Roni Reads in 2020: Chapter 7

Many of us have been turning to jigsaw puzzles during the pandemic. Just found this puzzle site, and thought I'd pass the info on! I prefer the 500 piece puzzles but they have 1000 pieces as well, and a lot of women themes as well as nature. Gorgeous!



Hi, I'm Roni. I live in San Diego with one husband, one small dog and way too many cats in a small bungalow with a garden and lots of books. I'm retired these days, after a long career as a school psychologist. Since retiring, I've made time for throwing pottery, wirework, crochet, and sewing in addition to reading and share photos of my work on my threads.

I've been a member of LT since 2008 and an active member of the 75 Book Challenge groups for that long as well. I read mostly in genre, science fiction and fantasy, but also try to read some nonfiction, mystery, and regency romance.

Welcome to my thread. I love visitors and promise to visit you back.

My final thread of 2019 is here:https://www.librarything.com/topic/313220

Goals for 2020

Read 150 books and 50,000 pages. currently at 124
Read at least 30 books off my own bookshelves. currently at 13
Acquire no more than 80 books. currently at 38
Send 50 books out the door. hopefully I'll find somewhere taking books before December 31 but 1 at the moment

Read at least 12 nonfiction books--I usually do this, but it's important to me and I want to be sure I prioritize it.

My Goals for 2019:

1. Read 150 books and 50,000 pages.. Goal Met: 175 books and 57,
2. Read at least 40 books off my own bookshelves (BOMBs). NOT Met: 22 books
3. Acquire no more than 80 books. Goal Met: 78 books acquired, 43 read! Close one.
4. 50 books out the door once more. Goal Met: 115 books, exceeded expectations!

That does mean that I read 65 of my own books, just that 43 of them were acquired this calendar year.

Books Read in 2020

January

1. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
2. Christmas Revels VI by Hannah Meredith
3. Spoilers: Things Get Worse by Galen Surlak-Ramsey
4. The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman
5. The Hollow Kingdom by Clare Dunkle
6. Kaleidoscope by Dorothy Gilman
7. The Globe by Terry Pratchett
8. Catfishing on Catnet by Naomi Kritzer
9. Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine White
10. Bridge of Birds by Barry Hugheart
11. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey
12. The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher
13. Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara

February

14. Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon
15. Close Kin By Clare Dunkle
16. Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero
17. A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain
18. The Goblin Mirror by C. J. Cherryh
19. In the Coils of the Snake by Clare Dunkle
20. A Study in Honor by Claire O'Dell
21. Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
22. A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark
23. Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher
24. Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
25. The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djeli Clark
26. Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire
27. Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven by Bella Forrest

March

28. Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins by Bella Forrest
29. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow
30. Comet Weather by Liz Williams
31. Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard
32. The Gate That Locks the Tree by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
33. Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen
34. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsin Muir
35. The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Horwitz
36. Echoes in Onyx by Sharon Shinn
37. A Woman of Consequence by Anna Dean
38. Wyrde and Wayward by Charlotte English
39. Wyrde and Wicked by Charlotte English
40. The Road to Farringale by Charlotte English
41. The Chronicles of Amber: Volume 1 by Roger Zelazny
42. The Chronicles of Amber: Volume 2 by Roger Zelazny
43. The Lost Art of Scripture by Karen Armstrong
44. Baker's Magic by Diane Zahler

April
45. Lessons in Enchantment by Patricia Rice
46. Spying on the South by Tony Horwitz
47. Changer by Jane Lindskold
48. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
49. The Sinister Mystery of the Mesmerizing Girl by Theodora Goss
50. At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
51. Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen
52. Broken Places & Outer Spaces by Nnedi Okorafor

May
53. A Light in the Window by Jan Karon
54. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
55. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
56. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
57. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
58. Network Effect by Martha Wells
59. The Physicians of Vilnic by Lois McMaster Bujold
60. Changeling by Molly Harper
61. All These Worlds by Dennis Taylor
62. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
63. The Med Series by Murray Leinster
64. Star Surgeon by Alan Nourse
65. Hospital Station by James White
66. Star Surgeon by James White
67. Major Operation by James White
68 Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus: Beginnings by Lydia Sherrer
69 Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus: Revelations by Lydia Sherrer

June
70. Ambulance Ship by James White
71. False Value by Ben Aaronovitch
72. Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus: Allies by Lydia Sherrer
73. The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman
74. Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus: Legends by Lydia Sherrer
75. Resting Witch Face by Rebecca Regnier
76. Sector General by James White
77. Star Healer by James White
78. Puck of Pook's Hill by Rudyard Kipling
79. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
80. Code Blue--Emergency by James White
81. Furies of the Calderon by Jim Butcher
82. The Great American Deception by Scott Stein

July
83. Sorcerous Rivalry by Kayleigh Nicol
84. The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
85. The Genocidal Healer by James White
86. The Galactic Gourmet by James White
87. Final Diagnosis by James White
88. The Little Grey Men by Denys Watkins-Pitchford
89. Mind Changer by James White
90. Double Contact by James White
91. Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco
92. The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
93. The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison
94. Scharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time Travelling by Sam Bowring
95. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
96. The Baron of Magister Valley by Steven Brust

August
97. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry
98. Love, One Regency Christmas by Arietta Richmond etal.
99. Magical Midlife Madness by K. F. Breene
100. The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin
101. Magical Midlife Crisis by K. F. Breene
102. Angel Mage by Garth Nix
103. Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher
104. Touch of Power by Maria Snyder
104.5. Attack of the 50 Foot Indian by Stephen Jones

September
105. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
106. A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire
107. Spellswept by Stephanie Burgis
108. Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
109. Trader's Leap by Lee and Miller
110. Accepting the Lance by Lee and Miller
111. Neogenesis by Lee and Miller
112. Mantivore Dreams by S. J. Higbee
113. The Gathering Edge by Lee and Miller
114. Alliance of Equals by Lee and Miller
115. Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen
116. The Wizard's Butler by Nathan Lowell
117. The Lord of Stariel by A. J. Lancaster
118. Quarter Share by Nathan Lowell
119. Half Share by Nathan Lowell
120. Full Share by Nathan Lowell
121. Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis
122. Double Share by Nathan Lowell
123. Captain's Share by Nathan Lowell
124. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
125. Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis
126. Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell
127. In Ashes Born by Nathan Lowell

Books Acquired in 2020

January
1. Flame Bringer by Elle Katharine White
2. Arkad's World by James Cambias
3. From Sea to Stormy Sea edited by Lawrence Block
4. Love, One Regency Christmas by Arietta Richmond
5. Echo in Onyx by Sharon Shinn
6. Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara
7. Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope
8. A Study in Honor by Claire O'Dell
9. Stars Beyond by S. K. Dunstall

February
10. A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark
11. Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
12. Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
13. Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire
14. The Hound of Justice by Claire O'Dell

March
15. Comet Weather by Liz Williams
16. The Gate that Locks the Tree by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
17. Wyrde and Wayward by Charlotte English
18. Wyrde and Wicked by Charlotte English
19. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

April
20. Broken Places & Outer Spaces by Nnedi Okorafor
21. The Innkeeper Chronicles: Vol. 1 by Ilona Andrews
22. Hand Made by Melissa Norris

May
23. Network Effect by Martha Wells
24. The Physicians of Vilnoc by Lois McMaster Bujold
25. Eye of the Wizard by Daniel Arenson
26. Changeling by Molly Harper
27. Beginning Operations by James White

July
28. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
29 The Baron of Magister Valley by Steven Brust
30. Singer Enigma by Ann Maxwell

August
31. Attack of the 50 Foot Indian by Stephen Jones

September
32. A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire
33. Spellswept by Stephanie Burgis
34. Trader's Leap by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
35. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

And I'll try catching up on my challenges here. This may take a while.

Welcome, One and All!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread!

>1 ronincats: Such a lovely party. Even I am missing a bit of partying now and again. Sigh...

Hi, Anita! Hi, Susan! Good to see you here! Grab a mug.

Happy new thread!

Hi Roni. I am absolutely one of those who has take to jigsaw puzzles during this pandemic and I must say that, for me, it's one of the weird gifts imbedded in the whole thing. I am anxious to start a new one, in fact, but not yet able to stand much so I keep waiting. I can sit, of course, but I like being able to stand, move around the table to really see the pieces. We have about five new puzzles still in the wings waiting for us! I hope this is a pastime that we keep pursuing long after masks and social distancing are a distant memory.

Going back to your prior thread, you reminded me that The Wizard's Butler had caught my eye. It looks like a fun one.

Tomorrow I'm back at work half-time, supposedly "up to 4 hours per day, 5 days per week." We'll see how I do setting this particular limit. Last week, when I was supposed to work "up to 2 hours per day," I only kept to that twice; the other days I worked 3-4 hours.

But. 43 weeks until retirement. :-)

Happy new thread, Roni. I have recently added to my puzzle pile. Now, if I could only clear the mess off my table, I might actually crack open one of them!

>10 ronincats: I'm imagining there to be cocoa under those sprinkles.... :)

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread and happy puzzling Roni :)

Happy new one, Roni! Thanks for the puzzle website. I've stalled a bit on my current puzzle - I think I got a bit burned out doing them - but I know I'll get back to it, and I'll bookmark the site. There is a local puzzle-swapping group on Facebook, so I've been able to keep my stash pretty well refreshed :)

Hi Roni, happy new week and thread, and much good reading ahead.

Happy new thread Roni! I haven't yet caved into the puzzle mania, but that puzzle up top is gorgeous - I love the circular puzzles, I think it makes them so delicious looking!

Happy new one, dear Roni. xx

Happy new Thread, Roni!
Puzzles are fine, we do it mostly in Winter.
Last we had a murder mystery - a short crime story, a 500 pieces puzzle without a template. When the Puzzle ist done, it contains a hint for the solution of the case.

Book #125 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (220 pp.)

A re-read getting ready for the new book coming out a week from tomorrow! I'll be reading the next four in the series over that week.



Book #126 Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis (331 pp.)

Magic in Regency England, fun, but 12 year old Kat gets really irritating along the way.



Book #127 Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell (575 pp.)

Book 6 of the series shakes things up again, but of course our protagonist works everything out. Except at the end where a tragic death throws him completely out of the set-up to which we have become accustomed and sets up the next trilogy. Still interesting and good pandemic reading because not particularly challenging.



Book #128 In Ashes Born by Nathan Lowell (308 pp.)
Book #129 To Fire Called by Nathan Lowell (330 pp.)
Book #130 By Darkness Forged by Nathan Lowell (340 pp.)

Ishmael hooks up with old friend Pip and they head out of company owned space into the Deep Dark. New venue, lots of old friends. Mystery and skullduggery. End of books featuring Ishmael as main character. BUT there are three more featuring the two women officers who join Ishmael's crew at the end of the last book, set prior to that event, AND another three set up on a planet Ishmael visited early in his career with completely different characters. Will I continue or not?

Yo! Hi, Lori, Ellen, Shelley, Cassie, Silver, Jim, foggi, Reba, Katie, Richard, Hannah, Paul and Thomas! Welcome and thank you for visiting. Just finished watching the Chiefs game, which was fun, and ready to settle down to watching Rachel and the news.

Hi! My sister moved in with me about two months ago while she searches for a new job here in Portland (she's from MN) and she and her son LOVE puzzles!! They finishes the three I have on hand and bough some easy ones at the dollar store. Today they got another 1000 piece one at Target. And my parents are diligently doing puzzles in FL, but they prefer the 300 or 500 size ones.

Hi Roni - I see you are on a roll with all those Nathan Lowell books.
And your list of September reading reminded me that you were the LT member that caught me a BB with The City We Became.
This title just became available for me to check out (on Overdrive, so I don't even need to trek out to the PL for the curbside pick up. I'll start it as soon as I finish my currently reading eBook (Who Slays the Wicked).

Happy new thread Roni. Love the puzzle theme. I went looking for a penguin books one, but found this "Book Club" one instead.

Happy new thread Roni.

>1 ronincats: That's a nice puzzle, love the colours. Jigsaw puzzles are really relaxing to do in stressful times. I think lots of people have picked up new hobbies or pastimes recently.

Hi, Roni! Happy new thread! I love that puzzle in >1 ronincats:. Thanks for the info. I'm going to check it out (as if I have either the time or the room to do puzzles). Still, that puzzle with the women and lanterns and full moon is wonderful!

Happy new thread Roni!

The boys (mainly my younger son although my older son is good at finding pieces) and I occasionally do puzzles. Our current one has been in limbo for a while because it's a bit too challenging; it's a 1,000 piece (I'll have to check - I haven't looked at it for a while) of a lioness walking in dry grass, which has about one colour to the whole thing. Maybe we'll try a different one.

I'm keeping an eye on your reading lists for recommendations. It occurs to me that we hear about your cats but not much about your dog; it always surprises me when I see you mention your dog in the first post because I definitely know you're a cat person.

Hi Roni, and happy new thread. Your September reading month has been amazing.

>26 Berly: Hi, Kim. Yes, I prefer the 300 to 500 piece ones myself. Always have, even as a youngster. More choices than that make my head spin.
>27 SandyAMcPherson: That's following a good one with a good one, Sandy!
>28 charl08: Ooh, I like that, but would prefer it in 500 pieces. Some places let you have either 500 or 1000 for the same design.
>29 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. This is a hobby I gave up when I retired, as I had no place to do puzzles at home without substantial cat assistance until I got the she-shack. I used 33 to 100 piece puzzles as a teaching tool during counseling/cognitive skills groups when I was working, and I've missed it.
>30 Storeetllr: There are some great designs there, Mary.
>31 humouress: Yeah, those 1000 piece ones always turned me off as a kid because I just got overwhelmed.
>32 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. Those Nathan Lowell space books are like potato chips--you can't read just one, but they are quick and entertaining.



>131 karenmarie: A Deadly Education: A Novel by Naomi Novik (336 pp.)

So, at 9:00 last night, Pacific time, this book dropped onto my Kindle as it was released for publication--and I immediately started it. Reluctantly put it aside at 11:45 since I had to get up early to be at the DMV at 8 in the morning. Finished it just before 1 this afternoon after 2 hours at the DMV and stops for an early lunch (shrimp burrito). And I'm glad I paid the full price for the Kindle rather than waiting for the library copy down the line (currently 18 holds, no ordered copies in yet). Novik just gets better and better as an author. While I loved the first Temeraire book, I bogged down in the third and never finished the series. I liked Uprooted but thought it uneven in places. I loved Spinning Silver for its story-telling and its depth! And now...

Think Gideon the Ninth meets Harry Potter. Think Hogwarts meets H. P. Lovecraft. Think the best of all these worlds and then go out and read this one NOW!!

Have fun!

Mary (bell7) read an ARC of this book at the beginning of May, and I was so jealous. She loved it too.

Hmm, I think I will read Deadly Education, since our experience with Novik's Temeraire series match. Thanks!

>33 ronincats: Love your enthusiasm.

I requested this title the moment it was available for holds at the PL. I rated Spinning Silver 4/5 stars which is a high accolade from star-stingy me.
I don't think the local library has received any copies on the shelf yet as it is still listed as 'in processing' or some such phrase.

Not that I'm (ahem) short of things to read...

>33 ronincats: I think I ordered that one for the library or that it is on the order for October. I know it hasn't arrived yet.

>33 ronincats: Woot! I am first on the library holds list for this one, so I'm looking forward to reading it soon!

Happy New Thread, Roni!

>25 ronincats: How about those Chiefs? So much fun to watch the games. I was surprised at that one with all the experts raving about the Ravens!

By golly, you hit me with a book bullet! Deadly Education is going on my wishlist. I read and rather enjoyed Uprooted. I should probably read Spinning Silver, too, while I'm at it. Ouch! Two book bullets.

>24 ronincats: I just ran over here to holler about a new thief book ... I was a little excited ... but you of course are way ahead of me! At least I will be able to surprise my daughter. or not.

>34 Storeetllr: Go for it, Mary!
>35 SandyAMcPherson: Hope it will get to you soon, Sandy.
>36 thornton37814: Since it just came out yesterday, it should be arriving soon, Lori.
>37 foggidawn: Hope it's fast!
>38 Donna828: Yup, love those Chiefs, Donna! And very good book bullets to have.
>39 RBeffa: Well, yeah, I've only had it on pre-order for over a year as it was delayed, and then delayed again, Ron.



Book #132 The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (362 pp.)

Continuing my re-read of the series to be ready for the new one next Tuesday! Start at the beginning! Can't review plot without spoilers for The Thief.



Book #133 The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories by Terry Pratchett (243 pp.)

These are early stories written by Pratchett as a teenager and now gathered together. Definitely for 8-10 year olds, whimsical with a few touches of his later genius (like footnotes) but otherwise unremarkable and only for completists.

September Summary

Books: 28

Pages read: 9473
Average pages/book: 338
Average pages/day: 316

Print: 9
Kindle: 19

Library: 19
Mine (2020): 3
Re-reads:6
Books Off the Shelf: 0
DNF: 0

Fiction: 28
- Science Fiction: 15
- Fantasy: 10
- Children's: 1
- General/Popular: 0
- Romance: 0
- Mystery: 2

Nonfiction: 0

Female: 17
Male: 15

US authors: 22
Other countries: Wales - 2, England - 2, New Zealand - 1

Acquired: 4, 4 ebooks

Source: Amazon, Baen

Books out the door: 10 No one will take them right now!

Happy new thread, Roni!

>33 ronincats: glad to see this was a winner for you. It's a contender for my favorite of the year, and I may have to buy a hard copy for myself.

>47 BLBera: Thanks, Mary, and yes, it'll be one of my best of year too.

2020 is now three quarters over, if you can believe it, and here's the stats:

Books read: 133

Pages read: 43177

New reads: 107
Library: 49
Mine (2020): 17
Re-reads: 26
Books Off the Shelf: 13
DNF: 2

>43 ronincats: Awesome stats Roni.
I'm not surprised the Novik book is a fave. I would never have discovered this author if I hadn't seen the accolades for her earlier title on LT last year (Spinning Silver).

The publishing delays for the new Thief book eventually made me forget about it! I put a hold on the Naomi Novik book a couple days ago when I saw it drop in as a new release. They only have one copy at the moment but I was number 5 so it hopefully won't be a long wait. I'm looking forward to it. My reaction to the Temeraire books was pretty much the same as yours.

Well I still haven't read any Novik despite all the plaudits she gets around here, but this one looks very tempting. Also, I really want to try a shrimp burrito now! Any tips? King prawn or small? Other elements? I love what Mexican food I've had but it's obviously not such a big thing over in my neck of the woods so I kind of have to improvise. I do make an excellent veggie chilli with all the fixin's, if I do say so myself.

Happy newish thread, Roni.

>44 SandyAMcPherson: Maybe my best month ever, Sandy!
>45 RBeffa: The Novik is really good! I've reread 4 of the 5 Thief books now in prep for next week and am trying to pace myself on the last.
>46 HanGerg: Medium size shrimp, Hannah. Big fresh tortillas. Rice and cheese, onion and green pepper (not hot), ranchero sauce. Yummy!
>47 BLBera: Thanks, Beth.

It's been right under 100 degrees as a high for the last three days. It's 7:30 at night right now and has just come down to 84. It was too hot to stay at the studio for long so I spent 25 minutes finishing up glaze on a plate, picked up a plate, and came home to the air-conditioned bedroom.

>48 ronincats: "Excessive Heat" warning extended through tomorrow too -- UGH!! But at least we haven't had 700 earthquakes in the last 24 hours like Imperial County :)

Happy new thread, Roni! Puzzles are a wonderful distraction and I see your reading is continuing at a nice pace.

Happy weekend reads, Roni!

Happy new thread, Roni!

>41 ronincats: You had a great reading September, impressive numbers!

Hi Roni!

>33 ronincats: and >48 ronincats: Shrimp burrito. My goodness, that sounds wonderful.

>43 ronincats: Very impressive stats for the first 9 months. Congrats.

Terrific statistics, Roni - and thank you very much for recommending A Night in the Lonesome October.
I love it.
I wish you a wonderful weekend.

>49 RebaRelishesReading: Right, Reba!
>50 lkernagh: Hi, Lori.
>51 richardderus: Thanks, Richard.
>52 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita.
>53 karenmarie: One of my favorites, Karen, and thanks.
>54 SirThomas: So happy you loved it, Thomas.

And on that last note, I have FINALLY gotten the October Halloween read up here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/324999

Hi, (((((Roni)))))! Impressive reading!
I guess I need to read Novik, but first I intend to try the first three Lowell Traders.

I am ready to start book four in the Thief series. I have Conspiracy of Kings waiting for me at the library today. I have really enjoyed this series and aside from all the accolades the first book got I haven't heard much about it. I know the series has lots of fans and they are all amazing books, but it seems to be one of those series that flies under the radar most of the time. It is there and has lots of fans, but it still seems to be unnoticed. We need to change that. This is a series that I am bragging about to many people.

>57 benitastrnad: Queen's Thief is an amazing series, and I just think it's the years between books that has made the roars of appreciation seem muted. Now that the final volume is almost in our hands, I hope the love will be loud and clear!

Happy New Thread, Roni.

Thanks for posting the Halloween read-along thread, and reminding me to re-read A Night in the Lonesome October.

Hi Roni! Happy sort-of-new thread! I'm apologize for not making the rounds very frequently.

That's a beautiful puzzle! As the evenings get longer, I'll turn more to puzzles,too. I stalled out over a year ago on a black cat puzzle -- way too much black and the pieces are so similar that too many of the black on black on black seem to 'almost fit'. Time to take it out of my puzzle box and start another one - which I think will also probably be a cat puzzle. I don't think I've ever give up on a puzzle before ...

Terrific stats for both September and the year. I can see this will be a stellar year for you.

>56 LizzieD: They are relaxing fun, Peggy.
>57 benitastrnad:, >58 quondame: For one thing, the first book was marketed for children and was a Newbery Honor book. So when the following books became deeper and more complex, they exceeded expectations and moved out of that market without perhaps sufficient publicity. I think Susan's note about the years between books is an important factor as well.
>59 jnwelch: You are welcome, Joe.
>60 streamsong: Hi, Janet, glad to see you here!

Way behind on documenting books. For some reason, my spread sheet keeps refusing to open in Numbers, with the computer telling me the file isn't there even when it is showing it. I've duplicated it, renamed it, exported it, and it still takes a bunch of finagling to open it, which is scary because there are all my stats for this year. Just another 2020 glitch.


Book #134 The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (410 pp.)
Book #135 Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner (339 pp.)

More rereads in preparation for the arrival of the final and sixth book in the series last night.



Book #136 Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell (353 pp.)
Book #137 Zypheria's Call by Nathan Lowell (356 pp.)
Book #138 The Hermit of Lammas Wood by Nathan Lowell (314 pp.)

This is a three book fantasy series by Lowell, author of all the space opera I just read, featuring a 54 year old woman going through menopause in a somewhat medieval-ish fantasy world. As with all of his books so far, enjoyable reading, straightforward, no brain damage, good pandemic fare. The guy has this thing about food and food preparation, though; shows up in all his books, but I don't mind at all.



Book #139 A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner (341 pp.)

The last of the rereads.



Book #140 Superior: The return of race science by Angela Saini (207 pp.)

A goodly part of my profession was the measurement of cognitive abilities. I thought Saini did an excellent job here!



Book #141 An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan (288 pp.)

The first third of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's POV. Better than I expected, actually, and free, so I may continue with the rest of the trilogy.

Currently reading The Return of the Thief, which downloaded on my Kindle at 9:10 PDT last night!

Book #142 The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (459 pp.)

I got through about a third of the book last night and then finished it up this afternoon after our trip to Home Depot. Very much a worthy conclusion to the series! No spoilers!

>62 ronincats: Alas, Amazon had no record of my pre-order, so I just bought it. I'm glad it met your expectations.

>62 ronincats: Is it "Boo #142" because the series is done?

I'm on some hold list that must be a mile long... Glad to know the last of this series is a very much a worthy conclusion. I wonder if MWT will treat us to a new series of similar saga type?

>62 ronincats: My copy arrived, but Rob and I are finishing our current read-aloud before we dive into that one. We have about five chapters left, I think, and I admit to feeling impatient.

>62 ronincats: Mine should arrive soon... I had an updated debit card since my preorder so had to update the other day, but I think it should arrive early next week. I'm sure I'll dive right in.

Sorry you're having software issues, Roni. That kind of problems make be crazy because I'm so incapable of resolving them.

>62 ronincats: Twenty-four years to complete the series! And in the face of large numbers of fans asking for more. Clearly an author who's focused on doing the story justice. *sigh* I give. I'll go get the first one.

I've never heard of this series before but I've just gone and bought the first book as it sounds like an epic adventure, which is what my winter 2020 definitely needs. Yet another book bullet from Roni - you're one dangerous lady!

So sorry for the delays, Susan, Sandy and Mary. Foggi, I understand, but you are a better woman than I given the circumstances.

Richard! I hope you like it. They get even better after the first.

Hannah, enjoy!!



Book #143 The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (121 pp.)

The library had a print version of this Tor novella, fortunately for me, and I greatly enjoyed it. Beautiful imagery and what a way to tell a story! You should check it out!

>70 ronincats: I had to convince myself not to start last night when I finished Righteous. I just barely managed. And today I'm feeling off - possibly due to yesterday's flu shot. At least I hope that's all it is, but I'm less absorbed in Return than I expected.

Hi Roni, you've definitely put Deadly Education on my radar. My history with Naomi Novik is much like yours except I never quite got around to reading Spinning Silver which I need to correct. I've been doing some planning for my 2021 Category Challenge and one thing I know for sure is that I need to ensure I set up a few categories to help me with my series overload.

>71 quondame: I think there's a fair amount of scene-setting with the new character going on.
>72 DeltaQueen50: You and your plans, Judy! I'm always impressed.

Here's what came home with me yesterday. The crack in the plate is the far horizon.

>73 ronincats: All very lovely! That nativity is beautiful, and the "cracked" plate particularly nicely rendered.

>73 ronincats: That I was enjoying. A new view of the court was quite interesting.

>73 ronincats: It's a lovely plate.

>73 ronincats: Great plate!! Great creche!! Cute pumpkin!

Even the stones that have been placed in one's path can be made into something beautiful.
Wonderful Plate, Roni.
I wish you a wonderful sunday.

Hi Roni... just delurking to let you know I've been by.

>73 ronincats: - Beautiful! I love that plate design!

Hi Roni, I’d lost your thread for some reason. I must try some more Naomi Novik. I loved Uprooted, but I can’t get on with the Temeraire series. I read the first book ages ago and tried it again after enjoying Uprooted so much, but it still didn’t work for me.

Thank you, Richard, Lori, Reba, and other Lori!

>75 quondame: Agreed.

>79 SandyAMcPherson: Hi, Sandy.

>81 SandDune: Hey, Rhian. I think she's getting better with each book.



Book 144 Milk Run by Nathan Lowell (345 pp.)
Book 145 Suicide Run by Nathan Lowell (351 pp.)
Book 146 Home Run by Nathan Lowell (441 pp.)

These take place fairly contemporaneously with the Ishmael Wang books I've read (all 9 of them) and end up with the two female protagonists of this series almost at the place where we meet them at the end of the 9th book above (By Darkness Forged). Other than a very improbable start that puts the protagonists where they need to be for story purposes and which is then for all intents and purposes forgotten, this continues to be entertaining space opera in the same universe as the prior books. We learn a lot more about Toe-Hold space and the people who live and work there.

Roni, yet another thing we have in common..puzzles.

I love them. Most recently, I put together a 1,000 piece puzzle my daughter gave me for Christmas last year. Unfortunately, after all me work, a piece was missing.

>73 ronincats: What an incredible plate. I wish I had your talent.

Ooh, love that plate!

Popping in to get caught up here. Love the plate and the pumpkin top! And it looks like you have several series going on here-carry on!

>83 Whisper1:, >84 HanGerg:, >85 Berly: Thank you, Linda, Hannah and Kim! If it were not for the big crack across the middle of the plate, I'd have probably gone for a more detailed design, but I wanted a simple one in case the plate actually cracked in half during the glaze fire.

Exciting news from Lois McMaster Bujold:

Masquerade in Lodi is up
The new Penric & Desdemona novella; 9th written, but now 4th in internal chronology, which is going to engender the usual confusion among those who try to do numbered lists rather than more fungible title lists. I've tried to address this with both a note in the vendor copy and a frontnote in the e-text. We'll see.
Anyway. Vendor page copy reads:
"Bastard’s Eve is a night of celebration for most residents in the canal city of Lodi -- but not for sorcerer Learned Penric and his Temple demon Desdemona, who find themselves caught up in the affairs of a shiplost madman, a dangerous ascendant demon, and a very unexpected saint of the fifth god.
This novella falls between “Penric’s Fox” and “Penric’s Mission” in the internal chronology of the Penric & Desdemona tales."
May be found on:
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/.../masquerade-in-lodi/id1535844157
Kindle store: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L88PCTP/
Nook: link TBA
33,600 words, making it a mid-sized novella by the standard our-genre definition of "a story between 17,500 words and 40,000 - 45,000 words".

Got so excited about Masquerade in Lodi last night that I forgot to post this:



I didn't have any glazed items to bring home but these were out of the bisque kiln. I glazed one of the nativities in royal blue and the other in red gold, and did the bowl in blues, then brought the rest home to work on.



Book #147 Masquerade in Lodi by Lois McMaster Bujold (103 pp.)

I realized while adding this to my spreadsheet for 2020 that this is the first Bujold I've read this calendar year! Always good to see more of Penric and Des, but I confess that this novella length always leaves me wanting more!

Hi Roni!

>61 ronincats: Book #141 – I read this one quite a while back and remember liking it a lot. I also have the other two on my shelves.

Funny pottery story: I gave my mug to Rob to rinse. He decided to wash it...and was taking a long time about it.

He thought some blue glaze on the very, very curvy inside/bottom was soap he couldn't get off.

Heh.

Hmmm Your picture topper doesn't show and about half of your other photos don't either but I think it might be a Safari issue -- I've been having endless trouble using it as my browser. I'm still resisting Chrome as I'm convinced 'someone' is planting bugs in Safari, but I've had to switch over there for several things that won't work at all over here.

From what I can see of your pottery you are doing some great stuff!

>90 sibylline: I'm on Safari too and I can see her pictures (at the moment, at least). Are you on the secure site?

The pottery looks great, Roni, and I'll look forward to seeing the finished product with the glazes.

Happy weekend!

>90 sibylline: Safari here too and all of the photos and book covers show.

Hi Roni! Hope you're taking good care of San Diego while we're gone :>

I am starting to get worried about my ballot for voting in Kansas. I sent in my request for my absentee ballot on September 22 and it still hasn't arrived in the mail. I shouldn't be surprised as Kansas is the home of that idiot Kris Kobach, but if it doesn't get here in the next day or two it won't be worth sending it back, as it won't arrive in time. I have plenty of vacation time, so am thinking that I might just hop in the car and drive to Kansas. I know my vote won't get Kansas to fall into the Biden column, but it might help the Democrat who is running for Senator as that is a close race.

>90 sibylline: I was also having trouble with Safari on the weekend...
I rebooted the computer and it went through an update (OS, I'm still back on 'High Sierra'). All seems smoothed out and no glitches.
I still can't see the first image (a puzzle) in >1 ronincats:, either, Lucy.
In FireFox, it almost loads but turns in milliseconds to a blank box. Which seems very strange behaviour. Don't know about Chrome because that browser is only on my phone and LT Talk doesn't look easy to read. I might need to access a newer version.

You must be close to your 2x75, Roni? 3 days ago on 147.

Hope you enjoy the little bit you have left of Sunday.

>88 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Saini did a good job.
>89 richardderus: He'd better be careful with that mug! It's a one-of-a-kind work of art!!
>90 sibylline:, >91 humouress:, >93 RebaRelishesReading:, >95 SandyAMcPherson: Well, it got to the point that I couldn't see the image either, so I reloaded it. Hopefully it's working now. Thanks for stopping by, Lucy, Nina, Reba, and Sandy.
>92 bell7: Thanks, Mary.
>94 benitastrnad: I'd be worried too, Benita! Might be a plan. Every Democratic vote is important in Kansas.
>96 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul, and see below!

Book # 148 A Light in the Dark by Nathan Lowell (78 pp.)

This short work is backstory on the origins of a space station alluded to in the Solar Clipper series. Good enough--but short stories just leave me wanting more!



Book #149 The Emperor's Wolves by Michelle Sagara (434 pp.)

Those who have followed me know that I love Sagara's Elantra series, starting with Cast in Shadow. So I was excited when she started a new companion series following Severn, an important character in that series, and learning more about another branch of law enforcement in this world, the Wolves. BUT the first half of the book was so BORING! All talk and no action to speak of. It did pick up in the latter half, but will never be a favorite.



Book #150 The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix (398 pp.)

This book, on the other hand, is what the best of YA fiction should be! What fun! Woven out of a potpourri of classic English children's books (Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and more!) and with loads of cameo appearances by other favorite books and authors, this story weaves them into a completely original framework where the booksellers of London, tasked with interfacing New England with Old England (and its denizens) become involved with solving the mystery of Susan, who just wants to find who her dad is and then start art school in London. Well done!

BRAVA!!

Your 150th was a good read, so satisfying when it happens that way.

>98 ronincats: Oh I'm glad the Garth Nix book was a success. As a newish Nix fan I picked up the ebook early this month but it will be a while before I get to it. Right now I am midway through Guy Gavriel Kay's A Brightness Long ago and really loving it. It reminds me a bit of the Thief of Eddis but it is even better. Intricately interwoven characters and events. It may be my favorite book of the year.

>98 ronincats: Congrats on your double!

>1 ronincats: I love that puzzle image at the top, Karen.
It did originally show when you started this thread, I remember now, because I looked into trying to see where I might consider ordering it! I had forgotten its gorgeousness! And I love the added complexity of a circular edge.

I had reason to scroll back to one of my 2019 threads this summer, and discovered a number of book covers had changed to the inscrutable ? in a blue square. I know the covers were showing the whole of the year, but are now not visible. I guess the linked image wherever it is, was changed. I try to use LT covers so that the picture stays on the LT servers but perhaps if the url is linked to a not-LT source, it eventually disappears.

I'm totally uneducated in web design and programming to know if this is a feasible explanation.

PS. Yes, Congratulations on your double-75 reading achievement 🎉

Congratulations on 150 books read!

150 Books!!! Enjoy the rest of your week.

Oooh, that Garth Nix needs to make its way to my TBR list, and congrats on reaching 150!

Wow! 150! I'm so impressed. I had vague hopes of doing 100 this year (I've only done it once before) but with the move coming I have my doubts. At least I have my 75 safely booked.

>98 ronincats: Congratulations on reaching 2 x 75, Roni!

Congrats Roni. Your book #75 seeks to be getting a lot of readers, but I hadn't picked up it had lots of references to other books. I'll have to look out for a copy.

>99 richardderus: Thank you, Richard. It was satisfying.
>100 RBeffa: Commented on your thread about your latest read, Ron.
>101 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori.
>102 SandyAMcPherson: Those puzzles are at Eeboo.com, Sandy.
>103 quondame: Thank you, Susan.
>104 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita.
>105 bell7: It is fun, Mary.
>106 RebaRelishesReading: Yes, you can relax reading-wise now, Reba.
>106 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Anita.
>107 FAMeulstee: I'm not sure which book you are referring to, Charlotte. #150? Seems like a fair number of books I've been reading lately are doing that, and doing it well! The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is another I liked very well.

I spent several hours yesterday researching the races and propositions on my ballot, and we dropped our ballots off at a drive-by locked ballot box at the Registrar of Voters this morning. They had three different canopies with staff, one for each direction cars could come from, and it went very smoothly and quickly! We had 17 propositions and 12 races to vote on. Always before we've gone two blocks to the community center to vote in person on election day, but it was very convenient to have the ballots sent to us.

We have our bedroom cleared out in order to have water damage repaired on one wall and the floor, from a long ago leak in the shower pan in the bathroom on the other side of the wall (done by workman doing a new installation on our first bathroom remodel many years ago). The leak was fixed many years ago, but the damage was behind a large dresser with mirror and under carpet so we'd ignored it. But I HAD to get that carpet out of there--it was so old and worn and I'm sure aggravating allergies. I was hoping to be able to patch the floor but all the bids just want to replace the whole. We had been sleeping on the couch and the recliner in the living room, while the furniture is taking up all of the husband's office and the dining room, but have now moved back to the hide-a-bed in the she-shack in anticipation of workmen coming in early in the day. Except the contractor hasn't called like he said he would...le sigh.

Hi Roni!

>99 richardderus: Congrats on 75 x 2.

>109 ronincats: The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is another I liked very well. She has a second book out, not a sequel, called A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians. I haven’t read it yet, but a friend loaned it to me and it’s staring at me from my shelves.

I hope the work gets done quickly and well so you can return to sleeping in the bedroom.

How irritating to be up early waiting for a workman who doesn't come on time! I hope he showed up and got everything fixed so that you can be back in your own bed tonight.

CHEERS to your reading and creating, (((((Roni)))))

I hope that the workman came and finished, and that you're absent this morning moving back into your bedroom. That's what I hope.

Hi Roni. I haven't read any Garth Nix yet, but hopefully I will fit him into my reading schedule soon. I remember you quite liked his Frogkisser and I've had that one on my TBR for a very long time. We are having a provincial election here and we went the mail-in route this time. It went well and I suspect we will be sticking with mail-in in the future.

Congratulations on your double 75 Roni!

Your number 150 looks intriguing; I did start his series beginning with Mister Monday when we were in Australia but I only got two or three books in.

>109 ronincats: My sister always gets exasperated because workmen seem to turn up late when they said they'll be there first thing in the morning - but then they turn up early when they're booked for later in the day (different workmen, of course).

Congratulations on reaching 150, Roni! And with a book that sounds so good.

Hope the work is done well and fast, waiting for people who don't show up is exasperating.

Well, friends, my husband literally dropped dead this morning. I'm in shock, but I'll be on here because this is where the majority of my friends ARE. I am blessed because my sister and nephew are both dropping their jobs (he's a teacher, she's a special ed aide) and driving out here to be with me for a week--they will get here Sunday night. The workmen who were scheduled to come tomorrow to work on patching and painting the main bedroom walls and then repair the wood floor have been postponed--but that still leaves me with Lex's room and the dining room full of heavy bedroom furniture, so thank goodness for my nephew as my friends here are all my age and not up to moving that kind of stuff. I'll wait till they get here to try to clear his room. I'm not sure I am feeling the whole impact yet--so sudden and unexpected--so I'm a bit at loose ends but with poor concentration. Bless you all for being there.

Roni....Oh,no! My heart goes out to you. From experience, I can agree that what you are feeling is shock. We are your friends. This is a loving, caring group. And, you add so much love and grace to all who know you.

It does take time. Anything I might say would sound like a platitude, but truly, take time, be good to yourself, and yes, reach out to those who love you.
I'm here if /when you need me!

Oh no! I am so sorry for you. You sound like you are in shock, and no wonder. Please take care of yourself.

Oh no, Roni, I'm so sorry to hear that and can't imagine what you must be going through, even if you're still in shock. I'm glad your sister and nephew are coming, and please take care in the meantime.

Oh, gosh. I am so sorry for your loss, Roni.

Horrible shocking news, Roni. Sad beyond belief with you.

Oh, Roni, I am so, so sorry to hear this. Keeping you in my thoughts ❤️

I'm very sorry to hear about your husband's sudden passing, Roni. My heart and prayers go out to you and to your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you.

Thank you so much, Linda, Susan, Natalie, Misti, Richard, Katie, and Darryl. I am depending on you all for support. I have a few friends here from work days who I can count on and, most unexpectedly, my sister and nephew are driving here from Kansas, not only braving Covid but taking time off from their work in the schools there, and they should be here Sunday night. I would never have asked but I am so happy they are coming!

Roni. I am so sorry. My love is winging across the country to you. So glad you have family that can come and be with you.

Hi Roni - I am sorry to hear your news. You are in my thoughts! I am glad your sister and nephew are able to be with you

{{{Roni}}}. Shock, indeed. Wonderful that your sister and nephew are on their way. Thank you for reaching out here and know that we are all sending virtual love and hugs and support.

Thinking of you in the hope you can get some well-deserved rest from the stress of today. Much love. You are so highly thought of in this group. We are here for you.

Roni, I'm so terribly sorry. Of course you're in shock. I'm glad your sister and nephew are coming there to support you. And of course your LT family is here.

Love and hugs to you, my dear.

Hugs back to you, Lucy, Jess, Shelley, Linda and Karen!

My dear Roni, please accept my sincerest condolences and the love, prayers and continued good wishes of me and my family in this terribly shocking time.

It is difficult in a virtual community as is ours but do let us know if there is anyway in which we can help. You are a much loved member of our group and I know I am not alone this morning/evening in having you paramount in my prayers.

When I contrast the workaday message and concerns of >109 ronincats: with the awful suddenness of >117 ronincats: it just brings home how fleeting and precious our time here is. I am sure that you have a million thoughts swirling round your mind, Roni, but at least you have a lifetime of warm memories to remember and console you too. xx

Comforting to see you have close family alongside you to help you grieve. xx

>117 ronincats: Roni, I was so shocked to hear your news, I burst into tears.
As others have said, we are all pulling for you to soldier through this devastating situation.
You always give so much of yourself on LT that I feel I personally know you well, so I sincerely offer my sympathy. It is reassuring to know family are on their way.
Blessings. 💖

I’m so sorry this has happened. Our prayers are with you tonight. The LTers will always be here for you!

Oh Roni I am so saddened to hear this and send big hugs and affection to you.

Dear Roni, love to you. We all wish that we were with you in the flesh to hold you and ground you when the shock subsides. Please tell us what we can do at long distance. Know that you are in my heart, and have been my (((((Roni))))) for years, and are in my prayers.

Oh gosh Roni, I’m so deeply sorry. I have no words but I’m thinking of you. You didn’t talk about him very much on LT but he was definitely a presence here. I’m glad your sister and nephew will be there with you soon.

So sorry to read this Roni. Thinking of you, and very glad that you have family travelling to join you.

So sorry, Roni, my condolences on your sudden loss.
((((hugs))))

I'm so very sorry to hear this news Roni! Very glad that your family is coming. Wishing you strength for the next days.

Our deepest condolences, Roni. Safe passage through these trying times. I am glad you will be surrounded by friends and family.

Roni, I am so sorry that your husband died so suddenly.
There is not much I can do for you except words, but I lack words.
All I can do is think of you, pray for you and be there for you from afar.
I wish you time to mourn, light in the darkness, good companions, courage to ask for help and much strength to go on.

Roni, so sorry to hear that your husband died, and so suddenly. It must seem very unreal. It's good that family is able to help you. My deepest condolences.

This is indeed shocking news. I was stunned to open your thread and read those words. It will be a great comfort for you to have some of your family there to help you deal with all those details. I know how hard it is to be thousands of miles away from family support systems and I am thankful that your family is able to come and offer you some support at this time.

There is also a support system in this group. We all value your friendship and will be here to listen and do what we can.

Oh my, Roni. So sorry about your husband's sudden passing. What an awful one for you. I'm glad your sister and nephew can come help. Know you're in our thoughts, and we're all sending hugs and love to you.

Roni, I can only add my virtual hugs and sincere condolences. I am so glad your family will be with you as the shock wears off. Our time on earth is fleeting and words are meaningless with a loss of this magnitude. Just know that you have a worldwide community of friends to call on. Much love to you as you work through this sudden grief.

Roni, I am so, so sorry to hear your news. I’m glad that you will have family with you soon for support. Sending you love and affection.

Oh Roni, I am so very sorry about your loss. Please lean on us here on LT as much as you need to, we are here for you. It's a good thing that you will have family members with you soon as I am sure they will be a help and comfort for you.

Roni! That is simply awful news. I am so sorry for you loss. Of course we are here for you! But I am so, so glad you family is coming out to support you in person. That's what you need right now as you deal with this. Much love to you.

>117 ronincats: My dear Roni. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Sending loads of hugs your way.

Thank you so much for all the kind messages! Paul, Sandy, Jim, Ron, Peggy, Nina, Charlotte, Anita, Ella, Mark, Thomas, Judy, Benita, Joe, Donna, Rhian, Jucy and Kim, your messages and all the earlier ones mean the world to me. What with Covid, even my physically near friends have to be careful. My friend Pat brought me lunch (Japanese) and flowers today and my friend Tonya is bringing supper later--she is health-compromised and has limited mobility so I need to be very careful for her. And the best news is that my sister and nephew took off last night, they are around Deming NM right now and hope to be here by bedtime tonight--I didn't think they'd be able to be here until tomorrow!! And it is truly a blessing. Nina, you are right that I didn't say much about Lex here--he was a really private person and didn't like anyone "talking about his business!" But he was always there for me.

Roni - I am so sorry for your loss. Take care.

Roni, I am left stunned by your news. Sending you {{{HUGS}}} and heartfelt condolences on your sudden loss. Take care.

Roni, I am so very sad to hear this news. I cannot imagine how you are feeling right now, and I will keep you in my prayers. I am glad you have family on the way to be with you at this time.

With much love to you.

Stephen.

Family has arrived and we are heading to bed!

Hi Roni,
I cannot add anything, other than my condolences, and my sincere hope that you are taking all the opportunities so far as offers of help are concerned.
How shocking this must all be- take care. I, like many LTers, am thinking of you from afar.

Roni, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's sudden passing. I'm thinking and praying for you as you deal with the shock and grief and everything else that comes with it.

>117 ronincats: Oh my, I'm so sorry Roni.

So glad your family has arrived! Brought tears to my eyes.

OMG Roni! Just got home last night and catching up on LT this morning found your terrible news. Such a shock. We are home now so if there's anything I (or Hubby and I) can do, we're here and happy to help if we can.

Hugs,

>117 ronincats: Roni, Peggy told me about your husband. I am so sorry. All I can offer you is moral support. Please, if you need anything I can help with, do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you, Beth, Lori, Stephen, LovingLit, Mary, Katherine (OMG, you're here--it's been so long!), Lucy, Reba and Stasia, and also Anita who snuck in while I was composing >152 ronincats:. We had a busy but very productive day and have all of the front bedroom cleared out except for the desks, and have the bed set up in there so my sister and I don't have to sleep on the couches. Many, many bags and bins of clothes to deliver to the Salvation Army tomorrow, to make room for the next culling. Worked pretty steadily and I'm really happpy with how much we've got done. I think it will be an early to bed tonight, because I am TIRED!

I'm glad your sister and nephew got there early for you. Sounds like things are busy at your place.

I'm so sorry for you Roni. I came to your thread to share the love for left handed booksellers aka Garth Nix & Deadly Education and then read your shocking news.
I hope the next few days pass as well as they can for you.

I'm so very sorry, Roni; it was a shock to read about this sudden loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

>163 ronincats: Productive busyness is an absolute balm in this situation. So glad you're with caring and strong people!

I'm so sorry to hear this, Roni. Thinking of you and your loved ones during this terrible time.

Roni - let me add my deepest condolences on your loss. What a shockingly sudden loss. I'm so sorry but am glad you have your sis and nephew to be there for and with you during this difficult time.

>163 ronincats: Glad to hear your family arrived and that you were able to get so much done. Continuing to think of you.

Deepest condolences for your loss. Truly sorry to hear this news.

Adding my condolences, Roni. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during this awful time.

Thinking about you (((Roni)))

Hi Roni. Checking to see if you've been by lately. Take care!

Another busy day. One more, and then they have to head home. hugs and kisses to all.

Just checking in, too.

Hi Roni.
Nothing much to say except that I was here peeking in at what you and all the other LT-75-ers were saying.
I think about how this is all unfolding for you every time I look at my starred threads. I hope you have friends that can be in a safe "bubble" with you as the days go by after your family leaves. Be safe! Please.

Your friends here are waiting to give virtual comfort, Roni. xx

Just a quick hello Roni.

*hugs*

Hi Roni, swinging by. Hope to see you when you can visit.

So sorry to hear about your loss, Roni. My condolences to you and your family

I'm happier than I can say to see you here, Roni. You know how precious you are to us!

Hi Roni, just checking in with you. My photo feed popped up with images of the striking SD university library. Thinking of you.

Hi Roni, I am thinking of you and sending you hugs. Remember we are all here for you if you need us.

Hi Roni, I just read about your husband and want to add my support. Very sorry for your loss.

Hello, friends. This is the second day on my own, my sister and nephew are back home now, and I've been puttering around the house, walking the dog, doing some straightening up, and rereading the Penric novellas for comfort reading, as well as talking to friends both here and back in the Midwest on the phone. Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and thinking of me. I'm not too chatty yet, but just wanted to let you know I am doing okay.

>187 ronincats: {{{Roni}}} Thanks for posting a wee update.
Take your time. Please yourself, I am sure that 'chatty' isn't something one arrives at except in its own timeframe. 💖

Just peeking in and glad to see you're taking care. Talk when you need to and know we're here either way. Thinking of you.

>187 ronincats: *smooch*

You're in my thoughts and prayers Roni.

Dear Sweet Soul. You are among the most respected in our group. I think of you daily and hold you in my thoughts and prayers.
Much love to you.

Still thinking of you Roni, every day. Sending hugs.

>187 ronincats: Ah, Penric. I'm still holding on for the printed version.

Love to you, Roni!

Thanks for checking in, Roni. Take your time. There is no schedule for grief and switching gears. Just do what you need to do for you. {{hugs}}

Take care, Roni. I am thinking of you.

{{{hugs}}}

Roni, I am just coming by and seeing the terribly shocking and sad news about your husband. I am SO sorry. I'm glad family were able to come visit and be with you, and knowing they are heading back (today?) probably weighs heavily. Know that this virtual community is here, thinking of you, and available for conversation or whatever you need. P sends her deepest condolences, too.

(((((Roni)))))

Just checking in on you. Sending more hugs your way.

Thank you so much, every one of you. Your messages are a healing balm. I let my good friend in Florida know today, and her husband, a psychologist, was pushing me about making sure I had supports, and he was amazed at the breadth and range of you I was able to describe! I took Molly on a walk with my friend Pat at Balboa Park today, so got some exercise for both of us, and finished Penric's Mission, the fourth novella--actually the fifth chronologically as the brand new novella falls between the third book, Penric's Fox and this one. They are good comfort reads, undemanding yet meaty emotionally. Still not getting out to other threads much, but that will come with time. Love you all.

(((hugs))) I'm glad you are finding comfort in reading and your pets. Thinking of you.

Just stopping by to say we are still thinking of and praying for you. Thanks for the updates.

Oh goodness! Just catching up on developments. Another sending their deepest condolences and best wishes and comforting virtual hugs. I wish I could reach across the Atlantic and give you one right now. I'll just take my place here in the huge huddle of people all thinking of you and sending their very warmest wishes and affection. We're here for you and will do all we can to support you.

>201 ronincats: It's always a pleasure to do something for someone as well-loved as you are, Roni.

*smooch*

>201 ronincats: & >205 richardderus: What RD said so nicely. xx

Have you discovered the Attolian Conspiracy group on LT Roni? I've just noticed it in my 'suggested for you' in the Groups tab. It's been around since April 2010 apparently.

It's good to see your updates, Roni. I'm glad that your current reads are comforting.

I hope you have many comfort reads to cushion your heart in these days. And pet cuddles, lots of pet cuddles!

Again, I am so far behind both in chronicling books and in thanking all of you dear visitors. I'm still busy with matters around the house and paperwork but hope to be back here soon.

>210 ronincats: We'll be delighted when you can be back among us regularly. Until then, {{{Roni}}}

Hugs aplenty from these tropical climes for you from me too, Roni.

Dear Roni. Experience taught me that though the surgeries, Will's passing and all the procedures, this group remained strong in their support. We are strong in our caring of each other. Much love to you Roni. I know from experience, that we will all be here in your own time.

>210 ronincats: You do what you can and what you need for yourself.
We are here when you need us.
All the best and love for you.

Sending a comfort hug!



Butters and beans, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

(((((Roni))))) I'm late hearing the news, but I am sending my deepest condolences.

I am so sad that due to the Covid, you are mostly alone since your sister and nephew left. Can you think of anything that would send you a bit of cheer?

Better late than never?

October Summary

Books: 22

Pages read: 6583
Average pages/book: 299
Average pages/day: 212

Print: 7
Kindle: 15

Library: 12
Mine (2020): 3
Re-reads:7
Books Off the Shelf: 0
DNF: 0

Fiction: 20
- Science Fiction: 4
- Fantasy: 15
- Children's: 0
- General/Popular: 0
- Romance: 2
- Mystery: 0

Nonfiction: 1

Female: 12
Male: 10

US authors: 19
Other countries: England - 2, Australia - 1

Acquired: 3, 3 ebooks All read
Source: Amazon

Books out the door: 0

Again, thank you to all my lovely visitors. Your support means more than you can know!

October was a good reading month, then. I'm glad you're feelin' the love, Roni.

Someone we all detest sure isn't!

From korval.com in case you're missing any of the Liaden books:

All Liaden Universe® titles published by Baen Books will be on sale from your favorite ebook vendor from November 3 through November 30! This is a perfect chance to complete your collection, and to prepare for the Big December 1 release of the newest Liaden novel, Trader’s Leap.

>218 richardderus: Who's that then, Richard?

Still sending those positive vibes!


Photo retrieved from Pintrest account Super Cute Animals, saved from hotpinscuteanimals.com.

Hey, I'm an academic librarian--I'm going to cite where I get the photos from, right? :D

Morning, Roni. I thought I had posted here, but I must have just sent you the PM. Please know we are thinking about you and holding you close in our hearts.

>219 humouress: Oh, no one important, Nina.

Happy Monday, Roni, hoping it's a great day for accomplishing stuff. Congrats on your new mayor!

Beautiful sunny day after the rain :) Think we can find a time slot to go walking in Balboa Park one of these days?

Thank you again, everyone. I just can't go back and thank you all individually, much as you deserve it, except for a quick shout out to Cassie for the kitty pictures (my cats have been sleeping with me and Molly), but I do appreciate all your messages so much. My goal today is to catch up on reporting my reading and to reply to people individually from here on out.

Reba, I would love it, but it will have to be next week, early, as this week is chock full. I have my big craft show out at the El Cajon Elks Lodge Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I've been committed to it (with deposit) for a year and since there have been NO shows this calendar year so far, my inventory is overflowing back in the she-shack, so I really need to do it. But after filing for non-probate tomorrow downtown, I will have to be pricing and packing pottery like crazy to be ready for Friday. I hope next week will work for you. It is a lovely, lovely day, though, after all our rain!



Book #151 The Demon and the City by Liz Williams (384 pp.)

Second in the Detective Inspector Chen series of 5, these books are set in a futuristic Singapore where one interacts with the denizens of both the Chinese heaven and hell. Focusing more on the activities and character of demonic vice cop Zhu Irzhs, this is a follow-up to Williams' first book in this world. This is a reread--and this is the point where I went to look at my spreadsheet and discovered I had not recorded my re-reading of the first book earlier in October!!



Book #152 Snake Agent by Liz Williams (412 pp.)

When the fourteen-year-old daughter of Singapore Three’s most prominent industrialist dies of anorexia, her parents assume that Pearl’s suffering has come to an end. But somewhere along the way to the Celestial Shores, Pearl’s soul is waylaid, lured by an unknown force to the gates of Hell. To save their daughter from eternal banishment, they come to Detective Inspector Wei Chen, whose jurisdiction lies between this world and the next.
A round-faced cop who is as serious as his beat is strange, Chen has a demon for a wife and a comfort with the supernatural that most mortals cannot match. But finding Pearl Tang will take him further into the abyss than ever before—to a mystifying place where he will have to cooperate with a demonic detective if he wants to survive. It’s easy, Chen will find, to get into Hell. The hard part is getting out.



Book #153 Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge (312 pp.)

A light romance, based loosely on Sense and Sensibility, and with the Marianne character's POV. Frothy entertainment.

And then at this point Lex died and I didn't read any more for a full week. Part of that was that I had family in the house to interact with, and part was how busy we were with other things.

Book #154 A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny with illustrations by Gahan Wilson

This book is designed to be (re)read one day at a time, with a journal entry for each day in October. I had been doing so up until the 23rd, but then finished all at once the night before my sister and nephew left so I could send it with her as she had never read it. It is a delightful mashup of horror characters and plots in the hands of a master--it was Zelazny's final book. If you have never read it, DO SO!!

And then when I started reading again on the 30th, I decided to reread the first 6 Penric novellas (chronologically). I had just read the new one, the ninth novella but fourth chronologically, and had never read them all in order, so I did so, without however rereading Masquerade in Lodi.



Book #155 Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold (109 pp.)
Book #156 Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold (160 pp.)
Book #157 Penric's Fox by Lois McMaster Bujold (113 pp.)
Book #158 Penric's Mission by Lois McMaster Bujold (264 pp.)
Book #159 Mira's Last Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (87 pp.)
Book #160 The Prisoner of Limnos by Lois McMaster Bujold (139 pp.)

I also finished up my bathroom book.



Book #161 The Science of Discworld: Darwin's Watch by Terry Pratchett, Jack Cohen, Ian Stewart (335 pp.)

This interspersing of the wizards' antics with their creation Roundworld and descriptions of the actual physics involved is both amusing and informative.

At this point I decided to bail on two library books that just weren't doing it for me.


DNF Deal With the Devil by Kit Rocha (55 pages read)

Mercenary librarians in a near future dystopia--what's not to like? Mostly the playing out of the most tired tropes of paranormal romance.



DNF The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs (70 pages read)

This was probably situational. The book starts with the death of the protagonist's mother and boyfriend's death in an accident and her overwhelming grief. Not where I wanted to be right now.

And I moved on to another comfort series read.



Book #162 Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings (259 pp.)
Book #163 Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings (326 pp.)
Book #164 Magician's Gambit by David Eddings (307 pp.)
Book #165 Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings (375 pp.)
Book #166 Enchanters' End Game by David Eddings (375 pp.)

I've read through the Belgariad (these five books), the Mallorean (a sequel five books), Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress (these two cover the whole sequence of the events in the first 10 books from the title characters' POVs) more than once, but just the first five will do for me this time. Good solid epic fantasy with interesting characters and world-building.



Book #167 The Home Edit Life by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin (253 pp.)

Lots of pretty pictures but very little meat. Glad this one was a library loan. But it was a quick read with all the pictures.

And that catches me up to where I am now, which is basically stalling out and not finding anything on my shelves that I feel like reading.

>227 ronincats: Deal with the Devil is really disappointing. I love the sound of it but, well, tired tropes are tired.

I'm so glad so many comfort reads are right there at hand.

>225 ronincats: A Night in the Lonesome October was wonderful! I really loved it and plan to reread it every October from now on. I might even have to buy the hardcover, if I can find it, because I adore the cover art. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention, Roni! {{{Roni}}}

>228 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Your frequent messages on my thread are a comfort as well.
>229 Storeetllr: Oh, Mary, I am so glad you found it AND love it. That's what I do since I discovered it only a couple of years ago, read it every October! It is a classic. {{{{Mary}}}}

Best wishes for you and your craft show, Roni
>225 ronincats: You are so right!
For next year I have already entered the daily reading into my calendar.

Trying to think of comfort reads and not coming up with much that is useful, Roni. I guess a lot of it is that by definition they are very personal to us. Much of my depression comfort reading (not that I am saying grief is the same) is linked by characters going through similarly dark times. But I can think of other times when I've just read wall to wall books selected with the key criteria being how far away from "reality" they are, particularly in terms of emotional investment.

Anyhow, thinking of you.

>224 ronincats: Wish I could come round and help you with pricing and packing the pottery, Roni. As for comfort read, as Charlotte says, they're usually personal but you could continue with the Bujolds and the Eddings-es I suppose. It's not like there's a shortage of them ;0)

Morning, Roni! The gang at the Pecan Padisio send their love.

For comfort reading, I usually reread old favorites like Garden Spells or Pride and Prejudice or Dandelion Wine. I also like to reread through series that I have loved.

I am adding The Lonesome October to The List - thanks for that!

Hi Roni!

I'm glad that you've got lots of good comfort reading going and a major show to focus some energy on.

I can absolutely understand your DNFing The Lost and Found Bookshop. Some things hit too close to home.

Have a good show this weekend! Price things high, you're worth it.

>236 richardderus: - ^^^ What he said!

Hi Roni. I'm glad you're keeping busy. Wishing you a beautiful weekend for your upcoming craft show. I hope it's a sellout for you!

Lois McMaster Bujold sounds like a wonderful balm for the soul. (((Hugs)))

Have a great show, Roni!

Hi, Roni. Now I WANT *L October*, but copies are really pricey on AMC. I'll be looking for it.
Meanwhile, I have ordered the first Belgariad collection, thanks to you again, and am looking forward to it. (And yet, there sit the last 4 of the *Wheel*, huge and unread. Such an investment of time!)

Best wishes for your show this weekend, Roni!

Hi Roni.
I missed that you were having a craft show. I hope it's virtual?

My ceramics friends have their sale set up that way to avoid crowds and being in a public indoor space.
I'm missing the local Autumn craft and art sales. It was so much fun seeing IRL what people have been making, but all such events are currently banned here.

Hi Roni, I bet you are busy getting everything ready for the upcoming craft show. Good luck with it.

I don't know if you have had a chance to check out next year's SF/FF Kit yet but here's the link:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/325535

hope to see you over there once again. :)

>231 SirThomas:, >233 humouress:, >236 richardderus:, >237 katiekrug:, >238 Donna828:, >239 BLBera:, >241 bell7:, >242 SandyAMcPherson: After all the good wishes, I need to abashedly inform you that I have pulled out of the craft show. San Diego County went to the most restrictive tier for the state yesterday due to increased Covid cases, taking effect at midnight Saturday morning, which means NO indoor events. While I was already outside, this means that the high teas that pull in a lot of people have been canceled and those vendors inside must be moved outside. Without the teas and with the higher risk rating, I question what the customer turnout would be. So given the amount of work and the reduced chance of meaningful amounts of sales, I decided that if they would refund my booth fee, I would pull out and let one of the inside people have my space. And they would. Much as I would have enjoyed the social interaction in normal times, these are not them and I'm not that sorry. My December show, the only other one on the books, is indoor, in a school gymnasium, and it is quite likely that it will not take place either, given the rise in case rates. So >242 SandyAMcPherson: how did they set that up, Sandy? That seems the only option now.

>232 charl08: Thanks for thinking of me, Charlotte.
>234 Crazymamie: Those are all good comfort reads, Mamie!
>235 karenmarie: Yeah, overwhelming grief wasn't hacking it, Karen.
>240 LizzieD: Ooh, those ARE pricey, Peggy. Glad I already have my copy. Our library has two copies available--don't know about yours.



Book #168 Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh (112 pp.)

A nicely written novella steeped in English lore!

>243 DeltaQueen50: Oh thanks, Judy. I'll definitely star the thread. (Took me a minute to figure out how to do it with the new format.

>244 ronincats: It's unfortunate about the show especially the reason. I hope you can find something interesting to occupy you instead, though making more pottery would seem to be an ambiguous good. I do hope news of the vaccine is accurate and that it will be much safer out there in a very few months.

>244 ronincats: Too bad, Roni, but wise I think.

>244 ronincats: It's a shame you won't be going Roni, but good call. Better to be safe.

Hi Roni. Sounds like you are slowly bouncing back from the events of the last several weeks and that is god to see. So sorry to hear of the craft show issues but I believe you are being very smart to be cautious. Roni, have you thought about creating a website, to display and sell your crafts? Or even Etsy? That might be a useful and easier way to continue what you love to do and to not have to suffer the losses of (what seems likely to be) canceled shows.

>244 ronincats: That seems smart; cases are rising everywhere and now's not the time to be around crowds, especially heading into flu season.

But so you feel better, here's another cat hug from me to you!



This one was uploaded by Barbara Wilkins on Pintrest; I'm assuming these are her cats.

And my cat, Peppa, says "hi!"

>244 ronincats: Re Virtual Crafts
For the ceramics, most of the pottery folks here have 3 advantages for their outlets to the public:
The Saskatchewan Craft Council, where there's a strong online presence and a permanent boutique. Members have their website links in the directory;
Three Clay Studio, which is a quiet shop on one of our walkable side alleys in the arty part of town. It's member run and they are open with numbers restricted, masks and sanitisers.
Handmade House, also near the Craft Council and Three Clay Studio.

The other organisational medium is Instagram. Most artists (here) have gone to posting images of their latest work online, using this photo-hosting community. I know my friends in the ceramics world have found it fairly satisfactory, but other not so much, especially those who are painters.

However pottery seems much more amenable to photographs and the virtual galleries have enjoyed some success, often directing folks to the places listed above, where people can indeed see the pieces IRL. I think these member-run organisations will keep artists afloat, even if the draw of the Christmas markets doesn't fulfil their usual potential for earnings.

Good luck, Roni. You can maybe add professional photography to your artistic skills, since the individuals (who are potters, not photographers) on Instagram seem very accomplished!

Edited to add, based on comments from folks in my art-makers-circle, don't waste your time going on Etsy.

When it first started, it was a makers heaven but became so inundated, the chances of standing out are negligible. Too much energy has to go into 'selling' your product, to be successful.
*Plus*, you have to cope with the payment scheme which is fraught with people scamming you. Horror stories of dealing with PayPal have surfaced (a friend is a lawyer dealing with this in her firm). Your Etsy account can be raided to pull back a payment if a recipient claims the package was never received. This has been a terrible situation because even tracking numbers haven't stopped such claims. And with the Coronavirus epidemic, no one is getting signatures at the door these days.

>244 ronincats: Your priority should remain *your*health* during the plague, so I'm glad you're not going.

*smooch*

I agree with Richard, you staying safe is the most important thing. The numbers are rising here as well and we are putting ourselves in "lock-down" until things improve.

>246 quondame: You are right that it doesn't reduce the inventory, but it's so soothing, Susan.
>247 RebaRelishesReading:, >248 humouress:, >249 jessibud2:, >250 CassieBash:, >252 richardderus:, >253 DeltaQueen50: So last night on the news, the county published incidence rates by city and zip code, and guess where the highest rate in the county was? Yes, you got it--El Cajon, where the craft fair is, has a 24% positivity rate, one in four. I did go by today, and a lot more besides me have pulled out, but there were half a dozen of my long time vendors there and I let them know what was going on.Still about 2 dozen there. Kept my mask on, was socially distant, and didn't spend more than 5 minutes with any one of them.
>251 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks, Sandy. Yes, it's impossible to stand out on Etsy, and I don't really want to ship pottery anyway. I may have to learn how to do Instagram--it appears to be a favorite for crafters.

In my home county in Kansas, the case load jumped 80 cases to 550 since Monday--in a population under 7000, bringing THEIR positivity rate to 29.4%! One in three! And my nephew called tonight to tell me that my mom and sister are at the emergency room of the hospital tonight to get COVID testing, having identical symptoms today including, among other things, an inability to get warm. The other alternative, regular testing over in Saline county, has a several-week waiting list. We won't get results tonight, I'm sure, but I'm anxiously waiting to hear that they are home. My mother has three of her friends, all in 80s or 90s, who have tested positive and went into the hospital. One, who had serious health conditions, has died. The other two appear to be feeling better but still have low oxygenation and are still in the hospital.

Very little reading going on here. But this too shall pass.

Good news, they are home now and tested negative.

>255 ronincats: Yay!

Here in Singapore, numbers are low (the authorities having learned their lesson from the SARS epidemic). I'm not keeping track on a day to day basis but I remember noticing that one day last week there were 7 new cases in the country, only one of which was locally transmitted. On Thursday night as he was working on a presentation which counts towards his final mark, my son said he was feeling slightly under the weather (which could have easily been due to last-minute-before-handing-in pressure) but the next day he said a few classmates were also not feeling well and one friend went home and then did a COVID test, so we're waiting to hear the results. I'm not too worried at this point - but fingers crossed anyway.

Big WHEW that your mother and sister are negative! It's so scary that the rates are so high across the country and climbing. Do your best, as we all must, to stay safe.
Nina, I add my hope that your son (and his friends) are all better when they wake up in the morning!
Roni, may you get to read some tomorrow!

>254 ronincats: Scary, Roni. I'm so glad you played the craft show situation ultra-conservatively. Smart move.

I was shocked to read that there's "a several-week waiting list" for testing in any place never mind your area. Not surprising that reading has fallen off.

Hi Roni!

I'm very glad to read that your mother and sister tested negative. What a major scare.

And I'm glad you've cancelled the craft show. Sorry that it has to be that way, but glad.

Kitties, puttering, reading... I hope you have a Saturday filled with comforting things.

Happy Saturday, Roni! What Karen said. Please know that we are thinking of you and sending you our love.

Well, no craft show but no Covid either, so that's good. What a worry about your mother and sister. So glad the news was positive.

My Kansas family is (are?) staying home for Thanksgiving. We hope to do a daytrip up there sometime in December. Griffin will be 13 on December 7th so sometime around then we can be Thankful, celebrate another teenager in the family, and do an early Christmas. Takeout for an early dinner and we're outa there! Stay well, Roni.

Glad I was behind enough to get the good news about your mother and sister in the next post after I read the scary report that they were in for testing.

Take care of yourself!

Good news about your Mother and sister, Roni. And I sure hope Nina gets good news as well. We are living in such scary times.

>255 ronincats: Thanks for the good wishes everyone. The results came through negative so no worries for now - maybe all the kids were suffering from last-minute-itis :0)

>261 Donna828: Gosh, another teenager. You're so lucky. My 11 year old (who will turn 12 just before Christmas) is already copying his older brother and turning grouchy. The older one (who will turn 17 the week before that) is showing slight signs of recovery and return to civilisation.

Roni, I am so relieved that your mother and sister tested negative. This virus is spiraling out of control all over, and it means closing things back down (not that we were totally open). It makes it so hard, that you can't do the craft show, that you can't have visitors, etc. I am glad you have Molly and the cats. And you don't need to worry about individual responses -- we get it, and we just want to hear what you can share when you can share it. LT is a no-obligation space.

P was asking about you the other day as I had shared about your troubles. She said quite spontaneously "I just liked her so much when we met and it was so kind of her to spend that whole day taking us to the zoo and showing us around." :-)

>256 humouress:, >264 humouress: So glad the results were negative for your family as well, Nina!
>257 LizzieD: I did get to read some both yesterday and today, Peggy, although when I sat down to read yesterday afternoon, I immediately fell asleep!
>258 SandyAMcPherson: The delay in testing is not in the San Diego area, Sandy, but back in central Kansas.
>259 karenmarie: After some basic maintenance yesterday morning, Karen, I had that very comforting nap.
>260 Crazymamie: Thank you, Mamie.
>261 Donna828: Yes, Donna, were it not for the pandemic, I'd be back home for the holidays too.
>262 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba.
>263 DeltaQueen50: Stay safe, Judy.
>265 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I'm mostly affected not getting out to the other threads and catching up with everyone on their threads. And remind P that it was my great pleasure to spend the day with the two of you.

So. Today was a warm one, first of three Santa Ana days, up to 80 degrees. So much to do in the house--putting laundry away, cleaning the kitchen, writing notes, working compost into the garden beds--so what did I do? I took down all the construction and math and sales books in the top three shelves of the north bookcase in the front bedroom/Lex's office and put the outdated ones (most of them) in the recycle bin, put some of the health and popular science and math books out front in a box for an impromptu Little Free Library. Dusted down the shelves, moved some of my books over from the west bookcase, which freed up a shelf and half in that bookcase for hardbacks and trade paperbacks that had been hanging out in my office, and left some room around authors that have books heading there when I finish them. Managed to weed out a total of three of my books--Lev Grossman's The Magicians, Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey (I don't think he's ever going to write a sequel), and my book club edition of Xenogenesis by Octavia Butler. But I got Lady Trent, Jemisin, Leckie, Megan Whalen Turner and more worked into the shelves. Before they had been scattered all over random shelves in back.


East bookcase


West bookcase--SFF hardbacks and trade paperbacks

So anyone here going to tell me my priorities are messed up?

^ The shelves look very tidy, Roni! Nice!

And I am willing to wager that no one in this group is going to even blink at how you are choosing to spend your time (and that you weeded out but three books!). xo

I find reorganizing bookshelves takes my mind off other things and is relaxing. So, no, I don't think your priorities are mixed up.

Glad your Kansas kin are covid free. I think you made the right choice about the pottery sale too. The virus escalation is getting scary.

>266 ronincats: Thanks Roni.

Well, as I'm sure you know by now, I've been reorganising my bookshelves for the last few months (to the annoyance of my husband) and I'm finding it very enjoyable. After all, cataloguing my books was the reason for joining LT in the first place. Unfortunately (for my husband - because I've taken over his desk which makes it awkward for him for the weeks that he's working from home) I keep finding more that I think I could do as I get to handle each book.

All my previously catalogued books are back on the shelves so now I'm just organising the new books. But I changed as many covers as I could from generic Amazon ones to either member uploaded ones or I searched for matching covers on the web ... and then I used the app to enter my own covers for the new ones ... so now I want to do that for all my books. I think this project could go on for a while more :0)

So your priorities are absolutely in the right place. (Not so sure about the weeding out though - I feel guilty about doing that if I try.)

I was very relieved to read that your family tested negative Roni!

>266 ronincats: Good idea, an Impromptu Little Free Library. And I love the pictures of your bookcases.

Shelf organizing is always appropriate! I haven't given up on a sequel to Shades of Grey yet, but I agree it doesn't look good. And I kind of liked The Magicians, but not enough to continue the series. So I even support your weeding choices!

I tried setting out a box of books in front of my house a few years ago (with "Free Books!" written on the side), and there were no takers. We seem to have more kids running around the neighborhood lately, so if I put out kids' books now, some of them might go. I may try it again some day. But our library has also upped the number of actual Little Free Libraries in the county, so when I have a lot of things to get rid of, maybe I will drive around and stock some of those. Typically I save "real" books for swapping at Half-Price Books, but I always have some galleys to get rid of.

Hi Roni!

Touching, moving, culling, and organizing books is a wonderful way to spend your time.

>266 ronincats: Of course not! Sounds like a healing and useful way to spend time.

>266 ronincats: Handsome shelves!!!! You inspire me to let The Magicians go too. I feel as though I didn't like it a very great deal. Maybe I can let it go. Hmmm. I won't do anything until I can go into the post office with more security than I feel right now. We remain a hot spot in a pretty hot state.

I myownself think you have your priorities exactly where they should be. Laundry will wait; it doesn't go bad. Kitchen cleaning is Sisyphean at the best of times. Book arranging, OTOH, is immediately satisfying and gives the gift of pleasure down the days.

>266 ronincats: >271 foggidawn: Roni, no judgement at all on reorganizing bookshelves -- it is a supremely comforting activity! And I hope I'm the bearer of good news for you and Foggi, though possibly not for your shelves -- Fforde has been talking on Twitter about how he Shades of Grey 2 is on deck -- it sounds like he's working on the fourth Last Dragonslayer book, and then Shades of Grey 2 is planned for after that. So there is hope!

Glad for the negative tests and no, not crazy and no judging whatsoever. I too find it calming and it helps take my mind off other stressors, as it does apparently for many of us here. So go ahead, take a few deep breaths, and dive in! :)

>256 humouress: I read earlier that Japan (and some of the other Asian countries) has had such comparably low numbers because of their already-established culture of masking up when they're sick for illnesses far less dangerous than COVID or SARS.

>261 Donna828: Just in case you're still wondering, it should be "is" with family because a family is one of those weird nouns that seems like it should be plural but is considered one unit--so it's really singular. So "is" would be the proper conjugation. Yes, I am a part of the grammar police squad when I want to be. :))

I am not organizing bookshelves but I am organizing my Book Discussion Group's reading list for 2021. We finally filled out slate for next year, but I need to get it into a Word Document and then sent out to everybody. In a way it is busy work, but I enjoy it.

Hello Roni - everything that is good for you is good for you.
I am glad that there is good news for you too.
Best wishes and hugs.

Hi Roni. I came by to recommend The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen to you as a comfort read but I see it's already been entered in your library.

Happy Birthyay, dear Roni. A mixed bag, of course, but I am very glad to celebrate your personal New Year with you.

Thank you so much, Richard dear. You light up my life.

Happy Birthday, Roni.

Happy Birthday, Roni. The picture in >282 ronincats: is pretty perfect.

>277 CassieBash: Thanks, Cassie. “Is” definitely sounds better.

A big Happy Birthday from me, Roni. Sit back, open a new book, and enjoy your newly reorganized bookshelves. 🌻💝

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RONI!!! I'm very glad that it didn't slip past Richard so that the rest of us can join in. I wish that you may make yourself happy today with no guilt at all!

Happy Birthday, Roni. All of us here at the Pecan Paradisio are thinking of you today and sending our love.

>284 katiekrug: Katie is right that this is pretty perfect.

Happy birthday, Roni. Hope you are pampering yourself. xoxo

>282 ronincats: Oh, that's perfect! Exactly how I feel, too. *smooch*

>287 Crazymamie: I'm sure Roni hasn't seen those yet, so I'll just make sure her diet is intact....

Here's to you, Roni ~ all the best wishes from up here... LMK if I can send some snow down to y'all. We currently have too much. It's sort of like oobleck at this point, but very refreshing if you're in a heat wave.

Happy birthday! Thinking of you.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Roni
Happy birthday to you!

Happy Birthday! And may many lovely books come your way.

Happy birthday Roni!

>289 richardderus: Very altruistic. She must be so grateful.

>290 SandyAMcPherson: ‘oobleck’?

>295 humouress: Hey, I'm that kind of a hairpin.

>295 humouress: (refering to >290 SandyAMcPherson:) I guess it's a childhood thing that was very popular in North America (just a wee while ago, right?) ~

I loved reading this to my little brother ~

You can check out the book here.

Dear Friend.

I am thinking of you tonight. There is no need to respond. Simply know that you are in my heart.

Happy Belated Birthday, Roni. I hope it was a good one in this tough stretch.

I liked Mamie's trio of comfort reads up there, i.e., Pride and Prejudice, Garden Spells and Dandelion Wine. Dandelion Wine is going to be our next re-read-together at Casa Welch, and I think you'll enjoy Garden Spells if you haven't read it. P & P is probably the book I've re-read the most.

>296 richardderus: *sigh* I’m going to have to build a thesaurus. ‘Hairpin’?

>297 SandyAMcPherson: I loved that book when I was a kid. "Oobleck" is just the best word.

>300 humouress: Hairpin...what is used to keep hair up...stands in for the longer, less pithy "letting one's hair down" or "coming out". So a hairpin is, by Polari extension, a Friend of Dorothy, a shirt-lifter, a sexually deviant male.

Hiya Roni! You are looking, so to speak, at a most happy man indeed. Early Wednesday I dropped my phone into a full sink! Thinking fast, I pulled the battery out, dried everything I could find with an old t-shirt, and shoved the lot into a bag of rice. When I got it out of the rice Thursday evening, I put it back together while muttering incantations to the Elder Gods and lo! Cthulhu had mercy and my phone worked!

I can't describe the relief. Bad, bad time to be needing a costly new thing; I ***hate*** phone shopping; and to be unable to make my planned and pledged $100 donation to the Georgia Senate races would've added the glacé cherry on the cat-box-cleanings sundae of being a clumsy old oaf.

Crisis Averted. I hope your weekend is as good as my Thursday was!

Happy Belated Birthday, Roni. And the best wishes for the weekend.

Hi, Roni! I think you were the one who recommended The House in the Cerulean Sea to me, and I loved it! Review on my thread, but I wanted to say thanks for the rec!

Happy belated birthday!


Joyce Matzen on Pintrest seems to be the origin for this one.

>297 SandyAMcPherson: While I had to read this one over and over to my little sister:

I will just had my birthday wishes to the list. Mine would come with a big

"Rock Chalk Jayhawk" and a rousing rendition of the KU fight song - but, since my alma mater is up the river I will refrain. Maybe settle for a rousing rendition of that lullaby like state song - "Home on the Range.

Oh I missed it - but Happy Birthday Roni.

Best wishes, also, for the weekend.

Happy belated birthday, Roni. I hope it was a happy day in the midst of a tough time.

Among the stressors of having workmen in the house (stripping and sanding the wood floor in the main bedroom), setting up a new thread, and the sheer number of wonderful people leaving birthday wishes, I've been very remiss in responding to all of you, but hope to catch up in the next few days.

Belated happy birthday, Roni!

Roni, just stopping by to say I'm so, so sorry to hear the news about your husband. I'm glad your sister and nephew were able to come and stay with you for a bit.

Leaving you an old photo of our kitty being very cute as a hug.

I'm so sorry for your sudden loss, Roni. Much love and (((hugs))).