Tutu's Tepid Listing of Another year of Desultory Reading

Well, thanks to my good friend Kim (Berly), I've decided to take the plunge and at least start a thread for this year. No goals, no lists of what I'm gonna read, not even sure I have the energy to go back and tell you what were the best of last year.

As I explained to Kim, while I'm still reading a lot, it's mostly audios, and a lot of series reads. I've been having lots of health issues (nothing drastic, but little niggly stuff that is making it difficult for me to eye read..) I think I got burned out from the required reading I was doing for Maine Readers Choice (a program that just imploded for reasons no one is quite able to figure out), and then I just got caught up with lots of family stuff - new grandchild, lots of company, daughter moving to London, and 92 yo mom who is living alone 600 miles away but who needs LOTS of long-distance hand-holding).

I found it almost impossible to keep up with the threads last year, resigned my library job, put my blog "on vacation" and just sort of fell off the book bloviating train. On top of that my computer went tits up just before Christmas, so I just said "Phooey" and abandoned all hope of catching up on the 2016 group So I'll use this thread so I can list what I've been reading, but won't be doing any big reviews.

Still enjoying life in Maine, but we're seriously considering moving back to the DC area to be closer to family. The isolation is enjoyable for short periods but we're finding we need more social interaction then we've been getting up here. Since we're both over 70, we're taking a serious look at +55 retirement communities so we don't have to depend on kids to take care of us in the coming years, but they are all SO expensive. So stay tuned. I'll try to stop by threads of old friends as time and my eyes permit.

In the meantime, in this time of extreme political uncertainty for our country and our world, let's all try to remember the joy and friendship we share here. It is and I hope will continue to be a place to come for intelligent and insightful and refreshing and relaxing comaraderie. Happy 2017.

Welcome back! I think your non-plan sounds like a great plan!

Tina--Yay! A thread for you. Okay. No pressure now. Just come and go as you please. And enjoy your reading, whatever it may be and whatever method works best. I hope this year goes a little easier on you and yours. Good luck finding somewhere to relocate. Social isolation is no fun. Big, BIG hugs!!

Drum roll please...2017 is opening with a finish! Years ago when I was recovering from surgery I discovered the J.P, Beaumont detective series by J.A. Jance. I decided to try to finish the series, but then realized it had been almost 8 years since I read the previous ones, so I started last fall at the beginning and am now almost finished.

In the meantime, I discovered the Sheriff Joanna Brady series by the same author, so I'm galloping through those also. It's meant a lot of late nights listening, but one of the luxuries of being retired is being able to sleep until 10 or so in the morning. I have two more of these on ILL hold on Overdrive, so I expect to have both series finished by the end of February.

Jance has two more series - Brandon Walker and Ali ???? Has anybody read them?

so Ta dah!!!

1. Fire & Ice: A Beaumont #19 and Brady #14 Novel
2. Damage Control Joanna Brady #13
3. Judgment Call Brady #15
4. Betrayal of Trust Beaumont #20

Hi, Tina. I think your goal-free, list-free 2017 is a perfect solution for your reading life. So glad you'll still be here on 75!

I am glad that Kimmers is such a persuasive character. She didn't threaten you with taekwondo did she?!

Tina,

I am part of the group.
I love being part of the group.
I love the friendships bestowed upon my by dint of my membership of this wonderful fellowship.
I love that race and creed and gender and age and sexuality and nationality make absolutely no difference to our being a valued member of the group.

Thank you for also being part of the group.

Hi Tina, no goals sounds perfect to me. Sorry for health issues bothering you.
Happy reading in 2017!

Hi Tina, I have similarly been paring down commitments over the past years. I'd love to go back to posting reviews on my thread because it did generate a lot more contact and conversation with other group members which I really enjoyed but I was having some serious writer's block issues for the past few years and reviews and blogs were just beyond me. Similar sandwich generation lifestyle for me too which I think was a hugely contributing factor. Feeling a bit better now and hoping to reinvigorate my LT life. I'm planning a few weekends on Monhegan this season (missed most of it last year for various reasons) - maybe we can have a meet up sometime?

>8 muddy21: Marilyn: I spent a glorious day with two of my sisters and my niece from the other Portland (OR!!!) out on Monhegan back in August. It was glorious to take in the view, hike the hills, smell the salt air. Would love to do a meetup when weather gets better, not necessarily on the island but somewhere in southern Maine.

Dealing with possible eye surgery for me (just a laser dust job), and physical therapy for two acting up rotator cuffs; and looks like Mom is going to have a hip replacement sometime 99 in the next couple months. I had originally planned to go down to Baltimore for a couple weeks to help her when she gets out of re-hab, but my shoulders may not be in shape to do much for her.

Anyway I finished another one last night

5. Second Watch by J.A. Jance Beaumont #21

I think this is one of her best. Jance uses an unusual construct to present us with a "prequel" to all the previous episodes of the series. JP Beaumont undergoes double knee replacement surgery and as he recovers, and is taking some strong pain relievers, he relives many adventures of his early life (before the police department) in drugged dreams. It's extremely well done, especially the flash back to vietnam and feelings that Vietnam era vets (this girl included) have about that particuar national adventure. She is one of the best writers of dialogue working today.

Mmmm....sounds like you have a lot going on! Good luck with all the health stuff. Glad you had a good book to distract you! It's always iffy to go back and do a prequel.

>6 PaulCranswick: Paul Sorry I forgot to reply up above Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind thoughts They are a clear indication of why I like this group so much. And while Kimmers may not have threatened me with taekwondo, my 6 year old grandson is quickly achieving all different colors of belts and is more than eager to demonstrate his skills whenever he sees me.

>2 drneutron: Jim, >5 countrylife: Cindy and >7 FAMeulstee: Anita Thanks to all for stopping by. I'm gradually catching up and slowly getting back into a reading mode. Shoulders are feeling better (thanks to some great -but not quite legal in US?- Ibuprofen gel my daughter sent from BOOTS), and as soon as I get some files transferred off my new awful sick computer back to my old only ailing computer, I'm going to settle down to finish two scarves I've been knitting while I listen to some more audio books.

Does anybody have a good pattern for a Pink Pussy Hat? one of the scarves I've been doing is a circular cowl in swirling shades of pink and mauve. I'm thinking I could might make that into a chapeau to make a statement. Besides, here in Maine, one can always use a good hat!

6. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

Lovely story set in both Ireland and Brooklyn New York, of a young Eilis’ aspirations to become a bookkeeper so she can have a nice office job and support herself. The dialogue is clear and true, the characters are charming, and the plot, while slow and steady, draws the reader to an ending that is not resolved until the very end. I found myself almost holding my breath until I knew what choices Eilis’ would make about her future. Highly recommended.

7. Friend of the Devil by Peter Robinson. An Inspector Banks mystery.

This is another series I started years ago, and after stumbling over one sometime last summer, I decided to hunker down and try to fill in the missing. I may need to go back and read a couple of the early ones again, because I keep feeling like I should be remembering things are are alluded to. But they are well written police procedural with great characters - my kinda protagonist: a surly, curmudgeonly, sexy male who keeps trying to have a successful relationship with a woman, but who keeps getting called out to investigate murders in the middle of......

>11 tututhefirst: Go grandson!! I bet he is adorable striking his TKD poses. : )

>14 tututhefirst: In the middle of what? *bats eyes innocently* I love good detective series!

>12 tututhefirst: I just read the first Inspector Banks last month, Tina, and have the second one waiting.
>13 tututhefirst: You got me with your review, I added Brooklyn to mount TBR.

I've found you now, and you are starred. Nice to have you back!

8. Final Account by Peter Robinson.

Another great detective story in a wonderful setting, with lots of characters, a rather convoluted mystery that appears to be very straight forward but which leaves the reader hanging until the very end. In fact, the ending left me hanging too much,hence the 1/2 star instead of 4 full ones. This is one of the earlier ones (#7) that I've just managed to find to fill in some of the back story to Bank's personal life. Part of the reason that I couldn't find it, is that is seems to have been published under two different titles. The title in the LT catalog and Books in Series is Dry Bones that Dream. Bizarre...

>17 thornton37814: Thanks for stopping by Lori. Must go find your thread. I'm still going pretty slow.

Hi Tina. A good detective novel is so satisfying. Glad you managed to find it. ; )

9. In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson

Great combo of anthropology, police procedural detective story, murder mystery, great characters, forensic science and how a cold case can always be resurrected. I continue to enjoy the Inspector Banks series.

10. Playing with Fire another Inspector Banks story. Usually by this time in a series, I begin to tire of characters and tend to put the series aside for awhile. This series has not suffered from that fate however. In this episode, a series of mysterious and apparently unrelated arsons have Banks convinced that the coincidences matter. Although I figured out who the culprit was fairly early, I couldn't figure out how it was pulled off and certainly didn't anticipate the wonderfully dramatic ending. A solid 4 stars for me.

Hi, Tina. Found you and am dropping a star.

I pretty much gave up the ghost for 2016 with LT as well. I was reading, but also found it very difficult to keep up with everyone's posts and reviews. So here's to each of us just doing what we can in 2017!

Funny about the Peter Robinson Inspector Banks series - I too started reading them years ago, but never really finished them. I'm not really sure why - I'm thinking it was because my library didn't have them. I know I read about the first 6 or so, and then a couple from later. I also bought several from amazon when they were on sale for the Kindle. I think I'll also have to go back and get caught up with the series. As I remember, I did enjoy it.

So sorry to hear about your health problems, especially your eyes. I seem to recall those sunny, snowy days being a problem. But having a new grandchild and a daughter in London must be exciting!

Hi!! Hope all is well with you. Hugs.

Hi, Tina. Just stopping by to see what's up!

Hi All,

I'm finally back from 7 weeks caretaking my Mom. She is currently being watched over by a team of temporary caregivers until she moves into Assisted Living on june 8th. Then she is scheduled (at 92 years of age) to have hip replacement surgery on June 20th. By the time she finishes the rehab for that it will be almost August before she'll be able to settle down and enjoy her new life of being waited on in AL. We are all pleased. The facility is excellent, affordable (thanks only to her having had the good fortune to invest in a solid LongTerm Care insurance many years ago) and affiliated with her church. She has picked out the paint for her room, bought new bras, and is busy deciding what to take with her. We're not selling her house - there is serious "de-crappifying" that needs to be done, and she needs that psychological crutch for her mind that says "I can always go back to my house if I suddenly become nimble and spry like a 40 year old again."

I am however exhausted and in awe of anyone who accepts care-taking a loved one on a 24/7 basis. Normally I am able to read/listen to an average of 4 books/week. In the seven weeks I was in Baltimore I managed to "finish" 4 books, but I doubt that I can remember anything about any of them. So....I'm going to abandon any individual reviewing or even listing books here and will simply comment on works I stumble onto that somehow make an impression.

Right now Bob and I are in a wonderful project - planning our 50th anniversary trip for the fall. We're off to Europe to see some places again, and other places we've never been to. We will of course end up in London to visit daughter Lisa and her hubster and get the latest pub tour update.

Here are a few good ones I did manage to finish
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout - one of my favorite authors and this one does not disappoint. 4 stars
Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie - another of my favorite authors. Her latest, but I'm not going to rate this until I read it again. I suspect my fractured attention span at Mom's did not give me the best experience.
Missing: Presumed by Susie Steiner - a new author for me. Great story and I'm definitely going to be looking for more by this author.

I'm hoping to stop by the threads starting this week, so I can tap into some of the always terrific ideas I get from this group. Summer's coming and hopefully I'll be able to get back into the reading mode.

I just finished Lucy Barton in recent days and liked it. I put the latest Elizabeth Strout book on reserve at the library. As I'm #33 on the list, it'll be awhile.

>24 tututhefirst: I knew you hadn't been around much. I hope you will be enjoy your trip to Europe in the fall. It sounds like you really need that trip.

Job well done with the care-taking. Whew, that was a long stretch. Hope you have fun planning your anniversary trip. 50! Wow. : )

>24 tututhefirst: Tina, wow - I am in awe of anyone that can care-take a loved one 24/7 and that would include you. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'd have the patience anymore. My mother will turn 80 in about 6 months, and she's still in good health and getting around on her own. She lives a couple of hours away and I've been trying to get her to move near us, but she keeps making excuses.

Congrats on your upcoming 50th! Sounds like you're planning a great trip.

Do give Garden of Lamentations another try. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I've heard a lot of good things about My Name is Lucy Barton by I've not read anything yet by Elizabeth Strout - I'll have to put this one on my wishlist!

Shout out hi to Linda, Lori, Kim and Robin. Thanks for being so loyal and stopping by. Now that Mom is settling down (I checked with my sister and Mom is definitely moving into assisted living tomorrow, and has already asked for an appt at the resident hairdresser!), and my eye "adjustment" seems to be working, I've actually been able to eye read two books this week on my Kindle app.

Both were Net Galley downloads of soon to be published books by two of my favorites:

Knife Creek, a Mike Bowditch Mystery by Paul Doiron. Another Maine game warden story in this getting better with each story series. Pub date is June 13th.

Glass Houses by Louise Penney. I will not do any spoilers here. I will simply say that this author manages to surprise me with every book. The characters are becoming more like family, the setting Three Pines definitely shines in this one, the plot is complex and very different, and once again I am left wanting to turn back to the beginning and read it again and again. STUNNING.

I'm also listening to some re-reads of Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti series to get me in the mood for my visit to Venice in the fall. So I'm getting back into the reading saddle and now beginning to hunt down new authors as well as continuing to fill in series I haven't finished.

Now if summer would just come here to Maine.....we are still building fires, and I'm still curled up in flannels and it's already JUNE. First World problem I know.

Tina--Your Mom sounds like she is adjusting well, asking for a haircut. ; )

Glad the eyes are coming along...well enough for you to read even. And they were both advanced copies. Life is good!

>29 tututhefirst: I've had to give up on NetGalley for awhile. I love reading the books, but writing reviews is an almost painful process for me. I think I need to go to a class.

It's actually been cold on and off the last couple of weeks here in Central Ohio. We had a day or two last week that were in the 50's and 60's, which is colder than normal for us. However, this coming week looks to be in the 80's and 90's. Sigh...

>29 tututhefirst: I had to put Glass Houses on my library hold list after your review. I would love to live in the Three Pines if I'm ever fortunate enough to retire .. if I can only find the place.

I hope it warms up soon for you .. it seems weird that you still have to build a fire in June but then again, it's only just really warmed up a couple of days ago for me here in MA too. I've finally got my shorts on instead of long pants.

>31 rretzler: Robin...I've just about given up on review writing also. Haven't accepted any hard review copies. I have downloaded a few from Net Galley, but only ones I know I'll read and at least be able to spin out a few review sentences to fufill the requirement. Besides, I was really surprised that the Louise Penny was even offered on Net Galley. she is such a guaranteed best seller that she doesn't really need a ton of reviews.

>30 Berly: Kim, I'm still dealing with some eye issues, mostly from the now bright sunshine reflecting off the water right in front of my favorite chair. -tough problem, I know. Mom is already adjusting well. They have her dinner seating with three gentlemen, and she is basking in the attention.

>32 cameling: Caro we were down in Wood's Hole THrusday and Friday to attend a funeral, and it was quite cold on the water in the evening, but by the time we got to the cemetery around 2 in the afternoon on Friday, it had really gotten warm. Now today it was in the 70's here on the water in Maine, and is promised to be close to 80 tomorrow. I am still stunned at people who go plunging into the water which is only at 48. Not this girl. I'll sit on the beach under an umbrella, enjoy the sea breeze and read.

Actually spend most of the day on the computer working up the final itinerary for our trip this fall. So far we've nailed down the flight east but I'm waiting for travel agent to send confirmation of hotel, museum, local tour, train, and inter EU plane tickets. I suspect a lot of my reading for the next 8-10 weeks is going to be travel related.

Love your mom's attitude. And yours, especially with - "I can always go back to my house if I suddenly become nimble and spry like a 40 year old again." I like your approach to keeping her mind settled by keeping the house.

Update : Mom's hip replacement was successfully completed on Monday. Tomorrow (god willing and the crik don't rise) she will transfer from the hospital back to the rehab unit of the assisted living facility where she now resides. She is anxious to get out of the hospital (they don''t plump the bed pillows correctly and they never brought her the vanilla pudding she ordered for dinner!). Her gentlemen dinner mates at the AL facility have promised her a party as soon as she finishes her rehab. the doctor told my sister that her hip joint was completely gone - he felt he was working with an egg shell. Said he could not understand how she had ever stood up, far less walked on that hip. She is already walking on a walker and doing PT twice a day. Because of her PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) she will have to be on prednisone for the rest of her life, so her bones are going to continue to be an issue. I think as long as she's able to avoid too much pain, she'll do fine.

I continue to chat every night with her while we watch the Orioles "go down the crapper" (Her words, not mine).

Am slowly reading Blue Lightening - the third book in Ann Cleeves Shetland series. I loved the first two and wanted to continue with the series while I still remembered who the characters were, but it's been three years, and I almost feel like I need to go back to the beginning. Little pieces of "oh yeah I remember now" are breaking through. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Also trying to decide whether to spend $$ to get a new battery put in my samsung galaxy tablet (where I do all my ebook reading, and read 3 newspapers a day) or just let my geeky daughter buy me a new one. The current one takes FOREVER to charge, and then doesn't hold charge for more than 3-4 hours (used to be 12) I want to get the issue settled before we leave for Europe in September. I'm not taking my laptop and want to travel very lightly, but want to be able to read, listen to audios, check my email, and stay up on local news. and I don't want to be worried about using up my battery. I love my phone, but want to keep the battery on that for phone, and camera activities.

I had to put the Ann Cleeves book aside for a few days because my downloaded audio copy of Before the Fall by Noah Hawley was due to expire today at the library. I'm glad I didn't miss this one:

Thrilling, chilling, and suspenseful. Like many reviewers, I had visions of Fox News manipulators and fake news masquerading as journalism, but it's a simple story: private plane carrying some very rich and self-important people crashes into the Atlantic ocean between Martha's Vineyard and New York. Two survivors - a not rich at all neighbor who bummed a ride, and a 4 year boy. Man swims ten miles to shore with boy on back to be hailed as a hero, but investigation into cause of the crash raises ethical and political issues as we see the background of all the passengers while searching for the who, how, and why.

An entirely satisfying read. Not sure about the ending, but all in all a great book to take to the beach this summer. Now back to Blue Lightning

I finished a series! I really got addicted to Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks mysteries, and just finished the newest and last in the series: When the Music's Over . Reading a good series in order at a steady pace is only worth it when the author manages to develop characters, introducing new players along the way, expand the physical settings, and in the case of mysteries, keep the plots credible but exciting.
Robinson does all this and for fans of mystery, Yorkshire, and strong women characters, this is a great series.

Just did a whole post on three different books I wasn't too keen on but somehow my twitchy fingers caused it to go away. Too tired to try to recostruct. Suffice it to say I didn't finish

Eleanor Oliphant is fine and Today will be Different = both way too scattered and with characters who were driving me crazy. not now, maybe later, and maybe never.

I did finish The charms of Arthur Pepper. Nothing special, but easy soothing, and not to be read again.

And I did finish Ann Cleeves Blue Lightning - another good british mystery. I love this shetland series, and just used one of my Audible credits to download the next one in the series Dead Water . This is another series with good characters, great setting, and super plots. I really want to get to the Shetland Isles someday.

I recently started the Shetland series, so it is good to know the next ones are as good.
My husband and me have been dreaming about retirement on the Shetland Islands...

>37 tututhefirst: There's a new one coming out before too long (8/15 - Sleeping in the Ground) so you won't have to wait too long for the next.

>39 tututhefirst: I love the Ann Cleeves books too.

>37 tututhefirst: Isn't it awesome when you find a series that works and gets better over time? Yay! Sorry you have finished the last book though. Sadness.

Yeah Kim, but I see that another Inspector Banks is due out by the end of the year, so I have time to wallow in the new Inspector Gamache, and catch up on the rest of the Shetland series. And I really need to get serious about my pre-travel reading.

>43 tututhefirst: All is well in your reading world again!! Happiness.

I started reading the Inspector Banks series years and years ago, but stopped for some reason - now there are tons I haven't read, and I fear that I will have to go back and catch up, just like you with Shetland. My husband and I watched the Shetland series on Netflix at the end of June and I loved it so much that I read the whole 7 book series while we were on our 2-week vacation. It was a great series. I really like that Jimmy is not as hardened as many of the inspectors in thrillers.

Tina, this is the second thread in a row I've visited that's reminded me of the Inspector Banks series. I'm convinced that this is a sign for me to drop a book I'm reading that I'm not in the mood for, and pick up from where I left off on the series -- I think I have the next two on my shelf.

I love the Cleeves Shetland series, too. I haven't read the very latest one yet -- must get to that, too.

eta to add Somehow, I had totally lost your thread -- but I have you starred now!

>46 tymfos: Terri, thanks for stopping by. I just finished a binge weekend...don't usually watch TV except sports, but I came across both the Shetland and DCI Banks TV series on DVD, and just plunged in. Lots of fun, altho neither series paid one bit of attention to the physical descriptions of the characters in the books.

I'm finally finishing up a review from my lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng overdue ER review of More sonnets from the Portuguese by Janet Eldred. Will post my comments shortly. It's superb (the book not the review).

It's superb (the book not the review).

I bet your review will be pretty darn good, too. :)

I pulled out my next Inspector Banks book, Innocent Graves, and started it last night after I signed off LT.

Hi! I have seen you posted around and thought I'd come see what's happening around here. Hope life is treating you well. Nice to see your name pop up. : )

Getting ready for our big trip. I'm busy cleaning up my Net Galley downloads for my Kindle app on the tablet, and getting audio books loaded on MP3s. I'm not always able to download when overseas, so I just try to load up before going. Not sure how much reading time I'll have - taking a red eye and trying to sleep going over - but at least I'll be prepared for down days..

I'm also spending a lot of time getting our actual day touring planned for all our visits. We decided this year not to join an organized tour - we're on a semi DYI with scheduled transport between cities, hotel reservations, and tickets to the biggies (Sistine Chapel, Louvre, Uffizi).. We are joining a small group tour in Normandy to do the D-Day beaches, but plan to let our feet, our taste buds and our overloaded senses take us where the spirit goes. I've found a super planning site visit a city that lets you plan you whole trip down to number of steps taken. We've been having fun trying to fit in stuff while leaving ourselves enough room to stop and sip Prosecco.

Look at you all independent and everything. ; ) Sounds like you you have had fun planning. When do you actually leave and how long are you going? I am glad you have left time for Proseco.

Lori, wish I could help with the kindle/iPad issue. I use the Kindle app on my Android tablet and phone, and use the windows 10 Kindle app on my laptop. I find them incredibly easy to use, and a fantastic help when I need to take 8 weeks of reading with me and not lug books in my suitcase. If you're using a library download program, the library staff should have someone to help you get up and running .

>53 thornton37814: No. I'm talking about NetGalley Kindle formatted things. Although Overdrive (from the library) will tell which Kindle devices can be used for the Kindle books it has.

Well, I discovered there is a way to change my default to where Kindle books from NetGalley go to the iPad. I will definitely try this next time. They apparently are all sent as documents, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Lori--glad you got that solved. I have to ration myself with Net Galley - they all look so inviting, and I'm often guilty of what hubby calls "eyes bigger than stomach" disease.

>56 thornton37814: I'm much better than I used to be at NetGalley. I only have 2 at the moment. I browsed yesterday but didn't request any. I'll be able to work on reducing the TBR pile at home!

>50 tututhefirst: Tina, sounds like a great trip. Looking forward to lots of pictures!

>56 thornton37814: >57 rretzler: Ah, yes. Was just on NetGalley the other day and went a little crazy. I requested and received 18 books...sigh!

>47 tututhefirst: Yes, I hate that the great shows that are made tend to ignore what the characters should look like. It is very frustrating that Perez has blond hair, when he clearly should be dark complected and dark haired. It's been some time since I've read the Inspector Banks, so I don't recall what he should look like. I do remember with Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series that he should have blond hair and the actor had very dark hair - and didn't seem a bit like what I thought Thomas Lynley would look like (or act like for that matter.) They rarely ever look like the picture I have in my head!

Hi, Tina. I need to say that you started me on a bit of an Inspector Banks binge -- three books more or less in a row -- at least, three in the space of a month or so -- from that series. I rarely do that, tending to spread series books out.

>59 tututhefirst: Terri..so glad you enjoy them. I'm actually listening to the latest in the Inspector Banks series Sleeping in the Ground - just released earlier this month. I've been grabbing it in bits and pieces while I'm packing for the big trip. I'll admit I'm going to have to listen again when I can really concentrate better. There are several new characters and I'm happy to see the author keeping the character development progressing as well as a plot that is definitely au courant.. And last month I did binge watch almost all of the Banks episodes on Netflix and enjoyed them, even tho they don't follow the book plots.

Also have loaded up the latest Julia Keller, Martin Walker, Louise Penny, Deborah Crombie, Donna Leon Wm. Kent Krueger, and Craig Johnson "Longmire" mysteries for the trip. I have Edward Rutherford's epic Paris loaded on the Kindle app and also have the audio, and lots of tour guides to look through, so I'll be ready to soak up history, art, food and fun. Now if the old knees and shoulders will hold up, I'll be in 7th heaven.

Well, it certainly sounds like you are all set from a reading standpoint! Are you getting close to the leave date?

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I have tried 4 nights in a row to post and then find after typing and editing for 4-8 minutes, that my posts have disappeared. So if you want to find out what's happening with Tutu, you'll have to tune in next week when I get to Rome . Try www.tutus2cents.blogspot.com

This is a time of year when I as a non-American ponder over what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for this group and its ability to keep me sane during topsy-turvy times.

I am thankful that you are part of this group.

I am thankful for this opportunity to say thank you.

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for many things, one of them being my



Thank you for being so wonderful! : )

Paul and Kim - how sweet of you to stop by and put me on your thankful list. it's been a supremely busy and stressful but fulfilling year, and I do promise to do a catch up sometime soon. suffice it to say, many hugs and tons of gratefulness for your friendship. Wishing you lots of wonderful books and the time to enjoy them.

It is that time of year again, between Solstice and Christmas, just after Hanukkah, when our thoughts turn to wishing each other well in whatever language or image is meaningful to the recipient. So, whether I wish you Happy Solstice or Merry Christmas, know that what I really wish you, and for you, is this:

Wishing you all good things this holiday season and beyond.

Happy Boxing Day!!

Happy 2018!!