Mdoris (Mary) reads in 2021 #2

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Mdoris (Mary) reads in 2021 #2

1mdoris
sep 23, 2021, 5:24 am



Welcome to my thread in 2021.

Hello, my name is Mary. I live in Comox, on Vancouver Island. I have been a member of LT since 2011 and I love it here. It is great to see what people are reading, to follow threads and to make new friends. I am a slow reader (it will be a miracle to reach 75!). Please don't kick me out of this wonderful group!

Almost all my books are from the library. I love cookbooks and do get lots of them too but do not list them in my grand total count.

I have 4 daughters who have all flown the coop. They are all living far away and they now have little ones. Now I am Gramma to 9, 4 boys and 5 girls. I was passionate about kids' books when our kids were little and still read lots of the newly published ones too. I am a retired Speech/Language Pathologist and loving retirement.

2mdoris
Redigerat: sep 23, 2021, 5:29 am

Greenwood by Michael Christie off the home shelves p. 490



The is was a good (but long) galloping read for an October bookclub meeting about multi generations and their secrets, lies, love, sacrifices and philosophies. It was well written and honoured the present interest in trees that authors have recently shown to weave into their plot lines of their stories. It is written in sections of time and the future looks bleak. Oh dear. It was longlisted for the Giller. There was lots of time spent in the glorious British Columbia forests. i have seen these gargantuan trees and they are a marvel (see picture above!)

3FAMeulstee
sep 23, 2021, 5:44 am

Happy new thread, Mary!

4msf59
sep 23, 2021, 8:03 am

Happy New Thread, Mary. I like the topper and we would NEVER kick you out of the club.

5PaulCranswick
sep 23, 2021, 8:35 am

Happy new one, Mary and I second Mark's comment - you ARE one of us!

6SandyAMcPherson
sep 23, 2021, 10:17 am

Hi Mary,
I'm a slow reader, too. I doubt anyone would be banned (from any LT group) for not reaching a set objective.
>1 mdoris: Great westcoast-vibe in the photo!

7jessibud2
sep 23, 2021, 10:34 am

Happy new thread, Mary. Love your topper!

And what Sandy said >6 SandyAMcPherson:. I remember almost not joining the 75ers because I didn't think I'd ever read 75 books in a year. But I have actually reached that goal a few times and really, it's the group here that matters, not the numbers.

8streamsong
sep 23, 2021, 10:52 am

Hi Mary - Happy New Thread!

I just finished The Secret To Superhuman Strength yesterday. I liked it better than you did. I was intrigued by the way she organized it by the decades of her life. Since she's only a few years younger than I am, I could relate with her various searching in various life stages - and the politics going on at the same time. I am sooo far behind with reviews that it will take a while for me to get to it - but before the month is out, I hope. I always say I will be caught up by the end of the month. :)

9mdoris
sep 23, 2021, 12:33 pm

Hello friends! >3 FAMeulstee: Anita, >4 msf59: Mark, >5 PaulCranswick: Paul, >6 SandyAMcPherson: Sandy, >7 jessibud2: Shelley, and >8 streamsong: Janet,
Thank you to all for your warm welcome to my new thread.

The topper was a photo taken in our local woods last fall when I was reading the Gathering Moss book by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I sure was captivated by the miniature plants for ages. On the other end of the scale, it is hard to show the scale but I have hiked up to a monster fir (first growth) in Hollyburn Ridge in West Vancouver that had a diameter of 10 feet and was 30 feet around. It was a spectacle and well hidden in the woods. My focus is on trees for a while after reading Greenwood.

10drneutron
sep 24, 2021, 7:41 pm

Happy new one!

11mdoris
sep 24, 2021, 9:57 pm

>10 drneutron: Thanks Jim.

12mdoris
Redigerat: sep 25, 2021, 8:20 pm

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie V.I. Regional Library p. 67



This is a tiny book. i love tiny books. It is like her two tiny books on feminism. Her father who she was very close to recently died and these are her thoughts on grief. She has some important things to say. Right now I am grieving the recent loss of a wonderful friend so much of the text was meaningful for me.

13Familyhistorian
sep 26, 2021, 12:07 pm

>12 mdoris: Sorry for the loss of your friend, Mary. Glad to see that the book helped.

14mdoris
sep 26, 2021, 12:50 pm

15mdoris
Redigerat: sep 28, 2021, 12:25 am

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy V.I. Regional Library p 254



There has been a lot of talk about this book on L.T already and I managed to grab it from the library on an Express Read. The author made quite a stir with her first book Migrations! This novel is the story about wolves being re-introduced into Scotland but it is so much more, part murder mystery, part romance, part insight into domestic violence and resulting trauma. It is edgy and gripping.

16SandyAMcPherson
sep 28, 2021, 10:04 am

>15 mdoris: So not a BB for me. I'm glad to have read your synopsis, because I did wonder if it was suitable.

17mdoris
sep 28, 2021, 8:00 pm

Hi Sandy, It was a pretty intense read for me.

18mdoris
Redigerat: sep 29, 2021, 11:24 am

iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us by Jean M. Twenge PhD V.I. Regional Library p. 313



What a fantastic book this is! I got the idea of reading it from 2 other FANTASTIC books The Coddling of the American Mind and Irreversible Damage. This book describes the opinions, attitudes, and values of the current generation in universities and the individuals who are entering the workforce greatly influencing government, education, media etc. They are the smartphone generation and quite unique compared to other generations. The writing was excellent with lots of research base and interview content. Twenge is professor of psychology and knows her subject well. I am a Boomer so I certainly noticed the cultural differences!

iGen 1995 to 2012
Millennials 1980 to 1994
Gen X 1965 to 1979
Boomers 1946 to 1964

19jessibud2
sep 29, 2021, 11:39 am

>18 mdoris: - Sounds interesting, Mary. I doubt I'll read it, though as my patience these days is wearing thin. Loosely related, perhaps, is today's Bliss comic:

https://www.gocomics.com/bliss

20mdoris
sep 29, 2021, 8:18 pm

>19 jessibud2: Perfect comic Shelley! The iGen don't even learn to drive as it's too dangerous so mommy drives them everywhere and of course they can't take their eyes away from their phones.

21msf59
sep 30, 2021, 8:35 am

Sweet Thursday, Mary. I have a copy of Once There Were Wolves on shelf and have it ear-marked for October. Glad to see you enjoyed it, although I am not at all surprised.

22mdoris
Redigerat: okt 4, 2021, 6:35 pm

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides from a friend's library p. 323



This book was passed to me as a borrowing birthday gift on the new day of Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th. I guess my birthday will share this day forever! It was a fast read and a psychological thriller type. Hmmm, I am trying to be nice as it was thoughtful of my friend to share.

23mdoris
okt 4, 2021, 6:23 pm

>21 msf59: Mark it will be interesting to see what you think of the book when you get to it Once There Were Wolves. I have just read a review on L.T. that labeled it "trauma porn".

24figsfromthistle
okt 5, 2021, 5:53 am

Happy newish thread!

>18 mdoris: sounds interesting

Enjoy the rest of the week.

25jessibud2
okt 5, 2021, 7:57 am

Belated happy birthday!

26mdoris
Redigerat: okt 5, 2021, 6:18 pm

>24 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita. Yes IGen was very interesting. Especially when you realize this generation will be in positions of influence (and power).

>25 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. It was kind of a low key birthday. They are mounting up in numbers.......Yikes!

27Caroline_McElwee
okt 5, 2021, 5:36 pm

Adding belated birthday withes Mary. Did you do anything special, was there cake?

28alcottacre
okt 5, 2021, 5:53 pm

Happy belated birthday from me too, Mary!

29mdoris
okt 5, 2021, 6:19 pm

OH my how wonderful to get these birthday wishes.

>27 Caroline_McElwee: HI Caroline, I went and got my hair cut (long overdue) and had a lovely treat for lunch polished off with a raspberry cheese cake square from our wonderful local bakery. Yum.

>28 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, Wonderful to have you visit and thank you for your good wishes. Turned 73 Gulp! Hearing Robert Munch diagnosed with dementia at 76 is alarming. I love his kids books, especially the Paperbag Princess and how she told off the prince in no uncertain terms and of course Love you Forever. I'm just going to investigate how many books that amazing man has written.......Wow......it said 147. INCREDIBLE!

30mdoris
Redigerat: okt 9, 2021, 12:58 am

Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue V.I. Regional Library p. 291



I loved this book! Donoghue is such a talented writer and excellent story teller. The story is of a maternity nurse treating and delivering mothers and babies in a tiny ward for Spanish flu sufferers in Dublin in 1918. She is helped by a young woman who has had an extremely difficult life and by a female doctor who is political and about to be arrested. The patients Nurse Power is attending have stories to tell as well. It was like watching a play with limited scenes and watching intense situations and relationships develop over a 3 day period. Highly recommended.

31figsfromthistle
okt 8, 2021, 8:47 pm

>30 mdoris: Glad you enjoyed that one. I did as well :)

32mdoris
okt 9, 2021, 1:02 am

>31 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, Yes it was a good one. I don't want to start another book right away so I can let it linger.

33Familyhistorian
okt 12, 2021, 1:36 pm

Happy belated birthday, Mary. I have The Silent Patient out from the library and hope I like it more than you appeared to. Once There Were Wolves sounds interesting.

34mdoris
okt 12, 2021, 4:11 pm

>33 Familyhistorian: HI Meg, I have a look to see what you think of it when you finish it!

35alcottacre
okt 13, 2021, 7:26 pm

>30 mdoris: I enjoyed it too, although Room remains my favorite of hers.

36mdoris
okt 13, 2021, 8:18 pm

>35 alcottacre: Yes Stasia, I thought Room was very amazing too. i tried 3 times to read it and finally accomplished a finish. i was very glad that I had persevered! She is such a talented writer.

37alcottacre
okt 13, 2021, 8:57 pm

>36 mdoris: I agree that Donoghue is a talented writer. I am lucky in that my local library has started to realize it too and is now picking up her books as they come out.

38mdoris
okt 15, 2021, 10:35 am

>37 alcottacre: That is good news!

39mdoris
okt 15, 2021, 10:37 am

Booker short list 2021 announced Sept. 14.

Anuk Arudpragasam (Sri Lankan) - A Passage North

Damon Galgut (South African) - The Promise

Patricia Lockwood (American) - No One is Talking About This

Nadifa Mohamed (British/Somali) -The Fortune Men

Richard Powers (American) - Bewilderment

Maggie Shipstead (American) - Great Circle(Doubleday,

40mdoris
Redigerat: okt 15, 2021, 8:37 pm

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn V.I. Regional Library p. 624



This is a book club selection for December and I got to it a bit early. It is the story of three women involved with Bletchley Park during WW ll as code breakers and their work, their loves, their families, their friendships and their conflicts.. It is a well developed story full of atmosphere and "frightfully" British which is interesting because it is written by an American woman. Is this even allowed these days? Just kidding! It read like I was watching a movie. I could even visualize some of the characters (Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip).

41alcottacre
okt 15, 2021, 6:54 pm

>40 mdoris: I will have to look for that one. Thanks for the review, Mary!

42mdoris
Redigerat: okt 16, 2021, 4:38 pm

Went book shopping for the grands today. I do love seasonal books so with Halloween around the corner I just had to go and have a peek. Glad I did! Here's my haul!
LIttle Spider
What was I Scared of? by Dr. Seuss
and a fabulous clever one There's a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers of crayon fame.


43mdoris
Redigerat: okt 17, 2021, 2:07 am

And a further haul of Christmas books.

The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson of the gruffalo fame
The Cat on the Dovrefell by Tomie DePaola
On vous souhaite un joyeux Noel


no images available for the other two. (very recently published I think).

44jessibud2
Redigerat: okt 16, 2021, 4:54 pm

Great haul, Mary! Do you know The Twelve days of Winter? That was always a favourite in my classroom. Lots of great visual fun in the illustrations! I have also seen in the stores a Canadian version of the 12 days of Christmas though I can't recall the author.

And, of course, there are the wonderful traditional winter/Christmas stories by Jan Brett, The Mitten, The Hat, and many others. Here is a list: https://janbrett.com/booklist.htm

Her illustrations are also delightful.

45mdoris
okt 16, 2021, 5:35 pm

Hi Shelley, always very good to get some hot tips. I don't know The Twelve Days of Winter but have now got it in a cart to be purchased and of course I do know the wonderful Jan Brett books. Agree, fabulous illustrations!

46mdoris
okt 16, 2021, 5:36 pm

>41 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, HOpe you enjoy it when you read it! It was a real page turner for me!

47m.belljackson
Redigerat: okt 16, 2021, 7:57 pm

>42 mdoris: Joe's thread has my note today on "What was I Scared of?" which you may enjoy.

48mdoris
Redigerat: okt 17, 2021, 1:21 pm

>47 m.belljackson: Yes, I saw that on Joe's thread today! It is a wonderful book/poem.
Conquering fears is a good plan!

49alcottacre
okt 17, 2021, 3:05 am

>42 mdoris: >43 mdoris: Nice seasonal hauls, Mary!

>46 mdoris: Unfortunately my local library does not have a copy, so I will have to look further afield for it.

50mdoris
okt 17, 2021, 2:47 pm

>47 m.belljackson: Marianne, I have been looking for your thread and can't find one. Do you have one?

51mdoris
okt 17, 2021, 2:49 pm

>49 alcottacre: Stasia I am surprised that your library does not have a copy as the author is quite a "best selling' one i believe. With the seasonal haul I just wish that I could read it to the grands. They all live very far away.

52streamsong
okt 19, 2021, 4:50 pm

>51 mdoris: I love the books you are choosing for your grands. My library system is just introducing an online service called Hoopla, which is supposed to be especially good for graphic novels or picture books. As soon as it is up and running fully, I'm going to see if they have some of these - especially the Dr. Seuss book.

53msf59
okt 19, 2021, 5:44 pm

Hi, Mary. Hooray for The Pull of the Stars! I loved it too. I started Once There Were Wolves and it pulled me in right away.

54jessibud2
okt 19, 2021, 6:24 pm

Mary, I listened to Emma Donoghue narrate that book on audio. She has a lovely lilting accent.

55alcottacre
okt 19, 2021, 6:43 pm

>51 mdoris: My local library seems to always be rather behind in getting to best selling authors. I am hopeful that if enough time elapses, they might actually get a copy.

56Familyhistorian
okt 20, 2021, 5:46 pm

I've seen many posts about The Rose Code, Mary. Your's was the one that finally got me.

57mdoris
okt 20, 2021, 8:44 pm

>52 streamsong: Oliver Jeffers is such an interesting author/illustrator Janet. I will be getting more of his books from the library to have a peek! Just now reading Oliver Jeffers the working mind and drawing hand, a very thick and large book of many of his works. Quite fascinating.......

>53 msf59: I will be interested Mark to see what you think of Once There Were Wolves Mark. I will visit your thread.

>54 jessibud2: Shelley that would have been amazing to hear the story with an Irish accent. Good idea!

>55 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I was in my local bookstore today and they said that The Rose Code was selling like hotcakes! Extremely popular. I even made a purchase of a new book by Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century. They are evolutionary biologists and I think they will have important/intersting things to say!

>56 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, Glad I lured you into reading it.

58mdoris
Redigerat: okt 24, 2021, 1:37 pm

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne V.I. Regional Library p. 580



This was another whopper of a novel at (580 pages). I re-read this book for a November bookclub meeting and liked it as much this time as I did last time I read it in 2018. Man those Irish know how to write! It is the story of a man adopted at birth by a strange couple who give him very little parenting and his life story after that growing up gay in Dublin in the 50's with the harsh unforgiving ties and cultural influences of the Catholic Church. Boyne tells the story with humour and insight.

59mdoris
okt 26, 2021, 6:19 pm

Biblio-Style: How We Live at HOme with Books V.I.Regional Library



This is eye candy for people who love books. There are many gorgeous photos of home libraries and bookstores on the themes of The Sentimentalist,The Intuitives, The Arrangers, The Professionals and The Collectors. Some noted libraries are by Karl Ove Knausgaard, Larry McMurtry, Jonathan Safran Foer, Ann Patchett and more. Delicious pictures!

60mdoris
okt 26, 2021, 6:27 pm

What We'll Build Plans for our Together Future by Oliver Jeffers V.I. Regional Library



I am on a hunt for Oliver Jeffers books (of which there are many) after reading his brand new and wonderful ghosty Halloween book. This picture book is gorgeous! It tells the story, with just a few words per page, of a father who wants to make things together with his little girl to keep them well for the future and exploring the world. The illustrations are fabulous. More of his books to follow.......

61msf59
okt 26, 2021, 6:45 pm

I loved Once There Were Wolves, Mary, along with The Heart's Invisible Furies. My first Boyne and what an introduction.

62jessibud2
okt 26, 2021, 9:28 pm

>59 mdoris: - I remember seeing this one in the bookstore, Mary, and browsing through it. Eye candy, indeed! :-)

63alcottacre
okt 26, 2021, 10:21 pm

>57 mdoris: My local library now has The Rose Code in its catalog, but all 3 copies are checked out currently. I have put the book on hold.

64PaulCranswick
okt 27, 2021, 12:58 am

>59 mdoris: Oooh Mary, I must have that book!

65mdoris
okt 27, 2021, 8:17 pm

>61 msf59: Hi Mark, I want to read all the Boyne books eventually. Have you read more?

>62 jessibud2: Yes Shelley, it is a gorgeous book for book lovers! I think all LTers would think so!

>63 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. Hope you like The Rose Code when you get to it.

>64 PaulCranswick: It is a gorgeous book Paul! So interesting to see how people display books as ART and TREASURES.

66figsfromthistle
okt 27, 2021, 8:39 pm

>40 mdoris: So far everything that I have read by Quinn has not disappointed me. I saw this one in the bookstore and almost bought it. I will wait a little.

>58 mdoris: BB for me. Although, I think that I was already bulleted with that one somewhere else. Can't remember where. Now I really need to get on the waiting list for that one at the library.

Enjoy the rest of the week.

67PaulCranswick
okt 29, 2021, 11:59 pm

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Mary.

68mdoris
okt 30, 2021, 8:58 pm

>67 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, wishing the same for you too!

69mdoris
okt 30, 2021, 9:00 pm

>66 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, I must read more of Quinn's books. What would you suggest? Hope you are having a very good weekend. Will you celebrate Halloween where you live? I just got the candy our for the trick/treaters. Hope I don't eat too much before they arrive!

70mdoris
okt 30, 2021, 9:47 pm

Wintering The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May V,I Regional Library p. 241



I have no idea who steered me to this book but whoever it was I am sending you a BIG thank you! It reminded me of so many wonderful books I have read such as Sarah Moss's book on Iceland or H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. In this book she looks from the lens of her own life to change and the critical part and insight that winter (or possibly depression) gives to making those critical and important changes. She has lots of personal observations such a becoming a mother, the challenge of career that is not working well, the wonder of very cold ocean swimming, the concerns for children when things are not going well for them, the replenishment for us of nature and much more. This book could be re-read many times with different sections taking honour. I liked this quiet book!

71jessibud2
okt 31, 2021, 7:23 am

I read this book last year, Mary, so it's possible you heard about it through me. Or maybe through Caroline, which is where I think it first came onto my radar. It was an interesting read, for me.

72alcottacre
okt 31, 2021, 8:19 am

>70 mdoris: Sounds like a wonderful book! I will see if I can track down a copy.

73mdoris
okt 31, 2021, 8:04 pm

>71 jessibud2: Yes Shelley, I bet I got the idea for reading it from you! A big thank you!

>70 mdoris: I hope you can find it Stasia. I liked it!

74mdoris
okt 31, 2021, 10:59 pm

Oliver Jeffers The Working Mind and Drawing Hand V.I Regional LIbrary p. 237



This is a large format book about artist painter, illustrator and children's book author Oliver Jeffers. He is a fascinating artist and I will be reading many/all of his books over time. He was born in Ireland but has lived in the U.S.A.(Brooklyn) for many years now. This book is quite an overview of his work with lots of explanation of his style and philosophy.

p. 230 Social Commentary.
" It is easy to be angry on social media-to point out what's wrong and assign blame-but that only gets things so far. I have a worry that life online is not unlike a Choose Your Own Adventure, where we self-edit the reality around us to reinforce what we already believe or want to believe. A lot of people shouting and not a lot of people listening. What will become fo us if that's the way it goes?

With this in mind I have made a deliberate effort to try and engage only constructively, rather than just adding to the noise; to try and point out the humor, beauty or poetry in things, if they are to be found.

75PaulCranswick
nov 1, 2021, 12:20 am

Dropping by to hope that you have had a good weekend, Mary.

Counted your books read for my stats and got 58 - sound about right?

76mdoris
nov 1, 2021, 1:07 am

>75 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, It has been stunning weather for 3 days now so lots of leaves raked and dog walked. We head down with her to a local ocean side beach where a blue heron hangs out in a marshy area. Stunning bird!

I count 54 read so far. I guess some I list I don't count as fully read.

Hope you have had a very good weekend too Paul!

77PaulCranswick
nov 1, 2021, 1:22 am

>76 mdoris: Oh Mary, how jealous I am of those autumnal profferings! The tropics have their advantages sometimes but the absence of fresh spring or autumn days tell dearly against them.

78mdoris
nov 1, 2021, 12:17 pm

>77 PaulCranswick: "Jealousy oh how you torture me".....I am envious of your temperatures as I like to be warm!

79Caroline_McElwee
Redigerat: nov 1, 2021, 6:12 pm

>70 mdoris: I think that could be me Mary, I read it at the end of last year.

80alcottacre
nov 1, 2021, 6:26 pm

>73 mdoris: My local library has a copy of it, so I hope to have it soon.

Have a wonderful week, Mary!

81mdoris
nov 1, 2021, 8:08 pm

>79 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you Caroline. You are right I think you read it and then Shelley did and then me. It was so personal and had some gem thoughts!

>80 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I will be interested to know what you think. The reviews on the LT page are all over the place.

82msf59
nov 1, 2021, 10:25 pm

Hi, Mary. I have read more John Boyne. I also really liked A Ladder to the Sky, which came out in 2018. I also enjoyed The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which may be his most popular novel.

83mdoris
nov 2, 2021, 3:54 pm

>82 msf59: Hi Mark, I have also read A Ladder to the Sky and A History of Loneliness and have seen the film of the boy in the striped pajames but not read the book. I see he has some children's books. I must read more of his books!

84mdoris
Redigerat: dec 15, 2021, 5:24 pm

I am on an Oliver Jeffers roll and got 4 (and more later) of these gems today from the library. Two of them are of a love of books so how can you go wrong and one is about a penguin (a shout out to Charlotte charl08)! And one is a great early explanations about earth and space. And there's one about a boy who gets lost in space and helps a Martian in space find his way back home too. Great pictures! Still adding more books as they come into the library. This time it was The Heart and the Bottle a story of wonder (how we should never lose it!)

85mdoris
Redigerat: nov 2, 2021, 8:43 pm

The Writer's Library by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager V.I Regional Library p. 348


I felt like a bit of a dunce as there were some authors and many book ideas I had never heard of before. Nancy Pearl is a favourite of mine and I thought this would be a good book to read. There are interviews with American only authors, 23 of them to ask about their fav. books as kids and as adults. I did make a long list of ideas for future reads. It was very interesting to follow the conversations and life stories of many accomplished authors (Louise Erdrich, Richard Ford, Donna Tartt, Amor Towles, Luis Alberto Urrea to name a few.....). There were some interesting conversations about poetry and also short stories.

86Caroline_McElwee
nov 4, 2021, 12:38 pm

>85 mdoris: Added to the list Mary. I love it when I find new recommendations from writers I love. I also love finding one of my own favourites on their lists, which makes me feel we would enjoy a good chat were we ever to meet.

87mdoris
Redigerat: nov 4, 2021, 10:31 pm

>86 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline, It was an interesting book to read. The personalities of those interviewed came shining through. There are lots and lots of book ideas!

88Caroline_McElwee
nov 4, 2021, 6:15 pm

>87 mdoris: It will land on my mat tomorrow Mary.

89alcottacre
nov 4, 2021, 6:58 pm

>85 mdoris: I have that one slated to read in the upcoming months. I am always on the lookout for books with which I am unfamiliar.

90SandyAMcPherson
nov 5, 2021, 9:35 am

>84 mdoris: Lost and Found is a great book. Very philosophical. My grandkids really enjoy it.

91mdoris
Redigerat: nov 9, 2021, 1:37 pm

Fight Night by Miriam Toews off the home shelves p. 250



What a great book! It is the story of family, a crazy, loving family. Not much happens other than the daily grind of family life told through the eyes of a 9 year old girl living with a zingy gramma and a busy pregnant mom. Dad is missing in action. The fun, the chaos, the love are so well portrayed. I loved the language with so many expressions used part of my own. I feel some biographical info must have sifted into the story based on other of Toews' books I have read. In many ways the main character Gramma was a big inspiration. She had weathered many storms and losses in her life time and yet she kept the glass much more than half full. To be envied! The book was unique and moving and playful!

92alcottacre
nov 8, 2021, 11:59 pm

>91 mdoris: I already have that one in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again. Glad to see you enjoyed it, Mary.

93figsfromthistle
nov 9, 2021, 5:48 am

>91 mdoris: Glad you liked that one. You reminded me that I really need to get that one from the library.

Have a great Tuesday!

94mdoris
Redigerat: nov 9, 2021, 6:39 pm

>88 Caroline_McElwee:, >89 alcottacre: Caroline and Stasia I love books about books and I guess you do too!

>90 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy. Do you like any of his other books? I got on a roll about his books because of his new Hallaween one about ghosts that I thought was very creative!

>92 alcottacre:, >93 figsfromthistle: Hi Stasia and Anita. I wil be very interested to think of the book when you get to it! I think she is a remarkable writer.

95SandyAMcPherson
nov 10, 2021, 7:27 am

>94 mdoris: I have read only one other of Jeffers' books, How to Catch a Star.
My daughter has four titles, but I don't remember reading the others to the grandchildren.

96msf59
nov 10, 2021, 7:38 am

Happy Wednesday, Mary. Good review of Fight Night. I have still not read Toews.

97thornton37814
nov 10, 2021, 8:29 am

How did I get so behind on your thread?

>40 mdoris: That one is on my radar. I've heard very good things about it.

>70 mdoris: That sounds like one I'd enjoy. Will check on its availability at the library.

>85 mdoris: Someone else had that on their thread. Sounds good.

98mdoris
Redigerat: nov 13, 2021, 4:27 pm

Giller shortlist books



Who won the prize?
What Strange Paradise

99mdoris
nov 13, 2021, 4:31 pm

>95 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy. I am definitely on a roll with the Jeffers books. He is talented!

>96 msf59: Hi Mark. I really think she is a fabulous writer and for me it makes sense to read many of her books (fiction and non fiction) as her own life experiences can be found there. Hope you get to her books eventually!

>97 thornton37814: Hi Lori. I will come and visit your thread now! Nice to see you visit.

100alcottacre
nov 13, 2021, 6:45 pm

Just wanted to drop by and thank you for your review and recommendation of The Rose Code, Mary. I finished it this afternoon and enjoyed it very much.

Have a wonderful weekend!

101mdoris
Redigerat: nov 13, 2021, 7:38 pm

Zorrie by Laird Hunt V.I Regional LIbrary p. 160



This book was a bb from RidgewayGirl with thanks! It is a quiet book about a woman living in Indiana in her early days (during the depression) and finding work painting clocks dials with radium. She is an orphan and raised by an unkind aunt and finds love and lives on a farm but her husband fights during the war and does not return home. It is a much internalized story of survival. The writing reminded me of Marilynne Robinson and Kent Haruf. The book was shortlisted for the National Book Prize.

102mdoris
nov 13, 2021, 7:36 pm

>100 alcottacre: Oh Stasia I am so glad that you liked the book!

103figsfromthistle
Redigerat: nov 18, 2021, 5:01 pm

>99 mdoris: The Giller list was quite strong this year. I have not read any on the shortlist yet. The Son of the House looks to be quite interesting.

104jessibud2
nov 13, 2021, 9:00 pm

>103 figsfromthistle: - I watched a really good interview with the author of The Son of the House a few months ago. I would be interested to read that one, at some point. (your touchstone goes to a different book.)

105alcottacre
nov 13, 2021, 11:39 pm

>101 mdoris: The writing reminded me of Marilynne Robinson and Kent Haruf.

You got me again, Mary, just with that statement!

106PaulCranswick
nov 14, 2021, 12:01 am

>98 mdoris: I must go and hunt down the books on that list, Mary. Canadian literature is unfairly overlooked by the bookstores here so I might need to order them.

107mdoris
nov 15, 2021, 5:49 pm

Oh William by Eizabeth Strout V.I. Regional Library p. 237



What a gem this book is! It is an intimate and personal look at a marriage, and the friendship with a former husband. It shows how we are mysteries to each other and bring so much background of family history into the union. Strout's writing is so tender and insightful and full of feeling. I really liked it!

108msf59
nov 15, 2021, 6:35 pm

>101 mdoris: "The writing reminded me of Marilynne Robinson and Kent Haruf." Well, that was enough for me, Mary.

>107 mdoris: Looking forward to this one. I am a big fan of Strout.

109mdoris
nov 17, 2021, 11:05 pm

The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane V.I. Regional Library



Here is another beautiful book by Robert Macfarlane. HIs wonderful poetry inspired by wild creatures along with stunning illustrations by Jackie Morris make this a special book. Macfarlane has a way with language!

110mdoris
nov 17, 2021, 11:06 pm

>108 msf59: Mark I don't think you will be disappointed when you get to the new book by Strout!

111mdoris
nov 17, 2021, 11:19 pm

The Edge of the World: A Visual Adventure to the Most Extraordinary Places by The Editors of Outside Magazine V.I. Regional Library



If you like photography and you like extreme sports and you like stunning photos this book is for you. When viewing Powells Bookstore's hot books for Christmas I saw a newly published book by Jimmy Chin that looked beautiful and intriguing and wondered if the library had any of Chin's work so that's how this present book came into my hands. Chin does the forward for this Edge of the World book. The photos are breathtaking (and scary), armchair traveling at its best!

112Familyhistorian
nov 18, 2021, 4:20 pm

>98 mdoris: I saw Omar El Akkad being interviewed about What Strange Paradise at the Vancouver Writers Festival. It was very interesting. He and his interviewer went way back which added another level to their discussion. Being at an in-person event made it that much more engaging, I think.

How are you faring after the last weather event, Mary?

113mdoris
nov 25, 2021, 2:37 pm

>112 Familyhistorian: HI Meg, I look forward to your opinions of the book once you read it!

Wind is howling (like the house of the Three Little Pigs) and more crazy rain. It is full force November.

114mdoris
Redigerat: nov 25, 2021, 2:45 pm

Four Letters of Love by Niall Williams Off the home shelves p. 259



After reading his book This is Happiness, I was captivated and I wanted to read more of his books and this one was available at the wonderful second hand bookstore closeby. This is Williams first book of fiction and it takes place in coastal Ireland with themes of family and love with a major sprinkle of magical realism thrown in! It was good and I will hunt for more of his books.

115jessibud2
Redigerat: nov 25, 2021, 4:47 pm

Hi Mary. Where are you in relation to what's going on in BC right now? I hope you are not in harm's way!

Have you ever read anything by Patrick Taylor? His books are my secret reads! I have actually only listened to them on audio because the narrator, John Keating, is magnificent! You can actually KNOW each and every character just by the way he does the voices and nuances. Not all the books are on audio, though, and I just purchased what I believe is the newest one. From the sound of the books you mention in >114 mdoris:, I bet you'd love Taylor's books! You don't have to read them in order but many characters are present in all of them and each book builds on their characters.

116alcottacre
nov 25, 2021, 5:24 pm

>114 mdoris: Adding that one to the BlackHole. I would add Oh William too, but it (and the rest of the series) are already there.

117mdoris
nov 25, 2021, 8:38 pm

>115 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, Thank you for asking. All fine here. It has been especially November weather here and the wind last night made me feel that I was living in the Three LIttle Pigs house and of course lots of rain too. There was a sink hole in the highway south and of course closures on the Malahat highway close to Victoria but they got things fixed up pronto. There is little ( or/no) media coverage of the dikes failure that was the cause of the flooding in the lower Mainland Vancouver. There is always a narrative to be found or not found. (Sumas dike failure, now pictures of repairs that should have been made that were identified 5 years ago). Oh SORRY!

I certainly have heard of Patrick Taylor and heard wonderful things about his books but have never read any. I must correct that! I think he lives on Saltspring Island. I have never listened to an audio book, bad me!

118mdoris
nov 25, 2021, 8:39 pm

>166 jessibud2: Hi Stasia and a Happy Thanksgiving to you! Enjoy your time celebrating!

119mdoris
Redigerat: nov 25, 2021, 8:46 pm

>115 jessibud2: and some more Shelley.....Looking at an article re:flooding it said in a 2015 study 71% of the Lower Mainland dikes (and there are a LOT of them!!) were vulnerable to failure by overtopping. And nothing was done with this information.
and more
So the estimate in 2015 to repair and rebuild dikes was 300 million (the highest estimate)
Now the estimate of in just one area after recent flooding will be over 1 billion in flood compensatin and repairs.

120jessibud2
nov 25, 2021, 9:15 pm

Mary, this doesn't surprise me. I think it's in politicians' DNA to try to delay things that are unpopular so the big ticket costs fall onto someone else's watch and responsibility. Human nature, until something bad happens to their own families. It's such a travesty. And, all the platitudes after the fact. It's terrifying, really.

Do try a Patrick Taylor book. And if you can, try it on audio. The narrator is such a treat!. In real life, Taylor was a doctor in Ireland before moving to Saltspring. I ws hooked after my first one and have been trying to get hold of as many as I could ever since. And there are many! Really fun and lovely stories.

121alcottacre
nov 25, 2021, 11:50 pm

>118 mdoris: My husband and i had a very nice day. Thanks!

122Familyhistorian
nov 29, 2021, 1:35 am

More crazy rain on the way, Mary. This has been a November for the record books.

123mdoris
nov 29, 2021, 8:14 pm

>120 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley, I'll sure keep the Patrick Taylor books in mind!

>121 alcottacre: HI Stasia! Glad that you had a good Thanksgiving!

>122 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, the rain on Saturday was huge and never ending. More in the forecast. Ugh! But did get out for a couple of rain-free dog walks today. We head down to the ocean where there is often a blue heron sitting in the water by a fast flowing stream. It is always so good to see it!

124SandyAMcPherson
dec 1, 2021, 6:19 pm

Hi Mary. It was lovely to see you drop by chez moi.

Hope the crazy rains have not plagued you with flooding since you last posted. Comox sits in the midst of the rain squalls, if the weather maps weren't deceiving me.

My public announcement service, right here on your very own thread!

Since you indicated interest for the Christmas Vanilla Pecan Ovals recipe ☛☛☛
I posted the recipe on my "wall" (under my profile) in case you'd like my infamous Quad-F cookie to make for the seasonal snacking... (Fun-Fast-Finished-Fattening)!

On my wall, so keeping it out of the Talk threads. I prefer not to clutter up my book talk with recipes. Not that I mind if other LT-ers like to post recipes on their threads.

125mdoris
dec 2, 2021, 1:26 am

>124 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks Sandy for typing out the yummy sounding cookie recipe. They sound perfect for Christmas baking ideas and I will be making them!

There has been endless rain (and wind) but we have managed to find times several times a day for fairly dry dog walks thank heavens! No flooding in the Comox Valley that I know of but the rivers are high and of course with the high tides this time of year it could be dicey if the storms coincide. Fingers crossed.

126mdoris
Redigerat: dec 6, 2021, 4:51 pm

Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller V.I. Regional Library p. 287


This is currently short listed for the Costa prize and it is an interesting book. It is the story about quite dependent twins in their 50's whose mother has died recently and they must fend for themselves. They are ill equiped with skills or knowledge to face the modern world and have been damaged by their mother's lies and needs. Thank heavens they have the support and friendships of a few people in their community to help them through very difficut times. The presence of a well loved dog Maude was a saving grace for me! In some ways it is a very tragic story of people living on the edge of society.

Costa novel prize short list 2021
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed

The High House by Jessie Greengrass

Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

127mdoris
dec 3, 2021, 6:56 pm

The Tournament of Books just announced its shortlist of books that will be followed and discussed. This is always fun to follow in March when the NCAA basketball is happening too. There are definitely some books I want to read! Here are the books listed with descriptions/summaries of each.

https://themorningnews.org/article/the-2022-tournament-of-books-shortlist-and-ju...

128mdoris
Redigerat: dec 22, 2021, 1:42 am

Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter V.I Regional Library



I read this because I really like John McWhorter and this is a brand new book he has written. He is a Professor at Columbia University and a Linguist and I have followed him now for several years expressing his opinions in video interviews about our present cultural woes. He is bright and funny and perceptive and does not run with the crowd and courgageous about expressing his own opinions. This book looks at the nine (plus a few more) words our culture has designated as taboo or swear words and he looks at the function and history of these words. It was an unique and interesting book!

129Familyhistorian
dec 3, 2021, 7:53 pm

Did you get lots of dog walks in today, Mary?

130mdoris
dec 3, 2021, 8:11 pm

Strangely enough Meg I got in fewer dog walks today. We are well equipped for the rain and go out regardless but today seemed to have different ideas for me! Did you get out in the delicious sunshine? Hope so!

131jessibud2
dec 3, 2021, 9:31 pm

>128 mdoris: - Sounds like a fun read, Mary! I always enjoy books about language.

132mdoris
dec 3, 2021, 9:47 pm

>131 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, I love books about language too. I guess I should as I was trained and worked as a Speech/Language Pathologist!

133PaulCranswick
dec 3, 2021, 10:09 pm

>128 mdoris: That captured my eye, Mary. Looks like a bloody good read!

Have a lovely weekend. x

134mdoris
dec 4, 2021, 12:56 am

>133 PaulCranswick: HI Paul, If you get a chance watch some of his interviews. He is terrific! Wishing you a wonderful weekend too! x

135SandyAMcPherson
dec 5, 2021, 8:38 pm

>125 mdoris: Hope you've been able to uncross your fingers. I guess a cold spell has dried things out on the coast now.

Hope the cookie baking is successful for you.

136alcottacre
dec 5, 2021, 10:34 pm

>126 mdoris: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Mary.

137streamsong
dec 6, 2021, 12:41 pm

Thanks for posting the short list for The Tournament of Books in >127 mdoris:. The only one I've read is Klara and the Sun, which I liked. Have you read any? Any that look particularly interesting to you?

138mdoris
Redigerat: dec 6, 2021, 4:54 pm

>137 streamsong: HI Janet. Great to see you visit! I have had a look at the Tof B and there are some that I have on library reserve, The Trees by Percival Everett (some enthusiasm for it on L.T!) and the new Ruth Ozeki book The Book of Form and Emptiness ( I really liked her book The Tale for the Time Being I tried the new Sally Rooney book but it wasn't for me and returned it to the library. I had liked her Normal People book and thought the film was outstanding! Janet are you going to read any from the list?
https://bookshop.org/lists/the-2022-tournament-of-books

139mdoris
dec 6, 2021, 4:47 pm

>135 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy! Now we have snow! The trees in the garden are drooping and not happy as the snow is very heavy coastal snow. Sandy have you ever made half the recipe of your very yummy pecan shortbread? I still want to make them. I found some marzipan and iced our Christmas cakes today. They are of the very old fashioned sort!

>136 alcottacre: Stasia I can't imagine how very deep and broad your book blackhole must be! I do want to read more of the Costa shortlist books.

140mdoris
Redigerat: dec 7, 2021, 11:25 pm

Spoon Fed Why Almost Everything We've Been Told About Food is Wrong by Tim Spector V.I. Regional Library p. 241



I think it was susanj67 who put me on to this book. I do like to read 'food" books regularly. This book examines myths about food and then gives research to show how these myths are incorrect. I was aware of most of what the author challenges. The author is a professor of epidemiology at King's College in London with an interest in gut microbiome. In my opinion, one extremely important myth that he did not take on is the impact of manufactured vegetable oils on our health and diets. He does explain the utter lack of nutrition training in medical training which is shocking as so much of our medical ills are related to diet.

141alcottacre
dec 7, 2021, 11:45 pm

>140 mdoris: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Nutrition is one of the things I read about regularly.

142bell7
dec 8, 2021, 8:39 pm

I'm going back a bit, but I really enjoyed The Writer's Library (I find I often don't love what Nancy Pearl does, but I love her enthusiasm for books and authors, as well as author interviews) and Nine Nasty Words.

Oh William has been getting a lot of love lately too. I still need to read My Name Is Lucy Barton, but you're definitely making me want to move it up the list!

143SandyAMcPherson
Redigerat: dec 8, 2021, 11:27 pm

>139 mdoris: I think the Vanilla Ovals recipe could be half-ed just fine. I've not tried it, though. So maybe you can experiment and let us know.

If you have to tweak anything, it would be the flour ---> because unbleached white (all-purpose) flour in the prairies is "drier" (due to our very low humidity). So on a volume basis, be aware the marginal difference in a full recipe might be noticeable in a half recipe. I'd expect you might need a tad more flour (a tablespoon at most, perhaps even less). So if the dough is really sticky, it would not hurt to add a bare amount more to reduce this handling problem.

144PaulCranswick
dec 9, 2021, 1:07 am

>140 mdoris: The problem about reading good books about food is that they invariably make you hungry, Mary!

145mdoris
dec 9, 2021, 3:24 pm

>142 bell7: Hi Mary, so nice to see you visit. I will come and have a visit with your thread very soon. I did like Nancy Pearls book on ideas for books when traveling to certain destinations Book Lust to Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and… and I liked her analysis of book assessments and categories i.e plot/character/writing etc. to see which one you are most inclined to love and I sure like her Pearl rule of when to ditch a book. I ditch seldom but the rule made me feel better about it! I must see if the library has any more of her books.

>143 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy. I will keep you posted about the cookies! I am a long time baker so I can probably figure it out. I am just about to purchase the new Dorie Greenspan book about baking. I think she is a marvel!

>144 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, Almost everything seems to make us hungry. Oh better go have lunch!

146alcottacre
dec 9, 2021, 3:30 pm

Just checking in on you, Mary! I hope all is well there.

Keep me posted as to when you get the Niall Williams book :)

147mdoris
dec 9, 2021, 4:40 pm

HI Stasia. All's good, the sun is streaming in the house.
I am waiting for a few Niall Williams books. Have you read a few? I really liked This is Happiness

148streamsong
dec 10, 2021, 2:38 pm

>138 mdoris: Hi Mary - I'm interested in both the Ruth Ozeki book and the Trees for the same reasons that you are. I liked Ozeki's first book and I'm intrigued by the reaction to Trees here on LT.

Spoon-Fed sounds interesting. I could borrow it on Hoopla, but interestingly enough, it is only the summary of the book (they say it takes about 20 minutes to read) and not the book itself. How odd. I guess at least I'd know if the ideas seemed interesting to me.

149mdoris
dec 10, 2021, 3:06 pm

>148 streamsong: HI Janet, That is weird. There is a general summary at the end of the book that is very diluted in content and wouldn't be that helpful I am guessing. He does emphasize how BIG FOOD industries have manipulated our diet to our HUGE detriment but I'm sure you know about that. Really the advice of Michael Pollan and his food rules still holds firm. I am interested now in the information about fasting and low carbs.

150alcottacre
dec 10, 2021, 3:21 pm

>147 mdoris: I am not sure that I have ever read anything by Williams, Mary. I own a couple, but that does not mean I have read them, lol.

151mdoris
dec 10, 2021, 4:34 pm

>150 alcottacre: Oh boy, me too. i sure have lots of books that I mean to get to and then don't. Being on LT is such a huge temptation for adding to the library request list and then the ones on the home shelves languish. What to do?

152alcottacre
dec 10, 2021, 4:37 pm

>151 mdoris: I have basically decided to use the TIOLI challenges to help me clear books off my own shelves as much as I can, but for the shared reads, rely on my local library. We will see how that works out.

153mdoris
dec 10, 2021, 4:41 pm

>152 alcottacre: There was a local huge book sale this week in our community and of course I wanted to go but then realized that the books I bought last year are still unread and so I had a firm talking to myself and resisted attending. Oh but there was a big pull........

154alcottacre
dec 10, 2021, 4:43 pm

>153 mdoris: Oh, I understand that completely. I have gone nuts lately with the book buying, especially for the Asian Authors challenge. That will definitely be stopping come January.

155mdoris
Redigerat: dec 14, 2021, 10:54 pm

On Animals by Susan Orlean V.I Regional Library p. 236


Animals are the best! So reading about animals is wonderful too and this book proves it. There are 15 stories about them first published in the New Yorker mag, Atlantic or Smithsonian mag. Stories are from soup to nuts about panda bears, chickens, dogs, an orca, donkeys, lions, tigers, rabbits, homing pigeons and more. There was lovely writing too to enjoy, very personal and light hearted creating a good break from the human condition!

156alcottacre
dec 14, 2021, 10:50 pm

>155 mdoris: I will have to see if my local library has that one!

157Familyhistorian
dec 15, 2021, 6:01 pm

Spoon Fed looks like an interesting one, Mary, but the VPL doesn't have it although they do have other books by the author. Is it a recent book?

158mdoris
dec 15, 2021, 8:12 pm

>157 Familyhistorian: HI Meg, Yes it is a recently published book 2021.

159mdoris
Redigerat: dec 16, 2021, 12:59 am

>84 mdoris: More additions to the Oliver Jeffers books. What a fabulous kids' author he is! I definitely like his art work and his ideas.

160mdoris
Redigerat: dec 16, 2021, 12:58 am


I love Booth. I think he is brilliant!

161mdoris
dec 16, 2021, 1:29 am

>128 mdoris: I did mention that I REALLY like and admire John McWhorter. He has just published a book called Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America and I sure would like to get my mitts on it. I followed this tonight, an interview on a consistently good podcast called Triggernometry and John McWhorter is a wonder!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlxIw4Klcl8

162mdoris
dec 17, 2021, 11:03 pm

This is the time of year that largeheartedboy puts out the "best of" lists from a zillion different sources. I love looking at these lists. So here is his site for best of 2021.

http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2021/10/online_best_of_82.html

163alcottacre
dec 18, 2021, 1:53 am

>161 mdoris: Adding Woke Racism to the BlackHole. Thanks for the link, Mary!

>162 mdoris: I love that he has links to tons of other lists. I will never get through them all! lol

164figsfromthistle
Redigerat: dec 18, 2021, 5:47 am

>140 mdoris: BB for me. Looks to be quite an interesting read.

Have a great weekend!

165msf59
dec 18, 2021, 7:02 am

Happy Saturday, Mary. It looks like we both enjoyed On Animals. I like her style. Have you read her before? I also like those New Yorker covers.

166jessibud2
dec 18, 2021, 7:08 am

I recently attended an author talk with Susan Orlean on her book and she was delightful. I haven't read it yet but I will get to it. The author talk was online, via my Hot Docs theatre. They often have author talks and this was a good one.

167mdoris
dec 19, 2021, 10:23 pm

>163 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, I have put in a request to the library to purchase Woke Racsim and hope they decide to buy it!

>164 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, Hope you find it useful when you read it.

>165 msf59: Hi Mark, yes i read her book about the L.A. library fire. I did like this one about animals.

>166 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, You sure get to watch some wonderful docs with Hot Doc!

168mdoris
Redigerat: dec 19, 2021, 10:28 pm

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett V.I Regional Library p. 320



What a great book. Ann Patchett you just get better and better! Thanks for sharing your stories.

169alcottacre
dec 20, 2021, 12:35 am

>168 mdoris: I definitely need to read that one. I am a big Ann Patchett fan!

170Caroline_McElwee
dec 21, 2021, 4:35 pm

I don't know how I lost your thread Mary.

I loved the Patchett too. I have a couple of others you have read in the tbr mountain too.

171Caroline_McElwee
dec 21, 2021, 4:36 pm



I hope 2022 is a year with special moments Mary.

172PaulCranswick
dec 21, 2021, 9:57 pm

>161 mdoris: I am ordering McWhorter's book, Mary and it does look interesting.

The idea of shaming the entire white population for ancestral sins is, I heartily believe, the road to absolute ruin. Are we to demonise the Arabs and Turks for the slave trade that went from East Africa into Asia and which dwarfed the trade going across the Atlantic? If reparations are sought then what about the families of Union soldiers that died in the Civil War whose sacrifice effectively resulted in the ending of slavery in North America? If the British slave traders are castigated then how should we laud the British Government in the first half of the nineteenth century who blockaded the Atlantic Coast of Africa and ended the slave trade as a going concern? How are the indentured mill and mine workers of Northern England, South Wales and the Scottish lowlands to be compensated for being the grist to the mill of Industrial Revolution? History is packed with wrongs. What about seeking retribution from Rome, Persia or the Vikings for their raids in the West in days of Yore?

The way forward is not to regress into talking about white oppression but to strive towards achieving MLK's dream of a colour-blind society.

173mdoris
dec 22, 2021, 1:37 am

>172 PaulCranswick: Paul, extremely well said.

174mdoris
dec 22, 2021, 1:41 am

>169 alcottacre: HI Stasia, the stories are so personal. It feels your best friend just shared a lot with you! I really liked the book and hope you do too!

>170 Caroline_McElwee:, >171 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. Thank you for the season's greetings, much appreciated. It looks like you are a Patchett fan too. Wasn't it a good one!

175alcottacre
dec 22, 2021, 1:44 am

>174 mdoris: I have put the book on hold at my local library - it is due to be returned 12/28 - so hopefully we will know soon!

176mdoris
dec 22, 2021, 1:51 am

>175 alcottacre: Good luck! Sometimes it is tricky getting time to read over Christmas. i have a stack myself to conquer!

177alcottacre
dec 22, 2021, 3:41 am

>176 mdoris: Oh, I know. I have a stack too!

178figsfromthistle
dec 22, 2021, 8:21 pm

179PaulCranswick
dec 24, 2021, 8:39 pm



Have a lovely holiday, Mary.

180SandyAMcPherson
dec 27, 2021, 10:32 am

Hi Mary, Thanks for dropping by. As always I enjoy your comments and book reviews. I've had some great titles from checking out what you've read this past year. Best wishes for a healthy, bookish year to come.

181jessibud2
dec 27, 2021, 10:33 am

I'm late to the game for holiday wishes but I will say an early Happy New Year, Mary. I'll be looking for your new thread for the new year, too.

182mdoris
dec 27, 2021, 7:21 pm

>177 alcottacre:, >178 figsfromthistle:, >179 PaulCranswick:, >180 SandyAMcPherson:, >181 jessibud2: Hello to my visitors....Stasia, Anita, Paul, Sandy and Shelley. So nice to see you at the very busy time of year Wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year in 2022 and superb books to read too! All the best!

183alcottacre
dec 27, 2021, 7:34 pm

>182 mdoris: Thanks, Mary! Same to you!

184mdoris
Redigerat: jan 3, 2022, 9:47 pm

Happy New Year to All, may it bring you good health, much happiness and oodles of wonderful books!

The plan is for daughter #4 to come with her wee ones tomorrow from Denver (2 years old and 6 months old). I have hardly let myself get excited about this as there are so many variables that could go south but they are determined to come as it has been ages and is greatly needed and wanted. So I won't be my typical computer driven self and may be delayed getting up next year's thread.

I had a very, very good year of reading and high numbers for me. I read 68 books and would have surpassed the BIG 75 if I had included kids books as I have done a wonderful run on Oliver Jeffers books (what a marvel he is!). 35 of those were non fiction and my fav books this year would all fit into the non fiction category which is kind of a first for me. There are some amazing people bringing forth courageous and well researched writing that challenge the media narrative and I really like that! These are authors asking some very important questions. So here goes. Here are my favs and I could not keep them to 5.

non fiction
Apocalypse Never by Michael Shellenberger
Irreversible Damage The Transgender Craze Seducing our Daughters by Abigail Shrier ****
The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea
Unsporting by Linda Blade
Prey: Immigration, Islam, and the Erosion of Women's Rights by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, by Jean Twenge
The Rise of Victimhood Culture by Bradley Campbell
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett

fiction
The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting thank you Donna!
Fight Night by Miriam Toews
This is Happiness by Niall Williams

185alcottacre
dec 27, 2021, 7:50 pm

>184 mdoris: I picked up These Precious Days from the library the other day. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did, Mary!

186mdoris
dec 28, 2021, 6:53 pm

>84 mdoris: I'm still hunting down Oliver Jeffers books. Here is a link to his TED talk which I found interesting.
https://www.oliverjeffers.com/ted-2020-an-ode-to-living-on-planet-earth

187Familyhistorian
dec 30, 2021, 8:51 pm

Hi Mary, I hope that your family made it for the visit and you are enjoying time with them. Have a Happy New Year.

188PaulCranswick
jan 1, 2022, 3:16 am



Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Mary.