Lori (thornton37814) reads in 2026 - thread 2

I finished page 18 of the 20 pages of Pandemic on March 19. I will likely finish page 19 tomorrow. I'm closing in on this one!

I'm not going to draw out the introduction since this is the second thread. If you don't know me, I'm Lori. I work as a librarian. I also am a genealogist. I'm owned by 3 cats. You can tell what else I do in my spare time by this topper.

1. Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada - completed 1 Jan 2026
2. Copper River by William Kent Krueger - completed 3 Jan 2026
3. The Solo Travel Handbook: Practical Tips and Inspiration for a Safe, Fun and Fearless Trip by Sarah Reid - completed 4 Jan 2026
4. Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn - completed 8 Jan 2026
5. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt - completed 10 Jan 2026
6. Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley - completed 11 Jan 2026
7. A Stinky History of Toilets by Olivia Meikle and Katie Nelson; illustrated by Ella Kasperowicz - completed 20 Jan 2026
8. The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline - completed 20 Jan 2026
9. Candy Cane Crime by Amanda Flower - completed 21 Jan 2026
10. Renoir by William Gaunt - completed 22 Jan 2026

11. Pierre Auguste Renoir by Milton S. Fox - completed 22 Jan 2026
12. Selected Poems of Gabriela Mistral by Gabriela Mistral; translated by Langston Hughes - completed 24 Jan 2026
13. A Guide for Life through the Eyes of the Book of Esther by Mordechai Hasofer - completed 25 Jan 2026
14. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Jon Klassen - completed 25 Jan 2026
15. The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art & Science of Snowflakes by Kenneth Libbrecht - completed 25 Jan 2026
16. The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Martha Bolton - completed 25 Jan 2026
17. Mt. St. Helens: The Volcano Explodes! by Leonard Palmer and KOIN-TV (Television station : Portland, Or.) - completed 25 Jan 2026
18. Salt, Pepper, Season, Spice: All the Flavors of the World by Jacques Pasquet; illustrated by Claire Anghinolfi; translated by Ann Marie Boulanger - completed 1 Feb 2026
19. Riding Through Rice A Trip to the Philippines by Michelle Sterling; illustrated by Bianca Austria - completed 1 Feb 2026
20. From the Farm, To Our Table by Sarah Rowe; illustrated by Amanda Morrow - completed 1 Feb 2026

21. Rescue Cat by Stephen Savage - completed 1 Feb 2026
22. Forgive Us Our Prayers: The Secret of Effective Prayer by John A. Huffman - completed 1 Feb 2026
23. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center edited by Beatrice Katz - completed 2 Feb 2026
24. Why Should I Pray?: How God Shares His Heart with Us by Scotty Smith - completed 3 Feb 2026
25. Famous Once by Jane Green - completed 5 Feb 2026
26. Assassins of Athens by Jeffrey Siger - completed 5 Feb 2026
27. The Jewish Hospital & Cincinnati Jews in Medicine by Frederic Krome - completed 6 Feb 2026
28. Zoo Animals by Eileen Spinelli - completed 8 Feb 2026
29. A Sampler View of Colonial Life by Mary Cobb; illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis - completed 8 Feb 2026
30. Sea Grapes by Derek Walcott - completed 9 Feb 2026

31. The X Factor by George Plimpton - completed 11 Feb 2026
32. Saint Peter's Fair by Ellis Peters - completed Feb 2026
33. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear - completed Feb 2026
34. Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy by Damien Lewis - completed Feb 2026
35. Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy by Marc H. Miller and Donald Bogle - completed 25 Feb 2026
36. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell; illustrated by Christian Robinson - completed 28 Feb 2026
37. City Cat by Kate Banks; illustrated by Lauren Castillo - completed 28 Feb 2026
38. The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks; illustrated by Georg Hallensleben - completed 28 Feb 2026
39. The Red Bird by Astrid Lindgren; translated by Patricia Crampton; illustrated by Marit Törnqvist - completed 1 Mar 2026
40. The Tsunami Quilt by Anthony D. Fredericks; illustrated by Tammy Yee - completed 1 Mar 2026

41. No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons - completed 1 Mar 2026
42. Mandie and the Forbidden Attic by Lois Gladys Leppard - completed 2 Mar 2026
43. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein - completed 4 Mar 2026
44. Peril at the Exposition by Nev March - completed March 2026
45. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelman - completed March 2026
46. My Venice and Other Essays by Donna Leon - completed 14 March 2026
47. Saint Paul at the Movies: The Apostle's Dialogue with American Culture by Robert Jewett - completed 15 March 2026
48. The Great British Food Tour by Jenny Linford ; illustrated by James Oses - completed 16 March 2026
49. Church and Cinema: A Way of Viewing Film by James McKendree Wall - completed 18 March 2026
50. Murder at Queen's Landing by Andrea Penrose - completed 20 March 2026

51. Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson - completed 26 March 2026
52. Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming - completed 27 March 2026
53. Windows on the Past: The Cultural Heritage of Vardy, Hancock County, Tennessee by DruAnna Williams Overbay - completed 28 March 2026

Abandoned:

1. Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips - abandoned 14 January 2026
2. 365 Prophetic Revelations from the Hebrew Calendar: Experience the Power, Blessing, and Abundance of Aligning with God's Times and Seasons by Candice Smithyman - abandoned 31 January 2026

The next one is yours!

Happy new thread, Lori!

Book 54.
Source: Christmas gift from my niece's family

>9 quondame: Thanks!

Book 55.
Source: Tennessee Reads ebook

Book 56.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen County Public Library book

Book 57.
Source: Tennessee Reads digital audiobook

Happy new thread, dear Lori.

Glad to see your reading mojo is fully up and running!

>15 PaulCranswick: It's been off a little this month, but I've been sick. I started running a high fever Friday and it continued through the weekend. The fever went away Monday mid-morning. I worked a 3 hour shift Monday evening. I had to go to work the next day. (I wore masks.) I had two colleagues, including my boss, who begged me to go home because it was obvious I still wasn't feeling well. I went home around lunchtime. My boss urged me not to come in if I didn't feel better. I felt really bad Wednesday--but a lot was because the sinus infection was settling into my chest because I wasn't sleeping with my head elevated. I managed to work full days on Thursday and Friday once I was sleeping with my head up. My cats weren't too concerned they were going to catch anything so I knew it wasn't too bad. I didn't get as much reading or stitching done as I would have liked on any of those days, but I'm better now.

Happy New Thread!

Happy New Thread, Lori!
I'm glad you're feeling better again. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Happy new thread, Lori. Your sampler is just stunning. And you are making great progress.

Happy new thread, Lori.

Happy new thread, Lori! I agree with Beth, the sampler is absolutely stunning. It's such an intricate pattern.

And you're already up to 57 books. That's impressive too!

Happy new thread, Lori!

>17 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

>18 SirThomas: I'm feeling better, but I still tire pretty quickly and am pretty stuffy. I suspect having to work for a couple of hours in a room with some mold spores contributed to it--and unfortunately I have to go back to that room this week but only for long enough to direct the maintenance people in what our clear notes tell them as far as the disposition of the materials.

>19 BLBera: I did finish page 19 last night so only one page to go! I plan to take a photo in a bit when I have some good lighting so I can post it to Instagram (which cross-posts to Facebook).

>20 Kristelh: Thank you!

>21 atozgrl: I'm glad I'm making better progress on books, but some of these are picture books which some would not count--still I'll definitely have more adult books than children's in the final count and should read far more than 75 adult ones.

>22 drneutron: Thank you!

Happy new thread!

Hi Lori my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.

Happy new thread! I hope you are feeling better now.

Happy new thread, Lori!

>13 thornton37814: I want to read The Feather Detective, but it won't be this month

>16 thornton37814: I got sick and worked in mask for several days, too. I'm out of the habit. I'm glad to know you're recovering.

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

>29 foggidawn: Thanks!

>30 johnsimpson: Always lovely to see you pop by!

>31 alcottacre: I'm better, but I still tire easily.

>32 Dejah_Thoris: It's no fun wearing a mask. I stayed in my office away from folks as much as possible so I could take it off! I did have to go out several times, and I always made sure I wore one. If someone began to approach my door, I could see them and quickly mask up.

>33 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

Happy new thread, Lori. I hope you're back to full strength and reading soon.

>39 Familyhistorian: Not quite up to full strength. I was told it might take a couple months. I just have to take it easy in the evenings as much as possible.

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

>41 SilverWolf28: Thanks.

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

>43 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

Hi Lori, I hope you're doing better and the reading has improved.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384205

>45 Familyhistorian: I'm just behind in posting. Life has been busy. Hoping to have time to post some this weekend.

>46 SilverWolf28: Thanks.

Book 58.
Source: Knox County Public Library ebook
Challenges: HomeCAT - The Kitchen

Book 59.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen Public Library print book
Challenges: 75 Group's Nonfiction - Internal Matters

Book 60.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen Public Library print book
Challenges: ArtsCAT - Museums

Book 61.
Source: Gift (which I'm adding to our library's collection)
Challenges: AlphaKIT - P

Book 62.
Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook
Challenges: DecadesCAT - 00s (2006)

I'm going to pause on posting for a bit. I have three May finishes to post, including one I had hoped to finish in April but finished on May 1 for an April challenge. I'll get to those either later this evening or tomorrow.

Hi Lori, I note you read Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt. I read this awhile back, and like all the books I've read written by this talented author, I very much liked this one. Congratulations on reading so very many wonderful books.

Hi, Lori - I just wanted to say hello!

It must be my day for double posts!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384299

>54 Whisper1: It was in my wish list--probably from when you read it, so I found a copy.

>55 Dejah_Thoris: Hello back!

>56 Dejah_Thoris: Should I repeat myself? HEHEHE Those double post hiccups drive me crazy when they happen to me.

>57 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

I took a bit of a break myself from posting. Hope you are getting caught up.

Two books went on my TBR list:

>10 thornton37814: I am using a devotional right now that I find a bit superficial, more feel good than thoughtful.

>50 thornton37814: I have just started to quilt and this book looks like a wonderful resource.

>61 witchyrichy: I'm way behind on book posting--and I don't think I ever marked all my completed challenges in April in their threads or on the wiki. I have a high school friend who is a pastor in a black church who has been posting wonderful devotional thoughts on her Facebook page daily. I've really enjoyed reading her posts. I enjoyed looking at all the quilts.

>52 thornton37814: The book about quilts looks interesting, Lori. I know that behind on book posting feeling. Hope you are able to catch up soon.

Here's the Memorial Day readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384526

>63 Familyhistorian: Hoping I can catch up a bit over the weekend. Next week will be busy.

>64 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

>49 thornton37814: I've added this to my TBR list
The body : a guide for occupants by Bill Bryson

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384644

>67 Whisper1: At least Bill writes in an entertaining manner. It's longish for one of his books.

>68 SilverWolf28: Thanks.

Trying to get back in the LT swing of things -- Hi there! : )

>70 Berly: Hi again! I'm behind myself. I may or may not get some stuff posted this week. I'd hoped to catch up over the weekend, but it didn't happen.

>71 thornton37814: Same here, Lori. I was working all weekend, but I thought I'd do a little better catching up than I did!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384773

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384866

Hope the reads are treating you well, Lori.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385027

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385137

>72 Dejah_Thoris: I'm so far behind now it isn't funny. My reading has slowed though in June.

>73 SilverWolf28: >74 SilverWolf28: Thanks

>75 Familyhistorian: I've not had a lot of time for reading this month, and I hope I can remember everything I read in May. I think I've screen-shotted ebooks and taken photos of library book covers. Forget the date read though! I can do month!

>76 SilverWolf28: >77 SilverWolf28: I must be about a month behind because I had 4 of these Readathons from you!

>80 thornton37814: I hope things slow down to a more readable speed for you soon, Lori.

Here's the Fourth of July readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385250

I'm way behind on posting so I'm going to just summarize in this post and add reviews for them as I have time. There will be touchstones on the individual reviews.

May 2026 Reads

63. Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
64. Nearer to Thee (a small poetry book)
65. Women of the Bible by Colleen L. Reece
66. The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue
67. Food on the Move: Dining on the Legendary Railway Journeys of the World edited by Sharon Hudgins
68. Silence in the Library by Katharine Schellman
69. Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley

June 2026 Reads

70. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
71. A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie
72. The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
73. The Black Swan Mystery by Tetsuya Ayukama

Book 63.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen digital audiobook

Book 64. Nearer to Thee
Source: Gift book to the library that we are not keeping

This little book of poems was the type of thing available from greeting card companies back in the late 1960s and early 1970s when Helen Steiner Rice's poems were popular. My grandmother received many such little books, and I often read them while at her house. The poems are not that memorable, but they usually resonated with the reader because they spoke of faith and trust in God. I couldn't find this book in WorldCat so I'm just doing a "token" entry here. Poems were by various persons and no editor was listed.

Book 65.
Source: Gift to the Library that we are not keeping

Book 66.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen print book

Book 67.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen print book

Book 68.
Source: Knox County Public Library digital audiobook

Book 69.
Source: Knox County digital audiobook

Book 70.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen print book

Hi, Lori! Hope you're having a nice 4th of July!

>93 tymfos: Thanks, Terri. It was a hot one!

Book 71.
Source: Audio book played by friend on trip
Note: Since I'd read the book in 2010, I'm included my remarks from then because my rating has not changed that much. I might lower it a half point now, but that is about how much I've tightened ratings in the intervening years.

Book 72.
Source: Listened to a friend's audiobook on a trip

Book 73.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen Hoopla digital audiobook

I think I'm caught up until I finish something. I'm not driving back and forth to work at the moment so it may take a little longer to finish some of the print things I'm reading.

You have almost read 75 books , Lori. Not long now! I'd love to be at your library and offer the puzzles some love.

>99 vancouverdeb: I will get 74 finished this week. It's a chunkster. Hoping I have time to complete another soon, but it will have to read faster than the current chunkster is reading.

Just a fly by to wish you well in finishing the chunkster and getting onto your 75th read.

Congratulations for reading so very many books already this year! Like Paul, I wish you luck in finishing book #75.

Cheering you on to #75!

>101 PaulCranswick: I think I have about 100 pages left in it. I will try to take it with me when I go out in a bit. I might have some time to read before it is time to stitch, but I don't really want to come home between errands and stitching.

>102 Whisper1: If June had not been a slow month, I would have already reached it. The adult summer reading program starts next week at the library, I believe. They count 25 hours of audiobooks as 1000 pages for it. I don't know if I'll get enough hours in to make it worthwhile or not, but I can try. I will be driving back and forth to a retreat next week so I'll get a little time in. I should be able to get 1000 pages of print books in--and maybe even more.

>103 Kristelh: I'm hoping it will be this week, but it could be next.

Lori, you are amazing in the number of books you already read!

>107 Whisper1: I'm behind where I want to be. I think that is what makes me feel so "far behind." Right now I'm trying to get ready for a cross stitch retreat next week. I'll manage some audio book listening to and from the retreat each day since I'm staying home with my cats, but I doubt I'll get much read in print!

>108 thornton37814: I am about a week to ten days behind where I need to be reading wise. My aim is to reach 200 books this year and I should make it to a hundred books within the next day.

>109 PaulCranswick: I would like to hit 150 again. I know I can do it, but I will probably need to pad it with more off the children's list so I can attain it. I always expect a few children's reads, but I may have to inflate the number this time.

I believe, for the first time, I will not make the 75 books challenge. Real life is getting in the way these months.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385354

>112 SilverWolf28: Thanks!

>111 Whisper1: You should make it and then some if you count all those picture books!

Lori, I struggle with if that is fair.

>115 Whisper1: It's a book. It is fair!

Book 74.
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers print ARC

Book 75.
Source: Morristown-Hamblen print library book

Congratulations on reading your 75th book, Lori!

Congrats on 75!

>119 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! I'm working on #76 now!

>120 Kristelh: Thank you!

I went to the library this morning to sign up for the adult summer reading program which kicked off this morning. The first 100 people got a bag (reusable grocery bag style) with goodies stuck in it. The only goodies I found were a dinosaur sticker, dinosaur pen, and a coupon for a small freebie with an entree purchase at Salsarita's. Kind of disappointing for adults! I felt we got the leftovers from the children's reading program.

>123 thornton37814: The dinosaur pen sounds like fun! photo?

Congratulations for 75!

Congratulations on reading 75 books!

Well done Lori on reaching 75 books read already.

I must admit that I agree with you on the comments made to Linda about her inclusion or not of picture books. Entirely up to her isn't it? Not a question of fairness or otherwise as it is not a competition. Would I count them? Well, I don't know but probably. I have only read one picture book since I have been on LT and I did count that.
I have seen people not count them. I have seen people count them separately. I have seen people count them together. None of them are wrong and all of them are right!