Anne (AMQS) Reads in 2022 - 3

Welcome, or welcome back! My name is Anne. I live in Colorado with my husband Stelios, and three kitties. We have two grown daughters, one of whom is studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, and the other has recently moved home. I am a teacher librarian in a little mountain elementary school, so I read a lot of children's literature, along with adult literary fiction. I adore audiobooks and always have one going for my commutes up to school. This is my 13th year in the group (thank you, Jim/drneutron!)

Now reading: Audio:

We are beyond excited that our beloved Colorado Avalanche just won the Stanley Cup! Our last cup was 21 years ago. The Avalanche came to Colorado from Quebec City in the 1995-1996 season and won the Stanley Cup in their first season. We've been fans ever since.

2022 Reading (2):

December, 2022
81. The Patron Thief of Bread by Lindsay Eager
82. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
83. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
84. Into Love and Out Again: Stories by Elinor Lipman
85. Address Unknown by Katherine Kressman Taylor

November, 2022
74. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
75. Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee
76. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
77. Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac
78. Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
79. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
80. New From Here by Kelly Yang

October, 2022
69. The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
70. Stuntboy in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third
71. Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden
72. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
73. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
October favorite:

September, 2022
62. The Samosa Rebellion by Shanthi Sekaran
63. Last Call at the Hotel Imperial by Deborah Cohen
64. Still Life by Sarah Winman
65. When Time Stopped: A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains by Ariana Neumann
66. If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on my Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating by Alan Alda
67. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
68. The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold
September favorite:

August, 2022
57. Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern
58. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
59. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
60. Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
61. The Fortnight in September by R.C. Sherriff
August favorite:

July, 2022
47. Dial A For Aunties by Jessie Q. Sutanto
48. When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
49. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
50. Loyalty by Avi
51. The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
52. My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
53. The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
54. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
55. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
56. Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay

July favorites:

2022 Reading (1):

June, 2022
37. We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
38. English Creek by Ivan Doig
39. The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo
40. Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
41. Emma by Jane Austen
42. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
43. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
44. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
45. Root Magic by Eden Royce
46. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
June favorite:

May, 2022
30. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson
31. An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor
32. The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
33. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
34. Starfish by Lisa Fipps
35. Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
36. Linked by Gordon Korman
May favorite:

April, 2022
23. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
24. These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett
25. Hardscrabble by Sandra Dallas
26. Molly of the Mall: Literary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear by Heidi L.M. Jacobs
27. Network Effect by Martha Wells
28. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
29. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
April favorites:

March, 2022
15. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz
16. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
17. West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
18. The Food Explorer: The True Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Botanist Who Transformed What America Eats by Daniel Stone
19. The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell
20. Then She Found Me by Elinor Lipman
21. Hanna’s Daughters by Marianne Fredriksson
22. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
March favorites:

February, 2022
8. The Art of the Wasted Day by Patricia Hampl
9. Mr. Flood's Last Resort by Jess Kidd
10. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
11. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
12. The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts
13. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
14. Stella By Starlight by Sharon Draper
February favorite:

January, 2022
1. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
2. Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin
3. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
4. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
5. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
6. The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin
7. The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
January favorite:

Happy new thread, Anne!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Anne! I have both of your current reads on my TBR list (and When Women Were Dragons currently home from the library), so I'll look forward to your thoughts on them.

Happy new one, Anne!

I didn't watch much of the Stanley Cup series, but I was pleased Tampa Bay lost since (1) Florida and (2) they beat my team :)

Happy new thread, Anne. Congrats on the Stanley cup win - even though I don't really follow hockey.

I look forward to following your reading and getting more great young reader recommendations.

Happy new one, Anne!!

Happy new thread, Anne!!

Happy new thread, Anne. I hope your summer break is continuing to treat you well.

Happy new thread!

Sweet Thursday, Anne! Happy New Thread. Go Avalanche!

Happy new thread!

>6 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita! Hope life is good for you this summer:)

>7 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita! I get a kick out of two Anita greetings in a row. I'm glad you're here!

>8 bell7: Hi Mary! I'm only a page or so into When Women Were Dragons. Not even far enough to offer an opinion. As for Dial A... I've considered abandoning a few times, but as it is summer and I don't listen to as many audios (and need something I can drop in and out of without being lost), I am sticking with it. I think it would be better in print. The narrator is good, but it just needs to be read in print. I've sped it up to 1.25X the speed.

>9 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! It was a terrific series between two great teams. So glad we came out on top! The Avalanche held their parade today. We didn't go, but enjoyed watching the highlights.

>10 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! Hockey is pretty much the only thing I follow, and not very closely except for the Avalanche. I can't take credit for the Stanley Cup other than I wore my Avs gear when I was supposed to, knocked on wood countless times, and supplied my husband with Sierra Mist, which was "responsible" for an Avs win at some point when he was at a game, so we had to have it and serve over ice in the second period:)

>11 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba!

>12 curioussquared: Thank you, Natalie! How are your handsome boys?

>13 MickyFine: Thank you, Micky! I have had a good break so far with the right combination of productivity and relaxation/reading. I'm trying to plan a long weekend trip for July to celebrate my husband's birthday. We're thinking about Taos.

>14 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! Have you had your trip south yet?

>15 msf59: It was a sweet Thursday, Mark - we enjoyed watching coverage of the Avalanche parade through downtown Denver:)

>16 foggidawn: Thank you, foggi!

41. Emma by Jane Austen. Audiobook narrated by Juliet Stevenson. 5 stars.

This was a reread/re-listen. I had gum surgery in early June and the office where I had my procedure recommended an audiobook. This was just the one. It was good to listen to something I had listened to many times before, so I never got lost during the procedure. I love Emma.

42. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. 4 stars.

Read for book club. This was a coming of age novel set in small town Minnesota in the 1960s, when young Frank grows up in a hurry in a summer that brings far too many tragedies to his community. It's a slow-burn mystery and meditation on grief and peace and forgiveness and wha part God can play in it all. Lovely writing, but hard to read on some places.

43. All Systems Red by Martha Wells. 5 stars.

OK this was an accident. But I read it and I am counting it. Last week Stelios spent the day with my dad helping him set up a new computer. I asked him to take me to my mom's house so I could turn off the heat, turn on the water, and start to get it ready for her to come home in August. I swear I brought a book and a back up book, but I gave my brother a boxed set of The Murderbot Diaries for Christmas, and he left them here after reading them. What was I supposed to do? I don't reread very often (excepting Jane Austens), and a reread twice in six months is very rare for me.

44. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells. 5 stars.

Oops.

>17 AMQS: The boys are good! But we're bracing for Big Scary Fireworks Weekend over here. I'll have to post a picture of Skelly in his special anti-fireworks snood -- it's literally the only thing we've found that helps him at all, including various medications and CBD concoctions.

>20 AMQS: I've been itching to pick up Murderbot again, too. There's a lot of bad happening in the world right now and I think I need to pay a visit to my comfort killing machine.

45. Root Magic by Eden Royce. 3.5 stars.

Back on track! This is a middle grade debut novel set on a South Carolina sea island in 1963. It is a story steeped in Gullah-Geechee lore and traditions, and during the tumult and brutality of the Jim Crow South. The book begins as twins Jezebel and Jay mourn their beloved grandmother. With her passing, it is time for their uncle Doc to teach them to work root - both concocting potions and tinctures and healing herbs, but also protective spells and traditional west African magic. And the family needs it. They need protection from fellow Black citizens who have left root behind and regard them with superstition, from the cruelty of the white police of the island, and from the supernatural phenomena that lurk and bubble up in the marsh, including poppets, boo-hags, and more.

This is a solid debut about a culture unknown to me. I look forward to more of her work.

>22 curioussquared: Yes, please do! Whistler mostly tolerated fireworks, but what he really didn't like were window blinds rattling in the wind. Poor Skelly:)

I think you're exactly right - and MB is my comfort killing machine, too!

46. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells. 5 stars.

Dang it!

Oh, Taos! We spent our favorite Thanksgiving ever in Santa Fe, and included a day in Taos. I'd love to go back to both places...

Happy number 3, Anne.

I'll add Root Magic to my Scout list. I would relisten to the Murderbot books. They were so much fun.

Happy new thread! Chiming in on the living abroad discussion from your previous thread. I'd just like to visit more abroad, but I'm not sure with the present economic situation I'll see my dream fulfilled. I've been to 3 other countries, but all in North America/Caribbean. I want to see Europe!

>26 katiekrug: I'd love to hear recommendations, Katie! We've been to Santa Fe a couple of times (it's a favorite spring break destination - about a 6-hour drive, plenty to do with kids) but never Taos. I'm excited! I booked our place so we're going next weekend!

>27 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul!

>28 BLBera: They were fun, and now Ive done both print and audio. Root Magic might be a good one to borrow from the library. I liked it, but can't say that I loved it, though I did learn a lot and I love it when that happens.

>29 thornton37814: Ooh, it's time, Lori! I'll cross my fingers that it will be possible for you to go to Europe some time. We've always made it a priority because we both have family in Europe, but there are lots of US destinations we've never been to, and some practically in our back yard... Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Orlando (probably missed the window on that as the girls would have loved it when they were little). We've never even taken the girls to Mesa Verde! Too little time.

>29 thornton37814: There are other things to do in the Central Florida area, but Disney is so huge and has so many parks there, there's bound to be something that still appeals.

Happy new thread! I am reading the Murderbots on your recommendation and loving them. Enjoy your summer.

>30 AMQS: Had to chuckle at "never even taken the girls to Mesa Verde". I'm (mubledimuble) years old, have lived in the western U.S. for a big chunk of my life and have often talked of going to Mesa Verde but haven't made it yet! You all have plenty of time left to get there :)

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

>31 thornton37814: Yeah, we've been to Florida a couple of times, but never to Disney or any of the theme parks.

>32 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! I'm so glad you're enjoying Murderbot! So many people here recommended them, so I'm glad I tried them and that you like them also.

>33 RebaRelishesReading: I mention Mesa Verde because it's in our home state! Stelios and I visited years ago before kids came along and I've visited once or twice on tour with the Chorale, but we've never brought the girls. As for Yellowstone, or Grand Canyon... none of us have been, and they are in neighboring states! I did a National Parks Maps project with 4rd graders this year and realized that my NP visits are woefully few!

>34 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! Now I need to go over to your thread to see where you went on vacation! I'm making the rounds, but as far behind as I am, it's taking awhile:) Thanks for visiting!

> 33 >35 AMQS: Hope you are having fun in Taos. It's funny how we look beyond the horizon when there are great options on our own doorsteps. We brought our board of directors who are from all over the state down to the southwest corner of Virginia, right in the middle of Appalachia. I love the area and have visited lots of the various attractions. The two locals laughed, saying I took them places they had never been despite living there all their lives. I admitted that the same is true for me and my own region of the state. I need friends to come and visit so I can play tourist in my own town!

I've got a bit of a book funk going on and a re-read of Murderbot might be in my future too.

>2 AMQS: I have to (nervously) ask, what sport is this for? I was just saying on my own thread that I am a recent convert to sports fandom, having had to join in with my rugby league mad children and partner. I have to say it can be quite fun once you get into it!

>24 AMQS: dang it...haha. It was an accident, right?

Can the third still be considered accidental though?? ;)

>36 witchyrichy: Thanks, Karen! We go to Taos this weekend, so not yet:) And a good time, too - we're expecting a major heatwave here, and Taos should be cooler as it is at an even higher elevation than Denver.

>37 MickyFine: Sorry about your book funk, Micky. I should think Murderbot would help!

>38 LovingLit: Good question, Megan! It's ice hockey, and the Avalanche are in the National Hockey League - with teams in Canada and the US and many, many players from Europe. But I would think that outside Europe and North America, not many people follow hockey:)

And yeah... hard to say that the 3rd book is an accident. I have the 4th book as part of the set that I gave my brother and then accidentally took from my mom's house, but I am determined to finish my current read before getting to it!

47. Dial A For Aunties by Jessie Q. Sutanto. Audiobook narrated by Risa Mei. 3 stars.

This was a fun murder/mystery/family romp that provided a heartwarming and fascinating view of Indonesian/Chinese culture. Meddy is set up with a blind date, whom she accidentally kills. She turns in her hour of need to her mother and her aunties - a formidable group that problem-solves for Meddy while also preparing for their biggest wedding of the year. Hijinks ensue as the body accidentally shows up at the wedding, as does Nathan, the one that Meddy let get away but has never forgotten.

The narrator was terrific here, BUT... I am discovering that if a book is problematic, then the audio version can emphasize the issues. At 320 pages, this seems like a quick, funny read that is perfect to take to the beach, and that unfortunately turned into something of a 10 1/2 hour slog on audio. I considered abandoning a few times, and finally upped the narration speed and kept it in the background as I cleaned out closets, etc. And then I kind of got hooked. I don't know that I'll read any sequels, but if I do I'll be sure to read in print!

Hi Anne, Have fun in Taos! It’s been years since we’ve been down there. I liked it better than Santa Fe. At the time it was much less touristy and pleasantly funky. Last time we went we stopped at the Sand Dunes on the way. Have you been?

>41 Copperskye: EEK, no, I've never been to the Sand Dunes either. I'm not sure if we'll have time on this trip, but I'm hoping we do. We love Santa Fe, and are really looking forward to Taos. My brother makes a point of going there every time he comes home, and says the same thing - that he likes it better than Santa Fe.

48. When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill. 3 stars

This was a surprise gift from my brother. I wanted to love it more than I did, though I certainly felt it was interesting, moving, and powerful. A young girl named Alex is at the center of the story. She lives in a restrictive world of 1950s Wisconsin, where secrets are firmly kept, where unpleasant things are never spoken of, and where it is considered ridiculous for women to be smart, or to have educational or career ambitions. Against this backdrop, the world is taken aback when hundreds of thousands of women take to the skies in a mass dragoning, including Alex's beloved aunt. But this is suppressed, silenced, and censored, with people not even permitted to look up. But the rage and joy of women cannot be suppressed.

I'm not sure what to think of this one. Passing along to my daughters, and curious to see what they will make of it.

49. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells. 5 stars.

There, I have read the 4-book series I accidentally "borrowed" from my mom's house. I probably won't continue for now, as I don't actually have books 5 and 6 on hand. I just love these:)

>43 AMQS: Ooh, that sounds great! I've been eyeing that title because I love Barnhill, but I hadn't gone so far as to read a blurb. I think I have to put it firmly on my list now.

>43 AMQS: Like you, I wanted to like it more than I did. I'll also be interested to hear what your daughters think of it.

>45 scaifea: I hope you enjoy it, Amber. I’ve really enjoyed Ms Barnhill’s books also. I had to laugh, though, as there is one character so unbelievably awful I thought only a children’s writer could have created them.

>46 foggidawn: me too, foggi. Reading her notes at the end she seemed to be saying that she is done writing. Did you get that sense?

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My daily Wordle starting word is the word today! That was kind of cool:)

Wordle 384 1/6

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

>47 AMQS: (re Wordle) That happened to me a couple of months ago -- fun eh?

>43 AMQS: I just started this today, so here's hoping I like it a little better than you and Misti!

>47 AMQS: Oooh, congrats! Will you continue to use that starting word or switch to another to see if you can get it again?

>43 AMQS: It will be interesting to see what your girls make of it, Anne.

Congrats on the Wordle.

>48 RebaRelishesReading: It was fun, Reba!

>49 bell7: I hope you do, too, Mary! I'll pop over and see what you think. Re: Wordle, I started using my *other* word. When I first started playing I had a few starting words until I settled on two I used most. Then it was the one. Ive switched to the other word, but it doesn't feel right yet. I think because my usual word was such a habit. We'll see if I get used to it or if I switch back:)

>50 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! So far neither daughter is ready for it so no updates there. I do have an update on a book I suggested to you earlier this summer... see below for my thoughts on The House With Chicken Legs.

Sweet Thursday, Anne! Hooray for the Murderbot series! I can see revisiting them at some point.

50. Loyalty by Avi. 4 stars

This is an upper middle grade (or even middle school) story that has a complex take on the Revolutionary War. The book begins in 1774 in fictional Tullbury, Massachusetts, near Concord, where 13 year-old Noah Cope's family had lived for over 100 years. In 1774, tensions between loyalists (to the British) and rebels are running high, and Noah's father, the town pastor, is beaten and murdered for saying a prayer that ends with "Bless and defend, and save the king and all the royal family." In the harrowing aftermath, the family must abandon their home and flee to Boston, hoping for the safety of loyalists there, and to be taken in by an elderly uncle of Noah's mother. Noah attempts to join the British army, but is turned away for his youth. Instead, a family connection leads to Captain Brown, who pays Noah to be a spy while working at the Green Dragon Tavern, a favorite rebel gathering place. There, Noah meets Jolla, a freed slave a few years older than himself. While Noah is a passionate loyalist, Jolla is loyal only to liberty, and is rightly suspicious of and disappointed in both sides. Noah passes along information and goes on scouting and observation excursions, but grows increasingly uneasy about his loyalties. What he sees are acts of cruelty and savagery, as well as rampant misinformation on both sides. Jolla serves as something of a moral compass who prods Noah to think for himself, question everything, and know his OWN mind.

Highly recommended. Prolific Colorado children's author Avi's book is a gift, really, for its nuanced immersion in such a storied American historical event, completely avoiding the "this side was good, this side was bad" lens so often used. No heroes here, not even Jolla, one of the best children's book characters I've met recently.

>52 msf59: Hi Mark! It is a sweet (and hot) Thursday, and a great day for friends to drop by. I really enjoyed revisiting Murderbot, only I hadn't really intended to do so twice in one year:) Ah well, these things happen.

51. The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. 3 stars.

Marinka is a 12 year-old who lives with her grandmother. She longs to live a normal life and especially to make friends, but they live on the far edges of society and do not interact with the living. For Sophie's grandmother is a Yaga - a guardian who guides the dead to the afterlife, and their house has chicken legs, and frequently picks up and runs to some new location. It is a whimsical and love-filled life, but as Marinka grows older, she is increasingly lonely and upset about her destiny to become a guardian herself. The book is wistful and you can palpably feel Marinka's loneliness, but as she tests the boundaries, her choices are increasingly appalling, and when things go from bad to really bad, she only digs in and makes things worse. Children's literature needs boundary testing for sure, and for characters to model complex and empathetic problem solving. To accomplish this, characters do need some measure of independence from adults and particularly parent figures. Some adults definitely need to be thwarted, but as I get older (and perhaps learn painful parental lessons), I have less and less patience for certain kinds of deceptions and willful rejection of common sense and resources. A few books I've read recently have this problem - Ghost Squad, Root Magic, and this one. As charming as the book was, it is too much to stomach Marinka's behavior.

>55 AMQS: I'd been eyeing that one, but I think I'll give it a miss.

>55 AMQS: Great comments, Anne. Maybe I'll pass on that. There are so many good ones out there.

I am on #2 of the Murderbot series. It's creeping up the pile! ; ) Happy weekend.

>56 foggidawn: Probably a safe one to miss, foggi. As Beth said, there are so many good ones out there. It's not totally unredeemable, but it does have big issues. The library does have another book of hers: The Girl Who Speaks Bear. Maybe I'll get to it... maybe I won't.

>55 AMQS: Too true, Beth. So many great ones out there! I had to go up to school last week to collect and store loaner Chromebooks used by the district summer school program, and discovered that a box of books had been delivered! I briefly looked through them, but the only one I brought home is The Samosa Rebellion, which is a Battle of the Books selection. It got 2.5 stars here on LT... yikes! I'll look forward to exploring the rest of the box when I'm back... coming up sooner than I would like.

>58 Berly: Yay Murderbot, Kim!

52. My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson. 3.5 stars.

This is a searing collection of short stories and a novella by an art teacher/author to watch. The stories are all set in Virginia, where the author explores issues of home and belonging set against a backdrop of racism and oppression. The first story: Control Negro is haunting: a professor using his own son for a sociological study. The final eponymous story is set in a not so far fetched dystopian Virginia, where residents of a predominantly minority neighborhood take shelter from terrorizing white supremacists at Monticello, the narrator being a descendent of President Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings. It haunted my dreams and will likely continue to do so.

53. The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green. Read as a combination on audio and in print. Audiobook narrated by the author. 5 stars.

I'm sure I learned about this one from Micky, and bought it with a B&N gift certificate given to me by a parent at my school. But I thought it might make a good audiobook for my husband and me to listen to on our recent road trip to Taos, New Mexico. And it was. We listened to about half of the book, and Stelios said it was one he wanted to continue reading (and to revisit) in print. Well, said I, you're in luck!

I do love a good essay. And these are terrific. John Green brings a thoughtful, scholarly, and deeply personal approach to subjects as diverse as You'll Never Walk Alone to whispering to Diet Dr. Pepper to hot dogs. We laughed frequently, paused the audio frequently as the essays inspired discussions, and cried a few times. Consider this collection for your next road trip. Terrific.

>61 AMQS: colour me interested! This ones looks great :)

>44 AMQS: I really need to start this series soon. Everyone seems to enjoy it.

Happy Friday!

I also loved My Monticello, Anne. I will look for Johnson's future work for sure. I'll stay tuned here to see what else you have in your box. I'm always looking for Scout books. :)

>61 AMQS: That reminds me that I wanted to read that -- thanks!

>61 AMQS: I really need to get to this one! I finally bought a copy earlier this year.

>61 AMQS: Micky hit me with this one too. I read it rather than listening, but just thought it was fabulous.

>61 AMQS: Huzzah! I'm glad you (and Stelios) enjoyed it. I agree it's great both in print and as an audio and have consumed it both ways.

>62 LovingLit: Hi Megan! I thought it was great! Hope you enjoy it of it comes your way. I was looking at your book covers today on FB. There's only one book on your 2022 list so far that I've read: the Anne Enright. Looks like I need to branch out!

>63 figsfromthistle: Happy now Saturday, Anita! Yes, I caught Murderbot fever when it felt like everyone here was reading it two years ago. I decided to give it a go and put the first book on hold at the library. Within 50 pages I put the next three on hold also:)

>64 BLBera: Hi Beth! I cannot think of anything else in the box... lots of picture books of course:) I was on a mission to find BoB books and to see what shipped. This past year ordering from Titlewave has been interesting to see what would actually ship.

>65 foggidawn: It's a good one, foggi! And I do love essays. The format works well for my sometimes scattered reading.

>66 curioussquared: It's a good one, Natalie! Hope you enjoy it.

>67 bell7: Me, too Mary. I can see pros and cons of both. There are additional essays on the audiobook not in the print version, but I enjoyed it in both formats. I doubt I would have listened to it if my husband and I hadn't gone to Taos.

>68 MickyFine: Thank you, Micky! And thanks to your comments I knew it would be terrific in both formats.

54. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. 4 stars.

This was such a funny book, and I love an epistolary book. I also love how contemporary authors update the style - this one with emails and faxes as well as letters and narrative. Bernadette Fox is something of a recluse with an interesting and enigmatic past. When her high achieving daughter claims a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for perfect grades, Bernadette spirals a bit until she suddenly vanishes - leaving daughter Bee to piece together clues about her mother from the varied correspondence left behind. It's a funny send up of Seattle-ness and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

>70 AMQS: I enjoyed this one as well, Anne.

>70 AMQS: I kind of wanted to read that one, back when it first came out, but at that point it was so popular that I held off. Maybe now would be a good time to circle back to it.

>71 BLBera: Beth, I thought it was fun and very well done. Glad you enjoyed it, too!

>72 foggidawn: I think it would be a good time to circle back, foggi. I bought it at the Friends of the Library Sale. It must have been a library book club selection because there were several copies with stickers.

****************************************

I'm off to Los Angeles for the weekend tomorrow. When I was a freshman at University of California, San Diego our dorms were set up with a circle of double rooms around a small suite/living area. For some reason, all of us who lived in the suite became very, very close. So much so that when it came time to choose roommates for the following year we drew names out of a hat. We called ourselves the Suite Peas and still do. We started quarterly Zoom calls about a year and a half ago, and one of the Peas decided to have a reunion lunch at her Los Angeles home. I'm so excited! Of the 12 of us, only three of us live outside of California (and one of those will be in Finland this weekend), so there are just two of us flying in and we will stay together and Uber together. I think there will be 9 of us attending. And I'll be able to meet a high school friend for brunch before flying home Sunday. A last hurrah for summer, I guess, as I am back in school next week.

Happy weekend, friends!

55. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. 4.5 stars.

This book came highly recommended here on LT and I can see why. It tells the little-known story of the deadliest disaster in maritime history - the sinking of the German ship the Wilhelm Gustloff, transporting both soldiers and thousands of civilians fleeing East Prussia as the Soviet troops close in. The journey to get to the ship is also harrowing, and Ms. Sepetys tells four young people's stories: a Lithuanian nurse, a Prussian art restorer, a Polish teenager, and a Nazi soldier. It's breathless, tragic, and un-put-downable, and I was delighted to discover a link to another Ruta Sepetys book that I read earlier this year: Between Shades of Gray. Highly recommended WWII fiction for young adults, and based on a true tragedy.

>73 AMQS: That sounds just wonderful!! Have a great time and enjoy my home town :)

Have a great trip, Anne!

Enjoy your trip, Anne!

I read Salt to the Sea and also very much enjoyed it. I have a couple of other Sepetys books on my shelves to get to soon!

>74 AMQS: Ruta Sepetys is a good writer, Anne. I enjoyed both Between Shades of Gray, and Salt to the Sea. I loved The Fountains of Silence, and now I am waiting for the Dutch translation of her latest I Must Betray You.

>73 AMQS: oh wow that sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to hear about all the hijinks you get up to. Safe travels!

>73 AMQS: Have a wonderful trip and a terrific weekend!

>74 AMQS: Sepetys is one of my favorite young adult writers. I am very much looking forward to her new book, which is due out in October.

Happy "new" thread, Anne!

Have a great reunion, Anne. Next week?? Sorry your summer is coming to an end. Great comments on Salt to the Sea.

Have a great trip, Anne!

>73 AMQS: Have a great trip!

Have a marvelous trip, Anne, and enjoy the Suite Peas (heh) reunion.

>73 AMQS: that is so cool! I love that you have all stayed in contact and keep up with each other. That's the kind of college experience that you can't count on, but such an amazing one. Have fun!

>75 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, I didn't realize you were from Los Angeles! I definitely associate you with San Diego, but I know you've lived all over. We had a wonderful time.

>76 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! It was wonderful, but bittersweet. I'll explain below.

>77 curioussquared: Thank you, Natalie. I have definitely become a fan of Ruta Sepetys this wear.

>78 FAMeulstee: She is a terrific writer, isn't she, Anita? I've only read the two (Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray) but they've both been amazing.

>79 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! Very few hijinks (we are all of an age) but it was absolutely wonderful to reconnect. I am home safe and dreading my 8:30 meeting tomorrow. Not officially back to school until Friday but tomorrow's meeting is for work so yeah.

>80 alcottacre: Thank you Stasia! It was a wonderful weekend. I will definitely keep an eye out for the new Sepetys novel.

>81 BLBera: Yes... now this week :( I have a meeting tomorrow for my district's Library Advisory Council (followed by a dentist appointment) so I'm dipping a toe in before my first official day on Friday. I have really enjoyed this summer break.

>82 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!It was a brief trip but very rewarding.

>83 foggidawn: Thanks, foggi! It was so wonderful to reconnect with my old friends. I wish we all lived closer.

>84 richardderus: Thank you, Richard. It was marvelous!

>85 LovingLit: Hi Megan. We've talked about this - that our experience accidentally sharing a suite was magical, but it isn't typically the norm. We know how lucky we are.

Home from the Suite Pea reunion, and it was lovely. It did show us that we do need to stay in closer contact with one another, though. My first year roommate Monica started the quarterly Zoom calls after getting a divorce and suffering some serious health issues. The hostess of our brunch has been living with MS for 33 years and was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Her physical decline was shocking to us. There are some things you just can't see from Zoom and Facebook. There were 8 of us at the reunion. By happy accident we were a very diverse group - at least racially and economically - so we had a lot to learn from everyone in our group and still do. Mostly, though, we just loved being in each other's company, and hope to repeat this experience more frequently!

56. Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay

This one has been languishing on my pile for so many years. Each time I picked it up it always seemed too depressing, and it was depressing. But I loved it. Billed as something of a midwestern gothic, it tells the story of Ellen, who moves with her husband and two children in with her in laws after her husband loses his job. And what a home. Oppressive, abusive, secretive... Set in a small Wisconsin town in the early 1970s, Ellen is stuck. She copes, then doesn't cope. While bitter and depressing, the author brilliantly shows generational cycles of unhappiness and dysfunction, and Ellen's trajectory is ultimately redemptive and satisfying. I devoured this one.

>86 AMQS:, >87 AMQS: Welcome home Anne. I'm glad you had such a nice reunion weekend. Hopefully this will become a more regular thing for all of you. Good luck with your early morning meeting (yawn).

>88 AMQS: That looks to be a keeper, Anne. I will go and look for it.

>87 AMQS: Meet-ups and reunions are always a rewarding experience, I find and the passage of time can reveal certain things about friends that are unexpected.

Wishing you a lovely weekend and I trust that Stelios, Callia and Marina are all in a good place. When does Marina go to Bologna?

Sounds like a great reunion with your suite mates, Anne, and I hope you're all able to continue keeping in touch as you'd like to. Happy weekend!

Even more cool that you are a diverse bunch (at least economically and racially)- that is rarer and rarer these days. Glad you caught up successfully, and isn't it funny how the older you get the more crap that hits the fan so far as life is concerned. Life is really hard for a few of my friends lately, and it's difficult as all we can do is offer support and be there.

Good luck with your return to school, Anne.

>89 lauralkeet: Thank you, Laura. We are all looking forward to being in closer contact again. We've all loved the quarterly Zoom calls, and I hope there will be more reunions! As for the early morning meetings... well into the school routine now, but still adjusting to the beginning of year fatigue:)

>90 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! I wish I hadn't avoided Vinegar Hill for as long as I did. It always seemed too bleak, and it was, but the reading of it was completely worth it. Very well done.

I am enjoying this weekend after students came back to school this week. I don't think there's a tired quite like beginning of school tired! Stelios and Marina have been in Cyprus and just arrived in Venice yesterday. It seems as though they had a wonderful day today and will have one more day in Venice before going to Bologna on Tuesday. Marina checks into her program on Wednesday morning and Stelios will go back to Cyprus. Callia is joining him there and will leave this week.

I hope you had a lovely weekend.

>91 bell7: Thank you, Mary. Quarterly Zoom calls are just about right. They're not so frequent that they're a burden on time, and not so infrequent that someone is shattered to miss one. As much as I hated teaching online, I am grateful that we can Zoom!

>92 LovingLit: Megan, you're so right. I think we've all learned so much from each other, but our diversity wasn't ever a huge deal. We just celebrated being such great friends. Time has definitely dealt some blows, and it has made us stronger as a group. I would wish for an easy path for all of us, but I do treasure the closeness.

>93 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! I hope you are finally retired and LOVING it!

Hello, friends! August has been something of a whirlwind. Once I came home from LA I started school and had a week to help Stelios and Marina get ready for their trip - about 6 weeks for Stelios and a year for Marina. The beginning of a school year is always insanely busy. This one feels "normal" finally after COVID, but it somehow feels busier. Callia is now my colleague and a para split between two kindergarten classrooms! And so far she is very tired but is loving it. My school is such a loving and supportive family, and she is learning a lot. My principal asked her to apply, and is happy to work around her travels - she is coming to Cyprus for the last portion of Stelios's visit there, so she can see her grandparents and cousins and other family, and attend her cousin's wedding. She leaves this week.

So with school underway and commuting with Callia, my reading time has taken a hit. Callia isn't particularly fond of audiobooks, and I was in the middle of one when she started. She agreed to listen in the mornings and in the afternoons we talk - she is always so excited about her little pumpkins:). Hoping that when she returns from Cyprus we can start a book together and she'll be hooked:)

57. Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern. Audiobook narrated by Josh Bloomberg, Dara Rosenberg, and Allyson Ryan. 4 stars.

I can't remember who recommended this - but I thank them. This was a great read for the end of the summer. The story shifts between characters. Kit, a librarian in a shabby New Hampshire town who has sought refuge there far away from her previous life. She keeps to herself and prefers her own company. She tells the story of her marriage in installments throughout the book. Sunny is the teenage daughter of hippie parents who has led a very unconventional, somewhat unstable life off the grid, and is "unschooled." When she is caught stealing a dictionary from a bookstore, she is sentenced to volunteer at the library for the summer and is placed under Kit's reluctant supervision. As Kit and Sunny fall into a somewhat companionable routine at the library with library regulars - notably "The Four" - a group of retirees who meet there every day, they encounter the mysterious Rusty with his expensive car and fancy clothes. Rusty lost his Wall Street job in the financial crisis and is in town researching what he hopes is long-lost family money. None of the characters is particularly likable at first, but they grow on the reader as their individual stories unfold, and as they get to know one another and The Four.

58. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. Audiobook narrated by Tom Hanks. 4.5 stars.

I LOVED this one and listened in awe of Ms. Patchett's skill in telling a meandering family saga and to be honest, of having Tom Hanks in my car. The story begins as young Danny Conroy and his sister Maeve are introduced to Andrea, the woman who would eventually become their stepmother. Danny's story drops in and out of various times of his life and that of his sister, who became Danny's caregiver and strongest champion when their mother leaves. Spanning 50 years, Danny and Maeve's relationship is enduringly close, though they can never fully leave their past behind, and are drawn like moths to The Dutch House, the grand, ostentatious home of their childhood, the house that was the undoing of their mother, and the home from which they were unconscionably exiled by Andrea. Just a wonderful book, wonderfully narrated by Mr. Hanks.

Hello smoochling! It's been a whirlwind for you, all right, if you're slowing down on your ear-reading.

May things get less stressed soon.

Hi Anne! Sounds like you are all having a wonderfully busy time! I hope the school year is as normal as possible, finally. What a treat to have Callia there.

I also loved The Dutch House. I suspect I would have liked it even more with Tom Hanks reading it to me. I’ve had Summer Hours at the Robber Library on my shelf for ages but not as long as Vinegar Hill which I may have given away, unread. I need to check the basement shelves.

Nice to hear from you, Anne. Glad everyone in the family is doing well. I'm excited for Marina to be studying abroad, and thrilled for Callia that she has the opportunity to work in the school.

I really liked The Dutch House, too. I needed a Patchett fix earlier this year and read These Precious Days, an essay collection published earlier this year. It's very good! But then, so is everything she writes.

I am retired, Anne. Today is the first day of classes, and here I am, at home at my computer with a cup of coffee!

When I read The Dutch House, I wasn't that crazy about it, but when I listened to Tom Hanks read it, I loved it! His narration made Danny as a narrator make sense to me.

You sound busy. How fun to work with Callia. I plan to volunteer in my daughter's classroom once she gets the kids organized.

>97 AMQS: Ooh, narrated by Tom Hanks? I've been meaning to read more Patchett, but that just bumped that audiobook up the list!

You and yours are having a very active year it seems! Glad school is going well and that Callia is enjoying work there. I enjoyed The Dutch House even without Tom Hanks (I read a paper copy). Keep enjoying your late fall :)

Happy back to school, Anne! I need to get to The Dutch House at some point.

Hi, Anne! Aw, yay for Callie working at the school with you! How wonderful!

>98 richardderus: Richard! Thank you for visiting. Things are calming down somewhat. Callia is in Cyprus so while I miss my family, only having too look out for myself is helping:) And I can listen to audiobooks all I want!

>99 Copperskye: Joanne, the beginning of the school year has been busy, but it definitely feels more like normal, and that is a relief. Did you find Vinegar Hill? Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't get rid of it. Glad I didn't, thought I left it in a library in the lobby of my L.A. hotel.

>100 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! I did read These Precious Days this year also and really loved it. I have several books by Ann Patchett, but I didn't love Bel Canto as much as everyone else did so I haven't been in a hurry to get to her others. Now after the essays and The Dutch House I may finally be hooked.

>101 BLBera: Oh Beth, I just love to think of you retired and relaxing with coffee in the mornings! And what a gift to your daughter and her students when you begin volunteering. I am hoping to recruit some volunteers in the library. I stopped once I had a grandmother who volunteered every morning. She was quite possessive about it, too, so I sort of stopped recruiting. Then came Covid... but now I would like some shelving help again!

>102 foggidawn: Yes, foggi, and it was soooooooo good! He was pretty much the perfect narrator!

>103 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba! Yes, very active. No late fall to enjoy as it is still firmly summer. I hate to write this out loud lest I jinx it, but we haven't had many 90+ degree days recently, which is a huge blessing. Hope it continues to cool off.

>104 curioussquared: Thank you, Natalie! It is nice to have a more normal year. I hope you enjoy The Dutch House!

>105 scaifea: Amber, it is pretty wonderful. We both are enjoying it. She won't make much money, but she is learning a lot, and it is such a loving and supportive environment to sort of get going again. I'm really glad she's doing this. Plus now I have an after school hiking buddy! There are several beautiful trails near school.

59. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli. 2.75 stars.

I bought this book almost a year ago at a little independent bookstore when my mom and I went to visit Marina at college. I've been saving it knowing I would love it and I just... didn't. In fact, it was a bit of a slog. I suspect it was me, not the book. I brought it to L.A. and tried to get into it on the plane home. I got busy getting everyone ready for Europe and me ready for school. I should just have set it aside as it created a reading logjam. It was a quiet exploration of family dynamics and dysfunction, and a devastating examination of children crossing the border and what happens to them. Meanwhile the choices made for the children in the story by their parents were head-scratching and age-inappropriate. I suggest you ignore my review if this book is on your shelves, for there are many people who loved it. Wrong book at the wrong time, I guess.

60. Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca. 5 stars.

Meanwhile, this was just the thing to get me out of the previous book's funk: an incredibly moving middle grade novel in verse of an Indian-American girl growing up in the 80s and feeling both torn between two places and cultures, and not truly belonging to either. What really shines in this novel is love. The love Reha has for her family, and the supportive love she feels from the Indian community, her outstanding friends, and from her extended family back in India. And she will need this love to get her through a terrible and tragic time. I loved the 80s references - the mix tapes, the music I listened to with my friends, the TV shows. I loved it. And cried hard, surrounded by the worried cats who are already a bit freaked out because everyone else has left. Highly recommended.

>106 AMQS: I listened to The Dutch House and yes, Hanks is definitely the perfect narrator.

>108 AMQS: Glad you loved it!

>107 AMQS: I almost ordered that one for the library and ended up choosing another title that month. Based on your rating, I'm glad I picked the other title.

>109 foggidawn: foggi, it was so good!

>110 thornton37814: Hi Lori! I might seek other opinions than mine, as the book is really well reviewed. But it did not work for me. If the titles you can order are limited, then perhaps you made a good choice:)

>111 AMQS: We are limited. I don't remember at this point what I chose instead, but when it comes to the last two to three selections per month, I usually look at the genres for other picks and aim for balance.

>112 thornton37814: Ah, I see. Sounds like a good strategy.

61. The Fortnight in September by R. C. Sherriff, audiobook narrated by Jilly Bond. 4 stars.

This book was recommended by Kazuo Ishiguro in The Guardian as an uplifting book to offer an escape during the pandemic. And I found it to be just that - a simple, breath-of-fresh-air, uplifting book. This 1931 novel is a quiet, drama-free look in on a lower middle class family during their annual vacation to the seaside at Bognor Regis. Beginning with the anticipation and plans, and continuing with the day-by-day activities and quiet moments the family treasures. It is masterful at conveying the excitement of the anticipation, the dread as the vacation winds down, the resentment at an unexpected obligation that intrudes on the family's leisure, and the time for reflection while walking along the shore on one's life and hopes and dreams and disappointments. It's true that not much happens in the book, so it was the perfect audio to have on during any task. It was a delight.

Hi Anne. I hope school is going well for you. I wish I lived close enough to volunteer in your library!

I've added Red, White, and Whole and The Fortnight in September to my WL. Great comments.

>114 AMQS: The Fortnight in September is lovely isn’t it? I’ve also read The Hopkins Manuscript by the same author which is also good, but has a very different (and much more depressing) feel.

>114 AMQS: Strange -- I could swear I've read that book but it doesn't come up in a search either by title or author :( Glad you enjoyed it and it does sound good...and it really sounds familiar.

>115 BLBera: me too, Beth! That would be so fun. School is going well - we just all have that beginning of year fatigue.

>116 SandDune: It was lovely, Rhian! I really enjoyed it.

>117 RebaRelishesReading: Could you have read it pre-LT? I remember when I joined I tried to catalog every book I remember reading, but inevitably I missed a few.

62. The Samosa Rebellion by Shanthi Sekaran. Wavering between 2.5 and 3 stars.

This is a middle grade novel about a really important topic - how a country's nationalistic descent into xenophobia and blaming immigrants for a country's ills can quickly spiral into an authoritarian police state with devastating consequences for hard-working citizens. But the message is so heavy-handed it's like being beaten about the face. I found the book to be confusing and at times disorienting, perhaps because I read it so fast (in my defense, I had to) but I wonder what 4th and 5th graders will make of it. The story follows Muki, son of Indian immigrants (another disorienting thing about the book is that it is set on a fictional island country, while literally everything else about the book is real), who is alternately called Muki, Mucas, Thumbi, Cookie, and Mingus Mouse. Muki and his friends discover surveillance drones called dragonflies, an internment camp under construction, and mean spirited warnings about butterflies (people who belong in the fictional country called Mariposa) and moths (people who don't). As the adults in his world try to organize a rebellion, they find the safest way is to pass messages is to cook them into samosas, empanadas, and dumplings. Things get complicated when Muki is assigned a school research project and partnered with the daughter of the general, the strongman of the president. Not my favorite, and it's a pity, because the topic is timely and essential.

August roundup:

57. Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern
58. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
59. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
60. Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
61. The Fortnight in September by R.C. Sherriff
August favorite:

>118 AMQS: Could be Anne. When I joined LT I cataloged every book I owned but didn't even try to do ones I had read but didn't own.

>120 AMQS: A creditable list of books, indeed. Sorry that >119 AMQS: failed in its mission for you. It's a hugle important topic, so it's all the more frustrating.

You definitely should have volunteers reshelving books for you, Anne. I'm sure you have plenty of other things to make better use of your time. I remember when my children were in elementary school and the library was fully staffed by volunteers. I did it for a few years before I returned to college to complete my degree and get my own classroom. I remember one fun lady I worked with always wanted to arrange the books by size or color. I don't think she was much of a reader and had little understanding of how libraries were set up.

Love to picture f you and Callia hiking in the hills after a day of school. What a great way to unwind...and spend quality time together.

So much to catch up on here! Glad you had fun seeing your old roomies and sounds like school is off to a good start. Several book bullets, thank you very much! ; )

Happy mid week! Hope the beginning of school is going well!

I didn't realize how long it had been since I stopped by your LT thread. I love connecting with you and your students on IG.

>61 AMQS: John Green has been on my shelf but hasn't spoken to me for some reason. I will definitely move him higher to the top of the pile.

>70 AMQS: I'm glad you liked Where'd You Go, Bernadette It was a favorite of mine...the comments about the cruise ship in the beginning let me know I would love it! Recently rewatched the movie and it was a good rendition of the book.

>74 AMQS: My RLBG read Salt to the Sea last year and loved it. I've added Between Shades of Gray to the list.

Just waving as I try to catch up around here. :)

Hi Anne! Waving as I trot past.

>121 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, when I started I did try to catalog previously read books, but I'm sure there were a ton I missed.

>122 richardderus:, >128 richardderus: Hi Richard! Thanks for the wave, it's nice to see you.

>123 Donna828: Hi Donna! I very rarely shelve books. My para takes care of that, and though I wish she didn't have to, she is one of those amazing people who can do the work of 4 people and is super fast at it. It helps that the library is relatively small!

Callia has been back now for two weeks and no after school hikes yet. We've been to exercise class, Trader Joes, and unexpected parent meetings, but there's often something (currently weather) that prevents us from hiking. We did do a great hike this past weekend, though.

>124 Berly: Great to see you, Kim! The Suite Peas have tentatively planned our next reunion: Vancouver in June! I can't wait.

>125 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita! The beginning of school is going well, just busy. I finally got a handle on my routine, etc and it's about to get really busy with parent-teacher conferences (so late nights) followed by music performances (which I "work" as part of the specials team) and book fair!

>126 witchyrichy: I'm glad you stopped by, Karen! I'm glad you enjoy the IG. I sure do love news from the farm and the pets:)

>127 MickyFine: Welcome home! Your trip looked amazing and I know time connecting with family is precious, indeed.

Some books to catch up with:



63. Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Reporters Who Took on a World at War by Deborah Cohen, audiobook narrated by Suzanne Toren. 4 stars.

This was a thoroughly engrossing story about a group of reporters from a bygone era. Though I hadn't heard of H.R. "Nick" Knickerbocker, John Gunther, Dorothy Thompson, and Vincent Sheean, I found their lives and careers and especially their insight fascinating. They lived and reported everywhere - interviewing Mussolini, Hitler, Nehru, Gandhi, Trotsky, Stalin's mother, and many more. They were on the ground for the Spanish Civil War, the invasion of Ethiopia by Italy, the assassination of the Austrian chancellor by Nazis in 1934, and more. The book has fascinating portraits of each of them, as well as conditions and history between the wars and post WWII. Recommended.

64. Still Life by Sarah Winman. 4.5 stars.

I recommended this book to my book club after seeing so much praise here. At first glance I thought this was a WWII book, but it wasn't. It is a life and love book mostly in Florence and somewhat in London. I absolutely loved it. Definitely a feel good book.

65. When Time Stopped: A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains by Ariana Neimann. Audiobook narrated by Rebecca Lowman. 4 stars

Ariana Neumann grew up wealthy and privileged in Caracas, Venezuela. She knew that her father was Czech, but that wasn't terribly uncommon - Venezuela was known for attracting eastern and central Europeans to contribute to its burgeoning arts, culture, and industry. What she didn't know was that her father was a Jew who closed the door on a jaw-dropping and tragic wartime past. While he revealed almost nothing while he was alive, he left her with a trove of documents and the beginning of a memoir when he died. Ariana embarked on a great detective hunt, finding family all over the world, and amassing a large collection of letters, photographs, documents, and memories that allowed her to piece together her family's history, what happened to her grandparents and other family, and how her father spent much of the war hiding in plain sight in Berlin. The book is fast paced, deeply personal, and utterly fascinating. I was listening to the audiobook, but decided to get the print book from the library to see the photos and documents. Recommended.

66. If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on my Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating by Alan Alda, audiobook narrated by the author. 3.5 stars.

Alan Alda brings lessons from acting and improv to study empathy and improve communication to help scientists, doctors, and others communicate better. Interesting material from university programs he's involved with, medical groups, work with individuals with ASD, and more, told in a light hearted, positive way.

67. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. Winner of the 2022 Newbery Medal. 3.5 stars.

I wanted to love this story (isn't the cover just beautiful?) but it never flowed for me, which could be a me problem, as I read this book in fits and starts. A solar flare sends Halley's Comet out of orbit and on a direct path to the destruction of earth. Various countries have selected citizens deemed valuable - botanists, geologists, etc) to travel in stasis to a new planet. Young Petra is traveling with her parents and younger brother Javier, and along with the pre-selected learning module she will have installed (botany), she also gets to choose an elective. She chooses world mythology, so she can keep humanity's stories alive in their new world, channeling and savoring the cuentas her grandmother tells. But when she wakes up, it is to a terrifying dystopian "collective" that has taken over the ship, purged the memories of everyone in stasis, and those whose memories didn't purge then had their lives purged. Petra is determined to cling to everything she can of earth and what was wonderful about it as the Collective is determined to eliminate all traces of earth. This is a Battle of the Books selection - the program kicks off Monday, so a lot of my school's 5th graders will be reading it. I am interested to see what they think.

68. The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold. 3 stars.

Another BoB selection. Young Gabrielle leaves her beloved home in Haiti for opportunity in America. She struggles mightily to fit in - her aunt and uncle are kind, but each work three low-paying jobs, deflating the notion that all are rich in America. She has a hard time at school learning English and making friends. When she encounters a witch who offers her three wishes, she jumps at the chance to fit in and be popular (UGH) and suffers disastrous consequences. This is an interesting mix of a new immigrant story, the ugly side of the American dream, and Haitian magical realism.

Life news: Callia & Stelios are home and Marina is enjoying her life in Bologna. Last week she experienced homesickness, which is hard to hear, but is loving her classes, and seizing all of the opportunities she can. She did a solo trip last weekend to Ravenna, and plans to travel as much as she can. She will go and spend Thanksgiving in Munich with my brother and his family. I miss her so much but I love to see her thriving - mostly - in Italy. I spent my junior year abroad also (Bordeaux) and definitely experienced some hard times, so I can relate. Marina and Stelios enjoyed their time in Cyprus, and had a wonderful few days together in Venice and Bologna.

When Stelios returned to Cyprus, Callia came out to join him. They had a grand time visiting friends and relatives and attending my niece's big fat Greek wedding - truly an unforgettable experience! The bad news is that Stelios went to stay for so long to spend time with and help his mother, and that didn't go very well. She has always been a very difficult person, and now is more so, and will not be helped. She's getting meaner in her age and mental condition (probably developing dementia). So while in the house things were grim, they spent a lot of time at the beach and reconnecting. After the wedding Callia went to Athens to visit a friend, and had such a good time it has been hard to get back to "real life." But back she is, and everyone at school is thrilled. Her kindergarten students positively love her.

I really enjoyed my alone time, but after a couple of weeks were ready for them to come back:) I had my second gum surgery yesterday so have been resting and recovering. Both my stepmother and stepsister are going through health crises, so the next two weeks or so I will be balancing school and parent-teacher conferences with meal support, etc.

If you've read this far, you get a gold star!

My book club met in August to choose our next crop of books. They are:

Still Life Sarah Winman
The Office of Historical Corrections: A novel and stories Danielle Evans
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Olga Tokarczak
The Lincoln Highway Amor Towles
Sabrina and Corina OR Woman of Light Kali Fajardo-Anstine
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy Jamie Ford
Good Citizens Need Not Fear: Stories Maria Riva
Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer
A Town Called Solace Mary Lawson
Hannah’s War Jan Eliasberg
As Sweet as Honey Indira Ganesan

>136 AMQS: Proud wearer of Gold Star!

If Marina wants to get spoiled in Sheffield for a few days then I am sure that Hani would be pleased to act as tour guide and she would certainly get some wonderful food.

Kudos to Stelios, having lost both my mum and my MIL in fairly quick succession I understand why he wants to put himself through the difficulty of caring for her. I did see a few pictures of Callia on FB (during a rare visit there) and am thrilled that she seems to be in a good place again.

>137 AMQS: Either of Fajardo-Anstine's books will be a lot of fun to discuss...both might get confusing.

>136 AMQS: It sounds like the trips went very well...it isn't as though Stelios's mother was going to be *better* than before, sadly. It had to be hard for him.

The ladies are spreading their wings and that makes a parent's heart pinch and swell simultaneously. You and their dad did good. Out and flying, still your babies.

I'll cherish the gold star, thank you Anne. Glad things are going (mostly) well with your family. Hope your gum surgery went well today (that sounds MOST unpleasant). Hugs to you all.

Proud owner of a gold star! Glad to hear that life is settling back into a routine and hope that the full days don't last too long.

You have some great book club selections, Anne. I also loved Still Life. When Time Stopped also looks good. I'm glad your family is home and had, mostly, a good trip. I've started volunteering in my daughter's classroom and it is so much fun! I get to read and write with the kids.

>97 AMQS: I started this one, but didn't give it the attention it deserved. I clearly need to revisit it and put in some time to get hooked!

>107 AMQS: I still have Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli on my WL! I could have sworn I'd read it....

>130 AMQS: When Time Stopped: A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains sounds like it would be a great birthday pressie for my reporter friend! His birthday is 2 day before mine (which was yesterday!), so I guess I have a year to source it :)

>136 AMQS: I am glad the trips went - as well as can be expected!

Great to hear that Callia is up and running with some fun and engaging work, and that you get to do the after work debrief on the return commute! Say hi to her from me :)

Claiming my gold star! I enjoyed reading your update, Anne. It's nice to hear everyone is doing well. Both of my daughters spent time studying abroad and those emotional ups and downs seem to be part of the process. I'm sorry you're dealing with family health crises and hope for the best for everyone.

Meanwhile, of the books you read recently ... I, too, really enjoyed Still Life. Sarah Winman is great.

Hi Anne, it’s always good to get an update from you.

>137 AMQS: Those are some great choices for book discussions. I expect to see Still Life and Braiding Sweetgrass on my Favorites list this year. I loved both of them!

Sorry to hear about Stelios and his mother. I know how hard it is dealing with a parent and dementia. I’m glad that Callia was there to support him…and that they got to attend the Big Fat Greek Wedding!

I am proud of my Gold Star! ⭐️ It is my pleasure to read your posts.

Thank you all, for your lovely and supportive comments!

I am lucky that my own parents have been in relatively good health. Each of my parents will turn 80 on their next birthdays - my dad is first in January. All of them are cognitively sound. I worry about my dad and stepmother a bit. She has a worrisome mass that will be addressed with major surgery next week and her recovery will be brutal, even if no malignancies are found. She is not mobile - she can walk OK a limited amount but she does NOT drive and they live way up in the mountains. I worry about them as they get older.

Stelios and his mother do well together when there is some distance between them (two oceans is about right). In person is trickier. She and her husband aren't doing well between them, and they are both very isolated - by choice. It's both hard and a blessing to be so far away. But the family is very close knit and other aunts and uncles are getting older as well, and it was really important to Stelios to be able to see all of them.

>138 PaulCranswick: Hello Paul, thanks for checking in on me. I will mention Sheffield to Marina - not as easy to get to by train, but I know Hani would take good care of her. Thank you. Callia is in a much better place. Between covid and depression she rarely left the house and was discouraged looking for a job. I think the trip was really good for her. She's joined a gym, is in a couple of knitting groups, and getting out there again and living. Working at my school will not be a forever job, but she is good at it and it is an incredibly supportive community.

>139 richardderus: I would agree re: Fajardo-Anstine. I did listen to Corina and Sabrina but it's been awhile so I may choose to read the other.

It does squeeze our hearts to see the girls out there and spreading their wings. We were glad to give Callia a soft place to land and to see how much progress she has made. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement.

>140 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba! Thanks for checking in! I am still pretty swollen - like I'm storing nuts in my cheek for the winter, but that's pretty much the worst of it. Also soft food diet - it gets pretty old after awhile. Hugs back to you!

>141 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. I feel like teaching is "once this (event - conferences, performance, book fair, report cards...) is over, then things will calm down," but I suspect many jobs are like that! It has been nice to have a couple of days off, even if it is for surgery!

>142 BLBera: Oh Beth, how lucky your daughter and her kids are to have you! I'm so glad you are able to do that - truly enjoying the benefits of retiring:) Yes, I think we chose some good reads. I'm on the October book now: The Office of Historical Corrections and it's really good.

>143 LovingLit: Hi Megan, and happy belated birthday! I hope you were able to celebrate and have a good day. I am a spring baby also, though for here that means April:)

I really enjoyed The Dutch House and recommend it on audio if audio is your thing. I have a few Ann Patchett books around and now want to read more. When Time Stopped was a really good read. I'd bet that a reporter would appreciate the skill it takes to uncover what she did, as well as her patience and instincts. Great idea!

I will say hi to Callia for you. She wanted to go to Cider Days - a big apple-themed festival in our city, but I wasn't up for a day out after surgery, so she took a little kiddo she babysits, who was so excited she didn't even want to go to bed last night:) I think the two of them had a grand time.

>144 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! I knew I would enjoy Still Life after reading about it here, but I didn't know I would love it, and I really did. What a feel-good book. We thought we might spend Christmas in Italy this year but it is looking like Germany, which is just fine. Marina was prepared for some homesickness, I think, and pushing on through adversity is a good skill. Most of the time when we touch base she is very upbeat. She was so excited to tell me about the best croissant she had ever had filled with chantilly cream and strawberries and a cappuccino at a place 3 doors down from her apartment for only €3,10:) She is of course benefiting from the dollar being so strong against the euro just now.

>145 Donna828: Hi Donna! I am sure Still Life will be on my best of list this year also. It looks like Braiding Sweetgrass will be in 2023, but I am really looking forward to it! Thank you for visiting.

September roundup:
62. The Samosa Rebellion by Shanthi Sekaran
63. Last Call at the Hotel Imperial by Deborah Cohen
64. Still Life by Sarah Winman
65. When Time Stopped: A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains by Ariana Neumann
66. If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on my Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating by Alan Alda
67. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
68. The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold
September favorite:

Hi Anne! Glad you're settling into the school year and it sounds like the family travels overall went well. Sorry you didn't enjoy The Last Cuentista more -- I liked that one :) And I think you got me with a book bullet for Still Life!

Hi, Anne! It's good to see all of your updates.

>148 curioussquared: Hi Natalie! The family travels went well, now we're gearing up for more. We're traveling over Christmas for the first time ever! Hope you are well.

>149 foggidawn: Thanks, foggi - here's a whole slew more:)

This school year is kicking my butt. Is it because I'm getting older? Because the cumulative effects of the last few really difficult years are taking their toll? I feel like I should have more time for LT but I just don't. And it makes me sad. I am so far behind on everyone's threads and I know I'm missing out on conversations about great books! Plus I miss all of you.

Last week I had my book fair which really laid me flat, and I've been sick ever since. I stayed home from school today along with 117 students!! That's more than 40% of our students. Thanksgiving break can't come fast enough.

Family news: all is mostly well. My stepmother had major surgery at the same time that my stepsister was repeatedly hospitalized with kidney and liver failure, so I had a few weekends devoted to hospital visits and food preparation and delivery. My stepmother is slowly recovering but it was discovered that either during surgery or in the hospital she had a stroke, so that adds an extra complication in her recovery. I don't know what to think about my stepsister, but my heart aches for her.

Stelios has a new bike - one that he had custom built. I've lost track of how many bikes he has, but I do know that this is the first bike that has feminine pronouns. He's pretty goo-goo for her, and buys her things. I have complicated feelings about this:)

Callia is enjoying her job as a kindergarten para, but as with everyone in their first year in education, is coming down with just about every virus there is She's going to have an immune system of steel but getting there is tough.

Marina is just thriving in Italy. She has her frustrations and homesickness, but for the most part is just loving it. She loves her courses, takes advantage of as many opportunities as she can, earned a scholarship, has a job, and is developing a lot of confidence in her kitchen and general adulting skills. Next week she'll go to my brother's in Munich for Thanksgiving, and is beyond excited that we'll travel all together over Christmas. Our last stop will be in Nice, France, and after Stelios, Callia and I return home she's going to travel on through Provence a bit with my mom. I miss her so much. She did get COVID as she was returning from a group trip to Apulia (the heel of Italy's boot) and had to quarantine for a LONG time. She was only sick for a few days but tested positive for an additional week. She tested negative just in time for an art history class trip to Venice. What a life!

Heading to bed now to try to be well enough for school tomorrow. At what point do they just close? Not at 117 absences, I guess. Book reviews to follow. Have a good night, everyone!

Whew! SO much going on! Hang in there and I certainly hope you feel better tomorrow. Sleep well.

You are a busy lady, Anne, and it's very kind of you to update all of us. I'm glad to hear your daughters are both doing so well. I can relate to the husband-with-too-many-bikes situation. You have my sympathy LOL. And I'm excited for your Christmas travels, they sound wonderful!

But first and foremost: get well soon!

Hi, Anne. Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear that life is grinding you down a bit these days. I hope you get some relief. We MISS YOU TOO! It sounds like you loved Still Life as much as I did. ❤️

>151 AMQS: ...I need a lie-down now...

You're always in our thoughts around here, Anne, so go do life and come back when you can. Provence with Gran sounds like a great way to end 2022, to me at least, with all those adorable little santons!

*smooch*

Thanks for the update, Anne. My daughter's school just had its book fair, and I helped with that. They coordinated it with conferences, so it was pretty busy. I got to see some of my daughter's students, so that was fun.

You sound crazy busy. Take care.

>151 AMQS: Wow! Thanks for the catch up. I can imagine you're exhausted after so much busy-ness and hope you recover soon. Glad to hear your immediate family is doing well and hope the extended parts are better soon. You are, indeed, missed here.

I'm tired just reading your update! Hang in there! I'm also surprised school isn't closed with that many students ill.

>151 AMQS: Thanks for the update, Anne, I hope you get better soon. With so many of the students sick, it is unavoidable the teachers get it as well.
I had to chuckle about Stelios and his bike, and I am glad your daughters are doing so well.

Oof, sorry to hear you've succumbed to one of the many viruses circulating these days, Anne. I hope you feel better soon!

Your Christmas plans sound wonderful. I hope everyone has a grand time!

>152 Berly: Hi Kim! It's taken both Callia and me a long time to feel better. I finally feel like I've turned a corner today. It's been brutal!

>153 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Our school was like a ghost town this week with so many kids sick. I finally feel a bit better, and Callia does as well. We're getting very excited about our travels!

>154 msf59: Thanks, Mark, and yes, indeed, I really loved Still Life. We'll be spending a couple of days in Florence on our trip, and I can't wait!

>155 richardderus: Richard, I have given in to the sloth and have enjoyed more lie-downs that I remember as I've had a hard time kicking the cold. It's probably a good reminder to do it more:). *SMOOCH*

>156 BLBera: Oh Beth, they're lucky to have you help with book fair! I wasn't able to tie mine in with a family event, but was pretty happy with sales. Even more happy when it ended. It's a lot of work.

>157 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. Finally feeling better. Thanksgiving break couldn't come soon enough. My family had another tragedy this week as we unexpectedly lost my uncle. I'll write more below, but we're reeling a bit.

>158 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie. Last year we were a covid outbreak school and were closed for two days for a deep cleaning, so I'm surprised we didn't close. We had to send home a letter from the county public health about RSV ad everything. It was a joke this week. One of the kinder classes had 4 students all week - and not the same 4. It was unbelievable, and of course, you can't dig in to curriculum with so many kids out. We had a snowstorm this week too, and Friday we had a late start to give road crews a chance to clear roads before school. But... though the days essentially amounted to babysitting, they count. For budget reasons, my district doesn't have very much cushion over the state required minimum instructional days, so when we miss school we often have to tack on days at the end of the year to make them up. So they weren't useful days... but they counted.

>159 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. I feel I am finally turning a corner, and we are off this week for Thanksgiving break, and I am very thankful for that!

>160 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. I am hoping this week of break will finally do it. We are very excited about our Christmas travels and I cannot wait to see Marina.

My family lost my uncle this week. Stelios and I were able to say our goodbyes and then help collect family from the airport so my aunt and my cousins could be with him before he was removed from life support. He was in his 80s, but very active and healthy, and it kind of came out of the blue. He was a really good man.

I am so sorry for your family's loss. (( hugs))

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anne. Sending hugs for you and yours.

>162 AMQS: I'm so sorry, Anne. Thinking of you and your family.

>162 AMQS: So sorry Anne. I can image that was a shock to have someone go from active and healthy so quickly.

>162 AMQS: That's not happy news. I'm really glad you and Stelios were able to be there to say your goodbyes and be of service to the family too. It does make it more bearable, I think, to be able to contribute to the grieving ones.

Thank you, Anita, Micky, Laura, Reba & Richard for your wishes. My aunt seems to be doing okay, and has my cousins surrounding her and helping her. My mom offered to have her stay with her, but she wants to stay in her house, at least for now. We are very grateful we were able to say goodbye.

Though I haven't been on LT, I have been reading. Catching up now on books:



69. The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans. 4.5 stars.

This is a terrific collection of short stories. I think it was Joanne who recommended it. I bought it for my mom and sent it to Germany. She loved it so much she brought it home and suggested it for our book club. I will look for more from this author.

70. Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds and Raul the Third. 4 stars.

This is a Battle of the Books selection for my district. It is graphic novel-ish, and showcases Portico Reeves, AKA Stuntboy, who perfects his stunt/superhero moves wit his best friends, tries to steer clear of his nemesis, and uses his superpowers to help him deal with severe anxiety, which is heightened by his parents' imminent separation and constant fighting, which he calls "the meantime."

71. Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden. 4 stars.

A sweet story about the impact of a random act of kindness. This is another Battle of the Books selection.

72. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, audiobook narrated by Emilia Fox. 5 stars.

When I need a comfort re-read, I need Jane Austen. This one has a terrific narrator and is a favorite.

73. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. 4.5 stars.

I couldn't imagine reading an English language novel that treated the Cyprus conflicts and war with such sensitivity. The community was bitterly and violently divided, and the repercussions are indeed still felt today. The war may be over, but there are certainly no winners. Both Greek and Turkish Cypriots agree that while their communities certainly had conflict, they truly did live side by side for generations, and for the most part, the violence was stirred up and inflamed by outside forces on both sides.I have many people here to thank for this one.

October roundup:

69. The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
70. Stuntboy in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third
71. Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden
72. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
73. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
October favorite:

74. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, audiobook narrated by Rachel Dulude. 3.5 stars.

This was a fun, feel-good space opera, but it did drag quite a bit on audio. The books get such great reviews that I may try the others if they cross my path.

Hi Anne - I am so sorry to hear about your uncle.

You had a great October in reading! And you are almost to 75!

Take care.

75. Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee. 4 stars.

This middle grade book is very Percy Jackson-esque, with smart talking kids, fast action-adventure, humor, and mythological demons, deities, and more. I love that Rick Riordan's publishing label celebrates and elevates world mythology - in this case, Hmong. And even better, this one has a main character driven by a desire to save her brother, and a keen sense of empathy. Definitely hand this one to Percy Jackson fans.

76. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk. 3.5 stars.

Read for book club. This book is billed as a mystery, and follows Janina, something of a recluse, who lives way outside of a rural Polish village and teaches English, translates William Blake, is a caretaker for various summer homes, and is devoted to astrological charts. When neighbors begin dying, she is convinced that the wildlife is seeking retribution for hunting and poaching. Much of the narrative takes place inside her head, which is a very odd place to be.

Congrats on reading 75 books!

77. Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac. 4.5 stars.

A COVID-era novel in verse following Malian, who is visiting her grandparents on the reservation when shelter in place orders force her to stay. She describes the struggles of accessing online learning when the wifi is so poor, misses her parents, and chronicles the appearance and protection of a res dog she names Malsum (wolf). As her grandparents help her make sense of the world, they frame their current experience against their culture's rich folktales and myths, and help her make peace with racism and the difficulties the Wabanaki and other native peoples face with grade.

"No one should feel guilty
about the past. Unless
they're not doing
anything about the present.
That's what
my grandparents say.
Think about what we
are doing now and how
it will affect the world
seven generations from today,
and not just in the next election."

A lovely book.

78. Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia. 4.5 stars.

I have been sleeping in Marina's room as I've been fighting this cold so I don't keep Stelios awake with coughing and sneezing. So I've been staring at her bookshelf, and missing her so much, and I picked up one of her favorite books. Ah, so wonderful. I can see why Marina loves it so much. Eliza is a high school senior who is cringingly introverted and awkward. She has no friends at school, and does not fit in with her outgoing, athletic family. What she loves is her web com Monstrous Sea, which she illustrates and writes, and is a fan favorite beloved by millions. She maintains strict anonymity, which gets awkward when she meets a new kid at school, who turns out to be the number one fan fic writer of Monstrous Sea. When Eliza is accidentally outed as the creator, her awkward and painful life is completely turned upside down. I couldn't put this book down. Recommended.

79. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. 4 stars.

Also plucked from Marina's shelves, this is an outstanding graphic memoir of Alison Bechdel's relationship with her father, a cold and distant taskmaster and closeted gay man. Again, I couldn't put it down (but needed to read with a dictionary nearby).

>176 BLBera:, >179 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Beth and Anita!

I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle, Anne. I'm glad your aunt has family around to help.

Congrats on 75 -- and you've been reading some great books to get there. Eliza and Her Monsters has quickly become one of my favorites -- I've read it at least three times in the past five or six years.

Congrats on reaching and surpassing the magic number, Anne!

What a fun catch up, Anne and congrats on your 75!

Sorry about your uncle, Anne. It is good you were able to say goodbye.

And congratulations on reaching 75.

Sorry to hear about your cold, Anne. Congrats on reaching 75. Scout is a big fan of mythology, so I will definitely put Pahua and the Soul Stealer on her list. Thanks again.

Rez Dogs also sounds great. What age would you recommend for this one?

>177 AMQS: Yay!


Happy new-week's shortness, Anne.

Congrats!

>184 curioussquared: Thank you, Natalie. I can see why Marina loves it so much.

>185 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! My reading has slowed down a bit because I don't do audiobooks in the car as often as I usually do now that I am commuting with Callia. We'll see - next year I may struggle to get to 75.

>186 PaulCranswick: Thanks for catching up, Paul!

>187 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita. We were glad to be able to say goodbye also, though it was difficult.

>188 BLBera:, >189 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. Every time I've felt that I've turned a corner I've had a setback. I am really tired of being sick, and I've had two lost weekends in a row. So I'm so glad to be on break now. I'm planning to continue masking once school is back to try to be as healthy as possible for our trip.

Rez Dogs would be good for 3rd grade and up, I would think. I really enjoyed it. And if Scout loves mythology she should love Pahua. In her notes at the end, the author says that because Hmong folklore and mythology is almost exclusively an oral tradition, the versions vary a lot. This used to frustrate her, until she read Percy Jackson and realized the many versions would lend themselves to MG action storytelling really well. She also talked about never seeing herself in literature, and how important representation is. I admit I got lost in some of the names, but the story was awesome.

>190 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

>191 drneutron: Thank you, Jim!

80. New From Here by Kelly Yang. 3.5 stars.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Still, Kelly Yang writes in her typical appealing style, addressing family dynamics, poverty, racism, and immigration issues with sensitivity and forthrightness. The Wei-Evans family lives in Hong Kong - mom (Chinese), dad (American/white), and three kids. Their maternal grandparents live in Beijing. As China begins to have a scary new virus, Hong Kong is gripped with fear. Masks are hard to come by, and anti-Chinese sentiment is pervasive. So much so that the parents ask their kids not to speak Mandarin, but rather Cantonese in case they need medical care. But the family makes the difficult decision to separate for safety. Dad will remain in Hong Kong for his job, and mom and the kids will move to northern California to a little home they inherited. After all, the virus likely won't come to America, and if it does, surely its outstanding healthcare system can handle it and there will never be shortages of essential items, right? But before the virus even takes hold in the US, things go downhill for the family fast and they are blindsided by financial hardship, stress, and racially-based fear and accusations. As with Front Desk, Ms. Yang based the book on her own experiences, having made a similar decision when her family was living in Hong Kong.

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, Anne.

I own a copy of Drive Your Plow but I just can't seem to get into it...

I'm glad you enjoyed The Office of Historical Corrections. Congrats on reaching 75 books!

Stay well!!

>151 AMQS: wow- what a great time Marina seems to be having

>173 AMQS: I recently read 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak and loved it.

>181 AMQS: I love it that you are reading Marina's book, and that it has made you feel close to her :( :)

Thank you as always for books, thank you for this group and thanks for you. Have a lovely day, Anne and family.

Happy Thanksgiving from Bottle Tree Farm

>192 AMQS: Thanks Anne. I'll add those books to Scout's list.

Hello friends - just dropping in to mom-brag:) I can't wait to see Marina and I miss her very much. This is a newsletter about the program she's doing in Bologna, info about their experiences, and a reflection she wrote about a scholarship she received.

https://our.dickinson.edu/file/Bologna-Letter_Fall2022.pdf?erid=7636519&fbcl...

>199 AMQS: Wow, that looks like a great program and Marina's essay was excellent. I'm glad she's having a good time. I'm a firm believer in the value of international study as part of the college experience.

>199 AMQS: I'm so glad Marina is enjoying Bologna. I think I've said before, that I've been there several times and it's a very interesting city.

Well done, Marina. What a formative experience that must have been for all involved.

It sounds like Marina is having a great time.

>199 AMQS: That is so great! I know you're eager to see her, but that has to be very satisfying to you, too.

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, Anne!

Happy Christmas from my Christmas gnome!

I have been offline most of the month, busy baking, crocheting, traveling, and reading but didn't want to let the end of the year pass without wishing my LT friends good blessings!

Marina's essay was wonderful. International study is such a wonderful experience as she says: a way to have a sense of being a global citizen.

Merry Christmas, Anne!

Malaysia's branch of the 75er's wishes you and yours a happy holiday season, Anne, Stelios, Callia & Marina.

Happy New Year to all of my dear friends. You have sustained me this year. The end of the year has been a very difficult time with loss and illness but we are thrilled to spend the holidays in Italy with Marina. I will share more photos in my 2023 thread, but wanted to post one from Florence. We head back tomorrow- by bus from Nice to Bologna, then fly back the next day to Denver- fingers crossed as our connection is tight and Denver is expecting snow… much love to you ALL! Happy New Year ❤️

Hope you and your family have a very happy and healthy 2023 and that you have safe travels home.

Wishing you all the best as you travel home!