Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Seventeen

-Late Autumn (NMP)



-Jackson. First pumpkin patch. Clearly entranced.



-Green Heron



“We need the tonic of wildness... At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:



July:

74) The Armchair Birder: The Secret Lives of Familiar Birds by John Yow 4 stars (audio)
75) Joe by Larry Brown 4.7 stars
76) A Room With A View by E.M. Forster 3.7 stars
77) The Incognito Lounge by Denis Johnson 3.6 stars P
78) The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane 4.6 stars (audio)
79) Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty 4.4 stars
80) When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams 4.2 stars (audio)
81) Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson 4 stars
82) The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories by Mariana Enriquez 3.8 stars
83) Patience & Esther: An Edwardian Romance by SW Searle 4 stars GN
84) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford 4.2 stars
85) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 3.4 stars

August:

86) Gordo by Jaime Cortez 4.4 stars E
87) The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel 5 stars GN
88) The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen 3.8 stars
89) Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder & a Woman's Search for Justice by Sierra Crane Murdoch 3.7 stars (audio)
90) Second Place by Rachel Cusk 4.6 stars
91) Any Other World Will Do by Alex Lubertozzi 4.2 stars
92) Nature's Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy 4.3 stars (audio)
93) Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna So 4.6 stars
94) Man Walks Into a Room by Nicole Krauss 3.8 stars
95) The Birds of Opulence by Crystal Wilkinson 4 stars (audio)
96) The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue 4.4 stars
97) Seek You: Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtke 4.2 stars GN

September:

98) Swimming to the Top of the Tide by Patricia Hanlon 3.7 stars ER
99) The Vagabonds by Jeff Guinn 4 stars (audio)
100) House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune 3.8 stars
101) Sweet Time & other stories by Pixin Weng 3.8 stars GN
102) A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro 3.6 stars
103) The Magician by Colm Tóibín 4.4 stars
104) Death in Venice by Thomas Mann 3.5 stars
105) The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini by Joe Posnanski 4.2 stars (audio)
106) Man V. Nature: Stories by Diane Cook 4 stars E
107) The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright 4.4 stars (audio)
108) Meadowlark: A Coming-of-Age Crime Story by Ethan Hawke 3.7 stars GN

October:

109) Great Circle: A novel by Maggie Shipstead 4.7 stars E
110) Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach 4 stars (audio)
111) When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky by Margaret Verble 4.2 stars
112) Tears of the Trufflepig: A Novel by Fernando A. Flores 4 stars
113) Dialogues with Rising Tides by Kelli Russell Agodon 5 stars Poetry
114) Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy 4.5 stars
115) The Office of Historical Corrections: Novella & Stories by Danielle Evans 4.3 stars
116) Icebound by Andrea Pitzer 4 stars (audio)
117) Bewilderment by Richard Powers 3.8 stars
118) Passing by Nella Larsen 4.2 stars

November:

119) Last Things: A Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love by Marissa Moss 4.5 stars GN
120) Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King 4.2 stars E
121) The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch 3.7 stars
122) The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin 3.6 stars (audio)
123) Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Eric Powell 4.2 stars GN

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

-Wendell Barry

Hello?? Great Horned Owls chicks.

"Written with the violent ardor of Cormac McCarthy and the otherworldly inventiveness of Ted Chiang, The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu is at once a thriller, a romance, and a story of one man’s quest for redemption in the face of a distinctly American brutality."

A gritty western featuring a badass Chinese-American lead? I am in. The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu popped up on my Audible Daily Deal and I snagged that bad boy. It was published in June but I don't recall much buzz about it. I have been listening to mostly nonfiction on audio but for this one, I decided to make an exception. I started it this afternoon and I believe I made the right decision.

Happy new thread!

Lovely pictures, especially Jackson.

Happy New Thread, Mark! Hope to visit more often.

>5 msf59: That's an interesting find, Mark.

>5 msf59: Huh! Nevahoydovim.

New thread orisons, Birddude. May your overwinter be full of lifers.

Happy new thread, Mark!
>1 msf59: Your little pumpkin is a doll!

Happy New Thread!

Happy New Thread!

Just stopping by the new thread to say hi!

Happy new one, Mark!

Happy new thread, Mark! I bought The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu for the library, but haven't heard a lot about its reception with readers, so I'll be interested in your thoughts.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Mark. But...I miss last thread's topper!! Please put it back! It was the sweetest pic yet of Jackson that you have posted, and should greet your thread at least until another one comes along!!

>6 quondame: Thanks, Susan. You are Number One! Yah!

>7 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli! Two visits in 2 days? I am over the moon!

>8 labfs39: Hi, Lisa. The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu is off to a good start.

>9 richardderus: Thanks, Rd. I have " Nevahoydovim", either but I think this one is going to be a fun, entertaining read. Yep, hoping for some winter Lifers!

>10 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. We love our Jackson.

>11 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. Did you see my post about The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu? This might be your cuppa.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>2 msf59: Got my copy of Bewilderment today, but have no idea when I am going to get it read. I thought October looked busy, but I swear November is going to be worse.

>4 msf59: Owls!!

>12 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver. Great to see you, stranger.

>13 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Have you started the Strout?

>14 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie.

>15 bell7: Thanks, Mary. Good to see you. I would have liked to have heard more buzz on The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu. I hope I can get the ball rolling.

>16 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. Like I mentioned to Jeff- Did you see my post about The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu? This might be your cuppa. Just sayin'...

>17 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I LOVE that photo of Jackson too. It is my cellphone background too. LOL. I will consider it.

>5 msf59: >15 bell7: This has sent me off looking for the book in which Leyland Stanford's Chinese valet featured in a somewhat weird west narrative - The Fortunes - which turns out to contain 3 other stories as well. It looks perfect for my weird west/fantasy frontier collection.

>20 msf59: Saw that - on the list it went!

Hi Mark, happy new thread to you!

Howdy, Mark. New thread goads me. I gots to follow your lead.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Happy new one, buddy.

I love the tree photo and (even more) sleeping beauty in >1 msf59:!

Happy new thread, Mark!

‘Morning, Mark. Happy Wednesday and happy new thread.

>1 msf59: ‘Clearly entranced.’ Smile.

>19 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia and Good Morning. I agree with you about November being book busy. I am trying to line up the next few. Hooray for Bewilderment & fuzzy little owls.

>21 quondame: I had never heard of "The Fortunes", Susan. I will have to look into it.

>22 drneutron: I figured Deadeye Dick would have seen that. Grins...

>23 mdoris: >24 weird_O: >25 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Mary, Bill & Meg.

>26 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. That is not my photo of the tree but artwork from the internet. And hooray for sleeping beauty.

>27 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita.

>28 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thank you. I like how Jackson fits in with the fall color scheme.

Great tree photo topper Mark. And sweet sleeper.

I hope you are enjoying Bewilderment.

I had the same reaction as Caroline, Mark. Great Halloween tree topper, and that Jackson is a bundle of sweetness.

Happy New Thread!

I"m a happy guy - the new Jack Reacher book came out. I"m also reading the new Colson Whitehead book.

Happy new thread, Mark. You've had a great month of reading! All books at least four stars. Lucky you.

The reviews for Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu were good - if you like Cormac MacCarthy. I don't. But I understand that many people do, so this should be a good book. I am sure that you will like it, and I hope that it finds other readers who will like it as well. There was lots of diversity in the American West and that should be celebrated with lots of stories. This could be one of them. I will await your report on the book.

Meantime, I started reading a novel written in short stories. It is Last Chicken in America by Ellen Litman. This one was published in 2007 and I had noted on my LT entry that it had a good review from Booklist. While cruising through my TBR list I ran across the title and was so intrigued that I decided it was time to read it. I put in an Inter-Library Loan request and voila - it came yesterday and so I started reading it last night. Since it is really a set of linked short stories it might be something that will interest you. If I like it, I will let you know.

>30 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. Hooray for Sweet Sleeper! He certainly is.

>31 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. Happy Wednesday. Jackson is definitely a bundle of sweetness. Ooh, looking forward to your thoughts on the latest Whitehead. You are staying on target, with these new books.

>32 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. May my positive trend continue.

>33 benitastrnad: Thanks for chiming in on Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, Benita. I am a fan of McCarthy and I am enjoying this novel but he is definitely not the writer McCarthy is and I am completely fine with it. Looking forward to hearing about your story collection.

I read about your FIL on @karenmarie's thread. My best wishes that he has a good walking recovery.

>35 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I haven't heard anything yet.

Happy Wednesday, Mark! Give Jackson a hug from honorary Auntie Stasia, would you?

>37 alcottacre: Morning Auntie Stasia! I will definitely give Jackson an extra hug. I miss the boy. I am looking forward to spending time with him, on Friday and Sunday.

Happy new thread!

Thanks, Figs!

-Peter Kuper

'Morning, Mark! Happy Thursday to you. I hope your FiL gets to come home today. In the meantime sounds like some reading will get done, eh?

>41 msf59: - I guess zoom doesn't work for *summits*... good one!

>42 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. No word on the FIL yet. On stand-by. And yep, getting some reading in, in the meantime.

>43 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Great point about zoom & summits!

>38 msf59: Yay!

Happy Thursday, Mark. We are due to read The Highest Tide in November, which is next week, believe it or not. Just let me know when you would like to start!

>41 msf59: what >43 jessibud2: said

jackanapes, one and all

>46 richardderus: You got that one right, RD!

-Jackson & Duke. Aw, Jack has Grandpa's double-chin.

>48 msf59: I'm sure he'll give it back if you ask nicely.

Duke looks so patient!

>41 msf59:
A few years ago I read a graphic novel about climate change written by a French/Swiss author. Climate Changed: A Personal Journey Through the Science by Philippe Squarzoni in which the author refused an invitation to speak at a large conference on climate change because he would have had to fly across the pond to get there. Later on in the book he is in the U. S. on vacation in Montana doing some mountain climbing and he takes the time to explain that he was going to be in the U. S. for six months so when he worked out the math and then calculated the consequences he decided it was OK for him to fly. That graphic novel was one of the best I have ever read and it was also one of the clearest books I have read on the subject.

Greta Thunberg also refused to speak at some conferences because she would have to fly to get there. When she spoke to the United Nations she did so on a carbon-neutral boat to cross the Atlantic. Flying in an airplane is one of the most destructive things that people do. It is so much better to take a train, but that is not an option in the U. S. most of the time.

>45 alcottacre: It looks better on him, RD. Duke has aged into a very good boy.

>46 richardderus: Hey, Benita. Thanks for chiming in on the climate comic. Climate Changed: A Personal Journey Through the Science sounds like something I would enjoy. I will have to request it. A similar thing happened in the bird world, where knuckleheads were flying around the world trying to count as many birds they could find in a year's time.

>48 msf59: Adorable!

>48 msf59: Not sure Duke's comfortable with that situation. 😀

>48 msf59: - I hope Duke doesn't sit back...or decide to up and leave! ;-)

>41 msf59: Love that!
>48 msf59: Very very cute!
>50 benitastrnad: Great sounding book. Now on reserve at the library, with thanks!

>48 msf59: Wow, that puts Jack's size into perspective Mark.

>52 alcottacre: He sure is Auntie Stasia.

>53 drneutron: Looks are deceiving, Jim. Actually Duke likes being near the baby.

>54 jessibud2: Good point, Shelley. Bree was very close by, so no worries there.

>55 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Glad to see you found a few things entertaining. Go Jackson!

>56 Caroline_McElwee: It sure does, Caroline. Duke & Cooper are big boys!

>48 msf59: Double chin??? That can't be. He's such a cutie I don't think a double chin is very problematic for him but grandpa???lol

>58 brenzi: Oh yeah, it definitely looks better and more subtle on Jackson. If I keep my head straight, you hardly notice it. LOL.

>48 msf59: I see Jackson continues to favor clothing that declares his fancies.

>48 msf59: Awwww, so cute! I betcha Duke will be looking out for Jackson as he grows up.

Hi Mark. I love the picture of the tree that's part of your opening post and, of course, I love seeing your adorable Jackson as well. Happy new thread.

Morning, Mark! I am very late to your new thread, but I am siding you happy anyway. Love the Jackson photos. Duke is a very good boy.

>60 quondame: Bree tries to keep Jackson in a certain theme. Grins...

>61 bell7: He sure is, Mary. Between Duke and Cooper, Jackson is full protected.

>62 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. Glad you like the tree and adorable Jackson.

>63 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie and thank you. You are early this AM. Glad you like the Jackson photos and yes Duke is a very good boy.

I've been up since 4am. Heh.

>65 Crazymamie: Ugh. I hope you can squeeze in a nap later. Both my wife and FIL had a crappy night sleep too. Of course, I slept like a baby.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. Have fun with Jackson this afternoon, and I hope your FiL continues to do well.

>48 msf59: Wow, Jackson looks so teensy next to Duke.

Morning, Mark! I love the expression on Duke's face in that photo! Hilarious.

Fingers crossed that your FIL gets more settled in today.

>67 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I have not seen Jackson in a week. I am going through withdrawals. I will spent time with him on Sunday too, for Sue's birthday and Halloween festivities.

>68 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Duke loves his little boy. My FIL just needs to get some sleep. Hopefully he can nap today.

Friday. I'm in love. (To quote The Cure.)

The day's on the gloomy side, thank goodness, so I'm free to enjoy the pleasures of the three books I'm planning to review in the next three days. *eep*

I have to get out and cut more weed trees. I can manage only and hour or two of putzing about before needing a break. It's supposed to rain later today, so I want to get my bread labor in before then. Keep on doing what you are doing, Mark. The results are inspiring to all of us.

>70 richardderus: Happy Friday, Richard! Hooray for Robert Smith & the Cure! I was fan back in the day. Chilly and damp here too but it will be a Jackson Day, so my sunshine awaits. Good luck with those reviews.

>71 weird_O: Hey, Bill. Good luck with those weed trees. Still raining here, so no outside tasks for me. Jackson-sitting for me this afternoon. A highlight.

^Just over a year ago, I bought my spotting scope. I have not used it much in the past few months but with waterfowl migration season quickly approaching, I will be bringing out this Bad Boy more often.

Nice thread topping pictures, as usual, Mark.

I'm reading the new Amor Towles, The Lincoln Highway. OK, but not as good as A Gentleman in Moscow

>73 msf59: What a great investment those are. The lifer count will go up!

Thanks for the luck-wishes. I'm pretty sure I've got at least decent bones done on the reviews but am having trouble thinking up how to make them special.

>48 msf59: Love the photo! Scout loves her canine siblings so much. It's great for kids to grow up with pets.

>74 lindapanzo: Thanks, Lind. Great to see you. Glad you are enjoying The Lincoln Highway. A Gentleman in Moscow is a tough one to improve on, so that is understandable.

>75 richardderus: I am sure I have added a few Lifers with that scope, RD and I am sure there will be more to follow.

>76 BLBera: Happy Friday, Beth. Always good to see you. Glad you like the Jackson & Duke photo. I am sure Jack will be around dogs and horses right through his childhood and probably beyond. Of course, I am going to try and get him interested in birds too.

Mark, I finally put my feeder back out the other day. A whole summer of no feeder to watch made me sad and I am hoping the pigeons have forgotten the way to my front lawn. So far, word hasn't got out yet to the little birds that the restaurant is open for business again but I am hoping!

>77 msf59: I second Linda's opinion of The Lincoln Highway, which I hope to finish up in the next day or so, but it is still pretty darn good.

Happy Friday, Mark!

>78 jessibud2: Hooray for putting the feeder back up, Shelley. Looking forward to hearing some reports. You should be seeing some juncos. They have arrived here.

>79 alcottacre: Morning, Stasia. Hard to top Gentleman, I agree but as long as the new Towles is an entertaining read, I will get to it.

>48 msf59: What a lovely picture. Some dogs are so patient and caring with human puppies :-)

^I got to do some solo Jackson-sitting yesterday. Bree put him in his Halloween onesie. I read to him for the first time too, from Passing, which I had along with me. He seemed to be pretty absorbed for awhile and then I glanced down and he had dozed off. My famous monotone voice works like a lullaby.

>81 FAMeulstee: Both dogs are wonderful with him, Anita. And built in protection too. No one unwanted will come into that house.

-The Far Side

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you!

>73 msf59: Brrrr. But anything in pursuit of the birds, eh?

>74 lindapanzo: I was afraid of that. I had ordered the book on Amazon, but cancelled it before publication date.

>82 msf59: Eyes half mast, eyes open! Very cute.

edited to add: >84 msf59: LOL

>82 msf59: Awwww

Enjoy your weekend and all the Jackson time, Mark! Your reading Passing to him reminds me of when I was holding my niece when she was about five months old. She'd been napping while I read A Christmas Carol and when she woke up, to kinda keep her from fussing I started reading aloud, and she just stared at me, looking riveted.

Morning, Mark!

Yay for reading with Jackson!!

>84 msf59: Ha! I love Gary Larson.

>82 msf59: *baaawww* What a cutie.

Morning, Mark!

>82 msf59: What sweet photos of Jackson. I especially like the second one - he's going to be a charmer.

>85 karenmarie: This made ma laugh out loud!

>86 bell7: Happy Saturday, Mary. Yep, you can't beat that Jackson. I like your A Christmas Carol story too. How cute.

>87 scaifea: Hi, Amber. I may get some Jackson reading time in today too. Yah!

>88 richardderus: Hey, RD. Hooray for Mr. Larsen and precious Jackson.

>89 Crazymamie: Happy Saturday, Mamie. Glad you like the Jackson photos, but I am not at all surprised. He will be a charmer.

.Great Halloween pics of Jackson. I love Gary Larson too!

>82 msf59: Yep, it's all alright with Jackson, it's plain to see.

What cute Jackson pictures! It's nice when they start to smile, isn't it?

>91 mdoris: Happy Sunday, Mary. Hooray for Jackson & Larsen.

>92 quondame: It certainly is, Susan. Getting some quality time in.

>93 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. Even a subpar photographer couldn't fail with this kid and yes, that smile...

Hi Mark. Well, after a few quiet days, the feeder is back in business! I had my first 2 visitors yesterday, at dusk: Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal! And they were chatting up a storm, probably telling each other how excited they were to have found this place again! I hope the word gets out to the others who used to be regulars: goldfinches, nuthatches, house finches and maybe - hopefully - some juncos! Can't wait.

Hope you have a lovely Sunday. It's a mild one here but everything is sopping wet since we had rain all day yesterday.

>95 jessibud2: Happy Sunday, Shelley. You know I love hearing the feeder report. Glad to hear that the birds are slowly starting to return. My feeders have been crazy busy. The bulk have been house sparrows and they are heavy eaters. I am still seeing a couple of juncos too, nearly every day.

Love the new Jackson pictures, Mark. I think he gets cuter with each one.

Happy Sunday!

>97 alcottacre: Happy Sunday, Stasia. More photos to come. We love sharing this little guy.

>98 msf59: Woot!

'Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday and happy Halloween to you.

You missed me up there at >85 karenmarie:. Sorry about the cancelled brunch. Good luck to your Bears today. Our teams are both at 3-4 and I'd like to see it at 4-4.

Just a few Cardinals on the feeders so far this morning, but I saw a Carolina Chickadee on the cherry crunch suet feeder yesterday.

Morning, Mark! Happy Birthday to Sue! I was sad to read about the cancelled brunch over on Karen's thread. Poor Sue. Hoping Sean is feeling better very soon. Rae is also sick, but she tested negative for Covid, so yeah for that.

>85 karenmarie: >100 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen and thank you. Boy, I am slipping. Once again I read your post but by the time I went to post my replies...whoosh! I love the feeder report. Go Bears! Go Panthers!

>101 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I will pass that greeting onto Sue. Thanks. I just made her and my FIL omelets. They both seemed to enjoy it. Sean is feeling better. Sorry, Rae is not feeling well.

^Happy Birthday, Sue! Being a Grandma sure looks good on her.

Ah, I didn't realize it was Sue's Birthday! Wish her happy birthday from another of your LT friends.

>103 msf59: Happy Grandma Day to Sue! (Birthdays are so blah after a certain age, so let's celebrate the FUN thing!)

Happy birthday to Sue. She needs a new updated Grandma pic now that Jackson is so much bigger than that pic! ;-)

>103 msf59: Awww, that's a fabulous photo! Happy birthday Grandma Sue!

>103 msf59: Sue sure got a treasure for her birthday!

A Halloween Birthday for Sue - how cool - and how welcome with that little guy in her arms!

Best birthday wishes to Sue!

Happy birthday to Sue!

Happy birthday to your better half, buddy.

>103 msf59: Quite right; being a grandmother does look good on Sue.

Best wishes for her birthday from me too, Mark!

Belated happy birthday to Sue!

>82 msf59: Tee hee. He suits his onesie.

Birthday wishes to the birthday girl. Hope there was cake.

^Jack O' Lantern. Sue enjoyed her best birthday present- trick or treating with Jackson. I never liked dressing up either, so I completely understand his look.

Thanks, Karen, Richard, Shelley, Laura, Mary, Marianne, Susan, Mary, Paul, Stasia, Anita & Caroline. I passed along all your birthday wishes. It meant a lot to her- here and on FB.

>106 jessibud2: You got your wish, Shelley.

^My feeders have been crazy busy lately. I am having a hard time keeping up. This House Sparrow and Northern Cardinal have been regular visitors but the sparrows have been little piggies. They seem to dominate every feeder.

No worries, I have not gave up on the books but my FIL is still staying here and that has curbed my reading somewhat. I am getting behind on a few reviews too. I will get back on track this week.

Happy November!!

Sorry I missed Sue’s birthday! I’m glad it was a good one.

Morning, Mark!

Aw, look at that lil' pumpkin!! Charlie had a very similar pumpkin outfit for his first Halloween, and he also did not like it. I have a pretty funny photo of him expressing his distaste very clearly...

>119 drneutron: Sue did have a nice birthday, Jim. We just had to postpone Bree's birthday brunch, due to Sean being sick but at least Sue got to spend some time with Jackson.

>120 scaifea: Morning, Amber. I don't think babies are keen on wearing all that garb. I am not surprised baby Charlie felt the same way and all to our amusement too.

Awwww Jackson looks great in his costume! Maybe he'll grow to enjoy it more when he can choose the costume 😂

Pumpkin Jack! How adorable he looks.

(I hated dressing up too.)

‘Morning, Mark! Enjoy your chilly birding buddy adventure.

>116 msf59: Sweet pic of grandma and grandson. He does look a bit bemused.

>118 msf59: Yay for the feeder craziness. Happy November to you, too!

Hey, buddy. Lots of great photos of Jackson - and a belated Happy Birthday to Sue! I'm looking forward to photos from your new camera gear.

Looked like you had a good weekend. Sorry about our sorry Bears. The Bulls did well, beating previously unbeaten Utah. The Astros stayed alive. We didn't have as large a Halloween turnout as in past years, but it was fun. It was a day of mixed feelings - on Saturday we attended a funeral service for a neighborhood 19 year old boy who was training to be a pilot and died in a plane crash. We all knew him since he he was a little boy. Tough. His parents have been amazing. They urged us all to cary on with Halloween, as John had always loved it.

That's a pretty cute pumpkin.

>122 bell7: Thanks, Mary. He sure does. I am sure he be dressing up a lot over the years.

>123 richardderus: He sure is, RD. We can't get enough of him.

>124 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. It was a very chilly birding buddy venture. Never got out of the 30s. About 25 species of birds though. My feeders continue to HOP.

>125 jnwelch: Howdy, Joe. I hope my visitors are not tiring of the Jackson photos, because I have no intention of slowing down. Thanks in regards to Sue's birthday. We had a good day. The Bears were awful, especially in the second half but I am glad to see the Bulls are off to such a promising start. I know you have been waiting for that.

I am so sorry to hear about the young man from your neighborhood. How sad is that? Good luck to the family.

>126 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. He sure is.

>116 msf59: Cute.

>118 msf59: Lovely visitors Mark.

>128 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. Hooray for Jackson & feeder visitors. I will try to post more feeder pics.

>116 msf59: Adorableness overload!

Have a wonderful week, Mark!

>130 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. I hope you have a fine week too. Yep, I agree adorableness overload!

" Lily King's first-ever collection of exceptional and innovative short stories...Romantic, hopeful, brutally raw, and unsparingly honest, some even slipping into the surreal, these stories are, above all, about King's enduring subject of love."

I have really enjoyed Lily King last 2 novels, so I was looking forward to her debut story-collection, Five Tuesdays in Winter which comes out next week. I received an e-galley a couple of months ago. I am currently reading the first story and I like it.

>132 msf59: I saw that my local library has a copy of that one, but I need to read the one I own, Writers & Lovers, before I pick up her newest one.

>116 msf59: Nah, he's all "I'm so cool I can rock this look!" And he does!

>132 msf59: Ohhhh I loved Writers and Lovers Mark. Love the Halloween pics of Jackson.

>133 alcottacre: I loved Writers & Lovers, Stasia. I hope you feel the same.

>134 quondame: LOL. I think you might be on to something there, Susan.

>135 brenzi: I also loved Writers & Lovers, Bonnie. Was that the only King that you have read? Hooray for Jackson.

"Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time is one of the most entertaining reading experiences in any language and arguably the finest novel of the twentieth century."

A few of us are going to read Swann's Way later this month. This is the first of the In Search of Lost Time series. I have not read it before, so I thought it would be nice to read it as a small group. Anyone is more than welcome to join us, although I am not going to set up a different thread. I plan on starting it, around the 15th but it is strictly up to you.

Richard suggested finding the Lydia Davis translated version but I am having a hard time tracking that one down.

Morning, Mark! I love the Halloween photo - it is full of adorable! His look says, "Help Me." I have always called Daniel 'Pumpkin'.

I have the Lydia Davis translation - it's in the Penguin Deluxe Editions collection. I don't know what other editions it is in.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you!

>137 msf59: I just requested the Lydia Davis translation from my Library. I’m pretty sure it’s different from the Kindle edition I got for $0.00 in September, and will compare once I pick up the one from the Library.

Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Swanns-Way-Search-Penguin-Classics/dp/0142437964/

The other translations, the free ones, are Scott Moncrieff's. It's...tough sledding, shall we say.

>137 msf59: Tempting. I did get a third through while holidaying in Paris a few years back. I liked it, but don't know why I set it aside. Will ponder on joining you Mark.

Maybe one volume every 4 months?

Not sure who my translation is by. Will check and report.

I have a list a-building of all the authors selected for the American Author Challenge. The oldest list I've found was for 2014. When did you launch the AAC? Was it in 2014?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know.

>138 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. I never did get back on the laptop yesterday. Details to follow...Glad you like the Jackson photo. I picked up a copy of the Lydia Davis translation. Yah!

>139 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. A day late. I also picked up the Lydia Davis translation from my library. I like the size of the font.

>140 richardderus: Thanks for the heads-up on the Davis translation, Richard. It looks like we will all be reading that version.

>141 Caroline_McElwee: I hope you can join us, Caroline. More the merrier.

>142 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Yep, I started the AAC in 2014 and ran it for 5 years. That should be a helluva list, along with Linda's of course.

^Well, it was bound to happen- during a solo jaunt in the woods yesterday morning, I tripped heavily over a tree root and fell forward to the ground. I probably would have just been shaken up but I landed hard on my camera, which impacted my ribs. I sat down for a bit to catch my breath and then continued walking. The discomfort began to increase on my right side, so I carefully bee-lined it back to the parking lot. After some calls, (Sue was busy taking her Dad home) I drove myself to the doctor's office. I was really hurting at that point and it felt like I may have fractured something. Fortunately, the x-rays showed no breaks but the ribs were pretty battered. Looks like I will be laid up for a couple of days but at least I was able to sleep last night, albeit in one position for 8 hours. I should be able to get a lot of reading in.

*Surprisingly the camera was not damaged. I will check it out better today. Whew!

>144 msf59: Oh no! I'm so sorry that you fell, Mark! I'm glad you didn't break anything, though, ribs *or* camera!

Morning, Mark! I'm sorry about the fall. That's so scary, and I'm glad you were able to get yourself home. Take it easy because even bruised not broken ribs take a bit to heal. Hooray for the camera being undamaged.

>145 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. It just shows you have fast things can occur. Glad it wasn't worse.

>146 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie and thank you. I will be out of commission for a few days but at least that means more book time.

117) Bewilderment by Richard Powers 3.8 stars

“They share a lot, astronomy and childhood. Both are voyages across huge distances. Both search for facts beyond their grasp. Both theorize wildly and let possibilities multiply without limits. Both are humbled every few weeks. Both operate out of ignorance. Both are mystified by time. Both are forever starting out.”

“This late in the world’s story, everything was marketing. Universities had to build their brands. Every act of charity was forced to beat the drum. Friendships were measured out now in shares and likes and links. Poets and priests, philosophers and fathers of small children: we were all on an endless, flat-out hustle.”

Theo Byrne is a astrobiologist, raising his nine year old son, on his own since his wife died a few years before. Robin is a gifted child bursting with ideas and possessing a deep love for nature. He has also been growing more troubled and to avoid putting the boy on pyschoactive drugs, Theo decides to try an experimental neurofeedback treatment. This story is a riff on Flowers For Algernon, which is mentioned a few times in the narrative. Powers is a fine writer and I love his thoughts on nature and the cosmos but this one didn’t have the impact on me, the way his last novel The Overstory did. Still worth reading.

Yikes! I'm glad there wasn't any worse damage from the fall. And that the camera was saved. 😀

>149 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. I did manage to dodge a couple of bullets there but it will knock me out of commission for a few days.

118) Passing by Nella Larsen 4.2 stars

“It’s funny about ‘passing.’ We disapprove of it and at the same time condone it. It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. We shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it.”

This slim, beautifully written novel is about two women living in New York City in the 1920s. They were childhood friends together. One, Irene Redfield, is a black woman living an affluent life with her husband and children. The second is Clare Kendry, also a black woman but “passing” as a white woman. To complicate matters, her white husband is a stone-cold racist. This book was written in 1929 but I had never heard of it until recently. I am glad it landed on my radar. A little gem, that speaks volumes.

>144 msf59: Oh my. You could have done without that Mark. Being able to sleep would have helped. Glad the damage was not as bad as it could have been, and that the camera survived.

>148 msf59: Glad you enjoyed. It would have been hard to have matched Overstory Mark.

>151 msf59: Nice review, Mark. If you posted that, I will add my thumb - perfect quote.

Ooof! So sorry about your fall, Mark, but glad it wasn't worse. I guess being laid up to do some reading isn't so terrible...

Thanks, Mark, for confirming the first year of the AAC. You are correct that the list of what I've been calling the Honorees is long and distinguished.

Take care out in the woods. Those birdies are so distracting. Some downtime can be beneficial. You are busy man.

Also, ordered a copy of Lydia Davis' translation of Swann's Way. You know what that means.

>144 msf59: Wow, Mark, after Joe's fall, that picture was really scary!

What can you do for battered ribs, aside from sleeping on back,
which is a challenge for side sleepers...?

Yikes, wishing you fast healing!

>152 Caroline_McElwee: One of those freak occurrences, Caroline. I am also glad it wasn't worst.

>153 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. I did post the review. Maybe, you got there before I did.

>154 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. Yep, getting lots of reading in.

>155 weird_O: Funny, there were hardly any birds at all, Bill. I actually saw only one and that was on the way back to the parking lot. I sure hope that means you will be joining us on Swann's Way. I was wondering if you had read it before.

>156 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I am a side sleeper, alternating back and forth through the night but last night I stayed on my left side the entire night. I felt a stab of pain if I tried shifting at all.

>157 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I am also hoping for a speedy recovery.

^Jackson, waiting for me to read him another story. He can be a patient little guy. This was from Saturday.

>160 msf59: Sweet boy!

Steady on there, Old Paint, you're not allowed to move into the next realm just yet. Too much to do here yet!

Mark - Hope today is going better > Jackson looks like he's feeling bad for you too.

You might reconsider a Swann's Way thread - I just found my decades old copy upstairs
and it's a Penguin with a really pretty cover featuring "A New Translation by Lydia Davis."

Yeah, Mark. I'm in. Swannee, how I'm gonna luv ya, how I'm gonna luv ya, my dear old Swannee. I know. I'll shut up.

Hi Mark!

>144 msf59: Wow, I’m so sorry you tripped over a tree root. It sounds like it could have been much worse with broken ribs AND a broken camera, but taking it easy for a few days is a good idea.

>159 msf59: Not fun, having to sleep in one position. I hope you’re much improved today and 🤞 for a good night’s sleep.

>161 richardderus: Old Paint is hanging in there, Richard with no plans on moving onto the next realm. Just recovering and having a lazy day with the books.

>162 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I am doing better. Thanks. I would love you to join us on the Swann's Way group read. You have the perfect edition too.

>163 weird_O: Hooray, Bill and I love the Al Jolson bit. You never have to shut up on account of me.

Yikes, Mark! It could have been worse, though. You could have had the binoculars to your eyes and fallen on those. Eek, don't even want to think about that! Happy to hear nothing was broken, and recuperating at home with the books is not the worst way to recover. Keep the tylenol close and hang in there!

Just passing through and catching up, Mark. Sorry to read about your tumble - hope you are feeling better.

I also loved the photo in >116 msf59:. Sue sure has her arms full but she looks so happy. Being a grandparent is sure fun, isn't it. Even though mine are now 17 and 22, I still can feel myself light up when I see them.

Sorry to hear about your fall, Mark, but glad that it wasn't any worse. I hope it doesn't affect your Jackson cuddling time but good to realize there will be more reading time.

>144 msf59: Ouch, so sorry you fell, Mark, scary this happened when you were out alone.
Glad there wasn't anything broken, and even the camera survived.

Oh sorry to see you took a fall Mark. Take care of yourself grandpa😉

I've got Passing on my Kindle and hope to get to it eventually especially when I see you call it a "gem."

I'll pass on Swann's Way for now but may catch up with you at some point.

>144 msf59: Oh ouch! I hate falls, which seem altogether too frequent. Even when I remind myself to avoid momentum. Good about the camera.

>160 msf59: Aww!

>164 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I am feeling better. Thanks. Taking it slow and easy has definitely helped. I am sure I will sleep in one position again tonight but as long as it is successful, that is all that matters.

>166 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. I was wearing my binoculars, in my harness and they did not come into play, plus I normally don't have them in position when I am walking. They did give me stronger pain meds so those definitely helped.

>167 DeltaQueen50: Happy Wednesday, Judy. I am recovering and yes, we are loving being grandparents.

>168 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I am hoping to be in better shape on Friday, so I can cuddle with Jackson, if Bree needs me to stop by.

>169 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. It definitely could have been a lot worse. I am fortunate.

>170 brenzi: Thanks, Bonnie. Passing is a short novel, so you will blast through it pretty quickly. Sorry, you can't join us on Swann's Way. I am surprised that there was that so many of us old-school readers, that have still not tackled that one.

>171 quondame: It was definitely a reminder to take better care out there on the trails, Susan. This was an off-shoot trail and not the regular crushed limestone trail, I veered off of. These are the ones I have to be careful on.

Happy Wednesday, Mark! Sorry to hear about the fall. I do hope you are feeling better today.

Sorry about your fall. I'm really glad it's not worse and that you are starting to feel better. It's a scary thing when you are by yourself!

I won't join in the Swann's Way read, but I think I'll join you in The Highest Tide which I've had on Planet TBR for several years now.

>144 msf59: Oh No! Glad that nothing is broken. Sending speedy healing vibes your way.

Mark! I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. As everyone has said, it could have been a lot worse but still, it's no fun being laid up for a few days even if it does mean more reading time. I hope you heal quickly.

>174 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. One more day should put me back on track.

>175 streamsong: Thanks, Janet. It definitely could have been a lot worse. I hope you join us on The Highest Tide. I may start my copy as early as tomorrow or Friday.

>176 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs. I appreciate the healing vibes.

>177 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I may even be back on the trails this weekend, but I certainly won't rush it.

-Matt Wuerker

-Eastern Bluebird. These were from Monday's walk. A small flock, 7 or 8, migrating through.

^This is a photo I took after my fall on Tuesday, just to make sure the camera wasn't damaged. This is a better trail, than the one I tumbled on.

‘Morning, Mark! I hope you had a good night’s sleep and are feeling better.

>179 msf59: Ain’t that the truth! I simply cannot fathom resistance to the vaccines, especially among supposedly-intelligent people. I spoke with a cousin yesterday, who invited us for Christmas. “Are you vaccinated?” “No, we all had Covid in January.” “Sorry, Jenn, we’re not spending time with unvaccinated people.” “But we have natural immunity and our doctor said we don’t have to. We’re getting tested, too.” “I’ll think about it, but probably not.”

>180 msf59: Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.

>181 msf59: After your fall? My goodness.

>182 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. A bit sore and stiff this AM but I am hoping it is just the healing process. I was feeling pretty good by the end of the day yesterday. Glad you like the photos. Bluebirds are a favorite of mine.

>144 msf59: "it was bound to happen" Those of us who enjoy wandering around in remote places alone have to be so conscious of where our feet are. Mend well, and let's be careful out there!

>181 msf59: Gorgeous area! I am afraid if I found myself in such a place, I would not want to ever leave.

Happy Thursday, Mark!

>181 msf59: That is a beautiful shot Mark.

Glad the camera wasn't damaged.

Lovely bird shots too >180 msf59:. That wonderful blue sky.

>181 msf59:, >180 msf59: Lovely! And what a relief only your dignity was damaged in the fall.

>179 msf59: ...infuriating...

Thor's Day orisons!

>184 laytonwoman3rd: "Those of us who enjoy wandering around in remote places alone have to be so conscious of where our feet are." Amen to that, Linda. I will try and be more conscious but I am sure this will happen again at some point, since I have no desire to stop combing the trails.

>185 alcottacre: Sweet Thursday, Stasia. You really can't beat a walk in the woods on a colorful fall day. I have to remember to stay upright.

>186 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. I am also glad the camera wasn't damaged and a bit surprised, since I fell on it. Yep, bluebirds against a blue sky, you can't ask for better.

>187 richardderus: Hey, RD. My dignity didn't take a very hard hit, like my ribs did, mainly because I was alone. There weren't even birds there to to witness my graceless, tumble.

"One moonlit night, thirteen-year-old Miles O'Malley sneaks out of his house and goes exploring on the tidal flats of Puget Sound. When he discovers a rare giant squid, he instantly becomes a local phenomenon shadowed by people curious as to whether this speed-reading, Rachel Carson obsessed teenager is just an observant boy or an unlikely prophet."

Marianne was re-reading Border Songs (great book, BTW) awhile back and then also mentioned The Highest Tide which I owned but had still not read. Well, that was enough of a spark for me to pull it off the shelf and now it looks like there will one of two others joining me. Yah! I am 50 pages in and it hooked me immediately.



-Nudibranch. I am not sure I ever heard of these beautiful sea creatures before.

Sorry to hear about your fall, Mark. Hoping all is well (or will soon be). I know how that feels.

I finished the new Amor Towles book. It was OK but I expected much, much more.

My Early Reviewers win, historical fiction about World War 2, arrived today. The first win in two years or so for me. I rarely ever try for any lately.

My current read is the Hillary/Louise Penny political thriller, State of Terror. What a page turner. Now that baseball is done, I need to have something to do besides watch hockey so I'll probably see an uptick in my reading.

>190 lindapanzo: Sweet Thursday, Linda. Great to see you. I am feeling better each day. Bummer about the Towles. I am sure I will still give it a shot, at some point. Glad you got an ER win. I think the ER choices have been pretty lame for a couple of years of now. I am happy to hear your are enjoying the Hillary/Penny thriller.

>189 msf59: Nudibranch! What a lovely group of mollusks. We love them round here. Here's a Spanish Shawl that lives on the West Coast, specifically around our area. This one was being raised at the local marine museum that Laura volunteers at.



I might have to add The Highest Tide to the list.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you! I hope you’re continuing to improve and had a good night’s sleep. I’m up way too early, but will look forward to sunrise and bird breakfast time, which I seem to have been missing recently.

>189 msf59: Nudibranchs – I’ve posted them on my threads several times in the last couple of years. They are absolutely gorgeous.

>190 lindapanzo: Continuing evidence to not go out of my way for The Lincoln Highway, and I’m the outlier about State of Terror. Couldn’t get past page 20 or so. Not to say I won’t pick it up and be thrilled, sometime down the road.

>192 mahsdad: More nudibranchs! Such a wide variety of colors and shapes.

>192 mahsdad: Thanks for chiming in on the nudibranch, Jeff. See? This is why we read and have bookish friends. I like the Spanish Shawl up there.

>193 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sorry you were up so early. I hope you see something new & exciting at the feeders. I have been sleeping good. Thanks. I am just stiff and sore when I get up and I think it is from sleeping on my left side all night. Somehow, I missed you featuring the nudibranch on your thread. They are pretty stunning. I appreciate you sharing the images.

-Trogon. (NMP)

I met with several of my birding buddies last night. We are planning a Arizona birding adventure, for April. We will fly into Tucson. We have all ready booked our lodging. 7 straight days of birding and April looks like a perfect time to go. I have an early target list of 25 new birds and the Trogon, is at the top of the list, along with a stunning Phainopepla, (black cardinal):

>195 msf59: Those are both *gorgeous* creatures! Why would such beautiful things exist in such a horrible place?

...but then again, what's horrible to me is normal to them, so...

April will be here before you know it. The only problem you'll have is missing Jackson!

>195 msf59: What beautiful birds! Good luck to you and your birding buddies as you search for them. I am heading west in the spring too - a board gaming convention in Las Vegas in March. Sounds like we both have great reasons to "go west."

Happy Friday, Mark!

>195 msf59: An AZ birding trip sounds amazing, Mark. It will be super interesting to be in a part of the country where the flora and fauna are so different from home. I hope you are able visit Saguaro National Park and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, both fabulous spots for wildlife lovers.

And I assume you have this bird on your target list? 😀



(all kidding aside, I'm absolutely positive you'll see the real thing)

I'm so sorry to hear about your fall, Mark. Glad to hear you and your camera are both OK. Ribs are so painful when they are hurting though - ouch, ouch, ouch!!

Birding in AZ sounds like fun! (When I first saw your post, I thought it said NZ, and I thought, wow, that's some serious birding!)

In Arizona, I've only been to the Grand Canyon, but the California Condors were magnificent.

Hope you are having another good day of rest and reading.

What Bill said, Mark. Woo, your birding tumble was worse than I realized. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Maybe we can find some tasty anesthetizers this weekend.

I’m finishing Harlem Shuffle, which has been good, not great, but a solid good. I may read the new Amor Towles next. Happy Friday, and I hope you’re beginning a good weekend.

>196 richardderus: Hey, RD! I have been to Arizona a couple different times and really enjoyed it. Of course, I don't think I would like to live there, especially in the summer.

>197 alcottacre: Happy Friday, Stasia. Have a great time in Vegas. Not a fan of the place but I am sure you will have a wonderful time at the convention. Sue and I also have a Costa Rica trip planned for February. Another birding paradise.

>198 lauralkeet: Beep, beep...Laura. I will have to look up both Saguaro National Park & the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and see where they are in proximity to where we will be at. It looks like we will be mostly south and east of Tucson. Shortly after I started birding, we visited friends in Arizona and I saw my first roadrunner. Actually I saw several Lifers, including the state bird- the Cactus Wren.

>199 Copperskye: Happy Friday, Joanne. I am so glad I didn't break a rib, otherwise I would be out of action for awhile. Even bruised and battered, it is turning out to be a slow recovery. Funny, NZ is high on our Bucket List and we hope to get there in the next few years. Congrats on the magnificent condors. I hope to see one, one of these days.

>200 weird_O: Thanks, Bill. It has been a good day so far. I got to hang out with Jackson for a few hours and while he slept I got a little reading in.

>201 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe. Yep, it was a hard fall. I truly thought I had broke something. I did dodge that bullet. A "tasty anesthetizer" or two will certainly help. I am sure I will give Harlem Shuffle a try but it sounds like the killer roll he was on, came to be a bit of a halt.

^Little Bee's Flower is an ER book that I just received the other day and I got to read it to Jackson this morning. Cute little book. He was certainly riveted but I also think he wanted me to read more of The Highest Tide to him.

>195 msf59: Exciting to have a plan to look forward too Mark.

Glad you are on the mend.

>204 msf59: Hi to your little nature reader.

>204 msf59: What a completely precious image!

>204 msf59: You will read this book now! There! wasn't that fine!
So cute.

>204 msf59: Start 'em off right!

SO glad you didn't actually break any ribs. I know from family experience (thank goodness not mine) that broken ribs present some nasty challenges. My father foolishly went out on an icy day to get the newspaper and did what he called a Fred Flintstones flop, breaking three of those things. He couldn't turn over in bed for a month without seeing stars.

So please don't do this again! Glad you're improving.

>195 msf59: Mark - Try to find free time in Tucson for The Sonora Desert Museum and nearby Saguaro Forest!

Relatives in Tucson say just to be careful of the many mask less.

Hope you find many Lifers...and

I bet Jackson wanted to hear more about High Tide's Giant Squid!

>204 msf59: Looks like Jackson approves of the book! A budding reader right underneath our noses :)

My dad showed me this video this morning and it's really interesting: https://youtu.be/D2t4u_tEefM

>205 Caroline_McElwee: Happy Friday, Caroline. We also have a Costa Rica trip coming up in February, so 2022 is slowly taking shape. Hooray for my little nature reader!

>206 richardderus: He is a precious little guy, RD.

>207 quondame: A perfect analysis, Susan.

>208 laytonwoman3rd: You got that right, Linda. I am tryin'...

>209 ffortsa: Happy Friday, Judy. Great to see you. Yes, I dodged a bullet with not breaking a rib or two. Sorry, your Dad couldn't get lucky. I will try to be more careful but it definitely won't slow me down.

>210 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I hope I can check out those places in Arizona. It looks like we will mostly be on our own during this birding trip, so we shouldn't be in the public very much. I will make sure to wear a mask when I do. I should be able to tick off a nice amount of Lifers.

>211 alcottacre: Jackson is off to a good start, right? A future LTer? Too soon?

>212 SilverWolf28: Was this meant for me, Silver? Are you a robot?

>214 msf59: For you or whoever, your thread is one of the few I read and I put it on all of them.

>204 msf59: This is lovely! I bet the author would be delighted to see their ER book getting out to little readers like this.

>215 SilverWolf28: Okay thanks, Silver. I am just making sure. I will check out the video link.

>216 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I am glad you like the Jackson/ER photo. I will see if I can include it in my little review.

Autumn

In the dreamy silence
Of the afternoon, a
Cloth of gold is woven
Over wood and prairie;
And the jaybird, newly
Fallen from the heaven,
Scatters cordial greetings,
And the air is filled with
Scarlet leaves, that, dropping,
Rise again, as ever,
With a useless sigh for
Rest—and it is Autumn.

-Alexander Posey From Poem-A-Day

120) Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King 4.2 stars

This is a terrific collection of ten stories, dealing with love, loss and discovery. Many of the main characters are children or young adults, trying to find a foothold in their approaching adulthood. One of my favorites is about a young boy who is left home while his parents are in Europe. He is left in the care of a pair of rambunctious college sophomores and is taught more about life in those few weeks than he had in his entire childhood. Another favorite is the title story, about a bookshop owner. He is a single father with a teenage daughter and he falls hopelessly in love with a young woman that works in his shop. I loved King’s last two novels and I am glad to see that she is just as deft at short fiction. She has quickly become a favorite.

**Thanks to Edelweiss for giving me an e-galley of this one.

>204 msf59: Look at that sweet little grin! I love it! And I love that his outfit matches the book, too!

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you.

>195 msf59: Exciting news, and gorgeous birds. Wow.

>198 lauralkeet: I saw roadrunners when I was little, and we were camping at Lake Isabella in California. Once or twice only, but we were pretty excited.

>204 msf59: Jackson and a book. Yay.

>220 scaifea: He is beginning to smile more and more, Amber and WE LOVE IT!! The outfit and the book cover were a pure accident.

>221 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yep, we are pumped about the Arizona birding trip. Glad you got to see a roadrunner. I am sure we will see more of them in April. I am sure I will be sharing a lot more Jackson & books pics.

The Lily King seems to be getting a lot of praise! I got turned down for it. *sniff* I'm glad it succeeded, though. I really enjoyed (most of) Euphoria.

A good weekend is here, Mark. I just know it'll be good.

>213 msf59: I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica, I shall be watching for your stories and photos Mark.

>223 richardderus: I requested Five Tuesdays in Winter a couple of months ago. I am surprised you were denied it, Richard. I am sure you have a much higher rating than I do.

>224 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. It is beautiful here in the Midwest. The fall colors are really popping. Getting lots of reading in too.

>225 Caroline_McElwee: We have talked about going to Costa Rica for awhile, Caroline. We can't wait! And we have it all booked too.

-Sunflower Seastar

"If there is poetry in my book about the sea it is not because I deliberately put it there but because no one could write truthfully about the sea and leave out poetry."

-Rachel Carson



-Sea Cucumber

^All featured in The Highest Tide.

>226 msf59: It's not solely about ratings, though. Some of it is timing. Anyway, they can say no but they can't have a review in that case!

>219 msf59: I still need to read Writers & Lovers first.

>227 msf59: I see you have been busily looking up the sea creatures too. I love the Internet just for that reason as I am doing the same!

>219 msf59:. I thought Five Tuesdays in Winter was a good read too. You highlighted my favorite stories.

>228 richardderus: You are correct, Richard. I am sure it can also be about timing but I do know you read and review many more e-galleys than I do.

>229 alcottacre: I am sure you will enjoy Writers & Lovers, Stasia. Glad you got a copy at hand. I am fast-approaching the 200 page mark in The Highest Tide.

>230 alphaorder: Happy Saturday, Nancy. I think I liked Five Tuesdays in Winter more than you did. She is such a special talent. Are you reading the new Strout?

>231 msf59: I will be catching up on The Highest Tide tonight, Mark. Are you still planning to complete the book by tomorrow?

>232 alcottacre: Yes, Stasia. I have less than 40 pages left.

>233 msf59: And, is Jackson enjoying the faces and sounds you make for The Giant Squid, the Sea Urchins...?

Happy Sunday!

>195 msf59: Oh My! That tails is stunning.

>235 figsfromthistle: Happy Sunday, Figs. I am sure hoping to see a Trogon on my Arizona trip.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you. Looks like your Bears play the Steelers tomorrow night, so looks like a books, beer, ...baby?... day for you. Hope it's a good one and I hope the aches and pains are going away.

>237 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yep, Bears play tomorrow night so that frees up my afternoon, so I am going to go into the city and visit with Joe. It has been a few months. Lots of catching up to do.



^From a few years ago.

Sadly, Carlos Ruiz Zafón died last year at the age of 55. They are now releasing a posthumous collection of stories, The City of Mist: Stories later this month. I am a big fan of Zafon's work, so I would love to read this, although I still need to read The Labyrinth of the Spirits, the final book in his The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series.

>238 msf59: You've got that right. It was worse when Jenna was little, and if Bree's got Jackson on a schedule, it's now out of whack for a few days.

>239 msf59: How exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time. Tell Joe hi from me.

>240 msf59: *shudder* He died of colorectal cancer. My sister survived a stage-3A diagnosis of same. I've never read anything by him, but have two on my shelves - The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game. If you've read both, did you like one more than the other?

>241 karenmarie: I definitely recommend starting with The Shadow of the Wind and then take it from there. Glad to hear your sister survived her stage-3A. Whew!

>242 msf59:, >241 karenmarie:, >240 msf59: Carlos Ruiz Zafón's death was a nasty one, and far, far too soon. I'm glad to see the stories coming out. I hope they're good!

Horrible, this is a perfect season to read The Shadow of the Wind. I hope you'll bookhorn it in somehow or other.

You and Joe have a terrific time at the meet-up today, and don't forget to take pictures!

>243 richardderus: Happy Sunday, Richard. Yep, very sad about Zafon and I completely agree with you on The Shadow of the Wind. Go Horrible! I am sure I will have a fine time with Joe today.

>240 msf59: I will definitely have to pick that one up!

>241 karenmarie: The Shadow of the Wind for the win! I think I have read it at least 3 times now and never tire of it. Let me know if you would like a reading partner for that one, Karen.

Have a wonderful Sunday, Mark! Please give Joe a hug from me. I would love to meet you both IRL some time.

>238 msf59: I've seen that cartoon with a different call-and-response, and it made me think of using it for books.
"What do we want?" "More Books!"
"When do we want them?" "Now!"
"Where will we put them?" "We don't know!"

>239 msf59: You guys are plotting something. Maybe even something nefarious. Those smiles are the perfect cover.

I've read the first to volumes of that quartet, and I stacked the third and fourth volumes atop my chest of drawers with other books I intended to read this year. And there they are: Mount Good Reading Intentions.

>238 msf59: So true Mark. I hate both time changes and of course, whyyyyyyy!!!

>239 msf59: Great picture! It's been a rough year, but there are compensations for sure.

>246 weird_O: I think that was the first iteration I saw, but well, who can remember last week, no to mention last month or last year. I completely slept through my extra hour, which was probably the best use of it, but I miss savoring it.

>245 alcottacre: "The Shadow of the Wind for the win!" Yah, Stasia! We delivered the requested hugs today, my friend. Great time with Joe. Never expected less...

>246 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. I love your reconfigured "call & response" idea. I am all in. We had a great time at the Meet Up and yes plots were hatched.

>247 brenzi: I think many of us, feel the same way, Bonnie.

>248 quondame: Hi, Susan. That photo was from a few years ago but there is one from today, that I will post shortly. Yep, BOO on the time change.

^Great Meet Up today with Joe. First time in a few months and we picked an absolutely perfect late fall day. It was gorgeous. This was at Begyle Brewing. They required proof of vaccine before we could order and fortunately we both were able to comply.

>250 msf59:. Ha! Great pic. That was one nice guy who took it. What a day for a meetup! Sitting outside in November, wow. We sure can pick ‘em. Great to see you, buddy. We covered a lot of ground, per usual, so good thing I emailed myself some of your recommendations!

>250 msf59: Another great photo! Neither of you seems to have noticed the years at all!

>250 msf59: Great photo! No wonder y'all're smiling, it's round two...be more surprising if you weren't, actually.

>250 msf59: Nice!

>249 msf59: Yay for the hugs!

>250 msf59: Great picture of you both!

>250 msf59: So good you two had a meet-up, Mark and Joe.
Thanks for sharing the pictures, this one and the previous are so similair.

Love the meetup photo! And hurray for meetups, in general.

Wonderful meet-up photo! I'm jealous on both sides.

>251 jnwelch: Hey, Joe. I am sure next time we get together we won't be meeting outside but this day was perfect. Great hanging out with you, bud.

>252 quondame: Thanks, Susan. The phot definitely caught our mood.

>253 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. It was actually round three or four. We had a couple with lunch too. B.A.G.

>254 drneutron: I hope you could join us one of these days, Jim.

>255 alcottacre: Funny, as soon as I walked in Joe's house, he said- "Here's Stasia's hug." Smiles...

>256 FAMeulstee: I think all of our photos have us in a similar pose, Anita. LOL.

>257 lauralkeet: I agree, Laura. I hope our day will come one of these years.

Cheers to you both! Great pic. It was great weather here too that should last another couple of days before November remembers what it's supposed to be like! ;-)

>258 scaifea: We love our Meet- ups, don't we, Amber? Just don't get enough of them.

>260 jessibud2: Cheers, Shelley and Good Morning! It is supposed to be beautiful here for the next couple of days and then reality comes roaring back later in the week.

"Mahmood Mattan is a fixture in Cardiff's Tiger Bay, 1952, which bustles with Somali and West Indian sailors, Maltese businessmen and Jewish families. He is a father, chancer, petty criminal. He is a smooth-talker with rakish charm and an eye for a good game. He is many things, but he is not a murderer."

^This Booker finalist had been on my radar and thanks to Ellen, I now have a copy of it. I am starting The Fortune Men today. It should be my last print read, before starting Swann's Way.

>262 msf59: It sounds like something you'll really be able to get your teeth into! I hope it meets and exceeds your expectations.

‘Morning, Mark! Good luck with your Bears tonight. And I hope you are able to get out on that solo walk today.

>242 msf59:, >243 richardderus:, >245 alcottacre: Thank you. I already had it tagged ‘2021 read’, but I haven’t been very good at looking at that list instead of reading all the shiny new books that LTers recommend and that have come into the house. It’s been on my shelves almost 6 years. I just fetched it from the Library. I had to get past book-donation bags 3-deep and replaced it with an unread book from the Sunroom.

>245 alcottacre: Stasia – I’m having such a wonderful time with our shared read of Girl Waits with Gun that I’ll take you up on that one. Up next is Swann's Way for me, though.

>250 msf59: Very nice pic, glad you guys could get together. Good for the ‘no vaccine proof, no service’.

>251 jnwelch: I’ve started emailing myself reminders of books and other things to my email, too, Joe. *smile*

>250 msf59: >251 jnwelch: Ha, great to see you guys together again.

Happy start to the week, buddy. Back to work? No way! But it is back to working out, darn it. Still smiling from yesterday. . . I hope you enjoy the GNs and poetry.

>263 richardderus: Getting ready to dig in, Richard.

>264 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Looking forward to your thoughts on The Shadow of the Wind. I am so glad and not at all surprised that you are enjoying Girl Waits with Gun. And hooray for Meet Ups. They are the best.

>265 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. Yep, we always have a great time together. Never a dull moment.

>266 jnwelch: Hey, Joe. Good luck on that workout today. Work off some of those brews. 😁
And thanks again for all great poetry and GNs.

>262 msf59: Hope this works well for you Mark. I was impressed. And also shocked - another bit of history I missed in school.

>269 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. 50 pages into The Fortune Men and I am impressed too. Glad to hear you are a fan of it.

^We have a pair of burning bushes in front of our garage and they were really popping today, with that autumn shine lighting 'em up.

>271 msf59: Aren't they glorious?!

>271 msf59: They're beautiful!

>240 msf59:
I have read the entire Barcelona Quartet or the Cemetery of Forgotten Books (either series name works) and recommend it. All of the books are good. The first one and the last one are terrific, but the middle ones let the reader in on so much more of the story. Zafon is an atmospheric author and it is easy to get lost in the atmosphere and think these are just works of fiction. They are really based in Spanish history. All of them are set in the Franco years - from beginning to end, and that is a very different Spain than the Spain of today. Zafon is a great author.

Mark,

At this stage of life it isn't going to matter what you read to Jack. Just read. Studies show that the more words a child hears the better. It is all about exposure. When you talk to him use a big vocabulary. Adult books, children's books. It doesn't matter. What matters is words.

>271 msf59: Gorgeous.

>272 richardderus: >273 SilverWolf28: >276 Caroline_McElwee: Actually the photo does not do it justice at all, Richard, Silver & Caroline.

>274 benitastrnad: >275 benitastrnad: Hey, Benita. I need to bookhorn in the last book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. I think I have it on my Kindle. "it isn't going to matter what you read to Jack. Just read." That is my approach too, with little Jack.

See, this is what happens when I'm too busy to check threads! I just saw on Amber's that you are on the mend. What?!
So I read your thread and discovered you little tumble. Shwew! Glad ribs are bruised but intact. I hope each day brings you closer to your ole self.

>250 msf59: I'm jealous. Would love to join you two guys for a pint or three. One day soon, I hope.

>262 msf59: I enjoyed it, Mark and I hope you will too.

>274 benitastrnad: I must agree with Benita. Zafon was a wonderful writer.

Love the meet up pic Mark. I predict that you will really like The Fortune Men. At least I did and...well...that's a pretty good sign🥴

Sorry about that fall, Mark, hope you are continuing to improve.

I think I will look up Passing; I just finished The Vanishing Half, so I'm interested.

>281 banjo123: - I read Passing eons ago but recently acquired The Vanishing Half. Hope to get to it soon.

>259 msf59: Yay, Joe!

>264 karenmarie: That will give me time to find my copy again. Pretty sure I know where it is though :)

>271 msf59: Gorgeous!

I wanted to let you know that I finished When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky tonight and thoroughly enjoyed my time with that book. Thanks again for the recommendation, Mark!

>271 msf59: Morning, Mark! We've got one of those, too, although not so big, and they're gorgeous. Yours looks amazing!

>278 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Good to see you. Just minor drama over here. You didn't miss much. Yes, it has been a week since my tumble, still sore but feeling much better.

>279 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul. We would love hosting you in Chicago. I hope it happens. I am enjoying The Fortune Men. I agree on Zafon.

>280 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. Glad you like the Meet Up pic. Good time, as always. I am enjoying The Fortune Men. I should read a nice chunk today.

>281 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. I can't believe it has been a week, since that tumble. I am doing better. I think Passing would be a perfect companion piece to The Vanishing Half. I did not think of that before.

>282 jessibud2: I did not care for Bennett's first novel, but I really enjoyed The Vanishing Half.

>283 alcottacre: Morning, Stasia. Hooray for the burning bush and I am so glad to hear you enjoyed When Two Feathers. I hope you warble about it, a bit. I would like more of my pals to read it.

>284 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Honestly, the photo does not do the burning bush justice. The colors were fiery red.

>137 msf59: OK, I pulled my edition off of the shelf (bought the set for my 40th birthday in 2000, and got 25% through Swann's Way while on holiday in Paris 10 years later). It is the CK Moncrieff/Terence Kilmartin revised by DJ Enright edition.

I won't start till the end of the month, beginning of December.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you!

>271 msf59: Gorgeous.

>275 benitastrnad: I agree 100% Lots of reading, and make it part of the bedtime ritual. When they get old enough toddle around, let them pick what they want to have you read to them. You’ll groan when they pick the same book 3 weeks in a row and want it read multiple times, but it’s worth it.

Good morning, buddy. KInda glum out there. if you had a fleeting glimpse of a fall image, that was me thinking i was on my own thread. I need more coffee!

Hope you have a good one. The Towles continues to be a treat.

Happy Tuesday, Mark! There's a feeding frenzy at my bird feeders. Do they know something we should know too?

A week and no further slip-and-crunch events. That's a good thing...now we can all stop watching you for signs of neurological issues. *whew*

>287 Caroline_McElwee: I am so glad to hear you will be joining us on Swann's Way, Caroline. And I thought I was one of the only ones that had not read it.

>288 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Hooray for our burning bush. Thanks for chiming in on the childhood reading. This is one thing I am really looking forward to.

>289 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Finally made it out on a walk today. A couple of hours too. Yes, it was cool and overcast but I loved being out there. Glad you are continuing to enjoy the Towles.

>290 Carmenere: Happy Tuesday, Lynda. Hooray for the feeding frenzy at your feeders. Anything interesting? Mine have been kind of quiet.

>291 richardderus: Hey, RD. It has been a week since my tumble and I finally got out birding and hiking today. It felt great, with little or no discomfort. You would have to ask Sue about the "neurological issues." I am clueless.

>293 msf59: LOL--glad you got out today--with or without neurological issues! Now sit back, relax and don't overdo a good thing--muscles and ribs take time.

Love all the pics (as usual), especially Jackson >204 msf59: and the burning bush >271 msf59: , and can always count on this thread for a much-needed smile.

My RL book club is reading Passing this month, and I'm the "host"--meaning I get to ask the discussion questions, and everyone else does the talking :)
...and if you have any questions about the book that you think would get people talking, I'd be glad to include them...

>294 kac522: Hi, Kathy. Great to see you and thanks for the advice. I am glad I can bring a smile to your face when you drop by. Jackson has brought us a lot of joy. I think Passing is a fine choice for your RL book club and I am sure you will do a fine job mediating.