Barb Gets Moving in 2024 -Room by Room

Hello and welcome to my 2024 Category thread. Since I will be preparing to move during this year, my chosen theme is Room by Room. As I declutter and think ahead to the sale and move to my new living space, I will be doing a lot of room by room assessments. Come along as I read my way through The Great Purge!

The Parlor
Curling up on the sofa with my Kits and Cats for 2024
Random KIT
January: Effin Birds

Calendar CAT

Mystery KIT

Alpha KIT
January
A Light from Uncommon Stars Ryka Aoki
Y I Have Some Questions for You Rebecca Makkai

The Kitchen

My comfort zone-Historical fiction, Lit Fic, mystery, and contemporary novels

I Have Some Questions for You

The Study

Gathering with friends as we talk books in my two book clubs and in my online readalongs.

January:
Light From Uncommon Stars
Joan is Okay

Dining Room

A veritable feast for my reading heart...My Kindle TBR

The Masterpiece

The Office

Let's get serious. Here you'll find my non-fiction reads

Vanderbilt
Madame Restell

The Bedroom

I keep coming back for rest..find my series reads here

January: The Bullet That Missed
February: Truth Be Told and What You See
March:

Attic

Out of my comfort zone but I may rummage around for just the right one: Sci Fi, Fantasy, Horror

The Front Porch

I knew I'd want another category. This is the dreamland where I pick up a book just because I want to at that moment. No book club, no "shoulds", no challenges, no promises to a friend...just reading what I feel like reading. Of course this will overlap with my Kindle TBR feast but I wanted a cozy place to put some of my mood reads.

Excellent thread set up. Good luck with your move. Thinking about it ahead of time has to be a winning strategy. We last moved house 12 years ago, I think we're just about over the trauma by now. Not planning on doing it again any time soon, of course >;-)

That is a great set up, I've dropped my star and am looking forward to following along!

>10 Helenliz: We moved just over 12 years ago too, and I feel much the same. We're not moving just yet, but unfortunately as we've got to get all our ceilings replaced, we're currently trying to declutter and pack stuff up so it's not too chaotic for when that work is done, so it feels much the same as moving anyway. Le sigh.

>10 Helenliz:, >11 Jackie_K: Yes the decluttering is extreme. We lived here 34 years and raised our family mostly in this house. My husband knew that once he passed I would sell the house to move closer to two of my three kids. I'll be moving about an hour away, but to a much smaller place (thankfully). I have supposedly been working on the decluttering for years, but honestly there's nothing like a deadline to push you forward, right? I am aiming to put the house on the market in the spring, hopefully April. It is good for me to have the demands of The Purge on me each day. It keeps me going.
Wow, replacing ceilings, yikes! Everytime you declutter thoug it is so much easier the next time.

Thanks for following along. I'll post some of my first 2024 reads later today.

Good luck with the purging. I try to purge one room per year! Then I start over again! Good luck with the move. Happy reading in 2024!

Love the theme and the idea of purging. Good luck with your reading in 2024.

Love your theme! Hope you have a great year of reading amidst all the downsizing and moving!

Love the setup, and good luck with your move!

Sounds like you have a busy year ahead of you. Hope you are able to relax occasionally and enjoy your reading.

I like this theme! Dropping off my star! We moved two and a half years ago to a much smaller home. I had been purging stuff for a couple of years since we knew we would downsize eventually, but then when it got right down to moving, I really had to boogie! I did end up getting rid of some things I wish I kept, and there are still some things in a storage unit that I need to go through again. Having an impartial/objective person to participate also helped me a lot.

>13 Tess_W: That's a great method...too late for me, but a good idea!

>14 lowelibrary:, >15 thornton37814:, >16 christina_reads:,>17 DeltaQueen50: Thanks so much for joining me here.

>18 LadyoftheLodge: Yes, I expect I'll rent a storage unit for a year or so. I have family history from previous generations that needs another sort before I pass it along and then our own generations photos which need to be done. That was to be my winter project this year, but life changed and now I will put that off in favor of clearing the house completely. Once I settle into my new life, I'll have plenty of time for sorting projects.

The Parlor-Alpha KIT, The Study-Book Club



Light From Uncommon Stars

This was not for me. It seemed that the author was trying to do way too much in one story. There were several interesting storylines and they clashed and crashed together to make a very confusing journey. I did find some of the characters well formed, especially Katrina and Edwin. The more I think about this book, I realize that I found most of the characters very likeable, I just didn't enjoy the chaos of the storytelling.

The Bedroom-Series



The Bullet That Missed

The quirky characters in this series make me laugh which is very welcome. The mystery component is not the high point of each book, but it keeps the reader interested enough to follow the characters down some very strange pathways. I'm sure you could go deep into a discussion of ethics, but really I just like the surface friendships that are deepening as the series continues.

I like the way you've setup your challenge. We moved 8 years ago and even though I did a decent purge then, I'm going to work on doing some more.

Good luck with your reading and purging.

Planning ahead with the decluttering for a move is very wise. I'm trying to do that, too, this year. Wishing you good luck with it an hopefully you'll also find time for reading!

>22 dudes22:, >23 lsh63:, >24 MissWatson: Thank you and welcome. I appreciate your good wishes for my reading life. I am rather manic about the purging (which is likely a reaction to being alone) I am determined to slow down a bit and make specific times to read throughout the day. I haven't had that opportunity for many years so I am not used ot taking chunks of time out to read. This will be a goal for me this year.

Welcome back, Barb! Good luck with the decluttering and setting aside time to read.

Excellent theme! Wishing you the best of luck in your purge and the move!

I love your theme! It's inspiring me to do some decluttering of my own. Good luck with your purge and your reading this year!

>26 rabbitprincess:, >27 VivienneR:,>28 mathgirl40: Thank you all for following along!

The Kitchen-My Comfort Zone



I Have Some Questions for You

This book didn’t land for everyone. At first, I thought it was not for me either. The title was a bit off-putting, being too wordy and awkward. However, when it showed up in the text near the end, I felt like it pretty much summarized the whole plot. Since -Questions- had a lot of buzzy marketing, most are familiar with the dark academia setting and the podcast trope, but the book exceeded those descriptions because the writing was so literary. I didn’t feel this fully measured up to The Great Believers, but it was a solid 4-star experience. If you like boarding school settings with a mysterious murder thrown in by way of a look back, this is one to pick up.

Study-MMD Book Club



Joan is Okay

I couldn't make this one work for me. I tried...but it just didn't capture me at all. I tend towards plot driven novels and this is definitely all character driven. I couldn't warm up to any of the characters. To me the message is let me be me and you be you. That's not a new message. However, if the reader is unaware of the racist history and present day harassment of the Chinese American population, it serves as a reminder and/or a revelation. References throughout refresh our memory that life can seem very different to those who experience microaggressions on a daily basis. A lot of people rave about this book so my advice is try it...it might work well for you.

So glad you sent me the link to your thread! I love your categories and how they are relating to your life now. I think you are very wise to work on de-cluttering before your move. And yes, maybe all the busy-ness is your way of coping with your sudden solitude. Be well, and remember that grief is a process *hugs*

>33 threadnsong: Thank you so much for understanding a little of my journey. In an odd way emptying the house is comforting. It helps me remember the good times we had here for so many years. I'm fortunate to be able to do it at my own pace.

The Parlor-Random Kit



Effin Birds

I picked up Effin Birds at the library (although the Literate Plover said I wouldn't find it there) to add some humor into my life. I'm not usually one for this much vulgarity, but if you don't take it too seriously, the notes underneath the headlines are very funny. I love the artwork and found it delightful that some of it quite unexpectedly was beautifully rendered in color. I do think this probably plays better on social media rather than reading from front to back. Maybe leave it on the table to pick up for a chuckle now and then.

>35 beebeereads: I'd agree with this verdict too! It's fun if I'm scrolling and suddenly see the one sweary bird. Although I read the book in one go, I wouldn't do that again! It's more for dipping in and out of.

>35 beebeereads: Have this on my TBR to read. I'm sort of waiting till it fits in with a challenge!

The Bedroom-Series



Truth Be Told

I continue to enjoy this series and will follow it to its conclusion. The attempts at romance between the two main characters, thwarted at every juncture, is getting tiresome. I do hope this subplot moves ahead in the next two installments. I still strongly recommend this for readers who enjoy a good whodunnit with some characters worth following.

Porch-Just Because



The Connellys of County Down

This family story is full of heart. After one member returns from prison to rejoin her siblings, the back story gradually unfolds as we get to know Tara, Geraldine and Eddie. The supporting characters are just as appealing, although each was flawed in the most human of ways. I cared about every one and their connection to one another was inspiring. The plot has a few weak points but not enough to spoil this endearing story. In the end for me it's always about story and this one delivers!

>39 beebeereads: What a beautiful cover!

>40 Jackie_K: I know!! As someone who reads more than half of my books on Kindle, I totally enjoyed having this library book sitting on my table!

>39 beebeereads: Glad you enjoyed that. I'm not adding it at the moment, but I might read the blurb if I run across it at the library and check it out if the mood strikes me.

>39 beebeereads: This one is on my radar because of The 52 Book Club group read. But my library hasn't got it yet :(

Well, its been a minute since I've posted. With the help of my kids and my drive to get the house on the market in April, we have nearly accomplished all the decluttering and other arrangements. We are on target to list the first week in April---whew! But that left little time for reading and none for posting. So I'll catch up here. Not a lot to see, but I like to keep a record of what I have read and share tidbits about my opinion.

The Bedroom-Series


What You See

In this installment of the Jane Ryland series, the reader follows Jane outside of her work role as she gets personally involved with a missing persons case. Jake continues his top notch intuitive detecting to the advantage of everyone. I've been enjoying this series, but this one may have dropped a quarter point. The almost, but not really relationship of the two main characters is getting a bit tiresome. I will finish the series and hope for a resolution one way or another.

The Study-Book Club, The Office-Non-fiction gems



Madame Restell

Did you know about this early feminist and astute businesswoman? I did not. I learned a great deal in this comprehensive historical biography.

Ann Trow Summers, an early 19th c. British immigrant to the US, became an abortionist to support herself and her daughter. She saw a need and she filled it. Her skills were keen and her confidence unshakable. She serviced the women from high society who could afford to pay or servants from wealthy homes, often impregnated by their employers. It is a heartbreaking tale of life before contraception, the low status of women within their families and their community regardless of their wealth, and the horrific risks pregnancy posed for many very young women. Jennifer Wright offers a well-researched biography of Madame Restell as she tells the story of that era, occasionally inserting commentary about women’s reproductive status today. I was not aware of this historic figure and am glad I was introduced. At the core, Madame Restell was an astute business woman who found a way to serve a social justice issue as well.

The Office-Non-fiction gems



Carnegie Libraries Across America

I am grateful for a BB from LT for this book but I can't remember who was talking about it.
Although I knew about the Carnegie Foundation grants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, I was excited to discover that my childhood library was among the recipients. Sadly, it has since been razed. Some of the original libraries did not age well, were damaged by natural disasters or were too small for the growing communities. Many, however, still exist. There is a full listing of all the grants and recipients at the end of the book. Many photographs enhanced the experience as well. Learning about the architecture and the framework of the grants was worth the read.

The Dining Room-Kindle TBR, The Kitchen-Comfort Zone: Historical Fiction



The Masterpiece

Grand Central Station--a history. Continuing her exploration of New York's well known buildings, Davis creates a story around known historical facts. As always, her research is the most fascinating part of her novel. In the late 1920s when an art school existed in the structure, well known artists began their careers. Decades later a challenge to the value of the edifice, nearly brought it down. The two storyliens merge to a satisfying ending. Although I enjoyed the stories told in both timelines, I did find some of the aspects a bit cheesy. So not my favorite, but still a solid 3 star read for me.

>46 beebeereads: - It was Kathy (kac522). I took the same BB and took it out from the library. But the print was so small and since my state doesn't have any, I didn't have time to read it before we left on vacation in Feb. I'll try again when I have more time to spend on it.

>48 dudes22: Thanks for identifying the recommendation! I thought it was worth it, but I've also heard of another book that might be interesting as well.
American Libraries 1730-1950 That would certainly cover the Carnegie libaries along with a much broader look at libraries in America.

>46 beebeereads: So glad you enjoyed it! I agree that the photos helped quite a bit to visualize the libraries. And your floor plan in >1 beebeereads: reminds me of how I spent a long time looking at the library floor plans in the book, which now seem so inadequate for today's needs.

I need to make a list of the surviving structures in my area and do some Carnegie "mini road trips" this year.

>47 beebeereads: The print was a bit small for me, too, so I read it in little chunks--4 or 5 pages at a time. It's a book that's easy to put down and come back to later.

>50 kac522: Another book about the Carnegie libraries is Temples of Knowledge which I like because it is about my state!

>51 LadyoftheLodge: I have a good friend who grew up in Indiana. I told her that her state had the most Carnegie grants and was able to send her a copy of the 156 libraries built there. She was thrilled with this home state history. I'll tell her about your recommendation as well.

The Study-Book Club, The Office-Non-fiction



Vanderbilt

A tale of the mostly told in the gilded age, but brought forward from the 17th century through the late 19th and ending in the 21st century. Anderson Cooper and his co-author are both personally tied to the history of this legendary family. Choosing several characters and one branch of the tree to follow made an otherwise overwhelming dynasty navigable. The anecdotes were well told with delightful descriptions of the extravagant homes and wardrobes. If you enjoy gilded age drama, there is plenty of that to satisfy your curiosity. Overall, it is a story of avarice, corruption, and great emotional trauma for some of the descendants born into this self-made aristocracy.

The Study:MMD Book Club, The Kitchen-Comfort Reads



We Are The Brennans

Loved this story---messy family drama at its finest. There is just enough mess to make it fascinating and plenty of family love to round the edges. The novel begins with Sunday Brennan returning home after a five-year absence. As the book progresses, we learn what caused her to leave and whether she can really come back. Along the way Lange introduces us to all the family members in a deep exploration of their decisions, motivations and the consequential impact on others. Some readers had a problem with the ending, but I thought it left enough room for reader interpretation which I always appreciate. I loved Lange’s sophomore novel, The Connellys of County Down, so much and now this one even more. She has definitely become an auto-read author for me.

>54 beebeereads: I'll try to keep Lange in mind when I'm in the mood for that sort of read!

>47 beebeereads: I've read Davis' The Address and I really liked it. Will search for this one.

>56 Tess_W: I've also read The Dollhouse about the Barbizon Hotel for Women and The Lions of Fifth Avenue about the NY public library. If you love NYC as a setting her novels are a lot of fun.

So, it's been a minute. How has your house selling going? or are you in the midst of your move now that it's May??

Yes I hope the moving is going well! May the boxes be sturdy and the skies be sunny.

>58 threadnsong:,>59 rabbitprincess: Thank you both for checking in on me! This is the first time I've been back to LT since April.
I was able to sell the house the first weekend it went on the market. Two buyers battled it out to my advantage. Finally purging everything and selling the house was such a relief. You may remember I was selling because my husband died in December and we had made a previous plan for me to move. My three kids were amazing! I am so grateful for all their help and the support of good friends as well.
After spending 34 wonderful years in the woods, I was eager to return to civilization. When we were able Don and I opted for a custom-built home in a small town that allowed him to easily commute to his work. The land backed up to conservation land. Don was a born naturalist and an avid vegetable gardener. It was his paradise when he returned home after work. In retirement it was his comfort as he wore down. We were so happy there raising the family and enjoying the outdoors, but it was time for me to make a change. I found an apartment in the same town where my son and his wife live. My daughter is one town over-about 15 minutes away (3 granddaughters there 11-9-6) and my other son is in Michigan (2 grandsons 13-10). They came to visit in June and I will visit them in September. I love my new surroundings. I was determined to downsize and simplify. I chose to rent so I could be unburdened from house ownership.

I live on a main street so I hear cars, trains, motorcycles, construction, fire engines, and on and on. These sounds were the music of my youth and I rejoice in the circular path I've taken. My apartment is quiet inside, but a look out my tall windows assures me that the world is on-going. Of course, grieving is part of how I am functioning right now, but honestly as one provider told me "you've been grieving this loss for years." So I am comforted in the fact that Don's physical being is no longer suffering, but I miss him a great deal. I am so grateful to have a wonderful support system and I am finding new activities, not the least of which is a library group I have joined! I will plan to update this thread with the reading I accomplished over the last few months and gradually I will make my way around to all of your threads.

>60 beebeereads: Welcome back to LibraryThing. I'm glad you are near your family. I'll need to move near a niece or nephew at some point after retirement since I don't have kids of my own.

>60 beebeereads: Wishing you all the best in your new chapter!

>60 beebeereads: Congratulations on selling your house and a successful move! I hope you continue to enjoy your new place, and I look forward to hearing about what you’re reading now that you’re resettled.

Welcome back and congratulations on turning the page to a new chapter of your life. I completely understand your perspectives.

My husband and I lived in the woods in a custom built home. It was our little paradise, with beautiful nature, animals, trees, our lake. He got to enjoy it right up to the end of his life. After he passed and I remarried, we lived there for five years together, but started to feel the isolation and needed a change.

We moved back to civilization and into a retirement village condo. We were happy to give up the home ownership and maintenance, and are within a mile of goods and services in our small town. Moving and downsizing was difficult, and we still are looking for some of our stuff after three years (Where did we put that picnic backpack? Just found it today!) Blessings and peace to you.

>61 thornton37814: >62 christina_reads: >63 Charon07: >64 LadyoftheLodge: Thank you for your well wishes!
>64 LadyoftheLodge: Right now I am looking for the small greeting card file I had with all the cards ready to mail. So far I've had to rebuy for May and August birthdays!!! I absolutely know I had those cards picked out ahead of time for the grandkids.

The Study-Book Club


Covenant of Water

So this chunkster was the April selection for my RL book club. Imagine me showing the house and reading this book every night! A feat! But actually most of the hard work was done by then. The problem is that I never wrote any notes and now it's August. So I'll do my best with what I remember.

At its heart, this is a family saga tracing 3 generations of Malayalis living in Kerala on the coast of India. As the story unfolds we learn of a curse that has taken hold of one of the families and we watch tragedies unfold in each generation. This seems daunting as a premise, but there is so much more to learn and understand about each character and the role they play in the expanding narrative. The strong sense of place is enchanting in its beauty and heartbreaking in its darkness. This is a work of magnitude in both length and depth. Verghese will be an auto-read author for me, but if forced to choose, Cutting for Stone still stands as my favorite so far.

The Kitchen-comfort zone, The Bedroom-series


The Last Devil to Die

I have enjoyed this whole series. When its time for a light read, this does the trick. I have grown to cherish the characters and look forward to more if he decides to go forward.

The Office-Nonfiction, The Study-Book Club



Mapping the Darkness

Another that I failed to take notes on after I finished. This was a nonfiction pick for my book club. We alternate F/NF each month.

This was quite sciency for the humanities major here, but I found it interesting nonetheless. Even the distinguished scientist in our group said she found it boring, as if reading a research paper. Speaking of research-wow! One can only admire how much work it must have been to produce this opus. The journalist author traced the history of the science of sleep from its roots to modern day. I did thoroughly enjoy the narratives around the individual scientists, how they found their way to sleep studies and advanced the science one step at a time.

The Study-MMD Book Club



Girls and Their Horses

This selection was part of my online book club. I will say I thoroughly enjoyed the author chat and was glad I had read the book. That said, this is a light read which does not take a lot to follow. I needed that after my heavy nonfiction above.
The plot is just what the title suggests...girls, the barn mothers, the management and all that those relationships imply. There is a mystery involved, some would characterize it as a thriller, but only mildly so in my opinion. So if you like rich girl problems and family drama, this will suit you well. I must say I think of it often, especially when I hear any references to riding barns.
My daughter rode for a few years, but we were never part of a barn like the one in the book. She loved the animals and it was a great experience for her that she has never forgotten.

More to come tomorrow...

>67 beebeereads: He has a standalone coming out next month and I'm looking forward to it.

>71 clue: Oh great...I'll keep an eye out for it.

The Front Porch



Mercury

Shiner, by the same author, was a favorite of mine several years ago. I was looking forward to her next book. The setting and premise of Mercury intrigued me. It takes place in a small town in the hinterland of Pittsburgh. A family roofing company is at the center of much of the story. The author weaves together all the right elements of a good read-- family drama that is mostly believable, hard-working, well-intentioned characters who often make mistakes and some feel-good moments between siblings and friends. That said, some of the relationships are toxic and that is hard to watch. There are no clear-cut white hats and black hats, but instead well thought out characters with enough plot to make it a fast paced read.

The Study-Book Club

One Hundred Years of Solitude

My book club makes it a point to read one classic every year. This year, a modern classic which had been on my TBR for ages. You can tell by following my thread that classics are not among the books I choose for my later in life reading. I had an outstanding English program at my high school and followed up with some lit classes in college. Enough!
But I dabble and I thought I would like this one. I did not. I understand how it was considered experimental and groundbreaking, but I found it a struggle to complete. The narrative didn't grab me, although I must say I've thought a lot about it since I read it, so there's that. For me a solid 3*, but no more.

>60 beebeereads: Congratulations on what seems to have been a smooth transition with no major upsets. Enjoy your new home!

>75 MissWatson: Thank you for returning to my long ignored thread!

The Office-Nonfiction


The Book of Hope

When my 3rd grade granddaughter enthusiastically told me she was writing a report on Jane Goodall, I was reminded of this book from my TBR. This short book is a record of three discussions between the two authors about the tenacity of hope during trying times. Many of us have heard of the good works that Jane Goodall and her institute have fostered over decades. This book served as a reminder of all they have done and of her indelible force for good. As challenging as these times are, Goodall has a strong sense of hope for the future if we come together as a global people and work towards solving the climate and biodiversity problems that we are all facing. I can’t say I learned anything new, but I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to eavesdrop on this conversation.

The Study-MMD Book Club



Olga Dies Dreaming

I enjoyed this book from the beginning, but loved it from 70% onward where the narrative gets to the heart of the novel. The main character,Olga, was abandoned and sought revenge through materialism. We follow her journey as she sorts out her values and where she wants the rest of her life to lead her. On the way, we meet her family, friends, love interests and clients.

From the start, this is a story of lost opportunities. It seemed each character had a loss that could be traced back to decisions made, personal, business, family. As the story develops, the author addresses so many current societal issues that I thought it might get convoluted. But she brought it all together in a way that drew attention to particular issues through a Latine lens. I don’t have that lens and I was thankful to have the author’s perspective. I was moved by the poem that inspired the novel and will go back to it again to try to learn and understand the challenges of the New York Puerto Rican diaspora. (Puerto Rican Obituary by Pedro Pietri) The author speaks to the challenges Puerto Ricans face as they try to achieve the American Dream in their own way. Lacking the benefits of the white, wealthier populations, they often turn to some of the worst side effects of capitalism. None of the characters were completely likable, but many had endearing qualities. I look forward to reading more from this author.

>60 beebeereads: Welcome back, I'm so glad to see your move was so positive, and you're enjoying being near your children and grandchildren.

>79 Jackie_K: Thank you Jackie. Now I can get back to my yearlong read of your books as well. I stopped in April and will catch up again later this month. I am really enjoying it and the months I read last winter were very comforting.

The Front Porch-Just Because, The Office-Nonfiction



Why We Read

Reed’s stated goal is to encourage everyone to feel free to read what they want when they want and as many times as they want. When I heard about this book, I thought it was just a fluff book about books, one that would be a relaxing porch read. To my delight, it turned out to be much more than that. Amidst the witty humor, Reed delivered well thought out commentary on life's experiences. On the surface we have very little in common but I felt a kinship with many of her anecdotes and appreciated her thoughtful commentary. In short, this was the right book at the right time for me.

An interesting afternote: One of the delights of my new address is that I have an indie bookstore within one block! I have not had a local bookstore in decades. Unfortunately for them, I don't buy books much anymore. I have been able to gift my grandchildren from there and will continue to do so. But after I finished Reed's book I decided I needed it on my shelf. I wanted to return to some parts of it, mark it up, cherish it. So I was thrilled to be able to walk down the street and find that they had a copy in stock!

The Kitchen-Comfort Zone



The Paris Novel

Paris, Art, Food, Fashion….what’s not to love?? Ruth Reichl captured my attention in her previous memoirs about her life in the food industry from cook to critic. The writing in this novel doesn’t reach the height of her memoirs, but the setting and descriptions are worth the journey. The main character is a shell of a young girl when we meet her, but she finds herself and her passions as she discovers Paris with a wealthy art critic — not a romantic interest, but a great mentor and friend. There are many references to real characters and events from history and the current 1980s setting. If you love Paris and you are looking for a fun romp, I recommend it.

>81 beebeereads: Taking a BB for this.

>60 beebeereads: Oh welcome back BeeBee!!! I'm so glad you found your way back to reading and posting, and glad you have a living situation that suits where you are in life. And a bookstore only a block away?? My, what a fortuitous location you have found.

Enjoyed your reviews and glad you are part of a RL book club. They are a lot of fun, and I've read a lot of good books from mine over the years (decades?).

>83 lowelibrary: Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
>84 threadnsong: Thanks for the welcome back. My RL book club is with my library in my former town. Fortunately we've been totally Zoom since Covid introduced us to the convenience. We are a small mixed age group which makes for great discussions. We've been toether for 8 years and I am so glad I can still participate. I rarely miss a meeting.

The Office-Nonfiction, The Study-Book Club



Fire Weather

I was drawn to the topic of this book out of curiosity to learn more about the event it described (2016 Fort McMurray forest fire) and to learn more about how fire has changed in the 21st century. The author delivered on both counts. A large part of this book is narrative non-fiction, bringing in personal stories of the people who witnessed the massive, fast-moving fires in zones from Brazil to Australia to Colorado and Alberta Canada and more. There was also a great deal of the science behind fire and fire-fighting. All of it was fascinating, terrifying and something we need to understand as we go forward hoping to mitigate the warming of our Earth. Highly recommend.

The Office-nonfiction, The Front Porch-Just Because



Just Add Water

Well it was time for something light. If you are looking for a hard knocks story, rags to riches, this is not it. Katie Ledecky comes from a privileged background with access to the finest training. What you will get though is a story of determination, goal-setting, persistence, focus. You will also come to know a kind-hearted, value driven, inclusive young woman. Her competitiveness is renowned, but she works against herself and the clock, not against her competitors.
I read this during the Paris Olympics when she reached gold medal heights. I would recommend watching videos of her performances as you are reading this memoir. Her voice is youthful, energetic, exuberant. Above all this book honors her coaches and her family.

The Kitchen-My Comfort Zone



Tom Lake

I really enjoyed this slow-moving family story. The raconteur is a middle aged woman happily married to a cherry farmer in Northern Michigan. How they got there and the detours along the way make up the story as she recounts the events of her youth to their three grown daughters. I laughed and cried at the family’s inner workings which served up some levity between the more dramatic memories. Patchett brings her reader along as if you are on a stroll with her, fascinated by the tale she is revealing. She offers up her consistently excellent writing and I can only say I want more. I was a huge fan of Dutch House and now it’s time for the backlist!
Highly recommend. 5*

The Kitchen-My Comfort Zone


The God of the Woods

I loved this book as I knew I would based on two of her previous books that I thoroughly enjoyed, Long Bright River and The Unseen World. The structure of this book is formed on a non-linear timeline that jumps from one era to another as the story unfolds. The publisher has made it very easy to distinguish which part of the timeline you are on as you move from chapter to chapter. The setting is a summer camp in the Adirondack mountains on land owned by wealthy bankers promoting land conservation. Several missing children in different time periods create the mystery part of the story, but it is really a grand unspooling of greed, power, complicity and the consequences thereof. Moore weaves a compelling tale and I was with her to the end.

>86 beebeereads: Some of those fires in Wyoming are in the county in which my nephew lives. His stepdaughter who posts much more on social media assures me he and his wife are not in danger at this point.

>90 thornton37814: The fires can be very traumatizing. My sister lives in Oregon and they ahd a close call a few years ago. She told me she is much more prepared now should it happen again. It's a different way to live. Our weather challenge is only blizzards in the winter.
I will keep thoughts for your family. We should all be aware of the changes that are impacting people around the world.

The Study-Book Club



The Bodyguard

The definition of a comfort read...lots of happy, lots of resolution. Some life philosophizng. Katherine Center paints an appealing setting on a ranch outside of Houston, TX. She fills the delightful setting with a cast of characters that are a little too unreal: a perfect male movie star, doting parents, a tragic family loss, and feuding brothers. The she twists the tables by making the hired bodyguard a woman. Unfortunately the female lead struggles with self worth issues. Quick read for an online book club. The author chat is tonight so I'll see how that plays out. For those who differentiate their romances genre, this is closed door, not chaste.

>92 beebeereads: I like Katherine Center, but that book fell a little flat for me. I remember thinking the heroine wasn't as competent as we were supposed to believe her to be.

>93 christina_reads: Oh that is a good way of expressing it. If I were to read another of her books, what do you recommend?

>94 beebeereads: I think my favorite of hers so far is Things You Save in a Fire. I also really liked her most recent book, The Rom-Commers, if you are a romantic comedy fan.

>95 christina_reads: Thanks! I just spent some time catching up on your thread...great suggestions there. I read your comments on Rom-Commers and I'll add it to my TBR. I listened to an author chat with Center last evening on The Bodyguard. The title that stuck out to me as she talked about some of her others works was Things You Save in a Fire. That might be my next one. The universe is putting that forward for me.

You'll be interested to know that she talked a lot about her choices when writing The Bodyguard. She said the decision to make it less dramatic was intentional. She wrote it during the pandemic when she was in great need of a positive valence system to work through her personal dread. So she deliberately wrote the story as a healing work for herself and thought that readers could benefit from a lighter, happy story. As you pointed out, it didn't always land that way for readers who were accustomed to a little more depth.

>96 beebeereads: Interesting comments from Center about The Bodyguard. I certainly don't blame her for wanting to write something light during the pandemic!

>91 beebeereads: We've had one begin in the Smokies, but the last I saw, it wasn't threatening any buildings. They had closed a few trails and backcountry campsites. There's an Air National Guard base in Knoxville so they are using helicopters from there to help fight it.

The Study-Book Club



Dayswork

What is in a day’s work? How do you measure a day’s work? How do you measure a marriage? This novel is co-written by a husband/wife team and is set during the Covid pandemic. As with many books set in 2020, it provides a vehicle for the family to be present in one place (or quarantined) for a long duration. In the novel, the wife is obsessed with deep research on Herman Melville which takes her down many literary rabbit holes. The style is a meandering path strewn with tidbits about Melville, his friends, his mental state, his possible abuse of his wife and the opinions of many other researchers along the way. The authors offer up a lot of facts or presumed facts, but in the end, the novel feels like a look into a marriage. It was touching and ordinary at the same time.

The Kitchen-My Comfort Zone, The Porch-Just Because



Remarkably Bright Creatures

A story of grief and loss ensconced in a small Northwest town where everybody knows, or tries to know,everyone else’s business. I ended up really enjoying this book. I originally thought it was a good solid read, but then it grew on me as I progressed to the end. The ending was predictable but nonetheless satisfying. Was it tied up in a fancy bow? Pretty much. But that’s what a comfort read is supposed to be, right? Van Pelt did a great job creating characters that stick. Each one was loveable in their own way. The octopus was a great vehicle for moving the plot along to a somewhat logical conclusion. This was a fun jaunt through small town everyday life in Washington State.

I listened to an author chat after finishing this book. It was interesting to hear her back story and the origins of the plot. I always enjoy a good author chat!

>100 beebeereads: - This is our book for book club tomorrow. I wish now I had listened to it so I could have heard the author. I always find that interesting when I listen to a book.

>101 dudes22: I am sure there are plenty of interviews online if you search. The one I listened to was sponsored by our local Friends of the Library as part of the Library Speakers Consortium series. Maybe your library participates.
I hope you have a good discussion tomorrow.

The Study-Book Club



Envy

Romance has never been my cup of tea, although there are some popular ones that I have enjoyed-hello Emily Henry. This one was an attempt at a romance mystery. Unfortunately the plot was very predictable. After re-reading a portion before I put the book to rest, I realized the better title would have been Vengeance. Perhaps the reason it didn't work for me was the unrelenting anger and pursuit of something beyond justice. How far do we go to exact our pound of flesh? I read to the end but won’t be following along with this author.

>103 beebeereads: I always thought of Brown as a straight-ahead romance writer until I took a look in the last couple of years at the plot of one of her newer releases on a site that gives plot summaries. It appears she's trying to incorporate both genres now. Usually the ones who write cross-genre are too predictable one way or the other to really appeal to both genres.

>104 thornton37814: Oh, Lori, that is such a good observation. I know very little about the romance genre. I have read some over the years that I enjoyed, but I've never taken a deep dive to understand the genre. I am learning through this exercise with an online group readalong. The podcasters choose a theme each year and we read quarterly and then discuss via a Zoom meeting. I was disappointed with the selection this year, but they were determined to explore this genre. I dnf'd Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. I knew I would find the historical context informational, but the characters were off for me. I may try it again in the future. The second was a romance in the fantasy genre by Nora Roberts, The Awakening. I just realized I missed posting that here. I'll do that soon. That was a 3* for me. Ok, but I have no intention of moving forward witht he trilogy. Again, I am not a big fantasy reader either. So this readalong has not produced any satisfying reading for me this year. I am curious to learn the choice for the 4th quarter.

Front Porch-Just Because



People from Away

This was a delightful visit to an island off the coast of Maine. The characters were well developed and the plot was a slow wander through several seasons on a remote island. The usual conflict between the islanders and the people from away was heightened by the setting in 2020 during the first months of the Covid pandemic. Overall, every character was likable and it provided me with a wonderful comfort read at the right time. This is a self-published book (Nancy Parsons Publishing) and I don’t find it available anywhere online. The author is a participant in a book group I attend. She has written a number of other books over the years.

The Study-Nonfiction



>b>The Country of the Blind

It was a privilege to read this in-depth account of the current status of the blind community. The author, who is experiencing loss of sight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), takes the reader through a culture we know far too little about. Leland's research was thorough, covering the wide scope of blindness from its history to the development of national advocacy organizations to each new breakthrough in assistive technology. He did a good job balancing his journey with the wider issues faced by the community. Anyone interested in learning more about living with disabilities of any kind can learn a lot from Andrew Leland. His exploration into and beyond the depths of blindness in our culture is informative and revealing. My five stars represent a book well-written, well-researched and accessible. I appreciate that this book exists.

>99 beebeereads: What a great review about this book and the time in which it was written. I just finished reading The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths for a LT book club, and it starts on Feb. 22, 2020. That time when we all remember becoming aware of something waiting in the wings. Glad that authors are incorporating their stories into that time period.

The Kitchen- Lit Fic



James

In this retelling of Huck Finn, author Everett has taken control of the narrative, centering James, aka Jim, instead of Huck. The experiences of the characters are similar to those in Twain’s novel, but the descriptions are more visceral. Everett takes us through a range of emotions, fear, anger, pain, betrayal and underneath it all, there is tenderness from James to Huck and Huck to James. This was an easy 4.5 rating for me. The half star off is for the ending which I felt came about too quickly…a minor problem for me and should not deter others.

The Study-Book Club



Olympus Texas

The small town setting of this novel provides the backdrop for several generations of dysfunction in a prominent family. As the title announces, this is a reimagining of Mt Olympus and its infamous gods who have nothing but complex relationships. I honestly didn’t find one likable character. Each had one or more redeeming qualities that almost made them sympathetic, emphasis on almost! I think this book needs to be read with a broader understanding of the mythological framework and of the family hisotry which is slowly revealed. Knowing the mythology is not essential but could add another dimension for the reader. There is very little plot and only some introspection on the part of a couple of the characters. Most though are willing to limp along in the mire feeling hopeless in their current setting or trying to escape to a new one. I see this mostly as a morality tale. The author nods to mythology as she asks the question: Is the resulting behavior from Peter’s actions all justifiable because of his role as patriarch of the family/community?

The Office-Nonfiction



This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

I loved every essay in this book. Reading Ann Patchett is inspiring not as much for her topics, although they are riveting, but for her writing. I feel like I just dive into a pool of words that are put together in exactly the right way. How does she do that? I aspire to be a Patchett completist someday.

Comments on just a couple of the essays
The homage to her father, a retired LA cop, was touching and authentic. I was moved by the extreme effort she put into trying to understand his world.

I am not educated in opera, but to hear her describe the discovery of opera and her resulting passion for it tugged at my heart. How wonderful to make a such a discovery that carries you through life.

>111 beebeereads: Speaking of opera, Patchett's Bel Canto is a beautiful book! I've been meaning to seek out more by her ever since reading that one.

>112 christina_reads: Yes I believe she was writing that book when she took her deep dive into the Opera world. That is on my list , hopefully for this year. Glad to know you enjoyed it.

>111 beebeereads: I've added this one to my wishlist.

>111 beebeereads: I put this on my reread list but probably won't get to it his year, I loved it when I read it years ago.

The Kitchen-My Comfort Zone



Thirty Days in Paris

So I am a reading francophile from way back. Whenever I need a bookish escape, I run away to Paris. I actually read this romance by choice. I’ve been dabbling in romance the past few years and participated in a group read along this year exploring this genre. It will never be my go to genre, but this book was just what I needed after I read a couple heavier books and needed to run away a bit. How lucky we are as readers that we can do that.

Told in two timelines with the same characters in each portion, just thirty years apart, this story unfolds in predictable but delightful ways. The plot follows a reckoning with 20-something behavior that impacted all of the characters for the intervening years.

If you love the tropes associated with Paris, then you will enjoy following along as the characters visit touristy spots and hideaways known only to locals. All the while you’ll drink in a bit of fashion, a bit of food, and a bit of pop music. Toujours Paris!

The Study-Book Club



North Woods

This is a remarkable piece of writing. I bounced between being bored with the intense setting descriptions to being amazed and satisfied with the twisting and turning in the telling of the story. Set in Western Massachusetts beginning in the 17th c., the author weaves a tale by centering the house that is built on the remote land. As time moves forward we eventually find out more about what happened in the previous time period. It’s a brilliant way to keep the momentum going and tell the history of a place throughout decades. As I mentioned I occasionally was overdone with the depth of the descriptions of the natural surroundings, but that has more to do with my interests than with the author’s talent. Throughout the narrative supernatural beings and happenings occur to elevate the plot and intrigue the reader. Again, a masterful work of art that was worth slogging through some of the long-winded parts.

>117 beebeereads: You might take a look at his Winter Soldier. It's not an easy book in that the subject is rather grim, but I loved it. I haven't read North Woods yet but it's waiting on Kindle for me.

>118 clue: Thank you! I'll follow up.

>110 beebeereads: What a great idea for a story, and I'm sorry it was not better told. The ancient deities leave much to be desired sometimes.

>117 beebeereads: This sounds like a very interesting book. Thank you for your review!

>120 threadnsong: Regarding >110 beebeereads: Mine is a minority opinion from what I can tell. Don't let it deter you unless you require likeable characters! I still rated in 4/5 stars.
>120 threadnsong: re >117 beebeereads: My book club met Thursday evening. Our librarian leader thought it was one of the top books she has read this year. Other opinions were more akin to my point of view---glad they read it, but not a top fav. The writing is very transformative. I am in awe of the author's skills. 4 *

The Front Porch. The Office (NF)



These Precious Days

Ann Patchett can read to me any day of the week. I first listened to The Story of a Good Marriage >111 beebeereads:. I really liked it, but I was eager to move on to her second essay collection. Five glorious stars! She writes from the heart and with the authenticity of a true friend. Her story about the purging of stuff from her life was funny, familiar, reflective and uplifting. She introduced me to so many fine people from her life, showing me joy and sorrow in one breath. My heart ached for her as she traveled the cancer road with a friend. Patchett does not put her life out there as perfect, inviting the reader in as she shares her flaws and misgivings. She gives all and then some. I bought this book because I knew I wanted to go back to it again and again.

The Kitchen-Lit Fic

Table for Two



At first I was disappointed with this collection of short stories. The stories were good, but part of my enjoyment of Towles work is the winding path he takes to tell a story. Short stories don’t give him room to do that.
The last section of the book is identified as a novella and it is the continuation of the story of Evelyn Ross, the main protagonist in Rules of Civility. So I was all in. His signature style of taking the reader down into a warren of rabbit holes was on full display. I can’t wait for the next full length novel. I am a completist with this author.

I'm finally catching up with threads after a lengthy absence from this group myself. I'm happy to read that you came back from your absence and that life has settled down for you.

I agree with everything you said about Fire Weather. That book stayed in my mind for months after I'd read it. Fortunately, the forest fires were not nearly as bad in Canada (at least in the Eastern part) as they had been last year.

I'll have to add These Precious Days to my TBR list. I've enjoyed several of Ann Patchett's novels.

>124 mathgirl40: Good to hear from you. I do hope you enjoy some of the essays in These Precious Days. I go back to several for a refresher!
I am a month behind in posting here, but plan to catch up this weekend.

The Parlor



Weather

Weather is a short novel set in 2016 or shortly thereafter and told in the first person. The narrator, a college librarian, shares her fears, hopes, amusements and frustrations wrapped up in a ball of anxiety. Her husband, her son and her brother play major roles along with some other characters that would be spoilers to mention. Issues at the top of the list are climate change, political upheaval and hard truths about mental illness. I found this book oddly compelling and very much admired her writing skills.

I was a month late, but this satisfies the September Random Kit.

The Study



The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

From the publisher: With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be, and as free as they deserve to be.

This collection is raw and coarse which is not my usual preference. But the message was worth the read. I like my stories tempered a bit more. The author focuses on Black women and their search for passion despite the lack of respect from men and the lack of love for self. This is an exploration of the black female body coming out of a history of bondage. The stories also focus on the role the church hierarchy plays in perpetuating that bondage with dogma that supports the dominance of males and the submission of women. There is much to think about in this award-winning collection. I had my favorites, but appreciated each story told.

The Kitchen-Mystery, The Bedroom-Series



Heaven, My Home

I am glad I returned to Highway 59. Ranger Darren Matthews is back on the job and caught up in a case of a missing child. Racial tensions are high as he navigates the investigation and the complexities in his personal life. For me he continues to be a complicated, yet sympathetic character. I find it frustrating to witness some of his poor decisions. Attica Locke's remarkable descriptions of the East Texas lake is so intense that I got lost in the atmosphere even as I was trying to follow the characters. This is a slow paced mystery, but a rewarding read and I will definitely finish the trilogy.

The Study



Lawn Boy

This book has stayed with me. The first person, memoir style used by Evison really captured my attention. I am not typically drawn to the YA genre, but I found this definitely worth reading. Compared to other books about coming of age and sexual discovery, I thought this one was very tame and I appreciated learning about the main character’s journey. Evison also spoke through his character about the impact of poverty and the near impossibility of getting out unscathed. Very impactful.

The Office-Nonfiction



Dying of Politeness

This memoir is a good balance of funny and serious. Read by the author, the book described a working class family life in Ware, Ma…not quite Cape Cod. Geena portrays her family as loving, quaint, quirky and always, always polite to the point of dishonest. She carries this analysis throughout the book and uses it to frame many of the vignettes she shares. I liked it and learned some things I hadn’t known about her.

The Study-Readalong, Attic-out of my zone



The Awakening

I realized I missed posting this book. One of my readalongs this year has been a quarterly look at the romance genre. So far I dnf'd Indigo, I read Envy >103 beebeereads: This book by the prolific Nora Roberts was ok, but honestly fantasy does not grab me. I liked the premise--girl escapes to mystical world where she discover her true family--but the warring dragons, etc. just don't work for me.
And just to note, I didn't even attempt the 4th quarter. A Little Bit Country. I think I might enjoy this book, but I couldn't get to it before the discussion so I put it aside. All in all not a great readalong year with this group. Everything else about the group I love so we'll see what happens in next year's readalong. The theme is Ghosts.

The Kitchen-Comfort Zone



Garden Spells

The Waverly sisters are outsiders in the N.C. town where they have lived in their whole lives. As the story unfolds, we learn why and watch the characters grow in their independence with confidence. Although I really loved Other Birds, I was not enthralled with this earlier offering from the same author. My opinion seems to be the opposite of many readers. The magic was a bit too much for me. I like my magical realism to be more subtle. Allen managed it well in Other Birds which came after her initial Waverly series. I will look out for some of her later books. She is a fun follow on Instagram where she delights with tiny vignettes. I'd like to find another of her books that works for me.

The Porch-Just Because



The Answer is No

An entertaining short story. This mockery of bureaucracy offered up a lot of satirical humor.
The cast of quirky characters presented recognizable life circumstances, but the ending was predictable from the start. Backman is a clever and insightful author, but I have not found his short works compelling in the same way his longer novels proceed.

The Kitchen-Comfort Reads



Bruno, Chief of Police

This was a great palate cleanser after a heavily emotional read. The setting in the Perigord region of southwestern France is well described and the people of the small village are seen through the eyes of the chief of police, Bruno. He is a young, active, sincere, smart officer who has chosen the lifestyle offered to him in a "mostly" peaceful town. My only quibble can't be helped, but it is definitely told from a male point of view leaving the women characters a bit flat. The author placed them in roles of authority and some are highly educated and proficient in their fields, but for me they lacked the depth I would prefer to see. I grew weary of the male characters constantly commenting on the females' appearances. That did not derail me, but it did keep me from going higher on my rating. I will likely pick up the second one when I need another break. It's a very pleasant place to land for a visit.

The Kitchen-historical fiction



The Women

This very buzzy 2024 book is making the rounds of book clubs and coffee shops. It is historical fiction about the women who served in Vietnam. It was a compelling but tough read. Hannah writes with lots of emotion, usually too much for my taste, but the history is accurate and heartbreaking. I have watched and read other sources on this topic so I didn’t learn anything new, but the way the events unfolded in these fictional lives was a vivid reminder of the heartache. Since I still remember clearly the nightly broadcasts, I would recommend this more for anyone who isn’t familiar with the trauma that the veterans experienced both in country and upon their return. It is always worth being reminded. This was such a sad chapter of our American story.

Into the Uncut Grass

Don't miss this opportunity to read an outstanding book designed for children and appreciated by their adults! Noah takes us on a day journey with a boy and his teddy bear sidekick as they venture beyond the walls of their home, literal and perceived. Noah has a great gift for writing with a humorous sensibility that speaks volumes about living in a communal world. Seen through the eyes of the little boy, which he admits was inspired by his curious childhood, the reader finds some lessons along the way. The illustrations are gentle, inviting and enchanting. Charming, delightful and beautifully bound, this is a perfect gift for someone in your life.

The Berry Pickers

Set mostly in both Maine and Nova Scotia, this book exposes the treatment of Indigenous peoples in the mid 20th c. A 4 year old girl goes missing near the berry fields, leaving her 6 year old brother haunted and traumatized for life. The narrative follows two primary characters, each in a family struggling with loss and identity. I wanted to appreciate this book more. Unfortunately, the lack of depth in the character development diminished the plot line. This debut just didn't rise to a 4* for me. YMMV