Alcott Acre's Home, Room 3

Let's get the introduction out of the way. My name is Stasia and I have been happily married to the recently retired Kerry for 37 years in June. We have 6 children, 4 of whom are my stepchildren and 2 of whom are ours together. We also have 8 grandchildren. We lost our daughter Nichole in 2023.

We are now the parents of 3 furbabies: Mallory and Chalfont, who are littermates, and newly adopted Ilan, who was an outside cat until Kerry let him into the house. Mallory and Chalfont will be 5 years old in March. Ilan is will be 1 year old in April.

I am a Christian, but I am not one of the evangelicals responsible for the current President of the U.S. I tell everyone that I would not have voted for him if he was the only one running!

I love to read it goes without saying and Kerry is very good about all of the books strewn throughout our house. Since Kerry retired in late 2023, we have spent a lot of time over the course of the past couple of years playing board games (my other hobby) and despite that, my reading has continued apace. I am hoping to slow my reading pace down in 2026 as I have a lot of projects around my house that I would like to get done. I am shooting for 240 books this year as opposed to the 350+ I normally read!

I suffer from both insomnia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known to me familiarly as 'stupid CFS') so to say my sleeping is haphazard may be an understatement, lol. Generally speaking, if I get 4 hours of sleep a night I am happy. Unfortunately when my CFS hits, I get about 14. Ugh.

We traveled quite a bit in 2025 - for us anyway - but 2026 is shaping up to be quite different. Currently we have one family vacation planned and that is it. I still hope to get to the Pacific Northwest at some point, but it does not look like it is going to be this year.

That's about it, I think, so come on in and grab a cuppa!

Excellent Reads from 2026, Part I - Books Rated 5 stars
Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers
The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Excellent Reads from 2026, Part II - Books Rated 4.5 stars
Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Plan for the Worst by Jodi Taylor
The Most Wonderful Books edited by Michael Dorris and Emilie Buchwald
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Coming Up Short: A Memoir of America by Robert Reich
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb
A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers

Excellent Reads from 2026, Part III - Books Rated 4.25 stars
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
Playground by Richard Powers
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
The Auschwitz Photographer by Luca Crippa & Maurizio Onnis
Another Time, Another Place by Jodi Taylor
Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D. G. Kelley
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens

March TIOLI Challenges:

Challenge #1: Read a book with a title of at least four words which incorporates a four-letter combination drawn from either the title, subtitle or author's name of the previously listed book in your book's title, subtitle, or author's name
Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison - Completed March 5, 2026
The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan - Completed March 27, 2026

Challenge #2: Read a book with something in the title referencing spring or new life
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - Completed March 16, 2026

Challenge #3: Read a book with a word that contains a consecutive same vowel
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky - Completed March 3, 2026
The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 7, 2026
Serpent’s Tooth by Faye Kellerman - Completed March 25, 2026

Challenge #4: The "Subtitles Rule" Challenge: Read a book whose subtitle contains at least 7 words
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham Completed March 9, 2026

Challenge #5: Read a book where Author’s Last name could be used as a first name
Golden in Death by J. D. Robb - Completed March 10, 2026
We Are Legion by Dennis E. Taylor - Completed March 16, 2026

Challenge #6: Read a book by an author featured in the 2016 American Authors challenge
A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler - Completed March 30, 2026

Challenge #7: Read a book published in a Year of the Horse
My Antonia by Willa Cather - Completed March 19, 2026

Challenge #8: Read a book that contains two major themes not including romance, name them
The Forbidden Daughter by Zipora Klein Jakob - Completed March 23, 2026

Challenge #9: Read a children’s book of at least 50 pages that was first published in a different language than yours
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - Completed March 31, 2026

Challenge #10 : Books with a title word about keeping records
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli - Completed March 18, 2026

Challenge #11: Read a book whose title has "and" or "&" exactly in the middle
Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash Completed March 15, 2026
Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix - Completed March 29, 2026

Challenge #12: Read a book that has been turned into a film.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Completed March 5, 2026

Challenge #13: Read a book for Purim, eat a HAMANTASCHEN
The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill - Completed March 31, 2026
Henry, Himself by Stewart O’Nan Completed March 11, 2026
Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers - Completed March 20, 2026

Challenge #14: Read a book with "Max" in the title, subtitle, author's name or the name of a main character
Now You See Them by Elly Griffiths - Completed March 31, 2026

Challenge #15: Read a book with an occupation in the title, but no familial relationship in the title
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams - Completed March 23, 2026

Challenge #16: Read a book containing “March” in the title, author, or publication date.
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens - Completed March 26, 2026

Challenge #17: Read a book with a word that could be found on a keyboard in the title, author's name, or first page
The Long Way Home by Louise Penny - Completed March 27, 2026
Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out by Shannon Reed Completed March 12, 2026

Challenge #18: Read a book that starts in the night (first line)
One Half of Robertson Davies by Robertson Davies - Completed March 20, 2026

Challenge #19: Read a book from the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist, or a book by one of the nominated authors
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans - Completed March 16, 2026

Shared reads:

Place of Tides by James Rebanks - Completed January 1, 2026
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - Completed January 2, 2026
Love in a Mist by Victoria Goddard - Completed January 25, 2026
Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard - Completed February 6, 2026
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley - Shared read with Reba in March
Balancing Stone and The Saint of the Bookstore - Shared reads with Mary in March
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - Shared read with Mark et al in April?
Lirael by Garth Nix - Shared read with daughter Beth in July
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman - Shared read with Anne in August?
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin - Shared read with Mary in November?
I, Claudius by Robert Graves - Shared read with Paul sometime?

Black Studies Reading
1. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Completed January 6, 2026
2. The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson - Completed February 5, 2026

Jewish Studies Reading
1. Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers - Completed January 25, 2026
2. The Auschwitz Photographer by Luca Crippa & Maurizio Onnis - Completed February 11, 2026

The British Authors Challenge - This is one that I dip into and out of as the case may be
January - The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell - Completed January 26, 2026
February - Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute - Completed February 8, 2026
February - The Far Country by Nevil Shute - Completed February 20, 2026

Kent Haruf Challenge:
The Tie That Binds - Completed January 22, 2026
Where You Once Belonged - Completed February 1, 2026
Plainsong
Eventide
Benediction
Our Souls at Night
Granta 109 essay

In Memory of Caroline:
Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber - Completed January 2, 2026
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark - Completed February 27, 2026
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens - Completed March 26, 2026

The “Read More Sci-Fi” Challenge - using the Esquire list found here (https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/g39358054/best-sci-fi-books/) - which has now been expanded - and the book Science Fiction, The 101 Best Novels, 1985-2010 by Damien Broderick and Paul di Filippo as guides. Also adding in Hugo & Nebula Award winners and nominees.
1. The City & the City by China Mieville - Completed January 31, 2026 (#34 on the Esquire list)
2. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein - Completed February 11, 2026 (#51 on the Esquire list)

Monthly Nonfiction Challenges - I try to read at least 100 nonfiction books a year and this challenge is instrumental in helping me achieve that goal. In 2025, I was able to read 124 nonfiction books.
January The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James Gleick - Completed January 19, 2026
January Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers - Completed January 25, 2026
February Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D. G. Kelley - Completed February 18, 2026

Series Reading - I will post these as I read them:

The In Death series by J.D. Robb
Vendetta in Death - Completed January 1, 2026
Stolen in Death - Completed February 6, 2026
Golden in Death - Completed March 5, 2026
Shadows in Death -

The St. Mary’s books by Jodi Taylor
Plan for the Worst - Completed January 8, 2026
Another Time, Another Place - Completed February 16, 2026
A Catalogue of Catastrophe -

The Decker/Lazarus series by Faye Kellerman
Serpent's Tooth - Completed March 25, 2026
Jupiter's Bones -

The Three Pines series by Louise Penny
The Long Way Home - Completed March 27, 2026
The Nature of the Beast -

The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear
A Dangerous Place -

The Shetland Series by Ann Cleeves
Cold Earth -

The Rivers of London Series by Ben Aaronovitch
Whispers Under Ground - Completed February 28, 2026
Broken Homes -

The Brighton Mystery Series by Elly Griffiths
Now You See Them - Completed March 31, 2026
The Midnight Hour -

Trader's Tales From The Golden Age of The Solar Clipper Series by Nathan Lowell
Full Share -

The Sean Duffy Series by Adrian McKinty
I Hear the Sirens in the Street -

The “Lists” Challenges: Reading from the lists, nonfiction and fiction, that are growing rapidly at my local library

Nonfiction:
At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson - Completed February 12, 2026
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham - Completed March 9, 2026
Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash - Completed March 15, 2026

Fiction:
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green - Completed February 5, 2026

Building Bridges Challenge: Using American Ethnic Writers, Volumes 1 & 2 as well as Bibliophile: Diverse Spines and 500 Great Books by Women as Guides

1. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Completed January 6, 2026
2. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie - Completed February 23, 2026
3. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - Completed March 16, 2026

Roads Less Traveled Challenge:

January - Chilean Authors:
House of Spirits by Isabel Allende - Completed January 11, 2026

February - Anglo Caribbean Authors:
A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul - Completed February 24, 2026

March - Mexican Authors:
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

Well, I had hoped that a new thread could be put off until the beginning of March, but there you go. . .

Touchstone loading time! Cue the theme song from Jeopardy!

Happy new thread, Stasia!

Thanks, Susan!

In case anyone did not see it on my last thread, Kerry and I received word this afternoon that his Aunt Christine, who is in her 90s, has been taken to hospice and is not expected to live much longer. Thoughts and prayers are gratefully received. Aunt Christine has been such a dear to us through the years, it is hard to let her go. . .

I hate that the older generation, with all their knowledge and wisdom, is dying off these days when we seem to need them the most.

Happy new one, Stasia, if that is not a bit crass given >17 alcottacre:. As I said over in your last thread - give Kerry a hug from me.

You are right that the wisdom of our elders is always a great blow when we lose it. I still find myself at times thinking about consulting my Gran or then my Mum on the vagaries of life but I don't have the luxury of referring to their counsel now.

>18 PaulCranswick: I will give Kerry a hug from you tomorrow, Paul, as he is already in bed.

I greatly fear the time when my mother is gone because, like you, I need her counsel and dread the day I can no longer get it.

I came when I got your PM, Stasia, and my sympathy to Kerry and you as you lose Aunt Christine. I miss my parents every day, and here's another daunting thing about it. We are now the generation who is supposed to be wise for those younger than we are. I'm sorry for them in my case.

>20 LizzieD: I will always benefit from your wisdom and friendship, Peggy. Do not undersell yourself. Thank you for the sympathies. It is hard for us, especially since Kerry is losing so many of his older family members these days.

As Paul said, happy new thread, Stasia, if it's not the wrong sentiment at this time. I already commented on your sad news on your old thread, so I won't repeat myself here.

We could use some wisdom from the older generation, but my parents and my aunts and uncles have been gone for a while. My DH has one aunt left, but she's in her mid-90's and we're not sure how much longer we will have her. That generation saw a lot in their lifetime. I hope we can survive the bad times too.

>22 atozgrl: I hope we can survive the bad times too. I am sure we will, Irene, it will just be harder on us without the older generation around for guidance.

I am off to try and get some reading in yet tonight. . .if I can stay awake, that is.

Happy New Thread, Stasia. I am sorry that you and Kerry are losing your beloved aunt Christine .

So sorry to hear about your aunt, Stasia. I know it's tough in several ways.

>20 LizzieD: I think you're pretty darned wise, too, Peggy. xx

New 🧵 orisons, Stasia. Saddened by y'all's impending loss.

Hi Stasia, I'm sorry about your aunt. Sending hugs.

Adding my sympathies to you and Kerry, Stasia. It is indeed difficult to adjust to such losses and recognize that we are now *that* generation.

Happy new thread.

Happy new thread!

>25 vancouverdeb: >26 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Deborah and Reba.

>20 LizzieD: >27 PaulCranswick: See, Peggy. Other people think highly of you too :)

>28 richardderus: >29 lauralkeet: >30 jessibud2: >31 foggidawn: Thanks, RD, Laura, Shelley, and Misti.

Nothing going on yet today. Kerry and I feel like we are in 'holding' mode as we wait - and I hate it. We put gas in the car yesterday and all of his laundry is caught up except for the clothes he wore yesterday and today (that was purely chance since I did all the clothes between Tuesday and Wednesday).

If we have time today, we will play Endeavor: Deep Sea. It takes a bit of time to play, so that will be it as I concentrate on my end-of-month reads.

I am currently listening to Whispers Under Ground. I am continuing on with Red Comet, which it looks like I will finally finish no later than tomorrow, and From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden, which I started last night. I still need to get to On the Beach by Nevil Shute to round out my February reads.

For March, I am going to start Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash and Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham if I have time, lol.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

I wish you peace in this difficult time, Stasia.

>34 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer.

Kerry's family has suffered much, much loss in the recent past. I can guess how it's affected both of you, but I know that you shore each other up and value every single day - especially those when you are awake! (That was supposed to be a mood-lightener, (((((Stasia))))) as well as a truth!)
Much love to you and your connections and to you too, Paul. What a wonderful, supportive place we've found here!

Happy new thread, Stasia. ETA. My sympathies to you and Kerry as you are saying good byes to aunt Christine. I pray for your family and that Christine will have a peaceful transition.

>36 LizzieD: What a wonderful, supportive place we've found here! Truth! Thanks, Peggy!

>37 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel!

>37 Kristelh: Sorry Stasia, you're too quick. I added my sympathies and prayers to my note above. I have a habit of leaving notes before I read all of the above.

My 20th(!) Thingaversary is coming up in May, so I am starting to buy books toward it. I got the following today (only 1 of which is a new book, lol):

1. Under the Skin by Michel Faber - For my 'Read More Sci Fi' reading
2. Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson - For my 'Read More Sci Fi' reading
3. White Chappell Scarlet Tracings by Iain Sinclair - a book mentioned in Michael Dirda's Bound to Please
4. This Is the Way the World Ends by James Morrow
5. The Escapes of David George by Gregory E. O'Malley - Mentioned by Richard on his thread; for my Black Studies reading
6. The Country Commonplace Book by Miranda Mills - the only new book that I received, this was mentioned by a YouTuber whose channel I watch on occasion

>39 Kristelh: No worries, Kristel. I understand how that goes!

Happy Friday, Stasia. Happy New Thread. Very sorry to hear about Kerry's aunt. I also have very few older relatives left. Maybe 2.

>42 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I think we have to face up to the fact that we are now becoming the 'older' generation. I am not ready though!

>42 msf59: That is a great looking list, Stasia! I am on the trail of the Ian Sinclair NOW!!!!!

>17 alcottacre: Sorry to hear about your aunt Stasia.

>45 SandDune: Thank you, Rhian.

Hi Stasia my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.

>47 johnsimpson: Thank you, John. It is lovely to see you here!

We just found out that Aunt Christine passed away about 2 hours ago. We are not sure yet when the funeral is going to be, but Kerry will be heading to Louisiana probably Sunday or Monday. My heart is breaking, not only for us, but for the rest of the family.

So sorry to hear this, Stasia. My deep condolences to you all.

sorry to hear Stasia

So sorry to hear the news of Aunt Christine, thoughts and prayers with you and Kerry from both of us dear friend.

I’m sorry for your loss, for Kerry’s family’s loss.

I started in January on my March 30 Thingaversary haul, but I'm waiting to report the books.

>53 quondame: Thanks, Susan.

>54 thornton37814: What Thingaversary are you up to, Lori?

>55 alcottacre: 19th, so I get 20 books.

Happy new thread!

Under the skin is one of my favorite reads, it’s unsettling but um..that’s why I liked it

>56 thornton37814: Congratulations! I am on my 20th, so I get 21 books. It is very hard to narrow down the choices though, isn't it?

>57 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>58 beeg: Good to know, Beeg! I hope I like it as much as you do!

Kerry heard from his sister, Tena, that the funeral for Aunt Christine could be as late as next weekend due to family members having to come in from New Mexico.

OTOH, we do have some good news: our niece, Camille, got engaged the other day :)

I am sorry to hear of your loss. One good friend of mine gave me advice when my father died. He said keep on telling stories about your father. That is how you keep his memory alive.

I wanted to add a comment to the thing about rationing in Britain.

1. Britain imported less food at the end of the war than at the beginning because they did Victory Gardens. More fresh veggies in the country after WWII than before. The program was such a success that it has been continued in the form of the graden alotment programs of today.

2. The most visible effect of rationing was in poor teeth. This was due primarily to less consumption of diary products during WWII than in previous years. My German friends said that you could always tell Americans in a crowd because they had perfect teeth compared to Germans.

3. Rationing did not end in Britain until July 1954. Bacon and meat were the last things to come off of rationing in 1954.

4. The number one reason for rejecting men from the draft in the US during WWII were poor eyesight, hearing loss, and dental cavities. All the result of poor nutrition during childhood.

I'm sorry for your family's loss of a dear aunt, Stasia. I have just one left (out of a total of 13 aunt and uncles)...I'm not too keen about this business of being the senior generation either. (I am in fairly regular "communication" with several of those who have gone, however. They ALWAYS understand what I'm talking about these days!)

So sorry for your loss, Stasia.

>61 torontoc: Thank you, Cyrel. I think that is great advice!

>62 benitastrnad: Thanks, Benita. I knew the British still had allotments, but had no idea of the history behind them. I learned while reading The Far Country that the rationing did not end until 1954. I did not realize that the rationing lasted so long for the Brits.

>63 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. Kerry told me yesterday when we first learned of Aunt Christine's being putting into hospice that when she died, he would be down to 2 living aunts on his mother's side.

>64 bell7: Thanks, Mary.

Finished tonight:

61 - Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark - Nonfiction; It has taken me the better part of a month to read this giant book (not counting the notes, acknowledgments, etc it is 900+ pages of reading material) and I am happy to say that I am glad I invested the time. This was my 'In Memory of Caroline' read for the month. Her excellent review is here: https://www.librarything.com/work/24622164/reviews/210222688. I really have nothing to add as far as the review goes because she pretty much covered everything. I do wonder though that if Plath had lived now would she have gotten proper psychiatric care? As another sufferer from life long depression, I identified with Hughes, especially when I was a teenager and first read The Bell Jar and her poetry (yes, there was a time. . .) Clark, I thought, did an outstanding job of showing the reader what was going on with Plath and where the 'inspiration' came from; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

"Neither Hughes nor Alvarez recognized how much farther Plath had actually gone, how much wider her context. . .Just as First World War poets like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon blew apart notions of honor and chivalry with irony and black humor, Plath dealt a similar blow to postwar gentility. Like Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl,' like Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est,' hers are poems of personal grief transmuted into public protest."

Finished tonight:

62 - From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden by Amy Stewart - Nonfiction; Prior to this book, the only books of Stewart's that I had read were those in her Kopp Sisters series, although I am aware that she has written other nonfiction books in addition to this one. I aspire to garden - and have been aspiring to garden for as long as I can remember - and actually did have a vegetable garden about 30 years ago and have done nothing in the gardening realm since. Stewart's book has given me that itch again and I very much appreciated that she did not romanticize about how easy it is to have or maintain a garden. She relates both her ups and downs in her gardening experience and shares practical advice for novice gardeners in this book including such things as composting, dirt, and worms. She also shares a few recipes based on the vegetables that she grew when she first began to garden in a rental property where she lived in Santa Cruz; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

I would really like to have an herb garden. . .

Hi Stasia-- I lost both my parents in 2025 and my MIL had already passed, so I am indeed the Matriarch. Somehow, I don't feel mature enough for that title. LOL. But I am truly sorry that Aunt Christine has passed and I hope that when you all gather together, lots of fond memories can be shared. Sending best wishes to you and yours. xoxo

I used to have an herb garden at my current house, but we have lived here over 20 years and the trees have grown up so much that I don't have that sunny patch of land anymore. I miss it. Maybe you can start one up and I can live vicariously through you! : )

I'm so sorry to learn that aunt Christine passed. I'm happy to learn of your niece's engagement.

I'm sorry to read about Christine's passing, Stasia. Condolences to you and Kerry.

Happy Saturday, Stasia. Good for you for hanging in there with the Plath bio. It sounds like you were well-rewarded.

>60 alcottacre: I am just catching up with you. I am sorry about the loss of your Aunt. I am glad that you have many memories to cherish. ((hugs))

>68 Berly: I know exactly what you mean, Kim! I do not feel anything near matriarchal enough!

I would love to have an herb garden, Kim, so any tips that you can give would be appreciated, lol.

>69 vancouverdeb: >70 lauralkeet: Thanks, Deborah and Laura.

>71 msf59: It was not a difficult read as far as the text went, Mark, it was just very thorough and detailed. You can tell that Clark put the time into the research.

>72 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita.

Well, despite the New Mexico relatives, the funeral for Aunt Christine is going to be on Monday. We are still not sure when the showing is going to be and we are trying to figure that out so we know when Kerry will be heading east.

I have one book and one audiobook to finish today. We will see how it goes.

I hope you all have a super Saturday!

>49 alcottacre: My condolences, Stasia. It is hard to see the older generation passing on.

My condolences to you, Kerry, and all the family on your loss. Still sending (((((hugs))))).

>60 alcottacre: I am glad to hear there is also good news. Congratulations to your niece!

>65 alcottacre: 84, Charing Cross Road is the book that opened my eyes to how long the rationing lasted in Britain after the war. It was hard to imagine it went on so long.

I’m so sorry for your loss, Stasia, my condolences. Yes, to sharing stories, and photos to cherish a memory.

>75 BLBera: Thank you, Beth.

>76 atozgrl: You know, Irene, I have read 84, Charing Cross Road I do not know how many times now and I really never paid any attention to the dates that the rationing was happening, despite Helene's many food parcels sent over to the people at the shop!

Thanks for the congratulations to Camille. Not sure when the wedding is slated for, but it is going to take place in Colorado so not sure whether we will make it or not. We shall see.

>77 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. We certainly have the photos and memories to share.

Finished this evening:

63 - Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch - Audiobook; This is the third book in the Rivers of London series and I continue to enjoy it. This book starts off with what appears to be a rather mundane murder (if there is such a thing) of an American exchange student. However, given that Constable Peter Grant is involved, you know that magic is going to rear its head as he investigates the murder; Recommended for fans of the series (4 stars) Mine

Regarding the postwar rationing in the UK, quote: 'New Zealand played a vital role in helping Britain with post-war food shortages by rationing its own consumption to maximize exports of meat, butter, and cheese to the UK. Through bulk purchasing agreements extending into the late 1940s, New Zealand sent nearly all its exportable surplus to Britain, enduring local rationing of butter, meat, tea, and sugar until 1950 to ensure, as they termed it, that their "kinsmen and friends" were fed.'
Britain was taking over 90% of NZ's butter and 75% of cheese and we completely lost that export market when they joined the EU in the early 1970s. It was a big shock and NZ had to look quickly for other export markets, mostly in Asia.

>79 alcottacre: I've read 6 of this series and then stopped, mainly as I had too many other books to read. I really enjoyed them. I read a couple of the graphic novels as well.

Condolences on the loss of your aunt. She lived to a great age.

>80 avatiakh: Thanks for the additional info regarding the postwar rationing, Kerry. You would think that I would know at least some of this stuff!

I did not know that there were any graphic novels. . .maybe after I finish the books?

Thanks! Ninety-three is a great age, but I would have liked to have seen her hit 94 and beyond.

Finished tonight:

64 - On the Beach by Nevil Shute - This remains one of my all-time favorite books, not only because I love the storytelling in the book, but because the book makes me think. The copy I have of the book was published in 1957, but the action in the book itself happens in the (then) near future of the early 1960s. There is basically what amounts to a world war and the combatants involved decide that setting off radioactive bombs is the thing to do, thus ensuring that humanity is fated to die. The last people to go are those in Australia (the bombs being set off in the Northern Hemisphere) - these people know what is coming and have about 6 months to live out their lives until the inevitable happens. Shute makes these people real to the reader: the young married couple and their child; the older Naval commander who knows that his family in America is dead, but they are still very alive to him; the young woman who knows now that she will never have a husband or child. The book makes me wonder what I would do if I knew for sure that in 6 months time I would be dead. The book is not without its flaws - it is dated at this point, the baby is repeatedly referred to as 'it,' which I really dislike, a young lady taking part in an auto race is referred to as a 'girl.' Despite these things (and I am sure there are more) I still love the book; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

It has been an emotional couple of days around my house and I am just tired, so I am off to bed. Kerry is leaving for Louisiana in the morning and likely will not be back home until Tuesday. I am not sure if I will be online at all tomorrow - it being my 'day off' technology - and if not, I wish you all a lovely Sunday.

>83 alcottacre: Sad for your family's loss, Stasia. I'm glad it was not painful or lingering.

Hope you had a restful day off technology Stasia and wishing you comfort. Also wishing you good March reads.

I'm sorry for your loss, Stasia. My best wishes to Kerry.

I’m so sorry too. Will be praying for you and your family.

>84 richardderus: That Aunt Christine's death was not painful or lingering is a blessing, RD. Thank you.

>84 richardderus: Thanks, Kristel. My reading month is off to a good start.

>86 mstrust: >87 drneutron: Thank you, Jennifer and Jim.

Finished tonight:

65 - Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard - Mary and I are continuing our re-read of the Greenwing and Dart series, including the novellas. This novella has Hope, a character introduced in the book Love-in-the-Mist take the lead. Jemis is around, of course (he always is, I think!) - I loved Hope's thoughts on Jemis (she as glad to know him, but "could he find trouble in an empty room," lol.) Hope loves Jemis' friend, Hal, but cannot marry him due to a curse that keeps her from knowing her true magic name. Can our old friend, the two-tailed fox, who makes another appearance here, help?; Recommended for fans of the series (4 stars) Mine

It is weird here without Kerry. He is almost always up before I am so I am used to coming out to the living room to let him know that I am heating water for tea and does he want some? (Hot water, that is, not tea.) He will be home tomorrow but in the meantime, the weirdness continues.

I am going to try and make some real headway in my March reading today, if the headaches will stay away. My sinuses are going nuts right now, causing headaches pretty much every day. This past weekend was horrendous.

I started A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens on audio this morning. It has been years since I read this one and I very much appreciated the introductory material on the audiobook. I started Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash, Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison, Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky, and Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham yesterday and do not anticipate finishing any of them today. These are all library/Hoopla books that I need to finish before I head out of town on the 17th.

I hope you all have a marvelous Monday!

>90 alcottacre: I read A Tale of Two Cities for the first time a couple years ago. My takeaway was that the memorable first lines and the memorable last lines are truly the best parts of the book, which I found rather forgettable in the middle. I generally enjoy Dickens, and I didn't exactly dislike it, but it's not bound to be my new favorite of his works.

>91 foggidawn: I am well into Book 2 at the moment, Misti, but as there is quite a bit of it and Book 3 yet to go, I am reserving judgment. One thing that struck me is Dickens' description of what would now be called PTSD that Dr. Manette suffers from after his 18 years in prison at the Bastille.

Happy Monday, Stasia. 5 stars for On the Beach? That is awesome. Thanks to you I had it plucked down off shelf. I have a book club book to get to and then I will read the Shute- my first by him. I am also starting Henry Himself. It became available on audio courtesy of Libby.

>90 alcottacre: I hope your headaches have gone away, Stasia. That is no fun at all. I also hope Kerry is doing OK after the loss of his aunt. Safe travels to him.

My thoughts are with you, Kerry, and all your family. Take care.

Thinking of you and your family, Stasia. Safe travels to Kerry coming home, too.

>93 msf59: I hope you end up liking On the Beach as much as I do, Mark. I know that part of my attachment is sentimental, but I really do not care - it is still a 5-star read for me :) I still need to get to Henry Himself!

>94 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. The headache today was not too bad. Kerry is doing OK. He will be heading back home tomorrow.

>95 Dejah_Thoris: >96 bell7: Thank you, Dejah and Mary!

>97 alcottacre: Touchstones were particularly creative with Henry Himself.

Sorry to see the news about Kerry's aunt. There seem to be more and more of those final send offs the older we get. I hope things are back to normal for you on Tuesday.

>90 alcottacre: Dave was out at Costco shopping while I had dinner and I was thinking how different it would be to live alone, so I guess you were feeling a bit of that today, Stasia. Sorry to read about your headaches.

>66 alcottacre: That book looks to be a keeper, Stasia.

I am saddened by the news of Kerry's enforced absence in Louisiana and of course especially for the cause of his having to go there.

I also suffer and always have done from bouts of the "black dog" (depression) and can be something of a maudlin presence sometimes, I know.

I do wonder often how I would cope without the knowledge that I wouldn't have Hani with me again - as you know we spend plenty of time apart with her enjoying the Granddaughter and the kids in the UK and our absences make me realize and appreciate our time together more.

Keep your chin up dear lady. xx

>98 quondame: Thanks for pointing that out, Susan. I knew it and still did not fix it beforehand. I will take care of it now :)

>99 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I have heard from Kerry and he is on his way home!

>100 vancouverdeb: Yeah, I was thinking of that, Deborah. I could not help it. Spring is on its way and my sinuses are letting me know, lol.

>101 PaulCranswick: It is a great, if long, read.

You keep your chin up too, Paul! The black dog chases me around too. We just have to stay ahead of his fangs!

Today is both meet up day with the girls and meet up day with Kerry, since he is now on his way home, so lots to do!

Reading continues apace. Still listening to A Tale of Two Cities. I continue on with Eleanor and Franklin, Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor, Poor Deer, and Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space. I am hoping to finish Poor Deer today. It has been very good so kudos to Richard for recommending it.

I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

My goodness what a lot of books all at the same time!! I would have Eleanor being a maid to Lady Astor, Franklin fighting in Paris and Lady Astor in the space shuttle if I tried that!!

Glad you're getting your husband back and having a meet-up with your girls today. That will feel good I'm sure.

So sorry for your loss, Stasia. Glad to hear Kerry will be home today.

>104 RebaRelishesReading: Lol, Reba! I generally have between 4 and 5 books going on at any given time, have you not noticed? The major exception to that is the end of the month when I am trying to complete books - then, I am normally only reading a couple at a time.

>105 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie!

Kerry arrived home about 2:30pm and is now out fetching food for dinner. I am taking the day off cooking :)

>104 RebaRelishesReading: LOL! Reba, that sounds like it's about what I would be doing if I tried to read as many books at one time as Stasia does. Very well put!

>107 alcottacre: I'm glad Kerry is back.

>108 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene.

I do not understand what the problem is about how many books I read at a time. I used to read at least 6 at a time, all the time, so I have cut back! Lol

Finished tonight:

66 - Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky - Richard did a rave review of this one recently (https://www.librarything.com/work/30923133/reviews/307573320) which renewed my interest in a book that I bought fully 2 years ago and forgot that I owned, lol. The book is about Margaret, who as a child inadvertently causes the death of her friend Agnes. When Margaret tries to tell her mother what really happened, her mother believes the child is lying and makes Margaret promise never to repeat the lie again - but Agnes' mother, Ruby, really believes that Margaret had something to do with Agnes' death. Margaret is a child - and she has no idea what to do with the guilt that shows up in the form of Poor Deer (poor dear Agnes) nor what to do about her mother's withdrawal. I thought Oshetsky did an absolutely wonderful job of portraying the characters in this book and making them real. Margaret is confused and deservedly so - she is a child when the accident happened and does not really understand the reactions of the adults around her; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine - Kindle

"After Margaret's mother slapped her and told her to never repeat that awful lie again a special holy power began to grow inside of Margaret's body, in her chest, day by day, until it was bigger than a breadbox and took up so much space in her and had such sharp metal corners that she could barely breathe. . ."

>104 RebaRelishesReading: >109 alcottacre: LOL. I normally have about 3 or 4 going at the same time, but that's about my max before confusion sets in. Clearly Stasia has a bigger brain capacity than most!! Jealous! : )

>111 Berly: Agreed, Kim! I was trying to read two novels at once, but I ended up just reading one at time, though I did read about 65 pages into the other novel.

>110 alcottacre: If anybody is interested in a middle grade novel about a child who has no idea the adults suspect him of doing something bad, I highly recommend The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor. It's one of the reasons she's one of my favorite current children's book authors.

>111 Berly: Nope, not more brain capacity, just more reading time :)

>113 ReneeMarie: Thanks for the mention, ReneeMarie. I will see if my local library has a copy of that one.

Between the high pollen count and the weather here, my sinuses are about to give up the ghost. Since I got quite literally no sleep last night combined with sinus issues, it has not been a good day. Kerry and I are also catching up on stuff - including game playing :)

Not sure what I will get read today, but I did not get anything of Dickens listened to today - just too many time constraints. I am going to start Henry, Himself since I am sharing the read with Mark and he was due to start it today as well. I hope to continue on with the multiple library books that I am reading. We will see how far I make it before I fall dead asleep, lol.

Hopefully I will be in finer fettle tomorrow!

I have been up and doing for hours now. I did at least get a little sleep last night - 2 hours and 1 minute :) I need to get groceries and meal plans done, but the grocery website is giving me issues.

Kerry and I are still catching up on game playing and played Istanbul this morning. Zapotec is up for this afternoon.

I am still listening to A Tale of Two Cities and like Misti, not enjoying it as much as I have other Dickens novels. I am hoping to be finished with this one by tomorrow. I should be finishing Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor today. Eleanor and Franklin and Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space I continue to plug away at and I did start Henry, Himself last night. I will probably start on my last Hoopla book tonight, Why We Read by Shannon Reed. We will see how much time I have!

I hope everyone has a thoughtful Thursday!

Stasia, I thought you'd enjoy this article:

https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/superb-owls/

>116 alcottacre: That's quite a list of books!! Are you reading them all at the same time?

and "thoughtful Thursday" -- lovely wish. thank you -- hope you do too

>117 jessibud2: I loved the video, Shelley, thank you for sharing it.

>118 RebaRelishesReading: Yes, that is the list of books I am currently reading, Reba - although not quite all at the same time. I do not have that many eyeballs, no matter what Richard says, lol.

I appreciate the thought!

>110 alcottacre: I'm so pleased you found it as fulfilling a read as I did, Stasia!

Happy (very belated) New Thread!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/379251

>120 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! I am very happy that you recommended it!

>121 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver.

>122 SilverWolf28: I will check in over there shortly.

Finished tonight:

67 - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Audiobook; It has been some 50 years since I originally read this book - I read all of Dickens over the course of one summer when I was a teenager - and it was not my favorite then or now. As Misti (foggidawn) says above, "My takeaway was that the memorable first lines and the memorable last lines are truly the best parts of the book, which I found rather forgettable in the middle." I agree with that assessment. We are faced with some honorable men and women, but I never really felt that they were 'real' people - the characterizations are so facile so that they are almost nonexistent. Sydney Carton, who I guess we are supposed to sympathize with at the end for his noble gesture, I never really felt was a full-fledged character, so how am I supposed to care? Lucy Manette is almost a caricature. Dickens, I thought, did a good job in describing the condition of her father though after he was imprisoned for 18 years in the Bastille. Not sorry that I read this one, but at this point in my life, I am not sure I will ever pick it up again. Not to worry though because I have at least 3 other Dickens that I want to get to this year, lol; Guardedly Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

Finished tonight:

68 - Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison - Nonfiction; Rosina Harrison became a personal maid to Lady Nancy Astor in 1928 and remained in that position for over 30 years. The book describes Lady Astor as 'mercurial,' and I think that may be an understatement. I have no idea how Harrison put up with some of Lady Astor's behavior, but somehow over the years Harrison and Lady Astor became friends - primarily, I think, because Harrison would put up with only so much and no more. I was glad that Harrison did not use her book to 'tell all' and kept that kind of thing down to a minimum. I was much more interested in the behind the scenes (or the downstairs, if you prefer) of running an estate and wish there had been more of that; Guardedly Recommended (3.75 stars) Library Book

>124 alcottacre: Good for you , finishing A Tale of Two Cities for the second time, Stasia, despite not enjoying as much as you hoped.

Happy Friday, Stasia. I first read A Tale of Two Cities when my daughter had to read it in high school. I remember liking it but probably won't rush to reread it. I still have a couple more of his to get to.

Thanks to you, I will be starting On the Beach this weekend. I plan on getting your book out this morning. Sorry for the delay. I have it packaged up and in the truck.

>126 vancouverdeb: 50 years between reads means that I remembered almost nothing of the book, lol. I likely will not read it again though.

>127 msf59: I hope you enjoy On the Beach, Mark! Thanks about the book!

We are expecting groceries this morning but other than that nothing much going on today other than game playing and reading.

We are playing one game this morning and one this afternoon and that will get us caught up :)

I started listening to Golden in Death this morning. I am continuing to read Eleanor and Franklin, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, which I will be finishing today, and Henry, Himself. I had hoped to start Why We Read by Shannon Reed last night but that did not happen so today it is instead. If I get to that one In the Time of the Butterflies is up next!

I hope you all have a fantastic Friday!

It's probably been about fifty years since I've read A Tale of Two Cities as well, Stasia. Maybe it's time for a reread. I did love it.

Man, the black dog is after me today and I have no idea why. I was fine this morning, this afternoon, not so much. I do not even feel like reading.

>130 BLBera: It is high time for a re-read I would think, Beth :)

Happy Friday, Stasia. I was able to listen to a bit of Henry, Himself today. On the short chapter "Night Owls".

I PMed you- the book is in the mail. 😜

>109 alcottacre: Not a problem for you, but very much a problem for me. I just prefer to concentrate on one story at a time. (Reading nonfiction alongside a novel might be possible, and a poetry or other short form type of writing at the same time as a novel is very doable, but otherwise I'd rather stick to one at a time.)

I sure hope you get more sleep tonight, and that those allergies leave you alone!

>131 alcottacre: Black dog back to the kennel. What a pain. I hope it's gone soon.

>131 alcottacre: Oh no, the black dog. I hope you are feeling better soon.

I had a bad fall today while walking and that has certainly not improved my mood at all. I am sticking with 'comfort' reads for now, although I do have one library book that I need to get finished yet. Hopefully my body and spirit will come around soon. . .

Thank you all for checking in on me.

>137 alcottacre: Take care of yourself, Stasia. I hope the day and weekend improve.

Sending gentle hugs your way, Stasia.

I hope the reading is sufficiently distracting that the pains from falling aren’t much noticed until they’re gone.

Sorry to hear that you had a fall and that the black dog is nipping at you. Hope you’re feeling better soon and that the comfort reads sooth your soul.

Oh dear Stasia, I hope you are okay and can take it easy for a bit.

Oh my goodness! PLEASE take care of yourself and pay attention to be sure that fall didn't do more damage than you think. I am glad, glad, glad that Kerry is home and can baby you. Let him!

You know that my D is for Dickens, but *2 Cities* is nowhere near the top of my best list. I was young enough when I read it the first time that I disliked it until I got to the end, and then I thought it was the most romantic thing I had ever read. (I was really young!) Poor CD had no clue about young women.

I hope that you can sleep a reasonable amount and lose some stress and depression in the process. Call tomorrow?

Oh Stasia. Please take care of yourself and give yourself time to heal.

Gentle {{hugs}}

Thank you, everyone, again for your hugs, thoughts, and good wishes. They are very much appreciated.

I did get in a little reading today - very little - and light stuff at that. I am hoping to be back to whatever passes for my 'normal' soon.

Heh, I call it my “new normal”

Finished tonight:

69 - The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard - Novella; The next entry in Mary's and my re-read of the Greenwing & Dart series. This novella finds Sister Mirabelle, who has a small talent in magic, sent to investigate the tales of a new saint, who turns out to be Mr. Dart, the man who raised Jemis Greenwing from the dead. She encounters more than she ever expected. . .; Recommended for fans of the series (4 stars) Mine - Kindle

>131 alcottacre:, >137 alcottacre:, >145 alcottacre: Hey, if "light" reading is called for, it's called for. Whatever you can, whatever you want, whatever it takes. Easy does it, OK?

I missed your thread yesterday Stasia and hope you're feeling better today.

>147 alcottacre: Bet that improved your mood, Stasia...completing a book, and one in a series, plus it's for a shared (re)read, and you liked it! Made of win.

*smooch*

Sorry to hear about your fall and the black dog bothering you, Stasia. Hope you enjoy your day off technology, and that you're feeling better soon.

Sorry to hear about your fall and the black dog bothering you, Stasia. Hope you enjoy your day off technology, and that you're feeling better soon.

>137 alcottacre: Oh no, Stasia! Hope you weren't badly hurt and recover quickly.

Dear Stasia, I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s recent loss. Truly losing all that generational knowledge is so sad.

I hope you didn’t have much physical damage from your fall and I’m sorry your head is in a bad place. Please take care and be gentle to yourself.

Sorry to hear that you suffered a tumble Sis. I must admit that I don't get up as easily these days when I get knocked down and I feel keenly every bump and scratch. Hope you are ok and not unduly shaken up.

I am hanging in there, everyone, and trying to baby myself. My left side is fine, but my right ankle continues to be problematic so my daily 5 miles is not happening again today. I spent all of yesterday in bed - mostly asleep, lol - and got no reading done (other than 2 pages, slightly less than my normal daily reading). My head is still not in a good place but I am working on it - thanks for the shoulder, Peggy!

Lunch today is New England Dinner Au Gratin and it smells wonderful! We are having it served over pearled barley. Gaming will happen this afternoon today. We got no gaming in at all yesterday since I was in bed, lol.

I am continuing to listen to Golden in Death. I need to finish Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space since the library wants it back. I barely started on Why We Read the other day and need to get it read because Hoopla wants that one back. I am continuing on Henry, Himself. Beyond those, I doubt I will read anything else today.

I hope everyone has a marvelous Monday!

>156 alcottacre: I'm catching up here and sorry to hear about your accident, Stasia. I am delighted to hear that you got plenty of sleep yesterday, and I hope it was very restorative. Do continue to take care of yourself!

>156 alcottacre: Wow! "usual 5 miles"!?! Very impressive and with that very sound habit I'm sure you'll recover quickly. Meanwhile, do baby yourself and have a lovely day today, please.

Keep resting up, Stasia. Hopefully you will be feeling better tomorrow.

I finished a book! Finally! I should have only finished it about 3 days ago. . .

#70 - Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham - Nonfiction; When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, I was living in Florida. To say that I was interested in the space program is an understatement - I was building and launching rockets as fast as I could (mostly to disastrous results) - so when Susanna mentioned in February that she was going to read this one, I could not wait to start. Higginbotham takes the reader not just through the Challenger tragedy, but basically back to the beginning of the Apollo program to show how the errors that occurred that resulted in the Challenger disaster were ones that had plagued the program almost from its onset. I really believe that after having read this book, the engineers at NASA and the companies that provided the pieces and parts of the shuttle were 1) at the height of hubris and 2) believed in magic because, despite repeated warnings and warning signs, they believed that nothing would ever happen to one of the space shuttles. Not only do we as readers get insight into the 'behind the scenes' of what went on that lead up to the tragedy, but we also get to know the astronauts involved and their families, which makes it just that much harder (at least for me) when the inevitable happened. I honestly thought that when the Challenger exploded, the astronauts were killed instantly. It turns out that was not the way it happened, and several of the astronauts (possibly all) were alive for what must have been the longest 2 minutes and 45 seconds ever as they fell from the sky to their deaths. ; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Library Book

>157 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I am trying!

>158 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. I am attempting to baby the foot, but it is hard because it wants to be up and walking around.

>159 msf59: I hope so too, Mark, as it is meet up day with Beth and Catey.

Checking in, Stasia. BABY THAT FOOT AND ANKLE!!!! I'm glad it wants to walk, but discipline it!

>160 alcottacre: I know that you know that I love space opera, but did you know that my 2nd cousin married astronaut Bill McArthur, who did 4 missions with NASA? (He is also my 1st cousins' 2nd cousin.) He invited all of us to his first launch in the early 90s. Mama went, but I couldn't get away.

>162 LizzieD: I am jealous that you were even invited to a launch at all!

I am trying to baby the foot and ankle, but it still demanded I walk 4 miles today. It took me all day long as I am walking very slowly right now.

>160 alcottacre: Oh my Stasia. I think I would find that very hard to read. I remember so clearly where I was and what I was doing when that happened. It was so hard to beiieve (at least for the totally non-scientific me). Not sure I want to know any more about it though.

>137 alcottacre: Sorry to hear of your fall, Stasia! Take it easy and let yourself heal. I hope that will happen soon.

>164 RebaRelishesReading: In some ways the book was a difficult read and I got extremely angry with the almost dispassionate way that the NASA (and other) individuals decided to play God with the astronaut's lives.

>165 vancouverdeb: Yeah, today is going to be a lot of me doing nothing, lol. Thanks, Deborah.

Well, I will not be walking at all today I do not think. I woke up with not only the right ankle throbbing, but the right knee and hip aching - a lot. My right hip normally always hurts but today is very bad because I am walking funny because of the stupid ankle. Arg!

Today is meet up day with Beth and Catey. Catey and I will be meeting up in about 10 minutes for our monthly Ark Nova play so that will keep me sitting down for about 2.5 hours or so. . .

Nothing much else going on today. Kerry and I will be playing a game that is new to us, Heroes of Tenefyr. Looking forward to that!

Still listening to Golden in Death. With walking off the agenda for today, not sure how much I will get listened to - although maybe when I am cooking and folding laundry. . .

Still plugging along with Henry, Himself and Why We Read. Eleanor and Franklin is taking a break for now. I am just not up to it at the moment. I may start In the Time of the Butterflies or Terciel & Elinor today. We will see.

I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!

>167 alcottacre: Limping is always a problem for your body, and also your body's way of dealing with injuries. Doesn't that seem unfair somehow? I've already got a problem so now you're making it worse?

I want to speak to the manager.

Grrrr. I won't scold you for your 4 miles yesterday. What's done is done. Do, for goodness sake, elevate that ankle and ice it while you sit (unless that badly affects the hip, which it may) and use an ace bandage or something for compression. Don't mess around with this, PLEASE!

Enjoy your girls and the game and Kerry and his game and the books!!! I have the Alvarez unread, naturally, and will be glad to know what you think about it!

Tender Tuesday to YOU!!!!!!!!!

You be careful with that ankle!

I was at work and the tv was on, I remember when the two columns of smoke separated thinking that’s not right? Then the realization no, it wasn’t right. The owner’s husband of the salon asked me “are you crying” yes, yes i was I was crying. I remember thinking how proud and excited those astronauts were about their mission. Adding this book the wish list. Thanks Stasia.

Take care of your ankle Stasia. I hope it starts to feel better soon.

I hope you had a fine time with the girls, Stasia. The Challenger book sounds really good. Did you do this on audio? If so, how was it?

I managed to get a nice chunk of listening time in today. Just 2 hours left in Henry, Himself. Did you finish it?

>168 richardderus: I agree that it is unfair, Richard! I DEMAND to speak to the manager!

>169 LizzieD: We had a great time playing games today, Peggy, don't you worry :)

>170 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori.

>171 beeg: I hope you enjoy the book if and when you get to it, beeg.

>172 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

Finished tonight (only because I was closer to the end than I thought!)

71 - Golden in Death by J. D. Robb - Audiobook; This is my second read of this, the fiftieth book, in the series. The first time I read it, I remember being disappointed because for book 50, I expected something spectacular (what I thought that might be, I have no idea). I must say that I enjoyed the book more the second time around. Dallas is sent to investigate the murder of a doctor that everyone seems to have loved. He was killed in a particularly insidious manner - a fake egg was sent to him in a package and when he opened the egg, the poison gas inside overwhelmed and killed him. Before long, there is another murder in exactly the same manner. It turns out the the first victim's husband is the headmaster of a private school attended by rich kids, and the second victim's husband was a former instructor there - so why are their spouses dead? Dennis Mira makes an appearance in this one and all of the rest of the crew shows up as well; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

Finished tonight:

72 - Henry, Himself by Stewart O'Nan - This is the last book in the trilogy of books that starts with Wish You Were Here and continues on with Emily, Alone, my favorite of the three. In Henry, Himself we have essentially what amounts to a character study of Henry Maxwell, seeing him go through childhood to adulthood. O'Nan seems to have a lot to say about the aging process as we go through Henry's life. We see Henry celebrate birthday number 75 and as I approach birthday number 64, I can relate to some of the aches and pains he is going through. My one real quibble with the book is that a lot of Henry's life is mundane, but O'Nan seems to want to relate every single detail about that mundaneness (is that even a word?) and I think it is a bit too much, making the book a bit longer than it needs to be; Guardedly Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

>176 alcottacre: I enjoyed Henry , Himself very much, Stasia. Glad you enjoyed it overall. How is the ankle ?

" but O'Nan seems to want to relate every single detail about that mundaneness..." My thoughts exactly. I found Henry to be a sweet guy so I was willing to go along but only so far. Come on! I am giving it a 3.7 too. I much preferred Emily, Alone. I still need to get to Wish You Were Here .

Sweet Thursday, Stasia. How are you feeling?

>177 vancouverdeb: The ankle is now secured in a brace to keep me from being able to wiggle it around too much. It is still painful so I am trying to keep it elevated as much as possible. *sigh*

>178 msf59: I am with you on Emily, Alone, Mark. I loved that one!

Tired, very tired.

Finished tonight:

73 - Why We Read by Shannon Reed - Nonfiction; Both Mary (storeetllr) and Joanne (CopperSkye) recommended this book and, as a fellow reader, how could I resist? Most of the chapter titles in the book give us a reason to read: To Get to Go to the Library, To Finish a Series, Because We Had to, To Make Us Cry, (in Read's cast) Because I Wanted Free Pizza, and so on. Throughout the book, Read shares her personal experiences with books both as a student as an instructor. I daresay that most of us can relate to at least some of them - wanting to go to the library to check out books because books are a friend we can count on, having the know-it-all in class whose favorite book is Moby Dick (but dollars to donuts the student in question has likely not read it), needing a good cry and knowing the exact book that will make sure we get it, etc. The most important reason for me right now to read is "For Comfort." I get what you are saying Miss Reed, and I believe in all the reasons; Recommended (4 stars) Hoopla - Kindle

“Reading gives me the world. And that, friends, is why I read.”

"I've been to Pemberley, to Plum Creek, to the Orchard House, to Buckingham Palace, more times than I can count. I've read poems, and Bible verses, and stories, and articles, and song lyrics, and books. So many, many books. . .Without every really experiencing any of it, I know it all. Because books taught me."

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/379488

>180 alcottacre: Why We Read sound really interesting, Stasia. I was just at the library today as I finished one book and it made me interested in another. Library's are great places, as are bookstores- and Blackwells!

>181 SilverWolf28: Unfortunately, I will not be making it for the next few weeks, Silver!

>182 vancouverdeb: Oh yeah, libraries are great places to look for treasures! I hope you enjoy Why We Read if and when you get to it, Deborah.

Yes, I am still alive. Kerry and I are having our monthly gaming marathon this weekend. Normally we only have it for one day, but since my birthday is tomorrow so we are having a multiple day marathon for the first time ever :)

The ankle is still problematic. I now have a full brace on it instead of the Ace bandage I started off with. I am trying hard to keep it elevated as I can, which is more difficult for me than it seems it ought to be, lol. I am not trying to get my daily 5 miles in, nor my bottom limit of 4 miles. Elevating your foot makes it difficult to walk.

I am very behind in posting the books I have picked up toward my Thingaversary in May, but since it is in May, I figure I still have time. I am busy trying to get my head on straight currently.

Speaking of which, I was originally going to my mother's for about a week. I am extending that time to about 2 weeks. Hopefully by the time I get back, my head will be back in the game.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sorry that ankle is giving you so much trouble, Stasia. Slow healing and inhibition of movement...a recipe for impatience, for sure. It's good that you and Kerry have gaming activities lined up that don't require mobility!

>185 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. Yep, the gaming makes sure I am not moving around too much, lol.

184 Elevating your foot makes it difficult to walk. I am picturing you hopping along the road, one foot extended so your ankle is above the level of your heart!

Happy birthday in advance!

>180 alcottacre: Because I Wanted Free Pizza

I recognize each of those reasons. My local library has a summer reading program, in which adults are invited to participate, which includes pizza rewards. Or at least it did last year. I won't say that I completed the program early because of free pizza, but you know ... it wasn't *not* because of the pizza either.

Happy Birthday Stasia, wishing you a blessed year.

Oh, have a wonderful birthday 🎂

Happy Birthday! 🎁

>187 foggidawn: I only I could do that, Misti. I am just not coordinated enough, lol. Thanks for the birthday wishes!

>188 swynn: My local library has a summer reading program, but it is for kids. If it takes free pizza to inspire them to read, I am all for it!

>189 Kristelh: >190 jessibud2: >191 SilverWolf28: Thank you so much, Kristel, Shelley, and Silver.

Our local library has a year round reading program for adults. It offered gift cards to the local farmer's market among its prizes.

>193 benitastrnad: It offered gift cards to the local farmer's market I love that idea!

My 20th(!) Thingaversary is coming up in May, so I am starting the book shopping for it:

7., 8., and 9.: Fool's Errand, Golden Fool, and Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb - a recent series recommendation from Natalie (curioussquared)
10. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry - Misti (foggidawn) recently gave this one 5 stars
11. The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara - a recent recommendation by Richard
12. South Riding by Winifred Holtby - I recently read Holtby's Anderby Wold so I need to get to this one too
13. The Reivers by William Faulkner - mentioned in Second Reading by Jonathan Yardley
14. The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison - Recommended by Roni (ronincats)
15. Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
16. H. M. Pulham, Esquire by John P. Marquand - mentioned in Second Reading by Jonathan Yardley
17. The Jews in Their Land in the Talmudic Age by Gedaliah Alon - For my Jewish Studies reading; a reference cited in Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin
18. The Nazi Hunters by Andrew Nagorski
19. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - a recent re-read of Garden Spells reminded me that I have not yet read this follow up book

Only 2 left towards my Thingaversary. What am I going to use as an excuse for my book buying then? . . .

Happy Birthday Stasia! 🎁🎂🎉🥳🎶
I hope tomorrow will be a very wonderful day.
And I sure hope yur ankle gets all better very soon.

>195 alcottacre: 7, 8, & 9 are books are, as it happens, books 7, 8, & 9 of Realm of the Elderlings, of which you have some, but not quite all of the earlier, and some of the later. Good though, in a somewhat painful fashion.

Have a great birthday weekend, Stasia.

Happy birthday, Stasia, and many joyous returns!

Hi Stasia! Belated happy new thread to you.

>40 alcottacre: Early congrats on your 20th Thingaversary.

>49 alcottacre: I’m so sorry about Aunt Christine. It’s so tough as our elderly relatives leave us.

>137 alcottacre: Falling is scary, and I hope that you’re recovering quickly.

>156 alcottacre: I used to really love pearled barley and recently rediscovered it.

>167 alcottacre: Pain from compensating is insult to injury. I slid on some ice last month and the right side of my foot felt it for 3 weeks. I didn’t fall but it put my hip out of whack as I compensated for it. I’m back to normal and hope you get there too. By normal I mean, of course, usual/predictable pain. *smile*

>180 alcottacre: The Librarians provide free pizza to the book sale team on the Friday of each book sale. It’s reading adjacent…

>184 alcottacre: I knew there was a reason I felt called to visit your thread and get caught up.

Happiest of Birthdays, dear Stasia.

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dear Stasia!!!!!

>195 alcottacre: Hmmm. I like the looks of that Tibet book. I'm not a great Robin Hobbs fan, but I should try again.

I'm glad that you're FINALLY going to read South Riding. I honestly thought I gave it to you long ago. My bad, really.

Baby yourself and feel it's your due. It is!!!!!

Happy birthday Stasia!!

>196 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. It has been a good day so far!

>197 quondame: Good though, in a somewhat painful fashion I am not sure exactly what that means, Susan. Could you clarify for me? I did know that there was a longer series but this seemed to be a good jumping in point.

>198 msf59: I love the owl! Thank you, Mark. It is going to be a busy weekend what with gaming marathons and getting ready to leave for Longview for 2 weeks on Tuesday.

>199 Dejah_Thoris: Thank you, Dejah!

>200 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen. It is always good to "see" you here. I appreciate the birthday wishes! Sorry to hear about your fall and hope that my right foot does not take 3 weeks to heal. . .

>201 LizzieD: No, not your bad. Maybe it was just not the right time :) I am trying to baby the foot. That is about the best I can do. The rest of me has to fend for itself.

>202 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba!

Wow, When I saw how behind I was on your thread I figured something was up, but you have had a hard month of it. Condolences on the loss of Kerry's aunt, and congratulations on the engagement. So sorry for the fall and the continuing problem with your ankle, and with anything else that is bothering you. You definitely deserve both a Happy Birthday and those 20 books!

I think I may need that book Why We Read, and maybe that Michael Dorris book too. My reading has been feeling like a 'project' or a chore too often, and I want it to be the pleasure it's always been in my life before this. Thanks for the review.

Now get better, get back on your feet, and enjoy the spring!

Belated happy birthday wishes, Stasia. Looks like you'll have plenty of books to choose from to keep you busy!

>203 alcottacre: Robin Hobb characters are rather battered about in service to the plot and their development.
The The Tawny Man isn’t at all where I’d suggest starting. The two main characters have been through so much and started so young in Assassin’s Apprentice, that I can see getting whiplash wondering why you should care about either of them and what anyway is their connection.

I got drawn in by the paperback cover of Ship of Magic which concerns a different set of characters in a different place and culture, almost bounced out of it due to a particularly violent scene, but was already hooked. SoM is more closely related to the Dragon Books than the Assassin books, but they all cover important parts of the world developments.

These aren’t like the Discworld books with much more discreet subseries, so even though I didn’t do it, my suggestion is to start with Assassin’s Apprentice. If you really can’t stand Fitz, and many can’t, there’s not much point in 9 books closely concerning him. I came to see him as an almost unique central figure who does grow and mature but also retains essential faults much more like real people.

But - the world building is almost worth the whole effort on its own, the stories are solid and there are so many interesting characters.

Happy Birthday and I hope the ankle feels better soon..

Happy birthday, Stasia!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday, Stasia! I hope your ankle is feeling much better today.

A belated Happy Birthday, Stasia. I hope you had an enjoyable day and that your ankle is healing.

>195 alcottacre: Hippo birdie two ewes!

I hope you like South Riding. It got turned into a TV show in the UK that I got sucked into. Spend a lovely day this Sunday.

>204 ffortsa: My reading has been feeling like a 'project' or a chore too often I understand where you are coming from, Judy. Thanks!

>205 MickyFine: Having too many books is a good issue to have, right Micky? Thanks for the birthday wishes! They were right on time!

>206 quondame: I actually own Assassin's Apprentice, Susan. I just need to find where it is. Thank you for the additional input.

>207 BLBera: >208 bell7: >209 quondame: >210 atozgrl: >211 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Beth, Mary, Susan, Irene, and Deborah. I wish I could say that the ankle is improving.

>212 richardderus: Thanks, RD. I have heard about the TV show, but will likely never watch it as I prefer the books almost universally :)

My 'day off' technology and Kerry and I have been busy playing games. I do hope to have reading time later in the day so that I can finish Eleanor and Franklin.

I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!

Enjoy your day off, Stasia!

Happy (belated ) birthday!

>212 richardderus:
That might be the PBS Masterpiece show that I watched. It prompted me to read the book.

>215 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah!

>216 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian!

Finished this afternoon:

74 - Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash - Nonfiction; I did not realize when I started this book that the author, Joseph P. Lash, was a personal friend of Mrs. Roosevelt, and that gave me pause. However, on reading Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.'s introduction to the book, and realizing that Lash, because of his friendship with Mrs. Roosevelt and the family, was given access to unpublished papers supplied to him by the family, I was a little less reticent. Make no mistake, this is "her" book despite the fact that both of their names are in the title. The subtitle, "The Story of Their Relationship," is even a little misleading especially when the first part of the book is all about Eleanor and her troubled childhood for the first 100 pages or so - although there are another 600 pages in the book. Lash does a good job in explaining how Eleanor's childhood shaped her. He does not gloss over Franklin's affairs and the impact that they had on their relationship, although they are not gone into at any length. He also mentions in passing the possibility of Eleanor's affair with another woman. Lash also describes Eleanor's changes in attitude through the years towards minorities. One disappointment that I had in the book is that it ends with the death of Franklin and does not continue to play out Eleanor's later years, seeing her on her own and the good that she did. This is a well-written biography of two people who, despite the affairs, continued as partners and life mates until one of them died; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

"She agreed with him (Franklin) - a striking statement, for it showed that as critical as Eleanor often was of his compromises, she trusted his judgment and leadership. And leadership carried a responsibility which must be discharged even at the price of life. In her eyes, as well as his own, he, too, was a soldier in the service. . ."

>219 alcottacre:
I read that book years ago and thought it a well-balanced biography. I liked it much better than Blanche Wiesen Cook's biography of her. As you say, Lash does not gloss over the role of infidelity in the marriage, on the part of either partner. What he did for me was to illuminate the reasons why the two stayed together and formed that formidable partnership. It helped me to understand why Eleanor made that decision. Strangely, it also helped me understand why Hillary Clinton stayed with Bill. Think of all that humiliation she endured, and this book helped me to understand why a powerful woman with talent and a keen mind would stay with a philanderer like that. I found the parallels between the two power couples fascinating and enlightening. I am glad that somebody close to Eleanor wrote the book. I wish somebody close to Hillary would write one like it on her.

Joseph P. Lash did write a biography of the years after Franklin. It is titled Eleanor: The Years Alone. It was published in 1972.

>206 quondame: Hobbs is another one that I have an if-y relationship with, Susan and Stasia. I didn't like the SHIPs enough to finish the first book the first time I read it. I did like ASSASSIN1 and bought the rest of the trilogy, which I somehow didn't read. However, a reread of the first SHIP hooked me, and now I've read it and number 2. I love the times that giving a book a second chance gives solid pleasure!

>219 alcottacre: That's interesting, Benita. I enjoyed the first volume of BWC's biography of ER but haven't followed up on it. I'd like to. If the Lash falls into my lap, I'd like to read that one - or those two also. I agree that I'd welcome a sensitive biography of Hilary by someone who knows but doesn't worship her. Hmmm. I think it might be difficult to worship Hilary in the way that some folks idolize Eleanor.

I hope to hear from *Time/Butterflies* fairly soon, Stasia. I can wait since I know you're busy!!!!!!

>220 benitastrnad: I have not read Cook's biography on Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor: The Years Alone is a book that I am on the look out for as I would really like to read about her years post-Franklin. Thanks for the input, Benita!

>221 LizzieD: When I return from Longview, I am going to have to hunt for my copy of Assassin's Apprentice evidently!

I am hoping to finish several books tonight before I leave tomorrow, Peggy, and In the Time of the Butterflies is among them!

Hi Stasia! I hope you are feeling better after your fall. Echoing others that Assassin's Apprentice is definitely the place to start with Robin Hobb. You'll miss out on a lot of backstory if you start with Fool's Errand.

Finished tonight:

75 - In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - Author Julia Alvarez was born in the Dominican Republic and lived there until she was 10 years old. She heard about the Mirabal sisters as a child. Per the postscript to the book, she could not get them out of her mind and every time she returned to the DR, she sought out information about the sisters. I think she does a great job in this book not only of painting word pictures of the sisters, but paying tribute to them as well by making their story known outside of the Dominican Republic. She underscores that she is not writing a biography, nor did she have access to family papers. That being said, I think she did a good job of making the sisters flesh and blood, each with a very individual voice - not portraying them as martyrs, but as real people with real concerns about the Trujillo regime and who lived by their consciences by opposing him and all he stood for even though it cost them time away from their families when they were jailed and then when 3 of the 4 paid the ultimate price; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

"But all I hear is my own breathing and the blessed silence of those cool, clear nights under the anacahuita tree before anyone breathes a word of the future. And I see them all there in my memory, as still as statues, Mama and Papa, and Minerva and Mate and Patria, and I'm thinking something is missing ow. And I count them all twice before I realize - it's me, Dede, it's me, the one who survived to tell the story."

>223 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie. I appreciate your input!

Oh my, *TotB* does sound good, but I won't hunt it out now, Stasia. I did hunt out my *Assassins* trilogy, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to reread the first one in order to be up for the next two. One lovely thing is that it was actually on the shelf where I tagged it as being these 17 years ago!

>226 LizzieD: You are doing better than I am, Peggy - at least you know where your Hobb books are! I hope that you enjoy In the Time of the Butterflies if and when you get to it!

Now, for something you have already read. . .

>224 alcottacre: Congratulations on 75 reads!

Finished tonight:

76 - We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor - Audiobook; I have no idea who first recommended this book to me (I know at the very least Peggy and Lucy recommended it), but I am finally getting around to reading it, thanks to Carrie and her posting of it to one of this month's TIOLI challenges. I very much enjoyed the book although there is nothing really in depth to it, but it is funny and I really needed that right now. The story revolves around Bob Johansson, who recently retired and has the misfortune to be hit by a car and killed. Luckily he had arranged to have his brain cryogenically frozen and when he 'wakes up,' about 100 years have passed and needless to say, things have changed in the interim. Lucky Bob gets to be the brains in a self-replicating Von Neumann interstellar probe, where he creates more 'Bobs' (although they are given other names, thank goodness) and, of course, runs into unexpected trouble. . .; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

>228 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

Finished tonight:

77 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans - This one made the rounds in the group, but I think it was Laura's review that originally had me putting the book in the BlackHole. I am so glad I finally got it out! I have a soft spot for epistolary novels and this one was no exception. We meet Sybil van Antwerp through her correspondence with seemingly everyone, up to and including authors such as Diana Gabaldon, Joan Didion, and Larry McMurtry - oh and I forgot about George Lucas of Star Wars fame. She also writes to family and friends and through the course of these letters we learn of Sybil and her life, even as she is aging and gradually going blind. I have to say that I loved this book and the way that Evans unfolded Sybil's life; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine - Kindle

"I guess there's no bottom to a person, but I feel you have left fewer stones unturned than anyone else who's ever passed through, and it's taken me some time to recognize how knowing you has been like coming in from the cold, lonely road to find a warm fire and a table laid. . ."

I will be leaving for Longview early tomorrow morning and will be out of touch until I return some time on the 29th.

Please take care of yourselves and each other while I am gone!

>231 alcottacre: I'm glad you enjoyed The Correspondent, Stasia. It has made the rounds.

Safe travels, Stasia.
So glad you loved The Correspondent as much as I did.

Have you read Theo of Golden yet?

Hooray for In The Time Of The Butterflies & The Correspondent. I also loved both.

Safe travels today, my friend. Enjoy your visit.

>231 alcottacre: I'm thrilled to see your review of The Correspondent and pleased to have played a minor role in you deciding to read it. Enjoy your travel and visit.

Have a wonderful time - we'll miss you!

>231 alcottacre: I love this quote:

But I think of life rather like a long road we walk in one direction. By and large a lonesome walk out in the wildness of hills and wind. Mountains. Snow. And sometimes there is someone to come along and walk with you for a stretch, and sometimes (this is what I’m getting to) sometimes you see in the distance some lights and it heartens you, the lone house or maybe a village and you come into the warmth of that stopover and go inside.

>229 alcottacre:
There are four books in the Bobiverse series. Maybe five and I have read four of them. I loved them. They were excellent space opera and the subsequent books are full of technical details about the universe, computer science, planetary exploration, etc. There is also nerdy trivia - like the names for the new space stations and ships. (Peanuts, Sponge Bob, Simpsons, etc.) Dr. Neutron, Richard, Joe, and I all loved them. They are great good fun, and full of science. Bob, in all his iterations, is a HERO!

Relax and enjoy your time away, Stasia. We'll miss you - as you know very well!!!

I'm glad you got to Bob! I have the second on my Kindle unread and hope to get to all of them especially after Benita's good words.

The Correspondent hasn't rounded past me. It sounds good, but I'm thinking it might be hitting a little close to home.

I love Julia Alvarez, Stasia, and am happy to see some love for her. People still talk about the Mariposas in the DR.

I am looking forward to The Correspondent.

Congrats on blowing past the goal!

>232 alcottacre: Have a wonderful trip, Stasia! Baby that foot.

And I second the congratulations on surpassing 75!

Way to go, sister, in breezing beyond 75 already. I am really looking forward to The Correspondent now!

I really enjoyed The Correspondent too -- and also think I heard about it at Laura's thread.

>234 jessibud2:. I also recommend Theo of Golden

>232 alcottacre: Hope you have a lovely trip (and thank you for the lovely wish for those of us not going with you)

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/379749

Here I am helping to keep your thread warm and well-aired while you're enjoying your family. we miss you!

Congrats on 75 and beyond, Stasia!

Yes, I missed it but congratulations on 75 and more, Stasia

Thinking about you, Juana.

Happy Wednesday, Stasia. I hope you are having a wonderful visit. We miss you. All good here in Chicagoland. Opening Day on Thursday. Go Cubbies!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383150

>219 alcottacre: I haven't read much about Eleanor Roosevelt (interesting character but not my country) but you might find out more (if you want to) in Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady.

I hope that your time away is healing, Stasia.

I have made it home at last. Since Sundays are normally my 'tech free' days, I am not sticking around for long, but will try and catch up, at least a little bit, tomorrow.

Thank you all for keeping my thread warm while I was gone!

Hope you had a good time out and about and can now enjoy comfortable domesticity.

>255 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

>254 alcottacre: Welcome back! You’ve been missed.

Books read while I was gone:

78 - My Antonia by Willa Cather - Audiobook; one of my all-time favorites; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

79 - Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers - For the British Authors Challenge in March; a short story collection, most of which are either very good or excellent; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine - Kindle

80 - One Half of Robertson Davies by Robertson Davies - A book of speeches, lectures, poetry, and short stories; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

81 - Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli - For this month's Road Less Traveled Challenge; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

82 - The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams - Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

83 - The Forbidden Daughter by Zipora Klein Jakob - For my Jewish Studies reading; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

84 - Serpent's Tooth by Faye Kellerman - For my series reading; Guardedly Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

85 - Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens - For my Caroline Memorial Reads; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

86 - The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan - Recommended (4 stars) Mine

87 - The Long Way Home by Louise Penny - Audobook; For my series reading; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

88 - Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix - Recommended (4 stars) Mine

>257 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks, Dejah! I have missed everyone here too!

>258 alcottacre: A couple of those have caught my eye--Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life sounds interesting. I did enjoy My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead. Have put it on the Wishlist.
And I've had The Dictionary of Lost Words and The Bookbinder of Jericho on the TBR for ages. I got them at library sales in hardcover, and I think that is what's keeping me back. There's something about hardcover that makes me think the book is going to be so cumbersome & SO LONG! Yet if I see it in paperback, it's look like a lovely quick read! Go figure....

>260 kac522: I hope you enjoy Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life if and when you get to it, Kathy. I also enjoyed My Life in Middlemarch.

I prefer hard cover to paperback, lol.

>261 alcottacre: Yeah, it's a "mind" thing without any basis in reality. Are these two books by Williams related in anyway? Is it best to read them in order or it doesn't matter?

I'm glad you are back, Stasia, and what an amazing number of books you read while away. I hope you enjoyed your time away.

>260 kac522:, >262 kac522: - I loved both those Pip Williams books, Kathy. And yes, the second is tangentially a sequel as one of the characters in the first gets a mention in the second, late in the book, if I'm remembering correctly. Just yesterday, I lent the first one to a friend. I expect she'll want the second one after that. I believe there will be a third but as yet, I don't think it's been published (or maybe even, written!)

Hi, Stasia! Welcome home!

Happy Monday, Stasia. Welcome home! It looks like you got plenty of reading in, on your visit. I will be starting We Begin at the End at the end of the week. It looks like we have a nice group reading it.

>258 alcottacre: Wow! Good job! That's quite a list. Welcome home :)

>264 jessibud2: Good to know, Shelley. I need to fit at least the first one in soon.

Hi Stasia my dear, congrats on reaching 75 books read for the year so far, by tomorrow morning i will finish my 14th book of the year, not bad considering i had only read 7 after the first two months of the year.

Sending love and hugs to you and the family from both of us dear friend.

>262 kac522: The books are considered to be part of the "OUP" series (which is only the two books at this point, but you do not need to read one before the other as the association is loose at best.

>263 vancouverdeb: Yeah, I needed the time away to get myself straightened out a bit. It took about 10 days but it really helped.

>264 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley! It is great to be back! Thank you for helping with Kathy's question.

>265 msf59: Thanks for the reminder about We Begin at the End, Mark! I will be listening to the audiobook so probably not be going through it as fast as everyone else. We will see.

>266 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba!

>268 johnsimpson: Thank you, John. Fourteen books is nothing to scoff at! Sounds like a great beginning to your reading year. My best to Karen.

I'm whipped, moving tomorrow and really really ready to get this done!

Welcome home, happy you're full of hood reads, sending hugs!

>270 richardderus: Richard, I am so happy for you! I am sending a ton of hugs your way!!

>271 alcottacre: Moving is always a lot of work!! But in your case I think it will be worth it. Hope all goes well and that you settle in quickly and easily.

Finished tonight:

89 - Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler - Linda gave me this book a mere 16 years ago and I am finally getting around to reading it (thank you, lovey!) I enjoyed this book about Barnaby, a loser sort of guy, who is slowly making his way to being a responsible adult. He works hard at his job, has a 9-year-old daughter that he visits monthly, and tries to get along with his parents, but his mother makes it difficult. Into his life comes Sophia, one of those upstanding citizens that Barnaby aspires to be, who works in a bank. Barnaby tries very hard for her, not for his own sake, and when Sophia's aunt accuses him of theft, it seems as if his past is coming back to haunt him. I very much enjoyed Barnaby and his struggles, which remind me all too much of myself at his age (30); Recommended (4 stars) Mine

"Still, I couldn't help thinking, as I unlocked my car door, how comfortable it must be to be Jeff (Barnaby's brother, SCD). Things just seemed to be easier for him. Me, I'd been in trouble from adolescence on. I'd been messing up and breaking things and disappointing everyone around me, while Jeff just coolly went about his business. It's as if he were an entirely different race, a different species, more at home in the world. More blessed."

Kerry took me birthday book shopping today as we never got around to it when my birthday really was, lol. I picked up The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons, Teddy and Booker T. by Brian Kilmeade, and The Breath of the Gods by Simon Winchester.

Any thoughts on my selections? Have you read any of them?

>258 alcottacre: I could do with a productive few days like that, Stasia!

>273 alcottacre: I liked that one too when I read it.

>275 PaulCranswick: I have now read exactly 2 of Anne Tyler's books, Paul, and liked them both. I really should read more!

Retirement is coming, right? Then you can have some productive reading days :)

Finished tonight:

90 - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - Juvenile; I do not ever remember reading this children's classic as a child, but I do remember reading it with Beth and Catey many years ago. This is one of those books that I would consider to be timeless and think it is probably better suited for adults to read than necessarily for children to do so because the point (for lack of a better word) of the book is to remind people that there are more important things in life than "matters of consequence," which are not really all that consequential; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

>276 alcottacre: Retirement fills me with almost as much dread as it does hope, Stasia!

>278 PaulCranswick: I can certainly understand that as one who did not want to retire when I had to!

Morning, Stasia. I had intended to read The Feather Wars in March (I have an e-galley) but it looks like it will be slotted for April. You want to join me?

Hi Stasia!

>224 alcottacre: Congrats on reaching 75 so early in the year.

>231 alcottacre: We sold at least one copy of The Correspondent at the book sale, and quite a few people were asking about it.

>258 alcottacre: My goodness! A reading whirlwind.

>277 alcottacre: I read The Little Prince when I was in college. I don't speak French, but have a copy in French acquired at a book sale. I’ve acquired other books by de Saint-Exupery but haven’t read them yet.

>280 msf59: Sounds good, Mark, and it fits into one of the April TIOLI challenges. Care to join me? I will need to start it after the 15th or so because of library books though.

>281 karenmarie: Hey, Karen! Thanks.

I really enjoyed The Correspondent although I could see why it would not be everyone's cuppa.

Well, I did not read them all in one day you know :)

I am curious about de Saint-Exupery's other books and am going to have to check around to see if I can find copies of them.

It is Tuesday and meet up day with Beth and Catey for me. Groceries will be arriving this afternoon - part of yesterday's catching up was doing the grocery list and meal plans - so we will have food in the house! Always a good thing to my mind.

Kerry and I will be playing something today, I am sure. I just have no idea what. I will also be playing games with the girls when we meet up.

On the book front, I am trying to finish up Now You See Them and The Gifts of the Jews before the day is out to wrap up my March reading. March turned out to be a better reading month for me than I thought it would be.

At some point, I will need to make a new thread too. . .

I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!

Stasia, I am not sure if you will be able to find this although I think it may be on netflix, but a few years ago, a local director, Charles Officer (who has sadly died of cancer, I think, at the far too young age of 48) made an exquisite documentary about The Little Prince. I was so blown away by it, I went back and saw it the next day! It is called Invisible Essence: The Little Prince. Here is a link:
https://www.cbc.ca/documentarychannel/docs/invisible-essence-the-little-prince

And here is a trailer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8985618/

I'd watch it again in a heartbeat.

>277 alcottacre: >284 jessibud2: The Little Prince in both French and English was part of my childhood. My mother majored in French and kept fluent in conversations with my dad and giving private lessons. She read TLP aloud during the informal shared childcare of the neighborhood, and at home as well.

>277 alcottacre: Interesting discussion about The Little Prince. It was one I also missed as a child. When I was on my study-abroad program in Japan at the end of my college years, I picked up copies in English, French, and Japanese, to work on my language skills.

>284 jessibud2: Thank you for that link, Shelley. I will definitely be watching that video.

ETA: I followed the link, but it did not lead me to a video. I checked Netflix and did not find it there either. Disappointing.

>285 quondame: That is so cool, Susan!

>286 atozgrl: It always amazes me what books and happenings will spark discussion within the group, Irene :)

Finished this afternoon/evening:

91 - Now You See Them by Elly Griffiths - This is the fifth book in Griffiths' Magic Men mystery series and I found it a bit disconcerting at the beginning as it moves forward in time 10 years or so from where the previous book left off. At the beginning of the book we find that Edgar and Emma have married, he has been promoted, and she has retired from the police force in large part because of their 3 children. Max Mephisto has moved to America but is back in England to consider a part in a remake of Little Lord Fauntleroy and he reunites with his grown daughter, Ruby. In the midst of all this reuniting, girls are going missing and it is up to Edgar, now a superintendent, and his DI, Bob, along with new police recruit, Meg, to find out what is happening. In the meantime, however, Emma is getting very disgruntled at no longer being a police detective and she wants to be in on the action; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

92 - The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill - Nonfiction; This is the second book in Cahill's Hinges of History series, the first book being How the Irish Saved Civilization, which I loved. This one, not so much. I think part of my problem with the book is that 1) the book makes for slow reading and 2) much of the middle section of the book, a retelling of the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament) is very familiar to me adn really did not add anything to the knowledge I already have. Obviously, the reader's mileage may vary there. The book is readable (if slow IMHO) and I think that at least a passing knowledge of the Bible would be helpful. I found his exposition of what made up the religious development of the Jewish nation interesting; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

And that ends my March reading. I have an audiobook that I still need to finish, but it is highly unlikely it will happen tonight. A new thread will be happening tonight though!

>57 drneutron: You seem like someone who really takes their time with books—in a good way.