PAUL C in the War Room - Third with Washington Crossing the Delaware

George Washington crossing the Delaware river.

I am Paul Cranswick indiscriminate book lover aiming to focus more in '24.
Married to Hani (SWMBO) with three grown-up children Yasmyne (26), Kyran (24) and Belle (19) and now with one granddaughter Nami (Pip) born to Yasmyne in August last year. Currently I live and work in Kuala Lumpur (KL) but I am expecting this to change in the coming weeks and months. In KL, my long suffering maid, Erni, keeps the coffee flowing as I try to assist in the completion of the World's second tallest building.

Opening words

For my first February War Room foray in the War of American Independence I am reading Rick Atkinson's huge The British are Coming



"At three-thirty a.m. on June 22, 1773, fifteen minutes before sunrise, a royal chaise pulled by four matched horses burst from the gates of Kew Palace, escorted by cavalry outriders in scarlet coats. South they rode, skirting the Thames valley west of London before rattling onto the Surrey downs. Pearly light seeped into the landscape, and the brilliant green of an English summer day - the first full day following the solstice - emerged from the fens and fields. Even at this early hour the roads were crowded, for all England knew that a great review was planned at the royal dockyards in Portsmouth, a four-day celebration of the fleet that a decade before had crushed France and Spain in the Seven Years' War to give rise to the British Empire. "

Interested....................?

Books Read

January

1. Dear Future Boyfriend by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (2000) 90 pp Poetry / 150Y Challenge 15/150
2. Pax Romana by Adrian Goldsworthy (2016) 420 pp Non-Fiction / War Room / 150Y Challenge 16/150
3. The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff (1959) 306 pp Fiction / War Room / 150Y Challenge 17/150
4. Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken (1964) 286 pp Fiction / BAC / 150Y Challenge 18/150
5. Carthage Must Be Destroyed by Richard Miles (2010) 373 pp Non-Fiction / War Room / 150Y Challenge 19/150
6. When We Were Warriors by Emma Carroll (2019) 248 pp Fiction / War Room / 150y Challenge 20/150
7. Double Indemnity by James M Cain (1936) 136 pp Thriller / 150Y Challenge 21/150
8. Persian Fire by Tom Holland (2005) 376 pp Non-Fiction / War Room / 150Y Challenge 22/150

February

9. North Woods by Daniel Mason (2023) 369 pp Fiction 150Y Challenge 23/150

Currently Reading

The War Room



JANUARY - Ancient Wars (Greeks/Romans/Persians/Carthage/Egyptians/Alexander, etc) https://www.librarything.com/topic/356820
1. Pax Romana by Adrian Goldsworthy
2. The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff
3. Carthage Must Be Destroyed by Richard Miles
4. Persian Fire by Tom Holland

SEPTEMBER - WW2
1. When We Were Warriors by Emma Carroll

British Author Challenge (Hosted by my friend Amanda)



JANUARY - Joan Aiken & Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle : Black Hearts in Battersea

American Author Challenge (Hosted with occasional assistance this year by my friend Linda)



JANUARY - Mark Twain
FEBRUARY - Susan Sontag

150 YEARS OF BOOKS

150 years; 150 books; 150 authors; 15 months

Done:
Row 1 : 1874


Row 2 : 1889


Row 3 : 1904, 1908, 1910, 1915


Row 4 : 1923


Row 5 : 1936, 1937, 1945


Row 6 : 1958, 1959


Row 7 : 1964, 1966


Row 9 : 1994, 2000, 2001, 2005


Row 10 : 2010, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023

Books Added

January books 1-31
https://www.librarything.com/topic/357215#8360403

February
32. This Other Eden by Paul Harding
33. Deadland by William Shaw
34. Grave's End by William Shaw
35. The Swallowed Man by Edward Carey
36. Nagasaki by Eric Faye
37. The Vatican Cellars by Andre Gide
38. The African by JMG Le Clezio
39. The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag
40. Little by Edward Carey
41. Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir
42. The Sisterhood by Katherine Bradley
43. Lean on Me by Serge Joncour
44. Facets of Death by Michael Stanley

Book Stats

Books Read : 9
Pages Read in completed books : 2,604 pp

Longest book : Pax Romana : 420 pp
Shortest book : Dear Future Boyfriend : 90 pp
Mean book length : 289.33 pp

Books written by men : 5
Books written by women : 4

Non-Fiction : 3
Fiction : 4
Poetry : 1
Thriller : 1

1930's : 1 book
1950's : 1 book
1960's : 1 book
2000's : 2 book
2010's : 3 books
2020's : 1 book

UK Authors : 6
US Authors : 3

Carnegie Medal Winners : 1 (6th overall)

Read : 9 books
Added : 44 books

Change to TBR : +35

Welcome to my third thread of 2024

Happy new thread Paul!

New thread orisons, PC!

Nearly new month, new thread! Hi Paul!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread!

>2 PaulCranswick: Interested, yes. Can I get my hands on a copy, no.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Paul!

>2 PaulCranswick: Well-written opening words. Huge is a bit intimidating though. In my library I found a book by Russell Shorto Revolution Song. But I haven’t read from it yet.

Well done Paul a third thread already. You know it's only January! Happy new one.

I am looking at Israel Potter, Melville’s only historical novel.

Happy new thread, Paul

>12 Kristelh: Thank you Kristel and thank you for wandering into the third war room first!

>13 richardderus: Thanks RD.

>14 Copperskye: I just about qualify for both, Joanne. It is February here but not in much of LT world.

>15 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita. Great minds and all that in starting new threads at pretty much the same time.

>16 amanda4242: Thank you Amanda. I need to up my game reading wise - I am just so swamped with work these days.

>17 alcottacre: It is a bit of a monster, Stasia, but the opening bits are certainly interesting.

>18 EllaTim: Yes without the 200 pages of notes and source information there is still 564 pages of fairly dense looking narrative.

I am rushing to finish a couple more books for January in the next few hours and then I will concentrate upon it.

>19 mdoris: Well technically, Mary, I have slipped into February, but whose counting? xx

>20 booksaplenty1949: Interesting - I must profess to be entirely unfamiliar with that one and will be interested to see how it pans out for you.

>21 ArlieS: Thanks, dear Arlie.

Happy new thread Paul!

>1 PaulCranswick: How has the Pip nick name worked so far?

Ah, the American Revolution, about which I heard much growing up, and can trace descent from one of the earliest casualties on the colonial side. But do I want to know more?

>27 quondame: Thanks Susan.

>1 PaulCranswick: Actually to continue from the last thread - it seems to be fairly popular to be honest! Pip is for two reasons of course. Nami apparently also means 'apple' in Japanese so she is the "pip" from the apple and it is also short for pipsqueak (which if you heard you you would realize it appropriate.

Personally I would want to know, I guess on the doings of my antecedents.

I am a bit snowed under today as two of my biggest bosses are in town from Seoul in order to "help" me push the Employer towards a settlement agreement.

My filling in of the thread set-up posts may take a while today so please do bear with me.

BOOK #7



Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
Date of Publication : 1936
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : USA
Pages : 136 pp
Challenges : 150 Y Challenge 21/150

Shall we say this book shines a light on the seamier side of insurance and the potential pitfalls to the insured of personal accident cover.

Typical wry hard-boiled style that he had off pat in The Postman Always Rings Twice but not quite as engrossing.

Book #8



Persian Fire by Tom Holland
Date of Publication : 2005
Origin of Author : UK
Gender of Author : Male
Challenges : Non-Fiction Challenge / 150 Y Challenge (22/150)

Holland recreates the period and the personalities with a vividity that is exemplary.

Perhaps slightly over-tinged with a Western bias (well he is from the West!) this is excellent narrative history.

I read Herodotus many, many moons ago and this covers a lot of the same ground with less mischief than the ancient but approaching his readability.

Read together with my Sis - Stasia.

Happy new thread - and time for me to think about my War Challenge selection for February...

>24 PaulCranswick: Yeah, it is one I would like to read at some point. I will be curious to see what you think of it in the end.

>31 PaulCranswick: Glad to see that you enjoyed it!

>2 PaulCranswick: It does sound like a good read!

I have tonnes of E M Forster to read, which would fit nicely into your spreadsheet rows 3 and 4! Sadly though, I have no urge to read him!

Happy new thread, Paul - and all the best for today!

Best of luck with the big bosses today, Paul, and happy new thread.

I am so excited, Paul. I am only one book behind you in the number of books read! I don't think that's ever happened before. And it is likely that you will just zoom off into the stratosphere now. But for one shining moment I will know that at one point I was nipping at your heels.

Happy New Thread Paul!

I kind of cheated as I started a book for this month last month not knowing how long it would take me to read, and I finished it yesterday, on the 31st, because I read it quicker than expected.
It is The Bastard: Volume One In The Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes. a historical fiction account of the start of the American Revolution. I read it back in the 1970's when it first was published and decided to revisit it for this challenge. It was very good, laying a lot of the philosophy behind the War and introducing some of the key players. After last months heavy read, I wanted something a little lighter so went with fiction.

I still have a book from last Month's that I'm trying to finish also. And one more for this month's subject that I hope to get too.

Happy New Thread.

from the previous thread, the conversation about CD and his book; Barnaby Rudge, reminded me of one of my favorite Python sketches... The Bookshop.

It should be the official comedy sketch of the group. :)

Please enjoy... https://youtu.be/DQ97ucxdGm0?si=tWY-Bb1y1qHsds4-

Happy new thread and happy February to you, Paul!

Happy new thread, Paul. I'm reading along with the War Room Challenge and it seems that we've jumped from Ancient Wars to the American Revolution or War of Independence depending which side you are looking at it from. Do I have the topic right?

>40 mahsdad: No doubt would be judged too true to be funny by an actual bookseller, but I got a laugh from it.

>40 mahsdad: And pretty sure I have seen some of those titles/authors entered by LT members.

>32 ChrisG1: As a Brit, Chris, I don't have that much in the way of the American War of Independence material at hand.

>33 alcottacre: So far so good with it, Stasia, but it will not be the very quickest of reads.

>34 EBT1002: So far I am enjoying it, Ellen,

>35 LovingLit: Hahaha that would make it a bit difficult, Megan!

>36 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas. It was a truly tiring day.

>37 DianaNL: Well I survived the day, Diana, which is something, I suppose.

>38 Fourpawz2: Hahaha Charlotte. I have enjoyed my reading in January - it is just that I didn't get enough time with it.

>39 hredwards: No such things as cheating in my challenges, Harold! All count and whenever.

>40 mahsdad: The Python boys were beyond good, Jeff, weren't they?

>41 AMQS: Thanks and thank you, dear Anne

>42 Familyhistorian: Thank you Meg and yes, you are right!

>43 booksaplenty1949: Hahaha indeed.

>44 booksaplenty1949: And again indeeed!

Hi Paul, Happy New Thread mate.

Happy new thread, Paul. I've got lots on hand to choose from for this month's War Room challenge. I may need to pick a brief one, however, since I've got a lot to read during this short month.

>52 johnsimpson: Thank you John. I was impressed by Pope and Hartley against India in Hyderabad and also by Duckett to a lesser extent.

>53 atozgrl: Yeah, Irene, I can't really claim that. Probably my sparsest month all told.

From your last thread, did you want me to add Bleak House to the February TIOLI challenge list for you? It is a pretty long book and you are already tackling the Atkinson book, so I did not want to presume.

>50 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I have collected a few books about the War of Independence as I was surprised to find that I did have people who fought on the American side in that long conflict. Now I just have to figure out which book to read.

>55 alcottacre: I took it off the shelves last night, Stasia and I do intend to read it if at all possible.

>56 Familyhistorian: It is impressive how many people can trace their antecedents back so far.

I don't have that much on this one myself.

>57 PaulCranswick: OK, Paul, I will add it to TIOLI Challenge #11 for now and we can always take it off later if we need to. I will probably be taking a ton of books off the challenges myself since February is a short month!

Happy New Thread!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/358016

>59 alcottacre: I will do my best to read it this month, Stasia as it has long been on my hitlist.

>60 SilverWolf28: Thank you Silver.

And thank you again. xx

You are already at posts in the 60s, but happy new thread!!

Happy New Thread, Paul.

>64 Berly: To be fair Kimmers it is only a day old!

>65 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deb. xx

Happy new thread, Paul!

And February had just started for me, when you started this thread ;-)

Happy new one, Paul!

>68 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. I will go and look for your new thread shortly.

>69 drneutron: Thank you Jim

>62 PaulCranswick: OK, sounds good!

Happy whatever, Paul!

>71 alcottacre: Thank you dear Juana.

Have finished chapter 4 (of 27) of Israel Potter. Apparently our hero’s involvement with the American Revolution begins and ends with the Battle of Bunker Hill, as he has now been captured and taken to England as a prisoner-of-war. Oh well. Not a war that interests me anyway.

>73 booksaplenty1949: Well it does feature so I guess it counts anyway!

I made my first February additions today:

32. This Other Eden by Paul Harding
33. Deadland by William Shaw
34. Grave's End by William Shaw

I have been waiting for the delivery of the Harding book for an age and the other two are by someone described as "the rising talent of UK crime fiction" by Peter James.

>74 PaulCranswick: That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

>76 booksaplenty1949: Hahaha and quite right too!

>75 PaulCranswick: Notting the William Shaw books Paul.

>78 Caroline_McElwee: Have you read them, Caroline?

Happy weekend Paul! I expecting you're enjoying Leeds current run of good fortune (at least that's according to Mr SandDune).

>75 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, I just finished This Other Eden and thought it was amazing. Hope you like it too! Have a great day!

>79 PaulCranswick: No, but I'll wait to hear your thoughts Paul.

>80 SandDune: Thanks Rhian. Indeed five league wins on the bounce is standing us in decent stead but the other teams keep winning too!

>81 mdoris: That is good to know, Mary. To be honest his Pulitzer winner Tinkers somewhat underwhelmed me as I recall.

>82 Caroline_McElwee: I love the covers anyway, Caroline, which is a great start.

Happy new thread, Paul!

>75 PaulCranswick: You must be sick. Only 3 books, Juan?!

I will be curious to see what you think of This Other Eden when you read it. I just read it myself in January.

I posted my measly haul to the 'This Just In' thread :) One of the books that I added to my personal library was pre-ordered last year and another was gotten through PBS, so do not be too hard on me.

>58 PaulCranswick: The War of Independence isn't that far back and there are lots of records available because it's a big deal for Americans. What I'd really like to find is information on family who fought in the English Civil War. I think there must be some who were involved in the fight because I've found them around Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.

I thought that you and Stasia had both read The Other Eden during the Booker season, but I guess not. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It is Booker Material, but not Booker Winner material, in my opinion. I've read a couple of William Shaw's books, Salt Lane and The Birdwatcher. Dave enjoyed them too, so I'll have to check the library. I hope you enjoy your new haul.

>75 PaulCranswick: I purchased 33 books in January and have already purchased a couple in February. So I am in Cranswickian territory. But most of my purchases are cheap Kindle deals, which is ok because I do most of my reading on Kindle, and because of the health issues I am having, I haven't been able to venture out to a bookstore.

>87 Familyhistorian: If you are a Black person you can check for your ancestors’ names in the Book of Negroes, a 150 page ledger containing details of 3,000 Black people who left the United States in 1783 to come to British-held territory in Canada. Some were formerly enslaved persons who had taken the Brits up on their offer to grant freedom to anyone who fought on their side in the Revolutionary War. Others were slaves or indentured servants belonging to Loyalist Americans who chose to relocate. The Book of Negroes, a novel by Lawrence Hill, explores this story in fictional form.

Checking in on your new-ish thread.

>85 bell7: Thank you, Mary.

>86 alcottacre: I am a bit swamped at the moment, Stasia, to be honest. But I don't really want to add more than a book a day this year.

>87 Familyhistorian: The English Civil war is something that I am much more familiar with in history terms than the American Wars of Independence, Meg. I haven't tried tracing my family back quite that far.

>88 vancouverdeb: Not yet, Deb! I couldn't get the book for love not money last year. Salt Lane is not in the stores here so I will read The Birdwatcher first whilst I seek that one down.

>89 arubabookwoman: Cranswickian feels quite an attainable target these days, Deborah. Normal year I would have added three times the number of books.

>90 booksaplenty1949: That is interesting.

>91 thornton37814: Lovely to see you as always, Lori. xx

>94 PaulCranswick: I hope to get a copy of Lawrence Hill’s novel before the end of the month.

>96 booksaplenty1949: It is a good pick for the month, I think. I will see if it is in the stores here too.

The eponymous hero of Israel Potter, having been taken to England as a prisoner of the Revolutionary War and then escaped, apparently does not give himself away as an American every time he opens his mouth. At one point his shirt collar betrays him, but never his accent. Is this an accurate detail on Melville’s part? At what point did American pronunciation start to diverge from British?

>98 booksaplenty1949: I suppose that there are so many regional dialects that there will always be some leeway for someone with an unrecognizable accent. Especially in those days when "American" English was not so widespread in its exportation.

>99 PaulCranswick: Good point. Presumably the average 18th C Englishman had never heard an American. Scholars of Wikipedia have some interesting things to say on the subject https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English

>100 booksaplenty1949: So if I am reading the research properly there may not have been too much discernible difference in accents at that time and that it is in fact British English that has been subject to more change than the American version.

FINALLY UP WITH APOLOGIES FOR MY TARDINESS!

The FEBRUARY WAR ROOM moves onto the American Revolutionary War or The American War of Independence depending on which texts you are looking at.

The thread is here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/358097

>102 PaulCranswick: No need for apologies, Paul. I'm going to try to join for February.

I hope you're doing well!

>103 EBT1002: Thank you, dear Ellen.

>101 PaulCranswick: Or 18th C “American” English was a mash-up of various British accents reflecting the mixed background of the settlers. But as you say it retained some features which have now disappeared from British English, like a distinction in the pronunciation of “cot” and “caught”. By the same token, Quebecers often describe their French pronunciation as more authentic than that of French spoken in France.

To compensate for removing Israel Potter from active participation in the American Revolution, Melville is giving him a sojourn with Ben Franklin in Paris. “Jack of all trades, master of each and mastered by none—-the type and genius of his land.”

>105 booksaplenty1949: I always find it amusing the hauteur displayed by the French with regard to their language - surely the only place where you are often discouraged from butchering the local language is in Paris?

>106 booksaplenty1949: Franklin was a hugely interesting man - die hard loyalist initially prior to being pushed too far.

Hello Paul! How are you doing?

When work is too much and you need a rest, a little book therapy is in order - even if, in keeping with my times, that therapy is a little restrained!

35. The Swallowed Man by Edward Carey
36. Nagasaki by Eric Faye
37. The Vatican Cellars by Andre Gide
38. The African by JMG Le Clezio
39. The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag

The first four were part of a Gallic books (the publisher) exhibition in the bookstore this month and then Sontag is to give me more option for the AAC this month.

>108 Owltherian: Lovely to see you here, Owl!

I'm good even though work has been draining me of energy somewhat in recent weeks.

>105 booksaplenty1949: it retained some features which have now disappeared from British English, like a distinction in the pronunciation of “cot” and “caught”. Is that the right way around? I definitely pronounce those two words very differently.

>110 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i bet. My great Grandpa and Grandpa were both in the air force and got a lot of metals which i think is pretty cool + my grandpa has a chess collection from everywhere he was commissioned.

>111 SandDune: For me, Rhian, there are so many regional differences across the UK in how the language is vocalized that generalizations about it are difficult. Probably it is the so called "Queen's English" that is being referred to which as you can attest, I certainly don't speak.

>112 Owltherian: It is cool indeed, Owl. I followed my father into the construction industry more really by default in that I was an English and History major who realized in the mid 1980s that he would not get a job with that major and switched to Construction Management. Perhaps it wasn't my first love but it has enabled me to travel the world, meet so many wonderful people and have lasting achievements in the shape of buildings and other projects I have worked on that will remain on the skylines of places longer after I have left them.

>114 PaulCranswick: Thats so cool! I plan to enter veterinary science because I love animals and want to help them.

>115 Owltherian: That is really great. I am a bit squeamish but I always admire those who are interested in helping others and I have often thought that Vets are actually the smartest of the lot because they have to cure all manner of species whereas normal doctors only have to concentrate on homo sapiens.

>114 PaulCranswick: I love that. And of course you have found ways to indulge your first loves of English and History while having those adventures and making that impact.

>116 PaulCranswick: Yeah, im a little squeamish too but I'm sure i will be able to deal with it, i wanna be an all kinds of vet, kinda like Dr. Pol or people like that.

>117 EBT1002: We make choices in life we must live with thereafter, Ellen, and I have made almost as many bad ones as good ones but I live them both ways. On balance I am satisfied that those choices lead me on adventures and into relationships that have been memorable and enduring. One such was the choice to click a button in 2011 and find a site called LT and I have been enriched thereafter more by the people it lead me to than the books it suggested to me. xx

>118 Owltherian: I hope you'll stay long in the group, Owl, so that all of us who will be willing you on to succeed can share vicariously in that same accomplishment.

>111 SandDune: Wikipedia says the disappearance of the distinction is typical of “most” British English speakers, but that still leaves room for outliers. And of course not all North American English speakers make this distinction. I think of it as typical of native New Yorkers, for example. The ones who pronounce the name of their city as “Noo Yawk.”

>121 booksaplenty1949: I do wonder sometimes if you placed a Glaswegian in the same room as a Bristolian, a Brummie, a Geordie, a Scouser, a Cockney and someone from the Welsh Valleys how much comprehension there would be!?

>120 PaulCranswick: I plan on staying for a while, especially with this group.

>123 Owltherian: I am really pleased to hear that, Owl. I am always enthused by new members joining the group and enriching what is already here.

>124 PaulCranswick: I may get off the site for a while due to being lightheaded but i will definitely be back tomorrow.

>125 Owltherian: I am one of the busier group members, Owl, I don't stay online 24/7 either!

>126 PaulCranswick: yeah, my once a month thing is making me lightheaded and not feel well so I don't really feel well.

>126 PaulCranswick: I find that hard to believe! A fitful sleeper, I often click on to LT at any old hour in hopes of a new comment from PaulCranswick and am rarely disappointed.

>127 Owltherian: Having a wife and two grown daughters plus a pretty full earlier love-life, my personal research indicated that there were two main causes for light-headedness at that time.

Firstly the bodies system can result through blood loss of temporary anemia which is best treated by taking iron supplements at that time.

Secondly it could be due to dehydration and is best treated by drinking plenty of cool (but not very cold) water.

The most natural treatment is to rest and lie down until the feeling passes.

>128 booksaplenty1949: Hahaha, well not 24/7 but maybe 20/7 - even I need four hours sleep as and when!

>129 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i wish i didnt have to deal with it but i do.

>90 booksaplenty1949: Thanks, that doesn't apply in my case and neither were my people who fought in the War of Independence, Loyalists. They fought on the American side and then moved to Upper Canada where they were given land which probably didn't sit well with any Loyalists in the area.

>93 PaulCranswick: I've gotten some of my lot back before the English Civil War not the line that could have been involved.

I hope that your work is easing off a bit now, Paul, or at least that the new book therapy helped.

>131 Owltherian: I do sympathize, Owl, but I am fortunately of the particular species that doesn't have to be troubled.

>132 Familyhistorian: I can't see that I would have been on the Loyalists side either a large part of my family has had little fondness for the crown although my dear late mother was a staunch Royalist all her life much to my utter bemusement.

I have taken the rest of the afternoon off to recharge my batteries, Meg, so hopefully tomorrow I will be going at full throttle again.

Hope you are having a good afternoon of rest, Paul.

It has been relaxing - I even checked into the serviced apartment near by the office to give Erni a break too. Now feeling a bit lonely though so I shall go home and persuade her to cook something!

Hey, i'm back after my mum told me to go to sleep. Woke up twice during the night though, which sucked.

>121 booksaplenty1949: Wikipedia says the disappearance of the distinction is typical of “most” British English speakers It's just I can't think of a single person I know where the two are indistinguishable! Maybe a proper Yorkshire accent Paul? Mr SandDune would certainly pronounce them differently, but he's pretty much lost his Yorkshire accent over the years. I think I'm going to disagree with Wikipedia in that one.

>136 Owltherian: I'm not the best of sleepers to be honest, Owl.

>137 SandDune: Like Mr SandDune my accent has been watered down over the years by my travels and my interactions with others but I do find myself slipping into my natural brogue after mere hours in Yorkshire.

>88 vancouverdeb: I liked it, but I didn't love it. It is Booker Material, but not Booker Winner material, in my opinion. That is my opinion of it as well, Deborah.

>92 PaulCranswick: Me either. I think Kerry would not appreciate 365 more books in the house.

>109 PaulCranswick: Again, I have not read a single book on that list. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on them, especially the Sontag book.

Happy whatever, Paul!

>139 alcottacre: I read The Volcano Lover after a trip to Naples and found it a very interesting introduction to the complicated historical characters involved, although not a great success as a novel.

>138 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i have to deal with my loud friends at lunch and they don't ever listen, which is very annoying since I'm both in pain and sensitive to noise.

>138 PaulCranswick: I recently heard a professor of linguistics discuss a local distinction in the pronunciations of Mary, marry, and merry—-a distinction he considered long obsolete until he mentioned it to his father who immediately demonstrated it for him. It *is* generally agreed that pronunciation is becoming more homogenous as people travel more, go away to university, etc.

>142 booksaplenty1949: I pronounce all those differently as well!

Hi, Paul! I can't catch up, but I'm glad to come with good news! I know you'll be happy to learn that I heard from Nathalie, deern, on fb last night. She is still in the world, and I'm thrilled to know it's so. I hope that she may return to LT; she certainly spoke warmly of her people here.

>139 alcottacre: I have dipped into the Le Clezio already and it is pretty good to be honest.

I don't know whether I can keep myself under control and only add 365 books.

>140 booksaplenty1949: Sontag is an author completely new to me both in her fiction and non-fiction guises. I will more likely read her In America this month.

>141 Owltherian: I was not feeling at my best yesterday, Owl, either. I had no appetite at all and skipped dinner entirely. I am more than a little bit hungry this morning!

Hope that you are feeling quite a bit better.

142 I certainly agree that accents are more homogenized these days with more social interaction but I sounded out those three words given by the linguist and I have to say the differences are clearly discernible.

>143 SandDune: As do I, Rhian!

>144 LizzieD: That is possibly the most wonderful news you could have given me this year Peggy! I have been inordinately worried about the "disappearance" of Nathalie since those darkest days of COVID and the early salutary hit on Italy.
If you get the opportunity please do inform her how much I have missed her and how relieved I am that she is ok.

Thank you so much for sharing that with me dear lady. xx

>146 PaulCranswick: Yeah, im glad i feel better and i hope it stays that way the rest of this week.

On another note, we are learning about Adolf Hitler and his rise to rule Germany.

>148 Owltherian: That is good to hear, Owl, I hope that your health continues to be fine. Did you take lots water and/or iron as I suggested?

The rise and fall of Hitler and the so called Third Reich is compelling history but also chillingly so. The evils that were visited on entire races in the name of the myth of Aryan superiority is something that - even with a very good grasp of the bare facts - is still incomprehensible.

>149 PaulCranswick: Yeah i drank a bunch of water, and i honestly feel bad for the Jews and everyone else Hitler and his Nazi party killed, which includes disabled people and a lot of others.

>150 Owltherian: I cannot understand racial or ethnic hatred, Owl. I was brought up nominally in the Church of England and hail from a family interspersed with staunch Catholics and convinced Protestants. I was brought up specifically in a family that was taught to respect and revere the Jews as both our family doctors were from that faith as were some of my best friends. I married a muslim and nominally adhere to some of that religion's teachings while abhorring some of their other. One of the people nearest and dearest to me who sadly passed of a pulmonary embolism during COVID was a Mongolian buddhist. I have numerous Hindu and Sikh friends and just as many who firmly believe in no religion at all. I have white, olive, yellow, brown and black skinned friends, my wife stays with male gay friends at the moment whilst my daughter has use of our home in Sheffield. My own sister-in-law is a lesbian in a society that stolidly and somewhat shamefully frowns upon it - she is also one of my absolute favourite people on the planet and I would do virtually anything for her.
What I am leading up to is that we all are individual micro components of this great big world all with our parts to play and one just as valuable and worthy as the other. Without our diversity we would have a less panoramic vision of humankind.

>151 PaulCranswick: Exactly! I dont understand why they would do all of that just to have a "perfect Germany" when it was already perfect as it was! The Holocaust just made it worse! The fact is if I was alive in Germany during that I would have died due to having ADHD, Autism and a lot of other things which is to Hitler is imperfect. Same with a bunch of my friends and family, like my stepmom, dad, older brother, and younger brother. A bunch of people I know have ADHD, Autism, OCD, and other mental and physical disabilities and they would have been killed and had surgery to make sure they didn't have kids.

>152 Owltherian: I don't quite fit the Aryan model myself either, Owl.

>153 PaulCranswick: Lots of people dont, and i feel bad for the people who didn't when it was happening, plus we are only 3 generations away from that so it is still somewhat new.

>151 PaulCranswick: Amen!

Happy new thread Paul!

>122 PaulCranswick: That reminds me of an incident when I had recently moved to Singapore. My company had sent me to the Inland Revenue for a tax lecture and at the end they took questions. Someone asked a question (I think they must have said they were Malaysian) but the lecturer (presumably a Singaporean) couldn't understand them and it went back and forth for a bit as they tried to communicate with each other. Having struggled to follow Singlish (the local Singapore/ English patois) for the couple of years I had lived here at that point, I could understand both of them and I honestly started to wonder if I should end everyone's pain and stand up and translate for them.

All of which makes you wonder why Germany has been allowed to re-arm for a third time...

>157 m.belljackson: Who knows why not

>122 PaulCranswick:
Linguists in the U.S. are lamenting the fact that regional accents are disappearing. Many believe this homogenization of American English is the result of television. Everyone here needs to speak with the flat "Chicago" accent.

By-the-way, where are all those accents you mentioned from? I think Glaswegian is from the area around Glasgow, but not sure about the others.

>136 Owltherian:
That is fairly normal for many people. Most people sleep in 4 hours cycles.

>160 benitastrnad: Yeah, i woke up at 2am and struggled to fall back to sleep.

>161 Owltherian:
Pick up a book and read for a bit. Usually 10 minutes and you are relaxed and ready to go back to sleep. Reading takes your mind off of what was causing you to wake up and makes you think about something totally different. That relaxes you.

Also - very important. MOVE THE CELL PHONE 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE BED! the blue light from a phone acts as an on switch to your brain and disrupts REM sleep. Get the doggone phone away from your bed, so that you have to get up and out of bed to answer it, and you will sleep much better all night. Putting it under a pillow doesn't help. MOVE IT away from you.

One of our university psychologists gave us a work shop on dealing with college students and told us that the number one problem that students have is lack of sleep. The number one thing causes sleeping disruption was cell phones.

>162 benitastrnad: My phone locks at 10:00pm and doesnt unlock until 6:00am. Plus my sibs would hate me if i had a light on in the room i shared with them.

>159 benitastrnad: Brummies are from Birmingham, Scousers from Liverpool, Geordies from Tyneside. All semi-incomprehensible, but each in their own way.

>157 m.belljackson: If you think this is a specifically German problem you need to take another look. Finding a scapegoat group to blame local problems on is a time-honoured route to power for would-be dictators in every corner of the globe. Hoa people in Vietnam. East Asians in Kenya. Roma in Hungary.

>157 m.belljackson: If you think this is a specifically German problem you need to take another look. Finding a scapegoat group to blame every local problem on is a time-honoured route to power for would-be dictators in every corner of the globe. Hoa people in Vietnam. East Asians in Kenya.

>154 Owltherian: I can't claim three generations distance, Owl, only slightly above one!

>155 ArlieS: Thank you Arlie.

>156 humouress: Hahaha Nina, I can so easily visualize that!

>157 m.belljackson: Something to do with re-integration and eventual forgiveness I think.

>158 Owltherian: Something to do with reintegration and eventual forgiveness I think.

>159 benitastrnad: Bristolian - Bristol; Brummie - Birmingham; Cockney - parts of London; Scouse - Liverpool; Geordie - Newcastle.

>160 benitastrnad: Benita, I am trying to get my cycle back to that - I am on about two and a half hour cycles.

>161 Owltherian: That is a pretty constant problem for me, Owl.

>162 benitastrnad: That is really exceptional advice, Benita. Even an old Luddite like me looks at his cellphone the minute he awakes.

>163 Owltherian: Maybe the siblings are snoring?!

>164 booksaplenty1949: Ah thanks for that, I hadn't noticed you'd filled in the blanks for me!

>165 booksaplenty1949: & >166 booksaplenty1949: I would agree completely. Rwanda and Cambodia are obvious examples where fear, jealousy and hatred can lead to mass slaughter. This isn't a problem exclusive to Germanic people.

BOTH MY SIBS SNORE- IT FREAKING SUCKSSSS. Plus my history teacher said we were only 3 gens away from when the holocaust happened

Hey, Paul. Just checking in. My music library listening has continued. I am so glad I started this. I am currently listening to Beck. I love both Odelay & Sea Change. Trying to listen to a few others. Are you a fan?

I also hope those books are treating you well. Mine are...😁

>140 booksaplenty1949: I am currently reading Sontag's Reborn: Journals and Notebooks, 1947-1963 for the American Authors challenge for February, which is why I am interested in The Volcano Lover. Thank you for your input!

>145 PaulCranswick: I have already warned Kerry that May is my Thingaversary - and I fully intend to buy 19 books then! I am restraining myself thus far and buying very few books this year. No way am I getting to 365.

Happy whatever, Paul!

Waving a quick hello, although I can't keep up with you.

I pronounce Harry and hairy exactly the same as well as cot/caught and Mary/marry/merry.

Way behind you in book buying this year. I just popped the cherry and bought my first for 2024 - a Kindle book for one of my book clubs. I am so lucky to have a wonderful library system - and have so many books home from them that I have recently had to return a couple unread. :(

>168 PaulCranswick: yeah, well, just read or re-read Churchill's THE GATHERING STORM.

Hi Paul!! Just trying to keep up. >151 PaulCranswick: And this is one of the many reasons I admire you so much. : )

>176 streamsong: Re pronunciation, I like your style. But how about “pasta?” Paw-sta or past-a?

>179 booksaplenty1949: It's past-a for me. But I say Mary, merry and marry all the same , likewise cot/ caught. I do pronounce Harry / hairy differently though.

Paul! Guess what! I'm getting help with my missing assignments and i didn't panic! I'm so happy!

>179 booksaplenty1949: Pars-ta for me :0)

And the other sets I definitely pronounce differently.

>119 PaulCranswick: I feel exactly the same way about the gift that came my way when I said "hmm, LibraryThing, what is this?" and signed up. This community has certainly enhanced and broadened my reading experience but it has also provided true friends whom I cherish. xx

Dropping in to say hello. Hope you and your family are all doing well!

>180 vancouverdeb: Interesting how everyone seems to have a different set of pronunciations. I definitely pronounce cot/caught differently. But for Mary/marry/merry and Harry/hairy, they're the same. I would love to hear what the difference is between Mary, marry, and merry for those of you who pronounce them differently.

And I pronounce pasta "pah-sta", not paw-sta or past-a. No "w" sound in there at all. As in "ah" vs. "aww" with a p in front.

Good Morning Paul, seeing your beautiful art work at the top of your thread reminded me that I saw this painting at the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York City;

https://www.metmuseum.org/-/media/images/blogs/teen-blog/2012/majestic3.jpg?sc_l...

>173 Owltherian: That was a shot in the dark about the snoring, Owl.

You may be three (although if a generation is 20 years it is closer to four generations) but I am not.

>174 msf59: Great to see you Mark. I have quite a few of Beck's CDs including the two you mention. I wouldn't exactly call myself a fan but I do get the urge to listen to him occasionally.

>187 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i mean i snore too but still- its LOUD. I just drank some apply juice and some strawberry filled hershey kisses.

>175 alcottacre: Howdy Juana. I have my suspicions that you will be very close to 365 by the year's end. I have promised myself not to exceed that number but my book buying has always been the stuff of broken promises!

>176 streamsong: Great to have you stop by, Janet. I am purposely going at a more sedate pace this year (I am at about half the number of posts to last year at this stage).

Like Rhian I do pronounce all those words noticeably differently - language is so interesting isn't it?!

>177 m.belljackson: I have read it Marianne. It is very good reading but it is describing a time 85 years ago. Do we see a renewed Germany as the major threat on the world stage at this moment? I'm sorry but I don't.

>178 Berly: Aww Kimmers what a lovely thing to say. Thank you. xx
I am blessed by knowing so many wonderful people in this group. I mean I even like most of the people in the group that don't like me!

>179 booksaplenty1949: For me the a sound in pasta is as it would be in magnolia.

>180 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb - but isn't it funny that we all understand each other perfectly well!

>181 Owltherian: That is good news, Owl. Most important thing with good studies is to avoid any feeling of panic. Just work through things calmly and methodically - you will usually find that if you give your best, it will be more than good enough.

>182 humouress: Hey Nina! That is the posh way of saying spaghetti!

>183 EBT1002: Exactly, Ellen. LT is a blessing in my life definitely.

>184 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle. Lovely to see you and likewise I hope that Nate and your two lovely girls are in the pink (Nate not literally so, of course!)

.

>185 atozgrl: Pronunciation differences are so much fun, Irene. My own is a sort of watered-down Northern England. Having lived and worked away from my home area since the age of 18 the broad Yorkshire accent has been diluted somewhat but still appears occasionally in certain phrases and words. The main difference between the North and the South of England is in the vowel sounds.

>186 Whisper1: That is very striking, Linda. I would love to have an LT meet up in the Big Apple and catch a trip to the Metropolitan Museum.

>188 Owltherian: I'm not sure what causes snoring in young ladies, but over tiredness is definitely one reason. I think strawberry filled Hersheys might be another!

>30 PaulCranswick: Happy new thread! I enjoyed this book.

>196 ocgreg34: Hi Greg. Yeah, Cain definitely had a directness of style that was very appealing.

>195 PaulCranswick: Yeah, maybe. I'm not really in a good mood anymore.

>198 Owltherian: Chocolate normally makes me guiltily happy, but has the opposite affect on others which can include bad moods and even rage:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/your-brain-food/201011/chocolate-the-g...

Maybe not the greatest of foods to take when your hormones are already raging, Lily!

>199 PaulCranswick: I just got told i was a z00phile soooo I'm really mad rn- I wanna quit already AGAIN

>200 Owltherian: Lily, I cannot believe that anyone in this group would make a comment like that to you. It certainly would never be allowed to go without response on this particular thread where I like to think that all my visitors are safe from abuse.

>201 PaulCranswick: Its not even on this place, its on a group called Any Rp and I'm honestly about to just quit this site already

>202 Owltherian: Honestly Lily, not all groups suit me either or all threads and I have made some missteps along the way. There are a few even in this wonderful group who do not welcome my presence on their thread and I oblige them, albeit a little sadly, by staying away.

In this group I really believe that you will only find warmth, friendliness and support and it would be a shame for you to let another group spoil your enjoyment of this one.

I have enjoyed the energy and youthfulness you have brought to our group and I do hope you stay with us.

>203 PaulCranswick: They went offline thankfully but they were already banned once but they made a new ACC and is now tormenting especially me by saying "Cuz its true animal f*cker" and a bunch of other things like that.

Oh and is there anyway to change my name? I don't like mine anymore.....

>204 Owltherian: Report them to LT staff at info@librarything.com. Personal attacks are against the TOS, and I'm pretty sure creating new accounts to get around having your account suspended is too.

>206 amanda4242: Okay, I have been and now there are two people and I'm honestly about to just have a mental breakdown over this

>207 Owltherian: You can also block users by clicking the block button found on their profile page; that at least will block their posts from your view and will prevent them from sending you PMs.

>208 amanda4242: I found that and i feel better and i flagged both of them but idk who to contact for what happened

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/358237

>209 Owltherian: There's a contact link at the bottom of every page with e-mail addresses for staff. You can just use the general one, info@librarything.com, to report the offending members.

>211 amanda4242: okay, thank you for the help

>212 Owltherian: Lily, I hope you can get it resolved soon. No one should have to put up with abuse, especially on a site like this one.

>213 alcottacre: Ahhhhhh- they made ANOTHER freaking account!

>214 Owltherian: Report that one, too. Staff can block IP addresses if necessary.

>215 amanda4242: I feel like she has a grudge on me when i wasnt the one who got her banned in the first place!

>191 PaulCranswick: We do understand each other perfectly Paul, since I have heard you speak either on facebook or Instagram that Hani posted. But I can't fully understand all British accents. Way back when, when I worked in a bank, one of my co - workers was of British background. He had a UK accent, but he had a friend who would come in and chat with him, and I could not understand most of what his friend said. His friend, also from the UK, came in one day when my co worker was on a lunch break. He told me to tell Ian, my coworker, that he had returned from England and had some " nose pipers " for him. I was baffled, and thought this must be some sort of instrument for cleaning your nose that I had never heard of. So I whispered to Ian - "Your friend was in, and has some nose pipers for you" - thinking this was a delicate thing. He laughed and said , oh, news papers! I had no idea.

>204 Owltherian: That is desicable, Lily. I know that Tim and his team will not tolerate behaviour like that and you should not have to be subject to such abuse.

>205 Owltherian: There are ways of course and a few of the gang have done so over the years although I am not the best person to ask on the subject.

>206 amanda4242: Nicely covered, Amanda, thank you.

>207 Owltherian: I have to be honest, Lily, I haven't really heard of this sort of thing before. I know that there have been flare ups between individuals and a couple of people erstwhile of this group, that I know of were barred from LT.

>208 amanda4242: I know that the blocking bit does work as I found out to my cost when I tried to PM a word of explanation to someone only to find that they had in fact blocked me. I certainly wasn't harassing the person involved but I did respect her right to privacy in her spaces in the site.

>209 Owltherian: I'm pleased to hear that, Lily. If I am not mistaken a flag automatically goes to the administrators.

>210 SilverWolf28: Thank you Silver. It is Chinese or the Lunar New Year here over the weekend so I do hope to make some progress.

>211 amanda4242: Well done, Amanda.

>212 Owltherian: Amanda is a very helpful person, Lily.

>213 alcottacre: Exactly, Stasia.

>214 Owltherian: Persistence does not always pay off, Lily. I am sure that the Admin will block them permanently.

>215 amanda4242: Ah yes, like that, in fact!

>216 Owltherian: I am sure that it will all be sorted out shortly, Lily, but don't let the bad intentioned win and stop you from enjoying this wonderful group.

>217 vancouverdeb: Hahaha that is a great story Deb. I suppose my accent has been internationalized a little bit over the years but the Northern drawl is still there close to the surface.

>197 PaulCranswick: I know Cain mostly from the movie versions. Read Serenade with a friend and was quite surprised to discover that the protagonist was a closeted gay—-didn’t quite go with my preconception of the “hard-boiled” genre. Also involved opera, a theme also present in the novel Mildred Pierce, I gather, although less evident in the film version, whose plot is quite different from the book for reasons connected with the Hollywood self-censorship of the time.

>182 humouress: Were I to ask someone to “pass the pasta” both “a” sounds would be the same.

>185 atozgrl: Yes, my choice of “paw” was potentially confusing because there are accents that distinguish between, say, “hock” and “hawk.” Mine does not.

Yeah maybe, people honestly get on my nerves especially people like her, but i will try to stay on.

Happy Year of the Dragon. Enjoy your time off from work!

Finished Israel Potter. To compensate for the fact that Israel’s Revolutionary War experience is limited to the Battle of Bunker Hill, he later participates in several naval skirmishes under the captainship of John Paul Jones, including the one in which Jones uttered what Wikipedia describes as “his famous, albeit apocryphal, quotation ‘I have not yet begun to fight.’ “ Later Ethan Allen makes an appearance. So the book was not a complete bust as a War Room Challenge entry. Will try to get to The Book of Negroes later this month.

>225 booksaplenty1949: I haven't see all the films but there is definitely a different storyline between the book and the film of Double Indemnity.
It is a rare occasion I think when the film betters the book.

>226 booksaplenty1949: That could still have at least two different variables though - "paahs the paahsta" or in fact "pa-ss the pa-sta" in the first the sound is like "parcel" in the second the sound is like "pa-parazzi"

Happy lunar New Year! I hope you are able to relax and enjoy your time off.

>227 booksaplenty1949: Ahh! I'm sure we would still understand each other perfectly!

>228 Owltherian: You should do things on your own terms, Lily, and not let other push you away from something you might otherwise take plenty from.

>229 Kristelh: Thank you Kristel. The wife gets her own year!! (For God's sake I hope she doesn't see this)!

>230 booksaplenty1949: If I was called upon to make a ruling - which I thankfully am not - then the book most definitely qualifies for the challenge.

>232 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita - that is certainly the plan!

>231 PaulCranswick: Yes, the first is what I will call a British long “a” for lack of a technical term, applied equally to both “pass” and “pasta.” But there are Americans who use a short “a” (magnolia) was your example, I think) in “pass“ but switch to “ah” in “pasta.” Maybe they think that’s how Italians pronounce it.

>233 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i like the people here

>231 PaulCranswick: Ossessione, Visconti’s debut as a director, is an (uncredited) adaptation of The Postman Always Rings Twice which is well worth seeing. Apparently the director Jean Renoir had given Visconti a French translation of the Cain novel and he went to it as a back-up after the Fascist government turned down his original project based on an Italian source.

>234 PaulCranswick: 🙂

>236 booksaplenty1949: Haha you brought to mind the Goodfellas there!

>237 Owltherian: You should, Lily. All my mates, I am happy to vouch for and I am sure that they will all become your friends too. This place has proved a wonderful support group for me.

I have had some tribulations during my time here - lost a business when a so-called religious group did not pay me a sum approaching RM9m (More than US$2.25 million at the time) and I almost went down; I lost my mum and someone else I loved very dearly during COVID but not to COVID, I have had stresses and strains of overwork, difficulties with depression and refinding my marriage to a wonderful woman, struggling at the same time to put my three kids through university. And through all of that some of my really good friends here have helped keep me part way sane.

I will be eternally grateful to a large number of them whose warmth and big heartedness pulled me through some pretty dismal days even though I rarely showed that side of myself to the group.

>239 booksaplenty1949: Yeah it definitely qualifies. xx

>240 PaulCranswick: well, yeah. Your one of the few people i like on this site still. I'm starting to like more and more people, especially in this group

>226 booksaplenty1949: Same here. Maybe I should have said I would pronounce it 'pars-tah'. (Or spag boll, as Paul might say.)

>231 PaulCranswick: I'm a "paahs the pa-sta" girl.

>234 PaulCranswick: My daughter was born in the year of the dragon but she is a fire dragon and not a wood dragon.

>242 Owltherian: I am sure that you will garner a solid group of friends here, Lily and for sure they will be genuine.

>243 humouress: Hahaha I don't often say that, Nina, but I am guilty of shortening it occasionally.

>244 SandDune: As you of course know, Rhian, my vowel sounds are a bit flatter.

>245 Kristelh: I am a horse, myself, Kristel and no expert when it comes to the lunar calendar.

>246 PaulCranswick: The person who bullied me's account is fully blocked! I can live in peace! I bet i will make plenty of friends here, since i am always active.

>248 Owltherian: That is good news, Lily. I am also sure that you'll make plenty of friends in the group.

Friday additions

40. Little by Edward Carey
41. Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir
42. The Sisterhood by Katherine Bradley
43. Lean on Me by Serge Joncour
44. Facets of Death by Michael Stanley

44 books in 40 days

>249 PaulCranswick: I would think, everyone in this group is so nice to everyone

>251 Owltherian: Obviously there are some differences of opinion sometimes, Lily, but those differences can be aired cordially.

>252 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i'm trying not to fight as much with a few others on this site but all of the people i fought with got banned and my mental health is a little better. I also started reading the Percy Jackson series

>253 Owltherian: Good for you.

>250 PaulCranswick: Ha, I thought you had slowed down in your buying until I saw the 44 books in 40 days, Paul. I'm running out of space to put mine now so I'm slowing down. I know I won't make my 17 for my thingaversary tomorrow but that is probably a good thing.

>255 Familyhistorian: And I thought I was going at a snail's pace, Meg!!

>256 PaulCranswick: I normally price and pack donated books year-round for an annual sale raising funds for a favourite charity. Have to say one of the incentives is the opportunity to get first dibs on buying books. For technical reasons the packing process has been delayed this year, with consequent sharp reduction in my book intake. But all systems are now go. Let the wild rumpus start!

PS One is not allowed to price any books one intends to buy, in case anyone is worried about the ethics of my involvement.

>257 booksaplenty1949: That sounds extremely interesting. I occasionally but not that regularly these days have a clear out and donate books either to a school library or to an orphanage.

>258 booksaplenty1949: Still sounding very interesting. x

Hi Paul! How are you?

>260 Owltherian: I actually have a fever today, Lily and not feeling great at all.

>261 PaulCranswick: Oh nooooo, i hope you get better soon!

Thanks Lily. I am running a particularly high fever and have swelling in places I wouldn't have shown my mother.

Oh nurr, try to get plenty of rest and maybe use an icepack for the swelling (An icepack would be like possibly a bag of frozen veggies or something like that)

>264 Owltherian: I think sleep and plenty of water will eventually do the trick, Lily.

>265 PaulCranswick: Yeah, I've had a fever a few times and it sucks, but i know you can get through it.

>266 Owltherian: I am pretty good at recovering quickly, Lily, so hopefully a good sleep will see me much improved.

>267 PaulCranswick: Yeah, now go take that nap!

>268 Owltherian: Ok I am going. I slept at 8 pm and got up at 1 am it is now 3.17 am and I am off to the land of nod again.

>269 PaulCranswick: Good, you need as much sleep as humanly possible right now.

Hi Paul, sure hope you are feeling much much better very soon. xx

Get well soon, Paul!

Swelling anywhere does not sound great...heres hoping its temporary and brief.

>270 Owltherian: Thank you, Lily. I did get another 5 hours or so which is pretty good for me.

>271 mdoris: Thanks Mary. I am a little bit better this morning and the swelling has at least not gotten bigger and is possibly on the wane.

>272 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella. xx

>273 richardderus: Thanks RD. I got this condition about five years ago and was hospitalized for two days whilst strong antibiotics fought off the infection. It doesn't feel quite of the ilk of that visitation but I am keeping an eye on things.

Hope you feel better soon!

>276 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita.

Oh dear, Paul, I hope you feel better very soon.

>278 AMQS: Thanks Anne. I do feel a little bit better this morning.

I am glad to hear it, Paul. You take care.

>274 PaulCranswick: Thats good, i hope you feel at least a little better

>280 AMQS: Thank you, Anne.

>281 Owltherian: I am on the mend, I think, Lily - thank you. x

>282 PaulCranswick: Your so welcome Paul! Happy to help!

Adding my wishes that you'll soon feel better.

Hope that you are feeling better!

>283 Owltherian: Thanks again, Lily.

>284 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. Still not comfortable but feeling a little better.

>285 torontoc: I am slowly improving, Cyrel, thank you.

>286 PaulCranswick: Your welcome :) again

I see that you're practically in my neighborhood, Paul, so I wanted to invite you for dinner. I'll be there in less than 15 minutes. (Not kidding.)

Since your thread is the Happenin' Place to Be in the 75 Books group I thought I would briefly share what's been going on with my mother and myself lately. On 9 December Mum suffered a terrible fall onto the uncarpeted kitchen floor, which caused an orbital floor (facial) fracture and rupture of her right eye; imagine some squeezing a grape until its innards popped out. Her eye was surgically repaired in the hospital, but she unfortunately can only see light through her eye, and will be permanently blind in it. Fortunately the vision in her left eye was unaffected by the fall, so we'll do all we can to protect that eye from serious injury.

This past May I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation and generalized anxiety disorder, which was brought out by the extreme stress of caring for my mother with no or very little support. My symptoms quickly improved with medication, psychotherapy, and the elimination of a toxic former close friend from my life. I was doing well until this past weekend, when I had racing and disorganized thoughts, pressured speech, rapid heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressures, and auditory and visual hallucinations. I saw my psychiatrist on Wednesday, and she diagnosed me with severe bipolar I disorder with psychotic features; this was a shocking and very disturbing diagnosis to hear, as in my mind it transformed me from a regular person with a very common mental condition into a seriously mentally ill person.

I'm praying that I can make a full recovery, although I realize that lapses and future hospitalizations in an inpatient psychiatric facility are very likely.

If anyone wants to know about hallucinations or psychosis feel free to send them my way.

>288 Owltherian: :D

>289 kidzdoc: My heart goes out to you my dear friend. I am sure that unburdening yourself can only be therapeutic.

I did see the news about your mother and I can well imagine the stress and strain that caring for a loved one in physical and mental decline can cause. We are not machines, Darryl, and often we need to reach out to others to lessen our strife as the walls close in on us. I am of course not qualified to comment on your medical and depression related issues other than I am someone who has also suffered - some may be surprised - from severe depression intermittently during my adult life. I know you to be a fine human being and your selflessness in the case of your mother underscores that perfectly and I am proud to consider you a friend.

PM me any time should you need to vent dear fellow and I am positive that you will make a full recovery and get back to being that Lusophone bookish chap so many of us esteem and love.

Hani sends her love to you. I was just speaking to her and she made pineapple tarts and sorbet.

Aghhh- my neck is absolutely killing me- it hurtsss

>291 Owltherian: Awkward sleeping posture, maybe, Lily?

>292 PaulCranswick: Yeah, it feels a lot better when i moved my neck onto my pillow.

I hope you are feeling better soon, Paul. Family would be handy to have around at times like these.

Finally finished a book in February

Book #9



North Woods by Daniel Mason
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : USA
Gender of Author : Male
Pages : 369 pp
Challenges : 150Y Challenge : 23/150

Parts of this novel are exquisitely wonderful especially the parts that feature the ephemeral twins. As a whole though I found the story a bit disjointed and certainly didn't enjoy the book as much as did most everyone else who has read it.

>294 Familyhistorian: Indeed, Meg. Perfectly right.

>296 PaulCranswick: I hope a reunion happens for you sooner rather than later, Paul.

All the best for your health, Paul and Darryl, I hope you get well soon!

>298 SirThomas: Thanks, SirThomas!

Forgive me for missing your earlier mentions of your illness, Paul. I also pray for a speedy recovery for you.

I fell asleep several times while composing a reply to >290 PaulCranswick:, as the dose of Seroquel I'm now taking makes me very sleepy. Fortunately I've been typing my lengthier replies into Google Docs files, so they aren't lost in the stratosphere if I fall asleep or have a computer (or, more likely, human) glitch:

>290 PaulCranswick: Thanks for your very kind and supportive words, Paul; they mean a lot to me. You're absolutely right in the therapeutic nature of expressing your concerns and experiences to others; I'm now a member of a weekly dementia support group through Capital Health, where I receive nearly all of my medical care. We met on Wednesday, barely an hour after the appointment with my psychiatrist in which I was told for the first time that I have bipolar disorder. The psychologist who leads the support group shares the same office space as my psychiatrist, and so she summoned me to her office a few minutes before the meeting to make sure that I was okay, and that I felt disclosing what had happened to me in the group. I said I did, and for me personally it was easily the best session I've attended, as several of the members cried and hugged me in sympathy, and everyone expressed their regrets personally to me.

I hardly need to tell you that LibraryThing consists of the most amazing group of friendly and supportive people I’ve ever known, and receiving their love and concern has been critical to my healing process and journey as a caregiver over the past 2+ years. Really, the only two reasons why I didn't fully reveal my diagnosis on Facebook and other forms of social media was that I didn't want my mental illness to have a negative impact when it came time to search for a new job, buy a new house, etc. That, however, is a far lesser concern that letting my 🤬 younger brother David know until I began the process of setting up protection for my mother and myself. Throughout my life I’ve always considered David, who I’ve insisted since childhood was switched at birth, as he is so dissimilar to even the most disliked members of my family, as a benign nuisance, someone who regularly irritated the hell out of me but meant me no harm. However, I did not realize the depths of his depravity until my dear cousin Tina from Michigan, the sister I never had, came back on an emergency basis to care for my mother, and for me, until I was clearly able to do so. I found out two days ago that David, who is financially stable and makes a six figure salary, has been wanting to declare me mentally incompetent for more than two years, in order that he could force my mother and me to go into private living facilities, which would give him full access to our hard earned nest eggs. I thought I was being weird and paranoid when I expressed mild concerns about my brother, but Tina painted a far grimmer and harsher portrait than I could have ever imagined.

Life’s tribulations and stresses are such that it’s surprising that everyone is not severely depressed at one time or another; that's why I, rightly or wrongly, consider depression as not being a condition of mental illness. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are far different and more serious and rare conditions to me, and that's why I now think of myself as unfortunately being a sick mentally ill person rather than a well person with a routine easily fixable flaw.

I've always considered you to be a fellow empath, Paul, a kind, sensitive and good hearted man who loves and cares deeply about others, whether he knows them well or not, bleeds when others are cut, and places the weight of others' burdens on his shoulders. It's no wonder that we are susceptible to depression, and, IMO, depression for empaths such as ourselves is completely expected, and perfectly normal.

>297 Familyhistorian: I think Hani will be back here within the next ten days or so.

>298 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas. You are a good man.

>299 kidzdoc: That lovely message put tears in my eyes, Darryl. To be honest I have been thinking about you all day my dear friend.
I do wear my heart on my sleeve and I can be a bit opinionated at times which does irritate some people, I know.
I have always considered us close in terms of our perspective on life and I am so proud of the selfless efforts you have made on behalf of your parents. Your brother sounds like an opportunist who has not played his part. Try to stay away from the obvious negativity and bad intentions that seem associated with him.
LT is a fantastic support group - with some exceptions of course. I have made some wonderful friends in the group and greatly miss some of them that are no longer active here such as Ilana, Kath, Gail, Nathalie and Caro. I do feel that there are plenty of broad shoulders here for you to lean on dear fellow if you need to talk occasionally.

>299 kidzdoc: Dear Darryl, you are very wise not to reveal to much on social media. Especially in connection with your brother. At the time my sister was trying the same with my mother, I tried to be as careful. Later I found out she was even following me on LT, and even had to be careful here.
I am glad you have your cousin Tina on your side.

>300 PaulCranswick: I hope you and Hani are reunited soon, Paul. And I hope you get well soon.

>303 FAMeulstee: I am grateful that I have a very good relationship with my twin brother, Anita - my problems and more so my brother's problems were with our father. To be fair though I don't have a very good relationship with his wife who is somewhat jealous of the closeness of our relationship - she is a single child herself.
My brother is constantly beseeching me to return to the UK and help him in growing his business and, as you know, Yasmyne is now working for my brother. Her Auntie told her last week that "Peter says your very good at your work Yasmyne, tell your father we don't need him to come back here to work anymore". Said as if it was a joke but with a real glint in her eye.

Good morning/night Paul!

>304 PaulCranswick: So sorry, Paul, families can be so complicated. And not fair to take Yasmine into it.
I am very grateful for the part of my family that is left now. My father, my brother, his wife, Frank and me, we are all on good terms with eachother.

>305 Owltherian: I would have to say "good evening, Lily". It is 10.48 pm here.

>306 FAMeulstee: My immediate family are hugely close and supportive - Hani, Yasmyne, Kyran, Belle (and Erni). We have to be grateful / thankful for what we have.

>307 PaulCranswick: Wow- its only like 9:55 am here. Is the fever almost gone i hope.

Paul, sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well. I hope it's a short-lived malady.

>299 kidzdoc: Darryl, that is totally shocking behaviour by your brother. You are very much in my thoughts.

Paul- i have a question. Oh wait- nevermind.

>308 Owltherian: Definitely on the mend, Lily.

>309 SandDune: I hope so too, Rhian, because it is darned uncomfortable.
Darryl deserves unreserved admiration for his decision to give up his successful career to look after his mum and not have a family member set out to destroy him.

>310 Owltherian: Ask away Lily.

>299 kidzdoc: I am very sorry to hear of all that has happened Darryl. I just want to say don’t forget the very stressful and taxing circumstances you have been in. Taking care of your mother for the most part alone. Don’t say you are a whatever. You have been overburdened, and we all have a breaking point. You have been doing fine as a pediatrician for years and years. I am glad you have a good support group, and we all need that sometimes.

>312 PaulCranswick: If your brother is transgender, what pronouns would be safe? I don't know their pronouns and i feel baddd-

>290 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul -

From my Therapist Daughter come these positive ideas for your Doctor Friend -

what has helped others with similar conditions:

A steady routine
Good sleep
Physical exercise
Improved diet
Mindful practices

^^^^^

Good that he has sought 2nd opinions since the later diagnoses may be related to increased stress and grieving.

>313 EllaTim: Nicely said, Ella.

>314 Owltherian: I am a little old fashioned and this is not really an issue in Asia, but, for me, the simple response is that I would refer to people how they want to be referred to, once I know what that is.

>250 PaulCranswick: I added two today, so am up to 16 this year, which is way less than normal, but a little more than planned.

>261 PaulCranswick: Sorry to hear you are under the weather Paul. My bro has had a lurg for 5 days, and slept the last three.

>315 m.belljackson: Those five steps are a great guide to a healthier life for all of us, Marianne.

I don't think that Darryl could really have avoided the eye of the hurricane as he acted instinctively and very bravely to come to the aid and succour of his mother when she most needed him. I think that someone who acts so selflessly is deserving of our support and esteem and I am so pleased that he decided to share his burden because it will help to reduce it for sure.

>316 PaulCranswick: Yeah, my uh- sister now i guess is trans and i just want to do the best i can to call them the right pronouns and stuff.

I'm trying to find my choir videos but i cant find them on youtube :/ Its all silhouettes stuff

>317 Caroline_McElwee: I am really making a quite conscious effort to rein in this year, Caroline although my numbers don't really show this - they do when you compare the several years I have gone over a thousand books in the year.

I'm still not overly comfortable but the fever has at least subsided so I hope that the swelling does too over the course of the day or next couple at least.

>319 Owltherian: I'm certainly no expert on this, Lily, but I would have thought that playing things by ear and being receptive to how people want to be referred to is the way in these situations.

>321 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i try but i rarely ever see my grandparents and my sister until the summer.

>322 Owltherian: Then it is an issue that you have ample time to ponder upon, Lily.

>323 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i guess i do. I wish i saw them more honestly. Although my uncle keeps going to jail, and has a restraining order against my aunt.

>321 PaulCranswick: My mother was very clear about never referring to a person who was present by ANY pronoun, only by his or her name. “Who is ‘she’ ? The cat’s mother?” was her invariable comment if anyone slipped up in this regard. So I am off the hook about offending anyone in this regard, regardless of my views on the general subject of gender (available on request). I certainly feel that everyone is free to choose the *name* by which he or she wishes to be known. The pronoun I choose for a person not present to hear me use it will only offend him or her if someone takes the trouble to inform him or her, and I would suggest that such a busybody has a bigger problem than I do.

>324 Owltherian: All families have challenges, Lily and yours sounds like no exception.

>325 booksaplenty1949: Yes, I also distinctly remember my own dear mother using the self same phrase. I have to say and I am sure you would expect that I agree with you pretty wholeheartedly on the subject. We do live in a thin-skinned and judgemental society these days and it is one reason that I am still here where such issues frankly bemuse the populace at large.

>326 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i mean at least they value my feelings.

But then again, my uncle always is smoking and I'm used to the smell which i know is bad....

Hi Paul! I've been by a few times and it's always hopping here. I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well. And good that Hani will be there with you again soon, though probably not soon enough to suit you!

>326 PaulCranswick: “The self same phrase”? That really touches me. Across the miles/time zones we connect re our mothers on some random website, in between discussing Hannibal and Susan Sontag. Is this a great world or what? Other issues will sort themselves in due course.

>327 Owltherian: Smoking is becoming so unfashionable these days isn't it? I have never smoked a cigarette although I do enjoy the occasional cigar as you don't take that into your lungs.

>328 quondame: She can be extremely annoying though Susan, when one is not well, as she tends to panic and obsess a bit which can be stressful though well meaning. I made the mistake on whatsapp this morning of mentioning that the swelling had reduced only to remember that I hadn't previously mentioned any swelling!

>329 booksaplenty1949: Indeed it is a small world and a world made much better by platforms such as this one. xx

>330 PaulCranswick: Yeah, my grandma smokes, my aunt, uncle, and my bio moms ex-husband whom i don't see anymore.

I'm pretty sure my bio mums ex ran from my life when she died soooo i don't really care.

>332 Owltherian: My mum always smoked but gave up when it was too late (after she had already contracted the cancer that killed her).

>333 PaulCranswick: My bio mum overdosed on her bipolar medication when i was 5 and that's when he left me....but *hug* i feel bad for you.

>334 Owltherian: And I for you, Lily. You seem to have had to face quite a lot of things in life already.

>335 PaulCranswick: Yeah, i guess i did, but I've already had to go through plenty of funerals so i was used to it.