Mary's (bell7) Reading in 2025, Page 10

Welcome to my tenth thread!

If you haven't already been following me, here's my introduction: My name is Mary and I'm a librarian. I read widely and eclectically, some for work (I facilitate a book group) and most for fun. I tend to choose fantasy, historical, and contemporary fiction, while also enjoying some mystery and romance, and a bit of nonfiction besides.

My reading goals for 2025:
-Over half of books read to be by authors born outside of the U.S.
-Read 12 books by indigenous authors.
I'm doing great on the first, and whether or not I reach the second will depend a lot on how much reading time I have for the rest of the year.

Outside of reading, I enjoy watching sports and knitting. I started a project last year of listening through the Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums list (2023 iteration) and I’ve been going roughly chronologically through it (I’m listening to 1977 now). And I have a large family of parents, siblings, and niblings who will be mentioned frequently.

As those of you following along all year know, I started the process to become a foster parent/pre-adoptive home in 2025. As of yesterday, I am officially approved and possibly will have a placement as soon as tomorrow. I'm waiting to hear on the details, but if that specific placement falls through, I will still likely have one soon and be a little less frequent on threads, including my own.

2025 Book Club Reads

One of my work responsibilities is facilitating one of our book discussions. Here's what we're reading in 2025 (we take a break for the summer):

JANUARY - South to America by Imani Perry - COMPLETED
FEBRUARY - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - COMPLETED
MARCH - Rivermouth by Alejandra Oliva - COMPLETED
APRIL - Devotions by Mary Oliver - COMPLETED
MAY - Teacher Man by Frank McCourt - COMPLETED
SEPTEMBER - The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede - COMPLETED
OCTOBER - The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri - COMPLETED
NOVEMBER - Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo - COMPLETED
DECEMBER - The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - COMPLETED

Best of 2025

5 stars
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

4.5 stars
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard
Going Clear by Lawrence Wright
Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald
Heartstopper volumes 1 and 2 by Alice Oseman
The beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
Bee Sting Cake by Victoria Goddard
Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
Jane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney
Queen Demon by Martha Wells
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter
Stone Speaks to Stone by Victoria Goddard
Wordslut by Amanda Montell
Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed
Shoutin' in the Fire by Danté Stewart
The Creation of Half-Broken People by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch by Rivka Galchen
A Far Better Thing by H. G. Parry
Water, water by Billy Collins
Till Human Voices Wake Us by Victoria Goddard
Rivermouth by Alejandra Oliva
The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard
Power to Yield and Other Stories by Bogi Takacs
Terec and the Wild by Victoria Goddard
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Random things I'm tracking

Articles of interest and book lists:
1. How to Critically Read a Press Release from the Federal Government
2. International Booker Prize Longlist 2025
3. Most Banned Books in the 2023-2024 School Year
4. Ontario librarians discuss book banning
5. More Borrowed Library Books in the US in 2024
6. Translation prizes from the Society of Authors
7. Kirkus Reviews best books of the 21st century
8. British Science Fiction Awards
9. How to Recommend Books Like an Expert
10. The Lakota Peoples Law Project Decolonized Reading List for 2025
11. Ultimate Best Books of 2025 List (LitHub)

How to make pretty block quotes (directions from Richard):
{blockquote}TYPE OR PASTE QUOTED TEXT HERE{/blockquote} and replace the curly braces with pointy brackets.

Number of books read since keeping count on LT:
July - Dec 2008 - 65
2009 - 156 (plus over 70 graphic novels and manga volumes)
2010 - 135 (Note: in June, I started working a second part-time job for full-time hours)
2011 - 150
2012 - 108 (Note: accepted a full-time job in February)
2013 - 107
2014 - 126 (plus 8 graphic novels)
2015 - 120 (plus 6 graphic novels)
2016 - 141 (I stopped counting graphic novels separately)
2017 - 114
2018 - 105 (Note: my first full year as Assistant Director)
2019 - 116
2020 - 153
2021 - 138
2022 - 131
2023 - 180
2024 - 131
2025 - ???

Global reads in 2025 (author’s country of origin):
Algeria - Djamila Morani
Argentina - César Aira
Australia - Geraldine Brooks
Bolivia - Liliani Colanzi
Canada - Victoria Goddard, Heather Fawcett, Premee Mohamed
Cote d'Ivoire - Marguerite Abouet
Croatia - Lidija Hilje
Denmark - Olga Ravn
Egypt - Deena Mohamed
France - Alexandre Dumas, Virginie Grimaldi, Annie Ernaux
Germany - Carsten Henn
Hungary - Bogi Takacs
India - Sangu Mandanna (currently lives in UK)
Ireland - Sarah Crossan, Frank McCourt
Mexico - Isabel Zapata
New Zealand - H. G. Parry, Rebecca K. Reilly
Nigeria - Wole Talabi, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Akwaeke Emezi
North Korea - Ch'oe Myong-ik
Peru - Mario Vargas Llosa
Romania - Antigone Kefala (lived most of her adult life in Australia)
South Korea - Lee Ji-min
Taiwan - Yang Shuang-zi
UK - Adrian Tchaikovsky, Elizabeth Macneal, Richard Osman, Carmella Lowkis, Rebecca Stott, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Christy Lefteri, Alice Oseman, Matt Haig
Zimbabwe - Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu

All time (since 2022):


Create Your Own Visited Countries Map

Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, North Korea, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe

Rough guide to my rating system:
I'm fairly generous with my star ratings - generally a four is a "like" or "would recommend" for me, while a 4.5 stars is a book I would reread. I break it down roughly like this:

1 star - Forced myself to finish it
2 stars - Dislike
2.5 stars - I really don't know if I liked it or not
3 stars - Sort of liked it; or didn't, but admired something about it despite not liking it
3.5 stars - The splitting hairs rating of less than my last 4 star book or better than my last 3
4 stars - I liked it and recommend it, but probably won't reread it except under special circumstances (ie., a book club or series reread)
4.5 stars - Excellent, ultimately a satisfying read, a title I would consider rereading
5 stars - A book that I absolutely loved, would absolutely reread, and just all-around floored me

I see it more in terms of my like or dislike of a book, rather than how good a book is. My hope is that as a reader I convey what I like or what I don't in such a way that you can still tell if you'll like a book, even if I don't. And I hope for my patrons that I can give them good recommendations for books they will like, even if it's not one I would personally choose.

Currently reading
Network Effect by Martha Wells

Bible/Devotional Reading
1 Samuel, Luke

DNFs in 2025
1. A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair
2. The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
3. The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
4. Bread and Milk by Karolina Ramqvist

December
133. Semi-well-adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stone
132. Seventhblade by Tonia Laird
131. The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
130. Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander
129. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
128. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
127. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
126. Blackcurrant Fool by Victoria Goddard
125. A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
124. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
123. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
122. Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
121. The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary
120. Cinder House by Freya Marske

November
119. By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
118. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
117. Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
116. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
115. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
114. Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
113. Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo
112. Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger
111. Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard
110. Going Clear by Lawrence Wright

October
109. Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
108. Cultish by Amanda Montell
107. Tomboy by Nina Bouraoui
106. Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
105. Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald
104. Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi
103. Heartstopper, Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
102. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
101. Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
100. Olive and the Dragon by Victoria Goddard
99. Aya: Love in Yop City by Marguerite Abouet
98. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

September
97. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
96. Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott
95. Bee Sting Cake by Victoria Goddard
94. Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
93. The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
92. Jane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney
91. Queen Demon by Martha Wells

August
90. Five-Carat Soul by James McBride
89. Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
88. The Foster Parenting Manual by John DeGarmo
87. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
86. Aya: The Secrets Come Out by Marguerite Abouet
85. Assembly by Natasha Brown
84. The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa
83. Do What They Say Or Else by Annie Ernaux
82. A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter
81. Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
80. Stone Speaks to Stone by Victoria Goddard
79. Wordslut by Amanda Montell

July
78. Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed
77. One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman
76. When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
75. Shoutin' in the Fire by Dante Stewart
74. Bless This Mess by Rev. Molly Baskette and Ellen O'Donnell
73. Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
72. The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk
71. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab
70. Aya of Yop City by Marguerite Abouet
69. The Djinn's Apple by Djamila Morani
68. Stargazy Pie by Victoria Goddard
67. The Starlet and the Spy by Ji-min Lee

June
66. Aya by Marguerite Abouet
65. The Creation of Half-Broken People by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
64. You Glow in the Dark by Liliana Colanzi
63. The Door-to-door Bookstore by Carsten Henn
62. Patterns of the heart and other stories by Ch'oe Myong-ik
61. The Weaver of the Middle Desert by Victoria Goddard
60. The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
59. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
58. Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis

May
57. Deacon King Kong by James McBride
56. Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King, Jr.
55. How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
54. Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards
53. The Night Library of Sternendach by Jessica Levai
52. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz
51. American Teenager : How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang
50. Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
49. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
48. Navigational Entanglements by Aliette de Bodard
47. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
46. Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch by Rivka Galchen
45. Onion John by Joseph Krumgold
44. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
43. The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison
42. The Glassblower by Victoria Goddard
41. A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry

April
40. Festival & Game of the Worlds by Cesar Aira
39. The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
38. Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis
37. The Island by Antigone Kefala
36. Convergence Problems by Wole Talabi
35. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver
34. The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten
33. A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi
32. Murder by memory by Olivia Waite
31. Water, water by Billy Collins
30. Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
29. In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf
28. In the Realms of Gold: Five Tales of Ysthar by Victoria Goddard

March
27. In Vitro: On Longing and Transformation by Isabel Zapata
26. Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi
25. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
24. Till Human Voices Wake Us by Victoria Goddard
23. Beneath the Rising by Premee Mohamed
22. South to a Very Old Place by Albert Murray
21. A Midwife's Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
20. Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration by Alejandra Oliva
19. A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
18. The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison
17. The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
16. A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

February
15. Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal
14. The Employees by Olga Ravn
13. The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
12. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
11. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
10. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
9. Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard
8. Power to Yield and Other Stories by Bogi Takacs

January
7. The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
6. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
5. The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb
4. South to America by Imani Perry
3. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
2. Terec and the Wall by Victoria Goddard
1. Serving Herself: the Life and Times of Althea Gibson by Ashley Brown

Since the next book I start will be for book club, my question for you all is:

Are you part of a book club? If not, would you want to be? If so, what do you think of the experience and how does it impact your reading.

I'll give you my own answers in a bit :)

Happy new thread Mary!

Well, I've finished Whiskeyjack and am pondering over what to say about it. I'm loving this series and enjoying reading along with you and Stasia, especially as that means I'm reading the books closer together than I normally would because there's so much happening to keep track of.

Sadly, I'm not part of a book club. I don't know people who read 🤷‍♀️

Happy new thread!

Happy new one, Mary!

I am in two book clubs - one that was already established when I joined and is relatively large (we regularly have ~15 people each meeting) and one that I established with a friend of mine. That one is only 5 people, all of whom I knew already. I guess the main way they impact my reading is getting me to pick up a book I might not otherwise have; and I usually end up not liking those because there is a reason I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise, LOL.

Happy new thread, Mary!

>2 bell7: I'll admit to being a little frightened by the fact that this post showed me how far through the year we really are. :O

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Mary.

Sweet Thursday, Mary. Happy New Thread!

Happy new one, Mary.

Today is Friday here already - I hope your Friday is all you want it to be. My fingers and toes are crossed for you.

>13 humouress: I have been alternately busy cleaning and doing absolutely nothing because there's so much to do and it took me till this evening to finally wind myself down and finish it. I had forgotten a LOT, and thoroughly enjoyed myself rereading. The once-a-month works pretty well for me, and even with that I sometimes feel like I'm missing some details. You don't know people who read? Oh dear... I don't know many in person who read as much as I do, but I can usually ask my siblings, at least, what they've been reading lately.

>14 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita!

>15 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! I can relate to occasionally ending up not liking the books you wouldn't normally pick up - and I'm facilitating, so I feel like I have to finish a book in a way that I usually wouldn't! But I do enjoy the book groups for helping me appreciate the book in a different way.

>16 quondame: Thanks, Susan!

>17 LovingLit: Yeah, I'm with you, Megan. The year has flown by!

>18 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel!

>19 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

>20 PaulCranswick: Thanks on both counts, Paul!

So there was a little back and forth, but the upshot is they have decided on me for placement, and I should be meeting my first foster child tomorrow! I've had a chance to talk to the current foster parents, and I hear he's excited to meet me. My older niece and nephew want to know his birthday and what's his favorite sport (the important things, you know?).

>22 bell7: I am over the moon happy for you, and for the new family member, and for the hope this gives me for the world. Thank you for doing it, for making a genuine difference in the world, and for sharing your journey with us All. Health and good fortune to you both. *smooch*

>23 richardderus: You make me tear up with happy tears, my friend. *smooch* back

>22 bell7: How nice that they're excited too. I'm sure it'll make him feel (even) more welcome.

>23 richardderus: What he said. I considered fostering at one point but now I'm too stuck in my ways (and a bit OCD); as it is my own kids drive me batty.

Happy new thread, Mary, and congrats on the upcoming foster placement! I hope everything goes super well tomorrow.

I am part of a book club that has been meeting on and off since around 2016. There's a core group of us who have been around since the beginning and then various friends have joined and left over the years. We're meeting less frequently these days since a lot of members have young kids, and a lot of times we discuss the book for about half an hour and then just gossip for 1.5 - 2.5 hours, lol. But it's still nice to share our thoughts and discover some different ways of looking at the books.

>25 humouress: It's too bad they don't live closer, but perhaps they'll come up for the holidays and we'll have a bunch of kids playing together. My niece and nephew are super excited at the prospect of more cousins, and my oldest niece wanted me to foster kids who are older than her, so the fact that he is delights her, I'm sure. I'll have to see if my sister and the kids are up for a video call sometime to meet him. I can also be stuck in my ways, but sometimes when I know to expect to be flexible, I can be, if that makes sense? This has been a goal of mine since I was a kid, so for it to actually be here now floors me.

>26 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! I was in a book club that had discussions like that for a short time, where we talked about the book but it was more about having a meal and socializing. My SIL was the driving force behind that one, though, so it fell apart after she started having kids.

Well, today's the day my life changes forever - and no, I'm not being dramatic, that's going to be true whether I adopt this particular child or if he ends up with another forever family. I expect he'll be arriving sometime this afternoon after school, and will probably have a better ETA as the day progresses. In the meantime, I have a bunch of things on my to-do list.

I was already off from work today because I have someone coming to do the "fall cleaning" of my boiler this morning, and the plumber is coming back to add the finishing around my tub. The new one is, I have to say, quite lovely and may inspire me to finally paint the bathroom with the new purple color I'd purchased some time ago. Maybe.

I have some cooking and cleaning to do prepping for my foster child's arrival, and I'm sure there will also be last-minute phone calls and texts and everything as we sort out the details.

Currently reading: I finished all the books! I'll be starting Crazy Brave for book club next, and it may be the only book I read over the weekend, we'll see

Listening: I haven't been in the car much, but still the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever"

Crafting: also haven't really picked up knitting, but I'll continue working on the pair of mittens I'm making

111. Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard
Why now? Stasia and I decided to reread the series in preparation for the new title coming out

My original review from a couple of years ago is very vague and does not give a hint about how much is happening in this title, but I've decided I don't have the time to rewrite it now. Suffice it to say, there's a lot going on and a lot of possibilities opened up in the world building in this one, and it was really fun to revisit.

112. Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger
Why now? Because I like what I've read by the author, and was excited that she had a new one out; also fits my goal this year to read 12 books by indigenous authors

Excited for you, Mary, and I hope all goes well.

Wishing you all the best today, Mary.

I'm not in a book club and I worry joining one would turn into assigned reading I'd immediately resent. I do like the idea of Silent Book Club and keep hoping someone will start a chapter in my town but so far no luck.

Best wishes for this afternoon!

Stupid me, I didn't even think about school. Will he have to change schools or is that one less thing for you to worry about regarding his adjustment?

>12 bell7: Happy new thread, Mary!

I joined the book club at the local senior center after I retired. They also started a "Challenged Books Club" and I joined that one as well as a trial, but I've stayed with it, so I am now in two clubs. (The Challenged Books are usually shorter, so I've been able to keep up with reading for two clubs.) What Katie said in >15 katiekrug: goes for me too; some of the books selected are not ones I would have chosen to read for myself, so it stretches my reading. That's a good thing. Sometimes I really like the book, and other times it turns out to be one I don't much care for. And sometimes it turns out to be a valuable read even if it wasn't fun (this year, that was Evicted). With these book clubs, most of the meetings we do spend time discussing the books pretty thoroughly, but on occasion we get off into political or other discussions as well. It has been a good experience for me.

I wish you much good luck with the foster placement. I know you will have a busy day today.

Hi Mary,

Happy New Thread!

Its Christmas Book Swap season. This year, I'm trying a different tact to make sure the word gets out. I'm just going to spam the threads of those who have participated in the past, and since you've done so, I'm going to use this opportunity to remind you about it, in case you haven't seen my thread recently, or the General Announcements thread. If you're in, come on by and join, if not that's fair and then thanks for letting me use your thread to make sure all that might be interested see it.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/375139#n8992303

Best of luck with this change in your life that you've been working towards for so long, Mary.

Re the book club question: I participate in an online book club, genealogy related so we read a lot of history related books. It's expanding my reading because the members are mostly in the US (probably all except me).

I also am part of an in-person book club who read more popular stuff but not always what I tend to pick to read myself so it is expanding my horizons. We don't usually talk about the book all that long in the meetings though.

I have belonged to one book group since about 2000. Over the years the composition of this group has changed and there are only two of us who are still in the group after 20 years. In 2020 this group moved to Zoom and we have been meeting ever since then on Zoom and it works well for us. This has caused the group to change into a multi-state group. We currently have members in three time zones here in the US. This happened, at first, because after 2020 several people in the group decided to retire and moved to other states. When we learned how well this kind of group can work on Zoom, we invited others we knew to participate. That turned a group that was going to die into a group that every-once-in-awhile adds a new member. This group reads both fiction and nonfiction and a wide variety of both types of books. In general we have great discussions and largely stay on track with talking about the book. Sometimes we veer off course, but we manage to gets lots of talking about the book done most of the time. Our meetings tend to go long - usually about 2 hours. We meet later on Sunday afternoon and that works for those of the group who are involved in church. (we have a retired minister and the wife of a minister in the group, so have to be mindful of church activities.)

I joined a real live book discussion group. This group is sponsored by the local public library. I enjoy this group because I like the women in it, but I don't like the books they select. These are not the kinds of books that generate much discussion. They don't seem to understand that you have think about the underlying themes of the book in order to have something to talk about. They just want to get lost in the story. This group reads only fiction. When they tried to read a nonfiction book, nobody in the group had read more than 100 pages. I will keep going to this group because I think it is important to keep a book discussion group going at the library, but it doesn't give me nearly as much pleasure as does the other group.

Best wishes with your new foster child, Mary.

Happy new thread, and hoping things go so well for you and your foster! This is such a cool thing you’re doing.

>31 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

>32 MickyFine: Thanks for the good wishes, Micky! I get that a book club could feel like an assignment. Occasionally, I have felt that way even if it was a book that I'd originally wanted to read - just not now, but I have to. Hope you do get a Silent Book Club in your area soon!

>33 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. Yeah, we're changing schools but still waiting on hearing word that we can go ahead with that. Hoping to get it done today/Wednesday at the latest.

>34 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene! Both book clubs sound excellent, and I'm glad reading outside of your comfort zone has been an overall positive experience. Evicted was a great book, though a difficult read! We did it a few years ago.

>35 mahsdad: Thanks for stopping by, Jeff! Not sure I'll be able to participate this year, but feel free to continue to use my thread to get the word out.

>36 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! I like the idea of a genealogy-related book club. Is the history mostly nonfiction?

>37 benitastrnad: The zoom book club sounds like an excellent fit for you, Benita. That's too bad about the library book discussion. The books we choose tend to be on the meaty side, but certainly there's a possibility that there will be books that are harder to discuss when the choice is made democratically by the members. Each group can have such unique dynamics in the way the discussion runs and the books they choose!

>38 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah!

>39 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

Good morning, all!

I am tired. It's been a busy weekend getting things settled with the new foster child. Today I'm off from work, getting him to and from the old school, and just waiting to hear if we're set to enroll him in the new school. We're adjusting to new home and new routine. I'm hoping to go back to work on Wednesday (tomorrow being a holiday), but exactly how that looks may be contingent on the school situation.

Did I mention I'm getting a massage today? It'll be a shorter appointment than usual, but I'll need it!

Reading: Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo

Listening: "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack

Watching: on Saturday we watched "Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore" which was over the top but hilarious... think MIB but no aliens, and cats and dogs instead.

Crafting: I have not continued with the mitten in a bit, but I did teach my foster child a little bit over the weekend

>42 bell7: Sounds like it's going well. Fingers crossed it continues and gets even better.

>42 bell7: As smooth as any transition like this can be, but thank goodness you have another holiday in between the school changing time.

*smooch*

Glad to hear the first few days have gone ok thus far. Wishing you all the best with the school changing hoops and hoping you both are able to settle into a schedule that works for you two.

I have not been part of a book club before. There is a really neat one in my small community that meets once a month at the local brewery- books and a pint. I may try that as it sounds fun.

>42 bell7: Glad you are settling into a routine. It must be quite a change. I must of missed it but how old is the child?

Happy rest of the week!

>43 humouress: Thanks, Nina!

>44 richardderus: Yep, it was nice to kinda ease into things. Now I think we're both ready to be in more of a routine, so I hope everything school and work related get sorted out quickly!

>45 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Yeah this school thing is gonna be completely new for me since I was a homeschooled kid. Slow but steady progress so far.

>46 figsfromthistle: Books and a pint sounds like fun. I'd heard of a couple of libraries in our area doing that. The new foster child is 10. Smart as a whip, too, he's gonna keep me on my toes.

>43 humouress: Thanks, Nina!

>44 richardderus: Yep, it was nice to kinda ease into things. Now I think we're both ready to be in more of a routine, so I hope everything school and work related get sorted out quickly!

>45 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Yeah this school thing is gonna be completely new for me since I was a homeschooled kid. Slow but steady progress so far.

>46 figsfromthistle: Books and a pint sounds like fun. I'd heard of a couple of libraries in our area doing that. The new foster child is 10. Smart as a whip, too, he's gonna keep me on my toes.

Happy Wednesday! Still moving along with school and work situation, it feels like a crawl but there's a lot of moving pieces. I'm looking forward to having school and after care in place and getting us both into our regular routine. It will make things much easier for both of us. In other ways, the kiddo is continuing to settle in. He's a really great kid, very helpful and thoughtful, active and loves to read. And of course, any change and transition is hard, so we've had some hiccups primarily in falling asleep (heck, I couldn't fall asleep the first night), but overall he's adjusting well.

Reading: I finished Crazy Brave, but it was in the haze of new-foster-parenting weekend, so I couldn't tell you much about it. Now I'm reading The Lucky Ones by Zara Chowdhary and By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle because apparently I decided it was time for heavy topics anyways. I'm going to get a find a very light book that I can balance that with (and read before bed) ASAP. On the bright side, I'm a little more able to focus now.

Listening: finished "Saturday Night Fever" and moved on to um, something else. I'm not sure what CD I popped in this morning

Crafting: some progress on the mitten

>49 bell7: "Saturday Night Fever" is one I haven't listened to All the way through since the cassette player in my Oldsmobile Cutlass ate it in 1984. I'm pretty sure the reason was I didn't care if I ever heard it again.

How lovely it is to be in the way of a routine get established!

I'm so glad to hear everything continues to go well and send all the well wishes that continues. If you're looking for a light book, the new Travis Baldree book Brigands & Breadknives just came out this week...

I came to see how the fostering process was going along, and wow - congratulations! Exciting and stressful times. I can imagine how many moving parts there are in getting him settled into a completely new routine in a completely new place. (And not to make light of your new routines too!)

Congrats on your foster child!! I'm glad things seem to be going well. What a nice bonus that he loves to read, that's something easy to connect on. What has he read recently?

>12 bell7: I've tried doing small, friend book clubs but they didn't really work. Too many different reading styles and preferences. I used to run a book club for zoo volunteers that worked much better because it was on a theme and since it was tied to an institution instead of a friend-group it was less emotional. I'm also in what I call a "No Specific Book Club", where once a month a bunch of people get together and chat about what they've been reading or want to read. That one is great for conversation because we can ask each other about the books or remember books we read long ago.

>49 bell7: Glad to hear that things are going well!

I've been in a couple of book clubs in the past, though I'm not in one now. My favorite was one that formed with a group of colleagues two libraries ago. We would meet after work at a winery that served wine slushies (I mean, they had other things, but why would you want them when wine slushies were an option?) and we would spend ten minutes talking about the book, and the rest of the time grousing about work. Our picks were usually fairly light reads, YA or fantasy or romance. It was a delight. Another time I participated in a library book club run by my work bestie, whom I wanted to support. There was more book discussion and less (that is, no) wine, but I enjoyed it. (There were light snacks.) Those books tended more towards traditional Book Club Picks, books that had been popular a year or two ago, that the library still had plenty of copies of. It did broaden my reading a little bit, since I tend to steer clear of the super popular reads. (For instance, I still have not read Where the Crawdads Sing, or as the coworker who ran the book club and was also the adult fiction selector for the library called it, Heckin' Crawdads.)

>54 foggidawn: I haven't read Heckin' Crawdads either but I will definitely be referring to it as this for the rest of time. 😆

>55 MickyFine: I'm glad to spread the good word. Hilariously, the cataloger entered it as an alternate title, so at that library system, you can search for it as "Heckin' Crawdads" in the catalog.

>56 foggidawn: Oh that is such a great use of cataloguing powers. 😆

>54 foggidawn: Where the Crawdads Sing isn't bad bad, but it's not a must read at all.

>49 bell7: I am glad to hear that things seem to be starting out so well with the foster child. I hope that continues.

>56 foggidawn: That is absolutely hilarious! I love it! I haven't read Where the Crawdads Sing either, but maybe I should since it's set in NC.

I'm glad that things are going well with your foster child, Mary. That is a big change for both of you.

Hi, Mary! Bless you for agreeing to be a foster parent, especially given your already busy schedule.

To answer your questions I have never been a member of a book club. I don't think I would want to be, unless the group had a specific focus on a topic I would be interested in exploring in detail. However, I could envision taking one or more college or online courses led by a professor or noted authority on fields that I never studied as an undergraduate, such as The American Revolution, Intro to Anthropology or Medical Ethics.

Hi Mary, congratulations on starting fostering, I read that the placement had started with a big smile. So wonderful that you are opening your home to give a child a loving place to live.

I'm between book groups at the moment. I still miss the African (authors) fiction book group I ran for a while. I learned a lot from the other readers.

>50 richardderus: A lot of it was BeeGees, which was fine, and the one song I liked enough to add to the playlist was already there *shrug* I'd had the movie out from the library to watch, but didn't get to it before the foster placement so it's on the back burner.

>51 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! I will make a note of that. I borrowed Thornhedge and Worth Fighting For to give me a break from the more serious nonfiction I've been reading.

>52 ursula: Thanks, Ursula! Exciting and stressful about sums it up! There are a lot of things that still need to get settled, but we're making slow but steady progress towards those goals. Getting school set up, as stressful as that will be for him, will go a long way in getting us both in good routines.

>53 norabelle414: Thanks, Nora! He is currently reading the first Wings of Fire, and he sped through the Amulet graphic novels this past week. He also got a couple more graphic novels from the library over the weekend. I think they were Investigators, Catstronauts, and another cat one. We've requested the next volumes where applicable as it only haha. I remember following what your zoo book club was reading and it looked like it was a lot of fun, I was sorry when things changed up and you weren't able to run it anymore. "No Specific Book Club" sounds like my kind of no-pressure, no-assignment kind of thing.

>54 foggidawn: I mean, obviously wine slushies is the way to go there, and I don't even drink that much. But yeah, the book club I was in with a bunch of librarians became very social/grousing about work too. It was nice to socialize but we didn't spend much time on the book. I did read Where the Crawdads Sing and really enjoyed it, but while it was still popular at the time it hadn't reached the heights of its uber-popularity.

>55 MickyFine: >56 foggidawn: >57 MickyFine: This delights me. I shared it with my co-workers and they also approve of these cataloging powers.

>58 quondame: Hi, Susan!

>59 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I'm tired haha but it's been good overall.

>60 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah! It has been a big change for us both, but I think we're doing well so far.

>61 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. It's been a goal of mine for years, so to have it happen is surreal and wonderful and terrifying all at once (how am I suddenly in charge of a whole other human?). I could see why a topical group or college course would be more appealing to you. When I reach the age of being able to take free college classes from state colleges in the area, I'm planning on availing myself of that opportunity.

>62 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! The first night had it's rough patches (understandably), but we are doing well and getting into a rhythm with school, morning and bedtime routine, etc. The African authors group sounds great! I also enjoy hearing other readers' perspective, and feel like some book discussions have given me a better appreciation of the book we're reading than I would have had on my own.

Shout if I missed you! It's been a busy day and I'm tired. I've got a book to review and some album updates to make, but I'm not sure exactly when I'll have the time or energy.

Reading: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

Listening: "Ask Rufus" by Rufus and Chaka Khan

I am so happy for both you and your foster boy. It is wonderful that he enjoys reading! I hope things continue to go well.

>66 bell7: I will be curious to see what you think of Thornhedge. I have read a couple of Kingfisher's books, but not that one.

Have a marvelous Monday, Mary!

>65 bell7: I could see why a topical group or college course would be more appealing to you. When I reach the age of being able to take free college classes from state colleges in the area, I'm planning on availing myself of that opportunity.

Harvard has dozens of very interesting online courses that you can take for free at your own pace, or for a reasonable fee if you wanted to get college credits. I'll explore them in more detail sometime next spring, after I've had my cataract surgery these next two months and my vision has normalized, and after I finish several retirement tasks, including signing up for Medicare next month and crafting a power of attorney and last will and testament with our estate planning and retirement attorneys.

https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free

>67 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia! So far so good with Thornhedge. I'm enjoying the tone of it, and it's short enough that I should be able to finish it without any trouble.

>68 kidzdoc: That's also another one to check out then! I wish you the best with the surgeries and various retirement tasks you have ahead of you. I am planning on retiring in approximately 20 years, but I have many ideas for how I can spend my time, and college courses are high on the list. I'm going to be that annoying older person in the class who's just fascinated by the subject and drive all the 18-year-olds bonkers asking questions in class haha. If you sign up for classes, I hope you'll share some of what you're doing - I would love to hear about it on your thread!

Happy Monday! After getting my foster son to school, I worked 9-2, and came home in time for him to be dropped back off here. There were various phone calls to make and appointments to set up, and errands to run such as picking up my prescription. He played outside awhile while I got stuff done indoors, and then we had dinner and did a grocery shopping. We got to play with a bumper cars set that he had, before it was time to start the evening routine and get to bed. I'll check on him in about 20 minutes, and after he's asleep I'll head down to bed myself.

Reading: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary, and By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle

Listening: "Blondie" by Blondie

Crafting: I've started a Christmas stocking for my foster kiddo and am hoping I manage to finish it on time

>70 bell7: Wow - instant parenthood. I must say, it looks like you’re doing well. I hope he has found friends nearby to play with.

The listening report -

"The Stranger" by Billy Joel - Could've sworn I mentioned this already, but no, it's not in my earlier listening reports. Huh. Anyway, this is my first full Billy Joel album, though I do like some of his music. The ones I recognized best were "Just the Way You Are", "Only the Good Die Young" and "Just the Way You Are". It's kinda too bad that "Only the Good Die Young" features a protagonist who's singing in an entitled way to a woman who hasn't had sex with him, because it's got a very catchy tune. #169 on the list

"Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack - a good half of these songs are BeeGees and while "Stayin' Alive" is fun and all, I didn't particularly need to add it to my playlist. I would've added "A Fifth of Beethoven" but it was already there. I also thought I might watch the movie since I've never seen it, but then I got the foster placement and didn't have time so returned it to the library unread. #163 on the list

"Marquee Moon" by Television - The Wikipedia page informs me this was a very influential album, but I confess I don't remember much about it and I only listened to it last week. Apparently somewhere in the punk and/or new wave genre? Neither of which is my jam. #107 on the list

"Aja" by Steely Dan - Pop/rock infused with jazz, a little more straightforward listening than "Marquee Moon" but this was just okay for me. Not sure I'd go out of my way to listen to it again, though I wouldn't object either. #63 on the list

"Ask Rufus" by Rufus and Chaka Khan - the vocals were beautiful, and I generally enjoy funk, so I enjoyed some aspects of it more than the previous albums I'd listened to. Most of the songs were all about relationships, though, and none struck me enough to add to the playlist. #499 on the list

"Blondie" by Blondie - new wave/punk rock/disco band is generally not my thing. I could tell there's a lot of talent there for those who would enjoy the music, however. And now I can say I've listened to Debbie Harry. #401 on the list

I forgot I finished Blondie, I actually am on to "Pink Flag" by Wire. Then I've got "Suicide" by Suicide and "Low" by David Bowie before I switch exclusively to Christmas music for the season.

>71 humouress: Thanks, Nina! I think we're both adjusting well so far, and I hope that continues. The first couple of days were stressful for me, and getting back to work was a huge boost to my mental health. Getting these appointments set and finally getting into the swing of things will be huge, but I think after this week we should be in a fairly set rhythm for both school and work. I have some friends with kids his age that I'll be trying to get him together with regularly, as well as encouraging friendships at school.

I do feel a little bad with it just being me and him, that I do have to drag him along to most of my errands. I had asked him about the grocery shopping and he had elected to come, but sometimes he's just stuck with it because I don't have other options.

>73 bell7: Well, I always dragged my kids along on errands; what else are you going to do with them? When they were very young it made things take three times as long, of course, but it's good for them to learn some responsibilities.

>73 bell7: When I set my daughter up with a shopping cart and a short list that she could add to, that worked well as we crossed paths.

>72 bell7: I'd probably call Billy Joel one of my "problematic faves" -- I generally like his songs, or at least the ones that were popular in their time, but... yeah. And "Just the Way You Are" sounds like negging to me, when I pay attention to the words.

>72 bell7: The Stranger is my favorite Billy Joel album, and in fact pretty much the one I listen to exclusively. Vienna is my favorite song.

Suicide will be ... an appropriate place to change gears completely into Christmas music.

>72 bell7: Television blew through 1977 like Katrina. THE album that year was Saturday Night Fever so think of those as the poles of pop awareness. Hard to think of more diametrically opposed sounds to define mainstream. I doubt Wire will fare as well as Television even.

Blondie was fun at the time, deathless? canonical? maybe not. I'll always carry a torch for "Heart of Glass" myownself.

Recovering again, a tad of food poisoning it would seem, and a cellulitis ick, but nothing more than irritating.

>74 humouress: Yeah, and I was dragged along on errands with my mom as well. It's just that as a single foster parent I need to do all the errands, so he can't skip the oil change while someone else does it - my options are do it when he's in school and I have a short work day, or he comes along *shrug*

>75 m.belljackson: At the moment I'm still teaching him that I have a food budget so that could be dangerous hahaha. But I take your point and I probably could, with a set meeting place, once he feels comfortable enough in the store.

>76 foggidawn: Hm, yeah, I think that's fair. I enjoy the sound of the music, but the lyrics make me go hmmm. I do still like "Piano Man" though :)

>77 ursula: I don't remember if there were any others on the list, Ursula, but there were certainly classics I recognized. I laughed out loud at your comment on Suicide. I started David Bowie first, and will probably finish out the week with Suicide, which will be perfect timing if nothing else.

>78 richardderus: To me, that's one of the interesting parts of listening to albums from the same year together, that there can be such disparate albums that came out mere months from each other. And "Low" by David Bowie is its own unique sound, too. Wire was... not at all fun to listen to, I had a visceral reaction to it and it was not at all pleasant. Sorry about the food poisoning and cellulitis, and hope you're fully on the mend now!

>74 humouress: Yeah, and I was dragged along on errands with my mom as well. It's just that as a single foster parent I need to do all the errands, so he can't skip the oil change while someone else does it - my options are do it when he's in school and I have a short work day, or he comes along *shrug*

>75 m.belljackson: At the moment I'm still teaching him that I have a food budget so that could be dangerous hahaha. But I take your point and I probably could, with a set meeting place, once he feels comfortable enough in the store.

>76 foggidawn: Hm, yeah, I think that's fair. I enjoy the sound of the music, but the lyrics make me go hmmm. I do still like "Piano Man" though :)

>77 ursula: I don't remember if there were any other albums on the list, Ursula, but there were certainly classics I recognized on "The Stranger". I laughed out loud at your comment on Suicide. I started David Bowie first, and will probably finish out the week with Suicide, which will be perfect timing if nothing else.

>78 richardderus: To me, that's one of the interesting parts of listening to albums from the same year together, that there can be such disparate albums that came out mere months from each other. And "Low" by David Bowie is its own unique sound, too. Wire was... not at all fun to listen to, I had a visceral reaction to it and it was not at all pleasant. Sorry about the food poisoning and cellulitis, and hope you're fully on the mend now!

>80 bell7: (re #75) I used to let the kids pick one favourite each to go in the shopping trolley. But if they chose a second, they had to decide between the two and put one back. (I'm not sure it taught them anything in the end though 🤗)

It's true, what can you do but drag kids along on errands, Mary. I know I did when my two sons were younger. Dave worked full time , so until they reach a certain age, that's life. I'm sure your foster child is happy to be in a stable home, or at least adjusting to it , since he is new to you.

>69 bell7: Thanks, Mary. I'm looking forward to having much sharper vision by the early part of next year. There are many choices of Medicare plans to choose from, but I'll have a 6 month Open Enrollment Period from December 1 to June 30 to choose a plan as a new enrollee, which isn't the same as the current period for people who are already on Medicare to make any changes to their 2026 plan, which ends on December 7th. (I think.) I get my insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and since I did notice that my monthly premium would increase by more than $200 in 2026 that may encourage me to enroll in Medicare sooner rather than later.

It seems completely absurd to me that I'll be eligible for Medicare next spring!

I'll definitely mention the online courses I choose to take on my currently moribund thread. The New Retirement does provide plenty of great ideas on how you can spend your retirement along with links, including a section on college courses. One downside of taking online courses at your own pace is not being able to interact in real time with fellow students, and possibly the professor as well. One other activity I would love to pursue is lecture series at nearby schools and other locations that are open to the public. The Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University offer such series and the campuses are within easy driving distances, but the lectures are at night, when I have to care for my mother at home.

>79 bell7: I'm totally unsurprised you didn't like Wire. Aggressively unmusical noise to me. "Low" ranks down my personal Bowie list, but it was a good album.

I'm hoping my oral abx will knock out the damned cellulitis. Really uninterested in my body being IV invaded by the stuff, I end up feeling terrible overall although cured of the threatening issue.

Stay rested!

>80 bell7: Yeah, I like "Piano Man," too. My favorite fan theory is that it's a gay bar, and Billy Joel is the only one who doesn't know. They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar, and say, 'Man, what are you doin' here?'

Hi Mary! I'm so glad to hear that things are going well with your new foster child. Best wishes as you both continue to adjust!

>72 bell7:, >76 foggidawn:, >80 bell7: My favorite Billy Joel song is My Life, which has entertaining, if unimaginative, lyrics. I like its "banging on the piano" energy. I didn't think I had any opinions about Billy Joel until people were talking about him a lot when that documentary came out a couple months ago, and I realized I like quite a few of his songs (Uptown Girl, It's Still Rock n Roll to Me, We Didn't Start the Fire, The River of Dreams, etc.)

I think we talked about it a bit on my thread when the previous Taylor Swift album came out (not the most recent one) but I find it so frustrating when I like the sound of a song but the lyrics have some meaning that I don't enjoy singing along to.

The best Billy Joel song is "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)," which I used to sing along to with my mom on the way to school 🙂

>87 norabelle414: Those are all good. I think the "banging on the piano energy" is what I like about "Only the Good Die Young." But my favorite Billy Joel song is "The Longest Time," with both a catchy tune and lyrics that I like. I agree, it's frustrating when the lyrics don't mesh with you but the tune does.

>81 humouress: Ha! Yeah, I like to let him pick fruits that he likes to eat and encourage having healthy choices. I've generally been able to discourage candy with "we have soooo much at home already."

>82 vancouverdeb: Yep, that's mainly the way it goes, though I am consciously trying to include fun things in what we do as well.

>83 kidzdoc: Decisions, decisions, eh? All things being equal, I am planning on retiring before I'm eligible for Medicare, so I'll have various things to look into at the time, I'm sure. Right now, retirees from the town where I work can stay on their insurance with the same percentage split that current employees have and that would be my plan. Of course, things could change in 20-ish years, so there's no guarantee. I should have a pension and I've been saving a fair amount in retirement accounts on top of that. Between that and having the house paid off by the time I'm in my late 50s, I should be able to live comfortably in retirement whenever I decide it's time. I would definitely be interested in reading your gleanings from a class/lectures you attend.

>84 richardderus: It was not merely a dislike, but an absolute winding up of anxiety that I could feel in my body as I listened and it was not pleasant in the least. I listened through, but it was a relief when it was done. "Low" - I liked it better than the forgettable one. Bowie is not exactly what I enjoy listening to, but it kept my interest throughout. "Suicide" has been unenjoyable as well so far, and I don't exactly expect that to change as I go through the double album. I already skipped the end of one song.

>85 foggidawn: I've heard that theory and find it entertaining (and plausible, lyrically).

>86 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie!

>87 norabelle414: I do like the songs with "banging on the piano" energy and will have to look up My Life (I may have heard it, but don't always recognize songs by their titles). I'll have to look up the documentary as well. I enjoyed watching the one Questlove did on Sly and the Family Stone after I'd listened to their albums earlier this year. I must've missed the conversation on your thread, but I'm with you on getting frustrated by liking a song's sound and not its lyrics. Sometimes I can't make out the lyrics so I'm in ignorant bliss, but Billy Joel sings clearly enough (and I've heard the song enough) that I know perfectly well what it says.

>88 katiekrug: Oh that one was the first on this album! It's been long enough since I listened that I'd have to refamiliarize myself though. I do love songs that have particular memories like that, I created a Spotify playlist specifically of "Lifetime Memories" that had specific references like that for me.

>89 foggidawn: I think the "banging on the piano energy" is what I like about "Only the Good Die Young." Same! I listen to in on the radio, just couldn't quite talk myself into adding it to the playlist haha. I'll have to look up "The Longest Time."

Always interesting to see what sparks discussion - errands and Billy Joel!

Happy Wednesday! I got the foster kiddo to school, walked with a friend, and went to work. He's currently settling down (hopefully near sleep), and I'm about ready to head to bed too. I took tomorrow off for appointments, but as it turns out only have one in the morning. I'm sure I'll have phone calls to make and emails to write (I have never talked so much on the phone in my life before two weeks ago), but much of what was urgent has been settled so I should have time for a gym trip and me-time as well. Then I pick him up at the end of the day and we go to a foster parent support group.

>90 bell7: You have a solid work and retirement plan, Mary! That's great that your town offers a retirement plan for its residents; the large suburban city I live in, which has more than 52,000 residents, does not provide that option. After the relatively sudden death of my father and my subsequent abrupt retirement in late 2021 I got insurance through COBRA, and then signed up with a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan through Pennsylvania's version of the Affordable Care Act after I no longer qualified for COBRA. (Funnily I just got off the phone with a BCBS representative, and we discussed my plans for 2026, including my intent to sign up for a BCBS Medicare Advantage plan in the spring.)

Also very well done on your financial planning; hopefully you have a good fiduciary/financial advisor as well. I didn't pay much attention to my retirement accounts when I was working, as my salary was more than sufficient to meet my needs, but what saved me was that I followed the advice I was given just after I was hired and put aside the maximum amount I could into my new retirement accounts.

I would definitely be interested in reading your gleanings from a class/lectures you attend.

Will do!

>93 kidzdoc: I am nothing if not a planner, Darryl! One thing that's great about setting up retirement at a fairly young age is that I just have things automatically paid into it, and I can let it keep doing its thing. I have a financial planner but should meet with him more regularly than I currently do - and I'm sure I'll do even more so (probably with a different financial planner then, as he's some years older than me) in another decade or so when retirement is coming closer. But yeah, I've planned for my finances, I have plans for my time... I am looking forward to future plans while enjoying the present, though, if that makes sense.

Happy Thursday! I took the day off and am very glad I did, as the appointment this morning turned out to be in-person and not virtual and was about 45 minutes away plus figuring out how on earth to park and get there. I have been to the gym and have thought about cooking but decided against it. I think I'm going to catch up on reviews, write up the music thoughts (I've finished the CDs I had), and knit for awhile before picking up the kiddo. I'm knitting him a Christmas stocking.

Reading: By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle and The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary

Listening: finished Suicide's self-titled album today

Crafting: another Christmas stocking! And possibly finishing up the mittens I'd been working on and put aside

Wishing you all the luck in getting the stocking done in time for the holidays!

>96 MickyFine: Thank you, I'll most likely need it, and I know you know the time crunch :D

113. Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo
Why now? Book club choice for November

We had a great discussion about this, and I highly recommend it as a book club read. I admit, I read it in a haze of the first couple of days of foster parenting, so I wasn't sure how much I would remember. But details came to me in the discussion last week so I participated/facilitated just fine, and finally sat down to write a review today.

114. Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
Why now? On Saturday I realized I hadn't grabbed a book to read while I was getting an oil change, so when my foster kiddo and I stopped at the library, this was one of my picks

The listening report -

"Pink Flag" by Wire
I had a visceral reaction to listening to this one. Something about the high-energy style had my body ramped up and anxious, and it was awful. I listened once through while driving and was super happy to move on. I might have found something I disliked more than Velvet Underground. #310 on the list

"Low" by David Bowie
I didn't like this one, but it kept my interest. I didn't actively dislike it or exactly enjoy it. But each song was so distinct and the things he was doing so experimental that my brain was actively engaged and listening throughout (a far cry from the last Bowie album that did...nothing at all, my brother and I talked through it hardly noticing a change in track). So it made for an interesting listening experience. I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it again, but neither would I object if anyone wanted to turn it on. #206 on the list

"Suicide" by Suicide
I would have disliked this more if "Pink Flag" weren't so recent in my memory. This is, Wikipedia tells me, punk rock and extremely influential and groundbreaking in terms of electronic music. I hesitate to call that background noise behind the vocals "music". One song was so disturbing I skipped the end ("Frankie Teardrop"). Glad to leave that one behind as well. #498 on the list

So yeah, interesting place to transition into my seasonal Christmas listening. I'll probably just listen to the radio for the next couple of days and officially change over this weekend, which is a little on the early side but I enjoy it so *shrug*. I have four more 1977 albums that I'll continue after that.

>94 bell7: You're well ahead of most people your age or considerably older from what I read in The New Retirement, Mary. I would gather that my physician friends are all in good shape financially, or nearly so, but an old and formerly very close friend of mine from high school is in dire financial straits, and even my brother, who will turn 60 next month and is a pharmaceutical representative, has lived well beyond his budget throughout his adult life and will unfortunately be in no position to retire in five years.

I am looking forward to future plans while enjoying the present, though, if that makes sense.

That makes complete sense to me!

Nice review of Crazy Brave; I'll add it to my library wish list.

>98 bell7: The AARP Bulletin has a feature on Joy Harjo.

>100 bell7: Maybe if "Frankie Teardrop" hadn't lasted the six hours, or days, it did? No, who'm I kidding it's just horrible, and let's leave them in 1977. Ick ptui.

Happy Mannheim Steamroller Days ahead!

>101 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! I've read enough articles that say knowing what you want to do in retirement can be key in actually enjoying it, so I like to think I'm setting myself up for success. And I'll look forward to your thoughts on Crazy Brave whenever you get to it.

>102 m.belljackson: Oh what excellent timing then!

>103 richardderus: Awful, awful song. Hands down the worst I've listened to and I probably should've turned it off quicker than I did. I started with Transsiberian Orchestra, but Mannheim Steamroller is most definitely in my future!

>91 bell7: I'm catching up tonight. It sounds like things are settling down with the foster child, which I'm glad to hear. May it continue to go so well!

Very interesting discussion of music and Billy Joel. "Piano Man" was the first thing of his that I ever heard on the radio (the shorter version of the song), and it's still my favorite of his. But I also really like "Uptown Girl" and "The Longest Time" and several others that were mentioned, especially by >87 norabelle414:. I do not care for "Just the Way You Are."

I find it so frustrating when I like the sound of a song but the lyrics have some meaning that I don't enjoy singing along to. That is so true! There are songs where I love the music but the words are questionable. But it can also be the other way around. For example, I once told someone that I didn't like Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song." That person was surprised; she really related to the lyrics. But I disliked the tune, so the words passed me by. There may be other songs out there that I hate because of the music (and/or the way it's played/sung) and I haven't noticed that I might like the lyrics because the tune is so off-putting.

>98 bell7: I DNF'd that one back in 2022 when I attempted to read it based on Mac (blackdogbooks) giving it 5 stars, but there were just too many triggers in it for me.

>99 bell7: Already in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again.

Have a super Sunday!

>99 bell7: While I was looking for another book just now, I discovered that I actually own Thornhedge. I need to get it read sooner rather than later lest I lose track of it again!

>104 bell7: Happy Sunday, Mary, and a lovely week-ahead's doins.

>105 atozgrl: Nice to see you, Irene, and thanks for your musical thoughts! I think music has at least as many ways as books that we might have an individual reaction to what we like or don't like about it. And it can definitely go the other way around where the lyrics are wonderful but the music doesn't connect. (I have to say, though, I rather like "Killing Me Softly" but I like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" better.)

>106 alcottacre: Yeah, I could see that being the case. It was hard to read for more than one of us in the group. I hope you enjoy Thornhedge when you get to it! I'm reading a couple of heavy-hitting nonfiction reads for TIOLI challenges and decided I needed to balance it out with easier reads whether or not they fit... so now I'm rereading the Murderbot Diaries.

>108 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! *smooch*

Happy Monday! The kiddo is off to school and I have a few minutes before I leave for work, and I'm planning to either take a walk with a friend or stop at the gym on the way home. We'll both be reconvening around suppertime and should have a fairly quiet evening.

I've been reading some heavy-hitting nonfiction that is excellent but also needed some balancing out. After Thornhedge I decided to start rereading the Murderbot Diaries and have finished the first two books. I'll have to update my reading lists soon to reflect that.

Reading: By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle, The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary and Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje

Listening: Christmas music! (Yeah, I know, I started early) Yesterday's choice was Josh Groban's "Noel" and then I started the soundtrack to Charlie Brown Christmas for something a little different

Watching: I got to see the last half quarter of the Giants game to see them absolutely fall apart at the end of a game they'd been leading all along. Words cannot convey how frustrating they are this year.

Crafting: Christmas stocking for my foster kiddo

>110 bell7: What books is your son reading?

>111 m.belljackson: My foster son read the Amulet series last week (loved it), the Investigators graphic novels, and Agents of S.U.I.T.S. as well as Catstronauts. He loves the Percy Jackson books (owns a bunch of them, hasn't read the newest, I think?) and Greek mythology in general, and he's current reading the first Wings of Fire book and Skandar and the Chaos Trials, I think (book 2 or 3 in the series, in any case). We have a nice stack out from the library, and he'll both come with me on the weekends to pick out books and happily tells me what next books in series he's reading for me to request and bring home from work.

>112 bell7: My sons read a lot of Percy Jackson and then they went on to Skulduggery Pleasant which my now-16 year old is still addicted to (in case you need yet another series).

>112 bell7: Wow. He sounds very well-read. How old is he?

Feeling seen?

Just a quick drive by to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Looks like you are getting down to a routine, Mary. It’s nice to see how you take it all in stride.

Looks like you are getting down to a routine, Mary. It’s nice to see how you take it all in stride.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, including your adoptive son, Mary!

Happy Thanksgiving, Mary! Wishing you and all your family the best.

>115 richardderus: Ha! That's a good one, RD.

>120 atozgrl: It makes me giggle, like most Gauld pieces do...he has a terrific sense of humor.

>113 humouress: Oh yeah, I remember Skulduggery Pleasant. I may have to add that to the list of books for him that seems to be ever-growing as my own TBR list.

>114 The_Hibernator: He is very well read, and very much enjoys getting new books. I'm afraid I'm going to be very vague on the Internet about any kind of details like age and the rest for his own safety/anonymity.

>115 richardderus: YES!

>116 Storeetllr: Happy Thanksgiving, Mary!

>117 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I can be flexible when I plan for it, if that makes sense. The first couple of weeks were definitely a whirlwind, and having a routine in place is huge. I'm also finding that I have a growing, very good support system surrounding me.

>119 kidzdoc: Thank you, Darryl! It was a really nice Thanksgiving, and hope yours was as well.

>120 atozgrl: The same to you, Stasia!

>121 richardderus: You remind me I still have Physics for Cats on my nightstand waiting patiently for me.

115. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Why now? I just got the digital ARC for the newest book and decided to reread the series

116. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Why now? Continuing rereading the series - why mess with a good thing?

117. Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
Why now? I got this as an ARC several months ago knowing I was going to read more international authors this year, and am finally getting to it now (it came out in July)

Apparently novellas, not the nonfiction I've been reading all month, is the way to go. Not too surprisingly, really.

Happy Friday! Belated happy Thanksgiving! We had a good day yesterday of family and food, and today I'm back at work. I'll be heading over to my parents afterwards to visit with family some more, and then have a fun weekend planned of Christmas decorating and more with the foster kiddo.

Reading: By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle, The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary, and Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

Listening: we went through a couple of Mannheim Steamroller, A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, and have now switched to the soundtrack of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

Crafting: working away on Christmas stocking and a cowl

>125 bell7: I think I liked it just a bit more than you did, Mary, but not by much.

I'm excited to see you re-reading Murderbot! Nothing beats it for making me feel Seen.

>126 bell7: Family and food, that's Turkey Day in a nutshell. Hooray for smooth holidays.

*smooch*

Love me some Murderbot! (But not in a weird way.) I can't wait for the next in the series.

Ooh I'm envious you got a Murderbot ARC. Tres exciting!

>127 richardderus: I know it's not the book it's me, but I just found Ivona so frustrating.
So yes, switching to Murderbot has been relatable in its anxiety and frustration with the real world while simultaneously being more of an escape and entertainment.

>128 Storeetllr: Right? I'm pretty excited to be able to dive into the new one early (and kinda forgot that I'd pre-purchased it too...).

>129 MickyFine: It's up on Edelweiss!

118. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Why now? Continuing the Murderbot reread

Happy Sunday! It's been a... well, an afternoon at home for the most part but also felt really busy? We went to church, came home to lunch, made a phone call each, and then did a quick grocery shopping. Watched a movie, got chores done, and now the bread is baking and I'm beat. My work days feel more relaxing than the weekend suddenly. Anyway, back to work and school for us both tomorrow, and hopefully settling into a couple of weeks of routine.

Reading: By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle and The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary

Listening: I switched out the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack today for Lord of the Rings

Watching: Ice Age this afternoon

Crafting: in the Christmas stocking today, I turned the heel and it's ready for me to pick up stitches and start working on the foot; I'm also progressing on a cowl for a Christmas gift

November in review -
119. By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
118. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
117. Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
116. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
115. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
114. Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
113. Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo
112. Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger
111. Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard
110. Going Clear by Lawrence Wright

Books read: 10
Did not finish: 0
Rereads: 4
Children's/Teen/Adult: 0/1/9
Fiction/Nonfiction/Plays/Poetry: 7/3/0/0

Because I want to awards:
Terrifying but great book - Going Clear by Lawrence Wright
Comfort reread series - All the Murderbot books

YTD stats-
Pages read: 34,076
Avg pages a day: 102
Books by authors of color: 43 (36%)
In translation: 19 (16%)
Indigenous authors: 10 (8.4%)
Countries of origin: US - 56 (47%); Canada - 16; UK - 14; Australia - 1; Algeria - 1; Argentina - 1; Bolivia - 1; Cote d'Ivoire - 4; Croatia - 1; Denmark - 1; Egypt - 1; France - 5; Germany - 1; Hungary - 1; India - 1; Ireland - 2; Mexico - 1; New Zealand - 2; Nigeria - 2; North Korea - 1; Peru - 1; Romania - 1; South Korea - 1; Taiwan - 1; Zimbabwe - 1
DNF: 4

Thoughts:
Unsurprisingly, my reading time went down dramatically this month and I only finished 10 books because four of them were novellas (though weirdly, of the six non-novellas, three were nonfiction so on balance maybe I read more than I thought...). I also got four rereads in, needing some comfort reads for a busy holiday season. I'm happy that I got so far ahead in reading international authors, because even not focusing on that at all, I'm still well ahead of my goal. The last book I finished this month was by an indigenous author, and I have one more out from the library currently so I'll come very close to or meet my goal of 12 this year.

Usually around this time, I start thinking about what my reading goals will be for the following year. I don't have anything really set in stone yet, but I'm wondering if I may not want to lean into novellas a bit more, as there are both really good ones coming out lately and my brain doesn't seem to want anything much longer anyway. I might also give myself a loose goal of reading my own books and "clearing out" a little bit, sending books away in my Little Free Library and trying to fit them into the bookshelves I have rather than having, well, a bunch in stacks in a storage room like I do now. This might be more aspirational than an actual goal. More realistically, I'm going to try to read more of the ARCs I've accumulated over the years and clear out my digital stockpile on my Kindle. Maybe I can get the unreviewed titles down from 40 to 20?

119. By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
Why now? This has been on my list since a BookPage review when it came out last year, and I decided it was one of the ones I should read for my indigenous authors' reading this year

120. Cinder House by Freya Marske
Why now? I like what I've read by Marske and have the ARC on my Kindle, but finally got around to reading a library copy because my co-worker recommended it

Mary, I'm usual hesitant to suggest books to you...a librarian getting civilian's input usually just ends up being embarrassing for both...but I just posted a review of My Sweet-Orange Tree, an old classic middle-grade read from Brazil, that I thought might appeal to your foster.

I loved it...wished I'd been able to gift it to 1968-me....

Happy December, Mary. I hope you are doing well. It looks like the books are treating you just fine. You landed a BB with By the fire we Carry. I immediately put it in my Audible WL. Hooray for Martha Welles! She Rocks!

>136 richardderus: Thank you for that, I've gone and put a hold on it and may just read it myself. You know I always listen to your recommendations - you've been following my reading long enough to have a very good sense of what works for me and doesn't. *smooch*

>137 msf59: Well, today was a sick day but I'm feeling good now and hopeful that we'll only get a little snow tomorrow after all. The books are indeed treating me fine, and I hope you get as much out of By the Fire We Carry as I did (saying "enjoy" just isn't right for this type of book).

>135 bell7: Ooh, that one looks good. I do love a fairy tale retelling.

>139 foggidawn: I hope you enjoy it, foggi!

Happy Tuesday! We had a sick day yesterday and a snow day today. I feel like that sort of made up for the busy weekend by being very low key and restorative. Yesterday I lazed about and read a novella and a half. Today I felt better and like I needed to be more productive, so I finished the kiddo's Christmas stocking and cooked us dinner (fried rice with kimchi, which he declared "amazing"). The snow was maybe a little over three inches, and since I hadn't yet turned in my signature to the plow guys, I cleaned off the car, moved it to the garage and shoveled out the driveways. He played a little outside while I did that, and then we spent the evening relaxing.

Tomorrow I'm hopeful we'll be back to our regular routine, as long as he continues on the upward swing from the cold we both got over the weekend. In the morning, I'll have someone coming in to check the insulation work done through MassSave last month, and then I work 12-8. I'm going to try to wedge in a grocery shopping, but I can put it off a couple of days if needed.

Reading: The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary, A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames, and Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

Listening: Christmas music from my Spotify playlist

Crafting: finished the Christmas stocking!

Happy Tuesday! We had a sick day yesterday and a snow day today. I feel like that sort of made up for the busy weekend by being very low key and restorative. Yesterday I lazed about and read a novella and a half. Today I felt better and like I needed to be more productive, so I finished the kiddo's Christmas stocking and cooked us dinner (fried rice with kimchi, which he declared "amazing"). The snow was maybe a little over three inches, and since I hadn't yet turned in my signature to the plow guys, I cleaned off the car, moved it to the garage and shoveled out the driveways. He played a little outside while I did that, and then we spent the evening relaxing.

Tomorrow I'm hopeful we'll be back to our regular routine, as long as he continues on the upward swing from the cold we both got over the weekend. In the morning, I'll have someone coming in to check the insulation work done through MassSave last month, and then I work 12-8. I'm going to try to wedge in a grocery shopping, but I can put it off a couple of days if needed.

Reading: The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary, A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames, and Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

Listening: Christmas music from my Spotify playlist

Crafting: finished the Christmas stocking!

Happy Wednesday! We are back in the swing of things after a couple of low key days (sick day and snow day). I had an inspection of the insulation work done by Mass Save and a readers' advisory group that I have been a part of for many years met over Zoom. Both of these, of course, happened simultaneously, but it was good to catch up with my librarian book group and hear about what people were reading, even if I was somewhat distracted.

I'm off to work shortly, and the big thing on the docket will be meeting with folks to discuss our website. Our last host sunsetted a couple of months back and I did a BUNCH of work migrating all the content (and navigation...) over, with some assistance from current director and one of the adult services librarians. Now we're taking a good look at it to start deciding what we want to keep the same, maybe change up, and who's in charge of updating what.

I decided not to wedge in the grocery shopping today.

Reading: same as yesterday; I should be able to finish Automatic Noodle today and start on The Midnight Library (reread - for book club next week)

Crafting: some work on a cowl for a Christmas gift

>143 bell7: You're clearly establishing a solid rhythm in the changed circs, Mary, so yay and hooray.

Happy rest of the week's doins!

>141 bell7: Sounds like you and your foster are well-suited: he likes to read, and he likes the food you make!

>109 bell7: Oh, I love Murderbot! I re-read the series last year and still loved them the second time.

>133 bell7: Looks like November was still a good reading month for you despite everything you had going on.

>134 bell7: Yeah, I thought that was a good one too. I read it thanks to you - since you put it in the TIOLI challenges for November :)

>144 richardderus: Yeah, we're definitely settling into a routine and it's a big help to my mental capacity to handle life in general.

>145 foggidawn: Ha! There are foods that I enjoy that he does not, but we seem to have found a few recipes in common so far.

>146 alcottacre: Hooray for Murderbot! I was pleased with November over all - I read Crazy Brave in a daze, but reading novellas seems to have hit the spot. I was glad to share By the Fire We Carry with you in November - for a second it looked like I wasn't going to finish it in time, but I sneaked it in Sunday night.

Happy Thursday, all! Yesterday turned out to be full of meetings, but it was productive, and I'm rather looking forward to seeing what today brings. I leave work early to get to a meeting at the school, I'll pick up the kiddo from aftercare early and we'll do a grocery shopping, and then we've got the social workers (both his and mine) coming for their monthly visit tonight. Frozen pizza for dinner, in case you were wondering. After all that, I'm not cooking.

I finished The Lucky Ones: A Memoir last night and should be able to finish Automatic Noodle today.

Reading: Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz and A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames

Listening: mostly random Christmas music on the radio, but I will probably go back to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack since we'll be in the car together some today

Crafting: cowl for a Christmas gift

121. The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary
Why now? It was on my TBR list due to Electric Literature's 2024 75 Books by Women of Color (an article worth checking out if you haven't! there's a version with different numbers going back to at least 2022), and fit last month's TIOLI challenge to read a book with "lucky" in the title, though I didn't finish it in time

122. Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
Why now? So this was on my list initially because Library Journal gave it a good review, but I borrowed it recently from the library because it made NPR's Books We Love list and I'm leaning into novellas at the moment. And no, I couldn't have picked a more different book from the last

Happy weekend! We had an adventure the last couple of days as my car's check engine light came on and had trouble starting on Thursday and Friday, only to die entirely while I was on my way to pick up the kiddo at aftercare yesterday. After waiting for the tow truck for two hours, we finally got home to a late supper and start getting ready for bed. My mom was kind enough to let me use her car today to go to a ladies' tea at church and while I was there, the mechanic called me to let me know the car was all set - it just needed a new battery.

After picking up the car, I've been tidying up and the kiddo's on the phone catching up with folks. We'll go out for a grocery shopping at some point and have frozen pizza for dinner tonight. Tomorrow I've got toddler nursery and after church, we've got plans to get together for lunch with some friends of mine. They have a couple of horses, so the kiddo is pretty thrilled about it.

Reading: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames

Listening: a little bit of the Lord of the Rings soundtrack and Christmas music on the radio

Crafting: a little bit of work on the cowl, I'm hoping to finish that up soon because I've got a few other Christmas gifts I've got to knit

Sorry to hear about the car drama, that's always stressful, but I'm glad it was a relatively easy fix.

Congrats on finishing the stocking for the kiddo before Christmas. That's very impressive!

>152 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! I was relieved that was all it appears to be, though I'm still keeping an eye on the check engine light and how it's driving... And thanks re: the stocking, I was pretty pleased I was able to complete it as quickly as I did (aided by an unexpected snow day, but still!).

123. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Why now? Read for book club, discussion on Wednesday

My initial assessment in the 2021 review below may be a bit harsh, driven in part by having high expectations going into it after its popularity and all the hype surrounding it. Expecting just an okay story, I liked it slightly better this time around and may even give it 4 stars.

124. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Why now? My annual reread

I've read this every year since 2006 definitely and several times prior to that as well.

>150 bell7: Adding this one to the wishlist, sounds good.

>154 bell7: Agreed, I felt this was quite heavy handed too.

Sorry to read about the mechanical issues with the car, fingers crossed it's resolved!

>149 bell7: >150 bell7: Adding those to the BlackHole. Thanks for the reviews and recommendations, Mary!

>154 bell7: Dodging that BB as I have already read it.

>155 bell7: I will be doing my annual re-read of that one sometime this month too.

I hope all is well with you and your boy. Have a terrific Tuesday, Mary!

>156 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! And hope you enjoy Automatic Noodle when you get to it.

>157 alcottacre: Oh good, those are both titles I will look forward to your thoughts on, Stasia. Things are going well, we have a busy week (but when do we not?) but some fun things planned, too.

Sorry about your car issues but glad everything worked out okay!

Does your foster kid like reading together, or does he mostly read on his own? A Christmas Carol seems like something you could read together.

I recently finished The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald and after writing a review I went to read other people's reviews and saw one from you where you said basically the same thing as me, more than a decade ago. Too funny!

Happy Tuesday, all! I'm working a regular day, picking up the kiddo, and making dinner tonight. I started to make granola last night but accidentally poured rice in the oatmeal instead of coconut and spent much of the rest of the evening picking out (most of) the grains. Ugh... So planning on finishing that tonight as well. Tomorrow morning I have a phone call (or two) to make, and I'm planning on making a slightly more time-consuming but delicious soup to round out food for the week and give us time on Thursday for something fun in the evening.

Reading: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter and Blackcurrant Fool by Victoria Goddard

Listening: a podcast or two yesterday

Crafting: haven't picked up the cowl in a bit, but I'm hoping to finish it soon so I have time to move on to other gifts

>159 norabelle414: Thanks, Nora! He prefers reading on his own - I actually tried getting the audiobook of Jim Dale reading A Christmas Carol but he wasn't interested.

I noticed your review of The Bookshop, too, and briefly wondered if you would find it as... abrupt... in print. (I do rather enjoy the LT feature that brings friends and similar library's reviews to the top of the pile now) And actually, now that I look back on my review, it's remarkable that we both bought and read it with similar knowledge going into it.

125. A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
Why now? A book I wanted to read since reading about it in BookPage earlier this year, and it fit a TIOLI challenge this month

>161 bell7: I think it would have been less abrupt if I'd read it in print (or been paying attention to where I was in the audiobook, instead of washing dishes), but more importantly I think if it was in print I would have skimmed the publication page and seen the date, which would have given me more context

>163 norabelle414: Granted, my memory is shaky but I remember the ending feeling like a letdown and still being kinda blindsided by it. But yeah, in print at least you'd see the number of pages left and the publication details so that makes sense.

>164 bell7:, >163 norabelle414: I loved the read...in part because, like her leaving abruptly, the ending was as abrupt, as much an abandonment as it was a departure. It gave me a sense of experiencing the moment as she, as the people she's leaving behind, would; jettisoning a dream, and with it, the others who shared it.

Anyway, Mary, have yourself a lovely little rice-heavy weekend to come!

>165 richardderus: That reading makes sense to me, Richard. I think I reacted more strongly because I was reading it in a time of "all of the books about bookstores are optimistic about how great they are" and the ending was all the more shocking to me because this... was not that. But it is fitting, as you say. Much like there's no other ending possible to Of Mice and Men but I still don't like it *sob*

Just checking in on you, Mary! I know you have a busy day today and I hope all things go smoothly.

Happy Thursday! I'm off today but have a bunch of plans and appointments to fill the day so it won't be particularly relaxing but I will cross some major things off the to-do list, so that's a plus. We're planning a fun evening outing after doing some clothes and gift shopping this afternoon, too.

Reading: Blackcurrant Fool by Victoria Goddard and The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Listening: Christmas music on the radio and my playlist, dipping into some podcasts

Crafting: slowly but surely working on the cowl but really need to step it up if I'm going to finish all the things I wanted to knit this month...

>167 alcottacre: Nice to see you before I head out on said busy day, Stasia!

>166 bell7: I totally get the emotional response. (I hate Violet Gamart very, very much.) That's also the genius of Of Mice and Men...it's spent a while making you invest in these guys and, WHAM...
...
...the reality rock barrels out of space. *sob* with you

>168 bell7: I really enjoy the cover of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, I hope the book lives up to it.

I'm waiting for my hold on The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year to come in. I'm #1 in line on 18 copies, so it shouldn't be too long now...

>171 norabelle414: >172 katiekrug: I read it last year and it was great! I hope you all (and Mary) have a grand time with it.

>170 richardderus: Yeah, that's very much how I tend to react to books though. If I get mad at the ending, that's kinda it for me (drives one of my brothers bonkers since he and I read so differently).

>171 norabelle414: It's quite fun so far. I didn't pick it up yesterday because I was finishing up Blackcurrant Fool, but I'll read more tonight.

>172 katiekrug: Oooh, hope it comes in soon! It'll be fun to have a book we read around the same time.

>173 MickyFine: One of my co-workers really surprised me when I checked it out by saying it was a fun read. She and I have commented multiple times on how different our reading is - we usually overlap very specifically in historical fiction and realistic YA titles we've both enjoyed. Your recommendation helped tip it onto the TBR list.

Happy Saturday! Busy day today with events in the morning and afternoon, and now for a relaxing evening to make up for it. I have progressed in my Christmas shopping and found some good stocking stuffers for the adults in the family, so now I just have some knitting to get working on and the rest of the shopping for the kiddo to do. We're baking cookies with my mom tomorrow.

Reading: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter and Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

Listening: Christmas music

Watching: I think I'm going to attempt an episode or two of Only Murders in the Building tonight

Crafting: the cowl is blocking and I'm working on a hat now

126. Blackcurrant Fool by Victoria Goddard
Why now? Continuing my reread of the series, co-reading with Stasia and Nina

127. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
Why now? Rereading through the series prior to reading the ARC of Platform Decay

>177 bell7: Oh, how I long to read them again for the first time!

I got the package today; it's not you, it's the magazines...this is the dull time for publishing. xo

Happy Wednesday! How is Christmas Eve next week already? I told my foster kiddo my family likes to call December 23 "Christmas Eve Eve" and he gave me a look like this was the oddest thing he'd heard in his life hahaha. Speaking of Christmas, I feel much more ready than I did even a week ago, with most of the gifts arrived and wrapped, and just waiting on a few more to come in, hopefully over the next few days. One might arrive late, oops... But overall, I feel like I did pretty well for a single foster mom attempting to also do the Santa thing on my own. I have some things to bake for family festivities, but the plans are set for the holidays and for school break, so that's a weight off my mind. I have the day after Christmas off from work as my floating holiday (we choose the day after Thanksgiving or the day after Christmas, though the library is open) and should have plenty of time to see visiting family.

At work, I've had a few big projects start to move along, so while we're not super busy with patrons, there's still plenty to do. I was involved in interviews for a part-time position earlier this week, and we hope to hire soon.

Reading: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter and Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Listening: Christmas music of various genres and artists

Crafting: knitting a hat, hoping to finish that up soon and start on the matching gloves for a couple of last-minute Christmas gifts

>178 richardderus: Well, good. I was unnerved at how uninterested I was (though to be fair, there are some titles I'm interested in, I just knew I'd already noted them).

I'm enjoying the reread and am VERY excited for the new title. I need to remember to grab my paper copy of Network Effect the next time I go by the storage room upstairs (I need more book cases, natch).

>180 bell7: More book cases should be item one on every homeowner's list, no?

>179 bell7: I was just saying to Kerry today, "How did December get to be over halfway done?" Geez louise.

I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday, Mary!

Exit Strategy is next up for me (us), and I have it out from the library to listen on our way to Virginia on Saturday 🙂

>181 richardderus: It's on my Christmas list, but realistically would only come from my parents and there would only be one which is not enough *insert crying laughing emoji here*

>182 alcottacre: Right? This month, this year flew by, and it's nearly 2026.

>183 katiekrug: Yay! I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable :)

One of my favorite "best of" books lists of the year, LitHub has tallied up several best of lists to present popular titles on multiple lists.

>185 bell7: I am so pleased to see The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny at the top of the list! And utterly devastated not to see The Remembered Soldier on there at all, though The Antidote is...yeeeccchhh

Happy weekend-ahead's reads!

Hi Mary! I think it sounds like you're doing great as a first-time Santa! Coming from someone who is woefully behind on their shopping.... I hope you have a lovely holiday!

>186 richardderus: I daresay I will read more of them next year - I only read 21 books published in 2025 this year, and only two made the compiled list. I thought Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil was fine, and Memorial Days was exceptional.

>187 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! It's fun and stressful all at the same time haha. But I do love Christmas and gift-giving. Can't believe it's next week already!

>185 bell7: Thanks for posting this list, Mary. From it I've read Audition, Flesh (the winner of this year's Booker Prize), Stone Yard Devotional (although I read it in 2024, when it was nominated for last year's Booker Prize), and Theft. That's not bad considering I've only finished 18 books so far this year.

I've never read any of the Murderbot series but your reread has inspired me to put All Systems Red on hold at the library. Automatic Noodle also sounds good. Have a wonderful Christmas with the new kiddo in tow!

>189 kidzdoc: You're most welcome, Darryl, and I hope it's one you find useful. It's one of the ones I enjoy perusing each year, as well as NPR's "Books We Love" and the Publisher's Weekly list, which also include links to past year's top titles.

>190 Familyhistorian: I hope you enjoy it, Meg! I have Network Effect sitting here patiently while I have been mostly reading on my Kindle the last few days.

128. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Why now? On my list due to BookPage and Micky's recommendation, and I thought it would be fitting holiday reading since I almost never fit anything seasonal besides A Christmas Carol

129. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
Why now? I was looking for a book to fit in a TIOLI challenge ("bone" in the title), and decided to reread - maybe I'll finish the series this time around?

My review from 2019 -

130. Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander
Why now? My introduction to Alexander was his Newbery award book, The Crossover, but I expect there will be many more in my future - this was one I added to the list when I learned it was coming out through a Library Journal review, and read now because it fit a TIOLI challenge (male relative in the title)

There, I'm officially caught up with reviews!

Happy Sunday. It's been a busy weekend, on Saturday I spent some time with my first Little who's now in college so I only see her a few times a year, and today after church I spent some time with the Little that I see monthly. The foster kiddo got to spend some time with friends and with my parents while I was out, and we did some chores around the house this afternoon after I got back. He's asleep now, and I'm catching up on the books I've finished over the last few days before heading to bed myself. We've got a busy week ahead of us, but I feel prepared by what we were able to do this weekend, which is always good.

Plans for the holidays are coming together. All my siblings should be together for Christmas Eve and Christmas which is becoming increasingly rare, and I'm looking forward to the holiday. My foster kiddo is looking forward to seeing the niblings as well.

Reading: Seventhblade by Tonia Laird

Listening: various Christmas albums, though mostly "Warmer in Winter" by Lindsey Stirling

Crafting: getting close to finish the hat, and going to move on to the matching mittens soon

Seems a little odd to say happy Monday, but here we are! Another week, and a full one at that. I worked a short day but had to pick up the foster kiddo at school for an appointment. We're chilling the rest of the day, listening to Christmas music, reading, etc. He's been really into the Wings of Fire series lately, so I got the next few books from the library to (hopefully) tide him over through the holiday break.

Tomorrow is a full work and school day, but starting Christmas Eve he's off for the week and a half, and I'm off from noon Wednesday through the end of the week. Looking forward to lots of time with family and fun!

It occurs to me that I haven't updated on my fantasy football team lately (not that most folks here care, I know haha). After starting undefeated out of the gate and then going 8-1 and I had a tougher showing over the last few weeks, but still managed to do well enough to have a bye in our playoffs. I'm currently playing to get into the championship, and I need two players from San Francisco to score me a combined 30 points for me to win and move on to the next round. My current opponent is last year's champ, so wish me luck!

Reading: Seventhblade by Tonia Laird and The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell (I should've included that last night but forgot)

Listening/Crafting, etc. all the same

131. The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
Why now? I've had all of Montell's books on my TBR list, and this was the year to read them all, apparently. This one was available as an e-book and I had the ARC on my Kindle since last year, so decided it was time.

Mary, as all y'all get ready to celebrate, remember:

>198 richardderus: Of course they don't! ;)

Christmas Eve! I probably won't be on here much over the next few days, so I hope those of you celebrating have a lovely holiday. I'm "working" 'til noon, have some baking to do for festivities, and then the festivities themselves this afternoon/evening and tomorrow. All of my immediate family should be gathered together, which is 14 of us now counting the in-laws and kids.

End-of-the-year has some fun wrap-up lists, and I thought y'all might enjoy this Book Riot compilation of the most popular books in libraries in 2025.

Reading: Seventhblade by Tonia Laird

Listening: currently a Pentatonix Christmas album (kiddo loves "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" so that's been on repeat a lot lately)

Watching: Muppet Christmas Carol today, an annual tradition

Crafting: a pair of slipper socks

>200 bell7: Wow, is that site determined to blare ads at me. I'm sad that greed has done such a number on Hoopla and that B&T died because of it. The list was predictable, and somewhat heartening because James was so prominent. As was Careless People...a really good book about how off-course the world really is.

Enjoy the Muppets!

>201 richardderus: Ah, sorry, I have an ad blocker at work that takes care of a lot of that and I don't always realize when a website is particularly ad-heavy as a result. Book Riot *is* a great resource if you're able to get past that, though. James was amazing, and I'm going to read a lot more Percival Everett because of it.

Happy Christmas, Mary!

Have a lovely festive season, Mary.

By the way, there's a new place to hang out! Come join me... https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/25017/75-Books-Challenge-for-2026

>203 quondame: Merry Christmas, Susan!

>204 PaulCranswick: Thank you and the same to you, Paul!

>205 drneutron: Oooh, thanks for the heads up, Jim! I'll probably start a thread very shortly because there's no guaranteeing when I'll have time again before the start of the year...

Happy Friday, everyone! The last couple of days have been very festive with lots of family plans. Today is much more low key, foster kiddo and I have been hanging out at home while he explores his Christmas gifts. I was a successful Santa and actually found it quite fun. I did start eating the carrots we'd put out before I realized... yeah, if I put these back in the bag, he'll never know... Santa brought a sled, which was very exciting and I'm sure will come out as soon as there's snow on the ground again.

We're meeting up with some of my family at a restaurant/brewery in a couple of hours, and then I'm ready to call it an early night. Tomorrow will be primarily hanging out at my parents' house while my sister and her boyfriend are visiting, and then we're going to a local place that has a bunch of Christmas lights with all of them and my brother, SIL, and the littlest nieces.

Happy holidays, Mary! Hope your Christmas festivities were merry and bright!

Thanks for the Book Riot link. I'll check it out when I have a few minutes.

>208 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary! Hope you had a lovely holiday as well!

Glad to hear your Christmas celebrations have gone well and that you and the foster kiddo are having a very merry season.

Having a kiddo around at Christmas time is it's own special magic! All the best for the rest of the holidays to you, Mary!

>192 bell7: I have read and enjoyed several of Carter's books, so I will have to see if I can find a copy of that one. Thanks for the recommendation and review, Mary.

>193 bell7: Dodging that BB as I have already read it. . . although it has been a while. . .

>194 bell7: The sound of that one intrigues me. I will look to see if my local library has a copy.

Glad to hear that you and your foster son had a great first Christmas together!

Merry Christmas to you, Mary - I have loved catching up here. It sounds like your beginning together could not have gone better and I am so thrilled for both of you.

>210 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Hope you had a merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.

>211 Familyhistorian: It is, and we had five running around at their various ages, which was a lot of fun. Happy new year to you, Meg!

>212 alcottacre: Glad I could add to the BlackHole some, Stasia. Looking forward to your thoughts on the books. And thank you re: Christmas, we had some ups and downs each day but overall I think it went very well.

>213 AMQS: Thank you, Anne! It's been a rollercoaster ride, for sure, but we are doing well overall and I've been pleased with the support system we've been able to set up, too. Single parenting is no joke!

Happy Sunday! Can you believe 2025 is winding down and the new year is almost here? It's been a whirlwind for me, and I need to grab my journal some time over the next few days to look back on my goals for the year and reflect a bit. The main goal was that of completing the training for fostering - I couldn't even get myself to put "getting my foster care license" as a goal, I just put the training on - so the fact that I am where I am really overshadows any other smaller goals I had anyway. But I still want that moment of reflection and re-evaluation for 2026.

Today we're going to church and I'll have an afternoon to catch up on some things while my foster son has plans. Tomorrow is his full week of holiday break while I'm at work, so he's signed up for a camp that hopefully will be a lot of fun for him, because it's also the best option I've got right now for winter and spring breaks, too. I'm looking forward to the New Year's holiday to be fairly low key after the mostly busy Christmas extended weekend. It was a lot of fun hanging out with family as much as we did, though.

My final fantasy football matchup is this weekend, with a couple of players playing tomorrow. We're projected pretty much 50/50 so I'll be keeping an eye on that between everything else to see if I won the league or not.

Reading: Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stone and Network Effect by Martha Wells

Listening: a little leftover Christmas music (mostly Pentatonix) before I go back to my Rolling Stones project

Crafting: some work on a pair of slipper socks

Happy Holidays, Mary. Finally checking in with you. I see you are as busy as ever. I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

132. Seventhblade by Tonia Laird
Why now? Richard's review put this on my radar, and since one of my goals for the year was to read books by indigenous and non-American authors, I put it on hold at the library. Also, the author shares a fairly uncommon name with someone I know so I had to.

>216 msf59: Nice to see you, Mark! Yep, busy as ever is right. I still managed to get a lot of reading in, though, so I think I'm doing alright overall. Hope you had an excellent weekend!

Happy Monday! Back to work today and I'm in charge for the week. The fun we had was figuring out scheduling tomorrow and a leak in the skylight into the foyer. I was out at 2 and went to the gym, then made dinner. The kiddo has a holiday camp for the week, and he should be getting back soon to tell me all about it. Hopefully the day went well for him, too!

Reading: Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stone and Network Effect by Martha Wells

Listening: "Rumour" by Fleetwood Mac

Crafting: some work on a pair of slipper socks

Hi Mary! Glad to hear Christmas went well and you were a successful Santa :) Hope the kiddo's first day at camp went well.

>220 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! Yeah, he loved it and the people running it love him, so looks like all will be well.

Hi Mary, wishing you a Very Happy New Year, my dear.

Happy New Year, Mary.

>222 johnsimpson: Happy new year, John!

>223 Kristelh: Happy new year, Kristel!

133. Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner
Why now? This title first made it on my list because of "work emails" a fairly cryptic note to myself that I originally heard about it through the many different emails I'm subscribed to let me know about new titles I should be buying for the library or recommending to patrons. It fit the TIOLI challenge to have the word "well" in the title, and was available through Libby when I was ready for an e-book.

December in review
133. Semi-well-adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stone
132. Seventhblade by Tonia Laird
131. The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
130. Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander
129. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
128. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
127. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
126. Blackcurrant Fool by Victoria Goddard
125. A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
124. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
123. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
122. Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
121. The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary
120. Cinder House by Freya Marske

Books read: 14
Did not finish: 0
Rereads: 5
Children's/Teen/Adult: 0/1/13
Fiction/Nonfiction/Plays/Poetry: 10/4/0/0

Because I want to awards:
If you like candid child memoirs - Semi-well-adjusted Despite Literally Everything
Fun seasonal read - The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
Just as good as a reread - Exit Strategy (really just all the Murderbot books...)

YTD stats-
Total books read in 2025: 133
Pages read: 37,757
Avg pages a day: 102
Books by authors of color: 46 (34.5%)
In translation: 19 (14.3%)
Indigenous authors: 11 (8.3%)
Countries of origin: US - 63 (47%); Canada - 18; UK - 17; Australia - 2; Algeria - 1; Argentina - 1; Bolivia - 1; Cote d'Ivoire - 4; Croatia - 1; Denmark - 1; Egypt - 1; France - 5; Germany - 1; Hungary - 1; India - 2; Ireland - 2; Mexico - 1; New Zealand - 2; Nigeria - 2; North Korea - 1; Peru - 1; Romania - 1; South Korea - 1; Taiwan - 1; Zimbabwe - 1
DNF: 4

Thoughts: Partially from reading fairly short books, my reading picked up significantly in December to a degree that even surprised me. My ratings varied from 3.5 to 4.5, mostly enjoyable books an a few I was kinda meh about, but overall very solid. My goal of reading books by non-U.S. authors stayed steady throughout the year, and I finished with 47% authors born in the U.S. I read 11 books by indigenous authors, very nearly meeting my goal of 12. Overall, I'm proud of that effort and the books and authors I was introduced to as a result.

In 2026, I'm going easy on myself as far as goals go. I'm going to intentionally look for novellas since there are many, particularly in the SFF genres, that have come out over the last few years that I want to read. I'd also like to read through the e-ARCs I've downloaded on my Kindle over the years and review those so that my list on Edelweiss and NetGalley gets under 20 unreviewed books. And as always, I have a few books I have to read for work, but other than that I'm giving myself full permission to lean into what I like. I'll track the same stats that I did this year, but it will be more for observation than a specific goal.

And with that, I'm fully ready to migrate to my new thread. Please join me if you haven't already!