Social Distancing Readathon #318 - April 23 - 26
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2026
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1SilverWolf28
Welcome to another readathon!
We generally run from Friday at 5 p.m. to Sunday at midnight in whatever time zone you choose, but feel free to start earlier on Friday and wrap up overnight Sunday/Monday, if that's what you want to do.
Here are some things to track throughout the weekend, if you choose:
Books read from:
Books finished:
Time reading:
Time posting:
Snacks:
Thoughts:
Non-book activities:
Total books finished:
Total read from:
Total time reading:
We generally run from Friday at 5 p.m. to Sunday at midnight in whatever time zone you choose, but feel free to start earlier on Friday and wrap up overnight Sunday/Monday, if that's what you want to do.
Here are some things to track throughout the weekend, if you choose:
Books read from:
Books finished:
Time reading:
Time posting:
Snacks:
Thoughts:
Non-book activities:
Total books finished:
Total read from:
Total time reading:
2alcottacre
I am in! Due to spending an entire day flat on my back, I am behind in my reading (again!)
3rhondak101book
In again this weekend. Goals: finish Summerland by Michael Chabon, continue reading in two short story anthologies for the short story challenge, start a new book for either the Big Fat Books challenge or the BingoDog challenge.
4ChrisG1
I'm in - since I finished a book last night, I'm starting 2 today: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, and The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard.
5kac522
I'm in. Not sure what I'm reading yet. Will be reading today and Sunday. Saturday I'll be visiting some bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day...a tough job, but somebody has to do it😉
7benitastrnad
I am in for this weekend. I am going to try to participate everyday this weekend.
8PocheFamily
>5 kac522: thx for noting this important day!
I’m in too: expect to finish Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow. Will begin The Remains of the Day and Brooklyn. Weather isn’t conducive to gardening the next 2 days, so I’ll get in as much as I can today - and reward myself with these good books over the weekend (can’t wait!).
I’m in too: expect to finish Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow. Will begin The Remains of the Day and Brooklyn. Weather isn’t conducive to gardening the next 2 days, so I’ll get in as much as I can today - and reward myself with these good books over the weekend (can’t wait!).
9rhondak101book
>6 benitastrnad: Hi, I am enjoying it. Also, I am trying to catch all the references. I am doing pretty well with the Norse references and some of the Native American ones, but I feel like there are a lot of things that I am missing. It is one of those books that can be re-read to discover new things.
12Dejah_Thoris
Friday evening, just after 5pm - Georgia, USA
I'm in! I'm currently reading and/or listening to two books: Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball by John Klima, and Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen by Alice Loxton. Since both of these are nonfiction, I'll almost certainly start something lighter tonight, even if I haven't finished one or both of these.
I do work tomorrow, but only for a short shift. I should have plenty of time to read this weekend, and to hit the last day of the Friends of the Library book sale on Sunday.
I'm in! I'm currently reading and/or listening to two books: Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball by John Klima, and Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen by Alice Loxton. Since both of these are nonfiction, I'll almost certainly start something lighter tonight, even if I haven't finished one or both of these.
I do work tomorrow, but only for a short shift. I should have plenty of time to read this weekend, and to hit the last day of the Friends of the Library book sale on Sunday.
13kac522
>8 PocheFamily:, >11 alcottacre: My pleasure📚! In fact, I started early--yesterday I picked up 2 books at a favorite used book store! They are rather small, so I wanted to avoid the Saturday crowds. Here in Chicago there are guided "bus tours" taking people to several stores during the day and this store is on one of those routes. I'll be on my own, however, and my "task" tonight is to plot out my Independent Bookstore itinerary for tomorrow....
14cbl_tn
I'm in. I'm at a point in First Lie Wins where I have to finish it tonight. I'd also like to finish The Sweet Hereafter this weekend.
15benitastrnad
Weeked Startup
Books read from: I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong. Brides of High Hills by Nghi Vo. My continuous reading book is still Katharine Graham's Washington by Katharine Graham. My computer book is Walking It Off by Doug Peacock.
Books finished: Bending the Law: The Story of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy by Richard B. Sobol. Last Murder At the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
Book Thoughts: I have had a spate of good fiction in the first 4 months of 2026 and can't believe my luck. I finished reading Last Murder At the End of the World and I think I am going to give it a 5 star rating. It is a quirky locked room murder mystery. It is set in a post-apocolyptic world and the locked room is an island that is a refuge for the last humans on the planet. It took me awhile to get onto the point-of-view, which is a bit different. Once I did that the book took off and sucked me in. To add to the wonderfulness of this book, the dust jacket is outstanding art. The cover is really interesting. The pages are edged with a wonderful turquoise blue and there is a reason for that, but I won't tell why because the spoilerstazi won't like it. This was not the author's first book and now I will have to get busy and read his other books. I two of them in my collection, so it will be a matter of digging them out of the boxes in which they are packed.
Activities: I worked this morning and then spent the afternoon having coffee with a friend. I enjoyed every minute of it the time spent with him. I also paid the last half of my real estate taxes for 2025 and spent a few minutes talking to our County Clerk about the stupid SAVE act. It was a good day.
Reading Time Today: 1 hours
Time listening:
Time posting:
Food: taco salad at a local tex-mex resturant for lunch
Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 582
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 1771 hours since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon starting in April of 2020.
Books read from: I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong. Brides of High Hills by Nghi Vo. My continuous reading book is still Katharine Graham's Washington by Katharine Graham. My computer book is Walking It Off by Doug Peacock.
Books finished: Bending the Law: The Story of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy by Richard B. Sobol. Last Murder At the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
Book Thoughts: I have had a spate of good fiction in the first 4 months of 2026 and can't believe my luck. I finished reading Last Murder At the End of the World and I think I am going to give it a 5 star rating. It is a quirky locked room murder mystery. It is set in a post-apocolyptic world and the locked room is an island that is a refuge for the last humans on the planet. It took me awhile to get onto the point-of-view, which is a bit different. Once I did that the book took off and sucked me in. To add to the wonderfulness of this book, the dust jacket is outstanding art. The cover is really interesting. The pages are edged with a wonderful turquoise blue and there is a reason for that, but I won't tell why because the spoilerstazi won't like it. This was not the author's first book and now I will have to get busy and read his other books. I two of them in my collection, so it will be a matter of digging them out of the boxes in which they are packed.
Activities: I worked this morning and then spent the afternoon having coffee with a friend. I enjoyed every minute of it the time spent with him. I also paid the last half of my real estate taxes for 2025 and spent a few minutes talking to our County Clerk about the stupid SAVE act. It was a good day.
Reading Time Today: 1 hours
Time listening:
Time posting:
Food: taco salad at a local tex-mex resturant for lunch
Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 582
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 1771 hours since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon starting in April of 2020.
16ReneeMarie
>15 benitastrnad: I loved The 7-1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, as did a couple of my coworkers. One of them has read all his books.
17alcottacre
Friday Night:
Books read from: The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea (audiobook), The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard, Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley, and Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Books finished: 1, The Bone Harp
Time reading: 1.93 hours + listening to audiobook
Total books finished: 1
Total read from: 4
Total time reading: 1.93 hours + listening to audiobook
Books read from: The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea (audiobook), The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard, Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley, and Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Books finished: 1, The Bone Harp
Time reading: 1.93 hours + listening to audiobook
Total books finished: 1
Total read from: 4
Total time reading: 1.93 hours + listening to audiobook
18ReneeMarie
>17 alcottacre: How are you liking the Loxley? That one's on my radar.
19rhondak101book
Saturday Morning Update, South Carolina, USA
Books read from: 5
Lingo by Gaston Dorren, Gaslit Horror edited by Hugh Lamb, Stamboul Train (aka the other Orient Express book) by Graham Greene, The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl and Summerland by Michael Chabon
Books completed: 0
Short Story Responses Written: 1
Other Reading/Writing Activities: Still working on the encyclopedia article about Michael Chabon. I read intermittently some of his short fiction, non-fiction, and criticism about his works.
Books read from: 5
Lingo by Gaston Dorren, Gaslit Horror edited by Hugh Lamb, Stamboul Train (aka the other Orient Express book) by Graham Greene, The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl and Summerland by Michael Chabon
Books completed: 0
Short Story Responses Written: 1
Other Reading/Writing Activities: Still working on the encyclopedia article about Michael Chabon. I read intermittently some of his short fiction, non-fiction, and criticism about his works.
20kac522
Friday reading:
Books read from: 2 --one was a DNF and then I read several short stories from Cross Channel by Julian Barnes.
Total time reading: 2 hours
Books completed: 0
Saturday planned activity: Got my itinerary ready for Independent Bookstore Day and will be off soon...
Books read from: 2 --one was a DNF and then I read several short stories from Cross Channel by Julian Barnes.
Total time reading: 2 hours
Books completed: 0
Saturday planned activity: Got my itinerary ready for Independent Bookstore Day and will be off soon...
21PocheFamily
You'all have to stop recommending such excellent-sounding books! My attempts to lighten my Wishlist are in jeopardy because of this group!
Saturday morning updated, from NJ/USA.
Books completed: A Gentleman in Moscow.
Books to begin: The Remains of the Day, Brooklyn, and Life and Death are Wearing Me Out. I also have The Magician ready to open, but I'd like to finish Brooklyn first to read the bookgroup books in order of meeting.
And, my Challenge Bookgroup is considering which book to begin next fall. So, in the interest of entertainment, I'm trying to Poll feature to see what this group would choose:
Saturday morning updated, from NJ/USA.
Books completed: A Gentleman in Moscow.
Books to begin: The Remains of the Day, Brooklyn, and Life and Death are Wearing Me Out. I also have The Magician ready to open, but I'd like to finish Brooklyn first to read the bookgroup books in order of meeting.
And, my Challenge Bookgroup is considering which book to begin next fall. So, in the interest of entertainment, I'm trying to Poll feature to see what this group would choose:
22nrmay
Sat am
Books:
Finished THE NIGHT WAR by K Bradley.
hist fic, WWII France.
Now reading SMOKE SIGNAL in the Rachel Hatch series. action/thriller.
Other activity:
I have soldier books to pack & mail.
Writing 100 postcards to voters to send on Monday.
I need to practice chords/songs for uke group on Tue.
🌞 Sunny, 78F/26C
Books:
Finished THE NIGHT WAR by K Bradley.
hist fic, WWII France.
Now reading SMOKE SIGNAL in the Rachel Hatch series. action/thriller.
Other activity:
I have soldier books to pack & mail.
Writing 100 postcards to voters to send on Monday.
I need to practice chords/songs for uke group on Tue.
🌞 Sunny, 78F/26C
23Dejah_Thoris
Saturday, almost noon - Georgia, USA
We were supposed to get some rain today, but it's not looking promising. There are wildfires to the south, in south Georgia and north Florida - I hope they get some. They need it even more than we do.
Books read from: Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen by Alice Loxton;
Darksight Dare by Lois McMaster Bujold; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball by John Klima; My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal
Books finished: Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare
Thoughts: It's always great to have a new Penric & Desdemona novella from Lois McMaster Bujold. I definitely learned things from Eleanor, but I just didn't love it, although it seems as though it would be perfect for me. The author made her name on social media posting about history, and I confess I didn't care for her style - too dumbed down at times, and too 'jokey'. I suppose that's to appeal to her 3 million social media followers. Meh.
I've really enjoyed Bushville Wins! - I'll finish it today. My favorite quote: In Milwaukee, they prayed. In New York, they thought they didn't have to. Even as an Atlanta Braves fan, I never gave enough thought to the impact of the Milwaukee Braves. Fascinating.
Total read from: 4 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon
Total books finished: 2 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen; Darksight Dare
We were supposed to get some rain today, but it's not looking promising. There are wildfires to the south, in south Georgia and north Florida - I hope they get some. They need it even more than we do.
Books read from: Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen by Alice Loxton;
Darksight Dare by Lois McMaster Bujold; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball by John Klima; My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal
Books finished: Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare
Thoughts: It's always great to have a new Penric & Desdemona novella from Lois McMaster Bujold. I definitely learned things from Eleanor, but I just didn't love it, although it seems as though it would be perfect for me. The author made her name on social media posting about history, and I confess I didn't care for her style - too dumbed down at times, and too 'jokey'. I suppose that's to appeal to her 3 million social media followers. Meh.
I've really enjoyed Bushville Wins! - I'll finish it today. My favorite quote: In Milwaukee, they prayed. In New York, they thought they didn't have to. Even as an Atlanta Braves fan, I never gave enough thought to the impact of the Milwaukee Braves. Fascinating.
Total read from: 4 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon
Total books finished: 2 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen; Darksight Dare
24cbl_tn
Saturday night update:
Books read from: First Lie Wins, The Princess and the Goblin, The Sweet Hereafter
Books finished: First Lie Wins, The Sweet Hereafter
Snacks: cheeseburger, chocolate bagel
Thoughts: It's been rainy all day today - perfect reading weather!
Non-book activities: Took trash to the dump, went to a craft fair/market at the local coffee shop, cleaned, did some laundry, cooked, walked Wally
Total books finished: 2
Total read from: 3
Books read from: First Lie Wins, The Princess and the Goblin, The Sweet Hereafter
Books finished: First Lie Wins, The Sweet Hereafter
Snacks: cheeseburger, chocolate bagel
Thoughts: It's been rainy all day today - perfect reading weather!
Non-book activities: Took trash to the dump, went to a craft fair/market at the local coffee shop, cleaned, did some laundry, cooked, walked Wally
Total books finished: 2
Total read from: 3
25benitastrnad
Saturday report
Books read from: I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong. Brides of High Hills by Nghi Vo. My continuous reading book is still Katharine Graham's Washington by Katharine Graham. My computer book is Walking It Off by Doug Peacock.
Books finished: Bending the Law: The Story of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy by Richard B. Sobol. Last Murder At the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
Book Thoughts: I finished reading Bending the Law just in time to get it back to the library on the day it was due. It took me three months to read this book. It was a blow-by-blow account of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy court case that started in the 1980's and didn't end until the 1990's. This was a landmark bankruptcy case and it made headlines again when the Sacklar family was sued for damages at the height of the opiod epidemic. The Sacklar's tried to do the same thing that the A. H. Robins company did, but this time it didn't work. I wanted to know exactly what the Robins' did to avoid having to pay out billions in damages. This book provided the answers but it was a hard slog of reading. Unless you plan to spend a great deal of time in study this is not the book for you. It is not a courtroom drama book. It is a factual accounting of what happened in, and out, of the courtroom that allowed the Robins' to escape responsibilty for harming people.
Activities: I did get much done today. I spent most of it being lazy. Also didn't get much reading done. I am hoping that tomorrow will be more productive.
Reading Time Today: 1 hours
Time listening:
Time posting:
Food: baked a new batch of granola and it didn't turn out as good as the last batch I made. It was too humid today and I didn't exactly follow the recipe this time. It tastes OK. Just didn't bake correctly.
Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 582
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 1772 hours since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon starting in April of 2020.
Books read from: I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong. Brides of High Hills by Nghi Vo. My continuous reading book is still Katharine Graham's Washington by Katharine Graham. My computer book is Walking It Off by Doug Peacock.
Books finished: Bending the Law: The Story of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy by Richard B. Sobol. Last Murder At the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
Book Thoughts: I finished reading Bending the Law just in time to get it back to the library on the day it was due. It took me three months to read this book. It was a blow-by-blow account of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy court case that started in the 1980's and didn't end until the 1990's. This was a landmark bankruptcy case and it made headlines again when the Sacklar family was sued for damages at the height of the opiod epidemic. The Sacklar's tried to do the same thing that the A. H. Robins company did, but this time it didn't work. I wanted to know exactly what the Robins' did to avoid having to pay out billions in damages. This book provided the answers but it was a hard slog of reading. Unless you plan to spend a great deal of time in study this is not the book for you. It is not a courtroom drama book. It is a factual accounting of what happened in, and out, of the courtroom that allowed the Robins' to escape responsibilty for harming people.
Activities: I did get much done today. I spent most of it being lazy. Also didn't get much reading done. I am hoping that tomorrow will be more productive.
Reading Time Today: 1 hours
Time listening:
Time posting:
Food: baked a new batch of granola and it didn't turn out as good as the last batch I made. It was too humid today and I didn't exactly follow the recipe this time. It tastes OK. Just didn't bake correctly.
Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 582
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 1772 hours since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon starting in April of 2020.
26kac522
Saturday reading:
Books read from: 1: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, on audiobook read by the author--she has a very calm, soft reading style, and it works so well with the content of her book.
Total time reading: 3 hours listening while driving to, from and between bookstores
Books completed: 0
Saturday activity: For Independent Bookstore Day, made it to 4 bookstores & 1 Library sale--bought 4 books--one at each place, except for 1 of the stores. Plus I bought 2 books on Thursday at an indie store that I knew would be packed today, so avoided the crowds.
Books read from: 1: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, on audiobook read by the author--she has a very calm, soft reading style, and it works so well with the content of her book.
Total time reading: 3 hours listening while driving to, from and between bookstores
Books completed: 0
Saturday activity: For Independent Bookstore Day, made it to 4 bookstores & 1 Library sale--bought 4 books--one at each place, except for 1 of the stores. Plus I bought 2 books on Thursday at an indie store that I knew would be packed today, so avoided the crowds.
27rhondak101book
Sunday Morning Update, South Carolina, USA
Books read from: 6
Lingo by Gaston Dorren, Gaslit Horror edited by Hugh Lamb, Stamboul Train (aka the other Orient Express book) by Graham Greene, The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl, Summerland by Michael Chabon and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss
Books completed: 2
Summerland by Michael Chabon and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss
Short Story Responses Written: 2
Other Reading/Writing Activities: Still working on the encyclopedia article about Michael Chabon. I read intermittently some of his short fiction, non-fiction, and criticism about his works.
Books read from: 6
Lingo by Gaston Dorren, Gaslit Horror edited by Hugh Lamb, Stamboul Train (aka the other Orient Express book) by Graham Greene, The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl, Summerland by Michael Chabon and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss
Books completed: 2
Summerland by Michael Chabon and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss
Short Story Responses Written: 2
Other Reading/Writing Activities: Still working on the encyclopedia article about Michael Chabon. I read intermittently some of his short fiction, non-fiction, and criticism about his works.
28PocheFamily
Sunday morning report on Saturday's progress:
Books read from: The Remains of the Day and Brooklyn
Books finished: (same)
Time reading: ~10h
Snacks: banana bread and pretzels, loads of decaf coffee
Thoughts: I love happy accidents, such as finishing A Gentleman in Moscow and my next read, The Remains of the Day, being such a fitting next read. The similarities (e.g., set largely in the '20s-'30s, the main characters' lives centered on one building, and the passing of the pre-WW1 age), as well as the contrasts (an exceptional man vs. the humble loyal servant) made for interesting thoughts along the way. Unplanned, and I enjoyed the light mental exercise of analysis.
Non-book activities: Staring at a landscape happy to see the rain and entertaining a husky who doesn't enjoy wet on her toes.
Books read from: The Remains of the Day and Brooklyn
Books finished: (same)
Time reading: ~10h
Snacks: banana bread and pretzels, loads of decaf coffee
Thoughts: I love happy accidents, such as finishing A Gentleman in Moscow and my next read, The Remains of the Day, being such a fitting next read. The similarities (e.g., set largely in the '20s-'30s, the main characters' lives centered on one building, and the passing of the pre-WW1 age), as well as the contrasts (an exceptional man vs. the humble loyal servant) made for interesting thoughts along the way. Unplanned, and I enjoyed the light mental exercise of analysis.
Non-book activities: Staring at a landscape happy to see the rain and entertaining a husky who doesn't enjoy wet on her toes.
29Dejah_Thoris
Sunday morning - Georgia, USA
Books read from: Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball by John Klima; My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal; Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
Books finished: Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon
Thoughts: Carrie (@cbl_tn), you were right to warn me about My Name is Leon. It was tougher going than I expected it to be, but I persevered. I'll read it again, one day, when grief is less present in my life.
I'll be hitting the last day of the Friends of the Library book sale. I usually restrict myself to the final day when books are half-price because, let's be real, I need more books like I need a hole in the head, lol. Most years I can pick up plenty of plays (which are, apparently, not particularly popular), and I'll be looking for some nonfiction books on mountaineering and archaeology.
Total read from: 5 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon; Pageboy: A Memoir
Total books finished: 4 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon
Books read from: Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball by John Klima; My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal; Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
Books finished: Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon
Thoughts: Carrie (@cbl_tn), you were right to warn me about My Name is Leon. It was tougher going than I expected it to be, but I persevered. I'll read it again, one day, when grief is less present in my life.
I'll be hitting the last day of the Friends of the Library book sale. I usually restrict myself to the final day when books are half-price because, let's be real, I need more books like I need a hole in the head, lol. Most years I can pick up plenty of plays (which are, apparently, not particularly popular), and I'll be looking for some nonfiction books on mountaineering and archaeology.
Total read from: 5 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon; Pageboy: A Memoir
Total books finished: 4 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon
30ChrisG1
Weekend summary:
Books read from: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard
Books finished: None
Pages read: 300-ish
Books read from: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard
Books finished: None
Pages read: 300-ish
31rhondak101book
Monday Morning Update, South Carolina, USA
Books read from: 8
Lingo by Gaston Dorren, Gaslit Horror edited by Hugh Lamb, Stamboul Train (aka the other Orient Express book) by Graham Greene, The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl, Summerland by Michael Chabon and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss and others, The Final Solution (reread) by Michael Chabon, and The White Tiger by Avavind Adiga
Books completed: 3
Summerland by Michael Chabon, The Final Solution by Michael Chabon (reread) and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss and others.
Short Story Responses Written: 2
Other Reading/Writing Activities: Still working on the encyclopedia article about Michael Chabon. Decided that I needed to reread The Final Solution.
Books read from: 8
Lingo by Gaston Dorren, Gaslit Horror edited by Hugh Lamb, Stamboul Train (aka the other Orient Express book) by Graham Greene, The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl, Summerland by Michael Chabon and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss and others, The Final Solution (reread) by Michael Chabon, and The White Tiger by Avavind Adiga
Books completed: 3
Summerland by Michael Chabon, The Final Solution by Michael Chabon (reread) and issues 1-5 of Sherlock Holmes: Moriarty Lives written by David Liss and others.
Short Story Responses Written: 2
Other Reading/Writing Activities: Still working on the encyclopedia article about Michael Chabon. Decided that I needed to reread The Final Solution.
32nrmay
Weekend wrap
Books:
Finished 2
SMOKE SIGNAL by L. T. Ryan
THE FOREST OF A THOUSAND EYES
Now reading -
ONE MINUTE OUT, M. Greaney
THE MOUNTAINS WE CALL HOME: THE BOOK WOMAN’S LEGACY.
I was happy to discover this one as l quite liked THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK and THE BOOK WOMAN’S DAUGHTER.
Other:
Finished my 100 postcards to voters -
written, addressed, stamped and ready to mail today.
I have been exploring Canadian dual citizenship. My grandfather was born in Ontario and I’m eligible by descent. And l have considered Ireland. My great-grandmother was born there. We are all immigrants. IMMIGRANTS have made America great!
Sunday dinner:
take-out pizza & Caesar salad w/ calamari from our favorite Italian place.
Books:
Finished 2
SMOKE SIGNAL by L. T. Ryan
THE FOREST OF A THOUSAND EYES
Now reading -
ONE MINUTE OUT, M. Greaney
THE MOUNTAINS WE CALL HOME: THE BOOK WOMAN’S LEGACY.
I was happy to discover this one as l quite liked THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK and THE BOOK WOMAN’S DAUGHTER.
Other:
Finished my 100 postcards to voters -
written, addressed, stamped and ready to mail today.
I have been exploring Canadian dual citizenship. My grandfather was born in Ontario and I’m eligible by descent. And l have considered Ireland. My great-grandmother was born there. We are all immigrants. IMMIGRANTS have made America great!
Sunday dinner:
take-out pizza & Caesar salad w/ calamari from our favorite Italian place.
33Dejah_Thoris
Monday morning, Weekend wrap-up - Georgia, USA
Since last post:
Books read from: Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page; Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout; Master of Tomes by Honor Raconteur; Rebound Control by Jodi Oliver
Books finished: Song of a Blackbird
Thoughts: I tried to post last night, but LT appeared to be down. Did this happen to anyone else?
Total read from: 8 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon; Pageboy: A Memoir; Song of a Blackbird; Master of Tomes; Rebound Control
Total books finished: 5 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon; Song of a Blackbird
Since last post:
Books read from: Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page; Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout; Master of Tomes by Honor Raconteur; Rebound Control by Jodi Oliver
Books finished: Song of a Blackbird
Thoughts: I tried to post last night, but LT appeared to be down. Did this happen to anyone else?
Total read from: 8 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon; Pageboy: A Memoir; Song of a Blackbird; Master of Tomes; Rebound Control
Total books finished: 5 - Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen;
Darksight Dare; Bushville Wins!: The Wild Saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the Screwballs, Sluggers, and Beer Swiggers Who Canned the New York Yankees and Changed Baseball; My Name Is Leon; Song of a Blackbird
34benitastrnad
>33 Dejah_Thoris:
What did you think of the Eleanor book? I looked it up on Amazon and it sounds like something I would enjoy. Did you like it?
>31 rhondak101book:
How was Summerland?
What did you think of the Eleanor book? I looked it up on Amazon and it sounds like something I would enjoy. Did you like it?
>31 rhondak101book:
How was Summerland?
35rhondak101book
>34 benitastrnad: I enjoyed Summerland. Of the YA portal fantasies I have read, I think it most reminds me of Un Lun Dun by China Miéville in that Chabon knows the genre and has figured out how to subvert it (in the nicest possible way). The plot is definitely structured on the hero's journey with Norse and Native American mythology, American folktales, and baseball. After I make it through end of semester grading, I want to write up a better review of it.
36benitastrnad
Saturday report
Books read from: I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong. Brides of High Hills and Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo. My continuous reading book is still Katharine Graham's Washington by Katharine Graham. My computer book is Walking It Off by Doug Peacock.
Books finished: Brides of High Hills and Mouthful of Dust both by Nghi Vo. Bending the Law: The Story of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy by Richard B. Sobol. Last Murder At the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
Book Thoughts: I finished reading the last 2 of the Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo just before book 7 in the series is due to be published. Brides of High Hills and Mouthful of Dust were a return to the storytelling journeys that Cleric Chih and her recording bird Almost Brilliant use to record the memories of the people and then store in the archives of the Abbey. I started reading these novellas back when Tordotcom was formed specifically to publish Sci/Fi and fantasy short novels and have really enjoyed reading them over the last 5 years. This series is of particular interest. They are by an Asian woman author, and they feature a mixture of South Asian folktales, legends, and myths. They are great fun to read, and each story contains a subtle message in it. I read the 2 novellas in 2 days (each was just over 100 pages) and they were a nice break from a big heavy novel or work of nonfiction, the likes of which, has been most of my recent reading.
I also can't say enough about the artwork on the covers of these editions. They are beautiful and interesting. They all fit together and yet each is different and unique. These editions are thoughtfully put together by Tordotcom and it shows in all the details of the books.
Activities: I played the piano for church and then took a long nap on Sunday afternoon. This morning I am back at work and started my new hours. I am now working 1 hour longer on Saturday.
Reading Time Today: 2 hours
Time listening:
Time posting:
Food: didn't even cook yesterday.
Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 584
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 1776 hours since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon starting in April of 2020.
Books read from: I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong. Brides of High Hills and Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo. My continuous reading book is still Katharine Graham's Washington by Katharine Graham. My computer book is Walking It Off by Doug Peacock.
Books finished: Brides of High Hills and Mouthful of Dust both by Nghi Vo. Bending the Law: The Story of the Dalkon Shield Bankruptcy by Richard B. Sobol. Last Murder At the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
Book Thoughts: I finished reading the last 2 of the Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo just before book 7 in the series is due to be published. Brides of High Hills and Mouthful of Dust were a return to the storytelling journeys that Cleric Chih and her recording bird Almost Brilliant use to record the memories of the people and then store in the archives of the Abbey. I started reading these novellas back when Tordotcom was formed specifically to publish Sci/Fi and fantasy short novels and have really enjoyed reading them over the last 5 years. This series is of particular interest. They are by an Asian woman author, and they feature a mixture of South Asian folktales, legends, and myths. They are great fun to read, and each story contains a subtle message in it. I read the 2 novellas in 2 days (each was just over 100 pages) and they were a nice break from a big heavy novel or work of nonfiction, the likes of which, has been most of my recent reading.
I also can't say enough about the artwork on the covers of these editions. They are beautiful and interesting. They all fit together and yet each is different and unique. These editions are thoughtfully put together by Tordotcom and it shows in all the details of the books.
Activities: I played the piano for church and then took a long nap on Sunday afternoon. This morning I am back at work and started my new hours. I am now working 1 hour longer on Saturday.
Reading Time Today: 2 hours
Time listening:
Time posting:
Food: didn't even cook yesterday.
Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 584
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 1776 hours since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon starting in April of 2020.
37benitastrnad
>35 rhondak101book:
It was my summer reading back in 2017 and I loved it. However, I didn't think that most YA's would get the connections. Chabon has written a very sophisticated book. One that most adults would enjoy. I thought the same about un Lun Dun as well. As far as the baseball part goes it was excellent. As was the mythology. I loved the part with the players coming up out of the ground. Norwegian trolls?
It was my summer reading back in 2017 and I loved it. However, I didn't think that most YA's would get the connections. Chabon has written a very sophisticated book. One that most adults would enjoy. I thought the same about un Lun Dun as well. As far as the baseball part goes it was excellent. As was the mythology. I loved the part with the players coming up out of the ground. Norwegian trolls?
38Dejah_Thoris
>34 benitastrnad: My reaction to the description of Eleanor: A 200 Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen was the same as yours - it sounded like I'd love it. And while I did learn many things, I didn't appreciate the author's style. Partway into the book (during a stonework lesson that sounded as though it should be filmed for YouTube), I skipped ahead and read the author's bio - she's someone who posts about and popularizes history on social media, with 3 million followers. That certainly explained why almost all of the photographs (which weren't very good) included the author. It also explained her jokey style - a dumbing down of history to make it more palatable for whoever her audience is. I got tired of the author's imagined conversations between Edward and Eleanor as if they were a modern couple, or a bit with Eleanor and her decorator.
Ugh. I feel like I'm being mean - there were parts of the book I enjoyed (I gave it three stars). But the truth is that I never connected with the author on the walk/pilgrimage sections, and the history bits were scattered, and very hit or miss for me. I ultimately decided I would have been happier with a traditional (potentially dry as dust) biography of Eleanor of Castille.
I can't say I'd recommend it, but it's worth noting that many people, including people here on LT, liked it much more than I did. When did I get so picky, lol?
>36 benitastrnad: I read A Mouthful of Dust earlier this month - I agree that it's been a great series! A Long and Speaking Silence and Platform Decay both come out on 5 May - and embarrassment of riches!
Ugh. I feel like I'm being mean - there were parts of the book I enjoyed (I gave it three stars). But the truth is that I never connected with the author on the walk/pilgrimage sections, and the history bits were scattered, and very hit or miss for me. I ultimately decided I would have been happier with a traditional (potentially dry as dust) biography of Eleanor of Castille.
I can't say I'd recommend it, but it's worth noting that many people, including people here on LT, liked it much more than I did. When did I get so picky, lol?
>36 benitastrnad: I read A Mouthful of Dust earlier this month - I agree that it's been a great series! A Long and Speaking Silence and Platform Decay both come out on 5 May - and embarrassment of riches!
39rhondak101book
>37 benitastrnad: I had to go look up the Big Liars. I knew a couple, and then there were ones that I had never heard of. I think the Norse references were stronger than the Native American ones. It would be fun to create an annotated version of this book!
40kac522
Weekend Wrap-up
Sunday reading:
Books read from: 2: Completed Cross Channel by Julian Barnes (1996); short stories
Started a re-read of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton (1905)
Time reading Sunday: 4 hours
Weekend totals:
Books read from: 5
Books completed: 1
Books DNF: 1
Total weekend hours reading: 9 hours
Sunday reading:
Books read from: 2: Completed Cross Channel by Julian Barnes (1996); short stories
Started a re-read of The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton (1905)
Time reading Sunday: 4 hours
Weekend totals:
Books read from: 5
Books completed: 1
Books DNF: 1
Total weekend hours reading: 9 hours
41benitastrnad
>39 rhondak101book:
I don't think I will ever think of summer and baseball without thinking of this book. It was hot most days and I ate my lunch on the balcony of Reese-Pfifer Hall everyday. The balcony was on the east side and so was in the shade by the time I got to eat lunch. That book and those hot days on the balcony will be summertime for me for many years to come.
You made (MADE) me look up Big Liars. Is that a reference to Jose Canseco? If so, I missed it in the book. But I read the book in 2017 so I am sure there are some of Chabon's references that I just don't remember anymore.
I don't think I will ever think of summer and baseball without thinking of this book. It was hot most days and I ate my lunch on the balcony of Reese-Pfifer Hall everyday. The balcony was on the east side and so was in the shade by the time I got to eat lunch. That book and those hot days on the balcony will be summertime for me for many years to come.
You made (MADE) me look up Big Liars. Is that a reference to Jose Canseco? If so, I missed it in the book. But I read the book in 2017 so I am sure there are some of Chabon's references that I just don't remember anymore.
42rhondak101book
>41 benitastrnad: The Big Liars were the ones toward the end that had the different tools. They were references to Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, and other folktale heroes.
I was at the University of Alabama for my Masters. One year my co-teacher and I had an office in President's Hall (used to be Manly). It is the one that has outside walkways instead of hallways. We always had our office hours out on "the porch," weather permitting.
I was at the University of Alabama for my Masters. One year my co-teacher and I had an office in President's Hall (used to be Manly). It is the one that has outside walkways instead of hallways. We always had our office hours out on "the porch," weather permitting.
