Copperskye’s Reading In 2020 - II

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Copperskye’s Reading In 2020 - II

1Copperskye
Redigerat: jun 28, 2020, 8:21 pm

Hi, I’m Joanne, welcome old friends and new!

Colorado certainly isn’t a bad place to spend a summer at home, but this is the view I was expecting this week. Oh well, I’ll enjoy an old photo here while fully recognizing it could always be worse. Got my fingers crossed for next year!

2Copperskye
jun 28, 2020, 8:12 pm

As of today, my top 10 books of 2019, in the order read:

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
Henry, Himself by Stewart O’Nan
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Darktown by Thomas Mullen
Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston
Goodbye, Mr Chips by James Hilton
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
The Hearts Of Horses by Molly Gloss
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

3Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 8, 2020, 3:37 pm

And now for the books:

January 2020
1. The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, OTS #1, 4.25 stars
2. Take Me With You by Andrea Gibson, 4 stars
3. *In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, 5 stars
4. Bolt by Dick Francis, OTS #2, 3.25 stars
5. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, OTS #3, 3.5 stars
6. *A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, OTS #4, 5 stars

February 2020
7. In the Frame by Dick Francis, 4 stars
8. Coyote America by Dan Flores, OTS #5, 4 stars
9. Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat, 4 stars
10. You Can Only Yell at Me for One Thing at a Time by Patricia Marx and Roz Chast, 4 stars
11. A Divided Loyalty by Charles Todd, OTS #6, 3.25 stars
12. God on the Rocks by Jane Gardam, OTS #7, 4.25 stars
13. A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey, OTS #8, 4 stars
14. Elevation by Stephen King, audio, 3 stars

March 2020
15. Crooked House by Agatha Christie, 4 stars
16. When All is Said by Anne Griffin, 4.25 stars
17. Mister Blue by Jacques Poulin, OTS #9, 4 stars
18. The Death Of Kings by Rennie Airth, OTS #10, 3.5 stars
19. The Story Hour by Thirty Umrigar, 2.75 stars

4Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 30, 2020, 10:57 am

April 2020
20. The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths, OTSk #11, 3.5 stars
21. Our Spoons Came From Woolworths by Barbara Comyns, OTS #12, 3.75 stars
22. Blood Sport by Dick Francis 3 stars
23. The Plot Against America by Phillip Roth, OTS #13, 4.5 stars

May 2020
24. Redhead by the Side Of the Road by Anne Tyler, OTS #14, 4.25 stars
25. Half Broke: A Memoir by Ginger Gaffney, 4 stars
26. How Much Of These Hills is Gold C Pam Zhang, OTS #15, 4 stars
27. The Daughter Of Time by Josephine Tey, OTS #16, 3 stars
28. Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit by Amy Stewart, OTS #17, 4 stars
29. *Writers & Lovers by Lily King, 4.25 stars

June 2020
30. Madame Maigret’s Friend by Georges Simenon, OTS #18, 3.75 stars
31. Fair Warning by Michael Connelly, 4.25 stars
32. Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles, OTS #19, 4 stars
33. Front Row at the Trump Show by Jonathan Karl, 3 stars
34. Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson, 4 stars
35. Summertime, All the Cats are Bored by Philippe Georget, OTS #20, 3.5 stars
36. *The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, 4.5 stars

5Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 30, 2020, 10:55 am

July 2020
37. The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout, OTS #21, 3.5 stars
38. *Hiding in Plain Sight by Sarah Kendzior, 4.5 stars
39. *The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, OTS #22, 5 stars

August 2020
40. Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump, 3.75 stars
41. The Jane Austen Society: A Novel by Natalie Jenner, 4 stars
42. The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths, 4 stars
43. The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama, 4.25 stars
44. The Night Fire by Michael Connelly, 4 stars

September 2020
45. The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Shultz
46. The Writer's Library by Nancy Pearl
47. *All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny, OTS #23, 4.5 stars
48. *Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, 5 stars
49. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, OTS #24, 3.5 stars

6Copperskye
Redigerat: dec 30, 2020, 10:09 pm

October 2020
50. *The Decent Inn of Death by Rennie Airth, OTS #25, 4.5 stars
51. The Giver Of Stars by Jojo Moyes, 3.75 stars
52. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson, OTS #26, 4.5 stars
53. This House is Haunted by John Boyne, OTS #27, 4.25 stars
54. Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson, OTS #28, 3.25 stars
55. Our Malady by Timothy Snyder, OTS #29, 4.5 stars

November 2020
56. The Searcher by Tana French, OTS #30, 3.5 stars
57. *Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore, 5 stars

December 2020
58. *The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, OTS #31, 4.5 stars
59. A Christmas Carol and Other Stories by Charles Dickens, OTS #32, 4 stars
60. Christmas at the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean, OTS #33 (kindle), 4.5 stars
61. Angle of investigation by Michael Connelly, 3.5 stars
62. A Maigret Christmas and Other Stories by Georges Simenon, OTS #34, 3 stars

7Copperskye
Redigerat: jun 28, 2020, 8:21 pm

Plus I get to spend more time with these happy faces (well, one happy face, the other a cat face)! My two best babies, Skye and Boomer.





8figsfromthistle
jun 28, 2020, 8:29 pm

Is it safe to come in? Happy new one!

9Copperskye
jun 28, 2020, 9:20 pm

>8 figsfromthistle: Yes! Welcome, Anita!

10msf59
jun 28, 2020, 10:19 pm

Happy New Thread, Joanne. Sorry, you couldn't make Hawaii this year.

Hooray for The Dutch House!!

11RebaRelishesReading
jun 29, 2020, 12:58 am

Happy new one. Is it Hawaii you were expecting/planning to be this week? Sounds nice but so does Colorado and, actually, so is San Diego so I guess we're all OK. Love your pet photos. I would love to give them each a scratch :)

12PaulCranswick
jun 29, 2020, 1:47 am

Happy new thread, Joanne and certainly no intimation of laziness on my part!

Love the topper and hope you can get to the sea soon!

13drneutron
jun 29, 2020, 9:29 am

Happy new thread!

14karenmarie
jun 29, 2020, 9:44 am

Happy new thread, Joanne!

I’m sorry about your not being able to go to Hawaii. But, as you say, it could be worse. Skye and Boomer are very cute.

15BLBera
jun 29, 2020, 10:14 am

Happy new thread, Joanne. I love your pet photos.

:( Great photo at the top. Sorry for your canceled vacation. Next year.

You had some great reading in June.

16lkernagh
jun 29, 2020, 11:05 am

Happy new thread Joanne! Love the pictures of Skye and Boomer. So well poised for photographs.

17PaperbackPirate
jun 29, 2020, 2:07 pm

I'm sorry you don't get to have a beautiful vacation, but I'm happy you'll be safe at home with the super-cute Skye and Boomer!

18Copperskye
Redigerat: jun 29, 2020, 4:56 pm

>10 msf59: Hi Mark! I don't know why I waited so long to read The Dutch House, but I'm glad I finally got to it!

>11 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba! Yes, and we are lucky, so no real complaints here!

>12 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, Thank you. I guess it wasn't laziness so much as too many good books to read. :)

>13 drneutron: Hi Jim, Thanks for keeping us all organized.

>14 karenmarie: Hi Karen, Thanks! They're both keepers, for sure.

>15 BLBera: Hi Beth, I really did read some good ones this month. I seem to have gotten back into reading after a bit of a rough patch earlier in the spring.

>16 lkernagh: Hi Lori! Thank you!

>17 PaperbackPirate: Hi Pirate! Me too!

I had to move my patio reading indoors today. There's a brush fire burning about 5-7 miles south of us and the smoke has moved in. Scary for the folks who live down there but there's a pretty intense effort out there, including water and slurry drops. Hot, dry, and windy spring and summer. :(

19katiekrug
jun 29, 2020, 5:12 pm

Happy new thread, Joanne! Love the photos of Skye and Boomer :)

20RebaRelishesReading
jun 30, 2020, 12:12 pm

>18 Copperskye: "hot, dry and windy spring and summer" -- yep, that's the west for you :) So far we haven't had any fires get out of control this year -- touch wood!! Hope the one near you is out soon.

21Copperskye
jun 30, 2020, 6:28 pm

>19 katiekrug: Hi Katie! thank you!

>20 RebaRelishesReading: I’m glad you haven’t had any fires yet, Reba (yes, knock wood). They got this one out before nightfall yesterday.

22Copperskye
Redigerat: jul 13, 2020, 7:30 pm



35. Summertime, All the Cats Are Bored by Philippe Georget

I bought this one in 2017 at a little indie book store because of the title, which I love. It was an entertaining police procedural, translated from the French, but I’ll say that the characters and the setting (especially the characters) were more interesting than the murders and kidnapping, and at over 400 pages, it probably could have been trimmed down a bit. But since I want to learn more about Insp. Sebag, who lives and works in Perpignan, in southern France, I’ll probably read the next book in this short series. Good summer read.

23Copperskye
Redigerat: jul 13, 2020, 7:31 pm



36. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Am I the last Patchett fan to read this? An absolute delight!

24FAMeulstee
jun 30, 2020, 7:26 pm

Happy new thread, Joanne!

25Copperskye
jun 30, 2020, 7:50 pm

Hi Anita, thanks!

26katiekrug
jul 1, 2020, 4:54 pm

>23 Copperskye: - Nope, I haven't read it yet :)

27PaulCranswick
jul 4, 2020, 11:36 pm

In this difficult year with an unprecedented pandemic and where the ills of the past intrude sadly upon the present there must still be room for positivity. Be rightly proud of your country. To all my American friends, enjoy your 4th of July weekend.

28karenmarie
jul 10, 2020, 10:55 am

>23 Copperskye: You are not the last. I’m supposed to be reading it for our RL December book club meeting, which may or may not occur. I usually read a book club book in the month before the discussion so it will be fresh in my mind, and will start trying to figure out how to get a hold of a copy in mid-October or so. I’m glad you liked it.

29BLBera
jul 10, 2020, 6:41 pm

Hi Joanne - How does this Patchett measure up to others of hers? I liked it, but I thought the sister would have been a better choice of narrator.

30Copperskye
jul 11, 2020, 12:42 am

>26 katiekrug: Well I hope you like it when you do get to it, Katie! :)

>27 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. It hasn’t been easy.

>28 karenmarie: It was a good read, Karen. Enjoy!

>29 BLBera: I agree, Beth, Maeve would have been a great narrator, especially since she was such a driving force, and frankly, I think, more interesting than her brother. My favorite Patchett novel is Commonwealth, followed closely by The Magician’s Assistant and The Patron Saint Of Liars. I also loved This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. I haven’t read Bel Canto, weird, I know, as it’s her most popular. I guess.

31Copperskye
jul 11, 2020, 12:48 am



37. The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout

I won this in the November 2012 Early Reviewer batch. I tried once or twice since then to read it but was never able to get past the first 20 or 30 pages. A chapter about the Burgess brothers in Elizabeth Strout’s recent and wonderful “Olive, Again”, prompted me to try again. Midway through, I was tempted once again to abandon it. What a slog! The last 100 or so pages picked up so I’m glad I finished it, but I’d be hard pressed to recommend.

32Copperskye
jul 11, 2020, 1:05 am

So I like to add book covers on my threads which I usually post from my iPad. Lately, I’ve been using the laptop a little more and noticed that the links to the book covers are broken (but they still look fine on my iPad).

Any smart folks out there know what I’m doing wrong?

33Whisper1
jul 11, 2020, 1:19 am

>7 Copperskye: What an incredible looking dog. If I could support two dogs, I would add a golden to the household!

I understand your vacation woes. We usually go to the shore, but New Jersey is hit hard by the virus, and I'm not willing o is it.

I've been out of touch. I will try to visit more often.

34katiekrug
jul 11, 2020, 9:07 am

>32 Copperskye: - Joanne, you will probably have better luck with the book covers if you make sure to use a "Member Uploaded" one. The direct ones from Amazon have been causing issues.

35Copperskye
Redigerat: jul 11, 2020, 3:45 pm

>33 Whisper1: Linda! So nice to have you stop by and say hello and Skye says thanks for the compliment. I’ve been terrible about visiting and commenting on threads myself lately and keep thinking I’ll do better but then decide I have nothing to add. Oh well... I’m sure Lilly would hate having to share your attention with another dog. I have such fond memories of the Jersey shore but it would be difficult to enjoy this summer. I’m hopeful that by next summer things will be better but also afraid that it’s wishful thinking.

>34 katiekrug: Thanks for that Katie - I’ll pay more attention to my cover source and maybe that will fix the problem (such a small problem).

We had a big weird storm cell over Denver the other evening. Skies were perfectly clear with this one exception. I didn’t see it until I went for a walk at dusk, but wow!

36BLBera
jul 11, 2020, 5:51 pm

>35 Copperskye: Wow is right, Joanne. What a great photo.

I loved The Burgess Brothers - I hope to read Olive Again soon. I got a note that I am next on the list for the library copy. Hooray for curbside pick-up.

I did love Commonwealth as well, Joanne. I think that State of Wonder might be my favorite. I haven't read Patron Saint of Liars or The Magician's Assistant. Too many books!

37Copperskye
jul 11, 2020, 7:56 pm

>36 BLBera: Olive, Again was so good - enjoy! The last time I did curbside pick-up at the library, they included a little thank you card. The time before that, a copy of Book Page was folded in with my books. Both times had me a little teary eyed, quite frankly, for the things I miss right now.

I haven’t read State Of Wonder yet, either. Both it and Bel Canto are on my read soon pile. “Read soon”, though, is relative. Too many books is too true.

My current read is Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention Of Donald Trump and the Erosion Of America.

38msf59
jul 11, 2020, 10:22 pm

>35 Copperskye: This is a gorgeous photo, Joanne!

Hooray for The Dutch House,! Patchett Rules! And I agree with you, The Burgess Boys is my least favorite Strout, although I did not dislike it.

39AMQS
jul 12, 2020, 12:49 am

Hi Joanne, really amazing photos here - that sky! Love the Hawaii photo - someday... and of course your darling dog and cat:)

I have The Dutch House in my pile and hope to get to it soon - glad to see you enjoyed it so much. Too bad the storm clouds aren't bringing rain - we desperately need some. I have been painting (the living room, baseboards) and suffering quite a bit in the heat. I think tomorrow (Sunday) we'll go up to my mom's house to escape the heat and go for a walk in open space. We'll probably wait until evening for open space to hopefully avoid crowds. Hope you're staying cool!

40RebaRelishesReading
jul 12, 2020, 11:55 am

>35 Copperskye: Wow indeed! That's some bank of clouds!

41lkernagh
jul 12, 2020, 1:11 pm

>31 Copperskye: - Sorry to learn that the Strout book was a slog for you, Joanne. I did enjoy it, but more for the realistic flawed characters Strout created than for anything else.

>35 Copperskye: - What an impressive picture!

42Copperskye
jul 15, 2020, 7:23 pm

>38 msf59: Thanks Mark - I think both Olive books were tough acts to follow!

>39 AMQS: Hi Anne, enjoy The Dutch House when you get to it! It's nice to get a break from the heat yesterday and today. Not to mention a little rain (we're getting pelted as I type)! I was thinking of you with the reports of the fire up in Evergreen and glad no structures were damaged.

>40 RebaRelishesReading: Yes, it was something, Reba! There were a lot of much better photos floating around that really showed it off

>41 lkernagh: Hi Lori, I really enjoyed the last 100 pages or so and so very glad I finished it!

43Copperskye
jul 16, 2020, 2:03 am



Beautiful sunset tonight. :)

44karenmarie
jul 16, 2020, 8:09 am

Hi Joanne!

>31 Copperskye: Think I’ll pass on The Burgess Boys. Have you read Strout’s Amy and Isabelle? I picked it up at a Friends of the Library book sale because I liked Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again so much. Right now it’s languishing on a card table along with 4 other books and the puzzle box on top of a folded towel protecting a partially-completed puzzle from cat depredations.

>43 Copperskye: Beautiful sunset. Thanks for sharing.

45Copperskye
jul 16, 2020, 5:19 pm

>44 karenmarie: I haven’t read Amy & Isabelle yet. I also have a copy here that I picked up from a library sale. I’m not in a hurry to get to it. I loved both Olive books but now I’m reluctant to read another by her. I wasn’t a big fan of My Name is Lucy Barton either.

My cat likes to curl up on a jigsaw puzzle, often when I’m working on it but doesn’t damage them at all. She hates when the pieces stick to her paws, though, and flings them away when they do and when she wants my attention she’ll pick up pieces in her mouth. Still, no damage. Yet. Of course, if I had multiple cats, it’d probably be a different story!

46BLBera
jul 19, 2020, 11:12 am

>43 Copperskye: That is beautiful, Joanne.

47Donna828
jul 19, 2020, 2:31 pm

I miss the Colorado skies. I had a reading nook (lucky me) when I lived in Colorado Springs in the 90s. It was more open than my current snuggery, but it had the best view of Pike’s Peak from inside our house. I may have spent as much time watching the changing cloud patterns and those magnificent sunsets than I spent with my nose in a book. Thanks for sharing those gorgeous pictures, Joanne.

I remember reading The Magicians’s Assistant in that setting and being blown away. It was my first Ann Patchett book and, since then I’ve read most everything else by her. You got me with a book bullet for Commonwealth, one of two that I’ve missed. The Dutch House garnered my highest rating of 4.5 stars. Who knows...it might have gotten the Full Five if Maeve had been the narrator.

48Copperskye
jul 19, 2020, 9:37 pm

>46 BLBera: Thanks Beth!

>47 Donna828: Hi Donna, It must have been a beautiful view! I'd have a view of Mt Evans if it wasn't for a couple trees and the house across the street. We joked when it was for sale a couple years ago that we should just trade for the view. Commonwealth was great - enjoy! I wonder if she ever considered Maeve as the narrator.

49Copperskye
jul 19, 2020, 9:40 pm

Sat down and watched the trump interview this evening..

50AMQS
jul 20, 2020, 3:07 pm

Oh ugh. You are made of stronger stuff than I am. I generally get the gist of his performances from reading news online and that's more than enough for me. Make it end, indeed!

51RebaRelishesReading
jul 20, 2020, 4:47 pm

>49 Copperskye: >50 AMQS: Indeed make it end!!!! I can't believe you voluntarily watched him though -- you would have to tie me to the chair and then I would be kicking and screaming throughout. ( I did just read his niece's history of the family though)

52Storeetllr
jul 21, 2020, 10:49 pm

>49 Copperskye: For the love of God, Joanne. Why would you do that to yourself? *shudder* Well, anyway, you're a stronger woman than me. I can barely make it past a minute of listening to that voice. It's worse than fingernails on a chalkboard. Actually makes my stomach turn.

In happier news...well, there isn't much, is there. Except,we're still alive. There's that. And our families. And beautiful Colorado sunsets. I swear, Colorado sunsets are the most beautiful of anywhere I've ever lived. Read any good books lately? I finally started How to Be an Anti-Racist, which is quite compelling. >51 RebaRelishesReading: I've been thinking of reading Mary Trump's book too. From what I've heard about it, it's really worthwhile.

53Copperskye
jul 22, 2020, 12:38 am

>50 AMQS: We usually don’t watch him and, to be honest, I don’t think we watched it all the way to the end. Wow, just wow. That man is not well.

>51 RebaRelishesReading: Lol! I just downloaded a library copy of Mary Trump’s book this morning. I’m not sure I want to spend time with that family but the reviews are good. I need to visit and see your thoughts!

>52 Storeetllr: Same here, Mary. I am getting more and more concerned about the state of the union which is probably why we watched him. I reread On Tyranny again last week. How to Be an Anti-Racist is on my library list and I should have it soon. And I may or may not read Mary Trump’s book. I highly recommend reading Sarah Kendzior’s Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention Of Donald Trump and the Erosion Of America. Currently, I’m loving The Great Believers! Hope all is well as can be with you and yours!

54Copperskye
Redigerat: jul 22, 2020, 1:29 pm



38. Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention Of Donald Trump and the Erosion Of America by Sarah Kendzior

Smarty written, clear-eyed, and depressing as hell. And scary, too. I think it’s an important read and highly recommend it.

55rosalita
jul 22, 2020, 1:25 pm

Joanne, the only way I can stand to hear that man's voice is through Sarah Cooper's brilliant lip-sync videos. If you haven't seen them, you owe it to yourself to check them out on YouTube. Here's my favorite (I think; they are all so good): https://youtu.be/1iJA2cVXUAA

56PaperbackPirate
jul 22, 2020, 1:44 pm

>55 rosalita: Same! If I can't laugh I have to cry.

57Copperskye
jul 22, 2020, 9:04 pm

>55 rosalita: >56 PaperbackPirate: Yes! Sarah Cooper is hysterical! "How to Cognitive" is another good one but you're right - they're all so good. He's been supplying her with a boatload of material lately.

58msf59
Redigerat: jul 23, 2020, 7:05 am

>49 Copperskye: Amen, my friend!

Sweet Thursday, Joanne. I hope all is well in CO. Hiding in Plain Sight sounds good. I have added it to the list. I am locked into The New Jim Crow. It had has been an outstanding read. A real eye-opener.

59Copperskye
jul 23, 2020, 11:47 pm

Hiya Mark! We’re hanging in there. I’ve heard of The New Jim Crow but afraid I don’t know much about it. Glad to hear it’s a good one. I still need to read Just Mercy.

60jnwelch
jul 24, 2020, 9:13 am

I'm a slow poke, Joanne, but a belated Happy New Thread.

Nice photos of Skye and Boomer. I was struck by how politely they both posed for you. :-)

It was good to see Deep Creek on your list of favorites. I liked that one a lot, too.

61karenmarie
jul 24, 2020, 10:24 am

Hi Joanne!

>49 Copperskye: I can only stand snippets of him.

>55 rosalita: Thanks Julia! I’ve now subscribed to Sarah Cooper on YouTube. Person Woman Man Camera TV

62rosalita
jul 24, 2020, 12:04 pm

>61 karenmarie: Excellent! She's so good.

63Storeetllr
jul 24, 2020, 9:04 pm

>53 Copperskye: >54 Copperskye: I follow Sarah Kendzior on Twitter. She's very astute. I'll have to check out her book.

64PaulCranswick
aug 3, 2020, 10:59 am

Stopping by to wish you well, Joanne.

65Copperskye
aug 9, 2020, 6:57 pm

>60 jnwelch: Hi Joe! Deep Creek was wonderful! I just finished The Jane Austen Society: A Novel and think I recall seeing you mention it on Mark's thread. Such a sweet story!

>61 karenmarie:, >62 rosalita: It's good to be able to laugh between tears.

>63 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, You'd like it a lot. Scary connections, though.

>64 PaulCranswick: Hello Paul!! Thanks for the check-in. I wish you the same!

66Copperskye
aug 14, 2020, 9:42 pm



39. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

The story of a group of friends, mostly gay men, in 1980s Chicago, just as the AIDS crisis hits. Alternating chapters, in 2015 Paris, follow the sister of one of the young men as she searches for her daughter. Both timelines eventually meet and crushed me. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. The characters felt so real to me - I seldom get teary eyed when I read but this one hit me hard. 5 stars

67Copperskye
Redigerat: aug 15, 2020, 4:05 pm



40. Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

Clear-eyed insider’s look at an extremely toxic family. I felt a little dirty reading this but like a train wreck, couldn’t look away.

I couldn’t help thinking while reading, that many people grow up with parents who are less than stellar and somehow manage to live their lives as decent human beings. There’s a lot wrong with Trump that, I guess, was amplified and nurtured by his family, but having had shitty parents isn’t his main problem, nor an excuse.

68Copperskye
Redigerat: aug 15, 2020, 4:06 pm



41. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

How refreshing to read this after the Trump book! A charming little romance, with more than a touch of Austen love, about a group of villagers in 1940s Chawton, who come together over their shared love for Austen to create a museum in her home cottage. Absolutely charming! 4.25 stars

69RebaRelishesReading
aug 15, 2020, 2:35 pm

Whew, safe from BB's here because I've read all three. I also agree with you about all three, especially your conclusion about the orange creep.

Hope you're all well and enjoying summer.

70BLBera
aug 15, 2020, 9:33 pm

>66 Copperskye: I had a similar reaction to The Great Believers, Joanne. I don't often cry while reading, but I did for this one.

My sister gave me a copy of The Jane Austen Society for my birthday. It's good to know it is a good one. I'll have to try to get to it soon.

I will let you tell me about the Trump book. I cannot read about him.

71Copperskye
aug 17, 2020, 11:33 am

>69 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba, Yes, three good ones, all in their own way. Stay well, my friend!

>70 BLBera: I just wanted to take Yale in and feed him or something. Enjoy The Jane Austen Society!

72Copperskye
aug 17, 2020, 11:43 am



Obama acceptance speech
Democratic National Convention, Denver, 2008

We were so fortunate have gotten tickets for this. All those people, so close together! But what a night!

73rosalita
Redigerat: aug 17, 2020, 12:32 pm

>72 Copperskye: Wow, that must have been amazing! I remember watching on television and being so inspired and hopeful for the future.

And yes, seeing pictures of large crowds just makes me twitchy these days! Will we ever gather like that again?

74msf59
Redigerat: aug 17, 2020, 7:05 pm

Hi, Joanne. I also loved The Great Believers. Glad to see other LT pals discovering it. I am not sure I could stomach the Mary Trump book. Ugh!

75Copperskye
aug 17, 2020, 11:34 pm

>73 rosalita: Hi Julia, I’ve been thinking of you, seeing all the damage from last week’s storm in Iowa. Hope you’re ok. It was an amazing night! I’ve been feeling low regarding the upcoming election and needed a pick me up as the 2020 convention begins. I hope things go back to normal at some point but I think we have a long road to travel.

>74Hi Mark, Wasn’t The Great Believers great! I had felt that way when I started the Mary Trump book and almost stopped reading it. I picked it up again after a couple days break and am (kind of) glad I finished it. Ugh is right.

76Copperskye
aug 17, 2020, 11:36 pm

77PaperbackPirate
aug 18, 2020, 10:16 am

78rosalita
Redigerat: aug 18, 2020, 12:00 pm

>75 Copperskye: Thanks for the good thoughts, Joanne! It's been a nightmare here in Iowa for the past week, although thankfully the small town where I live was spared the worst of the damage. We lost power for about 9 hours, but there are people just 10-20 miles away from us who still don't have power restored after more than a week. And the city of Cedar Rapids, which is about 30 miles northwest of here, lost half of its trees! It's just devastating and will take a long time to recover from completely. And to make things worse, the so-called president is coming to Iowa to lie about how great and our Republican governor are. Yuck.

>76 Copperskye: Ha! Out of the mouths of pups ... have you seen the meme where a dog is looking at his owner, who is wearing an Elizabethan collar, and the dog says "It's for your own good. You're not supposed to touch your face." So funny.

79Storeetllr
Redigerat: aug 18, 2020, 5:21 pm

>76 Copperskye: LOL!!

Did you watch the convention last night? I did and thought it was quite good, for what it was. Loved some of the speakers, especially Michelle Obama who was 🔥🔥🔥. "Let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can: Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country ... He is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is." Talk about a zinger!

I mean to get to the book by Mary Trump but am not rushing it. At this point, even hearing his name makes me ill.

>72 Copperskye: Oh,my, that must have been monumental. Tho as Julia said the image of that crowd makes me twitchy.

80Copperskye
aug 18, 2020, 10:41 pm

>77 PaperbackPirate: 😀

>78 rosalita: I’m glad your town didn’t suffer too much damage, Julia. I saw some pictures of Cedar Rapids and its devastation. So sad. I don’t think I saw that meme. Good one! We could all probably use an e-collar these days.

>79 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! Yes, we watched last night and are watching it now. I didn’t know what to expect but I love what I’m seeing. Michelle was great last night and the roll call tonight was wonderfully done and so moving.

81Copperskye
Redigerat: aug 24, 2020, 10:24 am



42. The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

I’m so glad Ruth has made some changes in her life, including a new teaching job and a move to Cambridge. I was a little disappointed with the previous entry in the series but I thought this one was great! Lots of dry humor and interesting characters. A pretty good mystery, too.

82rosalita
aug 24, 2020, 6:48 am

>81 Copperskye: Completely agree, Joanne — both on the disappointment with the previous book and the bounce back with this one. Now it will be months until we find out what happens next with Ruthie and co.

83Copperskye
aug 24, 2020, 10:30 am

>82 rosalita: Better months than years! Next spring, sometime, I think I read somewhere? Have you read her other series, Julia? I only read the first one, The Zig Zag Girl, and I really liked it. I'll be reading the next one soonish.

My current read is Connelly's latest Bosch, The Night Fire, and I'm zipping through it (zipping through for me is still kind of slow).

84rosalita
aug 24, 2020, 11:15 am

I read The Zig Zag Girl and thought it was OK but didn't pursue the series. I'm not sure my library even has the rest of the books, tbh.

This is how I know I'm reading too many series — I had completely lost track of old Harry Bosch! Looks like I am up to The Crossing so I've put myself on the library holds list. Thanks for the reminder!

85karenmarie
aug 24, 2020, 11:47 am

Hi Joanne!

>66 Copperskye: I read this in February of 2019. It’s one of my rare 5* reads. Absolutely stunning.

>67 Copperskye: Having shitty parents explains a lot but doesn’t excuse any of it.

>72 Copperskye: You were so lucky to see him! And yes, now looking at a crowded venue gives me the heebie-jeebies.

>78 rosalita: Glad to hear you’re okay, Julia. My uncle and aunt live in CR, lost power for 5 days, lost all the trees in their yard, had water damage and wind damage. Cousins in Ely had a lot of crop damage, too.

86rosalita
aug 24, 2020, 1:17 pm

>85 karenmarie: I'm glad your relatives are safe, Karen! The sheer scope of the damage is unlike anything we've seen before in Iowa, I think. Even tornadoes tend to follow a more narrow path and are not on the ground as long. It will be a long, long time before things get back to normal for many people.

87Copperskye
aug 26, 2020, 11:14 am

>84 rosalita: Wow, Julia, you seem to have whipped through the Bosch series pretty fast! Only a handful left for you. I'm nearly done with The Night Fire and sad now that I'm all caught up. I recently bought a copy of The Lincoln Lawyer and have a couple other books in that series already on the shelf. I'll give it a go but I'm a little worried that I won't like it as much as Bosch.

>85 karenmarie: Hi Karen, Good to see you! I was so surprised that The Great Believers wasn't in more LT libraries. So good!

>86 rosalita: In the before times, I think the storm would have been more front page news. At least I hope so. It's unbelievable to me that it got so little coverage. We are just so inundated with bad news every damn day.

88rosalita
aug 26, 2020, 12:18 pm

>87 Copperskye: I actually started with the Lincoln Lawyer series and then came to Bosch through it when the two started intersecting. So I think you'll like it; whether you like it more or less than Bosch probably depends on whether you prefer the police procedural or the legal-eagle style. I'm a sucker for a good legal deep dive, though I like and read both.

89Copperskye
aug 26, 2020, 12:36 pm

>88 rosalita: Excellent! I'm glad you like the Lincoln Lawyer series, Julia, 'cause that means I probably will, too. I prefer police procedurals to courtroom dramas (it's been a long time since I've read a Grisham, for instance) but I figure, with Connelly, how could I go wrong? :)

90rosalita
aug 26, 2020, 1:08 pm

I will await the final verdict (ha! see what I did there?). Connelly is definitely a better writer/plotter than Grisham, so he's got that going for him. :-)

91Copperskye
aug 26, 2020, 7:09 pm

>90 rosalita: Good one and I couldn’t agree more. The last Grisham I read was The Pelican Brief. I was pregnant, and then Chris was born, and then I finally finished it. And I really didn’t like it. That was when I was finishing books no matter what. Silly thing to do. :)

92rosalita
Redigerat: aug 26, 2020, 8:10 pm

>91 Copperskye: I was the same way. And it gets more silly every year as my TBR pile grows ever taller ...

93BLBera
aug 27, 2020, 8:21 am

Hi Joanne - I'm still waiting (patiently?) for The Lantern Men from my library. I think I'm next on my list, but books are slow to come in these days. After they are returned, they sit for three days. And they will hold them for people for 10 days.

>76 Copperskye: That is great. :)

Lucky you to be at the Obama acceptance speech. It does seem weird to see so many people without masks! I think they did a good job with the virtual convention. I loved the roll call.

94Copperskye
aug 27, 2020, 8:01 pm

>92 rosalita: I know, Julia, the tbr grows and we aren’t getting any younger.

>93 BLBera: My library is the same, Beth. Everything is longer - the checkout times, the hold times, and the times in between. It takes forever for holds to come up but I appreciate the safety measures. I miss my library. :( But The Lantern Men is fun and worth the wait!

95Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 8, 2020, 8:03 pm



43. The Color Of Air by Gail Tsukiyama

I forget where I heard about The Color Of Air but I’m really glad I found it. It’s the story of a Japanese community in 1930s Hilo, HI, focusing on both a young doctor returning from Chicago and the old friends of his late mother. It’s beautifully written with an interesting story line including historical elements such as the eruption of Mauna Loa and the mythology of Pele, and the work done by immigrants in the cane fields. 4.25 stars

96Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 8, 2020, 8:05 pm



44. The Night Fire by Michael Connelly

There are no dull moments in this 22nd Harry Bosch novel and the 3rd with Renee Ballard. As Harry gets older, I appreciate the pairing although Ballard takes a little getting used to. 4 stars

97Copperskye
sep 8, 2020, 9:26 pm



I'm pretty sure it’s still summer. It was 101° a couple days ago.

98rosalita
Redigerat: sep 9, 2020, 6:46 am

>97 Copperskye: My goodness, Joanne, Colorado weather is even more unpredictable than Iowa! We had our own 80s-down-to-40s plunge from Monday into Tuesday but ours was accompanied by much-needed rain and not snow, thank goodness.

99karenmarie
sep 9, 2020, 9:25 am

Hi Joanne!

>87 Copperskye: The Lincoln Lawyer is good on its own, and is important for continuing the Bosch series. I even liked the movie version of The Lincoln Lawyer with Mathew McConaughey.

>91 Copperskye: Funny, The Pelican Brief is my favorite Grisham.

>94 Copperskye: Our Library is still closed, but started Curbside Service in late June. They won’t let you reserve books online. You have to call to request books, the books have to be available, and you must schedule a time within 3 days to go get them. They are quarantined for four days when returned. And, if someone’s got the book checked out that you want, (Hamnet, in my case), it’s disappointing to see that they automatically renew books when books are not returned in time, so that’s another 3 weeks.

>97 Copperskye: I read that you were going to go from a heat wave to snow. Pretty bizarre.

100Copperskye
sep 10, 2020, 11:29 am

>98 rosalita: Hi Julia, I'm really, really looking forward to the 80s coming back by the weekend! I'll uncover my plants this afternoon. Poor sad things.

>99 karenmarie: Hi Karen! For some reason, I haven't watched The Lincoln Lawyer movie yet. Everybody, it seemed, LOVED The Pelican Brief back when I was reading it. And I really liked the couple other Grisham's I read. Wow, that's a pretty restrictive hold system at your library. My library also automatically renews books (and there are no fines anyway) except when someone has it on hold. I've had a cookbook checked out since February. I'm thinking of buying one or two books that I would normally borrow - with the wait so long I may give up. I'm glad they seem to be doing what they can to protect the librarians.

I'm still reading The Splendid and the Vile and just started All the Devils Are Here.

101rosalita
sep 10, 2020, 12:02 pm

>100 Copperskye: I have The Splendid and the Vile waiting for me — I actually bought it at (gasp!) full price because I've loved every Erik Larson book I've ever read (and I think I've read them all now except this one). I hope you give it thumbs up, because then I'll know it's good.

102Storeetllr
sep 10, 2020, 5:19 pm

>97 Copperskye: Holy moley! I lived in the Denver area for four and a half years & don't recall it ever snowing this early in the season!

>101 rosalita: I really liked The Splendid and the Vile, which I read last month. The only other Larson I read was Devil in the White City, which I thought was great. I tried a couple others but just couldn't get into them.

103rosalita
sep 11, 2020, 8:59 am

>102 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! The first Larson I read was Isaac's Storm, about the 1900 Galveston hurricane. It really made me realize that the sort of weather forecasting we have now is a very recent occurrence. If that isn't one of the ones you tried, maybe give it a shot.

104Storeetllr
sep 11, 2020, 11:48 am

Hi, Julia! No, I didn't try that one but will put it on the TBR list. Thanks! One of those I tried was the one about the sinking of the Lusitania, Dead Wake. I got about 50 pages in and thought it was kind of boring. The other was In the Garden of the Beasts. I don't remember why I stopped reading that one.

105katiekrug
sep 11, 2020, 11:55 am

>104 Storeetllr: - I also found In the Garden of the Beasts kind of boring after a while, Mary. It got very repetitive, I think. I agree with Julia that ISaac's Storm is a good one.

106Storeetllr
sep 11, 2020, 12:04 pm

Hey, there, Katie! Two readers whose opinions I respect agree: Isaac's Storm it is. I'll see if I can get it from the library as I'll need some light reading after Bring Up the Bodies and The Mirror and the Light read back-to-back. (Confession: I had to stop about 3/4 of the way through the final book in the trilogy and read something lighter because it was just too much for me and I needed a break. I'll be going back to it today and, I hope, finishing it. Glad I read the trilogy but ugh. Talk about dark and gory.)

107Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 11, 2020, 12:28 pm

>101 rosalita: It's a good one, Julia, and interesting to be reading it now that Trump is apparently comparing himself to Churchill. What a joke.

>102 Storeetllr: It's been decades since we've had snow this early, Mary. Speaking of weather, Isaac's Storm is a great one.

>103 rosalita: Thoroughly agree!

>104 Storeetllr: In the Garden of the Beasts was my least favorite. But then I liked Dead Wake.

>105 katiekrug: >106 Storeetllr: Agree! And three, I hope! I still haven't read Wolf Hall, mostly due to the points you mention about the others.

108Storeetllr
sep 11, 2020, 3:31 pm

I think, if I hadn't read the last two books one right after the other, it might have been better. I liked Wolf Hall when i read it a couple years ago.

109BLBera
sep 11, 2020, 10:02 pm

>97 Copperskye: That is a freaky weather picture, Joanne.

I'll have to check out The Color of Air.

110Copperskye
sep 14, 2020, 11:33 am

>108 Storeetllr: Back to back readings aren't always a good thing, Mary. I have Wolf Hall around here somewhere. Someday.

>109 BLBera: Hi Beth, Our weather is, thankfully, back to normal! I really did enjoy The Color of Air.

111Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 14, 2020, 11:52 am



45. The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz

Columnist Connie Schultz's debut novel is an inter-generational family saga of a working class Ohio family. The characters are engaging and written with a lot of heart. You can't help but care for them. It's a pretty good read, mostly centering on the women of the family. 3.75 stars

112Copperskye
sep 14, 2020, 12:02 pm



46. The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives by Nancy Pearl

Conversations with a variety of authors about the books they love. I would have enjoyed this more had I been more familiar with some of the authors interviewed, but still, the interviews were wide ranging and interesting. If you're a fan of the NYT's 'By the Book' column, you'll like it.

113EBT1002
sep 14, 2020, 2:07 pm

Hi Joanne. It has been a while since I came by to see Skye and Boomer (and you!).

>97 Copperskye: The weather is just so weird these days. I wish some of that snow, even just a wee bit of it, would fall on my beloved Oregon Cascades. No such luck (yet).

>76 Copperskye: That is hilarious!

114Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 14, 2020, 9:15 pm

Hi Ellen! Nice to see you whenever you get a chance to stop by! Oh, I know, it must be tough being in Oregon, WA, and California right now. What a multitude of disasters.

115BLBera
sep 19, 2020, 11:04 am

>111 Copperskye: I didn't know that Schultz wrote fiction! I LOVED And His Lovely Wife. I'll have to check out her novel.

>112 Copperskye: This one sounds good as well. I do love the "By the Book" column.

116Copperskye
sep 20, 2020, 8:03 pm

Hi Beth! I think you would like them both!

117Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 22, 2020, 10:59 pm



47. All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

I was slow to warm to this series, so many years ago, until I finally fell in love with Ralph Cosham’s audio narrations. Since then, and back to reading the books, some have been great and others not so great. I always start off being aggravated by Penny’s non-sentence sentences until I finally decide to just go with the fragments. This, her most recent entry, moves the action out of Three Pines to Paris, and allows the characters, mostly family, to stretch their wings. Reine-Marie is finally given a larger role and Ruth’s duck is, mercifully, hardly mentioned. It is the best, by far. Sentence fragments be damned.

118Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 23, 2020, 12:17 pm



48. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

This wasn’t so much the story of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, as much as it was his origin story. And that of his tragic death and its aftermath. O’Farrell does a wonderful job of bringing these people to life. Heartbreaking and sad and imaginative and lovely all at once. It’s been a while since I’ve had to put down a book because I didn’t want to face what was going to happen or have to blink through tears to see the words. This will definitely be a 2020 favorite.

119RebaRelishesReading
sep 23, 2020, 12:22 pm

Hi Joann. Those were two of my recent reads too and I liked them both. Enjoyed your comments on them.

Hope all is well in your part of the world.

120thornton37814
sep 24, 2020, 11:58 am

>118 Copperskye: I was chatting with the chair of our English department about that one in a private Zoom chat prior to a poetry reading yesterday afternoon. He's an Irish lit expert, so I was certain he would be reading it it soon if he had not already read it. Turns out it's his current read. He is loving it so far. I told him it might be my favorite read of 2020 so far. I'm sure we'll discuss it after he's completed it.

121BLBera
sep 25, 2020, 8:32 pm

I'm so glad to see another fan of Hamnet; I don't think I've seen negative comments about this one, Joanne.

My mom lent me her copy of the new Penny, so I hope to get to it soon.

122Copperskye
sep 26, 2020, 11:44 am

>119 RebaRelishesReading: They were both excellent reads, weren't they Reba! Things are fine here, starting to look like fall but it still feels like summer. That is supposed to change tomorrow though. Sadly.

>120 thornton37814: Oh, nice Lori! I'd be interested in his comments, too! As it was, I was not far into Hamnet when I had to google Shakespeare (about whom I knew or remembered very little) to learn more about what was known and what was imagined.

>121 BLBera: Hi Beth, Hamnet will definitely be a favorite for the year. And the Penny was great, so enjoy!

123Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 26, 2020, 10:32 pm

It still feels like summer but looking fall-ish in the high country (below Guanella Pass):



And still summery down here (Chatfield State Park):



124Copperskye
Redigerat: sep 26, 2020, 10:26 pm

Obligatory Skye photo, that’s The Sawtooth and Mt Bierstadt behind her (there’s gold(en) above tree line):

125Copperskye
sep 26, 2020, 10:05 pm



49. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

I didn’t like this nearly as much as Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion, for that matter. Oh well, the next Austen I’ll try will be Emma.

126BLBera
sep 27, 2020, 11:45 am

Great photos, Joanne!

127PaperbackPirate
sep 27, 2020, 12:05 pm

Thank you for taking us along on your trip!

128Copperskye
sep 27, 2020, 8:11 pm

Thanks, Beth!

Anytime. Thank you for stopping by, Pirate!

129EBT1002
sep 27, 2020, 11:35 pm

I'm glad you liked Hamnet so much. It is definitely a favorite read of 2020 for me, as well.

>124 Copperskye: ((((Skye))))

130RebaRelishesReading
sep 28, 2020, 4:25 pm

>125 Copperskye: Too bad you didn't like Sense and Sensibility very well. It's one of my top three Austen's (along with Pride & Prejudice and Emma). Hope you have better luck with Emma.

131katiekrug
sep 28, 2020, 4:58 pm

>125 Copperskye: - I'm also not a huge fan of S&S, as far as Austens go...

132msf59
sep 28, 2020, 7:08 pm

>97 Copperskye: Love the backyard photo! Any interesting sightings?

>123 Copperskye: Beautiful!

Hooray for Hamnet! This will also be a top read of the year for me too. Just started The New Wilderness. This might be your cuppa too. Just sayin'...

133Storeetllr
Redigerat: sep 30, 2020, 1:50 pm

>123 Copperskye: Oh, beautiful pics!! I really miss Colorado's scenery. Also my Colorado friends.

>124 Copperskye: Nice shot of Skye in front of the jagged peaks. I don't think I ever saw* the Sawtooth. Sad I missed it. Give Skye a big hug from me and Nickel. Well, a hug from me and a kiss from Nickel.

ETA that was NOT a play on words. It just came out that way. :)

134Donna828
sep 30, 2020, 5:35 pm

Hi Joanne. Like Mary, I'm missing my Colorado friends, too. We had surprise visitors last week. Mike, Rebecca, and Hope drove out for a quick visit. He sensed (rightly) that we were nervous about making the trip west so he decided to bring Hope to us for the fix I needed. It was fun to see them and know that we can probably wait until a vaccine becomes available before making that trip.

I'm glad you liked the new Penny book. Her fragments drive me a little batty, too, until I get caught up in the story. I've heard several good reports on the Paris location although I may miss Three Pines--but not Ruth's duck.

Thanks for the lovely scenery shots. Even the snow pictures! That was freaky. I've been wondering if Chris is still in Denver. I can't remember if this was a permanent move or not. I hope all is well with you and yours and look forward to a meetup sometime next year. *Crossing fingers*

135thornton37814
okt 2, 2020, 3:58 pm

>134 Donna828: LOL - about Ruth's duck. I won't miss the absence of the word Ruth says all the time that rhymes with her pet.

136Copperskye
okt 3, 2020, 6:20 pm

>129 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, I didn’t expect to like Hamnet as much as I did. I don’t know why, though, as I’ve loved everything else O’Farrell has written.

>130 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba, I’m still looking forward to Emma whenever I get to it!

>131 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I always think there’s something wrong with me when I don’t absolutely love a well loved classic, so I’m kind of glad to hear that. :)

>132 msf59: Hi Mark, Not much out of the usual suspects. Lots of nuthatches (mostly red-breasted), chickadees, house finches and goldfinches (mostly lesser). I’ve saw a Junco twice in the last week. They are only here in the winter so I guess it’s a timely sighting. Our hummers seem to have moved on. I haven’t seen any for almost a week. I’ve been keeping an eye on your reading- lots of good stuff!

>133 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, You’re just going to have to come back for a visit! Well, when it’s possible...whenever that might be! :(

>134 Donna828: I’m so glad your Colorado family drove out for a visit!

When Chris found out all his classes this semester would be remote, he made the decision to work from Colorado. He sublet his apartment in Champaign and is renting now in Denver. I drove out in July and brought him, his cat, and everything we could squeeze into my Acadia, home. He just found out next semester will also be all remote, so he’ll be around for a while. Not quite the grad school experience he was enjoying, but there’s a lot of that going around...

I was afraid I’d miss Three Pines, too, but honestly, I didn’t at all. Especially the duck. Also the “dog” that no one is really sure is a dog...kinda’ dumb, IMO. I hope you like it as much as I did!

>135 thornton37814: It’s a joke that should be retired, Lori!

137RebaRelishesReading
okt 3, 2020, 7:36 pm

I liked Hamnet much better than I expected to too. Also agree that I didn't miss Three Pines in this one (although I hope she goes back there next time). Ruth's duck and the strange dog can both find new homes as far as I'm concerned too.

138Copperskye
okt 4, 2020, 5:37 pm

>137 RebaRelishesReading: It was interesting to see Shakespeare as a person rather than just as a great writer and that was what I don't think I've ever really considered before and appreciated. O'Farrell did a great job of humanizing him!

139Whisper1
okt 4, 2020, 6:44 pm

>43 Copperskye: What an incredible image! I hope all is well with you. I've been MIA for a long time. Missing Will, and feeling the grief in various emotional stages -- sometimes I smile remember all our wonderful vacations and special moments, then I miss him so darn much that it is difficult to hold back the tears.

It's only been 18 months since he passed away, but still it is a process and I need to be more kind to myself.

I will visit your thread more often. I miss my LT friends.

140karenmarie
okt 5, 2020, 9:59 am

Hi Joanne!

>123 Copperskye: and >124 Copperskye: Thanks for sharing!

>125 Copperskye: I’m reading Emma now. I like it but don’t love it, so am pacing myself. *smile*

141karenmarie
Redigerat: okt 5, 2020, 10:00 am

Det här meddelandet har tagits bort av dess författare.

142jnwelch
okt 5, 2020, 1:31 pm

Hi, Joanne.

I loved Hamnet, too. For a large part of it, I thought it just as well could've been titled "Agnes", after his mother. What a portrait of her we got from the author. Why did Shakespeare marry a woman six years older than him? This gives a good answer, doesn't it.

I love all the Austen books, but Emma is low on the totem pole for me. She's so annoying! But loads of people love it, with it being their favorite for many. I'd put the two you read first, P & P and Persuasion, at the top.

143tymfos
okt 9, 2020, 10:10 pm

I'm just dropping by to say hello . . . Happy reading!

144Copperskye
okt 13, 2020, 10:28 am

>139 Whisper1: How nice to see you, Linda! Thanks goodness for those happy memories, even when they make you sad. Hugs to you, my friend.

>140 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I need to stop by your thread and check out your thoughts on Emma!

>142 jnwelch: Hi Joe! I couldn't agree with you more about Hamnet. It really was more about Agnes and I just loved her so that was fine by me. I'm glad I read P & P first (actually my first Austen was Lady Susan, on audio) because if it had been S & S, I may have stopped there! Of course, maybe if I had read it at a different time, I'd have loved it. People's opinions on Emma seem to be mixed and my expectations aren't high.

>143 tymfos: Good morning, Lori!

I need to catch up in mentioning a book or two. I just started This House is Haunted (it's October, after all). Not far enough along to have an opinion.

145Copperskye
okt 20, 2020, 8:38 pm



50. The Decent Inn Of Death by Rennie Airth

I love this series and hated to finish this most recent entry. This is the sixth book and it mostly featured Angus Sinclair (John Madden didn’t appear until page 70 or so) and a lot of snow. Coincidences be damned, it was a lot of fun!

146Copperskye
okt 20, 2020, 8:53 pm



51. The Giver Of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Depression-era librarians in rural Kentucky travel on horseback to deliver library books to their patrons. The two main characters are Alice, who has issues with her new husband and his family, and Margery, a local girl who works hard to keep her independence. A pretty good look at the struggles of families in Appalachia in the early 1900s but it was more romance than historical fiction. I should have loved this but for some reason I never felt a connection with the characters or their situations.

147Copperskye
okt 20, 2020, 9:02 pm



52. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen

Excellent story of Churchill’s government and his family and the endurance of the British people during the blitz. I cared less about the German chapters but loved the bits and pieces about Mary and Pamela, the Churchill daughter and daughter-in-law.

148Copperskye
Redigerat: okt 20, 2020, 9:17 pm



53. This House is Haunted by John Boyne

I had this tagged with “Xmas swap 2013” so it’s been on my shelf for several years. Young school teacher, Eliza Caine, who has recently been orphaned, rashly takes a job as a governess to two young children in a lonely old estate with no apparent adults in residence. The title gives it away so I’ll say it - this house is haunted and Eliza slowly learns the gruesome history of the family from the local villagers. A great old-fashioned ghost story with lots of gothic elements. I’m glad I finally read it!

I’m all caught up. My current read is Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson.

New LT will take a bit of getting used to...

149rosalita
okt 21, 2020, 6:01 pm

>147 Copperskye: I've just started this one. I'm a big fan of Erik Larson generally speaking so I hope my expectations aren't too high.

150msf59
okt 21, 2020, 6:44 pm

Happy Wednesday, Joanne. I enjoyed your Lightning Round. Glad to hear you loved the new Larson. I did too. Not familiar with the Boyne but I am a big fan of him. On the list it goes.

151Whisper1
okt 21, 2020, 11:09 pm

>124 Copperskye: What great images!
You read some great books, many of which I intend to read in the next months. I very much want to read The Splendid and the Vile , and Hamnet sounds good, as well as This House is Haunted. Everything John Boyne writes is good.

152BLBera
okt 22, 2020, 8:38 am

Hi Joanne. Great comments. I felt similarly to you regarding The Giver of Stars. It was the first book I read by Moyes and I don't know that I will be inspired to pick up more by her.

I hope the fires aren't too close to you. Yikes! I feel for people who are in the fires' paths.

153Copperskye
Redigerat: okt 22, 2020, 11:47 am

>149 rosalita: Hi Julia, I really loved the little gossipy bits and,of course, the accounts of the resilience of the British people and what the govt. was doing behind the scenes. I think you'll love it!

>150 msf59: Hi Mark, It's the first book by Boyne that I've read, although I have a copy of The Heart's Invisible Furies to get to. I was thinking of you last night as our most recent fire threatened the town of Grand Lake where I know you've visited. Everyone has been evacuated and, so far, they've saved the town itself.

>151 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda! I think you will love The Splendid and the Vile and Hamnet when you get to them.

>152 BLBera: Hi Beth, Yeah, I'm not looking to add Moyes to my author list. Too romance-y for me. I couldn't help but think what Mary Doria Russell or a similar author could have done with it. And oh, the fires are heartbreaking and getting worse. We're not near any at all and have only had to deal with the smoke. Like thousands of others, I was kind of glued to the scanner traffic last night out of Grand County. Between the intoxicated homeowner with a garden hose refusing to leave his home, the elderly couple holed up in their basement, fire threatening a beloved mountain town, and the cool as ice firefighters, it was sadly, sadly riveting.

154Copperskye
okt 29, 2020, 1:18 am



54. Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson

This is the first book in the Dark Iceland series. I loved the remote, northern Iceland location and the main character, Ari Thor, an ex-theology student turned police officer. The story was a little slow with lots of characters introduced whose backgrounds may or may not be important. Definitely Agatha Christie-like. I’ll read the next one, at least.

155BLBera
okt 30, 2020, 12:10 pm

It is heartbreaking to see the fire news, Joanne. I hope the weather turns in your favor.

>154 Copperskye: I've been wondering about this series. A few LTers have commented favorably. I'll have to give it a try.

156Copperskye
okt 31, 2020, 5:07 pm

>155 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. The snow helped a great deal, although the ground is still smoking. We had two months of smoke down here and it's great to have blue skies again. Snowblind was a good read and I hope you think so, too!

157Storeetllr
nov 2, 2020, 10:57 am

Hi, Joanne - Glad to hear the snow has helped damp down the fires and smoke at least a little. It must have been awful there for awhile. Both my favorite states (California and Colorado) have suffered so much, and my heart goes out to everyone there.

>147 Copperskye: I really enjoyed this Larson too! Frightening to think how close we came back then...

>148 Copperskye: Sounds good! I may have missed reading it for October's Halloween Horrorfest, but it sounds like a good book for any time.

After November 3, I may be up for reading new material or, you know, doing much of anything except trying not to panic. Like you mentioned over on my thread, my anxiety level is also through the roof.

158Copperskye
nov 2, 2020, 4:39 pm

>157 Storeetllr: Hi Mary, I wonder if this'd help? :)

159Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 3, 2020, 1:26 am



55. Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary by Timothy Snyder

A clear-eyed and personal view of the mess that is the US healthcare system. Snyder succinctly argues that any assumed right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness cannot be attained without access to reliable and affordable healthcare. Highly recommended.

160rosalita
nov 3, 2020, 2:34 pm

>158 Copperskye: I need one of those*!

* The shirt, yes. But also the pupper. :-)

161msf59
nov 3, 2020, 2:42 pm

>158 Copperskye: I love this and will have to steal it, if you don't mind.

Happy Election day, Joanne. I sure hope we get the landslide we are praying for. I sure hope this doesn't get dragged on, beyond tonight. I hope you and the family are doing well.

162Copperskye
nov 3, 2020, 6:44 pm

>160 rosalita: Well, yes, of course, Julia!

>161 msf59: Steal away, Mark. It’s not like I drew it! Hopefully, it will be a happy Election Day. :/

163karenmarie
nov 4, 2020, 7:31 am

Hi Joanne!

>158 Copperskye: I need an election shirt. I'm going to avoid news today and see if I can maintain my sanity.

164Storeetllr
nov 4, 2020, 10:49 am

>158 Copperskye: Haha, yes. I decided I couldn't handle the anxiety and trepidation of watching the election news last night, so I went to bed at 8 pm and slept until 8 am. (Some people handle stress by not sleeping well; others (me) by doing nothing but sleeping.) Anyway, woke to the news that we don't have a projected winner yet. HOW CAN THAT BE? It should have been a landslide for Biden. I'm deeply disappointed in my fellow Americans. At least you're (we are all) rid of Gardner.

165Copperskye
nov 4, 2020, 11:27 am

>163 karenmarie: Hi Karen, I need an election body wrap.

>164 Storeetllr: Sadly, I couldn't turn away. I gave up at 1 am and woke at 6:30 am (still on DST apparently). Trump's speech last night - wow. It's all pretty horrifying. After all we know, and the mess we're currently in, how can all those people still support him? Scary. But in CO, Gardner is gone and Hick won, the late-term abortion bill failed, paid family leave passed, wolves are still up in the air, I think. All good. Your old district, CD3, has an even nuttier Rep. now though, Lauren Boebert.

Keep the faith everybody. Breathe.

166PaulCranswick
nov 6, 2020, 10:23 pm

>165 Copperskye: He may not concede, Joanne, but at least it is looking increasingly likely that he will lose.

Have a lovely weekend.

167karenmarie
nov 7, 2020, 10:31 am

Hi Joanne!

I've watched two short speeches Biden has given since Election Day, and he does not declare victory, just says it's probably going to happen. The one I watched from last night made me feel good - such a difference from all the hate and fear and lies spewed out by his predecessor.

168Copperskye
nov 7, 2020, 3:20 pm

>166 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul!

He has neither the grace or character to concede. But that's his problem, not ours! Happy days!!

>167 karenmarie: Hi Karen!

I'm looking forward to hearing Joe speak again tonight. I didn't realize what a twist my stomach has been in until it disappeared this morning. I feel like I lost 10#. Now we have to work on the Georgia runoffs!

169BLBera
nov 8, 2020, 9:30 am

An election shirt would have been helpful this past week, Joanne, but whew! We dodged a bullet. Now we just have to wait for Jan. 20.

170rosalita
nov 8, 2020, 10:39 am

>168 Copperskye: hi, Joanne! I thought both Kamala and Joe gave really moving speeches last night, and I feel more hopeful today than I have for *checks calendar* four years. There's still a lot of hard work ahead to realize the potential of this transition but it's wonderful to know all that effort will go to promote something positive instead of trying to defeat something evil.

171Copperskye
nov 13, 2020, 11:56 pm

>169 BLBera: Hi Beth, I’m so looking forward to 1/20! Especially with Covid. I only wish that Biden (or somebody!) would start a national response.

>170 rosalita: Hi Julia, I love listening to their speeches, with their full sentences and coherent thoughts. Fingers crossed (and pens ready) for the GA Senate races.

172karenmarie
nov 14, 2020, 8:45 am

If we could actually win both seats in Georgia, wouldn't that be something?!? I'm bitterly disappointed that the Democratic challenger to Tom Tillis in my state of NC couldn't keep it in his pants and couldn't keep his fingers from sexting. He was up 6 points just before the news broke. Sigh. And my state went for Trump by 1.4%.

173BLBera
nov 14, 2020, 10:38 am

I hope Stacy Abrams works her magic on getting out the vote for the Senate races, Joanne. Fingers and toes crossed.

174Copperskye
nov 16, 2020, 6:53 pm

>172 karenmarie: Hi Karen, It would be great to get those two seats. My fingers are crossed for the long shot. And what is it with male politicians who can’t keep it together - did they not learn from Gary Hart!? Apparently not.

>173 BLBera: Hi Beth, Stacy Abrams has done a great job. Fingers crossed!

175Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 18, 2020, 10:28 am



56. The Searcher by Tana French

I think my enjoyment of The Searcher was seriously hindered by my expectations. I was expecting suspense, or as the NYT’s blurb on the flyleaf stated, “A spellbinding, propulsive new novel...”. I didn’t find it propulsive or spellbinding, rather it was more a slow moving, literary novel of friendships - those real and healing, and others full of suspicions. Both the sense of place, in a remote Irish village, and the dialog, were wonderful. And the ending was great. Well worth the read, just expect something more slow and thoughtful.

176Whisper1
nov 17, 2020, 8:49 pm

I'm simply stopping by to say hello

177msf59
nov 18, 2020, 8:35 am



-Eastern Bluebird

Happy Wednesday, Joanne. I have been on the fence with the new French. I am still up there.

I WANT to see a Mountain Bluebird!!

178Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 18, 2020, 5:40 pm

>176 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Thanks for dropping by!!

>177 msf59: Looks like you have some good company on that fence, Mark. :) I think if I had other expectations I would have liked it more. Also, it was election week. Beautiful bird!

179rosalita
nov 18, 2020, 6:01 pm

>175 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! I really liked the new Tana French, but I was very careful to read nothing ahead of time so maybe didn't have the expectations you did that didn't pan out. I loved the "fish out of water" aspect of a stranger coming into a small town/village and having to tread lightly because they don't know all the hidden undercurrents. I felt a bit of that myself when I first moved to the town I live in now, which has a population of about 2,000.

180Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 18, 2020, 8:52 pm

>179 rosalita: Hi Julia! I’m so glad you liked The Searcher! I really wish I hadn’t been anticipating a thriller type story since it certainly wasn’t that. Reading it during election week probably didn’t help. I really did like the main character and the fish out of water aspect you mentioned. And it did have a great sense of place. Speaking of places, I hope you are able to stay safe in your little town. I know Iowa’s number are pretty high right now. Stay well, my friend!

Some travel book suggestions. Lonely Planet...lol. :(

181Donna828
nov 19, 2020, 11:23 am

I love that stack of “travel” books, Joanne. I am tired of Covid bad news, but my sense of humor is still intact, thank goodness.

Your “slow and thoughtful” comment on The Searcher got me off Mark’s fence to put a hold on it at the library. Sounds like a lovely winter read.

182BLBera
nov 19, 2020, 8:14 pm

Great comments on The Searcher, Joanne. I love the travel books. :) I needed a laugh.

183PaulCranswick
nov 21, 2020, 7:16 am

>180 Copperskye: Great stuff but alas no touchstones!

Have a wonderful weekend, Joanne.

184Copperskye
nov 21, 2020, 1:53 pm

>181 Donna828: Hi Donna, I think you'll enjoy The Searcher. There's a lot to like.

>182 BLBera: Thanks Beth. And we can all use a good laugh these days!

>183 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, Hopefully they'll be in the remainder bin before long! Happy weekend to you, as well.

185Copperskye
Redigerat: nov 21, 2020, 4:27 pm



57. Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

Wow! Beautifully done debut novel. This one will stick with me for a long time.

186AMQS
nov 24, 2020, 11:56 am

Catching up with you, Joanne - lots more titles to add to my list. Hope you're in and snug on this snowy morning.

187Copperskye
nov 24, 2020, 7:25 pm

>186 AMQS: It’s so nice to see you out and about on LT today, Anne. I think off the top of my head, Hamnet and The Great Believers are two of my favorites this year, so I hope they’re on your list if you haven’t already read them. I think you’d really like The Color Of Air, too.

188msf59
nov 25, 2020, 8:40 am

>185 Copperskye: I grabbed this on a Kindle special. Thanks for putting it on my radar.

189Copperskye
nov 25, 2020, 11:33 am

190PaulCranswick
nov 26, 2020, 10:01 pm



This Brit wishes to express his thanks for the warmth and friendship that has helped sustain him in this group, Joanne.

191brenzi
nov 26, 2020, 10:16 pm

Hi Joanne, glad to see we were both impressed with Valentine. I can't wait to see what she does next. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.

192BLBera
nov 27, 2020, 10:59 am

>185 Copperskye: I also loved that one, Joanne! I have thought about it often since I finished it.

193Copperskye
nov 29, 2020, 10:07 am

>190 PaulCranswick: Thank you for the good wishes, Paul. I hope the holiday season treats you kindly!

>191 brenzi: Hi Bonnie, She set herself up with a very tough act to follow and I'm looking forward to it!

>192 BLBera: Hi Beth, And I love that it was a debut. I only finished two books (a new record low!) in November but I'm glad it was one of them!

194witchyrichy
nov 30, 2020, 12:01 pm

Stopping by to say hello and dropping off a picture of my holiday tree for some inspiration on this dreary Monday morning. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

195msf59
nov 30, 2020, 4:47 pm

I loved Shuggie Bain. Along with Hamnet, my two favorite novels of the year. I know you appreciate a good story collection- I am currently reading a terrific one called F*ckface: And Other Stories, which takes place mostly around the Blue Ridge Mountains and I recently finished Dinosaurs on Other Planets, Irish short fiction, that packs a punch.

196BLBera
nov 30, 2020, 7:25 pm

My November reading was also low -- too much time obsessing over the elections.

197Copperskye
nov 30, 2020, 9:43 pm

>194 witchyrichy: Hi Karen, I love that tree!! Thanksgiving here was good. Quiet, but good! Hope you had a happy day!

>195 msf59: Hi Mark, I’ve got Shuggie Bain on my list! With both you and Bonnie raving, how can I possibly resist? :) I’ll look into Dinosaurs On Other Planets. I am intrigued.

>196 BLBera: That was my problem, too, earlier in the month, Beth. I’m still struggling to concentrate and stay away from Covid news. *sigh*

198Storeetllr
dec 1, 2020, 8:12 pm

Hi, Joanne! Just making the rounds - slowly, slowly. About the same speed with which I'm reading. It's been a rough couple of months. I'm trying to stay away from Covid news too. It's almost worse than political news. Actually, I guess they take turns being worse. I'm so looking forward to 2021, specifically January 20, 2021 and after. BTW, Colorado really rocked the elections (except for my district, where a lot of gunnuts and ultra-conservative ranchers live). Congratulations on getting rid of F*ckface, er, I mean, Gardner. Mark's been warbling about that book so much, it just popped into my typing. I'm sure there was no other reason. *she said tongue-tongue-in-cheek*

199Copperskye
dec 3, 2020, 8:48 pm

>198 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! Yes, we got rid of Cory F***ing Gardner, thank goodness! And Tipton was bad enough but now we’re sending Lauren Boebert to Washington. So embarrassing...no wonder you left. :) All my fingers and toes are crossed for the GA Senate races. So much depends on it. Covid news will continue to be bad, and while I’m sick of hunkering down, I plan on sticking to it. If I didn’t have a dog, I’d probably never leave the house except to pick up groceries and library books. *sigh*

200Copperskye
dec 3, 2020, 8:59 pm



58. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

A delightful, humorous, and thoroughly enjoyable story of a group of seniors who meet weekly to discuss cold crimes. When a fresher murder occurs close to home, they eagerly work their way into the investigation. The characters are engaging, the storylines are poignant, and the resolutions were surprising. I’m looking forward to the follow-up!

201Storeetllr
dec 4, 2020, 11:20 am

>200 Copperskye: Oh, that does look like fun! I'll have to see if my library has a copy.

>199 Copperskye: I didn't leave Pueblo because of that, though it was an issue. I was lucky in that I made friends with some lovely liberal and progressive people through the local Moms Demand Action and Indivisible groups. I actually liked living in Pueblo - it was just big enough a city to supply me with enough to do to keep me occupied, and I loved the gym where I took water aerobics classes, and The Hanging Tree, a local coffee shop where I met up with some fellow NaNoWriMo writers in November. There were a couple of great restaurants, and a really good hair stylist who I went to just once but meant to make my regular stylist, an art center, a wildlife refuge (which I never managed to get to tho I meant to), a little zoo in a nice park, a great natural foods grocery store, a large library, and even a big shopping mall. All within easy driving distances. Even during rush hour. And Denver only a couple hours' drive away. My house there was wonderful and just the right size for me, at a very reasonable rent, with a decent landlord. I miss Pueblo. A lot. (I DON'T miss the politics and the gun nuts who were EVERYWHERE, but you can't have everything.) But being able to watch Ruby grow up was worth moving, and, now, with the plague causing so much havoc with people's lives, it's good to be with family.

202Copperskye
dec 4, 2020, 6:29 pm

>201 Storeetllr: Well, I don't think you could have planned on spending a pandemic in a better place, Mary! Pueblo was a run down steel town 20-30 years ago but I think it's certainly begun its renaissance. There's rumors of a passenger train from Pueblo to Ft Collins, which would be amazing (if I live to see it)!

203PaulCranswick
dec 4, 2020, 11:54 pm

>200 Copperskye: Richard Osman is the co-host of a UK quiz show called Pointless and thoroughly enjoyable, witty and intelligent in it he is. I can imagine his writing is likewise.

Have a lovely weekend, Joanne.

204Copperskye
dec 6, 2020, 8:04 pm

>203 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, Osman’s writing is so fun! If the game show is as delightful as the book, it must be a very popular program - or I hope it is. I hope your upcoming week is a good one!

205Copperskye
dec 7, 2020, 8:32 pm



59. A Christmas Carol and Other Stories by Charles Dickens

I’m glad I finally read this very familiar story. My copy had a few additional Dickens’ stories and a poem, along with illustrations. I liked the title story best.

206Copperskye
Redigerat: dec 7, 2020, 8:37 pm

My current reads are scattered. I started Obama’s A Promised Land and am continuing with a couple of Christmas anthologies, The Big Book Of Christmas Mysteries and Stuart McLean’s Christmas at the Vinyl Cafe.

207brenzi
dec 7, 2020, 9:05 pm

I think you must have been the reason I have Stuart McLean's Home From the Vinyl Cafe on my shelf Joanne. I'd like to squeeze it in sometime in the next few weeks when it looks like we'll be going back into lock down again. Good time for something light. Again.

208Copperskye
dec 9, 2020, 9:57 am

>207 brenzi: Stuart McLean is a perfect antidote for these times, Bonnie. I'm pretty sure it was Deborah who introduced me. That's a great collection, too, and bookended with holiday stories, if I remember correctly.

There's light at the end of the tunnel through these times, but it's a long tunnel.

209karenmarie
dec 9, 2020, 12:18 pm

Hi Joanne!

>180 Copperskye: Excellent travel books. *smile*

>199 Copperskye: If I didn’t have a dog, I’d probably never leave the house except to pick up groceries and library books. *sigh* I’ve got a husband, 3 cats, and a betta fish named Freddie Mercury to keep me company. Still have go buy the groceries, though, and at this time of year I made one trip to the post office and will make one more to mail Christmas presents.

>206 Copperskye: I’m really enjoying Obama’s memoir but am somewhat behind on the group read.

210Copperskye
dec 9, 2020, 1:10 pm

>209 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I was able to totally avoid the post office this year. I was concerned that I'd have to go to mail a Secret Santa package, but the person it was going to happened to live right here in town so I just dropped it off on her porch. I'm so behind on the group read of the memoir that I didn't even know there was one! :) I should look for it.

News this morning that the Tattered Cover has been sold to an investment group which is kind of scary but the two principals are Denver natives who have some history with the store so hopefully it will go well. The most recent owners, who bought the store about 5 years ago, always kind of rubbed me the wrong way, especially after the poorly handled BLM controversy this summer, so I'm kind of glad they sold it.

211Storeetllr
dec 9, 2020, 7:18 pm

>210 Copperskye: What BLM controversy? I remember when Tattered Cover was sold to the new outgoing owners and being a bit worried they'd muck it up.

212AMQS
dec 9, 2020, 8:57 pm

I saw the Tattered Cover news with some dread. Not sure about how I felt about the most recent owners, but I agree they really botched the BLM response. They did, however, offer terrific outreach to schools and educators and I appreciate that. I was happy, though, to read about the new owners and their ties to Denver and to TC - one of them even worked at TC for his first job!

>211 Storeetllr: Mary, here's a recap of the controversy: https://www.westword.com/arts/tattered-cover-claimed-neutrality-on-black-lives-m...

And while searching for that article I found another from Westword about the sale and how it makes Tattered Cover the largest Black-owned independent bookseller in the country!
https://www.westword.com/arts/tattered-cover-becomes-largest-black-owned-indepen...

213AMQS
dec 9, 2020, 8:58 pm

Oh, and >200 Copperskye: Joanne, you really got me with that one!

214Copperskye
dec 10, 2020, 1:13 am

>211 Storeetllr: >212 AMQS: Thanks for answering Mary’s question, Anne, and especially for including the links! I was so disappointed with their BLM response, I’ve been half-assed boycotting them. With the pandemic, I haven’t had the occasion to shop in person anyway, but I haven’t shopped online with them since March either, opting to instead order from Boulder Bookstore and The Bookies when I want to shop local. I really hope the newest owners don’t muck it up and continue to support local authors and continue their educational outreach.

>213 AMQS: It’s a fun one, Anne!

215Storeetllr
dec 10, 2020, 12:57 pm

Holy moley! I leave Colorado and all h*ll breaks loose! Actually, that's an incredible story; thanks for the link, Anne. It makes me wish I still lived in the Denver area so I could go there. (Yes, I know I can order online, but it's not the same. Also, I don't often buy dead-tree books anymore because (1) space and (2) budget. Also, my wrists aren't as strong as they used to be, nor are my eyes. Anyway, I really hope The Tattered Cover makes it. What it's doing is so important!

216Copperskye
dec 10, 2020, 7:55 pm

>215 Storeetllr: Yes, I hope so, too. I'm looking forward to shopping in-store again. Any store, frankly.

217jnwelch
dec 11, 2020, 3:26 pm

Hi, Joanne. I had a great time with The Thursday Murder Club, too. I recommended it to my wife.

Great news about Tattered Cover! It's on my bucket list of bookstores to visit.

218BLBera
dec 12, 2020, 11:04 pm

Hi Joanne - one of the members of my book club mentioned The Thursday Murder Club yesterday, so I guess that's a sign!

Stay safe.

219Copperskye
dec 14, 2020, 12:20 am

>217 jnwelch: Hi Joe! It was an entertaining mystery and real hit the spot for me. Fingers crossed for the TC. And hope you get to visit soon. It’s a fun place to meet! :)

>218 BLBera: Hi Beth! Definitely a sign!

220Copperskye
dec 14, 2020, 1:01 am



60. Christmas at the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean

I’ve loved all of the Vinyl Cafe stories I’ve read or heard over the years but my favorites have always been about Dave and Morley’s Christmas adventures. And I loved that I could hear Stuart McLean’s voice as I read them. (Sadly, Stuart died in 2017.) And it didn’t matter that I’ve heard or read them all before - they are all a delight. My favorite continues to be “Christmas on the Road”, a poignant story of a family road trip interrupted by a blizzard and unscheduled stop at a roadside motel. I’ll be listening to all these again in the next few weeks. If you need a little pick me up after this mess of a year, I highly recommend either reading or listening to some Christmas stories from the Vinyl Cafe.

221tymfos
dec 16, 2020, 8:48 pm

I noted your review of The Decent Inn of Death last time I visited your thread a while back. I hadn't realized Airth had a new book out in 2020. Somehow I'd missed that! Anyway, I ordered a copy right away. Now if I can just find time to read it!

222msf59
dec 17, 2020, 9:18 am



^Look what I ended up seeing here, about 30 miles south of here? A Western Tanager. Far from home, right? I was hoping to see one of these beauties on my last visit to Colorado but no such luck. I had to see one in the Midwest and got photos too. Grins...

Sweet Thursday, Joanne. I hope all is well there. Thanks for the Christmas card. It doesn't look like I am getting any out this year.

223Copperskye
dec 17, 2020, 1:32 pm

>222 msf59: Wow! He really was off the beaten track! Great photo with those berries.

We only ever see them down here in the spring.

224Copperskye
dec 17, 2020, 11:46 pm

>221 tymfos: I’m sad that I’m all caught up with that series, Terri. I hope there’ll be another but I can always reread them, I guess! :)

225karenmarie
dec 22, 2020, 9:28 pm

Hi Joanne!


... and here's to a better 2021!

226Copperskye
dec 23, 2020, 7:09 pm

>225 karenmarie: That's lovely, thanks Karen! Merry Christmas to you!

227witchyrichy
dec 24, 2020, 12:35 pm

>211 Storeetllr: >212 AMQS: >214 Copperskye: I am glad The Tattered Cover is getting out from under the cloud! I will always remember out short meetup some years ago. It brought Library Thing home for me.

228witchyrichy
dec 24, 2020, 12:35 pm

229nittnut
dec 24, 2020, 12:56 pm



Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
May next year bring you greater peace and joy, good health and many books.

230msf59
dec 24, 2020, 1:00 pm



Happy Holidays, Joanne! Praying for a much better 2021. Have a good time with John & Chris.

231SandDune
dec 24, 2020, 2:39 pm



Or in other words, Happy Christmas! And have a great New Year as well. Here’s hoping that 2021 is better than 2020.

232AMQS
dec 24, 2020, 6:03 pm


233ChelleBearss
dec 25, 2020, 1:09 am



Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

234PaulCranswick
dec 25, 2020, 2:50 am



I hope you get some of those at least, Joanne, as we all look forward to a better 2021.

235Berly
dec 25, 2020, 2:59 am



Joanne--Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
May 2021 bring you less need for masks, loads of peace and joy, good health and, of course, books!

236PaperbackPirate
dec 25, 2020, 10:22 am

Merry Christmas from Arizona!

237Storeetllr
dec 25, 2020, 7:36 pm

Merry Christmas to you and John! And Chris. And Skye and Boomer, of course. Thanks for dropping by my thread to leave your holiday greeting. I posted a Christmas pic of my girls (and SIL) if you want to check it out.

238Donna828
dec 25, 2020, 8:22 pm

Merry Christmas, Joanne. I am woefully behind on the threads as usual. Even with spending most of my time at home, I never can keep up with my peeps. I have The Thursday Murder Club on reserve at the library. Looks like I’ll be reading it next year. Like everyone else, I am looking forward to the end of 2020. Let’s hope things get better and we can meet up later in the year. Like you, I am curious about what the “new” Tattered Cover will be like. Hopefully, any changes will be for the better.

239Storeetllr
dec 26, 2020, 2:36 pm

Oh! I meant to say that I just read The Thursday Murder Club and really enjoyed it! It was the first original book I've been able to finish in at least a month. Not sure why I've been having so much trouble getting into new books, but I'm so grateful for having finally found one that hooked me. Thank you for recommending it!

240BLBera
dec 26, 2020, 4:48 pm

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Joanne. Let's hope for a better 2021.

241Copperskye
dec 27, 2020, 10:29 am

>227 witchyrichy: And next time we'll have a longer visit!

To Karen, Jenn, Mark, Rhian, Anne, Chelle, Paul, Kim, Pirate, Mary, Donna, and Beth - thank you, thank you for the good wishes and lovely Holiday greetings!! Merry Christmas to all and here's hoping 2021 is better for us all!!

>238 Donna828: Fingers crossed that a get-together will be in the cards next year, Donna!

>239 Storeetllr: That's great, Mary! I'm so glad you liked it! I have trouble choosing a new book to read. I seem to pick up a book and read a few pages and then try another.I haven't done many rereads, though. I think part of the problem may be too many books to choose from. That and everything else going on.

242EBT1002
dec 27, 2020, 6:03 pm

Hi Joanne. I'm just skipping around, trying to catch up a bit and leaving folks my early Happy New Year greetings. I'm so ready for 2021, including our new set of 75ers threads! Maybe as the year progresses I will be able to spend a bit less time on zoom and find myself more able tolerate the computer time for connecting with folks on LT.

I have The Splendid and the Vile queued up for reading early in the new year. And I'm in the library queue for a copy of The Thursday Murder Club.

243witchyrichy
dec 29, 2020, 12:45 pm

>242 EBT1002: Adding both books to my list!

244Storeetllr
dec 31, 2020, 9:22 pm

Happy New Year, Joanne!

245PaulCranswick
dec 31, 2020, 9:23 pm



Joanne

As the year turns, friendship continues

246Copperskye
jan 2, 2021, 4:06 pm

>242 EBT1002: My condolences on all the zooming, Ellen. Ugh!

>243 witchyrichy:, >244 Storeetllr:, >245 PaulCranswick: Thanks for dropping by and for the good wishes!

Sending out my best wishes for the New Year to all!