karenmarie: buckling up for a wild ride in 2025 - part VI

Welcome to my sixth thread, and may the Universe protect us from the chaos demon and his minions. I keep thinking it can’t get worse and yet here we are, infinitely worse than we were on January 20th, if that's at all possible.

Six months after he took power, I’m stunned at what the chaos demon has unleashed on our country. The ignorance and maliciousness of the people he has surrounded himself with will have them burning in their supposedly-Christian hell. They’re dismantling our institutions and threatening our safety. Oh, and don’t forget our financial security and our standing in the world.

Nine ways to describe me and books: bibliolater, bibliomaniac, bibliophile, lectiophiliac, bookworm, Book Dragon, biblioflâneuse, and librocubicularist. I’m adding Book Angel – an internet image that represents how I see her. Shimmery, gold, fierce, carrying a sword.

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@lizzied, Peggy, wrote “If I’m kind, I’ll get the day I deserve.” I’m trying to implement that. No guarantees, but I may get through an hour or two before snark and unhappiness overcome my desire to be a better person.

The Good: Family, friends, kitties, books, and soccer in constantly-rotating order. Smut, of course, and book sort team/Friends of the Library. Jenna got married in November to her girlfriend Hwan and they moved to Washington State yesterday. Hwan has a tenure track professorship at Green River College in Auburn. The semester starts for Hwan on September 22nd. I’m happy for them, devastated for me.

The Bad: The betrayal of our country.

The Shadenfreude: I am happy that the Epstein files implicate Trump. I am also really, really thrilled by some of the protest signs in Scotland.

From the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock. This information was published on January 29th when the clock was set to 89 seconds before midnight, apocalypse. 89 seconds is the shortest time to apocalypse since the clock was created in 1945. Rather than try to quote parts or even the whole thing, I’m going to provide the link for those with the stomach to read it: Doomsday Clock 2025

The ugly: Everything political in the US at the national level and quite a bit of it here at the local level; although having a Democratic Governor offsets the Gang of Psychos controlling the Legislature.

I read and am a charter member of the Redbud and Beyond Book Club, started in 1997. Our 2025-2026 Book Club Year.
Jul – Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro **abandoned at 56%**
Aug – The Awakening by Kate Chopin read 50 years ago, not read for the book club
Sep – Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie **abandoned after intro and first chapter**
Oct – The Future by Naomi Alderman
Nov – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Dec – How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith
Jan – Yellowface by RF Kuang
Feb – Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope
Mar – The Women by Kristin Hannah
April – How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
May – book selection for 2026-2027

I have been married to Bill for 34 years and am mother to Jenna, who will turned 32 today and is married to Hwan, who turned 30 at the end of June. Or, bio daughter and bonus daughter.

Jenna at her first birthday party, August 1994.



Some of the non-feline critters that have come to visit over the years.



My goal last year was 150 books, recognizing that I’m powering through the smut. I still really, really enjoy reading this subgenre of contemporary fiction/romance and will continue until it no longer interests me. It’s getting more challenging to find books as I’ve refined my targeted trope(s), but I’ve become a great detective. This year’s goal is 200, which is still based on reading smut. 242 read and 96 abandoned, 66,066 pages read through the end of July. 8 books read so far in August, one audio book completed.




News avoidance still about 85-90% of the time.

And, finally, I always, always need to remember to express gratitude for what I have - family, friends, intangibles and tangibles - every single day.

Currently Reading:

One Honeymoon, Two Hockey Bros, Three Little Words by Oslo Fox 9/29/25 Ethan and Jean-Luc 2025
The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith narrated by Robert Glenister 9/4/25 Audible audio book 31 hours Cormoran Strike 8 2025
The Future by Naomi Alderman 9/28/25 hardcover 2023
The Quarterlands by Xanthe Walter 9/10/25 Kindle Josiah and Alex Dark Water 4 2025
Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart "Brittlestar" Reynolds 9/7/25 hardcover 54 pages 2025
The Federalist edited by Jacob E. Cooke 5/28/22 656 pages hardcover 1961

(title by narrated by xx/xx/xx yy/yy/yy Audible audio book hours MCs series # year)

read

**abandoned His Prince by Cora Rose** 228 pages Facile, cutsey, chaotic emotions that didn't always make sense.
**abandoned The Club by Rina Saint** 100 pages One of the main characters, in the closet, all of a sudden comes out dramatically and publicly at a sex club. The dynamic between him and the other main character was a bit too kinky for me, and I don't hate kink.
1. The Sinner's Sanctuary by August Jones 1/3/25 1/5/25 427 pages Kindle Christian and Gibson Doormen of the Upper East Side 3 2024
2. Crossroads by Riley Hart Narrated by Sean Crisden 1/3/25 1/5/25 Audible 7.5 hours Nick and Bryce Crossroads 1 2015 really 4.25
3. A Little Bit by L Waltree 1/5/25 1/5/25 310 pages Kindle Warren and Eli 2024
4. Ruined by Vanessa Waltz 1/5/25 1/6/25 382 pages Kindle Luca and Dominic Sinners of Boston 1 2024
5. Test Drive by Riley Hart 1/5/25 1/7/25 Narrated by Sean Crisden Audible 6 hours Justin and Drew Crossroads 3 2016
6. Hard to Let Go by Jaclyn Quinn 1/7/25 1/10/25 Audible audio book narrated by Sean Crisden 6.75 hours Owen and Brady Haven Coves' Series 1 2019
7. How to Hack a Hellhound by Shannon Mae 1/7/25 1/8/25 234 pages Kindle Quinton and Liam Hellhounds of Paradise Falls 2 2025
**abandoned Taken by the Lord of the Nocturne Court by KA Merikan** 80 pages
**abandoned Never Have I Evan by DJ Jamison** 107 pages
8. James by Percival Everett 12/23/24 1/11/25 303 pages hardcover 2024
9. Commitment Issues by Bradley Brady 1/11/25 1/12/25 350 pages Kindle Evan and Scott Commitment Issues 1 2017
**abandoned Man of Honor by Parker St John** 182 pages 1/10/25 Kindle Gage and Wyatt
10. Dead Draw by Layla Reyne 1/12/25 1/14/25 237 pages Kindle Marsh and Levi Perfect Play 1 2022
11. Pull Back by JD Sampson 1/14/25 1/14/25 147 pages Kindle Bodhi and Morgan Hollywood Endings 1 2020
12. The Vertigo Effect by JD Sampson 1/14/25 1/15/25 170 pages Kindle Bodhi and Morgan Hollywood Endings 2 2020
13. The Two Shot by JD Sampson 1/15/25 1/17/25 201 pages Kindle Bodhi and Morgan Hollywood Endings 3 2021
14. Deep Focus by JD Sampson 1/15/25 1/18/25 184 pages Kindle Bodhi and Morgan Hollywood Endings 4 2023
15. Six Degrees of Lust by Taylor V. Donovan 1/18/25 1/19/25 366 pages Kindle Sam and Machlan By Degrees 1 2020
16. One Man's Trash by Marie Sexton 01/16/25 1/23/25 narrated by John Solo 12 hours Taylor and Warren Heretic Doms Club 1 2017
17. Hearsay by Taylor V Donovan 1/21/25 1/22/25 240 pages Kindle Derrick and Roman Bylaws 1 2014
18. Benji by NR Walker 1/22/25 1/23/25 196 pages Kindle Kindle Benji and Nolan The Wylde Street Boys 1 2025
** abandoned When We Collide by Avril Ashton ** 167 pages Zander, Vince, Scotty
** abandoned Six Degrees of Separation by Taylor V. Donovan ** 208 pages Mac and Sam By Degrees
** abandoned Love the Sinner by Avril Ashton ** 110 pages Gabe Pagan
** abandoned Silver & Gold by Katherine Diane 47 pages ** Seth and Raider Seth & Raider series 2
19. Disaster Stray by FA Ray 1/24/25 1/24/25 280 pages Kindle Luke and Sebastian Rainbow Rescue Cat Cafe 2 2024
20. Reckless Hearts by Jax Calder 1/24/25 1/25/25 412 pages Kindle Seb and Marcus Rainbow Redemption Book 2 2025 4.5
21. The Other Brother by Jax Calder 1/25/25 1/26/25 290 pages Kindle Ryan and Cody 2022
22. The Fixer by Charity Parkerson 1/26/25 1/27/25 244 pages Kindle Chad and Journey Damaged Devils 1 2023
** abandoned A Matcha Made in Hell by FA Ray ** 68 pages facile, no character development
23. Under Construction by Juliet M Dixon 1/27/25 1/28/25 505 pages Kindle Dennis and Chris Straight to Him 1 2025
24. Back With the Tide: Memoirs of Ellen Douglas Bellamy By Ellen Douglas Bellamy 1/23/25 1/30/25 54 pages trade paperback 1940
25. Savage by Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank 1/28/25 1/30/25 301 pages Kindle Lachlan and Cooper Park Avenue Kings 1 2025
26. A Simple Mistake by Alice Winters 1/30/25 1/31/25 361 pages Kindle Liam and Gabriel Deadly Mistakes 1 2025
** abandoned Save Me by Beck Grey ** 97 pages
** abandoned Sold by Ace Fawn ** 43 pages
** Tender Strokes by Diane Vale ** 41 pages
27. MateHub: Legend by Marie Reynard 1/31/25 2/1/25 342 pages Kindle Richard and Hunter MateHub 1 2024
28. Something About You by Riley Hart narrated by Sean Crisden 1/23/25 2/2/25 Audible audio book 7 hours Saint and Lucky Saint & Lucky 1 2018
29. Accidental Bonds by Marie Reynard 2/1/25 2/3/25 454 pges Kindle Victor and Elijah Elemental Bonds Book 1 2023
30. The Southerner's Book of Lists by Jim Erskine 2/3/25 2/3/25 128 pages paperback 1996
31. Mixed Motives by Leslie Macadam 2/4/25 2/4/25 73 pages Kindle Henry and Keane
32. Born Again Sinner by Daryl Banner 2/2/25 2/6/25 Audible audio book 10 hours Trey and Cody Spruce Texas Romance 2 2018
33. Raising Hell by Daryl Banner 2/6/25 2/7/25 329 pages Kindle Mathew (sic) and Charlie 2018
34. The Husband Experience by Maya Jean 2/7/25 2/7/25 150 pages Kindle Eli and Colby Sweet Southern Book 1 2024
** abandoned Guardian Angel in Leather by KA Merikan ** 20 pages
** abandoned Ho Ho Homicidal Maniac by KA Merikan ** 74 pages
** abandoned Notorious by Leslie McAdam - re-read ** 141 pages
** abandoned Bloom by NR Walker ** 104 pages
35. Crown of Disguise by Lola Malone 2/7/25 2/8/25 291 pages Kindle Dominique and Gaël Initiation Series 1 2023
36. Crown of Steel by Lola Malone 2/8/25 2/12/25 406 pages Kindle Régis and Arthur Initiation Series 2 2024
**abandoned A Different Light by Morningstar Ashley ** 100 pages
**abandoned Open Mind by Luna David ** 9 pages
**abandoned Sick Bargain by Nordika Night ** 189 pages
**abandoned Shameless by Lola Malone ** 71 pages
**abandoned Bonds of Denial by Lynda Aicher ** 8 pages
37. Cambros by Juliet M. Dixon 2/7/25 2/7/25 49 pages Kindle Alex and Cory 2024
38. Pretty Broken Doll by Bree Wiley 2/12/25 2/12/25 348 pages Kindle Shilo and Ryan 2025
39. Getting Lucky by Daryl Banner 2/7/25 2/15/25 Audible audio book narrated by Chris Chambers and Alex Kydd 12 hours Lucas and James 2018
40. Bad Intentions by Ella Frank 2/15/25 2/15/25 Audible audio book narrated by Tim Paige and Aiden Snow 6.5 hours Gabe and Marcus Intentions Duet 1 2021
41. The Mercenary and the Mortician by Alexandra St. Pierre 2/12/25 2/15/25 760 pages Kindle Cal and Ryan The Silent Hollow 1 2025
42. One by Paulina Ian-Kane 2/15/25 2/16/25 291 pages Kindle Michael and Raph Angels of Wrath Book 1 2023
43. Six by Paulina Ian-Kane 2/16/25 2/18/25 306 pages Kindle Ollie and Rague Angels of Wrath Book 2 2023
44. Happily Never After by Ava Olsen 2/18/25 2/18/25 222 pages Kindle Aaron and Harrison 2025
45. Three by Paulina Ian-Kane 2/18/25 2/20/25 339 pages Kindle Rami and Hunter Angels of Wrath Book 3 2024
46. Five by Paulina Ian-Kane 2/20/25 2/20/25 341 pages Kindle Gabe/Bez and Lori Angels of Wrath Book 4 2024
47. Mighty Quill by Emmaline Strange /2/21/25 2/24/25 398 pages Kindle Thor and Cassian Sanguis et Fauna 1 2022
48. Wake Me Up Inside by Cardeno C 2/24/25 2/24/25 313 Kindle Zev and Jonah Mates Collection 1 2015
49. With This Ring by RS McKenzie 2/25/25 2/26/25 297 pages Kindle Carter and Kaison Opposites Attract 1 2025
**abandoned Redeeming Rafe by Sloane Kennedy ** 81 pages
**abandoned Friction by Kindle Alexander** 323 pages
50. Wild by Adrienne Wilder 2/26/25 2/28/25 338 pages Kindle Carter Keenan and August 2017
51. Out, Proud, and Prejudiced by Megan Reddaway 2/28/25 3/1/25 346 pages Kindle Bennet and Darius 2018
52. Shelter Me by Megan Reddaway 3/1/25 3/2/25 Kindle Leo and Cole Heven Book 1 2017
53. Honor, the Duel, and Indiscretion: The Life of Elizabeth "Betsey" Pollock Devereaux Jones (1818-1879) by W. Davenport Robertson 3/5/25 3/5/25 40 pages paper published in "North Carolina Historical Review," vol. CI, no. 4 (October) 2024
54. The Killer Who Kept Me by Davidson King 3/5/25 3/6/25 224 pages Kindle Em and Soros 2025
55. Run To Me by Ashlynn Mills 3/6/25 3/6/25 248 pages Kindle Nate and Jace 2025
56. Estranged Heart by Ashlynn Mills 3/6/25 3/3/7/25 346 pages Kindle Silas and Elijah 2025
57. Taken By My Dad's Bodyguard by Candace Lark 3/8/25 3/8/25 78 pages Kindle Otto and Myers Sin City 1 2023
58. Vile Heart by Lola Malone 3/8/25 3/8/25 80 pages Kindle Camren and Davian Vicious Valentine 1 2025
59. Distant Heart by Chani Lynn Feener 3/8/25 3/8/25 91 pages Kindle Ilya and Rexton Vicious Valentine 2 2025 own
60. Caught by Leo Rivers 3/8/25 3/8/25 75 pages Kindle Evan and Silas Mating Run 1 2025
61. Rivals by Leo Rivers 3/8/25 3/9/25 91 pages Kindle Viktor and Nick Mating Run 2 2025
**abandoned Be Mine, Bloody Valentine by Skyler Snow** 43 pages
62. Pounding Skin by LA Witt 2/15/25 3/10/25 Audible audio book narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo 9.5 hours Jon and Matt Skin Deep, Inc. 2 2019
63. Shifter for Brains by F.N. Manning 3/9/25 3/9/25 258 pages Kindle Lucas and Chase Supernatural Affairs 2 2022
64. Black Moon by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes 288 pages 3/10/25 3/10/25 Kindle Linden and Colt Wolf Moon Rising 1 2021
65. Lost and Pound by Lilo Quie 3/10/25 3/11/25 103 pagesKindle Nico and Shilo Love Sync Mates Season Two 8 2025
**abandoned NOX by Adrienne Wilder** 178 pages
66. Reckless by Nicole Edwards 3/11/25 3/12/25 361 pages Kindle Cam and Gannon Pier 70 Book 1 2015
67. Hunter Moon by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes 3/12/25 3/13/25 345 pages Kindle and Brook Wolf Moon Rising 3 2021
68. Wolf Lost by Sam Burns 3/13/25 3/14/25 206 pages Kindle Sawyer and Dez The Wolves of Kismet Book 1 2019
69. Werewolf in Shining Armor by Minerva Howe 3/14/25 3/14/25 127 pages Kindle Symon and Adrian Werewolf Knights Book 1 2024
70. Such a Good Omega by Lorelei M Hart 3/14/25 3/15/25 96 pages Kindle Talon and Rowan His Alpha Desires 1 2024
71. Werewolf in Leather Armor by Minerva Howe 3/14/25 3/14/25 127 pages Kindle Rian and Eyre Werewolf Knights Book 1 2024
72. Cold Moon by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes 3/15/25 3/16/25 225 pages Kindle Dante and Skye Wolf Moon book 4 2021
73. Lone Wolf by Tessa Kane 3/16/25 3/17/25 346 pages Kindle Keir and Julien Exiled Omegas Book 1 2023
74. Cinderella in the Sheets by Reece Pine 3/17/25 3/17/25 131 pages Kindle Presley and Louis 2018
75. Carnal Heart by Emmy LaRoux 3/17/25 3/18/25 82 pages Kindle Zaiah and Devyn Vicious Valentines 3 2025
76. Blinding Light by Lola Malone 3/19/25 3/20/25 374 pages Kindle Cyprian and Moargan 2025
77. The Hunter's Heart by Minerva Howe 3/20/25 3/20/25 17 pages Kindle Jason and Isaac 2020
78. Echo by Chani Lynn Feener 3/20/25 3/22/25 437 pages Kindle Rabbit and Baikal Devils of Vitality 1 2023
79. These Silent Stars by Chani Lynn Feener 3/22/25 3/23/25 500 pages Kindle Rin and Kelevra Devils of Vitality 2 2023
**abandoned Guns 'n Boys by KA Merikan** 8.75 hours
**abandoned My Only Regret by Leigh Lennon** 2.5 hours
**abandoned The Measure by Nikki Erlick** 5.25 hours
80. Call of the Sea by Chani Lynn Feener 3/23/25 3/25/25 565 pages Kindle Sila and Bay Devils of Vitality 3 2023
81. Devil May Care by Chani Lynn Feener 3/25/25 3/26/25 482 pages Kindle Nate and Kazimir Devils of Vitality 4 2024
**abandoned Devil May Fall by Chani Lynn Feener** 127 pages
82. Kick at the Darkness by Keira Andrews 3/26/25 3/27/25 267 pages Kindle Parker and Adam Kick at the Darkness 1 2015
83. His Secret Alpha by Chani Lynn Feener 3/27/25 3/28/25 146 pages Kindle Sky and Kian Christmas Omegas 6 2023
**abandoned The Wolf's Wounded Omega by AJ Kane** 108 pages
**abandoned Chasing Mr. Wright by Aimee Nicole Walker ** 173 pages
**abandoned Betrothed to the Emperor by Kai Butler** 197 pages
84. Who Said Mobsters Were Scary? by Aria Clark 3/28/25 3/30/25 324 pages Kindle Leo and Chai Mobster Mayhem 1 2024
85. Kestrel by Adrienne Lothy 3/30/25 3/30/25 362 pages Kindle Niko and 'the Kestrel' Starhawk Book 1 2024
86. The Alpha's Heir: Captive by Wolf Specter 3/30/25 3/31/25 135 pages Kindle Zeke and Mathias The Alpha's Heir 1 2016
87. Mated to the Alpha books 1-8 by Rosa Swann and Wolf Specter 4/1/25 4-2-25 388 pages Kindle Max and Ethan 2015
88. Claimed by the Boss by Sophie O'Dare 4/2/25 4/3/25 211 pages Kindle Leo and Nolan Taken by His Alpha 1 2024
89. The Alpha Wolf Rancher's Runaway Omega by Asher Wylde 4/3/25 4/3/25 220 pages Kindle Wesley and Zack 2025
90. Mating the Omega by Ann-Katrin Byrde 4/3/25 4/3/25 153 pages Kindle Jason and Mac Mercy Hills Pack 1 2016
91. Abel's Omega by Ann-Katrin Byrde 4/3/25 4/4/25 348 pages Kindle Bax and Abel Mercy Hills Pack 2 2016
**abandoned Who Said Witness Protection Was Boring? by Aria Clark** 153 pages
**abandoned Wrong Train, Right Wolf by Colbie Dunbar** 43 pages
**abandoned Wrong Number, Right Wolf by Colbie Dunbar** 23 pages
92. Collared by Lola Malone 4/4/25 4/5/25 116 pages Kindle Thurel and Maël The Wicked Chase 1 2024
93. Trapped by Lola Malone 4/5/25 4/5/25 124 pages Kindle Robin and Arsène The Wicked Chase 2 2024
94. Hunted by Lola Malone 4/5/25 4/5/25 124 pages Kindle Olivier and Alexandre The Wicked Chase 3 2024
95. Cherry Breeze by Jett Masterson 4/5/25 4/6/25 392 pages Kindle Asher and Sebastian 2025
96. Marked by Lola Malone 4/6/25 4/8/25 126 pages Kindle Edouard and Romain The Wicked Chase 4 2024
97. Finding Lord Landry by Lucy Lennox 4/8/25 4/9/25 340 pages Kindle Kenji and Landry The Billionaire Brotherhood 5 2025
98. His Bewildered Mate by Brea Alepoú 4/9/25 4/9/25 234 pages Kindle Dillan and Rhy Unexpected Mates 1 2019
99. Grabbed by Susi Hawke and Crista Crown 4/10/25 4/10/25 157 pages Kindle Preston and Noah Team A.L.P.H.A. Book 1 2019
**abandoned Ready or Knot by Susi Hawke and Crista Crown** 124 pages
100. Devlish by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine 4/11/25 4/11/25 295 pages Kindle Lucien and Kai Park Avenue Kings 2 2025
101. The Revenge Game by Jax Calder 4/11/25 4/12/25 439 pages Kindle Andrew and Justin The Revenge Club 1 2025
102. His Reluctant Omega by Sam Abbot 4/13/25 4/14/25 45 pages Kindle Nathan and Brock Devil's Creek Omega Book 1 2015
103. Wildlands Omega by Ruby Nox 4/14/25 4/14/25 121 pages Kindle Riley and Jack Summerwood Wolves 1 2017
104. The Alpha's Touch by Claire Cullen 4/14/25 4/15/25 94 pages Kindle Robert and Sebastian Lost Omegas Book 1 2016
105. Wrenched by Casey Morales 4/15/25 4/15/25 257 pages Kindle Sam and Miguel Nashville Spicy Book 1 2023
106. Omega's Escape by Feral Moon 4/15/25 4/16/25 72 pages Kindle Aiden and Jude The Omega Files Book 1 2016
**abandoned Hollywood Lightning by JV Speyer** 80 pages
107. Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent 4/16/25 4/17/25 496 pages Kindle Kayden and Gareth Villain 1 2025
108. Between the Devil and the Sea by Chani Lynn Feener narrated by Dan Levy 3/26/25 4/18/25 12 hrs 20 minutes Apollo and Shadow The Devil and the Sea 1 2023
**abandoned Wrath by Ellis James** 346 pages
**abandoned Rescue by Mx Alex** 188 pages
109. Ferocious by Leslie McAdam 4/17/25 4/19/25 405 pages Kindle Rowan and Charlie 2025
110. Omega On the Run by Aria Grace 4/20/25 4/20/25 80 pages Kindle Jamie and Cameron Love Sync Mates Season 2 10
111. His Dark Paradox by Avery Tu and Kota Quinn 4/20/25 4/21/25 260 pages Kindle Nuri and Silver 2023
112. Villain by Chani Lynn Feener 4/21/25 4/22/25 310 pages Kindle Nix, Lake, West, and Yejun Demons of Foxglove Grove 1 2024
113. Martyr by Chani Lynn Feener 4/22/25 4/23/25 298 pages Kindle Nix, Lake, West, and Yejun Demons of Foxglove Grove 2 2024
114. Saint by Chani Lynn Feener 4/23/25 4/24/25 266 pages Kindle Nix, Lake, West, and Yejun Demons of Foxglove Grove 3 2024
115. Beer Money by Remy Tate 4/24/25 4/24/25 243 pages Kindle Jared and Andrew Black Box 1 2025
116. Unwritten Law by Eden Finley narrated by Antony Ferguson and Joel Leslie 4/18/25 4/26/25 Audible audiobook 5.45 hours Law and Reed The Steele Brothers 1 2018
117. Body Count by L Eveland 4/26/25 4/27/25 349 pages Kindle Theo and River Wayward Sons 1 2023
**abandoned Skin Deep by L Eveland** 141 pages
**abandoned A Bright Celestial Sea by Chani Lynn Feener** 189 pages
118. You Will Never Know by Chani Lynn Feener 4/25/25 4/25/25 238 pages Kindle Hunter and Odin A Whisper in the Dark 1 2022
119. Bent by Jesse H Reign 4/27/25 4/28/25 110 pages Kindle Oliver and Ethan 2021
120. Bent Backwards by Jesse H Reign 4/28/25 4/28/25 123 pages Kindle Ethan and Oliver 2021
121. Stay in Your Lane! by Cari Z and LA Witt 4/28/25 4/29/25 284 pages Kindle Everett and Kyle 2025
122. Off the Beaten Path by Cari Z 4/30/25 4/30/25 186 pages Kindle Ward and Henry 2021
123. His Surprise Omega by Allie W Scott 4/30/25 4/30/25 143 pages Kindle Wendell and Rafe Christmas Omegas 7 2023
**abandoned Unnatural by Alessandra Hazard** 43 pages
**abandoned Auctioned Omega by Kellan Larkin** 76 pages
**abandoned Mated into the Mob by Colbie Dunbar** 60 pages
**abandoned His Sinful Need by Leighton Greene** 193 pages
124. Knot Mine by Alice La Roux 5/3/25 5/4/25 263 pages Kindle Shiloh and Zale 2025
125. A Pika's Safe Haven by Odessa Hywell 5/4/25 5/4/25 202 pages Kindle Dean and Jules Heat, Prey, Love 2 2025
126. Ugly by Roe Horvat 5/4/25 5/4/25 180 pages Kindle Burke and Emerson Winter Sun 1 2021
127. The Good Student by MM Phoenix 5/4/25 5/4/25 86 pages Kindle Asher and Philip Straight No More 2 2025
128. The Arrangement by Laura Taylor 5/4/25 5/5/25 175 pages Kindle Oliver and Jet 2019
**abandoned Edge of Control by M Walker ** 126 pages
**abandoned Evil Omega by S Rodman ** 62 pages
129. Unspoken Vow by Eden Finley narrated by Antony Ferguson and Joel Leslie 4/26/25 5/7/25 Audible audiobook 9.25 hours Anders and Brody The Steele Brothers 2 2020
** abandoned The Unexpected Omega by Jacey Davis** 129 pages
130. Omega's Silver Alpha by Loralei M Hart 5/6/25 5/6/25 148 pages Kindle Will and Jack Mapleville Omegas 8 2018
**abandoned Serving the Alpha by HP Fly** 19 pages
**abandoned The Marriage Switch by Aja Foxx** 46 pages
131. Hurricane by Laura Taylor 5/7/25 5/8/25 120 pages Kindle Azure and Tor The Elements 1 2019
132. Slow Heat by Leta Blake 5/8/25 5/9/25 388 pages Kindle Jason and Vale Heat of Love 1 2017
**abandoned Devil in the Details by Chani Lynn Feener** 86 pages
133. Milk by Roe Horvat 5/9/25 to 5/9/25 112 pages Kindle Nico and Charles 2024
134. The Bound Omega by KC Carmine 5/10/25 5/10/25 55 pages Kindle Eldin and Ole Defiant Omegas 1 2024
135. Rough Country by Kelly Fox 5/10/25 5/11/25 290 pages Kindle Emery and Woody Central Texas 1 2024
136. Precious by Roe Horvat 5/11/25 5/11/25 218 pages Kindle Micah and Travis Heated Touch 1 2020
137. Doctor's Orders by Preston Walker and Liam Kingsley 116 pages 5/11/25 5/12/25 116 pages Kindle Reese and Connor 2018
138. Fearless Bond by Roe Horvat 5/12/25 5/13/25 199 pages Kindle Calvin and Barclay Bears of Beauville 1 2024
139. Finding Finn by Kiki Burrelli 5/13/25 5/14/25 169 pages Kindle Finn and Luke Wolf's Mate 1 2016
140. Mated to the Alpha books 1-8 by Rosa Swann and Wolf Specter 5/8/25 5/8/25 388 pages Kindle Max and Ethan 2015
141. The Omega Accountant by Bella Bennet 5/13/25 5/13/25 239 pages Kindle Matteo and Luca Corvino Family Mafia 1 2025
142. Enemy Match by Anna Wineheart 5/13/25 5/14/25 156 pages Kindle Hadley and Darius Perfect Match Agency: Springtime 2 2024
143. Luscious Match by Anna Wineheart 5/15/25 5/15/25 174 pages Kindle Gabe and Kallen Perfect Match Agency: Springtime 4 2024
144. Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet 4/23/25 5/17/25 230 pages Hardcover 2022
145. His Hunter by MM Farmer 5/16/25 5/16/25 245 pages Kindle Ari and Samson Omegas After Dark 1 2024
146. Ex Match by Anna Wineheart 5/16/25 5/16/25 123 pages Kindle John and Michael Perfect Match Agency: Springtime 1 2024
**abandoned Chased By the Alpha by Summer Aspen** 41 pages
**abandoned Snatched Up By the Cartel by Michael Levi** 54 pages Rylan and Mateo
**abandoned Alpha for Appearances by Libby Walsh** 165 pages fake marriage
147. Rome and Jules by Tara Lain 5/16/25 5/17/25 217 pages Kindle Rome and Jules 2020
148. Temple by Avril Ashton 5/17/25 5/18/25 71 pages Kindle Temple and Vik Freelancers 1 2021
149. Craving You by Avril Ashton 5/18/25 5/18/25 368 pages Kindle Kannon and Preacher Dread+ Terrible 2 2020
150. Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green narrated by the author Audible audio book 5/11/25 5.5 hours
151. His Sassy Omega by Raiven Matthews 5/19/25 5/20/25 364 pages Kindle Quinn and Lachlan Sweet Alps Mates 1 2022
152. His Bratty Omega by Raiven Matthews 5/20/25 5/21/25 367 pages Kindle Wade and Finn Sweet Alps Mates 2 2022
153. A Husband for Christmas by Beau Brown 5/21/25 5/22/25 211 pages Kindle Rider and Jax 2018
154. Roman by Avril Ashton 5/22/25 5/22/25 154 pages Kindle Roman and Tate Freelancers 2 2021
155. Doctor Perfect by Beau Brown 5/23/25 5/23/25 235 pages Kindle Fox and Liam The Omegas of Sweet Water, Texas 1 2019
156. Possession by Rina Saint 5/23/25 5/24/25 231 pages Kindle Lucas and Roman Constantine Brothers 1 2025
157. Werewolf in Rusted Armor by Minerva Howe 5/24/25 5/24/25 102 pages Kindle Quin and Thiago Werewolf Knights 3 2025
158. The Covenant by Cora Rose and Lark Taylor 5/25/25 5/25/25 341 pages Kindle Matthias and Wyatt The Firm 1 2025
159. Instant Bond by LA Lambert 5/25/25 5/26/25 251 pages Kindle Cam and Karter 2024
160. Primal Urges by Harper Aveline 5/26/25 5/26/25 184 pages Kindle Bishop and Lucien Primal Series 1 2024
161. His Every Move by M Walker 5/26/25 5/27/25 251 pages Kindle Elijah and Benji Stonewall Investigations:Midnight 2 2025
162. Claimed by the Wolf by Lyndon Land 5/27/25 5/28/25 135 pages Kindle Taggart and Mikhail Moonbond Run 1 2025
163. Trapped by the Alpha by Lyndon Land 5/28/25 5/29/25 156 pages Kindle Toby and Mason Moonbond Run 4 2025
164. Infamous Park Avenue Prince by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine 435 pages 5/29/25 5/29/25 Kindle West and JT Park Avenue Princes Book 1 2023
**abandoned Primal Instinct by Harper Aveline** 196 pages
**abandoned Chokehold by Leigh Rivers** 282
**abandoned An Omega for the Sheriff by Corie Rosling** 51 pages
**abandoned The Beautiful Dead by Skyla Raines** 213 pages
**abandoned Cooper by Fel Fern** 106 pages
165. Insatiable Park Avenue Prince by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine 5/28/25 5/29/25 406 pages Kindle Donovan and Kelly Park Avenue Princes 2 2023
166. A Different Kind of Chemistry by Ashlynn Mills 5/29/25 5/29/25 270 pages Kindle Maverick and Casey Nerds & Tattoos 1 2021
**abandoned Office Jinx by AW Turner** 63 pages
167. Scandalous Park Avenue Prince by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine 5/31/25 6/1/25 438 pages Kindle Preston and Archer Park Avenue Princes 3 2024
168. Possessive Park Avenue Prince by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine 6/1/25 6/2/25 332 pages Kindle Gavin and Daire Park Avenue Princes 4 2024
169. Wild Match by Amy Bellows 6/3/25 6/3/25 110 pages Kindle Leo and Steve Perfect Match Agency: Springtime 5 2024
170. The Accidental Everything by Amy Bellows 6/3/25 6/3/25 166 pages Kindle Isaac and Rhett Nerds Who Knot 1 2019
171. The Bookmobile Baby by Amy Bellows 6/3/25 6/4/25 231 pages Kindle Simon and Art Nerds Who Knot 2 2019
172. To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders 6/4/25 6/5/25 309 pages Kindle Ellis and Lucky 2024
173. Worthy by Michele Lenard 6/5/25 6/6/25 271 pages Kindle Cade and Maddox Adrenalin 1 2025
174. Beautifully Fractured by Michele Lenard 6/6/25 6/7/25 286 pages Kindle Liam and Cruz Front Range University 1 2024
175. Echo by Chani Lynn Feener 6/7/25 6/8/25 437 pages Kindle Rabbit and Baikal The Devils of Vitality 1 2023
176. Vile Heart by Lola Malone 6/8/25 6/9/25 80 pages Kindle Cam and Davian Vicious Valentines 1 2025
**abandoned Privileged by Michele Lenard ** 111 pages
**abandoned Salacious Park Avenue Prince by Ella Frank ** 210 pages
177. Distant Heart by Chani Lynn Feener 6/9/25 6/10/25 91 pages Kindle Ilya and Rexton Vicious Valentine 2 2025
178. Carnal Heart by Emmy LaRoux 6/10/25 6/10/25 82 pages Kindle Zaiah and Devyn Vicious Valentine 2 2025
179. Stalked by Leo Rivers 6/10/25 6/10/25 112 pages Kindle Mason and Toby Mating Run 3 2025
180. Don't Date a DILF by DJ Jamison 6/10/25 6/11/25 342 pages Kindle Hunter and Clark Rules We Break in Granville Book 1 2023
181. Collared by Lola Malone 6/11/25 6/11/25 116 pages Kindle Thurel and Maël The Wicked Chase 1 2024
**abandoned Primal Claim by Leo Rivers ** 100 pages
**abandoned Alpha Fated Temptation by Alice Chandler** 247 pages
**abandoned One True Thing by MJ O'Shea and Piper Vaughn** 221 pages
182. The Omega Puppet by Bella Bennet 6/11/25 6/12/25 230 pages Kindle Elio and Dario Corvino Family Mafia 2 2025
183. His Best Friend's Heat by Ansley Ellis 6/13/25 6/13/25 170 pages Kindle Micah and Nick 2025
**abandoned Rescued by the Alpha by MM Wilde** 115 pages
**abandoned Stepbrother's Secret by Anna Wineheart ** 104 pages
**abandoned A Voice in Chains by Harleigh Beck** 142 pages
184. Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish narrated by Greg Boudreaux Audible audio book 6/3/25 6/14/25 8.25 hours Jude and Faron Small Change 2 2019
185. Dean by Cora Rose 6/13/25 6/13/25 262 pages Kindle Dean and Avery Unexpected 9 2025
186. Omega Teacher's Baby by Anna Wineheart 6/13/25 6/14/25 429 pages Kindle Dale and Greg Men of Meadowfall 2 2017
187. His Captor by MM Farmer 6/15/25 6/15/25 250 pages Kindle Hayden and Mace Omegas After Dark Book 2 2024
188. The Bear's Brave Omega by AJ Cane 6/15/25 6/17/25 234 pages Kindle Milo and Everett Grizzly Ridge Book 1 2023
**abandoned Mr. Picture Perfect by Darryl Banner ** 74 pages
**abandoned His Master by MM Farmer ** 108 pages
189. Mated to the Alpha by Lyndon Land 6/17/25 6/17/25 147 pages Kindle Malcolm and Jeremy Moonbond Run 2 2025
190. Devil May Care by Chani Lynn Feener 6/17/25 6/19/25 482 pages Kindle Nate and Kazimir Devils of Vitality 4 2024 *reread*
191. Devil May Fall by Chani Lynn Feener 6/19/25 6/20/25 380 pages Kindle Flix and Aneski Devils of Vitality 5 2024
192. Devil May Lie by Chani Lynn Feener 6/20/25 6/21/25 449 pages Kindle Berga and Madden Devils of Vitality 6 2024
193. Devil May Breathe by Chani Lynn Feener 6/21/25 6/23/25 570 pages Kindle Zane and Pavel Devils of Vitality 7 2024
**abandoned Mating Maddox by DJ Heart ** 107 pages
194. Omega Reclaimed by Tanya Chris 6/23/25 6/23/25 97 pages Kindle Leo and Angel Omega Reimagined Book 1 2016
**abandoned Baby and the Wolf by Victoria Sue ** 82 pages
**abandoned 7 Minutes in Kevin by DJ Jamison ** 123 pages
**abandoned The Devil's Embrace by Chani Lynn Feener ** 212 pages
**abandoned You Will Never Know by Chani Lynn Feener ** 61 pages
195. Wicked Games by Willow Dixon 6/24/25 6/24/25 382 pages Kindle Killian and Felix Silvercrest U 1 2025
196. Wicked Lies Boys Tell by K Webster narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan Audible 6/18/25 6/24/25 6 hrs 45 minutes Penn and Copeland **reread
197. Step Bully by Willow Dixon 6/24/25 6/25/25 320 pages Kindle Ash and Jules 2022
198. Don't Bang Your Stepbro by DJ Jamison 6/26/25 6/26/25 310 pages Kindle Wes and Beckett Rules We Break in Granville 3 2023
199. Outcast by DJ Jamison 6/26/25 6/27/25 338 pages Kindle Gray and Emory Foster Bro Code 1 2025
200. Brim Over Boots by Emmy Sanders 6/27/25 6/27/25 313 pages Kindle Colton and Noah Darling Brothers 2 2025
201. Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin 6/27/25 6/29/25 572 pages Kindle George and Alex 2025
202. Just a Bit Twisted by Alessandra Hazard 6/29/25 6/30/25 158 pages Kindle Shawn and Derek Straight Guys 1 2014
203. Off Limits by Willow Dixon 6/30/25 6/30/25 319 pages Kindle Asa and Dex Legacy Mechanics 4 2025
**abandoned Feuds and Reckless Fury by K Webster ** 148 pages
**abandoned Lust by Devon McCormack ** 48 pages
**abandoned Hunt Me! by Fae Quin ** 111 pages
204. His Burden to Bear by Shelley Grayson 6/30/25 7/1/25 223 pages Kindle Trevor and Bear Dark Moon Shifters 1 2016
205. Wolfsong by TJ Klune 7/1/25 7/3/25 498 pages Kindle Ox and Joe Green Creek 1 2022
206. Sweat Connection by Katherine McIntyre 7/3/25 7/3/25 173 pages Kindle Rhys and Cole Hot under the Collar 1 2023
**abandoned Rival for Rent by Spencer Spears ** 301 pages
207. Best Friends, Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebins 7/23/25 7/24/25 231 pages Kindle Ori and Finn Hard Spot Cafe 1 2025
208. His Shy Omega by Eva Lyra 7/24/25 7/5/25 266 pages Kindle Kai and Alex Lotus Academy Babies 1 2021
209. Following Chance by Kiska Gray 7/5/25 7/5/25 142 pages Kindle Huxley and Chance Shifters of Greymercy 1 2018
210. Alpha for Comfort by Libby Walsh 7/5/25 7/6/25 256 pages Kindle Rowan and Camden Manhattan Mates 2 2025
211. Pretty AF by Arden Steele 7/6/25 7/6/25 85 pages Kindle River and Deaton At First 1 2025
212. The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore 7/6/25 7/6/25 253 pages Kindle Teddy and Cole 2024
213. Fool Hearts by Emmy Sanders 7/6/25 7/7/25 296 pages Kindle Wyatt and Easton Plum Valley Cowboys 1 2022
214. Mountain Man's Baby by Ashlyn Dupree 7/8/25 7/8/25 90 pages Kindle Rowan and Kieran Ironclaw Wolves 1 2025
**abandoned A Dark Billionaire Obsession by Rhea Marcellis ** 108 pages
**abandoned Convincing Conrad by Casey Drake ** 65 pages
215. Omega's Secret Guardian by Anna Winehart 7/8/25 7/9/25 361 pages Kindle Storm and Linus The Danger Alpha Brotherhood 3 2025
216. The Omega's Secret Baby by Ann-Katrin Byrde 7/9/25 7/10/25 288 pages Kindle Elias and Matthew Oceanport Omegas 2017
217. Without You by Marley Valentine narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Tim Paige 7/4/25 7/11/25 9.25 hours Audible Audio Book Deacon and Julian Without You Duet 1 2020 **re-listen**
218. His Fertile Omega by Lee Bright 7/11/25 7/11/25 40 pages Kindle Hudson and Sam 2024
219. Surprised by Fate by RS McKenzie 7/11/25 7/13/25 184 pages Kindle Brandon and Mason Fair Falls Fated 2023
220. It's Just One Kiss by Monica Moss 7/13/25 7/14/25 370 pages Kindle Alex and Ryan The Stepbrother Series 1 2024
221. Business and Pleasure by Annabel Rose 7/15/25 7/15/25 77 pages Kindle Mattie and Blake Alpha CEO 3 2022
**abandoned Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro ** 225 pages
**abandoned Second Chance by Braylon Black ** 105 pages
**abandoned Omega in the Middle by Braylon Black ** 25 pages
**abandoned Unexpected Fate by RS McKenzie ** 21 pages
**abandoned Blaze by RM Neill ** 116 pages
**abandoned Burn It Down by Nicole Dykes ** 116 pages
**abandoned A Wolf Reborn by Isha Fáng ** 66 pages
**abandoned Hot Roommate Blues by Parker Avrile ** 93 pages
222. Bad Cowboy, Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebens 7/15/25 7/16/25 298 pages Kindle Draven and Max Hard Spot Saloon Book 3 2025
223. The Marriage Policy by Riley Hart 7/16/25 7/17/25 249 pages Kindle Donovan and Eric The Jilted Exes' Club 2 2025
**abandoned Leave it All by April Kelley** 84 pages
**abandoned Boyfriend by the Hour by Alexa Land ** 69 pages
224. The Loophole by Alexa Land 7/18/25 7/19/25 245 pages Kindle Embry and Bryson First and Forever Stories 12 2025
225. Mated to the Alpha books 1-8 by Rosa Swann and Wolf Specter 7/17/25 7/20/25 388 pages Kindle Max and Ethan 2015
226. His Secret Omega by Wolf Specter 7/20/25 7/20/25 143 pages Kindle Aidan and Luke 2015
227. Unsuitable Omega by Skye R. Richmond 7/20/25 7/20/25 228 pages Kindle Nikolas and Jai Billionaire Alphas 1 2018
228. Wrecked by the Best Man by Jenny Bowen 7/20/25 7/21/25 109 pages Kindle Owen and Slade 2025
229. Bite Before You Kiss by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 80 pages Kindle River and Theo 2025
230. Heteroflexible by Daryl Banner narrated by Chris Chambers and Kirt Graves 7/15/25 7/22/25 Audible Audio Book 11.5 hours Bobby and Jimmy Spruce Texas Romance 3 2020
231. Rival Attraction by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 42 pages Kindle Kai and Asher Peak Edge Innovations 1 2024
232. Claimed by Midnight by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 71 pages Kindle Eli and Damien 2025
233. Unwrap Me After Dark by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 76 pages Kindle Liam and Tyler 2025
234. Blitz'd by RS McKenzie and Lee McCornick 7/21/25 7/23/25 339 pages Kindle Kerian and Zander Evergreen University 1 2025
**abandoned Solar Eclipse by Jenny Pineapple ** 46 pages
**abandoned Hot Head by Mika Nix ** 138 pages
**abandoned Home in Austin by Susi Hawke 48 pages
**abandoned Primal Bonds 1 by Zara Lee** 128 pages
**abandoned Bitter When He Begs by Avery Collins** 203 pages
235. Crown of Thorns by Lola Malone 7/24/25 7/26/25 381 pages Kindle Noah and Louis The Initiation Series 3 2025
236. Broken Alpha by Everleigh Fox 7/26/25 7/27/25 281 pages Kindle Luke and Aiydn Unwanted 1 2025
**abandoned Swift's Temptation by JR Loveless ** 126 pages
237. Hostile by Nicole Dykes 7/27/25 7/27/25 298 pages Kindle Rhett and Grayson 2022
238. The Omega Next Door by Libby Walsh 7/27/25 7/28/25 111 pages Kindle Dean and Noah 2025
239. Sunshine for Sale by Cora Rose and Nicole Dykes 7/28/25 7/29/25 174 pages Kindle Jimbob and Braxton Homegrown Hearts 1 2024
240. Breaking Free by Isabel Lucero 7/29/25 7/30/25 274 pages Kindle Dominic and Trevor South River University 3 2021
241. Caught in His Sights by Sophie O'Dare and Lyn Forester 7/30/25 7/31/25 221 pages Kindle Oliver and Caleb Taken by His Alpha 2024
242. Barback's Baby by Ashlyn Dupree 7/31/25 7/31/25 96 pages Kindle Julian and Boone Whiskey Ridge Wranglers 1 2025
243. Hot Ice Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebins 7/31/25 8/1/25 235 pages Kindle Jesse and Mason Hard Spot Saloon 2 2025
244. Devil May Hunt by Chani Lynn Feener 8/1/25 8/1/25 177 pages Kindle Brennon and Gunho Devils of Vitality 8 2025
245. Wicked Soulmate by Jenny Pineapple 8/1/25 8/2/25 42 pages Kindle Lucas and Dylan My Last Valentine 1 2025
246. Trust No Alpha by Wendy Rathbone 8/2/25 8/2/25 200 pages Kindle Kris and Thorne Omega Misfits Book 1 2020
247. Second Match by Wendy Rathbone 8/2/25 8/2/25 172 pages Kindle Morgan and Riley Perfect Match 5 2023
248. Hunter's Creek by Victoria Sue narrated by John Solo 7/26/25 8/3/25 Audible Audio Book 6.75 hours Asher and Sai Hunter's Creek Book 1 2019
249. Alpha Wolf: Jason by Kellan Larkin and Kaz Crowley 8/2/25 8/3/25 175 pages Kindle Jason and Rudy Brother Wolves 1 2018
250. Cautious Match by Roe Horvat 8/3/25 8/3/25 159 pages Kindle Avery and Jori Perfect Match 1 2023
251. Psync by Zile Elliven 8/3/25 8/4/25 378 pages Kindle Eli and Karuka Enchanted University 1 2021
252. Missiletoe: This one *is* remotely about Christmas by Zile Elliven 8/4/25 8/5/25 272 pages Kindle Vix and Paris A Really Gay Villian Christmas Series 2 2023
253. Never Feed the Crows by Jennifer Cody 8/6/25 8/6/25 66 pages Kindle Amos and Corvin Corvin's Crows Book 1 2024
254. Dealer of Secrets by Davidson King 8/6/25 8/6/25 144 pages Kindle Zaire and Carter The Elite 1 2023
255. Omega's Fire by Sasha Silsbury 8/6/25 8/8/25 226 pages Kindle Leo and Nash Prime Match Book 1 2025
256. Omeg's Fever by Sasha Silsbury 8/8/25 8/8/25 239 pages Kindle Milo and Kellen Prime Match Book 2 2025
**abandoned The Frat Boys Baby by Aiden Bates** 120 pages
**abandoned The Awakening by Kate Chopin** 42 pages
**abandoned Pit Stop by Cora Rose** 136 pages
257. Hollis by Ashley James 8/8/25 8/10/25 284 pages Kindle Hollis and Ford The Moore Men Book 2 2025
258. Mobster's Mate by Kiki Clark 8/10/25 8/11/25 220 pages Kindle Caden and Quinten 2024
259. Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice narrated by John Solo 8/4/25 8/11/25 Audible Audio Book 7.25 hours Treasure Trail Book 1 2019
260. A Really Gay Book by Zile Elliven 8/11/25 8/11/25 112 pages Kindle Apple and Adam A Really Gay Villian Christmas Series 1 2023
261. Crocodile Tears by Xanthe Walter 8/11/25 8/13/25 410 pages Kindle Alex and Josiah Dark Water 1 2025
**abandoned Immoral by Brooke Blaine ** 134 pages
262. Ghost Eye by Xanthe Walter 8/13/25 8/14/25 382 pages Kindle Alex and Josiah Dark Water 2 2025
263. Ricochet by Xanthe Walter 8/14/25 8/15/25 517 pages Kindle Matt and Rick 2012
264. Not Safe for Command by Jenny Pineapple 8/15/25 8/16/25 180 pages Kindle Cain and Ellis Station Thirteen 2 2025
265. The Lost Zone by Xanthe Walter 8/14/25 8/18/25 530 pages Kindle Josiah and Alex Dark Water 3 2025
266. Rustler's Baby by Ashlyn Dupree 8/18/25 8/18/25 88 pages Kindle Cal and Luca Whiskey Ridge Wranglers 3 2025
267. Hide and Seek by Willow Dixon 8/18/25 8/20/25 357 pages Kindle Jax and Myles Silvercrest U 2 2025
268. The Edge of Heaven by EM Lindsey 8/20/25 8/21/25 273 pages Kindle Archer and Julian Love Beyond Measure 1 2020
**abandoned Runaway Magic by Zile Ellivan ** 67 pages
**abandoned Touch Him and Die by Jenny Pineapple** 156 pages
269. Soft Place to Fall by BA Tortuga narrated by 8/13/25 8/22/25 Audible Audio Book 9 hours Stetson and Curtis 2019
270. Claimed by the Alpha by Riley Sloane 8/23/25 8/24/25 90 pages Kindle Liam and Kane Ridge Wolf Shifters 1 2025
271. Clutch by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly 8/24/25 8/24/25 222 pages Kindle Nate and Alistair Forbidden Desires 1 2018
272. Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey 8/24/25 8/25/25 220 pages Kindle Danny and Miller Goose Run 1 2025
273. Family Recipe by Lisa Henry and Tia Fielding 8/25/25 8/26/25 213 pages Kindle Justin and Del 2020
274. Keeping Promises by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga narrated by John Solo 8/22/25 8/26/25 Audible Audio Book Jeremy and West 7 hours Higher Elevation 2 2021
**abandoned Wrecked by BA Tortuga** 143 pages
275. Take a Chance by Kris T Bethke and Tia Fielding 8/26/25 8/27/25 308 pages Kindle Mal and Crew Blue Creek Ranch 1 2025
276. The Legend Next Door by Jesse H Reign 8/27/25 8/28/25 453 pages Kindle Ben and Jeremiah Totally Pucked 2 2025
277. The Inheritance Clause by S Black 8/28/25 8/28/25 321 pages Kindle Evan and Alister Revenge Series 1 2025
**abandoned Jack Rabbit by Em Jae Black** 31 pages
**abandoned Bully's Rejected Omega by Krystal Clark** 46 pages
**abandoned Cowboy's City Slicker Omega by Bella Bennet** 20 pages
**abandoned Midnight at the Laundromat by Bella Bennet** 108 pages
**abandoned Having His Back by Andrew Grey** 31 pages
**abandoned Pieces of Home by Becca Neil** 355 pages Too traumatic, too stressful, only 66% done, and there will be more violence gainst one of the MCs, guaranteed
278. Bad With Love by Sophie O'Dare and Lyn Forester 8/29/25 8/30/25 90 pages Kindle Warren and Roman Marked By His Alpha 1 2024
279. Honey Sunshine by Gen Blackwell 8/29/25 8/30/25 96 pages Kindle Zach and Harvey Bower Brothers 1 2024
280. Omega's Choice by Gen Blackwell 8/30/25 8/30/25 75 pages Kindle Cody and Rafe 2023
281. Black Tiger Run by Mira Harlson 8/30/25 8/30/25 79 pages Kindle Black Tiger and Cyprian Black Tiger 2 2025
282. At Your Service by Alessandra Hazard 8/30/25 8/30/25 65 pages Kindle Troy and Andreas 2023
283. Puck My Stepbrother by Holly Myers 8/30/25 8/31/25 266 pages Kindle Quinn and Levi Pucked and Possessed 2 2025
**abandoned Let Your Hearts be Light by Fae Quin** 7 hours too twee
**abandoned Let Me Show You by Becca Seymour** 3 hours also too twee
284. His Weekend Alpha by Ansley Ellis 8/31/25 8/31/25 236 pages Kindle Kole and Lawson 2025
**abandoned Headstrong by Eden Finley ** 3.75 hours
285. Chokehold by Leigh Rivers and Harleigh Beck 8/31/25 9/2/25 437 pages Kindle Cole and Blaise 2024
286. Ricochet by River Hale 9/2/25 9/3/25 373 pages Kindle Callum and Stone 2024
287. His Cruelest Claim by Kai Valemont 9/4/25 9/5/25 77 pages Kindle Dante and Julian 2025
288. The Puck Contract by MM Phoenix 9/5/25 9/5/25 355 pages Kindle Mateo and Groover Melting Ice 1 2025
289. The Sheriff and the Stray by Ashlyn Dupree 9/6/25 9/7/25 92 pages Kindle Colt and Mateo Dustbite Coyotes 2025
**abandoned On My Knees for Him by Ezra Dao ** 51 pages
**abandoned Mating Season by Kai Valemont ** 58 pages
**abandoned Model Obsession by MK Zarah ** 97 pages
**abandoned Never Too Late by Quinn Ward ** 202 pages
**abandoned Sweat by Jonah Yorke ** 214 pages
290. Man On by Rebecca Rathe 9/4/25 9/7/25 475 pages Kindle Noah and Lane Forbidden Goals 2 2024
291. A Voice in Chains by Harleigh Beck 9/5/25 9/8/25 263 pages Kindle Zach and Arkin 2025
292. Boots, Babies and Bad Decisions by Bella Bennet 9/8/25 9/8/25 257 pages Kindle Jesse and Cole Baby Makes 3 6 2025
293. The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James 9/8/25 9/9/25 276 pages Kindle Rush and Hunter Accidental Love Book 3 2024
294. Voices by Joey Parker 9/9/25 9/10/25 408 pages Kindle Charlie and Shane Irish Knights Hockey 1 2025
295. Power Plays & Straight A's by Eden Finley and Saxon James 9/10/25 9/11/25 302 pages Kindle Foster and Zach CU Hockey 1 2020
296. Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James 9/11/25 9/12/25 296 pages Kindle Ezra and Anton Puckboys 1 2022
297. Poetry on Ice by Jesse H Reign 9/12/25 9/12/25 451 pages Kindle Robbie and Ant Totally Pucked 1 2025
298. Goal Lines & First Times by Eden Finley and Saxon James 9/12/25 9/13/25 303 pages Kindle Cohen and Seth CU Hockey 3 2021
299. The New Guy by Sarina Bowen 9/13/25 9/13/25 338 pages Kindle Hudson and Gavin Hockey Guys 1 2023
300. Savage Titan by EV Olsen 9/13/25 9/14/25 173 pages Kindle Eli and Alexei North Shore Titans Hockey 1 2024
301. Brutal Titan by EV Olsen 9/14/25 9/15/25 118 pages Kindle Jackson and Killian North Shore Titans Hockey 2 2024
302. Unhinged Titan by EV Olsen 9/14/25 9/15/25 237 pages Kindle Viktor and Beckett North Shore Titans Hockey 3 2024
303. Omega for the Mafia Boss by Jena Wade and Aria Grace 9/15/25 9/16/25 107 pages Kindle Andro and Joey Mated in the Mafia Book 1 2024
304. Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James 9/16/25 9/16/25 273 pages Kindle Tripp and Dex Puckboys 2 2022
305. Heartless Alpha Don 2 by Ella Jensen 9/17/25 9/17/25 283 pages Kindle Ethan and Dante Heartless Alpha Don 2 2025
306. Kiss-Fist by Cora Rose and EM Lindsey 9/17/25 9/18/25 310 pages Kindle Thom and Robbie Deaf Hearts Book 1 2025
307. Goaltender Interference by Brigham Vaughn 9/18/25 21/25 548 pages Kindle Connor and Jesse Scoring Chances 1 2025
308. Blindsided by Becca Steele 9/21/25 9/22/25 284 pages Kindle Noah and Liam LSU 1 2022
309. Flagrant Foul by Jesse H Reign 9/23/25 9/23/25 414 pages Kindle Teddy and Sev Totally Pucked 3 2025
**abandoned Offside Play by Becca Steele ** 164 pages
**abandoned Love Language by Reese Morrison ** 176 pages
**abandoned Deck the Fire Halls by NR Walker ** 124 pages
**abandoned Pacey and His Unicorn Professor by Lorelei M Hart ** 92 pages
310. The Poster Boy by EM Denning 9/23/25 9/24/25 234 pages Kindle Marek and Jay Love the Game 3 2025
311. Pucking Strong by Emily Rath 9/24/25 9/27/25 648 pages Kindle Teddy and Henrik Jacksonville Rays 4 2025
312. Whiskey & Sin by Emily Rath 9/27/25 9/28/25 446 pages Kindle Silas and Bear 2022
313. Second Shot by Beau Brown 9/28/25 9/28/25 474 pages Kindle Ryan and Gabriel Hockey Bros 2 2025
314. One Honeymoon, Two Hockey Bros, Three Little Words by Oslo Fox 09/28/25 09/29/25 214 pages Kindle Kindle Ethan and Jean-Luc 2025

reminder to self: add to @@kenner1953 with reading dates

read 2

adds - 306 last year

1. Audible - Silk & Sand by Katherine Diane
2. Audible - Crossroads by Riley Hart
3. Audible - Guns 'n Boys by KA Merikan
4. Kindle - Colonel Chabert by Honoré de Balzac
5. FoCCL - The Complete Parallel Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books published by the Oxford University Press
6. FoCCL - Cicero Select Letters Volume I
7. FoCCL - Cicero Select Letters Volume II
8. Audible - Hard to Let Go by Jaclyn Quinn
9. Amazon - All of Us Strangers by Taichi Yamada
10. FoCCL - Introduction to Islam by Frederick Matthewson Denny Fourth Edition
11. FoCCL - French in 10 minutes a day by Kristine Kershul
12. Kindle - Commitment Issues by Bradley Brady
13. Kindle - Dead Draw by Layla Reyne
14. Kindle - Toward Eternity by Anton Hur
15. FoCCL - Sir John Dering by Jeffery Farnol - sad copy needed a good home
16. Karen - The Writing of the Gods: The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone by Edward Dolnick
17. Karen - Marsupial Frogs by William E Duellman
18. Re-added from being culled - The Future by Naomi Alderman
19. Re-added from being culled - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
20. Audible - One Man's Trash by Marie Sexton narrated by John Solo
21. Kindle - Save Me by Beck Grey
22. Kindle - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
23. Amazon - The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition by Gaius Valerius Catullus (Author), Peter Green (Translator)
24. Audible - Wilmington's Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy by David Zucchino
25. Audible - Hard to Let Go by Jaclyn Quinn
and thus ends January's acquisitions, to be reviewed later in case I missed any.

26. FoCCL - How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb
27. FoCCL - The How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Workbook by Michael J. Gelb
28. FoCCL - The New American Bible by the Catholic Bible Publishers
29. Audible - Getting Lucky by Daryl Banner
30. FoCCL - The Hunter by Tana French
31. In House - The Calvert Party Encyclopedia by Calvert Distillers Company
32. In House - We Made It! Recipes from Aunt and Uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary
33. In House - Collection Seventeen Kitchen Pamphlets
34. FoCCL - In Too Deep by Lee Child and Andrew Child
35. FoCCL - The Cask by Freeman Wills Crofts
36. FoCCL - Great Stories of All Nations ed by Maxim Lieber
37. FoCCL - The Bedside Book of Famous American Stories ed by Angus Burrell and Bennett A. Cerf
38. FoCCL - Time Travel: A History by James Gleick
39. Amazon - Bonded in Death by JD Robb
40. Kindle - The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening by Ari Shapiro
41. FoCCL - Starborn by Roberto Trotta
42. FoCCL - A Reading Diary by Alberto Manguel
43. FoCCL - Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris
44. FoCCL - When Will there Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson
45. FoCCL - Beloved by Toni Morrison
46. Amazon - The Library at Night
57. Kindle - Taken By My Dad's Bodyguard by Candace Lark
58. FoCCL - The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu translated by Royall Tyler 2 vol set, slipcased
59. Kindle - Chased by the Alpha by Summer Aspen
60. Audible - Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice
61. FoCCL book sale - The Lost Art of Scripture: Rescuing the Sacred Texts by Karen Armstrong
62. FoCCL book sale - Mirage: Napoleon's Scientists and the Unveiling of Egypt by Nina Burleigh
63. FoCCL book sale - The Great Chiefs by Benjamin Capps
64. FoCCL book sale - Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler
65. FoCCL book sale - Bloodless by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
66. FoCCL book sale - Eternelle egypte by Collectif
67. FoCCL book sale - Early Middle Ages by Philip Daileader
68. FoCCL book sale - The High Middle Ages by Philip Daileader
69. FoCCL book sale - The Late Middle Ages by Philip Daileader
70. FoCCL book sale - Who Were the Celts? Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Celts 1000 B.C. to the Present by Kevin Duffy
71. FoCCL book sale - The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook: Guided Practice in the Five Basic Skills of Drawing by Betty Edwards
72. FoCCL book sale - Ephesus by Selahattin Erdemgil
73. FoCCL book sale - Bad Actors by Mick Herron
74. FoCCL book sale - Joe Country by Mick Herron
75. FoCCL book sale - London Rules by Mick Herron
76. FoCCL book sale - Real Tigers by Mick Herron
77. FoCCL book sale - Slough House by Mick Herron
78. FoCCL book sale - Spook Street by Mick Herron
79. FoCCL book sale - dot.dead by keith.raffel
80. FoCCL book sale - The Great Book of King Arthur: and His Knights of the Round Table by John Matthews
81. FoCCL book sale - A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions by William M. McBride
82. FoCCL book sale - Mother London by Michael Moorecock
83. FoCCL book sale - Homemade Cookies by Nell B. Nichols
84. FoCCL book sale - Egyptian Antiquities in the Hermitage by B. Piotrovsky
85. FoCCL book sale - The Pyramids and Sphinx by Desmond Stewart
86. FoCCL book sale - Three Aces by Rex Stout
87. FoCCL book sale - The Chicago Record Prize Cook Book: Seasonable, Inexpensive Bills of Fare for Every Day in the Year by The Chicago Record Co.
88. FoCCL book sale - The Philosophers' Quarrel: Rousseau, Hume, and the Limits of Human Understanding by Robert Zaretsky
89. FoCCL book sale - The Holy Bible Red Letter Edition, KJV
90. Peggy - The Gold Bat and Other School Stories by PG Wodehouse
91. Peggy - Losing Battles by Eudora Welty
92. Peggy - The Matriarch by GB Stern
93. Peggy - The Basil and Josephine Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald
94. Peggy - The Friendly Young Ladies by Mary Renault
95. Peggy - We That Were Young by Irene Rathbone
96. Peggy - Four In Hand by Sylvia Townsend Warner
97. Peggy - Uncommon Clay by Margaret Maron
98. Peggy - Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution by AJ Langguth
99. FoCCL - Tutankhamun by TGH James
100. FoCCL - Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly
101. Amazon - Between the Devil and the Sea by Chani Lynn Feener audio book
** Jan - Mar
102-109. Kindle - Mated to the Alpha Series, books 1-8 by Rosa Swann and Wolf Specter
110. FoCCL - The Book of Knowledge: The Keys of Enoch by JJ Hurtak
111. FoCCL - Wah'Kon-Tah by John Joseph Mathews
112. Amazon - The Spy in Moscow Station by Eric Haseltine
113. Kindle - Emmaline The Orphan of the Castle by Charlotte Turner Smith
114. FoCCL friend - Honor, the Duel, and Indiscretion: The Life of Elizabeth "Betsey" Pollock Deveraux Jones (1818 - 1879) by W. Davenport Robertson
115. Audible - Unspoken Vow by Eden Finley
116. At the House - Rome Past and Present with Reconstructions of Ancient Monuments
117. FoCCL - The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking) by Katie Mack
118. FoCCL - The Man in Black & Other Stories by Ellie Griffiths
118. Amazon - Launching LBJ: How a Kennedy Insider Helped Define Johnson's Presidency by Helen O'Donnell
119. Amazon - Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
120. Audible - Back Piece by LA Witt
121. Kindle - Slow Heat by Leta Blake
122. Audible - Paris Trout by Peter Dexter
123. FoCCL - Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
124. FoCCL - The Early American Cookbook by Dr. Kristie Lynn and Robert W. Pelton
125. Kindle - Finding Finn by Kiki Burrelli
126. Amazon - Baking Across America by B. Dylan Hollis
127. McIntyre's Donations - Berlin Atomized by Julia Kornberg
128. McIntyre's Donations - Hiroshima by M.G. Sheftall
129. McIntyre's Donations - Mis Kim Knows by Cho Nam-Joo
130. McIntyre's Donations - Butter by Asako Yuzuki
131. McIntyre's Donations - Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
132. McIntyre's Donations - Son of the Old West by Nathan Ward
133. FoCCL - One Rare Book by Henry R. Wagner
134. FoCCL - Colonial Virginians at Play by Jane Carson
135. FoCCL - Zamorano Club & Roxburghe Club Roster 1955
136. FoCCL - On Crisis by Thomas Paine
137. McIntyre's Donations - Making the Best of What's Left by Judith Viorst
138. McIntyre's Donations - Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Sarner
139. McIntyre's Donations - The Army of the Potomac Trilogy by Bruce Catton
140. McIntyre's Donations - A Year of Compassion by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
141. Retreat - Charlotte's Web by EB White
142. McIntyre's Donations - Hell Put to Shame by Earl Swift
143. McIntyre's Donations - The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians
144. McIntyre's Donations - Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart
145. McIntyre's Donations - Tower of God by SIU
146. Audible - Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish
146. Audible - Shadow Country by Peter Matthiessen
147. Amazon - Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
148. FoCCL - The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America: The Carolinas and the Appalachian States, circa 1989
149. FoCCL - Totems: The Transformative Power of Your Personal Animal Totem by Brad Steiger
150. FoCCL - Concerning Them Which Are Asleep by John O Means
151. FoCCL- Thinkers - Be Seated! Booklet #6 by T.A. Dedowitz, Ocracoke, NC
152. Amazon - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
153. Amazon - Pioneer Summer by Elena Malisova & Kateryna Sylvanova
154. Amazon - There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
155. Kindle - Hot Roommate Blues by Parker Avrile
156. Audible - Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily Kind
157. Kindle - The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin
158. FoCCL - Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith
159. FoCCL - The Women by Kristyn Hannah
160. Kindle - Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
161. Amazon - Something to Hide by Elizabeth George
162. Audible - Heteroflexible by Darryl Banner
163. Audible - Freddy Goes to Florida by Walter Brooks
164. FoCCL - Miscellaneous Writings of the Late Samuel J. Smith, of Burlington, N. J. Collected by Members of the Family
165. FoCCL Handbook of Pictorial Symbols by Rudolph Modley
166. Audible - The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code by Margalit Fox
167. Amazon - Taste History by Max Miller
168. Audible - Let Your Hearts Be Light by Fae Quin
169. FoCCL - The Southerner's Handbook: A Guide to Living the Good Life by the Editors of Garden&Gun
170. Kindle - His Shy Omega by Eva Lyra
171. FoCCL - Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa Sevigny
172. Edith A. Waters: December 11, 1915 - October 27, 2013 Posthumously and by Family
173. Audible - Without You by Marley Valentine
174. Friend Karen - A Place for Everything by Judith Flanders
175. Friend Karen - The Constitution and the Supreme Court: A Documentary History edited by Louis H. Pollak
176. Friend Karen - Mongrel Nation by Clarence E. Walker
177. Friend Karen - Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma
178. Friend Karen - The Last Jews of Kerala by Edna Fernandes
179. Audible - The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
180. FoCCL - The Bestiary of Tolouse-Lautrec
181. FoCCL - The New Oxford Annotated Bible With the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books (New Revised Standard) - editor Bruce M. Metzger
182. FoCCL The Waiting by Michael Connelly
183. FoCCL - The Tomb of Tutankhamen by Howard Carter
184. Kindle - Pastel by Georgette Heyer
185. Amazon - Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language by Adam Aleksic
186. Audible - Hunter's Creek by Victoria Sue
187. Audible - Mislaid by Nell Zink
188. FoCCL - The Days Are Just Packed by Bill Watterson
189. FoCCL - Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
190. Audible - The Road to Blissville Boxed Set 1-3 by Aimee Nicole Walker
191. Audible - Hunter's Creek by Victoria Sue
192. FoCCL - Sappho and Alcaeus: An Introduction to the Study of Ancient Lesbian Poetry by Denys Page
193. Amazon - Gamelife: A Memoir by Michael W Clune
194. FoCCL - Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
195. Audible - Shame by Salman Rushdie
196. Audible - Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
197. Audible - The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
198. The Lonely Ones by William Steig
199. Dragonbreath: Curse of the Were-Wiener by Ursula Vernon
200. Why Pandas Do Handstands and Other Truths About Animals by Augustus Brown
201. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe - an edition published in the last 1920s
202. The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks - just because
203. Why Grizzly Bears Should Wear Underpants by The Oatmeal
204. The Photographic I Ching, a new interpretation by Dhiresha McCarver photos by Gary Woods
205. A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock, c. 1295-1344 by Judith Bennett
206. Audible - Soft Place to Fall BA Tortuga
207. Amazon - Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets by Dorothy Armstrong
208. Audible - Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto by Vine Deloria Jr.
209. FoCCL - Origami With Dollar Bills: Another Way To Impress People With Your Money! by Duy Nguyen
210. FoCCL - Origami by Anne Akers Johnson
211. FoCCL - Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda by Randy Rainbow
212. FoCCL - The Complete Christie: An Agatha Christie Encyclopedia by Matthew Bunson
213. Amazon - The Boy Between Worlds: A Biography by Annejet van der Zijl
214. Audible - Keeping Promises by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga
215 - 251. Jenna's books 2025
252. FoCCL - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
253. Audible - Let Me Show You by Becca Seymour
254. Jenna's Books - Quiddich Through The Ages by JK Rowling
255. Jenna's Books - Let's Enjoy Origami in English and Japanese by Makoto, Yamaguchi
256. Jenna's Books - They Went into the Fight Cheering: Confederate Conscription in North Carolina by Walter Carrington Hilderman
257. Kindle - The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde
258. Audible - Headstrong by Eden Finley
259. Audible - Unforgiven by Ruth Clampett
260. Audible - Honeymoon For One by Keira Andrews
261. Kindle - The Benson Murder Case by SS Van Dine
262. Kindle - Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
263. Amazon - The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith
274. Audible - The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith
275. Peggy - Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart "Brittlestar" Reynolds
276. Audible - Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future by Patty Krawec
277. FoCCL - The Complete Peanuts 1950-1954 Box Set by Charles M. Schultz
278. FoCCL - The Complete Short Stories of Saki by Saki
279. FoCCL - Black Death at the Golden Gate by David K. Randatz
280. FoCCL - God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World--and Why Their Differences Matter by Stephen Prothero
281. FoCCL - From Spanish Court to Italian Ghetto Isaac Cardoso: A Study in Seventeenth-Century Marranism and Jewish Apologetics by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi
282. FoCCL - Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence by Jonathan Sacks
283. FoCCL - How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
284. FoCCL - The Bible as History: A Confirmation of the Book of Books by Werner Keller
285. FoCCL - 1952 the Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church According to the Use of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Usa Together with the by John Wallace Suter
286. FoCCL - Journal of a Lady of Quality; Being the Narrative of a Journey from Scotland to the West Indies, North Carolina, and Portugal, in the years 1774 to 1776. by Janet Schaw
287. FoCCL - With Lee in Virginia. A Story of the American Civil War. by GA Henty
288. FoCCL - Elaine Bracket and the Dragon King by Elsa B Trotman
289. FoCCL - Perry Mason in the Case of- The Glamorous Ghost / Terrified Typist / Lucky Loser / Screaming Woman / Long-Legged Models / The Foot-Loose Doll / The Waylaid Wolf by Erle Stanley Gardner
290. FoCCL - Death by Chocolate Cakes: An Astonishing Array of Chocolate Enchantments by Marcel Desaulniers
291. FoCCL - American Classics: More Than 300 Exhaustively Tested Recipes For America's Favorite Dishes by Editors of Cook's Illustrated Magazine
292. FoCCL - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
293. FoCCL - Killingly by Katharine Beutner
294. FoCCL - Revelations by Elaine Pagels
295. FoCCL - Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code by Bart D. Ehrman
296. FoCCL - God's Problem by Bart D. Ehrman

culls - 219 last year

1. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
2. Impulse & Initiative by Abigail Reynolds
3. Prayers for Peace by Karen Blincoe
4. The Southerner's Book of Lists by Jim Erskine
5. Boundaries and Protection by Pixie Lighthorse
6. Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook
7. Lean and Lovin' It by Don Mauer
8. In the Kitchen with Rosie by Rosie Daley
9. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
10. Touchstone by Laurie R. King
11. A Fearsome Doubt by Charles Todd
12. Uh-Oh by Robert Fulghum
13. It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It by Robert Fulghum
14. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
15. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
16. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
17. Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
18. Darcy & Elizabeth by Linda Berdoll
19. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
20. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
21. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
22. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman - yes, duplicate
23. Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
24. Justice Hall by Laurie R. King
25. The End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
26. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
27. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
28. Seabiscuit by Laura Hillengrand
29. We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
30. In The Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
31. Spying on the South by Tony Horwitz
32. Mother London by Michael Moorcock - duplicate, new copy in better condition
33. The Defector by Daniel Silva
34. The Messenger by Daniel Silva
35. Prince of Fire by Daniel Silva
36. The Heist by Daniel Silva
37. The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva
38. The English Spy by Daniel Silva
39. The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva
40. Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva
41. Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva
42. The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva
43. Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman
44. Ships by Enzo Angelucci
45. Rumford Complete Cook Book by Lily Haxworth Wallace - 1935 edition
46. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly abridged CDs
47. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee unabridged CDs
48. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King unabridged CDs
49. Dress Yuor Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris unabridged CDs
50. Classic Tales of Espionage and Suspense by Graham Greene
51. Astaire: The Man, the Dancer by Bob Thomas
52. The Old Devils by Kinsley Amis
53. John Adams by David McCullough
54. Taking on the World by Robert W. Merry
55. Angels & Insects by AS Byatt
56. Rosslyn by Tim Wallace-Murphy & Marilyn Hopkins
57. Murder at the Library of Congress by Margaret Truman
58. The Lonely Dwarf by Rosemary Lamkey
59. Friends to the End by Bradley Trevor Greive
60. The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn by Colin Dexter
70. Mortal Sins by Penn Williamson
71. Greg Hildebrandt's Favorite Fairy Tales
72. Mother London by Michael Moorcock
73. Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
74. Chelsea Mansions by Barry Maitland
75. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
76. The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter
77. The Jackal Man by Kate Ellis
78. The Green Knight by Iris Murdoch
79. Marrying the Mistress by Joann Trollope
80. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
81. Cheri and the Last of Cheri by Colette
82. A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
83. Eeny Meeny by MJ Arlidge
84. Aftermath by Clara Kensie
85. Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
86. The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt
87. A Cup of Light by Nicole Mones
88. Haunted Ground by Erin Hart
89. WC Fields & Me by Carlotta Monti
90. Tell Me No Lies by Elizabeth Lowell
91. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
92-94. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
95. Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews
96. Savanah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
97. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
100. The Gun Runner's Daughter by Neil Gordon
101. Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
102. Venus by Jane Feather
103. Vice by Jane Feather
104. Velvet by Jane Feather
105. Vixen by Jane Feather
106. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner
107. Once Upon a More Enlightened Time by James Finn Garner
108. Close to You by Christina Dodd
109. Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz
110-121. Poldark Series by Winston Graham
122. Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris
123. Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She? by Molly Ivins
124. Mother Goose Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
125. A Treasury of American Folklore: Stories, Ballads, and Traditions of the People by B.A. Botkin
126. Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier
127. Astray by Emma Donoghue
128. I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe
129. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
130. The Dark Wood Wandering by Hella S Haasse
131. Bring Me The Head Of Willy The Mailboy! by Scott Adams
132. The Children's Book of Virtues edited by William J. Bennett
133. I'm Too Young To Be Seventy: And Other Delusions by Judith Viorst
134. Tar Heels: Five Points in the Record of North Carolina in the Great War of 1861-5 by Patrick A Schroeder
135. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
136. Origami with Dollar Bills by Duy Nguyen

YTD Statistics through July

242 books read
220 ebooks, 17 audio books, 5 paper books
55197 pages in completed books
145.5 hours in completed audio books
96 books abandoned, 10809 pages abandoned, 16.5 hours abandoned

66006 total pages read

Avg pages read per day, incl books abandoned: YTD = 311
Avg pages read per book, only those completed: YTD = 228

Book(s) of the Month: Sunshine for Sale by Cora Rose and Nicole Dykes

Books by Month
January: 26 books read - 18 ebooks, 4 audio books, 5 paper books
February: 24 books read - 21 ebooks, 4 audio books, 0 paper books
March: 36 books read - 34 e-books, 1 audio book, 1 paper book
April: 37 books read - 35 e-books, 2 audio books, 0 paper books
May: 43 books read - 41 e-books, 2 audio books, 1 paper book
June: 37 books read - 35 e-books, 2 audio books, 0 paper books
July: 39 books read - 37 e-books, 2 audio books, 0 paper books

Author
Male 11%
Female 74%
Undeclared * 13%
Non-Binary 2%
* - can't find info anywhere

Living 99%
Dead 1%

US Born 32%
Foreign Born 11%
Undeclared * 57%
* - can't find info anywhere

Medium
Audio Book 7%
e-Book 91%
Paper Book 3%

Source
My Library 14%
Library 0%
Kindle Unlimited 86%
Borrowed 0%

Misc
Galley Proof 0%
Re-read 3%
Series 76%

Fiction 99%
NonFiction 1%

Author Birth Country
Australia 4%
Canada 2%
Czechoslovakia 1%
Germany 1%
Grenada 1%
Netherlands 1%
New Zealand 1%
Nigeria 1%
Puerto Rico 1%
UK 1%
Undeclared * 54%
US 31%
Wales 1%
* - can't find info anywhere

Original Decade Published

1940-1949 2%
1990-1999 2%
2010-2019 21%
2020-2025 75%

Genre
Contemporary Fiction 1%
Historical Fiction 1%
History 1%
Humor 1%
Informational Nonfiction 1%
Memoir 1%
MM Romance 94%

Average Rating
0.5 2
2.0 - Bad 8
2.5 - Average 10
3.0 - Good 21
3.5 - Very Good 67
4.0 - Excellent 111
4.5 - Outstanding 22
5 - Masterpiece 1

Average Rating 3.67
Books acquired YTD (last year 306) 193
Books culled YTD (last year 219) 133

5895 books cataloged on 12/31/24

July Lightning Round

Any in bold are NOT MM romances, few and far between as they are.

Quite a few of the smut books have warnings about triggers that I don’t mention here. Caveat emptor re triggers if you want to dip your toes in.

His Burden to Bear by Shelley Grayson 6/30/25 7/1/25 223 pages Kindle

Trevor and his family go camping to try to have meaningful family time. Trevor cannot figure out how to set up his tent and his father snarls at him. A man comes out of the woods, offering friendship and the help of his two sons. Trevor and Bear become acquainted and Bear has found his Fated Mate. Trevor is just hot and bothered by Bear at first. What Trevor and his family do not realize is that they’re smack dab in the middle of shifter territory and Trevor’s going to attract a lot of unwelcome and dangerous attention from unmated Alphas. Bear manages to get him scented, which helps some, but not a lot. Lots of shifter attempts at Trevor’s virtue, but eventually Trevor and the bear shifter Bear get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Wolfsong by TJ Klune 7/1/25 7/3/25 498 pages Kindle

Oh my goodness. This book tore me up bur put me back together again. From Amazon:

The Bennett family has a secret: They're not just a family, they're a pack. Wolfsong is Ox Matheson's story.

Oxnard Matheson was twelve when his father taught him a lesson: Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then his father left.

Ox was sixteen when the energetic Bennett family moved in next door, harboring a secret that would change him forever. The Bennetts are shapeshifters. They can transform into wolves at will. Drawn to their magic, loyalty, and enduring friendships, Ox feels a gulf between this extraordinary new world and the quiet life he’s known, but he finds an ally in Joe, the youngest Bennett boy.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his heart. Violence flared, tragedy split the pack, and Joe left town, leaving Ox behind. Three years later, the boy is back. Except now he’s a man – charming, handsome, but haunted – and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

Ox, 16, and Joe, 12, become best friends. Joe gives Ox a small carved wolf. Ox does not know the significance of this gift, but it means that Ox is the one for Joe even though Joe is only 12 when he realizes Ox is his. Joe’s family adopt Joe and his mother. The attraction between Ox and Joe grows in the seven years that things go along safe and happy. The Bennett family are sharply and lovingly defined characters, written with love. Ox and his mother, ditto. Ox works for Gordo in his auto repair shop, and it turns out that Gordo has a secret too. Eventually Ox and Joe get their HEA after suffering and struggle, misunderstandings and a startling change in Ox. I particularly liked the way that the author defines his shifters in their shifted form with 3 and four letter words for the emotions they’re having – brotherlovesonpack, packpackpack, mineminemine, and etc. Ox is laconic in the best of times but finally he gets his words as he becomes responsible in ways he doesn’t expect. The world that TJ Klune builds is safe, dangerous, kind, evil, strong with weak links. There’s violence and joy. Wow. Just, Wow. Caveat emptor re violence, torture, and sex.

Sweat Connection by Katherine McIntyre 7/3/25 7/3/25 173 pages Kindle

I needed a respite from the emotional rollercoaster ride of Wolfsong, and found this very sweet romance, humans only, between Rhys and Cole. Rhys is too much for everybody he’s ever tried to date, chaotic energy and joy. He shares a son with his ex-girlfriend Kelsey. He calls a plumber, Cole fixes the blocked toilet by removing the toy car from the toilet. Cole gives Rhys his card with his personal cell phone number on the back. Rhys calls him for what he assumes Cole knows is a date, kidlet safely with ex-girlfriend. Cole does not know any of this, but they muddle through burned dinner, Cole cooking dinner, Rhys swooning, and them acting on their instalust. They are each wary, each just knowing the other will run screaming into the night once they see the real man. They actually love the real man, Cole loving Rhys’s energy and extroversion, Rhys loving Cole’s steadfastness and quiet caring. They get their HEA. Well-written characters, believable situations. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Rival for Rent by Spencer Spears **

I abandoned this one 83% in, at 301 pages. Rich inventor/businessman Kai is being stalked. It escalates to the point that his friend sets him up with the brother of the owner of a high-end escort service – I know, I know! – so that her brother, Mason, at loose ends who vets clients, can help protect Kai. It turns out that Mason bullied Kai in high school, but doesn’t remember. Enemies to lovers, pulls out the stops with every trope, every situation, every text-string. I got bored. Caveat emptor re sex.

Best Friends, Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebins 7/23/25 7/24/25 231 pages Kindle

Shallow, predictable, and irritating story of Ori, an artist, who returns to his home town feeling like a failure. He stays with his best friend Finn. Ori has always loved Finn, Finn has always been straight. Supposedly. It’s amazing how quickly Finn decides that he’s bisexual and in love with Ori. Caveat emptor re sex.

His Shy Omega by Eva Lyra 7/24/25 7/5/25 266 pages Kindle

Shifter Kai is 6 when he is sold to the Lotus Academy by his father. The school teaches/prepares omegas to be bought by alphas who then pay off their school fees and give the school additional money. Kai goes out to an event to manage the costumes for senior Evren, a mean and ego-driven omega. Kai catches the eye of Alex, a rich alpha who goes to another academy, for males only. They are attracted to each other instantly. Unfortunately, in my mind, is that Alex keeps enticing Kai to meet him in the gardens of the Lotus Academy, where they have sex. Kai ends up pregnant, but can’t get in touch with Alex and Alex can’t get in touch with Kai. Kai successfully hides his pregnancy for quite a while. Alex’s gifts and courting tokens are taken by Evren. Kai becomes more and more distraught, as does Alex. When it becomes apparent that Kai is pregnant, the school sends him off to a staging house, where he is prepared to be sold by auction. Fortunately, Alex has found out where he is and rescues him just in time. They realize they’re in love, that Alex will Claim Kai. Twin boys arrive, and they live happily ever after. I was puzzled because they are shifters but never shift during the book. Caveat emptor re sex.

Following Chance by Kiska Gray 7/5/25 7/5/25 142 pages Kindle

One year after his mate’s death, Huxley takes flowers to the grave and sees his twin brother Chance, who he’d never met. Chance had briefly come out of hiding to mourn his brother at his grave. Huxley chased him down and took him to shelter him and nurse him back to health. Chance gets to meet his brother’s son, 3 years old. Lightning strikes twice – Huxley knows Chance is his fated mate. Mpreg, heat, pregnancy. Predictable, sweet, Huxley and his brother save Chance from an alpha he was fleeing. Caveat emptor re sex.

Alpha for Comfort by Libby Walsh 7/5/25 7/6/25 256 pages Kindle

Rowan has been traumatized, is being stalked, and is hiding out in his brownstone. He hires Camden, retired military, current employee of an escort service, who vets potential customers, runs surveillance, etc. Camden beefs up security, and he and Rowan dance around each other in the brownstone. Instalust, but they don’t act on it for quite a while. Stalker found, HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Pretty AF by Arden Steele 7/6/25 7/6/25 85 pages Kindle

Clever novella has River, a human, getting an invite to a normally paranormals only event, where he hopes to network. He needs a paranormal escort, however, and through an app hires Deaton, a werewolf. Sparks, instalust. However, at the event, River offends a warlock somehow and is cursed, forced to tell the truth all the time. Amusing truths get told to Deaton, other werewolves and other paranormals, and River’s human friends and family. Eventually the warlock is persuaded to remove the curse. River and Deaton get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore 7/6/25 7/6/25 253 pages Kindle

Teddy is dumped by his boyfriend and sics his father on Teddy to bankrupt him and make him close his retail plant business. Teddy is hearbroken and is drowning his sorrows in his favorite dive bar. For some reason Cole is there, successful entrepreneur. He’s drawn to Teddy, and hires him as his fake boyfriend the week of his sister’s wedding. No kissing, no falling in love. There are former boyfriend complications for both of them, and instalust. There are misunderstandings, growth of feelings, and kissing. They eventually get their HEA and Teddy’s former boyfriend and his father get humiliated, which is what they deserve. Caveat emptor re sex.

Fool Hearts by Emmy Sanders 7/6/25 7/7/25 296 pages Kindle

This book goes from when Wyatt and Easton are 11 ‘til they are 42. They have been friends since they were children, living in a rural cattle town, and they are inseparable. Wyatt hides his sexuality until he’s 12, coming out to Easton and eventually his family and the town. His family disapproves, the town disapproves, Easton’s father disapproves even though Wyatt starts working for him when he’s a teenager. Easton is nominally straight. He marries Becca, a woman. Wyatt is happy that Easton and Becca are happy but is heartbroken and moves away until he gets the call that Easton’s wife has died in childbirth. He immediately comes home, no questions asked, and moves into Easton’s guest room. He helps with the baby, acts as gatekeeper for friends and family, and stays there helping to raise Will. Easton sees something he shouldn’t – Wyatt in the barn on his knees for the vet’s assistant Harrison. Easton starts re-thinking his sexuality and realizes that he’s in love with and demisexual for Wyatt. He declares himelf to Wyatt, comes out publicly, and they brave the good and bad together. Will is thrilled with his Dad and his Pop getting together. This book was substantial in how it built the characters of all three – Wyatt, Easton, and Will. Even Easton’s dead wife, Becca, is wonderful fleshed out. They are good people, emotionally strong, deserving of their HEA, and there is quite a bit of sweetness along with the sexy times. Caveat emptor re sex.

Mountain Man's Baby by Ashlyn Dupree 7/8/25 7/8/25 90 pages Kindle

Rowan, an omega, is rejected by his fated mate and kicked out of the pack. He nearly dies because breaking the bond causes rejection sickness. He survives in the woods, scavenging and almost dying when a panther attacks him. Kieran is out in the woods of his pack’s lands and rescues Rowan. He brings him to his house. Rowan is beside himself, fearful of another alpha trying to control him. Kieran doesn’t pressure him, simply takes care of him until he is not at death’s door. Then mpreg, heat, pregnancy… they end up falling in love, of course, and when Rowan’s former fated mate comes looking for him to reclaim him, Rowan rejects him and he's chased off the property. It’s predictable, but there are some sweetly written moments. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned A Dark Billionaire Obsession by Rhea Marcellis **

An artist/barista serves a rich man every day. Nothing’s said, but the rich man gives him his phone number and says to call if he needs him. The artist/barista sees a murder and is chased but escapes back to his apartment. He calls the rich man, who immediately has someone come to pick him up and bring him to the fortified house owned by the rich man. Artist, now former barista gets his own wing, they start spending time together, rich man tries to find the people looking for the artist. I am a shallow person – I wanted this long novella to have sexy times and sex, but there’s *only* love. I gave up after 108 pages.

**abandoned Convincing Conrad by Casey Drake **

Scatty book, too many characters introduced at once, improbable situations, werewolves, and nope. Abandoned after 65 pages.

Omega's Secret Guardian by Anna Winehart 7/8/25 7/9/25 361 pages Kindle

Strange yet entertaining story of college professor Linus, who’s so absent-minded that he never realizes that food keeps replenishing, groceries show up, sheets/clothes get washed. Storm is an ex-con, who loves Linus yet doesn’t think he has a chance with him. He does, he keeps Linus safe from danger, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Omega's Secret Baby by Ann-Katrin Byrde 7/9/25 7/10/25 288 pages Kindle

Elias leaves his college lover when he turns up pregnant, knowing that Matt’s family has arranged a marriage to a woman for him. He doesn’t want to break up the marriage, but seven years later Matt is divorced, to his family’s fury. He sees Elias and a young boy who could be his son… A sweet romance, with a happy ending. Caveat emptor re sex.

Without You by Marley Valentine narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Tim Paige 7/4/25 7/11/25 9.25 hours Audible Audio Book

A re-listen to a book about the brother, Deacon, and widower, Julian, of Rhett, who died young from leukemia at the age of 22. Julian is devastated barely functioning, and after the funeral Deacon puts Julian to bed and comforts him. Deacon goes back to Seattle because his mother has always ignored and belittled him, showering her love on Rhett and Julian. A year later, Julian and Deacon are both at Rhett’s grave. Deacon has honored his brother by coming every two weeks, a 10-hour-one-way-trip, and putting a small package of Rhett’s favorite candy, Candy Corn, on his grave. The family never knows he’s done this. Julian has never known who did this, and once he knows it’s Deacon, the ice is thawed between them. They start having romantic feelings but are appalled. The feelings are stronger than the feelings of strangeness, and they eventually realize they love one another. Deacon’s mother hits him and calls him vile names when they tell her, Julian flees to Seattle with Deacon. They are a couple, and a year later are very happy. Deacon and Julian have cut the mother out of their lives, but Deacon’s sister/husband/child visit for Thanksgiving at the end of this sweet, angsty, sexy, and emotional book. Caveat emptor re sex.

His Omega by Bright Lee 7/11/25 7/11/25 40 pages Kindle

Very short story has Omega Hudson telling his best friend Sam, an Alpha, that he will be using an alpha sperm donor in order to get pregnant on this heat because he wants a child. Sam does not like this and realizes that he loves Hudson romantically. They get through the heat, and at the very end Sam tells Hudson “You’re pregnant.” Very well done, a wonderful use of the form. Caveat emptor re sex.

Surprised by Fate by RS McKenzie 7/11/25 7/13/25 184 pages Kindle

Omega Brandon is unjustly fired from his accountant’s job and flees to his family cabin in the mountains, not heeding blizzard-condition warnings. At the entrance to the road leading to the cabin, he spins out, no cell phone coverage, no way to restart his car. He grabs a few things, thinking he can make it to the cabin, but falters at Alpha Mason’s cabin, also on the same road. Mason saves his life, slowly bringing him back from near death. They’re attracted to each other, but don’t act on it until Brandon goes into heat and Mason helps him through it. Surprise! Pregnancy, fated mates, baby boy, HEA. I particularly liked Mason’s immediate recognition of Brandon’s being his fated mate but not forcing the issue. He takes care of Brandon in romantic, practical, and sexual ways that I found sweet. Caveat emptor re sex.

It's Just One Kiss by Monica Moss 7/13/25 7/14/25 370 pages Kindle

Alex and Ryan become stepbrothers and there’s instant friction. 370 pages later, they’ve come out, only shared a few kisses but will undoubtedly live their HEA. Bi-awakening for both. Parental outrage morphs back to love, and all’s right with the world. Honestly, I don’t know why I read the whole thing, because it is true teenage angst. The characters of Alex and Ryan are realistic, the teenage social situations a bit over the top.

Business and Pleasure by Annabel Rose 7/15/25 7/15/25 77 pages Kindle

Short and sweet novella has Blake taking his 7-year-old niece to a school event. He runs into Mattie, who has a sister, Mary, also 7 years old. Mattie ran away from his 5-year relationship with Blake, but the love is still there and when Blake needs a nanny for his niece while his sister/husband are out of the country, Mattie, who only needs one more year to complete a prestigious nanny program. Mattie and Mary move in, there’s renewed interest in each other, and one night when the girls are asleep Blake and Mattie have sex. Heart emojis, communication why Mattie left when he did. Their HEA is sweet if almost too sweet. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro ** 225 pages

Klara is an AF – artificial friend – and after a stint in a department store is bought for Josie, a young girl. We learn early on that Josie has some kind of disease. Once home with Josie, Klara starts figuring out the dynamic between Josie, her mother, Melania the housekeeper, and Josie’s friend Rick. I wasn’t interested in figuring out what human reality was from Klara’s viewpoint and was afraid to find out if Josie lives or dies. Everything seems visually muted and emotionally stunted. I’m sure I’m missing pretty much everything. When I start feeling that way about a book, my insecurities flare up and another 177 pages of what is a slog just doesn’t appeal. And, sadly, to me AF means as fuck, so always have a hard time thinking ‘artificial friend.’

**abandoned Second Chance by Braylon Black ** 105 pages

Recluse Omega Elijah writes a wildly popular fantasy series under an alias. His former lover Chance, back in town after years away, is a huge fan of his. They have a beta reader/becoming a friend relationship. Elijah doesn’t realize that JBox is Chance, chance does not realize that the author is Elijah. A book signing at a convention has them realizing who the other is, and after hate sex, they both vow to never see the other again, although they live in the same town and have mutual friends. Although most of the MM romances I read are predictable by the end, the ones I really like have me guessing about motives and some plot elements. I couldn’t see this one holding my attention for another 100 or so pages. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Omega in the Middle by Braylon Black ** 25 pages

Gavin and Luca are Alphas, roommates, and secret sex partners because alpha-on-alpha male sex is taboo. They need a roommate, and Omega Charlie shows up. I don’t dislike MMM romances, but this one didn’t start right out to me for some reason. By page 23 Gavin and Luca are in the middle of sex when Charlie knocks on the door to the apartment, and I decided this one wasn’t for me. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Unexpected Fate by RS McKenzie ** 21 pages

Benji works as a PA for Rome. Each is attracted to the other, one day they act on it. This, within the first 21 pages. Don’t get me wrong – I like MM gay sex scenes, but this just felt wrong and irritating. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Blaze by RM Neill ** 116 pages

River’s a ranch hand on the ranch co-owned by Blaze and his best friend. Blaze is a billionaire, but terribly shy, not in a believable manner. A ranch hand is smitten and keeps throwing out hints, but it takes a year before Blaze makes a move to River. Cute dates, smoldering everything… nope. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Burn It Down by Nicole Dykes ** 116 pages

Cade’s a firefighter with a son, moved back to his hometown. Spencer is a teacher. They were high school crushes. Now, Cade’s son is in Spencer’s class and although they have one hot make out session, realize that there’s a conflict of interest and put things on hold. I’m too impatient, and didn’t particularly care about them.

**abandoned A Wolf Reborn by Isha Fáng ** 66 pages

Omega ends up in the hospital, his Alpha doctor imprints on him as his fated mate. Not a bad premise, but I didn’t like the writing – choppy, and the Alpha’s wolf is named Laidir, and Cillin talks to his wolf as a separate entity. Blech.

**abandoned Hot Roommate Blues by Parker Avrile ** 93 pages

So ridiculous that except for the voice of Stryker I can’t remember a single thing about it even though I almost got to 100 pages. Some high school MM I can read and enjoy, but this one left me cold.

Bad Cowboy, Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebens 7/15/25 7/16/25 298 pages Kindle

Well, except for one of the protagonists being named Draven, this book could have hardly been more perfect. Max is a bartender in his small hometown of Bestens, Tennessee and posts videos online of him mixing drinks. He’s naïve, and doesn’t realize that taking his shirt off, posting photos of where he works and lives, and not turning off location tags leaves him open to creeps and predators. His sister Lilly comes home with her boyfriend Draven, a Montanan from a prominent and very rich family. He’s actually hiding out from prosecution and for a variety of reasons that only he and Lily know about breaks up with her the day he arrives. Lily tells him that Max lives in the converted barn and has whiskey. He uses the keys, Max attacks him with a hockey stick, loses the battle spectacularly, and hates Draven. Draven is smitten, doesn’t declare himself, but buys a rundown farm and starts renovating it. He quickly realizes that some of the men who post about Max’s videos are truly trying to come after him. Max doesn’t believe it. Draven is working on getting back home, not thinking about staying, not thinking about anything more than converting Max to the pleasures of gay sex. Max isn’t attracted to men per se, but is completely taken with Draven, starts obsessing over him. Once one of the predators comes out of the woodwork and Max is seriously threatened, Draven takes him to Montana. More drama, but also Draven and Max falling in love. Draven is my kryptonite – alpha male, takes what he wants but ends up falling in love. The plot is somewhat farfetched, of course, but the characters are fully fleshed out, the town vivid, and the ending satisfactory. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Marriage Policy by Riley Hart 7/16/25 7/17/25 249 pages Kindle

Donovan and Eric are best friends. Donovan is financially secure as a nurse with great medical insurance. Eric doesn’t have any medical insurance, and when Donovan takes care of him when he breaks his ankle and learns that he doesn’t have insurance, says I want you to marry me. They get married, their feelings change and grow into romantic love, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re gay for you sex.

**abandoned Leave it All by April Kelley**

A young human man starts having weird powers, is chased by people who want to use him, and ends up in a sort of shifter haven. It just didn’t do it for me.

**abandoned Boyfriend by the Hour by Alexa Land **

A waiter at a restaurant serves a sexy CEO every weeknight at 8 p.m., and eventually the wealthy CEO offers rides home because he worries about the waiter’s safety. He eventually offers serious money so that he can explore his bisexuality. It could have been good, but it just didn’t click for me. Too facile? Too predictable, even though every single MM romance I read is predictable by the end? Caveat emptor re sex within the first 69 pages. And nope, not kidding. I abandoned it at 69 pages.

The Loophole by Alexa Land 7/18/25 7/19/25 245 pages Kindle

Embry is in a coffee house and overhears a conversation between a man and a blind date. They got on well on the dating app. However, the man, Bryson, flubs it badly when he asks the woman to enter in a fake marriage with him for a year and get $100K out of it at the end. She throws water in his face and leaves. Embry turns around, strikes up a conversation, finds out that Bryson’s grandfather has given him the ultimatum of being married for a year by the time he turns 38 or he loses his inheritance. He lost his restaurant and has mortgaged his house, and really needs the money to get back on his feet and open a new restaurant. Embry asks if it has to be a woman he marries and he says no, and they decide that they seem compatible although Bryson’s straight and Embry’s gay. They come to an agreement, Bryson passes the Embry’s Friends test they go to Las Vegas to get married. Embry and his dog Dusty move in. He charms Bryson with his creativity and joy and they meet the grandfather and family for Christmas and everything is going well. With a few ups and downs and a kitchen fire, they fall in love. Bryson decides that a restaurant isn’t what he wants anymore, and he and Embry open a desserts and coffee shop. It’s sweet without being schmaltzy, fun, and sexy, too. Caveat emptor re sex.

Mated to the Alpha books 1-8 by Rosa Swann and Wolf Specter 7/17/25 7/20/25 388 pages Kindle

This is the third time I’m reading these books this year. Here’s what I wrote most recently:

8 separate short stories, NOT Kindle Unlimited. I bought the first one, thinking it was a novel, got hooked, then sprung for the other 7, too. 388 pages total. The titles are Omega’s … Fate, Home, Pack, Bond, Love, Wedding, Baby, Future. Ethan is a human who attends a masked shifter ball in order to get enough money to get himself out of a hole financially and have some fun, perhaps to find a woman shifter to be naughty with in the woods. Max, an alpha wolf shifter, doesn’t want to be there but feels pressured by his family. He sees Ethan and is smitten, realizing that Ethan’s his fated mate. He comes on to Ethan, but Ethan is “I’m straight”. Max predicts that Ethan will come to him before the night’s through, and he does. The story follows their relationship from their first sexual encounter at the ball through the birth of their pup. I honestly liked these a lot because although there was political maneuvering and hiding from the press because Max is extremely rich, it was basically a love story. Caveat emptor re sex.

His Secret Omega by Wolf Specter 7/20/25 7/20/25 143 pages Kindle

Luke and his family moved when he and Aidan were teenagers, best friends who both didn’t understand why Luke was suddenly gone. Twelve years later, Luke is project manager for an important project of Aidan’s company. Luke demands that Aidan come to the job site to see a delaying and expensive problem. Both are stunned at seeing the other. Luke’s been in love with Aiden forever and has kept being an omega secret. Aidan’s been straight and expected to marry a woman, but after one night together, Aidan is smitten, Luke is pregnant, and forces behind the scene are trying to force Aidan out. They are arrested, charged with serious crimes, and when brought before the Corporation’s Board… well. Surprise and interesting plot twist for them to get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Unsuitable Omega by Skye R. Richmond 7/20/25 7/20/25 228 pages Kindle

Non-shifter mpreg Omegaverse. Nikolas is the billionaire son set to inherit the family business as long as he marries Asa. They are engaged but wildly unsuited; both agree to an open marriage. Nikolas because he’s given up on love and Asa because Nikolas is rich and won’t be demanding sexually. Jai joins the flagship company owned by Nikolas’s family and which he is CEO of as a very low-level employee. On his first day Nikolas is stunned by Jai’s beauty and sexual appeal. Jai is stunned by his attraction to Nikolas and is flustered enough to spill coffee all over some important documents at a meeting and is rattled enough to come to Nikolas’s office to apologize at the end of his second day. The door is locked, Nikolas kisses Jai, and they have sex in the suite attached to Nikolas’s office. Jai is a virgin, but Nikolas does not realize this. Jai does not realize that Nikolas is engaged, and they have several sexual encounters until Jai discovers the engagement, walks out the door and abandons his apartment. He goes to his aunt, where he eventually realizes he’s pregnant. In the meantime, Nikolas is frantic with trying to find Jai to tell him he’s broken his engagement to Asa. Four months later, Nikolas discovers his whereabouts, they are reconciled, have twins, and have their HEA. Jai was almost too sweet until he walked out on Nikolas, Nikolas too alpha until he realized that Jai was his fated mate. Caveat emptor re sex.

Wrecked by the Best Man by Jenny Bowen 7/20/25 7/21/25 109 pages Kindle

Owen is a reluctant participant in his sister’s weekend destination engagement party. Slade is the best man. They are assigned to the same room. Separate beds, so no single-bed trope. They are both straight. Well. Supposedly. They immediately are interested, Owen against his will, Slade with curiosity and openness to being bisexual that he’d never explored before. Owen’s ex-girlfriend and new boyfriend are there. Owen’s stressed and gets rip-roaring drunk the first night. When he comes to their room, he staggers around, bumps into things, wakes Slade up, and really gets his attention when he falls into the wrong bed and on top of Slade. He kisses Slade, who doesn’t respond. Slade likes the weight of Owen on top of him as Owen falls asleep and Slade ponders these new feelings. At breakfast the next morning, with a seriously hungover Owen, Slade makes up a plate of greasy/carb overload foods, which he sets down and tells Owen to eat. He’s surprised at how submissive Owen is to his orders and sees more examples of it over the next several hours until they meet back in their room and have a sexual encounter that more than pleases each of them. They have more sexual encounters, upping the ante when Slade takes on Dom characteristics to Owen’s sub characteristics. They’re caught out after having a wild night of sex, own up to their feelings, and decide to have a real relationship regardless of being in different towns. Highly satisfactory, sweetly and sexily written. The secondary characters are vivid, Owen’s ex is unhappily surprised that Owen’s moved on. Caveat emptor re sex.

Bite Before You Kiss by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 80 pages Kindle

Theo blames River for his father and stepmother driving through a bad storm to pick River up after he’s dumped by his date. They die in a terrible car crash. River floats through life after that, Theo becomes a firefighter. River gets into a car crash and Theo’s part of the crew that comes out. They’re shocked to see each other. River’s probably got a concussion but refuses a hospital visit. Theo will not let him go home alone, stays the night, taking care of him. They sort out their issues and get a HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Heteroflexible by Daryl Banner narrated by Chris Chambers and Kirt Graves 7/15/25 7/22/25 Audible Audio Book

Small town best friends are back home for the summer after sophomore year of college. Bobby’s a soccer player and gay. Jimmy’s a dancer and straight. They are roommates at college, and spend all their time together every summer, this one included. One night Jimmy gets curious and when they’re wrestling and he has Bobby pinned, kisses him. He likes it, Bobby loves it but doesn’t believe Jimmy’s all of a sudden become gay. Lots of summer angst, family issues, and etc. I found this one particularly sweet and swoonish. Their HEA is very well done. Caveat emptor re sex.

Rival Attraction by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 42 pages Kindle

Kai and Asher are sales rivals at the software company they work for. Asher’s just won a contract on a project Kai’s been working on for months, and Kai’s distraught. He’s hiding out in a conference room for hours when suddenly the power goes out because of a huge storm. Asher’s still there working, and they’re the only two left on that floor. The security system that’s supposed to override with their badges doesn’t, so they’re stuck together. Hate sex turns into romantic feelings. Weirdly believable, both characters truly likeable. Caveat emptor re sex.

Claimed by Midnight by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 71 pages Kindle

Eli comes home after a breakup, feeling like a failure. He’s persuaded into participating in what is a primal play night but thinks he can hide from the town bullies. In the meantime, Damien, his brother’s best friend, has pined after Eli for years, even before Eli and his boyfriend moved away together. He sees the primal play night as an opportunity to chase Eli down. I’ve read several MM romances with this trope. Eli tries to escape the bullies but can’t, however Damien, anonymous like everybody in a mask, rescues him and sends them packing. He gives Eli 10 seconds to run from him. Eli thinks it’s Damien but doesn’t know. Damien catches him, spends the night, and they realize that they have strong, true feelings for each other. Caveat emptor re sex.

Unwrap Me After Dark by Jenny Pineapple 7/21/25 7/21/25 76 pages Kindle

Liam and Tyler are stepbrothers. They’ve been enemies since their parents got married. Their parents coerce them into spending time together at the family cabin so that there won’t be issues when the parents have a recommitment ceremony and want it to go smoothly. A violent confrontation turns sexual, and after that things change. Enemies to lovers, a comment or two about how surprised their parents will be when they learn that the stepbrothers are romantically involved. Short, sweet, nasty violence, sexy times. Caveat emptor re sex.

Blitz'd by RS McKenzie and Lee McCornick 7/21/25 7/23/25 339 pages Kindle

Kerian and Zander are star college quarterbacks for rival colleges. After Zander’s girlfriend dumps him before a game against Kerian’s team, instead of shaking Kerian’s hand after the game, Kerian leans in and kisses him. The kiss is nationally televised because they are both serious NFL draft pick contenders. After than Kerian becomes obsessed with Zander, and seduces him even though he’s nominally straight. Lots of sex, lots of angst. Besides the sex, the part of the book I loved was how Zander is poor, comes from a single-mom family, yet is loved, cherished, and supported in everything he does. Kerian, on the other hand, comes from an abusive home – his father beats on him regularly, his mother just stands by. Kerian has a trust fund from his grandparents but doesn’t understand that he can cut his parents out of his life. He doesn’t believe he’s worthy of love, is afraid of it, and puts Zander off. Eventually he caves to Zander’s truly loving nature, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex and violence – not between the MCs, however.

**abandoned Solar Eclipse by Jenny Pineapple **

When you read 4 in a row by this author and like them all, it makes this one stand out as contrived and ridiculous.

**abandoned Hot Head by Mika Nix **

A spoiled millionaire trust fund man is being stalked and his family hires shifter detective agency Drake Security to protect him. His stalker is a wolf shifter. Shifter bodyguard is attracted, trust fund man is attracted, in theory it should work, but it’s just so predictably written, and not in a good way.

**abandoned Home in Austin by Susi Hawke

An omega flees after his best friend gets him pregnant and rejects him. He is found by another pack, rescued. Alpha is attracted, pack politics, I just didn’t care enough to finish it.

**abandoned Primal Bonds 1 by Zara Lee**

Interesting taking on the omegaverse, where beastkins are in between humans and shifters. Some don’t appear as beastkins, like billionaire Adam, but some have animal characteristics, as does foxkin Shiro. Shiro has fox ears and small fangs. There’s the background of the Institute, where beastkins are taken if captured, to be prostituted to humans. Shiro and his 2 foxkin brothers escape and get separated. Shiro gets caught and severely beaten. His attackers are run off by Adam, who brings Shiro to his house. Lots of misunderstandings about motivations and feelings. There were enough plot holes that I got irritated and didn’t want to continue. The size and power difference between Adam and Shiro was constantly in play, and etc.

**abandoned Bitter When He Begs by Avery Collins**

Frat pledge Sage has to go to the locker room and return with something proving he was there. Unfortunately for him, he hears something incriminating about star quarterback Luca. He makes a noise, is discovered, and Luca threatens him. Sage doesn’t give him away. Three months later, Luca’s still obsessed, starts stalking Sage and coercing him into sexual situations – not sex yet but it’s going to get there except that Sage’s fallen for him 🙄 – but I didn’t care enough to read the last 253 pages. Frankly, neither character was likeable.

Crown of Thorns by Lola Malone 7/24/25 7/26/25 381 pages Kindle

Third in The Initiation Series, has Noah returning to Saint Laurent, the home town he fled when he was 16. He’s now a professor. Before he takes on his duties, he goes to a gay nightclub and while just wanting to get a private view of an erotic dancer, gets Louis Devereaux instead. Louis has hijacked the viewing, dances for Noah, and they have a sexual encounter. Once school starts, Louis blackmails Noah into a sexual relationship with him so that he won’t tell the college that he’s having a relationship with a student. This is one of those high tension, morally gray protagonist series. Noah keeps having sex with Louis, Louis keeps pushing Noah. We already know Louis’ backstory from the first two books, but Noah’s backstory comes out piece by piece. In addition, Louis introduces Noah to the secret society at the college and Noah flees. He is repulsed and writes a document that he keeps hidden. He’s trying to understand his grandfather’s role at the college. Both Noah and Louis are set up by Z, a member of the society, whose grudge goes back well before Noah and Louis. He almost destroys both of them. They get their HEA, though, hard won as it is. Caveat emptor re violence and sex.

Broken Alpha by Everleigh Fox 7/26/25 7/27/25 281 pages Kindle Another interesting take on the Omegaverse, wherein Luke is a special class of Alpha, designated as dominant via genetic testing, which puts him in a class above ‘regular’ alphas. However, he can’t scent Omegas, and thus is at a disadvantage in trying to find a mate. He is a professor at an omegaverse college. Aidyn is a dominant Omega – same type of tertiary designation as Luke – and is taking Luke’s course. Luke immediately scents Aidyn, and Aidyn is immediately attracted to Luke. Aidyn goes into heat, but Luke gets him to a clinic and leaves him there, washing his hands of any responsibility or feelings. Aidyn comes back to class. He has the male equivalent of ‘female problems’ with devastating heats. He comes to Luke asking him to help him with his next heat. In the meantime, they start a romantic relationship. Lots of angst. Luke’s parents are snobbish and controlling and expect him to marry a female Omega of their social class, which Luke has always refused because Hello! Gay! Aidyn’s parents are loving and accepting of Aidyn’s sexuality and only want him to be happy. They go through a rough time and a heat in which Luke unintentionally impregnates Aidyn. They realize they’re fated mates, eventually bond, and Aidyn decides to keep the baby. HEA and caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Swift's Temptation by JR Loveless **

Farm boy Fagan Swift moves to NYC with his female BFF. He tries to survive, but money is a serious issue. He gets recruited to a high-class escort service (though there’s a strict policy of no sex for money) *first eye roll* because the owner likes how he looks *second eye roll*. The minute Fagan walks in the door in order to start training, Xavier is hostile and critical. Fagan is successful at escorting people. He is gay and out and proud, and is happy. He starts art classes. His plans to come home for Christmas to the farm he doesn’t want to inherit and to the father who rejects his sexuality, but his father’s in accident and he comes home early. For some bizarre reason Xavier follows him, invites himself to the house, and coerces Fagan into sex. Feelings start. Ugh. Just no. The motivations of both are questionable, and Xavier’s in particular are rather squicky. Caveat emptor re sex.

Hostile by Nicole Dykes 7/27/25 7/27/25 298 pages Kindle

Rhett was in the foster care system until Rhys and Blair adopt him and his best friends Fletcher and Bree. He’s been rescued but doesn’t feel like he deserves it. Grayson is star quarterback yet feels empty and pressured by his parents to take the correct degree and then take over his father’s business after marrying the proper young woman and having 2.5 children. Grayson has been intrigued with Rhett for three years of high school. Rhett also feels pressured to join Rhys’s tattoo shop after he graduates, but doesn’t want the handout and has started apprenticing with another tattoo shop. He has rented the flat above it, and the family is shocked when he moves out. On a day where it’s pouring down rain, Grayson sees Rhett trudging along and after much hesitation, Rhett accepts the ride. Things go on from there, with Rhett out and proud and Grayson not out. This is a sweet/spicy romance with a predictable yet happy-making HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Omega Next Door by Libby Walsh 7/27/25 7/28/25 111 pages Kindle

Noah has escaped an abusive relationship and moves into a new apartment. The key breaks off in the door and his neighbor Dean offers to remove the piece of key stuck in the lock. Dean is shocked at how attracted he is to Noah, but Noah is fearful of alphas because of his abusive ex. Dean does some handyman jobs at the landlord’s request, and they slowly become friends. Noah goes into an unexpected heat, Dean stays hands off but brings him supplies. Fated mates, mutual attraction. Dean challenges Noah’s ex when he comes a’callin’, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Sunshine for Sale by Cora Rose and Nicole Dykes 7/28/25 7/29/25 174 pages Kindle

Braxton and his mother have landed in a small town in Kansas, a pattern they follow each time his mother finds a new boyfriend who lets her down. Braxton has to pick up the pieces. He lands a job in the local feed store while working on website design on his own time. Jimbob was born and raised in this town, is known by everybody. He is the most upbeat, generous, and kind person imaginable, and Braxton hates him on principle until he finds himself attracted to Jimbob and hate kisses him a few times. Jimbob is charmed and attracted, even though he’s always thought he was straight. They dance around one another, Jimbob trying to work his way into Braxton’s life. Watching meteor showers, cooking for Braxton, who’s like a feral cat, attracted, hissing, and running. They start a physical relationship that turns into their HEA. A sweet story, with strong and vivid characters. Caveat emptor re sex.

Breaking Free by Isabel Lucero 7/29/25 7/30/25 274 pages Kindle

Trevor is a running back for his college’s football team. He attends a frat party at a college two towns over, where he literally runs into Dominic, who’s avoiding the party and has come out of the bathroom in only a towel wrapped around his hips after showering. They have a brief hookup, and that’s the end of it, right? However, Dominic turns up to the next football practice, all of a sudden on the team Trevor’s on. Dominic’s out and proud, Trevor’s in the closet. Each has his issues yet they secretly start a relationship. Dominic would rather it not be secret, but until Trevor comes out he won’t out him. Travor can’t stay away from Dominic, and Dominic is happy to see where his attraction to Trevor goes. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Caught in His Sights by Sophie O'Dare and Lyn Forester 221 pages Kindle

Oliver is a blogger and reporter. He blogs to make money, writes fluff pieces as a reporter because the paper won’t take anything of his that’s not fluff. He is investigating his brother’s disappearance and the disappearances of other omegas. He’s also investigating Caleb’s billion dollar family business. One night Oliver comes to him to kill him, but instead starts seducing him. They’re interrupted by being attacked. Oliver takes him to his penthouse, where they continue the seduction while Caleb tries to figure out who is after Oliver. Honest, this one was shallow, with questionable motives and serious plot holes. Oliver’s main emotional bond, with is brother, seems secondary once he and Caleb are fated mates and he doesn’t even react much when they figure that his brother is dead. The bad guys are just plain weird. Caveat emptor re sex.

Barback's Baby by Ashlyn Dupree 7/31/25 7/31/25 96 pages Kindle

Boone returns home with his tail between his legs after 20 years of being independent after his business partner fleeces him of everything. He goes into the local bar one night where he scents Julian and his shifter lion roars to life. Thank goodness it was only 96 pages because shallow, flat emotions, and too much for 96 pages makes me not want to continue the series. Caveat emptor re sex. It took me until just now to figure out what the title means.

402 books read

1 Masterpiece
79 Stunning
187 Excellent
72 Very Good
47 Good
12 Average
4 Bad
0 Very Bad
0 Don't Bother
0 Anathema

Best Fiction
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Review
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Review
Damaged Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie Kindle January Lightning Round
Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart Kindle April Lightning Round
The Muse's Undoing by August Jones Kindle September Lightning Round

Best Nonfiction
The House of Being by Natasha Tretheway Review
The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin by Gordon S Wood Review
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by the Countess of Carnarvon Review
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie Review
Johan Amos Comenius 1592-1670 by František Kožík Review

Top five overall for the LT Top Five Books of 2024 List
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Review
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Review
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie Review
The House of Being by Natasha Tretheway Review
Damaged Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 1/29/24 1/29/24 Kindle January Lightning Round

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Wordle 1,507 4/6* trope, lurch, radii, rigid

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Welcome!

Thanks, Karen. I can use a genuine, heart-felt Welcome to begin a new week. Huzzah for you and yours.

New thread orisons, Horrible. *smooch* for a smooth and peaceful day, if not as cool and comfortable as mine will be....

::cackles::

((Hugs)) to you as I think of how hard it is for you to let Jenna and Hwan go. Beth only moved a couple of states over and Catey is only 150 miles away and yet having them go was very hard on me.

Happy new thread, Karen.

Happy new thread, Karen! And happy birthday to Jenna! >1 karenmarie: Nice picture of her there.

Happy new one, Karen!

Happy new thread, Karen!

Happy New Thread, Karen!! Love tiny Jenna!!!!!

I hope that you are able to read Midnight's Children. It created my love for Rushdie's pyrotechnics.

Happy new one, Karen.

>18 LizzieD: I agree with Peggy that Midnight's Children is a wonderful book and it isn't even my favourite of his. I think the follow up; Shame is even better.

Good Morning, Karen. Happy New Thread. I am really enjoying this cooler weather. I am joining my Trail Watch amigos this AM. PB can wait until tomorrow. Nothing much to report on the feeders.

>12 weird_O: Hiya Bill, and thank you. How about Welcome and (((((Bill)))))?

>13 richardderus: Thanks, RDear. Your clear sky weather.gov forecast for the next 5 days beats our rain and thunderstorms for the next 5 days. However, 76F today and low 80s the rest of the forecast doesn’t hurt my feelings at all. *smooch*

>14 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and thank you. I know that loving parents always have a pang when their children leave the nest, it’s just that it’s truly my turn. I cried when Jenna went to college her first year, but not in front of her, of course. When I drop them off at the airport on the 16th (they’re coming back 13th-16th to pick up their cat and stay with us for a few days.) I might cry. I usually cry when I’m angry, but … kidlet and bonus kidlet…

>15 atozgrl: Hello Irene, and thank you. She and Hwan were in Urbana on her birthday staying with Hwan’s uncle and cousin and we got pictures of a nice meal out and cake after.

>16 drneutron: Thank you, Jim, and thank you for all you do for our group.

>17 quondame: Hi Peggy and thank you. I have only read Rushdie’s Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, nonfiction. This will be my first attempt at his fiction.

>19 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. I just checked out Shame and discovered that it is $0.00 with my Audible membership. I ‘bought’ it. I also bought Haroun and the Sea of Stories for $0.00 and The Satanic Verses ditto.

Did you know that Rushdie won The Booker of Bookers for Midnight's Children? I certainly didn't. The Booker Committee created it in 1994 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Bookers.

>20 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Enjoy TW in the cooler weather. I’ve just seen the Indigo Bunting and finches and a Carolina Chickadee. The feeder pole near the bird bath is like a hotel, I guess – fine dining room and swimming pool. *smile*

Wordle 1,508 3/6* trope, short, stork

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I moved the sunflower seed feeder to the bird feeder pole and filled the extra squirrel-proof feeder (given to me by Louise) with wild bird seed. It's on the pole, too, along with a freshly cleaned and filled hummingbird feeder. I moved the squirrel-proof suet feeder to the spot where the sunflower seed feeder used to be under the porch overhang. Right now there's a Red-Bellied Woodpecker on it.

I also went through Jenna's boxes of books again. I found two old checks, never cashed, from 2005, insurance reimbursement from my last job. Nowhere on the checks does it say "Void if not cashed within (xx) days". I have an 800 number for Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and just called to see if I could cash them, get new checks issued, or have them say 'You're crazy, it's been 20 1/2 years.' Update: No joy. They don't have enough data in their databases after 20 years.

Bill and I watched The Dry because we loved Eric Bana as Kyle and he's Aaron Falk in this movie. It was wonderful, and he found Force of Nature on a different streaming service, and we'll watch it tonight. They are the first and second in the Aaron Falk series of books by Jane Harper.

I got about 7 hours of sleep.

...
Book sort was cancelled for today because the Library is closed because there are bedbugs. Not in the sort room that I know of, but somewhere in the Library. They were closed Saturday, yesterday, and now today. Weird reason for me not going to book sort. Therefore no Virlie's. *sob* I do have to go into town to get cash for my cleaning ladies and make a quick trip to the grocery store. I don't know exactly when my cleaning ladies are coming - Esmerelda always texts me sometime around now.

Other than that, puttering, and etc. Reading, of course. Suet arrived from Amazon last night, so I will fill a suet feeder and put it on the feeder pole.

>21 karenmarie: BEDBUGS *shriek*

Those little bastages are misery-dealing blood-sucking wretches. If they're anything else, though, it's not true to calumniate them with "disease-spreading" because they aren't.

Miserable to get rid of, too. Good luck crown all y'all's efforts!

In case Hwan liked Ocean's Godori the sequel...Teo's Durumi...dropped today. I liked it even better than the first, and will review it tomorrow. If she liked it, maybe a housewarming gift...?

At all events, *smooch*

I'll keep Elaine Cho's books in mind for Hwan. They are visiting Mt. Rushmore today. I was there when I was little.

*smooch*

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These are the books I'm going to add to my catalog, identifying them as Jenna's books, but still. Mine.

The Lonely Ones by William Steig
Dragonbreath: Curse of the Were-Wiener by Ursula Vernon
Why Pandas Do Handstands and Other Truths About Animals by Augustus Brown
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe - an edition published in the last 1920s
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks - just because
Why Grizzly Bears Should Wear Underpants by The Oatmeal
The Photographic I Ching, a new interpretation by Dhiresha McCarver photos by Gary Woods
A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock, c. 1295-1344 by Judith Bennett

Maybe more...

>21 karenmarie: Yikes! I saw on the news that the library was closed for "maintenance." I never would have guessed bedbugs. I sure hope they can get that taken care of quickly.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. Hooray for 7 hours of sleep. I hope it worked again last night. It begins to heat up again today and that will continue until next week. It was sure nice while it lasted. Sighs...

PB early. Books later on. I am also giving blood today. I am glad to be back on track with that.

>24 atozgrl: 'Morning, Irene. I guess it doesn't inspire confidence in the community to hear that the Library has bedbugs. Honestly, it didn't even cross my mind that the Library had to post info about its being closed. It is emergency maintenance, actually - maintaining 0% bedbug population...

>25 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you, too. I am really happy about the 7 hours, too.

I just learned that there's a US government air quality map... your air is definitely Unhealthy. 'Areas of smoke before 10 a.m.' Sorry about the hot temps again. We're going to have rain & T-storms today and overnight, up to 1.5" predicted. High of 72F. Not complaining at all.

My, my. Busy day for you. Books and donating blood. I hope the first enjoyable and the second goes well.

Wordle 1,509 3/6* trope, drown, groan

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I put up the suet feeder. The birds really like the feeder pole. It's got suet, hummingbird food, black oil sunflower seeds and wild bird seed. The bird bath is popular, too.

Got money for the ladies. While divvying money for them and my wallet, I came across a $20 that had an interesting political statement - in red, with a box surrounding it, were the words Fuck Donald Trump. Made my heart happy. Someone had to think of it, get a stamp made, and stamp a bill that I happened to get.

I have a clean house once again. We watched Force of Nature, second in the Aaron Falk books by Jane Harper. I enjoyed it as much as The Dry, but Bill liked it a bit less.

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No need for me to go out, so I won't. Reading, cataloging the books listed above, getting the documents I need to get a RealID and/or passport out of the gun safe.

>26 karenmarie: Heartily approve of the sentiment that person has, utterly revolted by the expression. Poor Stormy Daniels. (Melania ain't doin' the chores, for sure.)

Happy utterly unstructured Wednesday, Horrible.

Wow for the $20 (and the horse he rode in on). Now Kennedy has clawed back grants for developing mRNA vaccines???? They may be trying to lower the population of us low-lifes, but does it never occur to them that some of their shiny rich buddies will die too? Maybe even their own precious selves?

Well.

We are 3 Sisters, and I like it as always!

Enjoy your day! I have a Jane Harper or 2, but I just can't get to her. *sigh*

Pleased to note that despite all the uncertainties in the world right now your reading continues very much apace!

252 books already - wowzer!

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Yes, Chicago has been suffering with poor air quality. It hasn't stopped the gang from playing PB outdoors, which is a good thing, I guess. Leaving shortly...90F today.

After refreshing the nectar, I had a female/juvenile hummer. I also had a brief look at a red-bellied.

>27 richardderus: Hi RD. I definitely have what’s politely called a potty mouth 24/7 and have to rein myself in around people in the real world. Except for the visual being squicky and disturbing, I wonder who The Idiot in Chief is betraying Melania with now. *smooch*

>28 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy. The idiocy of the Gang of Psychos and the MAGA lemmings stuns the mind. Taking back grants is repugnant and wrong. Shiny rich buddies can die, just not their children.

I love comparing our Wordle results and being Three Sisters.

I have five unique titles by Harper and have read three of them. Sometimes I just love to escape to Australia in my mind. I keep forgetting that I have The Barrakee Mystery: The Lure of the Bush by Arthur W. Upfield on my Kindle in addition to the other Harper titles I haven’t read.

>29 PaulCranswick: Good morning, Paul! Between the genre I’m still obsessed with (MM romance = smut) AND the uncertainties in the world right now, especially with the Idiot in Chief ordering two nuclear submarines near Russia, my reading has definitely consumed more of my time. I’m almost glad that the Doomsday Clock is only adjusted in January of each year since we’re so much closer to nuclear holocaust than ever. It’s currently set at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest ever. It’s actually much closer now, of course.

>30 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you. I grew up in the Los Angeles area, and I remember coming in from recess in kindergarten (1958-1959) with my lungs constricted and my eyes hurting. There were occasional days in high school that we were not allowed to play sports outside in PE, too. The air quality has actually gotten better in LA, or at least it had when I left in 1991. Enjoy PB. Yay for the bird report. I’ve got one female Cardinal visiting.

Wordle 1,510 3/6* trope, cobra, coral

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I spent some time in the guest bedroom getting Jenna's things corralled. By the time they get here on the 13th, I'll have things in boxes lined up in the hallway for her to keep, take/send, or toss. I made good progress. Read, puttered. We started a new to us series, The Chelsea Detective, and the first episode was good enough for us to continue tonight.

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I have a 'limited echocardiogram' today at 10:50. This is preventative, ordered by my cardiologist earlier this year so that we can have the results before my biannual visit with her on the 25th.

After that, more work on the guest bedroom. Reading, puttering, and etc.

>31 karenmarie: It's a good prophylaxis to get those things done, so yay for her thoroughness. I know the decluttering doesn't have roots in joy but the doing of it and it having been done will, I hope, feel very satisfying.

Putter hearty, sweetiedarling.

I just dashed through your last thread to make sure there weren't any catastrophes I should know about, and this is about as caught up as I can get. Sorry that Jenna an Hwan are moving so far away. My sibs are spread out across the country, and planning a meetup is difficult at best. I do wish we were all closer. And then there's my favorite cousin in Portland. I often wish we could just fold the country in half and go visiting.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/372924

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. It is 73F at the moment and already humid out. I think some of us are shifting indoors this AM, to take a little break. It got uncomfortable yesterday. I will meet Sue for lunch. She still has her hands full with the aunt. Trying to find a place that would take her. It is unfair Sue has to do all this by herself.

>32 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! Yes it is. Except for the first time we ever met, she’s been wonderful. The first time we met she told me my heart ejection function was at 40%. It nearly caused me to have another heart attack. After I went home in a daze and told Bill and my sister, they both researched and told me that normal heart ejection function was between 55% and 70%. The next time I saw her, I told her that I did not know that 55% was considered ‘normal’. She said she was sure she told me that, but I told her no, she didn’t. I also told her to make sure that she told new heart patients that 55-70% is normal right away, and whatever lower number they have is not measured against 100%. She didn’t read the room right after she told me 40% - I was totally freaked out. 40% only concerned her. 35% would have really worried her.

The decluttering of Jenna’s stuff will help me in my search for acceptance that she doesn’t live in NC any more. It will also make the guest bedroom available for visitors again. And, who knows - perhaps there's treasure for me. I have already found towels, my Harry Potter hardcovers, and one of my t-shirts. *smooch*

>33 ffortsa: Hi Judy! No catastrophes, thank goodness. It would be nice if we could fold the country in half and go visiting for sure. What a lovely concept – I was thinking of snapping my fingers and being outside Jenna and Hwan’s apartment with my luggage. Either would work.

My sister is in SoCal, my aunt near Santa Cruz, my best friend Karen in Montana, and etc. I have friends here, of course, but only one of them has known me since high school, and we missed out on 20 years of each other’s lives until we discovered that we’d both moved to central NC in 1991. Sister/kids-wives-their-kids in SoCal. One other friend who’s known me since we were 10 lives in Livonia, MI.

>34 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you!!

>35 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Friday to you. Yuck to the humidity, glad you’ll be indoors pickeballing today. I’m glad you’re meeting Sue for lunch. and giving her a break.

The Indigo Bunting just got a snootful at the wild bird seed feeder under the porch overhang (as opposed to the one on the bird feeder pole). Nobody else is visiting right now.

Wordle 1,511 4/6* weave, weave, slide, imbue

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The echocardiogram went pretty well. No results yet, and I'll only pay attention to those (which will be up on mychart but I never look) when I visit my cardiologist on the 25th. They did have to try twice to get the IV in for the contrast material, but the bruises are small and don't hurt. *smile*

Otherwise home and enjoyed being inside with the rain outside. I got all wrapped up in putting the Harry Potter books back on the shelves. While putting them back on L65, I moved some books around on that and other shelves. Made notes, and updated my location tags. Fun stuff.

We watched two episodes of The Chelsea Detective. We're really enjoying it. I got about 6 hours of sleep last night, hooray!

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Nothing planned except to read The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I now have 3 days to read 180 pages. Crap.

Puttering will also occur, and perhaps I can sneak some smut in.

>36 karenmarie: ...must be book club...no other reason to read The Awakening at our age.

Spend Friday splendidly smoochling!

>33 ffortsa: and >35 msf59: Wormholes through the core!!!!! I am totally ready for that!

I have only ever skimmed *Awakening*, and I pretty much agree with Richard. If the writing isn't wonderful, I believe I'd read Cliff.

This is our last day of cool weather, and I do dread the gradual warming. *sigh* It has been wonderful!!!

I'm off to give cat food to the cats!!!!!!

Happy new thread!

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. I will have a quiet AM- some house chores and book time. We are attending a friend's 50th wedding anniversary this afternoon. A hot one today so I hope they can keep us cool. Have a great day, my friend.

>37 richardderus: You nailed it. Book club. Teresa chose The Awakening. Teresa usually chooses books I like. These are the books she’s chosen since 1997. Blank in the Liked? column means I didn’t read/finish it or I read it and didn’t like it.



I read The Awakening in my late teens or early 20s and remember being distraught and irritated by it. I specifically remember the ending, too. Edna commits suicide by drowning. Ugh.

I spent Friday splendidly indeed, RD. *smooch*

>38 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Skimming would have been better. Cliff is the best solution, which I did last night to refresh my memory when I decided to abandon it. I’ve enjoyed the unusually cool weather, too. Yay to feeding The Seven.

>39 figsfromthistle: Hi Figs, and thank you.

>40 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you, too. Enjoy your quiet morning and social afternoon. Bird report: First bird seen this morning was a hummingbird. I've seen finches since then, and just saw the Indigo Bunting.

Wordle 1,512 3/6* trope, clank, nasal

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I continued working in the guest bedroom, finding all sorts of exciting things. There are a few I'm co-opting or returning to the fold, as it were, like towels, hand towels, and bath mats. She and Hwan obviously have what they need.

I've put two hampers of her clothes in the hallway so she can say "take/save, donate, toss". More will join those hampers from the dresser. I found 4 etched glass dessert wine glasses. I think they're from Louise. I'm going to wash them and do a bit of rearranging in the corner wine glass cabinet to fit them in. There was also a sweet little cut glass dish, have no idea what it is used for, and 3 individual salt cellars.

Edited to add: Jenna and Hwan arrived in Kent late yesterday afternoon, got all the legal/financial stuff taken care of, got key cards, and took possession of their new apartment. They brought everything in from Hwan's Prius named David, started inspecting/documenting things in the apartment that they could be charged for later, got Thai food delivered, and then mostly collapsed. It's very weird to have my daughter in a different time zone, especially one 3 hours different.

...
More cleaning out the guest bedroom. I need to go to the grocery store for a few things, including canned cat food. I might stop by the Library to drop off a few books I brought home to appraise and see if there are any donations that are exciting enough to bring home. Since tomorrow is book club, I'd like to make something to take since it's now potluck/snacks. Cookies? 7-layer bars? Nothing?

Reading and puttering, The Chelsea Detective tonight.

>41 karenmarie: Wow, what a haul of stuff coming home/joining the fold. Little cut-glass dishes perk (had to change it back because the idiot "AI" thought I meant "Percy") my ears because I used to collect celery/pickle dishes and, if they're not vanity-table fittings, that's usually what cut-glass stuff is made to do.

Seven-layer bars, obvs. Huge return of pleasure and compliments on a minimal investment of effort (assuming All ingredients are at hand). Saturday orisons!

All sounds good, Karen! I agree with Richard about the 7-layer bars - shows you're a good club member even if you couldn't work out a compromise with the majority.

>41 karenmarie: That's quite a list of books recommended. She is a valuable member of your club for sure.

I've read 11 of the titles you list, and another is scheduled for the second week in September.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. Good luck to Jenna and Hwan and their new start in the PNW. I know it will be difficult to have them so far away. My family lived in Oregon since 1980 but somehow we made it work. It is very warm here- nearly 80F already but I think I am going to slip out and do a little solo birding first thing. Very birdy in the backyard yesterday- several young grackles visited, along with a small flock of starlings and a couple of robins. Nice to see something different.

>42 richardderus: Agree, RDear, so much stuff. I have other crystal and other kitchen things in the attic and behind the guest bedroom closet in addition to the kitchen, the dining room, and a small hutch in the living room. I’ve got a 1930s celery dish here somewhere, too. Definitely 7-layer bars. All ingredients are at hand, but I didn’t get them made yesterday. Nothing like leaving things ‘til last minute, eh?

>73 msf59: Hi Peggy and yes, it’s 7-layer bars for the win. I’ll be nobody remembers that it was 8-2 with Tamsie and me being the dissenters.

>44 ffortsa: Hi Judy. Teresa's a founding member. There are only 3 of us left.

LOL. You’ve read more of them than I have.

>45 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you. I’ll forward the message. Yes, we’ll make it work. Enjoy your solo birding adventure.

Nobody on any of the feeders, but I just saw a confused hummingbird looking for the feeder under the porch instead of on the feeder pole.

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I updated spreadsheets and August's Lightning Round. I worked in the guest bedroom, read, and napped. I made hamburger patties - no bun - and french fries in the air fryer. We watched 2 episodes of The Chelsea Detective. I got 6 1/2 hours of sleep.

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I'll be making 7-layer bars this a.m.. Book club is at 3:30. Grocery shopping sometime today.

>46 karenmarie: Have fun barmaking! It's a task I really enjoy, baking good stuff, because it's meditative (figuring out what to make, then assembling material needs, then getting the process clear in one's mind's eye) and creative (whompin' it up) and satiating (pigging out on it).

I hope you eviscerate the story for its "no victories allowed" ending.

*smooch*

Hiya, RDear! I like your description of baking:

1. meditative - figuring out what to make
2. assembling the material needs
3. getting the process clear in one's mind (I personally visualize making the recipe)
4. whompin' it up
5. satiating (pigging out on it)

In addition to the 'no victories allowed' ending of The Awakening, I found it dull, two dimensional, and I honestly can't find a single thing to relate to with Edna, who I found capricious, selfish, and shallow. I understand that some women just shouldn't have children and societal mores forced motherhood on her, but I absolutely can't relate to her not loving her children enough to stay alive.

I'm perfectly happy to wallow around in historical fiction and enjoy the characters, theme, and plot; however, this one ain't one of 'em.

>48 karenmarie: Re: spoiler, they're lucky she did it...absence can be the best gift we give sometimes. Her eternally dissatisfied and resentful "personality" is a lot like Old Stuff, and like most addicts I've known in my life. Those kids stood a better chance remembering her than enduring her.

I'm glad you liked my deconstruction of baking!

Good point about Edna! And yes, thinking about baking in that way is amusing and wonderful.

I hope that the discussion was more invigorating than the book! I also hope that you were able to bring home a bar or 2 or 3.

Good night! (The daughters can check the email now.)

Morning, Karen. I enjoyed my solo walk in the woods yesterday but everything is so quiet this time of year. I barely eked out 15 species. The highlights were a solo red-headed woodpecker and a red-eyed vireo.

Heavy cloud-cover out there but the rain should hold off. I will try playing outdoors and just hoping the humidity is somewhat tolerable. Busy week ahead for the Warbler...

>51 LizzieD: Good morning, Peggy! I wonder how many authors like the idea of their books becoming fodder for book clubs. Obviously some do. Others might abhor the idea and rather readers just read their books and enjoy/dislike/be provoked by them.

About 1/4 of the bars came home, but I only cut up 1/3 of the 9" x 13" pan. I made 3/4" x 2" bars because they are so rich. I'm going to cut up the rest of the pan and put them in tupperware in the refrigerator.

I just texted the daughter about her email and need to speak with her about what they need here at the house food-wise and Tsunami-the-cat-wise.

>52 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! I'm sorry it was so quiet. To you 15 species is sad, to me it would be plentiful. Once again, I'm envious of the Red-Headed Woodpecker. Our neighbor has them, less than half a mile from my house, but I've never seen one. Red-Eyed Vireos are here, as well as up by you, for breeding season.

I've got a hummingbird, the Indigo Bunting, and a female Cardinal visiting the feeders right now.

Wordle 1,514 3/6* trope, loath, south

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I was so organized and productive yesterday. I made the 7-layer bars, went to the grocery store, rested a bit, plated some of the bars on a gorgeous square antique platter and covered it with foil, and attended book club.

The discussion centered almost exclusively on the book, which is rather rare. It and the author's life provided enough for a lively discussion.

I'm not sure anybody really liked the book with the possible exception of Sarah. Six of us either read it or Cliff-noted it. It never occurred to me that her death by drowning could be considered an accident instead of deliberate suicide, but several thought she just got out too far and couldn't get back in. Looking at quotes from the book is almost a better way to read it than to actually read it, IMO. It makes me appreciate the themes more.

We watched two episodes of The Chelsea Detective last night. It is such a good series. Intricate, convoluted, well-written and acted.

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Today will be getting the guest bedroom completely under control. It should only take an hour or two if I count the closet.

I also need to get the Sunroom under control. Again.

>53 karenmarie: Isn't it weird how mess migrates? Whack it there, pops up here, then back here, the other place, and on and on it goes.

I resent entropy.

Neither review today will tempt you. Even I can see how hard your eyes will roll at the second one, and I'm a thousand miles away. I'm pinning my hopes on Wednesday. Off to CVS to use my 40% off coupon in this sunny perfection! This summer is so lovely now that I quake before the horrors gawd will inflict later to make sure misery is the status quo.

*smooch*

'Morning, RDear.

Whack-a-mess. Yes, I agree.

Actually the first one did, but it's too expensive right now. I tried acquiring a copy advertised as $6 for a Very Good copy, but was wise enough to actually read how much it was actually going to cost me, what with the $17 shipping and all. So, wish list for now.

I also briefly went down the rabbit hole of Cantonese vs. Mandarin.

Have fun (🙄) at CVS. Many Walgreens are closing this year, but so far ours is not on the list. If so, I'm afraid we'd have to switch to CVS. There isn't one in Pittsboro, alas. Not that I'm against CVS, it's just the horror of having to switch.

*smooch*

>55 karenmarie: Oh yeah, switching. *shudder*

I don't know if Tongueless is really going to thrill you, sweetiedarling. It's not the smoothest prose I've ever read. If it's cheap...but that's a wallop to the wallet I'm really glad you didn't take.

It was a terrific walk, sunshine breeze about 73° so All worth it. The buying-stuff part was boring. I'm hoarding pound-and-a-halfers of Starbucks dark roast while they're giving me 40% off full-price coupons because I suspect coffee's gonna get a lot more expensive soon.

Stinks about needing to drive more to get meds. I hope it doesn't come to pass.

It's a new week, innit? I hope for some better outcomes. Right now, I'm awaiting the bill from the travelling appliance repairman, who I called...hmm...I guess so he could tell me that my clothes washer works fine. And to offer an opinion that it clunked and shut down during the rinse cycle because the king-size knit blanket I was washing jammed the agitator. Expensive lesson. Will the Weird_O retain the bit of learnin'?

Good afternoon, Karen. Reading your Sunday's doings awes me and tires me out! I could spend a couple of hours in our bedroom without anything appearing to have changed. *sigh*
I envy everybody the red-headed woodpeckers. The last one I saw here several years ago was dead in the gutter. *sigh*#2

Congrats on your Wordle 3 today. We're back on the see-saw.

(Oh my, W1. I hope you've gotten rid of the ill luck for the next several weeks with that one. Good grief!)

Morning, Karen. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE the quiet. I was just referring to the mute birdies, which are probably busy tending to their young.

Thunderstorms rolled through here for hours last night. We should have got a decent amount of rain. If the courts are dry, I will play early. I will then head out and hang out with Jack for a couple of hours. I also have a solo camping trip to get ready for. I leave on Thursday afternoon. Of course, Sue is still tied up with the aunt. At least some friends will be there.

>56 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear. Shipping from 3rd parties is frequently more expensive than the book itself. Remember when Amazon used to have 3rd party sellers who sold a book for 1¢ plus $3.99 shipping? Ah, the good old days.

Glad your walk was enjoyable and worth it. Switching pharmacies wouldn’t be pleasant at all.

>57 weird_O: Hi Bill! Yes indeed, it’s a new week. Sorry about your washing machine not being broken. Reminds me of the time the dryer stopped working in the first house I owned, the one with my boyfriend Mark. The repairman pulled the front panel off, used his flashlight, and showed me the spider web that covered some kind of sensor. Ugh.

>58 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! The first reason you remind me of my friend Karen in Montana is that you both have more books than I do. The second reason is that every surface in her house is either covered with papers/stuff or stacked with books.

Wordle See-saw Sisters. I’ll take it.

>59 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday to you. Ah, got it. Mute birdies.

I love thunderstorms and almost always appreciate the rain. I hope you did get a decent amount of rain since your county is ‘abnormally dry’. Enjoy the time with Jack and packing for your camping trip. I’m so sorry Sue still can’t go camping because of her aunt.

One female Cardinal and a few finches. I need to work on the feeders today, if possible.

Wordle 1,515 3/6* trope, gonad, nomad

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Yesterday was busy here in the house. I went through all Jenna's books for the last time. After looking through each box I once again shifted it. At first they were in front of the dresser, then I looked through them and moved them to in front of the S10-S17 bookcase. 2nd time, back in front of the dresser, yesterday back in front of the bookcase. I'm officially done. Unfortunately, I can't take the books to the Friends as donations until after the book sale since we're officially at capacity already. I suppose I could buy brown bags with handles (again), and put books in them to sort out Friends donations/thrift shop donations. Then I could move the books to the Library. Anyway, I found these last few I'm going to keep:

Emperor of China: Self-portrait of Kang-Hsi by Jonathan D Spence
Keeping the Circle: American Indian Identity in Eastern North Carolina 1885-2004 by Christopher Arris Oakley
Cherokee Women: Gender and Culture Change 1700-1835 by Theda Perdue
The Head in Edward Nugent's Hand: Roanoke's Forgotten Indians by Michael Leroy Oberg
The Southeastern Indians by Charles Hudson

Jenna took a college class about the Native Americans of North Carolina.

I got the guest bedroom 95% done. I need to put out fresh towels for them in the shared bathroom.

We watched the penultimate two episodes of The Chelsea Detective. Bill and I are in complete disagreement about Astrid and Max. I think she's an inconsistent woman who mostly regrets kicking Max out and supposedly breaking up their 20-year marriage. She blows hot and cold about getting back together and really leads Max on. Bill disagrees and usually blames Max for any dust up between them.

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Book sort, Virlie's, and a quick jaunt to the grocery store to get a few things Jenna and I discussed. Then home, finish up the guest bedroom/bathroom, maybe a bit more in the Sunroom but not really required, and etc. We'll watch the last two episodes of The Chelsea Detective tonight. We'll have to wait for season 4 until next year.

I'm up. I'm here. Finished with Patty Hearst. An entertaining book, surprisingly thorough, and done without Hearst's cooperation. She was not a good person.

>60 karenmarie: Is waiting until after the next book sale going to be inconveniencing you in some way? I'm asking because you've done the hard part, so why not cruise on your success for a bit? Slower is better...a thing I'm still reconciling myself to.

Virlie's happily today, sweetiedarling.

>46 karenmarie: those seven layer bars sound delicious. You will have to post a photo 😃

>61 weird_O: Hmmm. I have only read one book about Patty Hearst, and that was a mass market paperback in the 1970s. I was living in Los Angeles, at 81st and Vermont, when she was kidnapped and was within 2-3 miles of the house in Inglewood during the shootout and subsequent fire. We heard the firetrucks rushing to the scene, not knowing what it was until later. Saw the smoke from the fire.

I suppose it depends on what biography/account of the kidnapping and etc., you read, but I'm more inclined to be give her the benefit of the doubt if you believe that the kidnapping was real, as I do, and that she was kept in closets and developed Stockholm syndrome and was in fear of her life, as I do. Subsequent allegiances and behaviors may or may not have her embracing the SLA and their crime sprees and plans, but she never asked to be kidnapped.

>62 richardderus: Hi RDear. Yes, it will inconvenience me, but it’s not fair if I was able to drop off 200+ books after we’ve announced we’re not accepting any more donations while other people can’t. Keeping them in my Library is no worst than when I kept 150+ bags of books during Covid, when the Library was not open.

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I forgot to mention that I brought back into my catalog Justinian's Flea, a book I gave to Jenna. I also got Threads of Empire by Dorothy Armstrong in the mail today.

Turns out that Jenna and Hwan are taking a red-eye and instead of arriving tomorrow will arrive on Thursday. More time for me to breathe and get organized, less time to visit, alas.

Well, shoot. I came to say that tomorrow is the day, not that I thought you had forgotten. Now I see that Thursday is the day. I hope it's Early Thursday!!!

By all means, breathe, get organized, and relax some. In fact, I hope you're getting plenty of sleep so that you can be full of energy while you have them!

((((((Karen))))))

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I had a good time with Jack yesterday. No surprise there. My first day of school with Kids Kab. Big changes there. They lost the contract with the grade school, which was a huge loss. They still have the middle-school kids, which I will tag-team with one other driver on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Just the AM shift. Today was an exception. I don't mind not working but I feel sorry for this little mom & son operation.

Some post office retirees are getting together for lunch, so I will stop by for a bit and hang with the old gang.

>65 LizzieD: (((((Peggy))))) Their flight gets in at 2 p.m., so no, not super early. Their departure flight is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, so really, less than 48 hours. I’m okay with that because I have to be. And things don’t have to be perfect here, either, although even writing that gives me hives.

>66 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. Happy Wednesday to you, too. No surprise there, having a good time with Jack. Sorry for the big changes at Kids Kab. Mom & Pop operations are so fragile when they have to rely on contracts. Enjoy your lunch with the old gang.

I'm watching the Indigo Bunting eat and look for predators, eat and look for predators. There is a finch on the other side of the feeder, also a White-Breasted Nuthatch, a male Cardinal, and a Carolina Chickadee. There are a female Cardinal and a hummingbird on the pole feeders.

Wordle 1,516 4/6* trope, renal, serif, kefir. Had to really cheat - kefir is not one of the 2309 words.

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Book sort. We're officially not accepting donations until after the September 18th-20th book sale, but people are still dropping books/CDs/audiobooks/DVSs off. There were 9 of us, and it still took an hour. Nothing tripped my trigger, so I didn't bring anything home. Early breakfast at Virlie's. Picked up two prescriptions for Bill, then got the few things Jenna mentioned that it would be nice to have for them tomorrow.

We finished the most recent season of The Chelsea Detective and have to wait 'til next season. My goodness this series is wonderful. And, as regards Astrid, see above, I'm very glad that she's finally sold her art gallery and is moving back to Leipzig because her mother's there and getting up in age.

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Today will be a leisurely day finishing the guest bedroom and getting the Sunroom back under control. It's supposed to rain all day, but I'll get the bird feeders filled - at least the ones on the porch - during breaks.

Reading, other puttering, and etc.

Please don't have hives, Karen. Your daughters will know that it's perfect, and that counts heavily.

I was hoping to grocery shop, but it's raining right now and about a half hour too early to feed the kittays.

Hi Peggy. Letting go is hard, but I'm really working on it. I'm hard boiling some eggs, I've washed 4 long-stemmed sherbet dessert cups and 3 crystal salt cellars from Louise, found in the guest bedroom.

I'm continuing to Goo Gone labels on the back of Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of Kang Hsi. So far I've been at it 2 days.

I've just found my next MM romance audible book... so upstairs I go to work on the guest bedroom!!

Wednesday orisons, Horrible...a bit of book fondling *without* a cherry to be picked? Rare event. Some of the county's dullards are cleaning house, I guess. I'm pretty sure I haven't mentioned my latest milestone, writing and posting my 600th review on Edelweiss+. I've been getting DRCs from them for 12 years now and finally got to 600 written. It feels like there are skatey-eight bajillion to go, but I'll take that problem over the alternative.

Happy new thread, Karen! Enjoy your visit.

O.K. TOMORROW IS THE DAY!!!!!! Sleep well tonight and enjoy them!

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Enjoy your remaining time with Jenna and good luck with those emotions. Tough stuff. I had a nice and busy day yesterday, despite very little print reading. This AM will be busy too- food shopping, lawn mowing and packing. I hope to head out to get the camper, around 1pm. It should be a very quiet laid-back trip.

Have a lovely visit today, and see you tomorrow!

>70 richardderus: Hiya, RD. Not a single cherry to be picked. Finding a book is actually a crap shoot. I either have to find it in a box/bag I’m sorting and choose to take/buy it, see it on a category shelf when I’m placing a book there, or look at a specific shelf I’m interested in. And, if a shelf has been boxed and put on a rolling cart before I’ve looked, I don’t know there was the perfect book for me.

Congrats on posting 600 reviews on Edelweiss+. Amazing accomplishment.

>71 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, and thank you.

>72 LizzieD: Yes, Peggy, today is the day. Their flights have changed and been delayed, so it’s actually going to be 4:30 at the earliest. Sigh.

>73 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you, too. Thanks re J&H. I’ll survive, just be a bit unhappy until the new reality settles in. Yay your Wednesday was nice and busy. I hope today’s errands are productive, and, at least as far as packing goes, fun and anticipatory.

Wordle 1,517 6/6* trope, chess, amend, queen, enemy, knell. Not enough coffee.

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Finished getting the guest bedroom ready. Folded all the laundry and put it up. Made some hard boiled eggs. They came out perfectly, which is sort of unusual for me. Bill and I started a new-to-us series, with Helen Mirren, Prime Suspect. We really like it, although at first I was irritated at how obvious some of the themes and plot devices were. However, it's 34 years old, and I really liked how the first suspect identified ended up being the guilty person. Guilty of the murder initially investigated, then the serial killer in a total of 6 murders.

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I want to do a final bit of straightening in the Sunroom, fill the bird feeders, make some deviled eggs, and wait 'til it's time to go to the airport, stopping for gas on the way.

‘Morning, Peggy! Happy Thursday to you.

>221 karenmarie: I remember the best kefir in SoCal in the 70s. I bought it by the quart, usually berry flavored. It was creamy, flavorful, and not expensive at all. I haven’t had it in decades. Being a California brat has its advantages sometimes for Wordle words.

Youth is wasted on the young – George Bernard Shaw

>222 richardderus: Youthful body, current knowledge/experience/insight. Yup. Not asking for much, are we?

>223 karenmarie: My genes and getting really heavy caused my heart attack in 2021. The genetic problems are managed, I’ve lost weight, my knees are good, and we’ll see how far that carries me. Should be into my 90s. Of course, Man Proposes, God Disposes.

Jenna, Hwan, and Tsunami are arriving later today. Less time than I’d like for their visit overall, but their flights got cancelled and they were rebooked to later flights.

Wordle in 6. My excuse is not enough coffee.

TODAY!!!!!

I was going to text you now, but you'll be busy doing other things since they won't be in until later in the afternoon now. Boo. But enjoy every minute!

>75 karenmarie: Enjoy the visit!

Here's the next readathon https://www.librarything.com/topic/373094

>77 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! They arrived later than expected, both to the airport and here. But we chatted and laughed and their cat Tsunami wasn’t too freaked out.

>78 figsfromthistle: Hi Figs, and thank you.

>79 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver!

Wordle 1,518 4/6* trope, haven, gavel, level

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By the time all was said and done, they got to the house about 8:30 after their friend John helped them with some work at the apartment. Late yes, a bit of sadness that it WAS so late, but we dealt. Here's their cat Tsunami, king of the guest bedroom.



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They'll take my SUV back to Carrboro to finish up and bring my card table and chairs back, hopefully gone just a couple of hours. We'll have hamburgers and FF tonight.

I've started a new MM romance and am really going to buckle down and start Midnight's Children for September book club discussion.

I might make chocolate cookies with chocolate chips while they're gone. I still have some 7-layer bars, which neither Bill nor Hwan will touch because of the coconut, but they both love chocolate.

>80 karenmarie: I think you'll resonate with Midnight's Children on some level, it's a solid meditation on the identity problem.

I hope the visit, while quick, is really satisfying.

>81 richardderus: Hiya, RD. I just brought Midnight's Children back to the Sunroom Desk. It's only 533 pages in trade paperback. Sigh.

The visit is a whirlwind. They're exhausted and going back and forth between here and the apartment. We'll leave around 11 for the airport.

*smooch*

Wordle 1,519 4/6* trope, flute, haste, matte

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I baked some Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies, made hamburgers and french fries for dinner.

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Hwan's at the apartment with her friend John, Jenna's getting breakfast. I'll get home around 1 from the airport.

Regular programming will be resumed.

>82 karenmarie: Regular *smooch* for exhaustion-relief

Oh dear. I guess they're on their way back. That was a whirlwind visit. Peace to you. I'm late for cat feeding...... Later!

>83 richardderus: 'Morning, RichardDear, and thank you for the extra-special smooch. It worked - I turned out the light at 11 p.m., closed my eyes, and didn't open them until 8:48 a.m. Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles.

>84 LizzieD: Yes, they were settled in at the airport by the time you wrote this yesterday.

Wordle 1,520 3/6* trope, noisy, lousy

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They came, they saw, they conquered, they left. I stopped at the Library on the way home to drop off some books I'd brought home to appraise and a Library book I ended up not reading (no surprise there!). Amy at the front desk asked if I was alright. I said I was frazzled. She carried the bag of books to the book sort room. Honestly, she's one of my heroes.

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I read the group chat - Bill, me, Jenna, Hwan. They arrived home safe and sound and 'Baby cat' was exploring, not cowering under the bed. Very encouraging. I'm slowly waking up, coffee in hand, Wordle solved. Bill's watching Chelsea play Crystal Palace - Premier League is well under way for the new season - and we'll both watch Arsenal play Man U at noon.

Other than that, I'll probably read and nap and wander around the now-daughter-and-cat-less guest bedroom.

No cooking, no baking, nothing that requires decision-making.

>85 karenmarie: Routine can wait... rest up from it all is the best plan indeed. Enjoy a Sunday of exactly what you feel like doing.

Hiya, RDear. I just posted on your thread too. I like your words and will do exactly what you say.

It's gorgeous out although it will be a typical nasty day. 90F, currently 73F with 100% humidity. Urgh. AC rocks.

*smooch*

Kudos for navigating the physical separation from your daughters, a traumatic event. I have no advice, other than chilling out for a while.

Morning, Karen. Glad J & H made it safely and are settling in. I enjoyed a nice laid-back camping trip. Our aunt is being moved to her new "home" today, much to Sue's relief. Sue still has a lot of stuff to do with the aunt's house but at least Sue can come back to her own home.

Playing PB today. My much truncated work schedule is now Tues & Thurs. A.M. only.

>88 weird_O: Chilling out is a good idea, RD. This is a weird week for it, though - Friends of the Library Board meeting this morning, pick up my new-prescription glasses right after. Book sort/Virlie's/cleaning ladies tomorrow, Spine and Pain Clinic Wednesday for evaluation for another spinal shot - this one is wearing off. Nothing on Thursday, but Friday is chiropractor appointment then lunch with friend Jan at Taziki's.

I will endeavor to not do too much else this week besides that. Oh, I went through the clothes that Jenna's left behind. I don't know if she doesn't ever want any of them or what, but I do think she'll want some of the socks. Eventually. I found 79 socks last night and reported to Jenna. I'll wash them and put them in a box or even in a dresser drawer in the Guest Bedroom. Choices! *smooch*

>89 msf59: 'Morning, Mark. It was a long day but they made it back safe and sound. The cat was exploring as soon as they got home. I'm so glad Sue's aunt will be moved today, both for her sake and Sue's. Yay for PB. I'm not sure if I should congratulate you or commiserate with you over your much truncated work schedule.

Nary a single bird on any of the six feeders I have out. Between first and second breakfast, I suppose.

Wordle 1,521 3/6* trope, slime, issue

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We watched Arsenal beat Man U 1-0. Thank goodness for a corner and Calafiori heading the ball into the goal.

Chill, as RD would put it, nap, reading, Prime Suspect. Wired 'til 4 a.m., so I only got 3.5 hours of sleep.

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Board meeting at 10. Schlep over to a different town to get my glasses. Home, nap, sleep, and etc.

>90 karenmarie: Hurricane Erin might have something to say about your sensible, if tiring-sounding, plans. We're having a lovely September day, cool, cloudy, not too windy but about to be.

I hope the board meeting is fun! /irony

>90 karenmarie: 79 Socks! It reminds me of when we were clearing my mother's house before she moved to a Continuing Care Community. In the closet we found a suitcase, filled with single (unpairable) socks. We both collapsed in laughter. And it was a cautionary thing to me - don't save what isn't of use!

>92 ffortsa: Ah, but then, Judy, you never know for sure what might be of use........ (Spoken by a PackRat from a long line of PackRats and married to another.) Maybe not a whole suitcase full or 79 pairs, I'll grant you.

Hi, Karen! Hope you're home relaxing. I'm off to get a snack and rewatch my Edward Petherbridge/Harriet Walter *Lord Peter* DVDs.

Morning, Karen. I forgot to comment yesterday on Prime Suspect- I watched it back when it first came out. Fantastic show and what a great introduction to the wonderful Helen Mirren. I should do a revisit.

Sue has her Aunt Cor settled in her new digs. What a major relief. Bree and Jack spent the night here. I finish with my work kids around 9. I will come back home- Bree will go into the office and I will hang with Jack and then take him to school. He starts at 12:50. This will be the new Tuesday routine for now.

I replenished all the feeders yesterday. The young hummers returned immediately.

>91 richardderus: Hi RD! Looks like Erin will be making a sharp right out to sea, but things do change. Yesterday was probably close to being as nice as yours was. Board Meeting Report below.

>92 ffortsa: Oh Judy. I jut love it that your mother kept a suitcase filled with unmatched socks. I should make that my mantra – Don’t Save What Isn’t Of Use.

>93 LizzieD: I’m a packrat and Bill is a packrat. Dare I admit that I have probably 15 pairs of matched socks and quite a few pairs of underwear, in styles I don’t like anymore? Jenna used to be a packrat, but has come under the influence of her wife, in that they have hardly anything in their apartment, by choice. Sigh.

Let’s see – at 8:45 last night Bill and I were 2/3 of the way through S4 E2 of Prime Suspect. We didn’t like it as much as S4 E1. Ooh, the Petherbridge/Walter Peter/Harriet series. I love them soooooo much. I won’t even watch Ian Carmichael’s Lord Peter anymore.


Petherbridge and Walter from Have His Carcase.

>94 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. I’m glad you might rewatch Prime Suspect. It is excellent.

Yay for Sue’s Aunt Cor settled into her new digs. Nice that Bree and Jack spent the night. I do hope he loves pre-school. Yay for the feeder replenishment. I need to do that today. There’s still food, but it’s 3 days old. Not a single bird is feasting at my feeders right now.

Wordle 1,522 3/6* trope, rigor, rowdy

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The Board meeting was productive. I see a trend, though, one which I always dislike in volunteer organizations. The new VP sat next to our Secretary. They know each other from all the places, and were yakking quite a bit of the time while we were discussing business. The President and new Treasurer did the same thing several times. This is the first time that I've felt I've felt really unhappy at the composition of the Board. However, I have a By-Laws required position - Immediate Past President - and feel like I'd let two members of the Board down if I just stopped attending. Rita the Librarian, too.

My homework for the next sale is to get the Print Shop to donate them again, green with the dates for the Spring 2026 book sale.

I still also need to identify the pavers that need re-inking.

I drove 20 miles the other way to pick up my glasses - new lenses in existing frames. They are now my regular glasses, and the other pair are now my backup pair.

We watched more Prime Suspect. Upstairs to read and sleep. I got 5.5 hours and woke up to the alarm.

...
Book sort and Virlie's. There are literally only about 15 bags of books, which will take no more than 20 or so minutes. Then it's off to an early brekkie at Virlie's. After that, pick up a prescription and use some OTC money to get Calcium/D3 supplement, get money for my cleaning ladies, then come home.

After the ladies leave, start boxing Jenna's clothes - she can make the final decision on all of them when she comes to visit either Thanksgiving or Christmas. I know that some of her clothes have sentimental value, so won't make the decisions.

Read, putter, dinner, Prime Suspect.

>95 karenmarie: I'm always annoyed by people breaking off into small groups during the business portion of meetings. It makes me bad at being a volunteer. Fondle well, of briefly, and have a hearty Virlie's!

Yay for Prime Suspect! I really enjoyed that series. I hope y'all will, too. *smooch*

Hi, Karen! I hope you're back home and settled in by now.

Hmmm. I don't recall ever attending a meeting that members chatted about something personal during business. I must be very lucky. I did drop out of my mother's book club because for a couple of meetings the women at my table knew each other well, and talked about their concerns, completely excluding me. I may not be fascinating in person to get to know, but this was supposed to be a social affair where I expected common courtesy to apply.
Hmmph.

>95 karenmarie: ...start boxing Jenna's clothes...You are My Leader, Karen. I have made a few halting steps at downsizing this household's chattel. I badgered my younger son to "grunge" the closet in his old bedroom, and he bagged three bags of his chattel for the rubbishmen. I got knocked sensible and trashed almost ALL the contents of the kitchen's most voluminous drawer—bicycling water bottles, plastic cups, and * gasp * about a garbage-bag full of reusable Chinese takeout packaging (useful for all sorts of preserving and storage of foods, hardware bits, etc.). Lately I've been feeling itchy when passing through the dressing room (directest route to the toilet). I still have Judi's complete wardrobe, four years after she died on me. I'm Bogarting too many of my own past duds.

So lead on.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I am so glad you and Bill have been enjoying some good TV shows. Jackson Day went swimmingly and so did my first day at "work". PB this AM. It is starting to cool off around here. Getting pumped about our Meet Up with Stasia tomorrow.

>96 richardderus: Hi, RD. Book sort is almost always pleasant, but I am considering resigning from the Board AFTER this fiscal year (July – June 2026) if our current President, Heather, chooses not to be President for 2026-2027. Because the new VP will be excellent, just not in a way that I may appreciate. *shrug* We’ll see. *smooch*

>97 LizzieD: Oh Peggy. Completely excluding you was beyond rude. They should have been ashamed of themselves. You don't give yourself credit about being a fascinating person to get to know.

I was back home, settled, and the cleaning ladies left soon after. There were three of them – one was being trained to be a backup – so they finished more quickly than usual.

>98 weird_O: Thank you, Bill. I accept the title with honor. Your kitchen de-cluttering effort is admirable. I still have perhaps 5 packages of disposable chop sticks, but I’ve gotten rid of all the old packages of condiments except for ketchup. I have 30 pieces of plastic cutlery that I use to portion out canned cat food each morning and evening. They get washed and reused.

Not getting rid of Judi’s clothes is understandable. Perhaps keep a few especially sentimental items – a scarf, a special dress – and donate the rest so that other women can use them. Some of them could even go to a consignment shop. Only when you’re ready of course.

I have Bill’s stepmother Kay’s scarves, Bill’s Mama’s wedding dress somewhere around here, Bill’s grandmother’s dress worn at her daughter’s wedding, a sweater my mother knit, ditto slippers, the scarf she made me when I was in high school (1969-1971), and etc.

Your past duds, too, can be put on consignment or donated. I need to go through another round of cleaning out my closet and cleaning out Jenna’s closet of clothes. Those are in addition to the ones currently on the floor in the hallway.

We’ll inspire each other.

>99 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. Happy Wednesday to you, too. Helen Mirren is marvelous. Yay for a good Jackson Day and Kids Kab work. As always, enjoy PB. Ah, I didn’t realize tomorrow’s your meetup with Stasia. Good luck getting a meetup photo. She’s notoriously good at avoiding them, although Peggy and I talked her into one in March.

The Indigo Bunting has already visited this morning. Yesterday afternoon I had a crowd of all the usual suspects. I also had Mourning Dove and Cardinals ground feeding. And the squirrels are still stymied, which makes me happy.

Wordle 1,523 4/6* trope, slink, allay, llama

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Even though there weren't that many bags/boxes of books to go through, I found a few for me and one for friend Karen:

The Passover Anthology by Philip Goodman for Karen
Low-Hanging Fruit by Randy Rainbow
The Complete Christie: An Agatha Christie Encyclopedia by Matthew Bunson
Origami by Anne Akers Johnson
Origami with Dollar Bills: Another Way to Impress People With Your Money! by Duy Nguyen

The book sale planning meeting went well. I came away with 3 homework assignments. Arrange for extra bookmarks advertising the coming book sale and get bookmarks printed to be handed out at the coming book sale advertising the Spring 2026 book sale. A local print shop has been donating them, so I just need to get in touch with the owner.

The other bit of homework is to work with two other folks to see if and how we can advertise and sell our Online Bookstore books at the sale. We have to keep the revenue stream separate yet make it easy for people to see the books, purchase them, and pay for them at the sale.

...
This morning is an appointment with the Spine & Pain Associates to determine if/when I can get another spinal injection for pain in my left L3 and L4 areas. The last one was hugely successful, but started wearing off recently. Soonest is always 3 months after the last one, so May 20th's injection means anytime including or after today.

Nothing else planned except for the usual and de-cluttering upstairs.

>100 karenmarie: It sounds like a good day indeed, just busy enough... I'm at the ophthalmologist waiting to be dilated for my annual macular degeneration check.

Stay healthy and pain-free, Horrible

Hi, Karen! Everything sounds good for you although I'm sorry you're needing another injection. I think the first one lasted as long as it was supposed to though. Hope I'm right!

Stay dry, Richard! Stay dry!!!! I believe that most people do, so here is your chance to join most people.

>100 karenmarie:. Thanks for your comments, Karen. I kinda would like to have someone be a coach as I do this. Not a play-caller, just an empathetic being. Maybe a play-by-play announcer, a color person to chat now and then. Probably should go through my own chattel first.

>101 richardderus: It was just busy enough for sure, RDear. I hope your opthamologist’s visit went well with no unhappy surprises.

After the Spine & Pain Associates visit to set up an appointment for another injection, contingent upon insurance approval, of course, I stopped at a grocery store I haven’t gone to in quite a while. As I was putting stuff on the conveyor belt, the cashier said “Karen!!!” I looked up, and admit to having to look at the name tag to see Jessie’s name. We worked together before I retired. I’ll take it with a grain of salt, but she said I hadn’t changed. I haven’t seen Jessie since … 2012? … but was flattered anyway.

I’m healthy and right this exact second and pain free. Can’t ask for much more.

>102 LizzieD: Hey Peggy. Unless I were to try some kind of surgery – which I will not unless not doing so results in paralysis – I’m looking at steroid injections every 3-4 months for the foreseeable future. I don’t mind drugs, especially when those drugs give me a pain-free back for months at a time.

>103 weird_O: You’re very welcome, dear Bill. I am completely empathetic. Play-by-play can work, and I can be your color announcer.

The color is green. Just joking - but it almost doesn’t matter what you start with. Start with something smallish, a goal that can be attained in a day or so. Finish that something completely. All things out of the house for donation/consignment, all trash taken out, all things put away after deciding to keep them and where to keep them without shuffling around having to make another decision later about them.

Also, try to only touch each thing one time for decision making. I was told that lesson during my working career in about 1985 and tried like the dickens to make it so. Not always successful, but I did achieve lift-off occasionally.

This afternoon will be looking for stray Jenna socks. They could be in the piles of clothes in the hallway, the dresser in the Guest Bedroom, or the drawers in the closet in what is now my bedroom but what was hers.

Only socks today. Not underwear, dress shirts, dress pants, shorts, t-shirts, other. Narrow focus.

>104 karenmarie: Horrible and Peggy, there are no surprises from my visit to the eye doc. I set the train in motion for cataract removal. I'll get the initial consult with the practice's surgeon done on 9 Sept and schedule the event from that meeting. It's past time. I'm glad I'm staying dry, Peggy, and today's rain cannot dampen my enthusiasm for getting this overdue procedure accomplished at last.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. It will be extra sweet with the Meet Up and all. I am spending the night at Joe's too, so we can all spend a full day together. Duh! I forgot you had met Stasia last year. Glad I can finally catch up.

My juvenile hummers have been super busy lately.

>105 richardderus: 'Morning, RDear! I'm so glad you're going to get cataract surgery. I had it in 2014 and it was painless and only irritating then. 11 years later can only mean even better procedures and followup.

>106 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you. Yay for an overnighter at Joe's!!

My feeders are empty, except for the hummingbird feeder just now. There were two hummingbirds chasing each other and another stopped to have a quick sip. So, three!

Wordle 1,524 3/6* trope, motel, extol

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The appointment for another spinal injection is Friday, September 5th. If there are insurance problems, it will get pushed out.

I did not search for socks yesterday afternoon. I puttered downstairs for a while, then went upstairs to nap and read.

Two episodes of Prime Suspect, then back upstairs to read, scroll, sleep. I got 7 hours of straight sleep. *blinks*

...
There's nothing scheduled for today outside the house. No errands, doctor's appointments, or lunch plans. I can breathe a bit.

I do plan on cataloging the books I brought home on Tuesday. Amazon delivered The Boy Between Worlds yesterday, so I will catalog it, too.

I might go on the Jenna sock mission, I might brown bag 9 UHaul boxes of Jenna's books in order to get the Sunroom in better control.



Major excitement - I only have 3 left of 8, but one of my Lithops is having a baby.



Reading, spreadsheet/Lightning Round update, too.

>107 karenmarie: Morning, Horrible. I hope your lithops has a painless delivery! Good luck with the book-bagging and cataloging. I'm glad The Boy Between Worlds is there and about to be Officially Entered.

I'm ahead of my goal on #WITMonth despite being annoyed by another twidgee whining "you're doing it wrong!"

*smooch*

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/373266

>108 richardderus: 'Morning the next day, RDear. Lithops Jr is coming along, thank you. Cataloging complete.

I'm constantly amazed that twidgees (love that word, BTW!) try to force their rules on us. Don't get me wrong - there are many rules that are important to follow in order to avoid anarchy and chaos in the world. However, if a website's TOS allows your use of it the way you want to use it, then screw them.

I've mentioned it before, but I got negative feedback a long time ago about creating a personal tag called kph to denote MY books instead of Bill's or Jenna's. I just kept using it, of course.

>109 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

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One must create chaos in order to tame it. That's ignoring what the chaos demon's doing in the nation's swamp.

I found twelve more socks. I also found 5 of my x-large T-shirts, which will be useful as sleep shirts and shirts to wear with leggings here around the house.

The hallway is still chaos, but less chaos than before. I also emptied the three desk drawers in the white hutch/desk in my room upstairs. I found some interesting thing, including perhaps a hundred pencils/pens/markers. I'll bring them downstairs and keep/cull as appropriate.

I will move books around in the Library soon in order to create another half shelf for books about Dame Agatha. I've already exported books for 4 shelves, will move them around, and note their location tag.

We watched the first of two episodes of Prime Suspect. I got 6.5 hours of sleep.

...
Chiropractor at noon, lunch with friend Jan at 1:30 at Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe.

Reading, puttering, and etc.

3 SISTERS!

Socks!!!!

Less chaos! You remain The Woman! You're also a Lithops granny --- wow!

>110 karenmarie: Great goddess below us, that's NINETY-ONE SOCKS! I *might* have owned that many socks in the last *mumble*ty-six years, but probably not. Mercy me.

I hope the chiropractor visit went well, and you enjoyed lunch out. I met with Wayne to do some exercise, then when I crashed out he retaught me SkipBo. I hadn't played that card game in decades, so was pleased we took one set each.

*smooch*

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. I hope everything went well yesterday and you got another decent night's sleep. We have a birding breakfast this AM, with the club. I will lead the walk beforehand. It should be a fun time. Such a good group. 70s next week. Yah!!

>111 LizzieD: Yay for 3 sisters. And, yes, more socks. Fourteen pair of her underwear, too. *eye roll* Who doesn’t take all their underwear with them? Only my daughter… Thanks re my being The Woman. I’ll wear the title proudly. And yes, my Lithops child is birthing another.

>112 richardderus: Hiya, RD. That does not include the socks in the top drawer in the closet in her bedroom. Yes to the chiropractor visit. She did the chiropractor version of the Epley maneuver and various and sundry. Lunch with Jan was predictable food-wise. We both always get the almost identically same thing with the exception of dressing for the salad and drink. We met at 1:30 and finally decided to call it quits at 3:45. Ah yes, Wayne the Eye Candy and, apparently a worthy SkipBo opponent.

Color me happy – in looking SkipBo up, I see that it’s another name for the game I’ve played with my maternal grandmother called Spite and Malice. She coyly informed me one time that she and a select group of friends called it Shit on Your Neighbor. Happy memories! Thank you.

>113 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Yesterday was a good day, thank you. I got 7 ¾ hours of sleep last night and only woke up because I had set an alarm for 8:40, darn it. The alarm was set to remind myself to take my Sat – Mon Eliquis out of the pill box, see below.

Enjoy the birding breakfast after a Mark-led walk. Sounds wonderful. Enjoy it and the coming mild temps.

No bird visitors at the moment. In addition to the usual suspects, I saw the Indigo Bunting yesterday afternoon. He's a new summer regular but I do not take his presence lightly. It's always a thrill.

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Good chiropractor visit, excellent lunch with Jan. I didn't get home 'til 4:45, just in time to get into comfy clothes (i.e., jammies), decompress for a bit, then feed the kitties, myself, and watch an episode of Prime Suspect with Bill.

I was researching Morton's Toe and was checking the text thread with my sister to see if I had a pic of her toes, but didn't. I unintentionally called her but quickly disconnected. She texted back to see if she had accidentally butt dialed me, but I had to own up. We exchanged foot pics 🙄. I have my dad's feet with Morton's Toe, and she has our mother's feet, which she called pudgers. You just can't make this stuff up.

Morton's Toe was mentioned in my newest smut book - one of the MCs was self-conscious of his feet because of his Morton's Toe.

...
I watched the last 20 minutes + stoppage of the Tottenham vs. Man City game because Tottenham was up 2-0, a huge upset for Man City. Home pitch, too. Bill's watching one of th 10 o'clock games. Arsenal play Leeds (hi Paul!) at 12:30.

Reading, puttering, feeder replenishment. Possible sock inventory of closet. I might make new-to-me low-sodium V-8 Juice Spaghetti Sauce (not kidding...) for supper. I keep low-sodium V-8 juice in the house because I use it for my Vegetable Beef Soup.

Prime Suspect this evening.

>114 karenmarie: "Morton's toe?" This is a reason to be embarrassed? It needs a name?

Wow. I am weird. This seems so utterly completely uninterestingly unimportant that I can't grok why it needed describing at All.

Anyway, I'm going to end up #WITMonth with All thirty of my planned reviews made. Tomorrow's gang-review blog post has a big wodge of 'em in it. It is, I confess, really satisfying.

Saturday *smooch*

Morton's Toe or Greek Toe. I kid you not. Only 22% of the world's population is thus blessed. It's only important because it's my reality. Not ashamed like Jake the MM romance character is in Pieces of Home.

Early congrats on the 30 #WITMonth reviews.

*smooch* back

Good afternoon, m'dear! My big toe is about 1 mm shorter than the second one. I had no idea how important that mm was!

I never played Spite and Malice, but that's the game I've heard of instead of SkipBo. What a diverse country we are after all!

Hurray for a decent night's sleep!!!!! You and Stasia!

I'm late for cat feeding, but we were late with everything else, so they aren't hurting. Enjoy the rest of your day!

>116 karenmarie: GREEK TOE.

Now I want one. (Still think it's silly to define something so trivial.)

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. I am playing some PB this AM with Matt and my good friend Phil. I am sure regulars will be there too. Jackson's party starts early afternoon. Should be a full day. Just saw two juvenile hummers chasing each other around the feeder.

>117 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Spite and Malice is a competitive solitaire game - I did not know there was such a thing. I thought it was another canasta-type game.

Another Morton's Toe person. We're in our own Morton's Toe Club. *smile*

A good night's sleep is not to be sniffed at, is it?

>118 richardderus: Hiya RD. If you don't have one, you're not in the club. ☹ It's official, though, a true 'medical condition'. Morton's toe, also known as Greek toe, is the condition of having a first metatarsal bone that is shorter than the second metatarsal. It is a type of brachymetatarsia. This condition is the result of a premature closing of the first metatarsal's growth plate, resulting in a short big toe, giving the second toe the appearance of being long compared to the first toe. The metatarsal bones behind the toes are of different lengths, and the relative lengths vary between people. - Wikipedia

>119 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you. Have a great time playing PB. Oooh, Jackson's 4th birthday Birthday Party. I hope it's a blast. Yay for the hummers. I'm watching the Indigo Bunting being chased round the wild bird seed feeder by a finch. It's detente right now, one on one side, the other on the other side.

Wordle 1,527 2/6* trope, spore

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Reading, puttering, cleaning/refilling the hummingbird feeder. Arsenal beat Leeds 5-0. Striker Viktor Gyökeres scored two, a great result for him in his second Premier League game and, surprisingly, defender Jurriën Timber scored two and got an assist. Saka scored the other goal. We were soooo happy.

Otherwise, I went through everything from the 3 drawers in the desk in my bedroom upstairs. These are Jenna's things. Several went on a shelf to deal with later (two porcelain horses), I'm going to save/use some lined notebook paper, and I have dozens of pencils and markers to keep/toss.

...
Reading and updating spreadsheets/Lightning Round are high on the list. I also want to get the books in UHaul boxes into double-bagged brown paper bags w/handles so I can move them to the Library to wait 'til after the September 18-20 book sale to donate to the Friends. 9 boxes to ? bags.

I should go to the grocery store, but it's not absolutely necessary.

>120 karenmarie: Another gorgeous day here. I'm really wondering what the proper number of sacrificial k*****s is to keep the weather goddesses from doing the usual summer hell thing, and leaving it All like this, would be.

Just finished a book that made me I'll, but gave me hope, and I'm pretty sure both inverted from the author's intended responses. Tomorrow's review...I'm hell-bent on getting it done so I can start forgetting it.

*smooch*

Morning, Karen. The party was a booming success and Jack was the perfect little host. His running commentary while opening gifts had everyone in stitches. It was a gorgeous afternoon. PB this AM and then yard work. It looks to be a beautiful week ahead. Love these cool nights.

Enjoy your bunting. He may be heading south soon.

>121 richardderus: We'd have to hock our souls forever, I'm afraid, RD. We've let greed, ignorance, negligence, and unleashing technology before the full impact is understood override the need to care for our mother Earth. Even though we have more humidity than this SoCal woman would like, I'll take these mid-80s days. Intriguing comments about the book. As always I look forward to your reviews even if I will never read the book. *smooch*

>122 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy day after Jack's 4th Birthday Party. I'm glad it was a success. Enjoy the PB and appreciate that getting the yard work done will check it off your list. Unless... do you enjoy yardwork? If so, have fun.

Wordle 1,528 3/6* trope, shirt, mirth

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Whole lots of nothing, all of it good. It's going to be a real slog, and I may not finish it, but I've read the first 8 pages of introduction and first chapter's 19 pages of Midnight's Children. OMG, so dense and repetitive and ... not yet intriguing.

I watched the hummingbird feeder through my old-birding-scope-new-location spot here in the Sunroom, read, puttered, got all the Lightning Round entries updated and 2025 Books Read spreadsheet updated. I just updated the Smut spreadsheet. Bill and I started another new-to-us-series. I liked it well enough, but not enough to remember the name. We'll watch the next two episodes tonight.

We had leftover spaghetti with V-8 Juice Spaghetti Sauce, and it was soooo good leftover. Easy, low-sodium, tasty. The only thing I did different from the recipe as published was to add about a teaspoon of sugar to take the edge off the acidity. Next time I'll do what makes more sense - cook the onions 'til translucent, add the garlic and cook a minute, THEN throw in the ground beef and cook, drain, and continue. For some reason this recipe has you brown the meat, then throw in the onions/garlic to cook for 5 minutes. It's not quite the same.

Jenna has called two nights in a row to chat. She and Hwan have pretty much been on radio silence as they settle in, and I've felt like a heroin addict without a fix. I hope the new normal includes a few conversations per week with daughter.

...
Left side L3 and L4 spinal injection this morning, then grocery shopping unless I don't feel up to it. I probably will, though. Home before heading back out for the bi-annual appointment with my cardiologist.

I have a grocery store bag filled with pencils, pens, and markers to go through to keep or toss. I'll probably do that while listening to my audio book. I won't need to buy any writing implements for the rest of my life, although there's one particular type of black gel pen I really like that Jenna never used. Reading, and etc.

>123 karenmarie: Yay for impending pain relief, and more YAY for Jenna time!

I'm hoping you *won't* read the religious nut's book, Horrible. I've read it so you don't have to, so don't slight my grim, effortful sacrifice by repeating it!

Monday *smooch*

I just posted on your thread and indeed will not read the religious nut's book. As I just wrote, thanks for taking one for the team.

Yes to pain relief, yes to more Jenna time.

*smooch*

Yes to pain relief! Yes to Jenna time!!!!!

Love you, but I need to nap!

>126 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. The steroids are kicking in, just small twinges of pain when I move certain ways. So, no moving certain ways!

Jenna and Hwan are suffering in the heat in Kent, only because most apartment complexes do not have air conditioning, including theirs. Jenna sounded good last night, with the exception of the heat draining all three of them - especially Tsunami the cat.

Naps are always good. I hope yours was a good one.

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The injection went fine. I completely lost track of time and missed my cardiologist appointment. She's down to one day a week, the other cardiologist in the practice is not taking on her appointments. She either has to agree to overbook to see me, Dr. A has to agree to see me, or I have to wait 'til the end of the year. Stupid me, but ridiculous understaffing.

The series we started watching is Waking the Dead, a British cold case unit series So far so good.

Not a lot of sleep - perhaps 3 hours - so here I am.

...
Book sort, Virlie's, pharmacy, picking up 200 bookmarks for the Friends to advertise the coming sale - we asked for less than we should have last time. We may have done the same this time, too, with 800 requested to be handed out at the September 18-20 sale. I have an appointment at 2:30 to see if the bone graft done after my tooth extraction in April will support an implant/crown. If so, I won't schedule it 'til the new year.

Grocery store, then home.

Morning, Karen. Good luck with Midnight's Children. We did a group read of that one in 2010. By no means an easy read but I am glad I got to it. I gave it 3 stars, which is still low for me.

I do not mind yard work. I did not get to it yesterday. I went over to the aunt's house and helped Sue with stuff there. It is a mess-thanks to the other sh*tty aunt. They are trying to get it cleaned up and put on the market. Another headache to deal with.

I got the "kids" today and since Bree doesn't need me I might play a little PB afterwards.

>127 karenmarie: Not even trying to catch up on your thread, Karen. I am sorry to hear that you are in pain and having to take steroids.

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday in spite of the pain.

Happy Tuesday with hopes that the bone graft is well-seated and ready for your implant! I sincerely hope that that's the last medical appointment for you this week.

I hope I said (but I'll say again) how much I loved Midnight's Children. It was my first venture into Rushdie, and he blew me away. It doesn't invite skimming though. I'd quote my Frances Partridge on speed-reading vs. the luxury of taking one's time, but I have to feed cats and get ready to get my magic ears inspected!

>127 karenmarie: I'm glad you got to Virlie's in less pain, sweetiedarling. I'm tired after Wayne did balance stuff with me. It's hard not to give in to being lazy..."nope, too much work"...but I have trouble saying that out loud. So I do it.

Annoying twidgee time: "you're wrong about this book, I think it's exploitive" stated as fact instead of opinion. I'd even listen if she'd said "this and this in the book are exploitive" instead of just ignoring her like I'm doing now. Sending smooches

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. Everything okay there? Just doing my usual thing here...54F. Yeah, baby!

>128 msf59: Hi Mark! Not an easy read at all, and I made the satisfying decision on Monday evening to abandon it. Happily, I might add, because the unhappiness of continuing and respecting Judy’s choice was overridden by my thinking that book homework sucks. I occasionally do it, but less and less as the years go by. I now don’t know what to do with the six paper books on my shelves. I’m keeping Knife Meditations After an Attempted Murder and I got 3 free Audible editions recently.

I never loved yard work, but it was never my pride and joy, either. I’m sorry there’s so much mess in the aunt’s house.

I hope the Kids went smoothly and the PB went swimmingly.

>129 alcottacre: Hello Stasia, and thank you. It turns out that there are some underlying genetic components to my back problems, but are mostly because of the rear-end hit-and-run drunk driver in 1974. Over the years I wish I’d known about taking steroids because I so would have. Because of my once-again mentioning back pain to my PCP in May,he ordered and I had a full-spine MRI in May, and he then referred me to the Spine & Pain Associates. Dr. Bhat recommended steroids. I’ve had the spinal injections twice now – numbing shots, and tingles down my leg being the only physical issues during them. My blood pressure, which is never high any more, actually went down after the injections.

I had a wonderful day yesterday. I was very busy, and would have been a hurting unit without the injection(s).

>130 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and the oral surgeon’s report is below. It’s all good. It was the last medical appointment this week.

I’m not surprised that you like Rushdie. It seems to go hand-in-hand with your love of fantasy and science fiction.

Speed-reading vs. the luxury of taking one’s time. Definitely different approaches. Feed the cats! I hope the Magic Ears inspection went well.

>131 richardderus: Hiya, RD. PT and OT are so important, and I’m glad you are doing it even though it would be wonderful if (1) we didn’t need it, and (2) it was easy.

Yikes. ‘You’re wrong about this book’ and ‘I think’ = scrambled brains. Telling you that you can’t have an opinion when they can is true arrogance. *smooch*

>132 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you. Things are okay here, yes. Not perfect, of course, but whose life is? Yay for 54F. It’s 67F here, going to a high of 78F. Humidity, of course, but I’ll take the low-for-this-time-of-year temps. I’m also exceptionally happy that sunset keeps getting earlier and earlier. 7:52 tonight, last light 8:19 tonight.

LBB on one wild bird seed feeder, female Cardinal on the other. I need to clean the bird bath out, which will take all of 10 minutes total.

Wordle 1,530 2/6* trope, tower

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Quick book sorting, since there were ten of us and there was less than one full shelf of one rolling rack of donations to go through. Quite a few were children's books, which I hate sorting, but we do what we must. Breakfast at Virlie's. Pharmacy, bookmark pickup and delivery to the book sort room. I chatted with Rita the Librarian for a bit after that. Home, hang out 'til 1, when I headed to the appointment with the oral surgeon.

It turns out that I am a good candidate for an implant/crown because of how well the bone graft healed and built up my jaw. I asked one of the nurses if bone grafts worked for everybody and she immediately said "Oh, no, not at all." So I feel fortunate.

The less fortunate part is that even without anesthesia instead of numbing shots/drilling sounds/manipulation, it will cost $3250. Add $505 for anesthesia. Then waiting for it to heal, and then going back to my dentist for a crown, which, of course is additional megabucks. However, even being completely healed, chewing on that side of my mouth is occasionally painful. It's only money, right?

I did not like or understand the episode of Waking the Dead we watched last night. Skeleton beneath a floor in a church, twenty year old case of a missing son of parishioners, weird recommitment ceremony of those parishioners, etc. Ugh. I hope tonight's episode makes sense.

I forgot to mention that yesterday was the one-year anniversary of Inara Starbuck's death here at the house. She was 17 years, 2 months, 11 days old. One of my favorite pics of her, taken by Jenna in 2008.


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No outside-the-house errands to run today. Reading, puttering, and etc.

>133 karenmarie: Good news about the graft taking well, usual aggravation about the $$.

We never stop missing those small warm persons.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Getting some rain here and it remains cool. Kids Kab and then I might go see the aunt. I have not visited her at the new place yet. Enjoy your day.

>134 quondame: Hi Susan. I can name every kitty I've ever had, and at various points I think about and miss them all.

Thanks re the graft and yes about the $$.

>135 msf59: 'Morning, Mark. Happy Thursday to you. Cool is nice for this time of year, that's for sure. How far does Sue's aunt live from you? She's in a senior/retirement/etc. center now, right?

My feeders are quiet, althougb a Carolina Chickadee just stopped by for some wild bird seed. There's a female Cardinal on the other wild bird seed feeder.

Wordle 1,531 4/6* trope, caput, spilt, split

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I sorted Jenna's clothes into keep, donate, trash. One bag of trash, 5 bags of donate, 5 book boxes (1' x 1' x 1') of things to keep, mostly hoodies and t-shirts.

I also did a bit of sorting of the children's books and DVDs that are on the floor in the Retreat. One book has to go into the trash - heresy, I know. It had animal sounds and the non-replaceable batteries have died.

Reading and etc.

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Another day of not needing to go out. I still need to bag up the books Jenna says she doesn't want any more. At a certain point you have to take your kid at their word, right? Reece of the book sort team says I can bring them in this coming Tuesday. He'll have someone bring a cart over to the rear entrance of the Library so it's not too obvious about someone donating books after us telling people they can't until after the sale. I can go through them for the fourth and probably final time, too, for ones I want to keep.

If I can put them in the SUV before Tuesday, I'll feel like I have really accomplished something since I want to sort them into book sale vs thrift shop. The book sale books will go into double-bagged brown paper bags with handles and in book sale categories.

I have to share a bit of dialog from one of my MM romances - don't worry, no x-rated stuff! It's about one of the main characters, who is really distraught over being attracted to his straight retired hockey player neighbor. Vanessa is one of his friends.

I need help. I'm out of control. I've taken leave of my senses. I need to get out of here and get myself into therapy. Stat.

I'm on a call with Vanessa the second my feet make contact with the cobbled path that leads to my house. I talk in the quiet, hissing tones often used by people experiencing a sharp decline in their mental health. The conversation is short and to the point. It mainly consists of me saying, "I need therapy," repeatedly.

"Ah, I understand," says Vanessa, using her work voice to disguise the fact that she's taking a personal call in an open-plan office. "I can be there in an hour. Will that work for you?"

I'm in no state to drive, so I take an Uber. Vanessa is waiting for me by the time I get there. She's wearing a pencil skirt and her hair down, and as always, seeing Work Vanessa takes me a minute to get used to. I'm better friends with Sweats-and-Messy-Bun Vanessa.

She approaches at speed and hugs me tightly. I let out a breath that sounds like a sob. She eyes the door of our favorite independent bookstore and says, "Are you sure we should be here? Is it wise, Jer?"

"Of course it's wise."

"Aren't you on a serious book ban?"

"I am on a book ban, but it's fiiine. I'm not going to buy anything. I'm just going to hold a few books and run my fingers over some embossed titles. You know, for medicinal purposes."

Vanessa nods sagely and leads the way into the store. She understands where I'm coming from. She should. She's the one who introduced me to the therapeutic value of stroking brand-new, never-opened books.

As always, we start in the psychology section but quickly move on. The covers are crap in the psychology section. Way too serious. Nary an embossed title to be found. From there, we head to self-help, where I search aimlessly for something along the lines of How To Stop Making An Ass Out Of Yourelf By Flirting With Straight Men. When I'm unsuccessful there, I try for Self-Control, Honey Bunny, Is That You?

I come up empty. There's nothing close to those available in the entire store. I feel a flare of annoyance. You can't tell me there isn't a market for either of those titles.

Paraphrasing from the same book - Sleep is a time machine to breakfast.

>136 karenmarie: Book-fondling as therapy! This author is clearly...your...soul...
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...waitaminnit waitaminnit YOU wrote this didn't you>?! Don't front! This is All directly out of your head, is it not?

"Horrible T. Author" is now your yclepture.

I was reading back on your last thread how your family is super divided over various opinions and levels of support for and (obviously) opposition to your current president. That must be so hard, and it really brought it home for me the reality of your lives *living in it*. For us, so far away, it still feels like an odd situation to keep an eye on, but living it...wow.
All I can say is, move here! We'll have you all as political assylum seekers! It'll be a mass exodus of bookish legends.(I know it's not that simple....sigh.)

Anyway, I hope your nearest and dearests are faring well.

Here's the Labor Day readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/373396

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. Yes, our aunt is in assisted living. I visited her yesterday. Decent place. She has a roommate-which kind of sucks but the aunt remains sharp. Just completely bed-ridden. I will head over to the aunt's house after PB to help Sue with a few things. I think they are listing the house this weekend. Bree will be the realtor. Sue has worked her butt off on this. The house is about 15 minutes from us- so not bad.

>137 richardderus: It’s highly gratifying, RD, that I get to have book fondling as medicinal therapy Every.Week. I highly recommend it to people who have robust Friends of the Library organizations and either have or should have regular donated books/CDs/DVDs.

I would love to claim this, but alas. It’s in a book called The Legend Next Door by Jesse H. Reign.

A friend of mine, and truly NOT me, tried to write some lesbian sex scenes for her girlfriend and was stunned to find that it is not easy. I’ve never tried it and respect authors who can.

I wrote poetry in high school and have a slim folder of poems, all typed, that I made the mistake of showing to Jenna one time. I thought she’d never stop guffawing and smirking. To be fair, ‘beloved hot dog stand’ is more than ridiculous. I’ve hidden the folder away. I’ll hear laughing from the cosmos after I’m not in this dimension any more. So, Horrible T. Author is not completely untrue, horrible being the operative word.

>138 LovingLit: Oh, Megan, you’re living in an island paradise that I wish I lived in, too. I like almost everything I’ve ever read or heard about your home, starting with my mother’s 1960s-1990s pen pal Min Yearbury. Be careful what you ask for, though - there are so many of us who would love to live elsewhere.

It really is hard being super divided over the political situation here. We used to be able to agree to disagree, because we honestly felt it was a difference of opinion, but of reasonable opinions, over how to run the country, leaving racism and feminism aside. Now, of course, those of us on the left or on the original right are appalled at what passes for the right now. We can’t believe anybody would vote for the incompetents, criminals, and whack jobs that now mostly comprise what used to be the Grand Old Party but that I now call the Gang of Psychos.

I can’t talk about politics (and, by extension, religion) with my sister, my maternal uncle or his boys/wives/children, or my mother’s maternal family who still hold the Century Farm near Iowa City, IA.

Thank you re my nearest and dearest. Jenna and Hwan are settling in. My sister can’t say no to anybody who asks for her help, so is busier than she’d like to be in SoCal. Her children/spouses/grandkids are also living their best lives inSoCal. My maternal aunt/husband are doing well in Aptos, CA. I’m only vaguely in touch with the other relatives. I’ve always been part of a very small family, and it keeps getting smaller and smaller.

I hope you and yours are well, too. Your boys are growing up for sure.

>139 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver!

>140 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. Not being able to have a private room is pretty awful, for sure. Various of my relatives have had to have roommates in assisted living/24-7 over the years.

I did not realize Bree was a real estate agent. Good luck on selling the house.

It must be between first and second breakfast for the birds – nary a visitor.

Wordle 1,532 2/6* trope, graft

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I sorted all Jenna's books into Friends or thrift shop, then sorted the Friends books into category. A couple of the bags have more than one category. 16 bags of books will go to the Friends next Tuesday. The thrift shop books will go this weekend.

Waking the Dead, another sort of ridiculous one, frankly, with the lead detective being unusually loud and bullying. He usually isn't, so it was surprise.

Reading, puttering, and etc.

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I'm meeting two book sort team members this morning at 10 to discuss how we can sell books from our online book store at the book sale. We've never done it before, and perhaps, selling a few books and increasing awareness will help sales.

After that, puttering, putting books in the SUV, and continuing to work upstairs on various and sundry.

>141 karenmarie: "Jesse Reign"...mmm hmmm...of course dear ::side-eye:: I'm really with you on the difficulty of writing good sex scenes. Many are just embarrassing. Lots of people seem not to have the same body parts as their characters do, and it shows.

Happy Friday, sweetiedarling. It certainly sounds satisfying in its mix of busy-enough and no pressure to accomplish things. *smooch*

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Heading to the Arboretum with my birding buddies. Our cooler weather has sparked an early migration push. A good friend's daughter is getting married later this afternoon. It should be a fun weekend.

>142 richardderus: I really like her books. I've read 11 by her in the last two years, 9 rated 4 and 2 rated 4.5. I wish she had more that interested me. My favorite books by her are Bent/Unbent, which I've read twice now.

Friday was a good'un. *smooch*

>143 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you. Enjoy your Arboretum adventure and the wedding this afternoon.

Nary a bird on my feeders.

Wordle 1,533 3/6* trope, stave, elate

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The meeting went well. I enjoyed a very good cup of medium roast coffee, but passed on the baked goods, having eaten breakfast 45 minutes before the meeting started and not being particularly impressed by their baked goods anyway, price- or taste-wise.

I'll continue my homework - generating a spreadsheet of the books in the online bookstore. For some strange reason Wild Apricot software doesn't have an automatic download feature.

I dropped off some of Jenna and Hwan's rejects at the thrift shop and picked up a prescription on the way home. I also put some of Jenna's books and some ... stuff... into 2 book boxes. I can see the top of the dresser for the first time in years.

We watched The Thursday Murder Club. I've read the first two books in the series and remember really liking them. I really liked the movie, too, because the actors who played the sleuths - Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie - all did such a fine job.

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I have nothing I have to do today outside the home. So, reading, working on online book store inventory, updating spreadsheets and Lightning Round, puttering, working on the upstairs, and getting 16 bags of books into my SUV to take in to book sort on Tuesday. After those have been taken in, I'll put the 5 bags of clothes into the SUV and take them to the Thrift Shop. Then, things will start being under control.

I also have 3 cataloging projects:

1. inventorying tag R52 and R52x
2. inventorying all 49 Bibles and adding more identifying notes
3. moving books in tags L24 and L25 to other shelves in the Library so I can put 9 more books about or by Dame Agatha in proximity to those on shelves L21-L23.

And, I've confirmed that one of my favorite lamps needs to be rewired and I have no clue how to do that. Yet. Plus, I know there are other lamps we're not using, tucked into dormers, attic spaces, Media Room, and etc., some of which work and some of which don't. Gads.

I might make chicken for dinner, possibly scalloped potatoes, possibly air fryer french fries. Or not.

Oh, and probably a nap, too. I'm also debating making the kolaches I said I'd make earlier this month this weekend.

>144 karenmarie: Kolaches FTW! *yum*

I'm enjoying the slide deeper into fall, my darling dote of a season. It's been pretty close to perfect this year. I'm not sure where Old Stuff went nor do I much care because I've had and entirely televisionless morning. *glory*

>145 richardderus: 'Morning, RDear. Yes, kolaches. My aunt sent me an email the other day from a friend of hers with a recipe from Texas. Apparently Czech folks immigrated to Texas in the late 1800s. My relatives immigrated to eastern Iowa in the 1860s. Po-ta-to po-tah-to. The picture accompanying the online recipe looks exactly like my great-grandmother's kolaches.

The weather is sooooo mild. I can hardly believe it's the end of August and not late September. I'll take it. Our electric bill and propane bill appreciate it too.

Wordle 1,534 3/6* trope, swept, petal

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I read, puttered, cleaned out some of the cubbies in the white desk in my bedroom. I spoke with Jenna, and watched Waking the Dead. This episode was much better than the last two, although once again the main male character was bullying suspects and witnesses and victims.

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Arsenal play Liverpool at 11:30 at Liverpool. Fingers crossed.

Last night's potential dinner will be tonight instead - boneless/skinless chicken and scalloped potatoes or french fries.

Reading, getting bags of books into the SUV. Puttering.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. We had a nice bird walk at the Arb. Highlights were a kingfisher, a northern waterthrush and a couple of red-breasted nuthatches. The wedding was very nice too and it turned out to be a beautiful night. We got home around 10:30, which was a bonus.

I just had a bright red male cardinal visit the feeder. There has also been an immature grackle hanging around. Not much else.

>146 karenmarie: I hope Arsenal doesn't disappoint you, Horrible. I'm pretty sure there is no gawd but if there is I hope she plonks her thumb on their scales not Liverpool's.

I used the last of my current stock of Penzey's green goddess mix making chicken salad for a sandwich when I just couldn't face another blob of pasta salad as last night's dinner. Thank goodness for September's allowance coming in! Penzey's hooo-ooo-oo!

*smooch*

So...nil-1...hmmm

Busy, busy Karen!!!!! Ummmm. I opened a jar of Cousin Catharin's raspberry jam this week, and your kolaches came to mind quickly. I don't know that I'll do it because I'm afraid I'd have to eat them all myself. DH was looking forward to the jam, but it has too many seeds.

Hope you've had a good day and watched Arsenal fight to a win. I'm off to shower!

Morning, Karen. Some PB this AM and then my cousin is scooping me up and we are going to Wrigley Field for an afternoon Cubs game. It has been an active holiday weekend. I hope all is well there and you got a good night's sleep.

>147 msf59: ‘Morning, the next day, Mark. Happy Labor Day to you. Glad the Arboretum visit didn’t disappoint. Thanks for the bird report.

>148 richardderus: Ah, well, Arsenal did disappoint, but not horribly. They lost 0-1, but Liverpool scored on an absolutely stunning free kick by Szoboszlai. There was no way, short of a miracle, that goalie Raya could have blocked it.

Huh. Green Goddess. Penzey’s. I’ve never heard of Penzey’s. Why have I never heard of Penzey’s? I just read the Wikipedia article about them and went to their website. The About Republicans tab is fabulous and affirming for this unabashedly blue voter. Here’s the link to that tab on their website: Penzey's About Republicans

>149 richardderus: Sadness, but so early in the season. Arsenal have not won at Enfield since 2012. It would have been nice had they broken that record.

>150 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Yes, busy, busy. Happily busy, when all is said and done. Cousin Catharin’s raspberry jam. Oh my. Raspberry jam is my … well… jam. Since I love seeded jam (raspberry, strawberry, blackberry), I do not think too many seeds would apply to me. *drool*

>151 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! PB. Yay. Wrigley Field. I hope your Cubbies win. Second in National League Central. Do they have any chance of beating the Brewers?

All is well with me. I did get a good night’s sleep – 8 hours, I think.

I’m happy to report that the Indigo Bunting is happily chowing down wild bird seed at the feeder, fending off attacks by a finch. They’re at opposite feeding ports. I need to fill the sunflower seed feeder and change out the hummingbird food. I cleaned and filled the bird bath yesterday.

Wordle 1,535 3/6* trope, elect, least

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I put 16 brown paper bags of books in the back of my SUV to take to the Friends tomorrow. I did some reconnoitering in the Media Room to bring down a few things. I made a huge mess on the carpet in my bedroom by not realizing that the ribbon for the now-deflated balloons on a bouquet Hwan got Jenna early last year (!) was attached to the vase, not just the stems or plastic card holder. I got up the big pieces, and will vacuum up the rest today for two reasons: I hate looking at the mess and don't want to embarrass myself in front of my cleaning ladies when they come tomorrow.

I continued cleaning out the Guest Bedroom closet in anticipation of making it a book closet. I need to order Clear Plastic Shelf Support Pegs. I have 1/4", used for the pegs/holes in the Retreat, but they are too big for the shelving in the GBC. Sigh. I am also going to avoid the worry that the shelving in the GBC will collapse from weight because the shelves are wall-mounted by moving lightweight mass-market paperbacks from shelves in the Retreat to the GBC and partially redefining the Retreat to include tbr books in addition to read books. Fun times!

I made B/S honey lemon chicken and air fryer fries last night and we watched another episode of Waking the Dead. Read, talked with Jenna. She's calling late now because of the time difference. Once she starts working, I hope that she'll call on the way home from work like she's always done here in NC.

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Vacuum up the old bouquet bits, do upstairs book stuff, start working on August statistics and finalize August's Lightning Round. I've read three of four books in the Dark Water series by Xanthe Walter and have only reviewed the first. I want to review all three together. The fourth and final book comes out in 8 days. I have 6 books and 2 abandoned books to add to the Lightning Round.

Reading, puttering, catalog/shelving projects. Napping. Etc.

>152 karenmarie: Too bad about Arsenal, but you have to grant that Liverpool earned the win. I'm eager for your Lightning Round, as I've promised myself two books off it to celebrate my *mmmth*ieth-ish annual selfishness festival.

Does Jenna have a position lined up in WA or is she out looking? I hope it really quickly resolves in her favor. September's efforts are more aimed at #Deathtober for me. I need to get the mystery/thriller count down. Enjoy the fall creeping in. *smooch*

Richard said and asked what I wanted to just above....

But, (((((Karen))))), did you notice that today's Wordle is My First Word????????????? Wordle in 1 for the first and only time!
Congrats, on your 3, BTW. Always to be coveted and applauded!

I've started a new thread on the strength of the Wordle, but I don't have anything to go in it but a quotation or two at the moment. I'm happily reading an epic fantasy, first volume, recommended by Lucy. I look forward to your Lightning Round!

>153 richardderus: Liverpool absolutely deserved the win, RD. Ah, Lightning Round. I was going to start a while ago, but I decided to take a photo of the 5 Beanie-Baby-sized dragons on one of my shelves and send it to friend Karen, realizing that it would be like a baited hook to her. We chatted for about 45 minutes.

Jenna and Hwan started Hwan’s serious school/class prep for when her classes that start on September 22nd and Jenna’s job search. Today is getting Jenna’s resume updated.

I love the fall-like weather plus the early-fall sun angles.

>154 LizzieD: Peggy! I was just waiting for you to get your Wordle in One today, knowing what your starting word is. I couldn’t be happier for you. I started using trope as my starting word in 2023, I think, well after it was the Wordle Word on 4-2-22.

Off I go to vacuum the upstairs carpet and do a bit of puttering. Statistics and Lightning Round updates later, but no guarantee that they’ll be posted today.

I have finally gotten around to your thread after getting back home a week ago. So much to catch up on here! I empathize with having to adjust to Jenna/Hwan being so far away. I hope Jenna finds a job quickly.

Maybe your organizing will inspire me. I really do need to go through and toss, donate, or put away a LOT of stuff.

>152 karenmarie: I'm with you on the jam. I love the seeds and it doesn't seem right if raspberry, blackberry, etc. have the seeds removed. I actively look to make sure they've got them when I'm choosing jam at the store.

>133 karenmarie: On the other hand, I hate that the days are getting shorter. My favorite thing about summer is having light until nearly 9:00. By the end of August, the evening light is going away too early for me.

Hi Karen, I'll admit that I have been avoiding your thread for the last week or so, but when I read back you did not rub salt in the wounds at all. 5-0! A complete gulf in class and we messed up the transfer window closing in our typical fashion yesterday and added zero creativity.

Arsenal were good and you have class dear lady for being merciful to a grieving Leeds boy.

Morning, Karen. Looking forward to hearing more about your book closet. Kid duty early and then Trail Watch. I haven't done this in 2 or 3 weeks. Jackson Day will be Thursday. Great time at the Cubs game yesterday and they won!!

>156 atozgrl: Hello, Irene! Glad you’re back safe and sound. Thanks re Jenna finding a job. They were going to start Hwan’s class prep and Jenna’s job search yesterday but Hwan was having problems with her back and stayed in bed most of the day. Jenna played nurse – a task which she takes seriously.

I start getting twitchy when there are messes. There are quite a few messes that Miss J left behind, frankly, all relating to things she didn’t want to take to Washington. The last of the books are going to the Friends today, all 16 bags worth sorted by subject, the guest bedroom closet is getting ready to be inundated with books, which means a massive amount of retagging. 3 bags of clothes will be taken to the thrift shop later this week.

Yay for seeded jam! I’m sorry you hate the loss of sunlight. First light today was 6:25, sunrise was 6:51, sunset will be 7:44, last light will be 8:10.

>157 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! I may get caught up with your threads later today, although at a bare minimum I wish you a very Happy Birthday. I’m still glad we won, and I’m still glad we got the goal differential, but I wish we’d beaten another team 5-0 and beaten your dear Leeds boys 1-0 or 2-0. Respectably but not embarrassingly.

>158 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Busy man, I hope your day is great. Yay for a visit with the four-year old! Glad your Cubbies won. For you and Irene.

I saw the Indigo Bunting when I looked at the feeder first thing. Right now the only visitor is a male Cardinal.

Wordle 1,536 5/6* trope, glint, fight, wight, might

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Continued organizing/cleaning out of the Guest Bedroom Closet, an ongoing project through the end of this week, I suspect. Reading, Lightning Round, spreadsheets. Another episode of Waking the Dead. Chatted with Karen twice yesterday and Jenna once.

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Book sort, Virlie's, drive through at the bank. I have a phone appointment with my cardiologist at 1:20, so will head upstairs to the guest bedroom to chat with her.

Otherwise, Lightning Round refining, spreadsheet finalizing and etc.

>159 karenmarie: Morning, Horrible, and happy book-fondling. I'm sure Virlie's will please you, too. All the decluttering has to feel good, even moreso because it's heading into snuggle season here and that's the best time for it. Why spring always got the nod for cleanups I never understood.

Good cardio-meeting! *smooch*

>160 richardderus: Hi RDear. We only fondled the 16 bags of books I brought - usually when we tell people to stop donations 'til after the sale they bring 'em anyway, but not yesterday. There were also eight of us at breakfast, so lots of fun discussions.

Wordle 1,537 3/6* trope, cleat, fetch

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The phone appointment with my cardiologist was reassuring. She's taking me off the tier 3 SGLT2 inhibitor and putting me on a tier 1 ACE inhibitor. Depending on blood work in two weeks, she's adding a tier 1 MRA drug. I'm still on the tier 1 beta blocker. Drugs! Lifestyle of the heart patient!

After book sort and Virlie's, grocery store and drive through bank, 1:05 appointment with cardiologist, I had the rest of the day free. My cleaning ladies switched today, which I was okay with. I read, puttered, and worked on spreadsheets and Lightning Round.

Waking the Dead, which I liked more than Bill did, S2 E7-8. However, it painfully stretched believability when Detective Superintendent Boyd let the sister of the dead girl wear the dress found in a lockup to entice the killer. Once the killer is in his sights, he pretends to be sexually attracted to the sister in order to provoke the killer. Really?

Chatted with Karen and Jenna. Read, dozed, listened to an audio book but will have to start over because I fell asleep an hour in.

...
My cleaning ladies are coming at 1. Otherwise, reading, puttering, and etc.

YTD Statistics through August

284 books read
259 ebooks, 20 audio books, 5 paper books
63769 pages in completed books
185.5 hours in completed audio books
111 books abandoned, 12198 pages abandoned, 16.5 hours abandoned

75967 total pages read

Avg pages read per day, incl books abandoned: YTD = 313
Avg pages read per book, only those completed: YTD = 225

Book(s) of the Month: Ricochet Xanthe Walter

Books by Month
January: 26 books read - 18 ebooks, 4 audio books, 5 paper books
February: 24 books read - 21 ebooks, 4 audio books, 0 paper books
March: 36 books read - 34 e-books, 1 audio book, 1 paper book
April: 37 books read - 35 e-books, 2 audio books, 0 paper books
May: 43 books read - 41 e-books, 2 audio books, 1 paper book
June: 37 books read - 35 e-books, 2 audio books, 0 paper books
July: 39 books read - 37 e-books, 2 audio books, 0 paper books
August: 42 books read - 37 e-books, 5 audio books, 0 paper boks

Author
Male 10%
Female 74%
Undeclared * 14%
Non-Binary 2%
* - can't find info anywhere

Living 99%
Dead 1%

US Born 32%
Foreign Born 12%
Undeclared * 56%
* - can't find info anywhere

Medium
Audio Book 7%
e-Book 91%
Paper Book 2%

Source
My Library 13%
Library 0%
Kindle Unlimited 87%
Borrowed 0%

Misc
Galley Proof 0%
Re-read 3%
Series 77%

Fiction 99%
NonFiction 1%

Author Birth Country
Australia 3%
Canada 3%
Czechoslovakia 1%
England 1%
Finland 1%
Germany 1%
Grenada 1%
Netherlands 1%
New Zealand 1%
Nigeria 1%
Puerto Rico 1%
UK 1%
Undeclared * 53%
US 31%
Wales 0%
* - can't find info anywhere

Original Decade Published

1940-1949 1%
1990-1999 1%
2010-2019 20%
2020-2025 78%

Genre
Contemporary Fiction 1%
Historical Fiction 1%
History 1%
Humor 1%
Informational Nonfiction 1%
Memoir 1%
MM Romance 94%

Average Rating
0.5 2
2.0 - Bad 10
2.5 - Average 13
3.0 - Good 25
3.5 - Very Good 80
4.0 - Excellent 124
4.5 - Outstanding 29
5 - Masterpiece 1

Average Rating 3.66
Books acquired YTD (last year 306) 260
Books culled YTD (last year 219) 135

5895 books cataloged on 12/31/24

Ugh. I forgot that I was saving this message for the Lightning Round. So, I'll give you a bouquet of nudibranchs.

>161 karenmarie: U.G.H. on the Waking the Dead plot...not realistic even a little bit (the liability issues! the PTSD issues!) and skeevy as hell.

Sixteen bags ain't nothin' so congrats on heftin' 'em a minimum of four times. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who falls asleep when being read to...I was watching a Digging for Britain marathon and fell deeply asleep...started having nightmare with swords and screams and stuff, woke up, and they were discussing the St. Brice's Day massacre being confirmed archaeologically. That'll learn me, pay better attention to feeling sleepy!

*smooch*

August Lightning Round

Any in bold are NOT MM romances, few and far between as they are.

Quite a few of the smut books have warnings about triggers that I don’t mention here. Caveat emptor re triggers if you want to dip your toes in.

Hot Ice Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebins 7/31/25 8/1/25 235 pages Kindle

Mason is still devastated by his father’s death and is trying to run his ranch/horseback riding business. He’s 33. Jesse is ‘college hockey royalty’ and the younger brother of Mason’s best friend. Mason comes to the Hard Spot Saloon and does what he does best – deflect his feelings by playing the drunken buffoon. Jesse’s there visiting his brother and sees and wants Mason. What’s interesting to me in this one is that although I’ve read other books like this one, this age-gap romance has the younger man being the dominant. All Mason wants is to submit and have control taken from him. After they dance around a relationship and dance around keeping it from Jesse’s brother, they get their HEA. The only thing that didn’t make sense to me is how Mason and Jesse have never met even though Mason’s best friend is Jesse’s brother and the bar is within an hour or even less of the college. Caveat emptor re sex.

Devil May Hunt by Chani Lynn Feener 8/1/25 8/1/25 177 pages Kindle

Brennon has a crush on his friend, who’s the Royal Consort of a Devil of Vitality. Brennon gets rip-roaring drunk, and his friends drop him off at a hotel and push him into a private room. Gunho is an alpha who can’t scent omegas, but he can scent Brannon and immediately wants Brennon for his own. Brennon fights a losing battle against wealth, an omega who he knows is his fated mate, and power. Alpha male kryptonite, a happy ending for Brennon, who just needs someone to love and to be controlled by. Caveat emptor re sex.

Wicked Soulmate by Jenny Pineapple 8/1/25 8/2/25 42 pages Kindle

A misunderstanding has former friends Lucas and Dylan now sworn enemies. Dylan has tried to explain to Lucas what actually happened, but Lucas has ghosted him until one night, at a party, they both end up locked in a wine cellar, where they make up. Caveat emptor re sex.

Trust No Alpha by Wendy Rathbone 8/2/25 8/2/25 200 pages Kindle

Kris is the eldest of 5 alpha sons of a very powerful man, until he presents as not exactly omega, not exactly alpha. His father hides the family shame by keeping Kris locked up. Kris escapes, and Thorne, who lost his omega 20 years previously, hides him. This one was interesting because of the sort-of-maybe hermaphrodite Kris, being predominantly alpha but with some omega traits. They fall in love. The father finds them, takes Kris back to his prison at home, is just about ready to have him institutionalized, but Thorne has done his legal homework and challenges Kris’s father. Caveat emptor re sex.

Second Match by Wendy Rathbone 8/2/25 8/2/25 172 pages Kindle

Riley is not good at picking good men, and his brother has signed him up for the Perfect Match Company, a shifter matchmaking service that guarantees success. Morgan is a wealthy businessman who only seems to attract omegas wanting a sugar daddy. His first attempt at a match failed when his potential match actually matched with his PA. He’s trying again. His second match did not sign up, is only nineteen years, and the only omega of a prominent religious cult member. The family consider him a demon. Oh, and he has severe sunlight allergy and so only lives in his darkened bedroom and comes out at night. Morgan is intrigued with the rules surrounding his meeting with Riley. Riley is appalled that his parents are willing to marry him off to get rid of him. Each one comes to the meeting with stress and worry, but each is intrigued and attracted to the other. Morgan agrees to marry Riley the second night he comes a’calling. They marry, Riley is happy to go with Morgan. Morgan has done everything possible to ensure that Riley is not exposed to sunlight, both at the hotel and at Morgan’s home, as he has workmen put up shutters, drapes, and etc., to keep him safe. They are extremely compatible, and get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Hunter's Creek by Victoria Sue narrated by John Solo 7/26/25 8/3/25 Audible Audio Book 6.75 hours

Sai is a young man who’s been kept in an institution since he was 10, drugged and abused. The FBI, who’s been investigating the institution, determines he’s a shifter and in need of immediate assistance. Asher and other members of law enforcement and Asher’s found shifter family rescue Sai. Asher immediately recognizes Sai as his fated mate. Sai is taken care of, fed, slowly shown that he’s a shifter, introduced to the shifter family and Asher protects him and keeps him safe. The child trafficking ring, shifters and human children, is broken up but only to the first level. Turns out Sai is a rare male omega, and Asher and Co. have a hard time keeping him safe. They do, Sai and Asher get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Alpha Wolf: Jason by Kellan Larkin and Kaz Crowley 8/2/25 8/3/25 175 pages Kindle

Rudy, raised in foster care, has moved to the city, where he gets a job as an auto mechanic and has a small apartment. He’s happy, if lonely. One night he works tirelessly to fix the computer systems of a very expensive car owned by Jason. When Jason comes to get the car the next morning, he recognizes Rudy as his fated mate. Rudy’s attracted but feels that he shouldn’t be trying to attract a billionaire. Unfortunately, neither do Jason’s parents. Hurtful things are said. Jason’s also trying to escape the family business. He woes Rudy, overcoming all his objections and of course they get their HEA. Almost too sweet, but with just enough plot and character development to prevent me abandoning it. Caveat emptor re sex.

Cautious Match by Roe Horvat 8/3/25 8/3/25 159 pages Kindle

Jori is an accountant, whose brother has talked him into signing up for the Perfect Match Company, a shifter dating service with guaranteed results. Avery was matched but that match didn’t work out, and so he’s tried again. They go on dates, but there’s a hard limit of being attracted enough to survive Jori’s heat. Avery takes good care of Jori, and Jori takes good care of Avery through is insecurities and a rut brought on by Jori’s heat. They’re thrown into the deep end, as it were, and by the time a week’s gone by, they’re in love but won’t admit it. Steamy, sweet, and I really liked both men a lot. Caveat emptor re lots and lots and lots of very steamy sex.

Psync by Zile Elliven 8/3/25 8/4/25 378 pages Kindle

Eli is at his first year of college, bipolar, with touch adversion, a genius with languages and with trauma in his past. He goes to the wrong classroom for a Geometry 101 course which turns out to be a Geometry 202 course, where he sits next to Haruka, a Japanese exchange student. Haruka is immediately attracted, but goes slowly, just trying to get Eli to eat and acclimatize to college. Eli starts hearing a voice in his head. He tries to figure out who’s around him when he hears this voice. Haruka is shocked to find that he hears a voice, too, and it’s Eli’s. I loved this book – a combination of clever and sweet. Haruka is an alpha male who slowly woes Eli with food, a hoodie, and protection. It’s almost impossible to describe, but there are laugh-out-loud moments in addition to the emotion and romance between them. Caveat emptor re sex.

Missiletoe: This one *is* remotely about Christmas by Zile Elliven 8/4/25 8/5/25 272 pages Kindle

Sweet and crazy story of Paris, an animal shelter director, who is minding his own business while on a break one day when a crazy small person collapses on him and immediately falls asleep. Paris is enchanted, and when the small person wakes up, he, too is enchanted. They immediately bond and are in love by the end of the day. Paris calls Vix his bunny, Vix never wants to leave Paris’s side. Vix belongs to a found family along with his found brother Baz and 3 other eccentric men, who have magic and power and money behind them. Paris also has magic behind him in the form of a ‘dog’ named Trixie. Honestly, it’s all great fun with lots of steamy sex. However, it becomes serious when the animal shelter is set on fire, twice, and once Paris moves into the large house Vix shares with his found family, the house comes under attack. They discover who’s the problem, Trixie takes care of him, and Vix and Paris get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Never Feed the Crows by Jennifer Cody 8/6/25 8/6/25 66 pages Kindle

Strange short story wherein Amos is a loner but has made friends with the local crows, going to far as to name them and feed them. One day, Corvin takes him to the murder’s compound, tells Amos he belongs to Corvin, and Amos basically agrees to both the sex and the relationship. Rather meh, with the exception of the concept that there are shifter crows, which I’d never thought of before. Caveat emptor re sex.

Dealer of Secrets by Davidson King 8/6/25 8/6/25 144 pages Kindle

Carter gets a desperate call from his twin brother, telling him to come to an address, where he dies in Carter’s arms after giving him info about an apartment, a special key to a safe, a phone number for Carter to call for ‘clean up’. Carter is devastated, finds an invitation hidden in the bottom of of the safe to an exclusive club called The Anonymous. Carter shows up looking like a deer in the headlights. Zaire is attracted and intrigued and takes Carter out of the club before Carter is eaten up alive by the predators. Carter tells Zaire about his brother and the safe and etc., and they get caught up in his brother’s mysteries. Soon Carter is outed as his brother’s identical twin, and the race is on to keep Carter safe now and forever. Oh, and of course, they fall in love and get their HEA. Fast paced with an interesting and somewhat convoluted plot, which I loved. Caveat emptor re sex.

Omega's Fire by Sasha Silsbury 8/6/25 8/8/25 226 pages Kindle

Leo is an omega right’s activist, who is against forcible bonding with omegas based on their ‘match’ compatibility. Nash is a professor/researcher who completely believes in the system and is completely against what Leo and his band of activists is doing. Leo gives blood, but the consent form has been changed and buried in very small print is his consent to be put into the omega/alpha matching system. He’s always refused, but all of a sudden he gets notification that he’s been matched. Not only matched, but Prime Matched at 97% compatibility, both sexual and in every other way, with Nash. Each is shocked. Nash happily so, Leo appalled and refusing to participate. However, his refusal is illegal, and he is kidnapped by the government and taken to Nash tied up and in what he was wearing – only his boxers. He is furious and will not do anything to promote the match. However, he goes into heat and biology trumps his boycotting of the match. He tells Nash that it’s only biological. If he can hold out 2 weeks, he can refuse the match, which he does. Nash is devastated, Leo is conflicted, and… pregnant. Misunderstandings, compromises, and eventually love and acceptance make for a nice HEA. I’ll say here, that after reading quite a few Omegaverse mpreg stories, it was clear with the first one and is clear now that the 'biology is destiny' of an omega submitting to an alpha and alphas having legal control over omegas is simply a fantasy version of aspects of slavery and control over women. Allegory aside, it is fine writing about emotions and falling in love. Caveat emptor re sex.

Omega's Fever by Sasha Silsbury 8/8/25 8/8/25 239 pages Kindle

Within the same Omegaverse as Omega’s Fire, Kellen, an alpha, is in prison awaiting trial for being a mob boss, laundering money, and etc. It’s a set up by the crime boss of the town, but Kellen knows he will be convicted because all witnesses are afraid to testify for him. Milo, an omega attorney, has had to fight all kinds of adversity to get to a position within his law firm where he is working on an important merger. This doesn’t make too much sense to me, but he is assigned to be pro bono attorney to Kellen as good PR for the law firm. As soon as they’re in the same courtroom the pheromones fly and they are prime matched in the system. Milo wins Kellen’s release on bail with the condition that Kellen stays with Milo. Pheromones, sex, worry about the case, and Milo’s increasing conviction that Kellen’s not guilty. Quite a few courtroom scenes and detective work by Milo end with Kellen being found not guilty and released and the corrupt guys all rounded up so they’ll be safe. Mpreg. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned The Frat Boys Baby by Aiden Bates** 120 pages

Luke is a lawyer, Jay’s an artist, the one who got away. They meet again at an art gallery, sparks fly, and that’s as far as I got. I can’t remember why I put it down, but I won’t pick it back up.

**abandoned The Awakening by Kate Chopin** 42 pages

For my real life book club. I was reluctant to even start it. I read it when I was in my late teens or early 20s and remembered the ending. The writing just doesn’t grab me and I don’t understand Edna at all.

**abandoned Pit Stop by Cora Rose** 136 pages

Skye’s going to college to get away from the small town he grew up in. Maverick is his brother’s best friend. Skye’s had a crush on him forever. Skye wants to lose his virginity in the back of a bar for some ridiculous reason, and Maverick’s the one to does the deed. This immediately starts Skye’s heat. Maverick helps him through it, they become a thing. I honestly didn’t see where this one could go, so abandoned it. Caveat emptor re sex.

Hollis by Ashley James 8/8/25 8/10/25 284 pages Kindle

Hollis is the second son of a cattle rancher, happy to live his life in a house on the family land, out and proud. Ford is the fire department chief, completely in the closet, Hollis’s best friend Remi’s boss. Hollis has signed up for a gay dating app, with photos and info saying who he is. Ford signs up for the same app, with coy/unidentifiable photos of himself, generic descriptions. Ford swipes right and thus starts a text via app then later just text ‘relationship’. Hollis eventually figures out who the hot fire daddy is, while Ford has known along that it is Hollis. They secretly meet and start a physical relationship. Each realizes that that’s not enough and eventually they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Mobster's Mate by Kiki Clark 8/10/25 8/11/25 220 pages Kindle

Quinten is called in to help figure out how to unbind a magical restraint around a naked man found in his territory. His witches remove the chains tying Caden to the wall, but have to carry him back to Quinten’s compound to eventually figure out how to free him. Caden is terrified when he comes out of the cycle of pain and fear. He realizes that Quinten is his fated mate, he just has to figure out how to convince Quinten of that. Quinten’s a human, after all, and wants Caden settled into a panther pack. He doesn’t realize that Quinten, and his bodyguards, and second in command are his pack. It was mildly amusing, especially when Quinten calls on some magical powers given to him by mages to rescue Caden and himself. Caveat emptor re sex.

Treasure Trail by Morgan Brice narrated by John Solo 8/4/25 8/11/25 Audible Audio Book 7.25 hours

Erik is an undercover art theft recovery specialist. He has the special gift of being able to tell if an object is authentic or fake and can see other things related to each object. This is a closely guarded secret with his government agency handlers. There comes a time when he’s almost killed, and finagles himself out. He finds an article about an antique store for sale in a small town in Maine. He is able to buy it, and moves in. Meanwhile, Ben, a NJ cop who got shot up and retires, comes to the same small town in order to work for his aunt as a real estate broker for the summer. He and Erik meet up. There are antique objects and documents that Erik buys that all of a sudden target him. Ben helps rescue him a time or two, they (improbably) fall in love right away. The mystery of the significance of the objects and why someone is desperate to get them now, 60 years later, is somewhat intriguing, but not quite believable or compelling. Erik whines a lot, Ben, growls a lot, Erik’s empath neighbor is Dear Abby and helpful spy when Erik gets kidnapped. Trite, cute, potentially more interesting than it was. Caveat emptor re sex.

A Really Gay Book by Zile Elliven 8/11/25 8/11/25 112 pages Kindle

First in the series A Really Gay Villian Christmas Series, see Missiletoe above. Adam is cursed by bad luck in every single thing he does. Apple, a member of the found family in Missiletoe, is the opposite. He only has good luck in everything he does. At age eight he flies a passenger plane safely to the ground after the pilot and copilot are unable to. He has sycophantic followers who want to touch him, marry him, buy him anything he wants, write papers for his college courses. He finally has to get all his professors to agree to only accept papers he personally hands to them. He and Adm dance around each other, so to speak, each trying to help the other. Eventually their interest and lust win out and they become a couple. Apple moves into the lair, where he is accepted after he proves that he will never hurt Adam or break the confidences of the family. The juxtaposition of perfect good luck and perfect bad luck are fun to read and imagine. Size matters – Adam is huge, burly, but gentle as the day is long. Apple is teensy, a spitfire. They are perfect together and I read this one with pleasure. Caveat emptor re sex.

First three of four books in the Dark Water series. The fourth one is due out on September 9th. I'll review them all then, but in the meantime, the action takes place in alternating time lines starting in 2095 and working back through earlier timelines to explain the MCs. Caveat emptor re sex including noncon and dubcon.

Crocodile Tears by Xanthe Walter 8/11/25 8/13/25 410 pages Kindle

Ghost Eye by Xanthe Walter 8/13/25 8/14/25 382 pages Kindle

The Lost Zone by Xanthe Walter 8/14/25 8/18/25 530 pages Kindle

**abandoned Immoral by Brooke Blaine ** 134 pages

Third in the Park Avenue Kings series has Benoit sent to spy on Dimitri, a powerful arms dealer. Benoit appears flighty, flirty, and captures Dimitri’s attention at a club. He is invited to spend the next month with Dimitri as his … plaything… for $4 million. Really. Anyway, they start traveling around Europe, sometimes via train, sometimes via plane, as Dimitri makes deals and Benoit gains intel and gets it back to the kings via hidden recorder and photos taken and put on a flash drive. The sex gets boring, the story may or may not have a happy ending, but I lost interest.

Ricochet by Xanthe Walter 8/14/25 8/15/25 517 pages Kindle

Intriguing concept – a world where everyone identifies as Dom or sub.

From the blurb on Amazon:

Matt is a sub who longs to submit but can't give up control. Rick is a dom who longs for love but won't bed the same sub twice. There's no way these two belong together - is there?

Matt and Rick are big stars on the hit TV show Collar Crime. As two of the most successful young actors in LA, they seem to have everything. Except love.

Their fiery love-hate relationship sends sparks flying on set, but neither of them is prepared to budge an inch in matters of the heart.

To uptight perfectionist Matt, chaotic bad boy Rick is the opposite of what a good dom should be. Drop-dead gorgeous Rick knows he can have any sub in town–why would he choose an obsessive control freak like Matt?

Haunted by past mistakes, Rick has sworn never to collar a sub of his own. But everything changes when Matt falls under the spell of a manipulative billionaire.

With time running out and a collaring ceremony looming, Rick faces an impossible choice: let Matt fall into the hands of a cruel master or finally confront the feelings he's been running from all along.

In this steamy BDSM romance set in a world where everyone identifies as dom or sub, two stubborn hearts grapple with an unavoidable truth – that the right person might be one who is all wrong!

So much fun, so well written. The author doesn’t stint on back stories and setting scenes. She also doesn’t stint on exploring the characters of Matt and Rick, the members of the cast/staff of the TV series, and the billionaire who wants to collar Matt. Immersive, sexy, steamy. Caveat emptor mild BDSM and lots of steamy sex.

Not Safe for Command by Jenny Pineapple 8/15/25 8/16/25 180 pages Kindle

Cain is a fireman, Ellis is the lieutenant on his shift at the fire station. Cain is out, Ellis is nominally straight but is insanely attracted to Cain. They eventually give into their attraction but keep it hidden until Cain nearly dies… well-written characters convincingly written. Caveat emptor re sex.

Rustler's Baby by Ashlyn Dupree 8/18/25 8/18/25 88 pages Kindle

Improbably story of Luca, a city influencer who comes to Cal’s family ranch to see how a true cowboy lives. Alpha, omega, mpreg, true love, fated mates, etc. Caveat emptor re sex.

Hide and Seek by Willow Dixon 8/18/25 8/20/25 357 pages Kindle

Second in the Silvercrest U series. Myles is a computer nerd college student from a wealthy family. He comes to the attention of Jax and his cousins, powerful frat members at Silvercrest U. Jax is immediately attracted to Myles, and after setting up cameras in his room to figure out if he’s still trying to kill one of their cousins, becomes obsessed. Eventually Myles figures out he’s being observed, they start playing primal play games in real life and Jax realizes that Myles had valid reasons for trying to kill the cousin and is under attack himself. Jax is a very powerful alpha male – my kryptonite, of course – and he protects Myles, figures out who’s trying to kill him, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex and dubcon.

The Edge of Heaven by EM Lindsey 8/20/25 8/21/25 273 pages Kindle

Interesting take on the fake boyfriend trope, where Julian needs a fake boyfriend for the week of wedding festivities he’s forced by his family into attending of his ex-husband and his cousin. Archer is in the US to help support his closeted governor brother attract the LGBQTA+ vote. Julian’s friend unintentionally sends the text asking for the escort/fake boyfriend to Archer, who, intrigued, responds, and becomes the week-long boyfriend. They are instantly attracted to each other but think they’ll be able to keep their hands of each other. Nope. Julian’s family, with the exception of his father and possibly his sister, are horrible people. The ex-husband is out to humiliate Julian, too, which brings out Archer’s protective nture. There are a few hiccups when Julian finds out who Archer really is, but all in all a very sweet story. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Runaway Magic by Zile Ellivan ** 67 pages

Fantasy world wherein Fourteen is reprogrammed after every kill he makes. Cym is a bystander in one of the kills, and Fourteen keeps him safe. It just didn’t work for me. Too predictable, without the good characters, scenes, motivations that would cause me to continue.

**abandoned Touch Him and Die by Jenny Pineapple** 156 pages

Ugh. Alex, son of a Mafia boss, is fascinated by his new stepbrother, Vincent, who wants to be ballet dancer. One night Alex’s father threatens Vincent, who leaves, in fear of his life. He stays under the rader until the dance troupe he belongs to is hired for a frat party. Alex is a member of the frat, recognizes Vincent, and they go from there. Five years without seeing each other suddenly becomes missing each other Every.Single.Day and needing each other regardless of Alex’s father’s threat to Vincent. I really like Jenny Pineapple for being able to paint vivid characters and enticing plots, but this one is just too much with Alex’s bi-awakening and Vincent’s completely submissive nature.

Soft Place to Fall by BA Tortuga narrated by John Solo 8/13/25 8/22/25 Audible Audio Book 9 hours

BA Tortuga is unapologetically Texan, unapologetically a lover of all things cowboy, rodeo, and ranch. Stetson and Curtis were in love, but they just couldn’t work out the problems of Stetson being a rancher on his own land and Curtis being part of the rodeo circuit and being away more than he was with Stetson. Ten years later Stetson’s mother has end-stage Alzheimer’s, asks after Curtis, and Stetson calls him to see if he’ll come to the hospice to see her. Curtis does, and their relationship rekindles. Stetson’s ranch is in serious financial trouble, Curtis wants to and can help financially. Stetson’s proud, Curtis doesn’t handle things the best way, and the tension keeps them from getting their HEA for quite a few months. I like laconic cowboys, brave and hardened men who love what they do. Stetson calls Curtis Cowboy and Curtis calls Stetson Roper. Endearing. I was rooting for them to figure things out. Lots of excitement, rodeo stuff, grief, and sexy times. Caveat emptor re sex. Narrator John Solo is one of my favorite MM romance narrators, with a wide variety of tropes and situations, not just Texas and Colorado cowboys.

Claimed by the Alpha by Riley Sloane 8/23/25 8/24/25 90 pages Kindle

Interesting premise. Kane is Alpha of a Wolf shifter pack. Shifters are in danger of dying out as a species, so there’s a human contracting/matching service to bring in new blood to revitalize shifters. Liam is at his wit’s end to try to keep going and take care of his sister after his parents died several years previously. He applies for the program and is interviewed by Kane, who immediately senses his fated mate and takes the contract for himself. Shallow. It would have actually worked better as a full-length novel. It felt hurried, improbable, and never explained how a gay matchup could revitalize the shifter world without mentioning mpreg once. Liam’s sister doesn’t at an eyelash at her brother’s contract with Kane, and endears herself to everybody immediately. Caveat emptor re sex.

Clutch by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly 8/24/25 8/24/25 222 pages Kindle

Nate and Alistair hook up and say good bye. However, Alistair is a dragon shifter and … ya know… mpreg. Nate delivers a clutch of dragon eggs. What allowed me to even give it 3* is that Nate is fierce in his protection of the eggs and when talking with Perry, the mate of one of Alistair’s brothers, sees how a strong omega/man is fierce in his love of his babies and feels fulfilled in supporting his mate and raising their children. Not for everyone, certainly. However, I've always strongly believed in a woman's uncoerced choice. That may include being 'just' a wife and mother, so applying this to male omegas was easy for me. Also, I completely understand the fierce protectiveness of a parent towards their children. Caveat emptor re sex.

Danny Hall Gets a Lawyer by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey 8/24/25 8/25/25 220 pages Kindle

Danny, 23, works in a dead-end job. He lives in his grandma’s home after she moved to a retirement community with 3 roommates. They are a found family, love one another and take care of each other fiercely and are rather derelict in their housekeeping and landscaping. An elderly neighbor becomes increasingly agitated over the lack of landscaping and cuts down a 30-year old maple on Danny’s grandma’s property. Grandma wants to sue, hires the local law firm in the small town next over from the even smaller one Danny/roomates live in. The owner sends over Miller, a young and ambitious lawyer putting in his time in a small firm before finding a partner-track job in a large city. Miller takes crazy intern Maty, a tree law expert, with him. Danny and Miller are immediately attracted to one another and agree to hookups since Miller has been hired by Danny’s grandma, not Danny, so no conflict of interest. Walking a fine line, for sure. Danny’s roommates are eccentric without being twee, his grandma is fun and energetic. Danny and Miller start having feelings, but then a job interview looms… Caveat emptor re sex.

Family Recipe by Lisa Henry and Tia Fielding 8/25/25 8/26/25 213 pages Kindle

Justin ran away from home at age 15, unable to stand physical and emotional abuse by his addict mother and her ‘boyfriends’. Unfortunately, he left behind 3 younger siblings. His mother dies when he’s 19, and he feels obligated to keep the 1, 4, and 6-year olds out of the system. He’s completely unequipped to take care of them and right away the baby gets a high fever. Justin, at his wit’s end, bangs on the door of the other house on the road, pleading for help. Del is 38, at loose ends after a messy divorce, trying to write a fancy cookbook, living in his grandmother’s house. He takes charge, getting them to the ER, where Charlotte is diagnosed with an ear infection and given meds. He takes them back to his house. Justin is having a hard time finding a job because his family has been the town’s ne’er-do-wells. However, he gets a job at a local landscaping firm, 3 days a week. Del offers to babysit. The children are traumatized, Justin is traumatized. Del is entranced with all four. He and Justin start having feelings for one another. This one is very sweet, with Del taking care of the children and helping them overcome some of their trauma. Unfortunately, Justin’s Uncle Steve is released from prison, comes ‘home’, and forces Justin to bring the children for a visit. After the dust settles, Del and Justin get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Keeping Promises by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga narrated by John Solo 8/22/25 8/26/25 Audible Audio Book

Jeremy and West are divorced. Jeremy has the children and West continues the bull riding circuit. Jeremy breaks his wrist and calls West, who comes running because he wants his family back. He takes care of Jeremy and ingratiates himself into the house again with their children. Jeremy knows he made a mistake in divorcing West, and West’s rodeo father figure tells him to win his family back just before he dies. There are some cute moments, but the best moments are when West and Jeremy talk about their babies and West shows Jeremy that he’s had an every-other-weekend with them relationship that’s deeper than Jeremy suspected. It’s just natural that they decide to be together again and will eventually remarry. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Wrecked by BA Tortuga** 143 pages

Too soon after reading Keeping Promises. Similar enough plots that I wasn’t interested enough to continue. Caveat emptor re sex.

Take a Chance by Kris T Bethke and Tia Fielding 8/26/25 8/27/25 308 pages Kindle

Mal is at loose ends after he loses the family ranch after years of mismanagement by his father prior to his death. He sends out a resume just because a ranch looks promising. It’s owned by the Harringtons, husband/wife, and 10 children/spouses/children. Mother Jennifer uses her intuition to invite Mal over for an interview for a nonexistent job. Her son Crew interviews him, because the family has learned to just do what she asks/says and is immediately impressed by Mal being competent, capable, and showing a lot of talent. This is his kryptonite, and he’s also attracted to Mal, but since Mal’s working for him, he doesn’t cross the line. Eventually Mal’s skill set means he starts working for one of the other brothers. Crew finds Mal’s heart horse, Jaina, who he had to give up because he had no place to keep her, and brings her to Mal. After Mal gets over his prideful snit, he’s grateful. Mal and Payton settle in, and Mal’s attraction for Crew and vice versa continues to grow. It’s a sweet and sexy story. Payton is pretty cute at 4 years old. Doesn’t like the outdoors, but starts learning the ranch and horses and gets good role models in all members of the family. I wish I was part of this family. Truly. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Legend Next Door by Jesse H Reign 8/27/25 8/28/25 453 pages Kindle

I rarely read MM romances with one of the MCs being in sports. Casually, yes, if they’re in college and playing for scholarships or whatever, or even if they’re serious about eventually getting a pro career. But this is the first one, I’m pretty sure, that I’ve read about a professional hockey player. He’s retired because his wife died in a car accident and he and his son Luca are devastated. He comes to his dead wife’s town to grieve and raise his son, spend time with her sister Amy and Luca’s two little cousins. He’s still buried in grief over a year after her death. One day he notices his son looking through a hole in the fence between him and one of his neighbors. His son Luca has made friends with Jeremiah, “Jelly”, out and proud, a yoga instructor, potter. He lives in a cottage behind his aunt’s house. One day Jeremiah brings over a cup of coffee to Ben, who’s on the front porch looking lost. Jeremiah tells his friends that Ben’s hot but straight, and is clueless that he's one of the most famous NHL players ever. Jeremiah’s love of life, empathy, sympathy, and sexiness start getting Ben to think about his sexuality. Ben writes letters to his dead wife, which are frequently chapter headers, and it’s fun to watch how they change as Jeremiah becomes part of his and Luca’s lives. Sweet and sexy, filled wonderful and funny scenes, gorgeous emotional dialog. And who can resist someone who uses bookstores for medicinal therapy? Caveat emptor re sex.

The Inheritance Clause by S Black 8/28/25 8/28/25 321 pages Kindle

Shallow version of a clever trope wherein Evan has been bound to Alister. They both have to agree to stay married and live together for 2 years, or there are dire financial consequence for both. Evan has been in love with Alister since he was 15, so 8 years. Alister is closed off, emotionally shut down. They eventually start realizing their attraction and willingness to make the Inheritance Clause into a real marriage. Caveat emptor re sex.

A run of books that I wasn’t willing to give more time to. I abandon with glee.

**abandoned Jack Rabbit by Em Jae Black** 31 pages
**abandoned Bully's Rejected Omega by Krystal Clark** 46 pages
**abandoned Cowboy's City Slicker Omega by Bella Bennet** 20 pages
**abandoned Midnight at the Laundromat by Bella Bennet** 108 pages
**abandoned Having His Back by Andrew Grey** 31 pages5 books abandoned as I was flailing around trying to find one that was well-written and made sense. Caveat emptor re sex in at least one, possibly more.

**abandoned Pieces of Home by Becca Neil** 355 pages

The first 300 pages or so were absolutely stunning, with Rae having escaped after 15 years of being imprisoned and abused. He’s found huddled on shore by Jake and carried up to Jake’s house. The roads are washed out from major storms and unless Jake wants to get the Coast Guard in, which he doesn’t, he decides to help the boy. The boy, Rae, won’t speak, won’t let Jake touch him, huddles in corners. Jake finally gets some tea in him and eventually food. Eventually the authorities discover where Rae was kept but the perp escapes. Too traumatic, too stressful, only 66% done, and there will be more violence against one of the Rae by the perp, guaranteed. However, Jake and Rae will get their hard-won HEA, just not before I abandoned it.

Bad With Love by Sophie O'Dare and Lyn Forester 8/29/25 8/30/25 90 pages Kindle

Roman is Warren’s high school nemesis. Roman has been coming into Warren’s coffee shop once a week for 5 years and Warren is always freaked out and has other people wait on him if possible. Turns out that Roman has been courting Warren in his totally weird way and after a family emergency and marriage proposal he doesn’t want, he and Roman get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Honey Sunshine by Gen Blackwell 8/29/25 8/30/25 96 pages Kindle

Zach is meeting a potential investor for lunch when his emotionally abusive ex shows up, berating him and trying to sabotage his meeting. Zach is hiding out in the men’s room trying to calm down and talk himself back into the good frame of mind and optimism he felt earlier when a man comes into the bathroom while he’s freaking out at the sink. Harvey offers to play new boyfriend and decimates the ex. Only then does Zach learn that Harvey’s his potential investor. Harvey calls Zach “Honey” when he challenges the ex, and Zach realizes that Harvey is sweet, optimistic, smart, and he becomes Zach’s Sunshine. A steamy and sweet novella. Caveat emptor re sex.

Omega's Choice by Gen Blackwell 8/30/25 8/30/25 75 pages Kindle

The omega son of a wolf shifter pack’s alpha, Cody does not want to submit to the pack’s ritual of primal play – mating version. He wants to make his own choice, and 4 years into avoiding being mated, feels pretty good about his method. He has found a place in the neighboring pack’s territory that he thinks is completely hidden from both packs. Silly boy. He makes it safely out of his pack’s territory and into his hiding place but is discovered by the son and enforcers of the other pack’s alpha. No surprise, it’s fated mates. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Black Tiger Run by Mira Harlson 8/30/25 8/30/25 79 pages Kindle

I didn’t read the first in this novella series, so I guess part of it’s my fault that I absolutely and categorically did not understand the motivations, plot, or etc.

At Your Service by Alessandra Hazard 8/30/25 8/30/25 65 pages Kindle

Fantasy world where Troy is a pleasure servant who is sent to the home of a powerful man. He’s never serviced a man before. They sign the contract, follow the terms explicitly. Troy mentions that he wants to be more than a pleasure servant, so Andreas finds him a very favorable administrative position. That’s the end of their contact, yet Troy pines for Andreas. He comes over to Andreas’s house one day. Andreas had hoped Troy would come to him freely. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Puck My Stepbrother 8/30/25 8/31/25 266 pages Kindle

Quinn’s childhood bully becomes his worst nightmare when Levi’s father marries Quinn’s mother and they all move in together. Levi takes the bedroom promised to Quinn and starts asserting control over him. I liked the stepbrother tension and seeing how Levi finally understands Quinn’s fears of being bullied again. Instead of bullying, though, Levi wants to possess, own, and romance Quinn. This all takes place in the wonderful world of college hockey. Fear of coming out with family and friends and to the college and potentional NHL scouts drives most of the plot. They start falling in love and get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Let Your Hearts be Light by Fae Quin**

Baxter owns his own bakery but it needs major work that he doesn’t have the money for. His daughter has signed him up for a Christmas project. She’s new friends with Paxton’s son, so the families start spending time together. The thing that absolutely turned me off, although it took 7 hours to do so, is how the narrator for Paxton’s character voiced him in a way that was irritating at first and detrimental to me actually liking the story by the end. It was also twee. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Let Me Show You by Becca Seymour**

Carter’s a vet living in a house that needs tons of work. Tanner’s in construction and is a new neighbor. Tanner works on the house, Carter feeds him in the evenings and they start getting close. It was just too predictable without any tension at all, and I gave up after 3 hours of soon-to-come boredom for me. Too soon for caveat emptor re sex.

His Weekend Alpha by Ansley Ellis 8/31/25 8/31/25 236 pages

Alpha Lawson and Omega Kole are roommates. Each loves the other but keeps it under wraps so their friendship will not get ruined. Lawson’s sister Aubrie is getting married and he’s expected to bring a Plus One to both the Engagement Weekend and the Wedding. Kole’s sister’s college tuition just increased and became due earlier than expected. Each is desperate – Plus One and tuition money. Lawson offers Kole the money if he'll be the Plus One. Kole really doesn’t want to do this, but is out of other options. They agree, and decide to ‘practice’ kissing and PDA. Kole’s pushed into his heat early, and they miss the engagement party as Lawson helps Kole out. Birth control fails, Kole is pregnant but they don’t know yet. They go to the wedding, where Lawson’s family treats Kole like trailer trash. Kole figures out he’s pregnant, they both figure out that their friendship is now romantic, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

What dedication, (((((Karen)))))! Enjoy the rest of your day. I'll be back another time to at least look at your favorite ones on that list.

>164 richardderus: Hiya, RDear! Skeevy is the right word.

I’m grateful that I rarely get nightmares that I remember or wake up screaming or crying from. I do remember waking up from a nightmare in 2021 that had crocodiles, children, a dog, a motorcycle, and a flooded creek in it, and me thinking about getting my 45-caliber Colt Commander out. So weird.

>166 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I keep up with my spreadsheets and Lightning Round pretty well during the month. Sometimes, however, I blink and I’ve read 3 or 4 books or abandoned 4 or 5 books and haven’t recorded anything. I hope you’re having a good day, too.

I picked up my prescription and the ladies have come and gone. It’s time for a bit of late lunch.

>167 karenmarie: That was one nasty 'mare! At least it, like mine, was so weird that you recall it, instead of being par for the course.

I am honestly not sure what I was doing in August, but it wasn't visiting LT threads. Mostly just away from my laptop. Back to teaching so hoping I will be more active. I will take a look at the pretty amazing August lightening round.

Mostly wanted to say hello.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. I played PB yesterday- perfect weather for it. Mid-60s, with a light breeze. I have kid duty this early AM and then heading out to Bree's to hang with Jack for a couple of hours before I take him to school. My books are sure treating me fine. I hope all is well there.

>168 richardderus: 'Morning, RDear! I recorded what I remembered of it as soon as I woke up, then later transcribed it into a Word document. It's the only time I've ever done that with a dream. I looked at it yesterday and thought Nope! Not posting it.

>169 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! Nice to see you here. I'm glad you've gone back to teaching to keep active.

>170 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and a very sweet Thursday to you, too. Yay for PB and time with Jack. I’m glad your books are treating you fine. I just broke down and used an Audible credit for The Hallmarked Man – apparently you cannot buy this audio book on CDs.

Nary a bird on the feeders.

Wordle 1,538 4/6* trope, haven, newly, blend

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Zipped into town to pick up the ACE inhibitor and incorporate it into my morning prescription drug and supplement regimen. My cleaning ladies came about 11:30, so had a clean house by 2. Read, dozed, played around with the books in the Retreat - R62 to be specific. We watched another episode of Waking the Dead. Read, slept.

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I'm meeting former co-workers Robin and Kazuko at a Mexican Restaurant here in Pittsboro for lunch. I'm also going to continue working on the Guest Bedroom and Guest Bedroom closet and I might make the cherry filling and cream cheese filling for Kolaches so that I will have them ready when I'm actually in the mood to make Kolaches.

Reading, puttering, replenishing bird feeders, and etc.

>171 karenmarie: *mmmmmm* cherries *drrroooooollllll* cream cheese *slurp* kolaches

I can smell 'em baking from here.

Aren't we the luckiest people ever, to live in a time when you, raised in SoCal, learned about kolaches, Mexican food, and have access to substances invented by humans to keep us alive and healthy long past reproductive years? I'm incredibly lucky to've had access to medical care that prevented three strokes from making me a vegetable...having free access to All the books I could ever want to read...medicines that keep me from being utterly unable to move...the list goes on.

>162 karenmarie: Impressive stats! Quite the reading machine.

>165 karenmarie: Looks like you had quite a few excellent reads.

Happy rest of the week

Good afternoon, m'dear. Hope you're enjoying your friends and the food!
I'm off to feed ours early so that I can finally get that haircut!!!!!
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/373613

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. Nice hanging with Jack yesterday. He had a bit of a cold so he stayed home from school. PB this AM, after my chiropractic adjustment. I switched to track pants- it is cool & breezy out there.

>172 richardderus: Seriously philosophical yesterday, RD, and I’m completely with you. We are the luckiest people ever, and except for substituting heart attack for stroke, I could hardly have put it better. *smooch*

>173 figsfromthistle: Hello Figs! Thank you. Last month’s reads included seven that were 4.5 stars – the most for any month so far this year.

>174 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Both Kazuko and Robin loved Mi Cancun and Kazuko wants to bring her daughter when Ashlee comes to visit – she lives in Panama – and Robin wants to bring her husband. Yay for the hair cut.

The rest of the day was good. I hope your haircut was a good one and that you got reading and napping in.

>175 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

>176 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. Happy Friday to you, too. I’m glad you got to spend time with Jack yesterday. Yay for chiropractors, and of course yay for PB for you. Bringing out the fall wardrobe, eh? *smile*

Wordle 1,539 2/6* trope, drift. Pure luck. I was trying out 2nd letter R and last letter T words and it just called out to me.

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I had a wonderful lunch with Kazuko and Robin at Mi Cancun. They've changed their menu so I couldn't get what I usually get - lunch portion of carne asada - but I tried the Mi Cancun Bowl
with steak. "Chicken or steak, rice, black beans, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo with chipotle sauce." It was, no doubt, heavy on the sodium but not death by sodium at all. We got caught up and will definitely get together again before Christmas. I dropped off 3 bags of Jenna's clothes to the thrift shop after.

The Waking the Dead was intriguing but had quite a few plot holes, IMO. I chatted with Jenna and stayed up 'til 3 although I did doze for perhaps an hour some time after midnght. Got up at 8, so not really enough sleep but more than some nights.

...
My massage therapist asked if I wanted to come at 11:30 instead of 3 today, and I said sure, why not?

Other than that, all the usual things: reading, puttering, spreadsheet and (September) Lightning Round updates. I need to replenish the bird feeders, and etc.

Edited to add: I broke down and used an Audible credit for The Hallmarked Man. As soon as I started listening to it, I was happy. Newest Cormoran Strike, and Robert Glenister's narration, of course, make it an excellent read. I cannot find anywhere that I can actually buy the audio book in CD format which makes me extremely unhappy.

>177 karenmarie: Morning, Horrible! Glad you had at least some sleep. The massage will help with some of the soreness and stress of wakeful nights, I hope.

I did two gotta-hafta reviews, neither happily, so I figured load 'em onto one crummy day of Work. Usually it doesn't feel like work to write about books but these felt like real slogging effort. That mouldering mound of ~meh~ is the hardest to shovel. Sticky clay that smells stale and clings until it dries up and flakes off, only of the mind.

Hiya, RDear! Having just come from your thread and avoiding all BBs and wish list books, I'm glad you're done with the gotta-hafta reviews. Move on to wanna reviews, right?

My eyes are not gritty but are tender from lack of sleep. Quite possibly a nap will call me this afternoon.

*smooch*

>177 karenmarie: Seven 4.5 star reads in one month? That's a heck of a good reading month!

Congrats on the Wordle in 2! Wordle in 4 for me today, but yesterday was a 2, and I got it in 2 pretty much the same way you did with today's puzzle.

I hope you had a great massage, and get more sleep tonight!

Hello Karen! I'm just catching up on threads. BTW, I've found taking three 1000mg glycine pills really helps me sleep. But unlike other sleep aids that make me sleepy, I just seem to sleep better when I take them. Probably some kind of marketing hoodoo but it works, and I'd inject heroin directly into my heart to get to sleep, so it's better for me and all.

Melatonin gummies also work for me but I've heard that they are addictive?? With the Information Superhighway always available, it's hard to know what's true and what's not anymore. (Except he who must not be named is going to get a lot of people killed. But I don't need IT to figure that out.)

I just finished Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff and think you'd get a kick out of it. There's a cheap Kindle version available. And God knows I'm all for anything that's cheap... Hanff has an immediately engaging voice like Joan Didion but, you know, fun.

Hi Karen! It’s been too long since I’ve dropped by and I wanted to say congrats to Jenna and Hwan, and to you, in gaining a daughter! Three time zones, though…that is an adjustment. My Chris keeps bouncing around the country but since we’re on Mountain time, he can’t get too far away easily. He’s currently in California and I wish he’d settle there (or here) with his girlfriend (who we love), but who knows.

It looks as if you’ve been reading up a storm. Aren’t we all so lucky to have our books to fall into!

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Another chilly start- only 47F when I got up. Not much planned for the day- maybe a Costco run and house chores. It looks like we have a buyer for the aunt's house and it will close at the end of the month. Once again, Sue scrambling to take care of final details, which never end.

We watched Thursday Murder Club last night. Fun movie- good cast. I can't remember how closely it followed the first book.

>180 atozgrl: Hi Irene. Yup. 7. I read 42, so 16%. A very good reading month. Given that I was stress reading even more than usual, what with Jenna leaving on August 2nd, flying back 13-16 to get cat, visit, and finish cleaning old apartment out, 42 seems about right. Thanks for Wordle in 2. I got about 7 hours total.

>181 SomeGuyInVirginia: Larry. Larry. I’m so happy to see you here. I love it that glycine works for you. I just briefly looked at it, and since if anything, I have low blood pressure, I’m not even going to ask my cardiologist if it’s something I should consider. Melatonin has never worked for me. Benadryl works, but not predictably. However, I am usually getting between 5 and 8 hours of sleep a night, now, so I'm pretty happy.

Ah yes. The chaos demon. Evil incarnate.

I’ve read 84 Charing Cross Road but nothing else by Hanff. I’ve added it to my wish list.

Hugs to and Parker D.

>182 Copperskye: Hello Joanne! Thanks for visiting. Thanks re Jenna and Hwan. Jenna’s taken to calling me between 10:30 – midnight Eastern time after I’m upstairs and reading. It seems to work out, although I was falling asleep when she called last night and probably didn’t make a lost of sense by the end of our conversation.

I hope your son and his girlfriend settle.

>183 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you. Yay for a chilly start to the day. Ours is 74F, going to a high of 90F. I hope it’s summer’s last hurrah, but no guarantee of course. Errands are not a bad thing. A buyer already. Fantastic news. Congrats to everybody for getting it ready for sale and for Bree for marketing it right and working with the potential buyer. Fingers crossed. I hope Sue’s scrambling ends sooner than later.

Bill and I watched The Thursday Club Murder recently and loved it, too. I remembered quite a bit of the plot line from the book. I feel like they did a really good job.

Nary a single bird visitor.

Wordle 1,540 3/6* trope, lance, bulge

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My massage went well. Lynne has opened her own massage business and now has two part-time massage therapists. She described them to me yesterday. Lynne is not at all adverse to her clients trying out the other therapists because she's always so overbooked, so instead of Lynne next month, I'll have Michelle. We'll see.

I got Jenna's PS4 and X-Box game boxes all together and on a shelf in the Guest Bedroom closet. I also got the DVD and Blu-Ray movies I want to keep on the same shelf, along with some CDs.

The birds are happy since I replenished the feeders yesterday.

I'm happy to be listening to The Hallmarked Man, the 8th in the Cormoran Strike series.

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There's no Arsenal game this weekend. The next time they play is at home against Nottingham Forest on the 13th at 7:30 a.m.

More reading, more puttering, and I'll be bringing some stuff for the thrift shop down later. Not tons, but some books, DVDs, and CDs.

No plans to cook dinner. Plans on being self-indulgent today.

You know, there are some days when I prefer to go hungry than make the slightest effort to feed myself. Even a Lean Cuisine seems like a chore, and deciding which to throw in the microwave...??? Wasn't the modern era supposed to have sorted all this out? I'd give up flying cars and robot lovers for a great home cook. At least I think I would but who knows because I've not had any of those.

I'm so happy for Jenna, she deserves good things.

>184 karenmarie: Hi Horrible, it's been a day alrighty all right. Old Stuff added a drunk day. Whee. At least I got my mammoth GBBO post done while he was put soakin' it up.

>181 SomeGuyInVirginia: Larry! Good to see you.

Too bad the flying visit was cut even shorter by flight delays. Good on you for getting organized, Karen. I’m trying a bit of that myself.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. We went to Bree's last night. Matt and Hannah also came so we got to chat about wedding party plans for October. Of course, hanging with Jack was a bonus. It was cool enough to have a fire out on the deck. Great times.

Playing PB this AM, with Matt and a couple of other friends. Also looking forward to the return of football. My Bears play tomorrow night.

The heavens opened yesterday, squalls and wind, showers and mist, just as wet and bone chilling as you want for an October day. ...but...maybe..not...September....

I'm an indoor cat today, since the weather's still ::handwave::. It's fine, I've got to finish and polish Monday's reviews. Maybe watch the documentary on YT about Sam J. Jones, 1980's Flash Gordon. Be a slug, in other words...a slimy rotund invertebrate that moves slowly and makes a revolting mess and doesn't care. It even has rasping mouthparts! Maybe if I trade similes I'll feel better about this dankness.

Stay well, dry, and happy, sweetiedarling.

>185 SomeGuyInVirginia: Larry, you live in a town of 79K. I assume there are any one of a number of eateries that deliver to you unlike Bill and me, who live 9 miles from the closest town and 11 miles from the next closest town. Nobody offers deliveries out here, and Uber would be rather expensive… I envision the food on the back seat, seat-belted in, riding in style. *snort* The only thing that could possibly help is a food replicator, a la Star Trek. Robot lover… hmmmm. And, if you could snap your fingers, what meal would you like on your dining room table?

Thank you re Jenna.

>186 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Ugh to OS’s drunk day. I hope there was no damage to either your things or you. I’m glad you put your GBBO musings in spoilers so I can safely skip them. GBBO is not my jam, raspberry or otherwise…

>187 Familyhistorian: I tried to not whine, Meg, and was mostly successful. Good luck with getting organized. What doesn’t break us makes us stronger, right? The overwhelming nature of the task to organize our stuff gets whittled down all the time.

>188 msf59: Hi Mark, and happy Sunday to you. October wedding? I hope the planning is coming along nicely. Fire out on the deck, Jack. All good things. Yay for PB. And, wow. Gridiron football starts back up? My aunt and uncle are serious 49ers fans and, of course, Bill and I used to be Panthers fans. Good luck to your Bears this season.

>189 richardderus: I love that kind of weather, RD, and am glad that you can be safe and sound inside while things rage outside.

Indoor … cat… CAT?!? CAT!?! Who are you and what have you done to my RDear? I’m glad you’re in the polishing phase of Monday’s reviews. Yay for YouTube documentaries, too, even if they are about a super hero.

I just duckduckgo-ed slug, and have to say that looking at slugs before I’ve had enough coffee to offset squeamishness wasn’t a good idea at all.

So far dry is working… well, sort of, and happy, mostly elusive. *smooch*

Wordle 1,541 2/6* trope, tenor

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Yesterday was fun inventorying books in the Retreat - I was specifically looking for R52x tagged books and found them hiding out in R72. I moved them to R52x when I moved the Harvard Classics 5-foot-wall of books to R52 one year and unintentionally left the old R52 books in R52x rather than settling them into their new home in R72. I just need to update the tags this a.m.

I also continued gathering upstairs audio-video items - CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray DVDs, and more of Jenna's Xbox or PS4 games.

We watched another episode of Waking the Dead and this one was pretty irritating. Unbelievable in a very stupid way, too. We need to find something new because I'm pretty much past this series.

Read, scrolled on my cell phone, chatted with friend Karen. Jenna didn't call, as Hwan wasn't feeling well and Miss J was in Florence Nightingale mode.

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Reading, puttering, updating my LT catalog. Continue to get the Guest Bedroom and hallway under control.

I need to make hard boiled eggs today.

>190 karenmarie: Hard boiled eggs. Whew, take that pace down a little there, Miss Tornado 2025.

Yes, indoor cat...fussy, picky, ready to complain about anything not precisely perfectly calibrated to My Demands, spreading toxic contagion everywhere I've ever been. In other words, cat. (Or MAGAt.)

*smooch*

Morning, Karen. PB this AM and then I will be busy packing. I leave on my CA birding trip tomorrow. I will be gone a week. Looking forward to this one.

It was still a bit dark and there was a busy hummer on the feeder. They are fattening up.

>191 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear. I at least got the eggs out so they’d be room temp when I make them. Today.

You unfairly malign all indoor kitties everywhere, poor darlings. Thank goodness my kitties are indoor/outdoor kitties, so your tirade doesn’t apply to my dearest Zoe and Wash.

*smooch*

>192 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Sounds like a perfect day to me.

I’ve only got finches on the bird feeders. Jenna reported that she’s seen Stellar’s Jays. How does she recognize them, you ask? Because they’re one of the birds in the board game Wingspan. I’m envious. However, I saw California Scrub Jays at my mom’s house in 2017 when I was closing it up after her death in 2016. And, of course, we have Blue Jays. While looking up Jays just now, I saw something called a Green Jay. Since I haven’t been to Southern Texas, I’ve never had the opportunity to see one.

I put out fresh hummingbird food recently, but I haven’t seen any in the last couple of days. Lots of finches, however, and a few Cardinals.

Wordle 1,542 2/6* trope, chirp

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I read, puttered, updated my LT catalog with all R52x and R72 confirmations and updates. I was going to make V8-Juice Spaghetti Sauce and have everything to make it but ground beef. Alas.

I moved CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays to the Guest Bedroom closet, along with some of the children's books I took out of my card catalog a long time ago but kept and want to add back in. I identified some books that are going to the thrift shop and some that are eventually going to the Friends. Just a few of each.

We watched a satisfying episode of Waking the Dead. I chatted with Jenna, read, and slept about 6 hours or so.

...
I don't need to leave the house today, and can wait until tomorrow to go grocery shopping. I will make the hard boiled eggs and think I'll make London Broil, scalloped potatoes, and some cooked carrots for dinner.

Peggy gave me part of my Christmas present, and it arrived yesterday from my dear friends at Amazon. Roni told her about it/recommended it, and she couldn’t resist getting a copy for me. It’s such a slender little volume, but packed with laugh-out-loud cleverness, humor, and more-than-vague references to the evil incarnate now profaning the White House. I am entranced.

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart "Brittlestar" Reynolds. The beginning of Chapter One, Stay Nimble and Unpredictable

Cats never let anyone know where they’ll be next, and neither should you.

Fascism thrives on predictability; confuse it by unexpectedly launching onto the back side of a chair, then rappelling down the curtains.

Cats are masters of unpredictability.

One minute they’re curled up on the couch, radiating serenity, and the next they’re perched on top of your fridge, judging you for your life choices.

You’ve made terrible choices and cats know it.

>194 karenmarie: My goodness, that author made the best job of putting a good spin on the fundamental evil-souledness of Felis cattus, didn't he.

Spend today well, boil them eggs, don't forget to feed the birds *smooch*

>194 karenmarie: omg I love the book excerpt, Karen. I've made a note of it as a perfect Xmas or Bday gift for Kate.

I'm THRILLED that you like it so much, (((((Karen)))))! I wanted to be sure you got it from me before some other Karen-friend discovered it and sent it on. I'll give a copy to my local-no-longer:almost-sister:close friend Suzanne, who has adopted her nephew's three wild cats as he has moved in to support his failing parents. (Aloysius, Josephine, and Aurora - good grief!) I'm sure that none of her family would give it to her. *sigh*

What will you do with the eggs? All ours would be deviled, but Mama was the one who really loved them, so I hardly bother these days.

Another Granddaddy quote: "You'll never see a blue jay on Friday. They're all in Hell getting instructions for the next week."

(I had written "on a Friday," which reminds me of the quotation from local court, my SiL swears:
Lawyer: What did he die of?
Witness: He died of a Tuesday.

>195 richardderus: Aw, RD. You must admit that a book called Lessons from Dogs for Surviving Fascism just doesn’t have the same ring. From my perspective, most dogs are dumb as posts, so I can’t imagine they’re aware of the dire state our country’s in right now because of the chaos demon and his minions.

I organized my measuring cup drawer while waiting for the eggs to come to a boil. I reduced them a simmer for 13 minutes, then put them in an ice bath. I just took them out and put them in an egg carton, and they are safely in the refrigerator. The measuring cup drawer gets out of kilter when I’m stressed. I’ve been stressed. It seems to need it once a year. Win-Win. Hard boiled eggs and an organized measuring cups drawer.

I’ve updated my September Lightning Round. I am going to go upstairs to putter, read, and nap. I’m really making progress upstairs.

>196 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. If Kate’s a cat person, then I know she’ll love it.

>197 LizzieD: So very much, Peggy! I’m looking at it right now and will carry it upstairs to read. You’ve definitely beat out the competition.

I will most likely take them out 2 at a time, slice them up, and make hard boiled egg sandwiches. In fact, that sounds quite wonderful for dinner.

Love your Granddaddy’s Blue Jay quote, love ‘He died of a Tuesday.’

If I'm not completely nutso, you're a Karen Armstrong fan...she has a half-hour talk on production company TopBox TV's YouTube channel.
https://youtu.be/hYV1_tbmOxk?feature=shared

'Morning, RDear!

You are completely nutso, of course, but for other reasons. 😍 Your memory is good. I have 3 books by Armstrong:
A History of God
The Case for God
The Lost Art of Scripture

I've listened to the first few minutes and am intrigued.

Wordle 1,543 3/6* trope, trial, trick

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It sucks that I did pretty much nothing yesterday and couldn't revel in it. Nooo, I had to feel like I had to do something, but didn't, but felt guilty. Darned Protestant Work Ethic.

My only accomplishments of the day were to make hard boiled eggs and organize my measuring cups drawer.

Reading, of course, and updating September's Lightning Round. Watching Waking the Dead. Except for Detective Superintendent Boyd throwing tantrums and yelling at persons of interest, it was good. And, Frances La Tour, known to us as Madame Maxime in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, had a role.

Chatted with friend Karen, read. I got about 7 hours of sleep.

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Book sort and NOT Virlie's. We're going to go to The Brewery because today is Dining for Dollars. The Brewery is donating 5% of all sales today to the Friends. After, I'll head back into town to go grocery shopping.

Reading, working on the upstairs, filling the bird bath & replenishing the feeders, too.

>171 karenmarie: I keep wondering when I will retire completely but teaching is reasonably easy. I am starting to not like the weekly hour-long drives to Richmond in the fall so that course may be the first to go unless we can negotiate taking more of it online. I do love it as it is all mine and I can pretty much teach what and how I want.

Ooooo! That's a very nice Wordle pattern, Karen. Hope your whole day was good. We did very well. See you tomorrow, I trust!

>201 witchyrichy: Hi Karen. Some people like working, even if it's just a course or two or a few hours a week. You are definitely one of those people.

I retired in January of 2016 and that was it for me. I was so happy to have been able to retire. Six months later I joined the Board of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library as an at-large member and that's all she wrote.

>202 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I do love Wordle patterns. I'm glad you 'did very well'. Here I am, hope to see you later.

Wordle 1,544 2/6* trope, pouty

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Yesterday was busy. Book sort team met at 10 instead of 9 because we knew we wouldn't have too many donations. Four bags was it. AND, there were eleven of us. We headed over to The Brewery at 10:45, got a great table in the corner, and Rhoda's husband Roger joined us. Roger is one of those people who make you happy by just being in his airspace - kind, gentle, intelligent, caring. I sat next to Rhoda. Roger was at the end to her left, then Reece and Ruth and etc. We had fascinating conversations. We were there 'til 12:45, then I headed to the grocery store. I am still surprised at how much I spent even though I only spent $30 on meat. $30 on whole bean coffee, and the rest managed to fill th cart up. Bill likes Stouffers frozen dinners and etc. Got home, got everything in. I got everything into the refrigerator then left the rest for Bill to put up. Went upstairs for a while, then made V-8 juice spaghetti sauce. I liked it better this time because I added about 1/4 t red chili flakes. Plus, leftovers. We watched another mostly strange and disjointed episode of Waking the Dead. Read, chatted with Jenna.

Our friend Diane texted me while we were at lunch to say that her husband Geoff had gone into Septic Shock on Monday night. It was only her insisting on calling 911 that he made it through the night. He'll be in the hospital for another 2-3 days. We chatted this morning while she was on the way to the hospital.

...
Reading, puttering, bird feeder stuff, and etc. Diane may call upon me for support or to run errands...

>203 karenmarie: Oh my goodness, poor Diane (and Geoff of course)! What a horrible thing to happen and thank goodness she's smart.

I love Stouffer's lasagna because I can burn the edges crispy...really, though, I'm a big lasagna fancier. Next to enchiladas (filling unimportant, though cheese is primo), my Death Row dinner choice would be between those two.

I hope the Average American (sic) is finally getting it, the bills are higher because the felonious yam and his mini-mes are eville fucks who are screwing us as hard as they can while they can in hopes we'll just get used to it. Your coffee bill sounds like mine, so I get it. Ow...so we need to do something.

I myownself recommend building some tumbrils and sharpening the blade on the guillotine.

>204 richardderus: Geoff's out of ICU after they identified the infection and gave him a better antibiotic to fight it. I haven't spoken with her yet today.

Bill loves Stouffer's Lasagna - his preference is w/meat sauce - so I buy them for him. I personally have gotten to where I cannot stand the smell of it cooking, so suffer a couple of times a week.

Hmm. Death Row Dinner. Plate-sized Ribeye, rare/medium rare. Horseradish sauce. Twice baked potato. Broccoli. My mother's cheesecake, black coffee.

Or, lots and lots of crispy thick-sliced bacon, eggs over medium, hashed browns, seeded rye w/butter and raspberry jam, coffee. Juice - orange, tomato, or grapefruit.

The guillotine was devised as a humane way to execute someone. I don't think they deserve that. Something more painful without truly being torture. I'm a bloodthirsty person.

*smooch*

Wordle 1,545 3/6* trope, shark, chair

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I did a few puttery things, but mostly read and dozed. The episode of Walking the Dead was pretty good, with a few interesting twists. I got about 6 hours of sleep.

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I'm supposed to meet Rita the Librarian for lunch at Virlie's, but we haven't confirmed. Puttering, catching up on spreadsheets and September's Lightning Round. Reading. And all the other usual things.

>205 karenmarie: It's been a really long time since I've had a Stouffer's so I don't recall the smell particularly. I'm sorry it's unpleasant to you yet pervades your home on occasion. Maybe a Virlie's lunch will arm you against the next onslaught.

OOO, breakfast! Great idea for a last meal, if someone knows how to poach eggs.

Firing squads always seemed condign for those who cause harm bad enough for us to agree to their murder in our name. (A thing I do not support at all ever under any set of circumstances. I'd say, f/ex, we let Luigi Mangione out now with time served and a clean record...but that's as far as murder excuses go for me.)

>205 karenmarie: We eat the Stouffer's lasagna--though we've actually switched to the Publix brand version recently--sometimes when I don't feel like cooking something. It makes an easy dinner for us. I'm sorry that you've gotten to dislike the smell.

I'd have to give a Death Row dinner some thought. Your breakfast version sounds pretty good, though I'd switch the rye bread for whole wheat or multigrain.

Wordle in 3 for me too today. I'm amazed at your run of 2's.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/373765

So late to the party!

We are 3 Sisters today, you, Irene, and I.

What I noticed in your yesterday's post was the fact that you were among the Rs........ Rhonda, Roger, Reece, Ruth, and meeting Rita for lunch soon. How do you manage that???
I am another burner of the edges of Stauffer's lasagna, but I haven't had one in a long time. Hmmmm.

Last meal ---- I just know that I'd want a LOT!!!!!!!!

>206 richardderus: Hiya, RDear! Yesterday at Virlie’s with Rita was so wonderful. I haven’t poached eggs in … decades … but just looked at The Preppy Kitchen’s ‘how to’ and it makes me want to try them again. They are way more effort than eggs over (I prefer over medium at restaurants and over easy at home) but I remember loving them.

Death Penalty Rant: I’m an outlier, what with being a cut-me-and-I-bleed-blue Democrat AND a death penalty advocate. I completely disagree with you about Mangione. Less than a year in jail AND a clean record? So, anybody who wants to commit a cold-blooded murder and is willing to spend a year in jail can do so with impunity? What if it was a family member of yours who was killed? Or a child? And, let’s let the serial killers out of jail, because recidivism is either a myth or less important than society not being willing to murder them in the name of the state.

As you can tell, I’m cranky this morning. What should have been a 3-person effort for a poster for the online book store at the book sale and for which we met one time to discuss and have done a flurry of emails about, seems to have fallen to me. I spent half an hour on it just now and sent a mock-up of it to the other two women, blind copying Rita the Librarian. It starts off:

I really resent getting dumped with the final design of the poster. You’re busy, Steph is busy. Did it occur to you that I might be busy too?

Harrumph.

*smooch*

>207 atozgrl: Hi Irene. Most people love Stouffer’s Lasagna. Once again, I’m an outlier. Congrats on your Wordle in 3 yesterday.

>208 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver!

>209 LizzieD: (((((Peggy))))) I love being 3 Sisters with you and Irene.

I did not notice the plethora of R names. *smile* Go for the burned-at-the-edges Stouffer’s Lasagna.

Yes, lots of last meal.

Wordle 1,546 2/6* trope, throb

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Picked up book sale book marks, got Claritin-wannabe at the pharmacy, dropped off one bag of stuff at the thrift shop. Had lunch with Rita the Librarian at Virlie's. I got there at noon for a 12:30 lunch and was happy to grab a table, order a drink and read. I also thought about what to get, and went totally off-script. i got two chicken tenders and onion rings. It sounded so good to Rita that she got the same meal.

Home after. Not much else done except to read, do a bit of fuming, nap, and etc.

...
I'm having coffee with friend Tamsie at the Belted Goat in Fearrington Village. I'm also going to drop off the newest Cormoran Strike, The Hallmarked Man, for Rhoda at Galloway Ridge - the " life plan community" she and her husband live in, also at Fearrington Village.

Not much else.

edited to add: Tamsie texted that she just woke up and could we make it later or different day? I just texted back "How about a different day?"

I totally agree about the poster and with your calling them on it. I lost a "friend" the same way years ago. She dumped a task I had agreed to help her with completely on me the day it was due without a please or thank you. I did it, but I told her how much I resented it, and she went ballistic. Eventually she 'forgave' me, but she certainly never apologized for her part. When I reminded her of her lack of common courtesy, she said, "That was business." That was the end.

(You know, of course, that I will never condone state murder. Otoh, I'd never let murderers out of prison again either. We won't get into the penal system or anything else. Just registering my voice.)

I hope whatever you're reading today dissolves your warranted fumes, (((((Karen))))).

>210 karenmarie: I so hate being left holding the bag. Somehow I have had to do too much work planning a sibling reunion. Well, after all, I'm the OLDEST, and the youngest, who was lobbying for it, is a BOY, and my sister couldn't be bothered. One complaint out of them and they will hear from me.

Saturday orisons, Horrible! How's the grouchy coming along?

I don't know if you recall @mckait /Kath from the old days around here...her younger sister just died very unexpectedly. A kind word would not go amiss on her profile or her Bsky feed.
https://bsky.app/profile/mckait.bsky.social

>211 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy. Yoikes about your ‘friend’. Most Democrats do not condone state murder, and your stance does not surprise me.

I read lots and lots and lots.

>212 ffortsa: Sorry about holding the sibling reunion bag, Judy.

>213 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear. Happy Saturday. Still grouchy, but more tired, since I couldn’t get to sleep ‘til 4 so only got about 3 hours of sleep. Thanks for the heads up re Kath. I’ll post on her profile page.

Wordle 1,547 3/6* trope, radii, nadir

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Between Tamsie cancelling and the kerfuffle over the online book store issue, I was not a happy camper. Talked with Jenna, though, so there' that. I only got 3 hours of sleep, so am pretty tired.

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I got up early to watch the Arsenal Nottingham Forest game at 7:30. Arsenal won 3-0, which made us very happy.

Tonight's the 15th Anniversary of the opening of the new Library from 5-7. I said I'd go, both as a representative of the Board and of the book sort team.

Other than that, napping, spreadsheets and Lightning Round. Puttering, too.

>214 karenmarie: Would a longer nap and no festivities help the grouchy dissolve? I'm pretty much the worst to advise, though, since sleep doesn't present me with problems very often.

Yay for the Arsenal mood-boosting victory!

Two good things - three if you count the Wordle 3 (and I do...Congrats!) - but I'm sorry about the paltry amount of sleep especially when you tried. Nap if you can!!!

Just dropping in to see what you are up to. **looking around...Mm mm mm-m**

The Grand Gracie will be taking the field in about an hour, and I will be streaming the game.

Reading Twain's original version of Huck Finn. I'm dealing with the discovery that, though I've long maintained that I've read and re-read the book, I have no familiarity with the narrative arc. I remember—fuzzily—episodes and tropes, but the specifics don't coalesce for me.

Stay out of trouble, you.

I turned off the alarm in my sleep, got up really late, and need to leave the house in 25 minutes. rather than reply haphazardly, I'll do it when I return.

Wordle 1,548 4/6* trope, vomit, login, noisy

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>215 richardderus: Not going at all would have been nice, RD, simply because it is mostly for kids – face painting, balloons. Food, cake, ice cream, drinks. I had a piece of cake. Stayed ‘til about 6:30.

Arsenal’s win had them top of the table yesterday, but Liverpool won today and they’re back on top of the table. Arsenal is in second place.

>216 LizzieD: Thanks about Wordle. I napped a bit yesterday before going out to the festivities. I got more sleep last night, so that’s good.

I always go upstairs in the afternoon, Peggy. Sometimes I read, sometimes I scroll, sometimes I actually nap. Yesterday I did all three and took all the towels/bath mats and bedding out of the upstairs hall and put them in the Parlour - a.k.a. the dumping ground. The hallway looks really good.

>217 weird_O: Hiya, Bill!! I read Huckleberry Finn last fall and loved it. I’d never read it before. I then read James in January of this year and loved it, too. If you like Huck’s adventures, then you will probably like James if you haven’t already read it.

My middle name is trouble. *smile*

I’m not in any official trouble. Things I qualify as trouble are usually things I have to do outside the house or medical shit. I’m a serious introvert, believe it or not and have been getting antsier and antsier since July. Jenna and Hwan left August 2nd, book sale prep, health stuff, as always. I had a phone appointment with my cardiologist on the 2nd. I’m now off the SGLT2 inhibitor Jardiance and back on an ACE inhibitor, lisinopril. I’m already on a beta blocker, and this week we might add the MRA spironolactone. Her office called to see if I wanted to come in tomorrow at 2:35 because they had a cancellation, I said yes, so that’s moved up.

Yay for the Grand Gracie!!! I hope they won.

Speaking of heart stuff, how are you doing? I’ll visit your thread in a few minutes.

>219 karenmarie: Ah, the see-saw season...the fan's most frustrating thing. I don't follow the sport but do know how exciting it is when two teams are so closely matched.

Enjoy the resting up, the sale's on the way.

>220 richardderus: I'm the type of fan who wants my team to take a hefty lead early and keep it, RD. Today's busy, tomorrow has 2 small errands. So far NOTHING on Wednesday. Thursday - Friday are, of course, the sale.

Wordle 1,549 3/6* trope, snowy, along

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I was at book sale set up from 9 to 11:15 or so. Then I went to the grocery store to get a few things to make friends Geoff and Diane dinner for tonight. When I got home, I felt weird, so I took my blood pressure. It was sooooo low - 74/50. However, everything's fine this morning.

I went upstairs, elevated my feet, drank copious amounts of water and BodyArmor Blue Raspberry, and ate some Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips. Read and dozed. Came downstairs at 4:30 to make dinner. BP slowly came up, 98/65 at 4:30. I made London Broil and French Fries for dinner. In order to give my body a healthy dose of sodium since I had not had enough earlier in the day, I didn't stint on the ketchup and horseradish sauce. by 8 it was 121/73, and this morning it was still 121/73. Memo to self: Do not get dehydrated and eat enough first thing, including a good dose of protein.

We watched an episode of Waking the Dead and I got 6 hours uninterrupted sleep.

...
My cardiologist appointment today is at 2:35. I'm going to go from there to Geoff and Diane's with food. "Geoff wanted to be sure you were going to stay for a bit of a visit too." So I'll visit for a while. It hurts my sense of pride but I'm making Pasta shells Alfredo with jarred 'Alfredo' sauce, packaged salad but am adding grape tomatoes and sliced cucumber, and garlic knots or Texas toast 'with real garlic' This also prevents them having to do anything except bake garlic knots or garlic toast and dish food up.

Otherwise, updating 2025 books spreadsheet, smut spreadsheet, and September Lightning Round. And reading.

>221 karenmarie: Do you make digging sauces for your fries with ketchup and a bit of horseradish sauce? It's one of my favorite indulgences when I eat fries.

Jarred "Alfredo?" KAREN! KAREN, WHEREVER THE IMPOSTOR HID YOU WE WILL FIND YOU!! It must be a special request is all I can think.

Stay hydrated and healthy, sweetiedarling.

Hiya, RD. I do not mix ketchup and horseradish sauce for fries. Only plain ketchup for fries, separate from horseradish sauce for London Broil and Prime Rib. They were on opposite sides of my plate last night. No sauces for steaks. No spices for steaks. Possibly a bit of salt after it's cooked.

However, I love cocktail sauce, which is mostly ketchup and horseradish, with cold shrimp.

Yes, when Geoff requested pasta, I asked 'meat sauce-ish or alfredo sauce-ish'. I do not eat Pasta with Alfredo Sauce, but would like to try fettucine al burro some time. Preferrably in Rome.

I am probably going to lightly saute some pieces of boneless/skinless chicken in butter and garlic and add it. Protein, you know.

*smooch*

Good afternoon, good Karen! I wish you may have a very happy visit with the cardiologist!

Yay for ketchup/horseradish cocktail sauce with shrimp. Yay for horseradish sauce made with real whipping cream for steaks or prime rib!
I do my best not to eat Alfredo sauce at all. Mama liked Stouffer's pasta and broccoli in Alfredo though. It was the only way I could get her to eat broccoli, so she had it every couple of weeks with added fresh broccoli.

>219 karenmarie: I have just recently read James, and that is what prompted me to re-read Huckleberry Finn. I'm very close to the halfway point. The experience is like reading the story for the first time, yet knowing where Jim and Huck are headed. At this moment, the two are dealing with The King and the Duke, and it's familiar. Previously, Huck witnessed the Romeo-and-Juliet feud 'twixt the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons, and that was apparently new to me. Go figure. I can't.

Lotta books demonstrating on the TBR shelf. Gotta address that.

Sadly, Gracie's team not prevail. Apparently, the Smith team hasn't bested the Vassar team since 2013. Fingers crossed didn't help. Smith yielded the decisive goal late in the second overtime. Phooey!

Book sale in Bethlehem on Wednesday. Huzzah!

>225 weird_O: Hi Peggy! The cardiologist visit went well, although she was 45 minutes late. Fortunately I had my handy dandy cell phone and read from the Kindle app. Smut, of course. Unfortunately, my heart ejection fraction dropped a bit with the recent echocardiogram results, hence the tinkering with my heart meds. It's depressing, but when I asked her if it's anything I did or didn't do, she said no. Diet and exercise weren't factors. It's just my heart complaining a bit. She scheduled another echocardiogram for January and I'll visit with her after. Again.

>225 weird_O: Ah, get it about James first then The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I actively disliked the King and the Duke bits in both books and was glad to leave them behind.

Keep the rebellion down! Read some of those rowdy books. Don't tell them you are getting newer, shinier books at the book sale tomorrow. *smile* I'm sorry Gracie's team did not win. It's especially hard to watch a loss in an overtime situation, isn't it?

Wordle 1,550 3/6* trope, fetal, lefty

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Making food for Geoff and Diane was relatively simple since I used jarred Alfredo Sauce. Shells, chicken, alfredo sauce. Packaged salad with added tomatoes and cucumbers. Garlic knots. I stayed 'til about 6. We watched half a Waking the Dead episode. Upstairs, reading, doomscrolling. I slept about 5 hours.

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No book sort/Virlie's since it is book sale week. My cleaning ladies are coming late morning/early afternoon.

Reading, puttering, updating my September Lightning Round. I'm shockingly behind.

>226 karenmarie: Given how extensive the Lightning Rounds are I can relate to getting behind and really feeling it. It's how I got shockingly in arrears on my zillion reviews.

There's got to be some dissonance with not doing the sort! It feels weird to me, and I'm not there.

Sad to learn Bobby Hart of "Boyce &" fame passed on to the Great Studio in the Sky yesterday...but was honestly just as surprised he was still alive. I'm listening to a "best of" compendium on YT but not really enjoying it. Boring sappy music in the 21st century.

*smooch*

>226 karenmarie: I'm sorry to hear your echocardiogram results weren't as hoped, and I very much wish for the the modified medication regimen to give good results. At least it sounds like it wasn't your "fault," so you don't have any reason to berate yourself.

I know about getting behind on reviews. I finished a book on Saturday and still haven't managed to write up my thoughts on my thread yet.

I hope to make it to the book sale Thursday or Friday. I've got a few books I want to look for for my book clubs. Maybe I'll get lucky and hit on one or two.

Congrats on your Wordle in 3! I had a rare Wordle in 2 today.

Gah! How many books did I read on my phone waiting for a doctor to show up and treat a member of my family?! No idea. I get why medicos are so busy, but honestly everyone else in the busy world has managed to sort out their schedule. Doctors just need to stop with the idea that they are indispensable. So is a plumber or an electrician.

Karen, I'm sorry I gave you all that sleep medication information without even considering your current status. Complete boorishness on my part. On the other hand, I was really surprised to learn that melatonin worked for me because I tried it a few years ago and it just tore my stomach up. Must have been the brand.

I'm still reading trash and loving it. I wish I could teach a college course in The Foundations of the Trashy novel, from The Satyricon to Valley of the Dolls.

How are the cats?

Hi, Karen!!! I have to start the feeding so that I can be ready for you on the phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another downer of getting older....... It's a relief to know that you didn't/couldn't do anything to change your situation. It's a sadness to realize that that's where you are. We'll do our best and enjoy while we can!

Book sale in Bethlehem today. The doors opened at noon, and I was settled in my wing chair sipping my coffee, surfing for Drumpf's obituary. Doubly disappointed. I just have so many chores being avoided. Plus I am just forty pages shy of Twain's conclusion of Huckleberry Finn. I am really glad I chose to re-read it.

Glad too that that GuyInVirginia has popped up on your thread. I always enjoyed his posts.

You're very quiet today...resting, I hope, not having problems. Like Bill, I'm sad the obituary I long to read was not available. *sigh*

>227 richardderus: My goodness. I thought I posted on my own thread this morning. Guess I didn’t, and I can’t find all my lovely replies. I’ll say it again, I’m always impressed at how intelligent and thorough your reviews, even if they’re from month old- or year-old notes.

It was strange to not have book sort/Virlie’s yesterday. My cleaning ladies came, so yay.

I liked the Monkees, although one of my favorite songs, Zor and Zam wasn’t written by Boyce and Hart. It made a huge impression on me and, along with Alice’s Restaurant, are two of the more important anti-war songs I remember. *smooch*

>228 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I hope to see you tomorrow or Friday. If I’m not in the Holmes Room, ask one of the book sale volunteers where the children’s room is.

Thanks for your Wordle 2. I had another 3 today.

>229 SomeGuyInVirginia: Hi Larry! I’ve only recently taken to reading books on my cell phone instead of taking my Kindle everywhere with me, and that’s after I started taking paper books everywhere.

I wish I could take sleep meds, but I would never take anything before checking for drug interactions anyway. Melatonin and Benadryl don’t work for me either.

Yay for Trash!! I’m loving trash, too. You may or may not realize that I’ve pretty much only reading MM romance since the summer of 2022. Blame Richard.

The kitties are fine – they are very affectionate and supportive (as opposed to needy) and are healthy.

>230 LizzieD: I’m glad you got the cat children fed so that we could have a wonderful, long chat. We discussed guilt today, and I usually experience it in spades. This is one thing that I can let go.

>231 weird_O: I hope you found way too many books for the rest of the spaces on your shelves, Bill. Disappointing about not finding the obituary.

Larry’s been sorely missed, and the more we can see him, the happier I am.

>232 richardderus: Gads. I’m find – thought I’d posted, had a lovely response written and somehow lost it. Sigh indeed. *smooch*

Wordle 1,551 3/6* trope, tenet, teeth

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Cleaning ladies, reading, spreadsheet and Lightning Round updates. Waking the Dead, and perhaps 6 or so hours of sleep.

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I ended up going to get blood drawn for the bloodwork my cardiologist ordered, then stopping off at the Library to do a bit of final sorting of books into the correct section - fiction or mystery. That's only two of perhaps 20 categories. Then home, reading, and talking with Peggy.

Tomorrow's the first day of the book sale.

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>233 karenmarie: Right now I'm not sure if I'll make it to the sale tomorrow. I was so upset by the latest attack on democracy that I couldn't eat my salad at dinner tonight after the news report. I'll just have to see if I'm up to going out after I get up tomorrow. It may take me until Friday. I do need to get over there at some point though.

>233 karenmarie: I was too subtle, I think. Apologies. When the door to the sale room opened, I was sipping coffee about 25 miles to the west, in my own library. In other words, I didn't go. My driver, who is my book shopping companion, is recovering from surgery and wasn't up to madness. As for finding too many books for the open spaces on my shelves, all I have to do is look around. I already have them.

But I did complete Huck Finn.

>234 atozgrl: Hi Irene! No worries... I don't follow the news 90% of the time. When I looked just now, do you mean the FCC pulling Jimmy Kimmel? I hope that you feel up to coming sometime during the sale.

>235 weird_O: Ah. Too subtle for me right now, Bill. No problems. I understand having just a few books to read on your own shelves. I've got 41 I've abandoned but still think I might read, and 3,001 tagged tbr.

Wordle 1,552 6/6* trope, slime, chide, naive, ovine, knife Whew.

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I got 6 hours of sleep last night and woke up to the dratted alarm this morning. All in a good cause, but I really dislike waking up to an alarm.

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I'll be leaving for the book sale in about 35 minutes.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Very quick check-in. I am heading out to pick up the kids. We leave again tomorrow for a weekend Cincinnati trip with friends. Busy, busy, busy...

I hope all is well with you, my friend. ❤️

>236 karenmarie: and 3,001 tagged tbr

OMG, Karen - you have several times more books tagged TBR than I have in my entire home.

>236 karenmarie: Book-sale happily, sweetiedarling. I'm tired thinking about it.

Thank you re: reviews. I've been doing the note-taking thing since my sister berated and belittled me for forgetting how A Tale of Two Cities ended...she *adored* (probably still adores) Chuckles the Dick. I realized I forget more than I remember early and have learned what notes link to things central ideas I find. Also, dementia scares me witless living where I do.

I'm still beaming from our long conversation yesterday, Karen. Happy day! Hope the book sale is also a happy day and that you are energized by it rather than depleted. I'd need a rest for sure! I also hope you pick up another treasure or 2. I'd love to be there!!!!

I thought today's Wordle, although a common word, was really nasty, and I was glad to get my 5 even with help. Sheesh. That's 2 days in a row now. Congrats to both of us for keeping streaks alive!

I read (and retained!) long ago, Richard that real readers forget as they move on to the next book. However little of our brain function we use, the reading details aren't something that our minds deem important enough to store when we're constantly adding more and more.
(This reminds me that I'd like to under stand a LOT more about brain function.)

>236 karenmarie: Yes, the Kimmel news was it yesterday. Breaking in the middle of the evening news. It sure made me feel like we're not a democracy any more. Everything at the whim of whatever is in the White House. While Congress and the Supreme Court lie down and allow it.

I'm in better spirits today, but it's been a busy week, and I decided to take a day for myself, so I didn't go anywhere. I also wanted to finish The Frozen River, since I needed to know what happens, and I hadn't had enough time to read much the last couple of days. I do plan to make it over to the sale sometime tomorrow. I hope it was a good day for the sale today, and you made some good money.

ETA: Do YA books get their own section at the sale? Are they in with the children's books? or just mixed in with regular adult titles? I ask, because some of my upcoming book club reads are YA titles.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/373973

>237 msf59: Hi Mark! Happy Friday to you. Yesterday, of course, got away from me. Wow, busy, busy, busy. I’m doing … okay … trying to get my mind around my less than stellar echo-cardiogram result. I’ll just keep plugging along and do what I can do. And, I miss my daughter(s) desperately.

Enjoy your weekend Cincinnati trip.

>238 PawsforThought: Alas, Paws, yes, I do. I wouldn’t say collecting books is a sickness, but it is definitely something that only a few of us indulge to the nth degree. I’m talking about Peggy, Bill, Stasia, and Paul specifically.

>239 richardderus: I had a good book-sale-ing day, RD. I only acquired 15, report to come later, most likely tomorrow. Of the 15, 4 were for Karen’s cousin Helen, and one for Karen. I’m mad on your behalf that your sister belittled you, but we here on LT are enriched by your ‘note-taking-thing’.

>240 LizzieD: It always makes me so happy to hear your voice, my dear Peggy! Yes regards your Wordle streak. Mine’s only 47 days right now, and my longest was 150. I got a Wordle Badge!

I guess I’m a real reader then. I store bits and pieces of books read over the years, and have a few authors whose books I’ve read enough times to retain plots, characters, and etc., specifically Heyer, Sayers, and Christie. But, on the whole, I usually only retain vague impressions of books I've finished.

>241 atozgrl: I’m glad you’re taking a day for yourself. We’re reading The Frozen River for November’s meeting, and I’m actually looking forward to it.

Our children’s books, which are broken into 3 age categories – 0-5, 6-11, 12-18 – are separated from the adult books in the children’s room. We get to use the Storytime Room at the Library for our sale. YA books are part of the 12-18 sub-category.

>242 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you!!

Wordle 1,553 4/6* trope, remit, eater, later

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I survived the book sale! I found 15 books, many less than usual, but the dealers were being ridiculous with leaving their tubs around, and for some reason I just didn't find too many books that interested me. I was in the children's room except when I was buying books and eating lunch. In the children's room we total what is owed, bag the books, and put a pink slip on one of the bags with the first initial, last name of the buyer and the $. They pay in the lobby. We had helpers, who consolidated books and put empty boxes on the floor in the corner, put books back into the correct sub-category, and etc.

I was stunned to read that our sales total for yesterday, excluding Square charges, was $14,137. We've had some sales that barely got to $14K over 3 days.

I got home at 5:15. Bill and I continued with our normal evening except that we only watched one part of a 2-part episode of Waking the Dead. I'm afraid it was one of the more bizarre ones and we looked at each other at the end with WHAT?!? on our lips.
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I'll be in the children's room again today, too, with the occasional shopping and eating break. So, 9-5. I don't have to deal with money any more, so don't have to stay late.

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. I am sorry to hear about your echo-cardiogram results and missing your daughters. Keep your chin up, my friend. I barely skimmed your thread yesterday, due to time restraints. We will be back later Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the weekend.

>243 karenmarie: Used books are a bargain, and people really need bargains. The world as it is fuels escapist thinking! I'm glad some are using this as their chance to read.

9 to 5...have you got your Dolly Parton wig ready for a closing number as you leave? xo

>244 msf59: 'Morning Mark the next morning! Thanks re the echocardiogram and my daughters. Chin's up, enjoy your time in Cincinnati.

>245 richardderus: People are thrilled with our sales and we get thanked all the time for having them. Yesterday was no exception. You know, RD, I haven't watched 9 to 5 in decades. I didn't remember that it was from 1980.

Last night's report of revenue was $4,162, so a total of $19,279. We'll break $20K, an unusually high total in recent years. Today will be hard fought, though, with each bag of books selling for $5.

I just added up the $ for books I acquired between sales that are of the category and quality that we would have sold at the sale. I owe the Friends $179 today.

Wordle 1,554 3/6* trope, reedy, defer

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The children's room was great for an extrovert, not so much for an introvert. I can extrovert with the best of them, but only for short spurts of time before I Don't.Like.People. I worked 9-5, with half an hour for pizza, bought by our wonderful Librarian Rita. I'm slowly incorporating it back into my diet, but only rarely.

The best part of the day was when Irene found me in the children's room. We hugged then chatted for perhaps 15 minutes or so. We always have so much to talk about, but rarely see each other in person. Thank you, Irene, for finding me in the children's room AND shopping. I hope you found a few good books. I got 6.5 hours of sleep last night.

Talked with both Jenna and Karen.

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Today is 9-2, $5/bag day. I'm going to hit up the oldies/classics section, the cookbook section, and the religion/philosophy section. I might even pick up a few of the Louise Penny hardcovers for Karen's cousin Helen. I need to pick up a prescription and go to the grocery store after.

>246 karenmarie: Bag Day is always my personal favorite of the sale days. I've shelved lots of dross and some gems from those days. With the advent of Little Free Libraries, I really felt no guilt filling up bags to the brim since there was always a free place to release the ones I didn't want.

Hoping for some gems for you! *smooch*

Hi RD! They still had boxes of books in the children's room at the beginning of the day, but finally found a place to move the last ~20 or to what was the AV area before it surprisingly got cleared out around noon. At that point, I was more in the way than out of the way, so left about 12:15 or so.

Here is the total list of my acquisitions, Thursday - today:

For Karen's cousin Helen:
The Madness of Crowds
A Better Man
Kingdom of the Blind
A Fatal Grace
Glass Houses
Still Life

For Karen:
The Emergence of Conservative Judaism
You Are Becoming a Galactic Human
The Gospel of Mark

For Me:
To Kill A Mockingbird performed by Sissy Spacek
Killingly by Katharine Beutner
The Book of Common Prayer
Not in God's Name by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Death By Chocolate Cakes by Marcel Desaulniers
With Lee in Virginia by G.A. Henty
God Is Not One by Stephen Prothero
The Complete Short Stories of Saki
The Bible as History by Werner Keller
Journal of a Lady of Quality by Janet Schaw
Seven Complete Perry Mason Novels by Erle Stanley Gardner
Black Death at the Golden Gate by David K Randall
From Spanish Court to Italian Ghetto by Hayim Yerushalmi
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Elaine Bracket and the Dragon King by Elsa B. Trotman - self published, signed
American Classics By the Editors of Cook's Illistrated Magazine

And, from Amazon for book club: How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith

Whew.

Stopped at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription then went to the grocery store for a few things.

>248 karenmarie: Goodness, such a haul! Your new cookbook sounds intriguing.

>246 karenmarie: Hi, Karen, it was wonderful to see you yesterday! I wanted to sit and talk longer, but it always takes me quite a while to work my way through the books, so I figured I'd better get started or I'd be there all day. I did come home with a haul; a bag stuffed full. I haven't made time yet to list them all on my thread, but I will. And thank you again for getting The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time for me! I do so appreciate it!

I did not find the books I was looking for for my upcoming book club reads, so I stopped by Circle City Books on my way back home. I did find two of the books there, plus an additional one that's on my wishlist, so I came away with a lot of books in total yesterday. They also had a copy of Animal Farm, but it wasn't of the quality that I wanted, so I didn't pick it up. I'm thinking that maybe I need to get my own copies of Animal Farm and 1984, so I may wind up buying new. I'll let you know if I decide to take you up on your offer of borrowing your copies. And again, thanks for the offer!

I'm so glad to hear that the sales went so well this time. It's nice that the children's room cleared out and you were able to head home early. You scored well with your own haul!

Rest up tomorrow, and I hope you don't need to go anywhere so your introvert self can recover!

>249 richardderus: 'Morning, RDear! The cookbook is fascinating. Each recipe describes the reason it was chosen or what considerations were used to develop it. And, why would I ever consider frying bacon when they so convincingly tell me to bake it? The cheesecake recipe is overcomplicated, although the graham cracker crust is a must. To be fair, they call it New York Cheesecake, and the one you and I swear by is from the Knudsen Sour Cream Carton. The sour cream coffee cake, a behemoth with 2 swirled layers of struesel and a different struesel for the top, sounds sooooo good. Too many of the savory dishes use mustard, which I do not like except for on pastrami sandwiches or corned beef dinner or sandwiches. Too much onion, too, in some of the casseroles. However, the recipe discussions are interesting and the baked goods recipes all look fantastic. *smooch*

>250 atozgrl: I was very happy to look up and see you on Friday! Yes, our visit was shorter than either of us would have liked, but The Books Called!!! I’ll be interested in seeing your haul. You’re welcome re Curious Incident. I’m glad you were able to augment your book sale haul with Circle City books.

You will definitely not want my copies of the Orwell books because they’re mass-market paperbacks. In fact, I need to eventually upgrade to good quality trade paperbacks or hardcover copies.

Wordle 1,555 3/6* trope, boney, coven

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This book sale was hugely successful. Our 3-day total was $20K. That excludes expenses, which are minimal - occasional supplies, and 2.75% card charge that we absorb. The revenue also included 10% discount for members, too. So lots of items left with happy customers. We have ~18K items every 6 months.

I got horizontal for a while, reading and dozing. I've decided we're done with Waking the Dead. Bill ends up dozing through half or more of each episode anyway. No more eye blinks for this one. One of the book sort team members mentioned Only Murders in the Building, a Thursday Murder Club-wannabe. It looks good, so we'll try that tonight. I spoke with friend Diane, friend Karen, AND Jenna, so was pretty phoned-out by the end of the evening. Read, doomscrolled.

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I need to get some things under control that have gone by the wayside during last week's adventures. Not all necessarily today, but I can pick and choose:

1. put up clean laundry and wash/dry two loads
2. replenish the bird feeders and the bird bath
3. clean out the refrigerator
4. work on Jenna's closet
5. read
6. nap>
7. update spreadsheets and September Lightning round
8. make chili because I'm craving it

Arsenal plays Man City at 11:30.

>251 karenmarie: Enjoy the match later on...Cooks Illustrated and team are my own go-tos for this reason. I am, it will startle you to learn, as or more interested in why as in what in almost All cases. (I waffled by putting in "almost" because, while I can't think of a case where I'm NOT, statistically there must be one.)

Being both a mustard- and an onion-lover, those concerns are invisible to me. I made a mustard, beer, egg and sour-cream soufflé "sauce" for Brussels sprouts and pearl onions that netted me a marriage proposal. I loved it, and of course that.

Sunday *smooch*

>251 karenmarie: I am thrilled to hear that the Friends pulled in so much money at the book sale! But dang it, I didn't think about the card charge being an issue and used my card. I could have paid cash and saved your group some money. I finally posted my haul over on my thread.

I have seen the first two seasons of Only Murders in the Building and liked it. ABC has aired those 2 seasons well behind the original Hulu stream on the network in January the last two years. I've now got access to Hulu, so I need to catch up but haven't gotten around to it yet. I hope you enjoy it!

Wishing you a great, and hopefully quieter, week!

Oh. My. GOODNESS!!!!! What a great book sale!!!!!!! I'm thrilled for you all.

Now I hope you're not only resting today but will give yourself permission to do next to nothing for several more days. Choose to do only one thing you dislike per day! That's my advice, and I'll stick to it.

I agree with P3ggy above -- i hope you had time to rest. I vowed to read today, but cleaning, spending time with grand daughter Kayla, nursing Meow, Meow, our cat who had another nasty asthma outbreak, paying bills, watering the outside gardens, a bit of grocery shopping and then watching the special regarding Charlie Kirk, I had zero time to read a book.

I will stay in pjs tomorrow and read! I think I only read one book in September. That's an all time low for me.

Your book sale sounds like it was exciting!

Morning, Karen. We are back. Another fine trip in the bank. We head out on Thursday for our next camping trip, which also involves a wedding in Michigan. Busy times. Looking forward to it slowing down a bit.

I hope all is well there. Nice book haul up there.

>252 richardderus: Hiya, RD! Thank you. My friend Rhoda saw me looking at the book on Saturday, which was $5/bag day. It fit in the bag. She said it was a great cookbook. I have to agree. The why is the great part, like you say – why to include/exclude particular ingredients, why a particular recipe, why particular methods or equipment, the history of ingredients. It’s all fascinating to someone who loves to cook/bake, although I do less of each every year.

Arsenal and Man City drew at 1-1 each. Arsenal is second in the table because of goal differential, 5 points behind Liverpool. Remember, of course, that winning a match is 3 points, drawing is 1 point, losing is 0 points.

Growing up, I can only think of a few recipes that had onions in them – chili, vegetable beef soup, liver/onions, pepper steak. I’m not even sure if I had onion rings ‘til fast food and/or boyfriend in college. Mustard, never. I love sprouts steamed and served with butter and a pinch of salt or roasted, various recipes.

*smooch*

>253 atozgrl: No worries, Irene, about using your credit card. It’s only 2.5%, and we made a decision when we implemented credit cards in 2017 to absorb the cost as a benefit to our customers. If you can use cash or check, great, but totally unnecessary.

Good to know you like Only Murders in the Building. We get it on HULU. Last night was my last episode of Waking the Dead.

Thanks my quieter week. I’ve got a hair cut on Wednesday, coffee with a friend on Thursday, and a chiropractor appointment on Friday.

>254 LizzieD: I know, Peggy, exciting. Thank you. We’re thrilled, too. I’m resting today. One thing I dislike. Today's is folding and putting up laundry, I guess. At least I can continue to listen to The Hallmarked Man. I love your advice, and love you.

>255 Whisper1: Linda, it’s so good to see you here. I’ve been derelict in visiting so many of my friends this year. I apologize. I’m sorry about Meow Meow’s asthma outbreak. Hope the various errands got done and run. Interesting that you want to watch the special regarding Charlie Kirk. I hope you can read today, pj-clad. Our book sales are exciting. I love the energy getting ready and the excitement as people find books on their lists and ones that just call out to them.

>256 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Welcome back, and back out on Thursday. I’m glad you’re keeping busy with friends and family. The book sale went well, and all is reasonably well. *shrug*

Wordle 1,556 4/6* trope, clank, filly, quill

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Yesterday was the Arsenal game. I washed 2 loads of laundry, worked a bit on Jenna's closet, and read/napped. I got a good amount of sleep, perhaps 6 hours.

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Nothing outside the house unless I want to go to the grocery store to get an onion to make chili. I didn't realize I didn't have one until this morning. Sigh. I usually keep one or two in the house during the summer, and a small bag of them in the garage in winter.

>257 karenmarie: No mustard. Anywhere. Ever. No raw onion on your cheeseburger, no purple onion in your salad, no garlic in the pasta or on the pizza. Not the world I had growing up, or the one I made after, so it feels...alien...to my allium/brassica-lovin' self.

I think I've mentioned Shirley O. Corriher to you before, her cookbooks were my go-to housewarming gifts to people who were clueless about food. More experienced folk often got The Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum because it is absolutely foolproof at explaining how to figure out the way to get the fluffiest, most inviting sponge cakes ever. The frosting and icing recipes are above average, too. Food's too important to spend more than the minimum of resources on substandard, cheerless, joyless body fuel.

Monday orisons, sweetiedarling.

>258 richardderus: I'm with you, Richard. I can't imagine a world without onions and mustard. When my DH was dealing with an ulcer and was told not to eat onions, I had a hard time with the cooking. Between that and no tomatoes/ tomato products, it was extremely limiting.

>259 atozgrl: ...often together in my pots and pans...

Morning, Karen. I had a good time playing PB yesterday and will squeeze in a little time after dropping off the kids. A Costco run after that for gas and camping grub. I topped off the feeders. The birds were appreciative.

>258 richardderus: I like cooked onions in soup/stew items, in some casseroles, in baked chicken/potato/carrot/onion concoctions. Oh, and onion rings. I had a piece of vegetable pizza last Friday at the book sale and the onions on it were pleasing. Less so, the green peppers. (Only raw green peppers, never, ever, cooked. So I always leave them out of any recipe that calls for them cooked and the recipe comes out just fine.) I only like mustard with hot pastrami sandwiches, hot corned beef sandwiches, and corned beef/cabbage. Nothing dijonnaise. In fact, it took me a while to find a leg of lamb recipe earlier this year that did not have mustard in the rub/marinade. Yes. No raw onion on a burger or other sandwich, no purple or other colored onion except green in salads. And it’s a serious, forever no for a hot dog with mustard and raw onion.

No raw garlic, but I like garlic in cooked things and minced and baked on garlic toast. What’s something that you will not eat, RD?

How lovely to be on the receiving end of a cook book from you. I’d love to have any of the four books Corriher wrote. The Cake Bible looks fantastic, too.

Food's too important to spend more than the minimum of resources on substandard, cheerless, joyless body fuel. I agree. I live to eat. I literally only remember one time that I ate to live – an 8-day stretch in 2023 after my left knee replacement surgery. I lost 8 pounds.

*smooch*

>259 atozgrl: You and Richard can have all the raw onions and mustard in the world, except for when I want a pastrami or corned beef sandwich or make corned beef and cabbage, Irene. *smile*

Since my heart attack and having to be on a low-sodium diet, I’ve had to give up most prepared meals. I have heavily modified my chili and vegetable beef soup recipes because of the sodium in canned tomatoes, sauce, paste.

>260 richardderus: Onions and garlic are in my pans a lot, also my casserole and other baking dishes.

>261 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. I’m glad you had a good time and will have a good time playing PB. Errands for a trip are the best kind, and yes, your birds appreciate you.

I do not have any birds on any feeders right now and the feeders need serious replenishment.

Wordle 1,557 4/6* trope, idiot, junto, mouth

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I read. I puttered. I repackaged a box of books for Karen into two boxes of books for Karen because one is too heavy, but two, one on each side, are doable. I napped. I did not go to the store to get an onion, so therefore we didn't have chili last night. We watched the first 3 episodes of season one of Only Murders in the Building. I adore it. It's a combination of slapstick, physical comedy, and throw-away lines. I'm intrigued and we'll continue watching tonight.

I got about 8 hours of sleep total. I spoke with Karen and Jenna.

Hwan's first day of teaching was yesterday. Jenna said she was thrilled. She had 3 sections of Introduction to Astronomy. The classroom is well-appointed, the equipment is state-of-the-art. It's her classroom, not shared with any other professor. Someone in the department even made a box of markers/highlighters for her, with her name on the outside. She teaches Monday - Thursday. The department decided sometime before this semester that they would not teach or have office hours on Friday, but would work from home and have video meetings if needed.

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PO and grocery store to get an onion. Of course I'll get a few other things, too.

Chili and possibly Best Garlic Toast.

Reading, spreadsheet/Lightning Round updating, puttering, napping.

>262 karenmarie: Chili and garlic toast! How on Earth have I never thought of that before?! It sounds super scrummy.

I refuse to eat corn on the cob at all, ever, not even to be polite. Flossing for an hour after eating something unpleasantly like styrofoam pellets in texture ain't for me. I avoid all yammy things unless trapped by manners. Never ever ever try to feed me a marshmallow, marshmallow fluff, or œufs à la neige. Not thrilled by any meringue, will decapitate lemon or coconut pies so I can enjoy them. Ixnay on the apesgray.

You already know about *shudder* chocolate.

Dislike but will eat turkey, squash without fat and breadcrumbs, green peppers, untoasted white bread. Soft baked goods in general better have oodles of not-chocolate frosting or I'll try to wiggle out of eating them.

The fucking idiot AI creates so much more work for me I want its perpetrators sent to hell on slow, painful trips. I've had to correct its "corrections" fifty quadzillion times in this post alone.

Hi, RD! If I wasn't a tad lazy, I'd make cornbread today, but garlic toast complements my chili too. I do not use garlic in my chili, after all, so there's a just the right amount of garlic in the meal.

Ah yes, I remember your dislike of corn on the cob. The last time I ate it was in 2010, at the family farm in Iowa. Fresh picked - the only way to eat it at all. I just looked up œufs à la neige. Ugh. The custard sounds yummy, but I agree about the meringue. I always made Lemon Meringue pie for my MiL for her birthday. She shared the day with Jenna, so I also made a pumpkin pie. Cream pies should only be served with freshly whipped cream, on the piece that's being served, never on the whole pie with leftovers put up.

Thanks for the reminder about all the other things you dislike.

*smooch*

>264 karenmarie: I've been served œufs à la neige unavoidably, and eaten them reluctantly. They're revolting. The custardy bit's okay, but I prefer a set custard every time...All the way around that dessert is the food equivalent of misty foggy 35° February days spent outdoors.

>264 karenmarie: and >265 richardderus: It’s a good thing either of you is likely to come eat at my place. Lemon meringue pie is my absolute favourite dessert.

>266 PawsforThought: I adore the lemon part! Think of it as twice the meringue for you! *pie fork at the ready*

>243 karenmarie: Hooray for the book sale finds and for the wonderful amount raised! I am always amazed at book sale totals. My little town has a book sale twice a year for four days each. For a population of 7000 people the fall sale ended up with 8000 in revenue based purely on pay what you want system.

>248 karenmarie: Excellent finds!

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I hope you got another solid nights sleep. PB early and then heading out to pick up the camper. I will bring it back here, plug it in and slowly get it ready to go. Feeders have been very quiet. Transition time?

FYI- We closed on the aunt's house. Fortunately, we found the right buyer. Now, Sue has to take care of the aftermath- we got stuck with alot of the aunt's crap. She also has to take care of all the medicaid stuff, which is endless. Sighs...

>265 richardderus: For some reason, ‘set custard’ made me think of rice pudding. I know it’s not custard, but darn it, now I want some. Or, alternatively, flan. LOL to misty foggy 35° February days spent outdoors. *smooch*

>266 PawsforThought: I’ll eat meringue on Lemon Meringue Pie, Paws. And, when I make it, I only put about 2 inches of meringue on it. It was, after all, my MiL’s favorite birthday cake/pie, and I loved making it for her. Let’s see … my favorite fruit pie is Apple Pie. My favorite pie is Coconut Cream Pie.

>267 richardderus: You’re so generous, RD!

>268 figsfromthistle: Hi Figs. It’s strange that we have such huge and successful book sales. Our town is 4,537 people, 2020 census. We have quite a few high-end developments within the county , too. However, our sales started small. I went to several in the late 1990s, joined the Friends in 1999. We had sales in the Kiwanis building in town, then got our own library, attached to the community college, in 2010. 8K in revenue is not bad at all. I cannot imagine pay what you want. Thanks re my finds. They’re safely cataloged and on the Little Yellow Table in the Sunroom, waiting for me to find shelf spots for them.

>269 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you, too. I did get a solid night’s sleep, thank you. 6.5 hours or so. Sounds like a busy day between PB and camper fetching and prep. I haven’t seen the Indigo Bunting in over a week, so figure he’s heading back to his winter home.



Wordle 1,558 3/6* trope, vista, blunt

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I wanted to mail volume 21 of the 23-volume set of The Pulpit Commentary to Karen. I boxed it, sealed it, and addressed it. I went to the PO to mail it, and they were closed because they didn't have internet or phones. Go figure. I got the onion and a few other things at the grocery store.

The chili and Best Garlic Toast ever got made and consumed.

We watched 2 episodes of Only Murders in the Building. Spoke with Jenna later. Hwan's second day was as good as the first.

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I have a haircut at 11 a.m. in Carrboro, where Jenna and Hwan used to live. Parking can be a nightmare, so I'm going to get there really early, just in case. I can sit and read until the appointment. I may go to the car wash in Carrboro after. My SUV really needs a bath. And, perhaps Taco Bell. And definitely check to see if the PO's open today.

The bird feeders need serious attention, too.

We have leftover chili and I can make more garlic toast tonight. It's pretty easy and is SOOOO good. More Only Murders in the Building.

>270 karenmarie: *noble profile* I am nothing if not Ready To Serve. Now...where's the pie?

Rice pudding is custard, just with bits in it. It is a delight, a treat I seldom give myself because it is such a carb-fest that I feel sluggish and logy for the next 24hrs after eating it.

The PO had no phone or internet service?! That's not normal, I hope it doesn't recur. Enjoy Only Murders! *smooch*

>266 PawsforThought: Ha! That's what I like to say when people look confused about my not eating certain things. "Even more for you, that's great!"

>270 karenmarie: Two inches of meringue sounds like a lot to me! I'm not normally big on pies, because I don't like pie crust. If it's not lemon meringue (and I want the crust as thin as physics will allow) I want it to be a crumble pie. Rhubarb is a favourite, but I like all fruit and berry pies I've tried. Pumpkin pie isn't a thing here and I've never heard of coconut cream pie before.

Seems like it's been forever since I checked on you. I hope that you have enjoyed the chili and garlic toast!

I wonder why I've never liked pies as much as I like cakes? Mama had a sinfully rich fudge pie that her bridge club insisted that she serve every time she hosted for nearly 40 years. It was GOOD, and I have the recipe. Otherwise, my favorite pie is coconut cream too. Lemon meringue ranks third.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. The camper is in the driveway. I am tending to the kids and then we will finishing packing everything for the trip. Hope to be on the road between 11-12. Looks like our weather will be beautiful.

Hold down the fort, my friend and I will return on Monday.

>271 richardderus: Hiya, RD! Forget the pie! I want Rice Pudding. The PO had internet and phones yesterday. *smooch*

>272 PawsforThought: It’s a ratio of 2-1 meringue to lemon filling on the recipe I use, but my recipe calls for 5 eggs separated, beating the 5 egg whites with ½ t Cream of Tartar ‘til stiff. I could always use 3 egg whites and ¼ t (rounded) Cream of Tartar.

You might like my pie crust. I found it when I was ~50, having tried lots of others unsuccessfully. I love rhubarb, so a rhubarb pie sounds delicious. Cream pies are what we call custard pies. You make a custard then flavor it with bananas, coconut, chocolate, etc.

>273 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! The chili and freshly-made garlic toast was as good last night as the night before. I think we have enough to have it again tonight, and that will be the last of it.

Fudge Pie? Sounds wonderful. I looked ‘fudge pie’ up on the internet, and it sounds yummy.

I think I prefer cake, too, but only because they’re easier to make than pies since I make scratch crusts. White or yellow with chocolate buttercream frosting, German Chocolate cake, Betty Crocker’s one bowl chocolate cake. Even Dear Abby’s Chocolate Cake.

I even like fruit cake, but only Collins Street Bakery fruit cake or the recipe my mother used.

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I successfully navigated the parking situation to get my hair cut yesterday. Every single space on or near Franklin Street in Chapel Hill is either private or metered. I found a metered lot across the street and down a bit from the hair styling salon. I got there early enough to sit for 15 minutes and read, and Tristan gave me a haircut I'm pleased with. She took a bit more off the length than I wanted, but hair grows, doesn't it? I stopped off at the PO on the way back. I wanted it to get there faster than Media Mail so I paid $19.60 for the privilege of Ground Advantage. For one book, 2 lb 13.4 ounces.

We watched Arsenal play and beat Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, 2-0. It was mostly boring, except for the two goals Arsenal got.

Chili and freshly-made garlic toast for dinner while watching Only Murders in the Building. Reading, chatting with Jenna, doomscrolling. I got about 6 hours of sleep.

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I'm supposed to be meeting friend Tamsie for coffee today at the Belted Goat at noon. We'll see if she can make it - we've both cancelled last minute so I wouldn't be surprised if she does so. Otherwise, I'll read, update my Lightning Round, and continue working on the upstairs. The last of the chili with garlic toast for dinner, using the last of the chili. We'll watch the last two episodes of the first season of Only Murders in the Building tonight. Episode 7 ended up with a shocker at the end.

>275 karenmarie: Collin Street Bakery's fruitcake! There's a memory...driving through Corsicana on the way up to Valerie's in Plano way back when. Always a stop there, despite their coffee being made with the foulest-tasting water in Christendom. Why were their baked goods so tasty, I always wondered, when the water was practically carbonated by methane?

Happy Thursdaying, sweetiedarling. I hope you and Tamsie get together, it's satisfying to see people IRL.

>275 karenmarie: We don't really do custard pies (aside from lemon meringue which I guess would count as a custard pie). Pies here tend to be fruit/berry pies.

Karen, I'll look up fudge pie to see what they make of it and send you Mama's recipe if it's different. I remember it as being a bit labor intensive, but Oh. My. Goodness. We didn't need it often because it's bound to clog at least one artery per person in a family of 3 per pie!

Hope you get to meet Tamsie. Otherwise, enjoy your day. I'm feeding cats and then settling down to enjoy mine.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/374175

>273 LizzieD: Well, I'm the opposite. I like pies in general a lot more than cake. Fruit or berry pies are great. My mom made rhubarb pie once when I was a kid, and I've never forgotten how much I loved it. I wish she would have made it again. Our traditional holiday pie was black bottom pie, which I still make when I'm home for Christmas or Thanksgiving. It's a lot of work, and it's rich, but it's so good. On the other hand, one pie I do *not* like is pumpkin pie.

>275 karenmarie: A lot of fruit cakes are pretty bad. But I really like the one that Southern Supreme in Bear Creek makes.

>280 atozgrl: This sounds very intriguing. What on Earth is black bottom pie?

>276 richardderus: I’ve still got several 1-lb tins here somewhere, RD. I never went to Corsicana. Mom was usually given one or two each Christmas from customers at the bank she worked at. I eventually started ordering them, but not every year. This may be a year to order one. Bill and Jenna don’t like it. Weird about the water. *smooch*

>277 PawsforThought: Yum to fruit pies, Paws.

>278 LizzieD: I’d love to see your Mama’s fudge pie recipe, Peggy. Artery-clogging properties duly noted. *smile* I hope you had a good day.

>279 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver!

>280 atozgrl: Hi Irene. I like cakes and pies, but really only if they’re homemade. The two exceptions are Marie Callender's Razzleberry Pie and Coconut Cake from Virlie’s.

Going to Southern Supreme was quite a pilgrimage for the women I worked with in Sanford. It was a big deal to caravan down to get Christmas presents.

>280 atozgrl: Do you have a special recipe, Irene?

>281 PawsforThought: Black bottom pie is a type of pie originating in the United States that features a layer of chocolate pastry cream or pudding, the "black bottom", topped with whipped cream or meringue. The single crust is pre-baked and of variable composition, but a graham crust is common.

Origin
Black bottom pie is thought by some to be of Southern origin, the "black bottom" representing the dark, swampy lowlands along the Mississippi River, other sources have identified an origin in Louisiana or Oklahoma City in the early 1940s. Its invention has been claimed by Monroe Boston Strause of Los Angeles. Strause, who was known as the "Pie King", was the inventor of the chiffon and the graham cracker crust. – Wikipedia (hyperlinks removed)

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Tamsie and I met at The Belted Goat. We didn't do much for their bottom line - I had unsweet tea with lemon and Tamsie just had water. We chatted for about 1 3/4 hours. We went into McIntyre's, the indie bookstore next door, but I just wasn't feeling it. I left Tamsie there and headed on home.

We finished off the chili last night, with freshly made garlic toast. We finished Season 1 of Only Murders in the Building. Oh my, we really love it.

I spoke with Karen and Jenna and got about 5 hours of sleep.

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I have a chiropractor's appointment at noon today. Other than that, all the usual things.

>282 karenmarie: Here's hoping the adjustment does you right. Those tins are bound to be collector's items and very useful; unless you decide to lighten the load sometime I bet you're utilizing them already.

I think you'll keep enjoying Only Murders for its charm and wit. Lovely to have such a non-frenetic but still fun to follow show. *smooch*

>282 karenmarie: Thanks for the explanation, Karen! Doesn’t sound like it’d be my kind of thing, but always interesting to learn about different foods.

>281 PawsforThought: >282 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen, for providing the explanation of black bottom pie. I've got my mother's recipe, but it might have come out of a cookbook originally, I don't know. We use the graham cracker crust, with a bit of sugar and cinnamon in it. Then make custard, take some of the custard and mix it with melted chocolate--that's the bottom layer. Next pour the rest of the custard on that and put it in the fridge to cool. When ready to serve, whip up the cream and put that on top. If you want it fancy, you can add some chocolate shavings on top. It's hard to beat.

I have thought I would like to visit Southern Supreme, but I've never managed to make it over there. I got the fruitcake from Southern Season when it was in Chapel Hill, and by mail after the store shut down.

I am very glad to hear that you're enjoying Only Murders. It's such a fun show.

>283 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! Thanks re the adjustment. I’m really beginning to wonder if having regular chiropractor visits makes sense right now. My back doesn’t feel noticeably better this morning, and I’m looking at having to get a new “Passport” which reduces the cost of non-insurance-covered appointments by 50% at the next visit. Or, I might change to every four weeks instead of every three weeks. I have tins stashed all over the house including Collins Street Bakery tins. I’ve gotten rid of sooo many tins, though.

Only Murders in the Building continues on beautifully at the start of S2. I love the cameos. First thing this season we saw Shirley MacLaine as Bunny’s mother. *smooch*

>284 PawsforThought: I love food discussions here on LT, too, Paws.

>285 atozgrl: Some of my favorite recipes, that I consider ‘mine’, are out of cookbooks, especially if I’ve tweaked them.

That version of Black Bottom Pie sounds easy yet rich, Irene.

I loved, loved, loved A Southern Season when it was in Chapel Hill, - first at Eastgate, then when it moved to University Mall. The first time I was there was in 1991 when I met one of my MiL’s for lunch.

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Chiropractor, PO to mail a small box of books to Karen. Included were 6 paperbacks of Louise Penny novels for her cousin Helen, acquired at the fall book sale. Picked up a prescription on the way home.

We're continuing with Only Murders in the Building. The second season has started nicely.

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A friend of Rita the Librarian's is coming over around 1 to discuss some things we need done around here that we can't do any more, plus some things we've never done. Other than that, I just filled the hummingbird feeder because I saw one out there and the food needed to be refreshed.

Reading, puttering, and etc.

>286 karenmarie: Seems like a good time to adjust your adjustment schedule. heh

I'm taking a break from formatting and tarting up tomorrow's gang-review blog post. Teensy tweaks and lotsa eyecrossing details to get moving on. Only got twenty-one hours left....

*smooch*

>286 karenmarie: Black Bottom Pie is a lot more work than I usually do, cooking-wise. Scalding the milk, separating the eggs, etc. And I didn't mention the step where I whip up the egg whites and fold them into the custard for the middle layer. But the payoff is worth it.

I too loved, loved, loved A Southern Season! I used to go over to Eastgate all the time. They moved to the mall after I had moved to Raleigh, but I made it back over there occasionally. The parking situation was certainly better at the mall. I also took my sister and her husband over there when they came to visit. Her husband was really impressed with them. I can't say how disappointed I was when the store closed. At least they still have the warehouse in Graham. I keep thinking I'll make it over there one of these days when they have their occasional warehouse sales, but it hasn't worked out so far.

>287 richardderus: What used to happen was that I'd stop going to the chiropractor. Then somehow my back would get bad enough that I'd need to go, Medicare would approve 12 (or 13?) visits and that would get things back under control. The spinal injection on the left side, which I've now had twice, does a good job of managing that pain. Other back pain is minor. I hope you got back into your tarting and are ready to go for today. *smooch*

>288 atozgrl: Your recipe sounds a bit more complicated than I imagined. I guess I never thought the middle layer needed to be light by whipping egg whites. Sometimes the extra effort is worth it, though.

I did not realize they were still in business. Everything I'd buy there would be an indulgence. Sigh. Their candy section was unbelievable. Loved the spicy cheese straws, and etc.

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Trevor the handyman came over yesterday at 1 p.m. and didn't leave 'til 6:30. I showed him every room, front and back porches, garage, and my garage door - UPS or Amazon hit one of the panels - and pointed out things I wanted worked on. The only thing he won't do is electrical. It didn't take 5 1/2 hours to show him everything. He, Bill, and I chatted a lot of the time. He wouldn't take money for coming over. He's coming over on Monday to install the new kitchen faucet and replace some of the door hinges, possibly stabilize the top hinge of the pantry door. I'm really excited to get some of these niggling things done. We got a very late start on dinner and our evening routine.

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Arsenal play Newcastle at 11:30. Newcastle is 15th out of 20 teams, but you never know.Got that one wrong. If Arsenal win, they move to 2nd place in the table. They'd move to 3rd with a tie based on goal differential. 🤞

Reading, puttering, possibly making bone in/skin chicken thighs in the air fryer. Possibly not. I am going to start The Future by Naomi Alderman today for October 12th's book club discussion.

>289 karenmarie: Trevor sounds like a gem. I hope the work satisfies! Those quality-of-life things matter more than we realize.

I've got leftover orange-flavor chicken, not eggplant, for today's fish-dish replacement. Sad that fish is off the menu, but those hours being...indisposed...aren't on my list of worth-it prices to pay. Forza Arsenal FTW! Get those differential points. Or whatever.

*smooch*

>290 richardderus: I really hope he lives up to Rita the Librarian's hype and our impression of him.

Ooh, yum to orange chicken. Ugh to eggplant, personally.

Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-1 in the 96th minute on a corner with Gabriel scoring. Merino scored the one that tied it up. Yay!!!!!