Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Twelve

-Art work by Robert Bateman. A new favorite of mine. I believe the top one is a housefinch. The bottom one, are definitely pileated woodpeckers. I have yet to see one.

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

February:

15) Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson 5 stars (audio)
16) Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan 3.6 stars AAC
17) The Assault by Harry Mulisch 4.4 stars
18) Nine Island by Jane Alison 4 stars ER
19) Silence by Shusaku Endo 4.5 stars
20) The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak 3.6 stars
21) Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace 5 stars (audio)
22) In the Walled City: Stories by Stewart O'Nan 4 stars AAC
23) One Man's Owl by Bernd Heinrich 4.3 stars
24) In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides 4.6 stars (audio)

March:

25) A Separation: A Novel by Katie Kitamura 3.8 stars (audio)
26) The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston 4.4 stars (audio)
27) The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron 4.5 stars AAC
28) Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney 4 stars (audio)
29) My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris 4.7 stars GN
30) Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah 4.5 stars (audio)
31) Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation by Kyo Maclear 4.3 stars
32) Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo 4.5 stars (audio)
33) The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen 4.2 stars
34) Spain in Our Hearts: Americans in the Spanish Civil War by Adam Hochschild 4.2 stars (audio)
35) Mexico: Stories by Josh Barkan 4 stars
36) Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders 4.7 stars (audio)
37) The Wright Brothers by David McCullough 4.5 stars (audio)
38) Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman 4 stars (audio)

April:

39) Wanderlust: A History of Walking by Rebecca Solnit 3.6 stars
40) The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui 5 stars GN
41) The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks 3.7 stars (audio)
42) If I'd Known You Were Coming: Stories by Kate Milliken 4.3 stars
43) The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel 4.4 stars (audio)
44) Ill Will: A Novel by Dan Chaon 3.6 stars ER
45) Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 4.2 stars (audio)
46) I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong 4 stars (audio)
47) Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles 4.3 stars
48) Exit West: A Novel by Mohsin Hamid 4.5 stars (audio)
49) The Cubs Way by Tom Verducci 4.2 stars (audio)

Welcome to the AAC IV! It should be another fun year. Some interesting and diverse authors.

January- Octavia Butler Completed Kindred
February- Stewart O' Nan Completed Songs For the Missing, In the Walled City: Stories
March- William Styron Completed The Confessions of Nat Turner
April- Poetry Month Completed Incendiary Art, There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé
May- Zora Neale Hurston
June- Sherman Alexie
July- James McBride
August- Patricia Highsmith
September- Short Story Month
October- Ann Patchett
November- Russell Banks
December- Ernest Hemingway

The General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/244600#

^This is my weekend off, so I went on a Friday morning bird walk, at Fullersburg Forest Preserve. This is the place where it all began for me, last June I believe. At that time there were warblers galore, migrating through. Did not see any of those today but I did see, ruby-crowned kinglets (many), white-throated sparrow, song sparrow, red-winged blackbirds (many), eastern phoebe, cardinals, (many), a northern flicker, cowbirds, mallards, Canada geese, wood ducks (flying), tree swallows, downy & red-bellied woodpeckers. Nothing really surprising but there was one bird, that made my day- A hairy woodpecker. Actual there were a pair doing a mating dance along a tree trunk. A first-timer for me. Yah!



^Very similar to a downy woodpecker, but they have a longer beak and bigger white spots.

Ready for guests? Am I first?

>5 tymfos: I sure am, Terri! Great to see you, my friend. Hope you have a lovely Easter and I hope those books are treating you kindly.

Howdy Mark! Congrats on thread #12! Hope the Easter Bunny leaves some books for you!

Happy new thread, Mark. Have a great Easter weekend.

Happy new thread and I recognized the Batemans right away! Yay!! I have several of his coffee table books, one of which is called Birds. :-)

Happy new thread, Mark. Great topper pictures. Bateman is good! I look forward to more human pictures after tomorrow's meet-up.

>7 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. We have the Meet Up tomorrow and family Easter dinner on Sunday. It is shaping up to be a good weekend.

>8 MickyFine: Thank you, Micky.

>9 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I could see myself buying one of those Bateman coffee table books. He is that good. I see that he does other animals too but I like the birds.

>10 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I hope we take plenty of human photos tomorrow. A person can get easily distracted, in this bookish company.

Happy new thread, Mark. I love all the birds. Spring is here.

Great thread toppers. Those are interesting looking, especially the woodpeckers.

No Cubs, no B Hawks tonight so I am reading and listening to mellow music after a hectic workweek.

I am Starbucks relaxing with a Chai Latte and Murakami's Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. I am doing this sitting outside as it is warm out here and freezing in the coffee shop.

I expect pictures of the Meet-up tomorrow. And of course, some stories of book connections. And beer.

Happy New Thread, Mark!

See you tomorrow, buddy.

>12 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. Lots of birds, yes, but books are also still going strong. Happy Camper.

>13 lindapanzo: Glad you like the toppers, Linda. I hope to see one of these woodpeckers. They are seen around here but are not easy to spot.

The Cubs had many opportunities today but just could not pull the trigger. Let's get the next 2.

>14 benitastrnad: Happy Friday, Benita. Sounds like you are in a very relaxed state. Glad you are enjoying the Murakami.

You should see plenty of Meet Up photos.

Happy new thread! Love the >1 msf59: toppers and that you are taken with Bateman. He is a marvel!

>15 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Getting excited about tomorrow. Should be a blast, my friend.

>17 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. Yes, Bateman has quickly become a favorite artist. Have a great Easter weekend.

Have a great weekend! Sounds like it's going to be pretty special - LT meetup and family Easter gathering. Enjoy!

Happy new thread, Mark!

And have a great time tomorrow!

Happy new thread! Anticipating great pics from tomorrow's festivities!

Mark--Love the toppers! Happy new thread, you Warbler, you!! Have fun tomorrow. Looking forward to pictures!!

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Mark. I am rather jealous of the meetup at your place. Would like to be there too. Have fun.
Wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend.

With our bedroom window, open, I woke to birdsong. Always a good start...

>19 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. Our Meet Up day together... will happen. It is a matter of when.

>20 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. I wish you could have been in attendance.

>21 drneutron: Thanks, Jim.

Morning, Mark! See you soon...

Just poured my second cup of java...

>22 Berly: Thanks, Kimmers. Happy Saturday from the warbler.

>23 DianaNL: Happy Easter, Diana.

>24 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. Happy Saturday. It is always nice to be in the company of LTers. A very special group.

I hope you have a lovely day, and indeed a lovely weekend!

>26 scaifea: Morning, Amber. The countdown has begun...

>28 lunacat: Thanks, Jenny. Happy Saturday.

Enjoy your day, Mark. Just curious, when LTers meet up, do you all bring and exchange books or is it just chatting, eating, drinking and loads of silly fun?

44) Ill Will: A Novel by Dan Chaon 3.3 stars

Dustin Tillman is a psychologist, living in Cleveland. He is a quiet man, in his early forties, with a
horrific past. He has just learned that his adopted, older brother, has just been released from prison. Thirty years earlier, he had received a life sentence for killing Dustin's parents. This news, brings a flood of repressed memories back. On top of this, a new patient of his, an ex-cop, is also trying to draw him into investigating a serial-killer conspiracy plot, involving the mysterious, drownings of college age boys. These two events shape the novel.
I have enjoyed two of Chaon's previous books, a novel and a story collection. This was one is much more ambitious, with multilayered plot lines and shifting narratives. Unfortunately, it makes for an uneven, almost scatter-shot reading experience. There is some fine writing here but much of it is lost in the convoluted style. I admire the effort but I am bit lukewarm on the execution.

Happy new thread, Mark!
I love al the pictures of different woodpeckers, congrats on seeing a hairy woodpecker pair.

Good morning, Mark, and happy new thread.

I'm happy to see the picture of the pileated woodpeckers at top. I'm still on the lookout for the ones Louise said she saw.

Have fun at the meet up and please, get lots of pictures for us!

>30 jessibud2: "or is it just chatting, eating, drinking and loads of silly fun?" It is this one, Shelley. LOL. In the past we have brought books to share but this time I did not suggest it. It is not a bad idea. Maybe, next time?

>32 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! And hooray for hairy woodpeckers!

>33 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. Let's hope this is the year we both see a pileated.

What a great day for a meet up!! I'll be leaving about 11:45. See you all soon.

Gorgeous day, Linda. Safe travels, my friend.

^Fantastic Meet-Up! You could not ask for a better bunch of people. I want to thank everyone for coming, especially the ones that made a long trek. You guys are amazing. Yes, I may be a bit tipsy, but that is me at my most sentimental.

Back row, left to right: Amber (scaifea), Becca (seasonsoflove), Joe, Mark, Kathy (kac522), Laura (LauraBrook) Nancy (alphaorder) ** No, 75 thread

Front row, left to right: Julia (rosalita), Linda (lindapanzo), Judy (ffortsa), Jim (magicians_nephew)

In the forefront Riley the Ferocious. (Just the top of his little head)

Thanks for having us, Mark. Had a great time. You and Sue host a terrific meet up.

^It was an endless gab session. Shocking, right? And Joe brought out the shorts too, on this balmy Tax Day!

>38 lindapanzo: We had a great time, Linda and we had enough food and beer to last us a few more hours. Nice to see you again.

>39 msf59: Didn't realize that there was an "action" photo. Of us talking of course.

Great meet-up photos and a great way to put faces to names that I have seen around the threads. Looks like a good time was had by all, particularly in the action shot!

Great to meet so many LTers in person! And fabulous hosts! Thanks again, Mark and Sue. (Nancy)

>37 msf59: and >39 msf59: Now that looks like a wonderful group with which to while away some time! Thanks for posting photos, Mark. One of these days I'm going to be in Chicagoland again and I will hope for some LT meet up!

Is Riley your pooch?

Oh, and Happy New Thread!

Looks like fun. I'm pretty sure I know everyone, but just to be sure can you put in everyone's username?

To those who were there, here is the book Someday Birds that I talked about.

And a link the author event that I am hosting at the nature center in May: http://www.schlitzaudubon.org/calendar-of-events/raptor-saturday-someday-birds

>37 msf59: Well of course Riley looks ferocious. He's the only one without a book!

Looks like a great group and a fun way to spend the afternoon. It's always nice to see photos of everyone! Thanks for posting them.

>46 alphaorder: - That event (and book) sounds like fun!

>48 jessibud2: Seems like the book would be a good match for you.

Mark, are you watching the Blackhawks? Not looking good again tonight.

Fabulous pictures of all of you! What a great meet up, Mark! Great topper! Happy Easter, Mark!

Great pictures, Mark. It looks like fun.

>41 lindapanzo: I took a couple photos of the gang gabbing. That's what it was all about, right?

>42 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Another terrific Meet Up. Nothing beats book people.

>43 alphaorder: You are welcome, Nancy. It was such a good time. I hope you can join us again.

>44 EBT1002: Yes, Riley is our pooch. Actually Bree brought him home as a pup and we ended up with him. LOL.

I sure hope we can have a Chicago Meet Up with you in attendance.

>45 mahsdad: Hi, Jeff. I am goofing around on my iPad at the moment. I will have to add the usernames in the morning, when I am more focused.

>46 alphaorder: I think you convinced several of us to read, Someday Birds, Nancy. I wish I could attend that author event.

>47 streamsong: Another successful Meet Up, Janet. We were trying to find Riley a copy of The Alchemist but I couldn't find it. Poor pooch.

>48 jessibud2: >49 alphaorder: Hooray for the Someday Birds!!

How fun is that to have a meet up with wonderful book people. Great pictures! Happy Easter Mark.

>37 msf59: Thanks again, Mark! Great get-together, awesome people, fantastic food and your Sue is a darling for having all of us. I think next time we need to appoint a secretary to take down all the wonderful books and authors that went flying by!

Wonderful meetup photos, Mark. Thanks so much for sharing them. It looks like everybody had a blast.
Happy Sunday.

>50 lindapanzo: What happened to the Hawks? Jeesh!

>51 vancouverdeb: >52 BLBera: >55 mdoris: Thanks, Deb, Beth & Mary! Great time at the Meet Up! Happy Easter to you all!

>56 kac522: You are welcome, Kathy. It was so nice to see you and will look into hiring a secretary to take copious notes. Smiles.

Have a great Easter!

>57 Ameise1: Happy Sunday, Barb! With that many wonderful people in the same room, you know it is going to be great.

Happy Sunday, Mark!
Thanks for sharing the pictures af your great meet-up, maybe instead of a secretary a video of the whole meet-up?

>59 FAMeulstee: Happy Easter, Anita! I better start looking for a secretary for next year. Smiles...

^Once again, I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who came over for the Meet-Up, especially the folks that came long distances. This meant a lot to me. Too bad we couldn't have made it last all day.

And also, a quick shout-out to my wife, Sue for being the perfect host. She worked hard and put on quite a spread.

ETA: DUH!! I also want to thank everyone for bringing me all that great beer! You guys know me well. I will savor it all. And Laura brought me woodpecker birdfeed, which was absolutely perfect.

I thought folks may appreciate this article after our conversation yesterday:
Why You Should Read Books You Hate
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/opinion/sunday/the-joy-of-hate-reading.html

Morning, Mark!!

Thank YOU for having us - I'm still smiling, really. LTers are wonderful folks. And give Sue a big hug for me - what a trooper to let us take over for the afternoon.

>62 alphaorder: - Well, she makes some decent points in that article. I'll admit, I hadn't thought about *hate* reading quite like that before. But for me, well, I have more books (just in my house!) than I probably have years left to read them, and my own personal rule is 50 pages or one week and if I'm not drawn in by then, I move on. Because there is ALWAYS a next book waiting, and I prefer not to spend my time *hating* while reading. Just me, just saying....

Happy Sunday Mark!

What a fantastic turnout! Thanks for sharing the pics.

>62 alphaorder: Hi Nancy. Great Article! In 2009 CharlesBoyd and I doubled down on that idea and created the very-short-lived-but-fun group I'll read Yours if You'll Read Mine

karenmarie read the description of The Rapture of Canaan “and can never imagine myself reading it. Sorry, but there it is.”

CharlesBoyd has hesitated to read Kurt Vonnegut for years “because I’ve suspected his novels are pretty weird.”

So what did we do? We each agreed to read a book we suspected we would hate.

And we went from there.

It might be fun to revive it.

>64 jessibud2:
I agree with you - too much to read already and I prefer to spend time with books I enjoy. But sometimes a different perspective is good. Yesterday we talked about how books clubs sometimes mean you read books you otherwise wouldn't.

>62 alphaorder: LOL! Good one, Nancy. Perfect timing. Not sure it convinced me to "hate" read but it is an interesting concept. Funny, that Pickwick Papers was mentioned, since it was also brought up yesterday!

It was so good to see you yesterday. You are a lot of fun to talk too.

>63 scaifea: Morning, Amber! You are welcome and I will pass on the kind words to Sue. I wish we could have had more chat-time together but it is not always easy in a big crowd. maybe next time? Smiles...

>64 jessibud2: I am with you, Shelley. I found the article interesting but not enough for me to pick up a book, I know I will hate. Not will my ridiculously large To-Read pile!

Morning, Mark! Sounds like your meet-up was wildly successful, and I'm glad y'all had fun!

Happy Easter!! We're heading out to Easter Brunch shortly. Two or three mimosas and I'll come home and need a nap. LOL.

The Hawks look totally bewildered. Will they score a goal before the series ends? We're not holding out hope that we'll get to see a game on Saturday.

Nancy, I saw that article. Especially appropriate for Joe, I thought.

>68 katiekrug: Happy Sunday, Katie! Yes, another Meet-Up confirmed how great LTers are. We are a blessed bunch, my friend.

>69 lindapanzo: Happy Easter, Linda. Careful with those mimosas. We are heading to my BIL's home for Easter dinner. Probably leave about 1:30.

Bummer about those Blackhawks and let's hope our Cubbies can avoid the sweep.

>62 alphaorder: Great article. I'm going to post a copy on my thread.

Hi Mark! Happy Easter to you, Sue and the kids.

Looks like the meet-up was lots of fun--no surprise there!! Please add the user names in when you get a chance. Thanks! : )

Happy Easter, Mark!

What a great meetup. Yes, Nancy convinced me on Someday Birds, too. Adding it to the WL.

Maybe we need to set up a LT/75ers "conference", where we pick a good spot and convene for several days. :-)

I thought Riley won the "Best Behaved" award, and Sue "The Nicest Host" award, although you came in a close second on the latter. (You weren't even close on the first one, that's for sure).

>65 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. I think we cross posted at some point and I nearly missed you.

>72 Berly: Happy Easter, Kimmers! Just came back from a solo bird walk. It got the blood flowing.

>73 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe! I think everyone was pleased about the Meet-Up and yes, Sue did a stellar job hosting. My behavior could have been better but maybe I was just excited having all those book-loving pals surrounding me.

Hope you and the family have a great day.

#73
I actually thought about doing that. A Librarything conference, but figured that was what the Books-on-the Nightstand weekend was all about. Now that Books-on-the-nightstand has stopped doing the weekend conference thing, I may have to rethink my idea and go with it.

I DID add the usernames to the names up there in post # 37. Sorry, for the delay. I blame the craft beer.

>61 msf59: I am so sorry I missed it! One of these days!! (maybe when I have a job that actually has paid vacation days??)

Happy Easter, Mark!

Yay for meetups! Yours yesterday looks like it was the most fun! Great pics; thanks for posting. I hope to someday join you guys for a Chicago meetup. Dreams are important.

Great meet up pictures!

#78
Maybe you could think about joining us in late June. The American Library Association meeting will be there and you can not only meet people but you can get free books.

>80 benitastrnad: Ooooh, what a great idea! I should be all settled in my new place by then and able to get away. I've been wanting to take a road trip for awhile, and I have family in Chicago I need to see. Plus I could make a few stops along the way - maybe see Julia and/or Donna. I'll be looking for more information on the ALA meeting as we get closer to June. Thanks, Benita!

I finished listening to my latest commuter book. Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown, and I loved all the Shakespeare quotes, turned out to be a surprisingly good book. I don't usually read chick lit and so had put of listening to this one for a long time and, honestly, had set the bar quite low for this title. This was a pleasant surprise when I did get around to it.

This is a story of three sisters who love each other, but don't want to spend the rest of their lives in close proximity. Circumstances, however, have other plans, and the sisters find themselves all back at home living with their parents due to one thing or another. All of them use their mother's cancer and subsequent illness as the excuse, but all of them are back because they have unfinished business with their siblings. How, this quandary is resolved is the story, and the author does a bang-up job of telling it. The narrator for this recorded version was also very good and did a great job of bringing this twist on the genre to life. It was a great commute book.

I didn't make notes about all the books discussed at yesterday's meet-up, but did add the following to my list:

--The Life and Death of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan (rec by Nancy)
--Summerland by Michael Chabon (rec by Amber)
--the Clara Tomlin bio of Charles Dickens (rec by Kathy?)
--Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic--the baseball book about the Oakland A's of the 1970's (Nancy's husband is reading it)

Mark, thanks for the great meet up, and a special thanks to Sue for being a great and generous hostess. It was well worth our trip!

Wow, looks like a great day! By the by, we're heading to South Bend around June 1 and are talking about heading to Chicago one of the days we're there. Throwing out a line to see if dinner or a beer meetup might be of interest...

^I did go on a very nice solo bird walk this morning, (Sue was recovering from the Meet-Up) and walked 3.5 miles, but my bird highlight for the day, ended up being a white-throated sparrow which I spotted at my feeder. I did see one last year but this is a first time, at home. Cool looking bird.

>77 alcottacre: Happy Easter, Stasia! We would LOVE to see you attend one of our Meet-Ups. Fingers crossed...

>78 Storeetllr: Happy Sunday, Mary! As you can tell we had a terrific Meet-Up. My only quibble was, is that it didn't last a few more hours. I am in my glory, surrounded by fellow book-geeks.

>79 banjo123: Happy Sunday, Rhonda! Hope you had a nice holiday weekend.

>80 benitastrnad: I plan on going to ALA this June, Benita, so let me know the details and we will surely hook up at some point too.

>81 Storeetllr: That would be great, Mary. We will do our best to have some kind of get-together if you make it in town. B.A.G.

>82 benitastrnad: I have heard mostly positive reports about The Weird Sisters but it keeps falling or is elbowed off the list. It is back on. Thanks for the nudge, Benita.

>83 lindapanzo: Thanks, for sharing these, Linda. I completely forgot about The Life and Death of the Great Lakes. That does sound terrific. Kudos to Nancy. I have Summerland in the stacks and I think I recommended the Dickens bio. Just sayin'...

What happened to our Cubs this weekend?

>84 ffortsa: You are welcome, Judy. It was so nice to finally meet you and Jim. I wish we could have gabbed for even longer. Hey, maybe next time, right?

>85 drneutron: Happy Sunday, Jim. Just let us know any details, my friend. I will do the best I can to hook up with you in the city. Just give me some notice.

The Cubs were as off as the Blackhawks have been.

Did you see the season's third episode of CTM tonight? Excellent. my favorite show of the young season, so far.

>89 lindapanzo: We only saw this first CTM, Linda. Hope to get caught up soon. Glad it was another good one.

Mark, I posted this on Shelley's thread but I want to post it here, too. You MUST see "Winged Migration." It's breathtaking and as a bird lover, well. You simply have to see it. With as good a sound system as you can muster.

We've been seeing lots of Golden Crowned Sparrows at our feeder lately, along with the usual chickadees, house finches, other sparrows, and the returning goldfinches. I just ordered a new finch feeder today.



Golden Crowned Sparrow

>62 alphaorder: re: Reading Books You Hate... does this mean we ALL have to read The Alchemist, or just Joe?

>3 msf59: There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé is a poetry book right? I don't recall you reading that much poetry, or am I mistaken?

I am so behind, and haven't stopped to read all the posts here (I am frantically playing catch up with work and study as it is the school holidays and I am bogged down in home life).

>37 msf59: I love the annual (?) meet up pics! Very cool.

Slightly belated happy new thread, buddy.

Happy Easter and, I am sure that >37 msf59: commemorates a great meet-up.

Happy new week, Mark. I observed a couple of spotted woodpecker in our garden. It was lovely.

Morning, Mark!

>91 EBT1002: I LOVE the Golden Crowned Sparrow, Ellen. Thanks for sharing. A nice companion to the white-throated. I WANT to see Winged Migration. It looks fantastic. I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend.

>92 kac522: I think it should just be Joe. LOL.

>93 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. I have been steadily reading poetry for about a year. Still a novice but I am getting better and I usually have a volume going.

We skipped a couple of years on the Meet Up but we plan on making it an annual tradition, even we switch off hosts.

>94 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I hope you had a nice holiday weekend, in merry ole' England.

>95 Ameise1: Hi, Barb! Hooray for a spotted woodpecker. Do you have feeders set up? I forgot...

>96 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>98 msf59: No feeders, Mark. They find plenty of food now.

Good morning, Mark and Happy Monday! Thanks for putting the user names back on the pic in #37. It is very helpful.

I hope your Easter was a fine one.

Congratulations on seeing the White-throated Sparrow - I've been seeing them out here, too. The hummingbirds are constant visitors now, or perhaps I should say the hummingbird, since I haven't seen more than at a time. She hovered near an empty hanger on the front porch Saturday so I've now got 2 hummingbird feeders out and Saturday afternoon in the hammock witnessed both feeders getting used.

>92 kac522: >97 msf59:

I say just Joe. And that he has to give the rest of us a book report. :)

>89 lindapanzo: I agree, last night's CTM was really good.

* waves to Mark * happy Monday!

Happy Monday, Mark!

Happy Monday, Mark.

Looks like something got at our duck's nest. Five eggs look to be scattered outside the nest and one of those looks broken. Mamma Duck is nearby.

Heavy Monday, plus mandatory OT. WTH? Ugh!

Thanks for the visits but I will have to reply after work.

It is a beautiful day, so that helps...

>92 kac522: Ha! Good one, Kathy. My vote is for Just Joe, but I'm really looking forward to his book report. :-)

Love the meet-up photo, Mark! What a great group!

Hiya, Mark.

How 'bout them Bulls? They won the first one in Boston. Hmm. Maybe they can make it to the second round.

I'm reading the LT-ignored The Alchemist, and expect to blaze the trail for others that don't want to read it and never will. Now that I think about it, maybe there's no need for that kind of trail. Oh well.

My other is Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz, an action novel, kind of like a Reacher. I really liked the GN Just So Happens, but I suspect it's quieter and less substantial than you'd enjoy.

Hope the week is starting well. That was some swell meetup.

>108 jnwelch: I've heard excellent things about that book, Joe. LOL. I think it has a 3.59 rating, which is awfully low. Maybe you'll be the LTer who likes it.

Is the Bulls series best of 7? Regardless, they already have more wins than the heavily-favored Blackhawks do.

As for the backyard baby ducks nest, it looked like a disaster zone but only one egg was broken and the very resourceful momma duck used her little webbed feet to dig a deeper hole for what is left of the nest and then used her beak to roll most of the eggs back into the nest.

>109 lindapanzo: Yes, best of 7, Linda. In the old days the first round was best of 5.

Please get back to being great, Blackhawks!

My coworker and I just headed out to see some ducks on one of our ponds. In addition to Mallards, we saw an immature Hooded Merganser, a Red-breasted Merganser, and a Bufflehead. The Bufflehead was a female, which was nice, but would have preferred to see the beautiful male.

>99 Ameise1: Glad you are still enjoying the birds, Barb.

>100 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. We had a nice Easter dinner, with family. I love the bird report. I hope to finally pick up my hummingbird feeder in the next week or so. This will be my very first.

>101 alphaorder: I like the way you think, Nancy. Grins...

>102 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura! Looks like we have some catching up to do on CTM.

>103 alcottacre: Big waves to Stasia!

>104 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Busy day at work. Awww...that stinks about the duck nest. It did look like a precarious spot.

>107 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Great Meet Up. One day I will attend one of these in your fine state.

>108 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Go Bulls. At least that is one Chicago team that knows how to win. LOL!

How is The Alchemist? Riveting?

>111 alphaorder: Thanks, for your bird report. Nancy. You know it put a smile on my mug. And hoora for a bufflehead. I saw a couple, just awhile back, on a bird walk, although they were at a distance. Good looking birds. Here is a male:

Happy Tuesday, Mark. Big waves from over the pond.

>115 Ameise1: Hi, Barb! Hope the week is off to a good start.

^After having a good time, (in a very gross way) with I Contain Multitudes, I am switching to fiction, on my next audio pick, with Exit West. This has been getting rave reviews and a couple of my LT pals have been warbling it's praises. Seems to be a good choice.

Morning, Mark! Sorry about the overtime, and on a Monday, too! Yoicks. At least the weather was good, eh?

ETA: I saw on Goodreads that John Boyne was reading Exit West - it looks pretty good, I have to say.

Sorry you had a long day, yesterday. I hope today is better!

>117 msf59: I need to read I Contain Multitudes. It sounds like one I would enjoy.

Happy Tuesday, Mark!

Happy Tuesday, Mark! I hope today is an easier day for you, too.

This morning I've seen a male White-throated Sparrow and a male House Finch.

I've also started re-reading The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Mark Obmascik, about the 1998 North American Big Year.

Here's the link to the 2016 Big Year, just to get a sense of how serious people are about this:

North American Big Year 2016

Awfully sleepy today. Stayed up and watched the whole disaster last night. I doubt we'll get to see the game on Saturday.

Looks like a spectacular day today.

I hope Exit West works for you, Mark! I think it will....

>118 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Much better and less stressful today, plus it is gorgeous out here.

Really enjoying Exit West, in the early going.

>119 alphaorder: The work day is less stressful today, Nancy. Thanks. Hey, I found the audio of the Great Lakes book, by Egan. I hope to get to it in the coming weeks.

>120 alcottacre: Morning, Stasia. I have I Contain Multitudes, saved on audio. Wink, wink...

>121 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yep,much better today. Glad you spotted the sparrow. Ooh, The Big Year book sounds really good. I will watch for your final thoughts.

>122 lindapanzo: Hope you are keeping your eyes open today, Linda. Get some fresh air at lunch. It is beautiful out here.

>123 katiekrug: Hi, Katie. Exit West is off to a good start and the author is doing a great job with the audio narration.

Good morning, Mark!

A beaut out there. You deserve a bunch of these.

Is The Alchemist riveting? Hmm. I guess I'd say it reads like a book that's much, much longer, and is a bit like eating your spinach to keep your mother from bugging you. How's that?

I did finish Wild Nights: New & Selected Poems, and can heartily recommend it, although it contains poems you've already read. I'm so glad we came across her this past year. She's quickly become one of my favorites.

>125 msf59: As busy as last week was, that's how slow this week is. I'll probably take a walk in the afternoon and get some fresh air. That'll wake me up.

I'm just about done with Man in Profile, about the New Yorker's Joseph Mitchell but now I want to read his books, as well as other books by Kunkel, and maybe even some books by other New Yorker contributors. I'm astounded by the range of people who've contributed. Everyone from Roger Angell to John Updike to Atul Gawande. There are dozens of writers I've either read (and want to read more of) or else always wanted to read.

Great meet-up, Mark. Nice to see the faces behind familiar names. Glad to hear that a grand time was had by all.

What a great turn out for your LT get-together, Mark. It looks like a fun time was had by all! It's such a wonderful thing that LT members can meetup just about anywhere in the world and always have great conversation and fun. Of course books and food make it all the better!

I am starting to get bulletins about speakers and authors at ALA this summer. I will e-mail the LT Gods around May first and see if they are giving the free passes. In the meantime - time to energized about the conference. It is in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center and the exhibits are open on June 24-26 from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

>126 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Glad you are eating your spinach, like your parents instructed. LOL. It was carrots for me, when I was a kid. Now, I love 'em.

I admire the fact that you are staying the course with The Alchemist. Keep in mind- there are worst books! Grins...

It looks like I better request Wild Nights: New & Selected Poems. Sounds like another winner.

>127 lindapanzo: Glad you had such a good time with Man in Profile, Linda. Not familiar with the book or Mitchell. It looks like I should be.

>125 msf59: Oh, that is good to know. *winking right back*

>128 weird_O: Hi, Bill! You have been around some LTers, you know the dynamic this creates. Nothing beats it, my friend. Never disappointed.

>129 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! Meet Ups are a amazing. I hope I can end up meeting many more of this special breed, in the states or abroad.

>130 benitastrnad: Thanks, for the ALA info, Benita. I definitely plan on attending, one of those days.

>126 jnwelch: Hey Joe, don't go around giving spinach a bad name :) I love spinach, especially the creamed spinach they used to serve at the Berghoff Restaurant downtown.

I have Exit West out of the library, but I am currently reading a different book. I'll get there yet, Mark!

Good morning, Mark. Happy Wednesday.

Morning, Mark!

>132 alcottacre: Love all the winking...

>134 kac522: I like spinach too, Kathy, which is surprising since we ate canned spinach as kids and that is not very tasty. Ugh!

>135 vancouverdeb: I am loving Exit West and will finish it today. It's a shorty too, Deb. We like shorties!

>136 Ameise1: Happy Wednesday, Barb.

>137 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

^With all this springtime budding and beauty, comes my seasonal allergies and they have kicked into high gear. Yes, I am taking meds but they can't keep up with the onslaught. It particularly bothers me late in the day and through the evening. That said, I have not been stopping by many threads, in my sniffling zombie-state but I will get caught up with everyone.

At least my current reads, Enemy Women & Exit West have propped me up and helped carry me through the day.

Good morning, Mark and happy Wednesday!

I'm sorry about the allergies. Until I started taking Claritin 2 years after I moved to NC, I always sounded like I had bronchitis and carried boxes of Kleenex wherever I went.

I forgot to mention over here that I saw an Indigo Bunting yesterday, at my front porch feeders. He was absolutely gorgeous.

Right now I've got some Chipping Sparrows and a White-throated Sparrow at the feeder.

Good morning, Mark!

Starts warm, gets colder late afternoon - that should work well with your schedule, right? Plus it's supposed to warm up overnight.

How 'bout them Bulls? Wow. A #8 seed dominating the #1; I can't remember ever seeing that. I hope they can keep it going, but they've already exceeded most people's expectations. I love the way they're playing, after all the lineup changes during the year.

I'm within striking distance of the end of The Alchemist, although it may take a couple of days. And I started (drum roll, please) . . . Lincoln in the Bardo. It's bizarre so far, which of course I like.

I also started the Matt Phelan Snow White GN, set during the Depression, and I'm liking it so far.

Sorry to hear that pollen's attacking. I'm an Allegra guy, but only very sparingly. There aren't many options left when my body gets to the point where it's no longer effective.

>140 karenmarie: Morning Karen. I am taking Claritin generic but it is struggling to work.
Hooray for a indigo bunting. What a gorgeous bird. I saw one on a bike ride a couple years ago.

>141 jnwelch: Morning Joe. Nice and warm out here at the moment and I am hoping the rain holds off.

Hooray for the Bulls. Very impressive.

And hooray for Lincoln in the Bardo. You should have a great time with that one.

>142 drneutron: Thanks for chiming in on the allergy deal, Jim. I guess, I should just consider myself lucky that I only have to suffer through spring allergies, compared to folks who deal with them all year.

>145 msf59: Sorry about the allergies. Glad they are only spring ones! Happy Wednesday.

I have to say I'm with Joe on The Alchemist. I like South American magical realism, at least that written by Isabel Allende, but Coelho left me cold.

Take care of yourself, Mark. Springtime allergies are the pits! I never had allergies to pollen until I got older; now I'm like you, sniffing and honking all spring. It's not as bad now in Colorado as it was when I lived in California in a house that had three olive trees out front. That was pure torture!

Mark, hope your allergies are better.

My "big" news is that I took my car for its emissions test and passed with flying colors. No, not kidding. He said it'd take a few minutes but I just sat down and he said "you passed, your car is in great shape." Not sure why but I always feel so pleased afterwards.

Just started reading an ER book The Chilbury Ladies' Choir about the early days of WW2 on the British homefront.

>140 karenmarie: I think I've taken Claritin. Knocks me out immediately. Took some once and drove to work but was lucky to make it. Now I know better.

One of my favorite webcomics, xkcd, has a comic on birdwatching that made me think of you.

I love the meetup photos, Mark. Smiling faces and books go well together. How nice of you and Sue to open your home year after year. It makes for a more intimate setting in which to chat. One of these years...

I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami. As always it was bizarre. I don't think this was the same quality as Kafka on the Shore or Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading.

My next book is the last of the Yashim the Eunuch series by Jason Goodwin - Baklava Club. I have really enjoyed this mystery series and am sorry to see it end.

>146 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! Feeling better today. Thanks.

>147 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. I do not see many of our LT pals, jumping to the defense of The Alchemist. LOL. Well, Joe can just wrap up it up and move on to something else.

I think my allergies started in my 30s, so I have been dealing with it for 20-plus years. I rarely hear of someone "getting over" their allergies but that would sure be nice.

>148 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. I am watching the Cubs...I paused typing my post and watched a walk off home run by Russell! YAH!!

Hooray for passing your emissions test!!

>149 Oberon: Hi, Erik. Great to see you. Love the comic. Glad it brought me to mind.

>150 Donna828: Hi, Donna! Good to see you. As you can tell, the Meet Up was amazing. We haven't hosted in a couple of years but I hope we can have a get-together, here or somewhere every year.

>151 benitastrnad: I may be with you on Hard-Boiled Wonderland, Benita. A good one but not one of my favorites. I know other fans rate it pretty highly.

>153 msf59: Woo-hoo. I was following along on the MLB app, when I saw that they tied it and then, the next thing I knew, they won by 3. Addison Russell walk off 3 run homer, with two out in the 9th. I need to see the video on that one.

They'd make it a lot easier on themselves if they didn't give up so many runs at the beginning every day.

It'll be a slow evening with no Hawks and no Cubs. Maybe I'll watch the Sox (shiver) or else an NHL playoff game. I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing.

>155 lindapanzo: I was watching and it was sweet! Go Addy! Their starting pitching has been off lately. I hope they can pull it together. Maybe the day off will help.

Hey, I started The Cubs Way on audio. Verducci narrates it as well. I think this will be a keeper.

^My cousin is another fanatical Cubs fan and he has been singing this book's praises, (it just came out last month) so I managed to snag The Cubs Way on audio and I started it today. It is very good. And speaking of fanatical Cubs fans, Linda P is also reading it. B.A.G.

Go Cubbies!!

#154
I found Hard-Boiled Wonderland predictable and not nearly as well developed as Kafka or Wind-Up Bird. However, that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It had some good things about it, but you can tell he is still developing as an author and hasn't hit his stride. I was surprised to see that the copyright date on my paperback copy was 1993. That is early Murakami!

>157 msf59: Hi Mark, every time I forget to ask, but not this time: what means B.A.G.?

>159 FAMeulstee: Big Ass Grin. Sweet Thursday, Anita. Hope the week is treating you well.

Morning, Mark!

^I am starting Lola today. I snagged an advanced copy of this one awhile ago and I know Joe & Jim read and enjoyed it. Now it is my turn, plus it does look like my cuppa.

Hi Mark and happy Wednesday!

Have you ever tried using local honey to combat pollen allergies? There are quite a few links that say that it works; one of those links said to make sure that honey isn't contraindicated by any medications you take. Other links say there's no benefit. Just a thought if you haven't already heard of it.

>157 msf59: Oh, I am going to have to read that one! I have been rooting for the Cubs since I was 15, having never lived anywhere close to Chicago.

Good morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday, buddy.

Oh yeah, I sure do think Lola is your cuppa. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.

Those are fair comments on Hard-Boiled Wonderland by you and Benita, although "predictable" isn't a word that would've come to my mind! I enjoyed the weirdness of it, and still put it among my favorites.

Lincoln in the Bardo - I'm about a quarter of the way through, and it's very good. I think you'd like Phelan's Snow White GN; it's a very quick read, and well done.

P.S. I'm glad the allergies are a bit better. This is a spring condition?

#158
I think I found Hard-Boiled predictable because I have read quite a few of Murakami's works. The later ones, starting with Kafka. I had not read any of the earlier works, except for Norwegian Wood, which I think is a totally different kind of novel from most of his work. It reminded me more of Colorless Tsukuru than Kafka or 1Q84. I try to read one of his books per year and picked this one for this year. I think that next year will be Wild Sheep Chase or Sputnik Sweetheart, although South of the Border, West of the Sun and Dance Dance Dance are waiting patiently on my shelves as well.

>163 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I will look into the honey angle. I know there are other benefits to fresh honey also. Win, win, right?

>164 alcottacre: Morning, Stasia. The Cubs Way has been terrific. I also have it saved on audio. Grins...

>165 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Looking forward to diving into Lola. Wait...that sounded a bit dirty. Grins...

So glad you are enjoying Lincoln in the Bardo. What a wonderful mind, Saunders has.

I will keep that GN in mind.

>157 msf59: Sadly, I had to return The Cubs Way to the library before I could finish it but I'm back on reserve for both the print copy and an ebook copy. Hoping it won't take too long to get it back.

Looking forward to reading your thoughts on Cub's Way.

Did you manage to see this wonderful video from Kyle Schwarber?

http://www.12up.com/posts/4881421-video-kyle-schwarber-just-laid-down-the-most-r...

Sweet Thursday, Mark. We've got freezing temps which is not good for all the plants.

>166 benitastrnad: Those are all good, Benita. You can't miss. The only ones that I wouldn't say that about are Norwegian Wood (which has a legion of fans and started his popularity, but left me unwowed), The Strange Library (disappointing, but maybe I'm being a curmudgeon), and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (not that interesting, although it contains a few biographical gems).

I loved Sputnik Sweetheart and the others you mention.

Mark, I just finished Eileen Myles' collection of selected poetry, I Must Be Living Twice, and I don't think it's for you right now (although I'd never dissuade you). Several great ones, but a lot that I liked but weren't particularly noteworthy, particularly the longer ones. But she's a poet worth knowing when the time is right.

>168 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! I am all ready deep into The Cubs Way and having a grand time with it. I should be into the second half tomorrow. It is really nice to see these people and players fleshed out, along with their histories. What an epic story.

>169 michigantrumpet: Hi, Marianne! I can not recommend The Cubs Way high enough, even though I am not quite halfway. Of course, this is geared toward Cubs fans but it also just makes for an epic baseball/sports story. What this organization created, is truly awe-inspiring.

I do not think I have seen this Schwarber video, but I will check it out. Thanks!

>170 Ameise1: Boo, to freezing temps, Barb. We are cooling off a bit this weekend, but far from the freezing mark. Hope you received very little frost damage.

>171 jnwelch: I enjoyed your thoughts on Murakami, Joe. I liked What I Talk About a bit more than you. Getting in his head, is always interesting. I have still not got to Sputnik Sweetheart. Hopefully this year.

Thanks, for offering advice on the Myles collection. You probably know the level I am at, at this time, so I appreciate it.

>173 msf59: It seems like a lot of the Cubs players are genuinely nice guys, especially my favorite, Rizzo. I saw the story about the dad who bought his son Cubs tickets because the kid had worked so hard on the farm. The kid was all excited.

The Cubs players heard about it, too, and have been pitching in some extras. I think Rizzo gave the kid batting practice passes. Lester offered them his personal seats.

>175 lindapanzo: That is a heart-warming story. According to the book, Epstein wanted talented players but he also wanted players with good character, with Rizzo being the ideal choice and a born leader to boot. I learned a lot about Arietta too. He seems so stoic but it also fits this mold.

What an organization, that he has created.

>176 msf59: Lackey is one of the few I don't care for. He's probably better than I give him credit for. Dexter Fowler was another I really liked.

>176 msf59:, >175 lindapanzo: - I also love reading and learning about sports figures with character. I just finished reading a bio of Sandy Koufax and although it wasn't my favourite bio (saying more about the writer than the subject here), he was the genuine article. One part that made me chuckle was when the author mentioned that when Koufax first broke in, his teammates thought he was weird because he was always reading so much, and reading GOOD LITERATURE! Imagine! But another thing that came through was that he had character and values and was a genuinely decent human being. The author said how throughout the entire time she was writing, she could not find one person who had a bad thing to say about Koufax. I think it's sad that so many sports figures of today, for the most part, care more about the money than anything. It's a lucrative business. I mean, how many players stick with one team for their entire careers, regardless of how much more money they could make by jumping around?

>177 lindapanzo: Sorry, I missed you up there, Linda. I am with you about Lackey and I agree Fowler was a perfect fit for the Cubs and so was Zobrist.

>178 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley! Good to see you. I do not read many sports books. I leave that to Linda. I think the last one, might have been Moneyball which was excellent. I am sure there are many terrific bios and Koufax sounds like a really interesting player.

45) Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 4.2 stars

^I have been bad lately, about posting my mini-reviews, (I blame the allergies, although that is pretty damn weak), so I thought I would share a few thoughts about my last few books:

I have been wanting to read Adiche for several years, (I know she has many LT fans) so I was glad to finally read Americanah and it did not disappoint. This novel focuses on a young Nigerian couple, who are separated by civil war and are forced to leave their home country. One ends up in the U.S. and the other in Great Britain. It is a well-written story about the immigrant experience. My only quibble was the length. At nearly 500 pages, it felt like it could have used a little tightening. I want to read her earlier work.

46) I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong 4 stars

I first heard some warbling about this one on a couple different book podcasts and then Joe read and praised it and I could no longer resist. This is a science book, possibly the most definitive book about bacteria and other microbes. Sounds yucky and dry, doesn't it? Well, no, because Yong injects some humor into the narrative and keeps the pace snappy and fun. There is a lot of fascinating information here, much of it gut-churning, but I enjoyed the smart, cheeky ride.

>180 msf59: - Oh, I also really want to read Adichie! I am going to see if the lbrary has anything by her on audio. She has lovely speaking voice, I know, because I heard an interview with her on the radio (I linked to it somewhere in my thread).

As for the Yong book, I don't know that I'll get to that one but it makes me giggle because the way you describe it, sounds like it might be a grown-up version of the ever-delightful (and scientifically accurate) Grossology books by Sylvia Branzei. I used to send those to my nephews when they were young, knowing that my brother, who is not much of a reader, would be equally entertained while reading them to the boys! Real science of the human (and non-human) body, told in truly kid-worthy narrative and absolutely hilarious illustrations. Complete with experiments to try at home! If I had taught older kids, I'd have absolutely used them in my class

Just got home and put the Hawks game on. Sigh. No score but not looking very good.

Smart and cheeky AND bacteria? What a compelling combination!

>139 msf59: sorry to hear you are susceptible to the hay fever! I heard it was a particularly bad Spring for that here last year, and maybe that has gone north too!!? Even i came down with some this year, I was lucky that the meds helped me completely.

>180 msf59: wow- you liked it. I had heard mixed reviews about that one

Morning, Mark! Chilly out there today...stay warm!

>177 lindapanzo: I share your opinion on Lackey, Linda, so you are not the only one.

Happy Friday, Mark!

>182 jessibud2: Adiche does not narrate Americanah but it is a decent narration. I will have to search for one of her interviews so I can hear her voice.

>183 lindapanzo: Bummer for the Hawks, Linda. I am sure you are heart-broken. Hey, there is still the Cubbies, right?

>184 michigantrumpet: Sounds irresistible, right, Marianne?

>185 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Yes, my spring allergies are in full swing, but at least the heavy stuff is at bay...for the moment. The good news is- everything is blooming and beautiful.

I thought I heard mostly positive things about Americanah and her other work. I think you might like her.

>186 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Yep, it looks like I may have to shift to a light jacket for a couple of days. Hey, at least it will be dry.

^Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs first baseman and the first piece, in Theo Epstein's rebuilding plan. What a perfect choice. Great player, great guy. Yes, I am loving The Cubs Way.

>188 msf59: - Good morning, Mark. Here you go, the Adichie interview I listened to last month on the radio. It isn't that long. I need to search the TED talks too, to find her talk there:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-8-2017-1.4013776/how-to...

By the way, if you notice on the right sidebar of that link, there is another radio show on CBC that I like listening to, called Tapestry. There is a link on that sidebar to an interview done recently on that show with Kyo Maclear, the author of Birds, Art, Life. Just saying... ;-)

>187 alcottacre: Happy Friday, Stasia!

>190 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley and thank you for the link. I will check it out tonight, after work. You da best.

Happy Friday, Mark! I'm sorry the allergies are still getting you down.

Good mini-reviews. Believe it or not, I'm in "book bloat" right now and am trying to avoid adding to my 300+ wishlist.

Happy Friday, Mark!

Good to see I Contain Multitudes up there with your positive reaction, and I'll get to Americanah at some point. I did finish The Alchemist (simple but well-intentioned), and now I've got a Yuri Herrera teed up with Lincoln in the Bardo.

Cool, but not too bad out there. Have a good one, buddy.

Very disappointed in the Hawks. They were out hustled and out coached. Didn't play well.

The first time in NHL and NBA history that a #1 seed was swept by a #8 seed. That's embarrassing.

>189 msf59: We miss Theo here. You're welcome!

>192 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. My allergies have leveled off a bit. I can at least deal with it. Chilly start out here, despite the sunshine. Only in the 40s.

Careful with that book bloat.

>193 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Glad The Alchemist was simple and harmless. Better than hurling it across the room, like others have done.
Hope you are still having a good time with Bardo.

>194 lindapanzo: Morning, Linda. Cool out here, with a chilly breeze. At least there is sunshine.

Fortunately, I do not have a deep love for hockey, the way I do baseball, so the heart break is minimal for me. It sucks but they have brought a lot of joy to this city.

>195 michigantrumpet: Happy Friday, Marinne. And a HUGE thank you for Theo! Not sure we could have done it without his vision.
An amazing individual.

#192
What?!!!! Only 300 + books in your list?!!!! That's pathetic. You need to up your numbers on those wishlist and waiting to be read lists. You are wayyyyyyyyyy behind the rest of us. You need to work much harder to catch up. And you should start right now!

How was that for encouragement?

Not sure if I mentioned it, Mark, but I've been submitting questions for inclusion in Trivia Crack. It's a tough process. Someone at TC verifies that it's not a repeat question and, if it isn't, they put it out for review. To be accepted, it needs an 85% approval rating from the test group.

Most of the ones I've submitted were repeats, though I've never seen them there before. A few others must've been too hard or too narrow and came nowhere near the 85%.

A few others are right on the verge of 85%. Still hoping. One of those is about the great Boston flood of you know what in 1919.

And, drumroll please, my first one was accepted this afternoon. It's an art one.

Congrats on getting one accepted, Linda!

Here's hoping more are soon to follow. The Great (*ahem-you-know-what*) Flood would make a great question. If you ever come to Boston I'll take you to Boston's North End where we can celebrate!

>200 michigantrumpet: This is a Chicagoland meet-up running joke. The last time we met, before the one last week, I was reading the book about the Boston flood. My fellow LTers gave me grief about why the people didn't outrun the you know what since it's so slow moving.

I personally would like to see a book written about the great beer flood, which was one of my wrong answers.

Seeing as the wave was 25 foot high at it's peak, and moving at a rate of 35 mph ... it would take a fairly amazing athlete to outrun. As you know, it was a particularly gruesome way to die, and it took out a portion of the elevated trolley system.

Intrigued by the Beer Flood which led me to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Beer_Flood

Learn something new every day!

Then there is this:

http://whiskeyreviewer.com/2016/01/the-biggest-modern-whiskey-disasters-012516/

>202 michigantrumpet: Perhaps if my you-know-what flood question is rejected, I can substitute a question on the beer flood, which was actually later than I thought. For some reason, I though it was in the 1600s.

I am fascinated by disaster books about unusual disasters.

>198 benitastrnad: Go get her, Benita! LOL. I do not even keep track anymore of books on my WL. It is impossible task and I do not seem to have any probably finding books to read. Grins...

>199 lindapanzo: Congrats on having a TC question approved. I did not realize you were trying. I gave it a try, awhile back and submitted about a dozen but everything was designated a "repeat". And like you, I never saw those questions before. They were mostly movie and music questions.

>200 michigantrumpet: >201 lindapanzo: These are for Linda & Marianne! I would like to read the book, Linda mentioned. 2 million gallons of molasses? Sounds like a tidal wave to me.

Thanks for the links to the beer & whiskey disasters too! I might be able to handle a beer flood.

Dark Tide by Stephen Puleo is excellent. He's a wonderful historian and has an excellent eye for the 'telling detail.'

Thanks for the photos!

>207 michigantrumpet: Thanks, Marianne! Dark Tide looks perfect. Have you read any of his other books?

I wonder if this is the same one Linda read?

^This is Kris Bryant, our amazing Cubs third baseman. He was the 2nd impact player, out of four, that the new Cubs organization, NEEDED, to build a new team around and WOW, did he have an impact. I am having a great time with The Cubs Way. I should finish it tomorrow.

>207 michigantrumpet: I believe it is Dark Tide that she read. The Caning: The Assault That Drove America to Civil War was excellent. I heard him do a reading for that. He's out doing talks now for his American Treasures.

I arrive expecting bird talk and I find Chicago Beer Floods and molasses floods! A dangerous thread today!

Yes, it was Dark Tide that I read. I like books about unique disasters.

Mark, it's not like I've been trying hard to get onto TC but I've submitted about 15 to 20 questions and tracked down some websites with advice. One of the first bits of advice was not to expect any of your questions to make it. Mostly, the ones I submitted were off the top of my head, with a bit of checking as to details. For instance, I couldn't remember the year of the Boston flood. I was thinking during WW1.

I was just about to say "hey look, the Cubs are winning early on" but now it's tied.

>210 michigantrumpet: He looks like an author I should check out, Marianne. Thanks!

>211 vancouverdeb: It can always be a little dangerous around here, Tonto. Tread carefully...

>212 lindapanzo: Looks like I need to read Dark Tide, Linda.

It looks like we NEED to score more runs in this one. I would like to take this first one.

>163 karenmarie: >167 msf59: Due to our late spring allergy season is finally upon us here. We were having a discussion about local honey. One of my coworkers gave it a try along with her allergy medication. She forgot her meds one day and she was still good with just the honey.

Are you at the end of your work stretch, Mark?

>214 Familyhistorian: Happy Friday, Meg. I will have to start that honey routine.

I have to work tomorrow too. Long week, but then I am off Monday. Looking forward to those 2 days off.

>215 msf59: That's a long work stretch, Mark. You need a couple of days to kick back after that.

>206 msf59: and just prior- wow! So interesting. Beer floods, molasses floods, and *who knows what* floods. Sounds fascinating.
There is a little Golden Book I read the W and Lenny when they were littler, (Let's Go Trucks), which mentioned a molasses tanker. When I read that i was like- really??!!! As if!! And then, lo and behold, I began to notice that such things existed. Funny that :) So, in short, a molasses tidal wave is I suppose not impossible.

>216 Familyhistorian: Looking forward to it, Meg and I am all ready to get through this last one.

>217 LovingLit: Just keep in mind, if you hear or see a tidal waves of molasses, run like hell. You might beat it. Grins...

^I saw a coyote yesterday, on the route, trotting east along the railroad tracks. This is the first time I have seen one, in several years. About an hour later, in a different spot, I saw another one, traveling west. I am figuring it was the same one, heading home.

I also saw a golden-crowned kinglet and a chipping sparrow.



-kinglet

Morning, Mark!

I saw two blue jays yesterday in our yard and thought of you, of course.

Mark,

Thought you (and other fellow Evicted readers) might like to see this interview with Matthew Desmond:
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/housing-vouchers-would-change-the-face-of-pov...

Have a great Saturday!

Happy Saturday, Mark! I hope you have a good day.

We have coyotes out here, too, but I've never seen one. The farther they stay from my house, the happier I am, what with my indoor-outdoor kitties and all. A kinglet! Good for you.

I'd heard about the molasses flood, forgot it was in Boston.

>198 benitastrnad: I really need to go through my wishlist and eliminate the ones that don't interest me any more. I'm pretty sure that would halve it. It's still a monster, though. I keep it on Bookmooch so that when one gets added as available to mooch, I can try to get it. I just got The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding by Ranya Idliby that way.

Have a great weekend, Mark. It's sunny here, so I hope you get some good weather, too.

Good morning, Mark!

Oh, I'd forgotten about the great Molasses Flood that Linda told us about. You know, another great disaster book is Young Men and Fire, by the guy who wrote The River Runs Through It. Fire in Montana. I know Linda liked that one, too.

I'm glad you're enjoying The Cubs Way so much. I enjoy sports books, and you're tempting even this Sox fan to read that one.

Oh man, I'm enjoying this Travis McGee mystery. Did you ever read any of these?

>224 jnwelch:

Good morning, Joe! I want to make sure you saw the link I posted to a Matthew Desmond interview in post 221.

Have a great weekend!

>220 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Thanks for the blue jay sighting. I have been seeing them on the route, here and there.

>221 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Thanks for the Desmond link. I will check it out when I get home.

>222 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. We have spotted coyotes in our neighborhood too but it doesn't happen often. I am sure our dogs keep them away.

Have you seen any kinglets? This was the first on my route but I have seen quite a few this spring.

>223 BLBera: Morning, Beth. It will be a cool day but the wind has settled and with some sunshine, it should a nice day.

>224 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Sorry to hear about your Bulls. Hope they can come back strong, next game.

I have wanted to read Young Men and Fire but it keeps falling off the list. It is back on.

I am loving The Cubs Way and will finish it a little later on. He is currently describing game 7 of the W.S. Wowza!

>174 msf59: Happy Saturday, Mark. Our garden is ok but some farmers got seriuos damages of the last few freezing nights.

Disregard. Apparently I don't know whose thread I'm reading.

Just learned about this graphic novel that I think we will both enjoy.

Audubon, On the Wings of the World

>226 msf59: I bet the dogs keep them away. We don't have dogs. No kinglets, although Louise says she's seen them other years. The Indigo Bunting is visiting a lot, though!

Do the dogs keep the coyotes away? Hm, well I can remember being stalked by a coyote while walking my dog (not a little dog either, a shepherd golden retriever mix). We have lots of coyotes here, they set up a chorus in the park by the river when the train blows its whistle at night.

>221 alphaorder:, >225 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the Matthew Desmond interview article to resolve. I'm in favor of using vouchers. Maybe I can find the article some other way.

>228 Ameise1: Sorry to hear about the farmers, Barb. At least you avoided any damage.

>229 lit_chick: Hi, Nancy. Good to see you, even if it was by accident.

>230 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. I saw that on FB, recently. Audubon, On the Wings of the World does sound like our cuppa. I should put a request in for it, although my GN reading has slowed down considerably.

>231 karenmarie: We do not have a fenced yard, so our dogs aren't out back often, but I would think the critters would smell them and know they are not welcome.

I am not sure if kinglets, visit feeders, but keep your eye out. Mostly I have seen them hopping around in trees or brush.

>232 Familyhistorian: You may be right, Meg. I am just guessing. I know the coyotes are very shy around here and do not get very aggressive.

^Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs left-fielder and back up catcher. He is a hitting, run-producing monster. He was the 3rd impact player, in the rebuild.

I finished The Cubs Way today. It was awesome and anyone that loves the Cubs or loves baseball, should read this epic story.

I'm looking forward to getting back into it, Mark.

I sat outside for a bit today and read my ER book, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir. Pretty good story, told via letters and diaries.

Yo, Mark. I want to thank you most excessively for the book, which arrived weeks ago and has, until this moment, been unacknowledged. NFC read for May. Yay.

My beloved has been on Blue Jay patrol the last couple of days. Today, for example, we had six or seven jays dominating the feeder. Circulating from nearby trees to the feeder to the ground, then back to a tree. Chasing away any smaller birds, which category comprises everything but crows and hawks. Jays are big buggers, noisy and bullying.

My wife stands on the side porch, wishing she had a blunderbuss, yelling, "GET THOSE BLUE JAYS OFF...I SAY OFF MY BIRD FEEDER!!!" Neighborhood crouch. Aw, not really.

But she uses the same directive on the chipmunks and the occasional squirrel.

About the coyote, my experience is nil. My wife has seen a couple of lone coyotes, which changed course when they saw her. A few summers ago, we heard several in the woods across from us, at night, warbling creepily. I wouldn't expect any but a junk-yard-type dog to really intimidate a pair or more of coyotes.

Mark, I'm assuming you finished Exit West, yes? How did you like it?

I'm going to start I Contain Multitudes soon as an audiobook.

I LOVE the golden-crowned kinglet. SO cute! And awesome that you saw a coyote (twice). Have I told you the story about my encounter with a coyote during our first summer in Seattle? It was summer. The windows were open. I heard what I thought was a cat fight and so I went trundling outside in my pajamas and bare feet to break up said fight, and there was a coyote just up the street, much amazed to see me there. I threw a couple of rocks at him to scare him away (it took some doing, cheeky guy that he was) and then went inside. P later noted that she would prefer that I not go out into the middle of the night in my pajamas and bare feet in a city to confront a wild animal. Just her preference. And, sadly, we learned the next day that a neighbor had found their cat dead in their yard, apparently killed by a coyote. I think I interrupted his assault on the cat and I feel badly that I probably prolonged the kitty's suffering and deprived a coyote of his dinner. Losses all around. I am still haunted, occasionally, by that cat's howl. Intense.

So, anyway, I hope you have a good Sunday on tap for yourself! I will be flying back to Seattle, not through Chicago this time. I change planes in D.C. and I'm pleased to report that I'm in first class for the DC-Seattle leg. I never sit in first class and I'm very excited about it!

Finished Lost City of the Monkey God last night - it was a good as you said! Those last couple of chapters were pretty gruesome...

Happy Sunday, Mark.

Wishing you a great Sunday, buddy.

>236 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! The Cubs Way is a book worth owning. It would be nice to dip into now and then. His break-down of game seven is electrifying. It has to be the most dramatic game sevens in baseball history.

>237 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Glad you received the book. You should have a good time with it. I loved your description of your wife doing battle with the blue jays. I see them on my route, now and then but never at my feeders. Do you have a flat open feeder? Mine are enclosed.

I would think you living in the country would see all kind of critters.

Good morning, Mark, and happy Sunday!

I hope you have a great day.

We have blue jays dominating some times, but not always. Everybody gets to eat, even the Chipping Sparrows, and the Indigo Bunting - yes! he's still visiting almost daily.

>238 EBT1002: Happy Sunday, Ellen. I loved Exit West and I will try to write up a mini-review. It easily deserved the accolades it has received. You should have a good time with I Contain Multitudes and it is a fun, entertaining listen.

Great coyote story and I am glad you survived your showdown with the coyote, especially while you were wearing your jammies. Smiles...Sorry to hear about the cat. Must have been fat or very slow. Have a safe trip back.

>239 drneutron: Hi, Jim. I had a feeling you would enjoy Monkey God. It is a terrific story but that disease they contracted...yikes.

>240 Ameise1: Happy Sunday, Barb.

>241 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Hope you are doing well in your travels.

Morning, Mark!

Morning, Amber!

^Hooray for The Someday Birds! Nancy was warbling about this one at the Meet Up, so of course, I requested it from the library. Looks like a fun read. I took this photo yesterday, after work so I am not having a beer for breakfast. Just sayin'...

Yay for Someday Birds, Sunday, and beer (later)! Enjoy!

>248 alphaorder: Have you read it yet, Nancy? Dumb question? Any cool bird sightings?

Morning, Mark!

Yay for The Someday Birds, and Go Cubs!

>248 alphaorder: LOVED the book.

Didn't see many birds this weekend, but hoping to get in more walks this week at work. Next year Alina is going to be taking zero hour to get an extra class in. That will mean she has to be at school by 7, so I can get to the Center by 7:30 for some early-morning bird walks. My co-worker will meet me there to teach me what I am looking at, so I certainly hope to become a much more educated birder next year!

By the way, I have about 100 pages left in The Nature Fix. I highly recommend. Lots of great research and her writing is very engaging. Should finish it in the backyard with a beer this afternoon.

I am off for my walk down the trails in a few minutes, Mark. Not sure if I will see any birds while I am there or if they will all be huddled up because of the rain *sigh*. Have a great Sunday!

Happy Sunday, Mark!! What a glorious day.

Still enjoying The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.

A friend pointed me to this list from TED - The world’s required reading list: The books that students read in 28 countries

http://blog.ed.ted.com/2016/12/08/the-worlds-required-reading-list-the-books-tha...

It's from last year, but I hadn't seen it and thought it is appropriate for World Book Day.

>250 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe! Just got back from a bird walk with Sue. Beautiful out there. Now, R & R at home, with the Cubs, beer and the books!

>251 alphaorder: Glad you are taking this birding seriously, Nancy! Yah! We just returned from a bird walk, taking advantage of this gorgeous day. I will post my sightings a little bit later...there were first timers!!

>252 alphaorder: I will have to look into the Nature Fix. I LOVE that title. Your afternoon plan sounds wonderful.

>253 Familyhistorian: Happy Sunday, Meg. Hope you saw a few birds on your walk. Let me know.

>254 lindapanzo: Happy Sunday, Linda. Kicking back with the Cubs at the moment and then the books will follow.

>255 alphaorder: Thanks, for the link, Nancy. I will check it out.

^My first warbler of the season! My first warbler of the season! This is a yellow-rumped warbler, that I saw today, on my bird walk. It is a first-timer. I know they have been seen here a lot lately and we saw several. My wife joined me today and it was a lovely outing. I won't list everything but we saw and heard quite a bit, with a couple key birds I could not identify. Bummer. We did see a doe, eating in the dense brush. One bird high light was a red-winged blackbird in hot pursuit of a red-tailed hawk and another highlight was a belted kingfisher, which Sue also got a good look at. It is one of my favorites:

Happy Sunday All Around! - while walking closer to look at a newly opened Magnolia,
I scared a wild turkey nesting in the front yard of our Wisconsin country house.

It should soon return as they tame themselves really quickly and love the corn field
around the fence.

>258 msf59: Yay, the warbler saw a warbler!!

happy Sunday! I am glad you saw a warbler.

It was raining when I walked over to meet my fellow walkers this morning. I didn't see many birds except the usual robins and crows. I did spot one that looked like this.



I didn't take a picture at the time because it was raining and I didn't want to get my phone wet. This is the closest image that I found to what I saw and it is identified as a skylark.

>259 m.belljackson: Happy Sunday, Marianne. Hooray for seeing a wild turkey!

>260 FAMeulstee: >261 banjo123: Happy Sunday, Anita & Rhonda! Yah, for warblers!

>262 Familyhistorian: Thanks, for sharing this, Meg. I would not have known what that was. A skylark, eh? Not sure they make it through the Midwest. I will have to check.

>262 Familyhistorian: I wasn't quite sure what it was, Mark. I don't remember seeing a bird like that around here before.

Oh I do believe we get Belted Kingfishers around here too, Mark! I love birds and ducks with that messy " hairdo" aka err - crested heads? They look like they took time with " product' for their hair! So fun. There are some ducks around here with wild hairdo's but beyond the messy hair, I 've yet to identify what they are.

Good morning, Mark. Wishing you a wonderful start into the new week.

Morning, Mark!

Morning, Mark, and congratulations on your first warbler AND the belted kingfisher. I hope your Monday is going to be drier than ours - we're supposed to get rain, rain rain, all day.

>264 Familyhistorian: Could be just passing through, Meg. Glad you spotted it.

>265 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb. Hooray for punk-rock birds. We like those messy hairdos too!

>266 Ameise1: Big Monday Waves to Barb! Hope the week goes smoothly.

>267 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>268 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! This was my first yellow-rumped but I was first introduced to warblers a year ago, during my maiden birdwalk. I plan on seeing many others during migration season. They don't seem to be attracted to the feeders though.

I just checked out the two warblers that Louise has seen here in central NC over the years, Yellow-throated and Yellow-rumped. Looks like the Yellow-rumped will come to feeders if offered the right food ( sunflower seeds, raisins, peanut butter, and suet). It doesn't mention that Yellow-throated will come to feeders. I've got 2 of the 4 on offer, so who knows? *smile*

>271 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. I also offer sunflower seeds and suet. Someday, perhaps?I would like to see a yellow-throated. I think they have been spotted in our area.

^We watched the HBO adaptation of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks last night. Clocking in just over 90 minutes, it was not enough time to tell this story. I have mixed feelings about it over-all, although the cast was good, and it is worth watching just for Oprah's strong performance. I LOVED the book and wish they could have crafted a better film version.

>273 msf59: - I don't get HBO here but had heard about this production. I have already asked my library if there is a chance that they might get the dvd version. I LOVED the book. I listened to it on audio a few years ago while on a road trip and we didn't want to get out of the car, it was that riveting!!

>274 jessibud2: I loved the audio of Henrietta Lacks too. You might have to wait awhile on the DVD but it will come out.

Off on another birding expedition, taking advantage of another beautiful day...

>276 msf59: Have fun birding, Mark!

Only 90 minutes for a film of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks? That's outrageous.

I learned, only after the fact, that HBO was free this weekend and I could've watched it after all. I'll have to try to track it down.

Hi Mark. All caught up on the baseball rebuild, the birds and the books. Happy Monday!!

I can;t believe there was a molasses flood!!

>273 msf59: Oh, no! So disappointed that it was disappointing, but, back when the project was first announced, I think you and I discussed the possibility and how hard it is to do a good job adapting books to film. I'll probably try to watch it at some point, but there won't be the kind of urgency that would have been had the adaptation been excellent.

Hiya, Mark!

I know you're enjoying your day off. What a perfect day for it!

>255 alphaorder: Thanks for posting this, Nancy. It makes for quite an interesting read. I was guessing it would be To Kill a Mockingbird for the U.S.

>277 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! I had a good time on my walk. I will give a short report in a few minutes.

>278 lindapanzo: That is the way I felt, Linda. Not enough time. When I originally heard about it, I thought it might be a short mini-series. But 90 minutes? It is still worth seeing.

>279 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! Glad you got caught up with all my shenanigans and yes, please beware of a molasses flood. It can get ugly and sticky.

>280 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. It may have been disappointing but it is not bad. I think it is still worth seeing. The cast is good. I am just not a fan of Rose Byrne. I just wish they could taken more time.

>281 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! It is gorgeous out there. I just returned from the Arboretum. Perfect day for a stroll in the woods.

Now, I NEED to spend time with the books. They have been neglected.

^Yes, folks, I saw my very first pileated woodpecker and it was a beauty. I was able to watch him, for about ten minutes, as he pounded away. It was relatively close too. You could see him with the naked eye. B.A.G. I went back to the Morton Arboretum. It such a great place. Didn't see a lot of other birds, but I heard plenty and I did see another hairy woodpecker, a few more eastern bluebirds and some wood ducks, which are beautifully marked.



^Wood Ducks

Mark - Just took a post lunch walk with my birding co-worker and we saw a life bird for both of us: Le Conte's Sparrow. For Zoe, it is species 414! We got a really good look and Zoe got some great photos. You may find one on my Facebook page later.

I think we were posting about our birds at the same time! Congrats on the Pileated

>286 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Another big one, checked off the list. There has also been barred owl sightings in this general area, so that is another coveted find. I will keep trying.

Congrats on the Le Conte's Sparrow. Very nice. I know they have been spotted around here but I do not think it is a common visitor.

>284 msf59: - Woohoo! Congrats on your first pileated!! I have seen one but I've never seen a wood duck. They are beauties!

Hi Mark, way to go - you are adding more birds your completed list everyday! I spent a quiet weekend mostly involved in sorting out stuff, but I also immersed myself in John Lewis's March: Book One, Two and Three. What a fantastic use of the graphic arts to educate as well as entertain. I loved all three of these books and consider them among the best of my 2017 reads.

>289 DeltaQueen50: - I am also in the middle of this trilogy right now. Finished book one quickly and will finish two tonight. Book three will follow immediately. I am so impressed with this man and his story, too!

What a beautiful photo of the woodpecker, Mark. Now that I can breathe again, I'm picking up Angel Catbird this evening after dinner. :-) I just finished reading Hag-Seed and loved it. If you haven't read it yet, I do so recommend this read.

Congratulations on the Pileated Woodpecker, Mark, and for being able to watch him for upwards of 10 minutes! That's what I'm enjoying right now, watching birds at the feeders, on the ground, in the trees. I like their behavior. Like right now a juvenile cardinal challenged a female cowbird and lost. He fluttered off the feeder, just fluttered back up, and whoopsie! down again.

>288 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley! Hooray for pileated & wood ducks! Made my day.

>289 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Before the heat of the summer, I want to get out often on my bird excursions. So far, so good. I am very happy you have been enjoying the March books.

>289 DeltaQueen50: >290 jessibud2: I know this March trilogy is an LT favorite and since no one knows books like we do, that is high praise and these GNs deserve every bit of it. Glad you are both smitten.

>291 cameling: Caro stopped by! Caro stopped by! Yippee! I thought seeing a pileated woodpecker was my highlight of the day but now I am not sure. Smiles...

I hope you have a good time with Angel Catbird. It's slight but enjoyable. I also really enjoyed Hag-Seed. I am glad you are feeling the same.

>292 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. It was a great birding moment and the funny thing was, as I was walking out of the parking lot to get on the trail, a woman, with long-lens camera was returning and after I asked her if she saw anything, she mentioned she just saw a pileated a couple minutes ago and showed me a photo. Less, than 3 or 4 minutes later, I was able to it.

Glad you are having such a good time with your feeders. The only problem, I have is separating my reading from my watching. LOL. I have to read in my Man Cave, away from our back windows, so I do not get distracted.

Interesting thoughts on HBO's Henrietta Lacks. I suspected they might have a bit of difficulty doing the story justice. Still, I'll try to see it at some point.