Anne (AMQS) reads in 2016 -- third thread

I am officially back to school, so this is a good a time as any to start another thread. I am featuring photos taken by my dad Mike Quaintance. These are wild horses fighting for mating rights in the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area, west of Maybell, CO. My dad loves to travel to northwest Colorado to photograph these amazing horses.

Welcome! My name is Anne. I am a seven-year veteran of this wonderful group, and there's no place I'd rather be. I am an elementary school teacher librarian in a little mountain school in Colorado. My husband Stelios and I have two daughters: 14 and 17. All of us have tottering piles of books in nearly every room of the house. We love to hike, play games together, and travel. As our oldest is now a senior in high school, most likely our 2016 travel will be college visit-related.

I read a lot of children's literature, and love audiobooks. I used to read aloud to the girls every day, but since my oldest started high school, there's no time. Still, two of my 2015 favorites were read alouds:)

Welcome, welcome!

September, 2016
56. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
57. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
58. Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth
59. I,Q Book One: Independence Hall by Roland Smith
60. Storm Runners by Roland Smith

October, 2016
61. Benediction by Kent Haruf
62. The Goblin's Puzzle by Andrew S. Chilton
63. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
64. Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
65. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
66. Coronation Summer by Angela Thirkell

November, 2016
67. Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost! by Cornelia Funke
68. The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter
69. Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky
70. Persuasion by Jane Austen
71. James Herriot's Animal Stories by James Herriot
72. Dara Palmer's Major Drama by Emma Shevah

December, 2016
73. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
74. Snow White by Matt Phelan
75. Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah
76. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
77. Tesla's Attic by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman
78. Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson
79. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
80. The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild

May, 2016
32. The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
33. Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
34. Greenglass House by Kate Milford

June, 2016
35. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
36. The Wall (Die Wand) by Marlen Haushofer
37. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
38. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
39. Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
40. Aiding and Abetting by Muriel Spark
41. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
42. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
43. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
44. The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg

July, 2016
45. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
46. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
47. Ellie's Story: A Dog's Purpose Novel by W. Bruce Cameron
48. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick
49. The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
50. The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
51. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

August, 2016
52. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
53. The High Divide by Lin Enger
54. Raymie Nightingale by Kate diCamillo
55. The Iron Trial: Magisterium Book 1 by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

January, 2016
1. The Last Kind Words Saloon by Larry McMurtry
2. Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson
3. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
4. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
5. Buckle and Squash: The Perilous Princess Plot by Sarah Courtauld
6. The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
7. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
8. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

February, 2016
9. Etta by Gerald Kolpan
10. Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
11. The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
12. Remembering Laughter by Wallace Stegner
13. Who Stole the Animal Poop? by Tim Smith
14. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
15. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
16. The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi

March, 2016
17. As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
18. Listen to the Moon by Michael Morpurgo
19. Hatchet by Brian Paulson
20. Seven Dead Pirates by Linda Bailey
21. Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones
22. The Unbelievable Top Secret of Pig by Emer Stamp
23. H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald
24. James Herriot's Cat Stories by James Herriot
25. George by Alex Gino
26. Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym

April, 2016
27. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
28. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
29. Nothing to Do but Stay by Carrie Young
30. Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman
31. All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews

I am officially back to school as of a week ago. Students go back on Thursday. Here are a couple back-to-school photos:

Our Student Leadership Team from last year approached our local Parks and Recreation department to have a Little Free Library installed at the park across the street form our school. The process took a long time, but on Friday, the Parks & Rec department invited us to the park to officially install it. We thought it would be an informal thing, but the director of the Parks & Rec was there with her team, treats, and balloons for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony! I am so thrilled!


My new bulletin board display:


We have the more awesome principal ever. She mixed things up for the teachers' first day back. Instead of meetings (don't worry, we still had those, too), she brought us to the Epic Sky Trek Adventure, where we cheered each other on as we navigated obstacle course-style challenged up to four stories high, while harnessed, of course. Here I am in my harness before going up:


Very fun way to start the year and bond with colleagues.

Woohoo! Looks like a great adventure, Anne. I did a zip ride in Costa Rica one year, and LOVED it!

I envy you having a wonderful principal. Mine is a nice man, but he is neither a leader or a strong communicator ... so there are numerous challenges.

eta: Forgot to say Happy New Thread, LOL, and I love the horses-topper.

>5 AMQS: Sounds like a fun first day back, Anne. Happy new thread! It's weird to me that you guys go back to school so much earlier. This neck of the woods most of the schools don't open until after Labour Day.

My sister is back, too, in the neighboring state of Kansas. Of course, my local South Bay schools went back at the end of July. What great fun--hope the rest of the year lives up to it!

Happy new one, Anne! What great photos!

>6 lit_chick: Hi Nancy! I've never done a zip line, though it sounds very fun. I had to be coached/coaxed through my first two elements by an employee ("You're going to be the most epic librarian ever!!"), but then I got braver. I am still sore, to be honest!

>7 MickyFine: Hi Micky! I hate that we start so early (though I am not complaining when school is out in May). We have to front-load our instruction before testing, right? Ugh. The early-August start makes Stelios crazy -- it always guarantees that our family in Cyprus never has the same vacation window that we do. When I was in school we started after Labor day as well.

>8 ronincats: Hi Roni! So I'm not the only one whining, I'll bet:) Thanks for visiting!

>9 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

Happy new thread, Anne, and good luck with the school year.

Your head teacher does seem a topper.

Happy new thread, Anne! I love all your pictures :-)

Happy new thread, Anne, and happy new school year!

Happy new thread!

>5 AMQS: Congrats on starting the new school year, Anne. Our daughter is back at school for an administrative week before she starts teaching her pre-school class next week. She loves her principal, but I don't think she's going to have anything going on this week that's nearly as cool as your obstacle-course style challenges.

>11 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! My principal is awesome. She is a huge advocate for teachers, which we desperately need in these troubled times of American education.

>12 susanj67: Thanks, Susan! I'm so glad you stopped by.

>13 scaifea: Thank you, Amber! Slowly getting ready... I always wish I had another month. This will be my 4th year at this school, and I am definitely getting into a groove. It's a good feeling. Is Charlie going to school this year?

>14 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! Have you traveled to FL yet?

>15 jnwelch: Hi Joe -- hope your daughter has a great year. Our first day rocked, though my principal was teased a bit. She has been the principal of this school for 18 years, and this is the first year she's done something like this. Maybe your daughter can plant a seed:) It's easier at our school than at many others because we are so small.

>1 AMQS: Wow! Great shot!

I love that you went to an Adventure Park with your coworkers. What a wonderful way to start off the school year!

>16 AMQS: Charlie starts 2nd grade next month (Sept. 7th) - in fact, today is Registration Day.

Happy New Thread, Anne! Glad you liked The High Divide. I have been meaning to read more Enger. Note to self...

Hope you and the family are doing well.

Happy new thread, Anne. As usual, I love the photo at the top. I hope your start of school is going smoothly. Classes start on Monday but the next two days are staff and faculty meetings.

Happy weekend, everyone!

>17 Copperskye: Hi Joanne! Yes, it was a great way to start off the year. We were lucky to have the first day of school (the first day students arrive) on a Thursday this year. I wish we could do that every year -- wow are we tired!

>18 scaifea: Oh dear, I am behind, aren't I? I hope he was a wonderful year!

>19 msf59: Hi Mark! I really enjoyed The High Divide -- I just quibble with the cover:) This Enger brothers are super talented, aren't they?

>20 BLBera: Hi Beth! Enjoy your last weekend before students:) I hope you have a great year. We are so grateful to start school on a Thursday this year. The first days of school are exhausting for everyone. I think I'd be crying now if it were Tuesday!

21. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

I love Kate DiCamillo, but I didn't love this one. There seems to be a sub-genre that has emerged recently which I think of as southern-quirky-cutesy, and Raymie Nightingale cutesy-quirks right around the bend for me. Young Raymie Clarke meets Beverly Tapinski and Louisiana Elefante at baton-twirling lessons (which never actually occur, as the baton-twirling instructor is dysfunctionally quirky, but I digress). The three girls are taking lessons for the same reason: to enter in the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. Their reasons for entering the competition, however, diverge. Beverly wishes to sabotage the competition. Louisiana and her grandmother need the money to stay one step ahead of the social worker, and Raymie wants her father, who just ran off with a dental hygienist, to see her winning photo in the paper and be compelled to return home. It is a sweet friendship story, but I just didn't like it. Don't take my word for it, though, for like most of Ms. DiCamillo's books (she is last year's National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature), it is very highly reviewed.

Les Mis update: I am nearly 500 pages in, or 1/3 of the way through. I thought maybe I'd like the book, but actually I LOVE it! Wow -- it is a heart-pounding, try-not-to-drive-off-the-road kind of read.

Raymie Nightingale cutesy-quirks right around the bend for me Gah! I'll thank you taking one for the team, Anne. But woohoo! on the opposite end of the scale we have Les Mis, a heart-pounding, try-not-to-drive-off-the-road kind of read. Doesn't get much better than that ... but stay on the road, my friend!

eta: which audio edition are you listening to, Anne? this one needs to go on my list.

Happy new thread. Love the LFL news. (Embarrassingly, I thought Parks and Recreation was just a tv invention...) Have you been back to check on the books in the little library?

>24 lit_chick: Hi Nancy! I am listening to the Frederick Davidson narration, which is 58 hours long. As I said I think in my last thread, I love this narration not only for the considerable skill of the narrator, but because it is not "sterile." I hear pages turning, the narrator taking sips of water, and once I even heard birdsong! It makes the experience very intimate, and I love it. I am also following along with the book -- a Signet Classics unabridged paperback edition which looks like this:


Now, M. Hugo does tend to digress, and to go on and on, taking side detours that can last for several chapters. I was outraged when I saw Callia's copy that she will read for school this year. It says it is complete and unabridged, but it clearly is not. I read on Amazon that it is the edition commonly used for high school, and is either 40% of the book or 40% abridged, I can't remember which. Now I am glad she has the abridged version -- just the heart of the story, I am thinking. So... when Hugo is recounting the story of the convict Jean Valjean and the poor orphan Cosette, and the inspector Javert I am literally gasping and gripping my steering wheel. His diversions give me a chance to catch my breath, and while are seriously detailed, they are also bitingly funny, beautifully written, and very conversational. I am searching my book for passages I am hearing so that I can mark them and come back to them when I am writing the eventual review. I heard one today that I loved, and wish to read to anyone who wants to "make America great again" (or anyone who idealizes a bygone era):

"In the meantime let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them. The counterfeits of the past take assumed names, and are fond of calling themselves the future. That eternally returning specter, the past, not infrequently falsifies its passport. Let us be ready for the snare. Let us beware. The past has a face, superstition, and a mask, hypocrisy. Let us denounce the face and tear off the mask."

I am so impressed by Hugo's eye, his voice, and his accurate description of small children, for example. As I said, he is bitingly funny, and I am completely captivated!

>25 charl08: LOL, Charlotte! I have never seen the show, but I know the reference:) Most municipalities and most counties will have a parks and rec department which oversees and maintains public parks and other spaces. I have not been back yet, as I keep meeting parents who tell me they've added books (awesome!). I have a stack of books ready to go. My colleague and I who run the student leadership team together have decided that this year's team should go every couple of weeks throughout the school year to check on it and add books as needed.

Hope you are resting on this Sunday as you prepare for the first full week with the kids! Love the LFL story. I've been thinking about one for the end of my driveway. We get lots of walkers and I wonder if they would enjoy it. First, thought, I have to do something about the completely overgrown flower garden. It looked lovely in July and then the heat wave kept me inside. Now, I'm thinking of it as a "wildflower" garden ;-)

Enjoy your new school year!

>26 AMQS: Perfect, Anne! It's the Frederick Davidson narration that my library has, and I've listened to him before and very much enjoyed him. Will download it today and get to it when I'm ready for a good, long listen.

Wow, Anne! The Davidson narration must have been great to stick with it for 58 hours. I don't think I've ever listened to anything that long.

>27 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! I love the idea of a LFL at your driveway, particularly if you get lots of walking traffic. I'm not much of a gardener (fortunate, then, that we have such a short growing season), but I lose interest completely in the worst of the heat.

>28 lit_chick: Yay! I hope you love it, Nancy!

>29 BLBera: Well Beth, the Davidson narration really is great, but I am actually only about 20 hours in. I am following along with the book, which is truly helpful to know where I am as I am listening to a Playaway, and don't have a sense of how far into the book I am. I passed the 500-page mark yesterday (out of 1463 pages). So yes it is long. Much, much longer than what I would usually listen to, but there's no chance of me stopping now -- it's fantastic!

>26 AMQS: Yeah, I read the whole thing a couple years ago and it was one of the rare cases where I'd be ok with an abridged version. The very long digression on the Paris sewers is the one that truly drove me bonkers.

>22 AMQS: Interesting! I actually liked that one, and I have a low threshold for southern-quirky-cutesy (perfect name for the genre, by the way). I blame DiCamillo for the current popularity of s-q-c, as I think she popularized it with Because of Winn-Dixie.

Happy new school year, Anne! University classes started this past Monday and we have been super busy in addition to training three new student employees. I'm starting to lose my voice from talking so much after a summer of very little human interaction. On the plus side, my three new student workers are all going to be great, I think, so that's exciting.

There is always so much in the news about the ways that public education is being undermined in this country. It's quite disheartening even for people like me who don't have kids, but we're counting on everyone else's kids getting a great education and doing wonderful things to save the world. Diane Ravitch writes a great blog about public ed, and particularly the charter school phenomenon. You might find her work interesting: https://dianeravitch.net/

It looks like your school year has gotten off to an exciting start, Anne. Love the bonding experience your principal chose for you. A great principal can make a huge difference in morale for both teachers and students. I LOVE the LFL across from your school. I may have to make a field trip to Evergreen next time I'm in CO to check it out!

Morning, Anne! Happy Saturday! Your enthusiasm for Les Mis is making me want to tackle it. Probably not this year, but maybe next year.

Well, our locals went back to class today, so I think everyone is back to school now. One more week and we San Diegans have the beaches back to ourselves!

>31 MickyFine: Hi Micky! I'm very glad Callia will read the abridged version, but I am loving the unabridged version, though I haven't yet descended into the sewers:)

>32 foggidawn: Yes, I think you're right, Foggi, re Kate DiCamillo and s-q-c. I loved Because of Winn-Dixie, though, maybe because I read it aloud. Other s-q-c books I've read recently and haven't loved so much include A Snicker of Magic and Three Times Lucky, both of which were also highly reviewed.

>33 rosalita: Hi Julia! Hope your teacher stamina has come along. I am always so sick of hearing my own voice after the first week when I'm communicating library procedures and expectations, etc, and my voice is tired also. Diane Ravitch is something of a hero around here, particularly in the aftermath of our successful school board recall last year. Thanks for sharing her blog --nice to know another fan!

>34 Donna828: Hi Donna! Oh, I hope you do make the trip up the hill, as we say:) Yes, our principal is terrific -- we all feel very lucky and very supported. Any CO plans in the near future?

>35 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! Les Mis was something of a whim. A 58 hour whim I happened to see in the correct format (Playaway) at the library. I have had the book for ages, but I've never actually read it. Now I'm hooked! I highly recommend the Frederick Davidson narration.

>36 ronincats: One more week and we San Diegans have the beaches back to ourselves! Sounds lovely, Roni. We would love to enjoy travel, or even the wonderful places in our own state, but we always have to work around school breaks like everyone else. Enjoy your beaches! Callia is finalizing her college list, and unfortunately UCSD is not on it. Maybe Marina will consider it...

55. The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. Book 1 in the Magisterium series.

Another CCBA nominee (I'm nearly through them all), and a good fantasy to recommend to fans of HP, Rick Riordan, et al. Callum Hunt is an outcast kid who has been warned away from magic all his life. When it's his turn to compete for a spot at the Magisterium, he does his best to fail, and is chosen anyway. As he begins his first year of magical training, his father's warnings haunt him, even as he makes friends and tastes "academic" success for the first time. Definitely need to read the second book, The Copper Gauntlet ASAP!

Hi Anne - How's school going?

Hi Beth! The beginning of the year is crazy, but I feel like things are settling down a bit. Back to School Night (mine) tomorrow, college night/senior parent meeting next week, college essay in progress... just plugging away! How is your year going?

I'm glad you're a Diane Ravitch fan! I've only been reading her blog for a few weeks, but I would see articles by her or quotes of hers around the interwebz and she always struck me as a smart cookie. It seems like so much of what we hear about public education in the news is terribly one-sided, not necessarily out of malice by journalists but because they seem to take everything that is said at face value and never investigate whether the claims being made are actually true or not. It's a sad state of affairs for a former journalist to observe.

Two weeks under my belt, Anne. I seem to have good groups. It's keeping me busy.

>5 AMQS: wow, it looks so sunny and warm and gorgeous. And what a cool boss, start school with a bang!

That horse image up top is incredible. You just don't think of horses as being as wild as those are.

Happy Saturday, Anne!

No concrete plans to visit Colorado, Anne. We saw Hope (and her parents) at the family reunion in Michigan a few weeks ago. Mike says they are coming to Missouri in late October for our great-nephew's wedding reception. They are getting married in Ireland but no one is invited. Boooo on that. It may be December or January before we need another visit…

I hope school is going well for you. Enjoy a little breather this week end!

>41 rosalita: It's a sad state of affairs for a former journalist to observe. I'll bet, Julia. Sad all round, I'd say. Teacher bashing is really popular and really easy just now. Much easier than really looking at why students struggle. Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!

>42 BLBera: Hi Beth! It's about two weeks to get over the exhaustion, isn't it? Glad you have good groups -- hope it continues! Happy Labor Day weekend!

>43 LovingLit: Thanks Megan! Yes, our summer weather continues, and it has been very, very nice. It's getting quite cool in the mornings, so we know fall is on the way, but September is usually just lovely here. We're going for a long hike in the woods tomorrow.

>44 Crazymamie: Thank you, Mamie! Hope you're having a great weekend.

>45 Donna828: Hi Donna! No one is invited to the wedding in Ireland? (Not even me?) That's too bad. Destination weddings are always tricky for guests, though. At least this way no one will be left out of the festivities because of lack of funds. I'll look for you this winter then. A little breather is nice just now. The time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving break is always a long slog. The school year is always a bit more broken up in the second semester with MLK Day, President's Day, spring break, and Memorial Day, but this upcoming stretch is a long one. We're doing our best to savor it! Hope yours is wonderful.

56. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

This book was a gift from my mom who bought it at Shakespeare and Company, THE landmark Paris bookshop. Had it not been for the lovely circumstances under which I was given the book, I would have Pearl-ruled it at page 50. This book about a literary apothecary who "prescribes" books for customers he "diagnoses" from his bookshop -- a floating barge on the Seine -- just did not work for me. I think if I could have just let go and suspend my disbelief I could have invested more into the story. I love fantasy novels, and often children's literature blurs the lines between fantasy and realistic fiction. I think it it trickier for adult books that attempt to do this. I took the book at face value, so the implausible just rankled instead of bewitched (Italian man flees the pitchfork-wielding mob of French fathers outraged at LICENTIOUS ARGENTINE TANGO in their community and joins the traveling party on the barge, yet somehow has his gourmet cooking oils and spices and his chefs knives with him...). Plus I just didn't like anyone, particularly Manon, the lost love of the protagonist: "I hate wanting all this - it's more than I bargained for... Oh, merciless freedom, you continue to overwhelm me! You demand that I challenge myself and feel ashamed, and yet continue to feel so outrageously proud to live a life full of my desires."

It is not the poor book's fault that I read it while also reading Les Miserables, and I'm sure the contrast did not help it. Many reviewers felt as I did, however, we are decidedly in the minority, so please don't take my word for it! Next I think I'll go for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which I know going in is fantasy (a fantasy world I would really like to live in).

>47 AMQS: Sorry that one didn't work for you, Anne. Sounds like it could be a charming read if I'm in the right head space. I'll keep it on the mental list. :)

It's hard to finish a book I want to Pearl-rule. Good for you, Anne.

Too bad about The Little Paris Bookshop, Anne. I think I'll wait on it.

How's school?

>5 AMQS: Hooray for a Little Free Library!!

>26 AMQS: I Love Les Mis, and I love the digressions (mostly). I think of it very much like The Count of Monte Cristo. If you don't read the whole thing, you are missing something. It's just not the same. So, I say, read the unabridged at least once. *grin*

Too bad The Little Paris Bookshop disappointed. I have looked at it several times and decided not to pick it up, maybe I'll try it from the library.

>48 MickyFine: Hi Micky! Yes, the book is definitely beloved -- just not by me:) In the right frame of mind, it could be a great read for you.

>49 lit_chick: Hi Nancy! The only thing that kept me going was that is was a gift from my mom from Shakespeare & Co!

>50 BLBera: Hi Beth! School is good, just busy. I regret that I'm not on LT like I would like to be. This is my fourth year at this school, and it feels good to be in a groove. A couple of colleagues and I staged a huge event last week: International Dot Day, a global celebration inspired by the picture book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. If that's not on Scout's bookshelf already, definitely consider it -- it's wonderful.

How's school for you? Drowning in papers to grade?

>51 nittnut: Hi Jenn! I need to get over to your thread and figure out where you are these days. Did you already come through CO? How is everything going? Les Mis is just wonderful. I'm probably a day or so away from being 2/3 of the way through. Thank goodness for 6-week checkout periods for the long books! I have The Count on my shelf as well -- it's a favorite of Stelios, and one I've been wanting to get to for years. It's just so hard to slip it into my purse!

57. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

A quick and enjoyable read, but it is not going to join the other HP books on the "favorites" shelf in my head. I think part of it is because in my head, those "kids" are still 17, and I love that world so much that these adult characters don't fit in it. A colleague of mine said it reads like fan fiction, and she's right. The story is a good one, but being in script format, it is missing the richness that Ms. Rowling gave to her books, and which the actors would bring to the stage. I did love the complexity of the relationship of Harry and his middle child Albus (Dumbledore questions the fairness of burdening the child with that name), and the relationship between Albus and Draco's son Scorpius. Scorpius is just a great character. Great look into Draco and Harry's relationship as adults also. For fans of the HP series, this is a good... perhaps not great read.

58. Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth

This is a terrific book -- I just don't know quite what to do with it in my library. Its shock factor on library shelves might detract from what is a terrific resource for young people wondering about sex, puberty, sexuality, gender identification, and what is normal (and what to do if you're wondering about something). A blurb on the back says, "This is a book that puts diversity and justice at the center of sexuality education -- exactly where it should be!" The book stresses that we are all different, and that family, personal, and cultural factors can all affect what is acceptable as far as conversations, "bad" words, and hugging and other personal space issues. There is a chapter devoted to "secret touching," which I love -- it is very empowering for any child who may be or have been experiencing any kind of sexual abuse. The consistent message is one of diversity, reassurance, and empowerment: the key words throughout are respect, trust, joy, and justice. The book does NOT cover intercourse or reproduction. It is intended to be a tool in a parent's and child's conversations, but I think it will be an amazing resource for 5th grade teachers as they teach the "growing and changing" unit. Totally elementary appropriate. Great book!

Hi Anne! I'm finally catching up here. I always fall behind on threads at the beginning of a new school year. I'm glad that you're settling into the rhythm of the new school year. I'm just about there, too, I hope!

Hey Anne! Looks like an interesting mix of reads on your plate recently. Hope you're starting to settle comfortably into the school year.

Hi Anne - Yes, the papers are piling up. I will look for The Dot; it is not yet in Scout's library. She's into Dr. Seuss these days. She also loves Journey and the other books in Becker's trilogy.

>47 AMQS: I was disappointed by The Little Paris Bookshop too. :( Your copy has a lovely pedigree, though! :)

>55 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie! I'm getting close to being at the point where I can catch up here. I look forward to visiting all of my friends! Thanks for visiting me.

>56 MickyFine: Hi Micky! Yes, things are settling in. Two things are helping a lot -- first, I am 100% at my school. Last year I was 80% and before that I was 50%. The extra time makes a huge difference in my planning and preparation! Second, I reluctantly left the Chorale after 23 years. Well, hopefully "left" is not the right word, but rather "stepped back," as I don't want to end my association with them. I miss the Chorale a lot, but having that extra time is an unbelievable gift, particularly during Callia's last year of high school.

>57 BLBera: Beth, The Dot is really lovely. I'll get around to a blog post about my school's celebration (and our local paper covered it, and the district's media team is making a video), so the book is definitely one you should share with Scout! Good luck with those papers. They never end, do they?

>58 Copperskye: Hi Joanne -- glad I'm not alone on The Little Paris Bookshop. Were it not for the pedigree I would definitely have stopped reading! Hope you're having a lovely fall. We've been trying to get up to the Evergreen off-leash park, and I hope we may run into you there sometime.

The Big News: ROLAND SMITH IS COMING TO MY SCHOOL! I am so excited, and so are my students. This year I am spending every penny of my author visit budget on Mr. Smith -- you gotta have a really big-name author every once in awhile, right? So, in view of his upcoming visit, I thought I had better read some of his books.



59. Independence Hall (I,Q: Book One) by Roland Smith

This is a terrific book for middle grade (5th grade and up) students who want a fast-paced, intelligent, current-events-based thriller. Young Q (short for Quest) and his new stepsister Angela are getting to know one another on a giant tour bus after their respective parents' (his mom, her dad) whirlwind courtship, record deal, concert tour, and marriage. While crossing the country, however, Angela realizes she is being followed, and the two new siblings are drawn into an international web of intrigue involving the Secret Service, the Israeli Mossad, a rogue band of former intelligence operatives, and US-based terrorism cell. The book is 8 years old, but could be set in 2016. It is smart, character-driven, and very twisty, touched by personal grief that is poignant but never overdone, and involves Angela's mother, thought to be killed by a terrorist group, but possibly alive after all. A one-sitting kind of book.

This year I am spending every penny of my author visit budget on Mr. Smith -- you gotta have a really big-name author every once in awhile, right? Yes! How delightful, Anne!

>60 AMQS: That's very exciting!

>60 AMQS: How great! Hope the visit goes well - look forward to hearing all about it.

How exciting, Anne. I'll look for something by Smith - never heard of him. Your thread is a great source of young reader info.

And no, papers never end.

>47 AMQS: imagine my surprise when I visit your thread after so long, and see the book I got given for my birthday the other day *right there*
Hehe, LT is a funny place. My friend liked it and gave it to me after she finished, I will probably read it to completion seeing as I Pearl Ruled the last one she gave me to read....oppps. (It was the Bridget Jones baby one. Interestingly, I hear the movie, though very different from the book, is excellent)

The sex one looks good for the right age too, my two are so silly about 'boobs' and 'bums'. Boys and toilet humour, right??!

>60 AMQS: Lucky you liked his book, Anne, after throwing the budget at bringing him to school!

I am sure it will be brilliant for your students and inspiring also to have an author they can identify with come visit them.

Have a great weekend.

I have fallen so behind in reading threads: I may have taken on one too many jobs this fall.

But, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you and wishing you a happy weekend!

Hi Anne, I am finally settled enough to get a little caught up on LT. We passed through Denver around the 24th of September. We have another week until we move into our apartment, where we plan to stay until we find the right house to buy. We dithered a bit about house vs. apartment rental, but settled on a 3 bedroom apartment because they would do a 3 month lease followed by a month to month lease. It made more sense than committing to a 1 year lease. We hope. At least then we can get the kids in school. We're calling it the 6 week summer holiday, since they've been out of school since the end of August. I think they are getting a little bored.
Happy weekend!

Hi, Anne. I'm catching up on threads as I fell behind during our recent trip to Kansas (NOT through Colorado, though). Good to see your job continues to be full of interest and events and hope the girls are both well. Isn't your oldest off to college this semester?

Your author event sounds like money well spent, Anne. The book description sounds like it would appeal to both boys and girls. Win-win! I am not familiar with Mr. Smith but am looking forward to hearing about the success of his visit to your school.

Either our teacher is busy or the pupils are playing up. Have a lovely weekend, Anne and hope to see you having enough time to update here soon. xx

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Anne, wherever you are!

Wishing a wonderful Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family.

Special hug also to Callia and miss her in the group.
Special hug to Marina for being my own daughter's Doppelganger.

Dear, dear, dear Nancy, Micky, Charlotte, Beth, Megan, Karen, Jenn, Roni, Donna, and Paul and all LT friends, Happy Thanksgiving to you -- I am so very thankful for YOU! Thank you for visiting me and wishing me well even though I cannot keep up -- I am thinking of you even while I'm away from LT.

Writing this from our hotel room in Lawrence, Kansas, where we have come to celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law and his family. We were long overdue for a visit, and as this is the last Thanksgiving we know we'll have Callia at home, we decided it was time. We've spent the past couple of days exploring Lawrence and chasing after our little cousins (Little) Stelios and Thekla. Our first night we cooked a couple of great octopi for dinner -- not traditional Thanksgiving fare, but rather what Cypriots cook when they're feeling homesick:)

It's been so, so long, I'm not even sure how to catch up. Callia and I went two weekends ago to an event at Willamette University in Oregon -- still her top-choice school. She has submitted I think 5 college applications, and will submit three more when we get back to Colorado this weekend. Her first response was a "yes," which was very exciting. We knew she would get into CSU (Colorado State Univ), but were thrilled when she was accepted into the biomedical sciences program, which is capped. We should be hearing from her other early schools within the next three weeks or so -- yikes! Marina got her braces off this past week, and looks amazing. That's the good news. The bad news is that the braces came off prematurely because of arthritis issues in her jaw, and we need to schedule an MRI to see what is going on. Her orthodontist said she's not a perfect 10 as far as her teeth go, but more like a perfect 9. We've upped that to a perfect 9 3/4 :) She looks great, and is enjoying her new smile.

Visiting author Roland Smith was terrific -- our students really enjoyed his visit, and his books are flying off the shelves still. Well worth the money to have him! School is going really well -- it's just so busy. I have stepped away from the Chorale, which is nice, but also very sad for me. December is suddenly looking like a completely different month without me having to work every afternoon and every evening! The girls are performing/working a little bit, but this December should be more relaxed than it ever has been.

We're still reeling from the election. I haven't been around to any other threads yet, but I imagine everyone is. We're a little paralyzed at the moment trying to figure out just how to go about normally. Paul, when I read Stelios your message, he asked me if you might have room for us at your house...

So happy, happy Thanksgiving to all of you -- I am very thankful for you.

Some books (thank goodness for audio books!):



60. Storm Runners: The Surge by Roland Smith

A quick and heart-pounding read by our visiting author Roland Smith. A young boy and his dad travel the country in search of superstorms and help residents both prepare and rebuild.

61. Benediction by Kent Haruf

Oh, it was just as lovely as I thought it would be. I love Mr. Haruf's stories about the residents of Holt, Colorado, a tiny little town on the eastern plains. I had put off reading this one so I wouldn't run out of Kent Haruf books too quickly. His death a couple of years ago was a huge loss.

Make sure you hit the Phoenix Gallery downtown, Anne--amazing work by local artists and craftspeople! And the KU bookstore in the Student Union. You are in my beloved second home, so enjoy!

62. The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice by Andrew Chilton

I enjoyed this children's book very much, and hope to see more by this author.

>77 ronincats: Hi Roni! We like Lawrence a lot. We're mostly chasing after the kids on this trip, though we did manage to make a couple of forays into town. I don't know that we'll make it to the Phoenix gallery -- it sounds amazing! We found a terrific bookstore called The Raven, and did some major damage there:) I would like to visit the KU bookstore, but we'll be heading back to Denver tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

63. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, audiobook narrated by Frederick Davidson

It took me 12 weeks, but I did it. What an amazing book. I am still glad Callia will read the abridged version in her english class this year -- Hugo's frequent detailed digressions might be hard to follow, though I enjoyed them very much -- often that's where his sly humor would come out. The timeless tale of Jean Valjean, Javert, Marius, and Cosette absolutely captivated me for 60+ hours, and left me devastated at the end. Loved it.

...more books to come, but family and turkey call. Happy day to all of you!

Yay, a virtual visit from Anne! Always lovely to see you!

Happy Thanksgiving, Anne! I'm glad you're enjoying time with family.

Sounds like a wonderful break Anne.

Fantastic news that the author's visit meant the books are being read. I haven't been to see anyone talk about a book for such a long time. The last one was Ian Rankin. An elderly lady behind me, just before he was about to start, said to her friend: *What* did he write? Hard not to laugh.

Lovely to "see" you, Anne, and what great reading! Delightful news about Callia's post secondary education plans, and Marina's 9.75 new smile. Happy Thanksgiving!

>74 AMQS: Hahaha Anne. You, Stelios, Callia and Marina would be most welcome anytime.

>82 MickyFine: Hi Micky! It's nice to see you, too. Thanks for stopping by!

>83 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie! It is very nice to spend some time with family. Are you home this Thanksgiving? With family? How is dear Adrien?

>84 charl08: Hello Charlotte! Yes, Thanksgiving break is lovely, and definitely needed! It is a long slog at school between Labor Day (3-day weekend at the beginning of September) and Thanksgiving. After winter break in December the school year has a few more small breaks in there to break up the year a bit, but this fall stretch is a long one, and I always love having this week off. My students are still buzzing about Roland Smith -- he was great!

>85 lit_chick: Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Nancy, though yours was more than a month ago. We'll start hearing from more colleges very soon. She has until May to make up her mind, but plenty to do before then!

>86 PaulCranswick: LOL, thank you, Paul. Stelios means to stay, though... at least until we can figure out where to live ourselves!

>87 AMQS: Why not? There are so many international schools here - you would fit like a glove.

64. Rain, Reign by Ann M. Martin

Another new children's book to pull the heartstrings. This one about a homophone-loving girl on the autism spectrum whose dog goes missing during a hurricane. A bit of an uneven read for me. I love the relationship between the protagonist Rose and her uncle, and the look into Rose's head as she tells her own story, but many parts ring false -- especially her relationship with her teacher... feels like there should be a greater level of teacher education in 2016, but maybe I'm projecting my own teacher experience onto her. A compelling read.

>88 PaulCranswick: Oh, Paul, you're making a compelling case -- we may yet be darkening your door!

65. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer, audiobook narrated by Sarah Woodward

The perfect light, funny, delightful audio to follow up after Les Mis. Sophy is a strong regency heroine to cheer for -- such fun!

66. Coronation Summer by Angela Thirkell, narrated by Nadia May

Another light and fun audio, this one retelling the events during the coronation summer of Queen Victoria from the point of view of a young girl who traveled to London just for the event. Not my favorite Angela Thirkell, but a fun diversion nonetheless.

67. Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost by Cornelia Funke

A quick children's read perfect for Halloween. A young boy teams up with his grandmother's best friend to rid his basement of a ghost, but the pair end up ridding another house of a far more dangerous ghost in order to restore "their" ghost to his own haunting place.

68. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter. Audiobook narrated by Jeremy Davidson

A fascinating story of the hunt for and recovery of some of Europe's greatest art treasures during and after WWII. Clunkily told at times, but always interesting.

Hi Anne - Happy Thanksgiving. What a lot of great reading you've been doing. I was thinking of you this week when I read The Poet's Dog; I can't wait to read that to Scout - who is now loving Henry and Mudge and Frog and Toad.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Anne!

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

I enjoyed Monuments Men and was glad I read it before I saw the movie.

>95 BLBera: Hi Beth! I don't think I've heard of The Poet's Dog. I'll have to pop over to your thread and check it out! My girls never got into Henry and Mudge, but we all loved Mr. Putter and Tabby, also by Cynthia Rylant. I share a few of those every year with kindergarten -- it ensures they're always checked out:)

>96 Copperskye: Thank you, Joanne. I hope you and your family enjoyed a nice holiday also.

>97 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! How's everything on the farm? It's hard to imagine Monuments Men as a movie, particularly a comedy.

Still catching up on books read...



69. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

Fascinating and deeply sad book depicting the invasion of Paris and fairly domestic scenes of occupied France. Most fascinating -- and heartbreaking -- are the author's notes at the end sketching out her plans for the book -- she completed two sections of what was to be a long, 5-section book, but she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she died. Well worth a read.

70. Persuasion by Jane Austen, audiobook narrated by Rosalyn Landor

A favorite. I love Persuasion so much, and Rosalyn Landor is just terrific. Its lightness was very welcome after Suite Francaise and during/after the election.

71. James Herriot's Animal Stories by James Herriot, audiobook narrated by Christopher Timothy

Love these so much. If you've never listened to any of James Herriot's stories of his country veterinary practice in the Yorkshire Dales, you're missing out. They're narrated by Christopher Timothy, who plays James Herriot in the TV series. They're warm, affectionate, funny, and very moving. Great stories to get you across western Kansas...

>100 AMQS: I'll have to try the audio version the next time I revisit Persuasion.

>101 AMQS: My family loved listening to James Herriot's books and story collections on road trips!

>102 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie! I just love Jane Austen on audio. Persuasion is a good one.

We had so much fun with James Herriot! We listened to all of his Animal Stories, and got part way through All Things Bright and Beautiful. Perfect for a family car trip.

72. Dara Palmer's Major Drama by Emma Shevah

This is a book for middle-grade readers, and a bit unusual for a book in the American market in that it is very British -- vocabulary, setting, the works. I wish there were more British books in the American children's market. Protagonist Dara Palmer drove me a little crazy, which is the point. She is a pop-culture-crazed preteen who is addicted to the TV, obsessed with vapid, gleaming Hollywood actors, and believes she is destined for stardom. She auditions for the lead in her school's production of The Sound of Music, and doesn't even get an ensemble role. Dara's journey over the course of the book leads her to acting classes (apparently there's more to it than practicing faces), and the practice of putting yourself in someone else's shoes -- in her case her arch-nemesis younger sister Georgia. The themes of adoption and belonging run through the book -- Dara was adopted from Cambodia, and is very obviously different from the others in her family. Georgia is adopted from Russia, and doesn't obviously stick out (and doesn't crave drama and attention like Dara), but that doesn't mean she doesn't also wonder sometimes about her biological parents in Russia, or about her life and culture. This might be an easy book to dismiss, but it is hefty and meaningful, and very well done.

>104 AMQS: It sounds great, Anne. Onto the list it goes. You're almost to 75!

The Poet's Dog is by Patricia MacLachlan, and it's new, I think. Absolutely lovely. I think even your girls would love it even though it is definitely a young reader book.

#100 - Persuasion is definitely also my favorite, Anne. The Austen I've read most times - have to check Rosalyn Landor. Don't know her.

#101 - Ahhh, read two of the books years ago - but a narration by Christopher Timothy sounds ideal.

I LOVE the cover of Dara Palmer's Major Drama, Anne! Sounds like a great selection for middle-graders, too.

I think Persuasion is the only Austen novel I have not yet read. I need to get on that! I even have it on my e-reader but I keep getting distracted by library books.

Oh Persuasion is my favourite too. I read a Meg Cabot recently and it took me ages to work out it was a riff on it (quite embarrassing).

Persuasion is my favorite as well. Might be time for a reread, or perhaps I should listen to it this time.

Hi Anne, you were getting much closer to me with your trip to Lawrence. Mary's brother was down here from Lawrence. I love that town and will visit Brenda when I'm up that way in late January.

I've missed you around LT but thoroughly understand how busy you must be. I remember not having much of a life outside of teaching and immediate family back in the day. It is so rewarding to be around young children all day, but they can sap the life out of you sometimes!

I love James Herriot's stories. It's been a long time since I read anything by him. It would be a treat to listen to Christopher Timothy. I think Haley might enjoy them if she could get past the British accent. I'll give it a try on the next sleepover. We almost always listen to audiobooks since she won't or can't go to sleep at a reasonable hour.

I'm sad that Mary is leaving the Denver area. I will have to get out there for another meet-up before she heads out for greener pastures.

Take care and keep in touch whenever you can.

Hi Anne, A belated Happy Thanksgiving! Sounds like there is all sorts of excitement with your family. I am hoping for the best for Marina's doctor visit and excited to hear where Callia chooses to go. Accepted into the biomedical program is BIG!

Hi Anne, happy Thanksgiving weekend! I am catching up on here at last - really nice to read all about what you've been up to. Sounds like Callia's decision making is going well.

I think Teresa would like Dara Palmer's Major Drama - will keep my eyes open. She is home with chicken pox all week (and so am I!) And thank you for saving me from the Little Paris Bookshop. I've picked it up twice and put it down.

Hi, Anne!

Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving.

You've just been reading a bunch of my favorites. >76 AMQS: Isn't Benediction great? I miss him, too. >91 AMQS: The Grand Sophy is still my favorite Heyer, although it has a lot of competition, and >100 AMQS: Persuasion is my favorite JA after P &P. I also loved Monuments Men, and Suite Francaise. I've been thinking about reading Rain Reign, and your positive reaction is encouraging.

Nice to see you easing gradually to 75 books, Anne.

Have a lovely weekend.

Merry Christmas, Anne, to you and yours ...

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

Merry Christmas to you and your family Anne! Thank you for your time, your kind words and the books we enjoy together. I hope your holidays are full of joy!

Happy Christmas Anne!

This is the Christmas tree at the end of the Pacific Beach Pier here in San Diego, a Christmas tradition.

To all my friends here at Library Thing, I want you to know how much I value you and how much I wish you a very happy holiday, whatever one you celebrate, and the very best of New Years!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Anne. I look forward to following you and getting more great recommendations in 2017.

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Anne.

Happy, happy New Year to all of my dear LT friends! Oh, I am so grateful to all of you for keeping my thread warm, and I am truly hoping for a new start in 2017. I get so far behind, and there seems to be no way to catch up, but be assured I am thinking of all of you with gratitude and love!

Thank you Beth, Carson, Nancy, Julia, Charlotte, Donna, Jenn, Cushla, Joe, Paul, Rhian, Mary, and Roni for your comments and well wishes. I appreciate you all.

A few more books to close out 2016:



73. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman, audiobook narrated by Joan Walker

A sweet and sad book. Too much going on? Combines a story of a precocious young granddaughter mourning her beloved, feisty granny while recalling the many fairy tales Granny told her over the years. The fairy tales seem to come true in a fantastic and frightening way as Elsa tries to carry out her Granny's mission. I read this because its companion book, Britt-Marie Was Here was highly recommended by a colleague. Still need to get to that one.

74. Snow White by Matt Phelan

A super-stylish, noir retelling of the classic fairy tale set in 1929 New York. The updated characters in the retelling make the story even more sad and poignant. This one was starred in School Library Journal. It has been checked out a few times, but it hasn't really caught on with kids yet. I think it's more accessible to adults, actually, who have more of an idea of what 1929 New York was than a 10 year-old, and who can appreciate the stunning artwork and clever retelling.

75. Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah

I read this highly-acclaimed middle-grade novel after I enjoyed Ms. Shevah's Dara Palmer's Major Drama so much. This one was terrific, too. Amber's real name is Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto, which is absolutely the worst name ever, so she's changed it to Amber. The book follows Amber as she navigates middle school as a bi-racial tween -- her father (who abandoned the family), is Japanese, and her mother is Italian. Amber's younger sister Bella has her heart set on her father coming to her upcoming birthday party. Amber can't bear to see her hurt, so she begins a correspondence with Bella as their father to let her down gently, which encourages, rather than enlightens her. A sweet and poignant story -- very well done.

76. Yes, Please! by Amy Poehler, audiobook narrated by the author

Fun and funny audio about Ms. Poehler's experience in comedy. A diverting, snarky read:)

77. Tesla's Attic: Accelerati Trilogy Book 1 by Neil Shusterman and Eric Elfman

This is a good one! It reminds me a lot of the Percy Jackson series, only perhaps for a *slightly* older audience, and rather than Greek gods and monsters creating mayhem for Percy & co, there is a secret evil society of mad scientists after some pretty wicked Nikola Tesla inventions that protagonist Nick happens to stumble upon. Set in Colorado Springs, this trilogy promises to be very fun. Great time for it, too. Many of my students are super interested in Tesla right now.

78. Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson

Okay, this one is very special. Three sixth-grade boys have one of *those* special teachers -- the kind that every kid deserves. The kind that finds what is special about each student and leads the student to discover it. The kind that saves student doodles out of the trash, or goes to bat for the student against a helicopter parent. Ms. Bixby tells her class that she is suffering from a rare form of cancer, and will need to take the remainder of the school year off. The class looks forward to sending her off for treatment with a big party they plan, but her condition is serious enough that she leaves earlier than expected. Our three boys: Topher, Steve, and Brand, skip school on Friday with a pretty difficult to-do list (for 6th graders) when they overhear that she will be flown to Boston for a specialized treatment on Saturday. The odds are against their success, and indeed, they face disaster at every turn. The story alternates between each of the boys as slowly they reveal aspects of their lives, and why they are each so affected by Ms. Bixby. The book, as you might expect, is heartbreaking. I just ache for those boys, and of course, for Ms. Bixby. Truly every student deserves a Ms. Bixby.

79. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, audiobook narrated by the incomparable Juliet Stevenson

Jane Austen was brilliant, wasn't she? I love this one, though it's not my favorite of hers. Catherine Morland seems such a silly, naive girl -- I have wondered many times what Henry Tilney sees in her, but it is not fair to judge her characters by our 21st century sensibilities. Mostly, I love Ms. Austen's sly humor -- in full-force here. A re-listen for me, but this time with a supremely talented narrator!

80. The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild

This was such a fun read -- a perfect way to close out my 2016 reads. It was also a Christmas gift from my mom, who bought it at a bookshop in Oxford. Annie finds a painting at a junk shop in London, and buys it impulsively for a man she is seeing. He stands her up (back to his wife), and she decides to learn what she can about it. What follows is best described as an art world caper, with intrigue, murder, salacious European history, and a breathless race to find and sell the picture Annie stumbled onto. Super fun and meaty at the same time, with larger-than-life characters from history and in present-day fiction.

Nice to end the 2016 book year with a nice, round number:)

And hurrah for blowing past the 75 book mark!!

>131 AMQS: I'll have to look for that audiobook, as I love Northanger Abbey.

Congrats!

Happy new year, and congrats on surpassing 75 books for the year!

Happy New Year, Anne! May it be filled with good books and lots of fellow readers with whom to discuss them! Hope we can get together in the new year (before I move). BTW, that Tesla book looks interesting!

Hi Anne - happy new year! Great book reviews. I'm going to look for Tesla's Apprentice today. Fletcher has just read (and loved) Unwind by the same author.

Congrats on going post 75!

And you hit me with a BB with your last book of the year!

Thank you to Roni, Foggi, Jim, Carrie, Mary, Cushla, Lori, and Micky for visiting! Hope to see you all in 2017!