MickyFine Rocks 2022, Thread 5

View of downtown St. John's. Photo credit @bparsons98 on Instagram

I'm Micky, 35 years old, librarian, and generally bookish nerd. I usually have a good mix of reads going on every year with strong doses of romance, sff, historicals, and a dash of non-fiction. I'm doing a Canadian author challenge for myself this year to try and increase the amount of Can Lit I read, which is often abysmal. Anyone who's interested is welcome to join me (schedule down thread). I do my best to be chatty on my own thread and in addition to my reading, I'll also discuss my craft projects (cross-stitch and crochet), board games, what we're watching, and general life goings on often featuring my husband, Mr. Fine, and our two cats, Ash and Smee. Posters and lurkers alike are welcome.

2022 will be the year that Mr. Fine and I finally go to visit his family in Newfoundland. In celebration of the trip, this year's thread toppers will be views of the Rock, as the island is affectionately known.

January
1. All Adults Here - Emma Straub
2. Arcadia - Tom Stoppard
3. Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism - Amanda Montell
4. Wicked and the Wallflower - Sarah MacLean
5. Warlight - Michael Ondaatje
6. A Closed and Common Orbit - Becky Chambers
7. A Likely Story - Jenn McKinlay
8. The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London - Judith Flanders
9. Am I Overthinking This?: Over-Answering Life's Questions in 101 Charts - Michelle Rial
Favourite(s):


February
10. Troy - Stephen Fry
11. Bloodlust & Bonnets - Emily McGovern
12. The Twisted Sword - Winston Graham
13. Before She Was Helen - Caroline B. Cooney
14. The Anthropocene Reviewed - John Green (re-read)
15. Half-Blood Blues - Esi Edugyan
16. Space Opera - Catherynne M. Valente
17. The Murder on the Links - Kate McAll
18. Boy: Tales of Childhood - Roald Dahl
Favourite(s):


March
19. Cold-Hearted Rake - Lisa Kleypas
20. Binti: The Complete Trilogy - Nnedi Okorafor
21. Marvel 1602 - Neil Gaiman
22. Oscar Wilde: The BBC Radio Drama Collection - Oscar Wilde
23. Molly of the Mall: Literary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear - Heidi L.M. Jacobs
24. Pretty Bitches - Lizzie Skurnick (ed.)
25. At Bertram's Hotel - Agatha Christie
26. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (re-read)
27. Index, A History of the - Dennis Duncan
28. Six-Gun Snow White - Catherynne M. Valente
Favourite(s):

April
29. Hot Six - Janet Evanovich
30. Time After Time - Lisa Grunwald
31. The Bride Test - Helen Hoang
32. Mãn - Kim Thúy
33. The Garden of Small Beginnings - Abbi Waxman
34. Check, Please!: #Hockey - Ngozi Ukazu
35. Check, Please!: Sticks and Scones - Ngozi Ukazu
36. My Brown-Eyed Earl - Anna Bennett
37. Dark Mirror - Diane Duane
Favourite(s):


May
38. A Woman of No Importance - Sonia Purnell
39. Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson
40. The Kaiju Preservation Society - John Scalzi
41. Gallant - V.E. Schwab
42. Julieta (Movie Tie-In) - Alice Munro
43. Other People's Houses - Abbi Waxman
Favourite(s):


June
Favourite(s):

My rating system:

/ = Ran screaming in the other direction (aka did not finish)
* = Suffered through it for reasons I'm still not sure of
** = Had far more flaws than virtues
*** = A read I don't regret but could use some improvement
**** = A good, solid read that I might revisit
***** = Loved it beyond reason and will probably re-read in short order

Canadian Author Challenge Schedule

January - Michael Ondaatje
February - Esi Edugyan
March - Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour
April - Kim Thúy
May - Alice Munro
June - Thomas King
July - Scotiabank Giller Prize
August - Kelley Armstrong
September - Leonard Cohen
October - Vivek Shraya
November - Non-fiction
December - Lucy Maud Montgomery

Born in Ontario in 1931, Alice Munro published her first story in 1950 while studying at university. Her first collection of short stories won the Governor General's Award in 1968. She has an extensive bibliography of short story collections, and several of her stories have been adapted into successful films. In 2013, she won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Blanket progress as of April 30. The coldest temperature was -4°C, the warmest was 21°C, and the most frequently used colour was grapefruit (11-15°C). I also finally used up a whole ball of yarn (rose, for those keeping track).

What's (been) on the agenda: Didn't sleep well last night due to some family drama (everything is fine now but it was an eventful Saturday night) and I was awake bright and early this morning. Mr. Fine ordered Tim's for breakfast and then we started tackling all the chores. Lots of bedding to wash today, plus my laundry, and I have done the seasonal swap of our feather duvet for our lighter summer quilt. Spring cleaning was the living room and hallways, including the front entrance - finally swapped out fall/winter coats for the spring/summer ones. After all the cleaning, I made chewy ginger cookies (my house smells good and they turned out perfect!). Then on to bill sorting. As soon as I finish getting this thread set up, I'll probably take a quick shower and then just hang with Mr. Fine in front of the TV until bedtime. Chicken stir fry for supper.

What I'm reading: A Woman of No Importance is still on the go. It's looking more likely that I won't wrap it up until tomorrow.

What we're watching: Finished Diamonds Are Forever and then watched a few episodes of Mom.

Happy new thread, Micky!

Happy new one, Micky.

I love seeing an entire town with not one building that's beige, taupe, ecru, pongee, or variation thereon.

New thread orisons!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread!

Thank you, Anita, Paul, Richard, Jim, and Foggi for warming up my new thread.

>10 richardderus: I'm so excited to get to see this IRL. Selfies will definitely be happening. :)

What's on the agenda: Mr. Fine's on early shift again this week so dropped him off at the bus, went home to get myself ready for the day, and then back to the bus for me. Work today will include customer suggestions, time with Booklist, and working on my diversity audit project. Forgot to look at the meal plan for tonight before I left the house so not sure what we'll be eating when we get home. Craft circle should be happening this evening.

What I'm reading: I am for sure wrapping up A Woman of No Importance today.

What we're watching: A couple episodes of TNG and one of Mom.

Wordle 317 2/6

⬛⬛🟩⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

*is smug*

>15 MickyFine: Oof. It took me 5 today.

Happy new thread! Sorry there was some drama on Saturday night, and glad it's all resolved now.

>15 MickyFine: Wow, deservedly smug, I'd say. I got it in three.

Happy new thread, Micky!

>15 MickyFine: >16 foggidawn: Five for me as well. I was in a position after guess 3 of knowing 4/5 letters but having at least 4 options for the final letter, so I had to sacrifice a guess to narrow down the options.

ETA: Happy new thread, Micky!

Happy new thread Micky

>15 MickyFine: *is unspeakably jealous and filled with loathing*

Love the picture of St John's. Newfoundland is somewhere I've always wanted to visit.

>16 foggidawn: Twos are always at least half luck.

>17 bell7: Thanks, Mary.

>18 katiekrug: Hiya Katie!

>19 curioussquared: Thanks for dropping in, Natalie.

>20 ArlieS: Thanks, Arlie.

>21 richardderus: Just wait until you see today's score. Your jealousy will *poof*.

>22 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian. I'm really excited to see it for myself.

What's on the agenda: Usual drop off routine for day I'm in the office (this time I remembered I needed to park the car when I went on my own - win!). Work today has and will include reviewing some reports, drafting some revised language for a collection description on our public website, skimming Booklist, and taking a look at publisher catalogues. Need to swing by Pet Valu for some dry food for the felines after work. Macaroni and tuna salad for supper tonight.

What I'm reading: Started Sorcery of Thorns on the bus this morning and I'm enjoying it so far. I know someone around here is responsible for this BB but I can't remember who, so feel free to claim credit.

What we're watching: The season six finale of Outlander. I spent so much of the episode being unsure of what was from the book and what was the show's invention. Apparently I need to do a re-read of books 6 and 7 before season 7 comes out. There was also one episode of Mom.

Wordle 318 5/6

⬛⬛⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟩⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟩⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟩⬛🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Ah well, they can't all be 2/6 days. I was convinced there was a double consonant in this one and blew a few turns before I got the right answer.

>24 MickyFine: Ooh, I might be responsible for Sorcery of Thorns! I can't resist a good magical library :)

>25 MickyFine: *sigh*

It does not speak well of my character that I am mollified, does it?

Oh well.

It's still > X!!

>26 curioussquared: If it wasn't you, it might have been me, for the same reason. ;-)

Book 38



A Woman of No Importance - Sonia Purnell

Sonia Purnell's biography of Virginia Hall is truly compelling non-fiction reading. The majority of the work focuses on Hall's years as an SOE, and later OSS, agent working to coordinate the French Resistance during WWII. Virginia's work was truly amazing, particularly as she was constantly underestimated due to her gender. In addition, she had the added disadvantage of an artificial leg (affectionately known as Cuthbert), which meant that while participating in various Resistance activities, she never had the option of a last minute run if things got dicey. Purnell does an excellent job crafting summaries of Virginia's missions, based on a wide range of field reports, recollections, and other primary sources and also gives the reader a good sense of the personality behind the actions. An excellent read of a too often overlooked woman who played a massively important role in the war in France. Highly recommend, particularly for those interested in the period, the French Resistance, or women's history.

Rating: ****

>26 curioussquared: >28 foggidawn: Equal credit or blame shall be duly handed out. ;)

>27 richardderus: I can't blame you for your bit of schadenfreude. *smooch*

>29 MickyFine: I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. I was so impressed with her work and her her courage, and really glad her light was brought out from under the proverbial bushel.

>31 lauralkeet: I heartily agree, Laura. I noticed in the acknowledgements that Purnell thanked Bad Robot (and I think Paramount) for recognizing the filmic nature of Virginia's story. I assume that means they bought the film/TV rights, so I hope someday we might see Virginia's story on screen. I definitely think it would make an excellent film or miniseries.

What's on the agenda: Drop off routine for Mr. Fine, in office routine for me. Work today includes some smaller recurring tasks, spending time with fall publisher catalogues, some lists from our A/V vendor, and my diversity audit project. Actually going to Pet Valu after work today to get food for the boys - muscle memory took over leaving the transit station yesterday and we were on our way home before I remembered we needed to detour. Ah well. Take out for supper tonight is Mr. Fine's pick and he hadn't determined what he wanted as of this morning so we'll see what he settles on.

What I'm reading: Sorcery of Thorns is quite good so far. It's so nice to go from a non-fiction work that was excellent but slow reading, to a YA novel where I can blitz through over 150 pages in a regular day's worth of reading time.

What we're watching: A couple episodes of Heroes and we finished season 2 of Mom and started season 3.

Wordle 319 3/6

⬛⬛⬛🟨⬛
⬛🟨🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Back on form today.

>34 MickyFine: nice! I also got it in three, always a pleasing score.

>34 MickyFine: I'd've got it in 3 if I just didn't go alphabetical.

Humpday's almost over, I hope, given how much joy there is in going to the office!

>35 bell7: Agreed. Four is my most common result but three is starting to pull away from five right now (they were neck and neck for a while).

>36 richardderus: Yup, I survived and that was my last in office day for the week. Whoot!

What's on the agenda: Dropped off Mr. Fine this morning and had a bit more relaxed morning getting myself ready as it's a WFH day. Also had a bit of time to work on yesterday's row on the temperature blanket (I'm a bit behind as Tuesday night the temperature just nudged over the line from one colour to another so I had to frog a row after doing about a quarter of it). Work today will include all the customer suggestions, submitting feature film carts, some time with publisher catalogues, and working on my diversity audit. After work I'll pick up Mr. Fine and we'll do our regular trip to the library plus we have to do some Mother's Day related shopping. I need to pick up a gift and we also need to get a few ingredients for the dish my Mom has requested for our traditional Mother's Day brunch. Happily, dinner is low-key on the prep front as we're doing chicken Caesar salad.

What I'm reading: Depending on how the day goes, I might finish Sorcery of Thorns but it may carry over until Friday.

What we're watching: A few episodes of West Wing and a couple of Mom.

Wordle 320 4/6

⬛🟨🟨⬛⬛
🟨⬛🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩⬛🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Pleased I pulled this off in one fewer turn than WordleBot.

>39 MickyFine: I got it in 3, but you've got to go look at my post to even believe how!

Rude of the temperature to mess up your work like that :)

>40 richardderus: I am impressed. WordleBot informs me I had 50/50 odds of getting in three. Just went for the wrong option there. Ah well, I'm always happy with a four.

>41 curioussquared: Isn't it just? I really should know better than to start a row when the temperature is hovering at the border between two colours but I did not. Could have been worse though. I could have been further along the row.

>39 MickyFine: Oooh, congrats! Took me all six today, and I was relieved to get it in the end. Four is also my most common result (23) followed by three (22) and five not far behind (18).

Hi Micky! I'm curious about the process of making your blanket. It sounds like you crochet a row every day rather than taking notes and then doing a few rows. That makes sense, at least when the rows are getting longer every day. How long does it take you to work a row at this point?

And ... based on your comments in >38 MickyFine: I'm thinking you work the day's row on the actual day, vs. working the row for the previous day. Is that right?

I'm really enjoying being a spectator for this creation!

Happy Friday-even-though-it's-not-in-the-office!

>43 bell7: That's about what my distribution is like too.

>44 lauralkeet: I'm glad you're getting second-hand enjoyment from it, Laura. Here's the skinny on the process these days: I try and do the row on the day of and work hard to be no more than a day behind as right now the rows are a fair-sized time commitment. Sometimes I have no choice in having to wait until the next day if the temperature is supposed to rise overnight (more common in the winter) or if the final warmest temperature is nearing the border between two colours in the evening and it's an early wake up/bedtime week (I might not know the highest temperature until 8, which is when we turn in for pre-bedtime reading those weeks). As for time per row, if I'm just working on the blanket, it's starting to creep towards a 1.5 hours to complete a row. If I'm doing it while watching TV in the evening it can take 2+ hours depending on how much attention the TV gets versus what's going on in my hands.

>45 richardderus: Trust me, WFH Fridays are much happier than in office Fridays! *smooch*

What's on the agenda: Dropped off Mr. Fine, dealt with some laundry that's been hanging out in baskets/the dryer/the drying rack since the weekend, and did some crochet and cross-stitch while listening to podcasts this morning in my free time before my shift. Work today will include customer suggestions in OverDrive, fall catalogue reviewing and diversity audit time. In theory, we're having burgers for dinner tonight but it's pretty rainy so we might have to swap some things around.

What I'm reading: Didn't crack a book yesterday so still hanging out with Sorcery of Thorns. I much prefer the WFH life but commuting on the bus definitely boosts my reading time.

What we're watching: The finale of Moon Knight - I'm still not sure how I feel about this show. Also an episode of Supernatural and one of Mom.

Wordle 321 5/6

⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟩
🟨🟨⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟩⬛🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I was sure both attempts 3 and 4 were definitely going to be the word but ultimately a fiver today. For those curious my path was PEONY, STARE, AGILE, GAUGE, BADGE.

>46 MickyFine: Thanks for answering my questions, Micky. The time per row is more than I anticipated and I can see why you'd have to keep up with it every day, and why you would take great pains to avoid having to redo a row.

>29 MickyFine: Already in the Swamp, or I'd add it. Happy new thread!

>49 lauralkeet: Yup, I'm not a speed demon (there's a woman at craft circle whose hook just zooms along) so it takes me a chunk of time. I think the fine-ness of the yarn (fingering weight) is also a factor as it's just a little more finicky using it and a 2.75 mm hook.

>50 swynn: Thanks, Steve! Hope you enjoy it whenever it emerges from the Swamp.

Hi. *smooch*

>48 MickyFine: I LOVE seeing other people’s Wordle-ing—thank you! I got it in 5 today, too.

Have a great weekend!

Karen O

>52 richardderus: Nearly to the weekend. I can almost see it. *smooches back*

>53 klobrien2: Happy to oblige, Karen! :) Hope the weekend treats you well too.

What's on the agenda: Lazed in bed a bit this morning playing phone games before getting up for a shower. Mr. Fine is making pan scramble for breakfast and I made myself a chai latte (so tasty). We'll watch church after breakfast and then probably go for our usual walk. Likely to be reading, crafting, and board game time over the course of the day. Mr. Fine is planning to grill burgers for dinner tonight. We also have to prep my Mom's requested brunch dish of overnight blueberry French toast casserole. It's a new recipe for us (we'll be halving it as the original is huge) so hopefully it turns out well. Might finish a movie after sunset tonight, we'll see.

What I'm reading: So close to finishing Sorcery of Thorns. Good odds I'll start The Kaiju Preservation Society today.

What we're watching: Mr. Fine's pick was Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which is pretty cute. We started On Her Majesty's Secret Service (the one Bond film I've never seen) and made it halfway before turning in for the night.

Wordle 322 4/6

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟨🟨⬛🟨⬛
⬛⬛🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

My third attempt was another word not on the list of 2,309 WHIST. Happy with my standard four.

Four's a good result for this word. I was 3 but because 1 & 2 gave me everything I needed. Goddesses please bless AEONS and MIRTH.

Your Mom's brunch dish sounds delightful.

>56 MickyFine: another word not on the list of 2,309
Ugh, isn't that annoying? When that happened to me I accepted it because my word was the past tense of a 3-letter verb and at least now I know those probably aren't possible solutions. But why oh why wouldn't your word be on the list?

>56 MickyFine: Ha! I had the same word for 3rd guess. Dang it. Settled for 4. Your day sounds lovely -- enjoy!

>57 richardderus: I'll make sure to report back when we consume it tomorrow. :)

>58 lauralkeet: Maybe it's one of the words the NYT thought was too British/esoteric? It's in my vocabulary because of my abiding love of Jane Austen but maybe it's less well known in non-Austen loving circles?

>59 Berly: Thanks, Kim. Fours are my most common score by far so I can't complain too much. Hope your Saturday is treating you well!

>60 MickyFine: You may be right, Micky. We actually had a family game going over Christmas a couple years ago. We are all Austen-loving nerds, and it also features prominently in a number of Victorian novels where young men of means lose their shirts. We didn't make wagers, we just wanted to try the game.

Book 39



Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson

Elisabeth Scrivener is an apprentice warden at the Great Library of Summershall, where her task is to keep an eye on the grimoires that repose there and keep them from running rampant. But when the Library is attacked and Elisabeth is the sole witness, she must travel to the capital to give her testimony. There, with the aid of the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, she will uncover a plot that threatens the entire kingdom of Austermeer that no one may be able to conquer.

A really solid YA fantasy that has a very fun magical library at its heart (so, of course, I'm here for it). While the plot is a tad predictable, the world Rogerson has created is so enjoyable that I didn't mind. Elisabeth and Nathaniel are enjoyable characters to hang out with and watching them interact with magical books and wield magic is a delight. As a plus, this is a YA fantasy that isn't part of a trilogy. A solid one and done that entertained this reader. Recommended if like me you're a sucker for any book with heavy amounts of library content.

Rating: ****

Yesterday's adventures: Up early to get all the house cleaning chores out of the way before my parents came over. The French toast casserole turned out really nicely and we all enjoyed it. My brother came by with his kiddos to give my Mom flowers and give her and my Dad a chance to see the grandkids, so we had a lovely gathering. After all the family left, Mr. Fine and I were not up to much of anything. I played some Lego Marvel Superheroes 2 and then we watched some TV before turning in for the night. BBQ chicken with pasta salad and regular salad for dinner plus some chocolates Mr. Fine got me for Mother's Day (he also had me pick out a book at the bookstore the other day so I have my own copy of Romancing Mister Bridgerton now.

What's on the agenda today: Early morning in office routine (aka two trips to the bus station). Work today will mostly be responding to customer suggestions - this is a bigger time suck now that I'm fully covering my colleague's suggestions. I have a team meeting this afternoon and we'll see if it's the full two hours or not. If I have any time after all that I'll probably spend time on my diversity audit project. Frozen pizza for supper tonight.

What I'm reading: The Kaiju Preservation Society is off to a fun start.

What we're watching: Finished On Her Majesty's Secret Service on Saturday night. Yesterday we watched the first episode of the new Around the World in 80 Days with David Tennant (borrowed from the library), a couple episodes of TNG (including my all-time fav, "Cause and Effect"), and one of Mom.

Wordle 324 5/6

⬛🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟨🟩⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟩⬛🟨🟩
⬛🟩🟩⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Used two words not on the list of 2,309. Admittedly one was a plural that I knew wasn't going to be on the list but METIS, my fourth guess is a legit word and the game is definitely showing it's lack of Canadian content.

ETA: I had not refreshed my browser so I got the original word today. Refreshed after reading Katie's thread so should match up with everyone else tomorrow.

>62 MickyFine: So glad you enjoyed that one! So far all of Rogerson's books have been standalones, which I love. I highly recommend her newest novel, Vespertine -- I liked it even more than this one, and I thought it was super original -- none of the slightly predictable-ness of Sorcery of Thorns :) Her first book, An Enchantment of Ravens was good, and I found it to be a step above a lot of the faerie-based YA that's so popular right now, but not at the level of her other two.

I'm interested to see what you think of Around the World in 80 Days! My mom said she really liked it and I can watch it via my Amazon Masterpiece subscription, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

>63 MickyFine: I enjoyed Around the World in 80 Days. A lot is changed from the book but mostly for the better imo. It's also stunning to look at and the title sequence is fantastic. (I love a good title sequence)

>65 curioussquared: I have duly added Vespertine to The List. I'll keep you posted on AtWi80D. :)

>66 norabelle414: I have to admit I haven't read the book. I had a bad experience when attempting to read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and haven't attempted Verne since. However, I'll happily watch adaptations of his stuff. And I completely agree the title sequence is utterly gorgeous. Even though we're watching it on disc and I could skip over it, I watched it again last night. :)

What's on the agenda: In office morning routine. Work today will include updating our Lucky Day collection, following up on a question from a staff member that came in about 10 minutes before I was done for the day yesterday, some time with Booklist and fall publisher catalogues, a department staff meeting, and working on the diversity audit project. Take out for supper tonight is my pick and I'm weighing either Swiss Chalet or shawarma. After supper, I'll head out again for my regular massage.

What I'm reading: I'm probably going to wrap up The Kaiju Preservation Society today.

What we're watching: An episode of Around the World in 80 Days and one of Mom.

Wordle 325 5/6

⬛🟩🟨⬛⬛
⬛🟩⬛🟨⬛
⬛🟩⬛⬛🟩
⬛🟩⬛⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

So many 5s lately. Sigh.

>67 MickyFine: Around the World in 80 Days is much more enjoyable than his other books, it's more plot-driven and funnier. (Though of course there is common-for-the-period racism/sexism/classism/colonialism.) I think you would like it!

>69 MickyFine: I needed 5 as well with a sacrificial unguess at spot #4 that unlocked the word for me.

>67 MickyFine: Ooohhh, shawarma!

>63 MickyFine: Oh, good news re: casserole!

>62 MickyFine: *ow*ow*ow*

>70 norabelle414: That's good to know. Thanks, Nora!

>71 richardderus: I did end up going for shawarma. Love me some garlic sauce! Also, I'm surprised I hit you with a BB for a YA novel but I do think it will avoid most (maybe all?) of the things that bug you in novels for that age group. Plus the magic is pretty fun.

Book 40



The Kaiju Preservation Society - John Scalzi

Laid off from his job at a tech company near the beginning of the 2020 shutdowns, Jamie Gray is stuck taking a job doing food delivery. On one of his runs, he delivers to an old college acquaintance, Tom, and after several return visits Tom offers Jamie a job. And thus Jamie joins KPS, a secret organization whose job is preventing Kaiju on a parallel earth from crossing over to our earth while at the same time protecting the Kaiju from the threat humanity is to them.

This book is SO much fun. In his acknowledgements, Scalzi notes that this is a pop song of a novel and that that's sometimes exactly what someone needs. He is most decidedly right in my case and I thoroughly enjoyed every second with this book. There's plenty of Scalzi's humour throughout and all of the Kaiju action is really well done. He also creates a cast of diverse characters around Jamie who add so much delight to the world. Highly recommended.

Rating: *****

>73 MickyFine: Wasn’t “Kaiju” such a fun read?! I am wishing so hard for a sequel.

Karen O

>73 MickyFine: I've never really wanted to read Scalzi before but I think you got me with this review!

>73 MickyFine: Already on the wait list at the liberry. I can't contain my impatience!

>72 MickyFine: It's the magic system that gaffed me. I still find YA and fantasy challenging to enjoy but there's a reason I keep plugging away at the category's better-suited-to-me titles: I don't want to die above the neck before I do below it. There's no worse fate, in my mind, than losing one's ability to change one's mind in response to evidence.

>73 MickyFine: I would have sworn I already had that one in the BlackHole, but evidently not. I have fixed that problem now!

Happy Wednesday, Micky!

>74 klobrien2: So fun, Karen. It definitely has me adding more Scalzi to The List.

>75 curioussquared: This is only my second Scalzi novel but I really recommend it. The premise is fun and so is the execution.

>76 richardderus: Hang in there, RDear! You'll get your hands on the Scalzi eventually and it'll be worth the wait.

>77 alcottacre: Excellent! I hope you enjoy it whenever it emerges. :)

What's (been) on the agenda: Dropped off Mr. Fine, came home for a shower, and did a bit of crochet before my shift. WFH life has and will include working on some smaller recurring tasks, the weekly group meeting (sans manager so there may have been more tangents), putting together a curated list for OverDrive/Libby, a system-wide town hall meeting (I'm in the third session so I should get spoilers from co-workers shortly as most of them are in earlier sessions), and working on my diversity audit project. After work I'll pick up Mr. Fine and we'll go grocery shopping. Chicken and broccoli with alfredo sauce over pasta sauce for supper tonight, I believe.

What I'm reading: I'll be starting Gallant tonight and I'm excited.

What we're watching: An episode of Supernatural and a couple of Mom. I also have been watching Sweet Magnolias on my lunch breaks lately (halfway through season 2).

Wordle 326 5/6

⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛🟨🟨🟩
⬛🟩🟩⬛🟩
🟨🟩🟩⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

WordleBot informs me that I was largely unlucky at every turn today. *shrug*

>80 MickyFine: I found myself wanting to sic Murderbot on Wordlebot so have desisted from contacting same.

BLOODY word today.

>81 richardderus: LOL. Murderbot would definitely wipe the floor with Wordlebot.

What's on the agenda: Dropped off Mr. Fine and then came home where I finished yesterday's row on the temperature blanket and read a little bit. Work today includes some scheduling things, a few tasks related to our next featured local writer whom I'm meeting with this afternoon, customer suggestions, and fall catalogue browsing (I swear I'm getting through the last bit of the Hachette catalogue today if it kills me). After work, I'll swing by the local library and do the weekly return and pick up of things. Gyro kit from Costco for supper tonight.

What I'm reading: Didn't crack a book yesterday (bad Micky) but read the first chapter of Gallant this morning, which is off to a good start already. And the illustrations are GORGEOUS.

What we're watching: A couple West Wings and one of Mom.

Wordle 327 4/6

⬛⬛⬛🟩⬛
🟩⬛⬛🟩⬛
🟩⬛⬛🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Back to my usual.

Morning, Micky!

>83 MickyFine: Gallant is one of the books I have checked out from the library, but can't read since I'm not in the mood for fantasy at the moment. Hopefully I'll snap out of that mood before I have to return it!

I made that blueberry french toast thing for breakfast today, thanks for the recipe :-)

>85 katiekrug: *raises mug in salute* Morning Katie!

>86 foggidawn: Fingers crossed for you, Foggi. I've been getting distracted by other things lately and not reading as much but I have to carve out some time for this one as it's due in a week. While our library has eliminated overdue fees, I try not to keep things past the due date when other people are waiting.

>87 norabelle414: Oh nice! I'm glad you enjoyed it. What kind of bread did you use? We went for crusty French bread, which I liked a lot but I could see it being a very different dish with other kinds of bread.

>73 MickyFine: Your BB has scored.

>88 MickyFine: I used a whole small loaf of italian something. It probably would have been better if the bread had been crustier and/or staler.

>89 ArlieS: Oh excellent. I hope you find it fun, Arlie.

>90 norabelle414: Things to try in the future. :)

Happy Thursday, Micky!

>84 MickyFine: It was one of my increasingly rare 3 days today.

Mister N deserves your eyeblinks. *smooch*

Hi Micky, just catching up here! I will have to keep the blueberry French toast casserole thing in mind to try sometime.

>92 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. I hope it treated you well.

>93 richardderus: Congrats. That's an interesting book description.

>94 aktakukac: It turned out well for us. Halving it fed four adults comfortably (along with sides of turkey bacon and hashbrowns).

What's on the agenda: Happy Friday, friends! Productive start to my day as I dropped off Mr. Fine and then came home, baked the crust for sex in a pan, prepped the pudding for said dessert, took a shower, and did a bit of yesterday's row on the temperature blanket. Work today will include customer suggestions in OverDrive and diversity audit project time methinks. I have to swing by my Mom's place to pick up a pot of flowers after work. My grandmother got it as a freebie with her groceries, she doesn't want it, and my mother is notorious for killing plants so to me it comes. Butter chicken for supper and our usual movie night.

What I'm reading: Put a good chunk into Gallant yesterday. Definitely on the spooky end of the spectrum with tiny hints of Rebecca in there (mostly due to the isolated large house and one member of the household not wanting the protagonist there).

What we're watching: A few episodes of Heroes, which included a couple with Christopher Eccleston (always happy to see the 9th Doctor) and an episode of Mom.

Wordle 328 3/6

🟨⬛⬛⬛🟩
⬛⬛🟩⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

3 pulls out ahead of 5 as my second most common result again. Also fun word for a Friday.

Okay, I'll bite. What is 'sex in a pan'?

>96 MickyFine: My mom is also notorious for killing plants except I also inherited that trait from her :) Gallant is on my list to read!

>98 katiekrug: Here's the recipe I use:

Crust
1 1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup butter
3 tsp sugar
1/4 cup slivered almonds (I usually prefer sliced almonds though because I like the nuts to be subtler in texture)

Filling
8 oz cream cheese
2/3 cup icing sugar
1/2 container Cool Whip

Topping
1 package of Jello instant pudding (4 serving size) - I like pistachio best for this dish but chocolate or lemon also work well
1 container Cool Whip

Crust - Combine (using pastry cutter) and press into a 9x13 glass pan. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
Filling - Beat together cream cheese and icing sugar. Fold in Cool Whip and spread over cooled crust.
Topping - Make pudding according to package directions. Fold in container of Cool Whip. Spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Keep chilled until ready to serve. Can also be frozen and thawed for later serving if preferred.

>99 curioussquared: I'm not great with indoor plants (and the cats aren't helpful on that front either) but I do all right if they're outside. My tulips should be blooming any day now and the peony bulbs I planted last fall have sizable shoots. :)

>100 MickyFine: Oh! Our version is:
1 stick salted butter, browned
1 Box Nilla Wafers, crushed to powder
1 bag (any size) chocolate chips
1 bag (large) butterscotch chips
1 cup shredded dried coconut
1 cup chopped toasted pecans (NOT WALNUTS though almonds or macadamia nuts work fine)
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Use a 9x13 pan to brown the butter in the 350°/180C oven. Assemble in the order given. Bake 45min, turn off the oven and leave in there for an hour.

Do not mention that you are making this to anyone you do not love with a selfless, self-abnegating devotion.

I think you'd enjoy my current read: First Time for Everything: A Novel made me laugh a lot.

>101 richardderus: I'm not huge on coconut but the rest of it sounds scrumptious.

Title noted. Happy Friday! *smooches*

Happy Friday, Micky! Have a great weekend! Get some games in for me - my gaming partner is currently in Arkansas.

>103 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. I should be getting in a couple today. I'm sure you'll find a way to fill your solo time. Maybe reading? 😉

What's on the agenda: Full day ahead. Mr. Fine's daughter is coming to visit for a chunk of the day and arriving early as her boyfriend is dropping her off before he starts work. Mr. Fine has promised her waffles so tasty breakfast as usual. I'll still be watching church but not sure what else we'll get up to while she's here. I'm sure I'll sneak in some crafting and reading time. Then this evening we're heading over to mutual friends for dinner and game night. They moved into a new (to them) house a little over a month ago so I'm excited to see it. We split cooking responsibilities so they're making some sort of casserole (my friend is a total Martha Stewart so I'm sure it'll be delicious) and we're bringing asparagus as a side and the sex in a pan for dessert. As for games, we're bringing The Big Book of Madness and Everdell with the Spirecrest expansion (because who doesn't love riding giant animals?).

What I'm reading: A chapter or two in Gallant yesterday.

What we're watching: Some Sweet Magnolias on my lunch break. Last night's double feature was Jungle Cruise, which was fun brain candy and Live and Let Die, featuring a spectacularly young Jane Seymour and one of my favourite Bond songs.

Wordle 329 3/6

⬛🟩⬛⬛⬛
⬛🟩🟨⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Very pleased with this.

Happy Saturday, Micky!

The Wayne and I were both surprised at how much we enjoyed the cheesy 'Jungle Cruise' when we watched it a few months ago :)

>107 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie.

It's really enjoyable for the action fluff that is. I could see it being an excellent home sick on the couch movie.

*smooch*

even though you Wordled in 3

Happy Saturday, Micky! Glad to see you're enjoying Gallant. The atmosphere and illustrations were both excellent in that tale.

>109 richardderus: I appreciate your magnanimity.

>110 bell7: I'm interested to see where it goes. I have hunches but we'll see how it turns out.

What's on the agenda: Late night last night meant I slept until almost 8 this morning. Woke up with a headache though and haven't made it out of bed although I have solved the crossword. Mr. Fine has started breakfast though so I should get up soon. Regular cleaning and bill stuff on the docket plus spring cleaning our bedroom (last of the spring cleaning!). At the pace I'm moving that's probably all I'll get to today. Supper will be fish tacos.

What I'm reading: Didn't crack a book.

What we're playing: Played some Mario Party while the step-daughter was here. Game night ended up being just Big Book of Madness (we lost) and then chatting for a couple hours. One of our friends who is about to move to Ontario was a surprise guest so there was five of us for the evening, which was fun.

Wordle 330 3/6

⬛🟨⬛⬛🟨
⬛⬛🟨🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Words like today are why I use the starting word I do.

>113 MickyFine: - I got it in 4. What is your starting word? I vary mine...

>114 katiekrug: I always use PEONY.

Hi Micky!
Glad to see life is going well for you!

>113 MickyFine: I did not get today’s word :(

>116 ChelleBearss: Chelle! It's lovely to see you!

What's on the agenda: Woke up feeling vaguely phlegmy this morning and wasn't sure if I'd be going into the office as it always takes me a bit to figure out if it's allergies or a cold. Took some Reactine and feeling normal now so going with allergies. Thus in the office. Work today will include customer suggestions, submitting some A/V carts, looking through the EarlyWord spreadsheet and an issue of Booklist, plus a system-wide staff meeting. Mr. Fine forgot we'd shifted some things around in the meal plan so we ended up having turkey burgers last night and moved fish tacos to this evening. Planning to do craft circle tonight but we also have to pack for a mini break we're leaving for Tuesday night so we'll see how that goes.

What I'm reading: Hoping to finish Gallant today.

What we're watching: An episode of Around the World in 80 Days, I watched a couple episodes of Little Mosque on the Prairie while Mr. Fine was grilling, and then we watched a couple of TNG and one of Mom.

Wordle 331 5/6

⬛🟩⬛⬛⬛
⬛🟩⬛⬛⬛
⬛🟩⬛🟨🟨
⬛🟩🟨⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Tough one today.

>119 MickyFine: - Took me all 6 guesses...

Oooh, yay for a mini-break!

>120 katiekrug: It's a very mini break but we're looking forward to it (saving the reveal for tomorrow :P).

>121 MickyFine:
*awaiting reveal*

>104 MickyFine: I did not get in nearly as much reading as I would have liked, but I started tackling another project instead.

>112 MickyFine: I think I lost every single game of A Book of Madness that I ever played. Fun game though!

Happy Monday! Have a wonderful week.

>119 MickyFine: it was tough! I was happy to get in in five.

Hope you're having a lovely Monday!

>122 richardderus: Hang in there.

>123 alcottacre: I think Mr. Fine and I have beat Big Book of Madness, once or twice. I was hoping with four people it would be a little easier, but it was just as tough.

>124 bell7: Thanks, Mary. It was pretty decent as Mondays go.

Book 41



Gallant - V.E. Schwab

Olivia has spent most of her life living in the grey world of Merilance, a boarding school for orphaned girls, with only her mother's journal for company. One day a letter arrives from her uncle indicating that he's been looking for her and wants her to come to live at his estate, Gallant. While the journal's final page warns Olivia never to go there, she cannot resist the opportunity to find a family of her own. Once she arrives at Gallant she'll discover many secrets that lurk and that shadows are more threatening than she imagined.

Another solid novel from Schwab that creates a compelling tale of things that lurk in the shadows. Those familiar with Schwab's work will find some themes returning again but as always, she creates a new twist for them. The whole novel has a vaguely ominous and creepy air, amplified by the regular appearance of ghouls, the excerpt's from Olivia's mother's journal, and the strangeness of life at Gallant. Olivia is an excellent protagonist and Schwab does an excellent job of incorporating the frustrations she faces due to her mutism, which also makes the perils she face seem even greater as she's unable to call for help. The novel is also beautifully supported by gorgeous illustrations from Manuel Sumberac. Recommended for fans of Schwab's previous novels or those who like an atmospheric read that is spooky but doesn't cross into horror territory.

Rating: ****

What's on the agenda: It's a WFH Tuesday, unusually. I spent this morning dropping off Mr. Fine, topping up the gas tank, taking a shower, and packing up toiletries and such. Work today will be wrapping up the last of the customer suggestions I didn't get to yesterday, time with the EarlyWord spreadsheet and Booklist, and digging into my diversity audit project. After work, Mr. Fine and I are hitting the road for a short trip to Calgary to go to the zoo. We've been talking about doing this day trip since we started dating (nearly 5 years ago). We're driving down tonight with a stop in Red Deer for supper, staying in a hotel, and after breakfast tomorrow we'll hang out at the zoo and head back home sometime in the afternoon. Crossing my fingers the weather is good (they keep going back and forth on whether it's going to rain) but it should be a fun trip either way. The last time I went to the Calgary Zoo I was 16 so it's an overdue visit. While there's lots of animals on my faves list, I'm extra excited as one of the gorillas recently had a baby - so cute! All this to say, I'm unlikely to check in tomorrow. I'll be back as usual on Thursday.

What I'm reading: With all the driving and last minute trip prep, not sure I'll crack a book today but I'm toting Seven Stones to Stand or Fall with me.

What we're watching: An episode of Around the World in 80 Days and one of Mom.

Wordle 332 3/6

⬛🟩⬛🟩⬛
⬛🟩⬛🟩⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

>127 MickyFine: Ooh, sounds like a great trip! Have fun!

Fun mini-getaway! I love doing things like that. Enjoy!

>128 MickyFine: I hate you.

>127 MickyFine: Not enough to wish you car trouble, illness, and a meteor strike on your zoo trip, though!

Not *quite* anyway.

Omg Calgary zoo! Have a great time!!!

Enjoy your trip! Hope the rain stays away!

Have fun at the zoo! Sounds like a lovely mini trip :)

I hope the zoo trip exceeds your expectations!

>129 foggidawn: Thanks, Foggi!

>130 katiekrug: I've been looking forward to it for a while. Even a small trip helps with the itchy feet. :)

>131 richardderus: I appreciate your restraint in not hexing me, RDear. *smooches*

>132 norabelle414: Thanks! I'll try and get some good pics to share. :)

>133 aktakukac: Thanks, Rachel!

>134 curioussquared: I'm hoping it will be. The cats have clued in to the suitcase in the hall and have both been very snuggly while I've been working today.

>135 quondame: Thanks, Susan.

What's on the agenda: Back to the in office grind. Just had to take myself to the bus though. Mr. Fine gets more vacation time than I do so he took today and tomorrow off as well, giving himself nearly a week off with the holiday on Monday. I'd whine except he does awesome things like having dinner ready for me as soon as I walk through the door so I can't be too jealous. Work today will include catching up on emails, customer suggestions, and some time with Booklist and Library Journal. Dinner tonight is tortellini. Afterwards we're going to the movies to see the new Dr. Strange.

What I'm reading: Started the first story in Seven Stones to Stand or Fall on the bus this morning.

What we're watching: Got home at a reasonable time yesterday so we had a normal evening viewing of West Wing with an episode of Mom in there.

Wordle 334 6/6

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟨⬛🟩⬛⬛
⬛🟩🟩⬛🟩
⬛🟩🟩⬛🟩
⬛🟩🟩⬛🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Was worried about breaking my streak but pulled it off in time.

Hope your trip to the zoo was fun!

>139 katiekrug: Oh right! I guess I could recap that. Stay tuned. :)

AND pictures, don't forget the pictures!

Trip to Calgary was a lovely mini break. Drive down was uneventful. Dinner in Red Deer was filling and tasty (I had a Greek wrap). Hotel bed was actually really comfy and I slept pretty well with all my sleeping in a strange place coping strategies (sleeping mask and ear plugs).

We had breakfast yesterday at OEB and I had the Vegetable Primavera Scramblette (sans mushrooms), which was delicious. Then off to the zoo where we had a blast. There were several school groups on field trips with both young elementary kids (I'd guess Kindergarten or grade 1) and junior high kids but most of buildings/enclosure viewing points weren't too bad for crowds. We didn't manage to see the gorilla baby as she and her mom were napping out of sight when we went through their building but lots of other gorillas were lounging around. Almost all of the birds were being kept indoors and out of sight due to avian flu risks but the penguin enclosure has an airlock setup and disinfectant floor mats once you get inside so we got to see them (and they ended up being my favourites on this trip). Plenty of other cool animals on view too including lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! (couldn't resist the joke). We spent about 3 hours wandering around and then left town. Stopped in Red Deer on the way back for gas and the required stop at the Donut Mill. Paused on the edge of Edmonton to pick up some bookshelves at IKEA for Mr. Fine (he's been waiting for them to come back in stock), grabbed some Fatburger for dinner, and got home around 5.

>143 MickyFine: Flutterbys, meerkats, and pinguinos! Oh my yes! I'm glad y'all got to go to the beautiful zoo. *smooch*

What's on the agenda: TGIWFHF! With Mr. Fine off work again today, I only had to roll out of bed an hour before I started my shift today. Yippee! It's the Friday before a long weekend (Victoria Day on Monday) so it'll probably be pretty quiet *touch wood*. Customer suggestions in OverDrive, Booklist, Library Journal, and maybe my diversity audit project are on the docket today. Mr. Fine is grilling steak for dinner and has promised garlic mashed potatoes to go with it (yum!). Movie night at Chez Fine this evening.

What I'm reading: Finished the first story in Seven Stones to Stand or Fall yesterday. It involved the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which was fun to see outside of a Canadian history course.

What we're watching: Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness was a lot of fun. Lots of characters popping up that made Mr. Fine and I internally squee with delight (and then verbally squeed afterwards). Sam Raimi's horror sensibilities do rear their head but as a decidedly not horror movie person, it wasn't so much that I didn't enjoy it. Also we went to the fancy theatre with lounge-style (heated!) seats and had our own privacy booth and that made it a really excellent movie date night experience.

Wordle 335 5/6

⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛🟨🟨🟨
⬛🟩🟨🟩⬛
⬛🟩🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I was sure my fourth attempt would be it but another five today. PEONY STARE BARED LAGER GAMER

>146 MickyFine: I hadn't considered #4 as a possibility! I had a weird situation today, getting four yellow boxes in a row!! But solved in 4.

>145 MickyFine: Steak and garlic smashies. Ooooo

*smooch*

>147 richardderus: It was most tasty!

What's (been) on the agenda: Ash was being a dink early this morning and woke me up around 5 knocking something off Mr. Fine's nightstand. Managed to go back to sleep around 6:30 and stayed that way until 8. Mr. Fine made us breakfast, I took a shower, and then we watched church online. He's now gone off to the rec centre for a workout and I've got a couple hours to craft and read with just the cats for company. Later this afternoon we're headed to our friends' place for dinner and game night. Same pair of friends as last weekend, as one of them didn't get a chance to play last weekend as bedtime for their kiddo did not go smoothly. Hopefully, he'll settle better tonight and both of them will get to play. We're bringing The Big Book of Madness, Everdell with the Spirecrest expansion, and Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig. We'll see what we actually end up playing. Dinner will be take out from a local brewery near them- I'm having a burrito bowl and it sounds super tasty.

What I'm reading: Didn't crack a book yesterday.

What we're watching: Double feature last night. First up was Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers, which was surprisingly good. I'm likely the exact target audience as it's chock full of 90s nostalgia but I think it will also work for kiddos. If you've got Disney+, I really recommend adding it to your watch list. Second film was The Man with the Golden Gun, which was cheesy and bad and had way more casual racism than I was expecting. So far the Roger Moore films have not been as good as I remembered but we still have several to go.

Wordle 336 4/6

🟨⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟨⬛🟨⬛
🟩⬛🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Put the same letter in the wrong place for attempts 2 and 3, so my usual 4 today.

Finished another page of the tree skirt pattern today!


The latest page.


The bigger picture.

>151 MickyFine: It's just lovely, Micky. It will look so nice under your tree.

Have a nice long weekend! *smooch*

>152 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. I'm very happy with how it's looking.

What's on the agenda: Crummy night sleep last night - the bad combo of my sleep schedule being off with long weekend activities and being too hot. Le sigh. In the office today and was here a little earlier than usual due to training Mr. Fine is taking today and tomorrow in a different part of the city so we needed to ensure he could catch a second bus in the city. Works out well for me as it means I can work all my extra time for the week for the EDO program today. Work will mostly be long weekend catch up. All the customer suggestions to get through plus updating our Lucky Day content. I have a couple meetings this afternoon, one with my manager and one with another library to discuss our ELL audio offerings. And that will probably be my day. Frozen pizza for dinner tonight and I'll be in charge of putting it in the oven for once since Mr. Fine's commute will mean he gets home much later than usual.

What I'm reading: Busy doing lots of things on the long weekend so not a ton of reading happened. Started and finished a book last night (it was super short) and now back to Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, where I've just started the second story.

What we're watching: I did a couple episodes of Sweet Magnolias while crafting yesterday (I've got about half of the last episode of season 2 left to finish). Evening viewing was a couple episodes of Bridgerton I really liked how they adapted the bee sting but I really DON'T LIKE that Anthony proposed to Edwina at the end of episode 4. I call shenanigans. Followed that with a couple episodes of Mom.

Wordle 339 5/6

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛🟨⬛⬛
⬛🟨🟨🟨⬛
🟩⬛⬛🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Tricky one today, at least with my starting words, so pleased I pulled it off. Words PEONY STAIR CAULK AWFUL ALBUM

>154 MickyFine: - Yes, the change in the nature of the Anthony-Edwina dynamic was probably the most problematic part of season 2 and the one many people who know the books were the most upset about. I think the writers untangle things really well in the end, but it was a bit of a shock.

Book 42



Julieta (Movie Tie-In) - Alice Munro

A collection of three short stories that provide snapshots into the life of Juliet. The first when she is a young woman in her early twenties, alternating between her journey from Toronto to Vancouver for a job at a school and at the end of the term when she journeys further north in BC to reconnect with a man she met on the train. The second story follows Juliet as a young mother going home with her baby to visit her parents. The final story looks at Juliet when she is much older and estranged from her daughter.

I'm not a big short story person and literary fiction isn't always my jam either, so knowing Alice Munro's reputation and wanting to read something by her, I picked the shortest collection on shelf in my local library. It was a good choice for me. Munro's writing is beautifully evocative and her tales are well-crafted but it's just not something I'd pick up for leisure reading on my own without something like my Canadian author challenge. However, if you are a literary fiction fan and enjoy short stories, you can't go wrong with sampling Munro.

Rating: ***

>156 katiekrug: Ok. I'll hang in there. I was also very pleased with the Pall Mall scene. :)

I had the same Bridgerton issues as you, but also loved the Pall Mall scene!

>157 MickyFine: The Beggar Maid: Stories of Flo and Rose slammed my mental door on La Munro's literary fingers. I hated those slatternly broads. I found Munro's focus so tight, so unbelievably oppressively intimate, that I couldn't escape.

I think you were very generous to the collection given my response! Have a happy Tuesday, Fines one and all. How is the stepFine doing, BTW?

>158 MickyFine: - Yeah, that was well done, I thought.

>159 curioussquared: I was live texting with one of my friends while watching (she's watched the whole show already and like me has also read the books) and she also had a similar reaction.

>160 richardderus: I had the luck of the whole collection being only 113 pages, so while I didn't find Juliet sympathetic, I didn't have to be in her world TOO long.

>161 katiekrug: They did a good job of capturing the fun of it from the book. The Pall Mall reunion is probably my favourite of the second epilogues too. I live in hope they'll sneak it into the show if it hangs around long enough. :)

Sorry I was AWOL yesterday, friends. I had a full day training session at work yesterday (part 1 of 2.5) and I was thoroughly wiped at the end of the day.

What's (been) on the agenda: Up early to drop off Mr. Fine and then spent my free time this morning doing a bunch of ironing - it's one of my least favourite chores but I got a bunch of new dresses and I love how they look (even if there are pleats involved). Work today was catching up on a bunch of things since I didn't look at my email at all yesterday. Lots of small recurring tasks to do and customer requests (as ever). Off a bit early this afternoon as I have a dentist appointment. Before they order more of my retainers, they apparently need to do a quick check of my teeth. I'll probably spend more time driving there and back than I will in the chair. :P Going to swing by the library before I head into the city for my appointment to do a quick drop off and pick up of things. Mr. Fine is walking from his work to meet me at my dentist, since it's downtown, and then we're going grocery shopping. Supper will be a Costco meal kit, probably the chicken taco kit since it's fast for prep.

What I'm reading: I've been in a bit of a funk lately. I'm really enjoying Seven Stones to Stand or Fall when I pick it up but I'm often choosing other activities rather than reading in my free time. My book total for this month is going to be low, I think.

What we're watching: Last night was just a single episode of West Wing as I was home later due to training and Mr. Fine's daughter dropped by for an impromptu visit while waiting for some takeout. While ironing this morning I finished the season 2 finale of Sweet Magnolias and at lunch I went back to watching ER.

>163 MickyFine: *smooch*

I think you might be interested in the books I've been reviewing. Tomorrow's is a doozie.

>164 richardderus: I'll make sure to swing through. *smooch*

What's on the agenda: Dropped off Mr. Fine, came home and set up the box fan to cool off the house, ironed one last dress (it needed a cooler temperature and I didn't catch that detail yesterday until I had the iron cranked up to high for everything else), took a shower, and did a bit of crochet before going on the clock. Work will mostly be customer suggestions in all the places. Might get to some browsing through Library Journal reviews but we'll see. We're doing chuckerout for supper tonight. Afterwards we'll be heading over to Mr. Fine's friend's place for the friend's birthday party. There will apparently be karaoke. We're not planning on staying late.

What I'm reading: I have Other People's Houses checked out as an ebook and it's due in less than a week so I've pressed pause on the Outlander short stories for a little bit.

What we're watching: A couple episodes of Supernatural and a couple of Mom last night. Some ER while I was puttering this morning.

>166 MickyFine: Karaoke! Do you have a go-to song?

Have a great weekend, Micky!

I love (to watch other people do) karaoke :)

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Micky. I'm limbering up my typing digits (both of them) for the June Cavalcade of Queerness. It's like chuckerout for my Kindle!

>167 curioussquared: I haven't done karaoke a ton so I don't have a go-to but I did do "Jolene" last night. :)

>168 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>169 richardderus: I'm looking forward to seeing the rainbows spewing out of your thread next month. *smooch*

What's on the agenda: Slept really solid last night and didn't wake up until 8, which felt glorious. Made myself a mango smoothie for breakfast, which was super tasty. Watching church online and then we're out for a chunk of the day. Heading to one of closest friend's place for her birthday party (not sure if it's a surprise or not as her husband has been coordinating everything). They're serving lunch and there's likely to be a passel of kids so it should be a fun but exhausting afternoon. Charcuterie planned for supper tonight since we're not sure how hungry we'll be tonight. Maybe a board game this evening.

What I'm reading: In theory, Other People's Houses.

What we're watching: The first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

>170 MickyFine: Ooh, that's a good choice 😁

Hiya Micky, speeding through for a Sunday *smooch* then back to the Moon with the first men to step on it: Andrei and Boris!

>172 curioussquared: I always think it's fun. :)

>173 richardderus: *waves at the Richard blur*

Yesterday's recap: Very full day with the usual chores, weeding in the flower beds, running to store to get cedar chips to put in flower beds (love that smell), and month-end bill/budget wrap-up.

What's on today's agenda: Got to sleep in a bit as Mr. Fine is off for a medical appointment today, which made for a slightly slower start to the day as I knew I could take my time getting up and getting ready. Working from home and the biggest task will be customer suggestions (as it always is on a Monday). I've got just a few pages left to go through in this month's LJ and I might squeeze in time for work on my diversity audit project but I also will be prepping my carts of September titles to be submitted later this week. Stir fry for supper tonight. Virtual craft circle this evening.

What I'm reading: Other People's Houses is compulsively readable when I actually open it, but I'm still having issues actually picking up books rather than something else. Doesn't help that I have new phone game addiction going on - I discovered Disney Mirrorverse this weekend and I've been playing it a lot.

What we're watching: After doing all the things yesterday, we crashed on the couch and watched The Spy Who Loved Me, an episode of TNG, and an episode of Mom.

Yesterday I worked in office and it was pretty same old same old. We had takeout for dinner, I swung by Costco Gas because prices spiked here between morning and afternoon and they don't change their price until the morning of the following day, and we had time to squeeze in a walk. I managed to finish one last book for May so I'll post the review and my month-end wrap up before starting up a new thread for June.

Book 43



Other People's Houses - Abbi Waxman

In their neighbourhood of Larchmont in Los Angeles, a small group of families are all at least nodding acquaintances if not friends, and are all connected by the carpool for their children. When one of the couple's in the neighbourhood have major drama, it ripples out to effect everyone else in unexpected ways.

A character study that explores the marriages of four different couples. While the novel doesn't quite have the cozy feel of the other Waxman books I've read, it is compellingly readable. She creates four highly believable marriages (3 hetero and 1 lesbian) that are all dealing with their own issues and struggling to balance the needs of their relationship with the needs of their children. A solid read.

Rating:***

Morning (for you), Micky!

I saw the other day that Waxman has a new one out. I need to look up the title, as my memory is garbage :)

Morning. Yes! The title is also escaping me but I know a bunch of characters from all her previous books are cropping up in it. :)

>177 MickyFine: I shall pass on that. I'd need to get some seriously cozy vibes to make it worthwhile on my HUGELY overloaded list. But! I think you'll like my Friday review title, The Guncle...yet today's probably not too much. Save you a visit...

*smooch*

>180 richardderus: I hear you. I look forward to your review!

May Summary




Numbers in parentheses are for year to date.

Books read: 6 (43)
Books abandoned: 0 (2)

Fiction: 5 (34)
Non-fiction: 1 (9)

Adult: 4 (38)
YA: 2 (4)
Children's: 0 (1)

Library: 6 (39)
Mine: 0 (4)
Borrowed elsewhere: 0 (0)

Canadian author: 1 (5)

Re-reads: 0 (3)

Female authors: 5 (33)
Male authors: 1 (10)
Non-binary authors: 0 (0)

Pages: 1,849 (11,869)
Hours: 0 (1 day, 15 hours, 48 minutes)

Average rating: 3.61

Average time to read book: 4.58 days

Favourite book(s): The Kaiju Preservation Society was So. Much. Fun!

The June thread is officially open for business. Come on by!