Deborah (vancouverdeb) reads in 2024 Thread 4

The Northern Lights we saw Friday night.

I'm Deborah, 40 years happily married to Dave, who retired March 21 2024. . We have two adult sons, Daniel, 39, and William, aged 34. William is married to Serenade, and they have blessed us with two grandchildren, Melissa, 6, 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
14) The Prey by Yrsa Sigurdardottir , Icelandic, F , New, 4.5 stars

April
15) Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, British/ Palestinian, F , library, 3 stars
16) Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan, Irish, F, New, 4.5 stars
17)The Maiden by Kate Foster , Scotland, , F, New 4.5 stars
18)The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher, F, UK. Library, 4 stars
19)The Brotherless Night by V.V Ganeshanathan , F , American ,new 4.5 stars

May

20)The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey, F,British, new, 5 stars
21)Soldier Sailor byClaire Kilroy , F, mine, Irish, 4 stars
22)Long Island by Colm Toibin , M, library Ireland, 4 stars
23)The Household by Stacey Halls, F, new, UK 4 stars

June

24)To Track a Traitor by Iona Wishaw, F , ROOT, 4 stars Canadian, 4 stars
25)River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure, F, mine, American, 4.5 stars
26) Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout, F, library , American, 3 stars
27)The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Neal, F, new, UK, 5 stars

July

28) The Framed Women of Ardemore House: A Novel byBrandy Schillace , F, library, 2.5 stars
29) The God of the Woods by Liz Moore F, American, library, 4 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 Short List 2024
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright Women's Prize for Fiction Short List 2024
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist 2024
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist 2024
The Maiden by Kate Foster Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist 2024
Brotherless Night by V.V Ganeshanathan Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist, 2024, Carol Shield Prize shortlist 2024
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy , Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist, 2024
River West, River East by Aube Rey Lescure , Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist, 2024

Currently reading
The God of the Woods: A Novel by Liz Moore

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

Women's Longlist for Fiction as rated by my reading so far
1)Brotherless Night by V.V Ganeshanathan 5 stars
2 Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan 4.5 stars

3) Western Lane 4 stars
4)Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy 4 stars
5) The Maiden by Kate Foster
6) Nightbloom 4 stars
7) Restless Dolly Maunder 4 stars by Kate Grenville
8Enter Ghost 3 stars by Isabella Hammad
9) The Wren, The Wren 2.5 stars

My Ranking of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024
1 Brotherless Night 5 stars
2 River East, River West 4. 5 stars
3Soldier Sailor 4 stars
4Restless Dolly Maunder 4 stars
5 Enter Ghost 3 stars
6The Wren, The Wren 2. 5 stars

Welcome to my new thread! Please drop a star, lurk, de lurk - all welcome!

Vancouver - pictures Dave and I took a few weeks ago from Prospect Point.

I finished Soldier Sailor this evening, from the Women's Prize Shortlist. I'll create a review tomorrow. It took me a while to get into it, quite a while, maybe half through it began to grab me. I liked it, but I much preferred Brotherless Night.

I was lucky to get my hold of Long Island in from the library and so I have started that this evening and it very promising.

Happy new thread, Deborah!

>1 vancouverdeb: Spectacular picture!

Happy New Thread, Deborah! I love the Northern Lights topper. Glad you got to see it. I hope you had a good Mother's Day. How is the new Toibin? That one seemed to come out with little fanfare.

Beautiful northern lights! Thanks for posting. Happy new thread, Deborah!

Happy new thread, Deborah!

Happy new one, Deborah!

The photo of the Northern Lights is beautiful.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new Colm Toibin...

Happy new thread, Deb. We had northern lights here too, supposedly. Not sure I would have seen them anyhow, from the city, but (I fell asleep!!!)

>1 vancouverdeb: Wow! Just - wow!

Happy New thread!

Happy new thread Deborah!

And >21 Storeetllr: said it just as it came to me. Wow what a thing to see.

Lucky you to see the northern lights Deborah. What a beautiful photo!
Happy new thread my friend!

Happy New Thread, Deborah!

Spectacular photo of the lights! Although I saw them, my photos are not good - and we could only see green with naked eye. A once in a lifetime event for sure!

>15 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita!

>16 msf59: Hey there, Mark! I felt lucky to see the Nothern Lights. Yes, I had a good Mother's Day. William and Melissa and Miles stopped by, and they gave me a framed picture of us all, and some home baked cookies. I'm about 97 pages into Long Island and enjoying it very much so far.

>17 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. Dave managed to get a good photo of the lights.

>18 drneutron: Thanks Jim and thanks for all the work you do here in the 75's all year round.

>19 katiekrug: Thanks Katie! So far, I'm very much enjoying Long Island . I'm about 97 pages into the novel.

>20 jessibud2: I'm in the city too, but I'm sure the further you are from light pollution, the better for seeing the Northern Lights. Dave was out in school field in Richmond and that helped him get a better view of the Lights, I think.

>21 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary! I thought Wow too!

>22 quondame: Thanks Susan! I felt lucky to see the lights too.

>23 mdoris: Thanks Mary. I've seen the Northern Lights a couple of times in the past, but I was much younger then. Just a kid.

>24 streamsong: Thanks Janet!Likewise, I could only see streaks of green in the sky with the naked eye. The Iphone camera lense really enables one to see the colours.

Slightly late to the opening party, but happy new thread, Deb.

Happy new thread, Deborah. Great photo at the top. How lucky that you got to see the light show.

I am really looking forward to Brotherless Night.

Happy new thread, Deborah. What a great picture of the aurora! You are so lucky to have gotten to see that.

>28 PaulCranswick: Thanks for stopping by, Paul

>29 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I think you will enjoy Brotherless Night. I feel fortunate to have seen the Northern Lights.

>30 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. Dave did manage to get some good pictures of the Northern Lights.

Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshanathan won today's Carol Shield's Prize. I hope that bodes well for the Women's Prize for Fiction Prize this year. This is it's second year for the Carol Shield's prize for fiction and the winner is a woman or Nonbinary individual that lives in the USA or Canada. $150,000.00 USD, so not a bad prize at all.

>32 vancouverdeb: Good news for an excellent novel, Deb.

I am on my 5th of the 6 shortlisted books for the Women's Prize and it is head and shoulders the best so far.

>1 vancouverdeb: It was quite a wonderful sight in Ontario as well.

HAppy new thread!

>32 vancouverdeb: I mentioned on Paul's thread, Deborah, that I have that one on order from Blackwell's. I am very interested in reading it, more than any of the other books on the shortlist (or the Longlist for that matter!)

Happy new thread, BTW!

Hi, Deborah. I will be hanging out with Jackson today. I have not seen him in a while. Glad to hear you are enjoying Long Island. Brotherless Night sounds excellent too. On the TBR it goes.

>33 PaulCranswick: I agree, Paul. Very good news for Brotherless Night. I just have River East , River West to read from the The Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist and I doubt it will top Brotherless Night for me.

>34 figsfromthistle: I'm glad you saw the Northern Lights in Ontario as well, Anita. It was lovely!

>35 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia. I hope Brotherless Night arrives soon from Blackwells. You must be disappointed in your local library . I think they ought to have the Women's Fiction Prize Shortlist in by now.

>36 msf59: I saw the fun picture of you as the bad guy , Mark, and being jailed by young Jackson! Enjoy yourself! Yes, I am loving Long Island. I can hardly put it down. I hope to finish it this evening.

Hello Deborah, it is dangerous to visit over here.......so many good book ideas.

Love your Northern Lights photo up top! Very jealous as I slept through the one good night we had here. Happy new thread!

>39 mdoris: I try to make my thread dangerous, Mary! Full of BB I hope! :-)

>40 Berly: Thanks Kim! I tend to be a night owl, so it was no problem for me to be awake during the the display we had.

I have finished Soldier, Sailor and Long Island and just need to come up with some reviews for them, which I will try to do today. I've started on another good book, The Household by Stacey Halls . I've read all of Stacey Halls previous books, The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England. I am just a few pages in, but it seems very promising.

Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy 4 stars

The Publisher Says : Well, Sailor. Here we are once more, you and me in one another's arms. The earth rotates beneath us and all is well, for now.... In her first novel for over a decade, Claire Kilroy takes us deep into the tumultuous early days of motherhood. Exploring the clash of fierce love for a new life with the seismic change in identity , Kilory vividly realises the raw emotions of a new mother. As her marriage strains under the burden of domestic duty, a chance encounter with an old friend offers her a lifeline to the woman she used to be.

My review: It took me until about the 1/2 way point in the novel to feel engaged with the story. Prior to that, I had to force myself to continue reading. Overall, it was a good read. It is written as a stream of consciousness , or perhaps as a letter to her son, " Sailor". " Soldier" or mom, is brand new to motherhood , and is in the midst of postnatal depression. This is a story of both the joy and the horrors of early motherhood. I struggled a bit with her husband being portrayed as so useless and unhelpful as a parent. Perhaps this is because this was not my experience. We come to realize that Soldier is an unreliable narrator. But as the story progressed, I came to appreciate Claire Kilroy's wonderful prose and raw capture of motherhood.

Long Island by Colm Toibin 4 stars

This is a sequel to Brooklyn, which I read many years ago. But it can easily be read as a stand alone. Eilish Lacey is Irish, and married to Tony Fiorello. She lives in Long Island with her husband and two teen-aged children, Rosella and Larry. The Italian family live very close to each other , and are much intertwined. One day a man knocks on Eilish's door and tells her that her husband has fathered a child with his wife. This man tells Eilish that when his wife gives birth to the baby, he will deposit " the bastard" on the family's doorstep. Understandably, Eilish is shocked. Soon afterward, she tells her husband p. 21 " There is no circumstances under which I am going to look after a baby. It is your business, not mine. "

From there, Eilish decides to return to Ireland for the first time since her marriage, ostensibly to visit her mother for her 80th birthday. When her husband asks when she will return, she gives no reply. Her children join her in Ireland to meet the family. Upon her return, Eilish meets up with old best friend, the now widowed Nancy, and her old flame, Jim. This is a riveting story of love, loss, grief and loneliness. The ending is ambiguous , and I cannot wait for the third installment.

Highly recommended.

I stayed up until 1am the next night to try and see some lights, but nothing.... : (

>44 vancouverdeb: Sounds good!

Hi Deborah, thank you so much for putting The Last List of Mabel Beaumont in my sights. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was sorry to see it end.

Have a great weekend!

Hi Deborah!

Happy new thread. Nice picture of the Northern Lights. No such luck here, Northern Lights were visible, and that is really special here in Holland, but not here in the city.

Brotherless Nights sounds like a real find. I’ll be looking for it.

Have a nice weekend.

>32 vancouverdeb: I received another of your recommended books in today, The Night in Question, but Brotherless Night that I ordered at the same time is still not here. *Humph*

>43 vancouverdeb: Well, that one is already in the BlackHole due to its being on the Shortlist, but I am happy to read that you enjoyed it despite the slow start.

>44 vancouverdeb: I did not enjoy Brooklyn when I read it, so maybe a re-read of that one is in order before I read the sequel. Maybe my tastes have changed in the interim. It has been years since I read it.

Have a super Saturday!

>45 Berly: Dave and I looked for the Northern Lights the next night too, but we didn't see anything either, Kim. It was a good read, Kim, I'm sure you will find at your library or bookstore.

>46 DeltaQueen50: I'm delighted that you enjoyed The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, Judy. I really did too. We don't have any special plans this weekend, but I'm sure we'll enjoy the sunshine that we have so far.

>47 EllaTim: It's quite rare to see the Northern Lights in the Vancouver area too, Ella. I think this is the first time that I am aware of , and I've lived here for 60 years. I had seen them a couple of time when I was a just kid, once in Saskatchewan .and once while flying in plane with my dad - I was able to sit in the flight deck as he was an airline pilot, so that was quite fun. I hope you can get a copy of Brotherless Night soon. It's really worth the read.

>48 alcottacre: I hope you enjoy The Night in Question and I hope Brotherless Night will arrive soon, Stasia. I think you will enjoy Soldier Sailor Stasia. I checked and I gave Brooklyn 3. 5 stars when I read it, which means that I liked it, but I didn't love it. But it has been so long since I read, I don't remember it well, so it was lucky that the book could stand on it's own. Thanks for the Saturday good wishes!

Happy Victoria day long weekend!

Happy Victoria Day, long weekend!

Wow! That's a beautiful picture of the Northern lights. Ours were disappointing.

Wow! Beautiful shot of the Northern Lights. We didn't see them here in southwest Missouri...maybe some of the rural areas did but there are too many artificial lights where we live.

I'm excited that Brotherless Night is getting closer to my hot little hands. I am next in line at the library. Read faster, people!

>51 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita! You too!

>52 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I hope you are enjoying your long weekend as well - or the long weekend in May a different one in the US ?

>53 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel . Did you look through the lens of a Iphone ? If you look only with your naked eye, you only see lighter streaks and bit of green , but one can see so much more with an Iphone camera.

>54 Donna828: Thanks Donna. Dave did get a good picture of the Nothern Lights. I know the feeling of read faster, people, as I have holds at the library as well! I hope you get Brotherless Night soon.

>55 vancouverdeb:, Our long weekend is next week; Memorial Day. I am retired so they're all long now. But it does give me opportunity to have more time with family.

>57 Kristelh: thanks for the info re the Long Weekend, Kristel. Dave and I are also retired so likewise, every weekend is a long weekend here too. It's nice.

Hi, Deborah! I can't catch up, but your view of the northern lights was magnificent. They were visible here, but I didn't manage to see them at all.... Once several years ago I saw a great bright green swirl in the northwest sky that was either a hallucination or the lights. I saw no mention of them anywhere, nor did any of my friends going home from the same event see what I saw.

I have access to Brotherless Night, and you make me want to get to it soon!

Ah, retirement. For us pretty much every day is Saturday except Sunday.

>59 LizzieD: I'll bet the big green swirl was the Northern Lights, and not a hallucination. I hope you can get to Brotherless Night soon,Peggy. Yes, in retirement each days is pretty much Saturday except Sunday.

A lucky day with Wordle .Wordle 1,066 2/6

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Have a terrific Tuesday, Deborah!

Hi, Deborah. We are back from camping and gearing up for another trip on Friday. Hoping to see Jack today for a bit. I didn't get as much reading in, as I would have liked this weekend, but I am enjoying Table For Two and my audio The Searcher. I have Long Island on the TBR.

Just heading out the dentist for a cleaning. Be back later. Have a good day, everyone!

Thank goodness it's just a cleaning! Hope you have a good day Deborah! Where did the sun go?

Hope the cleaning goes smoothly!

Hi Deborah, Love your photo of the Northern Lights! They were seen here in Colorado but I only saw a very light reddish sky briefly in the north. We are south of Denver so the city lights were in the way. Had we driven north and east an hour or so we would have seen more. Oh well, next time. ;)

I'm glad to see you enjoyed Long Island. I'm 20th out of 21 copies on my library's hold list so I should get it soonish. I hope the copies they still have on order come in soon!

Hi Deb my dear, a belated Happy New Thread dear friend. Thank you for posting a message for me about my missing in action. I got back on yesterday when the new laptop arrived, it is lighter and slimmer than my previous one and i am really enjoying it.

Last night we went to The Grand Theatre in Leeds to see Pretty Woman, it was fabulous and i nearly didn't go.

Hope all is well with you, Dave, Poppy and the rest of the family dear friend, sending love and hugs from both of us.

>62 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! I'm not sure my Tuesday was terrific as I spent it at the dentist. But thanks for the good wishes!

>63 msf59: Mark, I'm glad you had such a wonderful weekend away and getting ready for another one. I'm glad you are enjoying your current books and that you have Long Island soon to be up.

>65 mdoris: Well, yes, Mary, it was a just cleaning. However, the dentist found a couple of areas towards the front of my mouth that may or may not have the start of a cavity. She treated it with something called Silver Fluoride Diamine, I think it is. But, without my knowledge it has stained a small part of two of my front teeth and that is not acceptable to me. So I'm waiting on a phone call from the dentist to see what can be done - either a filling or can she put a white filling colour over the top? Because two small stains are making me crazy!

>66 Kristelh: As above, not quite , but thanks Kristel

>67 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. It was great to see the Northern Lights. Yes , next time, whenever that is. I did indeed enjoy Long Island and glad you are soon getting it from your library.

>68 johnsimpson: Good to see you, John. I'm glad you found the right new laptop. I was more than happy to let people know why you were not able to get onto your thread, happy to help, dear friend. I'm glad you enjoyed Pretty Woman and it's a good thing you went, given that you enjoyed it so much.

>70 vancouverdeb:. Hmm, that should not be, and if it stains, you should have been informed. I hope it can be fixed.

>70 vancouverdeb: Oh dear Deborah. A trip to the dentist and 1 step forward and 2 steps back. HOpe you get the staining sorted out. Argh!

>70 vancouverdeb: Deb, I imagine the stains on your front teeth do drive you crazy when you look at them. I'm hoping there will be a solid resolution.

I look forward to hearing about what, if anything, the dentist will do with this situation.

Happy newish thread, Deborah! It seems strange to have stained teeth after going to the dentist for a cleaning. Best of luck getting that taken care of.

>72 Kristelh: I agree , Kristel, my dentist ought to have asked before applying the compound that stained my teeth. I called the dentist's office the day after I got my teeth stained and I will go back June 6 th, I think it is, and she will do two small fillings . Next I will make sure she asks me before applying this sort of compound.

>73 mdoris: It was frustrating, Mary, yes, and as above, I will be returning to the dentist in early June.

>74 Whisper1:

>75 Familyhistorian: Linda and Meg, yes, it has been frustrating. The dentist will put in two small fillings where she applied the stain. I'll go back in early June.

I finished The Household by Stacey Halls, and was a good read, but I've yet to to create a review. I've just started To Track a Traitor: A Lane Winslow Mystery by Iona Whishaw and so far, so good.

Sorry to hear about the dentist staining your teeth. I hope they have a solution for you and that the cost does not fall to you.

Good morning Deborah, just checking in.

Great pictures of the lights! I didn't manage to see them, I think one needed to get out of the city.

>79 figsfromthistle: I'll have to get two small fillings, Anita, and yes, I will have to pay for them. The dentist put this compound in to leave it for 6 months and see if indeed it would need they teeth would need fillings - possibly teeth can " re - mineralize, but I really don't like the look of the staining. I wish she had asked me first before applying the compound.

>80 mdoris: Thanks Mary. I took it very easy today, just stayed in the house and put in about 100 pages of reading and had a day of R and R. I had been out the past 4 or 5 days and I needed to recharge my battery.

>81 banjo123: Sorry you did not see the Lights, Rhonda. I do live in the city and was able to the the lights despite that , but the photo was a taken in the city, but in a school ground , so it was more or less away from a lot of light. It was fun to see them.

Wow. The dentist should never have stained your teeth without your permission!

>82 vancouverdeb: A day of R and R sounds wonderful, Deborah. Looks like we're going to have the weather for it this weekend.

>83 The_Hibernator: I feel the same way, Rachel. Too be fair, they are very small areas, and no one has noticed them, or if they have, no one has mentioned to them. But they bother me.

>84 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Yes, I do enjoy my days of R and R. Today was a nice afternoon for a rainy day, or at least that was predicted in my area for today. But yes, in the days ahead, we are supposed to get rain for several days.

The HouseHold by Stacey Halls 4 stars

In London , 1847, a home receives it's finishing touches . Charles Dickens and a wealthy widow, Angela Burdett-Coutts have co-founded and co- funded a home for " fallen women". Some are destitute, some convicted criminals of petty theft, and some are prostitutes . All are very young women. The house is headed up by Matron Mrs. Holdsworth. There are many challenges for both the young women trying to overcome their backgrounds, and make their way in this new home, as well as those faced by Mrs. Holdsworth. Meanwhile, Angela is frightened by the release from prison of her stalker of 10 years. These stories come together in the end. And interesting and entertaining story based on the real Urania House , which was co-founded and co-funded by Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts, something I was previously unaware of.

May Reading Round Up. Best read - The List of Suspicious Things i

Happy June Deborah. I keep my eye on your favorites!

Happy June! Is that your June Reading roundup or for May?

>87 vancouverdeb: I've just finished The List of Suspicious Things and thought it was very good indeed!

>88 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel! I hope you might find something among my favourites that you enjoy too.

>89 The_Hibernator: Well spotted, Rachel! Yes, I changed it from June Reading to May Reading! I guess the new month was one my mind.

>90 CDVicarage: I'm glad you also enjoyed The List of Suspicious Things, Kerry! It was a favourite of mine this month and even so far for my reads on 2024.

Your photo topper is beautiful!

My offline life got the best of me. Coming around to say hello! Looks like some good books in May.

Not even trying to catch up to you, Deborah, but just checking in! Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

>92 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen! I did have some very good read in May. I think my favourite was The List of Suspicious Things , followed by Long Island , but they were all good reads. I think June is going to shape up as another good reading month. Next up, I think is the last on the Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist, which I want to read before the prize is announced on June 13th and that is River East, River West. I had two holds come in from the library for me , Night Watch and Enlightenment , so I'll see how those two books suit me. I also keen to read number 18 in the Maisie Dobbs series, The Comfort of Ghosts. My current read To Track a Traitor is very good, so far, so good!

>93 alcottacre: Thanks for stopping by , Stasia. I'm glad you got away to see you mom, even it of course you could not get online. Looks to be a good Tuesday so far.

Good review of The Household, Deborah. Sounds like something I would like. Looking forward to a quieter June. Next camping trip is early July. More time for birding, pickleball and volunteering.

>86 vancouverdeb: I still can't believe this is my first comment in your thread! Lovely review.

Cheers, dear Deborah.

>96 msf59: Thanks Mark. Yes, I think The Household would be something you might like. I'm glad you are going have a quieter June , though I think you enjoy camping very much too.

>97 richardderus: Thanks for stopping by Richard! *Wednesday Smooch*

The Household looks like a good one, Deborah but not available at the libraries I go to yet so it must be recent. I hope you're enjoying the warm weather. We deserve it after the last few days.

Hi Deborah, Looks like you had a good reading month! I'm on my library's hold list for Long Island and keep checking their catalog for them to order The List of Suspicious Things. I know it's not available here yet.

>99 Familyhistorian: The Household is good read, Meg, but as you say, difficult to find. I had read and enjoyed her earlier books, Mrs England, The Familiars and The Foundling, so I ordered my copy from Blackwell's in the UK. My library has the other three books by Stacey Halls so I'm not sure why they don't have The Household at least on order. It was published April 11, 2024, so yes, fairly recent. I have been enjoying the nice weather and today was especially warm.

>100 Copperskye: I did have a good reading month, Joanne. I was lucky to be perhaps the first person to get Long Island from my library . I think Mary let me know Colm Toibin was coming out with a new book , so I put my hold in very early at the library. I ordered my copy of The List of Suspicious Things from Blackwell's, as I heard about from Erik Karl Anderson on his booktube channel and I couldn't resist it. I put a purchase request in at my library, but as of now, it is still on order, and I put that purchase request in maybe 3 months ago.

To Track a Traitor by Iona Wishaw 4 stars

Early one morning, Lane and her husband Fredrick Darling are awoken by a phone call. Lane's grandfather has had a heart attack, so Lane returns to Scotland to visit her grandparents. Meanwhile, in the small town of Nelson B.C., a man, Ben Arden , went out for a late night boat ride and did not return. His wife calls the Nelson police and a search begins. In Scotland, Lane finds her grandfather on the mend. However, Lane's estranged sister Diana has also returned from South Africa to check on her grandparents, but almost immediately disappears. Lane initially thinks her irresponsible sister has just sloped off, but as time goes on , she realizes Diana is on the run. Another interesting and enjoyable entry in the historical mystery Lane Winslow series.

I'm really enjoying my current read, River East, River West, my last book from the Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist, so if you are interested in it, check out your library. It''s fascinating, I think and I am on about page 175 of 350 pages.

Sorry about the dentist fiasco. Hope the fix goes better.

>102 vancouverdeb: I have only read one in this series, but I liked it, so I'll have to get back to this series! Thanks for the reminder. ; )

Hi Deb. I've added The Household to my TBR list.

Well I will have to add River East, River West to my tbr if you’re liking it.

So many good reading ideas over here Deborah!

>102 vancouverdeb: *sob*

I have to go now...I'm losing a lot of ink from being book-bulleted by a TEN-BOOK mystery series....

*smooch*

>104 Berly: I was at the dentist this past Thursday, Kim, and all is well. She gave me two small fillings and said she should have realized that the stain would be a problem. So that's all good. Iona Wishaw just put out a new book in the series, Lightning Strikes the Silence , I think it is, but I have yet to get to that.

>105 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy The Household when you get to it.

>106 Kristelh: I'm finding River East , River West hard to put down, Kristel. I hope you enjoy it too.

>107 mdoris: I'm quite sure it was you, Mary, who let me know about Colm Toibins new book, Long Island so thanks for that. I've been fortunate with my read most of this year.

>108 richardderus: Oh no, Richard! BB with an Eleven Book Mystery series. She has a new book out. Sorry about that. I didn't think of you as a reader of cozy historical mysteries, but since you alerted me to the new Flavia de Luce book coming out this fall, I guess you might be a target.

>110 vancouverdeb: I'm not the world's most avid fan of the cozy, though I'll always bite on a quozy. I like to have the soothing effect of a predictable, repeatable story to make up for some of the more...um...poorly-crafted reads I seem to encounter so very often.

Eleven! Oh dear....

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Colm Toibin's Long Island. As soon as I get caught up a bit with the library books I currently have checked out, I will certainly give it a whirl.

Nice to see the is another Lane Winslow book out, Deborah. I should get back to that series.

>111 richardderus: A good cozy or quozy, is good when in a book funk, or when in need of a soothing read, or just because you enjoy them. At least that is what I find, Richard. Sometimes after too many dark reads , they are just the thing. Yes, eleven! * smooch*

>112 streamsong: I really did enjoy Long Island, Janet and I hope you do too. Good luck catching up on your library books.

>113 Familyhistorian: I did enjoy To Track a Traitor, Meg. I've had it on my shelf for maybe a year , but since the new one came out , I thought I would read it and it was a good read. It's hard to keep up with all the series one has going.

I finished River East, River West and still have not created any comments for it, but as it is on the Women's Short List for Fiction, which I have now read all of , I thought I would mention that I really loved it. Poignant, engaging and so worth the read. I am hoping that Brotherless Night will take the Women's Prize for Fiction tomorrow, but I think Sailor Soldier and River East, River West are also worth contenders.

Ahead of the Women's Prize for Fiction announcement tomorrow , here is my ranking and I've read all the short list , as well as four books that were on the Longlist.

1 Brotherless Night
2 River East, River West
3Soldier Sailor
4Restless Dolly Maunder
5 Enter Ghost
6 The Wren , The Wren

Fingers crossed!

>116 vancouverdeb: I've enjoyed following your Women's Prize long- and short-list reading, Deborah. I don't have that level of commitment but your reviews have piqued my interest in the outcome. I pretty much always read the winner, but might have to read some of your faves, too.

Your reading/reviews have peaked my interest in the winner of the Women’s Prize so will be looking forward to the announcement. I generally don’t care about the Women’s Prize. I have actually read one of these, The Wren, The Wren which I hope doesn’t win but I would not be taken by surprise if it did.

Hello Deborah, fingers crossed for tomorrow's results! Thanks for listing your favs.

Sweet Thursday, Deborah. We had Jack overnight and I will take him home this afternoon. He is fun to have around but runs Sue ragged. She loves it anyway.

Women Prize For Fiction Winner 2024
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshanathan

Yes! 🏆

You called it!! Nicely done. : )

>121 vancouverdeb: Brava for your literary instincts, dear lady.

>121 vancouverdeb: Great news, Deb - the judges got it right for once! As you know I picked Brotherless Night too and thought it much the best of the shortlist.

Well this is exciting! After reading your announcement I went directly to my library’s website to request Brotherless Nights. To my delight there were no holds so I will be reading it quite soon!

>125 lauralkeet: The two library systems that have it here, have long hold queues.

>117 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura. Shortly after joining I began following the Women's Prize for Fiction , but I'm quite sure this is the first year I've read all of the shortlist - and 4 from the longlist. Other than struggling my way through Enter Ghost and The Wren, The Wren, I enjoyed all of the books. But definitely I enjoyed Brotherless Night and then River East , River West and Soldier Sailor the most. I hope you enjoy the books if you decide to read some of them.

>118 Kristelh: I'm also very happy that The Wren, The Wren didn't win, Kristel. I know you are a reader of literary fiction, so I hope you enjoy those you chose to read.

>119 mdoris: Well, the Women's Prize for Fiction worked out well for me this year, Mary. I discovered a lot of great new books and authors and my favourite won! Fabulous, I think.

>120 msf59: Thanks Mark. It's great that Sue and your are so good with Jack. When we have our grandkids over, I think, yes, raising young children is best done when we are younger and full of energy. They are busy but darling little folks.

>122 Berly: For once I called it, Kim! Although I think I was hoping for Prophet Song for the Booker Prize last year and I was lucky then too.

>123 richardderus: I'm not sure if I have any literary instincts, I just know what I like, Richard. I am very pleased that my pick won.

>124 PaulCranswick: Good news.eh Paul! I know you also picked Brotherless Nights. I may have to look for her first book, Love Marriage .

>125 lauralkeet: Great , Laura! I'll be interested in your thoughts once you have read Brotherless Night.

>126 quondame: Too bad about the long waits , Susan. I checked my library system and they have 3 copies, all checked out right now, but no other holds as yet.

Happy to hear that Brotherless Night won because I had it on my radar because you liked it, Deborah! Sometimes the right book wins.

Brotherless Night sounded like one of the more interesting nominees to me, so I'm glad to hear it won. I have it on my library WL and will get to it... eventually.

Now have added multiple books to the TBR pile. And congratulations on calling the prize. Maybe there is an opening on the judging team??

Happy Friday!

Hi Deborah, well done, you nailed it on the Women's prize!

Hooray for Brotherless Night!

>227 vancouverdeb: I'm like your previous self - I read one or two from the various lists but have never read them all. It was so much fun reading your thoughts on the short list as well as the four from the long list, that perhaps I'll have to emulate you and read more next year. :)

>121 vancouverdeb: Now I just need to get it read. I have owned it for about 2 weeks now. . .

Have a wonderful weekend, Deborah!

Happy Saturday, Deborah. Enjoy the weekend. Have you seen the grandkids lately? I may have found a way around my tech issues. I tried the Firefox browser and so far it works fine. Fingers crossed.

Good pick on Brotherless Night, Deborah. Looks like your tastes matched the judges this time. Don’t think that happens often.

>121 vancouverdeb: was that your favorite?

Hi Deborah. I’ve enjoyed following your reading from a distance. Great, that your favorite has been picked as the winner! I’ll be looking for it.

>131 Kristelh: I hope you enjoy Brotherless Nights, Kristel, when you get to it. It is a very good book!

>132 katiekrug: Great Katie. I think you will like it. I think most anyone would enjoy Brotherless Nights .

>133 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen! Well, I am afraid of flying, so even if there was a space on the judging panel, I'm not sure how I would get to London :-) But thanks for the confidence.

>134 mdoris: I was very pleased that it won, Mary. Perhaps you will read it one day ?
>135 streamsong: I agree Janet. I'm glad you have been following my comments about the Women's Prize for fiction and that they have proved useful to you. It would be great to have you read along with the Women's Prize next year.

>136 alcottacre: Well, get to Brotherless Nights, Stasia. I think you will enjoy it. But I know, one gets 'booked up "

>137 msf59: I'm very glad you have solved your tech problems, Mark. No, I have not seen the grandkids for a while. I will have to call William or Serenade and make a date with them. I hope you had a good Father's Day. We did have a big family BBQ at my sister's place on Friday, but Wm and family did not attend.

>138 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. Yes, you are correct, it's not often my taste aligns with that of the judges, though I was fortunate with The Booker Prize last year. I hoped for either The Prophet Song or The Bee Sting and the The Prophet Song won the Booker.

>139 The_Hibernator: Indeed , yes, Rachel, Brotherless Night was my favourite.

>140 EllaTim: Hi Ella. It's nice to know you were following along with my Women's Prize reading. I hope you enjoy the winner when you have a choice.

I'm still reading Lucy By the Sea and I'm not loving it, but it is maybe picking up a bit now. I really loved her book, Lucy Barton so I'm a bit disappointed in this book. I have a lot of other books I'd like to get too. We had a big family BBQ Friday evening, so we had enjoyed that very much. Very sad news about Anita in the Netherlands. I can hardly believe it.

>144 vancouverdeb: Me too Deborah about Anita. I will really miss her.

>145 mdoris: I actually skipped church on Sunday. I just wanted to go on a long walk and let it all sink into my brain. It's just shocking and so sad, Mary.

>146 vancouverdeb:, taking a walk seems like the right thing to do in memory of Anita. Perhaps I can get a walk in today if the rain holds off.

>142 vancouverdeb: I am starting Brotherless Night today, Deborah, if all goes according to plan. Of course, I was supposed to start it this past weekend, but it did not happen, lol.

>146 vancouverdeb: I feel the same, Deborah. I think the shock wave just went through the group, especially among those of us who knew her for many years.

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

>146 vancouverdeb: I don't think it'll be real to me until I don't get my usual dose of Thursday cheer from her. It's so deeply sad to lose her as she was on the cusp of a whole new era of life.

*sigh*

>148 alcottacre: It's a shock even to those like me who had only gotten to know her over the past year and a half that I've been in the 75ers. The news was really hard to take when I first saw it. I am really going to miss her.

I am noticing a lot of Brotherless Night love going on around here. On the list it goes. Visiting threads is a fun time but awful dangerous.

>146 vancouverdeb: >147 Kristelh: A walk is a great way to remember Anita.

>147 Kristelh: I didn't think of my walk as good way to remember Anita, Kristel, but yes, she also loved to walk. I was certainly thinking of her as I was walking. She was such a keen walker and so healthy , so it's just hard to take it in.

>148 alcottacre: Indeed,Stasia, it has sent a shock wave through the group. I hope you enjoy Brotherless Night but I quite confident that you will.

>150 atozgrl: Yes Richard , she was on a the cusp of starting a new part of her life. Frank retiring, which Anita was looking so forward too, and her thyroid medications were almost adjusted to where she was feeling so much better. Big sigh.

>150 atozgrl: Well, I was stunned, yes, Irene. She was such a lovely fixture here in the 75's for so long and shared so much of her life with us. We will all miss her very much.

>151 msf59: Visiting threads is dangerous, yes, Mark! Many dangerous BB's to be had. You'll love Brotherless Night. River East , River West was very good too.

>152 quondame: It is , Susan. Thanks. We all miss her.

Well, I managed to finish a puzzle this afternoon. Ravensburger, 1000 pieces , Coastal Cottage. It was a fun one!

I'm happy to say that my book from Blackwells finally arrived today, The Burial Plot. I still need to finish Lucy By the Sea, I hope today. A good gothic thriller is a tonic for me.

And I see the new Lt Pride Treasure Hunts is up. Anita loved the treasure hunts and she was so good at them. I could always look to her if I needed more of clue than will be given. She is missed.

>155 vancouverdeb: Really nice one, Deborah.

>156 vancouverdeb: I am finding the treasure hunt really difficult this time!

I still have to read Brotherless Night but am looking forward to it. it was a good list this year.

The news about Anita was a shock especially as things seemed to getting better for her. That’s 2 LTers who have dead unexpectedly this year - scary and sad.

>157 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. I had lots of fun with that puzzle. I have gotten 7 of the rainbows so far, but we could sure use Anita's help.

>158 BLBera: I'm quite sure you will enjoy Brotherless Night Beth. I agree , it was a good list this year. Just a couple of duds for me. Thanks for visiting, it can't be easy with a cast on your arm.

>159 Familyhistorian: I thought the same, Meg. Anita was feeling better about her thyroid medication, and gradually increasing it, and Frank was retiring, so yes, everything seemed to be improving for her. And she was slim, walked so much and I am quite sure she and Frank quit eating added sugar some 10 years ago, so it really shocking. Rosalita likewise is missed. It is scary and sad.

Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout 3 stars

I read Lucy Barton several years ago , and really loved it. This was a bit of a slog that I nearly DNF'd at page 175 , or sooner. Fortunately, I continued to the end of the book, and my interest in the story increased. It's a character driven story, about Lucy Barton, her ex-husband William, and their two daughters and others that takes place during the Covid 19 pandemic. I felt that story lacked any real focus and it was slow going for much of the book. Lucy is grieving the loss her of husband, David, and she and her ex-husband move to a small town in Maine to attempt to escape the pandemic. They and their daughter's struggle with love , loss and relationships. I did like it enough to continue the series with the next book, Tell Me Everything.

>159 Familyhistorian: & >160 vancouverdeb: One thing that I do take heart from, Deb, is that the group shows its collective love and warmth at trying times like this. Almost without exception the 75ers is populated with such wonderful people and some of their expressions of fondness for Anita and support to Frank brought tears to my eyes.

Oh by the way congratulations on passing 1,000 posts on your threads already this year. xx

>162 PaulCranswick: Yes, it the 75's are a wonderful group of people who do show their warmth and love at times like this. My heart goes out to Frank as well. Such a huge, enormous loss.

>163 PaulCranswick: I had not realized that I had passed more than 1000 on my thread this year, Paul. Thanks for keeping track of the stats.

I only learned of Anita's death this morning and am still feeling pretty shocked, especially considering Julia's very recent passing. Sad times.

>161 vancouverdeb: I liked this one but didn't love it but, like you, I'm looking forward to the next one.

>155 vancouverdeb: What a happy puzzle picture!

>161 vancouverdeb: I liked Lucy by the Sea more than you did, Deborah. I had completely forgotten about Tell me Everything. It looks like it will be released in September so I will watch for availability at my library. Thanks very much for the reminder!

I also liked Lucy more than you, Deborah. Glad to hear you hung in there and finished it. Looking forward to Tell Me Everything.

>155 vancouverdeb: I like the puzzle Deborah. I a what I call my girls (daughter and 2 granddaughters) did an eeboo puzzle last week. So impressed with the quality of that puzzle. It was 1000 pieces but easy to do so we got it done in a day.

Thanks for the reminder about Tell Me Everything. I have put a request to the library for it as I do like her books very much. Sorry that your most recent reading of hers didn't work for you!

>161 vancouverdeb: Unlike so many others among our friends, I am in line with your ideas about the book.

We'll keep it our little private jest, eh what? Watch others lovin' on Lucy from afar.

>155 vancouverdeb: My mother loves the Ravensburger puzzles. I buy her the large format ones.

>161 vancouverdeb: I have yet to read any of the books in that series, but they are in the BlackHole. One of these days. . .

>157 EllaTim: >160 vancouverdeb: Oddly, I didn't have a lot of trouble with this month's Treasure Hunt. The Pride Month hunt last year gave me a lot of fits, so I thought this one would be more difficult than it turned out to be. However, I am stuck on #7. It obviously refers to a work I am completely unfamiliar with, and multiple Google searches have not helped. Nor have any hints in the hunt thread. I might have to give up this time and not complete all the clues.

>172 atozgrl: I did get #7, It is a list, if that helps

>165 Copperskye: Indeed, Joanne, sad times. Dave also lost a former colleague last week, as Dave has retired. The poor man was just a year away from retirement, and and he was killed on the way to work. He was riding a motorcycle, and got knocked off somehow - perhaps hit a car or was rear -ended and the rear wheels of a semi truck rolled over him. Very sad. Yes, I felt Lucy by the Sea was okay in the end, but the first 175 pages were a slog for me.

>166 lauralkeet: I think most people liked Lucy By The Sea more than I did , Laura, but I have put a hold on Tell Me Everything at my library. I think it is out in September.

>167 msf59: I am glad I finished Lucy by the Sea because more than once I considered DNF-ing it in the first while. The next is out in September. I'm looking forward to it and I hope it more list Lucy Barton, in that I gave that book 4. 5 stars ,which is a very good read for me.

>168 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel, I had fun with that puzzle. I'm working on a 500 piece puzzle right now - just slowly when I get time. Which Eeboo puzzle did you and your girls do ? I love Eeboo puzzles too! In fact, I have two on the way to me right now.

>169 mdoris: It was too bad that Lucy By The Sea didn't work so well for me. I put a hold on Tell Me Everything today from the library. I hope you enjoyed the heat today, Mary. At least Poppy and I felt it was warm , especially Poppy.

>170 richardderus: It a relief that you validate my feelings about that book, Richard. I think we might have quite a few " secret dislikes" in common. I don't really care for poetry , nor Margaret Atwood either , among other things.
>171 alcottacre: I really love Ravensburger puzzles too, Stasia, It's great that you buy the XL format for her. I have offered to purchase my mom a puzzle, or even do one with her, but she says she is not interested.

>172 atozgrl: I now have 8 of the clues, Irene.I did get number 7. I can't think of a helpful clue, other than it is a movie and I used google to find it, as I had never heard of it either. I'm stuck on numbers 4 and 5 , among others.

>173 quondame: I think ,Susan, that either you or Irene are mixed up with the number of the clue. It is confusing, as I have to keep switching back and forth myself to the treasure hunt and trying to remember with clue goes with with each answer. Thanks for trying!

>176 vancouverdeb: For each treasure hunt I open a new window for the hunt and a tab for each clue, and usually an extra tab here or there for searches. When I'm done I record everything. This time I got 2 without seeing the banners so I had to back up to get the right page, but only one, 11, caused me major confusion and that was because in spite of the clue wording, I didn't get that the solution was a tag match.

>177 quondame: Clue 11 I did manage to get, but then I am Canadian. I can't remember if it was a tag - I'll have to go and check. I guess it must be, since you recall. I think on number 8 I tried it twice and did not see a banner, but it was there today. Thanks for the strategy clues, Susan.

>175 vancouverdeb:, We did “Alchemist Cabinet”. It was 1000 pieces. Not hard. And I do love the intensity of the colors. I also picked up “The World of Dracula” by Adam Simpson which I plan to do in October. https://us.laurenceking.com/products/the-world-of-dracula.

>155 vancouverdeb: Saw this on another site and just love it! It’s really beautiful! How long did it take you? Wish I had the room to do puzzles.

Hi Deb. I don't know if it carries over across Canada but Indigo Books is having a sale on puzzles. Just till tomorrow but I think I will head over there after my doctor's appointment this morning. Just to see...;-)

>173 quondame: ???? #8 was a list. #7 seems to be looking for a work of some kind, book and film.

>176 vancouverdeb: I have googled and googled and googled and can't get any results that help me with #7, which is why I am about to give up unless someone has a helpful clue.

>176 vancouverdeb: Songs are all Poetry - just ask Canadian Bob!

>179 Kristelh: I have the puzzle too, Kristel and I enjoyed doing it. I love the colour saturation with Eeboo puzzles too. The World of Dracula looks good too. For my birthday I was gifted with The World Of Jane Austen, also by Laurence King publishing. I had fun with that puzzle too.

>180 Storeetllr: I could do a 1000 piece puzzle in a couple of days if I wanted to do it that way, and I used to sometimes, but now I might leave a puzzle out for a couple of weeks or more, and just do a bit when I feel I want to do so, or have the time. I use a puzzle board, which you can move to another area of your place, or there are also felt puzzle roll up that you can use to store puzzles that I ( and my family ) used to use. Maybe you have room, Mary?

>181 jessibud2: Thanks for the heads up, Shelley, re Indigo and the puzzle sale. I did check and it across Canada. However, I am getting two 1000 piece puzzles today and 1 500 piece puzzle via UPS, so I may have to show some restraint.

>182 atozgrl: I sent you a PM a couple of minutes ago with good clue, I think, Irene. Let me know if you need more info.

>183 m.belljackson: I had to google Canadian Bob, and then I realized I have watched a couple of his you tube videos. Thanks for the info, Marianne.

>185 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deborah, that was a huge help! Thanks to you, I have finally completed this Treasure Hunt, which I actually never expected to do. I really appreciate it!

ETA, earlier this evening, I thought I should maybe stop googling and try another tagmash search on LT. Thanks to your hint, I didn't need to do that. But when I tried the tagmash just now using the terms I had thought of, the correct answer came up as the first result. Duh.

Happy Saturday, Deborah. I got a couple of Jackson days in. He is so darn cute and so darn smart. Very HOT here. Ugh!

>185 vancouverdeb: Hi - I meant Canadian Bob Dylan! Master of Songs that are Poems and Poems that are Songs!

The other Canadian Bob I never heard of but will also check his videos. Definitely something new.

>188 m.belljackson: Bob Dylan was from the States, not Canada. Minnesota, in particular. Born and bred.

Proud Minnesotan, here.

Karen O

P.s. Although, Minnesota is very close to Canada, in a lot of ways.

>189 klobrien2: Yikes- when I read Duluth, I thought Canada!

Sentiment the same...

>155 vancouverdeb: nice!

>176 vancouverdeb: In my and my mother's case, it is me who is not interested in doing the puzzles. She loves them!

I hope you have a super Sunday!

Another proud Minnesotan here and Bob Dylan actually was from northern Minnesota, Hibbing, not far from me.

Checking in to say hello!

>141 vancouverdeb: I also no longer like to fly although London might lure me in.

>144 vancouverdeb: Sad news, indeed, about Anita. Online communities became quite close over the years. LT is a special place.

>155 vancouverdeb: Beautiful puzzle!

Happy Sunday!

Thanks for posting about the treasure hunt Deborah, I had missed it.

I have been thinking about Anita a lot this week. I've ordered a couple of books to join in with the folks reading from her lists. So sad.

>186 atozgrl: I'm glad the clue worked for you, Irene , and you didn't have to do any further googling. Well, I guess you were close to getting it by yourself.

>187 msf59: Thanks Mark. I'm glad you got a couple of Jackson days in. Sorry for your heat. We've had a cooler than usual June so far, and I quite like that. We have had some warm for us days, but I like the cooler days for my brisk walks and Poppy, our dog definitely prefers the cooler days.

>188 m.belljackson: The Canadian Bob I thought of googled isn't very famous. He has a you tube channel that teaches non English speaking people to speak English. I saw him first here , on an accent comparison video, here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI5btv2VFvk&t=15s , but he has his own channel here , https://www.youtube.com/c/LearnEnglishwithBobtheCanadian

>189 klobrien2:
>190 m.belljackson: I'm glad you sorted out where Bob Dylan came from . He did not come to mind for me, I guess because he's not Canadian.

>191 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel! It was a fun puzzle and I really liked the image too!

>192 alcottacre: I guess we are all different about whether we like puzzles, Stasia, just like books. I have two sisters and a sister in law quite close by, so we all enjoy exchanging puzzles and we have what we call " puzzle talk". It's fun. I'm just taking it easy today. I think we may have to get a new computer, so I am just looking into that and gathering passwords etc. Not that fun , the computer stuff.

>193 Kristelh: There we go, Bob Dylan is American, Kristel. I knew he was not Canadian, but I didn't know if he was from the US or the UK.

>194 witchyrichy: I haven't want to fly since I was 16, Karen, but I have tried about three times, but not since my 21 st birthday, I think. I had a flight with some fairly rough turbulence when I was 16 and that is was turned me , well, phobic about it. Yes, very sad news about Anita, Karen. The LT community is very close, I think especially amongst we 75's . Her loss is deeply felt. Thanks re the puzzle.

>195 charl08: I'm glad my thread pointed you to the treasure hunt Charlotte. They are always lot of fun. I've been thinking a lot about Anita. I think you may have even met her ? She was so kind and just a great presence here, and she will be very missed.

>196 vancouverdeb: Yes, thanks again! I saw over on my thread that you still had a couple that you were trying to get, and I left some clues I hope will help. Let me know if you still need help.

Greetings, dear lady. Have a wonderful week of reading this END OF JUNE and how the devil that happened I do not know.

>200 atozgrl: I am still stuck on # 4 and # 7 from the Treasure Hunt, Irene. I may have to give up on them, I think,

>201 richardderus: Thanks, RD! I hope I do have great week of reading. I just finished a very good book and we'll see what is next. Yes, already the end of June! But I am looking forward to July 1 st, Canada's Birthday . They have a celebration in my city - in Steveston, and it's always fun to join the crowd and take in the music and sights and crowds. * smooch*

>202 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, I'm copying the hints I wrote over on my thread:

On #4, you are looking at library classification numbers, right? It's in the Dewey numbers if you haven't looked there yet. And you have to drill all the way down.

For #5, I googled that one. I may have just copied the text of the clue and plugged it into the search engine, and it gave me the right book.

Added:
Further to #4, if you are already in the classification and having trouble finding the right number, you can google dewey decimal classification for lgbtq. That should give you the correct Dewey number which you can then drill down to in the classification on LT.

Let me know if you still need help.

>203 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. Yes, I am looking for what you mention, but I have yet to find the right one. I'll try again a little later. I did manage to get Clue 5 last night, after reading your hints on your thread, so thanks. I'm still stuck on #7 as well as #4. Anymore help with #7 with your hints ?

The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal 5 stars

In 1839 London, Bonnie and Crawford survive on ill gotten coin. But when a plan goes awry, Bonnie finds she needs to disappear from sight. Crawford helps her secure a place as a lady's maid at a grand home called Endellion. There lives a recently widowed man and his troubled daughter. A wonderful gothic thriller that held me spellbound from start to finish.

Highly recommended .

I loved it so much I purchased a copy of one of her earlier books, The Doll Factory which my library does not have.

>198 vancouverdeb: I think it is pretty much the same with any hobby or activity - there are people who are going to like what you like and others, not so much. Different strokes and all that.

Sorry to hear about having to get her up all the computer stuff. I hope it goes well.

>205 vancouverdeb: You had me at the word 'gothic.' I am a sucker for those. Into the BlackHole it goes!

Have a terrific Tuesday, Deborah!

>204 vancouverdeb: Wait, I'm confused. #7 was the one you helped me to get. I thought you only needed 4 and 5. Is there another one you're having trouble with?

>205 vancouverdeb: Looks good! Onto the wishlist it goes!

It looks like we are back to rainy weather again, Deborah. I was looking forward to more sun especially with the long weekend coming up!

The coneflowers are blowing violently in the wind. We are experiencing quite a wicked storm. Even though it was lightening, I went out on the deck and moved the chairs from the center of the deck to the end, and then I moved items that that were accident prone are
weighed down.

i think of Shetland sheep dog Lilly and how much she was very afraid of thunder storms, The lights are flickering. I hope power does not go out. I planned to read tonight.

>205 vancouverdeb: Oh hell

*trudges off to Ammy*

You, Mafam, are perilously close to getting an "I hate Deborah" shelf in my catalog in "recognition" of how many times you've book-bulleted me.

>206 alcottacre: Yes, different stokes for different folks, Stasia. So true. I do love a good gothic mystery read myself. I hope you enjoy The Burial Plot. I did ! I'm still procrastinating on the computer stuff, but I hope to get to fairly soon.

>207 atozgrl: It's numbers 4 and 7 I still stuck on , Irene. If you have a clue that makes them really easy, that's great, but if I can't them, that's okay.

>207 atozgrl: The Burial Plot was very good indeed, Janet. I hope you enjoy it.

>209 Familyhistorian: We had rain today too, Meg. Yesterday we headed up to Whistler for a day trip, and we had a nice sunny day for that. I am hoping the rain holds off on Canada Day as I plan to head out to the Steveston Salmon Festival. I see the forecast says just cloudy for that day, so I hope that it true.

>210 Whisper1: I am sorry to hear about your big storm, Linda. I hope the power stayed on for you today and this evening. We had a dog many years ago, a Border Terrier named Geordie who was terrified of the sound of thunder and fireworks/ firecrackers. He would shake so much, I went to the vet to get tranquilizers for him. We rarely get thunder, so that is fortunate. Our other two dogs were / are not bothered by thunder or fireworks, which is fortunate.

>211 richardderus: Drat that dastardly Deborah and her BB's, RD! Close to getting an " I hate Deborah shelf" Yikes Richard. I'll have to find some garbage books to recommend so as to keep in your good books.

Dave and I headed up to Whistler yesterday and had a nice day trip together. I took this picture of Shannon Falls. This really is a beautiful, even spectacular part of the world.

>212 vancouverdeb: On 4 I just kept clicking on classifications and going down levels until they narrowed and I hit the right one

On 7 I googled with the most interesting words from the clue.

Sweet Thursday, Deborah. I love the shot of Shannon Falls. It looks gorgeous. Glad to hear you picked up a copy of James. I should finish it today. You should not be disappointed.

>211 richardderus: You, Mafam, are perilously close to getting an "I hate Deborah" shelf in my catalog in "recognition" of how many times you've book-bulleted me. I am quite sure she is quaking in her boots at the thought of that, RD! Lol

>214 vancouverdeb: Beautiful!

I was swinging by to let you know that I finally(!) finished Brotherless Night and I loved it. I am so glad it won the Women's Prize for Fiction!

>214 vancouverdeb: - Gorgeous photo, Deborah!

>212 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, I don't understand how you can be stuck on #7, because *you* are the one who gave me the answer to #7. I'm still confused. If you really still need a clue for it, just look at the PM you sent me.

Consolidated clues for #4 are found at https://www.librarything.com/topic/361516#n8563760, but that's just updated to the 23rd. There are more clues in the main hunt discussion thread. Also, what >215 quondame: said.

>214 vancouverdeb: What a gorgeous waterfall! Glad you got such a nice day trip.

>185 vancouverdeb: Still weird - after getting Bob Dylan mixed up as "Canada Bob"
instead of Duluth Bob, I checked out the real "Canada Bob" on YouTube -
what a fun guy!

>215 quondame: I think I may be too impatient to just keep clicking on what you describe, as I have already tried that, Susan, but I have not tried all of them. But thanks. And my mistake regarding #7, I do have that . It is 4 and 10 that I am missing.

>216 msf59: Hi Mark! I had a nice enough day thanks. Yes , Shannon Fall is very beautiful, is Brandy Wine Falls further up the Sea to Sky Highway. We did have a nice day of walking and driving. I'll look forward to your comments on James, and it looks good to me.

>217 alcottacre: I am so scared, Stasia ;-) I am glad you liked Brotherless Night so much Stasia, as you know, I felt the same way.

>218 katiekrug: Thanks Katie! It was a nice day for Dave and me.

>219 atozgrl: Sorry, Irene. It is me that is confused. It's clue 4 and 10 that I don't have . I'll check the consolidated clues again. Yes, it was a beautiful day for Dave and me, thanks.

>220 m.belljackson: He is a nice guy, Canadian Bob. Very much a teacher and friendly in his approach, Marianne.

>214 vancouverdeb: oh wow! Looks like a nice day trip.

Hope you have a great weekend

>214 vancouverdeb: Oh how beautiful. Thank you for posting your photo of the Whistler waterfall. I'll add to my travel wishlist!

>222 vancouverdeb: Consolidated clues for #10 are at https://www.librarything.com/topic/361515#n8566714 and they are now current. I must have gotten lucky. I did a tagmash search and on that page looked at the Related Tagmashes on the right, and clicked on one there, and got the rainbow. I think the one I clicked on was the first one in the list. But when I looked again today, I couldn't find the correct one, so I don't remember what it is.

I hope this helps!

ETA: I did finally find it again. The Consolidated Clues should give it to you, but if not, let me know, and I'll try to help. Note that the clue says to "mash two things together" so it's just two.

Friday orisons, potential patroness of the as-yet-uncreated "I hate Deborah" shelf.

*smooch*

>223 figsfromthistle: It was a lovely day trip, Anita! I hope you are enjoying your holiday.

>224 charl08: Vancouver and area are beautiful indeed, Charlotte. At I think so. The Sea to Ski highway up to Whistler is spectacular, on a sunny day. Lot of views of the mountains on one side and the blue ocean and islands and mountains across the other side.

>225 atozgrl: Thanks Irene! At last I got all of the clues late last night. I think I had forgotten how to do tagmash search, and I was using the regular search box for the terms, so that was my error that I got sorted out last night . And then for the other clue, #10, I was on the right track and I googled the the dewey decimal for LGTB and just kept looking until I found it.

>226 richardderus: Happy Friday, Richard. I look forward to the creation of " I hate Deborah " shelf. Shall I suggest really good books or garbage for that shelf ? * smooch*

>228 vancouverdeb: Hallelujah! I'm so glad you were able to get the clues and finish the Treasure Hunt! Some of them can certainly be tricky.

Happy Friday, Deborah! We NEED to make it to the BC one of these days. 🤞

James ended up being a 5 star read. Just sayin'...

I hope to bookhorn in Brotherless Night sometime in July.

>222 vancouverdeb: "Why I'm not quitting my day job" and "Christmas" are definite Canadian Bob favorites!

>214 vancouverdeb: That is beautiful! I often think the ski towns are even more lovely in the off season!

>229 atozgrl: They can be tricky, the clues, yes, Irene . Thankfully I got them all.

>230 msf59: It's gorgeous here, Mark! Let me know when you head this way. I think James will be my next read. I hope you do bookhorn Brotherless Night in soon. It's pretty quick and compelling read.

>231 m.belljackson: That is interesting, Marianne. I haven't listened to enough of Canadian Bob to know that.

>232 Copperskye: Yes, I think the ski towns can be even more lovely in the off season. Whistler is one of them , as well as Banff.

My latest puzzle, Get That Cat. Only 500 pieces, but it was fun.

Melissa, aged 6 and Miles, aged nearly 4 years old.

>237 vancouverdeb: Very sweet looking kids, Deborah!

>236 vancouverdeb: - They've got those *Last Day of School* smiles!! Beautiful!
I remember them well (teachers get them, too! ;-)

>236 vancouverdeb: What cuties! Thanks for sharing the photos.

>236 vancouverdeb: Wonderful photos of your gorgeous grandkids Deborah! They are cutie pies.

Wow, that puzzle looks really hard but fun.

Cute pictures, grandchildren are the best!

>237 vancouverdeb: How happy they look! The long, long summer looms. *sigh* Youth is wasted on the young.

>236 vancouverdeb: What darlings! How fast they grow.

Lovely pictures Deborah. Where does the time go?

Happy Canada Day, Deborah, late.

>236 vancouverdeb: Adorable!!

>236 vancouverdeb: Love those beautiful smiling faces!

>238 EllaTim: Thanks Ella, I think so too! :-)

>239 jessibud2: Yes, I think they are looking forward to the summer, yes, Shelley. Their mom is a teacher too, Kindergarten , 1/2 time so I think she is happy too.

>240 lauralkeet: Very welcome Laura, Thanks!

>241 mdoris: I may be a bit " prejudiced " but yes, I do think my grandchildren are especially cute! But I think all grandparents may feel the same way, Mary.

>242 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel . The puzzle was a little challenging but at 500 pieces not bad at all.

>243 richardderus: They do look very happy, RD. Yes, youth is perhaps wasted on the young. They are going camping overnight at fairly local camping spot Wednesday night, so I think they are excited about that. Porteau Cove for the BC locals.

>244 quondame: Thanks Susan! They do grow fast.

>245 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. I was thinking the same thing, how is Melissa starting grade 1 in September ? And she just got her ears pierced ( her choice ) but so grown up! :-)

>246 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel for the Happy Canada Day Wishes.

>247 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba!

>248 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary. I love those faces too :-)

My tummy has been bothering me quite a bit , Saturday and Monday and I didn't leave the house. Sunday I felt fine. So I'm not sure if I have a bug or have some sort of food intolerance. I'm going to try a " low FodMap diet " for a while and see if that helps. So I may not be on LT too much over the next day or two as I sort out my tummy troubles. Fingers crossed. It may be a bug, I'm not sure.

Here is link to a low fodmap diet. I'm not sure that is the problem, but I'm going to try it for a while. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22466-low-fodmap-diet

>253 vancouverdeb: Oh no! I hope it passes quickly whatever its origin. Take good care, your health matters to more than you and Dave.

>236 vancouverdeb: Super cute!

Sorry you aren't feeling well, Deborah. I hope for a quick rebound.

Feel better soon, Deb!

>236 vancouverdeb: Very cute grandchildren!

>253 vancouverdeb: I hate to hear that you are not feeling well. Especially since it meant that you missed a visit with the grandkids. I hope you are able to sort out the stomach problems and get well soon!

>236 vancouverdeb: Those smiles! They both look so sweet!

I hope you're feeling better soon, Deborah!

Sorry you're not feeling well Deborah. My issues in the same area get worse with stress. In case you are the same, hope you can take it gently over the next few days.

Get well soon, Deborah.

Hope you feel better soon, Deborah!

>254 vancouverdeb: Interesting! I hope it helps you figure out what’s going on. I did an elimination diet a few years ago, and it was helpful, but I’ve slowly gone back to eating whatever. May be time to do it again. Good luck!

Hope you get your tummy issues identified and sorted quickly :)

>214 vancouverdeb: Gorgeous! It is so great that you take advantage of the beautiful world around you!

>254 vancouverdeb: Sending along healing thoughts. Hope your plan works.

>235 vancouverdeb: Only 500 pieces, but it was fun. The "fun" part is all that matters, isn't it?

>236 vancouverdeb: Oh, they are adorable, Deborah! Proud grandma :)

Hope you are feeling better now!

>255 richardderus: Thanks Richard, That is so kind of you. I have been sticking to my Low Fodmap diet and I am feeling much better.

>256 msf59: I think they are very cute, too, Mark.

>257 jessibud2: Thanks , I am feeling better, Shelley!

>258 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. I did feel quite - very awful for about 6- 7 days , but knock on wood, this Low Fod Map diet seems to working. I was very sorry to miss the visit with our grandkids. I'll see if I can arrange another visit soon.

>259 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. I am relieved to feeling better.

>260 charl08: Charlotte, I'm sorry to read that you get similar problems. This was a first for me, and very uncomfortable. I didn't leave the house for about 5 days. I hope you to can resolve your problems.

>261 EllaTim: Thanks so much, Ella

>262 katiekrug: Thanks Katie, and thankfully I am feeling better.

>263 Storeetllr: This Low Fod Map Diet seems to working for me, Mary. I know a couple of people who went on this elimination diet , and for one of the people, she told me it was a huge help . I'm not sure about the other person. But it seems to be working for me, so I will stick to it. It's not that bad. I can still have chocolate on it, so that's big plus.

>264 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba. It seems that I have gotten my tummy issues sorted out and I am very grateful for that.

>265 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen. It really is beautiful around here. I am always glad to enjoy it. Yes, the plan seems to be working.

>266 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia. Yes, fun is the main thing with jigsaw puzzles. I've ordered another two jigsaw puzzles -shhh! :-) Yes, they are adorable! Thanks!

The Framed Women of Ardemore House: A Novel byBrandy Schillace 2.5 stars

A brief synopsis from the publisher :

"An abandoned English Manor. A peculiar missing portrait. A deviously clever murder mystery".

I cannot recommend this book. I chose it at the library, thinking that the premise sounded very interesting. Unfortunately I found it very slow going, the ending convoluted, and I was happy to be finished this read.

My current read, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is excellent, by contrast, so I can certainly recommend it. It's by the author of Long Bright River, which I really liked. I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I expect to finish it soon.

I'm glad the elimination diet is working for you, Deborah.

>272 vancouverdeb: I'm also happy to see your take on The God of the Woods. My library should have copies soon and I'm #4 on the list. Woo hoo!

Hi, Deborah. Glad to hear you are feeling better. I am also happy to see that you are enjoying The God of the Woods. Another one for the list. Hard to keep up with you, my friend.

Congrats on dumping those stomach troubles, Deb! Whew!

I'm also glad to hear you are feeling better. I have similar bouts when I have eaten various items mostly nuts and cheese. Thank for the fodmap link you've provided. It was interesting but I think it would be quite challenging to me as I am working on becoming plant-forward sorta-vegetarian. My DIL suggested I drink Kombucha when my stomach is a bit off, and this seems to work for me. Have you ever tried it?

Long Bright River is waiting for me at the library.

>268 vancouverdeb: I am so glad to hear that the FodMap diet is working for you and you feel better. I had never heard of this before, so it was interesting to read about it. If I ever start having problems, I'll know what to try.

>270 vancouverdeb: More puzzles! I'm sure they're good ones, you always seem to find some really interesting puzzles to assemble.

>273 lauralkeet: I am really glad this elimination diet is working for me too, Laura. What a relief! I am glad you'll soon be able to read The God of the Woods. I think I was first on the hold list at my library, so that was great.

>274 msf59: I am nearly finished and really enjoying The God of the Woods, Mark. Hard to keep up with me ? Haha! You've read over 75 books so far this year, and I am doddliing along at just about 29 books.

>275 jessibud2: Whew is right, Shelley. I'm glad the diet is working for me. It's warm / hot here today.

>276 streamsong: Janet, no I have never tried Kombucha before. I have seen it at the stores. I can understand that if you are vegetarian or vegan, the low Fodmap diet would be very hard to follow. In fact , the book I have says to consult a dietician if you are vegan or vegetarian. I think I may make some cornbread ( gluten free ) or some gluten free chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. I am feeling a bit hungry on the diet, though I certainly need to lose some weight. It's not actually gluten that is the problem, but rather wheat. But if you cut out gluten, you will cut out wheat. Enjoy Long Bright River .

>277 atozgrl: I was lucky to have heard of the low fodmap diet, so it was something I thought to try after a couple of days of pretty rotten stomach trouble. So I am very glad I knew to try it, Irene. I search fairly hard for good puzzles, as I have done so many, thanks, Irene.

Hello Deborah, my friend! So glad to know that you are feeling much better.

Glad you’re feeling better Deborah.

Puzzles: I* did another eeboo puzzle; The Alchemist’s Home. It was pretty easy. Just did Audobon Creative Birding, https://www.masterpiecesinc.com/products/audubon-creative-birding-300pc-ezgrip-p.... Just 300 pieces and they were Large. It was still fun. Next up bluekazoon, 1000, Starry Wave. I think it will be hard. https://bluekazoo.games/products/van-gogh-starry-night-hokusai-great-wave-art-ma...

>270 vancouverdeb: I ordered another one for me to take with me at the end of the week when I visit my mother :)

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Glad you are feeling better! Hope the Fodmap diet (or something!) helps. : )

Cute grankids!!!

Hi Deborah, I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better. I also loved Long Bright River and recently got myself a copy of The God of the Woods so it's great to hear that you enjoyed it. I don't know when I will get to it but it's one that I am looking forward to!

>281 Kristelh: Thanks Mary. I'm glad you are enjoying your time with your daughter and her family right now! Great to hear!

>282 alcottacre: Oh! I'll have to come by your thread and ask you which puzzle you chose for your mom, Stasia!

>283 Berly: Yes, Kim, this Fodmap diet has really helped! I have the odd cheat food, but what a difference. I'm really grateful. Thanks re our grandkids. We think they are very cute too!

>284 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy! Thanks for stopping by. I have to get to your thread soon. Yes, it was Long Bright River that drew me to The God of The Woods, and both were excellent reads. I know how fast your read so I am sure you will get to The God of The Woods soon. I was lucky to be the first person at the library to get my copy.

Please follow me to my next thread.