Deborah ( vancouverdeb) Thread 4

Dave flying a couple of kites, his favourite hobby.

Laurence King, A Book Lovers Garden Puzzle, 1000 pieces.

I'm Deborah, married for 42 years and counting. I have two adult sons and one is married and they have two young children. This will be my 16 th year in the 75's. Both Dave and I are retired and we have a dog named Muffin who just turned 2 at the end of December 2025.

1) The Wake by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, F, mine, Iceland, 4 stars
2) Ripeness by Sarah Moss, F, library, UK, 3 stars
3) Benbecula by Graeme MacCrae Burnet,M, library, Scotland, 3.5 stars
4)Murder by Invitation Only by Colleen Cambridge, F, library, UK, 4 stars
5) The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold, F , library, F, UK, 4 stars
6)Walk the Blue Fields by Claire Keegan, F, mine, Ireland, 3.5 stars
7) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, F, library, UK, 4 stars

February

8) Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsely, F, mine, UK, 4 stars
9) Missing Sam by Thrity Umrigar, F, library, India/ USA, 3.5 stars
10)A Christian Case Against Donald Trump by by Patrick Kahnke, M, mine, kindle, USA, 5 stars
11)Two Truths and a Murder by Colleen CambridgeUSA, library, M, 4 stars
12) ‎Jesus Calling, with Scripture References: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (A 365-Day Devotional) by Sarah Young , F, mine, USA, 5 stars
13) This Is Not About Us: Fiction by Allegra Goodman, USA, library, F, 3.5 stars
14)The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai by Janie Chang, Canada, library, F, 4.5 stars
15) The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church by Sarah McCammon, USA, library, F, 4 stars
16The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera USA, mine, F, 3.5 stars

March

17) The Barbecue at No. 9 by Jenny Godfrey,UK, mine, F, 4 stars
18)When The Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen,Sweden, library F, 5 stars
19 )Dominion by Addie E. Citchens, USA, F, library, 4.5 stars
20) A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing: A Novel byAlice Evelyn Yang, USA,F, mine, 4.5 stars
21) A Family Matter by Claire Lynch, UK, F, library,4.25 stars
22) Audition by Katie Kitamura, USA, library, F,2.5 stars,
23)Flashlight by Susan Choi, USA,mine,F , 3 stars
24) The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery, UK, mine, 4 stars

April

25) The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine, Ireland, mine, F, 4 stars
26) We Begin At The End by Chris Whittaker, USA, library, M, 3.5 stars
27) Bookish by Lucy Magnan, UK, mine, F, 4 stars
28) Imposter by L J Ross UK, mine, F, 4 stars
29)A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar ,library, F , 3.5 stars
30 ) The Close by Jane Casey UK, library, F 3. 5 stars
31) Heart the Lover by Lily King, USA, library, F, 2.5 stars

May

32) Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, Australia, library, F , 4. 5 stars
33)Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly, UK, mine, F, 2.5 stars
34)Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin, Canada, library, F, 3.5 stars
35) A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman, Australia, library, F, 4.5 stars

June

36) The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson, UK, mine, F, 4 stars
37)Good Peopleby Patmeena Sabit, USA, library, F, 5 stars
38) The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, USA, mine, F, 4 stars
39) Hysteria by LJ Ross, UK,,mine, F, 3.5 stars
40) A Corruption of Blood by Ambrose Parry, UK, library, M/F , 3.5 stars
41)Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd, UK, mine, F, 4 stars
42)Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach, USA, mine, M, 4 stars
43)Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, UK, library, F, 4 stars
44)Wild Quiet People by Tara Gereaux, Canada, library, F, 4 stars

July

45 )Whistler byAnn Patchett , USA, library, F, 2.5 stars
46) The Art of a Lie: A Novel by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, UK, mine ,F, 4 stars
47)John of John by Douglas Stuart, UK, mine,M, 4 stars
48) The Snake and The Spy by MJ Robotham, UK, library,F, 3.5 stars
49) Transcription by Ben Lerner, UK, library,M, 2 stars

Prize Winners and Nominees
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, 1001 books to read before you die
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen , Årets bok (2024)
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist , 2026
A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing: A Novel byAlice Evelyn Yang. Women's Prize For Fiction Longlist,2026
A Family Matter by Claire Lynch, Nero Prize Winner 2026,
Audition by Katie Kitamura, Booker Short List 2025, Women's Prize Long-list 2026,
Flashlight by Susan Choi, Booker List 2025, Women's Prize Longlist 2026
Benefactors by Wendy Erskine Women's Prize Longlist 2026
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar Women's Prize Longlist, 2026.
Heart the Lover by Lily King, Womens Prize Shortlist , 2026,
The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson, Women's Prize Shortlist , 2026

Currently Reading

Land by Maggie O'Farrell

The Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist 2026

Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps
Paradiso 17 by Hannah Lillith Assadi
Moderation by Elaine Castillo
Flashlight by Susan Choi READ
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens READ
The Benefactors by Wendy ErskineREAD
The Correspondent by Virginia EvansREAD
The Mercy Step by Marcia HutchinsonREAD
The Others by Sheena Kalayil OWN
Kingfisher by by Rozie Kelly READ
Heart the Lover by Lily King READ
Audition by Katie Kitamura READ
A Guardian and A Thief by Megha Majumdar READ
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy READ
The Best of Everything by Kit de Waal READ
A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang READ

Welcome to my new thread! I am so glad to have time to start a new thread at last! Two more weeks and Dave should be able to walk the dog again , yes! Then life should go back to normal. Please drop a star, lurk, de-lurk , whatever! So glad to have you here.

spare

Happy new thread and I am happy to be first here, Deb, to wish you and Dave all the best.

>14 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! Dave seems to be doing well. Good to see you!

Happy new thread!

I am glad that Dave is closer to getting back to his normal routine.

>16 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita! I can't wait until Dave can walk the dog again! I'm walking about 15,000 steps each day and that does not leave me with a lot of time.

Happy new thread, Deborah!

>2 vancouverdeb: You do some really impressive puzzles!!

>18 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba! That puzzle was a bit challenging. I''ll be glad to get more time with the puzzles and books.

Happy new thread, Deb. I was thinking today that I need to check in with you and see how Dave is getting on. Good to hear that he is progressing.
I haven't worked on a puzzle in ages.

Happy new thread, Deborah!

>2 vancouverdeb: What a collection of stories are illustrated in the puzzle! Is there a reason for the choices? Are all of them listed? (I don’t know any with a snake-holding priestess from Crete unless the silhouette in the window is Ariadne.

Added: Is it gardens?

Happy new thread, Deborah. I hope things are getting back to normal in your house.

Hello Deborah and happy new thread. So pleased that all is going well! Love the Dave topper!

Happy new thread Deborah. How are you, Dave, and Muffin doing?

Love the picture and the jigsaw puzzle.

Happy new thread, Deborah! I too really like the topper with Dave and the kites and the sun.

I am very glad to hear that Dave continues to improve. And that you'll have time for puzzles again. >2 vancouverdeb: That's definitely an interesting puzzle.

Hi Deborah, happy new thread. Glad to see from your currently reading post that The Mercy Step arrived. Hope you are enjoying it.

I am sending good wishes to you and Dave as he recovers.

15,000 steps a day sounds like a lot of walking. Do you listen to podcasts or audiobooks?

Happy new thread, Deborah! Good to see that things like walks, will go back to normal soon.

Happy thread #4, Deborah!! Glad life is on its way back to normal again. Best wishes to Dave, you and Muffin. : )

Happy new thread, Deborah! I'm so pleased that things are finally settling down for you and Dave.

That photo of him flying kites is beautiful.

Hi, Deborah! I'm glad to know that your husband is doing better, and that your lives and routines will return to normal soon.

I'll see my urologist next Friday to discuss the plan after Monday's MRI of my prostate, which showed a suspicious mass within the gland. I'm not sure, but I suspect he'll recommend that I get a prostate biopsy in the very near future, to see if I may have cancer. Needless to say I would appreciate all kind thoughts and prayers!

So glad to hear that things are getting back to normal and that Dave is recovering well! Sounds like he'll be back to flying kites in no time!

>2 vancouverdeb: That's a beautiful puzzle!

Happy new thread! That looks like a fun puzzle.

Glad Dave is doing well and that your life is getting back to normal.

>20 jessibud2: I almost always have a puzzle on the go, Shelley, just lately no time to get to it.

>21 quondame: I just dug out the pamphlet that came with the puzzle to answer your questions, Susan. The image is not that clear on LT . Yes, it is a garden and the author represented are Jane Austen , Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll , John Milton and many others. Some I was familiar with , others not, as far as the images in the puzzle go. I guess the artist chose authors/ works that he/ she liked. The snake represents a Greek Myth, the Labours of Hercules:The Apples of Hesperides.

>22 BLBera: Gradually things are getting back to normal here, Beth. The sooner the better!

>23 mdoris: Thanks Mary. I too am glad Dave is doing well.

>24 Kristelh: Dave and Muffin are doing well, and I am finding myself a little too busy for now, Kristel.

>25 atozgrl: Thanks Irene . I didn't recognize Dave's picture as he is wearing a hat and had to ask him if it was him. Thanks re the toppers.

>26 charl08: Yes, 15,000 steps is lot to me too, Charlotte. I don't listen to anything when I am walking the dog. I usually need to pay a good bit of attention to her, pulling towards rabbits , squirrels, other dogs and watching for traffic. I did finish Mercy Step last night and it was very good and I hope to find time to review it.

>27 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg, I sure hope things go back to normal here soon.

>28 Berly: Thanks Kim! Gradually things are normalizing here. Thanks for the good wishes.

>29 katiekrug: Thanks Katie. I glad things are slowly going back to normal too. Thanks re the picture of Dave

>30 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl, for your good wishes. I hope that your appointment with your urologist goes well, and that the mass is benign. I have prayed for you, and will continue to do so, and all best wishes too.

>31 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary. I am sure he is very eager to fly his kites again- it will be some weeks yet.

>32 foggidawn: Thanks Foggi! It was a interesting but somewhat challenging puzzle.

>33 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba. Life is slowly getting back to normal.

I hope you are able to get back to your puzzling ways very soon, Deborah!

>37 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. I've been reviewing the medical literature to get an idea of what the standard of care of a prostatic mass such as the one I have. It isn't completely clear to me, but given my age, race (African Americans are at much higher risk of both having prostate cancer and dying from it than men of other races), and history of a first degree relative with prostate cancer (my father had a high grade but slowing cancer towsrd the end of his life, for which he was getting chemotherapy, IIRC) it would seem that the most conservative approach would be to get biopsy specimens of the suspicious mass. On the other hand it's located in a region where benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is most likely to originate, the radiologist read it as being low risk or inconclusive for cancer, and my appointment with my urologist next week is only scheduled for 15 minutes, so he may want to repeat another serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), to see if it has increased significantly since it was last checked in December, and possibly repeat an MRI scan in six months or so.

Hi Deb my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend, hope that Dave is progressing nicely and i am impressed with the amount of steps you are doing daily walking Muffin. Sending love and hugs to both of you from both of us.

Sweet Thursday, Deborah. Happy New Thread. So glad to hear that you loved A Far-Flung Life. I will be starting The Light Between Oceans in about a week.

How is Dave doing?

Happy to hear things are going well and getting back to normal for you all, Deborah!

>39 Familyhistorian: I was able to find some time to puzzle listen to a part of a book on audio yesterday, Meg, so things are really looking up!

>40 kidzdoc: I have been thinking and praying for you, Darryl, and I hope the mass is benign. It sounds like you done quite a bit of research into it and we'll hope for the best. Keep me up to date.

>41 johnsimpson: Dave has begun sharing in the walk the dog issues, John and I am greatly relieved. Love and hugs to you too, John, I know you have many health issues too.

>42 msf59: Hi Mark. I did really loved A Far- Flung Life so thanks for the push. I think you will really enjoy The Light Between Oceans. I am currently reading another excellent book, Good People which I am quite sure would be your cuppa.

>43 Copperskye: Hi Joanne! I am so relieved that things are going back to normal. It's been a bit of long haul, though not compared to many other people's issues.

The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson , 4 stars

Mercy is the young daughter of Liv and Sonny. Her parents immigrated to the UK from Jamaica. She is one of many siblings, and some of the elder siblings were left behind in Jamaica. Mercy very much longs to be close to her mother, but her mother is busy with work, and obsessed with the church. Her father is abusive towards both his children and his wife. Over time, Mercy cannot understand why her mother does not leave her father, and Mercy feels it is her job to protect her mother. The family life is very chaotic and troubled. Mercy finds solace in books and her toy, Dolly.

A heart wrenching story, Mercy gradually learns that she must take a stand to survive. Though the story is heart breaking, there is still humour and hope .

Highly recommended.

I have now read all six of the short listed Women's Prize for Fiction books for 2026 .

I would be happy if Dominion, The Correspondent or The Mercy Step won, but I was not keen on Heart The Lover, Flashlight, nor Kingfisher.

>46 vancouverdeb:, >47 vancouverdeb: Congratulations Deborah on finishing all the short list. I hope to get to start Mercy Step soon but had to do Atmosphere first. It is do to return to the library in 3 days.

The fawn was the size of the min pin. it was following its mom in the morning dew.

I also did not think much of Heart the Lover but liked the second half better than the first and I think I rated it higher than you. I will not read Kingfisher.

>47 vancouverdeb: I will try to get to The Mercy Step soon based on your articulate enthusiasm for it, Deb.

>40 kidzdoc: I will add here, if I may, my thought, prayers and good wishes for dear Darryl and I hope that he will be fine and that any procedure will only uncover something (if anything) benign.

I had a prostate scare about half a dozen years ago which was seen and treated in good time so I well understand what is going through our friend's mind at the present moments.

>49 PaulCranswick: I appreciate your prayers, Paul. At the moment I feel comfortable that the mass won't be cancerous, or that it was caught in time to be curable. Sadly my best friend's prostate cancer, similar to Joe Biden's, wasn't detected until it had spread to his pelvic bones, and as a result his cancer can only be controlled, but isn't curable with current medical treatments.

>50 kidzdoc: Screening and early detection of these things is so important, Darryl, isn't it? I have a bit of a phobia against hospitals but I suffered from very severe testicular swelling (due to a urinary infection it seems) so obviously I rushed to the specialist. He did an ultrasound and wasn't satisfied and then after a physical exam I had an endoscope which identified some "pre-cancerous issue".
Had I not had the swelling I would not have gone to the hospital and I don't know what would have happened.

>51 PaulCranswick: Wow. That was quite a remarkable presentation of prostate pre-cancer, Paul! I'm glad that it was detected while it was still treatable. Joe Biden's cancer was caught at an advanced age, as was my father's, and Biden's malignancy called into question the timing of serum prostate specific antigen levels as a screen for prostate cancer. I can't remember off the top of my head but I'm all but certain that African American men and men at higher risk, e.g. those who have a family history of a first degree relative with prostate cancer, are recommended to get their first PSA 5-10 years earlier than men who are at low risk. Checking...yes. The American Cancer Society recommends an initial screening PSA at age 50 for men at low risk, 45 for African American men or men with one first degree relative who had cancer (high risk), and 40 for men with two first degree relatives with cancer (very high risk). So, I should have had my first screening PSA no later than 45, and possibly as early as 40, since I have two risk factors, instead of when I was 60. I saw my late father's urologist before I established my relationship with my current GP, and because of my father's cancer and my enlarged prostate, which he detected on a digital rectal examination (DRE) after I told him that I was getting up to urinate several times a night, he ordered a serum PSA on me, which was moderately elevated. I'm now taking three prescription medications for my prostate but my PSA is still elevated, and that was why he suggested that I get an MRI of my prostate.

African Americans of both genders are also at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, so I've had three colonoscopies, and will need another one next year, as I'm on a 5 year rather than a 10 year schedule, because of my race and because I have polyps in my colon. These cancers are appearing much more frequently in younger people of all races in the United States, including the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who was diagnosed with advanced cancer when he was only 40, and the author and professor Ibram X. Kendi, who was diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer at age 36, when he was writing the best selling book How to Be an Antiracist, but thankfully he was cured of the disease.

>52 kidzdoc: I do hope research will be done, Darryl, to identify why different groups are more at risk for certain types than others. I would hazard - not being a medical type - that the propensity is societal more than a matter of genetics.
1. The education and culture to go and get checked
2. The financial wherewithal to pay for the screening

>53 PaulCranswick: The National Cancer Institute in the US has conducted extensive studies into the risk factors for prostate cancer. It's definitely a hereditary condition, as men, particularly Blacks of West African descent, who have it are much more likely to have genetic variations that put them at greater risk for it. According to an NCI article, "Prostate cancer is highly heritable. Up to 60% of prostate cancer risk is caused by inherited factors. This inherited risk is comprised of risk from common genetic variants and risk from pathogenic variants in moderate-risk and high-risk genes." In addition, this article states that "Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, a family history of prostate cancer and other cancers, genetics, and ancestry (such as West African ancestry)."

Having said that it's true that men are far less likely to see their GPs on an annual basis than women are—this was certainly the case for me during the 24 years I lived in Atlanta—and get recommended screening tests such as colonoscopies, labs such as a basic chemistry panel or a lipid profile, or a serum PSA. I'm not as sure but I believe that private and public insurance plans would cover all or most of the costs of recommended screening tests, but an increasing number of people don't have insurance, particularly if they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, the public insurance program for low income people, can't afford to pay for private insurance, or are too young to qualify for Medicare, the public insurance program for people 65 years of age or older, or younger adults with chronic illnesses who meet certain criteria, such as end stage renal disease.

Apologies for hijacking your thread, Kim! I hope that you're feeling better today.

>47 vancouverdeb: Congratulations Deborah for reading the short list and so many of the long list. It will be so interesting to know the grand winner on June 11th! Which one would you vote for?

>44 vancouverdeb: Puzzling while listening to an audio book - things are definitely getting back to normal, Deborah. Good to see it happen.

>48 Kristelh: Sorry, Kristel, it was my mistake in thinking the doe was the size of a min pin. For a moment, I forgot which was the doe and the fawn. I really hope you like Mercy Step when you get to it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't like Heart the Lover because so many people did.

>49 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I hope you enjoy / appreciate Mercy Step as I did. Which books from the short list have you read so far ?

>55 mdoris: Thanks Mary. I did enjoy reading the entire shortlist for the most part and even a most of the long list . I'm not sure which of the three that I really thought were good reads should win. Any of The Correspondent, Dominion or The Mercy Step would be fine winners . I think I rated Dominion the highest by a half star , though.

>56 Familyhistorian: I am so relieve that things are pretty much back to normal, Meg, as you say. I actually enjoyed my walk with Muffin today instead of thinking - again! Puzzling and an audio book - so perfect - and I even had time for TV last night.

Good People is so excellent, though I have not finished it, I think it will be a five star read and perhaps my best read this year.

>59 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah. A five star read, those are rare and happy occasions. Enjoy.

I’m so glad to hear that Dave is doing well.

>57 vancouverdeb: Whilst I have all of them on the shelves, of the shortlist, so far I have only read The Correspondent. I liked it quite a bit but not as much as many of our peers.

I also read Audition by Katie Kitamura & The Others by Sheena Kalayil.

If I was ranking my three reads I would put Kalayil first, Evans 2nd and Kitamura 3rd.

>59 vancouverdeb: Agree with you on Good People. I thought it was excellent.

>60 EllaTim: Thanks Ella. I am so glad Dave is doing well too and yes, Good People was an excellent 5 star read. I just finished it. I'm off to evening church soon. I'll review it later.

>61 PaulCranswick: Not long to go until the winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction is announced , Paul. I hope it will one of the three that I think is worthy. Yes, I just finished reading Good People and yes, it is excellent.

I also loved The Mercy Step, Deborah. I am cheering for it or for Dominion. I still haven't read Kingfisher.

It's a good time to not have to do all the walks now that the rain has come back, Deborah. Hard to have water restrictions and deal with rain at the same time!

I think that I will make The Mercy Step my next read and I should fit it in just before the Prize is announced.

I was hoping she might be at the festival I'm volunteering at, but they've released the programme and she's not on it (there is of course lots of other speakers I hope I will get to hear as well as helping out!)

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/de11094eed.html

>66 charl08: That looks very exciting. As does that particular volunteer gig although you might have to miss speakers.

Perhaps next year, or a bit further ahead of now, we should try to organise to get a few LT people in the same place at the same time. And set up a calendar of events so that everyone can see when things they'd like are on, who is on the programme etc.

>63 BLBera: Likewise, Beth, I would be pleased for The Mercy Step or Dominion to win, but I would be find with The Correspondenttoo.

>64 Familyhistorian: I am off shortly for a walk in the rain with Muffin, Meg, but Dave is evening walk duty.Hurrah! Looks like sunshine and high temps ahead, at least Sunday is supposed to 75 F- I think yesterday it said 80 F which seems warm for this time of year.

>65 PaulCranswick: I hope you enjoy The Mercy Step, Paul. I think you will .

>66 charl08: That festival looks amazing, Charlotte! I wish I was there. I picked up a book to look for and I would love to try some of the walking tours they offer. I know you will enjoy yourself.

Good People by Patmeena Sabit 5 stars

Quite possibly the best book I have read so far this year, I urge you to give it a try.

The Sharaf family are an immigrant family from Afghanistan. They live in a lovely, well off neighbourhood in Virginia.Father Rahat came with nothing, but has built up a lot of wealth and status. Mother Maryam seems a loving mother and wife. At the centre of the story is teen aged daughter Zorah. She is beautiful and headstrong. She has an older brother, Omer and two younger siblings. She wants to live outside her Muslim family's cultural norms.

Then tragedy strikes and Zorah is found dead after her car plunges into a canal. What happened? An accident , suicidal despair, or an honour killing ?This story is told from multiple points of view.

Gripping, insightful and full of emotion, this is not a book to be missed.

Highly recommended.

>70 vancouverdeb: Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah. I placed a hold on it.

>70 vancouverdeb: - Glad it was a winner!

>70 vancouverdeb: I'll have to put that one on my list!

With that strong recommendation I immediately put it on my book wish list!!

#70 So highly recommended Deborah! i have just asked our library system to purchase it. Fingers crossed!

>75 mdoris: You won't be disappointed, Mary. I concur with Debbie that this is a tremendous book. Just give it 30 pages or so and the differing perspectives will force you to think and produce analysis yourself.

I've had Good People on my WL, Deborah. I will have to pick it up soon.

>71 Kristelh: I am quite sure you will enjoy it, Kristel.

>72 katiekrug: Thanks for the nudge, Katie. It was a winner indeed.

>73 foggidawn: I hope you enjoy it, Foggi.

>74 RebaRelishesReading: It's very good, Reba.

>75 mdoris: Mary, I sure hope your library system will get it in. It's very good and I think I saw it many times and finally I picked it up.

>76 PaulCranswick: Paul, I'm Deborah and never Debbie! But I concur, it's a very good book.

>77 BLBera: I feel certain you will enjoy Good People, Beth.

>79 vancouverdeb: After all these years, I don't think that I ever called you that once before. Brain freeze completely! Sorry about that, Deb.

>80 PaulCranswick: No problem, Paul. Brain freezes happen. No, I don' think you have ever called me Debbie before. You'd hear from me right away. ;-)

My latest puzzle. I started it before Dave went into hospital and finally finished it. Elena Essex , Market Place, 1000 pieces.

A picture of a barn owl that Dave has seen several nights in row while walking the dog.

>81 vancouverdeb: Hahaha I can see that!

>82 vancouverdeb: Nice

>83 vancouverdeb: Even nicer

>83 vancouverdeb: Wow, great picture.

>82 vancouverdeb: - Funny coincidence - my last puzzle was also an Elena Essex. I'll be looking for more from that company.

Cool owl!

Women’s Prize For Fiction Winner 2026 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans , many people’s favourite.

Back later to respond to comments , just in from walking Muffin and going to have breakfast.

>82 vancouverdeb: That one looks fun...and fairly "doable"

The Correspondent won woman's prize! Glad to hear that

>84 PaulCranswick: Glad you like the puzzle and the picture Dave took of the owl even more. He saw it again last night , Paul.

>85 charl08: I thought so too, Charlotte.Dave took it with his Iphone. He sent me a short video of the owl last night.

>86 katiekrug: This was my first puzzle by Elena Essex, Katie. I already purchased 2 others and like you, I will be purchasing more.

>89 RebaRelishesReading: It was quite doable Reba. I am finding my current Eeboo Puzzle a bit challenging. I think many people will be glad to hear that The Correspondent won the Women's Prize for Fiction. It's been very popular and well liked here on LT.

I have to say I am surprised that The Correspondent won. I am glad it did but surprised. There were several good novels this year and that made reading them at least a pleasure and not a chore.

Love the puzzle. And jealous that you got to see this owl. How cool is that!

>82 vancouverdeb: That’s a great looking puzzle, Deborah! I have an Elena Essex puzzle that I haven’t put together yet - Birds of Prey.

Sounds like you are all back to normal. I haven’t been able to walk Finley for a few days. I had him neutered on Monday and he’s on limited activity. I going to take him around the block tomorrow - I miss walking but can’t seem to go out on my own.

I’m glad The Correspondent won!

>92 Kristelh: I am surprised that The Correspondent won as well, Kristel. I really did know what to expect for a winner. I think perhaps Dominion was my favourite from the shortlist. I agree, there were a lot of good books from the Women's Prize Longlist and Shortlist. And some I felt were not that great. Actually, it is Dave who has been seeing the owl, not me. I agree, seeing an owl is cool.

>93 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. I checked out the Elena Essex puzzle, Birds of Prey . It looks great. It's a big relief to back to just about normal, yes,Joanne. I hope Finley is feeling like himself again. It's hard keeping a young dog on limited activity. I'm glad your favourite from the Women's Prize list won. I enjoyed it too.

Good to see you back puzzling, Deborah. I guess it helps that you have more time now that you don't have to do every dog walk.

Hi Deborah! I'm catching up after vacation so the best I can do here is skim and start fresh. I haven't even posted on my own thread yet lol. I'm glad Dave is making such an excellent recovery.

Happy Friday, Deborah. Hooray for the barn owl sighting. Go Dave! How is he doing? Congrats to The Correspondent- much deserved.

I have a Kindle copy of Good People. Looking forward to it.

Hi - I won an ER of WALRUS by Catherine Gilbert (no touchstone) - so far an amazing tale of an impressive and inspiring Canadian man!

>95 Familyhistorian: I'm so glad to have time to puzzle and read, Meg. It sure helps that I am not walking 15, 000 steps each day with Muffin, yes.

>96 lauralkeet: Great to see you, Laura. I'm glad you had a great vacation, and yes, Dave is making a good recovery.

>97 msf59: Dave is doing very well, Mark. He's been lucky to see that barn owl several nights in a row. Good People is excellent - I am sure you will enjoy it, Mark.

>98 m.belljackson: Congratulations on you ER win, Marianne. I've not have heard of WALRUS. I am glad you are finding it such a great read.

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout 4 stars

This was an interesting and enjoyable novel. Artie Dam is a married man with one adult son. He works as a high school teacher and largely likes his job.

Many things inwardly trouble Artie. This concern of Artie's really caught my attention P.15 "I wonder why people never say anything real?" This is something I could identify with, though the vast majority of my conversations are real. I liked Artie a lot. He's thoughtful, caring and interesting. One day , Artie learns about a secret that overturns his world. I think that this is one of Elizabeth Strout's best books .

Highly recommended.

And time to read too! It looks like things are getting back to normal for you, Deborah.

>102 Familyhistorian: Yes , thanks, Meg! I hope Sam's surgery went well, I have been thinking of you. I was in at Indigo's at Broadway and Granville, near VGH and thought of you Sam. I hope things are going okay for you too.

>101 vancouverdeb: I'm on page 102 and waiting for it to grab me. Your comment makes me want to set aside more time for reading tomorrow though.

Glad your husband is doing so well, Deborah. Modern medicine sometimes does amazing things, doesn't it?

>101 vancouverdeb: Already in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again. Glad to see that you enjoyed it.

Happy new-ish thread! Glad to see that Dave is doing well, Deborah! Have a super Saturday!

I too am glad that Dave is doing well. I bet he is feeling much better!

>104 RebaRelishesReading: Sorry that The Things We Say is not grabbing you, Reba. Maybe by now ? Thanks yes, Dave is doing well.

>105 alcottacre: Glad it is the black hole, Stasia. I hope enjoy the book when you get to it. I hope you are having a great Saturday.

>106 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. He is feeling much better yes, and so am I.

>107 vancouverdeb:, I bet you are Deborah.

>101 vancouverdeb: It might be my favorite of hers, Deborah. I just wanted more after I finished it.

>101 vancouverdeb: I will get to this eventually. It is very popular at the library just now.

So glad to know that Dave is doing so well!

>103 vancouverdeb: The surgery went well, Deborah. Now the recovery begins. I hope you are enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

>108 Kristelh: It's a big relief, Kristel.

>109 Copperskye: I guess we could hope that there was a sequel to The Things We Never Say , but thinking back to the story, that seems extremely unlikely . And I am quite sure it was written as a standalone

>110 BLBera: I splurged and purchased The Things We Never Say, Beth. I think it was not immediately available at my library when I decided to read it. I hope your hold comes in soon, Beth.

>111 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary, I am very relieved.

>112 Familyhistorian: I am so glad the surgery for Sam went well, Meg. I hope the recovery goes smoothly and does not take too long. I have been outside in the warmth -yes. Almost warmer than Muffin and I prefer.

Hysteria by LJ Ross 3.5 starsI

I enjoyed Imposter ,the first in this series quite a bit more than Hysteria. This is a mystery that takes place in Paris. It's Paris Fashion Week, and some models are turning up dead. One woman survives an attack, but she is so traumatized that she cannot speak. Psychologist Dr Alex Gregory is called in to help.

I think the Paris Fashion World was not really my thing, and at times Dr. Gregory seemed a little over the top. Even so, I'll probably look for the third in the series when it is released.

>1 vancouverdeb: Beautiful photo. Tempting to try to paint it.....

>101 vancouverdeb: I've not been a consistent Elizabeth Strout reader. Is her latest part of the collection set in one place with overlapping characters? Or is it separate?

>115 vancouverdeb: I'm waiting for my hold on Hysteria to come in. I'll see if I like Paris fashion week more than you did, Deborah.

It seemed even hotter today although the sun wasn't in evidence that much. I found out later that the humidity was so high it was almost at 90% at some points during the day. No wonder the aircon was blasting on the BC Transit buses!

>116 EBT1002: The Things We Never Say is a stand alone, Ellen. Should be no problem to read it.

>117 Familyhistorian: You might like Hysteria more than me. I still plan to look for the next in the series, Meg. I thought it felt cooler today, though not cool, Meg. But Muffin and I went for walk that was mostly in the shade. I'm glad the aircon was blasting on the buses today.

>118 vancouverdeb: It shouldn't be too long until I get Hysteria as it seems to be next on my hold list at one of my libraries. A shady walk probably helped today, Deborah. West Broadway was not shady.

>119 Familyhistorian: I can imagine West Broadway was not shady at all, Meg. I hope you enjoy Hysteria. Today was warm enough for a walk, but there was a good breeze, at least one way on the dyke today.

>113 vancouverdeb: The good news for Strout fans (at least according to the interview I listened to) is that she's already writing another book, although she didn't say any more about the subject matter. I hope it comes quickly!

>46 vancouverdeb: Oh you got me with that one. sounds like a well written book.

>115 vancouverdeb: I think I will give that one a miss. The first book in the series is in the BlackHole and I hope to get to it eventually. . .

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Another good day for walking today, Deborah, but not for taking transit. It was very crowded but when going home I wasn't watching the game but there were a lot of people staring at their phones and there were cheers frequently so I knew Canada was doing well.

>121 charl08: Good news, indeed, Charlotte. I wonder what her next book will be about ?

>122 figsfromthistle: The Mercy Step is indeed well written and interesting topic matter, Anita.

>123 alcottacre: Likely quite safe to give Hysteria a miss, Stasia. The first in the series I enjoyed quite a bit more.

>124 Familyhistorian: It was good day for walk, Meg. I was on morning duty with Muffin so that was easy. Just a half hour walk this am - but it stretches out to closer to an hour while Muffin lollygags around. I bet transit was busy today, with Canada and Qatar playing. I didn't watch the game either, but I know that Canada won. Dave said no way would Canada win , so I bet him $50.00 that we would win but we didn't shake on it, so Dave declared it invalid.

A Corruption of Blood by Ambrose Parry 3.5 stars

This is the third in the series . I enjoyed the two prior books more than this one. This historical mystery took quite a while to get going. Once it did, it was much more interesting. The story takes place in 1850's Edinburgh.

Will Raven is a physician. He is shocked when the remains of a human are found wrapped in paper. Sarah Fisher, nurse , has decided against all odds, to become a doctor But she is sidetracked helping Will Raven discover where the human remains have come from. The fourth in this series has been published, and I look forward to reading it.

My Latest puzzle , Eeboo, Garden Harvest , 1000 pieces. This was more challenging than I expected.

That puzzle is so pretty. I've done a couple of Eeboo puzzles, and they always have such great colors.

That puzzle isi amazing Deborah. How do you do it?

Love the puzzle, Deborah. Yes, I am enjoying the Fourth Princess.

>129 BLBera: I agree, Beth , the colours of Eeboo puzzles are usually quite vibrant.

>130 mdoris: You should you try doing a jigsaw puzzle, Mary. I am sure you would have no trouble. I usually sort most of the pieces, keeping like colours together and then edge pieces. With the puzzle at time when I would start an area, I think " impossible" but then just patience and trying some wrong pieces as well as correct pieces , it eventually came together. I do enjoy listening to audio books while I do puzzles, but if a section is particularly difficult, I'll do without the audio book on.

>131 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I know you do puzzles to. I'm glad you are enjoying The Fourth Princess too. I am loving my current read, Murder at The Spirit Lounge . A fun cozy mystery.

>128 vancouverdeb: Such a pretty puzzle, Deborah! It would be nice to get into puzzling again.

>126 vancouverdeb: I wonder if not shaking on it would have been an issue if the outcome had gone the other way!

>133 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg, I hope you can find a little time to start puzzling again. But I know you are busy. As for our bet, Dave and I sometimes make bets for a a million dollars and the like, and neither of us ever makes good on our bets.

Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd 4 stars

I loved this latest entry into the Nora Breen series.

Nora Breen is a former nun, who left the convent and lives in a boarding house in the small town of Goring-On- Sea. Mrs Dolores Chimes is a new comer to the same small town. She holds seances , one of which Detective Inspector Rideout and five others are invited to attend. But at the seance things go very wrong. Dolores dies, and as a former nurse, Nora is called to the scene to assist.

From there , others who attended the seance turn up dead. Nora and Detective Rideout find themselves in pursuit of a possible serial killer.

An excellent cozy murder mystery, I can't wait for the next in the series.

Highly recommended.

>128 vancouverdeb: That does look challenging, Deborah, with lots of similar colors. Pretty though!

>135 vancouverdeb: You’ve reminded me that I still need to check out Murder at Gulls Nest. Glad to see the second book is good, too!

Happy Monday, Deborah. I just wanted to let you know I am really enjoying The Things We Never Say. I might finish it today. I like that puzzle up there too. How is Dave doing these days?

>136 Copperskye: I love both Murder at Gulls Nest and Murder at the Spirit Lounge, Joanne. I think you will too. Thanks re the puzzle. Of course I am to the next puzzle. The one on your thread looks great.

>137 msf59: Glad you are enjoying The Things We Never Say, Mark. I think it is the best of the several books of hers that I have read. Dave is doing very well. Says he feels 29 again. No more pale faces, ashen , chest pain, palpitations etc. He is back to stunt kite flying and walking the dog.

Good day Deborah. It is pretty amazing how having that procedure can make one feel so much better. I bet you're both feeling much better and relieved.

Such great news about Dave Deborah!

I'm really happy to see that Dave is doing so well. Stunt kite flying? I don't even know what that is but it sounds pretty cool.

I'm glad to read the great news about your husband!

>128 vancouverdeb: A beautiful puzzle!

I grabbed a couple books for my TBR list. I created a new tag--TBR SRTL*--just for the books that come highly recommended.

*Sooner Rather Than Later

Best to all! Give Muffin a pat for me.

>135 vancouverdeb: Thanks for reminding me of the Nora Breen series, Deborah. I'm now the first in the hold line for one of my libraries that has it on order.

Glad to read Dave is doing so well now, Deborah. Stunt kite flying, go Dave!

>139 Kristelh: Hi Kristel. I hope you have had a good day. It's is amazing what the pacemaker can do. Dave and I are both much relieved.

>140 mdoris: It is great news, Mary. Thanks!

>141 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura. That picture on the top depicts stunt kite flying. It's flying two or three kites with two or three lines each, I think. It's not my sport, but Dave really enjoys it and has quite a few buddies who also fly with him. Sometimes a few of them fly in a pattern or in unison.

>142 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl. I hope things are going well with your health as well.

>143 witchyrichy: Thanks Karen. I enjoy my puzzles a lot. I hope you enjoy the book bullets!

>144 Familyhistorian: I loved both of the books in the Nora Breen series, Meg. and I hope you do too. I can't wait for the next one. I read almost everything Jess Kidd has written.

>145 EllaTim: Thanks Ella. Dave really loves his stunt kite flying . He was out for about 7 hours today. And it's hot, by my standards and his too. 82 F , I forget what that is in C.

>147 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. As I expected, based on my abnormal prostate MRI, persistently elevated and increasing serum PSA (prostate specific antigen) level and my family history of prostate cancer in a first degree relative (my father), my urologist recommended getting a prostate biopsy, which will take place next Tuesday.

"Dave is doing very well. Says he feels 29 again." That is great news! I am sure that makes you both very happy.

Good to see that things are getting back to normal for you, Deborah!

Deb, I want to join the chorus of celebration that Dave is doing so well.

>149 kidzdoc: I hope the procedure goes well and there is no problem, Darryl. I'll keep you in my prayers on Tuesday.

>150 msf59: It is a big relief that Dave is feeling "29 " again, Mark. He sees the vascular surgeon that put the pacemaker in on July 15th. He has already seen the cardiologist , a couple of weeks after the surgery.

>151 Familyhistorian: It's a huge relief, Meg. I hope Sam is soon home from the hospital.

>152 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. He is doing really well.

>153 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Fortunately I'll be asleep (conscious sedation, I assume) for the procedure, as it's moderately uncomfortable and painful. Based on what I've read there is a high likelihood (roughly 70%) that the pathology report will show no cancer at all, or a slow growing cancer that is either clinically insignificant or one that can be managed by what is known as active surveillance, with PSA tests twice a year, and annual MRI scans and prostate biopsies as long as there are no acute changes. So, at this point the odds for a good report are in my favor.

>154 vancouverdeb: Supposedly he'll be let out after the weekend, Deborah. He's looking forward to not spending time in a hospital!

I hope that Dave is continuing to feel like his younger self.

>1476 Thanks for the description of stunt flying. Like others, I had never heard of it. Go, Dave!

>155 kidzdoc: Overall , should be a positive result , Darryl. I'm glad you will conscious sedation for pain.

>156 Familyhistorian: That is such fabulous news,Meg! I'm so happy for both of you. Yes, Dave is continuing to feel "29" or so he tells me.

>157 witchyrichy: I'd have no idea what stunt kite flying was either, Karen , except I am married to the guy, so I have found out over the years. There are actually team and overseas competitions . Not that Dave has gone overseas, but he has flown in competitions in the past.

>158 vancouverdeb: The odds are in my favor, Deborah, but I'm understandably anxious over what the biopsy will show, and what treatment plan, if any, I'll need.

>159 kidzdoc: Quite understandable that you would feel anxious,Darryl. I would be the same, but here's hoping things are good .

>160 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah.

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash 4 stars

I read this as it is rumoured to be possible book on this year's Booker Longlist.

When I began the novel, I was not sure if this was for me, but it soon grabbed me. It reminded me somewhat of The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, which I loved. The Flynn family consists of parents Bud and Catherine, and their three daughters, Abigail, Louise and Harper. Catherine has informed Bud that she wants an open marriage, and Bud is not happy. Harper is very bright, but also very badly behaved and thus is sent to wilderness camp for a time. Louise feels lost in the middle, and is engaged in online correspondence with a terrorist. The eldest, Abigail, is dating a young man nicknamed War Crime Wes.

Paul Alabaster is rich shipping magnate, and Bud's employer. Harper notices discrepancies in Bud's shipping records, and fears a criminal conspiracy . Eventually Bud notices this problem as well. Madeline Cash manages to write a quirky story of a failing marriage, troubled children and conspiracy theories ,that is interesting , tender, and a story for our times.

Recommended.

>128 vancouverdeb: I like that one!

>135 vancouverdeb: I need to get to that series at some point. Thanks for the reminder!

>162 vancouverdeb: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Deborah!

I hope you and the doing better Dave have a wonderful weekend!

Hello Deborah, you put me on the Bob the Bookerer and fun to watch and listen to his predictions for the Booker prize longlist. i have not been following book vloggers so it is a new thing for me. Who else do you like to follow? He is very enthusiastic about books!

>163 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia. I really loved the Nora Breen series and I hope you do too. I hope you enjoy Lost Lambs. It is quirky but I thought very good.

>164 mdoris: I'm glad you enjoyed Bob the Booker, Mary. The others that I like are TheLonesome Reader, aka Eric Karl Anderson and Simon Savidge Reads aka Simon Savidge. I mainly check them out at prize times.

Thanks for explaining stunt kite flying, Deborah!

>162 vancouverdeb: This sounds interesting, Deborah. I love the cover.

>165 vancouverdeb: Thank you Deborah!

>166 lauralkeet: You are welcome, Laura . I did my best to explain.

>167 BLBera: It was quirky but interesting. Worth the read I think, especially if it ends up on the Booker Longlist, which is iffy, but is predicted by at least one prominent book blogger.

>168 mdoris: You are very welcome, Mary. There is one more I can think of that I like , Ben Reads Good , also on you tube.

Dave and I are heading out for dinner soon. My niece is moving to London UK and my sister is having a send off party for her. She is a computer engineer,and got a job with Apple in London, which she is keen about.

Congratulations to your niece, Deborah.

>170 vancouverdeb: Have a nice dinner, Deborah. You do have a number of younger family members going for international careers. London is a real opportunity of course, good luck to her!

Congratulations to your niece. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

>171 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I think she is very pleased.

>172 EllaTim: We did have a nice dinner, Ella, thanks. I do have several nieces nephews who have chosen to work abroad. I have a nephew in Indonesia starting a job as a pilot, a nephew working in Amsterdam, and a niece who did her veterinary university in Berlin , though she is now home. And now Katie is off to London to work. Thanks for the good wishes for Katie.

>173 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I think she is very pleased .

>174 vancouverdeb: Interesting that so many of your nieces and nephews have gone to work in different countries, Deborah. I hope they are all doing well.

>175 Familyhistorian: I would say that yes, they are. I think Alex in Amsterdam would like to move back to the UK, but for now his job is in Amsterdam and also he has found a girlfriend. My niece has returned from schooling in Berlin and she is working as a vet tech until she can write the exams to begin working as a vet here in Canada. It seems like there are quite a few exams and they are widely spread apart, so it may be as long as a couple of years. Her mom is from Germany / Tunisia, so she has an uncle in Berlin that she lived with while she went to University and also speaks very good German .

I was lucky today and found a copy of Whistler by Ann Patchett in the " Lucky Day Reads". The hold wait was very long. I am also very much liking my current read Wild People Quiet. It was a nice day for a couple of walks , not too warm and I walked Muffin and then got some speedier walking in by myself.

Hooray for Whistler and that Lucky Day Shelf! I am really enjoying it, at the moment.

>177 vancouverdeb: I hope you enjoy Whistler, Deborah. I have seen several good reviews of it in the group and hope to get to it myself soon!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

>178 msf59: I have just started Whistler, but it seems good so far, Mark. The Lucky Day shelf comes in handy quite often.

>179 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia ! I hope I will enjoy Whistler. Like you I have seen several good reviews . I did have a nice Wednesday, thanks.

>177 vancouverdeb: I had to look up Lucky Day Reads as I'd never heard of that term before. It looks like my closest library has them in audio and ebooks.

I love the idea of Lucky Day reads.

Happy Canada Day Deborah! 🇨🇦

happy Canada Day, Deborah

Happy Canada Day, Deborah! My Canadian neighbors are flying their national flag today which reminded me.

Congrats on getting a speedy copy of Whistler. I was lucky to get a “Skip the Line” copy, as well. Hope you like it as much as I did!

Happy Canada Day, Deb.

To assist with your celebrations you may be pleased to note that this is the 1,000th post on your threads this year.

Happy Canada Day, Deborah!

>181 Familyhistorian: They have had " Lucky Day Reads " here in Richmond for so many years, I can't remember when it started, Meg. Mark says they have him at his library too. I guess it depends on your library system.

>182 charl08: It is a good idea, Charlotte, the Lucky Day Reads.I often check there and find something I want .

>183 mdoris: Happy Canada Day, Mary!

>184 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I didn't do anything exciting. There is a celebration in the city, but it's really crowded and I had to walk Muffin in the afternoon. Muffin doesn't like to walk to far in the warmer weather , so we steered clear of that. I used to go with Poppy, who was a keen walker.

>185 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne! I don't even own a red shirt to celebrate, but I did see a street party and plenty of flags on cars and different formats. So far, I am enjoying Whistler. So you have " Skip the Line" instead of " Lucky Day Reads". Interesting.

>186 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. Another reason to celebrate. Thanks for keeping the stats.

>187 Familyhistorian: Happy Canada Day, Meg!

Wild Quiet People by Tara Gereaux, 4 stars

This was an interesting and very good read.

Florence lives in a small town in Saskatchewan, Tourduvelle, 1946. She works as a secretary for an insurance company, and has a good life. When a group of Metis men , who are working at a nearby farm, come into town, everything changes for her. One of the men recognizes her and greets her. Florence denies knowing him, but there is a family connection. This was a great exploration how the Metis people were treated in the past.

Highly recommended.

>191 vancouverdeb: - I just recently bought this one, Deb. It does sound like a good one so nice to see your positive review.

>191 vancouverdeb: This sounds good, Deborah. I will look for it.

The Lucky Day Shelf came to the rescue again, Deborah. I snagged an unexpected copy of Land today and of course I had to start it immediately. 😊

>188 vancouverdeb: I looked up the Coquitlam library and apparently the physical books are "Express Books" (I've seen those) and the digital offerings are "Lucky Day" collections. So Lucky Day did get in there, just not in the actual physical library.

Belated Happy Canada Day!

>192 jessibud2: it was very good, Shelley! I feel quite sure you will like Wild People Quiet.

>193 BLBera: I hope you can find it, Beth. It's a Canadian author , and I know sometimes those can be hard to find outside of Canada . I think you would like it , yes.

>194 msf59: Bravo to Lucky Day books, Mark! I hope you enjoy Land.

>195 Familyhistorian: So your library has " Express Books' - the same as Lucky Day books ? No renewals, no holds , just find them on the shelf and you have them for 21 days - that is Richmond anyway. I got into the Book WareHouse yesterday , went into South Granville and purchased a couple of books, The Art of A Lie and The Square of Sevens. I'm looking forward to reading them.

>196 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary!

>198 vancouverdeb: one library I worked at called them “book express” titles. Same concept.

Sometimes wholesale book vendors will “rent” extra copies of new releases to libraries, and then the library sends them back to the vendor when demand dies down. I believe the vendor sells them as used after that. Not that those copies are necessarily used as lucky day books, but sometimes they are.

>199 foggidawn: Interesting, Foggi, especially the fact that wholesale vendors " rent " extra copies of new releases to libraries. I had no idea about that. It makes sense. I might ask a librarian at my library if they do that. Thanks, Foggi.

Whistler by Ann Patchett 2.5

There is a lot of love for this book on LT, but unfortunately this was not the case for me. I wondered, often, when will this novel end ? Initially I liked the book. Daphne Fuller and her husband ran into her long lost step -father while visiting the Metropolitan Museum. Their surprise reunion and the circumstances interested me. But as the story went on, as Daphne and her stepfather recounted the night of their car crash, it seem over long and not interesting.

There was little plot, and the characters were one dimensional. It seemed over sentimental to me. It made me think of my own late dad with longing, an unsentimental , no nonsense man.

Halifax Harbour , Ravensburger, 1000 pieces.

>198 vancouverdeb: Well, not quite the same as Lucky Day Books. There are similarities, no holds or renewals but the loan period is 7 days with the express books at Coquitlam Library. I haven't borrowed any of them because I don't think I could get through a book in seven days unless I just read that one book!

>202 vancouverdeb: Love the puzzle, I saw that view many times but, although impressive, it wasn't quite that pretty.

Sorry Whistler didn't work for you, Deborah.

I love the puzzle.

Wow, Deborah. You have me rethinking Whistler. I have liked most of Patchett's books but I think there are many better. Love the puzzle. I did a bit of puzzling yesterday. My fourth was spent quietly at home by myself. It was a nice day all in all.

Love the puzzle. Soory Whistler didn't work for you. I hope you don't give up on Patchett.

Hello Deborah. Jeepers I loved Whistler! We are all so different in our reading tastes. Very nice puzzle of the Halifax harbour.

We need you around to put some love into the puzzles in our library. We have decided to wait until the week before school begins to put another one out--probably toward the end of the week. We may try to get the border done or mostly done before students arrive.

>203 Familyhistorian: I am a one book at time almost always, Meg, so the week would work for me, but I prefer the 21 days I get my Lucky Day books, just in case it takes a me a while to decide what to read. Well, I'm glad the puzzle looks better than the real Halifax Harbour. I was there in my teens with my family, but I don't actually remember what it looked like.

>204 BLBera: I wasn't keen on The Dutch House either, Beth, but I did love her book Patron Saint of Liars. I guess she is a bit of a hit and miss author for me.

>205 Kristelh: If you have liked most Ann Patchett's book, I would give Whistler a try Kristel. A lot of people have really loved it. I just wasn't one of them. I would have DNF'd if if wasn't for the fact that it might be among the Booker Longlist. At least I know what it's about.

>206 msf59: Well, you know, many books, YMMV, as they say. I can't say I have a lot of luck with Ann Patchett, but I won't give up.

>201 vancouverdeb: That is a bit worrying as I bought the book on Sunday! She isn't an absolute favourite author of mine but I did like Tom Lake.

>207 mdoris: We are all varied in our reading tastes, Mary, you are quite correct. I recall you mentioned not liking the politics in The Things We Never Say and my sister said the same thing to me. But I barely noticed that , and I thought it was one of Strout's best books.

>208 thornton37814: I'd love to be at your library with some puzzle love, Lori! Do you find the students do a fair bit of the puzzles ?

>211 PaulCranswick: Well, we do have some book taste in common, Paul. But a lot of people have loved Whistler, so let 's hope you like it. I am glad it was a library book!

>212 vancouverdeb: They go in spurts. The middle of the semester seems to be when they get less love.

>209 vancouverdeb: I might go for the Express Books if the loan period was the regular 21 days but 7 - I could do it but it would feel too much like homework. (I went to school for a long, long time).

For a while when I was in my 20s or 30s, I took the ferry from Dartmouth to Halifax and that puzzle view is similar to the one I would have seen every day.

>202 vancouverdeb: wow, Deb, that's quite the puzzle!

Agree with Meg, I always look at the Express reads but never grab them as the 7 days just puts too much pressure on as I am a slow, slow reader! Yes I would vote for 21 days too.

Hi, Deborah - I haven't been around at your thread for a long time - a lot has happened - I'm thinking about Dave - good news that he is recovering well. Thanks for sharing the puzzles - Halifax Harbour seems like a beautiful.

You have really taking the deep dive into prize lists this year. Even reading novels that are rumored to be on the longlist - ha, ha - not familiar with most of the authors but I did recognize one - M. L. Stedman - A Far-Flung Life - I did like The Light Between Ocean's. Might look into that one.

>214 thornton37814: I wonder why the puzzles get less love around the middle of the semester , Lori? Maybe mid term exams?

>215 Familyhistorian: I do prefer the 21 day Lucky Day period, Meg, but I would still use Express Books if that was all my library had. But I only read one book at a time. When I am reading a bad book ( or one I don't like ) I pretend it's homework. Only way to go.

>216 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel!

>217 mdoris: Well, Mary, I also prefer that 21 day period for Lucky Day Reads. I bet you could read most books in 7 days. I not a fast reader and I can usually manage a book a week.

>218 ctpress: Thanks Carsten, Dave is feeling like " 29 again" with his pacemaker. Well, I am interested in the Booker Prize, so I have been watching some booktube people who try to predict the Booker Prize Longlist. I do like the Women's Prize, and I am the moderator for that prize thread here on LT, so I try to read as many from the longlist and shortlist as I can. Yes!I am even reading books that are " rumoured " to be on the Longlist ! Less to read when the actual prize list comes out, I hope. Do check out A Far-Flung Life.

I know myself and probably would ignore a book that I had to read in 7 days. Too much pressure!

You started John of John? I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Another dark book. He has become a favorite author.

>222 Familyhistorian: I can understand, Meg ,especially as you read several books at once.

>223 msf59: I have started John of John, yes, Mark. I am on page 150 and hope to make more progress today. It's interesting,but dark, yes.

Agree with Mark that D. Stuart now on the "favourites" list!

Yes, a book a week is doable except in the summer when visitors appear!

>225 mdoris: So far I am finding John of John an interesting read, but it's dark, yes. Yes, I can understand that when you have visitors things are very busy. I could barely read a book a week when Dave was in the hospital as I was walking Muffin so much, etc.

The Art of A Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson 4 stars

This was an excellent historical mystery.

In London, 1749, Hannah Cole has recently become a widow due to the violent murder of her husband. She is a young woman, with no children , but she employs a couple of teen aged foundlings. She is struggling to make meet at her confectionery shop, when she learns that her late husband had a large sum of money in the bank. But her inheritance attracts the attention of magistrate Henry Fielding , who wonders if the money was gotten by illegal means . He attempts to confiscate it.

An old friend of her husband's, William Devereux, turns up and tells her he can help her. But just who was her late husband, Jonas, and who is friend William? Read this to find out.

Great fun and highly recommended.

>227 vancouverdeb:, That does sound good, Deborah. I'll keep my eye out for it. Too bad about the swearing. Did it fit the "historical" time of the novel?

>219 vancouverdeb: Mid-terms, working on papers and projects, and student activities probably all play a part in it. They get love around finals though because they use the puzzles for a study break.

>227 vancouverdeb: I have that in my TBR pile/list but with quite a different cover so I didn't recognise it at first!

>228 Kristelh: It was a good read, Kristel. I found it in an independent bookstore here, and I " had' to buy it. I hope you can find it too. As far as I can tell, yes, it did fit the historical time period .

>229 thornton37814: That makes sense, Loris Interesting that the students use it as a study break during finals, but not so much midterms etc.

>230 CDVicarage: I expect the North American cover is different from the UK cover, Kerry. I hope you enjoy it!

Hi! And happy Friday!

>227 vancouverdeb: Well, you got me good with this one, and I was able to borrow the audiobook from the library to add to my long list of books waiting in the wings to be read. Hope you're happy. (Just kidding. I'm looking forward to it! Sounds really good.)

>227 vancouverdeb: The Art of a Lie looks like a good one, Deborah. Thanks for letting us know about that one.

Hello Deborah, I have The Art of a Lie coming my way from the library. Thank you!

>232 Storeetllr: Super, Mary , I think you will enjoy The Art of the Lie. I delighted to have hit so many with a book bullet, yes!

>233 Familyhistorian: I had read about it somewhere, as one this summers great releases, so when I saw in at Book Warehouse, I grabbed and hoped I'd struck gold and it seems I did!

>234 mdoris: Great , Mary. I looked today and seems my library has The Art of A Lie now too. Oh well! I hope you enjoy it.

John of John by Douglas Stuart 4 stars

This is a sad but very worthwhile read. I found myself with many questions after finishing the book, so I think it would make a great bookclub read.

John-Calum McLeod is the son of John McLeod, and goes by Cal. Cal has been away in Edinburgh , going to art school at university. He owes a lot of money in school debt and has few job prospects. So he returns to home to his father, a remote , stern , bible- abiding man, with whom he is not close. He is there in part to look after his ailing grandmother, Ella.

Cal is a gay man, but tries to keep it quiet on the small Scottish island , Harris. Time seems to have stood still on the island, and most work on sheep crofts, a hand to mouth existence. The islanders are ruled by the strict Presbyterian church . John is disappointed in his son, with his long, bleached hair. Cal wonders if it would be possible to meet up with gay man on the island, and tries to reconnect with his old friend , Doll.

There is much to this story, best discovered as you read it. It starts slowly, but it grabs you in gradually. The story explores homosexuality, family relationships,religion, abuse, misogyny and the damage secrets do to families.

Highly recommended!

>236 vancouverdeb: That one is on my list, Deborah. I've read Stuart's previous books and have found them very well written, although generally sobering and sad. This sounds similar, but then I generally like that sort of thing.

>236 vancouverdeb: You've made me think if I will pick this up, I tried his last book and wasn't keen. Thanks for such a thoughtful review.

Happy Sunday, Deborah. Good review of John of John. Was this your first Stuart?

>236 vancouverdeb: Hello Deborah, very glad you liked/appreciated John of John. I think he is an amazing story teller/writer! I have read his other books and they are very worthwhile too.

>237 lauralkeet: I'm quite sure you will enjoy John of John, Laura.

>238 charl08: Initially I was not not sure about John of John , Charlotte, but it really grabbed me in. I think you'll like it. I might try Shuggie Bain after the Booker List is revealed .

>239 msf59: Good afternoon, Mark. Yes, this was my first book by Douglas Stuart but well worth reading.

>241 vancouverdeb: I'm glad that John of John worked well for me too, Mary. I might have to check out his back catalogue.

I have had several holds come in all of sudden. I hope I will have time to read them. The Snake and The Spy, Transcription, This is Where the Serpent Lives and Mistress of the Persian Boarding House.

>243 vancouverdeb: I know that overwhelming feeling of all the holds coming in at the same time, Deborah. Best of luck getting them all read and back before they are due!

Hard when the holds come in in a herd! Happy reading!

>244 Familyhistorian: Yes, you are quite right, Meg.

>245 mdoris: It is Mary. I hope I can all of them read.

>243 vancouverdeb: I'm just coming to the end of a similar barrage of holds. I've enjoyed the books but not the pressure. I hope you enjoy yours, too.

>243 vancouverdeb:. Looks like some great reads!

>247 lauralkeet: I enjoyed The Snake and The Spy but I am currently reading Transcription and it's bad so far. I am about 40% of the way through and it's a slog.

>248 Kristelh: I hope so, Kristel.

Muffin perhaps has kennel cough, the vet is not sure, and neither am I. She got sent home for doggy daycare because she had a cough, but she has not coughed much at all today. So we are trying to get her to take an antibiotic and also a cough suppressant if we can get her to take it.

>250 vancouverdeb: Good luck giving Muffin the meds, Deborah. I hope that takes care of the cough.

>236 vancouverdeb: Nice review, Deb. Want to add it to be shelves but I am struggling to get a copy here so far. It seems to be on eveyone's expected Booker longlist so I should be able to get a copy here soonish.

That's too bad about Transcription, Deborah. And poor Muffin! I hope she takes her meds like a good girl.

Get better Muffin. Loki sends the best wishes!

>249 vancouverdeb:, oh, I am sorry to hear that Transcription is not living up to the reviews.

>252 PaulCranswick: John of John is definitely worth the read, Paul. I hope you can find it soon.

>251 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. It's a bit of chore to get the medication into Muffin , but between Dave and I we are managing. I still don't know whether she has kennel or not for certain, but we are giving her the medication and she seems to be doing well. We are keeping her away from dog parks just in case she is contagious and will contact her doggie day care tomorrow to see if we should keep her home on Friday as well. She has not coughed today at all. I'm not sure what to think.

>253 lauralkeet: I just finished Transcription , Laura and overall I would say it was dreadful I'll go over it again, but it left little impression on me- other than I am glad it was very short, just over 100 pages. Doing our best with the medications.

>254 mdoris: I am still uncertain if Muffin has kennel cough or anything, but we are giving the meds, and keeping away from dog parks . No coughing today and lots of energy on the morning walk, Mary. Dave is out with her now .

>255 Kristelh: It was bad, but short, Kristel. Perhaps better minds than mine can appreciate it.

I am sorry to hear than muffin is not feeling well but it sounds like she isn’t very sick.

>257 vancouverdeb: I thought I had read "Transcription" but a trawl through my old threads showed me that I hadn't and it is one that is in the stacks. Too bad you didn't care for it, Deborah. Not sure if I will pull it out to read any time soon.

Oops, different book with the same name. I was talking about the Atkinson book but then I was wondering when you said it was just over 100 pages. I'll steer clear of the Transcription you were talking about.

>258 Kristelh: Muffin is not very sick at , if at all. We are giving the medication anyway, and her doggie daycare wants her to stay away from doggie day care until next Tuesday, just in case

>259 Familyhistorian: I noticed last night that you had a the wrong Transcription , Meg. I can assure that Transcription by Kate Atkinson is very good ! I really enjoyed that one.

I'll try to get a couple of reviews up tonight. I am behind but soon will be out in the rain walking the dog.

Funny, I just thought Transcription was just okay, which really surprised me since I felt her novel before that A God in Ruins was one of the best she has written. Glad it worked better for you.

>262 msf59: I recall enjoying Transcription by Kate Atkinson and I gave it four stars, Mark. But the latest Transcription was not my cuppa tea at all.

The Spy and The Snake by M J Robotham 3.5 stars

I loved the previous book in this new series, Mrs Spy. This was enjoyable read, but not great.
Maggie Flynn ,a middle aged widow, continues to work for MI5. It's 1968 London. Maggie is tasked with going to Budapest , and posing as a the wife of British defector, in order to smuggle him home. But no spy mission is ever straightforward.

A light hearted, easy read.

>264 vancouverdeb: I remember reading the first in that series and looked up my review to nudge my memory. It seems like I liked it so I'll seek out the new one with dampened expectations after reading your take on it, Deborah.

Transcription: A Novel by Ben Lerner 2 stars

I read this because many booktuber's believe that this book may be on this years Booker Prize for Fiction Longlist. Maybe it will be , but it left me puzzled and disappointed. I'm not certain what to say about it, other than it was a waste of my time and I did not come away entertained or enlightened.

It's divided into three parts.

The first portion is about an unnamed narrator who has travelled to meet his his now 90 year old mentor, Thomas. He plans to interview Thomas, but he drops his phone in the water and is unable to record the interview. He is too embarrassed to tell Thomas, and somehow this becomes a big problem.

In the second portion, Thomas has died, and there is difficulty about the fact that our narrator recounted the interview from memory.

In the last section, Max, Thomas' son , relates his unhappiness at having having Thomas as a father, and the difficulty of having an eight year old daughter who is struggling with an eating disorder, AFRID. A bit about the covid pandemic is mentioned.

What this all means , and how it all fits together I will leave to a better mind than mine.

Not recommended, but it as least short.

>266 vancouverdeb: I can see Deborah why this book did not claim your enthusiasm!

>267 mdoris: I was very glad for the book to end, Mary, but if you check reviews on LT , many have done much better with Transcription than I did. I glad to be onto Land now , it is much more interesting. It 's due at the library on Monday, so I will have to crack on with it! I'm about 150 pages in, so I think I can do it.

Best of luck finishing Land before it's due, Deborah. I see what you mean about Transcription from your review. Apparently we are supposed to get sun this afternoon but it still looks cloudy and damp out there.