Betty's (dudes22) Raining Cats and Dogs in 2019 - PT 2

Finishing up the year - My name is Betty and I’ve been on LT since Jan, 2008. I live in the smallest state in the US (RI) and besides reading, I spend a lot of time quilting. Those of you who’ve been here will remember my 2014 challenge based on quilt blocks. So I don’t get quite as much reading done as I’d like, but I may try an audio book or 2 this year to see how I like it.

I’ve decided this year to concentrate on some of the Cats, Kits, and the Bingo Dog and then one miscellaneous category. I will be trying to use books for multiple cats. Hoping for a few "cat-tricks".

Tickers: to add later







Year Long Read: The Gardener's Bed-Book by Richardson Wright (and others). This is a group of relatively short pieces set up for one each day.

TBR Cat – Even though I try to read from my TBR, this Cat should help me focus on books I might overlook otherwise.

Jan – First In, Last Out -Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Feb – Borrowed but never got to A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill
Mar - Bought on/for a trip and never got to Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
Apr – Aquired for an LT group read or challenge Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
May – Keep looking at, but never open Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Jun – Book bullets The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Jul – Author with more than one on TBR The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
Aug – Purchased with excitement, but still on TBR Beach Music by Pat Conroy
Sep – Classic I think I should read
Oct – Purchased because of visual appeal
Nov – TBR book given as a gift
Dec - Bought because it was cheap (i.e. library sale)

4. Calendar Cat - I’ve decided to use some monthly calendar events as my starting point. Some of them are somewhat – let’s say – odd/different. I know each month’s host will suggest how to approach the month and offer a suggestion or two, but since it’s fairly open, I decided to choose ahead of time so I can set up my reading for the year.

Jan – Hot Tea Month -Oolong Dead by Laura Childs
Feb - Black History Month - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Mar – National Craft Month - The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini
Apr – Autism Awareness Month - Edward Adrift by Craig Lancaster
May – Tourette’s Awareness Month - The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne
Jun – Candy Month
Jul – Blueberry Month
Aug – Peach Month
Sep – Honey Month
Oct – Breast Cancer Awareness
Nov – National Author's Day - 1 Nov - A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
Dec – Write a Friend Month

5. SERIES CAT - Here’s a chance for me to catch up on my series or start a few I’ve been meaning to get to.

Jan – in translation - The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Feb - YA series - Torn by Erica O’Rourke
Mar – favorite author - The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
Apr – series you’ve been meaning to get back to - Edward Adrift by Craig Lancaster
May – newest book in favorite series - Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child
Jun – completed series - Wool by Hugh Howey
Jul – genre fantasy
Aug – set in a country you don’t live in
Sep – genre: mystery - The Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs
Oct – historical - Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear
Nov – female protagonist The Braque Connection by Estelle Ryan
Dec - new -to-you series

Alpha Kit - I’ve decided to do the Alpha Kit this year and hope to use author’s last names for the letters.

Jan – A - Indigo Dying by Susan Wittig Albert
Q- The Right Side by Spencer Quinn
Feb – K - O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King
O - Torn by Erica O’Rourke
Mar – U - Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
L - Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
Apr – B - Speaking From Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
M-
May – H- The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne
V- Think of a Number by John Verdon
Jun – J - Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson
D-
Jul – P - The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
C- Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
Aug – N - Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I -
Sep – F - The Laws of Murder by Charles Finch
W
Oct – G - The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
T
Nov – S - The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith
Y -
Dec – E,R
Year-Long – X,Z

5. Random Cat - I like this Cat and the variety of people’s choices.

Jan – Name in print What We Keep by Elizabeth Berg
Feb - We need a break So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger
Mar –Brexit Madness Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Apr - TOB book The Book of Aron by Jim Shepard
May – I could have danced - Dancing on the Edge by Han Nolan
Jun – Pick a Card.. - Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
Jul – All about birds - The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Aug – School days -
Sep – Equinox -
Oct – Knock-offs, Follow-ups, etc - Justice Hall by Laurie R King
Nov – Childhood Memories
Dec – Seasons Readings -

7. Book Clubs, Book Bullets, & Miscellaneous:

Since I’m not sure if I will be able to squeeze my book club readings into one of the Cats this year, I’m keeping a miscellaneous category, just in case.

1. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
2. Shine by Jodi Picoult
3. Indigo Slam by Robert Crais
4. The Hard Way by Lee Child
5. Headhunters by Jo Nesbo
6. The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
7. Educated by Tara Westover
8. We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
10. The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch
11. Visionary Women by Andrea Barnet
12. Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
13. Gone: A Girl, A Violin, A Life Unstrung by Min Kym
14. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
15. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

DNF:
Giraffe by J.M. Ledgard

. Bingo Dog - Always lots of interesting blocks.



1. Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
2. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
3. What We Keep by Elizabeth Berg
4. The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen (DQ in 2013)
5. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
6.
7. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
8. Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
9.
10. Speaking From Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
11. Dilly of a Death by Susan Wittig Albert
12. Indigo Dying by Susan Wittig Albert
13. Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear
14. Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
15.
16. Shine by Jodi Picoult
17. The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
18.
19.
20. The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith
21. So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger
22. Headhunters by Jo Nesbo
23. The Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs
24. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
25. Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson

OK - I'm ready to finish the year!

Happy new thread, and good luck with the rest of your 2019 reading!

Happy shiny new thread to close out the year! Wish I had that book club kitty to read with :)

Happy New Thread, Betty! Have you given any thoughts to next year's challenge?

>12 rabbitprincess: - To be honest, I'm not much of a cat person - but since my challenge was based on the Cats this year I did need pictures.

>13 RidgewayGirl: - Hi Kay - Yes, my thread is pretty much decided. I had an idea a couple of years ago that I've been saving. I was waiting for the Cats and Bingo to be settled before deciding if I needed to add any more categories. And I might need to look for pictures. What about you?

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Betty. I am trying to stay focused on finishing the 2019 challenge, but now that we know what Cats we have, I am tempted to start planning my 2020 challenge.

>14 dudes22: I'm ready to start a new year of reading, but since I still haven't come up with a theme, I'll probably end up setting up my 2020 thread in that odd week between Christmas and New Year.

>15 MissWatson: - Thanks

>16 DeltaQueen50: - I'm falling woefully short of my goals this year. Been doing a more quilting instead of reading this year, I guess. I think I'll probably lower my goals next year.

>17 RidgewayGirl: - Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be a good one.

So I was at the library today picking up a book for my book club and I decided I should stroll by the FOL shelves and see what was there. I picked up 4 books, two of which were book bullets I took this year.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Even the Stars Look Lonesome by Maya Angelou
The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson

I think you will enjoy A Gentleman in Moscow and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I read them both this year and they were 5 star reads for me.

>19 dudes22: I enjoyed The Bookshop of Yesterdays - a fun read.

>20 Tess_W: - Yes, both of those were recommended to me. I'm looking forward to fitting them in next year.

>21 JayneCM: - When I looked at the reviews on LT, they were mixed. But I didn't think it was going to be anything but a fun read. I read the YA series Mr Lemoncello and all the library adventures and enjoy them a lot. ETA: I might hold this for a future idea I have for the category challenge. This year is already set.

>22 dudes22: If you don't expect too much, you will enjoy it. I have Mr Lemoncello on my list as well. Anything that is books about books or libraries are my thing!

Book 56: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith
Nov Alpha Kit: "S"
Bingo Block: Book with 6 or more words in title

Another installment in the Ladies Detective Agency books. Same pleasant type story for just some easy reading.

As I was creating and adding books to a new collection (Next in Series) so I can keep track of what I'm looking for to read next in my series now that FictFact is no more, I realized that I want to rethink my reading and books on my TBR. I think I might do a big purge and get rid of books that I don't think I want to continue in the series. Maybe after the new year starts.

>25 dudes22: Sounds like a great new year's plan!

>25 dudes22: I have a separate wish list account that I haven't updated in ages. I need to go in and delete things I've read and things that no longer interest me--or things I now own. I might use it more if I really purged it.

I was all excited to get a notice from the library that This Tender Land, William Kent Krueger's new stand-alone novel was ready for pick-up. I feel like I've been waiting forever and I was afraid I'd have to put it on hold when we went away to Fla in Jan for a couple of months. We've been in a weather low here for a couple of days now and the northern part of the state has gotten some snow, but here on the coast, we just had rain yesterday. So I was surprised to get up this am to 3" and it's supposed to snow until noon. I was planning to do errands this am and then we're supposed to go with a group to get our trees this afternoon. I know others are getting hit with snow much worse, but I thought I'd whine a little.

>28 dudes22: I had placed a hold on This Tender Land on Overdrive so early I was number 2 when it became available. Of course it came to me when I was busy. I started it but knew I wouldn't get it finished without renewing it. Since others were in line for it that wasn't possible so I just let it go back early. I placed another hold then and I've just checked it...number 27. So I checked the library collection and unbelievably it's in. I immediately placed a hold and I'll go down and pick it up later today. I look forward to reading it!

>29 clue: - I'm looking forward to it too. His other stand-alone Ordinary Grace was my top read of the year when I read it a couple of years ago. I even suggested it to both of the book clubs I belong to.

Book 57: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Dec Random: Season's Readings - Letter "M"

I read this when it first came out, but it was the book club pick for this month so I thought I would have a reread. I enjoyed it just as much this time. The story of a crumudgeny (is that a word?) man who is trying to commit suicide and join his wife and how people keep getting in the way of his plan. There's so much that goes on in the book that it's hard to write more than that. But it's happy and sad and funny.

I think this was one of the best book club meetings we had and the book prompted lots of discussion. Now I need to see the movie which one of the ladies said was also good.

>31 dudes22: I think you probably mean "curmudgeonly" -- but I totally got it from "crumudgeny"!

>32 christina_reads: - Thanks for the correction. I knew it didn't sound quite right but I was just too lazy to look it up.

>31 dudes22: Yes, the movie is great. Have you read Britt-Marie Was Here? It is also hilarious and sad. He just writes life so well.

>31 dudes22: I have a few more of his on my TBR. Britt-Marie is one of them. I was planning to start it but when Ove was picked for book club, I decided to re-read that instead. I'm planning at least one of the ones I have for next year.

So while I was at the bookstore today buying gift certs for my great nieces/nephews, I saw a book on the bargain shelf called My Ideal Bookshelf by Thessaly La Force. Apparently, the author has interviewed people of various professions about what books matter to them the most. It's one page per person with a facing page of an art rendition of the spines of those books. I think I'll save it to take when we go away this winter and hope that I don't take too many book bullets from it.

>36 dudes22: There's also merchandise that follows on from the book (art prints, totes, mugs, etc)! https://www.idealbookshelf.com/

>37 christina_reads: - oh - that's interesting! I might see a mug in my future. I might keep this in mind for a like-minded book friend.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a problem with my wi-fi connection on my SurfacePro tablet/laptop that I mostly use. Then it seemed to be working but today I couldn't get a connection again. So I took it to the local computer guy and it looks like my network adapter is dying. All this just so I can tell you that it looks like I'll need a new laptop. He gave me an external adapter but that's just a temporary fix. Why couldn't this have happened in July? As if I wasn't busy enough, it looks like I'll have to buy a new laptop and get everything transferred over before we go to Fla. I'm not looking forward to fighting the crowds. And after Christmas won't be any better. As a matter of fact, probably better to do it before everyone who gets new stuff for Christmas needs help. I'm going to have a big glass of wine tonight.

>39 dudes22: Ouch, that's too bad! Although maybe there will be some kind of holiday sale, so at least you might save some money?

I hope so!

>39 dudes22: Technology is such a pain when it is not working! Hopefully you can find what you need on sale.

>42 JayneCM: - Thanks, Jayne. The next big discussion is how many GB to get. There seems to be a difference of opinion in our house.

So I went out into the crowds yesterday - really the traffic is the worst - and bought an updated version of what I have. Dropped it off today with my old computer to have everything moved over. They said it should be done by Mon.

>44 dudes22: Great! Hope it all works easily!

Book 58: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

"There is a river that runs through time and the universe, vast and inexplicable..."

Krueger's first stand-alone novel Ordinary Grace was my top read for 2018. And this second novel will probably be my top pick for this year.

Odie, and his brother Albert, have been living at the Lincoln Indian Training School for the past 5 years since their father died (their mother died earlier) when they were 8 and 12. They're not Indians but were sent to the school because there was no room left at the state orphanage. It's 1932 and the Great Depression is making things hard for everyone. Their best friend is a Sioux Indian - Mose - who was found at the side of the road beside his dead mother with his tongue cut out. The school is a brutal place to live. The teachers and administrators administer beatings and place children in solitary. The food is basic subsistence and nothing else. Children are hired out to local farms where they often work as basically slaves. Only one teacher, Mrs Frost, shows them compassion.

One day, Mrs Frost tells them that she is going to request that they be allowed to spend the summer on her farm helping her. Before that can take place there is a terrible tornado and she is killed. When it appears that the administrators are going to try and adopt her daughter Emmy, they decide that they need to escape.

This is a coming of age book told from the point of view of Odie. Krueger makes his characters so complete. And there are some twists at the end. Not too contrived, I think.

>46 dudes22: I loved Ordinary Grace as well and I am looking forward to reading This Tender Land.

>47 DeltaQueen50: - At first, Judy, I didn't think it would be as good - but it was.

>46 dudes22: I read Ordinary Grace and loved it. I'm putting this one on my wishlist!

>46 dudes22: I have both of these on my TBR, looking forward to them.

Rather than visiting everyone's threads, I'm wishing everyone a Merry Christmas (or your chosen holiday) here. Hubby threw his back out yesterday (opening a dresser drawer) and my list for today has doubled.

Ouch! I hope he feels better soon! Merry Christmas to you both :)

Sorry to hear of your hubby's troubles - hope he feels better soon and that you have a lovely holiday.

Merry Christmas to you too! And a shiny new new computer to start off the new year! Nice.

>47 DeltaQueen50: I've finished This Tender Land but haven't gotten around to getting comments on my thread. I was telling a friend about it and said I liked a book every now and then that just told a story. She thought that was funny but in my case, it's true!

>52 rabbitprincess: - Thanks, rp. Hope you're having a good time with your folks.

>53 DeltaQueen50: - Thanks, Judy. He seems to be getting a little better each day. I'd hate to think of driving to Fla with him hurting.

>54 VivienneR: - Hi, Vivienne. Good in one way, but lots to set up and get organized.

>55 clue: - Hi, Luanne. I'll be checking to see your comments. I know what your mean about having to explain that it's just a good book.

Hubby's almost back to normal, but we're still being careful not to pick anything up that's too heavy.

Although I have two books I'm hoping to finish before the year ends, I thought I'd go ahead and post my meme answers from the books I read this year. I'll do my summary later this weekend.

Year-End Meme:

Describe Yourself: So Brave, Young, and Handsome

Describe How You Feel: Torn

Describe Where You Currently Live: This Tender Land

If You Could Go Anywhere, Where Would You Go: O, Jerusalem

Your Favorite Form of Transportation: The Dark Horse

Your Best Friend is: A Dog Named Slugger

You and Your Friends are: Visionary Women

What's the Weather Like: Mudbound

You Fear: The Silent Patient

What's the Best Advice You Have to Give: Shine

Thought for the Day: We Were The Lucky Ones

How I Would Like to Die: Dancing on the Edge

My Soul's Present Condition: Peace Like A River

Your favorite time of day is: Gone Tomorrow

What is life for you: A Piece of the World

>57 dudes22: So glad to hear things are improving!

I liked the title of Peace Like A River so much, I think I may have to read it. What a wonderful way to feel. :)

>58 JayneCM: - I liked it a lot and gave it 4.5 stars.

I've been debating whether or not to abandon my current read before this year ends. It's a book that was picked for our book club in Jan. It's got a decent enough rating here on LT, but isn't really my style book. Since we're leaving for Fla the day after, I'm sure people will understand if I don't go. But I hate not finishing a book.

Now for my year-end summery

Year End Summary:

Well – I didn’t make my goals this year, but that’s ok; I still had some good reading and got some books off my TBR. I only managed to read 58 books overall and 37 books from my TBR pile. And only had 1 DNF. But I also added 61 books to my TBR pile so …. I need to either read more or accumulate less.

I think next year I’m going to take a long look at some of my unread books and do a purge. Particularly series I don’t think I’ll continue.

I also took a large number of book bullets this year, so I’m having a category for them next year. I took 63 book bullets - 44 from LT and 19 from other sources. The top three bullet slingers are:

Rabbitprincess got me with 7
DeltaQueen50 got me with 6
Japaul got me with 6

My top 5 reads this year were:
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
The Silent Patient by Alex Michalaides
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

So now it’s on to 2020…..

Here's my thread there: https://www.librarything.com/topic/313298
And my quilting thread over in the Needlearts group: https://www.librarything.com/topic/314444

>61 dudes22: All of your top five are on my TBR, so good to hear! Looking forward to seeing what you read in 2020.

>61 dudes22: And I have 3 on mine, I hope to get to The Silent Patient after I finish my January CATS.

>62 JayneCM: - I have your 2020 thread starred to see what you read too.

>63 clue: - The Silent Patient was a BB from Vivienne this year and I hardly ever read a BB right away. I'll be watching to see what you think of it.

I'm honored to be among those adding to your TBR pile! I'm very interested in reading something my William Kent Kreuger, so you got me there! Looking forward to following your reading in 2020.

Pew pew pew! :D I hope they are good bullets and not duds.

>65 japaul22: - Both of his stand alone novels are excellent.

>66 rabbitprincess: - You're always good for a couple of BBs for my husband too. I'm hoping to read more of the BB on my recommended list next year.