Deborah (vancouverdeb) reads in 2024 Thread 2

A recent jigsaw puzzle I did. Nine Streets, Amsterdam, by Pieces and Peace .

I'm Deborah, 40 years happily married to Dave, who is retiring in March of 2024. We have two adult sons, Daniel, 39, and William, aged 33. William is married to Serenade, and they have blessed us with two grandchildren, Melissa, 5, and Miles, 3. Besides reading, I do love to do jigsaw puzzles, walk -with or without our dog, Poppy, likely a Poodle- Maltese mix . I've been here on LT for nearly 15 years, and I enjoy historical fiction and mysteries , as well as many other genres. I'm keen to read book prize contenders, lately mainly the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Booker Lists. Last year I read 41 books and I expect to read about the same number this year. In previous years I have managed to read 75 books, but my love of jigsaw puzzles has changed that.

January

1) Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Relationships by Nedra Glover Tawwab American, F, 4 stars library
2) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, American, M, 3.5 stars off the shelf
3) Absolution by Alice McDermott , American, F, 3 stars library
4)The Little Book Of Icelanders by Alda Sigmundsdottir Icelandic, F, 3 stars New
5)Reykjavik by Ragnar Jonasson , Icelandic, M, 4 stars Library

February

6) Silas Marner by George Eliot , British, F, 3.5 stars , library book / audiobook
7) The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson , British, F, 4 stars my book.
8) The Road from Belhaven by Margot Livesey, British, F, 4 stars, library.
9) The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo American, F, library, 4 stars
10) The Book of Days by Francesca Kay, British, F, ebook, 4 stars

March
11) Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie , F , New, 4 stars
12) Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville,Australian F, library, 4 stars
13) The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright ,Irish, F, library, 2.5 stars

Prize winners and nominees

Silas Marner by George Eliot 1001 books to read before you die
Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie Womens Prize for Fiction Longlist 2024
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville Women's Prize for Fiction Long List 2024
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist 2023

Currently reading

The Prey by Yrsa Sigurdadottir

Welcome to my thread! All welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

Glad to be first to the thread of one of my best pals in the group!

>2 vancouverdeb: I love jigsaws like that!

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Deb. I hope the week is off to a good start.

Happy new one, Deb!

>8 vancouverdeb: Never heard of that one so I will be curious to see your thoughts on it!

Happy new thread, Deborah!

Happy new thread, Deborah. I love your topper.

Hallo, how art thou today Deborah?

>1 vancouverdeb: A dog with a great plan! New thread orisons, Deb.

Hey! Welcome me back. Ha. I allowed your previous threads to race away from me, so I ducked into a lay-by until you flew past on a new thread. You did (yay!) and I've jumped aboard. Happy new one.

Happy new thread, Deborah! I love the top picture! So cozy.

Happy new thread, Deborah. Puzzle on!! (and read on too of course).

Happy new thread, Deborah.

>2 vancouverdeb: Now doesn’t that picture look familiar!

Happy new thread, Deborah. Good to see from your previous thread that Dave is on the mend and you don't have to take Poppy for ALL the walks!

Yesterday I was at Lougheed Mall in Burnaby and found a game store so had to check out the jigsaw puzzles. They had some huge ones, 18000 pieces! I can't imagine how big a space that would take up. The rest of the puzzles were more like Disney scenes and stuff so I didn't buy anything. Right now I'm working on a 1000 piece puzzle with sky reflected in water so it's hard to tell which way is up.

Happy New thread!

Happy new 🧵!

Hello Deborah, sure hope you are getting this glorious sunshine where you are and that Poppy is loving it too! Happy new thread to you. The puzzles are such an accomplishment!

>10 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! I love jigsaws like that too! Have you done a jigsaw lately ?

>11 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita!

>12 msf59: Thanks Mark. Yes, I had a lovely walk out in the sun yesterday and then visited my mom and my sister for while. And Dave is feeling better, so a great start yes.

Hello, Deborah, how are you?

>13 katiekrug: Thanks , Katie!

>14 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I am loving The Last List of Mabel Beaumont so far. I think it is going to be my best read so far of 2023, but I'm just a 1/3 of the way in. It's a very touching story about a lady, Mabel, who is in her 80's and becomes a widow. She looks back over her life with both regret and happiness. It's really touching. I think you will like it. It's was either Donna or Brenda who read it , and I caught the BB, so to speak.

>15 BLBera: Thanks Beth. We have a dog, and though she looks nothing like that, I like the thought of lounging by the fire, with Poppy and books.

>27 Owltherian:
>16 Owltherian: I am doing well today, Lily. Thanks for stopping by.

>17 richardderus: A great plan indeed, Richard. I'm having a lazy day too. Tuesday * smooch*

>18 weird_O: Hey, welcome aboard, O Weird one! Great that you are catching a ride on my new thread.
>19 atozgrl: Thanks Irene! It struck me as a nice, cozy image too.

>29 vancouverdeb: Thats good, and your welcome. I'm trying to get to everyone.

>20 RebaRelishesReading: I am in the midst of another puzzle already , Reba - and book. The puzzle is a gift from my sister in law for my birthday last month. It is the World of Charles Dickens and a brand new to me. I'm enjoying it, and it's proving to be a bit of challenge so far, but quite doable too. Perfect, I think

>21 EllaTim: Thanks Ella! I have a special fondness for Amsterdam as my nephew, who is going to turn 34 this year has been living in Amsterdam for some 5 or more years now. I've never been there, and am flying phobic, but I love puzzles that feature Amsterdam. It's so cool that you recognize the image. So are the buildings actually that colour on 9 Streets ?

>23 Kristelh: Hi Kristel! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy new thread Deborah!

>24Thanks Mary! I'm surprised to on my second thread so early in the year.

>25 mdoris: Hi Mary. Today I'm just lazing around the house, puzzling and reading, but yesterday I got out for a nice long walk and it was great . It is a beautiful sunny day though, yes. I do enjoy my puzzles, yes. I just started doing jigsaws about 5 years ago ? But it's fast become a bit of an obsession, as Dave would attest too.

>22 Familyhistorian: I missed you up there, Meg, for a second. Yes, I am RELIEVED that I d0 not have to take Poppy out for all the walks again. She is quite a walker, and I like to walk too, but not necessarily three times a day. I can't imagine doing an 18,000 piece puzzle either. There is 5000 piece puzzle that I covet, but I'm not going to buy it. I think 2000 pieces is my limit . I've watched videos on you tube where people put together big puzzles, even in apartments, and what they do is put them together in sections and then join the sections together on the floor at the end. They use while foam coreboard for the different sections. But I don't see that for myself.

Happy new thread Deborah!

>32 quondame: Thanks Susan! I'll be by your thread soon! Thanks for stopping by.

Speaking of puzzles, have you hear of Puzzle Lab? It's supposed to be in Victoria. I saw it on a travel show on PBS about 3 weeks ago, and the puzzles are beautiful, but quite expensive. They're made of wood.

Happy new thread, Deb. Your current read of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont sounds good and I see it is free through Kindle Unlimited. Definitely going on my wish list.

Happy new thread!

Happy new one, Deborah!

>1 vancouverdeb: So sweet!

>2 vancouverdeb: Love it!

Your current read sounds lovely. I'll be looking for your thoughts when you finish.

A new thread! Happy one, Deb.

I wanted to share that P and I started on the one puzzle we brought to Kaua'i with us. It's a 500-piece by Buffalo, Tiger and Crocodile. We don't have a perfect place to work on it but we're making the coffee table in our condo work. Katie told me that you refer to this kind/size puzzle as a "snack" and I love that! SO -- we are doing one snack puzzle while we're here.

Happy new one Deborah.

Your puzzle reminded me of one that got quietly put away unfinished during lockdown: it was a photo of an Amsterdam canalside, and there was a lot of water-coloured pieces!

Happy new thread, Deborah!

I did some puzzles in 2020 and 2021, to reduce stress in Covid times, and it sure reduced my reading time. I limited myself to 1,000 pieces, as I didn't want to claim the whole dining table ;-)

Happy new thread, Deborah!

>31 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah! I’m afraid the designer of the puzzle has been a bit creative. Houses are often rather darkly coloured here. But it’s so clearly Amsterdam, I recognized it anyway.

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_9_Straatjes

At the bottom of the pages there’s a number of pictures.

I’m sorry you’re flight phobic, having a nephew living here would have been a good reason to visit.

>34 Owltherian: Thanks, Lily.

>36 atozgrl: I had not heard of the Puzzle Lab in Victoria, Irene. I'll have to google it. I did just purchase two new puzzles from an online puzzle company in Canada, and I did notice they had about 3 puzzles from Puzzle Lab. I'll have to check into that.

> 37 Thanks Judy. I am really enjoying my read The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, and all the better if you can get it for free on kindle. I think you will enjoy it. I should finish it tomorrow, I think.

>45 vancouverdeb: Your so welcome!

>38 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda.

>39 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. I'm glad you like my thread toppers. I am loving my current read. I think you would enjoy it.

>40 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen. I checked out you and P's puzzle by googling it and it looks great! I'm glad you found a place for your "puzzle snack".

>41 charl08: Might you dig out that puzzle, Charlotte ? I know water coloured pieces can be quite hard and not very relaxing, so I understand it you leave it put away.

>42 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! I'm glad you enjoyed doing some puzzles during the lockdown. I think a lot of people did that. They do take a fair bit of time and , yes, take time away from reading. I find them relaxing most of the time, but sometimes quite frustrating. I think I have packed up 3 puzzles over the years when they proved too difficult. My sister told me she through one of her frustrating puzzles in the garbage. I haven't done that yet.

>43 drneutron: Thanks , Jim and for all the work you do here with the 75's

I actually emailed someone! Yay for not being anxious! Now i have to find this person's room in the high school-

>44 EllaTim: I didn't think that the canal houses in Amsterdam were so brightly coloured, Ella, but they are still so gorgeous! Thanks for the fabulous link to the pictures. My nephew currently rents a studio in the " the Pipe' as I call it , area of Amsterdam, though his place is not right on a canal. He likes it a lot , but hopes to find a more modern studio flat soon. I would love to go there. I think if I were not flying phobic, I would be torn between Amsterdam, the UK and possibly Iceland, as my part of my background is Icelandic.

>46 Owltherian: Thanks.

Happy New Thread, Deborah! I see I've been off my game by not visiting more often. Miles and Melissa, on your previous thread are adorable!
I love your topper on this thread cause it looks like my house, except for the pup in his bed, I have 2 kitties sleeping by the fire instead.
Super nice puzzles! I've been working on some too and I have found audio-books (as long as non-fiction) are great company while doing so.

Happy new thread!

>49 Owltherian: Glad you emailed someone, Lily .

>51 Carmenere: It's hard to get to all of the threads and also read and live life, isn't it, Lynda. Thanks! I think Miles and Melissa are adorable too. So you have two kitties! That's great. I'll have to check out your puzzles if you post them. To my surprise, I've been able to listen to fiction books as well as puzzle. I had no idea I could manage that. But it would have to be a fairly uncomplicated, fairly short book for me. I think, to be able to puzzle and listen.

>52 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle!

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson 4 stars

Mabel Beaumont is an elderly woman of 86 years. Her husband, Arthur, passes away shortly after the story begins. Arthur has always made lists, and she soon finds a list that includes " Find D.". Initially she is not sure who " D" is, but later determines that it is an old, close friend of her and her husbands, named Dot. So, she begins a to seek out Dot, who she has not seen since before her marriage and is uncertain if Dot is still alive. This is a very touching and moving story , as Mabel grieves the loss of her husband, and reflects back the good and bad of her marriage, and their childlessness. Soon, several young people enter into her formerly closed life. Julie, a carer that her husband had arranged for in the event of his death, Erin, a teen aged girl who is a clerk at her local grocery store, as well as a neighbour with a young baby, who offers to walk Mabel's dog, Olly. Patricia is friend of Julie's, and soon becomes a friend of Mabel's as well. Each of these women are struggling with their own problems, and Mabel is happy to try and help each one.

A story of many complex relationships, friendship,grief , hope, and love.

A quote from page 22 by Mabel . " I didn't love him , at first, but I grew to . Not passionate love, not the kind of passionate love people talk about dying for, more a love built brick by brick. A love made of appreciation, and shared grief, and kindness. He was good man. Such a good man."

Highly recommended.

>54 vancouverdeb:, That one sounds like one I would like, Deb.

>54 vancouverdeb: Me, too, (for “The Last List”). I’ve got it requested, but I have a long wait ahead of me. Thanks for the reccie!

Karen O

>54 vancouverdeb: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah!

>54 vancouverdeb: Okay, not something I’d seek out on my own, but your review makes me want to read it!

>54 vancouverdeb: This does sound good, Deborah, and the cover is striking.

>55 Kristelh: I hope you enjoy the book, Kristel. I certainly did.

>56 klobrien2: You so welcome, Karen. I hope you enjoy the book.

>57 alcottacre: Stasia, I think you well enjoy The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. Congratulations on trying to purchase fewer books this year. I hope to purchase just one book a month, but we'll see how that goes. :-)

>58 Storeetllr: I know I got the BB from somewhere here in the 75's Mary, but I just not sure who it was. Had I heard of it, I would have sought it out though. Hope you enjoy it.

>59 BLBera: I really loved it Beth. I hope you enjoy it. The cover is lovely, yes.

Happy Sunday, Deb. We enjoyed our time with Jack. We are going to New Orleans next weekend, with Bree and Sean, (their first trip without the boy) so we will not see him for a week and a half.

I finished The Bee Sting and reviewed it over on my thread. I wasn't as positive on it, as you but I still liked it and glad I read it.

>Sounds like fun, Mark. A trip to New Orleans with Bree and Sean. Will they leave Jack with his other grandparents? It's going to be hard for all of you to not see Jack for a week and half. I'll check out your review of the The Bee Sting. Yes, I was really keen on it, I think I gave it 5 stars.

>54 vancouverdeb: A a huge list maker myself I really ought to get to that one, Deb. xx

Hi Deb! How's the puzzling going? All I see is books recently. Glad you have time for that! Sometimes time is tough on us.

Is it too late to wish you Happy New Thread?! : )

Happy new thread!

>5 vancouverdeb: >54 vancouverdeb: I LOVEd this book. I listened to it and was completely absorbed.

>64 PaulCranswick: It was a very moving read, Paul. I think you would like The Last List of Mabel Beaumont

>65 The_Hibernator: I always have a puzzle on the go, Rachel. I don't always post the finished pictures, but I will probably post a picture of my current puzzle, a picture of Charles Dickens World and Characters, a birthday gift from my sister in law. I have a couple of puzzles arriving on Thursday.

>66 Berly: Never too late to wish me a Happy New Thread, thanks Kim!

>67 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen! I wonder if I got the book bullet for The Last List of Mabel Beaumont from you ? I know it was someone on LT in the 75's - maybe it was you ? I loved it too.

The Road From Belhaven by Margot Livesey 4 stars

This was an excellent and compelling read. Young Lizzie Craig lives with her grandparents, Flora and Rab, having been orphaned as a baby. She lives with them on a farm, Belhaven, in late 19th century Scotland . She has the gift of the second sight, but she only sees things sporadically, and keeps this information to herself. In her teens, a young man named Louis comes to help on the farm, and Lizzie falls in love with him. Louis is apprenticed to a tailor in Glasgow, and Lizzie soon runs away from home to be with him .

Lizzie makes many difficult , but often poor decisions , and finds herself pregnant out of wedlock. Louis' devotion to her is tested.

A fascinating and quick read, filled with interesting characters, I really enjoyed this story. The ending seemed a bit too quick , and I felt the conclusion was touching, but lacking in the closure that I would have preferred.

Nonetheless, a wonderful and recommended read.

Hi Deb my dear, a belated Happy New Thread my dear friend.

It's a bit nippy out there these days, Deborah. Does that shorten Poppy's walks?

>71 johnsimpson: Great to see you, John! The reading is good so far!

>72 Familyhistorian: It would have to be quite cold to shorten Poppy's walks, Meg. When it snowed in January, we did shorten her walks yes. That is because her feet get very cold on the snow / ice / pavement and if we keep her out too long , she will even start to shiver after a 20 minutes or so, even though we put a jacket or a fleece or a sweater on her. But these temperatures are comfortable for her. For her evening walk tonight, Dave did put a fleece pull on jacket on Poppy, as 4 C is a bit nippy for her. But at 7 C or so , whatever it was a today, she is comfortable running and walking around for an hour plus.

>69 vancouverdeb: Saw your comment on my thread as well. It may have been me as I did enjoy it. One of my last audio books. I will recommend The Lonely Hearts Book Club here, too, as others may enjoy it.

>73 vancouverdeb: I miss walking my dogs but our weather was never quite that bad. Hurray to you and Poppy!

Hi Deborah! I'm returning your visit to my thread (though I admit I skimmed through because the Six Nations rugby is on, for some reason; we usually only watch the World Cup).

I like doing jigsaw puzzles too, especially with my two boys though it's rare that all three of us sit down together. Right now we're doing a wooden elephant one from a company called Quordle Puzzles (I'll see if I can post a picture on my thread) - and we discovered that it doesn't have straight edges. We each seem to have a different technique for puzzling and mine is to find the edges, make the frame and go from there, so I've had to rethink things.

>54 vancouverdeb: >70 vancouverdeb: I’m looking forward to both of these! Thanks again for bringing them to my attention!!

>74 witchyrichy: I'm quite sure that it was you that liked The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, Karen. I've put The Lonely Hearts Book Club on my wishlist and I'll check if my library has it. Well, for Canada, I live in one of the warmest parts where we get snow about once a year for a few days. You must live somewhere quite warm.

>75 humouress: Oh, no straight edges on your Quordle puzzles. That sounds challenging. I tried to do a shaped puzzle that didn't have straight edges and after struggling with it for quite a while, I packed it up in the box in with the sections I'd put together intact and gave it to my sister. She eventually had success with it. I'll come and have a look on your thread shortly . I just got two new puzzles today! I have just a few pieces - maybe 50 to go and then I'll be finished it. I can't wait to start one of the new ones.

>76 Copperskye: Great, Joanne. I hope you enjoy both The Road from Belhaven and The Last List of Mabel Beaumont when you get to them.

Today we took Poppy in to have her teeth cleaned, and the vet gives her a general anesthesia for that. She had a gingivitis around one of her molars and that tooth had to pulled. She is still quite groggy this evening, and does not want to eat so far. The vet said she may not eat today. I dread giving her antibiotics and pain medication later this evening. Since she doesn't want to eat any of her favourite treats, she is not going to pleased with that. She's been a bit restless and pacing around, apparently that is fairly common in dogs after anesthesia. She has to stay of soft foods for 2 weeks. I bought a variety of canned foods , so hopefully she will find one she likes. She is not big on change in her food. A bit like a cat that way.

It is always a worry when they are out of sorts. Poppy get feeling better soon! Loki sends god wishes.

>80 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. Yes, it is a worry when our dogs are feeling not themselves. I think she is improving. She was moaning a bit earlier , but seems to better as time goes on. I don't think she is going to eat tonight, but the vet said she might not eat until tomorrow. Poppy thanks Loki for the good wishes!

>79 vancouverdeb: Poor sweet Poppy! Our vet is very keen on routine dental care, and recommends it be done annually. We've had Alys' teeth cleaned two years in a row, but are waffling about it this year. It's an expensive procedure and the general anesthesia means she's not quite herself afterwards. Like Poppy, she's getting on in years which on the one hand makes the case for looking after her teeth but on the other hand ...

Anyway, I hope Poppy is feeling better this morning.

Aw, poor Poppy. I hope she's feeling more herself this morning.

>70 vancouverdeb: This sounds good, Deborah. I like Livesey, so I will look for this one.

>82 lauralkeet: I am happy to tell you that Poppy is back to herself today, Laura. I can understand you waffling on the dental care issue. It is expensive and the general anesthesia, though very safe carries a small risk. Our vet has never said anything to us one way or another about dental care, but we've only done it every other year, starting at around age 4, I think, whatever our vet recommended a to us when she was younger.

Poppy is feeling much better and I am happy that we found a canned food that she really loves and we are even able to give her antibiotics and pain medication disguised in the food.

>83 katiekrug: Thanks Katie! Yes, our sweet Poppy is feeling much better! It was nice to see her staring us tonight, begging for food. Back to normal.

>84 BLBera: I really enjoyed The Flight of Gemma Hardy, so I was on the lookout for a new book by Margot Livesy. I also read The Boy in the Field. I see she has written other books, so I might be on the lookout for those too, Beth.

This is a jigsaw puzzle I just completed last night, Charles Dickens World, 1000 pieces. It was a birthday gift from my brother and his wife and though it was a bit challenging, I really loved the finished image.

Poor Poppy! I'm glad she's back to normal. A dog that doesn't look at you like it hasn't been fed for three weeks if there's the slightest hint of food around is clearly not feeling itself.

>86 vancouverdeb: Nice! I assume that's Dickension London and the River Thames?

>85 vancouverdeb: I am glad that Poppy is doing well after her teeth cleaning appointment and feeling more like herself.

>86 vancouverdeb: Oh wow! A busy puzzle indeed.

Hope you have a great long weekend

Great news about Poppy! Hope she enjoys belly scritches and walks today.

>86 vancouverdeb: - Gorgeous puzzle!

>60 vancouverdeb: I am trying to be good, but I have already warned Kerry about May. . .

>70 vancouverdeb: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah!

>86 vancouverdeb: Nice!

Have a wonderful weekend! I hope Poppy continues to improve.

Thanks for sharing the puzzle picture. It looks like it was challenging!

Lovely puzzle, Deb. How long did it take you? Did you do it alone or does Dave help?

Good news about Poppy! If I ever manage to get Owen back to the vet, they will have to totally sedate him to do anything. The one and only time I got him there, that's what had to be done. Better for everyone involved: staff and Owen.

>93 jessibud2: Jasper loves going to the vets; he gets to meet people and other animals (even if he's so enthusiastic he scares the smaller ones and the elderly ones - and unfortunately there have never been any others).

My sister brushes her dog's teeth with a dog toothpaste; Lily is getting on a bit, too, so the less often she has to go under anaesthetic, the better. She has a meat-flavour toothpaste and recommended I try it for Jasper, first getting him used to the taste (Lily apparently loves it) and progress gradually to brushing his teeth. I did try brushing his teeth once, without the introductory process, but he pretty much decided it was too weird for him.

>86 vancouverdeb: "a bit challenging" -- holy cow, I should think so!!! Well done and a fun result.

Good to hear Poppy is back to normal.

>86 vancouverdeb: Gorgeous puzzle Deborah, well done and three cheers!

Glad to hear Poppy has bounced back from her dental!

That’s a gorgeous puzzle but it looks like a tough one!

>86 vancouverdeb: I am glad to hear that Poppy has recovered from the visit to the vet and is back to herself today.

I love that puzzle! Very interesting.

>87 humouress: It is most unusual for a dog to not want to eat everything in sight, true, Nina. I'm glad she back to herself, though we are still having to feed her in her kennel. I think that is my husband's fault because he is really catering the to her. The first or second feed, okay, but not now. Yes , the puzzle is of Dickensian London and yes the Thames.

>88 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita! I prefer busy puzzles, - in fact I think that is all I do. It doesn't seem like a long weekend to me as Dave works on Monday. But I'll bet you are used to working holidays too . I'm quite used to it after all these years. Not too long until Dave is off work permanently l - he'll retire in late March. It will be great to have him home for Easter this year. He worked over Christmas this past year.

>89 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura! Yes, Poppy is enjoying her walks and tummy rubs and back massages. She is like her old self, just we are restricting her activity still, as per the vet. Tomorrow she can back to running around off leash etc.

>90 katiekrug: Thanks Katie! You do some beautiful puzzles too!

>91 alcottacre: I think the Women's Prize for Literature and Booker season are going to prove challenging for both of us, Stasia . I did really love The Road from Belhaven, but I did manage to snag it from the library. I'm am trying , Stasia! :-) I do love my puzzles too. Poppy is doing very well.

>92 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel! It was a lot of fun, but it was more challenging than some I have done. I've already started sorting a new puzzle. I always have one on the go.

>93 jessibud2: I think it took me about a week or 10 days, Shelley. I always have a puzzle, so I do it at my leisure and if some days I don't touch it, that's fine. Only I do the puzzles. If I'm really stuck, I'll ask Dave to have a look as he is really good at seeing shapes etc . He is better at visual spatial things than I am. Poppy is also a big challenge at the vet. Dave takes her and he has to muzzle her for the staff. It's not easy. I hear you.

>94 humouress: The idea of brushing our dogs teeth is a good one, Nina. We did that when she was a puppy and she was very good about it. The problem was she loved to bite us, so we thought brushing her teeth would further encourage her with that. I think we may try that again though. I was chatting with my sister today and she said they to brush their dog's teeth and he has had not dental problems . You are so lucky you dog enjoys the vets! Poppy likes the vet's after her exam/ procedure is over. Then she wants to explore. But not beforehand.

>95 RebaRelishesReading: It was fun puzzle to do, Reba. I always have a puzzle on the go, so it was fun. I have packed up 3 puzzles in the past because they were too challenging though. I'm glad Poppy is back to normal too , thanks!

>96 mdoris: Thanks Mary! The biggest element is doing a puzzle is patience , I think.

>97 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne! I'm glad too. I am thinking of you and Skye and I hope she will be doing well as she see the vet specialist and you decide on how best to proceed with her leukemia. I am hoping for the very best for you both.

>98 atozgrl: I do love puzzles, Irene. Thanks!

>101 vancouverdeb: Jasper doesn't even seem to notice injections, fortunately, so I step away at that point so I don't pass on my phobia. It's a boon that he loves going to the vets, which I don't want to spoil (he also loves the car ride there and back - but he insists on walking all over the inside of the car and he sheds like crazy). And we should make another attempt at brushing his teeth and doing it regularly, too.

Hi Deb. Dropping in to thank you for visiting my thread, which is one of the quieter ones here in the 75 group. Well, maybe if I posted on it more regularly there would be more visitors. Do you prefer Deb or Deborah? I went all my life being called Debby (my mom called me "Deborah Ann" when she was mad at me). But when I went to law school, I decided that "Debby" wasn't a good name for a lawyer, so I started introducing myself as "Deborah." Now the only people who call me "Debby" are my mom, my brothers and sisters, and my husband. Even my best friends today call me Deborah.

Liked reading about Poppy. We all love our fur babies. We have a 3 year old Havanese named Dulci. I was looking at some dog pictures today. We used to have a Bouvier named Isabelle, and looking at the pictures I realized that our little Havanese greatly resembles a gigantic Bouvier, just shrunken about 90%.

Sunday orisons, Deb. Have a lovely slide into the new week. *smooch*

Hi Deborah. I'm glad Poppy is back to normal and has clean teeth. Penny is 6.5 and has pretty good teeth so far. It's her toenails that are too long. She won't let us trim them and the vet won't do it either. We will probably have to have her sedated but I'm waiting until her teeth need cleaning. I think her daily walks keep the toes in fairly decent shape but she would be more comfortable with a manicure. Aren't pets fun?

>86 vancouverdeb: Beautiful puzzle. It looks too hard for me. I just don't have much patience with jigsaw puzzles. If my granddaughters are in the mood, I'll join them, but they are so busy with after-school activities that our puzzle time will have to wait for summer vacation.

>103 humouress: Poppy is not bothered by injections, just the fact of going to the vet. I'm glad Jasper is happy to visit the vet , that makes things so much easier, Nina. If we are able to brush Poppy's teeth, I'll let you know.

>104 arubabookwoman: I am definitely Deborah and always have been " Deborah" and never Debbie, Deborah. Every one calls me Deborah, except here on LT, as I decided vanouverdeborah was a bit too long for a handle. Middle name is Anne, like yours, except my Ann has the e . Your Havenese, Dulci sounds very cute. I have seen quite a few Havenese when out walking Poppy and they are a cute bred. I have met fewer Bouvier's but they are lovely dogs too. I agree, we do love our fur babies.

>105 richardderus: Thanks Richard! Today is going fine. This week I can't avoid the tooth grinder, and am off to get a crown on Tuesday. Not looking forward to it. *smooch*

>106 Donna828: Hi Donna. Yes, I'm relieved that Poppy is back to normal too. I'm glad Penny's teeth are doing well so far and I hope that continues to be the case. Like you, we have trouble getting Poppy's nails trimmed - no surprise there, I guess. Poppy goes to a groomer and last time they called and said that they had been able to trim here nails, but not file them down so they were not sharp and she was too distressed for them to continue. So right now when she scratches herself ,she sometimes cries in pain. With the stress of the her dental stuff, we have not wanted to compound her troubles. Later this week we hope to get to that. Poppy is so light at 18 lbs, walking doesn't do enough for her nails to wear down. I'm glad that Penny's nails are mainly worn done by walking and I hope you can get her in for a manicure soon. Thanks re : the Puzzle. I really love them. It would be fun to do them with the grands and I have in past - but very simple one.

Ah, the joys of pets. Good to see that Poppy has recovered from her dental treatment at the vet.

Nice puzzle, Deborah, but I think they took poetic license by making the Thames blue!

>109 Familyhistorian: Ah, yes , the joys of pets, Meg! When are you going your cat or dog ? :-) Well, what colour would you suggest for the Thames!

Hi Deborah, sounds like Poppy has been keeping you and Dave busy! Glad to hear she is on the mend.

Hi Deb. Good to hear that Poppy has recovered from the trauma of the dental work!

Happy Wednesday, Deb or should that be Deborah? 😁

How is everyone doing there? Have you been seeing the grandkids? I am missing Jackson.

>111 charl08: Poppy is doing well, thanks , Charlotte. She just needs her antibiotics now, no more pain meds.

>112 DeltaQueen50: Yes, Judy , she has recovered from the trauma of her dental work

>113 msf59: It's DEFINITELY Deborah, Mark! :-) It really is Deborah and not Deb. In real life, no one calls me Deb. it was just a way of shortening my screen name. But I will allow those on LT to address me as "Deb" as the mistake is understandable, Mark.

I had a temporary crown put in yesterday and it took forever, though not painful at all. By forever, I mean about 3.5 hours. I've never had a crown before , so this is new to me. I hope to not dislodge the temporary crown before next Tuesday when I get the permanent crown.

Finished The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo and I really loved it. Review or comments to come later , when I get a chance.

Hello Deborah. You are doing well if 3.5 hrs. was not a big deal and yet you are right about "forever'! i had one done a few weeks ago and now have the permanent crown. The temporary one popped out but I put it back and it lasted until the new one could be placed.

Stopping by to get caught up: glad Poppy survived and is thriving. But sorry about your tooth. The puzzle is beautiful! I gave friend a similar one but based on Jane Austen.

>116 mdoris: It's a long time, but was not painful, Mary. I could hardly believe it could take so much time. Fingers crossed that my temporary crown stays put, but I'll be aware that it possible. The dentist did tell me if it came off, to save as much of it as possible and call her as soon as possible. Fingers crossed.

>117 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen. I'd say Poppy is about 100 % now, and is doing very well. She just has to stay on soft food for another week or so. However, she is loving this new food and only 1 bowel movement per day! I think we may consider leaving her on the food, or maybe mix it with her old kibble.

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo 4 stars

Manchuria, 1908.
A courtesan is found frozen to death in the doorway of a restaurant. Who is she and how did she get there ? Bao, an older man, is a detective with an amazing ability to detect the truth when it is spoken, is on the job. Rumours swirl that perhaps this is work of some foxes, mythical creatures who can change from fox to human form and back. Elsewhere, a family who owns a Chinese medical shop , cannot escape the curse that the eldest son will die before his 24 th birthday. A new servant appears in the shop. She goes by the name Snow, and she serves the elderly mother of Bohai, Tagtaa. Snow has secrets, she is a fox in human form, in search of lost daughter . Hunting a murderer, she travels from Northern China, to Japan and back. A story of love, friendship, loyalty, guilt , sacrifice and secrets.

This wonderful tale was a captivating read. I loved it so much, I ordered the author's first novel. The Ghost Bride.

Highly recommended.

>115 vancouverdeb: Wow thats a long time in a chair for something temporary. Glad that it was pain free. Good luck with the permanent one :)

>119 vancouverdeb: What an enchanting cover. Looks to be a fantastic read. BB for me.

>119 vancouverdeb: - That sounds really interesting!

I can't believe your temporary crown took that long! I've had to get a couple myself and I think the longest it took was about 90 minutes. You're a trooper, Deborah (I learned from Mark's thread that you are *not* a Deb!).

I'm afraid I have been one of those calling you Deb - some days my memory is more holes than not, but I'll try to remember.

>86 vancouverdeb: Beautiful puzzle!

I'm glad that you and Poppy have both done well with your tooth procedures! It's something we share with our four footed family as we age.

>119 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah. GREAT review! I now have it on reserve and coming to me soon. With thanks!

Not sure if this would work for dogs - with my cat, Victoria,
I ordered a sharp pet nail cutting tool and clipped nails one at a time over a few weeks -
while she was sleeping. Not perfect solution since she could be a light sleeper...

>119 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah - Great comments. And the cover is stunning. I think I read The Ghost Bride, but it's been awhile.

I'm glad Poppy is well again.

>120 figsfromthistle: It was a long time in the chair yes, Anita, but it's now behind me and just an hour next Tuesday for the permanent crown. It is an enchanting cover and the story is enchanting too. I hope you enjoy it - I think you will

>121 katiekrug: Ihope you enjoy The Fox Wife if you get to it, Katie. Looking online , it seemed that a temporary crown should only take 90 minutes, but it took 3.5 hours. I'm not sure why entirely. My dentist is very careful and exacting, which I guess is good thing.

>122 streamsong: No worries about calling me Deb, Mary. I called myself " vancouverdeb " on LT , so it's to be expected, I suppose. I'd rather not tell you about my poor memory, so no worries. Yes, it sure felt like dental week /s for our family . Dave had a bridge repaired the day Poppy had her dental and the next week I was in getting my temporary crown. Age doesn't help dental procedures, be they human or dog or cat.

>123 mdoris: So kind of you to say it's great review,Mary. I did really enjoy the book and like you, I put a hold on at the library for it, I'm happy to say. I'm trying to the library and only purchase one book a month. Wish me luck.

>124 m.belljackson: Thanks for the idea, but I'm afraid it would not work, Marianne. Poppy is definitely a " let sleeping dog lie " kind of dog. Even a touch or pat while she is sleeping earns us a growl. I can't imagine if we tried to cut a nail while she was sleeping.

>125 BLBera: Thanks Beth. The cover is lovely yes. I think I must have read about it, and wanted to read something by Yangsze Choo, and Fox Wife was available the library, so I gave it a try and loved it. I did purchase The Ghost Bride, so I get to it in a while.

I've enjoyed somewhat similar stories, like Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang and others by Janie Chang as well as Lisa See, so I thought it was fairly likely that I would enjoy this author as well, and I was happily correct.

Hi Deborah, Thank you for the well wishes and I'm glad to hear Poppy is back to her old self!

I picked up The Road From Belhaven from the library the other day and started it.

>129 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne, and yes, I'm glad to have Poppy back to herself. Thinking of you and Skye- all the best wishes!

I'm glad you have started The Road from Belhaven and I very much hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for the Poppy update on my thread. I am glad she is back to her old self. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, Deborah! I am getting more Jackson time in today. He was a hoot yesterday. I hope you get to see the grandkids tomorrow. The Fox Wife sounds good.

>131 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen. Poppy is doing very well. I finished off a book today, so that is a good Friday.

>132 msf59: Thanks Mark! I'm glad you are having so much fun with Jackson . I just got a text from William and the grand kids are coming over tomorrow as planned, so I'm sure we will have fun. The Fox Wife was very good. I hope you enjoy it if you manage to bookhorn it in.

Oddly, after all the discussion here about brushing dogs' teeth and oral care for dogs, our local TV station had a story today about how important that is for their overall health. Apparently it's Pet Dental Health Month, or something like that. They were encouraging people to brush their pet's teeth regularly, on a schedule, and using something like 'brush the pet's teeth when you brush your own' as a way to remember to do it every day (or even twice a day).

I'm sorry to hear that you were stuck at the dentist so long, but glad it wasn't painful. I hope everything goes well getting your permanent crown.

>22 Familyhistorian: An 1,800 piece puzzle would be way too daunting for me. Most recently, sadly after working on a 1,000 piece puzzle where all the colors melted together, I had to quit and put it in the box to give away. I like a challenge, but not to the point of frustration.

It is nice to know others here in the group enjoy puzzles as well as I do. I began to collect them like I collect books -- too many!! I have five or six large plastic boxes in the basement that are filled with various puzzles either I received as gifts or purchased on sale. Barnes and Noble previously had a large selection, but they've cut back on the ones offerred. Last year my friend's church had a tricky tray wherein you paid for tickets and placed the one you might hope to win in the container by the item. I won a very large basket filled with 1,000 piece puzzles. I was in heaven!!!

>134 atozgrl: Thanks for the Pet Dental information, Irene. February here in Canada , I think is also Pet Dental Health month, and we took advantage of that , and got !0 % off Poppy's dental cleaning / extraction. I think we'll try brushing Poppy's teeth after her extraction is fully healed. I talked to my sister and she they brush their dog's teeth and he is 6 or 7 years old and the vet has said that their dog has no need of a vet dental cleaning, so it is a good idea. Yes, well, at least that 3.5 hours is behind me, and fingers crossed , my temporary crown stays on and this coming Tuesday I get the permanent crown.

>135 Whisper1: Hi Linda, and thanks for stopping by. Like you, an 18,000 piece puzzle would be far to daunting - scary even, for me to attempt. I too have put away a couple of 1000 piece puzzles when they became to difficult and no fun. So that is totally okay I think, though my husband shakes his head and says - too hard eh ? Oh, that gets me! :-) I have far too many puzzles, well, I don't think so, but my husband does. I just love doing them. How wonderful that you won a large basket filled with 1000 piece puzzles! I'd be thrilled too!

The Book of Days by Francesca Kay 4 stars

The Book of Days is fabulous historical fiction. The start of the book is quite slow, and reading on my kindle, I did not become fully engaged with the novel until about the 50 % mark. But once I did, I could not put the book down.

In a village, north of Oxford, England , 1546 , the tale begins to unfold. Alice is a young woman , married to a much older man, Richard, who is very ill and is dying. Alice would very much like to have a child. Richard's first wife died, and left behind a now teen aged daughter, Agnes. Richard is obsessed with building a chapel where he plans to be buried, and prayers said for his soul. Alice has already lost a 3 day old baby, and mourns her loss.

Though not specifically mentioned, the Protestant Reformation has begun. The Catholic Chapel where Squire Richard and his family and the town worship, is threatened. A commissioner arrives, and the chapel is to dismantle all things Catholic. Meanwhile, daughter Agnes grows restive, and becomes interested in a man named Henry Martyn. When Richard dies, his manor and fortune will go to Agnes, unless a male heir is born. Alice wonders what will become of her when her husband dies.

Many of the townspeople begin to follow a firebrand Protestant preacher, and turmoil and tragedy result.

A fascinating tale from a very personal perspective, but one that has made me seek out more information on the Protestant Reformation, and the reign of King Henry V111

A couple of quotes :

48% " I have been a man's possession since the day I was born" - Alice.
55% " was it right to liberate a church from Rome to enslave it to another throne ? "

>137 vancouverdeb: This sounds like another winner, Deborah. You are on a streak.

>137 vancouverdeb: Yangze Choo and Francesca Kay enter my TBR thanks to YOU wicked book-Delilah! Nonetheless, happy weekend. *smooch*

>137 vancouverdeb: “Book of Days” is on my TBR now—thanks!

Karen O

>138 BLBera: I must say, Beth, I do feel fortunate with my reads lately. Most of them have been very good.

>139 richardderus: Well, Richard, I've been called worse things that a book temptress - Delilah. I hope you enjoy them when you get to them. Weekend * smooch*

>140 klobrien2: I hope you enjoy The Book of Days, Karen. I could not find it at my library so , I read it in Ebook format on my kindle.

>137 vancouverdeb: That sounds really good...but there have been so many books added to Mt. TBR and my wish list lately...have to think about it

>119 vancouverdeb: My local library has a copy of that one. Hopefully I will be able to get to it soon. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Deborah.

>137 vancouverdeb: Not as lucky with that one. Into the BlackHole it goes!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Book of Days looks like a good one, Deborah. You have me curious about what becomes of Agnus. I guess I’ll just have to read the book myself.

>119 vancouverdeb: That sounds good!

Happy Saturday, Deborah! I'm glad to hear that The Fox Wife is good. I've got it on hold at the library, but I've suspended my holds 'til I can finish a few books and have a hope of getting everything back before the due date. Still, I should be reading it in a month or two :)

Happy Sunday, Deborah! How did your visit go with Melissa & Miles? We sure had a good time with Jack and he was able to spend the night on Friday. He cried a bit but he finally settled. Sue is perfect at soothing him.

>86 vancouverdeb: Love it!

>142 RebaRelishesReading: I know what you mean, Reba. I have so many books in my TBR- I still want more, though, but I have to be selective too with the books I chose to read. It was hard for me to find, so I ordered it from Amazon on my kindle, and I don't really like reading on my kindle. I really enjoyed her book, The Translation of the Bones, so that is why I thought I would enjoy this book.

>143 alcottacre: I'm glad to help you find new books to read, Stasia, as you so much - or so quickly or maybe both! I too had trouble finding The Book of Days, as I mentioned I had to resort to amazon and my kindle. I'm not sure if it's so newly out , or is it not as popular ? I have had quite a good weekend, just was feeling somewhat unwell yesterday, but much better today, thanks.

>144 Familyhistorian: I hope you can find The Book of Days Meg. I had trouble. But I know you are into VPL quite often, so maybe they will have it. I was more curious about what would happen to Alice than Agnes, but I sure had a hard time putting it down once I got to the 50 % mark on my kindle.

>145 banjo123: I hope you enjoy it if you get to it, Rhonda.

>146 bell7: I'm glad I've found a book you think you will enjoy, Mary. A month or two isn't that long at all - unless of course you are crazy to get to a particular book, as I sometimes as am.


>147 msf59: Hi Mark! We finally got to Miles and Melissa yesterday after so many months of either they were sick or I was! We had a lot of fun yesterday afternoon, I played Hello Kittie Monopoly, we had cars for Miles and I had two Magic painting books - which just means you don't need paint, you just wet the brush and the colours appear on the page. Dave says Miles is a bit of a wild child, but 3 year olds - what can you expect. I think we will see quite bit more of them once Dave retires in March. I'm glad you had Jack overnight, and that Sue is so good at soothing Jack.

>148 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel! I enjoyed it too! I am currently working on another puzzle, and it's fun too. I only do fun puzzles.

Deborah--Way behind here. But glad Poppy has recovered and wishing you the best with your crown. Ugh. And lots of fun with Miles and Melissa yesterday -- yay!! Have a great week. : )

>152 Berly: Thanks , Kim. I think we are going to start Poppy back on her regular kibble tomorrow , so yes, she is doing well. I wonder if she prefers her wet , soft food, but Dave thinks she will be glad to go back to her kibble, so we'll see. It's does kind of smell. Tantalizing, I hope to her, but not so much for us. If she likes it , we could continue with it, but we'll find out tomorrow. It's just an hour at the dentist, but it's a nuisance. And then I looked onto the March calendar and discovered I have another appointment for the dentist the following Monday. That's just too much dentist in a short time. She's really nice, but I don't like getting up early and who really enjoys the dentist? It's a filling on March the 4th. I'll be glad to have that behind me. Oh well.

Well, it's almost time for the Women's Prize Long list Announcement, which I am always excited about. Any guesses, anyone ?I don't have any special insight, none at all really, but I watched this Booktuber and a friend of his today and got some ideas of what they predict. It's Erik Karl Anderson and a friend of his who writes books , I think. I haven't read any of their predictions, but I did order The List of Suspicious Things yesterday from Kenny's Books in Ireland because I had good things about it. It was one of their predictions, so I can cross my fingers that it's on the list. It will take a while to arrive from Ireland though. It's quite a long video,so I listened to it on my earbuds while I was doing other things around the house today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY8WmbkutX8

Here is a picture of Erik Karl Anderson's predictions for the March 2024 Women's Prize Longlist. I posted his youtube video above, but it is long. His friend predicted some different books from Erik, so these are just Erik's predictions.

By chance I ordered The List of Suspicious Things from Kenny's bookshop the day before Erik's predictions were on youtube. Quite a few sound interesting to me, Lublin, no touch stone, Nightbloom, The House of Broken Bricks, Julia in particular to me. Some of the books are no yet published, some are not available in North America as yet. so I guess I see what might be available to me - but I will wait until the actual Women's Prize LongList is announced on March 5 th.

I'm reading The Wren, The Wren right now, Deborah, and it is very good. I've also read Nightbloom and The Fraud. It will be interesting to see what books are chosen.

I also watch quite a few of the book-tubers, including Erik Karl, and he is an absolute devotee of the Women's Prize and the Booker.

Incidentally I took my own stab at predicting the longlist over on my thread, if you're interested, Deb. Not sure why he has twelve books though as the longlist is 16 books. Of his twelve, four were on my list too.

>157 BLBera: I think I've listened to 3 different book tubes predictions of What Will be on the Women's Prize List and they do differ quite a bit , though some share the same books. Beth, The Wren, The Wren, Nightbloom and The Fraud are certainly mentioned on more than one prediction list , so fingers crossed. I 'm really keen to see what is on the Long List too.


>158 PaulCranswick: Yes, I think Erik Karl is great, and today I watched another prediction list, Paul, Simon Savidge and his mom was featured too. I think the other one I watched, and I am not so familiar with him was Be Reads Good , or something - here is a link to his prediction video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuBVW93Bxxw


and here is a link to Simon Savidge's predition video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNa_HbK0_Fg

It looks like there are a lot more prediction videos up that when I last looked.

I'm not sure why Erik Karl only has 12 books up either. I'd have to listen to his prediction video again.He did have another person on with him , a woman who also writes so maybe those were the ones they both agree about ? I'll come and check out your list.

>155 vancouverdeb: I will be watching for thoughts from my LT friends on these books. I have only read Zadie Smith. I like podcaster, Erik Karl Anderson.

Happy Wednesday, Deborah.

Oh my, watching the reading soothsayers takes it to a brand new level. Very interesting! Thanks for all the links here Deborah!

I've added so many to my reservation list just from watching a few of the videos you've shared Deborah. Thanks! Some of them look brilliant, and almost all of them I hadn't come across before.

>160 msf59: Likewise , Mark. I'll be interested in what our fellow LT'ers think of the books. Today went well enough ,Mark. But it rained all day and I had to walk the dog. I'm trying to decide whether to read Wolf Hall, and I am about 40 pages in and have not entirely decided.

>161 mdoris: You made me chuckle, Mary, calling the youtuber predictors " soothsayers" . I suppose that is sort of what they are. It is interesting, and I am certainly looking forward to the actual announcement .

>162 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. I'm always happy to add to a hold or reservation list. There are quite a few I had not heard of either. I think it may be challenging to get some of the books in North America, but we'll see what the Long List actually is.

>151 vancouverdeb: Your Miles and Melissa Day sounded like a lot of fun, Deborah. I remember those coloring books where a touch of water would magically produce the colors. All my grands have outgrown such things. So sad. We got to lots of sporting events, though. Track season is coming up for 13-year-old Haley. Three hours on a hard bench to see her run her two short events that are at least an hour apart. Sigh, what we do for our sweet grandkids, right?

You have been reading up a storm. I am eagerly awaiting the Women's Prize for Fiction list. I don't read them all like you do, but I'm so glad you are willing to share your thoughts on the best ones. Thank you!

Happy Almost March...and Happy Reading as always.

>164 Donna828: It was a lot of fun with Miles and Melissa, Donna! I agree, those magic paint colouring books where just a touch of water to the paper would product the colours! I am tempted to get one for myself just for fun . Sorry you grands have outgrown such thing, but perhaps as I am considering , try some magic colouring yourself. Oh dear, three hours on a hard bench to see Haley do a couple of event. Yes, we'll do almost any thing for our grands.

Well, I am only my 11 th book , so compared to others, I'm not sure I am reading up a storm. I too am early awaiting the Womens Fiction List. I'll try to read as many as I can, but it will depend on the availability of the books.

Hard to believe it is March tomorrow, but we have had relatively warm weather. Happy Reading to you too, Donna.

>137 vancouverdeb: Added The Book of Days to my TBR list. Looks right up my alley. I think I may need a magic painting coloring book myself.

I was only vaguely aware of all the prediction videos out there. I have them queued up to watch later.

Hi there, Deb! I also count Erik Karl as one of my favorite booktubers. Jack Edward’s and Allison Paige’s too although she’s on a bit of a health sabbatical.
I’m looking forward to the WLL and seeing what of Erik’s and his friends predictions made the cut. I own The Fraud and hope that makes it.

>166 witchyrichy: I really enjoyed, The Book of Days, Karen and I hope you do too. The magic painting book arrived for Melissa yesterday and I may yet do it myself. Let me know what you think of the prediction videos when you get a chance to read them. Soon enough, we'll know the actual Women's Prize Longlist -well,maybe not soon enough for me!

>167 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! I'm glad you too count Erik Karl among your favourite book tubers. I'm not sure if I know Jack Edward or Allison Paige and I will look them up later today. Well, I hope The Fraud makes it too. It's always handy to own a book or two from the Womens Prize Longlist, rather than try to hunt them down or purchase them.

>150 vancouverdeb: VPL didn't have The Book of Days, Deborah and neither did the Fraser Valley Regional Library system. Maybe it's fairly recently because VPL did have copies of some of her other books.

Just a quick hello on this rainy (here in NY anyway) Saturday. Hope you have a great weekend!

>137 vancouverdeb: Looks good! Hope my library has a copy for when I’m able to concentrate on reading again.

>169 Familyhistorian: The Book of Days is fairly new, Meg, published February 1 st of 2024. I couldn't find it at my library either, and so I purchased the E- book for my kindle. I am not keen at all on using my kindle, but as it was about 250 pages, it was doable. I really enjoyed her book, The Translation of the Bones, which was Long Listed for the Women's prize, so that is what led me to this boo, I hope you enjoy it.

>170 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping. I got caught in quite a rainstorm yesterday while walking the dog, but today is nice and sunny.

I hope you able to concentrate again soon, Mary.

I'm just headed to a little afternoon family birthday party for my great nephew ,who is turning 5 in a few days.

I pressing on with Wolf Hall , and that is a result of wanting to know more about the Tudor period of history and the Reformation. The book, The Book of Days sent me on this journey. I confess I finding Wolf Hall a bit of slog, and I appreciate that Francesca Kay is beautifully succinct with her writing.

Have fun at the birthday! Looking forward to your thoughts on the women's prize list. I haven't read enough of these to have an opinion of my own.

>173 banjo123: I did have a good time at the Birthday. We had some cake and cookies and most of all , young Grey was very pleased with his gifts. It was nice visiting with my extended family too.

Well, I am really looking forward to the Women's Prize Longlist too, and I don't if I will have read any of them. It would be nice to get a head start. I don't plan to read the whole Women's Long List, but I will pick up those that interest me.

Happy Sunday, Deb. Glad to hear you enjoyed your time with the grandkids. Precious moments. I may not see Jack until later in the week. I hope you stick it out with Wolf Hall.

>175 msf59: Actually, Mark , it was my grand niece and grand nephew and many members of my family , but not my grandchildren that I saw yesterday, but no matter, I still had a good time. Still pushing forward with Wolf Hall , though I cannot say I am enjoying it . But I am determined to push through it . Too much detail for my tastes , at least in this book . I enjoyed the detail in The Bee Sting , but not this one . Tomorrow I off to the dentist for the third week in a row . Also not my favourite place . At least I don’t have to go back until May , for a cleaning.

A little sleet today, on the dog walk . Quite surprising, I thought . Soon , the announcement of The Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist.

>172 vancouverdeb: Deb, a few years ago, there was a special on TV titled The Tudors. Much of the information used was culled from the book Wolf Hall. If you keep reading it, then it may become more interesting. I wish you would have had the weather today where I live. There was no need for a sweater. The air was warm, the sky was bright, and I could not remain inside. It was a day when fairies might dance in the wood. It felt magical to be surrounded with light and warmth. Rain is on the way Wednesday, but for now, my friend Lorraine and I went to the dollar store, where we could buy needed things and feel like we were rich.

I agree with Linda. It took me awhile to get into Wolf Hall. In fact, I started it 2 or 3 times before I ended up finishing it. It wasn’t till I was halfway through that I started to really enjoy it. Hope it gets better for you!

I have had Wolf Hall on my tbr list for ages and ages. Hope it picks up for you Deborah!

>178 Whisper1: Sounds like you had a magical day, Linda . Today was nice and sunny , but not particularity warm. I was at the dentist for a couple of hours this afternoon, so did not really get a chance to enjoy the sunshine. I'll have to see if I can find the TV special called the Tudors > I'm at page 331 and has to yet to get interesting but we'll see.

>179 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary. Well, I am at page 331 and at has not picked up for me, but perhaps it will ? I'm determined to finish it.

>180 mdoris: I mainly decided to read Wolf Hall because I found The Book of Days so fascinating . As of page 331, it has yet to pick up, Mary. Fingers crossed!

Hello Deborah. I took a couple of bb’s while reading your thread.

>182 dianeham: I'm glad to hear it, Diane. Which book's caught your interest, if I may ask ?

Reykjavík: A Crime Story by Ragnar Jónasson I read his others and didn’t hear about this one. And The Fox Wife.

Women's Prize for Fiction Long List 2024

The Blue Beautiful World by Karen Lord
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliot
8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
A Trace of Sun by Pam Williams
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Hangman by Maya Binyam
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
The Maiden by Kate Foster
In Defense of the Act by Effie Black
River East, River West by Aube Ray Lescure
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshanathan
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie

I wasn't able to find touchstones for all of the books. A lot of surprises, books I had not heard of , and books not available in Canada or North America yet. I have already read Western Lane , but that is all. I put several holds on at the library today, for Wren, Wren, Ordinary Human Failings, and Restless Dolly Maunder. I purchased Nightbloom - I know, I'm not supposed to purchasing books as Dave is retiring soon, and I also ordered River East , River West. I also ordered The Maiden from the UK, so it will take a while to get here.

I'm going to put Wolf Hall aside at page 350 or so, as it is not grabbing me , and perhaps I will come back to it.

I think I will start by read Nightbloom since it's the only one I actually have. The library supposedly has Nightbloom, but I checked there today and it ws not to be found, even with checking with the librarian, and I realized - and let them know it had been designated a non- fiction book, which is it is not. Perhaps that is why it seems to have gone astray at the library.

This is my latest puzzle, Ravensburger 1000 pieces, Snow White and the 7 Gnomes. I really loved it , but when I showed it to my sister, she laughed and said " creepy". But I love it! :-)

Wonderful puzzle.

>185 vancouverdeb: I feel so out of touch! I've followed the Women's Prize for years and I've usually at least heard of most of the books on the list, and maybe read one or two. Not so this year. The Enright is the only one on my radar.

Thanks for sharing the list. I have no hope (or intention, really) of reading any of these before the shortlist or winner announcements, but admire you for having a go at it. I look forward to your take on these books, Deborah.

>186 vancouverdeb: The Maiden looks to be a good read. I hope it arrives soon.

Happy mid week!

Hi Deborah!
Just popping in to say hi and because you were the one who alerted me to the author Christine Higdon. I had marked at the library list her first book when you had raved about it and never got it read and then her second book came out. I was able to get it on a kindle sale and have got about 100 pages in. But, last night she was on PEI giving a reading at a local coffee shop! I headed down with a friend and it was a wonderful evening out. Did you know she hasn't lived in BC since she was a teenager? I would have thought she was from there but she said since it was her formative years, she seems to have set all her books in BC.

I'll try to get a List going for the newest Women's Prize longlist. It looks like it might be a storm day tomorrow so if I'm home, I'll get that ready. I've only read the Enright, but requested 2 from library, and was able to borrow Western Lane.

That puzzle is beautiful, Deborah!

I need to set aside some time and thoroughly explore the Women's Prize long list....

>187 vancouverdeb: Wow, Deborah , that is a quite the accomplishment. Fun that you are diving in to the recently announced long list!

>188 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel! I do have a lot of fun doing puzzles! I'm lucky I have two sisters and a sister in law nearby to share puzzles with.

>189 lauralkeet: Most of the books on the Women's Prize Longlist were new to me too, Laura. I'm sure I won't read all - or even nearly all the books on the Long List, but I'll have a go with the ones that are available to me ( and the ones I have purchased ). I put two purchase requests in at my library , for Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night . We'll see if and when they get them. Two is the maximum you request purchase for per week . Thanks, Laura. If you get a chance to read anything on the list, let me know.

>190 figsfromthistle: Well, I think it will be awhile until The Maiden arrives from Ireland, Kenny's Book shop, Anita, but I can hope. I'll let you know when it arrives. I think the earliest date it said it would arrive was the end of March. Happy Midweek to you too!

>191 raidergirl3: Great to see you, Elizabeth! I started a discussion thread for the Women's Prize Longlist here - https://www.librarything.com/topic/359062#n8454054 and it would be fabulous if you would create a list for us there ! Thanks! As for Christine Higdon, no, I did not know that she has lived in BC since her teenage years, but you are right, the book by her that I read, Gin, Turpentine, Pennyroyal, Rue: A Novel was set in Vancouver in the 1920's. How cool that you were able to see her at your local coffee shop! I'd love to hear her speak in person. I'm glad you were able to get the kindle book as a deal. Enjoy Western Lane

>192 katiekrug: Thanks Katie. I know you are also a puzzle aficionado, so that means a lot . Let me know what you think of the Women's Prize for fiction Longlist once you've had a chance to look it over.

>193 mdoris: I quite love jigsaw puzzles, so I always have one on the go, Mary. I do love a list - especially if the books seem good. So far Nightbloom seems quite interesting, though I am just 32 pages in as of now. I hope you are able to get to it. I have two books from the longlist waiting at the library for me, so I'll be off there later today.

If anyone is interested, I started a thread to discuss the Women's Prize Long List for 2024 here - https://www.librarything.com/topic/359062#n8454054

>184 dianeham: I think I missed you up there, Diane. Sorry about that. I did really enjoy Reykjavik, so I hope you do too. It was my sister who alerted me to that book, or I might have missed it too. The Fox Wife is a good one! I hope you enjoy it!

>176 vancouverdeb: Sorry for the mix-up, Deborah. I NEED to pay more attention.

Happy Wednesday! It looks like we will have Jack for the night. It will make it easier for Sue for tomorrow. I can't complain.

>195 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deborah for starting the WP long list thread. i have it starred and will follow!

>187 vancouverdeb: Very nice puzzle, Deborah. So sweet, the orchestra of animals.

I haven’t heard of any of the books on the long list. Good for you, tackling those. One does wonder how the jury arrives at such a list. I would like a sneak inside view.

>199 msf59: No worries, Mark. It's so easy to do, I do it myself. I'm glad you and Sue have Jack overnight. Enjoy!

>200 mdoris: You are welcome, Mary. I hope you will add to the WP longlist thread, when you have a chance.

>201 EllaTim: I thought it was very cute, Ella. I agree, Ella, I would love to know what goes on behind the scenes as the jury decides on the Long List and eventually the Short List and finally a winner. Interesting thoughts, indeed.

>155 vancouverdeb: Well, I have not read any of those, lol, whether they make the list or not.

>185 vancouverdeb: Thank you for posting the list, Deborah! Like you, I have already read Western Lane, but that is all.

>187 vancouverdeb: I like it!

>187 vancouverdeb: I don't quite understand what's going on on the floor below Snow White.

>203 alcottacre: Well, Erik got three right from the list, and I haven't read any of them either! But I am currently reading Nightbloom and really enjoying it! I'm not sure if you are planning to read from the Women's Prize Longlist , Stasia, but if you do, I hope you enjoy it. Glad you like the puzzle!

>204 atozgrl: It's an animal orchestra, as far as I can tell, Irene. It has nothing to do with Snow White but I do think the puzzle is fun :-)

>187 vancouverdeb: Is that a disappointed suitor leaving on the left?
Finding the Gnomes was fun.

Charlotte created a list to rate your Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist here - https://www.librarything.com/list/45344/Womens-Prize-Longlist-2024

>206 quondame: I suppose so, Susan, though I don't recall that from the tale of Sleeping Beauty.

>181 vancouverdeb: I haven't read Wolf Hall myself but maybe it's of more interest to those who had to do the Tudors for history. I didn't continue with history later but when it was compulsory in school we did Henry VIII and his six wives and a bit of Elizabeth, Mary and Mary Queen of Scots. (Obviously I'm clueless as to history after that period because I wonder why Scotland wants to secede, since they got England and not the other way around - in my world view.) If you read fantasy you might have a look at the Ironhall books by Dave Duncan, a Canadian/ British author; they sort of have a King Henry feel about them. One of them is my current ROOT book but I'm having difficulty finding time to read it, what with library books falling due and card-making and so on.

>185 vancouverdeb: I doubt I'll read any of the Women's Prize list (but thank you for posting it) since it's not my preferred genre. Happy Women's Day, while we're on the topic :0)

>187 vancouverdeb: Well, I like your puzzle. There seem to be a few stories mixed through there, including a bit of ... Wonderland? (I have to squint a bit to see the details). I think I've sated my puzzle-yearning for the moment. Yesterday I finally put away the Rainbow Elephant after I flipped it over and labeled the pieces. I've had too many years of finding random jigsaw pieces of the kids' around the house/ doing a puzzle and missing pieces so this is my solution.

>209 humouress: Hi Nina. You might be right, that is more interesting for those who studied the Tudors in history. The history classes I took ,did not cover Tudor history, so there is a lot I don't know. The book I read before Wolf Hall, The Book Of Days , took place during the Tudor era , and that was what interested me in Wolf Hall. I think for me, it was just so dense and detailed, that I preferred to move onto a Women's Prize Longlist book. Perhaps I will go back to it later. Thanks for the suggestion of the Ironhall books .

Thanks for the good wishes regarding Women's Day.

I'm glad you like my puzzle, I'm not entirely sure what all stories are in the puzzle, but it was fun!What a good idea to label the pieces of jigsaw puzzle . My two sons are now 39 and 33 , so fortunately that is not a problem for me. If I could sate my puzzle yearning, I'd spend less money, Nina! :-)

>205 vancouverdeb: Yes, I guess that's why it was so confusing. I couldn't figure out what it had to do with Snow White or why it was in the puzzle. But you're right, it is a fun scene.

Have a great weekend!

>187 vancouverdeb: That's a very active and colourful puzzle, Deborah. Best of luck with the income tax. I haven't tackled that yet. Have fun with your Women's Prize for Fiction reading!

I love the puzzle Deborah. I look forward to reading some Women's Prize books with you!

Sorry you couldn’t get into Wolf Hall but totally get it. I had a hard time with it too, although, after I finished it (after 2 or 3 tries), I was glad I hung in there. I think I listened to it, which was easier than reading the book. I haven’t read the second book yet.

>181 vancouverdeb: I did finish Wolf Hall, Debohra, but it was a struggle. No intention to get to the next books.

>187 vancouverdeb: Lovely puzzle, I am thinking to start a puzzle myself.

>211 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. Yes, I think it's just a fun scene!

>212 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. I've yet to tackle our income tax, as Dave has not yet gotten his tax slip from work, but I know I'll be doing it soon. I'll have to remind again to print up his tax slip at work and bring it home. Not that I am looking forward to doing our taxes. I am having fun with my Women's Prize reading. k

>213 BLBera: Thanks Beth. Well, I read Western Lane last year for the Booker Prize list . I'm enjoying , and close to finishing Nightbloom. I have Restless Dolly Maunder out from the library, as well as The Wren , The Wren, but Restless Dolly Maunder has a hold on it, so I guess that will be my next read.

>214 Storeetllr: I can't say I enjoyed the 336 or so page of Wolf Hall unfortunately, Mary, and I even had it on audio as well. That wasn't any better for me. I'm glad you hung in there. Maybe one day.

>215 FAMeulstee: Good for you, Anita, finishing Wolf Hall. I don't know, I might try another of her books , but not part of the Wolf Hall Trilogy, I don't think. I hope you do start a puzzle. A lot of people say they find them relaxing. I do find them relaxing some of the time, but sometimes they can also be quite frustrating.

>217 vancouverdeb: That is exactly why I still hesitate to start a puzzle, Deborah, I only need the relaxing part ;-)
Maybe I take one I already did before.

I read and sort of enjoyed Wolf Hall, but when Bring Out the Bodies came out, I tried a reread, and couldn't do it. Neither on audio or paper.

I've had Wolf Hall on my tablet since January 6, 2013 and have yet found the courage to start reading it.

>218 FAMeulstee: Either do a puzzle that you have already done, Anita, or perhaps a easy puzzle that is only 300 - 500 pieces. Something you would find relaxing ? I started with a 300 piece puzzle several years ago when I first got into jigsaw puzzles

>219 The_Hibernator: I think one read of Wolf Hall is plenty, Rachel! More than enough! Good for you for getting through it.

>220 RebaRelishesReading: You are braver than me, Reba. I only dared try reading Wolf Hall with a paperbook. It's so long and challenging to read, at least for me, e-reading Wolf Hall would not be for me. I'm not a keen e - reader, just for shorter , 250 pages or so. Maybe one day for you ? No rush.

Touching base, Deb.

So many of the prediction tubers and myself on my thread were pretty poor in getting their predictions right.

I am fairly enthusiastic about the list to be honest as unfamiliar doesn't mean I won't read something that blows me away.

Started The Maiden and so far it is really good.

Hi, Deborah! I hope you had a good weekend. We had fun hanging out with our "kids" on Saturday, celebrating Bree's birthday. We missed Jack but I will see him this week. It was a chilly weekend but it looks to be a mild week. I hope those books are treating you fine.

>216 vancouverdeb: Sounds like you are making great progress there Deborah. I've been sidetracked by other books, and by an annoying quirk with the library e-copy of Enter Ghost. I'm about a third of the way in, and some of the text is printed as a playscript. The publisher in their wisdom have put this in boxes, which you have to click into each time. After about the 10th one, I stopped reading, and am thinking I'll buy the paperback which is out here in a couple of days.

>222 PaulCranswick: Hi there Paul, good to see you. I'm quite keen on the Women's Prize List. It's a good way to discover new authors or new books that we might not otherwise have heard or read. I'm glad you are enjoying The Maiden. My copy is winging it's way to my mail box, possibly arriving at the end of March - beginning of April, or so Kenny's Bookshop has said. Mail from the UK bookshops is never fast to the West Coast of Canada. Surprise me, Canada Post!:-)

>223 msf59: Hi Mark! A pretty good weekend , nothing special as Dave was at work all weekend and still is working today and Tuesday. I did see Miles and William briefly on Saturday as I mentioned , but other than that , I mainly have been walking the dog in the rain each day. The books are treating me well, yes!

>224 charl08: Well, perhaps not great progress ,Charlotte, but I am making headway with the Women's Prize list. I've read Western Lane and I finished Nightbloom last night. I'll post a review later in the day, but it was a good read. I've just started into Restless Dolly Maunder and if the first 10 pages tell much, it seems very interesting so far. Sorry to read about the issues with the e-copy of Enter Ghost. That sounds very annoying. That's a book I'd like to read , but my library does not have it any format, but I have made a purchase request to the library. It does not come out here in paper back until mid April, so I hope the library will get it first.

>221 vancouverdeb: "braver than" you -- hardly. I've owned it for 11 years and haven't found the courage to start it!

Hello Deborah, It is wild one out there, crazy wind and rain and just in from a Loki walk, down to the beach and there are lots of rollers coming in. Stay warm and dry!

>227 RebaRelishesReading: Oh, you are braver than me, Reba! Being willing to consider tackling a huge tome like Wolf Hall on an kindle strikes me as very brave!

>228 mdoris: Unfortunately you are right about that, Mary. Poppy did encounter rain, but less wind than yesterday. We got quite wet, but after I finished our walk and drove to Safeway, then it really started to rain hard. I'm warm and dry now, and I heated up a towel in the dryer for Poppy and put it over her while she was sleeping to help her warm up. We have our rain gear on.

Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie 4 stars

Akorfa and Selasi are cousins in Ghana. Though they are cousins, they become inseparable as sister's might be. The two are born on the same day, go to school together, but over time over time their relationship changes. Selasi becomes hostile and withdrawn, and Akorfa becomes embarrassed by her behaviour. When Selasi's mother dies during childbirth, she is abandoned by her father, and goes to live with her grandmother, and extended family. The two go their separate ways, Akorfa to the USA to university, while Selasi remains in Ghana, and makes her way through polytechnic school in Home Economics.

The story is told from both Akfora's point of view, and then from Selasi's. We discover that both have , unbeknownst to each other, suffered abuse in silence This is a touching story of race, class, parental abandonment, abuse and different cultures. I look forward to reading the author's first book, His Only Wife.

>229 vancouverdeb: Please note, I have not tackled it. I'm not sure why I opted to buy it that way but a lot of people were reading it then (and raving about it) so I thought I "should" read it...may not even happen but we'll see.

There once was a group read of Wolf Hall and I started it. I think I stalled maybe half way through? Or maybe I only read a third? Kudoos for finishing it, Deborah. I really should finish it one of these days.

I got my first shipment from Puzzles Canada yesterday. Thanks for telling me about that company (I think).

>231 RebaRelishesReading: No problem, Reba! I understand the feeling of feeling of " I should read that " very well!

>232 Familyhistorian: Oh, Meg, I also stalled on Wolf Hall on page 365 or so. I decided I preffered to get on with my Women's Long List prize reading and no regrets at all 1 I have to find out what you have ordered from Puzzles Canada. I too have a couple of puzzles on their way to me from Canada Puzzles, a Heye 1500 pieces puzzle called Sugar Hills puzzle, and a New York Puzzle called Stay Cosy , and I am sorely tempted yet another puzzle of Canada Puzzles site. I know what you mean, thanks for telling me about the company, I think . They are as addictive as books for some of us. And $$$ .

Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville 4 stars

Restless Dolly Maunder is just that, restless. She is born in the 1880's in New South Wales, Australia. Her family is poor, and she has five older sisters and brothers, and another baby is on the way. They are a farming family , and their father is an angry, sometimes violent man, her mom unhappy and grim most of the time. Dolly does well in school, but but when she tells her parents that she wants to become a teacher, her father says " over my dead body". Dolly continues to work on the farm, and loathes the repetitive hard work, but sees no way out except to eventually marry.

A woman cannot sign for a loan, purchase a piece of property and has few options. Eventually at her parents urging , she settles for a man named Bert Russell. The marriage is no especially happy, but the couple have three children. Dolly finds she is not much for mothering, and quickly grows restless with their farm. With Dolly's urging and planning, the family moves around frequently, purchasing and running shops, pubs, hotels and a beach house.

p6 " Girls were of no account, you learned early on. Good enough to make bread and milk the cow, and later on you'd look after children . But no woman was ever going to a part of the real business of this world ." Dolly rails against this for the rest of her life. We often forget how difficult life was for women in days gone by, and this story illustrates that well. I recall my maternal grandmother wanting to purchase a house during WW11 , and having to get her father to sign the purchase for her, as my grandfather was at war. My paternal grandmother hid her marriage for several years so that she could continue to work, as married working women were not allowed to keep jobs.

At times I felt that story was a bit repetitive as the family moved from place to place, but overall a very thought provoking read.

So far , of the three books I have read from the Women's longlist , Western Lane , Nightbloom and Restless Dolly Maunder, none as struck me as fabulous - this ought to be on the short list or this is a contender for the winner. They have all been worthwhile reads though, that I would recommend. There are still 13 more books though, and although I will never get to all of them, I am trying my best to read what is available to me, particularly at the library and what interests me. When I was reading the Booker Prize Longlist last year, The Bee Sting, Prophet Song and Old God's Time stood out to me as exceptional books. We'll see what happens as I read more from the list. My next read is another book from the library The Wren The Wren by Anne Enright

Sounds like you've picked some good ones from the Women's longlist, Deborah. Hope the next ones you pick up are as good or better.

Isn't the weather lately fabulous? I hope you are able to get out in it and enjoy.

>235 vancouverdeb: Well, Meg, Restless Dolly Maunder, Nightbloom and Western Lane were all enjoyable reads from The Women’s Prize Longlist, but my current read from the Longlist is not enjoyable at all , and I’m on page 217 . I hope to finish it tonight or tomorrow and move into something fun . I went to church this evening, and it was quite warm . I didn’t get out for a walk today, but the previous couple of days I did , and I’ll be back out walking tomorrow. Several days of warm , sunny weather before it rains .

I’m reading The Wren, The Wren right now and it’s not my thing .

>237 vancouverdeb: I came along to see what you were making of The Wren, The Wren and whilst it is obviously "awardish" in that undefinable way books are it is also not a pleasurable or immersive read. I don't find myself caring overly for the characters much whilst at the same time admiring the prose.

>237 vancouverdeb:, >238 PaulCranswick:, I read The Wren, The Wren in January and my comment was “it’s not my thing”.

Hi, Deborah. I hope you had a nice weekend. I will watch for your thoughts on The Wren, the Wren. I have not read Enright.

Is Dave official? 😁

I gave it 41/2 stars, so I'm thinking I liked the book more than you did Deborah, but from Paul and Kristel's comments you're clearly not alone!
My review is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/353864#8254072

Hope you have some more dry days to walk, and that you enjoy your next women's prize read. I just finished In Defence of the Act and found it a good read, but very sad.

>238 PaulCranswick: I totally agree, Paul. The Wren , The Wren is neither immersive nor pleasurable to read, and I find myself very unsympathetic to the characters. I should finish the last 30 pages or so this evening and I think it going be a 2 to 2.5 star read for me, which is rare. I don't even admire the prose.

>239 Kristelh: I remember now , Kristel, reading your review of The Wren , The Wren and I anticipated it would not be for me. But I kind of forgot, so I am nearly finished it. Here is to better reads ahead. But I'm I've nearly finished it , so at least I can compare it to other book on the longlist that I plan to read - and have read.

>240 msf59: A nice enough weekend, thanks Mark. The weather was nice, but I didn't do anything special . As I mentioned on your thread, yes, Dave's retirement is official and Thursday of this week is his last day of work. It's kind of hard to believe, after al his years of working. He is looking very forward to it.

>241 charl08: You definitely liked The Wren, The Wren more than I have, Charlotte. I think my star rating is going to be a 2 or 2. 5 . Nice review, even if I didn't care for the book myself.

Hmmm ... interesting comments on The Wren, The Wren. I've been eyeing it from afar, and I guess I'll keep my distance for a while!

Hi Deborah!

>243 vancouverdeb: Congrats on Dave’s retirement. Big change for both of you, for sure, and I wish both of you well.

Dave and Deborah. Will be thinking of you on Thursday!

Two more days of work (or is Thursday the first day off?) -- hooray!! I've been retired for a long time and loving every minute of it!! Hope the same is true for you.

Congrats to Dave (and you) on his retirement!

I just picked up The Wren, The Wren from the library. Sounds like maybe I shouldn't be too concerned if I don't get to it...

>244 lauralkeet: Laura, I did not enjoy The Wren , The Wren and I was quite relieved to finish the book, but others have really liked it so, as they say, your mileage may vary.

>245 karenmarie: It will be a big change, yes, Karen! Dave is looking very forward to his last day. It will be a big change, yes, and I have a bit of hard time picturing Dave home every day from now on. But I think we will be fine. Thanks for the good wishes!

>246 mdoris: Thanks Mary. Such lovely good wishes. Well, when Dave comes home at 9 pm on Thursday, it will be different!

>247 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba! Thursday is his last day of work, and he'll get home at 9 pm as usual. I know Dave is looking forward to being retired . I tease him often lately that he may miss his work , or lose his " sense of identity" but in fact, I think he will be fine.

>248 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne! Well, you may enjoy The Wren, The Wren as others have, but then some of us have not enjoyed it I am glad I read it, since it is one the Women's Longlist and I want to read quite a few of those. At least it a book for me to compare others on the list with.

My current Women's Prize Longlist Ranking

Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
The Wren , The Wren by Anne Enright

I plan to read The Maiden by Kate Foster when it arrives from the UK , and Soldier, Sailor if I can get a hold of it from VPL. It is only in e pub format at my library, and I don't have a Kobo, so that does not work for me. I plan to read River West, River East , and Brotherless Night, and I have holds at the library for Enter Ghost and Ordinary Human Failings. After that, I'll see what interests me and what the library has.

I've yet to create a review for The Wren, The Wren, but I'll do that this evening. I'm going to read something not from the Women's Longlist to take a break, and I think it will be The Prey by Yrsa Sigurdardottir. I always enjoy some good scandi crime and I think it will be a nice change of pace.

I've enjoyed your comments on the Women's long list. I'm going to begin my first, Western Lane, and I've been hearing great things about it.
I'm fearing The Wren, The Wren hehe

Oooo, So exciting! Retirement is the best and I wish you a very long and happy one!

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. At the end of November, I will be retired for five years. It is great to have time to get projects in order and to have more time to read.

I send all good wishes for a bright, happy retirement.

Linda

Congratulations on Dave's retirement, Deborah! I'm sure it will be a bit of an adjustment, but I know it will end up being a good thing. I "retired" early and eagerly await The Wayne joining me in a life of leisure, but we still have a while to go for that :)

>253 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda. I did enjoy Western Lane very much , and so far it my favourite book from the Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist. I hope you like it too. Don't fear The Wren , The Wren, it is at least fairly short at 273 pages, so it doesn't take long to read. You might like it. Thanks for the good wishes regarding Dave's retirement.

>254 Whisper1: Thanks for your lovely good wishes for Dave's soon to be retirement, Linda. I'm glad that you are enjoying your retirement so much, and indeed, it will be a time for Dave to read more, finally be able to watch TV if he wants, as he always worked shift work . He's is very much looking to his last day at work. I think he will find plenty to stay busy with.

>255 katiekrug: Thanks Katie. It will be an adjustment, I think. I guess it is nice that it is happening in the Spring, as the weather is better and Dave likes to get outdoors and fly stunt kites with his buddies , and we will be able to see more of our two grandchildren. I retired early too, after I had our second son as it did make sense financially for me to keep working with two young children. It will be great when The Wayne is able to retire and join you in a life of leisure.

The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright 2.5 stars

A thinly plotted , non-linear story. I do enjoy character driven novels, but these characters were not well realized, nor interesting, nor sympathetic. I did not find much to like about this book, and I was glad to finish the last page.

The story is narrated by Nell, a young woman, and her mother, Carmel , and briefly by Phil McDaragh, Carmel’s now dead father, who was a somewhat famous poet in Ireland. A quote from Nell regarding her grandfather Phil , p.241 " My grandfather loved my grandmother so much you could not be in the same room with them, as they flamed in the presence of others"... " they both knew it could not last". This quote is taken from a poet named Harvey in a letter of condolence following Phil's death. This is a kind of love I don't understand. A love that flames, yet must die. I guess this explains why Phil was a philanderer and left his wife Terry while she was suffering with breast cancer.

When the novel opens, Nell is in an abusive relationship with a man named Felim. Felim likes to flip through images of porn while he has sex with Nell, and he snaps pictures with his phone of Nell having sex with him , and uploads this to the net. Nell thinks of this relationship, p129, " I was just a throwaway thing, not just for him, but for the people that paid me" etc. She wonders if she had a proper job, a proper place to live , would she have a proper relationship? But I ask myself , why are you in this relationship.

Nell's mother Carmel, wanted a child, but not a husband or any sort of long term relationship as a result of her father leaving her mother. There is some poetry peppered throughout the book, which I was unable to appreciate. I know for many this is a great read, but not for me.

2.5 stars.

Bummer about The Wren, The Wren. Wasted a cool title too.

Happy Wednesday, Deborah!

I liked The Wren, The Wren more than you did, Deborah. I enjoyed watching Nell grow and find herself.

Enjoy retirement! It's great.

>252 vancouverdeb: Seems like something that I would pay money not to do, create that review! I really admire your determination!

>258 vancouverdeb: I am on a long waiting list for that one. Now I don't feel so anxious to get to it......

Yay for Dave's retirement. I am sure there will be an adjustment period for both of you. My parents said the same thing when they retired but now they can't imagine not being retired and love it. Lots of things they are able to do together that would not have been possible when they were both working. Have fun!

Hiya Deborah!

>258 vancouverdeb:, Deborah, you did a nice job reviewing The Wren, the Wren. Sometimes the best reviews are those for books that we didn't think we liked. It makes us think. Good Job!

Happy last working day to Dave!
And best wishes for the time to come, Deborah.

Best wishes for this new phase in your life! Retirement years are wonderful in my opinion.

Well Deborah is he all yours now? Happy retirement to Dave today! This is a BIG day for you both.

I wish a happy retirement for Dave, and the best of having Dave retired to you!

Happy retirement for both yourself and your husband.

>259 msf59: It is a good title, Mark. You might like it. Many people have and the published reviews are very good. But it was not for me. Charlotte, Beth and many other have enjoyed The Wren , The Wren

>260 BLBera: Yes, you did, Beth. I guess Anne Enright is just not too my tastes. I DNF'd The Gathering , which won the Booker prize, and she was the author. There was too much swearing for me. It makes me think I might look at The Gathering again, if the library has it , just to see what I think. I probably won't bother though. Margaret Atwood isn't an author that appeals to me so far, and she is very well liked . I've only read The Handmaiden's Tale though , so perhaps I might enjoy some of her other books.

>261 richardderus: Thanks Richard. Creating the review wasn't too bad as I had gathered some quotes as I read. I did really dislike the book.

>262 figsfromthistle: You might like it, Anita. You never know. I'm glad my copy was from the library. No risk there, except reading something you dislike. I'm glad I read is as a comparison to other on the longlist. There is that. So far, so good with the Dave's retirement. I think he is really glad to have retired and I looked at a picture of him from yesterday at work and I thought, you have worked for a long time and his retirement is well earned - and I told him that today. I think we will do just fine!

>263 Owltherian: Hi Lily!

>264 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I did have to think about my review for The Wren , The Wren. You did a nice job summarizing the book too.

>265 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita! Dave is glad to be done with the early 5 am mornings, and I think we are going to both enjoy his retirement. I'm glad you and Frank are enjoying Frank's recent retirement too!

>266 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I think you might be right about retirement.

>267 mdoris: Yes, Mary, he all mine now. No more playing second fiddle to Air Canada , and no more working holidays - Christmas and you name it, working. It will be great.

>268 quondame: Thanks Susan! We will enjoy the time together.

>269 DeltaQueen50: Thanks Judy! We will enjoy these years, yes. I feel lucky to have been married to a good man for over 40 years and now he's all mine ! I think it's going to be good.

Hi Deborah, congratulations to Dave on his retirement! I'm sure you will enjoy having more time together.

After reading your review, I don't have any desire to pick up The Wren, The Wren any time soon.

>275 vancouverdeb: Thanks , Irene! I think that, yes, we will enjoy having more time together. You never know, many / most critics have liked The Wren, The Wren, but I certainly did not. Charlotte, Beth and I am sure other here on LT have enjoyed it, but I was no one one of those people.

Happy Saturday, Deb. Is Dave easing into retirement mode? I know it has only been a few days. I enjoyed my Jackson Day on Thursday. We spent over 3 hours at a library, with a kid's section. No books were read but he had a great time.

Hi Deborah, I finished NightBloom. I could see it getting shortlisted. What do you think?

>276 msf59: Yes, Mark, I think Dave is easing into retirement mode, as far as I can tell. As you say, it just a couple of days so far, so it just seems like days off at the moment , at least to me. We headed out last night for dinner with a 5 other people has a some great pizza and stopped back at someone's house to celebrate Dave's retirement, which was nice. Wow! 3 hours in the at the library with Jackson! They must have had some fun activities for Jackson , Mark. That is great!

>277 charl08: I'm not sure yet if Nightbloom whether will be shorlisted, Charlotte. I did like it and thought it was well written as you can read in my review above. I gave it 4 stars like you did, Charlotte. I've read 4 from the long list, and I've thought Western Lane , Nightbloom and Restless Dolly Maunder were good reads. The Wren, The Wren was not to my taste, but who knows, it could go on to the shortlist. Nothing has really jumped out at me and said " shortlist me " or " I should win" , whereas The Bee Sting, Prophet Song and Old God's Time did that with me for The Booker Prize. Well, Old God's Time did not even make it to the short list of the Booker Prize 2023, so I have certainly been wrong before. I think I will need to read more from the shortlist to feel more like I could venture a feeling of what might make the shortlist. So far I think Western Lane is my favourite of what I have read from the Longlist.

Happy retirement to Dave and you both Deborah! More freedom to do the things you love.

I admire you for reading that longlist for us. I hope that one of them will jump out to you as excellent!

***No more playing second fiddle to Air Canada***
Congratulations on your Dave's retirement! Happy Days are ahead for both of you. My Dave is semi-retired, but he will keep up his 3 days a week forever...or at least until he can drive himself the 50 minutes to our business.

I was disappointed in the Women's Prize for Fiction long list. I will take the easy road and wait for the short list to be announced to decide whether or not I'll read any of them. Thank you for keeping us informed of your opinion. I trust you more than the committee that chose the books! Haha.

Happy retirement to you and Dave! Hope you are settling in.

And thanks for the updates on the Women's Prize for Fiction. >280 Donna828: I may also wait for the short list as my own TBR list is overwhelming right now.

>278 vancouverdeb: It will be interesting to see if any of the ones we've read make it to the shortlist on the 24th April.

I ordered a copy of The Maiden as I had a discount. Not sure when I'll get to that though. I've got some leave coming up for Easter so will try and make time for it then.

Hi Deb my dear, congrats to Dave on his retirement, i dare say it will take a little bit of time to adjust to not working after all these years.

Thank you for stopping by my thread, i am making the most of the time i get to come on here and thought i should visit you.

Sending love and hugs to you, Dave, Poppy and the family from both of us my dear friend.

Deb I want to add my congratulations to Dave on his well earned retirement. I can understand why you have taken a few days off to celebrate the new longer time you have together!

I think I have found a book that has shot to the top of my pile as to the Women's Longlist. Brotherless Night is a tremendous but difficult read.

>235 vancouverdeb: I have only read Western Lane from the three you mentioned and I agree - it did not strike me as fabulous at all. I am hoping my local library gets some of the books but it will probably not be anytime soon.

>243 vancouverdeb: I hope Dave (and you) enjoy his retirement! Kerry and I are muddling along :)

>258 vancouverdeb: I am not going to be in any rush to get to that one.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Congrats on Dave's retirement, Deb. Hope you both enjoy it!

I am too far behind to catch up so will just jump back in here and go forward.

Happy Wednesday, Deborah. Since Sue is not working, we are seeing Jack quite a bit. He spent the night last night. Sue, bless her heart, does most of the heavy lifting, so I am grateful for that. He can be a handful at times but is also such a joy to hang out with.

I've enjoyed catching up with you and also reading your reviews of the Women's Prize for Fiction. I have several on hold at the library, but have not read any of them yet.

Today the short list for the new-this-year Women's Prize for Nonfiction will be announced at 6pm (no idea what time zone). I have read one from the long list All That She Carried and have a second, Thunderclap, here at home.

>279 EllaTim: Oh, I won't read the entire Women's Prize Longlist, Ella, but I will try to read quite few of the books. I do enjoy reading new authors and books I have never heard of , or getting around to reading to books I might I not otherwise have tried. Then when the winner - or even the shortlist is announced, I can have a somewhat valid opinion on things. I hope a book will jump out at me soon too!

>280 Donna828: I don't think I realized your husband was also a Dave, Donna. Well, Dave seems very happy and yes, no more playing second fiddle to Air Canada! We both seem to be well adapted to the whole thing very quickly. Dave has to get up at 7:30 am or so tomorrow to take Poppy in to be groomed and he is moaning a bit about that, though with his Air Canada work he was about at 5:30 am each day for work. You are so kind to trust me more than the Women's Prize for Fiction jury, Donna. Perhaps misguided, but I am flattered! :-)

>281 witchyrichy: Good to see you Karen! There are a fair number of books on the long list and I won't read them all , but I make the best effort I can.

>282 charl08: Yes, I don't know what might make the short list as yet, Charlotte. My copy of the The Maiden arrived today from Kenny's bookshop in Ireland - free shipping. Enter Ghost is in transit for me from the library and Ordinary Human Failings is over due at the library, so I am waiting on that one. It is hard to get to all of the longlist, yes.

>283 johnsimpson: Thanks John. So far Dave seems delighted with retirement. He is 67 and 3 months old, so he has worked for a long time. Thanks for the love and hugs, John and love and hugs to you and Karen too.

>284 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. It is a well earned retirement after I am not sure how many years of work. According to to a little speech they had at his retirement gig at work, he started working for the airlines in 1978. Heck, I was still in high school! I met him in 1981 , I think , and we had our first date in January of 1982 , married in July of 1983 and the rest is history, as they say. He was laid off from work here in there in the early years. I'm glad you have found a stand out amongst the Women's Long List and I own a paperback copy of Brotherless Nights, so I'll try to get to it soon. I have books coming in from the library that are on the Long list , so I may have to read those first.

>285 alcottacre: I did like Western Lane, Stasia, and if it makes the shortlist, I will be fine with that. But I have yet to read a book that really jumps out at me. Perhaps Brotherless Nights as Paul mentioned will do that. Dave and I seem to be doing very well - save one day when I had to scold him about behaving like a grumpy old man . Men, eh?

>286 jessibud2: You have had a sad and busy time, Shelley, so no problem. Thanks for stopping by and best wishes for peaceful year ahead. Thanks for the retirement wishes.

>287 msf59: Hi Mark and I hope you have a had a good Wednesday. I hope Sue can find part time work soon, as I think that is her plan. I'm glad you are seeing Jack so much and good on Sue for doing the heavy lifting . As we get a bit older it can be heavy lifting indeed. My sister had to see a chiropractor after looking after one of her young grandchildren ,and she had put her hip out, or some such thing and she is a youthful 59 years of age.

>288 streamsong: Hi Janet! I also have a number of holds at the library for the Women's Fiction Prize, one arriving imminently. It's hard to fit them all in , at least for me. I have one book out from the library that is on the Women's non - fiction Longlist, Dictionary People, but I don't think I am going to have time to read it right now. I hope one of your reads make the shortlist, or even better, both of them!

Please follow me to my new thread, and lets hope I get the title right ...