RebaRelishesReading 2024

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year full of good reading, good health and good friends!

So when I set this year's thread up I totally forgot to reserve a space to report books -- just a little over-whelmed by the holidays, visitors, etc. I think. Anyway I'll just do it here...

JANUARY
1. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry****
2. A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith***1/2 Audio
3. The Elephants of Thula Thula} by Francoise Malby-Anthony ****Audio
4. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus*****+
5. Lessons by Ian McEwan**
6. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman***1/2

FEBRUARY
7. A Future We Can Love by Susan Bauer-Wu***** (reread)
8. An Immense World by Ed Yong*****
9. Day by Michael Cunningham****1/2 (audio)
10. A Chateau Under Siege by Martin Walker***1/2 (audio)
11. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett ***** (audio)

Welcome back, Reba!

Ring in a shiny 2024, Reba!

Hi Reba my dear, starred you once again dear lady.

Hope to be here more in 2024!! Starred. : )

Dropping off my star for the new year, Reba!

Happy new year, Reba!

Happy new year, Reba!

Thank you and welcome, Jim, Richard, John, Kim, Katie, Laura and Rhonda! I didn't intend to come back to visit until after 2024 actually started but here I am already on the eve and I'm delighted to find that so many old friends Have already visited. I hope you all have a fun filled New Year's Eve and I look forward to sharing experiences, reading and otherwise, with you in the new year!!

Better reserve a spot to record books read :)

Just happened to take grandson to see Powell's today and just happened to buy three books -- my finals for 2023? or my first for 2024?

Happy New Year everyone!!

Hope you have a great reading year!

A happy and healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year to you, Reba.

Hi Reba!

Wishing you a great one!

Happy New Year, Reba!

>11 RebaRelishesReading: nice book haul, Reba. Old God's Time was one of my final books in 2023 and I know you'll enjoy it.

Hi Reba! Happy New Year and happy first thread of 2024.

I'm going to try to keep up better with my LT friends this year. 🤞

You are off and running for a great bookish start to the new year, Reba. I’m not familiar with Witness but the other two were winners for me. Wishing you much good reading in 2024.

Good luck with your 2024 reading!

Happy New Year! Hope 2024 is kind to you

Happy New Year!!! And best wishes, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow! ; )

Happy new year! I loved Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. And it's the Multnomah County Everybody reads book, and she's going to be speaking on April 4th.

Happy reading in 2024, Reba!

Happy New Year, Reba.

Happy New Year, Reba!

I've got six pigeons on my windowsill up here on the 15th floor, telling me the same. I think the full sun is the attraction, because it's cold out there!

Happy new year, Reba.

Wow what a wonderful way to start the day!! Thanks for stopping by and
Happy New Year to you all - Lori, Matke, Susan, Diana, Laura, Karen, Donna, Tess, Chelle, Kim, Rhonda, Anita, Beth, Judy and Paul!!

I think I heard about Old God's Time on your thread, Laura. I'm looking forward to starting it sometime soon I hope.

Hi Rhonda Multnomah reads Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow eh? I heard about it from a RL friend in San Diego but now I'm curious about the April 4 event. Any others from PDX going?

And pigeons on the 15th floor, Judy? Wow those are some high-flying birds! Hope the sunshine was worth it.

Our 18-year-old grandson is visiting for a few days so we've be pretty busy showing him the highlights of the NW. We drove up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood yesterday so that he could experience snow (ended up he only tossed one snow ball because it was rather icy and very busy with skiers) and had a nice lunch there. He flies home tomorrow and I hope that I won't be tooooo far behind on the thread by then...but I know how fast things go around here at the beginning of the year.

Happy new year, Reba! I hope your grandson enjoyed the snow.

Happy new year and happy visit with your grandson!

Happy New Year, Reba! Hopefully this will be the year I get out to Portland and Vancouver to visit you and Powell's.

>29 susanj67: Hi Susan -- he only got to make one snow ball but I think he enjoyed the drive up the mountain and lunch at the lovely old lodge.

>30 figsfromthistle: Thanks you and Happy New Year to you too!!

>31 ronincats: Hope so -- offer stands :)

>27 RebaRelishesReading: I've already read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow -- maybe we could get an LT group to go to the Multnomah reads on April 4th?

Hi Reba, I'm having trouble keeping up with threads in this first week of the year too, but I know things will settle down. It sounds like you're having a fun time with your grandson which is time well spent!

Wednesday orisons, Reba me lurve.

>34 lauralkeet: LOL. I have NO hope that the threads will settle down. I'll just keep up when I can.

>11 RebaRelishesReading: Oo, some good reading there!

Happy New Thread! Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Reba!

Happy New Year my dear.

>33 Berly: Sounds like a lovely idea -- but I won't be able to join because I'll be on a ship that day :)

>34 lauralkeet: Threads are always crazy in January :)

We had a short but sweet visit with darling grandson. He flew home yesterday and will be back in the dorm in about a week.

>35 richardderus: Thank you, Richard. Hope the new year is treating you well.

>36 ffortsa: Hi Judy -- thanks for stopping by. So far you seem to be doing a great job of keeping up.

>37 alcottacre: Hi Stasia -- I'm nearly finished with Old God's Time and hoping the other two are as good.

>38 AMQS: Happy new year to you too, Anne:)

>39 johnsimpson: and to you, John

Hi Reba, I'm glad you had a nice visit with your grandson. Where does he go to school? I'm assuming someone in SoCal. Just curious.

I also see you'll be on a ship in April. Where are you headed?

>42 lauralkeet: Good morning Laura!

He's a freshman Long Beach State studying nursing. He plans to go for advanced degree to be anesthetist.

We'll be in the Mediterranean -- Barcelona to Venice including ports in Croatia. We've long wanted to visit the Adriatic. We'll be on a small ship (750 passengers) which I'm excited about and with friends, which I'm also looking forward to.

>43 RebaRelishesReading: We will also be in Barcelona this year as we are visiting my nephew who lives there. Do you know which Croatian ports you will be visiting? We had a week on the island of Brač and another week in Trogir (near Split) back in 2009. A really lovely part of the world.

>44 SandDune: Hi Rhian! We'll be in Opatija, Sibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and twice in Kotor, Montenegro. All a brand new area for us :)

We finally finished Christmas today! D2 and family came over and we exchanged presents and caught up a bit which was fun. After they left I put a few decorations away and tossed the wreath from the door. A little bit each day and I hope to have everything cleared away before the cleaners come next Wednesday afternoon.

Undecorating is the hardest part. But glad you got to finally celebrate with D2.

>47 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. I was beginning to think we would never finish Christmas 2023 lol.

I am so behind here that I will never make it through all of the threads with the attention they deserve so I will be skimming to catch up and then hope I can stay up-to-date better.

Oh, and by the way, I got two books for Christmas and one for my birthday:
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
A Life of Contrasts by Diana Mosley

>49 RebaRelishesReading:. That's how I always am, and most especially at the first of the year!

Glad you had a good visit. I am also starting the Christmas put-away--collected up the numerous hand towels, kitchen towels and hot pads, and the holiday cat flannel sheets and washed and dried them and packed them away for another year. Tomorrow is the tree ornament stow-away. I saw an ad for Viking today that had a similar itinerary, starting in Barcelona and ending in Venice with several stops in Croatia, one in Greece. One of these days I will get there. I also want to do the river cruise on the Rhine.

Hi Reba, happy 2024. I'm just dropping my star and hoping to keep up.

>49 RebaRelishesReading: Ah, Still Life, one of my favorites from 2023!

Your cruise sounds fun, Reba. I've been to Barcelona and Venice but not Croatia.

Merry belated Christmas! I'm glad you were finally able to get together.

>45 RebaRelishesReading: Split is absolutely fascinating. And I would think the cruising will be very pretty around there - so many islands.

Hi Roni! Hope you had a nice Christmas! I'm making progress on the "put away" -- still have to do the big jobs: nut crackers, village and tree. May start on that this afternoon.

Nice to have you visit, JoAnn. Could be I asked for Still Life due to your comments :)

I'm looking forward to it Laura. We've been to several towns along the Spanish, French and western Italian coasts (but we're happy to repeat). The Adriatic will all be new for us. This is actually a combination of three short cruises and two couples of friends will be joining for the last one. Should be a lot of fun!!

We're really excited about the trip Rhian. I am going to have to travel light so may not be able to post as we go but I'll try to get some nice photos to share when we get home.

Tree is down and storied. Most of the ornaments are in the box. The nutcrackers are put away -- now just the village and the rest of the ornaments :) But I have to take the car this morning to find out why the charging cable is suddenly not working so we'll see how much more gets done today.

>46 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, we had Christmas on Epiphany in Colorado with our youngest granddaughter and her parents. Better late than never! I did much of the Christmas take-down before we left. I keep wreaths, poinsettias, and a few snowmen up for a few more weeks.

So glad you got to have Christmas with D2 and now you are making progress putting everything away. Sorry you won't be here in April, but I guess a cruise is a good excuse. Goo luck with the car. : )

>49 RebaRelishesReading: Enjoy them all, Reba! I think the Mosley one's the one I am most curious about...what led Jessica Mitford's sister down such a different path?...but all should, I hope be good reads.

>57 Donna828: Good morning Donna. So yesterday I got everything put away so Christmas is now officially over at our house :) This morning I'm changing the beds and doing the laundry so we will be ready for the cleaners this afternoon (plus trying to catch up on the computer).

Woke up to a beautiful dusting of snow this morning. I don't expect it to last past noon (it's 38/3 degrees already) but it certainly is pretty. So sad my grandson has gone home because he would have loved this.

>58 Berly: Hi Kim. I'm sorry I will miss the meet-up too but not enough to give up the trip :) It turned out the problem with the car is a problem with the outlet we were using not with the car or it's charging cable...so...plugged in to a different outlet and the car is happily slurping up power now :)

>59 richardderus: Mornin' Richard. I read a book about the Mosley family a few years ago and found them most interesting. They certainly covered the spectrum politically!! I've had this book on my "wish list" for a while and was delighted that D2 picked it for my Christmas present. I will get to it soon.

>61 Berly: Phew! Changing outlets is an easy fix.

>61 Berly: It was odd because there was enough response from the "old" outlet to cause the charger to light up the "yellow" light but not enough to actually charge. GM offers a choice of installing a "proper" charge point in your garage or giving you $500 credit with one of the providers of "pay to charge" points. We chose the latter because we thought we would be fine with 110 at home and would be glad of the pre-paid option when traveling...we're rethinking that now. We haven't used the pre-paid yet so I'm going to ask GM if we can change our mind at this late date. We'll see :)

Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry****

Tom Kettle is a recently retired police detective in Ireland. He has moved to a little seaside town where he lives in a small seaside apartment attached to a castle. He is visited by former colleagues who have some questions about an old case. Meanwhile, he is seeing people who may or may not be living.

I spent two years living in the Dublin area and very much enjoyed "visiting" some familiar places. I also thought the use of language was beautiful, even rather poetic -- although at times I wished he would get on with the story and leave some of the beautiful languages behind.

A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith****(audio)

I do enjoy listening to the Ladies' Number One books while knitting or driving and this one is no exception. Putt's furniture store is not doing well. There is strong (as it turns out unfair) competition by a new "modern" chair dealer. Mma. Ramotswe decides to find out what is going on. All of the familiar characters appear and the story is a warm and cuddly as always.

>63 RebaRelishesReading: I'm glad you enjoyed Old God's Time. It's so cool that you're familiar with the city. I've had that experience a few times and it's really fun.

>65 lauralkeet: Hi Laura -- always nice to find you here :) I'm crazy busy again today so am dipping into LT off and on when I find time.

>64 RebaRelishesReading: Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors. I keep meaning to try out the audio versions of his books. Good thing he is so prolific.

Have a great week!

Karen O

>67 klobrien2: Hi Karen. Except for the one before last (name & number escape me) I have really enjoyed the audio versions. That one had a different reader and I thought she was terrible. And I agree: "please keep writing Mr. McCall Smith"

It's been a busy day -- I had knitting group this morning and then a committee meeting around noon, then to the PO to mail a package to my son, now trying to catch up a bit on computer, then choir practice tonight. Whew!!

We're expecting a big storm tomorrow ("big" by NW standards) so I'm also trying to get things organized so we can just stay home for 3 or 4 days if necessary. I think we're in pretty good shape now.

Since I was in the car a lot this morning I was able to finish another audio book The Elephants of Thula Thula} by Francoise Malby-Anthony. This is the third book about a game reserve in Zulu land in South Africa. I have enjoyed all three of them a lot!!

Glad you survived the busy day, Reba. It sounds like a relaxing few days at home during the storm will be a good respite :)

>70 katiekrug: Quite right, Katie -- I'm actually hoping we'll be "snowed-in" until Monday or Tuesday :)

>71 RebaRelishesReading: - I have my fingers crossed for late next week when we are supposed to get some snow :)

>72 katiekrug: Hoping you get some, I presume

>73 RebaRelishesReading: - Yes, ma'am!

>69 RebaRelishesReading:
I went into town today to get groceries in anticipation of having to stay at home for the next couple of days. We are expecting low temperatures here in our section of North Central Kansas, along with a little snow that will go on top of what we got on Monday. I think we are having our first winter in almost 30 years out here!

We're experiencing some of that active weather here, Reba, so it looks like it will be dipping down to you soon. Some areas got snow and some got high winds. All got cold temperatures, quite a shock after December.

Your cruise sounds amazing with all those stops!

First, I have to share my Connections for today because I'm so proud of having figured out the purple line without resorting to the hints!! It's not a way I usually think...but I'm learning it's often the way Connections thinks :)
Connections
Puzzle #215
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟪🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

>75 benitastrnad: First winter in 30 years in Kansas ?!?! Wow. I'm stunned. I thought winter snow was a given in your part of the world.

>76 Familyhistorian: Most, if not all, of the school districts are dismissing early today because of expected snow later in the day. Apparently there are some experts saying that if the wind direction shifts by as little as two degrees the storm will hit south of us (Willamette Valley) and miss us here north of the Columbia. We're all set to just stay home and enjoy if we do get the snow ("enjoy" as long as the power stays on).

Hello Reba! I am very slowly getting around the new LT threads, and I finally made it over to yours. Best wishes for the new year! It sounds like you've got a wonderful trip planned.

>71 RebaRelishesReading: I hope you get all the snow you want and you can be snowed-in so that you can spend your time reading without feeling guilty.

Have a great reading weekend!

>77 RebaRelishesReading: great job with Connections, Reba! The purple ones challenge me, too. They're frequently some sort of word play and when my brain is looking for category-type connections I just don't see it. It's rare for me to solve that one before the others. Sometimes because I haven't a clue, and other times because I *think* I see the connection but am convinced I'm wrong.

>77 RebaRelishesReading: Brava for beating Connections! I hope it is an omen for the rest of the weekend...everything up through purple falling into place.

*smooch*

Hi Irene, Laura and Richard. Thank you for the head-pats about Connections. I agree Laura, I often find the ones that are based on the sound of letter groups or other things not related to meaning especially difficult.

We are definitely getting our snow, Irene. It's been coming down hard since shortly after I got up and the temperature is 19/-7 at the moment (a high for the day so far). We haven't lost power so we're snug and warm and I spent the morning finished up Lessons in Chemistry which is the best book I've read in a very long time!!! I'm also really hungry so I think I'll go and make some lunch and hope we keep cable long enough for me to report on it after lunch.

I hope you keep your power, Reba! It's nasty out there.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Grams*****+

This is the best book I've read in a long time! It presents a very serious portrayal of the treatment of women in America in the 20th century with such a light touch that it's pure pleasure to read!.

Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant (and beautiful) young scientist who is prevented from making the contribution she is capable of by society's expectations and presumptions. She does meet one person who loves her for her mind, Calvin Evans, "the lonely, brilliant, Nobel Prize-nominated grudge holder". A few years later though "she finds herself not only a single mother but also the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show" where she "isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo". (quotes from the book jacket)

Further quoting from the book jacket: "Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist." It truly is!!

My only argument with the book is on page 2 where it claims that in Southern California in 1961 "the air was clean because air just was back then" which is pure garbage. I lived in Southern California then and I know that the air was foul. There was a mountain only a few hundred feet from my school which we often couldn't see because of the smog. It wasn't until the Clean Air Act of 1970 came into effect that things started to get better resulting in substantially cleaner air NOW. The rest of the book is so wonderful though that I'll try to forget this blunder.

>82 banjo123: I hope you do too, Rhonda. It's nasty indeed but looking at it from inside a warm house is pure bliss :)

I hope you keep your power and can stay snug and warm to read or watch something fun. It's nice when everything is all snowed in but you've got power and enough food and plenty of books to read! I've enjoyed a few days like that.

>77 RebaRelishesReading:
Climate change has done weird things to weather all over the world. Kansas is no exception. For most of the last 10-15 years it has snowed, but then it warms up and the snow disappears. This time the snow is not melting. Since Christmas Eve it has been colder than what we have been accustomed and so we have gotten complaisant and have forgotten what winter is like on the Plains.

Thank you Irene. I'd like to be able to go out again on Tuesday but until then I'm very happy where I am (assuming we keep power).

Hi Benita. I don't think this is particularly unusual for the NW. This is our 4th winter and each time we've have a couple of times it snowed but it was all gone in a couple of days. Natives seem to find that pretty normal.

>83 RebaRelishesReading: Nice review, Reba. I'm enjoying it too. I think I've read about 1/3 -- Elizabeth has just found out she is pregnant. I admit the "light touch" threw me off at first, I think because I'm used to serious themes being treated in a "heavier" fashion. But now I'm intrigued by the way she is able to use that style to make some very serious points.

>63 RebaRelishesReading: That looks like one I might like! I'll add that to my list!

>64 RebaRelishesReading: You remind me that I need to get back to this series. I think I stopped at book 4.

>88 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I, too, am used to serious topics being treated seriously but I think this approach might be even more successful. Made for a great read anyway.

>89 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle. I have enjoyed all of the Ladies #1 series. We used to listen to them on long road trips so I hung on to this one for a long time before finally deciding to just go ahead and listen on my own. I'm glad I did.

We're having a heat wave!! It's up to 20/-6 this morning :) (highest I saw yesterday was 17/-8. The hummingbird feeder is frozen solid so I working up courage to go and bring it in to thaw in the hopes that the poor little birds will find it and get a bit of energy and warmth.

It is really beautiful however. Here's the view from our back deck that I shared last summer and fall --

WooHoo, it's all the way up to 26/-3!! I brought the hummingbird feeder in a while ago to thaw it in some warm water then put it near the fireplace to warm a bit. Just re-hung it and now hoping the birdies find it before it freezes up again.

Further on the weather front, however, it has not snowed at all today but hasn't been anywhere near thawing either (which personally isn't a problem because there's no place I have to go today and it really is beautiful out there).

>92 RebaRelishesReading: Yay for the nice way to send a too cold day! The gale outside makes it feel cold here, but really it is normal thirtyish air temp so pretty good here too...I have always wanted to go ballooning and the building seems to be willing to try....

Hi Reba!

>83 RebaRelishesReading: Always nice to see someone else loving Lessons in Chemistry as much as I did. Your one argument is absolutely true – I was raised in Hawthorne and specifically remember being in first grade in 1959 and coming in from recess with my lungs burning and eyes hurting. I didn’t even realize there were foothills ‘til I went off to college at Pepperdine at their 81st and Vermont campus. I didn’t notice that gaffe.

I haven’t left the house since Friday. I need to venture out for some groceries today but it’s not far. I want to take advantage of the window of opportunity before we get freezing rain tomorrow. I bought a heater for our hummingbird feeder and it has worked great.

Glad you liked Lessons in Chemistry. I really enjoyed that one too.

>93 richardderus: Hi Richard! I've often thought I would like to go ballooning but not in a building, thankyouverymuch :) Hope it's calmed down today. Also I've made a note of Activating the Common Good and will look for it next time I'm at our new bookstore.

>94 karenmarie: Hi Karen - It's is great, isn't it? and glad you can support my correction about air quality -- I don't think it really got better until the '80's and I remember being astonished at what I could see once things did clear up.

>95 SuziQoregon: Hi Julie -- a heater for the hummingbird feeder? I've never heard of that but could use it again today -- it just refreezes up too fast for me to try to keep up with thawing it. But then, this is pretty unusual weather -- right? I've started pulling things out of the freezer for meals but that's something I've been needing to do anyway so no complaints there. I'm planning to stay right where I am until Wednesday and hope that promised thaw does come then. I have an 11 a.m. dentist appointment that day and would really prefer not to have to reschedule.

Stay warm and safe.

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano****

I got this book for Christmas apparently because I had put it on my Amazon "wish list". I don't remember doing that but I'm very glad to have read the book.

When Eddie is 12 he is the sole survivor of a plane crash which killed all of the other passengers and crew. The story follows Eddie through the next several years as he grieves and works to recover from his loss and, in alternative chapters, recounts the flight and crash itself. I found the portrayal of Eddie's journey to recovery to be engaging. The chapters about the flight itself were an interesting way to introduce some of the other passengers who didn't survive and allow their stories to play a part too. It all makes for an interesting and somewhat touching story.

Hi Reba,

I loved Lessons in Chemistry, too.

Your snow looks so pretty!

I didn't realize Connections had hints. I'll have to dig around a little bit. I got skunked on today's. The purple threw me completely.

>98 Copperskye: Hi Joann. Nice to share the Lessons in Chemistry love.

I'm a bit surprised by your comment about our snow since I expect you see beautiful snow vistas a lot more often than we do :)

Connections
Puzzle #219
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
I would NEVER have managed the purple except I got the other three so it was just what was left over.

Yes there are a couple of sites where you can get hints -- one is mashable.com. I've been there more than once but not today since I was able to figure out the first three.

Not sure why only part of Connections shows above -- here is the whole thing (although it's obvious from the above...oh, well)
Connections
Puzzle #219
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

We're going to brave our un-plowed dead-end street and try to run some errands in a little while! If we make it the three blocks to a fairly main street I think we'll be fine :) I love snow and we were well prepared for this storm but I'm ready to leave the house for a bit. We're going to brave our un-plowed dead-end street and try to run some errands. If we make it the three blocks to a fairly main street I think we'll be fine :)

We did fine driving yesterday. The roads were clear and gave no problems once we drove the three blocks from our driveway to a main road. Parking lots were generally not plowed but there had been enough traffic that with due care we could park, and walk (the bigger challenge) and we managed to get all of our stored up errands done -- I even got a hair cut :)

>101 RebaRelishesReading: success! I'm glad to see this, Reba.

>102 lauralkeet: Hi Laura!! Thanks for coming by.

I actually enjoyed the "real winter" experience (it was noteworthy because "winter" has been pretty mild since we moved north) but it was starting to get to Hubby-- plus we'd done a pretty good job of cleaning out the freezer. We were about to have to turn to eggs and/or beans for protein and go without fruit or vegetables 😧 So we really enjoyed the rotisserie chicken and large mixed salad and that was dinner (plus some scalloped potatoes found at the bottom of the freezer). I had a nice bowl of berries for breakfast and feel like we survived just fine.

>103 RebaRelishesReading: I'm glad you were finally able to get out and get all your errands done! It sounds like a very nice dinner and breakfast too.

>103 RebaRelishesReading: real winter
Silly me. I'd forgotten how long it's been since you lived somewhere "wintry"! I'm glad you had plenty of provisions on hand!

>103 RebaRelishesReading: We too had a "real winter" this year after several years of less wintry ones...it feels good in many ways but that is mostly because I get to choose whether, and when, I go outside.

Hi Irene, Laura and Richard!! It's so nice to log on and fine messages :)

It's 41degrees and and the snow is disappearing which is fine with me since we've reached the rather dirty, tatty end that comes after the beautiful white blanket :)

Little grandson turns 6 tomorrow but his party is today so we'll be off to that in a few minutes. It's actually big grandson's 19th birthday today so we need to call him before we go. All by all a pleasant winter day :)

Off and on I've been trying to read Lessons but, aside from being rather busy, I'm having a hard time getting into it. I'm about half way through now, however, so I do plan to finish it.

I just googled the book to see what others thought and found this on Goodreads:

Ian McEwan deserves a lot of credit for writing such an ambitious novel. But he loses a good deal of that credit because, really, it isn't nearly as good as it should have been. The writing is stuffy, the prose is long-winded, and the life it describes - that of abandoned son, confused lover, jilted husband and loving father, Roland Baines - is actually overwhelmingly dull.

Guess I'm not the only one...but still I will finish it.

Glad life is returning to normal for you, Reba! Have fun at the party :)

>109 katiekrug: Thanks Katie. They had rented a private indoor swimming pool for two hours yesterday morning for the party with is friends (is that something they do in the east? it seems fairly common here and is a great idea imo -- owners get some extra cash and renters get a pleasant place to swim during cold months). Afternoon was just for adult family so it was low-key but pleasant. We chatted, watched him open presents, ate cupcakes and went home :)

I'm quite happy with my Wordle result today so thought I would share it
Wordle 947 3/6

🟩⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟨🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩train, takes, tweak--not a typical word for Wordle imo

>110 RebaRelishesReading: - Yes, renting private pools is a thing here. I forget the name of the app that's used most often for it - probably something cutesy with no vowels ;-)

>112 katiekrug: LOL-probably

>110 RebaRelishesReading: OOO cupcakes...good ones with lotsa frosting or disappointing, dry, healthy ones?

*smooch*

>114 richardderus: Hi Richard. They were moist and topped with yummy chocolate frosting -- that's the good news. They were also very small (like 4 bites) which is both bad news and good :)

Sounds like the birthday party was a hit! And I am glad you survived the winter storm here with plenty to eat. ; ) I was so happy to be out and about today!!

>115 RebaRelishesReading: Small = good here...otherwise we would balloon like land zeppelins, no?

*smooch*

>83 RebaRelishesReading: I also enjoyed that read.

>110 RebaRelishesReading: Sounds like a great party!

HAppy mid week

>116 Berly: I'm sure you are, Kim. You got hit a LOT harder than we did.

>117 richardderus: a constant battle I'm afraid, Richard :(

> 118 Hi Anita. Glad you liked Lessons in Chemistry. It's my favorite book for a long time!

Lessons by Ian McEwan**

see >108 RebaRelishesReading:. The story follows the life of a man from early childhood through old age and provides lots of side trips into the lives of everyone he meets. Apparently the idea is to show how his early sexual encounters with a teacher affect his entire life but the scope is just way too broad. Too much about too many characters. Too many side trips that don't matter. That I finished this thing is a testament to my stubbornness but my advice would be "spare yourself" and don't start.

>120 RebaRelishesReading: - Oh, dear. I have this one on my Kindle...

I haven't read any Ian McEwan for some time, and it looks like I won't be doing so anytime soon either. Thanks for taking one for the team, Reba.

Hello, Reba! I loved reading abut your snow - something I really miss, although we have had more cold temps this winter, so there is that.

>120 RebaRelishesReading: Sounds like one I can safely skip, so thanks for that. Ian Rankin is one of those authors that I either love or hate the book with no middle ground. Loved Nutshell and really disliked Cement Garden.

Hoping that your Thursday is full of fabulous!

>123 Crazymamie: Mamie!!! I'm so excited to see you :)! Sending you and your a bushel of good wishes!

Hi Katie and Laura -- happy to be of service :) (would be interested to see if you agree though)

Watching Gauff v. Sabalenka -- quite a game!! Sabalenka still drives me nuts with those constant screams...but they're both making some great shots.

My third attempt was just an effort to get more info...
Wordle 951 3/6

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, acrid, aloof

Well that was a pretty nice third attempt wasn't it?! Well done, Reba.

>120 RebaRelishesReading: my advice would be "spare yourself" and don't start

Fully, completely, utterly agree. UGH

Weekend *smooch* for better reads ahead

>128 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura!! Took me 4 today.

>129 richardderus: Hi Richard and thank you for the good wishes. I've started the fourth Murder Club novel which should be fun.

Really nice Portland area meetup coupled with 30% off everything I bought at Powell's has made for a lovely day so far!! It was great to see old LT friends and meet three new ones!!

Books purchased were:
Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
Activating the Common Good by Peter Block
Milk Street Simple by Christopher Kimball
and as a gift for little grandson -- I Want To Be Spaghetti! by Kiera Wright-Ruiz, illustrated by Claudia Lam

Great to see you (and your hubby)!

>131 RebaRelishesReading: - Sounds like a great day!

Please report back on the cook book. I love the Milk Street one I have and "Simple" is very appealing :)

>131 RebaRelishesReading: It was a pleasure to meet you both today!

>64 RebaRelishesReading: Ooh! I should look these up. I read the first in the series when it first came out and enjoyed it but didn't love it enough to keep in my permanent collection. But listening to audiobooks might be perfect! And now so many more books to explore!

Nice to see that you enjoyed a Portland meet up, Reba. Looks like they timed that sale right!

A meetup! Lucky you. Any photos?
ETA: Oh, I just realized there's a thread for Oregon meetups. It looks like you had a nice-sized group! I'll keep an eye out to see if anyone posts pics.

>134 justchris: Hi Chris. Thank you, enjoyed meeting you too. One of the recent Ladies #1 books was narrated by a different reader and I didn't like her voice at all but other than that one I have liked the audio versions a lot.

>136 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! "Berly" (Kim) has photos on her thread. There were 8 of us -- really fun and great timing with the Powell's sale :)

>133 katiekrug: I bought it because I saw a demonstration of a recipe for "Butter-Roasted Carrots with Za'atar and Pomegranate Molasses" which came from this book and looked wonderful and do-able. I looked through it carefully when I got it home last night and flagged 13 recipes I want to try. They all look tempting to eat while being pretty straight-forward to make and without a long list of ingredients. I'll try to remember to let you know more when I actually make any of them. :)

Reba--It was great to see you yesterday, as always. : ) The title I Want To Be Spaghetti made me laugh. Happy reading and love that our meetup coincided with Powell's 30% off day!

>139 RebaRelishesReading: Pomegranate molasses and za'atar? Two of my favorite ingredients! I keep a za'atar shaker on the dining table with the salt and pepper. Yum! Looking forward to the report back on the food.

I went to yoga this morning then did one trip through the whole-body workout machines so I'm feeling pretty good right now.

I came home and decided I could no longer stand the heap of cookbooks (which started out as a tidy row) in the pantry so I pulled them all out and plan to take a lot of them to Powell's to see if they want to buy any of them. Big job but it's going to really help my mental health when it's done :)

My other miserable chore today is to sign Hubby up for a Portland business license. His "business" (their term, certainly not ours) is that he owns the condo daughter & s-i-l live in. They pay the association dues and keep the place up but that's it. Nevertheless, Portland says if you own a house and don't live in it "it's a business" and you have to have a license and fill out a ream of ridiculous forms whether or not it's rented, or to whom, or whether you make a profit, etc. Do I sound annoyed? might be because I am.

Still hoping I may get a little reading in today but it isn't looking good. Too bad because I'm about 2/3 of the way through the fourth Thursday Murder Club and I would like to finish it.

>142 RebaRelishesReading: Well that business license thing is annoying! I'm sorry you're having to deal with that, Reba.

Oh, Reba, that is annoying about the business license. That is just so crazy making.

You are gonna love when those cookbooks are gone - I have been slowly trying to do stuff like that, and every inch of space gained has been a delight. It's very freeing.

Why can't hubby sign hubby up for the business license? :D

Hope yesterday wasn't as annoying as you anticipated!

>120 RebaRelishesReading: I started this one a while ago and put it down......soo many different reactions. I think I will keep this on my shelf a while longer.

>143 lauralkeet: Thanks for the sympathy, Laura. I needed it :)

>144 Crazymamie: I does feel good, Mamie. I'm nearly through with the actual cookbooks and now I'm doing the magazine-like ones. Going through those and ripping out what ever seems interesting and recycling the rest. I will end up with a big sack of paper but at least that takes less room lol.

>145 katiekrug: Just because, Katie 🥴 He's wonderful in many ways but he can postpone doing things he's uncomfortable with forever (and he's definitely uncomfortable with this) and I'm worried about what kinds of fines may come our way if it isn't done. I'm the bureaucrat in the family, he's the scholar.

>146 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. I probably should have put it down but I have a hard time doing that -- always think "it's going to get better", or "I've started it, I must finish it".

So...the da..ed business license thing. Turns out it's two separate steps. I finished one which provided me with a user name and password...except when I try to sign in for step 2 it tells me one or the other is wrong (won't say which, just that one of the two is wrong). I carefully wrote down each as I selected them. Additionally, they are supposed to provide me with another code I need to sign in for the second step...they haven't or I don't know how to access it. All of the and we don't even live in Portland (not to mention this is in no way a business!!) Daughter and s-i-l were talking about moving...maybe we could just sell this place and forget the whole thing (dream on).

So...I have a dentist appointment inn 40 minutes and I'm sitting here in my bathrobe so... quit ranting a go get dressed!!

>145 katiekrug: A reasonable question, and
>147 RebaRelishesReading: I could totally relate to the answer. I'm the one that handles this kind of paperwork in our household too, or it often wouldn't get done.

>148 RebaRelishesReading: Sorry it's turned into such a hassle, Reba.

>148 RebaRelishesReading: Kafka-esque seems like the right descriptor for this. Here's hoping it gets successfully resolved without further frustration, and soon.

*smooch*

>149 lauralkeet: Thank you Laura and Richard. I appreciate the sympathy. Latest is that I think there is a number I have to wait for that may arrive today (if not I'm going to wait until tomorrow and then totally run screaming down the road). I'm hopeful that once I have that I will be able to complete this miserable task

I had the same trouble with getting an online account for social security and medicare. I finally gave up and did it over the phone. Turned out I had to delete my account - wait 30 days - and resign up using a different password, etc. As a result, I don't have an online account and am not likely to get one until forced to do so by the Feds. If they can't set up a system that works, I don't have to use it.

I did send e-mails about the problem to our yammering yahoo senator Tuberville, and our shrill shrew senator Britt, along with one to our representative for Tuscaloosa, about the problem and told them both to get off their high horses and vote for increasing the amount of money the Feds spend on software upgrades.

>152 benitastrnad: My husband has lost days trying to login to SSN, including going to the offices at least twice. He's so frustrated. Our financial guy says we have to: if we can't access our account we may be more vulnerable to fraud. I thought my husband was going to come unglued (still no success). He also said to contact your US representative if you can't login. How that person can help, I'm not sure (though ours sounds way more agreeable than yours:)

>152 benitastrnad: , >153 AMQS: Thanks for sharing my pain Benita and Anne. As soon as I finish here I'm going to log in and see if I can make some progress on the second step. At last attempt there was one required code I don't have plus the system asked for my user name and password and then informed me that "one of the is wrong". I input both of them a couple of time using the name and password I sure thought I put in...no luck. It's been a very nice day so far, however, so I'm hoping to hang on to my sanity and cool for a little while anyway.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman ***1/2

This is the last of the four (so far) Thursday Murder Club books. I've enjoyed them all, but not to the extent others seem to have. Not sorry I read them but I don't think I'll continue if the series does continue.

Reba--Sorry about the signin nightmare -- wishing you luck! I have enjoyed the Thursday Murder club series and agree with you that it is not amazing, but I think it is a fun, light read.

Bureaucracy and online passwords are made to drive anyone crazy, Reba. Good luck!

Thank you Kim and Meg -- just being allowed to complain and then receiving sympathy helps!!

Sorry about the signing in trouble, Reba. It is such a hassle for something you don't need or want.

We have some digitalised government and health related services, and besides username and password, you need an code to sign in, in a text message. I don't have a mobile phone, so there is a spoken version for those with only a landline. In December they changed that system and at first it didn't work, I got very softly spoken two of the 6 needed numbers and then it stopped. Called the help line and was told to keep on trying... So I gave up for a while, until I needed it again in January, then it worked well again *sigh*

>159 FAMeulstee: I feel your pain, Anita. Technology is wonderful but it can also be extremely frustrating!!

The sun is shining and my calendar shows a big white, empty space for Saturday, February 3 :) I may just declare a sea day and stay in my robe all day.

We decided to try Prime's new series Mr. & Mrs. Smith last night. It's not a remake of the film but sort of a take off I guess -- the couple are hired separately to work as an undercover team. It's not yet clear who it is they work for but there is some growing chemistry between the couple that may be interesting.

>63 RebaRelishesReading: I gave that one 4 stars as well when I read it last year. I am glad it make the Booker longlist last year, but it was more deserving of being on the shortlist than a couple of the others, IMHO.

>83 RebaRelishesReading: I loved that one too!

>97 RebaRelishesReading: I liked that one so much that I passed it on to my daughter, Catey, because I thought she would like it as well.

>155 RebaRelishesReading: Sorry that you did not enjoy the series more. I love it so I want everyone else to! I know that not every book is for everybody though :)

>161 RebaRelishesReading: I may just declare a sea day and stay in my robe all day. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Not sure why I have not gotten to your thread until now, Reba. Hopefully I will do better from here on out.

>162 alcottacre: Hi Stasia -- I'm just glad you found me. Thanks for your comments and I hope to see you around often. :)

>155 RebaRelishesReading: >162 alcottacre: I did generally like The Thursday Murder Club series, but my enthusiasm for it isn't unqualified. It leans heavily into its tricks.

A Future We Can Love by Susan Bauer-Wu***** (reread)

This is an extremely disturbing book about global warming. Subtitled "How We Can Reverse the Climate Crisis with the Power of Our Hearts & Minds" it starts with very important and eye-opening data about where we stand but ends with thought-provoking ideas about what we all can/should do.

I read this book last year but I'm not sure I ever reported it. I have reread it now because my church is hosting a series of discussions based on this book starting tomorrow. I am really looking forward to these conversations.

>155 RebaRelishesReading: You are already finished number 4 in the Thursday Murder Club series, Reba. I just read the first in the series in January. I did enjoy it and plan to read the next in the series sometime this year. Since Dave is feeling better, I also declared what I call " a tired day" and I've just stayed in and read , and worked on a puzzle. I think most of us need those " robe" or " tired days" to recharge. I know I do.

>165 RebaRelishesReading: The church is to be commended and celebrating these two visions of what to do now, and how to do it, speaks well of the program director.

Enjoy the events, and the day, Reba. *smooch*

>166 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, I enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club -- just didn't love it. Indeed, I think "robe", "tired", or "sea" days are very necessary!

>167 richardderus: I belong to a very progressive church, Richard. Lots and lots of activities around social service, climate concerns, etc.

Hello Reba! How are you doing?

>161 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks to your thread, I'm also trying out Mr and Mrs Smith, so thanks , Reba. I'm also the one of me and Dave who does the paper work. I'm not sure if Dave would have managed to apply for his retirement pensions without me. I'm sure if my church would be described as progressive, but they do have a lot of outreach , like Meals for the homeless that are made and delivered each Wednesday , AA meetings and Narcotics Anonymous as well. I really like that aspect of the church.

>165 RebaRelishesReading:, >168 RebaRelishesReading: We joined a progressive Presbyterian church when we were newly married and fresh out of college, and were very active there for about 15 years until we moved away. It had a huge impact on our values, the issues we care about, and how we live our lives. Unfortunately we have never found another church that ticks all the same boxes. There are a lot of reasons why, some of which have to do with the current state of mainline religion, but I think we set the bar pretty high (too high?) based on our early experience. Your church sounds similar to the one we belonged to, and I'm glad you found it!

>170 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah. Good to hear I have a fellow "family administrator" among LT women:) Hubby is a retired geography professor and he just isn't good at paperwork...and hasn't improved with age. (He has many other fine qualities and I love him dearly in spite of having to take on all of these chores). Hope you like Mr. & Mrs. Smith. We aren't committed yet but we'll watch at least one more. Look forward to your comments too.

>170 vancouverdeb:, >171 lauralkeet: Church is a topic I tend to avoid here but having gone this far perhaps I'll go a bit further (just this once). I hadn't been involved with a church since childhood but when I moved to a new place as Asst. City Mgr. I thought it would be good to be involved in community life and tried a church just because it was a couple of blocks from our apartment. (It turned out to be a progressive Presbyterian church actually. ) It changed my attitude toward church-going and when I retired and we moved back to San Diego we went looking for a way to get involved there too. We stumbled (not literally lol) onto a United Church of Christ and found our place. When we moved here that's what we looked for. It's a denomination that is "progressive" in many ways including an emphasis on social concerns. The first thing said every Sunday is "no matter who you are or where you are on live's pathway, you are welcome here". There's also a strong emphasis on helping the less fortunate (food bank, support for shelters, etc), environmental issues and social justice. When we showed up here we were immediately drawn in, starting with the "wine group" (give you a sense of the place?), and has become the center of our social life.

>172 RebaRelishesReading: I totally understand you avoiding the topic here, Reba. Sorry for "going there"! But your church sounds wonderful and such a great way to find community after relocating, too.

>172 RebaRelishesReading: We watched the first episode of Mr and Mrs Smith but decided it wasn't for us. I wasn't all that comfortable with the light hearted treatment of blowing people up to be honest.

>174 SandDune: Good point, Rhian. I guess we're a little blasé about that since it's so common in film...but you're right.

>173 lauralkeet: No need to apologize, Laura. It has definitely made our transition easy instead of difficult as I believe it can be after retirement. I'm socially busier than ever and very fond of many of the people we've met here.

Hello, how art thou today Reba?

>175 RebaRelishesReading: It wouldn't worry me at all in other films. If I was watching a film set in a conflict zone, for instance, then I'd take it in my stride. I think it was the fact that in Mr and Mrs Smith the main characters had no idea at all why they were attacking people.

>178 SandDune: That is a bit odd but is part of the set-up I assume. Anyway, we'll give it another couple of tries, in part because I like the way they're learning to relate to each other.

I forgot to report that I have finished the pantry/cookbook clean-out and have three bags of cookbooks to take to Powell's and hope they want to buy. We did that yesterday morning...struggled with three heavy bags for a half-block (it was early on a week day and we were lucky with parking) only to find that Powell's only does buybacks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday...so, lugged them back to the car (with one bag breaking on the way) and will repeat the process...probably coming Saturday.

>180 RebaRelishesReading: Oh my - how frustrating! I didn't know they restricted days, that must be relatively new.

>180 RebaRelishesReading: Very irritating indeed! Still, now you know...and can pack them less heavily, too.

*SMOOCH*

>181 ChrisG1:, >182 richardderus: A lesson in "don't assume--check before you go" 🤪 I have repacked them into regular re-usable plastic shopping bags instead of paper ones so at least they won't break and fall on the ground in the street.

>155 RebaRelishesReading: Oh bummer! I'm still waiting for my hold on book #2!

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles****1/2

I don't remember and can't find a record of who first brought this book to my attention but...thank you!!

We first meet Jean-Louis Chenneville as he is becoming conscious in a Union Army hospital after suffering a serious head wound in an explosion. It's September 1865 and the Civil War is just ended. He returns to his Missouri home to learn that his sister, her husband and their one-year-old child have been murdered and he resolves to track down and kill their murderer. The story follows him through Indian Territory (Oklahoma today) and Texas on this quest.
The book is a bit adventure/survival and a bit coming to terms with pain and loss and some description of society in the American south after the Civil War. Western adventure is not a genre I usually read but this one is filled with enough about relationships and coming to terms with pain and loss that I felt really at home with it.

>185 RebaRelishesReading: Nice review, Reba. I'm waiting for a library copy and really looking forward to it.

I just finished listening to Songs of Willow Frost and somehow I think you had listened to it and recommended it. I usually write down who I get BB's from but didn't with this title. I enjoy Jamie Ford's historical fiction and this one was no exception. I listened to it while I was knitting, and when I started doing it I thought of you doing that. It works, and I listened to the whole book in three days. It is very pleasant listening and knitting, so now I am listening to Britt-Marie Was Here while knitting. Thanks for telling all of us about your reading by stitching and listening.

>186 lauralkeet: Thank you Laura. I think you'll enjoy it.

>187 benitastrnad: Sorry, Benita. It wasn't me because I haven't read it (with either my eyes or my ears). If it's good to knit to it sounds like I should, however:)

I'm ending this very busy week with a quiet day :) Only thing on the calendar is a massage appointment this afternoon. I have the laundry going and plan to make a batch of salted toffee to send to my son who is in Iraq and who loves the stuff. Beyond that I must decide which book to start on when I get home from my massage.

>185 RebaRelishesReading: I just stopped at the library and brought this one home. It's the second time I've checked it out so I hope to get to it this time. Have you read News of the World? It was really good!

Sorry the Richard Osman books didn't work for you.

Sounds like you have a good day planned - enjoy your massage!

Good morning Joanne!! Yes, I read News of the World a few years ago and I liked it and remember it better than I remember most books. There's a reference to it in this one which made me smile.

I didn't dislike the Thursday Murder Club books -- I just wasn't in love with them. Can't be in love with them all, can we? :)

Good morning all! Another busy day lined up here. We're going to make a second attempt at selling books to Powell's then of course the store credit must be used :). Afterwards we're going to pick up lunch at Panda Express and take it over to D2's house for a visit before heading back home.

RL bookclub is meeting here on Monday which means I need to lead the discussion. Book is An Immense World which is an amazing, wonderful book (thank you Kim for making me aware of it last year) but I suspect the discussion may be difficult to get going (too much to remember) so I'm trying to prep for it...even sent out two questions for them to "ponder" the other day. In our club hosting also means providing dessert (everyone brings their own lunch) so I'm going to make an apple/dried cranberry crumble for that. Busy day tomorrow too :)

You're smart to prepare for your book club discussion, Reba. I really liked that book but I agree there's too much to remember. Discussion questions should help get things flowing.

We have some apples that need to be used up or else, and I am planning to make a crumble tomorrow. Dried cranberries sound like a nice addition, although I'll probably stick with my usual recipe.

Reba, I'm so glad to see another fan of Chenneville. I have loved all of Jiles' books, but I think this might be her best.

Have fun at Powell's. Don't take home more than you drop off. :)

re: An Immense World, I've read the author's work before, and liked it. Maybe I should put it on my Kindle list.

A Powell's trip to spend store credit! Poor li'l you...may it be dreadfully painful...I mean, I mean, painless of course I do, painless!

*evil jealous muttering*

>192 RebaRelishesReading:
My book discussion group meets tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. We read The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus by Margaret Atwood. I get to lead the discussion this month. Our group got interested in the current spate of publications that are retellings of Greek and Roman myths and so we do one each year. This is our fifth year and this novella has a very feminist take on the reunification of Penelope and Odysseus, which shouldn't be a surprise since it is Atwood who is the author. It will be fun to hear what the other members of the group have to say about this book and its retelling of a well known tale.

Hi Reba! I do love the Thursday Murder Club books, but I listen to them. They have terrific narrators and they're my "fun" reads. But I do see how they may not be for everyone. Hope you are having a great weekend.

>195 ffortsa: Judy, I'm not sure about An Immense World on Kindle. It's an amazing book, full of interesting information. So full that I took to underlining things and putting sticky tabs on some pages. You might look at it first and see if you wouldn't prefer a paper copy to keep.

>193 lauralkeet: It's amazing isn't it Laura? I plan to revisit it fairly often and hope some things will stick.

I have a big bag of dried cranberries (thank you Costco) and ran across a recipe for crumble using the combo and thought "not only nicely seasonal but will also help use them up". :)

>194 BLBera: It was my first Jiles book, Beth. Nice to know I started with the best.

>196 richardderus: So, Richard...Powell's. Not only is it in a busy part of town with limited parking (dropped Hubby a books off at the store by double parking😲) there were people with dollies holding several boxes of books in line ahead of us. While Hubby held our place in line I ran off to look for the five books on my list hoping to use the store credit plus a coupon for $5 (good for in-store sales only) from our last visit. Didn't find any of them!! Finally got to the front of the line and sold about 2/3 of the books I brought and hauled the rest back to the car (parked in a lot a block away at the cost of $6) to be donated to a local charity shop. I came home and went on the Powell's website (the receipt I got tells me I can use the credit on-line as well as in the store) where I found three of the books I wanted. Tried to order them and the site "told" me that my credit had already expired...never mind that the signs in the store also say the credit "never expires" -- don't know what's up with that but I'm not feeling very warm and fuzzy to Powell's right now.

>197 benitastrnad: Hi Benita! Sounds like an impressive book club. Hope your discussion is goes well.

>198 AMQS: Hi Anne. Audio sounds perfect for the Thursday Murder Club books. I agree, they're fun light reading which is my preference for audio. I like them, I'm just not "crazy about" them.

An Immense World by Ed Yong*****

This is a MOST amazing book!! I have underlined much and plan to revisit it often in the hopes that some of the fascinating facts it reports will stick in my head.

Yong organizes the book by senses and describes fascinating ways that animals use the senses in relating to the world. Then, in the last chapter, he describes ways that humans impact the other living creatures of this world through noise, light, smells, vibration, etc. A brilliant book!!

Thank you Kim for making me aware of this book about a year ago. I started it then but put it aside to finish now because my RL book club selected it for this month's discussion.

>199 RebaRelishesReading: *AARGH* regarding the booktore experience. yeeks for the website shenanigans, and a rousing hiss-boo all over such a crummy time.

*smooch* for better next week

Oof, really sorry to read about your Powell's visit, Reba. That must have been really frustrating. So much effort involved in dropping off the books, and then a glitch using your credit?! I hope you can straighten that part out, at least.

Thanks for the consolation Richard and Laura! LT is the place to come to get ruffled feelings/frustrations calmed. :)

I'm hopeful that I will get to use my Powell's credit (although I may have a process to endure). I tried to call them Saturday but office was closed. Book club is due here at noon and I'm a bit busy getting ready for that right now but this afternoon or maybe tomorrow I'll tackle it again.

It's 11 a.m. and I have everything ready for book club to arrive at noon -- Now I can just sit at my desk and troll the threads :)

Wow!! Just noticed that the time shown on that post is 2:07 even though it's 11:07 where I am and I went to the profile page and set my time zone for PST just the other day -- what's that about?

Thank you LT people for putting and "unstar" bar at the end of the page now!!

Update -- I just telephoned Powell's and the pleasant young man who answered was able to place my order, use the credit from my book sales as well as a "coupon" that was available when I logged on. All is well. One of these days I'll drive down to our new local indy for the rest of my wish list.

>207 RebaRelishesReading: Sorry about your adventure at Powell's. I fear they are not always the most efficient operation, but I tolerate it for being the local institution that they are. I went to the Beaverton store to try trading in some books on Saturday - and the line was forbidding. I didn't even try. I'll got at opening time on Friday & hope for better results.

>208 ChrisG1: Indeed they are an institution and a marvelous bookstore. This was the first time I went to sell back books and not a fun experience. Fortunately, it's something I very rarely do. I thought about trying one of the other stores when circling the Pearl trying to park ... glad I didn't. The bad week with Powell's isn't the only reason I'll take the rest of my list to our local indy is that I'm just so thrilled they've opened and I want to support them. That going there is a total treat rather than a hassle doesn't hurt :)

Book Club has come and gone. Only three of the six showed (one I knew was out of town, one is generally forgetful and the third claimed to have texted me ... never received) and only one had read the book completely. She had read it on a tablet and said it was fine...so I retract my caution, Judy.

Now I think it's time to return to my knitting and audio book :)

Day by Michael Cunningham (audio) ****1/2

A lovely, low-key book about a small extended family. The story checks in with them on April 5, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The strength of the story, to me, was the independent lives and development of the characters because their interaction was so polite and low-key that, while interesting, it played only a very supporting role. A lovely, pleasant listen.

Reba--Well, sorry the book club discussion wasn't overwhelming, but I am so glad you enjoyed An Immense World. I still have it nearby so I can reread some of the fascinating facts I earmarked. (And thanks for giving me credit for the BB!)

I am relieved you finally got the Powell's issue worked out and got your books ordered. I noticed when we had our meetup that they are only taking trade-ins on F-Su now and that is new. Sigh. What books did you get?

Day by Micheal Cunningham is a book I have looked at . I'll have to keep in mind. I think it is my kind of thing. I've just recently discovered audio books and I think I am hooked! They are great to listen to while I am jigsaw puzzling, or out for a walk. When I am walking my dog, I don't listen to anything, as I try to keep my attention on her and we have " conversations" about what a good dog she, how much I love her, and what she might be smelling and seeing . She gets the occasional reprimand too, as she is quite a barker at times.

Hi Reba, I am lucky that I had already been hit by Day. But An Immense World is MOST amazing? Can't resist that!

Bummer about your book club attendance, Reba, but glad Powell's straightened things out. I'm also happy to see your favorable review of Day. I'm waiting on a library copy.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! Hope it's full of love (of all kinds) and happiness for you all.

>212 Berly: Hi Kim.Unfortunately I didn't notice the change in buy-backs so we had to make two trips -- Monday (paper bags...bad idea...broke at curb when crossing street 😩) -- then Saturday). I ordered The Sparrow and Apple Skin to the Core. Plan to visit White Oak books for the other two I was looking for The Devil's Element and Work Song.

(You came by the BB honestly..🙂)

>213 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah - I most do audio while knitting but sometimes (on the rare occasion) I do them while walking or driving if I have a long distance to go on my own.

>214 AMQS: It really is, Anne!! Not a book to sit down and read through but amazing. Like Kim I have tabs all over the place and underlining (which I almost never do) and will revisit this book from time to time forever I'm sure.

>215 lauralkeet: Well, I'm relatively new to a bookclub that has existed for many years so this turned out to be a nice "get to know you all better" sort of gathering. It was fine ... and we had lots of the yummy apple crisp left for dinner :) Hope you get Day soon and enjoy it Laura -- I think you will.

I didn't give a BB because I wasn't positive..but I'm pretty darned sure that it was Richard's amazing reviews that led me to it so...belatedly
thank you RICHARD.

Glad you liked Day. It was my favorite read of January.

>217 katiekrug: Hi Katie. Maybe I got the BB from you then? Anyway it's a lovely book isn't it?

>216 RebaRelishesReading: So glad that you liked Day so much, Reba, and that I had a hand in bringing it to you. *smooch*

>219 richardderus: and right back at'ya Richard.

A Chateau Under Siege by Martin Walker***1/2 (audio)

The 16th in the Bruno Chief of Police series provides another pleasant visit to the South of France. In this instance, a neighboring town is putting on a reenactment of a battle in the Hundred Year's War which resulted in France becoming free from English rule. A local celebrity falls from his horse and lands in a pool of blood on the town steps. Bruno is nearby, watching the show, rushes in to help and becomes involved in trying to figure out whether it was an accident and, if not, who was responsible and why.

I love listening to this series while knitting and have spent much of the past two days doing just that. I enjoy the descriptions of life and cooking in the Perpignan and, by now, there's also a little bit of "catching up with distant friends" involved.

After a total bust with Connections today

Connections
Puzzle #250
🟪🟨🟩🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟪🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟪🟦
🟦🟦🟪🟦

my Wordle result felt very nice.
Wordle 972 3/6

⬜⬜🟩🟩🟨
🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, train, stash

For some reason, today's Connections was a breeze for me:

Connections
Puzzle #250
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle, on the other hand...

Wordle 972 5/6

🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

And I felt lucky to get it - so many possibilities!

>223 ChrisG1: Your experience with Wordle and Connections today was like mine, the opposite of Reba's. I was glad I finally had a better Connections after struggling with it the last few days.

>223 ChrisG1: >224 atozgrl: Mornin' Chris and Irene :)

I think the word you start Wordle with is terribly important to the result...adding a luck factor into the mix. With connections...sometimes I just don't think the way they do I'm afraid. Today I saw the first two right away but was totally stuck on the blue and purple until I went to the clues. Ah well, it helps me wake up in the morning :)

We're part of a newly forming "movie group" and are going with them to see the "Oscar Nominated Short Films - Live Action" late this afternoon followed by dinner at a wonderful German restaurant. Should be most interesting and fun :)

Before we leave I hope to make some knitting progress while finishing up listening to Ann Patchett's recent collection of essays These Precious Days. She's reading it herself and I'm really enjoying it. I'm listening to the recent one while the older one (This is the Story of a Happy Marriage) waits. A bit backwards but hopefully not a problem.

>226 RebaRelishesReading: Both essay collections are excellent, Reba. I'm sure they're even better read by the author. I do love Ann Patchett.

Enjoy the new movie group!

>225 RebaRelishesReading: I had the same problem with Connections today, stuck on the blue and purple, until I finally realized what the blue was and got it with only one guess left before I bombed. I was able to avoid the hints today. A lot of the Connections puzzles feel like they're getting harder to me. And of course if it's got some kind of pop culture thing that the young folks know, it's probably something I don't know.

>226 RebaRelishesReading: The movie group and dinner sounds like fun!

>226 RebaRelishesReading: That sounds like fun , Reba. I hope you enjoy the movie and dinner group. I would like to see Oppenheimer, as I think it is now on Amazon Prime. I'm watching a series called Lupin, a French detective/caper sort of series, so I'll wait until I finish watching that.

>227 lauralkeet: I love her too, Laura! I loved These Precious Days and I'm loving The Story of a Happy Marriage :)

Movie group was fun. I've never watched short films before. We saw five (which was a bit much actually...I was dying to stand up by the end of the 2 1/2 hours) and, after talking about them over dinner afterwards I decided I really liked three of them. For the first time ever I will be watching the Oscars this year :)

>228 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene -- they often seem harder to me lately too. Haven't had time to do them yet today -- maybe when I finish here.

>229 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah!. It was fun. Oppenheimer is an excellent film (IMO) and I think it would be better watched from the comfort of home. It's long and the seats in the theater we went to weren't comfortable :(

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett ***** (audio)

This is a series of essays recently finished. They cover a lot off aspects of Ms. Patchett's life including her bookshop, her marriage and her friendship with Tom Cruise and his assistant. They're thoughtful and beautiful as one would expect from Ms. Patchett. Love her!

>83 RebaRelishesReading: I've wanted to read this for sometime. Glad to read your review. I'm off to secure..........

>232 Tess_W: As you can tell I thought it was wonderful. Hope you enjoy it, Tess!