Mdoris (Mary) 2018 #2

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Mdoris (Mary) 2018 #2

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1mdoris
Modifié : Juil 7, 2018, 1:47 am



Time for a new thread.

This is how we spent many summers, in P's homemade yellow cedar canoe 23 foot, (with motor) exploring the B.C. coast from Alaska to Vancovuer in different trips and camping on shore. The only reading was comic books that kept the kids happy! Yes, I have a lot of old Archies! Oh boy those were the days......

2drneutron
Juil 6, 2018, 10:18 pm

Happy new thread!

3jessibud2
Juil 6, 2018, 10:22 pm

Happy new thread, Mary!

4FAMeulstee
Juil 7, 2018, 12:16 pm

Happy new thread, Mary!
I had a canoe (not motorised) for a few years, enjoyed it a few times and sold it. I wasn't using it as much as I thought I would.

5jessibud2
Juil 7, 2018, 12:26 pm

I never heard of a motorized canoe! I thought that was the point of a canoe, to NOT be motorized, like a rowboat. But I am very much NOT a water person so what do I know.

6mstrust
Juil 7, 2018, 12:59 pm

Happy new thread, Mary!

7mdoris
Modifié : Juil 7, 2018, 1:15 pm

>4 FAMeulstee:, >5 jessibud2: Hi Anita and Shelley. I'm afraid that we are very boat-is-ish....if there is such a word. We have many canoes, 2 of 9 foot (home made), 2 of 12 foot canoes (home made), a beautiful old chestnut (cedar made in Peterborough) 18 foot and gorgeous Tremblay (made in Quebec) (16 foot) then 2 big freighter canoes (23 foot) (home made). I know that's a lot of canoes. It is like a breeding programme here!

So the freighter canoes are square back for a motor. They were/are used and designed extensively for travel in Hudson's Bay but we thought they were be ideal for coastal travel.


(Tremblay not my picture) This one used a lot for trips in Algonquin Park in the old days.

I'm reading The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. (how to free yourself and your family from a lifte time of clutter). What would Margareta Magnusson have to say about all these canoes.......

8mdoris
Juil 7, 2018, 1:17 pm

>6 mstrust: Hi Jennifer, Very nice to see you visit!

9figsfromthistle
Juil 8, 2018, 2:02 pm

happy new thread!

10mdoris
Modifié : Juil 8, 2018, 5:01 pm

>9 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita. Nice to see you visit!

11mdoris
Modifié : Juil 15, 2018, 11:23 pm

Taking a bit of a break and trying to catch up on New Yorkers mags that I can get so quickly behind so easily. Pressure, pressure. Wow, those guys arrive almost every week and chock full of good reading. Read an interesting article about foodie visitors and extreme chefs on the Faroe Islands. Lots of fermented food and very weird and local food ie. green lamb as it has been hanging in a shed. It is written by Rebecca Mead, one of my fav. writers for the NYer. Another recent article was a profile on Chimanmanda Ngozi Adichie. Must get to her books! They stare at me from the shelves.

Meanwhile a library one that I have waited a long time for arrived The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. It is not earth shattering book but always good to be reminded to ditch, ditch, ditch.



Just finished it and it was sort of a dumb book. Not recommended.

Oh I am elbow deep in raspberries. I bought 3 flats and they are gorgeous and delicious. I love you British Columbia! ❤️


(not my photo) But I could put one in of the raspberry pie I just made!

12mstrust
Juil 8, 2018, 5:33 pm

Yum raspberries! Raspberry pie sounds delicious. I just had raspberry ginger lemonade at The Shake Shack today.

13BLBera
Juil 10, 2018, 9:30 pm

Happy new thread, Mary. Raspberries! They should be in season here soon.

14raidergirl3
Juil 10, 2018, 9:57 pm

>11 mdoris: raspberries? We are just getting fresh strawberries here in PEI. A cold spring, and late frost wrecked havoc on the berries. The u-pick I usually go to won’t be having u-pick. They will pick and sell, and just started that today. Enjoy the raspberries!

15mdoris
Juil 11, 2018, 11:40 am

>12 mstrust:, >13 BLBera:, >14 raidergirl3: Hi Jennifer, Beth and Elizabeth. Great to see you visit. Sounds like you are all raspberry fans, who wouldn't be! They are so scrumptious and nice to know that I have a winter supply. Winter, who mentioned such a word!

16Familyhistorian
Juil 11, 2018, 2:19 pm

I had raspberries for breakfast. They were so good, bought at the local Farmer's Market. You were right about the weather, Mary. It looks like it will be good for the rest of the week. Happy new thread.

17Donna828
Juil 11, 2018, 9:25 pm

Mary,Thanks for taking one for the team. I read The Magic of Tidying Up and thought it was a joke at first. I'm a little tired of being told to clean up my messy closets. My daughter very sweetly offered to do it for me, but her idea was a clean sweep. Nooo…some of my old clothes have memories even if I don't want to be seen out in public in them. ;-) It's hard enough purging books. I've gotten rid of well over 100 books this year. *sob*

18msf59
Juil 11, 2018, 10:16 pm

Happy New Thread, Mary. Love the topper. I would love to canoe with you, one of these days. Looks beautiful.

19mdoris
Modifié : Juil 13, 2018, 1:21 am

THe Temptation of Forgiveness by Donna Leon borrowed from sister-in-law



This was a great read. I zoomed through it quickly. I have loved the DVD's of Leon's book, the Commissario Brunetti mysteries so while reading this book I 'saw' the characters and the scenes from the DVDs. She writes in a clever way and inserts some of her philosophies and observations too. She has introduced a new character a feisty female police officer Griffoni who likes to challenge and of course the clever and accomplished secretary Elettra is always greatly valued. Fun to be transported to Venice and see the challenges the local people have with the influx of tourists and the changes that have occured over time. It is a trial for Venetians!

20mdoris
Juil 13, 2018, 1:18 am

>17 Donna828:, Yes Donna I know what you mean about these books bossing you around and passing judgment. Good for you for standing your ground with the pressure from your daughter about your clothes. At this point my cupboard has loads of gardening clothes so I sure don't need any more of those!

21mdoris
Juil 13, 2018, 1:20 am

>16 Familyhistorian:, >18 msf59: Thanks Meg and Mark with the good wishes. What a day we've had here on the coast and I guess we are going to get a few more.

22mdoris
Modifié : Juil 16, 2018, 2:03 am

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren off the home shelves



This was a good and honest book, well written and from the heart about the complexities of being a female scientist and also dealing with mental health challenges (bipolar). She covers lots of territory in the book of juggling relationships from the past (relationship with her mother) and present (a extremely close and long time friendship with her lab pal Bill) and a life as a wife and mother. Jahren skillfully weaves engaging plant information with her personal life in this quite unconventional love story. I can see why there has been lots of LT warbling about about this book!

23thornton37814
Juil 18, 2018, 1:48 pm

>11 mdoris: Those raspberries look tasty!

>19 mdoris: I'm sure I'll eventually get to that one.

24charl08
Juil 18, 2018, 3:06 pm

>22 mdoris: Reserved this one from the library - thanks for the nudge.

I love the canoe in the picture. Sadly I don't have the knack - always seem to just go around in circles!

25msf59
Juil 18, 2018, 7:35 pm

Hi, Mary! Hooray for Lab Girl! I loved this book! I hope she writes something else, down the road.

26mdoris
Modifié : Juil 21, 2018, 11:17 pm

Tell Me How it Ends by Valeria Luiselli V.I. Library



Several years ago I read a riveting article about unaccompanied minors making their way from Central America through Mexico to the U.S. ( Where are the Children? by Sarah Stillman April 27th, 2015.) When I heard about this book I was very interested to read further.

It is written by an accomplished writer from Mexico now living in the U.S. about her job experience as a translator interviewing those children for the court procedures. She had to ask them the required 40 questions which then determined which category they would slot into and then whether they would be considered for further court hoops or whether they would be deported. Luiselli tells some personal stories that are heart rending and she also addresses the bigger political picture that these tragic stories tell for all countries involved, (the drugs, the gangs, the devastation of the social fabric, the arms travel between countries) that fuel these huge concerns.

p. 37....."From October 2013 to the moment the crisis was declared in June 2014, The total number of child migrants detained at the border approached 80,000........between April 2014 and August 2015 more than 102,000 unaccompanied children had been detained at the border."

Unbelievable!

27BLBera
Juil 26, 2018, 8:32 am

Great comments on both Lab Girl and Tell Me How It Ends, Mary. Both are on my shelves, and I would like to get to them yet this summer. We'll see.

28mdoris
Modifié : Juil 26, 2018, 11:57 pm

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie off the home shelf



This was a BIG book (588 pages ) and big in other ways too. Adichie takes on big topics of racial challenges from a black person's point of view and also the challenges of immigrants new to a country. She expresses much through her main character in a forthright, direct way portraying a strong independent woman saying some things that need to be said. I liked this book! I have read her books about feminism and will read more of her books.

29mdoris
Juil 27, 2018, 12:08 am

>23 thornton37814: Hi Lori, hope you like the Donna Leon book when you get to it!

30mdoris
Modifié : Juil 27, 2018, 1:37 am

>24 charl08: Charlotte for the person in the stern of a canoe, it is all about the J stroke, keeping the canoe going straight and not in circles. Come up to B.C. and after your California whirlwind visit and I'll give you a lesson!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx4J1Lqk9_k

31mdoris
Juil 27, 2018, 12:18 am

>25 msf59: Mark glad that you liked Lab Girl too. I had been meaning to read it for ages.

32mdoris
Juil 27, 2018, 1:39 am

>27 BLBera: Great to see you visit Beth!

33msf59
Juil 27, 2018, 7:03 am

Happy Friday, Mary. I also really enjoyed Americanah. I want to read more Adiche. Have a great weekend.

34charl08
Juil 27, 2018, 8:48 am

>30 mdoris: Ooh! Top tip. I would love to visit BC. One day when my ship (canoe?) comes in...

I've just got my hands on Luiselli's book - looking forward to reading it this weekend, along with Lab Girl, which has arrived from the library! Should keep me busy.

35mdoris
Modifié : Juil 27, 2018, 2:49 pm



A picture of an agapanthus taken today in my parched garden. The rose beside has been greatly nibbled by the local horrible deer. Oh well.

36EllaTim
Juil 27, 2018, 5:30 pm

>35 mdoris: The agapanthus is beautiful, and the deer don't like it?

37Familyhistorian
Juil 27, 2018, 10:38 pm

Are you getting any our smoke today, Mary? There is a bog fire in Richmond. Just what we need in this warm, dry weather.

38mdoris
Juil 27, 2018, 10:54 pm

>36 EllaTim: Thank you Ella. The deer are peculiar. They don't seem to eat this plant and then next year they might. They do love rose buds.

>37 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. No smoke detected but we had a very high haze and muggy, so perhaps related to the Richmond fire. We missed a ferry today so sat in the hot sun but had one of those windshield sun deflector things so it saved the day.

39mdoris
Modifié : Août 1, 2018, 10:25 pm

Awhile ago I got hooked on reading biographies about Beatrix Potter and re-reading all of her childrens' books. I think the interest started when I read the wonderful book The Shepherd's Life In this book Rebanks talked about what a marvel Potter was in the Lake District of England. Anyway I read an interesting piece today on Brain Pickings and the Linda Lear book sounds very interesting about Potter. She faced a lot of shut doors and this piece discusses her challenges. Her art work and her scientific work was outstanding and apologies have been made a century later for how she was treated.

https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/07/28/beatrix-potter-a-life-in-nature-botany-...

40mdoris
Août 3, 2018, 2:00 am

Hummingbirds buzzing the agapanthus plant today! Wish I had a photo of it!

41mdoris
Modifié : Août 8, 2018, 10:18 pm

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi home library



I can see why there was lots of warbling about this book on LT. It has been on my shelf for a long time and I finally got to it. It is written more like a series of connected short stories than a novel but does a good job of telling stories over time of what it means to be a black American with the connections to the early times of slavery ( Ghana) to present day experiences. It is quite an accomplishment for the author writing her first book. Well done!

When I left my former bookclub (that is celebrating it's 40th anniversary next Jan.) they gave me a gift certificate to a wonderful bookstore in my new community and this is the book I bought. Thank you book pals!

42Donna828
Modifié : Août 13, 2018, 12:59 pm

Yay for Lab Girl! It looks like I will be reading it for the second time this fall. Our book group will be discussing it, and I don’t trust my memory for details. Speaking of book clubs, it is amazing that your old group has been intact for nearly 40 years. Great purchase with your parting gift, Mary. Homegoing made my Favorites List last year.

43mdoris
Modifié : Août 16, 2018, 12:40 pm

Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady by Selina Hastings



This is a one great book! It has been sitting on our shelf in a revered spot for over 30 years. It was the winner of the Kate Greenaway medal in 1985. It asks the question "What do women want most?" and Sir Gawain must venture forth into the kingdom to find the answer to release a spell concerning the loathly lady he just married. I have just read a fabulous article in the New Yorker mag July 23rd issue so well written by Lauren Collins, titled "What Women Want". It is about Carrie Gracie an employee of BBC news that answers this very question.

DUH!!! Answer is equal pay for equivalent jobs done by men and women!

How can these corporations be so far off the mark on this in this day and age. Gracie went high profile with her concerns and when there was a final reckoning she did not take cash settled behind closed doors with a non disclosure agreement (which is usually the case). She got the money ($400, 000) owed for years of service which she then donated to the Fawcett Society a charity established in 1866 by suffragettes with a stipulation that it be used to provide legal assistance to low paid women and to fund strategic litigation.

Gracie you are a hero!!!

This is such a good article and highly recommended.

44mdoris
Modifié : Août 15, 2018, 11:09 pm

Another day of very smoky skies. A pic taken in Nanaimo B.C.. It is nearby!

45charl08
Août 16, 2018, 3:57 am

>44 mdoris: Great photo, but sorry about all the smoke.

Carrie Gracie is definitely a hero, I think. I was so impressed she donated the backpay money to help other women.

46jessibud2
Modifié : Août 16, 2018, 8:06 am

Mary, your air quality due to the fires is making our news. Most of BC and even out to Manitoba covered with smoke already! Yikes.

It's already 22C here, with a humidex making it feel like 28C here already, 7:30 am. Yesterday, it felt close to40C. I truly can't wait for autumn, even winter.

47BLBera
Août 16, 2018, 6:33 pm

>44 mdoris: Lovely photo -- too bad about the smoke. I hope it goes out soon.

Carrie Gracie's story is inspiring.

48mdoris
Modifié : Août 19, 2018, 8:47 pm

>45 charl08:, Yes, one of the best NYer articles I've read in a long time (Carrie Gracie). it is another VERY smoky day here.
>46 jessibud2: Shelley you have been getting some wickedly hot days. Hope you are managing. There is a very red sun trying to poke through the smoke.
>47 BLBera: Beth, Carrie Gracie has quite the life story!

49msf59
Août 19, 2018, 9:01 pm

Happy Sunday, Mary. Sorry, to hear about all the smoke. We saw plenty of haze over the Rocky Mountains too.

Hooray, for Homegoing. I adored that book.

50mdoris
Modifié : Août 23, 2018, 5:49 pm

Life has been very busy here with visitors and not much reading getting done and as always my summer reading slump has appeared related to BOKETTO. I know reading will pick up in the fall and meanwhile I'm having fun visiting other threads. I ❤️L.T.!

51jessibud2
Août 23, 2018, 6:26 pm

Ah, Mary, I wonder if it's contagious. Boketto is a common affliction, I think. :-). Especially in summer. Maybe it's like a seasonal allergy...

52mdoris
Modifié : Août 26, 2018, 8:21 pm

Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright home library



It took a long time for me to finish this book as I read it slowly and read only one chapter at a time to try and digest the enormous content. My P. has read the book twice and I can see why. Wright provides some interesting and compelling insights into the practice of mindfull meditation.

53mdoris
Août 26, 2018, 8:24 pm

>51 jessibud2: Yes, too true Shelley. Boketto as a seasonal allergy, i can see that! Smoke here disappears and reappears but with accompanied plunging temperatures. We had the fire going yesterday and I got my down vest out today. Yikes!

54jessibud2
Août 26, 2018, 8:33 pm

>53 mdoris: - And here, with the humidity, it was close to 30C today! It rained hard all night last night, so loudly, that it woke me up at one point. But the day today was mostly sunny and humid. So crazy, the disparity in weather in different parts of the country!

55mdoris
Août 28, 2018, 1:39 pm

wild things!

56drneutron
Août 28, 2018, 1:45 pm

Oh, cool!

57FAMeulstee
Août 28, 2018, 5:45 pm

>55 mdoris: Beautiful!

58mdoris
Modifié : Août 29, 2018, 9:14 pm

>57 FAMeulstee: Thank you Anita!

Here is another wild thing (not my picture), a loon.

It is very early in the season for the loons to be returning to our southern coast but they are here. Just spotted my first one this morning. We have had the fire going in the mornings to chase the chill away. Summer just seems way to short.

59jessibud2
Août 29, 2018, 9:23 pm

Mary, we were over 30C again today!! It is supposed to be cooler though, for the next 2 days then back to heat. I'll trade you, any day!

60msf59
Août 30, 2018, 6:42 am

Sweet Thursday, Mary! I ended enjoying Why Buddhism is True, as well. He is a smart, engaging guy. I have been listening to his podcasts, for several months too, on a wide range of topics.

Hooray for the loons! I love those guys, but they usually don't come this far south.

61mdoris
Sep 7, 2018, 12:41 am

>60 msf59: Mark I enjoy doing the behind the scences peek at authors too and finding out more about them and their work. Yeah Google but I didn't know about his podcasts. Lots in the book made sense to me.

62mdoris
Modifié : Jan 26, 2019, 9:38 pm

Women Talking A Novel by Miriam Toews V.I. Library



Most of this book takes place in a hayloft over 2 days with the conversations between women who are planning their future, their escape, their need for safety for themselves and their children, their need for freedom and the need to be able to think for themselves. It is a fictionalized account based on a true story of sexual abuse suffered between 2005 and 2009 in a remote Mennonite community in Bolivia that happened on 300 incidents. The women and children as young as 3 were routinely raped using an anaesthetic devoped for animals. 8 men were convicted and are presently serving 25 years in prison. It was a most compelling read but who knows what path the women in the real story would have taken.

It was interesting to read reviews of this book. One did point out the cover of the book I was reading that the letters were highlighted to read front and back cover LOVE/ANGER. I hadn't noticed this on my own. A book I had read years ago and has stayed with me and one I should read again some time was Blue Mountains of China by Rudy Wiebe about the history of the frequent relocation of the the Mennonite Community over time. After a time in Canada a sect moved to Mexico and then on to Bolivia where they could practice off grid farming independence away from the larger society. But to what end!

There is a documentary 'Ghost Rapes of Bolivia' in 2 parts about this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlc_Zib2nw

Interesting, Toews wrote this book in 2016 before the #MeTooMovement (published in August 2018).

63streamsong
Sep 7, 2018, 7:43 am

Hi Mary! Wow on the photo in >55 mdoris: . That sea looks incredibly scary. I'd love to hear the story.

Signs of fall here, too. I couldn't agree with you more that summer is way too short.

Women Talking sounds amazing, but bleak. I had never heard of the incident. I'm not sure I could read it, but your review was wonderful.

64mdoris
Modifié : Sep 7, 2018, 12:14 pm

>63 streamsong: Hi Janet. you are right. It is a very bleak subject but I find Miriam Toews' books amazing.She is very perceptive and she gets the dialogue and feelings so completely. Her personal background is in the Mennonite community so she knows much of what she writes.

And the photo is not mine in >55 mdoris: but we did have orcas rubbing on our sandstone rocks several years ago within a stone's throw and that was never to be forgotten.

65BLBera
Sep 8, 2018, 9:15 pm

>62 mdoris: This sounds like a powerful read, Mary. I have loved the others by Toews that I've read.

Hmm, boketto. Yes, I think it is a summer thing.

>51 jessibud2: I might have to give that a try. I have never been good at meditation, but I am willing to give it another go.

66mdoris
Sep 8, 2018, 9:47 pm

>65 BLBera: Yes Beth, I have loved Toews other books too, that's why when I saw this new one I put it on reserve at the library. It is a tough one but she manages this with such insight. She "gets" the dynamics of the women's interactions perfectly and their personal struggles.

67BLBera
Sep 9, 2018, 11:02 am

I checked and it won't be published here until early next year. I'm hoping my library orders a copy.

68Donna828
Sep 16, 2018, 6:33 pm

Miriam Toews is on my list of authors to read. I have All My Puny Sorrows on the Kindle app, which is almost the kiss of death. I forget about all those books feeling unloved out there in cyberspace.
Thanks for putting her back on my book radar, Mary.

69mdoris
Sep 16, 2018, 7:09 pm

Not my picture!



These are the kinds of roads my P loves to find. Anyone care to join us?

70mdoris
Sep 16, 2018, 7:12 pm

>68 Donna828: I will be very interested to read your review and see your reaction to All My Puny Sorrows Donna when you get to it.
I thought it was an amazing book despite the tough subject.

71jessibud2
Sep 16, 2018, 7:48 pm

>69 mdoris: - Never!! Those are the kinds of roads that give me heart attacks!

72lkernagh
Sep 17, 2018, 5:09 pm

Stopping by to get caught up and exclaiming "Yikes!" to >69 mdoris:!

73mdoris
Sep 17, 2018, 6:20 pm

>72 lkernagh: Nice to see you visit Lori, I will come visit you too! HOw is life in Victoria?

74lkernagh
Sep 17, 2018, 7:35 pm

>73 mdoris: - Much better now that the fall weather has arrived and brought rain showers. I don't do well in drought-like conditions. ;-)

75vancouverdeb
Sep 20, 2018, 6:25 am

OH! The road P finds! I think my husband used to find those prior to meeting me. No more. :-)

You've done some fascinating reading. As for biographies, I recently read House of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg. Fascinating life and very tragic in many ways. I just loved the Anne of Green Gables books back in my teens.

76mdoris
Sep 20, 2018, 12:41 pm

>75 vancouverdeb: Very nice to see you visit Deborah.

77mdoris
Modifié : Sep 20, 2018, 12:48 pm

78vancouverdeb
Sep 20, 2018, 6:14 pm

Thanks for posting the Man Booker Shortlist. Hmmm , I'm not too keen on any of them . We'll see. Say, I've been enjoying my fair share of Howlett's cherry tomatoes. YUM!

79mdoris
Sep 20, 2018, 10:05 pm

>78 vancouverdeb: Yup me too with the wee tomatoes. They are very delicious!

80BLBera
Sep 22, 2018, 1:19 pm

I love tomatoes!

Have you read any of the Booker short list, Mary?

81mdoris
Sep 22, 2018, 10:08 pm

>80 BLBera: Hi Beth, I'm a bit of a tomato-aholic. These little ones seem to have the best flavour all year around.

I have not read any of the Booker short list but have some on reserve at the library and will have to wait my turn. Sometimes the list is very, very long so I must be patient but meanwhile it is interesting to read what L.T. pals have to say about these books.

82mdoris
Modifié : Sep 29, 2018, 1:49 am

Ce message a été supprimé par son auteur

83lkernagh
Sep 28, 2018, 10:59 pm

>82 mdoris: - I love that quote and image!

84jessibud2
Sep 28, 2018, 11:03 pm

>82 mdoris: - Works for me! :-)

85mdoris
Modifié : Oct 26, 2018, 2:12 am

Trying to catch up here....

Forgiveness A Gift from my Grandparents by Mark Sakamoto V.I. Library system

(Winner of Canada Reads 2018)



This is the personal story about a Japanese Canadian family's loss of property, dignity and hardship during WW 2 in Canada. It is also the story of the grandfathers time as a prisoner of war in Japan.

86mdoris
Modifié : Oct 26, 2018, 1:58 am

I'll keep you safe by Peter May. V.I. Library System

This is a mystery written by the Scottish author.



This book had its twists and turns and an unlikely ending. I enjoy May's writing providing nuggets of insight about Scotland. This time it was about the weaving of fine wool into fabric.

87mdoris
Modifié : Oct 26, 2018, 2:04 am

Transcription by Kate Atkinson V.I.Library System



I have always enjoyed Atkinson's books and this one is no exception. Again she places the plot around WW2 and the vortex that a young woman gets sucked into in the world of MI5 as an agent. Follow orders but who knows which side you are supporting? The writing was at times playful and fun which was a relief from the plot that at times was confusing.

88mdoris
Modifié : Nov 5, 2018, 1:52 pm

I am, I am, I am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O'Farrell V.I. LIbrary system



This is a moving and well written memoir about major challenges in the author's life. I will look for more of her books!

i have had a few brushes myself and the book brought them to mind. It is a good reminder of what to hold dear.

89vancouverdeb
Modifié : Oct 27, 2018, 7:18 pm

I'm happy to see that you have read Transcription and enjoyed it. I did too! I enjoyed
Forgiveness A Gift from my Grandparents last year, I think it was, during the lead up to Canada Reads. Hmm, maybe it was earlier this year? I confess, Maggie O'Farrell is not an author I have tried. It's been a nice fall, so far, Mary. I am bit sorry that the rain seems to have arrived. And soon , no more daylight savings! Argh!

90Donna828
Oct 28, 2018, 5:05 pm

Mary, I also enjoyed Transcription. The Canadian cover seems to fit the story better than the colorful US cover. Next time I'm in the mood for a memoir, I will look for the one by Maggie O'Farrell as I am a fan of her books. Your last sentence intrigued me.

91mdoris
Modifié : Nov 4, 2018, 12:19 pm

Woman at 1000 Degrees by Hallgrimur Helgason V. I. Library system, 388 pages



This was an interesting book! SIL of daughter #2 is now living in Iceland (daughter will join him soon with a baby which is still a bump) and said, when he saw the book on a recent visit, that this author was considered the #1 writer in Iceland at present. Interesting! It is the life story told by an ancient woman before her death and we see through her eyes much trauma with memories of WWII and ever changing relationships. It made me think of the controversy of a book The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne written in 1955 by Irish/Canadian Brian Moore. At the time the Moore book received some debate for having the intense voice of a woman but written by a man. How dare he! I felt the same with this book (a WOW!!) as Helgason gets firmly planted in Herra's shoes. The book does jump around from place to place and person to person and requires some time devoted to it but it is worth it as Herra has quite the unusual story to tell.

92FAMeulstee
Nov 4, 2018, 5:19 pm

>91 mdoris: I loved that book, Mary!

93mdoris
Nov 4, 2018, 11:02 pm

Thanks Anita for the feedback on the book. It was a very interesting one.

94vancouverdeb
Nov 4, 2018, 11:15 pm

>91 mdoris: I have Woman at 1000 Degrees on my wish list, Mary. Such exciting news about the new grandie to come! I hope you are keeping well . Daylight savings is gone for a few months. Argh!

95mdoris
Nov 5, 2018, 12:34 am

Thank you Deborah for the congrats on the grandie to come. They don't know if it's a boy or girl so some surpises are in store. Dad is francophone from Quebec so they are looking for names to suit English and French. Baby due mid Dec. and then the family will all move to Iceland mid Jan. So hopefully we will get to visit. I remember your family is from there! Yes, an "argh" about daylight savings gone, I know what you mean! Darkedey dark.......

96msf59
Nov 5, 2018, 6:19 am

Hi, Mary. I hope you had a good weekend. I also enjoyed I am I am I am. My first O'Farrell. I have Transcription waiting on shelf.

97mdoris
Nov 7, 2018, 11:25 am

>96 msf59: Mark, great to see you visit. Love all the bird pics and fall pics on your site, great reading going on there too!

98mdoris
Nov 7, 2018, 11:36 am

There is an amazing article in the New Yorker mag issue, Oct 1st, 2018 p.44 by Kathrryn Schulz (one of my top fav. writers there). The title "Food Fight" is about 2 women who started a superb restaurant twenty years ago (Hell's Backbone Grill) in remote south central Utah in the "spectacular, desolate and extreme" gegographical area that is now in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This monument is now being threatened with division and reduction by Trump and these wonderful women have challenged this and Trump is now being sued. This is quite the story and the writing by Schultz is fantastic.

99jessibud2
Nov 7, 2018, 5:55 pm

>98 mdoris: - Mary, do you have a link to that article? Sounds like a good one!

100mdoris
Nov 7, 2018, 6:58 pm

101mdoris
Modifié : Nov 7, 2018, 7:10 pm

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins V.I. Library system



This is a colourful story about a pumpkin who does not get selected at a store because he is different. He is missing a stem but eventurally the shopkeeper gives him a wonderful face and all is good! Daughter #1 suggested this book as we both love seasonal books and it was a good one!

102mdoris
Modifié : Nov 7, 2018, 7:12 pm

I was so enthused about Food Fight ( >98 mdoris:) that I wrote to the author and she wrote me back today. That is always wonderful! I just had to tell her how great the piece was.

103mdoris
Nov 10, 2018, 6:20 pm

Okay, today I must be feeling particulary mean as I was out gardening and noticed a rhodo in full pink bloom and thought I MUST post it here. Lucky us on the B.C. coast. It is a spectacular day. I know other places it is snowing so I must be grateful!

104BLBera
Nov 11, 2018, 9:58 am

Mary: I'm happy to see blooms. We do have snow here.

You've hit me with several of your recommendations. I've wanted to read Peter May, the new Atkinson and the O'Farrell memoir for some time. I need to push those to the top of the list. O'Farrell is one of my favorites.

The Icelandic one sounds good as well although I do have misgivings about men who write from a woman's POV.

105mdoris
Modifié : Nov 20, 2018, 3:58 pm

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver V.I. Library 464 pages



Do you think change happens at a glacial pace? Well Barbara Kingsolver doesn't and shows this through changes from one generation to another within a family, on one stream of her storytelling I liked this book and glad I read it as Kingsolver is such a good writer and seems to have a finger on society's pulse but I did find it a bit tiresome the endless dialogue with the know-it-all teenage daughter who likes to remind us that our world is heading in a dreadful direction. The story is told in two parts alternating chapter to chapter with one story a dive into the past with some interesting characters based on history. Mary Treat is one of those interesting characters and sometimes the focus of the story reminded me of the wonderful botanist character in The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, a book a that I thoroughly enjoyed. Kingsolver did have an interesting trick as she polished off each chapter with a phrase that was the subject of the next unrelated chapter. Oh and there was an interesting sublot of Science/Darwin/Non Believers of science (the religious zealots) in the 1800's.

106mdoris
Nov 20, 2018, 3:36 pm

>104 BLBera: Hi Beth, Glad that I hit you with some BBs as i have certainly been hit on your thread with lots.

107jessibud2
Nov 20, 2018, 4:29 pm

>105 mdoris: - Oh, I may have to look for this one, Mary! I really LOVED The Signature of All Things so you got me there. And I have really enjoyed some of Kingsolver's other works.

108EBT1002
Nov 22, 2018, 3:28 pm

Hi Mary!

>98 mdoris: I'm going to try to find that article, although it may make my blood boil.

I love the picture of the blooming rhoadies! In November!

I still have both Transcription and Unsheltered ahead of me. Lucky me. Two of my favorite authors. :-)

109mdoris
Modifié : Nov 22, 2018, 4:06 pm

HI Ellen, I think you will LOVE the Schulz article. She is quite the writer! She is coming out soon with a new book Lost and Found (not yet published) and I loved her previous one Being Wrong.

My gloating days are over re: rhodos. It is "filthy" outside (how an old English babysitter used to describe the present weather) which is howling with wind and rain and chlls you to the bone.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have been following your thread and your yummy meal at a Spanish restaurant in Asheville. Daughter #4 just came back from Spain and Portugal and raved about the wonderful, delicious meals they had there.

110streamsong
Nov 24, 2018, 1:53 pm

Hi Mary - Filthy weather where I live, too. I now have an inch or two of very wet, sloppy snow. It's melting, but temps's are supposed to be in the 20's tonight, so it may be heading for a icy nightmare.

But - last night was beautiful. I was out feeding and the light from the full moon- even though it was covered by clouds - was illuminating the huge snowflakes. Very beautiful and Christmas card like.

I'll definitely be adding Unsheltered to my 'read soon' list. Great review and I enjoy her work.

111mdoris
Modifié : Nov 24, 2018, 11:07 pm

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld V.I. Library p 223. short stories



I had read one of these stories before I think published in the New Yorker mag. I liked them. They are very personal and insightful and full of human needs, and feelings. i will look for more of her work. I think she has published novels.

This was magic #50 read this year for me so no way I will get to 75. Oh well!

112BLBera
Nov 25, 2018, 7:43 am

I also enjoyed Unsheltered, Mary. It took me a while to get into the Mary Treat story, but in the end, I did enjoy it.

I also loved the Sittenfeld stories. She's written a few novels. I've read a couple, which I also liked.

Congrats on reaching 50 -- it's the quality, not the quantity, right?

I hope you're having a lovely weekend.

113charl08
Nov 25, 2018, 9:26 am

>111 mdoris: Congrats on the 50, it's still a lot of books!

I love Curtis Sittenfeld, ever since I read her first one Prep, a really intense book about being miserable in an elite boarding school. Then The Man of My Dreams, which takes a very similar character looking at what happens after leaving college. American Wife was the big breakout book, based on key elements of Laura Bush's life (but I think never explicitly named as Bush) - it really turns on how someone who was always fairly left leaning could marry a Republican politician. I'm not.a fan of Sisterland, it didn't really work for me as a compelling story (so much so that I am struggling to remember what it was even about) and then finally the book as part of the Austen project Eligible, which I enjoyed but wouldn't say it was as good as her others, I think she was trying to do something a bit different outside her usual style. Forgive me for the long post about her but she is one of those authors on my list to automatically get hold of the new one whenever it comes out!

114msf59
Modifié : Nov 25, 2018, 10:20 am

Happy Sunday, Mary. Good review of Unsheltered. I am a big fan of Kingsolver and I am fortunate to have a copy at hand. Possibly slated for next month.

Sadly, I never did read The Signature of All Things. I think I still have it saved on audio though.

115jessibud2
Modifié : Nov 27, 2018, 6:06 am

>113 charl08: - The only Sittenfeld book I ever read was Sisterland and while I felt it had potential, at the beginning, I felt it really fizzled into drivel by the end. I am not remotely tempted to read any others by her, despite the fact that she seems to have a decent reputation and following. It's a case, I guess, of too many books, too little time, for me. I felt exactly the same way about the only Murakami I ever read (What I Talk About When I Talk About Running). It felt a bit too self-indulgent, too much navel gazing for me and I am not likely to try another. My own quirkiness, I know. To each his own.

116mdoris
Modifié : Nov 27, 2018, 12:35 am

Brother by David Chariandy V.I. Library p. 177



I gather that this was meant as a" long" short story (whatever that means!) and not autobiographical but sensitive to the experiences the author had growing up. I saw him interviewed and this was referred to as such. It is a very heart rending story written in the voice of the younger brother, brought up by a single mom in Toronto (Scarborough) on the rough side of the tracks, describing the older brother's spiral downwards. Mom did her best but life was hard bringing up 2 boys, far from home (Trinidad), with the pressure of the dominant teenage culture (and police). This book won the Rogers Trust Writers Prize in 2017 and I can see why. It is beautifully written and heart felt. He has written a more recent book. I've been meaning to tell you: A letter to my daughter. I have put this one on reserve at the library and look forward t reading it.

117jessibud2
Modifié : Déc 23, 2018, 6:59 am

Oh, Mary, I have that book by Chariandy, as well as his 2 others. His most recent, I've Been Meaning to Tell You was really well done. I was at an author talk by him and he spoke about the process of writing it. He is a very articulate and eloquent man and (apropos to nothing, really) also extremely good-looking! Both his parents were also in the audience that day.

118mdoris
Modifié : Nov 27, 2018, 11:43 am

>117 jessibud2: Hi Shelley. Lucky you , a wonderful memory to tuck away! I watched a few clips of interviews with him and I was impressed. He seemed sincere and sensitive, confident and articulate but not arrogant in any way. My former bookclub just read this book and I'm trying to do some of their reading but at a distance. I was a member for 38 years....YIKES!!! so of course I have some great pals who still share the lists with me. Thank heavens!

119mdoris
Modifié : Nov 27, 2018, 11:43 am

>110 streamsong: Janet I loved your description of the moonlight feedings in the snow.. I can see it in my minnd's eye!

>112 BLBera: Hi Beth, Glad you liked Unsheltered and the Sittenfeld stories. I am a slow reader (only at 50 so far) so will never get to play with the big guns around here (WOW!!!, who read 200 &) but love to see what they are reading!

>113 charl08: Thanks Charlotte for the feedback of the Sittenfeld novels. On to the list they go!

>114 msf59: Hi Mark. It sure is hard to get around to all the books. I was not a fan of Eat, Pray, Love (at all!!!) so was quite reluctant to read Signature of All Things but sure glad I did. You know how lots of books fade and some stay. It was one that stayed.

>115 jessibud2: Shelley so great to get the feedback about Sisterland. With thanks!

120BLBera
Nov 29, 2018, 2:25 pm

Mary - Sisterland was the first Sittenfeld novel I read, and I enjoyed it. Obviously tastes differ.

121mdoris
Modifié : Déc 7, 2018, 6:19 pm

What it Means When A Man Falls From the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah V.I. Library 230 pages



This is an intriguing collection of short stories. The one about the grass baby, it seemed as if I had read it before and sure enough it was published in the New Yorker mag in 2015. The stories are different and heart felt and expressed from a female point of view. Many take place in Nigeria or with a Nigerian connection

122mdoris
Modifié : Déc 7, 2018, 6:21 pm

A Ladder to the Sky: A Novel by John Boyne V.I. Library p. 360



After what John Boyne said in support of female writers in the Guardian, I would read anything written by him. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/12/double-x-factor-why-women-are-bett...

I gobbled this one up. It was very good. The Ladder to the Sky is about ambition. It is the story of an author, a psychopath who will do anything necessary to be successful, published and on prize lists. The writing is wonderful, captivating and insightful and quite the visit to the underbelly of the literary world. Recommended!

123EBT1002
Déc 9, 2018, 10:54 pm

>122 mdoris: I'm just starting The Heart's Invisible Furies and I'm loving it so far. I love his narrative style.
And so... I'm adding A Ladder to the Sky to the wish list with your name attached to it. I agree - after his comments about reading women writers, I will support him to the end of the earth or the end of his career, whichever comes first.

124charl08
Déc 11, 2018, 3:05 am

>121 mdoris: Loved this collection - hoping she writes more soon!

You have reminded me that I need to read Boyne. Maybe 2019 will be the year!

125mdoris
Déc 11, 2018, 4:15 pm

Bibliophile An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount V.I.Library p.222



Wow, this is one COOL book. It is a book about books with awesome illustrations. It is a list addict's delight! It would be entirely possible to plan a year or two's worth of wonderful reading by sticking to the ideas in this fabulous book. Might have to spring for this one!

126mdoris
Déc 11, 2018, 4:18 pm

>123 EBT1002: Ellen hope that you enjoy Boyne's book!

>124 charl08: Charlotte, I loved the stories too. They were unusual.

127mdoris
Déc 11, 2018, 7:44 pm

128jessibud2
Déc 11, 2018, 8:50 pm

>125 mdoris: - Oh, that looks like a good one, Mary!

>127 mdoris: - I was just looking at this in my email, too! Have you read any from the list? I haven't! I do own The Boat People and I am on the library wait list for Washington Black. I will admit that I am not a short story person, and there are others in this list that don't much appeal. But thee are a few that I would read if they crossed my path.

129raidergirl3
Déc 11, 2018, 9:44 pm

>127 mdoris: Thanks for posting this list. A few have been on my radar and a few others are new.

130mdoris
Modifié : Déc 11, 2018, 10:33 pm

>128 jessibud2: Shelley there looks to be some good ones on the list! The only one I have read is Women Talking by Miriam Toews and while it is very disturbing, I thought it was amazing as it is based on a true story and her writing IMHO is fantastic. I will keep the list nearby and look at it again to choose some other books. It will be interesting to see the Canada Reads long list which is coming out soon (Jan 10th).

131mdoris
Déc 11, 2018, 11:44 pm

>129 raidergirl3: Great to see you visit Elizabeth!

132mdoris
Modifié : Déc 14, 2018, 11:59 am

Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny V.I Library express read p. 386



I have had this one reserve at the library for some time but low and behold I saw it on the Express shelf and I grabbed it. That means it must be read within one week. No problem! It is Penny's most recent book and follows the theme about opioids flooding the illegal drug market as her last book did but with lots of twists and turns and several sub plots going on at once to keep things moving. It sure took me to snowy, cold Quebec that took me away from my rainy, windy British Columbia at present. It was a galloping read. I loved the food elements in it. The characters are often munching on croissants and slurping soup or hot chocolate while they figure out the perpetrators. Yum!

133charl08
Modifié : Déc 14, 2018, 2:38 am

>127 mdoris: Some great sounding books on this list. I hope that they will be out here too. I loved Washington Black, and Michael Ondaatje, but great to see so many new to me authors. Such a Lonely Lovely Road, Something for Everyone and Moon of the Crusted Snow all tempting me just now.

134mdoris
Déc 15, 2018, 9:37 pm

>133 charl08: Hope you can find them Charlotte i know there are books I see on your thread that I can't find here and it's frustrating.

135mdoris
Modifié : Déc 17, 2018, 12:42 pm

A Brush with the Past by Shirley Hughes V.I. Library p 109



What a beautiful book this is! . It is an illustrated history from 1900-1950 with the most gorgeous paintings that depict the hardships of many of those times and done with great sensitivity. There is lots of history given between the painting pages of social, science, societal, fashion, medical, women's roles, (and more). There is lots of information given here. Who knew what that "teddybear" came from Teddy Roosevelt as he refused to shoot a bear (1902) so made little kids bears famous. This is the kind of book that should be taught to kids about history not who "won" which battle!

136mdoris
Déc 18, 2018, 8:33 pm

To Build a Fire by Chabouté V.I. Library Graphic Novel (based on Jack London's Story p.62
(no image for the cover is as yet available)

I have been very remiss in my reading of graphic novels but this one was wonderful. It is the sotry of a man and his dog in the bitterly cold woods trying to get to a settlement in the sunless Yukon winter dring the Kondike search for gold (1896). I look forward to the reading the "best of" graphic novels lists for 2018 and following up with more reading of them. (Any suggestions gratefully received!) Several years ago I introduced my former bookclub pals to the genre and they still talk about how great that experience was!

137jessibud2
Déc 18, 2018, 9:39 pm

>136 mdoris: - Mary, I have only very recently discovered this author/artist. I read his Park Bench and was blown away. Thanks for this title. I need to see if my library has it. If you haven't checked it out yet, try to find Park Bench. It was excellent!

138mdoris
Déc 18, 2018, 10:52 pm

>137 jessibud2: Unfortunately our library system does not have that one. Boo hoo.

139mdoris
Modifié : Déc 19, 2018, 8:55 pm

It is the time of year that I love to snoop at and take a look at the "best of" lists. Here is one that I love to peruse. It is a MASTER list of lists compiled every year and searching on it can be endless but fun.

http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2018/10/online_best_of_76.html

140Familyhistorian
Déc 23, 2018, 1:31 am

Ooh, the lists! It's dangerous on your thread, Mary. I hope you weathered the storm and have power. All the best for the holiday season.

141mdoris
Déc 23, 2018, 2:18 am

>140 Familyhistorian: HI Meg, The wind is still howling still but we didn't lose power here north mid island. HOw about you? HOpe things are cozy and warm where you are!

142jessibud2
Déc 23, 2018, 7:02 am

Just stopping by to wish you and all your family a wonderful and relaxing holiday season, Mary.

143Familyhistorian
Déc 23, 2018, 9:16 pm

>140 Familyhistorian: I lost power for 3.5 hours but other than that things went ok. It was strange because it was sunny at the same time which allowed me to see what I was doing if I was close to a window. Have a great Christmas, Mary.

144msf59
Déc 23, 2018, 9:22 pm



Have a great holiday, Mary. I am glad to hear you loved A Ladder to the Sky. I really want to read that one.

145EBT1002
Déc 23, 2018, 10:50 pm

>125 mdoris: That looks like a cool book!!!!

Meanwhile....


146mdoris
Déc 23, 2018, 11:48 pm

>142 jessibud2: Shelley best wishes to you for a holiday season! Is it snowy in Toronto? Mt. Washington got a big dump of snow so I guess the skiers are very happy!

>143 Familyhistorian: Meg we got very hard hit on Thetis Island where we have a summer place. There are trees and power lines down everywhere and huge logs that bashed up docks. The power is still out there and we had to do an emergency run today to rescue what was in the freezer. It was a very wild storm. Have a wonderful Christmas where you are!

>144 msf59: Mark best wishes to you and family for a fabulous Christmas. Hope Santa is good to you and leaves LOTS of books!

>145 EBT1002: Ellen, I did spring for the book and very glad I did. It is a beauty! Wishing you and P a wonderful Christmas break with lots of R&R.

147mdoris
Déc 23, 2018, 11:51 pm

Daughter #2 has headed to the hospital tonight to have her first baby. YIKES. We are all very excited but we are on tenterhooks (tenderhooks more like it) ! She will have a short visit here with new baby then head to Iceland to live for at least a year so I had better get my baby cuddles in while I can.

148jessibud2
Déc 24, 2018, 8:09 am

>146 mdoris:, >147 mdoris: - No snow here yet, Mary. We had a slight dusting overnight but can still see the grass and the pavement of the roads so it really doesn't count. We are hovering on or about zero degrees with an anomaly of +8C predicted for later in the week. Sheesh! I hope your summer place wasn't too badly damaged. That storm made our news!

How exciting, re the new baby! And Iceland is one of those places I have ALWAYS wanted to see. Do they have work there or is her husband Icelandic?

Mary, I noticed on your profile page that one of your most recent books is the one by Maria Popova, of the Brain Pickings blog fame, called A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader. Did you happen to catch the live broadcast last week of her introducing the book? It was an hour long and every contributor read their letter, and the matching illustration was shown, as well. It was held at the New York Public Library and was really great! I want so much to get hold of that book. Did you order it from her site or is it in stores?

149lkernagh
Déc 24, 2018, 1:44 pm

Hi Mary, stopping by to wish you peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and best wishes for 2019!

150mdoris
Modifié : Déc 25, 2018, 1:27 am

>148 jessibud2: HI Shelley, I MUST get better at reading Brain Pickings regularly. I read snatches of it and just read her recommendations of great kids books published in 2018 so put a number of them reserve. The library system does not have her book (as yet) so I will have to keep my eyes peeled but it did look very interesting to me and I would like to read it. I did not catch the live broadcast of her new book. Lucky you to have had that wonderful introduction. My P has been reading Brain Pickings regularly for years and he loves it. She sure has quite the knowledge base and I love how she relates to lots of concepts through childrens books.

151mdoris
Déc 24, 2018, 6:43 pm

>149 lkernagh: Wonderful to have you visit Lori. Wishing you the best in 2019 and best wishes too for a great Christmas!

152Familyhistorian
Déc 25, 2018, 12:54 am

>146 mdoris: I heard that the islands were hard hit and many don't have power yet. Was it difficult to get to your summer place? The pictures on the news show lots of trees down.

153mdoris
Modifié : Déc 25, 2018, 4:03 pm

>152 Familyhistorian: Yes Meg there is still no power and massive logs way above the high tide mark and trees and branches down everywhere. The island was hit hard but there is a system for taking care of others in place which is a very good thing. There is damage to decks and docks and it will add a few projects to the list for the spring.

154Familyhistorian
Déc 25, 2018, 1:56 am

>153 mdoris: Ouch, I hope we don't have a storm like that again any time soon!

155PaulCranswick
Déc 25, 2018, 4:23 am



Happy holidays, Mary

156mdoris
Déc 25, 2018, 4:02 pm

Best Christmas present EVER!

A brand new grand daughter was born last night 6 lb. 8 oz. Her name is Anouk. We are very, very lucky. She is our 6th grandchild and 2nd. grand daughter. This was the best present for us. Everyone is fine!

157drneutron
Déc 25, 2018, 4:34 pm

Congrats!

158jessibud2
Déc 25, 2018, 5:37 pm

Congratulations, Mary! What a lovely Christmas present!

159mdoris
Modifié : Déc 25, 2018, 5:57 pm

>154 Familyhistorian:, >155 PaulCranswick: Thanks Meg and Paul for the seasonal visits.

>157 drneutron:, >158 jessibud2: Thanks Jim and Shelley. We are over the moon!

160vancouverdeb
Déc 25, 2018, 6:42 pm

Oh how exciting Mary! What a darling! I'm glad the labour went well! Merry Christmas!

161Donna828
Déc 26, 2018, 12:28 pm



Another little reader in the world! Big congratulations on your precious Anouk. I look forward to hearing more about her and your other grandchildren. Maybe we should set up a grandparents page here on LT where we can brag away!

162mdoris
Modifié : Déc 28, 2018, 1:46 am

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan V.I. Library system p. 417



This was a pretty gripping story with an odd ending. There were some far fetched coinicidences and some very unlikely language patterns for a boy with early years as a slave in Barbados. It was quite the travel log going from Barbados to the Arctic, to Nova Scotia then England, Amsterdam and then Morocco. The story was quite imaginative. I found the wriitng uneven.

163Familyhistorian
Déc 30, 2018, 12:52 am

Congratulations on the birth of your 6th grandchild, Anouk, Mary. What a wonderful Christmas present.

164mdoris
Déc 30, 2018, 1:34 am

>163 Familyhistorian: Thank you Meg. Visited with her today on Skype and she is a cutie pie!

165lkernagh
Déc 30, 2018, 2:03 pm

Congratulations on the new grand daughter! Truly a wonderful Christmas present.

166charl08
Déc 30, 2018, 2:54 pm

Beautiful baby! Big fan of the hat choice too. And I love the name - I think a character in Joanne Harris' Chocolat novels has the same name.

167mdoris
Déc 30, 2018, 4:03 pm

Thanks Lori and Charlotte. We will get our mitts on her soon. Her name is Anouk Zella. Dad is French Canadian so they wanted to get a name that works with both languages. Zella is a family name on both sides, my grandmother and P's grandmother and we named our first daughter with the name and now it continues. I guess it was the name of a heroine in a novel way back when so there was a surge of Zellas and then there were few. We are trying to keep up the name!

168BLBera
Déc 30, 2018, 4:29 pm

Happy New Year, Mary. You got a great Christmas gift in a new granddaughter.

>121 mdoris: What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky is one of my year's favorites. I loved the title story.

>122 mdoris: I agree. I loved Boyne's essay. I've only read The Absolutist, but I will read more by him. This sounds like a good one.

>127 mdoris: What a great list! I've added a few to my WL.

>132 mdoris: I just finished the new Penny, totally ignoring everything else for two days. I loved it.

169mdoris
Modifié : Jan 1, 2019, 12:47 am

The Dry by Jane Harper V.I Library system p 328



This is my last read for 2018. It is set in a small town near Melbourne and involves the solving of a horrific murder of a young family and the solving of a young girl's death that happened many years before. It was a galloping good read and I heard about it first here on L.T. Thank you to whoever steered me towards this book. I gather the author has more in store and I will look for them!

Happy New Year and all the best to all for health, happiness and fantastic reading in 2019!

170mdoris
Modifié : Jan 1, 2019, 12:22 pm

I love this time of year when I get to have a peek at everyone's best reads for the year. I read 59 books in 2018 which is pretty average for me. One day I might even read 75 and then I can be a card carrying member! (If I counted all the stupendous cookbooks I get I would be well over 75!) Most books come from the library and I do like books that fit in my hands and not one (yet) for audio or ebooks but you never know......I set no goals and get lots of my ideas from Library Thing, a community that I am endlessly grateful that I found 7 years ago.

Here are mine in no particular order or category or restricted number. I think if I looked at the list another day I might come up for another list altogether so it is just a slice in time but these were ones that I thought were very good.

Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston biography
Women Talking by Miriam Toews fiction based on a true crime
I am I am I am by Maggie O'Farrell short stories
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright non fiction
Educated by Tara Westover memoir
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah memoir
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie fiction
Dark Star Safari Paul Theroux travel writing

An honourable mention given for Bibliophile an Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount. What a great book this is giving endless ideas for a TBR pile.

171jessibud2
Jan 1, 2019, 8:21 am

Happy new year, Mary! I don't think I had ever read 75 books until my second or third year at LT. And my total for 2018 was 87, a new high for me! So, you never know.

Wishing you all the best for 2019. Let us know when you start a new thread!

172raidergirl3
Jan 1, 2019, 11:06 am

Very world view reading, Mary. And lots of nonfiction. I’ve got Educated and Born a Crime on my radar.

I also loved the Maggie O’Farrell book. Her writing was wonderful.

173jessibud2
Jan 4, 2019, 8:52 pm

Mary, I have not found a 2019 thread for you - am I going blind or have you not yet created one?

174vancouverdeb
Jan 4, 2019, 9:34 pm

>173 jessibud2: Shelley, I don't know for certain, but I'll bet Mary is going to create a 2019 thread, but at the moment , might be visiting her new grand daughter? That is just speculation on my part, but it seems plausible. I plan to create a 2019 thread, but when.... it will be a little while until we are all feeling a bit better at our place.

175vancouverdeb
Jan 4, 2019, 9:38 pm

And by the way , Mary , congratulations on your new granddaughter! I think you missed me up at post >160 vancouverdeb: .

Such a lovely , meaningful name for little Anouk Zella !

176jessibud2
Jan 4, 2019, 9:50 pm

>174 vancouverdeb: - Thanks, Deb. I bet you are right. And you are also another I couldn't find so extra thanks for letting me know here. Sorry to hear you are under the weather. Hope all is well soon! Happy new year!

177mdoris
Jan 4, 2019, 10:12 pm

Hi Shelley and Deborah. You are right Deborah, I did miss you! I have not set up a thread as yet but have been busy visiting lots of new threads for 2019 and seeing people's reading plans. Yikes! It is impressive. Have not yet had my mitts on the new baby girl Anouk but will probably by mid Jan. Her dad's parents arrived from Quebec last night to our place and took our truck up the Coquihalla. Another "yikes' with all the avalanche warnings yesterday. So they will get to see the new baby before us but that's okay becuase it is their first grandchild so it is a BIG occasion for them. May not get to a thread for a bit as I am having heart surgery next week which I am hoping will be very helpful and give me more energy. Yes, I need energy to start a new thread. Happy New Year to you both. I know for both of you, you are dealing with some trying times.

178jessibud2
Jan 5, 2019, 8:49 am

Oh Mary! Good luck with the surgery. I had no idea. Wishing you all the best and no worries about the thread. We know to find you here and we will be here whenever you are ready.

{{hugs}} all the best

179mdoris
Jan 5, 2019, 7:35 pm

Thanks Shelley. I'm sure all will be fine!

180mdoris
Jan 5, 2019, 7:37 pm

>172 raidergirl3: Thanks Elizabeth. I can't find a thread for you. Do you have one?

181mdoris
Jan 5, 2019, 7:38 pm

>175 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah. I will get my mitts on her soon.

182mdoris
Modifié : Jan 5, 2019, 7:39 pm

The 2019 thread is now open. PLease come and visit!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/301952

183mdoris
Jan 5, 2019, 7:41 pm

>168 BLBera: Great to get your comments Beth. I have found your new 2019 thread and will visit often.