Lynda (Carmenere) - 75 or bust!! September and 4th Quarter

Welcome to my September and 4th Quarter thread! September and October's books contain 2 for book clubs, The Women and Rebecca. Two from the Booker short list, The Safekeep and Creation Lake and the middle section of the pic contain some books I'd like to read during the autumnal days of late September and October. So grab a seat and a cup of cider and begin to hibernate with me.

A couple pics from my recent trip to DC. It was my second trip in a few months so we did not repeat governmental sights. Instead we went to a Nationals game, National Zoo and Georgetown along the Potomac.

Happy new one, Lynda.
>1 Carmenere: Nice book haul. Have fun with the reading.
>2 Carmenere: thanks for sharing these lovely photos. It looks like you spent a wonderful time.
Re your previous thread: my library has got a copy of the Gillian McAllister book. I put it on my never ending list.

>1 Carmenere: I have not read any of these books, but they all seem really interesting! Besides the book club and Booker shortlist books, how do you decide what books to read next?

Happy new thread!
Glad you enjoyed your trip, and I hope you have a fun Fall!

>3 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Good to "see" you! Oooo great! I hope you enjoy it as much as my book club!

>4 kaylinb-GT: Hi kaylinb, haha it seems like every month I come up with a new method to tackle my growing stack of books. October is spooky season so mysteries are front and center but after that my new plan will be to read my bookshelves alpha order. That system may change on a whim.
Some readers enjoy book bingo, others in the 75 book challenge group really enjoy Take it or Leave it. Every month new challenges created by fellow readers offer new challenges. You might want to check it out here https://www.librarything.com/topic/362802

>7 Carmenere: Thank you so much! I'll definitely take a look!

>5 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer! Fall is my favorite season, great time to begin hibernating.

>8 kaylinb-GT: You're welcome! Good luck!

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Lynda. I like the DC pics. We just saw the Cubs beat the Nationals on Friday.

>1 Carmenere: there is something comforting about fall/cooler weather reading

Happy new one!

>11 thornton37814: Thank you, Lori!

>12 msf59: Cool! I don’t pay much attention to national league teams, I need to check on how the Cubs are doing.

>13 figsfromthistle: I couldn’t agree more! And thank you!

I started reading Rebecca this gloomy afternoon. Very atmospheric and very wordy.

Happy new thread dear, Lynda.

I do like the gothic weird of Rebecca.

Happy new thread, Lynda. Great photos.

>2 Carmenere: Lynda, I love seeing images of you and Will. And now he has a girlfriend! He is not that little boy anymore. Still, I very much relate to your relationship with him, and mine with granddaughter Kayla. She is the light of my life. While at times I miss when she was little. She was such a neat little kid. But, now that she is 21, I marvel at how very mature she is, and how caring she is as well.

When she was approximately 3, Will said something that made her laugh. I in turn laughed when I heard her say "Opa, you are one funny guy!" While I am sad that he is no longer here to create new memories, I am ever so thankful for those 16 years we had together as a family. Her mother, my daughter Breanna was attending nursing school, and working. Will and I were responsible for spending the time when her mother was busy. It broke Breanna's heart that she didn't see Kayla a lot because her first job was at a local hospital in the trauma unit. She worked from 3-11. I wasn't retired yet, and thus a lot of the caretaking fell to Will. Breanna asked for a different internship because it was too difficult for all of us.

Your time in DC sounds lovely. A book sale room with a cart!! That would be a very encouraging thing for me to fill up. The zoo sounds lovely. You really did a lot in a short period of time. But, paying for all the postage would be quite a steep amount.

Thanks for sharing your photos!

>18 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! So do I and it is a wonderful time of year to read it.

>19 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

>20 Whisper1: Hi there, Linda! I can not believe Will towers over me. At 5'7" I was always the one to hover over everyone. Yet, I'm still happy to pass on this trait to Will.
I can imagine how close your Will and Kayla became in those years. How wonderful to have him in your life.

I want to enjoy the gloominess of the day with Rebecca but I have Mah Jongg at 2 and dinner plans after so that puts a damper on things. I'll do my best to slip in a chapter or two here and there.

I forgot to bring this over from my previous previous

Books read by month:
* Audiobook
January:
1. The Children’s Blizzard
2. Pageboy. *
3. Piranesi
4. The Great Schism. *
5. Talking to Strangers *
6. The Life We Bury
7. Paris. *
8. Crying in H Mart. *
9. The Woman in Me. *

February:
10. Revenge *
11. Enough *
12. Someone Else’s Shoes
13. Astrophysics for people in a Hurry *
14. Feel Good Productivity *
15. The Odyssey
16. Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
17. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
18. Braving the Wilderness *

March:
19. Foster
20. Small Things Like These
21. Endgame *
22. The Fall
23. The Latecomer
24. Rising Strong *
25. Candide
26. Western Lane

April:
27. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicone Valley Startup *
28. The Wren, The Wren
29. he said she said
30. Reflections on the Psalms
31. Starter Villain
32. White Fang *

May:
33. Florence Adler Swims Forever
34. Assistant to the Villain
35. Vampires of El Norte

June:
36. The Secret Book of Flora Lea Library book group
37. Honor Neighborhood book group
38. My Name is Barbra *
39. I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
40. A Movable Feast reread Anita's Memorial Read
41. What happened to Ruthy Ramirez

July:
42. Oath and Honor: A memoir and a warning *
43. The Wager
44. Until August
45. The Divider *

August:
46. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
47. The Berry Pickers *
48. Lessons in Chemistry
49. The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain
50. The Secret Life of Groceries
51. Orbital
52. Headshot
53. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
54. James
55. Held

September:
56. One Two Three
57. Wrong Place Wrong Time
58. Rebecca

October
59. Remarkably Bright Creatures *
60. The Women
61. Nuclear War: A Scenario *
62. The City and its Uncertain Walls
63. Death on the Nile

November
64. How the Word is Passed *
65. Before the Coffee Gets Cold
66. The Buddha in the Attic
67. The One
68. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
69. Howl’s Moving Castle

December
70. The Bookshop
71. The Dogs of Christmas
72. We the Animals
73. Nutcracker
74. The Hothouse on the East River

Currently reading The Women
Also watching the Bucks vs Ducks. Ohio State scores first
Hey the Guardians beat Detroit today. They advance to the American League playoffs against the Yankees.

Last week I attended Apple fest in Franklin PA
Always a good time especially when you have great weather.

I'm in 3 bookclubs, wondering if it's 1 too many .
Still playing mah jongg at least once a week, sometimes 2 and I've put the Senior Center games on hold for awhile. Yard work eats up a lot of time.

And I joined my SIL's bible study where we're watching and discussing The Chosen. I didn't want to, thought it would be kinda hokey but it's actually turned out to be very good.

Egads I got the second shingrex dose on Thursday. Felt horrible on Friday, back to myself today.

I think that's all my updates for now.

A belated Happy New Thread, Linda. Sorry you are feeling lousy from the Shingrix dose oh, but you are feeling better now. I'll be interested in what you think of The Safekeep. I didn't much care for it.

>27 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah! I’ve heard the side effects of the shots are far better than contracting Shingles and I believe what I’ve heard. Hopefully I’m protected from it now. I agree with you regarding The Safekeep. In fact, I DNF’d it.

#60 The Women
Kristin Hannah
Neighborhood book group
4.75/5

I was in middle school in the midst of the Vietnam conflict, so old enough to know it was going on but too young to understand the depth of animosity towards those who had served. This novel was enlightening in that to this day I didn’t know how the women who enlisted to serve were treated on their return to the US.
Many folks refused to acknowledge that there were women, most often nurses and technical support, who saw the horrific sights attributed to battle. Though many suffered from the same affects as male veterans, the women were disregarded and not afforded the same physical and mental support as the men who served.
The author does a wonderful job in expressing these problems using a well defined group of characters that you will sympathize, admire and some times dislike.
Another well told story by Kristin Hannah

#61 Nuclear War A Scenario
Annie Jacobsen
3.75/5
Audio

I heard about this book from a random podcast that I just happened to listen to out of boredom. Joe Rogan was interviewing the author and I thought her novel would be a very interesting book to listen to.
I was not wrong, it was not only interesting it was also horrifying, extremely thought provoking and all to real and possible.
I would classify this work under Factual Fiction. Is that even a genre? I don't know, but the author has done her homework and interviewed a multitude of scientists as well as other professionals in the know to write a book that contains minute by minute details of what would happen if an IBM were to be launched from North Korea and directed to Washington D.C.
In this scenario, the President is put on a flight for safer ground. What happens, when his flight goes missing? Who's in charge now? The VP? Speaker of the House and so on and so on.
I realize, now, the importance of having capable, level headed and intelligent people in each of these positions because that may be the person who decides if we all live or die. Truly mind boggling.
Good news is, according to Jacobsen, in 24,000 years the human species gets to try it all over again with a clean slate.

#62 The City and its Uncertain Walls
Haruki Murakami
2/5
ARC from NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel prior to its release date of mid-November, 2024.
What the heck!? I don't know how to explain this book so I'll just shoot out concepts from the novel. Shadows, souls, ghosts, libraries, unrequited love, space and time, memories. Get my drift? This story is all over the place and is often very repetitive. Hopefully, the published edition will have worked out these issues and hopefully a good editor condenses the length by half.
IMO, it is not a good thing when the author needs to offer explanations in the Afterward.

#63 Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie
4/5

Great October read. As Hercule Poirot sails down the Nile, on what was to be a relaxing holiday, he is confronted by not only one murder but 3 plus a jewelry thief! Is everything connected? Could there be multiple murders could the murderers also be the thief and to what end?
The large group of passengers are from a diverse social background, a few are rather eccentric and some passions and desires that are not totally above board.
This is a mystery that is not so far fetched that a reader can't put some of the pieces together.

>33 Carmenere: Love the graphic, Lynda! I am glad so many people here understand how to post such neat things.

Have a fantastic Friday!

You did some wonderful reading. Happy Friday, Lynda.

>34 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! Haha I really have no idea how I did that, just messed around and got lucky.

Have a fantastic weekend!

>35 Ameise1: I'm pleased with my October reads, Barbara. As I hermit through the next several months I hope to do just as well if not better.

Have a happy weekend!

#64 How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery across America
Clint Smith
5/5

What a truly amazing and interesting book! The author takes the reader to important sites pertaining to slavery and explains in detail the history, the lost history - the conveniently overlooked history, which isn't discussed often enough.
If books like this aren't written, if the stories aren't passed from generation to generation, that period of time is bound to be lost.
IMO a very important book.

Happy Sunday, Lynda. I hope you and your son are doing well. Glad to hear that you have read the new Murakami. Bummer, that it fell short for you. I was hoping for a return to form. I am sure Joe will be reading it as soon as it comes out. I'll be curious to hear his verdict.

>39 msf59: We are well Mark.. Currently Will is traveling within Japan with a couple of friends from high school. He's birding, hiking shopping and having a great time with his buddies.. I'm travelling vicariously .. and reading a couple of Japanese authors. Sigh

I can't wait to read Joe's thoughts on new Muraki

>38 Carmenere: Great comments, Lynda. I loved this one as well.

>40 Carmenere: How exciting! I hope he's sending you lots of pics.

>42 mstrust: He is! I asked him if it feels like he’s in the movie Bladerunner. Definitely, he says. Another world!

#65 Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Toshikazu Kawaguchi
3.75/5

Was this novella worthy of all the hype it has generated? Is is worth reading the complete series?
In my humble opinion, I would say, no. However, that said, the quirky characters are somewhat endearing, the cafe is certainly cozy and the premise intriguing. It is my feeling that the story gets repetitive and, by what came before it in previous chapters, I suspected the outcome of the last story/chapter in the book.
It's sweet and thought provoking. If that's what you're after, then by all means, add it to your TBR.

#66 The Buddha in the Attic
Julie Otsuka
4/5

This historical fiction begins with the progression of young Japanese women loaded onto ships to join lonely men in the United States and build a family and more often than not, help their new husbands in the fields of California. In curt, precise sentences Otsuka expresses their hopes, desires and fears. The novella continues in this manner through their arrival and new life in an unknown environment. Slowly, as they become familiar with their new husbands and home, they become mothers. They meld into the framework of the American Dream.
With the terror that is World War II they suddenly find they have become the enemy by association and are forced to leave what they have achieved to be carted off, once again, to another hostile environment, the desert South Western United States.
At this point, I would suggest to continue Otsuka's story with When the Emperor was Divine

Ugh, if I had a dollar for every acorn that fell in my yard, and now must be raked up, I could buy Barnes and Noble.
Off to rake :(

Yes, and in the past acorns were used as a coffee substitute. I don't know if that was edible.

>47 Ameise1: Wow, I had no idea, Barbara. Here's another interesting fact I learned today. Oak trees have mast years every 2-5 years (the years they drop acorns). One huge oak can drop as many as 10,000 acorns. Seems like a million to me but I'm the one raking so it just seems like a million.

Travelling vicariously! I understand that as I am flying phobic. I am glad Will is enjoying himself! My sister and her husband like to travel, and I get my sister to send me pictures even of the hotels they stay in , just so I can understand the fun!Last trip she sent me a couple of pictures of her and husband on the plane, while they were still on the ground. I appreciate that.

>48 Carmenere: That is indeed a huge amount of acorns. Do you have a wildlife collection centre near where you live? They are often happy to receive food like this. How many oak trees are there in your garden?
I wish you a relaxing Sunday.

>38 Carmenere: I gave that one 5 stars when I read it too. I am glad to see that it resonated with you as well.

>44 Carmenere: I enjoyed that one too :)

>45 Carmenere: I still need to read that one. Thanks for the reminder, Lynda! I have already read When the Emperor Was Divine, so I get to dodge that particular BB.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

>44 Carmenere: I never got around to reading that one. Maybe one day, but then again, maybe not.

>48 Carmenere: 10,000 acorns - wowzer!

>49 vancouverdeb: sorry for the delayed response, Deborah. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel as did my husband.i think that is why Will caught the travel bug, which I am glad. It’s wonderful to experience other cultures.
Hopefully if everyone’s schedules are in sync we’ll be taking a cruise that we postponed last year due to a conflict.

>50 Ameise1: I am not aware of any collection sites but I’ll enquire.

>51 alcottacre: I do say, Stasia, we have great taste in books ;o)

>52 thornton37814: Hehe don’t sweat it, Lori. It’s sweet but not all it’s hyped to be.

>53 PaulCranswick: wowzer, indeed! I could hear them as they hit the house and sometimes I considered wearing a hard hat walking thru my yard. Certainly, a bumper crop of acorns this year!

Currently reading Howl’s Moving Castle, Blue Sisters and Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend.
My next job is to find 5 short books on my shelves to take me to 75 this year.

Happy Sunday, Lynda. I thought I had read The Buddha in the Attic but it appears I had not. Back on the list it goes. Is Will still traveling Japan? How exciting. I hope he sees a lot of cool birds.

And to you too, Mark. I think you'd like Buddha in the Attic and find it a quick read.
Will is back from Japan. He loved it. Preferred Sapporo's less crowded and more scenic sites but still thought Tokyo amazing! He definitely wants to return.

It's a sunny and slightly warmer day today, 55f and a good day to address the leaves one more time before I put the leaf blower in the shed.

I'm new to sourdough bread but today's cinnamon raisin bread looks pretty good.

I'll get back to reading after the yard work. Then book club tonight.

#67 The One
John Marrs
Neighborhood book club
3.75/5

A dating service uses the DNA of companion seekers to find their perfect match, the one who will be the match of their dreams. What could go wrong?
Apparently, as in this twisty and turny psychological thriller, quite a lot!
I thought the book, well written albeit sometimes gory, but overall a satisfactory read.
I'll find out tonight what my neighbors think.

#68 The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
Katrina Bivald
Local book club
5/5

I very much enjoyed this feel good novel full of book love, community and diversity.
Sara, on a two month visa to Broken Wheel, Iowa, basically already knows about the small town quirky residents from her correspondence with Amy, a long time resident of the community.
Amy has an idea and implements it through her letters to Sara. However, when Sara finally arrives in Broken Wheel things are not as she had thought.
Truly recommend this one if you’re in need of a comforting and cozy read that feels like a flannel blanket.

#69 Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
3/5

I know many people love this novel. It just didn't work for me. I thought the prose choppy. It seemed locations, characters and actions were too spinning and lacked substance. Perhaps this works best for the YA crowd for which it was written. Fast and furious scenes would keep them attentive.
I didn't find anyone very likeable and couldn't invest myself in the story.
I was grateful to complete the novel and escape for the castle.

Happy thanksgiving (US) version.
I'm especially grateful to be spending the weekend at Will's place and also thankful for the great group of LT readers who stop by my thread!

Happy Thanksgiving!

>67 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer, hope yours was deliciously wonderful

Dear Lynda, I have been a lot slower around the threads this year but I wanted to let you know during this holiday season just how much I appreciate and am thankful for your friendship in this special group.

>69 PaulCranswick: we are a fortunate lot of readers brought together by a mutual love literature, aren't we?!

Hello Lynda! I hope to spend more time in '25 visiting threads. 2024 was a year when the ownership of a house that is too large for me equated to spending too much time trying to get order, painting rooms that needed this, making lists regarding how much of my income goes to the upkeep, and sadly praying for a neighbor who is slipping into dementia and refuses to see a doctor. Lately, she is targeting Andres, the man who does so very much for me in the upkeep of the house.

Because no one else is a target, I cannot help but see prejudice abounding. He called and was very upset when he told me she screamed that she was going to report him to the township because the leaves from his tree were covering her front lawn, and demanded that he rake them OR ELSE!

Ditto what Paul said in message 69. I echo his thoughts.

Happy December!!!

Correction: Death on the Nile was read in October not November.

>71 Whisper1: Hi there, Linda! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Dementia is so horrible. It sometimes includes paranoia which turns civil people into someone they would never want to be. Prayers for your neighbor and Andres!

I hope to be more consistent in the new year, but then again, that's what a said last year. Something to continue to strive for.

>72 Carmenere: WOW! You images above are incredible. How did you get the blue background and import the image of coffee and cookie?

It sounds like Will has his own place! I'm happier when Kayla is here, but I know she will be 22 in February and I need to lessen the requests.
She stops at 5 a.m. every morning before making an hour long trip to the day care where she is a teacher. She hopes to complete her degree, as it is in sight with only three more courses to go.

We can be proud of our special children. Breanna is my grand child, but truly she is here for me much more than her mother. My eldest daughter lives in Ohio. She wants me to fly out to see her when she has a break, but it is too stressful to navigate the terminals, especially given the changes that somewhere along the line became the normal way of travel.

Amy and her children will be here in the summer.

Yes, Linda! Will has his own place in Maryland!! We text constantly. Will, his girlfriend and their two kitties will be coming home for Christmas and stay through New Year. I’m beyond excited! We are already making plans for me to fly out there for the cherry blossom fesitival in DC. The flight from CLE to Reagan National is convenient, no connections.

I’ve recently downloaded Fable because Carolyn Marie, one of my favorite book tubers, has a couple of book clubs there. I feel the sight is more helpfull than Goodreads and that’s how I generate the mthly wrap up pics.

Blizzardy here in Cleveland area today so I’m finishing two books, having tea with Lev, the super kitty, sleeping on the flannel blanket that’s keeping me toasty.

#70 The Bookshop
Penelope Fitzgerald
4/5 stars

Where the town of Broken Wheel embraced their new bookstore and its proprietor, Hardborough, in The Bookshop, is just the opposite.
I thought the book well written and I liked it but overall, I thought it sad.

#71 The Dogs of Christmas
W. Bruce Cameron
3.75/5
Read for library book discussion group

Ryan drops off his dog, Lucy, at his neighbors house to dog-sit while he travels to Europe. That neighbor, Josh, knows nothing about dogs but he's smart enough to figure out, Lucy is pregnant.
As much as Josh would hate to admit it, Lucy is just what he needs. He's still pining over his girlfriend who left him months ago and his job situation is not looking good. He's a loner living in the mountains of Colorado, a solitary life.
Lucy changes everything and when she visits the vet prior to giving birth, her veterinarian offers Josh a new lease on life.
Since the story takes place near Christmas, it reads like a script for a Hallmark movie. Yet, Josh doesn't sit right with me which taints the otherwise lovely story.

#72 We the Animals
Justin Torres
#66 on the NYT best books of the 21st century
5/5

I thought this, sort of, autobiographical novel about three American-Puerto Rican boys and their lustful, tough love, hard-working and getting no where parents, extraordinary.
Although, Paps disciplines his boys with an iron fist literally and physically, he loves them, as does Ma who sometimes comes home drunk after her midnight shift at the brewery. Despite their flaws, the boys love them too.
That bond carries through to the boys. They harass, beat and defend each other.
Oh my, how the family dynamic changes when the truth about one of the sons is revealed. I can't tell you how moving it was to read of Paps bathing his adult son as if preparing him for burial, as if he died to him. I get emotional just thinking about it.
I highly recommend.

>75 Carmenere:

*psst*, there’s some of us that would love a meetup in DC…

Lynda, I read We the Animals in 2011. I didn't review it, so I can't remember my thoughts of it. 5/5 is a high rating! I'm glad you liked it.

>79 drneutron: Oh my gosh, Jim! What a great idea. You probably know the best bookshop cafes! It's looking like my next trip to DC will be sometime in late March - early April (during Blossom festival). I'll update when I get my plane ticket.

>80 Whisper1: Hi Linda! I don't pass out those 5 ratings casually.
It really brought out all the feels.

Hi, Lynda. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I am glad to hear that Will and his girlfriend will be spending Christmas with you. That is great. I also really liked We the Animals. I want to get to his latest too.

Meet Ups in DC are very special. You will love it.

>81 Carmenere: Kramer Books is our go-to, but there are definitely some other choices. Plus the Library of Congress usually has some good exhibits as well as their reconstruction of Thomas Jefferson's donated library.

Let me know when you'll be coming and we'll see if we can plan a get-together!

>84 drneutron: Will do!

#73 Nutcracker
E.T.A. Hoffman
4.5/5

Simply magical with, I felt, a great message. I think all readers will walk away with their own message or simply not enjoy it. It's just a tale folks, I've seen other reviews that pick it apart but just take it for what it is.

>86 Carmenere: I'm one of the lovers of this Nutcracker. The original is quite different from adaptations, and from the Tchaikovsky ballet. But I'll read any original folk story, especially with illustrations by Sendak!

Great book to read this time of year!

Karen O

>87 klobrien2: I was lucky to find that edition on the book shelf in the children’s section of my library. Sendak’s illustrations are such a treat and a nostalgic memory of his other illustrations from my childhood.

#74 The Hothouse on the East River
Muriel Sparks
3.25/5

Difficult to describe. A group of English intelligence officials assigned to watching German POW’s during WWII, 1944 to be exact, reunite in New York City. That is all I can tell you. Just when I was about to DNF this novella, it took a comical turn and that propelled me to the conclusion

It is time for my top 10 books of 2024.

This is my criteria when choosing from the 75 books I read this year. I can recommend all of them.

Did I learn something?
Did I feel something/moved me?
Was it fun?
Some books overlap.

1. Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing I was both moved by his story and I learned that he performed almost every episode of Friends high. I listened to it on audio with Perry narrating. Incredibly sad.

2. The Women The nurses serving in Viet Nam suffer/suffered from PTSD just like their male counterparts either working in pop up hospitals or fighting on the battlefield. When they sought help, they were poo poo'd and told 'Women weren't in Viet Nam! You're not a veteran!'

3. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store - I loved this book because the characters were so well drawn. I choked up throughout this novel . It contained humor, love, hatred and community.

4. James An extraordinary novel. This one really puts you into the shoes of the other man. James, aka Jim of Huckleberry Finn raft fame, is so much more than Huck's traveling partner. He was first and foremost a slave who knew how to identify as an illiterate fool when he was around white people but an educated and well spoken soul when he was away from is owners. Another emotional ride for me.

5. Nuclear War: A scenario - This one took me by surprise because there was not a lot of buzz about it. The author surmises what would happen if North Korea shot a nuclear warhead in the direction of Washington DC. She describes what would happen hour by hour, how would the United States respond. It all happens rather fast and not only is the President central to the decision making process, but if he/she is incapacitated, the chain of command follows and it is so very important that we have extremely capable people in these positions in case they get the call. Eye opening.

Breaking for a bite to eat. I'll finish after dinner.

6. We the Animals - Oh! this one wrecked me. Familial bonds are strong with this one and though you may not approve of the discipline Paps administers, he and his wife love their three boys. When their hearts are crushed, when they are shocked beyond their wildest dreams, the parents continue to love regardless.

7. Orbital - A Booker Prize nominee for 2024. An international group of astronauts experience a day in the life of being suspended above Earth. With each orbit the see the impending destruction of a growing cyclone. In addition to sunrises and sunsets they experience their personal issues as well which are also suspended in time and space until they return to earth
Thought provoking, quiet in its solitude, the reader, herself, almost feels adrift.

8. The Wager - a seafaring story like only author David Grann can tell. Murder, cannibalism, mutiny, this book has it all.

9. Paris and The Woman in Me - I'm combining these two reads because both memoirs were rather shocking. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears both suffered at the hands of their parents. It is a credit to their strength and diligence that they made it through some very difficult years.

10. Starter Villain and Assistant to the Villain - I combined both of these books because they were so out of my usual comfort zone. They were fantasy - sci-fi, romantacy and just plan fun. In fact, I already purchased the follow up to Assistant to the Villain, Apprentice to the Villain. Time will tell if it appears on my best of 2025.

>90 Carmenere: One nod and one shake of the head from me, Lynda!

The nod.
I agree totally about James. I didn't love The Trees but I adored this one which was a marvelous recreation of Twain's book and IMHO bettered it by a Country Mile.

The shake.
Orbital didn't hold my attention or shake my world, I'm afraid. I get the adrift description and for me I wanted more story and not to meander aimlessly in space. She is certainly a good writer but I am grateful that this was a mercifully short work.

Still it is all about opinions isn't it, my friend?!
Of the other books you have read this year definitely the two Claire Keegan books are favourites of mine and I loved The Bookshop and Rebecca too.

>91 PaulCranswick: Hi there, Paul!

Ugh I'm going to try and duplicate the post I was writing before my cat deleted it with a random wave of his paw.

I certainly respect your shake. Orbital is not the most enjoyable of reads but it did make me ponder. My ponderings are too deep and lengthy to discuss here but any book which can produce such brain activity in me deserves a shout out.

In hindsight, I would probably switch out The Wager for any one of the other books you mentioned in your post. I'm just easily drawn to sea stories and adventure.

Have a wonder day, my friend

I hosted my annual family Christmas bash last night and I am spent!
14 friends and relatives plus some little ones made for a fun night.
Today, I look forward to enjoying a jammie day with coffee cookies and books and organizing my tbr for January.

Merry Christmas, Lynda. Have a wonderful holiday. I am glad your Christmas bash was a success. I bet you are a fine host.

I love your top books of the year list. Of course, James made my list and Grocery Store made it last year. I plan on revisiting We the Animals at some point. Is the touchstone for The Women correct? I am guessing this is the newer novel.

Good morning, Mark! Merry Christmas to you and your family! I know it will be outstanding and you and Sue will enjoy every second of it with Jackson!

Thanks for catching my faux pas. I was referring to the new Kristin Hannah novel and I will correct that immediately!

ETA: I also corrected the touchstones for James and Orbital

>90 Carmenere: >92 Carmenere: The Wager got a high rating from me last year - and while I've enjoyed Forester and O'Brian those are historical fiction, a very different beast.

>93 Carmenere: I sort of envy you - we're still ramping up here.

If my health allows, count me in for a Washington , DC meet up! I'm excited about the possibility to meet those I've had many communications with and shared a lot.

I'm smiling at the thought of taking a direct flight from Bethlehem, PA and arriving in DC.

>96 quondame: Good point regarding the contrasting genres.

>97 Whisper1: Linda! That would be wonderful and so exciting! It is something I’m looking forward to in 2025!

I wish you and your loved ones a happy and blessed festive season.

>100 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Since I moved my annual Christmas Eve get together with family and friends to Early Christmas Eve on Sunday, I have the opportunity to celebrate Jolabokaflod on Christmas Eve! Yay! Cozy times!

Thinking of you at this time, Lynda.

>102 PaulCranswick: Thank you, so much, Paul! Happiest of holidays to you too!!

Merry Christmas to all of you wonderful LTers! May your day be filled with Joy, Love and Peace!

#75 The Cat Who Saved Books
Sosuke Natsukawa
4/5

A sweet story of Rintaro Natsuki,a teenage kid, recently orphaned...again, and known as a hikikomori to others. A hikikomori like Rintaro goes to school but other than that, a shut in who loves Grandpa's bookshop and books. When his grandpa dies rather suddenly, he must come to terms with leaving the bookshop/home and moving in with a little known but concerned Aunt.
But wait! out of nowhere a cat appears and yes, he talks. He takes him on labyrinthine journeys to show him what people are doing to his much loved books. During these expeditions Rintaro finds out more about himself and the students who check in on him as well as what is so important about books.

What a lovely book. I put it on my library list.

>106 Ameise1: Great, Barbara! I think you will enjoy it

Hoping you had a wonderful day!

>108 alcottacre: >109 Whisper1: Thank you, Stasia and Linda! You have the distinction of being my first friends in the 75ers! We go back a loooooong way.

I hope you both had a lovely Christmas!

Santa Will gifted me with two books of his choosing. I've got to say he chose well. haha He knows his mama.
1. The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel
and
2. The Maiden by Kate Foster

Both take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, a town in which I've become very intrigued.

I also did some after Christmas shopping at Barnes and Noble
Glorious Exploits Ferdia Lennon
The Wood at Midwinter Susanna Clarke
There are Rivers in the Sky Elif Shafak

also 2 puzzles - Rockefeller Center Joy and Christmas in Paris both 1000 pieces.

>90 Carmenere: Great list Lynda. Orbital will be on my list as well. I hope your holidays are merry.

Lynda, I've so enjoyed our communications over the years! I look forward to learning more about the books you love in 2025. I am a puzzle lover from way back. I have a cache of 1,000 piece puzzles in large plastic containers in the basement. I'm better at keeping more at bay than I am at purchasing books. I very much enjoy a cup of tea and a puzzle or a book.

And, I very much enjoy our friendship!

Oh, I really enjoyed The Maiden by Kate Foster when I read it earlier this year. I hope you do too.

>112 Carmenere: A very successful shopping trip, Lynda!