Jim's (drneutron's) Reading in 2022, page 3

I'm Jim, 59, husband of 36 years, father of a son in a PhD program in Comp Sci at Notre Dame, who reads pretty much anything. We're in central Maryland with roots in Louisiana. I like to read (obviously), cook, want to learn to fly fish, and trail bike riding/kayaking with mrsdrneutron. Of course, LT is a big time sink, but mrsdrneutron seems to have come to terms with my LT addiction...

1. The Shadow by James Patterson and Brian Sitts
2. The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch by Miles Harvey
3. The Sanitorium by Sarah Pearse
4. Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters by Steven Pinker
5. Velvet was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
6. Know Thyself by Ingrid Rossellini
7. My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk
8. Klaus: How Santa Claus Began by Grant Morrison
9. King Richard: Nixon and Watergate -An American Tragedy by Michael Dobbs
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
11. The God of Lost Words by A. J. Hackwith
12. Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
13. Stonemouth by Iain Banks

Total Books: 13

Author Gender
Male: 8 (57%)
Non-male: 6 (43%)

Author Status
Living: 13 (93%)
Dead: 1 (7%)

Publication Medium
Hardback: 4 (31%)
Trade: 2 (15%)
Mass Market: 0 (5%)
eBook: 7 (54%)

Category
Fiction: 8 (62%)
Nonfiction: 5 (38%)

Source
Library: 12 (92%)
Mine: 1 (8%)

ARC: 0
Re-Read: 0
Series: 2
Group Read: 2

Next one's yours!

Sir Doctor von Rocket. I greet you from climes increasingly northern.

Happy new one, Jim!

>5 richardderus:, >6 katiekrug: Welcome, Richard and Katie!

Happy new thread!

Happy new one!

Adding my wishes for happiness to the pile :)

Happy new thread, Jim!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Jim!

>8 quondame:, >9 figsfromthistle:, >10 RebaRelishesReading:, >11 karenmarie:, >12 mstrust:, >13 EllaTim: Thanks, Susan, Anita, Reba, Karen, Jennifer, Ella!

Made a mistake, sorry Jim.

Happy new thread, Jim!

>15 EllaTim: No worries!

>16 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

Happy New Thread!

Hi Jim, mate. Happy new one sir.

Happy Friday, Jim. Happy New Thread! Have a great weekend, my friend and enjoy those books.

>18 SilverWolf28:, >19 johnsimpson: Thanks, Silver and John!

>20 msf59: Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is good too!

Found and starred!

Happy new one, Jim.

I see you liked Stonemouth. Have you read anything else by Banks, Jim?

Happy new thread, Jim!

>22 fuzzi: Great! Thanks for coming by, fuzzi!

>23 PaulCranswick: Yup, Espedair Street. It was pretty good too.

>24 bell7: Thanks, Mary!

Happy new thread, Jim!

Hey Doc Rocket...go look at this Irish engineer's paean to y'all's li'l baby dumplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOZhPz92Dic

>27 richardderus: (oh, and ignore "ah-feel-ya-son")

Happy new thread Doc!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Jim!

>26 SirThomas: Thanks, Thomas!

>27 richardderus:, >28 richardderus: Oh cool, it's out! We obviously provided him with footage and some help with the technical details. Mostly, he got it right. 😀 And yeah, the af-hel-ion bugged me a bit. 😀

>29 humouress:, >30 ArlieS:, >31 BLBera: Thanks, Nina, Arlie, and Beth!

Happy new one, Jim! I hope all is well with you.

I've just started a new Star Trek novel, Trek: Rogue Elements. It's from the Picard series, and features the backstory for Cristobal Rios. It also has a strong Iotian element. You might remember them from the TOS episode 'A Piece of the Action'.

Are you watching anything interesting?

>25 drneutron: I have quite a bit of Banks on the shelves but haven't read enough of it. His debut novel The Wasp Factory is celebrated but pretty unpleasant. Guy was a very good writer though.

Have a great weekend, Jim.

>34 brodiew2: Iotian, huh. That’s interesting! I’m curious to see how they integrated them into Picard’s era. They don’t still carry Tommy guns, do they? 😀

>35 PaulCranswick: He is good! Haven’t read The Wasp Factory yet, but it’s on my list.

>36 drneutron:, >35 PaulCranswick: ...what was done to Frank...oh my goddesses...that book...!!

Ok, now I *have* to read it!

>38 drneutron: You *ab*so*lute*ly* do!

wow that was easy

Update Time!



14. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson

With nearly 3000 years of history to tell, it’s tough to really get a sense of ancient Egypt, but Wilkinson comes pretty close. Thorough, but not bogged down in details, this one’s able to keep my interest through that long span of time. Nice intro to the people, now I need to learn some hieroglyphics!



15. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

I’ve begun a gradual reread of Christie’s books in order. This is the first - introducing that most peculiar Hercule Poirot. Great Golden Age stuff, though this Duke edition leaves in place some rather 1920s racist and sexist language.

So book 14 was a picture book for you? ;0)

>41 humouress: 😀

I recently did a re-read of the great Murder on the Orient Express and was struck not for the first time what a terrible snob, sexist and racist our boy Poirot is (was). A man of his times certainly but that doesn't make it grate on the teeth less.

Judy and I had fun listening to a Great Courses talk on Ancient Egypt with Professor Bob Briar, who taught at my college many moons ago. . Was fun to hear Briar speak of this pharaoh or that pharouh as if they were his old drinking buddies "Good Old Snefrau" for example.

But we learned a lot. Sounds like you did too.

>43 magicians_nephew: Yep, product of his times. That's one of the reasons this will be a slow re-read - space between them for palate cleansing. 😀

So really the two reads in >40 drneutron: were both historical. Enjoy? your Christie reread, Jim.

Yeah, I guess that's true! Oh, I enjoyed it - it's just that the dichotomy in language between then and today really jumped out this time around.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/339833

And this week, I'm actually going to be able to join in!

Update Time!



16. Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

Start of a new series by the author of the Divine Cities series. This one's got a bit of a different vibe - It's fantasy, but the world's designed in a way that the book is really cyberpunk in disguise, complete with the punk aesthetic that so missing from much of steampunk these days. Gonna jump into the second as soon as I clear my current read.



17. The Dim Sum Field Guide: A Taxonomy of Dumplings, Buns, Meats, Sweets, and Other Specialties of the Chinese Teahouse by Carolyn Phillips

It's a short intro to the world of small plates served in Cantonese teahouses (and in good restaurants here in the US!). I've wanted to learn more about dim sum varieties and choices, and Phillips breaks them down by cooking method, savory/sweet, and ingredients, just what I wanted. She clearly loves dim sum and is really expressive about the textures and tastes, which made me want to run out and get some. If only the publisher had chosen to use photos instead of line drawings of the dishes, the book would have been a perfect intro.



18. Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

This novella based on Japanese ghost stories has been called the Hill House of the 21st century, and for good reason. A group of friends reunites for a wedding at a haunted old mansion in Japan with reputation for spirits, old resentments and secrets come out, and bad things happen. Khaw has a real sense of the horrific and I'm hoping there's more from her in the future.

>18 SilverWolf28: Cool! I found this book in a Little Free Library and only brought it home because of the cover picture which intrigued me. Guess i'll read it before giving it away. Thanks for the review, Jim. :)

Glad you found a copy! I really enjoyed it.

>49 drneutron:
I have an ARC of Foundryside - I guess I should get to it. I am intrigued by the Dim Sum book. I, too, and interested in knowing what they are and how they fit into Chinese cuisine. I just wish there was a Dim Sum restaurant here.

>52 benitastrnad: You should definitely give it a go!

>53 drneutron:
I just checked and I actually have the first two in the series. I am so booked up with my reading for the next two months that I don't think I will get to them anytime soon. I am going to try to finish the Harry Potter series when I drive home for Spring Break and I just started the Chaos Walking series.

>49 drneutron: I very much enjoyed the Divine Cities Trilogy and so I’ll keep a look
out for Foundryside.

>49 drneutron: I mostly enjoyed Foundryside while not finding it particularly original and thinking it would have benefited from tighter writing, but lately I've been increasingly impatient with anything over 350pgs unless they are very good pages indeed.

Happy Friday, Jim. I hope you have a book-filled weekend ahead of you. I have some birding planned and we are going to look at our first used camper tomorrow.

>55 SandDune: Cool! I hope you like it.

>56 quondame: Yeah, I find I'm less patient with books these days. This one I enjoyed and have the second queued up.

>57 msf59: We've thought about getting a little camper when I retire. My parents have one they use all the time and really enjoy it

I'm really happy that you liked Nothing But Blackened Teeth as well as I did. It really gave me a creepy vibe for several days.

>59 richardderus: Yep, definitely a creepy vibe!

>49 drneutron: BB for me with Foundryside, looks like something I would love.

Great! I hope you like it.

>61 fairywings: Ditto

>49 drneutron: I've read all of Jackson Bennett's books up to Foundryside, at which point I fell behind. I should fix that.

Nothing But Blackened Teeth is almost certainly on deck for March. Looking forward to the creep.

>63 magicians_nephew: I think you’d like it, Jim.

>64 swynn: It’s a good one!

Oooh, I could use that dim sum guide! We have a nearby restaurant that does a tremendous dim sum lunch and it would be nice to have names.
You liked Nothing But Blackened Teeth so much more than I did. I found it annoying rather than creepy, ha! But glad you had some good reads.

>66 mstrust: Yup, that's why I wanted the dim sum guide - to widen my range of things I want to try.

I didn't find it annoying, probably because it was so short. I could easily see me being annoyed by the characters had I been around them more. 😀

Have a happy March's reads!

Thanks, Richard! It's starting well - The Story of China is fascinating, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is fun. So far, so good.

>49 drneutron: Ooh, tempting! Eek! - not number 18 though.

>70 humouress: 😀 It's not for everyone, for sure.

>69 drneutron: It's not like the Wood book is a shorty, though, is it. Quite a hefty read.

Wordle 256 3/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟩⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

The absolute best word for this precise moment in history.

>72 richardderus: 539 pages of text, plus extensive notes on sources. It's going fast, though, as he's a pretty engaging writer.

I'm in the Wordle control group.😀 What's the word today?

Yeah I had the same reaction to the first Hackwith. But Cultish and Stonemouth are now on my WL. I am amazed by Banks books I didn't know about turning up here and there, the non-spec fic ones. I've read at least two and loved/liked them a lot. What a writer.

And Foundryside looks possible too! I loved the Divine Cities.

>73 drneutron: NASTY

I mean!

Yup, apropos!

>74 sibylline: Re the Banks books. It took me awhile to get why sometimes the initial sometimes not, but basically I avoided the no initials for a long time assuming I wouldn't like them, who knows why.

>49 drneutron: This one has been on my wishlist from the library for a bit. Mostly because of that cover - that's terrifying enough by itself!

>77 sibylline: And I avoided the books with the "M" included, Luci in the knowledge that they would all be sci-fi. I'm less of a genre avoider these days so I really ought to put that right soon.

Hi Roc Doc!

>77 sibylline:, >79 PaulCranswick: 😀 Interesting to see the opposite points of view.

>78 ursula: Yeah, I think it's a pretty cool cover. 😀

>79 PaulCranswick: Hiyah, Paul!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340046

I'm on a plane most of Saturday, so looks like I'm in!

>82 drneutron: - You're not allowed to say something like that without telling us where you are going! Some of us live vicariously through the travel of others because our husbands are sticks in the mud... :)

I've got a conference next week in Big Sky, Montana outside of Bozeman. We're not skiers, but I did manage to book us on a snow cat tour of Yellowstone. Plus a sleigh ride dinner at one of the local ranches another night.

>84 drneutron: - Oh, that sounds awesome! I've always wanted to go to Montana. Enjoy!

(Not jealous at all. Nope.)

>84 drneutron: what >85 katiekrug: said, only my husband's in school and not quite a husband

>84 drneutron: I really need to start travelling again. Montana is definitely on my bucket list and your conference location sounds fabulous.

I've done the Yellowstone tour in 2020 - it's great because the park isn't open yet and there's still tons of snow on the ground. No crowds to speak of, but lots of animals. I highly recommend it!

>85 katiekrug: TW needs to treat you right in your new status! 😀

>86 richardderus: YGC also needs to treat you in the manner you deserve! 😀

>87 PaulCranswick: It's a pretty cool place. Bozeman's in a valley at the foot of the mountains, Big Sky's about 8,800 ft altitude. The drive up the mountain is spectacular. I'll post pics when I get back.

>88 drneutron: Truthfully, I have no reason to complain. We knew his going to CIA was going to be hard work. But it won't last forever!

True. And think of the food he’ll make when he gets back!

I intend to end my life weighing in at 350 diabetic, grinning pounds.

>91 richardderus: Only start the gaining of those final pounds when you are a 105 years old dear fellow as I would miss you too much in this group otherwise.

My sister lives in Bozeman. It is a cool place, but I always wonder how a city of 25,000 can have an airport like they have? The answer is all the rich people who live in Big Sky. Big Sky is where Tom Brady lives. (His children go to school there.) My sister is a skier and she goes to Bridger to do her skiing. Last Saturday she and her husband took a short hike along the Madison River close to Three Forks. It is a cool place to live but it is getting crowded and has a huge housing crisis. Those who have lived there for awhile blame all the California expatriates for driving the price of housing out the roof. They have started purchasing second homes in Bozeman and only live there for a few weeks out of the year and the locals don't like it.

>91 richardderus: 😀

>92 PaulCranswick: Agreed!

>93 benitastrnad: This will be my fourth time at the conference - it’s at Big Sky every year - but I’ve never spent any time in Bozeman. We’re hoping to have an afternoon/evening exploring there. Seems like a nice town.

If you get a chance go to Wild Joe's Coffee Spot. The author Keith McCafferty has been known to hang out there. He writes the Sean Stranahan mysteries. They are all set in and around the Bozeman area. Just down the block from there is the Country Bookshelf. ABC's Good Morning America featured it last Thanksgiving. It is a good bookstore and every time I go to Bozeman I stop there and buy some books. Here is a link to the stores web page.
https://www.countrybookshelf.com/

If you have a rented vehicle you can drive west of Bozeman on I90 and go to Three Forks. This is where the Missouri River starts. There is a small state park there, and lots and lots of hiking along deserted river banks. Just a bit farther down the road is Wheat Montana Bakery and Deli. It is a wonderful place to eat and get locally grown baked food. It is about 30 miles from Bozeman to Three Forks. Here is the web page for Wheat Montana. https://www.wheatmontana.com/
I can't go to Bozeman without a trip to Wheat Montana, but it isn't for everybody.

If you go to Wheat Montana you can drive up the road and see the blue horses. That is one of my favorite things about Wheat. Here is the web page for that feast for the eyes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleu_Horses

I realize that you might not want to drive 30 miles to Wheat Montana, so if you want a good place to eat breakfast in Bozeman, go to Feed Cafe. NPR's Morning Edition broadcast from there back in 2016 right before the election. It is a local hangout.

I also recommend the Museum of the Rockies. They have an outstanding dinosaur collection there.

Bozeman and the area around Yellowstone is famous for its hot springs. On the way to Big Sky, somewhere in the Paradis Valley is Chico Hot Springs. Take your swimsuit and spend a day lounging in the hot water of this famous spa. Here is the web page for that. https://www.chicohotsprings.com/

There are several hot spring spas in the area but Chico is on the way to Big Sky and Yellowstone.

>84 drneutron: Big Sky is in the bucket list. We have been to Montana but stayed in Whitefish to go to Glacier NP.
The snow cat ride through Yellowstone sounds intriguing! Friends of ours were snow cat drivers at Sugarloaf and took us up the mountain. Up was fine, but facing down was another thing!

Your trip sounds amazing! I just said to Tomm that I'd like to go to Montana at some point and his response was, "But you don't like being outdoors!" Ha! True, but I'll take a sleigh ride dinner - not much chance of snakes and bugs there. He also said, "There's a lot of outdoors in Montana" to which I replied, "There's a lot of outdoors everywhere!!" I'm counting that as a win for me.

>95 benitastrnad: Thanks for the suggestions! Bookstore's definitely on my list. 😀

>96 jayde1599: I'd love to go to Glacier someday too. It's on my retirement list, for sure. I never felt too concerned the last time I went, but we did go down some pretty steep roads. 😀

>97 scaifea: Definitely a win. Plus, not too many bugs or snakes out this time of year there. Bison and wolves, though... 😀

Have a great weekend, Jim.

My name and my wife's is going to orbit the moon on Artemis! You've probably already seen this, Doc, but thought I'd share:

https://www.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-artemis/

>100 blackdogbooks: Cool!

>99 PaulCranswick: Thanks! You too.

>100 blackdogbooks:, >101 magicians_nephew: Oh, cool! Added ours…

Made it to Big Sky, Montana. Here’s a pic Mrsdrneutron took on the ride from Bozeman.

>103 drneutron: Oh gosh, that's beautiful!

>103 drneutron: I love what little I've seen of Montana. in 2004 we went on a missions trip to central north Montana and I fell in love with the rolling amber plains, big sky, pronghorn antelopes, and jackrabbits. We went in August, so no snow.

>104 scaifea: Yeah, this area’s gorgeous!

>105 fuzzi: Definitely snow here! The high today us only around 22F.

>106 drneutron: brr. it's 82F here...

I forgot to tell you that Ming Tsai has a restaurant in Big Sky. In fact, he has been living in Big Sky since the lockdown started.

Have a great time and post more pics!

>108 benitastrnad: Interesting! Looks like his restaurant is in the Yellowstone Club. I’ll have to see if nonmembers can visit.

>109 mstrust: Thanks! I plan to do that after I get my paper presentation out of the way.

Hey, Jim. Sorry, I missed the news that you were traveling to Montana. How cool. I take it, this work related? Have a good time. Looking forward to more pics of the Big Sky Country and fill us in on wildlife sightings.

BTW- I finally started Project Hail Mary and of course I think of you, while listening to it. I am sure enjoying it.

>111 msf59: Yep, I’m here for the annual IEEE Aerospace Conference, giving a paper on our Interstellar Probe concept. Wednesday, we’re taking the Yellowstone tour and I hope to have some really good pics to post.

Project Hail Mary was one of my favorites last year!

>84 drneutron: That sounds awesome!!! Been there once and am dreaming of going back someday!!!

>113 hredwards: We’ve been having a blast!

The Great Bozeman Meetup of 2022!



Left to right:

Janet (Streamsong), Karen (karenmarie’s friend local to Bozeman), Danita (Mrsdrneutron), Jim (drneutron).

We had a great lunch at Ted’s Montana Grill in downtown Bozeman, then wandered over to a bookstore for a little shopping. I picked up a copy of Charles Leerhsen’s Butch Cassidy. Janet got a copy of World War Z because she liked Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre that I recommended some time ago. We convinced Karen (not that it was difficult..) to give the Sasquatch book a try. D got some Yellowstone fabric from a quilt shop down the block. Definitely a good day!

>115 drneutron: lovely to see you, all, and hear about your meetup!

Yay for the Great Bozeman Meet Up! I was right in guessing Ted's. Karen took me there for my 65th birthday in the summer of 2018, and it was wonderful.

Convincing Karen to buy books is not at all difficult...

Thanks for sharing your meet-up photo, Jim.

>115 drneutron: Awesome picture!! My wife has an Aunt and family that live in Whitehall. Pretty close to Bozeman. When we went there we got to stay with them while we did touristy things. It was fun, but that's been 23 years ago and I've been yearning to go back.

Thanks for posting the meet-up photo! I think you may be the "Most Met LTer."

>115 drneutron: Didn't really that the Zombie Apocalypse had reached the Sasquatch population.

We have to see about getting them recognized as an endangered species (The Sasquatchi I meant)

Thanks for the meet-up photo. Can't wait to see what your wife does with the Montana fabric!

>115 drneutron: Cheers, all! Thanks for posting it, DocRocket.

Yay for meetups! and thanks for the picture & the report!

Today was the Yellowstone tour, so I'm a bit behind in responding. On the other hand, we had a great time!

>116 fuzzi: It was a great time, and if ever we get a chance, you're on my list!

>117 karenmarie: Yeah, it took all of 10 seconds to convince her. 😀

>118 BLBera: My pleasure! I love having and hearing about meetups.

>119 hredwards: Oh, cool! This is my fourth time at this conference, but the first time I've been able to bring mrsdrneutron along. It's an area we definitely want to explore more.

>120 mstrust: Heh, don't know about that, but I've always had fun with them.

>121 magicians_nephew: Let's start a petition!

>122 RebaRelishesReading: I'm sure I'll post a pic. She already has something in mind.

>123 richardderus: My pleasure! You're on my list too, someday...

>124 swynn: ... and so are you! (On my list, that is.)

I enjoyed the Meet-up pictures. I have been in that Quilt Shop too. I bought two fat quarters to make masks for work! I hope I get to get rid of the masks and won't need them again. I have also been in Ted's. They have a trivia night there that my sister's team attends from time-to-time. Did you drive by the temporary housing streets? These are the streets that are lined by pickups, campers, and RV's various age and condition in which people live because there is such a housing shortage in the city. My sister tells me that I can come visit, but I shouldn't even think about moving there unless I want to wait for an apartment for three years. Even Billings has a housing shortage. Oh well - there is always Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Same scenery - less people, but no hot springs.

>115 drneutron: Looks like a wonderful meet up !

Thanks for the meetup snap. I've never been to Montana, but might get there if I ever visit my friend in Pocatello. She always talks about driving over to see the country. (and the hot springs sound divine)

>127 benitastrnad: The town seemed really nice. I’m not surprised that there’s a housing shortage - seems like that’s true everywhere.

>128 figsfromthistle: It was!

>129 ffortsa: We plan to visit again someday. It’s well worth the trip!

Jim - did you get to the Museum?!

Unfortunately, no. We only had a few hours and spent most of it at Ted’s having great conversation. I’m sure this isn’t my last time at the conference, and it’s on my list for when I come back.

>133 drneutron: The Museum of The Rockies in Bozeman has a great website, with sign up for email notices about new Exhibits.

I’ll sign up!

Thanks for posting the meetup photo! It was fun. I was really glad to meet you and Danita. Hearing more about your work was fascinating. And since I have spent very little time in Bozeman, I was glad Karen agreed to act as tour guide.

What Jim hasn't mentioned is how brutal the weather is this week. It's been well below zero F at Big Sky and there was a snowstorm on Tuesday that delayed my drive home until Wednesday. I made it home safe and sound yesterday. The only problem area I encountered was that Homestake Pass was icy. As I had three snowplows ahead of me and a couple miles ahead of each other on the Pass, I felt very safe driving the well-sanded Interstate -until I passed the snow plow in the very front and realized just how icy it really was.

I would really fancy a photo of you in front of a T. rex skeleton at Museum of the Rockies. The juxtaposition would be be awesome. :)

>115 drneutron: Wow! What a great Meet Up photo, Jim. I am long overdue visiting Montana, especially Glacier National Park and then seeing Janet, at some point.

Great meet-up Jim and loved the photo of you all.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340202

>136 streamsong: Glad you made it safe and sound! On our drive down to Yellowstone, at one point the car’s thermometer read -25F. It has definitely been cooooold. 😀

>137 msf59: You definitely want to meet Janet if you go. Absolutely delightful person!

>138 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! Your turn is coming someday.

>139 SilverWolf28: Back on an airplane tomorrow, so I’ll count that as joining in. 😀

>49 drneutron: I need to find a copy of "Nothing bu Blackened Teeth". That sounds like the perfect book for me to read...

JIm, I made a mistake in the title of what should have been continuation page three. Instead, I typed page two. Do you have any idea how I can fix this? Many thanks...as always

>140 drneutron: -25F! Wow!

>140 drneutron: -25 F is obscene! Having lived in Montana most of my 60+ years, I have never experienced that. I think -22/-23 is the lowest I've seen.

Somehow I imagine a parking lot full of scientists/physicists happily throwing boiling water into the air. Did anyone give it a go?

>140 drneutron: Aw, blush. I really enjoyed meeting you and Danita and return the complement whole heartedly.

>141 ocgreg34: You’ll like it, I think!

>142 Whisper1: I can fix it, but may need to wait until I get home - running off of my phone as a hotspot. 😀

>143 mstrust: Yup. Beat my record of -23F when I did some experiments at a Canadian cyclotron on the Chalk River in Ontario in January.

>144 streamsong: 😀 Most we’re too busy skiing… 😀

Update Time!



20. Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

10th in the Pendergast series and start of the "Helen Trilogy" within the series. Lots of Louisiana swamps in this one, with stereotypical rednecks and a real Southern Comfort feel, for those who've seen the movie. Plot was the usual for a Pendergast - slightly sf/fantasy, lots of action, miraculous rescues. I'm enjoying the brain candy, and it worked really well on the airplane.



21. Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Rivers Solomon's third is a violent, messy look at those who don't belong and how our government, and us as a whole, treat them. Solomon invokes real horrors like the Tuskegee syphilis experiments and the Waco standoff to rip the cover off the American Dream to show that for some it's more nightmare than anything else. Fair warning - there's a lot of violence and abuse in this one.

>146 drneutron: I have that one checked out, but now, well it may not fit any of the TIOLI challenges so maybe it will slide back to the library unread. Not that I'm avoiding violence or abuse in The Veiled Throne, nope.

>147 quondame: I really need to get to that series!

Jim - can the Astronaut just be brought back now before Putin acts on his threat?

>149 m.belljackson: Yep. He may have to stay a bit longer, but SpaceX has the capability to ferry astronauts with the Dragon capsule.

>150 drneutron: Thank you - we definitely don't need another "Ground Control to Major Tom"...

>146 drneutron: #21 It surely isn't a chuckle-fest. I enjoyed it quite a lot, though, and your appreciation of their work warms me.

>152 richardderus: Good writing’s good writing! The best writers help us see through others’ eyes.

>150 drneutron: I'm very glad to hear that he could come back via SpaceX. What an evil b****** Putin is.

>154 karenmarie: Yup. That dependency was one of the main reasons NASA pursued Dragon and other capsules - get the US back into the ability to supply and ferry to the ISS, plus prep for moon base, or possible lunar gateway.

To give you an idea of the Montana March weather madness, it was 55 here on Saturday.

Did the solar flare affect your probe?

>156 streamsong: We've actually flown through a bunch of them - PSP is designed to do that since that's some cool science.

We came home to snow on Saturday and colder temps. Our friends are claiming we brought it back with us. 😀

>115 drneutron: Cool beans! I always love seeing pictures from 75ers meet ups!

I am over 150 posts behind and not even going to try and catch up, Jim. Just swinging by to say "Hello!"

No need to catch up - just saying "Hello" is great!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340548

And Mrsdrneutron is away this weekend, so joining in!

One of my favorites from the Yellowstone tour….

>162 drneutron: "Oh...hello human. Got anything to eat?"

>162 drneutron: Wow!

>162 drneutron: Haven't we already been introduced? I quite remember that face!

It was saddening in a way, but actually pretty cool, that Eugene Parker got to know we'd touched the Sun in his name before he died on the 15th.

>163 richardderus: I’m not getting close enough to feed him!

>164 FAMeulstee: Indeed! They were very impressive animals.

>165 quondame: 😀 I really like the way the ice in the fur shows up. Not bad for an iPhone!

>166 richardderus: It was sad, but yeah, I’m glad he was able to see the mission get this far. NASA and UChicago put together some really nice tributes.

>162 drneutron: That is a fantastic photo, Jim.

It looks like you had a great trip to Montana & Yellowstone.

I am having a great time with Project Hail Mary. I can't believe he wrote something as good, if not better than The Martian.

>168 msf59: Thanks! We did have a good trip - more pics to come as we go.

I thought Project Hail Mary was really good, easily as good as The Martian. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

>162 drneutron: Vacation pic! Hooray!

Great photo!!!

>170 mstrust: More to come!

>171 hredwards: I thought so too. Mrsdrneutron timed it just right so he was looking right at us.

Update Time!



22. Madam by Phoebe Wynne

There's some Jane Eyre, a spooky girls' boarding school, a seriously endangered heroine, and a mysterious staff - all mixed up into a nicely plotted modern gothic story. Wynne's one to watch.



23. The Story of China: The Epic History of a World Power from the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream by Michael Wood

A fascinating look at China from earliest days to today. It's history, but the best kind where the story of real, ordinary people is told alongside the grander history of wars and emperors. Wood includes archaeology, in situ writings, even stories passed down the generations to today to make the different eras of China's history come alive. He's clearly sympathetic to and very familiar with the Chinese people, but doesn't pull any punches about the bad parts of Chinese history. My first 5-star of the year.

Thanks to SilverWolf for picking it for me in last year's Swap!



24. The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell

Victorian mystery that bleeds over into speculative fiction, this one was a slow starter for me, but turned out to keep my attention through to the end. Interesting characters, but not particularly authentically Victorian, though I don't think it's supposed to be. At any rate, I'd read more if O'Donnell wrote it!

>173 drneutron: #23 Oh my. You read the tree-book. I am slightly awe-struck.

I got a DRC and have so far failed to get a review done...but it really is a terrific job of work, just as writing goes. One expects Wood to be top-flight at research, given his forty-plus years of making and presenting TV shows about history (In Search of... easily being my favorites!) but the clarity and the wit of his sentence-by-sentence storytelling really brings his anecdotes alive.

>174 richardderus: Yep, when he says “story”, he means it, and it’s almost cinematic in spots.

>173 drneutron: Some great reads here, Jim. All sound like ones I would enjoy.

>173 drneutron: You'd have got me with your #23, except I've been reading threads out of order, so richarderus got me first *grin*.

Look like some great books, Jim. The Story of China sounds especially interesting (what's with the touchstone?)

Great reading, great meet-ups, great pics and seems like a pretty great trip all told, Jim.

>176 BLBera: Yeah, I’ve been on a good streak lately!

>177 ArlieS: It’s hard to beat the thread madter.😂 It’s definitely a good one!

>178 RebaRelishesReading: Dangit, that China Mieville book keeps popping up!

>179 PaulCranswick: Yep, even the cold temperatures didn’t spoil it.

Looks like a wonderful Bozeman trip. I've only been to Billings and south to the Wyoming line. My brother used to live in Sheridan, Wyoming, and I have a nephew who still does. Billings is where I fly in when I go there.

We're planning to go back to that part of the country and spend more time to do a visit to a much wider swath. Retirement, here I come! 😀

>182 drneutron: Welcome to "the last of life, for which the first is made". I'm loving my retirement.

Adding a ton of books to the BlackHole courtesy of this thread, Jim. Thanks for the reviews and recommendations!

My pleasure!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340734

Awesome! should be able to join in this week too.

Update Time!



25. The Old Guard Book One: Opening Fire by Greg Rucka

We watched the movie on Netflix again, so I got curious about the original, and sure enough, found it on Hoopla. Turns out the movie was pretty faithful to the graphic novel, especially in dialog. I wasn't impressed with the artwork - just not my style, I guess - but all in all, not a bad read.



26. The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

Finally catching up with Winchester's story of the the unique people involved in the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. As always, he's found an interesting story, told it well, and told it accurately, beyond the myth-making of previous authors. It's proof that truth is stranger, and more interesting, than fiction. Now for that re-read of Krakatoa that I've been meaning to do...



27. Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart

And finally catching up with the Kopp sisters. I can't believe I've waited this long to dive in - and will be running to the library for the next soon. Really, a delightful book.

>188 drneutron: Dodging BBs this time! I have already read both The Professor and the Madman, which I loved, and Girl Waits with Gun. The Rucka book does not appeal right now.

Have a wonderful weekend, Jim!

Yeah, I think I'm behind the times on both the Winchester and the Kopp sisters. 😀

I have only read the first of the Kopp sisters books although I own another couple of them - which I will get to eventually.

I think I am pretty current with Winchester, which is unusual for me since I fell so far behind on my reading while I was in school.

>188 drneutron: We saw a film version of The Professor and the Madman on TV a few months ago and thought it was wonderful. Hope the book was as good (or maybe better since it is, after all, a book).

There is a film version of The Professor and the Madman??! How do I not know about that? I am currently reading The Dictionary of Lost Words, a fiction in which Dr. Murray figures prominently. Fun to have another *perspective*

>193 jessibud2: I was going to post abut The Dictionary of Lost Words myself, Shelley. I haven't read the Winchester although it looks great. I liked *Dictionary* because, although it is fiction, it is told from the perspective of women who were undoubtedly present in one way or another, but whose stories did not make the history books.

I've added The Professor and the Madman to my wish list. I'll try to get to Krakatoa later this year.

Oooh, The Professor and the Madman! I read both it and The Meaning of Everything several years ago and enjoyed both (and also can recommend The Dictionary of Lost Words). They're among the beginnings of my dictionaries-and-books-about-dictionaries collection. Glad you enjoyed it!

Happy Saturday, Jim. I also really enjoyed both The Professor and the Madman & Girl Waits with Gun. Glad you finally got to the Kopp sisters.

>191 alcottacre: Yeah, I missed Professor/Madman while busy at work for an extended period and just never got back to it until now.

>192 RebaRelishesReading:, >193 jessibud2: I had no idea there’s a film version! Will definitely look for that.

>193 jessibud2:, >194 lauralkeet: That one’s on my list too. I’m sure there was lots of unacknowledged contributions from women - with hundreds of volunteers working on it, how could there not be?

>195 kidzdoc: Great!

>196 bell7: And another for me to look up (pun intended)!

>197 msf59: Yeah, I’ve been remiss!

>198 drneutron:, >196 bell7: - A word of caution. The Professor and the Madman and The Meaning of Everything are terrific companion books but there is an alternate title for the first one. I learned the hard way that this often happens when publishing in different countries. Why? Who the heck knows.

From wikipdia:

"The Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder, Madness and the Love of Words is a non-fiction history book by British writer Simon Winchester, first published in England in 1998. It was retitled The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary in the United States and Canada."

I remember being so excited when I came upon The Surgeon in a used bookstore but I didn't get very far into it before I realized I had read it already, under the *Professor* title. Just fyi. For whatever reason, The Meaning of Everything retained its original title without any apparent need for a change. Go figure.

Yeah, I saw the other title when I added the book and checked the covers.

>198 drneutron: It was almost certainly on Prime because that's pretty much all we ever watch. It was quite well done, we thought.

Edit to add a link to Amazon search

The Professor and the Madman
The Professor and the Madman
2019 | CC
4.5 out of 5 stars 2,926
Prime Video
From $2.99$2.99 to rent
From $7.99 to buy
Starring: Mel Gibson , Sean Penn and Natalie Dormer
Directed by: P.B. Shemran

>202 RebaRelishesReading: I'll take a look!

New thread's up. See you there!