Reading with considerable abandon - 2026

I will attempt to read more from my shelves this year than from the library. I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading, but have neglected loads of materials that have been stored up just for this time of life. Let me get to them before my eyes give out.

The Case of the Negligent Nymph - 1 was acquired because the evocative dustcover was so pristine.


I’d never read a Perry Mason story, and I barely enjoyed it. So now I must decide whether to place it on the discard pile. I do so love good covers.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and new thread!

Thank you both and glad to have you along!

League of Dragons - 2 catches me up on the series. But wow! What a punch the climax gives here! I am reeling.

Happy new year to you!

Welcome Claire!

I sampled Pawn of Prophecy and knew to toss it at 1%.

>6 2wonderY: That's one I read before I'd read much other fantasy, but even in my ignorance I knew to give up the series before the end.

>6 2wonderY: Ah, back in the day we ate it up. But there was so much less at the buffet. Paint by numbers F&SF blessedly seems to have been obscured by much better offerings.

The flavor of it was more evident because it was on audio, I think. Can’t recall if I’ve ever read any other books by Eddings.

I’m a little embarrassed, but it was advertised as available on my library’s Libby page. I did housework while I listened to Snowed Under - 3. It was formulaic, but it did have a few genuine emotional moments. Cooper is children’s ski instructor. He nicknames a young boy with promising skills Mini-Coop before he meets and falls for the boy’s aunt and guardian. There is an endearing two-year old handful with severe speech delay too.

Twenty-five pages into Funny Letters from Famous People and not finding much humor. Either Osgood is very bad at his job or our presidents are wooden idiots. There is a long excerpt from a note T. Roosevelt wrote to the State Department about the inane addresses they wrote for him to deliver. Seems to me his complaint was solid, not funny.
I know there was one hilarious example further on in the book that I came upon at random before deciding to read the book.
But this is assuredly not a keeper. I will plod on for a while.

I wasn’t going to do another romance so soon, but this was on hold because I enjoyed books 1 and 2 last month. Life’s Too Short - 4 was disappointing. Fairly stock characters, but with major life issues in their families. Hoarding, drug addiction and codependency all too easily solved by interventions. Even baby Grace feels like just a prop.
Jimenez specializes in women with major health issues, but those problems evaporate at the end. She says she models these characters from actual friends she has had; but it eventually feels like exploitation rather than empathy.

Quit Of Monsters and Mainframes at 14%. Ick. Perhaps it would have been more tolerable and engaging in print where you can skip some of the computer software idiocy.

Meg Cabot is too graphic for me. Tossing Enchanted to Meet You on page 2.

I am attempting to finally read the beautifully bound books written by Myrtle Reed. They should be useful as well as beautiful.
I’m starting with The Master’s Violin, and I was first charmed by a description of the fire:

Tints of amethyst and sapphire appeared in the haze from the backlog and were lost a moment later in the dominant flame. In that last hour of glorious life, the tree was giving back its memories-blue skies, grey days just tinged with gold, lost rainbows, and flashes of sun.

But a few pages more, I thought she was generally too flowery. Introductions to the characters are sparse and yet complicated.

My eyesight is making the going a bit tedious.

I haven’t decided yet whether I like it.

I’ve been staying on social media for the last week, glued to what is happening in Minnesota. I feel so useless just continuing my regular life.

Back to The Master’s Violin. I’m alternately enchanted and annoyed on the same page. I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced this confusion. Reed plays with her descriptions and her characters shamelessly.
Closing the book and reveling in the Margaret Armstrong cover design does help.

No No No. stop downloading random romance novels.
A matzah costume and then feral Jewish children. STOP! Quitting The Matzah Ball at 51% I’m embarrassed to admit.

>18 2wonderY: That book sounds like fun, and my library even has it. Should I not ask to have it brought to my branch?

>19 MarthaJeanne: I thought it sounded fun too; but I’d rate it as not worth it. Just not well executed.

OTOH, I went back and listened to Snowed Under again to focus on Cooper’s relationships with the kids specifically, and I liked it even more than the first time. I will look for the author again to see if that’s a consistent theme.

Sampled Quicksilver. Determined at 5% that the characters were much too annoying.

I enjoyed Juliana Smith once, but I’m disappointed with her earlier Baggage Claim. No reason to continue, so discarding at 33%.

Sampled Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and tossed it at 6%. The unicorns are nasty. Not sure why anyone would want to ride them.

Listening to Jesus and the Powers - 5. Their message to Christians, as opposed to politicizing Jesus is to “Do God” in the world. There is fundamental misunderstanding about heaven. We are not to strive to get there, but to bring it here.

They argue for secularism as a safeguard for too much certainty on the part of one faction.

>24 2wonderY: 'Thy kingdom come on Earth.' I've heard that somewhere before.

Oh! Tom Wright. I may have to get that.

>25 MarthaJeanne: His Covid book was better, I think.

>26 2wonderY: That one was particularly good, even for him. I have 38 of his books entered. One or two more wouldn't hurt.

I finished Interim Errantry - 6. It’s seasonal, with three stories spanning from Halloween to Valentine’s Day. The last was the best. One small kind act changed the trajectory of a whole population. Being more than acting.

One of the books I picked up last summer at the Salvation Army, Young Widow, had never been read. You could tell by the tight binding and pristine dust jacket. But the pages are aged orange, just because the paper is WW2 cheap.
There are several odd things here. Joan, the young widow, has moved back to the southern home place, living with two aunts. Her favorite, Cissie, is continuously described in starkly unkind ways, in her size, attire, personal habits. I’ve never seen the like.
The narrator refers to the darkies, while Joan calls them Negroes; and only affectionately.
A young man insinuates himself into the household with a mad crush on Joan.
Joan has carnal memories of her beloved husband. “Full moon tonight. No sleep for you old lady.”
There is an old secret (scandal?) concerning Joan’s parentage.
A man named Willie Carter has been referenced as a possible spouse for Joan, yet he is no where present.
I’m only at 15% read.

>29 2wonderY: This is not an ordinary romance. It’s got sharp elbows everywhere. It seems to be a critique of Baltimore high society now.
And Aunt Cissie has transformed at page 130; from having just being called a pachyderm, to a sleek knowing and known member of that society. She is delightful!

Four days to read a book. It’s my poor old eyes.
I finished Young Widow - 7. It got complex and a bit dark, and I was tempted to quit; but I’m glad I stuck with it. The widow emerges from two years of deep mourning to find employment and try to find life again. The author does a good job, for once, of describing her sorrow and longing. There are five men immediately interested in her, with complicated characters and emotions. And then, the women of the group also have complex constitutions. It could easily have turned ugly. But it satisfactorily rights itself and Aunt Cissie is the best man. Even the reticent old maid office manager is graciously remembered.

I listened too long to Spelled at 8%. Too many random items in my Libby list. Not much grabbing me there. I am reading an absorbing book in print.

Marriage for Rosamond - 8 is the other 1940s romance from the thrift store. It too is less formulaic and more complex than today’s often trite stories. The falling in love and the wedding come off early here. It is rather that her new husband has a severe blind spot as regards his younger and very irresponsible brother. Most of the characters have moments of self-reflection, and spending time with them was pleasant. But the book ended flatly with a dull thud.

Seeing that we can expect another in the series, I listened again to Bookshops & Bonedust - 9. I’m glad I started there because I hadn’t remembered that it’s the actual prequel. Satchel is my favorite character.

“Targeted universal programs”
A refinement on how to deliver services and benefits appropriately.

Poverty, by America - 10 throws a lot of numbers and statistics around. Hard to evaluate when reading the audio book. But worthwhile nonetheless.

I, Robot: To Protect -11. In response to all the AI nonsense happening in the real world today, with evidence that AI will lie and cheat and spew nonsense, I went looking for the Susan Calvin books that test the three laws of robotics. This is a modern uptake of her story. It was attractive at first; but it has some major flaws.
- major info dumps
- unbelievable brilliance of the main character and cloudy thinking of others
- the pace of the action is stupidly out of proportion
- it ends with a political diatribe against those who might be too cautious about scientific progress; equating them with the terrorists in the plot.

Wince worthy

Discarding The Air Raid Book Club at 8%. It’s not at all memorable and is scheduled to drop from my Libby soon anyway.

>37 2wonderY: Sorry.

Not a big deal. I’m learning that I sample as many books as I finish. Always have, I think. It was just more mindless when they were physical books.

TossingThere’s Always Next Year at approximately the same amount read.

Christmas at Emmerdale - 12

Barrayar - 13

Rock and a Hard Place discontinued at 12%. Has not explained yet why the two main characters broke up, and that seems to be the crux of the plot.

Shards of Honor - 14. Read out of order just because that’s how they arrived in Libby. I felt the need for some Cordelia Naismith.

Skimmed The Peculiar Institution - 15, which has been on my shelf for a very long time. Published in 1956, it has a remarkably modern and rational take on Southern slavery. It challenges all the accepted reasons and models which supported the institution. But I have read multiple other strong narratives that have educated me to a higher degree. I find I don’t need this volume.

A Case of Mice and Murder sent back at 26% read. I have no recollection of the contents. That’s pretty sad.

However, I did enjoy a re-read of Legends & Lattes - 16 preparatory to reading the third book.

Brigands and Breadknives - 17 is a disappointment. I’m at 67%, so it could still be redeemed, but Fern, the bookstore owner from the prequel, runs away from a good situation. Having joined Viv finally, she tosses the new store and community and goes out on the road. She hates her situation and associates for a orotracted period and writes continuous apologies to Viv without mailing them.
I really cannot stand this kind of behavior.

Lincoln at Cooper Union - 18. Another very good book about just prior to the first Civil War. Did you know Lincoln did not receive a majority of the popular vote? There were three candidates. But he did get an overwhelming electoral votes despite not even being on the ballot in ten southern states. And Holzer credits Matthew Brady’s portrait, taken the same day as the speech, with hugely popularizing Lincoln, as much as reprints of the speech as well.

My Libby page is an utter mess. Lots borrowed and not attended to. Abandoned Antique at 12% is going away today. It involves an enchanted necklace and an art appraiser.

The Vor Game - 19 is always a bit awkward as it contains two, nearly three, consecutive plots. Emperor Gregor is a main character in the second half. Should I pick up with his love story? He’s so repressed, but a good player here.

>48 2wonderY: Gregor’s love story - as opposed to his wedding - occurs in my favorite Vorkosigan book. Memory is my favorite SF book, actually. But alas for Gregory, he isn’t much in focus. Important, of course.

>49 quondame: Thanks! I am just dipping in without following the series numbers this year. Gregor is such a sympathetic character. He deserves more attention.

Quitting The Lions’ Run at 59%. I kept at it so long because it’s supposedly about the French Underground. It is, but not convincingly.

Read the bulk of Midnight Rising - 20. Some for class and some to broaden my understanding. Professor Crum is choosing wonderful readings for this class. They not only illustrate the actors, but also the times - the political, social, economic, religious and the practical issues of the day.

Mirror Dance -21, because I needed the orientation before reading the next book. Gregor is in a few scenes, very much matured into his role. He reaches out to Mark and evaluates him and gives him the same trust he affords the rest of the family.
Cordelia and Aral do the same in their inimitable styles. What great characters!

Men Who Hate Women is a valuable book, I am sure. But the litany of hate that was recited made me blanch. I had to quit at 2%

Explaining a scene in Pride and Predjudice

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTkeQfRbN/

*snicker

In the middle of Memory, and Miles reflects that he is “sick of himself.” Bujold is masterful; because her portrayal of him from the first page has been slightly curdling, and we too are sick of him. But he has found his way to Silvy Vale, where he once pledged himself to the dead infant, Raina. We know healing will now occur.

>55 2wonderY: You may not be there yet, but my most favorite bit of dialog is at 82% (pg 382/463). Memory is my favorite SF book by a big margin.

Documentary narrated by Alex Haley about the first challenges confronting the establishment and continuing mission of Berea College.
Once Upon A Vision: The Berea Story 1854 - 1904

>56 quondame: You are absolutely correct; a dialogue between Miles and Miles. An epic struggle. I’d forgotten that Memory - 22 is themed with both Ilyan’s memory struggles and Miles’ struggle with identity.

I’m progressing well with Entangled Life - 23. Fascinating material.

Sheesh. I have been reading; but I seem to have abandoned keeping track. A good bit of my reading in April was re-reads for comfort. Harry Dresden and Peter Grant mostly.
This month I’ve found a few titles I’ve really enjoyed.

The Correspondent
Mad Mabel is very much in the same style and theme.
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club was just okay.
I am disappointed with Simply Jesus. That surprised me. I listened to 14% before quitting.

I listened to a BBC audio performance of The Fellowship of the Ring. Adapted by Brian Sibley in 1981. It holds up well. It was the length of a long film.

I’m more than half way through Sky Full of Elephants and I do recommend it. Life after all white people are catastrophically and inexplicably gone.

Further reading on the Civil War era, half of Team of Rivals, which is a reread from a long time ago, and To Rescue the Republic, an excellent biography of US Grant. I’ve got his autobiography on disk from the library, but it is immense!

Abandoning Here There Be Dragons and Tiger, Tiger, both at about 15% read.

I see the eye surgeon first week of June.

>60 2wonderY: The library has Sky full of elhants, so I will try it.

“The tattooed corpses of dead trees”

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTBhbWJ2D/

If you pray, say some for me.

Laser surgery on one eye in a few minutes.

The surgery went well. Eyesight immediately improved. Chunky floaters should go away. Fear of complications like retinal detachment will last 6 weeks.

I recommend a visit to a plant nursery right after eye dilation. The colors are holy.

Cataract or a different surgery?

>65 fuzzi: I have “secondary cataracts.” The darkening occurs on the membrane that holds the lens.

>66 2wonderY: that's a new condition to me. Hope your eyes continue to improve.

Back at the eye doctor this morning with increased floaters. Just a precaution, I hope.

The doctor said all looks well. The theory is that my newly sharper vision is showing me the floaters that were already there.
Scheduled the other eye for next month.

Lies Jane Austen Told Me is not recommended. The main character blathered on repetitively and the characters and actions were not much interesting. Except for 12 yo niece April. I liked her.

The Storm Runners trilogy was interesting and short enough to listen to all of them. Chase’s father is struck by lightning and lives; but they chase storms in order to be on hand when repair contractors are needed. The first two books are a hurricane involving circus animals. The third book is an earthquake with still more circus personnel. His dad’s relationship with lightning is interesting.

Jim Dale reads the US version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I’m now trying Stephen Fry’s English reading.

>69 2wonderY: good news!

Tolkien’s Ordinary Virtues

A three hour review of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and how it echoes lessons in the Bible. A very nice visit.

At chapter 3 in Local Heavens and it’s very depressing. It’s a near future dystopia and it feels too real. Body mods, AI everywhere, rampant data centers with the consequent deterioration of communities and environment, and of course, the ultra-rich diddling with anything they please.
It expires from my Libby soon. I doubt I will revisit.