Tess Reads Her Own Tomes Page 1

Author Richard Powers: "“I want literature to be something other than it is today. There was a time when our myths and legends and stories were about something greater than individual well-being. "

Hi, my name is Tess and I'm a college professor-Western Civ, American History, and The Holocaust. I teach in real-time and also online.

I've been married to my husband for 45 years; have 2 sons and 7 grandchildren ranging in ages from 2 to 20 years of age. I live in the midwest USA, Ohio, on about 5 acres in a rural area; although a grocery is only 1/2 mile from my house.

Besides reading, I love to cook, garden and travel. I also play the tenor saxophone in a community band and am B & B flat in my church bell choir.

I've been reading since age 4 when my mother taught me to read from the Bible. My favorite genres are historical fiction (not romance), Victorian, the classics, and Gothic literature. I also like stories about western U.S. settlement and psychological thrillers as well as true crime. I have a great interest in Russia and the Soviet Union. I hardly ever buy a paper book anymore, preferring e-books and audiobooks.

My rating system:
1 star--waste of paper and ink
2 stars-Is this literature? -major flaws or mind numbing boring
2 1/2 stars-not so bad I had to stop reading
3 stars-average, but still quite enjoyable
3 1/2 fun, informative, thought provoking
4 stars-excellent read
4 1/2 exceptionally good, among my favorites
5 stars-in all ways a superior read




BEGINNING TBR: 542

Reading Year: Dec. 25 to Dec. 25

Virtual Bookshelf--This can be an e-book or an audiobook



1. The Strangled Queen by Maurice Druon
2. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
3. When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica
4. Caravans by James Michener 449 pages 4 stars
5. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer 242 pages 4 1/s stars
6. I'll Be Gone in the Dark Michelle McNamara 456 pages 3 stars
7. Demelza by Winston Graham 429 pages 5 stars
8. The Devil's Grin 226 pages 4 stars

Paper books



1. The Stalking Moon by Theodore Olsen 240 page 3 1/2 stars
2. Farewell My Lovely by Raymond Chandler} 292 pages 3 stars
3. Charade (Classic Screenplays) (Volume 1) 192 pages 3 stars
4. The Sleeping Tiger by Maurice Moiseiwitsch 247 pages 3 stars
5. Hell House and Other True Hauntings From Around the World 20y pages 2 1/2*
6. The Man With The Broken Ear by Edmond About 91 pages 3 1/2 stars
7. The Tower of London by William Ainsworth 448 pages 3 1/2 stars
8. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carre 292 pages 3 1/2 stars
9. The Moon and the Bonfires 176 pages 2 1/2 stars
10. Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham 4 stars 438 pages

Shakespeare--I've read all the comedies and a sprinkling of others.



1. Macbeth COMPLETED
3.
4.
5.

Reading Through Time



Quarterly Reads
1. Prehistory The First Dog READ
2. Ancient and Biblical Times Brothers (Legacies of the Ancient River) READ
3. Arthurian Britain A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
4. Medieval Times (plus the Vikings) What Life Was Like: In the Age of Chivalry : Medieval Europe Ad 800-1500

Monthly Reads
1. Jan 19th century Ireland Changing Skies: Manchester Irish Writers READ
2. Crime/Mystery Death of a Red Heroine by Xialong Qiu READ
3. March Mothers and Daughters The Kitchen God's Wife READ
4. Off With Her Head! The Tower of London by William Ainsworth READ
5. May Explorers Journey to the Center of the Earth
6. June Get thee to a nunnery The Apostate's Tale (Sister Frevisse series)
7.
8. August Epidemics, Famine and Other Health Disasters The Brief History of the Dead: A novel
9. September- I'll Trade You (economics) America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams
10. October Deceptions Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies
11. November Author Biography Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World
12. December Predicting the future Far North: A Novel (dystopian, futuristic)

GEOCAT



January-Geo Area Asia I Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan - My Dear Son: The Memoirs of Stalin's Mother by Keke Jughashvili READ

February--Geo Area: Europe (Excluding Great Britain) -Past Imperfect (France) READ

March Northern Africa & The Mideast: Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey (others) Reading Lolita in Tehran READ

April Australia, New Zealand, Oceania The Thorn Birds (re-read)

May: Any place you would like to visit! Russka

June: Space: The Final Frontier...WIll finish listening to Wolf 359 on Stitcher (Pod Cast)

July: Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Like Water for Chocolate

August: Asia II: Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan Southeast Asia Dragon Seed

September: Polar & Tundra Regions The Worst Journey in the World Antarctic 1910-1913

October: Great Britain, Canada, US Tales from English History: The Truth About King Arthur, Lady Godiva, Richard the Lionheart, and More

November: Africa II All countries excluding those from March. Possibilities: Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia and others East Wind A True Story

December: Catch up month or read another one from your favorite CATegory! Unsure

Scaredy CAT



January - 1970s-1980s Horror Re-read of Cujo READ
February - Psychological Thrillers When the Lights Go Out READ
March - Haunted Places Hell House & Other True Hauntings From Around the World READ
April - Paranormal Grayson Manor Haunting READ
May - Occult The Secrets of Doctor Taverner
June - Cryptids and Legendary Creatures The Mothman Prophecies: A True Story
July - Femmes Fatales Misery
August - Serial Killers Green River, Running Red
September - International Fever Dream
October - Halloween The October Country
November - Stephen King and family Joyland
December - Classic Rosemary's Baby

Books published in 1955 It was a very good year!;)



1. Lolita FINISHED
2. Marjorie Morningstar
3. The Talented Mr. Ripley
4. The Quiet American
5. Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf
6. The Sleeping Tiger by Maurice Moiseiwitsch 247 pages 3 stars FINISHED

BIG FAT BOOKS--Michener and Rutherfurd


1. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie FINISHED
2. Russka FINISHED
3. Henry, King of France: A Novel
4. Kristin Lavransdatter FINISHED
5. The Overstory FINISHED
6. Vanity Fair FINISHED

KITastrophe



Jan Fires The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy FINISHED
Feb Invasions 1812 Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow FINISHED
March Epidemics/Famines Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic FINISHED
April Riots/Uprisings/Sieges The Plot Against America FINISHED
May Geologic Events Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded, August 27, 1883
June Weather Events Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History
July Weather Events Cont What Stands in a Storm: Three Days in the Worst Superstorm to Hit the South's Tornado Alley
August Transportation & Maritime Transportation Without a Trace 1970-2016
September Transportation & Maritime Mysteries and Histories: Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes
October Pre 1900 Firestorm at Peshtigo: A Town, Its People, and the Deadliest Fire in American History
November Outside your home country 57 Hours: A Survivor's Account of the Moscow Hostage Drama
December-Industrial/Chemical/Technology The Hawk's Nest Incident: America's Worst Industrial Disaster

>1 Tess_W: I am also a professor, and I just teach online now part time, mostly Science and also Leadership courses to undergrads. I also live in the Midwest USA, south central Indiana, on 43 wooded acres with a pond. We seem to have a lot in common! And we both love to read!

Good luck with your challenge, especially the Big Fat Books. They can be intimidating and satisfying at the same time.

Great set up! It promises to be a good reading year.

Happy reading, Tess!

Good idea to set aside a category for the big fat books! I always buy them thinking that it will be easier to read them if I own them, rather than borrowing from the library... but then I never get around to reading them.

Looks like you are all ready for 2020. I've placed a star so that I can follow along. :)

Great set up - happy reading!

Congratulations on getting the new thread up! >8 Tess_W: I read three good books from 1955 this year—Beast in View, Pink Flannel, and A World of Love. Looking forward to seeing what you read from this year!

Happy reading! Good luck with your challenge.

>8 Tess_W: >19 NinieB: I am keen to follow this category as well. There were some great books published in 1955. And what a fabulous idea for a category - I may have to borrow (steal!) that idea as a category for next year.
Did you just randomly choose that year? Or did you decide based on the books published that year?

>21 JayneCM: The year I was born! But actually, I'm going to try to read the 20th century, year by year. Next year I'll pick another year at random.

>19 NinieB: I will most certainly check them out! Thank you!

>17 DeltaQueen50:
>18 Jackie_K:
>19 NinieB:
>20 majkia:
>12 LittleTaiko:
>13 VivienneR:
>14 MissWatson:

Thank you!

>22 Tess_W: That is a marvelous reading plan! Making a note in my ever expanding reading ideas collection...

>22 Tess_W: Not sure what the books were like the year I was born!

>25 MissWatson: Me too! Great idea.

>19 NinieB: I took a book bullet from your reading, just ordered a copy of Pink Flannel by Ruth Park, which was not easy to find, I can tell ya!

Wow, I just checked the group and was surprised by all the new personal planning topics that seemingly appeared overnight. (Well, at least now I feel like I can post mine anytime now.) It looks as though you have another full year of reading ahead, Tess. Have fun!

>28 This-n-That: TY !

>27 LadyoftheLodge: Ooh, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Sounds like a good reading year!

>22 Tess_W: - I like this idea too. I'll be keeping it in mind for the future.

Dropping by to say hi. Hope to see you around KITastrophe.

>33 BookLizard: See you on the boards!

I admire your being able to stick to your own books so well. I did better this year but hope to read more in 2020. I look forward to following your thread again.

I'll probably participate in some of the KITastrophe stuff, but not every month. Enjoy your 2020 reading!

Okay, starting to "cheat!" Am starting Kristin Lavransdatter, will count towards 2020, but at 1168 pages, I'm sure I won't finish it until then!

>37 Tess_W: I saw it was in my wish list on Overdrive. It apparently is available as a single book or by the separately titled three parts. I'm not starting with it right away, so I'll have plenty of time to choose how I wish to approach it.

>38 thornton37814: I have the three books in a single volume It is pretty hefty!

>39 JayneCM: I'd be using the e-book so it wouldn't be too bad!

Your setup looks promising for another great year - enjoy your reading!

>41 Chrischi_HH: TY!

I have decided that I will make my reading year from Dec. 25 to Dec. 25. I'm always at a loss as to what to read (if anything) in the little time I have from after Christmas to the start of a new year. I'm only about 6 hours from finishing Kristin Lavransdatter so I think that would be an appropriate way to begin 2020!

>42 Tess_W: Great idea!

>42 Tess_W: Great! I have had that on my reread pile for so long and I really want to get to it as I loved it so much the first time.

Totally forgot that Dec. 17 was my 10th thingaversary! I'm on a book diet.....so I purchased 2 works and will save the rest maybe for a later date in 2020. My purchases were:
The Radetzky March and The Emperor's Tomb both by Philip Roth. I have always loved Balkan history so hope to get to these soon in 2020!

>45 Tess_W: Happy Thingaversary! 10 years!
You made me realised I missed mine too - my first one was December 2nd. Is it a 'tradition' to buy yourself a gift for this? If so, I will definitely have to, although I am only buying secondhand books in 2020 (still six hours of 2019 to go though!)

>45 Tess_W:, Jayne, the tradition is to buy 1 book for each year you've been on LT plus 1! So I'm "due" 11, but I'll settle for 2 right now.

>47 Tess_W: Oh yay! So I am 'allowed' to buy two new books! Hmmm, what to choose?!
I guess with 11 to choose, it is a good idea to space it out. New ones are always being published too.

Happy reading!! Looks like you're off to a good start already!

Decided to make my reading year from Dec. 25 to Dec. 25. I usually don't do anything substantial for that week anyway and my challenges were all completed. Also, this year, I have THE flu (type B) and I've been in bed 3 days hacking a lung up with a temp of 100. What a way to spend most of my Christmas vacation! That being said, I read a whopper during that week:

1. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset I have many thoughts about this book, but will try to reign them in. The book spans 40+ years in Kristin's life in 14th century Norway. I listened to the audio only, so some of the problems I encountered may have been due to that. It was a good story--not great, but good enough. It was tough for women at that time, no doubt; but Kristin could have made better choices and her life would have been easier. Kristin's life was highly affected by the Church, and not always for the better. To be honest, I didn't find a character that I could like. They were all selfish and cold. Problems with the book: many of the names were similar, such as
Erlend Nikulaussön and Nikulaus Erlendssön (his son). If I had a hard copy I might not have had to sort the characters. Also, there were always wars and expeditions and a map for us not familiar with Scandinavia would have been helpful as well as a list of the Kings and their successors. From all of this, you may think I did not enjoy the read, but I did! I can see its place in literature and I'm glad I had the experience. 45 hours=1168 pages. CAT: BFB 3 stars (average but still quite enjoyable)

Happy New Year! And a BFB to start the year!

I am hoping to read this again this year - I first read it when I was aboout 15. So am interested to see if I love it as much as I did then. It is quite a time investment though (and I have to find a category to fit it into!)

I'm sorry to hear you're ringing in the new year with the flu! Hope you're feeling better soon.

I love Kristin Lavransdatter. The first time I read it I was blown away by both Kristin's story and the historical detail of the time period that Undset works into the narrative. The second time I read it I listened to the audiobook and it was definitely harder for me to enjoy. I also was annoyed by Kristin's inability to make decisions that would make her life better. And I was annoyed by the Christian element in the book - I'm guessing when I read it the first time I skimmed some of that, but you can't do that with audio! However, I still think it's a remarkable book.

Get well soon, Tess - hope you have some lung remaining! Happy new year to you and yours.

>53 rabbitprincess:
>55 Jackie_K:

Thank you--the cough seems to be dissipating, but my throat is so sore that I can not swallow. I guess it's back to the Dr.

2. Stayed up till 3:57 AM to finish Cujo by Stephen King. This was a re-read from the 1980's. It's "old" Stephen King but I liked it as well as I did in the 1980's. 400 pages 3 1/2 stars CAT: Scaredy Cat

3. The First Dog by Jan Brett was a "what-if" type of story postulating that the first dog evolved from a baby wolf. This was a pre-release copy and probably a YA book. Not much substance, but a nice story. CAT Reading Through Time-Prehistoric 37 pages 3 stars

Hi Tess! Happy New Year to you, belated Happy Thingaversary and I sincerely hope you've got over your flu! Not the best way to start a new reading year, but congrats on finishing such a big one!

Good luck with your 2020 reading!

>59 lkernagh: TY!
>58 MissWatson: TY, Birgit!

4. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov was a re-read from about 20 years ago. I still think the writing is poetic while the story line is just a big no! I can see why it is a classic regardless of the subject matter. I think it is less shocking today that it would have been in 1955. 317 pages 3 1/2 stars CAT: 1955

You've gotten 2020 off to a nice start. I also loved Kirsten Lavransdatter when I read it in 2018. I think it would be a book that would be difficult as an audible. I agree with you about Lolita - admire the writing - hate the story.

Happy 2020, Tess! I hope that you are feeling better.

>60 Tess_W: >61 DeltaQueen50: Yep! I'm the same with Lolita, although I am glad the 1001 list finally made me read it. I don't think I want to hurry to get to Ada, or Ardor though!

>62 Familyhistorian: TY Meg! Most of the symptoms are gone except this nagging cough. My teacher friends have told me they have had it and the cough lasts for weeks.

>63 JayneCM: The 1001 List is what made me read it also, Jayne! I'm not sure I'm going to ever tackle Ada, or Ardor as all the reviews I've read said that it's so deep that they didn't "get it" the first time around.

Hope you're completely over the flu soon. Looks like you made good use of your time though. :) Good luck with this year's goals!

Oh dear. How did I miss that you have been battling the flu bug? Here is hoping you are back to 100% health real soon!

>65 madhatter22:
>66 lkernagh:

TY TY TY I never get the flu! I always get the flu shot. I always get the shot in late December or early January as in our region that's when it hits the worst. Came down with the serious Type B flu on Dec. 28 and am still not over it--incessant coughing and fatigue. Better be over by Monday, because I go back to work!

>67 Tess_W: Oh no! Hope you are feeling better very soon.

>67 Tess_W: Tess, I usually get the flu shot in late October but when I saw the Dr. in September this year she told me it didn't matter if I got it earlier as it now lasts a year. I hadn't heard that. We are having higher rates of flu than usual, one of the clinics is opening a walk-in that is only for those who think they may have it.

I hope your total recovery is soon!

>68 JayneCM:
>69 clue:

TY TY TY! I was able to sleep last night only waking myself once due to coughing and I slept a full 7 hours!

QUESTION: I have lost my bookmark to the wiki page that tells how to do neat little things with your page like to make bold, strike through, how to create the spoiler, etc. Can somebody share a link with me? Please and thank you!

>71 Tess_W: Is this the one you mean? http://www.librarything.com/topic/177029

>72 christina_reads: Yes, thank you thank you!

Good luck with your reading this year. My TBR is unconquerable. I read one and buy two.

Get well soon and fully!

Happy reading. I noticed you plan to read Russka. I might join you there because I loved Sarum and London by the same author and it has been on my list forever.
Wonderful categories, btw.

>76 Trifolia: I am thinking of having a category just for Edward Rutherfurd next year as all his books are quite a time investment!

>76 Trifolia: I just started Russka! Contact me if you want to do a read together.
>77 JayneCM: I've tried to read one per year, because of the time investment. I've read New York which I loved and The Princes of Ireland, which I did not enjoy.

>74 lowelibrary: TY!
>75 MissWatson:, TY Birgit!

5. I read The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan which tells the harrowing tale of the Hartford, Connecticut, circus fire in 1945. This isn't one of the more famously remembered fires, such as the Triangle Factory Fire of the Cocoanut Grove fires. However, 167 people did lose their lives; mostly women and children as this particular show was a matinee and men the ages of 18-45 were off at war. One thing is certain, there weren't any hard and fast conclusions as to how it started and even Miss 1565 is still unidentified as to this day. I remember hearing about some of the real personages involved in this fire: Emmett Kelly, Robert Ringling, The Flying Wallendas, etc. My only complaint were the one liners about a person or an employee and no more is known other than their name. To me, that was just words for words sake. 384 pages 4 stars
CAT: KITastrophe

I hope you feel better soon, Tess. Give that nasty flu bug a swift kick in the rear. That's great you've been able to get a considerable amount of reading done though.

>80 This-n-That: Thank you! It's all gone now except the lingering cough, and only then why I lie down. Yes, even when I haven't been able to read because of a bad headache, I was still able to listen to an audiobook and did so sometimes for hours.

Based on my 2019 reading:

House Guests:

What would you call the event? A Christmas Treasury

How did they find their way? The Longest Ride

How did they know they'd arrived? We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Any special activities? Song of Achilles

Did your guests stay over? Room with a View

Were there servants to help? Coraline

Was there turn down service? The Burger's Daughter

How were the guests greeted? Clara and Mr. Tiffany

Was dinner held for late comers? In the Shadow of Blackbirds

And dinner was? My Mother's Secret

Afterward? The Secret Garden

>82 Tess_W: - Love your meme answers!

>82 Tess_W: Nice meme answers!

6. Changing Skies: Manchester Irish Writers by Arlene Hughes and translators. This was a collection of short stories written by immigrants from Ireland to Manchester. (England). I'm not a short story fan, but these were excellent reads about the immigrant's life before they left and afterwards. 72 pages 4 stars CAT: Reading Thru Time January-19th century Irish experience

>83 lkernagh:
>84 thornton37814:

TY TY!

7. My Dear Son: The Memoirs of Stalin's Mother by Keke Jughashvili and translators. This was a very short memoir dictated by Stalin's mother; according to book notes from 1927-1935. It mainly recounts his mother and father's marriage, his father's descent into alcoholism, Stalin's poor health as a child (including smallpox), and the efforts of his mother to get him an education. Little is said, although it is acknowledged, that Stalin was dismissed from the seminary for being rebellious. Nothing deep, but a good read if you are interested in Stalin's early life. 34 pages 4* CAT: GeoCat-Western Asia (Georgia)

I am discovering.....being recently new to audiobooks (within the last year), that I tend to "get lost" or fail to make connections on saga type books......I do fine on the audiobooks that are 300-400 pages........but I've gotten lost twice on sagas......I don't know if it's just a coincidence or maybe my auditory attention is not as stable or acute as my reading. I'm reading/listening Russka currently and I'm about 9 hours into a 40 hour read and I have absolutely no idea where this main character came from or what happened to the previous main character. I guess I'm going to have to get the book to figure it out, nothing online like chapter summaries or anything.

>88 Tess_W: I cannot do audiobooks at all. I have tried and I just don't take them in like I do with reading. It probably doesn't help that I always do something else while I am listening as it feels like a good opportunity to multi-task!

>88 Tess_W: I used to listen to tons of audiobooks when I was a faculty trainer and drove all over a three state area to train people. Now that I work part time from home, I do not really listen to audiobooks any more.

>90 LadyoftheLodge: That's why I primarily became involved with audiobooks, to listen to when I drove.

8. The Overstory by Richard Powers is the story of 9 people who are living more or less normal lives unbeknownst to each other. Some of their paths cross and they become involved due to the deforestation of American. Their "answer" to this problem ranges from writing books and teaching to becoming domestic terrorists. 512 pages 3 1/2* CAT: BFB (anything over 500 pages)

>92 Tess_W: I have this on the shelf and hope to get to it later this year. Opinions vary on it so widely I'll be interested in seeing where I'm going to fall on the opinion scale.

>93 clue: I hope you love it! I wanted to love it, but it began to drag for me. Still, it was a bit better than average for me; enjoyable.

Author Richard Powers: "“I want literature to be something other than it is today. There was a time when our myths and legends and stories were about something greater than individual well-being. "

This is profound!

9. Russka by Edward Rutherfurd was such a disappointment! I thoroughly loved his New York and I love Russian history, but this story was very disjointed. I've been doing some researching and found out this was Rutherfurd's first historical saga. I also read where a couple of critics claimed these were short stories put together to form a novel; that is how I felt. I just couldn't find the connection between characters nor find out why some disappeared or where others came from. Now I really have to think if I will do a 3rd Rutherfurd or not! 1168 pages 2 1/2 stars CAT: Big Fat Books

>96 Tess_W: I liked London and The Rebels of Ireland much better than Russka (which I didn't even finish). London's connections between characters are clearer, and The Rebels of Ireland has a similar time scale to New York, if I remember correctly.

Sorry to hear you've been battling the flu, Tess. I hope by now you are feeling much better. Mine developed in the first week of December and I still have the cough. Take care.

>96 Tess_W: How disappointing! I really wanted to hear that you loved this as I love Russian history and Russian sagas and was looking forward to one day immersing myself in this one.

>98 VivienneR: Hope you get rid of that cough, soon, Vivienne!

>96 Tess_W: I've had that oine on the shelf (or, more accurately, my mum did) since we both read Sarum when I was in my teens. I've never yet read Russka and it's not jumped up the list based on that review either. I remember really enjoying both Sarum and London, but it was a long time ago now...

>96 Tess_W: I've got New York on my Kindle, and I started it when I went on holiday a couple of years ago but couldn't get into it as I was in and out of airports, it seems like it would be worth going back to. It sounds like the epic kind of historical fiction I go for. A shame Russka didn't live up to your expectations.

I am impressed that you finished Kristin Lavransdatter! I have it in my TBR stash but keep putting it off due to its length. And I love your meme answers!

I loved the beginning sections of The Overstory with the descriptions of trees and the connections with people. But as the story started to devolve into domestic terrorism, Powers really lost me. The beginning was a 5 star read and the end I almost didn't want to finish! Odd reading experience.

>103 cbl_tn: TY!

>104 japaul22: I agree, 5 star read till about 75% through and drops to a 3 or less!

>85 Tess_W: This sounds very interesting. I read from time to time The Great Hunger and Woodham-Smith goes into great detail of the immigration from Ireland to both Manchester and Liverpool during the Famine years. Glad to know that a book was put together of their collected writings.

>88 Tess_W: I listen to a lot of audiobooks but I too often get lost with very long books. Frequently, I'll also get a copy of the print book from the library so that I can check it once in a while to track where I am, and to see how the names are spelled. :)

>107 mathgirl40: I also do that!

10. The Strangled Queen by Maurice Druon is book #2 in the series The Accursed Kings. This book focused on Louis X, the power struggles between the Capets and the Valois, and the eventual strangulation of Margaret of Burgundy so that Louis could marry Clementia of Hungary. Very good read about little known royalty. 304 pages 5* CAT: Virtual Bookshelf

Talk about a double whammy: lingering flu and a dud read. Here is hoping you are feeling better soon and your next read is an impoverishment on Russka. I really struggled with Sarum years ago and found Paris to be just an OK read, so Rutherfurd stays off my future reading lists.

>110 lkernagh: TY TY

11. Ross Poldark by Winston Graham. Great book-- I won't review as it's a group read and not due till the end of March. I got it one day after I signed up for it at the library and read it before I returned it. 5 stars 400 pages CAT: Group Read/Virtual Bookshelf

>109 Tess_W: I will have to look for that series. I am always on the lookout for good historical fiction about the lesser known historical figures. Interesting to read that this series was apparently the inspiration for Game of Thrones, although it is of course straight historical fiction, no fantasy.
I found all seven books on Book Depository - tempted!

>112 JayneCM: That would be the first 7, there are 12. He took a 20 year hiatus between book 7 and 8!

>112 JayneCM: They are pretty short compared to most other historical fiction. Which reminds me that I have most of them still on Mount TBR. Sigh.

>113 Tess_W: Oh thank you! Goodreads only lists 7 in the series. I will have to do some further research.

12. Suite Francaise was written by Irene Nemirovsky. Nemirovsky was born a Ukrainian Jew. By the time of WWII she was already an accomplished writer. When the Germans invaded France she hid and began writing this book. It was not finished by the author as she was found and transported to Auschwitz, where she died. I think the author's story was more compelling than the actual book. The book is written in 3 parts, of which only 2 were actually written by the author. I did not really enjoy part one, as they were "short stories" about different people that revealed their character during a time of crisis. It picked up a little in parts two and three, but again, it wasn't compelling and I had to force myself to finish this book. I kept hoping that it would get uber interesting, but I didn't find it so. Definitely not riveting and no climax. However, given the circumstances under which most of this was written, perhaps my critique is too harsh. Perhaps this wasn't the final product that the author envisioned. 416 pages 3* CAT: Virtual Library

>111 Tess_W: I'll look forward to reading your review for Poldark. Based on the rating, it looks like you really enjoyed it. :) I have read through The Angry Tide and had (temporarily) stopped there as I didn't want to read ahead of the Masterpiece Theatre series that concluded in 2019. I will just say Graham created some amazing historical stories and characters!

I am late in getting around to wish everyone a Happy Year of Reading in 2020. Nice set up (as always).

13. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica was a psychological thriller told from 4 different viewpoints. The ending blew me away! A great read! I'm going to definitely read more from this author. 383 pages 5 stars CAT: Virtual bookshelf

>119 Tess_W: - That sounds fascinating. I know I've seen the book around because the cover is distinctive. Nice to know it's worth the read.

>119 Tess_W:, I have this down for February Scaredy Kit read. Glad to see you liked it.

>119 Tess_W: I keep changing the book I want to read for February ScaredyKIT - maybe I need to again! I like POV books.

14. The Stalking Moon is a 1967 ( a little late for the genre) western that has a white woman leaving her Apache husband with her two children. She is befriended and protected along the way by Sam Vetch, who eventually makes her his wife. Of course, they have to fight off the Apache ex, but the ending is as expected. This was a quick, easy, enjoyable read. 240 pages 3 1/2 stars CAT: Tree Book

>119 Tess_W: - Making note of the Kubica book!

>123 Tess_W: I can't get over the coincidence of the both of us reading that rather obscure western at the same time!

>125 DeltaQueen50: Actually, this was an old copy, they were removing it from the shelf and going to put it in the Friends of the Library sale. I asked if I could check it out and read it before they did that, and they said yes! I didn't go looking for it!

15. When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica As much as I loved The Good Girl by the same author, I did not like this book. It was from the POV of a very unreliable author. It was difficult for me to tell what was real and what was not. Sometimes that adds to the storyline, but this time it fell flat. 337 pages 2.5 stars CAT: Virtual Bookshelf

16. Caravans by James Michener. I'm a huge Michener fan and this book, while out of the norm for Michener, was nonetheless enjoyable. Young American, Ellen Jasper marries a young Afghan engineer (already having an Afghan wife) and moves to Afghanistan. Her parents do not hear from her for 17 months and fear the worst. It is the job of 26 year old American ambassador Mark Miller to locate her. Mark is thrown in with a German Nazi doctor, a tribal camel herder, and a whole host of other interesting characters. This book's setting is vague, but I would guess about 1950's-1960's as it was sometime after the Nuremberg Trials and before the invasion by Russia. Besides learning a lot of Afghan history, I also learned a lot of Afghani/Islamic culture. 449 pages 4 stars CAT: Virtual Shelf

February Reads:



January's Favorite read:

>129 Tess_W: I'll be curious to see what you think of a couple of those February reads.

The need to know........I thought I needed to know just how many books I've got on my TBR and how long I've had them:

Date Purchased/number of books

2013-12
2014-60
2015-107
2016-138
2017-106
2018-41
2019-69
2020 (thus far) 6

I can see when I went off the deep end and when I went on a book diet. Definitely 2020 will be a severe book diet. I would like to clear the shelves this year of the 2013-2014 purchases, but I think I'm involved in too many CATS!

P.S. Some books I did not buy, they were given to me from other readers or as gifts.

What was it about 2016? That's my highest year too. My next step is to go through what I have and ask myself if I would buy it today. If not, it goes to the library, or is removed from Kindle. Last year I started using ILL more and I'm going to continue to do that for books that it's really not important for me to own. Having said that I've bought 16 already this year, bout half from Christmas money or gifts.

17. Death of a Red Heroine by Xialong Qiu. This was an inspector Chen mystery. More than crime, politics drove the plot. This took place after Deng Xiaoping began his reform. It's Mao politicans vs. Xiapoing politicians; interesting, though. Besides being a chief inspector, Chen is a poet. This is book #1 in the series. I might read another one; hoping to get more culture and less politics! 3.75 stars 477 pages CAT: Crime/Mystery Reading Through Time.

18. Past Imperfect by John Matthews is the parallel stories of 2 young boys, one the victim of sexual abuse/murder and one the victim of an auto accident in which both of his parents are killed. It was a very intriguing novel. As well, I learned a lot about the French judicial system. 400 pages 4 1/2 stars CAT: Geo Cat (France)

On my 9th thingaversary, I only bought 2 books! So I'm due 8. Here are the next 5:

Birds in the Mouth (Electric Literature's Recommended Reading Book 3)
Candide
Trader Horn: A Young Man's Astounding Adventures in 19th Century Equatorial Africa (Travelers' Tales Classics)
Whisper of the Moon Moth
Shakespeare's Kings: The Great Plays and the History of England in the Middle Ages: 1337-1485

Three were from Friends of the Library sale, cost me 50 cents each. I will say they are old and used!

Lucky you, especially finding that John Julius Norwich for 50c! I am already putting Whisper of the Moon Moth on my TBR.

Good haul, Tess!

Book page numbers. I remember, when I really first started getting serious about reading, about the 1980's, the books were between 300-350 pages. I noticed in the 21st century the average book was about 350 pages. For the past couple of years I have noticed that more than 50% of my reads are at least 400 pages. In most cases, I find 400 pages for a novel too long. Has anybody else noticed this?

>138 Tess_W: I have noticed this mostly with mysteries where the private travails of the detectives seem to take precedence over the case.

19. Reading Lolita in Teheran by Azar Nafisi My two words: self-aggrandizement. This book is nothing more than literature lectures, and not that interesting! Author's words: "I'm in academia and I like to pontificate." Not much about Lolita, but large amounts about Fitzgerald (the Great Gatsby) and James (Daisy Miller-literally like almost 100 pages). Meh 400 pages barely 3 stars. CAT: March Geo Cat (Iran)

>140 Tess_W: That is a bummer! I will probably pass on that one, although I thought I might read it initially.

20. Farewell, my lovely by Raymond Chandler was the second book written by Chandler featuring PI Philip Marlowe. Fairly interesting with quite a few characters. The ending was not a total surprise, but unexpected. 292 pages 3 stars CAT: Tree Book

21. 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow by Adam Zamoyski is both the entrancing and horrifying tale of Napoleon's 1812 march to Moscow, his defeat, and the retreat back to Paris. I must admit about half-way through the book (the battles had not even began yet) I started skimming through the various maneuvers, formations, cannon, etc. Once the battle began I was spellbound. I liked the actual account of the soldier's lives more than the accounts of the actual battles. Soldiers on both sides suffered horrifically. Zamoyski did a very good job collecting accounts on both sides. His research and footnotes were top-notch. His background information on Tsar Alexander was superb. The French defeat here was a momentous moment in European history. My only complaint: too long (for me), the preparations for and the battles just took hours to read. I guess if you are a war historian, this would be a treasure-trove for you! 656 pages 3 stars CAT: KITastrophe: Invasions (Feb)

22. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray is a satire about "highborn" English life in the 19th century. I found Thackeray's writing witty, funny, and biting. Then, as now, it is meant to be read in serialized form, hence I read it via Serial Reader. I couldn't really take too much Thackeray in a day! That being said, I did enjoy the inhabitants of Vanity Fair, although I did not care a whit for any of them. 822 pages 4 stars CAT: BFB

Ok...time for a 5-star read! Going to start The Clockmaker's Daughter and Amy Tan's The Kitchen God's Wife.

>138 Tess_W: I agree, Tess! I find I am put off by a long book where the writer should have cut, cut and cut some more. A long book isn't always a good read to say nothing of how difficult it is to hold. And forget about reading in bed.

>146 VivienneR: I agree, Vivienne! A 400 page book is fine if it is "tight" but when pages are just added for fluff, detracts from the book!

>146 VivienneR: >147 Tess_W: Amen.

Where did February go? Read 7 books in February, my favorite: Past Imperfect by John Matthews! Surprising because this was a free Kindle d/l in 2012.

What's up for March?

Finish The Clockmaker's Daughter (audio) and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (Serial Reader)

To Read:
The Kitchen God’s Wife (Reading Through Time)
Hell House & Other True Hauntings From Around the World (Scaredy Kit)
Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic (Kitastrophe)

23. Charade (Classic Screenplays) (Volume 1) by Peter Stone was the screenplay for a movie by the same name starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The story is about stolen Nazi $ and the attempts of unscrupulous people to recover it. It certainly did have a lot of red-herrings that had to be eliminated, much in the Agatha Christie fashion. Now I'm going to watch the movie! 192 pages 3 stars CAT: Tree Book

>150 Tess_W: The movie is one of my favorites! Hope you enjoy it too.

>151 christina_reads: TY, Christina! I did watch it (free on Prime) and I liked the movie better than the script--more life! And I'm a huge Cary Grant fant.

24. Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones was a big sprawling (too sprawling for my taste) narrative about the oxycontin epidemic followed by the Xalisco black tar heroin epidemic. I found this book interesting as 50% of the situations and companies in the book are from Ohio, my home state. Sadly, these two epidemics plague Appalachia, where sometimes there isn't a lot of hope. I was just shocked that establishments like Urgent Care (who I thought were well respected) saw patients at a rate of one every 96 seconds in Portsmouth, Ohio. One doctor alone prescribed 1.6 million oxycontin's. When oxycontin became too expensive ($70 per pill), addicts went to cheaper black tar heroin imported from Mexico. Just a scathing review of unscrupulous doctors as well as Purdue Pharma. For example, if doctors prescribed x amount of oxycontin pills in a year they could win cars, vacations at exotic locales, etc. Just wow! 400 pages 4 stars CAT: Kitastrophe (March-Epidemics)

25. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer is the fictional story of a child serial killer. The book shows what evil can do to a family, even through several generations. I normally don't read about violence to children, but this book was not graphic, it only gave glimpses as remembered by the killer. Definitely a psychological suspense. After I finished this book I realized it was Bauer's debut novel and it is one of the Exmoor Trilogies. I will check out the next book, but won't read if it's about another serial killer. 4 1/2 stars 242 pages CAT: Virtual Bookshelf

26 The Sleeping Tiger by Maurice Moiseiwitsch was the story of a psychiatrist who attempted to rehabilitate the one who tried to rob him by taking him into his home. I won't give the plot away, but it was what I consider a very typical 1950's crime noir. 3 stars 247 pages CAT: 1955

>155 Tess_W: I do love 50s book covers! Even if the story wasn't that great.

>156 JayneCM: Yes, they are almost a history within themselves!

27. The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan This is the story of three women, mother, daughter, and "auntie." The story is primarily the story of the mother, Winnie, and her hell-on-earth-life before she immigrated to America following WWII. This is the story of pain and survival; juxtaposed against the mother/daughter relationship. A great read! 416 pages 4 1/2 stars CAT: RTT/Mothers-Daughters

>158 Tess_W: I have this one on my shelf and I wish I had chosen to read it this month instead of Winter Garden which I didn't enjoy - oh well, it's good to know I have it waiting for the future. :)

>158 Tess_W: >159 DeltaQueen50: I also have chosen Winter Garden (to fit the mothers and daughters theme) - maybe I should swap before I start it as I have not heard very good reviews of it. And I have had The Kitchen God's Wife on my TBR for a million years.

>159 DeltaQueen50:
>160 JayneCM:

I have also read Winter Garden last year and gave it 3.5 stars. I must have enjoyed The Kitchen God's Wife 1 star more!

28. I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara was a true crime story concerning the "Golden State Killer" or "EAR" --east side rapist. I was somewhat disappointed and probably would not have read this book had I known the author died after completing 2/3 of the book. The last 1/3 of the book was undertaken by some friends and mostly just lauded the author's previous work. The book was published 2 months before the killer was arrested; so I actually had to search online to find out about an arrest. 456 pages 3 stars CAT: Virtual Bookshelf

29. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was the story of Ifemelu and Obinze. Their romance overarches the narrative, but there are long periods (at least 50% of the book) where they are not even on the same continent and they both must get on with their lives. Neither character is easy to like, but then neither is racism. 588 pages 4 stars CAT: BFB

Was "due" 8 books in January for my thingaversary, only purchased two. Purchased 3-4 yesterday--audiobooks:

The Novice's Tale (A Dame Frevisse Mystery Book 1) a first in a series that came highly recommended to me. I'm not usually a mystery fan, but I'll take a chance on this historical mystery.

Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson. This will fit one of my KIT's, but I also have read 2-3 Larson's and I like them all.

4 more to go.............need to spread them out!

I haven't read the Dame Frevisse series although I think I have one of the earlier ones on my shelf. I have read several in her Player Joliffe series, he's an actor, and I did like those. They had a good sense of time and place.

>165 Tess_W: I'd forgotten about that Margaret Frazer series. I thought the first one was promising. I really should look for the second sometime.

>165 Tess_W: I'll be interested in seeing what you think of Isaac's Storm. I've read several other books by Erik Larson that I liked very much.

30. Hell House & Other True Hauntings From Around The World by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale. I only read this book to get it off the shelf, it was a gift from someone. It was very elementary and it reminded me of the haunted bus tours you can take in some cities--iffy and not really any substance. However, there was some minor historical value. 207 pages 2 1/2 stars CAT: Tree Book

31. The Man With the Broken Ear by Edmond About was a novella (91 pages), subtitled "A Queer Case of Suspended Animation." The idea of human desiccation and resuscitation is not so novel now, but during the 19th century it was exceptionally so. However, the book doesn't really focus on this, it's just a way to draw people in. The book's focus is on the differences between the First and the Third Republic, a bit boring to this reader in spots. I'm glad I knew some French history or I would not have understood this book at all. 91 pages 3 1/2 stars Picked this book up at a library sale many years ago for just 10 cents! Didn't think I would really ever read it, but have time now since I'm not teaching fulltime to start clearing off some of those shelves! CAT: Tree Book

Since my house is all cleaned, my online lessons are posted, I think I'm going to have my own little read-a-thon. I challenge myself to read 5 books in the next 7 days, OFF MY SHELF! That will then make a total of 7 tree books read in 7 days. I will probably donate most of them to the Friends of the Library, so that's a goodly amount of shelf space cleared. My 7:

1. Hell House & Other True Hauntings From Around The World by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale READ Friday
2. The Man with the Broken Ear by Edmond About READ Saturday
3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain started
4. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth FINISHED
5. The Tower of London by Richard Ainsworth FINISHED
6. Henry V
7. The Moon and the Bonfires by Cesare Pavese started

Good luck with your challenge, it's a great way to keep your mind focused on something other than the news.

>165 Tess_W: Erik Larson books are wonderful. This one sounds very good!

I may copy your idea of spreading out purchases of Thingaversary books. My 13th Thingaversary is in two months so I should start counting soon!

>171 Tess_W: Good luck on your read-a-thon. What a great idea! I'm using my at-home time to re-organize my bookshelves. That will probably mean I won't be able to put my hand on a specific book for weeks until I get accustomed to the new order.

>170 Tess_W: That is a familiar name, but an unexpected topic. A few years back I read his Les mariages de Paris, a collection of short stories about married couples. Seems there is more to him!

Good luck with your challenge.

32. The Tower of London by William Harrison Ainsworth The book was old and the pages were yellowed, but still I persevered! This was a historical romance and the book focused on that, and Lady Jane Grey was just a side story, but we did get to her beheading near the end of the book. The book focused on the romance of Cuthbert (a Knight) and Cicely, a fair maiden and eventually lady in waiting to Jane. There of course is the sinister Duke of Northumberland and the three giants: Og, Megog, and Gog. It had the requisite gaoler who loved to stretch people. This was a fun romp through Tudor England, although much liberty was taken with history. I did learn that English monarchs (not sure if they still do) spent 1-2 nights in nicer quarters in The Tower of London to meditate and prepare for being crowned or married. CAT: Reading Through Time (Off With her head!), Tree Book 448 pages 3 1/2 stars

I enjoyed catching up on your thread. I've got The Good Girl waiting on my shelves to be read - sounds like a good one!

And I'll take a BB for Caravans.

33. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth was an alternate history of the U.S. with the election of Charles Lindbergh in 1942, unseating FDR with a pledge to keep the U.S. out of WWII. The story was plausible and mildly entertaining until the last 50 pages and then it was just a bit bazaar; but then it is alternate history! 418 pages 3.5 stars CAT: Kitastrophe (April) Uprising, Riots, and Sieges, 1001 Books

>178 Tess_W: I just started watching the HBO series. I hadn't remembered it was a book!

>179 madhatter22: Oh wow, we don't have HBO so I didn't know it was TV series!

Well, I did not get 7 books read in 7 days, but I did read 5. It is taking me longer to read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court than I had anticipated. However, I feel good about the 5 books off the shelf!

34. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold was a spy/espionage thriller, by John le Carre. This book was recommended to me by Vivienne. It was my first le Carre. I'm not a fan of the genre, but thought I should at least try one! It was standard fare, I guess, for a spy read. The ending was a complete surprise and for that I'm bumping up my rating by half a star. Although I did enjoy this book somewhat (I like stories about the Cold War), I probably won't read another. 292 pages 3 1/2 stars CAT: Tree Book, 1001 Books

>34 Tess_W: Well done on the 5 books! I've never read a Le Carre either, although I have The Constant Gardener on my bookshelves.

I don't know how I did it but I also have missed reading anything by John Le Carre but since some of his books are on the 1,001 List I have picked up The Spy Who Came in From the Cold as my first read by him. Now I just have to work the book into my reading schedule!

>181 Tess_W: I picked that one up at the library. I may or may not read it for the espionage category in the MysteryKIT for April. I've got a Mrs. Pollifax one that belongs to Carrie (cbl_tn) which I know I'll read, but I checked the other one out just because I've heard so much about it and think I should try it. So I may read two for the category.

35. Demelza is the 2nd in the Poldark series by Winston Graham. Since I'm doing this as a group read and it isn't "due" until June 30, I won't comment except to say the books just keep getting better and better! I think I will probably read ahead and take notes so I will know what to post when the discussion for that book comes up. I am getting both the ebook and the audio from the library, so I need to read them when they are both available simultaneously. This book covers the years 1788-1790. 429 pages 5 stars CAT: Ebook

36. Brothers (Legacies of the Ancient River) by Angela Hunt is book #2/3 in a series. This particular book follows Joseph from his rise to the Grand Vizier of Egypt though the reunion with his father and brothers. Very good historical reads. I can't wait to read the last one. 400 pages 5 stars CAT: Reading Through History Biblical Times, Virtual Library

37. Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw was book 1/4 of the Addie Lockheart paranormal series. I'm not a paranormal fan by any means, but this book wasn't bad. I read it for April's Scaredy Kit. At first, I thought the focus of the book was going to be on the haunting, but it was more specifically about a young woman who had psychic experiences in her childhood that were repressed by her parents. When her parents were gone and she moved into a house with a spirit, that power returned to her. Addie finds out that she is a medium, as were both her mother and grandmother. 287 pages 3 stars CAT: Scaredy Kit

First harbingers of spring in the midwest: hyacinths, white cherry tree, and flowering crabapple, and of course, weeds! They will be gone in 10 days, except for the weeds that will plague me until the first frost. My lilac bush has buds, although most years they freeze before they bloom.

Cherry blossoms are always so beautiful!

38. The Moon and the Bonfires by Cesare Pavese was a miserable book of gloom and despair. The narrator, Anguilla, tells the story on three levels 1) his village before WWII, 2) his stay of 20 years in America, 3) his return to his village. Anguilla finds almost nobody left that he knows and sees the villagers still struggling to cope with the devastation of WWII. I found nothing to like in this book; it almost seemed as if it were stream of consciousness, but because of the three very defined locales in the story, I can't really define it as such; although, I would say the book has a dreamlike quality. This was the last book the author wrote before he committed suicide and I think his troubled soul shows through in his writing. 176 pages 2 1/2 stars CAT: Tree book, 1001 Books

39. Macbeth by William Shakespeare was a 4th or 5th re-read, can't remember! Good as always. 120 pages (from my Shakespeare omnibus), 5 stars CAT: Shakespeare

>185 Tess_W:

I had intended to read Demelza this month but the library closed before I could get it.

Here we’ve moved on from daffodils and forsythia to dogwoods and azaleas.

>192 hailelib: Can you get it as an ebook or an audio book?

>193 Tess_W:

I just checked and there is an ebook version in the catalog which I may download later this month. Thanks for the suggestion.

40. The Devil's Grin (Kronberg Crimes) (Book 2) by Annelle Wendeberg was a free Kindle d/l in 2013. I was surprised to find Sherlock Holmes as a major character. I was also surprised that it was a good read except for: 1) I have no idea why the name of the book 2) the ending wasn't really an ending, and that's probably why there are 3 more books in this series! I've got many more books to read, but I would not be opposed to continue this series. 226 pages 4 stars CAT: Virtual Bookshelf

41. Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham was the story of a club-footed medical student who fell in love and supported a down and out waitress whom he loved. Unfortunately, she did not love him and ran off with a traveling salesman. She returns, unmarried and pregnant, but he takes her back, only for her to desert him again. I had a love/hate relationship with the main character; he was often verbally aggressive and abusive, albeit he was provoked. This reportedly is an autobiography of Maugham, however his response was that is was 50% autobiographical and 50% fiction. 438 pages 4 stars CAT: Tree Book



An interesting aside, in the U.S. (at least in my neck of the woods, we pronounce his last name: mawg -um. In a book I'm also reading, this author is mentioned several times (where I got the idea to read this book now) and it is pronounced "mawm." In fact, one of the pieces of dialogue said, "colonials pronounce it mawg hum....." The nationality of the nurse that said that was Australian (Sydney).

>196 Tess_W: We certainly pronounce it 'mawm' here in the UK.

Hi Tess! Wishing you a lovely Easter weekend. It must be hard not to have the family round the table.

>198 MissWatson: Yes, lonely. I'm used to 14 people in my home every holiday (2 sons/spouses, 7 grands, mother) The only thing my hubby does is sit in Lazy Boy and watch TV. so yes, I'm lonely for my family and friends!

>199 Tess_W: All my best hopes that this will be over soon.