BLBera's Reading in 2020 - Page 7

This image is from Snow by Uri Shulevitz, one of Scout's favorite books.

My name is Beth. I love books – talking about them, writing about them, reading about them. I also love to read with my granddaughter Scout.

I teach English at my local community college, so I am always looking for books I can use in my classes. I like to discover new writers.

I tend not to plan my reading, other than for my book club, which meets once a month.

I can't wait for 2020 to be done with!

Currently Reading

Favorites of 2020 - so far

You must read this!


One of my favorite books from last year was this collection of poetry by Richard Blanco.

This is the last stanza from "One Pulse -- One Poem"

Write one more stanza -- now. Set the page ablaze
with the anger in the hollow ache of our bones--
anger for the new hate, same as the old kind of hate
for the wrong skin color, for the accent in a voice,
for the love of those we're not supposed to love.
Anger for the voice of politics armed with lies, fear
that holds democracy at gunpoint. But let's not
end here. Turn the poem, find the details for the love
of the lives lost, still alive in photos--spread them
on the table, give us their wish-filled eyes glowing
over birthday candles, their unfinished sandcastles,
their training-wheels, Mickey Mouse ears, tiaras.
Show their blemished yearbook faces, silver-teeth
smiles and stiff prom poses, their tasseled caps
and gowns, their first true loves. And then share
their very last selfies. Let's place each memory
like a star, the light of their past reaching us now,
and always, reminding us to keep writing until
we never need to write a poem like this again.

Read in 2020 - fourth quarter
October
99. Tar Baby*
100. Transcendent Kingdom 💜
101. The Great Gatsby: A Graphic Novel Adaptation*
102. What Are You Going Through
103. The Handmaid's Tale* REREAD
104. Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir💜
105. The Eighth Detective
106. Empire of Wild
107. Nasty Women*

October Reading Report
Books read: 9
By women: 8
By men: 1
Novels: 7
Memoir: 1
Essays: 1

Library: 5
- Physical copies: 5

From my shelves: 4
- Physical copies: 3
- Ebook: 1
- Gave away: 1

November
108. Hieroglyphics*
109. Miss Emily*
110. Bright Dead Things* 💜
111. Inheritors 💜
112. Arabella*

November Reading Report
Books read: 5
By women: 5
Novels: 3
Short stories: 1
Poetry: 1

Library: 1 - Physical copy

From my shelves: 4
- Physical copy 3
- Audiobook 1
- Gave away 2

December
113. When They Call You a Terrorist* REREAD
114. The Great Offshore Grounds
115. The Phantom Tollbooth*
116. Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread💜
117. Old Baggage*💜
118. Manhood for Amateurs*
119. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom*
120. The Woman Who Fell from the Sky*
121. Cold Earth*
122. All the Devils Are Here
123. High Rising*

*from my shelves

Read in 2020 - first quarter
January
1. Grand Union
2. The Bone Clocks* 💜
3. Cantoras
4. Monument*
5. Enchanted Islands*
6. Tricky Twenty-Two*
7. Will and Testament
8. The Dutch House

January Reading Report
Books read: 8
By women: 7
By men: 1
Novels: 6
Poetry: 1
Short stories: 1
In translation: 1

Library: 5
- Audiobook: 1
- Physical copies: 4
From my shelves: 3
- Physical copies 3
- Gave away: 1

February
9. A Long Petal of the Sea
10. And Then There Were None* REREAD
11. No Fixed Line
12. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee* 💜
13. The Friend* REREAD
14. The Decent Inn of Death
15. Grass
16. American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin
17. Simon the Fiddler* 💜
18. Summer Hours at the Robbers Library*
19. Abigail 💜
20. Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick
21. Gender Queer: A Memoir

February Reading Report
Books read: 13
By women: 9
By men: 3
Nonbinary: 1

Novels: 9
Poetry: 1
Short stories: 1
Memoir: 1
Nonfiction: 1
In translation: 3

Library: 8
- Physical copies: 8

From my shelves: 5
- Physical copies: 3
- Ebooks: 2
- Gave away: 1

March 2020
22. Still Waters
23. Hate that Cat*
24. Tracks* REREAD
25. Queenie
26. Weather
27. The Private Patient* REREAD
28. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* REREAD
29. So You Want to Talk About Race
30. Dominicana* 💜
31. Indelicacy
32. House of Trelawney
33. How We Disappeared
34. The Night Watchman
35. Norse Mythology
36. Hamnet* 💜
37. New and Selected Poems 2

March Reading Report
Books read: 16
By women: 14
By men: 2
Novels: 14
Poetry: 1
Essays: 1
In translation: 1

Library: 10
- Audiobook: 2
- Physical copies: 8

From my shelves: 6
- Physical copies: 4
- Ebooks: 2

Read in 2020 - second quarter
April
38. The Most Fun We Ever Had 💜
39. The French Lieutenant's Woman* REREAD
40. Lady of Quality*
41. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line*
42. An American Sunrise*
43. Victim 2117

April Reading Report
Books read: 6
By women: 4
By men: 2
Novels: 5
Poetry: 1
In translation: 1

Library: 2

From my shelves: 4
Gave away: 1

May
44. Girl
45. Sing, Unburied, Sing* REREAD
46. The Waters of Eternal Youth*
47. Sula* 💜
48. Turbo Twenty-Three
49. Actress
50. Your House Will Pay
51. Bossypants*
52. The Long Call
53. Wolf Hall* 💜
54. Crewel World
55. A Conspiracy of Bones
56. The Giver of Stars

Reading Report - May
Books read: 13
By women: 13
Novels: 12
Memoir: 1

Library: 8
- Audiobooks: 3
- Physical copies: 5

From my shelves: 5
- Physical copies: 5
- Gave away: 1

June
57. Lockdown*
58. Old in Art School
59. The Overstory*💜
60. Masked Prey
61. Writers & Lovers 💜
62. A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx*
63. Vacationland*
64. Redhead by the Side of the Road
65. Fleishman Is in Trouble
66. The Turtle Catcher
67. Hid from Our Eyes

Reading Report June
Books read: 11
By women: 8
By men: 3
Novels: 9
Memoir: 1
Nonfiction: 1

Library: 7
- Audiobook: 1
- Physical copy: 6

From my shelves: 4
- Physical copies: 3
- ebook: 1

Gave away: 1

Read in 2020 - third quarter
July
68. New Poets of Native Nations* 💜
69. Bring Up the Bodies* 💜
70. The Shadow King
71. Afterlife
72. The Glass Hotel 💜
73. Yellowrocket*
74. Star Fall
75. How to Be an Antiracist*
76. Dear Edward
77. All Adults Here
78. Death in a Darkening Mist*
79. Under Ground

July Reading Report
Books read: 12
By women: 10
By men: 2
Novels: 9
Poetry: 2
Memoir: 1

Library: 7
- Physical books: 7

From my shelves: 5
- Physical books: 5
- Gave away: 2

August
80. Valentine💜
81. The Pull of the Stars
82. A Children's Bible💜
83. Why I Read: The Serious Pleasure of Books*
84. Olive, Again
85. The Winner's Circle*
86. A Good Time for the Truth*💜
87. Midnight's Children*
88. One Year of Ugly
89. The Elements* by James Scannell McCormick
90. Deadly Threads*

August Reading Report
Books read: 11
By women: 9
By men: 2

Novels: 8
Poetry: 1
Essays: 1
Nonfiction (books): 1

Library: 5 (all physical copies)

From my shelves: 6
- Physical copies: 5
- ebook: 1
- Gave away: 2

September
91. This Is What America Looks Like
92. Long Bright River
93. Go, Went, Gone* REREAD💜
94. The Lantern Men
95. My Time Among the Whites*
96. The Resisters
97. Foreign Wife Elegy*
98. Girl, Woman, Other*💜

September Reading Report
Books read: 8
By women: 8

Novels: 5
Poetry: 1
Memoirs: 2
Translation: 1

Library: 4 (all physical copies)
From my shelves: 4
- Physical copy: 3
- Ebook: 1
- Gave away: 1

Happy new one!

>9 BLBera: Thanks Anita! You are fast. I still have to fill in some blanks.

Happy new thread!

Happy new one from me too, Beth!

>1 BLBera: What a gorgeous illustration! It would make a wonderful vintage Christmas greeting.

I hope 2020 ends on a personally good note for you and your loved ones.

Thanks Susan, Peggy, and Sandy!

You are fast.

>13 LizzieD: I really can't complain, Sandy. I have a job and my family has stayed well. So I have been lucky.

Happy new one, Beth!

Happy new thread, Beth.

Snow looks like a beautiful book, I'd not seen that one before.

Happy new thread, Beth.

Are we really at the time of year for snow already? How I miss four seasons here in Malaysia.

>17 charl08: It is beautiful, Charlotte. I think it won the award for illustrations one year, but it's maybe 20 years old?

>18 PaulCranswick: Yes, we already have snow, Paul. It's not unusual to have some snow in October, but it has been unseasonably cold as well, so I am grumpy. :)

>16 katiekrug: Oops. Thanks Katie.

Happy Friday, Beth. Happy New Thread. How much snow did you get? I saw that some MN totals were pretty high. Ugh!

Hi Mark. We only got about three inches, but it's so cold, it's sticking. North got 6-8 inches.

Snow! Lucky you! Our weather is changing, finally. We're supposed to get some snow on Sunday along with much colder temps.

Happy new thread, happy Friday!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Beth!
I can see why Snow is one of Scouts favorites! What a beautiful illustration.
I’ve just cleared our acre lot of leaves for the second day in a row and they’re still coming down at a good clip. Now I’m basking in 75 degree temps and sunshine. Tomorrow’s forecast is 42! Yikes buckle your seat belts, winter’s coming.
Will is doing online classes at home all week and he’s looking to stay home maybe another week. This has been therapeutic for my soul.

Happy new thread! Hope you enjoy Empire of the Wild -- I liked it.

Happy new thread, Beth.

>23 Copperskye: Hi Joanne. I guess snow would be good for your fires, but I could live without it for a while yet.

>24 drneutron: Thanks Jim.

>25 Carmenere: Hi Lynda. It's been in the 30s here for the last week, and we're not expecting warmer weather for at least another week. That's 20 degrees below the normal temp for this time of year. Winter is really going to be long at this rate. Enjoy your time with Will.

>26 banjo123: I am loving it, Rhonda. I couldn't remember where I had heard about it.

>27 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita.

TwinB!! Happy new thread and congrats on passing 100!! Not missing the snow right now. ; )

Happy new thread., Beth. Yikes - snow already?? It seems like you were just out there shoveling snow the other day! Your list of favorite books this year has encouraged me to start a list of authors that I want to read soon and Lydia Millet is at the top of the list.

>29 Berly: Thanks TwinK. I am not ready for snow, either. Winter is going to be long...

>30 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy. Yup. Snow. Most of it is gone, but it's unseasonably cold, so it seems like winter is already here. I love Lydia Millet; her books are so original. I have a couple of hers that I haven't read that I am looking forward to.

Happy New Thread, Beth!

Happy new one, Beth!

It's snowing again. It is very pretty, but way too soon. We will be so tired of this by March.

>32 jnwelch: Thanks Joe.

>33 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba.

Happy new thread, Beth!

Hi, Beth! Happy new thread! Just marking my place here.

106. Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline takes place in the Ontario Metís community. Every culture has its bogeyman; the Metís have the rogarou, a werewolf-type creature. Dimaline has created an atmospheric setting, with a community that is struggling to hang on to its culture and its land. We see that there is still value in the old ways when Joan has to use the knowledge of the elders to get her husband back from the rogarou.

I will definitely read more by this author.

Hi Karen. Hi Mary. I hope all is well with you both.

>1 BLBera: Lovely image! Happy new thread!

Hi Beth. Does the Purple Heart by books in the list above mean it's a favorite?

>37 BLBera: Ooh, going right to the library website to see if they have this one.

^ They do, and I am number 35 in the queue for one of 15 e-copies.

Hi Ellen. Thanks. Yes, the hearts are my favorites for the month. I think you might like Empire of Wild. It's a hard book to describe in some ways. But I've been thinking about it, so it has stuck with me.

It sounds like you will get it rather quickly.

>37 BLBera: That one looks interesting, Beth.

Have seen it around on one or two threads so I must go and seek it out.

I'll watch for your comments on it, Paul.

Scout story: Scout is very careful about her loose teeth. She is not one to wiggle it too much or to let anyone pull out loose ones. She just lost her third one. It was so loose, her mom said she could turn it almost all the way around. I asked her what she was eating when she lost it. She said, "Lemonade." I guess it was VERY loose.

107. Nasty Women is an excellent of essays written in response to Trump's election in 2016. Contributors include people like Jill Filipovic, Alicia Garza, Kate Harding, Samantha Irby (whose essay is hilarious), Sara Jaffe, Katha Pollitt, and Rebecca Solnit, to name a few. The essays are uniformly thought-provoking from a wide variety of experiences and points of view.

I highlighted lots of passages, but here are some highlights.
Theories why Hillary lost: "The We Must Pay More Attention to the White Working Class analysis said that Clinton lost because she did not pay enough attention to white men...I've always had the impression -- from TV, movies, newspapers, sport, books, my education, my personal life, and my knowledge of who owns most things and holds government office at every level in my country -- that white men get a lot of attention already."

"Because we as a nation have never reckoned with our white Christian male supremacy, the stage has been set for the current racist-in-chief...to come along."

"In the United States, it's fine for a woman to claim equality, as long as she cheerfully opts out of it."

"My own privilege and complacency led me to overestimate how much my fellow citizens care about people whose lives differ from their own."

"This election wasn't simply a political contest. It was a referendum on how much America still hates women."

Because these essay were written so soon after the election, they are emotional and angry. Great collection of passionate, smart women. We should elect people like this.

>45 BLBera: Sounds worthwhile, Beth. Would be fascinating to hear what the contributors would add / change writing in 2020.

Love the Scout story. Hope the tooth fairy was kind!

>46 charl08: I'm just hoping they don't have to start another collection after the election, Charlotte!

I think Scout got a couple of dollars.

RIP Sean Connery. :(

>45 BLBera: Sounds like a great collection Beth. Adding to the list.

It was a very good collection, Caroline. There was a wide variety of experiences and approaches.

Happy new thread, Beth! Nos. 106 & 107 both sound good,

Hi Beth. I decided to order a copy of Nasty Women from Elliott Bay Books. I want the collection of essays and I want to support that Indie bookstore.

I finished Transcendent Kingdom and gave it 4.5 stars. I am still not entirely sure why not the full 5 stars except that I mostly save that for books that actually make me cry. This one was close but not quite there. I have put Homegoing on hold at the library because I want to reread it. Maybe I should order a copy of that one, as well. She is a pretty incredible author.

Happy Halloween, my friend!

>52 swynn: Thanks Steve! I think you would like them.

>53 EBT1002: You will love Nasty Women, Ellen. Although, it would have been easier to read them after the election if Biden wins...

I'm so happy you loved Transcendent Kingdom! I just loved Gifty and thought her character was so wonderfully drawn. I suspect that the novel is somewhat autobiographical? Gyasi did grow up in Alabama. I thought it was much more accomplished and deeper than Homegoing, which I also liked very much.

Scout came to my house in her costume. I'll text you a picture.

>4 BLBera: Beth . The poem by Richard Blanco, blew me away! What a wonderful writing style, and his adept way of putting words to feelings brought instant thoughts of the way our country is imploding. I will certainly look for How to Love a Country.

As you know, I am fascinated by illustrators of children's books. Uri Shulevitz is one of my favorite Caldecott winning illustrators.

>45 BLBera: I could not say it better than you did! I'll add that I usually don't post political thoughts, especially on a thread that isn't mine, but I am VERY concerned if there are four more years of this reign of terror.

Today, I watched ABC news coverage of his rapid visits to states he might not win...He actually belittled a woman in the crowd who was wearing a mask! And, while the number of deaths increases at an all-time high, he spews that it will all go away!

grrr....I'll read some lovely illustrated books tonight to take my mind off politics.

You read many great books. I will also get a copy of Girl, Woman, Other and Nasty Women

Hi Linda - I hope you are staying well. Fingers crossed that we will all be much happier next week.

Many years ago, when I was in grad school, I worked in the children's area of a bookstore and really learned a deeper appreciation of lovely illustrations. I am sad in some ways that Scout is moving away from picture books, though she will still revisit some of her favorites. We love David Wiesner and the Aaron Becker trilogy is lovely as well.

Richard Blanco is a wonderful poet. In this collection he has several occasional poems, including some that he submitted for the inauguration but which weren't chosen. They are still very good.

Hi Beth! I am also fingers crossed for next week.

I hope Scout had a good halloween! The health authority asked for no trick or treating here, so we didn't participate. One of our neighbors organized a "parade" (mainly children in costume wandering randomly around the block) so we did get to see the costumes. And it turned out, many of the neighbors did give out candy in socially distant ways. There were a couple of candy chutes, which were pretty cool.

Scout went to a classmate's house. They are in the same pod, and they had a piñata in the back yard, then, they hung bags of candy in the small woods behind the house, with glow sticks, so the kids had a kind of scavenger hunt. Scout told me that she had a bucket full of candy. She was a scientist, very cute.

>54 BLBera: The picture of Scout in her costume was so sweet, Beth. Thanks for sending it. She continues to grow so quickly!

I do think Transcendent Kingdom was autobiographical on some level. I most especially imagine the tension between an evangelical childhood and a secular consciousness in adulthood had to be drawn deeply from her own experience. She acknowledged a friend, a scientist at Stanford, on whose work Gyasi based the lab work of Gifty. It sounds like she spent a lot of time in the lab, learning from her friend. Since I knew Gyasi is not a scientist (I mean, she is a novelist, right?), I was impressed with her descriptions of the neurochemistry experiments and I loved Gifty's relationship with the mice: very real.

I was pleased to see your Vikings win over Green Bay. I know he isn't playing for them any more but I'm so furious at Brett Farve that I will never root for Green Bay again (I lived there for 3 years; it is in the water). I haven't rooted for them much in any case since moving to the PNW 25+ years ago. Today my Seahawks are up 20-7 over San Fransisco and just recovered a fumble pretty deep in 49er territory. Lots of football to go, though....

Love the Scout stories. Happy new thread Beth!

>58 BLBera: What a great idea! I missed having the kids come around this year.

>59 EBT1002: You are welcome, Ellen. She is SO grown up. I think that autobiographical connection to her novel is what makes it resonate more with me. I loved Homegoing, but this novel seems to touch me more closely.

I am not watching football this year. It's my personal protest because I think it is so irresponsible to put the players, families at risk amid the pandemic. Still, my daughter showed up with a minute left, so I did see the ending. Very satisfying as it is quite a heated rivalry.

>60 mdoris: Thanks Mary. Scout is a great source of stories. Her mom tells me that lately she has taken to note writing on post its.

>61 Copperskye: The girls, just the two sisters and Scout, had a good time running around in the woods, Joanne. It does sound like a fun idea.

Start young with a love of post its. Fabulous.

I saw this e-event mentioned on Litsy and thought of you.
https://literary-arts.org/event/pbf-alvarez-txbf/

Join us for a conversation with Julia Alvarez about Afterlife, a book which is in part about managing when just about everything goes wrong.

Moderator: Liliana Valenzuela
Format: This is a free, live, virtual event.
Q&A: Please direct questions to the authors and moderator with CrowdCast’s “Ask a Question” button and not the chat box. Questions will be shared with the moderator, and the moderator will attempt to get to as many audience questions as possible toward the end of the session.

Thanks Charlotte!

>63 charl08: and >64 BLBera: Alvarez is speaking as part of the Portland Book festival. She is a good speaker, so I might try to make that one.

>42 PaulCranswick: I thought so, too, Paul.
I'm way back in the queue... E-book requested on Overdrive

Hi Beth, just delurking to say Empire of Wild is a BB for me.
Thanks for the shout out.

Hope the situation today and in the coming days in your parts stays calm.

Fingers and toes crossed that our country turns blue today!

Hi Rhonda - I would love to hear Alvarez speak.

Hi Sandy - I'll watch for your comments on Empire of Wild -- an author to watch for sure.

>68 BLBera: Pressure to read and review!
I am way back in the line up but the good part is there are 3 copies circulating in our local PL.

No pressure, Sandy.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Beth.

Thanks Paul.

President Biden! Vice-President Harris!

Crossing your fingers and toes worked, Beth.

>73 karenmarie: Yes! Now I can turn off election news and get some reading done. And grading.

Hooray! Beth, I think the Alvarez talk is recorded, I will try to listen to it later.

I will have to listen to it later as well, Rhonda. I signed up for it and then completely forgot it. Election brain.

Happy Sunday, Beth! I loved catching up on the Scout stories - she is a gem! And you got me with Nasty Women - great review!

Hi Mamie. I'm happy to see you back.

108. Hieroglyphics is a lovely novel that quietly adds layers to the characters until the end, when we are sorry to leave them behind.

The novel tells the story of Lil, Frank, and Shelley, all of whom end up in the same North Carolina town. In alternate chapters, we learn their stories. At first, I wasn't sure I liked this approach because I found some people's stories so much more compelling than others', but in the end, McCorkle makes it work. Slowly, we get to know Shelley, a single mom with two boys. She tries to escape the past. Frank and Lil, a couple in their eighties, have moved to North Carolina to be close to their daughter.

All the characters have survived painful pasts -- Frank and Lil try to hang on to the memories of Frank's dad and Lil's mom, while Shelley only wants to forget. In the process of learning about their pasts, McCorkle asks us to consider the importance of memory and the extent to which we should hang on to the past.

I finally finished a book in November! Darn elections cut into my reading.

Hi Beth! Hieroglyphics sounds good - I see Katie is reading it too. I'm adding it to my list. I read Life after Life a few years ago, but don't remember anything except it took place in an assisted living facility.

I know what you mean about time stolen from reading....I can't believe how many hours I sat glued to the TV over the last few weeks. Did nothing to relieve my anxiety!

Yes, on the time stolen from reading! And now I am obsessing over the Dumpster's shenanigans to steal the elections. No more free rent for him in my headspace! I believe Joe and Camala are equal to dealing with him and his base.

I'm happy that you enjoyed {Hieroglyphics, Beth!
I'm so impatient with DLT and his entourage that Joe and Camala reassure me maybe more than they ought to. Just let us get through the next month + without disaster and MOVE ON!!!!!! (Uh, yes. I do get the news from Move On, but I stopped reading most of it over a year ago when every single blip was blown up to be a national disaster and an appeal for money. Somehow, I think we'll survive now.)
Meanwhile, may we all regain our reading chops!

>80 vivians: I think you would like Hieroglyphics, Vivian. It's very much a character-driven novel. I haven't read Life after Life yet, but I think I have a copy somewhere. I am trying to spend less time obsessing about the election and transition.

>81 streamsong: I love Biden's calm, Janet. I'm trying to channel some of that.

>82 LizzieD: Deep breaths, Peggy. Have you read Hieroglyphics yet?

>79 BLBera: Sounds like a WL title for me.
Good review and I like the idea of a discussion about "consider the importance of memory and the extent to which we should hang on to the past."

Edited to mention, touchstone currently leads to the incorrect title.

Thanks Sandy.

>79 BLBera: Adding this to the wishlist Beth. (Hoping the library will find me a copy!)

It's pretty new, I think, Charlotte. It was an ER book, although it arrived months after I'd given up on it. I was happy to get it.

109. Miss Emily was my book club book this month. We had a good discussion about this short novel. All loved the language and the way O'Connor uses Dickinson's words and snippets of her poems in the narration. Most liked the alternating point of view: Ada Concannon was an Irish maid in the Dickinson household, and her story alternates with narrative from Dickinson. Most of the discussion focused on the latter part of the novel, when the focus shifts to Ada and pretty much stays there. Several people found that unsatisfactory. I found the ending a little unrealistic, but liked the book overall.

I especially liked the Dickinson chapters, with the lovely description and the figurative language that reflects Dickinson's style. I loved this passage:

"For now I need the solace of words. Words bracket silence. That quiet gives propulsion to the words and all that they say. Words smolder, they catch fire, they are volcanic eruptions, waiting to explode. I like to start small. With the fewest words I can manage. If the words run away, I trip them up and pull them back. If they do not cooperate, I obliterate them. Each word is a candidate, sized up and interviewed and given its role only when it has proved its superiority to all other words."

Fans of Dickinson will appreciate this novel, even if they would like more of her narration.

Happy Saturday, Beth! Miss Emily sounds like one for The List. Excellent review - I love the quote you chose; you are right that it feels like Dickinson. If you posted that, I will add my thumb.

>88 BLBera: Adding this one to the list Beth, that's lovely quote. I have a very basic best of type edition of Dickinson, thinking I might ask for a new edition for Xmas with notes and things.

After all the fresh air this morning (and the dentist yesterday) I am now tired out so the plans for reorganisation will, once again, have to wait.

Hi Twin!! TKD test this afternoon and then life should be a little simpler. A little. Happy weekend!

Happy Saturday, Beth. It's a rainy dull November day here so I have been mostly curled up in my comfy chair reading. I am alternating between an Agatha Christie whodunit and a very interesting coming-of-age novel by Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga called Nervous Conditions. I am trying to stay away from news today.

Hieroglyphics is going on the wish list.

>88 BLBera: Hit by a bullet, thanks Beth.

Happy Sunday, Beth. You got me with Hieroglyphics. I enjoyed her novel, Life After Life from a few years ago, but it wasn't as good as the Atkinson, with the same title.

>89 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie

>90 charl08: I have a complete works, Charlotte, but I haven't read all of her poems. I know that there is an edition introduced by Billy Collins. He gave a great interview about her on NPR https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128272101

One of my colleagues told me that when she was studying 19th century poetry in college, she had to beg the professor to include Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman. He finally gave them a day in the semester.

>91 Berly: Good luck on your TKD test, TwinK. I'm sure you will be amazing.

>92 DeltaQueen50: I am trying to ration the news, Judy. Otherwise I get too depressed.

>93 EBT1002: I think you'll like it, Ellen. I was reading it during all the election drama, so it's amazing I got anything from it at all.

>94 Caroline_McElwee: You are welcome, Caroline.

>95 msf59: Hi Mark. I haven't read Life After Life, but I generally like McCorkle.

"...it's amazing I got anything from it at all." Cracked me up. I'm not great at remembering details about books I've read in any case; it will be interesting to see if what I read during the election season stay in my memory at all!

I think this month might be the month with the least reading ever, Ellen. Although I think I'm getting back in the groove a little. Still, lots of school work at this point. I'm just wondering how long we'll still be meeting face to face. I kind of think that after Thanksgiving, everything will be virtual.

>98 BLBera: It kind of astonishes me that you are still meeting in person, Beth. It must all be so stressful.

It is very stressful, Rhonda. I have to have half the class on Zoom. They zoom on one day and come in person on the other. I suspect we will be entirely virtual soon, with our high COVID rates right now.

I have heard from several teachers, instructors, and professors that teaching via Zoom is just NO FUN. It is harder and less satisfying and more exhausting. I was talking with a colleague (via zoom) the other day and she was speculating about the difficulty engaging, say, a class of 7-year-olds via Zoom. I thought of Scout.

Hang in there, my friend!

Thanks Ellen. It is NOT FUN. Still, I have a job and am healthy, so I feel whiny if I complain.

Beth, I may have mentioned that I am helping my six-year old friend navigate the kindergarten computer program. He doesn't know how to read, thus this requires someone to help him. What happens to little ones from dysfunctional homes who do not take time to help their children?

This is a very difficult way for a child to learn. I hoped little Andres would be able to go to a room with other children. He is the youngest in our neighborhood, and his parents are middle aged. My main fear of this necessary way of teaching is that the social skills of students will be lacking.

Hi, Beth! Thank you again for passing along your copy of Miss Emily — I'm looking forward to reading it!

I know you are probably feeling pretty Zoomed out right now, but I thought you (and anyone else who comes to visit you) might be interested in this presentation from the Hoover Presidential Library, located right here in my little town. This month's discussion is about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Here's the link for details and to register: Around the Next Bend in the Road: The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Perhaps I'll "see" you there!

Hieroglyphics sounds good, Beth. I’ll look for it.

My reading has been really slow this month, too. I’m about halfway through Valentine and it’ll be my second book in November. I’ll be lucky to finish out the year with 65.

My son is not enjoying teaching remotely full-time. He misses being able to connect with his students. But worse are the couple who have contracted Covid and ask for extensions. It breaks his heart that they’re worried about Freshman Comp. during all this. He’s all remote next semester, too.

I’m sorry you still have in-person classes.

>103 Whisper1: Linda, online learning is not good for the little ones. It is worse in underserved communities.

>104 rosalita: Did you get it already, Julia! Hooray for the post office! Laura Ingalls Wilder. My daughter loved those books. I will pass on this link to her. Thanks!

>105 Copperskye: I would have enjoyed it more, Joanne, if I hadn't been reading it during the elections. I loved Valentine.

Yes, remote teaching is stressful. We just found out today that we will be wholly virtual for two weeks, starting on Monday. Our cases are way up.

>106 BLBera: Sorry to hear that your numbers are up, Beth. Hope the virtual classes go smoothly.

Thanks Charlotte. The virtual classes will be a pain, but what can we do?

I am loving Ada Limon's Bright Dead Things.

The Problem with Travel

Every time I'm in an airport,
I think I should drastically
change my life. Kill the kid stuff,
start to act my numbers, set fire
to the clutter and creep below
the radar like an escaped canine
sneaking along the fence line.
I'd be cable-knitted to the hilt,
beautiful beyond buying, believe in
the maker and fix my problems
with prayer and property.
Then, I think of you, home
with the dog, the field full
of purple pop-ups -- we're small and
flawed, but I want to be
who I am, going where
I'm going, all over again.

Morning, Beth! I remember reading that collection several years ago and loving it - I gave it the full five stars, and the one you posted was one of my favorites.

Hoping your Friday is full of fabulous!

Hi Mamie. Back atcha! It is a wonderful collection. Before I started this one, I had read a couple of s0-so collections of poetry, so it is lovely to read some good ones again.

110. Bright Dead Things is a wonderful collection of poetry. Limón writes of love, death, and nature. I love her imagery, the way she captures moments in time and makes them universal, as in "The Problem with Travel." We all know the pull of the possibilities when we enter an airport. These are poems I will revisit.

>112 BLBera: I also like Ada Limon's work very much, Beth.

I like this poem of hers very much:

Before

No shoes and a glossy
red helmet, I rode
on the back of my dad’s
Harley at seven years old.
Before the divorce.
Before the new apartment.
Before the new marriage.
Before the apple tree.
Before the ceramics in the garbage.
Before the dog’s chain.
Before the koi were all eaten
by the crane. Before the road
between us, there was the road
beneath us, and I was just
big enough not to let go:
Henno Road, creek just below,
rough wind, chicken legs,
and I never knew survival
was like that. If you live,
you look back and beg
for it again, the hazardous
bliss before you know
what you would miss.

Have a lovely weekend.

>113 PaulCranswick: That's an amazing verse!

>112 BLBera: Sold! Sounds wonderful. I have two editions to choose from, but this cover is beautiful.

>113 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. Yes, that is very nice as well.

>114 quondame: Limón is amazing, Susan. I need to search for more of her work.

>115 charl08: I think you'll like her, Charlotte. Yes, the cover is very nice. Usually I am jealous of the UK covers. :)

Happy Saturday, Beth. Bright Dead Things is one of my very favorite poetry collections. I even have a copy on shelf and I don't own much poetry. Her follow-up was excellent too.

Hi Mark - I'll have to check out her follow-up collection. I've had this one sitting around for a while.

>109 BLBera: & >112 BLBera: Yes! An excellent collection.

I'll join in on the Bright Dead Things love. It's one of my favorite collections of recent years. Here's one I like:

Hi Ellen and Joe - I'm happy to see so much Limón love here. I might have to gift myself her next collection. :)

>120 jnwelch: Thanks for that reminder, Joe. What a lovely poem.

Hi TwinB! Glad you are still keeping safe with the in-person classes. Yikes.

Hello Beth, I had to back two more threads to catch up! Are you still face to face? Any idea how long? I thought in person learning was going really well, though our school had to quarantine cohorts twice. Now cases in CO are skyrocketing as they are other places and we will be remote after Thanksgiving break.

Hi Ellen!

>123 Berly: Hi TwinK - I am now doing virtual classes, at least for the next two weeks. Then, we'll see. I kind of think my face-to-face classes are done for the semester. We only have three weeks left, so we did pretty well.

>124 AMQS: I was happy to have students in the classroom, Anne, but I think we are done with that for this semester. We only have three weeks left. Time will tell what will happen in the spring. I hope you and yours are well.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Beth!

This Brit wishes to express his thanks for the warmth and friendship that has helped sustain him in this group, Beth.

>105 Copperskye: My husband was so happy to get back to face to face teaching after month’s of online teaching. After stepping down from the senior leadership team he has been doing more actual teaching and is so much happier for it.

Thanks Lynda and Paul. My daughter, SIL, Scout, and I had a great day that included some more of "The Great British Baking Show."

>128 SandDune: Hi Rhian. I also prefer face to face. I feel pretty safe in the classroom with all of the precautions they have put in place.

111. Inheritors is a collection of linked stories. It follows one Japanese family through the twentieth century to the middle of the twenty-first century in both Japan and the US.

Many of the stories focus on WWII and its effects on several generations of the family. The stories are not in chronological order, but Serizawa makes this work. Often I read a story, only to find clarification I wasn't even aware I needed in another one.

I really enjoyed this. Thanks to Lisa, I think.

Hi Beth! I am reading the second in the Sean Duffy series by Adrian McKinty. Are you familiar with these?

I think I have the first one on my e-reader, Ellen. I've heard good things about them. How was Thanksgiving?

I've been reading Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread and it's one most of my LT friends will love. In her introductory essay, Kakutani asks, "Why do we love books so much? These magical brick-sized objects -- made of paper, ink, glue, thread, cardboard, fabric, or leather -- are actually tiny time machines that can transport us back to the past to learn the lessons of history, and forward to idealized or dystopian futures. Books can transport us to distant parts of the globe and even more distant planets and universes."

The essays are short, and there is a nice mix of the old and new. I'm compiling quite a reading list. Some of the books, like The Handmaid's Tale, I've read, but others are new to me.

I got this from the library, but it may be one I want to own...

Anyway, if you have a Christmas WL, you may want to add this.

Hi Beth, our numbers here are up too. When will we ever get beyond this? Keep safe.

>133 BLBera: oops, that just landed in my basket. Thanks Beth.

>133 BLBera: And mine! I love that quote.

Interesting reading about teaching and learning during the pandemic. My involvement is UN-academic; I'm observing how my five granddaughters are learning and my daughter-in-law is teaching. DiL Tara is teaching remotely. Twins in different colleges, both on campus yet being taught remotely. And both now home at least until end of January. High-schooler doing face-to-face and also participating in interscholastic and club field hockey. The two elementary-age grands are stay-at-homes, learning remotely, even though their school offered in-school or a mix of in-school and remote. So far so good.

>134 brenzi: Thanks Bonnie. I really only see my daughter and Scout. When I am teaching face to face, I always wear a mask, keep my distance and wash my hands like it is my job. This is going to be a long winter.

>135 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. I thought this would appeal to people.

>136 charl08: I'm always happy to add to others' collection, Charlotte

>137 weird_O: Hi Bill - yes a lot of parents are turning into teachers. Online learning is not for everyone, and I especially feel sorry for the little ones.

Happy Sunday, Beth. I finished Shuggie Bain. It might be my favorite novel of the year. The only serious competition is Hamnet. It may be a race to the finish.

Hi Mark, I've heard only good things about Shuggie Bain. I will get to it eventually.

Hi Beth, love the Limon poetry.

>133 BLBera: >138 BLBera: This landed this morning, and I'm delighted it includes so many books new to me, or so far unread. I shall enjoy diving in Beth.

Happy Monday!

Virtual classes have great benefits and quite a number of drawbacks. I believe they are essential for University however, elementary children do not have the attention span or independence needed to be successful. Hope the online classes go well. They are quite a lot of work to put together.

Enjoy the week :)

>133 BLBera: I saw that at a book store the other day and thought it looked interesting. Thanks for the review - definitely moving on to the wish list.

>141 banjo123: I definitely want to read more by Limón, Rhonda.

>142 Caroline_McElwee: I look forward to exploring the new-to-me books in the collection, Caroline. The essays are just the right length, too.

>143 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. I would prefer face-to-face classes, Anita, but I was lucky enough to have them for most of the semester, so I think we will do OK with virtual classes the last three weeks.

>144 Oberon: Hi Erik - Books about books, right? What's not to like about them.

>133 BLBera: Oh good, good, good! I’m glad to hear your report. I bought Ex Libris: 100 as a Christmas gift for myself. I won’t look at it until Christmas though.

Hi, Beth. Took a while, but I'm all caught up with you again.

Sorry to hear that you have to go back to the virtual teaching, Beth. It seems like the numbers are going up everywhere, I sure hope we will soon see a downswing.

>146 Copperskye: Good for you, Joanne. I am enjoying it.

>147 ronincats: Hi Roni. I hope you are doing OK. This is a tough time of year when you have just lost someone. I am thinking of you.

>148 DeltaQueen50: Judy - from your mouth to God's ear. I am lucky because we are close to the end of the semester. I'm just trying to keep the students on track. Does herding cats sound familiar?

Happy Tuesday, Beth!

>133 BLBera: Adding this one to The List!

>150 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie!

Here's a list for you.

https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2020

>151 BLBera: Cool link. I got lost down the NPR rabbit hole thankyouverymuch 🙄

You are very welcome Sandy. :)

Hi Beth, that NPR list is overwhelming every year. I kind of wish they'd cull it a bit but I guess there's something for everyone. I prefer The NY Times list which limits it to 100.

I think you can use a filter, Bonnie. I like looking at the covers. I only found a few to add to my list. I had read many, and other genres didn't call to me.

>154 brenzi:, >155 BLBera: - Yep, that's what I like about it. It's not just a list. You can use a filter, or several, to get tailored recommendations.

>155 BLBera: >156 katiekrug: I got very happily sidetracked by that too. Thanks for posting!

>151 BLBera: I love that too. One of my absolute favourite things is looking at book covers - I suppose the biblio version of train spotting - my favourites on the list I saw - are the ones using simple but vivid colour patterns.

Have a great weekend.

>151 BLBera: Hi Twin! No, no, no. Not looking at that list. I have so many books as it is!! Okay, maybe I'll go look...

Happy weekend.

>151 BLBera: oooh no.... Fortunately I have some of these. Didn't stop me from adding a few more. Not going to look again...

Thanks Beth.

>156 katiekrug: Hey Katie - How many books did you add to your WL?

>157 charl08: You are very welcome, Charlotte.

>158 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I hope your weekend is relaxing with some good reading.

>159 Berly: Hey TwinK - so, did you look? Happy weekend to you.

>160 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. I did add a few. Luckily, I had read several. You are welcome.

Thanks for posting that book list, it was fun to read!

>155 BLBera: >156 katiekrug: Aha a filter

>162 banjo123: You are welcome, Rhonda.

>163 brenzi: :)

Scout loves this. She's a big Hamilton fan and thinks perhaps Hanukkah would be a good idea.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/05/us/hamilton-star-daveed-diggs-hanukkah-song-trnd/...

114. The Great Offshore Grounds is a wonderful novel about a mother and her two daughters. This family happens to be poor, and toward the end of the novel, I realized that this story about a family living on the edge of hunger and eviction is rare; this isn't a dysfunctional family (at least no more than most families) with addiction or legal problems. Instead, it's a sympathetic look at a loving family.

However, there are secrets and changes, and the movement and growth of the characters kept me reading. As I finished I realized I would miss Kirsten, Livy, and Cheyenne. Kirsten, the mom, is a witch and made choices that her daughters don't always understand. Livy, works on restoring boats and dreams of having her own boat one day. Cheyenne is newly divorced and restless.

While I loved the characters, there were some odd sightings of Walter Raleigh, which I don't quite understand, but overall, this quirky family was worth the time I spent with them. I'll look for more by this author.

>152 SandyAMcPherson: Oh wow, that was a rabbit hole - yikes!

Hi Beth - just dropping by to check in.

Hope you're nearly there with the teaching Beth. Our students (UK) have gone all online so that they can take a COVID test, quarantine if necessary and still go home. I don't know what it's going to be like for those students who can't go home - longer on a v quiet campus I think. >165 BLBera: I've not heard of this author (or this book) before, but sounds like an interesting genre mix.

>166 AMQS: Hi Anne - I hope all is well with you and yours.

>167 charl08: I'm getting there, Charlotte. The last day of the semester is Dec. 18, but I am trying to finish up things, so I don't have a lot left to do after that date.

115. The Phantom Tollbooth is a young reader book, but most of the members of my book club thought that to enjoy it, kids would probably have to be about fifth grade. One member thought that it is really for adults. We all enjoyed it.

Juster's book is not only a story of adventure, but is packed with word play. Milo, a bored boy finds a tollbooth in his room one afternoon, and when he enters it, he finds a new world. He enters the city of Dictionopolis, where words are sold in the market and ends on a quest to bring back princesses Rhyme and Reason. On the way to Castle in the Air, he has all sorts of adventures. He also learns to be careful with how he chooses his words.

One of the members listened to it, and she thought that she would like to read it. Jules Feiffer's illustrations are wonderful, and she found the puns and other plays on words to not work so well on audio.

This was one of Michael Chabon's favorite books, and looking at the blurbs, many writers fell in love with this book. Now 50 years old, it is still original and clever. It was a fun read for us.

Beth, little Andres loves the books you sent! The sad part of Andres missing "real" school, is that he would enjoy other children. Ours is a nice neighborhood, with kind people. Many people moved from New Jersey to our neighborhood in Pennsylvania when taxes and real estate prices in New Jersey went sky high. Route 78 opened traffic to and from New Jersey and New York. We have yuppies, professionals, and increasingly Indians are buying property. I am learning a lot about their culture, and while verbal communication is difficult, we somehow find a way to reach out to each other, with cards, and goodies placed on door steps.

Sadly, now there are those who are older without help from children in different states. With Covid in high numbers, it is more difficult to help others.

>169 BLBera: I remember really enjoying this, but somehow never managed to read it with Banjo, jr.

>170 Whisper1: Hi Linda. COVID is making life more difficult. There is light at the end of the tunnel though. We just have to hang in there for a few more months.

>171 banjo123: I don't remember reading it with my kids, Rhonda, but I am going to ask my daughter. For sure, I am saving my copy for Scout.

I just finished grading some persuasive essays, and the last two were about abortion (picture me tearing my hair). We did discuss arguable claims. AARGH. This semester needs to be done. Thanks for allowing my rant.

I'll take a little break now. :)

Beth, While I miss the interactions with college students, Lehigh University draws affluent people. Some of the kids have no reality of the "real" world. Others, were incredible, and this time of year when I receive Christmas cards, I shed a few tears of happiness.

>169 BLBera: I didn’t come across this as a child, but read it to J when he was little and we both enjoyed it a lot.

Linda: I love my students. It's been hard doing virtual learning.

Hi Rhian - Do you remember how old J was when you read it? It is a fun book, and it was just right for this busy time.

Hi Beth, My kids loved The Phantom Tollbooth and they both read it in fifth grade.

Thanks Bonnie. That sounds about right.

President Obama's list of favorite books from 2020.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/politics/obama-favorite-books-2020-trnd/index.htm...

I miss having a literate president.

>168 BLBera: You're done!!! It's officially winter vacation. : )

>180 BLBera: Thanks for the link!!

Still grading, TwinK!

You are welcome.

Thanks for the card. You'll get yours eventually.

116. Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread is like candy to a reader. Michicko Kakutani's selection of essays cover a variety of both fiction and nonfiction. She also discusses both the old and the new. Her recommendations go from Shakespeare to Tommy Orange's There There. A lot of the nonfiction focuses on authoritarianism and its parallels to our current (not for long!) president. I've noted several from my shelves to add to my next year's reading.

This was a lot of fun. I read a couple of essays each morning with my coffee. It was a great way to start the day.

>183 BLBera: I've been geeking out on book covers lately and Michicko Kakutani's seems very attractive.
The book sounds appealing but I often find I have trouble engaging in someon'e book of recommendations. Maybe I will try your method, start the day with morning coffee and this type of book. Except I'll need at least two coffees to wake up and remember to read... I tend to zone out for the first while!

>183 BLBera: This is on my Xmas wishlist, which probably means I'll be buying it myself in January!

Hope you get to take your break soon.

>183 BLBera: I'm 2/3rds through this lovely volume too Beth. I think it was Mary's (Mdoris) thread that wagged it under my nose.

Happy Sunday, Beth. I hope all is well with you. How is the Chabon? I am not familiar with that title. I am going to try and get to Transcendent Kingdom by the end of the year.

Morning, Beth!

>183 BLBera: I purchased a copy of this for myself after first reading about it here when you mentioned it originally. It is gorgeous. I have paged through it but not yet read any of it - saving it as a reward for finishing up Christmas stuff.

117. Old Baggage asks what someone can do after changing the world. That's what Mattie Simpkin has to live with after gaining the vote. Set in 1928, the suffragettes have gained the vote. Now what?

I love Mattie. Evans is great at capturing people in a few actions or phrases. At the very beginning of the novel, she says, "People always stared. If one didn't creep around, if one said what one thought, if one shouted for joy or roared with anger, if one tried to get things done, then seemingly there was no choice but to be noticeable." Mattie is definitely noticeable.

In this novel we see her try to figure out what to do after getting the vote. She makes mistakes along the way, but I enjoyed following her journey.

Mattie also appeared in Crooked Heart, another great novel by Evans. This makes me want to reread that one.

>183 BLBera: That sounds like a good one Beth. Off to find it

>184 SandyAMcPherson: Sandy, I have to read this type of book slowly. I can't just zoom through the reviews. And Kakutani's essays are very short, so that was perfect. Even though she loves Moby Dick -- but nobody's perfect. :)

>185 charl08: Yes, this is a great gift to a reader, Charlotte. I'm getting ready to do some grading right now.

>186 Caroline_McElwee: I really enjoyed it, Caroline -- and I don't always like reviews.

>187 msf59: Hi Mark - I just read an essay from the Chabon about being a father of a daughter going through puberty. My favorites from this volume are the ones when he talks about being a father. I think it might be an older collection. Transcendent Kingdom is one of my favorite reads this year.

>188 Crazymamie: Good for you, Mamie. I have a library copy, but might have to own one...

>190 brenzi: Hi Bonnie - You sneaked in while I was posting. Yes, I think most readers will enjoy this volume.

I hope I didn't miss anyone.

Happy Sunday, and I send all good wishes for a wonderful holiday!



This image is one from my favorite illustrators, Gennady Spirin! He is incredible.

Thanks Linda! It is lovely.

>189 BLBera: That sounds like a good one, Beth. The library here doesn't have it, but I've requested it for purchase, so we'll see. One question, though: LibraryThing seems to think Old Baggage is the first book in a series that also includes Crooked Heart. How closely are they related — should they be read in order?

Hi Beth! I cannot believe I haven’t posted since November. Bad me.

>169 BLBera: Still on my shelves just waiting for the right time.

Has the semester ended? Can you breathe for a bit before the next one begins?

>195 rosalita: Hi Julia! I would say they don't have to be read in order. They are books that have the same characters, but are not really a series. She wrote Crooked Heart first, even though chronologically Old Baggage is first. Maybe others who have read them can weigh in. You will love Mattie.

>196 karenmarie: That is terrible, Karen! :) The semester is over but I haven't finished grading. I'm taking a break from that right now.

>189 BLBera: There is also the new one V for Victory to look forward to, Beth. I love the humour in these books, and the characters are so distinctive too.

Do you think you need to read them in order, Charlotte?

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Thanks Anita. You, too.

You got me with the Lissa Evans books - adding them to my toppling TBR, thanks!

>199 BLBera: You know me, Beth. I (eta: only) read them in order because I read them as they were published....

I listened to Manhood for AMateurs on audio a few years ago and really loved it.

I have the Lissa Evans on my shelf, along with a couple of others by her I still haven't read. Bad Katie.

>202 vivians: You will like them, Vivian. Evans has a new one coming soon as well, that continues the story of Noel.

>203 charl08: But, do you think it matters, Charlotte?

>204 katiekrug: I hadn't heard about Manhood for Amateurs, Katie. I am really enjoying it, especially the essays about parenting. Did Chabon read it?

You will love Lisa Evans, Katie.

I started Old Baggage on audio this morning and although I'm not that far into it Beth, it had me laughing out loud. I've pretty much only met Mattie and the Flea so far but I can already see they will be memorable.

I roared at the part where the woman who had been cleaning for Mattie (I think) said she had to give notice because her son and his wife had just welcomed twins into their lives and he said to her why should you slave away for someone else when you could be helping us! Hit home lol.

I imagine it would be good on audio, Bonnie. Evans is great with character. I'll watch for your comments.

>205 BLBera: I think reading V for Victory last makes sense. I guess there's an argument for reading in both publication order and in chronological order though otherwise. I would like to reread all three.

... and here's to a better 2021!

Thanks so much for both the NPR list of best books as well as Obama's list.

I think I'm suffering from 'isolation syndrome'. The more I isolate, the less I interact, even here on LT.

Stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas, Beth. Of course, I also took a BB for Lissa Evans.

>208 charl08: That does make sense, Charlotte. I'm still waiting for V is for Victory to be available here.

>209 karenmarie: Amen, Karen.

>210 streamsong: You are very welcome, Janet. I am lucky to have a job so I do have to see people. Otherwise, I would be a hermit.

>211 DeltaQueen50: Thanks Judy. Happy Christmas to you, too. You will love Lissa Evans.

118. Manhood for Amateurs
The title of this collection of essays pretty much sums up the topics that Chabon discusses. He writes about being a father, a husband, and a friend. There are also riffs on baseball and music and writing, but my favorite parts are the essays in which he discusses parenting. In "Textbook Father," he writes about the challenges of being a father to a girl approaching puberty. He fully recognizes the difficulties of getting things right, yet he also allows us to see his love for his children and his delight in them, as when he writes about initiating them into the joys of "Dr. Who."

Happy dance! Just finished posting grades! I'm taking the rest of the day off!

Enjoy!

Congrats on being done! Sounds like a day off is well deserved.

Congratulations on finishing your grading, Beth! Enjoy a well-earned afternoon off.

Thanks Katie, Vivian, and Julia.

119. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Normally I don't count plays, but this is a discrete book (as opposed to a collection of plays), so I am.

This play is set in the 1920s. The two acts take place in a Chicago recording studio. Wilson has said that all his plays are inspired by music, and the influence of the blues is readily apparent here. Through the interaction of Ma and her musicians (all Black) with the white owner of the studio, we get a pretty clear picture of the race relations of the time. We see some of the things we would expect from Wilson, especially the limited possibilities that exist for Black musicians, in this case.

I wanted to read this before I watched the new film on Netflix. I wish more of Wilson's work were available on film. It would motivate me to finish reading through the ones I haven't read yet. Maybe a 2021 project...

>219 BLBera: I want to see the new film, too, Beth. Good for you, reading the play first.

Merry Christmas, Beth! Hoping for a better 2021! Ma Rainey is in my Netflix queue. Glad you liked the play.

Or in other words, Happy Christmas! And have a great New Year as well. Here’s hoping 2021 is better than 2020.

Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday season and a joyous 2021! I hope you'll be able to spend some time with Scout.

>219 BLBera: I saw the play a couple of times on stage over the years Beth. I'm looking forward to watching the film over the next few days.

Hi Beth. Wishing you peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

Twin!!! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
May 2021 bring you less need for masks, loads of peace and joy, good health and, of course, books! LT would not be the same without you. : )

I'm so glad you enjoyed The Phantom Tollbooth! That's still a favorite of mine. I posted read alouds of it last year on Google Classroom and my 4th and 5th graders ate it up!

Congrats on being done! That's a good feeling.

Beth, lots of images going the rounds, so I'll just say Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Goodnight. (quoting Clement Clarke Moore, 1949 edition).

Happy Holidays Beth!

I hope you get some of those at least, Beth, as we all look forward to a better 2021.

I hope there are some treats, some relaxation, and some reading over the festive season, and that 2021 is a kinder year to everyone.

Hoping there will be some fine reads among your parcels Beth.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Laura, Mark, Rhian, Lynda, Lori, Kim, Anne, Sandy, Joanne, Susan, and Paul. I hope you all were able to celebrate, even in this difficult time.

>224 Caroline_McElwee: Caroline: Since Wilson lived in St. Paul for much of his writing life, periodically local theaters do put on his plays. One theater did all of this plays in chronological order. I wish I had seen them. I haven't seen Ma Rainey's Black Bottom but look forward to the film.

I am going to try to visit some threads today. Finally, I have some free time.

Wanna help me kick 202 to the curb? 2021 group is here

Love to, Jim! Thanks!

Happy Holidays, Beth!

Enjoy your time off from teaching, Beth. When does the new semester begin? My granddaughter Sadie is a freshman at Kansas State. She’s been home since Thanksgiving and will go back to (little) Manhattan at the end of January. They are powering through spring break so they can finish the semester early.

Thanks for all the book bullets in 2020. I am going to focus on reading from my home library next year. I wonder how long that will last? Stay well!

>236 jnwelch: Thanks Joe!

>237 Donna828: Happy holiday to you as well, Donna. We start again on Jan. 11. I'm still not sure what we'll be doing. I'll talk to my dean next week.

I've been trying to stop by threads to wish people happy -- I've been neglecting LT of late.

Hope you are enjoying your time off this Holiday Season, Beth. We actually had a while Christmas here for the first time in at least a decade. It's all gone now though and we're back to our normal rain.

We had kind of a white Christmas, Meg. I'm not worried though; we'll get plenty of snow.

>237 Donna828: Sounds like a good idea to me.

Hope you're having a good break Beth. I'm skipping between the books and not really sticking to much.

Hi Beth. I have added Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread to my Amazon shopping cart but I may see if I can order it from the little indie bookstore over in Moscow, Idaho. Trying to do better about supporting that little bookshop during the rest of the pandemic.

We watched Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Netflix and it was intense. Very worthwhile.

I know you are done for a while and I hope you have a wonderful break. We all need this break, don't we?

I hope 2021 brings both more reading and more LT time for me. As you know, and can relate, work has just been so intense this year and it has at least been relieving to realize that some of my reluctance to spend time on LT is because of how much screen time work has been requiring. By the end of the day, I just don't want to get on a computer for another minute. I'm hoping that can change in the coming year as I miss being an actively engaged member of the 75ers group.

Hi Beth! We saw Ma Rainey here in Portland a while ago. Not the best production, I think it's was hard to get enough actors who could both sing and act. I am thinking of watching on Netflix, because, Viola Davis.

>241 charl08: Hi Charlotte - I just finished Louise Penny's new one, a real page turner and am wondering what to read to end the year. Yes, reading from one's shelves sounds like such a good idea... :)

>242 EBT1002: I will definitely be watching Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. This is an early Wilson and it's interesting to see how certain characters, themes seem to appear in his work.

Yes, a break is very welcome. Today, I am starting to prepare my spring syllabi.

I hope 2021 brings some normalcy back and an end to having to listen to Trump. I, too, have been on LT less because of the amount of screen time I spend at school. We can always text. :)

>243 banjo123: Hi Rhonda - Yes, Viola Davis! When theater resumes again, I will watch for Wilson's plays. One of the Minneapolis theaters did the whole cycle, but I missed them.

I hope 2021 brings some normalcy back and an end to having to listen to Trump.

Absolutely, 100% agree.

Are you getting ready to engage in a shared read of Jazz? It's one of Morrison's works that I have not yet read....

I've already read Jazz, but I'd tag along....

>246 EBT1002:, >247 Berly: Ooh! I know this is Beth's thread but allow me to butt in and say that Beth and I are both planning to read Jazz in January, in fact for both of us it will be our first book in 2021. Katie also plans to read it in January, but maybe not that soon.

With Ellen and Kim there are now 5 readers. Should I create a thread in the 2021 75 Group?

>248 lauralkeet: Sounds great! I’ve downloaded it onto my Kindle and will start it after my current read. Just started The Women of Copper Country, which is quickly engaging.

Yes, Karen. 2021 has to be better than 2020.

Hey Ellen, Kim, and Laura! It will be great to share Jazz with the Twins and Laura. Laura, to be honest, I'd rather just discuss on our threads, no need to create a new one. But, totally up to you.

This is a great start to 2021 - sharing a read with my favorite LT people!

Laura, butt in all you want. :)

>248 lauralkeet:, >250 BLBera: Want me to list Jazz as one of our group reads on the wiki? You may get some others joining in.

>250 BLBera: Beth, I'm okay with just discussing on our respective threads as well -- I don't want anyone to feel pressured to contribute to a group read thread, or to read to a schedule or anything like that.

Ellen, Kim: despite what I said above, if you have strong feelings about having a dedicated thread please speak up!

Jim, thanks for the offer ... as you can see this is percolating.

>252 drneutron: Laura is the boss, Jim. Totally up to her. :) But thanks for the offer.

>253 lauralkeet: I'm not usually good at posting on group read threads, but with this group, I would make a special effort if you decide to make a thread. Laura, you are the boss.

Group reads are often deadly for me to Beth. I'm not making any commitments this year since I was so unsuccessful at my reading goals in 2020. I'll just read whatever I feel the urge to read I guess. I've already read Jazz anyway. Enjoy.

I say go for a thread!! But if not, I'll just write all over everyone's individual threads. : )

Thanks Bonnie. It's one of Morrison's I haven't read, so I've been tagging along with Laura as she reads her way through Morrison by date of publication, starting with the earliest. I might reread a couple as well.

>256 Berly: Write away, TwinK! We are posting at the same time. The Twin Mind. :)

Hi Beth. I was thinking a group read would be a new experience for me.

I was supposed to do this for the most recent Elly Griffiths but it was a wash with my not having the book for *months* after others had read it and moved on.
Anyway, I wanted to simply sail by waving as the threads flip to all new for next year. All the best for health and safely negotiating whatever comes by.

Happy New Year to you as well, Sandy.

High Rising is the last book I'll read this year. It details life in a village centered around Laura Morland, a widow and a writer. Very entertaining.

There is some casual anti-semitism present, something I've noticed in novels from the 1930s, all rather disturbing, considering what is to come.

December Reading:

Books read: 11
By women: 8
By men: 3

Novels: 6
Essays: 2
Poetry: 1
Play: 1
Memoir: 1

Library: 3 - all physical copies

From my shelves: 8, 1 ebook and 7 physical copies
Gave away: 2

2020 Reading

Total books: 123
By women: 103
By men: 19
Nonbinary: 1

85% of my reading is by women authors

Novels: 93
Essays: 5
Poetry: 10
Plays: 1
Nonfiction 3
Memoir: 8
In translation: 5
Short stories: 3

I did pretty well with poetry this year. I didn't do as well reading in translation, a goal for next year.

I would also like to increase the nonfiction, other than memoirs, that I read.

Library: 73
From my shelves: 50

I definitely want to increase reading from my shelves.

Best of 2020 - in no particular order:

Nonfiction:
My Time Among the Whites
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee

Poetry:
Bright Dead Things

Fiction:
Girl, Woman, Other
Transcendent Kingdom
Writers & Lovers
Wolf Hall
A Children's Bible
Sula
Hamnet

Beth

As the year turns, friendship continues