Katie's Reading Retreat - Chapter 7

Photo credit: NYC Parks
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For anyone new to my thread, I’m Katie: reader, wine drinker, food appreciator, shenanigan-ator, and non-sufferer of fools. I live outside New York City with my husband, "The" Wayne, our cat, Leonard, and our dog, Nuala/Noodles.

My reading varies widely - I love genre fiction (romance and crime), contemporary and historical fiction, and narrative nonfiction. I try to balance my reading in all these areas. I also use my thread as a bit of a life journal, which mostly means I talk about what I’m cooking, eating, drinking, watching, doing, and avoiding doing.

Thanks for being here!

Currently Reading
(Print) (Audio)

BOOKS COMPLETED

Books Off My Shelf: 23
Books Off My Kindle: 14
Books from Audible/Chirp: 1
Library Loans (print/e-books/audios): 44
Friend Loan:

MAY
82. Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert (3.5 stars)
81. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (3.75 stars)
80. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara (audio) (4 stars)
79. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (3.5 stars)
78. Roommaid by Sariah Wilson (3.5 stars)
77. Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow (audio) (3.75 stars)
76. Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb (4 stars)
75. The Dogs of Littlefield by Suzanne Berne (4.25 stars)
74. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (4 stars)
73. The Shades by Evgenia Citkowitz (audio) (3.5 stars)
72. B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton (3.5 stars)
71. Rumours by Freya North (4 stars)
70. The Detective Up Late by Adrian McKinty (audio) (4 stars)
69. The Lost Man by Jane Harper (4 stars)

Did Not Finish (YTD)
01. Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen
02. The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton
03. The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis (will try this one again at some point)
04. This Is My America by Kim Johnson (might try in print; did not enjoy audio narrator)
05. The Evidence of Things Not Seen by James Baldwin
06. Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon
07. The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore
08. From the Jump by Lacie Waldon
09. The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose

Q2 COMPLETIONS

APRIL
Favorite:

68. Rape: A Love Story by Joyce Carol Oates (3.75 stars)
67. The Appeal by Janice Hallett (4 stars)
66. Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt (audio) (3.5 stars)
65. Unfollow Me by Jill Louise Busby (audio) (3.5 stars)
64. Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie (3.75 stars)
63. The Red Car by Marcy Dermansky (audio) (2.5 stars)
62. The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn (4 stars)
61. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell (audio) (3 stars)
60. Talking to the Dead by Helen Dunmore (4.25 stars)
59. Starting from Happy by Patricia Marx (3.5 stars)
58. The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash (4 stars)
57. Our Homesick Songs by Emma Hooper (audio) (4 stars)
56. Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson (4 stars)
55. The Intimate City: Walking New York by Michael Kimmelman (audio) (5 stars)
54. The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren (4.5 stars)
53. Piglet by Lottie Hazell (audio) (3.75 stars)
52. How To Be a Girl in the World by Caela Carter (4.25 stars)

Q1 COMPLETIONS

MARCH
Favorite:

51. The Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan (4 stars)
50. Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter (audio) (4 stars)
49. Goodbye Without Leaving by Laurie Corwin (audio) (4 stars)
48. Trash: A Poor White Journey by Cedar Monroe (3.75 stars)
47. Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan (5 stars)
46. Charm City by Monica McCallan (audio) (3 stars)
45. Wednesday Walks & Wags by Melissa Storm (2 stars)
44. Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart (audio) (3.5 stars)
43. The All-Night Sun by Diane Zinna (audio) (3 stars)
42. Kala by Colin Walsh (4.25 stars)
41. Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles (audio) (3.5 stars)
40. Alias Emma by Ava Glass (3 stars)
39. Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle (audio) (2.5 stars)
38. Sky Burial by Xinran (3.5 stars)
37. The Great Unexpected by Dan Mooney (audio) (4 stars)
36. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (4.25 stars)
35. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (3.25 stars)
34. Days of Awe by Lauren Fox (audio) (4 stars)
33. The Cactus League by Emily Nemens (4.5 stars)
32. A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde (audio) (3.5 stars)
31. Up at the Villa by W. Somerset Maugham (3.75 stars)
30. Scoreless by Skye McDonald (3.5 stars)

FEBRUARY
Favorites:

29. Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (audio) (5 stars)
28. Looker by Laura Sims (audio) (4.5 stars)
27. The Body in the Dales by J.R. Ellis (2.5 stars)
26. You Say It First by Katie Cotugno (audio) (3.5 stars)
25. At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier (4 stars)
24. Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley (audio) (4 stars)
23. Broken Harbor by Tana French (4.25 stars)
22. No Baggage by Clara Bensen (audio) (2.5 stars)
21. Ghosts by Dolly Alderton (audio) (4.5 stars)
20. A Day at the Office by Matt Dunn (4 stars)
19. Tar Baby by Toni Morrison (3.5 stars)
18. Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris (3.75 stars)
17. Perennials by Julie Cantrell (audio) (2.5 stars)
16. Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous (4 stars)
15. Just a Heartbeat Away by Cara Bastone (audio) (3.75 stars)

JANUARY

Favorite:

14. Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay (audio) (3 stars)
13. Intercepted by Alexa Martin (3.5 stars)
12. Go Back to Where You Came From by Wajahat Ali (audio) (3.5 stars)
11. Ruined by Sarah Vaughn et. al. (3 stars)
10. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (4.25 stars)
09. Day by Michael Cunningham (audio) (4.5 stars)
08. The Birdcage by Marcia Willett (2.5 stars)
07. London't Number One Dog Walking Agency by Kate MacDougall (audio) (4 stars)
06. The Summer of Katya by Trevanian (2.5 stars)
05. Let's Be Just Friends by Camilla Isley (audio) (2 stars)
04. Police at the Station and They Don't Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty (audio) (4.5 stars)
03. The Betrayers by David Bezmozgis (audio) (4.25 stars)
02. The Adults by Caroline Hulse (4 stars)
01. Shady Hollow by Juneau Black (audio) (3 stars)

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

5 stars = Perfect, for me
4.5 stars = Excellent read
4 stars = Good read
3.5 stars = Not a waste of time
3 stars = Some redeeming qualities, but I wish I’d read something else
2.5 stars = Didn’t work for me
2 stars = Why didn’t I DNF it?

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

April in Review
(Numbers in parantheses are YTD)

Books Read: 17 (68)
(Puzzles Completed: 6 (31))

Mine: 6 (28)

Library: 11 (40)

Male authors: 3 (19)
Female authors: 14 (50)
Non-Binary: 0 (1)

New-to-me authors: 11 (48)
US/UK authors: 16 (61)
Other: 1 - Canada (9 - Algeria, Canada x2, China, Irelad x2, Italy, Japan, Latvia)

Print: 3 (18)
Ebook: 8 (18)
Audio: 6 (32)

General/Popular Fiction: 4 (13)
Literary Fiction: 2 (11)
Historical Fiction: 2 (7)
Romance: 3 (12)
Crime/Thriller: 2 (13)
Juvenile/YA: 1 (3)
Classics: 1 (2)
Speculative: 0 (0)
Nonfiction: 2 (7)

Publication:
New (2023 or 2024): 3 (9)
2020-2022: 5 (18)
2020-2019: 6 (26)
2000-2009: 1 (6)
1980s-90s: 1 (6)
1950s-70s: 0 (1)
1900-1949: 1 (2)
19th c.: 0 (0)

Re-reads: 0 (1)
DNFs: 1 (6)

Best of the month (not counting re-reads): Intimate City: Walking New York
Worst of the month (not counting DNFs): The Red Car

Welcome!

Happy new thread, Katie! I look forward to seeing your stats :)

>7 alcottacre: - Thanks, Stasia! Stats are now posted.

Happy new thread, Katie!!

Thank you, Natalie!

Merry May Day!

Happy new thread, Katie!

Thanks, RD and Micky!

Happy New Thread, Katie!

Happy new thread, Katie. Love the tulips - a bit early for them here still, but here's hoping...

>14 vancouverdeb: - Thanks, Deborah!

>15 Helenliz: - I'm not sure that's a current photo, Helen. But I remember having tulips around on my birthdays growing up, so they may be "in season" here now...

Happy new thread!

You had quite a reading month!

Good morning! I actually got up to an alarm, as it's Maribel Day, and I like to have a leisurely morning before doing the last bit of tidying up before she arrives at 9am. Nuala will go off to day care in a bit, and I have a list of things to take care of at my desk while Maribel does her thing. In the afternoon, I'll go to the grocery store since I didn't yesterday. I'm making the soup I mentioned yesterday tonight. Last night, I ended up just pulling something out of the freezer for dinner. I espect some good book time this afternoon.

Books:
I'll finish up The Lost Man today. It invaded my dreams last night, and I kept waking up a bit unsettled. Still enjoying The Detective Up Late on audio.

Viewing:
Nothing again. I'm in a bit of a TV funk - nothing seems appealing, even series I'm in the middle of...

>17 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita! It was a good month, though it didn't reach my high in terms of quantity from March (22 books).

Sweet Thursday, Katie. Happy New Thread. Love the spring topper.

Happy new thread! Over the last month I've been seeing the tulip photos from the parks in Istanbul and missing all of that (the season is mostly past now). So glad I got out to see them in two of the city locations where they have a ton.

>15 Helenliz:, >16 katiekrug: Tulips bloom pretty early, I'd say a few weeks ago here in Virginia, probably similar up your way Katie. We don't plant tulips so I'm not certain, but the blooms might even be gone by now.

>18 katiekrug: Oof. I can see how The Lost Man might invade your sleep. Sorry to hear that. It's definitely unsettling.

>20 msf59: - Thanks, Mark!

>21 ursula: - I do love tulips... So cheery after the grey of winter.

>22 lauralkeet: - We don't have any tulips planted here, but now that I think of it, I did see them blooming elsewhere last month.

The Lost Man is SO good.

>18 katiekrug: Having the same issue with TV. I can't seem to settle into a filmed story for some reason. (It may have something to do with Old Stuff's blaring of MeTV all the hours god sends.)

Happy new thread, Katie. I love the tulips.

>24 richardderus: - Sorry you're also struggling with the TV funk! May it pass soon for both of us.

>25 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth!

Happy new one, Katie!

Thank you, Jim!

Rape: A Love Story by Joyce Carol Oates

The first part of the title refers to a brutal assault on a working class woman in a park late one night. The second part refers to the woman's daughter (with her at the time of the attack) and her feelings of first love, specifically for the beat cop who ends up taking justice into his own hands.

I sometimes find Oates' extremes in length don't work - some of her novels are bloated and some of her shorter works feel like they could be a lot longer. Such is the case with this one. It's barely 150 pages, and I wanted more - more background, more fully fleshed out characters, and more story. What there was was intriguing, but for instance the mother's abrupt departure seemed out of character. And who was the guy she left with?

3.75 stars

NB: Content/trigger warnings abound, as you can probably imagine.

Happy new thread, Katie!

>18 katiekrug: Welcome to Wrexham is back so maybe that will kick you out of your funk.

>30 norabelle414: - Thanks, Nora!

Ah, I knew it was coming back this month. Thanks for the reminder!

Happy Friday!

Plans for the day include a visit to the local indie bookstore to pick up The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store for book club this month. While in the area, I'll pick up lunch at a deli nearby that makes amazing sandwiches. I'd like to spend a chunk of the afternoon puzzling and listening, as my audio book holds keep coming in from the library. New recipe for dinner tonight - a curried rice and chicken dish.

Books:
I finished The Lost Man yesterday and started Rumours for something a bit lighter. The Detective Up Late is still going on audio, and I'm enjoying it.

Viewing:
This week's episode of 'Top Chef.'

>32 katiekrug: Oooh I really liked The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, Katie. And of course I'm glad to see you're enjoying the Sean Duffy.

>33 lauralkeet: - I've liked all (both?) of the McBrides I've read. I've had this one on hold at the library forever, but the meeting is in 2 weeks, so I decided to bite the bulllet and buy a copy.

Love me some Duffy!

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

I've had a few Jane Harper books on my Kindle for a while, but this was the first I've read. I selected it as my May "Julia Memorial Read."

I can see why Harper gets so much love around here. This was a well-paced, well-written crime and family drama novel. I loved the descriptions of the Australian Outback, both the landscape and how people manage to live there. Harper does a great job of unfolding the family history as part of the narrative, dropping hints and interspersing the contemporary story with pieces of the past.

A very satisfying read.

4 stars

My favorite of Harper's is The Survivors and I loved Exiles too. I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

Have a good day, Katie. That's it. Just good.

>36 vivians: - The Survivors sounds good! I've added it to my WL. Exiles is the 3rd in a series, but I have the first on my Kindle :)

>37 weird_O: - I think I can manage "good," Bill! Here's hoping for even better - for both of us.

>35 katiekrug: I've only read The Dry, which I really liked. I need to follow up with Harper.

>39 BLBera: - I plan to read that one soonish... Have a good weekend, Beth!

Happy weekend! It looks to be a beautiful day here. We're taking a little drive later out to the NJ/PA border to a winery where my friend, Skye, is participating in a book event (she writes romance novels). I'm just going to say hi and then sample the wine and come home. But it will be nice to get a change of scenery, and on the way, we are stopping at a funky little hot dog place for lunch. Not sure what the rest of the day will hold...

Last night for dinner I made a recipe from my new cookbook, and it was very good - a take on a Nigerian fried rice dish. Interestingly, you cook the rice ahead of time and then chill it in the fridge for at least two hours. It prevents it from being mushy. So there's a little tip for you :) After dinner, I relaxed on the couch with my book while TW watched TV in the other room.

Books:
I finished The Detective Up Late and will start The Lonely Hearts Book Club as my next audio. Still enjoying Rumours as my print read.

Viewing:
Nada

>41 katiekrug: OH! That makes sense of something I could never figure out before. Why was fried rice always better mafe with the containers of leftovers, actually has a reason.

*satisfied glow*

Enjoy the Saturday glory, Katie.

>41 katiekrug: I made a chicken fried rice dish recently (NYT recipe) where this same rice phenomenon was explained. I made mine the day before; it did seem to have a better consistency for that type of dish than if I'd used freshly-cooked.

Enjoy your day! The beautiful weather has left us and our current yuck is probably heading your way.

>42 richardderus: - You're welcome!

Hope you enjoy this gorgeous day.

>43 lauralkeet: - It makes sense to get all the moisture out for sure. I cheated and used microwaveable basmati rice because I had it on hand.

>41 katiekrug: Your mini road trip sounds like a fun time, Katie. Is the book event romance specific or more general?

>45 MickyFine: - It's mostly romance authors (that I've never heard of), plus a smattering of others. Honestly, it looks super rinky-dink (website full of clip art and ugly fonts...) but I am a supportive friend :)

Thanks for the rice tip, Katie. I learned something new today. :) I am having lunch with my colleagues on Monday and plan to make a flourless chocolate cake with coconut tomorrow.

>47 BLBera: - Here's another tip, Beth - don't put rice in the cake!

Happy Sunday, Katie. I also liked The Lost Man and I loved The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Have a good time with the latter.

Good morning!

We had a lovely day yesterday - it's so nice to get out of the routine and do something different with a change of scenery. When we got home, The Wayne mowed the front and back, and I worked on my puzzle. We ended up going back out for dinner - an Irish pub nearby whose ambiance we love but whose food had been going downhill seemed to have gotten a new chef, as there were new things on the menu when we looked online. So off we went to try it out. I had an amazing grilled cheese - bacon, tomato jam, brie, sharp cheddar, and provolone. Delish! Then we came home and watched a bit of TV before making an early night of it.

Today I need to do my week ahead planning, meal planning, and at least a quick trip to the grocery store for taco fixings. We're also planning to organize our storage room/pantry and then watch the F1 race later in the afternoon.

Books:
I started The Lonely Hearts Book Club on audio and am still enjoying Rumours in print.

Viewing:
The first episode of the new season of 'Welcome to Wrexham.'

>49 msf59: - Happy Sunday, Mark! I'm looking forward to starting the McBride.

>41 katiekrug:, >43 lauralkeet: I've also heard that the carbs in rice (and pasta) are less problematic if you cook them and refrigerate them before eating them. *shrug*

Glad to hear the pub food has improved. That grilled cheese sounds delightfully cheesy.

I hope your pantry tidying went well. I had intentions of deep cleaning the kitchen that did not manifest. Instead ended up clearing out a bunch of throw blankets that never get used as our neighbourhood has textile donation pick-up coming this week. Ah well. At least there was some productivity. :)

Glad your Sunday was a good one, Katie. The grilled cheese sounds amazing!

Woke up to no power... I'll be back later...

And we're back in business!

>52 laytonwoman3rd: - That's interesting, Linda. I'd not heard that!

>53 MickyFine: - TBH, it was almost a little too much cheese - I don't think the provolone was necessary...

Pantry organizing went well, as far as it went. The Wayne was planning to put up a broom/mop rack and a shelf but didn't get to it.

I have no experience of unused throw blankets - we have a lot but they tend to get colonized by the animals, and once they are hairy and smelly enough, I toss them :)

>54 bell7: - We'll have to go to that pub sometime when you're in town for a Giants game, Mary! It's right off of Route 3.

Yesterday was another nice day, though it was rainy. The Wayne ran errands, including going to the store to get taco fixings, so I didn't have to leave the house :) I did get most of the laundry done and all the chopping of taco toppings, and I supervised TW's preparation of the meat (he did it wrong... heh). Tacos for dinner hit the spot.

Today's plans include a trip to Target, finishing the laundry, and taking care of some admin-y stuff. Leftovers for dinner.

Books:
I should finish up Rumours today but I'm not sure what's next. Still a ways to go with the audio of The Lonely Hearts Book Club.

Viewing:
The Miami Grand Prix F1 race, the last quarter of the Rangers (hockey) game, and most of the Stars (hockey) game.

It's going to be a warm and sunny one here today. Gross. Anything above 73F, and I'm an unhappy camper :)

I've got osme errands to run, including that trip to Target I mentioned yesterday. Not much else on tap, other than trivia tonight. Not sure if we are playing solo or with friends.

Books:
I started B is for Burglar yesterday and continued with The Lonely Hearts Book Club which I am considering DNFing. The audio narrator is pretty annoying... I might quit listening and look for a print/e-book version.

Viewing:
Nada

The Detective Up Late by Adrian McKinty

In what his colleagues at the police station dub his "last case," Sean Duffy investigates the disappearance of a 15-year old girl. He is also dealing with his partial relocation to Scotland and anticipated move into the RUC reserves. As always, the audio narration by Gerard Doyle is perfection, and the story was good, if not destined to be one of my favorites in the series. I really hope this isn't his actual last case, as there is still so much more story to tell, both about Northern Ireland and about Sean Duffy.

4 stars

Rumours by Freya North

This was a very satisfying read and hit all the right notes for me as a romance. The two main characters were worth rooting for, the secondary characters were fun, the angst and conflict were kept to a minimum, and I laughed out loud at parts.

The sale of a large country estate in the English countryside brings Stella and Xander into each other's orbits - Stella is focused on the sale (and giant commission), while Xander is opposed to the changes that will be wrought in both his life and that of his village. But this conflict is no match for the attraction they both feel, and for the encouragement and support their friends and family provide as they explore a relationship.

Light, frothy, feel-good fun.

4 stars

>59 katiekrug: I too hope it's not Duffy's last case!

I was sure I'd read all the Duffy series, but reading your blurb about this one I'm thinking I must have stopped at #6. Thank you for the nudge, I'll see if the library can help with finding a copy. I always find these books impossible to put down.

>61 lauralkeet: - Fingers crossed!

>62 charl08: - It only came out last August, I think, Charlotte. And there was a big gap between it and #6.

>60 katiekrug: You got me with that one!

Happy new thread!

Hi Katie -- I'm trying to catch up with threads -- glad to have the rice tip. I may use that tonight with some left-over rice I have in the fridge :)

>64 foggidawn: - Thanks, foggi!

>65 RebaRelishesReading: - I hope it works for you!

I have the first in the Sean Duffy series, Katie, but I have yet to get to it. Sometime soon. It's been a long time since I have read B is for Burglar but I got quite far in that series years ago. They are fun mysteries.

Happy mid week, Katie!

Interesting tip about the rice. I am glad that your local pub's food is improving. Hopefully it continues to do so.

>5 katiekrug: >8 katiekrug: April stats look pretty good!

>35 katiekrug: Dodging that BB as I have already read it. Glad to see that you enjoyed it!

>60 katiekrug: Light, frothy, feel-good fun. Sounds pretty good to me! I will have to see if my local library has a copy.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Katie!

>67 vancouverdeb: - Hi Deborah! The Sean Duffy series is just so good.

I picked up the Grafton as a "filler" book before I start The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store for book club.

>68 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita!

>69 alcottacre: - Thanks re: the stats, Stasia. It's always fun to see how things shake out.

I'm not sure you'll be able to find Rumours at the library. Freya North doesn't seem to have much of a US fan base. I got the book (UK edition) at Half Price Books in Dallas eons ago.

Morning, all! I woke up to pounding rain and thunder this morning and DID NOT want to get out of bed. But I did. Go me.

We came in 4th of 23 teams at trivia last night and were pretty pleased because some of the questions were tough. I had a cheeseburger.

Today, I'll be hitting the grocery store inbetween rounds of rain and dusting and vacuuming the master bedroom. Marinated chicken and Greek salad for dinner tonight.

Books:
I decided to stop listening to The Lonely Hearts Book Club as the narrator was really annoying and the story wasn't anything special. In its place, I started From the Jump which is okay so far. Still reading B is for Burglar but might finish it today.

Viewing:
Part of the Rangers (hockey) game, which they won in the 2nd OT.

>71 katiekrug: We appear to be done with rain and have moved on to the sticky part...at least the heavy-feeling fog got cleared out by the thundershower. Small mercies.

>72 richardderus: - I just got back from running errands, and it's icky out!

>66 katiekrug: I happened upon a beautiful spit-roasted chicken at the store yesterday so the rice is still waiting in the fridge.

4th of 23 sounds like an amazingly good result to me! Congrats.

>73 katiekrug: I *had*to* go out briefly and thought I'd get away with just a t-shirt because 70° ought to be okay...wind whipping up the street had me turn arouns for a cardy...then it was so sticky I got done with my errand soaked in sweat.

I hate climate change. This is deep-south stuff. Ick.

4th of 23 is a good position in the trivia.
We're having a run of temperatures in the low 20s C (high 60 to low 70 F), which is nice after a miserable winter and spring. Nothing like cardigan removal temperature yet. I'm might be in a summer dresses for work, but they're teemed with thick tights and a cardi still.

>74 RebaRelishesReading: - I love roasted chicken! Good call :)

Thanks re: trivia!

>75 richardderus: - Today looks to be nicer!

>76 Helenliz: - Thanks re: trivia. We were not displeased. Your temps, especially the lower end, sound perfect to me :)

Happy Thursday! After I drop Nuala off at day care, I'll be going to the wine store and grocery store (again) to pick up stuff for game night at our friends' place tomorrow. They are doing an appetizer spread and asked that I bring some brownies. I'm also going to make curry chicken tea sandwiches and maybe a German beer cheese spread...

I expect this afternoon will be mostly devoted to the books and puzzle. New recipe for dinner - Hoisin chicken and pepper stir fry.

Books:
I started The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store yesterday for book club. Still listening to From the Jump.

Viewing:
An episode of 'Sex Education' and the end of the Yankees game.

>77 katiekrug: It sure feels nicer, doesn't it? Less sticky and yucky. I reviewed a mystery today that I think you'll like a lot...a writer I'd never heard of before but who has quite a backlist, and a solid ability to compel my attention...hard to do, that...maybe she'll work for you, too.

>78 katiekrug: Good thing you bought that mega-pack of brownie mixes eh Katie? I like to have a mix on hand for "emergencies" and since I made brownies last weekend I picked one up today. I also bought more chocolate chips because a) brownies and b) I have enough overripe bananas to make a banana bread tomorrow.

>79 richardderus: - I will be along shortly to check it out!

>80 lauralkeet: - Thanks for the reminder to check my chocolate chip supply, Laura! The mix I got includes three different kinds of chips, but I always like to add more :)

Oh, I've been AWOL for a bit and had to go back to your last thread to catch up. That was lucky, because you had read The Intimate City: Walking New York, which sounds great.

I'll be interested to hear what you and your book club thought of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. We read it in one of our book clubs a few months ago.

>82 ffortsa: - Judy, try to find the audio of The Intimate City - it's excellent. I think you'll love it.

I'll be sure to report back on THaEGS - it'll be my first time at this book group. I hope it's a good one...

I'll be interested to see your thoughts on The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store!

>84 curioussquared: - It's good in the early going so far...

Just finished this puzzle yesterday:



1000 piece Galison "Novel Neighborhood"

Wow, that's impressive Katie. I love the bookish theme.

>86 katiekrug: Coolness! I'm in awe of your spatial relations skills.

>86 katiekrug: I love it Katie! I've been in the midst of a 1500 pieces Heye Puzzle and I have to get back to it. It's a bit challenging, but mostly I just have been reading. I need to get an audio book on the go and then do two things at once. I made quite a good chocolate cake last night, nothing special , just a 6 minute Chocolate cake and I iced it today. But not before my husband ate 1/4 of the cake before I could ice it. But he is very slim and can afford to that. Not me!

>87 lauralkeet: - It was a fun one, Laura. It didn't come through in the photo, but there were shiny gold bits to it.

>88 richardderus: - More like my trial and error skills... :)

>89 vancouverdeb: - I think I've only ever done one 1500 piece puzzle, Deborah. I am limited by the size of my puzzle board.

Oooh, chocolate cake! Yes, please! I'm with Dave, I don't need icing. Unlike Dave, I can't eat a quater of a cake without consequences :)

TGIF! It's grey and gloomy here, and the temperature dropped significantly. I don't mind - saves on a/c :) It was excellent sleeping weather last night, with the windows open.

I had a nice day yesterday with a good balance of being productive and having book time. The new stir fry recipe was a success, though The Wayne and I agreed we'd like the sauce a little less sweet and a little more hot. Easy enough to adjust for next time. I just need to remember to put a note on a Post-It and stick it in the cookbook.

Also worth noting was my excellent lunch - I made some tuna salad and ate it with leftover cucumber and red onion salad, and it was SO GOOD. I'm going to make that a regular thing.

Tonight, we are going to our friends Ed and Alice's place for a game night. I need to find the right beer for the cheese spread I'm attempting. TW thinks I should use a dunkel, as it will be darker and have a stronger flavor than the German lager I got. Our usual beer and wine store is in the process of moving, so pickings were slim, so I'll have to go elsewhere. I also need to make a pan of brownies, and whomp up some curried chicken salad for finger sandwiches. So lots of time in the kitchen this afternoon...

Books:
I gave up on my audio (From the Jump) yesterday. Like the one before it, which I also abandoned, I found the main female character really annoying. I'm sure it's intentional and she'll be redeemed or whatever, but I didn't care enough to continue. In its place, I started The Shades, which started off well.

I also read a decent chunk of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, which is good. I did find a weird problem with the timeline, which kind of annoyed me, but I'm trying to get over it :)

Viewing:
This week's episode of 'Top Chef.' I'm really enjoying this season.

WHEE!

Wordle 1,056 2/6

🟨🟩🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

DEITY, MEDIA

Congrats on Wordle in 2, Katie! You guys are going to have quite a feast tonight. Sounds like fun.

I've read The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store so I'm interested in the "weird problem with the timeline." Care to elaborate with spoiler tags?

>93 lauralkeet: - My 2s are so rare, Laura. I have to share them :)

Our hosts are providing about 6 other apps, so yes, definitely a feast!

Weird timeline thing: Chona's father is said to come over to the US in 1915. Chona is described as "American born" by Moshe. But she's 17 when they meet in ~1924. I may have missed something or gotten confused, or something is revealed later? I don't know, but it's bugging me!

>91 katiekrug: I'm totally with TW on the beer needed. I'd use stout, because its sweetness goes well with the sharpness of cheese, but "stronger than later" is the thing that appeals.

Don't let the gloomy skies invade your mood! Today I'm also battling the doom-monster because my review's of such a dark book...but nay nay nay, onward until the sun shines again!

>94 katiekrug: ohh that's weird Katie, I didn't notice that when I read it.

>86 katiekrug: That one looks like a lot of fun too! I like the dogs at the bottom. :)

>95 richardderus: - Maybe I'll look for a German stout instead.

I like gloom, so it doesn't tend to affect my mood - unless it lasts for months on end...

>96 lauralkeet: - I'm finding it very distracting! Must. Let. It. Go.

>97 ursula: - IT was fun and just the right level of challenging for me.

I'm dragging this morning, as we were out late, and I had some wine... I am too old for climbing into bed at 1:00am. But we had a lot of fun, and there is nothing much on the agenda today, so it's all good.

Books:
Still on the same two.

Viewing:
Nada.

>99 katiekrug: Did you see the lights while y'all were out? It was cloudy here when I tried.

>100 richardderus: - Nope, it was still drizzly and overcast :(

>101 katiekrug: Heck! I was hoping someone would've seen 'em nearby. Oh well.

>70 katiekrug: I can get Rumours through Hoopla although who knows when I will actually get to it, lol.

>86 katiekrug: Nice! I picked up a couple of new puzzles for my mother - the Ravensburger Large Format ones that she prefers - for Mother's Day. I am heading to Longview on the 24th so I imagine that I will be getting some puzzling in then.

Have a super Saturday!

>102 richardderus: - The Wayne said there might be something visible tonight...

>103 alcottacre: - Oh, that's great, Stasia. Yay for Hoopla.

I love puzzling. It's a rare day when I don't spend at least an hour working one.

Hope you have a great day too!

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton

I don't have much to say about this one - it was a fun, fast read, and I really like Kinsey as a character. I'll keep reading 'em!

3.5 stars

>104 katiekrug: I am living in hope that he's correct because it's cloudless and gorgeous and expected to stay that way! *pleasepleaseplease goddesses*

>105 katiekrug: I've been enjoying working my way through the alphabet -- hope you do too :)

>86 katiekrug: I love the puzzle.

I am on "I" in the Milhone series, Katie. Are you reading or listening to them. I have found that the audiobooks are very good.

>106 richardderus: - It got cloudy over us last night, so no joy...

>107 RebaRelishesReading: - They are fun "filler" books, and I'll definitely keep going.

>108 BLBera: - I've been reading cheap paperbacks of them, as they are easy to find at used books sales/stores. But I wouldn't mind doing some of them on audio, and my library seems to have a lot...

I was pretty useless yesterday, as I felt like poo for much of the day. I rallied around 4pm, and we got a quick bite to eat. Then I just vegged until it was a not-embarrassing hour to go to bed. Slept great and feel much better.

It's grey and drizzly here again. I might go to the grocery store, but I might not. We'll see how stir-crazy I get. I probably will do some laundry though. I think The Wayne is planning to do work, so that's no fun... Dinner is up in the air.

Books:
I'm closing in on 100 pages to go in The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and I should finish the audio of The Shades today.

Viewing:
Stupid Rangers lost.

Sorry you missed out on the northern lights due to clouds, Katie. I was dead tired and conked out at 10:30 on Friday night but pictures from friends in the area were amazing. Lots of pinks in with the usual greens.

Whatever you get up to (or don't), I hope it's a fun Sunday.

Hope Sunday feels better.
I can't stay out to the wee small hours any more without it wiping out the next day. Not sure I was every very good at it.
I have no excuse for missing the aurora. I got home ~ 11pm, checked mail and stuff, saw some photos of the lights, thought "I must look outside" and went to bed! Seems they were mostly visible later, so I don't feel quite so bad!

>111 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! I'm thinking it's a stay-in-my-jammies kind of day. Cold and damp. The grocery store can wait :)

>112 Helenliz: - Yeah, yesterday was a total wash for me. But the game night was worth it.

I'm sort of bummed about not seeing the aurora, but I do love me some sleep :)

>109 katiekrug: I've been doing them as audio and enjoy them that way.

>110 katiekrug: Hope you're feeling better today, Katie.

For the first time in a week, I put on long trousers. Ugh, ick, bleeeccchhh.

>114 RebaRelishesReading: - Good to know, Reba. And yes, I felt much better yesterday :)

>115 richardderus: - I'd rather have long pants on than shorts!

Yesterday was good. We did some organizing of our store room/pantry and other minor things around the house. And we went out for sushi for dinner.

I'll go to the grocery store this morning and tend to some admin-y stuff in the afternoon. I forget what's on the menu for dinner - maybe mustard rubbed Panko chicken?

Books:
I'll finish up The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store today. Yesterday, I finished The Shades on audio and started Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year.

Viewing:
An episode each of 'Welcome to Wrexham' and 'It's Always Sunny...'

>116 katiekrug: When it's this cold, me too! It's really more that it's breezy than actually cold, but that's a semantic quibble. It's sure a lot prettier out today than yesterday...not.

I was pleased with this, since I took a long time to find words for guessed 1 and 2 (hadn't had coffee yet!).

Wordle 1,059 3/6

⬜⬜⬜🟩🟩
🟨⬜⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

SATIN, UNPIN, CUMIN

>118 richardderus: - Yup, grey and gloomy (but dry so far) here.

>119 katiekrug: Nice Wordling, Katie. I got it in 3 as well, by a different route. I can see where it might be difficult to find words for each guess, given where you started.

Mustard-rubbed panko chicken sounds pretty good!

>121 lauralkeet: - Turns out it's tacos tonight :)

Yum, sushi and tacos :) Nice wordling!

>120 katiekrug: We are getting all of your rain, Katie :) I am not sure how many hours it rained yesterday, but it was at least four.

Have a marvelous Monday!

>122 katiekrug: I have no problem with that. What time’s dinner? 😂

>125 lauralkeet: - Between 7:00 and 7:15. Better get a move-on, given I-95 traffic!

Yesterday went according to plan. Today I'll be working on some regular chores, including sorting paperwork. We're playing trivia tonight with friends.

Books:
I finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and started The Dogs of Littlefield, which is off to a good start. Same audio on the go.

Viewing:
Stupid Rangers lost.

The Shades by Evgenia Citkowitz

A family is reeling from the death of their teenaged daughter and sister, and each deals with it in their own way. This is primarily the mother's story - a tale of grief, guilt, and blame. There is some gorgeous writing, but the characters are kept very much at a distance from the reader and the final act didn't have the pay-off that I think it was intended to have.

3.5 stars

Side note: Citkowitz was married to the late actor Julian Sands.

We came in first at trivia last night, but there were only 4 teams. Our regular location cancelled the contest in favor of the Knicks playoff game, so we played at an Italian restaurant (same trivia company) that does BOGO pizza on Tuesdays. I got a really delicious apple, cheddar, and bacon personal pie. Leftovers for breakfast!

It's still grey and damp here. I'll make a quick run to the grocery store for a few things, and I need to tidy up for Maribel. Otherwise, it should be a quiet day. Chicken with couscous and some kind of veg for dinner tonight.

Books:
I'm really enjoying The Dogs of Littlefield and am already more than halfway through it. It's an interesting mash-up of John Cheever, Elinor Lipman, and Stephen King... The audio of Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year continues to be enjoyable, too.

Viewing:
Nada.

I just realized I missed a couple of messages! Deepest apologies - I blame LTing on my phone...

>123 curioussquared: - Nothing wrong with either sushi or tacos! A place near us does sushi tacos but I have not been tempted :)

>124 alcottacre: - I don't think you can blame your rain on me, Stasia - weather tends to move west to east. But we are also very damp, so you have my sympathies!

Katie, thanks so much for your review of The Appeal! I swallowed it just about whole, loving the device that puts the reader right there with the investigators.

>131 ffortsa: - I'm glad you enjoyed it, Judy! Apparently, there is a sequel of sorts set during the holidays - The Christmas Appeal.

>130 katiekrug: Yeah, I keep seeing places that offer sushi burritos and I'm just not interested, lol.

>133 curioussquared: - Oh, that seems even weirder. I do like when restaurants have barely seared tuna on fried wonton wrappers with garnishes. Sort of sushi nachos?

>134 katiekrug: Now that I would totally go for!

Delurking to say Hi! and Happy Wednesday!!

>135 curioussquared: - And now I'm hungry...

>136 Berly: - Hi Kim!

Bit of a busy day here, as Maribel the cleaner comes this morning, Nuala goes to day care, I have things to tend to in my office, Nuala gets picked up from day care, I make dinner, and then I am going to a book club meeting this evening. It'll be my first time with this group, and I hope they aren't annoying :)

Books:
I finished The Dogs of Littlefield last night before turning out the light, and this morning I've started the next-for-me in the In Death series. Still listening to Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year on audio.

Viewing:
An episode of 'Welcome to Wrexham.'

>129 katiekrug: Yay for coming in first at trivia!

>130 katiekrug: More rain is coming down today unfortunately. Our yard is a swamp.

>131 ffortsa: >132 katiekrug: I ordered a copy of The Appeal since you both liked it. Not sure when it will be here, but I am hoping it arrives before I head to my mother's next week.

>139 alcottacre: - I read in the NYT about the terrible rains in East Texas. I hope your mother hasn't been affected, Stasia.

>138 katiekrug: I hope all the busyness goes smoothly today, and the book club isn't filled with irritating people.

*smooch*

>141 richardderus: - Not quite as busy as I expected, since I opted to forget about doing productive things and binge part 1 of Bridgerton s3 instead :)

Fingers crossed for no (or not many) irritating people!

>142 katiekrug: excellent, binge watching TV beats chores any day.
How was Bridgerton? Seen a less than stellar review.
Hope book club is full of non-annoying people. But still with enough interesting discussion.

>142 katiekrug: I am also rejecting productivity in favor of binge watching Bridgerton currently 😁

I've not watched Briderton, but I am watching a good series on Acorn TV or Britbox, called The Vanishing Triangle, which is based on a true crime thing where women were kidnapped in the UK. It's really good, I think. it is Acorn TV, and here is a link. https://acorn.tv/vanishingtriangle/

Sushi tacos. What a country! 😀

>143 Helenliz: - I had really low expectations for this season of Bridgerton because they had changed book Penelope so much, and I didn't really like her. I was mostly tuning in for Kate and Anthony content, but the four episodes were better than I was expecting. I'll be interested to see how part 2 is. So far, though, s3 is my least favorite of the seasons (series to you).

Book club report below...

>144 curioussquared: - *fist bump* What did you think?

>145 vancouverdeb: - I'll have a look for that one, Deb. I have Acorn...

>146 drneutron: - God bless America!

The book club I went to last night has been meeting for a year. They usually have 10-12 people at each meeting but last night was much larger, maybe about 20 or so. Large groups don't generally work for book discussions in my experience, but it was actually fine. Everyone spoke multiple times and while some people had not very insightful things to say, there was enough good discussion to keep me going back. The only real negative was that I think I was the only child-free person there, so until the discussion got started, all the talk was about kids :-P But the women were an interesting, diverse group and very welcoming. I'll call it a win.

Today I'm planning to hit up a used book sale at a local private school. They hold this every year as a fundraiser, and I've gotten good stuff there in the past. I'll also again some time this weekend, with The Wayne. Speaking of whom, he has a whisky club meeting tonight, and I am going with him to serve as designated driver. He usually just gets a Lyft home, but the host lives really out of the way, and getting a ride share can take a while. Also, I'm a nice wife. Heh.

Not sure what else I'll get up to today...

>148 katiekrug: I'm glad the book group was a win, Katie! How did you find it?
>149 katiekrug: That's some impressive devotion there.

>150 lauralkeet: - I heard about the group through a posting on a community FB page.

It is awfully nice of me to go with him, but it's a pretty fun group so not too much of a sacrifice. And they have a hard stop at 10pm, so it won't be a super late night...

::impressed:: at your partnership skills.

Enjoy the weekend.

>147 katiekrug: I'm really enjoying it so far! But caveat, I came to the books after watching seasons 1 and 2 of the show and I think partially because of that, Penelope's book was my least favorite so I was excited about all the changes. I think Pen's book doesn't stand on its own if you already know that Pen is Lady Whistledown. I also didn't like the implication in the book that Pen can't have Colin until she loses a little weight, so I'm glad they didn't do anything like that in the show. I liked the idea of Colin giving her charm lessons and I'm enjoying all the side stories. I'm liking Francesca's plotline more than I expected and the hapless Featherington husbands are hilarious. And loving Kate and Anthony's cameos :) I'm a little confused about Benedict's plotline this season; I don't think they would give him an entirely different story so I assume this lady is just here to leave him broken-hearted and maybe put him top of mind at the end of the season so we're excited for his season next?

Sorry for the novel lol

>152 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

>153 curioussquared: - No need to apologize! I like hearing others' takes on it.

I have sort of the opposite problem - I read the books way back in the early 00s, and Romancing Mister Bridgerton was the first one I read (I then proceeded to read #1 and the rest in order...), and I loved it. I don't mind the changes they've made in terms of revealing who Whistledown was earlier than in the books, but I felt like they really changed Penelope's character, and I just found/find her annoying a lot of the time. I also get zero chemistry between her and Colin. Even the carriage scene felt awkward to me. BUT, I loved seeing Kate and Anthony, and I loved seeing more of the family interactions. I find the Mondrich plot line dull and unnecessary. I like Francesca's so far. And I am also quite enjoying the Featherington heir side story. As for Benedict, they've done the same thing with him every season. He needs his own season stat. But so does Eloise. Given their relationship on the series, I would love to see their stories in one season. I know it won't happen, but I can't decide who I want to lead season 4 :)

So, overall, I enjoyed the first 4 episodes fine, but season 2 is still my favorite, followed by season 1.

>154 katiekrug: I get it! Screen Penelope was my first Penelope so I like her as-is and loved the carriage scene. Agree that the Mondrich plot is boring and unnecessary. I think combining Benedict and Eloise's seasons could work well given that both of their storylines primarily take place outside of London. I'm rooting for Benedict's season next if they don't combine them, mostly since they haven't really set up Eloise's letter writing yet in this season.

>155 curioussquared: - It's fun to contemplate what's next. Julia Quinn told an interviewer she's been let in on the secret of who's up in season 4. IIRC, we found out 3 would be Polin pretty soon after season 2 dropped...

I had a successful trip to the book sale this morning:



I also got 3 jigsaw puzzles.

And yes, I collect different editions of Dubliners and Heart of Darkness :)

>157 katiekrug: Wow!! Great haul!!

>157 katiekrug: Great haul, Katie!

>157 katiekrug: Ooh that's an amazing haul, Katie. I loved Everybody's Fool and Commonwealth. I haven't read the Anita Brookner but I'm a fan of her writing.

That is a great haul, Katie.

>158 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba. I was pleased!

>159 richardderus: - Thank you, RD. I'm looking forward to going back tomorrow and/or Sunday :)

>160 lauralkeet: - I have an ARC of Commonwealth that is a large, awkward shape, so I was glad to find a replacement for it.

>161 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth!

"And yes, I collect different editions of Dubliners and Heart of Darkness " A girl after me own heart. Donal Ryan in the mix as well....good choice. AND I see you've selected a William Maxwell. SO many gold stars for you!

>149 katiekrug: Hope you found some great reads for future discussions with your new book club.

>157 katiekrug: Thanks for posting a pic of your book sale finds. Great haul!

Hope you have a sunny weekend!

>163 laytonwoman3rd: - *preens*

Thanks, Linda!

>164 figsfromthistle: - You have a great weekend, too, Anita!

I survived whisky club. It was actually kind of fun - the host's wife and a friend of hers were there so I had people to talk to about something other than whisky :) And we got home at a reasonable hour.

The Wayne wants to go to the book sale this morning, so we'll do that, and then I might talk him into getting pancakes. We are also starting a home project today - stripping the ugly wallpaper in one of the bathrooms. It's a bit of a small space, so I'm hoping I'll just "manage" from afar. Heh.

Books:
Same ones.

Viewing:
Nada.

I'm so glad you had people to chat with last night Katie. I had imagined you stuck talking whisky with the guys. zzzzz....

Good luck with the bathroom wallpaper!

Excellent book haul. Hope you enjoy.
Glad the whiskey club worked out OK.
Hoping the bathroom decoration goes well...

>166 katiekrug: Apart from the wallpapery bit, sounds like a great day!

>167 lauralkeet: - Yeah, I don't mind that for a while, but it was nice to have another outlet :)

>168 Helenliz: - Thanks on all counts, Helen! Have a good weekend.

>169 richardderus: - Well, I just tested a strip and it peeled right off, so here's hoping it won't be too onerous...

I got a few more books at the sale today, and The Wayne found some super nerdy stuff, so he was happy. I'll probably go to $5 Bag Day tomorrow...

After the sale, we went out to breakfast and I *finally* got the pancakes I've been wanting for weeks now :)

Wallpaper that "peels right off" sounds great. Are you going to put new wallpaper on or paint once the old is off?

>172 RebaRelishesReading: - We're going to slap some paint on the walls to tide us over until we have the bathroom(s) fully re-done...

>140 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. She has not been affected as of yet, but if we keep getting rain, she is sure to be.

>157 katiekrug: Nice haul!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Pancakes! Yum. I wonder if I can convince Chris to have them for breakfast tomorrow …

>174 alcottacre: - I hope she remains unaffected, Stasia.

Have a good weekend yourself!

>175 lauralkeet: - Did Chris go for it? Would you make them or go out?

Yesterday was a good day. We got all the wallpaper removed - it was really quite easy. Who puts wallpaper in a tiny bathroom with a shower? It basically peeled itself off... Next weekend, we'll wash the walls and then paint them. We decided not to attempt that today, in case it took longer than expected. Next weekend is a long weekend, so should allow plenty of time for it.

We went out to dinner and then came home and watched a bit of TV.

I haven't decided if I'm going to the bag sale at the used book sale today. It's usually really busy, and I end up picking up stuff because "ooh, cheap!" rather than being realistic about what I want to/will read. I'll probably just stay here and watch the F1 race with The Wayne. After the race, we are planning to walk down to the butcher shop because TW wants to grill steaks tonight, and they'll have better meat than the supermarket. I hope to spend the rest of the day with the books.

Books:
I might finish Kindred in Death today. Still listening to Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year - I haven't spent much time with it (or my puzzle) the last couple of days.

Viewing:
This week's 'Top Chef.'

Happy Sunday, Katie. No pancakes were consumed this morning. We would have made them at home, but my craving had passed or rather took a detour. The last time we made pancakes we had "breakfast for dinner," and I'm keeping that idea in the back of my head for the kind of day where pancakes for dinner would be just the ticket.

>177 katiekrug: Sounds like a lovely day! Hope it goes as planned.

Glad the wallpaper came off easily. Every surface of my house was wallpapered, and removal was terrible. I have one small bathroom left, and I don't hate it, so for now, it stays.

>178 lauralkeet: - I don't like pancakes at home - they never seem to turn out right. Not that I've tried to make them much... I like going out for breakfast as a treat :)

Growing up, we often had breakfast for dinner.

>179 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba. It was a good day!

>180 BLBera: - I've heard such horror stories about taking wallpaper down and was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was in this case.

Happy new week!

Lovely day yesterday - we watched the F1 race and then The Wayne suggested going to check out a new food market that opened by us. It's not really a supermarket, though it has regular stuff. It's a lot of prepared foods, chef's case selections, and interesting goodies. I guess it occupies the space between a supermarket and Trader Joe's, if that makes sense. It was fun to explore, and I'll definitely be going back. It was a mad house when we were there, since it was opening weekend. The best part is that they sell beer, wine and liquor right in the store, which is not common where we are because of weird licensing laws.

After we got home, we sat on the deck and munched on some chips with quacamole and salsa we had picked up. It was a gorgeous day. For dinner, TW grilled steaks, I made my no-fail asparagus, and we collaborated on smashed dill potatoes. Had a nice cabernet with it. A feast! Then we watched a bit of TV.

Books:
I finished Kindred in Death and have started Mrs. Dalloway, which I am going to have to read in very concentrated periods of time - no grabbing 5 or 10 minutes here and there. So I will start something else to occupy that reading time and try to devote an hour to Mrs. D every day for the next few days.

Hope to get back to my audio today. I don't think I did any listening Saturday or Sunday.

Viewing:
Formula 1 race in the morning; an episode of 'Welcome to Wrexham' in the evening - it was my favorite kind of WtW episode - less about the footie and more about the community.

>182 katiekrug: It sounds like a fairly idyllic day, Katie, with a scrummy meal at the end to cap it off.

Is this your first trip through Mrs Dalloway? She can polarize people, Mrs. D as well as Mrs Woolf.

I wish you luck with the Woolf. I liked A Room of One's Own but the stream of consciousness style of Jacob's Room, which I read for a class in undergrad had me swear off her fiction.

>183 richardderus: - Yep, first time with Mrs. D. I've been meaning to read it for ages, at least since I read The Hours back in the early 00s...

>184 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky. I read To the Lighthouse for a BritLit course in college and liked it, but I had a great professor. Not sure I would have gotten on so well with it on my own.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

While I had a few quibbles with this novel, I enjoyed it overall. I loved the story of Chicken Hill and its Jewish and Black residents. The hub of the community is Chona, a Jewish woman, who inspires both groups with her principled stands and courage in the face of bigotry.

I had this book on my TBR and was happy to get to it sooner, thanks to the impetus of my new book group. We had a really good discussion about it, and one comment helped me appreciate the novel even more. In an interview, McBride apparently spoke of the book as being similar to jazz - with one player (character) taking center stage and then moving aside for another one, but the entire group forming a coherent whole to tell a story.

4 stars

The Dogs of Littlefield by Suzanne Berne

This was a great read. A seemingly idyllic suburban community is fractured by a fight over a dog park and the ensuing poisoning of dogs. It's about so much more than that, though - primarily the hollowness of such towns and the dissatisfaction felt by people who appear to have everything going for them. There are echoes of John Cheever in that, along with the humor and sharp observation of Elinor Lipman, plus a dash of Stephen King (psychological unease King, not horror King). The novel is well-paced and peopled with interesting characters.

4 stars

Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb

Another good entry in this long-running series. No, I don't care that they are formulaic. No, I don't care that the writing rarely moves beyond being serviceable. Robb knows how to tell a good story, well-paced, and has built a world full of characters that are interesting and fun to watch develop.

4 stars

>186 katiekrug: I bought it early on when there was a lot of buzz about it. Then the more I heard the more I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. Your comments have helped me warm to the idea again -- especially the jazz comparison.

>186 katiekrug: That's one of the most surprising-to-me bestsellers of the year, because it really requires...and repays...close attention. I am glad it found you.

>182 katiekrug:, >185 katiekrug: Woolf is a mixed bag for me. I felt about meh about Mrs Dalloway the first time I read it. Then I read The Hours, loved it, and decided I must have missed something in Mrs D the first time around. When I re-read it, I rated it 4.5 stars.

>186 katiekrug: Thanks for sharing the jazz comparison in the McBride. I didn't pick up on that (not surprising), but it makes a lot of sense and adds a nice dimension to a book that I already liked quite a lot.

I love Woolf's writing; there's just something in it that I love. Mrs. Dalloway is one of my all-time favorite books. Which reminds me, it might be time to read it again. I keep meaning to do a reading of all Woolf's work, going in chronological order. One of these days...

I love Mrs. Dalloway. I haven't read it since college, but it might be time for a reread.

>182 katiekrug: That dinner sounds delicious!

>189 RebaRelishesReading: - I think it's well worth reading, Reba.

>190 richardderus: - I've liked the other McBrides I've read, so I would have gotten to it... eventually :)

>191 lauralkeet: - I am planning to re-read The Hours this year, Laura. That was what finally gave me the motivation to tackle Mrs. D.

Glad I could enhance your enjoyment of THaEGS!

>192 BLBera: - I have a few others of her in my stacks, Beth. I'm liking Mrs. D well enough in the early going.

>193 curioussquared: - I always find re-visiting things I haven't read since college to be an interesting experience, Natalie.

I had a fairly productive day yesterday and tried a new recipe for dinner - Bon Appetit's "Black Bean Smash Burgers." They turned out okay, but The Wayne didn't love them. I don't think it's worth the effort of trying to perfect the recipe, so I'll just chalk it up to experience.

Today, I have a routine eye appointment, and a friend is having a casual "happy hour" at her house in the late afternoon, so I'll go to that for a bit. Trivia tonight! In between things, I'll be working on firming up plans for my nephew-ish's visit next month.

Books:
I *might* be able to finish up my audio today, but we'll see. In addition to Mrs. Dalloway, which I'm trying to read in large-ish dedicated chunks of time, I'm also reading Roommaid for when I can only grab a few minutes here and there.

Viewing:
An episode of 'Sex Education.'

Woot!

Wordle 1,067 2/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

RADIO, DINGO

>196 katiekrug: Excellent Wordleing!

Enjoy triviation domination and Mrs Dalloway in equal measure.

>197 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

Happy Wednesday, Katie. Nice book haul up there. I also loved Everybody's Fool and Commonwealth. I am also glad to hear that Grocery Store was a hit at book club. I am currently enjoying Table for Two. Is this one on your radar?

Well, we won at trivia again - against just 4 teams :-P We like this new location better because the food is really good, the start time is more convenient, and there isn't a lot of competition, LOL.

Before that, the rest of yesterday was fine. No issues with my eyes, had fun at my friend's get-together, did some puzzling/listening...

Today, the power company is doing work on gas lines right outside our house, so I may just stay inside all day. I had plans to go to the grocery store, but I don't think I'll feel like schlepping groceries over a block (had to move the car out of the driveway or risk being trapped) in the heat today (almost 90F). There's certainly enough good in the house to cobble together a dinner...

Books:
I FINALLY finished Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year and will pick a new audio today. Made progress in both Mrs. Dalloway and Roommaid.

Viewing:
Nada

>199 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! TfT is definitely on my radar, since I loved Rules of Civility. I still have to get to ...Moscow and ... Lincoln. Bad Katie.

Pleased with my Wordle again today -

Wordle 1,068 3/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟨🟨🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

COUPE, LEARN, EXALT

>177 katiekrug: Glad the wallpaper removal was easy peasy.

>182 katiekrug: I am curious to know what your no fail asparagus recipe is!

>186 katiekrug: Glad you enjoyed it. I have this on my table beside the day couch.

HAppy mid week

Good morning Katie! Wordle in 3 for me today, too. You guys are trivia stars!!
Enjoy your indoor day, sounds like a good plan under the circumstances.

>203 figsfromthistle: - Hi Anita! My no-fail asparagus is stupid easy - heat olive oil (1-2T) in a skillet on medium heat, add asparagus and toss in the oil, add salt, pepper, and Penzey's Fox Point seasoning. Cook until desired doneness, stirring frequently.

>204 lauralkeet: - Morning, Laura!

But did you see my Wordle-in-2 yesterday?!?!!? As you know, no hints, word lists, etc. were involved :)

Wordle took me five today, so congrats on your 3 (and 2 yesterday)!

I am not a Woolf fan but I ended up speed reading Mrs. Dalloway in two days because I'd forgotten it was due for a college class so perhaps that's not really the way to get full enjoyment out of it. I'll look forward to your review.

>205 katiekrug: As you know, no hints, word lists, etc. were involved :)
That halo fits you well, Katie. I have a matching one.

Congrats on the trivia win! Your new location sounds like a winner 😉

>187 katiekrug: Congratulations on reaching 75, Katie!

Congratulations on reading 75 books so soon, Katie!

>206 bell7: - Thanks, Mary!

I don't think I'm destined to be a Woolf fan, though I can appreciate her skill.

>207 lauralkeet: - Ha! I just think since people "solve" a lot of different ways, it's important to note ;-)

>208 curioussquared: - Thanks, Natalie!

>209 FAMeulstee: - Thank you, Anita!

>210 vancouverdeb: - And thank you, Deborah!

Interested to see your review for Ruby Spencer. I enjoyed it in print, while being aware of its first book wobbles. I'm curious if audio smoothed those over or made them more noticeable.

Happy that you're on top of the trivia standings again. I think your response to Ma Woolf is the most common one. I think she did something wonderful in that book, but I'm as usual an outlier.

Nice going on the trivia winnings - and the better dinner that goes with it.

>212 MickyFine: - I'll try to post some comments later today, Micky. I agree that there were wobbles :)

>213 richardderus: - I don't think that's an outlier opinion, RD. Lots of people seem to love it.

>214 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen!

Yesterday was Infrastructure Day around here :) In addition to the gas line work right out front, a water main burst about half a mile away and we had very little water pressure. It was resolved before I went to bed, but I didn't want to create a bunch of dishes I couldn't wash, so we ordered Chinese. I am not complaining.

Nuala is going to day care today, and I need to do a grocery run - probably to the new place that just opened so I can try out more of their offerings. Probably some kind of pasta for dinner...

Books:
I started Suitors & Sabotage on audio yesterday. Still getting on okay with Mrs. D. I should finish up Roommaid today, and then I'll start Akmaral - I'm going to see the author speak next week.

Viewing:
Stupid Rangers lost.

Glad you've found a new trivia place full of advantages :) and hope your neighborhood infrastructure issues are resolved now. And, most importantly, congratulations on 75 before May is finished!! You're on fire!

Yay, congrats on 75!!

>217 RebaRelishesReading: / >219 curioussquared: - Thanks, Reba and Natalie!

Short check-in this morning - I seem to have acquired a summer cold with a bad cough. I'll dig out a COVID test to be on the safe side, but I think it's just a run-of-the-mill thing. I slept very badly, so I see a lot of doing not much today...

>221 katiekrug: Yuck! I'm sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather Katie. A rest and take it easy kind of day is definitely in order. Feel better soon!

Lie low, and pamper thyself!

>221 katiekrug: Rest, repair, and recreation in all its senses are the best medicine. Glad you're doing it. Splendid weekend's reads, Katie.

Feel better soon, Katie!

Sorry to hear you're feeling bleurgh. Hope it buggers off soon.

Aieee! Don't let it escape across the Delaware River. We sure you recover quickly. Have The Wayne pamper you, 'k?

ditto all of the good wishes from those who got here before me :)

Feel better soon, Katie.

Thanks for the sympathy and good wishes, everyone! I am feeling a bit better this morning, though the cough is hanging around.

Today's agenda includes preparing the bathroom walls for painting and.... I think that's about it. I expect The Wayne will do most of that work while I continue to take it easy. We were thinking of going to see a movie tonight, but it will probably depend on how I feel/how much I'm coughing. Not a fun way to start a long weekend!

Books:
I'm nearing the end of Mrs. Dalloway. I was going to read a book by an author I'm going to here speak on Tuesday, but it didn't really grab me in the early going, so I think I'll just set it aside. On audio, I decided to stop listening to Suitors and Sabotage and started Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line instead. I'm enjoying it in the early going.

Viewing:
Rangers won in overtime!

Glad to hear you're feeling somewhat better, Katie, and hope you have a good long weekend.

Sounds like you’re rebounding a bit Katie and are wisely not going to overdo it today. Keep pampering yourself, it will be worth it.

>230 katiekrug: Better = great! I hope the reads keep pulling you along. *smooch*

>231 bell7: - Thank you, Mary! Hope your weekend is a good one, too.

>232 lauralkeet: - I'm very good at pampering myself, Laura :)

>233 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

>221 katiekrug: Hope the improvement continues Katie. Get well soon. Taking it easy sounds like a good plan.

>235 charl08: - Thank you, Charlotte. I know you've not been feeling great yourself...

Congrats on your 75, Katie! I’ve never read any Woolf and am pondering whether to remedy that.

Hope you continue to feel better and don't have to miss out on the planned fun :)

>237 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg!

I haven't read enough Woolf to recommend her or not. If she doesn't call to you, I'm not sure it's worth the time, though.

>238 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba. I took it easy again yesterday and we had a fairly quiet day and evening.

Happy Sunday. I'm still battling a cough, which prevented me from sleeping well, which was annoying, because I was really tired. I'm a side sleeper, but the only way I could prevent the coughing was to be on my back. Blerg.Depsite that, my energy levels are decent, and I feel fine otherwise. I think part of the issue is allergies - the past couple of days, the pollen has been really bad - like a thin yellow coating on the deck furniture bad and when the breeze picks up, you can see tons of it wafting through the air. Gross. Anyway, enough about that.

We're planning to watch the F1 race this morning, and then The Wayne will start painting the bathroom. I'll prbably do some laundry and tidy up a few things. The Rangers (hockey) play at 3pm, and I plan to watch. So another pretty relaxed day...

Books:
I started Snow Flower and the Secret Fan yesterday after finishing Mrs. Dalloway. Spent some time puzzling and listening to Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, too.

Viewing:
This week's episodes of 'Top Chef' and 'Welcome to Wrekham.'

>240 katiekrug: I'm happy to read you're getting less unwell, but *ickptui* on the pollen clouds! Have you watched Dead Boy Detectives? I think it's really good.

Better days!

Glad you're feeling better.
I watched Monaco and, unusually for us, watched it live. I did some stitching during it.

>241 richardderus: - Thanks, RD!

I'll check out 'Dead Boy Detectives'....

>242 Helenliz: - It was, after the initial mishap, pretty boring, though I understand that's kind of par for the course for this race.

I did some reading during it :)

This is a fun article (gifted/no pay wall):

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/26/nyregion/twitter-lawyers-threadnought-elon-mu...

The Wayne is one of the former Twitter employees represented by Akiva and his team, and they are *awesome.*

>216 katiekrug: You are a more patient person than me, Katie. If my gas and water went out for the better part of the day, I'd be quite frustrated. We've had our water go out several time over the years, due to a pipe burst and having no water is very frustrating - at least for me!

>245 vancouverdeb: - Hi Deborah! Just to clarify, we didn't lose our water or gas. Our water pressure was pretty low, but that was the worst of it.

I don't think I've ever been without water, at least not for longer than a couple of hours. I have been without hot water and that was bad enough!

Still fighting this cough and not sleeping great. And now The Wayne thinks he's caught my germs. Luckily, he is a much less whiny patient than I am :)

It's supposed to be rainy and stormy off and on all day, so I anticipate a pretty chill day inside. I am determined to finish my current puzzle, which has been a challenging one. All that's left is a bunch of black space, which is... not fun.

Books:
I'm really enjoying Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is pretty good so far - I'm learning a lot.

Viewing:
The Monaco GP in the morning and the Rangers game in the afternoon.

>244 katiekrug: That is bloody brilliant...meet on Twitter, then sue that jackanapes killing it. Thanks for that boost to my sense of the world as a place that contains Justice if not fairness.

>248 richardderus: - Glad you enjoyed the read as much as I did!

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow

A pretty good "fish out of water" romance about a NYC food writer who throws it all in for a year in Scotland to write a cookbook and try to find herself. I don't love it when romance conflict relies on secret-keeping, and I found the middle of the book dragged a bit. But the food and whisky descriptions were drool-inducing, and mostly made up for the way-too-neatly tied up ending.

3.75 stars

Roommaid by Sariah Wilson

The premise of this one was sort of promising - a young teacher who can't afford to live on her own, agrees to be a "roommaid" for a busy financial guy who travels a lot and wants someone on site mostly to take care of his neurotic dog. My two biggest issues with the book were the unbelievable naivete of Madison and the cartoon cut-out evil depiction of the parents. I did like the dog and the best friends, though...

3.5 stars

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Put me down as one who appreciates what Woolf did in this short novel but didn't really connect with it in any meaningful way.

I'm planning to re-read The Hours next month and will be interested to see how it affects my opinion.

3.5 stars

>243 katiekrug: Monaco is what it is. It would have been a better race without the first lap red flag.

>244 katiekrug: That was an interesting read. More power to the legal team.

>252 katiekrug: Hey, you got a good deal, given that you saw what she was doing. It just wasn't to your taste. Kudos for making it a point to read something most people just SAY they've read.

>244 katiekrug: I read that article and The Wayne's former employment did cross my mind. Good luck; Akiva seems to be a good person to have representing you. And he's come up with an interesting approach to recruiting employees.

>253 Helenliz: - The Wayne read somewhere that all the drivers who started 1 through 10 finished in the exact same order. Snooze fest...

But at least it meant Verstappen lost again ;-)

>254 richardderus: - Thanks, RD.

>255 weird_O: - Glad you enjoyed the read, too, Bill. It certainly is a unique approach to hiring!

Another night of crappy sleep. Sigh. I was supposed to go to a lunch event today featuring an author speak about her new book, but I don't really feel like it. I'm going to save up my energy for trivia :)

Same books on the go. No TV viewing.

>256 katiekrug: The Wayne read somewhere that all the drivers who started 1 through 10 finished in the exact same order. Snooze fest...

I know Monaco is a supposedly iconic race, but the nature of the course makes it likely the final result will be exactly like the qualifying lineup. The other races can be much more exciting. But it's also boring when Verstappen wins every race so at least we've seen a couple losses recently.

>257 katiekrug: I'm sorry you're still not feeling great, Katie. I hope you feel better for trivia.

Hope saving up your energy results in an excellent trivia result! :)

>257 katiekrug: Triviate brilliantly. Feel rested tomorrow *whammy*

>258 lauralkeet: - Apparently, Christian Horner made some comments that the course is a bit of an issue because the cars have gotten bigger.

>259 RebaRelishesReading: - Meh. We did okay...

>260 richardderus: - I did sleep better last night, so that was nice :)

Happy hump day! We tied for 7th place at trivia last night. There were 20 teams, so we didn't do too badly. Some people next to us were cheating, and we had words. #readytorumble

I have some errands to run today, and some organizing to do. Our nephew-ish is coming to visit in a little over a week, so I need to clean up the guest room stat! The weather is gorgeous, so I foresee some deck reading this afternoon...

Books:
I might finish Snow Flower and the Secret Fan today, depending on how much deck reading I do. Still enjoying Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line on audio.

Viewing:
Stupid Rangers lost.

I finally finished this very annoying puzzle:

>262 katiekrug: >:-o Cheating at trivia should be called out.

>262 katiekrug: Trivia cheaters?! that's so annoying.
Enjoy your deck reading!

>263 katiekrug: It makes my head hurt just to contemplate assembling that floor.

Wow, I don't think I've ever actually seen people blatantly cheating at trivia before!! Good on you for having Words.

>244 katiekrug: Great article, Katie. Thanks for sharing. It almost makes me want to find some social media platforms...

Sorry you are stuck with a cough. Allergies, you think?

>264 Helenliz: - I was not amused...

>265 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura!

>266 richardderus: - The floor wasn't quite as bad as I feared, but all that dark, blank space was Not Fun.

>267 curioussquared: - People suck.

>268 BLBera: - I thought it was a fun read, even without the personal connection.

I don't think all the pollen and other stuff in the air is helping...

Cranky check-in this morning. Still not sleeping well, thanks to the cough. I've broken out the big guns (Mucinex) and hope that will help. I might try to take a nap this afternoon...

Books:
I finished both Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line yesterday. In print, I've now started Field Notes from a Catastrophe and on audio, I'll start The Girl I Was today.

Viewing:
nada

Begone, cough! I'm sorry it's still lingering, Katie. Definitely crank up the volume on the meds. And naps.

Hope the Mucinex helps and that you can get some sleep soon.

Summer cold solidarity, Katie! I hope you feel better soon.

Sorry you're not still not feeling well! Hope the Mucinex gets you over the hump.

>247 katiekrug: Oh no! I hope you are feeling better soon.

>262 katiekrug: How frustrating to deal with cheaters! I am sure eventually more people will notice and perhaps be temporary banned from trivia.

>262 katiekrug: I love general knowledge quizzes and regularly do "pub quizzes" here, Katie, and there is nothing worse that seeing someone cheating on something that is meant to be fun. Good for you for calling them out for it.

I recently did a pub quiz together with two friends and we were going great guns until the penultimate round which was "female singers". Thinking myself a pop music buff I turned to my pals confidently and told them "we've got this". All the singers we had to name were from this decade and we managed to get 1/20 and our chances were scuppered.

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line was an interesting read. I think I appreciate it more in retrospect than I did at the time.

Hi Katie, hope the medicine does the trick and you get a good night's sleep soon.

Thanks for posting the article about the legal connections made through twitter. A good read.

Hoping the summer cold is of short duration and you're back on form soonest.

>263 katiekrug: I figured the areas of blankness would be the problem. If it had at least had some variation in color it would be better, definitely. Besides that, it's a cute image though.

Who cheats at bar trivia? Come on, people!

Thanks, all!I coughed a lot less last night but still didn't sleep well because I was on the couch-recliner :-P I'm still taking it as a win, though, and looking forward to more improvement.

Forgive me for not answering individually - I'm very low energy at the moment.

>280 katiekrug: *there there, patpat*

I was less than lit up about Deepa Anappara's way of telling that story in polyphony. Good story, I thought, but execution could a been more effective.

>281 richardderus: - I didn't mind her approach. It was mostly Jai's story, with the victims interspersed, which I thought was interesting - giving a voice to the voiceless.

Some low energy comments on my most recent completions, to close out the month:



Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

A fascinating read, set in mid-19th century China. I learned a lot, but felt at times like See struggled to build an actual narrative around the historical and cultural details she wanted to convey.

3.75 stars



Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara

I enjoyed this novel of a 10-year old boy and how he experiences the world amidst the poverty and danger of India's slums. The audio was very good.

4 stars



Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert

We're all doomed.

I would have rated this one higher, but it was published in 2006 so is a bit out of date. Things are even worse now.

3.5 stars

Welcome to June (whaaaaaat?!?!?!)!

I actually slept through the night last night, so hooray for that. I'm definitely feeling better, which is good because I have a life to live and things to do :)

That said, I'm not sure what's on the agenda for today. I think The Wayne is planning on doing some outdoor chores. Given my allergies to sun, dirt, and bugs, I am unlikely to do the same. There is plenty to keep me occupied inside, though, since I've been fairly useless the past several days.

Books:
In print, I am reading Cold Comfort Farm and on audio, I am listening to The Bookstore. I'm not very far along in either...

Viewing:
An episode of 'Sex Education' and this week's 'Top Chef.'

Heal! Heal, consarn it. It'll make you feel better.

>285 weird_O: ^^^what he said

Glad you're on the mend. Feel better soonest.

>284 katiekrug: Given my allergies to sun, dirt, and bugs ...
*snort*

Glad most of the nastiness is gone anyway!

>285 weird_O: / >286 richardderus: - I'm working on it!

>287 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen :)

>288 lauralkeet: - Cross-posted with you, Laura!

Heh. I'll probably wear my "INDOORSY" t-shirt today :)

May in Review
(Numbers in parantheses are YTD)

Books Read: 14 (82)
(Puzzles Completed: 4 (35))

Mine: 10 (38)

Library: 4 (44)

Male authors: 2 (21)
Female authors: 12 (62)
Non-Binary: 0 (1)

New-to-me authors: 7 (55)
US/UK authors: 12 (73)
Other: 2 - India, Australia (11 - Algeria, Canada x2, China, Irelad x2, Italy, Japan, Latvia, India, Australia)

Print: 7 (25)
Ebook: 3 (21)
Audio: 4 (36)

General/Popular Fiction: 1 (14)
Literary Fiction: 2 (13)
Historical Fiction: 2 (9)
Romance: 3 (15)
Crime/Thriller: 4 (17)
Juvenile/YA: 0 (3)
Classics: 1 (3)
Speculative: 0 (0)
Nonfiction: 1 (8)

Publication:
New (2023 or 2024): 3 (12)
2020-2022: 2 (20)
2020-2019: 4 (30)
2000-2009: 3 (9)
1980s-90s: 1 (7)
1950s-70s: 0 (1)
1900-1949: 1 (3)
19th c.: 0 (0)

Re-reads: 0 (1)
DNFs: 3 (9)

Best of the month (not counting re-reads): The Dogs of Littlefield
Worst of the month (not counting DNFs): Roommaid (but it was still a 3.5 star read)

Slightly lower completions total for this month. I had a bit of a puzzle/audio funk for a week or so which probably explains most of it. I DNFed 3 books, which is on the high end for me. All in all, though, I was pretty happy with my May reading.

New thread is up!