Mary's (bell7's) Reads in 2022 - Thread #5

I blink, and 300 messages have gone by in my last thread. The weekends have been busy and this coming one is no exception, so here's a new thread on a Tuesday night.

If you've never met me, hello and welcome, my name's Mary and I live and work in western Massachusetts. I'm a librarian, a home owner, the oldest of 5, and Auntie Mimi to Mia and Matthew. I'm a fan of Giants football, Bruins hockey, and tennis. I read all sorts of fiction and nonfiction, though SFF and books about books are among my favorites. Horror is about the only genre I avoid on the whole (I am a wimp).

If you've been following all year, welcome back! I hope you'll find lots of bookish discussion here.

My 2022 reading goals:
-Read at least half books by authors of color
-Complete the BookRiot ReadHarder challenge
-Read at least one book a month in the Asian Book Challenge
-Read at least twelve books from countries outside of the US/UK

As you can see, some of those goals will overlap significantly. I also have a lifetime reading goal of reading all the Newbery Award and Honor books, so you’ll see me whittling away at that as well.

Favorite Books of 2021 -
I couldn't narrow down my top ten titles of 2021, so here's a top ten fiction and a few more categories as well:

Fiction
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Nonfiction
This Time Together by Carol Burnett
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter
Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

Graphic Novel
Umma’s Table by Yeon-Sik Hong

Poetry
The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems by Billy Collins

YA
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Middle Grade
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Rough guide to my rating system:
I'm fairly generous with my star ratings - generally a four is a "like" or "would recommend" for me, while a 4.5 stars is a book I would reread. I break it down roughly like this:

1 star - Forced myself to finish it
2 stars - Dislike
2.5 stars - I really don't know if I liked it or not
3 stars - Sort of liked it; or didn't, but admired something about it despite not liking it
3.5 stars - The splitting hairs rating of less than my last 4 star book or better than my last 3
4 stars - I liked it and recommend it, but probably won't reread it except under special circumstances (ie., a book club or series reread)
4.5 stars - Excellent, ultimately a satisfying read, a title I would consider rereading
5 stars - A book that I absolutely loved, would absolutely reread, and just all-around floored me

I see it more in terms of my like or dislike of a book, rather than how good a book is. My hope is that as a reader I convey what I like or what I don't in such a way that you can still tell if you'll like a book, even if I don't. And I hope for my patrons that I can give them good recommendations for books they will like, even if it's not one I would personally choose.

2022 Book Club Reads

For work -
January - Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri - COMPLETED
February - Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison - COMPLETED
March - Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - COMPLETED
April - Pale Rider by Laura Spinney - COMPLETED
May - People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - COMPLETED
Summer break
September - Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
October - Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
November - The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
December - Nomadland by Jessica Bruder

The Other Book Club with my SIL and friends -
January/February - The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal - COMPLETED
April - Taste by Stanley Tucci (skipped - couldn't make the meeting)
June - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - COMPLETED (back in December)
July - True Biz by Sara Novic - COMPLETED

Random things I'm keeping track of -
Bookish articles:
1. Books Like AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (includes a Japanese book recently translated that may make an interesting Asian Book Challenge choice)
2. Japanese Books in Translation (BookRiot)
3. New and Upcoming Must-Read Memoirs by Black Authors

How to make pretty block quotes (directions from Richard):
{blockquote}TYPE OR PASTE QUOTED TEXT HERE{/blockquote} and replace the curly braces with pointy brackets.

Number of books read since keeping count on LT:
July - Dec 2008 - 65
2009 - 156 (plus over 70 graphic novels and manga volumes)
2010 - 135 (Note: in June, I started working a second part-time job for full-time hours)
2011 - 150
2012 - 108 (Note: accepted a full-time job in February)
2013 - 107
2014 - 126 (plus 8 Graphic Novels)
2015 - 120 (plus 6 Graphic Novels)
2016 - 141
2017 - 114
2018 - 105 (Note: my first full year as Assistant Director)
2019 - 116
2020 - 153
2021 - 138

Asian Book Challenge

JANUARY - Europe of Asia - Turkish Authors
Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk
Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci
FEBRUARY - The Holy Land - Israeli & Palestinian Authors
Native: Dispatches from an Israeli-Palestinian Life by Sayed Kashua
MARCH - The Arab World - Writers from the Arab world
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (Lebanon)
Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi (Oman)
APRIL - Persia - Iranian writers
Read Dangerously by Azar Nafisi
MAY - The Stans - There are 7 states all in the same region all ending in "Stan"
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan)
JUNE - The Indian Sub-Continent - Essentially authors from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
JULY - The Asian Superpower - Chinese Authors
AUGUST - Nippon - Japanese Authors
SEPTEMBER - Kimchi - Korean Authors
OCTOBER - INDO CHINE - Authors from Indo-China
NOVEMBER - The Malay Archipelago - Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian and Filipino Authors
Fairest: a memoir by Meredith Talusan
DECEMBER - The Asian Diaspora - Ethnic Asian writers from elsewhere
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri (she was born in the UK to parents from India and grew up in the US; this book was written in Italian and set in Italy)

Other countries I've visited in my reading:
It can get a little dicey to figure out if a book fits as a "global" read or not, so here's how I'm counting it -
-The country I'll identify is that which the book was published in or the author is from, rather than the setting of the book
-The author currently lives in their country of origin, which for my purposes is not the U.S. or U.K.
-If the work had to be translated into English, regardless of where the author is currently living
-If the author is an expatriate, they had to move in adulthood (as a college student, refugee, or any other reason), and I'll count the country of origin as where the book is "from"

Portugal - Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo
Spain - City of Mist: Stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Ireland - Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Trinidad and Tobago - When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
Australia - The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

BookRiot Reader Harder Challenge

1. Read a biography of an author you admire

2. Read a book set in a bookstore
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

3. Read any book from the Women’s Prize shortlist/longlist/winner list

4. Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

5. Read an anthology featuring diverse voices

6. Read a nonfiction YA comic
Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci

7. Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40

8. Read a classic written by a POC
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

9. Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

10. Read a political thriller by a marginalized author (BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+)

11. Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

12. Read an entire poetry collection
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

13. Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author

14. Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book)

15. Read a new-to-you literary magazine (print or digital)

16. Read a book recommended by a friend with different reading tastes

17. Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary
Fairest: a memoir by Meredith Talusan, Gender Queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe

18. Read a “Best _____ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice.

19. Read a horror novel by a BIPOC author.

20. Read an award-winning book from the year you were born

21. Read a queer retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, folklore, or myth.

22. Read a history about a period you know little about.

23. Read a book by a disabled author
Paperboy by Vince Vawter

24. Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat!
City of Mist: Stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (a collection of short stories)

Currently reading
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

Bible reading/Devotionals
Ecclesiastes, 2 Corinthians

May
50. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
49. True Biz by Sara Novic
48. Recitatif by Toni Morrison
47. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
46. Blended by Sharon M. Draper
45. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
44. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
43. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
42. The Guncle by Steven Rowley
41. Go to Sleep (I Miss You) by Lucy Knisley
40. Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel Jose Older

April
39. Pale Rider by Laura Spinney
38. The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
37. Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley
36. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
35. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
34. Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
33. The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. Carrick

June

March
32. Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff
31. Gallant by V.E. Schwab
30. The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty
29. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
28. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
27. At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
26. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
25. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

February
24. Fairest by Meredith Telusan
23. Native: Dispatches from an Israeli-Palestinian Life by Sayed Kashua
22. When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
21. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
20. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
19. Wow, No Thank You by Samatha Irby
18. These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett
17. Oddball: A Sarah Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen
16. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
15. The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
14. Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds with artwork by Jason Griffin
13. Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
12. Letter to My White Friends and Colleagues by Steven Rogers

January
11. Paperboy by Vince Vawter
10. The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker
9. Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey by Ozge Samanci
8. Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times by Azar Nafisi
7. City of Mists: Stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
6. Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk
5. Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
4. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
3. The River of Consciousness by Oliver Sacks
2. The God of Lost Words by A.J. Hackwith
1. Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo

DNF in 2022
1. Hell of a Book by Jason Mott
2. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
3. Frontier Justice by E. Fuller Torrey
4. All About Me! by Mel Brooks
5. War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
6. The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar
7. Hello, Molly! : a memoir by Molly Shannon

You may now post away!

Since I have an interview tomorrow, my question of the day is this: what's an interview question that stood out to you? Was it a good one or bad one, weird or just thought provoking?

Happy new thread!

Happy new one!

...darn thing weighs a ton...
...Oh hi! *smooch*

Happy New Thread, Mary. I hope everything is going well.

>10 bell7: Happy new thread Mary.

I had a couple of interview questions back when I was interviewing for a different job, that seemed like they'd taken them from the wrong list (for a much more senior post). I fought down the sarcastic response involving how much pay they were offering (needless to say, I didn't get those jobs)

Happy new thread!

Happy new one, Mary!

My "favorite" interview question is not one I was asked but one a colleague used when she interviewed people. "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?" I have a running joke with The Wayne about it. He does a lot of technical interviewing - having candidates write algorithms and code for specific tasks - and I keep trying to get him to slip in the tree question for comedic relief.

Happy new thread! Good luck with the interview :) I'm trying to think of interview questions that stood out but I think I must black out and erase all memories of the event post-interview 😂

Happy new thread. Good luck with the interview. I like the tree question, but no one ever asked me that.

>11 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita!

>12 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>13 richardderus: Pull up the chair and get comfy, Richard... well, I guess you already did, but ya know.

>14 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Keeping busy as always, but doing good and looking forward to my own bed tonight.

>15 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! Oof, that sounds like a frustrating experience all around. Fortunately I didn't have a sarcastic response come to mind, but it does sound like a couple of things that are important to them - in particular, building maintenance - may be a little outside my purview.

>16 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

>17 katiekrug: I'm... really not a fan of that question hahaha. I would be entirely taken aback and wonder what on earth kind of workplace I'd be signing up for that they thought it would be relevant/helpful. Though let me know how it goes if you ever get The Wayne to use it!

>18 curioussquared: Thanks on both counts, Natalie! I'm with you blocking stuff out, I think. There are some interview questions I've gotten used to over the years but it's never easy. I was nervous today despite the knowledge that I didn't *need* the job, but it was still a good conversation, overall, and I think it gave them a pretty good idea of my experience and skill set - now it's up to them what they're looking for and who the other candidates are.

I worked 'til 2 today and then left for the interview. I was interviewed by a panel of five - two trustees (one is a school librarian), the president of the Friends, and two staff members (not the current director). I was nervous and realized partway through I was hunching my shoulders up by my ears. Ah well! There were moments of getting more comfortable and conversing back and forth, but I'm always nervous at interviews and sometimes folks see through that and still hire me. I haven't had an interview for a non-internal role since 2010, however, so it was probably good practice at the very least.

So the job is VERY administrative, would involve a lot of building maintenance (the building isn't owned by the town, the trustees/director take care of it), dealing with a very small space and challenges that come with an old building, grant writing, budget stuff, and all the meetings. Some of it is stuff I've done, some of it is stuff I've sort-of done (like filling in at meetings for the director) and some of it would be new to me, but I think I could do it. I would most likely take the job if it's offered, though I'd ask about starting vacation time and potentially negotiate there (one of the benefits of staying is that on July 1 I'll be eligible for five weeks of vacation, a perk that only those hired prior to 2008 receive, and dang it would be hard to give that up even for a raise). So now it's up to the other candidates, their experience, and what's most important to the trustees in hiring. The current director's last day is in early June, so I should know within a month or so if I got the position.

I'm spending my last few hours at the five-dog house and heading out tonight after they're walked and ready for the night. I get to sleep in my own bed tonight, then head to a four-night stint with one much slower dog. It'll be a busy weekend of Friday night volunteering, Saturday with my Little, and Sunday church and work. But then on Monday, I should get to relax. Then I'm home for two weeks.

Wordle 312 4/6

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Actually did it this morning, but wanted to catch up on posts before sharing. I was pleased with the result.

Happy new thread, Mary. I love seeing your place so busy and you have already passed 1,000 posts again this year.

>23 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! Wow, 1,000 huh? I'd lost track, but I know I'm easily going to outpace last year's threads and posts, even expecting the second half of the year to slow down some as it usually does.

Fingers crossed, Mary.

>25 BLBera: thanks, Beth!

Wordle 313 5/6

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That was a tough one for me! I knew it wasn't guess number four, but that one allowed me to know for sure where the S and the T had to go.

Interesting about the interview. The building maintenance would put me off, but it's also my least favorite part of owning a home, so... !

(And just to clarify: i also dislike that stupid tree question. I just think it would be funny to slip into a technical interview :) )

>28 katiekrug: Oddly enough, I'm kinda interested in learning the "how stuff works" part of home ownership/building stuff. And much of it would be calling people to fix stuff and using not-my-own-money, which makes a difference. I don't know if I mentioned this, but my boss knows I applied (she's one of my references), and when she asked me how it went, I told her I thought they got a good idea of my skill set and I got a good idea of what the position entails, but if they can find someone with more building maintenance and budget experience, I didn't think I'd get an offer. Really depends on the other candidates, though.

I figured you disliked it, I was responding more as a job applicant getting the question than someone on the asking side. I've been reading too much "Ask a Manager" to be able to put a job candidate through that even with a "Just kidding!" disclaimer after hahaha.

Edited to add: I'd find it quite funny in a book or movie though!

Glad to hear the interview went pretty well, Mary.

One of my friends just today sent me a video with someone saying one of the best question they'd ever heard a candidate asking an interview panel was "what was the last change you made based on employee feedback and what was the the impact it had?" which I think is pretty genius. Gives you as a candidate a good insight into the organization. My last interview (a few years ago now) I asked them to describe their workplace culture and the panel definitely found it a tricky one.

I've at least got a hope of resting up before getting the whole-weekend exhauster. *whew*

>30 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Ooooh, I like both those questions, I'll have to keep those in my back pocket for future use.

>31 richardderus: Heh... I'm relaxing tonight, watching the Bruins and the NFL Draft and reading or knitting in front of the TV as I feel like. Saturday plans were postponed, so I'm thinking about what to do with my newfound free time. It'll probably depend on my mood the day of, though I might check with my brother & SIL and see if they want to tag sale.

>32 bell7: ...or you could lie in bed all day eating bon-bons and reading...

Hmm yes I vote for Richard's plan

>33 richardderus: and >34 norabelle414: If I don't do that Saturday, I will on Monday. How's that?

As long as there's a bonbons and reading day in there somewhere.

>21 bell7: Good luck in getting the job, Mary! Sounds like it might be a challenging one for you, at least to start off with.

Have a fantastic Friday!

>37 alcottacre: thanks, Stasia!

Wordle 314 3/6

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Very pleased with that result

>36 MickyFine: Whoops, didn't mean to skip you, Micky! Gotta love my LT friends encouraging me to relax every now and again :)

Good Friday morning! I've eaten breakfast, had my coffee, walked the dog and now I'm taking a few minutes before I get dressed for work and get out of here. I'm stopping back tonight to walk and feed the dog before heading to my volunteer commitment - this is the last one with the lesson. Next week is our big celebration night, handing out awards and watching a slideshow of photos of all the fun we've had this year, and then we take a break for the summer and my Friday nights are free.

Tomorrow was going to be time with my Little, but we've postponed and now I have nothing planned outside of caring for the dog. He is much more low key than even one of the labs, so it's actually a pretty relaxing job because during my downtime I'm not at home to work on projects and get to read and knit instead. I still might tag sale... haven't decided yet.

Sunday is church and work, and Monday is also off as a result, so all in all it will be a relaxing weekend (I'm counting Saturday-Monday in that assessment), even if I decide to work on projects one of those days. I'm not saying I will, but sometimes I get in the mood to do something that's been annoying me undone. Or I might wake up and say, "Nope, I need a lazy day." So we'll see.

Mary, you remain quite an influence and shiny star to this group. Your spirit is incredible. Good luck with your job search! It is a brave endeavor. At times it is easier just to stay where we are, but you move forward, and for that you are a large inspiration to so many of us.

Much love to you! Enjoy your lazy days!!!!!You deserve them.

>42 Whisper1: Thank you so much for your kind words, Linda! I'm not actively searching, but if an opportunity that looks excellent falls into my lap, I will take it. Thankfully I'm in a place where I will be happy either way - deciding between two good things is always a fantastic place to be.

Enjoy your stress free weekend :)

>44 figsfromthistle: thanks, Anita!

Wordle 315 4/6

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A bit tricky, that one. I was pleased to get it in four

>46 bell7: Yay! Me too. It was a strange little word.

>44 figsfromthistle: "stress-free" LOL

>46 bell7: I also managed a 4 today and felt proud.

Whether you go tag saling today or not, I hope it's a lovely day!

>47 richardderus: It was, wasn't it? But at guess 4 there weren't many options left, so I managed a guess with the second A correct. I can't speak for tomorrow at work, but today was about as stress-free as it gets.

>48 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Congrats of your 4 as well. I didn't go all out tag saling, but I did stop at one my my way home to swap out some things I'd packed and others I'd forgotten. Bought two jeans and a decorative hat that's now on my door.

I decided to take a pretty laid back day today. I did have to run home to pick up some stuff I'd forgotten, so I took the opportunity to bring some of the packed stuff back that I didn't need anymore. And I stopped by the last dogsitting job to get my check, so I balanced my checkbook and set up my May budget while I was at it. This included writing a check to pay off a small personal loan, so that was satisfying. I've also got the bright idea to make my "Miscellaneous" line a fund, and every time I have money left over in it at the end of the month, I'm going to take out the cash as tag saling and general fun money. This month was the first experiment with that, and we'll see how it goes.

I came back to the dog, and hung out and watched some of the NFL draft and wrote my post-interview thank-you card and a letter to a friend who's retired to Florida. My neighbor had asked me to look out for a package, which I'd found and brought into my house this morning, but I had texted her to ask if she'd prefer I left it in my unlocked porch so she could get at it - and she texted me back in the afternoon saying she'd prefer the porch. So, knowing I wouldn't be back 'til Monday and not wanting to make her wait, I made a quick run back home (bringing a few more things I was done with) to move the package. I decided I'd like to take a walk at a local reservoir, so I did that, then came back to feed the dog and myself dinner, and take him for his walk.

I've continued to relax in the evening, mostly knitting up a scarf out of fun yarn, rather than reading a book. Ah well, I have Monday off too and I bet I can get a fair amount of reading done then, though I'm also planning on another trip to the reservoir - it was beautiful, and I only walked about 2 miles.

The dog here is super easy, if you couldn't tell from my rundown. He gets quick walks in the morning and evening, fed once in the evening, and otherwise is content to just hang out in the living room with me while I do whatever.

Wordle 316 5/6

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Stared long and hard til it finally came to me in guess #5

Happy Sunday, Mary. Sounds like you are enjoying a kickback weekend. Get some reading in.

>52 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I'm working and busy today, but should be able to get a fair amount of reading in tomorrow.

Taking a quick break at work to check in...

No nursery today, so I decided to go to early service and have a little time in between before I had to go to work. That turned out to be an excellent decision, as I got talking with folks between services and stayed 'til close to 11 (2nd service starts at 10:30, to give you an idea) before heading out to grab lunch and go to work for 12. I'm here 'til 5, then heading back to feed and walk the dog, after which I'll go over my brother and SIL's for dinner.

Wordle 317 3/6

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Well that was fun!

I hope you're having a luxurious day off, Mary!

>56 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! I met up with a friend for a walk and we ended up talking away the whole morning. Now I'm back at the dog's house getting lunch and deciding how to spend my afternoon. I'll have to do some packing and go home, but otherwise I'm planning a lot of reading and knitting.

April in review
39. Pale Rider by Laura Spinney
38. The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
37. Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley
36. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
35. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
34. Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
33. The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. Carrick

Did Not Finish
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi

Books read: 7
Rereads: 1
Children's/Teen/Adult: 1/0/6
Fiction/Nonfiction/Plays/Poetry: 3/3/1/0
ABC Challenge: Finished Celestial Bodies which was actually for last month - the author is Omani

Because I want to awards:
Pure fun reread - 84, Charing Cross Road
Excellent fantasy, first in a series - The Mask of Mirrors
Best nonfiction I've read about menopause so far - The Menopause Manifesto

YTD stats -
Pages read: 11,350
Avg pages a day: 93.8
Books by POC authors: 12 (30%)
DNF: 5

Thoughts:
Given how busy the second half of the month was for me, it's not surprising that it comes in with my lowest reading numbers all year. Usually I have a reading sprint at the end of the month after my book club; in April, the last book I finished was the one for book club on April 18. I didn't manage to read a book by any authors of color, but I did belatedly finish a book by an Omani author near the beginning of the month, so I'm kind of keeping up with the Asian Book Challenge. That's put my percentage of POC authors down to 30%, a number I'd like to see rise over the next few months instead of continuing the downward trend. I read as much nonfiction as fiction, unusual for me. The one children's book I read was a graphic novel, and I read a play which is slightly unusual as well. That play did knock off one of the BookRiot challenges, though, so there are some bright sides to the month.

The other bright side of my reading so far is that I've read books translated from 7 different languages into English - Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, Hebrew, Turkish, and Persian. I'm pretty happy with that!

40. Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel Jose Older
Why now? Finishing a trilogy I'd been reading over the last couple of years

In the final book of the trilogy, Sierra and her band of family and friends - shadowshapers, and now the House of Shadow and Light - find themselves fighting not just the other houses for dominance but also an ancient force for evil in her family history.

A satisfying conclusion to a diverse fantasy trilogy. Sierra Santiago and her friends are well-characterized, even if the good and evil is a little heavy handed (in this book, the main house they're fighting against are literal modern-day Nazis). I enjoyed the exploration of the history of shadowshaping and Sierra's family legacy, both the good and the bad. The chapters are short and keep pages turning quickly as everything comes together. 4 stars.

>59 bell7: Sometimes being subtle isn't productive.

>58 bell7: Not your busiest page-turning month, but some pretty darn good reading!

*smooch*

>60 richardderus: Sometimes being subtle isn't productive.

True. I mention it because - and this is my own preference as a fantasy reader, hardly a criticism of authors doing exactly what they want - I prefer a fantasy that takes me out of the real world completely. That's not to say it can't address real-world problems, and the best do. But it does tend to make me think about it in a completely different way, thinking about a problem in the abstract without some of the emotional baggage of, well, the world as it is, and forcing me to make up my own mind. Kind of a "hey, if this is evil in this scenario, wouldn't it also be so in the one we live in?" This trilogy takes the opposite tack of addressing real-world political issues - especially in books 2 and 3 - leaving you in no doubt where the author stands, and adding some fantasy elements. It's also written for teens, and generally speaking the younger the audience the less subtle the messaging anyway. Really just an observation (and somewhat explaining the 4 over 4.5, just not a book I'd reread now that I know the story).

There was definitely some good reading in April! A couple of the books I'd chosen were long, too, and one of them will be a May finish.

>57 bell7: Sounds like a lovely day off!

>62 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! I'm trying to take the quiet days when I can, 'cause I know when I go home there's lots of yard and garden work waiting for me.

41. Go to Sleep (I Miss You) by Lucy Knisley
Why now? I love this author's graphic novel memoirs, and missed that this had come out in 2020, so I requested it around the same time as Stepping Stones last month to catch up on her work

Graphic novel memoirist Lucy Knisley collects cartoons of her child's first year, celebrating the joys and trials of parenthood. It is very much cartoons, easy to page through in less than an hour, with very little reading involved. Still as fun and true a read as I would've expected from her. 4.5 stars.

Another day off today after working yesterday gives me sort of a split weekend. I am nearly finished my dogsitting stint (leaving in a few minutes, the car's all packed) and at this point I should be home for about two weeks.

I spent the morning with a friend. We went for a walk near where I'm dogsitting, randomly ran into someone we both knew, and then after walking about 3 miles, stayed and talked the morning away. I got back to check on the dog, eat lunch, and pack. I finished a couple of books, which I'm planning on swinging by the local library here to drop off and see if a children's librarian I used to volunteer for is on duty today. Then I'm hoping to have time to stop at the post office on my way home. After getting all the food in the fridge, I'm off again to Bible study. We're just about finished up for the year there, too, so I will have most Mondays and Friday nights free within a couple of weeks, which will be a nice summer break.

Also today, I decided it was time to bite the bullet on that bundle, so I now have a Hulu/Disney+/ESPN+ subscription. Mostly I wanted to be able to watch the French Open when it starts, but I also discovered that I can catch up on This Is Us with it. Yay!

Tomorrow I'm hoping to join in on a librarian book club in the morning, then working 12-8 and getting back in the work week swing of things.

Wordle 318 4/6

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Good morning, everyone! I have already put on my big girl pants today, calling the electric company to inquire about my bill, which I'd paid (and was showing paid) online last weekend, but it was still showing a balance due May 7 and had not come out of my account. Either I mis-typed or my bank denied the check, not sure which. But I paid over the phone and have enrolled in autopay (something I couldn't *quite* do right after buying the house because I had to be a little careful when payments came out of my account, but thankfully no longer an issue).

I'll be logging in shortly to a librarian group for which I have not read the book, but it's always a fun time with them. And then I'm heading out to work 12-8. If I remember, I'll stop for milk on the way home to have in my coffee and breakfast tomorrow.

Wordle 319 3/6

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ATONE, TANSY, TRAIN. Thought the word might've already been used, but apparently not.

>58 bell7: Nice stats!

>67 bell7: I hope it's going to be a fully-milked Thursday, Mary. *smooch*

>69 figsfromthistle: thanks, Anita!

>70 richardderus: hahaha yes, Richard, I did remember to stop and made myself overnight chia pudding for breakfast today and tomorrow. Tonight after work I'm doing my full grocery shopping using a new book we have at the library for planning out work week lunches. I'll report back on how it goes for meal planning.

>71 bell7: As a librarian who orders non-fiction I'm curious what the work week lunches book is... :)

>72 MickyFine: The Workweek Lunch Cookbook by Talia Koren. The very beginning includes a couple of meal plan examples with a written out grocery list, so I chose the "flexitarian" week and will be making Salmon & Sweet Potato Sheet Pan; Black Bean, Spinach & Pesto Quesadillas, and Cheesy Penne Spinach Pesto Bake over the next few days. Next grocery shopping, I will make my own meal plan with other recipes from the book. If I find I enjoy enough of them, I'll probably buy the book for myself.

Wordle 320 6/6

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>73 bell7: I have it on order but it has yet to arrive (we've been having issues with shipping delays from our vendor). I look forward to hearing if the recipes are good!

>74 bell7: You made it! That phew is such a relief.

>74 bell7: *phew* > X so YAY! I had a really weird Wordle today...go look when you have time.

>74 bell7: The phew always perfectly encompasses my feelings after a 6 :)

>75 MickyFine: Ah, excellent! I will definitely report back. Sadly because I was away from home, I didn't use it before now, and it's due 5/11 (I may just...extend that a tad). And yes, I was definitely agreeing with the Phew! There were just so many options today....

>76 richardderus: I just did and...wow. Knowing your go-to first two words, I find that very impressive that you managed to get all the letters like that! I went ATONE, PORES, LOVER, MOWER, COMER, HOMER.

>77 curioussquared: Me, too, Natalie!

Regular schedule today. I'm working 9-5, and am planning on filling in a hole in my yard when I get back tonight and maybe taking a walk before making dinner, depending on how long the hole takes. I was thinking of starting to attack the nettles in my yard, but apparently digging them up can actually encourage them to grow, so now I'm revising and thinking of contacting the folks I had plow this winter do some yard and landscape work for me to tackle the nettles and possibly the Japanese bamboo instead. Dinner will either be salmon or quesadillas, I haven't decided yet (I'm leaning towards quesadillas...).

I had an adventure this afternoon, as right after I'd finished my lunch break, one of the sensors at home set the alarm off. I drove home and met the police there to determine it was a false alarm - no doors or windows open, just the motion sensor going off, probably because of a critter. One more reason to hate the mice.

Now I'm back at work finishing off my shift before really going home for the night.

>79 bell7: Glad it was a false alarm but boo to the undesirable excitement.

>80 MickyFine: That sums it up well. Thanks for the commiseration :)

42. The Guncle by Stephen Rowley
Why now? I thought I put this on my TBR spreadsheet but apparently not. Hm. Well, I can remember thinking it sounded interesting, but ultimately a library patron told me it was a nice story. The audiobook became available to listen, and I borrowed the paper book from the library to read and then have the audio before bed.

When his good friend and sister-in-law, Sara, dies, Patrick unexpectedly takes care of his niece and nephew for the summer. Maisie and Grant are dealing with loss, but they are also kids, and they have unexpected questions, want to swim every day, and generally upend their gay Uncle Patrick's (GUP for short) life.

I really enjoyed reading this book. In fairly episodic chapters, we follow Patrick, Maisie and Grant's summer as they figure out how to relate to each other. The tone is well-balanced between the funny and thought-provoking, having some laugh-out-loud moments but also exploring deeper issues such as grief and addiction. I enjoyed the family dynamics, particularly between Patrick and his sister, Clara, navigating the delicate history of ongoing sibling arguments while still showing how much they loved each other. It was an all-around feel-good read that I couldn't wait to get back to every evening. 4.5 stars.

Wordle 321 4/6

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Took a good think between three and four to figure it out.

Happy Friday, Mary. I hope you have a nice weekend planned. Starting Sunday, we have a big warm up coming. I cannot wait!!

>83 bell7: It took eliminating 12 of the 26 letters, having another one in the correct place and two not, in 5 tries to see what the only solution could be.

But I got there!

I tried The Guncle and wasn't charmed. I think it was mood-based, so I'm going to try again this summer. Enjoy your weekend's reads, Mary.

>84 msf59: thanks, Mark! I'm in for a bust weekend fitting in cooking and mowing (and hopefully some reading too), but it'll be good all around. Our warmer days will be later in the week, getting up to the 80s on Thursday.

>86 richardderus: it was definitely good timing for my mood, and a fast book after a couple of challenging ones. Be aware there's a few w-bombs (they don't bother me overmuch so I didn't count).

Wordle 322 5/6

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The fourth was a wasted guess, I forgot which letter from the previous guess was in play. Oops! Now to get coffee

Morning, Mary! Just cruising through....

I had a lucky break with Wordle today and got it in 2. I think I should retire for the rest of the day, as that will probably be my greatest accomplishment for today :-P

>88 bell7: Today's 3 was proof of my thesis that habitually using the same starter words pays off. (And ignoring the times it doesn't.)

I have mail. Haven't collected it yet but I'll bet I know what it is!

Trying to get back in the LT swing of things. Hopelessly behind, but Hi!

>89 katiekrug: wow, Katie, I hope you bought a lottery ticket too!

>90 richardderus: yep, I started out with random words but I think I do better starting with a particular one and going from there. And yay! Hope you enjoy

>91 Berly: hi, Kim! Thanks for visiting! I've been busy, too, and basically manage to keep up with my own thread and occasionally venturing out. Catching up here is as impossible as with housework.

Wordle 323 4/6

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Little bit of luck when I decided to eliminate the double letter possibility and managed to hit the right word.

>93 bell7: Got it in 3 by a stroke of the most amazing luck today.

Thank you for sharing the pictures of your garden, Mary. It's looking beautiful.

>94 richardderus: nice! It's a funny combo of luck and skill, isn't it? I think today's took a little more luck with the multiple options available.

>95 charl08: thank you, Charlotte, I'm glad you enjoyed them!

Wordle 324 5/6

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I've scrolled back through to see the pictures mentioned in >95 charl08: and don't see any. Is there a secret photo-sharing group I am not aware of, hmmm?

>98 katiekrug: it's a Google photo album I shared sometime last year I think. Here's the link - https://photos.app.goo.gl/V9QZieitCyVTGZQk8

>97 bell7: I got it in 3 but really am irked that I *didn't* go alphabetical this time.

Of course.

>99 bell7: - Ah, ok. I was feeling left out ;-)

>100 richardderus: Three is impressive, Richard! I went ATONE, BRINE, SWINE, SPINE, SHINE and was happy enough with five given all the iterations possible.

>101 katiekrug: So sorry, Katie! Since I have been updating that album some this year and don't want anyone to feel left out, I'll post links to the top of my next thread :)

Busy weekend recap:

Saturday was time with my Little. She came to my place and we made quesadillas from the recipe book I have out of the library. After dropping her back home, I had a little bit of time to tidy up at home and then I went to see my brother's band at a brewery about a half hour from my place. I didn't think there'd be many people I knew, but a bunch of their/my friends made it out, and I had a good time catching up with everyone. Got home around 9 and was pretty tired.

Sunday I had nursery and church, came home and contemplated my potential chores and decided the lawn was annoying me the worst, so I spent the afternoon mowing. Got myself cleaned up from that, and headed out to my parents for Mother's Day. My youngest brother and his wife came, too, and we had pizza and chocolate cream pie. Mom, my SIL and I played Catan. It was a tough board (wheat was hard to come by), and my mom and I went back and forth for longest road before I stole it for good and ended up winning. Again got home around 9, and promptly got ready for bed, playing Candy Crush and reading before calling it an early night around 10.

Current plans:
I switched work nights with a co-worker, so I'm working 3-8 tonight, and 9-5 tomorrow. I've got a home to-do list for the morning and we'll see how much I get through before enjoying the beautiful day, either walking or reading in my sun room (or both!). The main thing is a few things I want to buy, and then cooking a salmon dish.

Tomorrow after work, I'm planning on watching my brothers' softball games and then catching the end of the Bruins' playoff game.

DNF #6 The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar

More of a case of bad timing than any real complaint about the book. I'd started it a couple of weeks ago when I couldn't read much, didn't pick it up for days, and then when I did last night intending to finish it before the due date, realized I'd lost the thread of the story and all momentum along with it, so decided to give it a rest. Though I didn't manage a book for Iran in March, I did read a nonfiction book by Azar Nafisi earlier in the year, so I'll count that as good.

>103 bell7: I hope your evening shift treats you well! I'm guessing Mondays are usually pretty quiet?

>105 MickyFine: Hm, it's been awhile since I worked a Monday night, so I guess I'll find out? All our nights have been pretty quiet since reopening the building, but Tuesdays (the night I usually work) have traditionally been the busiest of the three (M/Tu/W we're open 'til 8).

>104 bell7: I have that one on the shelves and was hoping to get to it soon, Mary. Sorry it didn't get over the finish line for you.

Hi, Mary.

Good for you for reading so many books translated from other languages. I love the broader perspectives our reading can give us. Amber has me reading ones translated from ancient Greek (currently Metamorphoses.)

>107 PaulCranswick: just a bit of a timing issue, Paul. If you get to it, I'll read your review with interest to decide if I want to go back to it strongly enough.

>108 jnwelch: I've been watching you read through some Greek work with interest, Joe. Hope you continue to enjoy it!

Wordle 325 4/6

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Silly of me to leave the two "wrong placed letters" in the same place for guess number three, but it gave me the third letter that ultimately produced the answer in four.

>110 bell7: I did a similar thing in guess 4, hoping to get a proper-position letter. Didn't, but got the answer instead!

*smooch* for the delight of the mauve tulip photos.

>111 richardderus: glad you enjoyed them, Richard! I've added a couple of outdoor chairs to my home wishlist so I can sit outside this summer and enjoy the birds and flowers.

Wordle 326 3/6

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😊

Wordle 327 3/6

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Two threes in a row!

Good Thursday morning! Yesterday was a normal 9-5, and I felt especially accomplished for completing a major update to the shelving manual that I give out to new volunteers. My next training is in June.

I got the news yesterday that I was not selected for the library director position. That leaves me settled knowing I can start planning for the summer where I am. One bonus: I go up to five weeks of vacation time on July 1.

Today I'm working 9-5 and want to work on some local history policy updates and a form to have people fill out for donations to our historical collections. The trustees will vote on my proposed updated collection development policy at their next meeting.

Not sure what I'll do tonight, other than try to fit in a walk or yard work and watch the Bruins. I've been walking up to the cemetery about a mile away lately, and adding memorials and photos to FindaGrave while I look for my great-great-grandparents' stone. I've found most of my family, but there's one apart from the others that I've seen once before and can't quite remember where.

Sorry that you didn't get the library director position but yay for having life set for the next little while and a bump up to five weeks of vacation on the horizon. I've got 8 years before I reach that at my work so the golden handcuffs aren't too tight just yet. :P

Good luck with the collection development policy vote!

Sorry it was a no on the library director job! But hooray for soon-to-be five weeks of vacation!

>115 bell7: What >116 MickyFine: & >117 curioussquared: said

Honestly...five weeks! That seems worth it to me to forego some kind of title bump.

>116 MickyFine: the town I work for now maxes out at four weeks but I'm grandfathered in because my benefits date to 2007, the year before that policy change went into effect. A tough benefit to give up, truly. And thanks! I think they're meeting on Tuesday, so I've got some time to review things on Friday and Sunday leading up to it. Not sure if my boss will all me to be there or not, but I did offer to be available for questions.

>117 curioussquared: thanks, Natalie! I'm glad to have things settled and go back to normal so to speak, though I would've enjoyed the challenge of a new job too. Glad I'm in a place where I could be satisfied either way!

>118 richardderus: you're not wrong, Richard! It was high on my list of "pros" for staying put 🙂

Wordle 328 3/6

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Got lucky with guess #2
ATONE, TRIPS, TIPSY

Sorry you didn't get the job, Mary, but it's good that you are in a good place. And five weeks of vacation is hard to give up.

>121 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! Fortunately, I'm not actively looking to leave and it was more a "Why not, the opportunity is too good not to throw my hat in the ring" situation rather than, "Wow, I really want this job!" I mean, it had its pros too - no Sunday hours among them - but yeah, that five week vacation bit....

Happy Friday!

Last night during the Bruins game (they won! they'll play a game 7 tomorrow!), my parents, brother and I sorted out who gets what home game for the NY Giants 2022-23 season. No one wanted January 1, so that stalled out for awhile until my brother said the person who gets January 1 should have first picks on the other two games, and Dad said he'd take it. My games are Chicago (Oct 2), Detroit (Nov 20) and Washington (Dec 4). My brother gets home opener, my parents get the Dallas Monday night game, I got my pick of the other two division teams and since I saw Philly last year, I wanted Washington. One warmer weather and two colder, but hopefully nothing too bitter cold.

Today I'm working 9-5 and evening plans are up in the air. Yesterday I did some work in the garden, putting pine needles on my blueberries and pulling at some of the biggest weeds that are already growing in the patch, filling a hole in my backyard, and digging out an area that will be for the tomato plants in the coming weeks. Tonight may be more weeding or walking to get outside before reading my book club book.

A busy weekend is lined up, as tomorrow I'm hanging out with my Little (we're planning on making rhubarb jam) and then heading over to my friend's for her son's birthday party. Sunday I'm working after church, and Monday I have gloriously off. I might give myself a do-almost-nothing-but-read day - and I might need it to finish the book club book in time! Fortunately I'm really enjoying People We Meet on Vacation so far.

>123 bell7: I really enjoyed People We Meet on Vacation -- I hope you do too!

I liked People We Meet on Vacation but not as much as Beach Read. My hold on her newest just came in, but I delayed it for a week, so I can finish up my current read.

Happy almost-slothful-weekend-ahead, at least by your standards. *smooch*

Ooh, Rhubarb jam sounds lovely, especially homemade. I've had stewed rhubarb in my overnight oats this week, a nice change from forest fruit.

Sorry to hear re the job. Your holiday benefit does sound good. I get about 30 days, but some of those are fixed to particular times when the university's closed. I think if I stay next year I get another day (!) What will I do with all that extra time?!

>64 bell7: My local library does not have that one, unfortunately. I really liked Stepping Stones.

>82 bell7: I loved that one too! Glad to see it has another fan.

>115 bell7: Sorry to hear that you did not get the new position, but since you liked your old one, I think that is all to the good.

Happy Saturday, Mary!

>124 curioussquared: I'm about two thirds of the way through, Natalie, and I am enjoying it so far.

>125 katiekrug: I didn't finish Beach Read, but I think it was more of a mood moment? I might go back to it at some point, as I'm enjoying this one except while I appreciate a slow burn, the not-talking-about-our-obviously-mutual-feelings is going on a little too long.

>126 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! It became even more so when one of my commitments was canceled. I'm still really looking forward to Monday being really off, though.

>127 charl08: Oh I've never had rhubarb in oatmeal, but I can see that working well. I've got a couple of recipes from a neighbor who asked permission to cut some rhubarb last year and gifted me the freezer jam recipe and a really simple rhubarb upside-down cake. I got them last year at the end of the season, so I'm looking forward to trying both. Is your paid time off all lumped together? My benefits are a little odd because I started at a part-time with benefits job in 2007 so my paid time off counts back from then. But I currently get four weeks vacation time, plus personal time, and I have a ton of sick time at the moment, because I don't lose it every year (and I don't use much).

>128 alcottacre: Happy Saturday, Stasia! Sorry you're unable to get Go to Sleep (I Miss You). Fortunately there are plenty of books to keep us busy regardless. Glad to see you enjoyed The Guncle! I even got a kick out of the acknowledgements section. And thanks re: the director position. It was sort of a relief just to know and move on.

Wordle 329 4/6

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I was getting nervous at guess two, but lucked out that the word I came up with to test new placements turned out to be the word itself.

Today started with a little bit of tidying the house and cutting rhubarb. On the way to get my Little, I stopped at the post office to mail my nephew's gift. And then my Little and I got lunch and made rhubarb jam. It's hard to tell when it's still a little warm from cooking, but I think it worked out well - a really simple recipe with rhubarb, sugar, and a packet of strawberry jello. I've got one-and-a-half jars in the freezer and sent my Little back home with two for herself.

The birthday party for my friend's son was postponed, so I went to my brother's to watch the Bruins game, and now I'm home for the evening. I made a lot of progress in People We Meet on Vacation and am roughly two thirds of the way in, so I'm feeling good about finishing it this weekend. I'm enjoying being able to take it a little bit easier this evening and tomorrow after work.

Monday is off from work. I'm planning a grocery-and-Home-Depot shopping, I have either gardening or putting up curtains to keep me busy during the day, and then I'm meeting my Bible study group to take a walk at a local trail in the late afternoon.

Hey Lazy Mary! I can't believe you actually went and vegged in front of someone else's TV to watch a bunch of puckers puck around. I'd've thought you'd be all up in the LifeFlight's pick-up service or something equally strenuous.

...so proud I could bust...*sniff*

>132 richardderus: I mean... I did drive out there to watch it instead of veg in my own house, but the larger screen than my 12-inch-across laptop was too big of a draw in the end hahaha.

Wordle 330 3/6

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Nice way to start off the day!

>134 bell7: Is it? I wouldn't know.

*grumble*

Still...have a lovely Sunday's busyness. *smooch*

>135 richardderus: your four was not at all bad. The only difference was I was pondering words that could eliminate or confirm the presence of an "i" so I'd use up all the vowels and the first word I came up with was the answer.

Sunday *smooches*

Wordle 331 5/6

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This one challenged me!

>137 bell7: Me too!

Morning, Mary. Happy Monday! Enjoy your day off. It looks like a beautiful day here in the Midwest. I hope you get the same.

>137 bell7: It was definitely a tricky one today.

Enjoy your Monday off!

>138 PaulCranswick: *waves* thanks for visiting, Paul!

>139 msf59: Happy Monday, Mark! It's in the 80s but clear and comfy inside my house. I have the windows open and hear the birds singing.

>140 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

Happy Monday! I'm happy for a day off and time to catch up on some house projects and read. I stopped at Home Depot and the grocery store on my way home from work yesterday, so I don't have to go out 'til I meet up with a group of ladies to hike a bit around 5.

I have started to tackle house and garden projects by asking myself, "What is annoying me most?" So I spent the morning in the garden cleaning out the weeds under the hedges and putting down fabric to keep out weeds. I want to get some small stones to put there (my aesthetic preference is white, but depending on pricing will go with cheap river stones instead), though I'm not sure if it'll happen this year or next.

That done, I got cleaned up and read Gender Queer since it's the most-challenged book of 2021 and has been in the news so much. I had lunch, and now I'm planning on catching up on some reviews and threads.

The other task that's annoying me that it's still undone is turning a heel on a pair of socks I'm knitting (it's not hard, but I have to pay attention to this portion and can't really watch TV or listen to an audiobook while I do it), and I'm planning on doing that today as well.

43. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Why now? Book club title for Wednesday

Poppy and Alex are total opposites but have been friends for ten years, going on summer trips every year until that fateful trip to Croatia two years ago, which left their friendship strained and awkward. Unhappy at work, Poppy decides to take time off and go on one more vacation with Alex. Going back to her roots as a shoestring-budget vacation blogger and going to Alex's brother's wedding together should be the perfect way to rekindle their friendship, right?

I really enjoyed Poppy's voice as she narrates this friends-to-lovers romance story, going back and forth between "This Summer" and previous trips she and Alex have taken together over the years. In the process, we see their friendship develop into something that they're not really willing to explore. It's a v-e-r-y slow burn (and kinda annoying in that way), and I related to Alex and his carefully thinking through than Poppy's impulsivity. But the ending was satisfying and I'd read more by Emily Henry. 4 stars.

This is very different from what my book club usually reads, so I'm interested in seeing 1. who comes (I might get new people? And one of my regulars didn't finish the book) and 2. what they think.

Happy layabout Monday! *smooch*

44. Elatsoe by Darcle Little Badger
Why now? I had DLB's novels as possibilities for reading a book with an asexual main character, and this came up as an e-book/audio combo available at the library when I was looking for that format

When Ellie's cousin dies under mysterious circumstances and tells her in a dream that he was murdered by Abe Allerton of Willowbee, Ellie and her parents travel to the funeral and investigate. Ellie has help from her friend, Jay, and her ghost dog, Kirby, who she raises from Below using the secret knowledge given to her family by her six-great-grandmother.

The way in which Apache folklore and the stories of Six-Great are interspersed with this fantasy mystery are beautifully done. I loved that Ellie's parents are super supportive and loving and she has other ways of having agency that don't depend on absent or dead parents. The friendship between Ellie and Jay is fantastic. I started reading slowly only picking it up before bed, but the suspense and pace ratchet up until I was reading it during the day to find out what happened and looking for something slightly more relaxing right before I fell asleep. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.

>144 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! I figured the knitting felt like accomplishing something but also relaxing ;) Besides, the walk will be exercise enough later today.

45. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Why now? One thing you can't avoid working in libraries now is all the news about book challenges and bans around the country...and this book recently came up as the most banned book of 2021 on ALA's list. It was available at work, and I nabbed it.

Maia Kobabe explains eir process of coming to terms with gender and eir own gender identity as non-binary and asexual.

This is honestly fantastic. It describes the author's journey from being assigned female at birth and having crushes on both boys and girls, to learning terms like bi and trans, and working through eir gender identity and finding pronouns that made sense. It's also about the awkwardness and challenges surrounding coming out as non-binary to various people (family, friends, strangers) and correcting misgendering. There are frank, matter-of-fact discussions of masturbation, OBGYN appointments, and sexual encounters but nothing overly graphic. I could see this having a lot of crossover appeal with high schoolers and young adults dealing with all sorts of identity questions. 4.5 stars.

I can't quite tell if this was written as an adult graphic novel or young adult. It's come under fire for being "pornographic," but I thought the pictures of sex acts were... really not that detailed nor meant to be a turn on (would the same, hetero image draw as much fire? Probably not). I could relate quite a bit to some of the gender-non-conforming instances Maia describes - particularly taking off my shirt when I was a kid during the summer, not wanting/getting the whole shaving ones legs thing, and finding pap smears terrifying (though not to the extent e does). I didn't have the language to describe certain things, either, and though I've come to a different understanding of my own identity, I think it's really useful for high school students to hear about different experiences to process their own selves and empathize with others.

>143 bell7: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Mary!

>145 bell7: Adding that one to the BlackHole too. I knew there was a reason I should not visit your thread. . .grumble, grumble :)

>147 bell7: And that one. Grumble, grumble, grumble. . .

Stopping by to say hello Mary.

Looks like we had very similar feelings about Elatsoe! And I think I need to put Gender Queer on the list :)

>148 alcottacre: Wow, it's a banner day when I can get you with three book bullets, Stasia! Looking forward to your thoughts on them - and at least Gender Queer is a graphic novel and shouldn't take you long!

>149 Whisper1: Nice to see you, Linda!

>150 curioussquared: Hooray for Elatsoe, Natalie! I was the kid who wondered why male/female friendships always had to become love interests in YA books, so I really enjoyed the fact that this one didn't, they're just super supportive friends and stay that way lol (which isn't a spoiler, they lay this out pretty early on).

>147 bell7: It makes my cis-grandfather's heart soar that my trans grandchild has such a book (I sent it to them already) to help find words to fit feelings.

>152 richardderus: and as Maia says, e discovered a lot through books - having a wide variety of experiences and identities described in the books we read is so important, and this latest movement to tamp down on what can be read and be available in libraries is really chilling to me.

Wordle 332 3/6

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Very pleased with that result! Three and four guesses are now tied for my most common result.

Happy Tuesday!

I am working 12-8 so I spent the morning puttering - how I think of the small projects that don't take terribly long in and of themselves but are so satisfying as I complete them. Today I planted tomato plants and the lupine (only two) that came up from seed, cooked a yummy-smelling mushroom orzo dish that I'll have for dinner tonight at work, and repotted some pothos that was getting towards potbound.

Lunch is PB&J with the homemade rhubarb jam from Saturday, and let me tell you it came out delicious! It thickened up beautifully, has the tang of the rhubarb and just enough sweet from the sugar and strawberry jello packet. This may very well become my go-to rhubarb recipe.

Book club prep will be my main goal at work today. When I work the night I have anywhere from 3-5 hours on the desk, so anything else I get done will just be icing on the cake. I'll also find out a little about how town meeting went last night. And then my plan when I get home is just to relax and read or knit.

Glad to hear the jam turned out so well, Mary.

I hope your evening shift goes swimmingly. :)

Hi, Mary, just catching up here! I'm enjoying reading about your gardening progress. It's been a few months since I've had to prep for a book discussion for work. Hope you can get that accomplished today and then relax at home tonight!

I don't think I've ever had rhubarb jam. Glad yours is delicious!

>155 bell7: Rhubarb jam made that simply is a great revelation!

>154 bell7: ...I hate you...

>153 bell7: It enrages me. "I, in my sacred white straightness, do not want anyone else to be able to have what *I* have" is the most appalling, disgusting kind of greed and selfishness.

>153 bell7: This made me think of a quote by Alan Bennett (I had to go google it).

The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours

>156 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! So far so good... I forgot I'd told my boss I'd come to the beginning of the Trustees' meeting tonight to go over any questions on the collection development policy update, so that'll be in a little over an hour.

>157 aktakukac: Well, you've had a good excuse not to, Rachel! I'll get a break for the summer after this one - we have a small group and a lot of people travel, so we take June-August off. We'll be back in September with Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. The rhubarb jam was a first for me, but I'll definitely do it again. It was amazingly simple.

>158 richardderus: Yup, any jam that simple is a win in my book. *shrug* with the Wordle. I got lucky. ATONE, BLEND, BEING left me with only one place to put the "E" so the rest just fell into place from there. And even if I were to create a library for people who thought exactly like me, wouldn't it be doing a disservice to *not* have varying viewpoints and experiences represented? I truly don't understand the impulse.

>159 charl08: I like that very much! Thanks for sharing, Charlotte. I think one of the benefits of reading widely is finding common ground and understanding.

>160 bell7: It's that ever-so common need some have to prevent any thought that isn't one of their own set of Approved Thoughts available to anyone because That Is Wrong.

It's that attitude I don't get. I don't have to get your beliefs to say to myself, "Self, you don't want THEM telling YOU what to think, why tell them what to think?"

Happy Tuesday, Mary!

>161 richardderus: Agreed!

>162 alcottacre: thanks, Stasia! Same to you

Wordle 333 3/6

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46. Blended by Sharon M. Draper
Why now? I was looking for an e-book/audio combo to read next, and since I loved Out of My Mind a few years ago (and the sequel had to be put on hold), I decided to read this instead.

Isabella feels pulled in two different directions - her mother is white, her father black; her mother calls her Izzy, her father Isabella; and their custody agreement means she lives in a different house every week.

Izzy tells her story as a middle school girl navigating school, friends, racism, and complicated family in chapters headed "Mom's week", "Dad's week" or sometimes "Exchange Day" to orient where she is as the year progresses. It deals with a lot of big, complicated but important topics that kids deal with in a sensitive way. 4 stars.

How did I not realize how prolific Sharon M. Draper is? I hadn't even heard of this book before I checked it out, but I'm definitely going to have to read more. Out of My Mind was absolutely fantastic.

I remembered that book club was tonight, but somehow until yesterday it didn't occur to me that I'd be working 12-8. Oops.

Anyway, I slept in a little and took my time getting my coffee and breakfast. Then I spent the morning making Mango Tofu Coconut Rice Bowls. This was my first time cooking with tofu, and let me tell you, I thought the dish was amazing. I'll share the recipe later today after work if anyone's interested.

Work today, as I said, is 12-8 and I'm leaving for it shortly. The trustees unanimously approved the collection development policy for the local history collection, so I can check another item off the list. I have a volunteer and a tax abatement worker coming in this afternoon, so I'll have to see what projects I can give them to do. And book discussion is tonight. I have no idea who to expect. A couple of my regulars are dealing with health issues, but more copies of the book than usual went out, so there's a small chance I'll get someone new? I'll report back on that as well.

That's it from me today. I'm going to be busy yet boring over the next couple of days. My nephew's birthday is tomorrow so hopefully I'll get a call in, and I also need to mow my lawn. Saturday is busy with a yoga class and hanging out with friends after.

I'm currently reading Sarah J. Maas's new book, House of Sky and Breath, which is 800 pages and I have to be in the right mood to pick it up, but I did read quite a bit last night. I've also started True Biz by Sara Novic, which was Reese's April book club pick and meant I needed to buy it for my library. I'm not far in, but I'm really enjoying the story of a residential school by a Deaf author. It goes back and forth between the headmistress, who is the hearing daughter of Deaf adults, and one of the students who had a cochlear implant but now that her parents are divorced she's coming as a day student and doesn't (yet, anyway) know ASL.

Hi Mary! I really enjoyed your iris photos today. And, since I was Called to be Virtuous, I got three reviews posted. I shall graciously accept your bounteous praise.

After discovering there was a heat wave on the way, I spent my morning moving books, vacuuming, getting ready for the a/c to be installed...then moving everything back. I'm whupped!

I got, for the 5th time in 108 games played, Wordle in 2!!

>166 bell7: *smooch* I'll be buried alive under the compost heap before I cook with tofu, but it's great that you enjoyed.

>165 bell7: I reviewed a YA that I liked less than you did yours. *sigh*

>167 richardderus: Well that sounds plenty productive for the day. Hope you got some well-deserved reading in! I've only got Wordle in two twice, but three just became my most common score today (it waffles between 3-4) and I still haven't broken my streak. I think the way it's made chicken would be a fine substitute for the tofu. The flowers are making me smile this year. More irises are on their way soon (the yellow one was just short of blooming this morning), and the peonies have buds.

>147 bell7: I'm not sure that Kobabe's book is something I will get around to reading but the banning of books does make me gnash my teeth. Whether the subject matter is appropriate for junior school children is a matter for parents (that is quite different from banning a book) but certainly high school students should be exposed to people's different life experiences as it should tend towards more understanding and less prejudice.

Looks like an important story and your rating indicates it was well told.

>169 PaulCranswick: The thing about removing books from school and public libraries is that parents - who absolutely should have a say in what's appropriate for their own kids - and school boards or trustees end up taking away books from other people's kids, and sometimes aren't even following their own policies for doing so. There's been a huge increase in challenges and removals around the U.S. this past year, particularly by authors of color and LGBTQ identities. A person came to our trustees wanting to know if we could put all the LGBTQ books in a special location that parents had to "opt in" to be able to read. He thought this was giving parents power, but in practice it makes the librarians the arbiters, and what if we did that with any other topic someone found offensive? Religious books? What a can of worms it would open! So it hits close to home and I'm contrary enough that I'll read the books that are offending people.

And yes, I do think it's an important story well told.

Wordle 334 4/6

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I actually thought of the word before my third guess and came up with another to eliminate another vowel and not use a double letterOh well.

Well, I don't have a book club report because no one came. I kinda thought that might happen: my three core regulars couldn't come for various reasons. All the copies I'd requested went out, however, so I thought I might get a few new folks. Oh well - we're back in September reading Caste, and I think we'll get a good turnout. One of my co-workers offered to really push it on social media and such to see if we could get more to join.

Today I worked 9-5, came home to have dinner and a quick call to wish my nephew a happy birthday (he's five!). I then made chive blossom vinegar as a new experiment, and worked on my knitting. Now that I've turned the heel of the second sock, I should be able to move along in that project pretty quickly.

Tomorrow I'm working 9-5 and am hoping to mow the lawn after, because the weekend will be way too hot for such things and then I'll be away for a conference for a couple of days.

>172 bell7: So many of the New England folks opted for virtual for the genealogy conference that I thought you all might not be open for such events yet.

>173 thornton37814: I think that's individuals choosing their level of caution (which, I don't blame them, I'm still wearing a mask in large group settings and will do so when I go to an in-person conference next week). We've been having some in-person events since the mandates regarding meeting size, masks, etc. were lifted right around Memorial Day last year, though we had virtual events still scheduled and didn't have much in-person until the fall. The town won't go stricter than the state, and since the governor didn't reinstate any mandates during the Omicron surge in January, I'm doubtful there will be any kind of requirement in the future unless our numbers get really bad. It's possible there are more guidelines I'm not aware of in other cities and counties though.

>165 bell7: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Mary!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wordle 335 5/6

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Tough one today

>172 bell7: Well, poop. That's not a big surprise, though, as you enumerate. And summer beckons.

Anyway, I hope some Himalaya of work that needs doing gets done this weekend without too much shed blood, sweat, and/or tears. *smooch*

>177 richardderus: Yeah, I was sort of hoping for maybe a couple of new people to join based on the books going out, but ultimately I wasn't terribly surprised.

And thanks for the well-wishes on weekend chores. I didn't quite finish mowing my lawn yesterday, so I've got to finish it this morning before it gets too hot.

Happy Saturday!

Today's agenda is finishing mowing my lawn. I possibly have a friend coming over this morning to cut some rhubarb. I have a yoga class at noon and am looking forward to hanging out with friends in an air-conditioned space afterwards. When I get back, I'm going to pack.

Sunday, I just realized, I do not have nursery (I have it the following two weeks, and for 2nd service now that I'm not working Sundays for the summer). That actually gives me the morning to finish packing and wrap things up here. Then I'll be going to church, to a friend's to meet the dogs that I'll be watching over Memorial Day weekend, and heading out to the conference. I'm ready with an audiobook of Hello, Molly! for the trip out.

Still reading House of Sky and Breath and True Biz and enjoying both. I started The Reluctant Fundamentalist for the Asian Book Challenge when I found it as an e-book and audio from the library. I somehow didn't realize it was so short, and am already nearly halfway through. I am still unsure of it in some ways - the writing style as the main character having a conversation with someone as his narrative really surprised me and is a little hard to follow. I might switch to the paper book, and I think if I do I might be able to finish it today.

Wordle 336 3/6

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Morning, Mary. Happy Saturday. I remember enjoying The Reluctant Fundamentalist when I read it a few years ago. Enjoy your weekend.

I also really liked The Reluctant Fundamentalist when I read it several years ago. It packs a punch.

Ooh, a conference! Where and about what? (I'm nosy.)

>180 bell7: I got it in 3 as well!

Happy nice weekend. *smooch*

Like Katie I'm curious about your conference.

Sounds like a great weekend ahead for you. Enjoy!

>181 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Hope you have a good weekend as well!

>182 katiekrug: I just finished it and I'm... not quite sure how to react? It does pack a punch, and I will probably recommend it to one of my brothers.

>183 richardderus: Happy weekend, Richard! Congrats on the three, too :)

>184 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Hope you have a lovely weekend.

>182 katiekrug: and >184 MickyFine: I'm going to Hyannis (on the Cape) for the Massachusetts Library Association conference. It's smaller than some, but I like that about it. And I'm meeting up with some friends, including my SIL and brother, for dinner tomorrow.

Wordle 337 5/6

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Guessing game today

Good Sunday morning, all! Yesterday after yoga and lunch and drinks with friends, I came home - fortunately, to a relatively cool house that stayed comfy even in the 90 degree heat - and took a nap. I finished The Reluctant Fundamentalist and stayed up late after said nap, reading Toni Morrison's short story Recitatif.

This morning I woke up far too early, around 5:30 a.m., and read Zadie Smith's essay on Recitatif, which, let me tell you, is worth reading. I might even reread the short story again before returning the e-book to the library, and I'm putting the book on my wishlist.

Usually I'd be dead tired by now after a short night's sleep, but I'm actually feeling pretty good and enjoying the fact that my morning is now leisurely enough that I'll have time to think about all the things I should pack and remember all the essentials.

Today I have church, and that may be followed by meeting dogs I'll be watching next weekend - I'm not entirely sure yet, because I got a text from my friend the other day asking about changing the time, and when I said I couldn't do 2 p.m. today but would another day/time work, I didn't hear back. But I'll see them at church today and have to follow up anyway because I don't actually know their address. If I don't see the dogs, I'll stop in at a friend's for her son's birthday party that was rescheduled for today. Either way, I want to try to leave around 1 p.m. for Hyannis so I have plenty of time to check in to the resort and settle in before meeting friends for dinner.

Monday and Tuesday will be conference filled, and I'm not sure how much I'll be able to check in beyond Wordle scores - it depends on how much energy I need to conserve after workshops and exhibit hall and networking. I'm bringing House of Sky and Breath, True Biz, and my Kindle, which should give me plenty of reading material, though I'm now in search of a good e-book/audio pairing because I finished both The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Recitatif and none of my holds are ready yet.

Hi Mary, I am over for a snoop and particularly enjoying looking at what books you are reading and >2 bell7: especially your favs for 2001. I read the John McWhorter book too and think he is amazing. Really enjoy his interviews too. He is a man of many interests and abilities! I want to read his new book soon.

Mary, I have Gender Queer on my library hold list. It is way out of my comfort zone but I do want to be educated and understand more about the subject. I'm not a fan of graphic books, but it may be the best way to present it. Wish me luck! ;-)

>172 bell7: Well, that is disappointing! What was the book you were going to discuss? I think my library book group is larger than yours. There have been as few as 5 and as many as 15 for a popular book. I like it when the group stays under 10 as it is easier for everyone to participate. Our next book is Homegoing which I am looking forward to rereading.

Have fun at the library conference!

>188 mdoris: Nice to see you, Mary! I haven't read much beyond his linguistics books which I enjoy very much (Words on the Move is a particular favorite of mine), and I am interested in checking out his new book too. I'll look forward to your thoughts on it.

>189 Donna828: I will look forward to hearing what you think of Gender Queer, Donna, though it's not a format you usually enjoy but you always have such thoughtful reviews. We were going to discuss People We Meet on Vacation which is different from our normal fare (which I'd characterize roughly as historical fiction, literary fiction and memoirs). I have a core group of about four people who come just about every month, and a few who have dipped in and out, so our numbers vary but it's usually 4-6 and maybe 8 at the largest. The other book clubs at our library are larger, but at least one person participates in mine *because* it's smaller, so it fits a purpose and I like it. We take a break for the summer too. I'll look forward to your thoughts on Homegoing as well. It's on the TBR list along with 2000 or so other books.

Wordle 338 3/6

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Wordle 339 5/6

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Well, today's was challenging! Or I need coffee. Possibly both.

Sorry to hear about the book group, Mary. Reading a book outside the 'usual' genre sounded like the basis for a "full and frank" discussion to me! Hope your conference is going / went well too. I imagine library conferences are full of people giving away free books. Is that right, or just wishful thinking on my part?

>192 bell7: I got it in 3, but it was a complete guess...the best I can say is that my streak is alive. I don't feel as though I solved anything.

I've been following your conferencing on Twitter. Very interesting! *smooch*

>193 charl08: It's always a little hard to know, Charlotte, exactly why folks don't come, but this month I think for my core group (about three other attendees) there were health and scheduling reasons that had nothing to do with the book, though it was different from our usual fare. One of the sessions I attended gave me a few ideas that I might present to the group in September (when we start putting together our list for next year!), and I know we're going to try to market it some more so we'll see what happens at the tail end of the year. Library conferences vary - this one is smaller, and the vendors were not giving away books but a couple of my colleagues who do a presentation give away books at their session. The American Library Association conference, however, is famous for giving away many books (and even having a post office in the exhibit hall where you can mail the books to yourself instead of putting them in your luggage!).

>194 richardderus: *smooch* back. I felt similarly about Wordle today; it was an odd one. I saw that you liked some of my tweets! I basically use Twitter to take notes during sessions and see what other librarians are talking about from their sessions. That gives me a good overall feel for the conference and ideas of where to go to pursue more information for the ideas that interest me. I was pleasantly surprised when a couple of my threads were called out for being good ones running down a presentation. And now I will go back to infrequently replying to tweets and randomly sharing what book(s) I'm reading :)

I am home! I had a good time at the conference: catching up with friends, making new connections, and learning about various library-related topics at the sessions I went to yesterday and today. I am now officially exhausted, and very pleased that I took tomorrow off. I've got to add up the hours I worked so far this week (driving on Sunday, conference on Monday, conference and driving today) and figure out if I even need to take vacation or personal time tomorrow. I'm thinking no, especially since I'm working Saturday. I'm off next week too, to use up some time prior to the new fiscal year starting.

Sorry if the above paragraph is all over the place, my head's still spinning a bit. I'm off tomorrow, as I said, and purposely left very little on the agenda. A friend might come over. I might hang curtains. I might run some things to Goodwill. The only thing I really have to do is cook a meal or two to cover the couple of days before my dogsitting jobs start.

Thursday and Friday at work will be mostly catchup from the conference - reading and responding to emails and going through all the handouts from vendors, and hopefully debriefing my boss some.

47. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Why now? Asian Book Challenge for the month of May - Hamid is originally from Pakistan

Changez, a Pakistani man, comes across you - an American man in Lahore, who may or may not be carrying a gun - and brings you out for tea, telling his story and how he went to the U.S. for college, fell in love, and began working there, until events brought him back home.

In this slim but challenging book, the entire narrative is a one-sided conversation, telling us both about events as the evening progresses and Changez' time in the U.S. There's a lot of ambiguity - especially in the end - and as a reader I was unsettled by not being sure how much to trust the narrator. I also found his love affair with the elusive Erika very odd. Not exactly a book I enjoyed, but it's one that will stick with me for awhile. 3.5 stars.

This is one I would recommend to my brother closest in age to me. He likes tough books and creative narrative techniques.

>166 bell7: Mango Tofu Coconut Rice Bowl sounds delicious!

>196 bell7: Glad the conference went well. Now rest up!

>198 figsfromthistle: It really was! And I could see substituting chicken for the tofu if one wanted to go that route. And thanks, I will do my best to follow your advice - I am planning on getting to bed early tonight.

48. Recitatif: a story by Toni Morrison
Why now? I was intrigued by the recent publication of a 1983 short story by Toni Morrison (her only short story) in its own volume with an essay by Zadie Smith

Two girls, Twyla and Roberta, meet at the age of 8 when they're temporarily taken from their mothers and put in shelter and become close. Twyla tells us their stories, as they separate after Roberta and then she leaves, eventually meeting by chance over the years into adulthood.

Though racial identity is important to both, we are never told which is white and which is Black, leaving readers to wrestle with the implications of statements such as, "Easy, I thought. Everything is so easy for them. They think they own the world." Another character's racial identity is ambiguous, and the girls relationship to Maggie, a mute woman who works at the shelter during their childhood, also becomes central to the story and how they see themselves. I read Zadie Smith's essay after reading this short story, and then read the story again. Smith does a fabulous job of illuminating the story, from breaking down the title to discussing the real-life town of Newburgh (where Twyla and Roberta live as adults) and its racial history. This was truly superb and would be an excellent book club choice. 4.5 stars.

I didn't intend to read two ambiguous books in a row haha.

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>200 bell7: Well that's tempting. Added to the wishlist!

Wednesday *smoochings*

>202 charl08: oh excellent, looking forward to your thoughts on it, Charlotte!

>203 richardderus: *smooch* back. Happy Thursday!

Wordle 341 3/6

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>205 bell7: It was a 2 day for me, but it doesn't feel like a "win" when Wordle goes behind the paywall on the 9th.

>206 richardderus: I can't find anything about the paywall happening online -- where did you hear about it?

>206 richardderus: and >207 curioussquared: Well, dang. If my streak continues, maybe I'll just stop at 100 to leave it with a nice, round number of games played. Though I can't find anything on a couple of Google searches myself. What have you heard, Richard?

49. True Biz by Sara Novic
Why now? I heard about it 'cause it was a Reese's book pick for April, and books about the Deaf community by Deaf authors are few and far between - bought it for the library and immediately placed it on hold. And then bonus - my SIL's book club is planning on reading it next month!

The book starts off with a bang: three students are missing, and no one knows why. Then, we go back six months to when Charlie, a girl who's had cochlear implants and been mainstreamed, starts coming to the Deaf residential school run by February, the hearing child of Deaf adults. February is passionate about her students and the Deaf community, and decides that she's going to have Charlie work with Austin, who as the descendant in a long line of Deaf people has a status akin to royalty and will be able to help Charlie catch up on language acquisition as she learns American Sign Language (ASL).

Sara Novic tells her characters' stories in a compelling way while interspersing elements of language and culture. The third-person narrator switches primarily between Charlie, February, and Austin's points of view in chapter headings with a fingerspelled "C," "F" or "A". I usually get distracted by a lack of quotation marks, but both spoken language and ASL are clearly delineated - and brilliantly, the ASL uses the physical space on a page of left, right and middle to show who is signing. A lot of the topics she addresses in the book were ones I recognized from my college days as a Deaf studies major (what a hot topic cochlear implants are in the community, the respect that the Deaf child of Deaf adults gets) and some were new to me (Black ASL). This was a truly fantastic story, and if you have any interest at all in the Deaf community, I highly recommend it. 4.5 stars.

I'm definitely interested in checking out her other books now, though I don't think any of them are really about the Deaf community like this one was.

When one logs on to Wordle, the instruction appears to change the link I follow to get to them to: https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/
and that's where the paywall comes down. It does so at a different time for different users, though I don't know how it's figured out.

DNF #7 Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon

I heard an interview with Molly Shannon on NPR so I knew not to expect this to be a funny book (it starts with a car crash that killed her mother and baby sister when Molly was a toddler, and while I won't say it gets sadder from there, it never loses that serious tone). Her childhood was rough, and I thought once she got to college it might be more uplifting, but mostly listening to it is just leaving me uncomfortable as she runs through awkward encounters with men and scamming agents to get appointments as she tried to make it as a burgeoning actor and I tried to figure out if I was supposed to laugh or commiserate.

I'll return the book and audiobook to the library tomorrow.

>210 richardderus: Ooooh, okay, good to know. I usually tap on the link in the email and haven't seem anything yet. What a pain! I run through my free articles for NYT so fast and I end up using the library access or my co-worker's shared articles to get to the other ones I'm interested in.

Yesterday was a day off and I took complete advantage of that fact, making myself a soup and running a quick grocery shopping, but otherwise completely vegging. I binge-watched the final five or so episodes of This Is Us so I am now able to discuss with friends and family.

Today was back to work, catching up on email and beginning to sort through all sorts of conference-related things. I'm hoping to finish that up tomorrow and Saturday, because I took next week off.

I have three short dogsitting jobs in a row, so I'll be gone most of next week as well, and other than coming back home to work on yard work and the like, I'll plan on reading a bunch and catching up on the French Open finally (I got ESPN+ to get tennis, but they are not covering the French AT ALL).

Garden report: rhubarb and chives are looking fantastic, and a bunch of irises are blooming, along with the small bleeding hearts. The peonies and mountain laurel are getting ready to bloom, and there are blossoms on the raspberries, the black raspberries, and the blueberries.

>210 richardderus: Hmm, I've been using that NYT link for months now. I wonder if it's just that the old link will stop working June 9? To be honest, I would be shocked if they actually put a paywall on Wordle. I think the backlash they would get would be through the roof. Here's hoping I don't eat my words.

I thought it was obvious when the Times bought Wordle that it would eventually go behind a pay wall. Legitimate journalism (as opposed to so much in the "news" sphere these days) ain't cheap to produce.

Hi Mary! Glad your conference was worthwhile, and that you're getting some time off. I'm looking forward to TW's vacation in July :)

>214 curioussquared: I was a little surprised it's been free for this long, honestly. (Though it's kinda smart, enough of us have been playing it awhile and might be willing to pay a fee for the games, no?)

>215 katiekrug: Yeah, I figured they'd be putting it behind a paywall eventually, and I do understand why. Our library pays for database subscription to various papers and I generally use that for what I need. And thanks! It's getting to be the end of the fiscal year, so I took some time here and there to not carry over a bunch (70 hours is allowed and I'll be under that).

Wordle 342 4/6

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Hiya Mary...'twas a 3 day for me.

I'm not *able* to pay for a Times subscription...not only cost but they insist (as do most media outlets) that you have a credit card to pay for it. Pay for a year? Give us your credit card. Only have a gift card? No. Sorry, no.

>218 richardderus: it's frustrating how much has moved to credit card only or online (with an email) only. I still see a digital divide nearly every day as I help patrons at work and get very frustrated with the powers that be just assuming everyone has access (and ability).

To be honest, it's not that I couldn't afford a Times subscription but I can't afford it *and* the other things I want to / have to pay for. I do purchase a subscription to my hyper-local paper that tells me about what's going on in my neighborhood though.

Wordle 343 4/6

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96 in a row now - can I get to an even 100?

>220 bell7: It was 5 for me today. I tried to Wordle before gurgling coffee. Bad idea.

>221 richardderus: I was just on your thread taking a gander. I definitely do better post-coffee, though usually I Wordle before getting out of bed so I don't forget...

Good Saturday morning! I'm dogsitting and leaving shortly for work. Just a 9-2 shift today, and after I come back and let the dogs out, I'm thinking of running home to wash dishes and tidy up a bit before coming back to a quiet evening.

The three pups are little things and very cute. Lily and Jazzy will both sit on my lap while I have my coffee or read a book. Milo keeps his distance a little more and I have to coax him to go outside (ie., pick him up off the couch and bring him to the porch), and he's cried at the door a couple of times for his people. Lily followed the normal evening protocol (she followed me into the bedroom and I put her in her crate, though the other two refused to follow and slept out in the living room), but then she was sad in the morning and took awhile before she'd eat her breakfast. We'll see how they do tonight. I'm only here 'til Monday morning, so a pretty easy weekend job overall.

I made good progress in House of Sky and Breath last night, but at 800 pages it's basically the equivalent of reading 2-3 books. I'm hoping to finish up The Woman in the Library over the weekend and maybe have a chance to look at the ARCs I downloaded that are coming out in August - I have 'til June 1 to nominate them for LibraryReads.

Happy Saturday, Mary. Looks like a beautiful holiday weekend in the Midwest and we will spend a nice chunk of it with our dear Jackson. Enjoy that extra time too.

Hi, Mary, Those grandkids derailed me from my ancient Greek book tour that you mentioned, but now I’m back on board enjoying Metamorphoses. The most recent weirdness is same sex man love apparently made sense , but so far lesbian love remains verboten. Orpheus wanting sex only with boys after losing Eurydice seemed sensible and understandable to Ovid, but not some other character’s girl crush. Maybe that’s just a patriarchy at work? I’ll probably end up asking Amber, as she’s still agreeably fielding questions.

>224 msf59: Glad to hear that you get good weather and Jackson time, Mark! The weather started sunny today but it was thunderstorms when I got out of work. So much for going home, I'm not going back out in this. Tomorrow should be lovely and sunny to make up for it, though.

>225 jnwelch: Oh that's interesting, Joe, I'll look forward to seeing Amber's answers on your thread. I have made it through the Odyssey, but I'm afraid I haven't ventured into any further Greek classics. Maybe someday!

50. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
Why now? A mystery that takes place in part in the Boston Public Library? Yes, please! I'm not sure if I first saw it when I was reading through work emails or if I just stumbled upon it in the Edelweiss Plus listings of review copies, but I downloaded it to my Kindle and finally decided to read it a few days ago because I've felt guilty about how long it's been since I read one of over 30 ARCs I've left unreviewed. Helpfully it fits into the TIOLI challenge having the word "library" in the title.

*E-book ARC received from the publisher through Edelweiss Plus - thank you!*

The mystery of the woman in the library brings four people together - Cain, Whit, Marigold, and our narrator, Freddie (short for Winifred). They're sitting in the Boston Public Library's reading room when a scream pierces the quiet and, though they've never met before, they start talking and form a friendship before finding out that the woman who screamed was murdered. The frame of this, however, is letters being sent to the Australian author, Hannah, by aspiring writer Leo, who lives in Boston and helpfully sends recommendations, info about the city, and photos to help Hannah in her writing.

The meta aspect of this book is at least as interesting as the mystery itself. Having Leo's letters between the chapters reminds us that we're reading fiction, but also played with my reading of the story as I figured out where I might agree or disagree about his interpretations, and exactly what was the purpose of his letters. It also brought in "real life" - mentions of the pandemic, for example, and comments on words or phrases that were particularly Australian and what would have been more common to say in the U.S. The mystery portion was also compelling, the tension building as the story went on. There were a few quibbles I had with Freddie - she falls in love awfully quickly, can be very naive and trusting, and calls Marigold and Whit young for being approximately four years younger than her if I did the math right. But it was a fun ride, and a book I'd recommend. 4 stars.

The BPL didn't figure in as centrally as I would've liked, but it was fun to recognize some of the places and be able to picture the reading room and the Newsfeed Cafe in my head.

Dropping in to wish you a wonderful weekend.

>227 bell7: BB for me. Thanks!

>228 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita, hope you have a wonderful weekend, too. I'll look forward to your thoughts on The Woman in the Library - I forgot to mention, but it comes out June 7.

>225 jnwelch: Ding ding, you've got it right: it's all about the patriarchy. Women loving women gives them too much autonomy and so it ain't natural, but ancient Greek and Roman men were pansexual and it wasn't a big deal.

>226 bell7: *whispers* Ovid is in the category of Roman lit, not Greek.

>230 scaifea: clearly I should read up on some classic lit with some tutoring, Amber! 😉

>231 bell7: *snork!*