Alcott Acre's Home, Room 7
This is a continuation of the topic Alcott Acre's Home, Room 6.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2026
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1alcottacre
Let's get the introduction out of the way. My name is Stasia and I have been happily married to the recently retired Kerry for 37 years in June. We have 6 children, 4 of whom are my stepchildren and 2 of whom are ours together. We also have 8 grandchildren. We lost our daughter Nichole in 2023.
We are now the parents of 3 furbabies: Mallory and Chalfont, who are littermates, and Ilan, who was an outside cat until Kerry let him into the house. We recently adopted Domino, an 8-week-old kitten who was an outside cat too. Mallory and Chalfont turned 5 years old in March. Ilan was a year old April 17th.
I am a Christian, but I am not one of the evangelicals responsible for the current President of the U.S. I tell everyone that I would not have voted for him if he was the only one running!
I love to read it goes without saying and Kerry is very good about all of the books strewn throughout our house. Since Kerry retired in late 2023, we have spent a lot of time over the course of the past couple of years playing board games (my other hobby) and despite that, my reading has continued apace. I am hoping to slow my reading pace down in 2026 as I have a lot of projects around my house that I would like to get done. I am shooting for 240 books this year as opposed to the 350+ I normally read!
I suffer from both insomnia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known to me familiarly as 'stupid CFS') so to say my sleeping is haphazard may be an understatement, lol. Generally speaking, if I get 4 hours of sleep a night I am happy. Unfortunately when my CFS hits, I get about 14. Ugh.
We traveled quite a bit in 2025 - for us anyway - but 2026 is shaping up to be quite different. Currently we have one family vacation planned and that is it. I still hope to get to the Pacific Northwest at some point, but it does not look like it is going to be this year.
That's about it, I think, so come on in and grab a cuppa!
We are now the parents of 3 furbabies: Mallory and Chalfont, who are littermates, and Ilan, who was an outside cat until Kerry let him into the house. We recently adopted Domino, an 8-week-old kitten who was an outside cat too. Mallory and Chalfont turned 5 years old in March. Ilan was a year old April 17th.
I am a Christian, but I am not one of the evangelicals responsible for the current President of the U.S. I tell everyone that I would not have voted for him if he was the only one running!
I love to read it goes without saying and Kerry is very good about all of the books strewn throughout our house. Since Kerry retired in late 2023, we have spent a lot of time over the course of the past couple of years playing board games (my other hobby) and despite that, my reading has continued apace. I am hoping to slow my reading pace down in 2026 as I have a lot of projects around my house that I would like to get done. I am shooting for 240 books this year as opposed to the 350+ I normally read!
I suffer from both insomnia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known to me familiarly as 'stupid CFS') so to say my sleeping is haphazard may be an understatement, lol. Generally speaking, if I get 4 hours of sleep a night I am happy. Unfortunately when my CFS hits, I get about 14. Ugh.
We traveled quite a bit in 2025 - for us anyway - but 2026 is shaping up to be quite different. Currently we have one family vacation planned and that is it. I still hope to get to the Pacific Northwest at some point, but it does not look like it is going to be this year.
That's about it, I think, so come on in and grab a cuppa!
2alcottacre
Excellent Reads from 2026, Part I - Books Rated 5 stars
Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers
The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard
Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers
The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard
3alcottacre
Excellent Reads from 2026, Part II - Books Rated 4.5 stars
Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Plan for the Worst by Jodi Taylor
The Most Wonderful Books edited by Michael Dorris and Emilie Buchwald
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Coming Up Short: A Memoir of America by Robert Reich
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb
A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers
A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard
Platform Decay by Martha Wells
I, Claudius by Robert Graves
The Violence: My Family's Colombian War by Adriana E. Ramirez
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea
Jubilee by Margaret Walker
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The Seven Brides-To-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang
Three Minutes in Poland by Glenn Kurtz
America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton
Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Plan for the Worst by Jodi Taylor
The Most Wonderful Books edited by Michael Dorris and Emilie Buchwald
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Coming Up Short: A Memoir of America by Robert Reich
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
Love-in-a-Mist by Victoria Goddard
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb
A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers
A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard
Platform Decay by Martha Wells
I, Claudius by Robert Graves
The Violence: My Family's Colombian War by Adriana E. Ramirez
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea
Jubilee by Margaret Walker
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The Seven Brides-To-Be of Generalissimo Vlad by Victoria Goddard
Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang
Three Minutes in Poland by Glenn Kurtz
America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton
4alcottacre
Excellent Reads from 2026, Part III - Books Rated 4.25 stars
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
Playground by Richard Powers
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
The Auschwitz Photographer by Luca Crippa & Maurizio Onnis
Another Time, Another Place by Jodi Taylor
Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D. G. Kelley
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Mythos by Stephen Fry
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen
The Feather Wars by James McCommons
Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Knock Three Times by Cressida Cowell
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado
Out of the Flames by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone
The Good, The Bad, and The History by Jodi Taylor
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Petra Molnar
Forgotten in Death by J. D. Robb
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Paris Was A Woman by Andrea Weiss
Sabriel by Garth Nix
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
Playground by Richard Powers
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
The Auschwitz Photographer by Luca Crippa & Maurizio Onnis
Another Time, Another Place by Jodi Taylor
Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D. G. Kelley
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Mythos by Stephen Fry
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen
The Feather Wars by James McCommons
Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Knock Three Times by Cressida Cowell
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado
Out of the Flames by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone
The Good, The Bad, and The History by Jodi Taylor
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Petra Molnar
Forgotten in Death by J. D. Robb
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Paris Was A Woman by Andrea Weiss
Sabriel by Garth Nix
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes
5alcottacre
July TIOLI Challenges:
Challenge #1: Read a book with a one-word title beginning with a letter from the first half of the alphabet (A through M) and containing NO numbers
Backflash by Mat Johnson - Completed July 16, 2026
Eventide by Kent Haruf
Challenge #2: Read a book, fiction or non-fiction, about someone who has gone on a challenging journey by themselves
Waterlog by Roger Deakin
Challenge #3: Read a book whose title contains a word that is opposite to a word in the starter book title
Barrow’s Boys by Fergus Fleming
Challenge #4: “The Independence Day Challenge: Read a book with the word ‘America’ in the title
America on Fire by Elizabeth Kai Hinton - Completed July 4, 2026
Churchill and America by Martin Gilbert
Challenge #5: Read a book which would have fit a TIOLI challenge in at least two months so far this year (list the challenges)
Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb - Completed July 16, 2026
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - Completed July 7, 2026
Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin - Completed July 5, 2026
The Rector of Justin by Louis Auchincloss
Sabriel by Garth Nix - Completed July 4, 2026
Challenge 6: Read a book in honor of my mother's 80th birthday
The Linnet’s Tale by Dale C. Willard
Challenge #7: True-ly it's July- Read a book based on a true story or real person
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Challenge #8: Read a book with red, white, and/or blue in the title
Blue Latitudes by Tony Horwitz
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne - Completed July 14, 2026
Challenge #9: Read a book by a Carnegie Medal (UK) nominated writer
The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis
Challenge #10: Read a book, F or N/F, about a recent challenge, trend, or movement - name it NO HISTORICAL FICTION
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - Completed July 17, 2026
Challenge #11: Read a book where the one of the author’s names ends in a “Y”
The Escapes of David George by Gregory E. O’Malley
Hunting Evil by Guy Walters
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny - Completed July 5, 2026
Challenge #12: Read a book by an author featured in the 2020 American Authors challenge
What to Read and Why by Francine Prose
Challenge #13: Read a F or NF book that has an herb or a spice in the title (no cookbooks)
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Challenge # 14: Read a book with the word "half" (or the fraction or the decimal) in the title
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Completed July 9, 2026
Challenge #15: Read a book where a word in the title or the author's name starts with PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
Everything I’ve Ever Done That Worked by Lesley Garner
The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor
Challenge #16: Read a "beach book"
Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen - Completed July 11, 2026
Challenge #17 Read a book that starts with an accident
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - Completed July 10, 2026
Challenge #18 - Read a Book by a Cuban Author, or an Author of Cuban Descent or Set in or About Cuba
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
For now. . .
Challenge #1: Read a book with a one-word title beginning with a letter from the first half of the alphabet (A through M) and containing NO numbers
Backflash by Mat Johnson - Completed July 16, 2026
Eventide by Kent Haruf
Challenge #2: Read a book, fiction or non-fiction, about someone who has gone on a challenging journey by themselves
Waterlog by Roger Deakin
Challenge #3: Read a book whose title contains a word that is opposite to a word in the starter book title
Barrow’s Boys by Fergus Fleming
Challenge #4: “The Independence Day Challenge: Read a book with the word ‘America’ in the title
America on Fire by Elizabeth Kai Hinton - Completed July 4, 2026
Churchill and America by Martin Gilbert
Challenge #5: Read a book which would have fit a TIOLI challenge in at least two months so far this year (list the challenges)
Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb - Completed July 16, 2026
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - Completed July 7, 2026
Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin - Completed July 5, 2026
The Rector of Justin by Louis Auchincloss
Sabriel by Garth Nix - Completed July 4, 2026
Challenge 6: Read a book in honor of my mother's 80th birthday
The Linnet’s Tale by Dale C. Willard
Challenge #7: True-ly it's July- Read a book based on a true story or real person
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Challenge #8: Read a book with red, white, and/or blue in the title
Blue Latitudes by Tony Horwitz
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne - Completed July 14, 2026
Challenge #9: Read a book by a Carnegie Medal (UK) nominated writer
The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis
Challenge #10: Read a book, F or N/F, about a recent challenge, trend, or movement - name it NO HISTORICAL FICTION
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - Completed July 17, 2026
Challenge #11: Read a book where the one of the author’s names ends in a “Y”
The Escapes of David George by Gregory E. O’Malley
Hunting Evil by Guy Walters
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny - Completed July 5, 2026
Challenge #12: Read a book by an author featured in the 2020 American Authors challenge
What to Read and Why by Francine Prose
Challenge #13: Read a F or NF book that has an herb or a spice in the title (no cookbooks)
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Challenge # 14: Read a book with the word "half" (or the fraction or the decimal) in the title
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Completed July 9, 2026
Challenge #15: Read a book where a word in the title or the author's name starts with PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
Everything I’ve Ever Done That Worked by Lesley Garner
The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor
Challenge #16: Read a "beach book"
Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen - Completed July 11, 2026
Challenge #17 Read a book that starts with an accident
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - Completed July 10, 2026
Challenge #18 - Read a Book by a Cuban Author, or an Author of Cuban Descent or Set in or About Cuba
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
For now. . .
6alcottacre
Shared reads:
Place of Tides by James Rebanks - Completed January 1, 2026
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - Completed January 2, 2026
Love in a Mist by Victoria Goddard - Completed January 25, 2026
Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard - Completed February 6, 2026
Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 1, 2026
The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 7, 2026
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley - Completed April 8, 2026
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - Completed April 10, 2026
I, Claudius by Robert Graves - Shared read with Paul in May - Completed May 6, 2026
Sabriel by Garth Nix - Shared read with daughter Beth in July
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman - Shared read with Anne in August?
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin - Shared read with Mary in November?
Place of Tides by James Rebanks - Completed January 1, 2026
Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - Completed January 2, 2026
Love in a Mist by Victoria Goddard - Completed January 25, 2026
Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard - Completed February 6, 2026
Balancing Stone by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 1, 2026
The Saint of the Bookstore by Victoria Goddard - Completed March 7, 2026
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley - Completed April 8, 2026
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - Completed April 10, 2026
I, Claudius by Robert Graves - Shared read with Paul in May - Completed May 6, 2026
Sabriel by Garth Nix - Shared read with daughter Beth in July
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman - Shared read with Anne in August?
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin - Shared read with Mary in November?
7alcottacre
Black Studies Reading
1. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Completed January 6, 2026
2. The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson - Completed February 5, 2026
3. Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson - Completed April 9, 2026
4. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026
5. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026
6. Jubilee by Margaret Walker - Completed May 21, 2026
7. Rough Crossings by Simon Schama - Completed June 5, 2026
8. Every Tongue Got to Confess by Zora Neale Hurston - Completed June 16, 2026
9. America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton - Completed July 4, 2026
Jewish Studies Reading
1. Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers - Completed January 25, 2026
2. The Auschwitz Photographer by Luca Crippa & Maurizio Onnis - Completed February 11, 2026
3. The Forbidden Daughter by Zipora Klein Jakob - Completed March 23, 2026
4. Harry Haft by Alan Haft - Completed April 30, 2026
6. The Gift of Asher Lev by Chaim Potok - Completed June 11, 2026
1. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Completed January 6, 2026
2. The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson - Completed February 5, 2026
3. Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson - Completed April 9, 2026
4. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026
5. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026
6. Jubilee by Margaret Walker - Completed May 21, 2026
7. Rough Crossings by Simon Schama - Completed June 5, 2026
8. Every Tongue Got to Confess by Zora Neale Hurston - Completed June 16, 2026
9. America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton - Completed July 4, 2026
Jewish Studies Reading
1. Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers - Completed January 25, 2026
2. The Auschwitz Photographer by Luca Crippa & Maurizio Onnis - Completed February 11, 2026
3. The Forbidden Daughter by Zipora Klein Jakob - Completed March 23, 2026
4. Harry Haft by Alan Haft - Completed April 30, 2026
6. The Gift of Asher Lev by Chaim Potok - Completed June 11, 2026
8alcottacre
The British Authors Challenge - This is one that I dip into and out of as the case may be
January - The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell - Completed January 26, 2026
February - Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute - Completed February 8, 2026
February - The Far Country by Nevil Shute - Completed February 20, 2026
March - Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers - Completed March 20, 2026
April - Mythos by Stephen Fry - Completed April 17, 2026
May - Death in Berlin by M. M. Kaye - Completed May 4, 2026
July - Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes - - Completed July 10, 2026
Kent Haruf Challenge:
The Tie That Binds - Completed January 22, 2026
Where You Once Belonged - Completed February 1, 2026
Plainsong - Completed May 23, 2026
Eventide
Benediction
Our Souls at Night
Granta 109 essay
In Memory of Caroline:
Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber - Completed January 2, 2026
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark - Completed February 27, 2026
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens - Completed March 26, 2026
Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley - Completed April 28, 2026
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea - Completed May 15, 2026
This is Happiness by Niall Williams - Completed May 20, 2026
A Flat Place by Noreen Masud - Completed June 30, 2026
January - The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell - Completed January 26, 2026
February - Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute - Completed February 8, 2026
February - The Far Country by Nevil Shute - Completed February 20, 2026
March - Tea with Mr. Rochester by Frances Towers - Completed March 20, 2026
April - Mythos by Stephen Fry - Completed April 17, 2026
May - Death in Berlin by M. M. Kaye - Completed May 4, 2026
July - Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes - - Completed July 10, 2026
Kent Haruf Challenge:
The Tie That Binds - Completed January 22, 2026
Where You Once Belonged - Completed February 1, 2026
Plainsong - Completed May 23, 2026
Eventide
Benediction
Our Souls at Night
Granta 109 essay
In Memory of Caroline:
Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber - Completed January 2, 2026
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark - Completed February 27, 2026
Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens - Completed March 26, 2026
Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley - Completed April 28, 2026
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea - Completed May 15, 2026
This is Happiness by Niall Williams - Completed May 20, 2026
A Flat Place by Noreen Masud - Completed June 30, 2026
9alcottacre
The “Read More Sci-Fi” Challenge - using the Esquire list found here (https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/g39358054/best-sci-fi-books/) - which has now been expanded - and the book Science Fiction, The 101 Best Novels, 1985-2010 by Damien Broderick and Paul di Filippo as guides. Also adding in Hugo & Nebula Award winners and nominees.
1. The City & the City by China Mieville - Completed January 31, 2026 (#34 on the Esquire list)
2. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein - Completed February 11, 2026 (#51 on the Esquire list)
3. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - Completed April 30, 2026 (#24 on the Esquire list)
4. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Completed May 29, 2026 (Current Hugo finalist)
5. Zone One by Colson Whitehead - Completed June 3, 2026 (#39 on the Esquire list)
6. The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz - Completed June 29, 2026 (Hugo Award Nominee, 1967)
Monthly Nonfiction Challenges - I try to read at least 100 nonfiction books a year and this challenge is instrumental in helping me achieve that goal. In 2025, I was able to read 124 nonfiction books.
January The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James Gleick - Completed January 19, 2026
January Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers - Completed January 25, 2026
February Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D. G. Kelley - Completed February 18, 2026
March The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill - Completed March 31, 2026
April Replaceable You by Mary Roach - Completed April 9, 2026
June Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King - Completed June 24, 2026
1. The City & the City by China Mieville - Completed January 31, 2026 (#34 on the Esquire list)
2. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein - Completed February 11, 2026 (#51 on the Esquire list)
3. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - Completed April 30, 2026 (#24 on the Esquire list)
4. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Completed May 29, 2026 (Current Hugo finalist)
5. Zone One by Colson Whitehead - Completed June 3, 2026 (#39 on the Esquire list)
6. The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz - Completed June 29, 2026 (Hugo Award Nominee, 1967)
Monthly Nonfiction Challenges - I try to read at least 100 nonfiction books a year and this challenge is instrumental in helping me achieve that goal. In 2025, I was able to read 124 nonfiction books.
January The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James Gleick - Completed January 19, 2026
January Birth, Sex and Abuse: Women’s Voices Under Nazi Rule by Beverley Chalmers - Completed January 25, 2026
February Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D. G. Kelley - Completed February 18, 2026
March The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill - Completed March 31, 2026
April Replaceable You by Mary Roach - Completed April 9, 2026
June Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King - Completed June 24, 2026
10alcottacre
Series Reading - I will post these as I read them:
The In Death series by J.D. Robb
Vendetta in Death - Completed January 1, 2026
Stolen in Death - Completed February 6, 2026
Golden in Death - Completed March 5, 2026
Shadows in Death - Completed April 11, 2026
Faithless in Death - May 9, 2026
Forgotten in Death - Completed June 22, 2026
Abandoned in Death - Completed July 16, 2026
Desperation in Death
The Decker/Lazarus series by Faye Kellerman
Serpent's Tooth - Completed March 25, 2026
Jupiter's Bones -
The Three Pines series by Louise Penny
The Long Way Home - Completed March 27, 2026
The Nature of the Beast - Completed July 5, 2026
The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear
A Dangerous Place - Completed May 14, 2026
Journey to Munich -
The Shetland Series by Ann Cleeves
Cold Earth - June 22, 2026
Wild Fire -
The Rivers of London Series by Ben Aaronovitch
Whispers Under Ground - Completed February 28, 2026
Broken Homes -
The Brighton Mystery Series by Elly Griffiths
Now You See Them - Completed March 31, 2026
The Midnight Hour -
Trader's Tales From The Golden Age of The Solar Clipper Series by Nathan Lowell
Full Share - Completed April 29, 2026
Double Share -
The Sean Duffy Series by Adrian McKinty
I Hear the Sirens in the Street -
The Maggie Hope Series by Susan Elia MacNeal
Princess Elizabeth's Spy -
The In Death series by J.D. Robb
Vendetta in Death - Completed January 1, 2026
Stolen in Death - Completed February 6, 2026
Golden in Death - Completed March 5, 2026
Shadows in Death - Completed April 11, 2026
Faithless in Death - May 9, 2026
Forgotten in Death - Completed June 22, 2026
Abandoned in Death - Completed July 16, 2026
Desperation in Death
The Decker/Lazarus series by Faye Kellerman
Serpent's Tooth - Completed March 25, 2026
Jupiter's Bones -
The Three Pines series by Louise Penny
The Long Way Home - Completed March 27, 2026
The Nature of the Beast - Completed July 5, 2026
The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear
A Dangerous Place - Completed May 14, 2026
Journey to Munich -
The Shetland Series by Ann Cleeves
Cold Earth - June 22, 2026
Wild Fire -
The Rivers of London Series by Ben Aaronovitch
Whispers Under Ground - Completed February 28, 2026
Broken Homes -
The Brighton Mystery Series by Elly Griffiths
Now You See Them - Completed March 31, 2026
The Midnight Hour -
Trader's Tales From The Golden Age of The Solar Clipper Series by Nathan Lowell
Full Share - Completed April 29, 2026
Double Share -
The Sean Duffy Series by Adrian McKinty
I Hear the Sirens in the Street -
The Maggie Hope Series by Susan Elia MacNeal
Princess Elizabeth's Spy -
11alcottacre
The “Lists” Challenges: Reading from the lists, nonfiction and fiction, that are growing rapidly at my local library
Nonfiction:
At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson - Completed February 12, 2026
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham - Completed March 9, 2026
Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash - Completed March 15, 2026
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026
America on Fire by Elizabeth Kai Hinton - Completed July 4, 2026
Fiction:
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green - Completed February 5, 2026
Song Yet Sung by James McBride - Completed April 5, 2026
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Completed April 6, 2026
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell - Completed May 8, 2026
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado - Completed May 9, 2026
The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris - Completed June 22, 2026
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - Completed July 7, 2026
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - Completed July 9, 2026
Nonfiction:
At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson - Completed February 12, 2026
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham - Completed March 9, 2026
Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash - Completed March 15, 2026
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo - Completed April 15, 2026
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026
America on Fire by Elizabeth Kai Hinton - Completed July 4, 2026
Fiction:
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green - Completed February 5, 2026
Song Yet Sung by James McBride - Completed April 5, 2026
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Completed April 6, 2026
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell - Completed May 8, 2026
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado - Completed May 9, 2026
The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris - Completed June 22, 2026
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - Completed July 7, 2026
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - Completed July 9, 2026
12alcottacre
Building Bridges Challenge: Using American Ethnic Writers, Volumes 1 & 2 as well as Bibliophile: Diverse Spines and 500 Great Books by Women as Guides
1. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Completed January 6, 2026
2. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie - Completed February 23, 2026
3. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - Completed March 16, 2026
4. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026
5. Yoruba Girl Dancing by Simi Bedford - Completed May 31, 2026
6. Every Tongue Got to Confess by Zora Neale Hurston - Completed June 16, 2026
7. Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin - Completed July 5, 2026
1. Beloved by Toni Morrison - Completed January 6, 2026
2. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie - Completed February 23, 2026
3. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - Completed March 16, 2026
4. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Completed April 27, 2026
5. Yoruba Girl Dancing by Simi Bedford - Completed May 31, 2026
6. Every Tongue Got to Confess by Zora Neale Hurston - Completed June 16, 2026
7. Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin - Completed July 5, 2026
13alcottacre
Roads Less Traveled Challenge:
January - Chilean Authors:
House of Spirits by Isabel Allende - Completed January 11, 2026
February - Anglo Caribbean Authors:
A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul - Completed February 24, 2026
March - Mexican Authors:
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli - Completed March 21, 2026
April - Hispanic North American Authors:
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea - Completed April 30, 2026
May - Brazilian Authors:
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado - Completed May 9, 2026
June - Nonfiction:
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard - Completed June 28, 2026
July - Cuban Authors:
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
January - Chilean Authors:
House of Spirits by Isabel Allende - Completed January 11, 2026
February - Anglo Caribbean Authors:
A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul - Completed February 24, 2026
March - Mexican Authors:
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli - Completed March 21, 2026
April - Hispanic North American Authors:
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea - Completed April 30, 2026
May - Brazilian Authors:
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado - Completed May 9, 2026
June - Nonfiction:
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard - Completed June 28, 2026
July - Cuban Authors:
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
14alcottacre
I know that my old thread was not yet to 250 posts, but I like to do one a month. So sue me, lol.
Time for Touchstone loading!
Time for Touchstone loading!
16alcottacre
>14 alcottacre: Thanks, Susan!
17PaulCranswick
Happy new one, Juana.
21msf59
Happy Wednesday, Stasia. Happy New Thread. I would never sue you!! Go Cubbies! They are sure on a roll. Lets go for the sweep today.
23rhondak101book
Happy New Thread. I always enjoy your challenge recaps
25alcottacre
>17 PaulCranswick: >18 bell7: >19 Kristelh: >20 BLBera: >21 msf59: >22 jessibud2:, >23 rhondak101book: >24 foggidawn: Thank you, Paul, Mary, Kristel, Beth, Mark, Shelley, Rhonda, and Misti!
>21 msf59: A sweep would be wonderful, Mark!
>21 msf59: A sweep would be wonderful, Mark!
26alcottacre
I am having problems with my back today to the point that even walking is a problem. Luckily, I can still read and play games. . .
Kerry and I will be playing Rebuilding Seattle in about 20 minutes. Catey and I are supposed to meet up to play Ark Nova this evening, depending on how tired she is.
On the reading front, it is a whole new month, so a whole new slew of books! I am currently listening to The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. I started Pandora's Jar a couple of days ago and am continuing on with both it and America on Fire. I am hoping to start Sabriel by Garth Nix today. I am reading that one with my daughter Beth. I am also hoping to finally get started on The Rector of Justin.
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!
Kerry and I will be playing Rebuilding Seattle in about 20 minutes. Catey and I are supposed to meet up to play Ark Nova this evening, depending on how tired she is.
On the reading front, it is a whole new month, so a whole new slew of books! I am currently listening to The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. I started Pandora's Jar a couple of days ago and am continuing on with both it and America on Fire. I am hoping to start Sabriel by Garth Nix today. I am reading that one with my daughter Beth. I am also hoping to finally get started on The Rector of Justin.
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!
27MickyFine
Sorry to hear about your back, Stasia, but glad it's not interfering too much with your plans. Hope you feel better soon!
28RebaRelishesReading
Happy new thread, Stasia! and most sorry to hear about your back :(
30atozgrl
Happy new thread, Stasia! The Cubs got that sweep today, in startling fashion. I hope your back trouble is temporary.
31alcottacre
>27 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!
>28 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba. My back has been problematic for a while now but today has been especially bad. I tried babying it a bit.
>29 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!
>30 atozgrl: Yeah, the Cubs win today was terrific, wasn't it, Irene? Go, Cub, go!
Thanks!
>28 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba. My back has been problematic for a while now but today has been especially bad. I tried babying it a bit.
>29 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!
>30 atozgrl: Yeah, the Cubs win today was terrific, wasn't it, Irene? Go, Cub, go!
Thanks!
32vancouverdeb
Happy New Thread, Stasia!
33LizzieD
Happy New Thread, Stasia, when you return to it!!! Meanwhile, baby that back and stay cool.
Just got a text from her saying that she had no Internet service. We hope it comes back on soonest!
Just got a text from her saying that she had no Internet service. We hope it comes back on soonest!
34msf59
Sweet Thursday, Stasia. Our Cubbies were on fire yesterday. Our very own home run derby. Swanson has been red-hot. Where has this guy been all season? We are going to the game tomorrow.
35SilverWolf28
Here's the Fourth of July readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385250
36SilverWolf28
Happy New Thread!
37LizzieD
Another update from Stasia.......... The second internet provider isn't providing. They may not get service until Tuesday. BAH!!!
38johnsimpson
Hi Stasia my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.
39tymfos
Hi, Stasia! I stopped to wish you Happy New Thread, and Happy 4th of July! Sorry to read that your internet provider is failing to provide the needed connection!
41vancouverdeb
Happy 4 th of July, Stasia!
42thornton37814
I am way behind, but I've at least scrolled through all of yours in an attempt to get somewhat caught up!
43jessibud2
Stasia, I hope you are back to connectivity soon!
I finished Time After Time and loved it! Review on my thread.
I finished Time After Time and loved it! Review on my thread.
44msf59
Happy Monday, Stasia. I hope you had a good holiday weekend. How have you been feeling? I am having a good time with Land. Glad I was able to score a highly coveted copy from the library.
45Storeetllr
Happy new(ish) thread! Hope your back is better.
46alcottacre
Thank you all for checking in on me! As of this afternoon, we have Internet again. We changed ISPs and we told the new company before they ever showed up that we were going to need an extender. Did they come with one? No, the technician who showed up told us that an extender was not on his work order. So, after spending yet more time on the phone with the company, Kerry drove over and picked one up. However, once installed, we still did not have Internet so we had to wait for a technician to arrive - today. Thank goodness we are now back from the Dark Ages! Lol
47Kristelh
>46 alcottacre: Technology problems are nightmares to me. I am glad you are back from the Dark Ages.
48alcottacre
So, I finished some books while I was offline and as usual, I am not doing full reviews:
192 - Sabriel by Garth Nix - A reread for me, although my initial read of the book was 16 years ago. This time I read it with my daughter Beth and we both enjoyed it; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine
193 - America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton - Nonfiction; Kirkus Reviews says of this one, “A must-read for all concerned with civil rights and social justice in modern America.” I completely agree; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Library Book
194 - The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny - Audiobook; The first audiobook in the Gamache series without the wonderful Ralph Cosham as narrator and I sorely missed him; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine
195 - Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin - Short Stories; As much as I like Baldwin, I do not believe that short stories were his forte. However, "Sonny's Blues" was excellent; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book
I have a lot of reading yet to do tonight!
192 - Sabriel by Garth Nix - A reread for me, although my initial read of the book was 16 years ago. This time I read it with my daughter Beth and we both enjoyed it; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine
193 - America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton - Nonfiction; Kirkus Reviews says of this one, “A must-read for all concerned with civil rights and social justice in modern America.” I completely agree; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Library Book
194 - The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny - Audiobook; The first audiobook in the Gamache series without the wonderful Ralph Cosham as narrator and I sorely missed him; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine
195 - Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin - Short Stories; As much as I like Baldwin, I do not believe that short stories were his forte. However, "Sonny's Blues" was excellent; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book
I have a lot of reading yet to do tonight!
49alcottacre
>47 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. Oh, and by the way, thank you for recommending "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin to me. I thought it was excellent!
50msf59
Morning, Stasia. Bummer about the internet issues. Glad you have been knocking out the books.
51alcottacre
>50 msf59: Thank you, Mark. You never realize until you do not have it how much you depend on the Internet!
52alcottacre
Laundry has already been washed and is now in the dryer, so that is out of the way for a bit. I am sincerely hoping that I can get my new phone activated today, but we will see.
Kerry and I are going to try playing Rats of Wistar on BGA in about 15 minutes. We have only ever played the physical version of the game - and only done that twice before - so it will be interesting to see how this goes.
I am currently listening to The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama, one of the recommendations on the Seattle Public Library Bingo list for the 'soothing' category. I had not ever heard of the book before and am about halfway through at this point. I am also reading quite a few library books, Pandora's Jar, Fever Beach, The Vanishing Half, Yesteryear, and Automatic Noodle, which I am hoping to finish today. Unfortunately that means that The Rector of Justin has been pushed to the back burner. Ah, well.
I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!
Kerry and I are going to try playing Rats of Wistar on BGA in about 15 minutes. We have only ever played the physical version of the game - and only done that twice before - so it will be interesting to see how this goes.
I am currently listening to The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama, one of the recommendations on the Seattle Public Library Bingo list for the 'soothing' category. I had not ever heard of the book before and am about halfway through at this point. I am also reading quite a few library books, Pandora's Jar, Fever Beach, The Vanishing Half, Yesteryear, and Automatic Noodle, which I am hoping to finish today. Unfortunately that means that The Rector of Justin has been pushed to the back burner. Ah, well.
I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!
53richardderus
>52 alcottacre: I'm pretty sure you don't mean the James Hogan book your Yesteryear touchstone points to. I can't really feature you liking that Holocaust denier/AIDS skeptic/climate change looney, somehow.
The nice thing about back-burnering a book is that it waits patiently to be front-burnered again. *smooch*
The nice thing about back-burnering a book is that it waits patiently to be front-burnered again. *smooch*
54alcottacre
>53 richardderus: The nice thing about back-burnering a book is that it waits patiently to be front-burnered again. One of the best things about books is their patience! Lol
I fixed the Touchstone, Richard, thank you. I have no idea who James Hogan is, but from your description, I am more than happy to keep it that way.
I fixed the Touchstone, Richard, thank you. I have no idea who James Hogan is, but from your description, I am more than happy to keep it that way.
55richardderus
>54 alcottacre: Awomen, me deario, you need form no synapses to deal with that cantankerous old fool.
56PaulCranswick
>53 richardderus: >54 alcottacre: & >55 richardderus:
I'm not sure that some of my books are retaining their patience.
I'm not sure that some of my books are retaining their patience.
57richardderus
>56 PaulCranswick: Well, of course not! Like being in Pharoah's harem, they might never so much as clap metaphorical eyes on you still less have you use them as intended. They're gonna Ramesses III you one day soon.
58alcottacre
>55 richardderus: After Holocaust denier, I did not need anything else to decide I never needed to read any of his books!
59alcottacre
Finished tonight:
196 - Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - Many thanks to Mary (bell7) for her recommendation of this one, a book I had a good time reading. Right now, I seem to be in a 'cozy' mode and this book definitely fit the bill! Four deactivated robots wake to find out that almost a year has passed and they need to figure out where they are in the grand scheme of things. Well, it turns out that the owners of the restaurant in which they all worked have left them high and dry, so just like Judy Garland and Micky Rooney, they decide to put on a show - in other words, to open the restaurant back up again and specialize in noodles. All is going swimmingly until the haters dive into the mix, giving the restaurant bad reviews because the workers are robots, and they have robotphobia. Since this is a cozy book, everything turns out in the end and I enjoyed getting there!; Recommended (4.25 stars) Library Book
196 - Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - Many thanks to Mary (bell7) for her recommendation of this one, a book I had a good time reading. Right now, I seem to be in a 'cozy' mode and this book definitely fit the bill! Four deactivated robots wake to find out that almost a year has passed and they need to figure out where they are in the grand scheme of things. Well, it turns out that the owners of the restaurant in which they all worked have left them high and dry, so just like Judy Garland and Micky Rooney, they decide to put on a show - in other words, to open the restaurant back up again and specialize in noodles. All is going swimmingly until the haters dive into the mix, giving the restaurant bad reviews because the workers are robots, and they have robotphobia. Since this is a cozy book, everything turns out in the end and I enjoyed getting there!; Recommended (4.25 stars) Library Book
60bell7
>59 alcottacre: Oh yay! Glad to see you enjoyed that one, too.
61LizzieD
Did I speak when I was here earlier???? I'm GLAD you're back online and hope you stay that way!
62atozgrl
Glad to see you back online, Stasia! I hope your internet problems are solved for good now.
63vancouverdeb
>46 alcottacre: What a hassle without your internet, Stasia! Glad to see you back on line.
64alcottacre
>60 bell7: I did, Mary, so thank you very much for the recommendation!
>61 LizzieD: If you spoke earlier, I missed it, Peggy. I hope I stay online too! Being offline twice in about a month is more than enough!
>62 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. We switched ISPs so hopefully this one will work out better for us - although we are not off to a stellar start!
>63 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah!
>61 LizzieD: If you spoke earlier, I missed it, Peggy. I hope I stay online too! Being offline twice in about a month is more than enough!
>62 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. We switched ISPs so hopefully this one will work out better for us - although we are not off to a stellar start!
>63 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah!
65alcottacre
Finished tonight:
197 - The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama - Audiobook; This is another book that fits solidly in the 'cozy' category. I normally do not care for audiobooks with multiple narrators, but in the case of this book, it works well - each section of the book deals with another character, so a different narrator just seems natural. Each of the book's characters has an encounter with "The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park," which is reputed to have healing powers so if you have a hurt leg, you go to the park and rub the hippo's leg in order to affect a cure. That is pretty much what the book is about in a nutshell, although the character's stories are given in more detail than that. I found parts of the book repetitive but overall I liked it; Recommended (3.75 stars) Hoopla
197 - The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama - Audiobook; This is another book that fits solidly in the 'cozy' category. I normally do not care for audiobooks with multiple narrators, but in the case of this book, it works well - each section of the book deals with another character, so a different narrator just seems natural. Each of the book's characters has an encounter with "The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park," which is reputed to have healing powers so if you have a hurt leg, you go to the park and rub the hippo's leg in order to affect a cure. That is pretty much what the book is about in a nutshell, although the character's stories are given in more detail than that. I found parts of the book repetitive but overall I liked it; Recommended (3.75 stars) Hoopla
66richardderus
Wednesday *smooch* in hopes of it being the final straw on Titivillus the Chaos Imp's grasp on your internet.
67alcottacre
>66 richardderus: Thank you, RD!
68alcottacre
I apologize for the late check in today, but it has been a hard one. Besides normal stuff like laundry, meal plans and grocery shopping, we have been dealing with family matters. Kerry's brother, Tony, passed away this past weekend unexpectedly and, originally we were told that Nelly (Tony's wife) was planning to have Tony cremated and then have a memorial service in August, when Tony's next birthday would have been. However, we were told today that they were going to have a funeral service on Saturday. There has been a lot - and I do mean a lot - of discussion going on with the family today and we still do not have any resolution. *sigh* Tony's two eldest sons live in Michigan and do not think that they can make arrangements that quickly to fly down to Brownsville, where Tony lived. Tony is the second of Kerry's brothers to pass away as we lost Jeff last year, so needless to say, things are a bit rough right now. I feel very helpless.
69jessibud2
Oh Stasia, that is awful. So much to deal with! My deep condolences to Kerry, you and the family.
70alcottacre
>69 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley.
71RebaRelishesReading
>68 alcottacre: So sorry, Stasia. Losing a close relative is difficult and then having logistical problems isn't making it any easier. Notional hugs for you and Kerry.
72PaulCranswick
>68 alcottacre: So sorry to hear that news and that the funeral arrangements seem to be difficult to gather all your brother in law's close family together. Hugs to you Stasia and especially to Kerry.
74Kristelh
Sorry Stasia and Kerry for your loss of now another brother. I do hope all works out so the family can gather to celebrate his life. Take care.
75richardderus
>68 alcottacre: A tough, tough day. I'm very sad with y'all for the stress and unhappiness of the time, and the uncertainty making it all more unpleasant.
76LizzieD
This is unreal. I just talked to Stasia. Their internet is gone again - just after 7:10, when she responded to Shelley. Kerry will call the provider in the morning.
She wanted me to let everybody know that she may or may not be back tomorrow.
She wanted me to let everybody know that she may or may not be back tomorrow.
78vancouverdeb
>68 alcottacre: I am so sorry that Kerry has lost a second brother in such a short time, Stasia. That is so sad. Hugs to you both.
Sorry to read of yet more internet problems too.
>76 LizzieD: Thanks for letting us know, Peggy.
Sorry to read of yet more internet problems too.
>76 LizzieD: Thanks for letting us know, Peggy.
79lauralkeet
>68 alcottacre: I'm so sorry, Stasia.
81SandDune
>68 alcottacre: So sorry to hear that Stasia.
82alcottacre
>77 quondame: Thank you, Susan.
>78 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Yes, Peggy is having to be my lifeline here all too often!
>79 lauralkeet: >80 BLBera: >81 SandDune: Thank you, Laura, Beth, and Rhian.
>78 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Yes, Peggy is having to be my lifeline here all too often!
>79 lauralkeet: >80 BLBera: >81 SandDune: Thank you, Laura, Beth, and Rhian.
83alcottacre
Well, when we got up this morning our Internet was back. We have no idea what the issue was and hopefully, whatever it was, it will stay far away. Laundry is already on, the groceries have already been delivered, and the text messages have already started about Tony's funeral arrangements. I hope that is sorted soon. I have errands to run today and I am hoping to have a calmer day today than yesterday, but it has not started out that way. . .
Kerry and I are going to try and play Merchants of the Dark Road today. We were supposed to play it Monday, but it kept getting postponed. Tomorrow is our monthly gaming marathon, so we really need to get it played today if we can.
I am now listening to The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff, an author I do not believe I have read before. I am continuing on with Pandora's Jar, which I hope to finish in the next day or two. I am also hoping to finish The Vanishing Half by tomorrow. I started Fever Beach but have not gotten very far yet.
I hope everyone has a thoughtful Thursday!
Kerry and I are going to try and play Merchants of the Dark Road today. We were supposed to play it Monday, but it kept getting postponed. Tomorrow is our monthly gaming marathon, so we really need to get it played today if we can.
I am now listening to The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff, an author I do not believe I have read before. I am continuing on with Pandora's Jar, which I hope to finish in the next day or two. I am also hoping to finish The Vanishing Half by tomorrow. I started Fever Beach but have not gotten very far yet.
I hope everyone has a thoughtful Thursday!
85alcottacre
>84 foggidawn: Thanks, Misti.
86rhondak101book
My condolences to you and Kerry.
87LizzieD
Ah....... I'm pleased to hear that the internet outage wasn't in your equipment. I do hope the funeral plans will be sorted soon. That kind of problem on top of grief is bad; the two feed each other.
Much love to you and Kerry!
Meanwhile, I'm off to look at *Merchants of the Dark Road*, not that I'm in the market for it, but anything that sparks a thought of the Silk Road demands my attention!
Much love to you and Kerry!
Meanwhile, I'm off to look at *Merchants of the Dark Road*, not that I'm in the market for it, but anything that sparks a thought of the Silk Road demands my attention!
88m.belljackson
What a sad loss of Two Brothers.
89curioussquared
I'm so sorry for your loss, Stasia, and the associated arrangements you're having to deal with :(
91alcottacre
>86 rhondak101book: Thank you, Rhonda.
>87 LizzieD: No more progress on the funeral plans today. We will have some resolution soon, I hope! Thanks for the love. Same to you and G!
>88 m.belljackson: Thank you, Marianne.
>89 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie. Hopefully the arrangements will be done soon.
>90 swynn: Thank you, Steve.
>87 LizzieD: No more progress on the funeral plans today. We will have some resolution soon, I hope! Thanks for the love. Same to you and G!
>88 m.belljackson: Thank you, Marianne.
>89 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie. Hopefully the arrangements will be done soon.
>90 swynn: Thank you, Steve.
92MickyFine
I'm so sorry for your loss, Stasia. Condolences to you, Kerry, and the rest of your family.
93SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385354
94atozgrl
Oh, Stasia, I am so sorry to hear about Kerry's brother. My condolences to you both, and I hope the funeral arrangements will be worked out. And that the Internet situation stabilizes for good. Sending (((((hugs))))).
95alcottacre
>92 MickyFine: Thank you, Micky.
>93 SilverWolf28: I have been over to the thread already and signed up!
>94 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. The Internet situation is still not good. I was on earlier to type up a book review directly after I was on the weekly readathon thread, and the Internet was down again. It literally just came back.
>93 SilverWolf28: I have been over to the thread already and signed up!
>94 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. The Internet situation is still not good. I was on earlier to type up a book review directly after I was on the weekly readathon thread, and the Internet was down again. It literally just came back.
96alcottacre
BTW - I have passed along the condolences to Kerry and he wanted me to thank all of you for your care and consideration. Resolution has been made as far as Tony's memorial service goes. It will be in August, but the date is pending. He will be having a military service. Tony left the Army as a Major.
97alcottacre
Finished tonight:
198 - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - This one was recommended a mere 5 years ago by Mary (bell7) and I am just now getting to it. It is a novel that goes through several time periods as we meet the twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, and their mother, Adele. The twins are light-skinned blacks and Stella goes through her adulthood passing, whereas Desiree deliberately sought out the blackest man she could find to marry. Much of the book is their two tales - and not only their tales, but their daughters' tales. For the most part, I enjoyed the book although I thought it got too ambitious at points, but her commentary on racism cannot be dismissed and her careful consideration of identity is very much worthwhile; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book
I am out of here before I lose the Internet again!
198 - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - This one was recommended a mere 5 years ago by Mary (bell7) and I am just now getting to it. It is a novel that goes through several time periods as we meet the twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, and their mother, Adele. The twins are light-skinned blacks and Stella goes through her adulthood passing, whereas Desiree deliberately sought out the blackest man she could find to marry. Much of the book is their two tales - and not only their tales, but their daughters' tales. For the most part, I enjoyed the book although I thought it got too ambitious at points, but her commentary on racism cannot be dismissed and her careful consideration of identity is very much worthwhile; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book
I am out of here before I lose the Internet again!
98Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Stasia. A frustrating time to have the internet down when so much is going on. Sorry to hear about Kerry's brother. Condolences to you all.
99msf59
Happy Friday, Stasia. Glad your internet is up and running. What a pain in the butt. I also enjoyed The Vanishing Half. How is Kerry holding up?
100torontoc
I am sorry to hear of your loss and am glad that funeral/memorial arrrangements have been settled
101laytonwoman3rd
Adding my condolences to you and Kerry on the latest loss...I'm glad the memorial is being delayed a bit; it's not the sort of thing you want to rush into. I think when someone is ill for a while, and you know the end is coming, you've given some thought to how the arrangements and remembrances will go. But a sudden death kind of knocks all thought and reason to the curb. The planning can be a kind of memorial itself...gathering pictures and talking about good times. I hope there's comfort in all that for the family.
102alcottacre
>98 Familyhistorian: Yeah, the Internet going down again last night - within 10 minutes of my typing the last post - was a pain. Thank you for the condolences, Meg.
>99 msf59: Kerry is doing about as well as can be expected. I know that he is glad to finally have some resolution as to when Tony's memorial is going to be even though we do not have the exact date yet.
>100 torontoc: Thank you, Cyrel!
>101 laytonwoman3rd: Thank you, Linda. a sudden death kind of knocks all thought and reason to the curb Yes, it does. As much as Nelly and their daughter, Elizabeth, are trying I know it has to be hard, especially with so many family members to consider.
>99 msf59: Kerry is doing about as well as can be expected. I know that he is glad to finally have some resolution as to when Tony's memorial is going to be even though we do not have the exact date yet.
>100 torontoc: Thank you, Cyrel!
>101 laytonwoman3rd: Thank you, Linda. a sudden death kind of knocks all thought and reason to the curb Yes, it does. As much as Nelly and their daughter, Elizabeth, are trying I know it has to be hard, especially with so many family members to consider.
103alcottacre
Kerry and I are in the middle of our monthly gaming marathon, but I am taking a break for a minute to check in. We only have one game under our belt thus far - the longest game we are playing today - and are fixing to start another.
Nothing new on the reading front as I am continuing on with the same books that I was reading yesterday. I am hoping that our Internet stays up tonight unlike the past couple as I hope to check in again later today. We lost it again last night within minutes of my typing up my thoughts on The Vanishing Half. Geez louise.
I hope you all have a fantastic Friday!
Nothing new on the reading front as I am continuing on with the same books that I was reading yesterday. I am hoping that our Internet stays up tonight unlike the past couple as I hope to check in again later today. We lost it again last night within minutes of my typing up my thoughts on The Vanishing Half. Geez louise.
I hope you all have a fantastic Friday!
104bell7
Sorry about the continuing Internet woes. And even more sorry to hear about Kerry's brother and the ensuing challenges figuring out the details of the memorial service, etc. I'm glad that some plans are settling some.
105alcottacre
>104 bell7: Thank you, Mary.
106alcottacre
Finished this evening:
199 - Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes - One of the reasons that I take part in the various challenges is so that my reading world expands. I had never read anything by Haynes before. She is one of the authors for this month's British Authors Challenge and I am very glad to have been introduced to her. In Pandora's Jar, Haynes takes a look at exclusively women characters from Greek Mythology. I was familiar with pretty much all of them, knowing some better than others, but I enjoyed the fact that Haynes points out things of which I was unaware; Recommended (4.25 stars) Hoopla - Kindle
199 - Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes - One of the reasons that I take part in the various challenges is so that my reading world expands. I had never read anything by Haynes before. She is one of the authors for this month's British Authors Challenge and I am very glad to have been introduced to her. In Pandora's Jar, Haynes takes a look at exclusively women characters from Greek Mythology. I was familiar with pretty much all of them, knowing some better than others, but I enjoyed the fact that Haynes points out things of which I was unaware; Recommended (4.25 stars) Hoopla - Kindle
107alcottacre
I am not sure if I will be back tonight or not. With all the Internet difficulties we are having, who knows? Certainly not me!
108thornton37814
>107 alcottacre: We're having off and on rain and potential thunderstorms all weekend. It hasn't been as bad as predicted thus far, but it appears things may take a turn for the worse overnight. I guess we'll see.
109LizzieD
Hey, wait!!!! You're back! I came by, having just gotten our power back after a second squall line passed by us to say that you were expecting a tech on MONDAY, but I see that you were here before me. YAY!!! I'm happy to be in touch with the rest of the world too.
110alcottacre
>108 thornton37814: I hope you stay safe and sound, Lori!
>109 LizzieD: Glad your electricity is back, Peggy! I hope that our Internet and your power both hold the course for the weekend. We are still going to have a tech come by on Monday to see why we keep losing it.
>109 LizzieD: Glad your electricity is back, Peggy! I hope that our Internet and your power both hold the course for the weekend. We are still going to have a tech come by on Monday to see why we keep losing it.
111alcottacre
Finished tonight:
200 - The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - Audiobook; I really like good historical fiction, especially historical fiction centered around World War II. Unfortunately for me, this was not it. Contrived romance, an unbelievable (to me, at least), and sketchy timelines are a few of the problems I had with the book. I liked the premise of the book quite a bit: the introduction of female 'spies' (although they were mostly couriers and radio operators) into the field in France sounds like a premise with promise. Well, it was but the writing in this book did nothing for it; Not Recommended (3 stars) Hoopla
This is another audiobook that used multiple narrators to good effect. I am coming around to the idea of multiple narrators, it seems. . .
200 - The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - Audiobook; I really like good historical fiction, especially historical fiction centered around World War II. Unfortunately for me, this was not it. Contrived romance, an unbelievable (to me, at least), and sketchy timelines are a few of the problems I had with the book. I liked the premise of the book quite a bit: the introduction of female 'spies' (although they were mostly couriers and radio operators) into the field in France sounds like a premise with promise. Well, it was but the writing in this book did nothing for it; Not Recommended (3 stars) Hoopla
This is another audiobook that used multiple narrators to good effect. I am coming around to the idea of multiple narrators, it seems. . .
112thornton37814
>110 alcottacre: So far we've had a few periods of intense rain but a lot of time in between storms. I do know they've had some flooding in the county below us (between us and the state line) near some of the small mountain "rivers" that are almost more like creeks. I live at a pretty high elevation so I should stay high and dry.
113thornton37814
>111 alcottacre: If that one is in my reading wish list, I think it would be safe to delete it.
114vancouverdeb
I hope your internet is holding , Stasia.
115alcottacre
>112 thornton37814: I sure hope you stay high and dry, Lori!
>113 thornton37814: There are a lot of people who seemed to enjoy it more than I did.
>114 vancouverdeb: So far, so good for the weekend, Deborah. Let's hope it stays that way. Thanks!
>113 thornton37814: There are a lot of people who seemed to enjoy it more than I did.
>114 vancouverdeb: So far, so good for the weekend, Deborah. Let's hope it stays that way. Thanks!
116alcottacre
Well, my CFS kicked in today. I slept until 1 this afternoon, was up for an hour, and went back to sleep. I just hope it is a one day thing and not going to be a month long thing. . .
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
117alcottacre
Finished tonight:
201 - Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen - Thank you to Karen (KarenO) for recommending this one to me. The book is told in Hiassen's usual tongue-in-cheek manner with a group of white supremacists, corrupt politicians, people willing to take and make bribes, and conspiracy nuts. I have read several of Hiassen's books and found them funny, but I think that the humor in this one was a bit too broad for my taste and the satire a bit overdone. That being said, there were characters in the book that I really liked such as Viva, Twilly, and Galaxy. I was also glad to see that multiple characters got their just desserts in the end, including Figgo who launched Ziploc baggies from his friend's truck with hateful messages in them; Recommended (3.75 stars) Library Book
"Dale Figgo's conclave was basically a hate camp for emotionally stunted white boys, complete with treats and games and sing-alongs. . .They were bigots, proud and fully formed who were plotting something dumb and dangerous."
201 - Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen - Thank you to Karen (KarenO) for recommending this one to me. The book is told in Hiassen's usual tongue-in-cheek manner with a group of white supremacists, corrupt politicians, people willing to take and make bribes, and conspiracy nuts. I have read several of Hiassen's books and found them funny, but I think that the humor in this one was a bit too broad for my taste and the satire a bit overdone. That being said, there were characters in the book that I really liked such as Viva, Twilly, and Galaxy. I was also glad to see that multiple characters got their just desserts in the end, including Figgo who launched Ziploc baggies from his friend's truck with hateful messages in them; Recommended (3.75 stars) Library Book
"Dale Figgo's conclave was basically a hate camp for emotionally stunted white boys, complete with treats and games and sing-alongs. . .They were bigots, proud and fully formed who were plotting something dumb and dangerous."
118laytonwoman3rd
I read one Hiassen years ago, an I thought it was a hoot. But I'd have to be in just the right mood for his whack-a-doodle stuff. Not sure I could get enough emotional distance from white supremacists to find anything about them humorous, so I'll just X out that particular title.
119alcottacre
>118 laytonwoman3rd: I understand, Linda. I am not sure I was enough in the right mood for this one.
120alcottacre
CFS still reigns at the moment but since today is my 'day off' technology, I hardly think it matters, lol. I have my weekly meet up with Beth and Catey today, lots of gaming will be going on if I can stay awake, and hopefully some reading too.
I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!
I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!
121RebaRelishesReading
>116 alcottacre: I hope so for you too.
122LizzieD
I hope that your afternoon went as you hoped and that the CFS is slinking off even as I type!
123PaulCranswick
Congratulations for passing 200 books already this year, Juana, despite the dreaded CFS. My sleep caught up with me yesterday helped by Hani returning from her expedition to her home state to vote (she arrived back late Saturday night). She was burrowed under the bedclothes like a hamster into mid afternoon yesterday and I took advantage of the excuse to largely follow suit after watching England beat Norway in the World Cup.
124Familyhistorian
I hope your internet is holding and the CFS is on its way out, Stasia. Hang in there!
125bell7
Sorry about the CFS flaring up, Stasia, and hope you had a pleasant Sunday despite it. Hoping with you that this bout doesn't last long!
126LizzieD
Oh well. I surmise that you're still sleeping, doggone it. I HOPE that tech person at least has secured your internet connection for you, but I have to wonder since you haven't put in an appearance.
127alcottacre
Sorry, folks, but I have really been struggling today. It has been a very CFS day here. Just like the past couple of nights, I went to bed about 10pm last night and woke up at noon. Unfortunately, I could not stay awake. Two hours later, I took a 2 hour nap, so I have been awake for the past 1.5 hours and am ready for another. *sigh*
The Internet technician never showed up today. He/She never called Kerry or texted him or anything. . .
No reading is happening at all today. I am just too tired. . .
The Internet technician never showed up today. He/She never called Kerry or texted him or anything. . .
No reading is happening at all today. I am just too tired. . .
128mdoris
Stasia, so much is going on in your life! I am sorry for your loss, and your challenges with internet and the ongoing challenges with CFS. Oh boy you are sleeping so, so much! Sure hope you can shake it and be much better soon.
129PaulCranswick
>127 alcottacre: Chin up, dear Juana.
130msf59
Good Morning, Stasia. So sorry to hear about the CFS flare-up. I hope you are doing a bit better today. I wanted to tell you that my local birding club is now hosting a gaming event. They have been playing Wingspan and I joined them on Saturday with 2 of my birding buddies. Of course, you were incredibly kind to gift me the game a few years ago and the wife and I tried playing it a couple of times and couldn't quite get the hang of it. It is complicated. This setting was perfect- they matched up new players with seasoned ones and it was a perfect way to learn. I think there were 5 or 6 sets of four players. They will do it again in a couple of months and I will attend if I can. When was the last time you played?
131alcottacre
>128 mdoris: Thank you, Mary! I hope so too. CFS always manages to wreak havoc with my reading plans, not to mention the rest of my life.
>129 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I am trying.
>130 msf59: I wish I could say that I was doing better today, Mark, but I just woke up from a 2+ hour nap about an hour ago and am ready for another, lol. Wingspan gets played around here fairly often. As a matter of fact, I played it earlier today. I very much enjoy the game and have all the expansions for it.
>129 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I am trying.
>130 msf59: I wish I could say that I was doing better today, Mark, but I just woke up from a 2+ hour nap about an hour ago and am ready for another, lol. Wingspan gets played around here fairly often. As a matter of fact, I played it earlier today. I very much enjoy the game and have all the expansions for it.
132alcottacre
I think that this is day 4 of this particular CFS flare up. I think. My brain is not all there, I do not think.
I played a couple of games on BGA today: Wingspan, solo, and got totally destroyed by the AI, and then with Kerry, we played Rats of Wistar.
I am reading these days, just not very quickly due to time limitations. I am currently listening to Abandoned in Death. I am trying to finish Yesteryear, which I am glad is in large print, I would like to finish a small book today just to show that I am trying, The Red House Mystery. I am also back on to reading The Rector of Justin and I have a graphic novel on the back burner, Backflash by Mat Johnson that I need to read as it is from Hoopla and they want it back.
I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!
I played a couple of games on BGA today: Wingspan, solo, and got totally destroyed by the AI, and then with Kerry, we played Rats of Wistar.
I am reading these days, just not very quickly due to time limitations. I am currently listening to Abandoned in Death. I am trying to finish Yesteryear, which I am glad is in large print, I would like to finish a small book today just to show that I am trying, The Red House Mystery. I am also back on to reading The Rector of Justin and I have a graphic novel on the back burner, Backflash by Mat Johnson that I need to read as it is from Hoopla and they want it back.
I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!
133atozgrl
>132 alcottacre: I hate hearing that your CFS is back. I hope it leaves ASAP! Take care of yourself, Stasia.
134alcottacre
Finished tonight:
202 - The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne - Milne, the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh books, wrote this cozy mystery for his dad before the Pooh books were written. I grew up loving the Pooh books because my mother loved the Pooh books because her mother loved them. To say that I was interested in reading this one is an understatement, so thanks to Linda (laytonwoman3rd) for sending me a copy about 10 years ago. I finally got to it! This is one of those cozy mysteries set in an English manor house - one of the kinds of mysteries that harkens to the golden age of mysteries - and a type that I particularly enjoy. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to guess from the outset 0 although there is a twist - who the guilty party(-ies) is/are, which takes much of the fun away from the reading. However, there are Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes type characters, Antony and Bill, whose interplay I really enjoyed. It is not enough to save the book for me though. I really wanted to like this one much more than I did!; Not Recommended (3 stars) Mine
"Antony could never resist another person's bookshelves. As soon as he went into the room, he found himself wondering round it to see what books the owner read, or (more likely) did not read. . ."
202 - The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne - Milne, the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh books, wrote this cozy mystery for his dad before the Pooh books were written. I grew up loving the Pooh books because my mother loved the Pooh books because her mother loved them. To say that I was interested in reading this one is an understatement, so thanks to Linda (laytonwoman3rd) for sending me a copy about 10 years ago. I finally got to it! This is one of those cozy mysteries set in an English manor house - one of the kinds of mysteries that harkens to the golden age of mysteries - and a type that I particularly enjoy. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to guess from the outset 0 although there is a twist - who the guilty party(-ies) is/are, which takes much of the fun away from the reading. However, there are Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes type characters, Antony and Bill, whose interplay I really enjoyed. It is not enough to save the book for me though. I really wanted to like this one much more than I did!; Not Recommended (3 stars) Mine
"Antony could never resist another person's bookshelves. As soon as he went into the room, he found himself wondering round it to see what books the owner read, or (more likely) did not read. . ."
135alcottacre
>133 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I hope it goes away soon too - although I definitely feel (yet another) nap coming on.
136alcottacre
I am heading to bed. Yep, 8:30pm. *sigh*
137LizzieD
Oh dear. I wish you were not plagued this way. We know it will pass, but I put my vote in for sooner rather than later!
138PaulCranswick
>137 LizzieD: What Peggy said. xx
140vancouverdeb
Sorry about the CFS, Stasia. I hope you feel better soon.
141foggidawn
>134 alcottacre: Sorry the book was not better, but that's a nice quote about being drawn to the bookshelves! (If a little cynical about people actually reading the books they own.)
142alcottacre
>137 LizzieD: I am putting my vote in for sooner rather than later too, Peggy, especially after last night!
>138 PaulCranswick: 140 Thank you, Paul, Mary, and Deborah!
>141 foggidawn: I really liked that quote too, Misti, which is why I shared it. I am on the cynical side, knowing how many books that I have unread on my own shelves :)
>138 PaulCranswick: 140 Thank you, Paul, Mary, and Deborah!
>141 foggidawn: I really liked that quote too, Misti, which is why I shared it. I am on the cynical side, knowing how many books that I have unread on my own shelves :)
143alcottacre
Well, last night into today has been terrible. I went to bed about 8:40 last night and slept until 12:30pm today. 16 hours!! Ugh. I missed both breakfast and lunch today. I am not a happy camper.
Kerry and I did get a game played this afternoon - and we did get lunch in, it just was not something that I cooked :(
I am not sure if I am going to get any reading in today or not. I am already ready to go back to bed. I am going to try and stay up as long as I can before I fall over though.
Kerry and I did get a game played this afternoon - and we did get lunch in, it just was not something that I cooked :(
I am not sure if I am going to get any reading in today or not. I am already ready to go back to bed. I am going to try and stay up as long as I can before I fall over though.
144RebaRelishesReading
Hope CFS gives up quickly this time and that you're feeling rested and ready to go by tomorrow.
145richardderus
>136 alcottacre: It's just too darn much! Those goddesses need to quit using you for target practice! *smooch*
147foggidawn
>142 alcottacre: I keep my unread books on a separate shelf from the other books... mostly. ;-)
148alcottacre
>144 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba!
>145 richardderus: I do not mind them using me for target practice, Richard, what I mind is when they hit me! Lol
>146 LizzieD: That makes 2 of us, Peggy!
>147 foggidawn: That is simply an impossibility for Misti. There are just too doggone many of the unread variety at my house. . .
>145 richardderus: I do not mind them using me for target practice, Richard, what I mind is when they hit me! Lol
>146 LizzieD: That makes 2 of us, Peggy!
>147 foggidawn: That is simply an impossibility for Misti. There are just too doggone many of the unread variety at my house. . .
149alcottacre
Well, I woke up about 2:30pm or so today. There is very little day left for me, I am betting. I sure wish this bout of CFS would disappear as quickly as it showed up!
Kerry and I got word today that Tony's memorial service will be August 7th. As I have been tagged for jury duty on the August 3rd, at least that should be out of the way before Tony's service.
I did manage to finish a couple of books - one of them I finished last night but was too darned tired to write up and the other was my J. D. Robb audiobook for this month.
Kerry and I got word today that Tony's memorial service will be August 7th. As I have been tagged for jury duty on the August 3rd, at least that should be out of the way before Tony's service.
I did manage to finish a couple of books - one of them I finished last night but was too darned tired to write up and the other was my J. D. Robb audiobook for this month.
150alcottacre
Finished last night:
203 - Backflash by Mat Johnson - Graphic Novel; This book is on the Seattle Public Library's suggestion list for this summer's BINGO challenge and it sounded interesting so I accessed it through Hoopla. Unfortunately for me, the premise did not work for me as well as it might have - the protagonist can go into the past by accessing the nostalgia of objects - and I really did not care for the main character at all. I also found the artwork a bit underwhelming, but that might have been because I was reading it on my Kindle. Color me disappointed in this one; Not Recommended (3 stars)
Finished this evening:
204 - Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb - Audiobook; In this book, Dallas has to track down a man who is kidnapping (and eventually killing) women who he makes into the image of his mother, who abandoned him as a child. It turns out the trigger for him to turn to homicide was the suicide of his mother, who because of trauma, had completely forgotten him until another trauma made her remember. This was an interesting book in the series as it relies heavily on going back-and-forth between the two different times - the perpetrator as a child and then current day - and it is not done often in the series; Recommended (4 stars) Mine
203 - Backflash by Mat Johnson - Graphic Novel; This book is on the Seattle Public Library's suggestion list for this summer's BINGO challenge and it sounded interesting so I accessed it through Hoopla. Unfortunately for me, the premise did not work for me as well as it might have - the protagonist can go into the past by accessing the nostalgia of objects - and I really did not care for the main character at all. I also found the artwork a bit underwhelming, but that might have been because I was reading it on my Kindle. Color me disappointed in this one; Not Recommended (3 stars)
Finished this evening:
204 - Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb - Audiobook; In this book, Dallas has to track down a man who is kidnapping (and eventually killing) women who he makes into the image of his mother, who abandoned him as a child. It turns out the trigger for him to turn to homicide was the suicide of his mother, who because of trauma, had completely forgotten him until another trauma made her remember. This was an interesting book in the series as it relies heavily on going back-and-forth between the two different times - the perpetrator as a child and then current day - and it is not done often in the series; Recommended (4 stars) Mine
151LizzieD
I'm glad to see that you were here for at least a few minutes, Stasia. I'm also glad that you are able to work in a few books between naps. Speaking of napping, I had one that lasted 2 hours this afternoon. That is absolutely ridiculous because I do not have SCFS. I'm not depressed. I am a little sleep deprived, but not that much! So - fellow feeling of a sort. Take care of yourself!
152alcottacre
>151 LizzieD: I am trying to take care of myself, Peggy! I think things may be turning - fingers crossed - because I at least want to read tonight. I mean really read. It is not that the desire has not been there this week, it is just that the need for sleep outweighed it. Maybe this is the end of this flare up? I sure do hope so!
153alcottacre
Well, so much for my ambition. I am heading to bed and it is not even 8pm. Arg!
154SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/385521
156rhondak101book
>111 alcottacre: I totally agree with you about The Lost Girls of Paris. The premise is great, but nothing in the book is developed; the plot is underdeveloped, the characters are one-dimensional, and the romance annoying. I had high hopes...
158alcottacre
I went to bed at 8pm last night, woke up at 10am this morning, so only 14 hours down. I am so tired, I told Kerry that I need a nap - after 14 hours in bed. I am so frustrated right now it is not even funny. This is not living. I am at the point that I am not sure I even care any more.
And that is just stupid.
And that is just stupid.
159vancouverdeb
>158 alcottacre: That sounds really difficult , Stasia! So frustrating. I hope you are feeling better soon.
160rhondak101book
>158 alcottacre: I hope you feel better soon.
162PaulCranswick
>159 vancouverdeb: Chin up, Juana.
Any time you are down you have Kerry to give a hug and your army of friends on LT to communicate with. I suffer with not being able to get enough rest and being permanently drained of energy and I appreciate and sympathize with what you are going through. I find fresh air - especially mountain or seaside air both refresh me and enable me to eventually get unfettered rest.
Any time you are down you have Kerry to give a hug and your army of friends on LT to communicate with. I suffer with not being able to get enough rest and being permanently drained of energy and I appreciate and sympathize with what you are going through. I find fresh air - especially mountain or seaside air both refresh me and enable me to eventually get unfettered rest.
163alcottacre
>159 vancouverdeb: >160 rhondak101book: >161 LizzieD: Thanks, ladies!
>162 PaulCranswick: Paul, the one thing I knew for sure is that when I needed to vent, I could vent here on LT. Good, bad, or indifferent, LT is my family. Poor Kerry has put up with a lot this past week and he is absolutely wonderful. I am so very lucky in not only my LT family, but my actual family too.
>162 PaulCranswick: Paul, the one thing I knew for sure is that when I needed to vent, I could vent here on LT. Good, bad, or indifferent, LT is my family. Poor Kerry has put up with a lot this past week and he is absolutely wonderful. I am so very lucky in not only my LT family, but my actual family too.
164alcottacre
Finished tonight - and writing it up before I fall over:
205 - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - This is Burke's first novel and I thought it was a good start to her writing career. In Natalie, she created a character that I did not like at all. The thing is, I also could not stop reading about her. She is just that dynamic a character. She is living this 'perfect' life that she does not appreciate, with a 'perfect' family that she does not really seem to love - and then she gets transported into an alternative universe past. Burke makes fun of MAGA, she pokes fun at influencers and their online milieus, and does it well; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Library Book
205 - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - This is Burke's first novel and I thought it was a good start to her writing career. In Natalie, she created a character that I did not like at all. The thing is, I also could not stop reading about her. She is just that dynamic a character. She is living this 'perfect' life that she does not appreciate, with a 'perfect' family that she does not really seem to love - and then she gets transported into an alternative universe past. Burke makes fun of MAGA, she pokes fun at influencers and their online milieus, and does it well; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Library Book
165laytonwoman3rd
"I am not sure I even care any more." Yeah, well, WE DO. I know I'm the caboose on the train with that sentiment, but please do remember how many people here and elsewhere in your life wish this curse could be lifted from you so you'd feel better and we could share more of your special Stasia-ness. Sounds like you had a similar reaction to The Red House Mystery as I did...meh.
