Katie’s Reading - Chapter 20

Detail from our Christmas tree, and the picture I used for our holiday cards...

____________________________________

For anyone new to my thread, I’m Katie: reader, wine drinker, food appreciator, shenanigan-ator, and non-sufferer of fools. I live outside New York City with my husband, "The" Wayne, our cat, Leonard, and our dog, Nuala/Noodles.

My reading varies widely - I love genre fiction (romance and crime), contemporary and historical fiction, and narrative nonfiction. I try to balance my reading in all these areas. I also use my thread as a bit of a life journal, which mostly means I talk about what I’m cooking, eating, drinking, watching, doing, and avoiding doing.

Thanks for being here!

Currently Reading
(Print) (Audio)

BOOKS COMPLETED

Books Off My Shelf: 63
Books Off My Kindle: 21
Books from Audible/Chirp: 33
Library Loans (print/e-books/audios): 84
Friend Loan: 1

DECEMBER
202. Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry (4.5 stars)
201. Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey (4.25 stars)
200. Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie (3 stars)
199. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (audio) (3.5 stars)
198. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (audio) (3.25 stars)
197. Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders (audio) (3.5 stars)
196. Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan (5 stars)
195. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs (3.25 stars)
194. Miracle on Fifth Avenue by Sarah Morgan (3.75 stars)
193. Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak (audio) (4 stars)
192. The Waterworks by E.L. Doctorow (3 stars)
191. The Case of the Canterfell Codicil by P.J. Fitzsimmons (audio) (3 stars)
190. Love, Holly by Emily Stone (4 stars)
189. The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Hay (3 stars)
188. Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty (audio) (3.75 stars)
187. The Chimes by Charles Dickens (audio) (2 stars)
186. 25 Days 'Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander (4 stars)
185. The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen (audio) (3.75 stars)
184. Breaking Night by Liz Murray (3.25 stars)

Did Not Finish (YTD)
Tease by Amanda Maciel
The Other by Thomas Tryon
Sleep, Pale Sister by Joanne Harris
A Stolen Tongue by Sheri Holman
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
Enchanted August by Brenda Bowen
The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Under Our Roof by Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane

Q4 COMPLETIONS

NOVEMBER
183. Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse by Faith Sullivan (3.5 stars)
182. Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty (audio) (4.5 stars)
181. Marry in Scandal by Anne Gracie (4 stars)
180. The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse (audio) (3.75 stars)
179. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb (4 stars)
178. A Shoe Story by Jane L. Rosen (audio) (2.5 stars)
177. True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop by Annie Darling (4.5 stars)
176. In the Morning I'll Be Gone by Adrian McKinty (audio) (4.25 stars)
175. The Last Chance Christmas Ball by Various Authors (3 stars)
174. Hazards of Time Travel by Joyce Carol Oates (2.5 stars)
173. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin (audio) (4 stars)
172. A Christmas Journey by Anne Perry (audio) (3.25 stars)
171. Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood (audio) (5 stars)
170. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh (4 stars)
169. A Bookshop Christmas by Rachel Burton (audio) (4.25 stars)
168. What We Remember Will Be Saved by Stephanie Saldana (4.25 stars)
167. Chasing Jillian by Julie Brannagh (2.75 stars)
166. I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty (audio) (3.75 stars)

OCTOBER
165. My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith (audio) (3 stars)
164. 1979 by Val McDermid (3.5 stars)
163. Macbeth by A.J. Hartley and David Hewson (audio) (4 stars)
162. Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer (3.75 stars)
161. Scatterlings by Resoketswe Manenzhe (audio) (3.5 stars)
160. The Year of Second Chances by Lara Avery (4 stars)
159. How Can I Help You by Laura Sims (4.5 stars)
158. The Cold, Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty (audio) (4 stars)
157. The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn (3.75 stars)
156. Cabin Fever by Michael Smith and Jonathan Franklin (3.5 stars)
155. The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass (audio) (3.5 stars)
154. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (audio) (4.5 stars)
153. The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary (3.5 stars)
152. A Week To Be Wicked by Tessa Dare (4 stars)
151. Let's Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry (audio) (3.75 stars)
150. American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell (4 stars)

Q3 COMPLETIONS

SEPTEMBER
149. Clothes Make the Girl (Look Fat?) by Brittany Gibbons (Audio) (3 stars)
148. Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti (3.5 stars)
147. Stickle Island by Tim Orchard (3.5 stars)
146. Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen (audio) (3.5 stars)
145. The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn et. al. (3 stars)
144. Planes, Trains, and All the Feels by Livy Hart (audio) (4.25 stars)
143. My Antonia by Willa Cather (4 stars)
142. Oksana, Behave! by Maria Kuznetsova (audio) (4.5 stars)
141. The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner (3.75 stars)
140. Nora Webster by Colm Toibin (4.5 stars)
139. This Other Eden by Paul Harding (audio) (4.25 stars)
138. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee (audio) (4 stars)
137. Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee (4 stars)
136. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby (4 stars)
135. The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews (audio) (3.5 stars)
134. The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland (audio) (4.25 stars)
133. Middletown, America by Gail Sheehy (3.5 stars)
132. Just Your Type by SKye McDonald (3.5 stars)
131. Sunset in Central Park by Sarah Morgan (3 stars)

AUGUST
130. State of the Union by Nick Hornby (3.5 stars)
129. Bootstrapper by Mardi Jo Link (audio) (2.5 stars)
128. The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan (3.75 stars)
127. The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai (4.5 stars)
126. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen (3 stars)
125. Congratulations, the Best is Over! by R. Eric Thomas (audio) (4 stars)
124. The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat (3.5 stars)
123. The Road to Lichfield by Penelope Lively (4 stars)
122. Marilou is Everywhere by Sarah Elaine Smith (audio) (4 stars)
121. These Days by Lucy Caldwell (4.5 stars)
120. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich (4.5 stars)
119. Ramona's World by Beverly Cleary (audio) (3.5 stars)
118. Her Royal Happiness by Lola Keeley (audio) (3 stars)
117. Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (3.5 stars)
116. Prom Mom by Laura Lippman (4 stars)
115. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (4 stars)
114. Anonymous Sources by Mary Louise Kelly (4 stars)

JULY
113. California by Edan Lepucki (3.25 stars)
112. Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary (audio) (4 stars)
111. Maeve in America by Maeve Higgins (audio) (3.75 stars)
110. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (4.5 stars)
109. Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher (audio) (4 stars)
108. Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen (3.75 stars)
107. Ghost of the Innocent Man by Benjamin Rachlin (4.5 stars)
106. Browsings by Michael Dirda (audio) (3.75 stars)
105. A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey (3.5 stars)
104. Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen (audio) (3.25 stars)
103. Little Chapel on the River by Gwendolyn Bounds (4 stars)
102. Larry's Party by Carol Shields (4.5 stars)
101. Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay (audio) (3.5 stars)
100. Old Baggage by Lissa Evans (4.25 stars)
99. Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris (4 stars)
98. Mapping the Edge by Sarah Dunant (4.25 stars)

Q2 COMPLETIONS

JUNE
97. The Not So Nice Girl by Skye McDonald (3.5 stars)
96. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (audio) (4.5 stars)
95. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick (4 stars)
94. Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich and Leanne Banks (audio) (3.25 stars)
93. The Bride by Julie Garwood (3.5 stars)
92. Husband Material by Emily Belden (audio) (3 stars)
91. Our Kind by Kate Walbert (4 stars)
90. The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrick (4 stars)
89. I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell (audio) (4.25 stars)
88. The Librarian by Salley Vickers (3.5 stars)
87. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers (4 stars)
86. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (5 stars)
85. The Swallows' Flight by Hilary McKay (audio) (3.5 stars)
84. The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski (3.25 stars)
83. Bereft by Chris Womersley (4.25 stars)
82. All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay (3.25 stars)
81. Death Is Hard Work by Khaled Khalifa (3.5 stars)
80. Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams (3.75 stars)

MAY
79. Home by Toni Morrison (4 stars)
78. Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward (3.75 stars)
77. Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier (3.75 stars)
76. To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie (4 stars)
75. Happy Place by Emily Henry (3.5 stars)
74. Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary (audio) (4 stars)
73. American Ramble by Neil King, Jr. (4.25 stars)
72. Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (3.25 stars)
71. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb (3.75 stars)
70. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey (4 stars)
69. Gross Anatomy by Mara Altman (audio) (3.5 stars)
68. The Last Remains by Elly Griffith (3.75 stars)
67. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (3.5 stars)

APRIL
66. Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary (3.5 stars) (audio)
65. Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen (4 stars)
64. Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary (audio) (3.5 stars)
63. Nemesis by Skye McDonald (4 stars)
62. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette (audio) (4.5 stars)
61. Black Girl/White Girl by Joyce Carol Oates (3.5 stars)
60. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (3.75 stars)
59. The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams (audio) (3.25 stars)
58. The Art of Losing by Rebecca Connell (4 stars)
57. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson (4.5 stars)
56. The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent (4 stars)
55. The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams (audio) (4 stars)
54. Shopgirl by Steve Martin (4.25 stars)
53. Beloved by Toni Morrison (4.5 stars)
52. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey (4 stars)
51. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (audio) (4.5 stars)
50. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (3.25 stars)

Q1 COMPLETIONS

MARCH
49. Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone (audio) (4.5 stars)
48. Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen (audio) (3.5 stars)
47. Off the Record by Skye McDonald (3.75 stars)
46. The Father and the Foreigner by Giancarlo De Cataldo (3 stars)
45. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn (3 stars)
44. Little Criminals by Gene Kerrigan (4.25 stars)
43. All the Feels by Olivia Dade (audio) (4 stars)
42. Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman (4 stars)
41. Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary (audio) (3.25 stars)
40. Before We Visit the Goddess by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (audio) (3.5 stars)
39. I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (4.5 stars)
38. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (audio) (3.75 stars)
37. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (3.5 stars)
36. IQ by Joe Ide (audio) (4 stars)
35. Doc by Mary Doria Russell (4.25 stars)

FEBRUARY
34. The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich (audio) (2 stars)
33. Rachel to the Rescue by Elinor Lipman (3.5 stars)
32. A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost (audio) (4.25 stars)
31. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (audio) (4 stars)
30. We the Animals by Justin Torres (4 stars)
29. Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King (3.5 stars)
28. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster (audio) (5 stars)
27. Darling Jim by Christian Moerk (3.5 stars)
26. Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare (4 stars)
25. His Favorites by Kate Walbert (audio) (3.75 stars)
24. Sam by Allegra Goodman (4.25 stars)
23. The Alchemy of Us by Ainissa Ramirez (audio) (4 stars)
22. The Hollow Land by Jane Gardam (3.5 stars)
21. Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell (audio) (4 stars)
20. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquival (3.5 stars)
19. The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry (3.75 stars)
18. The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson (audio) (3.5 stars)

JANUARY
17. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary (audio) (3 stars)
16. Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn (4.5 stars)
15. Murder at an Irish Wedding by Carlene O'Connor (audio) (3 stars)
14. I Came All This Way to Meet You by Jami Attenberg (4.25 stars)
13. Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson (3 stars)
12. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (audio) (4.5 stars)
11. The Mammy by Brendan O'Carroll (4 stars)
10. I'll Be Your Blue Sky by Marisa De los Santos (audio) (3.5 stars)
09. My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Florin (3 stars)
08. A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie (audio) (2.75 stars)
07. Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson (4 stars)
06. The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath (3.75 stars)
05. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy (audio) (3.5 stars)
04. The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys (4.5 stars)
03. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (3.5 stars)
02. Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach (audio) (4 stars)
01. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (audio) (3.5 stars)

My Ratings (revised, once again, as I continue the fruitless search for the perfect scale...)

2 stars = Whyyyyyy?
3 stars = Eh, ok.
4 stars = Definitely worth the time.
5 stars = Perfect *for me*

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

Next one's yours...

You've read A LOT of books this year! Is that a typical number for you or has it been a particularly prolific year?

>8 japaul22: - Hi Jennifer!

Definitely not a typical number. I think the most I've read in a year since joining LT was around 130? Usually it's closer to 100, I think. But I've been doing a lot of jigsaw puzzling, which is when I listen to audiobooks, so that's increased the number a lot. And some shorter stuff. But mostly it's due to not being very productive in other areas of my life ;-)

Your tree looks beautiful, Katie.

From your previous thread: When I told Scout we were going to the Guthrie Theater to see A Christmas Carol, she asked, "Will there be Muppets? As far as she is concerned the Muppet version of almost anything is the definitive version. :)

Oh, Happy new thread.

>10 BLBera: - I can't argue with Scout! Smart girl :)

Thanks re: our tree - it is very happy-making.

The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Hay

The murder of a family patriarch during a large family Christmas celebration... This could have been a good one, but the large cast of characters was a bit difficult to sort out at first, and it felt like Hay just relied on the chaos of having so many people in an enclosed space to cloak the perpetrator and motive. Add to that that several people initially lied about certain details, and the resolution fell very flat as a result, and kind of lame. There wasn't really any cleverness to the plot, which was disappointing.

3 stars

Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty

In this one, Sean Duffy is caught up in a crime involving Finnish electronics executives, a castle courtyard, a crusading reporter, and child sex abuse. As usual, there is a lot going on and the best parts of the book are Sean reflecting on the reality of living in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and his loyal sidekick, McCrabben. I love Crabby.

This isn't my favorite of the series, but I do like how it ends, and McKinty doesn't miss a beat in continuing to portray a flawed but essentially good man.

3.75 stars

* This concludes my re-visit of the first 5 in the series. I've not read #6 or the newly released #7. I'm debating in what format to tackle the next one. I love these on audio, but I think I was able to follow them pretty well because I was vaguely familiar with what would happen, having read them first in print. What to do, what to do...

Boy Howdy! That's one hell of a reading list. Puts you in the league of Stasia and Chatterbox. *Fist Pump*

>1 katiekrug: Happy new one, Katie. LOVE the ornament! :) and WOW 183!! I'm most impressed. My internal goal was 100 but I'm quite sure I'm not going to make it this year.

Skimmed right past Rain Dogs because I just requested it from the library. There was only one copy in the system and it was at another branch, but there were no holds. I assumed I'd get it in a day or two but when I looked at it again it was checked out! From the dates it looks like someone must have swooped into the branch and snagged it just before I submitted my hold request. I've never had that happen before.

New 🧵 orisons, Katie. I love that message to Santa!

*snort* ignoring the fact that you've got premature festivitis, that decoration is excellent.
Happy new thread.

>14 weird_O: - Hardly in their league, Bill, but thanks :)

>15 RebaRelishesReading: - I think I've mentioned that I actually hope to read a bit less next year, Reba, because (A) I'd like to tackle some longer books; and (B) there are other things that I should be doing with my copious amounts of free time!

>16 lauralkeet: - Ooof, what timing, Laura! I'm sure you'll enjoy it when it finally comes your way.

>17 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

>18 Helenliz: - Premature?!?! It's only 2 weeks away! I firmly believe if I am going to all the trouble of decorating and putting up a tree and hanging ornaments, it should be enjoyed for as long as possible :D

>19 katiekrug: Family tradition is that decorations don't go up until 23rd, so yes, you're early. >;-)

I tend to take the decorations down in the new year, usually before I go back to work, so they're up for a good 10 days, that's long enough. And short enough that the tree's not dropped all its needles all over the carpet...

Happy new thread, Katie!

Happy new thread, Katie. The ornament on your tree has attitude!

From your last thread re insurance So everyone in BC has the same insurance company? Is that true in every province? No most provinces have private insurance companies. BC and Saskatchewan have government based insurance schemes for basic insurance which means there are fewer uninsured vehicles on the road. In BC you can also have your optional auto insurance with ICBC.

>20 Helenliz: - We're usually gone for a week around Christmas, so we lose that time to enjoy the festive glow at home :)

>21 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita!

>22 Familyhistorian: - Thanks for the info about the insurance. That's an interesting approach to ensure fewer uninsured drivers/cars - makes sense.

Morning, all! I had a rubbish sleep last night and have been mostly awake since about 4am. I see a nap in my future this afternoon... The only thing I have to do today is drop The Wayne off at the train, as he's headed to Boston for the week. I'll miss him, but I'm looking forward to some me time :)

Books:
I'll be finishing up Love, Holly today and maybe The Case of the Canterfell Codicil, depending on how long that nap is.

Viewing:
Nada

>24 katiekrug: So sorry about the rubbish sleep. Makes the day feel interminable, doesn't it.

*smooch* for a merrier, if The-Wayneless, tomorrow.

Happy new thread, Katie! Your ornament is excellent. Hope you're able to get a nap in and enjoy the day.

I can relate to the sleep issue Katie. I've already had a morning nap, and highly recommend it. I know you'll miss TW this week but I also look forward to seeing what you get up to.

>25 richardderus: - I think the nap will help, if I can manage it. Sometimes my body refuses to shut down in the day time.

>26 bell7: - Thank you on all counts, Mary!

>27 lauralkeet: - It is grey and gloomy here, with rain expected, so a good napping day (fingers crossed).

The Wayne has been deposited, but his train is delayed, so he's sitting around waiting. I'm about to retire to the couch/recliner with the Sunday NYT and some Christmas music...

I'm sure you'll have some grand solo time this week.

Love your photo up top. 😆

>19 katiekrug: We always decorate Thanksgiving weekend (not on Thursday though) and take things down on New Year's Day. That's a nice long month of holiday decorations and that schedule worked especially when we were working folks. Really rather arbitrary now but it's still pretty much what we do (although I didn't put up the village until yesterday).

Sorry about rubbish sleep -- hope you do better tonight -- and hope you enjoy your alone time (one of the problems with retirement life is...that rarely happens)

>29 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky!

>30 RebaRelishesReading: - Your decorating "schedule" makes sense, Reba.

I did have a better sleep last night, thanks!

Happy Monday! It's still raining here - it rained most of yesterday. But it's not particularly heavy, so the basement stayed dry :)

I had a ridiculously lazy day yesterday, and it was lovely. Sadly, today I have several phone calls to make and assorted other things to take care of. None of them require leaving the house, so at least I'll stay dry. And I'll reward myself for getting through the to-do list with some gift wrapping this afternoon. I love wrapping!

Books:
I finished Love, Holly and have taken a break from holiday reads to slot in The Waterworks, just for a change of pace. I still have The Case of the Canterfell Codicil going on audio.

Viewing:
Some football, though I didn't care much about any of the games. Tonight is a double-header, in which both the Giants and Dolphons play, though not against each other. In the evening, I watched the first 4 episodes of the final season of 'The Crown.'

Wrap hearty, Katie! *smooch*

>32 katiekrug: One of my book groups read The Waterworks a few years ago. I gave it three stars, but that must have been before my grade inflation set in. I'd probably rate it a bit higher today. Hope you enjoy it!

>23 katiekrug: That makes more sense, if you're away for the bulk of Christmas you'd never see them.

I like wrapping too. there's something satisfying about a well wrapped parcel. I've been sending out our jigsaw puzzles and have quite enjoyed wrapping them for postage.

>33 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

>34 ffortsa: - It's pretty good so far, Judy. I'm not very far into it yet.

>35 Helenliz: - I think I like giving books so much because (a) books and (b) they are so easy to wrap and look nice and tidy :)

Happy new thread, Katie!

>34 ffortsa: I too read The Waterworks several years ago, Judy, but the version I read didn't feature a bus, magic or otherwise. I'm not sure how/why the Touchstone favors a—dare I say it?— kid's book over one by E. L. Doctorow. As I recall, Doctorow's story presents the later-in-life activities of characters from The March. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer in 2006. The winner? March by Geraldine Brooks.

Oh! Hi Katie.

>37 alcottacre: - Thanks, Stasia!

>38 weird_O: - I didn't realize there was a connection between The Waterworks and The March, Bill. I really liked the latter when I read it several years ago...

Happy new thread, Katie!

How 'bout them Giants?

>40 curioussquared: - Thanks, Natalie!

>41 bell7: - My joy was tempered only by despairing texts from The Wayne ;-)

Morning, all! I'm up and at it early, as I have an appointment for an oil change this morning.Gotta get The Beast ready for her road trip next week...

I was very productive yesterday and got through my whole to-do list for the day. And I still had time for relaxing. Win!

Other than the oil change today, I have a couple of errands to run but nothing too onerous. I expect the afternoon will be fairly relaxed, before I head out to trivia in the evening.

Books:
I made good progress in The Waterworks, which started kind of slowly, but is picking up now. On audio, I finished The Case of the Canterfell Codicil, so I need to pick something new today. Probably something Christmas-y.

Viewing:
This week's University Challenge (a nail-biter!) and then football. The Giants won (yay!), the Dolphins lost (boo!).

Wasn't UC excellent last night? It doesn't end that way very often. I was especially pleased that the player who missed a starter question which ultimately led to the tie was the one who buzzed in with the winning answer.

>44 lauralkeet: - It was definitely a fun one to watch! I was also pleased to have gotten 2 of the F1/Belgian Grand Prix questions right, thanks to 'Drive to Survivie' :D

Love, Holly by Emily Stone

A very warm-hearted read about family, grief, estrangement and forgiveness. It starts with a meet-cute but then segues into tragedy, so it's a bit darker than most holiday romances. In fact, the romance was, to me, secondary to the main thrust of the novel which is about learning to forgive others, as well as oneself.

4 stars

>46 katiekrug: Love the themes! I've got some lined up that do the same only for the gay guy readers.

Have a lovely, sunny Tuesday!

Happy new one, Katie!

>43 katiekrug: We were almost twins. I went for an oil change on my day off on Monday.

I hope The Brain kicked some butt at trivia!

>47 richardderus: - Look forward to that line-up!

>48 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim!

>49 MickyFine: - "Three Brains, No Pinky" did pretty well, thanks.

The only saving grace of the early oil change was the free bagels :)

Happy Hump Day!

Yesterday was a good day - I once again knocked out my to-do list, including the oil change (plus, new spark plugs - exciting!) and phone calls. Two friends came to play trivia with me and we came in 5th of 19 teams. I had coconut shrimp with sweet chili sauce.

Today, I am hoping to finish up my Christmas shopping - I just need a few more stocking stuffers, so I'll be hitting some cute gitft shops, and probably treating myself to lunch somewhere. I also need to get to the PO to mail a package to my cousins in Texas. Then I'll come home to tidy up for Maribel, who will be here tomorrow.

Books:
I'll finish up The Waterworks with my coffee shortly. Yesterday, I started a new audio - Seven Days of Us, which is a "home for the holidays" family dramedy. Not bad so far.

Viewing:
Nada

An all-around lovely day today... And another completed to-do list! I got some cute stocking stuffers after running boring errands (including one for myself, which I have put on The Wayne's desk telling him to put it in my stocking :) ). I then treated myself to a big chai latte, which I enjoyed while I waited for my to-go lunch to be prepared (turkey club wrap which sounds boring, but this place has the best herb aioli they put on it). Came home, ate lunch, tidied up, and then did most of my wrapping while listening to Christmas music. Nice to have that out of the way, though I do love to wrap. I have one more store to hit to get some dinky little things for The Wayne's stocking, and then I'll be done with the shopping, other than needing to pick up a chocolate orange somewhere for him. It's a tradition and non-negotiable.

I think tonight I'll start season 2 of 'The Gilded Age'...

Cordial best wishes to my LearnedLeague opponent today, the incomparable KrugK. We are now, of course, sworn enemies until tomorrow so I'll just close with, "May the best trivia brain win!"

>53 rosalita: - And the same to you!

Morning, all! Today is Maribel Day, so I need to get Nuala to day care before 9am (The Wayne usually does that). While Maribel is working her magic, I'll do my Christmas cards and tidy up my office. I'm hoping to get to the post office in the afternoon to mail said cards and then do the last of my shopping, picking up Nuala on the way home. Not sure what I'll get up to tonight, but it's my last night sans The Wayne, so it will probably involve TV he's not interested in.

Books:
Still have the same two going and enjoying both.

Viewing:
The first two episodes of season 2 of 'The Gilded Age.' It's such an inconsistent show - the writing is sometimes terrible, the acting varies (the woman who plays Marian is *terrible*), but I do love the sets and costumes and the over-the-topness of it all.

Holly hippodays, Katie, and enjoy your last night alone. It's gorgeous outside, cold and bright and a little bit breezy here. Sitting in the dermatologist office after getting stitches out, enjoying the bright weather.

>56 richardderus: - Thanks, RD. It was a gorgeous day, wasn't it? We didn't have your breeze, so it was perfect for me.

I hope this dermo visit was less eventful than the last!

Happy The Wayne Comes Home Today Day!

I still have all day on my own, as his train doesn't arrive until around 9:30 tonight. I plan to hit that last shop, which I didn't get to yesterday. I did make it to the PO, though, and then had a fright when I thought the car had been stolen. Turns out, I was confused as to where I had parked it :-P The shopping center has a weird parking lot, but I'm still a dummy. I was *this* close to calling the police... Oy. Anyway, all was well. Maribel brought me a bottle of her homemade coquito (a rum-based holiday drink) and a lovely candle, and I gave her a nice fat holiday tip. I ordered pizza for dinner and watched TV.

In addition to some shopping today, I plan to make some candy cane brownies to give to a select few, including our sweet neighbor and some friends. And myself. Beyond that, it should be a quiet day.

Books:
Still with the same two. I might finish up the audio today, though.

Viewing:
More of season 2 of 'The Gilded Age.'

The Case of the Canterfell Codicil by P.J. Fitzsimmons

Best described as a mash-up of Wodehouse and Christie, this novel was mildly amusing at times, but the Wodehouse-inspired parts over-ran the mystery elements too much, so it just ended up being kind of ridiculous and convoluted. Which is fun when one is reading Wodehouse, but Fitzsimmons is no Wodehouse. The too-rare glimpses of genuine humor saved this from a worse rating.

3 stars

The Waterworks by E.L. Doctorow

I've very much enjoyed the two other novels of historical fiction by Doctorow that I've read (The March and Ragtime), but this one was a disappointment. It was very slow to start, and the affected writing style, including.... way too many... ellipses was ... distracting. The plot is interesting, and the portrait of New York City in the post-Civil War period was vivid, but I mostly felt bored every time I picked it up.

3 stars

It's no fun reading two duds in a row, Katie. I hope your next one is a home run.

>60 katiekrug: Your review probably explains why I remember nothing of that novel, although the fact that I read it almost 30 years ago may also be a factor.

Enjoy your last day on your own! Sorry the last two reads were duds. Also, lol at your parking story 😂 that drop in your stomach when your car is not where you think it is is horrifying. I haven't had my car stolen, but I have also forgotten where I parked before 😉

>61 rosalita: - I hate being disappointed in books! And I hate when they're not bad enough to really rant about - but I think I need to rethink my rating system. 3 out of 5 stars would indicate better than average, which they weren't...

>62 laytonwoman3rd: - Since I can't remember books I read 3 months ago, I'm thinking the 30 years is more the reason :)

>63 curioussquared: - Thanks, Natalie! That was exactly the feeling - my stomach just dropped. It happened once before, when I had my car broken into and my purse stolen (shame on me for leaving my purse in there, though I thought it was well-hidden...).

I am feeling very lazy today and decided I have enough stuff for TW's stocking, so I am not going to go shopping. I should make a run to CVS to pick up prescriptions, but that could wait for the weekend...

>55 katiekrug: So sound so organized and ahead of the game that I'm jealous!! Good job you!

Hi Katie, I'm a little late to be wishing you a happy "new" thread, but nevertheless, here I am. You do sound very organized and ready for Christmas and I too hope that your next reads are stellar!

I have a "lost my car" story that will make you feel better. I usually walk into town. ON one occasion I drove into town (I forget why) then walked home and had that heart in my mouth moment when I saw the car wasn't on the drive. A moment's panic later and I realised what I'd done and wandered down to collect it.

I'm still not ready for Christmas, I ought to shake a leg and get around to doing something about it...

>66 RebaRelishesReading: - I'm not sure I'm ahead of the game, Reba, but more "I've done enough and am not interested in doing any more, so I'm calling it good" :D

>67 DeltaQueen50: - Thank you, Judy! I did need to get my shopping done, since we are leaving on the 20th. Needs must and all that...

>68 Helenliz: - LOL! That does make me feel better, Helen :)

I think your circumstances make being a bit behind on preparations totally understandable. Don't sweat it.

The Wayne is home! And he brought a cold with him! Joy! He'd better get healthy in time for our trip, because I ain't doing all that driving on my own ;-)

This afternoon, I'm going to a "paint and sip" holiday party, where we'll be making ornaments. My friend is picking me up, because TW needs the car to go Christmas shopping, though I guess maybe he won't because he feels crummy? I dunno. I'll probably encourage him to stay in and rest, though I know he hasn't bought a single thing for my stocking. I'll just tell him to fill it with Twizzlers and call it good...

Books:
I finished both my audio and (e-)print books yesterday and have started two new ones. In print, the holiday reading continues with The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, and on audio, I started a nonfiction book, Gut, which is very interesting so far.

Viewing:
I got caught up on 'The Gilded Age' and I watched Hannah Waddingham's Christmas special on AppleTV, which was a little bit lame, but I adore her.

>70 katiekrug: I decided that Rob could get me a subscription to Apple TV for Yule, and he indicated that this was indeed likely to occur. I think the Waddingham might be in my future watching, as lame and OTT are the main qualifiers for holiday stuff to engage me on any level.

Enjoy the ornamenting!

>71 richardderus: - I hope it provides you many hours of good entertainment!

>72 katiekrug: Sampling it makes me eager....

Yay for the return of The Wayne! Boo for the accompanying virus. Fingers crossed he gets over it quickly and you don't catch it.

Your afternoon plans sound fun. Remember not to mix up the paint with the sipping liquid, lol.

>73 richardderus: - Good stuff.

>74 MickyFine: - Ha! I'll try to remember that, Micky.

TW is feeling better the more he wakes up. Hopefully, that will continue.

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

When Olivia, older daughter of Andrew and Emma, returns home to England for Christmas from battling an infectious disease outbreak in Africa, the whole family is forced into quarantine at their country home. During the enforced proximity, old resentments come alive, secrets are kept and then revealed, and all four family members learn more than they expected to about one another.

While this was a bit melodramatic and implausible in parts, I enjoyed the read (listen). Dysfunctional families often make for good entertainment, and this one certainly did. No one in the family is a bad person, but they are all rather self-centered in their own ways. Seeing them confront each other and their own pasts was both amusing and heartwarming.

A nice book if you want something seasonal without the romance of so many holiday reads.

4 stars

It's grey and damp here this morning. We're supposed to get a bunch of rain later, so I plan to get out to the grocery store soonish. Most of the afternoon will be spent with football - both of our teams play at 1:00 and both are on TV locally, since the Dolphins are playing the Jets. I guess we'll be switching back and forth between the two channels. I also need to drop off some candy cane brownies for my neighbor, and I'm thinking of inviting her over for a glass of wine in the late afternoon. The Wayne and I are making chicken parm for dinner.

Books:
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas is light and cute, and I'm enjoying it. I didn't have any audio time yesterday but may today...

Viewing:
Nada

>77 katiekrug: OOOOO candy cane brownies sound deVOON. Rob sent me some miso blondies with candied ginger he is trying to make work. They were awful. I instructed him to keep making them and sending them until he gets it right.

Mama raised no fools....

Enjoy the games, hope your teams both win.

>78 richardderus: - I like that strategy!

I'll be making snickerdoodles this afternoon, I think. They always make me think of my mom, even though hers were way better :)

Good morning from the woman who's been up since 3:45am, thanks to the crazy rain storm... The river behind our house has flooded its banks - joy - but so far the house is still dry. I woke The Wayne up around 4:00 to check that the sump pump was working (it was), and he decided to move a bunch of stuff out of the basement and ground floor to the main floor. He's now trying to doze on the couch... Good times!

Thankfully, I have nothing major to do today, so I should be able to get a nap in somewhere.

We had a nice visit with our neightbor yesterday evening, and she seemed genuinely touched that we had her over. She has children and grandchildren nearby, but she said she hates the end of the day because it makes her sad, and we had given her something to look forward to. She's the sweetest person.

Books:
I have about 10 pages left in The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, so I'll finish that up this morning. I, once again, had no audio time yesterday, so I'm hoping to listen to a chunk of Gut today, as I'd like to have it finished before we leave for Virginia Wednesday morning...

Viewing:
Football. Giants lost. Dolphins won.

I was rather pleased to get a 3 here...

Wordle 912 3/6

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>80 katiekrug: - Strike that. Some water seepage in basement, but not too bad (yet?)....

>80 katiekrug:, >83 katiekrug: Ugh, I'm sorry you were up so early and not by choice. I hope the seepage remains just that.

>84 lauralkeet: - Unfortunately, it's getting worse. There's nothing much down there at this point, but the water heater and HVAC unit, which I would really like to not have to replace again....

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that, Katie.

>86 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, though we are supposed to get a bit more heavy rain shortly...

Our plumbing contractor has already been in touch to see how we fared and if we needed an emergency visit :)

Our backyard (view from the deck)! Thankfully, the water has already receded a lot. We are due to get a bit more heavy rain soon... *grimace*

*Boo hiss* on the rain, and hope the seepage stays minimal. We're getting the storm, too, and I'm waiting to see if the power goes out today. My lights have already flickered a couple of times.

And football commiserations. Not that I really expected it to happen, but if the Giants won yesterday they actually would've had a shot at the playoffs with a little help, and the Dec. 31 game I'm going to would've mattered... a little.

Hi Katie, and happy new thread a couple of days late.

>1 katiekrug: I like the tag…

>70 katiekrug: Sorry TW came home with a cold. I hope he’s better.

>80 katiekrug: … >88 katiekrug: I’m so sorry about the flooding and hope that more rain doesn’t do any damage to the water heater and HVAC. You’ve had enough grief and heartache with flooding to last a lifetime.

oh wow that's quite an impressive reading list.

>80 katiekrug: Oh dear all the way around! I got none of that trouble, thankfully for me, and a boohiss for your stresses!

Sorry your squad underperformed for you, too. May the next round of rain be more of a mist than a downpour.

*smooch*

>88 katiekrug: Oof, that is not good. Glad to hear the water has receded, hopefully the additional rain doesn't cause any further encroachment.

>89 bell7: - I hope your power stays on and the rain and wind aren't too bad, Mary.

Yeah, I knew the Giants still had a tiny chance, but I didn't expect it to happen. Go Miami! :D

>91 karenmarie: - The Wayne is still feeling a little run down, but he's better, thanks.

And thanks re: the flooding. It could have been worse, but it does give one flashbacks...

>92 Annie_09: - Thanks.

>93 richardderus: - Thanks, RD.The Wayne is off trying to find another auxiliary pump to set up, just in case. I just checked the basement, and the water level has gone down, which is good news.

>94 ursula: - Thank you, Ursula!

Pollyanna here..."Our plumbing contractor has already been in touch to see how we fared and if we needed an emergency visit :)" I'd hang on to that guy.

>96 laytonwoman3rd: - Oh, absolutely! We had hired his company to do our HVAC replacement in June of 2021, and they did a fantastic job. Then, after Ida in SPetember of that year, he stopped by and connected us to a flood remediation company (he called in a favor to get us someone pronto because the wait lists were insane!), and of course, we had his company replace the brand new HVAC, which also involved all new duct work. Luckily, Joe has "a sheet metal guy" on speed dial who could do that part of the work. Anyway, TMI, but he's a great person and his company is excellent. I always recommend them when people need HVAC or plumbing work :)

>97 katiekrug: As someone in the middle of a long-running-but-nearly-finished HVAC project, I echo Linda's sentiments. You have a winner there.

>98 lauralkeet: - I wish I could have Joe and his crew down to you, Laura!

Ugh, sorry about the flooding and fingers crossed it doesn't get any worse!!!

>88 katiekrug: Oh no - I hope your house stays mostly dry!

Hoping the water front view returns to a green glade pronto.

I saw your Insta post and was so sad for you. I hope the water level continues to drop and the storm moves on quickly so you can start drying out. Sending massive hugs!

>100 curioussquared:, >101 BLBera:, >102 Helenliz:, >103 MickyFine: - Thank you, Natalie, Beth, Helen, and Micky!

The river is back down and we have our yard back (Nuala is very happy). We ended up with 3" or 4" of water in the basement, which is annoying but not the end of the world. Much of it drained back out and then The Wayne shop vac'ed the rest of it up, so it's only a bit damp in places now. It did mess up the hot water heater, which The Wayne tried to fix, but he can't get it to stay lit. I texted our fabulous plumber, and he's going to come out tomorrow morning. I have a feeling it just needs to dry out a bit, but I'll be glad to have a professional look at it.

We were supposed to leave for my in-laws on Wednesday, but we are going to delay that a day since I got absolutely nothing done today from the flood distractions and being utterly exhausted. I never got that nap, so it'll be a very early night for me!

I'm glad the situation isn't too dire, Katie. You're wise to delay your departure. You'll enjoy yourself much more after some rest and de-stressing.

>104 katiekrug: Better by far than it could've been, but I wish it hadn't been at all.

Wind knocked Old Stuff flat on his butt this afternoon, and he was totally sober at the time!

>105 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura! It's such a terrible feeling, being unable to do anything to stop the potential disaster even as you see it coming. Anyway, it's over now, and it could have been a lot worse so I am just going to be thankful for that.

>106 richardderus: - Thanks, RD.
Oh, my! re: Old Stuff. Did you perchance get to see it happen? I would have laughed because I am not a nice person ;-)

Hi, Katie. Slowly making the rounds. I am sorry to hear about the flooding. I saw the pics on FB. Yikes. Glad the waters have receded and there was minimal damage. I hope the books are treating you fine.

>88 katiekrug: Wow! that's a lot of rainfall. I hope all is ok in the home. What a crappy and stressful thing to have to deal with before going on your trip.

Water in the basement is no fun, but I'm glad you didn't sustain any serious damage. Must get old though, worrying about the rising water whenever there's heavy rain.

>109 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! Thanks for the commiserations. We are mostly back to normal now - just need the hot water heater fixed!

>110 figsfromthistle: - We only had water in the basement, which was good. But I could have done without even that :)

>111 laytonwoman3rd: - Thanks, Linda. I'm glad, too. It is stressful, worrying every time there is a lot of rain...

I had an excellent night's sleep last night and feel much more human this morning. I think I'm in good shape to knock out my to-do list for the day. Very much looking forward to getting the hot water back, so I can take a shower and get the laundry started :) Trivia tonight!

Books:
I started my annual re-read of Last Night at the Lobster, so I'll finish that up today. Gut is fascinating - I love "popoular science" books like this which manage to be interesting and entertaining at the same time.

Viewing:
A random Christmas episode of 'University Challenge' from a few years ago, since the current season is on break (thanks to Laura for answering my text last night to confirm there wasn't a new episode!). Then TW watched some 'Wheel of Time' while I read.

>113 katiekrug: Morning Katie! As I mentioned when we were texting last night, Chris was well and truly bummed that UC was not on. We couldn't find the current Christmas episodes on YouTube; I hope they become available at some point but we might have to go back in time like you did.

I'm glad you had a good night's sleep and I wish you a productive day!

>114 lauralkeet: - I couldn't find a current Christmas episode, either. I did hear there was a bit of controversy over one of the match-ups and they decided not to air it. But I didn't think that meant they wouldn't air any? Guess we'll find out :)

I'm pretty sure the episodes aired in the UK because they are up on the BBC website. If I had a VPN I could watch them using iPlayer. But I have to rely on the kindness of YouTube pirates. Ha.

Hopefully they make it to YouTube pronto!

I watched a Christmas UC last night, King's versus City university. Hosted by Amol Rajan, so it's a new Christmas series.
The author had the most fabulous smile where she got one right, it was a joy to behold.
I even got a few right >;-)

>118 Helenliz: - I hope it'll pop up here!

>108 katiekrug: I did indeed see it happen, and, like you would've, fell about laughing. He came in not long after, and about an hour later, I asked if he planned to go outside to smoke again. "No, the wind blew my cigarette away."

Heh. Sure did. Heh!

Just catching up after not making it to LT for a few days. So sorry to hear you got water in the basement again but glad it didn't do the damage you had last time. Hope no more bad storms come your way and that you can enjoy the holidays away without worrying about what's going on at home :(

How nice of you to have you neighbor over. She sounds like a lovely person.

>120 richardderus: - Oh. My.

>121 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba. All should be well while we are away (fingers crossed).

Miracle on Fifth Avenue by Sarah Morgan

I think I liked this one more than the first two in the series. For one thing, it's a bit shorter so the conflict isn't dragged out like it so often is. I am also a sucker for the sunshine-grump character dichotomy, as well as a good holiday romance. In this one, two people struggling with grief in their own ways are forced to spend the lead-up to Christmas together. I really liked both Eva and Lucas and was rooting for them the whole way through. My only complaint is that the New York City Ballet doesn't perform "The Nutcracker" at the Metropolitan Opera House :-P

3.75 stars

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs

Another nice holiday romance, this time with dogs! The dogs were probably the best part, as I didn't particularly warm up to either main character. Brenda was pretty flat, and Adam a little too good to be true. Still, the book delivered warm feelings and loads of holiday spirit, which is what I wanted.

3.25 stars

NB: One does not "throw" a "mean line drive" in baseball. See my comment in the review above about minor details that annoy me. They take me out of the story and have me rolling my eyes. And they are so easily avoidable!

>124 katiekrug: Ugh. Those little details do take me right out of a story also. I never got into Jim Butcher's Dresden when one of the early books had a big showdown between the wizard and a vampire gang (I know, I know) at Wrigley Field, which he described as being surrounded by giant concrete parking lots. Ugh, no. As you know, Wrigley is nestled into its neighborhood and there is famously no parking to be had for love or money anywhere close. It made me wonder what else he got wrong that I didn't happen to know about.

>125 rosalita: - I'm glad I'm not alone in my pet peeve, Julia! The one you describe is especially egregious.

>125 rosalita: that's just it, isn't it? They've got one thing wrong, what else is wrong? It casts doubt over everything else.
A bit like I have a thing about correct use of apostrophes for the same reason, in food establishments especially. If you're not doing that right, what else are you cocking up on?

>126 katiekrug: Solidarity, sister!

>127 Helenliz: Exactly, Helen!

>127 Helenliz: / >128 rosalita: - I'm glad we're all in agreement!

We came in second of 10 teams at trivia last night. Woot! It was heavy on Christmas-related questions and a lot of fun.

I'll be busy today getting ready to hit the road tomorrow. I've got errands to run, laundry to finish, and stuff to pack. I did get another good night's sleep, so I think I've got the energy for it all.

Books:
I finished my annual re-read of Last Night at the Lobster, which never disappoints. I've now started Midwinter Murder, a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. On audio, I should finish up Gut today. I've borrowed Murderbot #2 and #3 from the library for our drive(s). We listened to the first one a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.

Viewing:
Nada

>129 katiekrug: et alii For me, it's cars...someone who wrote a novel about Cuba used "Buick Dynaflow" as a car name, and when I called it out in my review, DMd me on Goodreads with "proof" I was wrong.

It was an ad for Buick's Dynaflow automatic transmission. *sigh* The mistake is understndable, as there's superficially confirmaing evidence, but you clearly didn't read the ad or it would've been clear what was being sold. The apostrophe issue, >127 Helenliz:, is an equal irritator though plural possessives get wide leeway from me since "s's" is not always wrong in my worldview. (And now Helen will strike me from her Xmas card list...)

>131 richardderus: your card is not at risk. I'm ambivalent on the s's thing. I think that St James's Park (the classic example I can think of) is aesthetically unpleasing, St James' Park just looks neater.
Glad I'm amongst friends, the apostrophe thing is usually met with a shrug and what does it matter.

>130 katiekrug: Nice quizzing! Hope the packing & last minute "stuff" happens smoothly.
I have Last night at the lobster, the blame for which I am laying at your door.

>131 richardderus: - My maiden name ended in "s," and it was annoying :)

>132 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen! And I hope you like "Lobster" when you get to it (which should be asap because it's great!).

Happy Wednesday, Katie, and congrats on coming in second at trivia!

>130 katiekrug: Second! Yay! Midwinter Murder rings a distant bell...I might've picked it up on sale at some point...

>132 Helenliz: St James' Park is historically established as the way it's presented. I'd look at St James's askance for that reason, as the tidiness of the established usage is, to me, part of the problem. Too much tidying-up and we become French with its prescriptive Academy.

Nodding along with the apostrophe discussion. I absolutely hate incorrect usage in any form, especially restaurants, merchants, etc. who should really get it right before they have something printed.

That said, I to struggle with plural possessives. Usage such as "St James' Park" always looks more correct to me than s's.

>134 bell7: - Thanks, Mary!

>135 richardderus: - I picked it up in a Kindle sale at some point, I think...

>136 lauralkeet: - Agreed!

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan

This small novella is perfection. I've re-read it every holiday season for several years now, and it never disappoints. Just a wonderful little gem.

5 stars

Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders

Exactly what the title says... I found the connections between one's gut health and overall well-being, including mental health, interesting. There is a lot of research currently underway that could lead to some fascinating discoveries. I did get lost a bit in some of the scientific jargon, but overall, this was a clear and cogent primer on a system many people don't like to discuss.

3.5 stars

Whew. Glad the water damage wasn't frightful.

And I agree on apostrophe usage, egregious usage errors ('waiver' instead of 'waver' at the Potato Museum), and descriptive errors. They break my concentration and raise my blood pressure.

>140 ffortsa: - Thanks, Judy!

It's road trip day! We plan to leave around 9am, so I have plenty of time to drink coffee and wake up. I'm mostly packed - just a few odds and ends that need chucking in the bag.

Books:
In addition to Midwinter Murder, I started Window Shopping yesterday - another holiday romance. I think this might be my last of the season. I also finished Gut on audio, and TW and I plan to listen to Artificial Condition on the drive.

Viewing:
Two of this year's University Challenge Christmas episodes.

A two!

Wordle 915 2/6

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>143 katiekrug: Nice! It seems that two is your lucky number this week as you came in second at trivia ;)

Have a safe trip!

Sweet Thursday, Katie. Safe travels. Hooray for "Lobster"! In regard to "Gut", have you read Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal? Same subject by the talented Ms. Roach.

>144 figsfromthistle: 0 Thanks, Anita! Yay for 2s :)

>145 msf59: - Thanks, Mark.

I haven't read that Roach yet. Not sure why - I knew about it, and TW and I love listening to her books on car trips. I just checked and there's a wait list for it on Libby, so I'll have to remember it for next time.

Congratulations on today's Wordle! Have a nice trip and good times with family.

>142 katiekrug: You'll be Murderbotted all the way home! Sounds like a lovely Yule tradition to start. I myownself will bee reading System Collapse starting the 24th as my Jolabokafloð read.

>147 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura! I hope you have a good time with your girls :)

>148 richardderus: - Hope you enjoy it!

Have an excellent trip, Katie. You done good, both you and TW, and you deserve some good times. Like, like...uh...that trivia thingie, where you scored a podium spot. I'll not revisit "The Lobstah" but I do have a couple or three Christmas themed books I could jump on. See? Good idea you've spread.

Would a sump pump be a worthwhile investment? For to keep the basement dry.

Wishing you safe, happy travels and a very merry Christmas!!

Have a great trip, Katie!

>150 weird_O: - Hi Bill. I hope you have a nice holiday!

We do have a sump pump - it's actually a double one now. And we have an auxliary pump, as well.

>151 RebaRelishesReading: - Thank you, Reba! Same to you!

>152 norabelle414: - Thanks, Nora! I waved as we drove through Arlington ;-)

We had a beautifully uneventful trip down here - very little traffic and we made excellent time. So now it's just 6 days of family togetherness, all day, every day. *strained smile*

I'm sure it'll be fine - it's just a lot when you're used to more peace and quiet. Heh.

Books:
We listened to Artificial Condition on the drive. It was fine. Not really my thing, but TW enojyed it. In (e-)print, I've got Window Shopping and Midwinter Murder going.

Glad to hear the trip down went well (and that you can still manage a smile).

Just passing the word... The 2024 group is up!

https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/24188/75-Books-Challenge-for-2024

>155 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba!

>156 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim!

Glad to hear you arrived safely. Smile and wave, smile and wave. If i doubt, offer to wash up and shut the kitchen door.

Still surviving but I will spare you all the details of the grocery shopping trip with my MIL :-P

Very little reading getting done. Nothing much to report. We'll be headed home the 27th or the 28th, and I'll probably start my 2024 thread then. I probably won't check in here again until I'm back home because there's nothing much to talk about...

>158 Helenliz: - I won't do the washing up "right" and there is no door to close anyway, so.... yeah..... :-/

I'll try to stop being Grinch-y and just wish all who celebrate...

>160 katiekrug: In that case: thoughts & prayers!

You'll be pleased to know that we had our work Christmas lunch yesterday. As recent tradition has it, I stopped at a Christmas tree farm on my way home and bought my Christmas tree, then did battle with the lights and it's now up & decorated.

Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda i ti!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

Wishing you a pleasant festive season, Katie.

*smooch*

Hi to you and TW!

Thank you for the holiday messages!

We had a good Christmas, and I am ready to go home. Maybe tomorrow? Probably Thursday... I just don't get this family sometimes. They all insist on being together at Christmas, but they barely talk (not in a silent treatment kind of way, just like they find conversation awkward/havenothing to say to each other) and don't really do anything together. I can sit on a couch and watch football in the comfort of my own home, thankyouverymuch. Anyway, I am not agreeing to a week of this ever again - I think 4 days tops is quite enough.

Okay, end of rant!

Anyone have fun New Year's plans? We typically enjoy a quiet evening in...

Oh, books! I've barely read much at all (which is probably contributing to my crankiness). I'm still reading Window Shopping and Midwinter Murder and should at least finish those before the calendar turns over to 2024...

Katie, I'm glad you had a good Christmas. I hope the remaining time passes quickly. I agree with you 4 days being long enough for a family visit. At least, that's about where we've ended up with our crew. The current visit will be 4 days, not counting the partial arrival day. Of course today is mostly about doing free laundry at mom & dad's, LOL. They plan to leave early tomorrow morning so they still have some downtime at home before returning to work on Thursday.

>169 lauralkeet: - Thanks for your validating message, Laura! I was feeling a bit bad and thinking I was over-reacting but maybe not.

If I had known I'd have so many days of doing nothing, I would have demanded a meet-up, LOL!

>168 katiekrug: I don't think you're overreacting either. Can't imagine having a crowd in my home for days on end, and spending days at someone else's home (family or otherwise) is not any better. Four hours of other people's company is about my limit. I do love having our daughter here for an extend time, but she's one person, and she sort of "belongs" here.

I can't imagine having to put up with family for more than a day or two. My brother & wife are coming for lunch on Wednesday, and going home again the same day. Plenty long enough for all of us, I suspect. We've got friends on Thursday who are staying for longer.

If there's stuff planned, that can make the time go more swiftly, but if not it's a lot of hanging about, feeling out of place.

NYE, nah, I'm usually in bed about 10, get woken up by the fireworks, then back to sleep again. He's back at work in the 2nd, I've got the extra day and start back on the 3rd.

>171 laytonwoman3rd: - We're not even a crowd, though - SIL, BIL, nephew, MIL, and us. And the three of them share the house year round anyway. And it's a big house! It's just the complete lack of communication/activity/hosting that is odd to me (and I swear I am not a high maintenance guest!). I've invented a reason I need to go to CVS today so I can get out of the house ;-)

>172 Helenliz: - I think part of the issue is that it's not a hop, skip, and a jump away, so just coming for a day or two makes it not worth the effort. Maybe? I think I'm going to suggest an extra trip during the year (we usualy come for a long weekend in the summer) to make up for a shorter holiday visit next year. And a shorter visit means we can take the train, which is way more fun than driving!

Thank you, Linda and Helen, for your supportive messages! I want to be a good and supportive wife, but I have my limits. And I would feel differently if it seemed like TW was having lots of fun, but he often seems as bewildered as I am.... :-P

I like spending more time with my family but we always have something to do - going to a park we like, trying a new restaurant, fixing something around the house, going to the zoo or a museum, etc. And we play a lot of board games.

If you need to escape for awhile I can fake some kind of emergency that only you and TW can help me with.....

"We're not even a crowd, though" Yeah, you are. THEY are, even before you get there. Two's company....and so on. (Sometimes I don't even want "company", let alone more than one other person around me.)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you, Katie. I am with you on the family awkwardness - who needs that! Luckily, most of the relatives we either visit or who visit us we get along with very well.

I have Gut on my shelves, actually - a gift from my brother many years ago. There it sits, unread... time to do something about that, maybe. Maybe not.

We are usually very quiet for NYE and unless a miracle happens, we likely will be recovering from various ailments we've been struggling with since Thanksgiving break. Nothing serious, just really annoying.

Oof, the family visit sounds a little excruciating. I feel very lucky that both my family and Tim's family all like each other and we never really run out of stuff to talk about or do. And when we do or are tired, everyone does their own thing and pulls out their phone or book or takes a nap. No forced sitting and doing nothing. Also, my side of the family has something like 12 dogs, and they are all invited to most gatherings and provide plenty of entertainment, lol.

I hope the last few days of your visit pass quickly (and that you enjoyed your trip to CVS, lol).

I can lay my latest 5* read at your feet.

Thanks, everybody! Yesterday was better - we actually DID things. And I won the annual ards Against Humanity game, so yay for that. Just today to get through and then we'll be on our way tomorrow...

Still not much reading getting done :(

>179 Helenliz: - OOOOOOH! I'll be right over!

>173 katiekrug: No flying in the picture for next year? Of course, taking the train means reading time. I flew back from Salt Lake City on Monday and didn't even have time to finish my mystery story.

>181 ffortsa: - ? Like between NY and DC (that's what I was referencing in the post - visiting my in-laws)...

Definitely hoping for a "real" trip next year. We are talking about Dublin and Belfast for our anniversary in the fall.

>182 katiekrug: Oh, for some reason I thought they were in Florida. Train, absolutely.

>183 ffortsa: - Ah, understandable! My MIL used to be in Florida and we would trek there from Dallas. But she's moved to NoVA/DC to be near my SIL/BIL/nephew...

I'm glad you all "did something" yesterday. It's tough to be just hanging out somewhere that's not your own place.

Glad you're surviving OK and have the end in sight :) Happy travels.

Have a good trip back, Katie. I'm sure it won't feel too soon to get home!

>168 katiekrug: This made me laugh (in sympathy!), it reminded me of my daughter's complaints about visiting her dad's house for Thanksgiving. She knew 100% togetherness would be expected so she made plans with a friend for one day and planned to go to a convention that was happening another day. (I don't mean that to sound like you should have done anything differently - I'm still really sick so my brain is not braining that well.)

And then one of their "plans" for the group was to go wine-tasting the day after Thanksgiving in Napa ... but no one had made reservations! So she had to take it upon herself to find places that had openings and present them to the group for a decision. Unsurprisingly her dad thought they'd just go up there and see what was available.

Hopelessly behind, but here! Sorry the family vacation was not all that great. Maybe New Year's will be better?! : )

Hi Katie, I guess you are either back home now or on the road. Here wishing you all the best for the New Year!

Hope the trip home goes/went safely.

Hi Katie! glad you are heading home from the long visit with the family. I hope the visit to CVS helped clear your mind and give you a bit of space from the family. I can't imagine a week of doing nothing or not talking a lot. When family stays here I am constantly busy trying to entertain, cook and stay up into the wee hours of the morning chatting and laughing. Then again, my family is a really chatty lot and sometimes I invent an excuse to go somewhere just to get a few minutes of silence ;)

If I don't make it to your thread before, I hope you have a great start to the New Year!

Hi Katie!

>168 katiekrug: Gads, a week of family not using the time to spend it with one another. Some friends are coming over late New Year’s Eve afternoon and will spend 3-4 hours with us, with finger foods and conversation. They want to get home before the crazies get out on the roads, and we don’t even bother to leave the house after early afternoon.

>173 katiekrug: CVS sounds like a good excuse. Glad you’re going to change it up next year, especially as TW is also as bewildered as you are.

>180 katiekrug: Glad you had a better day on the 26th.

Thank you, Laura, Reba, Meg, Ursula, Kim, Judy, Helen, Anita, and Karen! The visit ended better than it started - I think we were there too long before Christmas when people were distracted and busy getting things ready. Once the holiday was over, things relaxed a bit and we were able to play games and generally chill out. Our drive home yesterday was uneventful, and it was lovely to sleep in my own bed :)

Today will be all about getting organized, cleaning up, laundry, groceries, etc. The Wayne will be working at least part of the day. In addition to my to-do list, I need to get some reading done, so I can finish my last two reads of the year. We did manage another audio book on the drive home (Murderbot #3)...

>194 katiekrug: I saw a passing weather report that mentioned the possibility of some bad weather out East yesterday, so I'm glad the trip home was uneventful. I think the third Murderbot is next up for me, too.

>195 rosalita: - It was a bit rainy on the last leg - all through Jersey - so it was a bit slower than normal but nothing terrible.

I liked #3 more than #2...

>196 katiekrug: Today's a beauty in compensation, Katie. What a pretty day.

Hope the chores go swiftly and are all successful.

Welcome back home, and glad the end of the visit was better than it started. Best of luck with your to-do list and reading. I, too, am hoping to finish up 2 more books for the year.

>197 richardderus: - It is lovely out today, RD, but Ican't help but wish it were more seasonally appropriate :)

Thanks for the good wishes!

>198 bell7: - Thanks, Mary!

Glad to read you and The Wayne survived your holiday sojourn with relatives. Does the event suitably represent the year? Dodgy at the outset but ending well.

I'm here to wave goodbye. "So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodbye, to you and you and you." I believe I'll take the rest of 2023 off, and commence to begin anew in 2024. See you again. Then...

Just checking in on you, Katie. I hope you have a wonderful new year!

>194 katiekrug: Glad your visit ended well and that your drive home was safe and uneventful. Do you have New Year's Eve or Day plans?

>200 weird_O: - Hi Bill! I don't think my year started out dodgy, so I can't make that comparison. I'm just glad both the visit and the year are ending well.

Happy new year!

>201 alcottacre: - Hi Stasia!

>202 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba. No big plans for NYE or NYD - we always spend the former quietly at home and much the same for the latter. I think we are going to see a movie Monday evening.

How about you?

I didn't get done quite as much as I wanted to yesterday, as I was just reveling in being home. So today I hope to get my office cleaned up and the laundry done. I also need to make a wine run, and we'll probably combine that with an early dinner out somewhere.

Books:
I finished up Midwinter Murder and will now focus on Window Shopping - I have about 100 pages left. I've not started a new audio, as I'm waiting for the new year.

Viewing:
Nope

A wine run seems most important here. : )

>205 Berly: - Top of the list!

Today's adventures will include finishing the laundry and going to the grocery store. I'll also watch some football, and then in the evening, The Wayne and I will probably play cards or Yahtzee or something and watch Trading Places. The NYE menu will include New Year's Eve Noodles (https://thetipsyhousewife.org/2023/12/26/new-years-eve-noodles/) and the (our) traditional pigs-in-a-blanket.

Oh, and I'll start my thread in the 2024 group today, too!

Books:
I finished Window Shopping yesterday and decided to do a re-read of a favorite of my childhood to fill in the gap until the new year starts. I picked up Anastasia Krupnik, and I love it just as much as I remember...

Viewing:
Basketball and the final episode of season 2 of 'The Gilded Age.'

My thread in the 2024 group is now up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/356442

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

The second and third of the Murderbot Diaries, which we listened to on our drives to and from Virginia over Christmas. I am not much of a science fiction reader, so I enjoy these mostly for the humor. The Wayne likes the storylines themselves, as well as the humor, and as he is a SciFi guy, I guess that's endorsement enough.

3.25 stars
3.5 stars

>209 katiekrug: They're fun reads, so I'm glad you're enjoying them enough to keep going. See you in 2024!

>210 richardderus: - Guess I need another road trip soon :)

>211 katiekrug: Maybe Boston with TW?

Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie

This collection of twelve short stories feature some of Christie's well-known characters (Poirot, Marple and some lesser known ones. It was a pretty mixed bag, and none of the twelve were exceptional. A few were downright boring. All in all, a diverting enough read but nothing I would return to.

3 stars

>212 richardderus: - Maybe, but we usually like to take the train...

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey

The last of my holiday-themed romance reads did not disappoint. I loved Stella and Aiden's story and how Bailey addressed the power dynamic head-on. The chemistry between the two main characters was really well done, and the sex very steamy. My favorite parts, though, were the small, tender moments between the two. I can see myself picking this one up again.

4.25 stars

Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry

This is a sentimental favorite from my childhood, and it holds up well. I love oddball Anastasia and her kind and understanding parents. I love Anastasia's love of making lists (relatable!), and that she plans to name her baby brother One-Ball Reilly. There is a lot of humor in this book for both children and adults.

4.5 stars

It was very difficult to identify my top reads this year, but here they are:



I didn't include re-reads, but shoutout to Beloved, The Graveyard Book, and Last Night at the Lobster for holding up so well.

My favorite end of the year tradition: fill in the prompts using titles of books you read in the past year.

1. Describe Yourself:
The Not So Nice Girl

2. Describe How You Feel:
Cabin Fever

3. Describe Where You Currently Live:
Happy Place

4. If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
This Other Eden

5. You favorite form of transportation is:
Planes, Trains, and All the Feels

6. Your favorite food is:
Like Water for Chocolate

7. Your favorite time of day is:
Breaking Night

8. Your best friend is:
Beloved

9. You and your friends are:
Scatterlings

10. What the weather is like:
Five Tuesdays in Winter

11. You fear:
Old Baggage

12. What is the best advice you have to give:
What We Remember Will Be Saved

13. Thought for the Day:
Death is Hard Work

14. What is life for you:
Romantic Comedy

15. How would you like to die:
Burning Bright

16. Your soul’s present condition:
Mapping the Edge

17. What was 2023 like for you:
The Year of Second Chances

18. What do you want from 2024:
Don't Want to Miss a Thing

Almost forgot to do my December stats (horrors!)...

December in Review
(Numbers in parantheses are YTD)

Books Read:
19 (202)

Mine:
9 (118)
Library:
10 (84)

Male authors: 5 (48)
Female authors: 14 (167)

New-to-me authors: 7 (112)
US/UK authors: 18 (194)
Other: - 1 (21 - Ireland (4), Italy, India (2), Denmark, Mexico, France, Australia (2), Syria, Canada, Germany (3), Haiti, Sweden, Ukraine, South Africa)

Print: 3 (74)
Ebook: 8 (49)
Audio: 8 (79)

General/Popular Fiction: 3 (31)
Literary Fiction: 1 (31)
Historical Fiction: 1 (17)
Romance: 3 (37)
Crime/Thriller: 5 (33)
Juvenile/YA: 1 (16)
Classics: 1 (7)
Speculative: 2 (5)
Nonfiction: 2 (25)

Publication:
New (2022 or 2023): 3 (42)
2010-2021: 11 (97)
2000-2009: 1 (27)
1980s-90s: 1 (17)
1950s-70s: 1 (11)
1900-1949: 1 (5)
19th c.: 1 (3)

Re-reads: 3 (19)
DNFs: 0 (11)

In December, I tied my number for most books read in a month - 19! So I finished the year with 202 total. That's A LOT for me, but it included fairly high numbers of romance, crime, and juvenile, all of which go very quickly. I also listened to a lot of audio books, which always boosts my numbers.

I was glad to finish the year with more books of my own read than library loans (no offense to libraries!). I hope to continue making a dent in my own shelves/Kindle/Audible library.

My favorite reads of the month were two re-reads: Last Night at the Lobster and Anastasia Krupnik. The worst was The Chimes.

On to a new year!