lindapanzo's 2020 reading--first period

Welcome to my 2020 thread!!

I'm back for my 12th year in the 75 books group (my first one was in 2009). This seems incredible to me but there it is. I've been reading much, more more since I joined LT and made lots of friends on LT.

2019 was a typical reading year for me, as I finished with 111 books read.

In 2020, besides the Net Galley books and mysteries I usually read, I'm hoping to get back to reading more nonfiction. As usual, I'd like to make a big dent in my print TBR piles but we'll have to see about that.

BOOKS READ IN DECEMBER

77. The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards--finished on 12/3/20
78. An Extravagant Death by Charles Finch--finished on 12/9/20
79. Silent Night, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany--finished on 12/15/20
80. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck--finished on 12/16/20
81. Murder Most Sweet by Laura Jensen Walker--finished on 12/21/20
82. Dying in a Winter Wonderland by Vicki Delany--finished on 12/24/2020
83. Blueprint: An Olympian's Story of Striving, Adapting, and Embracing the Suck by Katie Hoff--finished on 12/26/2020
84. Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle by Sarah Graves--finished on 12/27/20
85. Gingerdead Man by Maya Corrigan--finished on 12/30/20

BOOKS READ IN NOVEMBER

71. Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier--finished on 11/11/20
72. Black Coffee by Agatha Christie--finished on 11/13/20
73. One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 11/19/20
74. What Unites Us by Dan Rather--finished on 11/23/20
75. Me & Patsy Kickin' Up Dust: My Friendship with Patsy Cline--finished on 11/26/20
76. In the Best Families by Rex Stout--finished on 11/29/20

BOOKS READ IN OCTOBER

65. The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah--finished on 10/3/20
66. Murder with Oolong Tea by Karen Rose Smith--finished on 10/11/20
67. Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 10/14/20
68. The Sign of Death by Callie Hutton-finished on 10/21/20
69. Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeffrey Selingo--finished on 10/23/20
70. A Curious Incident by Vicki Delany--finished on 10/28/20

BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER

58. All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny--finished on 9/5/20
59. For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black--finished on 9/9/20
60. A Question of Betrayal by Anne Perry--finished on 9/12/20
61. Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 9/16/20
62. Anchored Inn by Karen MacInerney--finished on 9/19/20
63. Tennessee Statesman: Harry T. Burn: Woman Suffrage, Free Elections and a Life of Service by Tyler L. Boyd--finished on 9/23/20
64. Lou Gehrig: The Lost Memoir by Alan D. Gaff--finished on 9/25/20

BOOKS READ IN AUGUST

52. Donut Despair by Jessica Beck--finished on 8/3/20
53. Handbook for Homicide by Lorna Barrett--finished on 8/10/20
54. A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry--finished on 8/13/20
55. Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 8/14/20
55. Whisked Warnings by Jessica Beck--finished on 8/18/20
56. Murder with Clotted Cream by Karen Rose Smith--finished on 8/24/20
57. Baker's Burden by Jessica Beck--finished on 8/29/20

BOOKS READ IN JULY

39, Brief Points by Ross H. Mackenzie--finished on 7/1/20
40. A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert--finished on 7/4/20
41. Rigged Rising by Jessica Beck--finished on 7/5/20
42. Plebe Summer by Henry Turowski--finished on 7/7/20
43. The Brigade by Henry Turowski--finished on 7/9/20
44. The Hundredth Night by Henry Turowski--finished on 7/10/20
45. On Deadly Tide by Elizabeth J. Duncan--finished on 7/12/20
46. A Study in Murder by Callie Hutton--finished on 7/16/20
47. Nightingale: London 1966 by Ben Aaronovitch--finished on 7/18/20
48. A Death Long Overdue by Eva Gates--finished on 7/19/20
49. The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories by Martin Gilbert--finished on 7/21/20
50. Dead Letters by Sheila Connolly--finished on 7/26/20
51. Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder by Tina Kashian -finished on 7/31/20

BOOKS READ IN JUNE

31. Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert--finished on 6/4/20
32. Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe by Jodi Thomas--finished on 6/10/20
33. Nasty Knead by Jessica Beck--finished on 6/13/20
34. One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly--finished on 6/17/20
35. Read or Alive by Nora Page--finished on 6/20/20
36. Called Home by Sheila Connolly--finished on 6/22/20
37. Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day--finished on 6/27/20
38. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie--finished on 6/30/20

BOOKS READ IN MAY

23. Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich--finished on 5/4/20
24. Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day--finished on 5/11/20
25. Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey--finished on 5/16/20
26. Miracle at St. Andrews by James Patterson--finished on 5/17/20
27. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner--finished on 5/22/20
28. Tea & Treachery by Vicki Delany--finished on 5/25/20
29. Themes and Variations by David Sedaris--finished on 5/27/20
30. Dusted Discoveries by Jessica Beck--finished on 5/29/20

BOOKS READ IN APRIL

19. Lavender Blue Murder by Laura Childs--finished on 4/10/20
20. Death on the Page by Essie Lang--finished on 4/18/20
21. Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams--finished on 4/27/20
22. Fair Weather by Richard Peck--finished on 4/30/20

BOOKS READ IN MARCH

14. The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists by Tracy Walder--finished on 3/4/20
15. Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut by Sarah Graves--finished on 3/9/20

BOOKS AT HOME DURING PANDEMIC

16. Ten Innings at Wrigley by Kevin Cook--finished on 3/18/20
17. The King's Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal--finished on 3/26/20
18. The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife by Brad Balukjian--finished on 3/31/20

BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY

9. A Killer Edition by Lorna Barrett--finished on 2/3/20
10. In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon--finished on 2/7/20
11. Thread Herrings by Lea Wait--finished on 2/15/20
12. No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War by Doris Kearns Goodwin--finished on 2/28/20
13. A Fatal Faberge by Ellery Adams--finished on 2/29/20

BOOKS READ IN JANUARY

1. There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany--finished on 1/2/20
2. Much Ado About Nutmeg by Sarah Fox--finished on 1/7/20
3. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich--finished on 1/11/20
4. Spitfire by M.L. Huie--finished on 1/14/20
5. It's Not About You: A Brief Guide to a Meaningful Life by Tom Rath--finished on 1/15/20
6. The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams--finished on 1/20/20
7. Nemesis by Agatha Christie--finished on 1/23/20
8. Death in the Garden City by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 1/28/20

Best wishes for 2020!

Happy reading in 2020, Linda!

Happy new thread and new decade, Linda

Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!

And Happy New Thread, Linda! Hope to see you around more often in 2020.

Welcome back!

Wishing you 12 months of success
52 weeks of laughter
366 days of fun (leap year!)
8,784 hours of joy
527,040 minutes of good luck
and 31,622,400 seconds of happiness!!

Found and starred! Happy new year, Linda!

Hi Diana, Cheli, Anita, Shelley, Paul, Mark, Jim, Kim, and Carrie. Happy 2020. So nice to see you here on this bright, shiny start to the new year. Also, so glad to be back here. Hope I actually visit more often this year.

Thanks, Jim, for once again creating this group.

I'm starting my new year reading a Net Galley book by Vicki Delany, There's a Murder Afoot, the fifth book in the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Bookshop series. I love her other series but have somehow overlooked this one. I've also started reading the three dozen or so essays about Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and friends. I figure I'll try to dip into that one a bit every day. The Peanuts Papers.

>12 lindapanzo: - Last year, I read a bio of Charles Schulz. It was really interesting to earn about his background and early life. There was much I hadn't known. It was called Good Grief - The Story of Charles Schulz (touchstones don't seem to be working for me).

>13 jessibud2: Somewhere in my rather large pile of print books, I've got that one. Thanks for the reminder. I think I've owned it for years and really should get to it.

Happy New Year, Linda!

Maybe our Chicago sports teams will do better this year? They all seem stuck in mediocrity.

>16 jnwelch: Let's hope, Joe. The Blackhawks have a good streak and then I feel positive about them, then they go on a long losing streak.

My 11th Thingaversary is coming up this Monday, January 13th. I'll have to pick up my 12 books.

My 12 Thingaversary Books

1. The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell
2. The Seine: The River that Made Paris by Elaine Sciolino
3. Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay
4. Nemesis by Agatha Christie
5. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep
6. The Butler Way by David Woods
7. Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential by Paul S. Boynton
8. Information hunters : when librarians, soldiers, and spies banded together in World War II Europe by Kathy Peiss
9. Heartbreak Hotel by Anne Rivers Siddons
10. Tightrope by Nicholas D. Kristof
11. Navy Baby by Debbie Macomber
12. Working by Robert A. Caro

I saw you talking on another thread about the bad weather in your forecast this weekend. Hope you don't get ice or too much snow.

>19 thornton37814: Thanks Lori. Right now it's scheduled to be heavy rain, followed by ice, freezing rain, and sleet, and then maybe 4 to 6 inches of snow on top of it. They were saying more snow but now they've dropped the snow totals and boosted the ice totals. Whichever way it comes down, it'll be a mess.

>18 lindapanzo: Waiting...

Happy Friday, Linda. Fingers crossed that the worst of the weather bypasses us. I do not like ICE!!

>20 lindapanzo: I'm so sorry to hear about the dreadful weather, Linda. Take care!

>21 msf59: >22 Dejah_Thoris: Well, up north here, we seemed to have missed the ice and freezing rain. Rain yesterday and, this morning, some sleet. Now we're expecting about 5 or 6 inches of snow. Could've been a lot worse.

I'm reading a Janet Evanovich book. I got tired of her and stopped reading her but now, read one every couple of years. I'm reading Tricky Twenty-Two. A college and a frat figures in.

>23 lindapanzo: I've been working my way back through the Stephanie Plum novels, and it's been fun - the earlier books are better, I think, than the later. Still, I enjoy the new ones as they come out. You're not too far behind!

Just finished Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Book Tricky Twenty-Two involving a college, a frat, and a crazed professor who wanted to infect people with bubonic plague. Hadn't read an Evanovich since 2015 and I enjoyed it. I get tired of them when I read them too often.

Found out over the weekend that my college freshman niece has been accepted into a sorority, the same one that Doris Kearns Goodwin, Joan Didion, and Anne Rivers Siddon belonged to.

Current reads include a new Net Galley book called Spitfire by M.L. Huie, a post-WW2 spy mystery. First in a new series. Seems pretty good so far though it reminds me a bit of the Susan Elia MacNeal books. Also dabbling with Mobituaries by Mo Rocca though I'm not sure I'll finish this one before it's due (and I can't renew Kindle books from the library, though I can return and hopefully check it out again, at some point).

>18 lindapanzo: I see you are planning and plotting and you still have a few slots open....

>26 lindapanzo: Congrats to your niece!! Those are some illustrious former sorority sisters.

Happy Hump Day!

>28 Berly: Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by. Hope your routine testing has been going well.

Currently reading Agatha Christie's Nemesis. Back when I was a teen, I thought that Christie's mysteries were the best ever. Now, while I think the plots remain sound, I don't think they've held up well.

I have officially hit the zone and can now get tested every other week. Thank goodness!!

I still enjoy Christie but I agree that they seem a little dated.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Saturday, Linda. Fortunately, I am waking up to just a coating of snow. I know it is supposed to snow through the day, but at least I can get to work.
I am assuming you got more? Hope it wasn't bad. How are those books treating you?

>30 Berly: Glad to hear you're up to every other week, Kim. Three weeks ago, Mom was at 2.5 exactly in the middle of the 2 to 3 range they want) and yesterday, it was 2.6, which is still perfectly fine.

>31 msf59: Overnight, we had probably another 4 inches. We shoveled and then met our friends for lunch in SE Wisconsin, only about 10 miles away. We'd postponed the last two Saturdays so glad we finally got to see them.

Finally filled out my purchase list of 12 Thingaversary Books. Looking forward to reading them (already read one of them).

My 12 Thingaversary Books

1. The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell
2. The Seine: The River that Made Paris by Elaine Sciolino
3. Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay
4. Nemesis by Agatha Christie--READ
5. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep
6. The Butler Way by David Woods
7. Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential by Paul S. Boynton
8. Information hunters : when librarians, soldiers, and spies banded together in World War II Europe by Kathy Peiss
9. Heartbreak Hotel by Anne Rivers Siddons
10. Tightrope by Nicholas D. Kristof
11. Navy Baby by Debbie Macomber
12. Working by Robert A. Caro

Looks like a good list. Hope you enjoy reading them!

>33 lindapanzo: Nicely done--enjoy!!

Well, I was 20 percent into Spying on the South by Tony Horwitz and just couldn't take it anymore so I've put it aside. It was very uneven for me. Seems like people either love this book or hate it.

I've now picked up The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell.

I also need to start on a mystery. I finished the Net Galley of the third book in the Book Tea Shop series, In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon. Not bad but I'm getting tired of this one and I'm not sure I'll read any further. The plots are fine but am getting annoyed with the characters. Too much introspection about the lead character's romance with the deputy and not enough time on the mystery.

Anyway, in light of the death yesterday of noted baseball author, Roger Kahn, author of one of the all-time great baseball books, The Boys of Summer, I've been thinking about favorite authors who've died in the past year. Thus, I think I will pick up Lea Wait's Thread Herrings.

>36 lindapanzo: A lot of cozies are being ruined by the romance in them. I'm not sure why authors (or editors) feel the need to include that in the plot line. I think some of my favorite cozy series feature married characters. If they are single (like Miss Zukas), romance is not being sought. I'll be reading at least a couple more cozies this month as a couple of the NetGalley ones I requested show archive dates near the end of the month. I still haven't heard from some of the other books requested, but the persons responsible for the cozy series seem to be on top of it.

>37 thornton37814: Sometimes, I just quit reading a series due to those romantic elements. That Joanne Fluke cookie baker series springs to mind. The dentist or the cop? I was getting tired of it.

I like the variety in your Thingaversary haul! And a belated happy Thingaversary!

>38 lindapanzo: Not sure why I've kept reading those. I'm way behind on them though. However, I've got an ARC of the newest one so I'll be sure to let you know if she's made up her mind yet.

>39 cbl_tn: Yes, it was a good haul.

>40 thornton37814: I haven't read any of the Fluke mysteries in quite a few years. I saw the newest on Net Galley but decided not to get it. I ask for way too many cozies.

Hi, Linda. Nice dozen books for your Thingaversary. I'll look forward to your reaction to Women of Copper Country. I've been thinking about reading that one.

I still enjoy re-reading Agatha Christie's mysteries. I don't mind any dated aspects - a little time travel is okay by me. The mystery writer who has surprised me with how well he holds up over time is Dick Francis. I'm on the second year of the challenge re-reading his, and continuing to enjoy it.

>42 jnwelch: Hi Joe, I've read only a small handful of Dick Francis books. I should read more. After last month's Miss Marple read, I found that I liked it more than I initially thought. I also discovered that I've never read Sleeping Murder and so I'll get to that one soon. I would also want to track down any Rex Stout mysteries I haven't read, too.

While I love my Net Galley finds (and the fact that I save money by not needing to buy as many new mysteries), I really need to cut back on my NG requests and try to make a dent in my already-owned books.

I just read the first Viveca Sten mystery, Still Waters, and I enjoyed the characters more than the mystery, but I've been told the series improves. The romance in this novel is a marriage falling apart and I am dying to know what happens. On to book #2!!

Also just read #5 of the Walt Longmire Series, The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson. This series is tried and true. Romance is in there, but not a main factor. This particular installment had almost none.

Hi, Linda. I hope you found a better read, after the Horwitz. It looks like we are going to get hit with some winter weather Wed-Fri. Ugh. At least it will be short-lived. Have you ever read the Longmire series?

>44 Berly: Hi Kim, I've never read either of these. Will have to look into them.

Hope you're doing OK and getting back into your tae kwan do. Mom has now "graduated" to once every 3 week testing. She has been steady the last 3 times.

>45 msf59: Hi Mark, I'm pleased that, for the second time in a row, it looks like more snow south. I'm getting tired of it. Sounds like maybe sub-zero, for the first time this winter, Thurs night/Fri morning but maybe 40's next week. I sure hope so.

Besides my current cozy, written by Lea Wait who died last year, I am reading and loving the Doris Kearns Goodwin, No Ordinary Time. It's very long, 700+ pages, but really enjoying it.

Didn't you read a long American history book last year? Can't remember who wrote it. I'll have to check your threads. Jill somebody?

Trying to squeeze in a bit of reading before the Blackhawks game starts at 8 pm. This is their make or break week.

wish you a good new week

>47 paulstalder: Thanks, Paul. Monday's Presidents Day is a holiday for us so I have a nice 3-day weekend!!

>48 lindapanzo: So you get a day off in part at least because of Donald Chump!

Have a good holiday and celebrate Washington and Lincoln and Roosevelt and Johnson and whichever ones you think are worth celebrating. At least you can get some reading done Linda. xx

Haven't posted in awhile but I am having a great reading month, in quality, though definitely not in quantity. I am reading, but thoroughly enjoying a chunkster, Doris Kearns Goodwin's No Ordinary Time, about World War 2 on the American Home Front, with an emphasis on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Alas, when I read something like this, I jot down so many other topics/book ideas to read about. I definitely need to read more about Winston Churchill.

The good news: The predicted 15 inches of snow didn't materialize. In fact, we may not get any snow whatsoever.

The bad news: I've come down with a nasty cold and don't feel like doing anything but sleeping.

I have managed to squeeze in some time for No Ordinary Time.

I've finally, at long last, finished the outstanding, but chunkster-like book, No Ordinary Time but now I think I need some lighter fare for awhile. That was quite a book. Today, I was sitting at my desk, eating my lunch, and sobbing that FDR died.

>52 lindapanzo: Yes, that sounds like a snowstorm type of book, but we've hasd no snow.
Will have to consider when to read it in fair weather!

>52 lindapanzo: You definitely need some lighter stuff! ; ) Hope you are over the cold.

Speaking of snowstorms, I took my car to the car wash today in the Outer Banks. It snowed from the time I left home yesterday until I got to about Mt. Airy (aka Mayberry, NC). The roads weren't bad, but they'd been treated with that brine stuff so every time a truck or car sped past, my car got more of the nasty stuff on it. The guys at the car wash asked if I'd been where it snowed. I told them I had driven it it yesterday.

>52 lindapanzo: I had the same reaction to No Ordinary Time when I read it.

No idea why it has taken me so long to find your thread, Linda. Hopefully I will keep better track of you from here on out!

^I hope you had a lovely birthday, Linda. Miss seeing you around. I hope all is well.

I think the history book you were asking about up there, was These Truths by Jill Lepore, which was excellent.

Wow, I haven't been here in awhile.

Feeling much better. I have a 3-day weekend. I always take off for my birthday, which was yesterday so I took off today instead.

My birthday was very nice. Til we were driving home after my birthday dinner. Stopped at a light about 10 mins from home. The car behind us never even slowed down and plowed into us and pushed us into the car ahead of us. Quite a bit of damage to the back of the car but nothing to the front. We were all kind of shaky and Mom is a bit sore but no one has any injuries. Very scary.

Anyway, after lunch at our favorite pizza place, just hanging out at home and reading.

Thanks, Mark, yes, that was the history book I was thinking of.

Happy belated birthday!

Glad you had a great day ( minus the car accident!). Happy reading :)

>58 lindapanzo: - Happy belated birthday! Glad everyone was ok; scary indeed. Was the guy behind on his phone, by any chance?

>60 jessibud2: It was a 20 year old woman. The report doesn't say that but she did keep saying that she got off work and was really tired. (As we were driving, we noticed how dark it seemed.) The sheriff asked her if she just zoned out a bit but I didn't hear her response. The woman in the car we got pushed into was very calm and immediately called the county sheriff and then came racing out on crutches to see if we were OK.

Hope everyone is staying healthy. I had a scheduled day off today to get some errands done before we went to the Chicago Blackhawks game tonight. Of course that was cancelled. The governor of Illinois has banned all groups of 250 or more so my local stage performance of Grease on Sunday is cancelled. Life Catholic Masses are cancelled. All of my symphonies and everything else for the next 6 weeks, cancelled too.

A co-worker knew I was off today and forwarded the "the building will be closed indefinitely starting Monday" message. Looks like I won't be leaving home much for the duration. With no sports, probably hardly any TV watching for me. You'd think I'd be reading more but, so far, mostly keeping in touch with friends and family in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Happy Friday, Linda. With everything shutting down in Chicagoland, you will not only have much more reading time but you will be able to spend more time, visiting your LT friends. Grins...

We got a message today at work that those who could work from home should. Unfortunately, I cannot. I really wish I could, especially given that everyone is spraying desks down with Lysol and other stuff like that. My allergies are driving me nuts with all that.

>63 msf59: I hope so. Yesterday, I thought I'd heard all the news (tonights hockey game we have tickets for, cancelled, and Sunday's stage show of Grease, cancelled) but then today it was work-related (and I was off today!!) plus schools and churches, and even the library. My books were due this week but now due May 1st. Seems to me they must be thinking that they'll be closed well into April.

>64 alcottacre: Oh no, Stasia. Fortunately, unless I touch the handrail on the small number of stairs or touch the door knobs with my hand instead of my sleeve as I usually do, I could pick something up. Nobody typically touches other people's desks.

Two weeks ago, when I had a cold, I stayed home and worked from home because the man across from me was scheduled for shoulder/biceps surgery on March 6. Alas, he got sick from someone else and so he had to reschedule it. Now he's not sure if any elective surgeries will be on. Poor guy is in pain, too.

Hi Linda! Glad you are staying safe. We are moving to temporary remote instruction. The library has lots of electronic resources, so we'll be open just an hour a day for folks to pick up books that they have reserved ahead. I will be able to do a lot of my work from home.

With all that's going on, I haven't been able to concentrate on books. I cancelled my SlingTV subscription now that the basketball tournaments have been cancelled and I picked up Acorn TV. I caught up on the newest season of The Art Detectives, and I've started on the newest season of Agatha Raisin. There are several other mystery series I want to watch, too.

Linda, I was actually looking forward to the NCAA March Madness this year. Maryland had a good chance and I thought I might really have a good reason to watch this year. Darn! Now I just have to read, and watch NetFlix. I've gotten into the Father Brown series and they are set to expire the end of March so I now have the time to watch them.

My Mom is very unhappy that the baseball season has been postponed especially since her Assisted Living facility is, in what we in the family call, "LOCKDOWN" allowing only essential visits (you have to be dying in other words). She'll be calling me at least 5 times a day until they start playing again, so please pray for a quick end to the pandemic if only for my sake! Just kidding, hope everyone is okay.

Stay safe!

Hi Carrie and Cheli, I went into the office today just to pick up a few things. Officially, it's open but they just don't want anyone working there.

Met a friend for lunch afterwards at Cheesecake Factory. Restaurants will really be hurting. Mid-day on a Saturday and the place was mostly empty. I've seen efforts afoot whereby people are buying gift cards online or in person to locally-owned restaurants, who'll be especially hard it. A sad part (there are so many sad parts, aren't there) but these local places may not survive.

Home now after a visit to Walgreens to stock up on a few things. For my own mental health, I have to quit reading about the virus. I think I'll read about that famous 1979 windblown Cubs game instead.

Have you downloaded this month's U of Chicago Press free ebook? It's a true crime in gilded age Chicago.

>62 lindapanzo: It's difficult to concentrate on reading. I do a bit better on non-fiction than fiction at the moment. Hoping to complete a fiction read in a bit. I'd thought I would complete it yesterday, but I'm too distracted.

PS - I plan to pack up some stuff when I go to work Monday that I can work on from home in the event they decide to let faculty/staff work from home.

I have a few things on a shopping list I discovered I'm low on, but I'm hoping those things will be in stock. Hoping to just request them and have them ready to pick up curbside when I get off work tomorrow. At the moment, I have a running list, but I'll place the order later today.

Happy Sunday, Linda. Just checking in and wondering if you will begin to rack up your old reading numbers. Remember those days, of churning through a couple hundred books a year, with very little effort? Grins...

I am getting ready to start The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West. This one might be in your wheelhouse, since I know you are a fan of McCullough.

>70 thornton37814: I can get on a roll but still get very distracted. For instance, curious about what the numbers are up to, today. Last I look, they're still at 66 statewide and still 2 in Lake County (population 700K).

>72 msf59: I've been meaning to read that one, too. Did you read the Erik Larson yet?

The most I ever read in one year was 160, I think. If I'm working from home for months, I might get there.

>58 lindapanzo: Sorry to hear about your car but glad that no one was hurt. Happy (very belated) birthday!!

Hope working from home works well for you. My daughter is home from college doing virtual study and my other daughter is working from her home. My son works at the mall, but his hours have been cut back. We'll se how long it stays open.

Stay well!!

>74 Berly: Hi Kim, hope you're well and those regular tests are going ok.

I'm working at home, of course, day 3. Really trying to keep in touch every day with co-workers and also family and friends. Even so, I feel very worried and blue about this Every day, must watch TV is Governor Pritzker's 3 pm press conference to see how Illinois is doing. Up by 128 today, from 160 to 288. My own county is now up to 22. On Monday, we had 2.

I've had a terrible time concentrating but finally finished my first "at home book," the one about the wild 23-22 Cubs/Phillies game in 1979.

>75 lindapanzo: They asked us last night about Internet access at home, a computer at home, and whether or not we needed access to resources behind the firewall. It sounds like it's coming for us.

I am pretty much at home these days except for grocery shopping. The mall closed, so my son is done working. Today my daughter and hubby went to get the rest of her stuff from her college dorm room. Completely moved out now. Oldest daughter is working 100% from home.

Getting lots of things done around the house!! : )

Linda, I hope you are doing okay. A little concerned that you haven't posted in awhile. Praying you haven't come down with anything.

>78 thornton37814: Hi Lori, I didn't even realize that I hadn't been here for awhile. I'm fine as is my family. I've been posting a lot on the TIOLI coronavirus support thread. Thanks for thinking of me. Being ultra busy at work (while sitting at my kitchen table) has been a blessing this week. Hardly any time to think of anything. Where there is legislation, we spring into action. Though, today, even the 650+ increase in statewide cases and additional 9 deaths hit me. The largest daily increases we've had. In fact, probably double our next highest daily increase.

Hoping to finish my current mystery, The King's Justice, maybe tonight.

One new habit that may continue, even when things get back to normal, every night at 10 pm, I put on Me-TV and watch the Carol Burnett Show. Sometimes I laugh hysterically. Laughter is a nice way to end the day, these days.

>77 Berly: Good for you for getting things done, Kim. Even though I have a 30 second "commute" instead of a 30 minute commute these days, it seems like I'm working longer hours than I do when I'm in the office. In part, there's a lot more reaching out and talking to co-workers. Yesterday, chatted with a co-worker from NW Arkansas and today, one from Maryland.

Sweet Thursday, Linda. I hope you and the family are continuing to do well. All good here. I will start the new Larson very soon.

>79 lindapanzo: I love MeTV! It's comforting to watch the shows I remember from childhood.

>79 lindapanzo: You all must be getting testing kits. I'm told the reason our numbers in East Tennessee are as low as they are is because we don't have enough testing kits. I'm not up for the Carol Burnett Show, but I watch MeTV most evenings.

>82 thornton37814: A few leading research hospitals have developed their own tests. I think they're now trying to test all first responders but they run out every day at 250 in the drive through test facilities. The state emissions tests facilities (for 4+ year old cars) have been converted into drive through testing facilities. There seems to be an ebb and flow testing. They open more centers and then have to close them temporarily.

I've read that they're very close to a simple blood test to tell who's already had it. Possibly weeks away. They suspect that, going back to December, people had it and didn't know it. I know Mom had a weird ailment in December, over several weeks, with aches and pains and fever and breathing difficulty. I thought she sounded like pneumonia but the doc said bronchitis, though it didn't sound like any bronchitis I've ever seen.

I have friends in their 70s (he may be 80) who were sick for 2-3 weeks in December/January with a severe respiratory ailment. They think it might have been this.

Have you seen the new Phryne Fisher movie? It's available on Acorn TV now!

>83 lindapanzo: Funny you should say that Linda, because my sister is convinced that she had and recovered from the virus "before it became famous".

I am thinking I did, too, in January. I kept taking my asthma medicine and I was on Prednisone and it was still hard to breathe. In the meantime, I am playing it safe.

>83 lindapanzo: Hope you get some R&R this weekend. : )

>85 cbl_tn: Carrie, Mom started watching the new Phryne Fisher movie on Acorn and was extremely disappointed. The regular characters make a token appearance and it seems that Phyrne travels around. I can understand it because we love Dot and the supporting characters as much as we love her.

>86 PaulCranswick: So many people think they already had it. I had a weird cold-like ailment in Feb and I wonder, too.

>87 Berly: One thing about it, too, was that when Mom was sick in December, her regular test results were out of whack. So much so that the nurse called the doc on call to ask what to do with her. It's been normal since.

Looking forward to the new season of Call the Midwife starting tonight.

Reading a baseball Net Galley book. The Wax Pack. Kind of an interesting premise. A big baseball fan in the present opens a wax pack of mid 1980's baseball cards and spends months visiting all the players, 14 or 15, in that pack. Sort of a quirky baseball book.

>88 lindapanzo: - Oh good! I had been wondering about CTM! I thought I had missed the whole thing. Thanks for the heads-up, Linda

>89 jessibud2: It's on PBS tonight at 7 pm central. Til 8, I think. After that, we plan to watch the Elton John "Living Room" concert on Fox.

>90 lindapanzo: - Oh, that sounds good, too. I have no idea what channel Fox is on here as I have never watched it (for obvious reasons) but I will try to find it. Elton is worth the search! Thanks

Happy Sunday, Linda. I hope you and the family are fine & healthy. I am having a perfectly lazy day at home, with the books. I am really enjoying The Splendid and the Vile. I should be at the halfway mark, sometime tomorrow. You will love it, once you get to it.

Just dropping by to say hello, Linda.

Last month, I looked into Wax Pack after you posted it to the TIOLI wiki, but, of course, I couldn't get my hands on it. What did you end up thinking of it?

I had Ten Innings at Wrigley in transit to me when the libraries shut down. I'll get to it eventually - it sounds great.

I'm glad to know that you and your family are doing well so far - keep safe.

>93 Dejah_Thoris: Hi Dejah thanks for stopping by. Sorry to hear about your job.

I really liked The Wax Pack. I thought that, at first, the author was a bit annoying but once he settled into his trip to meet all 14 surviving members of his wax pack, the book was fun. Quirky, but fun. He had one Hall of Famer and a couple of stars but I liked the portions dealing with journeymen. One of the stars (one I've long admired) was a great guy, too.

I would've loved had it been an earlier baseball era since, in 1986, I was already out in the working world and not as attuned to baseball cards. My heyday was mid 1960's to early 1970's.

We are hanging in there ok. Today, after I ran into Target, Mom said she had a taste for a Dunkin Donuts breakfast sandwich so we went through the drive-thru. When we got to the window to pay, the cashier told us that the car in front of us paid for ours. Mom burst into tears and said it was so nice and that no stranger had ever done that for her before.

One thing that does help me is that we are swamped at work. Even considering I'm saving a half hour commuting time each way, I'm working far, far longer. Partly because we are busy with all the legislation but also because I'm constantly reaching out to co-workers.

>94 lindapanzo: Being furloughed was a good thing, which is a little odd to find myself saying, but true. Our company kept us working (and interacting with the public) long after it made any sense to do so, and I hated, hated the risk of exposure I brought home with me every day to a vulnerable member of my household. My local management knew how I felt, so when corporate sent down word that they could furlough part of the staff, they offered me the chance.

Now that the governor of Georgia has finally put stricter measures in place, everyone else from my location and around the state will be furloughed as well. Barring a complete and total economic breakdown, I'll have a job to go back to, eventually.

I'll definitely look out for Wax Pack - it sound like fun.

Random acts of kindness are a beautiful thing - I'm so glad you and your mother had such a lovely experience.

Swamped is good, right? Now that I'm settling in, I think I'm going to earn some Coursera Certificates in my free time. I can't garden, read, and pet the cats all the time, lol.

>95 Dejah_Thoris: Glad that you have a good attitude about the furlough.

I saw the Me-TV schedule today. It's westerns day!! I got to thinking that westerns would totally take my mind off of things. Westerns day on Me-TV. Have Gun Will Travel, Maverick, Wagon Train, Big Valley, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, The Rifleman.

Also looked through my supply of Kindle westerns. A couple of years ago, I absolutely loved Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove so I think I might soon start his Streets of Laredo.

Hi Linda! I am addicted to the MeTV daily quizzes. They add a couple every day. Some are about TV shows, and others are about pop culture. I like the pop culture ones best. Old breakfast cereals, toys, candy, commercials, etc.

Have a lovely, peaceful, safe and healthy weekend, Linda

I wanted my message this year to be fairly universal in a time we all should be pulling together, whatever our beliefs. Happy Celebration, Happy Sunday, Linda.

Happy Easter, Linda. I hope you and yours are well.

Thanks Paul and Dejah. Happy Easter to all.

Unfortunately, these days, Easter isn't very different from any other day. Yesterday, we drove into Chicago to deliver lots of groceries to elderly relatives. It felt like a vacation, almost, going for an hour plus drive and it was great to see them, at a distance.

Today, it's a cultural kind of day I watched the mini Andrea Bochelli at the empty Italian cathedral. Beautiful. My heart soared at the music but broke at seeing an empty cathedral on Easter.

Later, planning to watch the Chicago Symphony presentation at 3 pm and, later, the Auditorium Theater's Spanish Dance.

Hope everyone is staying healthy. The week just flew by but I was swamped at work all week. Also got a brief "at a distance" visit with my college niece and HS nephew. They also brought flowers, Chicago Cubs masks, and nephew-made baked goods.

Maybe I'll finish another book one of these days.

I was reading in the paper yesterday about a new West Loop bookstore in Chicago that opened two days before the state shut down. Bad timing.

Anyway, this Madison Street Books has a "Mad Street Challenge" which I'm joining.

https://madstreetbooks.com/?q=p.mad_street_chal

The categories are:

--A book with a number in the title--probably Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich
--A book published this year--probably one of my Net Galley books
--A book with a red cover--probably Dorothy Salisbury Davis's A Death in the Life
--A book that has won a major award--hmmm, an Edgar or an Agatha winner?
--A detective novel or true crime book
--A book published the year you were born
--A young adult or middle grade
--A book that represents what you are grateful for
--A book you lied about having already read--Bleak House was one such book but I've already read it so I'll have to think of another

>106 tymfos: I love the list of categories - particularly --A book you lied about having already read, lol.

I'm looking forward to you choices.

>104 Dejah_Thoris: I haven't thought about it much but will probably choose my next Evanovich book for the first one and one of my Net Galley books for the second. Reading a YA book sounds rather comforting these days.

Hi, Linda! Just stopping by to say hello and I hope you are doing OK. It sounds like your work-at-home time has been very busy.

I need to get back to my Janet Evanovich reread - your challenge is perfect!

Hi, Linda. Just checking. I hope you had a good weekend and I hope the family is all safe and healthy. How is the reading going? All good here. Just waiting for more consistent springtime weather. Looks like that might happen by the end of the week. Whew!

>108 msf59: Hi Mark, reading seems to be picking up a bit for me. We are all still doing fine, safe and healthy. The extreme busyness at work should start to slow down now for a bit. In fact, I'm even taking a half day off on Friday. We are a third of the way through the year and I've had only two days off.

Just finishing up a YA book by Richard Peck about a rural Illinois family who comes to the big city to go to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Pretty enjoyable.

>109 lindapanzo: Hello there! Just popping in to check up and say Hi! Glad you seem to be doing well. Enjoy your half day on Friday. Well earned!!

>110 Berly: Hi Kim, hope you're doing well.

I'm finally reading more, thankfully.

Things are still bad here. We had the most deaths yet in our county yesterday. I'd been thinking we'd be back in the office around the 4th of July. Now I'm thinking maybe early next year.

>111 lindapanzo: Hi Linda. It's good to hear that you're reading more again - and I hope you're enjoying it. I'm reading quite a lot, but I'm doing best with light, short material. I fins myself reluctant to pick up books I was looking forward to - I understand why, but I find it a bit disturbing.

>112 Dejah_Thoris: Even regular fiction is hard for me. Cozy mysteries and books about baseball seem to be about all I can handle right now. Good thing that most of my Net Galleys are cozies.

I knew that working at home would be a marathon, not a sprint, but it increasingly seems like it'll go way past the July 4th return date that we'd expected.

>113 lindapanzo: I saw a baseball book on the Cubs (and Babe Ruth) as I was looking through book notices. It's called The Called Shot: Babe Ruth, the Chicago Cubs, and the Unforgettable Major League Baseball Season of 1932. Thought of you!

>114 thornton37814: Thanks for thinking of me, Lori. I was ready to plunk down some cold hard cash to get a Kindle copy of that one when I noticed it's on Net Galley so I snagged a copy there. University of Nebraska Press, I think. They do a lot of baseball books so I've favorited them.

I thought I'd be reading more while working from home and I'm finally maybe back to my usual pace. I have way too many Net Galleys so I'm just asking for ones I would've bought anyway, at least until I get caught up. Work has calmed down to where it's now a 9 to 5 job again.

>115 lindapanzo: They have that baseball and literature conference out in Omaha each year. One of the professors here usually presents there. A retired professor also does. The guy who heads the conference up is actually a former professor here too. So many ties to where I work.

>116 thornton37814: Now that sounds interesting. My college has an annual session on sports and society. Since it's a Green Bay suburb, they often have Packers-related speakers but occasionally have baseball ones, too, typically someone with a connection to the Brewers.

Hope everyone is doing well. After seemingly a week of dreary, very heavy rain, and fog, we finally have a sunny, mild day. It boosted my mood immeasurably.

My current read is the forthcoming The Jane Austen Society, a debut novel by Natalie Jenner. It was slow going at first but now, I'm really getting into it.

I am celebrating the end of Ramadan, Linda, a time of thanks and forgiveness and I want to say my thanks to all my LT friends for helping keep me somewhat sane these last few years.

>118 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I hope you've had a blessed Ramadan holiday.

>119 lindapanzo: It has been a strange one, Linda, with me and Belle in Kuala Lumpur; Hani and Kyran in Sheffield and Yasmyne in Norway. We linked up by group WhatsApp call yesterday which was nice.

O happy day!! Our local library will soon be reopening. Baby steps at first. Starting June 1, I can start returning books. Then, starting on June 8, curbside pick-up of books I've put on reserve. Alas, no inter-library loan, at least not at first. Even so, I am very happy to hear this news.

>121 lindapanzo: Curbside pickup here in middle GA has gone well this week - I hope it's smooth for your library system, too. We can place holds, but not all libraries in the greater, nearly statewide system seem to be filling them, so I'm not sure what I'll actually be able to get my hands on for June.

I bought books home, wiped them down, and have let them sit in the utility room for a few days - I just pulled one out to read. It's probably excessive, but who really knows?

>121 lindapanzo: Yay for the library!! My county in Oregon hasn't even applied for permission to do Phase 1 reopening, so it may be a while for me. I did do curbside pickup of a book yesterday from my local indie bookshop, so that's a good thing. The Kitchen House for mu RL/Now Zoom bookclub this month.

Glad the mysteries and BB books are working for you. Stay safe and sane!! : )

>122 Dejah_Thoris: Glad to hear it went well in Georgia. Hope it goes well here too.

Phase 3 started today. Some favorite restaurants are opening with outdoor seating today but I think we will continue to do curbside and/or carryout. If I did dine in, actually dine outside, it'd be with a trusted longtime friend. I think we would sit diagonally at a picnic table. We've talked about where we'd go but that is down the line.

I was shocked to hear her say it, since we've been going to Chicago Blackhawks games for 25 years together, but she agreed with me that we don't want to go back to the arena, even if we had the chance. Maybe order a pizza and watch from her place or mine.

Besides having my chest CT scan yesterday (got the results from the primary care doc's nurse today and they were what I was hoping for...good news), the only other phase 3 thing I have in the foreseeable future is a haircut on June 7. Our admin at work, who I know lives at home and hasn't been going out at all, except once to go golfing, will cut my hair at the salon where she moonlights. Will be there early on that Sunday morning.

>123 Berly: Hi Kim, nice to hear from you. Mom has to go in every 3 weeks for that blood test but hers has been very steady. She had her first-ever telehealth appointment this week and the doc was happy with her consistency.

A local used bookstore is accepting bags or boxes of books. You can make an appointment and run them over and either get a store credit or donate. I rarely buy used but am pleased to see that they're reopening. I've contributed a little to their Go Fund Me to help keep them in business (I think they raised half of their $15K goal) and I may opt for the "donate" option. This weekend, I may rummage around for about a dozen books to donate.

Happy Friday, Linda. I hope you and your family are still doing fine. Sorry, you will miss your first Cubs game. How are the books treating you?

>125 msf59: Hi Mark, beautiful weekend ahead. Couldn't ask for better than sunny and 70's with low humidity.

I'm still reading a lot of cozy, comfort books. I may venture off into history/nonfiction but nothing to rile me up, so no recent history.

I returned my books at the library this morning. I checked them out in late February and they were repeatedly extended to July 1. It was nice to be back at the library, even though I just went to the drive up window and dropped them off. The upper level, where the library employees park, had at least 15 to 20 cars so they must be back in the office.

Signed up for the summer reading club at the library. I put in a 60 minute reading goal every day, though, of the 20 days per card, I can substitute 5 "fun events" instead. For instance, most years, they'd suggest going to a summer in the park concert but, this year, a fun event could include watching an online concert.

Hurray for the library opening! I know you will have fun with the summer reading club. : )

>127 lindapanzo: I'm sure you ere happy to simply see a face and feel you were back to using a library again--even if it is a quite different experience.

>128 lindapanzo: Interesting concept of substitutions. I noticed there's going to be a drive-in concert (on an old drive-in theatre screen) down in Maryville soon featuring some of the CCM artists like Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman soon. It's tempting, but I think Maryville is a little far for me to drive at night -- and I don't want to get a hotel in the Townsend area to make it doable. I'll just stay home.

>130 thornton37814: Looks like drive-in everything is the new normal. Chicagoland is adding temporary drive-in movie theaters, for instance. We were down to 2 drive-ins a few years ago and, when one near my sister's closed last year, there is just the one up my way. They can half their usual attendance and they've been sold out every night as people come from far away to visit.

Crazy days. Our town ripped up our street, put in new curbs, and, off and on this week, repaving the street. It still needs a second coat.

Inside, a neighbor and his son, who are tradesmen, ripped out our old bathub (very noisy and dusty) on Monday and are now installing a walk in shower for us.

It's amazing what you can get used to!!

Happy Wednesday, Linda. I hope you and the family are doing well. Are you still working from home?

I know you enjoy a good NF tale. Check out The Last Pirate of New York when you can.

>134 lindapanzo: Hi Mark, yes, still working from home. They're just starting to talk about getting us back and giving general details but they don't think it'll happen til September.

We are all healthy and safe. Getting out just a bit more now. Went to visit my sister on Sunday. Got my hair cut. At some point, we will probably dine out somewhere.

We've been having work done around the house too.
We've lived here 35 years and replaced the carpet a couple of times but decided that for resale value to install hardwoods on the main level. So we had the front of the house done 2 years ago and now was time to finish. The entire first floor either had no furniture (had to be moved out to put down the new floors) or it had extra furniture from the other rooms.
I personally hid away in my library upstairs and let Tim take care of supervising the work (since he was home anyway) Now that the workmen are basically done, we are trying to get the rooms put back together. I ordered 2 new recliners with heat and massage (can't wait for these to get here), new curtains, and a new area rug. The rug came but it was the wrong color and wrong size, but Tim likes it and the one I ordered is no longer available. So I'm stuck with it.

What do you think?

>135 cyderry: Hello Cheli. I've been thinking of you. I'll call you in a few days. I too am on a quest to remodel rooms in the house. Though, it is a difficult process without Will's feedback. I've ordered new carpet for the living room, and in doing so, I wonder if Will would like the new color. I had the outside deck painted a lovely colonial blue. It cost $1,000 to hire someone to do the job, and I am well pleased. While Will was an excellent eye doctor, he really did not have a clue how to work with tools. Instead of replacing the door frame on the deck which leads to a downstairs bedroom, he caulked the entire frame. Alas, part of the caulking came away. When the man who redid the door frame worked on it, he discovered two bird's nests in the wood. One had babies in the nest, another had eggs about to hatch. Thus, Will's legacy was one of chirping birds.

It sounds like you too are accomplishing a lot. Much love

>134 lindapanzo: Hi Linda. Lucky you in getting a haircut. My hair tends to be very thick. Thus, no haircut for three months leads to my looking like a lioness.
I hope you are well. I haven't visited in awhile. I hope to remedy that and be here more often. All good wishes to you!

Hi Cheli and Linda, nice to see you again.

I went 16 weeks without a haircut. I have short hair to start with and so it wasn't all that bad until the weather turned hot.

I would love to just sit outside in the shade with the nice breeze but alas, I am working. I seem like I work more when I'm at home than I do when I'm in the office. Even when I return to office, I suspect it might be only 2 or maybe 3 days a week, tops.

>135 cyderry: btw, Cheli, I like that rug. My favorite color.

>138 lindapanzo: Don't get me wrong, the rug is gorgeous, just doesn't go with the color paint I selected. I'm really lucky, they did find the rug I wanted so that is due shortly. Then I'll move the burgundy one upstairs to my bedroom, where it will fit perfectly, color and size! Win/Win situation!

>134 lindapanzo: We have been told to plan for September too, Linda. I am not anxious to go back to the office. I love working from home!

>139 cyderry: That sounds like it'll all work out well, Cheli.

>140 alcottacre: Me, too. Even when we go back, I think it'll be for only a day or two per week.

Oh happy day!!! Just heard that my public library is reopening a week from today, June 29th. Face coverings and social distancing are mandatory and only a limited number of people allowed inside at any given time. No in-person library sessions, no in-library newspapers, no public seating areas, among other things. But it's a nice start!!

I'd been hoping to do curbside pick up at the library. With the library reopening, I'm thinking that this might be the last week they're doing curbside. Now I hear that a reserved book came in for me so I'll get to do it. Probably tomorrow when they're open from 10 am to 1 pm. Woo-hoo.

>143 lindapanzo: Some libraries in our area continue to offer curbside because of the limited number of people who can be inside at a single time. You might check with them.

>144 thornton37814: That's good to know, Lori. Thanks.

They built this new huge library last August. I don't know what their temporary capacity is. I think spaces can have 50 percent of capacity, though Chicago is less.

The National Library here is open but the lending section is almost not worth the trouble so I consider that I don't have a library in Malaysia. It will be one of the things I look forward to when I make my return to the UK full time. I still have my Wakefield Library Card.

>146 PaulCranswick: I did not know that.

I went to the library for the first time in person yesterday. This lovely, friendly, comfortable place is still lovely but no one can really linger long enough to enjoy it. The comfort is temporarily gone.

Happy Independence Day!! What a strange holiday this year.

One of the best baseball authors died last month. His obit was in the NY Times today.

I've read about 5 or 6 of his dozen books on baseball. Likely his most famous baseball book is his bio of Hank Aaron, I had a Hammer. I could've sworn I've read it but it's not showing up for me so maybe it was before I kept track of the books I read.

One of the best!!

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2020/06/10/former-enquirer-sportswriter-...

>148 lindapanzo: - I didn't recognize the author's name, unfortunately, but I had read that Hank Aaron bio, many moons ago. I can't read the article in your link due to my refusal to disable my ad blocker but always sad to lose a good writer.

In this difficult year with an unprecedented pandemic and where the ills of the past intrude sadly upon the present there must still be room for positivity. Be rightly proud of your country. To all my American friends, enjoy your 4th of July weekend.

>149 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, I'm eager for the abbreviated baseball season to get going. I missed the game and thought I'd make up for it by reading a number of baseball books but I haven't done that. I definitely want to read I Had a Hammer though.

>150 PaulCranswick: That is a wonderful sentiment. The holiday didn't feel much like the holiday.

We're thinking about having a dozen or so family and friends over later this month or early in August for a socially distanced get-together. That could be our big get together for the summer. It's been so hot for so long that we don't want to do it too soon, though.

Hi, Linda. I'm glad baseball is back, particularly for megafans like you, although it's having some covid stumbles. The poor Bulls were so bad last year that they're not even going to be in the NBA's enlarged playoff group.

We've had similar problems to yours in having socially-distanced get-togethers - the weather. We did get our "podded" grandkids and their parents for two weeks a month or so ago, which helped a lot, and we've podded (everyone observing the same Covid rules and checking with each other) with our daughter in Chicago, so we see her a lot.

>152 jnwelch: I've been all in on the hockey playoffs, sometimes watching 3 or 4 hockey games per day (or even 5)!! On the other hand, once the hockey playoffs haves started, I rarely put on baseball, though I do look on the MLB app to see who's winning.

With the pandemic, my reading has really suffered. The last time I didn't reach 100 books for a year was in the early 1990's, I think. It's not looking good for this year, unless I drastically pick up the pace.

>153 lindapanzo: I too am having a reduction in reading this year. It seems my concentration is not as good as previous years so I have fewer books read. Hoping to remedy that before the year is over.

>154 cyderry: Hi Cheli, hope you're doing OK. July was a great reading month for me but all of the other months, not so much. I guess all the virus reading and watching plus now watching sports, I don't have as much reading time anymore.

>155 lindapanzo: I usually read about 10 books a month but not this year. My drop off started in February with only 6 but I thought that was because I was traveling. Then March and COVID 19 hit and I had my worst reading month in over a decade with only 4! Then April came and I read 10 and thought the funk was over but May and June it was only 5 each month!

I'm hoping that the trend of 14 in July and 9 so far in August means that the funk is really finally over! I really have to concentrate and consciously say to myself "You should be reading!"

You'd think that being in "stay at home mode" I would have read more.

Hi, Linda. I know I haven't been by in awhile but I do miss you, my friend. I hope you and the family are doing well. Glad to hear you are enjoying some sports again. Our Cubbies were off to a terrific start. I hope they can capture some of that magic again. It is frustrating when those bats go cold for extended periods.

>157 msf59: Hello there, Mr. Mark. Nice to see you here. Mostly, I come onto LT to jot down when I've finished a book but haven't been out and about much visiting people or saying hello.

Has the big date arrived? Can't remember if it was Friday or Monday.

I'm reading a long-time favorite cozy series. Getting serious vibes as I read it that the series is coming to an end. Sniff.

Happiness is reading the latest book by your favorite author and thinking it's the best book she's ever written. Louise Penny and her new book, All the Devils Are Here.

>159 lindapanzo: I agree, it was great!

Linda, Just a drive-by hello. I don't get around here much any more.

>161 tymfos: Hi Terri, nice to see you. Hope all is well.

Except for entering the books I've read and visiting the TIOLI and ROOTs pages, I haven't been visiting around on LT much lately either.

This is probably my slowest reading year in 30 years. Now that hockey is done, and once baseball is over, I will probably read much more.

Watched an interesting special on the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 on PBS last night. Next year, it'll be 150 years. Amazing to think that the year I took a Chicago history class in grade school, it was only the 100th anniversary year.

Another very MIA LTer here. But I am HERE!! Hello, Linda. : )

>163 Berly: Hi Kim, hope all is well with you and your family. We are doing fine, though I'm somewhat blue over news I found out about yesterday.

A retired coworker, a woman I knew somewhat well but years ago, was found dead in her apartment the other day, her head bludgeoned and stabbed multiple times, with her husband dead of self inflicted stabbing. I've read about murder/suicides in the paper, of course, but this one hits closer to home and is horrifying.

Wow, I’m so sorry. It’s definitely horrifying. We had a similar experience a few years back, and it can hit hard.

>164 lindapanzo: That is so sad.

Thanks, Jim and Lori. I had lunch with my BFF today and we sat and talked for hours. Feeling quite a bit better. Breakfast tomorrow with another good friend should offer extra help, too.

>164 lindapanzo: Wow, that is horrible. So sad.

I've been focusing on election news. That was after focusing on hockey playoffs and then baseball playoffs.

Now, I've moved on to Christmas music listening and more reading. Skipping political shows. No baseball til spring. No hockey til after the New Year.

Anyway, it looks like I'll certainly reach 75 books this year. It was looking doubtful for awhile but, even if I read a few chunksters (Eleanor Roosevelt bio and the new Obama autobiography spring to mind), I'd still get there.

As for my elderly parents in the same household and me, we are doing fine. COVID cases are raging out of control in IL so it's back to springtime and, except for grocery shopping, not going out and about much.

We don't usually go anywhere for Thanksgiving and we'll see about Christmas Day with my sister and family. Christmas Eve in the city, with about 30 relatives, is definitely off this year.

Niece, my sister's daughter, is a college sophomore. One of the people in her friend "bubble" who she studies with every day tested positive. Now niece has to quarantine in her dorm room for two weeks. Thankfully, she has had two negative tests so far but needs one more early Thanksgiving week, in order to go home.

hope everyone stays well.

Sorry to hear about your co-worker. THat's just awful. Hope you and yours continue to stay well. Glad to hear that the big 75 is within reach--read away!!

Hi Kim and Cheli, hope all is well.

The virus is raging here in my part of IL (near the Wisconsin state line where the numbers are far worse). Basically working, reading, eating, and sleeping. We go out for food and medical care but nothing else now.

As of yesterday, my local public library is again closed to the public, though I can reserve items online and pick up via curbside.

Numbers here in MD are going up, and I think we'll probably go back to previous restriction levels.

Just don't know what to do about the Holidays.

Hooray for finally reaching book #75 for the year with Loretta Lynn's book Me & Patsy Kickin' Up Dust: My Friendship with Patsy Cline.

Happy Thanksgiving, Linda. I hope you had a fine holiday with the family. We had a very quiet afternoon with the FIL. Sue made a great meal.

Hooray for hitting #75! I remember the days when you would have 200 by now. Grins...

>175 lindapanzo: Congratulations!

>176 msf59: Hi Mark, we had a nice Thanksgiving. Ordered our dinner and picked it up yesterday. Just watched the parade and some football and I read awhile. A nice quiet day but with nowhere to go.

It's been a really slow reading year for me. I hope 2021 picks up.

>177 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori.

This Brit wishes to express his thanks for the warmth and friendship that has helped sustain him in this group, Linda

>175 lindapanzo: Congratulations on reaching 75, Linda!

Congrats on hitting 75!

Thanks, Paul, Anita, and Jim.

Hoping that next year is a better year for the world (and for my reading). I thought I would've read more this year because there's really no place to go but pandemic and political news, along with Dad's advancing dementia, have kept me busier with other things.

I get how dad’s dementia can keep you occupied. We’ve had similar things going on with my mother-in-law. Here’s hoping next year is better!

>182 lindapanzo: Yeah, I thought my reading would have been higher, too, but no. Hang in there! It's nice to see you posting. And you made 75!!

>183 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. I try not to get too upset when he does something strange. In a good cop/bad cop world, I'm the good cop and talk to him nicely.

>184 Berly: Hi Kim, yes I did. I've actually read a lot of good books this year though not nearly as many as usual. A recent favorite was the WW2 historical fiction, The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards. The black swan is a singer performing in occupied Paris.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Linda.

>106 tymfos: Thanks, Paul. I know you meant last weekend, but I wasn't around. For the upcoming weekend, we are supposed to get our first heavy snow of the winter. Or not. Two weather models show just a few inches of snow and the other one shows 16 inches of snow.

>187 lindapanzo: Which model are you rooting for?!

When I got in my car to drive home for lunch today, the thermometer said 61 degrees!

>188 cbl_tn: It was 55 degrees here today, which is 20 degrees above normal. Sunny and mild for mid December. When I saw the heavy rain and/or heavy snow forecast, I decided to drop off the food and hygiene products I accumulated for the local food pantry today instead of tomorrow as I'd told them I would. Then, I stopped at the library and picked up two reserved books via curbside.

I would usually root for the rain but, since I really have nowhere I have to be plus plenty of books and plenty of food on hand, I wouldn't mind some snow.

Hi, Linda! Congrats on 75!!!

Stay well!

>190 tymfos: Hi Terri, thanks. I'll probably end up in the 80 to 85 range. I read way too much about COVID and other issues of the day and spent way less time reading books this year.

>191 lindapanzo: Well, you're way ahead of me, Linda. I've only managed 42 books so far this year, for much the same reason. Plus, I just can't seem to concentrate very well these days.

>192 tymfos: With an entire week off, something that hasn't happened all year, I'm hoping to get a lot of reading done.

I woke up on this Christmas Eve to receive four Kindle books from my Santa Thing Santa. Great choices all, including Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich, Moonflower Murders, the second in the Magpie Murders series by Anthony Horowitz, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, and It's All a Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan by Tristan Donovan.

Eager to get started on these. I'll open my Christmas Swap books later this morning.

Yesterday my niece and nephew (ages 19 about to be 20 shortly, and 17), stopped by somewhat unexpectedly, bearing gifts, including an Amazon gift card from my sister, so, once all the other presents are opened, I can get a few others.

Have a wonderful holiday, Linda! And lets hope for a much better 2021.

>195 msf59: Merry Christmas, Mark. It's a crazy Christmas with none of the usual family get-togethers this year. No large family get together on Christmas Eve, though, with illnesses, this'll be 3 out of the last 4 years that we haven't gone to that. No Christmas Day brunch with my sister and her family, though we may meet up with them at some point.

Also just opened my Christmas Swap books which Carrie sent. Three more great books for me!! Hurray.

I received:
--Christmas Bells: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini
--Me by Elton John
--Death in the Air by Kate Winkler

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
May 2021 bring you less need for masks, loads of peace and joy, good health and, of course, books!

I hope you get some of those at least, Linda, as we all look forward to a better 2021.

Kim, Cheli, and Paul, hope you all had a great holiday. It was different for sure. Pretty much just stayed home and read while listening to Christmas carols.

More hope for the future with the vaccine coming and my own renewed enthusiasm for reading. 2020 was not a good year, all around.

I've started my 2021 thread in the 75er group. Who knows, maybe I'll be more talkative next year?

It is located at: https://www.librarything.com/topic/327677#n7354978

Linda, did you catch the Christmas opener of Call the Midwife last night?

>202 jessibud2: Yes, I did. Loved it. The Christmas special is always a feel good story all around. I was sorry to see that one character leave, though I'm thinking that, maybe since she is going to South Africa, maybe she'll come back.

The hard part is waiting now til March for the season to start.

March?! Damn. That feels so long to wait! I had missed the first few minutes of last night's show but I think I probably didn't miss all that much.

Did you hear the part of who's not on? If not, I can send you a message as to who.

Something at the end threw me for a loop, too.

We were talking about last night's show today. I said that, during the early seasons, I was more concerned with the stories involving the mothers. Now, much more concerned with the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House, along with others like the Turners and the Buckles.

>205 lindapanzo: - Yes, I did hear who left. I came in just as they were discussing how sudden her departure was. I also felt the story lines on a few of the segments last night were a bit much. Maybe tried to cram too much into the one show?

>206 jessibud2: to me, expanding after fighting to stay open for so long didn’t make sense. That came out of nowhere.

I did love the connection that Nurse Crane and Millicent have made. Didn’t care for either of them at first but now I like them both.

>207 lindapanzo: - Yes, that was a surprise to me too. Didn't feel somehow logical. Also, that fire, earlier in the episode. Just a bit odd, did you think?

And did they really have those dating services back then?

>208 jessibud2: not when, all along the local council wanted it torn down. That fire was odd, too, but I can see that they might've had dating services back then, though that dating service seemed more sophisticated than I would've expected.

Year-End Reading Meme: How to Throw A Party

What would you call the event? In the Best Families

How did the guests find their way? A Long Way from Chicago

How did they know they'd arrived? A Curious Incident

Any special activities? Tea & Treachery

Did your guests stay over? The Hundredth Night

Were there servants to help? Called Home

Was there turn down service? Black Coffee

How were the guests greeted? It's Not About You

Was dinner held for late comers? The Book of Candlelight

And dinner was? All the Devils Are Here

Afterwards? No Ordinary Time

>210 lindapanzo: I have answers ready for that meme too, but I will wait until at least the 31st to post it.