Alcott Acre's More Board Games Than Books Section III

Discussions75 Books Challenge for 2021

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Alcott Acre's More Board Games Than Books Section III

1alcottacre
Nov 17, 2021, 6:31 pm

My name is Stasia and I have been a member of the 75ers since the group's inception in 2008, although my participation has been limited in some years. I seriously debated whether to have a thread this year as I continue to have some health difficulties, but in the end, decided I would stick. I will unable to visit the threads diligently as I once did, but I remain hopeful that people will come visit me!

Without further adieu, grab a cuppa and come on in!


3alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 17, 2021, 6:44 pm

Finished this afternoon:

111 - Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - I am glad that one of the TIOLI challenges for November allowed me a chance to re-read this book since I enjoyed it so much on my initial read. It is really a quest story set in a bookstore with a mysterious secret society and an unbroken code. I enjoyed this just as much this time around as I did the first time; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

112 - The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon - Another one that I read for this month's TIOLI challenges. I had never read anything by Cannon before so she is a new-to-me author that I am happy to have been introduced to. This is a coming-of-age story with 10-year-old Grace and her best friend Tilly hoping to find out what has become of one of their neighbors who has seemingly disappeared without a trace. The theme of the book seems to be shame - who should feel it and who should not. The book is set in the mid-1970s, but I never really felt that era come through, but maybe that is because I am American and the book is set in England; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

"The first thing I did was visit Aslan, then Mowgli, and Jo and Meg. I had read them so many times, it felt like we were friends, and I had to run my finger down the spine of each book to check it was in its proper place and make sure they were all safe, before I could even think about doing anything else."

"I still hadn't learned the power of words. How, once they have left your mouth, they have a breath and life of their own. I had yet to realize that you no longer own them. I hadn't learned that, once you have let them go, the words can then, in fact, become the owners of you."

4quondame
Modifié : Nov 17, 2021, 6:46 pm

Happy new thread!

>1 alcottacre: Lovely tea you spread!

>2 alcottacre: I was just debating letting The Trouble with Goats and Sheep expire unread, but maybe not, though TIOLI #3 seems to have collected reads more easily than other Nov. challenges.

5alcottacre
Nov 17, 2021, 6:44 pm

>4 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I drink a lot of tea, especially during the fall and winter.

6Carmenere
Nov 17, 2021, 7:10 pm

Happy new thread, Stasia! Thank you for the lovely pots of tea and gingerbread. If you don't mind I'll have my tea in the kitty cup.

7alcottacre
Nov 17, 2021, 7:11 pm

>6 Carmenere: You are more than welcome to the kitty cup, Lynda! Thanks.

8richardderus
Nov 17, 2021, 7:15 pm

Happy new thread. Will you be continuing with Robin Sloan's series, do you think?

9MickyFine
Nov 17, 2021, 7:16 pm

Happy new thread, Stasia! Glad to see it's started off with some excellent reads.

10alcottacre
Nov 17, 2021, 7:20 pm

>8 richardderus: I did not even know it was a series, Richard. I will have to see what I can find.

>9 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

11figsfromthistle
Nov 17, 2021, 8:48 pm

Happy new one!

12PaulCranswick
Nov 17, 2021, 9:14 pm

Like older times seeing you whizz through your second thread like that and I am ever so pleased to wish you a happy #3.

13bell7
Nov 17, 2021, 9:19 pm

Happy new thread, Stasia! Hope you had a good Wednesday.

14LizzieD
Nov 17, 2021, 11:51 pm

Hi, Stasia! I can't keep up with your threads these days, but at least I can get in on a new one. As always, I look forward to your good reading and commenting!

15thornton37814
Nov 18, 2021, 6:39 am

Happy new thread!

16msf59
Nov 18, 2021, 7:36 am

Sweet Thursday, Stasia. Happy New thread. Like Paul mentioned, it is nice having you back in the fold.

17drneutron
Nov 18, 2021, 9:24 am

Happy new one!

18humouress
Nov 18, 2021, 10:04 am

Okay, I give up. My fingers are all thumbs.

Hippo new thread, Stasia!

19alcottacre
Nov 18, 2021, 11:18 am

>11 figsfromthistle: >12 PaulCranswick: >13 bell7: >14 LizzieD: >15 thornton37814: >16 msf59: >17 drneutron: >18 humouress: Thank you, Anita, Paul, Mary, Peggy, Lori, Mark, Jim, and Nina!

>18 humouress: I know how you feel, Nina. Some days I feel like that too.

20alcottacre
Nov 18, 2021, 11:40 am

Finished this morning -

113 - Jews in Nazi Berlin: From Kristallnacht to Liberation edited by Beate Meyer, Hermann Simon, and Chana Schutz - Nonfiction; this book is a collection of articles compiled by the New Synagogue Berlin/Centrum Judaicum Foundation as part of a special exhibition in 2000 that documented what life was like in Nazi Berlin for Jews. Each of the sections of the book tackles a different subject from 1938 to the end of the war. More than that, the book puts faces to the names rather than leaving the people as just some of the six million killed by the Nazis. My only disappointment in the book - and it is a small one - is that almost all of the bibliographic references are in German, which I cannot read. As someone who enjoys digging into the primary sources, I find this disappointing; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

"In the years to come, the ultimate deprivation of the rights of the Jewish minority went hand in hand with the NSDAP's complete penetrationof German society and the capitulation of the general German public in the face of National Socialism's total claim to power. Anti-Semitism was used not least as a means of intimidating the population. It became clear that the system would stop at nothing. In other words, the pogroms were partially intended, in political terms, for those who witnessed them. In this way the National Socialist racial mania could become a historica phenomenon despite its obvious absurdity; it commanded respect on the basis of violence." From Chapter 5, Berlin Jews: Deprived of Rights, Impoverished, and Branded by Albert Meirer

21swynn
Nov 18, 2021, 12:14 pm

Happy new thread, Stasia!

22mdoris
Nov 18, 2021, 12:44 pm

Hi Stasia. Have a great day and happy new thread.

23richardderus
Nov 18, 2021, 1:17 pm

>20 alcottacre: So! Time to start learning German...and >21 swynn: can help with practicing it because he reads Perry Rhodan in the original! (I've recently begun trying Dutch on...Anita and Ella and Connie talk about interesting books without translations and since they get to, despite knowing how awfully it wounds me, I need to pick up my game.)

>10 alcottacre: Ajax Penumbra 1969 is...next? It's a prequel.

Thursday orisons!

24alcottacre
Nov 18, 2021, 1:23 pm

>21 swynn: Thanks, Steve!

>22 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I hope you have a good day too!

>23 richardderus: I actually took German for a year in my first go round in college, a mere 42 years ago. I remember pretty much none of it.

As near as I can tell, RD, Ajax Penumbra 1969 is a novella, not a book and the one and only copy I found out on ABE Books was northwards of $175. Remember when I told you that I have NO income? That one is not happening any time soon.

25alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 18, 2021, 5:14 pm

A couple of new books in-house today for my personal library, both by Amy Stewart:

Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions

ETA: Late Amazon delivery:

Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor - I own the other two in the series, so decided I needed to get my hands on the third
The Writing of the Gods by Edward Dolnick - I saw this mentioned on someone's thread the other day and knew I had to have it. Champollion is one of my personal heroes.

26richardderus
Nov 18, 2021, 1:29 pm

This is why one has this technological device called "a Kindle", where renting semi-permanent access to its file costs a mere $11.99...or one can use "the Library" where the nice old ladies (of whatever gender) behind the desk can find the tree-book for you regardless of where it actually lives!

We live in an age of wonders.

27alcottacre
Nov 18, 2021, 1:36 pm

>26 richardderus: I HATE reading on my Kindle and my local library does not have it. ILL over there takes forever and by the time it arrives (between now and never), I will be out of the mood for it, lol.

28FAMeulstee
Nov 19, 2021, 6:26 am

Happy new thread, Stasia!

>1 alcottacre: I will unable to visit the threads diligently as I once did
That doesn't apply anymore, you are back in full speed ;-)

29karenmarie
Nov 19, 2021, 10:46 am

Hi Stasia and happy new thread!

From your previous thread, I’m sorry about your dad needing to be in rehab and your mother’s finger issue. I must admit to skippety-skipping through threads and not really reading in much detail, and do hope whatever’s been decided for her finger, it’s working out.

30curioussquared
Nov 19, 2021, 11:00 am

Happy new thread and happy Friday, Stasia!

31richardderus
Nov 19, 2021, 12:37 pm

Bleurgh. Beautiful, sunshiney, cold day and I don't feel up to getting out to enjoy it. Oh well, more for me tomorrow, right?

Have a lovely Friday. *smooch*

32alcottacre
Nov 19, 2021, 6:06 pm

>28 FAMeulstee: Nope, to be back to where I once was, I would need to visit every thread everyday as I once did. That is not happening any time soon, if it ever does :)

>29 karenmarie: Thanks for dropping by, Karen! Thus far, no resolution for my mother.

>30 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie!

>31 richardderus: True, RD! ((Hugs)) and **smooches**

33alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 19, 2021, 9:27 pm

General Announcement

My husband is off today and for the next 2 weeks, one of which I will be out of town, so posting here is going to be intermittent, especially while I am gone. The Internet at my mother's house is horrible!

ETA: For clarification purposes - I will be out of town from Monday, November 29-until Sunday, December 5. The first couple of days I will be in Joplin for the annual meet up. After that, I will be visiting my mother.

34katiekrug
Nov 19, 2021, 6:33 pm

Have a great weekend, Stasia, and enjoy your holiday!

35alcottacre
Nov 19, 2021, 6:36 pm

>34 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.

36msf59
Nov 19, 2021, 6:43 pm

Happy Weekend, Stasia! Enjoy your holiday. Check in when you can. We will be waiting patiently.

37alcottacre
Nov 19, 2021, 9:27 pm

>36 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

38figsfromthistle
Nov 20, 2021, 5:51 am

Hope you have a wonderful holiday/visit with your mom. Enjoy the meet up

39PaulCranswick
Nov 20, 2021, 6:22 am

>33 alcottacre: Have a lovely and safe trip, Stasia. x

40alcottacre
Nov 20, 2021, 1:06 pm

41Berly
Nov 20, 2021, 3:34 pm

Happy new thread and happy weekend! It is so nice to see you popping in everywhere. No need to compare to your previous bout of every thread every day. Jeeesh! No idea how you did that. Just glad you are back. : )

42richardderus
Nov 20, 2021, 7:21 pm

Enjoy your peregrinations, Stasia. *smooch* See you when you can be here!

43Carmenere
Nov 20, 2021, 7:38 pm

>33 alcottacre: Your general announcement sounds great. Post when you can, we'll be right here. Safe travels and have a wonderful time.

44alcottacre
Nov 21, 2021, 12:39 am

>41 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

>42 richardderus: Thanks, Richard, I will. I always have a good time both in Joplin and when I go visit my mother.

>43 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

45alcottacre
Nov 21, 2021, 12:43 am

Finished tonight:

114 - The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman - Juvenile; this is excellent historical fiction written for kids (and kids at heart!) aged 9 and up. The book is based on the real life experiences of the author's best friend giving the book a feel of authenticity it otherwise might not have had. The primary storyline concern 2 girls whose fathers are involved with the Chernobyl disaster. There is a secondary storyline set during the German invasion of Russia in WWII. Both storylines are well-told. There are disturbing elements in the book that are not skirted around: anti-Semitism and child abuse being two of them; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

46Crazymamie
Nov 21, 2021, 9:57 am

Happy Sunday, Stasia! Caught up with you just in time to see that you will be away for a bit. Wishing you safe travels and happy making times.

47karenmarie
Nov 21, 2021, 10:31 am

What everybody else said about the Joplin meetup and your time away, Stasia.

48jnwelch
Nov 21, 2021, 5:13 pm

Hi, Stasia. A belated Happy New Thread!

I hope you’re enjoying your travels, and the Joplin meetup is its usual success.

49alcottacre
Nov 21, 2021, 5:24 pm

>46 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Kerry and I will be spending a bit of time together before I head off to Joplin and then on to Longview, so I am sure we will have some "happy making times."

>47 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen! Take care of yourself!

>48 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. It looks like it is only going to be Terri and me for the meet up this year, but we will have a grand old time. We always do!

50alcottacre
Nov 21, 2021, 7:48 pm

Finished this afternoon:

115 - Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart - The story of Shuggie Bain is really the story of Shuggie and his mother, Agnes, who is a hopeless alcoholic and basically spends the entire book disintegrating in front of our eyes. This book is well-written and while the story of Shuggie could descend into hopelessness, it does not. Shuggie always has hope - that his father will do right by him, that his mother will give up the drink, that his brother loves him, etc. My grandfather was an alcoholic and my mother grew up in this same type of environment. It is one of the reasons that I am a teetoller. This was not an easy read for me due to that history, but I am glad I read it; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Library Book

"She looked down into the purse, empty but for Saint Jude and the oose gathering in the creases. Sad, selfish tears of the poor me's welled in her eyes."

116 - Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Young Adult; this is a heist caper book featuring a gang that Kaz has put together from a group of his friends. I wanted to like this book more than I did - I felt like I was being manipulated to care about the characters the entire way through and I never felt any connection to any of them or really cared about them in the end. There is a follow up book, but I have no interest in reading it; Not Recommended (3 stars) Library Book

117 - Forty Years of Murder by Keith Simpson - Nonfiction; Dr Keith Simpson was a Home Office Pathologist in Britain for over 40 years. This book gives a truncated biography of him but spends a lot of time dwelling on the cases he was involved with over the years. I find this kind of stuff interesting, so if you are interested as well, you could do worse than Simpson's book, which is solid; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

51alcottacre
Nov 22, 2021, 12:37 am

Finished tonight:

118 - Glory in Death by J.D. Robb - Yes, I am doing a re-read of my all-time favorite series but not to the exclusion of all else this time. The second book in the series sees Eve investigating the murder of a prominent district attorney while trying to deal with her feelings for Roarke. This is the book in which Robb starts to widen Dallas' world, just a little at a time; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

52MickyFine
Nov 22, 2021, 2:00 pm

>50 alcottacre: I also was not a fan Six of Crows. At least you have the In Death books as reliable good reads to return to. :)

53richardderus
Nov 22, 2021, 2:19 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed Shuggie Bain! Such a terrific piece of storytelling.

54brenzi
Nov 22, 2021, 6:42 pm

Yay for Shuggie Bain. And yay for me finally finding your thread Stasia. Have fun at the LT meet up and you other visiting next week.

55msf59
Nov 22, 2021, 6:47 pm

Hi, Stasia. I hope your visit is going well. Shuggie Bain was my favorite novel of last year. Glad to hear you also loved it.

56alcottacre
Nov 22, 2021, 6:58 pm

>52 MickyFine: I am glad to see that I am not the only one, Micky. I saw so many 4-star reviews of that one and I am like, "Did I read the same book?" And you are right, the In Death series is always good to get back to!

>53 richardderus: It really is, Richard, and I am happy to have read it.

>54 brenzi: Thanks, Bonnie! I appreciate you finding me :)

>55 msf59: No visits yet, Mark, other than with Kerry this week. Joplin and Longview are both next week. Kerry and I spent the day playing games and watching a movie.

57alcottacre
Nov 22, 2021, 7:01 pm

New books in-house today:

By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey - Natalie recently recommended this one as one of her "comfort" reads, so I thought I would give it a try

A NIght in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny - I discovered this one recently on Roni's thread

58quondame
Nov 22, 2021, 7:07 pm

>57 alcottacre: I've enjoyed the Valdemar adventures and yes, they are among my comfort reads as well.

59alcottacre
Nov 22, 2021, 7:07 pm

>58 quondame: Good to know. Thanks, Susan!

60Berly
Nov 22, 2021, 11:44 pm

>50 alcottacre: I have Shuggie and I really need to get to it, sooner than later. >51 alcottacre: Oh, and some more JD Robb--I haven't read her in a while!

Well, at least I already own these. LOL

61alcottacre
Nov 22, 2021, 11:51 pm

>60 Berly: I am helping you save money since you do not have to buy those books. You can thank me later, lol.

62Berly
Nov 23, 2021, 12:58 am

It's later...thanks...I think. : P

63karenmarie
Nov 23, 2021, 10:30 am

Hi Stasia!

>51 alcottacre: I am officially 3 books behind in the series – I need to acquire 52, 53, and 54. It’s a wonderful series, no wonder you return to it frequently.

64BLBera
Nov 23, 2021, 7:24 pm

Happy newish thread, Stasia. You've been doing some great reading.

Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe!

65alcottacre
Nov 23, 2021, 7:38 pm

>62 Berly: LOL, Kim!

>63 karenmarie: Yes, I am making my way through them again. I agree that it is a wonderful series. I hope you are taking care of yourself!

>64 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! Same to you.

67alcottacre
Nov 23, 2021, 10:48 pm

Finished tonight:

119 - The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell - I have loved all of Mary Doria Russell's books - until this one. I am not sure why this one did not resonate for me, it just did not. It is good historical fiction, but from her I have come to expect great historical fiction and for my money, this does not reach the heights of previous novels such as Doc; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

120 - The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros - On the other hand, this is great historical fiction with a touch of magical realism (I think that is what it would be called) as well as a murder mystery in this story of Alter, a gay Jew at the time of the World's Fair in Chicago, who is determined to find out who is killing his friends. Thank you, Richard, for your recommendation of this one. I am excited to see what else Polydoros is writing - his website indicates that he has 2 more titles on the horizon; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

68MickyFine
Modifié : Nov 24, 2021, 1:31 pm

>66 alcottacre: I started Go Tell the Bees yesterday and am already enjoying it thoroughly. I wait to buy the books until they're out in mass market paperback (only way my small hands can hold onto them) and being unwilling to wait two years to enjoy the latest adventure, I borrowed the ebook from the library. Hope you enjoy it whenever you decide to tackle it.

69alcottacre
Nov 24, 2021, 10:57 pm

>68 MickyFine: I will probably re-read the others in the series before I get to it, Micky, so it will be a while!

70alcottacre
Nov 24, 2021, 11:02 pm

New books in-house today for my personal library:

I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish - I have had this one in the BlackHole forever and the Asian Challenge coming up next year finally spurred me to get a copy

Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi

Last Night at the Lobster and Henry, Himself both by Stewart O'Nan

Island of the Lost by Joan Druett

Tombland by C.J. Samson

Home by Marilynne Robinson

The Kingdom of This World by Alejo Carpentier

71PaulCranswick
Nov 24, 2021, 11:45 pm

As some of the visitors to my thread will know I have a monthly prize for Book Recommendations and I am pleased to say that the October award goes to you, Stasia for The Fountains of Silence by Ruth Sepetys.

Please PM me your address (I can't remember whether I have it or not, Stasia) and I will send you a book as your prize.

72alcottacre
Nov 24, 2021, 11:51 pm

>71 PaulCranswick: Well, shucks. I thought you were going to announce that you were moving to Sherman, Texas - like right next door to me - and that we would be walking over to each other's houses daily and swapping books :)

Seriously though, thank you, Paul. What a generous gesture!

73LizzieD
Nov 24, 2021, 11:54 pm

Well, Stasia, I'm not going to be able to go all the way back to read all the posts I've missed. I am happy so seee so many books I love among your latest acquisitions: Tombland (but not my favorite Sansom)! Home! Last Night at the Lobster! and something I haven't read by Alejo Carpentier. You have a lot of enjoyment waiting for you. Otoh, I'm sorry that *Copper Country* was a miss for you. I bought it for my Kindle eagerly and have never gotten to it. I will though.

I'm sorry that you have to be concerned about both your parents. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Travel very safely next week and enjoy!!!!!!!

74PaulCranswick
Nov 24, 2021, 11:58 pm

>72 alcottacre: Hahaha that would have been quite the way to pool resources in terms of reading materials!

75alcottacre
Nov 24, 2021, 11:59 pm

>73 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy. I will probably check in with you over the weekend before I head to Joplin Monday morning :)

Glad my recent acquisitions are books that you love! That practically guarantees that I will too.

Lots of other people enjoyed The Women of Copper Country more than I did, so I hope you are in that camp rather than mine - when you get to it.

Happy Thanksgiving, Peggy!

76alcottacre
Nov 24, 2021, 11:59 pm

>74 PaulCranswick: Yes, it would have been. And a great deal of fun to boot, I wager!

77PaulCranswick
Nov 25, 2021, 5:56 am

A Thanksgiving to Friends (Lighting the Way)

In difficult times
a friend is there to light the way
to lighten the load,
to show the path,
to smooth the road

At the darkest hour
a friend, with a word of truth
points to light
and the encroaching dawn
is in the plainest sight.

Stasia, to a friend in books and more this Thanksgiving

78MickyFine
Nov 25, 2021, 10:22 am

>69 alcottacre: That's quite the undertaking, Stasia. I'm impressed. I just re-read book 8 so the most recent events were fresh in memory before starting the new one.

79richardderus
Nov 25, 2021, 10:28 am

>70 alcottacre: Some very good reads there...we all know Katie's the O'Nanist in the group but Last Night at the Lobster is pretty universally enjoyed.

>67 alcottacre: #120 Yay!! I'm so pleased you liked it.

80karenmarie
Nov 25, 2021, 10:44 am

Hi Stasia! Happy Thanksgiving.

>66 alcottacre: My copy of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone arrived yesterday! I need to at least read a plot synopsis of book 8 before diving in. I love Simon Winchester. Love the title Proust and the Squid. I haven’t forgotten about our shared read for me and re-read for you of The Shadow of the Wind sometime down the road.

>67 alcottacre: The City Beautiful is now on my wish list. I’ve read The Devil in the White City, nonfiction about the World’s Fair in Chicago, and my g-g-grandfather went there and I have his souvenir silk scarf, machine embroidered with his name.

>69 alcottacre: Whew, an entire re-read. I’m impressed.

>72 alcottacre: Wouldn’t it be grand to have Paul next door with his library?

81alcottacre
Nov 25, 2021, 11:17 am

>77 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. What a lovely poem!

>78 MickyFine: Oh, it will take me a good long while, Micky, but it has been a long time since I read through Outlander, so it is time.

>79 richardderus: Thanks for dropping by, RD. Happy Thanksgiving!

>80 karenmarie: I am not worried about the shared read, Karen. We will get to it whenever we get to it. I am sure both of us have enough to read in the meantime. I think you will enjoy The City Beautiful. If you are unsure, check out Richard's review and he will talk you into it!

Yes, it would be wonderful to have Paul next door with his library. Or you. Or Peggy. Or Roni. Or anyone else in the group. We need our own town - 75erVille!!

82PaulCranswick
Nov 25, 2021, 2:02 pm

>80 karenmarie: & >81 alcottacre: You ladies would be welcome any day and every day. Coffee stains and bookmarks would abound.

83Berly
Nov 25, 2021, 3:02 pm



Stasia, I am so very grateful for you, my wonderful friend here on LT.

I wish you (and yours) happiness and health on this day of Thanksgiving. And cookies. : )

I won't tell your Hubby you spent his bonus. LOL

84quondame
Nov 25, 2021, 4:36 pm

>80 karenmarie: I'm currently reading The City Beautiful, it's due today, and I'm hovering over it in Airplane mode. Fortunately I've no cooking to do today, since dinner (duck!, stroganoff!, lamb dumplings!, pirogi!) is ordered and the pumpkin pies are baked. I had to put on clothes though.

85alcottacre
Nov 25, 2021, 5:16 pm

>82 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! For me, it would be tea stains though :)

>83 Berly: Thank you so much, Kim. I am grateful for you as well. We have had a time through the years, haven't we?

>84 quondame: I am glad that you do not have to cook, Susan. Reading is much more important!

86thornton37814
Nov 25, 2021, 6:00 pm

Some nice hauls there!

87figsfromthistle
Nov 25, 2021, 8:20 pm

Happy Thanksgiving! May it be filled with good company, relaxation and of course good food :)

88alcottacre
Nov 25, 2021, 11:35 pm

>86 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

>87 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita. It has been a good day - a quiet one with just Kerry and me, but a good one nonetheless.

89LizzieD
Nov 25, 2021, 11:54 pm

Glad you and Kerry had a fine Thanksgiving, Stasia! We did too....

I love the idea of a 75erville. You know where I'll be over the weekend!!!!!

90alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 26, 2021, 12:33 am

>89 LizzieD: I think we should just pool our resources and buy a town in the middle of the world - wherever that is - and all live there. Forever. And not have to have jobs. Or money. We could just trade books back and forth ad infinitum. LOL

91PaulCranswick
Nov 26, 2021, 12:32 am

>90 alcottacre: What a wonderful idea!

92alcottacre
Nov 26, 2021, 12:33 am

>91 PaulCranswick: A pipe dream, I know, but I still like to think about it every now and again.

93msf59
Nov 26, 2021, 7:58 am

Happy Friday, Stasia. Sorry, I missed you yesterday. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. So what did my vegetarian friend have for dinner?

94thornton37814
Nov 26, 2021, 9:00 am

>90 alcottacre: Makes me think of our dreams of a genealogical retirement community where we all deposit our genealogical books so we have a fabulous library.

95karenmarie
Nov 26, 2021, 9:07 am

Hi Stasia!

>81 alcottacre: I love the idea of 75erVille.

>84 quondame: I had to put on clothes though. I was in my jammies all day. Bill didn’t complain.

>88 alcottacre: I’m glad you had a quiet and good day with Kerry.

96alcottacre
Nov 26, 2021, 5:41 pm

>93 msf59: Oh, I suffered from not eating meat, let me tell you, Mark :) I had: Farro, Mushroom, and Leek Gratin; Cranberry Relish; Mashed Potatoes with Vegan Mushroom Gravy; Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans; Steamed Green Beans; Creamy Vegetable Wild Rice Soup; Pumpkin Cheesecake; and Pear Cranberry Crumble.

>94 thornton37814: I would imagine we could assemble quite the library among all of us 75ers!

>95 karenmarie: Yay, Karen. Now all we need to figure out is where to put 75erVille :)

I have had my jammies on all day long today, which is unusual for me, but I did not sleep well last night and have had a bad headache all day long, so Kerry has just had to deal, lol.

97quondame
Nov 26, 2021, 5:50 pm

>95 karenmarie: >96 alcottacre: Because of my hand I'd been avoiding showers for 3 days. So it really was time to clean up and so I might as well do the whole getting dressed thing. Today though, Mike and Becky have gone out so it's back to nightshirt and robe for me. The dogs, of course get to be as they are. Which is asleep and snoring just now.

98alcottacre
Nov 26, 2021, 5:53 pm

>97 quondame: Makes sense to me!

99alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 27, 2021, 12:03 am

New books in-house today for my personal library:

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak - for the Asian Authors challenge next year

Zorrie by Laird Hunt

Around the World in 80 Novels by Henry Russell

Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston

Transcription by Kate Atkinson

28 Days by David Safier

Highly Irregular by Arika Okrent - Jim (magician's nephew) mentioned this one recently on his thread

The Riddle of the Labyrinth by Margalit Fox

The Bamboo Stalk by Saud Alsanousi - for the Asian Authors challenge next year

100alcottacre
Nov 27, 2021, 12:24 am

Finished today:

121 - Earthman's Burden by Poul Anderson and Gordon R. Dickson - If you are looking for good depth of characterization, this book is not for you. If you are looking for rather silly fun, give this one a shot. This is a loose collection of stories revolving around hapless Alexander Jones and his encounters with an alien race known as the Hokas, which resemble large teddy bears and try to emulate British history on their planet. Hilarity and shenanigans ensue; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

101alcottacre
Nov 27, 2021, 1:16 pm

New books in-house today for my personal library:

Still Life by Sarah Winman

Redemption Ground by Lorna Goodison - For a shared read with Caroline and Paul

Night Haunts by Sukhdev Sandhu - For a shared read with Caroline and Paul

None So Blind by Alis Hawkins - a recent recommendation by Rhian

Like a Sword Wound by Ahmet Altan - for the 2022 Asian Authors Challenge

Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali - for the 2022 Asian Authors Challenge

From Oslo to Iraq and the Road Map by Edward W. Said - for the 2022 Asian Authors Challenge

102richardderus
Nov 27, 2021, 1:27 pm

>100 alcottacre: Oh goodness, I'd forgotten the Hokas. Star Prince Charlie came out when I was in my prime SF-reading years, and how I enjoyed it (secretly...publicly had to make fun of it because cool it wasn't).

>99 alcottacre: Great choices, the ones I know anyway. The Bamboo Stalk needs my attention.

xo

103alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 27, 2021, 1:48 pm

>102 richardderus: Earthman's Burden is the only one of the Hoka books that I have. I really need to pick up the others since I enjoy it so much.

As far as The Bamboo Stalk goes, you could always join in the Asian Authors Challenge next year - for at least the appropriate month.

Happy weekend, RD. ((Hugs)) and **smooches**

104elkiedee
Nov 27, 2021, 1:51 pm

>101 alcottacre: I've had Still Life out of the library for a few months. I was expecting to have to read it as a priority but I've had to prioritise lots of other books first in practice. Hopefully I can get to it soon.

I requested Redemption Ground from the library but sadly it's gone missing. I have a copy of Madonna in a Fur Coat TBR.

105alcottacre
Nov 28, 2021, 2:05 pm

>104 elkiedee: I still need to read Tin Man first, but I have both it and Still Life set aside to get to soon.

Too bad about Redemption Ground. I hate when the library still has a book in its catalog but they can no longer find it. I had a book that I requested only to find out it had been missing for over 5 years! I asked why it was still in the catalog then. Made no sense to me.

Madonna in a Fur Coat is for one of the Asian Authors challenge next year, but I forget which, lol.

106alcottacre
Nov 28, 2021, 2:08 pm

Finished late last night:

122 - The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan - Can you say long and derivitave? Because that is what you are getting with the first book in the Wheel of Time series. I even called Peggy and asked her if it got better or if it kept on being derivative forever. I was assured that it did get better as time went on and that is the only reason I even finished this book. I will continue reading books 2 and 3 since I already own them, but unless they are substantially better, my experience with the Wheel will be over; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

107richardderus
Nov 28, 2021, 2:26 pm

>106 alcottacre: I loathed it. But I also loathed Leviathan Wakes and adored The Expanse, so I'm going to try the Prime series. How about you?

108elkiedee
Nov 28, 2021, 2:51 pm

I think that if Redemption Ground is available in print, it's a book that the central library in Camden should get a replacement copy of. But I think I might send the whole list to a reader development librarian in Islington who has responded quite positively to my previous suggestions, and also forward it to the friends of Marcus Garvey library in my area, one of the borough's 9 branches, as a suggestion. Haringey Libraries broke up a special collection of books on black culture and history, which included donations from Caribbean governments and other organisations, a few years ago (this is a long story) - perhaps this set of books could be included as a request towards a new collection which has already been discussed as a coming thing.

109quondame
Nov 28, 2021, 3:59 pm

>106 alcottacre: The Eye of the World was deliberately and admittedly derivative over 30 years ago, but seems more so now since so much had derived from it and its metoos. I don't think it gets better, but it does get a bit different and I kept up with the series as it came out, re-reading before the next volume when there were long gaps.

110alcottacre
Nov 28, 2021, 8:25 pm

>107 richardderus: Nope. I watch almost no television and am really not interested in the Prime series, which I will leave to Kerry. I am going to read the second book in the series in December. Beyond that, I am not sure.

>108 elkiedee: That sounds like a great suggestion for your local libraries, Luci! I hope they move forward with acquiring the titles on the list.

>109 quondame: Peggy has talked me into continuing on for now, but it is highly unlikely that I will read through the entire series unless it improves immeasurably.

111alcottacre
Nov 28, 2021, 8:36 pm

Finished today:

123 - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - Young Adult; Ruta Sepetys is a mistress of writing good-to-great historical fiction and this book is no exception. Writing from the stand points of 4 different characters, Sepetys tells of how they came to be on the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that was overloaded with refugees trying to escape Europe even as Germany was falling, only to be torpedoed with a tremendous loss of life. The book is based on the real life tragedy, which I do not remember ever hearing of before; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

124 - By the Mountain Bound by Elizabeth Bear - I enjoyed the first book in the trilogy, but this one, not so much. I am not sure if it is just because this was called a "prequel" to All the Windwracked Stars or what, but this book did not due it for me. In the first book, I enjoyed the interplay of fantasy and Norse mythology, but not in this one which seemed to be overwrought in its telling; Not Recommended (3 stars) Mine

125 - Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan - This book was not at all what I expected. I was not anticipating a murder mystery that had a tangential attachment to a bookstore, nor was I expecting a suicide within said bookstore. I enjoyed the book for the most part although I will say that I found the ending somewhat rushed and contrived; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

112richardderus
Nov 28, 2021, 8:54 pm

>111 alcottacre: That's a goodly chunk of ~meh~ right there! May they improve to 4+ stars next round.

113alcottacre
Nov 28, 2021, 8:56 pm

>112 richardderus: Yeah, the best of the bunch was Salt to the Sea and it was very good, so it helped make up for By the Mountain Bound.

114quondame
Nov 29, 2021, 12:20 am

OK, so whose pocket are you out of and how did you get stuck in there?

115msf59
Nov 29, 2021, 8:11 am

>96 alcottacre: I agree, that sounds like a heck of a feast. You definitely suffered...grins.

Safe Travels, Stasia. You may have missed it but we did see a snowy owl yesterday on the lakefront. First owl of the season. Yah! I am so glad you picked up Still Life. It has been fantastic and it could be in the running for best novel of the year, even though I am barely a 100 pages in.

116alcottacre
Nov 29, 2021, 10:24 am

>114 quondame: I am out of a jinni's pocket and I wish to stay stuck. The annual Joplin meet up is tomorrow and I am heading that direction in about 30 minutes. I am then headed to Longview to visit my mother, daughter and sister before heading back home.

>115 msf59: I plan on reading both Tin Man and Still Life very soon, Mark. I have heard nothing but good things about Winman's work. Yay for snowy owls! I love them.

OK, peoples, off to Joplin in 30 minutes so I must finish packing up the car - and myself. Take care of each other and behave yourselves while I am gone!

117FAMeulstee
Nov 29, 2021, 10:27 am

Enjoy the Joplin meet up, Stasia, and the visit to your mother.
Safe travels.

118MickyFine
Nov 29, 2021, 12:49 pm

Have an excellent trip, Stasia!

119alcottacre
Nov 29, 2021, 10:54 pm

>117 FAMeulstee: >118 MickyFine: Thank you, Anita & Micky!

120alcottacre
Nov 29, 2021, 10:58 pm

Finished tonight:

126 - The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker - Oh, I wanted to love this book just as much as I loved The Golem and the Jinni, which I gave 5 stars to, but I did not. Part of the reason that I loved the original book so much is that the 2 main characters were exactly that - they were integral to the book and without them it would have fallen apart. However, in this book, Wecker pulls too many strands - there is Sophia, and Toby, and Kreindel, etc and the focus is no longer on the characters that I loved from the first book. Also, there is too much coincidence near the end of the book for my taste; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

121Berly
Nov 29, 2021, 11:09 pm

Have fun! No promises on the behaving part....!

122alcottacre
Nov 29, 2021, 11:15 pm

>121 Berly: Well, from this group, I never expected any promises about that!

123Berly
Nov 29, 2021, 11:16 pm

Smart woman. ; )

124LizzieD
Nov 29, 2021, 11:22 pm

>110 alcottacre: I keep saying, "If you don't like it yet, you're probably not going to." I am now reading #13 and am pleased. I am also loving the Prime series, which is a different experience.

>90 alcottacre: Yeah. I always feel sorry for Stasia and her food choices.

(BTW, Stasia made it safely to Joplin this afternoon and was waiting for Terri when I heard from her!) ENJOY!!!!!!!

125alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 8:31 am

>123 Berly: Yep!

>124 LizzieD: Thanks for updating everyone for me, Peggy! I appreciate it.

Well, we are up and raring to go already this morning. I managed to finish my last TIOLI book last night and have already started on one for December. Off to breakfast and then heading to the bookstore. Yay!

126msf59
Nov 30, 2021, 8:35 am

>125 alcottacre: Have a great day, Stasia. Looking forward to your bookstore booty. I was on the fence about The Hidden Palace but I can safely dismount and move on from that one.

My love affair with Still Life continues. Just sayin'...

127alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 8:37 am

>126 msf59: I will get to Still Life soon, Mark, but really want to read Tin Man first!

You can safely give The Hidden Palace a pass, but definitely read the first book, The Golem and the Jinni. I loved it!

128alcottacre
Modifié : Nov 30, 2021, 9:04 am

Happy Tuesday, everyone, from Joplin! I will post the haul here and on the Joplin thread. I think Terri will be posting hers as well - and we just found out this morning that Donna will make it, so I will pester her into posting hers too :)

129bell7
Nov 30, 2021, 9:41 am

Happy Tuesday, Stasia, and hope you're having a blast in Joplin!

Sorry you didn't like The Hidden Palace better. Your thoughts match up closely to mine on that one.

130alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 9:43 am

>129 bell7: So far, so good in Joplin, Mary. Terri and I always manage to have a good time even if we are simply reading.

Yeah, I saw your review and pretty much went "That's how I feel too." I am wondering if there is going to be a third book and, if so, it will it return to the two main characters that I loved and their stories.

131SandyAMcPherson
Nov 30, 2021, 2:28 pm

Hi Stasia. I'm delurking in hopes I can redeem myself as a participant.

I didn't much like The Hidden Palace either, but I am (so far) enjoying A Master of Djinn (P. Djèlí Clark). I was hoping I could find the novellas that preceed this book, but no joy in that effort.

I updated my thread today, in case you feel like dropping over.

132quondame
Modifié : Nov 30, 2021, 3:54 pm

>126 msf59: >129 bell7: >131 SandyAMcPherson: I enjoyed The Hidden Palace and liked the wider world and other views of it and the back story elements.

133alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 4:47 pm

>131 SandyAMcPherson: Not sure why you would feel the need to redeem yourself, Sandy! I own at least one of Clark's books but sadly, have not gotten it read yet.

>132 quondame: That is the joy of books for me - everyone has their own opinion and we can just agree to disagree.

134alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 4:48 pm

My 2021 Joplin Haul:

The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd
Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim
The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne - Donna recommended this one to me
Wild Swans by June Chang
The Border of Paradise by Esme Weijun Wang
Incredible Victory by Walter Lord
The Bondmaid by Catherine Lim
The Fall of Light by Niall Williams
John Masefield's Letters from the Front 1915-17 by John Masefield - I bought this one for my daughter, Catey
An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
Friendly Fire by A. B. Yehoshua
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger - this is a replacement copy since I cannot seem to locate the one that I supposedly have!
The Good Doctor by Damon Galgut
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
Travelers by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Pleasure of Ruins by Rose Macaulay

Yes, there were still some books left in the store by the time Terri, Donna, and I were done shopping :)

135PaulCranswick
Nov 30, 2021, 6:01 pm

Impressive haul, Stasia.

I have read only two of them. The Galgut and the Shute and liked both.

136alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 6:03 pm

>135 PaulCranswick: I am starting the Galgut book tonight. Nevil Shute is one of my all-time favorite authors and I have read A Town Like Alice before, but decided I would like a copy for my personal library.

137Berly
Nov 30, 2021, 6:22 pm

Congratulations!! Too bad you don't have the actual World's Strongest Librarian to carry all those books for you! And I'm glad you left a few for other visitors. ; )

138alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 6:35 pm

>137 Berly: True, Kim. I could certainly use his help, especially with a bum right wing.

139mdoris
Nov 30, 2021, 6:36 pm

>134 alcottacre: OH I am on a Niall Williams run and will have to look for that one The Fall of Light. Just finished Four Letters of Love.

140alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 6:49 pm

>139 mdoris: I hope you can find it, Mary. If you are interested in a shared read, just let me know!

141Donna828
Nov 30, 2021, 6:57 pm

So that’s where The Good Doctor went! I had him in my hot little hands, but put it back on the shelf so I could grab my phone and read more about it, and then I couldn’t find it again. All is fair in love and books, right? I had a great time with you and Terri today. I’m so glad I was able to make it!

142LizzieD
Nov 30, 2021, 7:11 pm

Wowser! That's a great list with some authors I have really enjoyed but not those books - N. Williams and A.B. Yehoshua for 2. I have actually started the Macaulay, but I hesitate to propose a shared read. I certainly can't concentrate on it in my current situation. *sigh*

Glad that Donna went. Sorry there were not 2 copies of the book.

143Carmenere
Nov 30, 2021, 7:15 pm

That is quite an impressive haul, Stasia! Of course you know when you shelve your new books, you'll come across Peace Like a River ;o)

I miss Donna. Does she have a thread? Have I overlooked it? I'll have to do some investigating.

144thornton37814
Nov 30, 2021, 7:19 pm

>134 alcottacre: Nice haul!

145alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 7:24 pm

>141 Donna828: Sorry, Donna. I did not realize that you ever had it in your hot little hands. I am already 50 pages into it and will send it your way when I am done.

>142 LizzieD: If and when you are up for a shared read of Macaulay just let me know, Peggy. I have plenty to read in the meantime.

>143 Carmenere: Oh yeah, I know. Donna has not had a thread this year, but she promised she would be back next year.

>144 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

146PaulCranswick
Nov 30, 2021, 7:31 pm

>145 alcottacre: Good news that Donna will be back next year. I have missed her this one.

147Carmenere
Nov 30, 2021, 7:53 pm

>145 alcottacre: >143 Carmenere: Yay! for Donna's return!

148figsfromthistle
Nov 30, 2021, 8:18 pm

>134 alcottacre: Excellent haul. I see a new to me author on that list - Esme Weijun Wang.

149alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 8:51 pm

>146 PaulCranswick: >147 Carmenere: I will let her know that you are both happy for her return!

>148 figsfromthistle: Cool beans, Anita!

150brenzi
Nov 30, 2021, 10:14 pm

>134 alcottacre: Great haul Stasia! I recently acquired a different Galgut... In a Strange Room and I've had Vera for eons and would like to think I'll read it soonish.

151alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 10:35 pm

>150 brenzi: If you would like a reading partner for Vera, I would love to read along with you. Just let me know.

In a Strange Room is the only Galgut book that I have read. I have already started on The Good Doctor and have The Promise lined up to read later on this month.

152alcottacre
Nov 30, 2021, 10:36 pm

Just a reminder that I will be heading to my mother's house tomorrow. There is pretty much no Internet there and I will not be back home until late Sunday, so I will probably not be back online again until Monday next.

153mdoris
Déc 1, 2021, 1:28 am

>140 alcottacre: I just organized for The Fall of Light to be on ILL so not sure how long that will take to come to my home branch. Fingers crossed!

154LizzieD
Déc 1, 2021, 11:58 pm

Happy days with your mother and Catey, Stasia! I confess that I picked up the Macaulay tonight and read a bit. I wish I could promise that I'd keep it up. I am, however, enjoying the book now that we're visiting actual sites (Ascalon, Caesarea, Palmyra). Hope you like it when you get to it!

155humouress
Déc 2, 2021, 12:20 am

Sounds like Joplin was a huge success, meet-up and books-wise. Enjoy your time with your family.

156msf59
Modifié : Déc 2, 2021, 8:06 am

>134 alcottacre: Great book haul! The only one on the list that I have read Peace Like a River, which I loved.

>141 Donna828: Wow! Nice to see Donna post here. We sure miss you, old friend.

Sweet Thursday, Stasia.

157bell7
Déc 2, 2021, 8:10 am

Nice haul, Stasia! I've read both Vera and The World's Strongest Librarian and liked both. Glad you got to spend such a fun time with Terri and Donna.

158klobrien2
Déc 3, 2021, 4:35 pm

Hi, Stasia! I’m caught up with your thread (for now), and have luxuriated in your book lists! Lots of good reading being done here!

Karen O

159karenmarie
Déc 4, 2021, 10:27 am

Hi Stasia!

>96 alcottacre: I’m so sorry you didn’t have anything good for Thanksgiving. 🙄 I'm truly sorry about the lack of sleep and headache.

>99 alcottacre: I read 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World in October of 2019, and it was a stunner.

>120 alcottacre: On my shelves, sad to hear that you only guardedly recommend it.

>134 alcottacre: Nice haul.

160LizzieD
Déc 4, 2021, 11:25 am

I hardly dare mention that I've read a bit more Macaulay. I go very slowly - probably no more than 50 pages a week. Anyway, there it is. Look forward to hearing from you soon!!!!!

161alcottacre
Déc 5, 2021, 10:17 pm

>153 mdoris: I hope it comes in very soon, Mary. Let me know if you are interested in a shared read!

>154 LizzieD: >160 LizzieD: I have to figure out where I put Ms Macaulay. That is so not happening tonight. I just got home a couple of hours ago and I am exhausted! It has been a long week. I will catch up as I can, Peggy!

>155 humouress: Joplin is always a terrific time, Nina! I wish everyone could come and join in the fun.

>156 msf59: I just finished reading Peace Like a River again, Mark, and my opinion of it has not changed. I love it too.

>157 bell7: Thanks, Mary!

>158 klobrien2: Thanks for stopping by the Acre, Karen!

>159 karenmarie: Karen, you may enjoy The Hidden Palace much more than I did. My main disappointment was that I thought Wecker strayed too far from the characters that I fell in love with in the first book. YMMV.

Thank you to everyone who kept my thread warm while I was out of touch. My mother is talking about getting another ISP since hers is so terrible. I am hoping that she does and that it provides better service than her current one!

162alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 5, 2021, 10:21 pm

Whenever I am in Longview, I go to my daughter Catey's shop, Hope's Closet, which helps support the Women's Shelter there. So, of course, I bought more books yesterday:

Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found by Jennifer Lauck
Consequences by Penelope Lively
The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya
The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan
A Bend in the River by V.S. Naipaul
North River by Pete Hamill

163alcottacre
Déc 5, 2021, 10:27 pm

Finished while I was gone:

127 - The Good Doctor by Damon Galgut - This is a character study in book form. We are introduced to Frank, a somewhat jaded doctor who has been practicing in this all-but-abandoned hospital in a non-specific area of Africa which has seen much turmoil. We are then introduced to Lawrence, who is also a doctor, but of the newly-minted, overenthusiastic, idealistic variety and we get to see how these two differing personalities come together through the eyes of Frank; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

128 - Peace Like a River by Leif Enger - I read this book for the first time several years ago and fell in love with it then. My opinion has not changed. I love this book. I love the characters of Rube and Swede especially. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so!; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

164PaulCranswick
Déc 5, 2021, 10:37 pm

Dropping by to spread good wishes, Stasia.

>162 alcottacre: Nice to see you add a Penelope Lively. Her late husband Jack was a tutor of mine many moons ago at Warwick University.

165alcottacre
Déc 5, 2021, 10:45 pm

>164 PaulCranswick: I own a several others of hers too, Paul, Moon Tiger, Making It Up and Oleander, Jacaranda. I have read the first and last ones, but still need to get to the other.

166alcottacre
Déc 6, 2021, 2:32 pm

Books in-house today from the local library:

The woman they could not silence : one woman, her incredible fight for freedom, and the men who tried to make her disappear by Kate Moore

Winter: A Novel by Ali Smith

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr

Three Lives for Mississippi by William Bradford Huie

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

For my personal library:

The African Trilogy by Chinua Achebe

Absolutely on Music by Haruki Murakami

Murder on Millionaires' Row by Erin Lindsey

The Republic of Imagination by Azar Nafisi - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrigue - Recommended recently by Paul Cranswick

Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Things You Save in A Fire by Katherine Center - Recommended recently by Natalie

Red Sorghum by Mo Yan - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Calcutta: Two Years in the City by Amit Chaudhuri - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Reef by Romesh Gunesekera - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Dreams of Trespass by Fatima Mernissi

The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

All the Lives We Never Lived by Anuradha Roy - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar

Revolutionary Russia 1891-1991 by Orlando Figes

Dancer by Colum McCann

Beneath a Ruthless Sun by Gilbert King

Girls of July by Alex Flinn

The Pursuit of Power by Richard J. Evans

I also received this quarter's edition of Paper Brigade, published by the Jewish Book Council.

Go out of town for a week and this is what happens!

167mdoris
Déc 6, 2021, 6:02 pm

>166 alcottacre: Wow, where do you put them all?

168bell7
Déc 6, 2021, 6:19 pm

I've heard good things about The Guncle from my library patrons and really should move it up the list. And Parable of the Sower blew me away, though it was rather harrowing to read it in the early days of the pandemic. I'll look forward to your thoughts on both whenever you get to them!

169msf59
Modifié : Déc 6, 2021, 6:36 pm

>166 alcottacre: Wow! Nice haul, Stasia. I also want to read The Prophets. I am currently enjoying Matrix.

170thornton37814
Déc 6, 2021, 8:10 pm

>166 alcottacre: Quite a haul!

171PaulCranswick
Déc 6, 2021, 9:17 pm

>166 alcottacre: That is an impressive haul, Stasia and I am so pleased to see plenty of Asian Book Challenge books infiltrating your collection!

172alcottacre
Déc 6, 2021, 10:42 pm

>167 mdoris: If it is horizontal, in my house, it has a book on it, Mary.

>168 bell7: The Guncle is one of my TIOLI books for this month, Mary, so I will be getting to it soon. No idea when I am getting to the other.

>169 msf59: Matrix is already in the BlackHole, so you are not going to get me with that BB, Mark!

>170 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

>171 PaulCranswick: I am trying to make sure that I am well-set for the challenge next year, Paul.

I am exhausted tonight and heading to bed early. See you all tomorrow!

173alcottacre
Déc 7, 2021, 1:06 pm

Yet more books in-house today:

I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Madame Fourcade's Secret War and Freedom's Daughters by Lynne Olsen

Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

From the Land of Green Ghosts by Pascal Khoo Thwe - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

My Brilliant Life by Kim Ae-ran - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

The Sweetest Fruits by Monique Truong - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

The Plotters by Un-su Kim - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

The White Book by Han Kang - for the Asian Authors Challenge 2022

Paradise of the Blind by Duong Thu Huong

174richardderus
Modifié : Déc 7, 2021, 2:32 pm

>173 alcottacre:, >166 alcottacre:, >162 alcottacre:, >134 alcottacre: Some truly excellent reads in the Joplin/Longview hauls! The Wamariya was one I really enjoyed.

*smooch* even though I didn't read all sixty-plus posts above.

175alcottacre
Déc 7, 2021, 2:37 pm

>174 richardderus: The Wamariya book is one that Catey pulled aside to save for me. I will let her know she made a good pick!

I do not blame you for going through the 60+ posts either. I know that I am not. A week off from this group is far too long!

176richardderus
Déc 7, 2021, 2:41 pm

>174 richardderus: So much happens in a week...so many threads are busy, and we're quite a chatty bunch. It makes the catch-up effortful.

177alcottacre
Déc 7, 2021, 2:43 pm

>176 richardderus: Yep. That is why I am just saying Hello on most of them. I do not have the time to read them all any more.

178alcottacre
Déc 8, 2021, 3:20 pm

DNF:

This one breaks my heart because I know that Richard loves it, but I read almost 80 pages of The Prophets and was not captivated. I did not care for the author's writing style. I may go back to this one at a later date now that I know what to expect, but for now, I am putting it aside.

I have also come to the conclusion that I am not going to finish The Wheel of Time. I am midway through the second book in the series, The Great Hunt, but I am not going further than this one. Maybe if I continued on I would find out what there is new in the series that makes it different from other fantasy quest books, but I do not have the time or patience to read through 14 volumes to find out.

179alcottacre
Déc 8, 2021, 10:38 pm

I am currently reading Absolutely on MIf usic by Haruki Murakami. In one of his conversations with the conductor Seiji Ozawa, Ozawa says "I'm enjoying talking to you about music like this because your perspective is so different from mine. It's that difference that has been making it a learning experience for me, something fresh and unexpected."

If we substitute the word "books" for "music," I think that is a perfect description of what the 75ers do for me.

180bell7
Déc 9, 2021, 7:31 am

>179 alcottacre: oh I like that, and wholeheartedly agree. Thanks for sharing, Stasia!

181maxbaker24
Déc 9, 2021, 7:58 am

Cet utilisateur a été supprimé en tant que polluposteur.

182richardderus
Déc 9, 2021, 2:53 pm

>178 alcottacre: *stiffly* Not every book is for every one of us, I suppose.

*stalks off*

>177 alcottacre: We do the best we can, and if that's not enough for someone, then it's on them, not us. A sad truth is that people don't always extend the courtesy of assuming good will, not just online; and Being Offended or simply feeling someone's been less than thoughtful turns into A Thing all too often.

We live; we learn; to get wiser, we apply the learning and live better.

*smooch*

183alcottacre
Déc 9, 2021, 3:11 pm

>180 bell7: Glad you like it, Mary. I thought it suited.

>182 richardderus: I was afraid I would offend you, RD, by not loving a book that you loved, but I tried. I honestly did! Grovel, grovel, beg, beg.

184alcottacre
Déc 9, 2021, 3:15 pm

New books in-house yesterday and today:

From my local library:
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence - I may have read this one before

For my personal library:
The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera by Matthew Aucoin - Recommended by Richard

185alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 10, 2021, 3:15 pm

From "The Fall of Edward Barnard" in The Collected Short Stories of W. Somerset Maugham, Vol. 1:

"I read for examinations. I read in order to be able to hold my own in conversation. I read for instruction. Here I learned to read for pleasure. I learned to talk. Do you know that conversation is one of the greatest pleasures in life? But it wants leisure."

186richardderus
Déc 10, 2021, 1:14 pm

Happy weekend-ahead's reads! *smooch*

187alcottacre
Déc 10, 2021, 3:16 pm

>186 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Does this mean I am forgiven? *hopeful smile*

188richardderus
Déc 10, 2021, 3:35 pm

Of course! Merely relegated to the "never to be trusted again" but forgiven? Naturally!

*smooch*

189alcottacre
Déc 10, 2021, 3:43 pm

>188 richardderus: Well, if that is the best I can get, I will take it!

*smooch* back at you

190karenmarie
Modifié : Déc 10, 2021, 8:50 pm

Hi Stasia! Have a wonderful weekend.

>166 alcottacre: I’ve already got The Guncle on my wish list, having read Lily and the Octopus in August. Our Library has it in both paper and ebook formats, but the wait’s at least 6 months. I may break down and buy it...

191PaulCranswick
Déc 10, 2021, 8:59 pm

Yikes I am worried about reading The Prophets now too!

>176 richardderus: >177 alcottacre: & >182 richardderus: I tend to agree. There will always be threads we are drawn to more than others and those whose views we sympathise/agree with more than others who may grate.

It is oftentimes not that we don't agree but the manner of not agreeing. I honestly bear no animus to anyone in the group but I do realise that sometimes being prepared to state an opinion can chase away those who may not agree with that opinion.

Anywho - the acre and RD's den are two of my favourite places on the internet.

Have a great weekend.

192PaulCranswick
Déc 10, 2021, 9:00 pm

>173 alcottacre: Oh and by the way I really do need to provide a little virtual round of applause for the Asian Book Challenge haul! Impressive.

193alcottacre
Déc 10, 2021, 10:36 pm

Finished tonight:

129 - Winter by Ali Smith - I absolutely love the first book in Smith's Seasons quartet, Autumn, but this one I did not enjoy nearly as much. I think that at least part of the reason is that in Autumn, I enjoyed the relationship between Daniel and Elizabeth. It was at the forefront of the book. In Winter, we have an emotionally disturbed, possibly mentally ill Sophia. We see her primarily through the eyes of her sister, Iris, and her son, Art - who has his own set of problems - and this just did not work as well for me. The wonderful word play is still there - with a tip of the hat to Charles Dickens. I loved the part about the bird watchers chasing down an elusive bird, but wish I had enjoyed the rest of the book half as much; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Library Book

194alcottacre
Déc 10, 2021, 10:41 pm

>190 karenmarie: Sounds like you will have to buy it if you want to read The Guncle any time soon!

>191 PaulCranswick: I would not worry too much about reading The Prophets, Paul. You will probably enjoy it more than I did. I did not get on with the author's style at all.

I honestly bear no animus to anyone in the group but I do realise that sometimes being prepared to state an opinion can chase away those who may not agree with that opinion. I do not either. We are all free, independent people who are entitled to our own opinions. Richard and I can pick at each other because we have known each other long enough to be able to do so - and we have met in real life and managed not to kill each other.

>192 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I am really looking forward to it. I have lists upon lists - which books I own, which books I have on order, which books the local library has, etc. I just hope I do not crash and burn, lol.

195PaulCranswick
Déc 10, 2021, 10:56 pm

>194 alcottacre: The mutual affection between RD and yourself is pretty obvious, Stasia.

I think I will look at the "Stans" a little to add to my options but I am certainly looking forward to it too.

196alcottacre
Déc 10, 2021, 10:59 pm

>195 PaulCranswick: The mutual affection between RD and yourself is pretty obvious, Stasia.

Good. I was worried that you thought we really hated each other or something.

As far as the Asian Authors Challenge is concerned, I am finding it intimidating - I have never done something like this, so we will see how it goes.

197richardderus
Déc 11, 2021, 9:12 am

*smooch* for my old sparring partner

198PaulCranswick
Déc 11, 2021, 9:19 am

>196 alcottacre: Don't worry, Stasia, it is meant to be fun! The British Author Challenge which I started a number of years ago and which has been taken over by Amanda was similarly intended to be treated as casually as possible. Amanda regularly read about a hundred or so BAC books a year!

199alcottacre
Déc 11, 2021, 11:54 am

>197 richardderus: *smooches* right back at you, RD. I wish I could deliver them in person for Christmas :)

>198 PaulCranswick: I will try and have fun with it then, Paul. Good on Amanda! I wish I could do as well.

200alcottacre
Déc 11, 2021, 7:44 pm

Finished this evening:

130 - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - Call me what you like, but I love this story. If you do not know it, what bushel have you been hiding under? Go get it and read it!; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

201alcottacre
Déc 12, 2021, 1:37 am

Finished tonight:

131 - Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr - I bought this book in Joplin last year on Bonnie's recommendation. I have been trying all year to get it read and decided that today was the day. I am kicking myself for not reading this jewel of a book earlier. We have 2 Americans who move lock, stock, and barrel to Mexico. The whole book is concentrated on the dichotomy of the Evertons and Ibarra, the town into which they move: "Believing as they did in a relentless providence, the people of Ibarra, daily and without surprise, met their individual dooms." Treat yourself and go out and grab this one!; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

132 - Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich - This book was a hard one for me to read because I have witnessed a marriage such as the one between Irene and Gil. In my case, it was my own parents, so when I say this book hits close to home, I mean it. Obviously the parallels only go so far - when my parents finally divorced, my sister and I were both adults with families of our own, but the similarities (echoes?) are definitely there. When Irene's son, Florian, asks his mother why it took her so long to divorce his father, I can relate. "She Irene couldn't say it, but she knew she was destroying a world. A little culture." The book gets docked a bit for me because I would have liked better characterization of the children, especially Florian, the oldest. Also, the ending felt a bit too dramatic and pat at the same time; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

202Whisper1
Déc 12, 2021, 1:57 am

>20 alcottacre: Stasia, What an incredible review of this book! I hope to read it in the new year!

Much Love to you my friend.

203alcottacre
Déc 12, 2021, 2:12 am

>202 Whisper1: It is wonderful to see you here, lovey! Much love right back at you.

204katiekrug
Déc 12, 2021, 10:29 am

Have a good Sunday, Stasia!

205alcottacre
Déc 12, 2021, 11:58 am

>204 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! Same to you!

206richardderus
Déc 12, 2021, 1:06 pm

>201 alcottacre: I do so enjoy Harriet Doerr...Consider This, Señora was a good read, too.

207alcottacre
Déc 12, 2021, 4:43 pm

>206 richardderus: I will have to track that one down now too, Richard. Thanks for the recommendation!

208alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 12:29 am

Finished today:

133 - The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore - Nonfiction; this book is the true story of Elizabeth Packard who was placed in an asylum by her husband even though she was not insane for what ended up being about 3 years. Everything her husband did was perfectly legal because as a married woman, she literally had no rights under the law. After she was eventually released, she fought for changes in the law. The story is one with which I was not familiar and I think it was an important one to tell, but I sure wish Moore would have handled it a bit differently. She leaves every single chapter off with a cliff hanger. I absolutely hate that. She tells little of what the religious differences between Elizabeth and her husband Theophilus that help explain why he would have her committed and think her insane. Again, I think the story was an important one and needed to be told, which is why I am giving the book as high of a rating as I am. There is a large bibliographic section in the book so there is a ton more reading material on the subject for those interested; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

134 - Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found by Jennifer Lauck - Nonfiction; this memoir of Lauck's childhood is more of the "Lost" than the "Found" as the subtitle says. Lauck lost her mother to cancer at an early age, so her father remarry only to die himself of a heart attack shortly thereafter, leaving Lauck and her brother, Bryan, with an indifferent (at best) stepmother with 3 children of her own. Lauck tells the story in a straight forward manner: this is what happened, this is what I did. The book could have been a work bathed in pathos, but she steered away from that and I appreciated the book more for it. There is a follow up book I would like to get my hands on at some point, Still Waters, just to see how things progressed from the end of this book; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

135 - Absolutely on Music by Haruki Murakami - Nonfiction; I loved this book of conversations between the author Murakami and the conductor, Seiji Ozawa. There are eye opening discussions of what a conductor really does and how he goes about doing it as well as conversations about classical music, of course. I had a great time pulling up videos on YouTube (including Ozawa's appearance on What's My Line) according to the section of the book I was reading at the time; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

136 - Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb - In what was originally supposed to be the last book of the series, Eve's best friend Mavis is accused of a murder she did not commit, it is up to Eve to clear her and find the correct perpetrator - all while juggling wedding plans; Recommended for fans of the series (3.75 stars) Mine

137 - Miracles and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis - I very much enjoyed this book of short stories about the Christmas season, which she appears to truly love; I thought the first story, "Miracles," the best of the 8 stories in the book, but not by much. She also includes some seasonal reading and watching after the stories are over. Roni recommended this one and sent me a copy a mere 10 years ago. I finally got it read!; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

209Berly
Déc 13, 2021, 12:44 am

>172 alcottacre: "If it is horizontal, in my house, it has a book on it" LOL!!

>201 alcottacre: I think I liked it a little less than you. I found the marriage really hard to take and agree with you that the kids could have been developed a bit more. I enjoyed how the sections of the book kept getting shorter and shorter, so I was expecting some kind of blow-put ending, but I didn't predict the one that happened. Interesting take on artist and their subjects and I really liked the title, Shadow Tag, and the references to shadows carried throughout the book: giving the feeling of depth in paintings, standing still at high noon and having no shadow, being caught in the shadows, or lost in shadow of genius, etc.

210humouress
Déc 13, 2021, 12:47 am

>178 alcottacre: >182 richardderus: I'm with Richard; the Wheel of Time is one of my favourites.

Although, to be perfectly honest, 1) I read them as they were being published and had to hang on desperately for a year or two for each one and 2) I'm putting off a re-read; The Great Hunt is on my bedside table so I can read it (and then The Dragon Reborn) before watching the TV series but I have too many library books expiring soon (stop with the BBs y'all).

211quondame
Déc 13, 2021, 1:19 am

>208 alcottacre: I'm not enjoying my time with The Woman They Could Not Silence. Though I think that the change from Congregationalist to Presbyterian to accommodate the pro-slavery slant of McCormick's money caused her husband's to fear losing his position, was the why he had to get rid of her. Yes, she differed and he was a complete controlling unspeakable, but the heart of it was money.
You have to wonder why those 19th century men decided to spend so much on building and maintaining madhouses. We decided to stop doing it in the 20th century and now 90% of my neighborhood newsgroup is complaints about homelessness, with out a hint of awareness that they've voted against every measure that might actually have some effect on the housing situation.

212alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 1:25 am

>209 Berly: "If it is horizontal, in my house, it has a book on it" Well, it is the truth - and that includes my floors. I have 7 stacks of books next to my bed. I also have 2 bookshelves with books on them, a dresser with 4 stacks of books on it, and a chest with a further 4 stacks of books on it - and that is just in my bedroom!

Regarding Shadow Tag: I may have appreciated the book more than you just because I was more emotionally invested in the 2 main characters since I found their marriage so similar to my parents. I agree completely with your statement Interesting take on artist and their subjects and I really liked the title, Shadow Tag, and the references to shadows carried throughout the book: giving the feeling of depth in paintings, standing still at high noon and having no shadow, being caught in the shadows, or lost in shadow of genius, etc.

>210 humouress: Thanks for stopping by, Nina! Maybe if I read The Wheel of Time as they were published, I would enjoy the books more. I would probably like it more if I had not read David Eddings' Belgariad series first too. It is shorter and I love that particular series of books as well as the follow up ones. My husband is watching the TV series. I may end up watching it just to find out how it all shakes out, but likely not. I watch almost no TV other than sports.

213humouress
Déc 13, 2021, 1:38 am

>212 alcottacre: I happen to have Pawn of Prophecy on my bedside table, which I also pulled out to re-read. I read the Belgariad from the library, which was part of my earliest serious-fantasy-phase reading and I bought the Mallorean as it was being published, too.

The Wheel of Time was intended as a trilogy when it started; the pacing in The Eye of the World is consistent with that, and then Jordan started to get lost in his world building, as did I. On the one hand I loved spending time in that world (one of those series you don't want to end - and I almost got my wish!) but on the other, I wanted to know what happened. Apparently Jordan knew the last scene of the whole epic when he started writing.

214Berly
Modifié : Déc 13, 2021, 2:02 am

>212 alcottacre: If it is horizontal, in my house, it has a book on it! Yes, I get you! Check out the photo in my profile page and that's only half the wall! Then they are the "read sooner" TBR piles (2 of them) next to my night table. I knew we thought alike. LOL

215PaulCranswick
Déc 13, 2021, 5:03 am

>213 humouress: I bought The Belgariad this year so I definitely want to get to it soon, Nina.

>212 alcottacre: & >214 Berly: Obviously when you buy a lot of books you do need somewhere to put them all! I have two sets of bookcases in the bedroom (1,800 books approx). A reading stand which houses a lot in its middle section (400 books or thereabouts). My corridor has 15 sets of shelves (circa 5,400 books) and I have three further sets in my reading nook (1,200 books). I also have a beautiful wooden cabinet filled with books (maybe 500). I would guess therefore that there are approximately 9,300 books in the house which means that I have given away something close to 2,000 books over the years in Malaysia.

I think that reading Night Watchman and The Round House negatively impacted my appreciation of Shadow Tag as I found it a tad inferior to both of those. That said it is still a good thought provoking read and would certainly impact those whose parents, friends or indeed themselves had had similar experiences.

216msf59
Déc 13, 2021, 7:35 am

Morning, Stasia. Yep, back from our beery misadventures but it sure was fun. I also loved Stones for Ibarra but I should do a reread of it one of these days. It is a bit of a blur. I never did read Shadow Tag but I have several more of Erdrich's books to get through first.

Were you joining us on Hench? I plan on starting it Wednesday.

217drneutron
Déc 13, 2021, 9:32 am

Looks like I seriously need to find the Murakami! Sounds like something I'd love.

218alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 12:58 pm

>213 humouress: It is funny because my mother bought the Belgariad for me at a garage sale when I was about 15 thinking that I would like it. I did not read it for several years and then when I did, I loved it and immediately had to find the Mallorean. For me, nothing else that Eddings wrote measured up to those 2 series. I need to do a re-read.

>214 Berly: How much we think alike is kind of scary, Kim!

>215 PaulCranswick: Maybe a shared/group read of the Belgariad is in order for 2022, Paul?

I have not yet read either of the Erdrich books that you mentioned, so I need to get to them. I own The Night Watchman but not Round House, but I can get it a my local library, I believe.

I have an entire room in my house that has nothing but bookshelves in it, but that does not mean all of my books are confined to that room, lol.

219alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 1:03 pm

>216 msf59: Mark, I cannot join in on Hench unfortunately. The library only has it as an e-book and honestly, I just do not have the time to fit it in this month. I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts on it though. If I can get a paper copy in the new year, I will read it then - depending on your thoughts on the book.

>217 drneutron: If and when you get to the Murakami book, I hope you enjoy it, Jim. For a differing opinion, you might read Ron's (RBeffa) review that he posted on Linda's (laytonwoman) thread. He did not like the book nearly as much as I did.

220richardderus
Déc 13, 2021, 4:31 pm

Hiya Stasia! Happy week-ahead's reads.

*smooch*

221alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 7:11 pm

>220 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Same to you!

222PaulCranswick
Déc 13, 2021, 10:58 pm

>215 PaulCranswick: I could do that certainly, Stasia.

223alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 11:17 pm

>222 PaulCranswick: Works for me, Paul!

224alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 11:19 pm

From "Honolulu" in Collected Short Stories, Volume 1, by W. Somerset Maugham:

"Those are the best journeys, the journeys that you take at your own fireside, for then you lose none of your illusions."

225alcottacre
Déc 13, 2021, 11:24 pm

>211 quondame: Sorry I missed you up there, Susan. I can understand not enjoying your time with The Woman They Could Not Silence.

I was thinking along the same lines as you when you say "90% of my neighborhood newsgroup is complaints about homelessness, with out a hint of awareness that they've voted against every measure that might actually have some effect on the housing situation." Mental illness in this country has never been taken seriously - we just want to shut it away somewhere and pretend it does not exist. Things are changing, but the change is extremely slow and not nearly as widespread as it needs to be.

226quondame
Déc 13, 2021, 11:26 pm

>225 alcottacre: Ah yes. It certainly makes clear that when person A accuses person B of being crazy instead of engaging with their arguments, you can cease trusting anything person A says.

227Berly
Déc 14, 2021, 1:12 am

>215 PaulCranswick: I agree with your assessment of Erdrich's book The Round House being superior to Shadow Tag, but can't comment on Night Watchman because it is still in my TBR pile!

228alcottacre
Déc 14, 2021, 1:10 pm

>226 quondame: It amazes me that, for as literate and well-spoken as Elizabeth was, the trustees and Dr MacFarland all took her to be "mad." Prejudice at work regarding women, I think. Even when women speak well for themselves, there are men who simply cannot get over their tendency to look down on the gender as "the weaker sex," which we have never been.

229alcottacre
Déc 14, 2021, 1:11 pm

>227 Berly: Obviously I am going to have to get to The Round House soon. I own The Night Watchman, Kim, so if you are up for a shared read of that one in the coming year, let me know!

230thornton37814
Déc 14, 2021, 1:19 pm

>228 alcottacre: I think they often classified outspoken women as "mad" to try to keep things as status quo instead of having the women stir things up.

231alcottacre
Déc 14, 2021, 1:39 pm

>230 thornton37814: Yeah, the men's status quo. Somewhat ironic that in order for women to be able to get out of those situations they had to turn to men to help them.

232richardderus
Déc 14, 2021, 2:39 pm

I'm guessing the invalidation of enemy points of view as defense mechanism has a long history among humans.

*smooch*

233quondame
Déc 14, 2021, 3:49 pm

When the whole culture congratulates for sons and consoles for daughters, and uses unmanly as an insult, this is one of the side effects.

234alcottacre
Déc 14, 2021, 10:23 pm

>232 richardderus: I guess I am never going to understand why people have to be "enemies," Richard.

>233 quondame: Yep.

235alcottacre
Déc 14, 2021, 10:34 pm

Finished tonight:

138 - The Guncle by Steven Rowley - Read for TIOLI challenge; When I signed up to read this for one of this month's TIOLI challenges, I knew nothing of the book. I figured, based on the cover art work, that this was going to be a feather light book. I was wrong. Not saying that this is the heaviest book ever written, but it is certainly heavier than I thought it was going to be. Patrick, the uncle of Maisie and Grant, is given custody of them temporarily when his brother, Greg, goes into rehab after the death of his wife, Sara, who was not only the kids' mom, but one of Patrick's dearest friends. Patrick, who lost his partner, Joe, in a car accident years before, is well acquainted with grief and a good guide for the kids as they go through it. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Library Book

139 - A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year edited by Larry Smith - Nonfiction; Richard recently recommended this one and I found it to be excellent. Tales from the pandemic year of 2020 told in 6 word verse but students and teachers alike - with backstories in the "Lessons Learned" sections that go deeper into the teacher experience. A quick read, but an unforgettable one; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

"You can't ever lock up a library. A library can be an exchange of odd vulnerabilities and truths, a question and answer. As long as people can still come together to share stories and words, libraries can be everywhere." Jess deCouncy Hinds in A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year

236richardderus
Déc 15, 2021, 11:53 am

>234 alcottacre: History's heavy hand teaches us that our single most enduring characteristic as a species, across time and space, is hatred.

Depressing and sad but the evidence is too massive to admit for denial.

237alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 15, 2021, 11:56 am

>236 richardderus: I would never deny it, I just do not understand it, try as I might. I have no idea what a person's gender, sexuality, religion, etc have to do with them as a person. I may disagree with someone, but that does not mean I have to hate them.

238richardderus
Déc 15, 2021, 12:02 pm

>237 alcottacre: It's hard-wired into most people, and it's clearly culturally supported; the exceptions aren't forceful in their dissent...by definition! Systems must function at the level of the lowest common denominator, as the racists learned in the 1960s. The attack on education and its resulting stupidifiction of the hoi polloi paid these dividends we're seeing now.

239Berly
Déc 15, 2021, 12:05 pm

>229 alcottacre: Definitely in my TBR pile. No clue when I'll get to The Night Watchman, but I'll try to synch with you. Happy Wednesday!

240alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 12:09 pm

>238 richardderus: I guess my wiring is off-kilter then. Maybe growing up with a bigot steered me in the opposite direction? I have been actively reading about the Holocaust since I was 12 or so, trying to understand it. That also might have had some impact on me. Heck, reading in general might have impacted me to stay away from the hatred.

>229 alcottacre: No worries, Kim, I have plenty to read in the meantime! Let me know whenever you are ready.

241alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 1:31 pm

New books in-house:

From my Secret Santa, Benita:
Empires of the Plains by Lesley Adkins - one of the books that has been in the BlackHole the longest
The Strangler Vine by M. J. Carter
Fire on the Mountain by John Maclean
War & Turpentine by Stefan Hertmans
97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman

For my personal library:
A Star is Bored by Byron Lane

From the public library:
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard - Recommended by both Karen and Richard

242richardderus
Déc 15, 2021, 1:39 pm

>241 alcottacre: Recommended by both Karen and Richard ...unless you ***HATE it, in which case it's All Horrible's Fault.

243alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 4:55 pm

>242 richardderus: But she assured me that if I hated the book, it was all your fault!

244alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 5:12 pm

Finished this afternoon:

140 - The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan - The second book in the Wheel of Time series, this book was marginally better for me than the first one was, but not enough for me to continue through 12 more books. I found the storyline with Egwene and Nynaeve of more interest than I do Rand's, which is probably not a good thing; Recommended for fans of the series (3.75 stars) Mine

245swynn
Déc 15, 2021, 6:14 pm

>244 alcottacre: I admire your good-faith attempt at the WOT series, Stasia. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to try it.

246alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 7:17 pm

>245 swynn: I just do not have the patience for a 14-book series, I do not think, Steve. None of the characters particularly grabbed me and if I want a quest series, I will stick with David Eddings Belgariad series, which is much shorter and more enjoyable to me. Even if you continue on through the Mallorean, Eddings series is still shorter.

247thornton37814
Déc 15, 2021, 7:23 pm

>241 alcottacre: Those books just keep coming in! Yesterday I finally got the first of two boxes that have been sitting in town since the 6th. I'm still awaiting the other. Why do publishers use that UPS to USPS option? I'm just hoping it arrives before I leave town. I've already been down to the post office to complain. (The one showed up the next day.) I'd love to go back and see if I can have the same results with the other. Of course, USPS told me they hadn't received from UPS, and UPS' site said it was in the post office's hands. Frustrating!

248brenzi
Déc 15, 2021, 9:09 pm

Isn't it a shame Stasia that Harriet Doerr got started so late in life and only produced three books? She finished her degree from Stanford at the age of 67 and received The National Book Award (called The American Book Award at that time) for her novel Stones for Ibarra in 1984 at the age of 73. So sad she had no time to become prolific.

Even though Richard and I don't always agree about books, (I'm looking at you Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Strout.) I also loved The Prophets. 🤷‍♀️

249PaulCranswick
Déc 15, 2021, 9:48 pm

>241 alcottacre: >242 richardderus: & >243 alcottacre:

Hopefully you'll love the book and I will then be interested to see who claims the credit!

250alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 9:56 pm

>247 thornton37814: I hope it arrives before you leave town too, Lori! I have no idea why they use that UPS to USPS option. I ordered a book from a shop in Dallas. It only had to go the 100 miles or so from there to Sherman. It went through New Jersey! I have absolutely no idea why!

>248 brenzi: It is sad, Bonnie, but what she left for us to read is terrific. Regarding The Prophets, as I told Richard, I may try it again at a later date. The author's style was off-putting to me. Now that I know what to expect, I may give it another go.

>249 PaulCranswick: Oh, that's easy: everyone.

251alcottacre
Déc 15, 2021, 10:00 pm

Finished tonight:

141 - Good Talk by Mira Jacob - Graphic Novel/Nonfiction; I discovered this book through a review by AJ Frost of the Jewish Book Council. Jacob has written a memoir in graphic novel form. She tackles weighty subjects throughout this book, which explores racism and identity (cultural and racial) as Jacob talks to her young son. Her son has an Indian mother and a Jewish father and is very curious about how the world he is encountering encounters him back. One of the lines in Frost's review concisely sums it up: "Good Talk is a com­ic that doesn’t shy away from work­ing through pain to gain clar­i­ty. This makes it a strik­ing­ly effec­tive mem­oir and an impres­sive graph­ic nov­el work all in one.'; Highly Recommended (5 stars) Mine

252Carmenere
Déc 16, 2021, 2:42 pm

Hey Stasia! I read Stones from Ibarra years ago and absolutely fell in love with it. I also highly recommend another by her Consider this, Senora. Also one of my all time favorites. I'm still looking forward to a third I own written by her The Tiger in the Grass.

253alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 3:38 pm

>252 Carmenere: Wow, Lynda, I just thought she wrote Stones from Ibarra and Consider This, Senora. I did not realize there was a third book as well.

254alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 3:44 pm

New books in-house today:

In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story by David McCullough - I ordered this book for one of this month's TIOLI challenges. I ordered it from a bookstore in Dallas. It arrived today after a stop in NEW JERSEY. Someone please explain to me why a book that only had to go 100 miles or so got sent to NJ?!

Another TIOLI Adventure for this month - Shanghai Girls by Lisa See - I wanted to read this book for one of the TIOLI challenges and at the time I signed up to read it, the book showed in my local library's catalog. However, they contacted me to let me know that they could not find the book, so I ordered it (and the sequel which I also got today, Dreams of Joy) thinking that I had plenty of time to still get it in. The tracking information showed me that the book would not arrive until January 1! In the meantime, I substituted another book that I have almost completed since I could not count on Shanghai Girls arriving in time for me to read this month.

TIOLI books are giving me heartburn this month, lol.

255mdoris
Déc 16, 2021, 5:02 pm

>254 alcottacre: I remember once when we were visiting our daughter who was playing basketball in California that we had trouble with our flights home and they wanted to fly us from San Francisco via Chicago to get to Vancouver, B.C. Is this a similar situation to your book travel? Needless to say it didn't happen and simply said "no, not happening!".

256alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 5:13 pm

>255 mdoris: And I thought my book was well traveled! Wow.

257richardderus
Déc 16, 2021, 5:32 pm

>254 alcottacre: Algorithmically, it makes sense; to people, not so much. (Besides, YOU didn't want to drive the 100mi!)

One more blog post before 2022 starts on 27 December! In a world where it's 5782 to some and 2014 to others, I can decide to start 2022 whenever the hell I want.

258alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 5:36 pm

>257 richardderus: OK, I'll bite: Why 27 December? Why not 26 December or 30 December? It makes no difference to me. You can start 2022 whenever you want. I am just curious as to why that specific date :)

259richardderus
Déc 16, 2021, 7:12 pm

>258 alcottacre: It's a Monday. Things start on Mondays.

260alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 8:19 pm

>259 richardderus: OK, but that seems a bit conformist of you :)

261alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 8:22 pm

From A Splendor of Letters by Nicholas Basbanes:

"I readily admit my boundless and unceasing love of studies and books. . .Neither could ever satisfy my desire to know everything which can be known in the world." - Johannes Trithemius

262PaulCranswick
Déc 16, 2021, 8:30 pm

I am in the happy position of being able to say Happy Friday already. x

263alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 10:30 pm

>262 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I hope you have a wonderful Friday too!

264alcottacre
Déc 16, 2021, 11:04 pm

Finished tonight:

142 - A Splendor of Letters by Nicholas Basbanes - Nonfiction; Basbanes wrote one of my all-time favorite books, A Gentle Madness, so I was expecting a lot from this book which discusses issues surrounding the book in today's society. One of my favorite chapters, Shelf Life, discusses how institutions decide whether or not to cull their collections and how they go about making those decisions. There is also a chapter addressing e-books that is somewhat outdated now (this book was published in 2003), but it still contains interesting information; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

265Familyhistorian
Déc 17, 2021, 4:18 pm

Have a wonderful weekend, Stasia. Hopefully you’ll find Hench in a format you can read soon. It’s a good one.

266richardderus
Déc 17, 2021, 5:34 pm

>264 alcottacre: I do so love A Gentle Madness. And me and >261 alcottacre: Trithemius.

Happy weekend-ahead's reads!

267alcottacre
Déc 18, 2021, 1:20 am

>265 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I hope so too!

>266 richardderus: Glad to know you love A Gentle Madness too, Richard. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

268alcottacre
Déc 18, 2021, 1:28 am

Finished tonight:

143 - The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman - I am re-reading the Decker/Lazarus series by Kellerman to determine whether or not the books are staying in my collection. If I had to judge just by this first book in the series, I would say Yes. The first book gives us a good idea of the principal 2 characters, Rina, who is an orthodox Jew, and Peter, who was born Jewish but adopted by Christian parents. He is called in on a case in Jewtown and subsequently meets - and is attracted to - Rina, who proves to be instrumental as a liaison between the Jewish community and the police; Recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

144 - 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard - This one has been getting some buzz in the group, so I wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. I liked the book, but did not love it. I found the chapters that basically repeated each other - one from Ciara's point-of-view and one from Oliver's - irritating. Why not just give me one chapter that has each character's POV detailed in it rather than two chapters that repeat almost the same thing? I will say that the book swept me along and I finished it all in one night as I did not want to put it down - that is one of the hallmarks of a good book; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

269msf59
Déc 18, 2021, 7:17 am

Happy Saturday, Stasia. Hooray for Good Talk. Joe and I are also big fans of that GN. 5 stars sounds about right.

270karenmarie
Déc 18, 2021, 10:19 am

Hi Stasia! Happy weekend to you.

>208 alcottacre: I am surprised that the In Death Series was only supposed to be three books. So glad Nora has continued the series.

>235 alcottacre: I broke down - The Guncle will arrive tomorrow. I have A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year, a BB from RD, too. I just haven’t started it yet.

>242 richardderus: and >243 alcottacre: LOL

>268 alcottacre: Whew! Aren’t you glad you took the 56 Days BB from me?

271richardderus
Déc 18, 2021, 1:44 pm

>270 karenmarie: It was a shared book-bullet, Horrible, she liked but didn't love it. Only fair I should share what is rightfully my sole and entire credit with you, after all.

>268 alcottacre: Would we ever steer you wrong? (never mind The Prophets, you'll grow into it)

272alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 18, 2021, 2:57 pm

>269 msf59: I did not realize that both you and Joe had read Good Talk, Mark. I am glad you both liked it!

>270 karenmarie: I hope you enjoy The Guncle when you get to it, Karen!

>270 karenmarie: and >271 richardderus: I will give you both the blame (or credit, depending on how you look at it), for my spending an entire evening with only one book. And no, Richard, I do not think you would ever deliberately steer me wrong. Karen either, for that matter.

273alcottacre
Déc 19, 2021, 4:19 pm

Finished yesterday (my CFS was kicking in bigtime and I went to bed early):

145 - In the Dark Streets Shineth by David McCullough - Nonfiction; this is a slight book - almost a coffee table book in its presentation - that tells of Winston Churchill's secret trip to the United States in 1942. There is nothing in depth here, just a lovely presentation that I would read at this time of the year on an annual basis. I normally do not keep books that I rate 3.5 stars, but I am making an exception for this one; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

146 - Exit Strategy by Martha Wells - Somehow or another, I got my Murderbot books out of order - this is book 4 in the series - but I went ahead with the book anyway even after I discovered it. This book finds our hero trying to save Mensah who has been kidnapped by GrayCris, for whom there is never enough profit. My only quibble with the book is that the beginning is a bit slow. Still, there is enough here to please any fans of the series. I would not recommend starting the series with this book though; Recommended (3.75 stars)

274streamsong
Déc 19, 2021, 5:34 pm

Wow! I love all the books you are collecting for the Asia challenge. The ones on my TBR shelves seem to be authors that I have read at least one other of their books. Always a conundrum - read off the TBR planet or go off exploring.

Cheers for Murderbot!

275quondame
Déc 19, 2021, 5:41 pm

>273 alcottacre: >274 streamsong: Network Effect won the Hugo for best novel. Murderbot won for best series!

276alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 20, 2021, 12:09 am

>274 streamsong: Thanks, Janet. My local library can help in some regards, but it is completely unhelpful in others.

>275 quondame: Yay for Murderbot!

277alcottacre
Déc 20, 2021, 12:10 am

Finished today:

147 - Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb - The fourth book in the In Death series sees Eve trying to figure out how someone is making people commit suicide through the use of subliminal messages. Meanwhile, Mavis could have her big break - if the guy is legit, of course; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

278richardderus
Déc 20, 2021, 7:30 pm

Have you decided, like so many of us, to forego setting up a final thread? We're so close to the end...seems sorta perntliss don't it?

279avatiakh
Déc 20, 2021, 9:00 pm

>251 alcottacre: Jump in for a visit and I'm downed by multiple book bullets including Jacob's Good Talk.
I'm not as organised as you for the Asia Reading Challenge but do have Eli Shafak's Island of Missing Trees sitting near my laptop. I loved 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World.

280alcottacre
Déc 20, 2021, 10:27 pm

>278 richardderus: Yeah, this one is going to be it for me, Richard. I see no purpose in starting a new one at this point.

>279 avatiakh: As you always hit me with BBs, Kerry, I am happy to return the favor!

281alcottacre
Déc 20, 2021, 10:32 pm

Finished tonight:

148 - Fire in the Blood by Irène Némirovsky - This makes the third of Némirovsky's novels that I have read (David Golder and Suite Française being the other two) and while this novel is more of a novella, I still think that it packs a punch. We have Silvio, who is narrating the tale that we really do not know where he is going with his narration. He is an outsider, really, not taking part in the small town village life, but rather living outside of it - at least at this point in his life. However, he and the other people in this village all have secrets that are revealed throughout the course of this short book; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

282humouress
Déc 21, 2021, 4:33 am

>218 alcottacre: To be honest, I haven’t really read much else by Eddings because it wasn’t the Belgariad or the Mallorean. I did start the Sparhawk series (I think that’s the one) but he was still writing and I didn’t continue with it; I think that was about the time I moved to Singapore and couldn’t find much to read in the libraries here.

>222 PaulCranswick: >223 alcottacre: I can do that. I don’t have the other 4 books of the Belgariad but I’m sure I can get my hands on them. Should I hold off on Pawn of Prophecy for now or are we starting from the second book?

Just let me know when!

283alcottacre
Déc 21, 2021, 2:27 pm

>282 humouress: Nina, I will check in with Paul. I think we were going to start on Pawn of Prophecy in January, so hold off on it for now, please. I will let you know what I hear from him.

284alcottacre
Déc 21, 2021, 2:35 pm

New books in house today:

From the local library:
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir - the second book in a trilogy I started last month
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny - I have heard good things about this one, so when I saw it on the TIOLI challenges for this month, I decided it was time to read it

For my personal library:
Bone Black by bell hooks - I read of Hooks' recent death and decided it was time I get this one out of the BlackHole
The World My Wilderness by Rose Macaulay - I already had this one in the BlackHole, but Peggy mentioned this one recently so I decided to get a copy
The Singapore Grip by J.G. Farrell - Bonnie recently completed the trilogy, so I decided I need to finish it too, having read the first two already

285richardderus
Déc 21, 2021, 2:40 pm

Happy Yule, Stasia!

...wait...are you one of the Grinch Gulch Gals...I've already blocked such silliness from my memory...

286alcottacre
Déc 21, 2021, 6:35 pm

>285 richardderus: I do not even know what the Grinch Gulch Gals are, but I am probably one of them, RD. Thanks for the tidings though :)

287msf59
Déc 21, 2021, 6:39 pm

I have a copy of The Singapore Grip winging its way here. If you want to do a shared read, I would be up for it. It would have to be later next month though.

288alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 21, 2021, 8:02 pm

>287 msf59: Sounds good, Mark. I will pencil it in! Just let me know when you want to start.

289alcottacre
Déc 21, 2021, 8:19 pm

I finished 2 books today, but I am too tired to type up any notes. CFS is dogging me again today. I am tired of being tired, lol. See everyone tomorrow!

290PaulCranswick
Déc 21, 2021, 8:34 pm

>289 alcottacre: Have a good rest and advance congratulations on 2x75.

291Familyhistorian
Déc 21, 2021, 8:53 pm

Hope tomorrow finds you with more energy, Stasia. Congrats on reading 150 even if you haven't posted them yet!

292AMQS
Déc 22, 2021, 12:09 am

Oh Stasia, your number of books read is simply astounding! I've enjoyed getting caught up here. Feeling some nostalgia for Peace Like a River which I also loved. Some years after I had read it I read it aloud to the girls and they loved it too. It may be time for a reread.

I hope you have a great night.

293alcottacre
Déc 22, 2021, 12:41 am

>290 PaulCranswick: >291 Familyhistorian: Well, I am up again after having slept a whole hour. I have been reading ever since and decided to jump back on to LT for a bit to list the 2 books. Thanks for the good wishes, Paul and Meg.

>292 AMQS: Thanks, Anne! I am glad you have enjoyed your time on the Acre!

294alcottacre
Déc 22, 2021, 12:48 am

Finished today:

149 - Hindoo Holiday by J.R. Ackerley - Nonfiction; this book was not what I was expecting - I was expecting it to be more of a travelogue of the author's travels in India. What I got was more of a memoir of his experiences within the royal household, including a whole page explanation of why boy children were preferable to girl children in Indian eyes (yikes!); the book was OK, but I would have preferred what I was expecting more than what I actually got; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

150 - Border Songs by Jim Lynch - This was a recommendation from Mark, who loves Jim Lynch's books. I can see why - this is the second of Lynch's books that I have read and he is such a master of characterization. In this book we have Brandon, the seemingly inept man who loves birds and falls into good luck in seeking out drug smugglers in his role with the Border Patrol. We also have Norm, who loves his farm and his wife, who is battling Alzheimer's disease. He is also Brandon's father. These 3 people all have their own issues and Lynch does not shy away from any of them; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

295alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 22, 2021, 6:19 pm

New books in-house today:

These all came from Berly's (Kim's) Indie list:
The Childhood of Jesus by J.M. Coetzee
Battleborn by Claire Vaye Watkins
The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard
Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg
With or Without You by Domenica Ruta
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
The Wild Things by Dave Eggers
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Kim has already read some of these. Some of these are planned for reading next year and I am hoping to join in!

A late arrival from the library today was Ann Patchett's new book of essays, These Precious Days. Really looking forward to reading this one.

296figsfromthistle
Déc 22, 2021, 8:18 pm

297richardderus
Déc 22, 2021, 9:33 pm

>294 alcottacre: Yay!

And a good one to boot. Congrats, Stasia.

298alcottacre
Déc 22, 2021, 11:17 pm

>296 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

>297 richardderus: Yes, I was happy that the not-so-good one came before the very good one at 150, RD. Thanks!

299Berly
Déc 23, 2021, 12:02 am

>295 alcottacre: Whoohoo! Shared reads ahead! And congrats on 150 this year. : )

300quondame
Déc 23, 2021, 12:28 am

Congratulations on 150 reads!

301mdoris
Déc 23, 2021, 1:10 am

That's amazing....150!!! Well done.

302alcottacre
Déc 23, 2021, 4:08 am

>299 Berly: Yep, starting with Here I Am in January. I am very much looking forward to it.

>300 quondame: >301 mdoris: Thanks, Susan and Mary! I hope to finish a few more before the year is out.

303FAMeulstee
Déc 23, 2021, 6:13 am

>294 alcottacre: Congratulations on reaching 2 x 75, Stasia!

304alcottacre
Déc 23, 2021, 9:11 am

>303 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita!

305MickyFine
Déc 23, 2021, 11:42 am

Congrats on your double 75, Stasia!

306SandDune
Déc 23, 2021, 11:49 am



Or in other words: Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

307alcottacre
Déc 23, 2021, 8:03 pm

>305 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

>306 SandDune: Same to you, Rhian! Thank you.

308mdoris
Déc 23, 2021, 8:07 pm



And all the best reading and health in 2022!

309alcottacre
Déc 23, 2021, 8:09 pm

Finished today:

151 - Island of the Lost by Joan Druett - Nonfiction; I thoroughly enjoyed this true story of 2 different shipwrecked crews, shipwrecked within 20 miles of each other, and their different reactions to the circumstances as they are unsure as to when they might be rescued, if ever. There is plenty of adventure here as these real life Robinson Crusoes struggle to stay alive; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

And I am now heading off to bed early again tonight. CFS does not seem to want to leave me alone these days!

310alcottacre
Déc 23, 2021, 8:09 pm

>308 mdoris: Thank you, Mary!

311Whisper1
Déc 23, 2021, 9:29 pm

Hello Dear Friend. I send all good wishes for a holiday filled with love and laughter.

312Carmenere
Déc 23, 2021, 9:39 pm

Best wishes for a very merry Christmas, Stasia, to you and yours. May it by joyous and full of new books and new games and lots of cheer!

313humouress
Déc 24, 2021, 5:07 am

Congratulations on double 75 Stasia!

Wishing you improved health.

314msf59
Modifié : Déc 25, 2021, 8:11 am



Have a great holiday with the family, Stasia! And Hooray for Border Songs & hitting #150!

315bell7
Déc 24, 2021, 9:15 am

Congrats on surpassing 150 books read this year, Stasia! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

316karenmarie
Déc 24, 2021, 9:22 am

Hi Stasia!

>294 alcottacre: Congrats on 75 x 2!! I have Hindoo Holiday on my shelves, and it’s been there since before I joined LT. It’s still unread, but when I’m in the mood for a guardedly recommended book, I might see what it’s about. *smile*

317ronincats
Déc 24, 2021, 2:38 pm

318alcottacre
Déc 24, 2021, 4:16 pm

Thank you all so much for the Christmas wishes! I hope you all enjoy your holidays too!


319alcottacre
Déc 24, 2021, 4:20 pm

I am off to celebrate with the family for now. I hope to be back on later today!

320richardderus
Déc 24, 2021, 4:25 pm


May all your surprises be good ones this Holiday season.

321quondame
Déc 24, 2021, 7:04 pm

Happy Holidays Stasia!

322PaulCranswick
Déc 24, 2021, 7:24 pm

Congrats on 2x75, Stasia.

323PaulCranswick
Déc 24, 2021, 7:25 pm



Have a lovely holiday, Stasia.

324cyderry
Déc 24, 2021, 10:23 pm


325alcottacre
Déc 25, 2021, 3:19 am

326alcottacre
Déc 25, 2021, 3:22 am

Finished tonight:

152 - State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny - I wanted to like this book more than I did. Thrillers are not my reading material of choice much of the time and this one went on too long for me. I think it could have used some more judicious editing. I loved the references to Three Pines and Armande Gamache that Penny wove into the book - it did not seem forced at all, but a natural way to incorporate her books into the plot; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Library Book

327alcottacre
Déc 25, 2021, 2:53 pm

New books in-house today:

Maybe, Soon, Once, Then, After, and Now - all by Morris Gleitzman

I also received "My Reading Life: A Book Journal" for Christmas. I am going to dedicate it to the Asian Author Challenge coming up in 2022.

328alcottacre
Déc 26, 2021, 2:18 am

Finished tonight:

153 - Twisted Tea Christmas by Laura Childs - This was a nice cozy mystery to pull off the shelf in time for Christmas. In this entry of the series, Theodosia has not only a murder to solve, but she needs to figure out who stole a Renoir off the dead woman's wall as well; this was a good, solid entry into the series; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

154 - Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage - This book was recently recommended by Mary (check out her review here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/336785#7672970), so I figured I would give it a try as it had been recommended previously. The book revolves around Mo LeBeau, who does not know who her mother is, but was unofficially adopted by the Colonel and Miss Lana. Mo, along with her best friend, Dale, decides to check into a murder after one of the townsfolk, who was not well-liked, is murdered. The problem is that the officer who was sent to investigate the murder is not all that thrilled to have a couple of kids "helping" to solve the murder; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

155 - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - another enjoyable mystery, this one revolving around a group of older adults who are trying to find out the answer to who murdered Tony Curran, a contractor with a shady past, and his no longer partner, Ian. I very much enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading the next installment; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

329FAMeulstee
Déc 26, 2021, 3:00 am

>328 alcottacre: I might join you with The Thursday Murder Club, Stasia, if I finish my present reads in time.

330jayde1599
Déc 26, 2021, 5:55 am

Happy Holidays Stasia!

331alcottacre
Déc 26, 2021, 11:36 am

>329 FAMeulstee: I had a good time with it, Anita, and am glad I finally got it read. I had seen several good reviews of it here in the group.

>330 jayde1599: Thanks, Jess!

332AMQS
Déc 26, 2021, 3:35 pm

Best holiday wishes to you, Stasia! Wow, you've read a ton of books! I really enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club. Glad you did also. One I read some years ago and didn't particularly enjoy was Three Times Lucky. Maybe too southern-cutesy for me? It is not moving at all in my library so I suspect it will be weeded in the next few years.

333Berly
Déc 26, 2021, 3:37 pm



These were our family ornaments this year and, despite COVID, a merry time was had by all. I hope the same is true for your holiday and here's to next year!!

334alcottacre
Déc 26, 2021, 5:32 pm

>332 AMQS: I can see how Three Times Lucky would be "too southern-cutesy" for you, Anne. I live in Texas, so maybe that is why it did not bother me so much? Anyhow, I am now on the lookout for the second book in the Richard Osman series. Not sure when I will get it in house though!

>333 Berly: I love the family ornaments, Kim! We did have a merry time here, although it was kind of weird as this was our first Christmas without any of the kids around.

335alcottacre
Déc 26, 2021, 5:39 pm

Finished this afternoon:

156 - The Promise by Damon Galgut - this year's Booker winner lived up to its expectations for me. I find Galgut an intriguing writer. Not one that I necessarily enjoy, but one that I certainly can appreciate. This book tracks a family through a couple of generations as a promise made by the mother was ignored by the father, then by a daughter who was slain in a car jacking, and finally by the only son. The youngest daughter, however, who was a witness to the promise some 40 years before makes good on it finally. The family is all but gone by this time, so we see the deterioration as time goes by. I know that the family is supposed to be analagous to South Africa, but much of that went over my head unfortunately; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

"Who belongs here now? The answer is no longer clear. Among the various people who've stayed over, there's now a general sense of restiveness, an itchy need to move on. A spirit of agitation flickers in the corners of the house. All the rituals are completed, why are we still here?"

336Berly
Déc 26, 2021, 5:40 pm

>334 alcottacre: Sorry about no kids. I empathize. Mine was messed up! Due to COVID. Don't want to repeat myself. Details on my thread. ; )

337PaulCranswick
Déc 26, 2021, 9:18 pm

>335 alcottacre: Glad that you liked that one, Stasia as I thought it was a tremendous book. I am less sold on The Parable of the Sower although I can see its appeal. Will finish it today.

Sorry you were "kid-less" this Christmas as it is the little ones that make a Christmas. My family dislocation made it a strange one for me too.

338alcottacre
Déc 26, 2021, 11:12 pm

>334 alcottacre: I checked on your thread. I am sorry COVID messed with your plans!

>335 alcottacre: I am less sold on The Parable of the Sower too. I will likely not finish it until tomorrow at the earliest. I was not sure where you were in the book and did not want to read to far ahead :)

I say "kid-less" even though my youngest is 30 now, Paul. It is just that this is the first year we have not had at least Beth at home for Christmas, so it was the first empty nest Christmas for Kerry and me.

339alcottacre
Déc 26, 2021, 11:19 pm

Finished tonight:

157 - A Long, Long Way by Sebastian Barry - I have read a couple of Barry's other books, including Annie Dunne, the book previous to this one in the series. This book follows Willie Dunne, a good Irish boy, who enlists to fight in WWI. However, not only are the Irish fighting with the British against the Germans, they are also fighting against the Brits in their quest for Home Rule. A lot is made of this juxtaposition in Willie's story; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

"Willie Dunne said nothing then; why would he need to?. . .He missed them when they were killed. He sorrowed to see them killed, he sorrowed to go on without them, he sorrowed to see the new men coming in, and to be killed themselves, and himself going on, and not a mark on him, and Christy Moran, not a mark, and all their friends and mates removed."

340SandyAMcPherson
Déc 27, 2021, 11:04 am

Hi Stasia,
I've been lurking on the Talk threads, and only writing up my books (on the book pages), as I finish them. I'm not sure why (covid-depression maybe?), but I lost the incentive to post anything much on my thread this month.

Thanks for dropping by. Best wishes for a healthy, bookish year to come.

341mdoris
Déc 27, 2021, 12:29 pm

Thank heavens for Skype and FaceTime is all I can say! We were kid-less and grand-kid-less too but online visits sure help to make up for it. Happy New Year to you. Fingers crossed it will be a good one!

342alcottacre
Déc 27, 2021, 6:01 pm

>340 SandyAMcPherson: Thank you for coming by the Acre, Sandy. Sorry to hear about the COVID-depression and hope things look better going into the new year!

>341 mdoris: Isn't that the truth? The girls and I use Google Meetup all the time. I hope we have much to look forward to in the new year!

343alcottacre
Déc 27, 2021, 6:07 pm

Finished this afternoon:

158 - Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler - This was a shared read with Paul - it seems to be one of those "modern classic" books that everyone has read, but me. I was hoping to like the book a lot more than I did though. For me, the first part of the book where we got to know the main character, Lauren, and her family really drug out. I much preferred the second part of the book where Lauren actually hit the road trying to find a better life for herself. The part of the book where she renounces her father's faith - I found that understandable. I am not at all sure about her deciding to create/invent her own religion. I have only my own experiences to draw on here, but I just do not find it all that believable. I also am not buying into the fact that she pursues a relationship with a man old enough to be her father when she just turned 18. However, the circumstances in which she finds herself - this is dystopian fiction after all - probably have bearing there, so that is just a minor quibble. Sorry, but I cannot recommend this one; Not Recommended (3 stars) Mine

344PaulCranswick
Déc 27, 2021, 6:24 pm

>343 alcottacre: We really can be book twins sometimes, Stasia, because I had similar problems with the book. Not at all bad as far as the genre goes and I can understand why the book is so well regarded by so many but I am not, unfortunately of that number.

345jessibud2
Déc 27, 2021, 6:38 pm

Well, Stasia. With just a few days to go in this year, here I am. Fashionably (or not) late to your thread. I have no idea how I never starred this but I WILL star your NEXT thread!

Wishing you a belated happy Christmas and an early Happy New year!

(slinks quietly back out...)

346richardderus
Déc 27, 2021, 6:55 pm

Empty-nested Xmas #1 is always the roughest to deal with. It's behind you now, so it only gets easier.

347alcottacre
Déc 27, 2021, 7:12 pm

>344 PaulCranswick: Yeah, I am apparently not of that number either, Paul!

>345 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley! No need for slinking! Happy New Year to you too!

>346 richardderus: Good to know, RD. Thanks.

348msf59
Déc 28, 2021, 5:53 pm

Hi, Stasia. My copy of The Siege of Krishnapur arrived. It looks like my copy of The Lincoln Highway will be delayed at the library, (sad face) so I might be able to read the Farrell earlier than the 15th. Let me know.

349alcottacre
Déc 28, 2021, 6:10 pm

>348 msf59: Mark, I thought we were reading The Singapore Grip together? I have already read The Siege of Krishnapur, I just needed to read the last book in the trilogy. Please advise - I can certainly start on The Singapore Grip earlier than the 15th.

350msf59
Déc 28, 2021, 6:40 pm

Sorry, Stasia. I still need to read The Siege of Krishnapur first. Somehow, I got mixed up.

351alcottacre
Déc 28, 2021, 10:31 pm

>350 msf59: No worries. If I could locate my copy - I searched everywhere tonight and was unsuccessful - I would read it along with you. Let me know when you are done and then we can read The Singapore Grip together if you like!

352alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 28, 2021, 10:34 pm

New books in-house today from the public library:

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams - Beth recently recommended this one as a nice, light read

My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk - for the Asian Authors challenge that starts in January

353alcottacre
Déc 28, 2021, 10:57 pm

Finished tonight:

159 - The Good People by Hannah Kent - This is an excellent historical fiction novel set in Ireland at a time where faeries were still believed in and changelings were real. We have Nora, whose husband does in the beginning section of the book, and who is raising her grandson, Michael, after the death of her only daughter. However, Nora is convinced that Michael is a changeling and calls on the local herb woman, Nance, to help get her grandson back; Highly Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

354elkiedee
Déc 29, 2021, 9:06 am

>352 alcottacre: The Reading List is top of my current reading pile, also a library book, appropriately, since it's all about readers borrowing the books from a local library in Wembley, a north west London suburb. I'm reading this as a library ebook though.

355humouress
Déc 29, 2021, 12:55 pm

I hear rumours of a board gaming thread next year ... I'll try and drop by.

I would like to wish you and your family the very best of the season and good health and happiness for 2022.

356alcottacre
Déc 29, 2021, 1:54 pm

>354 elkiedee: I hope you like it, Luci!

>355 humouress: There is going to be a dedicated board gaming thread next year, Nina. All are welcome to just jump in and out. Happy New Year to you, too!

357alcottacre
Déc 29, 2021, 1:58 pm

New books in-house today for my personal library:

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots - Karen kindly sent me this one

Star of the Morning: The Extraordinary Life of Lady Hester Stanhope by Kirsten Ellis - Reading through Rose Macaulay's Pleasure of Ruins has made me curious about Lady Hester Stanhope

358richardderus
Déc 29, 2021, 3:09 pm

>357 alcottacre: Yaaay! Now you can read Hench!! *smooch*

359karenmarie
Déc 29, 2021, 3:26 pm

Hi Stasia!

>326 alcottacre: Hmm. I started it and put it down but kept it on my shelves. We’ll see.

>328 alcottacre: The Thursday Murder Club was very good, but I personally liked the second one even better.

>334 alcottacre: Last year’s Christmas was kid-less for me, but of course Jenna’s visiting now and it’s the most amazing thing – yesterday was our Christmas, and it really and truly felt like Christmas, not Christmas wanna-be!

>352 alcottacre: I’ll also be reading My Name is Read for the Asian Authors challenge – my copy is supposed to arrive January 5-10. I’m really looking forward to it since I’ve never read anything by Pamuk.

360alcottacre
Déc 29, 2021, 4:11 pm

>358 richardderus: Yep, just not sure when I will get to it.

>359 karenmarie: Good to hear about the second Richard Osman book. I am going to have to get hold of it soon.

I think that makes at least 4 of us that are reading My Name Is Red in January - Paul, Kim, you, and me. It will be interesting to see how our thoughts vary on it. I have never read anything by Pamuk either.

361thornton37814
Déc 29, 2021, 6:13 pm

>328 alcottacre: I have Twisted Tea Christmas out in the car with me, but I forgot I left the books out there until I went to get something out of the car yesterday. I meant to bring them in the day after I arrived. Instead I found myself caught up in family activities--the house was always full until Monday. I got a little reading done at night, but it was on Kindle app or my Bible.

362bell7
Déc 29, 2021, 8:37 pm

Catching up a little, Stasia:

Glad to see you enjoyed Three Times Lucky!

Sorry Parable of the Sower wasn't a better read for you. It was one of my most memorable reads of 2020, and a surreal experience for me to compare Covid lockdown with their situation and the weird sort of tension between some humans banding together to help each other and others being selfish and destructive. Glad that your next read was better for you, though!

I want to read The Thursday Murder Club one of these days.

363alcottacre
Déc 29, 2021, 11:34 pm

>361 thornton37814: Well, if and when you get to Twisted Tea Christmas, Lori, I hope you like it! I am glad you had family activities to keep you busy. Sounds wonderful!

>362 bell7: Hey, Mary! Thanks for the reminder to get to Three Times Lucky. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Yeah, Parable of the Sower was a bit of a let down for me. Maybe if I had read it during lockdown it would have been better for me. I hope you enjoy The Thursday Murder Club when you get to it.

364alcottacre
Déc 29, 2021, 11:49 pm

Finished tonight:

160 - Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad - Nonfiction; This was a book bullet from Anita (figsfromthistle) and I am glad I took her up on it; this memoir tracks Jauoad's journey through being diagnosed with leukemia, her treatment, and then remission. It details all of the people who were instrumental throughout her journey including her brother - who literally saved her life by donating bone marrow to her - her parents, her boyfriend Will, the patients who were treated alongside her, and strangers who wrote to her in comfort; the biggest niggle that I have book is that in the Acknowledgements section, Will, the boyfriend who stood by her throughout a lot of her early treatment is ignored - not one mention of what he was doing or what happened to him and I thought that was a terrible oversight on her part; Recommended (4.25 stars) Library Book

161 - Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova - Nonfiction; Madeline recommended this book on her thread and this is another book that I was happy to get to this year. I am going to turn 60 (how did that happen?) in 2022, and losing my memory is one of my biggest worries. However, Genova did a lot in her book to dispell that fear - pointing out that some of the reason why we cannot remember a particular thing is because we did not pay attention to it in the first place! As Madeline said in her excellent review: " The brain is a fascinating organ, and this book will help you understand the role of different parts of your brain in forming memories as well as losing them."; Highly Recommended (4.5 stars) Library Book

365SqueakyChu
Déc 29, 2021, 11:57 pm

>364 alcottacre: I am so glad you got to read Genova's book and *now* (so I still remember what I read! Haha.). I loved that book. It was so informative. I'm using some tricks based on her information. Now that I know how memories are more firmly implanted, I purposely am not paying attention to things I would rather forget. I'm also using reinforcement for those things I want to remember. This is a new book by Genova and one I got out of the public library. If you haven't read her novels based on neurological diseases, they are also excellent...particularly Still Alice.

366alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 12:39 am

>365 SqueakyChu: I read Still Alice years ago - shortly after it originally came out - and very much enjoyed it, Madeline. I have not read any of her other books though, so I shoud probably look into them.

367alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 1:07 am

And another one for today:

162 - The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths - this is the first book in the Ruth Galloway series and one I wanted to like more than I did. After all, Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist, an area of interest to me. However, I found Griffiths' writing none too spectacular and I was able to guess the perpetrator pretty easily. Although I may continue reading the series, it is definitely not one that I feel the need to collect; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

368alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 2:33 am

From My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk:

"I shudder in delight when I think of two-hundred-year-old books, dating back to the time of Tamerlane, volumes for which acquisitive giaours gleefully relinquish gold pieces and which they will carry all the way back to their own countries."

369jessibud2
Déc 30, 2021, 9:41 am

>364 alcottacre: - Oh, I want to read both of those books. There was a lovely interview with Jaouad on CBS Sunday Morning last year, or whenever the book came out. Odd that she did not acknowledge him but did she perhaps dedicate the book to him?

I own but have not yet read the Genova. A very fascinating and pertinent (given the issues with my mum these last few years) topic for me and I am a big fan of Genova's fiction.

370alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 2:26 pm

>369 jessibud2: Shelley, I checked the dedication just to be sure that I had not overlooked any reference to Will, but the book was dedicated to two of her cancer patient friends.

I really need to read more of Genova's fiction as the only one that I know of for sure that I have read is Still Alice. My local library can help me on that front, I think.

I hope you have a chance to read and enjoy both books!

371klobrien2
Déc 30, 2021, 2:35 pm

>357 alcottacre: I’ve got Hench on my Nook from the library, so maybe we’ll be reading it at about the same time. I’ve certainly heard good things about it on LT!

Karen O.

372alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 2:39 pm

Finished this afternoon:

162 - A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter - I borrowed this one from my daughter Catey a while back and finally got around to reading it. The word that sticks out in my mind most of all when reading it was "old-fashioned." I do not believe that is a bad thing necessarily - I think we still need these kinds of books. Above all when reading the book, Stratton Porter's love of nature and especially of the Limberlost comes through. Elnora, despite early difficulties, is almost too good of a character and on the other hand, Edith Carr is almost too bad of a one. Still, I am not sorry I read this one even after all these years - it feels like a book I should have read when I was about 12; Guardedly Recommended (3.75 stars) Borrowed from Catey

373alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 2:40 pm

>371 klobrien2: Karen, if you would like to do a shared read of Hench just let me know. I am up for it!

374klobrien2
Déc 30, 2021, 2:42 pm

>373 alcottacre: Sure, let’s do it! Hench, in January?

Karen O.

375richardderus
Déc 30, 2021, 2:43 pm

>368 alcottacre: That is a gorgeous book, one I'm very glad I read decades ago.

>367 alcottacre: Ugh.

>364 alcottacre: I am pretty sure I made note of the Genova at some point...I wonder where...and when....

376alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 3:03 pm

>374 klobrien2: That works for me, Karen! Just let me know when you would like to start!

>375 richardderus: I am finding My Name is Red interesting reading, RD, but then I am only about 50 pages into it at this point.

I do hope you get to some Genova soon. I have only read 2 of her books - one fiction, one nonfiction - and they were both excellent.

377jessibud2
Déc 30, 2021, 4:32 pm

>370 alcottacre: - For Genova's fiction, I can recommend Every note Played (about ALS) and Inside the O'Briens (about Huntington's). I thought both were excellent. I wasn't as impressed with Love, Anthony for some reason. I own but have not yet read Left Neglected but I have heard that too, was very good.

378SqueakyChu
Déc 30, 2021, 4:35 pm

>377 jessibud2: I can vouch for Left Neglected. It's a very good read.

379alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 4:43 pm

>377 jessibud2: >378 SqueakyChu: Thanks for the recommendations, ladies. My local library has a copy of Left Neglected so I will start there.

380msf59
Déc 30, 2021, 5:38 pm

Sweet Thursday, Stasia. I also loved Between Two Kingdoms. I never did read My Name is Red.

381PaulCranswick
Déc 30, 2021, 7:34 pm

>376 alcottacre: That is an early start! I am a day away from getting going with it.

382alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 8:51 pm

>380 msf59: Well, hope on the My Name is Red train, Mark! There are several people reading it presently or that are going to be starting it shortly.

>381 PaulCranswick: I have a library due date, Paul, so I had to get a jump on it.

383alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 8:56 pm

From Burning the Books by Richard Ovenden:

"The preservation of knowledge has critically relied on people. . . It is the library staff who turn the pile of books into an organized body of knowledge. They are the guardians of the truth, collecting knowledge in both analogue and digital form. Without them, with their mixture of skills, dedication and passion for preservation, we will continue to lose knowledge."

384alcottacre
Déc 30, 2021, 9:26 pm

Finished tonight (and likely my last book for 2021):

163 - Burning the Books by Richard Ovenden - Nonfiction; Ovenden is director of the Bodleian library at Oxford and can speak from personal experience about libraries as repositories of knowledge. His book takes us through some of the libraries that have been lost throughout history - not all of them in ancient times either - and demonstrates why we need to be preserving and protecting one of our most valuable assets, the library. It was interesting reading this book as close in time as I did to Nicholas Basbanes A Splendor of Letters because they cover some of the same ground although, being published in 2020, Burning the Books has the advantage when discussing digital records and archives; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

385richardderus
Déc 31, 2021, 6:43 am

I'm worried that you'll miss this if I just post it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfZb4kG614w

But SOME PESTILENTIALLY STUBBORN FOLK simply refuse to do the simple, obvious, logical thing and set up new annual threads when the opportunity first arises.

*sigh*

386The_Hibernator
Déc 31, 2021, 8:56 am

Happy New Year Stasia!

387alcottacre
Déc 31, 2021, 1:20 pm

>385 richardderus: Thank you for the link, RD. I will watch it tonight after football is over.

Be assured, I will be setting up my 2022 thread before I head to bed tonight.

>386 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel. Same to you!

388alcottacre
Déc 31, 2021, 4:42 pm

From The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams:

"That day was the last day Indira saw Naina. The reading list remained screwed up and forgotten in the plastic bag for a long time, taken to and from the mandire every week. But, at just the right time, it would find its way out."

That is the way things work in the BlackHole. The books come out when it is their time!

389FAMeulstee
Déc 31, 2021, 5:04 pm

>388 alcottacre: I like that thought, Stasia, that is mostly how my mount TBR works
Although the timing is not always exactly right. In that case the book is put aside, or removed ;-)

390cyderry
Déc 31, 2021, 6:09 pm

WISHING YOU GOOD HEALTH AND PROSPERITY IN 2022!!


391alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 31, 2021, 9:25 pm

Well, I lied about #163 being my last book of 2021, because I finished two more:

164 - Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb - this installment of the series finds Eve tracking down the person who murdered Frank, a good cop, and his granddaughter, Alice, who has gotten messed up with some very bad people in the church of Satan. After Alice is killed, Eve has to deal not only with bad witches but white witches as well, none of which goes over well with the pragmatic Eve; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

165 - The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams - Beth (BLBera) recommended this one recently and I loved it! The book is all about the power of books. After his beloved Naina dies, Mukesh finds comfort in a diverse variety of books found on a list at the local library. This list is read not only by Mukesh, but several of the other library patrons as well and they start coming together to discuss the books, while dealing out what life is handing them. Nothing in depth here, but what is here is very enjoyable - and now I want to read To Kill a Mockingbird again, right this second; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

392alcottacre
Déc 31, 2021, 9:25 pm

>389 FAMeulstee: I agree, Anita, sometimes the timing is not exactly right, but the great thing about books is that they patiently wait for us.

>390 cyderry: Thank you so much, Cheli! Same to you.

393alcottacre
Modifié : Déc 31, 2021, 10:25 pm

New book in-house today for my personal library:

The Housing Lark by Sam Selvon - Recently recommended by Paul and it fits perfectly with my "It's a Lark!" TIOLI challenge for January 2022

I believe that finishes the last order of business here for 2021.

New thread is up in the 2022 group: https://www.librarything.com/topic/338126

394PaulCranswick
Jan 1, 2022, 2:33 am



Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Stasia.

395thornton37814
Jan 1, 2022, 11:36 am

165 is a great total!

396cyderry
Jan 1, 2022, 12:12 pm

I can't believe it! I actually read more books in 2021 than you, Stasia!
As my very first friend at LT in 2008 it was always my goal to read as abundantly as you. Never thought I'd see the day/month/year that I would actually do that.

Somehow I think it will be a one time occurrence!

397alcottacre
Jan 1, 2022, 1:20 pm

>394 PaulCranswick: >395 thornton37814: Thank you, Paul and Lori!

>396 cyderry: Congratulations, Cheli! Shall we have a contest for 2022? :)

398Berly
Jan 1, 2022, 2:59 pm

>396 cyderry: Bask in your glory while you can!! : )