Klobrien2 Karen O Books and Life in 2024 - Part 8

Welcome to my eighth 2024 “Books and Life” thread!

I've been with the 75-bookers for many years now, and I enjoy so much the camaraderie and book talk that happens here. I'm very glad to join with you all again!

The year 2023 was my annus horribilus; I lost my husband (the love of my life) at the end of March, and had scary health concerns in November. But through it all, reading has been an anchor and a beacon for my life. This Library Thing group has provided me a safe and loving place to be.

I’ve had great reading in 2024. I find myself reading pretty much as the spirit leads. I participate in the American Author Challenge, and plan to continue with them. A long-term project of mine is to accomplish reads from the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" book, so that may guide my reading a little. Current 1001 Books count: 215.

What directs my reading more are my friends here on LT, so keep those recommendations coming!

This is my fifteenth year participating in the 75 Books Challenge. In 2009, I read 94 books; in 2010, I made it to 148!; 153 in 2011; 160 in 2012; 114 in 2013; 92 in 2014; 109 in 2015; 145 in 2016, 210 in 2017, 200 in 2018, 180 in 2019, 225 (3 x 75!) in 2020, 242 in 2021, 286 in 2022, 230 in 2023.

In addition to reading books, I've also discovered the world of Great Courses DVD lifelong learning courses. I love them! Below is a list of the courses I've completed, and I will try to always have at least one course going all the time.

A list of the Great Courses I have done can be found here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/331920

I've also begun some serious magazine reading, using my public library as source once again. I keep track of and read some fifteen magazines, on a range of topics: science, quilting, nature, birding, cats, news, etc.

I read two daily newspapers (St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minneapolis Star Tribune), and I also read a lot of daily newsletters from the NYTimes.

Here's where I'll list the books I read (the number at the end of each line represents the post number where I listed the book).

MY FIRST THREAD:

The books I read in January:

1. Traveling Light: Poems by Linda Pastan
2. A Dog Runs Through It by Linda Pastan
3. An American Story by Kwame Alexander, art by Dare Coulter
4. There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds, art by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey
5. A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pickney
6. The Witches' Tree (Agatha Raisin #28) by M. C. Beaton
7. The Dead Ringer (Agatha Raisin #28) by M. C. Beaton
8. You Nest Here With Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y Stemple, ill. Melissa Sweet
9. The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Hadley Hooper
10. Cat Kid Comic Club Influencers (Cat Kid Comic Club #5) by Dav Pilkey
11. The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith
12. My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora by Yewande Kololafe
13. The Little Match Girl Strikes Back by Emma Carroll, illuminated by Lauren Childs
14. Dinner in One: Exceptional and Easy One-Pan Meals by Melissa Clark
15. Beating About the Bush by M. C. Beaton
16. Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, ill. Julia Sarda
17. Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
18. Coyote's Wild Home by Lily Kingsolver and Barbara Kingsolver, painted by Paul Mirocha
19. In the Dark by Kate Hoefler, art by Corinna Luyken
20. Just One Little Light by Kat Yeh, ill. Isabelle Arsenault
21. Welcome Comfort by Patricia Polacco
22. Zilot & Other Rhymes by Bob Odenkirk, ill. Erin Odenkirk
23. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, ill. Grahame Baker-Smith
24. She-Hulk Vol. 3: Girl Can't Help It by Rainbow Rowell
25. Collected Poems by Jane Kenyon
26. Without: Poems by Donald Hill
27. Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, adapted and illustrated by James Sturn and Joe Sutphin
28. Eve's Diary (short story) by Mark Twain
29. Banned Books, Burned Books: Forbidden Literary Works (DVD Great Course) by Maureen Corrigan
30. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, ill. Robert Lawson
31. Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, ill. Katy Schneider
32. When Grandfather Flew by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Chris Sheban
33. Grief Is An Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith, and Nancy Whiteside
34. Homeland of My Body: New & Selected Poems by Richard Blanco

The books I read in February:

35. Murder Most Royal (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #3) by S. J. Bennett
36. My Indigo World by Rosa Sung Ji Chang
37. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
38. How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
39. A Good Cry: What We Learn from Tears and Laughter by Nikki Giovanni
40. Prince in Comics by Tony Laurenco, 16 illustrators
41. This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America by Navied Mahdavian

MY SECOND THREAD:

42. Hot to Trot (Agatha Raisin #31) by M. C. Beaton with R. W. Green
43. Three Men Out (Nero Wolfe #23) by Rex Stout
44. When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice From a Professional Clown by Kenan Thompson
45. Sloth Slept On by Frann Preston-Gannon
46. Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andraea, ill. Guy Parker-Rees
47. Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
48. Ironheart Vol. !: Those With Courage
49. Cooking My Way: Recipes and Techniques for Economical Cooking by Jacques Pepin
50. So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men by Claire Keegan
51. Ancient Writing and the History of the Alphabet (Great Course) by John McWhorter
52. The Tucci Table: Cooking With Family and Friends by Stanley Tucci and Felicity Blunt
53. Down the Hatch (Agatha Raisin #32) by M. C. Beaton
54. Open Throat: A Novel by Henry Hoke
55. I Wonder If I'll See a Whale by Francis Ward Weller, ill. Ted Lewin
56. Little Red Riding Hood, adapted from The Brothers Grimm by Gennady Spirin
57. Ironheart, Vol. 2: Ten Rings by Eve L. Ewing
58. Ironheart: Riri Williams by Brian Michael Bendis
59. Artificial: A Love Story by Amy Kurzweil
60. Orbital: A Novel by Samantha Harvey
61. My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Francesca Sanna
62. The Diaries of Adam and Eve and Other Stories by Mark Twain
63. Electric Arches by Eve L. Ewing
64. Dream Within a Dream by Patricia MacLachlan
65. The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World by Matt Kracht
66. The Moon's Almost Here by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Tomie de Paola
67. Before She Was Harriet by Leea Cline-Ransome, ill. James E. Ransome
68. Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Steven Kellogg
69. The Journey by Francesca Sanna
70. The Tale of Tsar Saltan by Alexander Pushkin, paintings by Gennady Spirin
71. Before You Came by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, ill David Diaz

The books I read in March:

72. Through Grandpa's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan, pictures by Deborah Ray
73. My Father's Words by Patricia MacLachlan
74. Devil's Delight by M. C. Beaton and R. W. Green
75. Classic Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Valeria Manferto, ill. Francesca Rossi
76. Zin! Zin! Zin!: A Violin by Lloyd Moss, ill. Marjorie Priceman
77. I Am Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Brad Meltzer, ill. Christopher Eliopoulos
78. Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto
79. All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan, paintings by Mike Wimmer
80. Snow White and Rose Red by Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, trans. May Sellars, ill. Gennady Spirin

MY THIRD THREAD:

81. The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel, Vol. 2 by Neil Gaiman, graphic adaptation by P. Craig Russell, various illustrators
82. The Middle Ages Around the World (Great Course) by Joyce E. Salisbury
83. Dead on Target (Agatha Raisin #34) by M. C. Beaton with R. W. Green
84. Three Names by Patricia MacLachlan, pictures by Alexander Portzoff
85. Pretty Ugly (Toon Books) by David Sedaris, ill. Ian Falconer
86. Breakfast at Tiffany's and Three Short Stories by Truman Capote
87. Guts by Raina Telgemeier
88. The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel, Vol. 2 by Neil Gaiman, adapted by P. Craig Russell various illustrators
89. Notes on Grief by Chimimanda Ngosi Adechie
90. Saga Volume 10 by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (artist)
91. At First Spite: A Harlot's Bay Novel by Olivia Dade
92. Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control by Dana K. White
93. Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine by Loretta Barrett Oden with Beth Dooley
94. Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly
95. Cat Talk by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, ill. Barry Moser
96. The Sick Day by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Jane Dyer
97. Your Moon, My Moon: A Grandmother's Words to a Faraway Child by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Bryan Collier
98. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
99. Abandoned Malls of America: Crumbling Commerce Left Behind by Seph Lawless
100. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
101. Saga, Volume 11 by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (artist)
102. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
103. A Commonplace Book of Pie by Kate Lebo
104. Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Micha Archer
105. My Poet by Patricia MacLachlan, ill. Jen Hill
106. Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting, ill. Ronald Himler
107. The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward
108. My Elephant is Blue: A Book About Big, Heavy Feelings by Melinda Szymanik, ill. Vasanti Unka

The books I read in April:

109. The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate, ill. Patricia Castelao
110. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin
111. No Cure for Being Human: (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) by Kate Bowler
112. King Arthur's Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel
113. The Clown of God: An Old Story Told and Illustrated by Tomie DePaolo
114. I Didn't Do it by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, ill. Katy Schneider -
115. Cher Ami: Based On The World War One Legend of the Fearless Pigeon by Meliande Potter, ill. Giselle Potter
116. Ragnarok: The End of the Gods by A. S. Byatt

MY FOURTH THREAD:

117. Answered Prayers: An Unfinished Novel by Truman Capote
118. How Can I Help You by Laura Sims
119. Post-Impressionism: The Beginnings of Modern Art (Great Course) by Ricky Allman
120. One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
121. Painting the Wind by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan, ill. Katy Schneider
122. Life in the Boreal Forest by Brenda Z. Guiberson, painting by Gennady Spirin
123. Oskar's Voyage by Laura Purdlle Salas, ill. Kayla Harren
124. Grief is the Thing With Feathers: A Novel by Max Porter
125. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
126. Field Work by Seamus Heaney
127. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
128. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
129. The School Trip by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen
130. Field Day by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen
131. One Blowy Night by Nick Butterworth
132. The Rescue Party by Nick Butterworth
133. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
134. Something About the Sky by Rachel Carson and Nikki McClure
135. The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, ill. Hanna Cha
136. Gifts From Georgia's Garden: How Georgia O'Keefe Nourished Her Art by Lisa Robinson, ill. Hadley Hooper
137. The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen, adapted and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
138. Jewish Cooking in America by Joan Nathan
139. Olivetti by Allie Millington

The books I read in May:

140. Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Carmen Mok
141. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
142. The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate, ill. Patricia Castelao
143. Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood
144. Hello, Friends: Stories of Dating, Destiny, and Day Jobs by Dulce Sloan
145. Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow by Ted Hughes
146. The Art of Rube Goldberg: (A) Inventive (B) Cartoon (C) Genius by Jennifer George
147. Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen, ill. Quentin Blake
148. Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey
149. Big Babies by Patrick O'Brien
150. Norman Didn't Do It (Yes He Did) by Ryan T. Higgins
151. Mysterious, Marvelous Octopus by Paige Towler
152. The Truth of Me: About a Boy, His Grandmother, and a Very Good Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
153. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
154. The One and Only Family by Katherine Applegate, ill. Patricia Castelao
155. A Wild Swan: And Other Tales by Michael Cunningham, ill. Yuko Shimizu
156. Here After: A Memoir by Amy Lin
157. Miracle Man: The Golden Age by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham
158. A Map to the Next World: Poems and Tales by Joy Hargo
159. How the Birds Got Their Songs by Travis Zimmerman, ill. Sam Zimmerman
160. Mercy Watson is Missing! by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Chris Van Dusen
161. What the Bees See: A Honeybee's View of the World by Craig P. Burrows

MY FIFTH THREAD:

162. Three Roads Back: How Emerson, Thoreau, and William James Responded to the Greatest Losses of Their Lives by Robert D. Richardson
163. A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by Kate Allen Fox, ill. Khoa Le
164. Small in the City by Sydney Smith
165. The Twelve Dancing Princesses, retold and ill. by Ruth Sanderson
166. Odder by Katherine Applegate, ill. Charles Chantoso

The books I read in June:

167. Timbuktu by Paul Aster (1001 Books #217)
168. The Unofficial Ted Lasso Cookbook: From Biscuits to BBQ, 50 Recipes Inspired by TV's Most Lovable Football Team by Aki Berry and Meg Chang
169. The Last Word by Elly Griffiths
170. Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry by Vern Kousky
171. The Sea King's Daughter: A Russian Legend, retold by Aaron Shepherd, ill. Gennady Spirin
172. The Poem Forest: Poet W. S. Merwin and the Palm Tree Forest He Grew from Scratch by Carrie Fountain, ill. Chris Turnham
173. The Mysteries of Harris BUrdick by Christ Van Allsburg
174. W is for Webster: Noah Webster and His American Dictionary by Tracey Fern, pictures by Boris Kulikov
175. Facades by Bill Cunningham
176. Following My Spirit Home: A Collection of Paintings and Stories by Sam Zimmerman
177. Miracleman: The Original Epic by (a bunch of various artists)
178. The Serious Goose by Jimmy Kimmel
179. The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, ill. Tony DiTerlizzi
180. Yellowface by Rebecca R. Kuang
181. The Lake Turned Upside Down: The Story of Unthinkable Tragedy and Incredible Survival in the 1969 Outing, Minnesota F4 Tornado by Sue Dugan Moline
182. After Annie: A Novel by Anna Quindlen
183. Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown, ill. John Parra
184. Madeline Finn and the Blessing of the Animals by Lisa Papp
185. Once Upon a Northern Night by Jean E. Pendziwol, pics by Isabelle Arsenault
186. Me and You and the Red Canoe by Jean E. Pendziwol, pictures by "Phil"
187. When I Listen in Silence by Jean E. Pendziwol, ill. Carmen Mok
188. Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean Pendziwol, ill. Todd Stewart
189. So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell
190. England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest by Jennifer Paxton
191. Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp
192. Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp
193. Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. Hudson Talbott
194. Star Party by Polly Carlson-Voiles, ill. Consie Powell
195. My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story by George Takei, ill. Michelle Lee
196. GRAY by Laura Dockrill, ill. Lauren Child
197. The Guncle by Steven Rowley
198. Poachers Caught!: The Adventures of a Northwoods Game Warden by Tom Chapin

The books I read in July:

199. To Know a Starry Night by Paul Bogard, photos by Beau Rogers
200. Cooking Solo: The Joy of Cooking for Yourself by Klancy Miller
201. The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
202. A Family Tree by Stacy Lol Drouillard, ill. Kate Gardiner
203. Animal Albums From A to Z by Cece Bell
204. Too Many Golems by Jane Yolen, ill. Maya Shleifer
205. Shy Willow by Cat Min
206. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willem
207. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
208. Antarctica by Claire Keegan
209. She-Hulk, Vol. 4: Jen-Sational by Rainbow Rowell
210. The World Central Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope by Jose Andres
211. Gilgamesh: A Verse Narrative by Herbert Mason
212. Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed

MY SIXTH THREAD:

213. The Rain in the Trees: Poems by W. S. Merwin
214. What if Night? by Paul Bogard, ill. Sarah Holden
215. Roar-choo! by Charlotte Cheng, art by Dan Sankat
216. How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen, ill. Mark Teague
217. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
218. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
219. Saga Volume 1 by Brian I. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
220. Saga Volume 2 by Brian I. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
221. Saga Volume 3 by Brian I. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
222. Saga Volume 4 by Brian I. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
223. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, ill. John Schoenherr
224. How Do Dinosaurs Learn To Be Kind? by Jane Yolen, ill. Mark Teague
225. How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen, ill. Mark Teague
226. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
227. Sam, The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World by Mo Willems
228. A Matter of Pride by Emily Crofford, ill. Jim LaMarche
229. Being Home by Traci Sorell, ill. Michaela Goode
230. A Apple Pie by Kennady Spirin
231. Mice Skating by Annie Silvestro, ill. Teagan White
232. Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston, ill. Jim LaMarche
233. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson
234. A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis
235. My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book One by Emil Ferris
236. There Was a Shadow by Bruce Handy, ill. Lisk Feng
237. The Shadow and the Ghost by Cat Min
238. Too Much Stuff by Emily Gravett
239. Let There Be Light by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, ill. Nancy Tillman
240. Simeon's Gift by Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton
241. A Medieval Feast written and illustrated by Aliki
242. Yakov and the Seven Thieves by Madonna, art by Gennady Spirin
243. Animals Marco Polo Saw: An Adventure On the Silk Road by Sandra Markle, ill. Daniela Jaglenka Terragine
244. Saga Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
245. Saga Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
246. Saga Volume 7 by Brian K. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
247. Saga Volume 8 by Brian K. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies
248. Saga Volume 9 by Brian K. Vaughan, ill. Fiona Davies

The books I read in August:

249. Walk the Blue Fields: Stories by Claire Keegan
250. Rising by Sidura Ludwig, ill. Sophia Vincent Guy
251. Goodbye Old House by Margaret Wild, ill. Ann James
252. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina, ill. Sonia Sanchez
253. This Is Not My Home by Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Cheng
254. Lenny & Lucy by Philip C Stead, ill Erin E. Stead
255. Starting Over in Sunset Park by Jose Pelaez and Lynn McGee, pics by Bianca Diaz
256. Just Like Millie by Lauren Castillo
257. Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes, ill. Wendell Minor
258. Wendy by Walter Scott
259. Wendy: Wendy's Revenge by Walter Scott
260. Wendy: Wendy, Master of Art by Walter Scott
261. Wendy: The Wendy Award by Walter Scott
262. The Surprising Lives of Christian Saints (Great Course) by Emily Graham
263. The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
264. Ninety-Nine Stories of God by Joy Williams
265. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, ill. Erin E. Stead
266. Kick Push: Be Your Epic Self by Frank Morrison
267. Lotsa de Casha by Madonna, art of Rui Paes
268. Completely Kafka: A Comic Biography by Nicola Mahler
269. The Shadow of Sirius by W. S Merwin
270. Woman Life Freedom by Marjane Satrapi
271. Failure to Launch: A Tour of Ill-Fated Futures, ed. Kel McDonald
272. Everyday Contemplative: The Way of Prayerful Living by L. Roger Owens
273. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
274. How the Stars Came to Be by Poonam Mistry
275. Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride by Marjorie Priceman
276. Color the Sky by David Elliott, ill. Evan Turk
277. Bear Has a Story To Tell by Philip Christian Stead, ill. Erin E. Stead
278. Two Many Birds by Cindy Derby
279. Loaf the Cat Goes to the Powwow
280. Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna, ill. Loren Long
281. My Book and Me by Linda Sue Park, ill. Chris Raschka
282. The Memory String by Eve Bunting, ill. Ted Rand
283. Miracleman: The Silver Age by Neil Gaiman, ill. Mark Buckingham
284. The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
285. The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain: Lyrics for Stacey Kent by Kazuo Ishiguro

MY SEVENTH THREAD:

286. Field Guide to North American Wildlife (Great Course) by David Wizejewski, in conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation
287. If You Decide To Go To the Moon by Faith McNulty, ill. Steven Kellogg
288. How To Walk an Ant by Cindy Derby
289. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
290. Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
291. Crows: Encounters With the Wise Guys of the Avian World by Candace Savage
292. Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman, ill. James Muscarello
293. I Wish You Knew by Jackie Azua Kramer, ill. Magdalena Mora
294. A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton by Steven Kellogg
295. Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten by Tricia Speed Shaskan, ill. Gerald Guerlais
296. Mama in the Moon by Doreen Cronin and Brian Cronin
297. The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
298. Clear by Carys Davies

The books I read in September:

299. Falling up: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein
300. The Stellar Debut of Galactica MacFee by Alexander McCall Smith
301. The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. Rafael Lopez
302. Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
303. Mr. S.: A First Day of School Book by Monica Arnaldo
304. Truman by Jean Ridy, ill. Lucy Ruth Cummins
305. The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
306. Mine!: A Story of Not Sharing by Klara Persson, ill. Charlotte Ramel
307. The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, pictures by David Small
308. Until You Find the Sun: A Story About Discovering Home Wherever You Go by Maryam Hassan, ill. Anna Wilson
309. Strange Trees and the Stories Behind Them by Bernadette Pourquie, ill. Cecile Gambini
310. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. E. B. Lewis
311. The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg
312. Cat Wishes by Calista Brill, pictures by Kenard Pak
313. Keeping the City Going by Brian Floca
314. The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
315. Sometimes We Fall by Randall de Seve, artwork by Kate Gardiner
316. Bright Star by Yuyi Morales
317. Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall
318. Adventures with Finn and Skip: Arctic
319. Never, Not Ever! by Beatrice Alemagna
320. Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
321. Summer in the Spring: Anishinaabe Lyric Poems and Stories, ed. Gerald Vizenor
322. The Boys Omnibus, Volume 1 by Garth Ennis, ill. Darick Robertson and Peter Snejbjerg
323. Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook by Shel Silverstein
324. Secrets of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery
325. A Light in the Attic: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein
326. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
327. Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathman
328. The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. E. B. Lewis
329. Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee
330. I Wonder by K. A. Holt, pictures by Leonard Pak
331. Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin
332. The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy by Evelyn Waugh
333. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales
334. Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales
335. Thunder Boy, Jr. by Sherman Alexie, ill. Yuyi Morales
336. The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson
337. Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, ill. Marla Frazee
338. Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr
339. Mog Time: Six Stories About Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr
340. James by Percival Everett
341. The New York Time Cooking No-Recipe Recipes (cookbook) by Sam Sifton
342. The Boys Omnibus Volume 2 by Garth Ennis

The books I read in October:

343. The Scientific Wonder of Birds (Great Course) by Bruce E. Fleury
344. Does This Taste Funny?: Recipes Our Family Loves by Steven Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert
345. The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg
346. The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azua Kramer, ill. Cindy Derby
347. The Paper Princess by Elisa Kleven
348. A Rainy Dragon Day by Julie Volk, tr. Melody Shaw
349. Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem
350. Little Whale by Jo Weaver
351. Garbage Delight, poems by Dennis Lee, pics by Frank Newfeld
352. Sinclair, the Velociraptor Who Thought He Was a Chicken by Douglas Rees, ill. Galia Bernstein
353. The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
354. The Hotel Balzaar (The Norendy Tales) by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Julia Sarda
355. Appetite for Change: Soulful Recipes from a North Minneapolis Kitchen by Appetite for Change
356. What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust (Flavia de Luce #11) by Alan Bradley
357. The Boys Omnibus Volume 3 by Garth Ennis

MY EIGHTH THREAD

358. Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Brian Lies -- 7
359. Story Boat by Kyo Maclear, ill. Rashin Kheiriyeh -- 7
360. Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, ill. Beth Krommes -- 7
361. Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Pete Oswald -- 7
362. Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Edna the Very First Chicken by Douglas Rees, ill. Jed Henry -- 7
363. The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Doherty, ill. Thomas Docherty -- 7
364. Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee, ill. Frank Newfeld -- 18
365. Emma Bean by Jean Van Leeuwen, pictures by Juan Wijngard -- 18
366. The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed, ill. Jim LaMarche -- 18
367. Owl Sees Owl by Laura Godwin, ill. Rob Dunlavey -- 18
368. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, retold by Georghia Ellinas, ill. Jane Ray -- 18
369. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Color by Joyce Sidman, ill. Pamela Zagarenski -- 18
370. In the Woods by David Elliott, ill. Rob Dunlavey -- 18
371. Amazing Grapes and the Lost Dimension by Jules Feiffer -- 32
372. Octavia E. Butler's Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Damian Duffy, ill. John Jennings -- 33
373. Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces (Great Course) by Noah Charney -- 34
374. Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer -- 57
375. One Moon, Two Cats by Laura Godwin, ill. Yoko Tanaka -- 67
376. Fred Stays With Me! by Nancy Coffelt, ill. Tricia Tusa -- 67
377. This Is Just to Say: Poem of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman, ill. Pamela Zagarenski -- 67
378. Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, watercolors by Cheng-Khee Chee -- 67
379. The Deer Watch by Pat Lowery Collins, ill. David Slonim -- 67
380. Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucido, ill. Mavisu Deming -- 67
381. The Dandelion's Tale by Kevin Sheehan and Rob Dunlavey -- 67
382. Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale, retold by Carmen Agra Deedy -- 67
383. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman, ill. Beckie Prange -- 67
384. As We Are Now: A Novel by May Sarton -- 72
385. Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium by Marcie R. Rendon -- 86
386. The Boys Omnibus Volume 4 by Garth Ennis -- 87
387. I Color Myself Different by Colin Kaepernick, ill. Eric Wilkerson -- 102
388. Old Turtle and the Broken Truth: Lessons of Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, ill. John J. Muth -- 102
389. Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart by Douglas Wood, ill. Greg Ruth -- 102
390. The Nutcracker: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids by Susan Jeffers -- 102
391. Abuela by Arthur Dorros, ill. Elisa Kleven -- 102
392. The Spaceman by Randy Cecil -- 102
393. Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, ill. Eric Carle -- 102
394. Agatha's Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Laura L. Seeley -- 102
395. Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, ed. by Nancy Mitford -- 103
396. Digging Dinosaurs: The Search that Unraveled the Mystery of Baby Dinosaurs by John R. Horner and James Gorman -- 104
397. My Favorite Thing is Monsters, Book Two by Emil Ferris -- 127
398. London in the Time of Dickens (Great Course) by Lillian Nayder -- 128

The books I read in November:

399. Kamala and Maya's Big Idea by Meena Harris, ill. Ann Ramirez Gonzalez -- 151
400. In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limon, ill. Peter Sis -- 151
401. Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins -- 151
402. Mr. Fox's Game of "No!" by David LaRochelle, ill. Mike Wohnoutka -- 151
403. The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Michael P. White -- 151
404. Lucy by Randy Cecil -- 151
405. Douglas by Randy Cecil -- 151
406. Glasswings: A Butterfly's Story by Elisa Kleven -- 151
407. Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers -- 151
408. 5 More Sleeps 'Til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon, ill. Rich Dees -- 151
409. Louise: The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Harry Bliss -- 151
410. The Boys Omnibus Vol. 5 by Garth Ennis -- 190
411. Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah, ill. Sabina Hahn -- 195
412. Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser, ill. Elisa Kleven -- 195
413. The Return of the Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Michael P. White -- 195
414. 13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided by Kevin Shortsleeve, ill. Michael Austin -- 195
415. Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers -- 195
416. The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers -- 195
417. Wish You Were Here: Postcards from Franz Kafka by Bernadette Watts -- 195
418. How To Apologize by David LaRochelle, ill. Mike Wohnoutka -- 195
419. Blue Ridge Babies 1, 2, 3: A Counting Book by Laura Sperry Gardner, ill. Stephanie Fizer Coleman -- 228
420. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel, ill. Trina Schart Hyman -- 228
421. We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang -- 228
422. The Library by Sarah Stewart, ill. David Small -- 228
423. 5 More Sleeps 'til Halloween by Jimmy Fallon -- 228
424. The parakeet Named Dreidel by Isaac Bashevis Singer, ill. Suanne Raphael Berkson -- 228
425. Why Noah Chose the Dove by Isaac Bashevis Singer, ill. Eric Carle -- 228
426. Dinosaurs in Space by Todd Sturgell -- 228
427. Cinderella by Kinuko Y. Craft -- 228
428. Momma's Going to March by Jennifer Maruno, ill. VIvian Rosas -- 228
429. Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, ill. Yuko Shimizu -- 231
430. The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood -- 231
431. Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastiao Solgado by Philip Hoelzel, ill. Renato Alarcao -- 231
432. Whalesong: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas by Zachariah Ottova -- 231
433. Just What To Do by Kyle Lukoff, ill. Hala Tahboub -- 231
434. So Cold! by John Coy, ill. Chris Park -- 231
435. Here and There by Thea Lu -- 231
436. Wisdom Weavers: Explore the Ojibwe Language and the Meaning of Dream Catchers by James Vukelich Kaagegaebaw, ill. Marcus Trujillo -- 231
437. Yaya and the Sea by Karen Good Marable, ill. Tonya Engel -- 231
438. Tell Me Everything: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout -- 233
439. The Last Dance by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Deborah Santini -- 245
440. The Boys Omnibus, Vol, 6 by Garth Ennis -- 246
441. The Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffman, picture by Maurice Sendak -- 247
442. Nancy & Sluggo's Guide to Life: Comics About Money, Food, and Other Essentials by Ernie Bushmiller -- 259
443. Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell -- 263
444. Mina by Matthew Forsythe -- 263
445. The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden by Heather Smith, ill. Rachel Wada -- 263
446. On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex -- 263
447. Real Cowboys by Kate Hoefler, ill. Jonathon Bean -- 263
448. Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet, ill. Andrea Zuill -- 263
449. Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang -- 263
450. Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha by Deborah Hopkison, ill. Kailey Whitman -- 263
451. Under the Baobab Tree by Julie Stiegemeyer, ill. E. B. Lewis -- 263
452. Watch Out for the Lion! by Brook Hartman, ill. Anna Süßbauer -- 263
453. City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, ill. John J. Muth -- 263
454. Little Shrew by Akiko Miyakoshi -- 274
455. Widget by Lyn Rossiter McFarland, ill. Jim McFarland -- 274
456. The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Ryland, ill. Kathryn Brown -- 274
457. Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore -- 274
458. The Day Moon and Earth Had an Argument by David Duff, ill. Noemi Vola -- 274
459. The Moons by Chan Poling, ill. Lucy Michell -- 274
460. The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood, ill. LeUyen Pham -- 274
461. The Cat Way by Sara Lundberg, tr. B. J. Woodstein -- 274
462. The Greatest by Veera Hirnandani, ill. Vesper Stamper -- 274
463. As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts by Matthew Burgess -- 274

Here is where I'll list the authors selected for the 2024 American Authors Challenge, the books I will read, and if I complete them (here's hoping!)

JANUARY: Mark Twain -- Read Eve's Diary -- COMPLETED
FEBRUARY: Susan Sontag -- not going to read
MARCH: Truman Capote -- Breakfast at Tiffany's and Three Stories -- COMPLETED
APRIL: General Non-Fiction with host Caroline Caroline_McElwee -- No Cure for Being Human: (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) by Kate Bowler -- COMPLETED
MAY: William Maxwell -- So Long, See You Tomorrow -- COMPLETED
JUNE: Queer Authors with host Dr. Laura Koons lycomayflower -- The Guncle by Steven Rowley -- COMPLETED
JULY: Susan Power a/k/a Mona Susan Power -- not going to read
AUGUST: Jeffrey Lent -- not going to read
SEPTEMBER: Living American authors who were born outside the US but adopted this country as their home -- did not read this month
OCTOBER: Katharine Anne Porter -- did not read this month
NOVEMBER: Jewish American Authors with host Kristel kristelh
DECEMBER: The Heartland (regional authors from the middle of the country)
WILD CARD: 2015 Redux Pick an author from the 2015 Challenge
EXTRA POINTS CHALLENGE
(Complete the challenge by reading at least one work from the author or category featured each month AND one work from the Wildcard list each month.)

My 2003 "Books Read" list (casually kept, and probably incomplete): http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2003-reading-list.html
My 2004 "Books Read" list (see above caveats: things get better!):
http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2004-reading-list.html
My 2005 "Books Read" list (most pathetic list yet): http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2005-reading-list.html
My 2006 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2006-reading-list.htm
My 2007 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2007-reading-list.html
My 2008 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2008-reading-list.html
My 2009 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2009-reading-list.html
My 2010 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2010-reading-list.html

Here is a link to my last thread from 2011: http://www.librarything.com/topic/122919

Here is a link to my last thread from 2012: http://www.librarything.com/topic/138897

Here is a link to my last thread from 2013:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/156012

Here is a link to my thread from 2014: http://www.librarything.com/topic/163564

Here is a link to my thread from 2015: https://www.librarything.com/topic/186139

Here is a link to my thread from 2016: http://www.librarything.com/topic/211096

Here is a link to my last thread from 2017: http://www.librarything.com/topic/268142#

Here is a link to my last thread from 2018: https://www.librarything.com/topic/298557

Here is a link to my one-and-only thread from 2019: https://www.librarything.com/topic/301738

The books I've read in the first half of 2020 (115 of them) are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/314888

The books I read in the second half of 2020 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/322010#

The books I read in the first half of 2021 are here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/328372#

The books I read in the second half of 2021 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/333390#

The books I read in the first quarter of 2022 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/338204#n7791489

The books I read in April and May of 2022 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340601#n7851702

The books I read in June, July, part of August of 2022 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/342092#

The books I read in August through part of October of 2022 are here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343494#n7961305

The books I read from October to the end of year are here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345382#

Good reading to you!

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (10/11/24):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer — p. 29 of 280
Razor Girl (Andrew Yancy #2) by Carl Hiassen -- p. 64 of 333
Erasure by Percival Everett (TIOLI #10) -- p. 11 of 245 (Nook)
Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13) by Jim Butcher -- p. 18 of 443 (Libby)
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler; adapted by Damien Duffy and John Jennings -- p. 00 of 260
Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay -- p. 0 of 167
As We Are Now by May Sarton -- p. 9 of 134
Pastoralia by George Saunders -- p. 8 of 188
Before Midnight by Rex Stout -- p. 7 of 172 (Libby)
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 8 of 280 (Libby)
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 96 of 439 (Libby)

I'm overbooked! I don't want to lose track of these books, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride -- p. 18 of 385
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman -- p. 20 of 173
A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle -- p. 65 of 250 (Libby)
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger -- p. 82 of 421 (mine, on Nook)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- p. 29 of 278 (mine, on Nook)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- p. 81 of 253 (mine, on Nook)
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 73 of 288 (Nook)
Agatha's First Case (Agatha Raisin #0.5) by M. C. Beaton (Nook)
The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In October, we are reading books by Katherine Anne Porter. I plan to read Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels — p. 3 of 208.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces by Noah Charney. I have read/watched 6 of 12 lectures.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). New LT thread. Update Reading Roundup and mags list.

Books I read yesterday: As We Are Now by May Sarton, Library Book Day #1 (6 books).

Magazines:

Great Course Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces by Noah Charney.
Watched: 5. The War Wing: Art Plundered through Conflict, and 6. The Hall of Vandals: Wreckers and Iconoclasts.
Read: 7. Gallery of Misfortune: Art Lost by Accident, and 8. Disaster Wing: Art Against the Forces of Nature.

Watching: Netflix Preview Club. Watched an hour-long episode for a show under development, and then filled out an interminable questionnaire about it. Still, a fun process, so I’ll stick with it.
Abbott Elementary is back! Watched ep. 4.1.

Listening:

Wordle 1,210 5/6* irate, sloth, musty, dusty, gusty

⬜⬜⬜🟧⬜
🟦⬜⬜🟧⬜
⬜🟧🟧🟧🟧
⬜🟧🟧🟧🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #488
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #222
“Let's experiment”
🔵🔵🔵🟡
🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/11:
63/63 words (+18 bonus words)—4-1/2 stars of 5–
🎯 In the top 21% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 34

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/11:
25/25 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 In the top 18% by accuracy

Happy new thread, Karen!

Happy new one, Karen!

*********************************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony, the illustrated children's book, and the board game. (Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
************************************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day (1)!:



358. Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Brian Lies



This was a reread for me (I KNEW I must be running out of illustrated books to read!!)

I just love the sweet story and pictures, and I'm a big fan of wombats. This book is all about being a good host and a good friend to those around you. And it's a good field guide to Australian wildlife.

"Wombat said, 'Come in!'
Wombat said, 'Come in!
From smoke and din
and howling wind,
Come in, my friends, come in!'"



359. Story Boat by Kyl Maclear, ill. Rashin Kheiriyeh



Colors of a dusty blue and apricot throughout this book--lovely!

"Creating a new home out of dreams and stories amidst migration and crisis."



360. Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, ill. Beth Krommes



The author says that this book is written in the form of an invocation--and it is a very quiet book, really few words, and they are gentle and prayerful. The illustrations are done in scratchboard style, and they are terrific.

The theme of the book is that, "sometimes, if spoken from the heart, wishes really can come true."



361. Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Pete Oswald



"Comforting tale of healing and true friendship."

Rita and Ralph are sweet characters, and they learn a real lesson about friendship. I think kids would like the emotion (and motion--lots of going up and down hills) in this book.



362. Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Edna, the Very First Chicken by Douglas Rees, ill. Jed Henry



Having just read Sinclair the Velociraptor Who Thought He Was a Chicken, by the same author, this book seemed so familiar. There are seven years between the publishing of the two books. This one was published in 2017, "Sinclair," just this year.

Both books were fun and well-constructed. "Sinclair" had a lot more dinosaur stuff.

This book has Edna: "Edna has feathers--and she isn't afraid to use them!" She's a good model for being brave in the face of overwhelming odds against you.



363. The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Doherty, ill. Thomas Docherty



This book is so beautiful (look at that cover!) and it is very well-written. It is "a soothing picture book that gently explores themes of love, loss, and remembering those we love." Sweet rhymes and lovely pictures.

While looking at the cataloguing for this book, I see that another book is planned for next year!: The Bear Shaped Hole. I've already got it on my "to read" list.

Happy new thread Karen

Happy new thread, Karen.

>5 katiekrug: Thank you! New thread wishes make me happy!😊

>6 jessibud2: Thank you!

>8 ArlieS: Such a nice LT tradition! I love it.

>9 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul!

Thank you all for stopping by to say hi! It’s much appreciated!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Karen.

Happy new thread, Karen.

Checking in on your new thread, Karen.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Saturday, Karen. Happy New Thread.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things).

Books I read yesterday: Library Book Day #2 (7 books).

Magazines: NYT Magazine (9/29), NYT Book Review (9/22), (9/29).

Great Course Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces by Noah Charney. Watch: 7. Gallery of Misfortune: Art Lost by Accident, and 8. Disaster Wing: Art Against the Forces of Nature.

Watching: GBBS ep. 15.3, 9-1-1 ep. 8.3

Listening:

Wordle 1,211 4/6* irate, giant, twain, stain

🟦⬜🟧🟦⬜
⬜🟦🟧🟦🟦
🟦⬜🟧🟧🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #489
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #223
“Toon time”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🟡🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/12:
35/35 words (+7 bonus words)—3-1/2 of 5 stars difficulty—
🎯 In the top 19% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 35

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/12:
21/21 words (+4 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 12% by accuracy

*********************************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony, the illustrated children's book, and the board game. (Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
************************************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day (2)!:



364. Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee, ill. Frank Newfeld



Poems about things that kid encounter every day. Lee feels that the poems belong to the kids and expects them to be modified and changed per each individual kid, and that's quite alright with him. The author and the poems are very much Canadian, and the author cherishes words, especially words that "tickle" the ear.

The illustrations are a lot of fun, and very pretty.

Here's a sample:

Kahshe or Chicoutimi

If I lived in Temagami,
Temiskaming, Kenagami,
or Lynx, or Michipicoten Sound,
I wouldn't stir the whole year round

Unless I want to spend the day
at Bawk, or Nottawasaga Bay,
or Missinabi, Moosonee,
or Kahshe or Chicoutimi.



365. Emma Bean by Jean Van Leeuwen, pictures by Juan Wijngard



A story about a much-loved toy rabbit. "Once there was a rabbit and she had a girl. The girl's name was Molly. The rabbit's name was Emma Bean."

Marvelous artwork, sweet story.



366. The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed, ill. Jim LaMarche



"Written in classic folktale tradition, illustrated with astonishing paintings, this beautiful story is woven from magic and moonbeams." Lovely book!

I loved this lullaby from the book:

Bye and bye, bye and bye,
The moon is half a lemon pie,
The mice who stole the other half
Have scattered star crumbs in the sky.

Bye and bye, bye and bye,
My darling babies, don't you cry.
The moon is still above the hill,
The soft clouds gather in the sky.



367. Owl Sees Owl by Laura Godwin, ill. Rob Dunlavey



Simple story, in “reverso” form, "perfect for the youngest readers." Gorgeous paintings of the nighttime woodlands.

From readbrightly.com (looks like a great site for getting kids reading!): "A reverso is a poem with two halves. In a reverso, the second half reverses the lines from the first half, with changes only in punctuation and capitalization — and it has to say something completely different from the first half (otherwise it becomes what one blogger’s kid called a “same-o.”)

"Reading and writing reversos is a good way to make poetry fun. Even kids (and adults) who claim they don’t like poems seem to enjoy these, because it is a form that can be shared — you can read the poems aloud, play the characters, puzzle out who said what and why, or even try to figure out how someone wrote the darn things."

So, here's the entire poem from this book:

Home
Mama
Brother
Sister

Tree
Nest
Hop
Look

Jump
Flutter
Flap
Fly

Fall
Leaves
Red
Yellow

Moon
Beam
Eyes
Gleam

Stars
Twinkle
Mice
Scamper

Soar
Glide
Swoop
Swoosh

Owl
Sees
Owl

Swoosh
Swoop
Glide
Soar

Scamper
Mice
Twinkle
Stars

Gleam
Eyes
Beam
Moon

Yellow
Red
Leaves
Fall

Fly
Flap
Flutter
Jump

Look
Hop
Nest
Tree

Sister
Brother
Mama
Home



368. William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, retold by Georghia Ellinas, ill. Jane Ray



Of course, the original play was great; this retelling is wonderful, and the pictures are gorgeous.



369. Red Sings From Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman, ill. Pamela Zagarenski



"So what colors can you feel--or hear, or taste, or smell--today?"

This book is written in poetry--lush, vibrant stuff. Beautiful pictures accompany the words, or the beautiful words accompany the pictures.

Here's a sample:

Fall smells
Purple:
old leaves, crushed berries,
squishy plums with worms in them.

Purple: the smell
of all things
mixed together.



370. In the Woods by David Elliott, ill. Rob Dunlavey



This book is a "love letter to the animals of the forest." It, too, is poetry, although there is also a great wildlife facts section at the end.

Here are a few of the poems:

The Opossum

Your rattish snout, your naked tail
dragging on the woodland trail:
you're not a classic beauty.

You bump along the woodland track,
your babies clinging to your back:
there's beauty, too, in duty.

The Moose

Ungainly,
mainly.

>11 figsfromthistle: Thanks so much!

>12 BLBera: It is certainly starting off very happy! Thank you!

>13 Kristelh: Thank you Kristel!

>14 alcottacre: Wonderful weekend to you, too, Stasia!

>15 msf59: Thank you, Mark!

Thank you all so much for stopping by to share such nice words! I wish you all the best!

here's the recipe;
2 bags of cranberries (24 oz)
2 med granny smit, pealed, cored, cut into 1/2 in cubes
1/4 c orange juice
2 c sugar
2 tablespoons Brandy

Heat oven to 375
In 4 quart oven proof dish, place ingredients, toss to combine. Cover with foil and bake until soft, about 40 min (usually longer than 40). Remove from oven, serve hot, room temp nor chilled with turkey.

So good!

>20 Kristelh: Thank you! I can almost smell them baking!

Happy new thread, Karen!

>22 atozgrl: Thank you! Happy Sunday to you!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Online church.

Books I read yesterday: Digging Dinosaurs by John R Horner, Amazing Grapes by Jules Feiffer

Magazines: Atlantic Monthly (Oct), Lake Superior (June/July)

Great Course Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces by Noah Charney. Watched: 7. Gallery of Misfortune: Art Lost by Accident, and 8. Disaster Wing: Art Against the Forces of Nature.
Read: 9. No Bequest: Art Destroyed by Artists and Owners, and 10. The Basement: Strange and Unsolved Cases.

Watching:

Listening:

Wordle 1,212 4/6* Guessy, guessy, guessy,… irate, prove, probe, prone

⬜🟧⬜⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #490
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #224
“Time to get cozy”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/13:
67/67 words (+5 bonus words)—4 of 5 star difficulty—
🎯 In the top 36% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 36

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/13:
21/21 words (+4 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 16% by accuracy

Happy new thread Karen!

>26 SirThomas: Thank you for your warm wish!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Online church—my church erred in posting deets; I’ll try to “go” to church today.🙃 Errands.

Books I read yesterday: Amazing Grapes by Jules Feiffer—finished. Kindred: A Graphic Novel by Octavia E. Butler—finished.

Magazines:

Great Course Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces by Noah Charney. Watched: 9. No Bequest: Art Destroyed by Artists and Owners, and 10. The Basement: Strange and Unsolved Cases.
Read and watched: 11. Not in the Vault: Fabled Art That Never Was, and 12. Lost and Found: Preserving and Restoring Art, to finish the course. Excellent course!
Next course is London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.

Watching: Moonflower Murders ep. 5. One episode left!

Listening:

Wordle 1,213 5/6* irate, atoll, tacky, daunt, gamut

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🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜
🟦🟧⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟧🟦⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #491
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #225
“Get out of here!”
💡🔵🔵💡
🔵🔵🔵🟡
🔵🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/14:
21/21 words (+3 bonus words)—1-1/2 of 5 stars difficulty—
🎯 In the top 27% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 37

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/14:
28/28 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 In the top 9% by accuracy

Happy new one, Karen! Wordle almost skunked me today too...

>30 drneutron: Thanks, Doc! Other people here didn't seem to have much trouble with it, but I really struggled!

371. Amazing Grapes (and the Lost Dimension) by Jules Feiffer



"Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Jules Feiffer brings the fantastical to life with his signature style in this zany, whimsical adventure about a family on a quest to find their mother and save another dimension. Curly and Pearlie, brother and sister, find themselves transported to the Lost Dimension. Soon they are joined by big sister Shirley and their very special Mommy. Marvelous adventures await the whole family in that weird dimension. Come along and see for yourself!"

I used to love reading Feiffer's cartoons in magazines. I lost track of him, and it seems like I should do something to remedy that. This book is a good start.

It's a really weird story, very fantastical and almost science fiction. It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, or even Pilgrim's Progress. I still really like Feiffer's art (mostly gorgeous) and sense of humor. Be warned, not everyone will like his style.

p.s. I have to say, I take a little offense at Feiffer's use of "Amazing Grace," one of the best hymns around, but it's a pretty gentle kidding around.

372. Octavia E. Butler's Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Damian Duffy, ill. John Jennings



I want to use the Amazon description of the book, since I'm having trouble describing it (this usually happens when a book affect me deeply): "The graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s bestselling literary science-fiction masterpiece Kindred is a #1 New York Times bestseller and the winner of the 2018 Eisner Award for Best Adaptation from Another Medium.

"Kindred continues to draw in new readers with its deep exploration of the violence and loss of humanity caused by slavery in the United States, and its complex and lasting impact on the present day. Adapted by celebrated academics and comics artists Damian Duffy and John Jennings, this graphic novel powerfully renders Butler’s mysterious and moving story, which spans racial and gender divides in the antebellum South through the 20th century.

"Butler’s most celebrated, critically acclaimed work tells the story of Dana, a young black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a Southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana’s own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him.

"Held up as an essential work in feminist, science-fiction, and fantasy genres, as well as a cornerstone of the Afrofuturism movement, the intersectionality of race, history, and the treatment of women addressed in the book still remain critical topics in contemporary dialogue, both in the classroom and in the public sphere.

"Frightening, compelling, and richly imagined, Kindred offers an unflinching look at our complicated social history, transformed by the graphic novel format into a visually stunning work for a new generation of readers."

Next up for me is Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation, by the same people who gave us the Kindred graphic (Duffy and Jennings)

373. Lost Art: The Stories of Missing Masterpieces (Great Course) by Noah Charney



Wonderful series on this topic, from one of the most knowledgeable experts. Twelve lectures of 30 minutes each. Book and DVD.

Karen, do you know if these Great Courses are something I might be able to borrow from the library or is this something you had to sign up for and pay for? If you have mentioned this before, I am sorry but I missed it. They sound great.

>35 jessibud2: I get all of mine from my library. They are available in both DVD and CD formats. Definitely a library thing for me, and I hope your library carries them. You can search the catalog for “Great Course” or “nonfiction DVD.”

I know they are available for personal purchase, but I am a library user, through and through.

>36 klobrien2: - Thanks! I will definitely look for them. I checked online and one of the Audrey Hepburn dvds is ready for me to pick up and the other is on its way. I will get them tomorrow when our library opens. I also use it a lot, especially for cds and dvds.

Happy New Thread, Karen!

>33 klobrien2:, I've heard positive things about the graphic novel Kindred.

>38 vancouverdeb: Thank you!

>39 Kristelh: I really got into Kindred. It took me a while to understand the book’s progress (well, it’s time travel, and that’s disconcerting).

I’m looking forward to Parable of the Sower. Maybe then I’ll read the original books!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Accounting.

Books I read yesterday: Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.

Watching: Man Down eps. 1.5 and 1.6. English Teacher ep. 8 (finale). Really enjoyed this show!

Listening:

Wordle 1,214 X/6 Kablooey! Oh, well, I don’t think I’d ever have picked today’s Wordle (well, I guess you eventually run out of letters). Playing “hard” level means you have to use all of the found letters in your guess. irate, roped, mover, foyer, loner, boxer (corer)

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Connections
Puzzle #492
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Strands #226
“Beast mode”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/15:
25/25 words (+6 bonus words)—2 of 5 star difficulty—
🎯 In the top 13% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 38

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/15:
20/20 words (+3 bonus words)
📖 In the top 23% by bonus words

I also bombed out today, Karen. Tough one.

>44 jessibud2: Rats! I'm sorry for you, but I do feel better about my Wordle-ing. We start fresh tomorrow!

>33 klobrien2: I really enjoyed the graphic novel adaptation of Kindred, too.

>43 klobrien2: Hi, Karen. Those Wordles with a _O_ER pattern are really difficult, because there are too many possible options. I got it in 6 today, and only because I had started tracking the words fitting that pattern that I had already seen in previous puzzles, along with letters I eliminated today. I think this one was particularly difficult because of the repeated R. The first time I got skunked in Wordle, I used most of the letters on the keyboard and still didn't find the right word, which was FOYER, so I know how easy it is to get skunked on that pattern.

You got the blue line first in Connections? I had to leave that for last because I had no idea what they were. Even knowing the answer, I still know only the Joker, and I've heard of Pennywise. I've never heard of the other two at all. Oh, just realized one is McDonald's. Was trying to think of scary ones.

>47 atozgrl: I’ve become philosophical about all these puzzles, I think. For each of them, there are so many variables in solving success: how one is feeling physically, what one’s life experience has been, even how much coffee one has drunk. ☕️☕️ And, of course, how tricky the puzzle maker is trying to be!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a good rest of the week!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Accounting. Grocery list. Jerry list.

Books I read yesterday: Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer

Magazines: I have so many weekly magazines to catch up on! I read: The Week (10/4), (10/11), (10/18); New Yorker (10/7), (10/14).

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.

Watching: Only Murders in the Building ep. 4.8; Freaks and Geeks eps. 5, 6, 7.

Listening: Halfway through Billy Strings “Highway Prayers”—great music, very much Bluegrass, bringing in Country and even Rock. Lovely!

Wordle 1,215 3/6 That’s more like it! irate, trash, grant

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Connections — I picked a word from each of the categories for my first answer! The makers do a great job of mixing things up!

Puzzle #493
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Strands #227
“How Poe-tic”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/16:
36/36 words (+10 bonus words)—3 of 5 stars difficulty—
📖 In the top 21% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 39

>50 klobrien2: - LOL! I felt the same way today!

>51 jessibud2: ☺️

>33 klobrien2: My local library is hosting Damian Duffy and John Jennings on Oct 24, and it's available to watch online either live (Eastern US Time) or for 30 days on YouTube, if that kind of thing interests you: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/12397137 . I'm busy that night but I plan to watch it later.

>53 norabelle414: ohmigosh, yes! That sounds great! Thank you for sharing the link! I’ve put it on my (old school) calendar.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Accounting. Order groceries.

Books I read yesterday: Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer, Parable of the Sower (graphic)

Magazines: New Yorker (10/21)

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.

Watching: High Potential ep. 4 Shrinking eps. 2.1 and 2.2 (Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) has a very small part! Strange to see him as “not Roy Kent”).

Listening: Finished Billy Strings “Highway Prayers”—really liked it.

Wordle 1,216 4/6 irate, anode, cache, halve

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Connections
Puzzle #494
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Strands #228
“Dream teams”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/17:
54/54 words (+9 bonus words)—3-1/2 of 5 stars difficulty—
🎯 In the top 23% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 40

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/17:
19/19 words (+2 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 13% by accuracy

374. Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer



"Armed rebellion in Ireland and revolution in Russia...Germany has a secret plan to win the war."

I really enjoyed this new entry in the Nicholas Meyer "Sherlock Holmes" series. Holmes and Watson are older, beat up, but they still want to do what they can to help their country in the war against Germany (WWI).

The story is based on real "facts" (Meyer tells us at the back of the book what was true) and there are quite a few photographs to illustrate the story. Fast-paced plot and interesting insights into the time before the USA joined the war effort.

I'm glad you enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell. It sounds like a good read, Karen.

>58 vancouverdeb: Happy weekend, Deborah!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Accounting. Library Book Day! Update Reading Roundup, magazine list. Electricians are supposed to be here to begin converting my abode from fuses to circuit breakers!

Books I read yesterday: Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyer—finished.

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.

Watching: Abbott Elementary ep. 4.2; Freaks and Geeks eps. 8, 9, 10.

Listening:

Wordle 1,217 3/6 irate, thing, stint

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Connections
Puzzle #495
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Strands #229
“All wrapped up”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/18:
45/45 words (+11 bonus words)—4 of 5 stars difficulty—
🎯 In the top 26% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 41

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/18:
19/19 words (+3 bonus words)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

>60 klobrien2: London in the Time of Dickens has a lot of appeal as we grow ever closer to it being 200 years ago. I'm late to say it, but Happy new thread, dear lady!

>62 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Accounting. Update Reading Roundup, magazine list. Errands. Electricians will be back on Monday to finish up the conversion to circuit breakers.

Books I read yesterday: Library Book Day (9 books). As We Are Now by May Sarton.

Magazines: NYT Book Review (10/6), NYT Magazine (10/6).

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.

Watching: GBBS ep. 15.4; Elsbeth ep. 2.1, Ghosts ep. 4.1.

Listening:

Ka-bOOM! No, this one was a whimper. Luckily, had only a streak of, what, 3? going.

Wordle 1,218 X/6 irate, mired, river, piper, wiser, oiler, (fiber)

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Connections
Puzzle #496
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Strands #230
“Turn it up a notch”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/19:
48/48 words (+4 bonus words)—3-1/2 stars of five—
🎯 In the top 31% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 42

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/19:
20/20 words
🎯 In the top 18% by accuracy

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (10/18/24):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler; adapted by Damien Duffy and John Jennings -- p. 55 of 260
Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay -- p. 0 of 167
As We Are Now by May Sarton -- p. 50 of 134
Razor Girl (Andrew Yancy #2) by Carl Hiassen -- p. 64 of 333
Erasure by Percival Everett (TIOLI #10) -- p. 11 of 245 (Nook)
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy -- p. 15 of 174
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout -- p. 3 of 326
A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle -- p. 65 of 250 (Libby)
Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13) by Jim Butcher -- p. 18 of 443 (Libby)
Before Midnight by Rex Stout -- p. 7 of 172 (Libby)
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 8 of 280 (Libby)
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 96 of 439 (Libby)
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by Tanarive Due

I'm overbooked! I don't want to lose track of these books, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride -- p. 18 of 385
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman -- p. 20 of 173

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger -- p. 82 of 421 (mine, on Nook)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- p. 29 of 278 (mine, on Nook)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- p. 81 of 253 (mine, on Nook)
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 73 of 288 (Nook)
Agatha's First Case (Agatha Raisin #0.5) by M. C. Beaton (Nook)
The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In October, we are reading books by Katherine Anne Porter. I plan to read Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels — p. 3 of 208.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is London in the Time of Dickens by Lillian Nayder. I have read/watched 0 of 12 lectures.

*********************************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony, the illustrated children's book, and the board game. (Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
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So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day!:



375. One Moon, Two Cats by Laura Godwin, ill. Yoko Tanaka



"Across a great distance, but under the light of the same moon, a city cat and a country cat pounce and play, crouch and leap in a rollicking nighttime adventure."

Really nice story and illustration.



376. Fred Stays With Me! by Nancy Coffelt, ill. Tricia Tusa



"A fresh, villain-free look at a split family, and a girl who finds strength, love, and reassuring consistency in the dear pooch who is all her own."

Charming drawings and story.



377. This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman, ill. Pamela Zagerenski



Lovely poem with clever illustrations. Some are funny, some are sad, all are beautiful.



378. Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, watercolors (awesome!) by Cheng-khee Chee



This one is about ecology, peace, and the interconnectedness of all things.

"Who is God?
Is He a wind that is never still?
Is He a rock that never moves?
Is He high above or here among us?
Venerable Old Turtle answers quietly
'God is all of those things.'"



379. The Deer Watch by Pat Lowery Collins, ill. David Slonim



A father promises his young son that this summer they will see a deer. Beautiful paintings!



380. Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucido, ill. Mavisu Demirag



This one is poetry, with lots of Italian. Also, lots of pasta, family members, and fun with words. There is a funny, twisty ending.



381. The Dandelion's Tale by Kevin Sheehan and Rob Dunlavey



"Gentle and deeply moving tale about the power of storytelling to keep those we love alive."



382. Martina the Beautiful Cockroach (Cuban folk tale) retold by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Michael Austin



Gorgeous, exotically-colored illustrations. Explanation of the "coffee test" for selecting a potential spouse (spill coffee "accidentally" on their shoes, and watch their reaction carefully; if they react angrily, you know what a future with them will be like!).

"Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha"!



383. Song of the Water Boatman: And Other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman, ill. Beckie Prange



"A unique blend of whimsy, science, poetry, and hand-colored woodcuts...invites us to take a closer look at our hidden ponds and wetlands." Gorgeous book!

Fred Stays With Me looks cute!

>68 The_Hibernator: “Fred” is a good one. Very happy book.
Thanks for stopping by!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Errands. Church!

Books I read yesterday: As We Are Now by May Sarton, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book 2 by Emil Ferris.

Magazines: Consumer Reports (Jul/Aug), American Patchwork and Quilting (Aug), Minnesota Monthly (May/June).

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder:
Read: 1. A Tale of Two Londons, and 2. Crime and Punishment, London Style.

Watching: 9-1-1 ep. 8.4; George and Mandy’s First Marriage ep. 1.1.

Listening:

Current streak: 1! I’m back, baby!

Wordle 1,219 4/6 irate, denim, diced, dicey

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Connections
Puzzle #497
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Strands #231
“Make yourself at home”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/20:
70/70 words (+16 bonus words)—4-1/2 of 5 stars difficulty—
🎯 In the top 24% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 43

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/20:
22/22 words
🎯 Perfect accuracy

384. As We Are Now: A Novel by May Sarton



As you are now, so once was I;
Prepare for death and follow me.
(New England tombstone)

Caro Spencer is dumped in a small, bleak, rural retirement home after suffering a heart attack. The home workers are horrible in their treatment of Caro, and she finds solace in writing in her copybooks. She also finds joy in the few outsiders who come to visit her; the beauty of nature that she can see from her window; and the memories of love in her life.

"How expression relieves the mind! I feel quite lovely and myself again just because I have managed to write two pages of dissent about old age."

This is not always a "fun" book to read, but it is moving and says many strong things about aging and dying.

Time to gear up my “Norman Jewison Film Fest”:

Jewison, who passed away in January, was prolific, and directed a lot of my favorite movies. Here’s a mostly-complete list of his oeuvre (how do you like that cinema-speak?!) Jewison did a lot of TV, and I’ve omitted those shows. The films I’ve seen are in bold. I’ll be rewatching!



Agnes of God (1985) Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly.

After quite a few of Jewison's films that feature mostly a male cast, this film is almost all female.

"An isolated convent become the setting for murder in this riveting film of spiritual passion and pride."

Such a strange movie! I really felt sorrow for Sister Agnes (Meg Tilly); she had a bad early life, and is unaware of so much in the world around her, but seems so held by the love of her God.

The setting is the convent in Montreal; everything is locked up and behind bars; lots of crucifixes; lots of smoking! (not the nuns). The music is wonderful; in fact, George Delerue was nominated for an Oscar, for the music. I recognized "V'la la Bon Vent," a classic French Canadian folk song (I learned it from Ian & Sylvia (1963 recording)). Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly also received Oscar nominations for their acting.

I saw this movie in the theaters when it first came out (forty years ago). Not my favorite of Jewison's films, but it was good to see it again.

Moonstruck is up next.

The Fabulous Fifties (1960) 7.5 on IMDB (unavailable?)
40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) (6.3)
The Thrill of It All (1963) (6.9)
Send Me No Flowers (1964) (6.9)
The Art of Love (1965) (6.1) (DVD)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) (7.2) (Tubi)
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) (7.0) (Tubi)
In the Heat of the Night (1967) (7.9) (Tubi)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) (6.9) (MGM+)
Gaily, Gaily (1969) (5.3–might skip this one)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (8.0) (Tubi)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (7.3) (Peacock)
Rollerball (1975) (6.5) (MGM+)
F.I.S.T. (1978) (6.4) Rent from MGM
And Justice For All (1979) (7.4) DVD
Best Friends (1982) (5.5–skip?)
A Soldier’s Story (1984) (7.2) DVD
Agnes of God (1985) (6.6) DVD (ILL)
Moonstruck (1987) (7.2) (Tubi)
In Country (1989) (5.9) DVD (Kanopy, HCL)
Other People’s Money (1991) (6.2) DVD (ILL)
Only You (1994) (6.5) DVD
Bogus (1996) (5.3–skip?)
The Hurricane (1999) (7.6) DVD
The Statement (2003) (6.2–might skip, but it was his last movie) DVD (ILL)

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things).

Books I read yesterday: As We Are Now by May Sarton—finished; The Boys Omnibus Vol. 4 by Garth Ennis.

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder:
Watched: 1. A Tale of Two Londons, and 2. Crime and Punishment, London Style.
Read: 3. Sexes and the City, and 4. Growing Up Like Nell and Oliver.

Watching: Agnes of God

Listening:

>72 klobrien2: I love the idea of writing a dissent to old age! I think that's actually the subtext of everything I write. I'm glad you enjoyed the read, Karen O.!

>73 klobrien2: ugh

But you're in for a treat next time!

Wordle 1,220 4/6 irate, cloud, zoomy, spoon

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Connections
Puzzle #498
🟨🟨🟨🟨
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Strands #232
“We're in this together”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/21:
27/27 words (+1 bonus word)—1-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 13% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 44

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/21:
22/22 words (+2 bonus words)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

>75 richardderus: Sarton really has a way with words!

>76 richardderus: Yes, I’m looking forward to my rewatch of “Moonstruck”!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Monday!

>57 klobrien2: Oh you hit me with a BB! Sounds like a good one.

Happy week ahead :)

>79 figsfromthistle: Oh, good! I really liked Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell, and I hope you do, too!

Happy week to you!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Grocery list? Jerry list. Electricians say they’ll be here for their second day of work.

Books I read yesterday: The Boys Omnibus Vol. 4 by Garth Ennis, My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2 by Emil Ferris.

Magazines:
Minnesota Monthly (Jul/Aug), American Patchwork and Quilting (October), Consumer Reports (Aug).

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder:
Watch: 3. Sexes and the City, and 4. Growing Up Like Nell and Oliver.

Watching: Moonflower Murders ep. 6 (season finale); Freaks and Geeks eps. 11 and 12.

Listening:

Wordle 1,221 3/6 irate, clout, shout

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Connections
Puzzle #499
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Strands #233
“Cool color!”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/22:
36/36 words (+1 bonus word)—2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 22% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 45

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/22:
19/19 words (+4 bonus words)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

My brain feels fried, and I didn’t even do any work. The electricians were here by 10am and finished up for the day by 5pm. I think the electrical system was in worse shape than they expected. The main task was converting from fuse-based to circuit breakers.

So I had no electricity for most of that time, no Internet, only natural daylight until I dug out Art’s headlamp (he used to use it for reading in bed; it brought me joy to use it today!). I also got a lot of paper book reading done. But I hated not having Internet (whine!)

I’m so glad to be able to “talk” to you again!

>83 klobrien2: so hard to not have internet. Glad you’re back on line

>84 Kristelh: I know! The temporary outage does make me more grateful for what I have! There's only so much you can do on a phone.

385. Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium by Marcie R. Rendon



Marcie R. Rendon is one of my favorite crime story writers--the Cash Blackbear series, set in NW Minnesota, featuring the terrific detective Cash, a young Anishinaabe woman, are terrific books.

This book is not a crime book, though. It is beautiful poetry ("Dream Songs" and "Performance Songs"). It is dedicated:

to those of us who have gone before;
to those who are yet to come
to those who are ever present
who sing their songs for us to hear

Rendon credits Summer in the Spring: Anishinaabe Lyric Poems and Stories, ed. Gerald Vizenor (my book #321) with influence on her writing and the push to create her book of poetry.

These are just a few of her Dream Songs that spoke especially to me:

women sing
and
spirit light travels
back to ancient
peoples
and forward
to all the
future generations

1. call the winds of healing
sing your grief into being
2. call the winds of grief
sing your healing into being
3. tears are raindrops
that cleanse the soul

386. The Boys Omnibus Volume 4 by Garth Ennis



My disclaimer for this series:

I'm enjoying my reread of these graphic novels. I'm a fan of the TV show, and the books help me to recall and revisit the back story, the plot lines (although the show is an adaptation), and the characters.

This volume concentrated on the back stories of Hughie and Annie ("Starlight").

Trigger warning: this series is quite violent and gory at times. The political content is quite reminiscent of present-day as well. (Gulp!)

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Order groceries. Electricians say they’ll be here for a few more hours of work.

Books I read yesterday: The Boys Omnibus Vol. 4 by Garth Ennis—finished, Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium by Marcie R. Rendon—finished,My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2 by Emil Ferris, Digging Dinosaurs by John R. Horner.

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder:
Watch: 3. Sexes and the City, and 4. Growing Up Like Nell and Oliver.

Watching: Only Murders in the Building ep. 4.9; What We Do in the Shadows ep. 5.1.

Listening:

Wordle 1,222 4/6 irate, cloud, moony, goofy

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Fun Connections today, once I got the idea…

Connections
Puzzle #500
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Strands #234
“On the road”
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I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/23:
26/26 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

FUSES?! About time to make that switch.

Stay safe and well, dear lady!

>90 richardderus: Yeah, no kidding about “about time.” They guys finished their work, and I have an inspection scheduled for next week.

I’ll be by to visit in a bit…

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). KP.

Books I read yesterday: Digging Dinosaurs by John R. Horner, Library Book Day (4).

Magazines: New York Times Magazine (10/13), New York Times Book Review (10/13).

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder:
Watch: 3. Sexes and the City, and 4. Growing Up Like Nell and Oliver.

Watching: Shrinking ep. 2.3; High Potential ep. 5.

Listening:

Wordle 1,223 5/6 irate, cloud, sonny, mossy, bossy

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Connections
Puzzle #501
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Strands #235
“My cup of tea”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
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🟡

I played https://squaredle.com 10/24:
48/48 words (+13 bonus words)—4 stars of 5 difficulty—
📖 In the top 28% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 47

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/24:
23/23 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 In the top 44% by accuracy

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). KP.

Books I read yesterday: Library Book Day (4 more), Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Anne Porter.

Magazines: Consumer Reports (Sept) and (Oct), American Patchwork and Quilting (Dec), Minnesota Monthly (Sept/Oct).

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder:
FINALLY watched: 3. Sexes and the City, and 4. Growing Up Like Nell and Oliver.
Read: 5. London’s Sublime Wilderness, and 6. London Fog.

Watching: Abbott Elementary ep. 4.3.

Listening:

I am not even trying to catch up, Karen, just swinging by to check on you.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Wordle 1,224 4/6 irate, crowd, grown, frown

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Connections
Puzzle #502
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Strands #236
“Make some noise!”
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🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/25:
66/66 words (+16 bonus words)—5 of 5 stars difficulty—
📖 In the top 35% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 48

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/25:
23/23 words
🎯 Perfect accuracy

>95 alcottacre: Thanks for stopping in! Good weekend to you!

Morning, Karen O.! I'm glad it's Saturday and the fall has fallen over the land, and hope you are too.

*smooch*

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). KP. Update Reading Roundup, mags list.

Books I read yesterday: Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay—finished, Digging Dinosaurs.

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.
Watched: 5. London’s Sublime Wilderness, and 6. London Fog;
Read: 7. Engineering London, and 8. London: Past, Present, and Future.

Watching: What We Do in the Shadows eps. 6.2 and 6.3.

Listening:

Wordle 1,225 5/6 I actually thought of using the solution word a little earlier in the process, but I thought, “no, that word is weird.” Should’ve gone with weird word! irate, cream, bread, freak, wreak

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Connections
Puzzle #503
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Strands #237
“Sing-song”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/26:
28/28 words (+3 bonus words)—2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 7% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 49

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/26:
20/20 words (+4 bonus words)
📖 In the top 10% by bonus words

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (10/25/24):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Digging Dinosaurs by John R. Horner and James Gorman -- p. 139 of 205
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout -- p. 3 of 326
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler; adapted by Damien Duffy and John Jennings -- p. 55 of 260
The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne --
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book 2 by Emil Ferris -- about halfway
Razor Girl (Andrew Yancy #2) by Carl Hiassen -- p. 64 of 333
Erasure by Percival Everett (TIOLI #10) -- p. 11 of 245 (Nook)
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy -- p. 19 of 174
A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle -- p. 73 of 250 (Libby)
The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13) by Jim Butcher -- p. 18 of 443 (Libby)
Before Midnight by Rex Stout -- p. 7 of 172 (Libby)
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 8 of 280 (Libby)
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 96 of 439 (Libby)
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by Tanarive Due

I'm overbooked! I don't want to lose track of these books, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride -- p. 18 of 385
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman -- p. 20 of 173
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger -- p. 82 of 421 (mine, on Nook)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- p. 29 of 278 (mine, on Nook)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- p. 81 of 253 (mine, on Nook)
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 73 of 288 (Nook)
Agatha's First Case (Agatha Raisin #0.5) by M. C. Beaton (Nook)
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In October, we are reading books by Katherine Anne Porter. I plan to read Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels — p. 10 of 208.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is London in the Time of Dickens by Lillian Nayder. I have read/watched 6 of 12 lectures.

*******************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony,
the illustrated children's book, and the board game.
(Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
*******************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day!:



387. I Color Myself Different by Colin Koepernick, ill. Eric Wilkerson



"Encourages readers to embrace their unique differences, stand up to adversity, and to courageously love their whole, true selves."



388. Old Turtle and the Broken Truth: Lessons of Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, ill. John J. Muth



Beautiful paintings and message: "love, acceptance, and the nature of truth."



389. Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart by Douglas Wood, ill. Greg Ruth



Beautiful art; spiritual and philosophical questions:

Why are we here? What i our purpose in life?

How do we find happiness?

Please tell us about family.

Can you tell us about play?

Speak to us of evil.

Now the Old Woman, stooped by the weight of many years and of loved ones lost,
asked, "And what of death, Old Turtle?"

Old Woman: "Every dawn brings a question,
a question only the heart can hear:
Who are you, and how will you live this day?"



390. The Nutcracker: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids by Susan jeffers



"Lovely, spare text based on the ballet."



391. Abuela by Arthur Dorros, ill. Elisa Kleven



Lovely collage illustrations! "Spirited tribute to the power of love and family, pride between a little girl and her grandmother." Beautifully detailed illustrations, almost like a "Where's Waldo?" with aerial views.

In English, with a lot of Spanish words and translation provided within the story (good way to learn meanings!) Glossary with pronunciation at the end of the book.



392. The Spaceman by Randy Cecil



"Charming tale of unexpected adventure." Funny and cute!



393. Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, ill. Eric Carle



"Bold collage art." Introduction to animals of the wild. This would be very fun to read aloud with a kid.



394. Agatha's Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Laura L. Seeley



Terrific, beautiful illustrations remind me of Gennedy Spirin. Filled with puns and wordplay. Origins of many common-place things.

"Everything come from something,
Nothing come from nothing.
Just like paper comes from trees,
And glass comes from sand,
An answer comes from a question
All you have to do is ask."

395. The Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, edited by Nancy Mitford



St. Vincent Millay has been one of my favorite poets for years. It felt so good to be back reading her poems again. This time through, her poems of death and loss rang very, very true, so that's new.

A few of my favorites:

From A Few Figs From Thistles,

Second Fig (There is a grave in the small indigenous cemetery in La Pointe (I think it's there illicitly) that has this as the epitaph):

Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand:
Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

From Sonnets and The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver (one of my all-time favorites, of any poet)

Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!
Give back my book and take my kiss instead.
Was it my enemy or my friend I heard,
"What a big book for such a little head!"
Come, I will show you now my newest hat,
And you may watch me purse my mouth and prink!
I never again shall tell you what I think.
I shall be sweet and crafty, soft and sly;
You will not catch me reading any more:
I shall be called a wife to pattern by;
And some day when you knock and push the door,
Some sane day, not too bright and not too stormy,
I shall be gone, and you may whistle for me.

396. Digging Dinosaurs: The Search that Unraveled the Mystery of Baby Dinosaurs by John R. Horner and James Gorman



This book was recommended by the Great Course I recently took, The Scientific Wonder of Birds. That course taught that birds are, indeed, dinosaurs.

"In the 1970s, however, the world of dinosaurs had been turned upside down. The old image of dinosaurs has been one of cold-blooded, slow, dumb reptiles. Well, they were reptiles all right, but suddenly paleontologists were saying they were warm-blooded, they were fast, they were smart. They didn't move the way we thought they did. They stood differently. In short, we needed to reimagine them."

This book was really fascinating reading, easy to understand, with quite a few illustrations and charts to ease the way.

Stopping by to wish you a happy weekend, Karen.

>105 vancouverdeb: Thanks! Same to you!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Church. KP.

Books I read yesterday: Digging Dinosaurs—finished; My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book 2 by Emil Ferris, Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout.

Magazines: AARP (June/July)

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.
watch: 7. Engineering London, and 8. London: Past, Present, and Future.

Watching: Elsbeth ep. 2.2, GBBS ep. 15.5, Ghosts ep. 4.2, George and Mandy’s First Marriage ep. 2.

Listening:

Wordle 1,226 6/6 Phew! for sure! irate, gauzy, happy, savvy, sadly, sandy

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Connections
Puzzle #504
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Strands #238
“Best of the best”
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🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/27:
57/57 words (+17 bonus words)—4-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 25% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 50

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/27:
25/25 words (+4 bonus words)
📖 In the top 5% by bonus words

Time to gear up my “Norman Jewison Film Fest”:

Jewison, who passed away in January, was prolific, and directed a lot of my favorite movies. Here’s a mostly-complete list of his oeuvre (how do you like that cinema-speak?!) Jewison did a lot of TV, and I’ve omitted those shows. The films I’ve seen are in bold. I’ll be rewatching!



Moonstruck (1987) Cher (won the Best Actress Oscar), Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis (Best Supporting Actress), Danny Aiello, John Mahoney. Writer John Patrick Shanley won Best Original Screenplay Oscar.

What a great, fun movie! The tagline for the movie is, “Curses, Infidelity, Pasta. That’s Amore!” Stellar cast (all of them!) You feel a real sense of place throughout the movie—New York is really another character in the film. A shot of the city with the full moon in the background and the Twin Towers plainly visible broke my heart.

Humor, romance, family bonds…that’s amore!

P.s. I watched the film on a library DVD, and there were great features on it—the longest one was a “making of” featurette which had many scenes of Jewison smiling, talking, directing! What insights into Jewison, the director.

In Country is up next.

The Fabulous Fifties (1960) 7.5 on IMDB (unavailable?)
40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) (6.3)
The Thrill of It All (1963) (6.9)
Send Me No Flowers (1964) (6.9)
The Art of Love (1965) (6.1) (DVD)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) (7.2) (Tubi)
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) (7.0) (Tubi)
In the Heat of the Night (1967) (7.9) (Tubi)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) (6.9) (MGM+)
Gaily, Gaily (1969) (5.3–might skip this one)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (8.0) (Tubi)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (7.3) (Peacock)
Rollerball (1975) (6.5) (MGM+)
F.I.S.T. (1978) (6.4) Rent from MGM
And Justice For All (1979) (7.4) DVD
Best Friends (1982) (5.5–skip?)
A Soldier’s Story (1984) (7.2) DVD
Agnes of God (1985) (6.6) DVD (ILL)
Moonstruck (1987) (7.2) DVD
In Country (1989) (5.9) DVD (Kanopy, HCL)
Other People’s Money (1991) (6.2) DVD (ILL)
Only You (1994) (6.5) DVD
Bogus (1996) (5.3–skip?)
The Hurricane (1999) (7.6) DVD
The Statement (2003) (6.2–might skip, but it was his last movie) DVD (ILL)

>109 klobrien2: One of my very favorite films! It's a terrific work on every axis. I'm glad it delighted you, again.

New-week orisons, dear lady.

>110 richardderus: Hi, Richard! Yes, it is such a good movie. A real classic: or, should I say, “reel” classic!

Have a great week!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). KP. Errands.

Books I read yesterday: My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book 2 by Emil Ferris.

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.
Watch: 7. Engineering London, and 8. London: Past, Present, and Future.

Watching: Moonstruck, 9-1-1 ep. 8.5.

Listening: Trampled by Turtles—“Best of” playlist on Spotify.

Wordle 1,227 5/6 irate, splay, daffy, bandy, bawdy

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Connections — No luck today—out of my wheelhouse.

Puzzle #505
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Strands #239
“Fall fun”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/28:
26/26 words (+2 bonus words)—2 stars of 5 difficulty—
📖 In the top 22% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 51

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/28:
22/22 words (+2 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 14% by accuracy

An article from the NYT about crows who hold a grudge: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/science/crows-grudges-revenge.html?unlocked_a...

>110 richardderus: >111 klobrien2: I agree with everything Richard said about Moonstruck. I love that movie! And the Italian in the movie is easy enough I could understand it. Just so good.

I did not find today's Connections to be easy. I did not know the Yellow group at all. I never heard of two of the audio apps, and I had to break down and get a hint for the purple row, or I probably would have bombed on it today.

I will look at that article on crows when I get a minute. Thanks for sharing it!

>115 atozgrl: Hi there! “Moonstruck” is definitely one of my favorite Norman Jewison movies. Sounds like it’s one of yours, too! I’ve had Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” running through my head, off and on, ever since I watched the movie.

I’m excited to try today’s Connections since bombing yesterday. Fingers crossed! (It’s actually difficult to type with your fingers crossed!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). KP.

Books I read yesterday: My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book 2 by Emil Ferris—finished.

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.
Watched: 7. Engineering London, and 8. London: Past, Present, and Future.

Watching: Somebody Somewhere ep. 3.1, Freaks and Geeks ep. 13.

Listening: Continued listening to Trampled by Turtles—“Best of” playlist on Spotify.

Wordle 1,228 4/6 irate, pithy, quilt, tunic

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Connections
Puzzle #506
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Strands #240
“You and me”
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🟡🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/29:
31/31 words (+8 bonus words)—2-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
📖 In the top 26% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 52

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/29:
24/24 words (+2 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 18% by accuracy

>116 klobrien2: Hi Karen! There are a lot of Jewison's movies that I have not seen, but of the ones I have, it is definitely my favorite. It falls in the group of movies that I never get tired of watching if I run across it on TV, so really one of my all-time favorites. The performances in it are delightful.

Haha. So true about the fingers. It looks like you had a good day with Connections. I can't remember if I missed one attempt today or not (I already closed my web tab on the site), but it was easier than yesterday.

Have a great week!

>119 atozgrl: Best to you! Thank you for stopping by!

>114 klobrien2: Corvids will inherit the Earth after we bake ourselves to death. Any creature that can hold a grudge is destined to rule.

Happy Wednesday, dear lady.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). KP. Electrical inspection. Grocery list, Jerry list.

Books I read yesterday: Parable of the Sower

Magazines:

Great Course London in the Time of Dickens, taught by Lillian Nayder.
Read and watched: 9. Pleasures and Pains, 10. The Heart of Empire, 11. Legal London: Expense, Anxiety, Injustice, and 12. Dicken’s Own London. Completed the course.

Watching: Only Murders in the Building ep. 4.10. Another season done—really enjoyed this one!

Listening: Continued listening to Trampled by Turtles—“Best of” playlist on Spotify.

Definite “phew!” today!

Wordle 1,229 6/6 irate, clean, apply, lazed, babel, easel

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Connections
Puzzle #507
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Strands #241
“How sweet!”
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I played https://squaredle.com 10/30:
47/47 words (+11 bonus words)—3 stars of 5 difficulty—
📖 In the top 28% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 53

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/30:
20/20 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 In the top 12% by accuracy

>122 klobrien2: Happy mid week!

Ha! i must be quite tired as I read "Parable of the Sower" as "parable of the shower" lol

Good luck with the electrical inspection

>124 figsfromthistle: Ha! I can see that happening! I think our eyes move too quickly sometimes (are you a fast reader?) and they get just an impression, never mind if it’s incorrect.

I’m still waiting for the inspector. Bah!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Karen!

397. My Favorite Thing is Monsters: Book Two by Emil Ferris



I'm going to copy in my review of Book One, as it certainly applies to Book Two:

Wow! Author Emil Ferris has created such a work of art, of drama, of horror...I'm so glad that listening in on other's LT threads brings books like this to my notice.

Young (pre-teen?) Karen Reyes is the narrator and artist of the book. She wants nothing more than to be a monster, like the creatures in her favorite horror comic books.

"Just another reason why being a human girl stinks compared to being a monster. When I'm a monster I won't have to keep my mouth shut. No, I'll open my mouth and use my rows of long sharp teeth to rip up guys like Jerry."

There are stories within stories here. Alison Bechdel, one of my favorite artists (Fun Home), summarizes the book so well:

"Once you enter Emil Ferris's spectacular eye-popping magnum opus, there is no turning back. Her werewolf-girl protagonist's spiral-bound school notebook is a visual phantasmagoria of neural pathway-altering proportions. A freakish but lovingly cross-hatched cast of characters, meticulously envisioned covers of horror comics, and all-around virtuosic drawing chops, the heroine unravels a baroque mystery whose plot pulls you forward as insistently as the images demand that you linger. This is a monster of a book, in the best possible way."

Book Two advanced us in time, and Karen Reyes has learned more and experienced more in her short life. At the end of the book, so much is up in the air, I just have to believe that there is a Book Three!

398. London in the Time of Dickens (Great Course) by Lillian Nayder



I found this course quite interesting, and now have a great desire to read more Charles Dickens (I've only read A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, and Oliver Twist). Nayder is a very good teacher/reader. DVD, book 12 lessons of 30 minutes each.

>126 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia, you too!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Order groceries.

I didn’t do much reading yesterday! I finally got to my “KP,” the electrical inspection, household accounting, and other adulting things. Bah. Today I’ll have more time for the books.

Books

Magazines:

Great Course

Watching: Shrinking ep. 2.4. High Potential ep. 6.

Listening:

>128 klobrien2: This sounds interesting.

Wordle 1,230 4/6 irate, ripen, serif, weird

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Connections
Puzzle #508
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🟨🟨🟨🟨

Strands #242
“Trick or treat!”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 10/31:
55/55 words (+8 bonus words)—3-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 27% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 54

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 10/31:
21/21 words
🎯 In the top 18% by accuracy

>128 klobrien2: I had seen this in the Great Course catalogs and thought it looked interesting. I hope I can get to it at some point. Glad to hear you liked it.

>131 BLBera: >133 atozgrl: London in the Time of Dickens was a great Great Course (see what I did there?)

But I have rarely come across a Great Course that I couldn’t find something good to say about. (That is such a convoluted-sounding sentence—how about, “about which I could find nothing good to say”?)

Thanks to you both for stopping by!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Reading Roundup, mags list updates.

Didn’t read much yesterday, either, but I did get all caught up with newspapers!

Books

Magazines:

Great Course

Watching: What We Do In the Shadows ep. 6.4. Abbott Elementary ep. 4.4.

Listening: “Monster Mash” (“it was a graveyard smash”)!

Wordle 1,231 5/6 My streak of 13 continues! irate, witty, pinto, filth, sixth

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Connections
Puzzle #509
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🟨🟦🟦🟪
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Strands #243
“Strategy game”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🔵🟡
🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/01:
62/62 words (+16 bonus words)—5 stars of 5 difficulty—
🔥 Solve streak: 55

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/01:
24/24 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 In the top 18% by accuracy

Happy Friday, Karen! Enjoy your reads ahead.

>136 klobrien2: - I think my streak is at 16 but it came very close to ending today! It took me all 6 guesses!

>137 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah!

>138 jessibud2: Wordle was a little tough yesterday, I thought.

Thanks to you both for stopping by!

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Karen O.! *smooch*

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Reading Roundup, mags list updates. Library Book Day! A few errands to run.

Books Library Book Day #1 (8)

Magazines: NYT Magazine (10/20), NYT Book Review (10/20), Booklist (9/15).

Great Course

Watching: GBBS ep. 15.6, Elsbeth ep. 2.3, Ghosts ep. 4.3, George and Mandy’s First Marriage ep. 1.3.

Listening:

Wordle 1,232 4/6 irate, cloud, swoop, snoop

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟧⬜⬜
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Etymonline.com: snoop (v.)
1832, "go around in a prying manner," American English, probably from Dutch snoepen "to pry," also "eat in secret, eat sweets, sneak," which is probably related to snappen "to bite, snatch" (see snap (v.)). The specific meaning "to pry into other people's business" is attested by 1921. Related: Snooped; snooping.
also from 1832
snoop (n.)
1891, "act of snooping," from snoop (v.). The U.S. colloquial meaning "one who snoops" is by 1902; the sense of "detective" is from 1942. Snooper "one who pries or peeps" is from 1889.

Connections
Puzzle #510
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Strands #244
“Good on paper”
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🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/02:
49/49 words (+7 bonus words)—3-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 42% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 56

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/02:
19/19 words (+4 bonus words)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (11/01/24):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout -- p. 3 of 326
The Message by Ta-Nahisi Coates
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler; adapted by Damien Duffy and John Jennings -- p. 55 of 260
Queen Macbeth A Novel by Val McDermid
Holes by Louis Sachar
The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne --
Razor Girl (Andrew Yancy #2) by Carl Hiassen -- p. 64 of 333
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy -- p. 19 of 174
A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle -- p. 73 of 250 (Libby)
The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Comforts of Madness by Paul Sayer -- p. 1 of 120
Cheerfulness by Garrison Keillor
Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13) by Jim Butcher -- p. 18 of 443 (Libby)
Before Midnight by Rex Stout -- p. 7 of 172 (Libby)
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 8 of 280 (Libby)
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 96 of 439 (Libby)
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by Tanarive Due

I'm overbooked! I don't want to lose track of these books, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride -- p. 18 of 385
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman -- p. 20 of 173
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger -- p. 82 of 421 (mine, on Nook)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- p. 29 of 278 (mine, on Nook)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- p. 81 of 253 (mine, on Nook)
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 73 of 288 (Nook)
Agatha's First Case (Agatha Raisin #0.5) by M. C. Beaton (Nook)
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In November, the group is reading Jewish-American Authors.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. I will be starting a new course: The Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Church (All Saints Sunday).

Books Library Book Day #2 (3)

Magazines:

Great Course

Watching: Agatha All Along ep. 1 (fun show, might watch more). In Country (Norman Jewison Festival).

Listening:

Wordle 1,233 3/6 irate, blame, blaze

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Connections
Puzzle #511
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Strands #245
“In my kingdom”
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🔵🔵🟡🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/03:
70/70 words (+23 bonus words)—4-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
📖 In the top 40% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 57

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/03:
29/29 words (+2 bonus words)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

Good job, in 3! Took me all 6 today, not sure why

>146 jessibud2: Wordle is such an individualistic puzzle—so many variables. Glad you got it, though!

Thanks for stopping by!

Just dropped by to wish you all the best Karen and to point out that Wordle is a tad addictive!

>148 PaulCranswick: No! You think? You're probably right, but i enjoy it just a bit!

It took me all six today too, Karen.

*******************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony,
the illustrated children's book, and the board game.
(Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
*******************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day!:



399. Kamala and Maya's Big Idea by Meena Harris, ill. Ann Ramirez Gonzalez



This book celebrates "children's ability to make a difference and of a community coming together to transform their neighborhood." Interesting background to our (hopefully) next President and her sister.



400. In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limon, ill. Peter Sis



Beautiful poetry and illustration! This book "looks out to the endless night sky and inward to our living planet to ask what it means to explore beyond the known world." The poem is engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft and will travel to Europa, Jupiter's second moon.

In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa

Arching under the night sky inky
with black expansiveness, we point
to the planets we know, we

pin quick wishes on stars. From earth,
we read the sky as if it is an unerring book
of the universe, expert and evident.

Still, there are mysteries below our sky:
the whale song, the songbird singing
its call in the bough of a wind-shaken tree.

We are creatures of constant awe,
curious at beauty, at leaf and blossom,
at grief and pleasure, sun and shadow.

And it is not darkness that unites us,
not the cold distance of space, but
the offering of water, each drop of rain,

each rivulet, each pulse, each vein.
O second moon, we, too, are made
of water, of vast and beckoning seas.

We, too, are made of wonders, of great
and ordinary loves, of small invisible worlds,
of a need to call out through the dark.



401. Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins



Intergalactic tail (sic) of boy-meets-dog. Really cute and charming.



402. Mr. Fox's Game of "No!" by David LaRochelle, ill. Mike Whonoutka



Funny, clever framework for this story! I think kids would love this, and it would be great fun to read it out loud, together.



403. The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Michael P. White



"When Sunrise Elementary advertises for a thick-skinned librarian with a burning love of books, Miss Lotta Scales knows she's perfect for the job. Who can guard books better than a REAL dragon?"

Ms Scales learns the real use of a library, and that the school library belongs to the kids. She changes, but there are still rules:

Mind Your Library Manners

-->Treat a book like you treat a friend--you don't wipe your nose on your friend
-->Remember to check hurt books into our Book Hospital
-->Return books when due, so others can enjoy them (this is a library, not a bookstore)
-->If you need help, ask! (that's why I get paid the big bucks!)
-->Quiet please. (whisper in the library; yell on the playground.)

Happy reading, pumpkins!



404. Lucy by Randy Cecil



Lucy, a small stray dog and Eleanor, the girl who love her. Four "acts," charming, simple black and white illustrations. I liked the repetition of elements in Lucy's daily routine.



405. Douglas by Randy Cecil



Another by Randy Cecil, and it's similar in its "bones" to Lucy. "It's a tale of high stakes chases, clever escapes, and daring rescues: it's a celebration of bravery and friendship."



406. Glasswings: A Butterfly's Story by Elisa Kleven



Gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations and a thrilling (if you're a butterfly) and uplifting story.



407. Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers



Importance of friendship.



408. 5 More Sleeps 'Til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon



Yes, THAT Jimmy Fallon. Evidently, the guy is just nuts about Christmas (Halloween, too--he's just published 5 More Sleeps 'Til Halloween.

He does a great job at capturing the yearning for the day to be there, all with a sense of humor and silliness.



409. Louise: The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Harry Bliss



"She longed for adventure.
So she left her home and ventured out into the wide world."

Duplicate

Duplicate add

Wow Karen, you are well over 400 books already. I am in awe.

Time to gear up my “Norman Jewison Film Fest”:

Jewison, who passed away in January, was prolific, and directed a lot of my favorite movies. Here’s a mostly-complete list of his oeuvre (how do you like that cinema-speak?!) Jewison did a lot of TV, and I’ve omitted those shows. The films I’ve seen are in bold. I’ll be rewatching!



In Country (1989) based on In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason. Starred Bruce Willis, Emily Lloyd, Joan Allen, and a host of others. A young girl whose father died in the Vietnam War becomes determined to find out more about him and his experiences. This is a quiet, slow-moving film, but it dealt with important questions about the Vietnam War and its tragic consequences for a generation.

The film is set in Kentucky, so Jewison gets to play (once again) with issues of "the South" (mostly the heat and humidity this time). The Emily Lloyd character is a little annoying in her search for answers and Lloyd's fakey Southern accent (she's British), although the accent fakeness seemed to lessen as the film went on.

Willis was great--he played his role as the Vietnam vet uncle low-key and sweet. Peggy Rea as the grandmother was terrific.

The scenes at the Vietnam Memorial was incredibly moving.

I'm glad I included this film on my list.

Other People's Money is up next.

The Fabulous Fifties (1960) 7.5 on IMDB (unavailable?)
40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) (6.3)
The Thrill of It All (1963) (6.9)
Send Me No Flowers (1964) (6.9)
The Art of Love (1965) (6.1) (DVD)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) (7.2) (Tubi)
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) (7.0) (Tubi)
In the Heat of the Night (1967) (7.9) (Tubi)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) (6.9) (MGM+)
Gaily, Gaily (1969) (5.3–might skip this one)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (8.0) (Tubi)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (7.3) (Peacock)
Rollerball (1975) (6.5) (MGM+)
F.I.S.T. (1978) (6.4) Rent from MGM
And Justice For All (1979) (7.4) DVD
Best Friends (1982) (5.5–skip?)
A Soldier’s Story (1984) (7.2) DVD
Agnes of God (1985) (6.6) DVD (ILL)
Moonstruck (1987) (7.2) DVD
In Country (1989) (5.9) DVD (Kanopy, HCL)
Other People’s Money (1991) (6.2) DVD (ILL)
Only You (1994) (6.5) DVD
Bogus (1996) (5.3–skip?)
The Hurricane (1999) (7.6) DVD
The Statement (2003) (6.2–might skip, but it was his last movie) DVD (ILL)

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Contractor Nate here—vanity to be installed.

Books Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid, Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne.

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner: Book and DVD, 24 lectures.
Read and watched: 1. A Destination Like No Other, and 2. Prehistoric and Celtic Ireland.

Watching:

Listening:

>127 klobrien2: I really need to get that one read. Both books 1 and 2 have been in the BlackHole far too long.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Wordle 1,234 4/6 irate, blind, filly, vinyl

🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟦🟦🟦⬜
⬜🟧🟦⬜🟦
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #512
🟪🟩🟩🟩
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🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #246
“In a(n) ...”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/04:
23/23 words (+3 bonus words)—1-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 12% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 58

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/04:
21/21 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

Are you always doing a Great Course?

>159 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel. I pretty much always have a Great Course going. I’m running out more current courses at my library, though. I suppose I could revisit some favorites… ☺️

>154 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul!

>157 alcottacre: The My Favorite Thing Is Monsters books are really something, Stasia. I’ve read quite a few graphic books, and have never come across anything quite like them. They’re huge, for one thing; very detailed, terrific artwork, and from the point of view of a young girl dealing with some horrible things. I hope you get a chance to read them, and that you like them when you do!

Thank you to you all for stopping by!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Vanity got installed—well, mostly; the faucet and top get installed on Friday, when the new ADA-compliant toilet also goes in. Today, since I voted days ago, I don’t have any reason to go out, so I’ll hibernate and try not to worry about America and her political situation. Oh, and do some dishes.😇

Books Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel, Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne.

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner:
Read: 3. Early Christian and Medieval Ireland, and 4. Ireland During the Protestant Ascendancy.

Watching: Somebody Somewhere ep. 3.2, Freaks and Geeks eps. 14 and 15.

Listening: From the NYT: Quincy Jones Legacy in 14 Songs. Really enjoyed the journey of this one—mourning the loss of Quincy Jones.

Wordle 1,235 4/6 irate, theft, motet, octet

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🟦⬜🟦⬜🟧
⬜🟦🟧🟧🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #513
🟩🟩🟩🟩
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🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟨🟨🟨🟨

The Strands theme was just not coming to mind today, so I had to use, not one, but two hints!

Strands #247
“More than just sports”
💡🔵💡🔵
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🟡

I played https://squaredle.com 11/05:
37/37 words (+9 bonus words)—2-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 44% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 59

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/05:
19/19 words (+3 bonus words)
📖 In the top 6% by bonus words

I usually watch the NYTimes’s late-night recaps. Today’s started like this:

Late Night Addresses Your Election Eve Anxiety
“It feels like the whole country is waiting to get the results of a biopsy,” Jimmy Kimmel said.

Exactly!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things).

Books:

Magazines: The Week (10/25), New Yorker (10/28).

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner:
Watched: 3. Early Christian and Medieval Ireland, and 4. Ireland During the Protestant Ascendancy.
Read: 5. From the Easter Rising to the Present Day, and 6. Dublin’s Fair City.

Watching: What We Do in the Shadows ep. 6.5, SNL (11/2).

Listening:

Wordle 1,236 4/6 irate, trout, trump, truly

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🟧🟧⬜🟦⬜
🟧🟧🟧⬜⬜
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #514
🟪🟩🟨🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
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🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #248
“Strumming right along ...”
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🔵🔵🟡🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/06:
26/26 words (+7 bonus words)—3 of 5 stars difficulty—
📖 In the top 5% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 60

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/06:
22/22 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

The great courses that you listen to sound interesting. Is this a subscription service or is it available free?

>166 figsfromthistle: My library offers the courses for checkout. I use the DVD-based courses, but they also have audio (CD) courses.

I believe that the Great Courses company offers the courses for sale. I’ve never looked into that, though I might as I’m working my way through all of the courses (at least the ones I want to take).

Thanks for stopping by!

>164 klobrien2: "Pained" is my reaction as well. All we can do is to carry on.

Well. That happened.

Courage!

>168 atozgrl: You're right. We have to be people who work to put things right.

>169 richardderus: It did. I still can't believe it.

I have taken comfort in hearing other people talk about their own feelings and thoughts on this mess. Thank you both for your commiseration.

Time to gear up my “Norman Jewison Film Fest”:

Jewison, who passed away in January, was prolific, and directed a lot of my favorite movies. Here’s a mostly-complete list of his oeuvre (how do you like that cinema-speak?!) Jewison did a lot of TV, and I’ve omitted those shows. The films I’ve seen are in bold. I’ll be rewatching!



Other People's Money (1991) based on a play by Jerry Sterner. Starring Danny DeVito, Gregory Peck, Penelope Ann Miller, Piper Laurie. Romantic comedy (with DeVito?). DeVito plays "Larry the Liquidator," a ruthless money man who is out to take over the little but hardy New England Wire and Cable. "A corporate raider threatens a hostile take-over of a "mom and pop" company. The patriarch of the company enlists the help of his wife's daughter, who is a lawyer, to try and protect the company. The raider is enamored of her, and enjoys the thrust and parry of legal maneuvering as he tries to win her heart."

I had a little difficulty thinking of DeVito as the romantic interest, since he has been such a funny comedic actor. It don't think I've seen Penelope Ann Miller in anything, but she was okay here. As for the directing, I think I could recognize Jewison's hand in things. Lots of New York skyline shots (including the heartbreaking view of the Twin Towers). The film starts with a "fourth wall" scene of DeVito talking to the camera, explaining his love for money. The film compares capitalism and shareholders' right to profits with the need to protect the workers and the manufacturing way of life. I think it makes a good case for both sides. Gregory Peck, Piper Laurie, and Dean Stockwell are good in representing the older generation, the "but this is the way we've always done it."

Only You is up next; if my ILL request for that film doesn't come in soon, I'll move ahead to The Hurricane. Only three films left in my Jewison Fest! Maybe I'll do a Danny DeVito Fest next!

The Fabulous Fifties (1960) 7.5 on IMDB (unavailable?)
40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) (6.3)
The Thrill of It All (1963) (6.9)
Send Me No Flowers (1964) (6.9)
The Art of Love (1965) (6.1) (DVD)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) (7.2) (Tubi)
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) (7.0) (Tubi)
In the Heat of the Night (1967) (7.9) (Tubi)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) (6.9) (MGM+)
Gaily, Gaily (1969) (5.3–might skip this one)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (8.0) (Tubi)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (7.3) (Peacock)
Rollerball (1975) (6.5) (MGM+)
F.I.S.T. (1978) (6.4) Rent from MGM
And Justice For All (1979) (7.4) DVD
Best Friends (1982) (5.5–skip?)
A Soldier’s Story (1984) (7.2) DVD
Agnes of God (1985) (6.6) DVD (ILL)
Moonstruck (1987) (7.2) DVD
In Country (1989) (5.9) DVD (Kanopy, HCL)
Other People’s Money (1991) (6.2) DVD (ILL)
Only You (1994) (6.5) DVD
Bogus (1996) (5.3–skip?)
The Hurricane (1999) (7.6) DVD
The Statement (2003) (6.2–might skip, but it was his last movie) DVD (ILL)

>171 klobrien2: Other People's Money was never a favorite of mine, but it wouldn't be would it.

Keep your heart as light as you can...read things that fulfill something for you, no matter what that is. *smooch*

>172 richardderus: The movie, surprisingly, was funny, and had an upwards bent. Had a happy ending. I think it was just what I needed last night.

Hope you’re doing better. I am. I got hit with a migraine yesterday, and haven’t had them for a long while. I had one or two after Art died, but I’m sure yesterday’s was due to the stress of the election. I’m much better today.

Thanks for stopping by! I am sending electronic smooches! …—zing—…—zing—…(those were electronic smooches) 😊

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things).

Books The Boys Omnibus Vol. 5

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner:
Watched: 5. From the Easter Rising to the Present Day, and 6. Dublin’s Fair City.
Read: 7. Dublin Today, North and South of the Liffey, and 8. The Churches of Dublin.

Watching: Other People’s Money

Listening:

Wordle 1,237 3/6 irate, steep, event

⬜⬜⬜🟦🟦
⬜🟦🟧🟦⬜
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #515
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #249
“Extremely online”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/07:
53/53 words (+10 bonus words)—4 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 17% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 61

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/07:
19/19 words (+4 bonus words)
⏱️ In the top 20% by speed

Hi Karen, pardon me while I jump in to post a PSA for the groups 2024 Christmas Swap. I'm trying to cast a larger net to make sure as many people know about it as possible. Not everyone follows me, or might not see the Group Announcement thread. So I'm visiting a bunch of the more active groups to post a link to the group thread.

The 2024 Christmas Swap thread is live. If you or anyone who follows you are interested head on over, all the details are there. If not, no big deal, thank you for your time. :)

https://www.librarything.com/topic/365525

>176 mahsdad: Thanks! Your swap has always sounded like so much fun. I'll definitely follow along, even if I don't jump in.

Feel free to lurk. LOL. I know everyone's situation is different. I like our little swap vs Santathing as I think its more personal, we all kinda know each other. Santathing is just random. That being said, I've done ST many times. I did both last year, but I don't think I'll do ST this year.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Plumber will be here to install new toilet and finish up the vanity. Carpet guy is here to do the fix to the edge of the carpet. Feels great to get this done!

Books The Boys Omnibus Vol. 5

Magazines: The Week (11/01), New Yorker (11/04).

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner:
Will watch: 7. Dublin Today, North and South of the Liffey, and 8. The Churches of Dublin.

Watching: Shrinking 2.5.

Listening:

Woo-hoo! A Wordle-in-two!

Wordle 1,238 2/6 irate, ready

⬜🟦🟧⬜🟦
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #516
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #250
“👋👏🤝🤏✌️☝️✊🙏”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/08:
63/63 words (+18 bonus words)—4-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 23% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 62

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/08:
28/28 words (+2 bonus words)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

2!! Excellent! I got it in 3.

>181 jessibud2: I didn’t realize I’d made a little rhyme for my Wordle: “Woo-hoo! A Wordle-in-two!”

A rhyme for you: “Golly gee! A Wordle-in-three!”

Sure does feel better to get a lower number, doesn’t it?!q

WOW! I feel like I won the lottery. I've added the following from your current thread:

Glasswings, Douglas, The Library Dragon, Mr. Fox's Game of No!, In Praise of Mystery, Agatha's Feather Bed, The Spaceman, Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta, and The Dandelion's Tale

>183 Whisper1: ((grins)) That's great! I'll have this week's crop of illustrated books out there within a day or two.

Have a great weekend! I hope you're doing better in the pain department!

>160 klobrien2: I am pretty sure that I will like My Favorite Thing Is Monsters when I get to the books as you recommended them as did Mark.

Have a wonderful weekend, Karen!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). All work is done in the half bath, and it looks pretty cute. This introvert feels very happy to not have strangers tromping in and out of the house. This has been grief work for me, to patch up the place of Art’s death and make it usable again. It’s taken me so long but I’m moving forward.
Today, I want to update my reading list and my mags list. And do a LOT of reading and TV watching!

Books The Boys Omnibus Vol. 5—finished. Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah.

Magazines: Atlantic (October), NYT Magazine (10/27).

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner:
Will watch today?: 7. Dublin Today, North and South of the Liffey, and 8. The Churches of Dublin.

Watching: GBBS 15.7, Abbot Elementary 4.5.

Listening:

Wordle 1,239 4/6 irate, speed, shell, swell

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟦
🟧⬜🟧⬜⬜
🟧⬜🟧🟧🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #517
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #251
“Generation jam”
🔵💡🔵💡
🔵💡🔵🟡
🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/09:
28/28 words (+2 bonus words)—2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 7% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 63

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/09:
20/20 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 In the top 11% by accuracy

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (11/08/24):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout -- p. 39 of 326
Queen Macbeth: A Novel by Val McDermid -- p. 5 of 127
The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne -- p. 50 of 286
Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon --
The Man in Black by Elly Griffiths --
Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah --
Nancy and Sluggo's Guide to Life by Ernie Bushmiller --
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler; adapted by Damien Duffy and John Jennings -- p. 98 of 260
Razor Girl (Andrew Yancy #2) by Carl Hiassen -- p. 64 of 333
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy -- p. 19 of 174
A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle -- p. 73 of 250 (Libby)
The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Comforts of Madness by Paul Sayer -- p. 1 of 120
Cheerfulness by Garrison Keillor
Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13) by Jim Butcher -- p. 18 of 443 (Libby)
Before Midnight by Rex Stout -- p. 7 of 172 (Libby)
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 8 of 280 (Libby)
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 96 of 439 (Libby)
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by Tanarive Due

I'm overbooked! I don't want to lose track of these books, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride -- p. 18 of 385
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman -- p. 20 of 173
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger -- p. 82 of 421 (mine, on Nook)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- p. 29 of 278 (mine, on Nook)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- p. 81 of 253 (mine, on Nook)
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 73 of 288 (Nook)
Agatha's First Case (Agatha Raisin #0.5) by M. C. Beaton (Nook)
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In November, the group is reading Jewish-American Authors. I plan to read: The Magician of Lublin by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. I will be starting a new course: The Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner. I've read and watched 4 of 24 lectures.

The New York Times published a list of this year's "Best Illustrated Childrens Books" yesterday. This article explains the judging process, and there are a lot of great illustrations and descriptions.

I, of course, went crazy and requested the books (9 out of 10) that I HAVEN'T read yet.

https://www.nytimes.com/card/2024/11/08/books/review/nyt-nypl-best-illustrated-c...

Here is a list of the ten books, in case the link isn't working (I didn't see the usual "share" option).

The Cat Way by Sara Lundberg

Animal Albums From A to Z by Cece Bell

Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastiao Salgado by Philip Hoezel, ill. Renato Alarcao

Yaya and the Sea by Karen Good Marable, ill. Tonya Engel

The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood, ill. Lellyen Pham

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, ill. Yuko Shimizu

Here and There by Thea Lu

As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts by Matthew Burgess, ill. Marc Majewski

Little Shrew by Akiko Miyakoshi

There's a Ghost in the Garden by Kyo Maclear, ill. Katty Maurey

410. The Boys Omnibus Volume 5 by Garth Ennis



My disclaimer for this series:

I'm enjoying my reread of these graphic novels. I'm a fan of the TV show, and the books help me to recall and revisit the back story, the plot lines (although the show is an adaptation), and the characters.

This volume concentrated on the back story of Butcher.

Trigger warning: this series is quite violent and gory at times. The political content is quite reminiscent of present-day as well. (Gulp!)

>190 klobrien2: *gulp* indeed. Homelander is, well, repugnant.

I send happy thoughts and rainbow wishes your way.

>191 richardderus: Thanks for your happy wishes! Now I’m countering my read of the rough “The Boys” with beautiful views of Ireland (my “Great Course”).

And then I have a stack of lovely children’s illustrated books to thereafter cleanse my soul and spirit.

I’m wafting good feelings your way, Richard. Be of good cheer! “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well” is attributed to Dame Julian of Norwich, an English mystic who lived from 1342 to 1416.

Thanks for stopping by!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Church (St. Olaf’s choir!).

Books Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah, and 7 other “Library Day” books.

Magazines: NYT Book Review (10/27), Booklist (08/01), (10/01), (10/15).

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner:
Watched: 7. Dublin Today, North and South of the Liffey, and 8. The Churches of Dublin.
Read: 9. The Museums of Dublin, 10. Day Trips from Dublin.

Watching: Elsbeth 2.4, Ghosts 4.4, George and Mandy’s First Marriage ep. 4.

Listening:

Wordle 1,240 4/6 irate, idler, infer, inner

🟧🟦⬜⬜🟦
🟧⬜⬜🟧🟧
🟧🟧⬜🟧🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections — The categories seemed really easy today, and I found the categories which are supposed to be the hardest, to be the easiest. Go figure!

Puzzle #518
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨

Strands #252
“Nice fit”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🟡

I played https://squaredle.com 11/10:
66/66 words (+10 bonus words)—4-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 24% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 64

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/10:
23/23 words (+2 bonus words)
📖 In the top 29% by bonus words

*******************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony,
the illustrated children's book, and the board game.
(Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
*******************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, avatiakh, AMQS, Blbera, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day!:



411. Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah, ill. Sabina Hahn



From the NYT: "Accompanied by Calvin and Hobbes-esque illustrations from Sabina Hahn, we follow a boy and a teddy bear beyond the confines of a gated yard into the wider world. Adventure awaits, as do lessons on connection, compromise and making peace while remaining true to who we are. Noah’s message couldn’t be more timely."

A really beautiful, well-made little book. Sweet little illustrations, with lovely messages of living and loving with others.

Noah wrote, "This is dedicated to the imagination that lives in all of us."



412. Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser, ill. Elisa Kleven



"We share air, water, soil, sky,
sun, rain, and being alive
and we all share one home, here on earth.
One precious living home."

Finely-detailed, lovely illustrations (mix of media, from collage to chalk), and beautiful poetry.



413. The Return of the Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Michael P. White



Mike Krochip (sound it out!) is the replacement for Miss Lotty Scales, who is retiring. He is all things high-tech, and sees no need to keep books around the school library! Miss Lotty straightens things out, with the help of Molly, her former student.

Lots of fun "booky" things here--kids' books, with slightly different titles, which should make kids roar with laughter. My favorite tweak was end pages covered with quotes about book and libraries--a treasure trove!



414. 13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided by Kevin Shortsleeve, ill. Michael Austin



This is poetry (of a Dr. Seuss type), but funny, and only a little scary. Great illustrations, made a little spookier because you have to look closely to see the "monster."

One of my favorite things was the disclaimer at the front of the book: "All monsters portrayed in this book are real. Any resemblance to imaginary monsters, living or dead, is purely coincidental."



415. Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers



"Once there was a boy, and one day he found a penguin at his door."

This is a book about friendship. The illustrations are simple, colorful, and filled with light. Lovely!



416. The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers



Another Oliver Jeffers! This one starts off, too, with "Once there was a boy..." but this time, the boy finds an airplane in his closet. A funny, very imaginative story, telling us that friendship is to be found, even in the depths of space.



417. Wish You Were Here: Postcards from Franz Kafka by Bernadette Watts



Lovely tale (based on a true story?) of Franz Kafka, and his bringing postcards from around the world to a little girl who was missing her beloved doll. The book is filled with beautiful, pastel-colored illustrations, intricate and detailed. Gorgeous book.

The book is dedicated:

In Memoriam
For Binette Schroeder,
1939-2022
Friend and colleague



418. How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, ill. Mike Wohnoutka



"From listeners who are just learning to say those two simple words to older readers who need a refresher, everyone will benefit from the reminder that apologizing might be hard, but it doesn't have to be complicated."

Terrific book, simple, funny, but so true and helpful.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things).

Books The Nutcracker by ETA Hoffman, ill. Maurice Sendak, Twin Cities Snapshots by Pioneer Press.

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C.
Will watch: 9. The Museums of Dublin, 10. Day Trips from Dublin.

Watching: 9-1-1 8.6, Freaks and Geeks eps. 16, 17, 18–finished the run of the show. Too bad that that’s all there is!

Listening:

>186 klobrien2: Karen, When Will died, I had to make every room in the house different, including most of the furniture. I moved into this space when it was originally his. I bought half the house. Hindsight made me realize we should have started a new. It was difficult for him that I moved into his house.

In order to move on, I had to slowly change things, every room was re-painted, all his old furniture was removed, and I bought new book cases, chairs, a new sofa, and moved my things from storage into this space.

While it didn't take away the pain of losing him, it made me feel more like it was my space.

On another topic, I enjoy seeing the new (to me) illustrated books. I found a large cabinet where I stored many illustrated books that I forgot I had. I'm now reading them, many were purchased at a local library sale years ago.

I hope your day is a good one.

I struggled a little more than usual with Wordle today. An unusual word?

Wordle 1,241 5/6 irate, thing, ditzy, split, stoic

🟦⬜⬜🟦⬜
🟦⬜🟦⬜⬜
⬜🟦🟦⬜⬜
🟧⬜⬜🟧🟦
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #519
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #253
“To your health!”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/11:
22/22 words (+3 bonus words)—2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 22% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 65

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/11:
19/19 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

>197 Whisper1: My Art and I started our lives in this house: the furniture was an amalgam of both of our lives before we met, and then we added to it, and gained things from our parents.

The only thing I might want to find a new home for is Art’s rocker-recliner. It’s HUGE and I find it too difficult to get in and out of. But it provides another seat for when I have people over.

Thanks for stopping by! It’s always great to see you here.

>195 klobrien2: We should make #418 required reading everywhere in the US.

Hoping you're staying well, Miss Lady Ma'am.

I have just received a Great Courses catalog in the mail, and they're discontinuing their DVDs and selling them all out. I've got to figure out which ones I want to purchase. Although I imagine it will take a while for them to sell all of their inventory.

>201 atozgrl: Thanks for the heads-up about Great Courses! I’ll have to look into that.

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Errands. A little KP.

Books Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout.

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C.
Watched: 9. The Museums of Dublin, 10. Day Trips from Dublin.
Read: 11. Kilkenny, the Rock kf Cashet, and Cahir, and 12. Exploring Cork.

Watching: Rivals ep. 1. From IMDB: “I am laughing at some of the reviews, clearly by readers who take themselves far too seriously. This is a Jilly Cooper adaptation. It's not a series to be intellectualized or morally judged. It's so much fun. Superbly cast.”
I enjoyed the first episode, so will probably continue with it. David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson.

Listening:

Wordle 1,242 4/6 irate, cloud, blown, flown

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟧🟧⬜⬜
⬜🟧🟧🟧🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #520
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Strands #254
“Spell it out”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/12:
35/35 words (+5 bonus words)—2-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 8% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 66

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/12:
19/19 words
🎯 In the top 30% by accuracy

>203 klobrien2: I haven't gotten to Rivals yet but I'm looking forward to it. What a cast!

>205 norabelle414: I know! The first episode was very funny and quite tawdry, and there was a lot of sex and flashes of nudity. I hadn’t heard of the book’s author before (Jilly Cooper) but her books are apparently very big in the UK.

It was the cast that brought me to the show. I will watch anything that David Tennant is in.

Happy Tuesday!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Grocery list. Jerry list.

Books Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout.

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.
Will watch: 11. Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashet, and Cahir, and 12. Exploring Cork.

Watching: Rivals eps. 2 and 3.

Listening:

Wordle 1,243 4/6 irate, broil, crisp, primp

🟦🟧⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟧⬜🟦⬜
⬜🟧🟧⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #521
🟨🟪🟦🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #255
“We're walking”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 11/13:
38/38 words (+8 bonus words)—3 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 20% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 67

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/13:
19/19 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Order groceries. Balance checkbook. Call Nita (birthday).

Books Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. Rivals by Jilly Cooper.

Magazines: Rolling Stone (Sept), The Week (11/08), New Yorker (11/11).

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.
Will watch: 11. Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashet, and Cahir, and 12. Exploring Cork.

Watching: Somebody Somewhere ep. 3.3. What We Do in the Shadows ep. 6.6.

Listening:

Hilarious solution today!

Wordle 1,244 4/6 After my third guess, I knew what the last letter HAD to be. Then there were only a few words that it could be. irate, among, badly, uvula

⬜⬜🟦⬜⬜
🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟦⬜🟧⬜
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Connections
Puzzle #522
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Strands #256
“Name of the game”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🟡

I played https://squaredle.com 11/14:
42/42 words (+7 bonus words)—4 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 24% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 68

I played https://squaredle.com 11/14:
42/42 words (+7 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 24% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 68

>211 klobrien2: - Eek! And he's just getting started, from what I understand...

Hi Karen, I am slowly catching up on LT after putting myself on a media diet. I love seeing al of those picture books - reading them is a huge part of my job. If you love the art of Jules Feiffer you should definitely read The Phantom Tollbooth - published in 1961 but still wonderful, and illustrated by Mr. Feiffer.

>195 klobrien2:, >200 richardderus: I agree. A librarian colleague of mine just sent me her best of list (she has moved from school library to public library so she's probably ahead of us as far as access to new books). She thinks we all should read and read aloud I'm Sorry You Got Mad, also about apologizing... sincerely apologizing.

>213 AMQS: Loved The Phantom Tollbooth! Ooh, and I’m going to go look for a copy of I’m Sorry You Got Mad.

Thanks for stopping by and for making recommendations—I keep expecting to run out of illustrated books to devour, but it doesn’t seem to be happening!

Well I do have some favorites. All-time favorite is The Old Woman Who Named Things. Other favorites:
Real Cowboys
City Dog Country Frog
Widget
Library Lion
Watch Out for the Lion
On Account of the Gum (now a must-read before picture day)
Six Dinner Sid
Three Pebbles and a Song
Me...Jane... I could go on and on! A new favorite this year is Dog vs. Strawberry - it's a hilarious read aloud.

>211 klobrien2: Yep. I hope to survive until he's dead and these scum sink back into fringeness.

I may be here a long time.

>211 klobrien2: A British commentary on Trump voters?

>215 AMQS: Thanks for your list of favorites! I’m going to go do some requesting!

>216 richardderus: I hope we’re here a long time, but not because of these…scum. I can’t wait for things to start going sideways for the administration; I plan to do much gloating.

>217 PaulCranswick: The cartoon in >211 klobrien2: is about disgust and shock at the fools that the orange one is naming as candidates to such important posts. It boggles my mind.

Thank you all for stopping by!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Reading Roundup. Mags list.

Books Library Book Day #1. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout—should finish today!

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.
Will watch: 11. Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashet, and Cahir, and 12. Exploring Cork.

Watching: Shrinking ep. 2.6. St. Denis Medical eps. 1 and 2. High Potential ep. 7 (show taking a break until January). Abbott Elementary ep. 4.6.

Listening:

Wordle 1,245 5/6 irate, fault, tangy, tasty, tacky

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Connections
Puzzle #523
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Strands #257
“Dress for lunch”
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I played https://squaredle.com 11/15:
63/63 words (+17 bonus words)—5 of 5 stars difficulty (really tough!)—
🔥 Solve streak: 69

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/15:
22/22 words (+3 bonus words)
📖 In the top 20% by bonus words

Great cartoons! And pretty accurate too...

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Reading Roundup. Mags list.

Books Library Book Day #2. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout—should finish today! Truly!

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.
Will watch: 11. Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashet, and Cahir, and 12. Exploring Cork.

Watching: Elsbeth ep. 2.5. GBBS ep. 15.8. George and Mandy’s First Marriage ep. 5. Ghosts ep. 4.5.

Listening:

Wordle 1,246 5/6 irate, rigid, birch, minor, visor

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Connections
Puzzle #524
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Strands #258
“"Oh, you!"”
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I played https://squaredle.com 11/16:
60/60 words (+7 bonus words)—3-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🎯 In the top 10% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 70

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/16:
23/23 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

>211 klobrien2: Yikes! Great cartoon.

>215 AMQS: That is a great list. Have you read any of the Aaron Becker books? They are lovely.

>221 drneutron: >224 BLBera: The cartoon in >211 klobrien2: came from the daily “The Week” political cartoons email. I look forward to getting that every day! Somehow it helps take the edge off the horrible things happening in real political life.

>224 BLBera: I haven’t read any of the books on AMQS’s list (yet!). I have read three Aaron Becker books (Journey, Quest, and Return) and loved them. I gave them each an extra half star onto my usual 4 star rating.

Thank you both for visiting! I love to see people here!

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (11/15/24):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout -- p. 258 of 326
Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon --
The Man in Black by Elly Griffiths --
Nancy and Sluggo's Guide to Life by Ernie Bushmiller --
Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler; adapted by Damien Duffy and John Jennings -- p. 98 of 260
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan --
Great Hippopotamus Hotel (No. 1 Ladies' #25) by Alexander McCall Smith --
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon --
100 Poems by Seamus Heaney --
Razor Girl (Andrew Yancy #2) by Carl Hiassen -- p. 64 of 333
Rivals by Jilly Cooper -- p. 40 of 688
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy -- p. 19 of 174
A Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle -- p. 73 of 250 (Libby)
The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Comforts of Madness by Paul Sayer -- p. 1 of 120
Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13) by Jim Butcher -- p. 18 of 443 (Libby)
Before Midnight by Rex Stout -- p. 7 of 172 (Libby)
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher #20) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 8 of 280 (Libby)
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 96 of 439 (Libby)
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by Tanarive Due

I'm overbooked! I don't want to lose track of these books, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride -- p. 18 of 385
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman -- p. 20 of 173
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger -- p. 82 of 421 (mine, on Nook)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett -- p. 29 of 278 (mine, on Nook)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- p. 81 of 253 (mine, on Nook)
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 73 of 288 (Nook)
Agatha's First Case (Agatha Raisin #0.5) by M. C. Beaton (Nook)
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In November, the group is reading Jewish-American Authors. I plan to read: The Magician of Lublin by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. I will be starting a new course: The Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner. I've read and watched 10 of 24 lectures.

>215 AMQS: Of your list of favorites (thanks again), I had read only one (Library Lion) but remember really liking it, so I’m asking for it again, along with all the others. 🤪

*******************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony,
the illustrated children's book, and the board game.
(Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
*******************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, avatiakh, AMQS, Blbera, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day(s)! Part One:



419. Blue Ridge Babies 1 2 3: A Counting Book by Laura Sperry Gardner, ill Stephanie Fizer Coleman



Sweet poem/song/counting rhyme and beautiful illustrations in my favorite colors (purples/blues/greens).

"Over in the Blue Ridge where the forest children play,
every creature has its place, every family has its way.
"Grow," say the mothers.
"We grow," say the young.
So they're growing in the Blue Ridge in the shadows, streams, and sun."



420. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A.Kimmel, ill. Trina Schart Hyman



Gorgeous drawings (expressive faces!), terrific story. Bravery in the face of danger.



421. We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang



This book is about space aliens, but it is mostly about kindness and hospitality to strangers. it's dedicated "TO ALL THE KIND HUMANS."

"And then three strangers appeared.

Their eyes were very big, their skin was very blue and their shape was very hard to describe.

'Hello,' said the short one. 'We are DEFINTELY human.'"



422. The Library by Sarah Stewart, ill. David Small



A problem that we LTers can identify with: what to do when one has too many books?

This book is dedicated:

To the memory of the real Mary Elizabeth Brown
Librarian, Reader, Friend
1920 - 1991

Sweet, lovely book!



423. 5 More Sleeps 'til Halloween by Jimmy Fallon, ill. Rich Reas



Fun, not too scary.



424. The Parakeet Named Dreidel by Isaac Bashevis Singer, ill. Suzanne Raphael Berkson



An adaptation of a Singer story. Very sweet.



425. Why Noah Chose the Dove by Isaac Bashevis Singer, ill. Eric Carle



"Dialogue of the animals as they vie with each other for a place on the ark." The dove wins Noah's love for its humility.

Great illustrations of all of the animals!



426. Dinosaurs in Space by Todd Sturgell



"Dinosaurs let their imaginations run wild while learning about real scientific theories."

Funny story and illustrations, with lot of real science and DINOSAURS!



427. Cinderella by Kinuko Y. Craft



BEAUTIFUL illustrations (oil over watercolor); elaborate and lustrous. A feast for the eyes.



428. Momma's Going to March by Jennifer Maruno, ill. Vivian Rosas



Vibrant book about political activism and marching for social good.

>228 klobrien2: - That book, though the words are a bit different, has the same cadence and format as one of my favourite counting books I used to use in my class, Over in the Meadow. I used to have a basket of *alternate* fairy tales or versions of familiar books. I had 3 different version of this one, each illustrated differently. We even did a bulletin board based on it. Your book would have fit nicely in that *alternate* basket!

>229 jessibud2: I think you're referring to Blue Ridge Babies? That book was recommended by norabelle414. It is a great book! My local library classifies those kind of books as "ABCs and 123s." Love 'em!

*******************************************************
There are only three forms of high art: the symphony,
the illustrated children's book, and the board game.
(Saga Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan)
*******************************************************

So many of these lovely books are made known to me by whisper1 (thank you, so much!) Others who have pointed me in the right direction are: jessibud2, Norabelle, avatiakh, AMQS, Blbera, Booklist, and the NYTimes (please let me know if I've forgotten you!):

Library Book Day(s)! Part Two:



429. Up. Up, Ever Up!: Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, ill. Yuko Shimizu



Shimizu used a calligraphy brush to make drawings on watercolor paper, then the drawings were colored digitally using Adobe Photoshop. Lovely!



430. The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood



A wordless book! Such a book requires careful looking and analysis.

This book is about the world we live in and our ability to change it. Beautiful drawings; expressions and shadows show so much. Magical message!



431. Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastiao Salgado by Philip Hoelzel, ill. Renato Alarcao



Salgado started out as a photographer of people who might not otherwise be seen. He retired, then returned home to Brazil, to find his land in the rainforest, in ruins. He and his wife decided to rebuild the rainforest and photograph the beauty in the world in order to save it. The message? Hope endures if we take action



432. Whalesong: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas by Zachariah Ohora



"Story about two whales, two boys, and two Pauls" (the two Pauls were musician Paul Horn and Dr. Paul Spong; the two boys were sons of Paul Horn, and the two whales were the orcas who were in residence at the facility in the Pacific Northwest). Musician Paul Horn played his flute for the orcas, and they really made a connection.

The book also stressed the need to return orcas to the wild; living in an enclosed space is completely unnatural for them.

Very interesting and moving read.



433. Just What To Do by Kyle Lukoff, ill. Hala Tahboub



"When something sad happens, it's hard to know what to do...with its poignant txt and spare illustrations...offers a gentle reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to comforting a friend."



434. So Cold! by John Coy, ill. Chris Park



"Amazing activities to undertake with a favorite adult when it's cold outside."

The experiments look like a lot of fun. Both the creators reside in Minnesota, so they probably know a few things about really cold weather.



435. Here and There by Thea Lu



"Following two parallel stories (one person stays home, one travels the seas), this evocative book will start conversations about home, travel, and the similarities between very different people."



436. Wisdom Weavers: Explore the Ojibwe Language and the Meaning of Dream Catchers by James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, ill. Marcus Trujillo





437. Yaya and the Sea by Karen Good Marable, ill. Tonya Engel



"Ritual of renewal, learning what it means to let go of the old and prepare to bloom...celebrates tradition, beauty of nature, and the joy of sisterhood."

Beautiful paintings!

>230 klobrien2: - Yes, that was the one. My box of those *alternate* books I mentioned are in a rubbermaid bin in the crawlspace in my basement. If I remember, I'll go dig it out and give you some of the fun titles. I have given most of my children's books to my cousin's daughter when she had her baby 3 years ago. But I think she is still a bit young for these yet. Eventually, they will go to her.

438. Tell Me Everything: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout



I loved this report by kimkimkim from the book's page:

“What had gone wrong?….most inhabitants of Crosby did not know. They only knew that the world was not what it had once been.” And there are going to be stories told. Stories told by Olive Kitteridge to Lucy Barton and vice versa. Stories told by Lucy Barton to Bob Burgess. And all these stories are just a little of this and a little of that, of no great consequence, with little point to them, simply the stories of lives remembered. Wondering about the point of anyone’s life, acknowledging that few of us have any sense of who we are, what does anyone’s life mean?! There is nothing simple about any of these questions and yet Strout poses and answers them in the most basic way.

Elizabeth Strout has mastered descriptions and comparisons and discussions and conversation. I love her writing, her characters, the simplicity and complexity of all of it.

Lucy Barton is the main protagonist of the book. "Lucy said, 'Tell me everything. Tell me every single thing. And don't leave anything out." The beauty of the book is how all the lives Strout tells us about are interwoven, are interconnected.

I have read quite a few of Strout's books, and I was thrilled to see the characters come alive once again. They were made more real to me when Strout brought in current happenings in our world (political polarization, global climate catastrophes (the "red sky" days in New York, heck, in Minnesota), Ukraine, the homeless).

This was an excellent read! I'll be thinking about this one for a while.

I'm glad you enjoyed Tell Me Everything so much, Karen. I have not read it yet, but I have read three of her books, I think, and enjoyed them.

>211 klobrien2: So unfortunate, so say the least.

>234 vancouverdeb: Happy Sunday, Deborah!

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things). Church. Errands.

Books Library Book Day #3. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout—finished.

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.
Watched: 11. Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashel and Cahir, and 12. Exploring Cork.
Read: 13. Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, and 4. The Dingle Peninsula.

Watching:

Listening:

Wordle 1,247 4/6 irate, bloat, aptly, tally

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Connections
Puzzle #525
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Strands #259
“Would you look at that?”
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I played https://squaredle.com 11/17:
70/70 words (+9 bonus words)—4-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
🔥 Solve streak: 71

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/17:
23/23 words
🎯 Perfect accuracy

Today: Puzzles and papers and LT (the everyday things).

Books Boys Omnibus Vol. 6, The Great Hippopotamus Hotel by Alexander McCall Smith

Magazines:

Great Course Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland by Marc C. Conner.
Will watch: 13. Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, and 14. The Dingle Peninsula.

Watching: Only You (Norman Jewison project)

Listening:

Wordle 1,248 3/6 irate, brain, frail

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Connections
Puzzle #526
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Strands #260
“Coming up for air”
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I played https://squaredle.com 11/18:
30/30 words (+4 bonus words)—1-1/2 stars of 5 difficulty—
📖 In the top 17% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 72

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 11/18:
22/22 words (+1 bonus word)
🎯 Perfect accuracy

Time to gear up my “Norman Jewison Film Fest”:

Jewison, who passed away in January, was prolific, and directed a lot of my favorite movies. Here’s a mostly-complete list of his oeuvre (how do you like that cinema-speak?!) Jewison did a lot of TV, and I’ve omitted those shows. The films I’ve seen are in bold. I’ll be rewatching!



Only You (1994). Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Bonnie Hunt, Fisher Stevens. The cast, including actors with smaller roles, was excellent. Tomei and Downey really seemed to have a bond going.

"A love story written in the stars." "Love letter to Italy." "Schmaltzy, silky, OTT RomCom at its most cynically heart-squeezing."

Beautifully filmed, very evocative of place. Monuments, statues, country and city, music (from Enzio Pinza's "Some Enchanted Evening" to opera).

I really enjoyed this film; it was funny, sweet, and the characters were all good-hearted.

This poem played a part in the movie:

You Who Never Arrived

(Rainer Maria Rilke)

You who never arrived
in my arms, Beloved, who were lost
from the start,
I don't even know what songs
would please you. I have given up trying
to recognize you in the surging wave of the next
moment. All the immense
images in me— the far-off, deeply-felt landscape,
cities, towers, and bridges, and unsuspected
turns in the path,
and those powerful lands that were once
pulsing with the life of the gods-
all rise within me to mean
you, who forever elude me.

You, Beloved, who are all
the gardens I have ever gazed at,
longing. An open window
in a country house—, and you almost
stepped out, pensive, to meet me.
Streets that I chanced upon,—
you had just walked down them and vanished.
And sometimes, in a shop, the mirrors
were still dizzy with your presence and, startled,
gave back my too-sudden image. Who knows?
perhaps the same bird echoed through both of us
yesterday, separate, in the evening…

Translated by Stephen Mitchell

The Hurricane is up next. Only two films left in my Jewison Fest!

The Fabulous Fifties (1960) 7.5 on IMDB (unavailable?)
40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) (6.3)
The Thrill of It All (1963) (6.9)
Send Me No Flowers (1964) (6.9)
The Art of Love (1965) (6.1) (DVD)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965) (7.2) (Tubi)
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) (7.0) (Tubi)
In the Heat of the Night (1967) (7.9) (Tubi)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) (6.9) (MGM+)
Gaily, Gaily (1969) (5.3–might skip this one)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) (8.0) (Tubi)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) (7.3) (Peacock)
Rollerball (1975) (6.5) (MGM+)
F.I.S.T. (1978) (6.4) Rent from MGM
And Justice For All (1979) (7.4) DVD
Best Friends (1982) (5.5–skip?)
A Soldier’s Story (1984) (7.2) DVD
Agnes of God (1985) (6.6) DVD (ILL)
Moonstruck (1987) (7.2) DVD
In Country (1989) (5.9) DVD (Kanopy, HCL)
Other People’s Money (1991) (6.2) DVD (ILL)
Only You (1994) (6.5) DVD
Bogus (1996) (5.3–skip?)

The Hurricane (1999) (7.6) DVD
The Statement (2003) (6.2; his last movie) DVD (ILL)