Katiekrug Reads and Reads and Reads Some More - Part 3

CURRENTLY READING

(Print) (Audio) (Kindle)

Hi All!

For anyone new to my thread, I'm Katie: reader, wine drinker, food appreciator, shenanigan-ator, and non-sufferer of fools. I live outside New York City with my husband, "The" Wayne, our cat, Leonard, and our dog Nuala/Noodles. I work as a senior governance manager for a non-profit engineering association, which used to be fun because I got to travel and now is just a big pile of meh.

Here's to a great, or at least an improved, new year!

Recent Books Completed

Books Off My Shelf: 3
Books Off My Kindle: 3
Books from Audible:
Library Loans: 3

9. Blessings by Anna Quindlen (4.5 stars)
8. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2.75 stars)
7. Triangle by David Von Drehle (4 stars)
6. New Boy by Tracy Chevalier (3.5 stars)
5. 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad (audio) (4 stars)
4. Siracusa by Delia Ephron (4.5 stars)
3. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls (4 stars)
2. One By One by Ruth Ware (3.5 stars)
1. Jazz by Toni Morrison (3.75 stars)

Did Not Finish
1. Waterland by Graham Swift
2. Adequate Yearly Progress by Roxanne Elden



My Ratings (revised, once again, as I continue the fruitless search for the perfect scale...)

2 stars = Whyyyyyy?
3 stars = Eh, ok.
4 stars = Definitely worth the time.
5 stars = Perfect *for me*

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

WELCOME!

Turn my back on you for one minute and your thread turns into "Car Talk".

>220 msf59: count me as another Fozzie Bear-ian

though I wish i was as sophisticated and worldly wise as Rolf

>228 Crazymamie: I dunno What Mazie Knew may be second rank James but it still rings true to me.

Keep meaning to look up this new modern dress movei they made of it

>256 Crazymamie: Gorman's poem moves easily from colloquial speech into rap into poetry. Loved it loved it. Had tears in my eyes at many times.

Yes "Madam Vice President". STILL can remember the first State of the Union with the House Doorkeeper shouting "MADAM Speaker" for Nancy Pelosi

>280 AnneDC: whenever i see you cry out "Woot" I think of Etta Candy, Wonder Woman's sidekick whose catchphrase was "Woo! Woo!"



>336 katiekrug: "High Society" is not as good as "The Philadelphia Story". What then, what is?

Laughing at myself that i tried to look for a touchstone for the MOVIE!

Happy new thread, Katie!!

>3 katiekrug: Charlie - a huge P&R fan - said last week, "Leslie Knope must be *so* happy!" Ha!

Happy newness, Katie!

>5 scaifea: I love Charlie. That is all.

Happy new thread, Katie. Three already!

A new thread! Glory be!

Have yourself a merry little Saturday, if the Fates allow.

>6 Crazymamie: Same.

Happy new thread - 5 books, 3 threads - you've probably read more online than on paper!

Happy new thread!

From your last thread you made me laugh so hard Elon Musk is a turd! 😝 I don't find all of them ugly and he wants the super base model sedan so it's not too expensive when you consider we wouldn't pay for gas any longer.
Meh, I'll keep my large SUV though :)

Happy new one, Katie

Happy New Thread, Katie. So Waterland was a washout? Bummer...

Happy new one!

Oops, I started a new thread and then ignored LT for the day. Hi friends!

>4 magicians_nephew: - Thanks for commenting on so much, Jim! I am not surprised we share a love of Fozzie :)

I can't help but think Etta and I look a little alike... I was completely unaware of her, so thanks for sharing that graphic!

We did watch The Philadelphia Story last night, and it was as great as I remembered.

>5 scaifea: - Charlie's so smart.

>6 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie!

>7 BLBera: - HI Beth!

>8 richardderus: - Not a bad Saturday, RD. I think TW found a car. He's working on paperwork as we speak.... I did some cleaning but some reading, too, so all was not lost ;-)

>9 scaifea: - Shocker ;-)

>10 Helenliz: - Sadly, I think you're right, Helen. Must do better!

>11 ChelleBearss: - I love having an SUV, but I've lost that battle. Actually, I was close to winning it, but the one I get TW excited about was practically bought from under us :(

>12 jessibud2: - Thanks, Shelley!

>13 msf59: - Hiya, Mark. It was really heavy going, and I just wasn't in the mood. I put it back on my shelf (as opposed to sticking it in the donation box) so it wasn't all terrible...

>14 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, figs!

Happy new thread!

>17 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim!

13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad

In 13 linked stories, we follow Elizabeth (sometimes known as Liz, Beth, or Lizzie) from a young teenager to a divorced woman. Through it all, she battles her weight and dissatisfaction with her own body. Even as she sheds pounds, her psychological issues come into sharper focus and the legacy of parental disapproval, body shaming, and self-hatred is made clear. This was not a fun or easy read, but Awad's writing is sharp.

4 stars

Happy new one Katie. Starting off with a hard hitting book >19 katiekrug: I've heard good things, your review is tipping me towards picking this up.

I was excited to see the battery production for electric cars is moving towards quick charging. Still waiting for those Jetson style flying ones though :-( https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/19/electric-car-batteries-race-...

On a day when I've had to get my lardy arse fat git jeans out the back of the wardrobe, maybe not the book for me for right now.
Lockdown 1 I did OK, lockdown 2 (or is it 3?) in the cold and dark has been a lot less fun all round.

Happy new thread, Katie! Good news about the car decision being made, particularly if TW did everything :-)

>20 charl08: - I hope you like it when it bubbles to the top of your TBR, Charlotte!

Yep, EVs are going to be a lot more common, I think. But the Jetsons vehicle needs to hurry up and get here :)

>21 Helenliz: - I hear ya, Helen. I'm still doing 3x/week sessions with the trainer, but my food discipline seems to have evaporated. I struggle with comfort foods (for me, carbs) when it's cold out...

>22 susanj67: - Thanks, Susan! Yes, I was more than happy to let him take the lead on it. I worry a bit about not having much cargo space, but I guess we'll adjust...

Last night, we dusted off the old Wii and played some Mario Party. According to the saved information, we hadn't played since 2012. I'm not sure that's right, but it had definitely been a while. We made our own microwave popcorn in a brown paper bag and had lots of fun. How had I never made popcorn in the microwave before? Super easy - kernels in a little brown bag, 3 minutes or so, toss with some extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper, presto. It was fabulous.

Today will be some cleaning, some reading, and some football. I'll be rooting for Green Bay and Buffalo (Hi Bonnie!).

Morning, Katie! I have also never made popcorn like that in the microwave. We are going to be Sunday twins right down to who we are rooting for.

>24 katiekrug: I...didn't know you could do that with popcorn. What a dummy. I assumed the microwave popcorn you buy in the store has some magic preservatives in that make it possible. Yoicks. I have to try it out now!

Hope you enjoy your Sunday and it ends up more reading and football than cleaning!

Etta Candy was a feisty strong side kick to Wonder Woman and leader of the Halliday Girls, a group of women from a girls high school who also have great adventures with WW. They did a nice job casting her in the first WW movie, sad that the character didn't turn up in the new one.

WOOT!

>25 Crazymamie: - Yay for twinning!

Also, since your mention yesterday (Friday?), I've been craving a breakfast sandwich, so I've placed a delivery order for this morning from a local diner :)

>26 scaifea: - Me too, Amber! But it was the easiest thing in the world, and obviously cheaper. And you can season it however you want. Give it a whirl.

>27 ChelleBearss: - I hope so, too, Chelle :) So far, I have avoided the cleaning. Heh.

>28 magicians_nephew: - I still haven't seen the first, new WW movie. I was going to because The Wayne wanted to see the latest, but it got such terrible reviews, he's rethinking it, so my impetus for watching WW has diminished. Sounds like I should go ahead and watch it, if only for Etta :)

>30 katiekrug: The World War I Wonder Woman is a pretty good movie. And they got Etta Candy really just right!

DIY microwave popcorn. Who knew?! That's really cool. Enjoy your Sunday, Katie!

>29 katiekrug: I love me a breakfast sandwich! Hooray for ordering one.

I have also not seen the first WW movie, but Craig and the kids all loved it.

Oh...13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl sounds very trenchant but is deffo not for me, at least at this juncture.

Have a good new week ahead!

a day late and a dollar short (as my father would have said) but happy new thread anyway :)

New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

Part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, New Boy is Tracy Chevalier's reimagining of Othello set on a middle school playground in a suburb of Washington, DC in the 1970s. Tweens aren't a bad stand-in for the petty, vengeful, and easily influenced characters of Shakespeare's play, but I did find some of the actions, motivations, and inner thoughts of them to be unrealistic for the age. That said, the novel is a clever piece of writing with all the principals present - outsider Osei (Othello), pretty and kind Dee (Desdemona), and sly villain Ian (Iago). And it's just as tragic as the original.

3.5 stars

>31 magicians_nephew: - I'll probably watch it soonish.

>32 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura! It was super easy, which is a big plus in my lazy book :)

>33 Crazymamie: - It was pretty tasty, Mamie. Hit the spot, it did.

>34 richardderus: - Thanks, RD! And yes, I think you can safely ignore the Awad.

>35 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba. It's never too late for good wishes!

>36 katiekrug: I've enjoyed a few of those Hogarth Shakespeare books. I wasn't aware of this one. That's a really interesting way to re-imagine Othello. Hmmm.

Happy new thread, Katie!

>38 lauralkeet: - Hi Laura! You should give it a try. It's under 200 pages and reads very quickly :)

I think the only other in the Hogarth series I've read so far is Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler, which I enjoyed.

>39 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen!

>36 katiekrug: I'm a sucker for retellings done well. Adding that to the list.

You know what they say of Shakespeare; he wrote 2 types of plays. The one you did at school and all the others. >:-) This is one of the others.

>36 katiekrug: I thought Chevalier did a good job with New Boy as well, Katie, although I know there were lots of mixed opinions about this one. I have to check to see which ones I haven't read.

I mostly love Chevalier as an author and the books of hers I loved, I really loved. But a few landed on me as meh. One I did not finish. But mostly, I would try anything by her because she does write well. I have New Boy in the pile here. Hope to get to it soon.

Morning, Katie! It's Monday, so be on your guard.

We were reading Mexican Gothic this month, yes? I started it yesterday - just letting you know.

>41 Helenliz: - I did Othello in college, Helen. I did all the tragedies at one point or another, I think. Never The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, most of the histories, and several others....

>42 BLBera: - My copy came from you, Beth! It was an ARC you passed along.

>43 jessibud2: - I hope you like it when you get to it, Shelley!

>44 Crazymamie: - Oh, thanks for the reminder! I had forgotten allowed it to momentarily slip my mind :) I think I'll be finishing my nonfiction read today, and then will get started. How is it so far?

The teams I was rooting for yesterday both lost. Effing Tom Brady. Hate him. I don't hate KC, I was just pulling for the Bills. I'll definitely be rooting for KC in the Super Bowl.

We had beef stew and biscuits for dinner last night - mmmmm. It was a cold and blustery day, so a perfect way to end it.

I am hoping to finish my nonfiction read about the Triangle fire today, and then I'll be starting Mexican Gothic - a shared read with the lovely and talented Mamie.

Hi Katie!

Sorry you were 0 for 2 yesterday. I'll be rooting for KC in the Super Bowl, too.

Beef stew and biscuits sounds wonderful.

I may have missed it - have you and TW picked out a new vehicle yet?

>47 karenmarie: - Good morning, Karen!

We are just finishing up the paperwork on the car - hope to have it delivered by the end of the week. It's a gas/plug-in hybrid BMW 5 series. Black (yawn) sedan (double yawn) with charcoal (triple yawn) interior. TW is excited. I realized I didn't care enough to get invested in the process, so left it to him. It's been a bit of a hassle getting Carvana and our bank (BoA) to talk to each other to finalize the financing, but it ain't my problem *grin*

>45 katiekrug: So far, so good, but I am really wanting to give the main character some advice.

Congrats on the car decision being done and dusted. Craig just said he was going with Carvana next time, too, because he really hates all the back and forth.

>48 katiekrug: When my dad could no longer drive, I convinced him to place his 5 Series in my care. I always considered my dad's cars a bit of an extravagance but ooh, did I like commuting in that car. We downsized to one car when we moved to the city (a Prius v, our newest/lowest mileage/least-expensive-to-maintain car) but I'd definitely consider a BMW next time I'm car shopping.

>49 Crazymamie: - For the most part, Carvana has been fine, and you can't beat the convenience. TW will do anything to avoid the usual car-buying experience. Last time we used CarMax, which was way better than a "regular" dealer, but there isn't one close by us. We were going to finance through Carvana, but the rate wasn't great, and our bank gave us an excellent one.

>50 lauralkeet: - TW enjoys a nice car, and it's a couple of years old so someone else has already eaten a lot of the devaluation - at least that's what he tells me... I just hope he likes it as much as he thinks he will. Carvana does have a 7-day trial period once you get the car, so if he hates it, it's not the end of the world.

Buying a brand-new car is an extravagance I allowed myself once. Only. The depreciation is *brutal* and I ended up keeping that '82 Cutlass Supreme Brougham a lot longer than I wanted to.

Happy new week's reads! Mexican Gothic is it...let's see how that goes.

*smooch*

Congrats on the car purchase! I'm interested in seeing how your Carvana experience has gone - I'm also not a fan, so have used a credit union buying service and Costco buying service in the past.

Hooray for car deal done and dusted!! Hope you both like your choice as much as TW thinks you will :)

Hope the new car lives up to expectation.

>52 richardderus: - We bought a VW Passatt new in 2015 (?) or so. That was the one they had to buy back AND give us a settlement on as part of the emissions scandal. I doubt we'll ever buy new again.

I've heard such mixed things about Mexican Gothic, I am a little trepidatious....

>53 drneutron: - We used the Costco program on the Passatt mentioned to RD. I say "we" but I was not involved. TW liked that process for the most part, but he still had to deal with a, er, dealer. I'll report back on the total Carvana experience when it's complete!

>54 RebaRelishesReading: and >55 Helenliz: - Thanks, Reba and Helen :) I'll feel better once it's actually here and I know it wasn't some internet scam to take our money ;-)

>57 katiekrug: My son has bought a couple of cars from Caravan and both deals went very well -- I'm sure yours will too.

>58 RebaRelishesReading: - That's good to hear, Reba - thanks!

Congrats on choosing the car; it sounds relatively painless, so fingers crossed it continues to be.

I have no memory of sending you New Boy, but I'm glad it found a good home. :)

>60 BLBera: - Well, Beth, I forgot it was from you, but there was a sticky note from you on it, so..... :)

>36 katiekrug: Cruising back to your review of New Boy...I was waiting to hear how that one hit you. I liked it the least of all the Hogarth Shakespeare re-tellings that I have read so far, and I have had issues with most of them. (Not that I consider Shakespeare sacrosanct, by any means.) I thought it was too obviously doing what it was doing, and only gave it 2 stars. Ann Tyler's Vinegar Girl and Margaret Atwood's Hag Seed are the best of the 5 I've read. Macbeth and Dunbar are so far untested. I understood Gillian Flynn was to do Hamlet for publication in 2021, but the Random House website has nothing on it.

>62 laytonwoman3rd: - I don't have much to compare this Hogarth to, as I've only read one other (VG), but I get that you mean about it being obvious. And that was, in a way, my problem with it - she wanted to make, for instance, Ian think and act like Iago, but I just couldn't buy into an 11-year old thinking or acting that way. I really think she kind of wrote herself into a corner choosing the setting she did. I was probably generous in my rating, but it did keep me turning the pages, despite knowing (sort of) how it would end.

>63 katiekrug: Yup...I didn't believe in the characters, and compressing all the action into one day made it impossible for her to develop them in a way that might have cured that.

>60 BLBera: >61 katiekrug: Thanks for making me feel much better about my memory lapses, folks.

>64 laytonwoman3rd: - That's a good point about the compression of making it all happen in one day. I didn't even think to mention that.

>65 charl08: - Ha! Any time, Charlotte :)

I had to share this - so cute and clever.

My college friend, Chris, lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and he and his wife wanted to set up a Little Free Library and a Little Free Pantry, so he emailed the city paper to ask about old newspaper boxes, and they gave him two. Such a smart idea.

Very clever!

>67 katiekrug: That is *inspired*!

>67 katiekrug: ooh, I love that Katie! What a cool idea.

>67 katiekrug: I love this idea!!
When Nate and I move to our next house I may set up a LFL. I don't think we will be here long enough for me to make it worth setting one up

Hi Katie. I'm with you on rooting against any team for which Tom Brady plays. I assume you have seen the comments on social media about folks being able to separate Brady from his politics but not Colin Kaepernick.

>67 katiekrug: I love that!!!

Honestly, I have been disappointed with the experience of managing a LFL here in this small town. There were five LFLs within a 1/2-mile radius of our house in Seattle. I think it would be more fun in a town or city where (a) more people walk, and (b) more people read. On the other hand, the fact that our LFL has sort of turned into a puzzle exchange is kind of cool.

I haven't really read any of the Hogarth series and your comments about New Boy make me think this would be a good post-retirement project.

>46 katiekrug: it's not even remotely possible Katie, that you could hate Tom Brady more than I do. I don't know how long he was in NE but I suffered through every f****** minute of it as did all the other fans of the AFC East. I hope KC wipes the field with him. (Too much? 😳)

>67 katiekrug: Wonderful and very clever.

>67 katiekrug: I love that. Very clever.

Of the Hogarth books, Katie. I loved the Gap of Time and Hagseed the best. I haven't read Dunbar or Macbeth

>68 jessibud2:, >69 richardderus:, >70 lauralkeet:, >71 ChelleBearss: - Agreed - so clever!

>72 EBT1002: - Hi Ellen! The hypocrisy with Brady and Kaepernick is infuriating.

There are several LFLs in our town, but I don't know how much traffic they get. We live at the end of a dead end street, so there's no point in putting one up, though I would love to... How fun that you've been able to use yours for puzzles! (Speaking of which, I got your package today - thank you; and shame on me - I will make time to get to the PO asap!)

I think you are wracking up a lot of retirement projects, my friend ;-)

>73 brenzi: - Well, Bonnie, I do have a lot of sympathy for you, since The Wayne is a Dolphins fan so like you, had to suffer for years and years being dominated by Brady and the Patriots.

Never too much in expressions of disgust of "TB12" (puke).

I am proud that my Giants TWICE denied him championships :)

>74 BLBera: - Sounds like I really need to get to Hag-Seed, Beth, which I have. I'll have to look for The Gap of Time at the library...

The Reading Through Time group's January theme was "Shakespeare's Children" - re-tellings, re-imaginings, inspired by, about, etc. A few people have read different Hogarths, as well as other related books. It was a rich theme...

A belated happy new thread, Katie!

>76 ronincats: - Thank you, Roni!

Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David Von Drehle

In 1911, a fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City killed 146 people, mostly young immigrant women who were unable to escape the 8th and 9th floors. Some of them jumped from the factory's windows; some jumped down the elevator shaft; some burned a few feet from a door that was likely locked. I'd heard about this disaster and how it led to major labor reforms in the United States, but I knew little of the specifics. Von Drehle has written a solid history, which covers a major strike at the factory in 1909, conditions under which so many Eastern European immigrants came to the US, reform efforts before and after the fire, and the influence of the fire on American politics through the New Deal. Parts of the book are a bit dry, but the background stories of some of the major figures involved and of the victims is interesting, and the description of the fire itself is harrowing.

4 stars

>78 katiekrug: events that changed things that fundamentally are always fascinating, but horrific at the same time.

Hope Tuesday decides to treat you well.

>78 katiekrug: I love little histories like this one..."this event you've never heard of changed the world" will hook me every time...and thankfully that's already on my Kindle!

Well done you.

Morning, Katie!

>78 katiekrug: I read a book about this years ago, and I am trying to remember what it was called - I'm thinking it was YA as I read it with the kids.

>79 Helenliz: - So far so good with the Tuesday, Helen....

Yes, I have a thing for disaster books, because I always learn a lot, but it does seem wrong to be so fascinated.

>80 richardderus: - My favorite part of the book was the political stuff - Tammany Hall, socialism, urban liberalism, etc. I'm a nerd.

>81 Crazymamie: - Hi Mamie! It was obviously very memorable *grin*

>82 katiekrug: Me too. I actually got derision for being excited to find a memoir by a Tammany Hall figure.

Philistines.

*nerdy fist bump*

>83 richardderus: Ok, which one? And which figure. 'Cause, yeah, I'd read that!

Happy New Thread, Katie.

The only one in that Hogarth Shakespeare series I've read is Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed, which I liked a lot. I like Tracy Chevalier's books, and New Boy sounds well done, if unrealistic. I'd read that unrealistic reaction in another review somewhere, which I remember as stemming from middle-graders acting too adult.

>85 drneutron: A little bitty thing, Jim, called Plunkitt of Tammany Hall about George Washington Plunkitt as he told stories about his rise and Tammany's methods.

*I* liked it.

>78 katiekrug: Triangle: The Fire that Changed America sounds interesting, Katie. A picture book that Scout loves is about the garment workers' starting a union. It's Brave Girl, about Clara Lemlich.

>85 drneutron: and >87 richardderus: - I want to read more about Al Smith now...

>86 jnwelch: - Most people do seem to have liked Hag-Seed, Joe. I will have to move it up the list. You might give NB a try, since you like Chevalier anyway. And you'll be prepared for the unrealism (is that a word?) of it...

>88 BLBera: - There was a good chunk about the unions in Triangle, Beth, and Clara Lemlich got practically her own chapter :)

>89 katiekrug: Al Smith was really, really interesting indeed. What a shadow he cast! Like Huey Long, only the accent was different.

>78 katiekrug: thank you for that review Katie and luckily I already have the book so I'd like to get to this sometime this year.

>90 richardderus: - "only the accent was different" made me chuckle :)

>91 brenzi: - I hope you find it worthwhile, too, Bonnie!

Crap day yesterday - busy at work (my own fault) and just this weird underlying anxious feeling of dread or something. Ugh. Hoping for a better day today!

Dinner was sweet chili pork with green beans over rice - very tasty but needed more sauce. The Wayne wanted to watch The Siege of Jadotville, and I was like "whatever" but it was actually pretty good. It's based on a true story that I'd never heard of about a company of Irish soldiers on a UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo in 1961. Worth a watch if you're into that sort of thing, or if you like cute men with nice accents.

Happy Wednesday, Katie! I hope that gloomy feeling dissipates. How is Mexican Gothic coming along? I have been on the fence about that one, since it came out.

Morning, Katie! Sorry about the "weird underlying anxious feeling of dread". Not fun.

What platform did you watch The Siege of Jadotville on?

>94 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. I am only on chapter 3 of MG so too soon to tell. I was on the fence, but Mamie pushed me off :)

>95 Crazymamie: - Not fun at all. Today is better, thank goodness.

I am pretty sure it was on Netflix.

*adds cute men with accents film to queue* Where was Jadotville...you know what, I really don't care, I'll watch it anyway.

I'm glad the dread has dialed down. I so dislike those unmoored anxieties. Nothing to push back, so harder to control. Hiss. Boo.

Glad to hear you're in a better mood today, Katie.

Random question: have you read Helen Hardt? One of my niece's on Mr. Fine's side messaged me yesterday (for the first time since we got married) about her Steel Brothers series raving about it and demanding I read it and tell her about it (hello early 20s enthusiasm). The blurb sounds find but wondering if you've got any advance notes on quality.

>97 richardderus: - Katanga region of the DRC which was trying to secede at the time. But that's not important. Accents!

You described the frustration of the "unmoored anxieties" perfectly. I'm very good at talking myself out of irrational feelings when they are clearly connected to..... something...

>98 MickyFine: - I've not read - or heard of - her, Micky. I did a quick Amazon check, and my preferred contemporary romances tend to be of the rom-com variety which might explain why she is unfamiliar to me. Do report back!

>89 katiekrug: Cool. I'll look for this one.

>100 katiekrug: Will do!

>98 MickyFine: demanding I read it and tell her about it {hello early 20s enthusiasm)
You mean...we're supposed to grow out of that? *Awkward...*

Hi, Katie!

Perhaps the best way to get people to read history is to dramatize them in shows with cute guys with accents.

>103 scaifea: I mean these days I would demand someone read a book I love if I know their taste and think it'll be their jam. But I wouldn't demand everyone read a book I loved indiscriminately anymore.

>101 BLBera: - Excellent.

>102 MickyFine: - :)

>103 scaifea: - Hi Amber!

>104 magicians_nephew: - I will not apologize for my shallowness, Jim!

>105 MickyFine: - It's that Canadian nice thing. Here, we just yell until people do what we say. At least, that's the dream ;-)

ETA: I kid, of course. I've given up on trying to get people to read books I like. It's too fraught with tension and the potential of hurt feelings (mine)....

>107 katiekrug: Snort.

ETA: I know the heartbreak of someone not loving your favourite. It's hard.

There should be a support group.

I guess LT sort of is, though...

>67 katiekrug: Brilliant! I'd love to do a Little Free Library, but we aren't situated well for it....unless my immediate neighbors are more book-deprived than I think.

>99 katiekrug: Katanga is a place? I thought he was the boat captain in the first Indiana Jones movie. Go know!

Those anxieties with roots or at least ties are frustrating, but susceptible to reason. Without them it's like trying to blow fog away with a church fan.

>105 MickyFine: You're clearly a more mature person than I am. Everyone must read The Queen's Thief series. EVERYONE.

>106 katiekrug: *Climbs about the shallowness train* Toot toot.

>109 katiekrug: LT definitely is the support group! :)

>112 scaifea: *whispers* I only kind of liked the first book and am on the fence about continuing.

>110 laytonwoman3rd: - Yeah, one wouldn't work where we are, either, Linda. :(

>111 richardderus: - It's a mineral rich state that tried to secede in order to control its own resources. The Soviets and Americans were indirectly fighting over it, too, because it had (has?) a lot uranium. So now you know!

>112 scaifea: - Chugga... chugga....

>113 ChelleBearss: - So true, Chelle!

>114 MickyFine: - NOW YOU'VE DONE IT, MICKY! You've released the Amber-Kraken! DUCK!

*gets the popcorn and makes herself comfy*

The Amber-Kraken!!!

Can I have some of your popcorn, Mamie? I missed lunch.

*battens down hatches*

>116 Crazymamie:, >117 rosalita: - Oh, look, the peanut gallery is here....

>118 MickyFine: - I fear 'tis too late. The Amber-Kraken is INSIDE the thread.

ooohhh gawd not the Ambernator
*hauls Y chromosome away fast*

>119 katiekrug: THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE!!

*passes Julia some popcorn*

I don't know, I go and have tea and all hell breaks out over here.

*rolls eyes*
Tut
*tidies up the popcorn all over the floor*
Now who'd like a nice cup of tea?

>122 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

>123 Helenliz: A cuppa would be lovely, Helen. Thank you!

I know! I'll distract her!

Me, too, Helen. Please and thank you.

>120 richardderus: - Save yourself!

>121 rosalita: - Exactly.

>122 Crazymamie: - :)

>123 Helenliz: - Well, it looks like Amber is taking a nap, so all the excitement was for naught.

>124 rosalita: - It's a full-service operation over here!

>125 MickyFine: - That might actually work....

>126 Crazymamie: - Poor Helen - run off her feet and it's almost bedtime over there.

>127 katiekrug: one last tea and it will be bed time. I turn into a pumpkin at around 10 pm.

Tea is served ladies, leaf tea, bone china teapot and everyfink. I is right posh.

>128 Helenliz: Oh that's lovely, that is! Don't mind if I do...

>128 Helenliz: Thank you ever so much.

All that tea drinking, no one's sleeping through the night...

No worries. I never sleep through the night.

>132 Crazymamie: What she said!

Also, Katie, napping? Really?! I was working. While all of you meanies were mocking my pure passion for true literature, I. Was. WORKING.

>114 MickyFine: *cracks knuckles*

Micky. Bless your heart. Even though your taste in books is clearly absolute crap, I will love you just the same.

*adjusts halo*

*whispers* She blessed her heart, and she's not even from the Deep South.

*offers Amber some fresh popcorn and a lot of chocolate*

>132 Crazymamie:, >133 rosalita: - I rarely do either, come to think of it....

>134 scaifea: - There's our favorite kraken professor! 'Bout time you woke up, lazy bones.

>135 Crazymamie: - She basically cursed her and her family for all eternity...

>135 Crazymamie:



>136 katiekrug:

How did I become the bad guy here? It's obviously Micky's fault. (Hi Micky!)

>138 katiekrug: Blaming Canadians now, eh? That's low.

>140 scaifea: - It's tradition.

So last night, The Wayne had a late work call so we ordered dinner in. I got an Italian sausage, peppers, and onion sandwich with mozzarella. Ummm, YUM! Then we watched 3 episodes in the first season of The West Wing. TW is really enjoying it, which kind of surprised me because he tends to like "a little less conversation, a little more action" in his viewing.

I've read a bit more in Mexican Gothic. It's intriguing, but some of the writing bugs me. We'll see how it goes...

>141 katiekrug: HAhahahaha!!

>143 katiekrug: That dinner sounds amazing, and WOOT for WW!!

>143 katiekrug: that sounds like a good evening. We adore The West Wing, we've got the entire box sets and watch them in order probably once a year. It taught me all I know about US politics...

Your sandwich sounds most yum. We all love West Wing - that show is full of fabulous.

>144 scaifea: - *grin*

>145 Helenliz: - Hmm, I wouldn't rely on it for that, Helen. It gets plenty enough wrong - and oversimplifies a lot. But it does get a lot right, so you probably know more than the average American at this point....

>146 Crazymamie: - Mamie, how is Mexican Gothic going for you?

>147 katiekrug: In my defence, I never said it had taught me a lot about American politics, just all I know on the subject. >;-)

>148 Helenliz: - Fair enough!

>147 katiekrug: I am wanting it to be better. No character depth, and I am wanting Noemí to be smarter. She needs to seriously watch some Hitchcock movies or something. I keep waiting for it to take off, but so far...no.

>150 Crazymamie: - How far along are you? If you are way ahead of me, you're not giving me much hope!

Chapter 12.

I'll keep keepin' on until you tell me it's not worth it :)

I'm hoping it's a slow burn that's going to take off soonish.

Hope so! I did hear something crazy happens around page 204.

Well, then...

Hmm: I've heard a lot of different comments about Mexican Gothic. I'm still # 20 on the library list, so I'll wait and see what you think of it. I think Julia really liked it.

I loved The West Wing - note to rewatch.

I watched the first episode of Miss Scarlett and the Duke on PBS and quite enjoyed it. I'll watch more.

Katie, have you listened to The West Wing Weekly podcast? Hrishikesh Hirway (of Song Exploder podcast/Netflix show) and Josh Malina spent three years discussing every episode and it was delightful.

>134 scaifea: Let me just point out, dear Amber, that I said nothing when you gave up on my beloved Outlander... Am I going to have to pull out Ranganathan's Laws on you?

>158 MickyFine: Let *me* remind *you* that I lost my position as an assistant librarian, so I bitterly scoff at your invoking of the Laws. Also, I clearly stated that I love you even though your taste in books is questionable at best. HOW is that going against said laws?! *shakes head*

>156 Crazymamie: - Exactly.

>157 BLBera: - Beth, my best friend is loving Miss Scarlet and the Duke. It's penciled in on my To Watch list.

>158 MickyFine: - I haven't listened to that podcast, Micky. I'm not much of a podcast girl. If I have any listening time, I put on an audiobook.

>158 MickyFine:, >159 scaifea:, >160 MickyFine: - Y'all lost me with Ragnorak's Rules or whatever that is... We're all still friends, right?!?! RIGHT!?!?

>160 MickyFine: Okay, now I'm worried that the fact that I'm kidding isn't coming across anymore. *HUGS* I love you to bits, Micky. I'll stop being a goof now. (For now.)

>161 katiekrug: Ragnorak's Rules! *SNORK!*

>162 scaifea: Love right back at ya! I will also stop being a goof. Although I might fill my thread with Jamie Fraser gifs. ;)

>161 katiekrug: BFFs! (If Bekka can share Amber).

Ranganathan was a pretty cool dude who came up with the 5 Laws of Library Science:

1. Books are for use.
2. Every reader his or her book.
3. Every book its reader.
4. Save the time of the reader.
5. A library is a growing organism.

>163 MickyFine: I saw on your thread that your going to watch Outlander tonight and I feel that it's an act of civil disobedience toward me. *snork!*

Oh, and feel free with the Jamie gifs. I am happy to look at those all day long.

*waves at Katie*

We tuned in to Miss Scarlett and the Duke and are liking it for the characters and the period details.

The Accents in the first hour drove us wild - it was easier to understand in the second one

I love the Italian-sausage sammy! I think meatloaf is The Thing right now, for me, because nothing on Earth says comfort food like meatloaf.

I think The Wayne is responding to Sorkin's kinetic dialogue, it's really as energy-intensive as any action scene because if you snooze, you lose.

>162 scaifea: - Are you capable of not being a goof? *blinks*

>163 MickyFine: - I feel like, as the daughter of a librarian, I should have been familiar with these, but no. But I love them!

>164 scaifea: - It's a micro-aggression, as the kids say!

*waves back*

>165 magicians_nephew: - Captions, Jim, captions! I re-watched part of Bridgerton with the captions on so I didn't miss a single word of a certain scene...

>166 richardderus: - Thanks to Mamie, I am now dying for some meatloaf, but every time I get some, it's disappointing because It. Is. Not. My. Mother's.

I think you're right about the kinetic dialogue. It's certainly not a slow-moving show.

>167 katiekrug: Oh, fair point. Goofiness is an integral part of being Amber.

That's why you're so much fun.

>170 katiekrug:

Shit, I just snarfed some water.

>172 katiekrug: *snork!* YES!

*frowns at Amber*

SOME OF US are trying to work.

(Not trying very hard, obviously.)

>174 katiekrug: Ha! I was just thinking, "Dang it, Amber, get off LT and get to work!"

Strangely, I am actually having a very productive day. Go figure.

We turn on the closed captions for all the British shows. Otherwise, the accents are different enough that sooner or later we end up turning to each other and saying, "Huh?" I'm glad you didn't miss a word of the burning for each other scene. Woo, they were like a pair of rabbits after that scene.

The West Wing -- hmmmm. We've been looking for a series to start and never watched that one. What is it on?

>177 jnwelch: - So what do you do when you go to London, Joe? Hire a translator? Snork!

I'm usually okay after a few minutes with accents. Takes a bit for my ear to adjust but then I'm fine. But I work with an international Board with members from every continent and with varying degrees of accents, so I think I get a lot of practice.

There was something about that scene, though, where I knew I was missing details, so thank goodness for captions!

they were like a pair of rabbits after that scene. Such a romantic you are.... Yeesh.

>178 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba. It was on Netflix, I think, but I think their license ended. We are watching on HBO Max.

>180 katiekrug: bummer -- we have Netflix but not HBO :(

I make a quick run to the market and all hell breaks loose over here. I mean deleted messages and everything, and I was buying groceries. It's SO not fair. *pouts*

I always watch anything British with the captions on because otherwise I miss a bunch of stuff.

I had not heard those library rules before, but they are very cool.

"Goofiness is an integral part of being Amber." I feel like this is a Universal Truth.

Meatloaf. I feel like I now have to find the perfect meatloaf recipe for those meatloaf sammies we are craving - I am On. It.

>178 RebaRelishesReading: a shelf full of DVDs. We're old skool.

>181 RebaRelishesReading: - You can rentit from Amazon Prime. Or your library might have the DVDs...

>182 Crazymamie: - This is why I just don't leave the house. Nothing to do with the global pandemic - I don't want to miss anything on LT!

>183 Helenliz: - You're middle-age school. Old school would be VHS tapes ;-)

>134 scaifea: I ate a whole bag of popcorn yesterday afternoon, all by myself (you might say I inhaled it) waiting for that response. It was totally worth it, even if I did have to wait 'til breakfast for it to appear.

>185 laytonwoman3rd: *snork!*

*takes a bow*

>183 Helenliz: >184We don't even have a DVD player any more so that doesn't help but renting from Amazon Prime is a possibility.

>182 Crazymamie: No good for sandwiches but the combination of "Mamie" and "meatloaf" made me want to mention that we had your L'il Cheddar Meatloaf for dinner the other night -- lots of catsup there but it's still delicious!!

>185 laytonwoman3rd: - I was also eagerly awaiting Amber's response, Linda. Too bad she took a nap...

>186 scaifea: - Oh, hi, Amber!

>187 RebaRelishesReading: - We don't have a DVD player anymore either, though we can watch DVDs through one of The Wayne's gaming systems... That's how he justifies keeping it around :)

Holy carp, it's cold here. And so windy. My weather app says it's 15F but feels like 1F. Going out to the gym was not fun - but then, it never is. Heh.

We had some sort of onion crunch chicken and green beans for dinner last night. Not my favorite from HelloFresh, but not terrible. We didn't watch anything, so I futzed around, read a bit, played on the 'puter, and went to bed.

TGIF.

>188 katiekrug: To the moon, Alice...

>191 katiekrug: - *grin*

Morning, Katie! We made it to Friday!!

>192 Crazymamie: - FriYAY!

YES!

And not a moment too soon!

You're telling me. Plus, Mexican takeaway.

>196 Crazymamie: Oh. YUM.

We don't have a Mexican takeout place anywhere near enough to us to make it viable, so it's been a *long* time. *sigh*

>197 scaifea: Total bummer. It's one of my favorite things. Craig and Rae picked up the order today, and the guy said, "See you next week!"

Happy Friday, Katie! 104 posts? Wow! These can really pile up, if I neglect a pal for a day or two. I hope you have an R & R weekend planned. I do. Grins...

>198 Crazymamie: I love it when business owners recognize me like that! So lovely. As far as our own Mexican takeout, we'll get there again someday.

>196 Crazymamie: - *green with envy*

>197 scaifea: - We have some Mexican places here, but they are not up to standards, ingrained after 12 years in Texas. But they'll do when a craving gets overwhelming...

>198 Crazymamie: - I love being a regular at places. "Where everybody knows your naaaaame...."

>199 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! Well, we were talking about food a lot and that tends to get people chatty :)

I should have a pretty relaxed weekend, minus the usual chores (laundry....).

>200 scaifea: - I'm making a Mexican casserole this weekend. Not the same as good takeout, but it's lovely re-heated and dumped on a bed of lettuce, because I'm healthy AF ;-)

>201 katiekrug: Ha! Remember the TexMex conversation? Tomm and I *still* get into it over that.

>202 katiekrug: Now *there's* an idea...

*whispers*
Mexican Rice-a-Roni is delicious and canned refritos are, too
just put the two together and roll up in a tortilla with picante and *chef's kiss*

>203 scaifea: - Do it! We can be Mexican casserole twins. Heh.

>204 richardderus: - I'm not a big fan of refritos, but whatever works! Itches must be scratched.

Your temperature with windchill is getting pretty close to what we've had around here all week before windchill so sympathies.

Stay toasty inside this weekend! With book and furry friends if possible.

>198 Crazymamie: The point I knew I had a problem was when I had a regular order at the chip shop... Too many late departures from work and it was an easy stop on the way home.

I miss a proper mexican. Not something we have a lot of over here. My year in Texas taught me to appreciate it.

Happy weekend, Katie.

I can relate with the cold temperatures. Today's hight was 5F. We also had more than 20cm snow as well.

>206 MickyFine: - I don't think I have any reason to venture out this weekend, so I should be able to stay warm and cozy.

>207 Helenliz: - There is very little good about living in Texas beyond the Tex-Mex available, IMO...

>208 figsfromthistle: - We are supposed to get snow on Monday, I think. Hope so!

Ooof, I didn't get up until almost 10:00 this morning. I was up late, babysitting the end of the fire that we were enjoying in the family room. I'm so paranoid, I wouldn't go up to bed until every last ember was out. So a bit of a late night...

We had movie night - one TW pick (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) and one me pick (You've Got Mail). The former was silly fun and the latter, which I hadn't seen since soon after it came out, was delightful. TW said he enjoyed it more than he expected to. Result!

We had takeaway for dinner from a local dive that is trying to survive being open one night a week. It's sort of a town institution, and we had never been or ordered from them so decided to give it a try. TW had ribs and fries (the ribs were excellent and we are VERY picky) and I had clam chowdah and onion rings (don't judge me).

Laundry and general picking up around the house today. I need to do a little bit of work-work, but other than that, lots of reading and some puzzling, I hope. I'd like to finish Mexican Gothic by the end of the weekend, which should be doable.

Nuala says good morning!

Onion rings! What IS it with y'all and onion rings today! Now I want Five Guys onion rings even *worse* than before.

Well, I hope you have a lovely, less-windy Saturday anyway.

"clam chowdah and onion rings" What's to judge? Sounds like a marvelous combination to me.

On the subject of take-out, since there was so much talk of Mexican here....what works well for take-out? We have a Mexican restaurant (chain) we like OK, but we've never tried taking it out. It all seems like it might not survive the trip too well (10-15 minutes from there to here). Love me some chicken enchiladas, but I don't want 'em soggy, etc.

>212 richardderus: - What, no pats for a Very Good Doggy? Nuala is offended.

>213 laytonwoman3rd: - I'd go with soft tacos and ask for the salsa or other "wet" toppings on the side. But aren't enchiladas kind of soggy anyway? I actually think they'd probably travel pretty well...

>210 katiekrug: You've Got Mail is one of my favourite feel good movies and I usually give it a watch once a year.

Hope the work is short and the relaxing rewards take up more of the day.

Pass along some ear rubs for Nuala.

I haven't watched You've Got Mail in a *long* time, but I do love it. It's predecessor, The Shop Around the Corner, is one of my favorite movies of all time.

Yay for good ribs and onion rings and chowder and supporting local businesses!

And please give the adorable Nuala some ear scritches for me.

>211 katiekrug: *patpatpat*

GOOD GOOD POOCHIE because you just look adorable and are warm and soft and don't talk about onion rings to people who can't go get them.

>215 MickyFine: - I don't know why I hadn't watched it in so long. I think I remember not loving it way back when. Obviously, my taste has improved!

I only plan to work for an hour. I just need to stay on top of my email, as I have a submission deadline approaching and that always causes an avalanche of emails...

Ear rubs dispensed to the snoring dog lying next to me :)

>216 scaifea: - I wanted to watch it because I saw The Shop Around the Corner for the first time during our holiday movie viewing last month :)

Ears scritched.

>217 richardderus: - Ha! She was mad last night that she didn't get any onion rings. I tried to explain that onions would make her very sick, but her little doggy brain couldn't get past The Betrayal. TW did give her a little piece of pork rib, though, and that is why he is her Best Friend.

>211 katiekrug: Morning, Nuala! She is such a cutie!

Happy Saturday, Katie! Hooray for sleeping in. Per usual, I was up before 6. That is my routine.

I can't believe this was your first re-watch of "You've Got Mail," Katie! Then again, I didn't see it when it was in theaters (I blame it on having small children at the time; we didn't get out much). My older daughter absolutely adores it; it's taken the place of Harry Potter as her "film most likely to be on in the background" (and don't forget she named her new cat Birdie). I finally watched it sometime in the past couple of years. I felt a bit nostalgic revisiting those early email days.

>217 richardderus: Oooh, The Betrayal...that's always a nasty piece of the relationship, innit. What in the name of all that's unholy is slowing the science boffins down in developing doggie-translators?! They will be *almighty*rich* within seconds of releasing that tech!

Hugs and strokes for Nuala!!

I lurve Onion rings, no judging from me.
And there's a good pup.
(not a dog person, no idea what's the right thing to say.)

>220 msf59: - Nuala appreciates the compliment, Mark!

I am usually up around 7:00 or so. It was very odd to look at my phone and see it was almost 10:00!

>221 lauralkeet: - I know, Laura! It's exactly my kind of movie. I am happy to have "re-discovered" it. I did think of Kate's kitty when Birdie was introduced in the movie :)

>222 richardderus: - Right? I'd especially love a translator when I pick her up from day care. I chat with her in the car on the way home, asking how her day was, did she see her friends, etc. I may be losing my marbles...

>223 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba! Nuala is most appreciative.

>224 Helenliz: - Your response is just fine, Helen :) And hooray for more onion ring love. Now I wish I had more...

good onion rings -- not sure there's anything better than that. There's a local "chain" in San Diego called The Burger Lounge and they have not only wonderful burgers but the best onion rings on the planet!! and now I want some and I'm 1100 miles away... :(

>221 lauralkeet: Good morning, sweet puppers!!

I have Mexican Gothic on my radar. Waiting patiently in the giant stack

I slept later than normal, too, Katie. We love You've Got Mail and watch it at least once a year.

I want onion rings.

>211 katiekrug: Nuala is completely adorable. I mean, SO much cuteness.

>213 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, we always ask them to put the cold plate in a separate container. So we get the warm stuff in one container, and the guac, sour cream, tomato, lettuce stuff in a different container.

Hoping you do finish up Mexican Gothic this weekend so we can compare notes.

>226 RebaRelishesReading: - Reba, think of the fun you'll have when the Bad Times are over and you can embark on a restaurant exploration of your new area in search of the perfect onion ring!

>227 ChelleBearss: - Thanks, Chelle, re: El Doggo. We like her :)

I am having a love-hate relationship with Mexican Gothic...

>228 Crazymamie: - I want MORE onion rings now, Mamie! I will pass along the compliment to herself. She is sleeping right now on her throne.

MG - bah! I don't hate it, but dear gawd, GET ON WITH IT, WOMAN.

Yep. It was definitely too long.

>229 katiekrug: ...and yet she never does...

>230 Crazymamie: +1

by 60%

>230 Crazymamie: and >231 richardderus: - You are tempting me to DNF it....

>232 katiekrug: Won't so much as whisper a word of criticism or reproach.

>210 katiekrug: I have never actually seen You've Got Mail. I shall have to look it up next weekend. I assume it's a good movie?

>211 katiekrug: Absolutely adorable!

Hi Katie! I just created a thread for February's group read of Toni Morrison's Paradise.

Last I heard you were planning to join us and I hope some others will too!
http://www.librarything.com/topic/329307

So January's goals were met or monstered, I'm happy to report. Doing the monthly wrap-up is an interesting exercise it turns out.

>233 richardderus: - Welp, I finished it...

>234 figsfromthistle: - I really enjoyed the movie, figs. Hard to go wrong with those Nora Ephron rom-coms :)

Thanks re: Nuala. She's a Good Girl.

>235 lauralkeet: - Excellent, Laura! Thanks. I'll star the thread.

>236 richardderus: - Oh, well done!!

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Once I realized this was more horror than gothic, I knew it was not going to work for me. I'm not scared or discomfited by horror. I just don't find it very interesting. And this novel took forever to get going, so I was already slightly annoyed. And the writing was weird in parts and took me out of the story.

"Florence drank from her wine, the slim stem carefully lifted and pressed against her lips." Um, why was she pressing the stem to her lips?

The phrase, late in the book, "Church of the Incestuous Mushroom was just so on-point but also ridiculous that I laughed out loud. It would have worked in a review panning the book, but having a character say it just highlighted the nonsense nature of the whole endeavor.

All that said, I did appreciate the unique setting and context, and despite the occasional odd word choice or turn of phrase, Moreno-Garcia obviously has talent. So it wasn't a total loss, but overall, I'm not thrilled that I spent 5 days with it.

Also, mushrooms are gross. I've always thought so, I never eat them, and this book was a total vindication of my position on fungi.

2.75 stars

Yeah that's kind of why I stay away from horror Katie. Just not my kind of thing.

>238 katiekrug: That's one book that doesn't appear to have lived up to its marketing. Most reviews are mediocre.

I lost your thread briefly, Katie, but I'm back. Sorry Mexican Gothic wasn't to your taste. I had bought it for the library and because of all the hype was wondering if I might like it despite being, well, horror but I think I'll give it a pass. I still want to read Gods of Jade and Shadow at some point, though, and I think it will be more my thing than this one.

>238 katiekrug: I see you were, comme d'habitude, nicer than I'd've been.

Thanks re: goals...I am pretty pleased that I'm starting 2021 with a cushion not a deficit.

>239 brenzi: - I hadn't realized it was horror, Bonnie. I decided to give it a whirl when WNYC selected it for the January book club read and Mamie wanted to read it, too. Oh well...

>240 thornton37814: - So true, Lori. I probably should have just DNF'd it halfway through, but I didn't want to give up on a shared read.

>241 bell7: - I had no idea she had several other books under her belt, Mary, until I Googled her once I finished.

Glad you found me again! I've been lurking on your thread. Must be better about commenting :)

>242 richardderus: - Ha! I didn't think I was all that nice, but I guess it's relative? Hee hee.

Katie, I love your review! I knew you would like it less than I did, and I had marked that quote about the stem of the wine glass, too, because it cracked me up. Your spoiler phrase sounds like a Monty Python sketch, don'tcha think?! I really think the novel is as much weird fiction as it is gothic horror, but what do I know?

Morning, Katie!

Mushrooms *are* gross. We should have t-shirts made.

>244 Crazymamie: - I'm glad you liked my review, Mamie! I was composing it as I read... And yes! It totally sounds like Monty Python, which was so disconcerting in the narrative. I don't think I'm much of one for Weird Fiction.

>245 scaifea: - Definitely need some anti-fungal t-shirts!

I went to bed last night with maybe an inch of snow on the ground. It was coming down very lightly, and I said to myself, "Self, no way is this amounting to much."

I woke up this morning to about 7-8" and it is still coming down steadily and is supposed to all day. So I said to myself, "Self, you're an idiot."

We've shoveled the sidewalk and front walk and front steps and driveway once. We were supposed to get the new car today, but I don't think that's happening, which is fine, because we have a very short driveway and two cars won't fit, and I don't want to park one on the street. The garage, of course, is not available for actually parking a car. *ahem*

I had a bit of a mishap yesterday with our rental. I misjudged a left turn into a parking lot and hit the curb/storm drain and broke something. The Wayne thinks I only damaged the plastic splash guard underneath, but I feel like an idiot. It was also embarrassing because there were people around and they all stopped and stared. Oy.

In book news, having finally finished Mexican Gothic, I picked up Blessings by Anna Quindlen, which has been on my shelf since April 2004. Oops. I'm only one chapter in, but I think it will be a nice, gentle read. I was alternating the e-book and audio of MG to get through it faster, so I'll return my audio attention to The Boyfriend Project now.

I'm debating whether to do a monthly summary as I did last year. It became a bit of a chore, so I might just modify it and note the stats that I care most about. We'll see.

The threads are being weird. Or have been invaded by a malevolent mushroom. I've already responded to Mamie and Amber, and wrote a long post of my own, and now they have disappeared. WTF?

I went to bed last night with maybe an inch of snow on the ground. It was coming down very lightly, and I said to myself, "Self, no way is this amounting to much."

I woke up this morning to about 7-8" and it is still coming down steadily and is supposed to all day. So I said to myself, "Self, you're an idiot."

We've shoveled the sidewalk and front walk and front steps and driveway once. We were supposed to get the new car today, but I don't think that's happening, which is fine, because we have a very short driveway and two cars won't fit, and I don't want to park one on the street. The garage, of course, is not available for actually parking a car. *ahem*

I had a bit of a mishap yesterday with our rental. I misjudged a left turn into a parking lot and hit the curb/storm drain and broke something. The Wayne thinks I only damaged the plastic splash guard underneath, but I feel like an idiot. It was also embarrassing because there were people around and they all stopped and stared. Oy.

In book news, having finally finished Mexican Gothic, I picked up Blessings by Anna Quindlen, which has been on my shelf since April 2004. Oops. I'm only one chapter in, but I think it will be a nice, gentle read. I was alternating the e-book and audio of MG to get through it faster, so I'll return my audio attention to The Boyfriend Project now.

I'm debating whether to do a monthly summary as I did last year. It became a bit of a chore, so I might just modify it and note the stats that I care most about. We'll see.

Katie, I'll be awaiting your bestseller "Conversations With Myself". I am excited about your snow because someone should be getting some, and it's obviously not going to be me. Sorry about the rental car incident - we have all done things like that before.

The threads - yes, much weirdness. I'm guessing someone made eye contact with Monday. I mean, I try to warn you people, but stuff happens.

I say do the monthly summaries when you feel like it - sporadic is fine. In fact, I think sporadic is completely charming.

>250 Crazymamie: - Ha! No one wants to hear most of the conversations I have with myself. It's usually the angel on my shoulder telling the devil on the other one to stop being a butthead.

The threads seem to have recovered. So odd. I think you must be right about somebody looking Monday in the eye. C'mon people! You know better.

I forgot to mention the important stuff in my update post:

Dinner last night was pasta with meat sauce and garlic ciabatta, and we watched a couple of episodes of The West Wing and Schitt's Creek.

Trying to remember if I read Blessings. When Anna Quindlen wrote a column for the New York Times, I loved her to bits. When she started writing fiction, I read a couple, and was disappointed. They didn't "do" what her columns did for me, and I think I might have a different take on them now.

Morning, Katie. Thanks for confirming that I don't have to read Mexican Gothic. Yah! Good luck with the snowfall. It sounds like the northeast is about to get hammered. Be safe, my friend.

>253 laytonwoman3rd: - That's interesting, Linda, about the difference between her columns and novels. I'm trying to think if I've read any of her other novels...

>254 msf59: - We are being hammered as I speak, Mark :) Luckily, the threatened high winds have not materialized...

This is our back deck:

Whoa!

>255 katiekrug: Isn't it pretty! I love the shapes the snow just *assumes* when it's basically left alone to do its own thing.

The winds here are from the east so I can enjoy the way the flakes eddy around with the puffs of breeze along my west-facing windows. Magical.

Stats should be fun. Don't want to post 'em? Don't. Nothing, repeating for emphasis nothing, is allowed to diminish the joy of reading and talking about it with friends.

>256 Crazymamie: - Still coming down! Almost a white-out when I peer out the window...

>257 richardderus: - Yes, yes, yes! I am trying to not suck the joy out of reading. There are a couple of things I want to keep track of, but I think I can ditch publication date at the very least :-P

>258 katiekrug: Not to mention the fact that you're able to extract that data from your LT-kept stats at will. So no harm, no foul.

>259 richardderus: - True dat.

Month in Review: January

Books Read: 8
Mine vs Library: 5 vs 3

Non-US/UK Authors: 2 (Mexico, Canada)
Own Voices: 2
New-to-me Authors: 5

Best of the month: Siracusa by Delia Ephron
Worst of the month: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

DNFs: 2

>255 katiekrug: Beautiful view you have out your back, especially covered with fresh snow. We were "promised" 3-10 days of snow per year when we moved here. It snowed for a couple of days last week but not a flake stuck and that's all we've had. It's February so it had better hurry up.

>262 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba! We like our back yard a lot. The photos are nicer than reality, though, since you can't hear the parkway :)

I'm sure you'll get some snow at some point. At least here, February and March tend to be the snowiest...

So we have about a foot of snow, maybe just under. And the Governor tweeted about an hour ago that the worst of the storm was just starting and to expect at least 12 more hours. What the what?!?! I mean, I love snow. But um. That's a lot.

...the worst of the storm was just starting and to expect at least 12 more hours.
Jealous. Ours seems to be over with only 8 inches total. *sigh*

Stay safe & warm in the snow.

*Maybe* 3in here. Wind's still from the east, so no skin off mine in coldness terms...though the blowing snow makes the mounds look so much more intimidating than the peekaboo pavement on the streets shows to be the case.

>265 scaifea: - I'm sort of hoping the Governor might be a little wrong...

>266 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen! I've got nowhere to go, plenty of food (and wine), and so far, no issues with the power :)

>267 richardderus: - Only 3"?!?! Wow.

>268 katiekrug: So far...we'll see what the next few hours bring.

>269 richardderus: - Having just come in from shoveling, 3" sounds pretty good right now... Holy cheeseballs, it's crazy out there!

>264 katiekrug: Holy cow. We've had a few inches but hard to tell how much. There are big piles of snow along the street where people have cleared their sidewalks, but on our undisturbed back deck it looks like only 3" or so. That's way less than was forecast. It has continued to sleet or lightly snow all day so it's not over yet but it won't come close to your snowfall.

Enjoy your snow, Katie! Too bad you don't get a snow day. :(

The governor does weather reports?

>271 lauralkeet: - It's crazy, Laura. And a town plow just came through and piled up more snow. I'll have to take a picture...

>272 BLBera: - I know, Beth, that's the worst part of working from home. I could give myself a snow day, I guess, but that's not as much fun!

>273 MickyFine: - He does PSAs about severe weather, covid, vaccines, etc. He's a real Renaissance Man ;-)

>274 katiekrug: Lol. This reminds me of a sketch from 22 Minutes (Canadian satire news show) did recently on PEI COVID updates.

>275 MickyFine: - LOL! "Get your nose poked!"

Ah, my kids would love that much snow. We got a very wet and icy 3 inches around DC. Not as fun!

>277 japaul22: - Oh, yes, I remember DC "snow" "storms"!

If anyone's on Twitter, the #MuseumSnowballFight is a lot of fun.

>278 katiekrug: Although, we do have a fair amount of snow at the moment. It's definitely been mixed with rain and slush, but as DC winter storms go, it's pretty snowy! The first real snow of the year.

>264 katiekrug:, >274 katiekrug: We've gotten about 12" so far. It's really not that much. The best part of NYC snow (other than the fact that I don't have to drive in it or shovel it) is watching all the garbage trucks with plow blades attached clear the streets. 20 years here and they still make me giggle.

My husband has just been out with the snowblower, clearing the driveway. He says we have about 7" now. We are by no means through with this either, and the later stages will be wetter and heavier, I think. This is pretty fluffy stuff so far, and no wind to speak of.

>280 AnneDC: - I remember a few decent snowfalls when I lived there, Anne. And it's so pretty there when it snows.

>281 ELiz_M: - "It's not really that much" says the woman who doesn't have to shovel! We have about 14" at least now and it. is. still. coming. down. I think we're just going to give up on shoveling until it's all over...

Somebody should write a children's book about the garbage truck plows :)

>282 laytonwoman3rd: - Yep, that's how ours started. It's still not too heavy and wet, but definitely more than it was earlier. And we are getting a bit of wind, but it's not too bad (knock wood).

Hi Katie!

109 messages since the 28th. My, my.

>184 katiekrug: Yikes. We have beta tapes and laser discs too, although we don’t have players for either one. Come to think of it, I don’t think we have a VHS tape player anymore either, although we’ve also got VHS tapes.

>255 katiekrug: It looks so peaceful and non-malevolent, right? But by >270 katiekrug: Holy cheeseballs, it's crazy out there! I bet you wish there was no snow at all.

Sorry to see that Mexican Gothic didn't work for you. It looks like something that "should" appeal to me, but I may skip it for a bit. I just DNF Anxious People last night. Feel bad about it because I thought I would love it

>284 karenmarie: - I still have a few movies on VHS despite not having a player anymore. I should dig them out and see if they are streaming or, if not, get them on DVD...

No, no, no - I am very glad to have snow. I love snow. I love winter. (I keep repeating this to myself...) But I'll be glad when the next storm comes and we have a snow blower *grin*

>285 ChelleBearss: - I am getting better about DNFing things, Chelle, though I always feel a twinge of guilt. I only finished MG because I was reading it with Mamie. It's all her fault...

....And here I sit in balmy Buffalo with maybe one or two inches on the ground. Maybe. And it's supposed to rain later this week. Heh Katie I can't say I miss it lol.

I read Blessings eons ago or maybe in the early 2000s but remember absolutely nothing about it.

>283 katiekrug: "It's not that much" says the woman that spent 22 years in MN and was sent out to shovel with siblings (strategically waiting until the neighbor was out with his snowblower) when the shovel was taller than herself. :P

>287 brenzi: - Enjoy that balmy weather, Bonnie! I can't help thinking, though, that you are tempting fate with those comments :)

>288 ELiz_M: - Gah! How could I forget you are from Minnesota?!?! Silly me, and I retract my comment!

Morning, Katie! I am very excited about your snow. I know, I know, I don't have to deal with it, but still...isn't it lovely?

The back deck this morning:



We spent 2 hours shoveling, mostly digging the car out and clearing the driveway apron where the town plow dumped a bunch of snow. Annoying. I did a half-assed job on the front steps and walkway, but at least it's navigable now. I have a pinched nerve or tendonitis or something in my forearm that is driving me crazy. It's been bothersome for a few days, but all the shovel gripping has made it worse. Bah!

Last night for dinner we had Philly-ish cheesesteaks and watched Grumpy Old Men.

>290 Crazymamie: - It's very pretty, Mamie, and I'd still rather be here than back in Texas. But I am looking forward to having a snow blower for the next storm!

You got so much snow! We got a light dusting here but the kids are happy to flop about in it.

>293 ChelleBearss: - The mayor said 20 inches, but I'm not convinced of that. Well over a foot, though! The poor dog wants to play in it, but it's almost too deep for her!

>238 katiekrug: "Horror" is not a genre that works for me either, Katie.

>179 katiekrug: Ha! Isn't going at it like rabbits romantic? Well, I mean, really. They could barely catch their breath between romantic interludes.

Accents and captions: we have an app that closed captions conversations when we're in London. (Kidding). Before captions, we did find that too often we were looking at each other and saying, "What did he/she say?" Now, with the captions, it's instead "What the heck does (British slang word) mean?"

Oh dang, Katie, I'm sorry about the pinched nerve. Annoying. I hope it clears up soon.

We had Philly Cheesesteaks a couple of nights ago and they really hit the spot.

Grumpy Old Men - omg, I haven't thought about those movies in forever! I may have to make them my choice soon. Tonight, though, we have to watch Groundhog Day, of course.

My brother-in-law recently recommended Grumpy Old Men (he kind of is one, not sure I trust the recommendation). I've never seen it.

Sorry to hear about your arm, Katie. When we got a big dump of snow in November I found it was my hip, which is frequently cranky anyway because I'm terrible at sitting ergonomically, that got crankiest.

At least you get to enjoy watching Nuala be ridiculous in the stuff.

I made it before dinnertime. It's about the best I can manage...the symptoms of the changeover made sleep elusive, plus Rob wanted to discuss some future plans, and all in all I got maybe an hour's sleep at a stretch and now here I am griping about it to you.

I need more sleep. But tonight.

>286 katiekrug: A snowblower is probably a good idea. My husband cracked me up in 2018 – we had a very light powdery snowfall and he used our leaf blower with great success.

>291 katiekrug: Beautiful! Sorry about the pinched nerve or tendonitis.

Hi Katie, I've had fun catching up here - the pictures of your snowfall are pretty but then I read about you having to shovel and decided that I can continue to do without snow quite nicely. After reading your and Mamie's thoughts on Mexican Gothic I've decided I can do without it as well. :)

Love the pictures of the snow, Katie. Not so keen to get shovelling though. We've had threats of it here but the closest I've seen has been on someone else's zoom screen. Currently reading Sarah Morganthaler, but not sure of it's a blame Litsy or blame LT book!

>295 magicians_nephew: - Part of the problem with this particular one, Jim, was that I didn't even find it scary - just mostly silly and trying too hard.

>296 jnwelch: - Welp, whatever works for you, Joe!

>297 scaifea: - Thanks re: the arm, Amber. I think it's likely more an inflamed tendon or strained muscle. Luckily, Joel the Devil is also a physcial therapist, so he gave me some free advice this morning :)

The cheesesteaks were very yummy. I don't think we'd ever made them at home before, but there was a BOGO sale on shaved steak this weekend, so of course The Wayne had to get some. We made the other package into a stir fry that was very good, too.

I hadn't seen Grumpy Old Men in ages, and TW never had. It was cute, but not as hilarious as I remembered. Still, we'll watch the sequel soonish, I think.

>298 AnneDC: - It's a fine way to pass an evening, Anne. Not great cinema, but it has a lot of heart. And Burgess Meredith is very funny in it.

>299 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky. My arm issue is related to my desk set-up which isn't terrible but not ergonomically ideal.

Nuala has been so cute in the snow. She jumps up into drifts and then looks confused as to what to do next...

>300 richardderus: - I hope you adjust to the new meds soon, RD. You can come gripe here anytime. *smooch*

>301 karenmarie: - Too funny about the leaf blower, Karen. But also pure genius! Thanks re: the arm. I have to baby it, which is hard when I spend every workday typing and mousing...

>302 DeltaQueen50: - I'm okay with the snow, as long as it keeps to only one big dump a year, Judy :) I would not want this to be a regular thing.

Glad I could steer you away from Mexican Gothic, though I worry that you could love it and now you'll never now and it's all my fault.

>303 charl08: - I'm not familiar with Sarah Morgenthaler, Charlotte. Worth looking into?

So today's a gripeless day! I slept better than I have been and there's some progress on the side effects.

In related news, Rob and I watched The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly after we each read the 99¢ story (well, I borrowed mine from the library). The show wasn't good, the story was, and for the same reasons.

Last night's dinner: beef bulgogi bowls with carrots and pickled cucumbers. Viewing: Snowpiercer (series, not the movie). I went to bed early because I was exhausted. Slept like a log :)

I took yesterday afternoon off to baby my arm, and it helped a bit. Wish I could do that every day.

>306 richardderus: - Yay for good sleep! I slept well last night, too :)

That's a Christie I am not familiar with....

>308 katiekrug: It's one of Poirot's Early Cases. Not a bad little outing, with a very simple, logical, and unexpected conclusion.

Bulgogi bowls! Yum.

Eh, they were just okay. Made me want to order real Korean :)

>310 katiekrug: I can only imagine. I miss having a Korean place nearby!

I would love to have that sort of snow Katie. I’ve only seen snow that deep a couple of times in my life.

We've hardly had any snow in Minn. this year, Katie. I've only had to shovel a couple of times. I am NOT complaining.

Is Snowpiercer violent? I was thinking about it for my dystopian fiction class, but the ads look like it may be beyond my squeamish comfort zone.

>311 richardderus: - We have a place not too far, but I'm not sure they deliver, and picking up could be an issue as there is only street parking and everything is covered in piles of snow....

>312 SandDune: - I bet Daisy would love it, too, Rhian! Nuala can't get enough...

>313 BLBera: - It's kind of violent, Beth. I have a high tolerance, so may not be the best judge.

>261 katiekrug: Always enjoy seeing stats!

Hope you are having a great week so far.

>315 figsfromthistle: - Can't complain (much!) :)

>316 katiekrug:. No, you could be doing 4 days of online training, to be followed by an exam. Been a very long time since I had to pass an exam...

>317 Helenliz: - I beeeeelieeeeve in you, Helen! You can do it!

(Says she who also has not had to pass an exam in yonks...)

Mr. Fine made me watch Snowpiercer the movie and after that utterly depressing experience, I refuse to watch the series.

Hope the arm isn't acting up too much today. A former co-worker of mine had to splint her finger for a while last year because she'd managed to injure it from excessive mouse wheel usage.

>318 katiekrug: It's not if I can do it that I doubt, it's if I can pass the exam! 2 hours, written paper, to be taken online with my video on all the time, so that they can see that it's me doing it. No pressure, like.

>289 katiekrug: Gosh darn you Katie.



Fortunately, I don't have to think about a snow blower or a shovel. I pay to have my driveway plowed and I like to get my moneysworth lol.

Your snow pictures are pretty but I'm glad I don't have to shovel it. Did you get your snowblower yet or your new vehicle?

With all the strange things that happened with your thread with the continuation link not showing up I almost lost you again. I had to come back and star this thread because that didn't carry over either.

>319 MickyFine: - We watched the movie a couple of years ago. I don't remember much about it, other than the train :)

Arm is much better, thanks! Not 100% but much improved. Computer work is the devil.

>320 Helenliz: - No pressure at all - ha!

>321 brenzi: - Bonnie, it's not my fault! YOU tempted the universe :)

The Wayne is still enamored of snow. Once that wears off (hopefully soon!), we'll just have our landscaping company do it for us....

>322 Familyhistorian: - Hi Meg! Glad you found me. The continuation link is acting up AGAIN, but I am determined to wait it out this time so I don't get lost :)

Snowblower arrives next week, I think. Car is arriving today!

Not much to report here. We had a yummy ravioli dish for dinner last night, and then we each did our own thing. I read and puzzled, and TW played computer games.

Virtual happy hour tonight! Which means takeout for dinner. Probably Italian of some sort...

And the car is being delivered today, so we'll probably return the rental later this afternoon.

But first.... Work. Blah.

Happy new car day!

Thanks, Chelle!

The new car has arrived! We took it for a quick spin (The Wayne had a meeting he had to get to) at the delivery dude's invitation, and it's super nice, but my gawd, I'm going to be scared to drive it. Apparently it has a heads-up display on the windshield, that shows your speed and stuff. And there are many buttons. And it's so quiet in electric mode. And it smells so nice. And the guy apologized that it had some dirt on it from the drive up the highway, so we are getting a $100 gift card for a detailing. NOICE.

So now we need to return the rental and 'fess up to my little mishap, which The Wayne "fixed" with a drill and zip-tie... Heh.

Great news on the car - what color? You'll need the detailing with all the slush around!

ohhh, shiny! You'll get used to the bells & whistles in time.

>328 vivians: - I forget its official name, but it's dark grey metallic. Graphite, maybe?

>329 Helenliz: - I know, I just hate unfamiliar cars. Any time I have to rent one, it takes me a good 2 or 3 days to feel comfortable, but then I'm fine :)

Huzzah for new car day! Are you and The Wayne the type to name cars? (I totally named mine).

I named my very first car when I was a teenager (Rusty Buckets, sometimes War Wagon), and the first car I bought as an adult (TATU-1 = Trans-American Transport Unit because it's what I drove moving from DC to TX). But haven't named one since. Maybe I'll call this one "Wayne's Folly." Heh.

The Wayne's new toy is here! But there is an absence of photographic evidence, I note. Hmmm

>333 richardderus: - Well, right now it's parked in front of a dirty snow bank, so I am waiting for a better backdrop!

>332 katiekrug: Snort!

Thanks

>17 drneutron: hi 😊

My name is Jeanne. I love to read romance and mysteries! How about you all?

>336 katiekrug: Handsome beast indeed!

>337 Deversdre: - ...

>338 Redhead345: and >339 Redhead345: - Hi Jeanne. I read in almost every genre.

>340 richardderus: - Pretty is as pretty does *exaggerated WINK*

>342 katiekrug: EVER THUS TO THE W-BOMBING TERRORISTS

Bwahahahaha!

Chiming in on the car talk at the beginning of your thread. I've had three Hyundai Elantras, they are reasonably priced, very low maintenance, and handle snow well.

With each Hyundai, I've only ever needed breaks and oil changes. Not bad!

>345 Whisper1: I have had two Elantras, Linda, including my current car, and I agree with all of your points. I've been very happy with them. Of course, they aren't BMWs ... ;-)

>336 katiekrug: Sharp! Love the wheels. I mean the actual wheels.

>336 katiekrug:



I love the color - I think cars in dark greys or black look very sleek and spy-like.

>336 katiekrug:, not gone for a small car then! It's very swish looking.

>345 Whisper1: and >346 rosalita: - We had a bad experience with a Hyundai (Santa Fe) and TW swore "never again!" I am glad you two haven't had any issues.

>347 laytonwoman3rd: - I'm a sucker for nice wheels, too, Linda!

>348 scaifea: - I am an International Woman of Mystery. Obvs.

>349 Helenliz: - It's not that big, Helen! Just a 4-door sedan. We were driving an SUV with three rows of seats, so this seems much smaller :)

Oof, virtual happy hour last night. I was fine for it. Should not have had that last glass once we hung up, though :-/ But I made it to the gym and feel much better now.

I finished up Blessings this morning while sucking down coffee. I'll write up some comments in a bit, but the short version is I really liked it.

Empanadas for dinner last night - there is a great restaurant here that makes really good pizza and amazing empanadas. Weird, I know. I had a meatball parm one and a beef and cheese one. Delicious. And a cannoli cream and Nutella drizzle one for dessert :)

Mmm, I will always try anything with Nutella.

Glad the gym was a feel-good workout today. Nice way to slide into the weekend.

>352 MickyFine: - I wish I could send you one of these empanadas, Micky. Sooooo good.

>353 katiekrug: Now, see?! That is unconscionably cruel and unusual tease/torture behavior! You are convicted, and as your punishment, must set up a new thread.

I'm not setting up a new thread until they fix the continuation problem! So there. *nyah*

>355 katiekrug: So two weeks, then? 😀

>356 drneutron: - What? TWO WEEKS?!?!?

Why can't you just add the link to a new thread at the bottom of this one? People will be able to find it and star it that way. Several people who are having this problem did that and it's pretty seamless.

>358 jessibud2: - I can do that, Shelley, I just don't want to :) I did it last time when the continuation link was acting up. I find it annoying when there are features on offer but they don't actually work. So I am protesting... Heh.

>359 katiekrug: I hear you. If you offer someone the pony, you expect the pony to be delivered. And not in two weeks time...

Blessings by Anna Quindlen

"And here she sat in solitary splendor with a tuna fish sandwich and two olives, as she had done for years and years, happily, or at least contentedly. All broken now, the happiness or contentment or resignation or whatever it was a person felt when the repeated customs of her life had become that life itself."

Lydia Blessing is 80 years old and lives a rigid life. She is disapproving of most things and people and seems to exist on a steady diet of memories and unacknowledged regrets. So it's surprising, not least of all to herself, that when her caretaker finds an abandoned baby girl on his doorstep, she decides to help him take care of her. What follows is a lovely, gentle story of two people doing the wrong thing for the right reasons and learning what it means to connect and grow and finally face those unacknowledged regrets. Blessings is a novel about families - lost ones, found ones, and made ones. Reading it was like slipping into a warm bath - relaxing and comforting and escapist.

4.5 stars

>360 Helenliz: - Exactly!

>361 katiekrug: Gorgeous review, Katie!

>359 katiekrug: I stand with Katie. *fist bump*

>361 katiekrug: Nice comments, Katie. I'll add this to the WL. I haven't read Quindlen for years; I really liked her essays, but her early fiction, not so much, so I kind of forgot about her.

>361 katiekrug: Well this is disturbing Katie. I remember liking that book a lot but nothing you wrote rings even a tiny bell. I remember reading it at our summer cottage in Canada but not one thing about it. Gah!

You know how I feel (strongly) about these threads so let her fly. I had no trouble loading yours. None.

Amanda, it is inappropriate on LT to promote your books on a personal thread. You need to go here to do that:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/186995

Happy Saturday, Katie. I am back from my trip to the Great White North. Funny, colder here than it was there. It will stay frigid here through next week, keeping me indoors. I can catch up on my reading, since I read nothing on my trip. I hope you and the Wayne are doing fine.

Have you and TW been to the Corning Museum of Glass yet? Look at this less-than-10-minute YouTube video to see one of their demonstrations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LqF05S9Z-o&ab_channel=CorningMuseumofGlass

So Cool! AND we have a new season of Blown Away!

>363 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky!

>364 lauralkeet: - Ha! I appreciate the solidarity, my friend :)

>365 BLBera: - I don't know how far back her fiction goes, Beth, but this was published in 2002...

>366 brenzi: - I am terrible about remembering books even a couple of years on, Bonnie, so I wouldn't worry too much about it!

>368 ronincats: - Thank you, Roni.

>369 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! Welcome home. I'm glad you had a good trip. TW and I are doing fine, thanks!

>371 richardderus: - We haven't been there, but it's on The List. Thanks for the link! I did glass-blowing once at a special event thingy. My blob was lovely *grin*

Gym done (we don't usually go on Saturdays, but we missed Monday due to the snow storm...). "Man-killer burpees" can fuck ALL THE WAY OFF, as far as I'm concerned.

Apparently, we are supposed to get more snow tomorrow. The snow blower is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Hmmm.....

I'm planning to take it easy today. I'll do a load or two of laundry, but other than that, I'm not making myself do anything I don't wanna.

Last night, we had Thai green curry with chicken and watched (TW's pick) 'Zulu.' I was too tired for another movie, so tonight will be my choice.

Happy weekend, Katie! Glad you enjoyed Blessings so much.

>374 bell7: - Happy weekend to you, Mary! Blessings really hit the spot for me. It's not great literature, but it was exactly what I needed/wanted out of a book right then. I love when that happens :)

Morning, Katie! I took an LT break because I had an CT flare up, but now I am SO far behind. Oof. Anyway, the new car looks most attractive and hooray for the bells and whistles once you get used to them.

I am adding Blessings to your Dirty Dozen despite your saying, "Reading it was like slipping into a warm bath..." Um...don't you hate baths?

>376 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie! I was wondering if anyone would pick up on that - I should have known you would 🙂 I guess I should have said something about it being like a bath as most people experience them, though I hate them. Ha! It was the best analogy I could think of, though...

Sorry about the CT flare-up. My arm was doing better but our workout this morning made it hurt again. Blerg.

I also hate a bath, which is why I remembered.

The CT flare-up is a pain - I was going to have the surgery for it last year, but we ended up having a zombie apocalypse, so...Maybe later this year. Sorry about your arm, too. I think in order to take preventative measures you should never do "Man-killer burpees" again. I mean, safety first and all that.

How on earth did I get so far behind on your thread, Katie? Caught up now though. 1) congratulations on the beyouuutiful new car! I prefer my cars to be the color of local dirt but gray is very chic. 2) empanada are wonderful -- hadn't thought of them since we moved -- must make some soon...or some pasties 3) hope you aren't too sore from those delightful burpees 4) happy weekend!

>379 RebaRelishesReading: "I prefer my cars to be the color of local dirt..." This made me laugh out loud, Reba!

I've been doing online exercise classes and the tutor gave us Burpees this week. We were all less than impressed. But, as she pointed out, with us all on mute we could call her all the names under the sun and she really didn't care.

Hoping the snow blower arrives just ahead of the snow. >:-)

Happy Saturday. Mine involved a Zoom meeting (for which I'm putting off writing minutes) gardening and another zoom meeting (where I was just listening in, doing cross stitch at the same time). Hope yours is/was better.

We got about six inches of snow this week. My neighbor did my sidewalk while he did his, which is so nice. Then, I started on my driveway, did about half and then left to run some errands. When I came back, my driveway and a path to my trashcans was magically cleared. My son-in-law is the best! Long story short, I've done little shoveling this year.

I hope you don't get too much snow and your snow blower arrives.

Nice car.

Hi, Katie. Good review of Blessing. Based on the description of her at the beginning, I wouldn't have expected the book to be warm and escapist.

I'm reading the escapist new Easy Rawlins mystery, Blood Grove, and it's great to be back in stride with Easy.

Love the colour of the new car, Katie. I agree with you on baths. Hope your snowblower showed up before the snow.

Congrats on the new car!

If you don't like the heads up display, most car models allow you to turn it off.

Good luck with the rental return.

>378 Crazymamie: - Yeah, baths are gross.

I'll pass along the burpee advice to Joel the Devil :)

>379 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba! Thanks for taking the time to get caught up on my oh-so-exciting thread/life!

>380 Crazymamie: - Same!

>381 Helenliz: - That is one advantage of online classes, Helen. But I like cursing out Joel the Devil in person ;-)

The snowblower arrived mid-storm!

My Saturday was just fine - no Zoom meetings!

>382 BLBera: - That's so nice of your neighbor and your son-in-law, Beth. During the big storm, I was hoping our neighbor, who we've met and chatted with, would offer to snowblow us, but no such luck... But now we have our own, so it's all good!

>383 jnwelch: - Thanks re: my review, Joe. The book was a nice surprise.

I've only read Devil in a Blue Dress....

>384 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg. The snowblower was delivered amid the storm. The Wayne loves it :)

>385 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, figs. I finally drove the car yesterday and couldn't see the H.U.D. The Wayne had adjusted the brightness or something...

The rental return went fine. But I had to pay them $500 extra (my insurance deductible). Blerg.

Last night we had air fryer pork chops and roasted carrots and potatoes. We played Mario Party and I, as usual, got my butt kicked.

We woke up this morning to overcast skies and then it started snowing soon after. I think we ended up with another 6" or so. It's very light and fluffy though, so not too bad to clean up. TW made bacon and reheated the leftover roasted carrots and potatoes and I made scrambled eggs for myself (he doesn't eat eggs) - we don't often make "real" breakfasts, but it sure hit the spot today. Amazon delivered our snowblower in the late morning, so TW was able to use it to clear our front walk and sidewalk and driveway. Then we played some Wii games, and I managed to read a bunch, and then we prepped our Super Bowl taco bar and stuffed our faces :) Now rooting against Tom Brady, but not really paying full attention to the game.

I'll start a new thread tomorrow, as rumor has it, the continuation link issue has been resolved.

I hope y'all had a good weekend!

Books:

I'm almost done with both Emperor of the Air and When They Call You a Terrorist. I'll probably finish the latter tonight or tomorrow.

>387 katiekrug: It's the stupid awards at the end of Mario Party that always get me. The BS awards as we call them in this house.

Hope the tacos are delicious.

I thought When They Call You a Terrorist was a powerful memoir, Katie. I'll watch for your comments.

>388 MickyFine: - Yes! You can turn those off, you know. We never do, and if I end up losing because of them, I claim a moral victory :)

>389 BLBera: - Very powerful, Beth. I should finish it today...

A new thread (finally!): https://www.librarything.com/topic/329599