well (this GN could equally belong to answer 23) I didn't enjoy Neil Gaiman's 24 Hours. I wasn't scared as such because I sort of switched off but, just no.

6. Name the book that read either this year or last year that takes place geographically closest to where you live? How close would you estimate it was?
Crazy Rich Asians which takes place in Singapore - extremely rare in my reading for pleasure. It takes place all over Singapore which isn't very big - so pretty close, a few kilometres.

7.What were the topics of the last two nonfiction books you read?
Oops; I don't read non-fiction. Probably cookbooks. I have listed The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook - my only non-fiction - this year

8. Name a recent book you read which could be considered a popular book?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - ranked 608th.

9. What was the last book you gave a rating of 5-stars to? And when did you read it?
Huh; I'm usually generous with stars but it looks like I haven't rated anything 5 stars this year (or at least made a note that I did). But in October a year ago, I liked Julie Czerneda's The Gossamer Mage and the work immediately before that, Laurie Penny's The Hundredth House Had No Walls which was a short story (from Tor's e-newsletter, I think) that I read in September last year.

10. Name a book you read that led you to specifically to read another book (and what was the other book, and what was the connection)
Apart from series? Hmmm...
I borrowed First Truth by Dawn Cook because I had to wait for Decoy Princess by the same author. I really enjoyed Decoy Princess and its sequel Princess at Sea.

11. Name the author you have most recently become infatuated with.
I've been reading John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series for the group read and enjoying it; I really enjoyed Decoy Princess and its sequel but it's only a duology; I really liked Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis and read the rest of the series (that's been written so far) but, while good, they didn't have the same thrill for me. I loved Elizabeth Foster's Esme's Wish and Esme's Gift which I received as ERCs but those are a duology too (for now). But I'm not sure if any of them really qualify as 'infatuated'.
... Actually I think Sherwood Smith qualifies; I loved her Crown Duel duology and her Inda series. I have a few of her YA books on my Kindle and and planning on getting all the Sartorias-Deles books, as soon as I work out which ones they are.

12. What is the setting of the first novel you read this year?
It was Wings of Fire set on a fantasy world and entirely about dragons (of different species).

13. What is the last book you read, fiction or nonfiction, that featured a war in some way (and what war was it)?
Well, a lot of fantasy books have wars going on, but wars in the real world? Will have to dig around... Okay: The Scarlet Pimpernel who rescues aristocrats from the French Revolution.

14. What was the last book you acquired or borrowed based on an LTer’s review or casual recommendation? And who was the LTer, if you care to say.
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. (Will have to look up who it was - could have been several mentions finally prompted me to read it) ...

15. What the last book you read that involved the future in some way?
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason which is set in space in a distant future.

16. Name the last book you read that featured a body of water, river, marsh, or significant rainfall?
Well, there was The House in the Cerulean Sea. Isn't that a gorgeous title?

17. What is last book you read by an author from the Southern Hemisphere?
The King Rolen's Kin box set which I'm currently working through; I'm on book 4 now. So book 3, The Usurper by Rowena Corey Daniells

18. What is the last book you read that you thought had a terrible cover?
Probably the King Rolen's Kin books to be honest. They each have someone on the cover and most of people portrayed look quite scary.

19. Who was the most recent dead author you read? And what year did they die?
The Book of Swords: part 2 (and part 1) was edited by Gardner Dozois 1947-2018 but in August I read Howl's Moving Castle written by Diana Wynne Jones 1934-2011.

20. What was the last children’s book (not YA) you read?
I've started reading the Key words Peter and Jane series 1) to teach a friends' kid to read and 2) as practice for translating to Spanish for my eldest. The first one is Play with Us; I remember that tent from when my mum taught me to read but we have the one on the beach.

21. What was the name of the detective or crime-solver in the most recent crime novel you read?
Amelia Peabody from Crocodile on the Sandbank

22. What was the shortest book of any kind you’ve read so far this year?
Apart from Play With Us? Some of the Dr Who/ Mr Men books; Dr Ninth, Dr Tenth and Dr Eleventh

23. Name the last book that you struggled with (and what do you think was behind the struggle?)
I haven't had a book that I've really struggled with for a while. Maybe the two books I read from the Rokesby series but I have the same issue with most 'Regency romances' that I've come across - if you're going to set a book in a time and place specifically because of its mannerisms then please stick to those mannerisms.
Probably The Queen's Poisoner gets the honour; strange characterisation and questionable plotting.

24. What is the most recent book you added to your library here on LT?
I scanned in five books on the 8th of November, amongst them the Asterix Omnibus 1

25. Name a book you read this year that had a visual component (i.e. illustrations, photos, art, comics)
See the answer to question 22. But also Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman - a venture out of my comfort zone into the world of GNs

ETA: Some People, who shall be nameless (>69 richardderus: ) are feeling touchy about not being credited. I've also seen this meme on Richard's thread and on Anita's and Sandy has it, too. Hopefully that unruffles the feathers.

ETA 2: but Someone also got it from Paul's thread.

I'll come back and finish the meme. Touchstones seem to not be working at the moment.

ETA: touchstones are still iffy in new posts and I can't scroll down if the first few aren't the right ones.

>61 humouress: Will look forward to your completing your work in progress. xx

73) The King's Man by Rowena Corey Daniells



3.5 of 4 {King Rolen's Kin box set}

Continuing on with the 'box set' e-book that I've borrowed from the library. This one was short at only 14 chapters and followed the fate of one of the secondary characters thought killed in the fighting towards the end of the first book. This book picks up from that point as he is captured by enemies and shipped out as a seven-year slave. The blow to the head that knocked him out has also taken away the memory of his name although he remembers everything else.

Daniells' characters in this one are more vulgar in language and behaviour than in the previous books. I'm not sure if it was to emphasise the difference between the Rolencians and their various enemies or to make the books grittier. It didn't work for me because it's out of character compared to the previous books for readers following the series (in other words, a bit late at four books in to try to appeal to different readers) and we've seen enemies in this series before who didn't behave this way. There are also instances of child rape and although these are treated as matter of fact and not dwelled on and the main character is a member of Byren's honour guard, he is just fourteen years old. Docking half a star for gratuitous violence.

There were many instances in the writing where details were missing or inserted with no outcome; for example, the protagonist pretends not to understand the enemy's language (and this time manages to hold the deception right to the end, when he slips up) but doesn't learn anything useful in that time. I think I felt more for the protagonist in the previous books when he was thought to be dead.

I didn't like this as much as the previous books in the series.

2.5-3 stars

Such an interesting list of questions and answers - fascinating how different everyone's answers are, too.

After some experimentation at the weekend, found that about ten touchstones worked, and then I could add more. Not sure why (or even if this was a regular thing or just a one off).

>65 charl08: I'll have to go around and look at all the answers properly.

The touchstones are coming and going. I've got a bit more than ten on my meme answers but I've also got series and author touchstones - I don't know if that affects it at all. I've posted on the bug thread, anyway, and I add an answer now and then to the meme until the lack of touchstones annoys me too much :0)

I have Heart London playing on my radio app and I just heard an ad for the fourth season of The Crown. Gillian Anderson just sounds like Margaret Thatcher - I can't imagine the actress because only Mrs T's image comes to mind. Stunning!

>61 humouress: Ooh! A book meme!

>60 humouress: Isn't it maddening when the touchstones are twitchy?! I'll come back to see what you finish PAUL'S meme with.

>68 foggidawn: When I finish it, touchstones willing :0)

>69 richardderus: I'm so sorry, your Proprietorship, but that's where I saw it first.

ETA - I've put your name in too, now, Okay?

Hmm; I found this on my message board. I'm quite happy to help, provided it's genuine. What think you?

Hi dear
I study LIS at the University of Isfahan, lran. I intend to work on the topic of my dissertation which is about suggesting some books to the readers of “Teens Books” according to their characteristics, then I’ve also decided to design a Suggesting-System related to this topic. In this case, I would like to ask you to help us filling the following questionnaire;
Yours sincerely
Maryam

>61 humouress: Oooh a book meme. Snatched for later completion.

>61 humouress: It is fun to see all answers on different threads, Nina.

>71 humouress: I also got that message, I didn't react.

>73 FAMeulstee: >61 humouress: And done!
Touchstones seem to be working okay on my phone (but not my typing).

>73 FAMeulstee: >71 humouress: Then I’ll hold off on it for now unless anyone can verify it.

74) The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

fantasy, mythical, YA/ children's

Gen (self-proclaimed best thief in the world) is languishing in the king of Sounnis's prison when the king's magus 'recruits' him to help in retrieve the legendary Hamiathes's stone; this stone - if it really exists - confers the monarchy of the neighbouring mountain kingdom of Eddis on its wearer. The king wants Eddis so that he can pass through it to conquer Attolia on the other side of the mountains. And so Gen goes on a journey across three countries with the mage and his apprentices - two nobly born boys, one older and one younger than himself, and Pol.

I like the way Whalen Turner incorporates myths and legends which the travellers narrate around their camp fires. I assume that she has invented them herself because, while they have the flavour of the ancient Greek myths, they don't tie closely in with the ones I am familiar with (not that I'm an expert). There is a twist in the tale but, unfortunately for me, I've recently read a story with a similar idea behind it so it didn't catch me by surprise. I suspect that otherwise this would have been a solid 5 star read. However it did leave me with some questions (when did that happen?) so I will be re-reading this book at some point

I did enjoy my stay in this world - so much so that I am reluctant to leave and move onto my next book although that is by a favourite author. It has the feel of Greece of ancient times with its seas of olive trees rather than the standard fantasy setting of medieval England. It is well written; the author sets a decent pace - not too fast, not too slow - and maintains it throughout. Gen is a cheeky, likeable character and while he initially feels antagonistic towards his companions he, and we, finds common ground with them.

4.5-5****

>70 humouress: hmmm Better.

>71 humouress: ::eyeroll::

>76 richardderus: *curtseys*

>73 FAMeulstee: >76 richardderus: So the consensus seems to indicate ‘no’.

>71 humouress: The questionnaire looked like data harvesting.

>78 quondame: *sigh* I don't even know how to recognise data harvesting. But I didn't look at the questionnaire so I'll just forget about it.

Looks like Jasper has managed to drag himself as far as the kitchen.

(See https://www.librarything.com/topic/322093#7290939 for part 1 of this chapter in Jasper's life)

>80 humouress: so hopeful! Does he not go in the kitchen at all? What a good boy.

>81 curioussquared: Loaded question ;0)

He's not supposed to go into the kitchen so he doesn't - when there's anyone there to see. But somehow things have disappeared from inside the kitchen and ended up shredded on the lawn ... I leave it to your imagination.

ETA: I've noticed this week that he seems to be hopeful enough to have his head and front legs sprawled on the kitchen side of the doorway upto his shoulders.

>80 humouress: "...she won't notice just *this* will she..."

Dogs. The only creatures I know who really do live in hope.

>82 humouress: oh, Jasper! Sneaky boy 🙂

Otter likes to shred paper towels, usually when we're in another room. Then he lies on the mess like, who could have done this?

>80 humouress: Aw. Poor Jasper, banned from the kitchen (!)

>83 richardderus: He worked out initially that he wasn't allowed in the kitchen because we kept ushering him out again but so far, with his inching further in gradually, I don't think anyone has specifically told him not to (except for my exasperated 'Move!' when I have to clamber over him to get in or out of the doorway) - so it could be working.

>84 curioussquared: Hmm - maybe one of your other two shredded the towels and shoved them under him when he wasn't looking?

>85 charl08: Wait; whose side are you on?
Jasper is tall enough to get his front paws onto counter tops and the dining table and help himself to food and I'd rather not be constantly wiping down the surfaces afterwards. He has a weakness for the cloths/ sponges we use for cleaning the counter tops (we call them 'wettexes' but that's a UK brand name) and has an uncanny knack for making off with brand new ones just after we put them out.

66) Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

{First of 4: Rokesbys series. Romance}(2016)

 

Occasionally I try a foray into the romance genre and this one had good press (I think on MickeyFine's thread) so I thought I'd give it a go. This is, I've since discovered, the first book in a prequel series to The Bridgertons which has been made into a TV series. Billie (Sybilla) Bridgerton is the eldest of the Bridgertons but, as a female, isn't the heir although she has taken on a lot of the responsibilities to help her father while her younger brother is still at school. So she's been a bit of a tomboy and has grown up with the neighbouring Rokesby children except for the older brother George who, as heir to the Rokesby estate, has kept himself distant. But guess who the only person is who's around to rescue her when she gets stranded on a roof trying to rescue a cat?

I could only find this on Overdrive (after seeing other people on LT had read it) as an audiobook; for only possibly my second audiobook it wasn’t too bad although I have now realised that listening to other people read aloud is a soporific for me (relaxing, I suppose). The narrator did a good job with different voices, especially older ladies, although the titular heroine (at the ripe old age of 23) and her younger sister did come across as sounding a bit more childish than I think they would have sounded in my head if I had read it myself. I did like the fact that the two romantic leads had known each other from childhood.

The usual fluff, obligatory bedroom scenes - although I was hoping to get away without those - and manners I would be embarrassed to see my kids display in this day and age, not to mention a heap of anachronistic expressions from over the Pond but you could say the same for most Regency (I assume) romances. Par for the course, I suppose, so no marks off for that.


3 stars

'Scuse me while I try to catch up on reviews.

>87 humouress: That series is causing such fantods among the romantics that I will be compelled to watch it.

The books, no.

>88 humouress: I live in hope.

>89 richardderus: If you look like that, you may be rewarded. Do you haunt kitchen doorways too?

>90 humouress: If you as the kitchen staff here, I do. However, they are possessed of quite restrictive perceptions of the verb "to haunt."

>91 richardderus: And your version of 'haunting' differs how?

Well, I'm corporeal, so I can't strictly speaking "haunt" anywhere, and standing outside the kitchen door while mewling pathetically and begging for scraps hardly constitutes haunting at the best of times.

>93 richardderus: Jasper is somewhat like that but without the mewling. I’d say that constitutes haunting.

>94 humouress: Savonarola's great-granddaughter, you are.

>95 richardderus: I had to Google that. Are we talking about the heretic?

ETA: and what are you insinuating about my age?

On Monday night Jasper looked like he was having difficulty walking and especially getting up and sitting down so my husband took him to the vet for a check up the next day. He took a video of him on Tuesday morning and even when tempted by a snack waved under his nose it took a couple of minutes of effort for Jasper to stand up; it doesn't help that our floor is stone tile. At the vet's, however, because Jasper is so enthusiastic about being around other animals, if my husband hadn't had the video to show them the vet might not have believed there was anything wrong with him. Turns out that he's okay; his back muscles are a bit tender but that could have been due to a long walk in an unfamiliar area on the weekend. He is, unfortunately, already showing signs of the hip issues that the breed is susceptible to so we'll have to try to manage that to prevent it troubling him in the future. Right now it doesn't seem to be a problem, thankfully.

He also has a heat rash which has been ongoing for a while. This morning I was volunteered to spray him with his medication that we've been given to control the itchiness and which he dislikes intensely - and I can tell you that his back has definitely improved today. He put on a fair turn of speed getting away from me.

>97 humouress: I'm glad Jasper turned out not to have more than a passing problem. Gertie hates the spray for her rash though she's fine with showers and the medicated pads.

>98 quondame: Thank you.

You'd think, as a water dog, Jasper would like showers but he's not a fan. Plus, with his long coat and the humidity, it takes him a while to dry out - and he's not very welcome inside the house until he has :0)

Poor Jasper! I'm glad he's feeling better!

*there there, pat pat* to Jasper
after all, who wouldn't be terrified by a late-medieval ascetic's descendant wielding hiss-sounding spoodge-splatting stuff on one's itchies?

>99 humouress: Poor Jasper! Daisy hates the bath as well, although she loves any sort of river, stream, muddy pool or sea that she can find. She’s not naturally designed for swimming though and she does have to work hard at it.

>100 curioussquared: Thanks Natalie.

I brought the boys home last night after swimming and as usual they went ahead of me while I locked up the car. I could see Jasper galloping around inside the house, so I think he's feeling a lot better. Mind you, he usually comes out to sit on the lawn and bark when he hears the gate opening which he hasn't done for a couple of days. But (as I said) he's moving a lot more easily; pretty much back to normal.

>101 richardderus: I'll be round to yours later with the spray, then, shall I?

>102 SandDune: Thanks Rhian. We have a very small pool in the back but if we get in and Jasper is inside the pool fence he just runs around the edge barking frantically at us. We have managed to get him in a couple of times and, while he can doggy paddle perfectly well, he got out quite quickly.

But if I put ice in his water bowl, rather than drink the water or eat the ice to cool down, he'll splash the water out onto the tiles and lie down on it.

>104 humouress: typical
just bloomin' typical

>106 richardderus: Mmhmm. Remember that.

The hallowed hunt

(Litsy notes: Just started this and finding its mood autumnal for some reason. Maybe it‘s the title or the cover illustration but it‘s slow (in a good way) and rich. This is the third book in the ‘Chalion‘ series (set in the same world of Five Gods but so far no common characters) and the only one I haven‘t read yet so I am savouring it.)

Had an autumnal flavour; like a stew - slow & rich with a delightful topping of unexpected humour nicely done.

Did have animal sacrifice for which I may downgrade my rating to 5 stars but for the most part it worked out well in the story.

Set in the same World of 5 gods as Chalion & Penric in a neighbouring country of The Weald.

Saint - a person whom one of the gods acts through. Not sure what the distinction of petty saint is. Sorcerer - has a demon within.

Published after Chalion but is supposedly prequel (not sure why) eta according to Wikipedia, from a note by Bujold in Penric’s Demon

Lewko sat back, breathing out through pursed lips.
'Was it your god, in the bear? Do you think?' Ingrey prodded.
'Oh' - Lewko waved his hands - 'to be sure. Signs of the Bastard's holy presence tend to be unmistakable, to those who know Him. The screaming, the altercations, the people running in circles - all that was lacking was something bursting into flame and I was not entirely sure for a moment you weren't going to provide that as well.' He added consolingly, 'The acolyte's scorches should heal in a few days, though. He does not dare complain of his punishment.'
Ijada raised her brows.

So. He ventured a blander, 'Is there anything else I should know?'
'Oh, aye' - Gesca let his voice lit upwards into a feminine falsetto - 'the lady thinks your smile is devastating.'
Gesca's smile, Ingrey though, was an altogether evil smirk. Evidently, however, the shadows were not deep enough yet to hide Ingrey's return glare. or possibly it burned through the darkness with its own heat, for Gesca sobered, raising a warding hand.

This story takes place in The Weald, a country close to Chalion where the Five Gods are worshipped but there is also a more animalistic religion that predates even the Darthacan invaders of history who have since been thrown back. The remnants of that religion appear in the names of the highborn families such as kin Badgerbank or kin Horseriver and the fact that the ruler is called the hallow king. Ingrey kin Wolfcliff was paired as an adolescent with a wolf in an ancient ritual and the resulting sickness made him unfit to succeed his father as castellan of Wolfcliff hall. He has since found a position with ... and has earned a reputation as a fierce and skilful fighter. As such, he has been sent to ... to take Ijada dy Castos into custody and escort her back to the capital, as she is accused of killing the king's younger son, Prince Boleso. However, as they escort the prince's body back, events transpire that indicate that there is a larger plan in motion in which Ijada and Ingrey discover they are small but essential cogs.

Et voila. For the first time ever, and in my eleventh year of attempting the challenge, I have finally reached the magic number 75. Thank you, thank you. After a suitable period of basking in your applause I think I shall retire now I have achieved it. I will, of course, take commissions and am willing to make special appearances on your threads with reduced rates for good friends.

>109 humouress: Congrats!!

>109 humouress: Congratulations! Persistence does pay off!

>108 humouress: I don't think of The Hallowed Hunt so much as a prequel, but it is set earlier in the chronology of the 5 Gods world. It's theological features are built on the world building of the Chalion and Paladin, so in reading order it's fits best as the third read.

>109 humouress: Congratulations on 75! I will definitely not make it this year.

>108 humouress: A prequel because it is set several hundred years earlier than the Chalion books, not because the plot had any connection. The Penric books occur between The Hallowed Hunt and the Chalion books.

Now I see Susan has already clarified that.

CONGRATULATIONS on hitting that magic 75 book mark!!! And a good read to mark it, too.

>109 humouress: Congratulations on passing 75!


(And thanks for the giggle re Jasper and the ice water)

Well done, neighbour!!

>109 humouress: Congratulations on reaching 75, Nina!!!

*applause* *applause* *applause*

>109 humouress:
Happy 75th!

>110 curioussquared: Thank you Natalie!

>111 quondame: Thank you Susan!

It was probably not persistence so much as staying with the group despite only the faintest hope of ever meeting the challenge. I did consider swapping to the 50 challenge group at one point until folks here persuaded me otherwise.

As for reading order, since I've already read the other two books, I suppose I read the series in the right order after all :0)

>112 SandDune: Thank you Rhian!

I suspect the only reason I made it in this very odd year is because our lockdown gave me time to spend reading instead of driving the kids around the countryside to their various activities.

>113 ronincats: Thank you Roni!

Well, since I could see that the 75 was within reach and I'd just been through all my books while reorganising my shelves, I specifically kept The Hallowed Hunt for the 75th. I loved the two Chalion books but somehow I hadn't read this one; I put it off initially because I knew it wasn't directly linked to them and I wasn't sure if it would hold up to them. Obviously I needn't have worried!

Now I'll just hold on for the Penric books to be released as mmpbs.

>114 charl08: Thank you Charlotte! And thank you for the balloons.

That dog certainly keeps us entertained around here :0)

>115 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul!

Do you want to pop round for a celebration?

>116 FAMeulstee: Thank you Anita! I'm not too far behind you now ;0)

>117 foggidawn: Thank you foggi! *curtseys*

>118 richardderus: Merci beaucoup Richard!

Congrats!

>128 drneutron: Thank you Jim!

>125 humouress: Hahaha I'm closing on her and Suz and Amanda etc too!

>130 PaulCranswick: But not quite as fast as I am ;0)

Congrats on your 75th! That must be fun to reach it so close to the end of the year.

>125 humouress: LOL, Nina, you are way less behind than in some other years :-D

>40 FAMeulstee: I agree with Anita, you are fortunate to have some space to add new acquisitions. I ran out of space a long time ago. Primarily, because when I go to the local library book sale, I buy way too may. Over the years, I've accumulated quite a library of young adult books, and others as well. It is time to go through some. That's a very difficult process.

>132 The_Hibernator: Thank you Rachel. There have been several years when the 75 looked within reach but I just missed it. This year I finally made it with a month to go. This very odd year has worked out for me, reading-wise. Usually this time of year would be a mad whirl of birthday parties, end of school year stuff, Christmas and New Year goings on but this year it's quite quiet.

The boys are growing up and my older one doesn't want a fuss on his birthday; when I asked him how he wants to celebrate he said he'd like to sleep in. @firelion does want to do something, especially as a lot of his friends are leaving for good this year - next year would be the first of secondary in any other school - but we may book something for them and trust them to look after themselves as numbers are limited for social gatherings and he'd rather have his friends than his family to celebrate.

>133 FAMeulstee: This may be the closest I get Anita. We only had one lockdown and the kids were learning from home for about a term but things have steadily improved over here so I don't see that happening again. In spite of the extra reading time, I had a reading slump around August/ September (probably around the time I started moving my books back onto the shelves).

>134 Whisper1: Thank you Linda. My husband kindly let me get some new shelves this year but he says that will be the last time because, quite honestly, there's nowhere else to really put any. In fact this time we took a small bite out of the balcony to put the shelves in and enclose them.

Are you suggesting culling my books? No! No! I did attempt it last year and I did manage to pull out (fewer than ten) books - which are now sitting around waiting for me to muster up the courage to move them out of the house. I feel kind of guilty about taking a book off my shelves so it has to really annoy me before I can decide to do that.

I think this year has seen the highest percentage of active group members reaching the target.

>138 PaulCranswick: I wonder why? 🤔

So I get to celebrate my half-century again :0)

Very annoying. I was messaging my friend in London, who is an NHS virologist, on our group chat which includes her husband, and then she had to go because she was going underground on the tube. The next message I received, not long after, was from her husband who told me that her phone had been stolen as she changed trains. Honestly. She works her butt off ('scuse language) normally and of course this year has been even tougher than usual and this happens; she said she was tired and she was lugging a lot of heavy work.

>140 humouress: Is it a groundhog day happy birthday?

My goodness, congratulations, Nina! I’m so glad you decided not to leave the group. Honestly, we’re mostly about chatty friendliness and not so much about numbers. It would be impossible for me to say who has read how many, or even who has reached the group goal number.

I’ve thought about another group too...

>142 PaulCranswick: It looks like it, especially since my birthday was in October.

>143 Matke: Thank you Gail!

It's been a while since I thought about changing groups but, yes, I know so many people here (even if I'm not very good at getting around the threads on a regular basis) so I stayed. I'm glad you did, too.

So Jasper is in the dog house tonight - or rather, since he doesn't have a kennel, the dog is not in the house. Dinner was made and put on the table while I was upstairs and the boys were playing football in the sitting room. Somehow, the bread on top of my club sandwich disappeared and the filling was knocked askew and nobody knows what happened. Jasper isn't talking and neither is he creeping around looking guilty. I'm not sure if (it's a fairly safe assumption that he snaffled it) he's too ditzy to know that he did something wrong or if he's just brazen about it. Myself I'm inclined to believe the latter; he's pretty smart, that dog, though he likes to pretend otherwise.

Anyhoo, my hubby yelled at everyone and Jasper was duly chucked out whereupon he made a case for coming back in as though in total ignorance that he had done anything wrong. But don't feel too sorry for him - he got the rest of my dinner and I got a fresh sandwich.

>146 humouress: Jasper!! I wonder if he feels pressured to entertain his fans on LT with more and more ridiculous hijinks.

Oh, Jasper!

>147 curioussquared: Omigosh! I wonder what's in store for me?

>148 foggidawn: Oh, Jasper! indeed.

He usually acts up like that when he wants the boys' attention (but it's usually tissues from the waste paper basket). They, of course, were totally oblivious involved as they were in their football (er ... soccer) game.

>150 humouress: Lottie does a similar thing -- she will steal something she knows she shouldn't have (my dish towel, a sock from the laundry basket, a tissue from the trash) and bounce around the living room in a very obvious ~*I've done SoMeThInG NaUgHtY*~ way until I come and take it away from her.

>151 foggidawn: Yes, usually when he takes something out of the rubbish bin, he slinks/ hurries out with it - he has to cross the dining and sitting rooms on the way to the front door - to rip it up on the lawn. I don't really mind if it's out of the bin, as long as it's not likely to harm him; it's when he rips it up and strews it all over inside. Or takes the kitchen cloth. This time, I suppose he must have just wolfed it down. The boys might have noticed (might, I say) if he'd run through the middle of their game.

I remember when, as a puppy, he ripped up the day curtain in the sitting room, he came up the stairs (we have a stair gate at the top) and barked his head off until I went downstairs and he proudly showed off the damage he'd done. It looked quite spectacular because there's a lot of material in curtains and he'd only partly torn it off the section still attached to the rings so there was loads of the stuff trailing all over the sitting room.

>152 humouress: Hahahahaha!

>152 humouress: Well, I can laugh about it now.

But really, when he came to get me and I started going downstairs he acted like 'Oh, good, you're coming. Come and see what I've done,' and he looked quite proud of himself with his tail going ten to the dozen. He'd stop every few steps to make sure I was still following him.

Well, you know what? It's been a long time since I've managed to get to four threads in a year, if ever, and I know I've never got to five. But now I see the continuation link, so you know what? (Even though we've got less than month to go and I bet Doc is setting up the new group right now) ....