Ellen reads and paints in 2026 - Thread 2

I'm Ellen, a retired psychologist and university administrator, living in Central Oregon. This month marks 15 years of LibraryThing membership for me, including this wonderful "75ers" group! My presence has definitely fallen off since I've become passionate about watercolor painting. Honestly, I now spend more hours each day painting than I do reading. Still, reading was my first and lifelong love. And I get so many great book recommendations from this group.

My goals this year are simple: read what I want when I want.

COMPLETED IN JANUARY

1. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 5 stars!
2. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin 4 stars
3. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy 5 stars!
4. Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin 3.5 stars

COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY

5. There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak 4 stars
6. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende 4 stars

COMPLETED IN MARCH

7. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter 3.5 stars
8. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall 4 stars
9. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion audiobook 4.5 stars
10. Sacrament: A Novel by Susan Straight 4 stars
11. The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson 4 stars
12. A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar 4 stars
13. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman 3.5 stars

COMPLETED IN APRIL

14. When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén 4.5 stars
15. Snow by John Banville 3.5 stars
16. Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger 4 stars
17. Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason 3.5 stars
18. Seascraper by Benjamin Wood 4 stars

COMPLETED IN MAY

19. Supersonic: A Novel by Thomas Kohnstamm 3.5 stars
20. Raising Hare: A Memoir by Chloe Dalton 4 stars
21. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman 3.5 stars
22. Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman 4 stars

COMPLETED IN JUNE

23. Flashlight by Susan Choi 3.5 stars
24. Heart the Lover by Lily King 4.5 stars
25. The Painter by Peter Heller 4 stars
26. Endling by Maria Reva 3.5 stars

COMPLETED IN JULY

27. The Antidote by Karen Russell 4 stars
28. So Far Gone by Jess Walter 4 stars
29. On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) by Solvej Balle 5 stars
30. Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory 3 stars
31. Whistler by Ann Patchett 4.5 stars
32. Ruins by Lily Brooks=Dalton 4 stars

fourth quarter (in anticipation)

Carson

I sent this 5x7" painting to my nephew. He went through a sudden and painful divorce and then headed off to Montana for a 10-day solo kayaking trip. This was waiting for him when he got home.

Shared Reads

✅ The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - Kim and Beth
✅ House of Spirits by Isabel Allende - Kim & Beth
✅ Raising Hare: A Memoir by Chloe Dalton - Kim and Beth
✅ Endling by Maria Reva - Kim and Beth

August: On the Calculation of Volume (Volume I) by Solvej Balle - Kim and Beth because I told them I need to discuss it
October: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Kim & Beth

I need to join in some more LT shared reads!!!

My two most recent reads:

So Far Gone by Jess Walter (one of my Portland acquisitions):
Rhys is living off the grid in the woods north of Spokane, WA, when his grandchildren arrive on his doorstep. Rhys hasn't seen these kids in a few years but they have a note from their mother asking him to look out for them until she returns. From where? The note doesn't say but Leah and Asher are pretty smart kids and they lead Rhys to the Christian Nationalist redoubt where they believe their father might be located. The novel is part thriller and part family story, all set in the context of our current national descent into divisiveness and insanity. Walter is a good storyteller and I definitely wanted to know how this one wrapped up.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On the Calculation of Volume (Volume I) by Solvej Balle, translated from the Dutch:
Nominated for the International Booker Prize, I was at first skeptical of this novel. I don't generally like time-loop or time-travel stories. But here I was and my sister had a copy on her own TBR shelf and I needed something short to read in between other books, so I picked it up. I tore through the first 50 pages and ended up reading this (admittedly short) novel in two days. It was fascinating. Tara and Thomas live in France where they run a business researching, acquiring, and selling rare and old books. On the 18th of November, Tara is in Paris on a book-buying trip when she wakes up in her hotel to a repeat of November 18th. No one else is experiencing this repeat. This is their first 18th of November. But Tara is stuck in a time loop. Part of what I found fascinating is how she copes with the situation. I don't reread books often but I imagine I'll purchase my own copy of this one so I can read it again and so I can write in my own copy.

After the first quarter or so, it slowed down and took on a more contemplative vibe but it was a thought-provoking and delightful read.

Today I'm starting Whistler by Ann Patchett. My sister just finished reading it so I've claimed her copy. Next week I'll be joining her for her in-person book group to discuss it.

Next is for visitors!

Happy new thread, Ellen. >7 EBT1002: is beautiful. Clear skies, new horizons, and brighter days ahead emerging from under that dark cloud. I am sure he will love it.

Happy New Thread, Ellen!

Happy new thread, Ellen!

>9 EBT1002: On the Calculation of Volume is a BB!

Happy new thread, Ellen. Good to see the photo of all the folks at the Portland meet-up on your previous thread. Good luck with your reading off the shelf plan.

New-thread orisons, Ellen. I'm glad you liked the last two reads, it just *fits* with summer reading.

I am anxious to read both So Far Gone and On the Calculation of Volume.

Happy new thread.

Happy new thread, Ellen.

>7 EBT1002: That is lovely - both the painting and the thought that followed it. xx

Happy New Thread, Ellen! My LT time is also less generous than I'd like. I hope you're not burning up in Asheville, but I'm always glad to see you painting, reading, and posting a pic of Carson.

Happy New Thread!

Happy new thread, Ellen.

>7 EBT1002: That is spectacular!! Hope it brings your nephew comfort.

Hi Ellen! It's nice to see you around these parts. I just picked up both Whistler and On the Calculation of Volume from the library so it looks like I'll be just on your heels so to speak. Love the painting, too -- beautiful, and a thoughtful gift. Enjoy the visit with your sister!

>12 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I think the little painting meant a lot to him.

>13 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb!

>14 quondame: I will be interested in your reactions to On the Calculation of Volume (Volume I), Susan. I'm oddly hesitant to recommend it; I'm not sure why but I'm unconvinced others will find it as interesting as I did. Silly, that, since it was nominated for the International Booker Prize!

>15 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. Your comment leads me to think I should probably carry that meet-up photo over to this thread!

>16 richardderus: Summer reading "should" be enjoyable, shouldn't it, Richard? I assume you are a member of my tribe, to wit: some of my clearest and fondest childhood memories involve reading. Reading on the couch. Reading at the beach. Reading at the library. Reading at the dining room table. Reading in my room away from everyone else.... Reading. :)

>17 BLBera: Hi Beth. I'm pleased to have had two good reads in a row subsequent to our delightful Portland meetup!

>18 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. This particular nephew is so special and important to me; we helped him financially so he could buy out his now-ex-wife and keep his house, but I wanted to do something to support him emotionally, too. I was pleased with how the little painting turned out.

>19 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy. Asheville is hot and humid but I'm a wee bit relieved not to be in Oregon where dozens of fires have broken out in the past 3 days or so. There is another fire just north of Sisters. As it has encountered the scar from last September's Flat Fire. Paradoxical gift from that previous fire, awful as it was?

>20 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. He said he was going to look for a frame for it so I think he liked the little painting. *smile*

>21 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. My sister decided she needed to reread Whistler since it is for her book group so I ended up purchasing it as an ebook from Amazon. Sigh. I want to read it for the book group, as well, but the line at the library is loooooong. I don't mind supporting Ann Patchett with the purchase but I hate supporting Amazon unnecessarily. Oh well. I will start the book later today and I'm looking forward to it. And I'll be interested in your reactions to Calculation of Volume.

I read Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory yesterday. It's a graphic "memoir" although it's more about sketching than it is about his family after his wife fell under a subway train and wound up partially paralyzed. After this tragedy, Danny took up drawing. He drew a lot. Like most people who sketch, he learned that practice is more important than talent and that sketching leads to seeing differently. The story is not terribly compelling and his sketchbook handwriting is sometimes difficult to decipher. But if you want to draw and you want to keep a sketchbook/journal, this is good inspiration for picking up the pen and, well, sketching!!!! Draw anything. Draw everything. Draw frequently. Draw everyday objects and scenes. And, through that process, you may find yourself reminded that every day matters and that there is beauty in the everyday moments.

Kim, Beth, me, and P at our recent Portland, Oregon, meetup!

One thing I love about visiting my sister is that she is a HUGE reader! And a thoughtful reader, and fun to have a book discussion with. She and I have this idea that it would be fun (?) to be in a "Hard Book Club," a club that tackled a really difficult book a couple of times a year. Our thinking is that the club would need to meet at least twice per book. This idea emerged from her ongoing distraction by Blood Meridian. She says it is a masterpiece that she would not recommend to almost anyone (largely due to the extreme violence). She has read it twice, the first time in association with a class focused on Cormac McCarthy and the second time with a smaller group of students from that class, a group who wanted to reread it together.

We've also talked about a dozen or so other books in the few days I've been here so far. She is re-reading Whistler and I plan to read it so I can attend her book group with her next Wednesday.

Hi, Ellen! Sorry to have missed dropping a star on your previous thread at the beginning of the year. It always happens with somebody. Your recent posts on various threads made me go searching for yours.

That nearly monotone painting is so stunning. No wonder you're proud of it. And what a sweet gesture to send the kayaking piece to your nephew. It has a profound feeling to it, and I'm sure it means a lot to him.

My RL book club will be reading No Country For Old Men later in the year. I have read it before, as well as several others by McCarthy, but I made the decision to leave Blood Meridian alone after reading a few reviews. I'm afraid it's like Lolita for me...a masterpiece I may just never experience for myself due to the subject matter.

Happy new thread, Ellen, and wowzer, I love your painting at the top.

>23 EBT1002: ...sitting in Dad's lap as he read The Story of Ferdinand to me...getting my very own first book on my sixth birthday from my sister...Mama making me a PBJ and sending me off to read my Dr. Seuss under the plum tree....

>28 laytonwoman3rd: Hi Linda!

Yes, I think Blood Meridian is only for the very most dedicated McCarthy fans. I have read All the Pretty Horses but have not yet ventured into his other works.

>29 labfs39: Thanks Lisa!

>30 richardderus: sweet memories, Richard. I was a HUGE Dr. Seuss fan as a child. My sister, who is 17 years older than I, read to me a lot. She describes me bringing her a tall stack of Dr. Seuss books and crawling up beside her on the couch. She would say "I'm NOT reading all of those to you," but she would end up doing so because... how could she resist? *smile*

>31 EBT1002: My sisters were 10 and 9 years older so had less interest in reading to me. Winter (9 years older) did give me a lot of books over the years because she had a bookshop, but sit and read to me? Once, at Yule 1969. One time and it sticks in my memory because it was so uncharacteristic. I was a total Seussian because of the delight in words in his books. I still feel it today!

>31 EBT1002: I LOVE your Dr. Seuss story.

I want to visit your sister as well! I love the idea of a "hard" book club. Maybe we can visit that idea in a future discussion. I, however, will not be reading Blood Meridian. A colleague of mine told me that Cormac McCarthy is great but that I would not enjoy his books. I did read The Road and loved it.

Happy new thread, Ellen, and I'm really glad you reposted our meetup photo!! I had such a great time with all of you. : ) And I love the image of your sister reading Dr. Suess to you, all of them. When are we starting our book off the shelf reads? My piles just keep growing!!

>23 EBT1002: That is a lovely story, Ellen.

>34 Berly: Kimmers I do hope your last sentence refers to books and is not an anatomical reference!

Books, of course!!

Happy new thread!

>32 richardderus: I think it was the same for me, Richard, that I loved Seuss' delight in words. It was completely enchanting. I'm sorry your older sisters were not ones to read to you. My older brother (5 years older) was also disinclined to read to me. Or really have anything much to do with me. Haha. Of course, my big brown eyes may have had something to do with my sister's inability to deny me anything I wanted. *wink*

>33 BLBera: I have zero interest in reading Blood Meridian, Beth. I think there are plenty of "hard" books out there to read in companionship with others. I think there have been such group reads right here on LT!

>34 Berly: Hi Kim. I'm starting my Books-Off-The-Shelves project in August, right after I return home from this North Carolina adventure. I will look at that top shelf on the bookcase by the living room sofa and select one to read in the month of August. I wonder which one I will choose....

>35 PaulCranswick: It's a sweet story, isn't it, Paul? My sister is pretty darn special.

And you just cracked me up with your question for Kim. :-)

>36 Berly: LOL

>37 drneutron: Thanks Jim!

I just finished Ann Patchett's Whistler. I loved it. I want to reread it. My sister has a book group this afternoon -- in exactly 71 minutes! -- and I wanted to finish reading the book before joining her for the discussion. I'm really glad I read it and I'm looking forward to the discussion (although I will try to be a very light participant as I am not really a member of the group).

Next Up:

Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Having absolutely loved The Light Pirate, I'm excited to read this one. I'm being careful to keep my expectations measured. I hope it's good but I don't expect it to be as good at TLP.

>40 EBT1002:, >41 EBT1002: I'm so glad you loved Whistler Ellen! I thought it was terrific and uplifting in these tough times. My book group will be discussing it next week. I think you're in for a treat with Ruins, even if it didn't quite live up to The Light Pirate. She's an incredibly talented writer.

>42 vivians: What Vivian said.

>42 vivians: and >43 BLBera: My sister's book club discussion of Whistler today was so wonderful. It's a really good book group. They talk about the book, they're an intelligent group, and it was fun. I participated but did try to do so minimally since I was a guest. :-)

The book club's next read is going to be The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout. Since I've been lukewarm about Strout and one of the guys in the group is a big fan of her work, and I know so many of my LT buddies are, I'm determined to give her another try. So I've put TTWNS on hold at the library.

>26 EBT1002: I LOVE this Meet Up photo! That is awesome! Miss you all. ❤️

I will have to add Everyday Matters. Love me a good graphic memoir.

Hooray for Whistler. I also LOVED Blood Meridian. Joe and I did a reread of it, a couple of years ago.

>45 EBT1002: I really loved The Things We Never Say and I have not always loved Elizabeth Strout books. I hope it works for you.

>40 EBT1002: Could be on the menu for me next month, Ellen - especially if it makes the Booker Longlist.

>46 msf59: I miss you, too, Mark. It has been too long! I hope you enjoy Everyday Matters. It's kind of fun if not terribly elaborate as a memoir.

>47 vancouverdeb: I'm looking forward to giving The Things We Never Say a try, Deb. I'm glad to know you liked it even though you're not a member of Strout's large and enthusiastic fan club.

>48 PaulCranswick: Hmmm, the Booker Long list must be approaching release, Paul. Yes?

You all may be hearing about the fires in Oregon. I know you're hearing about the fires in Canada and northern Minnesota (stupid trump).

Anyway, the Akawa Butte Fire is now about 5-6 miles from Sisters and they are having trouble getting it under control. P is on alert back home with Carson while I'm here in NC with my sister. I hate that I'm not there with her. Our home is not yet in an evacuation zone but she is watching it closely and ready to get out if necessary. She will stay longer than I would if I were there. I keep watching it and it just breaks my heart to see the woods that are burning. I know those forests! I love those forests!

It feels like grieving for our planet is just one of the things that comes with climate change and living in 2026. :-(

>50 EBT1002: Oh no! That is close. P, stay safe. I am hoping for rain.

>51 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I doubt rain will come but hopefully the firefighters, aka heroes, can get it under control.

>52 EBT1002: Fingers crossed.

You have to visit your sister more often. It's great to see you on LT. :)

>50 EBT1002: Take care, Ellen and P. I am sorry to read about the wild fire so close to P .

>50 EBT1002: Oh, that’s such a worry, Ellen, and worse being so far away. I hope they get a handle on the fire soon. They are sadly becoming so commonplace each summer.

I loved Whistler too and will probably be buying my own copy to reread. I also loved The Things We Never Say and I think it’s my favorite Strout so I hope it works for you.

>6 EBT1002: Sweet boy.

>7 EBT1002: Lovely painting, Ellen, and fitting.

>49 EBT1002: Next Tuesday, Ellen.

>50 EBT1002: Oh that is awful. I do hope that they can get it under control as soon as possible.

Ellen--The air quality today was not great in Portland, but I am nowhere near a fire -- I am so sorry!! Sending best wishes to you and P and everyone else near the flames. I wish this wasn't becoming so common.

>53 BLBera: It's fun to be on LT more although you'll notice I dropped off the past couple of days. Three things: time with my sister, being totally caught up in my current read, and just being distracted by tracking the fire information from back home.

>54 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb. I will post a fire update below. It's largely good news, as good as it can get with a 27,000-acre fire destroying so much lovely wild land near our home.

>55 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. It has been difficult being so far away while P dealt with the stress of the approaching fire. I considered going home "asap" but after talking with P, it seemed unnecessary. By the time I got home she would either already have evacuated or the imminent danger would have passed. Luckily, we are in the latter scenario. I go home the day after tomorrow and I'm read to be there.

I'm very curious to see how I like The Things We Never Say. Your words about it are encouraging.

>56 PaulCranswick: I've been doing some blog-reading about the impending Booker long list, Paul. I will be interested to see what books they select. I think Land has a good chance. As much as I loved Whistler and as enthusiastic as some of the bloggers are about it, I don't think it's a Booker-worthy novel. I ended up adding a couple of books to my library hold list based on my reading. I've had John of John on hold for a few weeks now. This is Where the Serpent Lives and Transcription got my attention. I will want to read them regardless of whether they make the list.

The long list is announced the same day I go home. It will be a good day. :-)

>57 Berly: Thanks Kim! I think our home is out of imminent danger. I go home the day after tomorrow and I am ready to see P and Carson!!