Alcott Acre's Home, Room 4

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 turned 5 years old in March. Ilan is will be 1 year old April 17th.

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
Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

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
A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard

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
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Mythos by Stephen Fry
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen
The Feather Wars by James McCommons
Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

April TIOLI Challenges:

Challenge #1: Read a nonfiction book about a living person whose name you currently see in the news
Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson - Completed April 9, 2026

Challenge #2: Read a 2025 Nebula finalist, or a book that shares a title word of 4 or more letters with a finalist
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Completed April 6, 2026
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - Completed April 10, 2026

Challenge #3: Read a book for the rolling FANBOYS conjunction challenge
Song Yet Sung by James McBride - Completed April 5, 2026
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026

Challenge #4: Read a book with a year in the title
1984 by George Orwell - Completed April 25, 2026

Challenge 5: Read a book with a birth or death in the title
Shadows in Death by J. D. Robb - Completed April 11, 2026

Challenge 6: Read a book whose title is the name of one (or more) of the book's characters
Harry Haft by Alan Haft - Completed April 30, 2026
March by Geraldine Brooks - Completed April 18, 2026
The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne by Jonathan Stroud - Completed April 12, 2026

Challenge #7: Read a book where the word "sky" is in the title
A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America’s Hurricanes by Eric Jay Dolin - Completed April 13, 2026

Challenge #8: Read a book with a title that includes at least one of these words, “what, when, where, why, or whose"
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen - Completed April 18, 2026

Challenge #9: Read a book whose title reads as a Dreadful Warning (or otherwise sounds Deeply Ominous)
Replaceable You by Mary Roach - Completed April 9, 2026

Challenge #10: Read a book by a female author that has been a finalist for at least two awards in 2025/2026
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar - Completed April 5, 2026

Challenge #11: Read a work by an author whose first and last initials are from the 13 least commonly used letters of the English alphabet: M, W, F, G, Y, P, B, V, K, J, X, Q, Z
The Feather Wars by James McCommons - Completed April 21, 2026
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard - Completed April 23, 2026

Challenge #12: Read a book by an author featured in the 2017 American Authors challenge
Run by Ann Patchett - Completed April 23, 2026

Challenge #13: Read a book about helping people through death
The Sisters of Sugarcreek by Cathy Liggett - Completed April 10, 2026

Challenge #14: Read a book from or inspired by something on my wishlist
News from Thrush Green by Miss Read - Completed April 14, 2026

Challenge #15: Read a book by a queer author
Mythos by Stephen Fry - Completed April 17, 2026
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026

Challenge #16: First Quarter Catchup - Read a book that you listed in a previous 2026 TIOLI challenge
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - Completed April 30, 2026
A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor - Completed April 1, 2026
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley - Completed April 8, 2026

Challenge #17: Read a book with a bird in the title or on the cover
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard - Completed April 24, 2026
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea - Completed April 30, 2026
Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome - Completed April 3, 2026

Challenge #18: Read a book which contains 50 or more words in the first sentence
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher - Completed April 23, 2026

Challenge #19: Read a book with cover artwork that can be considered to belong to the still life genre
The Story Collector by Evie Woods - Completed April 15, 2026

Challenge #20: The Young at Heart Challenge: Read a classic children’s book - See see list here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_children%27s_classic_books
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster - Completed April 26, 2026
Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce - Completed April 15, 2026

Challenge 21: Read a book set in a library
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn - Completed April 20, 2026

Challenge #22: Read a book that starts with the letter A (first words)
Full Share by Nathan Lowell - Completed April 29, 2026

Challenge #23: Read a book that has (color)(noun) in the title
Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken - Completed April 30, 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
Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 1, 2026
The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 7, 2026
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley - Completed April 8, 2026
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - Completed April 10, 2026
I, Claudius by Robert Graves - Shared read with Paul in May
Sabriel 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?

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
3. Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson - Completed April 9, 2026
4. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026
5. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 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
3. The Forbidden Daughter by Zipora Klein Jakob - Completed March 23, 2026
4. Harry Haft by Alan Haft - Completed April 30, 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
March - Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers - Completed March 20, 2026
April - Mythos by Stephen Fry - Completed April 17, 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
Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley - Completed April 28, 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)
3. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - Completed April 30, 2026 (#24 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
March The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill - Completed March 31, 2026
April Replaceable You by Mary Roach - Completed April 9, 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 - Completed April 11, 2026

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 - Completed April 1, 2026
The Good, the Bad, and the History

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
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026

Fiction:
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green - Completed February 5, 2026
Song Yet Sung by James McBride - Completed April 5, 2026
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Completed April 6, 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
4. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 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 - Completed March 21, 2026

April - Hispanic North American Authors:
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea - Completed April 30, 2026

Hello, April! I wonder if my Touchstones will load faster now that spring is here. . .

Happy new thread, Stasia!

May all your touchstones hit the right book on the first try!

Happy new thread, Stasia!

I see some of the touchstones have loaded.

>14 alcottacre: Well, not quite on the first try but soon enough! Thanks, Susan!

>15 quondame: Yep, they are all done now, thank goodness. Thank you, Irene!

Well, I am off to bed now since I did not get any sleep at all last night. . .

Happy new one, Juana. xx

Hi Stasia, I'm sorry to learn you didn't get any sleep last night. Drat!

Happy new thread, Stasia!

Happy new thread, Stasia and happy spring and Easter.

Happy new thread, Stasia!

Happy new thread, Stasia. And happy April Fool's!

Happy new thread!

>19 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.

>20 Whisper1: Not the first time it has happened and probably not the last. Thanks, lovey!

>21 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

>22 Kristelh: I appreciate all the good wishes, Kristel.

>23 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>24 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, although it must be said that I am not a big April Fool's fan. . .

>25 foggidawn: Thanks, Misti.

I slept late today so am getting a late start on the day. The good news about that is that I actually managed to get almost 9 hours of sleep.

Kerry and I will be playing something this afternoon, but I have no idea what since it is his turn to pick :)

I am finishing up the audiobook that I left hanging from March, A Catalogue of Catastrophe. It is April so a ton of new library and HOOPLA books are now at my home and I am starting on several today: Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson, The Sisters of Sugarcreek by Cathy Liggett, A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar, The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, and Song Yet Sung by James McBride. I am also starting a shared read with Reba, Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Happy new one, Stasia!

Hello Stasia., So wonderful to follow your reading plans. Happy new thread! Very glad you got a good night's sleep after a rough night! This sleep business.............🛌!

Hi Stasia my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.

>28 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley!

>29 mdoris: Glad you enjoy my reading plans, Mary. I have to keep the lists so I do not lose track, lol.

>30 johnsimpson: Thank you, John!

Happy new thread, Stasia!

>32 Dejah_Thoris: Thank you, Dejah!

Finished this evening:

92 - A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor - Audiobook; Just about the time that I think Max's adventures cannot get any more adventurous, Taylor proves me wrong. Max is no longer at St. Mary's, but that has not stopped her at all from getting into trouble as a recovery agent. She thinks she is finally in her perfect job - working in an office - but that does not prove to be the case - at all. She is jumping through time so often that the gets sick from doing it. What all those jumps in time get her - sickness, people who (once again) want to kill her, and uncovering things that perhaps she might not want to know; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

Happy April, Stasia. Happy New Thread! Hooray for getting a great night's sleep. I love how you juggle all your reads. Very impressive.

>35 msf59: Happy April to you too, Mark! Thanks.

Happy new thread, Stasia! I have to go look at our messages to even remember what Victoria Goddard books we have left (I believe there are three and none of them set in the Nine Worlds), as I don't think we ever decided what we felt like reading next.

And you remind me that I only read a couple of the Jodi Taylor books and have been meaning to go back to that series for quite some time now... Maybe this year? After a couple of library books get returned...

>37 bell7: Hey, Mary! I am ready for whatever Goddard book you would like to read this month.

I have had a great time with the Taylor books and am now up to the last one. I need to get the books in her other series about the Time Police though as I have not read any of them.

Nothing much going on here today. Laundry is currently on and that is about it for the day, so I am hoping to get some reading in today.

Kerry and I will be playing Sanctuary today, one of the games that I bought us for Christmas last. Catey and I got a play of it in while I was in Longview and I very much enjoyed it. I am hoping that Kerry likes it just as much!

I am currently listening to Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men on the Bummel, which I am not finding as good as his Three Men in a Boat. Hopefully it will improve as I listen. On the other hand, I started Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson last night and am finding it to be excellent. That was pretty much all of the reading that I got in yesterday so I really need to get it in gear today. On my stack to start are: The Sisters of Sugarcreek by Cathy Liggett, A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar, The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, Song Yet Sung by James McBride, and Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley. Hopefully I can make progress on some of these today.

I hope you all have a thoughtful Thursday!

>39 alcottacre: Totally agree that Three Men on the Bummel isn't as good as Three Men in a Boat. I did think it pointed out some cultural differences between Germany and the U.K. in a good natured way though.

I plan to start Jane Austen at Home sometime today.

>40 RebaRelishesReading: I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels that Three Men on the Bummel is not as good as the first book. I agree about the good natured way the cultural differences are being pointed out and, of course, Frederick Davidson's narration is great at bringing it all to life.

Good news about Jane Austen!

From Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson:

"Then I found this band of nerds, and I say that with the greatest of affection. Suddenly, instead of just being a weirdo with good grades, I had this family of people where it was cool to be smart." ~Richard Rosenthal

That is kind of the way I feel about the 75ers on LT. I am now in with the cool smart kids!

Just catching up

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Stasia!

>43 figsfromthistle: >44 mstrust: Thanks, Anita and Jennifer!

Happy New Thread!

Here's the Easter readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383354

>46 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver.

>47 SilverWolf28: I will be in as much as I can be!

Today has not been my day. It was supposed to be the day of Kerry's and my monthly gaming marathon, but I woke up with vertigo this morning and it did not leave until after 2pm. I am still struggling with a massive headache. *sigh* I am hoping that at some point it leaves so that I can at least get some reading in today.

OTOH, I am listening to the last bit of Three Men on the Bummel, so I guess that is something.

Finished this evening:

94 - Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome - Audiobook; This is the follow up book to Jerome's better known (and better book IMHO) Three Men in a Boat, which I read recently (for at least the third time, I think.) We have the original three characters back again (without Montmorency the dog) and on this trip, they decide to go bicycling in Germany. While the original book has a timeless quality to it, I did not find that this one did - in large part because Jerome insists on comparing British people and German people - and, since the book was written in 1900, I do not think that those differences between the cultures necessarily still apply. I also thought the humor in this one was more 'forced' than in the previous book. Not sorry I read it, but I think I will just stick with the first book from here on out; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

I hope you were able to meet Kerry.

>49 alcottacre: I hope today is better, Stasia.

>52 Dejah_Thoris: It has been, Dejah. Thanks!

Because we did not get our monthly gaming marathon in yesterday - we did end up playing one game last evening - we are playing games today! It is a good day for it too as it is rainy here.

Nothing else on the agenda for today other than reading. I started We Begin at the End on audio, but nothing else has changed as far as my current reading goes.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

>54 alcottacre:
Have fun with We Begin at the End. I sure did. Going to get groceries this afternoon and make asparagus for an Easter meal with relatives tomorrow evening.

To all my friends who celebrate the day:

>56 alcottacre: Happy Easter, Stasia!

>56 alcottacre:. How cute!! Thank you and Happy Easter to you too.

Happy Easter, Stasia. I am currently reading We Begin at the End. About the half way point but I am a slow reader.

Happy Easter, Stasia!

>57 vancouverdeb: >58 RebaRelishesReading: >60 MickyFine: Thank you, Deborah, Reba, and Micky!

>59 Kristelh: I am listening to the audiobook, Kristel, so I am probably going to be finishing the book last, lol.

My 'day off' technology and I just came by to wish everyone a lovely Sunday!

Finished this evening:

95 - Song Yet Sung by James McBride - I have yet to read a book by James McBride that I have not liked and this one is no exception. An historical fiction novel, it takes place before the Civil War and has a vast array of characters from runaway slaves, widows, slave catchers, and more. McBride does a wonderful job of giving these characters voices and making them human, even the slave catchers. There are complex systems at work in the book including 'the code' that the slaves know and reflective of how they communicate with each other. My one quibble with the book is 'the Dreamer,' who can supposedly envision the future. That just did not work for me, but the rest of the book was excellent; Recommended (4.25 stars) Library Book

Happy Easter, Stasia! (and I'm going to get back to the book as soon as I finish here) :)

While I, who have several James McBrides here unread, am off to scout L. Worsley on J. Austin.

Hope you are 100% or even 50% better today as you have taken time off for Sunday, especially Easter!!!

>65 LizzieD: Peggy, Reba and I are reading the Worsley book on Austen together.

I have had a wonderful Easter Sunday :)

Finished tonight:

96 - A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar - This is Majumdar's second book and it is a good one - I am going to have to seek out a copy of her debut novel, A Burning (I cannot seem to find a Touchstone for it). In this book, Majumdar posits a near future India, in which both famine and flooding occur, making just getting food problematic. We meet Ma and her small family who are due to fly to America, where Ma's husband is living in Ann Arbor, Michigan., but the passports that they worked so hard to get are stolen by Boomba, a teenager who moved to Kolkata to find work, but has to stoop to petty crimes in order to live and hopefully bring his family over to the city too. This is one of those books in which there are no real bad guys or good guys - there are only people struggling just to live, to survive, to make it through to another day; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

"The world was never a dire place, Dadu had said when Ma had shared with him, years ago, that she was not certain she wanted to have a child in a drowning city. The world was never a dire place. Even in difficult times, there was beauty; there was joy; there was laughter."

I'm late getting here today, but just under the wire to wish you a Happy Easter, Stasia.

>63 alcottacre: Oooh, I wish I had known about this book. It's a McBride I wasn't aware of. It sounds good. If I'd known about it, I could have read it for the March Reading Through Time challenge, instead of the book I found at my local library. The book I read was really poorly written. Maybe if I have time I'll try to fit this one in at some point soon.

I doubt that you'll be the last to finish We Begin at the End, Stasia. My reading is slow as I have a few other books on the go, some of which have deadlines of a sort.

I love the idea of the 75ers being the cool smart kids.

"I love the idea of the 75ers being the cool smart kids." Amen to that, Meg!

Morning, Stasia. I also gave A Guardian and a Thief 4 stars. A good read but not as strong as her debut. I am having a good time with We Begin at the End. Getting close to the halfway point. Benita really liked it.

>68 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I do hope that you get a chance to read Song Yet Sung. I really thought it worth the read.

>69 Familyhistorian: Well, I have not listened to any of We Begin at the End today, Meg, so you and I may be bringing up the rear on that one together, lol.

I love the idea too!

>70 msf59: Yep!

>71 msf59: I saw Benita's thoughts on the book so I am hopeful that I will like it as much as she did. I am only about 10% of the way done.

Yeah, it has been another one of those days around my house. I have suffered with vertigo since early this morning and the headache that came along with it did not help. I have quite literally spent my entire day horizontal. I have finally gotten to the point where the world is not spinning and maybe I can actually get something done.

I hope you all have a marvelous Monday evening!

>63 alcottacre: Stasia, I'm adding Song Yet Sung to my TBR list. Your review is excellent!

>73 alcottacre: I hope tomorrow is a better day for you!

>74 Whisper1: I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it, lovey!

Thanks, me too. Two days of this in the past week is 2 too many!

Finished tonight:

97 - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - I first heard of this book a couple of years ago when Deborah (Cariola) spoke of it on her thread. In her thoughts on the book she said, "Lawhon has effectively combined biographical fiction with historical mystery. . . the mystery, discoveries, hearings, testimonies, and manipulations of John North, the local justice accused of rape, to monopolize local woodlands and defame Martha and Rebecca are very well integrated into daily life, social customs and structure, and the foibles of a new country's government and flawed justice system. I enjoyed the novel and her expansion of Martha Ballard's character." I agree with everything she said. I loved the depiction of the marriage between Ephraim and Martha - he stood behind pretty much everything she did which helped her, in the end, do the things she did. She was a strong woman and he made her just that much stronger. Lawhon did a wonderful job of bringing this real life woman to the fore; Recommended (4.25 stars) Library Book

I'm on page 179 of We Begin at the End at the moment, Stasia. I really loved The Frozen River, so I'm glad you did too. I'm sorry about the vertigo,That can be really bad.I have it myself occasionally and my mom occasionally gets bad bouts. I hope you are feeling better soon.

>76 alcottacre: My RL bookclub read The Frozen River last year. I too enjoyed it and found a lot of the historical background very interesting.

>77 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. The vertigo took about 12 hours to go away, but I did not wake up with it this morning, thank goodness. Glad to hear that you loved The Frozen River too!

>78 RebaRelishesReading: I am glad you enjoyed The Frozen River too, Reba! I know the book has made its way through the group. I am just a latecomer :)

Today is meet up day with Beth and Catey. Laundry is already in and that is about it for me for chores today other than cooking.

The girls and I will be playing games online today, I am sure. Kerry and I are playing Life of the Amazonia, a game we have only played once before, but one that both of really enjoyed.

I am listening to We Begin at the End and enjoying it. I am still reading Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson, The Sisters of Sugarcreek by Cathy Liggett, and Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley. I am hoping to start on Replaceable You by Mary Roach, A Furious Sky by Eric Jay Dolin. or So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo today. We will see how it goes.

I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!

I have a copy of Frozen River and should dig it out and read it. Right now I am reading I Contain Multitudes and finding it OK. I am sure it will improve because I am only 50 pages in and the reviews of the book were terrific. There were lots of people here on LT who liked it as well. I also have 2 books waiting for me at the library and will pick them up today on my way back from getting my taxes completed and sent off.

I am glad you are liking We Begin at the End. The writing style is different from what Whitaker used in All the Colors of the Dark, but I think that is on purpose. Whitaker is using the terse writing to set a mood. I liked that, but it was hard to like at first.

I'm sorry about the vertigo's stealing a day from you, Stasia. I very much hope you're at 100% today!

OOOO! I've never, ever been a cool kid! I'm smart enough for RobCo and grateful to be included among you smart ones here in the 75. *beam*

Enjoy your Tuesday and your girls. Best to all Dosters with 2 legs and 4!

I am very sorry to hear that you've had multiple bouts of vertigo recently. I certainly hope that it will leave you alone from now on.

>76 alcottacre: I'm so glad you liked The Frozen River, Stasia! My RL book club read it last year, and I loved it. It was my favorite read from last year. The book club also read Lovely One last year, and I think it was approved overall, though many members indicated that they were not big fans of autobiographies in general.

I just got done watching Lucy Worsley's latest show on PBS, about the American Revolution. Very interesting.

>83 atozgrl: It is extremely rare for me to have the vertigo bouts so close together. I hope they will leave me alone from now on too. . .

I am loving The Lovely One, Irene. I do not mind reading autobiographies. As far as The Frozen River goes, I am just sorry it took me so long to get to it.

The Lucy Worsley showed up in my YouTube feed today but I have not yet had a chance to watch it.

Finished this evening:

98 - Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley - Nonfiction; I read all of Austen's books a couple of years back but did not read this book at the time and am sorry I did not - I think I might have appreciated it all the more had I read it in close conjunction with my read of Austen's books. That being said, I am glad that Reba mentioned it so that I could finally get it read and have a reading partner to boot! I think that Worsley does a wonderful, thorough job of looking at Austen's life and the social context within which she lived. Worsley uses Jane's letters as a springboard and after them seems to use every bit of scholarly research she can get her hands on. In the end, I think we end up with a well-rounded picture of what Jane and her life were like as well as how her real life ended up in her novels; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

Stasia, I am sure you will remember her.

Those of you who have been around this group for a while may remember Susan Glover Rizzo, a member of the 75ers from 2008, when I joined, active in the group through 2013 as Suslyn. After 2016, when she and her husband moved back to the US, other activities took her attention, but we always stayed in intermittent touch. She has been fighting a virulent cancer and her husband posted on Facebook at the end of March that she had lost her fight. In remembrance, Suslyn!

>86 ronincats: Oddly enough, I was just thinking of Susan yesterday. I am sorry to hear that she lost the fight. Thanks for letting me know, Roni.

I am not a big fan of Lucy Worsley, but she is getting lots of love here on LT. Especially lately, in conjunction with all the renewed interest in Jane Austen. I understand the Jane Austen love, but not that keen on Lucy Worsley. I have not read a single one of her books and have no desire to do so. I don't like her shows that are on PBS either. I think it is her sly sensational attitude on her shows that doesn't work for me. I remember getting really put off, when she gave a tour of some palace or other in the UK and waggled her eyebrows and said something to the effect of "Now we're going to the bedroom to find out what really went on there." And then she showed us the room and a few pieces of furniture. I think that history is very sensational, but don't tease us with it and then not tell what history does, or does not, have to say about what went on in the bedroom. We are all adults - tell us - if you know. It comes down to her manner, and it just doesn't work for me. On camera that is. It is clear that she is trying desperately hard to create interest in her topic by using sexual, criminal, or some kind of deviance as the hook to get us to watch her shows. Can't make a judgement on her books since I haven't been drawn to read any of them.

>88 benitastrnad: To each his own, I guess, Benita. I am pretty sure that Jane Austen at Home is the only book of hers that I have read and I enjoyed it.

I am off to the dentist this afternoon to have some oral surgery done. I am hoping that it is not too painful!

>90 alcottacre: I too hope that your oral surgery is not too painful.

>88 benitastrnad: I have a similar impression of Lucy Worsley the TV personality. She’s been in some videos with costumers I very much respect and seems much more taken with herself than with the ostensible subjects.

I enjoy Worsley's light-hearted take on history and liked her book. No requirement to agree and, if you don't, you are excused from watching them or reading it -- no demerits :)

Oh, Stasia. I hope you're home and that the surgery wasn't awful and that the aftermath isn't either. Take care of yourself!!!!

>91 Kristelh: It was actually not as bad as I expected it to be. Thanks, Kristel!

>93 RebaRelishesReading: That pretty much sums it up, Reba!

>94 LizzieD: I am trying to follow all of the dentist's instructions, Peggy - the whole page of them :)

Finished tonight:

99 - Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach - Nonfiction; I have enjoyed several of Roach's books in the past (my favorite is probably Stiff) and this book is no exception. I love her ability to take complex scientific issues and concepts and dumb it down enough to where I can understand it, but not make me feel like an idiot. In this, her latest book, she takes a look at human anatomy and discusses the parts that can - and cannot - be replaced. If you have any interest at all in the subject, I recommend this one which has Roach's tongue-in-cheek humor sprinkled throughout; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

"When it comes to replacing body parts, things that make intuitive sense don't always pan out. Bodies are complicated in unpredictable ways."

>88 benitastrnad: and etc.

Isn't it interesting how someone's presentation manner can put us off them so? Like Benita, I haven't read any books by Lucy Worsley but I do find her way of presenting history does sometimes border into patronising.

That said I am reading David Mitchell's history of England's monarchs at the moment and that touch is more than a little light hearted.

Sorry to see you have been suffering from bouts of vertigo, Juana. I hope you'll be entirely free of it shortly.

>98 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

Finished tonight:

100 - Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson - Nonfiction; One of the reasons that I love the TIOLI challenges is because I run into books like this one - a book I had never heard of and likely would never have read if someone had not listed it on one of the TIOLI challenges. Jackson recounts her life story, detailing where her family came from and how they got to where they were, despite the rampant racism still endemic in the South at the time. I will never be a young Black girl, but Jackson put me in those shoes. We follow her through college, into marriage and motherhood, all the while pursuing her childhood goal of becoming a judge. I thought this was a fantastic read and do not regret a minute of the time I spent with this book; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Library Book

>100 alcottacre: Looks like a good book to bring up your 100th for 2026, Stasia. She is quite a trailblazer for black ladies in the judiciary and I think that there should be pride in all she has achieved.

>100 alcottacre: This sounds like a good one. I will add it to my list.

Happy #100 milestone, Stasia. Have you had your vertigo checked out?

>101 PaulCranswick: Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly, Paul. She is a remarkable lady.

>102 BLBera: I hope you enjoy the book if and when you get to it, Beth!

>103 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. As far as the vertigo goes, I just live with it. My father had it as well, so I think it is some kind of genetic thing that I inherited.

Off to lunch with Kerry. Be back later!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383511

>106 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver!

Finished tonight:

101 - We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - This book was originally recommended to me by Lynda (Carmenere) and when Mark mentioned that he wanted to do a read of it and opened that up to everyone, I was in. I originally got started on the audiobook of this one, but soon turned to the hard copy because of some things going on here. I stuck with the book even though I was not getting into it at the beginning. I am glad that I did because I ended up enjoying the book. There are a lot of walking wounded in this book, but I especially liked the character of Duchess, a 13-year-old 'outlaw,' who takes a lot on herself because of her younger brother, Robin. When their mother is killed, they are left to their grandfather, a man they had never met before but who loves them. In the background is the mystery of who killed their mother and why - and even beyond that is the mystery of who killed their mother's sister. Apart from a lot of swearing at the beginning of the book and how slowly it moved at the outset, I am glad I did not put it aside; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

"She saw him then, a life of paid mistake, the lure of second chance, the plaintive ask of redemption."

Finished tonight:

102 - The Sisters of Sugarcreek by Cathy Liggett - I do not read Christian fiction for the most part because I found, in the past, that it tended to be so over-saccharine or in-your-face religious that I just could not take it. However, I am glad that I gave this book a chance because it was a pretty good read. Sugarcreek suffered a devastating fire at one of the local churches and it took the lives of 2 people - one was Lydia's volunteer fireman, Henry, and the other was Jessica's aunt Rose. Lydia, who is Amish, is trying to figure out what to do, what to think even, in the days after Henry's death - and trying to figure out exactly what was wrong with their marriage. Jessica, in the meantime, has inherited Rose's craft store, despite being almost completely uncrafty. Rose's friend, Liz, ropes the two of them into continuing a tradition of giving gifts secretly to people in need. The three of them become friends despite differences in ages, lifestyles, and faiths. There is some romance in the book, but it is not over the top, nor is it unbelievable and the way that the women's faith is worked into the storyline is believable as well; Recommended (3.75 stars) Kindle - Hoopla

Good review of WBATE. I will finally get my mini-review tomorrow. I am glad you enjoyed it. It seems like it was a hit for most of us.

Happy Saturday, Stasia.

Oh wow - you're already past 100 books read! Congrats!

>110 msf59: Thanks again for the group read, Mark. One more out of the BlackHole for me! I look forward to seeing your thoughts on the book.

>111 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

Finished this evening:

103 - Shadows in Death by J. D. Robb - Audiobook; This is only my second read of this particular entry in the In Death series and I thought better of it this time around than I did the first, I think. In this book, Dallas and Roarke, who had been out for the evening, are at a murder scene when Roarke spots an old enemy from his Dublin days - an enemy who thinks of Roarke's father as his own and made sure that Roarke spotted him. Cobbe, a paid hitman, now wants to take Roarke out of the picture. It is up to Eve and her department to stop him; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

Wow, Stasia! Already past 100 books. Congratulations.

>108 alcottacre: It still fails to appeal to me as a reader, but it's very instructive when reading you review as to why people like it. *smooch*

>114 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah!

>115 richardderus: Like I always say, not every book is for everybody, RD, so I understand your not wanting to read a particular book.

This being Sunday, it is my day off technology. I hope you all have a lovely day!

Finished today:

104 - The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud - Juvenile; Mary (bell7) recommended this one recently (you can see her review here: https://www.librarything.com/work/25084783/reviews/310557302) and since I had enjoyed Stroud's Bartimeaus trilogy, decided to give it a shot. The book was fun! Scarlett McCain is an outlaw attempting to repay a debt to people that you do not want to borrow money from and Albert Browne is a young man running away from people that do not want his particular talents on the loose. Together they manage to reek all kinds of havoc while attempting just to survive, running away from the people who threaten them; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

>108 alcottacre: I knew you'd get through We Begin at the End before me, Stasia. I'm still working my way through.

Happy Monday, Stasia. I hope you had a good weekend. I will start The Feather Wars on Wednesday. Are you still up for joining me?

>119 Familyhistorian: I hope you enjoy the book, Meg!

>120 msf59: Yes, definitely. I was going to PM you today about it, but you beat me to the punch.

Monday *smooch*

>122 richardderus: Thanks, RD! ((Hugs)) and **smooches** back at you

Past a hundred books and a thousand posts on your threads this year, Stasia. Well done on both counts.

The first lady in the group to reach 1,000 posts on her threads in 2026.

Finished tonight:

105 - A Furious Sky by Eric Jay Dolin - Nonfiction; Author Dolin takes readers through the 500 year history of America's hurricanes. More than that, Dolin leads us through the history of meteorology in regard to hurricanes and how the ability to predict where and when they will arrive saves lives. He takes us through numerous hurricanes, but does not forget the human point of view, instead letting us get to know affected families caught up in a storm; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

"If we as a society become convinced by the growing weight of scientific evidence that global warming will indeed make hurricanes of the future worse than those of the past, then it will be incumbent upon us to act even more expeditiously and more boldly to counter this threat in any way we can."

Today is my meet up day with Beth and Catey. Catey and I will be meeting up earlier since this is our Ark Nova day and then Beth will join us later. Laundry is on and running, I have diced up the veggies to go into the Cajun Mac for lunch today and the rest of the ingredients are set aside.

Kerry and I are playing a new favorite today, Transmissions. We discovered this game on the cruise we took back in 2024 to celebrate Kerry's retirement and liked it so much we promptly ordered a copy.

I am currently listening to The Story Collector by Evie Woods. I am currently reading the third Thrush Green book, News from Thrush Green, as well as So You Want to Talk About Race. I am not sure what I am going to read after that although Stephen Fry's Mythos is at the top of the stack since it is checked our from Hoopla and Tom's Midnight Garden, just because.

I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

Oh, I have that Evie Woods on Mt. TBR. Will look forward to your impressions.

>127 jessibud2: I am about 1/3 of the way through, Shelley. I am finding the book OK but nothing very special at this point.

Hi Stasia! I am woefully behind so you get a belated happy new thread from me :)

>76 alcottacre: This one is on my list to read soon!

>100 alcottacre: This one sounds well worth reading -- adding it to the list! And love that your 100th book showed up in your 100th post on this thread :)

I hope you had a wonderful time with the girls. It was a beautiful day here in Chicagoland and it also included some Jackson time. Perfect.

Happy Tuesday, Stasia.

>129 curioussquared: I hope you enjoy The Frozen River when you get to it, Natalie - as well as Lovely One. I did not even notice that book 100 was on the 100th post, lol!

>130 msf59: Beth was not feeling well today so it was just Catey and me and we had a great time together. I am so glad you got some Jackson time in today!

Finished tonight:

106 - News from Thrush Green by Miss Read - This is the third book in the Thrush Green series and I think that I liked it the most of the books that I have read in the series. In this one, there is a newcomer to Thrush Green so, of course, everyone in the village wants to learn about her and her son. Other things are going on in the village as well - including the doling out of kittens to all of the neighbors. If the Thrush Green books are not 'comfort' reads, I have no idea what qualifies for those!; Recommended (3.75 stars) Hoopla - Kindle

Busy as usual, Stasia!!!! I can't imagine what you'd be doing if you felt 100% well. Hope Beth is better quickly and glad that you and Catey got to play Ark Nova!

I mailed our taxes today, and the man hand-canceled them so that they'll be on time. I don't mind the push to get them done at the end, but I am glad that they are done.

Take care! See if you have time to read a little......

>132 alcottacre: I'm nearly finished with News From Thrush Green too. "Comfort read" is precisely the right term for it. Yet there's some substance in these stories, and it's not that nothing sad or troublesome ever happens in them...people just cope with life and sometimes it all works out. I love them.

>126 alcottacre: I was thinking about reading Fry's Mythos. I'll be interested to see what you think about it.

>133 LizzieD: Yesterday was a very busy day around here, even if the bulk of it was spent playing games, lol. Catey and I did play Ark Nova - and one of her favorites, Earth, as well. Glad you got your taxes taken care of!

>134 laytonwoman3rd: This is my first time through the Thrush Green books, Linda. Glad to know that you love them! I plan on continue on with the series.

>135 atozgrl: I will keep you posted, Irene!

Not much going on around here today. Normal stuff - laundry and cooking - along with some game playing. . .

Kerry and I are playing one of my old favorites today, Orleans. He played it for the first time ever last week. We also played the first game of Cozy Stickerville last night. I am not sure if we will continue on with the campaign today or not. My mother, Catey, and I very much enjoyed our play of the campaign when I was in Longview recently. I hope enjoy Kerry and I enjoy our playthrough of it as much!

I am still listening to The Story Collector, which I am hoping to finish it in the next couple of days. I will be finishing So You Want to Talk About Race today and hope to finish Tom's Midnight Garden too. I am starting The Feather Wars, a shared read with Mark, and The Bone Harp, a shared read with Mary, tonight. I also hope to start on March. We will see how it goes. . .

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Finished this afternoon:

107 - So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Nonfiction; This book languished in the BlackHole for far too long - I am not sure if that is because I was uncomfortable with the subject matter or other circumstances. I grew up with a very bigoted father and I think that for me, my being racist is a real fear. I do not want to be that way and yet it seems that on some levels, I unknowingly am. Oluo does not pull any punches in her thought provoking book and some of the chapters were uncomfortable for me to read especially the chapter "I just got called racist, what do I do now?" In this chapter, she gives some guided tips on what she calls 'how to do the work' and I found that section extremely helpful. All I can say that is that I do not think of myself as racist, but I am. Now I have to do what I can to fix my problem; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Library Book

Finished this evening:

108 - The Story Collector by Evie Woods - Audiobook; I have only read one other of Woods' books, The Lost Bookshop, and admit that I enjoyed it more than I did this one. In this book we have two timelines going on - one current and the other set in Ireland 1911. Sarah has traveled to Ireland on a whim, trying to recover from the failure of her marriage and the loss of her stillborn infant daughter. When she is there, she discovers the diary of Anna, who wrote it in 1911. Anna, it transpires is assisting an Oxford scholar collect the folktales and fairy stories of the inhabitants of her neck of the woods. Since I love folklore, I was more interested this part of the book than the other, more romantic section of the book as Sarah finds herself drawn to Oran, a man who has lost his wife and so knows a great deal about sorrow; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Hoopla

>138 alcottacre: Very good, very honest comments, Stasia. I read this book a couple of years ago and had a similar reaction. I suspect that most (all?) white Americans are racist to some extent but acknowledging that and wanting to correct it is a great start (at least I hope so).

>138 alcottacre: This is one I keep thinking about reading - but I keep putting off. Thanks for the review - it'll motivate me to pick it up.

>138 alcottacre: I've already got this one on my wishlist. I guess I need to go ahead and pick up a copy.

In the DEI training we had at my workplace, we learned that really everyone has racist ideas to some extent. And a lot of it is subconscious, things we learned when we were young or absorbed from the culture. We just have to become aware of it, and work on it. I will be interested to see what she prescribes for "how to do the work."

>140 RebaRelishesReading: I hope so too, Reba! Thanks.

>141 Dejah_Thoris: I will be curious to see your thoughts on the book if and when you read it, Dejah.

>142 atozgrl: The chapter on "how to do the work" is the second to last in the book, Irene, if I recall correctly. Sorry, I do not have the book to hand at the moment. I do think that everyone is racist in some sense of the word whether they want to believe it or admit to it or not.

Finished tonight:

109 - Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce - Juvenile; Lynda (Carmenere) read this one last year and recommended it, so when I saw it on the list of classic children's books that I used for the TIOLI challenge that I posited this month, I decided the time was right for me to read it. I picked up the sixtieth anniversary edition of the book, which I had not realized was that old, lol. I very much enjoyed it as an adult, but I think I would have loved the book as a child. This story of Tom, separated from his immediate family because his brother, Peter, has measles and having to temporarily live with his aunt and uncle - and then stumbles across a magical garden where time is very fluid - is one that I think all children would enjoy. Tom meets a girl in the garden, Hatty, and they become fast friends, but as he visits the garden on a nightly basis, she grows and changes to the point that she can almost no longer see him. I thought the ending to the book was highly appropriate - and surprising; Recommended (4 stars as an adult, probably 4.5 if I was still a kid!) Mine

I just finished reading The Feather Detective so your read of The Feather Wars caught my eye and my interest. Onto the hold list it goes.

Happy Thursday, Stasia! *smooch*

>145 Familyhistorian: I still need to read The Feather Detective, which is already in the BlackHole. Thanks for the reminder that I need to get to it yet, Meg!

>146 richardderus: ((Hugs)) and **smooches**, RD!

Kerry and I have already played our game for today, but this afternoon we are working on the game auction that will be happening soon. . .

I hope you all have a thoughtful Thursday!

>109 alcottacre: I loved Tom’s Midnight Garden as a child and loved reading it to Jacob when he was young as well. I do like the scenes where they are skating to Ely. Ely is about an hour’s drive from us and the cathedral there is truly lovely. You’d be hard pressed to have weather colder than enough to skate these days though!

Stasia, I had not known or heard of Tom's Midnight Garden until I borrowed a book from the library a month or so ago called Literary Gardens. I posted some photos of some of the gardens from the book in my last thread and Tom's was one of the gardens featured. The illustrator did a fabulous job. Linda told me how to link to a past post from another thread but I can't find where I wrote it down and of course, I can't remember but it was post number 270 in my last thread (first of this year).

I read the Oluo book a few years ago. The part that struck me was the chapter about her mother. I was in the same situation with mixed race kids, and I NEVER talked to them about race. I thought I got a pass. My daughter informed me that no, I didn't. :)

Tom's Midnight Garden is such a wonderful book.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383730

>150 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I will see if I can locate the post as I am interested in reading it.

>151 BLBera: I guess your daughter told you, right? Lol

I am glad that you enjoy Tom's Midnight Garden too, Beth!

>152 SilverWolf28: Thanks for the invite, Silver. I am in again!

I am off to the dentist this morning. No oral surgery this time. I am picking up my temporary partial to cover the huge hole in my gums. Other than a grocery delivery for today, that is pretty much it.

Kerry and I will be playing Altiplano today for sure. Beyond that, we might play something else.

On the reading front, I started listening to The Hands of the Emperor yesterday. The audiobook was just released April 1 and I have been looking forward to reading it since I love the book so much. I am hoping to finish Mythos and possibly March today. We will see how that goes. I am continuing on with my shared read of The Feather Wars with Mark and my shared read of The Bone Harp with Mary. I just started reading When the Cranes Fly South last night and am enjoying it thus far. I do not think I will be starting anything new today.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

>154 alcottacre: I'm very glad you're not going into The Chair for more awfulness. I get heebie-jeebies even thinking about the dentist, so better you than me.

Friday *smooch*

>155 richardderus: The new partial took quite a bit of adjusting as it kept poking me in the gum, but thankfully it was fine when I left the dentist's office. Hopefully this will be the last time I have to see him until the permanent partial is done in about 6 months.

((Hugs)) and **smooches** back at you, RD!

Finished tonight:

110 - Mythos by Stephen Fry - I had a very good time with this one. I was 14 when I was first introduced to Greek mythology, adopted Athena as my favorite - and started collecting owls. Fry tells the stories of the Greek myths in his own inimitable style. For instance, "A lifetime of therapy could surely not clear up such a psychic mess as that.” (about Aphrodite and Adonis). The Greek myths are rather weird, aren't they? Fry does not try and get around that fact, but rather injects humor into their telling - and for the most part, gets away with it; Recommended (4.25 stars) Hoopla - Kindle

Hi Stasia! I’m late with my 100 book congrats, my goodness! 110 now. Quite an accomplishment!

>157 alcottacre: Oh, I'm glad to hear this. I thought I would pick up a copy of Mythos at the library when I go in next week to pick up a hold. This convinces me it should be a good read.

>158 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne!

>159 atozgrl: I very much enjoyed it, Irene. I hope you do too!

A new Ezeekat video to enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/96ys4nvEuNU

I knew there had to be a way to save money when buying books!

Happy Saturday, Stasia. Hasn't The Feather Wars been a fine read? I am sure you will love When the Cranes Fly South. A gem.

Finished tonight:

111 - When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen - I know that this book has been making its way through the group, but it was first recommended to me by Joe (jnwelch) so 'thank you,' Joe! I could not help but think of my own mother (who will turn 87 next month) when reading this book about Bo, an elderly man, and his family - wife, son, and granddaughter - as he negotiates all the myriad problems that come with aging. It about broke my heart when Bo's dog is removed from his home because Bo can not care for him properly and his son, Hans, and his home health attendants worry that the do may cause Bo to fall or injure himself when trying to take the dog outside. The difficulties that come with aging are not glossed over in this book but are handled in a realistic manner - things like Bo having to wear a nappy, his friends growing older and passing away - and I appreciated that Ridzen did not make light of such things or shy away from talking about them; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

"A sudden trumpeting sound interrupts those thoughts, and I see two majestic birds flying low overhead. The first cranes of the year. I pause to watch them. Their powerful wings, rhythmically beating the air and carrying their big bodies forward. Before they fly south again, I promise myself, I'll have left this place."

Finished tonight:

112 - March by Geraldine Brooks - I first read this book back in 2010 so it has been a while. Brooks uses the real life of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May's father, to flesh out the character of the largely absent Mr. March of Little Women and unashamedly admits to 'following Alcott's lead, and turned for inspiration to her own family.' I have trouble with bits of the book, especially concerning the character of Grace, but it could be that is just me; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

>163 alcottacre: I really loved When the Cranes Fly South, Stasia, and I am glad you did too.

>165 vancouverdeb: Yours is probably one of the rave reviews of the book that I read, Deborah. I did very much enjoy it too.

It is Sunday and my 'day off' technology. Kerry and I are hoping to get a couple of games played today and I am hoping to get some reading done - around the naps I suspect I will be taking since I am back to not sleeping again.

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday!

Finished tonight:

113 - The Astral Library by Kate Quinn - I have read a couple of Quinn's historical fiction books and, as far as I knew, that was the only genre in which she wrote. It turns out that HF was her niche - until this book. It is set in the real world until our hero, Alix, takes a sharp turn into fantasy when she enters the Astral Library and can enter into any public domain book that she wants: Alexandre Dumas, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen. . .until the Astral Library is under attack and she and the Astral Librarian must defend it. This book was fun but the underlying message - a message reiterated out loud later in the book - is the need to protect our public libraries, places that so many of us have found refuge through the years; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book - how appropriate!

>178 alcottacre: That one's already on my list -- glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Stasia! Yikes, a very belated happy new thread.

Sorry to read about the vertigo. Congrats on reading 100+ books so far.

>147 alcottacre: I just picked up The Feather Detective at the Library.

Just speaking, Stasia. I'm hopeful that the temporary bridge is doing its job and that you're able to ignore it. I find myself reluctant to read about people in their 80s right now. I hope that changes.

I read March and The March back-to-back and think I preferred the Doctorow. I couldn't get over how Brooks made "Marmee" her childhood nickname when it's so obvious to me that Meg probably called her that as a toddler, and the other girls picked it up. Oh well.

Happy Play-With-The-Girls Day!!!!!!!

>169 foggidawn: I hope you enjoy it too, Misti!

>170 karenmarie: Hey, Karen. Unfortunately the vertigo returned today. Thanks.

>171 LizzieD: I have not read the Doctorow book. I will have to look for it. Thanks for the mention, Peggy.

Unfortunately today has not been my day. I woke up with vertigo and have been struggling with it for the past 8 hours or so. I did not get to meet up with Beth and Catey because of it.

I am hoping that it leaves me alone tonight so that I can get some reading done. . .

>168 alcottacre: Miss Dolly needs to buy a squillion or two of those and mail 'em to every US postal address, no?

*smooch*

>174 richardderus: Yep!

((Hugs)) and **smooches** back at you, RD!

Finished tonight:

114 - The Feather Wars by James McCommons - Nonfiction; This is one of the books that I picked up for my birthday and I am delighted that I got to it so soon. I am further delighted that Mark, our resident birder, decided to share the read with me. I enjoyed this read for the most part, but admit that the beginning of the book is slow as McCommons relates the history of how America lost so very many of its birds - some to the point of extinction, such as the passenger pigeon. I was far more interested in how the thought of killing hundreds or thousands of birds on a hunt got turned around to the point where conservation came to the fore. Most of the early conservationists were men who started clubs to study and learn about the birds and their behavior, but there were some women sprinkled in amongst them and I am glad that McCommons thought to include them in the book as well. Make no bones about it, birds today still have threats to them: glass, cats (one of the reasons that I feed the cats around my house is so that they do not eat the birds!), pesticides. . .but as the author points out, "the moral imperative of humans living more in harmony with nature and preserving wildlife has gained wide acceptance" and I hope that continues. I have been reading about conservation and ecology since I was young - I read Silent Spring when I was about 10, I think, so this book was right up my alley and I am glad to have read it; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

"All it takes to be a conservationist is to have been awake and witness what has happened to all of our continental forests, soils, waters, minerals, and wildlife in the last 50 to 75 years, and he'll be a conservationist from fright!" - Jay Norwood Darling as quoted in The Feather Wars

>176 alcottacre: One woman was the founder of the R.S.P.B (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) in the U.K. (now the largest conservation charity in Europe and a major landowner). It was founded in 1889 by Emily Williamson with the purpose of campaigning against the use of feathers in women’s hats, as this was driving some exotic species to extinction.

>177 SandDune: I thought that the fad of the feathers in hats was absurd in the extreme, but I am definitely not a fashionista. I am so glad that it was not only men driving the protection of the animals but that women, who otherwise might have been caught up in the fashion nonsense, took part - and took the lead in some cases - as well. Thanks for the info, Rhian!

I got no sleep last night - probably because I literally spent all day long yesterday in bed - so I suspect a nap or two may be in order today. I have already baked muffins for breakfast this morning and got a load of laundry in the washing machine.

Since Kerry and I did not play any games yesterday, we will be getting a couple in today, Transmissions and Orleans. Lunch today is Mexican Pizza. Yum!

I am still listening to The Hands of the Emperor. I continue to read The Bone Harp with Mary and to read Run by Ann Patchett. I am throwing some new books into the mix today: Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster, and Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley, my Caroline Memorial Read for this month.

That ought to take me a minute or two! I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!!

Happy Wednesday, Stasia. Great review of The Feather Wars. Glad we were able to do a shared read of this one and we both really enjoyed it.

Hooray for When the Cranes Fly South and The Astral Library. I just saw the latter on the Lucky Day shelf at the library but I have no time to bookhorn it in before my trip. I think I might try it on audio anyway. Joe also loved the book.

I hope the vertigo is firmly behind you. I hope you can get a nap in.

This resident birder is getting ready to head out to lead a bird walk. 😎

Good Wednesday to you Stasia. Hope that vertigo is behind you at least for a while. I finished Run by Ann Patchett and I liked it.

Oh dear, I missed that vertigo was keeping you down yesterday. I'm relieved to hear that you were up and baking this morning. Getting to play two good games with Kerry and to read some sounds like just desserts. (Do you remember my telling you that the prompt for a NC State Writing Test for 5th graders was, "Write about your favorite dessert." I'd guess that at least 85% of my high school juniors reported writing on the Sahara.)
I'm off to see about *Astral Library*, another flavor for my very good cup of tea!

>179 alcottacre: No sleep at night but feeling OK today? Glad to hear you're better and hope it sticks around for a good long while.

>182 LizzieD: Ouch!! That took me two reads to realize what you were saying. I won't mention this to my retired-geography-professor husband (although he would probably shrug and say "see?")

>180 msf59: I am very happy we could do a shared read of the book too, Mark. It is always nice when we both enjoy it!

Yeah, I saw that Joe liked The Astral Library too. I hope you enjoy it if and when you get to it.

I did get a 15 minute nap in and it has helped immensely. I hope your bird walk is a good one!

>181 Kristelh: I think I will be finishing Run tomorrow, Kristel. I am glad you liked it. I hope I do too!

>182 LizzieD: I think you would enjoy The Astral Library, Peggy. I think it is right up your alley!

>183 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba.

I have been wondering about The Astral Library. I will definitely check it out. :) I also loved When the Cranes Fly South. It does make me think about my parents' wishes vs. what I think is best for them...

>185 BLBera: It does make me think about my parents' wishes vs. what I think is best for them... I understand that dilemma all too well, Beth!

I hope you enjoy The Astral Library if and when you get to it.

>176 alcottacre: Funny, I'm reading Silent Spring right now. I've never read it and decided it was time.

I mentioned over on Mark's thread that our History Museum had an exhibit a few years ago about the hunting of birds and how there was danger of them going extinct if nothing was done. The part of the exhibit I remember best was about the women who were concerned about this and started a movement to get rid of the use of feathers in fashion. It definitely was not just men who wanted to do something about it. Unfortunately, I do not remember the names of the women who were mentioned, and I can't find any evidence that the museum had an online companion to the physical exhibit.

Unfortunately, even well-fed cats still hunt birds. It's their instinct.

It sounds like you are feeling better today. I hope so anyway, and that the vertigo is gone.

Just a stop by to wish you well dear lady. xx

Dave has a temporary bridge at the moment as well, Stasia. The old one was falling apart, and he goes to get the permanent bridge on Monday morning.

Sweet Thursday, Stasia. Go Cubbies! They just won 8 in a row. Might be the hottest team in baseball right now. We can go for the sweep this afternoon.

I am really enjoying The Impossible Thing on audio. Keep this one in mind, along with John of John. 😎

>187 atozgrl: I read a lot of the 'classics' of environmental writing when I was younger. It has been a concern of mine for years now so I read quite a bit about conservation.

I am feeling better today despite little sleep again last night. The vertigo is gone for now - and hopefully forever. I hate it.

>188 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! Let me know when you are ready for I, Claudius!

>189 vancouverdeb: Because of the oral surgery, I have to wait for my gums to heal - about 6 months - before I can get my permanent one. I really hate the temporary ones so I am most anxious to get the permanent one, lol.

>190 msf59: Yeah, I have been keeping tabs on my Cubbies. My favorite player, Nico Hoerner, has been going well and that makes me extremely happy.

I have only read one of Bauer's books and I liked it, so I will keep my eye out to see if my local library gets a copy. Also watching out for John of John. Thanks, Mark.

I will be doing grocery lists and meal plans this afternoon and, other than cooking, that is all that is on my agenda for today.

Kerry and I will be getting a couple of games in today. Hopefully we will also be getting some work in on the upcoming auction too.

On the reading front, I am still listening to The Hands of the Emperor. I am hoping to finish both Run and Understood Betsy today. I am continuing on with The Bone Harp. Since I had next to no sleep again last night, I am not sure I will get anything read beyond these.

I hope everyone has a thoughtful Thursday!

>191 alcottacre:
I enjoyed The Impossible Thing when I read it last fall.

There is a wonderful children's picture book about the women who founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society. She's Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head by Kathryn Lasky. It makes a great read aloud.

>192 alcottacre: A lovely Thursday plan indeed. *smooch*

I hate when you don't sleep. I hate when you sleep too much. I am VERY GRATIFIED that your vertigo is gone. May that be permanent!!!!

Nothing going on here out of the ordinary. Off to feed cats! Enjoy your day!!!!!

>193 benitastrnad: Good to know, Benita. Thanks! I will have to see if I can find the Lasky book.

>194 richardderus: Yep, and I am sticking to it, RD. ((Hugs)) and **smooches**

>195 LizzieD: I hate when I do not sleep as well, Peggy, but if I have to choose between not sleeping enough and sleeping too much, I would probably take the former. Maybe. Maybe not :)

I hope you enjoy your day too, Peggy!

Finished this afternoon:

115 - The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard - Audiobook; I absolutely love this book and as this my third read of it, I am not sure what I can add to what I have written before. I mean, how many books can you think of that have a middle-aged civil servant as the hero? A middle-aged civil servant whose family has no idea how important that he is to the government and the right hand man to the emperor. Kip's story is one worth telling - and worth rereading!; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

>191 alcottacre: I really hate to hear that you're having trouble sleeping again, and two nights in a row with not much sleep. Sending wishes for a great, restful night's sleep tonight.

You're a Nico fan too? He's one of my favorite players as well. When the Cubs signed Bregman and there were all these rumors that they might trade Nico, I kept saying why? He's too good to trade. The two players I most wanted the Cubs to sign to long-term contracts this spring were PCA and Nico, and they did both of them, so that made me very happy. And now Nico is showing everyone why he was worth that contract.

I'm sitting here watching the Cubs game as I write. I'm hoping they hold on for another win before heading to the west coast.

>198 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I hope a get a good night's sleep tonight too!

I have been a Nico fan ever since he came up to the big leagues. I hated that the Cubs would even entertain the idea of trading him! When I went to the Cubs game last year, he is the player that I continually watched.

I hope that they can pull today's game out! It is tied 7-7 in the bottom of the 10th as I write. . .

Hi Stasia, I read your intro (even though I have 'known' you for a long time now!) and was intrigued by how your 'stupid CFS' co-exists with insomnia. What a crazy combo! Sorry if this is too personal, but when you only get 4 hours sleep a night, are you going to bed ad a 'normal' time and reading, or do you actually not even try to sleep until later? I have always been thankful that my sleep is solid, and that my kids' is too!!!

>192 alcottacre: next to no sleep! Yikes. Take it easy Stasia...

>199 alcottacre: Cubs win! They have finally caught up to the Reds, and are tied for first place. Now I hope they can survive the trip to play the Dodgers and Padres.

>200 LovingLit: Yes, I go to bed at the same time every night, Megan. I do not read if unable to sleep because I am tired and do not feel like it is fair either to the author or myself if I am that tired. I do actually try to get to sleep! Lol

>201 atozgrl: Wonderful! Thanks for the update, Irene.

Finished tonight:

116 - Run by Ann Patchett - Ann Patchett wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Bel Canto, which I have read numerous times because I love it so much. I had high hopes for this book of hers, but unfortunately for me, it did not reach the heights of the other book. The book is the story of the Doyle family. The beginning of the book has a chapter that, to me, should have been more of a prologue if streamlined - it gives a bit of family history that really seems almost like an afterthought rather than a springboard. The adopted boys, Tip and Teddy, find out on one night that there biological mother has been keeping tabs on them through the years to make sure that all is well with them. In the course of that night, she keeps Tip from being hit full on by a car and takes the brunt of the impact herself. It turns out that she has a third child, a daughter, so the boys learn that they have a sister. This is where some of my problems with the book begin. Things in Run are just too pat, work out too well; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383891

>204 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver. I am definitely in again!

Finished tonight:

117 - Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher - Juvenile; I have read several books by Fisher, but they were books written for adults. I honestly did not know that she wrote anything for children until this book was mentioned in a YouTube video that I watched recently. What a terrific kid's book this is! This story of Elizabeth Ann who is raised by two overprotective aunts but then has to be moved to yet more relatives - the 'horrid Putney' family, who do nothing but love and encourage her. The situations in the book are ones that today's children can relate to even though this book is over 100 years old now; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

I've cracked the covers on The Feather Wars, thanks for putting it on my radar, Stasia. Best of luck getting your sleep on track.

First, I'm glad to hear that your vertigo is gone - hopefully forever! I've only suffered from it a few times, but I want no more repeats.

>168 alcottacre: The Astral Library has been on my radar, but it's going to be a while before I can get my hands on it. It sounds fun!

>176 alcottacre: I'd like to get to The Feather Wars before the end of the month, but I'm not sure I'll manage it. It's great to hear it's so good.

>197 alcottacre: It was my third reread of The Hands of the Emperor, too. It's such a terrific book, I know I'll be rereading it many more times.

>206 alcottacre: I loved Understood Betsy as a kid! I hadn't reread it in years, but it holds up remarkably well.

See you over at the Readathon!

"My favorite player, Nico Hoerner, has been going well and that makes me extremely happy." Well, you picked a good one there. One of the best players in baseball at the moment.

I have Run on shelf too. I need to finally get to it. You forget how prolific she was, right from the start.

Happy Friday, Stasia.

Friday orisons, Stasia dear lady.

>208 Dejah_Thoris: I hope the vertigo is gone forever too, Dejah. I have not had it show up as many times in succession as it has this month. I can definitely live without it!

I hope you enjoy The Astral Library when you get to it. Same for The Feather Wars.

Victoria Goddard is one of the authors that I probably would not have ever have discovered if not for LT. I absolutely love The Hands of the Emperor. I have a shelf that has all of my physical books of hers on it - and I also own a bunch on my Kindle as well.

I never read Understood Betsy as a child. Better late than never, right?

>209 msf59: Yeah, he started off kind of slow, but has been on fire lately!

I will be interested in seeing what you think of Run if and when you get to it, Mark.

Have a fantastic Friday!

>210 richardderus: Thanks, RD! ((Hugs)) and **smooches** for today

Finished tonight:

118 - The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard - I am so glad that Mary and I decided to read this one, a book that really was not on my radar (although I have owned it since) chiefly because it is not in Goddard's Nine Worlds series. However, this story of Tamsin, the youngest of seven sons, who loses himself in a war, but much, much later is able to make it back to his family is absolutely wonderful. He slowly, but surely, finds redemption and the story of how he does so is what is at the heart of this book. I loved it; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine - Kindle

>213 alcottacre: A yes, another of Goddard's sad bashed boys finds kindness in the world to welcome him.

>213 alcottacre: I need to get me some Victoria Goddard books, Stasia.

Have a great weekend Sis.

>214 quondame: I figured you had probably read it already, Susan!

>215 PaulCranswick: I think you would enjoy her work if you give it a chance, Paul.

Thanks!

>213 alcottacre: I didn't use it in my review, but "redemption" perfectly sums up the story, I think. I gave it 5 stars - just really enjoyed the read from beginning to end.

>213 alcottacre: >217 bell7: Between the two of you, you've convinced me I need to try to fit The Bone Harp in over the weekend. How can I pass when I've read two great reviews?

>217 bell7: Off to read your review, Mary. . .

>218 Dejah_Thoris: Do read it, Dejah! I will be curious to see if you enjoy it as much as Mary and I did!

Wow!! The Cubs won their first games against the mighty Dodgers last night. That makes 10 in a row. Once again...Wow!

My current reads have been perfect. I hope you are having a good time with yours.

Happy Saturday, Stasia.

Oh dear! Stasia texted me today to say that they have no Internet .... further, that 36 minutes on the phone with Frontier established that they couldn't get it up and running until NEXT FRIDAY. Stasia will have a lot of time to read and game. How completely disgusting!

>221 LizzieD: Oh for pity's sake! Thanks for keeping us all in the loop, Peggy, or we would've been worried!

Stasia, hope you're able to get Internet before NEXT FRIDAY. How frustrating for you :(

Thanks for the information @LizzieD. In this day and age you would expect that things could be fixed in a more timely manner. We will look forward to her return.

>221 LizzieD: Thanks for letting us know, Peggy. Good grief, FRIDAY sounds ridiculous. What in the world went wrong that a fix is going to take that long?

Stasia, we will be thinking about you.

>221 LizzieD: That's a long time for Stasia to be without the internet, Peggy. Thanks for letting us know.

>221 LizzieD: Appalling! I bet money Stasia won't have that easily. Their customer service people will be earning their paychecks until she's back with us.

Stay strong, Stasia!

I talked to her briefly today. She's fine - sleeping off and on as usual, but not going completely without. Reading!! She said that the modem died between her being online yesterday morning and the time it took her and Kerry to play a game. A tech will bring a new modem, install it, and do whatever else is needed - next Friday. We've had modems mailed for us to install sooner than that!!!!!
Meanwhile, she says she feels like she's lost an arm. We can all identify with that dependence on this group.

Oh dear, no internet, and for so long!! I'm sorry, Stasia. We had no internet at my school for three days and it was such a long 3 days. Not only are our curricula online (and I teach digital technology), we couldn't even make copies of anything! A difficult pivot for teachers.

I'm sorry, too, that you have been struggling with vertigo this month. Hope you get some long-term relief.

I enjoyed your review of The Frozen River as I am listening to it now. Other books I've noted on this thread include When the Cranes Fly South, Feather Wars, and Lovely One. I have a new novel in verse in the library about Rachel Carson called Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson that I will likely bring home to read this summer.

Ouch. Not the nicest way to detox from tech. I wonder why the company won't simply mail you a modem. Sigh. Looking forward to your return.

A week off of the world, well, it sounds fine until you think about it being involuntary and unplanned. Stay strong, Stasia!

Sweet Thursday, Stasia. I am so sorry to hear about your internet woes. What a hassle. We are off this afternoon, on our trip so I will check in on my return. 😎

I can't imagine the number of books you are finishing during this internet-free sojourn!

I've been slightly under the weather this week, so I got far behind on your thread, Stasia, even with you being missing a few days. And even when you're operating on no sleep, or too much sleep, or vertigo...you still seem to leave me in the dust!

Well, it's almost Friday....hope the new modem install goes as scheduled. Maybe it will be an overall improvement??

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384064

I hope your new equipment (and its attendant workperson(s)) arrive promptly today, and that you're back online asap. You've been missed!

And happy May!

Got a text from Stasia just a bit ago saying that the tech had called to say that he was on his way. MAYBE we'll hear from her here soon!

Further report: Stasia and Kerry had Internet for an hour while she was making their lunch. Then it went out again. Last text said that Kerry had called Frontier and that the tech was on his way back. Stasia was going to take a nap. Nothing is easy these days, is it?

>2 alcottacre: On the Beach was a fantastic book!

Thank you all - especially Peggy, who has been my secretary for the past week - for keeping my thread warm while our Internet was out. It looks like it is finally back! I have a ton of stuff to catch up on so I will do as much as I can when I can, including starting a new thread for May even though this one is not at 250 posts yet.

>238 ocgreg34: Oh yeah, it is, Greg!

Yea, your back!!!

Here are the books that I could not report on because of the Internet difficulties. I am not doing full reviews at this point:

119 - Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell - It is a classic for a reason! Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine - Kindle

120 - The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster - Juvenile; Recommended for the young at heart (4 stars) Mine

121 - Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - A Baldwin that I had not read previously; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

122 - Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley - My Caroline Memorial read for the month - her review is here (https://www.librarything.com/work/26924665/reviews/246276742); Recommended (4 stars) Mine

123 - The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See - Another good one from author See, but I have read better from her; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

124 - Full Share by Nathan Lowell - I continue to enjoy this Peggy-recommended series; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

125 - Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken - Juvenile; I did not realize it was the second book in a duology so now I need to go back and read the first one; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

126 - The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea - Audiobook, a re-read for me; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

127 - Harry Haft by Alan Haft - A recommendation from Richard, a re-read for me; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

128 - Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer - I liked this more than I thought I would and now want to finish out the trilogy; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

I also had 2 DNF books. I read at least 50 pages in each of these but they were just not working for me:
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer - extremely disappointed that I did not like this one

White Chappell, Scarlet Tracings by Iain Sinclair - too weird for me, lol

>240 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel!

Oh myyy, as Takei would say, you read Harry Haft! What a strange moment his life and career occupied.

I am utterly unsurprised you weren't interested in Iain Sinclair's book. It's not any genre I recognize at all and so has no shelf for me to put it on.

Glad you're back, smoochling.

>243 richardderus: A re-read of Harry Haft to boot, RD! I agree about the 'strange moment.'

I tried, I really did with both of those books but they just did not work for me, especially the Sinclair book. Ah well.

Thank you! It is so good to be back!

>241 alcottacre: At least you got a lot of reading done.

>245 BLBera: Yep, that was a nice upside of having no Internet!

So glad to see you back, Stasia!

Thanks, Deborah!

>241 alcottacre: Was this your first read of 1984? Isn't that book amazing?

I really loved The Confessions of Max Tivoli! Funny how the two of us disagree so much on just this one book. This is from the end of my review of that book:

"There were some chords that struck unusually close to home. Max and Alice (the two most important characters in this novel) were also the names of my parents! I believe that the author grew up in Rockville, Maryland." (where I've lived for over 50 years!)

>249 SqueakyChu: Madeline, I read it so long ago that I pretty much remembered nothing of the book so it might as well have been my first read of it. Yes, it is an amazing book - as is Animal Farm, I found.

It is funny how books strike different people in different ways :)

Welcome back, Stasia!

Black Hearts in Battersea was a favorite of mine as a kid. It's part of a longer series that starts with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (which I also loved). I've only read up to #3, Nightbirds on Nantucket. You're making me think I should look for the later titles...