Deborah (vancouverdeb) reads in 2024 Thread 6

Melissa and Miles, First Day at School, Grade 1 and preschool.

I'm Deborah, 41years 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, 4. 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 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
30) The Coast Road by Alan Murrin, M, Irish, mine, 5 stars
31)The Briar Club by Kate Quinn, F, American, mine, 4 stars
32)The Spoiled Heart: A novel by Sunjeev SahotaM, UK, 5 stars

August

33) My Friends by Hisham Matar, M, American , mine, 4.5 stars
34)This Strange, Eventful History by Claire Messud, F, American, library 3 stars
35)The Safekeep by Yael van Wouden, F, library,Israeli/ Dutch, 3.5 stars
36)The Story Collector by Evie Woods,F, mine, Irish, 3.5 stars
37)Enlightenment by Sarah Perry, F, mine, UK, 2.5 stars

September

38) Death At The Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson, library, F, British, 3.5 stars
39)Stillwater by Darcie Friesen Hossack , mine, F, Canadian 4.5 stars
40)What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley , library , M, Canadian, 5 stars
41)The Laundryman's Boy by Edward Y. C. Lee library, M, Canadian, 3 stars
42)Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers, library, F, UK, 4 stars
43) In Winter I Get Up at Night, library, F, Canadian, 4 stars

October

44) Death at the Sanatorium: A Mystery by Ragnar Jonasson , mine, M, Iceland, 4 stars
45) Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, new, M, USA, 3 stars
46) Girls Who Lie by Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir, ROOT, Iceland, 3.5 stars
47)Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers, new, F, UK, 4 stars
48)The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke, new , F, UK, 4 stars

November

49)James by Percival Everett, mine, M, USA,

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
My Friends by Hisham Matar George Orwell Prize Winner 2024, Book Prize Longlist 2024
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud, Booker Prize Longlist 2024
The Safekeep by Yael van wouden , Booker Prize Longlist 2024
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry , Booker Prize Longlist 2024
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers, Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist, 2021
In Winter I Get Up at Night by Jane Urquhart, Giller Prize Longlist, 2024
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finnby Mark Twain, 1001 Books to Read Before We Die
James by Percival Everett, Booker Prize Shortlist 2024

Currently Reading

James by Percival Everett

Welcome all to my new thread! Drop a star, lurk, delurk, what suits you. Thanks for stopping by!

Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson 3.5 stars

Private Investigator Jackson Brodie is called to a small town in Yorkshire to investigate the theft of a painting. At the same time, D.C. Reggie Chase is looking into the theft of another painting in the same area, from the now downtrodden country pile, Burton Makepeace. A murder mystery weekend is planned at wing of Burton Makepeace, Rook Hall. The owners hope to make money from this to support Burton Makepeace. A snowstorm happens, and the guests are trapped at Rook Hall, along with Jackson Brodie, Reggie Chase, a local vicar who has lost his speech , a former military man, who lost his leg in battle, and an acting troupe.

A fun murder mystery but I felt there were too many characters and the plot was overly convoluted . Nevertheless, an enjoyable read.

Stillwater by Darcie Friesen Hossack 4.5 stars

I read Mennonites Don't Dance by the same author some years ago, and loved it, so I was delighted to discover that she has a new novel out.

Lizzy and Zach are the two children of Daniel and Marie. Daniel is a Seventh Day Adventist adherent, and Marie has converted from her Mennonite faith. The family lives in Kelowna, but as Covid comes into society, Daniel believes this is the time to move to a SDA commune elsewhere in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Daniel is opposed to vaccines and masks. He is fairly rigid and angry man. Meanwhile daughter Lizzy is very interested in pursuing an education in the Sciences.

Eventually Daniel convinces / forces his family to move to the strict SDA commune, Stillwater. Lizzy is the most unhappy, struggling with the rigid rules, the fact that she cannot continue any further education. A new threat causes Lizzy to escape Sillwater, with her brother and mother.

Tense, fascinating, and heartrending, this was an excellent read.

Happy new thread Deborah!

>15 quondame: Thanks , Susan!

Happy new thread, Deb. Love the topper! Both of them look tall! And so sweet to see them so happy to be heading to school! (says this former teacher! ;-)

Happy new thread, Deborah!

Happy new thread, Deborah. Aren't grandchildren great!? The only problem is that they grow up too fast.

I am looking forward to the new Atkinson and Stillwater sounds good as well.

Happy new thread, Deborah!

Oooh, I didn't know there was a new Alan Bradley out....

>4 vancouverdeb: adorable grandchildren, Deborah. They can be such a blessing.

Happy new thread, Deborah! Reading the new Jackson Brody as well as the latest Alan Bradley sounds wonderful!

>17 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley! Melissa is especially tall for her age, I think Miles is about average height. Yes, they both had a good first day at school, which is great! They are both at the same school, a private Christian School, so it will mean less driving .

>18 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel! Some good reading already this September.

>19 BLBera: Stillwater was a great read, Beth. It's Canadian and so you might have trouble finding it at a library there. The Kate Atkinson was fun one .

>20 katiekrug: Thanks Katie! I wouldn't have know there was a new Alan Bradley out either, but Richard mentioned it on his thread quite a few months ago, so I was first in the hold line at my library. It's is fun so far! I do love Flavia and her buddies, like Mrs Mullet and Dogger.

>21 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba. My grandparents were a real blessing to me, and I think likewise I was to them. Yes, grandchildren are special.

>22 Familyhistorian: I was lucky to get in the hold queue at the library quite a few months ago, Meg, for both the Jackson Brodie and the new Alan Bradley, so I am very happy to have both to read.

Hello Deborah. Love the photo of Melissa and MIles all ready for their first day of school. They are cutie-pies! Happy new thread. Great reading going on over here!

Happy September, Deborah and happy new thread!

>1 vancouverdeb: Pretty!
>2 vancouverdeb: Adorable!

Happy new thread, Deborah.

Hi Deborah! Happy new thread.

Your grandchildren look very sweet in that picture. And good for them, they can go to school together.

Happy reading.

Happy new thread, Deborah! >2 vancouverdeb: Great shot of the grandkids! They look so happy. And it's back-to-school time again.

>14 vancouverdeb: I read Mennonites Don't Dance years ago and loved it too. I must get her new book!

Just double checked, yes I read it in 2012 and gave it 5 stars!

Happy new thread, Deb.

>1 vancouverdeb: Happy new thread!

It seems that the autumn colours are arriving earlier this time.

>2 vancouverdeb: How adorable!

>11 vancouverdeb: I just finished that one as well. It is always a great cozy series to read

Stopping back to say; love the topper, so pretty. And those grandchildren are adorable. They look excited to be going to school. I read through your list of books, so many inspirations. Have a good weekend.

Happy new thread Deborah. Cute photo of your grandkids.

Happy new thread, Deborah!

Happy new thread! Love the topper and love the grandkids even more!

Checking in on your new thread, Deborah! I love the picture of your grands up top.

>25 mdoris: Thanks Mary! Of course I might be a little biased, but I think Melissa and Miles are very adorable too. I am so happy that there were no tears for back to school. Melissa is well adapted, but this was Miles start on full day preschool. I know he used to cry at his former preschool when he was younger so it's great that he is happy.

>26 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda!

>27 richardderus: Thanks Richard! I think they are very cute too! * smooch*

>28 EllaTim: Thanks Ella! I think it is great that Melissa and Miles can go to the same school. It's a private Christian school, so that is why Miles at preschool at the same place Melissa is in grade 1, as usually preschool is somewhere separate from " real school. Their two cousins are at the same school, so it's a nice family thing, I guess.

>29 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. I know my son said he is happy they are back to school and I am sure my DIL is too. Now they have a little peace during the day.

>30 mdoris: I sure hope you enjoy Stillwater, Mary. I really loved it, and yes, I loved Mennonites Don't Dance too. I was so pleased to discover she has a new book out.

>31 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! Get reading from the Booker Long list if you haven't already! :-)

>32 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita! I'm enjoying What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust very much. Such a long title, I have to look it up each time. I love that cozy series too.

>33 Kristelh: I know you are reading books from the Booker Long list too, Kristel. I'll have to come and check your thread. But yes, there are books not from the Booker Long list that are great - maybe better.

>34 humouress: Thanks Nina! I'm guess you are back from you trip ? I hope it has been enjoyable.

>35 drneutron: Thanks Jim!

>36 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen! I'm glad you like the topper and the the grand-kids even more.

>37 alcottacre: Hi Stasia! I need to get over to your thread and see what you have been reading. I know how fast you read.

Happy new thread!

A very belated happy new thread, Deborah.

>24 vancouverdeb: Good timing on putting in those holds, Deborah. I can wait on the latest Alan Bradley because I stalled out on reading the series so have a few books to catch up with there. I hope you are enjoying it.

>43 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel!

>44 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Thanks for the new thread wishes!

>45 Familyhistorian: I feel fortunate to have put the holds on yes, Meg. I am really enjoying the latest Alan Bradley,though my reading pace seems a little slower the past few days . Certainly not a reflection of the books, just walking a bit further and busy with family etc .

Hi, Deborah. Also feeling like the reading pace is letting up. August was so good, I guess it is to be expected, plus so many things return to the schedule in September. At least my grass has slowed up too!

>42 vancouverdeb: I have been doing a lot of reading (despite my lack of sleeping), but not a lot of completing books. I am reading quite a few large ones currently.

I hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Hi Deborah and a latish Happy New Thread! Wonderful photo of the grands - those first day of school pics are so precious; it's amazing how they change over the course of a year.

I haven't read any of Kate Atkinson's mysteries; although I did enjoy Life After Life several years ago. It sounds like another good mystery series.

I'm just finishing The Wren The Wren. Later today I hope to start reading James - yay! finally a Booker nominee -- as my book club will be discussing it next week.

Beautiful picture of your grandchildren Deborah. Glad you have nice reasons for the book distractions.

>47 Kristelh: I think the pace of the threads has slowed a little too, but maybe that's just my feeling. You are right, there are a lot things that start up again in September. I hope you had a great birthday, Kristel.

>48 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia. I'll drop by your thread soon to see what you have been reading. I'll bet you've finished a book or three by now! I did have a nice day - got out for a long walk despite the rain. But it wasn't a downpour, so that was no big deal.

>49 streamsong: It is amazing how the years fly by with grandchildren and life in general as we get older, Janet. I really enjoyed Life After Life too. She is a very good writer . There has been the odd book of hers that I have felt was too quirky for me, but I mostly love her books. I'll be interested in your take on The Wren, The Wren. I didn't care for it, but many people did. I hope James is a great read! I have it, but have yet to read James

>50 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. Yes, I much prefer to have happy reasons for book distractions. I hope you are still enjoying Capetown.

What Time the Sexton's Spade doth Rust by Alan Bradley 5 stars

What an excellent addition to the Flavia de Luce series!

With Flavia's sister on her honeymoon, she is home with her sister , Daphne, her orphaned cousin Undine, Mrs Mullet , the cook and housekeeper , as well as faithful Dogger, the estate gardener and her partner in crime. When a local man, Major Greyleigh, a former hangman is found dead in his home, Mrs Mullet is suspected. She had cooked him his last meal, an omelette with mushrooms. Mrs Mullet had picked the mushrooms herself , and it is assumed that they may have been poisonous. But Flavia knows that beloved Mrs Mullet must be innocent and pursues the truth. This search for the real killer turns up a very surprising twist.

The characters in this series are so engaging, interesting and often fun. I love Alan Bradley's turn of phrase and humour. I very much hope there will be another book in this series.

Highly Recommended

>53 vancouverdeb: Haven't yet gotten to that series, Deb, but I do have to congratulate him on one heck of a book title!

Have a lovely weekend.

>53 vancouverdeb: That sounds like a good one, Deborah. I really should get back to reading that series soon! Have a wonderful weekend. Sounds like there will be good weather at least for Sunday.

Deborah, you don't need to be biased to find Melissa and Miles completely adorable. I hope they both have a wonderful year!

Like Paul, I haven't read the Bradley books, and I don't quite know why. Someday!!!

I came by to say that I spoke to you at last on my thread and hope you'll come back sometime to respond to my response! *grin*

>53 vancouverdeb: I never got beyond the first book in the series, I do not think, because I never cared for Flavia. I may re-try the series at some point though. Maybe. If I run out of other books to read, lol. . .

Have a wonderful weekend!

>57 alcottacre: I'm with you, Stasia. Flavia did not work her way into my affections at all.

>53 vancouverdeb: I’m thrilled that you had such a good recommendation for the new Bradley book! I was afraid to read your review because I hate when someone gives a pan to a book that I’m planning to read! But, aha! you liked it!
The series is one of my favorites, and I’ve read all the books.

Karen O

>53 vancouverdeb: I've got it on my Kindle...now to open it....

Sunday *smooch*

Hope that you have been having a great weekend, Deb.

>54 PaulCranswick: It is heck of a book title, Paul! I had to keep referring back to the book to remember the name of the title. It's very good series . Fun and interesting!

>55 Familyhistorian: Even Saturday was a nice day here, Meg. A little rain in the middle of the day, but it was light. Today has been nice indeed. When you have time , do get back to the Flavia series! I do love it.

>56 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy! I do think Miles and Melissa are adorable. I'm pretty certain that you will enjoy the Flavia de Luce Series. Yes, I will return you thread soon. I'm just heading to church in about 20 minutes.

>57 alcottacre: Gasp! Didn't like the Flavia de Luce series , Stasia! Well, you do plenty of reading and we all have our dislikes and likes, so no problem.

>58 laytonwoman3rd: Oh dear Linda! Flavia worked her way into my heart from the first book. I didn't start reading the series until about 3 or so of the series had been written, and I'd seen them displayed in the book stores, and I finally I had to see what the series was about. Instant love for me.:-)

>59 klobrien2: Great to see you, Karen O. I am glad that my review did not discourage you from reading such a fabulous book. It's one of my favourite series as well.

>60 richardderus: Good to see you , Richard! I have to thank for letting me know that What Time the Sexton's Spade doth Rust was out this year. I thought Alan Bradley had finished writing. I hope there is another in the series. Enjoy it once you open your kindle.*smooch*

>61 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, I've had a nice weekend, yes.

>63 vancouverdeb: I read and enjoyed the first two Flavia books, and I thought they were clever and engaging. But Flavia annoyed me somehow, so I didn't go further. I had much the same reaction to the TV spin-off, Young Sheldon. It was so well done, and I enjoyed watching it, but Sheldon himself was the least of it. I may be a tad strange...

>65 laytonwoman3rd: I am glad to know that I am not the only one who finds Flavia annoying. If you are a tad strange, Linda, I am a tad stranger. . .

Have a marvelous Monday, Deborah!

>65 laytonwoman3rd: I have not read the Flavia books, but as for Young Sheldon, you are *not* strange. There's a lot I liked about that show, but there were quite a few times that Sheldon himself was extremely annoying and unlikeable. At least, that was my reaction. Sounds like it was the same for you.

>65 laytonwoman3rd: Too bad, Linda, that the you enjoyed the first two books in the Flavia, but not the rest. I enjoyed The Big Bang Theory, but not so much the Young Sheldon spinoff. I only watched a couple of episodes of Young Sheldon. I don't remember what about it I did care for.

>66 alcottacre: Thanks , Stasia! I did have nice , restful day, which is what I wanted today

>67 atozgrl: Likewise, I was not a fan of Young Sheldon, Irene, though I can't remember why.

Booker Shortlist 2024

James by Percival Everett
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Held by Anne Michaels
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
StoneYard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

Overall, I feel disappointed in the shortlist. I've read The Safekeep, which I did not care for. I read My Friends from the Longlist and and very much hoped it would make the Shortlist. Held I DNF'd at 20 pages. It was not for me, and I doubt if I will revisit it. I own James and will get to it eventually. I have Orbital out from the library, but I'm not sure I want to read it. StoneYard Devotional I have a hold on at my library, but it is still on order. It sounds promising. {StoneYard Devotional is only available to purchase from overseas, so I think I will wait on that one. My library does not have Creation Lake, and it is not on order at my library, so I may put in a purchase request.

Sigh!

>70 vancouverdeb: Sorry you are disappointed in the shortlist Deborah. James was the standout book for me, I hope you have the chance to read it. I bought the Kushner on my kindle but haven't read it yet. Too many books!

>70 vancouverdeb: Definitely a few surprising omissions, Deb. I thought Matar, Orange and Powers would have made the cut.
I own Wood, Everett and Kushner's books and will get to them soon. The other three are not available in Malaysia yet.

>69 vancouverdeb:, >70 vancouverdeb: I'm sorry the books have been disappointing, Deborah. I admit most of them haven't been calling to me either, although I loved James. Did you notice he's the only male author on the list? This is the largest number of female nominees in Booker Prize history. That's a bit of good news.

Happy New Thread, Deborah. Love the Melissa & Miles topper. I am back in town and very slowly catching up around here.

Thanks for sharing the short list. I didn't know it was out. I loved James and really enjoyed Orbital but it will not be for all tastes.

>70 vancouverdeb: It was a depressing shortlist. Including US writers in the pool's given way to token nods to Commonwealth writers. No surprise there...350MM people make a much more attractive market for capitalists.

I hate it.

*smooch* for being less cranky than I am.

>68 vancouverdeb: Agree re Big Bang and Sheldon

I rarely agree with the Booker List I'm afraid. Haven't read any of this year's shortlist but James is RL bookclub selection for January so do plan to read that one.

I read two of the short list and have Creation Lake on hold and will read that probably in October. The others are not available on free sources but might be available on Audible or Kindle. I haven't checked.

>68 vancouverdeb: And I have never been able to watch Big Bang Theory---it just doesn't work for me at all!

>69 vancouverdeb: I must admit that only two books seem interesting to me to read. Ah well.

I also loved watching The big bang theory but watched one episode of young Sheldon and was unable to get into it.

Happy mid week :)

>68 vancouverdeb: There were some episodes of Young Sheldon that I thought were outstanding. The one where Sheldon's mom gets unexpectedly pregnant, which causes consternation, but then loses the baby was extremely well done and very moving. The problem with the series was that the character of Sheldon was often annoying. But I did like the series overall.

>71 charl08: I do plan to read james, yes, Charlotte, and I plan to read Stoneyard Devotional once it is at my library and I can get it . So far it is not available in Canada. I did really enjoy My Friends but of course that did not make the shortlist. I know what you mean about too many books.

>72 PaulCranswick: I certainly expected My Friends, though I was uncertain about the rest, having read My Friends, Enlightenment, This Strange , Eventful History and The Safekeep. I did expect James to be on the shortlist. I look forward to your booker reading. Stoneyard Devotional is not available in Canada as yet.
.

>73 lauralkeet: I didn't realize that this was the most women in the Booker Prize shortlist ever, no. Thanks for the info, Laura. I did realize that James Percival was the only male on the list , yes.

>74 msf59: Great to see you drop by at last, Mark. I"m glad you had a such a great trip! Didn't know the Booker shortlist was out yet ? :-) But you were on holdiays, so that's okay. Thanks re Melissa and Miles.

>75 richardderus: Well yes, it is a depressing shortlist, Richard. Sigh. But I hope I will enjoy James and Stoneyard Devotional when I get to them. Well, only 2 Americans made the shortlist, so there is that. I wonder if many people actually purchase books because they are on the Booker List or otherwise. I do, yes, and quite a few of us here on LT, but in amongst " regular readers", I'm not sure. But certainly to get on the Booker Longlist does boost sales I am sure. More sucker me! *Smooch* right back at you, RD.

>76 RebaRelishesReading: I found Big Bang Theory quite funny , but not really Young Sheldon , Reba. It will be nice to read James with a book group. I felt that Enlightenment might have been a better read with a group discussion.

>77 Kristelh: If I recall correctly I think you read Enlightenment and The Safekeep, didn't you , Kristel ? I'll be on your thread shortly to check. I think you enjoyed The Safekeep more than I did, but had the same issue I did. I don't know much about Creation Lake but my library doesn't have it , and it's not on order as yet.

>78 laytonwoman3rd: That's too bad, Linda. I didn't start watching The Big Bang Theory until it was into repeats, but I did enjoy. My sister has only started watching The Big Bang Theory recently and she said that initially she didn't get the humour. So, I guess we are all different.

>79 figsfromthistle: Which books from the Shortlist interest you, Anita? It's been a good week so far, thanks, Anita. Other than the short list.

>80 atozgrl: I didn't watch enough episodes of Young Sheldon to remember much, Irene. I'm glad that you found some of the episodes outstanding. The episode you mention about Sheldon's mom does sound moving and interesting. I became unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 40, but then sadly, lost the baby at 16 weeks gestation. That was heartbreaking for both me and my husband, so that might be an episode that would touch me.

Well , for now I am going to just read whatever grabs me and get back to a couple of the shortlist later on. I finished The Laundryman's Boy and it was good enough , I'll write a review tomorrow. I also found a book at the library called Small Pleasures and I'm about 25 pages in and it seems quite interesting , so that is great. I"cracked" and purchased the new book Death at the Sanatorium: A Mystery byRagnor Jonasson, and arrives tomorrow from amazon, so I should find lots to read , all good reads, I hope.

>85 vancouverdeb: I am reading what grabbed me instead of what I planned on reading, too. It is refreshing. I sometimes throw in a thriller that grabs me...I never read thrillers otherwise. Not sure why.

Interesting shortlist, Deborah. I've only read Orbital, which I loved. I do have James on reserve at the library. It's great that the list is majority women!

>83 vancouverdeb: My daughter has encouraged me to give Big Bang another try; we both really liked the Young Sheldon series, but as Irene said "The problem with the series was that the character of Sheldon was often annoying." The miscarriage episode was so well done that I feel anyone who has been through that kind of loss may find it difficult to watch. It made me like George considerably better than I had before.

>85 vancouverdeb: I loved Small Pleasures when I read it a couple of years ago. Very evocative of its time and place.

>88 laytonwoman3rd: Just remember that Sheldon is basically a good guy just doing his best follow the rules of society that he basically can't understand.

>83 vancouverdeb:. No I haven’t read Enlightenment. I don’t think I’ve read anything by Perry. I would like to read Essex Serpent which I do own.

I’ve enjoyed watching Big Bang but not Young Sheldon. Sheldon is my least favorite character on Big Bang but he does make the show.

>90 RebaRelishesReading: Oh, I agree. It just isn't always entertaining to watch that, for me.

Hi Deb my dear, a belated Happy New Thread dear friend. I love the photo of Melissa and Miles on their first day at school and pre-school, Elliott starts next September.

Your Melissa and Miles are so cute, Deborah. I hope they have a wonderful school year. I have done training to be a Reading Buddy in an elementary school and am eagerly awaiting my assignment. It will be fun to be in the classroom again.

I whined a bit about the Booker Short List on my thread. My hopes are pinned on James.

>86 The_Hibernator: Good idea, Rachel, reading whatever grabs you . I read the occasional thriller. I can't quite decide if the books I read are thriller or just mysteries. I have Death at the Sanatorium: A Mystery to read , and I'm not sure if it's a thriller, or just a mystery. I guess I'll find out. I hope your thriller grabs you.

>87 BLBera: I guess interesting is one word to describe the shortlist, Beth, better than disappointing which is how I feel. But I have only read The Safekeep from the Shortlist, which I did not particularly enjoy. I do plan to read James and Stoneyard Devotional, so I hope I like those better.

>88 laytonwoman3rd: I don't think I saw the character George on the Big Bang Theory, Linda. I must not have watched the last episodes. Well, if you gave the Big Bang Theory another try, let me know what you think of it

>89 SandDune: I am loving Small Pleasures so far, Rhian, and I'm about 120 pages into it. I'm glad you enjoyed it too. I noticed she has a new book out later this fall, Shy Creatures, and it's on order at my library, so I've put a hold on it. k

>90 RebaRelishesReading: I actually really liked the character Sheldon. He is funny and mainly kind, other than his quirks, Reba.

>91 Kristelh: I own The Essex Serpent too, Kristel, and I have wanted to read but now Enlightenment has turned me off a bit. I hope it is not as wordy and well, no outer space stuff. I can't say I was interested in the Halle- Bopp comet that featured so heavily in Enlightenment

>93 johnsimpson: Thanks John! Great to see you here on my thread. Yes ,Melissa and Miles are enjoying school, and I think , hope that Elliot will to when he gets there next autumn.

>94 Donna828: Thanks Donna! You have quite a group of beautiful grandchildren yourself. Good for you, getting the training to be a Reading Buddy at an Elementary school. I recall doing that when William was in grade 2 or so, and it was very rewarding. The kids will be very fortunate to have you.

>95 vancouverdeb: “don't think I saw the character George on the Big Bang Theory, Linda. I must not have watched the last episodes.”

George was the father on Young Sheldon. He was actually a pretty darn good father. Mary was a very good mother. They had their hands full with Sheldon and his sister and brother.

I admit it—I am a great fan of both “Big Bang Theory” and “Young Sheldon.”

Have a good weekend, Deborah!

Karen O

>70 vancouverdeb: The only book on the shortlist that I have read is James. The only other two that I can get hold of currently are Creation Lake and Orbital and who knows when I will get to them. I am looking forward to your thoughts on Creation Lake as that one interests me more than the Samantha Harvey book does.

Have a fantastic Friday!

>98 klobrien2: Thanks for explaining about George...I was going to do so before seeing your post. He did not appear in Big Bang, unless in flashbacks (since I haven't seen it, I don't know if there were any of those).

>98 klobrien2: >100 laytonwoman3rd: Yes, that's a great explanation of George. I will also add that he was really good with the neighbor Brenda's son Billy. >90 RebaRelishesReading: And Reba is right about Sheldon, but it doesn't prevent him from being overly annoying in some of the episodes. I found "young" Sheldon to be annoying more often than in Big Bang Theory.

>98 klobrien2: Eventually, I'm going to have to find and watch that episode of Young Sheldon during which his mom becomes pregnant and loses the baby. I don't think it would be too hard for me to watch so many years later, and Karen and Linda, you have gotten my interest in it. Thanks for the good weekend wishes, Karen. So far, so good!

>99 alcottacre: The only book I have read from the Booker Shortlist is The Safekeep, Stasia, and I didn't much like it. I have James to read and I'm waiting for my library to purchase Stoneyard Devotional. I took Orbitalback to the library because it didn't look good to me. So far the library doesn't have Creation Lake on order. For now, I am just planning to read James and Stone Yard Devotional.

>100 laytonwoman3rd:
>101 atozgrl: Thanks Linda and Irene for the additional info re Young Sheldon and the Big Bang Theory.

The Laundryman's Boy by Edward Y. C. Lee 3 stars

Thirteen year old Hoi Wing Woo has to give up his dream of an education when he is sent by his family to work in a Chinese Laundry in St. Catherines, Canada. It is 1913, just prior to WW1 and there is much prejudice against the Chinese. Hong Wing is lonely and exhausted living in this laundry, with just Elder Uncle, an often stern and angry man, and younger Second Uncle, a more kind man, for company. Gradually Hoi Wing meets a young scullery maid, and they as they share a love of books, his life begins to expand.

This is an easy to read basic story about coming of age in Canada as a Chinese person in the early 1900's. Much better books on the topic that I have read include Midnight at The Dragon Cafe, The Jade Peonyand All That Matters.

>102 vancouverdeb: I am sorry that the Booker prize nominees have been disappointing, Deborah. I tried to find The Safekeep in my library, but it’s completely out. James sounds interesting!

>102 vancouverdeb: I remember that episode of Young Sheldon. It was good. Sad. D14 is watching Big Bang Theory right now.

I didn't realize the number of women on the Booker short list; ironically, the only one I've read is the one by the male - James. I must admit, I am often not a fan of the Booker's - I am much more fond of the Women's Prize lists including their nonfiction list this past year.

>107 streamsong: I'm with Janet. I have found the Women's Prize list better reading over the years.

Sorry to see that the Bookers have been disappointing, Deborah. They seem to be popular though, if the hold list for James is any indication.

>105 EllaTim: James does sound interesting, Ella, and I plan to get to it. I'm just enjoying reading some other books for now. I hope you get The SafeKeep soon, though I was not keen on it. But since it is set in Amsterdam, you may enjoy it more than I did.

>106 The_Hibernator: I watched very few Young Sheldon episodes, Rachel, so I've not seen that particular episode. I'm D is enjoying The Big Bang Theory. I did too.

>107 streamsong:
>108 BLBera:
>109 Familyhistorian:

Janet, Beth and Meg, I must say this years Booker Longlist - and Short List has been disappointing this year. Last year I really enjoyed several from the Longlist/ Shortlist , Old God's Time, Prophet Song, The Bee Sting, A Spell of Good Things and Western Lane. This year of the four I have read, only My Friends has been a good read for me. In general, I agree, I also find a lot more enjoyable book from the Women's Prize.

I will get to James since I own it, and I sure hope I will enjoy that book.

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers 4 stars

In 1957 London, Jean Swinney , a single woman nearing 40, lives with her neurotic, demanding widowed mother. She is rarely able to leave home, other than to work as a full time features writer for a local newspaper. Things change as a woman, Gretchen Tilbury, writes a letter to the newspaper claiming that her young daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean pursues this surprising claim, hoping to find the truth . As she looks further into into the situation, she becomes quite close to Gretchen, her ten year old daughter and her husband, Howard. Jean enlists the help of several doctors at Charing Cross Hospital. Gradually Jean becomes more intertwined with the family and is occasionally able to escape her neurotic mother to spend time with the Tilbury family members.

The characters are well developed , and though this is a quiet book, there is a bit of a mystery , and unexpected twists that come about . I could hardly put this book down, and I enjoyed it so much, I can't wait to read the author's new book Shy Creatures due out later this fall. Highly recommended.

>112 vancouverdeb: This was a choice for my ex-RL book group and we all loved it, which meant no real discussion! I have read most of Clare Chambers' books, although not her new one yet, and this has been the best so far. She sets them in the area (and roughly the time) where I grew up so they have an added interest for me.

>113 CDVicarage: What a great book for discussion, Kerry! I'll to look at her back catalogue. Yes, it's always more interesting when they are set somewhere that you are familiar with .

>112 vancouverdeb: This sounds good, Deborah. I've had it on my shelf for a while. Time to push it to the top of the pile, I guess.

Happy Saturday, Deborah. I just got a notice that The God of the Woods has arrived at the library. Whew! That was a long wait. I will start it, after my current read. I also have Creation Lake on hold at the library. Glad I always have something at hand to read. I hope you enjoy James as much as we did.

>102 vancouverdeb: I hope you enjoy the books that you can get hold of. I admit that Stone Yard Devotional looks like one I might enjoy and I wish I could read it.

>104 vancouverdeb: Looks like one that I can safely bypass! Glad your next read was better for you.

>112 vancouverdeb: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah!

Have a super Saturday!

>115 BLBera: It was a fascinating read, Small Pleasures, Beth. I am sure you will enjoy it .

>116 msf59: Thanks Mark. That is a long wait for The God of the Woods! I was fortunate and had my name on the hold list before the book was out, so I think I was among the first to get it. I always like to have something at hand to read too, thus my shelves of books besides the library. I think I will enjoy James when I get to it. I am weary of some of the not very good at all books from The Booker Long and Short list!

>117 alcottacre: I was looking today for Stone Yard Devotional. I think - hope, it might be interesting to read, but it's not published in North America until February 2025! I may have to order it from Blackwell's or from Amazon from a secondary seller. I am on the hold list at my library, but the book is still on order, so I wonder when my library will get it ? You can safely miss The Laundryman's Boy, yes. But if you can get your mitts on Small Pleasures, I highly recommend it!

Well, that's a book bullet for Small Pleasures. I put it on hold.

>120 banjo123: I hope you enjoy Small Pleasures, Rhonda. I did.

I finished In Winter I get up at Night by Jane Urquhart. I was not sure about it initially, but it came together nicely and it was a good read. I'll write a review later or tomorrow, once I think about it for a while. It's on the Giller Prize Longlist 2024.

In Winter I Get Up at Night by Jane Urquhart 4 stars 2024 Giller Longlist

Initially I was not certain that I would enjoy this story, but as the novel unravelled, I decided it was a very worthwhile read.

Emer McConnell is the daughter of Laura and John, and she has three brothers, Danny, Timmy and Patrick. Her father is a homesteader in the early 1900's Canada. The family reluctantly moves from Ontario to small town Saskatchewan. While John is unable to read, his wife has taken teacher training. In 1920's Saskatchewan, Emer is badly injured due to a tornado . Separated from her family, she recovers in a hospital populated by an interesting group of children. There is a child from a travelling theatre company, , a Jewish boy from a farm collective, and a girl from a Doukhobor community.

When the story opens, Emer is a middle- aged, single and an itinerant teacher in rural Saskatchewan. She is in secret relationship with a man she calls " Harp". If you read the Acknowledgments at the back of the book, you will discover the identity of Harp. For me, this increased my interest in the story, whereas I have read that others felt this decreased their enjoyment of the book. During her time in the Children's Ward, Emer casts her mind back to her family, her mother's entanglement with a powerful teacher, and the secret letters kept locked in her mother's drawer.

Some of Canada's darker history is covered in this book. Colonialism, racism and the Ku Klux Klan. Though this story is quiet and seems to wander at times, this was a very rewarding read.

Recommended.

My latest Puzzle, Ravensburger, 1000 pieces.

That is a busy puzzle, Deborah. I need to get a puzzle started. That book sounds interesting. Did Canada have Klu Klux Klan too?

>123 vancouverdeb: - I really like Jane Urquhart's writing, Deb. I have read several by her. I think my favourites might be The Underpainter and The Stone Carvers. I also loved A Number of Things which was the last one I read, not too long ago. Her daughter Emily is also a gifted writer. Her Beyond the Pale was fascinating.

I will keep this one on my radar.

The Urquhart sounds like an interesting read. None of my libraries have it, so I'll have to put it on my Christmas wish list!

Nice puzzle! I just finished one myself.

>124 vancouverdeb: Very fun-looking puzzle, Deb!

True confession: I am now addicted to buying thrift store puzzles (instead of redoing our own puzzles) while waiting for our rental puzzle to come every few weeks. :D

>128 SqueakyChu: There's such a thing as rental puzzles?

>129 The_Hibernator: Oh, yeah! My daughter gave us this service for 6 months for my husband's birthday two years ago and we continued to subscribe (probably forever). I love the quality of their puzzles, the great customer service, and the new, cute mailers in which the puzzles are packaged. This is their link: https://completingthepuzzle.com/ . We love this service so much!

>123 vancouverdeb: Oh Deborah you are tempting me. I read too few books set in Canada plus the story sounds engaging...but I just got back from the bookstore!! Guess I'll just have to start another list:)

>123 vancouverdeb: A "not all who wander are lost" novel, then, Deborah. Those can be a lot of fun to read. Added to my "Oh No Not Again" collection of book-bullets from people supposedly my friends....

>125 Kristelh: Yes, apparently Canada did have a Ku Klux Klan, Kristel, which I was unaware of until I read In Winter I get up at Night. There is not a great deal of information on that topic in the book, though it does play a part. Here is what I could find on Wikipedia about the Ku Klux Klan in Canada . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan_in_Canada . I could not find a concise book on the Ku Klux Klan in Canada.

>126 jessibud2: Thanks for that info re Jane Urquhart. This is the first book I have read by her, so it's good to know what might interest me from her earlier writings. I think you would like this new book of hers, Shelley.

>127 katiekrug: Yes, it's possible that In Winter I get up at Night might be hard to find in libraries in the USA, Katie. She is a Canadian author , and the book is also on a Canadian Prize list, the Giller Prize, so of course the libraries here will have. I'm curious about your new puzzle. I'll check out your thread soon . This was a busy puzzle and took me a while to do. I've already started on a new one, and I got a lot done while listening to Huckleberry Finn as an audiobook.

>128 SqueakyChu: Thanks Madeline. It was fun, but it took me about a month to finish, mainly because I would leave it for long periods of time, but it was also challenging for me. All those small characters.

>129 The_Hibernator:
>130 SqueakyChu: The rental concept for puzzles is a fabulous one, Madeline! As far as I know , not available in Canada . But I purchase quite a few puzzles, plus my two sister and my sister in law all live nearby and we loan our puzzles to each other. I know one of my sisters also enjoys thrifting for puzzles too. And there is also Varage and Facebook marketplace, both of which I use too.

>131 RebaRelishesReading: Just back from the bookstore, Reba! That sounds fun! It's good book to touch several aspects of Canadian history. I just ordered Our Backs Warmed by the Sun: Memories of a Doukhobor Life from amazon as a result of reading In Winter I Get Up at Night. One book leads to another, quite often.

>132 richardderus: Oh, sorry for the BB, Richard. Well, some of the folks in the book are lost , but it is a good read, RD. *smooch*

>135 vancouverdeb: My surprise when I started thrifting for puzzles, Deb, was that most of them were complete with maybe just one or two missing pieces. That was a nice discovery. I have this obsession that I will not take a picture of any puzzle that's missing at least one piece. The others I photograph when we complete them. :D

Glad to hear that you are rereading Huck Finn, before starting James. Excellent idea. Despite reading it a few times myself, I should have done the same. The God of the Woods is at hand now. I will be starting it, in a couple of days.

>124 vancouverdeb: Wow! Quite a busy scene.

>133 vancouverdeb: There is something that was not taught in Canadian history classes. Author Allan Bartley has written a book about this awful history in Canada. I have not read it yet

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday/the-sunday-magazine-for-november-22-2020-1.58073...

>119 vancouverdeb: Oh, wow. I had no idea that the publication date for Stone Yard Devotional was so far out. That explains why my local library does not have a copy, lol. As far as Small Pleasures goes, I can get it through Hoopla. I am just not sure when I will get to it.

>123 vancouverdeb: I had no idea that Canada had the Ku Klux Klan too. I thought it was strictly an American thing. Adding the book to the BlackHole!

>124 vancouverdeb: Nice!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

>137 SqueakyChu: I'm glad that you are finding that most puzzles that you find from thrifting are complete. I find it so disappointing when a puzzle is missing a pieces or pieces, which has happened to me even with brand new puzzles, though not very often. I can understand not wanting to photograph a jigsaw puzzle missing a piece.

>138 msf59: I'm not minding re - reading Huckleberry Finn much at all, Mark, in fact, I'm enjoying it. I'm mainly listening to it on audio while putting a jigsaw puzzle together, which is the perfect combination. I realize how little I remember of the book when I read it as 12 - 13 year old . Enjoy God of the Woods.

>139 figsfromthistle: It was a fairly challenging jigsaw puzzle, Anita, due the it's busy image. No large areas of colours, or not very many. Yes, I did see that book written by Allan Bartley, but it is 432 pages, if I remember that correctly. I decided that was more than I wanted to read, though I am interested in the topic. Thanks for the link.

>140 alcottacre: I'm debating whether to purchase Stone Yard Devotional from Blackwell Books, since it is not going to be published in North America until next year . I'm still on the fence, so many bad books on the Booker Longlist, though I understand most people feel positive about The Stone Yard Devotional, Stasia. I do understand that the Ku Klux was a small , fairly short-lived problem in Canada, but yes, I has also not realized that it was in Canada.oh course, other right wing hate groups are still around in Canada and elsewhere.

Glad to see the discussion of Jane Urquhart here. She is unknown to me (meaning I have not read her) , but I do have one of her novels on the shelf..The Whirlpool.

Our public library has a collection of jigsaw puzzles for borrowing--I'd be sure to get the one where the last person's cat batted a couple pieces under the highboy!

Great puzzle. It looks like it would be challenging. The Urquhart sounds interesting.

>123 vancouverdeb: I didn't know that you had the Klan in Canada, Deb.

I do have the book on my hitlist.

>143 laytonwoman3rd: This is my first Urquhart too, Linda. I hope you enjoy The Whirlpool when you get to it. Our public library also has a puzzle collection, but most are missing pieces, at least last time I checked. I have borrowed some and done ones that had no missing pieces. But yeah.

>144 BLBera: The small figures were challenging,yes, Beth. If you find In Winter I Get Up at Night, let me know if you enjoy it, Beth.

>145 PaulCranswick: I didn't know that the Ku Klux Klan existed in Canada, either Paul, until I read In Winter I Get Up at Night . One of our local universities,Simon Fraser University had The Clansmen as a sports team name, but they changed it a few years ago. Of course, it referred to Scottish Clansmen, but I understand the reason for the change.

>142 vancouverdeb: I think at this point I am going to play the waiting game regarding Stone Yard Devotional. If it shows up at the library, all to the good. If it does not, I will likely order it from Blackwell at that point.

Have a super Saturday, Deborah!

>123 vancouverdeb: Good review, Deborah! And I love the title. Maybe, after winning this prize, the author will get some more recognition outside of Canada?

I looked her up in the Amsterdam library catalogue. This newest book isn’t there (yet), but they have several books of her. I might try one.

>124 vancouverdeb: Fun puzzle, those busy ones are the hardest to do, much more so than the landscape ones, where you can look at colour gradients etc.

Happy Saturday, Deborah. I am so glad you enjoying Huck Finn. I am at the 200 page mark in The God of the Woods and enjoying it very much. I may get to the halfway point by the end of the day. Enjoy those puzzles.

Happy Sunday, Deborah!

>124 vancouverdeb: Just looking at that puzzle is giving me anxiety! 😂

>147 alcottacre: I'm not certain what I am going to do about Stone Yard Devotional yet , Stasia. I guess time will tell. As I mentioned, I am on the wait list at the library too, but the book is still on order.

>148 EllaTim: I think Jane Urquhart is already known outside of Canada, Ella, as she has one some sort of French literary prize, and the Order of Canada as well a literary prize in Canada. I'm glad that the Amsterdam Library system has her older books available. I not read any of them so whether they are good on not, I don't know. Those busy puzzles are challenging , yes, Ella.

>150 Storeetllr: I mainly listening to Huck Finn on audio, Mark, which is working out well as I can do it as puzzle. I'm puzzling more than I might, just to get the book finished. I should finish it later this evening. Glad you are enjoying God of the Woods, I did too.

>151 vancouverdeb: Thanks Mary! Well, I've started on another puzzle and it is challenging. I know some people claim that puzzling in is relaxing, but that is not always so.

I finished reading Death at the Sanatorium: A Mystery by Ragnar Jonasson and it was an excellent read. I hope to get a review for it later tonight. I am off to church shortly.

Death At the Sanatorium: A Mystery by Ragnar Jonasson 4 stars

Told in two timelines. this was an excellent and fast paced mystery.

1983

At a former T.B. Sanatorium, now a hospital ward, nurse Yrsa is found murdered. Less than a week later, a doctor is found dead, which is ruled a suicide. Detective Hulda Hermansdottir and her boss, Sverrir, are sent from Reykajavik to Aukureyri to investigate. The suspects are two young nurses, a doctor and a caretaker, or is it an outsider?

2012

Many years later, Helgi Reykdal , a young police officer studying for his Master's in Criminology becomes interested in the case and , and decides to do his thesis on this case. As he tries to investigate the suspects, he encounters silence and suspicion.

Any enjoyable read , I hope it becomes a series.

>53 vancouverdeb: I read it the minute it showed up on my Kindle and was not disappointed. I like Flavia and have even come to like Undine. This is one of the first books I read: the audio books were very good and I can still hear Flavia's voice.

>123 vancouverdeb: Adding to my list as I don't know much about Canadian history and this sounds fascinating if challenging.

>124 vancouverdeb: Beautiful!

I have started to listen to books while I crochet. It works if the pattern is easy and repeatable.

>112 vancouverdeb: Nice review. I put it on my library list.
>154 vancouverdeb: You remind me that I should read a Jonasson again.

>53 vancouverdeb: Yes, Karen, I have loved every book Flavia de Luce book . I hope he might right another, or more, though I am quite sure he is in his 80's now. I enjoyed In Winter I Get Up at Night so I hope you do too. I'm glad listening to audio books works for you with crocheting. I don't always listen to audio books when puzzling, but when I do, I end up puzzling more since I want to get through the book.

>53 vancouverdeb: Good to see you, Barbara! I really enjoyed Small Pleasures, so I hope you do too. I had never heard of the author and picked it up at the library because why not ? I did enjoy Death at The Sanatorium and he is a good author. I think I have liked the books by him that were not part of the "Dark Iceland" series best.

I finished Huckleberry Finn yesterday and will try to get a short review up a little later today. Shy Creatures arrived yesterday, so from Blackwell's in the UK, so that was a good day. I've already started another book though, so I read will it first I think.

Hi Deborah. I started my Dracula puzzle for October. So far it is not going very fast. Lots of the same colors and the pieces are all quite similar and so it is easy to put a piece in the wrong place.

>159 Kristelh: Sounds like fun, Kristel, a Dracula puzzle for October. I've got a couple of Halloween themed puzzles, but have not started them yet . It sounds like a challenging puzzle.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 3 stars

I had read this in my teens, but didn't remember much about the story. So I re-read this in advance of reading James by Percival Everett.

It was an okay read, but it didn't grip me that much. Huck Finn has a brutal , alcoholic father he is trying to escape. He is taken in by the Widow Douglas, and his life improves. Soon Huck finds he can't abide the strictures of this life and strikes out on his own. He escapes the situation by heading out on the Mississippi River, where he meets Jim, a runaway plantation slave. The two become friends, and further adventures follow.

A story of poverty, the brutality of parents, slave owners, racism, class and morality. There were some humourous moments.

Pets of Palm Springs, Ravensburger puzzles, 500 pieces. I had a lot of fun with this one, and listened to a lot of Huckleberry Finn on audio while I did it. Just now I went to look up the name and discovered a Halloween puzzle I would like. Jigsaw puzzles, almost as addictive as books for some of us.

>154 vancouverdeb: To date, I have not read any of Jonasson's books even though I know I have several in the BlackHole. I really need to remedy that.

>161 vancouverdeb: I have read Huck Finn exactly once and have no desire to ever read it again. I hated going through all of the dialect for one thing.

>162 vancouverdeb: I will have to look for that puzzle for my mother. I think she would love it. Thanks for sharing the picture!

Sweet Thursday, Deborah. I thought The God of the Woods was excellent. She has quickly become a favorite author. I may try The Unseen World, one of her earlier novels. Have you heard of it?

>161 vancouverdeb: Hi - I don't have a copy of Huck Finn handy, but think I recall Tom Sawyer and Jim at the end being a major downer.

I actually like Huck Finn and each time I read it, I like it more. I usually listen to it now. I love that puzzle!

I do not like Tom Sawyer. I can not abide him.

Howdy do, Deborah! Thursday orisons.

>163 alcottacre: I do really enjoy Ragnar Jonasson's book, but I definitely prefer his later books to the first series, which starts with Snowblind, Stasia. I mainly listened to Huckleberry Finn on audio, so listening to the dialect didn't bother me, whereas reading it would have, I think. I'm glad to be of help with the puzzle.

>164 msf59: I thought The God of The Woods was excellent too, Mark, as well as Long Bright River. I've not read her earlier book,The Unseen World. I'll have to see if my library has it.

>165 m.belljackson: I didn't find Tom and Jim to be major downers at all, Marianne. The ending was overall a happy one.

>166 Kristelh: I think Huck Finn is better on audio , Kristel. It's easier than reading the dialect. I'm glad you enjoy it more each time. Happy that you like the puzzle.

>167 richardderus: Thanks Richard! It was overall a good day. We had sunny weather, and that is always nice. *smooch*

>169 vancouverdeb: Tom Sawyer sees Jim in a superior white way.

Have a wonderful weekend, Deborah!

>166 Kristelh: Interesting. I read both books when I was younger, and it has been many years, but I remember that I didn't care for Tom Sawyer much but liked Huck Finn. Sounds like your reaction is similar to mine. I'll have to read Huck Finn again before picking up James.

>162 vancouverdeb: I got 3 puzzles for my birthday recently and can't wait to get started on one. It's just a case of deciding which one now!

>170 m.belljackson: Perhaps that is true in the book Tom Sawyer, but Tom Sawyer didn't feature much in Huckleberry Finn, and when he did , he was positive, Marianne.

>171 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia! It's a long weekend here, Thanksgiving, so we'll be getting together with a bunch of family tomorrow for dinner. Enjoy your weekend too.

>172 atozgrl: I'll be interested in your thoughts on James, Irene.

>173 LovingLit: Sounds like fun, Megan! Which puzzles did you get ? I am tempted this weekend because the online puzzle store I purchase puzzles from has a 20 % off sale.

>159 Kristelh: Why don't you join Deb and myself on Instagram where we always share the jigsaw puzzles we do? I'm squeakychusssssss there. (All of the ss (plural of s?) happened because someone else had already used my screen name when I joined Instagram, and I was mad...so my son-in-law suggested the longer alternative name! LOL

>173 LovingLit: You, too! :D

>162 vancouverdeb: Jigsaw puzzles, almost as addictive as books for some of us.

Right on, Deb!

>174 vancouverdeb: A quick online Search for "Ending of Huckleberry Finn" delivers many interpretations
including Tom Sawyer's betrayal.

>176 SqueakyChu: It would be great if Kristel and Megan joined us on Facebook or Instagram with puzzle content, Madeline. Yes, jigsaw puzzles are addictive. Just purchased two on sale :-)

>177 m.belljackson: Thanks for your thoughts, Marianne.

>176 SqueakyChu:, I found Madeline on Instagram, but did not find Deborah. I finished the Dracula puzzle today.

>179 Kristelh: Gotcha, Kristel! You're not only a puzzler, you're an artist! Wow!! Go to my puzzle pictures on Instagram, and you will find Deb's Instagram screen name in the comments under my puzzles. We always comment on each other's puzzles! :D

>178 vancouverdeb: I have this thing where every time I go to the kosher supermarket near me, I always visit the used book store to buy some puzzles there first. They cost about $3-4 each and mostly have all pieces intact. I go there aboout 1-3 times a month. I try to avoid looking at the books because I have way too many books in my house, but the last visit I bought a $3 book only to find out later that I already read it. I would never have remembered that except I found my review of it on LT. I read my review and still did not remember reading that book. Oh, dear!

>180 SqueakyChu:, I posted a couple of puzzles from the past. I can't believe I never took pictures of my puzzles. That will change! I found Deborah and started to follow. Thanks for the invite.

I hope you had a nice weekend, Deborah. Boo to the returning snow geese. Any grandkid sightings? I am starting Creation Lake soon. I don't think you any interest in this one, right?

>181 Kristelh: Looking forward to following your puzzles. Hurray!

>181 Kristelh: Hurray! I found yours. They look a bit challenging. :)

Hope your Thanksgiving was special!

>179 Kristelh: We found each other , Kristel! Your Dracula puzzle looks great, as do the others.

>180 SqueakyChu: Oh,that is nice , Madeline A used puzzle and used bookstore! I understand purchasing the same books twice every now and then My husband says " Liked it so much, you bought it twice ? ." Not on purpose.

>181 Kristelh: Thanks for posting your puzzles on Instagram. I most often post mine to Facebook now, but I'll go back to Instagram now, Kristel.

>182 msf59: No , unfortunately no sightings of the grandkids lately. They always spend holidays with her family. I was out today walking and no problem with snowgeese, but I've seen on Facebook that they are back in the area. It's just a matter of time, Mark . I don't think Creation Lake grabs me, no.

>185 Kristelh: I did have a nice Thanksgiving, thanks, Kristel. I think there were 16 of us who gathered for dinner and a great visit.

I'm on hold for James and you reminded me that I should read Huckleberry Finn first as I've never read it. Hope you got your walk in today, Deborah. It's raining over here now.

>189 Familyhistorian: I hope you enjoy James and Huckleberry Finn, Meg. I did get out for my walk today, yes. It was nice and sunny in the early afternoon, but unfortunately it had started to rain by the time I got out. But, it slowed down and stopped on my walk, so it was not bad at all. I think we are in for quite a lot of rain starting on Friday and over the weekend.

Girls Who Lie by Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir 3.5 stars

Hekla is a neglected and troubled teen-aged daughter of equally troubled single mother, Marianna. She does not know who her biological father is. When her mother Marianna disappears from their home, it is assumed that Marianna has taken her own life. Hekla has been in part time foster care with a kind seeming couple, Bergrun and Fannar for many years prior. After the loss of her mother, she lives with the couple full time.

Throughout the book , an unknown narrator describes the difficulties she has had with her life as a single mother, beginning in her teens. After Marianna's body is discovered, questions arise to whether her death a suicide or murder. Elmer and Saever, police in the area, begin to investigate.

While the story was a little slow paced initially, as it unravelled it became hard to put down.

Hi Deborah, and happy newest thread.

I did a bit of skipping to catch up – congrats on your 41st wedding anniversary.

>2 vancouverdeb: Sweet pic of the grandchildren.

>9 vancouverdeb: I see you read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in October, too. I read it for my RL book club, having abandoned it while I was in high school. I’m very glad I actually read it this time and know it will help enrich James when I read it for January’s discussion.

>69 vancouverdeb: Glad James has made the Booker Short List.

>123 vancouverdeb: Added to my wish list. I’m intrigued.

>191 vancouverdeb: I've got some scandicrime on the reservation list at the library. Looking forward to catching up with some crime!

>192 karenmarie: Thanks , Karen. I re- read Huckleberry Finn for the same reason. I hope to read James this month. I hope you enjoy Girls Who Lie if you get to it. For me,Death at The Sanatorium was the better book.

>193 charl08: Great to see you, Charlotte. I'm enjoying some scandicrime lately. I hope you do too!

Hi Deborah, I saw you were looking for help on a couple of the clues in the Halloween Treasure Hunt. Have you found them yet, or do you still need help with any of them? I did finally get them all, so I can help if you're still looking.

Hi Deborah! I enjoyed catching up with you!

Love your puzzles and hope you continue to post them here as well as on Instagram (which I'm not on). I have one that I'm going to give up on - which is something I've never done with a puzzle. It has a very large black cat and just not enough definition for me to manage. I'll post a photo on my thread - but it may take me a few days to do so. :)

I haven't read anything by Jane Urquhart. My connected library system has a few of her earlier books, but nothing more recent. I've enjoyed exploring Canadian authors.

I really liked James. I may suggest it to my book club for next year.

>191 vancouverdeb: I've got #1 in the series, The Creak on the Stairs, on my TBR. I expect to get to it one year before I die...I'm glad you liked the book as well as you did because I feel better about just leaving on the Kindle for now.

Enjoy your week ahead's reads, dear lady.

Hi Deborah, I've just been looking at the news about all the flooding from the rain. Has there been any in your area? The poll I was working at yesterday was not that busy. I'm wondering how the weather affected getting the vote out.

>195 atozgrl: Irene, I'm still stuck on number 12 clue, so any info you could give for that would be very welcome!

>196 streamsong: Great to see you, Janet! I'd love to see your completed puzzle! I'll be checking your thread. I'm currently working on a puzzle with houses on it. I thought it would be fairly easy, but it's more challenging than I anticipated . There are large blocks of colour, but quite a few are very similar colours, so I'm finding that a little more difficult that I anticipated. I'm hoping to get to Halloween Themed puzzle, so I need to get cracking on my current puzzle. I had not read any books by Jane Urquhart either until In Winter I Get Up At Night. I'll perhaps look into her back catalogue when I get time. I hope you enjoy her books if you get to them. James is another I hope to soon.

>197 richardderus: I know the feeling of I hope to get to it before I die, Richard! So many books and my case, also so many jigsaw puzzles. I liked The Creak on the Stairs more than Girls Who Die. Creak on the Stairs earned 4 stars from me rather than 3.5 for Girls Who Lie. Thanks Richard - many good reads to you in the week ahead!

>198 Familyhistorian: Minimal flooding in Richmond, Meg. A short segment of Blundell Road was closed yesterday afternoon. I think maybe the drains were clogged. I understand a couple of overpasses onto Highway 91 were closed due to some flooding, but I think they are open again. I was yesterday at Richmond Centre and also Landsdowne and did not encounter any problems with driving. I think I read a house was washed away in Coquitlam, with the occupant still missing last time I looked at the news . I did advance voting on Wednesday I think it was , so I didn't have to vote yesterday. It's hard to say if it affected turnout. Dave voted yesterday and my mom did too, of people I have asked. So far the NDP candidate is leading in my riding ,but it is to close to call as yet. It will be interesting to see who forms the goverment in BC when they finally get things counted which is not until October 26th or so, due to the mail in votes. Seems a strange ways of doing things, such late mail in voting.

I'm just heading out to church, so I'll be later this evening to catch up on your threads. Thanks to all my visitors!

>161 vancouverdeb: I think we agree on this one, Deb, and our motivation for reading it was also identical!

>202 PaulCranswick: We often agree on the same books, Paul, so no surprise. Now, I guess we'll see what we think of James when we each get to it.

>199 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, I saw over on my thread that you have already gotten #12, so I assume you are done. I will say that I used Talpa search to get both of the two you were having trouble with.

It sounds like you've been getting too much rain. I hope that has let up. After having a very wet July, August, and September, the taps have gone completely dry this month, and we could actually use a little here.

Have a great week!

I am 30+ posts behind and not even trying to catch up, Deborah. Just wanted to drop by and wish you well!

>204 atozgrl: I used the Talpa search for clue number 12, Irene. I had to try it twice to find the answer. It's the first time I have used the Talpa search. We did get too much rain for about 3 days, but we are back to sunny / cloudy days for the moment. We usually get a lot of rain here , most of the year. All year round really, but climate change has made our summers warmer and drier than they used to be in my childhood and early adult years. I hope you get some rain soon in your area. I was out last night at a bible study and one of the fellows said his house had been flooded for the second time. Very few places were flooded in my area, but he lives in a more rural area and by a development of townhouses which is what is causing him and his family the flooding problems. I feel bad for those who were flooded.

>205 alcottacre: Thanks for stopping by to wish me well , Stasia. I'm just lazing around today , planning to read some more and maybe get some puzzling done. I had too many days in row where I had to go out each day, and now I want a day to myself. I think that may be a lot of us readers! A day to read and laze around.

>206 vancouverdeb: This hunt was my first time using the Talpa search as well, Deborah. It's a good feature to know.

I'm sorry to hear about your acquaintance having flooding at his house. Development seems to be causing a lot of that lately. The book I just finished on NC hurricanes mentions it. I think communities are going to have to do a better job of planning and infrastructure when they start building new developments.

>199 vancouverdeb: I forgot about the treasure hunt. I will have to see if I have time to take part. Perhaps a few...I love the treasure hunts LT puts on.

Happy rest of the week.

>207 atozgrl: I agree, development can cause problems indeed. On the hand, it's very expensive to live in my city and and housing is in fairly short supply. So, densification is needed. But yes, better planning and infrastructure is needed. He and his family were talking with the City and apparently the city is taking responsibility for the flooding repairs. But nonetheless, and really stress and a hassle. My sister has her house flooded twice in her part of the lower mainland. There, the problem is that her house is low lying compared to the houses around their house. Since they have been flooded twice - just downstairs, they have put in vinyl flooring, so easier to replace and clean up, and have move most things of value upstairs to the living area. Yes, it's a real nightmare when it happens, Irene.

>208 figsfromthistle: Oh the treasures hunts are so fun! Enjoy , Anita. You only need to get two ghosts too get the award, if that matters to you. I do it for the fun, but sure, I don't mind an medal later on.

>200 vancouverdeb: The North Shore and Coquitlam areas seem to have had some of the worst outcomes from the recent rain. Apparently 250 ml of rain fell here last Saturday and Sunday. On Monday I was walking along the Coquitlam River trail when a woman came up to me and showed me a photo on her phone of a man who was swept away by the Coquitlam River. He hasn't been found yet.

I hadn't heard the Oct 26 date for the final results, Deborah. It seems like the results of the election will take a while yet. BC politics are so strange!

>210 Familyhistorian: I agree, Meg, the North Shore and Coquitlam areas did get the worst of the rain. I imagine you have heard that the man's body was found, the fellow that was swept away by the river. I read he went in to save his dog, and while his dog made it to shore, he did not. Very sad. It turns out that we won't know the results of the BC provincial election until as late as October 28. It's something to with not starting the recount on until 4 days after the election and then counting the mail in ballots. I don't understand the thinking behind it either!

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers 4 stars

In 1964, Croydon,London, Helen Hansford is an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital, Westbury Park. She is a single woman in her early thirties who is having an affair with a married colleague, psychiatrist Gil Rudden.

One afternoon the hospital receives a call from a derelict home where there has a been a disturbance. There , William Tapping, a mute, unkempt man of 37, is found with his elderly aunt. Both are transferred to the hospital . Helen and William meet , as William has an interest in drawing. It is discovered that William has been shut up in the house for decades. He has few social skills and appears to be unable to care for himself. Gradually William's sad past is unravelled, revealing how he has come to the be the man he is now. A touching, compelling read that I very much appreciated.

Highly recommended.

My latest jigsaw puzzle, by Enjoy Puzzles, 1000 pieces, Joyful Houses

>213 vancouverdeb: That is a lovely puzzle, Deb.

Love the puzzle, Deborah!

>214 PaulCranswick:

>215 katiekrug: Thanks for the puzzle love, Paul and Katie! I loved it once I was finished, but it a little more challenging that I expected as a lot of the colours were very similar. Now I can move on to a Halloween puzzle!:-)

>212 vancouverdeb: I've heard a lot of great things about this one. Also helped by the beautiful cover! I will see if the library has a copy available.

>213 vancouverdeb: That is a stunning puzzle!

I've had absolutely no commitments this weekend so laze and read is what it's all about.
Hope your weekend is going well too!

>213 vancouverdeb: That looks like a lot of fun. I do puzzles on my I-pad so keep them to 80 -100 pieces. If I had someone to work on it with I would enjoy doing a physical puzzle with 1000 or so pieces but not by myself.

>213 vancouverdeb: I love that puzzle, Deborah.

Shy Creatures sounds like a good one.

>212 vancouverdeb: I expect I won't read it because it's so close to my lived experience here among the abandoned, but it sounds very well-done indeed.

New-week orisons, Deborah, dear lady.

>212 vancouverdeb: Sounds like a book to put on the radar. >213 vancouverdeb:, Beautiful puzzle. Have a good rest of the week, Deborah.

>213 vancouverdeb: love the happy and vibrant colours!

>217 charl08: Shy Creatures was a wonderful read, Charlotte. I am quite sure you will enjoy it. After reading Small Pleasures earlier this year, I was keen to read her newest book.

>218 Carmenere: It was a fun puzzle , but a little more challenging that I expected it, as it had a lot of similar colours. I'm off to get my covid vaccine in about 50 minutes. I have had a good weekend yes, and I expect that I will doing nothing tomorrow as I usually have a sore arm and don't feel well for a day after my covid vaccine, Linda.

>219 RebaRelishesReading: I do my puzzles by myself, Reba. At first I thought it might be nice to do puzzles with Dave when he retired, but I prefer to do them myself. If Dave asked to help, I'd let him though.

>221 richardderus: Oh , I am sorry that Shy Creatures is too close to your lived experience, Richard. That's not good- though this fellow has a happy ending in the end. Thanks, very much enjoying your book graze, The Book of Witching.

>222 Kristelh: Shy Creatures was an excellent read, Kristel. I don't think it is out in North America until November 12. I was eager to get it, so I ordered it from Blackwell's Books in the UK .

Back later, off to pick up some second hand puzzles for my sister, another puzzle addict. Also getting my covid vaccine shortly.

See you later - I just saw you Beth.

>225 vancouverdeb:, Thanks for letting me know. I do have troubles finding some of your books.

Your latest puzzle looks interesting, Deborah. Hard though. Do you ever do any of your puzzles more than once?

Did you get an email about setting up your appointment for the Covid shot at the same time as the flu shot? I only got one for the flu shot.

>220 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I think you would enjoy Shy Creatures very much.

>227 Kristelh: Occasionally I order books from Blackwell's in the UK, and they are not always out in North America as soon as the UK. And, I imagine some of my Canadian author reads, though available in Canada, might not be so popular elsewhere, Kristel.

>228 Familyhistorian: So far, I have never done a puzzle twice, Meg. I should sell some on Facebook Market Place, or perhaps Varage, but so far I have not done so. Yes, I did get an email for setting up both my flu and Covid shot together. I just got the Covid vaccine for now. Unless you have a Covid booster shot, I would think you are able to get a covid booster. I know my sister and my mom and husband all got invitations for both.

>212 vancouverdeb: Thanks for the recommendation of that one, Deborah. I will have to see if I can find a copy.

>213 vancouverdeb: I do not know, but it looks to me like it should be called 'Drunken Houses.' The houses all look slightly tipsy. I like it!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Wednesday orisons, Deborah! Today's book review is of Sister Deborah, which I quite enjoyed. The Deborah in it is very very very much not like you, though.

*smooch*

>230 alcottacre: Shy Creatures was a very good read indeed, Stasia! I hope you can find it . It's not out until November 12 in North America, so you may have to wait a bit. I ordered my copy from Blackwells in the UK as I so enjoyed Small Pleasures earlier this year. My library has it on order, but I couldn't wait. So , your library may get it. Yes, those houses to look tipsy, Stasia. I don't know what they might have been drinking. I take no responsibility for that. We had a lot of rain , but yes, it was a good Tuesday.

>231 richardderus: Thanks Richard! I'm relieved to know you don't regard me as Sister Deborah , as you described her as deeply disturbed. I might be a little disturbed, but not deeply. I finished The Book Of Witching that was a book " graze " from you and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the BB. *smooch*

The Book of Witching by C.J Cooke 4 stars

This was a quick, entertaining and fun read for me. Of course it is a gothic tale about witches, but compared to some of the literary fiction I read, it was fun. The perfect book for Halloween, or anytime.

In Orkney, Scotland, 1594, Alison Balfour is a married woman with two young children. She works as a ' spaewife", my understanding of that to be a healer and midwife, perhaps with some supernatural powers. But she finds herself on trial as a witch, with the punishment for that being death.

In Glasgow, 2024, Clem , short for Clementine, waits at her daughter Erin's hospital bedside, hoping that she will awaken from an induced coma. Erin sustained severe burns while on a trip to Orkney with two friends. When she comes to, Erin is confused as to who she is, an angry young woman named Nyx , or herself, Erin. What happened that her boyfriend has been burned alive, and her friend, Senna, is missing ?

I have read two previous books by this author, The Lighthouse Witches and The Ghost Woods and enjoyed them all.

Highly recommended.

Sweet Thursday, Deborah. I like that Joyful House puzzle. Shy Creatures sounds like a good one. We got to have a Jack sleepover Tuesday night. He was a good boy. BTW- How is Dave enjoying retirement? Dumb question?

>233 vancouverdeb: I am going to have to check out C. J. Cooke's books! Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah.

>234 msf59: Shy Creatures was a very good read indeed, Mark. I think you would like it. Glad you are enjoying having Jack for a sleepover! Dave is loving retirement. I don't think he could fathom working again. He can barely fit in his own daily activities , never mind the thought of the long work days he used to put in.

>235 alcottacre: I have liked all of her books, Stasia. I think they are quite popular, so I hope your library has them.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

"

>233 vancouverdeb: *whee*

Cute picture, Deborah. Happy Halloween!

>238 richardderus: The Book of Witching was good read, Richard. Thanks!

>239 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel! I thought it was good picture for Halloween.

And a very Happy Halloween to you too Deborah!

Thanks Mary. I hope you had an enjoyable Halloween too! It's great to see you posting again!

Please follow me to my next thread.