Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Twenty-Six

-R & R at the resort. I think this was day one. I seem somewhat content...



- Black-Crowned Night Heron. This was at the marina and my subject was not photo-shy in the least.

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

OTS- Off the Shelf

September:

106) Black Mad Wheel by Josh Malerman 3.3 stars (audio) OTS
107) Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison 4.5 stars ALA
108) Certain American States: Stories by Catherine Lacey 4 stars
109) The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy 4 stars (audio) AAC
110) The Princess Bride by William Goldman 4.6 stars
111) Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig 3.7 stars (audio) OTS
112) The Physics of Sorrow by Georgi Gospodinov 3.8 stars
113) The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend by Glenn Frankel 4.2 stars (audio) OTS
114) Fight No More: Stories by Lydia Millet 4.6 stars
115) Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye 4 stars (audio) OTS
116) The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin 4 stars OTS

October:

117) As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of Princess Bride by Cary Elwes 4.4 stars (audio) OTS
118) The Searchers by Alan Le May 4.2 stars
119) French Exit by Patrick deWitt 3.8 stars ALA OTS
120) The Fireman by Joe Hill 3.5 stars (audio) OTS G.R.
121) I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O'Farrell 3.7 stars (audio) OTS
122) Praise Song for the Butterflies by Bernice L. McFadden 4.5 stars ER
123) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 4.2 stars (audio) OTS
124) Tin Man by Sarah Winman 4.3 stars (audio)
125) The Overstory by Richard Powers 5 stars
126) The Outsider by Stephen King 4 stars (audio) AAC OTS
127) No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters by Ursula K. Le Guin 3.6 stars (audio)
128) Changers Book One: Drew by T Cooper 3.8 stars
129) Cherry by Nico Walker 3.2 stars (audio)
130) Guardian Angels and Other Monsters by Daniel H. Wilson 4.4 stars OTS
131) In Pieces by Sally Field 4.2 stars (audio)

November:

132) I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 4.2 stars (audio) OTS
133) Washington Black by Esi Edugyan 4.4 stars
134) Tool of War (Ship Breaker) by Paolo Bacigalupi 4.2 stars (audio) OTS
135) The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman 5 stars AAC
136) One of Us: The Story of a Massacre in Norway by Asne Seierstad 4.3 stars (audio) AAC
137) Bird Cottage by Eva Meijer 3.7 stars
138) Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell 4.5 stars (audio) OTS
139) Nothing Gold Can Stay: Stories by Ron Rash 4.5 stars OTS
140) On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden 3.7 stars GN
141) Disappointment River: Finding and Losing the Northwest Passage by Brian Castner 4.2 stars (audio)
142) Virgil Wander by Leif Enger 4.6 stars ALA OTS
143) Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 4.3 stars (audio)
144) Coyote America by Dan Flores 4 stars (audio)
145) One Goal by Amy Bass 4.5 stars (E) AAC

December:

146) Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 4.2 stars
147) All Systems Red: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells 4 stars (E)
148) Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon 4.4 stars (audio)
149) Magic For Beginners by Kelly Link 4 stars (E) OTS
150) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 5 stars (audio) AAC OTS
151) Transcription by Kate Atkinson 3.7 stars OTS
152) My Struggle: Book One by Karl Ove Knausgaard 4 stars (audio)
153) Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk 4.2 stars (audio) OTS
155) The Library Book by Susan Orlean 4.2 stars (audio)
156) Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami 3.7 stars
157) Blame This on the Boogie by Rina Ayuyang 3.2 stars GN
158) The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson 4 stars OTS

Welcome to the AAC V!

2018 AAC

January- Joan Didion Completed The White Album
February- Colson Whitehead Completed Sag Harbor
March- Tobias Wolff Completed The Night in Question: Stories
April- Alice Walker Completed In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens
May- Peter Hamill Completed Tabloid City
June- Walter Mosley Completed Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
July- Amy Tan Completed The Bonesetter's Daughter
August- Louis L'Amour Completed The Walking Drum, Sackett's Land
September- Pat Conroy Completed The Lords of Discipline
October- Stephen King Completed The Outsider
November- Narrative Nonfiction Completed The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, One of Us: The Story of a Massacre in Norway,
Disappointment River, One Goal

December- F. Scott Fitzgerald Completed The Great Gatsby

Here is a link to the General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/279501#

Candlelight

Crossing the porch in the hazy dusk
to worship the moon rising
like a yellow filling-station sign
on the black horizon,

you feel the faint grit
of ants beneath your shoes,
but keep on walking
because in this world

you have to decide what
you're willing to kill.
Saving your marriage might mean
dinner for two

by candlelight on steak
raised on pasture
chopped out of rain forest
whose absence might mean

an atmospheric thinness
fifty years from now
above the vulnerable head
of your bald grandson on vacation

as the cells of his scalp
sautéed by solar radiation
break down like suspects
under questioning.

Still you slice
the sirloin into pieces
and feed each other
on silver forks

under the approving gaze
of a waiter
whose purchased attention
and French name

are a kind of candlelight themselves,
while in the background
the fingertips of the pianist
float over the tusks
v of the slaughtered elephant
without a care,
as if the elephant
had granted its permission.

by Tony Hoagland

-This is from Donkey Gospel, my current poetry collection. I am a big fan of this guy and I know Joe is, as well.

-White Ibis



-American Oystercatcher

^These are a couple of my own bird photos, from Mexico. It was very fortunate that I was able to get pretty close.

"In this powerful and provocative memoir, genre-bending essayist and novelist Kiese Laymon explores what the weight of a lifetime of secrets, lies, and deception does to a black body, a black family, and a nation teetering on the brink of moral collapse."

^The one good thing, (the only thing?) that is a plus, on returning to work, is returning to my audiobooks. Today, I will kick off the week with Heavy: An American Memoir. This one has been getting glowing reviews, including a melodious warble by our pal, Nancy.

Happy new thread! Glad you were able to rest, relax, read and birdwatch on your trip!

I hope you had a great trip Mark! You look so happy with a book in hand and the sun shinning!

Happy new one, Mark. Great topper.

Happy New thread Mark!

>1 msf59: That looks like a great place to be reading.

Morning, Mark! Happy new thread and welcome home!

Good morning, Mark, and happy new thread. Excellent topper!

>7 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs! It was a great trip.

>8 Whisper1: It was a perfect setting for R & R, Linda. I miss it all ready.

>9 Ameise1: >10 charl08: Thanks Barb & Charlotte.

>11 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>12 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen and good morning. Of course, having yesterday off would have been ideal, but I will gladly take today.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Happy new thread, Mark! >1 msf59: Living La Vida Loca, the readers version

Ha! Great topper! Living the good life.

Happy New Thread, Mark!

Good Hoagland poem. He comes through every time, doesn't he.

I'm still sci-fi-ing it for the most part. I do have the new Paper Girls GN coming my way. I just finished Kick-Ass 3, the third in a series I enjoy, although it's ultra-violent. The first one was made into a well-done movie.

Happy new thread, Mark. That topper is a good one for December! ;-)

>15 harrygbutler: >16 Carmenere: Thanks, Harry & Lynda. And hooray for "Living La Vida Loca"!

>17 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe and good morning. I am enjoying the day off. I will run a couple of errands and go for a stroll but I think most of the afternoon will be reserved for the books.

We love Mr. Hoagland, right? His stuff really appeals to me. I should catch up on the Paper Girls. I have forgot where I left off.

Happy new thread! Mrsdrneutron and I are looking forward to a bit of beach time in January. Hopefully I'll look as relaxed as you!

>18 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley! I was going to go with a more winter-like topper and decided....nah!!!

>20 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. It was a great time and a gorgeous locale. You guys visit Florida, right?

Happy new one, Mark! You look quite relaxed. I'm glad you had a great time and are getting some international birding in.

Moving at a slower, though non the less compelling, pace with Whiskey When We're Dry. I have been surprised by how the narrative voice pulls me in despite the slow moving introduction of the family.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Both you and the heron look relaxed at the top of the thread :-)

Happy new thread, Mark.

>1 msf59: Nice picture, you're really basking in the sunshine there. Very nice.

>22 brodiew2: Thanks, Brodie. Yep, we had a good trip, as you can tell by the grin. I sure hope you keep enjoying Whiskey When We're Dry. It takes plenty of unexpected turns.

>23 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. I was trying to imitate the heron up there. Grins...

>24 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. It is seasonably cool here, so not bad but I still miss those Mexican temps.

^Sorry, it took so long to post my bird rescue photos but I finally got to it today. On my bird-watching excursion, we were scanning the channels off the marina and passed a tiny island, dotted with small trees. There were a flock of cattle egrets perched in the branches, (top photo) and the guide noticed one of the birds was tangled in the branches, with old fishing line. We cut the egret free. You can just see the line hanging from the tail feathers in the second photo. We had to carefully work the line free. We set the bird down on the rocks of the island and it did scoot forward but we did not see it fly. I am sure it was very weak and we hope it had a full recovery.

The majority of the birds I saw that day were off these channels, including the owl, under the bridge.

**I shared a couple more of my own bird photos in post #5.

^There were dozens of these monster iguanas along the shorelines too. Many were hanging in the branches of these small trees. I have never seen this before. Pretty cool.

Great pics. Thanks for sharing!

Happy new one, buddy and >1 msf59: looks just what the Doctor ordered.

>29 mdoris: Glad you like the photos, Mary. Good to see you.

>30 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Great to see you, mate. It was a perfect getaway.

^This was the view from our balcony. Wow, it was gorgeous. I miss it...

That is Deer Island on the left and Bird Island on the right. Both are bird sanctuaries.

Happy new thread, and love the photos!

>33 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. It is a beautiful place.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

I'm so glad you were able to rescue that bird.

>26 msf59:, >27 msf59: Way to go! "Bird Rescuer" - I sense your tv series coming. >28 msf59: So cool! >32 msf59: Ahhhh . . .

Happy Wednesday, buddy. I'm sure you're back at it today. Stay warm.

Good photos, Mark, and congrats on the bird rescue, too.

>21 msf59: We've done some Florida trips, but this time we're headed to Barbados!

>35 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday.

>36 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Yep, out here on the route but not a bad day at all, just a little heavier volume.

And hooray for the bird rescuer!!

>37 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry. It was exciting.

>38 drneutron: Hooray for Barbados, Jim. Sounds fantastic.

Great holiday photos Mark. Nice you saw so many feathered friends too.

Good on ya for saving that egret! Aren't iguanas weird looking?

>40 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline! And hooray for feathered friends.

>41 richardderus: Hey, RD! Yes, iguanas have a prehistoric quality. I was really surprised to see so many of the large ones, hanging in the branches of these small trees. I know these type are vegetarians, but still...

"In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies."

-Winston Churchill

^Deciding what to read next, after finishing my story collection Magic For Beginners, I kept waffling between Unsheltered & Transcription, (this is somewhat rare for me) but the Atkinson won out, due to a shorter page count, plus I absolutely went bonkers over her last 2 novels. I read the first 25 pages and I love how fast and easy her narrative flows. I am going to try and bookhorn in the Kingsolver before the year's end, although it is going to get tight, especially with tackling the new, quite chunky, Murakami, immediately after this one.

^I also started my re-read of The Great Gatsby for the AAC. It is working surprisingly well on audio.

Love all your vacation photos, Mark, especially the birds! Nice job on the rescue!!

>44 msf59: Who is narrating Mark? So far I've not found a narrator to my taste. I liked the voice of Sam Waterson who played Nick in the 1970s film version, and he is who I hear when I read it.

I shall probably start my 37th reread at the weekend!

Morning, Mark!

I can't believe that I *still* haven't gotten round to reading The Great Gatsby ever. Yoicks.

>45 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Good to see you. glad you like the photos.

>46 Caroline_McElwee: The narrator is Alexander Scourby. He is more "old school" but I like his narration. There is a more modern version, with the actor Jake Gyllenhaal narrating, if you want to try that one. I had the Scourby version at hand.

37 times? Wow! There must be something here, that really resonates with you.

>47 scaifea: Morning, Amber! What has kept you from reading The Great Gatsby all these years? It is a great book and it has a timeless quality to it, aging a bit better than say, Hemingway, during that same period. Try the audio, with the book at hand. There is supposed to be a good version, with Jake Gyllenhaal narrating.

I am listen to an audio of Gatsby read by the actor Tim Robbins and it's very good...

Morning, Mark!

>50 katiekrug: Morning, Katie. Ooh, this sounds like a good audio version, as well. If I can find it, I will save it for my next reread. I have my print copy along too.

Happy Thursday, Mark!

I'm toying with the idea of reading The Great Gatsby for the AAC. I read it in college and think that it might be time to pull it out again.

>28 msf59:, >42 msf59: Iguanas: we went to St Thomas a few years ago, and there were loads of iguanas meandering around the hotel grounds. They were big guys -- maybe 2-3' long? -- but seemed pretty docile and mostly just basked in the sun. They were left to their own devices, except for one time when there was one sauntering around the pool area and the staff wisely decided it needed to be relocated.

>49 msf59: It's not that I *don't* want to read it - I do! For some reason I just haven't yet. I like the idea of Gyllenhaal reading it to me...

>48 msf59: I notice I have the Jake G copy on Audible, but at the moment I'm not listening to books. I'll give him a try in time though.

I don't know what it is Mark. It's a touchstone for fine writing IMO. Many people wonder what all the fuss is about, I know. But if they do read it a second/third time, some become hooked, if not quite as hooked as I. I read it every year.

Sweet Thursday, Mark!

As I mentioned over on my thread, The Great Gatsby didn't grab me like it has others. The one book I've regularly re-read is Pride and Prejudice. The wit and coming to new understandings get me every time.

I''ll probably finish the Fatimah Asghar poetry collection today. It's very good, but for me not quite at the level of Citizen Illegal. The latter just won the Chicago Review of Books poetry award over Fatimah's and Eve Ewing's and others. But Eve Ewing won for her NF book, Ghosts in the Schoolyard, which is supposed to be really good.

>52 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I hope the AAC inspires you to pick Gatsby up again, for a reread. I am definitely enjoying my second time around.

>53 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. Good to see you. We saw iguanas at our resort in Cancun, mostly on the ground. Yep, they are pretty harmless. The thing that surprised me this time, was seeing them hanging in tree branches.

>54 scaifea: Well, that is half the battle, Amber. Grins...Hope you get a chance to try the audio.

>55 Caroline_McElwee: I am glad you have that audio version at hand, Caroline. Perfect explanation, on why you love Gatsby, the way you do. I may, come around to feel the same way, although I don't think I would read it every year.

>56 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. One of my objectives, next year, is to read more Austen, since I failed so miserably this year and rereading P & P would be perfect.

I would also suggest you give Gatsby a revisit, at some point. At least, it is a shorty.

Thanks for the reminder on Citizen Illegal. I NEED to request that one, pronto.

Hi Mark, great pictures of your Mexican trip, I bet you would love to have a few more days there in the warm weather. We are experiencing a series of wind storms with lots of rain so it's been pretty miserable. I am staying home today and spending some time with my books.

>59 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Good to see you. Yes, I could have stayed in Mexico a couple more weeks, but the weather here, has not been bad. Sorry, to hear about your wind storms and rain. I hope this abates, very soon.

>1 msf59: Somewhat content? Um, yeah, I'd say so. :-)

I'm glad you're enjoying Transcription; I'm looking forward to reading it sometime in the new year.

>61 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. Yep, I am usually a fairly content guy anyway, but I was really in my element there. Grins... Transcription is off to a good start. You will like it.

"My Struggle: Book One introduces American readers to the audacious, addictive, and profoundly surprising international literary sensation that is the provocative and brilliant six-volume autobiographical novel by Karl Ove Knausgaard."

^I picked this up, a few years ago, at Booktopia, with full intentions, to read it, within a few months but like many of our book objectives, it fell by the wayside. It has languished on my Must Read Now shelf ever since. Well, I decided to go with the audio version instead and since I will start it today, that seems to be the better approach.

I know Darryl is a fan of this series, but I have seen very little other LT activity on it. Maybe, I can spark something...

I am also continuing to enjoy Transcription. A bit lighter than her past 2 novels but that is okay.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you!

We go from snow and ice on Sunday and Monday to a potential 2-3" of rain today and tomorrow. I do have to go out in it, unfortunately, but also plan on getting in some good reading today.

Happy Friday, buddy.

I wish I was having the positive reaction to The Heart's Invisible Furies that you and others have had. I'll probably finish it today, but it's been a bit of a snooze for me.

Good for you for giving My Struggle a go. Transcription has some surprises in store for you.

>63 msf59: I'm very interested to hear how the audio works for the Knausgaard. I've been meaning to try it but the length just seems daunting. I've heard that the sixth volume is the best but my ordered mind would never let me start there!

>64 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sorry, to hear about your snow and ice. Our weather has actually been pretty good and will continue for the next week or so. Just damp and foggy today but I can handle that.

>65 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Sorry, to hear Invisible Furies, isn't rocking your boat. I recall a few lulls here and there, but in the end it really worked for me. Good to know about Transcription.

>66 vivians: Hi, Vivian. The audio of My Struggle is off to a very good start. I think this might be the perfect way to tackle this. Not sure, I will read all six volumes. Everyone seems to have a different favorite volume, so who knows .

Still enjoying the Michelle Obama autobiography, Becoming, as well as a Christmas-themed novel, Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan.

Probably not much reading for me today as my friend and I are going to the Blackhawks game tonight, our last one til April since she will head off to Arizona for the winter.

Love the topper photo, Mark. Are plans for the next Mexico getaway already in the works?

Happy new thread! Love your vacation photos!

>63 msf59:

Hi Mark - mostly Crows and Geese up here in Token Creek today.

Caws and honks - what were your favorite bird sounds in Maztalan?

When you have finished Book 1 of MY STRUGGLE, I'll send my 4 Star review link, with its one major concern =
so well-written and crazy and, yes, as most of Norway once said, addictive and you're not sure why.

I rated Book 2 with 5 stars.

If anyone wants to trade WASHINGTON BLACK for Book 6, let me know since it may take awhile to get to Abe.

I am getting ready to leave for my Winter Break and so I stocked up on books to listen to on the way. I have several of the Flavia De Luce books and I managed to snag Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South by John T. Edge and Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean for my nonfiction books for the trip. I am well stocked with reading material as well. I have hardcopies of Minnesota Rag and My Father's Paradise as well as South Riding and Ice Princess for fiction. I should have a good reading time while I am gone.

I think it is funny how I have my reading take-along's planned and don't have my suitcase packed. I don't even know what I will be wearing, but I know what I will be reading.

I hope you're home and bundled up before the fire and reading by now, Mark.

>69 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. I am glad you are enjoying Becoming. I have that one lined up, for the first of the year. I have heard nothing but glowing reports. Have a good time at the Hawks game. I know they have been struggling.

>70 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. No Mexico plans yet, but we will probably go late next year, depending on what deals we can find. We would love to go back to Mazatlan but I also want to try Cozumel, back on the gulf side.

>71 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle.

>72 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. It was just about bird-free on the route today. I am not sure what kept them in their roosts. The only birds I really heard making a racket, on our Mexico trip was the Great-Tailed Grackles, otherwise nothing and most of the sea birds and shore birds are pretty quiet.

Hooray for being a fan of the My Struggle books! I am really enjoying the first quarter of Book One. There is a hypnotic style, to his narrative. I have heard great things about Book Two. Some have picked that one as their favorite. How far did you get? Book Five?

>73 benitastrnad: " I don't even know what I will be wearing, but I know what I will be reading." Spoken, like a true hardcore reader! Have a great trip to Kansas, Benita. Looking forward to your book report, on your return. I really want to get my mitts on an audio version of The Orchid Thief. I can't believe I have not read it. I also plan on reading/listening to her latest, The Library Book, in the coming weeks. Not familiar with your fiction picks, so you will have to enlighten me.

>74 richardderus: Hey, RD! I am home, beer in hand. No fire. It has actually been pretty comfortable here. I will pick up a book, for awhile, directly after dinner.

Nice topper, Mark. Happy newish thread.

My Struggle: I bought this smallish but extraordinarily thick copy of My Struggle at a book sale a couple of weeks ago. Hardcover. At home, logging it into my LT catalog, I noticed the fine print. Part 6. Good Lord!!! Part six is roughly 1300 pages. Are the first 5 parts like this? Ohhhh. I can't like something that runs to 6,000 pages.

Other than that, how what the book?

>78 BLBera: Thanks, Beth.

>79 weird_O: Hey, Bill. I can't believe My Struggle Book Six is 1300 pages. Yikes. Well, all I can say, is Book One is 400-plus pages and is very good, in the early going. Not sure, how far along I'll go, but we will see.

Happy Saturday, Mark.

Pretty darn nice out there. I hope the day goes well.

I finished The Heart's Invisible Furies and How to Be Safe. I came out less enthralled than others on both, unfortunately, although I did enjoy all the humor at the end of THIF. I've started Milkman, the Booker winner, and I've got Poet X lined up as well.

Hi Mark! I hope you have a good Saturday. We've got a family Christmas party today and will be busy decorating for Christmas tomorrow.

Happy Saturday, Mark!

>81 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. At least it was a nice day out there, to stroll the route. This always helps. Sorry, Invisible Furies and How to Be Safe didn't toot your horn, the way it did others. I am definitely interested in trying the latter book, as well.

The Poet X seems to have your name written all over it. Looking forward to your thoughts.

>82 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. My Saturday work day went swell, my friend. Now, I am in for the evening, for a little R & R. Enjoy your party. Sounds fun.

>83 richardderus: Amen, my brother. Do you drink coffee through the day? I have my 3-4 cups early on and then I am usually done for the day.

I try to keep it to before 10. Later in the day my stomach gets annoyed if I have more. I'll have an after-dinner demitasse if there's dessert involved; if no fatty sugary stuff is around, nope.

Hey Mark! Arrived home from India a few hours ago and trying to stay up to adjust to the time. It was an amazing trip! Saw a few life birds - will share later. So glad you were able to help out that Egert. Not much reading on the trip - too many experiences!

>83 richardderus: I think coffee is the question AND the answer. But only, as you say, before 10:00 a.m. or so.

Do you have Sunday off, Mark? At this time of year we even get the posties delivering parcels on Sunday.

Morning Mark!

I am home from India. What an amazing trip. The visit to Kerala was incredible. Still need to put together my (short but good) bird list. And the by wedding truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everyone embraced the 12 of us who came in from Milwaukee.

Not much accomplished on the reading front. I am going to have to kick it into high gear to get to my 75... I did start, and am enjoying, The Library Book. Also listened to part of Dopesick on the flight. The novel I picked up in India isn't doing it for me - I should have stuck with the other one by this author I had in my hand but put back.

Looking forward to the game today. Am a little tired, but don't seem to really be affected by jet lag, which is amazing. Our total travel time to get home was 31.5 hours!

>86 richardderus: Thanks for the coffee update, RD. Like you, I will occasionally have a cup, if we are going out for a nice dinner or at a wedding.

>88 laytonwoman3rd: High-Five, Linda!!

>89 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. You will mainly see the part-timers delivering parcels on Sunday. They do it here too, especially around the holidays. They are not going to pay the regulars overtime to do this, which is fine with me.

>87 alphaorder: >90 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Welcome home! It was wonderful following your trip on FB. It looked like a lovely experience. I am not familiar with Kerala, so I will have to look it up. What region of India, were you in?

I am definitely interested in, hearing about your exotic bird sightings. I still have not tallied or added my birds, from my Mexico trip. Bad Mark! Hope to remedy that today.

I plan on snagging The Library Book on audio and might bookhorn it in, before the end of the month.

And Go Bears!! Of course, I want a big win, from Chicago. The Pack has beat us up mercilessly over the years. We are due.

oops- I must have been in a haze last night. Didn't realize I posted twice.

Kerala is in southern India and lush. Our timing was not good for birds, so we skipped the bird sanctuary that would have taken us a few hours off our route. But one of our home stays had a garden and the owner helped me identify a few birds. Then we also saw a few more that I could name with the help of e-bird while we were on our boat tour in the backwaters.

Mumbai was a totally different, much more urban experience. :)

Happy Sunday, Mark! Based on the result of today's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the (yikes) Los Angeles Rams I may have to find another NFL team to root for. The Steelers are in freefall, and the Giants stink. The Bears would seem to be a reasonable choice, or even the Cleveland Browns; they are currently 6-7-1, and there is an excellent chance that they will have a better record than the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles at the end of the day, as a loss by Philadelphia will put their record at 6-8 (yikes).

Actually, I'll root for the Who Dats (New Orleans Saints) for the remainder of the year, as the Atlanta Falcons also stink this season. The only NFL games I've ever attended were in the Superdome in the late 70s and early 80s, when I lived there. Back then the team was best known as the Aints (as in "Ain't No Good"), and the attendance was so bad that you could purchase a ticket to home games for the Saints and the New Orleans Jazz for a shockingly low amount of money if you bought a chicken dinner at Popeye's. The team was so bad back then that fans routinely wore paper bags throughout their games. Those days are long gone!



I'm glad that you're enjoying My Struggle: Book One! I loved that book, and Book Two as well. One of my goals in 2019 is to read Book Three and Book Four, and finish the series in 2020. I also want to complete his Seasons Quartet in the next two or three years; I've read Autumn and Winter so far. I've attended Karl Ove Knausgaard's talks at the Edinburgh International Book Festival the past two summers, and found him to be witty, warm, engaging and honest, which makes me want to read his books that much more.

>63 msf59: I have read them all, Mark, liked the fist one best. They were very addictive!

The Bears did it, Mark! It wasn't an all-out wave defensively like it was against the Rams, but it was a really good win against a team they always have trouble with. Sacking Rogers at the end there - yes!

Into the playoffs they go. Hope the rest of your day is aces, too, buddy.

^A nice Bears win, beating the Pack, 24-17 and clinching the division. Yeah, baby!

>96 jnwelch: They did, just enough to win this one, Joe! Now, I hope to get some reading time in.

>93 alphaorder: Your India trip sounds amazing, Nancy. One for the ages. Sorry, you missed your bird sanctuary but adding lifers is always a good thing.

>94 kidzdoc: Hi, Darryl. Great to see you. I hope you pick the Bears to follow for the rest of the season, since your teams fizzled. Nice to see a division title. It has been awhile. The Saints have also had a stellar year.

I am enjoying My Struggle. It doesn't always flow perfectly, but then he surprises you with a hook. I am sure I will continue.

>95 FAMeulstee: Good to know, that you liked the My Struggle books, Anita. I have heard good things about Book 2, as well.

Good day for the Bears, Mark!

I am one who bought My Struggle a couple of years ago. I still have it but, like you, I haven't gotten around to prioritizing it yet. I'll be interested in how the audio version works for you.

>83 richardderus: Preach!

Mark, I was less than enchanted with My Struggle; so I will be interested in your thoughts.

>98 msf59:

My Struggle, Book 2 is definitely the one to look forward to.
I'm also waiting for comparisons with Book 6 where he finally reveals the message behind his title.

The 'Seasons' - at least the first one I managed to get through - come up mundane and oddly unenlightening.

Worse still were his vow of silence "travelogues" for The New York Times.

So, take your time with The Struggles! And, lucky all of you if he comes to Chicago!

Mark, thank you for sharing your wonderful relaxing vacation here and on Facebook. You deserved it, my friend. I hope the memories will help keep you warm when the Chicago winter gets started in earnest. We had a lovely mild day here today but I know what's in store for us in the next few weeks. My Michigan blood is thinning the longer I live in a milder climate!

Ah, My Struggle… I bought the first book and couldn't get into it. Perhaps it was a mood thing. I am of Norwegian descent so I really want to read these books. I will try again when I am in the proper frame of mind.

>99 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. It was another great win by our Chicago Bears. Sorry, to hear your Seahawks lost a tight one. My Struggle is working very well on audio, if you want to try that format. There is much to admire here, but there are other things that don't work as well...

>100 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. Did you review My Struggle? I do not remember. I am just started the second half, so the verdict is still out.

>101 m.belljackson: Not sure, yet about My Struggle, Marianne. I just started the second half. There are moments that I love and others that are not as enticing. We will see...

Have you been to one of his author events?

>102 Donna828: Hi, Donna. Great to see you. We had a glorious time in Mexico. It was nice coming back to milder temps, though. This kind of winter I can handle but I know we have at least three months left.

How far did you get into My Struggle?

Congrats to the Bears. I hope they go far in the playoffs.

>105 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda. It is exciting to have a good football team in town again. It has been awhile.

So Torn by My Tides

So torn by my tides, I do not know I can read them.


Hour book, our book. “H” in Italian is a tool, not a sound. My mother slips the “h” in only where it doesn’t belong. Our book, our book. How events just accumulate in time. Who will we lose in the duration of this writing. The promise of future children named for our beloved dead. Whispered at caskets. An hour dead. How many hours.

In our village the streets empty at appointed times. If life were a time-lapse video, lingering would be more visible than slipping away. Invisible motions the more pronounced. Once I stood akimbo, 8PM mid-street, waiting for everyone to go. I am astonished, in memory, by the boldness of it. Did everyone go?

How many ours.

-Stefania Heim

-From Poem-A-Day

Good morning, Mark, and happy Monday to you!

>97 msf59: Bill's the same about the Cowboys and the Redskins - it's a perfect day when the Cowboys win and the Redskins lose. *smile*

Off I go to work on Christmas cards. I have cards, letters, pictures, stamps, and my spreadsheet all ready to go. Oh, and of course, coffee.

Morning, Mark!

I'm enjoying reading about the Bears clinching victory. Go Bears!

Intriguing poem in >107 msf59:.

>94 kidzdoc: I remember the Aints! I'd never heard of the Popeyes ticket deal - woo, that's getting close to paying people to show up at the game. That photo is hilarious!

Good for you for hanging in with My Struggle. Milkman is weird, but keeping my interest.

Have a good one today, buddy.

Merry, merry Monday, Mark. Happy ear-reading today.

>108 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Good luck with those Christmas cards. I got mine done, while watching football. Yep, multi-tasking.

>109 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Chilly out here but all the sunshine is nice. The mail is somewhat heavy but I expected it to be worse.

Glad you are enjoying Milkman.

>110 richardderus: Hi, RD. Yep, my ear-reading, helps the work day along. I am so glad I get that opportunity.

Perfect day when any team still named The Redskins loses.

>44 msf59: The Great Gatsby is the book I have read the most times, at 4.

First at school, then once as an adult, then twice before the Baz Luhrmann film came out. It got better each time!!!

>113 LovingLit: hehe, my theory is proven again.

>112 m.belljackson: Grins...

>113 LovingLit: >114 Caroline_McElwee: It is so good to hear from such Gatsby devotees. I truly loved it, on my second time through and plan on revisiting it, now and then, but probably not every year, like you, Caroline. Smiles...

Surprisingly enough, I have never seen the Luhrmann adaptation. I will have to finally seek it out.

"A predatory songbird, the Northern Shrike breeds in taiga and tundra and winters in southern Canada and the northern United States. It feeds on small birds, mammals, and insects, sometimes impaling them on spines or barbed wire fences."

^On a tip, I stopped by a prairie preserve, on my way home from work and spotted a Northern Shrike. A lifer for me. This is a popular bird, for serious birders, because I met several of them there and it was nice chatting with them. I only saw the bird briefly, but it was enough for an ID. I will have to go back there and pay it another visit.

It seems shocking to me that a bird will feed on another bird, especially small ones. He is a good-looking bird, though

Sounds like a good day, Mark. I hope the rest of the week follows suit.

>116 msf59: Yay for a lifer, right? Now get a BB gun and take the bastage out! Wren-killer.

'Morning, Mark!

Congrats on getting your cards done AND another lifer for you.

I was happily surprised when I took 3 packages to the Post Office yesterday - it only took 15 minutes total to get through the line, get our packages processed, pay, and get our receipt.

The other day I asked the Post Office associate how many Amazon pallets they get per day - friend Karen in Montana told me that they get 3 per day at teensy Belgrade MT Post Office and I was curious. It's 12 at our small PO. TWELVE. I sure hope the PO negotiated a good contract with Amazon.

>117 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Many birds prey on other birds. This is unusual, since it is a songbird.

>118 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I am battling a cold, but other than that, I am doing fine. Looking forward to my day off tomorrow. Mid-week.

>119 richardderus: LOL. Ooh, those evil wren-killers. Come on, they are pretty adorable, right?

>120 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. Glad to hear you had a good experience with your local P.O. I know customers complain here, now and then, for the long lines. We have been moving out a gigantic amount of parcels. We have carriers that just do parcels all day, which sure gives the regular carriers a break. I probably wouldn't have room in my vehicle.

^After finishing Transcription, (I was a tad underwhelmed) I am FINALLY moving on to Killing Commendatore. Like many of my pals around here, I am a big fan of Murakami and I do not mind reading his "chunksters", which does not happen with many authors. Joe picked this as one of his favorite reads of the year, so I am stoked.

I should also finish the audio of My Struggle today. At this point, I will most likely try Book 2...

>156 msf59: Good morning, Mark. Congratulations on the shrike sighting!

>123 msf59: Sorry you were a tad underwhelmed by Transcription, buddy. It wasn't quite at the level of her others that I've read, but I still thought it was elite. I hope you liked those developments at the end.

Fingers crossed on Killing Commendatore! Yeah, like his others, I think you'll have no trouble racing through the pages, carried along by his storytelling.

Way to seize the moment and find a Northern Shrike! That's a good-looking bird.

And kudos for finishing My Struggle. I don't think I'll ever read it, but I'm still looking forward to your comments on it.

Up to around the mid-40s today - let's keep this going!

>124 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry. I hope to see more of these beauties.

>125 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Atkinson's last 2 books were stunning, so this was a good read, just not a great one.

Have not cracked the Murakami yet, but will very, very soon. And yep, I love all this sunshine out here.

>123 msf59: Regarding Transcription, as I was reading it, I kept thinking “This is where it’ll take off”, but alas, it never quite did.

>127 Copperskye: I think we are both on the same page, on Transcription, Joanne. I did not dislike it, but I sure expected more.

I think Transcription was a let down from her two previous books but still good. When did you figure out who Juliet really was?

I’m listening to Darktown on audio which as you know is unusual for me. I’ve never been able to make them work but this may be the one.

>116 msf59: Congratulations on that lifer, Marc! Interesting bird.
I have seen them here in Holland, a couple of times, usually from a distance. They are pretty rare so it's special when you get to see one.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

I'm hearing lots of 'meh' about Transcription. It never sounded wonderful to me anyway, so I get to dodge a BB for sure.

>129 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. I didn't figure out Juliet, until the end. Maybe, I was starting to lose interest. Grins...I hope you continue to enjoy Darktown, as much as I did. The follow-up is very good too.

>130 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. Hooray for the Northern Shrike! Glad to hear, that you have had the opportunity to see them too.

>131 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. You had a solid premonition on Transcription and I will confirm that. Once again, not a bad read, I just expected more. Lets hope she takes more time on her next book.

Howdy, Mark! Great pics from your bird watching excursion! Nothing like up close and personal with our feathered friends.
I think I'll take a pass on Transcription.

>133 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. Hooray for our feathered friends! Like many of us, we were all pumped about a new Atkinson and it just fell short and a bit slight.

Enjoy your Murakami. I wish I could say I've enjoyed his but I bailed on the only one I tried *sad face*

>135 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. No worries there about Murakami. He is definitely not for all tastes. You get a pass there. Which one did you try, Kafka?

Hi there, Mr. Mark. Almost felt like spring out there today. We've been lucky, weatherwise, lately.

I am still plugging away with the Michelle Obama autobiography.

One more day to work, before the holidays, but that day is highlighted by office Christmas caroling.

I'm getting in later than usual, Mark. I'm glad you had the day off - what a nice one for this time of year.

Milkman ended well, and I gave it four stars. I suspect you'd like it. It does help to realize it's situated during the Troubles, as the behavior is so . . . unusual?

Did you read the kids' book Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein? I know some LTers did and liked it. Debbi gave it to me, and I thought it was well done.

My next ER book is short stories (can you believe it?) by Sarah Pinsker, called Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea. Fingers crossed - it's sci-fi-ish, as far as I can tell.

>137 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Good to see you. Glad you have a nice stretch off for the holidays. We have Christmas Day off. Yippee! I hope you are enjoying Becoming. I plan on starting that at the beginning of next month.

>138 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I wish I had felt better today, but at least I was able to chill for most of the afternoon and I am hoping for a rebound tomorrow. And yes, I really liked Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein?. I wish it could have been a little longer. Good to know you enjoyed Milkman. I will definitely take that in to consideration.

Funny, I also snagged an ER copy of Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea, so I have it waiting on shelf. I will be anxiously waiting for your verdict.

"From award-winning author G. Willow Wilson, The Bird King is an epic journey set during the reign of the last sultan in the Iberian peninsula at the height of the Spanish Inquisition."

^WOW! I love that cover. I just saw the notice of this upcoming release, (it doesn't come out until March) and that will give me time to finally get to her last book, Alif the Unseen, which I have failed to get to. I know several of my pals over here are fans of that one. If that new one is as good as that dazzling cover...

Omg I lovvvveeee that cover...and I usually don’t care much about covers.

>141 brenzi: I am the same way, Bonnie but that is quite eye-catching and of course, there are the birds...

>103 msf59: I did not review My Struggle, except in my thread, and it turns out that was in 2016. I didn't feel that the writing was transcendent, it was more a lot of details. But translation could have been part of that. Also, I did not like Knausgard's character, which I think was intentional on his part, but for me it made the book a chore. I think I gave it 3 1/2 stars.

>143 banjo123: Thanks, for your thoughts on, My Struggle, Rhonda. I didn't think it was perfect, but somehow I was really drawn into his narrative, with all the mundane detail and ended up enjoying a good chunk of it. I gave it 4 stars, so not that much different from you.

Ditto on your feelings about Transcription.

>140 msf59: it is a nice cover Mark.

>145 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Well, it sure looks like there are many of us here, that feel the same way. Let's hope Atkinson comes roaring back on the next one.

>146 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. If the book is half as good as the cover, we are in for a treat. Smiles...

^I am FINALLY going to read Fight Club. How I have failed to read this up to now, is truly baffling. I loved the film too. I start the audio today. I think this format should be perfect, for this novel.

'Morning, Mark! I hope you're feeling better today.

>140 msf59: Gorgeous cover, for sure.

Sweet Thursday, Mark!

I'm one of those who enjoyed Alif the Unseen. I've become a G. Willow Wilson fan - she also writes the Ms. Marvel GN series. Cool cover for her one due out next year; I sure like the premise.

We're off to the doctor soon; my pale skin needs a routine perusal (my family is prone to skin cancer - but they can really take care of that these days).

I just read a good Orphan X story, and I'm going to try a highly rated thriller called August Snow.

Hope the day goes well, buddy.

>140 msf59: >150 jnwelch: How had I missed that she had written other books as well as the Ms Marvel? Not paying sufficient attention. Adding that to the wishlist sharpish.

As you say Mark - lovely cover!

>149 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Feeling a bit better. Let's hope I keep going in that direction. Thanks.

>150 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Good luck at the doctor appointment. I hope to finally get to Alif the Unseen, next month. As you know, I enjoyed the Ms. Marvel books too, although I am sorely behind. Enjoy your thrillers.

>151 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. Don't feel bad, I knew Wilson had wrote novels and I still never got to it. Lol.

Happy "Xmas Rush is Almost Over" Day, Mark. I'm delightedly discovering a CanLit major player, David Helwig. Died recently at 80, saw his obit on Wikipedia, am now thrilled to be reading his novellas.

Just a few more days! Christmas logistics overlaid on routine daily/weekly logistics are making this old fart pretty weary. It is also impinging on my reading time. I still have a stack of women's lit I want to explore. Even with Cranswickian determination, I won't get to them all.

>152 msf59: Thanks Mark for letting me off!

>153 richardderus: Hey, RD. Yep, things are starting to slow down at the P.O. but parcels are still humming along. You have me intrigued with Mr. Helwig. I'll be watching for your thoughts.

>154 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Good luck, getting things done on this final weekend before Christmas. I know my wife will be hopping the next few days, as we prepare to host the family, Christmas Eve.

>155 charl08: It looks like my job is done here, Charlotte. Grins...

Happy Friday, Mark! Glad to hear that things are slowing down at the PO. I'm happy that I got all my mailings done by Tuesday of this week, although it was later than I wanted.

Morning Mark!

Just finished Dopesick. It is such an eye-opening book. Not easy to read, but very important, as it explains why the opioid crisis is a public health issue. This is book #70 for me. Still hoping to get to 75!

Onto something a little lighter (and shorter): Convenience Store Woman.

Hope we can have a catch-up chat sometime after the holidays.

>158 alphaorder: Oh, I liked Convenience Store Woman a lot, Nancy. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Friday, Mark! We take off on Sunday for Pittsburgh, so this'll be our last workout before the holidays. Bulls game tonight; they've been playing better lately, so here's hoping it's a good game..

I've started August Snow, and I'm liking it. Poet X is good, too.

Good to hear it's slowed down a bit at work. I hope today isn't too bad.

>157 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Definitely a light mail day, which is nice but it is a bit more wintery today, out here on the route. I do have my books and that always helps.

>158 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Great to see you. Dopesick is definitely on my list. Good luck hitting 75. You still have a chance, if you crank it up a bit.

Find the Light—Reflect the Light—Be the Light

Happy Yule 2018!

>159 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Good luck with that pre-holiday weekend, my friend. Thanks for the book update and I hope you bring the Bulls good luck tonight.

Are you driving to PA?

>161 richardderus: Thanks, for the holiday cheer, Richard. It brought a spot of cheer to a cold, gloomy day.

>136 msf59: I tried The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and I just couldn't finish it

>140 msf59: That is a beautiful cover!

Enjoy Fight Club. I loved the movie and always meant to get around to reading the book.

I'm glad that you liked My Struggle: Book One enough to give Book Two a go, Mark. I'll bring Book Three with me on my flight to London tonight, and hopefully finish it in early January.

Too bad Transcription didn't live up to your expectations, Mark. I will bear that in mind when I crack the covers of my copy. She did finish the new Jackson Brody in the same year so maybe she was stretched a bit thin?

Hi, Mark! Finally got to your new latest thread and very much enjoyed your pics and stories of your vacation down south.

Happy Solstice!

>163 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is probably not the best place to start with Murakami, but he just might not be your cuppa. At least there are scores of other authors out there, to keep your interest. I really enjoyed Fight club. If you liked the film, give the book a try, plus it is a shorty.

>164 kidzdoc: Hi, Darryl. My Struggle is definitely not for all tastes, but I found enough to enjoy and admire, to want to check out Book 2. I will be watching for your thoughts on Book 3.

>165 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. you never know, Transcription might strike the right chord with you. You may have point about her, being a bit rushed. This was does feel as complete and thought out, as her previous two novels.

>166 Storeetllr: Happy Solstice, Mary. Looking forward to those days slowly getting longer. We had a great time in Mexico. We hope to get back, next December.

>116 msf59: So beautiful. What a treat to get to see one.

Happy Winter Solstice to you, my friend!

>165 Familyhistorian: and >168 msf59: Stretched a bit thin and rushing too much? I wondered that when this one came out so quickly after her last one.

>169 EBT1002: Happy Friday, Ellen. Like I mentioned, a couple of times, I liked Transcription but it fell short of expectations. She set the bar high, with her last two masterful books.

"Brimming with her signature wit, insight, compassion, and talent for deep research, The Library Book is Susan Orlean’s thrilling journey through the stacks that reveals how these beloved institutions provide much more than just books..."

^After wrapping up the feisty and subversive Fight Club, I am taking a hard left turn and starting The Library Book, which has been on my TBR since it came out in October. The author narrates the audio. Sadly, I have never read her classic NF, The Orchid Thief. Bad Mark? You betcha, but maybe this one will finally inspire me to pick it up.

I am also slowly feeling my way down the rabbit hole, in Killing Commendatore. Murakami's hypnotic and otherworldly narrative pulls me in every time.

Hoping your holidays are filled with good friends and good books

>172 msf59: I am enjoying The Library Book too, but am reading the paper version.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you!

>173 Carmenere: Happy Holidays, Lynda. Love the image and hooray for books.

>174 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. The Library Book is off to a great start. I love how she describes libraries being a big part of her childhood. Brings back fond memories.

>175 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Just pulled up at work. Chilly but a dry day. Let's hope for light volume and generous customers. Smiles...

Hey, buddy. You get a few days off after this one, yes?

I missed that you were reading Fight Club. I liked it, too, and our son LOVED it. He became a big Palahniuk fan, but unfortunately, I don't think the guy has written anything since that comes close to that one.

We drive over to PA tomorrow. I finally got an iPass, so that'll make traveling through all the tolls easier.

P.S. I may come on over here again today, but if not, Happy Holidays!

>177 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. No extra days off for the holiday. I work Monday and Wednesday but my regular day off, falls on Thursday, which isn't bad.

I really enjoyed Fight Club and the film version is nearly a flawless adaptation. I will have to rewatch it.

Very smart getting that iPass. It comes in very handy.

Happy Holidays Mark!

It IS truly baffling that you haven't read Fight Club yet. Even I've read it, and I'm always behind the times.

Completely agree that Fight Club was a nearly flawless adaptation. That's such a trippy tale.

(Or in other words, Happy Christmas, to you and yours!)

>179 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel. Yep, sometimes those books just slip the cracks. I think what happened with Fight Club, I saw the film first and fell in love with it, so just put off the book. All caught up now, though.

>180 richardderus: I actually thought Palahniuk had wrote the screenplay, because much of the narrative is straight out of the novel, but another guy wrote it and did a terrific job.

>181 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian. Good to see you.

Hmm, haven't read Fight Club yet. Haven't read any Palahniuk, come to that. I'll wait to hear your thoughts on it before I jump in.

Happy holidays, Mark and all the best. Hoping you slide through to the end of the year with all health restored and lots of reading time.

Hi Mark, I am dropping by to wish you and your family the best for the holiday season. I am heading over to visit my family on Vancouver Island on the day after Christmas so when I get back, everyone will be working on their 2019 threads!

Hi Mark! I have never read any Palahniuk. I really should, since he is local.

>183 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. I loved Fight Club. Very smart, very creative. Of course, his style will not be for everyone but I say give it a shot.

>184 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. I struggled with this stupid cold, all week. I hope the worst of it is behind me.

Good morning, Mark! Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

>185 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. Have a wonderful holiday at Vancouver Island. I am sure you are packing plenty of books.

>186 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I have only read two of Palahniuk's books. He is not for everybody but if you want to give him a try, start with Fight Club.

>188 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Just came downstairs and I am working on my first cup of coffee.

Happy Holidays, Mark!

>190 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs! Love the image.

Morning Mark!

I finished Convenience Store Woman last night. A nice little book. Makes you really think about society and stereotypes. I have 4 more to get to 75, and I am going to do it! Started Lucia Berlin's Welcome Home (sketches and letters) last night and will hopefully spend a fair amount of time with it today.

I thought you might be interested in my favorite nonfiction reads of the year, given you are greatly responsible, as you encouraged me to listen to audio during my commute.

This year I read quite a bit of eye-opening and important nonfiction. I highly recommend (in the order I read them):
• A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership
• Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
• What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City
• Call Them by Their True Names: American Crises
• Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World
• Heavy: An American Memoir
• The Gift of Our Wounds: A Sikh and a Former White Supremacist Find Forgiveness After Hate
• Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America

Fiction to come...

When will you be putting together your best of list?

One more thing - I expect to finish The Library Book before the end of the year. And I am sure I will add it to the above list. :)

>192 alphaorder: >193 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Happy Sunday. I love your NF list and of course I was also a big fan of the Comey memoir, Bad Blood and Heavy. Dopesick and Winners Take All are also on my TBR. It has been a fantastic year for NF, and yes, it sure looks like The Library Book will be right up there, with the best.

I will start compiling my Best of the Year list soon and should post it later in the week. Never easy to narrow down, such a spectacular year.

Happy Sunday, Mark, and much good reading today. I'm dipping in and out of a delightful tome, The Etymologicon. Just enough substance to involve me, short enough to distract me, and no through-line to make it hard to put down.

>195 richardderus: Hey, Richard. I have been doing some chores, in preparation for tomorrow's festivities, but I got a bit of reading in too. Now, I am watching the Bears and 49ers. Go Bears!

>172 msf59: I am planning to get to The Library Book soon after the new year.

The Bears' placekicker missed another fairly short FG attempt? Hope that this kicker doesn't cost them down the road. On the other side, Robbie Gold shows what the Bears should've kept.

I'm planning to watch for another hour or so and then putting on the movie Holiday Inn on Turner Classic Movies.

>197 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. I am sure you will love The Library Book. Disappointing Bears game. I sure hope they can come roaring back in the second half. We sure miss Robbie Gould. He is a class act.

I hope you are enjoying The Library Book, Mark. (Looks like touchstones are taking a Christmas break.) We traditionally get two days off at Christmas, the day and Boxing Day, which became the shopping day - so no time off if you are in retail. Have a Merry Christmas!

>199 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I am loving The Library Book and I am looking forward to getting back to it tomorrow.

I can't wait to get my paws on The Library Book. Happy Holidays to you and yours, Mark!!

>210 EllaTim: Thanks, Ellen! Cute kitty. You will love The Library Book!

Hi Mark! I hope your work day goes by quickly and uneventfully and that your family party is lots of fun!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family, Mark!

Thanks, Barb, Karen & Chelle. Have a wonderful holiday with your families.

We have delayed mail again, but I am hoping it doesn't prevent me from getting off work in time. Fingers crossed...

To Mark, Merry Christmas. May the new year bring health, joy and new adventures.

Here is something for your Christmas tree.

>207 Caroline_McElwee: - Beautiful!

>207 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline! I love that ornament. It would fit me perfectly.

Wishing you a merry Christmas with your family Marc!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Looking forward to a very bookish 2019

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mark!

Hope your holiday is filled with bookish blessings!

I hope you got off in time to chill before Christmas Eve, Mark. Have a Merry Christmas!

Mark, wishing you and family a wonderful Christmas and all the best in 2019. (lots and lots of good books!)

Happy holidays, Mark.

Happy Christmas from Santa Mouse and Rudy the Red Shelled Lobster, Mark! Good luck to the Bears in the playoffs...unless they are matched up against my suddenly resurgent Eagles.

Thanks, Ella, Jeff, Harry, Mary, Meg, Mary, Paul & Darryl. And Merry Christmas to you all!!

>214 Familyhistorian: Since my wife had just about everything ready, when I got home from work, I actually did squeeze in some reading time before the company started arriving. Yah!

>217 kidzdoc: Cool lobster. Glad your Eagles are surging. And Chicago is quite pleased with the Bears' turnaround this season. Nice to see a winning team after an extremely long drought.

^Merry Christmas everyone! These were my Swap books, that I gleefully opened this morning. A perfect mix of nonfiction and story collections. Someone knows me well. I have read and highly recommend the Elvis Presley bios but now I can keep them on shelf, for a reread. Sweet. The other nonfiction is The Lady and the Panda, which really looks good. The Unfinished World: Stories & The UnAmericans: Stories, both look like promising collections.

**Sorry, the photo is blurry. I may have to post another one...

Best wishes to you for a very merry Christmas!

>220 AMQS: Thanks, Anne. Great to see you. I hope you had a great holiday with the family.

>219 msf59: Hurrah for new books! I probably should post a photo of my stack of Christmas gift books before they are dispersed throughout the house.

Good morning, Mark! Nice book haul. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas.

I like the story collections particularly well. Antopol can really write her a story...wow.

>222 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry and thanks. Looking forward to seeing your own stack of bookish gifts.

>223 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. We had a very nice Christmas.

>224 richardderus: Hi, RD. Glad to hear you enjoyed the Antopol collection. I have had it on my WL for ages and have seen very little LT activity on it or her. Looking forward to it.

Just wrapping things up here, Mark, before joining the fun in the 2019 group! I love your thread with the birds and nature pictures. Pardon me for lurking more than posting. This lady is getting a big lazy in her senior years. Haha. I hope 2018 ends on a high note for you and your family. I look forward to more book talk in the new year.

>226 Donna828: Thanks for the Snoopy holiday wishes, Donna. We had a nice Christmas. Looking forward to more LT joy in the New Year.

Hi, Mark! I hope you get a bit of breathing room reading time now that the holiday mail mania is diminishing. Just in case you need any help, The General Discussion Thread for the 2019 American Authors Challenge is now active, and
the Potok thread is up as well. See you around!

>219 msf59: I've had the Elvis books for years Mark, must get to them sometime. I was a fan in my teens. My fan club membership ran out the day he died, spooky.

Good morning, Mark!

>228 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda. Yep, things have all ready slowed down considerably at work. Yah! And thanks again for the AAC 2019 info. You know I will be stopping by.

>229 Caroline_McElwee: I highly recommend you move The Last Train to Memphis to the top of your stack, Caroline. It is an outstanding bio. The second volume is good but the first is a definite stand-out.

>230 karenmarie: Morning, Karen.

^It was a mild late December day on the route yesterday and the birds were out, including a male and female hairy woodpecker. There were also blue jays, juncos, crows and wintering robins. As a bonus, I also heard some birdsong, which is always a joyful thing, this time of year. I believe they were cardinals, although I never did see them.

^I am still making my way through Killing Commendatore, but I am beginning to see daylight. For those interested in the new Murakami and do not want to purchase the chunky hardback, it is currently a Kindle deal, for 5 bucks. Can't beat it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/?ASIN=B079WM2HMV&?ref_=pe_170810_379058420...

On audio, I am also continuing to enjoy The Library Book, which I should finish up tomorrow.

Good morning, Mark! I've not seen our feeder woodpeckers since before Christmas, but Erika did finally get a look at the wren that visits our feeders.

>234 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry. Thanks for the feeder report. We see Downy W.P.s pretty regular at our feeders, with the occasional Red-bellied. Hairy W.P. are seldom seen. I think I have only seen them once at the suet feeder. I have never seen a wren at our feeders, so good for you guys.

Happy Thursday wishes, Mark, may the satchel be light and the smiles be many today.

>236 richardderus: Thanks, RD! The satchel is especially light today, since I am enjoying the day off. And it is a good one too, since it has been raining steadily, since early A.M. I am warm & snug...

Perfection! Rain, day off, a book or two to hand for casual perusal. Paradise.

Sweet Thursday, Mark. Hope your chores are done and you have time to relax with book and beer.

>238 richardderus: You called it, Richard. It was a good day, despite the damp gloominess. I did read a healthy chunk of the Murakami but did not quite finish it.

>239 Familyhistorian: You must be peeking into my Man Cave, Meg. You got it, book and beer in hand. It has been a nice day off and I got a few things done, as well.

>233 msf59: Mark--Glad to hear you are enjoying The Library Book as one of my RL bookclubs chose that for next year. Also, good thing your satchel is lighter again. Glad the Man Cave is getting some use. Hugs!

>241 Berly: Hi, Kim. Great to see you. Yep, I will be wrapping up The Library Book today and it has been terrific. A nice choice for book club read.

At this time of year I follow Large Hearted Boy as he compiles lists of "best of's" for the year at year end. It is completely overwhelming but so fun! I saw this and thought of you......best bird books of 2018. Happy New Year to you with lots of great reading!

https://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-bird-books-of-2018.html

>243 mdoris: Hi, Mary. I have never checked out Large Hearted Boy. Is this something I would like? Thanks, for the best bird books list. I am sure I will find a gem or two here.

^"Small Fry is Lisa Brennan-Jobs's poignant story of a childhood spent between two imperfect but extraordinary homes. Scrappy, wise, and funny, young Lisa is an unforgettable guide through her parents' fascinating and disparate worlds. Part portrait of a complex family, part love letter to California in the seventies and eighties..."

^After finishing, the highly enjoyable The Library Book, I decided that my last audiobook of 2018, will be Small Fry. I started hearing some strong buzz on this memoir, shortly after it came out but Linda's, (Whisper1) warbling, convinced me to get to it sooner than later. I am a couple of hours in and it is indeed, a captivating listen. I have not read a Steve Jobs bio...yet.

On the print book front, I finished the Murakami and was searching around for a shorty, to finish off before year's end and went with The Invoice. It is fast, light and fun...

I loved The Invoice.

>246 mahsdad: Hey, Jeff. I remember that both you and Lynda enjoyed The Invoice. I think I got my copy from her.

Happy weekend, Mark.

Happy Weekend, Mark! So what is your verdict on the new Murakami?

>248 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. I hope you are enjoying yourself too.

>249 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I liked the Murakami well enough but it will not be one of my favorites. It has been a few years since he really knocked one out for me. That was probably 1Q84, which really cast a spell on me.

Swinging by to say hello, Mark. I need to return to some Murakami but I definitely have to be in the right mood for him. I'm thinking my next one will be What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I know it's not classic Murakami but I think it will resonate for me.

Looking forward to continuing our conversation in 2019!

Glad to see you enjoyed The Library Book, Mark. Hope the books are treating you well this weekend.

>251 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. I definitely understand, having to be in the right mind set for Murakami, although not so much with his NF. I enjoyed What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. An interesting peek into his enigmatic head.

>252 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Yep, loved The Library Book. I will have to go back and start reading her earlier books. Have you read anything else?

I should have a good reading day. I will wrap up my last print book of the year and plan on starting a story collection.

Happy Sunday, Mark, enjoy your last book of 2018!

I am sure this goes without saying, but I had an amazing reading year. I will end up with 158 books, (just shy of last year's total). 78 of those are print books, which I am pretty sure is a record. When I started LT, I was reading about 40. Of course, the 158 number, only includes a fraction of the poetry and GN titles I devoured, through the year.
Honestly, I do not read, just to rack up numbers. It is not a race. I just read as much as I can, dog-paddling in this never-ending sea of books. Of course, loving every minute of it too.

It is tough to narrow these books down to my favorites, especially with scores of quality titles, but we do love our lists. Like the last few years, NF seems to dominate my favorites. We are definitely in a golden age of NF. Here we go:

If I am forced to pick only 5:

1) When They Call You a Terrorist
2) The Overstory
3) The Right Stuff
4) The Princess Bride
5) The Spirit Catches You

Best Fiction:

1) The Overstory
2) The Princess Bride
3) Fight No More: Stories
4) The Mars Room
5) Virgil Wander

*Honorable mention- Florida.

Best Nonfiction:

1) When They Call You a Terrorist
2) The Right Stuff
3) The Spirit Catches You
4) Bad Blood
5) The Night of the Gun

*Honorable mentions- American Wolf, Fact of a Body, One Goal

Best poetry: Where Now: New and Selected Poems, The Carrying, Citizen Illegal and anything by Tony Hoagland

Best GN: Brazen: Rebel Ladies, Becoming, Unbecoming

Good morning, Mark!

I love this line of yours: "I just read as much as I can, dog-paddling in this never-ending sea of books."

Amen!

>254 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. My last book of the year, will most likely be The Invoice. Have you read this one?

>257 katiekrug: Morning, Katie. I am sure plenty of us are dog-paddling, right? This is what we do.

I am still keeping the doors open over here, while I wrap things up, but I did start my 2019 thread. Stop by say hi and drop a star. Looking forward to another year with my book pals:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/301254

>258 msf59: No I haven read The invoice yet. It sounds good enough to be added to mount TBR :-)

>260 FAMeulstee: I just finished it too, Anita. A good, kind-hearted read. You will read it, in one sitting.

Good Sunday, Mark! Nice top five lists! You indeed had a stellar year! Congrats!
I'll drop by your new thread on 1-1-19 as I'm not quite ready to move forward. See you there soon!

Great list of favorites, Mark. I'll be working on mine but, unlike you, won't be able to limit it to 10! The Overstory and Virgil Wander will definitely be on mine.

Great Top 5 lists, Mark. The Spirit Catches You was awfully good, wasn't it. I loved The Overstory, The Princess Bride and The Right Stuff. Great pics. I hope to get to When They Call You a Terrorist in earlyish '19.

I'm so glad that Citizen Illegal hit the spot for you. So good!

I should figure out some category Top 5s, especially GNs. As you know, I loved Brazen. Debbi's reading it right now.

>262 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Glad you like the lists. I wanted to jump into 2019, once I had the opportunity.

>263 vivians: Thanks, Vivian! It was tough keeping it to 10. So many, great books! Looking forward to your lists.

>264 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I know you loved many of my choices. Glad we read The Spirit Catches You around the same time. I hope you squeeze in When They Call You a Terrorist. it is a stunning book. I just added Citizen Illegal to my poetry favorites and it deserves every bit of it.

"The dead live on in the homeliest ways. They're listed in the phone book. They get mail. Their wigs rest on Styrofoam heads at the back of closets. Their beds are made. Their shoes are everywhere."

^I have wanted to read Thunderstruck & Other Stories for several years now. I loved McCracken's The Giant's House. I started this collection today and it will be my first print book of 2019. The first story is pretty trippy but the prose is incredible. Any McCracken fans out there?

^Go Chicago Bears. They are playing the Vikings, in the last game of the regular season. The Bears have clinched the division but they are still going strong. The Vikings NEED to win, to make the playoffs.

>267 msf59: A rather embarrassing showing for the Vikes. They deserve to sit out the post-season.

>268 Oberon: Happy New Year, Erik. Good to see you. Sorry, about your Vikes. Our defense is pretty dominating.

Hi Mark!



Wishing you a new year filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and all the wonderful books you could wish for.

The Bears are going to play Darryl's Philly Eaglesn3st weekend, Mark. He's already talking smack on FB, needless to say. :-)

Happy New Year, buddy!

Thanks, Lori, Karen & Brodie! Love the images. Happy New Year!

>273 jnwelch: Happy New Year, Joe. All I can say to Darryl is, I sure wouldn't want to face the Bears. B.A.G. (Bears Are Great?)

I made it just under the wire - 75 books in 2018!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/279394

Here's to a great 2019!

>275 alphaorder: Hi- Fives to Nancy! Congrats my friend. Getting ready to make my 2019 rounds...

Congrats!

>273 jnwelch: GO EAGLES! Even the newest Philadelphia mascot knows which team to cheer for.

>278 lauralkeet: I like the Eagles and Foles too, Laura, but not this week. Hope we see a good game.