klobrien2 Karen O's Reading Extravaganza in 2019!

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klobrien2 Karen O's Reading Extravaganza in 2019!

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1klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 1, 2020, 1:12 pm



Welcome to the first page of my 2019 reading thread!

I've been with the 75-bookers for several years now, and I enjoy so much the camaraderie and book talk that happens here. I'm very glad to join with you all again!

The year 2018 has been another terrific year for reading. I find myself reading pretty much as the spirit leads, although I participate in the Take It or Leave It project and have a great time doing that. I participated in the American Author Challenge, and plan to continue with them (as the spirit leads). A long-term project of mine is to accomplish reads from the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" book, so that may guide my reading a little. What directs my reading more are my friends here on LT, so keep those recommendations coming!

This is my eleventh year participating in the 75 Books Challenge. In 2009, I read 94 books; in 2010, I made it to 148!; 153 in 2011; 160 in 2012; 114 in 2013; 92 in 2014; 109 in 2015; 145 in 2016, 210 in 2017, and a nice round 200 in 2018. I hope to be reading even more in the new year.

Here's a ticker to keep track of my 2019 reads :




Here's a ticker to keep track of my progress with "1001 Books":




Here's where I'll list the books I read, starting with (the number at the end of each line represents the post number where I placed my "review" for the book):

1. Fox 8: A Story by George Saunders - 2
2. The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History - 9
3. My First Coding Book by Kiki Prottsman - 10
4. The First and Only Book of Sack: 36 Years of Cartoons for the Star Tribune by Steve Sack - 11
5. Artificial Condition (Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells - 29
6. The Chosen by Chaim Potok - 30
7. Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness - 37
8. I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff by Abbi Jacobson - 40
9. Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer - 42
10. Beastie Boys Book by Adam Horovitz and Michael Diamond - 43
11. Rogue Protocol (Murderbot Diaries #3) by Martha Wells - 54
12. The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop - 65
13. The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode - 66
14. Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross - 71
15. Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda - 72
16. Fables, Vol. 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham - 74
17. Fables, Vol. 21: Happy Ever After by Bill Willingham - 75
18. Fables, Vol. 22: Farewell by Bill Willingham - 76
19. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells - 77
20. Can I Keep Him? by Steven Kellogg - 78
21. Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon - 79
22. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan - 82
23. The Onion's Best News Reporting, Volume 1 by The Onion - 83
24. There There by Tommy Orange - 84
25. Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross - 85
26. Citizen Illegal: Poems by Jose Olivarez - 88
27. Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland - 89
28. Bird Box: A Novel by Josh Malerman - 92
29. Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall - 94
30. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker - 95
31. How to Read a Painting: Lessons from the Old Masters by Patrick de Rynck - 96
32. The Library Book by Susan Orlean - 99
33. The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren - 103
34. Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris - 107
35. Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley - 108
36. Old Filth by Jane Gardam - 109
37. Circe by Madeline Miller - 111
38. The Making of The African Queen by Katharine Hepburn - 112
39. Saga Vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan - 115
40. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - 116
41. Saga Vol. 8 by Brian K. Vaughan - 118
42. Saga Vol. 9 by Brian K. Vaughan - 119
43. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai - 120
44. Torchwood: The Encyclopedia by Gary Russell - 122
45. Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward - 123
46. The Mueller Report: The Findings of the Special Counsel Investigation by Robert S. Mueller - 124
47. Miracle Workers: A Novel by Simon Rich - 127
48. Wasted: Tales of GenX Drunk by Mark Gauvreau Judge - 131
49. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren - 132
50. The Department of Sensitive Crimes (Detective Varg #1) by Alexander McCall Smith - 133
51. Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kastner - 134
52. A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell - 137
53. All Systems Red by Martha Wells - 138
54. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones - 139
55. The Celtic World (Great Courses) - 140
56. Asterix the Gaul by Rene Goscinny - 143
57. Heart and Soul: The Story of Florence Nightingale by Gena K. Gorell - 144
58. Fantastic Beasts and Where the Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling - 145
59. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay by J. K Rowling - 146
60. Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott - 147
61. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths - 150
62. Torchwood: Rift War by Ian Edgington - 153
63. The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths - 154
64. Why Don't You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother's Suggestions by Patricia Marx and Roz Chast - 156
65. Torchwood: Volume 1 World Without End by John Barrowman - 157
66. Asterix Omnibus 1 by Rene Goscinny - 158
67. Why Religion: A Personal Story by Elaine Pagels - 159
68. Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman - 160
69. The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales by Patrick C. Ford - 162
70. The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch - 163
71. When the Rain Comes by Alma Fullerton - 164
72. The Art of Bible Translation by Robert Alter - 165
73. Elevation by Stephen King - 167
74. Women Talking by Miriam Toews - 168
75. History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective by Great Courses - 175
76. Asterix Omnibus 2 by Rene Gisconny - 179
77. Torchwood: First Born by James Goss - 180
78. Torchwood: Risk Assessment by James Goss - 183
79. The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America by Matt Kracht - 185
80. American Gods by Neil Gaiman - 186
81. If You're Reading This, It's Too Late by Pseudonymous Bosch - 189
82. Asterix Omnibus 3 by Rene Goscinny - 190
83. Find Momo: A Photography Book by Andrew Knapp - 191
84. Find Momo: Coast to Coast: A Photography Bookby Andrew Knapp - 192
85. By the Fire: Sami Folktales and Legends by Emilie Demant Hall - 193
86. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - 194
87. Find Momo Across Europe: Another Hide-and-Seek Photography Book by Andrew Knapp - 196
88. Naamah: A Novel by Sarah Blake - 197
89. Asterix Omnibus 4 by Rene Goscinny - 198
90. Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough - 199
91. The Art Forger: A Novel by B. A. Shapiro - 201
92. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei - 204
93. Asterix Omnibus 5 by Rene Goscinny - 208
94. Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot - 209
95. Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland - 211
96. Stranger Things: The Other Side (Graphic Novel # 1) by Jody Houser - 212
97. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend - 213
98. The Second-Worst Restaurant in France: A Paul Stuart Novel (2) by Alexander McCall Smith - 215
99. Unlikely Loves: 43 Heartwarming True Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland - 216
100. Great Courses Art Across the Ages by Ori Z. Soltes - 217
101. Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art by Mary D. Garrard - 219
102. Asterix Omnibus 6 by Rene Goscinny - 220
103. The Boys, Vol. 1: The Name of the Game by Garth Ennis - 221
104. Filthy Rich: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein by James Patterson - 223
105. Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan - 224
106. The Boys, Vol. 2: Get Some by Garth Ennis - 225
107. Asterix Omnibus 7 by Rene Goscinny - 227
108. The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion - 228
109. Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland - 229
110. Cowboys and Aliens (graphic novel) by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg - 230
111. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines - 231
112. This Book Is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch - 235
113. King Arthur: History and Legend (Great Courses) by Dorsey Armstrong - 236
114. Asterix Omnibus 8 by Rene Goscinny - 237
115. Looking Back: A Book of Memories by Lois Lowry - 238
116. Mohammed, Charlemagne & the Origins of Europe - 239
117. Unlikely Friendships: Dogs: 37 Stories of Canine Compassion and Courage by Jennifer S. Holland - 241
118. The Boys Omnibus #3 by Garth Ennis - 247
119. Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright - 250
120. Can You Ever Forgive Me? by Lee Israel - 253
121. Asterix Omnibus 9 by Albert Uderzo - 254
122. Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow - 256
123. Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko - 257
124. Marie de France: Seven of Her Lays Done Into English - 258
125. My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress - 260
126. The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump by Andrew McCabe - 263
127. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver - 264
128. Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr - 265
129. Asterix Omnibus 10 by Albert Uderzo - 266
130. Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo - 268
131. The Word is Murder by Anthony Horwitz - 269
132. Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis - 270
133. Whose Boat is This Boat?: Comments That Don't Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane by Donald J. Trump - 272
134. White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo - 273
135. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - 276
136. Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton - 277
137. Lanny: A Novel by Max Porter - 279
138. Asterix Omnibus 11 by Albert Uderzo - 281
139. The Handmaid's Tale (Graphic Novel) by Margaret Atwood - 282
140. Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout - 283
141. Shrek! by William Steig - 288
142. Meteorology: An Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather by Robert G. Fovell - 289
143. To the Land of Long Lost Friends: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #20 by Alexander McCall Smith - 290
144. D. V. by Diana Vreeland - 291
145. My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall's Story by John Coy - 295
146. Infidel by Pornsak Pichetshote - 295
147. Highway 61 by Jessica Lange - 295
148. White Bird by R. J. Palacio - 295
149. The Fox in the Library by Lorenz Pauli - 297
150. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey - 297
151. The Institute: A Novel by Stephen King - 297
152. Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue - 305
153. Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey - 305
154. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey - 305
155. Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook by Dorie Greenspan - 305
156. The Boys Omnibus 4 by Garth Stein - 305
157. Underwater Dogs by Seth Castell - 305
158. Animal Farm: The Graphic Novel by George Orwell, Odyr - 305
159. Frankissstein: A Novel by Jeanette Winterson - 307
160. Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties by Dav Pilkey - 307
161. A Single Thread: A Novel by Tracy Chevalier - 307
162. Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library by James Dean - 309
163. The Iliad: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds - 309
164. Firefly Legacy Book One by Zack Whedon - 309
165. Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey - 309
166. Firefly Legacy Edition Book Two by Zack Whedon - 309
167. Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas by Dav Pilkey - 309
168. Firefly: The Unification War Part One by Greg Pak - 309
169. Beowulf by Gareth Hinds (graphic novel) - 309
170. This Isn't What It Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch - 309
171. Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey - 309
172. Firefly: The Sting by Delilah Dawson - 312
173. Dog Man: The Brawl of the Wild by Dav Pilkey - 312
174. Romeo and Juliet: The Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds - 312
175. Poe: Stories and Poems (Graphic Novel) by Gareth Hinds - 312
176. Macbeth (Graphic Novel) by Gareth Hinds - 312
177. The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds - 312
178. You Have to Stop This by Pseudonymous Bosch - 312
179. Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers - 312
180. Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons - 312

Here is where I'll list the authors selected for the 2018 American Authors Challenge, the books I will read, and if I complete them (here's hoping!)

2019 AAC
January: Chaim Potok - The Chosen - Completed
February: Louisa May Alcott -
March: Jon Clinch -
April: Jesmyn Ward - Salvage the Bones - Completed
May: Jay Parini -
June: Pearl Buck -
July: Founding Fathers (and Mothers) -
August: Ernest J. Gaines - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman - Completed
September: Leslie Marmon Silko - Storyteller - Completed
October: DRAMA -
November: W. E. B. DuBois -
December: Marilynne Robinson

BONUS/WILD CARD: Genre Fiction

My 2003 "Books Read" list (casually kept, and probably incomplete): http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2003-reading-list.html
My 2004 "Books Read" list (see above caveats: things get better!):
http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2004-reading-list.html
My 2005 "Books Read" list (most pathetic list yet): http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2005-reading-list.html
My 2006 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2006-reading-list.htm
My 2007 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2007-reading-list.html
My 2008 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2008-reading-list.html
My 2009 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2009-reading-list.html
My 2010 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2010-reading-list.html

Here is a link to my last thread from 2011: http://www.librarything.com/topic/122919

Here is a link to my last thread from 2012: http://www.librarything.com/topic/138897

Here is a link to my last thread from 2013:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/156012

Here is a link to my thread from 2014: http://www.librarything.com/topic/163564

Here is a link to my thread from 2015: https://www.librarything.com/topic/186139

Here is a link to my thread from 2016: http://www.librarything.com/topic/211096

Here is a link to my last thread from 2017: http://www.librarything.com/topic/268142#

Here is a link to my last thread from 2018: https://www.librarything.com/topic/298557

Good reading to you!

2klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 20, 2019, 12:07 pm



1.
Fox 8: A Story by George Saunders



Okay, I just read this toward the end of last year, but I read an ebook version, and I think this is one of those books that need to be read on paper. Wonderful little illustrations throughout that weren't the same in pixels. Besides, such a charming story, well worth a reread.

3klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 4, 2019, 5:45 pm

Here's a quick list of the reading that I've got in the works right now (helps me get organized):

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness
Old Men at Midnight by Chaim Potok
Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee
I Might Regret This by Abbi Jacobson
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks
Beastie Boys Book by Mike D
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Circe by Madeline Miller

4drneutron
jan 2, 2019, 8:38 pm

Welcome back! Looks like some good ones in the works!

5klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 3, 2019, 3:38 pm

Hello, Doctor! Thanks for the welcome!

6PaulCranswick
jan 3, 2019, 4:31 am



Happy 2019
A year full of books
A year full of friends
A year full of all your wishes realised

I look forward to keeping up with you, Karen, this year.

7BLBera
jan 3, 2019, 8:54 am

Happy New Year, Karen. It looks lime you have some great reading ahead.

8klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 3, 2019, 3:49 pm

How lovely! Great to see you, Paul and Beth! Thank you for stopping by! I've got a ton of threads to catch up, so I'll check in with you both later!

9klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:35 pm



2.
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman



This very funny "oral history" was a hoot to read. The nature of the thing is a little sloppy but that it my only complaint about it. Very enjoyable read. The paper copy has lots of great large photos of the couple, but the ebook did provide the small historical photos and a photographical record of all of the jigsaw puzzles the couple has assembled (wow!) Very much recommended.

10klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:36 pm



3.
My First Coding Book by Kiki Prottsman



An amazing board book that I came across at the library (ages 5-7, but I liked it too!) It makes the basic concepts of coding so clear and accessible with games that have flaps and wheels. I was sold when it started off with a challenge to be persistent in solving problems and completing tasks. I think I need to get this for my almost 7-year-old grandson!

11FAMeulstee
jan 3, 2019, 5:11 pm

Glad to see you have started your thread, Karen, happy reading in 2019!
Three books read, good start :-)

13karenmarie
jan 4, 2019, 6:15 pm

Happy new year and happy new thread, Karen!

I've got Becoming on tap soon, too.

14alcottacre
jan 4, 2019, 6:58 pm

>2 klobrien2: That one looks good. Thanks for the recommendation, Karen.

Happy New Year!

15klobrien2
jan 4, 2019, 7:29 pm

Hi, Karen and Stasia! Happy New Year to you both!

Can't wait to get into Becoming--I even splurged on an ebook copy AND I got a paper copy for Christmas, so the best of both worlds. I hate looking at photos on my Nook, so I'll keep the paper book handy for that.

Fox 8 is wonderful, and it is just a story, so doesn't chew up too much reading time. It made me laugh and cry just as much the second time through. I hope you get a chance to read it!

Thanks to you both for visiting! I'm making my way through the 2019 threads, so I'll "see" you soon.

16The_Hibernator
jan 6, 2019, 6:42 am

Great that you got a hard copy of Becoming so you can look at the pictures. I hate looking at pictures in ebooks too.

17klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:37 pm



Dreadful Young Ladies and Other Stories by Kelly Barnhill



I included this book in my reading total for last year, so I'm not including it in the overall totals this year. I'll leave this part of my "review" here, though.

Excellent set of stories, full of life and a kind of magical realism that I love, and don't hate! Barnhill is one of my favorite authors now (I've previously read The Girl Who Drank the Moon) and she is so good at these short stories.

I always read the author's acknowledgements, and I was especially glad to have done so with this book. I came across this wonderful gem of a quote about reading, and readers, and why we read. Just blew my mind:

It should be noted that I am, always and forever, in a state of awe and gratitude for the facts that there are readers in the world. There is, at its center, something immutably miraculous about the substance and process of reading stories. We read because we hunger to know, to empathize, to feel, to connect, to laugh, to fear, to wonder, and to become, with each page, more than ourselves. To become creatures with souls. We read because it allows us, through force of mind, to hold hands, touch lives, speak as another speaks, listen as another listens, and feel as another feels. We read because we wish to journey forth together. There is, despite everything, a place for empathy and compassion and rumination, and just knowing that fact, for me, is an occasion for joy. That we still, in this frenetic and bombastic and self-centered age, have legions of people who can and do return to the quietness of the page, opening their minds and hearts, again and again, to the wild world and the stuff of life, pinned into scenes and characters and sharp images and pretty sentences--well. It sure feels like a miracle, doesn't it? I that you, readers, and I salute you. With an open heart and a curious mind, I, too, return to the page. Let us hold hands and journey forth.

18alcottacre
jan 6, 2019, 9:29 am

>5 klobrien2: Another BB for me! Your thread is dangerous!

19klobrien2
jan 6, 2019, 9:37 am

I'm glad to be of service! :)

20Cait86
jan 6, 2019, 12:51 pm

>17 klobrien2: Great title for a book, and beautiful quotation from the acknowledgements! Looking forward to following your reading this year :)

21katiekrug
jan 6, 2019, 5:51 pm

Happy (belated) new year, Karen! I've dropped my star and will try to lurk less and comment more :)

I am saving the audio of the Offerman/Mullally book for a road trip with my husband, as he has become a huge Offerman fan after finally watching Park and Rec.

22humouress
jan 6, 2019, 9:58 pm

Happy belated New Year Karen! And happy new thread!



Wishing you and your family the best for 2019.

>10 klobrien2: That looks like one I need for myself. ;0)

23harrygbutler
jan 7, 2019, 12:43 pm

A belated happy new year, Karen! Wishing you lots of good reading!

24klobrien2
jan 9, 2019, 6:32 pm

Thank you, sir! And the same to you!

25klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:38 pm

I recently watched "Guys and Dolls" and wanted to read the source material, the New York stories of Damon Runyon, specifically the story, "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown."



Guys and Dolls and Other Writings by Damon Runyon



I dipped into other places of the book, an intro by Pete Hamill, an essay and annotations for the stories. I'd love to get more into this book right now, but the writing style is so intense and luscious, it would take some serious time and commitment. I just love authors who play with words and dialogue so to create almost a new language.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the movie and the short story!

26msf59
jan 9, 2019, 6:43 pm

Happy New Year, Karen. Happy New Thread. Wishing you a great reading year for 2019.

I have really been into story collections, these past couple of years, so you got my attention with Dreadful Young Ladies and Other Stories. I had not heard of it.

27klobrien2
jan 9, 2019, 6:49 pm

My husband and I are watching the entire catalog of Doctor Who television episodes, and are making great progress. We started back in 2012 with the First Doctor (he-who-must-not-be-named), and recently completed the 1st series of the "modern era Doctor Who" (Christopher Eccleston). Next up is the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant. It's been so enjoyable and interesting to see the evolution of the show through the years.

Just for the heck of it, I re-watched the very first set of episodes today ("Unearthly Child," from 1963). They are SO Slow-moving, and this was my second viewing, so I felt no compunction about watching them mostly on fast-forward (slowing down for good dialogue parts). The closed captioning shows up on fast-forward, too!

An extra treat was a set of comedy sketches about the early shows which made a lot more sense after watching all of them. Very funny!

28klobrien2
jan 9, 2019, 6:51 pm

>26 msf59: Hi Mark! I really enjoyed Dreadful Young Ladies and I hope you get a chance to read it. I think you would like it!

Thanks for stopping by!

29klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 19, 2019, 5:20 pm



5.
Artificial Condition (Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells



Gosh, I love these little "Murderbot" books! They're so much about what it means to be human, to be brave, to be a warrior for good.

30klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 19, 2019, 5:22 pm



6.
The Chosen by Chaim Potok



This was one of my favorite books when I was a teenager, and the rereading really held up. I love this book, and Potok remains one of my favorite authors. He is so good at describing the places in the book, the cultures, the relationships.

31katiekrug
jan 10, 2019, 8:11 pm

Yay for two good ones in a row!

32harrygbutler
jan 11, 2019, 10:02 pm

>25 klobrien2: Hi, Karen! Runyon is so important to mid-century popular culture. I think I've read a story or two, but don't recall which ones — and may be remembering movie versions instead. :-) I'll keep my eye out for that collection.

33thornton37814
jan 12, 2019, 12:00 pm

>30 klobrien2: That was such a great book!

34klobrien2
jan 14, 2019, 8:52 pm

Wow, three messages from three different people! Very nice to see all three of you here!

>30 klobrien2: The Chosen was one of my favorites in my youth, and I was glad to see that I still love it in my "oldth." And the Murderbot Diaries books are so much fun--I just got the third one in a library ebook. I think I'll have to read more by the author, Martha Wells.

>32 harrygbutler: I didn't know that Runyon was a journalist (among other things). I think I need to get a copy of that collection for myself, to slowly go though and savor each bit.

Thank you all for visiting and stopping to chat!

35souloftherose
jan 15, 2019, 1:23 pm

Yay for Murderbot!

>30 klobrien2: I've had The Chosen on my wishlist since alcottacre recommended it when I first joined the group, um, 10 years ago(!) Guess, I should really get round to getting hold of a copy!

36klobrien2
jan 16, 2019, 12:52 pm

>35 souloftherose: Yes! SecUnit forever!

Thanks for stopping by--good reading to you!

37klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:44 pm



7.
Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness



After waiting for what seemed to be forever for a new book from the author, it has taken me so long to get this read. I even had my own copy! Maybe that's the problem, because my attention had to be on the books I had out from the library.

Harkness is a historian, the focus of this book (other than the love story between a vampire and his beloved) was American history (during the Revolution, and thereafter). Loved it!

38jnwelch
jan 16, 2019, 4:31 pm

Hiya, Karen.

I'm glad the Murderbot book and The Chosen both ranked highly for you. I loved both of those.

39klobrien2
jan 17, 2019, 7:15 pm

Hi, Joe! I loved both of those books, though I tend to rate the books I read highly. If I didn't like a book, I probably wouldn't finish it. I can usually find at least one reason to like a book and rate it highly. Maybe it's "Minnesota Nice."

Thanks for stopping by!

40klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:48 pm



8.
I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff by Abbi Jacobson



I really like the TV show "Broad City," now nearing its fifth and final year. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer created this show, and it is smart, and a real hoot.

This book was a good read. Its framework is a three-week trip that the author took from NYC to the West Coast, but she tells us about her whole life. Very funny, very smart, lots to think about. The book gets bogged down about halfway through IMHO; I think the author was challenged to pump up the pages and the essay on the various ways she could meet her ex by accident and what that would be like--left me bored and annoyed. But it was quite easy to skim that and be done.

41klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 17, 2019, 7:33 pm

Currently reading

Beastie Boys Book by Adam Horovitz + Michael Diamond (2/3 done; really enjoying it)
Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer (1/2 done; really great--these first two vie for my attention!) TIOLI shared read!
Becoming by Michelle Obama (just started; want to be reading this!) TIOLI shared read!
Circe by Madeline Miller (Last year, I made good progress; now, it's been so long that I'll want to start over) TIOLI shared read!
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Third novella in the "Murderbot Diaries"--very hard to resist!)
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (might pass on this one?)
Old Men at Midnight by Chaim Potok (just started; shows promise for me)

I've had these next three so long from the library that it might be a sign to give up on them. I'll keep them around in case I don't have anything else to read (!)

Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks
The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode

42klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:50 pm



9.
Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer



Totally loved this! Funny, sad, not-a-word-wasted kind of book. No wonder it won the Pulitzer!

43klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:57 pm



10.
Beastie Boys Book by Adam Horovitz and Michael Diamond



Fun book, full of photos, clever writing, and memorabilia of the time.

44karenmarie
jan 21, 2019, 8:57 am

Hi Karen!

>25 klobrien2: I love Guys and Dolls and have a different collection of Runyon’ stories: Guys and Dolls: The Stories of Damon Runyon. When my daughter was in HS, she was in the pit band for the school play of Guys and Dolls. I bought the DVD and we watched it before rehearsals started. She loved it.

>27 klobrien2: Bill and I watched the very first episode of Dr. Who some time ago while we were watching David Tenant’s Doctor. Not being die hard fans, we didn’t continue, but I admire your long-term commitment. I did watch quite a bit of the 4th Doctor when I was dating a Dr. Who fanatic. Which doctor do you like best so far?

>41 klobrien2: I’m glad you’re enjoying Less (and >42 klobrien2: finished and loved it.) I have Becoming on my shelves waiting for a lull in my non-fiction commitments, and Circe is scheduled for my RL book club’s June discussion.

45lyzard
jan 21, 2019, 3:24 pm

>41 klobrien2:

Hi, Karen! I was delighted finally to get my hands on The Paddington Mystery after it being MIA for so many decades. As often happens, as a first book in a series it's quite different from much of what followed, but it's a good introduction to Dr Priestley.

46klobrien2
jan 23, 2019, 6:35 pm

>44 karenmarie: Hiya back, Karen!

The "Guys and Dolls" movie was terrific -- great casting, and who knew? Marlon Brando could sing and dance? The little of the Runyon that I did read, I really liked. It almost reads as poetry sometimes, I think. In any case, it has a real music to it.

We're on David Tennant now--just started his series. The "modern" doctors are So different from the older players, it's like apples and oranges. I liked Sylvester McCoy, but he was kind of a dark character, kind of preamble to the modern doctors. I really liked Christopher Eccleston, and I'm really liking David Tennant.

I think Jodie Whittacker is doing a wonderful job as the first female doctor. I sure hope they give her more time as the Doctor.

I did really enjoy Less and I'd definitely consider it for a reread. There was so much to like about it--so many themes and so much humor (and sadness). I'm not going to finish Becoming this month, but I want to take my time with it, so that's okay. And I have two copies of it of my very own--paper and ebook--so I don't have to wait for the library.

Thanks so much for stopping by and chatting! I read your thread all the time (you're one of those that is hard to keep up with!)

47klobrien2
jan 23, 2019, 6:39 pm

>45 lyzard: Hi, Liz! Great to see you here!

I had a little difficulty getting started with The Paddington Mystery--this is my first John Rhode--but I think I'm over the hump now and sailing along. Dr Priestly is quite the character, isn't he? I'm not sure that I like him very much at this point. He seems a bit like Poirot, with a strong sense of self, I might say. I'm going to buzz over to Fictfact, however, and enter this new series, because I'm sure I'll want to read more. I guess that's a positive sign!

Thanks for stopping by!

48klobrien2
jan 23, 2019, 6:44 pm

So, what have I been doing?...I've been a real fan of Deborah Harkness and her "All Souls" trilogy; then I recently read her new book Time's Convert, which is part of that world, but continuing on with the younger generation. Loved 'em all.

They had made a television series out of the first book, Discovery of Witches and I found it! AMC Ad-free has the series, and for a mere $4.99 I was able to get a month's access. Which is funny, because I watched them all in one day! Luckily, it was a day I was not scheduled to work, and had no other commitments! Yay!

I really liked the show; there were some changes from the book, but I liked most of the changes, thought they made the story flow better. I am a fan!

49klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 24, 2019, 8:35 pm

Currently reading, in this order of priority:

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Third novella in the "Murderbot Diaries"--very hard to resist!) Really close to winding this up! Only one more book in the series (Wah!)
The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode -- got a bump up in the rotation
Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee -- bumping this one up
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks - this one moves up, too
The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop (because of "Damn Yankees"}
Gmorning! GNight: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Becoming by Michelle Obama (just started; want to be reading this!) won't finish this month, but I want to be taking my time with it, so that's okay
Circe by Madeline Miller (Last year, I made good progress; now, it's been so long that I'll want to start over)
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (might pass on this one?)
Old Men at Midnight by Chaim Potok (just started; shows promise for me)

Have to find a Louisa May Alcott book to read for the February AAC. I've read a few already (Little Women, Hospital Sketches). I'll be doing some research on this!

50harrygbutler
jan 23, 2019, 7:55 pm

>47 klobrien2: Hi, Karen! I found The Paddington Mystery a bit weak, but entertaining, when I read it last year, and I'll be reading others in the series, too. I've read and enjoyed books by Rhode published under the Miles Burton pseudonym, including the rather odd The Secret of High Eldersham.

51lyzard
jan 23, 2019, 10:09 pm

>47 klobrien2:

Don't expect him to soften down to cuddliness: if anything he gets---hmm, I believe Rhode's word-of-choice is "irascible"! :)

>50 harrygbutler:

I wish they'd start resurrecting some of those!

52karenmarie
jan 24, 2019, 10:00 am

>49 klobrien2: Damn Yankees is another one of my favorite movies of all time. Gwen Verdon, Ray Walston, Tab Hunter, Jean Stapleton… I've watched it dozens of times. I’ve also shared that one with my daughter. I know all the songs but didn’t realize until I was an adult that Bob Fosse is her dance partner in ‘Who’s got the Pain’.

53klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 24, 2019, 6:35 pm

>52 karenmarie: Yay! I found the movie just wonderful (even a few confusing moments--like the musical number you mentioned--what the heck was that about?) From the get go, I was thinking, "Boy, this is quite modern and well-written! Wonderful acting, singing, and dancing!" The baseball element lured my husband into watching! We both really liked the movie, and I am really liking the The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant book.

I must continue with my old movies/musical watching. My education there has been lacking!

I'm glad that you like the movie so much--it's just a gem, isn't it?!

54klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 5:58 pm



11.
Rogue Protocol (Murderbot Diaries #3) by Martha Wells



Loved, loved, loved. I've got the fourth and last book, Exit Strategy cued up (ha!) They read so fast, and they're like brain candy, with an exciting plot, an amazing and likable hero, and lots to think about.

The books remind me quite a bit of the "Bobiverse" books by Dennis E. Taylor: there is a non-human, sentient hero who is able to use feeds and drones and hacking to accomplish its deeds. I really liked those books, too!

55klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 24, 2019, 9:14 pm

Currently reading, in this order of priority:

Finish up in January?

The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode
The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop (because of "Damn Yankees")
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (because it's the last book of "Murderbot Diaries" (sob!))

Reading for February and thereafter:

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (Participating in the group read of the "Wheel of Time" books) This one is a chunkster!
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind (Starting on the "Miss Julia" series because Karenmarie gave me a BB!)
Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks
Gmorning! GNight: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan (coming soon to me on ebook)
There, There by Tommy Orange
Fables 20: Camelot
Fables 21: Happily Ever After
Fables 22: Farewell

Becoming by Michelle Obama (just started; want to be reading this!) won't finish this month, but I want to be taking my time with it, so that's okay
Circe by Madeline Miller (Last year, I made good progress; now, it's been so long that I'll want to start over)
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (might pass on this one?)
Old Men at Midnight by Chaim Potok (just started; shows promise for me)

My Louisa May Alcott book to read for the February AAC: A Double Life: Newly Discovered Thrillers (a TBR item for me!)

56klobrien2
jan 24, 2019, 8:52 pm

I took in the first 2 of 6 episodes of "Derry Girls," a Netflix original, and it's a good one. Kind of a coming-of-age/whacky family/friends forever show, charming, and funny. Someone on LT recommended it (who was it? A big "thank you" to whomever it was but I can't remember).

57jnwelch
jan 24, 2019, 8:54 pm

I so agree on the Murderbot series! They read so fast, and they're like brain candy, with an exciting plot, an amazing and likable hero, and lots to think about. Yes!

58klobrien2
jan 24, 2019, 8:55 pm

We are also starting up a great watch of the "Red Green Show," starting back with the first season from 1991 (a LONG time ago). We're almost through the first season, which we've had to get through ILL (thank the powers-that-be for ILL!) I really like the shows, but I hope a few things change (the viewer hears a chainsaw constantly running during most of the show; I know why they did it, but it gets annoying).

59klobrien2
jan 24, 2019, 8:56 pm

>57 jnwelch: I'm thinking that they would make a great TV show/movie...what do you think? I would go see that movie!

60katiekrug
jan 25, 2019, 10:13 am

>56 klobrien2: - I am loving Derry Girls, too! I heard about it from Nora. I've watched the first 3 episodes and laughed out loud several times during all 3.

61klobrien2
jan 25, 2019, 3:26 pm

>60 katiekrug: I'm sure that's where I read of it then--on your thread! It IS laugh-out-loud funny, isn't it?! Thank you for the heads-up! And thanks for visiting here!

62humouress
Bewerkt: jan 25, 2019, 11:23 pm

>47 klobrien2: >51 lyzard: Every time I see the title Paddington Mystery I think of the bear from Darkest Peru. :0) Now, he is cuddly.

>48 klobrien2: I haven't read the books, but I did catch the first episode of the TV show. I must say the vampire (sorry, I forget his name) has been cast/ made up well. He's quite subtly creepy. But I saw a trailer where he hunts down and takes blood from a stag and I don't think I want to continue watching. :0/

63jnwelch
jan 26, 2019, 7:42 pm

>59 klobrien2: I'd watch a Murderbot movie or tv series in a blink, Kathy. I hope some producer picks on that idea.

64klobrien2
jan 27, 2019, 9:06 am

>62 humouress: I know, I think of Paddington Bear every time in conjunction with that book!

Yes, I agree, those scenes are hard to take. There aren't very many of them, thank goodness. The vampire, Matthew, is played by Matthew Goode (Lady Mary's husband in Downton Abbey). He really is good in the role. I have no quibbles with any of the casting.

Thanks for stopping by!

>63 jnwelch: Fingers crossed! (well, not really, it would be really hard to type that way! hardeharhar!)

65klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 6:05 pm



12.
The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop



Excellent, fun read! This book was the basis of "Damn Yankees," a movie I recently watched and loved.

66klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 6:05 pm



13.
The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode



First in the "Dr Priestly" mysteries. A little dated and slow-moving, but a pleasant read. I've been told that the first book is quite different from the rest of the series, so I might give the second book a look.

67lyzard
jan 28, 2019, 3:01 pm

>66 klobrien2:

Just FYI, I would say that it wasn't until the third one, The Ellerby Case, that John Rhode got into his groove. :)

68klobrien2
jan 28, 2019, 8:33 pm

Okay, that's good to know! The completest in me will make me stick with the first and second until I get to the third! Thanks for the info!

69humouress
Bewerkt: jan 30, 2019, 3:45 am

>64 klobrien2: Was he? I didn't spot that; but then, he was only around towards the end of the run.

ETA: just spotted your surreal ticker, with a shark swimming over grass towards a flower.

70klobrien2
feb 3, 2019, 9:09 am

>69 humouress: I didn't spot him either, but if it was just a little cameo appearance...I might try to Google more info. "Inquiring minds want to know" and all that.

You liked the ticker! I keep reusing the same one every year. It makes me smile to see it, hope you liked it!

And thanks for visiting!

71klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 6:05 pm



14.
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross



I read this due to a "book bullet" from KarenMarie--thanks for the "heads up." I enjoyed the read and felt the urge to keep reading to see what happened next. I LOVE that feeling.

I'm giving the read only three-and-a-half stars because it dragged a little and some of the characters and action seemed a little unbelievable. I will definitely give the second book in the series a read, though!

72klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 6:04 pm



15.
Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda



Charming little gem of a collection of tiny poems/thoughts with lots of lovely drawings. Inspirational and lovely!

73klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 3, 2019, 3:58 pm

Currently reading, in this order of priority:

Reading for February and thereafter:

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (Participating in the group read of the "Wheel of Time" books) This one is a chunkster!
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan (ebook) Really enjoyed this series!
There, There by Tommy Orange (coming to me soon on ebook)
Fables 20: Camelot
Fables 21: Happily Ever After
Fables 22: Farewell

My Louisa May Alcott book to read for the February AAC: A Double Life: Newly Discovered Thrillers (a TBR item for me!)

Recently added:

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda
Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross (second in the series)
Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon (TIOLI)
The Onion's Finest News Reporting, Vol 1 by The Onion (TIOLI)
Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (TIOLI)

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little):

Becoming by Michelle Obama (just started; want to be reading this!) won't finish this month, but I want to be taking my time with it, so that's okay
Circe by Madeline Miller (Last year, I made good progress; now, it's been so long that I'll want to start over)
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Old Men at Midnight by Chaim Potok (just started; shows promise for me)

74klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 19, 2019, 5:24 pm



16.
Fables, Vol. 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham



Nearing the end of the "Fables" series, and I'm so sad about it. Good to know that rereads are eminently doable.

75klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 6, 2019, 6:07 pm

76klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 7, 2019, 1:54 pm

77klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 19, 2019, 5:26 pm



19.
Exit Strategy: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells



Tada! Another Murderbot Diary done. I think there is another in the works? Yes! Coming in May of 2020!

78klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 19, 2019, 5:27 pm



20.
Can I Keep Him? by Steven Kellogg



Sweet little kiddo book, about a little kiddo who loves animals and wants to have them with him always, but the answer is always...no. Until one day,...

79klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 28, 2019, 9:49 pm

80karenmarie
feb 14, 2019, 8:22 am

Hi Karen!

>46 klobrien2: I’ve really enjoyed spending more time on LT since I retired – every day, in fact – glad you come over for visits.

>71 klobrien2: Yay for Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. I don't remember it dragging on, but I do remember feeling like I wanted to step right into the book and tell her to watch out for those nasty people who were after her money!

You’re really getting a lot of good reading! Congrats.

81klobrien2
feb 20, 2019, 12:06 pm

Hi Karen! Glad to see you here! I'm making my rounds, so I'll visit your thread for sure later...

82klobrien2
Bewerkt: feb 28, 2019, 9:50 pm

83klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 8:57 pm

84klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 8:58 pm



24.
There There by Tommy Orange

85klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:04 pm

86karenmarie
mrt 2, 2019, 8:21 am

Hi Karen!

I'll be interested to see how you like Miss Julia #2. I don't have it on my shelves, otherwise I think I'd have gone right into it after finishing #1.

87klobrien2
mrt 2, 2019, 12:42 pm

>86 karenmarie: Sorry, Karen, I'm behind in even the quick little reports that I've been doing.

I liked Miss Julia Takes Over just fine, for what it is. A fun read, although I get impatient with the characters and the relentless "Southern ways" sometimes. This book was funny, sweet, hopeful, and I love the Miss Julia character. I'll certainly continue on with the series, courtesy of the library.

Thanks for stopping by!

88klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:06 pm



26.
Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivarez



Excellent little book of poems, published under the BreakBeat Poets mark.

There is a set of poems entitled, "Mexican Heaven," that I just loved. They're funny, they're sad, they're angry. Here's the one that someone posted, that got me to read this book in the first place:

Mexican Heaven

there are white people in heaven, too.
they build condos across the street
& ask the Mexicans to speak English.
i'm just kidding.
there are no white people in heaven.

89klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:08 pm

90jnwelch
mrt 5, 2019, 6:46 pm

Oh good, Kathy. I loved Citizen Illegal, too. It was my #1 for poetry in ‘18.

91klobrien2
mrt 7, 2019, 2:19 pm

Oh, I'm sure that's where I read the rave review! Thank you for that! When I see "BreakBeat Poets," I know that I need to read.

I'm making the rounds of the threads, so I'll check in at your thread, for sure. Thanks for stopping by!

92klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:09 pm



28.
Bird Box: A Novel by Josh Malerman



Amazing (and scary) dystopian novel.

93klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 7, 2019, 9:12 pm

Reading for March and thereafter:

Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley (TIOLI shared read #5)
Becoming by Michelle Obama (the time has definitely come for me to get this read! It's a TIOLI shared read #8!)
Old Filth by Jane Gardam (TIOLI shared read #8)
Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (TIOLI shared read #9)
Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear (TIOLI shared read #11)
Good and Mad by Rebecca Traister (TIOLI shared read #4, if I can get hold of a copy)

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little):

Circe by Madeline Miller (Last year, I made good progress; now, it's been so long that I'll want to start over)

Then, there are a bunch of library books that have accumulated, which I should either decide to get serious about or return:

Miss Julia Throws a Wedding (#3 in the series) by Ann B. Ross
We are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai (this is a very recent add)
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman (brand-new add)
The Making of the African Queen by Katharine Hepburn
Peter and Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach
Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
How to Read a Painting: Lessons from the Old Masters by Patrick de Rynck
Rigged for Murder (the Windjammer Mystery Series) by Jenifer LeClair

As you can see, I'm in big piles of books! I'll hope to get organized this weekend, safe and sound inside as the threatened snowstorm covers Minnesota with yet more snow!

94klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:10 pm



29.
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham



Lovely and fascinating take on Scheherazade and the 1001 Nights. I'm rapidly running out of "Fables" to read. I think I will be looking into more things by Bill Willingham.

95klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:12 pm

96klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:15 pm

97humouress
mrt 16, 2019, 3:14 pm

98klobrien2
mrt 19, 2019, 7:00 pm

>97 humouress: Hi! Thanks for stopping by!

99klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 19, 2019, 5:29 pm



32.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean



Loved it! Definitely a 5-star read for me.

100jnwelch
Bewerkt: mrt 22, 2019, 7:25 pm

>99 klobrien2: Five stars, okay, you got me, Karen. I've been seeing nothing but positive comments about The Library Book. Adding it to the WL.

101klobrien2
mrt 21, 2019, 11:32 am

>100 jnwelch: It's a winner, John. With a little bit of everything--history, drama, librarianship, characters,...It's like a love poem to libraries.

102klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:23 pm



33.
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren


103FAMeulstee
mrt 21, 2019, 7:06 pm

>102 klobrien2: Oh, Karen, that was one of my favorites when I was young.
There was also a very good movie adaption made in 1977.

104klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:23 pm

>103 FAMeulstee: Hi! I'm sure I read about The Brothers Lionheart on your thread (I'll have to go back and look). I never knew that Lindgren had written other than the Pippi books. I'll have to look for the movie (there certainly are a lot of thrills and chills).

Thanks for stopping by!

105FAMeulstee
mrt 21, 2019, 7:44 pm

>104 klobrien2: Another good one by Lindgren is Ronia, the Robber's Daughter.

106klobrien2
mrt 21, 2019, 8:50 pm

Reading that I really want to finish in March:

Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley (TIOLI shared read #5)
Old Filth by Jane Gardam (TIOLI shared read #8)
Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear (TIOLI shared read #11)
Good and Mad by Rebecca Traister (TIOLI shared read #4, just got a library copy)

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris (my TIOLI #1 read--I always try to read for challenge #1)

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little):

Circe by Madeline Miller (Restarting my read, and I have an ebook copy!)
Becoming by Michelle Obama (I have no excuse for not reading this, because I have a paper copy, and an ebook that I bought! Maybe that's the problem--I don't have a library keeping tabs on me)

Then, there are a bunch of library books that have accumulated, which I should either decide to get serious about or return:

Miss Julia Throws a Wedding (#3 in the series) by Ann B. Ross
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman
The Making of the African Queen by Katharine Hepburn
Bookends: Collected Intros and Outros by Michael Chabon (what a cool concept!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (others on LT have warbled about this one, and it sounds intriguing)

107klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:25 pm



34.
Sold on a Monday: A Novel by Kristina McMorris


108klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:26 pm

109klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 28, 2019, 9:28 pm



36.
Old Filth by Jane Gardam


110klobrien2
Bewerkt: mrt 25, 2019, 9:58 pm

Karen's current reading:

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little):

Circe by Madeline Miller (Restarting my read, and I have an ebook copy!)
Becoming by Michelle Obama (I have no excuse for not reading this, because I have a paper copy, and an ebook that I bought! Maybe that's the problem--I don't have a library keeping tabs on me)

I might next concentrate on a few shorter, "fun" books that I have from the library:

The Making of the African Queen by Katharine Hepburn
Bookends: Collected Intros and Outros by Michael Chabon (what a cool concept!)
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (others on LT have warbled about this one, and it sounds intriguing)

Then, there are a bunch of library books that have accumulated, which I should either decide to get serious about or return:

In Pieces by Sally Field (just got this from the library, been waiting forever!)
The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto
Why Religion by Elaine Pagels
Miss Julia Throws a Wedding (#3 in the series) by Ann B. Ross
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (got the library ebook!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

111klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 3, 2019, 1:11 pm



37.
Circe by Madeline Miller


112klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 8, 2019, 3:23 pm

113PaulCranswick
apr 7, 2019, 7:11 am

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Karen.

114klobrien2
apr 8, 2019, 3:21 pm

Thanks, Paul! Hope yours was fine, too!

115klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 11, 2019, 2:40 pm



39.
Saga, Volume 7 by Brian K. Vaughan

116klobrien2
apr 11, 2019, 2:40 pm

117klobrien2
Bewerkt: apr 11, 2019, 2:50 pm

Karen's current reading (time for an update!):

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little): Becoming by Michelle Obama

I might next concentrate on a few shorter, "fun" books that I have from the library:

Bookends: Collected Intros and Outros by Michael Chabon (what a cool concept!)
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
Saga Volume 8
Saga Volume 9
Elevation by Steven King
Miracle Workers by Simon Rich

Then, there are a bunch of library books that have accumulated, which I should either decide to get serious about or return:

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward (AAC this month)
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery
Miss Julia Throws a Wedding (#3 in the series) by Ann B. Ross

Then, poor, lonesome non-fiction books, which I usually love reading, but feel the need to read fiction right now, I guess. I will get to these sometime:

The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto
Why Religion by Elaine Pagels
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (got the library ebook!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

118klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:17 pm



41.
Saga Vol 8 by Brian K. Vaughan

119klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:19 pm



42.
Saga Vol 9 by Brian K. Vaughan

120klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:20 pm



43.
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

121klobrien2
apr 18, 2019, 9:36 pm

Karen's current reading (time for an update!):

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little): Becoming by Michelle Obama

I might next concentrate on a few shorter, "fun" books that I have from the library:

Bookends: Collected Intros and Outros by Michael Chabon (what a cool concept!)
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
Elevation by Steven King
Miracle Workers by Simon Rich

Then, there are a bunch of library books that have accumulated, which I should either decide to get serious about or return:

Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward (AAC this month)
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery
Miss Julia Throws a Wedding (#3 in the series) by Ann B. Ross
Wasted: Tales of a GenX Drunk by Mark Gauvreau Judge (Justice Cavanaugh's buddy)
The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith (Detective Varg #1!)
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell (book that the movie was based on)

Then, poor, lonesome non-fiction books, which I usually love reading, but feel the need to read fiction right now, I guess. I will get to these sometime:

The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto
Why Religion by Elaine Pagels
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (got the library ebook!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

122klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:22 pm

123klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:26 pm



45.
Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward

125karenmarie
apr 28, 2019, 7:06 am

Hi Karen!

I’ve read three by Pagels and would be interested in Why Religion. I will be reading Circe in May for June book club discussion, The Island at the Center of the World is nothing short of fantastic, ditto The Making of the African Queen. Glad you’re comtinuing with Miss Julia, and I also have no excuse for not reading Becoming since it’s on my shelves too. So’s Elevation.

I read and was amazed/devastated by The Great Believers.

I haven’t had the heart to read The Mueller Report yet.

126klobrien2
apr 28, 2019, 1:46 pm

>125 karenmarie: Hi, Karen! I'm looking forward to Why Religion because it bodes to be a much more personal account than Pagels's other works on religion. "Me, too" on The Great Believers and Making of the African Queen. The Mueller Report is a slog, and so grim in its import, but I felt I need to bear witness, even though I got so angry at all the blacked-out passages.

Thanks for stopping by! I read your thread nearly every day, and love seeing what you're up to!

127klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:33 pm

128klobrien2
Bewerkt: mei 3, 2019, 5:36 pm

Karen's current reading (5/3 updates):

I'm reading/watching one of the Great Courses: This one is The Great Courses: The Celtic World and I'm really enjoying it. I'm about halfway through.

For this month's AAC: The Last Station by Jay Parini (I've also got the movie version, to watch after I read!)

Books which I should pay attention to before I have to bring back to the library, or they electronically "go away":

An American Marriage (Tayari Jones)
Black Leopard, Red Wolf (Marlon James)
Juliet, Naked (Nick Hornby)

The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith (Detective Varg #1!) - lots of people waiting for this one, no chance of renewal

Wasted: Tales of a GenX Drunk by Mark Gauvreau Judge (have this through ILL and can't renew it)

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness

I might next concentrate on a few "fun" books that I have from the library:

Bookends: Collected Intros and Outros by Michael Chabon (what a cool concept!)
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
Miss Julia Throws a Wedding by Ann B. Ross
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan (new this week)
Forever Amber (Kathleen Winsor) (not sure about this one yet)
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell (the book that the movie was based on)
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby)

Then, poor, lonesome non-fiction books, which I usually love reading, but feel the need to read fiction right now, I guess. I will get to these sometime:

Am I Alone Here? Notes on Living to Read and Reading to Live by Peter Orner
Why Religion by Elaine Pagels
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (got the library ebook!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

129jnwelch
Bewerkt: mei 1, 2019, 5:30 pm

Hi, Karen.

Go Saga! I love that series.

Circe was really good, wasn’t it.

Where the Crawdads Sing (which I liked a lot) has climbed all the way to the top of The NY Times bestseller list. It seems like word of mouth has fueled that.

130klobrien2
mei 3, 2019, 5:21 pm

Hi, Joe! Love Saga--I'm having withdrawal pains because I can't get my hands on any more. Circe read like poetry, and I just loved getting a new take on the mythological characters. Where the Crawdads Sing was great, too--such a great main character, with a saga-ish feel to the thing.

Thanks for stopping by to chat!

131klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:34 pm

132klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:36 pm

133klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 13, 2019, 9:43 pm

134klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 12, 2019, 4:23 pm

135FAMeulstee
mei 15, 2019, 10:39 am

>134 klobrien2: Hi Karen, how did you like Emil and the Detectives?

136klobrien2
mei 17, 2019, 1:09 pm

Loved it! So classic in its treatment and its respect for its characters. I definitely will check out other books by Kastner!

Thanks for stopping by!

137klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 12, 2019, 4:25 pm



52.
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell

138klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 19, 2019, 5:51 pm



53.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells

139klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 19, 2019, 5:52 pm

140klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 2, 2019, 5:33 pm



55.
The Celtic World by Great Courses

141klobrien2
Bewerkt: mei 20, 2019, 9:45 pm

Karen's current reading (5/20 update):

I liked my last Great Course so much, I've got a new one:

Origins of Ancient Civilizations

For this month's AAC: The Last Station by Jay Parini

The Time-Sensitive. Books which I should pay attention to before I have to bring back to the library, or they electronically "go away":

Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land
Elevation by Steven King
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby)
The Long Ships by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson (got this in paper and ebook, but will I actually get it read? I don't know.)

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness

"For Fun" books that I have from the library:

Heart and Soul: The Story of Florence Nightingale
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan (new this week)
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby)

Poor, lonesome non-fiction books, which I usually love reading, but feel the need to read fiction right now, I guess. I will get to these sometime:

My Life in France by Julia Child
Team of Vipers by Cliff Sims
The Art of Bible Translations by Robert Alter (my hero!)
Am I Alone Here? Notes on Living to Read and Reading to Live by Peter Orner
Why Religion by Elaine Pagels
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (got the library ebook!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

142klobrien2
mei 26, 2019, 2:48 pm

So much has changed in my reading list that I need a new one! I removed books from the list, added books, and I'm close to finishing several. Karen's current reading (5/26 update):

Before the end of the month, I plan to finish up:

The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths
Asterix the Gaul by Rene Goscinny
Heart and Soul: The Story of Florence Nightingale by Gena K. Gorrell
Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott

I liked my last Great Course (The Celtic World) very much, and it's given me new things to read!

Asterix the Gaul by Rene Goscinny
Asterix Omnibus by Rene Goscinny
Lion of Ireland by Llewellyn Morgan
The Playboy of the Western World by J. M. Synge
The Mabinogi, and Other Medieval Welsh Tales by Patrick K. Ford

For this month's AAC: The Last Station by Jay Parini. Well, I haven't gotten very far, and I'm not feeling the urge to read it...

The Time-Sensitive. Books which I should pay attention to before I have to bring back to the library, or they electronically "go away":

Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott
Elevation by Steven King
The Overstory by Richard Powers
The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby)
The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson ("Long Ships" is a very long book, but the few pages I've read are great)

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness

"For Fun" books that I have from the library:

Heart and Soul: The Story of Florence Nightingale
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (recommended by young library patron)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan (new this week)
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling

Poor, lonesome non-fiction books, which I usually love reading, but feel the need to read fiction right now, I guess. I will get to these sometime:

The Truth About Animals by Lucy Cooke
My Life in France by Julia Child
Team of Vipers by Cliff Sims
Why Religion by Elaine Pagels
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (got the library ebook!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

143klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 2, 2019, 5:34 pm



56.
Asterix the Gaul by Rene Goscinny

144klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 2, 2019, 5:36 pm

147klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 2, 2019, 5:43 pm

148FAMeulstee
Bewerkt: jun 6, 2019, 9:07 am

>143 klobrien2: Thank you, Janet Karen, for reading Asterix the Gaul and adding it to the TIOLI challenge. I needed a laugh and Asterix did the job, with a shared read :-)

149klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 3, 2019, 8:11 pm

>148 FAMeulstee: Well, I'll accept those thanks but my name is Karen! I'm glad that it gave you a laugh (Asterix is really funny!) I really liked my first taste of him, and I've got another in the works. Maybe I can put it into this month's TIOLI!

Thanks for stopping by!

150klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:14 pm



61.
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths

151FAMeulstee
jun 6, 2019, 9:07 am

>149 klobrien2: So sorry for mixing you up with Janet *hangs head in shame* My mind was probably wondering elsewhere...
I edited the post.

152klobrien2
jun 6, 2019, 4:14 pm

Sweet Anita, I know that you have so much on your mind (and heart) right now. I like the name Janet!

153klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:16 pm



62.
Rift War (Torchwood) by Ian Edgington

154klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:17 pm



63.
The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths

155klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 9, 2019, 6:26 pm

Karen's current reading (6/8 update):

Actively reading:

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger by Rebecca Traister
Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backmann
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
Why Religion: A Personal Story by Elaine Pagles
The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and other tales from the wild side of wildlife by Lucy Cooke

I liked my last Great Course (The Celtic World) very much, and have started another: History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective. Forty-eight lectures of half-an-hour apiece (gulp!)

For this month's AAC: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

The Time-Sensitive. Books which I should pay attention to before I have to bring back to the library, or they electronically "go away":

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo - I'll read this for racial equity training at my job (public library)
Elevation by Steven King
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness

"For Fun" books that I have from the library:

Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby)
Greek to Me by Mary Norris
The Art of Bible Translation by my hero, Robert Alter

Poor, lonesome non-fiction books, which I usually love reading, but feel the need to read fiction right now, I guess. I will get to these sometime:

The Mabinogi, and Other Medieval Welsh Tales by Patrick K. Ford
In Pieces by Sally Field
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

156klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:19 pm

157klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:20 pm

158klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:21 pm



66.
Asterix Omnibus 1 by Rene Goscinny

159klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:23 pm

160klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:24 pm

161klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 14, 2019, 4:37 pm

Karen's current reading (6/14 update):

Actively reading:

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger by Rebecca Traister
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and other tales from the wild side of wildlife by Lucy Cooke

I liked my last Great Course (The Celtic World) very much, and have started another: History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective. Forty-eight lectures of half-an-hour apiece (gulp!) Just finished Lecture 21 this morning!

For this month's AAC: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

The Time-Sensitive. Books which I should pay attention to before I have to bring back to the library, or they electronically "go away":

The Mabinogi, and Other Medieval Welsh Tales by Patrick K. Ford
Women Talking by Miriam Toews
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo - I'll read this for racial equity training at my job (public library)
Elevation by Steven King

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - new on this list
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney - new
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell - new
American Gods by Neil Gaiman - new
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - new
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro - new
Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer - new
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
Greek to Me by Mary Norris
The Art of Bible Translation by my hero, Robert Alter
In Pieces by Sally Field
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby) - I wanted my own copy, and I'm expecting it in the mail any day...

162klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:27 pm

163klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:29 pm

164klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:31 pm



71.
When the Rain Comes by Alma Fullerton

165klobrien2
Bewerkt: jun 18, 2019, 8:44 pm

Karen's current reading (6/17 update):

Actively reading:

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger by Rebecca Traister
Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Mary Norris
The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and other tales from the wild side of wildlife by Lucy Cooke

I liked my last Great Course (The Celtic World) very much, and have started another: History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective. Forty-eight lectures of half-an-hour each; 24 done!

For this month's AAC: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

The Time-Sensitive. Books which I should pay attention to before I have to bring them back to the library, or they electronically "go away":

Women Talking by Miriam Toews
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo - I'll read this for racial equity training at my job (public library)
Elevation by Steven King
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro
Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby) - Got my own copy!

166klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:45 pm

167klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:47 pm



73.
Elevation by Stephen King

168klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 3, 2019, 5:49 pm



74.
Women Talking by Miriam Toews

169karenmarie
jun 22, 2019, 6:39 pm

Hi Karen!

I have finally read Where the Crawdads Sing and am so glad I did. It was fantastic.

You’re reading some wonderful books and so many good ones lined up. I just bought Good Omens after watching the series this week and might start it this week – of course I have way too many books on my shelves, but I only committed to 45 ROOTs this year and have already read 31, so will be self-indulgent and go for the shiny new ones. I also have Becoming on my shelves… Michelle Obama’s face is staring down at me even as I type this.

And you're almost at the magical 75 - good for you!

170klobrien2
jun 23, 2019, 4:22 pm

>169 karenmarie: I'm so glad that you liked Where the Crawdads Sing! There was so much to like there, so many different reasons to like it.

I'm looking forward to a reread of Good Omens before I watch the series, and I'm really itching to watch the series.

You are doing great with your reading! I was just thrilled to see your response to the William Kent Krueger Cork O'Connor "first book"--I may have to pick up my next book in the series--I think I'm on 4 or 5?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

171klobrien2
jun 27, 2019, 6:30 pm

Karen's current reading (6/27 update):

Actively reading:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (reread; in conjunction with watching season 2 of the TV show)(time-sensitive, but I've requested a paper backup; liking it just as much the second time!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell (time-sensitive)
The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and other tales from the wild side of wildlife by Lucy Cooke

I liked my last Great Course (The Celtic World) very much, and have started another: History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective. Forty-eight lectures of half-an-hour each; 36 done!

For this month's AAC: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro
Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
If You're Reading This, It's Too Late by Pseudonymous Bosch (Book #2)

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby) - Got my own copy!

172klobrien2
jul 2, 2019, 3:30 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (7/2 update):

Actively reading:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (reread; in conjunction with watching season 2 of the TV show)(time-sensitive, but I've requested a paper backup; liking it just as much the second time! Should finish it in the next few days.)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell (time-sensitive)
The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and other tales from the wild side of wildlife by Lucy Cooke
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (others waiting)
By the Fire: Sami Folktales and Legends by Emily Demant Hatt (others waiting)

I liked my last Great Course (The Celtic World) very much, and have started another: History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective. Forty-eight lectures of half-an-hour each; 40 done!

For this month's AAC: Before the Revolution: America's Ancient Past by Daniel Richter

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
If You're Reading This, It's Too Late by Pseudonymous Bosch (Book #2)
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
Asterix Omnibus 2 by Rene Goscinny
Risk Assessment (Torchwood) by James Goss
Torchwood: First Born by James Goss
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Threat by Andrew McCabe

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby) - Got my own copy!

173drneutron
jul 4, 2019, 9:20 am

Wow, that’s quite a list!

174klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 4, 2019, 12:08 pm

>173 drneutron: Yeah, but keep in mind that these are the books that are the most accessible to me at any given point. I just lost a few of the library ebooks because of an upgrade to my library's system. And if a particular book stays on my list too long, I sometimes recognize that I'll never get around to it (lack of interest, I suppose), and I take it off the list.

Thanks for stopping by!

175klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 1:34 pm

And, I DO finish some books. Today, I finished my Great Courses "History of the Ancient World"! Loved it, can't wait to start another! I lucked out that, although there were no closed captions on the DVDs, the accompanying book was very complete, and the lecturer had a nice Midwestern accent and spoke very well.



75.
History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective by Great Courses, Gregory S. Aldrete



176FAMeulstee
jul 4, 2019, 3:35 pm

Congratulations on reaching 75, Karen!

177drneutron
jul 5, 2019, 12:51 pm

Congrats on 75!

178klobrien2
jul 5, 2019, 2:42 pm

Thanks, you two! I was pleased to have the Great Courses course be my 75th. Thoroughly enjoyed both the reading part and the viewing portion.

Thanks also for stopping by!

179klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 1:35 pm



76.
Asterix Omnibus 2 by Rene Gisconny



180klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 1:36 pm

181humouress
jul 9, 2019, 12:52 am

Congratulations on 75!

And you remind me that I am partway through reading Emil and the Detectives to my kids for bedtime reading. It's been such a long time since I read the first part that I've forgotten what happens and they've gone ahead and finished it without me.

182klobrien2
jul 11, 2019, 4:31 pm

Thanks, humouress!

Oh, well, I guess you have some catching up to do to get back in sync with your kids. I really enjoyed the book, and I'd made a mental note to read more by the author. Must get back to that!

Thanks for stopping by!

183klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:14 pm

184klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 11, 2019, 7:27 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (7/11 update):

Actively reading:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (reread; in conjunction with watching season 2 of the TV show)(my library ebook "went home" so now I'm reading a paper copy, about 100pp left)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and other tales from the wild side of wildlife by Lucy Cooke
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (bought my own Nook copy!)
By the Fire: Sami Folktales and Legends by Emily Demant Hatt (scored a library ebook after being able to look at the woodcut illustrations in a paper copy!)
If You're Reading This, It's Too Late by Pseudonymous Bosch (Book #2)
Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot (read glowing reviews of this, and awed by it so far)
The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America by Matt Kracht (looks like a hoot!)

I finished my 48-lecture "Great Courses" "History of the Ancient World" and just loved it. My current course is another 48-lecture (each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Through the Ages." I'm ten lectures in. Another winner of a course.

For this month's AAC: Before the Revolution: America's Ancient Past by Daniel Richter

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Naamah by Sarah Blake (Noah's wife!)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro (recommended by a good friend)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Mary Norris

Been on my TBR since the dawn of time (okay, I exaggerate a little, but I do own these):

Becoming by Michelle Obama
The World of All Souls by Deborah Harkness
Max Schulman's Large Economy Size, 3 Novels in One Volume (Barefoot Boy with Cheek, The Feather Merchants, The Zebra Derby) - Got my own copy!

185klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:15 pm

186klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:16 pm



80.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman


187PaulCranswick
jul 14, 2019, 6:10 am

I missed you passing 75, Karen - congrats.

Have a lovely weekend.

188klobrien2
jul 16, 2019, 1:28 pm

Thanks, Paul!

189klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:18 pm

190klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:20 pm



82.
Asterix Omnibus #3 by Rene Goscinny


191klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:22 pm

192klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:22 pm

193klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:24 pm

194klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:26 pm



86.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman


195klobrien2
Bewerkt: jul 23, 2019, 12:54 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (7/23 update):

Actively reading:

Naamah by Sarah Blake (Noah's wife!)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright
Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot (read glowing reviews of this, and awed by it so far)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo

My current "Great Courses" course is another 48-lecture (each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Across the Ages." I'm 22 lectures in. Another winner of a course.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro (recommended by a good friend)
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

197klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:28 pm



88.
Naamah: A Novel by Sarah Blake


198klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:29 pm



89.
Asterix Omnibus 4 by Rene Goscinny


199klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:30 pm

I find myself reading, once again, in synchronicity (I love when topics, personages, even just mentions, cross between different books I am reading). I just finished this wonderful gem of a book, about Artemisia Gentileschi, a female painter of the 17th century (how could I never have heard of her?). I'm also reading The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro, and my Great Courses course is "Art Across the Ages." I feel as if I am immersed in painting talk, and in recollection of strong female characters (having just finished Naamah: A Novel!) Great reading!

8/1 update: "Art Across the Ages" did, indeed, have a bit on Artemisia -- in today's Lecture 27! I've requested a book from the nearby big-city library: Shapiro mentioned the book as an invaluable resource for her (Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art by Mary D. Garrard), and I can't wait to get my hands on the book

So, anyway, here's my Book #90:



90.
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough



200klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 1, 2019, 9:10 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/1 update):

Actively reading:

Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot (almost done with this awesome, sad book)
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro (ooh, it's getting tense! I should finish this shortly)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, but haven't made progress lately; very sad)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei!

UPDATE: Added two books for the American Author Challenge, which this month features Ernest J. Gaines: A Lesson Before Dying and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Neither are lengthy books and August is a long month, so I bet I can get them read.

My current "Great Courses" course is another 48-lecture (each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Across the Ages." I'm 28 lectures in. Another winner of a course.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (I feel like I should read this book but haven't gotten to it yet)
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

201klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 4, 2019, 5:31 pm

202PaulCranswick
aug 5, 2019, 1:25 am

>200 klobrien2: I am trying to avoid having too many active reads as it seems to be keeping me from finishing so many of them. One at a time for me this month.

203klobrien2
aug 5, 2019, 6:47 pm

>202 PaulCranswick: I like the variety of having multiples going--then I can decide what I feel like reading at any given point. And then I seem to finish up with several at about the same time, which is a thrill. And I love the feeling of cross-referencing (see "synchronicity" post in 199)--it makes me feel a much richer sense of involvement.

That said, if I have a real need to finish a particular book, I will focus on that one to try to make my commitments.

It's all good, though, isn't it?!

Thanks for visiting and for chatting!

204klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 5, 2019, 6:49 pm

205klobrien2
aug 5, 2019, 7:02 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/5 update):

Actively reading:

Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot (almost done with this awesome, sad book)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, but haven't made progress lately; very sad)
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold (new)
The Second Worst Restaurant in France by Alexander McCall Smith (new)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo

UPDATE: Added two books for the American Author Challenge, which this month features Ernest J. Gaines: A Lesson Before Dying and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Neither are lengthy books and August is a long month, so I bet I can get them read.

My current "Great Courses" course is another 48-lecture (each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Across the Ages." I'm 30 lectures in. Really enjoying the course!

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Asterix Omnibus #5 (gosh, I like these comics; so funny, and clever wordplay throughout)
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)(new)
Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland (healing and happiness)(new)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (I feel like I should read this book but haven't gotten to it yet)
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

206msf59
aug 5, 2019, 9:13 pm

Hi, Karen. I want to read They Called Us Enemy. As soon as I finish my current GNs, I will request it. I also loved Heart Berries, but I agree, it is a heart-breaker.

207klobrien2
aug 6, 2019, 2:23 pm

>206 msf59: Mark, it was really good! Reminded me much of the "March" graphic novels (John Lewis); in fact, some of the same people were involved in the production, I believe.

Thanks for stopping by to chat!

208klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 15, 2019, 6:49 pm



93.
Asterix Omnibus 5 by Rene Goscinny



209klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 15, 2019, 6:50 pm



94.
Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot



210klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 8, 2019, 9:36 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/8 update):

Actively reading:

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland (healing and happiness)(new)
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold (new)
The Second Worst Restaurant in France by Alexander McCall Smith (new)
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo

For the American Author Challenge, which this month features Ernest J. Gaines I'll be reading:

A Lesson Before Dying
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

My current "Great Courses" course is another 48-lecture (each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Across the Ages." I'm 36 lectures in.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (NEW)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)(new)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman (I feel like I should read this book but haven't gotten to it yet)
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!

213klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 15, 2019, 6:52 pm

214klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 15, 2019, 7:45 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/15 update)(several requested books came in--yikes!):

Actively reading:

Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
The Second Worst Restaurant in France by Alexander McCall Smith (quirky; will finish in a day or two)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)

For the American Author Challenge, which this month features Ernest J. Gaines I'll be reading:

A Lesson Before Dying
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

My current "Great Courses" course is another 48-lecture (each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Across the Ages." I'm 40 lectures in.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart by Jennifer S. Holland
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Asterix Omnibus #6
Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art by Mary D. Garrard

215klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 19, 2019, 5:42 pm

217klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 22, 2019, 6:52 pm

218klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 19, 2019, 5:57 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/19 update):

Actively reading:

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
Filthy Rich by James Patterson (written in 2016, about Jeffrey Epstein; reads really fast, how the heck did he get away with it for so long?)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)

Finished my "Great Courses" (48-lectures, each lecture 30 minutes), "Art Across the Ages"! Yay! I've got a long list of possibilities for my next course. Decisions, decisions.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Southern Lady Code: Essays by Helen Ellis (NEW)
The Boys, Volume 1: The Name of the Game by Garth Ennis (NEW)
Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart by Jennifer S. Holland
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Asterix Omnibus #6
Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art by Mary D. Garrard
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes

220klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 22, 2019, 6:51 pm



102.
Asterix Omnibus 6 by Rene Goscinny


221klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:37 pm

222klobrien2
aug 23, 2019, 5:10 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/22 update):

Actively reading:

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
Filthy Rich by James Patterson (written in 2016, about Jeffrey Epstein; reads really fast, how the heck did he get away with it for so long?)
A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: One Introvert's Year of Saying Yes by Jessica Pan
Southern Lady Code: Essays by Helen Ellis (NEW)
Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart by Jennifer S. Holland
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes

224klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:37 pm

225klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:33 pm

226klobrien2
Bewerkt: aug 29, 2019, 9:44 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (8/29 update):

Actively reading:

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines - this is for the August AAC, so must hit this one first!
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart by Jennifer S. Holland - loving this series!
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell - hard to get started, but I'll give it a shot
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion - great series of books; about 50 pages into this one
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver - a well-loved poet; I think I might need my own copy of this!

For the September American Author Challenge, I will read Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko

I'm having a Great Courses festival, I guess! Just got two more from the library: "King Arthur: History and Legend" and "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather." These are only (!) 24 sessions of 30 minutes each.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: One Introvert's Year of Saying Yes by Jessica Pan
Southern Lady Code: Essays by Helen Ellis (NEW)
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes
This Land is Our Land by Suketu Mehta
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)

227klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:33 pm



107.
Asterix Omnibus 7 by Rene Goscinny


228klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:33 pm



108.
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion


230klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:33 pm



110.
Cowboys and Aliens by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg


231klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 8:33 pm

232klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 5, 2019, 9:52 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (9/5 update):

Actively reading:

Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver - a well-loved poet; I think I might need my own copy of this!
This Book is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch (third book in the series; very fun)
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: One Introvert's Year of Saying Yes by Jessica Pan

For the September American Author Challenge, I will read Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko

I'm having a Great Courses festival, I guess! Just got two more from the library: "King Arthur: History and Legend" (9 of 24 lectures completed), and "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (0 of 24 completed).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Southern Lady Code: Essays by Helen Ellis (NEW)
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
Mohammed, Charlemagne, and the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges (recommended by my Ancient History course)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes
This Land is Our Land by Suketu Mehta
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell

233humouress
sep 7, 2019, 4:31 am

>232 klobrien2: Some intriguing books. I look forward to reading what you have to say about them.

234klobrien2
sep 9, 2019, 8:50 pm

>233 humouress: I used to spend a lot of time with "reviews"; now I realize that I'd rather be reading. I feel as if I'm doing well enough if I keep a log and get a star rating out. If someone asks me about a book, I'm glad to respond, though!

Thanks for stopping by!

235klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 15, 2019, 4:08 pm

236klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 15, 2019, 4:09 pm

237klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 15, 2019, 4:10 pm



114.
Asterix Omnibus 8 by Rene Goscinny


238klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 15, 2019, 4:11 pm

239klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 15, 2019, 4:13 pm



116.
Mohammed, Charlemagne & the Origins of Europe by Richard Hodges and David Whitehouse


240klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 15, 2019, 2:39 pm

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (9/12 update):

Actively reading:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes
Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright (I'm a good ways into this, really want to finish up)
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver - a well-loved poet; I think I might need my own copy of this!
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

For the September American Author Challenge, I will read Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (2 of 24 completed).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Unlikely Friendships: Dogs by Jennifer S. Holland (great series, spirit-cleansing books)
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
This Land is Our Land by Suketu Mehta
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (just saw the movie, must read the book!)
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)

Added 9/15/19:

The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth
Idylls of the King and Other Arthurian Poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Marie de France: Seven of Her Lays Done into English
The Vision of History in Early Britain by Robert W. Hanning
Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr

242klobrien2
sep 15, 2019, 2:38 pm

The Great Courses I've taken have prompted my continued reading in the subject(s), and my last one even more so than usual. The course was, "King Arthur: History and Legend," and look at the list of stuff I have waiting for me:

The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth
Idylls of the King and Other Arthurian Poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Marie de France: Seven of Her Lays Done into English
The Vision of History in Early Britain by Robert W. Hanning
Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr

And movies!

The Fisher King
Excalibur
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Can't wait to get at them!

243harrygbutler
sep 15, 2019, 3:20 pm

>242 klobrien2: That looks like a good lineup, Karen. Have you read/do you plan on reading more of the medieval Arthurian tales, such as the romances by Chrétien de Troyes?

244klobrien2
sep 15, 2019, 4:07 pm

>243 harrygbutler: Would definitely like to! Do you have any recommendations?

And thanks for stopping by to chat!

245drneutron
sep 15, 2019, 8:47 pm

That really looks like fun!

246klobrien2
sep 16, 2019, 6:52 pm

Hi, Jim! Do you mean the "King Arthur"-athon? The Great Courses course itself was a lot of fun--the teacher, Dorsey Armstrong, is smart and funny, and her descriptions and explanations of the sources made me want more of them!

Thanks for stopping by!

247klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:21 pm

248harrygbutler
sep 17, 2019, 9:30 am

>244 klobrien2: Hi, Karen! I'd suggest trying out, in particular, Chrétien's Yvain and Erec and Enide, and, if you enjoy them moving on to his Lancelot, or the Knight of the Cart and Perceval, the Story of the Grail (but those two weren't completed by him and thus may prove less satisfying), as his works stand at the beginning of the long vogue of Arthurian romance. I can also recommend Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival and Gottfried von Strassburg's Tristan (as the Tristan & Isolde story ended up part of the Arthurian cycle, even if it may not have started out there.

There are some huge French works in the tradition, but a couple pieces were made available in English translation via Penguin Books years ago that you may find worth a look, The Quest of the Holy Grail and The Death of King Arthur.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an excellent poem in a difficult Middle English dialect, but readily available in modern English.

If your sampling prompts you to look further afield and you have access to an academic library or ILL, there are a number of other works put out in the Arthurian Archives series published by the Boydell & Brewer imprint D. S. Brewer, including examples of Dutch, Italian, Latin, and Norse romances, as well as French and German with both text and (generally highly readable) English translation. I in particular recall enjoying the Dutch Ferguut.

249klobrien2
sep 19, 2019, 6:59 pm

Hi, Harry! Your recommendations sounded so familiar to me; I'm glad that I retained something from the course! Your tips will be very helpful to me as I move forward with this "project." So far, I've sampled the books and watched two of the movies (Excalibur and Monty Python and the Holy Grail), both very entertaining in their own ways.

Thanks for your assistance--it was very chivalric of you!

250klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:23 pm



119.
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright



251klobrien2
sep 19, 2019, 9:24 pm

I've been having a tremendous time watching Ken Burns's "Country Music" mini-series, currently airing on PBS. It's a set of 8 2-hour episodes, four of which have aired; the last one will be aired 9/25. There is such an immense plethora of film clips, music clips, new interviews--I find it just fascinating. It does take a bit of time, though (16 hours worth by the end) so my reading time has diminished. Well worth it, though.

252klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 22, 2019, 10:07 am

Okay, I guess I'm doing my weekly update on Thursdays, so here goes for this week:

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (9/22 update to 9/19 list):

Actively reading:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments). Update: I bought them both as ebooks, so I'm not required to read them quickly, but I WANT to!
For the September American Author Challenge, I am reading Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. Very, very fun!
Marie de France: Seven of Her Lays Done into English
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver - a well-loved poet; I think I might need my own copy of this!
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Can You Ever Forgive Me? by Lee Israel
Asterix Omnibus #9

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (6 of 24 completed).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (just saw the movie, must read the book!)
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Marie de France: Seven of Her Lays Done into English
Idylls of the King and Other Arthurian Poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr

253klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:24 pm



120.
Asterix Omnibus 9 by Albert Uderzo

255klobrien2
Bewerkt: sep 27, 2019, 1:05 pm

Okay, I guess I'm doing my weekly update on Thursdays, so here goes for this week:

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (I thank them!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (9/26):

Actively reading:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments). Update: I bought them both as ebooks, so I'm not required to read them quickly, but I WANT to! (halfway through The Handmaid's Tale)
For the September American Author Challenge, I am reading Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko (almost done)
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. Very, very fun!
Marie de France: Seven of Her Lays Done into English
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver - a well-loved poet; I think I might need my own copy of this! (halfway through; book is arranged newest to oldest!--I think I'd prefer it chronologically)
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (halfway through)
Beverly Right Here by Kate DiCamillo
Maid by Stephanie Land

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (7 of 24 completed; I've been watching Ken Burns's "Country Music" which has impinged on my Great Courses time!).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
The Point of It All by Charles Krauthammer (my sister recommended; I'll give it a "Nancy Pearl" shot)
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (just saw the movie, must read the book!)
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Idylls of the King and Other Arthurian Poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)

256klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:27 pm

257klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:27 pm



123.
Storyteller by Leslie Marmon Silko

259klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 3, 2019, 9:42 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (10/03):

Actively reading:

My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress by Rachel Deloache Williams (compelling, hard to put down)
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)(halfway through The Handmaid's Tale)
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. Had to bring this one back as others are waiting; hopefully will have back soon
Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw From the Same Source by Ori Z. Soltes
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver - a well-loved poet; I think I might need my own copy of this! (halfway through; book is arranged newest to oldest!--I think I'd prefer it chronologically)
Beverly Right Here by Kate DiCamillo
Maid by Stephanie Land
Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (7 of 24 completed).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
The Threat by Andrew G. McCabe (I'm about 50 pp. in, and really enjoying it, and I'm a little surprised!
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Idylls of the King and Other Arthurian Poems by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
Lanny by Max Porter
The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays by Oscar Wilde
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Asterix Omnibus #10

260klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:30 pm

261The_Hibernator
okt 5, 2019, 9:42 pm

Hi Karen!

>236 klobrien2: I have this one. How is it for listening material if you don't read any of the supplementary material? I always feel the need to read supplementary material, and then I feel incomplete when I don't.

262klobrien2
okt 7, 2019, 7:06 pm

>261 The_Hibernator: The King Arthur course would be fine just by itself. The instructor (Dorsey Armstrong) is very good, and a hoot besides. I believe she teaches another course--The Medieval World?--and that will probably be my next.

Thanks for stopping by!

264klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 8, 2019, 4:33 pm



127.
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver



The Summer Day (from "House of Light" (1990)

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean--
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of
up and down--
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down into the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

265klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 11, 2019, 4:17 pm



128.
Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr



266klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 11, 2019, 4:18 pm



129.
Asterix Omnibus 10 by Albert Uderzo



267klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 11, 2019, 4:16 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (10/10):

Actively reading:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)(halfway through The Handmaid's Tale)
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton--got it back from the library!
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo--need to get this finished, but it's kind of a slog at the beginning; can't get motivated.
Beverly Right Here by Kate DiCamillo--I love this series, and I'm almost done with this one (I'm a little sad about that!)
Maid by Stephanie Land--just started, and it's got a heck of an opening.
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz--really enjoying my start of this; fun murder-mystery/detective book.
Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis
Lanny by Max Porter
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier--just got this today at the library; I really like Chevalier's books.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen

October's American Author Challenge is Drama--I'm reading The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (10 of 24 completed).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

268klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 26, 2019, 5:38 pm



130.
Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo



269klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 26, 2019, 5:38 pm



131.
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horwitz



270klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 26, 2019, 5:38 pm

271klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 17, 2019, 6:36 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (10/17):

Actively reading:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (this is a reread for me, but I want to read it again prior to reading The Testaments)(2/3 waythrough The Handmaid's Tale)
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for People to Talk About Racism by Robin J. DiAngelo--making a little progress, but I guess I'm dealing with my own white fragility!
Lanny by Max Porter
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier--just got this today at the library; I really like Chevalier's books.
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

October's American Author Challenge is Drama--I'm reading The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (10 of 24 completed).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Maid by Stephanie Land--just started, and it's got a heck of an opening. Unfortunately, had to cede over to the ebook powers for a while.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Tracks: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz

274karenmarie
okt 21, 2019, 8:50 am

Hi Karen! I haven't visited in way too long. Congrats on all your good reading.

>272 klobrien2: I picked up a copy at the FoL book sale. *smile*

275klobrien2
okt 24, 2019, 8:52 pm

Hi, Karen! Nice to see you here! I'm working hard trying to catch up on my reading, but sure have time for a little treat like Whose Boat is This Boat!

I'm making my way around the threads, so I'll catch up with you tout-de-suite!

276klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 26, 2019, 5:38 pm



135.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood



277klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 27, 2019, 4:18 pm



136.
Hollow Kingdom: A Novel by Kira Jane Buxton



I adore this book so much I want to immediately start reading it again! So much to love: a heroic story, a love story, all about birds and animals (things you never knew!), and one heck of a hero! I will never look at crows in the same way again.

I recommend this one with a shout and fanfare!

278klobrien2
Bewerkt: okt 24, 2019, 9:22 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (10/24):

Actively reading:

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout (just got on ebook!)
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (now that I finished my reread of The Handmaid's Tale)
Lanny by Max Porter
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Tracks: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry

October's American Author Challenge is Drama--I'm reading Salome by Oscar Wilde (I had planned to read The Importance of Being Earnest, which is, of course, COMEDY, not Drama! Oops!)

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (10 of 24 completed). I've been watching "The Crown" and "Spaced" and have been neglecting my "studies." This must change!

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Maid by Stephanie Land--just started, and it's got a heck of an opening. Unfortunately, had to cede over to the ebook powers for a while.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
D.V. by Diana Vreeland

279klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 8, 2019, 4:26 pm



137.
Lanny: A Novel by Max Porter


280klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 4, 2019, 9:11 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (10/31):

Actively reading:

***Brand-new (11/4/19)***

Watchmen by Alan Moore
To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith

D.V. by Diana Vreeland
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (now that I finished my reread of The Handmaid's Tale)
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Tracks: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry
Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L. A. by Eve Babitz

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - not really sure what I'll read, but at this point, it isn't November yet...

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (10 of 24 completed). I've been watching "The Crown" and "Spaced" and have been neglecting my "studies." This must change!

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

The Handmaid's Tale (The Graphic Novel) by Margaret Atwood; Art and Adaptation by Renee Nault
Patti LuPone: A Memoir
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Maid by Stephanie Land

281klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 8, 2019, 4:27 pm



138.
Asterix Omnibus 11 by Albert Uderzo


282klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 8, 2019, 4:28 pm

283klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 8, 2019, 4:29 pm



140.
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout


284klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 4, 2019, 9:10 pm

Just picked up two holds at my library which move to the top of my TBR:

Watchmen by Alan Moore
To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith

Both yummy comfort reads, I'm sure!

285jnwelch
nov 5, 2019, 6:06 pm

The current Watchmen tv series is very good, but so different from the graphic novel, Kathy. I've enjoyed the Precious Ramotswe series for a lot of years, but I've stalled out on the last couple for some reason (that is, I haven't read them). I'll look forward to your reactions to both of these comfort reads.

286klobrien2
nov 7, 2019, 7:43 pm

Hi, John! I'll at least give a star rating to the books when I finish--I'm just not into doing any kind of reporting lately. I'd rather read! :)

One real gift that I get from reading many books at once is the synchronicity that occurs when you least expect it!

My current example is a Triple Synchronicity: (1) I am reading a book by Eve Babitz (Slow Days, Fast Company), (2) I'm also reading D.V. by Diana Vreeland, and she just mentioned Eve Babitz, and (3) I'm listening to a collection of Gram Parsons music ("The Complete Reprise Sessions" and Eve Babitz is mentioned in the liner notes! A triple!

287klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 10, 2019, 1:25 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (11/7):

Actively reading:

Watchmen by Alan Moore
To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith
D.V. by Diana Vreeland
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (now that I finished my reread of The Handmaid's Tale)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (this might be troublesome, reading two SK at the same time--I'll wait and see!)
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Tracks: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L. A. by Eve Babitz

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil

Current Great Courses course: "Meteorology: Introduction to the Wonders of the Weather" (18 of 24 completed). I'm bound to finish up this weekend, I would think.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Maid by Stephanie Land
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan

288klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 18, 2019, 9:26 pm



141.
Shrek! by William Steig


289klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 18, 2019, 9:27 pm

291klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 18, 2019, 9:29 pm



144.
D. V. by Diana Vreeland


292karenmarie
nov 13, 2019, 1:56 pm

Hi Karen!

I've just started Olive, Again and am already thoroughly enjoying it.

293klobrien2
nov 14, 2019, 7:45 pm

>292 karenmarie: Great! I thought it a book that I would read again, for sure. I hope that this is not it for Olive, but she's getting pretty old. Good thing she's such a curmudgeon!

Thanks for visiting!

294klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 14, 2019, 8:38 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (11/14):

Just got a treasure trove of books from the library today. I will do some deliberating about how they fit into the big picture. Some are easier, shorter, soon finished, so they might pop to the top of the list:

My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall's Story by John Coy (Easy)
Infidel by Pomsak Pichetshote (graphic novel)
White Bird by R.J. Palacio (graphic novel, in the Wonder universe)
A Taste fur Murder by Dixie Lyle (looks like a quick, fun read)
Full Service by Scotty Bowers (a tawdry tell-all)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay
Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
Everyday Dorie by Dorie Greenspan (cookbook, so I'll just need to skim through this one)

Actively reading:

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (now that I finished my reread of The Handmaid's Tale)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!)
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (this might be troublesome, reading two SK at the same time--I'll wait and see!)
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L. A. by Eve Babitz
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil

Current Great Courses course: I finished the Meteorology course! Yay, me! I don't think I'll be attempting another science-ey course anytime soon. In fact, I've just picked up "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong). I guess history is more my thing. Can't wait to get started!

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Watchmen by Alan Moore
Tracks: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Maid by Stephanie Land
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan

295klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 20, 2019, 2:13 pm



145.
My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall's Story by John Coy



a>

146. Infidel by Pornsak Pichetshote



a>

147. Highway 61 by Jessica Lange





148.
White Bird: A Wonder Story by R. J. Palacio



296klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 23, 2019, 8:19 am

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (11/21):

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey (recommended by library kids AND my grandson; that's good enough for me!)
Full Service by Scotty Bowers (a tawdry tell-all)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay
Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
Everyday Dorie by Dorie Greenspan (cookbook, so I'll just need to skim through this one)

Actively reading:

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (now that I finished my reread of The Handmaid's Tale)
The Institute by Stephen King (birthday present!) - a third of the way into this bigly book, and feeling compelled to find out what happens next!
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King - I'm going to hold off on this until I've finished The Institute, to avoid confusion
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil

Current Great Courses course: I finished the Meteorology course! Yay, me! I don't think I'll be attempting another science-ey course anytime soon. In fact, I've just picked up "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong). I guess history is more my thing. Can't wait to get started!

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Watchmen by Alan Moore
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L. A. by Eve Babitz
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Maid by Stephanie Land
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry

297klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 12, 2019, 7:52 pm



149.
The Fox in the Library by Lorenz Pauli





150.
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey





151.
The Institute: A Novel by Stephen King


298karenmarie
nov 27, 2019, 6:50 am

Hi Karen!

msf59 kindly sent me a copy of Frankissstein recently - how are you liking it so far?

The Sentence is Death is on my wish list for Christmas - I'll probably ask Cousin Rebecca to get it for me.

And Harry Potter is always a good bet. I have the 1st in the illustrated series but haven't read it yet. Sad, right?

299Ape
nov 27, 2019, 6:56 am

Those illustrated editions of Harry Potter are breathtaking! My sister has them all, and I'm super jealous! Though I'm very curious - what's it like to read one? It seems very heavy and bulky, I'm curious if it would be tedious to read given the size.

300FAMeulstee
nov 27, 2019, 2:26 pm

>297 klobrien2: Congratulations on reaching 2 x 75, Karen!

301klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 12, 2019, 7:53 pm

>298 karenmarie: Hi, Karenmarie! I'm about 30 pages into Frankissstein, and liking it more than I thought I would. I really like Winterson's writing, although I've only read her memoir books before.

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! My husband is in the hospital, so it was quite different for me. I made dinner for myself and two of my sisters, and we had a nice time. Good news today is that Art is making such progress (he had a GIST -- gastro-intestinal -- tumor removed) that he may be coming home in a day or two. Just in time for our next snowstorm! You win some, you lose some.

Thanks for stopping by!

302klobrien2
nov 29, 2019, 5:24 pm

>299 Ape: They are just wonderful! This fourth one (Goblet of Fire) is huge! and serious poundage! I don't know how they're going to do the later books--maybe multiple volumes? They are lovely, though, just gorgeous!

Great to see you here!

303klobrien2
nov 29, 2019, 5:25 pm

>300 FAMeulstee: Thank you! A pale imitation of what you get read, though I'm really enjoying the reading.

Thanks for stopping by!

304klobrien2
Bewerkt: nov 29, 2019, 9:24 pm

(Friday after Thanksgiving) Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (11/29):

Actively reading:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay
Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (now that I finished my reread of The Handmaid's Tale)
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King - I'm going to hold off on this until I've finished The Institute, to avoid confusion
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil. Didn't get to this yet--maybe I'll read this in December?

Current Great Courses course: "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry
Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L. A. by Eve Babitz
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
Full Service by Scotty Bowers (a tawdry tell-all)
Everyday Dorie by Dorie Greenspan (cookbook, so I'll just need to skim through this one)
The Boys Vol 4 by Garth Ennis
Out of Silence by Muriel Rukeyser

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Maid by Stephanie Land
Watchmen by Alan Moore

305klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 27, 2019, 6:33 pm



152.
Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue





153.
Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey





154.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey





155.
Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook by Dorie Greenspan





156.
The Boys Omnibus 4 by Garth Ennis





157.
Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel





158.
Animal Farm: The Graphic Novel by George Orwell, adapted and illus. by Odyr


306klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 5, 2019, 7:39 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (12/5):

Actively reading:

Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson - seventy pages left to go!
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

Books I really need to get to, quickly:

Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Swede Hollow: A Novel by Ola Larsmo
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil. Didn't get to this yet--maybe I'll read this in December? December has us reading Marilynne Robinson--I'll try Housekeeping

Current Great Courses course: "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L. A. by Eve Babitz
This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
Out of Silence by Muriel Rukeyser
Highs: Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good...Without Alcohol or Other Drugs by Alex J. Packer
The Book of Joan: A Novel by Lidia Yuknavitch
The Iliad: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason
Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties by Dav Pilkey
Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
Mary Poppins (80th Anniversary Collection) by P. L. Travers
The King David Report by Stefan Heym

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay - 1/3 of the way through
Maid by Stephanie Land
Watchmen by Alan Moore

307klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 27, 2019, 6:49 pm



159.
Frankissstein: A Novel by Jeanette Winterson









161.
A Single Thread: A Novel by Tracy Chevalier


308klobrien2
dec 12, 2019, 6:33 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (12/12):

Actively reading:

The Iliad: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
Mary Poppins (80th Anniversary Collection) by P. L. Travers
The King David Report by Stefan Heym

Books I really need to get to, quickly:

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Watchmen by Alan Moore
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil. Didn't get to this yet--maybe I'll read this in December? December has us reading Marilynne Robinson--I'll try Housekeeping

Current Great Courses course: "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
Highs: Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good...Without Alcohol or Other Drugs by Alex J. Packer
The Book of Joan: A Novel by Lidia Yuknavitc

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay - 1/3 of the way through
Maid by Stephanie Land
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Swede Hollow: A Novel by Ola Larsmo

309klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 27, 2019, 7:01 pm

I am having a blast with kid books, graphic novels, and Dog Man books. I feel like a kid, reading just for the fun of it!



162.
Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library by James Dean





163.
The Iliad: A Graphic Novel adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds





164.
Firefly Legacy Book One by Zack Whedon





165.
Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey





166.
Firefly Legacy Edition Book Two by Zack Whedon





167.
Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas by Dav Pilkey





168.
Firefly: The Unification War Part One by Greg Pak





169.
Beowulf: The Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

310klobrien2
dec 19, 2019, 6:59 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (12/19):

Actively reading:

This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (about 100 pp left)
Mary Poppins (80th Anniversary Collection) by P. L. Travers
The King David Report by Stefan Heym

Books I really need to get to, quickly:

Just picked up today:

A Warning by Anonymous (not a huge book, and I've been waiting for this one for a while)
Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church by Megan Phelps-Roper
The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation (way late, but still a worthwhile read)

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (may give this one back; people I trust didn't care for it)

November's American Author Challenge is W. E. B. Dubois - I'll read Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil. Didn't get to this yet--maybe I'll read this in December? December has us reading Marilynne Robinson--I'll try Housekeeping

Current Great Courses course: "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

This Isn't What it Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch (love this kids' series)
Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
The Book of Joan: A Novel by Lidia Yuknavitc

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay - 1/3 of the way through
Maid by Stephanie Land
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Swede Hollow: A Novel by Ola Larsmo

311karenmarie
dec 24, 2019, 1:11 pm

Hi Karen!

>301 klobrien2: glad you’re liking Frankissstein so far. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, sorry to hear about Art had to have surgery but hope that he’s doing well.

Wishing you both a


312PaulCranswick
dec 25, 2019, 9:14 pm



Thank you for keeping me company in 2019.......onward to 2020.

313AMQS
dec 26, 2019, 2:09 am




Merry Christmas to you and your family!

314klobrien2
Bewerkt: dec 27, 2019, 7:07 pm

Thank you all for the lovely greetings! And thank you for sharing this wonderful LibraryThing voyage with me!

A few more over the holiday:





170. This Isn't What It Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch



171.
Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey



315klobrien2
dec 26, 2019, 7:54 pm

Thursday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (yay, libraries!), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly! Karen's current reading (12/26):

Actively reading:

Mary Poppins (80th Anniversary Collection) by P. L. Travers
The King David Report by Stefan Heym
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle

Books I really need to get to, sooner rather than later:

Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons by Ben Fong-Torres
A Warning by Anonymous (not a huge book, and I've been waiting for this one for a while)
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

I'm really enjoying the graphic novels of Gareth Hinds, so I've got quite a few in my hands right now:

The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Macbeth
The Odyssey
Poe: Stories and Poems

Current Great Courses course: "The Medieval World" by the professor who did the King Arthur course (Dorsey Armstrong).

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still:

Cats Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (recommended reading for my "Meteorology" class!)
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
The Book of Joan: A Novel by Lidia Yuknavitc
The Elephant Whisperer: My Life With the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence

Books that I need to wait for again (other people waiting for, so giving up my turn):

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ILLUSTRATED!) by J.K.Rowling, illus. by Jim Kay - 1/3 of the way through
Maid by Stephanie Land
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Swede Hollow: A Novel by Ola Larsmo
Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church by Megan Phelps-Roper
The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation (way late, but still a worthwhile read)

317klobrien2
Bewerkt: jan 1, 2020, 1:28 pm

Happy New Year! I had an immensely fun year of reading, reading what I wanted to, pushing into unfamiliar territory at times. Glad to be here on Library Thing, enjoying all of the talk, especially about books. See you on the 2020 75-Bookers Group!

I'll post a link to my 2020 thread when I have it set up (I reserved that business for today, the first of the year). And, can I say how much I like saying "twenty-twenty"?

Here's where I am in 2010: https://www.librarything.com/topic/314888