qebo’s 2016 books (4)

Japanese maple in front of my house. I took the photo last week, just in time, because half the leaves have fallen since.

January
#01: A Banquet of Consequences by Elizabeth George -- (Jan 1) - new (e-book)
#02: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson -- (Jan 10) - ROOT
#03: Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy -- (Jan 15) - new (e-book)
#04: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates -- (Jan17) - ROOT
#05: H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald -- (Jan 23) - ROOT
#06: January magazines -- (Jan 30)

February
#07: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver -- (Feb 3) - LFL
#08: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote -- (Feb 9) - new
#09: The Big Short by Michael Lewis -- (Feb 15) - new
#10: ISIS: The State of Terror by Jessica Stern and J. M. Berger -- (Feb 16) - new
#11: In the Darkness by Karin Fossum -- (Feb 19) - new (e-book)
#12: The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White -- (Feb 29) - new (e-book)
#13: February magazines -- (Feb 29)

March
#14: The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch -- (Mar 10) - new
#15: A Year with the Eagles by Karen Lippy -- (Mar 12) - new
#16: The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff -- (Mar 14) - new
#17: 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup -- (Mar 19) - new (e-book)
#18: The Empire of Necessity by Greg Grandin -- (Mar 31) - ROOT
#19: March magazines -- (Mar 31)

April
#20: Still Alice by Lisa Genova -- (Apr 2) - new (e-book)
#21: Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson -- (Apr 5) - new
#22: Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova -- (Apr 7) - new (e-book)
#23: Left Neglected by Lisa Genova -- (Apr 10) - new (e-book)
#24: Does Altruism Exist? by David Sloan Wilson -- (Apr 10) - new
#25: Love Anthony by Lisa Genova -- (Apr 12) - new (e-book)
#26: In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan -- (Apr 22) - new (e-book)
#27: The Queen of Air and Darkness by T. H. White -- (Apr 29) - new (e-book)
#28: Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum -- (Apr 30) - new (e-book)
#29: April magazines -- (Apr 30)

May
#30: Believer by David Axelrod -- (May 10) - new
#31: Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan -- (May 17) - ROOT
#32: Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi -- (May 20) - new (e-book)
#33: Alter Egos by Mark Landler -- (May 27) - new
#34: A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren -- (May 31) - new

June
#35: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown -- (Jun 16) - ROOT

July
#36: She's Not There by Jennifer Finney Boylan -- (Jul 2) - new
#37: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins -- (Jul 9) - new (e-book)
#38: Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham -- (Jul 18) - new
#39: Before the Fall by Noah Hawley -- (Jul 23) - new (e-book)
#40: Lab Girl by Hope Jahren -- (Jul 24) - new
#41: Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West -- (Jul 25) - new
#42: The Good Father by Noah Hawley -- (Jul 31) - new (e-book)

August
#43: Evicted by Matthew Desmond -- (Aug 9) - new
#44: The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi -- (Aug 19) - new
#45: Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart -- (Aug 27) - new (e-book)
#46: Living History by Hillary Clinton -- (Aug 28) - new
#47: May magazines -- (Aug 30)

September
#48: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi -- (Sep 10) - new (e-book)
#49: What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris -- (Sep 24) - new (e-book)

October
#50: The Wright Brothers by David McCullough -- (Oct 19) - new
#51: When Gods Die by C. S. Harris -- (Oct 22) - new (e-book)
#52: The Secretary by Kim Ghattas -- (Oct 27) - new

November
#53: Dead Wake by Erik Larson -- (Nov 12) - new
#54: Grant Park by Leonard Pitts -- (Nov 20) - new
#55: In the Woods by Tana French -- (Nov 25) - new (e-book)

December
#56: The Likeness by Tana French -- (Dec 4)
#57: Faithful Place by Tana French -- (Dec 10)
#58: Broken Harbor by Tana French -- (Dec 17)
#59: The Secret Place by Tana French -- (Dec 24)
#60: The Trespasser by Tana French -- (Dec 28)

Let's see what I can salvage of this year. I won't get anywhere close to 75.

No need to get to 75. I'm shocked I got as close as I did. 75 is giving me a run for the money.

Beautiful tree in the topper.

I am thankful for your presence in the group, Katherine.

Happy new thread, Katherine! And of course, Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't worry about 'savlaging what's rest of the year"! As far as I can see, everything's perfect over here.

How's the new car? Do you like it?

Wow, that tree is (was) gorgeous!

Happy new thread! You'll still be far closer to 75 than I will.

Hey there, you and I are neck & neck in the book count. I'm glad nobody around here takes that 75 thing seriously!

>1 qebo: I love those Japanese maples. One of my parents' houses had a big casement window in the living room that could be seen from the entryway, and a big Japanese maple across the patio in the center of the view. Gorgeous. I think my mother might have decided to buy the house because of that tree!

That is a gorgeous Japanese Maple, Katherine. Absolutely huge, too.

When I lived in Korea years ago, Koreans would get offended at hearing those trees called Japanese maples, and would insist they were Korean maples. Same thing with the Sea of Japan:). Perspective, I guess.

>16 karenmarie:, >17 karspeak: Thanks! They're pretty common in this neighborhood as front yard accents.
>17 karspeak: Hmm, so they are, native to Japan and Korea and China. I would plant a native if starting from scratch, but as far as I know Japanese maples do no harm (unlike Norway maples, which are invasive), and mine attracts all sorts of birds that flit around on the branches; they seem to use it as a protected rest stop between larger trees and scattered bushes.
>17 karspeak: I did not know that you'd lived in Korea. When? Do you speak/write Korean? It's a place I aspire to visit someday.

>18 qebo: I lived there from 2001-2002. I was contracted with the US military to provide speech therapy for the 1 and 2-year old military kids throughout S. Korea. It was a wonderful experience, and I got to travel quite a bit in S. Korea as well as Asia. S. Korea has been changing/modernizing so rapidly that it would be a completely different experience living/visiting there now. I've heard the same is true for Vietnam, China, etc. I only knew "taxi Korean" when I lived there, enough to get around by taxi, buy things in the market, etc. I could sound out any of the Hangul words thanks to their great phonetic alphabet, but I didn't usually know what the words meant, besides place names. I had a few Korean co-workers, but they spoke English with me, and most of my work/social network were American, Aussies, or Kiwis. It was such a fun and adventurous time in my life!

Happy new thread, Katherine! That is a very pretty Japanese maple in your thread topper.

I love those, um, asian-origin maples, such elegant and, in the fall, cheerful trees.

Happy new thread, Katherine! Thanksgiving busy-ness chased me off most threads the last few days, but I'm starting to catch up finally.

Our maples are finally turning color around the city. Definitely non-native, but a lovely splash of color!

>7 qebo: Well I haven't salvaged much. I've essentially given up for the year. I'll start fresh in Club Read 2017; less pressure to achieve statistics, though maybe more pressure to produce commentary. 75 is really not my natural level; it started as an experiment, and it's not sustainable without vigilant attention.

Not clear what 2017 will bring. I've been in a general life slump for months, and it's now seeming quite possible that my job will disappear soon; the company is running out of funding sources, and the president, whose primary responsibility is to be persuasively optimistic, is sounding doubtful about the future. This isn't wholly a bad thing, I've been wanting to redirect for awhile and this'll force me into action, but it does add layers of distraction and anxiety.

Been thinking of you. I took a picture a couple of days ago to show the color mentioned in >23 ronincats:

Sorry to hear about the uncertainty at work. Not fun especially in the holiday season.

Uggh for the life stress! I hope that 2017 brings good things for the future!

Aw. I hope your life slump perks up soon. I'll look for you over on Club Read.

Sorry about the life slump, Katherine. I will look for your CR thread -- there are always a few over there that I star and follow.

I'm very sorry to hear about your life slump and job uncertainty, Katherine. I hope that 2017 is a much better year for you.

I'll continue to follow you on Club Read next year.

I hope 2017 take you in good directions. Greetings from across the river..

I'm sorry this hasn't been a great year for you. Hopefully 2017 will be better.

I had never considered switching to Club Read, but your comments about statistics and natural reading level are making me think twice. 75 is certainly not my natural reading level either; I've achieved it only once since I joined LT. I've never felt much need to contort my reading in an attempt to reach that number, but it would be nice not to have the constant sense that I'm behind.

On the other hand, I'm not very good at commentary right now either; even when an interesting discussion gets going in my thread, I don't currently have the mental energy to sustain it. Hmm.

>31 _Zoe_: We need a challenge group for people who are tired.

>32 qebo: Now that sounds like the group for me!

>32 qebo: Ha!! Story of my life!

>31 _Zoe_: yeah that's where I am too. I fall short of the target but my interest in writing thoughtful reviews has also declined. Any pressure about 75 is of my own making so I'm going to stick around here for the lower-key book chat.

Well I now have some respite on the income front, not a long future of comfort but a short term commitment so I should start scouting around but won't be out on the streets imminently. The two bosses have gainfully employed spouses who are apparently complaining but can support the fantasy startup. I don't have that luxury, and I've made it clear that I won't work on spec, and I'm kinda key to the enterprise because the alternative would be to hire someone else and fund a learning curve. They've got several investors and small projects up in the air, things'll settle out one way or the other over the next few months, and I'll have a cushion for winding down if that's what it comes to.

That's comforting, and gives you time to figure out your next steps.

>36 qebo: Catching up: good news on the employment situation, and I hope that it really does work out for you as a comfortable transition to whatever comes next.

Good for the cushion and the time extension, Katherine!

Hello Catherine. I have been out of the loop for a while. I'm spending today visiting some threads. I am so sorry for the uncertainty regarding your job. I'm happy to hear of the short term extension and do hope that good news comes your way soon.

>41 streamsong: yay! It must be a good feeling to know that you're an important part of the new equation. Hope it continues on smoothly.

I'll definitely star your thread if you move to Club Read, because I enjoy your reviews and your commentary. I think I'll be staying here, although I will continue to keep thread of lists in other groups. :-)

>41 streamsong: It's not that I'm anything special, but that it's a tiny company with minimal overlap of responsibilities. The guys are significantly invested financially and emotionally, and if they see a viable path to continue then they're better off retaining the people they already have through a few iffy months. I'm not super wild about the job (it was initially interesting but has become routine) but the flexible schedule is a real plus, and I've had my eye on a few volunteer possibilities (e.g. w/ Master Gardener program) that will be difficult to coordinate with a regular full time job. So I dunno what's next, maybe the same job with more effort applied to extracurricular activities, maybe a different job. Nice to have a bit of leeway to sort through what I want along with what I'm forced to accept.

I'm glad you have some sort of financial respite, Katherine. It'll give you some time to figure things out.

75 isn't my natural number either, and I certainly won't even get close next year. But I do enjoy the chattiness of the 75ers

I'm not very good at commentary right now either; even when an interesting discussion gets going in my thread, I don't currently have the mental energy to sustain it. Hmm.

That's kind of where I'm at. I'm doing some lurking, but limited posting, and my comments on my books are sketchy at best.

We need a challenge group for people who are tired.

Lol! Sounds good to me!

I've been doing 75 ok, but I think next year is one where I'll fall short. Life may be getting a lot more complicated next year.

Glad you've got a time cushion with work, Katherine. Job uncertainty is the pits!

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

Lancaster PA in the news.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/24/us/syrian-refugees.html
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/more-confirmation-of-the-story-out-of-lancas...

>46 qebo: that's fantastic and gives me hope.

Merry Christmas, Katherine!

Happy Christmas Katherine!

>46 qebo: Bravo, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

>50 PaulCranswick: We will defend our little speck of blue. :-)

I'm sorry to hear things are not going so well, hope it gets better. I'll try to be a better visitor next year!

Happy Holidays!

This is the Christmas tree at the end of the Pacific Beach Pier here in San Diego, a Christmas tradition.

To all my friends here at Library Thing, I want you to know how much I value you and how much I wish you a very happy holiday, whatever one you celebrate, and the very best of New Years!

I suppose I have to explicitly request not alcohol every Christmas, sigh, or the stuff just piles up. This bottle is a keeper though.

(Dunno why LT insists on orienting the photo incorrectly.)

Ha ha! Let me help you.



Now that is disclosure.

Well, Katherine, what an interesting personal time you're living in! My 2017 wish for you is that you work your situation out so that you feel both secure and adventurous! Hmmm. Maybe that's a good wish for anybody.
Love your maple! LOVE the Lancaster/Syrian refugee story! Would love to help you dispose of that Chardonnay!
I'll do my best not to lose you. I like the casual, chatty feeling of 75 and don't think I could start again at Club Read because I've never been interested in thorough reviewing. I do now have several friends who have gone there. On the other hand, I'm not getting to LT itself so often these days, so I don't know. I guess in my case it doesn't make much difference.

Hi Katherine! A Belated Merry Christmas to you. I'm venturing out into the LT world again today, baby steps at first, and am going to draw another line in the sand and go forward on all the threads and friends I haven't had the heart to engage in and with lately. Appropriate oohs and aahs, and congratulations and so sorrys,..... but here's an Early Happy New Year to you and best wishes for all good things in 2017.

>56 LizzieD: secure and adventurous
That is indeed the ideal. We'll see...

>57 karenmarie: Thanks!

Sigh. This is a 2017 Honda Fit and it's not even 2017 yet. Seems that someone backed out of the driveway across the street into my car while I was visiting my parents this afternoon.

:-(

Oh noooo! I'm so sorry to see that Katherine. I know it can be fixed and will look good as new, but honestly who needs the hassle? Ugh.

Yeah, nuisance merely. The suspect is pretty obvious but neither I nor the policeman thought it worthwhile to pursue the old folks across the street. My parents have warned me about that spot for years, but I was just dropping by to deliver a book in the midst of other errands, and the 1996 Honda Civic got through any number of such episodes unscathed.

>59 qebo: Ooch!

>59 qebo: Ah, sorry, Katherine. Nuisance, but still.

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Katherine

Sorry about the car damage, Katherine.

Wishing you a happy new year!

Rats on the car.

Hope the New Year brings improvements on multiple fronts.

Happy New Year, Katherine!

Thanks for car commiserations and New Year wishes!

I'm going to try Club Read for 2017. For anyone who cares to follow along, my thread is here. I've thought about this toward the end of each year for awhile, but always managed to catch up well enough to feel optimistic about a fresh start. This year I failed miserably, and with increased RL demands on my time I don't see 75 as feasible and I'd prefer a slower pace in general. I'm not exiting completely, expect to comment on threads in 75 Books also.

See you over there then. Happy New Year.

Happy new year, Katherine! Best wishes to you at Club Read. I've never been over there, but maybe I'll pop in on your thread.

>32 qebo: We need a challenge group for people who are tired.

I run one! ;)

Do you know that, last month, I did not completely read even one single book! Of course, I was trying to read four books at a time. That might have had something to do with it. I completed 73 books by the end of November, but I never felt compelled to turn that number into 75 by year's end. I just like to read whatever I want whenever I want.

Happy New Year, Katherine!

Hope all is well with you, Katherine. Have you set up a 2017 thread and I've missed it?

Happy weekend!

>74 michigantrumpet: I have a 2017 thread in Club Read.