Joe's Book Cafe 3 of 2022

Art by Sally Bartos

2022 Reads

January

1. Murder in Material Gain by Anne Cleeland
2. Nubia: Real One by L.L. Mckinney*
3. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
4. Graceling The Graphic Novel by Kristin Cashore and Gareth Hinds*
5. Cheer Up! Love And Pompoms by Crystal Frasier*
6. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
7. Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
8. Sharpe’s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell
9. Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder*
10. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
11. You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti

February 2022

12. Call Us What We Carry by Amanfda Gorman
13. My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies by Ed Brubaker*
14. Velvet was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
15. Noor by Nnedi okorafor
16. Aeneid by Vergil (Lombardo trans.)
17. Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
18. Dark Horse by Gregg Hurwitz
19. The Maid by Nita Prose
20. Cruel Summer by Ed Brubaker
21. This is Happiness by Niall Williams

March 2022

22. Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
23. Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
24. Laila Starr by V. Ram*
25. The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang
26. Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor
27. Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci*
28. The Big Sleep Annotated by Raymond Chandler and Owen Hill
29. The Maid by Nita Prose
30. Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 5 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
31, Murder in Immunity by Anne Cleeland

*denotes an illustrated work. E.g, a graphic novel or children's book

My Top 5 Favorites for 2021

Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson

World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatahil

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker

Matrix by Laura Goff

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

The LT Members Top 5 Picks for 2021 page is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/337286

Favorites of 2021

Fiction

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Bewilderment by Richard Powers

Matrix by Lauren Goff

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozecki

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghey

House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp

Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Long Bright River by Liz Moore

Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce

Cheerfully, Yours by AJ Pearce

Nonfiction

The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson

World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin

Science FIction

The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

Poetry

Good Bones by Maggie Smith

You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson

Young Adult

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker

Graphic Novels

Mary’s Monster by Lita Judge

Little Victories: Autism Through a Father’s Eyes by Yvon Roy

Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo

Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir by Bishak
Som

not a new photo, but Rafa and Fina with Abuelo and Abuela and our son and DIL

Sally Bartos

Currently reading:
The Big Sleep Annotated by Raymond Chandler
The Family Chao by Samantha Chang

Just started Metamorphoses by Ovid Stanley Lombardo translation

Hi, Joe! Got any joe? I do. And a fastnacht to eat with the joe. 'Tis fastnacht season.

Happy new thread!

>1 jnwelch: Brilliant in multiple ways!

>5 jnwelch: I love it the 2nd? time just as much.

>6 jnwelch: Awesome.

Happy new one! That's some great art up top, as usual.

Happy new thread, Joe!

>1 jnwelch: You found a fine artist for your toppers again.

>6 jnwelch: So beautiful.

Happy new one, Joe.

>8 weird_O:. Bill, you have an exceptional sixth sense for when I’m starting a new thread! If getting in the new cafe door was an Olympic event, you’d be taking the gold medal on a regular basis.

I’m glad you’ve got some java. I had to look up fastnacht - a pre-Lent fried donut, right? Enjoy!

>9 quondame:. Thanks, Susan! I’m glad you’re enjoying the art and the grandkiddles photo (x2). >6 jnwelch: is awesome, isn’t it? I love her bold colors.

>10 drneutron:. Thanks, Jim! I’m glad you like the art. We all can use some bright color about now, right?

>11 FAMeulstee:. Thanks, Anita! Doesn’t Sally Bartos do beautiful work?

11. Thanks, Paul.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Joe!

>1 jnwelch: Beautiful art, love the colors, and the textures.

New thread orisons, Joe. I really enjoyed the Bartos artwork!

>16 richardderus: What Richard said! The Bartos works make me think of Joan Baez's cheery de Colores.

Happy new thread Joe!

Very colourful artwork up top. Does this café run to Kirs? It's that time of the afternoon, over here.

Hi Joe, mate, Happy New Thread and what great art as your thread topper.

>14 figsfromthistle:, >15 EllaTim:, >16 richardderus:, >17 laytonwoman3rd:, >18 humouress:, >19 johnsimpson:

Thanks, Anita, Ella, Richard, Linda, Nina and John!

I’m very glad everyone is enjoying the Sally Bartos artwork! Linda, I’ll check out the Joan Baez colores, and Nina, we’ll search for some kirs. I believe that’s a first for the cafe.

I finished the good and charming Keeper of Lost Things, recommended by Madame MBH, who appreciates all the happy birthday wishes she received here. As those of you on Facebook know, she’s been enjoying her chocolate birthday cake throughout the day, including breakfast.

Happy new thread, Joe! The artwork and family photo are enough to brighten a grey day.

>21 Familyhistorian:. Oh good, Meg, thanks! It’s that time of year when I think we all can use a day-brightener.

Sorry I missed Debbi's birthday, Joe. Please wish her a belated Happy Birthday from me :)

Snagging a seat on your newest thread, Joe, and hoping to keep up from here. Happy Wednesday!

>23 alcottacre:. Thanks, Stasia. I’ll pass it on, and I know she’ll appreciate it. She’s walklover in the 75er group, if you ever want to stop by there.

>24 Crazymamie:. Good to see you here, Mamie. Happy Mid-week!

>18 humouress: thanks for your patience, Nina. We found the kirs.

The United States Mint has announced the official designs for the first five coins in the American Women Quarters Program. The notable women pictured include Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren and Anna May Wong. 💁‍♀️ https://bit.ly/3yVAVw4

>26 jnwelch: Pretty! My favorite variation on the basic kir:

Because who doesn't love Chambord?! (awaiting nay-sayage in 3...2...1...)

>28 richardderus: OK....I don't love Chambord...by itself. But I will happily take a kir, thankyouverymuch.

>29 laytonwoman3rd: As it's in the context of a kir, would you say no just because it's Chambord not crême de cassis?

>30 richardderus: No, no...I would definitely take Chambord in a kir. I am not much of a fan of any liqueur straight. It's not the flavor, it's the intensity, I guess.

>31 laytonwoman3rd: I've never seen the appeal of most liqueurs as drinks, myownself. They make excellent mixers and ingredients because they're so powerful, but that also makes most unpleasant even as sippin' stuff for me.

Kahlúa and Chambord and Chartreuse are the exceptions to my own rule.

>26 jnwelch: A bit different to the usual version but yummy-looking nevertheless. And with ice, too; thanks Joe.

>28 richardderus: I'm quite happy to have that, too. Though I haven't tried it with Chambourd yet.

>27 jnwelch: 'Mankiller' seems a little too 'on the nose' in this context, maybe?

>27 jnwelch:. “Mankiller” struck me, too, Nina. She was head of the Cherokee nation. This should help inspire people to find out more about these women.

I’m glad the kirs meets approval; sure looked good to me. We love Chambord.

>28 richardderus:. Looks delish, RD. As I mentioned to Nina, we love Chambord. My parents always had it on hand, and it was a treat when we visited.

That's a colorful thread topper you have there!

Today’s Bargain: Alif the Unseen by G.Willow Wilson For $1.99 on e-readers. A very good “jinn” story.

Sweet Thursday, Joe! Happy New Thread! I am back, my friend but it will take me awhile to catch up on the threads. Thank you for all your warming posts. I see that you have read 7 books this month already. Great job. I have read one. LOL. But it was excellent: In the Time of Butterflies. You have read it, right?

>29 laytonwoman3rd:, >30 richardderus:, >31 laytonwoman3rd:, >32 richardderus:

Enjoying the kir, Chambord discussion. Chambord, kahlua and Irish cream are all okay by me. I’ve never tried creme de cassis.

>35 thornton37814:. True story, Lori. I hope you like the toppers.

>37 msf59:. Good to see you back, Mark! Yes, it’s been a good reading month so far. You might like Velvet was the Night and Keeper of Lost Things. And you definitely would like the GN My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies. Very dark, very good, by my favorite duo, Brubaker and Phillips.

>36 jnwelch: Yes, that's a good one. I finished it shortly before I joined LT, so no review by me recorded.

>38 jnwelch: Runs off to pour some Kahlua in a bit of Bailey's.......

>40 quondame:. Isn’t Alif the Unseen a good one, Susan? Hard to describe. Enjoy the kahlua/Bailey’s.

Happy Friday, Sir Joseph. I put up a review link to my blog on my new thread because the book's important but the review needed so many links I just couldn't face doing all that work *again*.

I also posted it on ye olde book page: Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World: What China's Crackdown Reveals About Its Plans to End Freedom Everywhere if that's easier to get to.

But it's one I think you'll want to read. Very sobering, very urgent.

>27 jnwelch: Anna May Wong and Sally Ride. Be my pick for a great dinner party! And Maya Angelou too.

Hi Joe...there's a season two of Russian Doll coming soon! Here's a teaser of what they're doing.

Happy Sunday, Joe. Slowly getting caught up around here. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I did get a little birding in yesterday but these frigid temps kept me from being out very long. Should be better next week. I am enjoying The Memory of Love. I have not started a GN yet. Any favorite for today's game? I do not. Just hoping for a really good game.

This was my favorite sighting while in CR:

Hi Joe - It's my 78th Birthday today and guess what came in the mail?

A lovely circular floral box of Pastries and Candy from the Wine Country -

featuring a Madeleine!

>42 richardderus: Hi, RD. Thanks for the link. I'll read the review with interest.

How about we trade your reading Agent of Change for my reading Today Hong Kong?

>43 magicians_nephew: Please add me to your dinner party, Jim. That sounds great.

>44 richardderus: Hurrah! Thanks, Richard. We loved Russian Doll. Can't wait.

>45 msf59: Happy Sunday, Mark - Puppy Bowl Sunday! and the Super Bowl. Man, NBC has the Olympics this year and the Super Bowl! Quite the coup.As we texted, I'm hoping the underdog Bengals can pull it off.

I'll look forward to your take on The Memory of Love. I wasn't grabbed by Happiness. I'm near the end of the GNs Cruel Summer by my favorite duo, and Dare to Disappoint, which is getting a lot of LT love. My regular books are Akata Woman and Olga Dies Dreaming.

Cool photo of your favorite CR sighting. What a fun trip that must've been.

>46 m.belljackson: Happy Birthday, Marianne! Enjoy your special day, and enjoy that Proustian madeleine.

My sister's pug Roxie wishing hard for psychokinetic powers

Happy new thread, Joe! >49 jnwelch: super cute!

>49 jnwelch: Love it Joe.

>50 banjo123:. Thanks, Rhonda!😅

>51 Caroline_McElwee:. Isn’t she a sweetie, Caroline?

A Valentine’s Day poem by Ethelbert Miller:

Crossing the Line

for Maria

Sitting across the table from you

I think back to when our friendship

came down from the mountains.

It was a cold day and the miners

had not left for work.



You break a cookie in half like bread

and this sharing is what we both now need.

That which breaks into crumbs are memories.

Your gray hair cut short and you ask if I notice.



How can I tell you that Bolivia will always be

beautiful and everything I notice is you

and yes is you. Our napkins folded in our hands.

Folded as if our meeting now is prayer.



Did I ever tell you that your eyes are a map

and I would lose myself if you ever turned away

Reading together; location unidentified.

>54 jnwelch: The Balkans? Anatolia? It makes little difference, they look like they're future LTers.

>49 jnwelch: I suspect she achieved it two seconds after the camera turned off. :0)

Today’s Bargains: The Chaneysville Incident by David Bradley, and Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf, the first for $1.99 on e-readers and the second for $2.99. The first is a Pen/Faulkner award winner and NBA finalist that deserves to be better-known, and the second is the bittersweet last book of one of our best authors.

>55 richardderus:. Agreed, RD. I look forward to their joining us.

>56 humouress:. Her human father commented, Nina, that “the force is strong in this one”.😅

>58 jnwelch: Knew it!

>59 humouress:. 😂

>57 jnwelch: Oh, I remember The Chaneysville Incident...that probably deserves a re-read one of these days.

>61 laytonwoman3rd:. Wasn’t The Chaneysville Incident a good one, Linda? To me, it should be highlighted more often among the important novels of the past half century.

Happy Monday, Joe!

The Super Bowl was quite a game. It did not turn out the way I hoped, but thought it was entertaining contest. The commercials, especially some of the trailers, were pretty cool. The Lord of the Rings trailer was more compelling in action and emotion than I expected.

>54 jnwelch: Cute picture.

>63 brodiew2:. Hiya, Brodie. That was quite a Super Bowl game, for sure. The Bengals can hold their heads up high. We thought the ads were a bit tame this year. I missed the LOTR trailer, darn it.

Roxie is a cutie, isn’t she.

Today’s Bargain: Longbourn by Jo Baker for $1.99 on e-readers. I thought this was a terrific Downstairs complement to Pride and Prejudice.

Hi Joe. I love the Sally Bartos art...and I also love that you are reading This is Happiness. I am a big fan of Niall Williams. I may never get to Ireland, but I feel like I'm there when I read his books.

>66 Donna828:. Thanks for the encouragement on This is Happiness, Donna. Timely. It’s a long book, and I’ve been wondering whether I should continue.

We’re heading to Pittsburgh tomorrow for a grandkid visit, so I won’t be on LT as much.

Today’s Bargain: Ghost story by Peter Straub for $1.99 on e-readers. A topnotch scary one.

Also, Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse for $1.99 on Kindle. A 75er fantasy favorite, inspired by Pre-Colombian Americas mythology.

Morning, Joe! Have a safe trip!

Sweet Thursday, Joe! Safe travels, my friend. I hope you get out today without any delays. I bet you can't wait to see those precious grandkids. Enjoy!

>68 jnwelch: Have a great time Joe.

Hi Joe! Thursday's about to get better: I've just learned about the existence of the CantApp, the late Terry Jones's much-desirèd alood-gereeden of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English! http://www.sd-editions.com/CantApp/GP/

I'm sure it will bring back good memories of your school days, hearing the good ol' pronunciations just like you used to hear in your monastery/schoolroom.

>49 jnwelch: Bahahaha, I have no doubt she'd finish it all if given half a chance. My dad had a pug growing up, and one of the stories he likes to tell is that one day the pug helped himself to the family's entire dinner kielbasa - which was enough, mind you, for two adults and three growing boys. Apparently Caesar slept a lot for the next 24 ours.

Enjoy your Pittsburgh trip and time with the grands!

Thanks, Amber, Mark, Caroline, Richard and Mary, >70 scaifea:, >71 msf59:, >72 Caroline_McElwee:, >73 richardderus:, >74 bell7:. Intriguing Richard, and Caesar is a great name for a pug, Mary. A dinner for five! Holy Kielbasa, Batman!

Haruki Murakami’s five favorite novels:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Long Good-bye by Raymond Chandler
The Castle by Franz Kafka
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

All good, of course. I was very happy to see The Castle and The Brothers Karamazov, two of my favorites that have been re-reads. I’m a Raymond Chandler fan, and this is inspiring me to do a re-read of The Long Good-bye. The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby resonate less with me, probably because they were assigned in school.

Have a great visit with your grandkids!

>77 figsfromthistle:. We are, thanks, Anita. Building new dining room chairs this morning, while the grandkids play “boat” in the box, decorating it with stickers and crayon.

Oh man! The Long Good-bye! What a great read, I expect it'll only get better as a re-read.

Hello Joe! I hope all is well with you and the family.

I am at the halfway point on Hotel Del Luna and am enjoying it greatly. Thank you so much for the recommendation. Chang-Sung is a great character and Man-Wol is a hard nut to crack. I also love the support cast of hotel staff and the deities, including the Grim Reaper.

>76 jnwelch: What an interesting world we live in, Joe. Interesting that all of Murakami's favourite novels are Western.

I haven't read Karamazov or that particular Kafka yet (surprisingly - though both are on the shelves) but the other three would not be close to my own top five. What would you put as your own top five novels if you were forced to?

Mine (I'm sure it will change tomorrow and in no order)

Germinal by Emile Zola
Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
If Not now, When? by Primo Levi
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
A Tale of Two Cities by Chuckles

Today’s Bargain: The Nakano Thrift Shop by Hiromi Kawakami for $1.99 on Kindle. A charmer; if you liked Strange Weather in Tokyo or Before the Coffee Gets Cold, you should enjoy this one.

>44 richardderus: We loved "Russian Doll" but what the heck can they do in a Season Two? Get two other people caught in the Lazarus Pit? Or do something new with the two heroes from last season.

We'l be watching - we'l be curious

Joe I think The Great Gatsby is such an amazing book that i always enjoy a re-read. The genius of Fitzgerald was to let us see Gatsby through Nick's eyes, instead of directly. Give it a try - you might be surprised,

I was surprised how much i liked the most recent Movie of TGG with DiCaprio and others.

Should High Schoolers NOT read it? I dunno.

Hi Joe! A belated happy new thread, too.

From your last thread – I never could see the pics you reposted – thank you for the effort. I'm told the URL signature has expired for all your scontent links. Sigh. I agree that A Confederacy of Dunces is a love it/hate it book, as is Lincoln in the Bardo. I loved the latter and disliked the former although have a sneaking suspicion that I might like ACoD more if I re-read it. It’s still on my shelves. Belated Happy Birthday to Debbi. Bill’s Birthday is today, so we’re celebrating. And we’re watching Reacher. I knew I’d love it when I saw who they cast as Reacher, and Bill loves it, too and keeps thanking me for suggesting it.

>1 jnwelch: Beautiful use of color, happy-making art.

>65 jnwelch: Agree about Longbourn. I have a paper copy of it still on my shelves for a possible re-read sometime down the road.

>76 jnwelch: Interesting list. I’m pretty much done with trying to appreciate/like Fitzgerald. I’ve read the first Philip Marlowe by Chandler, should try to find the 5 of the other 7 I don’t have on my shelves. Not a Russian literature reader, don’t like Catcher in the Rye but love everything Salinger wrote about the Glass Family. The closest I’ve come to Kafka is Murakami’s own Kafka on the Shore.

>79 richardderus:. Agreed, Richard! I’ll report back on The Long Good-bye.

>80 brodiew2:. All is well with us, Brodie. We’re gathered in Pittsburgh with our son, DIL, and two very cute grandkids. I hope you’re doing well.

Great to hear that you’re enjoying Hotel del Luna. I love that Grim Reaper character. Chan-sung and Man-Wol are a formidable duo, aren’t they? You find out more about why she’s such a tough cookie.

I’m going to have some time to get back to Mr. Sunshine when I get back to Chicago, and I’ll update you.

>81 PaulCranswick:. Hiya, Paul. I wondered about that, too; I don’t remember the article saying those were Murakami’s “non-Japanese” favorites or his “Western” favorites. He’s such a fan if thise authors; me, too, except Salinger not so much.

I like your list, but our tastes are somewhat different: Germinal I respected but didn’t love. Lord of the Rings is a favorite fantasy but wouldn’t be a Top 5 novel. The Primo Levi I remember best is The Periodic Table. Great book. I still haven’t completely forgiven him for killing himself, but what do I know. A Fine Balance is#1 on my list of saddest books ever, for sure. I’m a Chuckles fan, but might pick Great Expectations instead. The lookalikes in TOTC were a bit much for me, as used as I am to critical coincidences from him.

My list is tought to give without a lot of thought, but I’ll try.

Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Kafka on the Shore by Murakami
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Lila by Marilynne Robinson
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

I’m tempted to put Garden of Evening Mists from your part of the world on the list. I think you’re a natural for enjoying The Brothers Karamazov, BTW. Lots to chew on there.

Anyone else want to give a Top 5?

By rating, 5 of the 7 books I’ve rated 5 stars. Since I had to limit it to 5, these are the 5 I liked just that much better.

Lincoln in the Bardo
The Source
Pride and Prejudice
The Killer Angels
Slaughterhouse Five
A Gentleman in Moscow
To Kill a Mockingbird

>83 magicians_nephew:. We loved “Russian Doll”, too, Jim, and are having the same trouble figuring out how in the world they’ll follow it up. Can’t wait to find out!

I think Mamie is a big Great Gatsby fan, too. Honestly, those are not folks I feel like reading again. Just not my cuppa. Respect, not love.

>84 karenmarie:. Yes, Karen, Lincoln in the Bardo does seem to be another love/hate book like Confederacy of Dunces. I’m sure there are others, but I’m drawing a blank.

I’m so glad you and Bill are enjoying Reacher! Isn’t it great? I’m probably going to re-watch part of it. Alan Ritchson was a great pick for Reacher, wasn’t he. We were laughing at how many times his shirt just happened to come off.

I’ll have to continue this -the gang is preparing for departure. Enjoy your Sunday!

>76 jnwelch: >83 magicians_nephew: Aha, Joe and Jim. The Great Gatsby. There is definitely something about being forced to read certain books at school I think. But I have a theory about this particular novel. I've rarely met anyone who loved it first go, whatever age they were. Even me, and I read it for the 41st time in December, I read it now every year. I'm still not bored with it. I do believe that if you get the tickle to give it another go it will pay dividends Joe. But only if that tickle, for whatever reason, occurs.

Jim, I too enjoyed the Luhrmann version more than I expected to, for lots of reasons, including the soundtrack. I thought there were a couple of clever moments where his Nick (Tobey McGuire) looked like Fitzgerald from the angle he was shot. However, it is Sam Waterston's Nick I hear in my head when I read it now.

>85 jnwelch: Plainsong would be close to my list too, Joe. If i was looking at only American novels it would definitely be there.
Others in my American list would be:
The Grapes of Wrath (although I enjoyed reading Of Mice and Men more, I recognise the magnificence of some sections of Steinbeck's masterpiece)
The Fixer
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Nickel Boys

I would also point out that The Sunne in Splendour would be a very near miss and remains my favourite historical fiction.

>89 PaulCranswick: Ahh The Sunne in Splendour I have loaned that book out so many times and never gotten it back.

It's one of those books that you look at and say "Boy it's a pretty big book, isn't it?)

and then when you get to the last page you say "Is that all?"

Her When Christ and his Saints Slept is also a good one.

How can anyone choose x favorite anythings?! If I care enough to have a favorite, it's only a temporary position at best...maybe I'm just fickle, I dunno, but a list is so, so, confining and exclusionary! When I make one, I come up with exceptions instantly.

>91 richardderus: Well yes but it can also be hellishly fickle. Your top v or top x can be different as many times as you want it to be, RD.

>91 richardderus: Yikes got a duplicate post. Favourite Fives:

Stones songs:

PAINT IT BLACK
BROWN SUGAR
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
PLAYING WITH FIRE
GIMME SHELTER

>86 karenmarie:. Fun list of 5, Karen. I loved Killer Angels and Slaughter-house Five, and of course Pride and Prejudice.

>88 Caroline_McElwee:. You do make The Great Gatsby sound more palatable, Caroline. If I’m stuck somewhere and it’s that one or the backs of cereal boxes, I won’t automatically opt for the latter.😀. And I’ll be open to tickling.

>90 magicians_nephew:. I’ve made a mental note over the years to try The Sunne in Splendor, Jim, and you and Paul have underscored that.

I’ve seen some ardent enthusiasm for Sharon Kay Penman’s books.

>91 richardderus:. I’d love to see your Top 5 of the moment, Richard. As Paul says, it’s not written in stone. It just alerts people to some that have stood out for you.

>93 PaulCranswick:. I’m not a Stones fan, Paul (it’s a lonely club I’m in) but i do love Sympathy for the Devil and Gimme Shelter.

Steinbeck: I almost put Grapes of Wrath on my list, so I have a lot of sympathy for that. I just have a particular fondness for the characters in Cannery Row. I hope you try it.

What do you think of Tan Twan Eng? Quite a talented writer, seems to me.

>84 karenmarie:. Kafka is wonderfully weird and mesmerizing, Karen. I hope you give him a try some time. There’s no one like him.

Has any one read The Land Breakers, set in the North Carolina mountains during pioneering times? By John Ehle; it sounds like one well worth reading, and is a Kindle bargain today for $1.99. I actually think I’ll read it in non-electric form. For me that feels more appropriate.

On our trip I’m loving Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor (Nigerian mytholology-based fantasy) and Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez (successful Puerto Rican family trying to help the U.S.-neglected island territory).

Though it sort of a minor work Cannery Row is my favorite Steinbeck. Love the characters love the setting love it to pieces.

Rogers and Hammerstein wrote a musical believe it or not based on the "Cannery Row" Characters. We were lucky enough to see it a few years ago - it's not performed often.

It was called "Sweet Thursday" an expression you seem to be fond of.

>94 jnwelch: Hi Joe - Hope you are still having Family fun in Pittsburgh!
You may enjoy more parts of THE GREAT GATSBY than I did - I'd rate it 1.5 stars for boring readers with more rich white folks boring angst.

I can't think of a single "classic" that I loved. I liked - Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden but I think Hemingway stinks as does Chuckles. I liked Silas Marner. I am thinking that my tastes in great books is somewhat pedestrian compared to the titles I see talked about as top 5's.

I also tend to agree with Richard as I don't really have a favorite as it tends to change. I do remember some books more than others. Shadow of the Wind was one of my all-time fav's as was Far Pavilions and Doctor Zhivago, but that is about as far as my list goes.

>96 magicians_nephew:. Yay! Great to have a fellow appreciator of Cannery Row, Jim! I love it to pieces, too. I would love to see that adaptation. We have a local theater that does a lot of book adaptation plays ( loved their peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane plays, Neverwhere and Miss Buncle’s Book), so I’ll hold out hope.

Sweet Thursday is actually Steinbeck’s follow-up book to Cannery Row, with your favorite characters back, and is a treat in its own right. Sweet Thursday comes after Lousy Wednesday. That’s how Mark and i started using the phrase, which I’m sure has puzzled more than a few of our fellow 75ers. Ed Ricketts also appears in the excellent NF The Log from the Sea of Cortez, another lesser known favorite Steinbeck of mine.

>97 m.belljackson:. I have a lot of sympathy for that view, Marianne. We’ve been talking about the lovable lowlife characters in Cannery Row; quite a contrast to The Great Gatsby.

>98 benitastrnad:. I thought highly of Hemingway’s work when I was a young guy, Benita, but he hasn’t lasted well for me. He did write some excellent short stories. Chuckles has lasted well for me; I (unfairly) always feel a little sorry for those who don’t enjoy his storytelling. Silas Marner was much better than I expected; I had a caricatured impression before I actually read it.

I wasn’t as carried away by Shadow of the Wind as so many have been ( I feel a little sorry for myself about that one), but I did get swept up in Dr.Zhivago. Far Pavilions has not called out to me.

Thanks for sharing your faves and not-faves. This is fun.

>99 jnwelch: Oohhhhhh, suddenly enlightened as to the origins of that phrase. I've seen Mark and others use it, of course, but always thought it was an individual take on days of the week after "Happy Hump Day".

I, too, would have a hard time coming up with a top five list. I'm sure it would change nearly daily. Today's list would include Pride and Prejudice, the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, 84, Charing Cross Road, Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern... and, look, I'm already past five 'cause I counted a series in its entirety. And I haven't mentioned Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, The Polysyllabic Spree and sequels, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles or The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. You see my problem ;)

>75 jnwelch: I guess my 5 favorites would all be Jane Austen. I've certainly read them many times. But I have fondness for the genre opening Tolkien, and LeGuin, McKillip, Pratchett, and selected works of Tepper, but that would weight it heavier toward F&SF than is really true of my preferences, as classics and mysteries and the occasional non-fiction book are equally capable of capturing my affections. So really trying to make a pronouncement on the fave five doesn't reflect reality, though perhaps a fave 50 would as I don't add new ones - baring Murderbot - or shift my tastes very often anymore.

Fascinating discussions on favourite and not so favourite books, Joe.
Like the love for Far Pavilions, Shadow of the Wind and Dr. Zhivago here and I could have included them.
Maugham, Greene, Priestley, Spring and Delafield could have easily have made my list too.

I have read both Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday and definitely the former is the more enjoyable. I think I have read all of Steinbeck's main works of fiction except East of Eden. He is a favourite.

By the way I do like Tan Twan Eng and we are long overdue a novel from him - only 2 since 2007 is not very productive but they were both tremendous weren't they?

>86 karenmarie: >94 jnwelch: The Killer Angels remains one of the best books I've ever read. What a powerhouse of a novel. Such an emotional wringer in many ways, but so well written. I'm glad you liked it as well, Karen, and Joe!

>100 bell7:. Right, Mary? “Sweet Thursday” suddenly makes more sense. I figgered some of our fellow LT students wondered.

Love those top 5 picks. Ex Libris is so great, isn’t it. 84 Charing Cross Road, too. Both are musts for bibliophiles. I’m glad Pride and Prejudice is making multiple lists. I was skeptical of Night Circus, but Debbi and Becca talked me into it, and I loved it.

Oops, time to take the wee ones to school.

Happy Wednesday, Joe. I am sure you are having a great time with the "wee ones"! Soak up every moment. Very cold here, so don't rush back.

And hooray for Sweet Thursday!! I should plan on reading a Steinbeck this year. It has been a while.

There is a misconception that Buddhism is a religion and that you worship Buddha. Buddhism is a practice, like yoga. You can be a Christian and practice Buddhism. I met a Catholic priest who lives in a Buddhist monastery in France. He told me that Buddhism makes him a better Christian. I love that.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

A favorite quote from TNH

>100 bell7:. Yeah, I almost picked Gilead instead of Lila, and I’m sure most people would. I just found Lila such a welcome surprise. Similarly, I almost picked Persuasion over P&P, but there’s just no way to not pick P&P.

I haven’t read Nick Hornby but I’m with you on the Jemison, , Towles and others. Go Murderbot!

>107 jnwelch:
I agree with that statement. As I have practiced yoga for a little over 25 years I have come to realize more and more that Buddhism, like yoga, is a way of life - not a religion. However, if religion is a way of life then Buddhism fits in. I was amused by the tussle in Alabama in 2020 over the teaching of yoga in the k-12 schools. Yoga was banned from schools because of a 1993 law that classed yoga as a religious practice. The state legislature fought over the bill that was presented to it by a state legislator who is a certified yoga instructor. The bill did pass, but it had lots of opposition and it was not a guarantee that it would pass - all because people find it hard to separate practice from religion.

Thank you for sharing that quote. It made my morning.

>101 quondame:. The 5 Austens as a Top 5 sounds good to me, Susan. Forgive me if I’ve asked this, but have you read Lady Susan? That one’s a wicked crack-up. That reminds me tbat it took me a while to appreciate the humor of Northanger Abbey.

I think I gave Mary a “Go Murderbot!” Intended for you.😀

Feel free to do a top 15 or20, or even 50, if you want.

>102 PaulCranswick:. I’m glad you’re enjoying the top faves and nons discussions.

Maugham, Greene, Priestley, Spring and Delafield wouldn’t have climbed the heights for me (well, To Serve Them All My Days could), and I need to be educated about who Spring is.

Glad to hear you’re so well-read with Steinbeck; I am now after the LT Steinbeckathon a few years ago. What a success that was! His NF that I push is that Log from the Sea of Cortez. Loved it.

>103 PaulCranswick:. Hurrah for Tan Twan Eng! His two books are knockouts; I can’t wait for the third.

>104 brodiew2:. Agreed, Brodie. I got completely caught up in the historically accurate story. I continued with many of his son, Jeffrey Shaara’s, historical novels, but they didn’t reach the heights of Killer Angels.

>106 msf59:. Happy Wednesday, amigo. The two munchkins are hilarious; they are talk, talk, talk these days, and they love to have books read to them. They scrap over toys and who was “first” - typical kid stuff.

Hooray for Sweet Thursday! Cannery Row may be my Steinbeck reread this year. I miss that gang.

>109 benitastrnad:. I love thinking of Buddhism as a practice like yoga, Benita. Buddha was very explicit about his not being a deity, but someone supplying a way to freedom.

It is a way of life, too, for sure.

What silliness about no teaching yoga in the schools. Kids thrive on it. Our daughter teaches in a Catholic school here( their only Jew), and they pay her to also teach yoga after school.

I’m glad the quote made your morning! It gets me every time.

Favorite novel? why FERDINAND of course!

>112 m.belljackson:😅. Love it, Marianne. May you remain forever young.

>113 jnwelch:. Today’s Bargain: The Adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, by Fritz Leiber, multiple books for $2.99 on e-readers. Hugo and Nebula winning. I don’t know whether these are much fun as I remember, but I sure hope so. “A powerful barbarian and a clever thief make their way through a world of magic in these classic sword-and-sorcery tales”.

>110 jnwelch: Yes, I have read Lady Susan and the rest of Jane Austen's juvenalia, as well as her letters.

If I had to list my preferences to save my life or someone else's the order of the top five would be:

Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Persuasion
Emma
Sense and Sensibility

Isn't ever so nice that we don't have to go off in isolation with a few volumes to last us years? I love having multiple libraries and Amazon at my finger tips for keeping boredom and real life at a substantial remove.

>112 m.belljackson: Ferdinand is a true righteous hero!

>113 jnwelch: I had already clicked the buy button on that!

>. 115. Oh good, Susan. I thought of you with that one. Please let me know how it goes.

>116 jnwelch: It would be a re-read, or possibly a re-re-re.... as I went through the oeuvre multiple times in my 20s and 30s.

>114 quondame: The one you didn't include, Northanger Abbey I liked the best but agreed with your low position of Sense and Sensibility.

>118 PaulCranswick: Heh! Low on a list of Jane Austen's books is still way above most other authors' works. There are parts of each of those five and even a couple in Northanger Abbey that are favorites, it's just a balance of the book as a whole and of it's great bits, which all of them have, and the less stellar or even annoying bits. I totally understand people not liking Fanny Price as a protagonist, but her path and presentation in Mansfield Park given what were the stated ideals of the times versus what really worked for young women, is just flabbergastingly brilliant. I'll never forgive Catherine Morland for not being Susan as she was originally named! Though Lady Susan is a delight.

>119 quondame: Oh I really liked Mansfield Park too.

>110 jnwelch: Bahahaha, no worries, I enjoy Murderbot very much too!

>108 jnwelch: I almost put Home instead of Gilead, I liked it the best when I first read the series. I should go back and reread them... and I never did read Jack.

>113 jnwelch: Omigosh, Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser! Good value proposition, that.

I'm awake at this absurd hour because the vile weather's making my various swollen bits hurt. *sigh* Such fun. At least I don't have this nonsense all the time, unlike so many.

If you've never partaken, the numinously immanent prose of my next-to-Nabokov dote Italo Calvino is only $2.99 in Italian Tales for Kindle...it's a huge collection but, on Kindle, it's doable: https://smile.amazon.com/Italian-Folktales-Italo-Calvino-ebook/dp/B00EXBRFXM/

Splendiferously, I've used my unwanted extra hours of wakefulness to knock a few upcoming reviews into better shape and I've counted up...a great Black History Month with 29 reviews blogged! Averaging one a day feels pretty good.

>108 jnwelch: Gilead and Lila are my favourites of the quartet, Jack was the weakest for me.

As for the top 5 reads. Impossible. Nope, can't do it. Would have trouble choosing 50.

From Lord Byron -

And there was mounting in hot haste; the steed,
The mustering squadron, and the clattering car,
Went pouring forward with impetuous speed,
And swiftly forming in the ranks of war;
And the deep thunder peal on peal afar;
And near, the beat of the alarming drum
Roused up the soldier ere the morning star;
While throng'd the citizens with terror dumb,
Or whispering with white lips = "The foe! They come! they come!"

Good morning, Joe! Only 2 episodes of Hotel Del Luna to go. This one certainly deserves it accolades as one of the best K Dramas.

While I wait for Dark Horse Hurwitz, I started listening to Checkmate in Berlin that I saw over on swynn's page. It is interesting and disturbing in relation to the end of WWII and the Russians reaching Berlin first. I look forward to how the Allies stake their claim once they arrive.

Sad to wake up to Russia's move on Ukraine. Watching closely.

>114 quondame:. I like your Jane Austen list, Susan. I probably like Northanger Abbey more than you. I got a kick out of its subtle humor. I would’ve had had to cheat and make it a top 6.

It feels good to have a fellow appreciator of Lady Susan. It’s humor isn’t subtle, is it. I suspect she wanted to create a vile main character and make her still appealing. It’s one I where I keep wanting to take Austenites by the virtual arm and say, “Try this! It’s a hoot!” I even enjoyed the misnamed (Love and Friendship) Kate Beckinsale movie based on it.

I’ve read some of her juvenalia - precocious much? - but not all of it. I have a volume of it for when the time is right. I appplaud you for having read all of it and her letters.

Yes, I think serious readers have been best situated to weather the pandemic. Don’t leavethe house? Okay, I’ve got books. Don’t go to public sports events or theater? Okay, I’ve got books. Avoid parties and bars? Okay, I’ve got books.

>118 PaulCranswick:. I’m with you on Northanger Abbey, Paul, but I’d rate S&S third, after P&P and Persuasion. Emma is the one that slides down for me; I appreciate that she learns a lot, but her character is so annoying!

>121 bell7:. 😅. Murderbot!

I hate to say it, Mary, but other than rounding out the story, you’re not missing much with not reading Jack. I did enjoy his relationship with his black wife, but it’s definitely a “lesser” novel compared to the others. As with Austen, that still makes it a cut above most other authors.

>122 richardderus:. Sorry the vile weather swole you bits, Richard. That sounds a bit lewd, doesn’t it. That’s better than how crummy I’m sure it was to go through.

Hmm. As you know, I’m also an Italo Calvino fan. “His books are weird? Sign me up!” But i haven’t been tempted by Italian Folktales. Should I be?

Congratulations on getting all those reviews done! I don’t know how you do it. I’m lucky if I get a few short ones done a veces.

>123 Caroline_McElwee:. As usual, Caroline, we’re on the same wavelength. Those are my top two of the Gilead books, and Jack is the weakest for me, too.

We’ll take your Top 50 reads any time you can spare them!😀

>124 m.belljackson:. Thank you for the Lord Byron quote, Marianne. What’s that from, and what made you think of it?

I’m watching the old Foyle’s War series with Michael Kitchen and Honeysuckle Weeks(what a name!) on Acorn or Britbox, and that immediately popped to mind. Insights into the experience of WWII.

>125 brodiew2:. Good morning, Brodie!

I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Hotel del Luna! Let me know what you think of the ending. It worked well for me. As a viewer, I wanted Man-Wol’s and Chan-Sung’s romance ro continue, and they found a good solution for that.

You’ll be glad to hearthat I’m officially hooked on Mr. Sunshine, The two snipers have met and are verbally skirmishing. So far I’m particularly enjoying those characters and her servants. Oh, and his administrative sidekick, i understand the historical underpinnings are admirably accurate?

I loved the new Nowhere Man, Dark Horse. I couldn’t resist buying it. I will say that some of the violence was too graphic, even for me. See what you think. He’s dealing with a cartel, so that’s why, but I wish he’d toned it down more. That’s going to have to be a caveat when I recommend it.

Checkpoint in Berlin sounds intriguing. Tell me more once you’ve finished.

>130 jnwelch:
I love those Foyle's War episodes! Such a good TV show. When I retire I am going to binge watch all the seasons of the show just so I can make judgments about the quality of the changes in it from season 1 to the end.

>128 jnwelch: Heck yeah, Joe, you need...need...Italian Folktales! This is Calvino's world-cultural-icon ticket validation. He identified and codified these as *the* two hundred folktales that explain Italy and Italianness to itself and the world. (And just think of all the fun you'll have telling them to your grandkids!)

I've been unusually productive, haven't I. Seems to suit me right now, this means of extracting meaning from the chaos of existence and explaining what I found.

>130 jnwelch: Hello Joe - Byron's quote is from Canto III, #25, and refers to Belgium.

For me it refers to the Ukraine today:
the Ukraine former President said this is a 'War for the World.'

I've been reading Poems of Byron, Keats, and Shelley for the British Author Challenge,
"The Georgian Era" and remembered that stirring one.

Three cheers for Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. One of my favorite series that just got better and better as it went along.

>49 jnwelch: Aw, pug sure hopes to develop those powers asap!

As a tweenager I read a book called The Girl with the Silver Eyes - it was about psychokinesis and I was fascinated at the convenience of it :)

>131 jnwelch: Hello Joe! I finished Hotel Del Luna tonight. What a wonderful program that was wrapped up so beautifully. I wanted them to stay together as well, but with all the build up to her leaving, I don't think it would have been right for them to up end it. All the goodbyes were touching and the bow on the end was great.

I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying Mr. Sunshine. The cast of amazing supporting characters will grow. There are so many endearing characters and some pretty hateful ones too. I like them all, but I absolutely loved the jaded Yakuza samurai, Go Dong-mae. Excellent performance.

Choi's translator sidekick is a real treat, isn't he? So expressive in his mannerisms. I enjoyed that character a lot too.

Did you notice that one of Go Ae-shin's top male servant is Mr. Kim (Shin Jung-geun) from Hotel Del Luna. I really enjoyed him in both roles.

I look forward to Dark Horse. I'll let you know when I finish it.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Happy Saturday, Joe. It sounds like you had a great time with the grandkids. Are you back yet? It looks like we are in very for a nice stretch of weather through next week. Yah!!

>132 benitastrnad:. Isn’t Foyle’s War a great show, Benita. I had read raves about it but hadn’t tried it before recently. I’m sure it’ll hold up well on a re-watch. I love the cast, but what really sets it apart for me is the WWII setting and the every day personal consequences. The Americans just arrived and the mixed reactions on both sides (what took you so long vs. why are we fighting your war? And the Anerican breeziness vs. Brit reserve) have been gripping. As you can probably tell, I’m in season 2 right now.

>133 richardderus:. OK, got it, RD. Italian Folktales sounded conventional rather than his weird that I like, but I’ll track it down.

>134 m.belljackson:. Byron, Keats, and Shelley - you go, girl! As someone hipper than me would say. They’ve each written some great ones- I probably would’ve benefited from joining that challenge. There’s so much exciting new stuff coming out it’s sometimes hard to get myself to go back in time. Says the guy who just read the Aeneid.

>135 magicians_nephew: Great to hear that you loved the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser books, Jim. Me, too. I don’t know whether I’d be up for revisit to the land of sword and sorcery, but it sure was fun the first time.

>136 LovingLit:. Good to see you, Megan.

I just visited that pug at my sister’s place. Roxy is such a cutie.

Jeez, I’m so lazy that if I had psychokinetic powers I might never move at all. I’ve got to get up to make some more coffee, and letting my mind take care of that sounds awfully good.

>137 brodiew2:. Hello Brodie!

Yay for Hotel del Luna! Wasn’t that a touching wrapup? You’re right, with all the build up about her leaving I didn’t expect them to pull it off as well as they did. What a show.

I thought of you with Go Dong-mae. Yes, that actor is excellent, and he’s become a favorite as I’ve gotten further in. I’m at the part where Ae-Lin(?) (I’ve got to work on her name) has learned that Eugene Choi is an American soldier and a gun has gone missing. They continue to spar and go towards each other, then away. The hotel owner is trying to get herself in between.😀

Yes, I recognized Mr. Kim from Hotel del Luna! What a fine actor - such different parts. He’s a hoot with his female counterpart.

The weekend is starting out well on my end - I hope you have a great one, too.

>138 msf59:. Happy Saturday, Mark. Yes, I’m back, after a wonderful time with the grandkids. We spent some good time with their other grandparents, too. As we’ve said before, we were just hoping that Jesse’s new in-laws were at least tolerable, but instead we all get along like old pals. Jesse and Adri are both sailing along in their careers, so the days were filled with child tumult, but otherwise easy-breezy.

I’m ready for some nice weather - i hope they got it right this time!

>141 jnwelch: I hope you get your good weather! Do you have grandkid pics to share?

>142 quondame:. Hi, Susan. So far, so good on our warm-up from the chill. I’ll see what I can do about pics.

Saying "hi" as I catch up on threads.

Delurking to say hello!

Glad the visit went well.

>140 jnwelch: Hello Joe. I hope all is well.

The hotel owner becomes a favorite of mine throughout. All of the characters are so strong.

One I really enjoy is the potter. His relationship to Eugene is subtle but so powerful.

>144 thornton37814:. Gotcha, Lori. Hi! I need to do that, too.

>145 figsfromthistle:. Hello, Anita!

The trip to Munchkinland did go well. It was good we were there - the kids were sick at first and needed kidtenders.

>146 brodiew2:. Hi, Brodie. Yes, the potter is growing on me. He has figured out who Eugene is.

In Mr. Sunshine, the three main guys, Eugene, Dong-mae, and the rich Kim family’s son, just squared ( or triangled) off over Ae-shin - great scene.

How’s Dark Horse going? I just saw it on the PW bestseller list, so word is finally spreading.

>147 jnwelch: If I recall correctly the 1st scene were the three of them meet and discover their feelings for Ae-sin is outside the hotel. That is a great scene. The 3 of them have an interesting relationship going forward.

Another great supporting character is Ae-sin' rifle trainer. Love that guy.

I baked two King Cakes yesterday. I have a Mardi Gras party tonight, so will take one of the cakes. It is complete with a baby baked inside. The second one goes to my old lady friends potluck on Thursday night. Since this is a cafe I had hopes to see a King Cake and some New Orleans coffee this morning.

>148 brodiew2:. Yes, the meeting isoutside the hotel and somewhere in town. Dong Mae was hoping the other two would fight and leave him only the survivor to deal with.

Agreed re Ae-shin’s mentor, the rifle trainer. You’ve got me curious about the potter, as that part of the story is still underdeveloped where I am in it.

>149 benitastrnad: good for you, Benita. I miss New Orleans. A friend dropped off paczkis for us (pronounced “pownchkees” a Polish baker tells us) and a dog toy for Indy.

Happy Tuesday, Joe. I hope the week is off to a good start for you. I also hope you can get out for a stroll or two, to take advantage of the milder temps. I just finished and loved A Children's Bible and now I am starting Firekeeper's Daughter. Pumped about this one. Also enjoying (if that is the right word) Dancing at the Pity Party.

Today’s Bargain: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite for $1.99 on e-readers. A funny book about a serial killer? Somehow the author pulls it off, in one of my most unusual reads of recent years.

>151 msf59:. Happy Paczki Day, Mark. Becca is thrilled she’s getting the donut-like pastries all day at school. I saw a Polish baker explain that the tradition started with the need to use up all the butter before Lent.

I had an excellent stroll yesterday, and will get out soon today. Almost a year after the stroke my stamina still isn’t what I want, but I keep at it.

I don’t know A Children’s Bible~ I’ll look for your review. Oh man, The Firekeeper’s Daughter - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Dancing at the Pity Party - doesn’t it make you wish you had met her mother? I have to admit, as much as I loved my mother, she sure didn’t have that kind of impact on me.

>152 jnwelch: I really enjoyed this one, too! It made me smile and wince and shout angrily at the stupid, stupid characters...so many of them....

Have a terrific March-worth of reads!

>150 jnwelch: It is really satisfying to discuss Mr. Sunshine with someone else as they're watching. I appreciate this, Joe. The Potter's larger role will be revealed in time, But for the front half of the series he is pretty enigmatic.

>154 richardderus:. Isn’t My Sister, the Serial Killer a good one, Richard? I hope folks take advantage.

Thanks re the March reading. It’s off to a great start. I’m enjoying The Family Chao, The Big Sleep Annotated, and Metamorphoses. My GN is Dare to Disappoint, set in Turkey, which Mark and others here liked.

>155 brodiew2:. My pleasure, Brodie. I’m enjoying being able to discuss Mr. Sunshine. Poor Eugene and Ae-shin- he just told her his origin story. That was a great way to bring down the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Now the hotel owner’s villainous father is trying to make his move. I now know a lot more about the importance of the potter. I love how many episodes there are. I wish more shows told extended stories like this.

>156 jnwelch: And today there are TWO great Kindlebooks on sale! Illness as Metaphor/AIDS and its Metaphors and River of Doubt are each $2.99 on Satan's Sink of Sin, I mean Amazon.

You've read them, I'm sure, so this is more a Public Service Announcement.

>157 richardderus:. Thanks, RD. I actually haven’t read River of Doubt, so I’ll snap that one up. I love Candice Millard books.

I actually want to highlight yet another bargain.

Today’s Bargain: Montana 1948 by Larry Watson for $1.99 on Kindle. Ask Mark about this excellent, tightly written novel. He’s the one who first persuaded me to read it.

>155 brodiew2: Eugene and Ae-sin are on again off again throughout the series but their love is strong.

How are you enjoying the historical perspective that the show provides?

Two other characters that are just charming and incredibly likable are the ones that own the pawn shop. They were hunters sent after Eugene when he was a kid but decided to let him go.

Lee Wan-ik is a bad dude. Despicable.

Edit: I also add how much I enjoyed millard's Riiver of Doubt. Excellent story.

>158 jnwelch: That is a superb book, and I've got my promo hooks onto it now. Thanks.

I'm amazed! You haven't read River of Doubt yet! Oh, you are in for a treat. I'm a little jealous that you get to discover it.

>158 jnwelch:, >160 richardderus: My favorite of Millard's books! I think you'll really enjoy it, Joe.

Oooo - love all the book talk. I loved My Sister, the Serial Killer and Montana 1948. I'm way behind on Marilynne Robinson's books and must remember to look for them in the library.

Arachne, a gifted weaver, challenged Minerva to a tapestry contest, and Minerva ends up transforming Arachne into a spider after acknowledging Arachne’s skill.

Arachne’s tapestry is itself a challenge to power, depicting many Olympian rapes, under disguise and otherwise. In his intro to Lombardo’s translation of Metamorphoses W.R.Johnson says that to many, Arachne is “an emblem of the power of art and the risks that sometimes confront artists whose temperament and genius are such that they cannot refrain from scrutinizing the myths that power lives by.”

From The New York Review of Books (paywall):
The narrator dons his old soldiering clothes and claims to have been a prisoner of the Germans. The house is desecrated in every possible way, the German colonel tortured, the owner’s father hanged. Outrage after outrage is perpetrated. Leaving at last, the narrator throws a hand grenade into the hallway. After the explosion,

I saw bundles of dead raggedy reeds hanging down from the broken ceilings that had depicted heaven. I looked deep into the house’s diseased and dying maw.

It was like it had been putting on an act the whole time and was only now showing itself as it, in reality, had always been: a hollow, drafty cavern, rancid and rotting at its core.

Discussing the work of Willem Frederik Hermans, specifically a novella titled An Untouched House that I read in 2017 and which resurfaced in my mind recently. I can't imagine why. Not like current events recall its reality or anything.

Hi Joe - online DK has a fun World Book Day Quiz - I got only 78% so Good Luck!

>161 drneutron:. All right! Thanks, Jim. I also pm’d you about Debbi’s thread.

>162 ffortsa:. Glad to hear it, Judy. You have some great reading ahead with Ms. Robinson.

>164 richardderus:. Good one, RD, thanks.

>165 m.belljackson:. Intriguing, Marianne, thanks. I love DK books.

>163 jnwelch: The ways in which people tell truth to power (and the kinds of people who do the telling and then what happens to them) in Greek myth is fascinating. Keep her story in mind when you get to Procne and Philomela, too...

>166 jnwelch: Yep, I PM'ed you back - did you get it? BLUF: I can fix it, just let me know what Debbie would like it to be.

Hi Joe. Did you miss me in >159 brodiew2:? Just checking. :-)

>159 brodiew2:. Hiya, Brodie. Man, Dong Mae got framed thanks to the villain, and exonerated, thanks to Choi.You know what happened to Choi’s adopted missionary father, and Choi got summoned by Ae-sin’s grandfather, who was enraged by the two of them. And Choi was almost assasinated by you-know- who. Wow! A lot going on.

I love those two pawn shop brothers. They provide some welcome comic relief. The three Ae-sin rivals are also funny as they keep ending up together at the bar.

I’m enjoying the historical perspectives - the political jockeying for position, a view of Japan that we don’t often get, and the stubborn Joseon class distinctions. Thank goodness Ae-sin has humane views that overtake obstructive traditions.

>168 drneutron:. Thanks, Jim. I’ll check with Debbi.

>168 drneutron: she’d like it to be Walklover’s 75 Book Challenge 2022.

She asked me to pass on her thanks to you!

>172 jnwelch: Done! it was my pleasure.

>170 jnwelch: Thanks for responding Joe. I think you are right on the cusp of one of my Is favorite scenes of the series. Have the Japanese come to Ae-sin's grandfather's house? It is a climactic and cathartic scene in many ways.

All these of Ae-sin's suitors seem rooted in their paths and attitudes about their own lives. There is a sadness about all of them that they cannot seem to rise above. And certainly there are explanations for that a plenty.

Sweet Thursday, Joe! Felt like winter was still around today. Looks like a nice warm weekend ahead though. I am really enjoying Firekeeper's Daughter just like you thought I would. Nearly 150 pages in. I can't wait for you to see Drive My Car, so we can discuss it. I don't recall the Murakami short story it was based on and I wasn't a big fan of that particular collection.

I hope your books are treating you fine.

>173 drneutron:👍

>167 scaifea:. Thanks, Amber. Telling truth to power is a great theme. I’ll keep Arachne in mind when I get to Procne and Philomena.

>169 brodiew2:. Ha! I remembered I’d forgotten, Brodie. Sometimes I answer posts in my head but neglect to type😀

>175 msf59:. Happy Friday, Mark, from this Sweet Thursday slowpoke.

We see Drive My Car a week from Sunday at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Is that where you saw it? It’ll be our first time there. Can’t wait? I can’t remember the short story either, although seeing the movie may jog my memory.

The books are doing fine, thanks. Such a pleasure to re-read The Big Sleep, and The Family Chai is good, if not great. Metamorphoses is great. It’s exciting to be reading the Lombardo translation, and the intro by WR Johnson is excellent.

Today’s Bargains: two good Miss Marple mysteries: The Moving Finger and Murder is Announced are available for $1.99 each on Kindle. Also for $1.99 on Kindle is Jack Finney’s classic time travel story, Time and Again.

>179 jnwelch: Ahhh the wonderful Miss Marple. Much prefer her old maidish sleuthing to the puffed-up pontifications of Poirot.

Have a great weekend, Joe.

Time and Again is such a perfect little book.

They tried to make a Broadway musical out of it (starring David McCallum, no less) but it really didn't work despite a lovely score.

I sort of think Poirot solves murders to show how cool he is - Miss Marple is out for vengence! It is interesting that some of the early movies played her for dotty comedy (I'm looking at YOU Margaret Rutherford) and only later saw her for the Grand Harpy of Justice that she really is isn the books. Nemesis And how.

>186 brodiew2:. Our daughter’s a big Poirot fan (hates the nontraditional Kenneth Branagh version) but I’m with you, Paul - I get a kick out of the Miss Marples. Her genius, rather than announced and preened, is unexpected and often unappreciated. My favorite is The Tuesday Murder Club, a collection of linked short stories in which she outwits and out crime-solves her oafish club competitors while she knits.

>187 jnwelch:. In the right hands, Time and Again would make a great musical, wouldn’t it, Jim. I wish I’d seen the flawed one. We saw a Pride and Prejudice musical a few years ago that we liked a lot, but it unfortunately never caught on.

I like her best played as the unexpectedly smartest person in the room. Not too much bitter with the sweet.

Morning, Joe. Happy Sunday. I saw Drive My Car in the western suburbs, much easier than venturing downtown. Our first over-nighter with Jack was a sucess, (but babies can be exhausting. How do those Moms due it 24/7?) and Bree will scoop him up a little later.

I finally started Project Hail Mary. I know most of my book pals loved that one. I am also nearing the halfway point in Firekeeper's Daughter and loving it. I didn't read much yesterday but I plan on making up for it today.

How do, Joe. Perhaps your appreciation of Andy Weir's delightful Project Hail Mary will lead you to forgive me for letting everyone know that it's only $3.99 on Kindle today: https://smile.amazon.com/Project-Hail-Mary-Andy-Weir-ebook/dp/B08FHBV4ZX/

Hi Joe!

>94 jnwelch: One of these days, I might read some Kafka. I surprised myself just now – I actually do not have any by Kafka on my shelves. Definitely something I need to remedy, but I just bought 3 books by J.D. Salinger – all about the Glass Family – in hardcover, so won’t be spending money on books for at least a day or two. I’ve got ratty tatty old mass market paperbacks of the Salinger that I’ll still keep for sentimental reasons, but have a hankering to read about the Glass family in hardcover. I’ve also got both bootleg copies of his uncollected short stories to read, too.

>99 jnwelch: I remember reading all but the last 25 or pages of Far Pavilions then losing interest and eventually getting rid of it. The current paperback listing on Amazon is 960 pages, and mine was probably in the 900-page range, too.

>104 brodiew2: Hi Brodie! I need to re-read it one of these days.

>147 jnwelch: Heh. Munchkinland. Sorry the kidlets were sick at first, glad the visit went well.

>152 jnwelch: I really liked My Sister, the Serial Killer and agree that it was an unusual read.

>153 jnwelch: Wow. Almost a year since your stroke. You’ve done amazingly well. Your discipline is admirable.

>158 jnwelch: Montana, 1948 has been on my shelves forever. Richard recommended it to me in 2010.

>181 magicians_nephew: I agree about Miss Marple, Jim – the Grand Harpy of Justice. Loved Nemesis and the first book about Jason Rafiel, A Caribbean Mystery, is almost as good.

I like Poirot and Miss Marple equally, and pretty much love all her other protagonists except for Tommy and Tuppence.

>174 brodiew2: Good afternoon, Joe. Just checking in a Mr. Sunshine. Did you get to the Japanese arrival at Ae-sin's grandfather's house. Such a powerful scene. Ae-sin's fiancé took a stand. You must be well past the halfway point?

Eugene's former friend, the Japanese Captain(?) is another nasty character. The villains shine in this series as well as the main leads.

>186 brodiew2:. I finished Mr.Sunshine last night, Brodie. What a sad, noble ending. . The three amigos all died, darnit. Realistic reasons for each. I had some hope that rich son Kim might make it, but he got caught for the newspapers. Just about evreryone we’d gotten attached to died, actually. Great scenes with the hotel owner and Dong Mae.. I was surprised that Dong Mae initially survived the sword slash that put him in the water. What a heart breaker when the potter and the remnants of the Righteous Army won that battle in the woods, only to have many more Japanese soldiers come over the ridge. What a heartbreaker when Ae-sin’s loyal servants got gunned down in that palanquin scene. Well, at least Ae-Sin lived. Everyone worked so hard to keep her alive! It was all realistic, I guess, since in RL the Japanese ended up occupying Korea until 1945.

As you say, that was a powerful scene when the Japanese soldiers came to take Ae-Sin’s home. The Japanese didn’t come off lookingbtoo good in this - I wonder whether the show gets viewed much in Japan. Intriguing that its current military is called a Self Defense Force. It’s a good thing that the country isn’t a colonizer any more.

Yes, Eugene’s former friend, i think he was a colonel promoted to Commander, was a villain you wanted to smack in the face. That leering grin! That was exciting when they went to Japan to free the Korean emperor’s right hand man.

Excellent series that taught me a lot that I didn’t know before, Brodie. For starters, i didn’t know the Koreans had a slave caste, or much at all about the resistance to Japanese occupation. Thanks for recommending it!

>183 msf59:. Happy Sunday and the day after, Mark. An overnighter with Jackson. Ah yes, we spent a lot of sleepless nights comforting the grandkids and trying to get them back to sleep. I think there should be a hero’s medal for single moms. Pull all that off and hold down a job? Seems near-impossible.

Project Hail Mary is another great one like The Martian, although some of the tech fine points sailed right over my head. I’m glad you’re enjoying it and Firekeeper’s Daughter.

>184 richardderus:. That’s good info, RD. I got Project Hail Mary on some kind of bargain.

>185 karenmarie:. Hi Karen!

Yes, a Kafka or three would look good on your shelves. His novels are famous, but his short stories are awfully good, too. Many are like bizarre fables.

That fits my feeling about The Far Pavilions. I’m not adverse to reading 900+ pages, but it’d better be a book that engages me.

Yay for My Sister, the Serial Killer! I’d forgotten that RD was a fan of Montana 1948. A lot of our best recommenders are fans of that book! I’m sure you’ll be happy with it when time permits.

I liked A Caribbean Mystery, too. You and Jim have inspired me to revisit Nemesis.

Tommy and Tuppence get a lot of bad press with Agatha fans. I’m not sure why. They don’t rate up there with Poirot and Jane Marple for me, but they’re okay, like Parker Pyne or Mr. Satterthwaite.

.

>187 jnwelch:
Our local PBS station broadcasts a TV show from Nippon TV on Sunday morning's that is a travel show about Japan. Yesterday the show was about the island of Tsushima. That is a Japanese island and has been for centuries (at least according to the show, since the 1300's). The show was about how Tsushima Island is considered to be Japan's frontier outpost that keeps the main Japanese Islands save from invaders. Anyway, it is about 50 kilometers from Busan, Korea. That isn't very far. It made it easier for me to understand why Japan would annex Korea after the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The distances aren't very great and apparently the two countries have been trading partners for almost 2,000 years - even when Japan wouldn't trade with China, they would trade with Korea.

The name of the show is Journeys in Japan and I make it a habit that at 9 AM on Sunday morning I am watching that show.

Hi Joe! Everyone on LT should just drop what they are doing and read Montana 1948 right now, don't you think? It's one of those books for me.

The Post War Japanese constitution (partially re-written by Douglas MacArthur) limited the country to only a small and much restricted "Self-Defense Force". though the range of what exactly "Self Defense" is has certainly changed over time.

>189 benitastrnad:. Good for you, Benita. Hard to imagine another small island keeping Japan safe from invaders, isn’t it. I’m thinking western traders and Christian missionaries turned out to be the real invaders. The story of America, Russia and Japan skirmishing and politically contesting for Korea in Mr. Sunshine certainly was fascinating, and the show has been lauded for its historical accuracy.

>190 banjo123:. Montana 1948 is one of those special ones we’d like every LTer to read, isn’t it, Rhonda. Anne Fadiman’s Ex Libris is another one for me.

>191 magicians_nephew:. After this show in particular, Jim, all I can think is thank goodness Japan is restricted to self defense. They were way too happy to be “Atrocities R Us” while an imperialist colonizer. The Japan- China stories are horrific, too. That’s the part of Murakami’s Windup Bird Chronicle that is understandably too much for some readers.

I will have to read Ex Libris. I did read The Spirit Catches You

>193 banjo123: I loved Ex Libris, Rhonda, and bought copies for my mother and both of my daughters.

Hey, Joe! I am not even going to try catching up. Just wanted to pop in and say "Hello."

>193 banjo123: The Spirit Catches You was pretty amazing , wasn’t it. The importance of having some understanding of your patient’s culture.

>194 alcottacre:. I’m with you on Ex Libris, Stasia. Cool gift book for the right giftees. No worries; thanks for stopping by to say hello.

Hi Joe, I noticed somewhere that you're disappointed in The Family Chao which is a bit discouraging to me. I'm reading The Brothers Karamazov right now and wanted to follow it up with The Family Chao.

>185 karenmarie: I’m really enjoying my Salinger reading! I wonder if those bootleg short story collections are available? If I may ask, where did you get yours?

Have a great week!

Karen O

P.s. I responded to karenmarie, thinking I was on her thread— sorry, Joe!

>187 jnwelch: Hello Joe! I'm glad to hear that you finished Mr. Sunshine. It was a fin series and an eye opener to an area of historical oppression I knew little if nothing about. The drama was strong, the acting was great, and the music played a powerful part as well.

When I figure out the spoiler mark up, I'll say more.

Morning, Joe. Happy Tuesday. It looks like it will be a bit better today. I like all the sunshine out there. I plan on going on a solo walk. I will also finish up Firekeeper's Daughter. A terrific read. I will follow that with Winesburg, Ohio for a Group Read that Lynda is hosting.

>192 jnwelch: Joe I read a book a few years ago about Japan and The Rape of Nanking

Book upset me so much i had to give it away - couldn't have it in my house or on my shelf. Nightmare making stuff.

"People can be awfully cruel to one another"

Hi Joe! Quite a while ago you mentioned enjoying Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and I’m just getting around to it now. I’m only about a quarter of the way through but I already know that I’m going to miss her when I finish it. What a character!

Today’s Bargain: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahari for $1.99 on e-readers. Her breakout collection- excellent.

Happy Tuesday, Joe! I really need to get around to Lillian Boxfish too. I pulled it off the shelf yesterday as a matter of fact to see if I can get it done this month.

>201 NarratorLady:. Isn’t she great, Anne? Oh, I’m glad you’re reading that one. It should be perfect for you.

>200 magicians_nephew:. Yes, I’ve heard of Rape of Nanking and how horrific it is. You’re inspiring me to continue to steer clear of it. The capacity of some humans for committing atrocities is staggering, isn’t it.

>199 msf59:. Happy Tuesday, Mark. Oh man, if you’re near the end of Firekeeper’s Daughter how can you keep your nose from being buried in it?😀

I’ll look forward to hearing what you all think of Winesburg, Ohio.

>198 brodiew2:. Agree, Brodie. What a ride that was with Eugene Choi and Ae-sin and that large, excellent cast in Mr. Sunshine. (Why that title?). As you say, it was quite an eye-opener.

>197 klobrien2:. Glad to hear it, Karen. I read Catcher in the Rye, but otherwise never caught the Salinger bug.

>196 brenzi:. Hi, Bonnie. Oh I don’t want to discourage you from doing what sounds like a great reading project. As you saw, I loved The Brothers Karamazov. The Family Chao: it’s all relative. I’d been built up to expect more than I got; i still ended up giving it 4 stars. I’m sure folks are having fun comparing it to TBK.

>203 alcottacre:. I think you’d be another natural reader for Lillian Boxfish, Stasia. I’d sure like to take a walk with her.

Happy Tuesday!

>188 jnwelch: I'm a Christie fan who likes the Tommy and Tuppence books, Joe. It was those or the Marple books that I most enjoyed. I wasn't sure about the Poirot books until I saw the series with David Suchet.

I see you're a fan of Foyle's War. I've been watching that recently on Knowledge Network although I could stream it on Acorn TV but then I have other series I follow on that.

Almost right after I started the series I had heard that it had a tragic ending but was not spoiled in any fashion. And the tragic ending it is. Almost every supporting character That we came to love was lost. Like you I was surprised that Dong mae survived his run in with the yakuza. He seemed like a cat of 9 lives especially after that duel in the middle of the street with the other Yakuza henchman. But you are right in saying that hes scene at the end with the hotel owner on the beach is very touching. I really liked both of those characters. From the death of Ae-sin's rifle mentor to his wife hanging from the overpass to the mute woman by the river, they got everybody.

Another very touching scene was the one is when the people formed a human shield line to defend Ae-sin while she grieved the death of her servants.

I also really felt for the Is lame duck king of Joseon. I thought the actor in that role did an excellent job of a man torn by honor and the impotence of his position facing the coming Occupation.

Is what a great show. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Are you planning on picking up another one anytime soon?

>207 Familyhistorian:. I’m glad Tommy and Tuppence are getting some love, Megan. They’re a bit of all right in my book.

Foyle’s War is excellent, isn’t it. Michael Kitchen is so good in the lead, and I love the insights into life during WWII.

>208 brodiew2:. Agreed on those touching scenes, Brodie. The hotel owner was a great character, and I loved her relationship with Dong Mae. The emperor of Korea was well-played by that actor, wasn’t he. What ann impossible position. I appreciated how he tried to protect the rifle trainer for as long as possible.

That was a great, memorable show.

As I was discussing with Megan, i’m enjoying Foyle’s War from about 15 years ago. Another good one is Midnight Diner. It’s set in Shinjaku, Japan. It was recommended to me because I like Murakami’s books, and it does have some of that tone to it. How about you?

>209 jnwelch: I'm still pretty heavily into my Korean season. I've been watching Sisyphus: The Myth, which is pretty cool modern thriller with sf and apocalyptic themes. Well done, if padded a bit. The characters are not as strong, not that they are bad, but this one has an excellent story and great FX when they apply.

I also started the Zombie K drama, All of Us are Dead, which I am on again off again as there are others I'd prefer to see.

I could recommend so many Korean films I've seen over the last few months, but if you like the historical treat of Mr. Sunshine, check out Assassination. It takes place in the mid 30s in Japanese occupied Korea and is another very well done film about the resistance. The Man Standing Next is another film that really struck for is political, historical perspective. It is about the assassination of South Korean president Park in 1979.

Also, the fifth and final season of The Last Kingdom drops today on Netflix. I'm very excited about that.

Have a great day, Joe!

>210 brodiew2:. Thanks, Brodie. A lot to ponder there. I tried All of Us are Dead and it unfortunately didn’t grab me . I’m a Bernard Cornwell fan, so I’m looking forward to The Last Kingdom, too.

Today’s quote:. “Under the thinning fog the surf curled and creamed, like a thought trying to form itself on the edge of consciousness.” From The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler.

>212 jnwelch: Coooool!

Hoping your Humpday has more of those moments in it.

Joe, I can't recall if I gave you the acute antsy-s for Russian Doll already:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmN8yvz668E&ab_channel=Netflix

>213 richardderus:. Isn’t that a good one, buddy? Just re-reading The Big Sleep is giving me a lot of those moments. What a writer.

>214 richardderus:. Thanks! I shall peruse.

Post-perusal: Man, it’s good to see her again. What’s going to happen in Season 2? April 20th, baby. Can’t wait to find out!

Morning, Joe! Sweet Thursday. I can't wait for this warm-up to begin. Next week should be a beauty. I am enjoying Winesburg, Ohio for the Group Read, (probably not your cuppa, but you never know) and loving my audio of Project Hail Mary. I also hope to spend more time with Ballad for Sophie.

Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday, buddy. A warm-up would be great. Yay for Project Hail Mary! Are the tech details tough to figure out on audio? I found some of them challenging in print. Enjoy Ballad for Sophie - it’s a different kind of story, isn’t it.

I’m finishing up my re-read of the annotated Big Sleep(great) and I’ve started Candice Millard’s River of Doubt. My GN is The Subtle Knife, the continuing adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials series.

From The Big Sleep: “It seemed like a nice neighborhood to have bad habits in.”

“It was about eleven o'clock in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills. I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark little clocks on them. I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn't care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be. I was calling on four million dollars.“

>218 jnwelch: I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn't care who knew it.

*chuckle*

>219 richardderus:😅👍

Hi Joe, I went to the new branch of one of our favourite restaurants this evening. Mildred’s. The new branch is in St Martin's Lane. The whole chain have now gone exclusively vegan. As I eat vegan three days a week, I thought I'd still enjoy it, the starter and pud were fine, but the lentil kofta was a bit meh. I cook more flavoursome vegan food. They were also doing too many 'vegan chicken/beef' dishes. Not really my thing if I eat out. Wish they'd stayed vegetarian/vegan. It was full, mostly 20 somethings, and the music was too loud, so not sure I'll revisit.

Better news, The Gate in Islington reopens late Spring. Yay.

>221 Caroline_McElwee: Hello Caroline - my vegan daughter asked what you use to replace eggs when baking...?

Her choices haven't been a real success.

sure wish Mildred's would open a spot in Madison, Wisconsin!

>202 jnwelch: ooh that's good that one :)

I heard that Invisible Women is on special for all of March as well. I'm not sure which place it's cheap- but, it's a great read non fiction read.

>222 m.belljackson: You cannot eat your cake and vegan too.

>222 m.belljackson: I own I don't bake on vegan days Marianne. There must be possibilities though, as I've had some very good vegan cake bought from vegan market stalls.

-American Robin

Happy Saturday, Joe! We survived our Jackson Day Marathon yesterday. It is nice to be able to tag-team him, while he is at our place. As joyful as he is, a baby is still exhausting. I am finishing up Winesburg, Ohio, which I ended up really admiring and then I will be starting The Siege of Krishnapur. Have you read him before?

Sitting in on Dr. Paul Farmer’s memorial service. Remarkable, as he was. His daughter Catherine and friend Dr.Fauci -wow. PIH co-founder Ophelia Dahl. Beautiful music. “In this great turning we will learn to lead with love.”

Today’s Bargain: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin for $1.99 on Kindle. Lots of love for books and book people.

>221 Caroline_McElwee:. Good memories, Caroline! We miss eating out with you and Darryl. There are so many more plant-based options out there, I would expect Mildred’s to do better. The Gate! I’m so glad it survived the pandemic. Some restaurants and pub-like bars here didn’t.

>222 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Some Google Fu by your daughter should turn up a lot of plant-based substitutes for eggs in baking. I don’t know how the magic is worked, but flax and chia seeds, and tofu, all get mentioned. We had a vegan cafe by us (sadly gone now) whose baked goods were delicious.

>223 LovingLit:. I know, Megan, I hope readers jumped on that Interpreter of Maladies bargain.

Invisible Women is new to me and sounds important. Hmm.

>224 quondame:. Ha! But you can if you find the right baker, Susan. I don’t find “gluten-free” or “vegan” a deteerent when I see baked goods. Of course, I could happily live on baked goods, chips and pizza.

>225 Caroline_McElwee:. Right, ditto, Caroline.

>226 msf59:. Happy Saturday, Mark. Nice Robin photo - Spring is coming, slowly.

Yes, baby care is exhausting, isn’t it. I’ve tried “why don’t you get dinner yourself” or “read a book by yourself” or “learn to change your own diaper” without any success. Debbi and I tag team, too, when we’ve got them for a while.

Winesburg, Ohio doesn’t call out to me, but I’ve looked at The Siege of Krishnapur a number of times. Looking forward to your comments.

Hi Joe! Happy Pi Day! (there's a sale at goodwillbooks.com if you're in the mood for some responsibly sourced tree books...3 or more gets 14% off)

I think you should read Matthew Neill Null's Allegheny Front, which won the 2016 Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction. It's $1.99 today on le Kindlemachine: https://smile.amazon.com/Allegheny-Front-McCarthy-Prize-Fiction-ebook/dp/B01CC32...
I liked it almost-5* worth back in the day.

Have the day happy, old reader.

>230 jnwelch:. Happy Eve of Pi Day Eve, RD. (Isn’t the big day on Monday 3.14?)

That sale is intriguing, but I have many tree books waiting for my attention. I’m reading a liaden one right now, paired with River of Doubt , with a side order of Metamorphoses.

Hope you’re having a relaxing, healthy weekend.

P.S. You sold me on Allegheny Front for $1.99.

Hi Joe!

I thought you might be interested to know that I have read another graphic novel, number two in the hit parade - Maus by Art Spiegelman. After reading that it was banned in a county in Tennessee I immediately bought it. Yesterday was the right day to read it. I appreciated it and will eventually get the second one. I have one other graphic novel on my shelves, The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer by Sydney Padua. I’m more inclined to read it now that I successfully got through Maus.

>197 klobrien2: My friend in Montana, another Karen, bought them for me in 1974. The cheapest I am seeing them now, either on Amazon, BookFinder.com, or ebay, is $800.

I originally read all of J.D. Salinger’s short stories in magazines in the 1970s at the Pomona Public Library in SoCal. You might want to research the list of his published short stories and see how many are available online – I know for sure that Hapworth 16, 1924 is available as a pdf.

>205 jnwelch: Interesting. I read and tolerated The Catcher in the Rye but fell in love with the Glass Family.

>226 msf59: I saw the first robin of the season yesterday! Since they are here, it means spring is not so far away :)

Have a great weekend

>233 karenmarie:. Hi Karen!

Great to hear! With 20-20 hindsight I wish I had srarted you with Maus.😀. The Thrilling Adventures is excellent, and reminds us how important Ada Lovelace was. You might also like Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.

$800?! Impressive. Like you, I read and tolerated Catcher in the Rye, but for me that was enough.

>234 figsfromthistle:. 😀. I’m ready!

>233 karenmarie: Re: Salinger: wikipedia has a list of all the short stories. I might start with that list and see how many I can find. Maybe I’ll finish the books first!

Have a great week!

Karen O

>238 johnsimpson:. 😀

>228 jnwelch:, Hi Joe, mate. I hope you enjoy The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, we both loved it.

Hope all is well with you and Debbi and we send love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.

Sir Joe of the Welch! A lot of Robertson Davies is on sale for Kindle at $2.99 now...Murther & Walking Spirits was simply irresistible, that bizarre tale of a murdered man's fate following his wife's murderous lover around while he promotes the murderee's family story on film.

How could I be expected to resist that?!

Has anyone else been following Uhtred and the Danes and transforming England in the adaptations of Bernard Cornwell’s books? The new season is The Last Kingdom. So interesting and (brutal and) good.

>239 richardderus:. Understood, Richard. I do love me some Robertson Davies with his Deptford Trilogy, but unfortunately I find this bargain storyline resistible.

>240 jnwelch: Yes, we follow the TV-adaption of The Last Kingdom, Joe. I think we recently saw the 4th season.

>241 jnwelch: ...gasp...

>238 johnsimpson:. Hi, John. Debbi and I also loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Catnip for LTers. I hope the bargain helped it gain readers.

We’re doing well and looking forward to some Spring weather. Hugs and love back to you and Karen, buddy.

>242 FAMeulstee:. Oh good. Anita. Isn’t The Last Kingdom excellent? I just saw Bernard Cornwell interviewed, and he said that he knew immediately that Alexander Dreymon was the perfect Uhtred. What great storytelling about a chaotic time in history.

>243 richardderus:. I know, you poor guy. I’ll look for your comments on it.

The River of Doubt is as compelling as people said. What a lot they had to suffer through: disease, hunger, insects, deluges, fatigue. Teddy R is worrying about his son Kermit, and Kermit is worrying about Teddy R.

>245 jnwelch: It is a gripping narrative, isn't it? I honestly get a bit clenched thinking about that incredibly difficult journey.

>246 richardderus:. I can imagine, Richard. Man oh man, what they’re going through, all in the name of exploration.

Happy Wednesday, Joe. A real beauty out there today, right? I LOVE it. I hope you got out for a stroll or two. I am enjoying The Siege of Krishnapur and continuing to love Project Hail Mary.

>239 richardderus: I loved Murther and Walking Spirits...

>247 jnwelch: see Joe? >249 laytonwoman3rd: says it's fun to read, too! “People who have failed at Christianity aren't likely to make great Buddhists.”

I mean, if I didn't know you weren't 110 years old, I'd swear you wrote that!

"much of my indignation at the manner of my death is its want of artistic form, dimension, emotional weight, dignity."

>251 laytonwoman3rd: LOL
"But even Wagner, with his magnificent music and his rather less worthy pseudo-medieval words, is never wholly successful. Why? Because a work of art must be in some measure coherent; but thought and feeling mingled, as all of us experience them, are surging and incoherent. Thought and feeling trimmed into coherence in a work of art are still far from reality, still far from the agonizing confusion that rises like miasma in what a great poet has called the foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart."

>1 jnwelch: Beautiful colors and texture!

>255 jnwelch:. Glad you’re enjoying them, LibraryAnn!

This one, by Eugenia Leigh from Poem-a-Day, awakens parental anxiety and hope. So much to teach!

Glossolalia

My baby brandishes a wooden knife
meant to halve a wooden shallot

as he hollers his newest word. Knife.
Look at my son, flashing

his dagger, jamming it into plush
animals. Knife, knife. Look at him,

oblivious to the weapons
littering his lineage or, God forbid,

possessed by them. Can the babies
planted in the dirt of our bodies

absorb the torments buried there?
My gentle, watchful child

wants all the knives. But some days,
everywhere, blue. The bear, blue.

The bells, blue, the car, the cup,
the light. I marvel at my son,

who marvels at the sky—blue, blue—
no matter how gray the bully of clouds.

And this is all I want.
Look at my son laughing at the rain.

Look how he prods the window
with his knife, insisting

we cut up the storm, demanding
the blue back into view.

Not quite a year ago, I was in Illinois Masonic hospital after a stroke, unable to walk normally, with an alarm on my bed to keep me from getting off. I couldn’t sit up without support. When I ate, Debbi pushed and supported me from my left side, as my whole body wanted to tilt and fall over that way. Nothing on my left side worked right. My mind was hazy.

They started almost immediately working me hard in rehab. I was terrible at everything. They put me in a harness chained to the ceiling (that moved along a track) to safely teach me how to walk again. Eventually I could walk in it and play catch with the therapist as I moved. A short video of me doing that was our grandson’s favorite.

Rehab each day was several hours and exhausting - and I signed up for extra whenever it was offered. The prize for success was a pair of blue hospital slippers, which would mean turning off that damn bed alarm, being able to go to the bathroom unaccompanied, and free range in the hospital corridors on my own. I finally got them on my last day before release. What a feeling! I still have them at home where I can see them every day.

That wasn’t the end, as I had months more of outpatient rehab ahead of me, and some very poorly executed typing on Librarything. But a major thing that helped get me through it in the hospital was March Madness - the exciting annual college basketball tournament that takes over tv for a few days. That and reading ( yes, somehow my brain still found relief in reading) were the two distractions I could handle. Because of covid concerns, visits from Debbi and our son were severely limited. March Madness will always have special meaning for me.

Today I’m hale and pretty darn hearty, watching March Madness games with no physical problems and no fetters. Happy weekend!

P.S. Thank goodness for Debbi. From finding me dazed and bleeding (I fell and managed to cut my left ear in half) to getting me where I needed to be and putting up with my frustration and anger - I can’t imagine getting through it without her.

>256 jnwelch: Happy weekend, Joe! Now go watch the History of Civilization via the invention of Beer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJsWaJVtZWA&ab_channel=ExtraCredits

>256 jnwelch:. Ha! Thanks, RD.

Joe, I enjoyed the art work of Sally Bartos!!!
All those brilliant colors are spectacular.

>256 jnwelch: A wonderful reflection, Joe; thanks for that, especially of all your hard work and your support from your spouse. Gratitude is something we need more of in this world.

My spouse right now is perched in front of March Madness, yelling at the TV, as he will be for the next few weeks. As annoying as it sometimes is to lose him during March, your piece made me appreciate him even more, because I know he'll be right next to my bed supporting me when my time comes.

Today’s Bargains:Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E.Stevenson and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. I’ve grown to love D.E.Stevenson’s books, and Miss Buncle’s Book is one of my favorites. Telegraph Club is an excellent YA queer romance set in the 1950s that won the National Book Award.

>259 Whisper1:. Great to hear from a connoisseur, Linda!

>260 kac522:. Thanks a lot, Kathy. Every once in a while Debbi and I look at each other and think/say, “wow!, what a year!”

Ha! Right - treasure your spouse, even if he’s one of those guys fascinated by March Madness. Debbi was mentally prepared; she assured me me she’ll be binge-ing the new season of Call the Midlwife.

>256 jnwelch: What an amazing recovery you have made Joe, and in pandemic times too. Hugs to both you and Debbi.

>256 jnwelch: What a trooper you are Joe! Congratulations.

What a great remembrance. I'm not much of a basketball fan, but that story almost makes me one.

>256 jnwelch: So happy for you Joe that this March the only madness that needs to concern you is basketball. I’m remembering your posts from last year about the stroke; always with a light touch to blur the real tough work of PT and recuperation. Debbi was a true champ but she had a guy with a great attitude to work with.

>256 jnwelch: Joe, I learned of your stroke much later because I spent so little time on LT last year. I am SO glad you are not feeling any after affects, but I know you worked hard for your recovery. You bring much joy to this group with your art and poetry posts, not to mention the goodies from the Cafe and pictures and stories about your lovely family. Stay healthy my friend and enjoy the basketball and books.

>256 jnwelch: Joe, Thank you for the insights gleaned from a most traumatic event. I join your many friends here in out 75 challenge group who admire and respect you tremendously. And, kudos to you for recognizing the main role Debbi had in your recovery. And, I thank God that you are continuing in your progress!

This group would never be the same without you...Hang in there one precious day at a time.

>256 jnwelch: Nice reflections, Joe. Your perseverance through rehab is inspiring. I'm so glad you are once again hale and hearty and living life to the fullest.

>256 jnwelch: Hooray for "hale and pretty darn hearty"! Pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you put in, getting back to normal. We would sure like to have you around for a couple more decades. And a big-shout out to Debbi for guiding you through it all. She is a wonder.

Happy Sunday, Joe. I hope you are enjoying the weekend, with the books and March Madness. I just started An Unnecessary Woman. If you have not read this one, please keep it in mind. And thanks again for recommending Ballad for Sophie. This GN turned out to be such a nice surprise.

Hi Joe! I liked reading your reflections on your experience - so important to take the time to do that, especially after such a major event in one's life.

We have been paying more attention than usual to March Madness this year for some reason. And, of course, we've joined the St. Peter's bandwagon, as we love an underdog, and they're just down the road from us :)

>272 katiekrug:. Thanks, Katie. Yes, it felt good to look back after a year. And what a year it was.

I’m so struck by the composure with which St.Peter’s plays. Their coach seems like a humble, exceptional man. It hardly seems possible that a school this small is doing so well, beating the giants. Even “Call the Midwife” Debbi iis avidly following their story. I bet there will be huge audience numbers for their next game. And they’re neighbors of yours - how cool is that.

>263 Caroline_McElwee:. Thanks, Caroline. It’s been an amazing journey, a start over. Hugs back from Debbi and me.

>264 brenzi:. Thanks, Bonnie! Thanks to Debbi, the motto in our house is “right foot, left foot” - just keep going. “Trooper” fits that.😀

>255 jnwelch: Love the poem (Eugenia Leigh’s). Off to see if my library has anything by her…

Karen O

P.s. The lib had one book, so it’s coming my way. I also subscribed to Poem-a-day, so I have that to look forward to. Thanks!

P.p.s. And congrats on your recovery and restored health!

>265 drneutron:. Thanks, Jim. Ha! I’ve been a nut about basketball my whole life. And a nut about sports generally. Which was a bit odd growing up in a family with not much interest in them. I did have 3 uncles who played college sports at the U of Mich, so they must’ve rubbed off on me.

>266 NarratorLady:. Thanks, Anne. Debbi was and is a true champ- she still has to put up with me. I remember being embarrassed about my sloppy typing on LT, but I was just too tired to do anything about it. And I wanted to connect with you all. Gradually it got better.

>267 Donna828:. Hi, Donna. Thank you for the kind comments. I’ll do my best to stay healthy, and i’ll definitely enjoy the basketball and books. I just finished the 5 star River of Doubt, and started a much lighter Acton/Doyle mystery from a series I love.

>268 Whisper1:. Aww, thanks so much, Linda. I appreciate the kind comments. I’ve made so many good friends like you over the years that LT has become like a second home. I’m probably like the weird, jovial uncle who pops in at mealtimes (I had a beloved one).

Hang in there one precious day at a time. Good advice. It’s going to be a beaut here in Chicago, and our daughter is coming to visit.

>269 lauralkeet:. Thanks, Laura. Perseverance is a good word for it. I learned that if I just did what I was told, and kept doing it, things would get better. Man, it was humbling!

>270 msf59:. I join your hooray, Mark.😀

Now that my semi-frozen left shoulder is back to normal, i have a much better chance of patting myself on the back.

BTW, I LOVED River of Doubt. What an amazing, beautifully researched and written book.After all that, Teddy R had to face accusations of fabrication upon his return! I couldn’t believe it. Typically, he quickly declawed the accusers and vindicated himself.

Debbi is a wonder, all right; I join you on that one, too. I remember my initially skeptical mother (this girl married her prized baby boy) came to love her dearly and rely on her before she passed away. A crusty dame to convince.

>271 msf59:. Happy Sunday, compadre. I’m glad An Unnecessary Woman is rating highly with you, and I’ll definitely keep it in mind. Yay for Ballad for Sophie! It’s so different from most GNs; I’m psyched that it worked for you.

Today’s Bargain: The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester for $1.99 on e-readers. A sci-fi version of The Count of Monte Cristo. One of my favorite classics from that time.

>274 klobrien2:. Thanks, Karen. I’m glad you liked the Eugenia Leigh poem. I’m going to follow your good example and track down more from her at the library.

P.S. Done - it’s got a 5 star rating at our library. Cool.

I bet it feels wonderful to be able to write such a review of your year, Joe. You are probably their best and favourite customer! A real success story! A real team effort, with so many playing their roles to perfection: the medical, the rehab, Debbi, and YOU! Without your efforts and determination, the best of intentions would not have made it happen. Congrats and may your next year's review have nothing medical to report! ;-)

>256 jnwelch: Hello Joe, Thank you for sharing your very harrowing and terrifying experience. What a time you have had! I too had a stroke now 9 years ago with a 6% expected survival predicted. It was around the time I joined L.T. and after I had lots of time to do rehab on my writing and speech and L.T. was fantastic for keeping the interest going and the writing too. I feel that that recovery continues for a very long time after the incident. I am so very pleased that you have recovered so well.

I have just had a zip through your 3rd Cafe and loving all the book talk of favourites. I came to reading somewhat later than most, not reading much as a child or teenager so I feel that I am greatly missing the classics (compared to others). It has been fun to sift through my 5 star reads and trying to figure out the top 5. I think these would change tomorrow but here goes.

Wilderness Champion a kid's book.
Poisonwood Bible
All My Puny Sorrows
Gilead
Travels With Charlie.

Glad you are getting to watch March Madness yet another year and that it brings you memories of how far you've come.

>279 jessibud2:. Hi, Shelley. It does feel wonderful to write that a year later. Man, it’s all still vivid, as you can imagine. As I got better, I’d walk with a therapist all over the hospital to build strength. It was a banner day when we took a walk outside. You do build bonds, for sure. It was hard to adequately express my gratitude without going overboard. Their jobs take extraordinary patience, and, like a parent, success means sending their (big, old) “child” off into the world to function on his own.

I love the idea of doing this next year with no medical issues to report!

>280 mdoris:. Hi, Mary. Thank you for reviving the top 5 Favorites list. I was enjoying that on the earlier thread, too. I hope others are inspired to post their Top 5.

I loved Gilead and Travels with Charley. I have yet to read Poisonwood Bible (I did read a different Kingsolver-The Bean Trees) and the other two are new to me.

Since I already did my Top 5 favorites overall, here are my Top 5 for the year so far:

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The Maid by Nita Prose
Aeneid by Vergil, translated by Stanley Lombardo
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
River of Doubt by Candice Millard

And I wanted to put these two on there: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor

6% expected survival for your stroke! Wow- I’m glad you’re still with us. You must have had your own harrowing(!) experience and challenging comeback. Could you read? That was a big relief for me. Imagine not having that ability. No matter how hard rehab was, Debbi and I would around and see folks who had gotten hit worse than me. One poor guy was in a wheelchair, struggling mightily to talk, and to bring a spoonful of food up to his mouth. That one had us both teary-eyed. We counted our blessings many times over, as I’m sure you have.

Yes , recovery continues for me, too. It’s my stamina that is lagging, but we’ve talked through adjustments if that problem sticks around. Kudos to you for making your way back from such a scary one!

>281 thornton37814:. Many thanks, Lori. I’ve always enjoyed March Madness, but it is definitely a special pleasure now.

>282 jnwelch: Thanks Joe for your reply. The post stroke fatigue factor is a big one, i guess what you refer to as stamina. I too am blessed as my husband (surgeon) recognized the symptoms right away and I had the "drano" medicine (for dissolving blood clots) within the required 3 hours but that medicine also has great risks. I was lucky! I could read but had apraxia (speech like gobbledegook!) and trouble writing in recovery. That's why L.T. was so wonderful as just a short 2 sentence response would take about an hour to compose and edit and the proof reading critical as I omitted all articles and had great spelling problems although I had always been a good speller. Strange what happens! I remember at the time asking a friend who had a stroke if there are days eventually that you can forget about it. It is true that eventually that happens. I remember when training as a Speech Language Pathologist that the predicted recovery window was quite limited 6 months to a year. I am imagining that that opinion might have changed as personal recovery continues for a long time after that. Good news that! Take care and hoping your stamina improves steadily. Yes count the blessings!

Love the book talk over here!

Daughter #1 played basketball for Gonzaga many years ago now but March Madness was a big one in our house too.

>285 mdoris:. Yes, I’m talking about fatigue, Mary. Stamina is my word for it; the doctors say fatigue. I’m told, and have read, that fatigue can be an “ongoing issue”, meaning unrelentingly forever, so I just keep working out and extending my walks in the hope that my stamina comes back.

I’m glad they could address yours so promptly and effectively. Mine wasn’t due to a blot clot. It was caused by “small blood vessel disease”, i.e. small vessels in my brain clogged with plaque just like major arteries can, and that cut off the necessary oxygen from that part of my brain. My med intake now is designed to keep my cholesterol numbers properly low, blood pressure not high, and blood relatively thin(baby aspirin). I had resisted starting to take blood pressure medicine before the stroke (preferring to try diet, weight and exercise) and that was a mistake. Woo, what a complicated machine we are!

I watched the poor Gonzaga women’s team lose again yesterday to nemesis Louisville. That Louisville star, Van Liff, was awfully good and seemed to make the difference. Just normal-sized, too. I doubt anyone seeing her on the street would guess she’s a basketball star. How cool that your daughter played for Gonzaga. That’s high level! As you know, their men’s team is seeded number 1 overall.

I’m loving the book talk, too.

Question of the Day for Cafe Patrons: What are your top 5 favorite books that you would list today?

Yes, it’s a hard question, with its answer subject to change, but please give it a go for the fun of it. I added several to my WL last time we tried this.

>284 jnwelch: Thanks Joe for letting me know about your personal situation, much appreciated. I don't know how I could have missed your troubling news last year as I have visited your thread often over time. Fingers crossed for your continued recovery!

Go Zags!

>284 jnwelch: - I always have issues with a question like this because I tend to first think of "classics" and that fills up my list quickly, and there are always more contemporary novels I want to include and which often change depending on what immediately leaps to mind. So I'm separating them :)

Always:
Dubliners by James Joyce
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Persuasion by Jane Austen
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

As of right this moment:
1) Black River by S.M. Hulse
2) Sula by Toni Morrison
3) Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan
4) Dreamland by Kevin Baker
5) Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Nonfiction would have to be a separate list!

>285 mdoris:. Thanks, Mary. I know I’ve benefitted from reading similar stories by other LTers, e.g. Linda, Whisper1, so I ohope people find mine useful, or at least interesting to read .

P.S. we’re rooting for the Zags! They’re Debbi’s favorite team because she loves the name, and I pull for them because I like Mark Few ( the coach) and the way they play. Both of us are Saint Peter’s fans this year - what a story that one is. I’m so impressed with their composure on the court as they take on the Goliaths.

I don't like lists like this either because I find it hard to limit to just 5. I also find it hard because I like books for different reasons and remember some books for certain things for many years. That doesn't mean that I think they shouldn't be or wouldn't be on a Top 5 list. However, here is my Top 5 list - for today.

1. Thomas Flanagan - Tenants of Time - I tend to count the trilogy as one title, but this one title was a standout in the 1980's and I still think about it from time-to-time.
2. Quartzsite Trip by William Hogan
3. Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
4. Beach Music by Pat Conroy - I probably like this novel so much because I first read it when I moved to Tuscaloosa and it assuaged my loneliness.
5. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

>284 jnwelch: My list hasn't changed in a long time, and maybe you've seen it before, Joe. Every one of these books knocked my socks off, and except for the Faulkner, no one suggested I read them, nor did I know what I was getting into when I picked any one of them up. I have read them all multiple times, and they not only "hold up", they continue to surprise me. I think it would be awfully hard for a book to wow me so that it would bump one of the top five down, because I'm so much harder to impress now. Not that I think any of these are undeserving on their own merits, but I was a much different reader when I encountered them the first time:

All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
(Yes, they are all American. I was once enamored of Russian novels, but I grew out of that, and wouldn't include any of them on a Top anything list now, with the possible exception of Dr. Zhivago)

More recently, I have been awed by these five:

At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Finn by Jon Clinch
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich
Giraffe by J. M. Ledgard

>284 jnwelch: Even though I haven't read them in some years I'd fill in 5 slots with Jane Austen's novels P&P, MP, P, E, S&S, in that I'd trade any other book's existence for one of those, especially the first 3.

Joe - I'm going with how I first read this - that it was the favorite books reading today!

1. TORN LILACS

2. THE 1619 PROJECT

3. THE GEOLOGICAL STORY by James Dana - 1895

4. The Only Place We Live > for the Utpatel Woodcuts!
as well as the poetry and prose of Derleth, Stuart, and Gard...

5. Rime of the Ancient Mariner > a now classic Graphic Novel by Hunt Emerson

Oh boy. This list keeps changing as the years(and books) fly by Joe but

Top 5 All Time Favorites

1. Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
2. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
3. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
4. The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville
5. Middlemarch by George Eliot

Top 5 in 2022

1. If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
2. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
3. Trieste by Dasa Drndic
4. The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
5. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

>284 jnwelch: *snort*

Impossible. Top 500 might...might...be almost doable, if series only counted as one book.

>286 katiekrug:. This is great, Katie, thanks. I’ve actually read your 5 all-timers, and liked them. I don’t remember any of Dubliners other than the story “The Dead”, but that one is a knockout, and I still think about it. Persuasionis an excellent Austen pick; I may substitute that for P&P in my list.

On your “this moment” list I loved Last Night at the Lobster and Lonesome Dove, so I’d better take a look at the others.

<293. Oh man, we went through this before, Richard. I respect your right to have fun your own way, but I’d be willing to provide some pastries for your list.

>288 benitastrnad:. Thanks for trying it anyway, Benita. Of course I’m delighted to see Kafka on the Shore on your list. It’s on mine, too. I keep meaning to read Tenants of Time, and then something new and shiny distracts me. I should fix that.

I don’t know Quartzite Trip. I’ve read about Chocolate War and Beach Music, but not the books themselves.

>284 jnwelch: Wow, this is hard, Joe!

1) Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman - One of my all-time favorite books about books
2) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - I have loved this book since childhood, so I have to include it!
3) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - My recent re-read of this one just reinforced how much I love it!
4) The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien - A bit of a cheat, I know :)
5) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

>284 jnwelch: I'll give it a shot:

Top 5 all-time, in the order I first read them in my life: (I've re-read them all multiple times)
Jane Eyre, Bronte
Pride and Prejudice, Austen
Persuasion, Austen
Middlemarch, Eliot
North and South, Gaskell

Top five in 2022 so far, in order read:
Miss Mole, E. H. Young
Kidnapped, R. L. Stevenson
On Tyranny: Graphic Edition, Timothy Snyder, a re-read of text, but GN knocks it up several notches
A Lost Lady, Willa Cather
David Copperfield, Dickens, a re-read, on audiobook read by Simon Vance

>294 jnwelch: - For some reason, I think you'd really get a kick out of Dreamland, Joe. It's quite a ride!

Morning, Joe! It makes my heart happy to see the Aeneid on your list!

>300 scaifea:. Ha! Aeneid was great, Amber. That Vergil sure knows how to tell a story. Thanks for guiding me to read the quick and lively Stanley Lombardo translation, which made all the difference. And for helping me understand some of the more befuddling underpinnings!

>299 katiekrug:. Thanks for thinking of me, Katie. I’ll give Dreamland a close look. New York in the early 1900s does call out to me.

>298 kac522:. Oh my, I love this list, Kathy. All of those easily could be on my list, except that I haven’t read North and South, which I must now remedy. What Gaskell did I read and enjoy? *looks*. Cranford. OK, thanks for the N&S tip.

I like your 2022 Top 5, too, and you’ve re-nudged me to try that On Tyranny GN. The original was a standout for me.

And I’ve read a ton of Willa Cather, a favorite author, but not The Lost Lady! Onto the WL it goes.

Tuesday orisons, Joe.

Speaking of Willa Cather and the Impossible List...have you read Katherine Anne Porter's Pale Horse, Pale Rider trilogy? It's on Kindle sale from Library of America for $1.99 today:
https://smile.amazon.com/Pale-Horse-Rider-Library-America-ebook/dp/B00JAUGGEA/

Being from Austin and an alumnus of Southwest Texas State, her legacy looms pretty large in my field of literary vision. Her deft characterizations were satisfying to me.

I am enamored with the idea of jotting down my top, favorite, all-time leading novels (but only five). I'm also too too too indecisive to pull it off. I don't neeeeed more distractions, thank you very much.

:-)

>297 alcottacre: >303 jnwelch: What am I? Chopped liver? Or maybe you just did not like my list? Lol

Happy Tuesday, Joe!

>297 alcottacre:. It really makes you put on the old thinking cap, doesn’t it, Stasia. Love your list -Ex Libris! You know I share your esteem for that one. I read Little Women for the first time only a couple of years ago, and experienced why it has endeared itself to so many. That was a great recent movie adaptation, too, with Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Timothee Chalomet.

I liked, but wasn’t enraptured by Shadow of the Wind the way so many have been. Maybe it was timing. I never convinced our kids of the wonders of the Tolkien books. Our daughter’s concise comment: “So much walking!”😀

As you no doubt saw, NY Times readers voted To Kill a Mockingbird the best novel of the last 125 years. An unforgettable reading experience for each and every reader, seems like.

>306 alcottacre:. There are so many posts that I took it backwards today, Stasia. If you’re chopped liver, it’s the top shelf brand. See my post up above.

>305 weird_O:. Too bad, Bill. What is life but a series of distractions? Come back and play when you’re in the mood.

>304 richardderus:. Thanks for the Katherine Anne Porter bargain tip, RD. I shall scrutinize.

I ran across this article that sounds like something you, in the midst of your list-making life, would appreciate reading:
https://bookriot.com/how-to-choose-your-favorite-books/

Oh jeez, I missed a bunch of others. Sorry, everybody!

>289 laytonwoman3rd:. Cool list, Linda. (More to follow).

>207 Familyhistorian: I like Tommy and Tuppence, too, though their appearances are few and far between and they always seem to get slammed by critics. I haven't worked out why.

>222 m.belljackson: I have an aunt who always bakes the vegetarian-option cake for birthday parties. I think she substitutes evaporated milk.

>230 jnwelch: Until they're past a certain age, Joe, I advise 'Do not, under any circumstances, cook (or whatever) for yourself'. These days we often go down in the mornings to find the kitchen a disaster zone after overnight depredations by teenagers.

>256 jnwelch: 💝
I know not of March Madness in relation to the sport (basketball? Is that like netball?) you speak of. But the women's cricket world cup is going on in New Zealand right now.

>289 laytonwoman3rd:. There’s no arguing with To Kill a Mockingbird, Linda. What an awesome book. I liked Sometimes a Great Notion, but fell into the trap of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is “better” (i.e. affected me more strongly). I had a lot of respect for Ragtime, but it didn’t reach my heart. You know I’m not a Faulknerian, and I’ve yet to read All the King’s Men.

Your recent Top 5 is intriguing. I’ve read accolades for At Swim, Two Boys and Finn. A Fine Balance is a power house, and the saddest book I’ve ever read. I’m just kicking myself that I haven’t yet read The Last Report on the Miracles yet. I’ve been meaning to for ages, ever since a serious reader BIL urged it on me. Taking that to the top of the TBR right now.

>290 quondame:. You can’t go wrong with those five JAs, Susan. I love your passion: “I’d trade any other book’s existence for one of those, especially the first three.” Mansfield Park chimes your heart more than mine, but I’m a big time fan of P&P and Persuasion, and all of JA’s writing, really. As I mentioned, more of her Juvenalia is in my future.

>291 m.belljackson: Thanks for the instanter Top 5, Marianne. Three of five are new to me, although I was but a child in 1895 when James Dana came out with The Geological Story. Sounds like I need to check out the visuals of The Only Place We Live and the graphic Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Torn Lilacs has a lot of rave 5 star LT reviews I see. The 1619 Project is climbing the bestseller lists.

>292 brenzi:. Hi, Bonnie. My heart goes *thud* every time I see A Fine Balance. Great book, great sadness. Like you, I loved All Quiet on the Western Front and Middlemarch. I’m pretty sure we all convinced Mark to read Middlemarch recently, and he also loved it.

I’ve certainly thought about reading Stones for Ibarra, but haven’t gotten there yet. I don’t know The Idea of Perfection, so I’ll check it out.

I’m 0 for 5 on your second list, and except for new-to-me Dana Drndic, they’re all by authors I like. Yikes!

>312 jnwelch: And I have never read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest! I don't know why. I have it. I keep meaning to. It's just never been the book I picked up next. So if you'll read Finn, I'll read Cuckoo...how's that for a deal?

My top 5:

The Grapes of Wrath
Lonesome Dove
Native Son
Plainsong (Anyone want to do a reread?)
A Fine Balance

^Like most of us, listing 5 favorites is a tough task but it will be very difficult to topple any of the top 3 off this list. They have held this honor for a couple of decades. To Kill a Mockingbird could always make this list.

>289 laytonwoman3rd: Sadly, I have never read Sometimes a Great Notion. I should remedy that. I agree with you on Finn. A modern-day classic.

Hi Joe.

>256 jnwelch: Wow, almost a year. Your recovery is remarkable. I admire your hard work and perseverance, and also know you couldn’t have done it without Debbi. We indulge in March Madness here in central NC. Bill was thrilled with North Carolina upsetting Baylor, of course.

>284 jnwelch: I had resisted starting to take blood pressure medicine before the stroke (preferring to try diet, weight and exercise) and that was a mistake. I resisted taking statins for high cholesterol, and for me that was a huge mistake.

Here’s today’s Top 5 list. None of them are 5* reads. They just popped into my head. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout, Busman’s Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers, Let’s Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver, Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, by Casey Cep, The Story of Human Language by Dr. John McWhorter. Tomorrow’s list, of course, will be different.

>311 humouress:. Hi, Nina. Don’t forget to give us your Top 5 some time!

Good to see some more support for poor Tommy and Tuppence. From a lesser author they’d probably be more appreciated.

Vegetarians (sometimes called lacto-ovo vegetarians to ease the confusion) can eat eggs and dairy. Vegans eliminate those two, causing baking challenges.

Omigosh, Nina, teenage boys in the kitchen are the scariest. Debbi and I remember cleaning up after our boy and his friends - more mess than seemed possible.

I’m pretty sure basketball has even reached NZ. I know there are Australian players in the pro basketball league here, and no doubt there’ll be an NZ one at some point soon. How you manage without March Madness is beyond me. Such an important part of life. Maybe they can do something similar with cricket - although from what I’ve seen of that, you’d probably need a Year of Madness.

>314 laytonwoman3rd:. I see Mark also is endorsing Finn, Linda. I can make that deal for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest if you can wait a while. I’m already committed to The Last Report on the Miracles and others have been chomping at the bit.

>315 msf59:. Excellent list, Mark. No surprise, I could easily adopt that one as my own. If you end up doing a re-read of Plainsong, I’ll join you. After these posts I’ll recreate my list (can’t find the original) and that one will be at the top.

P.S. You’re the one who finally got me to read the most excellent Lonesome Dove. Thanks.

>316 karenmarie:. Hi, Karen. Thanks re the stroke recovery. I also resisted taking statins(!)(what a smart guy I am), and wouldn’t make that mistake again.

What an intriguing Top 5. I love seeing Nero Wolfe and Lord Peter and Harriet on there. Let’s Talk About Kevin is too much for yours truly, but I applaud you for getting so much out of it. Our daughter, I’m pretty sure, also rated highly Furious Hours, and The Story of Language sounds enticing.

We’d welcome tomorrow’s new list.😀

Today’s Bargain: His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet for $1.99 on e-readers. This very dark Booker finalist is a compelling puzzle that will stick with you.

My recreated Top 5:

Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys

I’m sure I had a different one in the 5 spot last time, but The Frozen Thames was so good it deserves its day in the sun. Melting?

>321 jnwelch: Good choices! I am a big fan of Helen Humphreys.

>307 jnwelch: No, I did not see about the NY Times readers. It is wonderful that even after 60 years the book is still so highly regarded!

>308 jnwelch: I have never been top shelf anything in my life. My chest is now bursting with pride :)

>315 msf59: I would do a reread of Plainsong any day!

>322 mdoris:. Thanks, Mary! Me, too.

>323 alcottacre:. 😀. Happy to hear all of these, Stasia.

The new cafe is open. See you there!

>317 jnwelch: Gosh no; there's no way I could attempt a Top 5 ... or 10 ... or anything. I'm a Libran :0)

I suspect even the Twenty 20 matches last longer than a basketball match. It would probably have to be a Year of Madness.

>326 humouress:😅