Berly's Front Cover 4

My heart goes out to Ukraine.

For those of you who don't know me, I have been on LT and a 75er since December 2008. I have a great Hubby (who found LT for me) and 3 grown children. I like almost any book there is, but I tend more toward fiction. I currently work with my Hubby in our business which cleans industrial and storm water and brings it up to EPA standards. Particle removal, pH balancing, heavy metal decontamination, etc. He's a ChemE and I was a Neuroscience major, so I understand the science of our projects and can translate them into English for our customers (LOL); I also do the accounting and marketing -- you just don't want me to design the equipment! I have been a neuroscience lab researcher, an editor and writer, an advertising exec, and the Community Relations Mgr of the NBA MN Timberwolves as well as their 501C3 Director. Career path? NO! Eclectic and fun? YES! I am currently on a board for Literary Arts here in Portland, Oregon, and I also practice TKD (3rd degree BB).

So many choices!! What should I read?
Reading Now
✔ The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead with Twins
@ The Black Friend (🎧 5 hours) by Fredrick Joseph
@ What Could Possibly Go Wrong by Jodi Taylor
✔ You on a Diet (B 512 pages) by Roizen and Oz

After that...
7/14 What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline, Family Bookclub
Artificial Condition Murderbot #2 by Martha Wells
Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejide rec by Beth

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

Read in June ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? 🎧 hours
61. ✔ Impossible to Forget (K 384 pages) by Imogen Clark 3.75
60. ✔ At the Quiet Edge (K 330 pages) by Victoria Helen Stone 3.0
58. ❤️ Before We Were Yours (Book 342 pages) by Lisa Wingate 4.0
57. @ Zora and Me (B 187 pages) by Victoria Bond & TR Simon 3.5
56. @ The Brighter the Light (K 280 pages) by Mary Ellen Taylor 4.0
55. @ Dava Shastri's last day (K 385 pages) by Kirthana Ramisetti 2.5
54. ✔ Strangers We Know (K 280 pages) by Elle Marr 4.0
53. @ The Nothing Girl (🎧 10 hours) by Jodi Taylor 3.0
52. @ Book Lovers (B 387 pages) by Emily Henry 4.0

Read in May ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? 🎧 hours
51. @ In Five Years (B 273 pages) by Rebeca Serle, RL Bookclub #2 , 3.5
50. @ Stolen Thoughts (🎧 10 hours) by Tim Tigner 4.0
49. @ Salt Lick (K 372 pages) by Lulu Allison with LT Friends 4.0
48. @ Shuggie Bain (K 445 pages) by Douglas Stuart 2.5
47. ✔ The Sign of Four Sherlock Holmes (🎧 4.5 hours) by Arthur Conan Doyle 3.0
❤️ @ The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin 5.0
45. @ The Prince (B 99 pages) by Machiavelli with Nephew and Hubby 3.5
44. @ No God Like the Mother (B 155 pages) by Kesha Ajose Fisher 4.0
❤️ @ Long Shadows (🎧 11 hours) by Jodi Taylor 4.5

Read in April ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? 🎧 hours
42. ✔ The Forgotten (B 422 pages) by David Baldacci 3.75
41. @ Dark Light (🎧 11.5 hours) by Jody Taylor 4.0
40. ✔ Bewilderment by Richard Powers, Literary Arts 4.0
39. @ The Book of Form and Emptiness (B 548 pages) by Ruth Ozeki 3.5
❤️ @ White Silence (🎧 10.5 hours) by Jodi Taylor, 4.5
37. @ The Book of Hope (B 252 pages) by Jane Goodall & Douglas Abrams, RL Bookclub #1, 3.75
36. The Murmur of Bees (🎧 7 of 14.5 hours) by Sofia Segovia DNF
35. Brain on Fire (B 268 pages) by Susannah Cahalan 4.0
34. My Evil Mother: A Short Story (K 32 pages) by Margaret Atwood 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

Read in March ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? 🎧 hours
33. The Graveyard Shift by Darynda Jones 3.75
32. @ Everything Inside (B 223 pages) by Edwidge Danticat, LA class in March 3.0
31. @ The Thursday Murder Club (B 372 pages) by Richard Osman 3.5
❤️ @ The Woman They Could Not Silence (K 562 pages) by Kate Moore, Family Bookclub 5.0
29. @ Before the Time Machine (K 169 pages) by Lisa M Lane, LT ER, 2.75
28. @ Saving Time (🎧 13 hours) by Jodi Taylor 4.0
27. L Winesburg, Ohio (K 143 pages) by Sherwood Anderson, LT Group Read 2.75
❤️ @ Good Talk (GN 357 pages) by Mira Jacobs 5.0
25. L Mexican Gothic (B 321 pages) by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 3.5
24. ✔ The Thirty names of Night (B 150/290pages) by Zeyn Joukhadar DNF
23. ✔ Buried in Secret (K) by Viveca Sten, Group read in March 3.0
22. ✔ Moonglow (B 431 pages) by Michael Chabon IR (with Mark, Stasia, and many more))
https://www.librarything.com/topic/339114#n7769181 3.75

Read in February ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? 🎧 hours
21. L The Reincarnationist Papers (K 343 pages) by Eric Maikranz 3.5
20. ✔ The Orphan Daughter (🎧 5/10 hrs) by Cari Noga -- DNF
19. ✔ Thirty Names of Night (B 310 pages) by Zeyn Joukhadar (w/ Ellen, Beth and Joe) 2.5
18. ✔ American Pharaoh (🎧 8.5 hrs) by Joe Drape 3.0
❤️ @ The Girl With the Louding Voice (B 382 pages) by Abi Daré 4.5
❤️ ✔ The Vanishing Half (B 343 pages) by Brit Bennet for Literary Arts, 2/7 Bookclub 5.0
❤️. ✔ How to Give Up Plastic (B 212 pages) by Will McCallum 4.5
14. @ How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink (🎧 7.5 hrs) by Paco Underhill 3.0
13. @ No Way Back (K 301 pages) by J.B. Turner 2.5

Read in January ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? 🎧 hours
12. ✔ The Spires (K 50/313 pages) by Kate Moretti DNF
11. @ Deconstructed (K 311 pages) by Liz Talley 3.75
10. @ The Shape Shifter (🎧 7 hours) by Tony Hillerman 3.0
9. @ If You Ask Me (🎧 2.25 hours) by Betty White 3.0
8. @ Being Seen (🎧 6.5 hours) by Elsa Sjunneson 4.0
7. ✔ The Sentence (B 386 pages) by Louise Erdrich, 1/19 Bookclub 4.5
6. ✔ All Systems Red (🎧 3.25 hours) Murderbot Series by Martha Wells 4.5
❤️ ✔ These Precious Days (🎧 11.25 hours) by Ann Patchett 5.0
4. @ Cove (B 97 pages) by Cynan Jones 4.0
3. ✔ The Zig Zag Girl (K 338 pages) by Ellie Griffiths 3.5
2. ✔ Red Clocks (B 357 pages) by Leni Zumas, INDIEspensable group read, January 4.0
1. ✔ The Good Daughter (🎧 18 hours) by Karen Slaughter 3.0

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 then in 2020 I killed it and read almost 75% of my newbies!!

2017 47/85
2018 45/88
2019 45/128
2020 78/103
2021 50/105

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

2022 36/42 Read

✅ Cove by Cynan Jones
✅ Being Seen by Elsa Sjunneson *
✅ How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink by Paco Underhill *
✅ The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman *
✅ Deconstructed: A Novel by Liz Talley *
✅ If You Ask Me by Betty White *
✅ No Way Back by J.B. Turner *
✅ The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
✅ Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat
10. The Searcher by Tana French
✅ The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
✅ Good Talk by Mira Jacobs
✅ Saving Time by Jodi Taylor
14. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
15. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
✅ Before the Time Machine by Lisa M. Lane *
✅ The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams
✅ The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
19. The Forgotten by David Baldacci
✅ The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
✅ My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood
✅ White Silence by Jodi Taylor
✅ Dark Light by Jodi Taylor
24. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
✅ Long Shadows by Jodi Taylor
✅ The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
27. Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary by Laura Stanfill
✅ In Five Years by Rebeca Serle
✅ Salt Lick by Lulu Allison
✅ Stolen Thoughts by Tim Tigner
✅ Dava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
✅ Book Lovers by Emily Henry
✅ The Brighter the Light by Mary Ellen Taylor
✅ Dava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
✅ The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor
✅ Book Lovers by Emily Henry
✅ Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
✅ Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate *from Linda
✅ Zora and Me by Victoria Bond & TR Simon *from Linda
✅ The Brighter the Light by Mary Ellen Taylor
✅ Dava Shastri's last day by Kirthana Ramisetti
42.

✅ Read
* Free or gift

2022 Books Off The Shelf

So, here is my idea for reading more of the books I already own...wish me luck!

Using dice...

First roll -- even for upstairs or odd for downstairs
Second roll* -- which pile/bookshelf
Third roll* -- count this many books in

* Random 1 or 2 dice because I have more than 6, but don't want to leave out "1"

e.g. Downstairs, Second Shelf, 3rd book

3/12 -- I've read 15 BOTS so far!
5/1 -- 17 so far.

Random LT group reads
✅ February - Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar with Ellen and Beth
✅ March - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
✅ May - Shuggie Baine by Douglas Stewart
✅ June - Salt Lick
July - The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

RL Book Club #1
✅ February - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
✅ April - The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams
✅ June - Dava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
August - A Children's Bible: A Novel by Lydia Millet
October - The Dictionary of Lost Words: A Novel by Pip Williams

RL Book Club #2
✅ March - The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
✅ June - In Five Years by Rebeca Serle

Family Bookclub
✅ January - Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
✅ February - The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Mainkranz
✅ April - The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
July - What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

Literary Arts
January 27, 2022 -- Cathy Park Hong Minor Feelings
✅ February 17, 2022 -- Britt Bennet The Vanishing Half , The Mothers
April 21, 2022 -- Richard Powers The Overstory, ✅ Bewilderment
✅ May 12, 2022 -- Edwidge Danticat Everything Inside

September 22, 2022 -- Abdulrazak Gurnah After Lives
November 17, 2022 -- Anthony Doerr All the Light We Cannot See, Cloud Cuckoo Land
January 18, 2023 -- Lauren Groff Florida, Matrix
February 22, 2023 -- Patrick Radden Keefe Say Nothing, Empire of Pain
April 20, 2023 -- Ada Limón poet

Powell's Indiespensable Readers

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!

Let me know if any books interest you (ones I haven't read yet).

2022 Challenge
✅ January -- Red Clocks by Leni Zumas with Beth, Ellen, Stasia, Bill, Paul
✅ February -- Moonglow by Michael Chabon with Mark, Stasia, Karen (witchyrichy) and ??
?? -- The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

Other 2022 potential reads so far....
Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg
The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
The Topeka School by Ben Lerner
Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer with Stasia

The complete list can be found here and I'd love to have more friends join me in group reads! Other suggestions?

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

Books Freed = 60!!! as of 2/6/22. After being closed for two years, Powell's is open again for used books drop-offs! I used the online version instead of braving the long lines at the stores; they only wanted 7 of my books, but I made $15 bucks to spend on more books and they paid for shipping! LOL. I only found 3 duplicates and the rest are books I've read but don't feel the need to keep. And they were picked over by local friends and family first before donating to Goodwill. ; )

And another 32 as of 2/22/22!! And that cool date happened to fall on a Tuesday -- very appropriate. (Say the day out loud, you'll get it. LOL) Most of these were travel guides and who needs those anymore with everything online? Plus the info was getting pretty dated. Hours, prices, etc. So bye bye.

2021 Fiction
❤️Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
The House in the Cerulean Sea TJ Klune
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Outland by Dennis E Taylor
Voyagers in Time by Robert Silverberg
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Shelter by Harlan Coben

2021 Non-Fiction
❤️ When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalantithi
Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island Will Harlan
Becoming Nicole: The inspiring story of transgender actor-activist Nicole Maines and her extraordinary family by Amy Ellis Nutt
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson
Themes and Variations Essay by David Sedaris

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

Series/Author/Next Book
Bobiverse / Dennis E. Taylor / #5 not yet published
Bridgerton / Julia Quinn / #3 An Offer From A Gentleman
Cormoran Strike Series / Robert Galbraith / #6 Not yet published
Quantum Earth / Dennis E. Taylor / #2 not yet published
Kinsey Millhone Mystery Series / Sue Grafton / Read ABCDEFQX / Next G is for
Kopp Series / Amy Stewart / #2 Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Mickey Bolitar / Harlen Coben / #4 not yet published
Murderbot Diaries / Martha Wells #2 Artificial Condition
Sandham Murders / Viveca Sten / #10 Buried in Secret / release date Jan 2022
Sunshine Vicram / Darynda Jones / #3 A Hard Day for a Hangover Dec 2022
Sweep Series / Ilona Andrews / #6 not yet published
The Chronicles of St Mary's / Jodi Taylor / #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
The Time Police / Jodi Taylor #4 ???
Elizabeth Cage / Jodi Taylor #4 ???

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

Recently started
*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
*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

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
*(+3 years since publication)

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

Is it safe to come in? Happy new thread!

Welcome! And thank you. : )

Happy new one, TwinK!

>8 Berly: Any you have listed except the Marra sound good. I've read that one. Others that sound good are How the Dead Dream - I love Millet; Matterhorn; and The Unseen, which lots of people have been raving about.

Happy new thread, Kim!

Hello, old friend.

>15 BLBera: How about The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead? And happy Retirement Day!!

>16 curioussquared: Thank you!! : )

Happy new thread, Kim!

I miss the picture of your bookshelves for the second time in a row, are you done with the kids books?

>17 weird_O: Peek a boo! Nice to see you here.

>19 FAMeulstee: Hi there! No, I am just feeling guilty about not getting to the kids book! LOL. I have a full house again and my daughter's wedding this fall and I'm still not 100% after January COVID, so....When I get back on track I'll post some more pictures. Thanks for the continued interest! : )

>6 Berly: Hi Kim. Happy new thread. You are stimulating me to do better about avoiding plastic. I bought the book, although I haven't read it yet, and I've purchased some laundry detergent in a sheet (EarthBreeze). I have used cloth shopping bags for years, cloth napkins for a couple of years, etc. but I know I can do better so thank you for the nudge.

As to your system for choosing an unread book...does this mean than your TBR's are all shelved?

Gracias - Yup, I would reread The Intuitionist.

>21 RebaRelishesReading: Yay! I am glad you are stepping up your game! I hope you find some useful hints in How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum. Every little bit helps. : )

My TBRs are shelved alphabetically in two places -- up in my bedroom and in a bookcase downstairs. Well, except for my TBR ASAP pile by my night table, but I know I am going to get to those. The dice is to get me to read those that have been sitting there a while...

>22 BLBera: Awesome! Give me a few days because I just started The Music of Bees and then I can start The Intuitionist.

>17 weird_O: Love the graphic, Bill!

Happy new thread!

Lots of hot tips for reading over here. Happy new thread!

>24 magicians_nephew: Me too! I guess my graphics are sub par though. No love for me. Sadness. ; )

>25 quondame: Hi and welcome! Always a pleasure to see you.

>26 mdoris: I'm glad you think so! Vice-versa.

I had a meeting for Literary Arts (I am joining another board!) over at Powell's today. I cashed in my book credit and bought In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, the next read for RL Bookclub #2. They didn't have Salt Lick by Lulu Allison, so I'll have to keep looking for that one.

Happy new one, Kimmers!

I managed to buy Salt Lick in the local stores here last month so I reckon you can expect it to become available soon.

Happy new thread!

I think I got my copy from the Book Depository. Salt Lick. I'm thinking The Intuitionist next month...

Just dropping in to confirm that I am all in for Shuggie Bain later this month! You just need to say the word and I will opt in :)

>28 Berly: these both look great...from the visuals anyway.

Happy Friday, Kim. Happy New Thread. Have a great weekend and get lots of reading in.

Hi Kim! Happy new thread.

Regarding the comment on your last thread about abortion, it's my understanding that a pregnancy carrying a 7-9 month fetus ends by definition in delivery, even by caesarian. So the supposed horror of aborting a baby at term is to scare the masses.

I once told an ardent anti-abortion person (male) that I didn't understand freedom if it didn't include what I could control within the circumference of my own skin. He had no answer.

Sigh. Much more fun to talk about books.

Have you found a dentist with hospital privileges yet?

Happy new thread, Kim!

>29 PaulCranswick: I just bought Salt Lick on Kindle, so no worries. : ) Hope you are enjoying family time!

>30 figsfromthistle: Thanks for being part of it!

>31 BLBera: Got a copy on Kindle and Intuitionist is ready to go for next month!

>32 LovingLit: I have my copy of Shuggie Bain and can probably start in a week or so...excited to read something with you!

>33 msf59: Thank you, Mark! What an excellent idea! : )

>34 karenmarie: Hello and happy Friday!

>35 ffortsa: I know. But not all deliveries at 7 months work out well for the fetus. Many do not have lungs that are well enough developed to survive. Anyhow, I agree with you that women should decide things about their own bodies.

Seeing a dentist with my daughter next week to see if we can get a referral. Fingers crossed. (Thanks for asking.)

Now back to books and happier things!

>36 mstrust: Thank you! I have to come over and see what mischief you've been up to this time. ; )

I'm crossing my fingers as well - I hope the dentist works!

Hi Kim my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Kim. The Intuitionist and In Five Years were recent reads for me and I liked them both. I hope they work for you.

>40 BLBera: Thank you, Twin!

>41 johnsimpson: Hello, John, my friend.

>42 drneutron: Hi there! Nice to see you. : )

>43 Familyhistorian: Oh, good news that you liked them both. Chances are good for me then.

I am halfway through The Music of Bees and loving it! (And the Oregon connection doesn't hurt either, LOL)

Three lonely strangers in a rural Oregon town, each working through grief and life's curveballs, are brought together by happenstance on a local honeybee farm where they find surprising friendship, healing--and maybe even a second chance--just when they least expect it.

Forty-four-year-old Alice Holtzman is stuck in a dead-end job, bereft of family, and now reeling from the unexpected death of her husband. Alice has begun having panic attacks whenever she thinks about how her life hasn't turned out the way she dreamed. Even the beloved honeybees she raises in her spare time aren't helping her feel better these days.

In the grip of a panic attack, she nearly collides with Jake--a troubled, paraplegic teenager with the tallest mohawk in Hood River County--while carrying 120,000 honeybees in the back of her pickup truck. Charmed by Jake's sincere interest in her bees and seeking to rescue him from his toxic home life, Alice surprises herself by inviting Jake to her farm.

And then there's Harry, a twenty-four-year-old with debilitating social anxiety who is desperate for work. When he applies to Alice's ad for part-time farm help, he's shocked to find himself hired. As an unexpected friendship blossoms among Alice, Jake, and Harry, a nefarious pesticide company moves to town, threatening the local honeybee population and illuminating deep-seated corruption in the community. The unlikely trio must unite for the sake of the bees--and in the process, they just might forge a new future for themselves.

Beautifully moving, warm, and uplifting, The Music of Bees is about the power of friendship, compassion in the face of loss, and finding the courage to start over (at any age) when things don't turn out the way you expect.

"A hopeful, uplifting story about the power of chosen family and newfound home and beginning again . . . but it’s the bees, with all their wonder and intricacy and intrigue, that make this story sing."
--Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is"

>45 Berly: This does sound good.

Not to be confused with The Murmur of Bees, the The Music of Bees was awesome! I could not put this one down. It's springtime and my flowers are blooming and I loved learning about bees! Not to mention the three quirky, lovable, main characters. If you support keeping the earth healthy; want to cheer on someone coming to grips with new physical disabilities; hope that a young man can find his inner strength and voice; and want to follow someone not giving up her memories and love but letting go of grief, then this is the book for you! It's fun, touching and uplifting. Highly recommended. 5.0

I love Jodi Taylor!! For fans of the Time Police or The Chronicles of St Mary's, The Elizabeth Cage series was just as much fun, with more twists and turns than I expected. I listened to them all on audio -- awesome!

A gripping supernatural thriller series from international bestselling author, Jodi Taylor. 'I don't know who I am. I don't know what I am.' Elizabeth Cage is a child when she discovers that there are things in this world that only she can see. But she doesn't want to see them and she definitely doesn't want them to see her. What is a curse to Elizabeth is a gift to others - a very valuable gift they want to control. When her husband dies, Elizabeth's world descends into a nightmare. But as she tries to piece her life back together, she discovers that not everything is as it seems. Alone in a strange and frightening world, she's a vulnerable target to forces beyond her control. And she knows that she can't trust anyone... White Silence is a twisty supernatural thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

No God Like the Mother by Kesha Ajose Fisher 4.0, Winner of the Oregon Book Award

"Set around the world--the bustling streets of Lagos, the arid gardens beside the Red Sea, an apartment in Paris, the rain-washed suburbs of the Pacific Northwest--this collection of nine stories is a masterful exploration of life's uncertainty that will draw readers in and keep them riveted."

I had the pleasure of taking a Literary Arts Class led by Kesha and we talked her into doing one more session so we could talk about her first book, No God Like A Mother. Interesting to see how the title connects with the stories. Tough, moving glimpses into the lives and power of women. She was born in Chicago and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and now she lives here in Oregon, with her family!

Hey TwinK! You are on fire with your reading. I just reserved The Music of Bees from my library. There are a few people ahead of me, but luckily, I have other things to read.

>49 Berly: This sounds really good as well. Your class sounds amazing.

Happy new thread, Kim! Music of the Bees sounds good.

>48 Berly: I have White Silence checked out - it's getting toward the top of the list too. Now that it's got positive review, I may read it before the library reclaims it.

Happy Mother's Day to you, too, Kim!

>48 Berly: These scare me...I was very unnerved by White Silence.

*smooch*

Hope you're having a great day, TwinK!

Happy new thread and a good start into the week, Kim!

Happy New Thread, Kim!

Good review of The Music of Bees. You put it on my radar.

>49 Berly: You caught me with that one, Kimmers! Will go and seek it out.

>50 BLBera: >51 banjo123: Hope you both enjoy the Music of the Bees!!

>52 quondame: I hope you can fit White Silence in before the library loan ends. ; )

>55 richardderus: Be brave!! Read them! ; )

>54 karenmarie: >56 BLBera: Thank you! Hope you had an enjoyable Mother's Day. I had a wonderful day. My son actually ordered a present for me with no hints or reminders from anyone! LOL. AND he cooked brunch. : ) My daughter made me a handprinted bookmark and brought me a hot chocolate. And I celebrated with my other daughter the weekend before and she took me wine tasting. I think it was the first time in decades that I wasn't hosting for my mom or MIL, and although I missed being with them, it was nice to just sit back and enjoy!

>57 SirThomas: Hello! Thank you. Always a pleasure to see you.

>58 jnwelch: Thank you. I hope The Music of Bees actually makes it onto your WL. ; )

>59 PaulCranswick: It was a great book to discuss, so hit me up with comments if you get to read it. It is dark, but there are moments of light and hope.

So, today was a close call...

Wordle 325 6/6

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Yikes! I had the same two letters and just could not get them in the right place or find the other accompanying letters!! O and E -- train, slope, mowed, enjoy, ochre, gecko

>60 Berly: I did. I finished it Sunday. I found it mostly unsatisfying. Too high a body count and no characters I could root for.

Happy Wednesday, Kimmers. I hope you are having a good week.

>47 Berly: You got me with a BB for that one. A five star rating! Sound wonderful.

>63 quondame: Sadness. Sorry it didn't work for you. : ( I'll try to do better on my next recommendation. ; )

>64 msf59: Today was a great day! Success at work, good doctor appointment, satisfying weeding and made dinner with my nephew and it was yummy! Hope your day was just as good.

>65 figsfromthistle: Hope you enjoy The Music of Bees! And happy mid-week. : )

>63 quondame: >66 Berly: Ooops, White Silence wasn't as fun for me as the St. Mary's books, but when I commented I momentarily had it confused with The Library at Mount Char. Sorry.

>67 quondame: So White Silence wasn't a total loser for you! Phew! I feel better. ; )

>45 Berly: Added to the BlackHole!

>48 Berly: I still need to get caught up on the St. Mary's series! I will have to check that series out too.

>49 Berly: Adding that one to the BlackHole too.

Have a terrific day!

>38 Berly: I have my copy of Shuggie Bain and can probably start in a week or so...excited to read something with you!
Let's go! I will start up a conversation thread, and come back with the link.
ETA: here it is! https://www.librarything.com/topic/341733

>69 alcottacre: I am behind on the St. Mary's series and am glad that I still have that one to read! I think I am on # 4 or 5....

Sorry/happy to hit you with some book bullets. : )

>70 LovingLit: Awesome!! Heading over and opening my copy of Shuggie Bain!

Happy Friday, Kim! I am loving seeing you around the group once again.

Hi Kim! Hope life is treating you well!

>48 Berly: those looks great! Adding to the list! I’m on a big supernatural kick this year

>72 alcottacre: Thank you! I am trying. ; )

>73 ChelleBearss: Supernaturals are fun and I need a break from RL sometimes. : )

Literary Arts just announced next season's authors...I'm excited!!

>75 Berly: Oh, wow. I have actually heard of 4 out of the 5. I am going to have to check out Ada Limon.

She is a poet! I usually know 3 of the 5, but this year I only know 2. I don't know Limón, Keefe or Gurnah. Guess I better get my hands on some of their books. : )

>75 Berly: Great line-up.

>78 BLBera: Right?! : )

I am opening up Salt Lick right now!!

>75 Berly: ...who...? NEvahoydova.

...he muttered jealously...

What a dynamo I've been...it's getting nasty-hot this weekend, so I spent the morning moving books, vacuuming, getting ready for the a/c to be installed...then moving everything back. I'm also the proud papa of three new book reviews. Including a 4* one of a book brought out by a religious publisher.

Proof I am, in fact, really me: I got, for the 5th time in 108 games played, Wordle in 2!!

I just finished it. Spoiler, I cried in a couple of places toward the end.

>80 richardderus: Jealous of people you don't know. Yes! You should be. : )

Glad you are getting an AC and in the nick of time! Proud Papa Publisher preen away indeed.

Nice job on the Wordle! I have had 3 two's in 38 games. Off to try today's...

>81 BLBera: Okay, I have my tissues ready...dang it.

Well, today in four. Meh. But nice symmetry! Eiffel Tower maybe?

Wordle 334 4/6

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trAin, ShAme, fLASk, GLASS

>77 Berly: Her being a poet explains why I have never heard of her. Poetry is not my jam.

Have a wonderful day, Kim!

But it's so good.

>85 alcottacre: I like writing poetry better than I like reading it. : )

>86 BLBera: Have you read Limón? Or are you just a poetry fan in general?

Happy Thursday to both of you!

Limón is an amazing poet. I've loved both of her books that I've read, especially her first one.

>88 BLBera: Awesome! I am not a big poetry reader, but I will give her a try. : )

>87 Berly: I like dissing poetry better than anything else. Almost anything anything. Poetry is self-parodying, fortunately, so it's easy to hit the target.

>90 richardderus: There can be such beauty in the words of poetry, but it just doesn't usually draw me in.

Ooh, Ada Limon. Swooning...I have to get my mitts on that new collection. Joe has already been raving about it.

Sweet Thursday, Kimmers!

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart 2.5

I just don't know how to rate this one. It is well written, but just way too painful to read. I skimmed to the end and only because so many of my friends here have liked this book; otherwise it would have been a DNF.

>92 msf59: Another fan of Limón! Yay!

What the hail? It's supposed to be May!!

>95 Berly: Horrifying!

>93 Berly: Saddening, but not hugely surprising. Shuggie's trajectory is pretty grimdark. I just fell utterly in love with the whole effect.

We had hail today as well, now tornado watch.

>95 Berly: Oh no! Hopefully it wasn't damaging hail.

>96 richardderus: Luckily the hail episode was short-lived and no damage to plants.

Grimdark about sums it up. I did not fall in love. I think I wasn't in the right frame of mind to handle it.

>97 BLBera: Dang! You one upped my weather and that is not a good thing! Be safe.

>98 figsfromthistle: No damage. Just little stuff. But it's 60˚ outside. How did we get hail?!

Still working on the be-better-to-the-earth thing. Got my second shipment of "Who Gives A Crap" toilet paper! The name just makes me laugh and the paper they send it in is great for re-using for wrapping paper. As long as you put the bow over WGAC. LOL

>93 Berly: I just finished Shuggie and while it is certainly grim, I was swept up in it like Richard. Honestly, reading it on the beach in Hawaii probably helped (as opposed to the cloudy PNW!) me handle it.

>101 curioussquared: Glad that you liked it so much!! I need me some Sci-Fi or romance or something now. LOL

Just starting Stolen Thoughts by Tim Tigner -- off to a great start!

How would your life change …
if you could read another’s thoughts?
If you were the one …
to break the biological code?

Imagine John Grisham meets Michael Crichton in a fast-paced mystery thriller.
_______________________________________

There’s been a breakthrough on the campus of Caltech. A discovery. An invention. One so startling and surprisingly sinister that the inventor can’t tell a soul.

Destined to delight everyone in your book club, Stolen Thoughts is a clever thriller you will quickly finish and never forget.

Precariously poised at the center of the action is Victoria Pixler, a bioengineering student with a tragic past, a passionate quest, and a brilliant mind. After a decade of dedication, Vicky finally struck gold only to have her dream shattered and her career terminated—by the least likely suspect.

Propelling the thrills from the middle of the mystery is one of humanity’s great questions: Would the power to read minds be a blessing, or a curse?

>93 Berly: Yeah, that is one of those books that I am glad I read, but I do not ever want to read it again. You are right - it is painful to read.

>95 Berly: Yikes!

>103 Berly: Looking forward to your final thoughts on that one. It looks interesting.

>99 Berly: We only get hail here in the summer. Joys of the big thunder clouds that make their way across the prairies. :)

It's cloudy and cool today...tomorrow it's due to be *horrific* and almost 100° so I took this chance to dash out for a grocery run.

>95 Berly: Today brought sunshine, then pouring rain accompanying lightening and thunder. Spring is here! I hope you and your family are well!

Hi Kim! I'm loving Salt Lick and looking forward to our discussion. Hopefully by then I'll be able to breathe through my nose (I've had a cold all week -and I'm really tired of it).

Sorry Shuggie Bain didn't land well for you. It was a 5-star read for me, but admittedly very painful.

And hail.... it has been a crazy spring, hasn't it? My only cheer comes from the hope that this means a less brutal fire season this August and September.... fingers crossed.

I haven't even tried Wordle. Not once. I may be the only one not to have gotten caught up in it.

"See" you Monday -- and when we're in Portland in June!!!! Yay!!!!

>103 Berly: That is some cover, Kimmers! I am sure it will sell books irrespective of the writing.

Thank you for pointing out Jodi Taylor.
My library had Just One Damned Thing After Another - I enjoyed it very much.
Have a great weekend!

>108 EBT1002: I haven't tried Wordle either, Ellen. So you are not alone.

Hi TwinK.

Hi Kim, I hope all is well in your world.

>93 Berly: 'Painful to read' describes Shuggie Bain very well. It was in my top ten for last year, but I did make the comment that I don't want it in my permanent library as I will not be tempted to reread it. Too much drudgery. On the other hand, it's a book I will never forget.

We've had hail and lots of rain and wind recently. I wish some of the rain could be held over until August when our trees and grass are parched.

>103 Berly: I'm very curious about this book and, no, I don't think I would like to live in a world where we could read one another's thoughts. I look forward to seeing how this book sets with you. It's an interesting concept...

Shuggie Bain seems way to painful for me.

Weather has been ridiculous, but at least this weekend is nice.

I'll be interested in your take on Stolen Thoughts.

Would the power to read minds be a blessing, or a curse? I'd put that in the same category as a win in some multimillion dollar lottery. But I've added the book to my WANT! List.

>103 Berly: ooh that sounds interesting! BB for me.

>104 alcottacre: Stolen Thoughts continues to be a very fun adventure! With some intellectual exploration of the rewards/dangers of knowing other people's thoughts. About halfway...

>105 MickyFine: Well, hail is certainly interesting weather! As long as they are not too big and my car is under cover. LOL

>106 richardderus: Hope you survived the sweltering heat calm, cool and collected! Smooch.

>107 Whisper1: The mercurial nature of nature!! How nice to see you out and about! I hope that means you are starting to feel a little better. : ) The Family is doing well. Although I am sad because my nephew decided that he wants to return to MN and is leaving the beginning of June. Good news is I think he enjoyed spending time with us and his family out here and I think he has a better plan for school and life when he goes back.

>108 EBT1002: I loved our discussion of Salt Lick -- what a fun book! An interesting look at so many issues currently flaring in our own lives right now and a few really good plot twists I totally wasn't expecting. The cow chorus was very poetic and some of them were hauntingly beautiful, but others were too "in your face," as in did you, the reader, get my point? Ah well. They didn't ruin anything and I loved the book. 4.0

>109 PaulCranswick: The cover art is so striking that I recognized it before I remembered the author!! LOL. I loved the previous book I had read by Tigner, with similar artwork, so it's a win. ; )

>110 SirThomas: I think I have liked everything I have ever read by Jodi Taylor -- find another one and enjoy!

>111 BLBera: Wordle!! I don't do it everyday, but I do enjoy it. Today was quite decent at 3. Someday, maybe you and Ellen will give it a try. ; )

Wordle 339 3/6

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>112 Donna828: It would be nice to save some of the rain for later in the summer, right? And I am not happy because we have this big family camping trip schedule for this weekend and it is supposed to rain an INCH on Saturday!! We are looking for alternative plans. Dang it.

>113 banjo123: I am not in the mood for dark books right now, but lots of people seemed to love Shuggie. You decide! : ) The weather is not cooperating with my outdoor plans for this weekend. Ugh.

>114 weird_O: Hmmm. I could deal with trying to figure out how to spend millions of dollars. I think I'd be just fine!! LOL. But while I am reading this book, I have been analyzing my own thoughts and I just have these small, random, judgmental thoughts which thankfully don't make it out of my mouth because I filter them. I try to only share the positive or helpful ones, not the negative. I don't think I'd want complete access to everyone else's musings! I don't like the idea of no filter.

>115 figsfromthistle: You're welcome!! : )

Stolen Thoughts sounds interesting. I look forward to our discussion of The Intuitionist next month. I got my copy from the shelf.

I'm glad you liked Salt Lick.

>122 BLBera: Tennis time again!! I have only watched one match so far. I think there are gonna be some major change ups this year. : )

Wordle 340 5/6

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Dang! How many first letters can there be? LOL

>124 Berly: Eleven.

Go Rafa! I like the young Alcaraz as well, even though all the announcers mispronounce his name.

>125 richardderus: Well then I am lucky I solved it today!! LOL Is that off the official Wordle list that everyone keeps talking about and I have no clue where it is?

>126 BLBera: Of course, LOL. I need to watch the women's matches because half the top players got eliminated...

Well, we had great plans for camping this weekend, but it is supposed to rain over an inch on Saturday. Still holding out hope for heading down on Sunday...

Have fun camping. I hope the weather clears for you. You can catch up on tennis...

>127 Berly: I don't know where that list is either, so no.

Couch means , well, couch; Pouch, well...ya know; Touch doesn't need explanation; Vouch ummm again you're aware.

Douch is an acceptable variant of "douche".

Gouch is a body part I have and you don't.

Houch is slang for a minor burn. Hot-ouch.

Jouch is the elision of "j-pouch" of which I'm sure you've heard. Also, insulting slang for a douch who's Jewish.

Louch means lazy, inactive dweller on the c.

Mouch is British for "mooch."

Nouch is archaic for "jewel" for some weird reason, but is slang now for a scaredy-cat.

These are just too cute not to tell you about.
Bouch is the place your friend sleeps. For a lot longer than she said she would.

Souch is a baby Sasquatch.

Zouch is a website.

Hi, Kim. I read The Intuitionist way back when and found it impressively bizarre. Great political power accruing to elevator inspectors?! You must be kidding!. What a high wire act - and he pulls it off.

The weather TOTALLY did not cooperate, so no camping this weekend. Instead, I have gone for a walk already this morning which enabled me to feel not guilty about eating the chocolate chip cookies I just made with my nephew. ; )



Just finished in Five Years by Rebecca Serle for my RL bookclub next week. A fun read about a young female lawyer who gets a glimpse of her life five years in the future and the reader gets to follow how that one hour may or may not change her life. It's about love and friendship and ambition all rolled into a quick read. Perfect for summer! 3.5

Now I am going to dive into...



Oh, and the French Open. : )

>130 richardderus: Dang. So, I only know half of those. Lucky guess indeed! Smooch.

>131 jnwelch: I am looking forward to The Intuitionist! Probably won't start it until second week of June, but I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. I do like Colson Whitehead. : )

Yesterday's Wordle 342 2/6. Whoohoo!!

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Today's Wordle 343 4/6. Decent.

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In Five Years sounds like a fun read.

Sorry about the camping. :( Who are you cheering for in the FO?

Wordle 345 4/6

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Vowel...not here, or here, or here, HERE!! LOL

>135 BLBera: Fun book. Bookclub discussion later this week....!

Since we didn't go camping and get to spend time together, I am having family over today to play some games and give everyone a chance to say goodbye to my nephew who is moving back home to MN on Tuesday. I'm gonna be sad to see him go. : (

Oh, and tennis...

Nadal for the men and Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens (unlikely), or the #1 ranked Iga Swiatek for the women. I know you are pulling for Nadal! : )

Hi Kim!

>60 Berly: I’m glad your children honored you for Mother’s Day.

>93 Berly: Ugh. Shuggie Bain was never on my radar because it sounded just way too painful to read, as you put it. Richard's 'grimdark' word for well-written books about emotional landmines keep getting further and further off my radar. I'd rather read mysteries, thrillers, and, currently, Georgian and Regency bodice rippers.

>121 Berly: I know exactly how I’d spend millions of dollars. First of all, keep the lottery win a secret if legally possible. If not, immediately get rid of the landline and change our cell phone numbers. Get a high-powered lawyer and accountant in addition to our financial advisor. Pay off all our debt, set aside a trust for Jenna and my sister (making sure her husband can’t touch it in any way, shape, or form), set aside enough to keep us into our very old age, then set up an anonymous, charitable trust to help people in the county I live in. *smile*

>127 Berly: Go to WordleBot. WordleBot. Use the right arrows to go to the Your First Guess page, look at what your first guess cuts the possible solutions to. Hover over ‘possible solutions’, click on it, and there’s the list. I put it into a tab on my Wordle spreadsheet.

>103 Berly: Ooo, I'm loving that cover. On my list it goes.

I'm not sure if it's just me, but Wordle seems to have gotten a little more difficult since NYT took it over.

Hope you enjoy your family games. I think I need some summer reading, maybe I will look for In Five Years.

New-week *smooch*

Yes, we have to send good karma Nadal's way. I like your women's choices. I was hoping Keys could get to the final, but she lost. Lots of youngsters in the women's QFs.

Hi Kim. I read part 1 of The Intuitionist last night. I think Joe's description of it as "impressively bizarre" is spot on. And I'm enjoying it so far.

Glad you're using Who Gives a Crap. It's a staple at our house now. I'm a subscriber. 😉

>144 EBT1002:. Right, Ellen? What a premise!

Hi, Kim. Go Rafa! He’s in the Finals again. That match against Djokovic was a doozy.

Go Coco! Tough opponent, but how exciting!

Howdy-do, Kimmers. Have a lovely week ahead!

Hi TwinK! Did you get to watch any tennis?

>103 Berly: Stolen Thoughts by Tim Tigner is now on the tbr pile. I'm sorry you are struggling with a cold. I wish you good health......It is not fun to be ill and wanting to be better. You and I know that well.

>139 karenmarie: We are totally in agreement on how to handle winning big bucks!! LOL

And I am totally not in for any more dark reads. Your current genre selections sound great! I just read a romcom called Book Lovers. Just what I needed. ; )

Thanks for the info on WordBot. I think you need a subscription to NYT to use the WordBot and now I know why I haven't used it. LOL

Today's Wordle was annoying. So many endings!!

Wordle 353 5/6

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Happy Tuesday.

>140 Carmenere: Hope the book lives up to the cover for you. : )

I was doing Wordle everyday and now I seem to be hit or miss. Oh well. It's supposed to be fun and not a chore, right?

>141 banjo123: We had fun with the family games and played Mexican Train, Mah Jong, Tenzi and Uno Flip. I would have preferred to play them while camping, but better than not! Have fun with the summer reading. Definitely what I am up for right now. Life is a bit much at the moment.

>142 richardderus: Next week. *Smooch*

>143 BLBera: >147 BLBera: Well, tennis wound up pretty much where I thought it would. I didn't get to watch as much as I wanted to, but still enjoyed it. : )

>144 EBT1002: I am glad you are now a subscriber to Who Give A Crap toilet paper, too! I also get my tissues and paper towels from them when I need them.

And I am about to start The Intuitionist....

>145 jnwelch: Hi Joe! I am excited to start The Intuitionist; I've it in my TBR pile forever. And happy to see another tennis fan as always. : )

>146 richardderus: And another *smooch*! Thanks for keeping my thread alive and checking up on me.

>148 Whisper1: Hope you enjoy the Tigner when you get to it. And I hope you are feeling better. Truly!

So, we packed up my nephew and he moved out last Tuesday. Back to MN and he was excited. I went and got my booster shot on Thursday morning thinking life was about to be calmer and I could afford the down time because I always feel like crap after the shots.

But no. I woke up at 2am with a fever and after I took something for it, I noticed a text from my middle daughter. She and her long-term boyfriend had just broken up. After a phone call, and lots of tears, I went to pick her up and bring her home. Then, the next two days, while battling a fever, I helped move all her stuff out of their shared apartment and back home. Empty nesting is not happening. My garage and living room are full of stuff. She's doing okay. The fever is gone but I'm exhausted.

Life is What Happens To You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans...
All the best for you and yours, Kim!

Hi Kim! I'm tempted to pick up The Intuitionist with you -- it's been on my shelf for a few years now.

>153 Berly: Oh no! Glad you could be there for your daughter even with a fever but sorry it's just one thing after another!

>153 Berly: Oh boy. Oh joy. Well, she's home, she's safe, let the healing begin.

>149 Berly: I got it in 4, so I wasn't as irked as you running through the guessing game. I did get ticked off when my go-to second word MIRTH returned nothing, which led to a guess BLOOD that revealed the answer.

happier days ahead *smooch*

>154 SirThomas: So true!!! Thanks for the good wishes.

>155 curioussquared: Do it! Do it! Do it! Ellen and Beth are also reading The Intuitionist right now, too. : )

To quote Jodi Taylor, it's Just One Damned Thing After Another! LOL. It's okay. We are still very fortunate people. And my daughter had a follow-up conversation with the Ex and she feels somewhat better about things.

>156 richardderus: Thanks Ricardo. You are exactly right. She is home and safe and I know she grew a lot in this relationship so I hope the next one is even better.

Wordle--I had SLOPE, FLOAT, FLOUR, FLOCK FLOOD. I should have known they would throw in a repeating letter!

Oh, Sorry to hear that your daughter broke up with her boyfriend, TwinK. It is just one damned thing... I'll start The Intuitionist soonish.

You were going to set up the Zoom, right?

I just had my booster as well. Felt like crap that night, but was fine the next door, except for a sore arm.

Do you have Minn. dates yet?

>159 BLBera: Hi TwinB. Yeah, life is not dull right now.

I have The Intuitionist on my bed, but I haven't cracked it open yet. This afternoon. I can set up the Zoom, but I'll do it closer to the date and send the info then.

Glad we are both boosted! Yay us!

I am coming to MN the last week in July but I haven't booked the tickets yet. Hoping that works for you, but I kinda had to go off my parents schedule.

Rafa Won!! Again!!

Yay Rafa! Last week in July is open for me. I can free up whatever time works for you.

Hi Kim!

>153 Berly: I’m sorry you’re not empty nesting again. My daughter’s coming home next month after things not working out in Asheville. You and I are lucky that we have the resources to be there for our children. I’m glad you got your booster. Sorry you had a fever.

>157 Berly: Oh, I'm glad she feels a little better. Breakups suck even if you're the one initiating or if you know it's for the best. I cried in bed for a week when I broke up with my last boyfriend before I met my husband, even though the split was entirely my idea and I knew it needed to happen.

OK, OK, I'll go find The Intuitionist. But this pesky job has been interfering with my reading time lately...

Sorry to hear about the fever and your daughter's breakup (as others have said, it's always hard...).

I was pleased to see Rafa get through. He's incredible on clay and though I'm really a Federer fan, they're both class acts.

I'm probably massively insensitive, but it seems like Becky is tolerating breaking up with her boyfriend of (I have no idea how long, we don't talk about boyfriend, no, no, no) a couple weeks back. I did learn more about the fellow as she was venting in the immediate aftermath, but nothing since. I remember now there was a clue - Becky asked about the time a friend's daughter asked me for relationship advice shortly before leaving a long term boyfriend.

>153 Berly: Oh dear, Kim! You never catch a break do you? Your house seems like a vacuum which nature is determined to keep filled. Hope you get some rest and are able to recover a bit. Hugs to you and middle daughter both.

>153 Berly: Oh Man! Sorry to hear about your daughter's break up and the move. I hope you feel better son after the booster shot!

Oh, you people with your Rafa! Rafa! I think you're talking about Joe's grandson.

Sorry to hear about the break up and the fever! I know time will help with the former, hope the latter is also now in your rear view mirror.

>168 weird_O: LOL!!

>153 Berly: I hope the exhaustion is leaving you alone these days. Sorry to hear about your daughter's break up.

Happy weekend, Kim!

Kim, whatever happened about the dental work your daughter needed?

Happy Saturday, Kim. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. How are those books treating you?

>161 BLBera: I'll keep you posted on the exact dates. ; )

>162 karenmarie: We are indeed fortunate enough to be able to help our kids when they need us. And I do love my kids, so it doesn't totally suck having them back in the house. Best of luck to you and yours, too. : )

>163 curioussquared: Yeah. No matter what, breakups are hard. She is doing pretty well. Yesterday she pulled all the pics of her and the ex off my fridge picture collage. We chose new ones to put up today. We were camping over the weekend and she went off-roading and we got a great shot of her standing in front of her gloriously muddy Jeep!!

*smooch*

That it all.

>164 bell7: Couldn't agree more with all that you said!

>165 quondame: It's hard not to pry, but gotta respect their privacy. Sigh. LOL

>166 RebaRelishesReading: I have never liked vacuums!! or vacuuming!! LOL. It will all work out.

>167 figsfromthistle: All better after the booster shot. Still COVID fatigued. Oh well. Moving on....

>168 weird_O: Also a newsworthy fellow. ; )

>169 EBT1002: >170 alcottacre: Fevers over, breakup happened and we are all moving on!

>171 ffortsa: Talked daughter into having the procedure with anxiety pre-meds in the local office. With no need for anesthesia, she should be okay. Still trying to get it scheduled now... Crossing my fingers that she can handle the procedure in office since I struck out with periodontists and hospital privileges!

>172 msf59: Great weekend, Mark! We went camping!! It totally pushed my exhaustion level, but we had so much fun. S'mores and hiking, off-roading through huge puddles, and cooking on the campfire. : )

>174 richardderus: Smooch

I am glad you had a great weekend, Kim.
Great pictures!

>177 Berly: Great pics, TwinK. It looks like you had fun, even if you do need a rest now. :)

>177 Berly: Love the pics! You make camping look fun (I am definitely not a camper).

Looks like you had a lot of fun on your camping trip. Me, I prefer a comfy bed in a nice hotel :) My son, on the other hand, has bought a Jeep and is working on earning badges for driving trails. Their Christmas gift list was almost entirely things for camping. Don't know where those genes came from.

>177 Berly: Great photos Kim.

Certainly never a dull moment with you and yours.

>179 SirThomas: >180 BLBera: I completely crashed on Monday, but it was worth it!!

>181 lauralkeet: Oh, it definitely was fun! It would have been even better if we could have gone for two nights (less put up and take down in a short period), but we got rained out on Friday. Oh well. It meant there were huge puddles to splash thru when we went off-roading!

>182 RebaRelishesReading: LOL. We weren't earning any off-road trail points although I bet this would have qualified. And my daughter was thrilled to see so many other Jeeps out there. Everybody waves at each other. LOL.

And we splurged and got some self-inflating mattresses for this trip. I have done lots of hike-in camping in my youth, where I either went without a mattress or had the really skinny mouth blow-up kind that you can carry in your backpack. This was Glamping! (Glamour Camping). Best night sleep camping I have ever had!!

>183 Caroline_McElwee: Glad you like the photos. And there are lots of dull moments in my family. I just don't usually post them! Like today, where I spent hours cleaning and putting away all the gear. But it's done! LOL

And a very big wish for a



to all my friends who have earned this day!!

Okay, and I hope everyone else has a nice day, too. : )

>187 Berly: *smooch*

The current Supreme Court sucks!! Mostly the latest members. I am very glad I live in Oregon which still protects women's rights.

>189 Berly: ...for now...

>189 Berly: Don't forget Clarence Thomas, who promised in his write-up today to come for contraception, privacy, and marriage equality next.

Today is bad.

Seems to me that nothing the Supreme Court has done has been right, since RBG. She is surly spinning in her grave at how that Office has fallen when it comes to protecting the rights of ALL people. A very sad day indeed.

>189 Berly: Yes, Kimmers, which state you are in is going to really matter henceforward.

>192 jessibud2: In the present case I'm not sure that RBG is the best person to refer to, Shelley although her passing helped give the conservatives the numbers for this affront (aren't women's rights universal rather than a matter for the individual states to decide upon?). Whilst clearly pro-choice she also felt that Roe v Wade was suspect and predicted this would happen.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/05/06/ruth-bader-ginsburg-roe-wade/

Whatever the legal niceties I cannot help but think that today the USA took a step backwards and I am sad about that.

>189 Berly: I agree, TwinK!

>190 richardderus: Oregon has joined up with Washington and California in a "West Coast Offense" between the three states to protect patients' access to reproductive healthcare and resist intrusions by out-of-state prosecutors, law enforcement or vigilantes trying to investigate patients receiving services in our states. Nevada has also joined in.

>191 curioussquared: You are right. I didn't know when i made my angry face that Clarence wrote the majority opinion and is also now questioning the rights to contraception and the legitimacy of same sex marriage. Clarence Thomas is in the wrong here. And I think he should no longer be serving since he has a conflict of interested regarding his wife and her gun privilege ideas.

>192 jessibud2: I just cannot believe the direction the US is headed. I strongly and vehemently object!

>193 PaulCranswick: I think there needs to be an amendment to the Constitution so that the rights of women can no longer be overturned. But since that requires 2/3 of each of the governmental arms that is gonna be tough to achieve. This completely sucks. And I am worried.

>194 BLBera: >: (

So more than 20 big name companies have already stated that they will compensate travel expenses for those employees seeking abortion. Thumbs up!

If there were laws requiring all men to be responsible for their kids, I bet this would no longer be an issue.

>198 BLBera: Beth, as someone who is pro-choice I wanted to take umbrage but if you look at the polling data, you are pretty much justified in your observation. According to recent Gallup polling there is not a majority for pro-choice amongst American males which is pretty sad and pathetic really.

One thing that is possibly unique to the US is the split along party lines. I haven't seen the data in the UK to be honest but I don't think there would be such a difference along party lines on the issue.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/244709/pro-choice-pro-life-2018-demographic-tables....

I am sure I will come back to my rant on the above issue, but taking a break to celebrate...

Tomorrow my middle daughter, my SIL, and I are hosting a bridal shower for my oldest daughter!!! Pictures will follow....!

>200 Berly: Yay!!!! Look forward to the pictures, Kimmers.

Dropping in to wish you a great weekend!

>200 Berly: Have fun at the bridal shower!

Hi Kim!

>189 Berly: and >195 Berly: My state does not have a trigger ban, the Gang of Psychos does not have a super majority in the Legislature, and we have a Democratic Governor who would absolutely veto any such evil nonsense. This is awful.

Have fun!

I hope the bridal shower goes off smoothly and that you have a wonderful weekend, Kim!

Lovely bridal day, happy news about the commonsensical corporations, and let's use our OUTRAGE to vote out the Gang of Psychos (in Horrible's memorably perfect formulation) at every level of government.

>197 Berly: I'm happy about the companies that have pledged funds, but hope they're also pledging not to donate to any Republican politicians.

>200 Berly: I hope the shower goes splendidly!!

Hope you have a wonderful time at the shower and congratulations to your daughter!

Enjoy the bridal shower! And I am also saddened by what's happening with our country... but happy to live in Oregon.

Hi Kim! I'm finally catching up and I see I've missed a lot of news. Sadly, I'm too late to see the previous photos but looking forward to the next batch.

I look forward to seeing photos of the bridal shower. These upcoming months will be very busy for you and your family! Much love.

My daughter's Bridal Shower!! The weather cooperated and it was so much fun! We played Bridal Bingo for prizes; there was also an Ad Lib for Bridal Vows which made everyone laugh. She was so happy. And I was so proud.

>213 Berly: It looks beautiful, Kim and yay! for the weather cooperating. You all look very happy. Congratulations to your daughter!

>213 Berly: Gorgeous and looks like everyone had a great time!

Glad the weather was kind for the bridal shower!

Congrats and it all looks so fun! Weather cooperating makes a big difference, doesn't it? :-)

>213 Berly: Yay for cooperative weather, yay for having fun, and *whee* for a happy bride!

*smooch*

So glad the shower went well. What a happy time for you all!

Looks like a great time.

Looks like everyone had a lovely time Kim.

Hi Kim!

>213 Berly: Congrats to your daughter, of course, and the bridal shower looks like a total success. I love the photo of you and your daughter.

>213 Berly: Looks like the shower was wonderful! Great photos and memories were made.

It sounds like you had a lot of fun at your bridal shower, TwinK. Great photos.

Hi Kim! I'm making the rounds, post-vacation. I have no hope of catching up; rather, I'm just zipping to the bottom of threads to say hello and I'll start fresh from here.

Hi Kim my dear, lovely Bridal Shower photos dear friend. Wishing you and the family a really lovely weekend and we send love and hugs to you all dear friend.

Thanks for sharing that, Kimmers, the joy is humming across the ether!

Happy Fourth of July!! I will not be watching fireworks in person because I'm pretty sure I have COVID round two. Sigh. Son and girlfriend tested positive and I have symptoms but haven't tested positive...yet...isolating in my bedroom. I see lots of reading and TV in my future! : P

>228 Berly: Oh no, Kim!! Hoping you feel better soon 🤞

>228 Berly: So sorry to hear that, Kim 🙁 hope you're feeling better soon

Lovely photos of the bridal shower and glad it was such a good time.

I’ve had it twice now so I feel your pain, Kim. Your daughter’s bridal shower looks like a fun time. I hope the Covid germs weren’t crashing the party! Having it outside would certainly help keep them at bay. Feel better soon!

Rats! I hope it's over soon and mild.

Not another round of COVID? So unfair.

Hi Kim my dear, i wasn't sure about wishing my dear American friends a Happy Independence Day with what has happened recently, i am happier wishing you all a Happy 4th of July though as i think the vast majority of women have had their independence taken away by MEN. It makes me mad to say that i am a man when so many men make the lives of women so difficult for no other reason than they have power to do this, it is so wrong.

Sorry if i have spouted too much my dear and we send love and hugs to you and your family my dear friend.

Oh NO!! Kim. Not covid again!! That's really not fair. I hope you have a quick, easy version at least!!

Sorry TwinK! I hope it is a light case.

Oh yeccchhh on round 2! *smooch*

Feel better soon, Kim!

Hope you feel better soon

>228 Berly: Hopefully not covid; if it is, hopefully a milder version. Either way, hope you feel better soon.

But lots of reading is good, right?

Sorry to hear about round 2 Kim. Hope it is as mild as can be.

Ugh, sorry to hear you're down with the bug again Kim. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Sorry to hear you are isolating again, Kim. WTH? I hope you rebound quickly, my friend. You should be getting lots of reading in, right?

Sending lots of healing energy to you!

Sorry to see you are under the weather again, Kim. Good to know your daughters shower went well. Looks like I just missed being able to see the photos.

So sorry you've got "it" again!! Hope it's a very light case and that you and yours are well again soon.

Yup. Confirmed case of COVID. My very full house is working against me at this point -- Too many youngsters going everywhere. Hubby is sleeping far away from me upstairs. LOL So far he and my other daughter seem OK. (knock on wood). I am binge-watching Supernatural. Symptoms are annoying but not scary at this point.

>139 karenmarie: >149 Berly: I too am on the same page re: becoming suddenly rich. Keeping it under our caps would be the first priority; I'd get all the advice, and pay off all the debt. We'd stay at our home, but re-do it and eventually we'd give each of our siblings a one time, large amount (without them knowing what our winnings were) and each of our friends would get a small amount too. It's so much fun spending money you don't have!

>247 Berly: Argh! COVID. Not good. I tested again today as am unwell (again) but thought it was a long shot to have COVID within again within 2 months! (I am neg.)
I hope you continue with the light symptoms!

>247 Berly: Oh no. Well, I'm glad it doesn't seem to be hitting you too badly, at least.

Oh no! I hope you don't get sick sick.

Sorry about the confirmed COVID, Kim :( My brother had it at Christmas and tested positive again last week. So annoying and it seems so unfair to get it again so soon! I'm glad at least you were able to have the bridal shower before getting hit.

Hi Kim my dear, so sorry to hear that you have a second dose of Covid and glad to see that the symptoms seem mild at the moment, fingers crossed that this is as bad as it gets for you. Sending love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

All the best to you Kim and speedy recovery!

Sleep until you can't. Then eat. Then sleep until you can't. Repeat until you wake up one fine day stir-crazy. Bet you that day will have a negative test in it.

Oh my. So sorry you're hit again.

I was in your territory of reaction on Thursday. Something at a French restaurant set me off, and I was as allergy-sick as I've ever been. It doesn't happen to me that often, thank goodness, but now I'm not sure what I was reacting to. Scary.

Richard's advice sounds good. Drop us a line when you feel better.

Echoing everyone: so sorry about COVID and sending all the healing energies I can!

I hope you're feeling better.

Had a monoclonal antivirus injection on Thursday. Felt better on Saturday and then good Sunday. But yesterday I wound up in ER with asthma flare. Not sure if COVID related or not and I felt bad having to go in to ER while still positive (home tested Saturday). I had to hold up my hand and wave at least 3 attendees back out of them room and tell them I was positive so they could add another layer of protection. (Why did they not know?) After 5 hours made it back home by midnight. Wiped today but able to breathe. Remaining quarantined. Ugh.

I have been reading a lot of trashy books because I have no concentration, but two worth a mention are the next in my Chronicles of St. Mary series by Jodi Taylor, What Could Possible Go Wrong? and The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederik Joseph. Recommend them both. : )

Oh no! Sorry to hear that update, Kim. I hope yesterday you turned the corner and you can finally be on the mend.

Sorry you have COVID. It can be so horrible!

Thanks you guys. I will get over this!! : )

Also for all us West Coast Readers, The_Hibernator is coming out this way the week before Labor Day and wants to know if anyone is up for a meetup!! I started up the Oregon Visitor Thread, so let us know there.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/332414#

We are in your corner, cheering you on, Kimmers. Glad you found a couple of books to keep your attention.

Thanks Mark!! Coming over to catch up and say Hi!

I so wish you could catch a break with your health! hang in there and take it easy!

Thank for the well wishes. Man, I am trying! Good thing I am fully vaccinated and boosted. I think this one would have been really tough otherwise. I am actually kinda scared now to leave my room -- I am so behind on EVERYTHING!! LOL.

I'm glad your body is healing. It's your mind I'm worried about...a meet-up?! ::side-eye at madwoman::

I figure I have already got the most current COVID outbreak version so, yes, if it's outdoors. : ) In the meantime I am gonna chill out and get healthy!!

Take care. Sorry to hear about the ER visit. I hope you feel better soon. So, is Minnesota off for this year?

Yeah. I told my dad I didn't think I would be recovered in time to be strong enough to chance a flight out there. So I won't get to see you either. : (

Sorry to read about your Covid repeat and ER visit Kim. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Dropping by to cheer you up.

>262 Berly: Gosh; do you plan to show her the whole state? ;0)

I'm so sorry you won't get to fly out to your dad and another LT meet-up. Fingers crossed for the Oregon one, then.

Hi Kim!

>228 Berly: Noooooo…. And >247 Berly: Noooooo.

>258 Berly: I’m so very sorry you’ve had an asthma flare in addition to COVID.

>266 Berly: I hope that other family members are making sure things get done.

Take care of our dear Kim, please.

>258 Berly: That is very scary. Hope your recovery is smooth going forward.

Kim, I'm so sorry to hear about your latest bout with Covid and a trip to the ER. I agree with >274 Oberon:, I hope the rest of your recovery is uneventful.

>272 humouress: I am cheered!! And, no, not the whole state. LOL My mom and dad are flying out here for the wedding, so I will get to see them then. It will just be a lot more hectic and I really wanted to head out to MN and WI and see the lake place. Oh well. Next year.

>273 karenmarie: Feeling decent today. Still tested positive last night though so stuck in my room. No fever so far and went for a very short 15 min walk with my mask on. Yay!

>274 Oberon: Thank you! Feeling better and it isn't going to be in the 90s here either, so I think it will be a good day!

>275 lauralkeet: And another thanks! I just hope I rebound from this one quicker than the last. I never quite got back to 100%. Maybe this time I will. : )

Okay...working on a new thread....

Rady!!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/342881