ŷ������

It's another Thursday!  I can't believe winter is almost over - seems like it just started!  Also, it's still snowing in NY, so winter isn't QUITE done with us yet!   I'm picking up my college daughter for spring break tomorrow, and keeping an eye on the weather, because another storm is rolling in tomorrow.  So far, according to the forecast, I should be home right before it starts (but you never know!!).



Admin stuff
The nominations are in for June and the final poll is up to choose June's monthly read, here:/poll/show/2...

The March group read of The Island of Sea Women is ongoing here:/topic/show/...

Let me or Lynn know if you would like to lead the April or June discussions!!!   Happy discussion leaders lead to happy discussions :-)




I finished 1 book this week, none for this Challenge, so I remain 18/50.

Such Color: New and Selected Poems by Tracy K. Smith - I really love Smith's poems, but I wasn't blown away by her new work.





Question of the Week
Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else?


So, my answer is "no" but I thought this was a funny question and I'm sure some of you have some good stories to tell about books that inspire discussion!

So, all winter, there were snow predictions of 6 inches or more and I would move my car and we'd get like a dusting or an inch. Yesterday, it was supposed to snow 1-2 inches, so I didn't move my car and it snowed about 4. Not that big of a deal, but I really was supposed to move my car and didn't because I'm not psychic. But, apparently everyone else in my building was because they allmoved. Oh well.

I finished Crazy Rich Asians as my book featuring a party. I liked it.

I am now about halfway through Kindred as my own voices SFF. Not really sure why I picked this one, because I hate time travel.

QOTW: Not recently, but when I read In the Woods, I handed it off to my mom and told her she had to read it so I could ask her what she thought happened.

Good morning, everyone!

I’m currently in the second week of the March Mystery Madness readathon, and I’ve really been enjoying the opportunity to focus on reading mystery novels. While I have read a few volumes of manga this week, most of the books I’ve read have been titles from Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot series. They’ve been great!

In other news, I managed to reach my goal of reading 150 books from my physical TBR checklist! I am thrilled that my self-imposed book buying ban has officially ended!

ŷ������: 186/200
TBR checklist: 152/962

Finished Reading:
~Murder on the Orient Express
~Three Act Tragedy
~Death in the Clouds
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 2
~The ABC Murders
~Murder in Mesopotamia
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 3
~Murder in the Mews
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 4

Currently Reading:
~Shadows of Swanford Abbey

QOTW:
I’m sure I’ve done this in the past, but I haven’t recently.

So there I was bragging last week that it felt like spring in Santa Fe. Ha! This week has been cold and snowy with more expected tonight. The boys and I have mostly been stuck inside... They seem to be doing okay, but I'm going just a bit stir crazy! Oh well, I've got a couple of great books going now, so I'll just hide away and read.

Challenge Progress: 17/50

Completed:

How the Penguins Saved Veronica: Heartwarming and sweet. It's a story of second chances, becoming your best self, reconnecting with family... and penguins! ★★★★

Our Harlem: Seven Days of Cooking, Music and Soul at the Red Rooster: Not really an audiobook. It's really more like a podcast with interviews and general conversation with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Enjoyable but not really very deep. ★★��

All the Murmuring Bones: So sloooooooow. Beautiful writing and beautiful world-building, but it took so long to get anywhere. I kept thinking that this was going to be the first in a series, and that's why Miren's world was built so carefully. But it's not. That's it. There were some lovely elements but not enough to make me want to recommend this book. (P7: a book with onomatopoeia in the title) ★★��

We Are the Brennans: Underwhelming. I feel like I've read this story many times before. Anybody remember We Were the Mulvaneys? ★★��

Summer of Hate: Charlottesville, USA: A comprehensive and evenhanded compilation of the facts surrounding the demonstrations and violence in Charlottesville in August 2017. Hawes Spencer carefully re-creates what happened and why by focusing on individuals including activists, city councilors, and law enforcement. ★★★★



Currently Reading:
Black Cake
The Violence
This Might Hurt
The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
Sharks in the Time of Saviors
Murder at Teal's Pond: Hazel Drew and the Mystery That Inspired Twin Peaks
The Spanish Love Deception

QOTW: I belong to a Pulitzer Prize book club. We'll be reading The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X this summer at my suggestion. Sorry, no cute stories here.

Only one book this week and it doesn't fit a prompt

Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon. Middle grade. Supernatural elements to a hide and seek game. It was a fun ride and would make a great tv series. Also the cover is impeccable.

K.L. wrote: "In other news, I managed to reach my goal of reading 150 books from my physical TBR checklist! I am thrilled that my self-imposed book buying ban has officially ended!..."

Wow! You did this just in 2022? I've lost track of when your book buying ban began. I'm just a week into my Lent-imposed ban.

Katy wrote: "So, all winter, there were snow predictions of 6 inches or more and I would move my car and we'd get like a dusting or an inch. Yesterday, it was supposed to snow 1-2 inches, so I didn't move my ca..."


where do you move your car to?

Good morning! In typical Midwestern fashion, the weather can't make up its mind so I end up stuck with a sinus headache for days on end. It's wonderful. Don't try this at home without proper supervision. Otherwise my daffodils are beginning to sprout AND I managed to re-pot them yesterday! We are rearranging the yard so all the flowers I want to keep are going in pots for the time being.

Finished a lot of good stuff this week:
Paper Girls, Vol. 5 & Vol 6 - 4 stars and 4.5 stars, respectively. This was a fun series! Glad I read it.

Daisy Jones & The Six - 5 stars. Works beautifully on audiobook.

The White Gold Score - 4 stars. Must have more Daniel Faust.

Catwoman, Volume 5: Backward Unmasking - 4 stars. This has been a fairly solid run and I'm excited to see how things wrap up in v6.

All My Sons - 5 stars. I need to reread Death of a Salesman because it's been years, but from what I remember I much prefer All My Sons. Miller is always dark, but I recall Salesman being especially bleak. There's a warmth here that I absolutely love (disclaimer: I may be influenced by our talented cast).

Death and the Maiden - 4 stars. Incredibly intense, tough subject matter, and even though it's only 60ish pages it's a beast for only 3 actors to tackle. Book by a Latinx author

March: Book Three - 5 stars, finishing tonight. Yet another intense piece, a very in-depth look at Congressman Lewis's work in the civil rights movement. Highly recommend this three-volume series.

PS 18/50

Currently:
Nothing particularly light and fast. I'm feeling slumpy but making progress all the same. And theatre puts me into a reading slump too bc it takes up my time, so I shouldn't be surprised.
The Silmarillion
The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland
Parable of the Sower A duology (1)

QOTW: Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else? Lol I just had a friend do this to me with a new movie because she's obsessed. Regarding recent books... probably Daisy Jones & The Six, because I've finally hopped on the TJR bandwagon!

K.L. wrote: "In other news, I managed to reach my goal of reading 150 books from my physical TBR checklist! I am thrilled that my self-imposed book buying ban has officially ended! ..."


congrats! that's a lot of books!!


so what are you going to go buy first ;-)

19/50

Finished: The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers Used for prompt takes place on a train, plane, or cruise ship. This was a really fun, easy read about travelling by train and philosophy. If you're looking for something off the beaten-path for this prompt, I recommend it.

Thinking Through Stories: Children, Philosophy, and Picture Books about an Indian girl with OCD whose drawings become a real world through the actions of a malevolent demon who she must defeat

Started: Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom A story about an Indian girl with OCD who must save a world she created through drawing from a malevolent demon.

Renewing Philosophy

Qotw: The last book I recommended was The Socrates Express, but it wasn't really because I wanted to discuss it, but just because that happened to be the most recent book I've read and my co-worker asked me what I had been reading. So I guess this is often the case.... I want to discuss whatever book I've read most recently.

Has anybody been having trouble posting? Both last week and this week, it keeps only posting part of my message and I have to go back and edit it.

Nadine in NY wrote: "where do you move your car to?."

Parking garage two blocks away. But, the real problem was that I thought they were going to come plow in the morning, but they came at a little before 9 last night. I had jsut gotten out of the shower, so didn't want to go out to just move itout of the way (there was probably 2 inches of snow, plus some ice, so it would have taken a few moinutes) with my hair and everything still wet. Then, because I didn't move last night, while I don't think they're going to come back jut for my space, I had to move it today, just in case.

This year there are wild violets all over the verges. I don't know where they came from, maybe because they stopped mowing them so much in pandemic? Anyway, they're pretty. Lots of daffodils out now, but not the ones I can see from my desk, they've been in bud for at least a week so I hope that means they're really putting effort into those flowers!

I have been reading so slowly this month, I have to wean myself off doomscrolling again. I did finish How to Solve a Murder: True Stories from a Life in Forensic Medicine by Derek and Pauline Tremain on audio for two POVs. It was a mixed bag, the parts about forensic technique were interesting but the memoir parts weren't very engaging.

QOTW:
Not recently. I only really talk about books online, so I can usually find someone to chat to if I really need to talk about a book.

Katy wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "where do you move your car to?."

Parking garage two blocks away. But, the real problem was that I thought they were going to come plow in the morning, but they came at a littl..."



I'm sure that's a hassle but that's a nice system! I hated it when the plow came by while cars were in their spots, because then the parking lot was never really clear, but there wasn't much we could do about it, we had no where else to park.

So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objectionable." As a librarian and a (somewhat) sane person, I have to say this law is bonkers. Not only are "obscene" and "objectionable" so vaguely defined by the law that it could apply to anything, but where the heck are the kids' parents? Let THEM determine what the kid can and can't read, and don't make us responsible for it! Besides, I don't read every single book we have, I can't guarantee I'm not going to accidentally hand a kid a book with material their parents deem inappropriate...

Ugh... on the plus side, they say the law is unlikely to pass (knock on wood), but the fact that it made it as far as the state legislature is nuts.

Books read this week:

Aquarium -- for “a book you know nothing about.�� Folks, PLEASE be careful with this prompt! I picked this up expecting something thriller-ish due to the dust jacket, but instead got a sordid “misery porn�� story with some horrific scenes of child abuse -- physical, emotional, and psychological. I’d recommend people at least do some research on possible content warnings before they dive into their choice for this prompt. (As for “Aquarium��... yeah, I didn’t like it.)

A Children's Bible -- for “a book with a misleading title.�� Okay, so it’s not a children’s Bible, but it definitely wants to be an allegory -- though at times the symbolism was so blatant it felt shoehorned in. Still a disturbing and all-too-plausible apocalyptic novel, though.

The Dispossessed -- for “a Hugo Award winner.�� Like all of Ursula LeGuin�� books, rather slow-moving, but still very thoughtful and interesting.

My Monticello -- for “a social horror book.�� More a collection of short stories with a novella chaser, it takes a good hard look at racism in America and how it twists lives. The first story, “Control Negro,�� was the best of the lot, though the title novella could have been interesting if it had pared down its huge cast a little.

Regular Challenge -- 30/46
Advanced Challenge -- 2/10
Not for the challenge -- 12

Currently Reading:

From the Dust Returned -- for “a book about a found family��
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Eragon -- for “a book with cutlery on the cover or in the title��
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise -- for “a book that takes place during your favorite season��
The Vegetarian -- for “favorite prompt from 2015 (a book originally published in another language)��
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn -- for “a duology��

QOTW:

Mmmmmmm... nope.

Ellie wrote: "This year there are wild violets all over the verges. I don't know where they came from, maybe because they stopped mowing them so much in pandemic? Anyway, they're pretty. Lots of daffodils out no..."



that sounds beautiful!!!! I love violets and pansies.

The Viola odorata is not native here, but it does grow wild in many places, and it's not a thug. My mom had it in her yard, but I've struggled to get it established. She keeps saying: "oh once you have one you'll never get rid of it" but that doesn't seem to be the case! I took some from her yard a few years ago and I planted a clump in two spots. I THINK the clump under a hosta has started to spread, so maybe this year I will have violets. (The other clump disappeared.) My mom sold that house last year so, no more violets.


I do have plenty of daffodils! I have many varieties, so they bloom from early March through late May in my yard. (tbh, the last ones get lost in the field of dandelions, so they don't have much visual impact) Just like last year, spring is coming late here - my snow drops are up, but they keep getting covered by snow, so they haven't really started blooming. My iris reticulata & early crocuses would normally be DONE by now, but they haven't even started. After that, my earliest daffodils (Rijenveld Sensation, if anyone wants REALLY early daffs, these do the trick!! I highly recommend them!) would be popping up, but they are still waiting under the snow. A link for the Americans: (of course you can't plant them until fall)

It’s Thursday! I’ve made it through another whole week! YAY!!

Fortunately, I am feeling better. I literally slept off and on all last weekend and Monday. I evidently had another cold since it afortunately was not the flu and my home COVID test was negative. But that’s the third time this winter and I’m sick of this!! I’m increasing my dosage of probiotics, making sure I take at least one per day in hopes that will help maintain my immune system enough to fight off these viruses!

I was curious about any recognition days during the next 21 days of March and discovered this website, National Today: Unbelievable what is recognized on different days! LOL I realize these are probably US-centric, but it’s fun to see the list��
Some examples:
March 10—Popcorn Lover’s Day! YES!! Count me in!
March 10—National Kidney Day
March 10—International Day of Awesomeness!!
March 10—International Bagpipe Day!
(I used to work with a guy who played bagpipes and wore the kilt, the whole ‘nine yards��!)
March 10—Harriet Tubman Day! (YES! A true hero!)
March 14—National Potato Chip Day!
March 14—I already knew about National Pi Day being on 3-14 (Get it? LOL) We had a faculty member who always brought in PIE to celebrate National PI Day! LOL (I miss him!)
March 14—Commonwealth Day in Canada!
March 16—Everything You Do Is Right Day! (I can get behind that one!)
March 16—National Panda Day! (Though I’ve always preferred koalas!)
March 16—National Vaccination Day (appropros of COVID times��)

Anyway, just a tad of diversion to (hopefully) brighten your day a teensy weensy bit!

Speaking of bright, it is sunny here and has been for a few days! We’re still in the 40s during the day time, but next week we will supposedly be in the 60s and even 70s most of the week. Looks like warmer weather is coming to stay in my part of the world!

ADMIN STUFF:
In celebration of Women’s History Month in Australia, the UK, and the US, our monthly group read is The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. That discussion is here and I am so far making a dismal attempt at leading. Losing a whole weekend really put me behind. I haven’t yet dug out my copy, but will be posting questions today or tomorrow for everyone’s consideration. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #3 A book about or set in a nonpatriarchal society. You can post other books you’ve read to fulfill that prompt here.

Yes! We definitely need monthly group read discussion leaders for April and June!! Thanks to Nadine for posting that reminder!

April’s book is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson for a misleading title in honor of April Fools�� Day! Are YOU the “guru guide�� needed for this month’s discussion?

And by next Thursday we should have a June monthly group read selected to fulfill prompt #10 An Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner in honor of Juneteenth! Are YOU the “vivacious volunteer�� needed for this month? I’m very curious to see what is selected! So many good ones!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is here.

Question of the Week:
Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else?
I am forever doing this! Especially with nonfiction books! I have a few friends who are so patient with me that they’ll listen while I summarize a book for them and then they’ll actually ask questions! (Their eyes don’t glaze over or anything!) I think they figure they might as well give in and do that just to help satisfy my obsessive need!! LOL Then we can move on to other subjects. Whatever their motivation, I appreciate their efforts to placate me! 😁

My most recent example was after reading The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race. I even persuaded a couple of our faculty members to discuss it, especially the scientific breakthroughs leading to the development of RNA technology. It was interesting to hear them say they learned so much by reading that book! Definitely made me feel as if I was not quite so dumb after all! LOL

POPSUGAR: 24/50
ATY: 39/52
RHC: 12/24

FINISHED:
I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagán ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was the 51st book reviewed for the Literary Wives club! And one of my absolute favorites. I loved reading about a man/husband who truly loved and respected his wife and wasn’t unfaithful to her. Most of the books we’ve read for this online book club depicted a male who refused to keep his pants zipped and remain faithful to his wife�� (A definite sore spot for me��) LOL
POPSUGAR: #25, #36, #40-2015: #41 An author you’ve never read before
ATY: #3, #4-An author who is younger than you, #7-Definitely psychology as Penny and Sanjay work together to improve their marriage, #40-Strength, Judgment, The World, #49, #50-Penelope’s father
RHC: #24-A book set in the Midwestern US

Murder at Queen's Landing (Wrexford & Sloane #4) by Andrea Penrose ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ OMG! This series is absolutely perfect for me! A perfect fit in so many ways! I have suggested to the other Buddy Readers that we kidnap Penrose and force her to do nothing but WRITE! Well, of course, we would provide adequate food and drink, as well as facilities, but I’m sure she is incapable of writing fast enough to suit me/us!! 😉 My suggestion may be a bit radical…but�� I find this series to be totally and absolutely enthralling and compelling! Each installment is perfect in all respects!
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #40-2015: #13 A book set in a different country (UK-London, England)
ATY: #4- A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): …well those passions read�� Very well, since Wrex proposed and was accepted!, #6, #11, #14-3,270 ratings, #29, #33, #36, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #46-Harper, #49
RHC: #24-2021: Read a book with a beloved pet where the pet doesn’t die—Harper!

CONTINUING:
The Truth (Lionboy #3) by Zizou Corder
Almost halfway through and loving it! I should finish tonight. This trilogy, is, IMO, a great one for older children/adolescents. I think those who love reading adventure stories would especially appreciate it!
*Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt for a March Buddy Read. Just 10 pages in.
*Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep Just 20 pages in.
*Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
*Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.
*Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
*Paradise by Toni Morrison

PLANNED:
For the POPSUGAR March Monthly Group Read: The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
2 more for March Buddy Reads:
*Daddy-Long-Legs (Daddy-Long-Legs #1) by Jean Webster
*London Bridges (Alex Cross #10) by James Patterson
To complete some 2021 year-long challenges:
1) *Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
2) *The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
To complete the 2021 Read Harder Challenge:
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Kenya wrote: "So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objecti..."


That would be awful!!! And how would you even police that? In my library, we have self check out, and library cards are the same for kids and adults, so there is no way a librarian could prevent a kid from checking anything out.

Kenya wrote: "So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objecti..."

Gah. Sending good vibes and hopes that this law doesn't pass from Ohio. Too many dangerous precedents are being set across the country lately and we don't need more.

Lynn wrote: "March 10—Popcorn Lover’s Day! YES!! Count me in!"

Yes!!! Normally I'm a popcorn FIEND. I haven't been able to partake for a month now thanks to having my wisdom teeth out. Still waiting for my gums to finish closing back up before I even attempt popcorn again.

Lynn wrote:"PLANNED:
For the POPSUGAR March Monthly Group Read: The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
2 more for March Buddy Reads:
*Daddy-Long-Legs (Daddy-Long-Legs #1) by Jean Webster
*London Bridges (Alex Cross #10) by James Patterson
To complete some 2021 year-long challenges:
1) *Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
2) *The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
To complete the 2021 Read Harder Challenge:
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff"

I hope you enjoy Cleopatra, Lynn! I liked it quite a bit when I read it several years ago.

Kenya wrote: "So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objecti..."

That's awful! My home state (Utah) is currently facing a group of parents trying to ban books such as Gender Queer from high schools. I'm glad that it is such a gold standard of librarians to resist such pressure, but really, your job is hard enough without this kind of backlash!

Doni wrote: "Wow! You did this just in 2022? I've lost track of when your book buying ban began. I'm just a week into my Lent-imposed ban.."

Yep! I was very motivated to end my book buying ban as soon as possible, so a lot of the titles I read were volumes of manga. (I think it was about two-thirds of what I read.) I had several series that I either needed to finish, or which I had on my shelves but hadn't started reading yet, so it worked out pretty well.

I think I started the book buying ban halfway through January? I had been working on reading the books on my TBR list since January 1st though, and I let those books count toward my total.

Kenya wrote: "Ugh... on the plus side, they say the law is unlikely to pass (knock on wood), but the fact that it made it as far as the state legislature is nuts."

Well that's at least something but goddammit the USA really has some lovely laws in the works right now .... I wouldn't even know how they'd keep track of such a law here, given it's self check out.

Nadine in NY wrote: "congrats! that's a lot of books!!

so what are you going to go buy first ;-)"

Thanks! Funny you should ask...I actually just placed a book order online. I ended up getting several books, but the ones I'm most excited about are Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth and The Christie Affair.

Kenya wrote: "So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objecti..."

That is a terrible law! I hope it doesn't get much further. So many crazy laws trying to pass in the US this year.

Hey look at that, me checking in and being able to catch up on what's already been posted??

A MIRACLE.

Another few miracles: After almost 2 weeks, my cold finally seems to be subsiding. Unfortunately that means coughing fits every now and again, so fingers crossed I won't cough all over Stitch this upcoming weekend. Also, we've had a lot of sun this week! It's 17C today!!! (sadly the weather this weekend isn't as glorious)

Of course, it wouldn't be a week in the Vos household without some setbacks as well: Shanti has been at the vet since Tuesday night, because the antibiotics didn't do anything, and the vet wanted to try stronger meds and to keep a closer eye on her. She also wanted to clean her butt again, because it was a mess and you really weren't allowed to touch it, so there was no way we could ever manage. Last night, during the night, and this morning, the vet was actually really worried about Shanti, as she wasn't eating well and breathing really fast. When I called back at 1pm, she had settled and had eaten with Jesper, so we're out of the immediate danger zone. Sadly, if these meds don't take, or if her breathing remains this much of an issue, we'll have to consider letting her go, so if you could all keep your fingers crossed with us, we'd really appreciate it <3

Sooooo. Since I've already shared I've fallen back into the Suits trashcan, it will come as no suprise to literally anyone that I have not read a single page of a book this past week. I have however watched 1,5 seasons with a friend of mine, and read almost 2000 pages of fanfics akhjsdalsd. Oops? At least Mike and Harvey end up happily ever after every single time xD

I should really be reading though. I am really excited about the Discord's March book, but since it's a physical book it just is a major struggle to pick up for me. So sad. Hopefully soon!

QOTW
Not really? Generally when I want to discuss a book is when I really disliked it, so I can't in good conscience rec it to anyone else, haha! Most of the time this stuff happens when I read an eARC in time, or watched a movie before it came out, because THEN I want to yell about it, hahah!

Lynn wrote: "It’s Thursday! I’ve made it through another whole week! YAY!!

Fortunately, I am feeling better. I literally slept off and on all last weekend and Monday. I evidently had another cold since it fort..."


My ex had a covid rollercoaster last week - he took a home test, got a positive, and went to urgent care, but that test was negative! So he figured it was just a cold, and went & had dinner with his parents for his birthday, and went to a concert. But he kept feeling worse so he took ANOTHER home test, got ANOTHER positive (this time a stronger darker line) and went to urgent care AGAIN for another test, this time it was positive too. But the goofy new rules meant that he didn't have to isolate at that point because it had been five days since his FIRST home test positive, and he was finally starting to feel better. What a mess. And luckily, my daughter and I did not see him for his birthday, since he had that concert to go to - he exposed hundreds of people, but not us!

Lynn wrote: "I was curious about any recognition days during the next 21 days of March and discovered this website, National Today: ... Unbelievable what is recognized on different days! LOL I realize these are probably US-centric, but it’s fun to see the list�� ..."



Today I learned about MARIO day, since Mar10 looks like Mario LOL. I've never played MarioKart so I don't "observe" this one. In our family we do Pi/Pie Day, St Patrick's Day, my younger daughter's birthday (she's turning SIXTEEN!!!), and, finally, the First Day of Spring / Spring Solstice. That's enough celebrating for one week!!




My most recent example was after reading The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race.

This book is getting some great reviews!! I definitely want to read it now!!



PLANNED:
... for March Buddy Reads:
*Daddy-Long-Legs (Daddy-Long-Legs #1) by Jean Webster

Wow! There's an oldie!! I've never read this one - I look forward to hearing how you liked it.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Lynn wrote: "... *Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff"


I hope you enjoy Cleopatra, Lynn! I liked it quite a bit when I read it several years ago."


I have that on my TBR, and I keep looking at it, and thinking about deleting it from my list LOL. Actually, looks like I DID delete it from my TBR. I guess I should put it back! I'll try to get to it someday.

Happy Thursday from sunny Texas! It's beautiful outside right now. The national weather service says it's supposed to be freezing tomorrow with snow and sleet, but my phone's weather app says it's supposed to be in the 50s and rainy, so I guess tomorrow is a huge question mark (other than "some kind of precipitation")!

Finished:
The Castle Corona - this was a book I've read before but couldn't remember. I'm trying to do some rereads to see if there are any books I can get rid of. I loved this and see why I kept it after my first read (which was a LONG time ago). So this one's staying on the shelf! I have it slated as "A book about a secret,."

Currently Reading:
Not anything, really. I'll pick something out soon! I'm trying to boost some other hobbies, so reading is really falling by the wayside.

QOTW:
Not really. My best friend and I discuss books a lot, but we read pretty different genres most of the time, so we just openly talk about what we're reading and don't worry that we're giving spoilers (eg. she reads a ton of horror and I don't do horror).

The last book I can think of that I was dying for someone to read so I could discuss it was Piranesi.

Gorgeous spring week here in Switzerland. Sunny and progressively warmer, trees are budding, and flowers are popping up everywhere. My favourite is the ubiquitous primrose, in so many colors!

I finished The Sanatorium this week. It was a huge MEH for me despite being set in Switzerland around a creepy history location. Writing was so flat and dull, repetitive, and the only reason why I finished it was because a colleague had loaned it to me to talk about it (funny enough, the question of the week, in reverse!). I used it for prompt #42, a book that featured two languages, as French had come up a lot, and part of the plot centered around needing to understand French (or finding someone who did).

Currently reading The Burning Girls for the prompt 'book with a secret'. Sounds quite like a secret so far.

Also, for grad school, I'm reading a collection of essays called Exotic Switzerland? Looking Outward in the Age of Enlightenment. I'm writing an essay about China's artistic influence on Swiss porcelain in the 18th century. I know. Crazy thrilling - but for me, I found out there was a well-known porcelain factory near my current home and work, so that started me down a rabbit hole of porcelain trade in Europe and narrowed to Swiss porcelain. It's a cool course I'm taking on material culture. There's my nerd-geek out.

QotW
Not recently, but I have 'politely requested' (haha) that friends or family members read a certain book so we can talk about. I haven't read any books lately that I'd want to 'force' on anyone else. They've been duds.

Not too long ago, I gave my copy of Tin Man, The Exiles, and The Narrow Road to the Deep North to a friend so we could discuss - I had so many feelings!

Carmen wrote: "Shanti has been at the vet since Tuesday night ..."



Healing vibes for Shanti! I hope she pulls through and is back to her old self soon.

Greetings! We had snow yesterday! Big fat wet flakes of it! It was then followed by hours of rain....all gone! Good thing as I go in search of a walk-in COVID testing site (they are all over just need to be sure it is a PCR test). I am going to an event this weekend requiring both vaxx and negative PCR test. Venturing out to big events again takes more planning now than just what to wear.

I am 21/50 for PS.

Finished:
A Psalm for the Wild-Built - loved it! I used for prompt character on ace spectrum, but fans of Murderbot can use for favorite author quote on cover - check out upper right corner
Limitations - excellent legal mystery novella by a master
Behind a Mask, Or, a Woman's Power- a muddy mess with a couple of brief good moments. Stick with her later better known works.

Currently reading:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - a reread actually
The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777
A Game of Thrones

QOTW: I just did! A Psalm for the Wild-Built! I recommended it last week to a friend I am meeting tonight for dinner so we could discuss it!

Lynn wrote: "It’s Thursday! I’ve made it through another whole week! YAY!!

Fortunately, I am feeling better. I literally slept off and on all last weekend and Monday. I evidently had another cold since it fort..."

March 10—National Kidney Day

Yes!! Love your kidneys! Cause it's a bit-- when they fail!!!

Also, big fan of Pi Day, haven't celebrated in a few years (ahem, see above!), I'll have to think of an easy pie to make.

Nadine in NY wrote: "It's another Thursday!  I can't believe winter is almost over - seems like it just started!  Also, it's still snowing in NY, so winter isn't QUITE done with us yet!   I'm picking up my college daug..."

Was going to psst you that snow was coming and not to be surprised!

Kenya wrote: "So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objecti..."

I can't even keep up with the garbage around book banning and "objectionable" books going on right now. So I'm making a wish list on Amazon of the most "obscene" books I can think of for my daughter so she has lots of controversial reading in her future.

Kenya wrote: "So... my home state (Idaho) is trying to push through a law that would make librarians pay a fine or even face jail time if they allow a minor to check out any material deemed "obscene" or "objecti..."

Is this bill name the '1984 bill'? Yikes. On the bright side you and your colleagues can educate the public on this bill with reading displays about censorship.

Jennifer W wrote: "Was going to psst you that snow was coming and not to be surprised! ..."


LOL it's true, I was surprised yesterday. I had it in my head that we weren't getting snow up here. I was wrong. I need to stop being surprised!

Happy check-in! It's been a rough week. I'm so glad to just talk about books.
Also definitely celebrating the Pi Day. I feel like having pumpkin pie this year.

Finished Reading:

Tales of the Slayer, Vol. 3 ⭐⭐��
This was decent but I think my mood kept me from liking it more.

Squire ⭐⭐�� (2022 you know nothing about)
I just saw the cover and that it was a graphic novel. The artwork was really good. The story is a hero story and there's a lot of commentary on war/violence.

The Atlas Six ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2015 number in the title)
So this was a solid SFF for me but it's also dark academia for sure. The use of science to explain how to use/see magic was awesome. There are six strong character perspectives to follow and most things I was unable to predict.

PS 2022 26/50
PS 2015 19/50
ŷ������ 62/200

Currently Reading:

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban She's really funny
Sweep of the Heart

QOTW:
First thought: isn't that what sisters are for?

Recently I was talking with my mom and sister and I referenced a golden ticket only to discover my mom had no clue what I was talking about. My sister and I harassed her to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She read it and liked it. Although she whined that we make her read things and we don't read the books she loves. So I have to read The Witch of Blackbird Pond now.

Hi all! Having a lazy day today. I am trying not to give in to my lazy tendencies because it's hard to get back to productive once I cave. I've been watching baseball from last year because I may not get baseball this year if people can't get together on money issues larger than some 3rd world countries....

I'm still working on The Overnight Guest, got my copy back of The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South and was listening to Blood & Honey. Funny story about that one. I set the timer in case I fell asleep while listening. It'll turn the book off no matter where it is in the story when the timer is up. I was listening and the main guy says "she's acting like-" and a woman says "don't you finish that sent-" and that's where the timer went off! lol

QOTW: Not recently. The last time I did that was raving to my mom about The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and she still hasn't read it!

Finished:

Mentats of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (3/5)

The story is still decent, but it does not feel like as many pivotal events happen in this middle chapter of the trilogy.

The Autobiography of Mr. Spock by Una McCormack (4/5)

This is a great book that examines untold pieces of Spock's life and integrates everything from the original series to Picard into something that all hangs together nicely. If you want some wisdom to go with your Star Trek, then this is a great book to pick up.

Question of the Week: I don't have sufficient influence to make people read the books I want to talk about with them. I just make strong recommendations or bring up the point I want to talk about if I think the person will never read it.

Happy Thursday!
My reading really slumped this week. I tried to start a new book on Sunday but every time I sat down to read I fell asleep - I was beat. I finally got past page 10!

Finished:

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Yes I love this series and can't wait to read the conclusion this summer.

Currently Reading:

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See - for the group read this month. I really like the story. I struggled to get into it but I am glad I did and kept going.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I started this one last night - got to page 10 and fell asleep. It sounds like it will be a pretty good book once I can stay awake.

QOTW:
YES! I do this with books, tv shows, movies...all the things. I love discussing books with people so when I read a good one I make sure to pass it on. Sometimes they like it as much as I did but sometimes they don't. Most recently Hulu has a new horror movie called FRESH and a few people at work watched it this week and it has been the center of conversation.

Katelyn wrote: "Most recently Hulu has a new horror movie called FRESH and a few people at work watched it this week and it has been the center of conversation."

I got to watch FRESH before dropping and not having anyone to talk about it with has been hell! No one around me seems to have seen it still so *screams*

Carmen wrote: "Katelyn wrote: "Most recently Hulu has a new horror movie called FRESH and a few people at work watched it this week and it has been the center of conversation."

I got to watch FRESH before droppi..."

Ahhh this is the movie I was referencing in my QOTW answer! I loved it and my BFF is OBSESSED lol

you guys! I have been watching old episodes of Lost on Hulu with my daughter, and every time I turn it on, Hulu advertises Fresh to me. But what the heck is it?

Erica wrote: "Happy check-in! It's been a rough week. I'm so glad to just talk about books.
Also definitely celebrating the Pi Day. I feel like having pumpkin pie this year.

Finished Reading:

[book:Tales of th..."



It seems like you are always reading books I haven't read, but in the exact mix of genres that I also read!

Hi All, I finished one book for the week. Black Leopard, Red Wolf. PS # 39. An # OWN Voices SFF Book. Kenya wrote "Aquarium for a book you know nothing about.�� Folks, PLEASE be careful with this prompt! I picked this up expecting something thriller-ish due to the dust jacket, but instead got a sordid “misery porn�� story with some horrific scenes of child abuse -- physical, emotional, and psychological. I’d recommend people at least do some research on possible content warnings before they dive into their choice for this prompt. " I really recommended for you to do your research before reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf. I have done this to myself before. Thinking I knew what a book was about & I was way off. This being said I gave this book 5 stars because James Marlon is a great writer & there is a story in all the explicit content.
Question of the Week:
Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else? Yes. I read Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life. I had a lot of feelings, questions & thoughts about the book. I couldn't find anyone that read it. I even asked on Good Reads. Last week in the Around The Year group someone started a thread about Damnation Spring because they read it & had no one to discuss it with.

Happy Thursday.

I read The Birth and Death of the Miracle Man and Other Stories by Albert Wendt. Despite his anglo sounding name, he was born in Samoa and the 12 stories in this book are all set there. I loved his descriptions and how I learned about Samoan life. I liked that characters in one story came back in another. Unfortunately, not all the stories had endings. I'm not sure if that is a Samoan way of story telling or just a quirk of the author.

Finished:

The Birth and Death of the Miracle Man and Other Stories
ATY prompt: 3 books set on three different continents - Oceana (Samoa)
Popsugar prompt: A book by a Pacific Islander author

ATY - 11/52
PS- 9/35
Series - 4/13
Clearing my TBR list: 8/40

Currently reading:

The Girl Who Played with Fire - about 40% done

The Woman in the Window - about 50% done

QOTW: I know I've done this in the past, but I can't think of any books I've done this with recently. ŷ������ has also given me an outlet to discuss books so that I don't have to push them on my family and real life friends as much.

Happy check-in day! It's been cold here, but at least today the sun is out, so that's good.

I'm currently sitting on hold with Alaska Airlines, so fun times. I have never had major issues with them before, but apparently there's been some schedule change for our flight in May, and instead of them calling me, I have to find out from their website that I need to call them when I go to double check the details. That seems really messed up.

I only have one finish so far this week:
If This Gets Out - 3.5 stars (rounded up for GR) - read for a book about a band. This got a lot darker and more emotional than I expected. Reading this right after XOXO, I was ready for more fluffy boy band romance, and instead this delved into the darker side of the music business, drug abuse, toxic parents, and abuse by managers. I really liked the main characters and how the story turned out.

I am currently at 21/50 for Popsugar this year.

I'm currently reading One Last Stop. I'm mostly enjoying it, but sometimes the quirkiness of the side characters is a little too quirky. As someone who grew up in NYC, I always appreciate books set there, and at least some of the descriptions ring true even if I know not everything is accurate.

QOTW: This was me with Little Thieves when I first finished it last year. I loved it so much, I was dying to talk to someone about it! Eventually my partner read it too, so I could discuss it with him.

I have also been known to rave about some of my favorite authors that not enough people know about, especially T. Kingfisher.

Nadine in NY wrote: "you guys! I have been watching old episodes of Lost on Hulu with my daughter, and every time I turn it on, Hulu advertises Fresh to me. But what the heck is it?"

It's a new horror movie! I highly recommend it to anyone if they enjoyed the Hannibal tv series.

Hello! Work is very busy, but being still remote meant no one heard the yelling yesterday. Being back in the office will be tough if only for the self-censoring I'll have to remember how to do again.

I have discovered there is a Turkish production of Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul on Netflix that decided to make the non-fiction history book into show about a magic hotel that lets you time-travel if you know the secret, resulting in the main character finding herself back in 1919 and needing to stop the planned assassination of the guy who helps secure Turkey's independence. I saw a spike on ŷ������ of people marking the book as Want To Read that lines up with when the show debuted, and all I can think is how disappointed they're going to be when the book is not remotely about time-travel. But if you have Netflix and don't mind subtitles, this show has been a welcome distraction. Only 8 episodes! I never would have looked at it in the Netflix list if Christy hadn't mentioned the book in a weekly check-in last year.

Finished this Week:
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. Someone in my book club mentioned they'd read book 3 in this series, and I'd only read book 1, so I got book 2 from the library. Very enjoyable. Using for #42, featuring two languages.

Spelunking Through Hell by Seanan McGuire. The new Incryptid! I was not sure if I was going to like Alice as the protagonist, but I really liked this book. Told my husband one more chapter and then finished the book at 1:30 in the morning. No regrets. Using for #1, published in 2022.

Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories by Charlie Jane Anders. Finished it. Easily one of my favorite books on writing. Going to buy my own copy. Not for PS prompt.

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire. Listened to the audiobook during some of my mindless tasks at work. Still very enjoyable. Reread, not for prompt.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells. Murderbot reread last night to forget about work.

PS: 10/50 ATY: 12/52 GR: 32/100

Currently Reading:
Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie. This covers from when Hitler takes power in January 1933 through the end of the Phoney War in spring 1940. I'm in chapter 3 right now, Tea With Hitler, all about the various ambassadors (official and not) who go to Germany and then swear Hitler doesn't want war.

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik. Got the audiobook from the library, so it's up next.

QOTW: Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else?
Recently? Uh, probably A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. I wanted to talk to someone about the ending battle scenes and the creative uses of bread. Although I also recommended it to everyone because I thought they'd genuinely enjoy it.