lindapanzo rounds the bases in 2021

I'm back for another year. In 2021, I hope to be more involved in the category challenge group, reading more CATs/KITS books, for instance.

My reading was so slow in 2020 that I'm thinking of a 121 book goal in honor of 2021 and giving myself permission to start on what is traditionally our biggest family day of the year, Christmas Eve, but which, sadly, will be a stay-at-home day for me this year.

One thing yet to be determined is whether I'll allow myself any overlaps. For instance, many of my history books might be chunksters.

My 2021 categories:

1. Mysteries--61 books read
2. Baseball Books--2 books read
3. Other Sports Books--4 books read
4. Chicago Books--2 book read
5. History--5 books read
6. Historical Fiction--2 books read
7. Books Helping Me Get Through the Pandemic--4 books read
8. Seasonal Books--2 books read
9. Non-Mystery Fiction--11 books read
10. Nonfiction--10 books read
11. CAT/KIT Books--2 books read

Category 1: Mysteries--61 books read

No matter how I look at it, probably half of my reading each year involves mysteries. I could break this category down further but instead, will aim for at least half of my reading to consist of mysteries. A labor of love.

BOOKS READ:
1. Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle by Sarah Graves--finished on 12/27/20
2. Gingerdead Man by Maya Corrigan--finished on 12/30/20
3. Battered Bluff by Jessica Beck--finished on 1/3/21
4. A Killer Ending by Karen MacInerney--finished on 1/18/21
5. Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker--finished on 1/29/21
6. Egg Shooters by Laura Childs--finished on 2/11/21
7. Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams--finished on 2/28/21
8. The Hole Truth by Jessica Beck--finished on 3/10/21
9. Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert--finished on 3/31/21
10. Haunted Hibiscus by Laura Childs--finished on 4/22/2021
11. Death Comes to Durham by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 4/29/21
12. Murder is in the Air by Frances Brody--finished on 5/8/21
13. Inked Out by Karen MacInerney--finished on 5/11/21
14. Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany-finished on 5/18/21
15. The Bath Conspiracy by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 5/22/21
16. For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 5/30/21
17. Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood--finished on 6/5/21
18. The Art of Betrayal by Connie Berry--finished on 6/20/21
19. In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury--finished on 6/25/21
20. Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost--finished on 6/30/21
21. A Deadly Chapter by Essie Lang--finished on 7/3/21
22. No Grater Crime by Maddie Day--finished on 7/7/21
23. After the Funeral by Agatha Christie--finished on 7/17/21
24. Donut Disturb by Jessica Beck--finished on 7/30/21
25. A Room with a Roux by Sarah Fox--finished on 8/11/21
26. A Wrinkle in Thyme by Sarah Fox--finished on 8/14/21
27. Renewed for Murder by Victoria Gilbert--finished on 8/20/21
28. Murder at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers--finished on 8/23/21
29. Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber--finished on 8/30/21
30. The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny--finished on 9/5/21
31. Wicked Wedding Donuts by Jessica Beck--finished on 9/7/21
32. A Three Book Problem by Vicki Delany--finished on 9/11/21
33. The Mystery of Albert E. Finch by Callie Hutton--finished on 9/15/21
34. A Christmas Legacy by Anne Perry--finished on 9/16/21
35. Dead Big Dawg by Victoria Houston--finished on 9/21/21
36. Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates--finished on 9/24/21
37. Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston--finished on 9/27/21
38. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Maria DiRico--finished on 10/3/21
39. Christmas Candy Corpse by Rosemarie Ross--finished on 10/6/21
40. Twisted Tea Christmas by Laura Childs--finished on 10/20/21
41. Wicked Harvest by Karen MacInerney--finished on 10/25/21
42. How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn--finished on 11/2/21
43. Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico--finished on 11/9/21
44. A Holiday Donut Steal by Jessica Beck--finished on 11/10/21
45. Lupine Lies by Karen MacInerney--finished on 11/11/21
46. Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney--finished on 11/19/21
47. Long Island Iced Tina by Maria DiRico--finished on 11/23/21
48. As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz--finished on 11/27/21
49. Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker--finished on 11/29/21
50. Killer Research by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 12/1/21
51. Bruno and the Carol Singers by Martin Walker--finished on 12/4/21
52. Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 12/9/21
53. Santa Puppy by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 12/15/21
54. Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah--finished on 12/18/21
55. A Very Mummy Holiday by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 12/19/21
56. Rockets' Dead Glare by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 12/21/21
57. Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany--finished on 12/23/21
58. Corned Beef and Casualties by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 12/23/21
59. Mother's Day Mayhem by Lynn Cahoon--finished on 12/24/21
60. Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day--finished on 12/27/21
61. A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert--finished on 12/30/21

POSSIBLES:
--Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich

Category 2: Baseball Books--2 books read

Except for reading, one of my favorite things is baseball. 2020 was not a good year for baseball books for me. 2021 will be better, I hope.

BOOKS READ:
1. Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball by Scott Simon--finished on 1/23/21
2. Fear Strikes Out by Jim Piersall--finished on 5/28/21

POSSIBLES:
--The Called Shot: Babe Ruth, the Chicago Cubs, and the Unforgettable Major League Baseball Season of 1932 by Thomas Wolf
--War Fever: Boston, Baseball, and America in the Shadow of the Great War by Randy Roberts
--A Season in the Sun: The Rise of Mickey Mantle by Randy Roberts
--Cloudbuster Nine: The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team That Helped Win World War II by Anne R. Keene
--The Catcher Was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg by Nicholas Dawidoff
--Ballpark: Baseball in the American City by Paul Goldberger
--1962: Baseball and America in the Time of JFK by David Krell
--Tinker to Evers to Chance: The Chicago Cubs and the Dawn of Modern America by David Rapp

Category 3: Other Sports Books (But Not Baseball)--4 books read

Baseball is #1 in my book but a close second is hockey. I'm a fan, albeit not a diehard fan of other sports as well. This is a place for books on all these other sports.

BOOKS READ:
1. Blueprint: An Olympian's Story of Striving, Adapting, and Embracing the Suck by Katie Hoff--finished on 12/26/2020 (swimming)
2. Off Mike: How a Kid from Basketball-Crazy Indiana Became America's NHL Voice - Mike Emrich - finished on 3/23/21 (hockey)
3. Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Understanding by Larry Olmsted--finished on 7/13/21 (miscellaneous sports)
4. All In: An Autobiography by Billie Jean King--finished on 9/19/21 (tennis)

POSSIBLES:
--Silver Lining by Elizabeth Beisel

Category 4: Chicago Books--2 books read

Except for my years away for undergrad, I've been a lifelong Chicagoland resident. Anything with a Chicago connection can fit in here.

BOOKS READ:
1. Whatever the Weather by Harry Volkman--finished on 1/22/21 (iconic Chicago TV weatherman)
2. Out of the Dog House by Dick Portillo--finished on 2/16/21 (iconic Chicago hot dog business)

POSSIBLES:
--A Most Beautiful Thing by Arshay Cooper (recommended by Mark)
--Chicago: From Vision to Metropolis by Whet Moser
--Even the Terrible Things Seem Beautiful to Me Now by Mary Schmich (my favorite columnist, from the Chicago Tribune)

Category 5: History--5 books read

Another favorite reading topic. Some of these books can fit in other categories but I do hope to read more history, particularly 20th century history and also social history.

BOOKS READ:
1. Bag Man by Rachel Maddow--finished on 1/10/21
2. They Were Her Property by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers--finished on 2/4/21
3. The Eve of Destruction: How 1965 Transformed America by James T. Patterson--finished on 6/13/21
4. The Fire and the Darkness: The Bombing of Dresden, 1945 by Sinclair McKay--finished on 7/8/21
5. Angel in the Rubble: The Miraculous Rescue of 9/11's Last Survivor by Genelle Guzman-McMillan--finished on 10/11/21

POSSIBLES:
--The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap by Stephanie Coontz
--It's All a Game by Tristan Donovan
--The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
--Dewey Defeats Truman : The 1948 Election and the Battle for America's Soul by A.J. Baime

Category 6: Historical Fiction--2 books read

While I like to read the occasional historic mystery, historical fiction is a newly-developing area for me so I could use lots of ideas. Lately, I've enjoyed World War 2-related historical fiction, mainly because my 83-year old mother has been devouring these books and urging me to join her. It's fun to do so.

BOOKS READ:
1. Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson--finished on 5/16/21
2. Paris Never Leaves You by Ellen Feldman--finished on 5/25/21

POSSIBLES:
--Kindred by Octavia Butler
--The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy
--Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
--The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

Category 7: Books Helping Me Get Through the Pandemic--4 books read

This is sort of a catch-all category. I thought about health/wellness-type books but can also fit in books about things that helped me get through 2020 and, likely, 2021. Friendship, books, games, humor, an occasional adult beverage. Even pizza. All fair game for this category.

BOOKS READ:
1. I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel--finished on 2/12/21 (reading)
2. The Meanings of Craft Beer by Evan Rail--finished on 7/14/21 (beer)
3. Pizzapedia by Dan Bransfield--finished on 8/21/21 (pizza)
4. Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper--finished on 8/22/21 (humor)

POSSIBLES:
--Your Inner Hedgehog by Alexander McCall Smith
--Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow

Category 8: Seasonal Books--2 books read

For this, I might fit in weather-related books, During my high school years, my career goal was to become a meteorologist, until I realized that I liked reading about and following weather topics but didn't want to do all the science.

I will also fit in Christmas-related books in this one as well. My favorite holiday, though in 2020, not so much.

Beyond weather books, books with winter/spring/summer/fall (or autumn) in the title would fit as well. Maybe even books with other weather-related terms in the title. We'll see.

BOOKS READ:
1. Dying in a Winter Wonderland by Vicki Delany--finished on 12/24/2020
2. Winter by Ali Smith--finished on 7/21/21

POSSIBLES:
--Winter County by Barry Lopez

Category 9: Non-Mystery Fiction--11 books read

Most of my fiction reading involves mysteries but there needs to be room for other types as well

BOOKS READ:
1. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck--finished on 1/17/21
2. Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan--finished on 5/9/21
3. Navy Baby by Debbie Macomber--finished on 5/13/21
4. You Have Arrived at Your Destination by Amor Towles--finished on 7/6/21
5. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams--finished on 9/3/21
6. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles--finished on 10/30/21
7. State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny - finished on 11/6/21
8. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan--finished on 11/15/21
9. Christmastime 1939 by Linda Mahkovec--finished on 12/3/21
10. Christmastime 1940 by Linda Mahkovec--finished on 12/20/21
11. Christmastime 1941 by Linda Mahkovec--finished on 12/25/21

POSSIBLES:

Category 10: Nonfiction--10 books read

This will be a category for non-sports and non-history books.

BOOKS READ:
1. The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth and Power by Deirdre Mask--finished on 1/16/21
2. The Herndon Climb by James R. McNeal and Scott Tomasheski--finished on 2/6/21
3. The Story of a Photograph: Walker Evans, Ellie Mae Burroughs, and the Depression by Jerry L. Thompson--finished on 5/1/21
4. The Great Oklahoma Swindle by Russell Cobb--finished on 8/4/21
5. Walk in My Combat Boots: True Stories from America's Bravest Warriors by James Patterson--finished on 10/12/21
6. E.R. Nurses: True Stories from America's Greatest Unsung Heroes by James Patterson--finished on 11/18/21
7. A Lowcountry Heart: Reflections on a Writing Life by Pat Conroy--finished on 12/6/21
8. The Arc of the Sun by David Samuels--finished on 12/7/21
9. Act of War: The Sinking of the Lusitania by Diana Preston--finished on 12/12/21
10. Look: How a Highly Influential Magazine Helped Define Twentieth-Century America by Andrew L. Yarrow--finished on 12/14/21

POSSIBLES:

Category 11: CAT/KIT books--2 books read

In recent years, although I've been a member of the annual category challenge, I've rarely been involved in any of the CAT/KIT challenges. In 2021, I hope to remedy that.

Books Read:
1. Here for It by R. Eric Thomas--finished on 1/2/21 (January Random CAT--LOL)
2. Rachel Maddow: A Biography by Lisa Rogak--finished on 2/1/21 (Feb. Genre CAT Biographies)

Possibles:

Great categories! Looking forward to following your 2021 reading!

Good luck with your 2021 reading!

Welcome back and good luck in 2021!

>13 thornton37814: >14 Tess_W: >15 rabbitprincess:

Thanks. I'm more excited about next year's reading than I ever was about 2020 reading.

I really like your categories, especially no 7! I find myself leaning more towards cozy and comfort reads, and nothing with grave or difficult topics during this time. Just anything that makes me feel better!

And I think I might borrow your idea to start the reading year on Christmas Eve. This will be the first time I don't spend Christmas at my mother's home with her (apart from two Christmases I spent in Australia, but that was a different thing altogether) and starting a new reading year will be something to lighten up the days!

*waves*
Hi, Linda!

Glad to see you all ready for 2021, Linda. I think many of us are re-dedicating ourselves to our reading goals next year, after all reading helped get us through 2020! Although I expect many things are going to be changed permanently, here's to 2021 bringing us back to some kind of normal.

Hi Linda - Good to see you here. A couple of historical fiction I read and enjoyed this year are The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy and Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly.

>17 MissBrangwen: I like to have at least one category where I can be inventive and, for 2021, I think this one is it. Just thinking about what helped me through the pandemic will help remind me of what those things are. Earlier this year, I was a participant in the National Institutes of Health study on mental health during the pandemic. During those 6 months, it made me focus on what was bothering me and how I coped. Things didn't seem as bad when I thought about them logically.

>18 scaifea: Nice to see you here. I love visitors.

>19 DeltaQueen50: Judy, amen. I'm eager, as always, to get mystery suggestions from. When I think of you, I especially think of classic mysteries. I recently read another Nero Wolfe and now have just a small handful of the Rex Stout books left unread. I may work on reading all of the Ellery Queen books in 2021.

>20 dudes22: Thanks for the suggestions. I have added them to the historical fiction category as possibles. One advantage: I already own both of them. Mom loved Lilac Girls and gave me her copy when she was finished and I think I got The Dressmaker's Gift as a Santa Thing gift within the past few years, on Kindle.

I am chomping at the bit for Christmas Eve to come so I can get started. In the meantime, this is the first entire week I've had off all year. I took maybe 2 days off the entire first half of the year and most of the Fridays in the second half but no extended periods. Lots of reading time this week.

Welcome back!

>21 lindapanzo: I am reading the Ellery Queens. Some of those early ones are pretty wacky!

Good to see your getting stuck in. Looking forward to following along again.

>22 NinieB: >23 Helenliz: Thanks for stopping by. I may read the Ellery Queens but maybe think of another classic, golden era-type mystery author.

I woke up on this Christmas Eve to receive four Kindle books from my Santa Thing Santa. Great choices all, including Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich, Moonflower Murders, the second in the Magpie Murders series by Anthony Horowitz, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, and It's All a Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan by Tristan Donovan.

I should add, too, that my Santa Thing Santa was dudes22. So nice to have someone I know as my Santa, for a change.

Eager to get started on these. I'll open my Christmas Swap books later this morning.

Yesterday my niece and nephew (ages 19 about to be 20 shortly, and 17), stopped by somewhat unexpectedly, bearing gifts, including an Amazon gift card from my sister, so, once all the other presents are opened, I can get a few others.

I just opened my Christmas Swap books and I was so pleased to see that they're from Carrie. Great choices all.

I received:

--Death in the Air by Kate Winkler. Subtitled The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City
--Christmas Bells: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini
--Me by Elton John

Oh and, my challenge, my rules, so my 2021 category challenge is NOW ON!! My first book will likely be a seasonal book

Woo hoo! Enjoy getting that challenge started! Looking forward to hearing about It's All a Game.

Alas, day one of 2021 category challenge and I changed up two categories, namely, the two relating to book length. I changed it to Nonfiction (non sports and non history) and a fiction category (non mystery).

>26 lindapanzo: - I'm so happy you like your books, Linda. It's the first year I've done SantaThing and I was happy to get someone I know too. And your wishlist helped me too. But I wanted to get you something that wasn't on your list also. YEAH!

ETA: I'm still waiting for my books.

>27 lindapanzo: I started yesterday, too! Happy reading!!!

Hooray for getting 2021 started!

>30 dudes22: >31 MissBrangwen: >32 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for stopping by. I feel a new energy for the 2021 challenge that was completely lacking for the 2020 challenge. I'll be curious to see whether my reading enthusiasm continues once the hockey season starts on January 13th. In the meantime, time to make hay while the sun is shining or whatever that saying is.

Two books read already for the 2021 challenge.

Besides setting up for the 75 book challenge, I need to think about which 13 books I'll want to pick up for my January Thingaversary. Can't believe it'll be 12 years already!!

You should be able to read during the commercials.

>34 dudes22: I often either go to games or go over to my BFFs house to watch the Blackhawks. I've done neither since last winter. (We had tickets to the first game that the Blackhawks cancelled due to the pandemic, on March 13th.) She goes away to Arizona for two months every January or so to visit her son.

Anyway, when we're not together watching hockey, we text each other like a pair of crazy women. Even so, I should be able to fit in some reading during the intermissions. I note, however, that the games are tightly packed, scheduled about every other day during the January 13 through May 8 period.

Happy New Year Linda!

>36 lsh63: Hi Lisa, Happy New Year to you, as well. Hoping that 2021 is a great reading year for you.

It's been quite a few years since I've made it til midnight on NYE. Last night, I was regularly texting a friend and was wide awake. Til I wasn't. I dozed off about 11:55 pm and was awakened by the loud countdown. I woke up at about 9,8,7 and then was wide awake for an hour. So glad to be rid of 2020. May 2021 be a better year for us all.

As for us, we've got our second snow/ice storm in 3 to 4 days so it's a nice day to stay inside and listen to music and read.

Happy New Year!!

Enjoy your cozy day indoors! Happy New Year :)

Lovely to see you back, Linda and Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful year of reading in 2021.

My 2021 reading pace has started out well. Alas, the first two books I finished were just meh. I'm reading the new Rachel Maddow book on Spiro Agnew now, though. Much better.

I was in grade school when all of that happened and, while I remember Watergate, I don't remember a whole lot about Agnew.

I am shaking and in disbelief. Horrified for my country. I've never felt like this before. Hoping that the forces of law and order can regain control over these domestic terrorists and the legal process can continue. Praying for the safety of our security forces and for the health of the woman who was shot in the chest on Capitol grounds.

This is insanity. They have finally called in the National Guard. At least Biden and Pence are trying to address the public. I think the Republicans will have destroyed themselves by following this conman on his trail of delusions. How were armed insurgents allowed to get inside the Capital? How were they not prepared for this given the political climate since the election? This will not end well.

>43 VioletBramble: Thankful to the governors of Virginia and Maryland for sending in their national guards, as well as Pence, who finally allowed the DC National Guard to be called up.

Sadly, I heard that the woman who was shot in the chest died. Rumor has it that she was a protestor hit by friendly fire

>44 lindapanzo: I hear they will be resuming the electoral count at 8pm. I hope they swept the Capitol for bombs. I hope things will be peaceful for the rest of the night. I'm worried about what might happen during the Inauguration.
I also heard that the woman has died. I can't tell if they've arrested people or just let everyone go. I wonder if anyone will be held responsible for what happened today.

>45 VioletBramble: not sure but the dead woman was a QAnon supporter who said that today would be the day that Trump would arrest and execute his political opponents. Glad the House/Senate are resuming and it looks like they’ll finish tonight.

>45 VioletBramble: Tonight they are saying that she was hit by a bullet from "friendly fire" (capitol police) ABC News said the lady was a friendly protestor and was just standing silently by.

>47 Tess_W: I'm a Brit and even I'd quickly seen there is video footage of the sadly dead Trump supporter trying to jump through a window at an armed law enforcement officer.

There will be a lot of disinformation around, both deliberate and accidental, so it's probably best not to help it spread.

I was watching the proceedings in the middle of the night. When Amy Klobuchar suggested when she'd be returning for the final roll call, I set my alarm so at least I got a few hours of sleep. Vermont put Biden over the top at about 2:32 am, central. Amazingly, a number of friends immediately texted me so I wasn't the only one awake and following along.

Suddenly realized that my 12th Thingaversary is on Wednesday so I'm planning out my 13 Thingaversary books.

Thingaversary books include:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

>50 lindapanzo: Have fun choosing!

>51 thornton37814: planning is half the fun!

Happy Thingaversary - and looking forward to THE list.

Happy Thingaversary and enjoy the planning!

Finally getting around to visiting. Happy Thingaversary!

Hope you get some great books!

Yes planning is half the fun. I’ve got about 30 books in mind so I’ll have to narrow that list down. It’s a labor of love and will depend on what is readily obtainable at the library.

Congratulations on your upcoming Thingaversary, Linda. Have fun making your list and then obtaining all those new books!

I think I mentioned elsewhere that my first two books of 2021 were duds. Surprising to me was that the 51st book in a favorite light cozy mystery series ended up being my least favorite book in the series.

Anyway, finally, a good one, the Rachel Maddow book about Spiro Agnew. During the Watergate hearings, I was in about 7th grade and we followed that closely. However, we didn't learn much about Agnew and, until reading this book, I still hadn't known much about Agnew, except that he'd been governor of Maryland and that he resigned the Vice Presidency. I also didn't know much about Maryland politics or that Agnew's style, when accused, sounds a lot like the approach taken in recent years, namely villify the media and other institutions.

Also interesting was a discussion about how the memo indicating how presidents can't be charged with a crime came about. Nixon wanted to get rid of Agnew so the memo was written to show that presidents can't be charged with a crime while in office but vice presidents could be so charged. I'd actually love to track down a book focusing on that issue.

I would've loved to have seen a bit more about the courageous young Assistant U.S. Attorneys who did all the work on pulling the case against Agnew together. They are the real heroes in this event, along with their boss who shielded them from public fury (which was raised by Agnew). Attorney General Elliott Richardson, who defended his people and pursued the case, even though Agnew was a fellow Republican, also comes out looking very well in the book.

One interesting tidbit...after Agnew left office, he was naturally desperate to make money. One of the first people to try to hire him was the husband of actress Eva Gabor, who'd just been on Green Acres. However, his board of directors quickly discouraged him from hiring Agnew.

>50 lindapanzo: Enjoy your Thingaversary book shopping and good luck with your reading challenges here.

Happy Thingaversary to me, happy thingaversary to me...

Swamped at work and at home so I haven't completed my 13-book list, but I will.

Happy Thingaversary, and good luck with your list!

Happy Thingaversary!!!

So it's the "custom" that you buy one more than the number of years?
I'm just asking because I joined on the 15th of March, 2012. Two more months to plan my list :-)

Happy Thingaversary! Looking forward to seeing your choices.

Thanks for all the good wishes. Yes, your number of years on LT plus one. At some point, this has gotten expensive so I tend to save my Christmas bookstore gift cards.

My Thingaversary book list is complete!!

12th anniversary Thingaversary list:

1. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
2. Outlawed by Anna North
3. Glamour Girls by Marty Wingate
4. Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball by Scott Simon
5. Silver Lining by Elizabeth Beisel
6. Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah
7. One Day by Gene Weingarten
8. The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz
9. Snow: A Novel by John Banville
10. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
11. By Cook or By Crook by Maya Corrigan
12. Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley
13. The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition by James R. McNeal

>65 lindapanzo: Happy Thingaversary! :D

>65 lindapanzo: Looks like some very good reads!

Whole list is completed and all are either now in my possession or on their way. Hurray!!

My first read from the Thingaversary books will likely be the baseball book, Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball by Scott Simon.

Update: My actual first read from my Thingaversary stash is the YA book, A Year Down Yonder, a Grandma Dowdel book by Richard Peck.

One interesting thing I realized when thinking about my 12th Thingaversary on LT. On my homepage, when I joined in January, 2009, I listed 3 bookstores under "favorite bookstores." By then, my absolute favorite bookstore, Scotland Yard books in Winnetka, IL had just closed so I listed the three bookstores I went to most often. Alibi Books in Glenview, IL, Borders in Gurnee, IL, and Barnes & Noble in Lincolnshire, IL. All three have since closed, though another B&N near the office remains open. Of course, I haven't been to the office in 10 months.

During these 10 months, the only real live bookstore I've visited is a used bookstore, This Old Book, in Grayslake, IL. I wasn't looking to buy but donated some used books to them without asking for credit. (My used books always look like new.) I've also contributed to their GoFundMe and, as far as I know, it seems to be working.

>69 lindapanzo: I occasionally spot something out-of-date on my own profile. I really should read it through sometime and take time to make sure it is relevant.

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

I suspect that most of us love books about books or reading. I know I do, but i typically don't like heavyweight books. I prefer lighthearted, breezy books about reading and this one absolutely fits the bill. For Bogel, a reading tastemaker and blogger, books are part of life and, in this short (160 page) book, she talks about books that first grabbed her and how she became the reader she is. As I read this in nearly one sitting, I found myself saying constantly "YES, that's me, too."

Of the 21 short chapters, particular favorites for me include Bogel's chapter on living next door to a public library (which had me dreaming of such a thing); book bossiness (something I definitely try not to be); and, most especially, the chapter on bookworm problems. On bookworm problems, I think she presents maybe 100 of them and I excitedly said yes that's me for virtually all of them.

This is a fun little book about reading which I think many readers would enjoy (since I don't want to engage in book bossiness, I won't say "you must read this." Probably my favorite book of the year so far.

>71 lindapanzo: This sounds like a wonderful read! Definitely a BB!

>71 lindapanzo: I liked that one too. I also really enjoy Bogel's "What Should I Read Next" podcast!

>71 lindapanzo: on my WL is goes!

>65 lindapanzo: Happy Thingaversary! Nice haul.

>71 lindapanzo: - I'll take a BB for this too.

The Bogel book is short and it’s also on Kindle Unlimited, btw.

I had my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine today, under the newly expanded IL 1B category. As of Feb 25, people under 65 with certain underlying conditions could get vaccinated. It went well. I was armed to the gills with proof of my 3 conditions under the rules but the check-in tech looked at me and said OK. I got a little teary after the injection.

Mom came along for moral support and to take some photos. Afterwards, she told the female pharmacist that, with my pulmonary issues, her giving me the vaccine may have saved my life. Hope is making a comeback for me.

>78 lindapanzo: Congratulations on your vaccination against covid-19! I'm glad to hear it's also helping to vaccinate you against unhappiness too! I wish you well.

>78 lindapanzo: Yay, I'm so glad to hear you got the first shot!

>78 lindapanzo: hurrah!

Happy to hear that you've gotten your first jab, Linda. Even though I have no idea at this point when they will get around to me or my husband, I am feeling very hopeful that things will improve by the summer.

Thanks for visiting!! Alas, I had an annoying, though not worrisome, side effect to the Vax. I've heard it's common but still. Think mild, but persistent, hot flash.

Starting about 4 hours post vax, I started what I call revving up, feeling like I'd eaten a huge meal with a lot of wine at an Italian restaurant. It seems like my metabolism really goes full tilt then and I get quite warm, but usually not for long. This time, while I've had no fever, it lasted for 36 hours. The first night full of warmth and energy wasn't bad but I was really fatigued. Seems to be subsiding today and I feel lots better. My BFF took me out to lunch and I was fine.

Though annoying, I think it's a good thing and means it's working. Having to roll up my sleeves and mop my brow is a small price to pay. My immune system might be more youthful than I thought. Just read that a 60-year old can have a 40 year old immune system or even an 80 year old one.

>83 lindapanzo: Sorry about the hot flashes---I had them after injection number 1, also, but not nearly as long as yours, maybe only 4-5 hours. Hope you recover fully quickly. I get my 2nd on March 11.

Congratulations on receiving your first jab. I'm not yet eligible.

>84 Tess_W: It was very weird because, until I experienced them, I'd never heard of anyone else having them but, since then, many, many people have said so. I'd been warned about fever and flu-like symptoms but this clearly wasn't an illness and I certainly never had a fever. Very strange. I have my every-6-month checkup with primary care doc the day before my second dose so I'll mention it to him.

>85 thornton37814: I became eligible the day before. In IL, the first group was medical professionals. Second was 65+ along with certain occupations, such as first responders, teachers and a few others. The third group was supposed to be the under 65's with serious medical conditions, along with a few other occupations. That was supposed to start on about April 1st. The governor carved out the people with serious ailments and moved them up. Understandably, that move caused a furor, with strong emotions on both sides.

What a slow reading month. Just 3 books read. But I helped hundreds get signed up for the COVID vax.

>87 lindapanzo: That is awesome, Linda!

>87 lindapanzo: That is such a good deed!!! Well done!!!

>87 lindapanzo: good for you.

Please keep my 18-year old nephew in your prayers (my extremely upset sister, too). After school, as he does most days, he was riding his bike (he not only loves to ride but has worked in a bike shop repairing and assembling bikes for a few years). Two minutes from home, a car sideswiped him and knocked him off his bike.

Driver did not stop to check on him.

Fortunately, he stuck his arm out so as not to hit his head on the ground but he broke his right wrist. No concussion or knee injuries, as feared, but, beyond the broken wrist, he does have scrapes all over his legs and back and is quite sore. He pulled himself together to call my sister and they rushed him to the ER. Filed a police report and alerted neighbors to watch for a red sedan with damage on the passenger side.

Today, he found out he needs surgery on his wrist and forearm. Then a brace. Then physical therapy. It's all supposed to take 6 to 8 weeks. His HS graduation is 7 weeks from tomorrow. Poor guy.

>91 lindapanzo: Oh no, how awful! I hope the surgery and physical therapy go well.

>91 lindapanzo: Ow, poor chap. I hope that it all goes well and that he recovers soonest. At least at that age they recover quickly.

>91 lindapanzo: Prayers for your nephew. What a terrible thing to occur!

Thanks, everyone. Just heard that his surgery is set for this Friday. He is very nervous so I've tried to be reassuring to him.

They do recover quickly. I think he was in 7th grade, so not that long ago, he was playing touch football on the last day of school and broke his collarbone. Healed much faster than anyone expected then.

So sorry to hear about your nephew, Linda. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

To update, my nephew had roughly 2.5 hour surgery on Friday morning. It seemed to go well. They put in a titanium plate with 9 or 10 screws plus cadaver bone to fill in the gaps where they had to realign. Though he was really scared beforehand, about 5 or 6 hours after returning home, he face timed me and told me all about it and proudly showed off the x-rays of before and after.

Getting lots of rest. I think their Yellow Lab is keeping watch over him.

>97 lindapanzo: That sounds promising. Rather you than me looking at the X-rays, that sort of thing gives me the heebie jeebies!

>98 Helenliz: I think medical stuff is interesting. More so when it's my own.

I finally have some good news. I attended my first zoom event tonight, through my library. It was an evening with my favorite columnist, Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune. Not only was it an interesting evening but I learned that I was one of the lucky winners of an autographed copy of her book Even the Terrible Things Seem Beautiful To Me Now. I've long wanted to read that one.

>97 lindapanzo: So glad to hear your nephew came through his surgery well!

>99 lindapanzo: I sort of get what you mean. I had an MRI of my head earlier in the year and got the nurse to show it to me. There's a whole load of stuff going on inside there.
It's more bones and the implants that make me feel a bit queasy. The inside of your head is so abstract that it barely looks like a person at all. Apart from the eye balls (which are a bit freaky), it's all such strange shapes that it doesn't look real.

Excellent Zooming and nice win there.

>100 christina_reads: Thanks.

>101 Helenliz: I picked up my book. Very happy with the win.

Nephew his doing well. The week after surgery, he took his classes remotely but, this past week, he went back to in person classes. Physical therapy is going well. He's got a great attitude and is very diligent about doing whatever he is assigned.

On another cheery note, last night, I finally finished my first book of the month!!

Yay for so much good news!

With a few weeks' worth of reading, after I've cut back on my vaccine hunting, due to walk-ins and widespread availability, I'm back to regular reading form this month.

My favorite book this month, so far, is a historical fiction Mom foisted on me (she's a big fan of WW2 fiction). It's called Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson. Set in present day Chicago where a Holocaust survivor wants to file suit against the leading philanthropist in the city for Nazi war crimes. The man he confronts at the Lyric Opera and then intends to sue was a poor German boy who was taken in by the man's Jewish family. Of course, this German boy, raised as a brother to the man who wants to sue, became a Nazi.

It seems to be the first in a series but the only connection, Mom says, is the woman lawyer and the male investigator.

>104 lindapanzo: Glad your reading is back to normal rate.

Please keep my 84 year old mother, Dorothy, in your prayers. On Tuesday, she fell for the second time within three days. This time, I couldn't lift her to a chair or to stand up and so I called 911. The rescue squad took her to the hospital and she's still there.

She was badly dehydrated and seems to have a quirky BP issue. It's high when she's seated and so is on BP meds but it drops by a lot when she stands up and she gets dizzy and feels faint.

>106 lindapanzo: Sad about your mother. I hope she finds some relief for her postural hypotension.

(I flagged the spammer, obv.)

>108 spiralsheep: Thanks.

So sorry to hear about your mom -- will pray!

Thinking of you and your mom, and hoping she is on the mend soon.

Sending lots of good wishes to your Mom and you, Linda.

Thanks for all the good wishes!! Mom came home on Thursday evening. She seems to tire easily but is catching up on her rest.

I think I'm having a delayed reaction to all the stress this week. That, along with the heat and humidity right now, has been really bothering me. I feel very tired and run down and have been taking a nap every afternoon. Drinking lots of liquids and taking it easy. Trying to run all of Mom's errands etc plus my own before it gets too hot out.

My current read is a book about 1965, Vietnam, Civil rights, and cultural events. Quite interesting. The Eve of Destruction by James T. Patterson. With my trying to stay inside and rest, this one has actually been holding my interest very well.

Best wishes to you and your mum, Linda. I hope resting makes both of you feel a lot better.

>115 pamelad: In some ways, when she was in the hospital, it was easier on me. I had to drive 15 miles to the hospital each way but I knew they were taking good care of her. Now, whenever she does anything, I'm afraid she's going to fall. She seems steady and she's getting the idea about not doing something that could be dangerous for falls (like climbing a ladder). I am gaining confidence of her and she normally is able to let me know before she weakens.

I think our company is planning for a return to work Labor Day week. I'll be going in two days a week. I think I'll get her one of those medic alert things by then.

Glad to hear she wasn't hurt badly and is back home again.

Mom is doing much better but, last night, Dad was rushed to the same hospital by ambulance.

>118 lindapanzo: Any news about your dad? Best wishes to him for a quick recovery.

Oh no! Hoping your dad is feeling better soon.

Goodness, Linda, you are having a time of it. Hope your Dad is ok.

Parents are such a worry. Don't forget to look after you as well.

I hope your mum is still improving and your dad is as well as he can be.

>119 pamelad: >120 rabbitprincess: >121 DeltaQueen50: >122 Helenliz: >123 pamelad: Thanks for the good wishes. Mom is better physically but we're both tired from the strains of living with Dad. We're awaiting a normal kidney function test so she can have her carotid CAT scan. Her number is just a bit high. She is lots better.

Dad is getting stronger and has some good moments and some not so good moments, mentally. He is much more pleasant to the visiting nurses and therapists so at least he doesn't embarrass us.

I'm getting more reading in, both during the evenings and also at night when Dad wakes us up and I can't get back to sleep.

Current reads include about the psychology of sports fandom and an Agatha Christie book featuring Hercule Poirot, After the Funeral.

Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper

Here's a book I received from the publisher via Net Galley. I know so many of my friends love cozies so here's something to consider (to be published in September). The illustrations look Edward Gorey-esque.

Anyone who's a fan of British mysteries, particularly of the village mystery variety, should absolutely love this clever little book offering advice on all of the dangers of visiting an English village. It's hilarious, one of the funniest books I've read in awhile. Charming and delightful.

btw, I put it into my "books helping to get me through the pandemic category" because it just made my day.

Wishing you and your parents good health. I know how tough it can be to take care of elderly parents. Don't forget to take care of yourself too.

>125 lindapanzo: - Even if I didn't quite like cozy mysteries, I would still read this for the title alone. Reminds me of some of the TV shows that people joke about not living in the village/town because there are too many murders.

>125 lindapanzo: that sounds like a hoot. I read a blog post along the same lines some time ago - some of the "don't"s had me in fits of giggles.

>125 lindapanzo: That does sound hilarious! It always does amaze me how many murders and other crimes happen in these quaint English villages!

As the month of September winds down, I've realized that this was one of my best reading months in a long time, both in terms of quality and in quantity.

A new mystery from my favorite author, Louise Penny (The Madness of Crowds), an excellent autobiography by tennis star, Billie Jean King, called All In: An Autobiography, and a number of excellent mysteries.

Hoping that my reading winning streak carries on into October.

For the first time in 2.5 years, I won an Early Reviewers book. (I've not asked for one very often since I'm so involved in Net Galley.). Anyway, Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin, a book of WW2 historical fiction, will soon be on its way to the Panzo household.

>131 lindapanzo: I won one this time for which I probably wasn't the best fit, but I must have had enough of something there to allow a win. I'm getting the Wedgewood biography.

Just finished what is probably my favorite book, so far, of 2021. A political thriller called State of Terror with Hillary Clinton provided insights as to what goes on in the State Department and my favorite author, Louise Penny writing it.

Wow, I could not put it down. In fact, the whole family left me alone til I finished it this evening. A pulse pounding page turner!!

>133 lindapanzo: Glad you enjoyed that one.

I've had a good reading run in the past month or two, at least in terms of quantity. Plus different topics, too. Today, I finish a book about pigeon racing and now I want to read Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, a Kathleen Rooney novel about a World War 1 messenger pigeon.

I received emails from Amazon this morning with links to accept my Santa Thing books. A great selection!!

The Best Game You Can Name, a hockey book by Dave Bidini
A Fatal Twist of Lemon, a cozy by Patrice Greenwood
No Graves as Yet by Anne Perry
The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
The Shattering: America in the 1960s by Kevin Boyle (a top book on my wishlist)
The Frangipani Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu

Merry Christmas to all.

>136 lindapanzo: Oooh, a Dave Bidini book I did not know about! Adding that to the TBR.

>137 rabbitprincess: I know nothing about him except that he's done a few hockey books. I'm hoping I love this one and will read further but I'm glad to hear that you like it.

With not much going on and this being basically a stay-at-home Christmas, I've been reading a lot this week.