Reba Relishes Reading in 2025 too

HAPPY NEW YEAR '75'ers. I'm looking forward to sharing books and life with you again in '25 but don't plan to start posting here until January 1

Forgot to leave room for books read so will add it here.

JANUARY
1. Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan ***1/2 (audio)
2. James by Percival Everett *****
3. The Answer is NO by Fredrik Backman **** (audio)
4. The Wright Sister by Richard Maurer ****
5. We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman****1/2
6. Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney**1/2 (audio)
7. We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen ***1/2 (audio)
8. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah****1/2 (audio)

FEBRUARY
9. In winter I get up at night by Jane Urquhart****
10. The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel****1/2
11. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen reread/Audible adaptation

Welcome back, Reba!

>1 RebaRelishesReading: Like the row of houses, Reba - one for each month.

>1 RebaRelishesReading: Love your houses!

Hi Reba my dear, i have starred your thread dear friend.

Also starred!

Let's resolve to do this more.

Happy 2025, Reba

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Reba!! I'm looking forward to more book chat with you this year.

That topper is so happy making. Happy New Year, Reba!

Happy new year Everyone!! Lovely to see you here Jim, Paul, Rhian, John, Kim, Richard, Paul, Laura and Mamie!! Let the good times roll!!! (oops, guess that's a different holiday but it'll do here too, right?)

Happy new year of reading, Reba!

>13 katiekrug: wishing you a good one too, Katie!! Thanks for stopping by.

Here's to a new and better year -- let's go 2025!!

Happy New Year, Reba. I hope 2025 is good to you.

Hope you find some amazing reads in 2025!

Happy New Year, Reba!

Happy New Year, Reba!

Happy New Year, Reba!

>15 Berly: "let's go" indeed!! Hope 2025 treats you well, Kim.

>16 BLBera: Thank you Beth, you too!

>17 thornton37814: Hi Lori and happy new year

>18 ronincats: Hi Roni -- have a good one!!

>19 quondame: Love the fireworks books, Susan. Hope you find some dazzling books this year too.

>20 vancouverdeb:. Hope yours is good to Deborah.

Happy New Year, Reba! I hope you find some fantastic books this year.

Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan ***1/2 (audio)

Mirren's great-aunt is very frail and very dear to Mirren. The only thing the aunt wants is to once again see a book she remembers from childhood. The book is a children's classic but in an edition with original illustrations by a famous artist. Mirren goes on a hunt for a copy, first on-line and when she isn't successful she goes searching in person, first to Hay-on-Wye and then further afield. Many of the experts on rare books have heard of such a book but believe it's a myth and never existed. Fun, light reading perfect for the holidays.

Happy New Year, Reba! I have dropped off my star and I'm looking forward to doing my best to keep up with your thread this year. I'm also very much looking forward to another Portland/Vancouver meetup, hopefully in the first half of 2025!

>24 johnsimpson: Happy New Year, John. Hope 2025 treats you well.

>25 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. Thanks for coming by. Yes, hope we have one or more NW meetups this year.

James by Percival Everett*****

In a bit of a rush and many others have summarized James so I will just say I too thought it was wonderful. I'm glad I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huck Finn before hand. They not only gave me an understanding of what Mr. Everett was working with but also an appreciation of how wonderful and deserving of it's awards this book is.
Tom Sawyer ** 1/2
Huck Finn ***1/2
James *****

>27 RebaRelishesReading: Yay!!

>27 RebaRelishesReading: - Glad you enjoyed it, too!

Good morning Laura and Katie!! Always brightens my day to see you here.

Happy new year and new thread!

>27 RebaRelishesReading: Whoohooo! Glad you enjoyed James -- that was my top read from last year.

And ditto what Ellen said >25 EBT1002: -- LT meetup sometime soon? : )

Happy New Year, Reba!

Nice to see that you liked James. I read it recently after reading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for the first time. It was hard to get through the older book but fortunately the library copy of James with all the holds on it spurred me on.

>31 banjo123: Thank you Rhonda.

>32 Berly:. Hi Kim! I'm up for a meetup soon. Would you like to come north?

>33 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. I read first and it made ,The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn> easier to stay with both, you're definitely right that knowing James was the pay-off made it possible for me to finish the other two.

Happy New Year, Reba!

>36 AMQS: Thanks Ann (you're up pretty late!!)

>37 RebaRelishesReading: I know! I am up WAAAAAAY past my bedtime and will regret it dearly but with all of my visitors I have not had a moment for reading or LT and was determined to have a little LT time:)

Hi Reba! Star dropped, of course. Happy New Year!

>38 AMQS: Hope you finally got some sleep, Ann. I'm a night owl myself and enjoy the quiet hours after the day is "done" so I understand.

>39 ffortsa: Good to see you Judy. Wishing you a happy new year (and a trip to Portland?). :)

Happy 2025! I hope the new year is kind to you!

>27 RebaRelishesReading: Hooray for James and 5 stars. I thought Everett did a fantastic job. I’m usually not too happy with retellings. I loved how James was so clever with language depending on who James was talking to.

Happy New Year.

>35 RebaRelishesReading: I am very flexible when it comes to books and friends. : )

>41 ChelleBearss: Thank you Chelle -- I hope it is kind to you too

>42 Donna828: I agree Donna. I loved the language changes too. All around excellent book imo

>43 Berly:. I know you are, Kim. We'll have to get something planned before too long.

I took the ornaments off of the tree the other day but have waited until 6'3" grandson arrived to take the tree down. He's here and it's on the agenda for today. I also left the village up because granddaughter loves it and she's here too. I think I'll ask her to help me take it down in a few days since RL bookclub is meeting here next Monday. I also still have the nutcrackers out and hope to get them put away sometime this week. Christmas seemed to go by so fast this year that I feel like I'm taking them down too soon...but it is the second week of January!

Reba, we really need to take Christmas down, too. Craig got down most to the outside stuff over the weekend, and we did not put any ornaments on the tree this year, so that helps. I am looking forward to having it all tidied away. Great idea to get the grands to help you.

>46 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie -- so nice to see you here!!

I'm glad you enjoyed James so much, Reba, I think I just gave it 3 or 3.5 stars. I can't even remember why, I'd have to look at the review I created at the time. I did find it helpful to re- read Huckleberry Finn just prior to reading James.

A belated Happy New Year to you, Reba! I hope you have had a good start to the year. With James, it looks like your reading year has started well. I look forward to following along with you this year.

James gets a lot of praise and it really makes me feel like I should be reading it...I just don't want to.

>50 richardderus: That’s a good a reason as any not to! Why read books you don’t want to?

Hi Deborah, Irene, Richard and Anne. Interesting thoughts about James. Any idea why you don't want to read it, Richard?

We had a nice day yesterday. I took my visiting grandkids (young adults) to Powell's. They both enjoyed it and I had forgotten my "wish list" so I ended up only buying one book and it's to be a present. In the evening we went to a Korean BBQ restaurant for a fun and delicious meal and then, when we asked for the bill, we were told the strangers who had been sitting at the next table had paid for us when they left!!!

Granddaughter is up now so I need to close out and go spend time with her. They go back home on Saturday so must enjoy them while I can!!

>52 RebaRelishesReading: - Wow! How nice to get treated to dinner by perfect strangers!

Enjoy your time with the grand"kids".

>52 RebaRelishesReading: What a thoughtful and fun surprise! Have fun with the grands.

We took down Christmas on Tuesday - properly it should come down on Epiphany, January 6, but that was a Monday and I wasn't at my mom's. It's nice to get it all out and it's nice to tidy it all away again...

>52 RebaRelishesReading: Wow, what a nice surprise! I'm sure you had a great day with the young adult grands but that's definitely icing on the cake.

Hi Katie, Mamie, Jennifer and Laura. The booths at this place have very high backs so other than perhaps a quick glimpse as we passed them on our way to our table we never saw them (or they us I think) I guess two grey heads (one with a cane and not walking well) and two shinny young folks caught their attention -- or they just randomly picked a table to treat for a good deed of the day -- I don't know but it was indeed a lovely surprise! Warmed my heart and added a glow to my feelings for humanity.

Last night we went to a Japanese grill restaurant and shared our grill with a male gay couple and their adopted (we know that because they talked about a trip to Disneyland to celebrate the adoption) children (boy and girl in the 10 - 12 year old range I would guess). They were all four delightful and we had a fun time talking to them about San Diego (where they are going to visit soon) and places to visit/eat in Vancouver.

It's been a good week. Hope you're all having a good one too. Not much reading going on though.

So I was going to post a photo of the two puzzles Ally and I have completed this week (one 500 piece and one 1000 piece) but I figure out how to do it!! Has the procedure changed or have I just forgotten how? Most frustrating.

>58 RebaRelishesReading: - The procedure hasn't changed. Upload the photo to your member gallery and then copy the image address and paste it into {img height=xxx src="the image address"} but change the curly brackets to pointy ones and replace the xxx with whatever height you want (I usually start with 300 and go higher if I want it bigger).

I couldn't get it onto the member gallery -- selected "upload" and got all kind of lists for "where from" and none of them took me there. I'm OK with the rest of the process but haven't put a photo of my own into the member gallery for a while and now I'm struggling -- maybe later in the day when the fog outside has cleared it will take the fog in my head with it. Thanks for the info though Katie.

I did it!! I wasn't scrolling down far enough in one of the drop boxes -- tried again, found it, clicked and the rest was easy -- so...here are the two puzzles we did -- although they're a bit hard to see at this angle but you get the idea.

We're leaving for a trip and lunch to Multnomah Falls in 30 minutes -- I'm still in my bathrobe. See y'all tomorrow :)

>61 RebaRelishesReading: Hooray!! You did it, Reba! They both look very fun.

Congratulations on uploading photos, Reba. The puzzles look like the right mix of fun and challenge. Sounds like you've had a great week altogether.

Fun puzzles!

>52 RebaRelishesReading: Wow, what a wonderful surprise! That's a great way to start the new year.

>61 RebaRelishesReading: I like the puzzles!

Have fun with the grandkids!

Nice puzzles and nice to be unexpectedly treated to a meal by strangers!

Good morning, Laura, Katie,, Irene and Meg!! It's been a good week all around :). Grandkids leave today, however. We're planning to go out to breakfast (brunch?) at a favorite place in a while then a second trip to Powell's has been requested on the way to the airport. Looking like a busy day.

Brunch and a second visit to Powell's will soften the blow of having to say good-bye. Enjoy your day, Reba.

>68 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura -- it's going to be a busy one, and slightly sad one, but we'll do our best to enjoy

Lovely brunch this morning. Then dropped Hubby off at home and headed for Powell's and a nearby music store for some last minute shopping. I got two books: In Winter I Get Up At Night and The God of the Woods. From Powell's we headed straight to the airport where I left them off for their flight back to San Diego. A lovely visit and two wonderful young folks -- and I'm tired now :)

Hello Reba. Happy New Year, happy first thread of 2025.

>1 RebaRelishesReading: Well. Right off the bat, you’ve read James in January and I just finished it yesterday, in time for my book club discussion today. I gave it 4.5* because I’m excessively stingy with stars, but parts of it were definitely 5* material. My book club read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in October so we’d be familiar with at least Huck’s story before reading James’ story.

>45 RebaRelishesReading: Our tree is still up. I need to start taking ornaments off, then getting it in sections to it’s protective bag that’s in the garage. Daughter could do it, but she doesn’t visit all that often, especially with only Sundays off between work and school.

>70 RebaRelishesReading: Sounds like a lovely visit and a fun last day, Reba. And how wonderful to have a music store! I wish we had something like that here - Birdy lives music. Does one of your grandchildren collect vinyl albums?

>71 karenmarie: Hi Karen. Nice to see you :). My bookclub meets tomorrow to discuss James. I read both The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in preparation because I had never read either of them. Glad I did even though I really didn't like Tom Sawyer and only felt somewhat better about Huckleberry Finn (at least I liked the main character in that one). I liked James at lot though, helped a lot by comparison to the other books. I'd love to hear what your book club thinks about them. My club meets tomorrow to discuss James.

I've been stimulated to get the decorations down because the book club meeting tomorrow is at my house. Everything is down and put away but I haven't cleaned yet -- must finish up here and get busy with that soon.

>72 Crazymamie: Good morning Mamie. It was a nice visit. They're delightful young folks and fun to have around. We went to music store (which is huge and full of vinyl and CD's/DVD's). My grandson was looking for something specific and noticed the store as we drove by on our way to Powell's (they're just two blocks apart). I hung out near the door, trying not to get in the way too much, while he looked for his target item (a CD or DVD I think) but didn't find it.

So...back to more normal life now. Today I have to clean and finish up the laundry (lots of sheets and towels to wash) to get back to normal and to prep for book club meeting here tomorrow.

Hi Reba. I'm glad you enjoyed James so much. I thought it was excellent, as well.

I love your story about the gift of your dinner at the restaurant. What a delightful surprise and a reminder that there are kind and generous people in the world.

>73 RebaRelishesReading: I've just been trying to decide when I need to do laundry this week that fits with my schedule. I don't want to count on it this weekend in the event of power outages due to the storms, so I probably need to do it Thursday evening. I wish laundry would just do itself!

>74 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. I'm going to look for an opportunity to pay the kindness forward.

Hope your week goes well.

>75 thornton37814:. Hi Lori -- nice of you to visit. Hope your laundry goes well. I have my last load for the week in the washer now.

>75 thornton37814: I'd better do a laundry today or tomorrow. Otherwise, no winter socks!

Hope you get your socks done while possible! Winter without socks wouldn't be fun!!

Book club met at my house today and we had a great time -- even talked about the book (James) for a few minutes ;>

Hi Reba, Glad to see James has yet another fan!

>79 RebaRelishesReading: lol

My Christmas tree is still up. Maybe tomorrow I'll take it down - it's fake so there's no fire hazard like we used to have, lol. I've put away everything else inside, but it's too cold to take the lights down outside.

Two gorgeous puzzles, Reba! Nice work. Glad your book club enjoyed a brief discussion about James.

>79 RebaRelishesReading: - A few minutes?!

>79 RebaRelishesReading:, >82 katiekrug: yes ... do tell!

>79 RebaRelishesReading: OIC...that kind of meeting...every book club has 'em. Sometimes it's just enough that everybody read it. I don't understand why that happens but it always does.

Tuesday orisons.

>80 Copperskye: We don't put lights up outside -- a "real" wreath on the door and the Christmas tree visible through the front window is "it" for outside. Our tree is artificial too but with bookclub coming I felt the need to get things cleaned up so, with the help of visiting granddaughter, we got everything down and put away.

>81 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah. It was fun working with my granddaughter on the puzzles. The book one was a Christmas gift from my BFF knowing grandkids were coming and thought it would be fun. It was so much fun Granddaughter and I went to store and bought another one.

>82 katiekrug: Yes, I'm afraid just a few minutes, Katie. Everyone liked the book. One member had been afraid it would be too violent for her but was persuaded to try it, did and it was OK. We talked a bit about the language change portrayed -- some thought it unlikely. A few other comments and then the discussion drifted away... It isn't the most literary group -- everyone reads the books but discussion is a bit hard to come by sometimes.

>84 richardderus: Thanks for understanding, Richard -- it does happen, often, with our group -- but still it's fun and prods me to read books I might otherwise miss (not James...that one I would have read anyway).

>85 RebaRelishesReading: everyone reads the books but discussion is a bit hard to come by sometimes.
Thank goodness for LT, amirite?

Hope Tuesday is treating you well, Reba.

>85 RebaRelishesReading: - Well, I wish you lived here so you could join mine :) We talked about James for at least two hours in November.

The Wright Sister by Richard Maurer****

This short biography introduces Katherine Wright and her role in the development of the airplane. Katherine was the only member of her family to go to college, graduating from Oberlin. She taught Latin and Greek to high school students for a couple of years before giving up her career to travel with her brothers as hostess, secretary and general helper. I not only learned about an interesting woman I didn't know existed but also more about her brothers.

>87 lauralkeet: urindeed

>88 katiekrug: Wow -- 2 hours!! We're looking for a few new members, maybe that will help.

I had a pleasant lunch with my high school best friend (surrogate sister) yesterday. It's certainly fun to have her near-by again after all of these years. Otherwise pretty quiet day. Have to take Hubby to the optometrist at 11 this morning and then we may have some lunch before coming home. Otherwise it should be a quiet day so I'll have time to visit Mt. TBR and decide what's next :)

>87 lauralkeet: What Laura said. I have never done a real life book club, but then I get plenty of book talk right here at home and on LT, so... Plus, I am not good with having to read from a set list because I am very much a mood reader.

So great that you and your granddaughter had so much fun puzzling together. We need to get a new one going.

Hoping Wednesday is kind to you, Reba!

>92 Crazymamie: Mornin' Mamie!! Lovely to find you here. You do have a built-in bookclub at your house, don't you? :). Hubby doesn't read much any more and when he did his interests are very different from mine so it isn't something we can talk about. Book club is a nice group of women and I enjoy having a reason to see them once a month even if book talk often gets lost in other conversation.

Wishing you a good one too!!

Hi Reba. I'm glad your book club went well. Back in Pullman I was in a RLBG and we really talked about the books. In detail! I admit I was astonished by this. We also chose 2-3 books each month although one of them would be starred. The women in the group read what they wanted to or could of the few we selected, but we had dynamic discussions.

Reba, I was in two book groups when we lived in Philly. One was formed to read "books that challenge us," and we had excellent in-depth discussions. The other group was more about general chat over a glass of wine. When it came to choosing books I often found I'd already read the books others were suggesting (thanks largely to LT). I started to feel awkward about that so just kept my mouth shut and contributed what I could remember to the book conversations, which were usually very short anyway. So yeah, there are all kinds of book groups out there. It's nice to make social connections, especially when you're new to an area.

>94 EBT1002: Hi Ellen and Laura -- Always lovely to see you.

This is my first RL bookclub so I'm learning as I go. It's small, only 5 members at the moment, which doesn't help discussions. The others have been together for several years (with two other members one of whom moved and the other is no longer able to participate). I'm the new one so don't want to push too hard. Also, I remember saying that I thought you had to kill a book to dissect it (back when I had to take literature courses in undergrad days) so I'm probably more suited to this level of discussion anyway.

>89 RebaRelishesReading: I will have to see if I can locate a copy of that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Reba!

I cannot believe it has taken me this long to get to your thread, Reba! I wish you a very happy 2025!

>97 alcottacre: The threads tend to be busy in January so I understand completely that this is your first visit. I hope it won't be the last, Stasia, and wish you a fine 2025 too.

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman****1/2

Edi and Ash have been best friends since early childhood. Now, in mid-life, Eli is dying of cancer and is moved to a hospice home for her final days. This sounds like a set-up for a very sad book but there is so much love, kindness, humor and warmth in the book that it is more like a warm hug than sadness. It's fairly short (205 pages) and so delightful that I read it through in one day.

>91 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, is your “best friend and surrogate sister” also a reader? I love that designation and am stealing it for my BFF Nancy, who unfortunately is not on LT anymore. She has had poor health for a few years now. She is in Texas for the winter, but I’m hoping we can have some book discussions when she gets back to Missouri.

I do love my library book group. I’m a charter member of almost 18 years! There are around 6 core members and we have visitors almost every month. Some stick around for a while and others are just there for a particular book. We average around 10 people which makes for good discussions. I loved reading about other book groups beyond Library Thing. I hope your “new” group grows a bit and that you continue to enjoy the group. Hang in there…it’s hard to be “the new kid on the block”. ;-)

>99 RebaRelishesReading: This looks really good. Love that title. Onto the bulging wish list it goes!

>99 RebaRelishesReading: - Definitely adding this one to my list!

>100 Donna828: Actually my "best friend and surrogate sister" for the past 30+ years is a reader but she lives in San Diego (where she belongs to a book club). I was out of touch with the one I mentioned in >100 Donna828: for many years but a little over a year ago she moved to Vancouver. We now see each other a couple of times a month (and she is still dear to me) but she isn't a reader. My book club is looking for new members but haven't found any so far. I do think we would be better if there were a few more of us.

re We All Want Impossible Things -- it is a pretty quick read so maybe bump it up the list a bit :>

>102 katiekrug: I don't think you'll regret it, Katie.

>98 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba.

>99 RebaRelishesReading: Another one that I must add to the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation!

...so >99 RebaRelishesReading: was terrible and I don't need to read it great great great so anyway see ya later Reba! *skedaddles*

>73 RebaRelishesReading: Tom Sawyer was a major jerk at the end of Huckleberry Finn - hope he's not a major character in James.

>99 RebaRelishesReading: Yep, that one is going on my wish list, as well.

I hope you really enjoy your Book Club, Reba. I tried one at my local library, and fortunately the librarian hosted it. It was just an hour in length. But there is a really limited number of books that the library has for Book Clubs and I ended up going only twice. I often found I had already read the book or it was not a book I wanted to read. Maybe once Muffin gets past her separation anxiety I'll give it another try.

Happy Friday, Reba! You got me with >99 RebaRelishesReading:. Onto The List it goes!

>105 alcottacre: Hi Stasia -- hope you enjoy it :)

>106 richardderus: Hi, bye Richard

>107 m.belljackson:. He doesn't even appear in James - thank heavens because I thought he was a jerk all they way through

>108 EBT1002: Hope you enjoy it Ellen. It's a quick, charming read imo (but then you know that)

>109 vancouverdeb: I don't think everyone needs a bookclub, Deborah. I joined because we were new here and a woman I met and liked invited me. It's been a good way to meet women I share an interest with and whose company I enjoy.

>110 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! Hope you like it :)

>111 RebaRelishesReading: I had the same motivation for joining two book clubs in Philly. Here in VA, I found the Fiber Guild first and haven't really looked for a book club.

>112 lauralkeet: As long as you find your people all is well -- right?

Exactly, Reba! I know I'd enjoy a book club but also, LT satisfies that need in many ways which is why I haven't spent much time searching.

>113 RebaRelishesReading: and >114 lauralkeet: - I agree that it's so nice to find one's people! It's taken me a while since moving up here. I have some random individual friends, but I do like have a group of similarly-minded people to connect with.

Yes, LT are also my people but it's nice to have some you see face to face too. Here's to "our people" where ever they may be.

Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney **1/2 (audio)

A very forgettable story about an actors who formed a summer stock theater company and about their lives after that.

>117 RebaRelishesReading: A very forgettable story ...
Oh dear. Well, fuhgeddaboudit it and move swiftly on! I hope your next book is more memorable.

>117 RebaRelishesReading: - Oh dear, I'm sorry it wasn't for you, Reba. I really enjoyed it.

>118 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura. I shall do as you suggest.

>119 katiekrug:. Maybe I was just too distracted, Katie. I do use audio books as background while doing other things (walking, driving, knitting). I'm listening to the Royal Spyness where she and Darcy go to Paris -- enjoying it a lot!!

It's 25 F at my house this morning! I think it's pretty dry outside though so may venture out in a while and hope the roads aren't slick. I will probably spend much of the day by the fire, however, reading and or knitting -- my kinda day :)

Hi Reba, it's cold out, but the sun is so nice!

>121 RebaRelishesReading: It’s colder in your Vancouver than ours, Reba.

Your book club sounds like a good but small group. Hope you find some new members that work out well. My book club is the same as yours , not much book discussion.

>111 RebaRelishesReading: I'm interested to see how many people here don't like Tom Sawyer. I remember reading the book when I was young, and I did not like it. I thought maybe I was odd, since it was considered a classic. Apparently not so much after all. I do remember having second thoughts about tackling Huckleberry Finn since I hadn't liked Tom Sawyer, but when I read it I liked it much better. My book club will be reading James at the end of the year, and I plan to do a re-read of Huck Finn first, to jog my memory and give me some background.

I hope you have a great week and that it warms up! (We're going to be freezing all week here.)

Yep - it’s cold. Got down to 20° at our house this morning. So glad I got a heater for the hummingbird feeder last year.

Jut saw an update that White Oak Books will be expanding into the suite next door. Great news for our local indie!

>122 banjo123: Indeed, it's beautiful this morning, isn't it Rhonda? Everything was covered in white diamonds when I got up today -- temp was 21. Up to 35 now and climbing fast with the sun shine. Hope you have a lovely day.

>123 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. I like the "your Vancouver" vs. "ours" :). Makes me feel even more connected to our neighbors to the north.

>124 atozgrl:. Hi Irene. I liked Huckleberry Finn much better than Tom Sawyer (both the characters and the books). I had to force myself to finish T.S. James benefits from a pre-read of Huck Finn imo. It's my favorite of the three, although if I hadn't just read Huck it might not have rated so high.

Stay warm!!

>125 SuziQoregon:. Hi Julie!! That's great news about White Oak Books. I'm glad they're doing so well. It was 21 when I got up (about 8 I think) but it's 35 now (10:30) so climbing quickly. Have a great day :)

I've been watching some of the Australian Open -- very glad I'm not there enduring those temperatures but enjoying the tennis. Otherwise having a pretty quiet week after the fun and activity of having my grandkids here.

Happy MLK Day to my U.S. friends.

>117 RebaRelishesReading:
I had that one in my TBR list and due to your recommendation, I deleted it. I have plenty of books to choose from so don't need that one cluttering up my gargantuan TBR list.

>117 RebaRelishesReading: Ha! Forgettable is right. I read this a long time ago and can't remember anything about it. I know that I enjoyed it while reading.

Anyhow, happy (almost) Tuesday!

It is positively miserable outside my house. Snow from January 6th storm that is still on the ground. Driveway crusted in ice and last night the temperature was 4 degrees above 0. Tonight it will zoom down to below that 0 degrees F mark.

To add to my misery, I finally got one of the big wardrobe boxes turned around so I could open it, and to my frustration, the box is full of book boxes. I specifically told the packing company NOT to do that because I would be unpacking all the boxes myself and would not be able to get them out of those tall boxes. One more strike against that company. Do NOT hire New Start Relocations or New Relo Van Lines to move anywhere. Their packers don't listen and don't care what you say.

Ouch. Hauling down a box full of books is difficult if not impossible, depending on your own height. For me, a no-go. That's why I keep Jim around. (Okay, one of the reasons.)

Our temperatures are falling today as well, down to 14F by sunrise. We held our book circle meeting on Zoom so no one would have to confront the icy sidewalks this month. We should be in the deep freeze for a few more days.

>129 figsfromthistle:. Hi Anita. I'm glad you have pleasant memories of the book. I didn't hate it, it just didn't really stick with me.

>130 benitastrnad: I'm afraid that isn't uncommon, Benita. We did our own packing but several months after we moved in I turned two large arm chairs around and discovered that the fabric was torn on the back. Also noticed that the table next to them had some damage I hadn't seen. That was in addition to damage we HAD seen but totaled slightly too little to be covered by them. Among the reasons moving isn't fun.

On a lighter topic -- note some people here comment that they liked Good Company so it may just have been me.

Hope you get some relief from the cold soon and hope you can find someone to help with the book boxes.

>131 ffortsa: Hi Judy. Hope you guys have a thaw before long. It's been quite a winter hasn't it?

>130 benitastrnad:, >132 RebaRelishesReading: Commiserating with you, Benita and Reba. We had some items damaged in our move from PA to VA which was upsetting. And now, nearly 4 years later, we actually think an entire box may have gone "missing." Every once in a while we remember a specific seldom-used item (think china, silver, decorative bits & pieces) and have no idea where it's gone. I'd like to say next time we'll do a better job supervising the movers but that's a pretty tall order given the amount of stuff involved.

Oh dear, horror stories of moving. Ugh.

Hello, Reba! We ended up with a couple of missing boxes and some damage to furniture when we moved, too. Luckily nothing too bad.

>135 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie!!. It seems to be price of moving :(. Too bad the "professionals" can't do a better job.

I'm heading out for a Silver and Fit class this morning and need to get a move on -- hope to get back to the threads later today.

Busy day today!! This morning I got up and went straight to the kitchen to remove a big chuck roast from its marinade and get it set up in the crock pot to make sauerbraten. That involved cutting up a lot of carrots, onions and celery as well as putting the marinade through a sieve. Got that all going and then watched Madison Keys win the Australia Open before heading to Portland for little grandson's 7th family birthday party. Back home at 5 to finish up the sauerbraten/vegetables and make gravy from the cooking broth to take to a "pitch in" (a term my mother would have used) German dinner with some friends. We had a lovely dinner and fun conversational evening. It's 11 p.m. now and I'm home trying to wind down so I can get to sleep. Rather tiring but fun day with NO reading and very little knitting.

I love making dishes like that in the crock pot. Even if they require a bit of up-front prep, it's so nice to just set it and forget it until mealtime. Sounds like a fun evening.

Happy Sunday, Reba! What Katie said - LOVE my slow cooker.

Cannot believe your little grandson is 7 already! Happy Birthday to him!

Hi Laura and Mamie! So nice to find a message from each of you waiting for me this morning.

Saturday's birthday party (for adult family members) was fun and little grandson liked his presents. In the evening, the sauerbraten turned out very well and the dinner party was fun.

Yesterday was also a busy, fun day. In the afternoon we went to a symphony concert featuring winners of a national contest for young musicians. They were amazing. There were three winners. Each played a substantial solo piece backed by the orchestra. One young woman played an oboe solo which was beautiful and amazed me because I'd never heard an oboe featured in such a long piece. A second young woman played a lovely violin solo. The most amazing for me, though, was the young man (who looked barely old enough to attend a symphony concert let alone play an amazing solo.

Mozart Piano Concerto No.21*
*Alexander Liu, piano
Kalliwoda, Wenzel Oboe Concertino, Op. 110*
*Hannah Cho, oboe
Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Op. 28*
*Mio Imai, violin

After intermission the symphony (and I must add we have a really wonderful symphony here in Vancouver, WA) provided two more pieces. A full and delightful afternoon.

Afterwards we went for Japanese dinner -- sushi for me, hibachi for the others. Lots of good talk with good friends.

An all around great day!!

Today I have a completely blank square on my calendar -- looking forward to that!!

Sounds like you had a lovely, full weekend, Reba! I can understand your looking forward to a day of nothing :)

Have a great blank-square day today, Reba.

Thanks Katie and Richard. I may well spend the day trying to catch up here but hope to actually open a book for at least a little while this afternoon.

The concert sounds lovely, Reba. When we lived in Philly we often attended concerts run by an organization that promotes emerging, up-and-coming talent. We also took advantage of free recitals by students at the Curtis School of Music. There's some amazing talent out there.

>145 lauralkeet: Indeed there is, Laura. Chautauqua has a huge music program for promising young folks and I spent much of my summers there enjoying and admiring their talent. We don't get nearly as much opportunity now but the annual concert with our symphony and the winners of this competition are always delightful. How do these kids get so good so quickly!?

Hi Reba! I'm late to discussions here, but you got me also with >99 RebaRelishesReading:. Thank you!

I have been in a book club for nearly 30 years so somehow we've hit on a winning formula. Since we've known each other for so long there's always a lot of news and catching up, but we do have great book discussions. The book club formed when we were all working for the Colorado Children's Chorale and since then I've moved into public school and everyone else has retired, which means I can only rarely go to book club as they meet on weekdays. I still treasure it, even if I can't go!

>141 RebaRelishesReading: That sounds like a perfect day!

Enjoy your relaxing reading time

>147 AMQS: Hi Anne! Hope you enjoy the book. Your bookclub sounds lovely -- 30 years is a long time!!

>148 figsfromthistle: Actually, Anita, I did "desk stuff" all morning then, after lunch, went to the gym, had the car washed, went to supermarket and when I got home I spent the next 1 1/2 hours (or so) in the garage cleaning the car inside and getting all of the places the drive-thru wash doesn't get on the outside. I'm back at my desk and rather tired right now :(

We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen ***1/2 (audio)

Number 18 in the Royal Spyness series continues to be a lot of fun. The family is happily at home when they are "requested" to allow Mrs. Simpson to "hide out" at their house while the King prepares to give the country an ultimatum. At the same time, the evil sister-in-law and her family announce their arrival from Scotland to look at candidate boarding schools for their 7 -year-old son, Georgie's mother arrives and her god-father arrives home with an entire Hollywood film crew in tow. Another fun romp with Georgie.

>150 RebaRelishesReading: My goodness, Reba! That is a lot. Hoping that tomorrow can be more relaxing.

>151 RebaRelishesReading: I need to get back to this series. I can't even remember which book I am ready for next. They are so much fun on audio, aren't they?

It sounds like you had a great weekend , Reba! It sounds like you had a busy day today again.

>152 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie -- this is the most recent one. It was just issued last November. I've only ever listened to them (so, never in print) and I do enjoy them. I started a Kristin Hannah yesterday (The Nightingale). I read The Women for my RL bookclub a few months ago and really enjoyed it and now I'm liking this one on Audible. I'm wondering if she only writes about women and war.

?153 Hi Deborah! Yep, another busy day today. Had my hair cut and stopped at New Seasons, Chuck's (local specialty grocery) and Joann's on the way home. Still need to get my lazy self over to the gym soon. Hope your day is going well.

HI Reba. I found your thread and starred it, and added two of your books to my TBR pile..

I will be sure to come back and note what you are reading!

>155 Whisper1: Hi Linda, glad you found me. I've now starred your second page and look forward to sharing retirement/reading/life stories with you.

I made a vow to check threads of those I hadn't connected with. I'm glad I found your thread!!!

>157 Whisper1: Lovely idea and I'm glad you did. I have a hard time keeping up with those I've been following for years though so I don't think I'll join you in your vow...rather just add new people as I discover them -- like you :)

>151 RebaRelishesReading: I read the first couple of the Royal Spyness books but for some reason never carried on despite liking them. It is a series I need to return to at some point.

I hope all is well there!

>159 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I've been listening to all of the Royal Spyness and find them especially appealing in that form...plus I can "read" while driving, knitting, etc.

All is well here -- hope with you too.

After a week of sunny, cold, beautiful weather the rain has come. It's supposed to snow at elevations above about 500 feet but we're at 220 so our roads shouldn't be affected. I have mixed feelings about that because I do love looking out at fresh snow...but not driving in it. As things stand now I have no excuse not to go to Silver and Fit which starts in about an hour.

It's rainy here today, too. I'm just glad it's not snowing, we've had enough of that for one season tyvm. I hope you made it to Silver and Fit!

Oh, driving to gym is nice. I'm half a mile away from the club I belong to, and I've found it a real deterrent! I might even spring for a membership at a club nearer me, just so that I can get into the pool and home quickly.

It is softly raining all day. It was a good day to get a few closets in order, making me realize I have way too many clothes.

Happy weekend to all!. Time to eat left overs from last night's eating out. I am ok living alone, but really do not like eating alone. I am not complaining, I am thankful for a warm home, good neighbors, lots of books, and I am very thankful for our group!

I hope you have a good night Reba,

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah****1/2 (audio)

I finished listening to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah last night. This is the second book I've read by her and I will definitely look for more. It may just be the two I've happened upon first, but, so far at least, I like the way she writes about strong women doing important, difficult things. I've used the new page at "your books" to write a short review.

>162 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. SO...I drove over to the gym (it's a little over a mile away) and found no parking spaces in the lot, nor on the street and a line of 7 cars waiting for a spot. Realized that it wouldn't clear in time for me to make the class so I drove back home again :( I'm told that this "gym" ("fitness center"?) was originally built as a neighborhood recreation center that went with a large subdivision. It's a great place with outdoor pool, 2 indoor pools (one with lanes), two "gyms", a huge space with multiples of every exercise machine ever created, locker room with lockers, showers and whirlpool (for ladies...dont' know what the guys have in theirs)... everything one could want except enough parking now that it's used by the entire city. I used the exercise equipment last Monday and Wednesday so this week wasn't a total loss :)

Hi Linda and Judy -- thanks for visiting :)

Ah oh , Reba. Went to look for your review of The Nightingale but you got the wrong touchstone . I’m just heading out to meet a friend, so I’ll read it later. I enjoyed the book too .

>166 RebaRelishesReading: that parking situation is the pits, Reba. So disappointing.

Weekend orisons, Reba!

>169 lauralkeet: ...or a handy excuse (giggle). I'll try to get back at it tomorrow and hope to have better luck this week. Hope you're having a nice weekend, Laura.

?170 and to you too, Richard.

>166 RebaRelishesReading: Reba--Sorry you couldn't find any parking. Bummer. Better luck this next week. : ) Happy Monday!

>172 Berly: Hi Kim! Talk about 1st world problems, eh? Well, all better today. I went over to use the exercise equipment about 12:30 today -- a little worried there would be a lunch-hour crowd there but was able to park on the lot, even very close to the door :).

After my workout I had a lovely pedicure during which I made some progress with In Winter I Get Up At Night. Interesting book. Wish I had some idea where the title came from though.

While running errands in the car I started listening to the Sense and Sensibility recording that is part of my Audible Jane Austen collection. It's really beautifully "read". I use the quotes because there seems to be a different actor for each voice plus it includes some sound effects, like the sound of a carriage nearing and a dog barking. Really very nicely done imo and it was free!!

>173 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, it's from a Robert Louis Stevenson poem in a collection called (if I remember correctly) A Child's Garden of Verses. (And there's the touchstone!). It's the first line of the poem:

In winter I get up at night, and have to dress by candlelight.
In summer quite the other way. I have to go to bed by day.

Some quotes just stay with you, in that little vault in your mind.

>175 ffortsa: Thank you Judy. Good to know.

In Winter I Get Up at Night by Jane Urquhart****

At times Ii wondered why I was reading this but in the end I was glad. It's heart wrenching, sad, and gloomy but, somehow, there's a thread of everyday courage in there too. It's also instructive about life on the Canadian plains in the early 20th century. Not an easy read but a worthwhile one.

My review: A haunting novel about life on the Canadian plains in the early 20th century told through the eyes of Emer, a young girl born in Ontario and moved to a Saskatchewan farm with her father, mother, older brother and twin younger brothers. She is badly injured in a tornado and spends a year in a children's hospital far from home. The harshness of life, longings for home, deepness of friendships, and physical pain set a melancholy tone that was beautiful and, at the same time, often made me wonder why I was reading this book. In the end I'm glad I did.

Nice review of In Winter I Get Up At Night.

Here's the whole poem:

Bed in Summer

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people’s feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

>178 ffortsa: What a lovely little poem. Thanks for sharing it Judy. Made me smile and even as an adult I can relate.

Reba, your Silver and Fit always makes me giggle because I think I would be Tarnished and Unfit. Sorry about the parking, though. I would be like - oh, a win because the Universe has declared I should not exercise today. Bad Mamie.

>178 ffortsa: I loved this! Thanks for sharing, Judy!

>180 Crazymamie: You made me giggle too, Mamie. Lovely to have you stop by

I still have not read anything by Kristen Hannah. I don't know what is wrong with me.

Hi Reba!

>182 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. I hadn't either until my RL bookclub picked The Women and I liked it a lot so picked up Nightingale without knowing anything about it. I liked them both a lot so I think I'll be looking for more of hers now. Ditto Kristin Harmel. Their style is so similar, as are their names, that I googled last night to see if maybe it was same author with different pen names for some reason. Apparently not, but I liked them both.

>183 RebaRelishesReading: Well, I've never read anything by Kristen Harmel, either! The Book of Lost Names looks good. And perhaps timely.

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel****1/2

Pure coincidence that I read two books about France in WWII in a row. I grabbed the Hannah book because I had enjoyed The Women and saw it on display at the bookstore. This one is for my RL bookclub. Both authors were new to me and are similar enough that I googled to see if it was the same person using different pen names -- apparently they really are two separate women authors.

The Paris Daughter follows an American woman, Elise, who marries a (very successful) French artist and moves to Paris shortly before WWII. She becomes close friends with another American ex-pat who owns a bookstore together with her French husband. Elise's husband is active in the Communist Party which makes her a target for the occupying Germans and forces her to flee to a small town in southern France leaving her baby daughter with her friend.

I'll be seeking out more books by both Kristins :)

Yesterday I read along in a book copy of Sense and Sensibility to see how closely the "Audible Original Drama" adheres to the book. Not bad, actually. In the fifty or so pages I followed there were occasional changed words but nothing significant. From time to time there are musical interludes (my words) that I suspect cover a skipped page or two though -- not so happy about that but I think I'll continue listening since I've read them all at least twice before and this way I can do other things at the same time. I probably won't do more than one a month though.

Reba, I'm glad you're enjoying the Austen audiobooks. This has probably come up before but have you seen the 1995 S&S movie starring Emma Thompson & Kate Winslet? I love it soooo much.

>187 lauralkeet: I haven't Laura and I would love to. I should see if I can find it on-line somewhere.

So...happy Friday. I went over to the gym a little earlier today and had my choice of two empty spaces so I was able to get to my class with a bit of time to spare :)

>188 RebaRelishesReading: It looks like it's available to rent for $3.99 on both AppleTV and Prime, so that's one option.

>189 RebaRelishesReading: Go Reba go!

>188 RebaRelishesReading: - According to my JustWatch app, S&S isn't available on any of my (too many) streaming services, but you can rent it for $4 on Amazon Prime video, if you have that option. It's definitely worth watching. I have a DVD of it, so if I can remember how to watch a DVD, I'll be doing so this weekend, I think!

Oops, cross-posted with Laura 😁

Happy Friday, Reba! I also love that 1995 S&S. Alan Rickman is perfection in it.

Hooray for gym! Nicely done.

Somehow we managed to buy S&S twice on Amazon Prime Video back in 2020. *smh*

>194 lauralkeet: This sounds like something I would do.

Thanks Laura, Katie and Mamie for the info. I briefly thought about watching it when we got home from a concert we went to last night and then decided that it was too late. I did get so far as to find it on Prime (which we have) so may see if Hubby is interested in joining me and then either watching it while he naps this afternoon or this evening together with him. I think I'll just rent it, thought, so don't have to worry about buying it twice ;>

>190 lauralkeet: Thanks for the exercise encouragement, Laura and Mamie. I need constant encouragement in that department because by nature I'm a sloth.

Speaking of sloths, I stayed in bed later than usual today and since there is nothing on the calendar today and it's raining and fairly cold I may just have a sea day (which is my term for days I spend at home, in my bathrobe, doing nothing in particular)....well probably knitting and listening to the Audible version of S&S...maybe watching the film...finishing up the Panera soup we had for dinner on the way to last night's concert for lunch

Hope you all have lovely days too.

>195 Crazymamie: Because we share our Prime account with family members, my guess is that Chris and I bought it, and then Kate did too. What's annoying is that Amazon didn't say "wait you already own this"

>197 RebaRelishesReading: I love that you call it a "sea day," Reba. We've taken a few 1-week cruises and had a "sea day" at least once, so I get the reference. I would just rather spend it on deck in the sun with a pina colada. Ha.

Also: you stopped at Panera yesterday eh? I bet you just couldn't help yourself after all the Panera talk on my thread.

>196 RebaRelishesReading: I agree with all the votes for the 1995 S&S. One of my favorite movies! Great performances too. I hope you got to watch it, or will soon.

>178 ffortsa: That is lovely, Judy.

Have a great, even if enjoyably slothful, weekend, Reba!

>187 lauralkeet: and >188 RebaRelishesReading: echoing the love for the S&S production with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. It is excellent.

Of course, I'm still a huge fan of the A&E/BBC production of P&P with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

Glad you got to hurkle-durkle today, Reba. :-)

Hi Irene, Paul and Ellen --

We did watch S&S yesterday afternoon and, yes, it was wonderful!! I'm counting that for my anniversary revisit to S&S and have moved on to the Audible Mansfield Park which I'm enjoying. In a month or so I'll probably watch P&P again and then another month or so Emma. I think I'll use the Audible for Northanger Abbey sometime this. year. It's fun to revisit these old friends.

I'm so glad to see that you loved the S&S film, Reba. We may have to watch it again sometime soon.

I really enjoyed In Winter I Get Up at Night when I read it last year, Reba. I did review it, and yes it was sad, but well worth the read. I'm glad you enjoyed it too.

>203 lauralkeet: Thanks for pointing it out, Laura. I'm not big on re-watching films but it could happen for this one some time in the future.

>204 vancouverdeb: I put it on my list because of a review I read here, most likely yours, Deborah, (although I've lost track so can't be sure). Unfortunately, those of us south of the 49th parallel get far too little education about our northern neighbors so, in addition to being touched by the story, it was a peak into the life of settlement of the prairie provinces.

Your sea day sounds full of fabulous - I love doing that. SO glad you enjoyed the S&S film. Like Laura, I love to rewatch old favorites.

Northanger Abbey is one I still need to get to, and I keep saving it for the right moment. Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book. What is your favorite Austen?

>206 Crazymamie: I think I like Sense and Sensibility best but I also love Pride and Prejudice and Emma -- very close call between the three of those. I'm actually enjoying the Audible Mansfield Park a lot (even though I don't remember being that fond of it). Northanger Abbey is definitely my least favorite.

I just came home from a book club discussion of Paris Daughter which went amazingly well (as in there was actually discussion!!). It's been a brisk but sunny day all day but by the time I got home there were snow flakes falling -- not enough to convince the sun to give up but still there they were. May be a good thing there is no place I have to go tomorrow :)

>208 RebaRelishesReading: Sounds like you had a great time at book club!

Happy week ahead

>209 figsfromthistle: HI Anita. I always enjoy bookclub but sometimes it's more just like a group of women friends having lunch together than an actual book club -- it was both yesterday :)

>208 RebaRelishesReading: Hooray for actual discussion of the book! Baby steps.