MickyFine Roars Through 2020, Fourth Outing

I'm Micky, 33-year-old librarian and general reading nerd. I'm a collections librarian for the public library system in Edmonton and as a result I read a solid chunk of non-fiction as I select it for work every day. The rest of my reading is a wide mix of genres but there's usually a healthy dose of romance, fantasy, graphic novels, and historical fiction in the mix. I don't have any big reading goals this year, although I might dabble in the BookRiot Read Harder challenge for the year. In addition to books, I'm likely to discuss life events (sometimes featuring Mr. Fine), whatever I'm watching on TV, and our cats, Smee & Ash. Posters and lurkers alike are welcome.

January
1. The Night Mark - Tiffany Reisz
2. Spider-Gwen: The Life of Gwen Stacy - Jason Latour
3. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill - Abbi Waxman
4. Spider-Man/Spider-Gwen: Sitting in a Tree - Brian Michael Bendis & Jason Latour
5. Teen Titans: Year One - Amy Wolfram
6. Ayesha at Last - Uzma Jalaluddin
7. Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince: Night of Knives - V.E. Schwab
8. The Psychology of Time Travel - Kate Mascarenhas
9. An Inspector Calls - J.B. Priestley
10. And Dangerous to Know - Darcie Wilde
11. The Bodies in the Library - Marty Wingate
12. F-Bomb: Dispatches from the War on Feminism - Lauren McKeon
13. Cabin Pressure, Series 1 - John Finnemore (re-read)
14. Cabin Pressure, Series 2 - John Finnemore (re-read)
15. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon (re-read)
16. Northanger Abbey - Val McDermid
Favourite(s):


February
17. Book, Line, and Sinker - Jenn McKinlay
18. Kill the Farm Boy - Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne
19. Cabin Pressure, Series 3 - John Finnemore (re-read)
20. One Hundred Years of Struggle: The History of Women and the Vote in Canada - Joan Sangster
21. Marilla of Green Gables - Sarah McCoy
22. Paper Girls Volume 1 - Brian K. Vaughan
23. Cabin Pressure, Series 4 - John Finnemore (re-read)
24. Emily Climbs - L.M. Montgomery
25. Lumberjanes: Indoor Recess - Shannon Watters & Kat Leyh
26. Magic for Beginners - Kelly Link
27. Fry's English Delight, Series 1 - Stephen Fry
28. Josie and the Pussycats, Vol. 1 - Marguerite Bennett & Cameron DeOrdio
29. The Undrowned Child - Michelle Lovric
30. Paper Girls Volume 2 - Brian K. Vaughan
31. Fry's English Delight, Series 2 - Stephen Fry
32. Paper Girls Volume 3 - Brian K. Vaughan
33. Paper Girls Volume 4 - Brian K. Vaughan
34. Paper Girls Volume 5 - Brian K. Vaughan
35. Fry's English Delight, Series 3 - Stephen Fry
36. Fry's English Delight: Word Games - Stephen Fry
37. Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade - Diana Gabaldon
Favourite(s):


March
38. Dream Lake - Lisa Kleypas
39. Fry's English Delight, Series 4 - Stephen Fry
40. Naughty on Ice - Maia Chance
41. Valour and Vanity - Mary Robinette Kowal
42. Fry's English Delight, Series 5 - Stephen Fry
43. Magpie Murders - Anthony Horowitz
44. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake - Sarah MacLean
45. Paper Girls Vol. 6 - Brian K. Vaughan
46. Information Hunters: When Librarians, Soldiers, and Spies Banded Together in World War II Europe - Kathy Peiss
Favourite(s):

April
47. Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones
48. Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers - NYPL
49. Mythos - Stephen Fry (re-read)
50. Eating Korea: Reports on a Culinary Renaissance - Graham Holliday
51. Star-Crossed: A Novel - Minnie Darke
52. If All the Seas Were Ink - Ilana Kurshan
53. The (Post) Mistress - Tomson Highway
54. A Darker Shade of Magic - V.E. Schwab (re-read)
55. A Gathering of Shadows - V.E. Schwab (re-read)
Favourite(s):


May
56. A Conjuring of Light - V.E. Schwab (re-read)
57. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
58. Jane of Austin - Hillary Manton Lodge
59. Nemesis - Agatha Christie
60. When a Duchess Says I Do - Grace Burrowes
Favourite(s):


June
61. Miles Morales: Spider-Man - Jason Reynolds
62. Flamebringer - Elle Katharine White
63. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
64. Ink and Bone - Rachel Caine
65. Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince: The Rebel Army - V.E. Schwab
66. Heroes - Stephen Fry
67. The School for Scandal - Richard Brinsley Sheridan
68. Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins (re-read)
69. I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith
70. She Stoops to Conquer - Oliver Goldsmith
71. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
72. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Favourite(s):

July
73. Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors - Sonali Dev
74. Howards End - E.M. Forster
75. Thank You, Jeeves - P.G. Wodehouse
76. Tom's Midnight Garden - Philippa Pearce
77. War of the Worlds - H.G. Wells
78. Antigone - Jean Anouilh
79. Die Mommie Die - Charles Busch
80. The Invasion of the Tearling - Erika Johansen
81. Hedda Gabler - Henrik Ibsen
82. Behind the Sheet - Charly Evon Simpson
83. Oslo - J.T. Rogers
84. Suitors and Sabotage - Cindy Anstey
85. Macbeth - William Shakespeare
86. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
87. Twelve Angry Men - Reginald Rose
88. The Cherry Orchard - Anton Chekhov
89. Copenhagen - Michael Frayn
90. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
91. No Country for Old Gnomes - Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne
92. Agnes of God - John Pielmeier
93. 8 - Dustin Lance Black
94. 4:50 from Paddington - Agatha Christie
95. Bogaazan! - Akira Hayasaka
96. Virgin River - Robyn Carr
97. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
98. Please Continue - Frank Basloe
Favourite(s):


August
99. The Duke and I - Julia Quinn
100. Young Victoria - Juliet Ace
101. The George Bernard Shaw Collection - George Bernard Shaw
102. Midnight Sun - Stephenie Meyer
103. The Little Foxes - Lillian Hellman
104. Pressure - David Haig
105. Sisters Matsumoto - Philip Kan Gotanda
106. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou (dramatization)
107. Six Degrees of Separation - John Guare
108. A Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee Williams
109. Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord - Sarah MacLean
110. Fool - Christopher Moore
111. The Viscount Who Loved Me - Julia Quinn
112. An Offer from a Gentleman - Julia Quinn
113. All Systems Red - Martha Wells
114. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
Favourite(s):


September
115. They Called Us Enemy - George Takei et. al.
116. Herding Cats - Sarah Andersen
117. Sex and Vanity - Kevin Kwan
118. Beneath the Sugar Sky - Seanan McGuire
119. Lumberjanes: X Marks the Spot - Shannon Watters & Kat Leyh
120. Love in the Blitz - Eileen Alexander
121. Artificial Condition - Martha Wells
122. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
123. Lord John and the Hand of Devils - Diana Gabaldon
124. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton - Julia Quinn
125. Rogue Protocol - Martha Wells
126. To Sir Phillip, With Love - Julia Quinn
127. Lumberjanes: Birthday Smarty - Shannon Watters & Kat Leyh
128. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling (re-read)
129. The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts - Annie Darling
Favourite(s):

October
130. Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde
131. Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer Is No - Kate Kaufman
132. The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection - Jane Austen
133. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V.E. Schwab
134. Exit Strategy - Martha Wells
135. Piranesi - Susanna Clarke
136. Giant Days Volume 3 - John Allison & Max Sarin
137. Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh
138. Design for Dying - Renee Patrick
139. When He Was Wicked - Julia Quinn
140. The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories - Susanna Clarke
Favourite(s):


November
141. The Bad Seed - Jory John & Pete Oswald
142. The Good Egg - Jory John & Pete Oswald
143. The Cool Bean - Jory John & Pete Oswald
144. The Duke Who Didn't - Courtney Milan
145. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Kate McAll
146. A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik
147. Giant Days Volume 4 - John Allison & Max Sarin
148. The Couch Potato - Jory John & Pete Oswald
149. Baking with Kafka - Tom Gauld
150. Camp Austen - Ted Scheinman
151. Giant Days Volume 5 - John Allison & Max Sarin
152. Giant Days Volume 6 - John Allison & Max Sarin
153. At Love's Command - Karen Witemeyer
154. The House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune
155. The Constant Rabbit - Jasper Fforde
156. Giant Days Volume 7 - John Allison & Max Sarin
Favourite(s):


December
157. Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow - Jessica Townsend
158. Giant Days Volume 8 - John Allison & Max Sarin
159. In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren
160. Giant Days Volume 9 - John Allison & Max Sarin
Favourite(s):

My rating system:

/ = Ran screaming in the other direction (aka did not finish)
* = Suffered through it for reasons I'm still not sure of
** = Had far more flaws than virtues
*** = A read I don't regret but could use some improvement
**** = A good, solid read that I might revisit
***** = Loved it beyond reason and will probably re-read in short order

BookRiot Read Harder Challenge

Read a YA nonfiction book
Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairy tale, or myth by an author of color - Ayesha at Last
Read a mystery with no violence against women
Read a graphic memoir - They Called Us Enemy
Read a book about a natural disaster
Read a play by an author of color and/or queer author - The (Post) Mistress
Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII - Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade
Read an audiobook of poetry
Read the LAST book in a series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Read a book that takes place in a rural setting - Marilla of Green Gables
Read a debut novel by a queer author
Read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) that is not your own - If All the Seas Were Ink
Read a food book about a cuisine you’ve never tried before - Eating Korea: Reports on a Culinary Renaissance
Read a romance starring a single parent - To Sir Phillip, With Love
Read a book about climate change
Read a doorstopper (over 500 pages) published after 1950, written by a woman - Outlander
Read a sci-fi/fantasy novella (under 120 pages) - Magic for Beginners
Read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community
Read a book by or about a refugee
Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the US or the UK - The Undrowned Child
Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non)
Read a horror book published by an indie press
Read an edition of a literary magazine (digital or physical)
Read a book in any genre by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous author

This thread is officially open for business. Why not join me and those fantastic dames up top in some chit chat? What's your favourite hot fall beverage: coffee, tea, or cider?

Personally, I'm a big fan of caffeine-free teas. My current faves are a cinnamon rooibos chai and an Earl Grey rooibos. Although I don't mind the occasional hot apple cider.

Happy new one, Micky!

>7 MickyFine: - Fall, for me, cries out for chai lattes :)

Happy new thread! Coffee, coffee, coffee!

Happy new thread!

>9 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. Mmm, chai latte is a good choice.

>10 drneutron: All yours, Jim. :)

>11 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie!

>1 MickyFine: Coffee! Best choice of bevvie for me.

Also, love that topper image (amused with the woman in the front row with poorly-tied ice skates; the model of skate boot hasn't changed in a century except perhaps at the most elite levels).

What a great idea to showcase each month's fave read. I remember now, that you did that in a former thread and I was going to be a copy-cat but forgot!

>13 SandyAMcPherson: I love so many details in that photo, Sandy. Glad you found one of the fun ones.

Feel free to copy whatever you like from my stats keeping. Much of what I do is stolen borrowed from other LTers.

>8 MickyFine: I just ran out of my Dorian Earl Grey tea, and I'm so sad about it.

Happy new thread! I love tea all year round, but there's something so delightfully fall-ish about hot spiced cider.

>15 London_StJ: That is very sad. I hate running out of my favourite teas.

>16 foggidawn: Agreed! Somehow I always burn my tongue on cider though.

Happy new thread, Micky! I am an equal opportunity coffee and tea drinker (though I can't have much caffeine after noon, so it's herbal tea for me then). I do like a hot cider, too, and will usually splurge buying some once or twice over the fall months.

I like seeing your titles for the ReadHarder challenge. I'll think about posting mine - I don't think we managed to overlap on any so far.

Happy new thread, Micky.

>18 bell7: I also enjoy both tea and coffee and drink far too much of both. Fortunately it doesn't seem to affect me in an insomnia way as I never did sleep too much anyway!

Happy new thread, Micky.

>7 MickyFine: All year round enough coffee to get through the day (4 fairly big and strong cups), and some tea (one pot of green tea and one cup in the afternoon). Never had any cider.

Hi Mickey!

>18 bell7: Thanks, Mary. I've given up any hope of completing the challenge this year - I'm comfort reading so much that any more challenging reads or reads outside of my usual browsing range feel pretty unlikely at this point in the year. How about you?

>19 PaulCranswick: I am supremely caffeine sensitive, Paul, so no coffee or black/green/white tea for me.

>20 FAMeulstee: Well based on a convo happening on Katie's thread, apple cider as I mean it might be a very US/Canadian thing?

>21 leahbird: Hi Leah!

>22 MickyFine: Well, I have 8 to go and title ideas for all of them so it could still go either way. If I really tried, I could, but I'm not sure if I'll want to or not (and the hard one's going to be a horror title from an indie press, since I don't do horror at all).

>23 bell7: I hear you. Horror is also not my genre in any way. Kudos on only having 8 left though. That's very impressive!

Book 130



Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde

Eddie Russet and his father are headed to the fringes of the Collective as Eddie's father is temporarily taking the role of Swatchman and Eddie has been assigned a chair audit as punishment. However, when they arrive in East Carmine, the Swatchman Eddie's father is supposed to be relieving turns out to be dead and the residents of the town are far more invested in loopholery than Eddie is used to. Then Eddie meets a Grey named Jane and discovers that the life he has been perfectly content with has a darker edge than he ever imagined and he must face what role he will play. If he can survive to the next day, that is.

Trust Jasper Fforde to create a strange world. This dystopian society in which people are able to perceive only a single colour (or in the case of Greys, none) has a lot to say about caste systems and how we divide ourselves into groups. While there's plenty of humour from occasional brushes with the world we know, which is the distant past for the characters, this is not as funny as some of Fforde's other works. An enjoyable read and if the sequels are ever published I'll pick them up but not my favourite Fforde thus far.

Rating: ***

>25 MickyFine: Definitely agree with your assessment of this one! I remember enjoying it when I read it around when it was published... but I've never had any interest in picking it up for a reread.

I do remember being frustrated when I tried to recommend it to a few people and they confused it with 50 Shades of Grey as I think they came out within a year or so of each other.

>26 curioussquared: I remember a librarian story to that effect. An older woman came in to a branch asking for Shades of Grey, since her son had recommended it, and it took the staff member a bit to realize she didn't want 50 Shades (since it was in high demand at the time).

Ditched



The Season: A Social History of the Debutante - Kristen Richardson

Pearl-ruling this one as the writing is pretty dry and makes a topic I find interesting decidedly underwhelming. The introduction recounts Richardson's own minor brushes with modern debutante culture (she was asked and said no) but the writing here is pretty muddled as she seems to skirt wanting to discuss her heritage from living in an affluential family. The first chapter recounts the roots of the marriage market and the beginnings of debutante culture and "the season" in Britain. There's a couple references to real women here but more to Jane Austen novels, which definitely gives the examples broader chances of recognition but feel a little oddly out of place in a history book. This feels like a thesis or post-doctorate turned into a book but the writing didn't receive the popular history punch up. Likely useful for serious research on the topic but as recreational reading it falls short of my expectations.

Rating: /

>28 MickyFine: Too bad about this. It could have been such an interesting social retrospective. There could have been some enlightened discussion about how the "debutante" came to exist and what societal effect may have occurred where the process was practiced.

I'm personally glad the world is changing in that aspect. Looking from today's perspective, such society doings serve largely to create a hierarchy that in the end, is discriminatory, no?

I do confess to having owned a pair of kid gloves like that, in dove grey, not ivory. I sold them a couple years ago along with a ridiculous quantity of other vintage clothing and accessory items.

>29 SandyAMcPherson: If I'd stuck with the whole book, Sandy, there is a chapter on how the debutante tradition is still alive and thriving.

Eagerly counting down to the end of my work day. It's the Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada and while our gathering will just be Mr. Fine and I (likely with video chats with the extended family) I'm looking forward to the break and the food. On my list of things I'm thankful for are all my wonderful friends here on LT. Y'all are a bright spot in my life, particularly in this strange, strange year.

Happy Thanksgiving, Micky!

Happy new thread, Mickey! I drink coffee and tea year round but I am a big fan of hot apple cider when the weather starts to turn colder. Of course, middle of winter cold snaps and I am a hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps beside a roaring fire kind of gal. ;-)

Wishing you, Mr Fine and family a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Hooray for a long weekend, and happy Thanksgiving to you!

>32 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>33 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

>34 bell7: Thanks, Mary!

Book 131



Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer Is No - Kate Kaufmann

Alongside her own story, Kaufmann shares the experiences of women who range in age from their late 30s into their 90s who have not given birth, whether by choice or by chance. Each chapter centres on a single theme such as career, interactions with children not their own, spirituality, health ramifications, financial options, and end of life planning. Kaufmann gives equal space to women who wanted children but were unable to have them as well as to women who made the active choice not to have kids. As a non-Mom myself I found some sections resonated with me more than others but all perspectives were fascinating. There was some helpful food for thought for further down the road, particularly around health issues that occur in higher frequency for childless women as well as end of life planning. Worth reading even if you do have children to get a sense of the emotional ramifications that come from asking that casual but ultimately invasive question of, "Do you have kids?"

Rating: ****

Book 132



The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection - Jane Austen

Excellent listening for all Janeites. All six adaptations of Austen's novels are well done and even productions with fewer big names are worth a listen. Definitely a good way to scratch that Jane Austen itch although after listening to these productions I've decided it's time for another re-read of the novels in the near future.

Rating: *****

>36 MickyFine: I am at a loss to understand why people think it's okay to ask such a question. "Have you ever been with a woman?" is the gay man's equivalent in judgmental nosiness. "What's it to you?" isn't really a helpful response because then their haughty offendedness makes them feel Right and therefore in their minds you Wrong for being so "oversensitive."

>36 MickyFine: Oooh, that one sounds good. I'd be perfectly happy adopting, but the chances of my going through pregnancy goes down by the day, so I'd be interested in the health ramifications in particular, as well as the personal stories.

>38 richardderus: Huh, that question has me flabbergasted too. Both are exceedingly nosy, in my mind, to be so acceptable for "making conversation."

>28 MickyFine: I've had my eye on that one, but if it's dry and unsatisfying I'll probably give it a miss.

Micky went through my list of Canadian friends and somehow almost missed you!

Just in time to wish you a happy Thanksgiving weekend.

>37 MickyFine: >37 MickyFine: I have this sitting on my shelves but have been putting it off until I've actually read all the books. I'm looking forward to it, though, someday...

>36 MickyFine: Interesting and intriguing review.
I'd have said there are more health difficulties later in life from pregnancy than people may know.

It is good to emphasise that Do you have kids? is an invasive, potentially sad, question.

>38 richardderus: (edited to add...) The answer to that (or any insensitive question along the nosiness line) is to reply, "Pardon me? What did you say?" If they are so stupid as to repeat themselves (and usually they aren't), you don't answer, you just look at them, steadily....

I have 2 kids, about 9 years apart. When they were still young and we were together, I was rather taken aback when someone would say (often accusingly), "Why would you have 2 'only' children?" Or "Where are your other kids?"

I was so floored the first time I was asked those types of questions that I could only stare speechlessly at them.
Which turned out to be the best response.
A friend of mine in the same situation told me she once replied: "How do you know I didn't used to have 3?".

Turning Micky's thread back... thank you again for the book review at #36.

>36 MickyFine: That sounds like a really interesting read! I regularly read the workplace advice blog Ask a Manager and you would be SHOCKED by how many people have coworkers asking them not only "Do you have kids?", but then, "why not?", "are you trying?", and "why aren't you trying?" I'm really glad the prevalence of miscarriages seems to be becoming more of an acknowledged fact; Michelle Obama talks about it in her memoir.

>37 MickyFine: Cumberbatch AND Tennant? I might have to track this one down.

>43 SandyAMcPherson: *snerk* That's priceless!

I'm 9 years younger than my next-up sister. When my mother would take both of us out to dinner, people would comment how nice of her grandson and his mom to a meal.

The look on Winter's face...!

>43 SandyAMcPherson: Also asking when people are going to have more kids. People completely neglect to recognize that secondary infertility is quite common. I know people who would NEVER asking someone if/when they were going to have their first child who have never stopped to consider how insensitive this second question is.

Every woman in my family has either had a miscarriage after having kids or was never able to get pregnant a second time but only one had primary infertility.

>36 MickyFine: I had my eye on this book earlier; I may have to pick it up. When I worked with the public, I had one older guy (a grandfather of some of my storytime kids) who wanted to have a long conversation about why I was not married -- actually, it started out with wondering why I didn't have kids and worked back from there. It was uncomfortable.

Happy Newish Thread, Micky.

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

Hot drinks: a vanilla latte is a treat for me, and once we get further into the year, eggnog latte. But hot cider is always welcome, too.

>38 richardderus: Yikes! I can't fathom anyone asking that question and I'm so sorry you've had to encounter it. Some people's children...

>39 bell7: Be warned the health stuff... sucks. I'm more paranoid about things already. :P

>40 lycomayflower: I always wonder if my academic-ese muscles are atrophying the further I get from my school years. I have a feeling if I read it more, I wouldn't have been as annoyed with this one.

>41 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul!

>42 scaifea: It's a great listen, Amber. I'm positive you'll love it.

>43 SandyAMcPherson: It's such a strange one, Sandy. When we took possession of our house this spring, we ended up meeting one of our neighbours almost immediately (who has two kids) and she asked the question. I wasn't offended and in the context I totally got it but I also know that on the wrong day, that question could have been more painful for me. The author does offer some suggestions of ways to pivot the question, which while not super natural sounding (at least for my conversational style) are nice options. I really appreciated the emphasis she placed on not saying, "No, but..." Justifying or explaining doesn't have to be a thing.

>44 curioussquared: I really recommend it, Natalie.

>46 leahbird: Yes. Reproduction questions in general are touchy. I don't mind discussing it with friends but it's always important to keep in mind the gamut of reactions the topic can raise.

>47 foggidawn: Oof. Library customers with no boundaries or filters are The Worst. Especially when you're trapped behind the desk.

>36 MickyFine: Adding that one to my wishlist!

>49 MickyFine: Be warned the health stuff... sucks.

Yes, well, forewarned is forearmed, or something... I'd rather know something about what to (maybe) expect now than be surprised in 10-20 years.

>50 norabelle414: Excellent. I hope it's a rewarding reading experience.

>51 bell7: True enough. I'll definitely be chatting with my GP about some of it the next time I have a check up.

>22 MickyFine: I have given up on challenges this year--I am far too busy doing group reads either on LT, my RL bookclubs, or a new one with my dad and daughter. What happened to spontaneity?! LOL

And I am the opposite of you--I can drink caffeine at midnight and fall asleep. It does nothing for me, except I like the taste of teas and lattes.

>25 MickyFine: Haven't read that Fforde yet, and I do love him, so added to my list!

>36 MickyFine: That book sounds really interesting, about the "Do you have kids?" question. Maybe I need to be re-educated. I have absolutely asked that question, but my reason for asking is so that if someone doesn't, I don't want bore them to death with kids stories and I take a different conversational direction instead. I've always put it in the same category as what do you do for a living? A conversation starter. And I am not judging and I'm not asking why not. Kids are not desired by everyone nor achievable for everyone. Hmmmm...I think I better get the book.

Happy Friday!!

>53 Berly: I love other people's kid stories despite not having kids, though! I think in part that might be a generational thing, as the conversation starter is definitely how my dad sees it, too. I find a few "normal" conversation starters... unintentionally intrusive. As in, you don't know what heartache might be behind "Are you married?" or "Do you have kids?" (miscarriages, infertility...) We could just as easily ask "Tell me about yourself" or something more open-ended, but we fall into certain conversation patterns or ellipses instead. Of course, this could just be the introvert in me who doesn't quite get small talk :D

Happy weekend, Micky, and hope you have some good books going!

Thanks Kim and Mary for the visits and additional chat. :)

Book 133



The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V.E. Schwab

Addie LaRue is desperate for a life outside of her small village in France and the deeply worn path that everyone else seems content to follow. She makes a deal with the darkness for more time on earth in exchange for her soul. The unforeseen cost is that no one she meets will ever remember her. And so Addie makes her way across decades and cities, people and events for 300 years. Until one day in 2014 she meets a man in a bookshop who remembers her.

Such a beautiful novel. Addie is a compelling character who grapples with her identity and her humanity as we follow her in chapters set both in her present in 2014 as well as seeing how she's made her way through her life over the centuries. While there's richly drawn historical fiction details, the draw here is the character study and the exploration of what makes life worthwhile. With obvious strong appeal for fans of Faust and The Portrait of Dorian Gray, fans of Schwab's previous novels will also find details to love here particularly in her character of the dark being who makes the deal with Addie. Recommended.

Rating:****

I'll add that I'm so glad I purchased the hard copy of this for myself. The end pages are a gorgeous deep green with the pattern of seven stars on them. Also, under the dustjacket on the front cover is the imprint of five birds in the process of taking off. I love tiny details like these that are aesthetically beautiful before you read the book and take on deeper meaning after you've read it.

>54 bell7: I appreciate the feedback. : )

>55 MickyFine: Great review and beautiful book!

>57 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

Book 134



Exit Strategy - Martha Wells

Murderbot is in search of Dr. Mensah to hand over the evidence it found against GrayCris. However as it attempts to track down Mensah it discovers that its actions in getting the evidence have endangered Mensah and now it needs to go rescue more humans. Again.

I continue to love Murderbot. That is all.

Rating: ****

>59 MickyFine: You would be abnormal if you *didn't* love Murderbot! What a marvelous series Martha Wells has created.

I hope all your reads this week approach Murderbot levels.

>60 richardderus: I'm pretty pleased with my current stack of upcoming reads. Started Piranesi on my lunch today, which is off to a strange but compelling start.

>56 MickyFine: Oh, this one is going on the list immediately

>62 London_StJ: I was just considering dropping a note on your thread to recommend it to you. Happy you stumbled on it already. :)

Looks like you've been reading some great books, Micky. I really enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Murderbot of course, and Piranesi. I hope that one continues to be a good read for you.

>64 bell7: Thanks, Mary. I'm getting close to the halfway point and I'm curious to see where it goes from here.

>63 MickyFine: Good instincts! :-D

Book 135



Piranesi - Susanna Clarke

It's hard to describe this one as part of the delight of reading the novel (for me, anyway) is unraveling what precisely is happening. Suffice to say the narrator recounts through journal entries his experiences in a massive labyrinth he calls House where he is one of only two inhabitants. However, as the novel progresses the reader begins to suspect that all is not as our narrator perceives.

A quiet but compelling read in which the delight is the result of the world building and determining what exactly is going on. Being familiar with Clarke's previous massive tome, I was surprised by how slim this novel is but it packs a punch in its 250ish pages. Recommended if you like Clarke's previous works or if you enjoy a strange mystery with a hint of fantasy.

Rating: ****

Book 136



Giant Days Volume 3 - John Allison & Max Sarin

The ongoing chronicle of the ordinary adventures and mishaps that first-year uni students Daisy, Esther, and Susan encounter. Among them is a student election, grappling with class load, (re)connecting with old friends, and a camping trip.

Just a lovely read to sink into and exactly what I needed. It took me a couple volumes to really fall in love with these women and their friend group but now I'm in for the ride and have placed holds on the next volumes. Gorgeous artwork in this volume as well.

Rating: ****

>67 MickyFine: I haven't read this one yet but I was enthralled by this New Yorker interview with Clark that gives so much interesting context for the novel.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/09/14/susanna-clarkes-fantasy-world-of-i...

I'm excited about the Clarke book but have no idea when I'll get to it. And I requested the first Giant Days collection yesterday!

>69 leahbird: Thanks for sharing that article, Leah. It's a delightful read. It's also had me add Clarke's collection of short stories to my current library checkouts.

>70 scaifea: Woot for both!

Book 137



Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh

A new collection of graphic essays (I'm making up terms now) from Brosh recounting tales from her childhood as well as her more recent experiences. As with Hyperbole and a Half where Brosh didn't hesitate to mix her hysterical anecdotes alongside more serious material about her struggles with depression, the same is true here. Mixed in between tales that had me laughing so hard my abs hurt are reflections on the devastating events that have happened in the years between Brosh's last book and this one including divorce, major health scares, and the death of a family member. Expect plenty of her "bad Microsoft paint" drawings alongside her unique take on life. Fans of her previous writing will be delighted to dive into more.

Rating: ****

>73 MickyFine: "Graphic Essays" seems as good a term as any. What even is a book any more?

>74 foggidawn: I'm all for mixing up formats but it does make it tricky to know what to call things. The only thing I'm firm on is that novel and book cannot be used interchangeably. That carries the madness too far.

Hi Micky, I've seen your posts, and then remembered that I haven't posted on your thread.

I'm Linda, 68 years young. I live in NE Pennsylvania where there are lots of mountains. Two years ago, I retired, after teaching and supervising/advising the student newspaper and the yearbook at a local university for 35 years.

I will visit more often.

Congratulations on reading 137 books.

I'll put my hand up and confess that 'Do you have kids' is a question I've asked and I'll apologise for being unintentionally offensive. My explanation is I'm with >53 Berly: Kim; if you know you're talking to another parent you can commiserate together about the terrible things you have to put up with but you're fairly sure it'd be a long, boring story for the person you're talking to otherwise, or it prevents you wittering on in the assumption that they do have kids which would be, I think, worse. I'll also admit to being a bad conversationalist and an introvert so I feel as if I have to say something.

On the hot beverage question, living in the tropics we're usually on the lookout for ice cold drinks but I think my hot drink of choice would be hot chocolate - but it would have to be good hot chocolate, not too dilute or too sweet and it would have to be extremely chocolatey. There used to be a café we'd go to after tap class where they served hot milk and hot melted chocolate which you then mixed yourself. Yum - but I did sneak a spoonful of chocolate too.

>73 MickyFine: I love/am fascinated by the question of language and how we discuss and define media these days. I think "graphic" before any kind of text offers a fairly clear description of illustrated material, so "graphic essays" works for me. Also "graphic memoir"? Although that's an assumption, as I haven't read it yet. While researching for my dissertation I came across Hillary Chute's work. She talks about the contemporary use of "graphic novel," which I never realized was so contentious. She anecdotally offers that comics creators hate the term, because it frames their work in a different narrative tradition.

Buuuut, I'm babbling. I'm glad for your review, because I forgot how much I enjoyed Hyperbole and a Half, and so was uncertain about picking up the second. This does it.

>75 MickyFine: I'm probably guilty of the "a novel is a book" when I'm speaking of fiction. In my LT reviews (on fiction), I'll often talk about 'the book' ~ meaning the novel.

A teaching moment I'd appreciate, Mickey, if you want to take out your professorial hat?

>78 London_StJ: So that was interesting about the contentiousness (word?) of the graphic novel moniker.

I would love if you could slightly expand on that ("because it frames their work in a different narrative tradition") ... or should I be reading Why Comics?: From Underground to Everywhere, or maybe another title?

>75 MickyFine: >79 SandyAMcPherson: Oops. I use them interchangeably too. I'd be glad for the clarification.

To me, "novel" is a subset of book -- a novel is a work of fiction, whereas a book is any bound folio.

>75 MickyFine: A book is an industrial product, broadly and generally describable as printed paper folded into comfortably hand-holdable sizes and gathered into sequentially-numbered pages between covers of some more durable material than those pages.

A novel is what's printed on those pages. As is a memoir, a graphic novel, a polemic, a cookery bookery, etc etc etc.

>76 Whisper1: Hi Linda. Thanks for popping by here. I'll have to drop into your thread. :)

>77 humouress: Oooh that hot chocolate sounds divine!

>78 London_StJ: Happy to oblige, milady! The book definitely has some elements of graphic memoir for big chunks of it but occasionally there are chapters that are just her thoughts on life/existence thus my opting for graphic essay. Interesting the contentiousness of graphic novel in the comics industry.

>79 SandyAMcPherson: I think the LT hive brain has done a good job already. :)

>82 foggidawn: >83 richardderus: Precisely. My biggest pet peeve is that occasionally people will use novel when they mean book. I still remember a couple years ago when the film adaptation of Saroo Brierley's memoir came out (the film was Lion, the book was The Long Way Home, and don't get my librarian self started on the pain of adaptations with different titles than the book and movie tie-in editions) and promotional banners on GoodReads called it a novel. Personally I'd be peeved if my recounting of my life was connotatively labelled as fiction. I have some library friends on the academic side of things who have the same feels about using book and monograph interchangeably.

Glad to see you have a string of excellent reads going, Micky! I am avoiding your comments about the Murderbot books as I still haven't started the first one. I did pick it up at one point over the weekend, but that was as far as I got with any reading in the last few days.

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider, I'll drink them all. I've been drinking a lot of tea at work lately for some reason.

>85 aktakukac: I'm the same way with books I already know I'm going to read, Rachel. Hope you have a great time with Murderbot!

We had some leftover whipped cream from Thanksgiving and I enjoyed putting it on top of my hot chocolate. I'll also drink most hot beverages except for coffee because caffeine and I Do Not Mix.

>86 MickyFine: I'm always glad to have leftover whipped cream for hot chocolate...sometimes I will make hot chocolate just because I know there's whipped cream for it :) I have been trying to avoid a lot of caffeine for the last few years, and for the most part have been successful.

>87 aktakukac: Whipped cream and hot chocolate is a delight. I'm always envious of the fancy whipped cream guns at coffee shops. I am awake for a LONG time if I consume caffeine so no coffee or even caffeinated teas for me.

Mmm, hot chocolate with whipped cream! I may have to buy some just to enjoy that particular indulgence. I grew up with hot chocolate from a packet, so as an adult, learning to make hot chocolate on the stove with milk and cocoa was a game-changer.

Book 138



Design for Dying - Renee Patrick

Lillian Frost wasn't overly disappointed when her move to Hollywood for a screen test didn't result in an acting career filled with accolades and is content with her position as a salesgirl in a large department store. However, when police detectives inform her that her former roommate was found murdered in an alley, Lillian ends up being pulled into the investigation after she recognizes her friend's dress as being a costume from a film. Lillian then meets costume designer Edith Head and the two women roll up their sleeves and decide to solve the mystery themselves.

There were elements of this novel that I loved but ultimately I was underwhelmed by the delivery and won't be continuing with the series. The late 1930s Hollywood setting is brilliantly evoked. The details feel accurate and the lingo the characters sling around is like being immersed in one of the films of the era. I did love that Edith Head was a real figure and the author acknowledgements prior to the novel address all the research the authors did (Renee Patrick is a nom de plume for the married couple behind this novel). However, the authors seem so cautious of stepping on Head's memory that she doesn't come across as much of a character at all. And while they namedrop several big old Hollywood names like Bob Hope and Barbara Stanwyck, it feels kind of gimmicky. The mystery itself is convoluted in a way that doesn't feel delightfully complicated but just excessively confusing and there are several points in the novel where as a reader I wasn't sure we'd encountered a clue or solved the case. Also, there was very little sense of Lillian's emotional reactions to everything going on leaving the reader feeling like they're on the outside looking in. Stylistically, there's also a few passages of dialogue where determining who is saying what gets lost. There are worse cozy mysteries but there are also better ones.

Rating: ***

>81 humouress: >84 MickyFine: The LT Brain Hive ! Love that description.
Looks like there were good clarifications about book vs. novel. Thanks all.

>90 MickyFine: Bummer. The deco cover was a grab for me and the mystery sounded good.
As you say, no shortage of good mysteries 'out there'.

>91 SandyAMcPherson: You might like it better than me, Sandy. If your library has it, you can always give it a try and see. :)

>80 SandyAMcPherson: Ahh, I just packed up the book to send back to my college library. But to memory, (some?) comics authors dislike the moniker because it represents a kind of gentrification of comics - that they need the qualifier "novel" to validate their publications. "Novels" are considered valid and respectable forms of entertainment, and have greater cultural value than comics, and so the term "graphic novel" seeks to reframe sequential narratives in the already-respectable genre of novels. But (some?) comics authors contend that their medium should be framed for its own value and not washed by association.

I *do* recommend Why Comics?, though, and need to go purchase my own copy for continued referencing. Ten-Cent Plague is also a good one.

Sorry for the delayed response. :)

Book 139



When He Was Wicked - Julia Quinn

From the moment he met her, Michael Stirling has been in love with Francesca Bridgerton. The only problem is he met her at a party celebrating her imminent marriage to his cousin, John, the Earl of Kilmartin. When two years after their marriage, John dies leaving Francesca alone and Michael with the earldom neither Michael nor Francesca know what to do. Years pass and while both grieve the loss of John, they both come to realize they need to move on with their lives. But can they imagine moving on with each other?

As the sixth book in the Bridgertons series, Francesca is no stranger to this reader but she's a lovely protagonist to spend time with. When her marriage and widowhood was casually mentioned in one of the previous novels, I was surprised and it's nice to get the full story here. I appreciate how well Quinn handles Francesca's grief and finding love again. Michael is as charming a hero as one could hope for and his interactions with Colin Bridgerton were an added delight. As books four, five, and six all take place at roughly the same time, it's fun for readers of the series to see what was going on for the different Bridgertons. Recommended for fans of the series.

And now for a spoiler heavy discussion of the second epilogue included in this edition: I appreciate Quinn tackling Francesca's history of miscarriage and the potential of infertility, particularly given the age of the novella. The ending she gives Francesca is fine with the expected "pregnant when you least expect it" trope. But I would also love to someday encounter a romance novel that makes coming to terms with infertility a HEA instead.

Rating: ****

>93 London_StJ: No worries about the delayed response. I'm happy to hear from you.
Thanks for the additional title (Ten-Cent Plague).

I was very pleased today that (ahead of way earlier requests), Hilary Chute's Why comics? came in for me. I picked it up this afternoon.

Looking forward to learning a lot on this aspect of counter-culture, underground work. And hope there's some good discussion on my thread later.

>83 richardderus: >84 MickyFine: So essentially a novel is fiction? Since I read almost exclusively fiction, I'm guessing I can continue to use them interchangeably without offending anyone?

That hot chocolate was divine. I suppose I could make it at home but ... calories.

>89 foggidawn: I grew up with Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate in a tin. Microwave a mugful of milk, stir in about 3 teaspoonfuls of drinking chocolate (which got more and more 'heaped' as time went by) and voilà! (I'd probably burn the milk if I heated it in a pan.)

>94 MickyFine: - I just started my re-read of this one :)

And I agree with your spoiler comment...

Imma just gonna leave this here....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsKen3y-mU

>96 humouress: Yup. As long as you're talking about fiction you can use book and novel interchangeably. :)

>97 katiekrug: Hope you enjoy it!

>98 katiekrug: Ooooh! I've shared that with all my historical loving romance friends - and my Mom. :)

Due to Mr. Fine's birthday on the first of the month, I'm late on my October wrap-up. I've got one October review to do and then the monthly summary. Just in time too as I'm almost finished my first November read.

Book 140



The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories - Susanna Clarke

A collection of short stories, largely set in the same world as Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (Jonathan Strange even makes an appearance in the title story).

I somehow was unaware of the existence of this collection until recently and am delighted to discover it. If you enjoy JSaMN, then these tales will be highly appreciated. The tales all have the same flavour of menace from a Faerie that humans never quite respect enough, with occasional glimpses of fantastic magic, all with a cloak of Regency respectability. Also, for Neil Gaiman fans, one of Clarke's tales involves the Duke of Wellington accidentally crossing over into Wall from Stardust, which is a wonderful short story. Recommended for fans of Clarke's writing.

Rating: ****

October Summary





Numbers in parentheses are for year to date.

Books read: 11 (140)
Books ditched: 2 (8)

Fiction: 8 (82)
Non-fiction: 3 (58)

Adult: 10 (114)
YA: 1 (12)
Children's: 0 (14)

Library: 10 (124)
Mine: 1 (16)
Borrowed elsewhere: 0 (0)

Re-reads: 0 (16)

Female authors: 9 (87)
Male authors: 2 (57)
Non-binary authors: 1 (1)

Pages: 3,191 (27,166)
Hours: 14 hours 27 minutes (11 days, 2 hours, 45 minutes)
Average rating: 3.88
Average time to read book: 3.99 days

Favourite book(s): So many good reads this month but the ultimate prize goes to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

I forgot I had technically already finished three books this month! I picked up books for Christmas for my nieces (the one for my nephew was pre-ordered and should arrive soon) and, of course, I had to read them before wrapping. So prepare for a trio of picture books in my count. :)

>103 MickyFine: That's great. I love when people review books for the younger audience.
I reviewed a couple of Carrie Vaughn's Robin Hood sagas. They're in the 9 to 12 yo genre, I believe.

Book 141



The Bad Seed - Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

This book is about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. He's got a nasty attitude, bad manners, and he does not nice things. How did he get this way? And will he always be baaaaaad?

Cute but also a thoughtful exploration of how bad experiences can lead people to act out in unhealthy ways but that recognizing bad behaviours and trying to curb them is possible. I swear the book is way more subtle about that message and is pretty funny and sweet in the process. There's also some great puns hidden in the illustrations that grown-ups reading to littles will appreciate.

Rating: ****

Book 142



The Good Egg - Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

A story about a good egg. A gooooooood egg. Our egg takes pleasure in being good and works hard to make everyone around it be good too, even the other eggs in its carton, who are definitely not good eggs. But being so good is a lot of pressure. Can our egg hold up?

A tale that subtly teaches kids the dangers of perfectionism and the importance of self-care. Plenty of puns and jokes for grown-ups to enjoy and a cute story that's great for everyone.

Rating: ****

Book 143



The Cool Bean - Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Our main character here is not a cool bean. He used to be friends with some coooool beans but they've grown apart. Will our bean learn what it truly is to be cool?

Another lovely and subtle tale that teaches kids being kind and supporting others is what truly makes you cool. Again the illustrations have plenty of puns that made this reader chuckle.

Rating: ****

Book 144



The Duke Who Didn't - Courtney Milan

Jeremy has been coming to Wedgeford for the competitive Trials since his early teens. The small village filled with people of Chinese descent is the only place he's ever felt like himself since coming to Britain to take on his role as the Duke of Lansing. Being half-Chinese has never ingratiated him with other members of the aristocracy. But Jeremy hasn't just come to Wedgeford for feeling like part of a community. He's also come for Chloe. Beautiful, wonderful Chloe whom he loves completely and utterly. He wants to propose this year but there's only one hitch: she has no idea he's a duke. Can he tell her the truth and convince her that being a duke's wife won't completely ruin her life?

A wonderful own voices historical romance. Milan's novel is utterly charming. She does a great job of providing sweet romance between compelling characters, while at the same time not shying away from the realities of life for members of the Chinese diaspora in late Victorian England. However, she also crafts a community in Wedgeford that feels supportive and warm. A great read for historical romance fans who love tales set in Britain and who want more diverse reading experiences.

Rating: ****

>108 MickyFine: - I've been wondering about that one. Onto the list!

>109 katiekrug: Yay!

Happy belated birthday, Micky!!!

Thank you, Nora!

Was it your birthday too? Happy birthday!

Happy belated birthday, Micky!

Thanks Nina and Katie!

oooh! A birthday.



So much to celebrate, too!

>116 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks, Sandy!

Book 145



Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Kate McAll

LATW audio play adaptation of Shelley's classic novel. I was impressed that the play used the framing device in the novel of the Captain of the polar exploration vessel but it does make the narrative work better in an exclusively audio format. Following either Frankenstein or his creature often requires a lot of visual input otherwise for it to make sense. A really well done adaptation and the post-play discussion is enjoyable. According to the play pre-amble this was recorded in March 2020, probably just before shutdowns which seems so far away these days.

Rating: ****

>118 MickyFine: Oh, I'm excited to hear about this. In the spring I'm going to teach multiple adaptations of Frankenstein, and an audio play would make a smashing addition.

>119 London_StJ: Oh sweet! Which of the many film adaptations do you include?

>120 MickyFine: I haven't decided. I think what I'll do is offer a collection, and require the viewing of one. That way I can offer options for those who find graphic content disturbing, but still encourage a consideration of Depraved and Frank3n5t3in. For texts I am assigning the original, Gris Grimly's Frankenstein, and Frankenstein in Baghdad.

>121 London_StJ: Nice! I think the only film adaptation I've watched is Kenneth Branagh's and that was... an experience. :P

>122 MickyFine: I loved Frank3n5t3in. And I grew up with Young Frankenstein.

Book 146



A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

El just wants to make it out of school alive. Not an easy feat when you attend The Scholomance where evil magical creatures are constantly trying to creep inside and eat the students full of delicious magic. Life is even harder for El, who lives under threat of a prophecy that forecast her ability to become an all-powerful dark sorceress, not a fate El actually wants as dark wizards tend to have really short lifespans. However, if that idiot, do-gooder, hero Orion Lake doesn't stop saving her life soon, she may have to take him out and then who knows what hell will break loose.

Dark and darkly funny, this novel makes magical boarding school a whole new experience and it is a delightful read. El is a compelling protagonist and watching her try to make her way through the school where every choice is between bad and worse makes for fascinating reading. I particularly loved the twisted logic/humour of the Scholomance and its approach to educating the students. An easy recommendation for readers who grew up on Harry Potter but also a great read for those who like magical boarding school tales or books where the magic is powerful but will burn the user so quickly if not handled quite right.

Rating: ****

Belated birthday congratulations! Many happy returns.

>125 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. *smooch*

>121 London_StJ: Oooooh! Very cool. (*whispers* Is Buffy Season 4 on the list?)

Morning, Micky! I *need* to get to the new Novik. Soon.

>127 scaifea: I hope you like the Novik when you get to it!

Book 147



Giant Days Volume 4 - John Allison & Max Sarin

Another great entry in the series during which Esther decides whether she wants to keep going to uni, Susan dabbles in dating again, Daisy leads a campus tour for prospective students with surprising results, and all three girls participate in a short film competition.

I adore these girls so much and any time spent with them is always worthwhile. I also killed myself laughing over some of the short film snippets included in the comics. Heartily recommended.

Rating: ****

>124 MickyFine: I'm really looking forward to my turn at this novel. I have it on myWL to prevent too many cascading in at once.

I commented on Amber's thread re, "Be careful what you wish for"!

Book 148



The Couch Potato - Jory John & Pete Oswald

The couch potato has the comfiest couch in the world, why would it ever leave it? But one day there's a power outage and it discovers that there's some pretty great things about going outside and being with friends.

Not quite as subtle as some of the other books in this series, but cute all the same. As always, I love the many potato puns included in the illustrations.

Rating: ***

Only two to go for the magic Double 75....

>132 richardderus: Have I got news for you. ;)

>133 MickyFine: "Have I got news for you"
??? and then she leaves us all hanging ...

I bet Micky posted that at work and had to leave off surfing LT.

Book 149



Baking with Kafka - Tom Gauld

A collection of bookish comic strips sure to delight any reader.

Rating: ****

Book 150



Camp Austen - Ted Scheinman

A brief memoir mixed with critical insights on Jane Austen based around Scheinman's experience as a grad student supporting the inaugural "Jane Austen summer camp" (an Austen conference/social event) in North Carolina, with a few other insights smattered from his 18 months actively participating in the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) events. Scheinman is an intriguing guide to the world of Janeites, as his mother is a well-reputed Austen scholar and he has grown up immersed in various elements of her works but isn't a true Janeite himself. His literary criticism of Austen isn't particularly original or earthshaking for those even mildly familiar with Austen studies but the recounting of his experiences at the camp are charming. A short read but one likely to entertain most Janeites.

Rating: ****

Book 151



Giant Days Volume 5 - John Allison & Max Sarin

The girls finish off their final term of first year, say goodbye to their residence hall, meet up for a summer music festival, and settle in to their off-campus housing in the traditional way: assembling IKEA furniture.

I love these characters so much, particularly Daisy who is most like me during my uni days. I was also delighted by the detail that she wore a "Music Is Nice" t-shirt to the festival. Can't wait to see what scrapes and growth their second year will bring.

Rating: ****

>134 SandyAMcPherson: Nah, just being a tease about surpassing 150 before posting the reviews. :)

Congrats on passing 150!

>137 MickyFine: Oh, I'm a Daisy, too! (And one of my roommates was totally an Esther. Come to think of it, another of them was pretty much a Susan.) I'm just getting into this series, so will avoid your spoiler for now.

>139 aktakukac: Thanks, Rachel!

>140 foggidawn: Yay for Daisy-types! ;) I was a commuter uni student so I didn't have the roommate experience. But still decidedly a Daisy for both undergrad and grad school. The spoiler is just a teensy detail but I'll leave you to see it for yourself when you get to the volume.

Book 152



Giant Days Volume 6 - John Allison & Max Sarin

Esther, Daisy, and Susan settle into life in their house and deal with a break in. Daisy explores her sexuality and starts seeing a girl. Esther explores her work options. Susan's dad comes for a visit when Susan gets seriously ill.

Such a wonderful place to immerse myself for thirty to forty-five minutes. Do you like feeling good? Read this series. Feel good.

Rating: ****

>136 MickyFine: Congratulations on reaching 2 x 75, Micky!

Congratulations on your double 75!

Thanks, Anita and Nina!

>84 MickyFine: >93 London_StJ: harkening back to an October discussion....

I posted a review of Hilary Chute's scholarly tome. A somewhat, inexpert commentary. I skimmed rather more than I should/wanted, it was heavy-going in places. I tried to renew the book, since it obvs takes more than 3-weeks to absorb, but there were holds! So back it goes.

I probably learned enough to move on. The colour illustrations were brilliant, though. I'm pleased I was able to borrow a first edition hard cover copy.

Hi, Micky.

You're reading on my wavelength these days. I just picked up Piranesi, and enjoyed your encouraging review of it. Baking with Kafka is a hoot, and I've enjoyed the Giant Days books. I need to get back to them, as more have come out since I last visited.

I was very happy to see you liked Camp Austen. I got a kick out of that one, and particularly enjoyed Scheinman's insider reporting.

>147 jnwelch: Nice to see you, Joe. I hope you enjoy Piranesi - it's strange but beautiful. I've got a few more volumes of Giant Days in my nightstand stack along with a few more newer releases that I really need to get to as they all have holds and I feel guilty about keeping things past their due date, even though my library has eliminated overdue fines.

>136 MickyFine: Happy double 75!

(I stole the 150th Canada Day image because I like it that much and you are, rumour has it, Canadian.)
eta size!

>149 richardderus: Aww, thanks Richard. *smooch*

I'm a sucker for a good meme so here's my responses to the latest one making the rounds, which I've seen pop up on Nina's and Richard's threads.

1. Name any book you read at any time that was published in the year you turned 18.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

2. Name a book you have on in your TBR pile that is over 500 pages long:
Seven Stones to Stand or Fall

3. What is the last book you read with a mostly blue cover?
Giant Days Volume 3

4. What is the last book you didn’t finish (and why didn’t you finish it?)
The Season: A Social History of the Debutante - dry, academic writing

5. What is the last book that scared the bejeebers out of you?
I avoid horror like the plague so no books here.

6. Name the book that read either this year or last year that takes place geographically closest to where you live? How close would you estimate it was?
Hysterically, Midnight Sun. According to Google Maps Forks, Washington is ~1450km away.

7.What were the topics of the last two nonfiction books you read?
One was a collection of comic strips about books and reading and the other was a collection of graphic essays that were mostly the author’s memoirs.

8. Name a recent book you read which could be considered a popular book?
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue made the NYT Bestseller list.

9. What was the last book you gave a rating of 5-stars to? And when did you read it?
Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection read in October 2020.

10. Name a book you read that led you to specifically to read another book (and what was the other book, and what was the connection)
I listened to an audio production of the Sisters Matsumoto, which explores the experiences of a Japanese family after leaving the internment camps in the US. The recording included a post-play panel discussion, which included George Takei among its members. Listening to him talk led to me finally picking up his graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy.

11. Name the author you have most recently become infatuated with.
Julia Quinn

12. What is the setting of the first novel you read this year?
A small coastal town in South Carolina.

13. What is the last book you read, fiction or nonfiction, that featured a war in some way (and what war was it)?
Lord John and the Hand of Devils featured a story set during the Seven Years War.

14. What was the last book you acquired or borrowed based on an LTer’s review or casual recommendation? And who was the LTer, if you care to say.
Baking with Kafka ended up on my want to read list due to several LTers comments including (I believe) Joe, Richard, and Mary (bell7).

15. What was the last book you read that involved the future in some way?
Exit Strategy is sci-fi that I assume is set in the future.

16. Name the last book you read that featured a body of water, river, marsh, or significant rainfall?
Lumberjanes: Birthday Smarty involved some of the girls getting lost while out on the lake.

17. What is last book you read by an author from the Southern Hemisphere?
Star-Crossed

18. What is the last book you read that you thought had a terrible cover?
I read editions of The Song of Lioness series by Tamora Pierce that had horrid early 00s covers with “funky” contemporary haircuts on the models. At least I knew Pierce was worth it to ignore the awful covers because I really am judge-y about books with bad covers. First book in the series is Alanna.

19. Who was the most recent dead author you read? And what year did they die?
I read a collection of letters by Eileen Alexander who died in 1986.

20. What was the last children’s book (not YA) you read?
The Couch Potato

21. What was the name of the detective or crime-solver in the most recent crime novel you read?
Edith Head and Lillian Frost (crime-solving duo)

22. What was the shortest book of any kind you’ve read so far this year?
I’ve read four picture books in a series that were all 40 pages long. First in the series is The Bad Seed.

23. Name the last book that you struggled with (and what do you think was behind the struggle?)
If I struggle with a book, I usually end up ditching it so see my response to #4.

24. What is the most recent book you added to your library here on LT?
At Love’s Command

25. Name a book you read this year that had a visual component (i.e. illustrations, photos, art, comics)
I’ve read a lot of graphic novels this year but I’ll give a nod to the Paper Girls series because it was SO good and the art was excellent.

>151 MickyFine: #24 "Hanger's Horsemen" is a series of romantic novels.

Oh my. The jokes, the jokes...but St. Tom of Gauld reminds me to be strong and raise the brow of my humor.

>151 MickyFine: Ooh, I might have to do this one, too. That's pretty funny about Forks! It's about a 3.5 hour drive for me, but I've never been.

>152 richardderus: Snort. Naughty. Especially since it's a Christian romance and there's no hanky-panky at all. :P

>153 curioussquared: It's a fun meme for sure. Unless you're a total Twi-hard, I doubt Forks needs to go on your travel bucket list. ;)

>154 MickyFine: ...christian...romance...

Book 153



At Love's Command - Karen Witemeyer

After being disillusioned with the cavalry after the massacre at Wounded Knee, Matthew Hanger and three of his fellow servicemen decided to form
a group of mercenaries for hire who provide protection and justice in areas of Texas where the law presence isn't strong. When one of Matt's men is injured taking down a group of cattle rustler's Matt rushes him to the local doctor and is astounded to discover she's a woman, Josephine Burkett. When Jo's brother is kidnapped for ransom, she hires Matt and his crew to get her brother back but events may end up leaving Jo in the crosshairs.

A solid Christian romance as I've learned to expect from Witemeyer but not my favourite of her novels. Recommended only if you're a die-hard fan of her writing.

Rating: ***

Congrats on reading and surpassing 150, Micky!

>157 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

...so much for the "Canada ≠igloos and moose" campaign...
ETA size!

>159 richardderus: You've discovered our secret. Nothing but moose everywhere. ;)

>159 richardderus: Rats! Video doesn't play...
I'll look online with the title.
>160 MickyFine:, Got that right. We've had them running through town now and then. Very strange... the city is indeed a *city*

Edited to add, this phenomenon is known as "the Rocky Mountain car wash" but highly discouraged. It's a great play into what 'being in Canada' seems like to furriners, tho.

>161 SandyAMcPherson: Rocky Mountain car wash made me giggle, Sandy.

>162 MickyFine: Good. Giggles and laffs are good medicine.

>163 SandyAMcPherson: Definitely. I'll take as many as I can get.

Ditched



A Shot in the Dark - Lynne Truss

Finally admitting that this book is not on pause but full on abandoned. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it but I ran out of time on my initial borrow of the ebook from the library and when my hold came in again, I had no desire to pick it back up. The mystery is adequately set up but Truss's dry, British satire just didn't pull me in enough to want to continue. YMMV.

Rating:/

Book 154



The House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune

Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department In Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) where he visits government-run orphanages for magical children and makes recommendations for continuance or closure based on the conditions he sees. He is astounded when Extremely Upper Management meets with him and sends him on a month-long assignment to the classified Marsyas Orphanage to observe the highly unusual children in residence and their equally unusual master, Arthur Parnassus. Linus's many years of experience have not prepared him for the children nor Arthur but his month on the island may be exactly what he needs.

This fantasy novel is a lovely and charming LGBTQ tale that is extraordinarily inclusive. Linus is a sweet middle-aged man whose very ordinariness makes him the perfect protagonist for the reader to take in this world through. Largely a gentle narrative where none of the conflict seems unsurmountable, the book is easy to dip in and out of. I can see why readers adore this one but admit that for me it fell somewhere between fine and good on my personal rating scale. I'm not sure how much of that is me rebelling against the hype for it (the book has a blurb declaring it "near perfect" on the cover) and how much of it is my current mood. Don't let my lower level of enthusiasm deter you though - I'm hopeful this book finds many, many readers.

Rating: ****

And after reading a book I expected to love and only liked, I started The Constant Rabbit at lunch today and am loving it so far so thankfully my brain isn't too broken. Thank goodness for Jasper Fforde this week.

Catching up here, Micky. Glad your surgery was a success. I always come here looking for recommendations for Marina, and I always get some.

>168 AMQS: Anne! So happy to see you! And now I'm curious to see what recommendations you snagged. :)

>166 MickyFine: I liked that one too but didn't love it. My impression of it now, thinking back, is that - while I liked the kids - he could have dialled back the saccharine a bit and while the romantic leads were admirable people, I missed the moment of them falling in love (which is what I look for in a romance) and I think Linus may have fallen for the whole set up with the island and the kids rather than just the person. But I love the title and the cover.

>170 humouress: I totally agree about the cover - it's gorgeous!

Book 155



The Constant Rabbit - Jasper Fforde

In 1965 an Anthropomorphic Event occurred in Britain that turned a small group of rabbits into human-sized, speaking creatures. In 2022 the debate about the treatment of the more than one million anthropomorphic rabbits is raging and getting more vitriolic, even in the small village of Much Hemlock where Peter Knox and his daughter, Pippa, reside. When Constance Rabbit and her husband, Major Clifford Rabbit, move into the village, it forces Peter to reckon with his own passive stance on the issue and choose a side.

I adore Jasper Fforde and this book just adds to the list of things I love about him. It doesn't hurt the book begins with a chapter on speed librarying, which is both very funny and a brilliant comment on the awful treatment of libraries and library staff in the UK over the past decade. The novel then goes on to craft a compelling plot, filled with wonderful characters, while also commentating on current events in a brilliant way. I think what marks out this satire as so excellent is that ignoring its obvious satirical look at Brexit and rampant racism, it's still a thumping good book. Highly recommended.

Rating: *****

Book 156



Giant Days Volume 7 - John Allison & Max Sarin

In this volume Susan goes home for Christmas and seems to be the only one of her many sisters who cares that her parents' marriage may be disintegrating, Esther gets woke about the threats of homogenization and capitalism, and Daisy attempts to figure out how she feels about her relationship with Ingrid.

So many good jokes in this volume that had me cackling along and of course, the heart that I've come to expect from this volume. Exactly the squishy good feels I need these days.

Rating: *****

>167 MickyFine: Don't you hate it when your brain breaks? Mine breaks every September for at least two months

>174 ChelleBearss: Mine usually isn't too bad but the pandemic takes its toll in waves lately. At least for me.

November Summary






Numbers in parentheses are for year to date.

Books read: 16 (156)
Books ditched: 1 (9)

Fiction: 13 (95)
Non-fiction: 3 (61)

Adult: 8 (122)
YA: 4 (16)
Children's: 4 (18)

Library: 12 (136)
Mine: 4 (20)
Borrowed elsewhere: 0 (0)

Re-reads: 0 (16)

Female authors: 4 (91)
Male authors: 12 (69)
Non-binary authors: 1 (1)

Pages: 2,681 (29,847)
Hours: 1 hour, 58 minutes (11 days, 4 hours, 43 minutes)
Average rating: 3.89
Average time to read book: 3.81 days

Favourite book(s): The Constant Rabbit gave me plenty of laughs which is what I need most these days.

Anything, anything that raises a laugh is a very, very good thing in 2020. Well, more especially in 2020 than usual. Rah rah Jasper Fforde!

>176 MickyFine: I need to bite the bullet and get around to The Constant Rabbit! I almost bought it the other day but for some reason the cover art is really putting me off. But I know I'll enjoy it when I read it.

>177 richardderus: Heartily agreed, RDear. *smooch*

>178 curioussquared: It's not my favourite of his covers. I did a quick search to see what the UK cover looks like. Not sure I love it more...

>179 MickyFine: Agreed; I like the UK version a little more, maybe, but neither is great!

>180 curioussquared: Definitely a case of content being better than its cover will lead you to believe.

Chloe and Ellie really liked The Bad Seed. We haven’t read the others yet though

>182 ChelleBearss: They're all super cute. I think The Good Egg was my favourite of the bunch.

You got me with The Constant Rabbit! And I can see the point that The House in the Cerulean Sea might have been a bit over-sweet, but that was just what I needed when I read it. I'm basically just a big toasted marshmallow with a couple of crispy edges, so that book hit all the right buttons for me, to mix metaphors dreadfully.

>184 foggidawn: Yay for the BB!

The sweetness of THitCS didn't bother me (I'm a lady who adores watching holiday romance movies which take saccharine to whole new levels). I think I was just being stubborn and refusing to adore a book that everyone, including the book jacket, told me I had to adore. I know you're prone to that too, so I'm happy it didn't attack you and you instead just straight up loved it.

Hi, Mickey! Happy first day of December! It's almost over! Can't wait to welcome 2021 and the changes it will (I hope) bring.

>151 MickyFine: Very fun, but way too much work for me. I mean, I was 18 in 1966. Who remembers back that far? (Even so, I might give it a shot. Maybe for the first of the new year.

So, got hit by two BBs. Constant Rabbit (love that title) and The House in the Cerulean Sea. Hope you're happy. :)

>186 Storeetllr: Thanks for dropping by for a visit, Mary. I'm quite pleased it's December 1 - just enjoyed today's chocolate from my Advent calendar while I had lunch. :)

And I'm always pleased to hand out BBs, particularly if the recipient enjoys them when they're read.

I'll let you know, Micky.

What kind of chocolate?

>188 Storeetllr: Today was a caramel with some kind of nuts. I have a fancy enough Advent calendar that I can refill it with the chocolates of my choice each year. I always get them from Purdy's (Canadian chocolatier) and get the the milk and dark chocolate creams and the holiday 6-pack. But since I toss the booklet decoding the content sometimes I find it tricky to determine exactly which flavour I get on any given day. More fun that way. ;)

>166 MickyFine: I'm looking to send some YA books to family for Christmas ...

Would you, or anyone else here who has read this title (The House in the Cerulean Sea), consider it a great book for an advanced reader in middle school? I'm thinking a 11 or 12 year old.
I don't want a story that pushes or makes a big deal that there's an LGBT angle. I think (hope) the kids in our family see such acceptance that it is irrelevant to have specific commentary. (Hope that makes sense? I don't mean to be disdainful of such stories, just don't need 'lessons' and coming across preachy).

I'm also wondering if anyone can add their insights on Coraline?
Might be good to answer on my thread, since I know I'm leaving it a bit late.

Hi Micky, and a happy Wednesday's reads to you.

I think you need to know about this book for your population: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island
by Colleen Oakley. Berkley are going all-out on the NetGalley DRC trail, so they think they've got a winner here. I've learned to trust them, about this fluffyfroth genre at least. The book description is even appealing!

"Piper Parrish's life on Frick Island—a tiny, remote town smack in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay—is nearly perfect. Well, aside from one pesky detail: Her darling husband, Tom, is dead. When Tom's crab boat capsized and his body wasn't recovered, Piper, rocked to the core, did a most peculiar thing: carried on as if her husband was not only still alive, but right there beside her, cooking him breakfast, walking him to the docks each morning, meeting him for their standard Friday night dinner date at the One-Eyed Crab. And what were the townspeople to do but go along with their beloved widowed Piper?

Anders Caldwell’s career is not going well. A young ambitious journalist, he’d rather hoped he’d be a national award-winning podcaster by now, rather than writing fluff pieces for a small town newspaper. But when he gets an assignment to travel to the remote Frick Island and cover their boring annual Cake Walk fundraiser, he stumbles upon a much more fascinating tale: an entire town pretending to see and interact with a man who does not actually exist. Determined it’s the career-making story he’s been needing for his podcast, Anders returns to the island to begin covert research and spend more time with the enigmatic Piper—but he has no idea out of all the lives he’s about to upend, it’s his that will change the most."

Anyway, FWIW

>191 richardderus: Woah. Grabbed me totally.
Nice summary, RD, thanks.

>192 SandyAMcPherson: I'm merely pasting the publisher's words here, I can't claim any credit at all. Still, I thought enough of their summary to come tell Our Illustrious Hostess about it! They did a better-than-usual job for that to happen.

>190 SandyAMcPherson: Answered on your thread, Sandy.

>191 richardderus: It's a well-written blurb, Richard. Thanks for putting it on my radar, RDear. *smooch*

>194 MickyFine: I live to serve.

Book 157



Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow - Jessica Townsend

In the third book of the series, Morrigan is starting to feel like she truly belongs in Nevermoor. Her cohort of fellow students in Unit 919 have fully accepted her, her lessons are finally starting to meet her needs as a Wundersmith, and she's starting to learn more about the Wundrous Society and their larger role in the community. But when the Wunnimals of Nevermoor begin to behave far from normal it presages a larger threat that may tear apart everything Morrigan loves about her home.

A brilliant entry in the series. The early section of the novel was seasonally appropriate as it occurs at Christmas and added an extra layer of festive to my holiday prep. The magic in this series remains top notch and the novel is tightly plotted although some of the side characters largely disappear from more than passing mention. But that small quibble aside this is delight from start to end and I'm eager to see where the series goes next based on developments at the end of the book. Sadly, right now book four doesn't even have a tentative publication date. *sob*

Rating: *****

>196 MickyFine: Not reading that review, because I have that one on deck. Glad to see the high rating, though!

I've been having a bit of a rough time lately. While everything in my small circle is fine daily case numbers in my province are high (we've exceeded Ontario's numbers on several days in the past couple weeks and they have three times our population), the province is planning to set up field hospitals in Edmonton and Calgary, and everything feels scary and stressful the past few days.

So friends I'm looking for distractions and happy things. Books or movies you've loved recently. Ridiculous videos that are making you laugh. Silly gifs. Anything and everything is welcomed.

>197 foggidawn: I look forward to your reaction!

>198 MickyFine: - This made me laugh the other day.

https://youtu.be/ex7o26tAoeY

>198 MickyFine: I've been re-watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003) and it's so soothing, right down to the cheesy talking cat puppet.

>201 norabelle414: We have the Hits cable channel which shows re-runs from the eighties and nineties. They did have a couple of Sabrina series but now my favourite is 'Who's the Boss?'

I've just read The Hallowed Hunt which I rated/ will rate as 5 stars. I love Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series and her Vorkosigan saga.

>200 katiekrug: That gave me several giggles. Thanks, Katie!

>201 norabelle414: Oh Salem! I was borrowing DVDs from the library and rewatching the show last year but didn't get through it all. Must put it back on the list. Thanks for the nudge, Nora. :)

>202 humouress: Thanks for the recs, Nina.

>196 MickyFine: Glad you loved it, I have it on my list to get to soon!!

I'm sorry you're having a rough time :( I seem to have phases like that about once a month during the pandemic and it's definitely been affecting my reading! Something that has been helping is audiobooks of old favorites -- I was able to listen to The Queen's Thief books even when other books weren't catching my interest.

If you have Netflix, Tim and I have lately been watching a show called We Are the Champions which highlights crazy competitions around the world, including cheese rolling, hot pepper eating, dog dancing, and more. It's delightful! I also started watching a show called Julie and the Phantoms about a modern day girl who meets three teenage boy ghosts from a band from the 90s and starts performing with them, and it's just cheesy enough to work.

I don't know if you are ever into video games, but my refuge lately has been a game called Stardew Valley -- it's very calming and cute and consuming enough that I can get into it and be totally distracted for a few hours. The premise is that you are a big city office worker who decides to move to the country after you inherit your grandfather's farm. You have to bring the farm back to its former glory while making friends with all the villagers. It's very soothing. I play on Nintendo Switch but it is available on PC as well.

Finally, I've also been watching a bunch of Studio Ghibli movies, because who doesn't want to live in those technicolor worlds?

>196 MickyFine: Oh oh oh!! I didn't realize that one was out! *scurries off to purchase audio*

Sorry you are struggling. It seems like Canada didn't do enough and now we are trying to play catch up. Ford needs to lock things down here. We've have three cases in our life lately and while they are not in our "bubble" it's still scary to see them close to home now

In other news, I have the sniffles at work today and my coworkers are treating me like I have the plague. Sniffles are not a covid symptom so I can't even go home. Nothing like being a pariah for a minor cold symptom lol

>204 curioussquared: Thanks for that awesome list, Natalie. Sounds like you've got lots of good media on the go. Mr. Fine just got a secondhand Switch from a co-worker this week so I've played a bit of Mario Kart (the courses are so trippy since I last played a version of this - probably on the Wii) and some Link's Awakening (at which I am terrible but enjoy anyway). Forgot how I enjoyed mindless video gaming - it's mostly been mindless phone games this year.

>205 ChelleBearss: Happy to put it on your radar, Chelle. Sorry to hear you're a bit under the weather. We went grocery shopping yesterday and I felt like a toddler as going from cold outside to warm in the store made my nose run but with the mask on, I can't do anything about it until we get back to the car.

>206 MickyFine: Ooh, since you have a Switch... Zelda Breath of the Wild consumed a LOT of my 2019. It's such a good game. I replayed almost the whole thing at the beginning of the pandemic and it was just as good the second time around. I enjoyed Nintendo as a kid but never really played as an adult until we got a Switch, and I guess I'm sort of a gamer now? Lol. Anyway, Link's Awakening is fun, but Breath of the Wild is FANTASTIC. Highly recommend!

>198 MickyFine: Reading planning is managing to distract me as well as 1970s music on spotify. ELO, Supertramp and Barclay James Harvest especially - don't know why.

Had a big Covid scare here and several people in my site team have gone down with it. My test is apparently negative but I am still waiting confirmation of it.

Chin up, Micky - you have so many pals here more than happy to keep you company - virtually at least.

Data and Picard as Holmes and Watson.

Nothing less stressful than old-timey fandom.

If I need cheering up, the music and dancing here always put a smile on my face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbzJtP75NqM

I haven't been reading a lot or watching much lately, but I have plenty of options at hand. Maybe this weekend?!

>207 curioussquared: I've been eyeing it for sure because I've heard nothing but raves. Possibly also Animal Crossing because it sounds like low stakes and I am terrible at video gaming (there's a lot of dying and swearing because I screw up jumps).

>208 PaulCranswick: Aww, thanks Paul. The two things I associate most with ELO is an episode of Doctor Who and Baby Groot dancing to it in the second Guardians of the Galaxy. Both things to make me smile. :)

>209 richardderus: Such a good episode! Time travel and holodeck episodes were always my faves in any Star Trek universe.

>210 aktakukac: Ah old Hollywood musical numbers. Always a delight.

>211 MickyFine: I hope you enjoy it if you get into it! I know tons of people love Animal Crossing, but I couldn't get into it; I think the stakes were a little TOO low for me.

>212 curioussquared: I just watched Honest Game Trailer for it and chortled. Not sure it's my kind of soothing. :)

I am in that same anxiety funk about *waves hands vaguely around* things. I'm sorry you're feeling the stress over everything heavily, too. Of course I'm going to suggest SPN bingeing. Cure-all, really. OH! Or look up the season blooper reels on youtube! So, so fun.

>165 MickyFine: I get that.
I should have ditched my last read, but finished it despite my misgivings. I ended up being a sour puss over In the Shadow of Death.

(Edited to fix the touchstone)

>214 scaifea: Mr. Fine has the whole series on DVD/Blu-ray (except for the last which hasn't been released quite yet) so while we mostly stream episodes on Amazon Prime, we pull out the discs for the blooper reel when we reach the end of every season. Only have two episodes left in season 4 but probably won't get to it until after Christmas since our normal TV rotation has been placed on pause for festive viewing.

>215 SandyAMcPherson: Life's too short for books you're not enjoying, I say.

I haven't played the newest iteration of Animal Crossing, but I've watched my brother play a bit. It is very soothing. I'll admit that it's so soothing that I eventually get bored with it, but then again, I get bored with most games after a while.

Right now, I'm leaning hard into the Christmas music and all things cozy -- twinkle lights and fuzzy socks and warm blankets and comfort food. Hygge all the way, I guess.

Book 158



Giant Days Volume 8 - John Allison & Max Sarin

Esther struggles when McGraw's girlfriend threatens her spot as favourite student in her Romantic literature class, Daisy continues to grapple with the realities of her relationship with Ingrid and how it affects her roommates, Susan's secret is outed, and all three girls have to figure out their living situation for their third and final year.

There's a bit more angst and conflict in this one but still utterly soothing reading. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Rating: ****

>217 foggidawn: Hygge is excellent. I have bought so many nice smelling 3-wick candles recently for the coziness.

>219 MickyFine: I forget to light candles, and I worry that I will wander off and forget that I've lit them when I do. I meant to light some yesterday evening (Date #5!) but I completely forgot. I like candles, I'm just bad at them.

>220 foggidawn: Yay for date #5! My Dad is BIG on fire safety (he has to do it as part of his work) so that was drilled into me quite early. They look nice even unlit. :)

>221 MickyFine: Oh, I'm also big on fire safety. I never have wandered off and forgotten about a burning candle, I just worry about everything, always, and I don't trust my scatterbrained self lately. :-) And they do look nice unlit, but mine sit around unlit so long that they get dusty.

Candles - I have a whole collection of candles and tea lights that are not just dusty but have lost their scents as well. I don't know why I keep buying them because I never remember to light any. That reminds me - I bought some Christmassy ones a couple of years ago. Now would be a good time to use them. *hint to self*

And echoing Micky - yay for date number 5!

>223 humouress: I'm glad to know it's not just me, with the dusty, scentless candles! And perhaps I should post about Date #5 over on my own thread, instead of taking over Micky's... ;-)

>224 foggidawn: No worries. It's the busiest my thread has been all year. ;)

>216 MickyFine: Tomm and Charlie gave me the boxed set of 1-13 for my birthday and I'm fairly certain I'm getting season 14 for Christmas (Tomm purchased 15 for me via Amazon). I haven't even opened the boxed set because I just watch them on Netflix, but I wanted them in case Netflix dumps the show at some point (I don't ever want to be without access to my boys).

>218 MickyFine: I've sadly stalled out on Giant Days because my library system doesn't have the whole set it seems? Gah. I loved the first two.

>226 scaifea: Does your library have Hoopla? They've got most of the series in there. That's how I'll be reading the last few volumes because my library also doesn't have the complete run in print.

mickyfine If you're still looking for distractions, I've been watching a lot of youtube recently. Here are a few of the channels I've been enjoying: Bernadette Banner, Hydraulic Press Channel, my mechanics, Peter Brown, Technology Connections, Adam Savage's Tested

Listened to more ELO yesterday. Surprisingly Jeff Lynne released a new album last year and the signature sound is still intact!

Have a great weekend.

>198 MickyFine: This has given me so many giggles so hopefully it does the same for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmb5ENInqVk

>227 MickyFine: *headdesk* Of course! Why didn't I think of Hoopla!? Thanks for the reminder!

>228 bluesalamanders: Thanks, Blue!

>229 PaulCranswick: Glad you're finding awesome things to listen to, Paul. I'm deep into my Christmas playlist on Spotify, which grows every year, of course. My favourite addition this year is Dolly Parton's new Christmas album "A Holly Dolly Christmas."

>230 leahbird: Snort.

>231 scaifea: Any time! Comes with the job. ;)

Book 159



In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren

Maelyn Jones has always adored going to the cabin in Utah for Christmas every year to celebrate with her family and close family friends. But on this December 26th she has nothing but regrets after too much egg nog led to her making out with Theo the night before, an act she really didn't intend to commit especially since she's had a massive crush on Theo's older brother, Andrew, since she was a teen. And then she learns she may never get to spend another Christmas at the cabin. Driving back to the airport with her family, Maelyn sends a desperate wish to the universe asking it to show her what will make her happy. Seconds later a car crashes into their own but rather than waking up in the hospital, Maelyn wakes up on the plane to Utah on December 20. Blown away that her wish was somehow fulfilled she now needs to spend the holidays figuring out what really will make her happy.

A cute, time-loop tinged contemporary holiday romance that has all of the coziness and Christmas-y elements while also letting Mae grow as a person beyond her romantic relationships. I was delighted throughout and highly recommend this one if you're looking for a timey-wimey Christmas romance.

Rating: ****

>233 MickyFine: Ooh, I may have to read that one.

>233 MickyFine: I have this one ready as my next physical book. I had planned on starting it over the weekend, but that didn't happen. I'm going to try listening to some of my audiobook during my lunch break, so maybe I can read a chapter of it later tonight. Glad it's one you highly recommend!

Hi, Micky.

I ended up LOVING Piranesi. What a world she creates. And I loved that P and Rachel would go back and visit, and that the House/World taught P to start noticing the beauty in his own world.

I also liked The Invisible Life of Addie Larue a lot. How did that one turn out for you?

>234 foggidawn: I think you'd like it, Foggi.

>235 aktakukac: It's a great, lighter read, Rachel, and should be easy for you to dip in and out of as the boys allow. ;)

>236 jnwelch: Oh I'm glad to hear that, Joe. It's a strange book but really beautiful. Addie ended up being one of my favourite reads of the year so I'm happy to see it also tickled your fancy.

Book 160



Giant Days Volume 9 - John Allison & Max Sarin

Esther tries to find housing and goes on a pub night with Ed, which is both illuminating and disastrous. Susan and McGraw prepare to live together for their third year at school. Daisy finally makes a decision about her relationship with Ingrid that will have broader implications than she realizes.

Another solid entry in this series that I continue to adore. However, I'm already pre-emptively sad at the thought of the girls going into their final year of uni. I don't want this brilliant series to end.

Rating: ****

>189 MickyFine: Now that's an advent calendar I could love!

>198 MickyFine: Sorry to hear you've been having a rough time. I think many if not most of us are in similar straits. A lot of good suggestions have already been made. For me, art - rock painting and learning watercolor painting - has been a lifesaver, as well of course as my granddaughter who is now almost 23 months old and so much fun to be with. Other things that are helping: listening to old favorite music from the 70s and 80s, like Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, Seger's Stranger in Town, and Dire Straits Brothers in Arms; watching old favorite DVDs like the Lord of the Rings extended version trilogy, Independence Day (almost hate to admit how much I enjoy that one), and Firefly, the TV series. I'm also uplifted by writing postcards to send to people in Georgia, reminding them how important it is for them to vote in the upcoming runoff elections. And, finally, what gets me to sleep at night: the Murderbot Diaries on audio. Each of the four novellas are just the right length to get me to sleep and then keep going for a couple of hours. I end up sleeping the rest of the night in silence, no problem.

Edited to fix a typo.

>239 Storeetllr: Dark chocolate salted caramel today. Scrumptious. The calendar itself is pretty cute too.



Glad you're finding plenty of things to comfort yourself, Mary.

Sweet! You'll laugh when I tell you that, after I saw your posts about chocolate the other day, I had a craving for chocolate but had none in the house. Later that day, I went to Walgreens to pick up a few necessities and saw a sale on Ghirardelli Dark Dark Chocolate. Bought two packages. So, no Advent Calendar, but I've got chocolate!

>241 Storeetllr: Excellent. I'm always careful to have a stash on hand for those cravings, Mary. Life without chocolate, especially these days, is a thing I refuse to experience. ;)

>242 MickyFine: Ditto. I have a little tin of Hershey's Nuggets. I find that a couple of those are sufficient when I'm having a craving.

PSA: The 2021 BookRiot Reading Log is available.

>244 MickyFine: Ohhh I'll check that out. The Pop Sugar Challenge is posted now too!

>169 MickyFine: Micky, they were The House in the Cerulean Sea (on wishlist), Addie LaRue (For Marina for Christmas}, and The new Naomi Novik - ordered for Marina probably for end-of-year end-of-school gift.

And since then I've seen your review of Hollowpox. Aaaargh! I placed a large order for my library and a few days later realized that Hollowpox was out! Ah, well. Next order.

>246 AMQS: Excellent choices. I hope she loves them all!

Missing books on an order is always so frustrating, isn't it? For me it's often discovering a book is being released a week or less in advance that I know will be big with our library users and knowing that it will take a while to get here since I've ordered it so late.

My provincial government (finally) announced a shutdown yesterday mostly going into effect on Sunday for a minimum of four weeks. No social gatherings at all is effective immediately (unless you live alone, then you're allowed two contacts). Of course there's closures of many things like restaurants, bars, gyms, etc. Sadly, libraries are included on the list of mandatory closures and we're waiting to hear whether curbside services will be allowed. The announcement document was leaked a couple hours before the premier's press conference so I immediately placed holds on a bunch of stuff at my local library and will hopefully get most of them when I go tomorrow. As much as this sucks I'm somewhat relieved that they've finally taken action especially since the posts I see from my nursing friends on FB are heartbreaking. I might post pictures of my stack of library books when I get them - plus we'll probably do some browsing and pick up some movies/TV seasons too.

>248 MickyFine: I'm so sorry you're having to go through this, Micky, and it really sucks, especially during the holiday season, but (you knew there was a but coming, didn't you?) at least your government is doing something to help curb the spread of Covid. The U.S. government seems to be (actually is, I think) doing all it can to spread the disease. My state's governor has tried to stop NY's spiraling numbers of cases by putting lockdown orders into effect, but too many people here just don't believe the pandemic is a thing, or that it is but God will protect them (all while carrying guns while running errands to keep them safe from I have no idea what; apparently their God doesn't do supermarkets and Subway sandwich shops) thanks to disinformation being spread by the federal gov't. I'll be staying inside for the duration, except for necessary food shopping, which I haven't really minded much, being an introvert, but even I am starting to go stir crazy.

Sorry for the rant. Stopping now.

>249 Storeetllr: I am grateful every day I live on this side of the international border. It's just comparing my province with others in Canada that make me crazy.

I'm ok on the stir crazy - thankfully getting outside and still staying distant from people is an option in my neighbourhood so I try to do at least one outdoor walk a week in addition to my workouts in the basement. And I've starting calling people more because, even as an introvert, I miss interacting with people besides Mr. Fine. Hoping you can find a way to get out a bit that's safe and comfortable for you.

>248 MickyFine: I have a giant stack of library hold books for myself and Chloe waiting for me to be sprung from isolation. I think one will expire today but the rest should be still there when I get sprung!

Glad Alberta is getting it together. Wish Ontario (more specifically the Toronto area) could get it together a bit tighter! TO is on lockdown but that apparently just means people will drive two hours from Toronto to get a hair cut in a small town. Nate's cousin in a small town hairdresser and she was telling us all about it! Couldn't believe it.

>251 ChelleBearss: Yay for big stacks of holds!

Lockdown loophole seekers are the worst. I am grateful that we're at least getting a few days notice on shutdowns. Mr. Fine is trying to squeeze in a haircut (he's in desperate need but refuses to let me try my hand at it) before the weekend. Of course with his short hair, it's a 15-minute experience at most. I cancelled an appointment a few weeks ago when numbers were getting higher and I stopped being comfortable being close to people even masked for the hour+ it takes to cut my hair. My curls are getting a bit unruly and the layers are a mess but I'll live. :P

>252 MickyFine: Hopefully people don't freak out about the pending lockdown and flock to the stores. Defeats the purpose of a lockdown when people spend hours in line together trying to pick up that last toy for the Christmas list.

It's commonsensical, and it's also heartbreaking. "The small businesses that will close!! How will people survive?!"

Simple: Government assistance. Giant corporations get it, people should too. And shouldn't have to ask.

>253 ChelleBearss: Retail is exempt from the shutdown for the most part, instead they're limited to 15% capacity (down from the 25% they've been at the last couple weeks). So line ups will be more of a thing but I'm hoping the flocking won't happen.

>254 richardderus: True.

>255 MickyFine: that’s good then. I saw Manitoba had gone nutty when the stores had to block off access to non essential items.

And my local library just announced that they will be able to offer curbside, which I'm hoping means my work library will too (joys of living and working in two different (but very close) communities). So I'll still pick up my massive stack of holds tomorrow but I should be able to get more over the next month. Not that my own shelves and nightstand aren't already full of things to read. :P

>257 MickyFine: "Enough books"?

We're sorry, this set is empty.

>258 richardderus: Snort.

Good for you getting your hold requests in! I was working the day we learned we were shutting down, so I was able to check out a ginormous stack of books and movies before going home that day.

Honestly, I'd be so relieved if They would call a strict lockdown here. But, sadly, >249 Storeetllr: Mary's right: it's nuts here.

>260 scaifea: I spent my coffee break yesterday scanning through my TBR list and comparing it with the catalogue for items that are on shelf and placing holds that way. Now I'm having fun checking every few hours to see how many of them show as ready for pick up. #librarynerd

>261 MickyFine: Ha! I love it!

Sorry to hear there's more pandemic numbers and related stress, and resulting lockdown. It's been a long year for all of that. My state moved back a "step" in phase 3, but it shouldn't really affect library services because though we're open for in-person visits, we had never gotten up to the allowed numbers (50% capacity, now 40% capacity) anyway. If numbers continue to be high, though, I wouldn't be surprised to see more lockdowns or a temporary return to curbside-only service.

>261 MickyFine: *snort* yeah, that's something I would do.

Hi Mickey, just scanned through the conversations here. We have many friends and relatives in Edmonton and honestly, Kenney (premier for the US LTers who probs will liken it to their state governor?) is an idiot for waiting too long to emphasize the need to stay home, stay distanced and wear the damn mask.

Bleagh. I'm feeling like Lucy this morning!

>263 bell7: Hoping numbers stay lower in your state, Mary. We're still waiting for the curve to bend here and hoping people don't just disregard the ban on social gatherings for Christmas as I've heard very little about enforcement of these bylaws although the ticket price is fairly high, I believe.

>264 SandyAMcPherson: Kenney has infuriated me for the entirety of his term in office and that rage has gone to a new level during the pandemic. You know it's bad when lots of the conservatives in the province are also angry with him. Maybe feed your Lucy self some chocolate? ;)

There's only a couple weeks left in the year but this thread is getting long in the tooth, so why don't we head out past curfew for the last chunk of the year?

Follow the link below to my new thread!