Roni Recovers and Reads in 2021

A quick summary of 2020. Two normal months. Then the COVID shutdown. March Madness is cancelled (be still, my beating heart!). My husband and I hunker down, complying with Stay At Home orders and only going out for groceries and other necessities. In October we finally move all the heavy furniture out of our main bedroom so we can remove the grody carpet that had been there longer than any other carpet in our 40 years in this house, and which would necessitate some repair of water damage in the wall and floor on one side of the room. That heavy furniture fills both my husband’s office (front bedroom) and the dining room. We are sleeping in the she-shack. The day before the workmen are due, my husband dies suddenly, immediately, probably of a heart attack. Everything is in shambles. Everyone here is wonderful.

My sister and nephew dropped everything, including their work (both are teachers) and drove out here despite the pandemic for the better part of a week, helping me to clear out my husband’s room and set up a functional bedroom in there. I rescheduled work on the bedroom. Two and a half weeks ago I was finally able to move my furnishings back into the bedroom and work on getting the rest of the house in order.

Realizing that I have few resources here in San Diego other than some friends who are all my age or older, and that my mother in Kansas is getting frailer and needing more support (which my sister is providing but she has a demanding job and this has become everyday type support, aggravated by the pandemic and the isolation it has engendered for my mother), I determined that I would need to consider moving back to central Kansas next summer or next fall, hopefully after we are all vaccinated and case rates are falling instead of climbing. So I started just browsing listings in the area to see what sort of things were being offered. On November 21, I saw a house that had just come on the market and fell in love. Reader, I bought it and it closed on Monday. It is mine. I had no intention of buying yet and still don’t want to try to move in the middle of pandemic so I’m still looking at late spring/summer at the earliest for the move. And wish me luck on getting the small dog and at least 4 cats back there safely.

Goals for 2020

Read 150 books and 50,000 pages. 184 books, 58,525 pages
Read at least 30 books off my own bookshelves. 16
Acquire no more than 80 books. 45 I did read 31 of the books I acquired this year
Send 50 books out the door. 17 books, 15 through PaperBackSwap this month. I have others waiting for schools and libraries to open up.
Read at least 12 nonfiction books—10

Goals for 2021

I don’t think I am going to push myself this year, so I will keep the same goals. Except I know I am going to deaccession a lot more books this year so as not to move them.

Read 150 books and 50,000 pages.
Read at least 30 books off my own bookshelves. Acquire no more than 80 books.
Acquire no more than 80 books.
Send 50 books out the door.
Read at least 12 nonfiction books.

Books Read in 2021

January
1. The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer
2. When the King Comes Home by Caroline Stevermer
3. Magic Be With You by Jamie Brindle
4. Owl Be Home for Christmas by Diane Duane
5. A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer
6. A Scholar of Magics by Caroline Stevermer
7. Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend
8. How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason

Books Acquired in 2021

January
1. Afro Puffs Are the Antennae of the Universe by Zig Zag Claybourne
2. OWL Be Home for Christmas by Diane Duane
3. Trader's Leap by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Love your new house and wishing you a fruitful reading year.

Happy new thread and happy new year, Roni. May this be a better and easier year on all fronts. That house still makes me drool! It is so beautiful!

The house is lovely. I love older homes. So much more personality. Good luck with your reading, and let's hope vaccines make life a bit closer to normal.

Best wishes for a better 2021!

Hi Roni! I missed all that news, being mostly absent last year. My condolences on the loss of your husband. And congrats on the new house.

I was so absent from LT in 2020 that I missed a lot.
First of all, my deepest condolences on the death of your husband. No matter why a loved one dies, it is always painful. My thoughts are with you.
Congratulations on buying your home. The photos are fantastic. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about the move and you can take your time. But I know that it will take a lot from an organizational point of view.
Here is hope that the new year will be better than the old one.
Happy reading, Roni.

Roni, I am so sorry for your loss. What an awful year 2020 was. I hope there are better days ahead for you. The new place looks lovely.

Welcome back, Roni.

Very touching but inspiring introduction - you are a much loved member of our little community here. x

I'm so sorry, Roni. I lost track of you last year and missed the news of your loss. May your move and beautiful new home bring all sorts of deserved happiness this year.

Wishing you a better 2021 and good luck with your move!

...don't mind me, just arranging my recliner....

Roni, every time I see that photo of your new home, it makes me smile - it is so full of gorgeous. Hoping that 2021 is full of happy.

Here’s hoping that 2021 is a better year for Roni.

I don't think I'd seen a full-on front view of your house. Love it!! I would encourage you to get going on your move. You will be so happy there and your family will be so happy to have you there! I really don't feel like the pandemic had a lot of impact on our move except that ordering furniture seems to take longer than usual but then you have furniture waiting for you there and can probably wait for anything you need to buy when you get there. A long-distance move is a hassle but that's always true and when it's over you'll be in that beautiful house with family near-by (and Kansas winters to look forward too but we won't go there lol).

Happy New Year!

Hi Roni - I wish a better 2021 and a Happy Reading year!

Welcome back! I started Magpie Murders yesterday, and am enjoying it very much. Thanks for choosing it!

Dropping off a star, Roni, and still drooling over your new house :)

This just seemed SO appropriate!

>24 ronincats: Perfect.

>24 ronincats: I do love that last one the best.

>24 ronincats: Roni that is perfect! And may it be so. I am thinking about you this new year and hoping 2021 brings comfort and joy. You new home is just lovely.

Happy New Year, Roni. I so hope 2021 is better. We know it will bring its own challenges but I truly wish for better things, or at least the sense that we are heading in a kinder and more sane direction.

I absolutely love the house you bought in Kansas -- it is exactly the kind of house with which I would fall in love, as well. That front porch!!!! So, I hope you and the dog and at least four of the cats make the move safely when you are ready for it.

>24 ronincats: I LOVE that!!!

Happy reading in 2021, Roni!

>24 ronincats: Love it!

And keep up with my friends here, Roni. Have a great 2021.

Happy new year!

Happy new year Roni!

Hi Roni, and Happy New Year to you.

>1 ronincats: You're an amazing woman.

>24 ronincats: Love it, especially the .... well.... actually, all of them.

>1 ronincats: Hi, Roni! I don't know you if remember from many moons ago when I was active in this group, but I just wanted to pop in as I starred your thread! I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and the difficult year you have put behind you. Your new house looks beautiful!

Looking forward to seeing what you read in 2021. Happy New Year!

Roni--I know last year was a heck of a year for you, but you new house looks amazing and I think the change in scenery and being with your family will be wonderful. Good luck purging those books so you don't have to move them!! Happy 2021.

Roni... I'm so sorry. I had no idea; I wasn't keeping up with threads.

Your new home looks just lovely, and it sounds like you've been given the chance for a different, albeit unwelcome, start. I've typed, deleted, and retyped so many thoughts for you, but they all seem cheap and insincere, even though I know you know I can empathize with some of your pain. Just know that I'm sending quiet, supportive vibes your way and that if you'd like to chat, I'm here. I also 100% understand that it might be too much for many months yet, and I'll still be around when the dust settles. xo

The new home looks lovely. Hope you enjoy your books, and I hope your furry friends will settle into their new home quickly when the move comes about.

Happy new year, Roni!

Thanks, Mamie, Richard, Anne, Ellen, Anita, Paul, Susan, Rachel, Karen, Marcia, Kim, Es, Lori and Natalie! And from earlier, Kerry, Shelley, Jean, Diana, Rachel, Barbara, Laura, Paul, Amber, Chelle, Richard (your taste is impeccable!), Mamie, Rhian, Reba, Jess, Jim and Katie! I love the beginning of a new year and visits from all of you.

Last year's reading summary. Count differs because Goodreads counted three books I purchased together in a Kindle package as one. I rate more generously there than I do here. I see there are some I neglected to rate.

Happy New Year Roni, and I hope you have a wonderful one, you deserve it!

I've also been struggling over what to say, having recently caught up on your news, but know that even the quiet, awkward folk are sending good thoughts your way! Here's to a better 2021!

Happy New Year, Happy New Thread and a healthy life with a lot of books!
I hope you will feel comfortable in your beautiful house, Roni.
You will make new friends and take many friends with you.

Happy New Year, Roni. I hope 2021 is a better year for you. I have house envy. That is beautiful.

Thank you, Katie, Thomas and Beth! Your kind words mean a lot.

Okay, I am girding my loins and preparing to visit the new threads with my star. Wish me stamina!! I star people who read similarly to me and people who visit me, as well as those who I've had long relationships with. I can't star everybody anymore, like in the early days, but if you visit me, I'll star and visit you!

{{{{{Roni}}}}}

Hope 2021 is a better year for you.

>43 ronincats: This cracked me up. It is a crazy time of year, is it not? I can't keep up during the "normal" part of the year, so the first days of January are a bit overwhelming. Still, at least it can be a quick drive-by to drop off your star and let folks know you're present for another year.

Happy New Year, Roni! Happy New Thread. Looking forward to a better and healthier 2021. I also hope you have a great reading year.

Hi Roni, I am also making the rounds and dropping my stars. Here's hoping 2021 brings us health, safety and comfort. I love looking at the pictures of your house, it makes me smile and I think that it must be a happy place. You must be so eager to get on with all the changes that are coming your way.

Happy New Year and thread Roni! So sorry to hear about the passing of your husband - deepest sympathies. Good luck with your move to Kansas later on, your house looks absolutely lovely.

Hi Roni.
I lost touch with almost all threads last year and missed the news about your husband. I'm so sorry. I wish I could say more but there are never words for these things.

Happy to hear about your new home, though! The house looks lovely, and that big front porch looks like it'd be a perfect place to sit and read. I do not envy you the prospect of wrangling the animals and driving them there - my one cat would driver me insane if I had to move him that far. When we go to our summerhouse he's quite-ish but any longer than that (it's about 50 min) and he starts meowing incessantly. Like, every four seconds.
I look forward to hearing about the move when it happens, and you settling in the house. I'm planning a move too, though I haven't started looking just yet (need to get a new job first).

Happy New Year Roni!

Good luck with the new house, and best wishes as you navigate your new life.

Happy New Year, Roni! Here's hoping for a happier, healthier, less fraught 2021.

Every time I see your new house, I smile. It's beautiful, and you will be so happy there, I am sure!

Hi, Roni - Happy New Thread and Year!

I've been completely out of the loop and missed your terrible news, I'm so sorry!

I hope everything goes well for you in moving and setting up your new home. The house looks amazing---just waiting to be filled with books and pets. :)

Hello Roni, 2020 was a dreadful year for so many of us. You have a beautiful new house to look forward to for 2021 and lots of great reading challenges. Best wishes.

Love the introduction. "Reader, I bought it!" Brilliant! Looking forward already to helping you settle in - virtually of course!

Hi Roni. I am another who dropped off the grid last year and missed seeing the news about your loss. I am so sorry.

I love the photos of your new house in Kansas. It's the kind of house I would fall in love with at first sight! You'll have some cozy reading spots there.

>1 ronincats: I love the house, am glad you will be closer to your mother.

Happy New Year and Happy New Thread!

Happy New Year, Roni!

I also fell way behind on threads last year, and missed the news of your husband's passing. I am very sorry to hear about that.

I hope to keep up a little better this year, and look forward to hearing about your move. And, of course, your reading. Star dropped.

Wishing you a wonderful 2021 - sending hugs and 'traveling mercies' (isn't that a great old fashioned phrase?!) as you move into your beautiful new house and your new life.

Here's a cautionary tale for your move: My son and his fiance recently moved from the Bay area to a very small town in northern California. My son is doing his PhD work remotely and they are trying to save some money. They had a rental van all lined up and the deposit paid only to be told on the day of the move there are **NO** rental vans or trailers available in California. People are fleeing Covid and California in droves and not moving in - so there are no rental trailers or vans coming into the state. They paid an exhoribitant rate to have a commercial mover take their stuff a few hours down the road.

I know you are not planning to move while the pandemic is, uh pandemic-ing, but forewarned is forearmed. You may have to get very creative...

It is crazy, Roni. I have to spread out my visits over a few days. All the threads are so busy.

Happy New Year Roni. I will follow your thread as always. I've decided to start the year reading an old favorite of yours. The Chronicles of Prydain. I believe I only read the Black Cauldron so I am going to read the series straight from the beginning. Between my wife and I we had about 14 or more of his many books.

Heya Roni. Summer of the Cicadas is creeping me out! And keeping me toasty, reading about West Virginia's hothotstickyhot summer.

And the cicadas...mutants...*shiver*

Ah, Roni. I wish for this year to pour out the most unexpected moments of joy for you, in ways that are so small that you don't even realize it until long after they've happened, and in big ways that make your heart feel so full it's almost unsettling.

AND maybe just as much, that you don't add too many book bullets to my TBR because seriously, I'm not sure my wallet can handle it. :P

Happy Sunday, Roni, with hugs.

Hello Dear One! Each time I see an image of the house where you will be moving, I am exciting. Such a lovely home.

I pray that all goals are met, and that 2021 is happier.

Much Love to you .

>44 souloftherose: (((((Heather))))) back to you, and I'm so glad you went ahead with a new thread this year.
>45 EBT1002: Exactly, Ellen!
>46 msf59: Thank you, Mark.
>47 DeltaQueen50: I'm so glad you posted, Judy, and reminded me I have to go over to the Category Challenge group to star you and a few others.
>48 vikzen:, >49 PawsforThought: Thank you, Vic and Paws, for the kind thoughts. I moved three cats out here when we moved here from Kansas 42 years ago but these cats have never had a long car journey, so I can't predict how they will handle it.
>50 mahsdad:, >51 Storeetllr:, >52 lyzard:, >53 Only2rs: Thank you, Jeff, Mary, Liz and Cas. Good to see you here.
>54 HanGerg: All I need is some of your artwork, Hannah!
>55 cbl_tn:, >56 fuzzi: Thanks, Carrie and fuzzi.
>57 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver. And thanks for keeping the readathons going. I will get back there at some point.
>58 swynn: Lots of us got overwhelmed with the threads last year, Steve, but it's good to see you here.
>59 streamsong: Thank you, Janet. I am planning to use commercial movers--way too old to try to do this on my own, but I will be sure to keep scheduling in mind when I contact them.
>60 BLBera: As you say, Beth. It wasn't too hard to drop off stars, but so many of them--now I have to keep up!!
>61 RBeffa: I'm looking forward to your response to the series, Ron! Great way to start the year.
>62 richardderus: Oh no, not for me, I don't enjoy being scared OR cold!
>63 dk_phoenix: Good to see you here, Faith. Oh, is THAT why you haven't been visiting?
>64 AMQS: Hugs back to you, Anne.
>65 Whisper1: I feel the same way every time I see pictures of the house, Linda (((Linda)))

I have a local realtor coming by tomorrow to give me a valuation on the property. He's been sending me letters for the last 30 years and he specializes in multi-family properties in this neighborhood, so I figured he'd be a good place to start, even though I'm not putting this on the market until summer. It will take me that long to empty out the attic, I swear. So I've spent the weekend putting the place in order and, more specifically since it was in pretty good order already, putting polish on the hallways, dining room and kitchen floors (I did the living room last week and the bedroom the week before that) and vacuuming the area rugs in the two bedrooms with rugs. Something I needed to do anyway and should make a good impression.

Reading is still slow. I'm working on Harrow the Ninth, finished a freebie Kindle novella that wasn't very good and Pearl-ruled another one, but haven't recorded them yet.

Again, your visits are a welcome addition to my day, and I love you all.

Blessings to a New Year, and a new Home. I agree with you that professional movers are the way to go.

Dropping my star so I can always find you!

>66 ronincats: Good luck with the realtor's visit.

Damn it, I know I stopped by many threads after starring them to comment, and now I can't find any of my own tracks. So let me try this again.

May the New Year 2021 bring you new memories and new experiences and new connections as you move into an unexpected life. May 2021 also help your old memories be less painful, your old experiences your road map moving forward, and your old connections the compass that keeps you supported and loved as you find your way and create your own path.

Glad you're still here with us, and I look forward to conversations with you this year.

>67 figsfromthistle: Good to see you here, Anita.
>68 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori.
>69 justchris: Chris, I think you came to last year's thread because I hadn't set this one up yet and let me know you were back. And thank you!

Just dropping my star here. Happy new year.

Congratulations on closing the house deal. We bought a flat in London for Elin to live in (she is a student at King's College now), completing last April - it certainly takes a lot longer to sort out a property when there are movement restrictions! But that house looks amazing.

Roni, how log a drive would it be, to Kansas from where you are? Granted, it would probably be a bit more expensive but have you thought about flying, with the pets? If you drove you would have to pay gas, overnight accommodation (and finding a place that accepts pets isn't always easy), food, etc. for at least a few days. Plus, doing such a long trip in a car alone would be exhausting. Maybe just bite the bullet and fly and be done with it. There are companies that will drive your car out for you, I believe. Or just sell it and purchase a new one once you get there. Anyhow, lots of time to think about options and logistics. The big plus for you is that, even though the house purchase seems to have happened quickly, you really are under no time crunch and you have the luxury of taking your time and getting organized as you can, on your own schedule. That is a big plus! It will all work out, though, I have no doubt.

Hi Roni! Wishing you a Happy New Year and happy new thread.

Gosh, you've been in your house for 40 years? The 12 years we've been in this house is probably the longest stretch that I've lived in one place (although I still think of it as 'newish' or at least 'not very old'). May I say, I think of you with admiration, the way you get on and organise everything. So much better than me on my best days.

I'm still loving your new house. It's probably all that beautiful wood (I have a weakness for wood, it seems).

*smooch*
That is all.

Ro I'm so very sorry to hear about the death of your husband. I'm glad your family is so supportive and I think you are very wise to move closer to them. I adore your new house and I know you will turn it into a cozy home all in good time. You have a huge move ahead of you. Take care of yourself in the midst of all the tasks. May 2021 bring you peace and joy.

Hi Roni. Happy New Year and sending you wishes for, if not better than at least a contented and healthy 2021, and a year filled with wonderful reading. I love the house you recent purchased! What an amazing find!

Returning the favor and starring your thread!

Don't worry about getting a mover. We got all the quotes we wanted and all were able to schedule just a couple of weeks out. I'm curious to see how your meeting with the realtor goes. My son is in escrow for a house in El Cajon and he found the market to be crazy tight. Things sell the day they're listed, sometimes before the listing is even posted. We were planning to move summer 2021 too...but I'm glad we went ahead when we did because now we're here and I'm loving it. My advice is: just let it happen :)!

It's time to pray for Blue skies over Georgia, Roni.

Happy New Year, Roni. Man, your 2020 breaks my heart. Kudos to you for your resilience. How great to have your beautiful new home waiting for you when the time is right.

Happy New Year Roni. So sorry that 2020 was so tough. Your new house looks absolutely wonderful. I hope when the time for the move comes that all goes smoothly.

>71 sirfurboy: Thank you, Stephen. I was actually amazed at how easy the paperwork was this time, what with email and docu-sign applications, compared to when I bought this house back in 1986.
>72 jessibud2: It's basically a three-day drive, Shelley, with two overnights. Shipping animals by plane is also very expensive and I hate the idea of putting them in a cargo hold. I'm hoping my nephew or sister may be able to come over the summer and help me transport them back.
>73 humouress: Yes, 40 years almost exactly by the time I move, Nina. I HATE moving and have only done it a few times in my life. I'd probably still be putting off doing it if I hadn't found THE house. And everyone tells me it is even more impressive in person than in the photos.
>74 richardderus: *smooch* I can always count on you for a pick-me-up, Richard, dear.
>75 luvamystery65: Hey, Ro, good to hear from you. I wish you the best in your studies this year--I think you complete your nursing program, right? Thank you for the support.
>76 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori, for the wonderful new year wishes.
>77 CassieBash: Hi, Cassie!
>78 RebaRelishesReading: The realtor, who has been selling this type of two-on-one property in mid-City for over 30 years, thought the house was charming, and valued it from $670,000 to 700,000 on today's market, which is almost exactly what Zillow had it at (although I didn't trust Zillow's estimate). Yes, the market here is very hot and he thought probably would be just as lively in 5 months. See your thread, Reba, for my comments on just letting it happen.
>79 richardderus: I did, and she and Stacy Abrams and her people granted my prayers.
>80 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Thank you.
>81 calm: I hope so too, Calm. Thank you.

So I've gotten a few things done the last two days. 12 glasses frames to my long-time optometrist (and a goodby after so many years) to go to the Lion's Club. Two boxes of stuff to Goodwill. This computer to a neighborhood tech for a tune-up/clean-out overnight. Molly to the groomer's for the first time since Lex's death. Here she is, trimmed and clipped (LONG nails) and glad to be home.

The house is even better than the pictures we’re seeing?? Ooooooo....! If I’m ever in your neck of the woods, I’ll have to try to arrange a tour, lol!

Well, isn’t Molly just the cutest! Bet my cat would love her! (My cat is a dog lover.)

>82 ronincats: What a cutie! Sounds like you're making good progress. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

>82 ronincats: - I hope they can, Roni. That's a long trip to do alone, with or without pets.

>82 ronincats: What a darling Molly is! I do hope you can get help with the animals on the drive out. We got to Joplin MO from LA with one sleep over when we took Mike to IL for his job, but no animals were involved and he's good to drive for long periods.

>82 ronincats: What a cutie Molly is! Good luck with the clean up and the clean out. : )

>82 ronincats: Aw! Molly is adorable. She looks like sweetness personified.

Good job on getting things done! It's always such a great feeling, isn't it?

OMG, Molly is SO cute!

Molly is adorable!

>83 CassieBash: Yes, and I was speaking to the woman who did the house inspection today, and she raved about how wonderful a house it was as well. Once I'm settled, you've got an open invitation to visit! Molly and my cats get along just fine--she's about the same size as them.
>84 justchris: That's what I'm doing, Chris. Step by step.
>85 jessibud2: Why I'm aiming for summer, Shelley.
>86 quondame: My nephew did it when he came out here this fall, both ways, but I question my stamina, Susan.
>87 Berly: Still working on it, Kim!
>88 Crazymamie: She is a sweetie, if a little stubborn at times.
>89 The_Hibernator: Yes, it is, Rachel!
>90 RebaRelishesReading:, >91 jayde1599: She's coming up on 14 this summer, and still nearly as cute as when she was a puppy.

So, dropped the two boxes of non-perishable foods that I wouldn't eat or use at a neighborhood church that does a lunch give-away. Went to the pottery yesterday and threw 4 bowls and 2 mug bodies, and that felt good. Today I pruned the rosebushes out front (6 of them), it being the time of year to do that here, and watered the plants out there. AND I put all the Christmas stuff back up into the attic (but averted my eyes from all the stuff up there I will need to weed out later). And now I've ordered pizza to be delivered for supper. After which I will watch PBS and MSNBC. I don't usually turn the TV on during the day.

This weekend's goals are to prune the four rosebushes in the back yard as well as cut back the over-enthusiastic banana plant and clean up the back yard, as we are having a mild santa ana which will have temps in the 70s that make for perfect conditions. And I really need to prioritize Harrow the Ninth as it is overdue and I have more books to pick up. I am clearing out some of the library backlog in that I am going to return some of the books I've had out for months and really don't feel like reading right now. Some very good books, I'm sure, but it relieves some of the pressure. But I need to finish HtN before I do that.

Happy new year, Roni, and looking forward to following your reading and moving adventures. Also looking forward to your thoughts on Harrow the Ninth. I read Gideon last year and have been planning to follow up with the sequel but haven't got a chance yet and my library stack is getting sky high.

Thanks, Mary. We are on rather similar tracks this year, with our new houses to whip into shape, although I will be a little behind schedule compared to you.

I have been realizing that what I really need to do at this point is prioritize ROOTS, that is, Reading Our Own Tomes. I have 255 books officially in my To Read collection, and probably another 30 or so that have missed that classification scattered on my shelves. And the question becomes, do I really want to move 255 unread books halfway across the country? Clearly I won't be able to read that many books in the next 6 months, but I could probably cut the number by 90 if I really, really concentrated on getting through these books--that would be 15 a month. It would definitely take some discipline. But that would be, like, 3 or 4 boxes of books?

The alternative would be to take final advantage of my wonderful library system and read as many of the 152 books on my For Later shelf on its website as possible while I have the chance. Mmmmn, decisions, decisions. I know which way I am trending. What do you think?

Hi Ronnie! You've got a big year of changes ahead if you. I wish you the best, and love your new house!

As I get closer to retirement, I too am facing the dilemma of staying in Georgia where I've been for 30 years or moving back to the Midwest to be closer to family. Suspect family will win out, but I'm not ready to say goodbye to friends or familiar routines and hello to winter and a smaller library system yet.

Hope you enjoy your reading, whichever way you decide to go.

>82 ronincats: what a cutie!

>82 ronincats: she is so cute.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

>94 ronincats: Ardene, my husband and I had been putting this off for the last 10 years since I retired, knowing that at some point we would do it but not developing any momentum. But now, faced with my relative isolation here and my mother's needs, and finding the dream home to be honest, it has become a priority.
>96 BLBera:, >97 Ameise1: Thank you, Beth and Barbara.

Okay, not clear enough in >94 ronincats:, and I've forgotten how to set up a technical vote, but I'm asking you all to weigh in on what you would do:

A. Concentrate on your own shelves to reduce the number of books to be physically moved

or

B. Read as many books as possible on my For Later shelves on the San Diego Public Library before I move to a much smaller library system.

I do foresee many a winter's eve spent checking out which books on both sets of shelves are available through the Salina library OR in digital version here in San Diego since I could still borrow them up to the point when I have to renew my library card here.

Okay, VOTE with comments.

You're going to have lots of wonderful bookshelves in your new house and, in the greater scheme of things 255 books won't add that much to your move. With a smaller library system and a few months a year when it will be somewhat difficult to go there, you'll have your own little library of treasures TBR at home.

I agree 100% with Reba. That's what, maybe 10 or so boxes to move?

I moved at least 2000 books from Texas to New Jersey, so I vote for using your library as much as possible while you still can :)

>98 ronincats: - For your vote, I would definitely write down titles of everything from the library. You can always find them in the next library at your new place. Then just focus on your own physical shelves to try to eliminate as any physical books being packed and moved, as possible.

Well, seems I am the odd one out here. Do what feels right for you. Either way, you won't lack for reading material, right? ;-)

Can you look through the new library system's database already or do you need to have a library card there to search it? If you can look through it, I'd double check what your current library has with what the new one has and focus on getting to the ones that won't be available at the new place. And if you have time over after that, do what you can to thin out your TBRs at home.

I myownself would B.

The reduced-number-to-move factor is tempting but illusory in benefit. Not moving them means not paying for them, but also not having them.

The Salina library system isn't going to be up to San Diego's standards, and noplace in Kansas is going to buy the kinds of books you're interested in reading with anything like the regularity San Diego does. So read them liberry books now, while you can.

I also vote to take advantage of your current library system and take your own books with you. However, you may be surprised by your new library; our county library system is pretty darn amazing for its size; I've been able to request everything I've wanted, and some of that has been obscure. So maybe your new library system will be much better than you expect!

I vote with PawsforThought, check what your new library has from your list, then check out the ones San Diego has that you can't get in Kansas.

And yes, use your San Diego card for digital checkouts as long as you can.

>92 ronincats: I would not have guessed Molly was 13, Roni, she looks adorable!

>98 ronincats: Moving more books doesn't really matter, I think.
Agree what others said: look what you can get at the new library and try to read from the library what is not in the new one.

Ooooh, an interesting conundrum, Roni. I know in theory I wanted to read more of my own books and cut down on the moving, but logistically it definitely didn't happen because I didn't have the time I thought I would, and books were easy to box up early. But I also moved locally, had help from friends not a moving company, and *most* of what I moved was books. So with that caveat, I too would lean towards reading all from the library that you can. You can always read your own books on the other end as you unpack them (I will attempt this over the next few months but... my library stack is currently glaring at me).

I don't know how library systems work in Kansas, but see if they have any ILLs available, not just with local libraries but also outside of the state. It's a well-kept secret (well, we do mention it but only a few patrons take us up on it) that we can ask our state library system to look for books outside of our state, and we've received hard-to-find items from all over the U.S., including Alaska and the Library of Congress. So it's worth an ask if you're not finding as much that you like in your local system.

>98 ronincats: I'd read from my own shelves. I've done long distance moves before and had to unload a lot of weight...in books.

Hi Roni! I had to move twice in a couple of months when my house was being renovated. I used the packing process to get rid of unnecessary and unwanted stuff. Not books though, I just found it very hard to let books go. But I did check if I could throw out older books that I was hanging on to for no good reason. So my vote would go to reading from the library and keeping those books you still want to read. I hope your new library turns out unexpectedly good!

>82 ronincats: Molly is a cutie and she looks quite tidy there. :-)

>98 ronincats: I say take advantage of the big city library system while you can. Our small local library is fine and, surprisingly, I can often pick a "hot" new novel right off the shelf whereas in Seattle I was getting in the queue. BUT, the Seattle Public Library is an amazing institution and I can imagine San Diego's is comparable. It is not entirely kosher, but I have retained my SPL card and I do still check out ebooks regularly. But I miss going to "my" branch (Douglass-Truth) and picking up a stack of hold books. I miss it a lot.

Hi Roni, I agree with the idea of checking what's available at your new library and then reading those that are unavailable from your current library. I suspect you will have plenty of book shelves at your new place that will need filling so moving your current supply will probably save money in the long run!

Whatever you decide to do - enjoy your reading!

That's definitely a really hard choice re book dilemma.

I am loathe to get rid of any books - I wish you could take them all with you!

What about taking stock of the books you have, and checking the library in your new location to see if they have them - maybe if the catalogue is online, or if you could give them a call/email (if they do, get rid of those from your personal books and that helps cut down on what you have to travel with) and then you can also cross-check your current library list with the new library to see what they have.

Having said all that: read from your current library whatever is not available in the new location.

>98 ronincats: People make a valid point about comparing library collections and read based on the gaps. But I lean toward reducing your own physical load as much as possible. So maybe compromise by alternating reads from A and B.

I'd be happy to match you for getting through the ROOT materials. I'm determined to make the box and stacks of fiction in my bedroom go away.

>82 ronincats: Molly is so cute! I think of you as an all-cat person though you do mention her now and again. So nice to see her on your thread.

>98 ronincats: As for the book vote - you know I'm a hoarder (those 10 books I managed to painfully cull from my shelves a couple of years ago? Still in the house.) so you know how my vote goes. If you're using a mover, you'll be charged by container size, not weight and though book boxes are heavy for their size, they're not so large. And if you do decide to let the books go once you get to Kansas, you'll have the beginnings of your next Little Free Library :0)

ETA: I've moved countries with my books 3 times but I think the largest batch I moved must have been when we moved into this house (just up the road from our previous apartment) and I'd have had only about 200 books then - not counting study books and my husband's (not large) collection.

Stopping by to wish you a wonderful sunday, Roni!

Happy Sunday, Roni! Just checking in. I hope you are doing well and enjoying those books.

Such a difficult choice regarding library vs own. Personally, I would read my own to save myself the work of packing them. But the decision is very personal.

Stopping by your new thread belatedly, here's to a healthy and successful 2021, moving and starting a new (old too, since it is your family area) life. Dealing with the books is going to be a task and a half. Hope you get some reading time in there!

Molly is too cute!!! So many have chimed in on your book dilemma already, so there's a great pros/cons list for you to work through already. Having moved many, many times in my life... all I have to say is, we always moved all our books, even cross-country multiple times, and it was always a HUGE pain. Literally both a pro and a con at once. Very unhelpful. Whichever decision you make will be the right one for you! Go with your gut -- and thanks for reminding me I need to get on with reading those "the Ninth" books, I hear they're absolutely bonkers but in the best way. Sounds right up my alley.

>92 ronincats: Keeping busy is the best way to deal with grief...at least that's what works for me. I'm finally at the stage (two years after Will's passing), that I can rest and read, and consider that my mental busy time.

Thinking of you and sending all good thoughts your way.

I am just now finding your thread. I kept wondering where you were, and realized that I hadn't found you after the first of the year and starred your thread.

Kansas has a very good state library system. It is divided up into Regional Libraries and the regional libraries have very good catalogs. The biggest problem is that sometimes you have to wait for the books to get to you. Salina has a great public library. They have a newish main library and I think they had four branch libraries last time I looked. You shouldn't have any problem getting what you want from them. The state library system has a vigorous digital library access program, so you should be able to get plenty of titles that way.

Bookstores are going to be more of a problem. The nearest Barnes & Noble is in Manhattan. Likewise for the nearest real Starbucks. There is a local bookstore but I haven't been there in years.

Hi Roni, good to hear what >122 benitastrnad: Benita says about having a good library system - that is a relief.

We're talking more and more seriously about moving abroad in a few years and Stelios has already warned me that the books aren't coming. I think I could leave behind a lot of things but the books will be hard to whittle down, for sure.

Roni, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Hoping 2021 brings you all the joy you can stand.

I know I must be most inactive member in this group, but whenever I have been on here, you've always made me feel so welcome. You deserve all the blessings the world can bestow.

Looking forward to another year of thinking, "Man! That woman reads too fast!"

>98 ronincats: I'd concentrate on getting rid of my own so I'd have less to move. While you may be going to a smaller library, I assume they would have Inter-Library Loan services and that most, if not all, of your For Later should be available somewhere. Some libraries will even request out of state, provided you're willing to pay the postage.

However, I'll add the caveat that I'd contact your new local library and find out first what their ILL is like, whether they charge for the service, if they request from only in-state or if they ask for out-of-state, and how they handle those, etc. I know here in Indiana, each library pays our State Library a certain amount, and they then hire us a state-wide courier system for our deliveries, so our patrons never have to pay a cent as long as the books are coming from an Indiana library who has paid into the system (and virtually all public and academic, and most K-12 have). If Kansas has a similar system, that will keep you from having to pay much, if anything, for books available in Kansas.

Well, I posted yesterday right after Anne's message >123 AMQS: with figures and acknowledgements, but either I forgot to push the Post Message button or the ether at it. Bah humbug!!

Anyhow, I thanked everyone by name for pretty much advising me to do what I had decided to do anyway, and provided some figures. Out of 146 books on my For Later Shelf on the SD Library website, the Salina library has physical copies of 63 of them and ebooks of another 27. It has either or both eaudiobooks or Hoopla access for another 20. I count 30 that are unavailable, although ILL might be able to get them. The Salina library does not appear to charge for ILL requests. Yes, I know those numbers don't add up but I can't be bothered to investigate. So actually, at least 2/3 of my list will be available. Now I need to do the same for my LT wishlist (which is 278 books, although some will be duplicates with this list).

>124 hairballsrus: Paula, so good to see you here! I've got your thread starred.

>125 CassieBash: You make good points, Cassie. According to the website, the ILL is in-state, no charge. Still, with the numbers above, I think I'll try to get through the ones currently unavailable there before I go, and some of my own as well.

So, I have FINALLY finished my first book of 2021 and it is NOT Harrow the Ninth but my bathtub book.



Book #1 The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer (282 pp.)

New York 1905—The Vanderbilts. The Astors. The Morgans. They are the cream of society—and they own the nation on the cusp of a new century.

Thalia Cutler doesn’t have any of those family connections. What she does know is stage magic and she dazzles audiences with an act that takes your breath away.

That is, until one night when a trick goes horribly awry. In surviving she discovers that she can shapeshift, and has the potential to take her place among the rich and powerful.

But first, she’ll have to learn to control that power…before the real monsters descend to feast.

Stevermer is best known as the co-author of the Sorcery & Cecilia trilogy with Patricia Wrede, but she has four solo books to her credit as well, and I've enjoyed all of them. This is an undemanding but entertaining fantasy with an interesting magic system interacting with society, and clearly the first of a series (although it wraps up without any major cliffhanger, just some unanswered questions).

Now I think I'll go reread some of Stevermer's other books instead of forging through Harrow.

>126 ronincats: Ooh! I definitely want to check out The Glass Magician! Thanks, Roni!

>126 ronincats: This sounds like a great book. Your review is wonderful. It is not on the tbr pile.

>126 ronincats: Well that's a BB. Oh go forth and Harrow. It's not all that harrowing. But Stevermer is fine too of course.

I'll also have to check out The Glass Magician.

Just popping by to say your dog is the cutest and I would read the books off of my shelves (boxes of books felt like about 60% of all our worldly goods when we last moved), but you are clearly well on top of things, so I'll just send hugs and be on my merry way! (Also, I would love to send an artwork for your new house - let's talk details nearer your move, but start thinking now! Figurative or abstract? Landscape or still life? Colours??)

>126 ronincats: Makes sense. Hope you can finish all the unavailable books before your final move. Good luck!

Late to the game, but I would focus on books you have that you are likely not going to want to keep after you have read them. The less to move the better. I would also work on physical books from your local library that you will not have ready access to in Kansas.

>126 ronincats: I knew I recognised the name; I'll have to investigate some of her books.

Good luck with the books - you've got some reading ahead!

>126 ronincats: I knew I recognised her name. I'll have to check out some of her books.

Good luck with your books; you've got some reading ahead!

This is the second time I'm writing this post. I used the 'reply' button and saw the yellow box but I left your thread without going to the bottom to confirm that my post was there. Apparently it wasn't (but, in case it turns up, apologies for the duplication). Heading over to the bug reports thread ...

My first time here? I'm appalled, but it's so!

All things considered, I would continue to be the random soul I am and read what I want to read when I want to read it. Maybe that would give me a box or two fewer books to move and a few more satisfactory ones to leave in the library.
Best of luck to you! (Oh! Nina just said that. I echo.) Whatever you read, I'll be glad to see what you think of it.

Hi Roni, found your thread and starred it. Love the house on top. I can see why you fell in love with it.

Hi Roni, I'm catching up with your thread and enjoying all the advice about which books to read. Whatever you decide, I hope you have lots of great reads in the upcoming months.

>126 ronincats: A fun first-of-21 read, thank goodness. And I hope Harrow the Ninth makes you as gruntled and kempt as it did me.

*smooch*

Es, Linda, Susan and Kerry, hope you enjoy it!

>131 HanGerg: Hannah, that was pretty much wishful thinking because of the cost of shipping from England to the US, but yes, wouldn't it be neat if we could pull it off? I have liked your landscapes most, I think, like The Tempest and the Calm, Turquoise Surf, and that one that was inspired by the gardeners flooding plants to water them, in Spain I think. I don't know yet what colors I will be emphasizing in the house, and probably won't know until I find living room furniture and rug, but there is that space over the mantel!

Thanks for the input, Cassie and Ron. Yes, Nina, it did show up twice, but always glad to hear from you. Peggy!! What took you so long? ;-)

Welcome, Connie and Rachel--glad you found me!

Richard, I am desolated to disappoint you, but Harrow the Ninth has become my second unfinished book of the year. She was unkempt and I was disgruntled. I loved Gideon's voice and persevered despite the jumbled structure and untidy cast. With this one, I kept putting it down. Even as the bathtub book, progress was infinitesimal. I didn't like Harrow, I didn't care about any of the characters. I wasn't bothered by the change in cavalier because I knew to let this one flow on its own merits, but the unrelenting negativity did me in. Probably it was me and my mood needs. I got 285 pages in, then skipped to the last few chapters, and couldn't find it in me to be bothered to fill in the gaps.

Glad I went ahead and posted the above before working on catching up my reading log, because I just lost that!



Book #2 Magic Be With You by Jamie Brindle (60 pp.)'

Description: Majilda is a simple village girl with normal, everyday ambitions like one day getting married and running a tavern of her own (but in a self-actualised, non-sexist sort of a way). But when her village is ravaged by mysterious and very intriguing raiders who steal all the children, she is forced to fight back with a secret magic she never knew she had. Now she is alone in a dangerous, fantastical world, with only a handsome stranger and his muscular black steed, Muncaster, to guide her. Who has stolen the children? And why? Will she ever be able to help them? And could it possibly all have something to do with that odd birthmark she’s always wondered about?
Together with her new and very mysterious allies, Majilda must make a journey into her past (but also the present, and maybe the future; probably some physical places, too) to unlock a magic so powerful it may (or may not) save the entire world... But in the final reckoning, will magic be with her?

This is the first novella (or maybe episode, if that’s not going to stop you from giving it a go) in the extremely grim and serious series, Magic Be With You.
This was a free novella, first of a series--well, actually, first few chapters of what will become a book--and worth exactly what I paid for it. One of those excruciating narratives that very self-consciously not only produces every overused trope in epic fantasy but also highlights it and comments on it. As you might guess, that greatly interferes with the flow of narrative and, frankly, interest in the story. Were it not so short, it would have been yet another DNF.



DNF Peril in the Old Country by Sam Hooker (69/312 pp.)

This was actually my first DNF of the year. A free loan through Kindle Unlimited, this is a fantasy utilizing the clueless naif hero being thrown in over his head plot. I made it 69 pages in and just couldn't take it anymore.

Description: What terror lurks in the shadows of the Old Country?

Well, there are the goblins, of course. Then there are the bloodthirsty cannibals from nearby Carpathia, secret societies plotting in whispers, and murder victims found drained of their blood, to name a few. That's to say nothing of the multitude of government ministries, any one of which might haul one off for "questioning" in the middle of the night.

The Old Country is saturated with doom, and Sloot is scarcely able to keep from drowning in it. Each passing moment is certain to be his last, though never did fate seem so grim as the day he was asked to correct the worst report ever written. Will the events put in motion by this ghastly financial statement end in Sloot's grisly death? Almost definitely. Is that the worst thing that could happen? Almost definitely not.

Book #3 When the King Comes Home by Caroline Stevermer (236 pp.)

Epic fantasy, but on a small scale as apprentice artist Hail becomes caught up in large affairs involving necromancey and rebellion against an ailing emperor. Love Hail's voice, a nice tight plot, interesting situations.



Book #4 Owl Be Home For Christmas by Diane Duane (103 pp.)

Remember that story about the little owl found in the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree? Well, it turns out there was a little more to the tale! Fans of the Young Wizards series will enjoy meeting up with Tom and Carl, Kit and Nita again in this charming novella.

And after all that, I almost forgot to report on today's doings, which consisted of several hours in the back yard in 70 degree weather, as I finished up the prescribed January pruning of rosebushes. This is the biggest--obviously I neglected to prune it last year. Fortunately it bloomed profusely in December, all done now, which inspired me to do a by-the-book pruning away of all the old canes and dead wood as well as all the weak canes. I even dug out the big lopper to handle the thick wood.

Before picture:

After picture:

Now we just need the rains to come...

>140 ronincats: I am desolated indeed, but for the time you spent reading something decidedly not your cuppa. The unkempt structure read to me like a frame or an echo of the story's fracturing, disintegrating world...but no matter, the point of reading is to enjoy your time or be rewarded in some equally important way for your attention.

Onward!

>143 ronincats: What a difference!
We just got snow... Water is good in any form!

We're getting snow starting tonight, and then it's not going to let up for a few days. This is OK except that the snow packs into ice on the walking paths and since we're country people with animals to care for out in the barn, there are lots of walking paths: house to garage, house to top of barn, top of barn to bottom of barn, back of house (where water spigot is) to bottom of barn, etc. If we don't get a lot of snow that requires shoveling the drive, I might opt to shovel the various common paths to keep the snow from packing into ice.

On the other hand, we, too, need water and water in snow form is normal for us in January.

Roni, are you planning on taking any of your plants to your new digs?

Way back in the late '80's/early 90's we had a house with a couple of dozen rosebushes. I always pruned them in January and always ended up scratched all over my arms and legs. I referred to January as the War of the Roses. It really pays off though so I'm sure you'll have fantastic roses again this spring.

>126 ronincats:

I'm going to have to beg to differ with you about The Glass Magician. I've read it as well and was very underwhelmed.

Whoa! You really meant business with that rose bush. :)

>144 richardderus: Onward, Richard dear!
>145 SirThomas: Yes, water would definitely be good. In the mid-80s here today and super dry, Thomas.
>146 CassieBash: I'm starting some rose cuttings, Cassie, and I might take some of those with me. Probably not most of the others, as they are very much southern California climate plants. I am looking forward to planting some fruit trees in that huge back yard, though, and to getting back there for a reconnaissance trip in the late spring to see what plants are in those irrigated borders along the fences.
>147 RebaRelishesReading: Well, I had on long pants as well as my sweatshirt and gloves so came away with relatively few scratches, all things considered, Reba. But yes, it should definitely pay off.
>148 hairballsrus: Sorry to hear we are not in agreement for once, Paula, but love you anyway. I think low-key is a positive for me these days, and Stevermer does write in understated fashion.



Book #5 A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer (468 pp.)

We follow Faris through a French boarding school (Volume 1), back home to her small home country somewhere in central Europe (but not Ruritania) (Volume 2), and on to Aravis where she must repair a rift and take up her duties as Warden of the North (Volume 3). Again Stevermer is not loud or boisterous or rowdy, but matter-of-fact and understated and well-written, and plays with tropes without fulfilling them.

>143 ronincats: Wow! That is quite a trim!
>149 ronincats: And so starts your new horticultural adventure! I'm excited for you.

Tomorrow I'm meeting with a neighbor who started his community garden plot last year and is busily planning for this year. He's a devotee of permaculture so wants all sorts of perennials, from fruit trees to greens. I have more practical experience than him, and similar ambitions, and I'm happy to help him in a general way. But I'm not such a control freak when it comes to gardening. I'm mulling over how I want to approach my own garden plot next to his that I plan to start this year (last year I got to use someone else's plot while they were trapped overseas). I got general ideas and plan to wing it in lots of ways. Meanwhile, he's got an extensive spreadsheet of every conceivable plant that he'd like to grow, keeps updating and refining it with various font and cell colors, etc and now he's using a garden planner app to map it all out.

I might have to check out the Stevermer book. I certainly enjoyed the Sorcery and Cecilia triology.

>142 ronincats: I'm glad your reading material improved.

>143 ronincats: Gosh, can you prune back that hard? I'm always tentative (not that I have roses - well, just acquired one sapling - in this climate) and so my garden tends more to the unruly.

Well, I've borrowed The Glass Magician so I'll see how that goes; I did enjoy The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (I haven't been able to get the rest of the trilogy yet).

I like both the Sorcery and Cecilia trilogy, and A College of Magics (though I haven't read it in a long time and have only a vague recollection of the story). I have The Glass Magician on my TBR pile, don't know when I'll get to it...

Hi Roni, apologies I have taken so long to find your new place. I love your strategy for checking out what the new library will have (and not have). Like several other people here, my library system in my (mostly quite rural, very large for the UK) county has ILL and actually quite a lot of books within the 60+ libraries - but they sometimes take a long time to get to me. I still miss Edinburgh's amazingly efficient (and free to me) city reservation system. I think I missed your shelving decisions re the new place - or is that still to come? I have run out of bookshelf space at home. I think I am going to have to do something about it or I will start having nightmares about being found trapped under a pile of books.

>149 ronincats: Mystery plants at the new house--how exciting! :)

>150 justchris: I need to be more of a planner with my garden, which is going to need extensive work this year after the ice storm brought down big branches from the American elm and our huge white pine out back. The dwarf lilac is fine but the plum tree may be a lost cause because of limbs falling on it. We have decided that we no longer want American elms because they are infected with something (Dutch elm disease, maybe?) and they only seem to be robust for a few decades before they start dying. Whatever it is, it doesn't effect the hackberry elms, which for my purposes (shade, host plant for caterpillars) serves just as well as American elms.

>153 charl08: I have found that creating stacks of books, about four feet high and two to three piles deep, along the north side of my room has some insulation properties during these cold winter months, where the wind tends to come from the north or northwest. At least that's how I justify them, lol! As I'm 5 foot 2 inches I just try to keep the individual stacks from being taller than me to avoid those nightmares.

Those rosebushes looked good and managed!

And somehow I had missed Molly's photo -- she is the cutest indeed as Hannah sez.

Also the Stevermer is now on the WL.

Hi Roni! I'm glad the Stevermer books are working so well for you. I re-read Libriomancer and I liked it a bit better than you did. I think it was my undying love for Smudge that led me to give it an entire star more than you.

>149 ronincats: Oh, I remember reading A College of Magics back in elementary or middle school and enjoying it. I might have to find a copy again

>150 justchris: Not quite as compulsive as your neighbor, but indulging in some dreaming. I'd like to try some of those fruit trees where they have different fruits or varieties of the same fruit grafted onto different branches. Since I'm giving up my grapefruit, lemon, avocado and banana trees, I'd like apple and peach and maybe pear, all the way back in that yard. I'll build raised beds for the vegetable garden back there, and perchance a solar greenhouse--I've got plenty of room. I don't know what's in the borders, but if not there, I'll want to add lilacs, forsythia and peonies along with the roses. It will be a gradual development over the next few years. As a high school friend who now lives (and gardens) in Texas was saying today, I will have to relearn gardening all over again. But I am a square-foot gardener so will take that technique with me for the raised beds.
>151 humouress: Yes, a hard prune but also what is recommended for around here, Nina. It should do fine.
>151 humouress:, >152 jjmcgaffey: Nina and Jenn, when Stevermer writes alone, there is less humor than in her collaborations with Wrede, but I do think she develops interesting characters. Like you, Jenn, I hadn't read A College of Magics (or A Scholar of Magics which I'm reading now) since it came out in paperback 15 years ago.
>153 charl08: Welcome, Charlotte. I know--I am finally getting better about being here regularly but am still not up to snuff at visiting other threads or speaking up when I do. There are lots of shelves in various places in the new house, but no book shelves per se. I am taking my Elfa shelves with me, some to go in the office (the sunroom) on the first floor and some probably upstairs in one of the bedrooms. I will have bookcases built in on either side of the fireplace for sure. As dear as lumber is now, I am wondering whether to try to move my bookcases from the front bedroom.

However, they are firmly attached to the walls which might need some repair after removal--we shall see, if the buyers DON'T want them, I might consider it, although I'm not sure where I would put them. There is plenty of room in the finished basement for them at least.
>154 CassieBash: That's the thing--with it being winter I have NO idea what the existing shrubs and plants in the beds along the fences are. I also have to think about what plants would be needed for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies in that geographical areas.
>155 sibylline: I can be a managing female when I finally put myself up to it, Lucy!
>156 richardderus: Commented on Hines on your thread--wish I liked him more.
>157 curioussquared: I find it still holds up, Natalie, and I'm reading the companion volume (see above) now.

Trimmed four bowls and two mugs at the pottery studio yesterday. Ordered pet food from Target on their app and let them bring it out to the car when I got there today. It's 82 degrees (down from a high of 84) and 14% humidity (up from 11%). It looks like no new fires today after one in North County yesterday. I stopped at a neighborhood restaurant on the way home from Target and picked up burritos to eat tonight and tomorrow. Now I'm going to kick back and either read or nap...

>143 ronincats: Good job!

We pruned grapes today, and a wisteria. Roses have to wait until March.

I like your gardening plans. It's definitely fun to have two kinds of fruit grafted onto one tree! And it's nice to dream ahead a bit.

>158 ronincats: Roni, I love your shelves!

>158 ronincats: Lots of exciting gardening plans! I'll look forward to seeing photos and living vicariously through them.

As for shelves, the more the better I say. I just got (well, a year ago) two new ceiling to floor shelves which my husband tells me will be the last, since we don't have anywhere else to put more, and I'm already acquiring new books faster than I intended to.

>158 ronincats: I fully approve of your garden plans! What about cherries too? And assorted berries? Lilacs and peonies are favorites of mine. Solar greenhouse! I now have future garden envy. I too am a fan of the square foot method. I loaned Mr Perfect Garden Plan my copy of All New Square Foot Gardening and The Holistic Orchard--you might want to check the latter out.

I'm planning some polyculture mounds, a combo of Hugelkultur and Three Sisters: sunflowers, popcorn, all the melons and squashes, and I haven't decided quite on the legume component yet. I'd love peas, but they're too early season for the combo, and whatever companion herbs and flowers I can fit in there.

Plus, I'm inspired by Gardening with Less Water (which I haven't acquired yet) and am looking at some sort of olla surrogates for the mounds. I'm tempted to learn pottery so I can throw my own ollas, since I'm having a hard time finding any for sale online (much less cheap ones). Just not sure how expensive that DIY mindset would end up being. Not to mention the challenges of classroom learning during pandemic.

Those shelves are gorgeous!

>158 ronincats: you are recovering at the speed that is good for you, Roni.
It's good to see you here.
The bookshelves are wonderful - I can't imagine anyone not wanting those!
Have a wonderful weekend.

Lilacs and peonies -- I've missed them both in SoCal and hope to add some to the garden here. Two of my very favorite flowers. If we were likely to get much snow I would like forsythia too because it's such a friendly end of winter sign but it doesn't call to me much here. Daffodils and tulips do though. Sadly, I'm not much of a gardener and Hubby isn't either but the idea always appeals to me.

>158 ronincats: What a wonderful reading spot.

>159 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella! Yes, different calendars for different latitudes.
>160 Esquiress: Thank you, Es.
>161 humouress: So say I as well, Nina.
>162 justchris: Oh, I've seen all the buzz about the Hugelkultur method, hadn't even thought about it with respect to the possibilities in my new location! Might definitely be an alternative to raised beds. We'll see. I will definitely check the other two books out.
>163 SirThomas: Hi, Thomas. Well, they might want to use the bedroom more as a bedroom than a reading room. We'll see. You have a great weekend as well.
>164 RebaRelishesReading: I am definitely looking forward to a different gardening experience. Much as I love my winter gardens and my citrus, there are so many new possibilities back there to explore.
>165 BLBera: Beth, were I not moving in a few months, I would definitely be shopping for an overstuffed reading chair to put in that room!



Book #6 A Scholar of Magics by Caroline Stevermer (426 pp.)

This book picks up directly after A College of Magics but with only one character and no locations in common. In many ways, this moves more quickly that the first book--understandable as that one covered a much longer time span and developmental arc.

And I've added the Salina library to my Library Extension on both LT and Amazon so I will automatically see what books I'm interested in are available there! Love that little feature!

>166 ronincats: That is a great feature. I'm glad you're enjoying the Stevermers so much!

>167 richardderus: *smooch*

Love the bookroom photo -- and also the funny above. I find the whole streaming thing maddening.

>168 ronincats: I could have done with that earlier today, Roni, as Hani has constantly nagged me to sit and watch a netflix comedy series with her and I wanted to read. She is climbing the walls poor girl!

Have a lovely Sunday.

Hi Roni, looks like you are far along in the planning stages for your move. I suppose you have to be to be able to put your house on the market. It would be wonderful to have the new home already as you have and such a beautiful one, as well.

I don't think I've ever seen a picture of Molly before. What a cutie. We tried to move with a cat once and got from Vancouver to Calgary before we gave in and put her on a plane. Good luck moving your fur family.

Hi Roni! I lost track of most threads last year, so I've only just seen your news. My deepest condolences for your husband.

The new house looks beautiful. It's going to be an exciting adventure getting yourself and fuzzy companions moved and then setting up a new home there.

I've concluded 2021 is not the year to persist with any books that don't spark joy, so I'm relieved to see you're DNFing books you're not enjoying.

Hiya Roni, happy new week's reads. *smooch*

Happy Monday, Roni. My heart hurt a little thinking of you giving up your grapefruit, lemon, avocado and banana trees! I suppose you adjust to wherever you end up, and you should be able to try some fun new things in your new garden. My husband would do just about anything for a lemon tree (or any fruit tree, really) but our growing season is too short and we're too high. Elevation-wise, that is :)

>169 sibylline: I don't stream anything, Lucy, so a complete mystery to me!
>170 PaulCranswick: Hope you are starting out the week on a good note, Paul.
>171 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. We moved 3 cats with us when we came out here 40 years ago...but it's been a while.
>172 archerygirl: Thank you, Kathy. And I'm getting better at DNFing books.
>173 richardderus: I simply don't seem to be in a reading state of mind these days, Richard. I play games on my tablet and putter around the house, but it's hard to settle down with a book.
>174 AMQS: I will miss my tropical and Mediterranean plants but will enjoy moving back to temperate zone varieties in compensation, Anne.

>158 ronincats: I love that room.

And I love that you have a "bathtub book."

Hi Roni, just catching up and, as always, admiring how organized you are. I could use some of that organizing skill, I seem to be all over the place right now. I am having trouble getting into reading right now as well, but I expect we will get back to it before too long. :)

>158 ronincats: Nice shelves! You will definitely want to encourage the new tenants to keep the shelves as they will show lots of damage to the walls. When I moved from my apartment to a house, I was lucky that the new tenants wanted the shelves. Otherwise I would have needed to employ my dad's help to repair all the holes and paint over.

Good luck with all your gardening plans :)

>176 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I do love my shelves--and I have a huge finished room in the basement in my new house...
>177 DeltaQueen50: My efforts at organization, Judy, are an effort to mitigate my profound disorganization. Hugs to you and strength in your care-taking!
>178 figsfromthistle: The shelves are only attached to the wall at the very top, Anita, so hopefully the damage would be minimal. We shall simply have to see.



I gave up on another book, The Midnight Bargain, after 63 pages, and this time it was definitely me. I just wasn't willing to read yet another book about a young woman desperate to avoid an arranged marriage to save her family's finances and a younger sister's prospects in order to have the use of her magical abilities in a quasi-Regency London setting. It is an interesting magic system/political set-up, but no, just not the plot for me at this time.

Just stopping by to catch up and wave *hi*.

>179 ronincats: Oh yeah, relating to that feeling so hard right now. Just could not with Bitter Fruit today...South Africa's travails are still too raw after 45's reign.

*smooch*

Happy weekend's reads!

>179 ronincats: You see, that's my thinking too. Unfortunately, the question then becomes 'where to put all the shelves?'

>179 ronincats: Love that!

>180 RebaRelishesReading: Waving back, Reba!
>181 richardderus: Same to ya, Richard.
>182 humouress: That's where I have an advantage, Nina, because I have a big empty house to fill soon.
>183 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle!

Finally finished another book:



Book #7 Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend (549 pp.)

This is the third book of the Morrigan Crow series, fantasies written for 10 to 15 year-olds but well enough written and intriguingly original enough for adults as well. Morrigan continues to explore her Wundersmith capabilities while the Society tries to deal with a dangerous plague that affects only some of their members.

I have started with the attic. So far it's been easy because I've been bringing down the boxes where Lex squirreled away old magazines, newspapers, sales training materials and textbooks, so it's straight to the recycle bin. It will soon get more difficult as I have to sort out my own stuff.

Well, the box I thought was Lex's stuff wasn't. It was mine. Old cognitive psychology textbooks from grad school, when the field of cognitive psychology was just emerging. Old ed psych and learning disability journals. The journals are an easy let go, some of the text books not so much--but they have to GO. And the hardest--poetry anthologies.

Modern Verse in English: 1900-1950
The New American Poetry (1960)
The Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. 1: Revised (1968)
Poet's Choice (1966)
New Poets of England and America (1966)

Several of these have introductions by Robert Frost, and Poet's Choice has each poet choose their favorite poem from their own work and give the reasons for their choices.

Also
The College Anthology of British and American Verse (1964)
Labyrinths: Selected Stories & Other Writings by Jorge Luis Borges (1964)
both of which are requested on PaperBackSwap!

and a 1944 edition of The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maughm, maybe a first edition?

And isn't it ridiculous to have the feeling that I really should hang onto some of those poetry anthologies, even though they have been sitting untouched in that box since 1995?

>185 ronincats: Ridiculous? Maybe practically speaking, but understandable as well.

*Should* hang onto = toss immediately; *want*to* hang onto = keep.

Incongruous perhaps, Ardene?
Richard, when I look at them, I remember sitting around the paved area at Potter's Pond at the University of Kansas listening to Allen Ginsberg read from Howl or Robert Bly pontificating about men. Maybe I'm thinking that while 25 years ago I was busy, busy, busy professionally, now I have the time to dip into this poetry that was new when I was young but is now old. I think I will keep at least a few. And I have some out on my shelves that I could not bear to put away as well.

If you haven't got a streaming service I wonder if you're familiar with the cult of Marie Kondo? She of the "only keep things that Spark Joy" philosophy of possession management. Basically look at it, look inside yourself, see if the object sparks joy - keep if yes, toss if no. Seems as good a system as any.
I think - keep some. As you say, a big new house - perhaps more shelf space? And some lovely sounding things, with some great memories attached. Although I was the one urging you to read books from your shelves so you could purge them before the move not long ago. Sorry, I'm a very inconsistent advice giver. I mean well though.

>185 ronincats: Could you sell some on instead of toss? It sounds like there might be some value in some of them.

>189 HanGerg: I don't stream her, Hannah, but I have read her book--that's why I completely changed the way I fold clothing in my drawers!! But I can't agree with her about books. But I do think I will keep the 4 poetry anthologies.

>190 humouress: I checked them out, Nina, and except for The Razor's Edge, none of them have any value.

>184 ronincats: I've enjoyed that series too. Can't think of any others that you wouldn't have already tried. I've been enjoying crime novels of late and so catching up on series that I've been meaning to finish for a long while.
I'll suggest the Lymond Chronicles which is historical fiction, has the best heroine I've come across in a long while, she doesn't really get going till the 3rd or 4th book, Lymond is always there, he's an impressive hero as well, but that girl...

I have The Snow Song by Sally Gardner out from the library at present, haven't read any of it yet, but have loved everything she's written .

>185 ronincats: I get like that every time I go through books to take to my local used bookstore. I have to think to myself that I'd rather they bring some joy or knowledge to someone than they just continue to collect dust in the basement. But it's so hard to part with them, even though I'll never reread them or haven't even read them in the first place when I had the chance. My roommate had the same dilemma, but with his dad's firearms -- he kind of wanted to keep some but realized he wasn't going to get the use out of them that someone else would, so keeping them around for sentiment's sake was a little silly for him.

What if you (in your spare time, I know :D) took some photos of the books that bring memories and kind of scrapbook them with little write-ups or notes on the associated memories? It sounds like you've some great memory snapshots, and pairing them with photos of the books would keep the memories alive while slimming down your collection. This is probably a really corny idea, but I love that the anthologies took you back to a place and time, you know?

>184 ronincats: >192 avatiakh: The Lymond Chronicles is certainly worth reading - though the eponymous character is only seen from the outside for pretty much the entirety of the first book and in fact mostly throughout the series.
Also, the references to 16th century and earlier literature and music are thick and carry some of the meaning of the story. So it's one of:

1) be multilingual and totally acquainted with what an educated western European would have known, plus a few things we know from letters of the period that he would have been unlikely to have known,
2) have the companions at hand and look up everything that seems opaque or needs translation,
3) accept not knowing the sub-layer and enjoy the book for its many delights in somewhat a state of confusion.

I did 3) and have done 2). At this point re-reads feel like 1).

There are some of the funniest scenes I have ever read in Game of Kings, and one which is of a sort I had never before encountered and which caused me to fall utterly in love. Not with a character, but with the author's slant on the world.

>192 avatiakh: >194 quondame: Ooh ... you make a case ...

Another vote for The Lymond Chronicles. I first read them as a teenager (45+ years ago now), fortunately the whole series had already been published but I borrowed them from my local library and was only able to change my books once a week, and sometimes the next book wasn't available. It was terrible having to wait. I read House of Niccolo as it was being written and published so even more waiting for those and I never got to feel for Niccolo as I did for Lymond, perhaps because I wasn't at such an impressionable age!

>194 quondame: Susan, your bullet-point description of Lymond Chronicles is spot on. The Dorothy Dunnett Companion helped tremendously with point 2. I started the series last year and read the first three books before deciding to take a break. One reason I stopped was feeling a bit lost but now I see (point 3) that I just need to go with the flow. I have the fourth book on my Kindle and you've convinced me to return to the series this year.

Hi Roni! Your moving sorting and cleaning sounds like it is going well.

I have a box of textbooks from the 70's under my bed. There are some Latin textbooks and some chemistry texts and I can't remember what else. The Latin may still be of use to someone. I've thought about donating them or throwing out the dated ones, but ....

Your experience of listening to Ginsberg reading from Howel is much more exciting than my University memories, though.

I think those poetry collections will bring you joy by the fire in the winter and on your porch in the spring and summer so holding on to them is a good call...but then, you knew I would feel that way, didn't you?

>158 ronincats: I'd take the shelves!

Lilacs, I'd love to be able to grow lilacs again but alas! They don't survive in Carolina heat.

If I were in the midwest and had some land and resources, I'd consider doing something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_3_gsgsnk

Hi Roni, I think I lurked a whole lot but never got around to posting... the Stevermer is now on my WL. Never heard or seen this author, despite my familiarity with the Wrede books.

Glad you sorted out the moving-not-moving books conundrum.
When we've faced that situation (at least 5-long distance moves) there was the "when in doubt, figure out how easy it is to replace from second-hand shopping".

We found that libraries cull way more books than you'd think, especially if they had only paperback editions. Replacement is near-impossible for many of my favourite titles these days because of their 1960's-1970's vintage and many were never reprinted later. A few regrets there... it's amazing what turns up in local second-hand bookshops here, so I've rebuilt some of my mystery and fantasy collections.

My rosebush was pruned in October, just after a hard frost. It is now under two layers of protection and 3 feet of snow. 🙄 The idea of blooms in December... !!

>197 lauralkeet: Well, the good thing is that none of the books in the Lymond series is anywhere near as dense with allusions as the first - and the Niccola series is quite light on them, though historical knowledge of the 15th century is handy. I didn't read the books until this century, for which I blame my friends who did read it, but described it as dense fiction about a Scotsman, leading me to think 17th cent, and not one of the lot of them mentioned the humorous bits, which I admit aren't what one is left feeling, having survived to the end of each book, but which somehow lard the dramatic meat so that the whole is toothsome.

>196 CDVicarage: Niccolo so reminded me of my younger brother and other alert tinkerers I've known, I couldn't help but love him. Lymond is just not my sort of attractive - good to watch from a distance, very interesting, but way too much trouble up close.

I have to say I read the Lymond books in #3 mode. I did get the companions so might just think about a reread. Haven't tried the Niccola books as yet. I have King Hereafter on my tbr pile and that should be my next Dunnett.

>203 avatiakh: The King Hereafter is an amazing book. I've re-re-read it the most of Dunnett's books, though sometimes I only read the first 2/3. I don't know of a better book about medieval royalty although we're not talking big kingdoms since there weren't many in 11th century Europe.

I can see that I will have to give Dunnett a chance. I've seen the love for her books around the threads, and you all make a strong case for it.

>193 Esquiress: Es, it isn't really that I have any particular good memories associated with the books per se--just that I might want to read them again some day.

>198 streamsong: These are SO out of date, Janet, that there is no use holding on to them for old time's sake. But I do have some good university memories!

>199 RebaRelishesReading: Yes, I did and that's what I'm going to do, Reba.

>200 fuzzi: Oh, yes! I'm not sure I want to dig 8 foot trenches in my yard for the geothermal, but there are some solar battery designs with shallower trenches under the greenhouse itself.

>201 SandyAMcPherson: Yes, that is some of my quandary, Sandy. Books that are currently available as ebooks are easier to discard, but some of the others are literally irreplaceable.

The power went out for a while today due to the high, high winds tearing through San Diego all day today--ripped a wire out in the alley, where they haven't undergrounded our wiring yet. Luckily they had it fixed within 2 hours. I got started on How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by window light while I waited.

Y'all are doing a great job of selling the Lymond books. Never heard of them before, but they sound very interesting.

>201 SandyAMcPherson: I strongly recommend you check out Sorcery and Cecilia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot. It's a charming epistolary novel, followed by 2 more to form a nice trilogy.

I hear you about both the occasional culling regrets and the incredible secondhand finds. I keep a list of hard-to-find books to check against the shelves of every thrift store and used bookstore I visit. Patience and persistence can result in some real finds.

>200 fuzzi: Thanks for sharing that video! I'm excited about getting some lilacs here. We have Japanese lilac trees on the terrace outside my balcony. I can look down on them from the third floor. But they just don't have the nostalgic charm of the original lilac shrubs.

Hi Roni - Just passing through, trying to get caught up!

>205 ronincats: Oh, yes! I'm not sure I want to dig 8 foot trenches in my yard for the geothermal, but there are some solar battery designs with shallower trenches under the greenhouse itself.

Plus as you are on a smaller lot in a settled neighborhood, the people around you might not appreciate the construction noise and dust that would result from the geothermal option.

>206 justchris: wasn't that a fascinating video? Oranges in the winter in NEBRASKA? :)

Just catching up. Past 2 weeks busy with the start of classes so the reading of LT posts took a bit of a backseat. Hope your plans for the move are going fairly well; sounds like there are some hard decisions but you seem to be making headway.

Hi Roni, did you know it's the 50th anniversary of filming Deliverance? I know, where has the time gone!

Happy Tuesday, Roni!

Good morning, Chris, fuzzi, Cassie, Richard and Mamie!

That means it has been 50 years of me avoiding ever seeing Deliverance, Richard. Time well spent.

Salina is not well provided with bookshops, I fear, despite its adequate library system. One in the dying mall, Books-A-Million, which I have found inadequate in the sff selection, and a coffee shop/used book store downtown which also appears to be limited. Also a Kansas State Polytechnic Bookstore primarily for textbooks but looks like they have some fiction, mostly best sellers. I will have to travel to find used bookstores in which to browse.

Which reminds me (since I found them in used bookstores in Lawrence and Kansas City)--am I going to shed the early 1900s juvenile series books I so lovingly assembled back in the 70s, or try to sell them since I haven't looked at them in the last 30 years? That's one of the boxes up there in the attic.

My Rand McNally mileage calculator says it's 138 miles/2 hours from Salina to Lawrence. You could have a wonderful day out enjoying the shops on Massachusetts Avenue and come home with a load of lovely books. :)

>213 ronincats: ::perk:: "juvenile series books"...

Inquiring minds want to know.

>214 RebaRelishesReading: Oh, I lived in Lawrence for 12 years--I definitely plan some days out there, and probably staying with my cousins in Topeka for the night before heading home, Reba.

>215 fuzzi: I don't have them catalogued so will have to find the box of books, but most notably, Marjorie Dean: High School Freshman through Marjorie Dean: Postgraduate, some Grace Harlowe, some Ruth Fielding, some Campfire Girls. All published in hardback in the teens or twenties for the most part, so 100 year old books now.

ETA many of these are now ebooks on Project Gutenberg--I have downloaded all the Marjorie Dean books onto my Kindle.

Oh - and I forgot to say that if you wear Birkenstock's that there is an excellent Birkenstock store in Lawrence. It is way down at the south end of Mass Ave. and it has hundreds of shoes. It is called Footprints. I have purchased Birk's there as well as at Olson's.

Hi, Roni.

I'd sure hold onto that copy of The Razor's Edge, unless it makes more sense to sell it. I liked that one a lot.

I've got old poetry anthologies, too (somehow they aged as I did), and I'm thinking about getting new ones, although that's a big reading ask if I do it. I did just finish Louise Gluck's 600+ page collected poems, and actually enjoyed that, so maybe . . .

>185 ronincats: The Norton Anthologies! That is a blast from the college past. :-)

I had to share with you that Carson has been in a bit of an aggressive mood lately. The other evening we finished watching television down in the basement, where he divides his time between the floor right in front of the gas fireplace and my lap. After I nudged him off my lap and gathered my things to come upstairs, he swarmed my ankles the way he does and started to take a swipe at them. I hissed BIG TIME at him. He backed off about two feet, looking up at me. Then I walked over to the foot of the stairs and stood aside. He came over, gave me as wide a berth as the staircase would allow, and skedaddled up the stairs ahead of me. It was time for his 9pm feeding so that followed. The hissing was SO effective, more so than it has sometimes been. Maybe it was how assertive I was about it. :-)

>117 msf59: Good to know, Benita.
>218 jnwelch: I am going to hold onto it and 4 of the anthologies, Joe.

Another day, two more boxes down from the attic. One was all newspapers and articles from Lex's brief stint as a stockbroker in the early 90s, straight out to the recycle bin. The other is, well, BOOKS. But a small box of books. And all ones I will get rid of.

Famous Science Fiction Stories: Adventures in Time and Space (1957)
The World Treasury of Science Fiction (1989)

And the very first books in my introductory offer to the Science Fiction Book Club back in the mid-1960s:

A Treasury of Great Science Fiction, Volume 1 (1959)
A Treasury of Great Science Fiction, Volume 2 (1959)
Dangerous Visions (1967)

And the rest of the box was my collection of Jan Burke mysteries, all of the Irene Kelly series except 1 (10 out of 11) and two more that are independent of the series, all but two of the books beautiful hardbacks with lovely inscriptions to me by the author who is the sister of one of my closest friends. I've a call in to my friend to see if she wants them, but I'm not moving them back. These, by the way, I WILL take photos of all the inscriptions before deaccessioning them.

ETA My friend does want her sister's books, so that will take care of 12 books, 10 of them full size hardbacks!

>219 EBT1002: Oh yes, you do have to put FEELING into it when you hiss for it to be effective. That is so funny; thank you for sharing!!

>206 justchris: I've read the Enchanted Chocolate Pot and was underwhelmed. It didn't hang together very well. Interesting idea though.

Edited to mention I *loved* Ellen's anecdote about the HISS (at #219).

That is really funny. I wrote you a big long post about the newly reopened Dusty Bookshelf and it disappeared and my addendum post showed up. Oh well! I guess I get to type it again.

On my unexpected Kansas Christmas trip I stopped in Manhattan at Olson's Shoes to have them repair and resole some of my Birkenstock's. That store in in Aggieville. I was surprised to see that the Dusty Bookshelf is open. The Dusty Bookshelf is one of the cornerstone businesses in Aggieville. It is the best used bookstore between K.C. and Denver. It was badly damaged in 2017 when they had closed the building to do renovations and I didn't think it would ever open again. It opened right before Thanksgiving this year. I did not have time to go in during this trip, but will build time in to my next trip to Kansas.

In the past, I would stop at Radina's Coffee Shop in Aggieville to get coffee and bread and then walk on down the street to Dusty Bookshelf. I never left there without a big bag of books. Here is the URL for the newly renovated and opened Dusty Bookshelf. https://www.dustybookshelf.com/manhattan
There is always a great selection of books in this store and it had cats. (At least it did in the past - 2 of them.) Diane keeps books of all kinds in the store. trade paperbacks as well as those wonderful old church cookbooks from small towns all over the midwest. The same woman who owns this store also has one in Lawrence that operates under the same name. At one time she had a third one in Wichita, but it has closed. She told me once that people in Wichita didn't like books as much as people in Manhattan and Lawrence.

Aggieville is a great little area, but I miss Varney's Bookstore. It was the college bookstore where everybody bought their textbooks. They closed and turned the store into a K-State souvenir store. Business is booming in Aggieville - even during Covid - and the city of Manhattan is building a parking deck. I think it will ruin the view from the windows at Radina's, but all those people coming to shop in the unique boutiques in Aggieville need someplace to park.

Radina's Coffee Shop has been in Aggieville for almost 20 years and it is a great place to read and hang out - and they bake great bread. Radina's has expanded over the years and they now have 4 different locations in Manhattan, but the one I like the best is the first one - the Aggieville site. Here is the URL for Radina's.
https://www.radinascoffee.com/ If bread and sandwiches isn't your thing you can get donuts at Varsity Donuts. It is right next door to Dusty Bookshelf.

Somehow, I think that donuts, coffee, and books all go together. Anyway, all of this will be fairly close to Wakefield when you go there to visit.

>222 SandyAMcPherson: But there's a reference to me (somewhat indirectly) in Sorcery and Cecelia. At the time it was written I was putting on monthly Regency dances that were called Drums to distinguish them from dance practices and which bore my last name. I have never painted my toenails silver, however.

>222 SandyAMcPherson: It was a letter novel, Sandy, where one author would write a chapter and send it to the other author, who wrote a chapter from her character's POV and send it back. Those usually tend to be more loosely organized.

>223 benitastrnad: Thanks, Benita. I have of course been to Aggieville, even to shop with my sister at that Birkenstock store, but I'm glad to have the information about the book store. I called the coffee shop in Salina, and they just have about 8 shelves of donated books, so clearly not a serious contender. I lived in Lawrence for 12 years and loved their bookshops but that was 40 years ago.

>224 quondame: You go, Susan!

>225 ronincats:
Dusty Bookshelf had closed so they could do some major renovations back in 2017. There was a second floor in the building and they were reinforcing the floor so they could put books up there. Somehow the place caught on fire one night and almost burned down completely. It took a long time for the owner to get things settled and straightened out so she could rebuild. The outside of the building looks just as it did, but the inside is different. However, I am sure that they will have a great collection of used books for sale. It was good to see it back in place and with people going in and out the doors.

Hi Roni!

Just catching up.

>158 ronincats: Handsome bookcases, personally I'd move them. The money spent moving them will be negligible since you're moving your household anyway.

I love my forsythia – Yellow Bells as I was told they were called locally when I moved to NC in 1991.

>223 benitastrnad: Hani would love the cookbooks and I would just love the books!

Always good to keep a bookshop, Benita!

I'm seriously considering taking them, Karen.
Hi, Paul.



Book #8 How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason (408 pp.)

This is the sequel to How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse and I think it may even be more fun than the first. I spent the afternoon finishing up, which is good because it is overdue at the library!

After avoiding an arranged marriage, thwarting a coup, and inadvertently kick-starting a revolution, Rory Thorne has renounced her title and embraced an unglamorous life as a privateer on the edge of human space.

Her new life is interrupted when Rory and her crew--former royal bodyguards, Thorsdottir and Zhang, and co-conspirator Jaed--encounter an abandoned ship registered under a false name, seemingly fallen victim to attack. As they investigate, they find evidence of vicious technology and arithmancy, alien and far beyond known capabilities.

The only answer to all the destruction is the mysterious, and unexpected, cargo: a rose plant. One that reveals themself to be sentient--and designed as a massive biological weapon. Rose seeks to escape their intended fate, but before Rory and her friends can get Rose off the derelict ship, the alien attackers return.

Rory and her friends must act fast--and wisely--to save themselves, and Rose, and maybe the multiverse, too, from a war humanity cannot win.

>194 quondame: YES!!!! >196 CDVicarage: et al. Yes! Yes! Yes! I confess that I am a Lymond Lover and have not yet finished the Niccolo series although I've started it at least four times. I'll read it though. I also enjoy the Johnson Johnson mysteries, and they are due for a reread.

My Jan Burke mass pbs have long since disappeared, Roni. I'm delighted that her sister wanted your hard cover collection.

Meanwhile, I browsed in my Oxford 19th century poetry anthology just today. No way could I let it or the others go, never mind how seldom I dip into them. Of course, I'm not moving! Pace!

Thanks to everyone who mentioned the Lymond books. I am now riddled with BBullet holes and have succumbed to my injuries - or will do when I remember my Overdrive password.

>229 ronincats: Ooh. And another BB.

>224 quondame: *sigh* And I'm going to have to re-read that one and look for silver toenails. Unfortunately, the price of the sequels are a bit prohibitive.

>219 EBT1002: Hmm. However, I doubt hissing will work with Jasper. I might try it and see.

>213 ronincats: Idea: take all your books with you and open a bookshop :0D

>229 ronincats: Thank you! I loved How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse, didn't know the sequel was out. I've got it now, from the library (I do love Overdrive...).

>231 humouress: There was an omnibus kindle edition. Miss Hazetine's Drum is the reference. It's just a mention in a letter.

>229 ronincats: That looks like a fun read, Roni.

Today's two attic boxes were jigsaw puzzles. One I expected. It's full of 50-100 piece jigsaws that I used in counseling/cognitive interventions with elementary students while I was working--all of cats with the exception of one Harry Potter Goblet of Fire puzzle.

The other box was a surprise. Not only were there 4 large cat puzzles, two of them not even out of the plastic wrap, but also these, now collector items, that I had totally forgotten I still had.
This 1968 poster scene of Middle Earth:

This 1966 two-sided puzzle:


This 1978 puzzle inspired by Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong


Also, today was pottery day and this is what I brought home.

Well, not Motley, he was already here, and that is the game I got for Christmas next to him. But the three bowls are new.

I won an Early Reviewer's book, as I was notified today.

Oddity by Eli Brown: The daughter of a murdered physician vows to protect the magical Oddity he left behind in an alternate nineteenth century where a failed Louisiana Purchase has locked a young Unified States into conflict with France.

>236 ronincats: Ah, ER copy. No wonder it doesn't show up at any of my libraries!

>235 ronincats: I'll bet you could finance your move with that LotR puzzle! And the McCaffrey one looks wonderful too.

The batik-colored bowls are so lovely!

All the way around a pleasantly productive day.

>235 ronincats: Absolutely love those bowls!

>82 ronincats: Your dog is beautiful. What bred is Molly?

Thinking of you!

Only Richard is properly appreciative of my Lord of the Ring puzzles! They are selling for $100 up to $400, but more than that, they are BEAUTIFUL!!!! And classic. And over 50 years old.

>237 quondame: Sounds like an interesting one, doesn't it, Susan?

Thank you, Anita and Richard, for the bowl-love. One of my favorite glaze combos, doesn't always come off, but I'm pretty happy with this set.

>240 Whisper1: Part chihuahua is all we know, Linda. Maybe some poodle, maybe some terrier. She's a long, wavy-hair when she's not trimmed.

I LOVE the colour of those bowls, Roni! that's my colour!

And very cool puzzles, too!

>241 ronincats: Bowls? Puzzles? I'm sure they are gorgeous, but I'm seeing only a small fraction of posted pictures for the last few days.

>242 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley!

>243 quondame: Susan, try going to my gallery to see the bowls. I've pulled the puzzle pieces from online, so that won't help there.

>235 ronincats: oh LOVE the LOTR puzzles!!!! Such a fun find in your own attic :)

I'm with Richard; if you're not keeping the stuff that you're rediscovering in your attic, you could make a fortune from selling it. (ETA: score 1 for hoarding. Just don't tell Nina because she already has a hoarding problem.)

I must say, I don't think I've seen puzzles focussed on books. Most of what I've seen here seems to be Disney or superheroes and even the shops dedicated to jigsaw puzzles have Kagawa (or other Japanese puzzles). And Disney (including Japanese Disney).

As ever, love the pottery. That's an unusual shade of blue (at least on my monitor). It looks darker than the usual.

>244 ronincats: Gallery?

Click on her name, go to her profile, scroll down and "Member Gallery" is low on the right (third one up from the bottom). Not as easy to find as your own gallery (which is top right when you go to your own profile), but findable.

Hmmm - you can't see someone else's junk drawer? odd. That's where most of my pictures are. Looks like Roni keeps hers in her gallery, though.

>248 jjmcgaffey: Thank you. I don't think I've ever looked below anyone's library to search it before making recommendations. And all that other stuff is there. Which reminds me, have I missed a scavenger hunt or three? It seems like it's been a while for me. Well, if there was a Christmas one, the answer is yes for sure.

>235 ronincats: Well, the puzzles are still puzzles but the bowls are sure beauties!

Wow! An LotR puzzle you don't remember owning? What a nice surprise then. Will you be auctioning it off?

I love the shade of indigo of the pots (although possibly that's my phone screen!)

>235 ronincats: wow. I'm not totally sure but I think my sister had that first poster, the one with covers to the early LOTR paperbacks. I had a Narnia poster by Pauline Baynes and the LOTR map poster, but not in jigsaw puzzle form. Nice find!

And I love your bowls, they are stunning.

Happy Friday, Roni. I hope you are doing well. Motley is a nice looking cat and I like all those puzzles.

Rory Thorne has gone on the WL list

The puzzles are exquisite! Wonderful! What a find. I love those rewards for tidying.

The blue bowls are just about luminous. Good work.

Finally -- another Lymond freak here (there is an FB fan group, btw where people mull over what actor ever could play Lymond. Answer? NO ONE. He is so deliciously unique.

Secondary comment is that I have not READ the books, but I LISTENED -- during the time I was taking daughter to school in the mornings, hour round trip. (The morning bus was a) slow b) chaotic, and she would arrive at school a total wreck. -- bus OK in the afternoon unless it was a drama carpool or whatever.) Actually, while listening to these it got so I would leap at any excuse to drive somewhere eight minutes or eight hours away. I had no idea what was going on at first and spent a lot of time reading about the borderlands, 16th century England, Ireland, Europe all the way to Russia etcetera. I like it when a book gets you excited about real stuff, and Dunnett knew her history. Example, in book one, Boo-Klay -- a person, a very vivid and historically real person -- spelled Buccleuch, a border lord (brigand, lord, what's the diff?). Anyway I have the "concordances" and do plan to listen/read to the whole thing again, taking the time to look up every little thing.

I agree with . . . humouress? that some of the funniest scenes I've ever read. Also one or two of the most seriously awful, heart-rending.

No one has ever said they liked Niccolo better and I haven't started them, but I expect I will one day, if only for the immersion into the Italian late-med - renaissance period.

So that is my more than two cents.

>235 ronincats: Neat that you found collectible and other puzzles. And I absolutely love those beautiful blue bowls. Glad to see Motley supervising.

beautiful puzzles and beautiful bowls

Glad you're making progress with your attic. Great idea to pull down a couple of things a day and you have the time to do that.

Happy Friday :)

Those bowls!!!! What a set they are!!! Those puzzles!!!! I'd plan to retire on them if I were not already retired and they were mine! I'd be so tempted to work on the pink puzzle that you posted first.
Enjoy! Hope you find another treasure or two to spur your cleaning out. (I'll tell you what I'd find in our attic: stripped pb books from the early 70s when Waldenbooks was happy to have its sellers take a stripped one when it had been pulled from the shelf or even to strip a current mass pb in order to talk to customers.)

>235 ronincats: What beautiful bowls, and lovely puzzles. I've never found anything remotely unexpected or pleasant in my loft - it's always full of empty boxes of various electrical gadgets etc - in case we need to send them back!

>253 sibylline: Thank you for the credit but I haven't read the books yet. I suspect it was Susan in >194 quondame:

Happy Friday.

COLD here, veryveryvery cold, so am huddling back under the covers.

Huh. I haven't been being drawn in by the mentions of The Lymond Chronicles, but >253 sibylline: may have caught me - and if I understand the setting correctly, you (those of you who like Lymond, and those who like the idea but think the series is excessive) might enjoy A Famine of Horses and the rest of the Robert Carey series by P.F. Chisholm (who is Patricia Finney). Mysteries on the Scottish (Scots?) Marches, in Elizabethan times, derived from the actual reports and memoirs of Sir Robert Carey. He's a fascinating character (in all senses of the word), and the world is amazing - mostly because it's so real.

>253 sibylline: Well, not exactly no one. And I've encountered one or two others in Marzipan. Which I have not followed since yahoo groups died.

BTW the one that really got to me was the one that ended with Christian Stewart saying "In which event, he will certainly become nobody in record time." P60-61/Blindfolded play, in my edition. I had never read anything like it and I was in my 50s at the time. There are others where the comedy is broader, but those, while delightful, weren't novel.

Motley is a beautiful cat! And, I very much like the blue bowls. My attic contained 36 plastic containers of Will's old clothes, including a bright pea green polyester suit! I never knew he was such a hoarder until he died and I am left to sort through his stuff. The basement contained 65 cans of coffee, and assorted salad dressings and soups.

One day it dawned on me that people were stressed about toilet paper and I didn't purchase any for over a year. I took a trip to the basement and found too many to count packages of 12 toilet paper collections.

Now, I am working on getting rid of a lot of my old things so that my girls do not have to go through my stuff, wondering why I bought______.

I've been successful in downsizing some books.

Another wonderful Tim Gauld cartoon:

I *love* the LotR puzzles, but I love the bowls more. My favorite colors!

>245 curioussquared: A pleasant surprise, Natalie.
>246 humouress: I will definitely keep these puzzles, Nina. And probably keep them out to enjoy them, once I'm moved.
>247 quondame:, >248 jjmcgaffey:, >249 quondame: Thanks, Jenn, for explaining so clearly. No, that's a feature of a junk drawer. Susan, I'll post one of the puzzles from my own picture in the next thread--hopefully you will be able to see it. Also, sometimes trying a different browser makes online images appear.
>250 charl08: Not worth quite enough to auction off, Charlotte! And the background color IS indigo.
>235 ronincats: I had a set of those posters as well, and calendars, but they wore out long, long ago.
>236 ronincats: Hi, Mark!
>253 sibylline: Okay, okay, I already said I'll give the Lymond series a try! But probably after my move. The Salina library only has two of the books but the San Diego library has them all in ebook format so I'll be able to borrow them for another year.
>254 karenmarie: He's a very critical supervisor, Karen.
>255 RebaRelishesReading: Yes, thank goodness for the gift of time, Reba. Did you do ALL your own packing?
>256 LizzieD: Not quite enough to retire upon, Peggy. But then, I'm already retired as well.
>257 CDVicarage: Kerry, it's not that I didn't know I'd gotten them, but that I'd forgotten all about them. I have loads of empty boxes as well, but I think I'll be filling most of them this spring!
>259 richardderus: We had our cold rain yesterday (although not as cold as the previous one) and today we are sunny and 64--typical winter weather. Boy, am I going to have a major acclimatization to accomplish...but not until NEXT winter.
>260 jjmcgaffey: More historical series!
>261 quondame: More Lymond.
>262 Whisper1: Yes, a major clean out in progress, Linda, for both of us.
>263 ronincats: Thanks, Amber.

>222 SandyAMcPherson: I can see why it wouldn't appeal. Certainly not a tight story, or logical, or completely coherent. But I happen to love epistolary novels, and they get such a bad rap, that I maybe give them just a little more love.

>235 ronincats: The puzzles are amazing! And the bowls are awesome! So lovely! And Motley's not bad, either.

Have you played The Isle of Cats yet? What do you think of it?

I really love my Cat Lady game--it's quick and easy and fun.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/228504/cat-lady

The Isle of Cats sounds a bit more serious in terms of both time and effort.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/281259/isle-cats

>229 ronincats: Sounds like fun! Reminds me of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, which was assigned reading in the Writing the Other - Deep Dive into Description class that I took last year. So much fun, and learned so much.

>216 ronincats: Whenever I see Lawrence mentioned my brain squeezes and I flashback to the film with Jason Robards, 'The Day after', and that bone chilling scene where all the missiles are launched.

Just dropping by to try and catch up and you are already on to the next thread. Sigh

Having lived in Lawrence for 12 years, that's not my first reaction. But it definitely was a chilling scene. Come visit me. I'm bringing books down from the attic and adding all the ones I'm going to pass on to a Used Bookstore collection in my library. When I get done with those, I'll have to go through the ones I have down here.

>263 ronincats: Oh, I love Tom Gauld, and that's a great one! Hadn't seen it before.

And Your LOTR puzzles are amazing.