Mary's (bell7) Reading is Easy in 2026, Page 5
This is a continuation of the topic Mary's (bell7) Reading is Easy in 2026, Page 4.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2026
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1bell7
Hello and welcome to my fifth thread of 2026! If you have not already met me, my name is Mary and I'm a librarian in western Massachusetts. As of last year, I'm a foster mom and learning all about that experience with one kiddo who will make occasional but vague appearances here to preserve our anonymity.
I read widely and eclectically, and especially enjoy fantasy, historical fiction and contemporary fiction. I facilitate a book club for work and participate in a librarian book club (we call it a readers' advisory genre study, but that's fancy language for reading a book or two and talking not just about the book but also the genre it's a part of and who we would recommend it too).
I usually make some reading goals each year. In 2026, I've decided to go much easier on these than I have in the past. I want to focus on reading novellas, since there are a bunch I want to read that have come out recently, and seem to be especially good in the SFF genres that I enjoy. I'm also going to try to get my e-book ARCs from NetGalley and Edelweiss down to under 20 un-reviewed. And because with a kiddo I have even more limited time, I've made it a goal not to keep reading books that aren't working for me. I expected I'd have more DNFs as a result, but so far almost halfway into the year, that has not been the case. I have been reading very comfortably in my wheelhouse and not stretching much, but that's okay.
Glad to have you here and talking about books & life!
I read widely and eclectically, and especially enjoy fantasy, historical fiction and contemporary fiction. I facilitate a book club for work and participate in a librarian book club (we call it a readers' advisory genre study, but that's fancy language for reading a book or two and talking not just about the book but also the genre it's a part of and who we would recommend it too).
I usually make some reading goals each year. In 2026, I've decided to go much easier on these than I have in the past. I want to focus on reading novellas, since there are a bunch I want to read that have come out recently, and seem to be especially good in the SFF genres that I enjoy. I'm also going to try to get my e-book ARCs from NetGalley and Edelweiss down to under 20 un-reviewed. And because with a kiddo I have even more limited time, I've made it a goal not to keep reading books that aren't working for me. I expected I'd have more DNFs as a result, but so far almost halfway into the year, that has not been the case. I have been reading very comfortably in my wheelhouse and not stretching much, but that's okay.
Glad to have you here and talking about books & life!
2bell7
2026 Book Club Reads
One of my work responsibilities is facilitating one of the library's book discussions. Here's what we're reading in 2026 (we take a break for the summer):
January - Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong - COMPLETED
February - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - COMPLETED
March - Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson - COMPLETED
April - The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson - COMPLETED
May - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson - COMPLETED
September - Wild Fire by Nelson Demille
October - Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky
November - Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
December - The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Our reads in February, May, October, and December are all rereads for me. I had actually read Caste with this group a few years back, but our group has changed so much that we decided to read it again.
Readers' Advisory Round Table
A bunch of librarians who meet monthly, but every other month is just an around the table of what we're currently reading/listening/watching
January - God of the Woods by Liz Moore and (attempted, DNF) The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
March - Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
May - Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann (finished late, didn't read a second book)
July - An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole
September -
November -
One of my work responsibilities is facilitating one of the library's book discussions. Here's what we're reading in 2026 (we take a break for the summer):
September - Wild Fire by Nelson Demille
October - Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky
November - Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
December - The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Our reads in February, May, October, and December are all rereads for me. I had actually read Caste with this group a few years back, but our group has changed so much that we decided to read it again.
Readers' Advisory Round Table
A bunch of librarians who meet monthly, but every other month is just an around the table of what we're currently reading/listening/watching
January - God of the Woods by Liz Moore and (attempted, DNF) The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
March - Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
May - Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann (finished late, didn't read a second book)
July - An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole
September -
November -
3bell7
Favorites of 2026:
5 stars
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (reread)
First-time Fostering by Laura the Foster Parent Partner
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard
An Immense World by Ed Yong
4.5 stars
Network Effect by Martha Wells (reread)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 1 by Beth Brower
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 2 by Beth Brower
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 3 by Beth Brower
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 4 by Beth Brower
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (reread)
Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard (reread)
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 5 by Beth Brower
Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard (reread)
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 6 by Beth Brower
Translation State by Ann Leckie
Great big beautiful life by Emily Henry
Balancing stone by Victoria Goddard (reread)
The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard (reread)
System Collapse by Martha Wells (reread)
The unselected journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 7 by Beth Brower
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Platform Decay by Martha Wells
The unselected journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 8 by Beth Brower
Simply neglect by Lainie Hartley
Caste: the origins of our discontent by Isabel Wilkerson (reread)
Mother tongue: a memoir by Sara Novic
The phantom tollbooth by Norton Juster
5 stars
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (reread)
First-time Fostering by Laura the Foster Parent Partner
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard
An Immense World by Ed Yong
4.5 stars
Network Effect by Martha Wells (reread)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 1 by Beth Brower
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 2 by Beth Brower
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 3 by Beth Brower
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 4 by Beth Brower
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (reread)
Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard (reread)
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 5 by Beth Brower
Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard (reread)
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 6 by Beth Brower
Translation State by Ann Leckie
Great big beautiful life by Emily Henry
Balancing stone by Victoria Goddard (reread)
The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard (reread)
System Collapse by Martha Wells (reread)
The unselected journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 7 by Beth Brower
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Platform Decay by Martha Wells
The unselected journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 8 by Beth Brower
Simply neglect by Lainie Hartley
Caste: the origins of our discontent by Isabel Wilkerson (reread)
Mother tongue: a memoir by Sara Novic
The phantom tollbooth by Norton Juster
4bell7
Random things I'm tracking
Articles of interest and book lists:
1. 60+ Small Tasks to Defend the Right to Read
How to make pretty block quotes (directions from Richard):
{blockquote}TYPE OR PASTE QUOTED TEXT HERE{/blockquote} and replace the curly braces with pointy brackets.
Number of books read since keeping count on LT:
July - Dec 2008 - 65
2009 - 156 (plus over 70 graphic novels and manga volumes)
2010 - 135
2011 - 150
2012 - 108
2013 - 107
2014 - 126 (plus 8 graphic novels)
2015 - 120 (plus 6 graphic novels)
2016 - 141 (I stopped counting graphic novels separately)
2017 - 114
2018 - 105
2019 - 116
2020 - 153
2021 - 138
2022 - 131
2023 - 180
2024 - 131
2025 - 133
2026 - ???
Articles of interest and book lists:
1. 60+ Small Tasks to Defend the Right to Read
How to make pretty block quotes (directions from Richard):
{blockquote}TYPE OR PASTE QUOTED TEXT HERE{/blockquote} and replace the curly braces with pointy brackets.
Number of books read since keeping count on LT:
July - Dec 2008 - 65
2009 - 156 (plus over 70 graphic novels and manga volumes)
2010 - 135
2011 - 150
2012 - 108
2013 - 107
2014 - 126 (plus 8 graphic novels)
2015 - 120 (plus 6 graphic novels)
2016 - 141 (I stopped counting graphic novels separately)
2017 - 114
2018 - 105
2019 - 116
2020 - 153
2021 - 138
2022 - 131
2023 - 180
2024 - 131
2025 - 133
2026 - ???
5bell7
Global reads in 2026 (author's country of origin):
Brazil - Jose Mauro de Vasconcelos
Canada - Victoria Goddard, Patty Krawec, Heather Fawcett, Lainie Hartley
Cote d'Ivoire - Margaret Abouet
France - Mariette Navarro
Germany - Leonie Swann
India - Banu Mushtaq
Japan - Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Michiko Aoyama
New Zealand - India Holton
UK - Richard Osman, Jonathan Stroud, Emily Tesh, Naomi Mitchison, Ed Yong
All time (since 2022):
Create Your Own Visited Countries Map
Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, North Korea, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe
Brazil - Jose Mauro de Vasconcelos
Canada - Victoria Goddard, Patty Krawec, Heather Fawcett, Lainie Hartley
Cote d'Ivoire - Margaret Abouet
France - Mariette Navarro
Germany - Leonie Swann
India - Banu Mushtaq
Japan - Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Michiko Aoyama
New Zealand - India Holton
UK - Richard Osman, Jonathan Stroud, Emily Tesh, Naomi Mitchison, Ed Yong
All time (since 2022):
Create Your Own Visited Countries Map
Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, North Korea, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe
6bell7
Rough guide to my rating system:
I'm fairly generous with my star ratings - generally a four is a "like" or "would recommend" for me, while a 4.5 stars is a book I would reread. I break it down roughly like this:
1 star - Forced myself to finish it
2 stars - Dislike
2.5 stars - I really don't know if I liked it or not
3 stars - Sort of liked it; or didn't, but admired something about it despite not liking it
3.5 stars - The splitting hairs rating of less than my last 4 star book or better than my last 3
4 stars - I liked it and recommend it, but probably won't reread it except under special circumstances (ie., a book club or series reread)
4.5 stars - Excellent, ultimately a satisfying read, a title I would consider rereading
5 stars - A book that I absolutely loved, would absolutely reread, and just all-around floored me
I see it more in terms of my like or dislike of a book, rather than how good a book is. My hope is that as a reader I convey what I like or what I don't in such a way that you can still tell if you'll like a book, even if I don't. And I hope for my patrons that I can give them good recommendations for books they will like, even if it's not one I would personally choose.
I'm fairly generous with my star ratings - generally a four is a "like" or "would recommend" for me, while a 4.5 stars is a book I would reread. I break it down roughly like this:
1 star - Forced myself to finish it
2 stars - Dislike
2.5 stars - I really don't know if I liked it or not
3 stars - Sort of liked it; or didn't, but admired something about it despite not liking it
3.5 stars - The splitting hairs rating of less than my last 4 star book or better than my last 3
4 stars - I liked it and recommend it, but probably won't reread it except under special circumstances (ie., a book club or series reread)
4.5 stars - Excellent, ultimately a satisfying read, a title I would consider rereading
5 stars - A book that I absolutely loved, would absolutely reread, and just all-around floored me
I see it more in terms of my like or dislike of a book, rather than how good a book is. My hope is that as a reader I convey what I like or what I don't in such a way that you can still tell if you'll like a book, even if I don't. And I hope for my patrons that I can give them good recommendations for books they will like, even if it's not one I would personally choose.
7bell7
Currently reading
The Wager by David Grann
Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman
Bible/Devotional Reading
1 Samuel, Luke
DNFs in 2026
1. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
2. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
3. An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney Shields
The Wager by David Grann
Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman
Bible/Devotional Reading
1 Samuel, Luke
DNFs in 2026
1. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
2. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
3. An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney Shields
8bell7
July
June
83. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
82. Seasons of Glass & Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
81. Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen
80. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
79. Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting by Mike & Kristin Berry
78. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott
77. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
76. The River by Gary Paulsen
75. The Connoisseur by Victoria Goddard
74. The Seven Brides-to-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
73. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
72. Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa
71. The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
70. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
69. Mother Tongue: A Memoir by Sara Novic
68. Exit Lane by Erica Veurink
June
83. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
82. Seasons of Glass & Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
81. Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen
80. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
79. Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting by Mike & Kristin Berry
78. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott
77. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
76. The River by Gary Paulsen
75. The Connoisseur by Victoria Goddard
74. The Seven Brides-to-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
73. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
72. Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa
71. The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
70. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
69. Mother Tongue: A Memoir by Sara Novic
68. Exit Lane by Erica Veurink
9bell7
May
67. An Immense World by Ed Yong
66. Aya: Face the Music by Marguerite Abouet
65. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
64. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton
63. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
62. Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison
61. Simply Neglect by Lainie Hartley
60. Parenting Children of Trauma by Marcy Pusey
59. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
58. This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
57. In Lonely Lands by Victoria Goddard
56. Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang
April
55. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
54. The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard
53. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 8 by Beth Brower
52. Platform Decay by Martha Wells
51. Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood
50. Aya: Claws Come Out by Marguerite Abouet, illustrated by Clement Oubrerie
49. The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
48. What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
47. The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud
46. Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
45. First-time Fostering by Laura the Foster Parent Partner
March
44. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 7 by Beth Brower
43. Becoming Kin by Patty Krawec
42. Heart Lamp: Selected Stories by Banu Mushtaq
41. System Collapse by Martha Wells
40. Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
39. The Marriage Narrative by Claire Kann
38. The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard
37. Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit
36. All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson
35. What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
34. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
33. Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard
67. An Immense World by Ed Yong
66. Aya: Face the Music by Marguerite Abouet
65. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
64. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton
63. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
62. Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison
61. Simply Neglect by Lainie Hartley
60. Parenting Children of Trauma by Marcy Pusey
59. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
58. This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
57. In Lonely Lands by Victoria Goddard
56. Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang
April
55. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
54. The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard
53. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 8 by Beth Brower
52. Platform Decay by Martha Wells
51. Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood
50. Aya: Claws Come Out by Marguerite Abouet, illustrated by Clement Oubrerie
49. The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
48. What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
47. The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud
46. Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
45. First-time Fostering by Laura the Foster Parent Partner
March
44. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 7 by Beth Brower
43. Becoming Kin by Patty Krawec
42. Heart Lamp: Selected Stories by Banu Mushtaq
41. System Collapse by Martha Wells
40. Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
39. The Marriage Narrative by Claire Kann
38. The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard
37. Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit
36. All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson
35. What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
34. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
33. Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard
10bell7
February
32. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
31. Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
30. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
29. The Black God's Drums by P. Djeli Clark
28. Translation State by Ann Leckie
27. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
26. The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
25. The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
24. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 6 by Beth Brower
23. Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard
22. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 5 by Beth Brower
January
21. Where Nobody Knows Your Name by John Feinstein
20. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
19. Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
18. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
17. My Sweet Orange Tree by Jose Mauro de Vasconcelos
16. Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard
15. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
14. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 4 by Beth Brower
13. Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
12. Memory Wall: Stories by Anthony Doerr
11. Ultramarine by Mariette Navarro
10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
9. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
8. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower
7. Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather
6. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower
5. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower
4. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
3. God Help the Child by Toni Morrison
2. Network Effect by Martha Wells
1. Miranda in Milan by Katharine Duckett
32. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
31. Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
30. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
29. The Black God's Drums by P. Djeli Clark
28. Translation State by Ann Leckie
27. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
26. The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
25. The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
24. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 6 by Beth Brower
23. Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard
22. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 5 by Beth Brower
January
21. Where Nobody Knows Your Name by John Feinstein
20. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
19. Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
18. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
17. My Sweet Orange Tree by Jose Mauro de Vasconcelos
16. Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard
15. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
14. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 4 by Beth Brower
13. Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
12. Memory Wall: Stories by Anthony Doerr
11. Ultramarine by Mariette Navarro
10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
9. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
8. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower
7. Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather
6. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower
5. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower
4. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
3. God Help the Child by Toni Morrison
2. Network Effect by Martha Wells
1. Miranda in Milan by Katharine Duckett
11bell7
Happy Thursday! Summer vacation has officially begun for the kiddo, and I took a week and a half off from work (really a week and a day, tomorrow is a holiday) to have time for day trips and fun before his summer camps start. Today we took a lazy morning before he has a haircut and a friend comes over to help us get an AC installed in an upstairs window, and then my foster parent support group is meeting. Other days will be a little more action-packed, but it's been a good morning so far. It took me a little longer than expected, but I took advantage of the slow morning to set up a new thread before life gets back to its regularly-scheduled busy-ness.
Reading: Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar, Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting by Michael and Kristin Berry, The River by Gary Paulsen (with the kiddo), and A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
Listening: In between albums now that I finished the Sade one, but the kiddo prefers to be able to read in the car and I probably won't get a lot of listening done this week
Reading: Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar, Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting by Michael and Kristin Berry, The River by Gary Paulsen (with the kiddo), and A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
Listening: In between albums now that I finished the Sade one, but the kiddo prefers to be able to read in the car and I probably won't get a lot of listening done this week
13bell7
>12 foggidawn: I'm open! You've managed to be first on the thread at least my last two so congrats on that hahaha.
14foggidawn
>13 bell7: Either I spend too much time on LT, or there is some similarity in our schedules. I'm going with the latter. ;-)
17bell7
>14 foggidawn: I was leaning towards similarity in our schedules as well ;)
>15 humouress: Thanks, Nina!
>16 quondame: Thanks, Susan!
>15 humouress: Thanks, Nina!
>16 quondame: Thanks, Susan!
19PaulCranswick
Happy fifth thread, Mary.
Will you reach 75 books this weekend?
Will you reach 75 books this weekend?
20richardderus
Great time to open up the new thread! Enjoy the relaxation to come.
21bell7
>18 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene!
>19 PaulCranswick: I should - there are a couple of short stories Stasia and I planned to read together today, though I dropped the ball a little there and may have to make it up tomorrow.
>20 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!
>19 PaulCranswick: I should - there are a couple of short stories Stasia and I planned to read together today, though I dropped the ball a little there and may have to make it up tomorrow.
>20 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!
22figsfromthistle
Happy new thread!
23MickyFine
Enjoy your kick off to your summer vacation, Mary. I hope you and the kiddo have a grand time on your adventures.
24Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Mary. Enjoy your summer vacationing!
25bell7
>22 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita!
>23 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! We've already done a couple of fun things and we're looking forward to more.
>24 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg!
>23 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! We've already done a couple of fun things and we're looking forward to more.
>24 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg!
26bell7
74. The Seven Brides-to-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
Why now? One of two stories Stasia and I are joint reading this month
Why now? One of two stories Stasia and I are joint reading this month
27bell7
75. The Connoisseur by Victoria Goddard
Why now? Two of two stories Stasia and I are joint reading this month
Why now? Two of two stories Stasia and I are joint reading this month
30richardderus
Brava on your 75th! Happy beautiful summer Sunday, Mary.
33bell7
>28 drneutron: Thanks on both counts, Jim!
>29 humouress: Thanks, Nina!
>30 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!
>31 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!
>32 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene!
>29 humouress: Thanks, Nina!
>30 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!
>31 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!
>32 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene!
34bell7
Happy Monday!
We've been keeping ourselves semi-busy these last few days, but had some downtime, too, which has been nice. Friday included hiking, Saturday we had errands in the morning and then hung out at home, yesterday was church and a cookout at my brother's. Today, we went fishing with friends and the kiddo held a pine warbler (I kid you not) that was hanging around the area. It was actually pretty low key and sat in his bare hand for awhile before we had to go. We also stopped at the library and picked up some holds, so he has both bird books and the rest of Gary Paulsen's Brian books to keep him going for awhile.
I have a couple of reviews to write, as we finished The River together, and then I finished A Confusion of Princes on my own.
Reading: Securely Attached by Mike & Kristin Berry, Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar, Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott and we're planning on starting The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman as our next before-bed read aloud
Listening: nothing in the car right now, as the kiddo prefers to read with no music (I get it)
We've been keeping ourselves semi-busy these last few days, but had some downtime, too, which has been nice. Friday included hiking, Saturday we had errands in the morning and then hung out at home, yesterday was church and a cookout at my brother's. Today, we went fishing with friends and the kiddo held a pine warbler (I kid you not) that was hanging around the area. It was actually pretty low key and sat in his bare hand for awhile before we had to go. We also stopped at the library and picked up some holds, so he has both bird books and the rest of Gary Paulsen's Brian books to keep him going for awhile.
I have a couple of reviews to write, as we finished The River together, and then I finished A Confusion of Princes on my own.
Reading: Securely Attached by Mike & Kristin Berry, Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar, Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott and we're planning on starting The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman as our next before-bed read aloud
Listening: nothing in the car right now, as the kiddo prefers to read with no music (I get it)
35bell7
76. The River by Gary Paulsen
Why now? Kiddo wanted to go on to the next book in the series, and I was able to get it on my Kindle
Why now? Kiddo wanted to go on to the next book in the series, and I was able to get it on my Kindle
36bell7
77. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
Why now? On my TBR because I really enjoy this author, and it fit the TIOLI challenge to read a book whose title matched the pattern "_____ _____ of _____"
Why now? On my TBR because I really enjoy this author, and it fit the TIOLI challenge to read a book whose title matched the pattern "_____ _____ of _____"
37bell7
78. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott
Why now? It fit the TIOLI challenge to read a book by an author from the 2019 American Author's Challenge (I was under the impression it was an Alcott book I owned and hadn't read when I borrowed the e-book from the library, but I was wrong...)
Why now? It fit the TIOLI challenge to read a book by an author from the 2019 American Author's Challenge (I was under the impression it was an Alcott book I owned and hadn't read when I borrowed the e-book from the library, but I was wrong...)
38kidzdoc
>37 bell7: I also enjoyed this book.
39bell7
>38 kidzdoc: I'm glad to hear it, Darryl!
40bell7
Good morning, all! We've had a couple of nights of rough sleep and are resetting today with a slow start - not that I'm complaining. I'm not sure what we'll be up to today, though I will encourage the kiddo to do something outside and for us to get out of the house, even if it's going to a somewhat local attraction instead of our original plan for a more elaborate day trip.
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen, Seasons of Iron and Glass by Amal El-Mohtar, and The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
Crafting: I finished the wrap and two hats, and started on a very simple scarf
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen, Seasons of Iron and Glass by Amal El-Mohtar, and The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
Crafting: I finished the wrap and two hats, and started on a very simple scarf
41richardderus
>40 bell7: Oh yay! Sorcerer of the Wildeeps was a read I very much enjoyed back in the day.
Stay cool and feel better!
Stay cool and feel better!
42bell7
>41 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! It's the last in a group of four novellas I got free from Tor.com back in the day that I've been reading this year. I'm glad to hear it's one you really enjoyed.
43bell7
79. Securely Attached by Mike and Kristin Berry
Why now? Continuing to read books on attachment to help me along in my foster journey
Why now? Continuing to read books on attachment to help me along in my foster journey
44bell7
80. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
Why now? It was on my TBR list after seeing a review in BookPage a couple of years ago, but I'm reading it this month to fit the TIOLI challenge to read a book by an author with three names
Why now? It was on my TBR list after seeing a review in BookPage a couple of years ago, but I'm reading it this month to fit the TIOLI challenge to read a book by an author with three names
45msf59
Happy New Thread, Mary. Sweet Thursday. Hooray for reading The Bird Way. It is a good one. Did you read Hench? I am reading and enjoying the sequel.
46bell7
>45 msf59: I have Hench on my Kindle, Mark, but I haven't yet read it. Maybe it should be next up! Did you see that my foster kiddo managed to hold a bird? It's been a goal of his for awhile, and I didn't think it would happen. He is over the moon.
47curioussquared
Happy new thread, Mary! Glad to see summer vacation is off to a good start.
48bell7
>47 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! I was back to work today and I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine, but it was a nice time off.
50MickyFine
>49 bell7: Sounds like a strong case of "every book its reader." Glad they're still working for the kiddo and hoping he lands on a new series soon that works better for you, lol.
51bell7
>50 MickyFine: Oh, definitely an "every book its reader". He finished it and told me, "I think this book changed my life" though I got no more specific explanation forthcoming when I asked. He's reading Brian's Hunt now, but I'm not sure if we're going to be reading that one together or not.
52bell7
Happy Saturday! I went to work and took the kiddo with me for the morning, then my mom took him to an open house for his summer camp and I picked him up after work to come home. He's currently playing with the neighbor kids while I putter around in the house, sort of desultory tidying, reading, and knitting.
Tomorrow we have church in the morning and we're going to a party for some folks in his extended family, so that will be our entire day.
On Monday, he's starting camp and I'm off from work because I worked today. I might find myself napping, but I also will be picking up groceries (my co-worker told me Walmart has free pickup and I haven't looked back since) and going to the gym. I may need a nap, too, but he slept a lot better last night and I'm crossing my fingers that trend continues.
Reading: Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories by Amal El-Mohtar (I'm going to try to finish this tonight), The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, and The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
Tomorrow we have church in the morning and we're going to a party for some folks in his extended family, so that will be our entire day.
On Monday, he's starting camp and I'm off from work because I worked today. I might find myself napping, but I also will be picking up groceries (my co-worker told me Walmart has free pickup and I haven't looked back since) and going to the gym. I may need a nap, too, but he slept a lot better last night and I'm crossing my fingers that trend continues.
Reading: Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories by Amal El-Mohtar (I'm going to try to finish this tonight), The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, and The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
53MickyFine
I hope the kiddo has a great time at camp and that you enjoy a quiet day with the house to yourself on Monday. 😊
54bell7
82. Seasons of Glass & Iron: Stories by Amal El-Mohtar
Why now? I read This Is How You Lose the Time War, which El-Mohtar co-wrote with Max Gladstone, earlier this year, and when I heard good things about her short story collection, knew it was one I wanted to read and borrowed from the library. I managed to find a TIOLI challenge for it this month, to read a book with a word from a Marvel Cinematic Universe work in the title
Why now? I read This Is How You Lose the Time War, which El-Mohtar co-wrote with Max Gladstone, earlier this year, and when I heard good things about her short story collection, knew it was one I wanted to read and borrowed from the library. I managed to find a TIOLI challenge for it this month, to read a book with a word from a Marvel Cinematic Universe work in the title
55bell7
>53 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! It'll end with social worker visits, so it won't be entirely quiet, but it'll be pleasant, I'm sure.
56PaulCranswick
Belated congratulations on passing 75, Mary (and then some 9 books in the last 9 days!).
58bell7
>56 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! Several of those were short stories, and in one case a collection I'd been reading on and off for weeks, but it was satisfying to complete as many books as I did.
>57 richardderus: Oh yes, we're very much out in space / the sky. The reference was exceedingly deliberate (and it was a very interesting story, too...).
>57 richardderus: Oh yes, we're very much out in space / the sky. The reference was exceedingly deliberate (and it was a very interesting story, too...).
59curioussquared
>52 bell7: Grocery pickup has changed my life. I got Instacart deliveries during the height of Covid and hated it because I felt like the shoppers never did a good job. But our local Kroger banners do free pickup and the orders are fulfilled by actual store employees who know where things are and know how to pick good produce, and it's just so convenient.
60bell7
>59 curioussquared: Seriously, a game changer. The kiddo HATES shopping but also likes to add all sorts of things... so instead of either doing it solo on my short day or dragging him along, now we collaborate (within reason) on the shopping list, and I order it for pickup later. Part of the idea was that it would free up more time for the gym on Mondays, though with life being as hectic as it is, that has not yet happened.
61bell7
83. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
Why now? I decided it was time to finish the Tor collection of 4 novellas I started at the beginning of the year.
I finished The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps yesterday, but reviewed the full set below.
Why now? I decided it was time to finish the Tor collection of 4 novellas I started at the beginning of the year.
I finished The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps yesterday, but reviewed the full set below.
62bell7
Quick check in to say hello and life is going to be busy for the next month, so expect random check-ins rather than my regular almost daily. I'm back to work this week, and it's a short one due to the holiday, which is lovely. Still reading some, but mostly digitally before the kiddo falls asleep.
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, The Richest Woman in America by Janet Wallach, and Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
Listening: I just finished up the live recording of Sam Cooke at the Harlem Square Club in 1963 (the album came out in 1985) and I'll start "The Indestructible Beat of Soweto" next
Crafting: simple scarf with some "fun fur" yarn
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, The Richest Woman in America by Janet Wallach, and Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
Listening: I just finished up the live recording of Sam Cooke at the Harlem Square Club in 1963 (the album came out in 1985) and I'll start "The Indestructible Beat of Soweto" next
Crafting: simple scarf with some "fun fur" yarn
63richardderus
>62 bell7: "fun fur yarn" sounds omnibus. Is it Day-Glo lime green or something? Made of surplus mink hides? The appalling possibilities are endless....
Summer well, Mary and family!
Summer well, Mary and family!
64MickyFine
Hopefully your inbox wasn't too unwieldy when you got back to work. Wishing you a lovely rest of the week.
65bell7
>63 richardderus: Not nearly as ominous at it sounds, it's soft and fuzzy, and I just used a simple white one. Something like this. Which knits up fast and makes a fun-looking scarf.
>64 MickyFine: Always appreciate wishes like that! It wasn't too bad, I have some things I still need to attend to/organize, and a rather involved question someone gave me because she wants to use data sets in our local history to create a database which is... a lot. Plus it's the time of year I fill out the annual survey for the state. But that's all a next week problem - today's a holiday!
>64 MickyFine: Always appreciate wishes like that! It wasn't too bad, I have some things I still need to attend to/organize, and a rather involved question someone gave me because she wants to use data sets in our local history to create a database which is... a lot. Plus it's the time of year I fill out the annual survey for the state. But that's all a next week problem - today's a holiday!
66bell7
June in review
83. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
82. Seasons of Glass & Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
81. Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen
80. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
79. Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting by Mike & Kristin Berry
78. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott
77. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
76. The River by Gary Paulsen
75. The Connoisseur by Victoria Goddard
74. The Seven Brides-to-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
73. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
72. Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa
71. The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
70. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
69. Mother Tongue: A Memoir by Sara Novic
68. Exit Lane by Erica Veurink
Books read: 16
Did not finish: 2
Rereads: 2
Children's/Teen/Adult: 1/5/10
Fiction/Nonfiction/Plays/Poetry: 14/2/0/0
Because I want to awards:
Fun to revisit my childhood - The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Hit all the right notes - Month Tongue: A Memoir by Sara Novic
YTD stats-
Pages read: 21,257
Avg pages a day: 115
Books by authors of color: 22 (26.5%)
In translation: 6 (7%)
Indigenous authors: 2 (2.4%)
Countries of origin: US - 56 (67%); Canada - 12; France - 1; Brazil - 1; UK - 5; Japan - 2; India - 1; Cote d'Ivoire - 2; Germany - 1; New Zealand - 1; Australia - 1
DNF: 4
Thoughts:
I'll have to come back and fix my YTD stats because I just realized I missed putting about 4 titles in my spreadsheet that gives me all those numbers. I have updated my year-to-date stats after fixing my spreadsheet, which was missing a couple of titles and I'd forgotten to put a couple of finished dates. Anyway. Though a lot of them were short books and "only" meant about 3,000 pages read, I still can't believe I finished 16 titles in June. Don't expect more of the same this month. There were some books read with the kiddo and a bunch more on my own, mostly digital before bed, especially while I was waiting for him to fall asleep. It was a decent reading month, most books given four stars, and the really stand-out title was Month Tongue: A Memoir, which had an amazing amount of overlap with my own interests. I haven't had a reading year like this since 2020, and I am shocked that I surpassed 75 in June.
Looking forward to seeing what July brings!
83. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
82. Seasons of Glass & Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
81. Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen
80. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
79. Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting by Mike & Kristin Berry
78. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott
77. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
76. The River by Gary Paulsen
75. The Connoisseur by Victoria Goddard
74. The Seven Brides-to-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
73. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
72. Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa
71. The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
70. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
69. Mother Tongue: A Memoir by Sara Novic
68. Exit Lane by Erica Veurink
Books read: 16
Did not finish: 2
Rereads: 2
Children's/Teen/Adult: 1/5/10
Fiction/Nonfiction/Plays/Poetry: 14/2/0/0
Because I want to awards:
Fun to revisit my childhood - The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Hit all the right notes - Month Tongue: A Memoir by Sara Novic
YTD stats-
Pages read: 21,257
Avg pages a day: 115
Books by authors of color: 22 (26.5%)
In translation: 6 (7%)
Indigenous authors: 2 (2.4%)
Countries of origin: US - 56 (67%); Canada - 12; France - 1; Brazil - 1; UK - 5; Japan - 2; India - 1; Cote d'Ivoire - 2; Germany - 1; New Zealand - 1; Australia - 1
DNF: 4
Thoughts:
Looking forward to seeing what July brings!
67richardderus
>65 bell7: *EEEK* TRIBBLES!!
68bell7
>67 richardderus: *snort*
70bell7
>69 tymfos: It's good to see you, Terri! I know, I can't quite believe it myself how quickly I got to 75, and after I told everyone my reading would slow down, too.
71bell7
Good morning and happy Independence Day to those in the US. I'm sure it's a it of a spectrum for feeling celebratory today. Mine is on the low key side, though we are enjoying the long weekend. We had plans with friends yesterday, we have a cookout at my parents today, and we're planning on meeting up with friends to watch fireworks tomorrow. We've got a pleasant morning at home today after a lot of activity, and I think we're both looking forward to the downtime. The kiddo's hoping to get some time to play with the neighbor kids today.
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen and The Wager by David Grann
Listening: "The Indesctructible Beat of Soweto"
Crafting: I had a webinar to pay attention to the other day, so I started a hat and then I finished it yesterday. I'll probably start on a pair of mittens to go with it
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen and The Wager by David Grann
Listening: "The Indesctructible Beat of Soweto"
Crafting: I had a webinar to pay attention to the other day, so I started a hat and then I finished it yesterday. I'll probably start on a pair of mittens to go with it
72kidzdoc
Happy Independence Day, Mary! The temperature in Philadelphia is supposed to exceed 100°F again today, so my only outdoor excursion was going to my driveway to pick up today's issue of The New York Times. I plan to make good progress in a newly published book by Professor Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. of Princeton University, America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries, which looks back at our major anniversaries, and forward to this current one. It's very good so far, which is not surprising as Professor Glaude is one of this country's leading public intellectuals.
73MickyFine
Look at you blowing past 75 in June! Very impressive!
Glad to hear you're having a good long weekend with the kiddo and hopefully neither of you melt during your cookout today.
Glad to hear you're having a good long weekend with the kiddo and hopefully neither of you melt during your cookout today.
74bell7
>72 kidzdoc: I'll follow your thoughts on that book with interest, Darryl, and will be adding it to my TBR as well.
>73 MickyFine: I am truly amazed at how much reading has happened this year. I'm still not sure how, but I'll take it :)
>73 MickyFine: I am truly amazed at how much reading has happened this year. I'm still not sure how, but I'll take it :)
75bell7
Happy Monday! It was a fun but busy long weekend. We were out late last night for fireworks and then had a not-great sleeping night, so we're both pretty tired even without the rainy day. I worked and I'm home now, but about to head out for our grocery pickup and get some other errands done. Kiddo has a family visit today and should be back around suppertime. I'm hoping to make some spinach turnovers for dinner, and crossing my fingers the new recipe will be acceptable (he's a very picky eater).
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen and The Wager by David Grann
Listening: "The Indesctructible Beat of Soweto"
Crafting: pair of mittens to go with the hat
Reading: The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen and The Wager by David Grann
Listening: "The Indesctructible Beat of Soweto"
Crafting: pair of mittens to go with the hat
76kidzdoc
>74 bell7: Will do, Mary.
>75 bell7: My favorite South African musician is the legendary singer Miriam Makeba, who was widely known as "Mama Africa," both for her musical gifts but especially for her protests against that country's apartheid system, and for the independence movements in other countries, and the civil rights movement in our country. She was expelled from South Africa in 1960, the year of the brutal Sharpeville massacre by the apartheid police that claimed the lives of 91 people, including two of her uncles. Her mother died shortly after the massacre, but she was not allowed to return to South Africa (she had left the country to go on a musical tour, and she fell afoul of the government because of her protest songs, such as The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni)). She was only able to return in 1990, after the fall of the apartheid government, on the invitation of Nelson Mandela, who had been released from prison earlier that year.
My parents owned several of her albums, most notably her debut album Miriam Makeba, which was released in 1960. That is one of my favorite recordings from my young childhood (I was born in 1961), and years ago my father told me that he and my mother played it frequently when I was an infant and toddler, since it calmed me and helped put me to sleep.
One of my favorite songs from that album, which you can find on Spotify, is "Suliram," a gentle love song that sounds like a lullaby:
Suliram
>75 bell7: My favorite South African musician is the legendary singer Miriam Makeba, who was widely known as "Mama Africa," both for her musical gifts but especially for her protests against that country's apartheid system, and for the independence movements in other countries, and the civil rights movement in our country. She was expelled from South Africa in 1960, the year of the brutal Sharpeville massacre by the apartheid police that claimed the lives of 91 people, including two of her uncles. Her mother died shortly after the massacre, but she was not allowed to return to South Africa (she had left the country to go on a musical tour, and she fell afoul of the government because of her protest songs, such as The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni)). She was only able to return in 1990, after the fall of the apartheid government, on the invitation of Nelson Mandela, who had been released from prison earlier that year.
My parents owned several of her albums, most notably her debut album Miriam Makeba, which was released in 1960. That is one of my favorite recordings from my young childhood (I was born in 1961), and years ago my father told me that he and my mother played it frequently when I was an infant and toddler, since it calmed me and helped put me to sleep.
One of my favorite songs from that album, which you can find on Spotify, is "Suliram," a gentle love song that sounds like a lullaby:
Suliram
77msf59
Happy Monday, Mary. Finally checking in over here. I hope you had a nice holiday weekend with the kiddo. Did you say that he got to hold a bird? Well, that's cool.
78The_Hibernator
>75 bell7: I'm glad he gets to visit his family, Mary. Some kids don't have that.
79bell7
>76 kidzdoc: Thanks for that, Darryl! Another album to add to the list to check out. I've been neglecting turning my music on in the car after getting so used to driving without it, and really need to get back into the habit.
>77 msf59: Yep, he found a youngish (it could fly, but it didn't have the full coloring yet) pine warbler in a bush that let us take a very close look at it, and eventually let him touch it and it sat in his hand. My dad had mentioned over a month ago that we knew someone (when I was a kid) who could very slowly go up to birds in feeders and could hold them. So ever since, the kiddo has tried, but he was chasing sparrows and barn swallows who weren't about to let him close. And then this one was cooperative!
>78 The_Hibernator: Yes, he's one of the fortunate ones when it comes to family involvement.
>77 msf59: Yep, he found a youngish (it could fly, but it didn't have the full coloring yet) pine warbler in a bush that let us take a very close look at it, and eventually let him touch it and it sat in his hand. My dad had mentioned over a month ago that we knew someone (when I was a kid) who could very slowly go up to birds in feeders and could hold them. So ever since, the kiddo has tried, but he was chasing sparrows and barn swallows who weren't about to let him close. And then this one was cooperative!
>78 The_Hibernator: Yes, he's one of the fortunate ones when it comes to family involvement.
