Mary/Storeetllr Reads Through 2023-Ch. 4: Falling Toward Year's End

Wasn't I just making New Year's Resolutions and looking forward to Spring and planting seedlings in the garden? How in the world did it suddenly become Autumn? Well, one good thing about Q4 - it starts with October, better known around these parts as Spooktober and Deathtober (cr. Richard Derus). I get to read some of my old favorites: A Night in the Lonesome October, The Girl With All the Gifts, and Sparrow Hill Road, maybe discover some new favorite horror stories to add to the list.

Reading keeps me going, but my grandkids are my life!


Ruby's First Day of Pre-K (next year she starts kindergarten!)


Rowan's VERY First Day of Preschool!

Books Read

October

🎃 86. The Asylum Confessions: Family Matters by Jack Steen. 3.5 stars. Audio.

🎃 87. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. 5 stars. Kindle.

🎃 88. Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. 4.5 stars. Audio.

🎃 89. The Green Mile by Stephen King. 4 stars. Audio. Reread.

90. Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. 4 stars. Audio.

🎃 91. The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey. 5 stars. Audio. 🧟

🎃 92. Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire. 4.5 stars. Audio. 👻

🎃93. A Night in the Lonesome October. Kindle

🎃94. Haunted Nights, a short horror story anthology, edited by Eileen Datlow and Lisa Morton. 3.5 stars. Rec. by Delta Queen/Judy.

🎃95. The Asylum Confessions by Jack Steen. 3 stars. Audio.

November

96. Holly by Stephen King. 4.5 stars. Audio.

97. The Last Ranger by Peter Heller. 4 stars. Audio.

98. Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baltree. 4 stars. Audio.

99. System Collapse by Martha Wells. 5 stars. Audio and Kindle. Murderbot.

100. Inheritance by Nora Roberts. 3 stars. Audio.

101. Sovereign by C. J. Sansom. 5 stars. Audio.

December

102. The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger. 4 stars. Audio.

102. Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown. 3.5 stars. Audio.

103. A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather. 4 stars. Audio.

104. One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley. 3.5 stars.

104. How to Survive in Medieval England by Toni Mount. 4.5 stars.

105. The Dead City by John Scalzi. 3.5 stars.

106. The B-Team by John Scalzi. 4 stars.

107. Uncanny Times by Laura Anne Gilman. 3.5 stars. Audio.

108. Uncanny Vows by Laura Anne Gilmore. 3 stars. Audio.

Currently Reading

Chain Gang All-Stars rec by RD
Mars Adrift by Kathleen McFall. Dead-tree book. (!)
Foundation, the history of England from its earliest beginnings to the Tudors by Peter Ackroyd. Hardcover.

What's Up Next?

The Olympian Affair

On My Holds List

The Marriage Portrait by O’Farrell
A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
Howls from the Dark Ages
The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher
Prequel by Rachel Maddow
Chain Gang All Stars
The Marriage Portrait
The Deep Sky
There Should Have Been Eight by Nalini Singh
Starter Villain by John Skalzi

Wishlist

Cleopatra, a Life by Stacy Schiff. Audio.
The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett. Audio.
The Hands of the Emperor Kindle.
John Dies at the End
The Bullet that Missed
The Serpent Sea by Martha Wells. Kindle
It's a Wonderful Woof by Spencer Quinn. Audio.
City of Bones by Martha Wells
The Book of Paradise rec by Richard. Kindle. Started reading but ran out of time.
Chain Gang All-Stars rec by RD to read when I’m feeling strong

DNFs

The Suicide Motor Club by Christopher Buehlman (rec by Judy) - Wasn’t able to get into it. Maybe I was just horrored out. I like the author, though, so I may try again another time.
Different Seasons by Stephen Kings. Audio. Rec by Joanne—only read Shawshank Redemption; hated Apt Pupil and didn’t get to the other two before the loan ended.
Thornhedge rec by Susan, I think. Audio. Just not much for retellings of fairy tales, I guess.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland. Audio. Ugh, YA.
Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone rec by DrNeutron, Audio. Just couldn’t get into it.
The Book of the Dead by E. Wallis Budge (Audio) - Terrible narrator.
Two Tales from Algernon Blackwood (Audio) - I listened to one of the stories: Ancient Lights. I couldn't finish the second, The Olive - terrible narrator.

Welcome to my last thread of 2023!

Happy new thread Mary!

Stunningly cute grand-littles.

Thanks, Susan!

Happy new one!

>2 Storeetllr: Adorable!

Happy new thread, Mary.

Hi Mary, Happy new thread and happy October! (It was 91 here yesterday and the roses are still blooming...whatever...)

>2 Storeetllr: They are both getting so big (and continue to be very cute)!

I started my reread of Lonesome October today. I was poking around for another spooky read for this month and kept saying "nah" to books on my shelf until I got to The Ghost and Mrs Muir. It's not spooky, just fun with a ghost theme, so I think I'll reread it this year. I've meant to for a while.

>10 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita! I think so too.

>11 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul!

>12 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! If we had roses, I’d be checking them for mildew. It’s been a soggy summer here.

I haven’t read The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Yet. Not sure if I’ll get to it this year. Enjoy your read of Lonesome October. I need to get the hardback from the library. I do love the illustrations.

Happy New Thread, Mary. I hope you had a good weekend. Looking forward to your thoughts on The Last Ranger once you get to it.

>2 Storeetllr: Love it! I can't wait for these years!

Happy new thread, Mary, and happy October. Your grands are adorable. I can't believe how big Ruby is! They grow up too fast.

Happy new thread, Mary! I love the pictures of the grands up top!!

New 🧵 orisons, Mary.

Happy new one, Mary!

>16 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Weekend was fine, though I was disappointed to miss out on Rowan’s birthday party at the zoo. I’m just not up to all that walking. Or any walking these days.

Jackson is about the same age as Rowan, so it won’t be long. TBH, Rowan isn’t happy to go to preschool, even tho it’s only a couple of hours 2 days a week, not like his sister was. My daughter pretty much has to stay with him. Separation anxiety.

>17 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! They do grow up too fast. Seems like my daughter was just going into kindergarten, and now her kid will be going into kindergarten. Crazy.

>18 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! I’m glad you like the pics, because I love posting them!

>19 richardderus: ❤️

>20 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

Yesterday was a nightmare. My daughter’s work schedule for the week was changed due to covid, so I had the kids all day yesterday—a Monday. Though I’ve been retired now for 10 years, I still hate Mondays. And Sunday nights are rough too. I wasn’t able to get to sleep till after 1 am, so I ended up with only 5 hours. It would have been impossible if their grandpa hadn’t stepped up and stayed with Rowan after I got Ruby to school so I could take an hour nap. Then we took him to the playground before lunch and his nap. It was a busy day.



Anyway, I managed to get through it and went to sleep last night before 8 pm. Slept till around 8:30 this morning, with only one bathroom break in the middle of the night. Whew!

Did pretty good with my puzzles this morning. Guess the extra long sleep helped.

Connections
Puzzle #114
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

🦎 Animal #64 🐹
I figured it out in 9 guesses!
🟨🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🔥 1 | Avg. Guesses: 9

https://metazooa.com
#metazooa

>26 Storeetllr: I am glad to hear that you got some extra rest last night, Mary!

Happy new thread, Mary! Boy, the grands are growing up fast :D

>27 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia. Me too!

>28 bell7: Hi, Mary! Yes, they are! It isn’t only physically, either. The changes in their comprehension and communication skills is boggling.

Happy new thread, Mary!

Indeed, time flies, I don't know either how it can be October now ;-)
Your grandkids are adorable.

>26 Storeetllr: That was a tough Monday, good you got better sleep the next night.

Thanks, Anita! They are adorable, and I love being with them.

I had a similar experience last night, though I was able to get about 7 hours of sleep. I’m just glad I didn’t have to watch the kids today. There’s just something about Sunday nights that make it hard for me to sleep.

Bwahahaha! 👻 Welcome to my first Spooktober (or 💀 Deathtober, as you prefer) reading update. 🎃



86. The Asylum Confessions: Family Matters by Jack Steen. 3.5 stars. Audio. Creepy as hell. Three “confessions” of serial killers on their deathbeds at an institution for the criminally insane. Sordid and gruesome, and the prose is a bit rough, as if written by the nurse-narrator, but I couldn’t stop reading, sort of like rubbernecking at the aftermath of a fatal car pileup. Qualifies as a Deathtober read.



87. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. 5 stars. Kindle. Okay, this isn’t spooky, though what happened is truly horrifying, but a question on FB (what fictional character’s death has effected you most) made me think of two of the characters in the book, and I couldn’t remember one of their names (Ann Edwards and D. W. Yarbrough, J.S.), so I borrowed the eBook and, once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. It’s been years since I read it in text format. (Last couple times, I listened to the audiobook.) It is still as stunningly good as it was the first time I read it, back at the dawn of time (probably not long after it was published, so 1999 or 2000), even though, unlike then, I am an agnostic, if not an outright atheist. I loved it as an audiobook, but I really think it is best in book form.



88. Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. 4.5 stars. Audio. Because who hasn’t worked for someone whose absence would make the world a better place? This is both a dark thriller and the most “fiendishly funny” (Booklist)—and highly original—story about murder I’ve ever read. It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a novel so much. It really was a lot of fun. Rec. by drneutron.

Glad you liked it!

>33 Storeetllr: I love The Sparrow! I really need to give it a re-read. I have seen Murder Your Employer recommended elsewhere. I really must track down a copy.

>33 Storeetllr: is #86 a novel, or non-fiction? Either way it sounds hair-raising.

#87 was a favorite of mine in 1996. I wonder if I'd love it so much now...

#88 is one I think falls outside my taste-range though it sounds like y'all really liked the humor.

*smooch*

Happy Wednesday, Mary. Glad to see that Rowan likes the swings too. Jackson Day tomorrow. Ooh, I am jealous that you did a reread of The Sparrow. I might consider doing that too. 2024? Love me some MDR!!

>33 Storeetllr: The Sparrow is one of the books (along with Grunts and Xenocide) Jo Walton refuses to re-read, but which I liked rather more than she did. I've re-read all 3 of those.

Hi Mary and Happy Spooktober! I have been listening to a creepy vampire story entitled The Suicide Motor Club by Christopher Buehlman and I finished a zombie story with Devil's Wake by Steven Barnes. I have a couple more horror reads planned but I am saving them for later in the month.

>34 drneutron: I did, Jim! A lot. Wish I could say the same about the other BB you caught me with. I ended up DNFing Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Just couldn’t get into it. Still, Murder Your Employer more than made up for that.

>35 alcottacre: The Sparrow is one of the first and only books I picked up strictly on the basis of loving the cover art, and is also one of the few books I’ve ever bought multiple copies of so I could give them away.

I look forward to reading your thoughts on Murder Your Employer once you’ve read it.

>36 richardderus: #86 Ya know, it’s hard to be sure. It reads like a “True Confessions” type story, but it’s got to be fiction.

#87 I admit, the last time I listened to The Sparrow, maybe 2-3 years ago, I didn’t like it as much as I did when I first read it, but this time, reading it on Kindle, I liked it as much. Yes, it is a bit dated, but the story itself hasn’t lost its power.

#88 Not everyone’s gonna love the same books!

*smooches*

>37 msf59: Hi, Mark! The playground is Rowan’s favorite place. Hope you had a blast with Jackson on Thursday. I reread a couple of MDR’s novels on a regular basis: The Sparrow and Doc. Those are my absolute favorites of hers. I’m thinking of rereading Dreamers if the Day due to what’s happening in the Middle East. Trying to make sense of the senseless, maybe.

>38 quondame: Not sure how she can lump The Sparrow with the other two books, but to each their own, I guess, especially when it comes to literature.

>39 DeltaQueen50: Hey, Judy! Nice to “see” you! Buehlman is an author whose horror I enjoy. I’ll have to check that one out. Not a huge fan of zombie horror, with the exception of The Girl With All the Gifts. I’ll take a look at Devil’s Wake though, ‘cause ya never know!

It was a delight to come back to my thread after a couple day’s absence and find so many friends had stopped by and left comments! It made me feel special, and happy.

Had another rough week—a few appointments and, of course, granny-nannying a couple of days, all on top of being sick. It’s not Covid, thank the Universe, but it’s nasty nonetheless: a bad cough, congestion, laryngitis, slight headache, tummy bug. No fever, though, and my covid tests were negative, so just a bug I picked up from the kids. I’m back at Physical Therapy, so that’s one good thing to report.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I like to do puzzles with breakfast. (I’m currently up to 8: Wordle, Dordle, Quordle, Phoodle, Phrazzle, Metazooa, Connections, and Chrono.) Today’s Connections made me smile—whoever made it definitely had us old timers in mind. Check out the crazy color order.

Connections
Puzzle #125
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

89. The Green Mile by Stephen King. 4 stars. Audio. Reread. King is the master when it comes to evoking the strange, the horrific, and the wondrous, as The Green Mile evidences. Definitely qualifies for Spooktober. Having said that, I think the film adaptation is actually a bit better, though it’s been awhile since I watched it. Tighter and more cohesive, if you will, which, if you’ve read much King, you’ll understand. Even so, it’s a heck of a story. As for this particular audio adaptation, which is based on the serial publication of the book, I wasn’t thrilled with the long pauses between portions that were meant to mimic the serialization.

Hi, Mary. Glad you are enjoying your rereads of MDR and Mr. King. Very fine idea. I have got behind on King's last few novels. I should pick one up but they are so damn big.

Bree dropped off Jack yesterday afternoon, so we got to hang out with him for a few hours.

Monday *smooch*

>48 msf59: Hi, Mark! They are definitely big. It’s how King writes. Sometimes it’s a good thing. Often I think he really could use a good editor. Took me a few tries, but I eventually really enjoyed Mr. Mercedes and its sequels. I’m currently looking forward to Holly.

Isn’t being a grand great?!?

>49 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. I love them Monday smooches! Tuesday *smooch* back atcha.

Another brutal week, made worse by this bug I can’t seem to shake (it’s ”just” an infection, not covid or the flu), plus a few doctor, vet, and PT appointments, and a stint watching the kids till late the night before one of my early wake up calls to granny-nanny. (I need a lot of sleep to keep up with those kids!)

Anyway, I didn’t get a lot of reading done, but I’m hoping this coming week is better.

>52 Storeetllr: ...seven times in a row now...

Better, healthier, restier days ahead, my dear Mary. *smooch*

>53 richardderus: Right?!? I guess it’s better than having it rain all week when folks are commuting, but EVERY weekend?

Thanks, Richard. I find I’m looking forward to winter break from school so their dad, who is a teacher, can be with the kids. (I love taking care of them, but having to get up at 5:45 AM on those days is killing me.)

Saturday smooches!

Happy Sunday, Mary. As much as I love my Jackson, being around him all day every day, could get tiring. I love my current schedule.

Bree just stopped by and picked up Sue. They are going to some local Halloween festivities. Jack is going to be dressed up as a LumberJack! 😁❤️

>55 msf59: A lumberjack! Love it. Photo please!

Yes, it does get a bit intense. And exhausting. Better too much than not enough though.

Those early hours would take some getting used to. At least you don't have a commute! :)

I hope you are feeling better today!

Hi Mary, I hope you are feeling better. My elder daughter and my granddaughter have come down with a bug as well. So far they have tested negative for Covid, but both are feeling poorly and warning all the "Grands" to stay well away.

Hope you are getting plenty of rest and get better soon!

I have heard so many great things about The Sparrow. One of these days...

>57 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! Hope you and John are feeling better and the crud called Covid is gone.

Yes, it’s rough, especially since I always seem to have trouble sleeping the nights before my early morning wake up calls. And though the commute isn’t long, those damn stairs are steep!!! 😆

>58 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. My doctor saw me and didn’t think it was anything to worry about, but she game me something that seemed to help.

Hope your daughter and grand are feeling better too! It’s so hard to stay away. I remember during the worst of the Covid pandemic reading stories about grandkids visiting with their grandparents on the other side of glass doors/windows. I felt so lucky to be living with mine so we didn’t have to do that.

>59 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita!

>60 BLBera: Oh, yes! It’s great but pretty intense. Hang you read anything by Russell?

No, I haven't. I have some of her books on my shelves though.

Happy Sunday, Mary. We had hosted a family party last night, celebrating Sue's upcoming birthday. Of course, we got to hang with Jackson again too. I have a lazy day planned for today. Books & football. I hope you are having a good weekend.

>65 BLBera: Oh, boy! You are in for a treat when you finally get to them! My two all time favorites are The Sparrow and Doc. I still haven’t read The Women of Copper Country, but I think I’ve read most of her other work. I look forward to your thoughts when you get to one of her books.

>66 msf59: Sounds like so much fun! Happy birthday wishes to Sue, and enjoy your lazy Sunday!

All my best wishes to Sue for a very happy birthday - and lots of energy for Jackson time!

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

Mini-reviews of the rest of the books I read in October.


🎃 91. The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey. 5 stars. Audio. Yep, just as stellar on the fourth or fifth reread as on the first. And still astonishing that a horror story about zombies could be so readable, much less 5-stars read. If you haven’t read this yet, give it a try. Because it’s so much more than just horror. 🧟



🎃 92. Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire. 4.5 stars. Audio. 👻 A fun and sometimes scary ghost story, but the fear is FOR this particular ghost, not OF her.



🎃93. A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. 5 stars. Kindle. Wonderful!



🎃94. Haunted Nights, a short horror story collection, edited by Eileen Datlow and Lisa Morton. 3.5 stars. Rec. by Delta Queen/Judy. As with all collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others.



🎃95. The Asylum Confessions by Jack Steen. 3 stars. Audio. The writing was a little rougher than the first book of the same title I read earlier this month, but the stories were just as gruesome. Sometimes the monsters are humans.

>70 richardderus: Thanks for visiting my lonely thread, Richard! *smooches*

It’s been a week, and it’s only Thursday. Between going to PT for my aching joints (it’s not helping) and watching the kids, one of whom (Ruby) is sick so couldn’t go to school yesterday and today, I am, as we used to say back in the day, wiped. I really want to get my October reading roundup done, so I’m going to push through the exhaustion to get that up. Then the crash can come. But, first, pictures.


Me and the kids in their Halloween trick-or-treating gear. Can you tell what the theme is this year? Maybe the next pic will help.


I swear, I must have watched that movie a dozen times in the past few weeks!

>41 Storeetllr: I know that I first learned of The Sparrow here on LT but I have no idea who recommended it because it has been so long ago at this point. Whoever it was, I owe them a huge favor as that book introduced me to the work of Mary Doria Russell.

Not sure when I will get to Murder Your Employer but hopefully soon! I need to finish getting caught up after being out of town for so long.

>71 Storeetllr: I went to add The Girl with All the Gifts to the BlackHole only to find it already there. My local library does not have a copy, so I am going to have to hunt further afield for it.

I meant to read the Zelasny book in October, but just never got to it. *sigh*

>73 Storeetllr: Love the pictures, Mary! Thanks for sharing them.

October Roundup:

I read 10 books in October, 9 of which were Halloween-themed and 6 of which were rereads. The one non-Halloween-themed book was Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King.

Favorite new book was Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes, which garnered 4.5 stars. Rec by Jim/drneutron.

Three 5-star rereads: The Sparrow, A Night in the Lonesome October, and The Girl With All the Gifts.

>75 Storeetllr: Excellent October! Given the stresses of the month it's impressive how much you got read. Jim got you with that fun read, did he? Abuse of group-running power much? Have a good slide into Turkey Holocaust time! *smooch*

>74 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia! Welcome back! I’ll get over to your thread to see what you posted about your trip, probably tomorrow. I loved seeing the meetup photo!

I look forward to your thoughts when you get around to reading Girl and Murder Your Employer. Have you already read Lonesome October? It’s an audiobook now, and I couldn’t help reading both that and the kindle versions.

>77 Storeetllr: No, I have not already read Lonesome October, which is one of the reasons that I was hoping to get to it. I took it with me while traveling but literally got no reading done when I was gone.

>76 richardderus: Hi, Richard! Yeah, he got me good and proper with that BB.

Not looking forward to the holiday season, starting with the Slaughter of the Turkeys. It’s always a madhouse around here, though the littles make it worthwhile. Mostly.

I admit to flitting through your thread the past few days without saying anything. I’ve been too tired to think of anything worthwhile to say, tbh. I’ll get over there and drop a comment tomorrow or Saturday.

>78 alcottacre: Well, that isn’t fun. I hope things settle down for you now and you can catch up on your reading.

>80 Storeetllr: No, it was not fun from a reading perspective, but from a game playing perspective, it was a terrific trip. My mother, and/or Catey, and I played 25 different games a total of 75 times. Family time is wonderful!

Ah! Well, then, I’d call that a success!

>82 Storeetllr: Not in some families maybe, but definitely a success in mine.

Happy Friday, Mary. LOVE the Halloween pics! Everyone looks great. I also loved The Girl With All the Gifts. I remember really warbling about that one. Have a good weekend.

Great picture of the family for Halloween, Mary! And you too, of course. I've never read anything by Stephen King - too scary for me, but I did see The Green Mile as a movie and loved it.

>83 alcottacre: As long as you had fun!

>84 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Halloween is their favorite holiday, even more than Christmas. They all—including the parents—go all out.

Yes, I don’t usually enjoy zombie-type horror, so your warbling might have been why I made an exception and read this one. So glad I did!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Me, I’m going to cast my early vote and then do a Trader Joe’s run. I’m almost out of frozen fruits that I need for my morning smoothies.

>85 vancouverdeb: Thanks! If you enjoyed The Green Mile and you haven’t already, watch Shawshank Redemption. It isn’t scary, and the acting and story are pretty wonderful.

Fabulous pictures of you and you family and grandchildren, Mary! I'm glad you have 3 five star reads in October. I hope you are feeling less exhausted and achy today.

>89 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much! I’m doing okay, so far. Tomorrow and Thursday are the kids from 7 am to 4 pm, so I’m just taking it easy today, resting up for that.

96. Holly by Stephen King. 4.5 stars. Audio. I had to stop about 80% of the way through because the tension was so high, but I went back and love the way it turned out. The subject matter was gruesome, but that’s to be expected with King—he’s either gruesome or terrifying. Or both. The story is set during the height of the pandemic, and I loved his take on Covid deniers and anti-vaxxers.

NOVEMBER 14! I can’t wait!

>92 Storeetllr: Bounce, bounce, pace, pace.....

>91 Storeetllr: Yeah, I just cannot do King's books. I cannot handle horror.

>92 Storeetllr: I pre-ordered the book the second I heard about it! I cannot wait either.

>93 quondame: Right?!? TWO more days!!!

>94 alcottacre: I get it. Horror isn’t for everyone. A few of King’s novels (The Green Mile and Shawshank are two) aren’t horror, unless you count human beingss mistreating others as horror. I also love his On Writing.

I ordered System Collapse as soon as I learned about it too. I also requested it from the library. Can’t wait!

I started doing another daily word puzzle, Blossom. Sometimes, depending on the letters, I don’t even break 200 points. Today, on the other hand:

Blossom Puzzle, November 10
Letters: A D E R I P S
My score: 318 points
My longest word: 9 letters
🌻 🏵 💐 💮 🌸 🌷 🌹 🌺 🌼

Play Blossom:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-games/blossom-word-game

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Mary!

>97 Storeetllr: - Thanks, Mary. I think! I just tried it and I got 201. It is very similar to the NYT game called Spelling Bee. ;-)

I'll have to try Blossom. I'll see how many points I can get.

>97 Storeetllr: That looks interesting. I will have to try it.

>91 Storeetllr: I am currently reading that one.

Happy Sunday!

>98 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! As I’m having a rough weekend where I can’t walk without enormous pain, all I can do is read. Silver lining. I’ve got 3 books going; it’s hard to focus, so I’m going back and forth.

>99 jessibud2: You’re welcome, Shelley, though I get why you aren’t quite sure about it. I could say the same to you since not I’ve got to try Spelling Bee, of course. 😄

201 isn’t a bad score, especially for the first time. After I finish the puzzle, I check out all the words and see which ones I *should* have gotten but didn’t. It’s enlightening.

>100 vancouverdeb: Have fun with it, Deb! It’s one of my favorites

>101 figsfromthistle: Hope you’re enjoying it, Anita. The puzzle too! Have a lovely day!

97. The Last Ranger by Peter Heller. 4 stars. Audio. I like Heller’s writing, and the descriptions of Yellowstone and the wolves, elk, and other animals that live there were beautiful. They made me want to go to the park and sorry I hadn’t visited when I lived in Colorado. The parts about the TSTL tourists and some of the whacko crap they get up to made me both chuckle and roll my eyes. I wasn’t as enamoured with the main characters and their story(ies), but I did enjoy the book as a whole, just not quite as much as the only other Heller I’ve read (The Dog Stars).

98. Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baltree. 4 stars. Audio. This was a prequel to Lattes and Legends, and seems like it might be the last of the stories of these wonderful characters we’ll get. I hope I’m wrong. In this one, a very young Viv is injured in a fight against the zombie army of a necromancer and is left by her company of mercenaries to recuperate in a small maritime village while they go after the necromancer. She’s not happy about being left behind but isn’t one to sit and mope. She makes friends with Fern, a ratkin who owns Thistleburr, a secondhand book store, as well as other well-fleshed out (and not) characters. Of course, high jinks ensue. Recommended.

99. System Collapse by Martha Wells. 5 stars. Audio and Kindle. Murderbot. What else needs to be said? Oh, right. ART. Murderbot and ART. And Three. And 2.0!!! Well, sort of. I’ve got to say, I’m with MB on the hating planets thing. I was almost—not bored, exactly, but definitely not as engaged as I should have been a third of the way through, with most of the action being about colonist and planets and blah blah blah. Then it all changed, and when MB channeled 2.0…. Well. I was crying happy tears by the time I finished. Kevin R. Free did a great job narrating, as usual. I know I’ll be rereading this soon.

>106 Storeetllr: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Mary!

>107 Storeetllr: I have that one here to read. Would you recommend reading it before Lattes and Legends or does it matter? I also have it.

>108 Storeetllr: I am glad to see that you enjoyed it so much! I will probably get to it in the next few days.

Hi, Stasia! I think read Legends first.

Hope you enjoy the Heller when you get to it.

I look forward to your thoughts on the new Murderbot when you get to it.

>108 Storeetllr: As expected, then...I'm hoarding my Murderbot time for when I need the ooomph it provides.

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Mary! *smooch*

I realized that I had played Blossom quite a few times in the past, Mary and have been playing each day, so far getting above 200 with my scores. It's a fun game.

>108 Storeetllr: OK, I've got to shut down RL and read!

>111 richardderus: It’s definitely good for that, but don’t wait too long to reacquaint yourself with Murderbot!

>112 vancouverdeb: Yay you for the good scores! For some reason, it’s turned into my favorite puzzle.

>113 quondame: Yes, you do! RL is overrated, tbh. 😁

Happy Sunday, Mary. How are those grandkids doing? It looks like the books are treating you well. Glad you liked the latest Heller. We had similar feelings about it. Have you read The River? That one was better.

>117 msf59: Hey, Mark! The grands are wonderful, and have been my one real source of joy for awhile. I’ll post some pics soon.

I have only read The Dog Stars and this one. I’ll put The River on my TBR list on your recommendation.

I better get over to your thread and see what Jackson has been getting up to. And you too, of course. 😉

So, I’ve been in a lot of pain lately—more than usual. Arthritis sucks, and getting old is not for the fainthearted.

For days last week, I could scarcely walk, the pain in my right knee was so intense. It even hurt when I was sitting and lying down. No idea why. It’s not like I had run any obstacle courses. Last Thursday, I finally gave up and got an injection in my right knee.

Oh! Sweet galaxy! The relief was almost instantaneous. So next week I’m getting one in my left knee, and my orthopedic surgeon has said he’ll do the left hip replacement in early summer (after my daughter’s job ends for summer break and she no longer needs me to watch the kids for her). (Just call me Bionic Woman. 😂) It will be an enormous relief to be able to move around and walk without pain and to go places with the kids.

In other health news, I got my annual flu shot and covid booster yesterday. A little reaction—chills and slight headache, but nothing an early night and 10 hours of sleep couldn’t cure.

Thank you for putting up with my babblings about my physical woes. Here’s a little recompense. Have a lovely Sunday and, for all who live in the States, a great holiday. To everyone else, have a relaxing week!


I love Ruby’s fearless fashion sense!


Rowan, giving Grandma’s walker a spin


My best girl

>91 Storeetllr: I haven't read Mr Mercedes yet. Can Holly be read as a stand alone?

>119 Storeetllr: These photos are great!

I'm sorry to read about the pain you've been in lately. I'm sure the hip replacement will be a great relief. If you don't mind me asking, was it a steroid injection that relieved the pain in your knee?

>120 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! Thanks, love looking at and posting pics of those kids!

Yes, a steroid injection. It is magic. I still have a little ache, deep inside the knee, but that should go away in time, I’m told. Dropping a few pounds will also help. I read that, for every pound of weight you lose, it takes 4 pounds of pressure off your knee joints. I’m aiming for 10 lbs. to start.

You could read Holly as a stand-alone, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Her behavior will make much more sense if you read the other books first. (Sorry.)

>119 Storeetllr: *baaawww* They're such adorable little ones!

The steroids work so brilliantly well on arthritic pain! So glad that you got some relief.

Have a lovely Sunday. *smooch*

>119 Storeetllr: Ruby could work as a Kid Fashion Influencer!

Thanks for brightening Sunday with your Photos and hope the pain relief lasts a long, long time.

Oh! Knees are treacherous joints. Absolutely nasty.

Gorgeous grandchildren! The look to be heading for real height.

>121 Storeetllr: Truly wonderful! Fixed my hip bursitis pain several years ago. (Not to mention Skye's hip arthritis this summer.) So glad that worked!

>122 richardderus: Thank you, Richard. They really are!

I wish all the pain was gone, but I’ll take the small amount that’s left with gratitude.

>123 m.belljackson: Haha, and I wouldn’t put it past her to figure out how to open a tictoc account and start posting. She loves performance art.

Thanks, Marianne. Me too!

>124 quondame: Right?!? I wish I had taken better care of them, though with arthritis there’s no way to remain completely pain free.

Yes, their dad is tall, and they seem to be taking after him in that department.

>125 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne! I didn’t know you’d had that problem. It hasn’t returned? That’s so great!

Saw this brightly lit book and plant lined entrance hall on one of the social media sites and fell in love.


I could live there.

Sorry to read about your pain, Mary. I'm glad you have some relief with the steroid injection. What darling grandchildren you have. Cherubs!

>130 Storeetllr: I would enjoy that too. And yes, I am guilty of having a sweet tooth.

I have been neglecting threads as the fall got much busier than I planned. Love the pictures of the family and glad to know the steroid injection helped. Stopping by to let you know I am grateful for you and our lovely LT community.

Happy Thanksgiving, Mary. Have a wonderful day with the family. Sorry, that you are having to deal with all this pain. I hope you get some relief.

>119 Storeetllr: I LOVE this photo! Perfect fall pic.

>130 Storeetllr: If the room at the end of the hall's a kitchen with a bath off it, and a bedroom next to us, me too.

Have a lovely day today, Mary! *smooch*

>130 Storeetllr: I love that, Mary.

Sorry to hear about your arthritis. I hope the shots help for a while at least.

>119 Storeetllr: Adorable.

My feelings about System Collapse were similar. Maybe shorter is better for the Murderbot stories?

Happy Thanksgiving, Mary. I hope your knees are feeling better. With arthritis I expect the winter weather won't help. Take care of yourself.

>131 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah! It’s a great relief, even if there’s still some free pain. At least i
I can walk! And that’s important when I’m taking care of those darling, energetic grandkids.

Heh. I’ve got one of those too.

>132 witchyrichy: Thank you, Karen. I’m guilty of that too, except my neglect was mostly my due to pain. I’m hoping to catch up on your (and everyone’s) thread(s) in the coming week. Happy Thanksgiving!

>133 msf59: thanks, Mark! I hope so too. Glad you like that picture! I do too. My daughter took it; she has an eye.

>134 richardderus: I think that’s the “mudroom,” or back entrance, so I think there’s probably a kitchen at the near end. Not sure about the bedroom, but I’d love that too!

Hope you are having a peaceful, lovely day!

>135 BLBera: Hi, Beth! Glad you like the pics.

I’m torn as to whether the MB books are better long or short. On the one hand, I can never get enough Murderbot. On the other hand, the shorter novellas seem to make Wells write tighter prose. This particular one is either a short novel or a long novella, and it may be that she meant the first somewhat tedious part to show the way MB experiences working with humans on a planet, if that makes sense.

>136 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! Yes, winter isn’t kind to these old joints. I’m hoping the steroidal injection works a long time.

100. Inheritance by Nora Roberts. 3 stars. After a bad breakup, graphic designer Sonia inherits a haunted mansion on the coast of Maine from an uncle she didn’t know she had. I enjoyed the “Lost Brides” ghost story aspect of it, but I ended up becoming a bit bored by the repetitions—how many times must we read she’s taking the dog out for a walk or how amazingly great her work is going? I also felt the romance wasn’t as strong as it usually is in a Nora Roberts romantic thriller. Worst of all, the book ends on a major cliffhanger with no resolution to any of the major or even minor plot threads. Although it is the first of a trilogy, to end in such an abrupt way was jarring—and not in a good way. I mean, Tolkien’s LOTR is five books (in a “trilogy”), and he managed to end each book on cliffhangers that didn’t leave you reeling with shock and frustration. Even so, it’s a Nora Roberts, so you know the writing, characterizations, descriptions of place and relationships, etc. are good. I will be reading the second in the trilogy, when it comes out, but this was a bit of a disappointment.

This is me, but also with books. And art supplies.

>141 Storeetllr: As action/conflict scenes don't appeal to me, I preferred the earlier sections of System Collapse more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

>145 quondame: MB has something for everybody! Glad you enjoyed it! I admit, after my reread (yes, I know the book’s only been out a little over a week, but I couldn’t resist), I enjoyed the first part more.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

>144 Storeetllr: Less stressful than burning walls like the meme has!

*smooch*

>108 Storeetllr: I love your enthusiasm for Murderbot, Mary. I am a big fan of ART as well. I was so surprised to find the series appealed to my eclectic books tastes. I have Fugitive Telemetry (No. 6?) downloaded to my phone for a short road trip Thursday evening. We are going to a company Christmas Party about an hour away. I do love listening to the books so it should make the drive go faster.

>117 msf59: I second Mark's recommendation of The River. As an artist, you would probably like The Painter as well.

Dang, that's rough about the pain you've been having. Hooray for steroid shots! It sounds like the summer hip replacement will be a more permanent fix, but in the meantime, take advantage of whatever gives you relief. My DH swears by his marijuana candy for his persistent back pain. He thinks they work better than the injections did.

Cute pictures of the kiddos! They are growing up so fast.

>148 Donna828: Hi, Donna! Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoyed Fugitive Telemetry. I did, though it's very different in that it contains a murder mystery. I love how it shows Murderbot finding a place for itself on Preservation Station. It actually is set before Network Effect, even though it was published after.

I've got The River on my TBR list for reading in 2024 (OMG can you believe it's already 2024

>149 Storeetllr: It's that time of year! I've been posting all the reviews for pretty illustrated giftie-type books that I've accumulated over the year. That also means I've been scouring the catalogs for pretty illustrated giftie-type books to do this for in '24.

...the third decade of the third millennium...how has this happened...

Well, I haven't been on LT for over a week except to add the few books I've read. Last week was a nightmare - I had the kids all five days, starting at 6:45 AM. Yes. 6:45 AM. *shudder* I love the kids to pieces, but I'm not built for that kind of strenuous activity anymore even if my right knee wasn't killing me.

Speaking of which, my doctor ordered an MRI to see why the right knee is so painful weeks after the steroid injection. I mean, it hurts intensely to walk on it, but also to just move it the wrong way, which wakes me up at night, and then it throbs when I take my weight off it too. I hope there's nothing too terribly wrong with it, but, if there is, I hope they can fix it.

Anyway, I'm back to my usual two days a week of granny-nannying, which seems like a vacation, tbh.


Ruby loves face painting. Here she is, dressed up as Wednesday Addams, though I personally think she looks more like Fruma Sarah from Fiddler on the Roof.


Rowan swimming through the leaves.

101. Sovereign by C. J. Sansom. 5 stars. Audio. I read this back in around 2006, in hardback. It was one of my favorite books of the year, but I haven’t reread it since. Recently, I needed to use an Audible credit, so I used it to buy the audio of Sovereign. I loved it as much in audio as in text. This is the third book of the Mathew Shardlake Tudor mystery series. It tells, in graphic detail, of the (mis)adventures of a hunchback lawyer who is sent by Archbishop Cranmer to join the Great Procession of Henry VIII to York during his ill-fated marriage to Katherine Howard and perform two tasks, one of which is to be kept secret. While there, he is mocked by Henry, witnesses the death of a glazier which turns out to have been murder, is attacked a number of times, is lambasted by local officials, and is set up by his arch-enemy Richard Rich. I vaguely recalled the story, but mostly it was all new to me. Highly recommended.

November Round-Up

Total Books Read-6

Mystery-3
-Historical-1
-Contemporary-2
Fantasy-1
Scifi-1
Romantic Thriller-1

Favorite of the Month (new book that gave me the most pleasure):

System Collapse by Martha Wells. 5 stars. Audio and Kindle. Murderbot.

I don't usually include rereads as Favorite of the Month, but this month I make an exception for:

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom. 5 stars. Audio.

>150 richardderus: Hi, Richard! I'll be over to see what you've been up to later. First, I must run some errands before this afternoon gets away from me as the past two days have done.

Yes, we're in the middle of the third decade of the third millennium. Yikes!

What cute grandchildren, Mary. Sorry that your knee is still hurting so much, even after the steroid shot. I hope the MRI will shed some light on what is causing the problem and they can do something helpful about the pain.

Books read so far in December:



102. The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger. 4 stars. Audio. Interesting treatise on the differences between the Hero’s Journey and the Heroine’s Journey in literature and why they both matter. Also enjoyed her take on one reason you want to throw some books against the wall.



102. Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown. 3.5 stars. Audio. In this scifi novella, a starship trying to return to Earth after fleeing their failed colony is beset by mutineers and besieged by a mysterious deadly force, while the captain is holed up in his cabin, leaving his daughter the first mate in charge, aided by an advanced robot. A little confusing in places but a good read overall.



103. A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather. 4 stars. Audio. It’s the late 1600s in a London still reeling from plague and The Great Fire. A midwife’s apprentice chronicles the births she attends, too many of which are resulting in terribly deformed babies. Alternate history with magic.

>155 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb. I think they’re adorable (most of the time). Always glad others think they’re cute too.

I hope so. I’m waiting to learn if Medicare will authorize the MRI. If not, I don’t know what I’ll do. I mean, it’s hard to stand, much less walk. Even lying in bed hurts and often wakes me up if I move the wrong way.

>129 Storeetllr: Nope, it hasn't returned. I have pain if I shovel or sweep or rake too much though, but it goes away in a few days.

I'm sorry to read that you're still in pain. You'd think Medicare would cover it.

>151 Storeetllr: Lol, that is quite a look! Do you have a local kids theater group?

Happy to see such lovely faces; sad to read that this knee issue just won't quit; sending a big *smooch*

>158 Copperskye: Glad to hear the procedure worked for you and Skye! It worked for my left knee, but not my right. Weird.

Medicare is a mess. It’s great if you’re only going in for annual check ups and other ordinary things, but I’ve found they don’t like paying for more specialist-type procedures. Also, it matters where the procedure is to take place. They wouldn’t approve a procedure (that requires me to be driven and picked up) at the hospital that’s a half block from my house, but they did approve the same procedure at a surgical center in New Jersey. WTF?

Haha, yes, she’s taking after her actor mom (and dad), but she’s still too shy to act in front of a bunch of strangers. Maybe in a couple of years. I just hope I’m still alive to see her name in lights. 😂

>159 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! I appreciate your support and smooches! Hugs.

>160 Storeetllr: That's ridiculous! I'm at the age where I just had to sign up for Medicare. Still waiting over a month to be approved, though, and starting to get a little anxious about it.

There was a story on NBC's Nightly News tonight about Medicare Advantage not covering some procedures that would be covered by traditional Medicare, causing huge losses for rural hospitals and problems for patients.

I thought Medicare Advantage was a scam. No?

I had Medicare Advantage for 9 years, and it was okay for the first 7, since I didn’t have any big health issues, except that MRIs, xrays, etc. have a big copay. Then I had heart surgery, which cost me a bundle, and then I needed to see an orthopedist, and there were none on the plan in my area so I’d have had to travel a long way to get treatment. Plus, physical therapy cost like $20 (or maybe it was $35, I don’t recall) per session. And, finally, they wouldn’t pay the small allowance for my eyeglasses, which I got from the eye doctor who was on the plan, because his dispensary wasn't on the plan. Yes, imo, unless you’re in perfect health, it’s a scam.

This year, I switched to Medicare, with a secondary supplemental policy that costs a lot, but it basically picks up all the costs Medicare doesn’t cover except a $20 copay to see a doctor.

Medicare isn’t perfect either. I’m still waiting to hear if they’ve authorized the MRI on my knee. I mean, seriously. I wouldn’t get the test if it wasn’t necessary. The doctor needs it to figure out why I cannot walk.

If I sound bitter, I am. And frustrated.

>162 Copperskye: That’s crazy! There should be no question about being approved.

I’ll have to see if I can find that NBC News segment, though it’s not really news to me.

>163 reconditereader: Yes, more or less. Corporate greed.

Still, $35 per physical therapy session is a pretty good discount. They're more than that here.

Hi Mary, I am sorry that the knee difficulties are continuing. I hope you get the approval you need for the MIR. My thoughts and hopes are with you.

>167 reconditereader: I guess, depending. My Rx is for 2-3 sessions per week. There’s no way I could have afforded that and, you know, bought food and paid the rent. Medicare and the secondary supplemental insurance pay 100%, no limits. I think there were a limited number of sessions allowed per year on the Advantage plan.

>168 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. As I told my son in law tonight, getting old is not for the faint of heart. 😉

Murderbot is being adapted for TV!!!

Not sure exactly what I think about it, but I’ve got so many emotions right now, I need to go stare at a wall for awhile.



https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/apple-murderbot-series-alexander-skarsgard-1235...

I'm sorry that you are having to wait for the MRI, and that it would cost so much to do it privately. I hope you can get it done soon. Sometimes I think our system is not good enough, but then my husband fell about 5 years ago. He drove home and told me - I need to go to emergency now! So off we went, and we had to wait 4 hours in the ER, which was too long. But when he finally saw the doctor, they gave him an IV morphine drip for the pain. They did an X ray and nothing showed, so the doctor said , we'll do a CT scan because Dave was in so much pain. So they did both a CT scan and an MRI , and found two fractured ribs and 4 fractured spiny processes. ( I had to look up spinal processes too ) . Anyway, they kept him in hospital for pain management for several days, and it took about 6 or more weeks to fully recover to got back to work. Cost was zero, but we did have to pay for the crutches he needed.

>171 Storeetllr: All the YAY, amirite?????

*smooch* for a quicker, closer MRI

>171 Storeetllr: It will be interesting to see how the TV version turns out. I hope they don't wreck it.

>172 vancouverdeb: Oof, that’s a long time to sit in Emergency in bad pain! At least he got it taken care of and they didn’t send him home with an Rx for aspirin or the like.

I’m getting the MRI today. Thing is, a couple of days ago, the worst of the pain subsided. For no reason. Just that it was throbbing the night before and in the morning it only hurt a little to walk. I wasn’t sure whether to still get the MRI or not, but I decided to go for it anyway. Worse that can happen is it turns out to have been a really bad case of inflammation.

>173 richardderus: I’m not sure, Richard. It could be amazing, or it could be amazingly awful. An adaptation of MB will be tricky. So much of the action (and the charm) is internal.

Thanks, getting it done today. Wish me luck!

>174 BLBera: Same here, Beth. It would be so easy to mess it up beyond salvage. But it could be amazing if done right. As I said to Richard, tricky.

>176 Storeetllr: *LUCKLUCKLUCK*

*smooch*

104. One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley. 3.5 stars. I think the main plot device put me off. It was a little too close to the bone, as my paternal grandma, dad, and uncle had dementia, and my maternal aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimers. (Every time I forget where I left my keys or can’t pull up the word I want, I am sure it’s the first sign of the disease.) Also, I didn’t like any of the characters, including the MC. There was just something off about her, and I don’t mean her memory problems. Still, it was an intriguing enough mystery to keep me reading. Thanks to Joanne for recommending it.

>178 richardderus: YES!

😘

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and peace in the new year.

>181 Storeetllr: And also to you, Mary

I hope the pain in your knee has subsided.

Happy Holidays, Mary! Best to you over the Season and in the New Year.

Merry Christmas, Mary. Have a great holiday with the family and give those grandkids plenty of loving. Hooray for the upcoming Murderbot series. I hope they don't blow it.

>181 Storeetllr: Beautiful, Mary, the sentiment and the artwork. *smooch*

>182 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita! The knee pain has subsided some, but it’s still there. I hope to learn soon if the MRI I had last week shows anything or if the pain is all in my head. (It’s not, though I wouldn’t be shocked if it was “just” inflammation.)

Enjoy the holidays!

>183 vancouverdeb: Thanks so much, Deb! I hope your holidays are filled with fun and joy!

>184 msf59: Thank you, Mark! You know I will! I’m so excited to watch the kids open their presents, I’m setting my alarm for 5 AM so I can. (Yes, that is true love. 😂)

I’m crossing my fingers for the Murderbot adaptation. It could all go horribly wrong, but if it is done right? It would be incredible!!!

Merry Christmas!

>185 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Glad you like it. It came from my heart. *hugs*

>188 ronincats: Beautiful, Roni! Merry Christmas to you too!

Saw this on Bluesky (another Twitter-wanna-be) and thought you all would enjoy it too.



I also really like Amy’s description of what The Murderbot Diaries is all about at its core.

Merry Christmas, Mary!

Thinking about you during the festive season, Mary

*smooch*

Hi Mary!

Thanks for the Christmas wishes, Susan, Paul, Richard, NC Karen, and VA Karen! Hope your holiday festivities were fabulous!

I had an interesting Christmas. Woke at around 5 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep as I wanted to be up to see the kids unwrap their presents, and they usually get up between 6 and 7 (my poor daughter). So I made coffee and toast and waited till 7 when Ruby woke, then went upstairs. (Unsurprisingly, they both loved opening their gifts. More on that later.)

Instead of a big Christmas dinner, my daughter decided on a big Christmas brunch. It worked out great, as I was able to get in a nice nap after. Then we all went to the movie theater to see Migration. The kids loved it, mostly, though parts of it were scary. And, I thought, a bit violent. They really liked the bathroom humor. I mean, these were birds, so there was a lot of that.

It was louder than it needed to be, and now I remember why I don’t like to go out to the movies. Though I did enjoy watching the kids—it was Rowan’s first time—and the 🍿.

We came home and had take-out Chinese, which was a perfect ending to the day.

Next day, I rested all day after all the activity. And my poor knees after all the walking and stair climbing! I think I’m going to be relaxing today too.

Ruby’s favorite presents: a lighted vanity with bench, makeup, face paint, clip on earrings, rainbow butterfly wings, and new clothes (especially the twirly dress).


Wearing some of her favorite things.

Rowan loved opening his presents. He was, in fact, very intense and focused. He got a lot of books, plus a set of MagnaTiles with cranes (from me because we often stop and watch the cranes work after we drop Ruby off at school, and he loves it), a train set, and a basketball hoop with three 🏀s, among other things.



It was so sweet: he’d start opening a present, then look over at me and yell, “Mimi!” as if he didn’t want me to miss a thing.

Here’s one of my presents from the kids, an annual favorite.

Just a couple more days! Not sure I’ll finish any more books before the year ends, but I’ve got a couple going, so who knows. Here are my latest reads:


104. How to Survive in Medieval England by Toni Mount. 4.5 stars. Interesting facts showing what life was like for folks of all classes and social strata in the time of the Plantagenet kings presented in a fun, interesting manner. It sure brings the 12th-15th centuries alive! Let’s just say I love to read about that time period, but I sure wouldn’t want get to live then. Not sure I’d even want to time travel to then.


105. The Dead City by John Scalzi. 3.5 stars. Very short preface to a sword and sorcery fantasy series that I haven’t read yet.


106. The B-Team by John Scalzi. 4 stars. Someone blows up the spaceship carrying a very important diplomatic mission, and a second tier team is sent in to try and salvage the mission. Really good, and I hope it’s the start of a new series.


107. Uncanny Times by Laura Anne Gilman. 3.5 stars. Historical urban fantasy. Rosemary and Aaron Harker, a sister and brother, hunt uncanny monsters in America in the early 1900s.

Great pictures of your grandchildren, Mary. We also got a calendar of our grandchildren, though I have not posted any pictures yet. How to Survive in Medieval England sounds interesting, and I like the cover.

Hi Mary, it looks like you had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with our younger daughter and her husband and then Christmas Day with other daughter and her family. Even though they are so grown up now, I always enjoy spending time with our two grandchildren.

>202 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb! I love those little faces so much! It makes e happy to post them and then see them when I’m scrolling through my thread. I look forward to seeing your pics when you get around to posting them.

I really enjoyed the book on life in Medieval England. The author is apparently a well-known historian, so I’m pretty sure the descriptions are accurate, though some are head-scratchers. The cover’s great, isn’t it!

>203 DeltaQueen50: So glad you had a lovely holiday, Judy!

It must be wonderful to spend time with your grandkids. I hope I’m still around to see how mine turn out!

Whatever you do (or don’t do) on New Year’s Eve, enjoy!

>206 Storeetllr: I am wearing my flannel pajama pants that I have had on all day! That way, I will be ready for bed at 9 pm.

Happy new year!

>207 witchyrichy: haha. I would be doing that too except my heat wouldn’t come on all morning so I ordered a space heater and am going out to pick it up. Then I’ll be getting back in my jammies or maybe my sweats. Bed at nine sounds perfect!

Happy New Year to you too, Karen!

I have a new great-niece! Born on 123123! What a wonderful ending to what has been a difficult year.

>209 Storeetllr: Congratulations! And to the parents and grandparents of the new one!

>209 Storeetllr: Congratulations to you and all the family, Mary!

Hi Mary. It sounds like your Christmas was amazing. Love the pictures of the kiddos, especially the butterfly wings I want some of those! I know this has been a stressful time for you with your various pains. I hope next year brings much improvement in your health. XXXOOO

>210 quondame: >211 FAMeulstee: Thanks so much, Susan and Anita! It was a long hard labor, and my niece had some problems after the birth, but she’s okay now—except very tired—and the baby is doing great.

Hi Mary. My brother was also a new year's eve baby but different year, lol. Glad all is well with your niece and baby.

Here's to a better 2024 for us all!

>212 Donna828: Thanks so much, Donna.

Yes! Those butterfly wings are da bomb! Rowan got a set of colorful silk play scarves, and I want a set of those too.

>214 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley! How was it for your brother growing up? I was always glad to have a summer birthday far from any holidays.

Your mouth to God’s ears!

Last book of the year. I finished it after midnight but before I went to sleep, so I’m counting it for 2023.



108. Uncanny Vows by Laura Anne Gilmore. 3 stars. Audio. Second in the series, and not as strong as the first. I usually like the MFC best when there is a duo, but, in this case, I really do prefer the brother. The sister seems too concerned about what others think of her, and also that her feelings for her brother, which she says are strong, seem a bit wobbly. Anyway, in this one they’re going after another monster, which turns out to be a misunderstood creature that actually did have to be destroyed because it was not willing to listen to reason and stop killing innocent people, most of whom were jerks, but that isn’t a reason to kill them (well, most of the time). Also, I don’t really like the narrative device of alternating chapters between a male and a female narrator. There doesn’t seem to be any good reason for it: it’s not like it’s first person. Anyway I’ll continue with the series if there is more to come.

Congratulations!

>218 witchyrichy: Thanks, Karen. I had nothing to do with it, but I’m basking in the wonder of it. 😂

>216 Storeetllr: - It's a funny story about my brother's birth. My parents were actually at a new years eve party when my mother went into labour. For both him and me, she apparently had fast labours. She made it to the hospital and gave birth before the clock struck 12!

As far as growing up, my parents' anniversary was on Dec. 30 but they always celebrated on New year's Eve. I don't think it bothered my brother. He always had his birthday party and all a kid cares about is presents and cake anyhow, right? lol

>220 jessibud2: haha, that’s a heck of a story all right! I’m just glad your brother got his own special day growing up and didn’t have to share it with any other celebration.

End of year review. It’s going to be simple: I read 108 “new” books (some were rereads of books i read awhile ago), and 12 comfort rereads that I didn’t count, though I think I should have because I actually paid attention to them. Oh, well, I’ll leave it as is.

Here are my favorite books of the year—a Baker’s Dozen, the origin of which phrase I learned from How to Survive in Medieval England, one of the books on the following list of favorites.

Top Book of the Year:

Broken (in the Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson. 5 stars. Audio. I ask myself how a gut-wrenching book about a woman’s struggle with anxiety and depression made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt and tears ran down my face. Memoir.

The rest aren’t in any particular order:

Slow Time Between the Stars by John Scalzi. 5 stars. Audio. Short story. Scifi.

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn. 4.5 stars. Historical mystery.

Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. 4.5 stars. Audio. Mystery thriller.

Holly by Stephen King. 4.5 stars. Audio. Horror thriller.

System Collapse by Martha Wells. 5 stars. Audio and Kindle. Murderbot. Scifi

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom. 5 stars. Audio. Reread. Historical fiction.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. 5 stars. Kindle. Reread. Scifi.

How to Survive in Medieval England by Toni Mount. 4.5 stars. History.

The World in a Grain by Vince Beiser. 4.5 stars. Audio. Nonfiction

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. 4.5 stars. Audio. Fantasy.

A Brief History of Black Holes by Dr. Becky Smethurst. 4 stars. Audio. Science/Astrophysics

The Magnolia Sword by Sherry Thomas 4.5 stars. Audio. YA romantic adventure.

My 2024 thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/356636#n8337942. Come on over and say hi! Cheers!