Berly Browses Books - 2

Hi! I'm Kim and I've been on LT since 2008. Happily married for over 30 years, I'm a mom of 3, one of them married, and we all live in Oregon. I have an eclectic work history: nerve regeneration research at Boston Children's Hospital; advertising account exec; editor and writer (Milkweed Editions and Portland Parent Magazine); MN Timberwolves Community Relation Mgr and 501C3 Account Exec; accounting, client acquisition and website development for Clarus (a water cleaning company my Husband started here in Portland); and recently Business and HR Mgr for a Montessori school. And 2024 will be me looking for a new job! Also, I am a third degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. And I am on two Advisory Councils for Literary Arts here in Portland. I read almost everything, although I lean towards Fiction.

Let's Talk Books!!

So many choices!! What should I read?
Reading Now
@ Rules for Commuting (K 352 pages) by Iona Iverson
@ The Measure (🎧 11 hours) by Nikki Erlick
✔ Everything Inside (B 223 pages) by Edwidge Danticat
✔ The Body (B 452 pages) by Bill Bryson

Ideas...
✔ The Heart's Invisible Furies (B 580 pages) by John Boyne

Source
✔ = Off the shelf (not acquired this year)
L = Library
↩ = Reread
@ = Acquired this year
✗ = DNF
? = Need to get
IR = Indiespensable Readers
ER = LibraryThing Early Reviewer

Media
B = Printed Book
🎧 = Audio
K = Kindle
GN = Graphic Novel

To motivate my read off my shelves

For those interested, I found the Bingo Card here!
https://www.librarything.com/topic/354729, >100 PlatinumWarlock:
1- Food or Cooking
✔ - Ugly Cover - Fight Night
3 - Only Title and Author On Cover
4 - Featuring Twins
5 - Topic with Specific Knowledge
6 - Publication Year Ending in 23 (Trying for ROOT)
7 - Epistolary or Diary
8 - "Big" or "Little" in Title
9 - LT Similar Library
✔ 10 - About Friendship - What to Say Next
11 - Three-Word Title
✔ 12 - Paper Based Item in Plot - Yellowface
13 - Read a CAT
14 - Short Story Collection - Everything Inside
15 - Person's Name in Title - Amy & Isabelle
16 - Set in a City
17 - Less Than 100 Copies on LT
18 - POC Author
19 - Author 65 or Older
✔ 20 - Featuring Water - Tom Lake
21 - Warriors or Mercenaries
22 - Reread a Favorite Book
23 - Written in Another Cultural Tradition
24 - Set in Multiple Countries
25 - Current or Recent Bestseller

Read in February ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2024 Total ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
11. @ The Bee Sting (K 658 pages) by Paul Murray
10. @ Stay Close (🎧 11 hours) by Harlan Coben 3.5

Read in January ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2024 Total ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
9. L Chenneville (B 307 pages) by Juliette Jiles
❤️ @ Deaf Utopia (🎧 11 hours) by Nyle DiMarco 4.25
7. @ Cormoran Strike Series #6 The Ink Black Heart (🎧 33 hours) by Robert Galbraith 3.5
❤️ ✔ What To Say Next (B 293 pages) by Julie Buxbaum 5.0
5. @ Exit Strategy Murderbot #4 (🎧 4 hours) by Martha Wells - 4.0
4. ✔ Fight Night (B 100/251 pages) by Miriam Toews - DNF
❤️ @ Yellowface (🎧 8.5 hours) by R.F. Kuang 4.5
2. ✔ Tom Lake by (🎧 11.5 hours) Ann Patchett, read by Meryl Streep 4.0
1. ✔ Twelve Slays of Christmas (🎧 8.25 hours) by Jacqueline Frost 3.5

Ratings
❤️ Favorite(s) of the month
Loved it! 5.0
Really Good 4.0
Good 3.0
Hmmmm 2.0
Don't Bother 1.0

Source
IR = Indiespensable Readers
LT = LibraryThing Early Reviewer
✔ = Off the shelf (not acquired this year)
L = Library
↩ = Reread
@ = Acquired this year
✗ = DNF
? = Need to get

Media
B = Printed Book
🎧 = Audio
K = Kindle
GN = Graphic Novel

Berly's Best of 2023
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (Children's Book)
Demon Copperhead Barbara Kingsolver
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Roadkill by Dennis E. Taylor
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris

I can't resist buying books!!
I seem to manage to read around 50% of my newbies, except in 2019 where I (ahem) added a few more books to my collection than normal. But I killed it in 2020 when I read almost 75% of my newbies and in 2022 I read 70%!!

2017 47/85
2018 45/88
2019 45/128
2020 78/103
2021 50/105
2022 54/77
2023 56/88

Let's see how I do this year...

2024 6/17 Read
✅ The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
✅ Yellowface by R.F. Huang
3. Last Night by Luanne Rice *
4. The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz *
5. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (From Hil) *
✅ Exit Strategy by Martha Wells *
✅ Cormoran Strike Series #6 The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
✅ Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco *
✅ Stay Close by Harlan Coben *
10. Not That Bad by Roxanne Gay (From BLBera) *
11. Courting His Royal Highness by Amy Hahn (From BLBera) *
12. Dr. Anderson's Nanny by Amy Hahn (From BLBera) *
13. Knight of the Amulet by Amy Hahn (From BLBera) *
14. Wizard of Earthsea by Ursala LeGuin
15. The Measure by Nikki Erlick
16. Shutter by Ramona Emerson
17. Rules for Commuting by Iona Iverson
18. Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson *
19. River of Darkness by Rennie Airth *

✅ Read
* Free or gift

LT Reads
✅ Jan - The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff with Beth and Ellen
✅ Feb - Chenneville by Paulette Jiles with Beth and Ellen
✅ Feb - The Bee Sting by Paul Murray with Mark and Others
Feb - The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne with Stasia
March - Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer with Mark and Mahsdad
March - The Lost Journals of Sacajewea Debra Magpie Earling with Beth and Ellen
March - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann with Ellen and Beth
April - Monster: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer with Ellen and Beth
May - Here I Am with Stasia
June - The Known World by Edward P Jones with Ellen, Bill (WeirdO), Judy, Katie, Jim (MagiciansNephew)

Literary Arts
January 25, 2024 -- David Grann Killers of the Flower Moon, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder
February 29, 2024 -- Charles Yu Interior Chinatown, How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
April 18, 2024 -- Aimee Nezhukamatathil World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments and book of poetry Oceanic

RL Book Club 2024
February Rules for Commuting by Iona Iverson
April The Wolves at the Door by Judith Pearson
June The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
August Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
October The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt

And Honorable Mentions
The Physics of Everyday Things James Kakalios
No Two Persons Erica Bauermeister
Crying in H-Mart Michelle Zauner
Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Evil Eye Etaf Rum
James Percival Everett
Hello Beautiful Ann Napolitano
Spare Prince Harry
Go As A River Shelley Read
Everything Inside Edwidge Danticat
✅ Tom Lake Ann Patchett

I am going to try and keep track of series I am currently enjoying here:

Series/Author/Next Book
A Royal Spyness Mystery // Rhys Bowen // #2 A Royal Pain
Bobiverse / Dennis E. Taylor / #5 not yet published
Bridgerton / Julia Quinn / #3 An Offer From A Gentleman
Commisario Brunetti by Donna Leon / read 1,2,4,8 next #3 The Anonymous Venetian
Cormoran Strike Series / Robert Galbraith / #7 The Running Grave
Elizabeth Cage / Jodi Taylor #4 ???
Finley O'Sullivan / Debra Webb #3 All the Little Truths
In Death Series / JD Robb / Naked in Death #1 (I have been reading out of order)
Kinsey Millhone Mystery Series / Sue Grafton / Read ABCDEFGQX / Next H
Kopp Series / Amy Stewart / #2 Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Mickey Bolitar / Harlen Coben / #4 not yet published
Murderbot Diaries / Martha Wells / #5 Fugitive Telemetry
Quantum Earth / Dennis E. Taylor / #3 ??
Sandham Murders / Viveca Sten / #11 not yet published
Sunshine Vicram / Darynda Jones / #4 ??
Sweep Series / Ilona Andrews / #6 not yet published
The Åre Murders / Viveca Sten / #2 Hidden in Shadows Dec '23
The Chronicles of St Mary's / Jodi Taylor / #7
The Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries / Jacqueline Frost / #2
The Time Police / Jodi Taylor #5 ???, Santa Grit 4.5
The Thursday Murder Club / Richard Osman / #3 The Bullet That Missed

Hubby signed me up for this (Thank you!!). Over the years I have received over 90 installments (some with two or three books), and I haven't read all the books yet. Not even close!

2024 Indispensable Reader Challenge
1. The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne -- February with Stasia

Next up??
Silas Marner by George Eliot (a classic with a new afterward)
Running the Rift by Naomi Benson (Stasia really liked it)
The Listeners by Leni Zumas
How Music Works by David Byrne
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison
The New & Improved Romie Futch by Julia Elliott
Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer with Stasia but super long...
A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

The complete list can be found here --

https://www.librarything.com/topic/336987#n7662792

You know, in case I need more ideas for books to read!

Total Read - 46
✅ 2023 - Demon Copperhead
2023 - Trust (Diaz)
2022 - The Netanyahus
* 2021 - The Night Watchman
✅ 2020 - The Nickel Boys
✅ 2019 - The Overstory
✅ 2018 - Less
✅ 2017 - Underground Railroad
* 2016 - The Sympathizer
✅ 2015 - All the Light We Cannot See
✅ 2014 - The Goldfinch
✅ 2013 - The Orphan Master's Son
✅ 2012 - NO AWARD - Swamplandia - Nominee
✅ 2011 - A Visit from the Goon Squad
✅ 2010 - Tinkers
✅ 2009 - Olive Kitterridge
✅ 2008 - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
✅ 2007 - The Road
2006 - March
✅ 2005 - Gilead
2004 - The Known World
✅ 2003 - Middlesex
✅ 2002 - Empire Falls
✅ 2001 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
✅ 2000 - The Interpreter of Maladies
✅ 1999 - The Hours
1998 - American Pastoral
1997 - Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer -- reading in March
1996 - Independence Day
✅ 1995 - The Stone Diaries
✅ 1994 - The Shipping News
1993 - A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain
✅ 1992 - A Thousand Acres
1991 - Rabbit at Rest
1990 - The Mambo Kings
✅ 1989 - Breathing Lessons
✅ 1988 - Beloved
✅ 1987 - A Summons to Memphis
✅ 1986 - Lonesome Dove
1985 - Foreign Affairs
1984 - Ironweed
✅ 1983 - The Color Purple
1982 - Rabbit is Rich
✅ 1981 - A Confederacy of Dunces
✅ 1980 - The Executioner's Song
1979 - The Stories of John Cheever
1978 - Elbow Room
✅ 1977 - NO AWARD
✅ 1976 - Humboldt's Gift
1975 - The Killer Angels
✅ 1974 - NO AWARD
1973 - The Optimist's Daughter
✅ 1972 - Angle of Repose
✅ 1971 - NO AWARD
1970 - The Collected Stories of Jean Stafford
1969 - House Made of Dawn
* 1968 - The Confessions of Nat Turner
1967 - The Fixer
1966 - The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter
1965 - The Keepers of the House
✅ 1964 - NO AWARD
1963 - The Reivers
1962 - The Edge of Sadness
✅ 1961 - To Kill a Mockingbird
1960 - Advise and Consent
1959 - The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters
1958 - A Death in the Family
✅ 1957 - NO AWARD
1956 - Andersonville
1955 - A Fable
✅ 1954 - NO AWARD
✅ 1953 - The Old Man and the Sea
✅ 1952 - The Caine Mutiny
1951 - The Town
1950 - The Way West
1949 - Guard of Honor
✅ 1948 - Tales of the South Pacific
✅ 1947 - All the King's Men
✅ 1946 - NO AWARD
1945 - A Bell
1944 - Journey in the Dark
1943 - Dragon's Teeth
1942 - In This Our Life
✅ 1941 - NO AWARD
✅ 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath
1928 - The Bridge of San Luis Rey

* Have on hand
✅ Read

Please join us if you are interested in Reusing and Recycling. People are sharing brand and book suggestions and also keeping track of their efforts. Check it out!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/339326

Below is my personal list of what I am doing and want to be doing. I plan to keep updating this as I make improvements in my lifestyle this year. Brands listed are my choices and more suggestions are listed in the above thread.

Things I was already doing
*Carry reusable shopping bags
*Reuse packaging and don't overwrap (I have a whole closet of boxes and packing material I recycle)
*Use recyclable paper and cardboard instead of styrofoam packing material
*Buy my veggies in cardboard crates instead of plastic containers whenever possible
*Use a home soda maker with reusable bottle
*Dishwasher detergent -- Planet
*Silicone and beeswax dish toppers/wraps
*Garbage Bags -- Seventh Generation
*Compost Collector under sink that goes into city Compost Bin
*Cloth Napkins
*Wider comfort range for heating and cooling house
*Motion detectors on lights to keep them off when not in use
*Keeping a reusable water bottle and cup in the car
*And a reusable utensil kit in my glove compartment
*And a reusable metal straw
*Phone Case -- Switched to compostable case by Pela
*Toilet Paper -- Who Gives A Crap (recycled) Grove (bamboo)
*Laundry Detergent sheets -- TruEarth
*Cloth "Paper" Towels -- Marley's Monsters
*Recycled Paper Towels -- Who Gives A Crap
*Sponges compostable -- If You Care
*Scrub Cloths cotton and cellulose -- Down to Earth Basics
*Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner--works great!! https://www.blueland.com/products/toilet-cleaner-starter-set

Next steps
*Transitioning from liquid soap, shower gels and shampoo to solid versions not packaged in plastic. This one may be a bit harder for me with my skin allergies, but I am going to try. I am using up what I have left and then I will try to make the switch.
*Toothpaste
*Composter -- outside
*Ridwell for recycling things

450 years for a plastic bottle to break down in the ocean
114* years since first plastic was invented
90 percent of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs
80 percent of plastic in the ocean originates on land
59* years since the first plastic bag was created
1 rubbish truck of plastics enters the ocean every minute
We typically use a plastic bag for less than 15 minutes
Most tampons have plastic in them
*(+5 years since publication)

How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum. Awesome book!! Read it!

I am hoping that means that I am free to jump in and wish you a happy new thread and continuous power supplies!

New thread orisons, Berlyboo! *smooch*

I'm glad your power is back on and Happy New Thread!!

Happy new thread Kim!

>3 Berly: Are there 3 different Bingo cards for 2024? Just what I need of course, more challenges!

I could have sworn I'd already wished you a happy and healthy New Year, but probably only in my dreams. Glad to see your thread here, and all your lists. A cold wave in Portland is no time to lose power, so I'm glad it's back - it is back still, right?
We get some measurable snow tonight and/or tomorrow. We haven't seen that in a while.

eta: Oh this is thread two. Duh. Well, good to know I wasn't dreaming.

Sweet Thursday, Kimmers! Happy New Thread! Love the topper. So glad to hear that your power is back on.

Happy new thread, Kim! I hope your power is back on for good!

Happy new thread, Kim! I'm glad your power is back and I hope life can return to some variation of normality for you soon.

>12 PaulCranswick: Yes, you are!! Jump right in!! And I'll take that wish for continuous power supply gladly!!

>13 richardderus: Smooches! : )

>14 EBT1002: I am SOOOO glad to have power again! Rough start to 2024. Happy New Year Take Two!

>15 quondame: Oh, I think there are tons of Bingo Cards out there -- choose one that works for you.

>16 ffortsa: Welcome to thread #2!! LOL. Yes, power is still back on for me. My friend had a three hour teaser and then it went out again. We are getting icy rain right now, so I hope no more trees fall down....

>17 msf59: Happy Thursday, Mark!! Reading by candlelight is hard after a while. The light keeps flickering and it isn't very bright. Happy to have my lamp turned on!

>18 atozgrl: For good!! I like the sound of that. : )

>19 katiekrug: Normality. Is that really a thing? LOL.

Happy New Thread, Kim! Glad your power is back on and hope it stays that way.

BTW, need to change >7 Berly: Murderbot to 3 more out that you have still to read and 1 in the works.

>24 ronincats: Hi there! Good catch. I've updated the Murderbot series post. And I'm very happy about it!! Changed Finished to #5 Fugitive Telemetry, next in the series!

Happy second thread, Kim!

Hah! I just posted on your thread, because you shot me with a BB. : D Always love to see you here.

And the power just went out for a few minutes....but now it's back on. We have icy rain falling. Crossing my fingers -- could be a rough night again.

Happy new thread, Kim!! I hope they Portland weather situation improves soon. I don't envy your ice situation!!

Happy new thread!

>10 Berly: I enjoyed reading the section where you state what you are already doing to cut down on plastic. It can be difficult at times as plastic packaging is everywhere. Last year I discovered a great replacement for sponges for washing dishes. It works well and is hygienic as you can just toss it in the wash.

Hope the ice rain is minimal.

>21 Berly: Choosing a bingo card seems like rigging the deck for me. If we all are playing on different cards then, well, we're all playing different games.

>30 figsfromthistle: Plastic recycling is more important right now than the conversion to electric vehicles in my opinion. True conservation without side effects.

>29 curioussquared: Thanks!! I tried to shovel off my sidewalk but the road was a lost cause. Everywhere a tire had gone had smooshed the snow into hard packed ice and I couldnt' chip it up. Gonna have to wait for melting. Which at 34 degrees is not going fast. LOL.

Also the power went out again for two minutes...

>30 figsfromthistle: What's the name of your replacement sponge? I'll add it to the list on the Recycling thread!

>31 quondame: Well, the link to the one I chose, has the same topics with different backgrounds and the same topics in different orders. So that counts as the same game right? : )

>32 PaulCranswick: Working on it, Paul! It's so just darn hard. I wonder how Leo Hendrik Baekeland feels about how plastic has turned out?

>34 Berly: Yep, it's the same game if it's the same squares in different orders - that's real bingo if I remember right.

Happy new thread - any word if Powell's is going to resume the Challenge?

>36 quondame: So, does that mean you are gonna try Bingo this year? ; )

>37 ChrisG1: I don't even know what you are talking about!! Enlighten me please. : )

Happy second thread, TwinK! I think you are the Queen of shared reads. Glad to see your power is back on. Fingers crossed.

I just posted on your thread. : ) I am thinking you do your fair share of shared reads too. I ought to know--a lot of mine are with you! LOL

>22 Berly: Glad you have power back. Agree the icy rain is no fun. I had to go out last night to pick up my prescription and needed the Trakz on my boots to safely navigate slick, icy conditions. I fear a lot of tree damage from the weight of all the ice accumulating on their branches.

I didn't bring a snow shovel with me on my move (haven't needed it in a condo with a snow-removal contractor), and my neighbors seem to lack them as well. To be fair, I saw someone with a plastic one yesterday, no good against ice. And I didn't bring soil amendments with me either, so no sand at hand to scatter on the drive. Oh well. So I'm hunkered down too.

Glad you had the Trakz for safe walking! I have only made it to the top of my driveway. Carved a small path up there. LOL. But it is nasty icy. I may try again tomorrow to make a path up the street for the car. We are on a small cut de sac and no public plowing happens. It's up to us.

The lights were flickering and went out twice this afternoon, but they seem to have stabilized (knock on wood). Hoping to get out of my house tomorrow because I am a little stir crazy. ; P

Happy New Thread, Kim and already on thread number 2. I managed just a 20 minute walk today, as so many people have not cleared their sidewalks, I found it difficult going. I see you are enjoying The Bee Sting and you are planning to read The Hearts Invisible Furies in February. I read both of them last year, and they were both 5 star reads for me. I read on your last thread that you Berly because it is the short form of Kimberly. I am always curious about people's names on LT. Mine is quite obvious, though in real life I am rarely called Deb, always Deborah. But vancouverdeborah seemed over long for a handle here on LT.

Happy New Thread, Kim - and thank you for the BINGO suggestion.
Let's see how far I get...

>34 Berly: It's a replacement for a sponge but isn't as sponge. It's a crochet dish cloth that is made with scrubby yarn. It's homemade but you can find lots of people to buy from. It looks like this



And the pot scrubber looks like

Happy new thread!

Hi Kim! Happy new thread. 33 messages on your old thread, 46 on your new thread, all since the 15th. I’m trying really hard to stay caught up this year!

Sorry about the power outage and storms. I’m also sorry about your daughter having water leaks and damage. Definitely no fun at all. And frozen rain. My winter nightmare.

>1 Berly: New job in 2024? Did I miss that or is it new?

>4 Berly: I am still reading An Immense World. It was for November’s RL book club discussion. Demon Copperhead is my RL book club book for May’s discussion.

>7 Berly: I am 6 behind in the In Death Series, have 4 on my shelves. I hope you love The Running Grave, it’s a stunner. I’m 2 behind in the Thursday Murder Club series, but they’re on my shelves just waiting for the right time.

>10 Berly: Just recently got this. I just bought 2 glass water bottles, and will stop buying Aquafina and start using our good well water in them.

I hope your bad weather stops soon and that you don’t lose power again.

>45 figsfromthistle: Oy. I just checked Scrubby Yarn, and it's 100% polyester. At least it's reusable, and I can make my own scrubbers.

Happy new thread, Kim!! Hope your power is still on.

>38 Berly: Oops - I probably misnamed the Powell's list on your post #8...

>48 ffortsa: There are different scrubby yarns you can use such as Hemp Scrubbies Biodegradable Scrubby Yarn and there are 100% cotton scrubs yarns available as well.

Happy Saturday, Kim. Has your weather stabilized? Fingers crossed for you. Are you still reading The Bee Sting?

Happy new thread!

>51 figsfromthistle: Thanks. another rabbit hole for me to follow!

Our street is complete ice. We used a hoe to crack it and shovel one lane up the hill yesterday. Nothing melted overnight, so I think I am stuck at home for another day. I don't even want to go for a walk because there is no safe space on the side of the road. Sigh. Supposed to stay around 40 once it gets up there, so maybe some stuff will melt. The garbage hasn't come and neither has the mail, not that I blame them. Argh!!



That's ice shining in the sunlight.

Yikes. My daughter's best friend lives in Portland and was iced in for six days (she was going stir crazy but it sounds like a dream to me:)

Hope you thaw soon. Congrats on the new thread!

>43 vancouverdeb: I am glad you liked both of the books! I have mixed feelings on The Bee Sting because I don't like several of the characters, but now that I am getting the backstory from their point of view, it is drawing me in more. And, yes, I think using Deb on LT makes your user name much better! LOL.

>44 SirThomas: You're welcome -- Good luck with Bingo, Sir Thomas!! : )

>45 figsfromthistle: Those look very similar to the kitchen stuff I have. I also use compostable "If You Care" reusable sponge cloths. They come in square sheets.

>46 foggidawn: Thanks Foggi!! Nice to see you here.

>47 karenmarie: I hope you enjoy both An Immense World and Demon Copperhead -- I loved them both!

I love when I have a series I like and there are more to read!! Yay for both of us!

Nice on the water bottle. I have some glass ones and I am going to phase out my plastic water bottles, which makes me sad because I have some really cute ones, but who needs microplastics in my water?

And so far so good on the power staying on. The freezing rain has ended and so have the winds, so we should be good. Phew!! Now if the ice would just melt so I can get out...

>48 ffortsa: Judy -- Dang it!! At least we are trying and if we share good finds, we'll move in the right direction. How's your weather been?

>49 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! Power still on. Thank goodness!!

>50 ChrisG1: Ah!! Gotcha. Those are books I received from a Powell's subscription and it is MY challenge to read them!! LOL. I really hope they do resume the club because they were some of the best books. : )

Too much solid water. Nope.

Stay well, and may your power never fail!

>51 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Figs!!

>52 msf59: Weather is finally not a problem and slow melting should start soon. Still can't get out of my driveway, but I do have power!!

Still reading The Bee Sting -- it isn't short, LOL! I am liking it better the further I get into it.

>53 thornton37814: Hi Lori!!

>54 ffortsa: : )

>56 AMQS: Almost missed you there!! I enjoy the occasional snow day a lot, but this was just a mess. Cold, and no snowball fights. LOL

>60 quondame: Thank you!! We have been busy trying to use up all our fridge and freezer food since they got a little warm. But glad I had some reserves since I can't get out to go grocery shopping!! LOL. (My Hubby actually parked up top, so we could use his car if I really need to get something. )

#6 What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum 5.0
This was way more than a high school drama or romance. This is about family, friendship, bullying, acceptance and dealing with being different. I don't personally have or have children with Autism, but my daughter went to school with kids with identified learning differences so she had some friends with autism and this book rings true to me, as an outsider. It let me into this world through the eyes of high schooler David, giving wonderful insight into how he perceives the world and how it sees him. Poignant, moving and filled with love and humor. Awesome!!

>63 Berly: Wow! Six books already read! I've added What to Say Next to my 2024 reading list. Your review is excellent.

I am thoroughly enjoying No Time To Spare by Ursula K. Le Guin. Here's a quick excerpt on her thoughts when fans asked her about the meaning of her characters/books in "Readers Questions":

"Meaning in art isn't the same as meaning in science. The meaning of the second law of thermodynamics, so long as the words are understood, isn't changed by who reads it, or when, or where. The meaning of Huckleberry Finn is.

" 'What it means,' to you, is what it means to you. If you have trouble deciding, what, if anything, it means to you, I can see why you might want to ask me, but please don't. Read reviewers, critics, bloggers and scholars...my job as a fiction writer is to write fiction, not to review it. Art isn't explanation."

This whole chapter deals with her difficulty answering letters, but how she loves them and which questions are easier to answer than others. She has a great sense of humor and loves her fans.

Her chapter on "Having My Cake" (and eating it too) explains her difficulty with proverbs and what does it mean if you don't get them? Hilarious!

>64 Whisper1: Hi Linda!! I think you have read just as many books, LOL. And your last review of the book on Matisse? The book sounds awesome!

>55 Berly: Wow - do you live at some elevation? It's not nearly as bad here in Hillsboro. Pretty frozen for a few day, but now our neighborhood streets are pretty clear.

>67 ChrisG1: I'm in SW Portland and just down the road from me is a sign for 500 Feet Elevation. It usually makes these weather events even a little more interesting. LOL. Also, I live right by a park, so lots of trees to fall down and all the power lines are above ground, so....At the top of my street there are cars going by. I just can't get up there! Tomorrow should be good. Glad you are warm and mobile. : )

>65 Berly: I think "Having My Cake (and eating it too)" was one of my very favorite bits of that read. She was a profound thinker and reader.

*smooch* for an iceless day

>55 Berly: Love that second photo! But BOO to the ice! Hoping it melts fast.

Happy Sunday, Kimmers!

Yikes. I hope that your streets have less ice today, Kim.

We still have ice from packed-down roads in our area. Most of it should be gone by Tuesday thanks to rising temps (beginning Monday). Once it gets above freezing for long enough, it should take care of most of what remains on the road. They are predicting rain later in the week, and that should take care of the rest of what is on the ground. It's still deep enough that it might still be around then in spite of temps above freezing a couple days.

>55 Berly: Wow!! Looks like you're having a tougher time that we did/are (especially with the power out so long, etc.). Our street still is pretty much covered with chunks of icy snow but the pavement itself is ice free and fairly dry so we can drive on it OK. Our trash wasn't picked up last week either, due to the storm, or the week before because a tree had fallen across the street. We're going to have a lot for them on Tuesday!!

>69 richardderus: Ricardo--I am soooo enjoying Le Guin's genius! Every essay is fascinating and the topics are so varied. : )

>70 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Today we are overcast with on/off rain, but going up to 48 degrees so the ice is melting!! Gonna take daughter's Jeep (which has better tires than I do) and go run some errands. I think we can get out...!

>71 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl--So nice to see you here!! I am glad your mom is recovering, but I really hope you can continue to attend your weekly meetings -- you have to prioritize yourself!! xoxo We had to move my mom into a memory care unit this past year and it made a world of difference for my dad. Luckily, they live in a tiered retirement village so they are just a walk away from each other. : )

And thank you; the ice is melting!!! Looking forward to getting out of the house today.

>72 thornton37814: I am sure the piles of shoveled snow will be around for days, but we too are finally melting! We can race each other. LOL

>73 RebaRelishesReading: Whew!! You had/have it rough too. I feel for the garbage people -- pickup is gonna be a chore with everyone's bins overflowing. : / But we'll eventually get back on track. : )

>75 Berly: Thanks, Kim. I'm glad that your parents will be close to each other; that's so important.

My mother continues to improve, although it seems increasingly more likely that she will be permanently blind in her right eye. She is much less mobile than before, at least at this time, and she is spending all but a few hours sleeping, so that will actually make it more likely for me to attend weekly dementia support group meetings, which I've found very helpful so far.

Hi Kim, you got me with >63 Berly:.

Take care and don't fall down! I hope your ice is melting.

The LeGuin book sounds interesting.

>45 figsfromthistle: Happy new Thread!
I've never made these before but have been curious how well they work. Do let me know.
And yikes, that ice though. Stay safe!

>59 Berly: Our weather has not been as startling as yours, and I can only blame myself for wanting some 'real winter'. This week was ice cold, some snow (finally, after 700 days!), but crystal clear air. That's always nice. Walking to the restaurant for brunch, and turning in the wrong direction, was, shall I say, interesting, with the wind blowing and my gloves meant for a little less drama. But we made it. This coming week, back to the 40s, which will be nice enough.

I don't think of Portland as getting real winter, and I know my cousin Bonnie is suffering with the cold, which she detests. Let's hope you don't get hit with too much northernness for the rest of the season.

I'll look for those sponge cloths, but the idea of crocheting my own scrubbers is attractive for someone who needs to keep hands busy.

adding: My sister, who lives in San Antonio, just jumped on a last minute tour to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. She hates winter, after quite a few years in the upper Midwest, and confesses to thinking herself nuts to go to Iceland in January. But it does sound like a nice adventure.

>77 kidzdoc: Darryl--I am glad that your mom is improving. But you are right -- she may not make it back to pre-fall health, and I am very sorry to hear that the eye damage may be permanent. I am thinking of both of you and sending my best wishes as you take care of her. I hope that you can find a way to attend a local LT meet-up in your area (that would be fun!) and continue to find ways to interact with people for yourself. And, of course, books! Je vais prendre de tes nouvelles! (Which I just learned on Duolingo is French for "I'll check in on you.")

>78 AMQS: Yay! I hope you enjoy What to Say Next. : )

>79 BLBera: And, Beth, I am loving Le Guin's collection of essays. So glad I got the chance to meet her here in Portland. What an amazing mind. And great sense of humor!

>80 Ravenwoodwitch: I actually left the house today!! Whoohooo!!

My daughter and I made it out of the neighborhood and actually managed to run some errands today!! We saw close to 30 downed trees, and I'm not talking branches, I mean big ol' trees! Some remnants of trunks on the side and some trees laying on top of houses. What a disaster. But the worst is over and the streets are getting better. And I have power, so I am very thankful.

>81 ffortsa: Glad you got your taste of winter, after 700 days! Portland usually has only a few snowfalls per year, and they are usually joyfully anticipated. This was not fun. Hope your cousin Bonnie can hang in there.

I am jealous of your sister -- I would love to see the Northern Lights!! I saw them once briefly in MN -- they are so cool! And I have never been to Iceland.

Happy new thread, Kim. Two threads already - looks like you're making up for lost time!

You got hit by winter weather worse than we did here to the north of you. We just got a foot of snow, then the rain. Even though the weather people threatened freezing rain, that didn't materialize.

>55 Berly: Wow yeah that's considerably more ice than we had! We had just a thin layer, which has now been washed away by the return of the endless rain. Glad you've been able to get out again since then.

>55 Berly: Visually a pleasure, if nothing else.
>63 Berly: And another BB, my library even had it available.
>65 Berly: I've already read some of her books and really enjoyed them. I should go back to her sometime - so many books, so little time!
>84 Berly: I'm so happy for you!

Terrific thread Kim. Enjoy the snow and ice. Perfect excuse to stay home and read a good book. I read Silas Marner decades ago and remember it fondly. There are more fun reads but it's beautifully written.

Hi Kim!

>55 Berly: Gads. Winter ice is the worst. You need shoes with cleats, but if you don’t already have them I guess they can’t be delivered. Our worst ice storm was in 2002, with ½”, we were without commercial power for 5 days, and thank goodness for our generator. It also brought us our Kitty William.

>62 Berly: We’ve parked at the top of the cul-de-sac many times since living here and it’s always a good idea Just In Case.

>84 Berly: Congrats on making it out of the neighborhood.

Glad you made it out yesterday, Kim. Boo to all the downed trees. Hoping that ice melts away quickly. 🤞

Glad you were able to get out of the house and that no damage was done to your property and that you have hydro.

Hi Kim, you have me sold on the LeGuin book. Good work.

Glad you can get out again. Ice and snow can be fun (beautiful picture up there) but being stuck inside, and without power does not sound fun.

Happy new thread! Glad to here you were able to get out. Electricity is always a blessing as well. Stay safe!

I feel a widge wimpish...I have not stepped outside because it has been cold, and we never got close to as much snow, or even had the power flicker. And it has been the wintriest winter here in YEARS!

Glad you escaped the house at last, and accomplished the necessary stuff. *smooch*

>82 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

I've been outdoors; just last night, for example. I'm on a hill in a rural area. Road crews have been methodical in plowing, but shucks, I can't get them to zip up and down my long driveway. I have driven out and back in several times. Though I've got the only unplowed drive in the neighborhood, my Subaru (with asymmetrical all wheel drive *ta-dah*) hasn't slipped.

I'm aligning myself with those interested in that Ursula Le Guin book. I'm of the age.

Working my way into the first of many books written by Terry Patchett. Clarification: What I am reading seems to be considered the first book in his Discworld series, The Color of Magic. Don't see myself going all in on the series.

Hope yiz all thaw.

>82 Berly: (Reference to Duolingo) Are you learning French Kim? I just started Duolingo for French, but it sounds like you are much further along than me. I'ms still learning Hello/Goodbye.

Happy new thread Kim!

>84 Berly: Glad you guys made it out of your neighborhood. My son's in Eugene and had a couple of days without power last week - Oregon has really had it rough! Happy to hear you're okay.

Hi Friend. I'm sorry that you had such nasty weather. I hope this week brings bring sunshine that melts the ice and takes the water where it is needed.

All good wishes to you!

Saw on FB your bookshelf town. mrsdrneutron got me something like it for Christmas - a literary detective agency. Lots of little parts to build, lights, a music box. Really neat, and I'm having a blast putting it together!

Happy new thread, Kim.

>86 Familyhistorian: Thanks!! Roads back to normal; now it's just a week of rain. : p

>87 ursula: Glad you had less ice than me!! Yes, back to rain...

>88 SirThomas: Hi, Sir Thomas!! Sorry about the book bullet...not! LOL

>89 Pendrainllwyn: How nice to see you here! Yes, I did get some reading done during the storm. Reading by candlelight was fun and cozy, except after a while, the dancing shadows got a little interesting. I prefer electricity with a fire going in the background.

>90 karenmarie: I have snow cleats, but I just didn't want to try to walk on our windy, hilly road with no sidewalk. It was hard enough for the cars without having to try and avoid walkers! And there isn't enough room up top for everyone to park up there, so we had one of our cars up there, just not mine.

>91 msf59: The amount of downed trees is amazing! It is gonna take a while to get them all sawed up, but at least most of them are off the roads. Still a few "Road Closed" signs out there...

>92 figsfromthistle: Me too!! Hopefully that was a storm level that we won't see for quite some time!

>93 EllaTim: Yay! I hope you enjoy the LeGuin as much as I am. : )

>94 witchyrichy: Hi! I have now decided I would make an awful pioneer. LOL. Electricity is a must for me and I know how lucky I am.

>95 richardderus: Wintriest in years! Yes, indeed. Although today we were up to 55F and it was delightful. Hope you get some nice weather and can step outside again.

>96 kidzdoc: : )

>97 weird_O: You couldn't get them to take a side trip up your driveway? Dang it! It is a very good thing you have all wheel drive. And I hope you enjoy LeGuin's No Time To Spare as well! I have read a few of the Discworld series, but other series are feeling more pressing.

>98 arubabookwoman: I am using Duolingo to refresh my French -- haven't used it since high school, so it's been a bit. It's the only language I'm doing so far. I see so many people with 5 or more -- how can they keep them all straight?!

>99 humouress: Thank you!! Nice to see you.

>100 PlatinumWarlock: He's going to U of O right? I had one daughter at U of O and the other at Oregon State. Is he still going up the see you this weekend?

>101 Whisper1: Your good wishes worked! Not so much sunshine, but definitely warmer temps and only the shoveling ice piles are left. Road and sidewalks are clear.

>102 drneutron: Nice! A literary detective agency -- I look forward to seeing your finished miniature building! I am having fun putting mine together, but I am only doing a bit at a time, so completion might be a while for me.

>103 ArlieS: Hi Arlie!! Thanks!

>107 Berly: Rainy and 45° today, and I need to go outside.

I won't, though. Yuck. And I need to finish a review of a book that has made me SO VERY ANGRY...which, on my self imposed schedule, shoulda been up this morning. I keep sputtering and frothing, though, and that makes it hard to make sense.

Look at you! You’re welll into your second thread of ‘24! You go girl!
I’ve yet to read Le Guin. Do you think No Time to Spare would be a good starting point?

Hi Kim my dear, a belated Happy New Thread my dear friend.

Aloha, Kim!!!

Wow, sounds like Portland really took a hit with this ice storm. I'm glad you are safe, glad you are able to get out of your house now, and hoping the community cleanup goes relatively well.

I'm about a third into Chenneville and so far I'm really liking it. It started well, took a slight downturn in interest, and now has really picked up for me!

Hi Kim! Just a drive-by hello. Glad the roads and sidewalks are clear and there's only a bit of shoveling left.

Sorry you had such a horrific ice storm, Kim. We had one day of ice on Monday which brought everything to a standstill. I’d much rather have a foot of snow than even a glazing of ice. It’s sad when those trees start losing branches and heartbreaking when entire trees start falling. I’m glad your travails are over.

>65 Berly: I loved your review on the Le Guin essays, especially this line: “My job as a fiction writer is to write fiction, not to review it.”
Our book group had a most interesting discussion of The Dispossed in 2015. Unfortunately I didn’t follow up on the recommendation to read The Earthsea series. Too many books…

>111 richardderus: So, did you make it outside yet? : ) And sometimes angry reviews are the best -- can't wait to see what you came up with!

>112 Carmenere: Hi there! No Time To Spare is an excellent collection of essays. The Left Hand of Darkness is a great SciFi story. : )

>113 johnsimpson: Hello, John! So glad to see you out and about.

>114 EBT1002: Ice storm is over and fully mobile again. Phew!! I am one chapter into Chenneville. Happy Hawaii!

>115 karenmarie: Hi! Bye! LOL. No shoveling needed here -- We are at 52F right now. : )

>116 Donna828: Hi Donna! So nice to see you. I also would rather have a foot of snow than an inch of ice, but we get what we get. Sigh. At least it's over for now.

I've read two of the Annal of the Western Shore series by Le Guin, and a few more of her essay books. I have the Earth Sea series in mind, someday...

#7 Cormoran Strike Series #6 The Ink Black Heart
(🎧 33 hours) by Robert Galbraith 3.5

I listened to this on audio, and at almost 33 hours, it was just way too long. I think my listening limit is more around 10-12 hours. In addition, soooo much of this novel is transcripts of online conversations on Twitter and in the game room. "UserName, Tuesday June 16 at 15:02 said Blah blah blah." The intro info just gets tiresome and would be easier to skim in print.

And Galbraith, as usual, just keeps getting longer and longer in her book length and I would prefer them a little shorter. Just saying. The murder plot was okay, the romance between certain characters remains unresolved (six books in?), and the ending just felt rushed, although the twist was pretty good.

So, I know there is another in the series, which I will READ IN PRINT, and I'll give it another chance. : )

I should read maybe that Cormoran Strike door stop, but I have yet to tackle Lethal White, which is when the real bloat set in. I did pledge to Jeff that I'd read one chunkster a quarter this year. One could be Lethal White.

>119 Berly: Some of these writers need a good editor! 33 hours! How long did it take you?

>120 weird_O: I had a few quibbles with Lethal White, but I gave it four stars. Definitely read that one first. And it qualifies for a chunkster for sure! LOL

>121 BLBera: Sometimes I go faster, but the accents kept me at 1.2 speed, so I think instead of 33 hours it was actually about 28 for me. Still loooooong for an audio.

>116 Donna828: There are books and then there are books by Le Guin. And Earthsea, is not only among the best, the books are short. I feel the same way about Austen, and that's about it.

>123 quondame: Fine, fine!! Pushing Earthsea up the list higher!! : )

>119 Berly: at almost 33 hours, it was just way too long.
...
...
...I should hope to kiss a pig! That is longer than it took me to read Jean-Cristophe...IN FRENCH. Gadzooks!

>119 Berly: Curious about the Cormoran Strike books - i thought that J. K. Rowlings could write a decent stick, but the last few Harry Potters desperately need tighter editing and I think she was just too Big a Bug and didn't listen, to everyone's loss.
Could be the same problem is coming up with these,

Putting the first of the series on my TBR SOON list.

>125 richardderus: Right?! I should definitely read long books in print! However, it was a good bedtime story. : )

>126 magicians_nephew: I agree. It's the same problem she had with Harry Potter where the books just keep getting longer and longer. I defiantly recommend the first few books in the Cormoran Strike series and despite the length, I am still going...

I just started Deaf Utopia by Nile DiMarco and it is really good!

I am learning so much about what it means to be Deaf (and why that should be capitalized). How in the mid 1900s the insistence by government that Deaf people should learn in schools solely by reading lips without the use of ASL was so very wrong and how different families cope with this disability. Fascinating that the author, Nyle, told his story first in ASL and then it was translated to English. Informative and fun!

Book Writeup
"A heartfelt and inspiring memoir and Deaf culture anthem by Nyle DiMarco, actor, producer, two-time reality show winner, and cultural icon of the international Deaf community. Before becoming the actor, producer, advocate, and model that people know today, Nyle DiMarco was half of a pair of Deaf twins born to a multi-generational Deaf family in Queens, New York. At the hospital one day after he was born, Nyle "failed" his first test- a hearing test- to the joy and excitement of his parents. In this moving and engrossing memoir, Nyle shares stories, both heartbreaking and humorous, of what it means to navigate a world built for hearing people. From growing up in a rough-and-tumble childhood in Queens with his big and loving Italian-American family to where he is now, Nyle has always been driven to explore beyond the boundaries given him. A college math major and athlete at Gallaudet-the famed university for the Deaf in Washington, DC- Nyle was drawn as a young man to acting, and dove headfirst into the reality show competitions America's Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars- ultimately winning both competitions. Deaf Utopia is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem-a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle's primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience. Deaf Utopia is intimate, suspenseful, hilarious, eye-opening, and smart-both a memoir and a celebration of what makes Deaf culture unique and beautiful."

>119 Berly: Totally agree about the Strike series, Kim. I've really enjoyed them all (also on audio) but they ware way too long and need serious editing. I guess at her level there's no one who will take a red pen to anything she writes. Still, great characters and plotting, and I plan to listen to The Running Grave at some point.

Have you been watching tennis?

>129 vivians: Yup. Totally agree. #7 is next on the list!!

>130 BLBera: Yes. But I have only watched the women's semi-finals. Now I am pulling for S. I'll watch the men's semi-finals today. : ) You?

Making progress on the miniature bookshelf town!!

OMG!! The Men's Australian Tennis Semifinals!! Not expecting that!

>132 Berly: That one is so darling.

>133 Berly: - I was thrilled that Djoker lost - and so badly. I watched the last set of the other semi, and it was great tennis.

>134 quondame: Thanks! I am having fun with it.

>135 katiekrug: I don't think I have ever seen D that out of it. But fine by me!! I like your nickname, BTW. Im in the middle of watching the other semi...

I cannot take credit for "Djoker." It is widely used in tennis Twitter 😁

LOL. I don't remember hearing it before, but I must have. ; ) You get credit for using it then!

>132 Berly: Hi Kim, just poking my head in to say how much I love your miniature project.

I haven't been watching the Australian Open, but I'm always happy when Djoker loses.

Re: Djoker, I think it's a self-given nickname, or at least one that he's taken for himself (his twitter handle is djokernole). Any day he loses is a day of celebration for me.

>128 Berly: Morgan and I are watching the last season of the Amazing Race, and there is a Deaf father competing with his hearing son. They communicate in ASL and I find it so wonderful that that is the case; the son being raised bilingual is awesome.

>132 Berly: When you're done with this one, will you make one for me? That is adorable!

The men's semifinals were great. Djokovic made many people happy. :)

>107 Berly: I follow a few "off the grid" types on social media and have to chuckle as they seem to have all the comforts of home via solar panels, cell phones and satellite dishes. Other than not consuming electricity, they are very much connected.

>132 Berly: I love the bookshelf town. It is coming along nicely.

>141 BLBera: I have been watching and was quite happy to see Sinner move ahead. It was also a surprise to see Alcaraz get eliminated so handily. They both seemed dazed. It has been a wild tournament. Then I switched to figure skating and the two top women just fell apart. (Just in case someone plans to watch.)

It was great to see you today, Kim! Hope you had great luck at Powell's.

>132 Berly: Happy Weekend!

Loving the miniature bookshelf town.

>143 banjo123: I enjoyed meeting you and everyone else today! Thanks for organizing!

>128 Berly: Since you really enjoyed this memoir, you might appreciate True Biz. I picked it for our social justice book club last year and found it a nice surprise that generated some good discussion.

Kim, I read your intro, first time ever I think. I never knew all of those wonderful things about you ! I will be looking in to see what you are reading when you aren't doing other fantastic things.

Happy Sunday, Kim! Where can one purchase a bookshelf town? It is adorable!

>132 Berly: OMG that is so cute! Great work!

>139 lauralkeet: Hi Laurel!! Thanks you. The next step on the miniature is to try and get the battery and wiring in. Maybe today? Or not because I have to find time to watch the tennis finals. : )

>140 ursula: Interesting if it's a nickname he gave himself since I see it as rather derogatory, but whatever the case, I am glad he didn't win.

That's great that the family is going the bi-lingual route and using ASL -- I am really loving the Deaf Utopia.

>141 BLBera: Nope, when I finish this miniature, my daughter is next on the list. LOL.

>142 witchyrichy: Hi W! That is kinda cool to be off the grid and self-sufficient and still manager to be part of society.

I was bummed to see Alcarez go out early -- I like him. And, no, I didn't watch the figure skating, but yet another surprise!

>143 banjo123: Nice to see you, too! At Powell's, I restrained myself and only got The Wizard of Earthsea by LeGuin. I took a photo of the The Echo Wife so I can try to get it from the library. How about you?



>144 figsfromthistle: Thank you!! I am having fun putting it together and I love that my daughter S is joining in and doing it with me. I'll keep posting progress pics.

>145 justchris: It was really nice to meet you in person!! I hope we will do one or two more this year, too. Thanks for the recommendation. I looked up True Biz and it looks good! Dang. A book bullet on my own thread...LOL.

>146 mckait: Kath!!! Oh, it is so great to see you! It's been forever and I miss you. Glad you like my writeup and all the things I have been up to. Happy weekend and don't be a stranger. Please! : )

>147 Carmenere: >148 Ravenwoodwitch: Hi there! The miniature town I got was from Uncommon Goods and then search Miniature Building Kits. Let me know if you get one.

https://www.uncommongoods.com

Meetup -- Lunch before hitting up the sale at Powell's Bookstore!! Great to see old friends and meet some new ones.



Imre (Reba's Husband), Reba (RebaRelishesReading) and Kim (Berly)



Chris (ChrisG1), Lynda (LyndainOregon), Juli (SuziQOregon), Chris (JustChris), and Rhonda (banjo123)

>154 Berly: Wow, that was a big meet up! What fun!

>155 quondame: It was a big group -- love that we have that many LT members here in the PNW. And a few couldn't make this meetup, so we'll have to have another one. : )

Such fun!

Thanks for posting the pictures, and hooray for LeGuin!

Thank you so much for posting the photos! It's always fun to put faces with names, and it looks like everyone had a great time, too.

Thanks for the organizing and photo taking. Meet-ups are great!

Wow, your meet up looks fun -- is everyone from the Portland area?

Love the pics of the meetup -- and looking forward to the time in future when I get to join in! Let's see if we can arrange for that 30% discount again. LOL

>157 SuziQoregon: It was fun!!

>158 banjo123: Absolutely-- my pleasure and yes!

>159 lauralkeet: I love it, too, when pictures are posted. I am much better with names when I can put them with faces. And we definitely had a good time. : )

>160 RebaRelishesReading: Meetups are the best!! So glad to see you.

>161 BLBera: Not everyone is from Portland if they are from Oregon and we had a few Washingtonians join us as well. Love that our group is still going strong and even growing!

>162 EBT1002: And you, Ellen, will be on the people we hope to see at our next meetup. : ) Not sure about coinciding with the 30% off at Powell's again, but we can certainly try! How's are the sunburn feet doing?

>154 Berly: Love the pictures of the meet up, Kim, thank you for sharing!
Like you I like to see faces, so their names are easier to remember.

Oh, love the meetup pics - how wonderful!

Looks like a happy group at the meet up, Kim. Thanks for sharing the photos. Good luck with the next step in your shelf miniature!

>109 Berly: Just saw this... yes, he's at U of O. :) He's actually coming *next* weekend now because my stepson will be here with his fiancee and we get so few weekends with all the kids in the same town. How was the get-together?

>128 Berly: This sounds fascinating... thanks for sharing it!

>154 Berly: I love that you guys did this! I'm going to get there one of these days...

>154 Berly: Wonderful pictures of the meetup!
Thank you for sharing.

>154 Berly: I love the Meet Up photos, Kim. I sure miss the Portland group. With my sister gone now, I am afraid my chances of visiting are minimal now.

Did you finish The Bee Sting? At the Meet Up, was the shared read mentioned? I think Juli and Rhonda both showed interest in it. I plan on starting it soon.

>172 msf59: I haven’t started it yet but will as soon as I finish my current book.

That was a pretty substantial meetup!

>165 FAMeulstee: Glad to share another fun meetup and I always love to put faces to names, too.

>166 AMQS: : )

>167 Familyhistorian: It was fun! Anytime with LTers is. And the miniature is coming along. I have to work on the battery and little electrical wires to the overhead and street lights next.

>168 PlatinumWarlock: How fun to get everyone together!! It certainly gets harder as everyone grows up.

>169 PlatinumWarlock: I just finished Deaf Utopia last night and absolutely loved it.

>170 PlatinumWarlock: I hope next time we'll get to see you...!

>171 SirThomas: Hello there and I am glad you enjoyed the meetup photos. : )

>172 msf59: I am sorry that your main reason for visiting us here in Portland is gone (your sister), but it's still a cool place to visit -- just saying. xoxo

I am about 3/4 of the way into The Bee Sting and, no, we really didnt' talk books at the meetup. With new people joining in, we spent time getting to know each other a bit.

>173 SuziQoregon: : )

>174 The_Hibernator: I know, right? I can't believe so many of us LTers live in the area. How nice is that?

Saw David Grann last Thursday at Literary Arts -- he was so funny!! I was actually surprised because his book subjects are on the dark side. Still not quite sold on The Wager but I want to read Killers of the Flower Moon.

>179 Berly: You are so lucky!

The Bee Sting was one of my best reads of 2023, so I'm really interested in what you think of it. At 3/4 through you should just be starting the incredibly tense ending sequence.
I have also read The Wager last year and like it a lot. Bit I always like books about sea voyages and especially shipwrecks.
I really miss the Portland meetups too. Just yesterday I pulled a book off my shelf to read and it had a Powell's receipt in it from January 2009. I had just joined LT then, so it wasn't from an LT meetup, but it was from a weekend getaway with my husband. The main purpose was to go to Powell's, and we stayed at the Mark Spencer Hotel a couple of blocks away, and it was my first time going to Powells. We did get to see a couple of other fun things (besides Powells). And of course that Powell's receipt had many other books purchased on it than the one it has been stored in all these years. Ah...memories.

>154 Berly: Nice pictures! Looks like a fun time.

>179 Berly: That's cool that you got to see him. I recommend Killers Of The Flower Moon.

>180 BLBera: : )

>181 arubabookwoman: I can see looking at the chapter headings and lengths that things definitely pick up! I have two more chapters and then I am in that section...!

I haven't ruled The Wager out; just want to try Killers of the Flower Moon first.

I know the Mark Spencer hotel. LOL. Maybe you should come visit again...just saying.

>182 LibraryLover23: Glad you like the pics. It was indeed fun!

And, yay, for another recommendation for Killers of the Flower Moon!

>179 Berly: I have The Wager on hold at the library but I keep pushing the pause-until date back as other things pop up that I want to read more pressingly. I have read very good thinks about that book, though, so I do hope to read it later this spring.

So you are probably just about done with The Bee Sting, yes? I also have it on hold and plan to read it in February with Mark et al. I've been trying to manage its place on hold with the library and we'll see how that goes. Even with the pause-until feature, sometimes things come up sooner -- or later -- than I had hoped.

Touchstones are being very slow but I love the little comments it provides while the wheel spins:
-Working on it.
-Still working on it.
-This may take a while. Maybe you should start reading a book.
-In fact, maybe you should start writing a book.

And so on.

>185 EBT1002: Well, maybe I'll move The Wager up my list. Keep me posted.

I am about 75% into The Bee Sting. I have another chapter to go until I hit Part 3, which is supposedly very intense.

Okay, those comments while you wait on the wheel are hysterical!! LOL

Happy Hawaii!!

Great picture of the LT get together! I hope you are enjoying The Bee Sting . I just loved it and was surprised by how fast I read it .

>65 Berly: I love Le Guin's essays Kim. I'm over half way through her 700 page volume of complete poems, need to get back to that.

>128 Berly: Book bullet here.

>132 Berly: sad face, only have white squares.

>154 Berly: Great meet up photos, glad you all had a good time. I'm sure the bookshops appreciated it too.

>154 Berly: Love the pics! Thanks for sharing them, Kim!

>179 Berly: I have read 3 of Grann's books and liked them all. Cool that you got to see him in person!

>180 BLBera: I concur!

>187 vancouverdeb: Hi there! I'm onto the third part where everything moves very quickly...!

>188 Caroline_McElwee: I have not read much of LeGuin's poetry, only her essays and stories. Might have to fix that. Glad i could hit you with a BB. Enjoy! Sorry the pics are gone; I'll try o reload them. And what could be better than a meetup and books?! : )

>189 alcottacre: I have only read 1 of Grann's (The Lost City Of Z), but I'll definitely up that this year.

So, a new add that sounds like fun...



Shutter by Ramona Emerson.

"Rita Todacheene is a forensic photographer working for the Albuquerque police force. As a lone portal to the living world for traumatized spirits, Rita is terrorized by nagging ghosts who won't let her sleep and who sabotage her personal life. Her taboo and psychologically harrowing ability was what drove her away from the Navajo reservation, where she was raised by her grandmother. When Rita is sent to photograph the scene of a supposed suicide on a highway overpass, the furious, discombobulated ghost of the victim, who insists she was murdered, latches onto Rita, forcing her on a quest for revenge against her killers, and Rita finds herself in the crosshairs of one of Albuquerque's most dangerous cartels."

>153 Berly: Thanks for the link, Kim! I'm debating if I should buy just one or subscribe to the membership. If I'm not being too nosy, what route did you take. Thanks :0)

>191 Berly: That does sound interesting.

I started The Bee Sting. About 60 pages in. Very impressed with the pacing, which always helps with a chunkster, along with crisp writing of course.

>192 Carmenere: I think if you give them your email you will get future notifications of things and they give you some sort of $ discount. I love their products so I signed up Take a look at their other products and make sure you like a lot of them before you agree to be inundated by emails!! : ) And let me know which one you get!

>193 SuziQoregon: Hi Juli!! I'll let you know! ; )

>194 msf59: Just started Section 3 in The Bee Sting. Let me just say that none of these characters are who you think they are!!

Stopping by to say hi. I got so far behind on your thread that it took awhile to catch up. I'm glad your ice is all gone. It also sounds like you had a great meet-up. Unfortunately, I can't see any of the pics you posted (I can see book covers, but not any of the other pictures).

Have a great weekend of reading!

Happy February and birth month!

Hi Kim! I'm coming by too late to see all the photos but it sounds like it was a lovely meet-up and I'm sure I'll see pics of your miniature as it goes along.

There's a possibility I could be in Seattle in August/ September. My niece is getting married in DC so I might pop over to the States. Though that's a bit presumptuous, since I haven't actually been invited yet :0)

>197 atozgrl: I re-posted the pictures, so hopefully they are visible again. I could still see them, but...

Happy weekend reading to you, too!

>198 BLBera: Thanks, TwinB!!

>199 humouress: I re-posted the pictures. : )

Keep me posted if you visit over here! I'd absolutely love to meet you in-person!!

>200 Berly: Well, I can see one of the photos now, but not the others. It's nice to see some of the folks I've gotten to know here.

Dang it. OK, I've uploaded them to my LT profile and then reposted them here. Hope that solved the problem! : )

>202 Berly: Thanks, Kim, I wasn't expecting you to go to all that trouble. I can now see both pics in >154 Berly: and it's nice to be able to put names to faces. I still can't see the pics in >55 Berly: or >132 Berly: but please don't go to all the trouble of reloading them for me.

LOL. Phew! Thanks for letting me off the hook. Besides, I'll probably start a new thread relatively soon and then I'll post another pic of my miniature progress. A good reminder that pics work better if I upload them to my LT gallery first. : ) Happy weekend!

Kim, I was just reading on Stasia's thread that taking prednisone is causes your hair to go straight . That is so interesting. I have a friend who is has to take prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis, and she has been puzzle why her formerly curly hair has gone straight . I guess know I know. I'll let her know too.

>132 Berly: Drat, the images are not reflected. I would love to see thses miniature bookshelf towns. I think I saw one on a previous thread. I note Jim said he saw this on your facebook page. Tomorrow, I will check that.

Love to you my friend!!!

Thanks for re-posting the photos. It's lovely to see LTers, even if I haven't met them (yet). Will let you know if I'm heading that way.

>205 vancouverdeb: Yeah taking prednisone definitely messes with my hair if i take it for an extended period of time. Along with a few other things! LOL. But at least it usually fixed the problem it was prescribed for.

>206 Whisper1: Hi there! And I will post a new miniature pic in a few days when I make some more progress putting it together. Happy weekend!! Hugs

>207 humouress: You're welcome! I love seeing faces and putting it together with names. And I am crossing my fingers you get invited!!

Happy weekend, Kim! I hadn't heard about prednisone turning hair straight. Mine is so straight already, it couldn't do that. My results from prednisone were 40 pounds and a mustache. But at least I can breathe, so taking that as a win.

>209 banjo123: I am not sure that Prednisone makes everyone's hair go straight; I just think it messes with what you have. And I also typically gain weight and get moon face. But it always helps the medical problem, so I take it when I have to.

Enjoy your Saturday!

So, I finished The Bee Sting and I will wait to post more detailed comments until more people are finished reading it. However, I will say that I will probably be an outlier, since I didn't enjoy this one at all.

>205 vancouverdeb: >208 Berly: I have to take prednisone occasionally: I've not noticed any hair effects but it does stop me sleeping.

>212 SandDune: Yeah, it totally interferes with good sleep. : P Luckily I haven't taken it in several months and I hope you don't have a need for it either! Happy weekend.

>204 Berly: "pics work better if I upload them to my LT gallery first."

Aha! Thank you for that. I struggle every time I try to upload a photo.

>123 quondame: That may just be the nudge I was waiting for. Thanks, Susan.
>124 Berly: I have a long list of ‘want to reads’ and I’m sure you do, too. So glad that books are patient.

>151 Berly: Good for you, Kim. I will be watching to see how much you love A Wizard of Earthsea. Beautiful cover!

>154 Berly: Thank you for sharing those meet up pictures. It looks like everyone is having a great time. I’m glad we have our Joplin, MO group that meets in the fall. We do love to get together and talk about books, don’t we?

Prednisolone makes me go manic, so I avoid it when I can. I was on it after COVID (my second time)

>191 Berly: That does sound like a fun read.

I'll be starting The Bee Sting today. Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. Did you read Skippy Dies and, if so, did you like it? I liked it less than many of our trusty book buddies around here.

Sorry about the prednisone sleep impact. Not being able to sleep is the worst!

>214 LyndaInOregon: I don't know why, but if I grab a pic from Facebook, it just doesn't seem to last that long on LT. So, uploading to my LT profile works much better. Good luck!

>215 Donna828: The Joplin meetup has been going on for years now hasn't it? So much fun!! I hope I get to Earthsea soon, but probably not until March -- I have a lot of shared reads and RL bookclub for February, which is a good thing. : )

>216 The_Hibernator: Yeah, so you understand. Luckily I am not on it now! : )

>217 EBT1002: I haven't read Skippy Dies, but I have it. That actually sounds quite interesting and not at all like Bee Sting. I am looking forward to other people's response to BS; maybe I will gain a better appreciation. Hope you enjoy it!

New thread here!!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/358183#n8405951

>208 Berly: We received the invitation, for the beginning of September, so the current plan is to fly in and out of the States via Seattle but it could be affected by my son's university plans. He's in the middle of making applications now so (fingers crossed) we don't know where or when or what yet.

>214 LyndaInOregon: A few LTers use Facebook photos on their posts but all those photos disappear within a few days.