Whisper1 (Linda's sixth thread of 2020)

Lilly, my eight year old Shetland Sheep Dog loves snow. This photo was taken a few years ago.

I love to watch cardinals who come to the bird feeder. This is not a recent image. Thankfully, snow has not yet arrived.

This is the coldest morning thus far this year. I have things to do that take me outside. I would rather stay inside and read.

BOOK #136


The Thief of Time by John Boyne

This is a story of a man born to continue in age, but his features do not accommodate his actual year born in the 1770's.
The author takes us through many historical time periods as we travel with the character.

This book wasn't up to Boyne's usual standards. I found it difficult to get through.

BOOK #137



In this book, we learn details of Queen Victoria, through Prince William and the mismatched marriage with Diana.

It seemed to take a long time to read this book. It thought the writing was poor and the descriptions seemed outdated, and gossipy.

Happy new thread, Linda!

>1 Whisper1: Always good to see a picture of Lilly.

Linda - if you don't already get the Jacquie Lawson Calendar (you can still order it today for around $4.00), it is a lot of fun for you and your surrounding kids!

Hi Linda my dear, Happy New Thread and great topper photos of Lilly and the birds in the snow. Hope all is well with you and we both send love and hugs to you dear friend.

Happy new thread, Linda!
We are getting snow today and lots of it. I’d say we’ve read 18” and it’s still coming down.
Had to leave the house for a drs appt and roads were terrible but back home and snug as a bug.
Hope all is well with you too!

Happy new thread, Linda.

Happy new thread.

Happy New Thread, Linda!

Happy new one, Linda, dear.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Linda. ovely toppers!

Happy new thread, Linda - snow and dogs, what a wonderful combination!

Happy new thread, Linda! I love the pic of Lilly and the Cardinals on the feeder.

I hope that the pain from the ablation is manageable and lessening each day.

Lovely Linda and Lovely Lilly! Happy New Thread with wishes for good, pain-free reading!

Hello Friends! Thanks ever so much for your good wishes.

Two weeks since the spine ablation, and still I have residual pain. But, each day is better. One of the best things of retirement is the ability to stay in PJs all day, sleep and read.

My grand daughter Kayla was here for a week. Now, she is back home with her parents. I miss her. She is spunky, kind and loving. Usually, her friend Morgan stays with her. Morgan has a troubled life. Her mother left her when she was a baby. Her father has battled with drug addiction, but, for the sake of Morgan seems to be clean for awhile, Morgan lives with a grand mother who is bi-polar, but refuses medication.

Morgan is happy here. She is quiet, but little by little she is trusting, and smiles and laughs. I love her a lot, and I am so very happy that she has found a steady home here. It was such good fun to watch she and Kayla decorate the Christmas tree while listening to Christmas music, and eating popcorn.

My list of children to love expands, making me very happy. Tomorrow is reading day with my little six-year old neighbor. Illustrated books are wonderful as a teaching medium. Last week when we read The Cinder-eyed Cats he went on a path of learning about the octopus. Tomorrow we will learn more about barn owls.

Here are images of recent acquisitions:

Hi Linda! I am repaying your visit to my thread. I love the topper photo of Lilly in the snow. We don't get much of the white stuff here in Seattle, but the dogs always love it when we do. Excited to see what you read in the rest of 2020!

Hi Natalie. I placed a hold at my local library for You Should See Me in a Crown. I hope to receive the book soon. I'll be sure to visit your thread more often to see what you are reading that I might like.

Hi Linda! Happy new thread. I'm glad you're recovering from your surgery.

I see you're reading a lot about the British royal family. Have you been watching The Crown? My husband and I watched the first three seasons straight through and now that the fourth one is out, we'll have to sit down and watch that too. It's been in the newspapers even in Singapore for various reasons - some of them a bit controversial. I watched the Victoria series too but I've been a fan of Victoria and Albert for a while.

Hi.
I have watched all seasons of The Crown. The last one, including Diana and Price Charles...and Camilla was quite good!

I did not know there was a series of Victoria and Albert. Is this on NetFlix?

Hi Linda!! Happy new thread dear friend. I am so happy that all your little friends continue to be present. I know you treasure them and it is nice to have them helping you out in return now. You are such a wonderful person! I'm dying to hear what you think of The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hilary Mandel. I do love that author! Wishing you a wonderful weekend and I hope the spine ablation helps out in the long run. Hugs.

>24 Whisper1: Um - we (my husband) got a whole heap of the streaming services to get us through lockdown so I'm not sure. Come to think of it, I probably watched it on BBC First.

Happy New Thread Linda!

Hello Linda! Grand to hear that the pain is not as bad.

I love Time Travel books but there are good ones and bad ones.

I recently watched my first episode of "The Crown" about the deposed King trying to worm his way back into the country after the War. Production values are the treat here and some lovely subtle acting.

May go back and start in with season I. I hear Princess Margaret gets to kick up her heels in a few of these

>25 Berly: Hi Berly. I will read The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher during the holidays. Normally, I would fly to Ohio to be with my family there. I purchased a ticket last month. I'm going to stay here. The Covid numbers are out of control. My daughter and I, as well as the grandchildren are sad that I won't be there for Christmas, but we all want to err of the side of safety.

Speaking of my little friends, six year of Andres will be here at four o'clock today. We will read a book, count the objects, discuss the story, and use the computer to look up details if he decides he wants more information. I love how he wants to learn.

I hope you are well!

>26Nina, I very much like The Crown. I'm aware that not all episodes stick to the truth, but the lushness of the castles and the development of the characters, keeps me coming back.

>27 SandDune: Hi Rhian. What will the holidays entail for you?

>28 magicians_nephew: Hi there Jim! I hope Christmas in New York is lovely. There are mixed reviews regarding The Crown. I look at it as entertainment, and not necessarily the truth.

I want to learn more about Margaret Thatcher. The series shows two very strong women, with neither one budging.

>29 Whisper1: We have J home for University today, for the duration. We will (probably) have my mother over the actual Christmas period as I am more worried about her health (including her mental health) when she is constantly on her own. It is obviously a risk as regards COVID, but risks need to be balanced, and we are as careful as possible. And she is 99 this month - realistically how many Christmas’s will she have? My sister and her husband are staying in Cyprus, where they have a house, as they would need to quarantine for 2 weeks if they came back here. So it’s going to be fairly quiet.

BOOK #138


The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

Though it seemed to drag, the book held my interest enough to complete it. Set in two different time periods, 1945 when WWII is beginning to end, though the Germans still try to kill as many as possible, and then forwarding to 1955 when a Florence police detective tries to solve the mystery of why the family Rosatis, who were quite wealthy in 1945. In addition, the family discovered Etruscan art in tombs on the their property.

As the Nazi's loot the tombs and try to get as much art work as possible to give to Hitler and his guards who are looting art throughout Europe wherever they can find it, the Rosati family is trying to keep as many treasures as possible. During this time period, the author weaves a love story of one of the Rosati daughters who falls in love with an SS man whose mission is to supervise the stealing of the art.

The story begins In 1955, someone is brutally killing the remaining Rosatis, and it is up to Serafina Bettini, a wise detective who was maimed during an attempt to crush the Germans in their villas. Serafina is mandated to discoverer why the hearts are removed from the victims who are brutally killed ten years after the war is over.

My little A loves On the Night You Were Born and insists the footprint at the end is hers when she was a baby. This was the first (and only) book her Grammy gave her before she (my MIL) passed away when A was 6 months old. I always wonder what my MIL would make of A - as she is spunky, and outgoing and not the introvert like the rest of the family. My MIL really wanted granddaughter and over the moon when A was born. We try to pass that along to A with the limited photos we have of her and her Grammy. That, and Grammy's love of books :)

>32 jayde1599: HI Jess. A few days ago, I read On the Night You Were Born to little Andres (six years old.) His father is Andres as well.

The little guy loved the large polar bear. I think little Andres understood, but I want to read it again to him.

How wonderful of you to want to make an imprint of her grandmother's memory in A's heart!

BOOK #139


Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts

This is the story of a grown man, living near Hollywood, California, he has a rather large and interesting vet practice. Ashe ages, he grows restless and wants to find his biological parents.

His adoptive parents gave him a lot of monetary items, but still he felt something was missing.

Learning his mother was killed when he was young, and the newspaper headlines read that the baby (him) was stolen) make it all the more challenging to dig up the truth of his early life.

Traveling back to small town Oklahoma, he finds his mother's relatives, including his grandmother. He receives his mother's diary and a few trinkets. He learns his mother had a full scholarship for college, until she became pregnant.

From her on the book plot twists and turns with good, and bad small town people.

The ending is a surprise.

The first snow fall of the winter was a dusting that coaxed Lilly on the deck for a few hours.
I love the artistry of Gennady Sprinn. This image is from one of his Christmas books

Happy new thread, Linda!

I also love On the Night You Were Born - my niece has a copy. I remember on my niece's first Christmas when she was only five months old, I was over a friend's Christmas party with my siblings and niece, and the host's daughter, who's a little older than Mia, brought that same book over to have me read to her. She got bored, but Mia was enthralled, and I finished the story for the infant who was listening instead. (In fact, I think it was that same Christmas visit that she fell asleep on my lap and I started reading A Christmas Carol while she slept. She woke up but I didn't quite want to stop reading, so I just read it aloud to her quietly and she stared up at my for a good 20 minutes or so while I read.)

I'm glad you were able to have such a nice visit with Kayla and Morgan recently, and that your recovery from ablation has been positive over all. Giving you gentle hugs and wishing you less pain and a swift recovery. Keep enjoying The Crown! I'm all caught up now and may have to watch Victoria next - I think my sister watched it on Netflix, though I haven't look it up yet.

>36 bell7: Mary It is so good to hear from you. How do like your new house.

>37 Whisper1: I am over the moon about fulfilling my dream to be a home owner! I was working away painting today with some help from a current housemate, and will be painting more on Thursday and Friday, moving in on Saturday. There's still lots of work to be done, but after this week I will leave the rest to professionals and whittle away at my list of improvements over the next few years :)

Hi Mary, from experience I know it takes times and patience to form a house to a special home! Thinking of you and sending all good wishes. Try not to stress, it will get done!

BOOK #140


When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed with incredible illustrations of Victoria Jamieson

When I found this book listed on Joe's thread, I had to read it.
Fortunately, I was able to obtain it through the local library. The librarian, a friend, said she never read a book that tore at her heart, and made her cry, and celebrate the joy!

Based on the true life story of the author, who was a refugee from war torn Samolia.
e and his brother remained in the encampment, until finally, through the United Nations, they were able to journey to the United States and live here.

Losing their mother when they ran for their lives, both children cried, and never lost hope they would one day find her.

This is one of the best books I've read in 2020!

Glad to hear that the pain is becoming more manageable since the ablation, Linda! I hope that the improvement will take a quantum leap soon!!!!!

I'm also glad to know that your two girls visited safely, but I'm sad that you can't have a normal Christmas. Just be safe! I'm vastly grateful that so far is so good for us and for you too. There will be other Christmases.

That's a lovely book haul! ENJOY!!!!

Hi Peggy.

Thank you for your lovely message. Will you celebrate Christmas with your mother? How is she doing?

BOOK #141


Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Dealing with the difficult subject of CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, told from the perspective of a young boy whose father was an all-time award winning National football player, who suddenly could not function.

His father had headaches so badly that he cried, and screamed. He had terrible mood swings and sever forgetfulness. When he was little, his father placed him on his broad shoulders and called him Little Man! Now, his father has bouts when he doesn't even know him.

Jacqueline Woodson remains one of my favorite authors. This is another stellar book written by this incredible story teller.

The Author's Notes notes that it wasn't until late 1990's and early 2000s, that football players, particularly those whose had was impacted by opposing team mates.

In 20002, Dr Bennet Omula discovered the same brain disease also impacted boxers, including those who were hit in the head often.

There is no helmet that can take all the impact of full frontal repeated blows to the head which impacts the brain.

Noting these books from various threads, I was successful in obtaining them at the library yesterday. Thank you for all who recommended the following:

Spectacle The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga by Pamela Newkirk
The Ghost Road by Pat Barker
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
1947 Where Now Begins by Elizabeth Asbrink
You Should See me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
The Memory Monster by Vishai Sarid

I'm glad to hear the pain is more manageable, Linda. Hang in there.

>40 Whisper1: & >43 Whisper1: Linda, you read your 140th book twice! I think >43 Whisper1: is number 141?

Wishing you a restful weekend my dear friend.

Linda, thank you for asking, dear. Mama is in a very good place right now for 99 with issues. My DH and I will have Christmas with her and nobody else. We'll be sad not to see cousins, who normally visit on their way to other relatives and back home. I'm grateful for every day!

Hi Linda!

>20 Whisper1: Lots of great acquisitions. I like your covers display – I’m always too lazy to make one but appreciate seeing them on other folks threads!

>35 Whisper1: I love this image.

I'm sorry you're not able to go to Ohio, but so glad that you're taking what I consider the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

>45 BLBera: Thanks for your kind message Beth. Every day is different. I wait for the ablation to work. The nerves that were burnt still react to the process. Medical marijuana helps a lot.

>46 PaulCranswick: Paul, You have a natural skill in numbers. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I didn't notice. I am glad that your covid test came back negative. No way would we want to lose you! Much love to you dear one!

>47 LizzieD: Your life with taking care of your mother is spirt filled. I admire you tremendously.

>48 karenmarie: Karen, the image is one from my favorite illustrator. Gennady Sprin, born in Russia and educated there. Grew in his talent. A publishing company enticed him to come to the United States. He lives with his family in Princeton, NJ.

I am trying to accumulate all of his illustrated books. I have most, but not all.

Many of his books are filled with Russian folklore, which I find fascinating.

Here are some of his images:

https://www.pinterest.com/gerodetti22/artist-gennady-spirin/

BOOK #142


Long, Bright River by Liz Moore

Two sisters who lost their mother to overdose from drug addiction, live with their grandmother who is a cold, unloving person. Blaming their father for the death of their mother, the grandmother presents a terrible picture of this man.

This is a multi-layered story, based on both the earlier, and later lives of the sisters who go into complete different directions. The older sister becomes a police person, the younger, sadly, follows her mother's footsteps. Most of the book revolves around the older sister searching for her missing sister on the dirty, drug infested parts of Kenninsgton, Philadelphia.

When a series of deaths of young women are found, the older sister compounds her fear in hoping her sister will not be one of those among the missing and dead.

When there is good evidence that it is a member of the police is killing the women, the stakes are higher in the need to get her younger sister clean and off the streets.

>43 Whisper1: I heard on BBC World Service last week that there has been more recognition recently that a high percentage of football (soccer) players end up getting Parkinson's and similar diseases in later life because they headed the ball during their playing years.

I'm sorry you won't get your usual Christmas in Ohio this year, Linda, but surely it's best under the circumstances.

>35 Whisper1: That's a magnificent illustration. No wonder you love the artist.

Happy Newish Thread, Linda! Love seeing pics of Lilly. The snow was startling until you said it wasn't from this year.

We had a black lab that loved the snow. One time during a snow storm we saw him with his nose pushed against the window and an inch of snow on his head. Oh No! Poor Styx! We rushed to let him in, but he refused. He was happy sitting out there being snowed on; he just wanted to keep an eye on us, too. :)

I hope the pain from the ablation is getting better.

>40 Whisper1: Got me! When you called When Stars Are Scattered one of your best of the year, I have to read it. I put a library hold on it - it may take a while since it is coming from one of our partner libraries.

My Christmas will be similar to yours. A quiet day and hopefully some Zoom. As you say, it's much better to stay safe than be sorry.

Linda, Happy new-ish Thread. I love the photos of Lily and the cardinals.
Hoping your pain continues to ease.
I want to read Before the Ever After

Take care and stay safe!

Hi Linda! Hope you’re doing well. Will and I just finished The Crown episode where Charles and Diana went to Australia. IMO it revealed the neediness of both of them, if they could have gotten past that and if Camilla just but out I think they could have been a dynamic couple. So tragic.
I watched the first season of Victoria and loved it but was never compelled to keep on with it.

>51 humouress: A wonderful friend who is a psychologist who studies the brain in relation to personality issues, refuses to attend her grandson's football games. She knows full well what happens to the brain after repeated hits. Her grandson is 13, all the more worry since he is playing at a young age.

52 Linda, I own many children's illustrated books. Genady Sprin is at the top of the list for artistry. He brings a lot of Russian folklore to his books, and I find that fascinating.

>53 streamsong: Janet, I'm ok with a low-key Christmas this year, if it means we are safe for next.

>54 tymfos: Hi Terri. As always, it is good to see a message from you.

>55 Carmenere: Lynda, I thought this episode really showed Charles as an insecure, jealous man. I thought the actor who portrayed him was stellar. Likewise, the star who depicted Diana, had an uncanny resemblance. It is a shame that she was so young and thrown into a cold family who, if the show is correct, really didn't try to welcome her. I liked the scene where Charles' father knocked on the bedroom door to see why she wasn't celebrating Christmas with the family. He seemed to show the most emotion. Again, this series may not be in truth, but even loosely based on reality, it provides a believable scenario.

Happy New Thread, Linda. Sorry, I am a bit late on that one. Hooray for Long, Bright River. That was another favorite surprise of the year for me.

So how much snow did you get?

>57 Whisper1: I know your love for great children's literature and illustration, Linda. I forget whether you've ever mentioned Charles van Sandwyk? His work is so charming.

>58 msf59: HI Mark, While I thought the main character was a tad selfish, her intentions to find her sister were indeed admirable. Overall, I liked this book a lot and will look for more by the same author.

Snow is on the way, due to start in an hour, with promises of 10-15 inches.

>58 msf59: HI Mark, While I thought the main character was a tad selfish, her intentions to find her sister were indeed admirable. Overall, I liked this book a lot and will look for more by the same author.

Snow is on the way, due to start in an hour, with promises of 10-15 inches.

>59 laytonwoman3rd:, I checked my library and there is a tbr book in my library of a book, How To See Fairies that you noted. This prompts me to find some of his work and enjoy the illustrations. Thanks for the reminder.

BOOK # 143


Report From Ground Zero by Dennis Smith

A retired fireman, the author felt he had to help when he received work of the 9/11 incident. This is a story told by a seasoned person who had saved many people from burning buildings. This, however, was way beyond the scope of any fire person had ever witnessed.

The author takes us inside the mangled and terribly destroyed exits to escape the twin towers. He relates that elevators where jammed, and the terrible feeling of those above a certain level above where the plane crashed into the buildings who would never escape the terror.

Then, the author carefully describes the aftermath and the people buried beneath the tons of fallen debris. There is one story of a number of men, working round the clock to carefully remove fallen panels that were crushing the legs of a survivor. The man was rescued after a most admirable and grueling effort.

>61 Whisper1: I thought I might have caught your attention with How to See Fairies last year. I've just received a Folio edition of van Sandwyk's Mr. Rabbit's Symphony of Nature. It's just magical.

>44 Whisper1: Glad you were able to get a copy of Spectacle : the Astonishing Life of Ota Benga -- I look forward to your thoughts!

I read last week a cute little children's story that made me smile and laugh, it was called Strega Nona. 15 minutes that cheered my heart!

Check it out!

>63 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, I tried to obtain the original book you mentioned by Charles van Sandwyk's. Thrift books lists this at 111.89!!!

https://www.thriftbooks.com/browse/?b.search=van%20Sandwyk#b.s=mostPopular-desc&...

>64 swynn: HI Swynn, Thanks for stopping by! I hope to start Spectacle : the Astonishing Life of Ota Benga tomorrow.
>65 cyderry: Hi Cheli. I have this listed in my tbr pile. I think I read it awhile ago. But, I'm sure it is worth the re-read. Thinking of you. The year of "firsts" is always so difficult.

Hi Linda!

>56 Whisper1: A wonderful friend who is a psychologist who studies the brain in relation to personality issues, refuses to attend her grandson's football games. She knows full well what happens to the brain after repeated hits. I remember thinking after I had my daughter that I was grateful to not have to irritate/upset Bill and his dad when I was going to refuse to let a son play football for that very reason.

>66 Whisper1: Good grief! A new one directly from the Folio Society costs around half that much!

>68 karenmarie: Karen, smart woman that you are, perhaps you would have been able to convince Bill and his father not to let a boy play, if you would have had a son. But, perhaps they are like many men who take pride in their child's sports activities.

>Hi Linda, I'll send a private message to you asking how I can obtain a copy of one of his books. My library does not have any of the books of
Charles van Sandwyk

>145 My little six year old friend/neighbor, arrived at the house a few days ago saying "ok, I want to learn, please teach me today!' I went through some of my children's illustrated books and found this book as a good learning tool. Little Andres, loved it. Somehow there is a connection with little boys and dinosaurs.

BOOK #144


This is a wonderful book that shows the dig process for this Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton, found in the dry, barren hills of South Dakota. Purchased by the Chicago Natural History museum, named Sue in honor of one of the discoverers, it truly was a remarkable feat to find all the bones and connect them, and then transport them to the floor where Sue was to be prominently displayed.

The illustrated book tells the tale of a small mouse who used one of the leg bones for his roof for shelter. He observed the diggers, not knowing what they were doing. One day, he returned to learn that his bone used for his home was gone. He immediately started looking for his bone in one of the large boxes used to crate the dinosaur. The mouse fell into a box and was transported with all the bones.

When the entire project was finished, the mouse, anxious to find his bone, was surprised to see it on the claw of the huge Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Painstaking work by the paleontologists discovered that Sue, now displayed at the famous Field Museum.

This indeed is the largest intact TRex ever discovered.

Here is the actual TRex, now moved from it's original site in the museum to a huge are with large panels explaining the life period during the life of this magnificent creature.

Here are some images of the actual display:

Looks like a really cute book! If you want the adult version Tyrannosaurus Sue is an excellent book that delves into the paleontology but also covers the contentious legal fight that took place after the skeleton was dug up.

>72 Oberon: Thanks for pointing me in the direction to find an adult book regarding this incredible find.

BOOK #146


Planet Claire by Jeff Porter

This is an ode to a love and marriage, then sadly, an early death of the authors much beloved wife.

Received as an early reviewers copy, I highly recommend this book. The writing is clever and filled with years of memories.

While the author grieves the sudden death of his wife to a brain aneurysm, he remembers all the wonderful times of joy as they go hand in hand with the overriding sadness of death.

Excellently written, this is a story of a man who candidly writes of a year of tremendous loss and sadness that led the way to walking on in life.

BOOK #147


Prince Charles The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life by Sally Bedell Smith

A clunker of a book, with over 500 pages of dining, whining, partying, complaining, inability to stay on one path -- Prince Charles of England

I thought some of the book was noteworthy, and I learned a lot about the authors perception of British politics, there was a lot of rambling, title changing, and down-right disdain of Diana, Charles ill fated marriage to a woman much younger, much more spontaneous and loving abilities that Charles clearly lacked.

Camilla Parker Bowles was a meddler. As Diana noted, "There were three of us in the marriage; it got quite crowded."

Camilla learned the nuances of Charles', she knew he needed to be first. Unlike Diana who had a bright-star personality, Camilla is very content to garden, look at books of fabric swatches, and listen, listen to this ever whining personality.

Newspapers reported that Charles needy personality was off scale. People knew he had a self centeredness that would hinder his ability to lead the nation.

Much of the book revolved around the love between Camilla and Charles. When they married, they knew each other well, they were both in their 50's when they married, and Camilla was very pleased to simply hold his hand and listen to him.

I found it interesting that he started many projects and renovations of historical buildings, only to not follow through.

Sadly, he even remarked that there were too many photo opportunities for son William and wife Kate Middleton.

Charles is a sad man. Hopefully, he will not inherit the throne.

BOOK NUMBER 148

The Memory Monster by Yishai Sarid

Harrowing, exceedingly detailed and sad, this is a story of a Ph.D. man who was taken under the wing of the Dean of the History Department of a college, soon the narrator becomes a member of Yad Yashem, a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.

The man becomes a leading expert of the Nazi methods of extermination. As his studies progress in the nightmare that was Treblinka, Auschwitz, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and some of the lessor known of the approximate 1,000 concentration camps throughout Poland, Germany and other countries as the Germans needed land and choose to move and more eastward.

As he gains extensive knowledge, he is offered the task of leading groups for one week as he takes the people furtherr and further into the madness of Hitler and his country, now gone to sheer hell.

He knows all the placement of the guards, their rank, the tragic Jews, and others deemed unnecessary, and he proceeds to clearly, in a calm voice the system of killing, the chemicals used to kill.

On his first trips with high school children, he is reported as aloof, cold and a fact-finding machine. As he progresses to lead more and more into the sheer madness, he becomes more animated and he is now shouting out the statistics, the horror, the dismemberment, the taking of the fillings of the Jews, the cutting of the hair, and then the walking to the death while music is played.

Leaving his wife and family at home in Israel, he now does not have other guides with him. Tour groups are sent to him. As he watches the expressions on the faces of those whom he guides, he becomes more or less animated based on what he feels like telling them.

There is a slow winding into madness as he reaches the point of no return, and the characters are in a play, a never ending play of insanity.

Chilling, well written and beyond sad!

>71 Whisper1: I've taken my kids to visit Sue, but it was years ago when my youngest was in the stroller. My eldest was only about 6 years old at the time and didn't really understand the big deal so, unfortunately, he doesn't remember her. I remember, I think, that there is another T-Rex outside the museum where Sue used to be displayed but she had already been moved indoors when we saw her.

Wow....I would love to live near the Chicago (Field) museum.

Here is an image I found. I believe this dinosaur is where Sue previously was housed.

I believe that the museum was part of a bidding war. The Field museum paid 8 million dollars. As a result of reading this book to my little friend, I now want to learn more about Sue. I bought a book from Amazon and one from Thriftbooks.

I will never be able to completely downsize my book collection. My mind craves knowledge. And, as soon as I find something that holds my interest, I have to learn more and more.

>72 Oberon: Thanks Erik. I found the book you referenced on Amazon. Then, I bought a different book of the same subject from Thrift books. I appreciate your information!

>76 Whisper1:

The Invisible Bridge covers this madness as it relates to Hungary.
It's one of the best books I've ever read!

>78 Whisper1:

Linda - one more -

if you ever get to The Field Museum, be sure to visit Bushman.

He was our favorite Zoo animal in the 1940s-50s!

Beth, I added this book to my tbr pile, and I hope to get it from my local library. You might be interested in the book The Memory Monster (listed above.)
There is a reference to the fact that more crematories had to be built to accommodate prisoners from Hungary!

I have a copy of The Invisible Bridge, now, I will go on a search to find this today.

I did a search regarding the Bushman, What an incredible story!

Hi Linda!

>71 Whisper1: … and little girls, too. I became fascinated with them when I was about 8 when I read The Enormous Egg and The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek. Perhaps even earlier, too, because when I was 5, I wanted to be an archaeologist. (I also wanted to be a teacher, and a Dutch girl – sorta got the Dutch girl thing because my husband’s father’s family was originally from the Netherlands!)

>75 Whisper1: I’ve had my ups and downs with Charles over the years, mostly downs with his treatment of Diana but a few ups watching The Crown and seeing how his father treated him. But you’ve reconfirmed my original feelings and wish, as you do, that he never inherits the throne.

>74 Whisper1: That one looks quite interesting.

Have a wonderful week ahead.

The dinosaur book looks charming, Linda. Scout is quite an avid fossil hunter. The Field Museum is fantastic; it's been years since I've gone. Maybe after the pandemic...

We are certainly doing a pared down Christmas this year as well.

Hi Linda!


... and here's to a better 2021!

Happy everything, Linda. Here's to good health, above all, and of course, good books.

Wishing you a safe and peaceful holiday!

I remember Dennis Smith's Report From Engine Company 82 years ago.

Will have to look for his book about the 9/11 events. Seems like a lot of former firefighters ran back into the fray to help that terrible day.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a peaceful time, remain healthy and full of hope.
I took this picture 2 years ago when we were on our pre-Christmas vacation.
Last year there was no snow, this year we were not allowed to go. Therefore, we revel in fond memories and look forward to next year.

Happy Holidays, Linda. Praying for a much better 2021. We love the Chicago Field Museum. We even had a membership one time, when the kids were younger.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a joyous 2021!
You're in my thoughts, Linda and I hope you'll be able to Zoom, Skype or FaceTime with your family but I know too your neighborhood family will be near.

Or in other words, Happy Christmas! And have a great New Year as well.

Hi Linda. Wishing you peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
May next year bring you greater peace and joy, good health and many books.

Linda--Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know you will find a way to celebrate with your family, friend and neighbors and I hope you feel the love here.
May 2021 bring you less need for masks, loads of peace and joy, good health and, of course, books!

Wishing you and yours the very best of the season.

Happy Holidays Linda!

Linda - May your New Year be pain free - in so many ways!

I hope you get some of those at least, Linda, as we all look forward to a better 2021.

Wanna help me kick 202 to the curb? 2021 group is here

Merry Christmas, Linda.

Happy Holidays, Linda!

I'm so glad you're another fan of When Stars Are Scattered! My wife loved it, too, and we gave it to our son for Hanukkah. It's now getting some end of the year "best book" recognition - including the NY Times. I'm hoping that word continues to spread.

Nice to see Sue the dinosaur up there! That's a great museum.

I envy you getting so many cardinals gathering at your feeder. I always enjoy seeing them.

Hi Linda. I love seeing images of Lily!

I'm adding Before the Ever After to my wish list.

I really enjoyed Long Bright River when I read it this fall. As you say, it was a multilayered story.

Oof, The Memory Monster sounds harrowing but good. I visited Auschwitz when I was in Poland in 1981 and I remain interested in well-done stories (fiction and nonfiction) centered there.

>78 Whisper1: The proportions in that photo are amazing!

I wish you a very Happy New Year, my friend.

>107 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. All good wishes for a wonderful (healthy) 2021. The Memory Monster was quite in depth. Sadly, the studies regarding what occurred in the death camps took over and became an obsession for the author.

It really is difficult to put the details of some dinosaurs in perspective.

>106 jnwelch: Joe, I haven't visited the Field Museum, but I took many trips to the New York City Natural History museum. When my granddaughter was 7, I took her into the city She was mesmerized and insisted she was going to live in New York when she grew up.

>105 BLBera: Hi Beth. I hope your holiday was/is special!

>104 drneutron: Thanks Jim. I placed my thread in the 2021 group. It's amazing how many years we are together as a positive, caring, intelligent group.

>103 PaulCranswick: What a beautiful message! Thanks Paul.

>102 m.belljackson: Thanks for your kind message Marianne!

>101 quondame: Hello Susan! Happy New Year to you!

>100 humouress: I love your image Nina. It brought smiles!

>99 Copperskye: Hi Joanne. I hope your Christmas was merry, and I send sincere wishes for a healthy 2021.

>98 Berly: Hi Kim. I wish the same to you! You are an integral part of this group!!

>97 nittnut: Hi Jenn. I haven't posted on your thread for a bit. I will have to remedy that. All good wishes for a wonderful...and healthy New Year. Sending lots of love.

>96 lkernagh: Hi Lori. I send all good wishes for a wonderful holiday, and safe, healthy New Year.

>95 SandDune: Happy Holidays Rhian!

>94 Carmenere: Lynda. I think of you every day. I hope the holidays were filled with wonderful memories of love.

>93 msf59: Hello Bird Man of Librarything! Lots of cardinals in my yard recently. I bought a huge bag of sunflower seeds. They seem to like that the best.

>92 SirThomas: HI Tom! You are quite a photographer. My partner of 18 years, passed away a year and 1/2 ago. He lived in Darmstadt, Germany for a chuck of his life.

>92 SirThomas: Hi Tom. Is it cold in the are of Germany where you live? My partner lived in Darmstadt when he graduated from medical school. He loved it there. He passed away a year and 1/2 ago. Returning to German was one of the items on his bucket list.

>91 magicians_nephew: Jim, a co-worker was teaching a class down the hall from my office. She raced in and told me to come into the class as it has a TV. I will neve forget the sights and sounds of that day. All the worse for those who were directly impacted.

>90 cyderry: Hello Dear Friend Chely. I think of you and send lots of love. I smiled when I placed the clock ornament that I purchased that day you and I and our mates visited the clock museum.

>89 jessibud2: Hi Dear Shelly. I imagine it is very cold where you live in Canada. We had a lot of snow before Christmas, and the weather report notes we are slated for more over the New Year...

All good wishes for a wonderful holiday!

>88 johnsimpson: Hello to you and Karen, across the miles. May your holiday be merry and bright!
>87 karenmarie: I wish the same to you and yours!
>86 BLBera:, 85, 84

All good wishes for a wonderful, healthy New Year!

BOOK #148



The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

Mason Buttle is cursed by a body larger than normal, and he sweats a lot!
Despite his size, a group of school mates are bullies. After getting off the bus, his classmates torment him by throwing apples from the trees that Mason's family once owned.

Now, his best friend is dead, and the local police and trying to figure out if Mason did this, or if not, who did kill Benny Kilmartin.

When small Calvin Chumsky moves in the area, he chooses Mason for a friend. They unite and are allies against the terrible feel of a hard apple at the back.

But, when Calvin Chumsky is missing, as well as the uncertainty of the death of Benny, Mason must find a way to unlock his mind that has a very big problem in remembering details. It is imperative to find Calvin before he is blamed for what may have happened to him.

This is a wonderful book.

>111 Whisper1: - Hi Linda. We actually had snow on Christmas Eve, giving us a white Christmas for the first time in several years. It was pretty but it rained all day today and it's mostly gone now. Probably because Toronto is on the lake (Lake Ontario), we rarely get the amounts of snow the rest of the province gets. I grew up in Montreal so I am used to a lot of snow but what with climate change, I guess that's a thing of the past.

Hope you are doing well.

>111 Whisper1: Hi Linda, at the moment the temperatures are around 0°C and it rains a little bit every now and then. In between there are also a few snowflakes.
The weather will stay like this for a few more days - then it will be easier to stay inside on New Year's Eve. We have lockdown right now, only 2 households with a maximum of 5 people are allowed to meet at home, outside only with a maximum of 2 people from different households. There is a curfew starting at 8pm.
So we will spend tomorrow in comfort with a fondue for two and hope for better times.
The vaccinations have already started, so hope should be justified - I wish you all the best!

Happy New Year Linda.

All good wishes and much much love to you in the New Year, dear Linda

Linda

As the year turns, friendship continues

>114 jessibud2:
>115 SirThomas:
>116 johnsimpson:
>117 magicians_nephew:
>118 PaulCranswick:
>119 quondame:

Happy New Year to all!

error

waiting for 2021

Just start a new thread in the 2021 75ers group and then you can come back here and post the link. And don't worry--we'll find you!!!

opps

error

mistake

mistake for 2021 thread

error in creating 2021 thread

disregard

You don't have to finish this one or hit 150. Just start a new one in the 2021 75ers.

made a mistakee

Here's a link to Linda's new thread for 2021!!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/328134

Nope. It's here!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/328315#n7372661