Roberta's (luvamystery65) Colorful Reading Challenge part 2

Roberta's Colorful Reading Challenge

Homage to the warmer weather we are having here in Houston



Howdy! Welcome to my Colorful reading challenge. I really loved the color theme last year so I brought it back with a few changes. This year I will have less planned reading but I want to continue to push myself with certain categories. My priorities will be books on my shelves (ROOT) and 1001 Books to Read Before You Die.

I'm Roberta from the suburbs of Houston Texas.

RED


Graphic Novels



Jan
Sex Criminals Vol. 4: Fourgy by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky Library Hoopla
Lazarus Vol. 5: Cull by Greg Rucka & Michael Lark Library Hoopla
Feb
Victor LaValle's Destroyer #1 by Victor LaValle Kindle
Apr
Rivers of London: Volume 1: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch Hoopla
Rivers of London: Volume 2: Night Witch by Ben Aaronovitch Hoopla
Rivers of London: Volume 3: Black Mould by Ben Aaronovitch Hoopla

ORANGE


Works in Translation


Jan
Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø translated by Neil Smith ROOT Paper book
The Musical Brain and other stories by César Aira translated by Chris Andrews ROOT Paper Book
Feb
The Body Where I was Born by Guadalupe Nettel translated by J.T. Lichetenstein ROOT Paper Book
Aesop's Fables by Aesop unknown translator, Audio Audible
Mar
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka translated by David Wylie Serial Reader
Frankenstein in Baghdad by H.P. Lovecraft ROOT Paper Book, also audio narrated by Edward Herrmann
Therese Raquin by Emile Zola Daily Lit translated by Robin Buss

YELLOW


Non-Fiction



Jan
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson ROOT Whisperysnc
Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin Library Overdrive

GREEN


Lists



My Bustle List of 11 books to read to understand #BLACKLIVESMATTER movement from last year

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine COMPLETED
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin COMPLETED
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander July COMPLETED
The Color Purple by Alice Walker COMPLETED
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (shiny) COMPLETED
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieCOMPLETED
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 by Anna Deavere Smith (ROOT)
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (library)
Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward (library)
Native Son by Richard Nathaniel Wright (library)
Assata by Assata Shakur

Frankenstein Bicentenial Reading

Frankenstein 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
Victor LaValle's Destroyer #1 by Victor LaValle
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi

BLUE


Big Reads



Jan
Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens ROOT Whispersync
May
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra ROOT Whispersync

PURPLE


English Language Authors


Jan
The Personal History of Rachel Dupree by Ann Weisgarber ROOT Kindle
Feb
Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon Library Hoopla
Frankenstein 1818 Text by Mary Shelley Kindle
Mar
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng Audible
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea Paper Book Audible
Oroonoko by Aphra Behn Serial Reader
Apr
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins Library Cloud Library/Paper Book
The Furthest Station by Ben Aaronovich ROOT Whispersync
Murder on the Links by Agatha Christi Library Audio CDs
The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch Audible ROOT
May
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Library Cloud Library
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Library Paper Book
Scourged by Kevin Hearne Paper Book New
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christi Library, Audio CD

Books Read




January
1. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson ROOT Whisperysnc
2. Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin Library Overdrive
3. Sex Criminals, Vol. 4: Fourgy by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky Libary Hoopla
4. The Personal History of Rachel Dupree by Ann Weisgarber ROOT Kindle
5. Lazarus Vol. 5: Cull by Greg Rucka & Michael Lark Library Hoopla
6. Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø translated by Neil Smith ROOT Paper Book
7. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens ROOT Whispersync
8. The Musical Brain and other stories by César Aira translated by Chris Andrews ROOT Paper Book
February
9. Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon Library Hoopla
10. Frankenstein 1818 Text by Mary Shelley Kindle
11. Victor LaValle's Destroyer #1 by Victor LaValle Kindle
12. The Body Where I was Born by Guadalupe Nettel translated by J.T. Lichtenstein ROOT Paper Book
13. Aesop's Fables by Aesop unknown translator Audio Audible
March
14. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka translated by David Wylie Serial Reader
15. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng Audible audiobook New
16. At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft ROOT Paper Book also, audio narrated by Edward Herrmann
17. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi Library Paper Book
18. Therese Raquin by Emile Zola Daily Lit translated by Robin Buss
19. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche ROOT Audible Paper Book
20. The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea Paper Book Audible
21. Oroonoko by Aphra Behn Serial Reader
April
22. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins Library Cloud Library/Paper Book
23. The Furthest Station by Ben Aaronovich ROOT Whispersync
24. Murder on the Links by Agatha Christi Library Audio CDs
25. The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch
26. Rivers of London: Volume 1: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch
27. Rivers of London: Volume 2: Night Witch by Ben Aaronovitch
28. Rivers of London: Volume 3: Black Mould by Ben Aaronovitch
May
29. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Library Cloud Library
30. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra translated by Edith Grossman also, audio narrated by George Guidall ROOT Whispersync
31. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Library Paper Book
32. Scourged by Kevin Hearne Paper Book New
33. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christi Library, Audio CD
34. Hounded by Kevin Hearne Audio CD ROOT autographed by Luke Daniels!
June
35. War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence by Ronan Farrow Audiobook narrated by Ronan Farrow Audible
36. The Man of Property by John Galsworthy ROOT Kindle, 1001 Books (as part of the Saga)
37. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor Audio Hoopla narrated by Robin Miles
38. Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope Hoopla audio narrated by Simon Vance
July
39. The Big Four by Agatha Christi Library Paper Book
40. The Radium Girls by Kate Moore ROOT Whispersync
41. Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor Audio Hoopla narrated by Robin Miles
42. Indian Summer of a Forsyte by John Galsworthy
43. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See Cloud Library audio various narrators

Book Bullets



This is my yearly homage to Judy (DeltaQueen50), little Miss Sureshot, who can shoot out those BB forwards, backwards and with a shot glass on standby!



1. Amadis of Gaul by Vasco de Lobeira BB from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
2. The Metamorphisis by Franz Kafka BB from The Body Where I Was Born by Guadalupe Nettel COMPLETED via Serial Reader
3. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadavi BB from Kevin Hearne on his Instagram feed. COMPLETED

Photos

Next one is yours!

A very happy new thread, Roberta. Hope everything is going well. I just got back from a trip over to Victoria where the spring gardens were at their peak of perfection. With all the flowering bulbs, flowering trees and shrubs I had some very colorful walks.

Happy new thread! Loved seeing all the colourful rooms again :)

Happy New Thread, Ro! How fitting that Judy was the first one here.

Happy New Thread, Ro! Love that topper! Miss seeing you around. Hope all is well.

Happy new thread! I hope you get a lot of use out of the hammock.

Happy new thread!!

>9 luvamystery65:
She is truly terrible! :)

Happy new one, Roberta!

Congrats on the new thread!! Love the hammock up top and I really do love your color theme for reading. I might steal that next year. I tried to be more laissez-faire but it still feels too structured.

Happy new thread, Roberta! Wishing you a lovely weekend.

>11 DeltaQueen50: >12 rabbitprincess: >13 ronincats: >14 msf59: >15 MissWatson: >16 -Eva-: >17 Crazymamie: >18 Berly: >19 lkernagh:

Thank you all for the new thread greetings.

>18 Berly: Kim I love the color theme as it can be used in many ways. I'm still a bit more structured. I think next year I will continue my color theme with just using the color of the book. Very easy. Then I can bring all the colors back.

I've been on a bit of a Rivers of London binge. I read The Furthest Station and listened to The Hanging Tree and A Rare Book of Cunning Device. I binged the three Rivers of London graphic novels as well. Pretty well caught up with that series. I do like the direction it is taking. Can't wait for the next one. In the meantime I'll read the Cry Fox graphic novels that feature Peter's younger cousin Abigail.

>21 luvamystery65:
Isn't it just great!!

Happy New Thread, Roberta!

Green (>5 luvamystery65:) is my favorite book nook up there.

>21 luvamystery65: I really like the Rivers of London series and will have to seek out the graphic novels!

>21 luvamystery65: Yay for RoL love. Such a good series. Haven't tried the GN's myself as yet. Maybe I'll get around to them at some point in time.

Happy new-ish thread!

>22 -Eva-: Yes!

>23 jnwelch: Thank you Joe. I'm partial to the blue as it serves a dual purpose for reading and napping.

>24 mathgirl40: You'll enjoy RoL graphic novels Paulina. I hope you find them.

>25 AHS-Wolfy: Nice to see you around the CC Dave! Are you keeping a thread this year or just visiting around the groups? RoL has been such a great series. The GNs are a nice bonus.

>26 thornton37814: Thank you Lori

>27 luvamystery65: No CC thread for me again this year as I'm just not reading enough to make it worthwhile. I do have a reading journal (of sorts) in the other group I frequent which is linked in my profile if you want to see what I've been reading this year. Maybe after in imminent change to my working status (being made redundant at the end of June) then I'll have more time and can get back involved a bit more. But I'm still trying to keep abreast of things here as well and posting the odd comment here and there and joining in with the odd CATs & KITs.

Just catching up here and saying

Hiya Ro. I'm finally making the rounds, checking in to see how my buddies are doing.

I'm not familiar with the Rivers of London series but I was looking at The Furthest Station and it looks interesting.

I hope you are well!

>28 AHS-Wolfy: Dave good luck with your work situation and I hope you get to read a bit more. I find myself reading less these days due to work and life commitments.

>29 Berly: Howdy Kim!

>30 EBT1002: Ellen howdy to you too. The Rivers of London series is fun and if you are an architecture buff you will enjoy lots of tidbits about the history of London. The U.S introductory book is called Midnight Riot. Worse change in title ever and the original U.S. book cover is atrocious. It incurred one of my rants back in the day. ;-)

Here is my April roundup a bit late!

April Roundup

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins Library Cloud Library/Paper Book I liked this one. Creepy people and the story had me going.
The Furthest Station by Ben Aaronovich ROOT Whispersync
Murder on the Links by Agatha Christi Library Audio CDs Slowly making my way through Poirot.
The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch ROOT Audible
Rivers of London: Volume 1: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch
Rivers of London: Volume 2: Night Witch by Ben Aaronovitch
Rivers of London: Volume 3: Black Mould by Ben Aaronovitch Enjoyed binging on The Rivers of London series.

May possibilities
Read Orphan Train for my book club
rereading Anne of Green Gables
still working on Don Quixote
Poirot Investigates and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Dame Agatha

Checked out some crochet books from the library and a book on tapping for chronic pain. I'll post them if I actually read them.

Howdy, Ro!

I was thinking about you last week as a bunch of my colleagues were at our big show in Houston. This was my first time not going in about 12 years! I was glad not to have to go, but sorry to miss the chance of a meet-up with you.

>33 katiekrug: I'm glad you didn't have to travel here for work, but it would have been nice seeing you. I met up with Lisa (LisaMorr) lasts night. She had not been back since Harvey hit. We commented that the weather was hot, but not humid at all so it's been unusually nice for this time of year.

I FINISHED DON QUIXOTE!!!

Sorry for screaming, but I am so excited I finished. I'm still mulling over my thoughts about this one. I loved/hated it is the camp I'm in right now.

BRAVA!!!!!!

>36 mamzel: Grazie! *bows*

Well done, Roberta!

Way to go!

It wasn't as fun a read as I expected, based on the famous parts we all know.

>35 luvamystery65: Well done! You have no idea how jealous I am. I'm ~ 120 pages from the end and determined not to get sidetracked by anything else.

Congratulations on finishing Don Quixote!

^Hooray for finishing Don Quixote, Ro! Very impressive. I have still not tackled that one.

Have you read A Plague of Giants yet? I finished it last week and I liked it but it is LONG. Do you have a copy?

Woo hoo! Congratulations! What a relief, yes, to free up that reading time?

Way to go, Ro, and a very special book to check off the 1001 List.

Yay for reading Don Quixote!!! I loved/hated it for a different reason. I had to read it in FRENCH!!! LOL

Congrats on finishing Don Quixote!!!

>38 rosalita: >39 jnwelch: >40 Helenliz: >41 lkernagh: >42 msf59: >43 ronincats: >44 DeltaQueen50: >45 Berly: >46 SuziQoregon: Thank you all! I am glad to have done with DQ & a special thanks to Helen >40 Helenliz: for keeping me company. Congratulations on finishing DQ Helen!

Now I'm reading The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. I just finished Scourged by Kevin Hearne. I liked the series a whole lot, but at the end of the day, I have to say that Atticus could learn a lesson from Harry Dresden in how to take care of your friends. I'm also listening to War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence by Ronan Farrow. Early in, but it's very interesting.

I've toyed with reading The Forsyte Saga on and off for ages.

>48 SuziQoregon: We have a year long read going. Everyone is going at their own pace. Please join us.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/279793

>48 SuziQoregon: I second what Roberta said - please join us at the Forsyte Saga group read. I long to hear the opinion of others.

Ronan gets interviewed by Rachel Maddow a lot on MSNBC because of his breaking stories and great journalism. I'll be that is an interesting book.

>50 VivienneR: I'll message her to see if she is interested.

>51 ronincats: I don't really watch him on TV, but I do enjoy his articles so I thought I would get this book. I have now started following him on Twitter. How are you Ro?

Aunt Dora's in the hospital with asthma. I feel so bad for her. She is miserable. Fingers crossed she goes home tomorrow.

May Roundup
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Library Cloud Library
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra translated by Edith Grossman also, audio narrated by George Guidall ROOT Whispersync
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Library Paper Book
Hounded by Kevin Hearne reread Audio
Scourged by Kevin Hearne Paper Book New
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christi Library, Audio CD

June Possibles
A Man of Property by James Galsworthy
Perfect by Rachel Joyce for book club
War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence by Ronan Farrow

Hope your aunt is feeling better soon! And congratulations on finishing Don Quixote.

I have to say it - way to go on those classic chunksters! You're braver than I am. :)

I hope Aunt Dora is feeling better very soon! And I hope you are well yourself, Ro. How are your studies going?

>49 luvamystery65: >50 VivienneR: Oh thanks for the info about the Forsyte Saga read. I wish I'd seen that earlier in the year. I probably won't join in at this point though.

Hope your aunt is better.

>58 SuziQoregon: Roberta & I are only just starting this now, so if you did decide to join, you'd not be a million miles behind. But I understand it being very possible to over-commit yourself to group reads; I do it all the time!

>59 Helenliz: Yep - that's the problem. I fear committing to one more thing would take too much spontaneity out of my reading and make it feel like work.

>52 luvamystery65: I'm doing fine, Ro. The hubs is a little gimpy, though. And you?

ETA And Aunt Dora?

Hello everyone! A little update from my corner of the world. My Aunt Dora is home. She had to come home on oxygen and then proceeded to catch my respiratory virus which set her back a bit, but we did not have to return to the hospital. I'm hoping to be able to wean her off the oxygen, but she is definitely not ready yet. I got a huge flashback as the guy that used to deliver my mom's oxygen, delivered Dora's. It's a different company he is working for now. I've had a little post-traumatic stress with all this as it takes me back to all the difficulties I had taking care of my mom. I am better prepared this time around. I am switching my Aunts primary care doctor to a geriatric physician that goes to various skilled nursing facilities, rehabs and personal care homes. I had so much trouble keeping my mom in a continuous care when she had to go to these facilities that I don't want a repeat of that.

>57 rosalita: Julia I have not started school yet. I finally got all my transcripts into the school so my start date will be September. Fingers crossed! I have a co-worker that is also starting in September so we are hoping we can take several classes at the same time. I should only have to repeat statistics since I took it ages ago.

>58 SuziQoregon: Juli I totally get wanting to be more spontaneous with your reading. I do like that the saga is divided up into individual books. It makes stopping and starting easier.

I finished the first book in the Forsyte Saga, The Man of Property. This was a very good book and John Galsworthy is a beautiful writer. I had a lot to say about it, that you can read over in the Forsyte thread.

I am still listening to War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence by Ronan Farrow. I'm taking my time as there is a lot of detail to digest. I'm also halfway through Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope. I love that Phineas.

>62 luvamystery65: Hello there, dear Roberta. So lovely to hear an update from you. I'm glad you've got Aunt Dora back home, and hope her recovery continues and becomes less of a strain for you. It sounds like your plan with her primary care doctor is a good one — continuity of care is so important, especially with older folks.

And hooray for starting classes in September, and for having a study buddy along for the ride. I'm sure that will make things easier and more fun.

Hi, Roberta.

Kudos to you for taking care of your aunt like that. We had help for our mom and dad (visiting caregivers), and it still was tough. Sending hugs and positive thoughts.

>64 rosalita: Thanks Julia

>65 jnwelch: Joe I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I am also lucky to have a caregiver that helps me 40 hours a week. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and the family.

Hi, Ro. Thanks for the update. Like with your Mom, it looks like you are taking good care of Aunt Dora. You are a special person. We still miss seeing your around, though.

Ro--Aunt Dora is lucky to have you on her side! Congrats on getting all ready for school and having a buddy. And it sounds like you are having fun with your longer reads. Happy weekend!

((((RO))))

You have my sympathy worrying about the older generation. It can be terribly hard for all concerned. His mother currently taxing us all somewhat. I'm more and more in favour of having an exit plan.

Thank you all for your kind words.

>68 Berly: It seems my buddy may bail on me, but I will go forward buddy or not.

Phineas Redux is getting exciting now because there has been a murder and our hero is the prime suspect. Poor Phineas, he really has stepped in it this time.

I'll be starting on Radium Girls soon. It's my July book club selection. I'll pick up the Forsyte Saga when I'm done with Phineas. I may read something supernatural in between though.

Hi Ro, it's great to catch up with you. I am just home after a couple of week over on Vancouver Island visiting with my family. I finished up The Forsyte Saga and although I enjoyed it, I am planning on my next couple of 1001 reads to be more modern.

Jut checking in....Hi!

So lovey that you are able to take care of Aunt Dora - hope she (and you) are doing really well!

Dropping by to say hello. I hope you and your aunt are well. I'll be reading Brief Cases soon - mostly reprints, but one new Harry Dresden story! I'll let you know how it is.

Just stopping in to say hello

Hi Ro! Thanks for the update on your aunt; I hope she is continuing to do OK.

Howdy everyone. Quick drop in to update. Finally got a new laptop for school. I set it up sometime between tomorrow and Tuesday. My online orientation for school is Wednesday and then I start on September 1st!

May aunt Dora is doing better. She is still needing home oxygen but she can go without it while she is sitting. Not sure about her back surgery and I don't even want to deal with that for another month or so. She is still on steroids so I want to know if this is going to be a permanent thing before we proceed with back surgery.

We finally sold Aunt Dora's house! She was feeling anxious about it and I've made a will so that if something happens to me my house goes to her. I don't want her feeling homeless and having anxiety over that.

>76 BookLizard: Glad you stopped by. I was going to see Jim Butcher in Austin this past June, but that is when Dora ended up in the hospital. My friend was to take care of our line tickets. When I asked her when we were receiving our books she said she hadn't purchased them and the bookstore was out of signed copies. I was very disappointed because I have a signed copy of one of the Dresden GNs and of the The Aeronauts Windlass but no other Dresden book I have is signed. I mainly have the audios. Well woohoo! I was able to find a signed copy of Brief Cases from Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego, CA. They shipped it to me and now it's in my hands waiting to be read. I think I'll get settled into school first and dip in when I need a quick fix of fun.

Once my laptop is set up I should be able to post a little more regularly. I am starting school, but I deleted all my social media apps from my phone so that has given me a huge piece of time back.

>73 DeltaQueen50: Judy I am so glad you finished Forsyte. I am trying to get ahead with my RL book club reading so I can finish out my year with the Forsyte clan. I'll post my thoughts on the page as I get to them.

>74 Berly: Howdy Kim! Craig Johnson is coming back to Houston on September 19th! Woo!!!

>75 -Eva-: Thank you Eva. I hope all is well with you.

>77 SuziQoregon: Hi Juli!

>78 LisaMorr: Thanks Lisa. I'm probably going to Laredo August 22-24th but other than that I don't plan to go out of town. Message me when you are going to be around so we can get together.

July Roundup
The Big Four by Agatha Christi Library Paper Book
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore ROOT Whispersync
Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor Audio Hoopla narrated by Robin Miles
Indian Summer of a Forsyte by John Galsworthy
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See Cloud Library audio various narrators

Currently reading/listening to:

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Black Coffee by Agatha Christi and Charles Osborne

>79 luvamystery65: Just dropping in to say Hi! Glad your Aunt Dora is doing well. She must feel very glad to have you.

And I'm glad too that you will be staying with the Forsytes until the end of the year. I'm feeling quite lonely over in the group read.

All the best for school, you sound organized and ready.

It's great to hear from you, Ro. Good news about selling Aunt Dora's house. Wish her the best of luck with her upcoming surgery. Take care of yourself and enjoy your reading. :)

Thanks for checking in, Ro! Miss you!

Hi Ro - great to hear how you're doing! I'm looking forward to catching up in person one of these days; I don't have anything specific on my calendar yet, but I'm sure I'll be getting to Houston at sometime reasonably soon and I'll let you know as soon as I do. Been traveling a lot, just not in the US!

Ro--Glad you have things on the right track for your Aunt Dora. Hurray for the new computer!! I can tell you are getting psyched for school. : ) Jealous--I know you are going to go see Craig Johnson again!! Thanks again for the signed copy last time. Speaking of which, I miss you on our mystery thread. : ( Enjoy your last two weeks of summer. Hugs.

Stopping by and happy to see an update from you! Yay for new laptop (wow, school!), the sale of Aunt Dora's house and the good news that Dora is doing better.

Hello everyone! A quick update before school starts for me. Lots going on.

My brand new laptop was defective! I sent it back to HP and I should have it back by the end of the week. My first course starts on 9/8 so just in time.

Went to Laredo to see my Dad. He is so frail. It's heartbreaking to see him like this. Kudos to my brother and SIL who have moved him in with them. They have a large one story home that affords my dad privacy and company as he needs.

They have changed my role at work, which I'm glad. My new job priorities are in line with what my job should be. I'm excited, but it is a work in progress.

My aunt's caregiver Cindy, just loss her husband Friday night. He was in his early thirties. So sad.

>82 VivienneR: I'm getting ahead on my F2F book club reading and then I'll get back to the Forsytes.

>83 DeltaQueen50: We are having so much trouble with Dora's asthma, I think surgery will be put off for awhile.

>84 katiekrug: Miss you too KAK!

>85 LisaMorr: I look forward to catching up with you whenever you are in town. How goes The Man of Property?

>86 Berly: I miss that thread too. I really enjoyed that first Guido book and I want to get back to the series, but I've got too much going on.

>87 lkernagh: Lori! Thank you for stopping by.

Current read/listen

The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

about to start Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christi

Happy Sunday, Ro! Good to see the update. I miss seeing you around...as usual. Sorry, to hear about your Dad's weakened condition, but I am glad to hear the workload has improved.

Hooray for the Magpie Murders! That has been a big hit around here.

Sorry to hear about your Dad's frailty. Glad he is getting family care, the best type.

The changes at work are encouraging. I always liked change at work, somehow it renews enthusiasm. At my workplace I was one of very few who felt like this.

I just started The Magpie Murders too! I've heard nothing but raves about this book.

Hi, Ro! I'm still catching up after being gone for 18 days back to Kansas to visit my mom early in the month. She is still going strong but we are starting to see some slowing down physically (she is 87). Hope Aunt Dora is breathing better and so sorry to hear about her caretaker's husband--what a shock! Hope your new computer is there and working and best wishes for the semester. I love Hidden Figures.

Ro--I just assumed your were going to see Craig Johnson and get his latest book. Are you? If not I can try to pick one up for you because I am going to try to go the one here next week. Let me know!

Sorry your Dad is so frail Glad work is headed in the right direction. Hope your computer arrives in time!

>90 msf59: Hi Mark! I'm loving my new role at work. Same job, but redefined role. I'm nearing the finish of Magpie Murders. It's a twisting turn, this one is.

>91 VivienneR: Ro! I'm glad you were able to visit with your Mom. Still so shocked about Cindy's husband. They still don't know 100% who shot him. They have a general idea, but they are still interviewing witnesses. My new computer is up and running. Just in time! Now if I can figure out how to use some of the software, I'll be just fine.

>93 Berly: Kim! I sure am seeing Craig Johnson. Some of my F2F book club members are going with me. I've already ordered my book.

>94 luvamystery65: Have fun with Craig and your F2F friends!!

Hi Roberta. I have been AWOL for too long. I'm sorry to hear about your dad's struggles. But you have been getting in some good reading and your work is going well with some good shifts.

Seeing Craig Johnson! Yay! I still have a couple to read in his wonderful series. Next up for me is Dry Bones. I mostly listen to these as George Guidall is such a great narrator. It will be good for the shift to riding the stationary bike as running outside becomes less feasible with real winters.

>95 Berly: I'm really excited to see Craig Johnson because he is always so much fun. I'm also excited to go see Guadalupe Nettel on Tuesday. I've read her book, The Body Where I was Born and I loved it. I'm currently reading a short story collection by her, Natural Histories: Stories. She certainly pulls no punches in her storytelling.

>96 EBT1002: Ellen I haven't seen you in ages. I've also been AWOL for some time. I finally have a laptop that works, but now I'm in school and I'm really pushing myself. I peeked at your thread earlier this week and I can't wait to see the new paint up. I LOVE George Guidall. Boy howdy!

>97 luvamystery65: I hadn't heard of Guadalupe Nettel but after seeing your mention of her, I had to look her up. The books sound interesting, and I'm sadly deficient in my knowledge of Mexican authors. I think Canadian-Mexican author Silvia Moreno-Carcia is the only one I've read.

>98 mathgirl40: Paulina I'm really excited to see her. When I read her book, The Body Where I Was Born, I could see why the bookstore staff really hype her. I was hoping she would come to Houston and I'm thrilled that she will be here. I'll post a few thoughts after I see her.

Hi Ro! I hope school is going well for you so far! And I'm excited to hear more about your new role at work.

I still don't have a trip to Houston on my calendar at the moment, but I will let you know as soon as I do.

Have not yet gotten further into The Forsyte Saga besides finishing The Man of Property. Have been working on some other series, including the last two books of Stephen King's Dark Tower series, a series which I will be loathe to finish, it's so good!

>100 LisaMorr: Hi Lisa! I need to read two more books to finish out my F2F book club for the year. Then I'm going to pick up Forsyte again and work on it to end out the year.

I bet the Dark Tower Series is so good. Maybe when I'm done with school I'll pick it up. That is good one to read over a year or two isn't it?

Have you been traveling lately?

So far school is going well. I finished my first course in 12 days. It was a communication and leadership course. Lots of reflective writing. I took an accelerated class. I'm working on biochemistry right now. I'm a bit rusty, but the biology part is coming back to me. At first I was intimidated, but it's not too difficult. I hope to get it done in about four weeks. We will see.

Thanks for dropping by.

Hi, Ro. Glad to see that school is going well for you even if it is keeping you busy!

Those are some diverse classes there!! Good luck on the Biochem -- I liked that class. : )

>101 luvamystery65: I'll see if I can also finish off Forsyte by the end of the year; The Man of Property actually went faster than I expected (as has Kristin Lavrinsdatter), but I just haven't been in the mood.

There are (only) 7 books in The Dark Tower series, and they are not all that long (I'm on the last one now, which seems to be the longest). And I find myself racing through them. I think you would want to finish the series in less than a year - a couple of them end in cliffhangers, and I think you would want to jump right into the next one.

I've been traveling like a crazy woman - just got back from 3 weeks in Angola, before that Oman, before that the UK, etc., etc. Looks like I have two more trips to the UK before the end of the year, and that might be it, we'll see.

I'm really impressed with what you are doing in school! I quite often feel that my brain may not be up to the challenge of going back to school. It would be great if you could keep sharing some small updates on your classes - I'm enjoying it!

>102 ronincats: >103 Berly: Thank you Ro and Kim. I have had a busy month. Lots going on at home and work. I took a little break from school. That is the beauty of my online program! I'm back to the books this week.

>104 LisaMorr: I started In Chancery which I posted in the group read. I'm pages away from finishing part one. I've decided to read A Suitable Boy for my big read next year. I missed the group read this year because I was busy with Don Quixote and I'm going to finish up The Forsyte Saga for this year as well. Tanya recommended a reading schedule of a section every 19 days. There are 19 sections in the book so that would take us through the year. Works for me, as it is a schedule I can safely keep pace with.

I haven't been posting my reading, but once I figure out what I've read, I will update my list.

Howdy, Ro!

Hi Ro! I hope all is well with you. It's been a while, but you jumped to mind given that there is a new Michael Harvey out and I'm ripping through it at record speed (for me). Nothing specific just the mystery or crime novel angle. It's called Pulse: a novel. His last one was one of my favorites of last year, Brighton: A Novel.

>107 katiekrug: Howdy KAK!

>108 brodiew2: I'll have to look into that book Brodie

Hi Roberta! Good to see you're still around. I haven't posted in ages but I just finished a couple of books worth writing about - Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield & The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton. The descriptions are on my 75 thread.

Hope things are still going well for you and your aunt. Wishing you a happy and peaceful holiday season!

Hi Ro. I hope you are well. I know that both of us have slowed down in our posting but we're still here!

Hi Roberta!! Hope Thanksgiving treated you well. : )

>110 BookLizard: BL it is so good to see you posting again.

>111 EBT1002: Ellen, I have almost ground down to a stop, but I'm still here.

>112 Berly: Hi Kim! I hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic.

I worked this Thanksgiving and part of the weekend. I didn't mind. I started Weight Watchers on the 1st and working Thanksgiving helped keep me on track. I've lost 8 pounds since I started so I am happy to keep up the early going momentum. I want to be good because I am really saving up until Christmas for going off budget on my Smart Points. I'm not much into Turkey so I'm not all too tempted with that, but I'm a sucker for sweets and I love ham. Also, my cousin Diana makes a Mexican feast with tamales, and chiles rellenos for Christmas. That will be my indulgence.

School is kicking my butt! I am trying to finish Biochemistry which I should have completed weeks ago! It is crunch time, because I have two other courses to complete before January 31st!!!

Congrats on your weight loss! Good luck with the school stuff.

Sounds like you are doing great - juggling work and school and throwing in weight loss, that's awesome!

Congrats on the weight loss despite all the stressors in your life, Ro! Hang in there!

Way to go on the weight loss, Roberta! Good for you for planning to indulge on Christmas. Debbi told me that she read that people who indulge once in a while do better at losing weight and keeping it off than those who try to follow a strict regimen without let-up. That makes sense to me.

Congrats on the weight loss, Ro! I have gradually been gaining back the pounds I lost after my stroke (3 years ago later this month!). I lost it so easily when I was really attending to fat, cholesterol, and sodium. I need to get back to it and living further from excellent medical care should be the motivation....

Wishing you a very happy and peaceful holiday, Ro.

Hi, Roberta! - best wishes for the season. :)

Thank you all for the congrats. I've lost 15 pounds total and only gained 0.2 over Christmas! Woohoo!

>117 jnwelch: Joe I think that concept works. I certainly indulge in pizza every couple of weeks, and I treat myself to a piece of Dove dark chocolate and a glass wine. Doing this keeps me motivated enough to continue since I allow those little splurges.

Happy Holidays everyone!

I finished The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. I really enjoyed his writing. I'm listening to the last Binti book, Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor and that will wrap up my reading for this year.

Join me in my new thread https://www.librarything.com/topic/297206

Hurrah for the weight loss, Ro! See you over in the new year, but not for a few days yet.

Ro--Congrats on the weight loss! Who knew studying did that to a person? Maybe I should try it. But not BioChem. Once was enough.

Enjoy the holidays and I'll see you on your new thread.

>122 ronincats: Thank you Ro!

>123 Berly: Thank you Kim. Studying has lead to weight gain so I am having to make an effort to lose the weight. ;-)

I haven't read much this year as in years past, but still 57 books is nothing to look down on. I may be missing a few a books, because I have not been cataloging as faithfully lately. Looking at my 2018 books read, I've read a lot I would never have picked up due to my book club. I've enjoyed most of them, but my favorites of this past year are listed below.

The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea My favorite of the year

The Body Where I Was Born by Guadalupe Nettel I love her so much. I hope more of her work gets translated into English.

Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi This was a strong contender for my favorite.

I reread Frankenstein by Mary Shelley but this time I read the 1818 text. Fantastic! It's more raw and less preachy than the later text.

The Dry by Jane Harper introduced me to a new author and a interesting detective with a sad past.

Lazarus Volume 5 by Greg Rucka continues to keep me coming back for more.

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy A great look at upper middle class life at the end of the Victorian era and the beginning of the Edwardian era on past the Great War. The characters will frustrate you, but the writing is gorgeous and the story will keep you captivated.

Disappointments for me are listed below.

Sex Criminals Volume 4 by Matt Fraction This series started out very exciting, now it feels like it has lost it's way.

Oroonoko by Aphra Behn is a hard no from me! I know it's a classic and on the 1001 Books list, but it has not aged well. It's just bad.

Happy New Year's Eve!!

Since you don't have a thread in the 75er group, please post your new 2019 thread here so we can find you!

>125 luvamystery65:

It's more raw and less preachy than the later text.

Yes, in revising she shifted the emphasis, more's the pity.

It's just bad.

Nnnnnnnnooo, it's just not the book everyone is told it is...which is not the book's fault... :)

>126 thornton37814: >127 Berly: Happy New Year to you both!

>128 ronincats: I posted a link in >121 luvamystery65: but I'll post again below. Happy New Year!

>129 lyzard: Happy New Year!

Nnnnnnnnooo, it's just not the book everyone is told it is...which is not the book's fault... :)

Still don't like it at ALL. ;-)

My 2019 CC thread is here

https://www.librarything.com/topic/297206#6682091

LT sure has some wonky links lately! I had trouble finding my own thread.