Roberta's (luvamystery65) BORING 2019 Category Challenge

Welcome! 2019 BORING Category Challenge Thread



Howdy! I'm Roberta from the suburbs of Houston, Texas USA. My reading has suffered greatly this year due to real life dramas and starting school in September. I don't plan on having any reading goals, other than listing what I read month to month. I will try to keep up with my face to face book club, but if I'm not feeling the book, then I won't finish it.

This is it. Boring, yes, but I'm still here.

January



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Section 1 of 19 completed. A lot to take in, but very good so far.

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry Part 1 of 6 completed which included the following books.
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four

My first thoughts are that I always remembered Holmes as arrogant and maybe it's from his portrayals on screen, but I noticed the small kindnesses and compliments. They really stood out. This is why he inspired loyalty.

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flag
Completed
I laughed a lot! This is not my normal choice for a book and a few things made me cringe, but I laughed a lot. My new phrase is *wicky-wacky*

The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye narrated by January LaVoy. Another enjoyable book from Faye. Not my favorite, but I have a new favorite quote. Let's mourn only for our losses. And never for the things we haven't lost quite yet.

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene narrated by Colin Firth Firth's narration elevated this book. The narrator is so unlikable, Maurice Bendrix, not Colin Firth.

The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan An old school thriller. A bit dated and slow to start for me, but the action picked up halfway.

February



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Half of Section 2 completed. Spent the month studying Statistics. I'm done with that. Hope to catch up with the group read by mid-March.

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Nice collection of 12 short stories. The only one I'd read was The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin Not my cup of tea. It wasn't bad, just not what I like to read.

Dread Nation: Rise Up by Justina Ireland narrated by Bahni Turpin. This was enjoyable. I liked it in audio format. I look forward to the sequel.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, narrated by Tom Stechschulte. Really excellent. Not an easy read or listen, but so good.

March



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth I've made it through section 4 and and am about halfway through section 5. I caught up with the group only to get behind again.

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry I started The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, but just barely. I'll continue through with this collection in April.

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, I've already read this recently so I won't reread. Instead, I'll listen to next month's selection because it came in from the library.

Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch I really liked the latest in the Peter Grant mysteries. We wrapped up The Faceless Man arc and a had a nice little wow in the end. Our young man is growing up. I did read several of the graphic novels and am all caught up. I did not catalog them, but I may go back and do that so I can keep track of where I am in the Rivers of London Universe.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara This was a very creepy and interesting book. I can imagine how much more complex it would have been had the author lived to see the completion. I am now looking at some of the other sources for the book. This was a decades long search and I'm glad they caught the man that terrorized and destroyed so many lives.

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman There are some gems in here but as a collection goes, it is not solid. Read for the Calendar Cat. Who knew there was a Smoke & Mirrors Day?

I started David Copperfield by Charles Dickens I started out with the Simon Vance narration, but when I purchased for Whispersync I got the Richard Armitage narration. I am enjoying his version very much.

I felt like I didn't read much this month, but I did. I'm slowly making my way through 3 chunksters so while I haven't completed a lot, I am reading.

April



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Currently section 5

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry Currently, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens This book was fantastic. I resisted reading it at first, but I don't know why. I was afraid of the hype, but it really delivered for me.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens narrated by Richard Armitage Whispersync I really liked this book.

Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin dipping in and out. Short, simple ideas on getting organized.

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay. This book made me so sad instead of terrified.

May



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah I started this, but 6 chapters in I decided to stop. I think it would be good, but I just couldn't deal with the parents after listening to Where the Crawdads Sing and A Head Full of Ghosts. Maybe later.

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. This is a reread for me. One of my favorite books. Listening to David Copperfield inspired me to reread and I'm so glad I did. This book moves further up my list of all time favorites.

June



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Currently, halfway through section 9

Big Audio Tracking: I did not listen to any Sherlock Holmes this month

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb finished. Meh, the mystery plot was good, but the execution left much to be desired.

Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost, narrated by Tavia Gilbert I liked the Urban Fantasy portion, the romance not so much. Also, the voice she uses for Bones is too high pitched for my taste. It reminds me of David Beckham. She does other male voices just fine, so I don't know why she picked this for Bones. Maybe she was thinking of David Beckham. ;) I'll listen to another and then decide if I want to go on with this series.

Getting ahead on my book club books because I'll be writing papers later in the term and I haven't written a paper in over 20 years.

The Lost Man by Jane Harper, narrated by Stephen Shanahan. Harper is a fantastic author. She really takes you into the mystery. Shanahan is a fantastic narrator as well. Has anyone read or listened to the Archer and Bennett series he narrates? It's written by Candace Fox. I'd be interested to know if it's good and I'm tempted based on the fact that Shanahan narrates them.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, narrated by Cathleen McCarron. I loved this book. The narration was very good.

I think that is it, I may have missed something. I'll edit later if I did. I haven't been very good at tracking, but I will try to finish the year tracking better.

July



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Big Audio Tracking:

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Lost Man by Jane Harper

August


Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Big Audio Tracking:

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

September



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Still on Section 9

Big Audio Tracking: Finished Tom Jones Great!

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: Educated by Tara Westover read two months ago. LOVED IT
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn meh

Still listening to Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke.

October



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Big Audio Tracking:

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

November



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Big Audio Tracking:

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Witch Elm by Tana French My month to host!

December



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Big Audio Tracking:

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: To be determined later in the year

Book Bullets


It wouldn't be my thread without my yearly homage to our own Judy (DeltaQueen50), Little Miss Sure Shot with the book bullets.

1. A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro - Kristelh
2. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding - Judy (DeltaQueen50)

Under construction but feel free to comment.

I am so happy to see you here, Roberta. I will try to do my part and fire as many BB as I can your way!

>15 luvamystery65: Thank you and welcome Judy! I have been lax about documenting my BB, but I'm going to try to do better going forward.

You have so much going on right now that it's great just to have you check in now and again and let us know how life is treating you. :)

Welcome back! I am always glad to follow your challenge reading :)

You say boring, I say flexible! :) Hope you enjoy some fun, no-pressure reading next year!

I've been using months as cats for quite a few years. it is so much easier. I'm trying to do something different this year, but I can't really find anything that is easier than monthly. Sigh.

Enjoy a happy reading year, hopefully hassle-free.

Yay! Not boring when Ro is on board!

Thank you for all the warm welcome everyone. I think it will be easier to keep track next year since I don't have "categories" other than what I read every month.

I do like a Big Read every year (sometimes 2) so I will track my Big Read every month as well. I've decided to read A Suitable Boy by Virkram Seth. I missed out on the group read this year, but I had bought a copy of the book. I'd like to read it and check it off my list. I'm following the schedule Tanya (Tanya-dogearedcopy) suggested of reading a section every 19 days. There are 19 sections and that will take us through the year.

I also have a F2F book club and they choose their books at the end of the year for the following year. I don't read every month, but I do read most months. That is the going to be my only planned reading besides the Big Read.

The ScaredyKIT looks good for 2019. I'll follow along and if time permits and I have something already on my shelf, then I'll run with it. Not going to commit. I do miss reading my monthly horror. I've even considered giving up my F2F group to give me more time for my horror reading, but I do like the group and I've read things, I wouldn't normally have. I'll see.

Hi Roberta, I totally understand where you are coming from with your challenge for 2019. Sometimes we just get busy. It looks good to me!

>25 Roro8: Thank you Ro!

Your boring challenge does not look so boring, Ro. Reading by months make logical sense to me, especially given how busy life has been for you lately. As >22 MissWatson: said, here is hoping 2019 is a hassle-free year.

Your set up looks very tempting, not boring. I'll be following along.

>27 lkernagh: & >28 VivienneR: thank you so much.

So I have pulled A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth off the shelves and put it on the nightstand so I can get started on the first of the new year. I'm really excited to finally make time for this book.

I think I'm finally going to queue up Sherlock Holmes narrated by Stephen Fry to listen to in the car for the new year as well.

>30 luvamystery65: I love Stephen Fry - could listen to him all day! I will have to look for that audio - my boys would probably like it too.

Sherlock and Stephen Fry is a great way to start the year. Happy reading in 2019!

Good luck with your 2019 reading!

>31 JayneCM: I love Fry as well. His voice is amazing.

>32 mstrust: Indeed. I hope your 2019 reading is wonderful.

>33 Tess_W: Thank you and likewise.

I've updated my monthly categories with my face to face book club choices for the year. I may not read them all, but that is what the group decided on.

>35 luvamystery65: There are some great ones in your Book Club selections!
My book club did Eleanor Oliphant last year and I am re-reading it this year - fantastic!
We also did Jane Harper's The Dry. Her depictions of Australia are spot on, especially as we live in a farming community as well, although fortunately not in a drought-stricken area.
And I have had Where the Crawdads Sing on my list for a while - look forward to hearing what you think.

Simplified planning has worked well for me the last few years and I hope it does for you as well. By the looks of what you have planned so far you have some good reading ahead of you.

Looks like a good set-up to me! Have fun this year!

Dropping by to say hello and star your new thread. Happy New Year!

Good luck with your Challenge for 2019.

Good luck with your challenge! Happy New Year!

Hi Roberta! Found you! (not in a scary way) :-) I have A Suitable Boy too, although the Kindle version as the paper one is huge. I read it when it first came out but want to reread it. It is *so good*! I'm sure you'll love it. There was supposed to be a sequel published this year, but it's been delayed.

Dropping off my star, Ro!

>44 susanj67: Yes! I am so looking forward to A Suitable Girl coming out, so I can read it straight afterwards.

Happy New Year Ro - I hope you're doing well!

Happy New Year, Ro. I envy you and all the group that are reading A Suitable Boy this year. I totally fell in love with that book when I read it a couple of years ago.

Happy New Year! I hadn't realized I have not been updating my thread. Oops!

>36 JayneCM: I'm looking forward to some of my book club's selections this year.

>37 clue: Thank you. I'm looking forward to the year long read and the long audios I have in mind for the year.

>38 Berly: >39 BookLizard: >40 hailelib: >41 The_Hibernator: >42 thornton37814: >43 Tess_W: Happy New Year! I hope it's a good one.

This year I decided to have a word for the year. I picked ENJOY. I love the definitions.

en·joy
/inˈjoi,enˈjoi/
verb
1.
take delight or pleasure in (an activity or occasion).

2.
possess and benefit from.

>44 susanj67: Stalker! ;-) Actually, I am so very glad you found me. I wish A Suitable Boy was available on Kindle in the U.S. I know there is a way to bootleg into the Kindle, but I don't want to do that. I have my huge book on the nightstand and I dip into once or twice a week.

>45 ronincats: Thanks Ro!

>46 JayneCM: I want to make it through this one first. :D

>47 LisaMorr: I hope I get to see you this year Lisa!

>48 DeltaQueen50: I'm looking forward to it.

I found you, Roberta! Happy 2019! Let's "enjoy" it!

A Suitable Boy on Kindle - I like that idea. It's a whopper to carry around.

>50 jnwelch: I'm on Amazon U.S. and I can't get it on Kindle.....only on audiobooks which is an abridged version and on a CD. Hmmmmm

Hi, Roberta - belatedly found and starred you! (I'm shocking about remembering to check the Category threads...!)

>50 jnwelch: Howdy Joe! I'm glad you are going to "enjoy" the new year with me my friend.

>51 Tess_W: I sure wish we could get a e book version of A Suitable Boy in the US. The book size is bad enough, but the little print is killing me!

>52 lyzard: Welcome Liz! Thank you for going through the trouble to find me. It's always a delight to see you around.

For anyone interested: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth in e-book format is available to borrow (for free) from the Internet Archive at https://archive.org

I don't know which countries can borrow, it's US based. I'm in Canada and have borrowed books.

>54 VivienneR: Thanks for that tip. I'm going to look into it.

I finally gave in and bought The Complete Harry Potter audio UK edition, narrated by Stephen Fry. I'm enjoying Fry so much on Sherlock Holmes that I thought I will give him a listen on HP.

>56 luvamystery65: Ooooo that sounds amazing! Where did you get it?

I got it from a third party at Amazon UK. They used to sell them directly until Pottermore digitalized them. The Fry version is not available in digital on Amazon US or Amazon UK if you have a US email address. I've wanted them forever, but they were expensive. Last time I checked I could not find a new set even third party. Once I was able to find, I snatched it up. ;-)

I have the US version with Jim Dale narrating in digital format. That was my introduction to the series and I'll always love it. I just wanted the Fry edition too.

January Recap also up top in >2 luvamystery65:



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Section 1 of 19 completed. A lot to take in, but very good so far.

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry Part 1 of 6 completed which included the following books.
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four

My first thoughts are that I always remembered Holmes as arrogant and maybe it's from his portrayals on screen, but I noticed the small kindnesses and compliments. They really stood out. This is why he inspired loyalty.

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flag
Completed
I laughed a lot! This is not my normal choice for a book and a few things made me cringe, but I laughed a lot. My new phrase is *wicky-wacky*

The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye narrated by January LaVoy. Another enjoyable book from Faye. Not my favorite Faye, but I have a new favorite quote. Let's mourn only for our losses. And never for the things we haven't lost quite yet.

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene narrated by Colin Firth Firth's narration elevated this book. The narrator is so unlikable,
Maurice Bendrix, not Colin Firth.

The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan An old school thriller. A bit dated and slow to start for me, but the action picked up halfway.

>59 luvamystery65: A BB taken for Paragon Hotel as you are about the 3rd person to have it listed and it's rating on LT is over 4.

>60 Tess_W: I'll be glad to hear your thoughts on it.

For those of you that follow me on Facebook, I announced yesterday that I am going to delete my account. I will go about archiving my photos and some memories from there before I delete my account. I'll do the same for my Instagram which really lost it luster for me when FB bought it. I don't have any plans for leaving LT at the moment. I'm rarely here and I'm hoping that getting rid of some of my social media will give me more time to be more social, both in person and here. I also want more reading time and I think without the distraction of multiple social media accounts, I'll gain some of that as well.

Yes, the social media "time suck" as I call it. My Facebook account is limited to family and a select group of friends from my childhood that I still connect with. I might remember to visit Facebook once a week but lately I am just not interested. Twitter Is mainly used so I can follow certain news journalists, etc. I don't tweet. As for Instagram, I never had an account and when I tried to set one up, someone had already setup an account with my email address. Suffice to say, I when into the account, changed the password (you can do that when you control the email) and locked it, to the point where even now I cannot activate the account, which I am counting as a good thing. ;-)

>62 luvamystery65: I mainly use my FB to stalk my children. LOL. Although that doesn't work at all for my son who doesn't post there. All these social media platforms can be a time suck, so I hope you find new freedom post-FB and I sincerely hope we continue to see you here on LT!! : )

>62 luvamystery65: Hope to see you here, and in person as well! I know you are so busy right now, but my next trip to Houston is coming up, and if you have time it would be great to meet up! I'll text you...

>63 lkernagh: That is a bit creepy that someone used your email address to set up an IG account. I culled my FB down to family and a few friends I need to cement a way to keep in touch with yesterday.

>64 Berly: You sure will still see me here on LT Kim. Probably not a ton while I'm in school but I'll be here.

>65 LisaMorr: Please text me Lisa. I really look forward to our visits when you are in town. So much to catch up on. I did start The Road on audio.

February



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Half of Section 2 completed. Spent the month studying Statistics. I'm done with that. Hope to catch up with the group read by mid-March.

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Nice collection of 12 short stories. The only one I'd read was The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin Not my cup of tea. It wasn't bad, just not what I like to read.

Dread Nation: Rise Up by Justina Ireland narrated by Bahni Turpin. This was enjoyable. I liked it in audio format. I look forward to the sequel.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, narrated by Tom Stechschulte. Really excellent. Not an easy read or listen, but so good.

I was able to visit with the fabulous LisaMorr on Monday. I had a blast with her as always. We talked books, travel, work, politics and we ate a lot! Look forward to seeing her again this summer.

>68 luvamystery65: Roberta--Hurray! Glad you had fun. I started the Sherlock Holmes and made it in about 3 stories and then others called. I really should get back to it. And I just found my copy of The Road in print when I was cataloging this weekend. Argh. Not enough time! Glad you are done with Stats. Not my favorite.

>68 luvamystery65: Such a great time, Ro! Thank you!

Just dropping by to say hello. Hope all is well with you.

Ditto!

March



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth I've made it through section 4 and and am about halfway through section 5. I caught up with the group only to get behind again.

Big Audio Tracking: Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry I started The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, but just barely. I'll continue through with this collection in April.

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, I've already read this recently so I won't reread. Instead, I'll listen to next month's selection because it came in from the library.

Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch I really liked the latest in the Peter Grant mysteries. We wrapped up The Faceless Man arc and a had a nice little wow in the end. Our young man is growing up. I did read several of the graphic novels and am all caught up. I did not catalog them, but I may go back and do that so I can keep track of where I am in the Rivers of London Universe.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara This was a very creepy and interesting book. I can imagine how much more complex it would have been had the author lived to see the completion. I am now looking at some of the other sources for the book. This was a decades long search and I'm glad they caught the man that terrorized and destroyed so many lives.

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman There are some gems in here but as a collection goes, it is not solid. Read for the Calendar Cat. Who knew there was a Smoke & Mirrors Day?

I started David Copperfield by Charles Dickens I started out with the Simon Vance narration, but when I purchased for Whispersync I got the Richard Armitage narration. I am enjoying his version very much.

I felt like I didn't read much this month, but I did. I'm slowly making my way through 3 chunksters so while I haven't completed a lot, I am reading.

I have not posted here in some time. March reading update is above.

>69 Berly: The Road will wait for you whenever you are ready Kim. Craig Johnson is editing Land of Wolves! Out in September!!!

>70 LisaMorr: I look forward to visiting again with you this summer Lisa.

>71 BookLizard: BL thanks for dropping by

>72 ronincats: Ro! Ditto

I took a term break from school and went to see my Dad twice. He is really deteriorating. He has dementia and it is getting worse. My brother and SIL are doing a remarkable job taking care of him. My Uncle passed away a few weeks ago while I was visiting Dad. His funeral is after Easter so I'll be heading back to South Texas soon. Lots of long drives in my life lately. Thank goodness for audio books!

>73 luvamystery65: some very long (and great) reads there! I had to stop reading A Suitable Boy after section 1 as I could not negotiate the fine print. I'm waiting for the ebook version (soon, I hope). There is an audio version but it is abridged (only 5 hours) so I'll pass on that one. I'm glad you are enjoying Copperfield, I love that one also. I will take a BB on The Golden State Killer as I love true crime. Happy reading!

Good to see your reading update! You're making great progress on those very long reads. I have a hold request on Lies Sleeping. Hope it will come in soon!

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle and about your dad's dementia. I hope the audiobooks are helping you get through those long drives.

So sorry you lost your uncle. You're lucky you have a good brother and sister in law to care for your father. Wishing you all the best.

>75 Tess_W: The small print and large book is one of the reasons it is taking me so long to read A Suitable Boy. I think you will enjoy I'll Be Gone in the Dark if you enjoy true crime. It is so creepy that he was not caught for so many years. I'm going to listen to Evil Has a Name The Untold Story of the Golden State Killer Investigation by Paul Holes, Jim Clemente, Peter McDonnell. Paul Holes is one of the investigators. I'm almost at the halfway mark on David Copperfield. I can see why this one is a favorite of many.

>76 rabbitprincess: I hope you like Lies Sleeping as much as I did.

>77 BookLizard: Thank you BL. I am very lucky. I have my hands full with my Aunt Dora!

>73 luvamystery65: So sorry to hear the news about your uncle and your dad..

Glad to see that Lies Sleeping is a fine addition to a series that continues to delight. The pb is out next month so will be looking to add it to my collection then.

>74 luvamystery65: Maybe we can squeeze in Land of Wolves together in September? For old times sake? : ) Happy Sunday and wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

I'm sorry about your dad, and your uncle. Hooray for having a sibling and SIL who cuts the workload, that's a huge difference.

Hi Ro, I'm sorry to read about your uncle and your father. Take care of yourself.

The Changeling by Victor LaValle is on sale US Kindle $4.99 today. It's a fantastic modern horror story. I highly recommend it

Hi Ro. I am taking advantage of a rainy Easter Monday to catch up on some threads. Sorry to see the news about your dad's deteriorating health and the sad news about your uncle.

Just bopping in here to keep your thread warm and wish you a big ol' Hi!!

My goodness I haven't been here since April. I'm beyond boring! Lots going on in RL most of it not good, but I'm keeping my head above water.

Reading going on right now
September



Big Read Tracking: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Still on Section 9

Big Audio Tracking: Finished Tom Jones Great!

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Monthly Selection: Educated by Tara Westover read two months ago. LOVED IT
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn meh

Still listening to Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke.

Hope to get to The Witch Elm by Tana French
More Sherlock Holmes
Something else creepy for Halloween ??? Something Wicked This Way Comes or The Halloween Tree
Slaughter at Goliad by Jay Stout

Definitely need to catch up with A Suitable Boy

Work is busy

School is very busy, currently taking the first of two Community Health courses.

Life is busy. Besides my uncle that passed away in April, another uncle who was like a dad to me passed away in May. Meanwhile my Dad has been in and out of the hospital. He is home with hospice at my brother's now. He is stable at the moment and I've spent time with him. My cousin Joe moved out after 8 years of living with me. I miss him, but I love having my space back. My aunt Dora's caregiver moved to the other side of town so she quit on us. She tried to come back to us, but after doing without her for a couple of weeks, Dora and I decided we only need help when I go out of town or when she needs to go to PT and I'm working. We've found a driver to take her to PT and my cousin's son checks on her when I have had to go see my Dad. I have one other lady that is also willing to come in when I'm out of town and do some light cleaning and take Dora to Dr. appointment if needed. Fingers crossed this works, because we will save a lot of money not having a full time employee and now we are going to concentrate on updating the house.

Autumn is almost here and it's my favorite season. We just had tropical storm Imelda come through. It's depressing but at least it's not 100+ degrees outside. Wish I was here

>86 luvamystery65: Welcome back! I'm sorry that things are tough right now and hope they get better for you soon.

You've certainly had more than your share of changes and challenges this year. I hope the new arrangement for your aunts care works out well and that you find respite from family care in some good books!

I'm wishing you luck with a tough situation. That sounds very difficult. But welcome back to LT!

Hi Ro, great to hear from you. You are certainly having a difficult time but I hope you are getting some solice from your reading. Take care of yourself as well as all the others in your life!

Ro! It's great to have you check-in but I'm so sorry to hear life is being difficult right now. Thinking of you...

KAK

Sending hugs. Thanks for checking in -- it is good to hear from you.

Great to hear from you again! Sounds like you have a complex schedule but lots of family to pitch in. Sorry to hear of your losses. My thoughts are with you.

Hope things settle down for you; my condolences on your losses.

Sounds like a particularly difficult year so far. I hope the next few months are better. Take care of yourself.

Wow, just adding my condolences and sympathy, Roberta. It's great to have you back, but what a tough year you've been having. So much hitting the fan at the same time! I hope things settle down for you, too, and that your reading helps.

>87 christina_reads: Thank you so much

>88 clue: I hope so. The girl I was going to hire as needed hasn't even gotten back to me after an initial contact, but I'm still going to proceed forward with the help I have. Once I can book her to come over here she will not only keep my aunt some company, but she is an excellent organizer and she can help my aunt get her room exactly as she wants.

>89 mstrust: Glad to be back.

>90 DeltaQueen50: It's mostly listening Judy, but thank goodness for that.

>91 katiekrug: KAK! Thanks Katie. Sure miss you.

>92 rabbitprincess: Thank you oh fearless leader. ;-)

>93 VivienneR: Thank goodness for a large extended family and friends that are just a precious as family.

>94 Tess_W: Thank you Tess. I'm just hoping to get to December and then I have a break from school at least.

>95 hailelib: Thanks. I don't think things will slow down until December, but I'm trying to take care of myself in small ways until then.

>96 jnwelch: Thank you Joe. It seems my life goes in peaks and valleys with the you know what hitting the fan at the same time. At least when the good times roll around they are also usually in abundance as well.

As I mentioned earlier my cousin Joe moved out after living with me forever. He still has a majority of his stuff here. Just recently he is starting to come gather his belongings. He emptied out most of his bedroom so I am using it as a staging area to Marie Kondo my clothes! LOL Feels good to get rid of some things.

I finished Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke and wowza! She is in town this weekend, but I have to work. This is the second time our hometown girl has been here and I've had to miss. Hope to see her in person one day. Want to read the sequel to Bluebird soonish. Right now I'm back to listening to Sherlock Holmes. I should be able to finish the entire series before years end. Need to listen to The Witch Elm by Tana French for November book club, but I may listen to Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury first. Not sure what to read or listen to actually. I'm in one of those moods where I'm having trouble picking out something and sticking to it.

Hi Roberta! Glad to see you're still around. I hope the change in season will bring better fortune your way. You deserve it!

For reading, I was going to suggest the latest Alex Verus novel by Benedict Jacka, but it looks like you haven't read the first one! How can that be? It's like a cross between The Dresden Files and Rivers of London. The first book is Fated - I listened to the Audible sample on Amazon, and I think the narrator will do a good job with it.

It's good to "see" you again, and I hope things will sort themselves out for you.

Yay! You're here again. So much happening in your RL. Good luck managing and purging. I thought of you recently because I just got the audio for Craig Johnson's latest, Land of Wolves. I believe you were the one that sucked me into that series. LOL and Thanks!

>99 BookLizard: BL thanks for stopping by. Hoopla has the Alex Verus series on audio so I started Fated last night. Just the ticket I think. I laughed out loud when he said there was a rumor of an American Wizard in Chicago that had his name listed in the phone book. Hmm.... :D

>100 MissWatson: Thank you so much.

>101 Berly: I am so behind on Longmire. Can you believe it? I haven't listened to the previous one yet!!!

>102 luvamystery65: LOL. How can that be?! : )

>103 Berly: I know. The shame of it.

>99 BookLizard: I listened to Fated and it was just the ticket to listen to while working on my Community Health course. My library has the whole series via Hoopla on audio so I will definitely try book 2 and see where this series is going.

I am about to start my Evidence Based Practice course and I'm going to try to complete it in two to three weeks so I may go dark again.

Good luck with it, Roberta. I admire your ambitious studying.

105> Yay! Glad you enjoyed it. I hope you stick with it. I'll tell you (without really telling you because I don't want to give away any spoilers), there will come a point, I think in either book 3 or 4, where you're like, OK this is too ____ and it's like the author realizes it too and corrects it.

Good luck with the coursework!

>107 jnwelch: Thanks Joe. Going slower than I would like, but I decided to tie my second paper into my future capstone project when I get to the masters portion of my classes. I will be able to apply my research for this paper to that project so it should go easier. At least in theory.

>108 BookLizard: I'm into this series because it is just the ticket. I don't love it as much as Dresden Files or Iron Druid, but I it is entertaining and just what I need in between reading for school and writing papers. I'm almost done with Cursed and I'll go straight into Taken. I appreciate the heads up and I'll keep your advice in mind when I read books 3 and 4. I'll go visit your page when I hit the point you are giving me hints about.

>109 luvamystery65: Good thinking to tie the two together! Enjoy your entertaining series. I am reading The Graveyard book by Neil Gaiman. IT's also the GN version, so a lighter read and just what I need right now. Best wishes!

>110 Berly: Oh Kim I LOVE The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I have read, listened and read the GN. The GN is absolutely gorgeous. I gifted it to my niece Paloma a few years ago. Enjoy it lady.

>111 luvamystery65: I loved it!! Next year I want to read the print version for a Halloween read. : )

Hi Ro! So nice to see you here on LT (and super fab to get to see you in RL in September!).

Hope everything is going well for you - sounds like things are coming along OK at home and at work and also at school.

I'll be passing through Houston for a few days on my way back from Jakarta in December, so depending on your schedule (and whether or not jet lag is killing me), maybe we can meet up

>112 Berly: The Graveyard Book is perfect for a Halloween read! I saw the most glorious retweet by Neil Gaiman. A teacher tweeted that she was reading TGB to her class and she asked her students what Mr. Silas was? No clue. He is neither living nor dead she said. A kid Googled and said he's a VIRUS! Gaiman retweeted and said a perfect answer. So funny.

>113 LisaMorr: Lisa text me when you will be here. I'll check my days off and if you are feeling up to it we can meet up. I'll be able to head to your neck of the woods since I'll be on term break.

>112 Berly: >114 luvamystery65: I read The Graveyard Book too for Haloween - absolutely loved it!

>115 JayneCM: It's fantastic isn't it? Glad you loved it.

Turned in my final paper of the term. It needed revision and that is done. Waiting on my grade, but I am unofficially done until March!

Plans for the rest of the year. Getting my fence replaced. Finishing up A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. If I cruise into 2020 with this one, I won't be mad. I'm only halfway through. I will finish Sherlock Holmes on audio though.

In the very near future I will be posting my new thread for the 2020 challenge. It's not going to be complicated at all, but I'm done with my boring challenge. It was very uninspiring.

Hurray!! Time off until March. Well earned.

Wishing you inspiration for your 2020 Challenge. And let me know if you are up for a joint mystery read during your time off. : )

Hurrah for time off! I'm sure you are delighted to have everything done for the time being, and I hope that means we'll see a little more of you here, Ro.

Congrats on having a few months off!

>117 luvamystery65: Congrats to time off! Also on being 1/2 through A Suitable Boy. I want to read that book but the print is too small for me and so far it's not on audio or in ebook format.

>118 Berly: definitely! What is on your radar?

>119 ronincats: Ro! I hope to spend some time here through March and then pick up again in the fall for a bit. Once I start up school in March I have six months to complete my term and get my BSN. Then onto working on my MSN.

>120 mstrust: Thanks. I'm looking forward to the time. I have lot of stuff I've been putting off around the house. Also, spending some time with my dad is top of my list.

>121 Tess_W: I know you tried and struggled with the print. I honestly don't know why they can't separate the book up into 3 parts for Kindle and a few more parts for audio. I've spend the year listening to Sherlock Holmes in 6 parts.

I hope you enjoy a nice book or two in your time off!

Congratulations on having "time off" until next March!

Hurray for time off! Wishing you many excellent books to fill it :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone celebrating. I am working today, but will be off tomorrow to spend time with family. Then back to work for the weekend.

I hope you still had a good Thanksgiving. Maybe a day of gorging on your day off to make up for it?

>123 MissWatson:> >124 lkernagh: >125 rabbitprincess: I do hope I get to enjoy my time off. I'll definitely be visiting my Dad, but I plan to participate in a few challenges while I'm off school and I hope to read some things that have been on my TBR for some time.

>127 mstrust: Thank you. Several of the units had potlucks so I joined with the ICU and we ate well. Two of my aunt's best friends came from San Antonio to join her. They had a beef tenderloin and tons of sides. I'll be eating some of that for lunch today!

Mysteries on deck, although I am open to your suggestions, too....

Big Sky by Kate Atkinson, Jackson Brodie #5
"F" is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Milhone)
What You Did by Claire McGown

>129 Berly: While both the Jackson Brodie and Kinsey Milhone sound great, I've only read the A in the Grafton books and none of the Atkinson books. Would love to start those series, but not this coming year. I am hoping to start the Charlie Parker mysteries by John Connolly sometime in 2020. It starts with Every Dead Thing if you are interested. If not, What You Did by Claire McGown sounds like my cup of tea. I'm in for a shared read amiga.

I respect wanting to read a series in order. Every Dead Thing sounds quite good. Of course, I will have to blame you for making me start a new series. ; ) And What You Did is a stand alone I think. We could do two!! Or you choose one of those two. Do you want to do one in December or wait for 2020? I am psyched to do a shared read with you!

>131 Berly: Let's read What You Did in December. I got the Kindle edition for 4.99 and the audio was 1.99 so I can Whispersync. We can read Every Dead Thing later. We can touch base after the holidays and decide what month(ish) we want to start Every Dead Thing. Yay!

>132 luvamystery65: Deal! I am excited. You are my mystery buddy. : )

Congratulations on finishing the term!

I generally don't read mysteries/thrillers, but What You Did sounds like it could be good be really good (or really bad). I already have my prediction for the ending. LOL I requested it from the library and may actually read it.

Enjoy the time with your Dad and Happy Holidays.

>133 Berly: Woohoo!

>134 BookLizard: What You Did sounds like it could be good be really good (or really bad) Indeed which is why I picked it. Perfect read for the end of the year regardless of whether it is good or bad. LOL! Glad you are joining us in the read. Does you library have an available copy or are you on a list? My library didn't have it at all. So glad I found that Kindle deal. The price went way up the next day. Thanks for the well wishes. I do hope to have a nice visit with my dad.

BL wait until you see my thread for next year. You will love at least one part of it for sure!!!

I started What You Did!! Already I know about a bad thing or two...hmmm...now who is(are) the likely culprit(s)??

>135 luvamystery65: Now I'm curious about your thread.

I had to request What You Did from another library in the system. Hoping it will come in on Monday.

>135 luvamystery65: >137 BookLizard: Did you finish our book yet? Thoughts?

>138 Berly: I'm still listening to it.

I borrowed it from the library but haven't started it yet.

Have a great holiday, Roberta.

>138 Berly: >140 BookLizard: I'm halfway through. It keeps getting so twisty.

>141 jnwelch: Thank you Joe. The same to you and Debbi

My 2020 thread is here

https://www.librarything.com/topic/314210

Happy Holidays!

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, some other tradition or none at all, this is what I wish for you!

Best wishes this holiday season!!

>142 luvamystery65: I've started it, but I haven't gotten very far yet. The accusation has been made and the family members are all being stupid -- lying, asking others to lie, withholding information, etc.

>142 luvamystery65: & >138 Berly: I knew it! I figured out pretty early on whodunnit and whohadntdunnit. I don't read many mystery/suspense stories, so I'm interested in hearing what you both thought of it.

>147 BookLizard: >148 BookLizard: I figured a lot out as well. They were all pretty much selfish people except for poor Bill. I wanted to smack them.

>149 luvamystery65: Selfish and stupid! It was a satisfying reading, but I can't really say I liked it.

>149 luvamystery65: >150 BookLizard: What You Did...it pulled me in because I wanted to know whodunnit. But the ending left me a little aghast. I figured out parts of it before the end.

So what are we reading next? : )

I am on book #2 of Elly Griffiths and a whole bunch of people just got Viveca Sten's series cheap on Amazon today...

>150 BookLizard: It was satisfying. Perfect for end of the year holiday reading.

>151 Berly: It pulled me in to, but they sure did annoy me. I want to read Every Dead Thing with you, but I want to wait until mid February to start. I have a lot going on and I'm about to start Carrion Comfort which is > 600 pages. Plus I'm still trying to finish A Suitable Boy!

>152 luvamystery65: NO worries. I am already swamped with January hopefuls. I am going to add Every Dead Thing to my TBR list on my thread so I remember. Good luck with Carrion Comfort -- I am buried in The Bone Clocks, which is 600+. We are both reading tomes!!