Ape's 2021 Thread! #1
Conversazioni75 Books Challenge for 2021
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1Ape
Hello! My name is Stephen and I read...kind of. I USED to read a lot, but in recent years I haven't been reading nearly as much as I would like, as I've been focused on creating videos on Youtube for 2 different channels. Hopefully this year will be better, but I wouldn't bet on it.
I also make no promises to actually POST, but, I'll try...maybe.
You are free to post because I really don't need multiple posts these days!
I also make no promises to actually POST, but, I'll try...maybe.
You are free to post because I really don't need multiple posts these days!
2PaulCranswick
Happy New Year Stephen. I am pleased at least to see your thread and miss your activity here.
4norabelle414
*waves*
6dk_phoenix
Happy New Year, Stephen!
8fairywings
Happy new year Stephen.
9FAMeulstee
Glad to see you, Stephen, happy New Year!
10PersephonesLibrary
Happy New Reading Year! Do the youtube channels have got something to do with books?
14leahbird
Happy New Year Stephen! I'm giving up on making a thread this year but I'm happy to see you are sticking with it so I can come chat. ;)
16avatiakh
Hi Stephen - good to see you back. My son has been playing lots of older games lately including Might & Magic 1.
18Ape
Welcome everyone! I don't know how much reading will get done this year, but I will say, I've had a very strong urge to re-read the Harry Potter series. I've held off so far, but there is a chance that happens this year. Maybe. :)
19MickyFine
>18 Ape: Do it! I re-read them via audiobook last year and it was lovely to visit them again.
21leperdbunny
Hi Stephen! I hope you reread Harry Potter especially if it gives you some warm fuzzies. We need all that right now. I hope you are doing well otherwise.
25Esquiress
>24 humouress: Nooooooo! Save her!
31PaulCranswick
>29 Ape: Reading or not, don't leave us Stephen. Believe it or not a good many of us miss you around here.
32norabelle414
Happy birthday!!!!!
35PaulCranswick
Same from me too Stephen........if you are staring at us from across the ether.
38Ape
Unfortunately due to permanent internet issues I can no longer upload to the gaming channel, and have to drastically slow my uploads on the Magic channel. Which means I technically have more time to read!
But this has been the case for a month now and I still haven't read, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to come up with a new excuse.
Anyway, how have things been on Librarything lately? I figure if I throw myself at the 75er group hard enough maybe it will actually encourage me to read! How are all my old friends doing!? I'd catch up on your threads...but I haven't read them for the entire year so that might be a bit too much of an undertaking, so I formally request a summary of your lives over the past however-long-it's-been-since-I've-been-gone.
But this has been the case for a month now and I still haven't read, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to come up with a new excuse.
Anyway, how have things been on Librarything lately? I figure if I throw myself at the 75er group hard enough maybe it will actually encourage me to read! How are all my old friends doing!? I'd catch up on your threads...but I haven't read them for the entire year so that might be a bit too much of an undertaking, so I formally request a summary of your lives over the past however-long-it's-been-since-I've-been-gone.
39drneutron
My life? Work, work, take care of mother-in-law, read, work. Rinse, repeat! Glad to see you back!
41London_StJ
Hey, glad to see you pop in, old friend!
42norabelle414
Sorry, who is this? Ste-phen? doesn't ring a bell
43MickyFine
I think I used to know a Stephen once. Maybe...
I'd give you a life update but um, how long have you been absent? Were you still kicking around when I got married? I can't remember. Because if not it's been almost 3 years.
I'd give you a life update but um, how long have you been absent? Were you still kicking around when I got married? I can't remember. Because if not it's been almost 3 years.
44foggidawn
Welcome back! I’ve been doing a lot of reading, but it’s for an award committee, so I can’t talk about it. Also, I’ve started dating a guy, so I do talk about that. Stick around, even if we don’t inspire you to read! But have you read the Murderbot books? Because I think you would like them. And they’re short, so you get the quick payoff of having finished a book.
46Ape
>39 drneutron: Glad to be back!
>40 scaifea: Same! Just don't expect me to read your FIFTY threads. :P
>41 London_StJ: Glad to see you as well! You were gone for quite awhile before I disappeared, I remember.
>42 norabelle414: I was the guy who was constantly trying to get you to attend meet-ups, but you never wanted to go. :P
>43 MickyFine: Yes, I remember that! Sort of? I think I've been mostly absent for a few years, technically, but I do remember reading that during one of my short-lived returns. Uh, belated congratulations! :P
>44 foggidawn: I think you (or someone) recommended the Murderbot books in the past, and I agree, they DO look interesting. :)
>40 scaifea: Same! Just don't expect me to read your FIFTY threads. :P
>41 London_StJ: Glad to see you as well! You were gone for quite awhile before I disappeared, I remember.
>42 norabelle414: I was the guy who was constantly trying to get you to attend meet-ups, but you never wanted to go. :P
>43 MickyFine: Yes, I remember that! Sort of? I think I've been mostly absent for a few years, technically, but I do remember reading that during one of my short-lived returns. Uh, belated congratulations! :P
>44 foggidawn: I think you (or someone) recommended the Murderbot books in the past, and I agree, they DO look interesting. :)
47bell7
Well, let's see, Stephen:
I survived a pandemic, my youngest brother got married, my youngest sister got a job and an apartment, and I bought a house. Then my youngest brother and his wife bought a house. Oh and I'm vaccinated now, so shouldn't die from the pandemic anytime soon.
I... think that's it? Sums up the last several months anyway. My garden is blooming, and I've been discovering the pain and joy of yard work. And I'm reading and working. Yeah, that's just about everything.
Oh and seconding (thirding) the recommendation for Murderbot.
I survived a pandemic, my youngest brother got married, my youngest sister got a job and an apartment, and I bought a house. Then my youngest brother and his wife bought a house. Oh and I'm vaccinated now, so shouldn't die from the pandemic anytime soon.
I... think that's it? Sums up the last several months anyway. My garden is blooming, and I've been discovering the pain and joy of yard work. And I'm reading and working. Yeah, that's just about everything.
Oh and seconding (thirding) the recommendation for Murderbot.
48norabelle414
Nothing going on here. Everything's the same except my new antibodies and a few new video games.
Sometimes I sort my "to be read" books by whichever one is shortest, which puts Murderbot at the top of the list, but I still haven't read it.
Sometimes I sort my "to be read" books by whichever one is shortest, which puts Murderbot at the top of the list, but I still haven't read it.
49humouress
Hey, Stephen! I'm glad you're back (you are, right?). Much of a muchness, here; kids growing up, went through a lockdown sorry, circuit breaker last year, going through a not-quite CB again now, Jasper (our dog) keeps us all entertained. I did get a lot of reading done last year - and it was the first year I managed to read 75 (and more) books.
50Ape
>47 bell7: That's a lot of things! I don't garden, but the downside of living in the middle of nowhere is there is a LOT of yard to mow. I wouldn't be bothered with it, but letting it grow just attracts snakes and ticks. Which is another downside of living in the middle of nowhere, I suppose! :P
>48 norabelle414: Saaaaaame! I've been playing video games in my free time regularly for the first time in years. But I'm sure I'll also start dedicating some of that time to reading as well. You know...eventually.
>49 humouress: I think I'm back! Maybe? I'm pretty sure, but I guess time will tell. Congrats on hitting 75! We're going in opposite directions where reading is concerned.
>48 norabelle414: Saaaaaame! I've been playing video games in my free time regularly for the first time in years. But I'm sure I'll also start dedicating some of that time to reading as well. You know...eventually.
>49 humouress: I think I'm back! Maybe? I'm pretty sure, but I guess time will tell. Congrats on hitting 75! We're going in opposite directions where reading is concerned.
51MickyFine
There are no people on the cover of the Murderbot books and most of them are 200 pages or less. What are you waiting for, man? :P
53humouress
>51 MickyFine: Murderbot. Yes!!
55Ape
>51 MickyFine: I'm waiting to regain my motivation to actually read. :P
>52 LovingLit: HIIIIIII!!
>53 humouress: One of these days!
>54 bell7: Hello! I'm still here! :P
>52 LovingLit: HIIIIIII!!
>53 humouress: One of these days!
>54 bell7: Hello! I'm still here! :P
56Ape
How has it been nearly a month since I posted? Well, I'm still here (kind of) and not reading!
70PaulCranswick
An Ape sighting is better than a book sighting.
Any closer to finishing any this year, Stephen?
Any closer to finishing any this year, Stephen?
72PaulCranswick
>71 humouress: Hahaha Nina - did he ever tell us that?
74Ape
>70 PaulCranswick: Forgot to answer this. Unfortunately I still haven't read this year, although I'm not recording videos with a face cam and my bookshelves in the background, so at least there is visual evidence that I have been near books in 2021.
75Ape
Does Librarything have a Dark Mode? I feel like I'm being blinded every time I visit. :P
Edit: Which is, practically every day, of course...
Edit: Which is, practically every day, of course...
76norabelle414
>75 Ape: If you write more words there will be less white space :-P
77norabelle414
One of the developers said on May 11 "This is definitely coming. Not particularly soon, but it's on my agenda."
https://www.librarything.com/topic/332123
https://www.librarything.com/topic/332123
78Ape
But I'm so booooring. I need to read books so I actually have something to talk about. Which I'm sure I'll start doing any day now...
Good to hear about the dark mode though. I started switching all websites over recently, I even have Windows set to Dark, and what a world of difference it makes! It feels weird at first, but I understand why so many people have headaches and eye strain whenever I visit a site that doesn't have the option.
Good to hear about the dark mode though. I started switching all websites over recently, I even have Windows set to Dark, and what a world of difference it makes! It feels weird at first, but I understand why so many people have headaches and eye strain whenever I visit a site that doesn't have the option.
79leahbird
>78 Ape:
Same! Everything is set to dark that possibly can be. My eyes have certainly appreciated the change. I thought it would be a hard switch but it was pretty instantly wonderful and kept me from having to buy ANOTHER pair of glasses just for the computer.
Same! Everything is set to dark that possibly can be. My eyes have certainly appreciated the change. I thought it would be a hard switch but it was pretty instantly wonderful and kept me from having to buy ANOTHER pair of glasses just for the computer.
80Ape
Yes! It's probably another step in my de-evolution into a bug-eyed, cave-dwelling monster that shrivels at the sight of the sun, but my eyes appreciate it.
Whenever I can't find a dark/night mode option on a site I always check the forums to see if I'm missing it, and I've realized that a lot simply don't use it. I always see people saying things along the lines of "Why do you care so much about something that's just cosmetic" and I know immediately that they just won't ever understand how glorious dark backgrounds truly are.
Or they're in a well-lit room with their brightness setting turned down so they aren't being blinded by their own screens. I suppose that's a possibility.
Whenever I can't find a dark/night mode option on a site I always check the forums to see if I'm missing it, and I've realized that a lot simply don't use it. I always see people saying things along the lines of "Why do you care so much about something that's just cosmetic" and I know immediately that they just won't ever understand how glorious dark backgrounds truly are.
Or they're in a well-lit room with their brightness setting turned down so they aren't being blinded by their own screens. I suppose that's a possibility.
82norabelle414
Some people really have a hard time seeing white text on a dark background. It's important to have different options that work for different people.
83Ape
Yeah, I don't have a hard time seeing it necessarily, but I do sit in front a large, bright monitor and white screens are VERY bright. It's a major reason why so many people get headaches from using computers too long.
I also never really got headaches, but I do find that dark backgrounds are easier to look at, and switching over to a website like Librarything is almost painful after looking at a dark page for a few minutes.
I also never really got headaches, but I do find that dark backgrounds are easier to look at, and switching over to a website like Librarything is almost painful after looking at a dark page for a few minutes.
85Ape
Yesterday I purged something like 70+ books from my shelves. I have them sitting in a large pile right now and it's massive, but looking at my bookshelves...I can't really tell the difference. I'm pretty sure physics is broken.
It is nice to be rid of so many books I'm never going to read, or books I've already read but didn't like. My shelves were cluttered with stacks of YA fantasy/romance that my sister gave me. When she first started reading, she was really into that sort of stuff, but she moved on to adult sci-fi/fantasy and kept unloading her old books on me. I was happy to take them, because FREE BOOKS, but I will literally never read them, so why have them sitting around.
I was so convinced that I would never read them that the majority of them aren't even entered into my LT library!
It is nice to be rid of so many books I'm never going to read, or books I've already read but didn't like. My shelves were cluttered with stacks of YA fantasy/romance that my sister gave me. When she first started reading, she was really into that sort of stuff, but she moved on to adult sci-fi/fantasy and kept unloading her old books on me. I was happy to take them, because FREE BOOKS, but I will literally never read them, so why have them sitting around.
I was so convinced that I would never read them that the majority of them aren't even entered into my LT library!
86norabelle414
I always feel so free when I get rid of a bunch of books I'm not going to read or not going to read again! I do usually notice a difference in my shelf space (which I then immediately fill with more books)
However I do keep them in my LT catalog so that if I ever run across them in the future I can say "No, I owned this book from 2013 to 2018 and never read it, I don't need it again even if it is free!"
However I do keep them in my LT catalog so that if I ever run across them in the future I can say "No, I owned this book from 2013 to 2018 and never read it, I don't need it again even if it is free!"
87Ape
Technically my shelves look a little tidier because there are less stacks on top/around them...but the shelves themselves are still full.
Yeah, I'm doing the same thing! I created a "purged" shelf here on LT and I'm just moving everything over to that, though I'm not adding the YA fantasy/romance novels to my library since I was never interested in them in the first place, and likely won't be in the future anyway. :)
Yeah, I'm doing the same thing! I created a "purged" shelf here on LT and I'm just moving everything over to that, though I'm not adding the YA fantasy/romance novels to my library since I was never interested in them in the first place, and likely won't be in the future anyway. :)
88PaulCranswick
>87 Ape: I purged a few hundred earlier this year when I was moving house but it didn't make that much difference because I have added more than that since!
89Ape
>88 PaulCranswick: Oh yeah, I think that is the most likely outcome. MORE BOOKS. But preferably ones I actually want to read. I think the majority of my library is made up of books I would never have purchased if they weren't so cheap. I didn't really have an income several years ago, so I was loading up on ex-Library books and whatever I found at Dollar Tree. I'm able to be more selective now, though, and maybe having books around that I actually interested in reading will encourage me to read...
Okay, that might be a bit of a stretch, but how can I know for sure unless a buy more books and see?
Okay, that might be a bit of a stretch, but how can I know for sure unless a buy more books and see?
91humouress
>90 foggidawn: Yup. I like it.
92Ape
1. The Food of the Gods and How it came to Earth by H. G. Wells
Pages: "208" (listened on audio)
Rating: 3/5
I finished this today, and when I went to edit the book's page discovered I started listening to it in October of 2020.
So yep, took me a year to finish listening to an audio book.
Pages: "208" (listened on audio)
Rating: 3/5
I finished this today, and when I went to edit the book's page discovered I started listening to it in October of 2020.
So yep, took me a year to finish listening to an audio book.
98leahbird
Congrats! If I didn't listen to audiobooks in bed I'd never get anything done so I can relate.
99Ape
Thanks, everyone! I haven't read a page since I finished that last book, but I appreciate your kind words. (A month after you posted them)
100PaulCranswick
>99 Ape: Nice to see you post, Stephen.
101PaulCranswick
A Thanksgiving to Friends (Lighting the Way)
In difficult times
a friend is there to light the way
to lighten the load,
to show the path,
to smooth the road
At the darkest hour
a friend, with a word of truth
points to light
and the encroaching dawn
is in the plainest sight.
Stephen, to a friend in books and more this Thanksgiving
In difficult times
a friend is there to light the way
to lighten the load,
to show the path,
to smooth the road
At the darkest hour
a friend, with a word of truth
points to light
and the encroaching dawn
is in the plainest sight.
Stephen, to a friend in books and more this Thanksgiving
102Berly
Stephen, I am so very grateful for you, my LT friend.
I wish you happiness and health on this day of Thanksgiving. And cookies. : )
103Ape
Thanks Paul and Kim! I have officially recovered from days of eating way too much food, and I am now ready to recommence with not reading books as usual. :P
104Berly
I am deep into food right now, what with holiday chocolates and pumpkin bread. At least all the leftovers from Thanksgiving are gone!!
105Ape
Yes! I've eaten a loaf of pumpkin bread and half a pumpkin pie already. At this rate I might not fit into my pants anymore, but who needs pants in times like these?
108PaulCranswick
Have a lovely holiday, Stephen.
109Berly
These were our family ornaments this year and, despite COVID, a merry time was had by all. I hope the same is true for your holiday and here's to next year!!
110Ape
Thanks! I hope your holidays were merry and joyous and all that stuff as well. :P
Mine was relatively uneventful. Recently we have had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house with my sister and her boyfriend, and then we just order take-out for Christmas. This year was Texas Roadhouse, and I discovered the absolute stunning glory of the sweet potato. I've only ever had sweet potato fries, but I must say I'm slightly disappointed I went 30+ years without every trying baked sweet potato with cinnamon-butter. 👍
Mine was relatively uneventful. Recently we have had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house with my sister and her boyfriend, and then we just order take-out for Christmas. This year was Texas Roadhouse, and I discovered the absolute stunning glory of the sweet potato. I've only ever had sweet potato fries, but I must say I'm slightly disappointed I went 30+ years without every trying baked sweet potato with cinnamon-butter. 👍
111MickyFine
Glad to hear you had a good Christmas, Stephen. And also lovely to see you poking your nose in.
112humouress
>110 Ape: Cinnamon butter? I've never heard of that before; it sounds worth a try.
I would like to wish you and your family the very best of the season and good health and happiness for 2022.
I would like to wish you and your family the very best of the season and good health and happiness for 2022.
113LovingLit
Happy New Year Stephen! (Getting in early)
Glad to have seen you half back in LT-Land this year, as was I :) Here's to a great 2022...or at least one that isn't as COVIDy
Glad to have seen you half back in LT-Land this year, as was I :) Here's to a great 2022...or at least one that isn't as COVIDy
114PaulCranswick
Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.
Happy New Year, Stephen.
115humouress
Happy New Year! Wishing you and your family the very best in joy, friendship, health, happiness and lots of good books for 2022.
You'll be moving over to the 2022 thread soon, to document all your reading, right?
116Ape
Yeah, it's February and I'm only just now creating my 2022 thread, but feel free to follow me over if you have this thread starred and see this post: https://www.librarything.com/topic/339411