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Alias Reader wrote: "Julie, I know some who are going through difficult times that also use crafting to take their minds of their troubles. Whenever we can take the focus off ourselves, it's a good thing."

That is true!

Julie, thanks for sharing about your latest books. I liked Noah's book, too. Harriet the Spy was a grade school favorite for my daughter, which is how i came to read it. Nice.

The Easy Crafts sounds as though it would be a clever way to introduce a look at mental health. I suspect more than a few people truly saved their sanity from Covid-confinement by turning to new-to-them crafts. I know two people who did so. Me? I just read, of course.

madrano wrote: "Julie, thanks for sharing about your latest books. I liked Noah's book, too. Harriet the Spy was a grade school favorite for my daughter, which is how i came to read it. Nice.

The Easy Crafts soun..."

I used to do crafts, needlepoint, crocheting (not very good at that at all)- it was like okay I did that - do I need to do it again? I stopped sewing when my sewing machine broke - but I wasn't a great sewer. But reading is the one thing I can never give up!

The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
4/5 stars
This is the story of two siblings, Danny and his sister Maeve who early in the book lived with their father in the Dutch House while he is estranged from his wife. With the influx of a new wife and 2 step sisters, they leave the house and go their own ways eventually realizing that sometimes things work out in a certain way and you have no control over it. Very well written! I had previously read Bel Canto by Ann Patchett which I liked and I would read more of her work.

Julie, i'm with you on the crafts. I liked learning the process but didn't really follow through with any. I suppose cross stitch was my last hold out and only because i didn't need to count nearly as much.

I was introduced to Patchett's The Patron Saint of Liars by a male friend. After reading it, i was more impressed by my friend because he seemed to understand the depths of the story very well. Ok, that sounded patronizing.

While i didn't much like the main character but she fit the book. There was a tv movie made of the book, which probably equaled the writing. It starred Dana Delany, an actor i don't much like, which may be why i thought the movie was as good as the book.

I liked Bel Canto quite a bit but that's the only other book by Patchett i've read.

Julie wrote: "
The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
4/5 stars
This is the story of two siblings, Danny and his sister Maeve who early in the book live..."

My friend loved listening to Tom Hanks narrate this book.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
4/5 stars
This is the story of two siblings, Danny and his sister Maeve who early in..."
I did not know that Tom Hanks narrated this book. (I read the book!) Has he narrated other books on CD?

When I googled it listed 4 books - some he may be just one of a few narrators. I'm not sure.

Uncommon Type (Hanks wrote this one)

Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip

I am a Pole

The Dutch House

Neat info about Hanks. I can easily imagine his voice with the Horatio-type book. It would be fun to hear him read a couple of Ben Montgomery books, such as Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail and The Man Who Walked Backward: An American Dreamer's Search for Meaning in the Great Depression, too.

The Birds and Other Stories
Daphne du Maurier
4/5 stars
This was a collection of stories by the writer Daphne du Maurier. The first short story is The Birds which was the inspiration for Hitchcock’s film of the same title. I have never read any of her stories before and never realized that she wrote very dark stories but I enjoyed them. I would like to read more of her.

Julie wrote: I have never read any of her stories before "

I loved the movie and book Rebecca

I am not familiar with her short stories, either. And i had no idea her work inspired Hitchcock's movie! Cool.

Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events
Brent Spiner
3.5/5 stars
This is a semi-fictional story about the time Brent Spiner who played Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation had a stalker. I enjoyed it and am a fan of Star Trek. I am not sure of those not familiar with the series would enjoy it. It was a fast read!

Julie, i guess i know what i'm giving my son as a gift this year. Audio version, as the GR reviews state fellow ST:TNG actors read "their own lines", so to speak. Thanks for the tip--i had no idea this existed!

Goodness! I just went to order this from Amazon & found there is a world of Trek/actor publications available. ( SCroll DOWN) Who knew? Clearly no longer attending fan-conventions has its disadvantages. Again, thanks, Julie.

madrano wrote: "Julie, i guess i know what i'm giving my son as a gift this year. Audio version, as the GR reviews state fellow ST:TNG actors read "their own lines", so to speak. Thanks for the tip--i had no idea ..."

This book just came out in October and I knew I had to read it. It won't win any book awards but it was a fast, fun read.

Which also makes it perfect for my son, who isn't one of life's readers, unless it's Trek-related.

Almost Interesting
David Spade
4/5 stars
Actor David Spade talks about his life and career in Hollywood. He also talks about Saturday Night Live and the hoops that the actors go through to get to perform on the show. I thought this was a funny and interesting read.

Good title and fitting with my image of Spade.

You have been a reading whirlwind, Julie. Will 2021 be your most titles read year ever?

madrano wrote: "Good title and fitting with my image of Spade.

You have been a reading whirlwind, Julie. Will 2021 be your most titles read year ever?"

It is about average- since I have been on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ I have been reading between 70 - 80 books a year. Also it depends on how long the books are!

I do keep a book log and I have read 1180 books since 2002 when I first started logging my book reads.

Julie wrote: "It is about average- since I have been on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ I have been reading between 70 - 80 books a year. Also it depends on how long the books are!."

What I find wonderful is the eclectic selection of books you read.

That's an impressive list for the century, Julie. I agree with Alias, the most delightful part of your thread is the variety of genres you read. It's just a pleasure to learn what you've been reading, just to see what was next. :-)

A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020
David Sedaris
4.5/5 stars
This book contains excerpts from his diaries from 2003-2020. I really enjoy his humor and was sorry when I finished his book.

Julie wrote: "
A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020
David Sedaris
4.5/5 stars
This book contains excerpts from hi..."

I see he did the audio. I will put it on my audio book list. Thanks!

Brat: An '80s Story
Andrew McCarthy
Andrew McCarthy talks about his start in Hollywood and the roles he played in the 1980's. I enjoyed it.

Julie, i've read good things about his writing ability in the last few years. His travel writing is apparently quite appealing. I've only read one article but i liked it.

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History
Robert M. Edsel
4/5 stars
I had seen the film based on the book years ago and enjoyed it but the book is so much better and interesting than the film as the author follows the men and women as they search for the hidden treasures stolen by Hitler's men during and after the last months of WWII .

Julie wrote: I had seen the film based on the book years ago and enjoyed it but the book is so much better and interesting than the film "

That is often the case.

Julie, i liked the book, too. It fleshed out what we saw in the film. What a story!