Katiekrug Reads and Reads and Reads Some More - Part 13

CURRENTLY READING
(Print) (Audio)

Hi All!

For anyone new to my thread, I'm Katie: reader, wine drinker, food appreciator, shenanigan-ator, and non-sufferer of fools. I live outside New York City with my husband, "The" Wayne, our cat, Leonard, and our dog Nuala/Noodles. I work as a senior governance manager for a non-profit engineering association, which used to be fun because I got to travel and now is just a big pile of meh.

Here's to a great, or at least an improved, new year!

Books Completed

Books Off My Shelf: 24
Books Off My Kindle: 28
Books from Audible: 7
Library Loans: 20

August
79. Falling by T.J. Newman (4 stars)
78. I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti (4.25 stars)
77. A Burning by Megha Majumdar (5 stars)
76. Cashelmara by Susan Howatch (3.5 stars)
75. The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown (audio) (3 stars)
74. Whiskey and Charlie by Annabel Smith (4 stars)
73. The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini (3 stars)
72. You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik (4.25 stars)

YTD Did Not Finish
1. Waterland by Graham Swift
2. Adequate Yearly Progress by Roxanne Elden
3. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
4. Chasing Shakespeares by Sarah Smith
5. Dear Girls by Ali Wong
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
7. The Pink Hotel by Anna Stothard

July
Favorite:
71. Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa (4.5 stars)
70. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys (4 stars)
69. Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins (4 stars)
68. The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White (3 stars)
67. Becoming by Michelle Obama (audio) (4 stars)
66. All Systems Red by Martha Wells (audio) (3.5 stars)
65. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (3.5 stars)
64. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths (3.5 stars)
63. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (4.5 stars)
62. The Bird Tribunal by Agnes Ravatn (4 stars)
61. Born in Death by J.D. Robb (3.5 stars)

June
Favorite:
60. The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (3.5 stars)
59. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (3.5 stars)
58. The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman (4 stars)
57. In the Morning I'll Be Gone by Adrian McKinty (4 stars)
56. The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare (4 stars)
55. Summerwater by Sarah Moss (4 stars)
54. Outlawed by Anna North (3.5 stars)
53. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell (audio) (3.5 stars)
52. Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan (4 stars)

May
Favorite:
51. Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger (4.5 stars)
50. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz (4 stars)
49. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (3.5 stars)
48. Normal People by Sally Rooney (audio) (4 stars)
47. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught (3 stars)
46. The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine (4.25 stars)
45. How to Break a Dragon's Heart by Cressida Cowell (audio) (3.5 stars)
44. On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn (3 stars)
43. Darkside by Belinda Bauer (4 stars)
42. Another Kind of Life by Catherine Dunne (3 stars)
41. Eat Cake. Be Brave. by Melissa Radke (audio) (3 stars)
40. Lord the One You Love is Sick by Kasey Thornton (4.5 stars)

April
Favorite:
39. Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson (3.5 stars)
38. Stories from Suffragette City by Various Authors (3.5 stars)
37. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (4 stars)
36. Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin (4.5 stars)
35. The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars)
34. The Crucible by Arthur Miller (audio) (4.5 stars)
33. The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt (4 stars)
32. Pride and Promiscuity by Arielle Eckstut and Dennis Ashton (2 stars)
31. Island of the Lost by Joan Druett (4 stars)
30. It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn (4 stars)
29. The Secret River by Kate Grenville (4 stars)

March
Favorite:
28. Dodgers by Bill Beverly (4.5 stars)
27. The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe (3.5 stars)
26. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton (3 stars)
25. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck (4 stars)
24. Shit, Actually by Lindy West (3.5 stars)
23. Difficult Women by Roxane Gay (4 stars)
22. Anywhere for You by Abbie Greaves (3.5 stars)
21. Fat Chance by Nick Spalding (3.5 stars)
20. Memory in Death by J.D. Robb (3.5 stars)
19. Passing by Nella Larsen (3.5 stars)
18. Love by Toni Morrison (4 stars)

February
Favorite:
17. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver (4.5 stars)
16. The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson (4 stars)
15. The Weirdies by Michael Buckley (audio) (4.5 stars)
14. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley (4.25 stars)
13. Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke (4 stars)
12. Paradise by Toni Morrison (4.25 stars)
11. Emperor of the Air by Ethan Canin (3.5 stars)
10. When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele (4 stars)
9. Blessings by Anna Quindlen (4.5 stars)

January
Favorite:
8. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2.75 stars)
7. Triangle by David Von Drehle (4 stars)
6. New Boy by Tracy Chevalier (3.5 stars)
5. 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad (audio) (4 stars)
4. Siracusa by Delia Ephron (4.5 stars)
3. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls (4 stars)
2. One By One by Ruth Ware (3.5 stars)
1. Jazz by Toni Morrison (3.75 stars)

My Ratings (revised, once again, as I continue the fruitless search for the perfect scale...)

2 stars = Whyyyyyy?
3 stars = Eh, ok.
4 stars = Definitely worth the time.
5 stars = Perfect *for me*

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)



Welcome!

Sweet Thursday, Katie. Happy New Thread. We are getting ready to head out for a camping trip in WI, with a great group of friends. It should be a blast.

Hi Katie.

>2 katiekrug: Any month that has both a J.D. Robb AND an Elly Griffiths in it is a winner. I still need to pull Becoming off my shelves.

Well, that was fast! Happy newness! That image in >5 katiekrug: makes me laugh every time.

Happy new one!

>6 msf59: - Have fun in Wisconsin, Mark! Though "fun" and "camping" don't go together in my world ;-)

>7 karenmarie: - Morning, Karen! Two of my favorite series... And Becoming was great - I listened to it, so it was like having MO tell me her life's story personally.

>8 Crazymamie: - I was fast because I have so few intro posts, I think. And that image still cracks me up, too, which is why I haven't changed it...

>9 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim!

Happy new thread, Katie!

continuing from the last thread: You youngsters can get by with progressives and the delight of having only one pair of glasses at a time. I, on the other hand, think I'm headed for progressives plus readers. Thank goodness for Kindle and other electronic reading.

That chickpea and chicken sausage soup sounds great. I may actually take out my instapot to make it.

I won't say how many book bullets I was attacked with. Let's just say the spreadsheet is getting really long.

>11 bell7: - Thanks, Mary! Hope you're feeling better!

>12 ffortsa: - It's all relative, Judy! The progressives made me feel old. Wayne needed some readers and resented it mightily :) I've always had bad eyes, so I expect as I age, I'll continue to need more and more assistance.

I made this soup on the stove top - easy peasy. Be careful using the IP so the chickpeas don't turn to mush...

Yay for book bullets!

>12 ffortsa: "I'm headed for progressives plus readers." I've worn the progressives for a long long time. At my last eye appointment, since I didn't need a new Rx, I splurged on a new pair of fairly cheap frames with just the reading prescription in them, mostly for reading in bed, where adjusting my head to see through the right section of the progressives is a challenge. I love them, and refuse to think of them as a sign of aging....more an indulgence that makes my life more pleasant.

I didn't succeed at first, so I brought the wine. That Mamie bird has some great ideas.

>14 laytonwoman3rd: - Hi Linda!

>15 richardderus: - Thank you, sir! Mamie is, indeed, brilliant.

>15 richardderus: Oooh....speaking of indulgences...

>16 katiekrug: Oh, HI, Katie. Is this your thread?

>17 laytonwoman3rd: No kidding! Pink champagne actually tastes good when the Widow makes it.

Katie! I didn't see you there.

>17 laytonwoman3rd: and >!8 - Don't mind me - I'll just vacuum around you...

Happy new one, Katie.

Interesting discussion of progressives vs readers up there. I've had progressives since I first got glasses at age 40-something and I've always loved them. I did give up reading in bed though but that had more to do with the fact that I often read lying on my side and that doesn't work with glasses on. Since cataract surgery I have "progressives" with clear glass on top and I still love them.

and I like your "tasting" image too :)

Happy new thread, Katie. I have worn glasses since sixth grade and am nearsighted. I still, in my 60s, have perfect reading vision though, so I just take off my glasses to read.

>20 RebaRelishesReading: and >21 BLBera: - Hi Beth and Reba!

I've had glasses since 2nd or 3rd grade, so they are like a body part to me at this point (and probably why I've never read on my side, Reba!). I'm mostly nearsighted and only recently have needed a little help with reading small type.

Rollin' rollin' rollin', Katie keeps a-rollin'. Most excellent.

Happy new thread Katie!

>6 msf59: makes me snigger every time. We recently bought a set of wine tumblers. Like wine glasses, but no stem. Lower centre of gravity, less easy to spill (supposedly).

I've had to wear glasses for the last 14 odd years and I still go for rimless frames as I am NOT ready to be someone who needs to wear glasses. Having said that, this year I splashed out on a new pair of prescription sunglasses as well as new glasses, and I'm loving the look. I'd love them even more if I actually had sunshine to wear them.

>23 weird_O: - Hi Bill.

>24 Helenliz: - I am very familiar with stemless wine glasses, as I prefer them because I can be somewhat clumsy... :)

The Wayne got rimless for his first pair of eyeglasses for reasons similar to yours.

Happy new thread, Katie!

Yeah, I have progressives *and* readers, which I use for sewing sometimes. I refuse to believe that I'm not a youngster, though.

>26 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber! AGe is just a number and you're only as old as you feel. Me? I am a perpetual 28 or so....

I'm as old as *I* feel? 87. As old as *who* I feel? 26.

>28 richardderus: - Snork!

Yay, it's Friday! It's going to get a bit warm here, so we'll be closing up the windows and turning the a/c back on. Bummer. There's not much on the agenda beyond work. Our gym session got moved to Saturday afternoon, so we have the whole evening free. Might do a movie double feature...

Virtual HH last night was fun until it wasn't. The work talk was fine because I don't have to care anymore (big smile) but one of the participants has a mess of a personal life and it's exhausting to hear about, especially when she creates much of the drama herself. So anyway. I signed off after a couple of hours.

In books, I'm STILL listening to The Strawberry Hearts Diner and on my Kindle, I've got Whiskey and Charlie nearly halfway done - a pretty good novel about twin brothers.

And that's all she wrote...

I have been so enjoying having the windows open and the A/C off but that's going to end tomorrow here. Ah, well.

Yup, humidity and higher temperatures moving back in here as well. Yesterday was glorious---a bit warm, but not yet muggy. *sigh*

>33 richardderus: I'm so sorry it's always the self-aggrandizing imploder-for-the-audience who stole your fun. They always steal mine, too. *smooch* from my 78° and sunshiney lair

Happy new thread! I am a readers user currently. My daughter sent me this link for instantly interchangeable glass frames--very fun!!

https://www.facebook.com/paireyewear/posts/1686722554871345

Happy New Thread, Katie!

Isn't The Frozen Thames a great book? One of my favorites.

I started out in life with very bad eyes - needing thick lensed glasses for distance but able to read books with my own naked eye. I did a lot of reading and was pretty happy

Into my 30's and 40's I had cataracts and everything else and came out the other side of the cloud needing reading glasses for, well, reading, and not needing glasses for "distance" any more

As time goes by I now have my readers and my new "distance" glasses used mostly for watching TV and walking in the park (and protection) . With I could get progressives or even old style bi-focals but these lenses don't play that way.

I can still see, praise be to modern medicine. Not complaining. And don't forget my sunglasses.

Happy new thread, Katie, and congrats on taking a decisive step towards coming a lady of leisure/writer. Strangely, as you get older your distance vision can improve - anything so that you need to keep changing your glasses, I guess. I just need distance glasses which I take off to read and I'm happy with that.

>31 rosalita: - It was nice while it lasted!

>32 laytonwoman3rd: - I always think of August as the last gasp of summer. It's not really true, but it makes me feel better.

>33 richardderus: - People are just boring and dumb sometimes. Present company excepted, of course!

>34 Berly: - Very cool, Kim.

>35 jnwelch: - It was a good book, Joe. It didn't quite make my Favorites list, but I thought it was lovely.

>36 magicians_nephew: - "Praise be to modern medicine" indeed, Jim. For so many reasons!

>37 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg. And I did not know that about distance vision. Mine definitely hasn't improved (yet) :)

Last night after our Lazy Man's Dinner (frozen pizza and bag o' salad), we watched a double feature: The Shawshank Redemption (my pick), which The Wayne had never seen (whaaaaat?). Man, that holds up well. Such a good movie. And TW liked it, too. Then he made me watch Top Gun, which is just... so bad. Very, very bad. Like so bad, it's not even that fun. I plan to make him listen to the chapter on the movie from Shit Actually, as I remember it being quite funny.

Today is house/errands stuff. I think TW is going to Costco, God bless him. I look forward to no longer working M-F so I can hit places like Costco and Trader Joe's at off times :) We've got a training session with Joel the Devil at 4pm which is kind of annoying as it interrupts the afternoon, but oh well. Not sure what's for dinner, but we are trying to work our way through some stuff in the freezer, as well as clean out the fridge a bit before we leave Thursday. So maybe a smorgasbord?

I should finish up Whiskey and Charlie today. It's been a good read.

Morning, Katie! My distance vision also has not improved. Luckily, I love my progressive lenses.

Sorry about the drama during Happy Hour. I mean, really, the happy part is right there in the title. What's on tap for today?

We cross posted, so I see what's on tap for today - better you than me with the 4pm training session. I have also never seen The Shawshank Redemption, but I loved the book.

>30 katiekrug: you have my sympathy, I know someone like that as well and it gets very very wearing. You sometimes want to remind them that they are not the only person in the universe.

Hope the errands are productive. We had the local farmer's market this morning, so I now have an utterly unnecessary brownie slice thing to eat. I'm not sure how this squares with the tub of salad green I bought to jazz up the lettuce for lunches. >:-)

>40 Crazymamie: and >41 Crazymamie: - MAMIE! You must watch TSR, if for no other reason than Morgan Freeman.

The gym will be hard but fun - our 3rd session of the week is when JtD makes up random cardio/endurance things for us to do and we turn it into a competition. On the other 2 days, TW and I each have our own things to do, so it's "fun" to be able to challenge each other once a week.

Ew, I'm turning into one of those people who talks in raptures about the gym. Kill me now.

>42 Helenliz: - People like that just drain me. And they take all the fun out of EVERYTHING. Ugh.

I was thinking about going to the farmer's market, but I've missed the window for going before it's stupidly busy, and I really shouldn't buy stuff since we are going out of town soon. I think your brownie balances the salad greens. Life is about balance, Helen.

Ooooh yes, going grocery/Costo/Target-type shopping in the middle of the week to avoid crowds it one of my favorite things about not M-F-ing it anymore. So, so nice.

(I love Top Gun *because* it's so, so bad.)

>45 scaifea: - Ha! I was just over on your thread, Amber.

I basically never go to TJ's because the parking lot is tiny and inconvenient and impossible to maneuver on a Saturday or after work during the week. I'm excited to have the chance to go more regularly. (Not sure what that says about my life, but...)

I usually can enjoy really bad movies, but I think my feelings for Tom Cruise prevented me from just sitting back and enjoying it.

The last time I watched Top Gun I was mostly just baffled by who it was made for. It's so 1980s macho but then there's long lingering shots of all the shirtless dudes playing volleyball.

>47 MickyFine: Admitting my age here, I was a teen when it was released. I remember it through some very heavily rose tinted specs.
Not sure about watching it again; some things don't live up to memory.

Top Gun's only redeeming feature for me was that it's set in San Diego and I could recognize many places, including their bar which actually is a pretty good restaurant and is almost next door to a place I used to work.

>47 MickyFine: - I guess they were trying to appeal to men and women, but it was just a mess. And the complete lack of chemistry between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis didn't help...

>48 Helenliz: - I would let it just sit in your memory as a good thing, Helen!

>49 RebaRelishesReading: - It's always fun to recognize places in movies, Reba. I totally get that.

JUNK FOOD PROSELYTIZATION

So delicious. All three. Just *chef's kiss*

And 99¢ alert! The Silent Woman by Terry Lynn Thomas...the sample hooked me with:

Marlena X specialised in espionage. She was an extremely competent typist and secretary. ... She had the personal qualities of a well-educated sophisticate, but underneath the polished veneer, was a woman who knew her way around bombs and could street fight as well as any man.

I so enjoy historical spy fiction & particularly where the women spies aren't femmes fatales but regular old shoot-'em-if-you-gotta violent perps. Y'know, like ordinary women are.

>51 richardderus: - Forget Joel - you're the devil!

>52 richardderus: - I'm not a great lover of spy fiction, to be honest... But that quote is good... And only $0.99...

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini

A competent take on Pride and Prejudice set in contemporary San Francisco. Lizzy is a lawyer; Darcy is a judge. The writing is serviceable, the story follows the main plot but thankfully omits enough so as not to get bogged down in strangled modern takes on Wickham, Lydia, etc. There's a bunch of sex, and the romantic tension really only lasts through the first half or so. After that, it's endless angst and misunderstanding, and the whole thing could have been at least 30 pages shorter.

3 stars

Hi Katie, two of the best things about not working: Trader Joe's and Wegmans are both five minutes from my house. Talk about shopping ease.

>55 brenzi: - Wegman's! The closest one to us is at least 30 minutes away, but I'm thinking in my soon-to-be free time, it would be worth making the trip. I love their chicken salad...

Joel the Devil lived up to his name last night. He was also in a bad mood, so that was... not fun. But we survived - didn't feel like cooking afterwards so after a bit of a rest and showers, we went out :)

This morning, I've been out to get a pedicure and have sorted the laundry. Now to actually start it. Heh.

I've started reading Cashelmara which is a throwback to the sorts of books I read a ton of when I first moved to Washington and had a long-ish commute and no friends and lots of time on my hands - thick, juicy family sagas following generations. It's fun so far. And it's over 700 pages, so I guess I'll be reading it for a while. It'll be a good one for the train on Thursday, I think.

Cashelmara! Wow! Howatch is a very 1970s writer in my mind. The Devil On Lammas Night was a favorite of mine that decade. Big, gooey gobbets of story-stuff delivered directly to your lizard-brain! Seriously addictive at that age. And a perfect train book. Enjoy, if you can make it last that long.

Susan Howatch! Penmarric is the one I recall. Then there was Victoria Holt/Jean Plaidy/Philippa Carr. And Anya Seton. Sagas. How I used to love 'em. I wonder if I could settle in to one again.

>58 richardderus: and >59 laytonwoman3rd: - I used to read them because they were thick and cheap and I could get lost in them. I'd peruse the library and used bookstore shelves for the fattest paperbacks I could find and then gobble them up on the Metro and in my tiny room in a group house full of people I didn't know :-P

If you like family sagas Katie, I highly recommend The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard. I read them (I think four or five books altogether) a couple of years ago and they were terrific.

>61 brenzi: - I've got those in print AND on my Kindle :) Maybe a project for when I'm done working!

Yesterday was a good day. I got all the laundry done, cleaned the main bathroom, baked some cookies (3-ingredient banana oatmeal chocolate chip), and convinced The Wayne he didn't feel like cooking dinner (he'd worked outside most of the afternoon) so went out. I rarely get dessert, but I indulged last night because I had ordered a small plate as my main dish and was still feeling a bit peckish. The bartended recommended the s'mores bread pudding, and Oh. My. God. SO GOOD. It tasted like French toast, with chunks of melty chocolate and was topped with toasted marshmallows. Even TW liked it, and he's even less inclined towards desserts than I am. So that was a nice way to end the weekend :)

Nuala has to go to the vet for a couple of booster shots this morning - I think we'll be flipping a coin to see who takes her. We've got the gym tonight, but I am starting a new strength routine, so it will be fairly low-key as I learn a bunch of new exercises. And I need to make a list of what needs to get packed for our little getaway at the end of the week. I'm very much looking forward to the trip!

Morning, Katie. Glad you had a good weekend. Where are you headed, at the end of the week.

I read nothing on the camping trip, (some audio on the drive) so I plan on playing catch-up the next few days.

>64 msf59: - Time to hunker down in the Marky-Mark cave and get reading!

We are going to Boston for a long weekend, Thursday-Monday.

I also really loved the Cazalet Chronicles!

Here's another vote for the Cazalet Chronicles, though they are five separate novels rather than a single chunkster. I enjoyed them quite a bit.

>66 japaul22: and >67 rosalita: - I'll get to them, I promise!

...and then you have the series to devour...The Cazalets...the actor who plays Rupert...and Sybil!! Well, it is a delight to know you're going to be immersing yourself.

Enjoy the week leading up to the long weekend. I've started it off being irked and peeved at Scout Press...they time-limited my DRC and I either ignored it or forgot it, but WHY SET IT FOR BEFORE THE BOOK APPEARS?!?

*ahem*

Sorry. I'll go now.

So, who won the coin toss?

>69 richardderus: - No need to go. You are welcome to rant here any time.

>70 Crazymamie: - I did. Or maybe I lost? I took her and they were running late, and it was annoying, but she got her shots and all is well :)

Right. You lost. But at least all is well.

Oooh, I have a big sweet tooth and your dessert sounds amazing!

>72 Crazymamie: - AT least I got a break from work. Silver linings and all that!

>73 MickyFine: - I'll have to take a picture next time, Micky :)

Not much going on here. I learned my new routine at the gym last night - all stability ball all the time - and I really liked it. Challenging but not stupidly frustrating. Then we came home and The Wayne made dinner (pasta) and I went to bed on the early side because today was going to be a bit hectic. It's turned out to be less hectic because the cleaners had to cancel, so I don't need to worry about washing the few dishes in the sink, tidying up, etc. Nuala is at day care, I ran a couple of errands, and I've gotten some work done. We are going back to the same place as last week for pub trivia again tonight, so that will be fun.

I'm still plugging away at Cashelmara which is fine, and I'm determined to finish my audio book today - I only have about 40 minutes left. I'm thinking of pausing my Audible subscription, because I have a big library of books on there, plus my two library Overdrive systems, and I'm getting through maybe 1 or 1.5 audio books a month, if that. I think I'll pause it and see if I can fit in more listening time when I'm no longer doing the regular work thing.

A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson is on sale for $1.99 on Kindle today. It's on the Booker long list.

>74 katiekrug: True. Very true.

Have fun at pub trivia night! Is the stability ball the Bosu ball you were talking about in a prior post?

If you pause your Audible membership, I am assuming that you also pause access to the sales and the Plus catalogue. How does that work - access to sales while you still have credits?

Back to say that I snagged the Lawson - thanks!

>77 Crazymamie: - The stability ball is different than the bosu ball. The latter is sort of half a ball on a plastic base, and the former is a giant ball. I like both, but I think Joel the Devil is taking away my bosu ball routine for a while. He insists on mixing things up every 6 months, which is usually how long it takes me to finally learn everything :-P

I'm not sure how the membership pause works. I have 5 credits banked, so it would be nice if I still had access to them. I'll investigate.

>78 Crazymamie: - You're welcome!

>75 katiekrug: Have a great pub-quiz night! And I'd say Cashelmara will keep you entertained enough to render the Audible dispensable for a month or so....

*smooch*

>79 katiekrug: Thanks for that. Look at me learning.

I'm sure you still have access to your credits, I just wondered about the sales.

>80 richardderus: - Ha! It shouldn't take me a month to get through - I think I'm already a third of the way in.

>81 Crazymamie: - "The more you know.... " (I'm too lazy to post the gif)

Have fun at the quiz night.

New programmes take a while to bed in. I had one recently, and there's still one I'm not sure I'm doing right. I got slam ball for some, which can be quite satisfying, slamming a ball into the floor.

>83 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen!

I also enjoy the slam ball. We did some of that during our session last Saturday. Satisfying, indeed.

>81 Crazymamie: I me pretty sure you have access to whatever Audible can convince you to spend your credits on! Their goal is to burn down their liabilities and get you in the habit of getting more of them. I paused mine a while ago, and wish I could pause it again, since the credits pile up faster than I can find things to listen to. I keep thinking of cancelling, but if you cancel, you lose your accumulated credits.

Enjoy your long weekend in Boston, Katie. That's one place I'd like to visit in the after times. (Fingers crossed that they will happen in the near future.)

>85 ffortsa: - Hi Judy! Thanks for that info.

>86 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg. I'm looking forward to it, though I always claim not to like Boston (mostly, I just don't like their sports teams - ha!). A change of scenery will be nice, as will a break from responsibilities. And lots of yummy food. And an LT meet-up!

Trivia last night was great - we came in 2nd* and got a $25 gift certificate for our next visit. Noice! And I had a very tasty sandwich for dinner - their version of a BLT which had candied bacon, pickled onions, arugula, tomato, and chipotle mayo on a roll. Not exactly traditional, but quite good.

Today I've got to get some things in order at work so I can be gone for 3 days with a clear conscience. And I've got to pack, wrangle the pet supplies to send with Nuala and Leonard to their respective boarding places, hunt down the charging cords I'll need, etc. etc. etc. And we have a gym session tonight. We'll probably just order a pizza or something for dinner...

* Missed first place by one point!

2nd Place!!! Well done, you! And now I want that sandwich. What kind of bread did they use?

Good luck with all your getting ready to go away stuff.

>89 Crazymamie: - IT was some sort of Italian-like roll. A nice thin crust on top and soft and chewy in the center. But not too chewy.

I bet it would be good with avocado, too. Ima try to recreate that.

Happy Wednesday, Katie! This awful heat & humidity will keep me indoors again today and the books will keep me company. Any Meet Ups planned in Boston?

>91 Crazymamie: - Avocado. *shudder*

>92 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! We have a heat advisory here - going to be in the mid-90s and super humid. So gross. I'm glad you have the books to keep you company :)

We are meeting Marianne and her husband for a late lunch/brunch on Sunday - looking forward to it!

Please give Marianne a big hug for me, even if it is an air hug. Tell her I miss her and hope to get back to Boston one of these days. Have a great time!

You don't like avocado?!! What?!

>95 msf59: - Will do, Mark!

>96 Crazymamie: - I like guacamole, and that's it. Avocado in any other form, especially on its own, is weird. IMHO.

Always the last minute panic for us is remembering to pack all the different charging cords for our many electronic readers and suchlike

May I offer a former traveler's advice here? Whatever devices you buy, always get an extra cord, label it with a little label which device it is, and put it away in a single gallon-sized clear plastic Ziploc bag that will live in your bedroom bureau's undies drawer.

No thought required. Grab the bag, shove it in the suitcase. A second bag with international plug adaptors is handy, too. And it MUST BE THE UNDIES DRAWER. You will not forget where it is, you will not accidentally fail to pack your undies.

Signed, Kindletraveler.

I have a second set of cables for charging things, but I keep them in my main travel bag. It's my cabin bag, so it's very likely to be with me, almost regardless of where I'm going. The trick is not to borrow the ones from the travel bag...

Nice quizzing. You see what they did there, you'll be back to spend your loot and stay for the next quiz. >:-)

>98 magicians_nephew:, >99 richardderus:, and >100 Helenliz: - I am usually much more organized about these things, but I got out of the habit from not traveling for so long. We have duplicates for everything, of course, but as Helen says, they occasionally get poached and then not returned to where they should be. No big deal - it'll just take a few minutes to gather everything :)

>100 Helenliz: - We'd go back for the next quiz anyway, of course! I guess this will be a regular Tuesday thing for however long they keep doing it...

"you will not accidentally fail to pack your undies."

It can happen. And that's all I'ma say about that.

>88 katiekrug: Wow, congratulations!! Sandwich sounds yummy too. Hope you find everything you're looking for and have a great get-away :)

>88 katiekrug: Was the roll ciabatta? That's what I'd've served such a Lucullan sammy on.

>102 laytonwoman3rd: - I need to know this story.

>103 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba!

>104 richardderus: - Nope, definitely not a ciabatta. Maybe the bastard child of a ciabatta and a regular Italian roll? I'll take a picture next time :)

>99 richardderus: that is absolutely brilliant, RD. Due to lack of travel we have poached and poached and poached some more, and now I need to get our cords in order again. I like that strategy.

>102 laytonwoman3rd:, >105 katiekrug: Have you heard the one about husbands who fail to pack undies for young children, forcing a shopping trip in an unfamiliar but fortunately English-speaking country? Ah ... good times. 😀

>105 katiekrug:, see >106 lauralkeet:. That will have to do you. I ain't tellin' NOBODY.

>102 laytonwoman3rd: ff I can not fathom what could lead to an oversight of that gravity and magnitude!

>106 lauralkeet:

>97 katiekrug: Gotcha. Rae is the same. Birdy hates it in any form, and Abby and I love it in any form, so...

Happy Thursdaying! So you're off on your adventures tomorrow?

>106 lauralkeet: -Oh, dear!

>107 laytonwoman3rd: - Party pooper!

>108 richardderus: - *waves to RD*

>109 Crazymamie: - Nope, we leave today 😀 At the train station now.

Hi All - Waiting on the train now. I'll try to check in occasionally. Otherwise, "see" you early next week!

Safe travels! Enjoy Boston! Remember that they Frown Mightily on piddling on their statues.

Or so I've heard.

Have a fantastic trip, Katie!!

Have a great weekend in Boston, Katie. Take pictures of meet ups!

Safe journey, Katie! Hoping your trip is full of fabulous!

I'll happily accept any rejected avocados :)

Have fun!

Yesyesyes, vacation not buying etc etc...except you need to know that this book exists for the princely sum of 99¢ on Kindle, is really gripping (based on the free sample), and won't go off sale price until 3 September...at: https://smile.amazon.com/Killing-Kind-incredible-international-bestselling-ebook...

The Killing Kind by Jane Casey is quite acceptable indeed.

>118 richardderus: Me want. Me order. Me happy.

Have fun on your trip and I hope you remembered your undies!! Wouldn't want to go to a meetup with out them. LOL.

Is today your travel day, or is that tomorrow? Either way, hoping for a lovely relaxing Sunday!

If you're driving down route 90 today, wave as you go by my town! :D

Yoo, as the saying has it, hoo.

Morning, Katie! Missing you here. That is all.

>112 richardderus:, >113 scaifea:, >114 BLBera:, >115 Crazymamie:, >117 Helenliz: - Thank you, Richard, Amber, Beth, Mamie, and Helen!

>116 RebaRelishesReading: - You're welcome to them, Reba :)

>118 richardderus: - I will check it out!

>119 magicians_nephew: - Hi Jim :)

>120 Berly: - Undies remembered, LOL!

>121 richardderus: - It was yesterday. Sunday was lovely.

>122 bell7: - We took the train, Mary, so no western Mass for us.

>123 richardderus: - I'm here, I'm here!

>124 Crazymamie: - I'm back! Thanks for missing me :)

Happy Tuesday, everybody! Oof, first day back after a little break is always rough. I had an 8:30am phone call with Dubai. I'm not sure I was coherent...

We had a lovely time, despite two days of gross heat and humid. Luckily, Sunday was perfect and highlighted by brunch with Marianne (michigantrumpet) and her husband, John.



More later - must get some work done!

Welcome back! I lived outside Boston for my college years and always enjoyed being in the city. Was it too hot to walk around?

>127 vivians: - Hi Vivian! I went to school in Worcester, and we'd often go into Boston because... Worcester... but I never really loved it. But this trip was great and made me really appreciate the city more. We walked a ton, despite the heat, and I was glad I packed extra changes of clothes :)

>126 katiekrug: Ah! There it is, proof that usernames have faces. I often wonder....

Welcome back to your *real* home, LT.

Welcome back, sorry about the disgusting 8:30 start.

Yay! for meet-ups! *waves at Marianne*

Welcome home, glad you had a nice time. I will gloss over the 08:30 start. *shudder*

>129 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

>130 karenmarie: - Thank you, Karen. I survived...

>131 laytonwoman3rd: - Hi Linda!

>132 Helenliz: - Ha! Thanks, Helen :)

I didn't read much while we were away, so I am still working on Cashelmara. I did manage to finish the audio of The Strawberry Hearts Diner on the train up.

>125 katiekrug: ah well! Glad to see you had such a good time. Best of luck at work.

Welcome back, Katie! I missed your bookish insights and well, also your snark, and am glad normal service will now resume.

I start work at 8 every day (I prefer being done earlier) but I hate it if there's a meeting before 9:30. Just need that settling in time. Hope your day improves!

Welcome back, Katie! Hooray for a Meet Up with Marianne & John. Such good people.

Thanks for the photo, Katie. It sounds like you had a nice time despite the heat.

Marianne and John are such wonderful people and good friends. Keep wishing I could coax her back to being a LT regular again.

>135 bell7: - Thanks, Mary!

>136 lauralkeet: - Aww, thanks, Laura! I'm trying to think of something snarky to say ;-)

>137 MickyFine: - I usually log in between 8:00 and 8:30 each morning because I also like to end early. But I agree that a meeting without an hour's settling in time is no fun.

>138 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! It was nice to see Marianne again and to meet John.

>139 BLBera: - We had a great time, Beth.

>140 magicians_nephew: - It was so nice to meet John, who was just as great as Marianne. Wonderful food and conversation and lots of laughs.

Weird start to the morning - The Wayne and I both overslept, which normally wouldn't be a big deal since we both WFH, but TW had a doctor's appointment scheduled for 8:40, and I woke up at 8:05 with him sleeping peacefully beside me. Much chaos ensued, but he made it in time. And he really liked this new doctor, so hooray for that! But I've been a bit out of sorts all morning.

Anyway, last night was pub trivia, where we tied for 4th place. Boo. There were about 10 or 12 teams, I think, so it was a respectable finish, but I'm very competitive :)

Work today is much the same - prep for next month's Board meeting, cleaning up my email, trying to get things in order for my departure (only 39 more working days!), and my regular call with my boss. I'm planning to tell him that I am not comfortable traveling to Dubai next month for the Board meeting and annual conference. We'll see how that goes... It's not just the pandemic that concerns me; if I go, I'll waste a lot of time that I think would be put to better use by preparing for the transition to my successor (whoever that is). Hopefully, he'll not be a jerk about it, but what's he going to do? Fire me? Ha!

I should FINALLY finish up Cashelmara today, and then I'll need to rinse off all the suds from this soap opera off me. Such melodrama!

Training session with Joel the Devil tonight, and probably soup for dinner.

Way to go The Wayne for making his appointment! And hooray for his liking the new doctor.

I was out of sorts yesterday - started the day with cold coffee instead of hot, and apparently I need the first cup to be hot or my brain doesn't work as well. I think it's mental. (See what I did there?!)

Crossing my fingers for you that the boss in not a jerk about Dubai - I think what you say makes perfect sense, and you're right about what's he gonna do about it. *grin*

Good luck with Joel the Devil.

>143 Crazymamie: - Thanks Mamie! I am much relieved about the new doctor, and I know he is, too. He came home feeling really good and empowered about a couple of issues he's having, and he really liked how much time she spent talking to and listening to him. I'm thinking of switching to her myself :)

>142 katiekrug: - I counted wrong. I have 44 more work days, not 39...

Ooo, fourth of ten! Good showing. (Even if you *wanted* first, it's still a good showing.)

Cashelmara will satisfy your suds-cravings, won't it, and hooray for having such a good way to do that. Howatch knew her soapy onions, she did.

Why would he be a jerk about Dubai? He's happy to have you! He's going to miss you! Worry more about pleasing Joel the Devil. HE is demanding.

*smoochie*q

I'm sorry about the rough start to your day Katie, but I'm impressed that you two managed to oversleep without Nuala waking you up. I handle the morning dog walk, and Woody snuffles outside our bedroom door if I don't get up soon enough for his liking. Of course I give in, and I don't really mind the 20-30 min of quiet time that I get after the walk. But there are days when I would love to sleep in and the dogs just won't allow it.

Dont let countdown to retirement mess up your head.

My advice is to work each day the same as always, then when the last day comes, just close the book and go home.

Thats what i did anyway.

>146 richardderus: - I'm afraid he'll be a jerk because the biggest part of my job is herding the cats supporting the Board and organizing the meetings. But we have a good team in Dubai who are more than capable of taking care of the on-site stuff, and I'll still participate in the meetings remotely, though it'll be the middle of the night...

Cashelmara is bat-shit crazy, but requires very little brain power so is perfect for me right now.

>147 lauralkeet: - TBH, Laura, I was surprised Nuala didn't wake us up earlier, but it was her first night home after 5 days at day care/boarding and I think she was exhausted :) We had her signed up for "slumber party" boarding, where all the dogs are together in a big room, so I'm not sure if she got a good night's rest while there - probably too busy hanging out with her friends.

>148 magicians_nephew: - I don't think it's messing with my head. I just like to know how much time I have left so I can prioritize what needs to get done, since I can't do it all :)

>149 katiekrug: OMG, "slumber party" boarding. That sounds excellent. I mean, if you're a dog.

>151 lauralkeet: - We thought it was cool, and figured it would be good for her, because at night, she has run of the house. She's not crate-trained, so we really didn't want her to be put in one at night when she wasn't used to it. One of the staff sleeps on a cot in the room, I guess for adult supervision...?

Whiskey and Charlie by Annabel Smith

I picked this book up in a Kindle sale at some point and didn't know much about it. I ended up enjoying it a lot, which is always nice :)

It's the story of twin brothers who were once close but became estranged. When one is involved in an accident that puts him into a coma, the other brother finally confronts their relationship, and the novel moves back and forth in time, charting the ebbs and flows of life and family. The ending was a little too neat, but overall this was a great read and an unexpected surprise.

4 stars

The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown

If you like schlocky, small town, Southern slices of life in your novels, might I recommend this one? Jancey I-Don't Remember-Her-Last-Name finds herself stranded in Pick, a small town in East Texas, while on her way to Louisiana. She lived in Pick for 2 years as a teenager, but her parents' peripatetic lifestyle never kept in her one place for long. She plans to stay in Pick just long enough to make some money as a waitress at the local diner and then be on her way. But the too good to be true owners of the diner, plus all the citizens of Pick, make it hard for her to leave. And when her high school crush shows interest, Jancey is torn between putting down roots and stretching her wings.

It's all very predictable and cliched and kind of dumb. But there is some genuine heart to the story, and I gave it an extra half star because I enjoyed the audio narration.

3 stars

>152 katiekrug: One of the staff sleeps on a cot in the room, I guess for adult supervision...?

I assume to make sure none of the dogs get their underwear stolen during the night and stuck in the freezer ...

>155 rosalita: someone has led a far more exciting life than I!

>156 Helenliz: I mean, I've just heard about it, Helen. Not saying it ever happened to (or by) me. *whistles innocently*

>157 rosalita: ha! OK, we believe you...

>155 rosalita:, >156 Helenliz:, >157 rosalita:, and >158 Helenliz: - This exchange made me snort. Thanks, ladies!

Picturing a canine slumber party with all the dogs in floral print pajamas eating cookies and talking about boys and clothes and makeup.

>160 magicians_nephew: YES! And the long-haired breeds have curlers in...

Seriously, I never heard of this sort of boarding. I'm only familiar with the individual kennels (much larger than a crate) in a great big room full of them variety. But then, it's been decades since we boarded a dog. The last one we had always got Grandma to come stay with her when we went away. (Not spoiled at all.)

>161 laytonwoman3rd: I always hired a neighborhood lady to come take care of Odie when I was on vacation. She would take him for walks several times a day and stay to play with him for a while so he didn't get too lonely. And when I sent him a postcard from Ireland (because that's the kind of weirdo I am), she read it out loud to him and then propped it up in front of his food dish so he could see where Mama went (her words, not mine).

So yeah, I get the spoiled thing. ;-)

Morning, Katie!

We had a woman come and stay at our house to dog sit when we lived in WI, and she was amazing. So yeah, spoiled dogs seem to be the norm around here. I *love* the idea of the slumber party, though, and I'm impressed that someone stays in the room with the dogs. Sounds like a quality place!

Hi Katie!

Glad TW likes his new doctor. My husband switched doctors recently, had a great initial meeting, then the doctor abruptly left the practice. They're down to two doctors, neither of them taking new patients, but my husband begged and pleaded and got one of them to accept him. It's only 15 minutes from our house, much better than the 45 minutes he was driving to see his doctor (who I did not like.)

Much better for you to not go to Dubai if you can avoid it. He should at least appreciate that you want to have things ship shape for your successor.

>149 katiekrug: her first night home after 5 days at day care/boarding and I think she was exhausted :) We had her signed up for "slumber party" boarding, where all the dogs are together in a big room, so I'm not sure if she got a good night's rest while there - probably too busy hanging out with her friends. Laughed out loud over this one. Sounds just like slumber parties I remember.

>159 katiekrug: Toothpaste under the nose of the poor innocent who falls asleep, bras in the freezer in addition to underwear… children are cruel.

>160 magicians_nephew: and >161 laytonwoman3rd: - Love these images of the doggie slumber party :)

>162 rosalita: and >163 scaifea: - The Wayne (and me, to a lesser extent) has a thing about people being in the house when we're not there. When we just had Leonard, we did have a good friend of mine cat sit him for a few days at a time. But we like the idea of the dog not being in the house by herself most of the day, since she is not used to that at all. And she loves her day care/boarding place, so it's a win-win.

>164 karenmarie: - TW had a similar experience, Karen. He had been seeing a doctor in the city, but since he doesn't go into the city for work anymore, he needed to find a new one, so he went to see a doctor at the same practice I go to. And then she up and left rather abruptly. His new one was on a list of suggestions from the office for doctors in the same network who were taking new patients. I researched them all and thought this one sounded like a good fit for TW. I love being right :)

I didn't have a chance to tell my boss yesterday about Dubai, as he took our regular call from the hallway of a conference center where he was attending a meeting. I think I might send him an email, so I can clearly lay out my thoughts.

I guess I went to pretty tame slumber parties in my youth! All we ever did was play Truth or Dare.

It was nice to wake up not in a panic this morning :) And after a good night's sleep. The gym was a little rough yesterday after vacation, but I survived, and then we came home and had the soup I'd made after work/before the gym. It was quite tasty - ground turkey, canellini beans, kale, carrot, and shallot with Italian seasoning. I started two books yesterday - A Burning in print and The Only Plane in the Sky on audio. Both are very good so far.

Hoping for a productive day at work today, and then virtual happy hour. Unsure what delivery dinner will be...

>154 katiekrug: Congratulations on reaching 75, Katie!

Woah, how did I totally miss that you reached the magic number? Congrats on 75 (and beyond)!

>168 bell7: It is well hidden at the top of this thread.

Thanks, Anita and Mary! I always intend to include the book read # when I post a review and never do. Maybe I'll remember to start next year...

Sweet Thursday, Katie. Hooray for hitting #75! One of our favorite milestones around here.

>171 msf59: - Almost as good as becoming a grandpa, right? LOL.

>165 katiekrug: Odie was home alone all day while I was at work, so that wasn't an adjustment for him. Honestly, he probably liked having Rosemary come visit more than having me home, since when she was there he was the focus of all her attention. :-)

Morning, Katie! I love that Nuala got to attend the slumber party - I have never heard of this before. And congrats on reaching and passing 75! Way to go, you!

>162 rosalita: I love this story! My Aunt Lois used to send me letters from her dog, and they were so funny and charming. Sometimes she wrote them backwards so you had to hold them up to a mirror to read them. I still have them.

>173 rosalita: - Plus, dogs always like making new friends!

>174 Crazymamie: - This is the first time we'd heard of the slumber party option at a boarding place, so I think it's a fairly new thing. And thanks re: 75! Maybe now I won't shy away from some chunksters... ?

>154 katiekrug:

Yay! And brava for deciding to tell the boss No to Dubai via email. It really is the best way.

*smooch*

>176 richardderus: - Oooh, fancy!

I feel like sending an email is the coward's way out, but I don't want to delay telling him until our next regular call next week, and he's at a conference so I can't just pick up the phone randomly, so.... *shrug*

>177 katiekrug: It's practical and respectful of his time...and let's not forget that your resignation was the occasion of what he felt was an untoward comment being surprised out of him, for which he felt it necessary to apologize. This way he can have whatever response he likes, throw things and call down maledictions on you, your family, and you pets, then type a calm and reasonable (and editable!) response.

>177 katiekrug: And a brief mention that you would rather have spoken to him personally, but under the circumstances...yada yada yada...

>178 richardderus: - I see your point. I am planning to draft the email this afternoon.

>179 laytonwoman3rd: - Oh, most definitely!

>177 katiekrug: in the old job i was asked to apply for a job in a different area with a different boss. Didn't really want it -- didn't want to disappoint the nice and very influential guy who had asked for me either. I turned him down in an email ; it did feel like the cowards way out but it was done and no harm done long term.

>166 katiekrug: I have both of those books in amongst the TRBs.

Congrats on #75. I'm envious. But I have but a half-dozen to go. Then I can knock off for the year.

>181 magicians_nephew: - I just sent the email. He'll probably be totally understanding and I will have worried for nothing!

>182 weird_O: - Almost there, Bill!

Congrats on 75, Katie. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to make it this year :(

Congrats!

>184 RebaRelishesReading: - It's just a number, Reba :)

>185 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim!

My boss' response to my email telling him I wasn't going to go to Dubai:

"I respect your decision. These are not normal times and we all have different comfort levels that drive the decisions we make to protect ourselves and our families. That said, I personally wish you were going to attend. I would have liked to have been able to thank you for your work for {organization} and the Board in person at the full board meeting (which I suspect you might not really want, but you deserve the recognition)."

:)

>187 katiekrug: Nice.

Morning, Katie! We made it to Friday!

>188 Crazymamie: - It was a long, hard slog but here we are :)

Hi Katie!

Congrats on reaching 75!

>187 katiekrug: What a lovely response.

>190 Crazymamie: - Perfection.

>191 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen! And I was so relieved (and touched) by his response.

I am gobbling up A Burning, which is short, but so good. It just might be my first 5-star read of the year.

And the audio of The Only Plane in the Sky is very affecting. I am not far into it, but oof. I've already teared up a time or two. It's an oral history, so listening to it is powerful. It's read by a full "cast," including some of the actual individuals interviewed, and also includes audio from the day. I'm in the middle of the audio of the conversation between the flight attendant on Flight 11 and the airline emergency center.

>187 katiekrug: Wow, a boss who seems to Get It on several levels.

>187 katiekrug: your boss is a gem.

>194 laytonwoman3rd: and >195 lauralkeet: - He's a good person, though not always adept at showing it.

>187 katiekrug: Yay for nice bosses and Fridays. >:-)

>187 katiekrug: What >197 Helenliz: said, plus what >190 Crazymamie: made

>197 Helenliz: - Two reasons to celebrate.

>198 richardderus: - Thank you, kind sir.

"Kind" might need a re-think: Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey is $1.99 on Kindle...compared to Addie LaRue and Life After Life...praised by *ickshudder* Charles Yu or I'd be all over it before the 27th, when the sale ends.

>200 richardderus: - For that price, I think I'll give it a shot.

I finished A Burning. I need to sit with it a bit, but it's getting 5 stars from me.

And with that, I finished the Goodreads Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge!



1. A book related to “In the Beginning...”
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
2. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
3. A book related to the lyrics for the song "My Favorite Things"
Summerwater by Sarah Moss
4. A book with a monochromatic cover
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

5. A book by an author on USA Today's list of 100 Black Novelists You Should Read
Love by Toni Morrison
6. A love story
The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe
7. A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list
Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger
8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited
Island of the Lost by Joan Druett

9. A book you associate with a specific season or time of year
Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan
10. A book with a female villain or criminal
One By One by Ruth Ware
11. A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum
The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths
12. A book eligible for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation
The Bird Tribunal by Agnes Ravatn
13. A book written by an author of one of your best reads of 2020
Anywhere For You by Abbie Greaves

14. A book set in a made-up place
How to Break a Dragon's Heart by Cressida Cowell
15. A book that features siblings as the main characters
Dodgers by Bill Beverly
16. A book with a building in the title
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
17. A book with a Muslim character or author
The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

18. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 1
Jazz by Toni Morrison
19. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 2
The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine
20. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 3
Born in Death by J.D. Robb
21. A book whose title and author both contain the letter "u"
When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors
22. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

23. A cross genre novel
Memory in Death by J.D. Robb
24. A book about racism or race relations
Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke
25. A book set on an island
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
26. A short book (less than 210 pages) by a new-to-you author
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls

27. A book with a character who can be found in a deck of cards
A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
28. A book connected to ice
The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys
29. A book that you consider comfort reading
The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White
30. A long book
Cashelmara by Susan Howatch

31. A book by an author whose career spanned more than 21 years
Paradise by Toni Morrison
32. A book whose cover shows more than 2 people
The Weirdies by Michael Buckley
33. A collection of short stories, essays, or poetry
Emperor of the Air by Ethan Canin
34. A book with a travel theme
Siracusa by Delia Ephron
35. A book set in a country on or below the Tropic of Cancer
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

36. A book with six or more words in the title
13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad
37. A book from the Are You Well Read in World Literature list
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
38. A book related to a word given by a random word generator
Outlawed by Anna North (word generated = north)
39. A book involving an immigrant
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

40. A book with flowers or greenery on the cover
Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson
41. A book by a new-to-you BIPOC author
Passing by Nella Larsen
42. A mystery or thriller
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie
43. A book with elements of magic
The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt

44. A book whose title contains a negative
You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik
45. A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Whiskey and Charlie by Annabel Smith
46. A winner or nominee from the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
47. A non-fiction book other than biography, autobiography or memoir
Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David Von Drehle
48. A book that might cause someone to react “You read what?!?”
Pride and Promiscuity by Arielle Eckstut and Dennis Ashton

49. A book with an ensemble cast
Another Kind of Life by Catherine Dunne
50. A book published in 2021
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
51. A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name
New Boy by Tracy Chevalier
52. A book related to "the end"
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

>203 katiekrug:, >202 katiekrug: Yay! Congratulations!

>201 katiekrug: Yay! I got her. Bob and weave all you want....

Congratulations on completing the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge, Katie. I still have quite a few to fill in, I think I will be working on it until year end!

Wow, 75 for us and 52 for the Goodreads Book Challenge. Congrats!

I love the idea of Narula hanging out with her buddies at a slumber party. I have this image of the caretaker poking their head in every so often saying "I mean it this time -- lights out and no more talking!" I vaguely remembering going streaking at a slumber party in my youth but it was late at night so a bunch of 12-year-old girls running naked around the sleeping neighborhood was honestly pretty tame stuff.

I saw that you loved A Burning. I agree that it's an excellent novel. It has stayed with me quite vividly.

I'm glad to hear that your boss took the Dubai thing well. It sounds like he was genuinely respectful and values what you bring to the proverbial table enough to make some adjustments. Nice!!!

Morning, Katie!

Aw, what a sweet and lovely response from your boss! That had to feel pretty good.

>172 katiekrug: B.A.G.

Happy Saturday, Katie. Have a great weekend.

>204 richardderus: - *grin*

>205 DeltaQueen50: - Thanks, Judy! I have a couple of other prompt-based challenges I am still working on...

>206 EBT1002: - Nice to see you, Ellen! Thanks for taking the time to visit and get caught up.

>207 scaifea: - Morning, Amber! It was a nice message to receive :)

>208 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. I have a feeling your weekend will be quite exciting!

Happy Saturday, folks! We got an early start to the day, as we were both out of bed before 7:00am. Whaaaat??! The Wayne is spending much of the day trying to get things done before Hurricane Henri arrives. It's not going to hit us directly, but we are worried about rain and flooding... Please keep your fingers crossed that it won't be too bad.

I am making a library run to collect a hold and do a little browsing. I'll probably stop for bagels on the way home. And then I have mountains of laundry to do, need to clean up the guest room/office, tidy the kitchen, etc. I'm sure I'll fit some reading in there, too, of course.

Since I finished A Burning, I started I'm Not Scared which has been on my shelf for 10 years, and which Judy (DeltaQueen) recently nudged up my list with her review. It's short, so I should finish it by tomorrow.

Morning, Katie! Hooray for finishing up the Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge, and with plenty of time to spare.

I laughed at Ellen's vision of the doggy slumber party.

Your post showed up after I posted mine!

Hi Katie!

>203 katiekrug: Way to go. Congrats.

>210 katiekrug: 🤞 Waiting for hurricanes to show up is very stressful. I hope you get just a bit of rain, no flooding, no wind.

Bagels. Yum. Sigh. The closest good bagels are 45 minutes away.

Sounds like a productive, errandy sort of day, but with reading, of course.

>211 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! I laughed at Ellen's imaginings too.

>212 Crazymamie: - That's what I figured. Thanks for the crossed fingers!

>213 karenmarie: - Thanks for the congrats, Karen. I'm hoping that since we'll be prepared for the storm, it won't amount too much for us :) I didn't get the bagels - couldn't find parking at either place *sigh*

Two loads of laundry done, so time for a break, I think!

Library haul. I went in to pick up Falling, which I had on hold...

Cashelmara by Susan Howatch

Holy soap opera, Batman! Parts of this book were ridiculous, but other parts were wonderful, particularly the descriptions of western Ireland. It tells the story of three generations of an Anglo-Irish family in the second half of the 19th century. There is intrigue and lust and insanity and murder, double-crosses and betrayals, and also, I think, the kitchen sink was in there somewhere, too. It was wildly entertaining despite, or maybe because of, the ridiculousness.

3.5 stars

>210 katiekrug: Sending good weather vibes your way, Katie. I grew up on the south shore of Long Island (Mastic Beach if you've got a map handy) and still have lots of family there. The last forecast I saw on The Weather Channel looked as if they are right in the path for landfall, but at least it's not a very strong hurricane at the moment. Fingers crossed for all of you!

>216 katiekrug: It did, on other words, exactly what it set out to do. I love that in a book.

>215 katiekrug: ...beauteous...

>210 katiekrug: It won't help this time, and I realize I'm "spending your money," but these are brilliant per my flood-plain-dwelling daughter: https://aquafence.com/

For this time, maybe try https://www.lowes.com/pd/Quick-Dam-120-in-L-x-6-in-W-Self-Inflating-Polypropylen...

>215 katiekrug: ooh, I see Unsettled Ground in that stack. Good choice!

>215 katiekrug: Yes, to Unsettled Ground!

Fingers crossed that you don't have more flooding.

Wishing you dry land and a happy weekend full of reading!

>217 rosalita: - Thanks, Julia!

>218 richardderus: - Thanks, RD! We have the quick fence, thanks to TW's early morning run. I'll send him the link for the aqua fence, though I'm not sure it would work for us. The ground around the house is very uneven...

>219 lauralkeet: - Looking forward to it, Laura.

>220 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth!

>221 RebaRelishesReading: - Thank you, Reba!

Time for some REO Speedwagon…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFgEBq0EKM

Good weather vibes for you Katie. Also another thumbs up for Unsettled Ground.

Hoping your feet stay dry, as do your books.

>223 drneutron: - Snork! Indeed.

>224 brenzi: - Thanks, Bonnie!

>225 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen!

So far, so good here. We had some steady - but slow - rain last night, but it's not raining at the moment. It's supposed to start up again later this morning and last most of the day. As long as there aren't prolonged blinding downpours, we should be fine. And I was so productive yesterday, I can laze away much of today with books and maybe a nap. Perfect day for both! I am about to finish I'm Not Scared, which is very good. I may have to do some eenie-meenie on my library pile to pick what's next...

Morning, Katie!

>215 katiekrug: SO happy to see Unsettled Ground in there.

>216 katiekrug: Not going on The List, but I loved your review!

>227 katiekrug: Did it again - your post showed up after I posted. Happy to read that you're doing fine so far - keeping my fingers crossed.

Hooray for lazing the day away - that is also my plan.

Other than being sticky and icky, it's been pretty uneventful so far over by me.

I like that in a hurricane.

Fingers crossed that the rain continues not to be a problem for you, Katie, and yay for possible napping today!! I *love* a good weekend nap.

>215 katiekrug: Great library haul! We still don't have open browsing hours and any reserved books are placed on a shelf outside the doors. But I'm finding more and more titles on Overdrive anyway.

Storm seems to have bypassed us - hope the same is true for you. Just lots of rain but no wind.

>228 Crazymamie: - I don't think Cashelmara is a must-read, but I'm glad you enjoyed the review :) I'm looking forward to the Fuller. I hadn't intened to get it, but it was just sitting there on the New Books shelf, so....

>229 Crazymamie: - I might make some soup, and I have some towels to take out of the dryer and put away, but other than that - NADA!

>230 richardderus: - Pretty tame here, too, thank goodness!

>231 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber! That nap is sounding better and better...

>232 vivians: - Hi Vivian - I get most of my library books from Overdrive, too, so having a stack is somewhat unusual. I'm not sure I'll get to all of them before they are due, but that's okay. They'll still be there :)

I think we will also not have to contend with any wind. It's raining again, but nice and slow, so the river isn't exploding over the bank (yet)...

Hi Katie, just checking in to see how you're doing. I've seen reports of widespread power outages, and of course rain. I hope you and TW are okay.

Morning, Laura! We are fine. We got a lot of rain yesterday, but it was pretty slow and steady, so while we got giant puddles in the yard, there was no flooding from the river. Hooray! And we got zero wind. Double hooray! And not even a power flicker, so all is good :) Thanks for checking!

'Morning, Katie!

Congrats on the triple avoidance - flooding, wind, and power loss.

Henri was a big pile of rien here, thank goodness. As I said to Laura, lots of rain but no flooding and no wind. I had a good day of relaxing with a little productivity thrown in - made chicken tortilla soup in my InstantPot and tidied up a bit. The Wayne has today off for his company's monthly Wellness Day, so he'll tidy up a bit more. The cleaners come tomorrow.

I have a 3-hour meeting starting at 9am. I just have to listen in, so I plan to spend that time organizing my desk a bit and planning for the week ahead.

Gym tonight. And I forget what's on the menu for dinner but it will be something easy.

Ididn't have any audio time yesterday, but I did read some in Falling, which is a great summer thriller. The Wayne made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and after that, we watched 42, the movie about Jackie Robinson. I love inspirational sports movies :)

>236 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen!

Happy Monday Katie! I'm glad to hear all is well at stately Wayne manor.

(am I dating myself with that reference?)

>239 lauralkeet: - LOL! Not at all.

Glad that Henri didn't deliver.
Have a productive week. We've got the week off - we need to use up the holiday.

>241 Helenliz: - DOing anything fun with the holiday, Helen?

I'm taking some time off next week to go to the US Open.

Glad to hear Henri passed you by with the minimum of fuss. I'm keeping a casual eye on it as I have in-laws on Newfoundland but it's looking like it won't be much of a problem up there either.

Hope your 3-hour meeting isn't too mind-numbing.

I was gobsmacked at how deep the street got but none of it hopped the curb. And, like you, not even a flicker of an outage...so so lucky.

My friend Rob Greene's book is out tomorrow. I'm excited for him, this one could Do Something since it's On the Road for the post-pandemic apocalypse. I hope it will.

>243 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! It was pretty mind-numbing, but it's over now. Until Wednesday - when it continues for another 3 hours.... :-/

>244 richardderus: - Congrats to your friend! What's the title?

>245 katiekrug: Oof. Good news is the number of days left to work keeps getting smaller. :)

Glad you survived the weather and your bosses answer was perfect! Off to a great start to the week. : )

Good news that you didn't have any flooding, Katie.

>246 MickyFine: - 41 Work Days/59 Total Days! II mean, I'm not counting. It's not like I have a sticky note on my computer with the numbers written in pencil so I can adjust them each day. *blinks*

>247 Berly: - Thanks, Kim!

>248 BLBera: - We were very relieved, Beth, though The Wayne was also a little bummed that the storm was so lame, as he loves a good storm (having grown up in south Florida).

If The Wayne is from Florida, Jennifer Capó Crucet has a great essay about storms in Miami and why people don't evacuate. It's hilarious. It's in the essay called "The Country We Now Call Home." It's not all about storms, but there is a section on ignoring hurricanes.

Glad you had no damage from Henri! Enjoy your count down!

>249 katiekrug: 14 work days until my vacation! I am also not counting eagerly or anything. :P

>245 katiekrug: This one's called Twenty-Five to Life. He wrote The Light Years, which is good but this is better. I like that trajectory.

>250 BLBera: - HE likes to talk about how, as a kid, he'd just wander around outside during tropical storms and hurricanes... Such a weirdo.

>251 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba!

>252 MickyFine: - Heh. 14 days is nothing!

>253 richardderus: - Very cool.

>250 BLBera: We've been watching this series on Public Television called "Sinking Cities" about New York, London, Miami and Tokyo and how they are dealing some better than others with rising tides and hurricanes and "King Tides" and other demonstrations of Mother Nature tapping humanity on the shoulder and hollering "Get outta my way!".

Whenever there was a storm in Florida you would hear of this nitwit or that nitwit refusing to be evacuated and "riding out the storm" Seems like storm watching isn't quite the spectator sport it was a few years ago - people are getting the heck out. Good.

>254 katiekrug: I guess that would be us running outside to see where the tornado is when the sirens go off. :)

Hi Katie!

>249 katiekrug: Of course you have a post-it note and are changing the days in the countdown. I did that when I retired in 2016, but since I was actually at work I kept it hidden. You're more frugal than I was - I made a new fancy note for each day. Of course, those were work post-it notes so I felt justified.

>255 magicians_nephew: - Hi Jim.

>256 BLBera: - He used to do that in Texas, too :)

>257 karenmarie: - Morning, Karen! I buy my own Post-Its, so I don't want to waste them. Heh.

Busy day here at Casa Krug - Nuala went to daycare, The Wayne went to the gym (he does extra gym days because he's a better person than I am :) ), the cleaners are coming this afternoon, and we have pub trivia tonight. In between, I'll try to get some actual work done.

Last night we had a training session and then TW made pork tacos, served in romaine leaves instead of tortillas or shells. They were very good, so we'll be doing that again.

I finished Falling with my coffee this morning - I took extra long with my coffee so I could power through the last 50 pages or so. It's a great thriller. My next read will be Lizzie & Dante, which is a contemporary novel by a favorite historical romance author (Eloisa James). This one is written under her real name (at least I think it is her real name), Mary Bly.

>259 katiekrug: Quite a lot doing chez vous. Plenty to be going on with...I know your countdown clock is eagerly consulted whenever there's a hitch in the day.

Like, oh I dunno, a spot of work to do. :-)

I'm slightly jealous of the countdown post its. I had to serve 3 months notice, which went, at times, very VERY VERY slowly...

But I was reminded today that 4 years ago today I handed in my notice without an offer to go to. One of my better decisions, on balance... >:-D

Holiday isn't going to be very exciting. Had a day out in the sports car today, picnic and visiting a castle. A concentrated spot of tidying up a few rooms might also be on the agenda. Maybe a bit of reading, you know.

>260 richardderus: - You know me so well :)

>261 Helenliz: - Three months is about what I gave, though I technically only had to give two weeks, I think. I hope I feel the same about my decision to leave as you did!

A picnic and castle visit sounds lovely. I love "staycations."

A Burning by Megha Majumdar

I loved this novel of politics, class, and prejudice in contemporary India. The story itself - of a young woman swept up by the police after a terrorist attack - is compelling enough, but Majumdar has created three fascinating characters with distinct voices, each of whom brings an important perspective to the book and each of whom is an outsider in some way. Add to that a strong and very real sense of place and this book went from very good to great for me. I was completely immersed in a culture and society mostly foreign to me but which felt immediate and authentic. I can't wait to see what Majumdar does next.

5 stars

I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti

Michele is 9 years old and lives in a tiny village in southern Italy. He has a younger sister and a couple of other children in the town that he hangs out with. He discovers something terrible in the countryside near his village, but he is too young to really understand it. His confusion and concern and fear are all made palpable through Ammaniti's pitch-perfect prose, as is the harsh landscape and odd dynamic among the few families in the village.

This is a short novel but packed with an excellent story. My only quibbles were a couple of odd choices in the translation (I assume) and a very abrupt ending that left several questions unanswered. Still, highly recommended.

4.25 stars

>263 katiekrug: Thank GOODNESS it was already on the TBR...five-starrers are auto-gets.

Falling by T.J. Newman

This book first came to my attention thanks to a tweet from Adrian McKinty, who was eagerly awaiting its publication (turns out he had blurbed it for the cover and was also acknowledged by the author at the end of the book). I then kept seeing it hyped all over the place. I put it on my library list based on the interesting premise but expected it to fall a bit short of my expectations. I'm glad to say it was actually better than a lot of what's available in the genre.

The premise: an airline pilot is informed mid-flight that his family has been kidnapped and will be killed unless he crashes his plane. Yes, it's a bit far-fetched but it's a thriller, so go with it. As events unfold on the plane and on the ground, we are treated to a propulsive narrative encompassing the pilot, an FBI agent, the pilot's family, the terrorists, and the flight attendants. Newman is a former flight attendant, and the sections of the book dealing with the passengers, cabin, and FAs were my favorites of the book. The writing is strong, if not excellent, and Newman's ability to humanize even the worst of the characters is impressive.

I gobbled up this book in two days - a perfect summer read.

4 stars

>265 richardderus: - It's a good 'un.

ETA: My only 5-star read of the year (so far).

All three of those look intriguing, Katie. I think every author I follow on Twitter has been pimping Falling this summer — glad to hear it lives up to the hype. I don't have a lot of hope that my local library will have the other two, but I'll take a look and maybe recommend them.

>268 rosalita: - Julia, your library might have A Burning. It was a Today Show "Read with Jenna" pick...

All three of your recent reads sound good, Katie. I'm generally not a thriller reader, but the premise of Falling sounds interesting. I might check to see if my library has a copy.

>270 BLBera: - I'd be shocked if they didn't have it, Beth!

>269 katiekrug: Indeed, Katie! They did have A Burning as it happens, and now I'm on the holds list. They also had Falling (ditto holds list) but no joy for the Italian book, though I did put in a recommendation to acquire it. I don't hold out much hope but you never know.

>263 katiekrug: I am so glad we felt the same way about A Burning. I continue to be puzzled at the mixed reaction this novel has received, even by some of our LT pals. I also cannot wait to see what she does next.

Okay, you also got me with three in a row. Nicely done, Katie!

Morning, Katie! I've been seeing Falling all over the place lately and I do like a good thriller sometimes, so it's already on the list. I'm glad you liked it!

Morning, Katie!

>272 rosalita: - Fingers crossed they get it!

>273 msf59: - Hmm, I don't remember seeing much talk about it here, Mark. Maybe I'll go look at the reviews page...

>274 Crazymamie: - Trifecta!

>275 scaifea: - It was fun, Amber. I feel like I'm going to be hyper-aware on my next flight ;-)

>276 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie!

I'm on my 3 hour call and bored to tears. Luckily, I don't have to actually do anything or contribute, so I can hang out on LT :)

We had a terrible trivia night last night - I think we were 9th of 12 teams. But I had fish and chips, so that was good. And we have another trivia night (different place) on Thursday so maybe we can redeem ourselves.

Not much else going on. Just work, gym tonight, etc. The Wayne is having a physical therapy consult after our gym session, as he is having some issues with his elbow. Soup for dinner.

>263 katiekrug: I didn't rate A Burning as highly as you, but I ended my review much the same way: "I will keep my eyes open for another book by this author. I expect she has more to say to us."

>278 katiekrug: Body horror! Eeek!

Oh wait, I mean gym time. Silly old faggot.

Either way, enjoy.

>279 laytonwoman3rd: I gave A Burning 4 stars, but was also impressed by it: "Suspense builds as these three points of view converge into an ending that took me by surprise. Full marks to Megha Majumdar for a debut novel that is far from predictable."

Glad it was a winner for you, Katie!

>279 laytonwoman3rd: - I hope she doesn't take too long to produce another book, Linda.

>280 richardderus: - Snort!

>281 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura!

I'm # 45 on the library list, Katie (for Falling). Luckily, I do have books to read while I wait.

>283 BLBera: - Well, thank goodness for that!

After the gym and The Wayne's PT session, we came home and I heated up some chicken tortilla soup I'd made over the weekend. I love that recipe. It's fail-proof and full of flavor (probably because I add extra seasoning) and I love that you can use frozen chicken breasts. Anyway, we didn't do much after that and went to bed on the early side, because we had to be up before 7am. The town inspector is coming to sign-off on the plumbing and electrical from our HVAC and water heater replacement a couple of months ago, and our "window" for arrival is 7am to 12pm. Not here yet...

In a little bit, I'll take Nuala to day care and then settle into work. It's a TW job to deal with the inspector :)

Tonight is pub trivia at another local place, so that should be fun.

I'm enjoying Lizzie & Dante and the audio of The Only Plane in the Sky remains top-notch.

Morning, Katie! Please to explain about the frozen chicken breasts in the soup.

>286 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie! I make the soup in the Instant Pot, so I don't need to defrost the chicken first. Once it's up to temp, it just cooks for 20 minutes. So easy!

Hi Katie!

>285 katiekrug: It's a TW job to deal with the inspector :) I like this division of labor in your marriage. We have it too - Bill stayed home yesterday to deal with Spectrum. As he does when the HVAC guys come, and the tree pruning service, etc.

>288 karenmarie: - Yup, anything mechanical, outdoors, electrical, plumbing, etc. is his. I make any needed phone calls and set up appointments, but he has to do the interacting. It's so easy now that he works from home permanently :)

Hi Katie! That chicken tortilla soup sounds delish. Is it from HelloFresh, or is it a recipe you can share?

Hi Laura! It's a Skinnytaste recipe (https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-chicken-enchilada-soup/#recipe) and she also provides slow cooker instructions for it. I like the IP because it's so fast. And I don't bother with the topping.

I say it's fail-proof, because I sometimes don't have everything on hand for it (like the chipotle chili in adobo sauce). And instead of plain diced tomatoes, I use Ro-tel with green chilis. And I add more spices: Spanish paprika, Sazon, extra cumin, chipotle powder, etc. Also extra garlic. And I use cilantro paste instead of fresh because I'm lazy. Anyhoo, it makes a lot and is very flavorful!

(There is no change to cooking time for using frozen chicken; it just takes longer to come up to temp and get to pressure)

(I call it chicken tortilla soup; she calls it enchilada soup - maybe because of the chipotle?)

(Like any soup, it's better the longer it cooks, so once I've added the shredded chicken back in, I just let it sit in the IP on low and meld together some more; it reheats very well and is even tastier the next day)

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups less sodium chicken broth
8 oz can tomato sauce
1-2 tsp chipotle chili in adobo sauce, or more to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
2 cups frozen corn
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 skinless chicken breasts, 16 oz total

Instant Pot Directions:

Press saute on the Instant Pot. Add onion and garlic and sauté until soft, 3-4 minutes.
Slowly add the chicken broth, tomato sauce and chipotle adobo sauce and cilantro.
Add the drained beans, diced tomatoes, corn, cumin, oregano and stir.
Add the chicken breasts; cover and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Quick or natural release.
Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Add chicken back into the soup, adjust salt and cumin to taste.
Serve in bowls and top with cheese, avocado, scallions and cilantro. Also great with sour cream or crushed tortilla chips. Enjoy!

I was about to ask for the recipe when I scrolled further down and found it :) Hubby loves Chicken Tortilla soup so I will have to give this a try...in the crock pot version since I don't have an Instant one.

Good luck with trivia tonight

Thank you so much Katie! Like Reba, I will also make the crock pot version but I've favorited your post because of your comments about spices/add-ins etc.

>292 RebaRelishesReading: and >293 lauralkeet: - I hope you both like it! And if you don't, I blame the crock pot ;-)

>293 lauralkeet: - And Laura, we like things very well-seasoned. YMMV. Of course, soups are great, because you can adjust as you go along...

>294 katiekrug: Deal! (or, in my case, you could blame the cook)

Oh, and, I have no idea about using frozen chicken in the crockpot. Just sayin'.

>296 RebaRelishesReading: - Ha! Never.

>297 katiekrug: No problem. I'll thaw it and not have to worry

>299 RebaRelishesReading: - I do not have a good track record of remembering to take things out of the freezer :)

Sweet Thursday, Katie. I hope the work week has been going smoothly. The chicken tortilla soup sounds good. I should copy it and save it for Sue.

One of those days...body maintenance means spending more time at my age and I'd like to go on record as Not Being A Fan.

>301 msf59: - All good here, Mark! The soup is really easy - I hope you (Sue) give it a try!

>302 richardderus: - Ugh. You have my sympathies.

New thread!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/334740