Amber's (scaifea) Thread #3

Hey, everybody!

I'm Amber, a one-time Classics professor, turned stay-at-home parent/lady of leisure, turned part-time library assistant, turned once again Classics professor, and turned librarian again. I spend my free time sewing, writing, knitting, baking, and, of course, reading.

My reading life is happily governed by lists, which means that I read a healthy variety of things across various genres.

I'm 47 going on 12 and live in Ohio with my husband, Tomm; our son, Charlie; Mario, the Golden Retriever; and the newest addition to the family: Agent Fitzsimmons, the Border Collie.

Me and my office assistant:



Favorite Books from 2022
Solutions and Other Problems
Beat the Reaper
Hyperbole and a Half
We Ride Upon Sticks
The Prestige
The Ogress and the Orphans
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
A Fatal Grace
The Ghost Writer
In the Woods
This Book Is Gay
Brothersong
A Court of Thorns and Roses
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Waiting for the Flood
Heartstopper
Alice I Have Been
Cemetery Boys
The Plot

What I'm Reading Now:
-Les Miserables (books by year - 1862)
-Lest Darkness Fall (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books)
-The Secret Life of Bees (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob)
-It's in His Kiss (romance)
-Killer Research (mystery)
-The Art of the Infinite (wishlist book)
-Beauty and the Werewolf (Beauty & the Beast retellings)
-Given vol 1 (manga)
-So Cold the River (audiobook)
-Last Night at the Telegraph Club (Stonewall Award, Printz Honor Book)
-A Gentleman in Moscow (wishlist book)
-The Joy Luck Club (unread book from my shelves)

The books I have going at once and the On Deck books nearly all come from the following categories and lists:

1. 14 years ago I started working my way through a handful of awards lists for children's books. I've finished a fair few of those, but I'm still working through the 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die list, and I try to stay up to date with several of the YALSA awards each year.

2. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

3. For this category, I cycle through several different stacks:
a. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
b. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Maggie Stiefvater's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

4. An unread book from my shelves.

5. A book from my Read Soon! shelves.

6. Book-a-year challenge: A few years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've since been trying to fill in the gap years.

7. A mystery.

8. A romance novel.

9. Manga.

10. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

11. A book from my wishlist (it's *so* long).

12. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book (or two).

13. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

14. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

Books Read

JANUARY
1. A Face for Picasso (Schneider Honor Book) - 7/10
2. The Devotion of Suspect X (audiobook) - 9/10
3. Heartstopper vol 4 (series read) - 9/10
4. Elatsoe (audiobook) - 9/10
5. A Court of Silver Flames (a Beauty and the Beast retelling) - 10/10
6. Shuna's Journey (manga) - 9/10
7. Still Alice (audiobook) - 8/10
8. My Hero Academia vol 7 (manga) - 9/10
9. Summer Bird Blue (audiobook) - 8/10
10. A Heartbeat Away (audiobook) - 8/10
11. A Parcel of Patterns (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10
12. Jacquard's Web (wishlist) - 6/10
13. Spider Sparrow (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10
14. Radio Silence (audiobook) - 10/10
15. I Am Not Esther (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10
16. The Day the World Came to Town (audiobook) - 9/10
17. When He Was Wicked (romance) - 9/10

FEBRUARY
18. Tarnished Are the Stars (audiobook) - 8/10
19. A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns (for a couple of my category challenges) - 8/10
20. Assassination Classroom vol 3 (manga) - 8/10
21. Drums Along the Mohawk (NEH list) - 7/10
22. My Hero Academia vol 8 (manga) - 10/10
23. In the Ravenous Dark (audiobook) - 9/10
24. The Beauty and the Beast (B&B retellings) - 9/10

Mario and Simmons:



And the coolest of the cool, the saxophonist on the beach:

The next one is yours - come on in!!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread!

>7 figsfromthistle: >8 ChelleBearss: Thanks, ladies!!

17. When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (romance) - 9/10
Francesca, her husband John, and John's cousin Michael are a nearly inseparable trio, but when John dies unexpectedly everything seems to crumble. Instead of staying to comfort Francesca and be comforted by their friendship in turn, Michael runs away to India to try to escape his secret love for her. Four years later he returns to take up his responsibilities as the new earl and finds that Francesca is in the market for a new husband...

A handful of books into the series and I'm still loving it. The characters are great, the stories comfortable, and the Bridgertons feel like the fancy yet inviting family next door.

Happy new thread, Amber!

The Newbery and other ALA awards were announced yesterday morning, which I almost forgot about until I got an email about the award. I have We Deserve Monument on hold and am hoping I get our copy today when I go in to work.

>11 bell7: Hi, Mary! I'm putting in my holds for the picture book winners today, but it'll be a little while before I get to the other winners because I'm still working through last year's!

Happy new thread, Amber. I like how Simmonds is holding her ball in that photo, just daring you to take it from her :)

>13 katiekrug: That is, in fact, exactly what she's doing! She's also got one in her mouth there. Ha!

Happy new one Amber!

Happy new thread!

Happy third thread, Amber!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread Amber!

Hi Amber my dear, Happy New Thread, dear friend.

Happy new one, Amber! Griffin is just as ball happy as Simmons. His very favorite thing.

>12 scaifea: Since I haven't quite completed just the Newbery Awards, my method has been trying to keep up-to-date with those, and then filling in the Honor books lately. I realized at work today that I had the Newbery winner completely wrong, so while I'm looking forward to reading We Deserve Monuments (which won a different award), I also now have a hold on Freewater that will take a little longer to come in. Oops!

Congrats on the new thread. Looks like I need to check out this year's children's book award winners.

Thanks, everyone!!

>21 Crazymamie: Simmons is *never* without a ball nearby and even falls asleep with one in her mouth frequently! So silly.

>22 bell7: Ha! Well, I've heard really good things about We Deserve Monuments, too, so silver linings and all.

Checking in so I am sure to find which thread is the newest... I was dithering around back on #2 today...

Happy New Thread, Amber. Congrats on a great reading month.

>27 SandyAMcPherson: Ha! Dither away, Sandy!

>28 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I feel like my reading is off to a pretty good start this year.

On the Agenda for Today:
I have the Dolly shift today, so not much time for other stuff. Leftovers for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I read a bit of Beauty and the Beast yesterday, and I'm still listening to Tarnished Are the Stars.

The Crafting Report:
Nope.

What We're Watching:
A Jujutsu Kaisen.

>31 scaifea:. That always triggers a mini ear worm. I'm usually able to banish it quite quickly >:-)

Happy third thread, Happy February!

Always fun to see what's keeping you occupied. Your reading is so organized. Every time I make a plan, I fail to follow it. The addition to the family is lovely. My mom's border collie is well known for his stick collection outside, and an extensive toy collection inside. My mom's trained him to recognize and grab each one by name.

>32 Helenliz: Ha! I'm glad it doesn't stick too badly!

>33 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! Happy February!

>34 justchris: Ooof, yeah, Border Collies have a huge vocabulary. So, so smart.

Welp, I was just about to leave for work when I got a call from the school nurse: Charlie was in her office, shivering and complaining of a queasy stomach. So I went to get him, got him settled back in bed (and wow, he really was shivering, poor kiddo), and got to work a little late. I love my coworkers and boss: it was not a problem in the least. And thank goodness for Tomm working from home!

>38 scaifea: Oh no! I hope Charlie is not ill too long and it is something that goes away with rest.

>39 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita. Me, too! That kid doesn't get sick like this very often at all. He'll have the occasional 24-hour light fever sort of thing, but he hasn't been this kind of sick since he was, oh, 6?

Morning, Amber! I hope Charlie is feeling better very soon.

Adding concern for Charlie -- hope he recovers quickly.

>41 Crazymamie: >42 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Ladies - I'll call Tomm soon to check in. I'm hoping Charlie is sleeping soundly this morning.

Oh no poor Charlie! I hope he's snug in bed getting lots of rest.

I'm sorry Charlie's sick. That's the pits.

>44 lauralkeet: >45 katiekrug: Thanks, folks. It really is the pits!

Oh poor lad. Hope it's just a passing thing.

>47 Helenliz: I checked in with Tomm and Charlie has migrated from his bed to the couch and has eaten some toast. So that's a good sign!

>48 scaifea: 👍

>48 scaifea: A good thing indeed. Hopefully a good night's sleep will make him feel more human again.

>49 RebaRelishesReading: >50 Helenliz: Charlie woke up this morning feeling "great"! No fever, no chills, so I'm letting him decide about school and he says he wants to go. Here's hoping it was just one of those 24-hour things.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm not working and I don't have anywhere I need to go, so it's a Comfy Pants Day! Woot!! I'll do the menu planning and get my grocery list ready for tomorrow, and then I really want to try to force myself to work on those crochet dolls. I'm in such a funk about them. Gah. Anyway. Baked Potatoes for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I finished Tarnished Are the Stars, read a bit of Killer Research and Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and started listening to Angelology.

The Crafting Report:
I wrapped some more books, if that counts...

What We're Watching:
We finished last week's SNL and then watched another episode of Galavant.

It's February, so the Mystery Valentine displays are up! (If you click on the photos you'll be able to zoom in to read my little poems/blurbs.)

Glad Charlie is feeling better!

And your library display looks great!

Glad that Charlie is feeling better!

Great job on your display! How fun!

>53 scaifea: What a brilliant display. You put a lot of work into that.

I looked at my local PL display recently (since you gave me a nudge). Not very inspiring, although no criticism of the library staff intended. I simply wasn't grabbed by a set of books on stands. The covers didn't invoke 'cover lust' or give a hint what might be the genre.

I'll photograph the display at our main branch when I'm next downtown. I think the staff there have a monthly theme so I'll try to get there before St. Valentine's Day.

>54 katiekrug: >55 ChelleBearss: Thanks, ladies! I'm so glad he's feeling better, but I'm also sort of half waiting for a call from the nurse. Fingers crossed that it doesn't happen.

>56 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks, Sandy! Yes, this month's displays are a ton of work, but it's fun work. And yay for checking out the displays! It's okay if nothing strikes you. Maybe next time around.

Nice job with the display, Amber!

>59 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

Thoughts on the Caldecott Award this year:
I've read the medal winner and two of the honor books, so far, and so far I like both honor books (Knight Owl and Choosing Brave) much better than the medalist, Hot Dog. It's just a matter of tastes, though; I don't particularly care for Salati's style of illustrating is all. *shrug* But I will say that the two honor books I've read have been excellent.

18. Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor (audiobook) - 8/10
Many years ago humans ruined earth with their technology, or so the stories go. So now on Earth 2 tech is forbidden while some people live in 'civilized' city, governed by the Commissioner and following the laws against tech while they try to determine how to make the world safe for wholesale inhabitation, and other folks live in a secret encampment where tech is not only made and used but necessary for survival. Anna is proof of that need - she has a clockwork heart. She's also known as The Technician; she smuggles tech into the city for those who are willing to break the rules. When the Commissioner's son, Nathaniel, who also secretly has a Ticker for a heart, decides to try for his father's approval by tracking down the Technician himself, he finds more than he expected in Anna. And then Eliza, Nathaniel's betrothed, arrives from the space station where the elite live and wait for the new world to be habitable for them, both he *and* Anna are in for a mess of surprises.

This was a fun one. Slightly different from most YA post-apocalyptic novels, it stays clear of overly-fraught love triangles and too-angsty teens. There's also really good representation of LGBTQ+ people, including ace/aro. Recommended.

19. A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker (for a couple of my category challenges) - 8/10
Okay, so I'm cheating just a bit with this one since I mostly skimmed it. It's filled with all sorts of swatch samples for various patterns to knit into a project. I took note of several to save for later possibly projects.

>53 scaifea: Nice :)

>63 scaifea: I have her first "treasury" and used it a few times when I was working on the masters program. It's a great reference, so I imagine the other treasury books are as well.

I recently bought Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary for absolutely no reason other than "swatch porn." Their photography is so good.

>64 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks!

>65 lauralkeet: Oooh, yes those Vogue books are gorgeous. I have a handful of them and love just flipping through.

>53 scaifea: oh they look fabulous! Hope the library patrons take to the idea.

>57 scaifea: fingers crossed that doesn't happen.

>68 Helenliz: Thanks, Helen!

On the Agenda for Today:
Grocery shopping this morning, the weekly bill sorting, cookie baking, maybe some crocheting. Frozen Friday dinner.

On the Reading Front:
I continue to be surprised that I'm enjoying Drums Along the Mohawk, to be honest. I really thought it would be a slog. I also read more of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and listened to some Angelology.

The Crafting Report:
The dolls now have arms! Legs will go on today, maybe.

What We're Watching:
A Schitt's Creek, A West Wing, and half of Groundhog Day (we'll finish it tonight).

Sounds like a pretty solid Friday.

So today, one of my Spotify recommendations was the EPIC concept albums by Jorge Rivera-Herrans and I wondered if these have crossed your radar? It's a musical retelling of The Odyssey and I really enjoyed the two albums (of a planned nine) that are out right now.

>71 MickyFine: I had not heard of this musical, but I've just looked it up and listened for a bit and it's adorable. I'm not sure I have the stamina to listen to all of it, but it's a fun idea.

Today's Friday After School Snack = Triple Play Cookies ("triple" because they have peanut butter, dry roasted peanuts, and chocolate chips in):

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working today 9:30-3, and then I suspect I'll take a nap when I get home. Tomm's in charge of dinner tonight: hamburgers and fries.

On the Reading Front:
I read a good chunk of The Secret Life of Bees yesterday, a bit of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and listened to more Angelology.

The Crafting Report:
One doll now has legs! And I also worked a bit on my mittens.

What We're Watching:
A Schitt's Creek, a West Wing, and the rest of Groundhog Day.

Morning, Amber! I see Them is going with ash American classic. Hooray for the progress on the dolls.

>73 scaifea: Yes, please! Those look delicious. And I always love seeing your Blue Willow plates.

>75 Crazymamie: *SNORK!!!* Well, the dolls look pretty scary at the moment...

And thanks! The cookies are delicious, and I LOVE my blue willow plates! I recently bought a necklace made from a piece of a BW plate and it's gorgeous.

I've been a bit slow off the mark this year so have just started getting around the threads. Just finished skimming through Amber, you got me with three BB's so far.
Hope your weekend has been nice so far 😊

>77 fairywings: Hi, Adrienne! Three, huh? I'm so proud. Ha! But yeah, my reading has been really good this year so far!

On the Agenda for Today:
I think I'm going to make donuts today. I keep thinking about it but then not doing it because of the time and effort, but then, well, homemade donuts are so. good. And I don't really have anything else on the books for the day that would get too much in the way. Alabama Pulled Pork and broccoli for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I finished Assassination Classroom volume 3, started The Joy Luck Club, read a bit of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and listened to some Angelology.

The Crafting Report:
I made some progress on my mittens yesterday during a slow period at the circ desk. We had a regular patron come in with a question about her crochet project (she's just learning, having been inspired by our displays); I think our reference duties are morphing into having a specialty in fiber arts...

What We're Watching:
A Schitt's Creek, a West Wing, and the first half of The Bird Cage, which Charlie is LOVING so far.

OH, I LOVE The Birdcage! Such a fun movie.

>80 katiekrug: Isn't it, though? It's been so long since I've watched it and I'm loving the revisit. I knew Charlie would love it, too.

More on the YALSA award winners:

In the Blue won a Schneider Honor for the 0-8 years old category and it's well deserving. Gorgeous illustrations and a really well done story about a little girl's viewpoint on her father's battle with depression.

Love, Violet won the Stonewall Medal for picture books and, again, definitely deserved it. It's about Violet (who seems nonbinary, but that isn't make explicit) being too shy to give her valentine to Mira, another girl in her class. It's adorable and well done.

Kapaemahu won a picture book category Stonewall Honor. It's gorgeously illustrated and tells the story of the male/female spirits who came from Tahiti to Hawaii to spread their message of healing.

All three are beautifully crafted and I highly recommend them.

>79 scaifea: Hmmm - maybe I need to transfer to a public library if I can be the cross stitch specialist!

>83 thornton37814: *grins*

20. Assassination Classroom vol 3 by Yusei Matsui (manga) - 8/10
The third volume in the manga series about an alien teacher who claims he will destroy the world at the end of the year if his junior high students can't assassinate him before then, all the while being an excellent and thoughtful teacher for them. It's...weird, but mostly in a good and fun way. It's keeping me engaged enough that I'm still willing to read the next volume.

Listening Update:
I'm calling it quits on Angelology. It's just not holding my interest at all. Moving on to In the Ravenous Dark for my audiobook.

“ I think I'm going to make donuts today”.

I’ve never read a more beautiful sentence.

>83 thornton37814: Shucks. Yet another career choice I never knew existed...

Doughnuts are delicious. My brother worked night shift in a bakery. You can get 7 squirts of jam in a doughnut before it explodes. That kind of thing only ever happens on night shift!

>87 drneutron: >88 Helenliz: Welp, I was all set to make them and then realized I didn't have enough flour. GAH. Next weekend, maybe, although we'll be gone all day Saturday for Charlie's Robotics Club competition...

On the Agenda for Today:
Mostly puttering around the house today, I think. Maybe a bit of cleaning, maybe some crocheting. Spicy Chicken Soup for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I started The Art of the Infinite yesterday, read a bit of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and started listening to In the Ravenous Dark.

The Crafting Report:
I've started adding the hair. They still look pretty scary, though.

What We're Watching:
We finished The Birdcage last night. Such a good movie.

>80 katiekrug: Oh yes! I haven't seen that one in years. That's the one with Robin Williams, yes?

>91 SandyAMcPherson: Yep, and Nathan Lane. They're both so fantastic in it, too!

>90 scaifea: If you're adding hair to the dolls, you must be super close to being done? So exciting!

>93 MickyFine: *snork!* It's adorable that you have such confidence in my crafting speed. Um, no. I still have all the clothes to make! *sigh*

Morning, Amber. I hope everyone is doing dandy at the Scaife Manor. Ooh, Triple Play Cookies sound wonderful and so does spicy chicken soup. Enjoy.

On the Agenda for Today:
I have the Dolly shift today, and then we have parent/teacher conferences this evening. One of my favorite things: sitting there and just letting the praises for my kiddo wash over me. So fun. Leftovers for dinner.

On the Reading Front:
I read a few pages of Les Miserables yesterday and listened to more In the Ravenous Dark, which is shaping up to be a great read/listen.

The Crafting Report:
Doll #1 nearly has a full head of hair! And is looking much less Gollum-like!

What We're Watching:
Another episode of The Rings of Power (I'm not really enjoying these, but Tomm is so I suffer in silence), and while working in the doll salon yesterday afternoon I watched the live-action 101 Dalmatians, which wasn't nearly as bad as I assumed it would be.

>95 msf59: Morning, Mark! The cookies are very good, but I got the spicy chicken soup a little *too* spicy for us. I'll have to make a note on the recipe to remember that this house is full of spice wimps (including me) for next time...

So this is the first I'm hearing of this movie adaptation of Great Expectations, but I'm thrilled about it! I love Dickens and I adore Olivia Colman:

https://deadline.com/2023/02/great-expectations-trailer-olivia-colman-steven-kni...

>98 scaifea: - Oooooh!

ETA: Where did the soup recipe come from? We find most recipes way too bland, so I'm curious if there's something out there that might actually suit us as is!

>98 scaifea: Oooh! indeed! I enjoy Dickens adaptations much more than the novels themselves and like you Amber, I am an Olivia Colman fan. I'll be on the lookout for this one!

>99 katiekrug: I got the recipe from Taste of Home Big Book of Soups. Here it is (although I may have altered it by not including garlic or onion, of course, so feel free to add those. Also note that 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper is too much for us - ha!):

Spicy Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
• 2 cans chicken broth
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1/3 cup rice
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Dump it all into a big pot. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or so, or until the rice is done. If you add garlic and onion, though, you'll probably want to saute those in the pot first, either with a bit of oil or butter (which is better).

>100 lauralkeet: Right? Colman is fantastic in everything. I can't wait for this one!

Morning, Amber! You are a better wife than I to suffer in silence.

>100 lauralkeet: What Laura said.

>101 scaifea: - Thanks!

>103 Crazymamie: *SNORK!!* Well, he suffers, although not very silently, through Charlie's and my anime picks, so really I'm just collecting evidence to throw back at him when he grouses about our choices. ("Listen, buddy, I sit through that Rings trash, so...")

>104 katiekrug: Welcome!!

On the Agenda for Today:
I work 12-8. I'll probably try to do more crocheting this morning before going in.

Warning: Huge Parental Brag in the next paragraph. Feel free to skip.

Parent/teacher conferences went really well; Charlie is loved by all, was named Citizen of the Month for February (and failed to tell us about it!), and is being unanimously recommended for all the 9th grade honors classes next year. I love how his teachers always just adore him. I'm happy for him that he's getting such good grades and doing so well academically, of course, but I'm prouder of him for the citizenship stuff and the fact that all his teachers say he's kind and has a great work ethic. His English teacher told us that she appreciates him so much because he clearly does the work because he loves learning and not because he has to finish the assignment. I dunno what we did to deserve such a good kiddo.

On the Reading Front:
I listened to more In the Ravenous Dark but didn't have any time for cracking open a book yesterday. I spent the little bit of down time at work on the Lovecraft translation. Ugh.

The Crafting Report:
Yeah, no time for crafting yesterday either.

What We're Watching:
A couple of Jujutsu Kaisen episodes.

Congratulations to Charlie for being such a great kid. You have every right to be proud!

>108 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! I was just joking with a colleague about not having a second child because that next one would have likely been hell on wheels...

>107 scaifea: Awww. How lovely. A credit to both of you - even if you don't sound too sure how that happened!

>109 scaifea:. My mum once said that if my kid brother had been first, he'd have been an only child. I took that as a backhanded compliment. >:-)

>110 Helenliz: Ha! Well, I was told many times over that I was a complete accident (my parents were older and all my siblings were 11+ years older than me)!

Congrats to Charlie and his parents 🙌

>111 scaifea: oops!! Opposite type of accident here. I was a honeymoon baby. Apparently condoms aren't entirely reliable, as my presence can testify. Not sure I ever needed to have that much detail!

Morning, Amber! "I dunno what we did to deserve such a good kiddo." I think I might have an inkling. How lovely to have what you already know acknowledged.

>112 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>113 Helenliz: *snork!* Yeah, it's never comfortable thinking about the, um, circumstances of our existence, is it?

>114 Crazymamie: He's made the whole parenting thing so easy, though. I suspect you know what I'm talking about, too.

Congratulations to you and to Charlie! Wonderful story.

Good for Charlie!

>116 scaifea: Nope. I still prefer the storks and cabbage patches production method.

Great going Charlie!

>118 RebaRelishesReading: >119 foggidawn: >121 quondame: Thanks!! He's a great kid.

>120 Helenliz: *snork!!* Agreed!

On the Agenda for Today:
Menu planning, prepping my list, and then grocery shopping this morning. I'll probably bake some cookies this afternoon since I work tomorrow. Not sure what's for dinner yet - that'll be part of the menu planning this morning!

On the Reading Front:
I started It's in His Kiss yesterday and listened to more In the Ravenous Dark.

The Crafting Report:
Doll #1's hair is almost finished and she's starting to look less terrifying! Yay!

What We're Watching:
The season finale of She-Hulk, which was excellent. Such a fun show.

Morning, Amber! Hooray for less terrifying - that made me laugh.

Have you ever made ringlets for dolls hair? Some years ago I came across directions that involved wrapping yarn around a metal knitting needle and baking it (forget the time and temp involved) which curled the yarn into wonderful ringlets that stayed that way. I made some really cute fabric and knitted dolls that way.

>125 Crazymamie: You wouldn't be laughing if you saw those scary bald things. Yeesh.

>126 RebaRelishesReading: I haven't done it myself but I've seen how to do it. Very cool!

>127 scaifea: I probably would, but only because they are at your house. *blinks*

>129 Crazymamie: *snork!!*

This week's Friday After School School Snack (Except on a Thursday) = Granola Bars:

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 9:30-3 today and I'll be busy thinking about what programs I might want to do for the summer. Should be fun! Frozen Friday dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I made some progress with The Beauty and the Beast; I'd forgotten just how much I love the original story. I'm also still listening to In the Ravenous Dark, which is fantastic so far.

The Crafting Report:
I'm finished with Doll #1's hair and I started on Doll #2's coiffure. Progress is being made.

What We're Watching:
Half of Knives Out, which is great so far, and half of last week's SNL. Pedro Pascal is adorable.

I hope work went quickly and the doll hair continues to go well.

Is this your first viewing of Knives Out?

>133 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. And yep, our first time with KO. We finished it last night and loved it!

No time for a full-on post this morning because we're heading out the door in a couple of minutes for Charlie's Robotics Club Competition! Wish him luck - it's their first ever competition, so the kiddos are a little nervous, I think. I'm excited, though; I've never been to a robot event!

>135 scaifea: oh how fun! I've never been to anything like that either but I bet it will be amazing. Have a great day Amber!

>135 scaifea: Good luck to Charlie & robots. Have fun, do report back.

Best of luck to Charlie! And aa robot event - most exciting!

Know your escape route in case the robots turn sentient and start attacking their masters!

Wishing Charlie and his team all the luck!

Hi Amber! I'm catching up on threads after being gone on vacation. Congrats to Charline on doing so well in school!

>132 scaifea: I already had a little crush on Pedro Pascal and his recent popularity surge with The Last of Us and SNL has only made that crush bigger, lol.

Hope Charlie's competition is a great experience!

Thanks, all! The robotics competition was a hoot. It was their very first one so they were all a little nervous, but they did themselves proud even though they didn't make it to the finals. I've never been in a room with that many adorkable teens. It was hilarious and amazing and impressive. And Charlie's ready to get to work for the next one!

There were three "fields" of competition. I'm still not entirely clear on the rules, but they had to maneuver their robots to move the yellow disks into certain areas within a short time limit.



Charlie was the "driver":



Oh, and their team name is The Juggerbots. Ha!

Happy Sunday, Amber. And hooray for "adorkable teens." Wishing them better luck next year.

On the Agenda for Today:
The plan is to make the donuts today, since I now have the requisite flour, but I woke up with a pretty nasty headache, so we'll see if I can get rid of that first. Otherwise, not much going on here after yesterday's all-day competition. Tomm is leaving for a business trip today, so it'll be just Charlie and I for a few days again. Thai Chicken Soup for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I got a healthy chunk of The Joy Luck Club read yesterday during the competition in between Charlie's team's matches. I also got some listening in and I am loving In the Ravenous Dark.

The Crafting Report:
I thought about taking the dolls to work on yesterday, but I didn't want to frighten any small children who might be present. So nothing to report from yesterday.

What We're Watching:
We finally watched Wakanda Forever and wow, it's amazing. We all loved it.

Morning, Amber! Glad that fun was had by all yesterday - thanks for sharing the photos. LOVE the team name!

>144 msf59: Happy Sunday do you, too, Mark! I suspect that they'll do exponentially better next time now that they know the lay of the land and such. It was definitely a cool experience.

We cross-posted. Boo to the headache. Hoping it goes away quickly.

"I thought about taking the dolls to work on yesterday, but I didn't want to frighten any small children who might be present." This made me laugh.

Sounds like an excellent outing for all concerned. Half the battle is finding a good team name. >:-)
mmmm. Doughnuts. mmmm

>148 Crazymamie: Ope, I'm sorry I missed you up there, Mamie! And thanks for the headache boos. I think it's easing up a bit, so I'm hopeful.

I'm glad you got a laugh over the dolls. It really is kind of hilarious how terrifying the doll-making process is...

>149 Helenliz: There were some really great team names yesterday, although of course right now I can't remember any of them. If I do, I'll report back.

I wasn't pointing out that you missed me, Amber, just noting that when I posted I was commenting on your previous post. Then when I posted >146 Crazymamie:, you current daily post showed up above mine, so I wanted to comment additionally.

>143 scaifea: Charlie doesn't look the least bit nervous. How terrific that this competition made him eager to get on to the next project. Sometimes, I fear competition gets TOO intense at this level, and takes the fun away...and that's on the adults behind it, usually.

>152 Crazymamie: I'm glad that you did, though! I would have missed it entirely otherwise.

>153 laytonwoman3rd: I was worried that that would happen, too, since they lost most of their matches yesterday. But I think it helped that they won the last one and so Progress Was Made. He was talking on the way home about keeping up with competitions online through the summer so that he could get ideas on how to improve next year's robot, so yeah, I'm really happy that he came away more inspired than discouraged. His coaches deserve credit for some of that, too - they stayed really encouraging throughout the day, which was great.

On the Agenda for Today:
Just some puttering around here at home, I think. I need to bake our traditional Valentine heart-shaped cake today since I'll be working tomorrow, and I'll probably do more crocheting. Since Tomm's away we'll maybe get Chinese takeaway tonight for dinner.

On the Reading Front:
I finished Drums Along the Mohawk yesterday, read a bit of The Secret Life of Bees, and listened to more In the Ravenous Dark.

The Crafting Report:
Doll #2's hair is nearly finished! I may actually get to move on to the clothes today...

What We're Watching:
Some Glee, some Vox Machina, and some Jujutsu Kaisen.

Morning, Amber! We just did Chinese takeaway over the weekend, and it was delicious.

Hooray for clothing. I cannot wait to see the finished doll.

>157 Crazymamie: I love getting Chinese for dinner because, well, it's delicious, but also because we order enough to have leftovers for a few meals after. Makes life easier for me!

These dolls may be the death of me before then...

>158 scaifea: Same.

If you have to sacrifice the dolls to save yourself, then I recommend that route. Heh.

>159 Crazymamie: *snork!*

21. Drums Along the Mohawk by Walter D. Edmunds (NEH list) - 7/10
A pair of newlyweds head out to the New York wilderness to start a new life together, but with the Revolutionary War comes trouble and hardship. Plus, Indians.

Yeah, not my cuppa, I suppose. Just not...interesting enough? Which is too bad because it really could have been.

Mmm a chill day of puttering and Chinese take out? I'm jealous. What are your go-to dishes?

>162 MickyFine: Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, Potstickers, Vegetable Fried Rice, Beef Lo Mein.

On the Agenda for Today:
I work 12-8 and I'll probably mostly putter around before then. Thank goodness for Chinese leftovers for tonight!

Tomm is scheduled to come home on Thursday, but apparently Iowa is expecting a snow storm before then, so he's going to try to get a flight out tomorrow morning instead. Fingers crossed.

On the Reading Front:
I read through My Hero Academia vol 8 yesterday, plus a nice chunk of The Secret Life of Bees. Still listening to In the Ravenous Dark and still loving it.

The Crafting Report:
Hair is all finished and I've moved on to the clothing!! Woot!

What We're Watching:
More Glee, Vox Machina, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Plus, I watched through all the Marvel One Shots and shorts and such yesterday while crocheting. Some fun stuff in there.

Morning Amber!

I thought of you yesterday! I worked a library shift and had an interaction with a patron that immediately reminded me of stories you've shared with us. More on my thread.

I hope Tomm is able to get home in advance of the snowstorm!! Have a great day.

Morning, Amber!

>164 scaifea: The snowstorm is supposed to arrive on Thursday so good call to leave sooner for Tomm. Here's hoping his flights are all on time and as scheduled!

>165 lauralkeet: Oooh, I'll hustle over there right away!

>166 katiekrug: Morning, Katie!

>167 rosalita: Yes! Fingers crossed...

>164 scaifea: Are you crocheting the doll clothes, or sewing them?

>171 foggidawn: Crocheting. That's why it's taking me so flipping long. Had I been sewing them, they totally would have been finished for Christmas like I wanted them to be! Ha!

>172 scaifea: I gotcha. I thought that the clothes might be fabric, while the dolls were crochet, but that would make your life too easy! ;-)

22. My Hero Academia vol 8 by Kohei Horikoshi (manga) - 10/10
The UA first years take their semester finals and then head off to summer camp. Also, Deku has a run-in at the mall with my boyfriend Tomura Shigaraki.

I love this manga. That is all.

>173 foggidawn: Indeed. Although I think the clothes will go faster? Famous last words...

Morning, Amber! Vegetable fried rice is something that Birdy and I always get.

Crossing my fingers for Tommy getting a flight out.

In the Ravenous Dark is such a great book title.

Birdy loves My Hero Academia, but I have not read any of them - I'm kind of hoping it is among her picks for me to read this year.

>176 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Tomm got a flight out tomorrow morning - yay!!

And the book is as good as its title - I think you'd like it.

MHA also has an anime and it's just as great as the manga - I highly recommend it!

Well then, I'll just add both to The List on your say so.

Hooray for the flight out tomorrow morning.

>178 Crazymamie: Woot!!

Hurray for Tomm's Iowa escape plan!

>180 lauralkeet: Yes! He's on his way home as I type!

On the Agenda for Today:
I've got the 9-5 shift today, so I won't get much else done, which is fine. I've convinced my boss to let me put together a Bingo Reading Challenge for adults for the summer, so I've got plenty to keep me busy. Leftovers for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I read a bit of The Art of the Infinite yesterday, and I only have 20 minutes left of listening time with In the Ravenous Dark. I'm on cargo duty today, so I should be able to wrap that up easily.

The Crafting Report:
The dress for Doll #1 is coming along...

What We're Watching:
Vox Machina

>182 scaifea: summer reading bingo?! You know we're going to wanna see that, right?

I'm glad Tomm is outta there, and on his way home.

>183 lauralkeet: Ha! You *know* I'll share when I'm finished with it!

I don't know if you are at all a craft tools junkie, but yesterday I discovered that Threads magazine contributor Kenneth King, whose traveling craft kit is something of a legend, has collaborated to make a (unfortunately pricey) compartmentalized bag for sale. These are the videos where he details what's in the kits.

>185 quondame: Wow. Yeah, I think I'll pass, but it's pretty cool looking anyway!

On the Agenda for Today:
No work, no errands, which means...Comfy Pants Day!! #blessed

I'm hoping to get more crocheting and reading done, and maybe some cleaning? But let's be realistic: that last one probably won't happen. Baked Potatoes for dinner tonight.

I spent most of my work day on the summer bingo challenge and I have all the categories set, I think, pending boss approval. I shamelessly admit to stealing some from past BingoDOG challenges here, but I did manage to come up with a few myself, too. Now to figure out a way to format the whole thing in a way that will get the marketing department's approval...

On the Reading Front:
I finished In the Ravenous Dark yesterday (so. good. Review to come.), and read a bit of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, which I'm also enjoying.

The Crafting Report:
Nope, nothing for yesterday.

What We're Watching:
Some Schitt's Creek, some West Wing, and an Umbrella Academy.

Oh, and Tomm made it home just fine yesterday! Woot!! It's good to have him home.

I've also been working on what next month's picture book and middle grade displays will be and have decided on Read the Book Then Watch the Movie themes for both. So, in that spirit, what's your favorite children's book/movie pair? (I've pretty much got my lists for the displays set, so I'm not looking for a ton of suggestions here, I'm just curious what your favorites are!)

Morning, Amber!

I have BIG love for The One Hundred and One Dalmatians and Mary Poppins.

>189 Crazymamie: Oh, good choices! I'm flip-flopped on my preferences: I like the movie better of 101D but the book better (although only slightly because, well, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke) of MP.

>190 scaifea: Same.

>191 Crazymamie: Have you seen the newer movie version of MP? I do love it, too, and how it's closer to the spirit of the book, but the old one just has so much sentimental value for me.

>192 scaifea: Yes, I have, and you're right about it being closer to the spirit of the book, but I adore Dick Van Dyke, so... The books have a special place in my heart as a favorite teacher handed me the first one and suggested I might like it. The books are so full of fabulous, and of course, the movie has left the twins out. But the songs in the original movie are just so perfect.

>193 Crazymamie: Yes, yes, yes!

Ooh, I'm also excited to see your bingo challenge when it's done! My local library does one and I look forward to its release every year.

>188 scaifea: Ooh, this is hard. I also love 101 Dalmatians -- don't make me choose between the book and the movie! As a 90s kid I have a lot of good memories of The Secret Garden movie, but I actually don't love that book as much as some other children's books (A Little Princess is my favorite Burnett, but I don't love the movie of that, either).

Does The Princess Bride count?

Matilda is another good one.

>195 curioussquared: You know, I've never watched a Secret Garden movie, but I loved the book as a kid. I did put it on my list, though. And I would count The Princess Bride since I'm using it for the middle grade display! That's one that I like the movie WAY more than the book.

And yes to Matilda!

23. In the Ravenous Dark by A. M. Strickland (audiobook) - 9/10
Rovan has hidden her magic ever since her father was taken from her and her mother in order to escape that same fate. But when she wakes up massively hungover on a roof with another girl, she accidentally uses her powers to save that girl from falling to her death, and then the authorities haul her off to the palace, where she's bound to a spirit and forced to become a blood mage. As she plots her escape she struggles to know whom to trust and whom to let herself love, including two other royal blood mages and the ghost she's bound to.

I loved this cool fantasy both for its plot and characters and for its fantastic LGBTQ+ representation (Rovan is pansexual, and there are lesbian, ace, and nonbinary characters as well). It's so well written that I'll definitely be looking for more of Strickland's work.

Winne the Pooh? I love the books, I'm not sure I've ever quite forgiven Disney for the lurid colourisation. The EH Shepherd original drawings are so much more charming.

Fairly sure Wind in the Willows has been made into a movie, but I can't recall seeing it.

The Princess Bride is one of my all time favourite movies. I saw it first, so the book always comes second.

I'm interested to see what else is on the list.

>197 scaifea:. This sounds amazing.

More a miniseries than a movie but I love the adaptation of Anne of Green Gables with Megan Follows just as much as a I love the books.

>198 Helenliz: Aw, of course Pooh! But I like the movie better, probably because I watched it as a kid and loved it then.

I'm sure there's a full movie out there somewhere of WitW, but I'm only familiar with Toad's Wild Ride.

>199 lycomayflower: You. Would. LOVE. It.

>200 MickyFine: I hesitate to say this because I know I'm vastly in the minority here, but I...*whispers* don't like Anne of Green Gables in any form. I think there may be something wrong with me, to be honest, because I'm pretty sure everyone else on the planet gets heart eyes over her.

>203 scaifea: Well, I've never read a single word of AoGG and honestly it doesn't sound like my thing at all, so no heart eyes here. :-)

>203 scaifea: No shade from me. I love her and Gilbert (one of my original book boyfriends) but LMM's writing style is not for everyone and I totally respect that. :)

>201 scaifea: I had this version on VHS as a kid: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192802/. I have vaguely fond memories of it but it wasn't a favorite. Seems to have a pretty good IMDB rating, though.

>203 scaifea: I'm with you! I don't hate Anne, but I've tried to make myself love her multiple times and it's never taken. I am lukewarm at best.

>203 scaifea: I expect it's no surprise, but like Julia I do not get heart eyes over Anne of Green Gables. I grew up under the impression that her story Wasn't My Thing and have never heard evidence to persuade me otherwise.

Winnie the Pooh, OTOH, is a veritable zen prophet and I adore him. His movies, not so much.

I was an Anne fan at the target age and loved the Megan Followes adaptation. I tried to revisit the books on audio a couple of years ago and the magic was gone for me. So I'll just keep my fond memories.

>208 katiekrug: (plus #'s, 200, 203, 206, 207 etc.)
Re the LLM series Anne of Green Gables.
I get that bucking the 😍 trend can be chancy, maybe even difficult, because there's a sense of "why don't I like this icon of literary fame"?
Yeah, well, shocking thing as a Canadian ~ I never read A of GG until someone dissed me for turning up my nose at this paragon of fiction. So, at the ripe old age of 32, I read most of the series over one summer, to see what I had missed.
Man oh man, I was bored by the end of a string of those books. Like Bored of the Rings bored. I maybe missed the age-appropriate stage while indulging in my outdoor adventure reading and being a tomboy. If anyone uses that term anymore.

>209 SandyAMcPherson: Really the last few books are a dead bore. The first 3, not so much. Nowhere close to A Little Princess or The Secret Garden but still head and shoulders above Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm the poster child of tell, don't show.

I didn't read AoGG until in my 40s, when I was clearly no longer the target audience. I wanted to give her a slap & pull her pigtails. I'm pretty sure I'd have found her insufferable when I was in the target audience as well.

>207 swynn: *high five*

Wow, clearly I'm *not* the only one. This makes me feel much less guilty about it!

>204 rosalita: Yeah, I think you're on the right path, Julia. No need to test your theory - it's correct.

>205 MickyFine: I should have known I could count on healthy reading attitudes from my fellow 75ers. Happiness.

>206 curioussquared: I followed your link and wow, there are some big names in that cast! I may just have to give it a try...

I've only read the first book of Anne, but yeah, lukewarm at best sums it up nicely.

>207 swynn: As I said to Julia, I think you're on the right path here.

But yes to Pooh being a zen prophet! I love him, too. And sweet Piglet. And choas goblin Tigger. And Eeyore, of course!

>208 katiekrug: Aw, that stinks that it didn't hold up for you. I wonder if I would have loved it as a kid...

>209 SandyAMcPherson: "Bored of the Rings" HAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!! I love it.

>210 quondame: I've never read A Little Princess but I loved The Secret Garden and still do. Rebecca, though, not so much.

>211 Helenliz: "I wanted to give her a slap & pull her pigtails." *SNORK!!* Agreed.

On the Agenda for Today:
Grocery shopping this morning, then cookie baking (Two-Tone Butter Cookies), then probably crocheting and reading and napping. Frozen Friday dinner!

On the Reading Front:
I started Lest Darkness Fall yesterday and also started listening to So Cold the River.

The Crafting Report:
I had to frog the doll dress and start again because it was looking like it wouldn't fit her. So, after an hour and a half of crocheting, I'm just where I was at the beginning of the day. *sigh*

What We're Watching:
Some Schitt's Creek, about half of a fantastically mediocre disaster movie called Geostorm, and then I made Tomm and Charlie watch the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

Oh dang, sorry to hear about the frogging. Gauge issues make me crazy!

A bit late adding my very lukewarm response after reading Anne of Green Gables a few years back.
Love Pooh and his friends, although never bored with Lord of the Rings the many times I read it.

>220 MickyFine: Meh. S'okay. If you do yarn crafting it's just bound to happen occasionally.

>221 FAMeulstee: I'm feeling better and better about not liking AoGG!

Oh lawrd, Amber I'm so sorry I'm behind; I totally missed your new thread.
Firstly, sorry about the scare with Charlie. Glad he's feeling better.

>79 scaifea: Oh! I read a few snippets from Joy Luck Club in school. I thought it pretty fascinating. I should finish that one.
>96 scaifea: Responses to Rings of Power have been mixed to my understanding (having never read or been really into Tolkien stuff I have no horse in that race at all.) But 101 Dalamations is a classic IMO. The romance between Roger and Anita feels a bit more grounded but then you have Cartoonishly Awful Cruella (Glen Close is a treasure).
>107 scaifea: Congrats to Charlie! That's really great. I was never much of a civic type at his age (angry goth teen growing up, wcyd?) so it's great for him to be taking so well to his education.

>218 scaifea: LMAO over these AoGG comments.
I like reading The Secret Garden to small people. I never read it until way late and the story seems ageless in its philosophy, if not the setting.
I haven't read the Rebecca story or The Little Princess.

>225 SandyAMcPherson: While I didn't read LMM or Rebecca until I was an adult I did read every Frances Hodgson Burnett in my middle school library. I absolutely loved those books.

Oh dear on the unpicking. Tension awry? When I did knit, Mum had grand plans of us knitting jumpers between us, only my tension was always different to hers and a square on the same needles would come out slightly different sizes. Not knitted since a teenager.

>224 Ravenwoodwitch: JLC is better than I thought it would be, to be honest. I'm loving all the interlaces stories of Chinese women.

I haven't looked up other thoughts on Rings of Power, but yeah, I'm really not into it. I'll suffer through, though. The things we do for our SOs.

I definitely agree about Glen Close. She's amazing, and perfect for that part.

Ha! I didn't hit my angsty phase until college, and then I was sort of half goth half grunge. Oh lordy.

>225 SandyAMcPherson: I loved reading The Secret Garden to Charlie when he was younger! You're right that it's a great read-aloud.

>226 quondame: It didn't occur to me to look up other works of an author I liked as a kid. What a dummy.

>227 Helenliz: Honestly I think the yarn I bought for the dress, although nominally of the same weight, is thinner than the yarn I used for the doll herself, so the dress was crocheting up in a way that would have been too tight. So I frogged it and swapped out for a larger hook and it seems to be working out okay this time. I think. We'll see.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working the Saturday shift and then I'll come home and either crochet or nap, likely. Tomm's in charge of dinner tonight: hamburger and fries.

On the Reading Front:
I made a small dent in It's in His Kiss and Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and I listened to more So Cold the River.

The Crafting Report:
The dress for Doll#1 is almost finished...

What We're Watching:
Tommy Boy. Not quite as good as I remembered it, but still really funny in some parts. Not sure if Charlie liked it, though.

>231 scaifea: As in real life, a dress that's slightly too big is better than one too small. Fingers crossed.

>233 Helenliz: Ha! Very true.

On the Agenda for Today:
Some laundry, some baking, some crocheting, some reading. Chicken and Sausage Stew for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I'm nearly finished with The Beauty and the Beast. Still listening to So Cold the River.

The Crafting Report:
Nope. No progress yesterday. I opted for napping and reading when I got home instead.

What We're Watching:
Some Schitt's Creek, then we finished Geostorm, then watched the latest My Hero Academia and a couple of Jujutsu Kaisen eps.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 12-8. I'll probably just be puttering around here before then.

On the Reading Front:
I finished up The Beauty and the Beast yesterday, listened to some So Cold the River, and read bits of Killer Research and Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

The Crafting Report:
The dress for Doll #1 is done! Now for the little sandals...

What We're Watching:
Some Schitt's Creek, some West Wing, and a Galavant.

Happy Monday, Amber :)
Man, I've always wanted to try reading Beauty and The Beast; but I can never find a copy :/

Woohoo, congrats on completing the dress!

>237 Ravenwoodwitch: I found my copy at Barnes & Noble. It's a gorgeous edition with all sorts of lovely illustrations and extras.

>238 curioussquared: Thanks!!

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 9-2, then maybe getting some crochet time in before starting dinner. We've got some training today at work for a new scheduling system for meeting room reservations. Should be fun, since I just now feel like I have the old system under my belt. Awesome.

On the Reading Front:
I spent my reading time with The Joy Luck Club yesterday, which is coming along fine. Still listening to So Cold the River, too.

The Crafting Report:
Nope. Nothing for yesterday.

What We're Watching:
The first episode of Animal Control, a new show with Joel McHale. It's pretty funny.

>241 scaifea: Ah yes. I'm super familiar with the pain of truly knowing the ins and outs of a software/platform and then they make changes. Hopefully the training is relatively painless!

>241 scaifea: They did that recently at my job too and it's such a pain.

>242 MickyFine: >243 Ravenwoodwitch: Yep, it was one of those thing that didn't need to be a meeting at all. Just give me the instruction packet and let me read it on my own, thanks. Yeesh.

24. The Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de VIlleneuve (B&B retellings) - 9/10
It was fun to revisit one of the oldest versions of this story we have extant. I had forgotten how different it is from more current versions, and I admit to getting a little lost in which king was married to which fairy and whose daughter was half fairy and so on. But overall I love it.

>245 scaifea: Hmm, I didn't even know fairies entered into it - well maybe the curse, but not specifically. Stories do change a great deal over not all that much time. And that's not even considering how we all interpret them differently.

>246 quondame: Indeed. In fact, myths (and to a slightly lesser extent fairy tales like these) are meant to be changed and adapted.

>245 scaifea: OK, intrigued.

>241 scaifea: I really dislike giving that kind of training. People want such disparate things from such a training that pitching it is well nigh impossible.

>248 Helenliz: You should be intrigued - it's a good, fun read!

It would have been nice if they'd given us the choice of reading through the instructions first and then asking any questions. *sigh* I adore my job and all the people I work with at my branch, but my dealings with the admin at the main branch have had mixed results. At least those dealings are fairly sparse.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 12-8 and puttering around until then. My Craft and Chat club meets tonight and I haven't had time to bake anything myself for it, so I'll pop into the local bakery before I head in today to pick up some treats.

On the Reading Front:
I'm hoping to finish up The Joy Luck Club today because I still have one more Challenge book to read before the end of the month (yoicks). Still listening to So Cold the River but nearing the end and it's getting intense. It's been a good listen so far.

The Crafting Report:
Again, nothing. Yeesh.

What We're Watching:
An ep of The Rings of Power (ugh) and a Drunk History.

Morning, Amber! Was this your first time reading The Joy Luck Club? I really liked that book. I remember reding it before the film version came out, which was very well done too. I also remember enjoying So Cold the River. I think I listened to it on audio.

>251 msf59: Morning, Mark! This is my first time with the Tan and I'm enjoying it, too! I'd love to watch the movie when I'm done - I'll have to see if it's streaming anywhere and if not I'll get it at work.

You know, I may have put So Cold the River on my wishlist because of you...

So, we've decided that it's time to call it quits on reading aloud at night. Charlie is getting to the age where he has lots of extracurriculars and homework and such, and I can tell he's just not enjoying it all that much anymore. I'm a bit heartbroken, but I didn't let on last night when we discussed it (I didn't want him to feel guilty about wanting to stop). I feel like it's one of those heartbreaks that parents just have to go through when the kiddos are growing up. S'okay. It's what I signed up for, after all, this parenting thing. And we've been doing it for 14+ years now (the reading aloud at night; we'll the parenting too, I guess) and it's had the desired result: he's definitely a reader. We now recommend books to each other and excitedly discuss them, so our family reading has just...evolved. But still. End of a mini era. And I *love* reading aloud. I guess I could just read aloud to myself when no one's around...

>253 scaifea: Oh Amber I feel your pain! I read to each of my children, the youngest until she was in high school, and those remain some of my favorite times. Now I have the joy of reading to my grandchildren, but it isn't quite the same. I think you're right - it's just one more step in the march to independence, and you should take heart that he has become a reader for life. But it's still hard!

>254 vivians: Thanks for the commiseration - I appreciate it!

>253 scaifea: Oh, that breaks my heart too and I don't even have kids!

>254 vivians: well said, Vivian. I started to post earlier but didn't have time to compose something thoughtful.

I'm impressed you all lasted so long with the reading aloud! I only have a couple of memories of being read to, but I always saw my parents reading, and my sister and I became readers, so it all worked out :)

ETA: I am always struck by how well you react to changes in Charlie and new phases of parenthood. Appreciating what was but excited to see what's next. It's nice to see/read about.

>253 scaifea: yes, losing the kiddo to reading on their own is a bit of a wrench. My eldest hit that spot at 6 yo! "Okay, Mom turn the page". Whaaat??? Yup, she was reading ahead of me and finally a few nights later just took over the book and read on her own.

My younger daughter was about 8, so you've done well, Amber.
The younger daughter and I would read to ourselves on the sofa(s) and occasionally she'd pipe up, "I gotta read this out to you", so there are memories of those lovely moments. All seem so fleeting now. And they are voracious readers as adults.

>254 vivians:, Indeed, Grandkids are different in reading at bedtime. I think because (for me), I am not so often visiting to have the routine. It's quite a distance away (even by air) and we're usually staying in a hotel because they have too small a house to accommodate the extra adults.

So I do miss that lovely time when they're small and I can read the younger age books. Goodnight, Moon, What a Mess, and all the rest, I do miss you.
Memories, bittersweet. Hugs to you Amber. I do understand, if that helps any.

In my family, we occasionally found times to read aloud together even after my brother and I were grown -- maybe for a highly-anticipated book release (we did all of Harry Potter as the books came out), or on a family vacation. And we still do A Christmas Carol together every winter, often by phone. So maybe you will find occasional read-aloud opportunities in the future. I would be sad, too, though, at outgrowing that particular regular family activity.

Ending an era is always tough. Sending hugs as you move into new patterns and routines.

I don't know exactly how I old I was when I transitioned from my Mom reading to me at bedtime to reading on my own. I'd guess around 8. Lifelong voracious reader (like many around here) and I could always get through more books when I read them on my own.

As for loving to read aloud, you can always bring that skill out at work. :)

That's a bitter sweet moment.
Mum used to read Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to us on Christmas eve. That one continued well into adult hood. Just the one, for old times sake.

Thanks so much, everyone, for the kind words. I really appreciate the support!

>258 katiekrug: Thanks so much, Katie, for your ETA. I try really hard to keep to myself my parental grief at his growing up (on the rare occasions that it crops up) because he shouldn't feel ANY guilt for doing just what he's supposed to be doing. It grinds my gears when parents say - in front of their kids, no less! - that they miss such-and-such an age. Dude, your kid is RIGHT THERE. Way to make them feel loved. Plus, I really do generally feel much more excitement watching him evolve into a person than nostalgia for the past ages.

>254 vivians: It is a wee heartbreak. Becky decided to read HP & the Goblet of Fire herself, and that was it. And the story does happen a lot faster when not read aloud.

>253 scaifea: For what it's worth, the memories of my mom reading to me over the breakfast table (her tactic for getting me out of bed)are some of my most treasured. I still talk about it with her to this day. So, while it may be the end of an era, I am pretty sure it's something that left a special impact on him. And, for that, I think you should be proud.

Amber, my daughters wanted to be read to in the evening until they were ten. After that, they read themselves and still do so very actively today. My grandson, when he comes to our house, first gets his toy cars and then the animal books, which I read to him to excess. He loves it when I imitate the animals with my voice and body and tries to do it himself. He is now (13½) months old.

>266 Ravenwoodwitch: Thanks for that. It's not a surprise to me that so many here were read to as kids!

>267 Ameise1: Aw, that's adorable, Barbara! I love that he gets his books for you to read. So sweet.

On the Agenda for Today:
Menu planning and getting my grocery list ready for tomorrow, some laundry, and then hopefully some crocheting and reading. Leftovers (or possibly pizza) for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I finished both The Joy Luck Club and So Cold the River yesterday. I'll maybe start a new thread today and then post the reviews there.

The Crafting Report:
One sandal crocheted for Doll #1, one to go...

What We're Watching:
I started Morbius yesterday while sandal making, and it's pretty okay so far. We also watched a Jujutsu Kaisen last night before bed.