Katie's Reading Retreat - Chapter 3

______________________

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) (Kindle) (Audio)

BOOKS COMPLETED

Books Off My Shelf: 4
Books Off My Kindle: 2
Books from Audible/Chirp: 1
Library Loans (print/e-books/audios): 11
Friend Loan:

FEBRUARY
18. Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris (3.75 stars)
17. Perennials by Julie Cantrell (audio) (2.5 stars)
16. Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous (4 stars)
15. Just a Heartbeat Away by Cara Bastone (audio) (3.75 stars)

JANUARY

Favorite:

14. Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay (audio) (3 stars)
13. Intercepted by Alexa Martin (3.5 stars)
12. Go Back to Where You Came From by Wajahat Ali (audio) (3.5 stars)
11. Ruined by Sarah Vaughn et. al. (3 stars)
10. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (4.25 stars)
09. Day by Michael Cunningham (audio) (4.5 stars)
08. The Birdcage by Marcia Willett (2.5 stars)
07. London't Number One Dog Walking Agency by Kate MacDougall (audio) (4 stars)
06. The Summer of Katya by Trevanian (2.5 stars)
05. Let's Be Just Friends by Camilla Isley (audio) (2 stars)
04. Police at the Station and They Don't Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty (audio) (4.5 stars)
03. The Betrayers by David Bezmozgis (audio) (4.25 stars)
02. The Adults by Caroline Hulse (4 stars)
01. Shady Hollow by Juneau Black (audio) (3 stars)

Did Not Finish (YTD)
01. Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen
02. The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton
03. The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis (will try this one again at some point)

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

5 stars = Perfect, for me
4.5 stars = Excellent read
4 stars = Good read
3.5 stars = Not a waste of time
3 stars = Some redeeming qualities, but I wish I’d read something else
2.5 stars = Didn’t work for me
2 stars = Why didn’t I DNF it?

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

I don't really have any goals for my reading in 2024 other than the perpetual "read off my shelves/Kindle" one. I would like to read a little less this year, as I was hyper-focused on it in 2023 and other things and ways I want to spend my time sort of fell by the wayside (writing, volunteering, etc.). So here's too fresh starts!

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

A deceptively quiet and moving novel, The Remains of the Day is the story of Stevens, an English butler coming to the end of his service. And that service has been his whole life, his identity wrapped up in devotion to duty, loyalty, and dignity. It's a sad story, really. Stevens' life has not been his own, and as he makes a journey to the west of England, we learn just how empty that life may have been. The discomfort of realization, the justification for self-deception, the sense of wasted time - it's all beautifully evoked by Ishiguro in elegant, austere prose. After a slow beginning, as the layers of the story were peeled away, I settled in nicely to this thought-provoking and heartbreaking read.

4.25 stars

>4 katiekrug: Excellent novel and perfect review.

Nice review of The Remains of the Day, Katie. It's definitely one of my 20 favorite novels.

>4 katiekrug: Very nice review, Katie. Thumbed!

What I loved about the book is how Ishiguro makes Stevens' feelings for Miss Kenton crystal clear, even though they are smothered by his reserved demeanor. I nearly cried when he and Miss Kenton parted company the first time, and at their reunion, where the feeling of missed opportunity was palpable. This was a 5 star read for me.

Heyyy! New thread.

The Remains of the Day is top tier, whether in print or on film. It seems to be universal—the bleak end faced by a person who committed proudly to a career of service, of following the rules, of deferring the ultimate reward.

>5 ELiz_M: - Hi Liz! And thanks!

>6 kidzdoc: - Thank you, Darryl. I'm not sure it would make that list for me, but I did enjoy it and am glad I *finally* got around to reading it.

>7 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura. I can't believe I didn't even mention Miss Kenton in my review - she was probably my favorite part (most likely because I could only picture her as Emma Thompson) ;-) I think the tone of the novel and how well Ishiguro made Stevens feel distant prevented me from having a strong emotional connection to the book. It's beautiful and pitch-perfect but, to me, rather cold.

>8 weird_O: - I'm looking forward to re-watching the film soon, Bill.

I agree with you and Laura about TRotD. So beautifully written, and YES to Miss Kenton as 100% always Emma Thompson.

A Book where the movie is just as amazing in its own way and perfectly compliments the reading experience.

>11 magicians_nephew: I totally agree, Jim.
A great example of that (besides the wonderful Emma Thompson) is how the film depicts Mr Stevens Senior's story arc. Oh dear, I seem to have something in my eye ...

>10 scaifea: - Of course, Stevens was also *all* Anthony Hopkins for me, too :)

>11 magicians_nephew: - I'm very much looking forward to seeing the film again!

>12 lauralkeet: - I have near zero recollection of the film, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the book is adapted.

Happy new one, Katie! Excellent review of The Remains of the Day. Like Laura, I added my thumb. It was a five star read for me, but I get what you are saying about its coldness. To me that was one of the things so beautifully done - the reserve that could not be escaped by him even in the telling of his own story.

>15 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! I totally agree about how well done it was. A 5-star read for me usually means I felt a strong emotional connection to the book. I would have given TRotD 4.5 stars, but the beginning was just slightly too boring for slightly too long :)

Totally get that.

and the first with a third thread! Positively Cranswickian!

Happy new thread, Katie! Thanks for reminding me that I still haven't watched The Remains of the Day film despite really loving the book.

>17 Crazymamie: - :)

>18 drneutron: - *Waves at Jim*

>19 curioussquared: - Glad to help :)

Happy new thread.
I loved RotD. Must look it and the film out again.

Happy New Thread! I loved both the book and the movie of Remains of the Day years ago -- probably should revisit them one of these days.

Happy new thread, Katie. I love your topper.

Sweet Thursday, Katie. Happy New Thread. I am following up one terrific read (Yellowface with another potential gem in Caste. Not far into the audio but it has been excellent. Have you read it?

>21 Helenliz: and >22 foggidawn: - So much love for The Remains of the Day! Thanks for sharing in it, Helen and foggi.

>23 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth. It seemed appropriate :)

>24 msf59: - I haven't read Caste yet, Mark, but I have it in my Kindle library. Look forward to your thoughts!

My oh my! Things are progressing quite quickly here. Happy new and most importantly, third thread!

Happy new thread!!! Remains of the Day was indeed a good one. Nice topper BTW. : )

I had to check twice to make sure that you already started a third thread, Katie. Happy new one!

Happy New Thread, Katie! I loved Remains of the Day, and gave it 4. 5 stars. Are there any other books by him that you wold recommend ? Great review too.

>26 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Natalie!

>27 Berly: - Thank you, Kim :)

>28 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg!

>29 vancouverdeb: - I have a few of his in my stacks, Deb, but haven't read them. I did try to read Klara and the Sun but I DNFed it...

Happy Friday! This week seemed to go on forever...

Not much on the agenda today, which is fine because it's pretty gloomy out. I try to keep my Fridays free of obligations and just enjoy the slide into the weekend.

Leftovers for dinner tonight.

Books:
I finished Ruined yesterday and started Intercepted (football girlfriend! Timely, no?). I have about 30 minutes left in Go Back to Where You Came From so I'll finish that up today. I had a romance on tap, but will pick something else, since I don't like to double up genres. Still plugging away at the T.R. bio.

Viewing:
Nada. I might go turn on the A.O. to watch the final set of the Zverev/Medvedev match which looks to be a corker!

Morning Katie!

I thought this week took forever too. What's up with that? I like the idea of an obligation-free Friday. I've recently shifted my preferred grocery shopping day to Thursday and I have to say, I love the "Friday freedom" that brings especially because we also usually get takeout (or occasionally dine out).

Enjoy your day! Is it warm up your way like it is here?

>32 lauralkeet: - Morning, Laura! Obligation-free Fridays are like having a long weekend every week :) And I need that this week, which lasted about 9 days...

It's currently 41F, going to a high of 48F - so not as warm as you but definitely unseasonable.

New thread orisons, Katie. Spend a lovely weekend.

>34 richardderus: - Thanks, RD! And back atcha.

Happy early weekend day. ; )

We are going to friends' on Sunday afternoon to play games and watch football. The hosts are making sliders and mini Cubanos, and we've been asked to bring a side and/or dessert. I'll probably make a pan of brownies, but does anyone have a realiable side dish they like to bring to this sort of thing? I'm completely uninspired....

>36 Berly: - Thanks, Kim! Hope your weekend's a good one.

>37 katiekrug: True "sides" don't always travel well.

>39 magicians_nephew: - Welp, we are only going about a mile down the road, so...

But if anyone has any good "fake" sides, do let me know :)

I'm leaning towards an orzo salad or my gussied up Stouffer's mac and cheese.

Interesting... The novel Long Bright River by Liz Moore, which was EXCELLENT, is being made into a limited series for Peacock, starring Amanda Seyfried.

I'll be watching!

I have a recipe for spicy delicate squash or a potato gratin with zucchini...

The Wayne doesn't eat squash 😕 Also, thosr sound FANCY!

Happy new thread, Katie!

I read The Remains of the Day in college and remember enjoying it. And good luck with the side... I am also trying to come up with something for a get together on Sunday and haven't thought of anything.

Anti-squash solidarity with The Wayne 😝

>42 Berly: Nah, they are pretty easy. But I am a fan of orzo salad, too, so stick with that and don't stress. : )

Happy weekend, Katie

I am glad that you enjoyed Remains of the day I have yet to read a book by Ishiguro that I have not liked. One of my go to authors if I want a solid read.

Did you decided on a side to bring to your friends house?

Re: sides, I was thinking something like potato skins would go well with what the hosts are serving, and travel well too. But I've never made them and they sound labor intensive. I like the orzo salad idea.

And a Long Bright River series?! Sign me up! It looks like they are filming on location, and this week Seyfried went on a ride along with local police from the 26th precinct which, incidentally, is up the street from where we used to live. Our neighborhood was adjacent to some of the areas hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.

No release date announced yet, I guess ...

Morning, Katie! Are we voting? I'm gonna vote for the gussied up Stouffer's mac and cheese because that is what I would want to eat with the sammies. Potato salad would also work well, but I don't make that I purchase it, so...

>44 bell7: - The orzo salad is usually my go-to, but produce this time of year is so sketchy, I'm not sure I want to put in the work for a sub-par product.

I like some squash, but it is a no on textural grounds for TW. I have been able to get him to eat zucchini occasionally if it's mixed with other things and not over-cooked...

I'll stalk your thread to see what you finally decide on :)

>45 Berly: - Oh, I'm not stressed. If worse comes to worst, I'll just do the dessert (brownies with peanut butter chips)!

>46 figsfromthistle: - I have a couple more by Ishiguro to get to. I told Deb I hadn't read anything else by him, but I forgot I had read Never Let Me Go, which was just okay for me.

Do you have a favorite?

Stilld ebating the side but thinking it'll be mac and cheese.

>47 lauralkeet: - I love potato skins! I've never made them before, and I don't want to do labor intensive. But I might keep the idea on deck for a dinner one night...

I loved LBR so am very excited for the series. I don't think they usually announce release dates until they are well into post-production. Here's hoping it's good!

>48 Crazymamie: - I thought about potato salad, but I don't have a really good tried and true recipe, plus it's more work than I'd like to do tomorrow. If I do the mac and cheese, all I have to do is make some bacon, crumble it up, cook the mac and cheese and then add some spicy mustard and the bacon, and do a bread crumb topping. Typing that out, it sounds like more work than it is :)

I'll keep you posted!

Happy Saturday! It's still grey and gloomy here... I'll be making a grocery run (once I decide on that pesky side) and taking care of a few things around the house (mostly encouraging TW to finish organizing his stuff and moving it back downstairs). We have tickets to see Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent on 'Ted Lasso') at NJPAC tonight, so that should be fun. We are going to stop for a drink and nibbles beforehand at an East African restaurant close to the venue.

Books:
I started The Cracked Spine on audio but decided to DNF it. It was poorly written, had an annoying main character, and the audio narrator wasn't very good (a trifecta!). In its place, I started a different book-themed cozy series, Books Can Be Deceiving. I also read a chunk of Intercepted and my daily T.R. chapter.

Viewing:
The Wayne didn't feel like watching anything, so I had the chance to watch The Remains of the Day. It's an excellent adaptation, though it left out one of the more touching scenes from the book (when Miss Kenton announces her departure and Stevens barely reacts beyond polite congratulations and she says something like, "Am I to understand that this is all you have to say to me?"). I thought the choice to make the American who buys Darlington Hall be the American congressman who disagreed with Lord Darlington many years earlier was a good one.

Chipping in late, Assuming bread of some description in the sliders, I'd go for something not carb heavy, so not potato based. Apart form that I'm equally crap, I;d be going with either a salad or coleslaw, depending on what other people might be bringing.
Or opt for desert, you can never have too much in the way of desert.

>50 katiekrug: I enjoyed your film vs book comments. My first watch of the movie was years and years before reading the book and then my re-watch was some time after, so I didn't pick up on those nuances.

Good luck with your side ...

>51 Helenliz: - "Or opt for desert, you can never have too much in the way of desert."

See, that is how I feel about carbs ;-) Definitely not doing potatoes, but the mac and cheese is carb-heavy. But soooo good....

>52 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura!

Wishing you luck with your sides quandary. Any of them sound delicious to me. 😋

Morning, Katie!

Brett is coming to Columbus, too, and I was so excited, but tickets for all three of us would be pricey. *sigh*

Apologies if this was already mentioned (I've read through posts, but sometimes my brain doesn't register stuff), but what about a salad salad for the side? Lettuce and whatever veggies you want in one big bowl, with some extras and dressing separate? Easy peasy and not a lot of fuss, plus bonus points for appearing health-conscious...

ETA: Then you can make the mac&cheese and keep it all for yourself...

>54 MickyFine: - You're no help, Micky!

>55 scaifea: - I'd ditch the Scaife men and go by yourself :)

I thought of a salad, but I thought it would be a cop out. Plus, the whole produce situation this time of year... *sigh*

The mac and cheese is definitely being considered out of self-interest :-P

I'm probably chiming in too late to be any help but my default winter side-dish is roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries and bacon. It looks pretty and is super easy. Plus....it's bacon.

Happy new thread, and happy weekend, Katie!

Sliders and Mac n' Cheese sounds yummy to me. Anyway you don't count calories on game day!

>57 norabelle414: what ^^^ she said

>49 katiekrug: I can't say that I have a favourite so far.....The buried giant and the unconsoled are ones that have stuck with me the longest.

The mac and cheese side sounds awesome!

>57 norabelle414: - Thanks, Nora! That sounds good, but perhaps a bit elevated for this gathering? Plus, yeah, I only just saw the suggestion :)

>58 AMQS: - Thanks, Anne!

>59 DeltaQueen50: - Excellent point, Judy!

>60 richardderus: - I do love me some brussels sprouts...

>61 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita!

Oof, it was hard to get out of bed this morning. It's rainy and very dark, and the bed was so comfortable... But here I am.

We had a funt ime last night trying a new restaurant (we will be back!) and seeing Brett Goldstein. He was great - funny and irreverent and crude, but not over-the-top. All in all, a good date night.

This morning, I need to make the bacon for the mac and cheese. I'm a convert to doing it in the oven, so that's super easy. We're expected at our friends' any time after 2:00, so there's plenty of time to get everything done (I did the brownies yesterday). The Wayne will be making the all-important beverage run. It should be a fun time this afternoon. I'm rooting for the Ravens and the Lions, if anyone cares :)

Books:
I probably won't have much reading time today. I still have the same 3 on the go...

Viewing:
The Wayne wanted to watch some weird anime show he's hooked on, so I ceded the television and read.

Hello! I like your side dish, it sounds delicious. I'm kind of craving mac & cheese now but it's a pain to make (for Morgan to make, just to be clear, I'm not gonna be cooking it!). I don't think there's really much appealing in that area in the stores here.

Is today the day for The Big Game? Final Battle? I don't know sports things.

At any rate, I hope you have a great time!

>64 ursula: - I have never tried to make mac and cheese myself. Stouffer's does just fine by me - I like the gloppy version, rather than the dry, baked kind. I am sad you don't have easy access to a decent store-bought version :(

>65 scaifea: - It's basically the semi-finals, Amber :)

>66 katiekrug: It isn't very hard to make from scratch...make a roux, add the same volume as the cooked roux of evaporated milk, stirstirstir until lumpless, then add equal weights cooked, cooled pasta and grated cheese. Bake or serve, up to you.. I think roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and cranberries sounds deVOON as slider sides!

German style potato salad from the deli always makes a good impression.

Potatoes au gratin is not hard to make and keeps well in the casserole dish.

Judy likes squash. I've learned to accept it. She has many good qualities.

Macaroni cheese is really easy AND excellent for using up random cheese in January after I've over ordered on the Christmas cheese (for a change).

>63 katiekrug: Curious to know what the anime show was that The Wayne was watching. w

>67 richardderus: - Yeah, no. I've seen TW make a roux for gumbo and that does not interest me :)

Nora's suggestion sounds great, but I think mac and cheese is more in keeping with the spirit of the get-together...

>68 magicians_nephew: - Good suggestions, Jim, just a day late ;-)

>69 Helenliz: - Maybe someday I'll try it, but since store-bought is easy to fancify, and I like it, I'm not sure it's worth the effort. Gotta save my efforts for other things :D

>70 magicians_nephew: - I think it's called 'The Blue-Eyed Samurai'? On Netflix maybe?

I finished this puzzle (eeBoo 1000 pieces) this morning. Fun one!



And my last completion before the one above was a "puzzle snack" (thanks Deb for the term!) of 500 pieces...

>4 katiekrug: Yep, I need to reread that. Nice review.

I love both your puzzles and I love the phrase "puzzle snack!" I'll start using that for 500-piece puzzles. It means that, when I finally muster up the courage to tackle a 1500 or 2000 piece puzzle, it will be a feast!

Have fun today. All the food sounds good. I'm only interested in the Lions/49ers game as they are two teams I don't hate. I'll probably root for the 49ers on behalf of my Tennessee cousin who has loved that team for her entire life. On the other hand, our beloved niece-in-law is a huge Lions fan. I figure I can't lose in that game. I care not about the other game today.

>73 EBT1002: - Hi Ellen! Glad you liked my review of TRotD.

Isn't "puzzle snack" a great term? I like doing them after especially onerous 1000 piecers. I don't have a place to do a 2000 piece puzzle. I think my puzzle board can manage 1500, just.

I saw on Instagram that our hosts are also making pigs-in-a-blanket, so I am even more excited. I don't care much about either game, but I do like to pick someone to root for. The primary purpose of this get-together is to play board games, so the games will just be background filler...

Monday, Monday... And it's still grey and gloomy around here. I wouldn't mind seeing a little sun, if only briefly :-P

We had a good time yesterday at our friends' house. We played "Concept," which was a really fun game, and watched football. My mac and cheese and brownies were a great hit. We left at half-time of the 2nd football game because we had to feed the dog.

Today will be grocery shopping, laundry, and other exciting stuff...

Books:
I'm almost done with Intercepted and should finish it today. I've just started the 2nd part of the T.R. bio, about his 2nd term in office. And I have a new puzzle to start, so I'll be listening to more of Books Can Be Deceiving.

Viewing:
Just football. Both the teams I was half-heartedly rooting for lost.

>75 katiekrug: The Lions had their best season in living memory, and that deserves celebration...that they did not go all the way is not any diminishment of their achievement.

It was a sweet Cinderella story, was it not?

Mac'n'cheese usually makes a hit because it is nature's best food combo...fat and carbs and umami as all sin. YUM!

Have a good weeks' reads, Katie.

>76 richardderus: - Yes, the Lions can be proud of their turn-around, but to let the lead they had slip away is tough...

I gifted the leftover mac and cheese to our hosts because it's too dangerous to have around the house :)

Hope your week is a good one!

Board games and yummy food sounds like a guarantee for a good get-together! Glad you had fun,

>78 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba!

I've got a long list of things I want to do today... not sure how much will actually get done. Story of my life?

I had a cooking fail last night - I was trying a new recipe and the rice cooked unevenly. When I tried to "fix" it, everything just turned to glop, and I got frustrated. So The Wayne took me out to dinner. Good man!

Looking forward to trivia tonight - it'll be just us. I enjoy playing with other people on occasion, but it's time for Pinky & the Brain to re-assert dominance. Heh.

Books:
I finished Intercepted yesterday. Next up will be The Unsettled, the author of which is doing an event nearby on Saturday afternoon. I got a (free) ticket to go, but my bail if I haven't finished the book or don't like it.

Still working on T.R. of course, and the same cozy mystery on audio.

Viewing:
Nada

Hiya Katie. I had an unsatisfactory cooking experience last night too. It was a new chicken and broccoli grain bowl recipe from Bon Appétit which had several 5-star reviews but the marinade was like a paste and didn't coat the boneless chicken thighs well. The broccoli cooked much faster than the chicken on the sheet pan and would have been charred to a crisp if I hadn't been paying attention, and I ended up finishing the chicken by slicing and sauteeing it to brown it better. It wasn't a total fail but it was just meh.

I will also be reading The Unsettled soon! I'm first in line at the library. Someone I know IRL recommended it to me although she did say it was a "difficult" read (due to subject matter). We have very similar reading tastes so I'm hopeful.

>81 lauralkeet: - I often have issues with sheet pan dinners because of the varied cooking speeds, no matter what the recipe says. As you said, one must be vigilant and pay attention.

That's good to hear about The Unsettled. I haven't seen much mention of it here or elsewhere...

Ooof, I'm sorry your cooking was frustrating, but TW knows what's up. Good man.

>83 scaifea: - It's okay. I'll give the recipe another try at some point, because I'm pretty sure we'd like it!

And yep, TW is The Best.

Checking in on thread number 3 before I get hopelessly behind again, Katie.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Must have been a night for culinary disasters. I seem to have lost the blade part of the mincer, so when I came to mince the left over roast lamb to make shepherd's pie, no-can-do.
A bit of rummaging in kitchen cupboards unearthed the old plastic one, which did work, but not well. It required him to hold it while turning the handle while I fed the lamb into the mincer. I'm putting that down as a workout!
It turned out fine, but was a good job I'd started prep really early.
And I need a new mincer.

>85 alcottacre: - Hi Stasia!

>86 Helenliz: - Ha! Must have been something in the air over the Atlantic :)

Ruined by Sarah Vaughn et. al.

This is a historical romance told in graphic novel form. It was mildly diverting (I do love me a marriage of convenience trope!), but there wasn't much to it, and I found the art work pretty lame. I am not much of a GN reader (though I did enjoy GN adaptations of Animal Farm and Heart of Darkness) so YMMV.

3 stars
(My rating scale translation: Some redeeming qualities, but I wish I’d read something else)

Go Back to Where You Came From by Wajahat Ali

Ali was born in California to parents who emigrated from Pakistan. This memoir-in-essays covers a range of topics from racism and Islamaphobia to assimilation and politics. It was quite engaging on audio, read by the author, with a good balance of humor, anger, and hope for the future.

3.5 stars
(My rating scale translation: Not a waste of time)

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

A pretty decent sports romance, the main drawback being the annoying over-use of "cute" hashtags... That aside, this was a fast, breezy read in which the two main characters spend most of the book together as an actual couple. I found this refreshing because so many times there is too much conflict up front and the angst-o-meter has to reach nuclear levels before we are allowed to see a couple happily spending time together. The third-act conflict which temporarily blows up the relationship is reasonably believable, though I'm not sure the resolution really passes the smell test for rational action. But whatever. It's escapist fun.

3.5 stars
(My rating scale translation: Not a waste of time)

It's about 6:20 where you are so trivia is probably starting before too long -- sending you some good mojo for a happy result :)

>91 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba! We did okay...

We came in 8th of 21 teams last night. We were dead last after the first round, so it was a decent comeback. As always, it was fun, no matter the result :)

Today is just seeing what I can cross out on my to-do list. My only "must do" is a grocery run to get the stuff for dinner (cilantro lime chicken breasts with bell peppers). I don't like to buy produce too far in advance, hence my inability to shop only once a week...

Nothing else to report, I guess. But January is almost over and that's something to celebrate. This month has lasted at least 9 weeks.

Books:
I started The Unsettled but haven't had much time with it, so I don't have an impression of it yet. I finished the audio of Books Can Be Deceiving and started Just a Heartbeat Away. And there's still T.R. of course.

Viewing:
Nope

Morning, Katie! Hooray for 8th place which is perfectly respectable.

Me, too, with the produce - it does not last down here at all.

So funny that January felt like it lasted nine weeks for you - it absolutely flew by for me, and I feel slightly whiplashed that tomorrow is February.

>93 katiekrug: I've read all of the Library Mystery Series books that are out so far and they're pretty good; at least so far McKinlay hasn't ran the story or the characters into the ground, like so many other cozy series. I mean, it's not high lit, but it's, well, cozy, and fun. I hope you liked it!

>94 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! Given how poorly we did at the start of the contest, 8th is pretty good for sure.

I could probably find better produce than that at my supermarket, but I resist the need to go to multiple places. Lazy much?

Ugh, this January has been just awful. Long and tiresome and intermittently stressful. I'll be glad to see the back of it.

>95 scaifea: - It was cute, but I'm not sure cozies are my thing. A bit too cute, maybe? Still, since this was the first and series often get better, I might give the next one a try. I do like to have reliable, non-taxing series I can turn to when I don't want to have to think too much.

I only shop at the Publix because it is very close to me, and I am also lazy. But also my time and energy are valuable, and I don't want to waste them going to multiple markets. Just the thought of it makes me itchy.

I'm sorry that January has been just awful. Hoping that February is full of fabulous for you.

>97 Crazymamie: - Solidarity, sister!

In absolute terms, the month wasn't that bad, but relatively speaking, I've had better :)

>97 Crazymamie: I miss Publix.

I'm the same way with shopping -- if I have to go to two places, it's not happening. I'll go to different grocery stores (I have different things I buy at QFC (local Kroger) vs Costco vs Trader Joe's) but not on the same day.

Happy Last Day of January, Katie. I hope February is better!

My puzzle board is 30" X 30" so I'm not sure it would handle a 2000-piece puzzle or even a 1500-piece puzzle. But my dining room table, at which we have not eaten since I got addicted to jigsaw puzzles, expands nicely. Haha.

>99 kidzdoc: - So does The Wayne, and he hasn't had regular access to one in 20+ years, LOL.

>100 curioussquared: - Exactly. We make occasional Costco runs, and I'll go to TJ's a couple of times a month, but they are "special" trips :)

>101 EBT1002: - I forget how big my puzzle board is, Ellen, but it holds a 1000 pieces well. I think I have done a 1500 on it once, but I almost bought another 1500 that was mostly horizontal, and that wouldn't have fit. Our dining table is just a small, round 4-seater.

Thanks for the good wishes for the new month!

Happy.... Thursday? Is it Thursday? It feels like a Wednesday... ANYWAY, Nuala will be off to day care this morning, and I'll run a couple of errands after dropping her off (bank, post office, blah blah blah). Then I have a few things to do around the house, but after that, the afternoon is mine. I'm about to finish a puzzle, so that will definitely be on the agenda. Khmer-Style Stir-Fried Chicken and Ginger for dinner tonight.

Books:
The Unsettled is very good, but it requires focused reading time, so I finally got a small chunk read before bed last night. Picking it up for 5 minutes to read a page or two doesn't do it justice, so lesson learned.

T.R. continues.

My audio is good company while puzzling - it's a romance, but it's also about families and how they are made and the different forms they can take.

Viewing:
Finally remembered to watch this week's University Challenge and it was quite a match! I was getting stressed out for both teams.

>89 katiekrug: If I run across a copy of that one, I will give it a shot. However, my local library currently does not have a copy of it.

>90 katiekrug: main drawback being the annoying over-use of "cute" hashtags - that would drive me nuts, I imagine, so I think I will give that one a pass.

Have a thunderous Thursday, Katie!

>104 alcottacre: - Can I swap a thunderous Thursday for a quiet one? :)

Have a tediously uneventful Thursday where the only interesting things are happening in your book, Katie!

>99 kidzdoc: I have BIG love for The Publix.

Morning, Katie! We are twins today except for dropping off the dog at daycare - I have to do bank/post office/grocery. Boring but necessary. But tomorrow is Abby's birthday, so there will be cake. She will be 28 which seems impossible.

Hoping that Thursday is kind to you.

>106 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

>107 Crazymamie: - Oooh, what kind of cake? Happy birthday to Abby!

Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

This is the first in a series of cozy mysteries about a small-town librarian in Connecticut. It was fine, but I'm not sure cozies are my thing. I tend to roll my eyes at what non-professional crime solvers get themselves into. Still, some of the secondary characters were fun, and I like the setting and library angle, so I will probably give the next one a try at some point when I need an easy audio.

3 stars
(My rating scale translation: Some redeeming qualities, but I wish I’d read something else)

January in Review
(Numbers in parantheses are YTD)

Books Read: 14 (14)
(Puzzles Completed: 8 (8))

Mine: 5 (5)

Library: 9 (9)

Male authors: 6 (6)
Female authors: 10 (10)

New-to-me authors: 12 (12)
US/UK authors: 14 (14)
Other: 2 - Latvia, Japan (2 - Latvia, Japan)

Print: 5 (5)
Ebook: 1 (1)
Audio: 8 (8)

General/Popular Fiction: 3 (3)
Literary Fiction: 2 (2)
Historical Fiction: 2 (2)
Romance: 2 (2)
Crime/Thriller: 3 (3)
Juvenile/YA: 0 (0)
Classics: 0 (0)
Speculative: 0 (0)
Nonfiction: 2 (2)

Publication:
New (2023 or 2024): 2 (2)
2020-2022: 2 (2)
2020-2019: 7 (7)
2000-2009: 1 (1)
1980s-90s: 2 (2)
1950s-70s: 0 (0)
1900-1949: 0 (0)
19th c.: 0 (0)

Re-reads: 0 (0)
DNFs: 2 (2)

I hadn't realized how many audios I had finished until putting together these stats. That's a lot of puzzling time (maybe I should count puzzles in the stats, too, just for fun...)! I'm also surprised I only read one book on my Kindle, but I am trying to read off of my physical shelves, so it's not a bad thing (and I am reading the big Theodore Roosevelt bio on my Kindle). One area I'd like to "improve" on is reading my own stuff, whether audios, physical books, or e-books. I am, however, trying to put a big dent in my NYPL Overdrive wish list because I might lose access to the system in November, so those two goals might be at cross-purposes...?

Best of the month: Day by Michael Cunningham
Worst of the month (not counting DNFs): Let's Be Just Friends by Camilla Isley

>108 katiekrug: Chocolate ganache.

Nice stats! I like the tracking of the publication dates.

Which is your favorite supermarket chain here, Katie? Mine is Redner's, a small local chain in SE PA.

A new Wegman's supermarket will open in the next town over in March, and I'm eager to check it out, as it's one of the top rated supermarket chains in the US, along with Publix.

Good heavens!! Turn your back for a minute and threads just totally get away from you! Glad trivia went well for you. I also miss Publix and Wegmans...which we know from travels...but our Freddie's is pretty good.

Happy February!

>111 Crazymamie: - Mmmm....

Thanks re: the stats. I don't know why I bother with the pub date tracking - I rarely read things published before th 1980s :-P

>112 kidzdoc: - I wouldn't say it's my favorite chain, because they all vary so much by location, but the best one (and closest one to us) is ShopRite. The store was recently remodeled so it's not as dumpy as most of the others in the immediate vicinity. For supermarkets, we really only have SR or Stop and Shop as options. Wegman's is good for a lot of things, but the nearest one to me is 30 minutes away and I'm not doing that on the regular. I make occasional visits to Trader Joe's, and of course, there are Whole Foods around but none super convenient. Thankfully, there are lots of specialty shops - bakeries, butchers, green grocers, farmers market, etc. that mix things up a bit.

One of the few things I miss about living in Dallas are the giant supermarkets with lots of space, wide aisles, and easy parking...

>113 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba! Happy February to you, too :)

Enjoy your free afternoon!

That's a lot of listening.

>109 katiekrug:. mmm. I like the idea of the cozy mystery, but they're usually too annoying or trite for me to enjoy wholeheartedly. That and horror are the two genres I typically don't read from. Not a lot of cross over there!

>110 katiekrug: Post the puzzle count!!

I'm in favor of puzzling stats! We just finished ours too. :)

>110 katiekrug: Excellent stats! Counting puzzles in the stats is a great idea and would be interesting.

As for grocery shopping, I dislike visiting more than two stores for my main shopping. I try my best to get fruit and such locally or direct from the orchards who also have mini country markets. US supermarket chains I really like stores like Publix ( in Florida) and Fry's when in Arizona. In a particular place in Europe, my go to grocery store was Merkur. I was quite disappointed when on my next visit they closed/were taken over by another company. Ah well...I suppose it's just a grocery store ;)

>116 curioussquared: - Thanks, Natalie, I did!

>117 Helenliz: - I don't really read horror, either. And I agree about cozies being a bit too "cute" for me much of the time.

>118 norabelle414: - Yes, ma'am!

>119 ursula: - I guess I will, but it's going to be embarrassing, as I go through them pretty quickly :)

>120 figsfromthistle: - We are getting a new, small regional chain supermarket opening in the summer, and I am interested to see what they have. It's in a not-great location, though, so traffic and parking will be a bit annoying...

Morning, all! Late start here, as TW and I both overslept. It is, once again, gloomy and damp, which makes it hard to wake up. But TGIF! Not much to report from yesterday. Nuala had great fun at day care, as she always does. And she immediately crashed when she got home. I deferred the dinner I was planning to tonight, and we went out instead.

Today is a Free Friday, where I refuse to put much, if anything, on my To Do list. The crappy weather will lend itself nicely to books and puzzles, I think.

Books:
I finished up the audio of Just a Heartbeat Away, which was a really nice romance. I'm in a bit of a conundrum regarding The Unsettled - I don't hate it, and it's good when I pick it up, but it's not fully engaging me. I feel like it's a good enough book that I should finish it, but I kind of don't want to? I don't usually mind setting aside books, but I feel guilty when I can tell they are "worthy" in some way and the fault is probably with me. Wrong book, wrong time maybe? It's also a big hardcover and not super comfortable to hold and read (and I can't find my book pillow to use). I think I might set it aside and wait for a Kindle edition from the library.

Still reading Theodore Rex.

Viewing:
Nothing

Exciting news!

I LOVED Destiny of the Republic when I read it several years ago. Still one of my favorite nonfiction books...

Okay, I have added the number of puzzles completed to my monthly stats (right under the total number of books completed, but I might move it to under the number of audio books completed - ha!).

And this is my most recent finish:



It was a mildly challenging one, 1000 pieces. I got it through our local puzzle swap Facebook group, and have already had someone claim it next.

How are you doing on this amazing Friday?

>123 katiekrug: OMG

This is hugely exciting to me, too, and talk about a dream cast! I can not wait for this one to come out. May it be but the first of many Millard adaptations.

Lovely soggy day in *smooch*

>125 Owltherian: - Fine, thanks.

>126 richardderus: - I know! I'm so excited for it. Now to wait...

I was very glad to see some sun in our forecast starting tomorrow :)

>127 katiekrug: Thats good!

>123 katiekrug: Agree on Destiny of the Republic - I can't even count how many times I've recommended that book. And now an adaptation! Can't wait to see the doctor poking his grubby little fingers into the bullet hole.....

>123 katiekrug: Ooooh, Matthew Macfadyen is a favorite.

>128 Owltherian: - Indeed.

>129 vivians: - I've recommended it a ton of times, too. I hope the adaptation does it justice!

>130 scaifea:

>131 katiekrug: *swoon*

>132 scaifea: - For realsies.

>131 katiekrug:, >132 scaifea:, >133 katiekrug: I missed the link to the news in >123 katiekrug: but you can bet these messages caught my eye! Swoon indeed! I love how the headline refers to Macfadyen as "Succession alum". I mean, yes but ... HE IS MR DARCY! At least that gets a mention in the article.

>134 lauralkeet: - The only reason I might give 'Succession' a try at some point is to see Macfadyen. I am *that* shallow :)

Oh myyyyy, as Takei would say...more good news: FX has ordered and set a cast for Say Nothing, a nine-episode limited series based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s award-winning 2019 book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. Airing on Hulu and though I know none of the stars of the show it looks like a good team behind the camera, to include the author.

>136 richardderus: - Further motivation to finally read it!

This made me chuckle. Thought my fellow Wordle-rs might like it too:

Omg, that is so funny lol

>138 katiekrug: 😂🤣

>138 katiekrug: I love the mug!

Karen O

>130 scaifea:, >131 katiekrug: What she said!

>138 katiekrug: Cracked me up!

Happy Friday, Katie! I think setting aside The Unsettled until you can get it on Kindle is an excellent compromise. I am such a mood reader that I never hesitate to put something down if it's not grabbing me, but I get what you are saying.

Glad the Wordle mug was appreciated here :)

>142 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie. I have decided to set it aside. It's due date was also fast approaching, and I couldn't renew it, so.....

But now to pick something else - oh, the pressure!

Hmmm .... I wonder how I will get on with The Unsettled? That book AND a Sean Duffy will be ready for me soon. Two very different books ...

>144 lauralkeet: - It's really not a bad book, Laura! I think I'm just in the mood for something not so heavy (literally and figuratively :) )!

>144 lauralkeet: I get that. I was rapidly moving to the top of the queue just before Christmas. Nope nope nope! I suspended the hold for several weeks -- same with the Jesmyn Ward. Now it's Black History Month, so that's kind of nice synchronicity.

>146 lauralkeet: - Yeah, one of the reasons I wanted to stick with it was for BHM, but I've got a few other things lined up for that, so I feel less guilty about it...

Love the mug -- and the Matthew MacFayden appreciation!! Did you see that Ayo Edebiri (of The Bear fame) met him at the Emmys or Golden Globes and immediately confessed to him that her dad had grounded her as a teenager because she had a picture of him as Mr. Darcy as her desktop background? A+ celebrity interaction.

>148 curioussquared: - I did see that! I love her, and I love him... A+ for sure.

>138 katiekrug: :)

>105 katiekrug: OK, if you insist :) I hope it was as quiet as you wanted it to be.

>110 katiekrug: I already have Day in the BlackHole thanks to Richard's recommendation or I would be adding it again.

Have a wonderful weekend, Katie!

>135 katiekrug: Yes to MacFayden and the mug!! Happy weekend to you, you *shallow* person you. ; )

Couldn't figure out how your thread took off so fast until I read all the posts about food. That will do it.

I'm with you on the extra long January. I think it here it had something to do with going through weather from so many season in one month. We got a foot of snow dumped on us, then multiple days of rain and now the flowers are coming out. They are as confused as the rest of us!

Happy Belated New Thread, Katie! How have not been here sooner? I love your eeboo puzzle, the one of Women Reading. I loved it too . They are all lovely! I just finished an Eeboo puzzle , The Alchemist’s House. It was fun and not too hard. I’m currently working on a 500 piece puzzle snack .It’s a new brand to me , Pieces and Peace . The image is fabulous, an Amsterdam, but the puzzle is proving a bit frustrating as there are a lot of false fits. I think I will avoid this brand in future, which is a shame , since they do have great images.

ha! Love the wordle mug. I see you reporting your results with interest and do not regret giving up on it.
Hope saturday treats you well.

>150 RebaRelishesReading: - I especially love the "violent" one!

>151 alcottacre: - Thanks, Stasia! Hope you have a great weekend, too.

>152 Berly: - Ha! Thanks, Kim :)

>153 Familyhistorian: - Yes, I think January was long and not great because of the weather and attendant stress at the start with all the rain we had. And then lots of gloomy, grey days... Blech.

>154 vancouverdeb: - I have The Alchemist's House puzzle, too, Deb. Can't remember if I've done it yet... I looked up that puzzle company and they do have lovely images. Too bad it's been frustrating!

>155 Helenliz: - Hi Helen! I try to only report my Wordle when it's particularly good (or bad). I mostly get 4s, and those are just boring ;-)

Hope you have a great Saturday yourself!

I woke up to SUN, people! This is a big deal. I instantly have more energy :) We're having a quiet, mostly at-home Saturday with things to do around the house. I do need to run a couple of errands, and TW is going to MicroCenter to get something for his computer. He said he'd stop at the wine store on his way, so that's one less thing I need to do. His college basketball team is playing tonight, and we haven't watched a game in a while so that's on the agenda, along with some sort of takeout (likely Indian).

Yesterday was very chill. I started some new books and did some puzzling, and cleaned the kitchen a bit. The chicken and ginger stir fry turned out pretty well. I am never very hungry after I cook, but TW had a healthy serving of it :) After dinner, we watched some TV.

Books:
So I decided to return The Unsettled to the library unfinished. I'll try it again at some point. In its place, I picked up Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio (great title!), a Europa Editions by an Algerian author. It's good so far. On audio, I started Perennials, a family drama. And I'm still reading Theodore Rex.

Viewing:
Last two episodes of s2 of 'Reacher.' It was a bit ridiculous (catching the gurney as it rolled out of the helicopter, etc.) but good fun.

>136 richardderus: That could be amazing, Richard. I hope they can do it justice.

Happy Saturday, Katie! I know exactly what you mean about the sun. It finally came out on Thursday and it felt like it changed everything. We are supposed to get plenty more sun this weekend. Did you finish Slow Horses S3? I have 2 eps left. Such a fun show and Olman is such a repulsive treat.

>159 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! I don't mind some gloomy days, but this stretch was ridiculous. The sun is most welcome.

I haven't watched any of the Slow Horses adaptation because I want to read the books. Or at least the first one... I've heard nothing but good things about the show, though.

Public Service Announcement - Friends of Julia

Information on a Celebration of Life for Julia (rosalita) is here: https://international.uiowa.edu/news/2024/02/memory-julia-labua.

It includes a link to register, if you'd like to receive the Zoom link to attend virtually.

>161 katiekrug: Katie, thanks so much for that. I feel like I am still in shock that she is gone.

Hooray for your SUN! Your Saturday plans sound good - except for the errands as I really hate to go out on the weekends.

I love those Europa editions, and Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio is a title worthy of a manga - The Girls are always reading manga with incredibly long titles that make me laugh. I know you said you are doing Perennials on audio, but the cover is so pretty when you pull up the touchstone.

Hoping your Saturday is full of fabulous!

>157 katiekrug: Snort, you're not wrong about it stretching credulity but I enjoy it anyway.

Enjoy your chill, sunny Saturday!

Thanks for posting the info about Julia's service, Katie.

>162 Crazymamie: - I know what you mean about Julia, Mamie. I keep coming across things that I think would amuse her.

The sun is most welcome. My social media feeds are full of local friends also celebrating its return :)

The errands are easy, at least - library and CVS.

Isn't that cover pretty? I'm listening to it to fill a reading challenge prompt to read a book with a "botanical" cover.

>163 MickyFine: - I definitely want to go back and watch the first season.

>164 BLBera: - You're welcome, Beth.

>162 Crazymamie: I feel the same as Mamie. Julia followed my thread in the Needlearts group and just after I set up my 2024 thread she asked me a couple of questions about my projects. She wasn't a knitter, she was just one of those curious people that likes to know how things work. Anyway, her posts are bittersweet: a reminder of what a gem she was, but also a source of sadness.

>166 lauralkeet: - Bittersweet is a good word for it, Laura.

Thank you again for sharing the info regarding Julia's service. The write-up from the University was lovely. So many of us will miss her.

Somewhere up there you mentioned resisting watching "Succession". I watched the first couple episodes and hated it and resisted for years while my family watched and raved about it. I finally gave it another try and loved it. Macfadyen had a great role.

>124 katiekrug: That's a great puzzle!

>158 msf59:, >137 katiekrug: It will be a crapshoot, of course, but I feel heartened that the media landscape is so very different nowadays that such material is actually *being*acquired*, so I am ready to *hope* that the execution will be good. That was not the case even ten years ago.

>157 katiekrug: I hope you enjoy Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio, Katie. Amedeo is a terrific character!

>168 Copperskye: - I was glad I could share the information, Joanne. Julia deserves a celebration of her life.

My "To Watch" list is so long... waaaaahhhh! But I will add Succession because The Wayne might like it, and it is hard to find things we are both interested in.

>169 richardderus: - I'm really enjoying the book, RD , and finding it quite funny in parts.

>170 katiekrug: I've decided I need to start a proper 'To Watch' list. We can never remember what TV programmes we've heard about, and even when we can remember their name we can't remember what streaming channel they are on. Whenever we watch anything it's usually preceded by 15 minutes searching Apple TV & Prime & Netflix & the Sky Channels to try and find where on earth is the thing we wanted to watch.

>171 SandDune: - There's an app for that! I don't love the user interface but JustWatch is an app that lets you add shows and movies to watch lists, as well as keep track of what episodes/seasons (series) you've already watched. I don't know if it's available in the UK, but it'd be worth a look. If it's not available, I would think there'd be something similar...

>172 katiekrug: Thanks - I’ve just looked it up and it does seem to be available for the UK so I’ll download and have a look.

Oh, good. Like I said, the UI is not as intuitive as it could be...

Oh yeah, I use JustWatch all the time (although I haven't downloaded the app - I just use the website), not only for myself, but it's also become a regular tool at work, right alongside FantasticFiction and the like, to answer patron questions.

>175 scaifea: - I didn't even think of it in a library context, Amber, but that makes sense.

Good morning!

We had a really nice day yesterday, capped off by Indian for dinner and some TV. Today, I need to go to the grocery store and start the laundry. Not sure what else I will get up to, though there may be some vacuuming involved... And books, of course.

Tacos for dinner, per The Wayne's request.

Books:
I am almost done with Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio (it's short) and really enjoying it. My audio is a soap-y family drama that is a bit over the top but entertaining. And I am nearing the end of the T.R. bio. Should be finished up later this week.

Viewing:
A blowout win for FAU mbb, and then we watched a couple of episodes of 'Welcome to Wrexham' and I watched one of 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke.'

>176 katiekrug: It's not immediately obvious, for sure. You think "library," you think books, but we get *all* sorts of reference questions. Every day a new puzzle to solve. It's one of the best parts about the job.

>178 scaifea: - "I saw a show with a character wearing a hat. What is the name of it?"

Hello Katie! How are you doing today?

Just a Heartbeat Away by Cara Bastone

This is the second novel by Bastone that I've listened to, and it's another good one. There is some real depth to the story of a widower with a young son and the teacher, who grew up in foster homes, who captures his interest. Grief, loneliness, abandonment, plus some conflict related to the age gap (15 years - this didn't bother me, as I sort of have always had a thing for older men - depsite The Wayne being younger than me ;-) ). I enjoyed the chemistry and the realistic levels and deoths of conflict and angst that went along with it.

3.75 stars

>180 Owltherian: - Fine, thanks.

>179 katiekrug: You're not far off...

>124 katiekrug: I love that puzzle image. What brand is it?

>138 katiekrug: Hilarious!

I'm glad you had a lovely day yesterday and that you finally got a bit of sun in your neck of the woods.

I look forward to your final verdict on TR.

Hi Katie!

>1 katiekrug: I love it.

>96 katiekrug: Glad January is behind you. I hope February is much better.

>109 katiekrug: Except for Agatha Christie, cozies aren’t my thing either.

>138 katiekrug: Clever.

>183 scaifea: - :)

>184 EBT1002: - I'm not sure what brand it was, and I've swapped it with someone, so I can't check now. Sorry!

Isn't that mug great? Too many times, I start my day "violent" :)

>185 karenmarie: - Hi Karen!

Glad you like my opening image. It spoke to my trivia-playing, wine-drinking, book-reading soul.

So far, February has been a big improvement.

Yeah, I like the occasional Christie, though I couldn't consume a steady diet of her.

I need to find where those mugs come from and see how much they are ;-)

It's a new week, friends!

Today is laundry day since I did none yesterday :) I also have some admin-y stuff to take care of, but nothing too onerous (i.e. no phone calls involved - heh). I'm also going to try to schedule my day a bit better to fit in all the things I want to do. I tend to waste too much time in the mornings on the internet, and then I get lost in my puzzle/audiobook in the afternoon. A little discipline is in order, I think...

I'm trying a new recipe for dinner tonight - white pesto pasta.

Books:
I finished Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio and started Tar Baby. I'm not sure what to make of TB yet, as I'm not very far into it, but it's different from the other Morrison novels I've read. Still listening to Perennials on audio and reading a chapter a day in Theodore Rex.

Viewing:
An episode of 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke.'

How are thee doing today Katie?

>188 Owltherian: - Fine, thanks.

>192 katiekrug: Your welcome. I hope your day gets better.

Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous

This is an odd little book but one I really enjoyed. Europa Editions rarely steers me wrong.

The novella is a series of monologues from various residents and neighbors of a building in Rome, telling of their experiences and relationship with one character, Amedeo, who has disappeared after another resident is found murdered. The murder is not really the point; rather, Lakhous is painting a portrait of a multinational community, one in conflict with itself between Italians (and even they are not a unified lot) and immigrants. Sly humor is woven throughout the book, which helps to balance the more serious themes of racism, xenophonia, and Islamaphobia. As an Algerian-born writer now living in Italy, he knows of what he speaks.

4 stars

>194 katiekrug: Looks Interesting. Did listening to it help or hinder?

>195 magicians_nephew: - I didn't listen to it. I have a print edition.

>196 katiekrug: Sorry never mind

>197 magicians_nephew: - No worries!

>187 katiekrug: I’m intrigued now how pesto can be white?

>199 SandDune: - It's made with ricotta, lemon zest, walnuts, oregano, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil.

I'm a bit skeptical, but I wanted to try something new and the recipe looks very easy.

This isn't the recipe I'm using, but it's close: https://giadzy.com/blogs/recipes/white-pesto

I'm using a recipe from Bon Appetit but their website is pay-walled.

>200 katiekrug: Ooo, that sounds lurvely. I hope we will hear an assessment after it has made its culinary debut.

>194 katiekrug: Europa is routinely aimed right at my reading sensibility, too. That one was a big success. I really love Amedeo!

Enjoy your Mondaying *smooch*

>202 richardderus: - I will definitely report back :)

I can't think of a Europa I haven't liked...

>199 SandDune: how pesto can be white?
Rhian, this cracked me up. The word "pesto" has become a bit of a catch-all, at least on this side of the Atlantic. Misuse sends my pedantic, culinary-trained husband into a tizzy because pesto, by definition, is "a sauce of crushed basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, typically served with pasta." We have had this conversation more than once. Ha.

So I'm making a note of Katie's recipe, but when Chris says "what's for dinner?" I'll call it something else.

I await your report-back, Katie!

>201 katiekrug: That looks good!

>204 lauralkeet: That's what I tend to think of it as, as well, although I have made carrot top pesto and kale pesto too, which were both surprisingly good.

We are getting through far fewer jars of pesto since Jacob moved our. He loves pesto and pasta with pesto is his snack of choice. We used to get through a lot of jars.

>204 lauralkeet: - My understanding is that Chris' definition of pesto is Genovese pesto, but there can be lots of different variations. The link in >201 katiekrug: seems to back that up, though I don't know how definitive or expert a source it is :-P

When I was in Italy, I had pestos that weren't of the basil/pine nut variety.

>205 SandDune: - Fingers crossed it turns out well! Watch this space...

>194 katiekrug: This sounds good, Katie. I will look for it.

>161 katiekrug: Thank you for sharing this, Katie. I enjoyed reading about Julia and reading the tributes. I will not be able to attend the celebration, but I know LT will be represented.

>207 BLBera: - Beth, I'd be happy to send you my copy.

>208 AMQS: - I will be "attending" via Zoom, Anne, and wouldn't be surprised if a few other LT friends of Julia do, too.

There's not much to report from yesterday - I was reasonably productive and also had some good down time. The white pesto pasta turned out well, though it needs some adjustments. I'll definitely be making it again.

I have a doctor's appointment this morning (routine) and not much else on the agenda. Trivia tonight!

Books:
I listened to a chunk of Perennials yesterday while puzzling. It's a bog standard Southern family drama that is good company while I puzzle but no great shakes. I'm closing in on the end of Theodore Rex - 2 more days, I think! And in print, I'm reading Tar Baby which I am not loving but is good enough to continue.

Viewing:
University Challenge - a good match!

Morning Katie! Tar Baby wasn't one of my Morrison faves either, but it was a worthwhile read.

And I agree about the University Challenge episode. I like the double elimination aspect of this round. Some of the losing teams really deserve another chance.

>210 katiekrug: Triviate well and happily this evening, Katie. Glad the pesto turned out okay. There are very, very few recipes I have ever tried that do not need some tweaking somewhere. A lot of it is my mental palate saying what if we use pecans and goat cheese and tarragon and and and while tasting what I actually made.

>211 lauralkeet: - I remember your less than enthused reaction to Tar Baby, Laura. I think it's why I've delayed getting to it, but I did want to finally finish all her novels.

I really like the UCL team.

>213 richardderus: - Thanks, RD. We'll do our best tonight :)

TW said the pasta would be better with bacon. So a cheater's carbonara almost, LOL. It also called for, IMO, too much pasta and pasta water, as they diluted the flavor a bit.

Everything good at the doctor's. I'm still alive, apparently :)

>215 katiekrug: ...and stay that way, little missie!

>214 katiekrug: That sounds like some home economist/dietitian trying to lower the fat calories per serving...imagine if she saw TWs recommendation for the bacon addition! Chaos and upset galore.

>161 katiekrug: Thank you so much for that, Katie! I doubt I will be able to make it and am sorry about that.

>194 katiekrug: I also enjoyed that one when I read it. I am a big fan of the Europa editions too.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

>216 richardderus: - Doing my best!

It was a recipe from Bon Appetit, but I have come across similar ones with different ratios, so I'll need to experiment...

>217 alcottacre: - Hope you have a good Tuesday too, Stasia!

>214 katiekrug: It also called for, IMO, too much pasta and pasta water, as they diluted the flavor a bit.

I see this a lot: 1lb pasta for 4 servings. Most pasta specifies 2oz per serving on the package. I usually cook 2.5oz per, and that's fine for us. Obviously you have to decide based on individual appetites, but there's no reason to make a ton of pasta unless you're going to eat it.

I'll cut way back on the pasta when I make this. And based on your advice, I'll be careful with the water. Maybe drizzle it in a bit at a time until the consistency looks right.

>219 lauralkeet: - I have two large-ish containers of leftovers, and I'm not sure how well it will reheat. I should have known just looking at it that it was too much pasta...

>219 lauralkeet: >220 katiekrug: Oh my God, now I feel so greedy. My standard amount of pasta for 3 people (including Jacob, who admittedly eats a lot) is 450g, so about 1lb. For the two of us it's about 250g, which comes to just over 4oz each. The absolute minimum I ever cook for myself is 100g, more usually 120g, so either slightly less or slightly more than 4oz.

>186 katiekrug: Image search on Google reveals that its available from Amazon for $9.99.

https://www.amazon.com/Tuoetp-Wordle-Coffee-wordle-coffee/dp/B0CQR1HG1F?th=1

Hi Katie - All this talk of pasta is making me hungry. I do like leftovers...

I have my annual physical this week as well. I already have my lab results, so I know what to expect (less fat, more moving).

>209 katiekrug: If you are sure you want to give a new home to it, I would love your Clash of Civilizations in an Elevator. I will PM you my address.

>215 katiekrug: Glad to hear you got a clean report from the doctor, Katie!! I enjoy reading about your recipe try-outs and tweaks :). Re pasta servings -- Hubby loves pasta and is convinced that the entire package is "just right" for the two of us. I tend to like the sauce more than the pasta which leaves him a substantial left-over portion for lunch and makes him very happy.

>221 SandDune: - I usually make about 8oz of pasta for the two of us, Rhian, so no need to feel guilty! Depending on our appetites, we might have some leftover. Since this was a new-to-me recipe, I wanted to make it as written the first time.

I heated some of the leftovers up for lunch and it's okay. A bit oily, which isn't surprising for a pesto...

>222 weird_O: - Thanks, Bill!

>223 BLBera: - This was just a 6-month follow-up to check my med levels. Annual physical will be in the summer.

I debated about keeping the book, but since I doubt it's easily available, I'm happy to pass it along :)

>224 RebaRelishesReading: - Sounds like a good match, Reba! The Wayne also likes a lot of sauce on his pasta, while I prefer less.

>194 katiekrug: Adding that to the list. I love Europa Editions, both because they are usually good reads and because I love the books themselves. I have a collection of them back home that I'll start making my way through soon.

>223 BLBera: Beth, would you be willing to pass Clash of Civilizations in an Elevator along to me after you read it?

>221 SandDune:, >225 katiekrug: Okay, I guess I'm the weird one when it comes to pasta portions! I s'pose I'm like Reba, in that I like a greater sauce-to-pasta ratio.

>227 lauralkeet: I like a lot of sauce with my pasta and, when appropriate, a LOT of Parmesan cheese on top. :-)

Hello Katie, how are you?

>226 EBT1002: - I agree about the books themselves, Ellen. They are nice to hold and read.

>227 lauralkeet: - I don't think you're weird, Laura :) To each her own!

>228 EBT1002: - You and TW are twins, Ellen. He's a sauce and cheese person, too.

>229 Owltherian: - Fine, thanks.

>230 katiekrug: Thats good.

I'm glad the pesto worked out well, Katie. It looked very good on Instagram. I'm glad you have the doctor appointment behind you.

>232 vancouverdeb: - Thanks, Deb!

My doctor is nice and non-intimidating but I'm glad to not see her again for 6 months :)

After discovering that I can't judge pasta by eye, I weigh it, normally 6 oz for the pair of us. I don't think pasta ever reheats very well.
It looked like it could do with something to jazz it up a bit, not necessarily unappetising, just rather beige. The bacon would add some colour if nothing else!

>215 katiekrug: Happy mid week!

Glad all went well at the doctor's.

I quite enjoy pasta and I am not picky but depending on the type of sauce on the pasta, I prefer more sauce vs noodles. I also prefer this ratio with soup as well. It used to drive my mom nuts as she was a chef, food had to be presented just the right way.

>234 Helenliz: - I can reheat pasta with sauce fine, though the creamy and oily sauces are a bit dicey. Plain old red sauce is no problem.

It was rather beige. Maybe I'll add some peas next time.

>235 figsfromthistle: - Hi Anita! You and The Wayne are quite similar. I like a nice, hearty soup that's more stew-like and he always says that I promised him soup, not stew :)

Good morning! We came in 7th of 20 teams at trivia last night, so respectable but not spectacular. Nothing much else to report from yesterday.

Today, I'm making a grocery run, and then I'll be attending Julia's memorial service via Zoom. That's about it for a formal agenda.

Lemon basil chicken and asparagus for dinner.

Books:
I finished Perennials on audio - review to come. Didn't read as much as I wanted to in Tar Baby, but it's moving along. Ony one chapter and the Epilgue left in the Roosevelt bio!

Viewing:
Nothing.

Katie, if you want to keep the book, please do. I'm sure I can find a copy. And I do have other stuff to read.

I guess it is a good thing that Creamy Pasta and Broccoli is on my menu to cook tonight. . .

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Katie!

>238 BLBera: - Nope, I'm happy to pass it along. I'm really trying not to hold onto books :)

>239 alcottacre: - That sounds good, Stasia! Sadly, TW does not like broccoli.

Hope you've had a good day.

Ha! My pasta was already in the boiling water before I got to this thread! LOL. I have not found a pasta I don't like and I have no idea how many ounces I make per person. I have a huge plastic tub and I grab the appropriate sized handful or two or three. And I love any kind of sauce and the sprinkling of cheese on top when appropriate. Gotto go stir my noodles!

>241 Berly: - I also have never found a pasta I didn't like. As long as there are no mushrooms in the sauce, I'm good to go :)

Good morning! It's a Maribel day, so I'll have lots of quality time at my desk this morning :) But first, I need to tidy up a few things to make her job easier. Beyond that, not much going on until this evening, when I'm having dinner with my friend-from-high-school, Kate. We're going to a new-to-me restaurant, and I basically want all the starters... https://www.theparksidesocial.com/dinner.

Yesterday was fine. I spent a lot of time puzzling/listening because I am loving my new audio. I also made a super easy but tasty dinner of lemon-basil chicken (I used the recipe for cilantro-lime chicken that we like so much) and steamed asparagus with Penzey's Fox Point seasoning. If you haven't tried that seasoning blend, I highly recommend it.

Books:
New audio is Ghosts by Dolly Alderton and the narrator is SO good. I think this is a case where the books is good by itself but the narrator really raises it to another level. I finished Theodore Rex - woot! I'm going to take a break before starting my next "big" nonfiction. I'm about halfway through Tar Baby, and it's finally engaging me a bit more, but so far it's the weakest of her novels IMO.

Viewing:
One episode of 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke.' No one actually watches this for the mysteries, right? It's sole purpose is to deliver Eliza-William tension, right? Because the mysteries are pretty dumb...

I missed most of this thread, unfortunately. Sounds like life is going pretty good for you lately!

>243 katiekrug: I looked at that menu, and now it's 9:38 in the morning and I am hungry for everything. Hope your meal and visit with your friend are great!

>243 katiekrug: Oooo, their starters all look delightful. Oysters with mignonette! Crispy sprouts! Sticky shrimp! I would waddle out of there thirty pounds heavier and happy as anything.

Enjoy the evening, he mumbled jealously.

>244 ChelleBearss: - Can't complain (much), Chelle!

>245 foggidawn: - I know, right? Very much looking forward to it :)

>246 richardderus: - I may just get two starters (the mofongo intrigues me...). Or a starter and dessert (they have warm sugar donuts on the dessert menu. I'm a whore for donuts).

Thanks for posting the link for Julia's memorial service. I thought her colleagues did a great job, especially the thank you notes. That brought tears to my eyes. I will PM you to ask what you thought.

>248 BLBera: - You're welcome, Beth. It was nice to see some other LTers on there, too.

Perennials by Julie Cantrell

Self-exiled daughter of the South returns home to Mississippi at the behest of her parents and has to deal with painful memories, guilt, and her sister's hostility. There's drama and flowers and sweet tea and trauma, and a whole lot of name-dropping of Mississippi writers like Faulkner and Welty, along with shallow ruminations on their work. Faulkner and Welty would, no doubt, be turning over in their graves if Cantrell were representative of the state's crop of contemporary writers. Poorly written, with two dimensional characters, a bunch of God-talk and woo-woo quasi-spiritual bunk, I basically ended up hate-listening to this. The audio narrator did the book no favors with some really terrible accents and weird inflections.

2.5 stars

ETA: According to some other LT reviews, this is classified as "Christian fiction." Had I known that, I never would have picked it up :-P Buyer (borrower) beware, I guess...

Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris

This is the second book in Morris' trilogy on Roosevelt's life. I read the first, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, a few years ago and rated it 4.5 stars. This one didn't reach that height for me. The impressive research, attention to detail, and smooth writing are all the same, but as this volume dealt with Roosevelt's time as President, there was a lot of information I couldn't keep straight about various bills, Executive Orders, politicians, etc. Still, Morris paints a vivid portrait of T.R. as a transformative figure not only for his party but for the nation. And I very much enjoyed the glimpses into his private life and family.

I look forward to reading the final volume, following T.R.'s post-Presidential years, later this year.

3.75 stars

>251 katiekrug: Morris paints TR in a realistic light, I think. He does not minimize the mans outsized ego, but does make his charisma more the focus of it, than its darker interpersonal aspects. The presidential years are a lot more detail-heavy but I found myself googling all sorts of things I had not known about eg, the Russo-Japanese mediation triumph.

What an interesting man. I really like living so close to Sagamore Hill, and going there every few years.

>252 richardderus: - I found bits of the political stuff interesting, but even as a poli sci major, I couldn't drum up much enthusiasm. Of course, my degree was primarily focused on international relations and I did find the part dealing with the R-J peace conference, Cuba, Panama, etc. interesting.

I think I visited Sagamore Hill once when I was a kid. Probably should try to go back, now that I actually have some context...

New thread is up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/358216