Beth's Books (BLBera) 2023 - Page 1

Happy 2023!
I am Beth, a recently retired English instructor. I read eclectically, mostly fiction, with essays and memoir and poetry also in the mix. I have certainly expanded my reading horizons here.

I generally don't plan my reading, but right now I am enjoying a collection of essays by Margaret Atwood and since I have many of her early books on my shelves, I might do a year of Atwood in 2023. Otherwise, I have some shared reads with other LT members and belong to a real-life book club. I would like to read more from my shelves this year, but those shiny new library books are SO tempting.

I am planning a trip to Spain this year, so I want to read in Spanish to brush up on my language.

Please feel free to lurk or post. I hope we all have a great year of reading!

Favorites of 2022

Currently Reading
I usually have a fiction, nonfiction, and poetry book going at once.

You Must Read This

One of my favorites from 2022:
The Colony
This is a wonderful novel, one of my favorites this year. In it, Magee explores the various ways that peoples are colonized and the harm that it does.

It's the summer of 1979, and the small Irish island inhabited by a handful of people seems far removed from the Troubles of Northern Ireland. However, the arrival of an English painter and a French linguist upset the equilibrium of the island, and as the novel progresses we see the outside world intrude more and more, and the reports of the violence in the north start to make it into the discussions of the island's inhabitants.

Magee's style enhances the novel. For the painter, she uses short, descriptive stream of consciousness phrases, while for the linguist there are large blocks of text in a complete, linear narrative.

As the summer progresses, we see that the painter and the linguist are both using the islanders for their own purposes, and despite disclaimers, are not much better than the original English colonizers.

Great novel. Highly recommended. I will certainly move Magee's previous novel to the top of my TBR pile.

Plans?
I don't tend to plan my reading, but I do belong to a book club. I also do shared reads on LT. General plans for 2023 include reading in Spanish, reading more in translation, and reading from my shelves. I am really enjoying Margaret Atwood's new essay collection now, and I might try to read her novels that I own.

Book Club Selections
January: Wintering ✔️
February: The Word Is Murder ✔️
March: The Stone Angel
April: The Constant Rabbit
May: A Ladder to the Sky

Shared Reads
January: The Candy House✔️, Your Duck Is My Duck✔️
February: Horse
March: Demon Copperhead
April: Cat's Eye
May: 11-22-63

Read in 2023
🥂January🥂
1. Portrait of an Unknown Lady
2. The Consequences of Fear*
3. Network Effect 🎧
4. Little Big Bully*
5. The Man Who Could Move Clouds
6. Wintering*
7. Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces*💜
8. A Dangerous Business
9. A World of Curiosities
10. Twenty and Ten
11. Super-Infinitive
12. Tolstoy and the Purple Chair*
13. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands 💜
14. Twisted Twenty-Six 🎧
15. Your Duck Is My Duck*

January Report
Books read: 15
By women: 14
By men: 1

Novels: 8
Short stories: 1
Poetry: 1
Memoir: 3 (1 graphic)
Biography: 1
Essays: 1

Library: 9
From my shelves: 6

❤️February❤️
16. The Light Pirate
17. The Word Is Murder*
18. The Sacrifice of Darkness
19. Burn This Book*
20. Horse
21. Cold Cold Bones
22. The Inquisitor's Tale*
23. The Bandit Queens

*From my shelves

Happy new year! A trip to Spain sounds very exciting!

Happy new year, Jennifer. You are the first! We are excited to travel once again. It's been about ten years since we've been to Spain.

Happy New Year, Beth! How exciting! Spain! We were there about 4 years ago and loved loved loved it! I'm excited for you!

Happy New Year, Lynda. Yes, we are looking forward to our trip. My SIL and Scout have never been there, so we are looking forward to showing them our favorite spots.

Happy New Year, Beth! I love how varied your bookclub picks are for 2023.

Happy new thread and new year, Beth. Such a pretty topper!

Happy new year, Beth. Looking forward to another year of good recommendations from you!

And to hearing more about your trip :)

Happy New Year, Beth!

I enjoyed seeing your favorites. There are a couple there that I also enjoyed (Demon Copperhead, The Colony), and two that I plan to read very soon thanks to your recommendations last year. I already have a hold request in for Mecca and plan to read Small Things Like These. Maybe I should read the Ozeki, too.

Thanks Mamie, Shelley, Katie, and Laura! I am off to drop stars and greet people!

Hi Beth, your book club looks much more interesting to me than the one I'm in. Much much more interesting. Mine is pretty much stuck on popular fiction and nothing else. I really only stay in for the socializing aspect as I really like the people. They just don't read what I want to read🤷‍♀️Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Beth! Spain! Wow! Fantastic!

>17 brenzi: Hi Bonnie - Yes, my book club includes people with a wide variety of tastes. We did have some duds (from my perspective) last year, but these are all books I look forward to. Happy New Year to you! I hope you are all dug out from your snow.

>18 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary. We are excited about the trip.

Happy New Year. A trip to Spain sounds wonderful. Where will you be visiting? I've holidayed in Spain several times since joining LT but no plans now for much travel at all.
Seems like everyone loves Small things like these. I read her Foster a few years ago and must get to this one.

Wishing you a great year of reading! Enjoy that trip to Spain!

>20 avatiakh: We are excited, Kerry. COVID really put a crimp in our traveling. We plan to spend a week in Lisbon because neither my daughter and I have been to Portugal. Then, we'll travel to Badajoz to visit a colleague of my daughter's. From there, we'll travel to Sevilla and Granada (where my daughter studied). From there, we'll go to Madrid to visit family. There are so many places we'd like to see but family dictates some of our choices, and we plan to be gone for about three weeks.

>21 thornton37814: Thanks Lori. It will be great to travel again.

Wishing you a comfortable reading year in 2023, Beth.

I will be keeping an eye out for your Iberian travels. Lovely part of the world - Andalusia especially.

Thanks Paul. We do love Spain. It will be great to travel again and catch up with family.

I looked at my stats for 2022, and two that stand out:

Books by women 88%
Library books 53%

I did better than I had expected with books from my shelves. Right now my TBR number is 2343, which is accurate if I don't count my ebooks, most of which I haven't catalogued. I know. I didn't track this number at the beginning of last year, but I think it has stayed pretty constant.

So, more books from the shelves this year!

>25 BLBera: Wow on the reading of female authors. I did (consciously) much better this year with 39% of my books by female authors 3% by a combination of both male and female (poetry anthologies) and 58% by male authors.

Interestingly I bought more books written by women than men this year so the tide is turning!

I read zero physical library books but four books were from Open Library, an internet resource.

Happy New Year Beth. I shall look forward to some book bullets from you this year.

Happy New Year! I will look forward to photos from Spain! That sounds like a wonderful trip. :-)

Happy new year! Planting a star!

Karen O

>22 BLBera: I missed the first mention of your trip to Spain, but noticed it this time. That sounds wonderful, Beth! My daughter Julia studied for a semester in Granada (I feel like I might have mentioned that before), and we've visited Madrid and Lisbon too. And three whole weeks, wow. You'll have so much fun!

Thanks Caroline, Carrie, Karen.

>30 lauralkeet: Both my kids studied in Granada; I have been to the Alhambra three times; I told my daughter I was taking the day off when Scout and my son-in-law go. :) Scout is a good traveler, so I think we will have a great time -- and she will get to use her Spanish.

Found you and have you starred! Happy reading in 2023.

Thanks Anita.

And the first book of 2023!

1. Portrait of an Unknown Lady
Gainza returns to the world of art in this novel. In it, the unnamed narrator tells how she became connected to the art world. When her mentor dies, the narrator begins a biography of an art forger connected to her mentor. In the process she asks questions about how we can really know about others' lives and about the value of art -- original and forged.

I like Gainza's cerebral novels, but if you're looking for a plot, don't look for one here. This is a good start to my reading year.

And I love the cover.

Happy new year, Beth!

Beth, wishing you a very wonderful year of reading in 2023.

>1 BLBera: You and I shared many "best of" books for 2022! Now I must get to the Egan book and the Straight book.

Well, maybe with that thread title, people will remember that you are BLBera and I am Berly!! Also I like the alliteration. LOL

>36 mdoris: Thanks.

>37 Berly: Hey TwinK! Thanks. I've already been called Kim on one of the threads. :)

Happy new thread for the new year Beth!

>22 BLBera: A week in Lisbon sounds lovely - I've had four days there and there was so much more to see. And the train network is so cheap that it's very easy to do day trips by public transport.

>39 WhiteRaven.17: Thanks.

>40 SandDune: Good to know, Rhian. I might pick your brain as the trip approaches. I am so happy to travel again.

>41 BLBera: Happy New Year, Beth! Looking forward to your travel reports!

Happy new year, Beth! I also had These Precious Days on my best of 2022 list, and I'm glad to see your 2023 kicked off with an excellent read.

Happy new year, Beth!

Nice to see you, Steve, Mary, and Diana! I hope you all have a great year.

>25 BLBera: Wow on the reading of female authors. I don't make a conscious attempt at balance, and generally come out at around 40% female.

I'm not brave enough to determine my TBR number, and most of my unread books are also uncatalogued. (My catalog lies hilariously, claiming I have only 85 unread books. They fill multiple bookcases.) I also have long lists of books I'd like to read, but AFAIK, do not own.

OTOH, I've done reasonably well at borrowing books from the library in recent years rather than feeding my tsundoko.

Happy new year Beth!

Dropping off my star. I also loved Mecca and Small Things Like These and The Book of Form and Emptiness.

>47 quondame: Thanks!

>48 EBT1002: How strange that we loved the same books. ;)

Happy new year, Beth! Great list of favorites.

>34 BLBera: Happy New Year, Beth! All of you over-achievers already finishing a book are stressing me out. :-D

>50 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda.

>51 rosalita: How do I show a smirk?

>34 BLBera: Great cover! Not sure the book is for me, but it does sound intriguing.

😏

Happy new year of reading, Beth! I love your topper!

Happy New Year Beth! Dropping a star and hoping to be able to stick with thread-visiting this year. I haven't come up with a list of 2022 favorites yet but I see several of yours that will surely make the list.

>41 BLBera: I can probably get some recommendations from Jacob as well, as he did spend a week there. It’s funny, but Jacob does like a sight seeing holiday. The holiday he organised to Lisbon was remarkably similar to what his 61 year old parents would have planned, although possibly with more cocktails.

>56 SandDune: although possibly with more cocktails
Our family holidays involve way more cocktails and/or wine now that our children are adults. They're a good influence on us 😃

Hi Beth!

>57 lauralkeet: Our family holidays involve way more cocktails Ours do too! Neither Jacob or Caroline are huge drinkers and they are much more likely to have a soft drink with their meal if we are all out together. But they do like their cocktails - and if one person is having a cocktail it seems unsociable not to join them.

>56 SandDune: I can probably convince my daughter to raise a glass of wine with me, Rhian. We are looking in the library for books as well to give us some ideas. We want to involve Scout, who is 9, in the planning. She is a great traveler, but might not be so enthusiastic about all types of site.

>57 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. 🥂

Happy new year and happy new thread! I look forward to hearing about your Spain trip.

At our family Christmases, my sister and I would go through two bottles of champagne over the course of maybe three or four houses, with the kids opening presents and getting the big lunch on the table. Now the kids are grown and want their share of champagne too, dammit.

>61 mstrust: LOL. At Christmas we do more champagne and wine. But I am happy to have my cocktails if I eat out.

>59 BLBera: Happy planning! Glad you are involving Scout. When you get there, she'll be like " I chose this place!" with a big grin.

>60 foggidawn: Thanks.

>61 mstrust: :)

>62 Berly: Thanks TwinK. I think she is excited.

Your trip to Spain sounds wonderful, Beth! So good that Scout gets to be in on the planning. Fingers crossed that air travel gets better in 2023. It left much to be desired in 2022!

>1 BLBera: wow- I love that image!!

Happy new year and new thread :)

>64 Familyhistorian: We are excited, Meg. Yes, I am hoping for a smooth trip.

> 65 Thanks. Happy New Year to you.

Happy New Year, Beth. I've come to drop my star and also to thank you for recommending A Catalog of Birds. It was my first book of the year and one that I will remember for a long, long time! Can't wait to see what book bullets I will take from you this year!

Thanks Judy. I am so glad you liked A Catalog of Birds.

2. The Consequences of Fear

This is a solid entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. This one is set in 1941, and while Maisie continues her secret government work, she increasingly wants to stop and spend time with her family. There isn't much of a mystery here, but her personal life continues to develop, and Winspear explores the effects of fear on people. One of the characters is Freddie Hackett, a boy used as a message runner by the government. He is based on Winspear's father. These boys were out delivering messages at night during the bombings, which seems like child abuse to me...

Another great cover.

>69 BLBera: I've only read the first two Maisie Dobbs novels and enjoyed them. I really need to get back to this series.

>59 BLBera: Our 10 year old was pretty involved in our planning. He was a big fan of the Alcazar in Seville especially the flock of peacocks that live in the royal gardens. He was less of a fan of the art museums.

Beth, I love your magical topper. You were right on the overlap of our favorite's lists. I get so many good recommendations from you and hope to get more this year.

Your trip to Spain sounds fabulous. So glad that you will get to see the country through Scout's eyes. You will have a blast! Have a wonderful new year of reading.

>69 BLBera: It was child abuse. Not uncommon then or earlier - and, alas later.

>70 MickyFine: One thing I really like about Maisie Dobbs is that time passes. The first one was just after WWI, and now, the last one I read is set in 1941. We see Maisie change and grow.

>71 Oberon: Hi Erik! We are getting excited. I think we will try to limit the art museums although I am going to try to get some books for Scout to look at.

>72 Donna828: Thanks Donna. Ditto regarding the recommendations.

>73 quondame: Hi Susan. It is shocking what they asked the kids to do, like they were disposable.

>69 BLBera: I have too many series started already (as you know from seeing that spreadsheet on my thread) so I have never picked up a Maisie Dobbs. Every time you or someone else reviews one, it sounds appealing, but too many series. Maybe someday ...

Come on, what's one more series?

Good Morning! I am back to my late time to go to bed. While I vow to get back to going to sleep at a reasonable time, I now sleep late and read in the morning in the afternoon.

I've added The consequences of Fear to the TBR list.

>69 BLBera: I love the cover but I haven't yet delved into the series. I need a few new series especially as I have completed all my Montalbano books.

Have a great Sunday, Beth.

>77 Whisper1: Hi Linda. Well, whatever schedule works for you. Happy New Year. I need to find your thread.

>78 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. Maisie Dobbs is a good series overall.

3. Network Effect is one in the Murderbot series I hadn't read. Kevin Free does a great job with these audiobooks; for me, he is the voice of Murderbot.

This was longer than the others in the series and begins when Murderbot and Dr. Mensah's daughter Amena are kidnapped. Murderbot recognizes the ship that takes them; it's his friend ART, only ART seems to be absent. The plot is very involved, and I'm not sure everything was resolved/explained in the end, but it Murderbot's adventures are fun and I just suspend my disbelief and enjoy.

>74 BLBera: I am currently up to date with Maisie Dobbs and have mostly enjoyed it very much although there have been a few episodes that I didn't care for. I agree with you about time moving on and Maisie changing, but I'm so glad that she seems to have some happiness at last - I almost despaired for her around book eleven.

>76 BLBera: Enabler! :-)

Hi Kerri. Yes, every series has its duds! But I have never arrived at the point where I didn't want to continue. It is nice that she seems happy.

>82 rosalita: Go on, you know you want to.

4. Little Big Bully

This collection of poems by Heid Erdrich was chosen to be part of the National Poetry Series, deservedly so. In this collection, Erdrich addresses issues of identity, violence suffered by indigenous women, and the environment, to name a few of the topics. Her "Author's Notes" explain the origin of some of the poems, which is helpful.

The format is interesting. She has long horizontal lines, with spaces between words. This makes me pause and read more deliberately. But I would like to ask her how she decided on this form.

Beth, I meant to mention that I finally started the book on the pleasures of rereading that you so kindly sent me, but of course other books and activities keep interrupting. It is on my bedside table though.

>80 BLBera: I appreciate Kevin R. Free's narration but I first encountered Murderbot in print and "heard" it's voice as more feminine in my head so audio doesn't work quite as well for me for the series. Glad you really enjoy it in that medium though.

Hi Twin!! Happy Sunday! I have read #1 and 5 in the Murderbot series. Need to get back to #2.

>86 ffortsa: I am glad you are enjoying it, Judy.

>87 MickyFine: I've heard the same thing from others, Micky. I started with the audio, so I didn't have any ideas about Murderbot's gender.

>88 Berly: They are so much fun, TwinK. Happy Sunday back at you.

Hi Beth! Happy Sunday. It's funny, I read the first Murderbot, and can't imagine it with a male voice. The psychology of gender is so weird, isn't it?

Morning, Beth! I love Murderbot, but like Micky and Rhonda I can't do the audios because I read the books first in print and Murderbot is feminine for me. This conversation is fascinating though.

Enjoying the Murderbot discussion. I also hear a feminine voice when I'm reading, even though it's right there in the text that Murderbot is non-binary. The brain wants what it wants, I guess.

Hi Rhonda - That is so interesting. Obviously, I can't go back an unheard the Kevin Free narrations, but I wonder what voice I would have heard.

Hi Mamie - Nice to see so much Murderbot love.

Hi Julia - It fascinates me that so many think of Murderbot as female. I wonder what Wells heard, whether she had any choice in the narrator...

Oh, and here is a list for you. Happy Monday. You are welcome.

https://themillions.com/2023/01/most-anticipated-the-great-2023a-book-preview.ht...

>34 BLBera: I am not familiar with that one at all. Thanks for the recommendation, Beth!

>69 BLBera: I am slowly making my way through the Maisie Dobbs series, but I have not gotten that far yet. Good to know that I have something to look forward to!

>80 BLBera: Another series that I am slowly making my way through. I do love Murderbot!

>93 BLBera: Thanks for that link, Beth - I think.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Hi Stasia. Happy Monday to you.

>95 BLBera: Thanks!

>93 BLBera: You're such an enabler Beth. I'm trying to read the books I already own. I'm not looking at a list of upcoming releases. I'm not. No way.

I might take a little peek🥴

Happy reading in 2023, Beth!

5. The Man Who Could Move Clouds is an unusual memoir, focused on dreams and ghosts. As Rojas Contreras says, "This is a memoir of the ghostly -- amnesia, hallucination, the historical specter of the past -- which celebrates cultural understandings of truth that are, at heart, Colombian. The stories in this memoir are the true lived experience of those who lived it, as told to me..."

This isn't a linear story, and it is very much centered on Rojas Contreras' identity as Colombian. When Ingrid, her mother, and an aunt all dream of Ingrid's grandfather Nono, a curandero, the dreams send Ingrid and her mother back to Colombia. This memoir is an account of that journey.

I really liked this, but if ghosts and dreams are not your thing, you may want to pass.

>97 brenzi: Bonnie, you are welcome. :)

>98 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita.

Hello, Beth!

>99 BLBera: This sounds like one I would like - adding it to The List.

I'm always happy to be on your list, Mamie.

>99 BLBera: Looks really interesting. We are seriously considering a trip to Columbia this year and I have been looking at reading something besides Marquez.

Hi Erik - Her novel is really good, too. After reading her memoir, I see that it is based on her experiences as a kid. She and her sister were kidnapped.

Hi, Beth!

>80 BLBera: Oh, Murderbot! I think Murderbot is my favorite character ever, in all its iterations. (MB; MB2.0; Three). It's really grown as a person a lot since All Systems Red, hasn't it. And you're right that Kevin R. Free is the voice of Murderbot. Without hyperbole, he's amazing.

However, I listened to Network Effect when it first came out, having preordered the audiobook, and I didn't like it. I figured something must have been wrong with me, so I got the text version and read it, and I liked it much better. Then, awhile later, I relistened to it and liked it even more. It's still not my favorite, but it is very good.

>93 BLBera: I read the first four on Kindle and had a mixed idea of what Murderbot's voice sounded like. I heard it as mostly neutral, with both male and female markers at different times, so listening to Kevin Free narrate it's story didn't bother me.

>99 BLBera: Looks good; onto the TBR list it goes!

Hi Mary - Murderbot is fun. I have listened to all of them. I think Network Effect was the longest and maybe my least favorite, but I have liked all of them. I love ART's and Murderbot's interactions.

6. Wintering begins with the disappearance of Harry Eide into the wilderness of northern Minnesota. He is suffering from dementia, and after days of searching his son Gus concludes that Harry is lost. The disappearance prompts Gus to tell the story of a previous journey into the wilderness with his father when Gus was just 18. The novel moves between the present and the past, and this structure works well to keep the reader engaged, wondering about the connections between the present and the past.

This was a book club selection and we had a good discussion of the novel although we were left with questions about the first journey and Harry's motivations. There was also some regret; this is the second novel of a trilogy, and we would have liked to have read the first novel before Wintering.

Geye's writing is descriptive and the beauty and danger of the Boundary Waters wilderness is clear; in fact, many of us wished we had read the novel in the summer. Geye is a young, talented novelist, and I will read more of his books, starting with The Lighthouse Road, the first book in the trilogy.

Happy Friday TwinB!!

Back at ya, TwinK!

Beth, I've added The Lighthouse Road and Wintering to the TBR pile. Thank you for such a good review!!!

>107 BLBera: I liked both Wintering and The Lighthouse Road a lot but my favorite of Geye’s is Safe From the Sea. I’m glad to see he has a new fan.

>110 Whisper1: You are welcome, Linda. I hope you enjoy them.

>11 BLBera: Hi Joanne. Did you read The Lighthouse Road first? I did like Safe from the Sea as well. Geye is a good writer.

7. Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces
I loved this collection of essays by Margaret Atwood. The pieces included are from 2004-2021 and include speeches and introductions to books as well as essays. All of the pieces reveal Atwood's curiosity, humor, and engagement with the world. We see, especially, her concern with the environment and women's rights. Her appreciation of Canadian writers gave me some ideas for future reading. I also enjoyed the essays discussing her writing. Her description of the writing of the poem "Dearly" was wonderful.

The tone is personal and as I sat and read an essay or two with my morning coffee, I felt as though I were having coffee with a friend.

Highly recommended.

Morning, Beth! Happy Saturday.

>113 BLBera: Oh, dear - another book bullet! I love Atwood.

A very late Happy New Year, as I slowly toddle my way around the threads.

Funny - I was writing a message to you last night on your thread, and the cat jumped up and disappeared it and I gave up recreating it until morning. I had just posted my review of The Colony on my thread and saw your best book of '22 review in >4 BLBera: . I knew I had gotten the rec from you. :) In the meantime, you visited my thread.

Burning Questions sounds wonderful. I already have it on my library hold request list, but I'm now more anxious than ever to read it.

>114 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie. Happy Saturday to you.

>115 streamsong: I saw your comments on The Colony, which I loved. I think you'll like the Atwood essays.

>107 BLBera: This sounds interesting, Beth, but I'll wait until you read and review the first one before proceeding. I do like to read things in order. :-)

Both of those books sound good. I love Atwood.

>113 BLBera: I ordered this from my library last week--so glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes I enjoy her essays more than her fiction or poetry, but I suppose that's blasphemous ;)

>113 BLBera: SOLD! Love essays, love Atwood and love to have a friend to have morning coffee with, so thanks Beth.

>113 BLBera: I need to nudge this one up Beth. Glad it hit the spot for you.

>113 BLBera: - Adding this one to my list!

Have a good Sunday, Beth.

>117 rosalita: I would have liked to read the first one first as well, Julia. I guess whoever recommended it either had read the first one or didn't think it mattered, starting with the second. Oh well.

>118 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda. I love Atwood as well. I hope to read some of her unread novels this year. I have Cat's Eye on my pile of "read soon" books.

>119 kac522: I know that Atwood isn't loved by everyone.

>120 brenzi: You are welcome, Bonnie. I appreciate essays more and more.

>121 Caroline_McElwee: I don't think there were any that I didn't like, Caroline.

>122 katiekrug: Hi Katie. Happy Sunday to you. Go Vikings! ;)

>123 BLBera:. Cat's Eye is my favorite Atwood.

Beth, the only books on your favorites list that aren't also on mine are ones I haven't read yet! (I guess I should get to those right away.)

I'm intrigued by Wintering and will look into the series. My husband and I have a cabin in the Boundary Waters and I bet he would be interested.

I'm a few books behind you with Maisie Dobbs--just finished A Dangerous Place and I'm glad to know things get better for her personally.

Count me among those who is not an Atwood fan, although I am willing to read her essays. I just don't like her fiction. That said, I do remember liking Cat's Eye when I read it, eons ago, though I don't really remember any details of it other than it took place in Toronto. I also liked Alias Grace, which was narrated on audio by the wonderful actress Elizabeth McGovern. I would never have listened to an audiobook if Atwood had narrated, in her flat nasal monotone. But she IS witty and funny and smart and I have enjoyed interviews I have heard with her so maybe the essay collection is one I would enjoy.

My favorite Atwoods are The Robber Bride, Cat's Eye and some of her short story collections. The only recent novel that I've enjoyed is Hag-Seed, which is a modern re-telling of The Tempest. It was clever and inventive, and actually helped me understand and appreciate the play more after reading her re-telling.

>124 banjo123: Good to know, Rhonda. I know I've seen some favorable comments on it here on LT.

>125 AnneDC: Hi Anne - The Lighthouse Road is first in the trilogy. I know the husband of one of members of my book club did like both books. Yes, I have added your favorites to my list. I should have done an honorable mention as well; several of the books you mentioned would have gone on that.

>126 jessibud2: It's lucky that we don't all like the same books, right? I have heard several on LT who aren't Atwood fans.

>127 kac522: Good to know. I loved Hag-Seed as well. It might just be my favorite of the Hogarth Shakespeare books.

Hello Beth, and Happy New Year. Your trip to Spain (and Portugal) sounds amazing! I've never been to Portugal either, and hardly to Spain. One memorable time in Spain was when my French host family took me to Spain for lunch. It seemed like the lost decadently European thing ever:) I do remember the drive through the Pyrenees and how stunning it was. When are you going? I imagine it's during your daughter's (and Scout's) summer break?

You have hit me already with Burning Questions and The Colony. I rely on your recommendations!

Hi Anne! We are going in June. I rely on your recommendations for Scout!

>112 BLBera: I should have known that you’d already read Safe From the Sea. I did read The Lighthouse Road first.

>113 BLBera: The Atwood sounds interesting! I like the idea of morning coffee with a friend. I’m off to put it on hold.

Hi Beth! A belated Happy New Year and happy first thread.

>5 BLBera: Your book club choices sound wonderful, especially The Constant Rabbit. I just looked at the description of it and immediately put a hold on it at our Library.

>5 BLBera: The Candy House intrigues me. It’s apparently the second in the Goon Squad series – have you read the first and if so, does it have to be read first?

>22 BLBera: Your trip sounds fantastic. I've been to Portugal but not Spain and would love to go there.

>113 BLBera: I shall put this on my list.

>132 karenmarie: Hi Karen. We do read a variety of books in my book club. I like Fforde's Tuesday books so am looking forward to this one.

I have read A Visit from the Goon Squad. You don't have to read that first, but some of the same people make their appearance in The Candy House. Also, if you don't like Goon Squad, you won't like The Candy House either, so I guess I would read Goon Squad first.

I am looking forward to traveling again. It will be fun to show Spain to people who haven't been before (SIL and Scout).

>133 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. It is a great collection.

Beth, I’m so happy to hear of your planned visit to Spain. It’s been a few years since I last visited there but I still remember the friendliness of the people there.

Oooh! Burning Questions by Atwood sounds awesome. I will try to get on the wait list at the library. : )

I finished Candy House by Egan. Very similar to The Goon Squad in terms of each chapter is a story and the characters intertwine. Also it moves forward and backward in time. There were several chapters I absolutely loved and then some that were meh. But it should be a great book to discusss!

>135 Oregonreader: Hi Jan. We are looking forward to it.

>126 jessibud2: Hey TwinK! I hope your sewer issues are resolved. Ick. I have reread the first two chapters and am falling in love with The Candy House again. I agree it will be great to discuss. Can't wait.

Hm. Haven't read any Peter Geye. I'll have to look him up.

>137 BLBera: Also, when do you want to start Your Duck is My Duck short stories?

Any time. I could start them now.

8. A Dangerous Business
I am a Jane Smiley fan, but I found this new novel disappointing. I liked the setting, 1850s Monterrey, and there were interesting tidbits of history, the books of the time, sailors' stories. However, the story and characters were superficial. Eliza, the main character, is brought to California by her abusive husband Peter, who is killed in a saloon fight. This young, sheltered, woman, brought up in a very religious household, then turns to prostitution without hesitation. I get that a woman's options were limited, but we don't get any sense that Eliza is bothered by selling herself. And way too much of the story is taken up by describing her customers.

When young prostitutes start to disappear, Eliza and her friend Jane, influenced by Poe's Dupin, start to investigate, if you can call it that. Eliza basically suspects every man she sees, and there doesn't seem to be much method to the "investigation."

I think there was an opportunity to give us a clear, detailed picture of women's lives in the West, as well a more in-depth discussion of some of the issues of the time. But, there is no depth to the characters or rationale for behaviors, which makes this a disappointing read.

>141 BLBera: Thanks for taking a hit on that one, Beth! I'll be taking it off my list. I heard an interview with Smiley recently and had been considering it.

The description made it sound like one I would love, Vivian, but there was so little substance in the characters. I was so disappointed. I will be interested to see what others think of it.

>141 BLBera: What a shame for a talented author to waste a good subject. Thanks for your review, Beth.

>141 BLBera: - Welp, that's disappointing.

I didn't even know she had a new one out...

>141 BLBera: Thanks for that helpful review, Beth. I already heard from a reliable source, my sister-in-law, that the new Smiley wasn't her best. I have such a long list of want-to-reads that I'm always glad to know I can pass on a book. I picked up two from my quick look at The Millions' list you shared: I Have Some Questions for You (loved The Great Believers) and the essays by Colm Toibin. I am learning to appreciate essay collections and am intrigued by the opening line.

>141 BLBera: Passing on that one then. Starting Your Duck is My Duck. Sad that Nadal is already out of the Australian Open! : (

>144 rosalita: She could have done so much more with this, Julia. Oh well.

>145 katiekrug: Hi Katie. Disappointing is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this novel.

>146 Donna828: You are welcome, Donna. I think you can safely pass on this one. The two books you mentioned also caught my eye. Too many books!

>147 Berly: OMG - I haven't been following the AO news. Off to check. I will start Your Duck Is My Duck tomorrow. I'll probably plan to read one story a day.

>141 BLBera: you took one for the team there, Beth. I'm sorry it was such a disappointment.

Hi Laura - I guess it was my turn.

For those of you who were alive in the 90s. :)

https://lithub.com/a-century-of-reading-the-10-books-that-defined-the-1990s/

Ok Beth, I can't just let this go. Jane Smiley wrote a wonderful book over thirty years ago based on King Lear. A Thousand Acres was a real favorite of mine at the time. So I tried her other books as they became available and, well, they were decidedly disappointing for me, one right after the other. After Moo I gave up and didn't even try anymore. I guess it's just me because I know she's very highly regarded as an author and I've read some of her essays in the Times and other venues but her books just left me flat. I'm really looking forward to the Makkai book.

>151 BLBera: Wow, I didn't realise Lahiri's book had sold so many copies. How wonderful.

I hope the trip planning continues to go well. I loved Lisbon - does Scout like trams?

9. A World of Curiosities
This return to Three Pines was thrilling. Penny did a great job of creating a sense of dread as Gamache tries to understand the threats he is facing. The plot is very complicated, perhaps a bit too elaborate?, but I kept turning the pages. I liked how Penny integrated some real-life events into her story.

>152 brenzi: Hi Bonnie - I did like her Some Luck trilogy. I just expected more of this book.

>153 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. How are you doing? Yes, Scout loves trams, trains, buses, planes... She is a good traveler.

>154 BLBera: You're right about that sense of dread. And the ending was a page-turner for me too, even though I had my reservations.

>156 lauralkeet: Yes, if one thinks too much about the plot, it is a little unbelievable. I think she could have stuck with Sam and Fiona and left out Fleming, maybe saved him for another book. It seemed like she really had plots for two books in this one.

Hi Twin! Happy weekend. : )

Hi back Twin. I just finished "Taj Mahal." Great story.

>141 BLBera: Interesting because I saw that in the bookstore here on Friday and cogitated on making it my weekly buy. Decided against doing so and you indicate that I was probably right to do that.

Have a great weekend, Beth.

>157 BLBera: Yes! I agree Beth, about having plots for two books. I think what I liked most about the book was how she connected an old case to the present day, and the way the old case enriched the back story for Gamache & Beauvoir.

>160 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

>161 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. I also liked that she used real-life events; the painting sounds fascinating.

10. Twenty and Ten is a good story for young readers based on a real-life happening from WWII. The title page lists the author as Claire Huchet Bishop "as told by Janet Joly." Since the narrator is a girl named Janet, I assume that Joly is one of the children involved.

The story takes place at a school in France run by Sister Gabriel. One day, the twenty children of the school, all around eleven years old, are called together and asked to shelter 10 Jewish children. They are sworn to secrecy. The children agree and the story shows what happens when the Nazis appear, searching for the children.

Young readers will find this of interest. The book is short and simply told.

>151 BLBera: Although I have heard of all of them, and seen movies of 2, the only one I have read Beth, is Angela's Ashes. I own The Secret History, and have read and loved her most recent novel Goldfinch, and recently bought Denis Johnson's Jesus' Son, I did pretty bad with this list.

>154 BLBera: Agreed with your comment on the elaborate plot. I wish we could go back to the simpler times. I did like how she incorporated the artwork into the story. I read a little about 'The Paston Treasure" online. So interesting.

You are reading up a storm in the new year, Beth. Have a wonderful new week. I like that the daylight hours are getting longer. I have been seeing robins so spring must be coming...sometime!

>164 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. I've been thinking of you as I read Super-Infinite; it is great so far! I remember your positive comments. I have only read three from the list although, like you, all are familiar titles. I've read Bridget Jones' Diary, The Interpreter of Maladies, and The Things They Carried. The latter two are highly recommended.

>165 Donna828: Hi Donna. I thought there were two novels here. The Paston Treasure is fascinating. It will be a while before we see robins here, Donna.

Hi Beth, Thanks for popping by chez moi.
I've been lurking here and admiring a great number of the books you've reviewed.
>34 BLBera:, >99 BLBera: These two especially are intriguing and will widen my reading genre, I think.
I've never been to Spain or Portugal. It must be so comfortable to "nip" over to familiar places, knowing the language and where to stay. Did I understand correctly that you are fluent in Spanish?

>151 BLBera: I didn't realize that so many of these were from the 90s, and that I'd read so few so far.

>154 BLBera: >157 BLBera: I enjoyed the new Louise Penny but agree that it might have been a bit complicated. Have you seen Three Pines, the series from Prime based on Penny's stories? It was very good.

Are you enjoying My Duck is Your Duck? I am about 2/3 in and meh....

>167 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks Sandy. I am fluent in Spanish, as are my daughter and granddaughter, so we feel very comfortable in Spain.

>168 mstrust: It is an interesting list.

>169 witchyrichy: I did see "Three Pines," Karen, and enjoyed it. I thought they did a great job with the casting, not actors I would have chosen, but they worked.

>170 Berly: Hey TwinK! I've been a bit distracted by tennis. I think the stories are good, not the best I've ever read. I'm kind of waiting to finish to see if there is something that ties them all together. I'm about halfway, I think.

>171 BLBera: Okay, I've put the Duck aside only to be picked up if you think the ending is worth it. And I am very busy watching tennis!! SO many upsets. I am enjoying seeing all these new players.

>151 BLBera: Very interesting list, I've read 8/10, although a couple of them I read within the last 2-3 years I think.

>172 Berly: I am putting it aside to focus on The Candy House before our discussion. Do you have any favorites for the AO?

>173 ursula: Well, Ursula, you were in tune with the 90s!

Hey, Beth. I want you to know that I don't for get you, and I'm happy to see you in a reading retirement! I skimmed through, stopping to pick up BBs from the books you discuss.

I'm sorry that the Smiley didn't work. I suspect it won't work for me either. I like her a lot, but she's uneven. I started Perestroika in Paris some time ago and haven't continued it although I liked the bit I read OK.
Hooray for reading Atwood! I also have some old ones that I'm more or less hoarding.
I have really enjoyed Jennifer Egan, even *Goon Squad*, so I'll eventually get to *Candy House*. AND I'll certainly have a look at *The Colony* since you recommend it so highly, but I must, must, must read *D Copperhead* first!

I wish I had keeping-up time. I know I'm going to find a kindred spirit when I visit you.

I’m one of those who don’t care much for Atwood, Beth. I think it might have something to do with how she is pointed out as THE Canadian author. Not so great when also a Canadian. Your review of the new Three Pines book reminds me that I left off reading that series quite a few books back.

>175 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I did enjoy Perestroika in Paris, but I can see how it wouldn't appeal to everyone.
Demon Copperhead is wonderful; I know you will love it.

>176 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. I think it's great that we don't all like the same things. It would be boring around here if we took the same things from the books we read.

>175 LizzieD: I think you will like The Colony when you get to it Lizzie.

Just passing through with wishes for you to have a great weekend, Beth.

11. Super-Infinite
One of the things I liked most about this excellent biography of John Donne is Katherine Rundell's enthusiasm for her subject. And while obviously well researched, the biography is accessible, not stodgy. Its audience is not just Donne scholars. As Rundell tells us in her introduction, "This is both a biography of Donne and an act of evangelism."

The work tells us about the facts of Donne's life, as much as is possible to know, and also shows us where there are gaps in knowledge. We see a man who is remarkable for his time and one who is complex and often conflicted. Rundell also gives us context -- there are lots of examples of his prose and poetry to illustrate what makes Donne so unique. She sums up: "His startling timelessness is down to the fact that he had the power of unforeseeability: you don't see him coming."

I will certainly look at his poetry in a new way. This was a good introduction to a poet that I don't know a lot about.

>178 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline and >179 DeltaQueen50: Judy! Have a great weekend.

>180 BLBera: - I might have to look for that. I have a soft spot for Donne after a close reading of "The Flea" in high school :)

Thanks for your nice note! Such a treat to get real mail.

>182 katiekrug: Hi Katie. You are welcome. I can't believe how fast it arrived! Yes, I love "The Flea," one of the funniest love poems ever. I gave up trying to convince my students of it. Donne was certainly original and this biography is very readable.

Hi Beth, happy weekend! I just caught up on your thread and I’m relieved bb pierced my wallet.
Hope alls well in your corner of the world.

80+ posts behind! Sorry, Beth. Hopefully I can keep up better from here on out.

>180 BLBera: Already in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again.

12. Tolstoy and the Purple Chair
After her sister dies of cancer, Nina Sankovitch decides to reset her life and read a book a day for a year. At the end of this memoir, she does include the full list of books read, but in the memoir itself, she mentions two or three per chapter. This is more a memoir about grief and less about the books, which was a little disappointing to me. Instead, each chapter revolves around a theme, and Sankovitch discusses how the book or books reinforce the theme. This part gets a little repetitive.

I realize I am sounding negative, but overall I really did enjoy this memoir. Sankovitch is honest about the grieving process and the devastating sense of loss she feels. I would have liked more book talk, I guess.

And great cover.

Hi Lynda and Stasia!

>186 BLBera: Ooh, I read this one a while back. I checked back and gave it 3 1/2 stars. I thought it a little self serving but a wonderful way to get through a difficult time. Makes sense to me.

Have a lovely Sunday!

>188 Carmenere: I thought it was a good memoir about grief as well, Lynda. I hope you are having a great weekend.

Hi Beth! I may try to join you for both Cat's Eye and 11-22-63.

Great, Janet. All are welcome.

>113 BLBera: "The tone is personal and as I sat and read an essay or two with my morning coffee, I felt as though I were having coffee with a friend."

Oh, that does sound lovely. Adding it to the list of books I might buy if I can get to a bookstore on this work trip to Seattle. I would like to read more essay collections. That might be a good book club option at some point? Or perhaps just a shared read for the two of us?

I'm reminded that I need to put 11.22.63 on hold!

>180 BLBera: Interesting. One of my favorite colleagues here, the dean of the college of arts and sciences, is an English professor. A couple years ago I heard him give some opening remarks as a large group of us was convening to brainstorm ideas for building out public health efforts in rural eastern Washington. He invoked John Donne and I remember saying to him later "you made me want to read John Donne and that, all by itself, is amazing."

Never mind! I have it on hold and "paused" until late April so I can read it for our May discussion.

Hi Ellen! You will love the Atwood essays. It's one I will return to. In some of them she talks about her own writing. I'll have to look back at the one in which she references Cat's Eye. You might like the John Donne bio; I have read and liked some of his poetry, but I was not familiar with his life at all. This is very readable.

I picked up the e-book for 11/22/63 at some point, a good way to go because it is over 700 pages.

Did you see that Mark has set up a group read thread for Horse for February? We'll have good company! :-)

My hold for 11.22.63 is for an e-book. Easier on the wrist....

>186 BLBera: Book Bullet for Tolstoy and the Purple Chair! Maybe just for the pretty cover, but I'm also seriously interested in seeing the author's booklist of a book-a-day for an entire year. I love to read but don't think I would be capable of that.

>186 BLBera: I read this some years ago Beth. I gave it 4*s. I can't remember now if I shared your disappointment re lack of book talk, but I do know that feeling when you expect one thing and get something else, even if you know under other circumstances you would really enjoy the book.

>195 EBT1002: I didn't see that, Ellen. I have gotten way behind here. I think 11-22-63 is a good candidate for an e-book.

>196 Donna828: I don't know that I could read a book a day for a year, either, Donna. I think you'll like Tolstoy and the Purple Chair.

>197 Caroline_McElwee: I did like it, Caroline. I just would have liked it MORE if there had been more book talk.

>180 BLBera: You got me with that one, Beth. John Donne is a favourite of mine and I will go and seek out that biography.

It is very well done, Paul.

13. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands
Excellent graphic memoir that shows us vividly what it was like to live in the camps in northern Alberta. Beaton lived with constant harassment; there were about fifty men for each woman. Beaton and the other women asked themselves if the camps turned the men into monsters, or if they were pigs in their normal settings as well. Her black and white drawings were effective, with the different characters well drawn. I felt as if I were there with her.

>201 BLBera: Loved this one too, Beth.

>201 BLBera: This one is on the CBC reads list. I also listened to an interview with the author on CBC and instantly put it on my list.

Happy week ahead!

Beth, not sure if you are familiar with Canada Reads, the annual book competition here. It takes place this year in March. The short list has been announced and the five final books in the competition include >201 BLBera:. Mattea Roach, of Jeopardy fame, will be defending that one. The competition takes place over 4 days and you can watch it live online. I have a link on my thread and will post it again closer to the date. I haven't read it and am not sure I want to but I most certainly will be watching (it's also broadcast on CBC tv and radio, as well as online). I do love this show and the moderator is great, too.

Hi Beth, Tolstoy and the Purple Chair looks interesting. I am still grieving my stepsister, but am not able (or willing, to be honest) to read a book a day to get me through the grief. I may put it on the maybe later list.

Ducks on the other hand, has been on my list and I really want to get to it. In searching for the right touchstone, I passed Enslaved by Ducks, which I read some years ago. The memory brought a smile to my face:). I hope you have a great week.

>202 brenzi: I was immersed in her world, Bonnie. I will look for more work by her.

>203 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita.

>204 jessibud2: I checked it out, Shelley. I will watch for it. It sounds like fun.

>205 AMQS: Hi Anne. She didn't start her project until about three years after her sister died, Anne. I don't know if I would want to read this after a recent loss...

You will like Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, I think. I hope your week is great as well.

>201 BLBera: Thanks for the review on this. Been on my radar screen for a bit.

*pant, pant, pant* waves as I go by, can't keep up, though...

As for >201 BLBera:, the entire oil patch is like that. A friend of mine called it testosterone poisoning. She worked as a paramedic, part of the health & safety group.

I was up at 3:30 AM on Sunday to watch the final. Were you? I had hoped Tsitsipas would put up a bigger fight.

>180 BLBera: I have gotten away from my English major/teacher roots and the Donne biography sounds like a good way back in.

>207 Oberon: It's a good one, Erik.

>208 SandyAMcPherson: It would be nice if health and safety were more of a concern, Sandy.

>209 witchyrichy: I was cheering for Tsitsipas as well but I didn't get up that early. The Donne bio is great.

>186 BLBera: Dodging that BB as I have already read that one.

>201 BLBera: I have that one home from the library to read. I hope I like it as much as you did, Beth.

Enjoy it, Stasia.

14. Twisted Twenty-Six
In this Stephanie Plum installment, Stephanie spends most of the time protecting her grandma. Grandma Mazur married and old mob hit guy, who promptly dropped dead. Unfortunately, Jimmy was the keeper of keys, and his friends are convinced that he gave them to Grandma before he died. At the same time, Stephanie is thinking about her life and career and considering that maybe a change is needed.

The audiobook was well done, and I find these entertaining.

>151 BLBera: Thanks for posting this. I enjoying scrolling through to see which books I read.

It is fun to look at lists of books, isn't it, Linda?

I've read a couple books on the fracking industry in North Dakota, and the culture of man camps seems very close to that described in >201 BLBera: Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands. I already have Ducks on my request list from the library. I'll look forward to it.

I think you'll like it, Janet.

>180 BLBera: Nice. I encountered Donne as an undergrad, and his dual career as a secular and religious poet resonated with the crisis of faith I was going through at the time. It's been ages since I've read him, though. The biography intrigues me.

>218 swynn: You should give it a try, Steve.

15. Your Duck Is My Duck is a solid collection of stories about connections and how sometimes chance meetings can change our lives. Eisenberg presents a variety of people who all remember things differently. There is a group of aging actors who take issue with the way they are portrayed in a memoir and an unnamed narrator who tries to make sense of the lives of her mother and aunts, none of whom agrees about the past. My favorite story, "Recalculating," shows a nephew in search of his vanished uncle.

As with most collections of short stories, not all of the stories are uniformly excellent, but I did enjoy most of these.

If anyone would like my copy, PM me and I will pass it on.

I had a good month of reading in January. The surprise is that only half of my books were novels. I read three memoirs and one biography!

My favorite reads for January were both nonfiction: Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands and Burning Questions. I read mostly library books, so I need to do better reading from my shelves.

January Report
Books read: 15
By women: 14
By men: 1

Novels: 8
Short stories: 1
Poetry: 1
Memoir: 3 (1 graphic)
Biography: 1
Essays: 1

Library: 9
From my shelves: 6

Hi Beth! I really enjoyed 11/22/63. Quite a ride and so unlike King's horror novels.

Hello, Beth! Nice stats for January. You really mixed it up with your reading, and how delightful that it was a surprise to you.

>222 Carmenere: I've heard good things about it, Lynda.

>223 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie - my January reading was a mix. I had been wanting to read more nonfiction, and it somehow happened.

Catching up, Beth, and wishing you a lovely weekend.

Nice reading stats! I had started the Purple Chair book, but couldn't get into it, and now I think I gave it away. Maybe I should have tried harder.

>225 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. Thanks!

>226 banjo123: Once I got past the fact that it was different from what I expected, I enjoyed Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, Rhonda.

16. The Light Pirate is a wonderful ecotopia that humanizes the damage caused by climate change. It begins with a hurricane, a common occurrence in Florida. As the hurricane intensifies, Kirby Lowe is searching for his missing young sons, while his wife Frida, alone at home, goes into labor with their daughter.

The novel follows the Lowe family as they struggle through the changes to Florida caused by the increased frequency and intensity of storms. Kirby, an electrical line worker, tries to keep the lights on in the homes of his town, not giving up although many of the residents are packing up and leaving.

Brooks-Dalton's descriptions of nature are stunning, and the Lowe family is one I will think about for a long time. Anyone who can read this with dry eyes is stronger than I am.

Highly recommended for the setting, description and dystopian aspect. And yet another stunning cover.

>228 BLBera: - I've not heard of this one, Beth. I'll check my library(ies) for it...

Hope you have a good weekend!

>229 katiekrug: I don't remember how I heard about it, Katie, but it is so good. I think it might be my favorite novel of the year so far. I hope you stay warm this weekend.

Hi Beth. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands was one of my Seattle book purchases this week. I also picked up a copy of Cat's Eye for when we read that together.

I'm on page 101 of Horse and so far it's a good one.

Thanks for the post card! 🙂

>231 EBT1002: You are welcome. You'll love Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands -- and I am looking forward to Cat's Eye and Horse. I am waiting for my copy of Horse; I checked the quick pick shelves today, and it wasn't there. I'll check again next week.

I already have a copy of Atwood's Cat's Eye and it has been forever since I read it. Ready for the re-read! I am on chapter 3 of Horse. Hope you are enjoying the weekend. : )

>228 BLBera:, >230 BLBera: I hadn't heard of this one either, but it's hard to resist based on your comments. And my library has it, so on to the list it goes.

I wish my library's list-making feature allowed me to enter comments, like who recommended the book to me. I have a feeling you would occupy the top spot, Beth.

>234 lauralkeet: Replying to Laura, (Hi Beth!), I wish my library's list-making feature allowed me to enter comments, I've thought the same, Laura.

In fact I can't even re-arrange the books when I save to "My list", so I made some new lists (we can have categories) and labelled one list as "LT-BB's", even though I can't designate the LT member. I started a text file of BBs with names in 2020, so that's my cross-reference. I've so many BBs that I make a new BB text list every year now. I know I'll likely never keep up with reading that many, but I'm never short of ideas now!

>233 Berly: Hey, TwinK! I still need to get a copy of Horse.

>234 lauralkeet: That is so nice, Laura. I would love to be in the top spot! I hope you like it when you get to it. It's one I think will stick with me.

>235 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy. I guess you'll have to resort to paper to make notes of who recommended what. I never remember to do that, so while I usually remember if I heard about a book on LT, I rarely remember who sang its praises. So I just send out a general note of thanks.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

>235 SandyAMcPherson: that's a good idea, Sandy! I've created separate lists before, like when I'm researching a specific category of book. My "tbr" list isn't all that long, really, so I haven't yet resorted to subdividing it. Sometimes I can look the book up on LT and get a clue to the BB's origins from the "Conversations" link on the book page.

>236 BLBera: A general note of thanks works too, Beth!

>237 lauralkeet: Ah, our book lists! :)

Just an observation that a lot of the links above to 'Horse' by Geraldine Brooks point instead to C.S. Lewis's 'The Horse and His Boy'

Just hi!!

>236 BLBera: Paper? When we are already online and need merely open a file, save the name and link of the shooter to have it available at need? Admittedly I'm only doing that regularly for books I check out or place holds on withing my library tracking file for the year, but it could be done for all the many books that catch my interest.

Just earlier this year I realized/noticed that I can do a "Copy Link" from the comment # and use it in my file with out the more complicated "More" -> "Link" procedure to capture the URL of the comment I want to record.

When I add a book to my WL on LT I always add a tag indicating whose "fault" it is, I mean because they obviously hit me with a book bullet! LOL. BLBera's fault is noted a lot.

>242 Berly: When I add a book to my WishList on LT, I put a comment on the Edit page under "Private Comments" saying where I got the BB. (Private comments can't be seen by anybody else.) I only started this recently; I wish I had done it a long time ago. Now that I'm thinking about it, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to put a date before the comment, too.

A tag, though, is useful if you want to see all the books you've tagged with that user's name.

ETA: My public library has a "For Later" feature, where I often add titles to check out later. Prompted by the discussions above, I just checked, and there is an ability to add a "Private note"--perfect place to add the source of the BB, which I plan to do in the future. So thanks for making me look!

>239 ffortsa: Thanks Judy

>240 EBT1002: Hi back - great to see you around.

>241 quondame: What can I say? I love paper.

>242 Berly: Hah! The "fault" is mutual, TwinK.

>243 kac522: Wow, there are a lot of features that I am not using. I will check them out -- eventually.

Regarding On Rereading, I am very glad that Spacks and I agree on the awfulness Lucky Jim reveals on rereading it.

I make my wish list the old fashioned way- pen and paper :) I like that idea of adding whose "fault" it is.

HAppy Tuesday!

>228 BLBera: I've added The Light Pirate to my Wishlist but doesn't look like it's available in the U.K. until May.

>245 ffortsa: I've never read that one, Judy, although it is on my shelf. I might give it a try. I thought it was interesting how Spacks' reactions changed over time.

>246 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. There's something so satisfactory about crossing things off a list.

>247 SandDune: I really liked it, Rhian. I hope you are able to get a copy eventually.

I've added The Light Pirate to my wishlist. Also easy to click on the link and add it to my LT wishlist. Under Tags I document the bb perpetrator.

17. The Word Is Murder is a clever mystery. Horowitz has made himself a character, so we have a mystery as metafiction, an interesting intellectual exercise. The narrator (Horowitz) is approached by a detective about writing a book about a case the detective is working on. At first, the narrator refuses because he doesn't really like Hawthorne, the detective. But he becomes curious about the case, a woman who arranged her own funeral in the morning and who was murdered a few hours later. So, Horowitz follows Hawthorne around as the later investigates.

I see the homage to Sherlock Holmes here, and the idea is clever, but I have mixed feelings about this. It all feels a bit indulgent and the characters are really not well developed. This is a book club selection, so I look forward to the discussion to see what others think of the book.

Another great cover.

>249 Carmenere: I hope you like it, Lynda.

18. The Sacrifice of Darkness
This young adult graphic novel is based on a short story by Roxane Gay. I admire Gay, and was interested enough to pick it up. The novel shows a world where the sun has disappeared, raising issues of scapegoating and class. The art is awesome, but it is definitely tailored for a young adult audience.

>250 BLBera: Interesting review, Beth. I somehow have acquired the first three books in this series but keep forgetting I have them. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. :)

Please report back on your book club's reaction as well.

>253 rosalita: It was entertaining, Julia, but I don't feel the urge to continue with the series. You should give it a try; I'd be interested in your take. I thought the premise was interesting.

19. Burn This Book is a collection of essays that examine the writer's role in society. A few of the writers included are Toni Morrison (who edits the collection), Salman Rushdie, Nadine Gordimer, David Grossman, and Pico Iyer. Many discuss the dangers of censorship and how it limits us to hearing one voice instead of many. Gordimer says the artist's role as a witness is important; she believes "that instead of restricting, inhibiting, coarsely despoiling aesthetic liberty, the existential condition of witness was enlarging, inspiring aesthetic liberty, breaching the previous limitations of my sense of form and language..."

Published about fifteen years ago, the collection remains relevant.

Beth, I am so tempted by Burn This Book. Your thread is a danger zone for me. I checked to see what is on hold for me at the library. Coincidentally, they are both due to you and have similar titles: Burning Questions and I Have Some Questions For You. I must use willpower and just say “no” to your latest temptation. Nice try… Haha.

Good luck with that, Donna. I don't know how I will ever be able to resist library books. I hope you enjoy the Atwood essays, one of my favorite reads this year, so far.

My book club met to discuss The Word Is Murder today. Most liked it although none loved it. Most liked the puzzle aspect and wanted to know who did the murder. People did feel that the characters weren't very well developed. Then, we started to talk about mystery series we enjoyed watching on Acorn. :)

Hi Beth, I just checked an my library has a copy of The Light Pirate so onto my list it goes!

>259 DeltaQueen50: I hope you like it, Judy.

20. Horse
I didn't love this book, but to be honest, even though I am a Brooks fan, I probably wouldn't have picked up this books because I have never been horse crazy.

The story of Lexington is amazing though and I really liked the sections about Jarrett. The role of slaves in antebellum horse racing is a story worth telling.

What slowed me down was the structure. The story of Jess and Theo wasn't compelling, and I didn't find them well developed as characters. Brooks did her research and while the information about the paintings of Lexington was interesting, it distracted from the rest of the story. I think she tried to cram in too much information.

So, for me, the book was just OK. But if you love horses, this might be one you love. Oh, and another beautiful cover.

I am reading Notes of a Native Son right now. The first essay, "Everybody's Protest Novel," focuses on Uncle Tom's Cabin and protest novels in general. Baldwin finds that they lack complexity.

>261 BLBera: Well, now I'm not sure what to think. I have enjoyed most of Brooks' work that I've read, and I do have a soft spot for horses, but not so much for horse racing these days. On the other hand, it's historical fiction so the things I dislike about racing these days probably aren't a factor.

I'll probably end up reading it from the library.

A lot of people have loved this, Julia, so don't go by my opinion. The historical part was the best part of the book although there was a bit too much about training and feeding the horse.

>261 BLBera: Beth, I liked Horse more than you did, but then I did have my horse-love phase growing up. I didn't have much opportunity to ride, just the big dreams. I wrote about a true story of a woman and her ride across the U.S. on a horse on my thread. I highly recommended it, but I think you can take a pass. Haha.

Hi Donna: I think most people liked Horse more than I did, but that is what is great about LT; we can express a variety of opinions about books. It would be pretty boring if we all agreed on everything.

21. Cold Cold Bones
In this novel from the "Bones" series, Tempe Brennan, forensic anthropologist, is in Charlotte. When she receives an eyeball on her doorstep, she realizes that several of the recent bodies she has examined have similarities to past cases. As the threat level escalates, she tries to figure out the motive for whoever is doing this.

Another page turner. I would like more of the forensics and less of the personal threat angle, but these are quick and entertaining reads.

>267 BLBera: Hi Beth. I enjoy the Tempe Brennan series, although apparently I lost track of it back in 2016. I think my library wasn't getting the newer ones in a timely fashion and I just forgot to keep checking back. But I enjoy the series, and like you wish for more forensics and less of the danger porn stuff.

I haven't been following all that closely either, Julia. Nicely put, "danger porn." It fit one of the categories for my library challenge, a book/series on which a TV series is based.

Morning, Beth! I also like those Temperance Brennan books, but it's one of the rare cases where I actually like the tv series better.

>270 Crazymamie: I loved the TV series, Mamie. Although I also lost track of it in the latter years.

>271 rosalita: Same. We have watched the first five or six seasons multiple times - it is a favorite of both Rae and mine.

Mamie and Julia: I watched a few of the early ones, but it was so different from the books that I never kept up with it. Also, I am squeamish. I can skip over icky parts in the books but it's harder to ignore them on TV.

Ooh! Might have to find that series on TV. : ) Happy Friday Twin!!

>273 BLBera: Yes, they do put the gory details on full display in the TV series, Beth! I think when I read my mind just refuses to fully visualize the graphic bits but just as you say, it's harder to ignore when they are staring you right in the face from the TV screen.

>274 Berly: Let me know what you think of the TV series, Twin. And happy Friday to you. Birthday weekend. right?

>275 rosalita: Yes! Well said, Julia.

>273 BLBera: I am exactly the same way.

Have a fantastic Friday, Beth!

You too, Stasia!

>266 BLBera:. Yes, hooray for different opinions!

>279 banjo123: Hi Rhonda. I look forward to the discussion of Horse this week. I know both Kim and Ellen loved it. Maybe they will change my mind.

>276 BLBera: Our birthdays fall between weekends so maybe we'll just keep celebrating!!

>280 BLBera: I am looking forward to Horsing around with you next week. ; )

A birthday week sounds like a good plan. YES! to Horsing around. 😁

Charlotte posted this, and there are some titles that look good here for fans of historical fiction.

https://www.walterscottprize.co.uk/the-2023-prize/2019-longlist/

Delurking to say hi... not reading much these days but that's my own fault for falling asleep early!
Loved the chatter about pen and paper versus online or digital filing of TBRs and BBs. I'm in the "digital, but offline file" camp myself. I love the search capability on my computer when I'm looking for my next read.

Hi back, Sandy.

Hi Beth - I was ambivalent about Horse and tried to blame it on the audio. I'm such a fan of Brooks and didn't want to feel let down. I also didn't connect with the modern-day story.

Vivian! I am so glad I am not the only person who didn't love Horse. I love Brooks usually and thought perhaps my expectations were too high. I agree the modern-day story was not well developed. I got the impression that she did a ton of research and wanted to include all of it: the skeleton, the art, the horse.

>286 vivians:, >287 BLBera: Despite all the accolades for Horse and having previously enjoyed Brooks' novels, the book blurb just doesn't call to me. I'm going to listen to that small voice, which you two are reinforcing.

Interesting conversation about Horse. I agree that the modern-day story was on the weak side. Every time I came to one of those chapters, it felt a bit jarring, like a distraction from the story. But I loved the story of Jarrett and Lexington enough to enjoy the novel as a whole.

Demon Copperhead, on the other hand, is just excellent so far.

>288 lauralkeet: Hi Laura - Well, some people have love this. But do listen to that small voice.

>289 EBT1002: Hi Ellen - I look forward to our discussion this week. Demon Copperhead is wonderful. It is an amazing accomplishment.

23. The Bandit Queens is an excellent debut novel inspired by a real person, the original Bandit Queen, Phoolan Mallah. The author was inspired by Mallah's story because Mallah refused to give up after suffering abuse and injustice most of her life. In an interview, the author says she wanted to draw attention to the plight of women in rural India, yet she also wanted to add humor and warmth to the novel. She accomplishes this.

As the novel begins, Geeta has been living more or less as a pariah for five years, since her husband disappeared. Rumor has it that she "got rid" of him. Now, people generally avoid her and kids run away from her in the street. Her only social life is attending meetings of her micro loan group. When Farah, one of the women in the group, asks Geeta to help her get rid of her husband, Geeta becomes drawn into the lives of other women in her village with tragic and sometimes hilarious results.

Besides gender inequality, Shroff also brings in issues of caste and religious differences, but this novel doesn't feel didactic. It's a really original debut that I enjoyed.

>291 BLBera: I just finished that one on audio, Beth! I was a little less enthused, but I think I'm being hyper-critical. The dialogue bothered me - it just seemed completely Westernized, particularly the cursing (which I normally wouldn't even register). Maybe it was the narrator, rather than the text, that bothered me. I thought the premise was original and I loved the women's stories.

Beth, I'm adding The Bandit Queens to my WL. I've even remembered to write your name down (to give you credit or blame!!) Have a great week.

>292 vivians: Hi Vivian - I didn't register the cursing so much, but on audio it might stand out more. I loved the women's stories and they way caste and religion were all intertwined. And pretty good for a first novel, I thought.

>293 Oregonreader: I hope you like it, Jan.

>291 BLBera: that sounds interesting, Beth. I'll keep it in mind.

>291 BLBera: BB, Beth!

>291 BLBera: Sounds good to me. I'll add it to my WL.

>290 BLBera: uh oh. I seem not to have written down our zoom call day and time. Thursday of this week?

>295 lauralkeet: I thought it was very original, Laura. And funny, despite the subject matter.

>296 quondame: I hope you like it.

>297 charl08: Hi Charlotte: I'm staying in India with my current read, which I think I heard about from you, Midnight at Malabar House

>298 EBT1002: Hi Ellen: Yes, I have Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. my time. Talk soon.