Papa Jim (jim53) tries to read in 2020

The time finally feels right for me to rejoin the conversation. My health is settling down, we're past the worst part of the election (I hope that statement won't come back to bite me), and I miss the fun. It's been great keeping up with a few of you on Facebook and Instagram, but this is better. I'm not going to try to read everyone's journals from the beginning; I'll be catching up with everyone's recent entries. I hope y'all have been staying safe and mostly sane. It looks as if life is becoming more restricted again, so I'll have plenty of time to read and chat. More soon on this year's reading.

>1 Jim53: Welcome back, looking forward to hearing about your reading.

>2 Karlstar: Thanks, Jim!

My current read is my most recent ER acquisition, Always a Guest by Barbara Brown Taylor. It's a collection of 30 sermons; the first few date from 2018, so I'll have to see whether they extend into the craziness of 2020. The title refers to the fact that she no longer has her own congregation, but she accepts lots of invitations to preach in a variety of settings. She speaks of many things that she wants to learn about each group to whom she is going to preach, and of learning things such as that a length that's just fine for Baptists is a bit too much for Lutherans. I'll probably read three or four a day, rather than just plowing through the book.

Rev. Taylor was the author of one of my favorite books of the year, which was her memoir, Leaving Church. She describes having her own congregation, and how the time came for her to give it up. She didn't leave the church, per se, but her position at one parish. A very reflective and insightful memoir.

At bedtime I've been reading Mary Stewart's series of books about Merlin and Arthur. I'm nearing the end of The Last Enchantment, so one more to go. I'm finding these to be more substantial and interesting than I had remembered from long ago.

>1 Jim53:
Hi Jim!

Great to see your name pop up on a thread. Let the fun begin.

>1 Jim53: Welcome back!

>4 pgmcc: >5 YouKneeK: Thanks!

Welcome back! I'm glad you are well. I've also recently returned, and am still trying to get back into a routine of checking in at the Green Dragon. Looking forward to following your thread.

Welcome back! It's great to see you again and I look forward to following your reading.

Lovely to see you again. >3 Jim53: Already delivering book bullets I see.

>1 Jim53: Welcome back!

>7 SylviaC: >8 Sakerfalcon: >9 MrsLee: >10 Narilka: Thank you, friends. I'm delighted to have the chance to rejoin the conversation.

I just saw this list, and realized how few of these books I've read:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/books/notable-books.html

So far I've read:
Blacktop Wasteland
A Burning
Everywhere You Don't Belong
The Vanishing Half

There are a lot more that I'd like to read after I've made some progress on my current pile. Have any of y'all read some of the others? Any that you really liked?

>11 Jim53: No, Jim. I have not read any of them.

>11 Jim53: Nary a one. I confess lately that even though I see updates from both Tor and Penguin/RandomHouse, they just don't give me enough to let me know whether I should read any of the books they are pushing, so I'm always a year or two behind on reading 'new' books, I have to wait for a consensus, a lot of which I get from here. I'm a long way from my SFBC days when I often ordered the book of the month. That and I don't read much general fiction.

>12 pgmcc: I do want to read A Promised Land.

>14 Karlstar: That looks interesting.

>13 Karlstar: Yes! I always want to know more than they give us in these plugs. By the time I hear of something, there's often a long list of holds on it at the library already. So I end up being a bit behind the curve too. I'm currently #202 on the list for A Promised Land. Let's see, there are 24 copies, and most people will keep it for three weeks, so I'll probably get it in April.

>14 Karlstar:, >15 pgmcc: & >16 Jim53: According to the "State of the Thing" newsletter there will be a group read for A Promised Land coordinated via the One Library Thing, One Book group. Don't know if any of you subscribe but thought it might be of interest.

They've set up a tentative reading schedule:

Monday, November 30. Part One.

Monday, December 7. Part Two and Three.

Monday, December 14. Part Four and Five.

Monday, December 21. Part Six and Seven.

>17 AHS-Wolfy: Thank you for passing on that news. It is appreciated.

>17 AHS-Wolfy: Thanks, Dave. I did see that in the newsletter, but I think it would be too fast a pace for me these days. I did join the group, though, so that I'll be able to keep an eye on their activities.

>17 AHS-Wolfy: Thanks! However, I won't have it on that schedule. I'm currently at least 3 or 4 books behind.

>11 Jim53: That's a good list. I've only read The Aosawa murders, Breasts and eggs, Kim Jiyoung and Real life, all of which were very good. Several more are on my TBR pile (Tokyo Ueno station, Sisters, The mercies, Little eyes, and How much of these hills is gold) and Owls of the Eastern ice and Earthlings are on my wish list.

OK, I'll play...

1. Name any book you read at any time that was published in the year you turned 18:
To Your Scattered Bodies Go, the first of PJF's Riverworld series
2. Name a book you have on in your TBR pile that is over 500 pages long:
11/22/63
3. What is the last book you read with a mostly blue cover?
Hieroglyphics
4. What is the last book you didn’t finish (and why didn’t you finish it?)
Black Leopard, Red Wolf. I didn't have the stamina to work with it. I will definitely try it again.
5. What is the last book that scared the bejeebers out of you?
I don't read many books like that.
6. Name the book that you read either this year or last year that takes place geographically closest to where you live:
None that recently from the immediate area. I'll go with Lincoln in the Bardo since DC is a little closer than NYC.
7.What were the topics of the last two nonfiction books you read?
Spirituality: Always a Guest. BBT is one of my favorites.
Music: The 101 Best Jazz Albums
8. Name a recent book you read which could be considered a popular book?
The Vanishing Half was a NYT top-ten book; we read it for our community book club.
9. What was the last book you gave a rating of 5-stars to? And when did you read it?
I don't give a lot of five-star ratings. The last one was for Americanah in 2018.
10. Name a book you read that led you to specifically read another book (and what was the other book, and what was the connection)
After reading Citizen, I sought out other poetry by Black writers, including The Tradition.
11. Name the author you have most recently become infatuated with.
Rachel Howzell Hall
12. What is the setting of the first novel you read this year?
England-- Warlight
13. What is the last book you read, fiction or nonfiction, that featured a war in some way (and what war was it)?
The Hollow Hills: Arthur's wars against the Saxons
14. What was the last book you acquired or borrowed based on an LTer’s review or casual recommendation?
City of Brass. Excellent shot, Peter and Jill.
15. What the last book you read that involved the future in some way?
We Want to Do More than Survive
16. Name the last book you read that featured a body of water, river, marsh, or significant rainfall:
Where the Crawdads Sing
17. What is last book you read by an author from the Southern Hemisphere?
Born a Crime.So many authors have, like Noah, moved to the north. I think my most recent read by an author who is still in the south is The Neighborhood.
18. What is the last book you read that you thought had a terrible cover?
I'm not particularly critical of covers. Nothing springs to mind.
19. Who was the most recent dead author you read? And what year did they die?
The most recently dead author I've read is Toni Morrison, who died last year. The dead author I've read most recently is Penelope Fitzgerald, who died in 2000.
20. What was the last children’s book (not YA) you read?
Here We Are. The answer would be Bug Soup, which I had sent to my grandson for his birthday, but we haven't visited them since.
21. What was the name of the detective or crime-solver in the most recent crime novel you read?
Grayson Sykes, in And Now She's Gone
22. What was the shortest book of any kind you’ve read so far this year?
Congratulations, By the Way. Saunders could have been another answer to #11.
23. Name the last book that you struggled with (and what do you think was behind the struggle?)
Scavenger, which was an ER title. It was fascinating to see the author writing in the second person to a main character who isn't all there, but I really had to work to figure out what some of the cryptic thoughts and conversations referred to.
24. What is the most recent book you added to your library here on LT:
Always a Guest, which I just reviewed.
25. Name a book you read this year that had a visual component (i.e. illustrations, photos, art, comics)
1919, which has Ewing's poems and photos of the Chicago race riots.
BONUS QUESTION!
26. What is the title and year of the oldest book in your physical library that you have reviewed on LT?
This would take longer than I can spend right now to figure it out. Most of my reviews are of more recent books. The oldest might be as recent as A Canticle for Leibowitz, which was published in 1959.

>22 Jim53: Glad I could help you answer #14. :-)

It was jillmwo who hit me first. Now she is a real markswoman.

>23 pgmcc: I got winged in that exchange too but have not yet found time to read the trilogy. Might try to fit it in after the new year.

>22 Jim53: It's great to see this list making the rounds :D

>24 ScoLgo: A treat ahead of you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Argghhh! I've been trying to get the touchstones in >22 Jim53: to work. Someone mentioned that adding too many at once seems to overwhelm the system, so I removed half of them and saved the entry, and the remaining touchstones appeared. Yay! So I added the removed ones back in and now none of them work. I'll have to try smaller batches--but not right now.

>28 Jim53: I wonder if this is a browser issue? I didn't have any trouble with them in my quiz post. I was working from my laptop. I always have trouble with them from my phone. Then I have to save the post, go back in with edit, then save again and they show up.

I'm about halfway through Ten Poems to Change Your Life and finding it very good. It includes Housden's reflections on ten poems that mean a lot to him. The only one I had encountered before was Song of Myself, and I'm no longer the same self that I was when I read it fifty years ago. For someone like me, who often fails to derive as much as I could from reading a poem, his explications/reflections are very useful. I'll definitely be looking for more work by some o these poets, especially Mary Oliver.

Our community book club got off to a very good start this fall with Born a Crime, American Dirt, and The Vanishing Half. Our December book is Class Mom, which I started last night. I can't say I'm impressed so far. We usually read something light and/or short for December, and this one fits those criteria at least.

I'm also reading The Water Dancer, which I'm finding pretty wonderful after the first couple of chapters. Coates adds some magical realism to his story of an escaped slave.

I went ahead and zipped through The Class Mom, which was a very easy read with a few more hits than misses in the many attempts at humor. She introduces a couple of mildly intriguing story lines to keep it from being just about trying to organize class parties and such. The best line comes quite early, when she sees her son's kindergarten classroom for the first time: "It looked as if she had started with PeeWee's Playhouse and then vomited Disney, um, stuff all over the place." No idea what I can say about this at book club. Now back to something better.

>30 Jim53: This one sounds interesting, although having checked the Table of Contents for it, I realize I am unfamiliar with almost all -- if not all -- of the listed poems. How much prior knowledge of the poets do you think is necessary for enjoying the book? Is the text of those 10 poems included in the book or do you have to go hunt them down?

>33 jillmwo: Sorry for the delay, had a tough few days. I don't think any prior knowledge is needed; I had almost none. The text of the poems is included in the book. For me, it was just good timing on the themes and an appropriate amount of explication. I decided I liked it enough to get my own copy, and discovered that he has three more similar volumes, as well as several collections of (others') poems without commentary. I decided I'll make sure I continue to appreciate these ten before grabbing any more.

In the mean time I've continued with The Water Dancer and also started The Art of Violence, the latest entry in SJ Rozan's series featuring New York PIs Lydia Chin and Bill Smith.

Here's something I didn't know about: "Selena Montgomery protagonists are equally as horny for justice and truth as they are for creamy skin and flawless breasts." Anybody know who Ms. Montgomery is? I'm definitely going to check her out.

https://www.glamour.com/story/stacey-abrams-is-a-published-romance-novelist-and-...

Welcome back, Jim! Glad you're feeling better. So good to see you posting here again.

Alright Jim. I've taken a look around and I can definitely see where you're going to need the services of a Professional Piffle Meister.

But don't you worry. With the right tools and the right attitude, we'll have you on track on no time!

With that being said, this IS your thread, so while I can piffle away I'm going to need you to do the heavy lifting of giving me a comment each day to work with.

Doesn't have to be a big comment, or indepth. Even a book name or author you're interested in will do.

Piffling is all about putting the plaster on the bones. So you supply the bones, I'll blaster the plaster all over the place until you hardly recognize your own thread!

I believe the "start a new thread count" is at 150 or 170, right?

I think this was a very productive Meet N Greet. I look forward to doing business with you.

I approve of these messages.

We've definitely got a lot of posting to do, though.

>42 BookstoogeLT: 151 is the magic number

>45 clamairy: Yes indeedy. But that is why Jim hired the BEST.

>46 Narilka: Thanks. I can never remember where the cut off point is.

And look at that. We are already 1/3 of the way there.

Hee hee. Thank you all, especially the grand master, for your help. I may just have to actually start a new, unattached thread next year. The last couple of weeks have been a bit tough and I haven't gotten much reading done. I gave up on some tough nonfiction that I had started before running out of gas, and am back to easier stuff. Current read is Death Qualified, the first of Kate Wilhelm's Bobby Holloway legal thriller series.

Don't worry, further piffle can always be produced, if necessary.

>51 Jim53: We'll keep piling on! If you want easy stuff to read, go check my thread!

I'll just keep throwing random pics of cheese in here.

>42 BookstoogeLT: Doesn't that depend on the fiber content? Pima cotton versus, say, Icelandic wool?

>53 Karlstar: Thanks, Jim. I actually went to the library on Saturday and picked up an assortment that will probably last me well into the new year. And no pressure attached to any of them; if I keep them a while and take them back unread, that's fine. They're all things I'd like to read, and I suspect I will eventually, but it doesn't have to be now.

>55 Marissa_Doyle: hilarious.

>51 Jim53: Jim me boy, when you hired Bookstooge-R-Us to piffle in your thread, you had no idea what you were getting into. But don't worry. Now you do :-D

>52 -pilgrim-: And it can be produced even if completely UNNECESSARY! But true piffling takes skill to work it into every day conversations.

I highly recommend what >53 Karlstar: suggests. He's got some crackerjack books.

>54 clamairy: Cheese is good for us. And the threads. Helps keep the energy levels up so our fingers don't droop and we end up typing nonsense ;-)

>55 Marissa_Doyle: My wife had to explain to me what you were even talking about. Probably because I've just put too much effort into my Piffling Degree and ignored the world at large.

Ok boys, pack it up. Looks like another good day's work!

>54 clamairy: That cheese looks deee-licious!

>554 Mmmm, cheese .....

>54 clamairy: what >64 hfglen: said. Also what >65 Sakerfalcon: said.

While I greatly appreciate y'all's efforts here, I should mention that I'm allergic to cheese (although not to pictures, as far as I know).

>67 Jim53: If you don't want it, may I have your share?

>67 Jim53: Virtual cheese is the best sort, if you have a cheese allergy. (I get lactose intolerant during points of my chemotherapy cycle, so I know whereof I speak.)

>67 Jim53: Ouch. How do you manage to exist?

Alright, instead of cheese porn I'll spam you with another kind.

>70 clamairy: Back when I was working, a colleague invited me to go out for pizza for lunch one day. I declined and explained my allergy. He gave me a slow nod and look, and said solemnly, "And yet you go on living."

>68 ScoLgo: You may have it, in consideration of your exceptional efforts here, but I expect you to share just a little with the others.

>69 -pilgrim-: I guess you're right, that the cheese in here won't really do me any harm. Fortunately in my case, the allergy dose not seem to extend to other dairy products. If I couldn't have ice cream, that would be heartbreaking.

>70 clamairy: Oh! Library porn! Now you're talkin'.

>71 Jim53: Hear! Hear! on the ice cream.

>71 Jim53: I have located some lactose free ice cream that is actually quite tasty.

I have yet to locate lactose-free cheese.

*sits drooling quietly*

>73 -pilgrim-: There’s a whey to go before we have lactose free cheese.

All this talk of cheese and icecream is making me hungry! Too bad I have to go to work in just a couple of minutes.

Aaaaaaaaaaand Half Way Mark ACHIEVED!

>75 BookstoogeLT: Well, at least you will remember to take some bottled milk in your packed lunch.

I appreciate everyone's contribution, even (or perhaps especially? hard to tell sometimes) Peter's groaner.

I finally finished Death Qualified last night. The scenario ends up being quite fascinating, verging on science fiction, but it takes a very long time to become clear. In the mean time, we get a little bit more trial proceedings than I would prefer, but they're broken up nicely into pretty digestible chunks. 3.5 stars.

>78 Jim53: ... Peter's groaner.

I am glad you appreciated it.

>71 Jim53: I'm happy to share. Thanks for the extra portion!

>79 pgmcc: Peter is quite good at churning those out.

Closing in on 100 posts. Two weeks to go - we can do this!

>71 Jim53: Yes, I concur with your co-worker.

>72 pgmcc: I shall continue!

>83 clamairy:
Yes. Yes! YES!!!!

>83 clamairy: Please do!

This is definitely a team sport and I'd say our team is winning. Team Jimbo for the W-I-N!!!

>83 clamairy: (drooling)

I'm just starting on Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar, a book bullet that I took from Marissa_Doyle. It's interesting to see it start with a reference to the narrator's time travel, but no explanation of how it works or what she's up to. The tone is rather entertaining.

>82 ScoLgo: This is my goal for the day. I sat up all night thinking of how I could make it happen today :-D

>88 Jim53: Just what is a samovar anyway? I'll go look it up.

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Russian Samovars

Apparently you can find information on just about anything on the internet. Who knew?

For today's piffle, I'm thinking I will try to communicate only in pictograms

>:

and apparently my pictogram keyboard is broken. I guess I'll have to make do with words after all.

Dang technology...

>91 BookstoogeLT: In other words, a fancy tea urn.

And I want one!

>95 -pilgrim-: While technically correct, that is also like saying the Mona Lisa is just some paint on some canvas.

>95 -pilgrim-: You can have the samovar if I can have the Mona Lisa :-D

Actually, I'd rather have a couple of first editions of War and Peace and Crime and Punishment. I'd like to change my order please...

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo close to 100. If ONLY my pictogram keyboard had been working....

And the hundredth is mine!

I claim my prize:
One golden samovar from The Hermitage please.

>98 BookstoogeLT: You can keep your first editions. When the fame of my magnificent samovar spreads all Russian authors of the Silver and Golden Ages will rise from the grave in anticipation of my magnificent tea parties, where they will recite their latest works composed in its honour!

>100 -pilgrim-: Well, I guess I'm suing the makers of my pictogram keyboard. They just cost me some serious money with not getting those first editions.

If you want to drink tea with stinking, rotting corpses, please, be my guess :-D

>102 BookstoogeLT:
The value of those first editions would be as nothing compared to those of the published transcriptions of their latest works (signed by the authors, of course) - plus my percentage of the royalties, for acting as literary agent, of course.

You need to think big, my friend.

>103 -pilgrim-: I don't think big when it comes rotting corpses :-D
Unless you're going to boil them down to bones and let their skeletons clatter around? I think I could handle that.

How are we doing >1 Jim53:? From icecream to skeletons. Seems pretty eclectic to me.

>100 -pilgrim-: May I please have the malachite table on which the golden samovar would look quite stunning?

>104 BookstoogeLT: I am not actually sure corporeal resurrection is required. After all, insubstantial spirits could gaze in awe at my samovar as effectively as zombies.

It would probably save on my tea import bill as well.
(I am not going to use my samovar to boil the water for my Earl Grey. It would seem inappropriate, somehow.)

>106 Marissa_Doyle: You have excellent taste.

You are hereby appointed co-hostess of our literary gatherings.

>107 -pilgrim-: Good luck getting ghosts to sign a contract. I've experience with this. I've tried to get Psychic Grandma to stop haunting me and go haunt Film-Authority (on my blog) but she won't. Because she can't hold the pen. It's a very frustrating experience.

>109 BookstoogeLT: I had thought Psychic Grandma was a medium, rather than a ghost.

I suspect that you are providing insufficient motivation. Of course, with the wrong motivation, Psychic Grandma may morph into a poltergeist.

>110 -pilgrim-: Huh, I hadn't thought that. She sure looks dead to me anyway. I'll go check with Ol'10 and get his opinion. If she's NOT a ghost then I'm shipping her off to Alaska immediately!

>108 -pilgrim-: Why, thank you! This is the perfect excuse to indulge in one of these--a Worth tea gown ca. 1910:

>112 Marissa_Doyle: That's simply lovely.

I tried to find a decent photo of a samovar with books on the side or as a backdrop. I only found two and they were both licensed. :o(

>114 clamairy: Just keeps winning.

Not that I mind the cheesy pun posts. That's gouda stuff.

And all I was going to suggest was a discussion of favorite holiday movies, books or desserts. Cheese, libraries, skeletons, ghosts and elegant teas are far better!

>117 MrsLee: Today's newspaper (The Mercury, Durban):

'Researchers have revealed that diet modifications -- including more wine and cheese -- may help reduce age-related cognitive decline in later years.
...
"Our results suggest that responsibly eating cheese and drinking red wine daily are not just good for helping us cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, but perhaps also dealing with an increasingly complex world that never seems to slow down", they concluded.'

I always knew this pub had more benefits than a health spa. Thanks to all for making it so.

>112 Marissa_Doyle: Suddenly I feel hopelessly underdressed.

>114 clamairy: Heaven!

>116 Karlstar: I am proud of you!

Wonderful mileage today, folks. Thanks very much. I had a conversation today during which an acquaintance asked me for my opinion about the best single-volume fantasy novel. It couldn't be a single-volume LOTR. Off the top of my head, I volunteered Tigana. What, in your esteemed opinions, should I have said?

>122 Jim53: Wow, tough one! Personally, I would have said A Song for Arbonne, closely followed by Three Hearts, Three Lions. Too many of my other favorites are parts of series.

>122 Jim53: I would have gone for The Curse of Chalion. There are other books set in the same world, but not including the same characters. The story is completely resolved at the end.

>122 Jim53: I'd have gone for The Dragon Waiting. Which is good, because Tor are republishing Ford; not quite sure when the next one is due out.

>125 Maddz: It is listed as scheduled, and I am waiting avidly.

>124 -pilgrim-: I hesitate to admit this, but I'm still a Lois McMaster Bujold virgin... I need to rectify this in 2021.

>127 clamairy: Yes, yes you do!

>124 -pilgrim-: Seconded! The curse of Chalion is such a good read.

>127 clamairy: Oh, dear. Hie thee to the Vorkosigan series as soon as possible. At least read the first two, Shards of Honor and Barryar. Barryar contains one of the Best Scenes Ever (fans will know which that one is.)

>130 Marissa_Doyle: My entry to the Vorkosigan series was A civil campaign, which I since learned is not a recommended starting point. However, to this day it is one of my favourite books and never fails to make me cry with laughter. I have no regrets.

>122 Jim53: Not your usual high fantasy tale but Jo Walton's Among Others really worked for me as a stand-alone contemporary fantasy.

Also, isn't The Hobbit technically a stand-alone prequel?

EtA: Thought of another one: Alphabet of Thorn.

>127 clamairy: I am one of those too!

>133 pgmcc: Shame on you too, Peter! You must rectify your omission immediately in 2021.

>133 pgmcc: *loads book bullet gun for bear, takes aim...*

>124 -pilgrim-:, >129 Sakerfalcon: Thirded! I adore Curse of Chalion. And the other World of the Five Gods books. And all of her Vorkosigan books. And basically everything she ever wrote. She's one of the few whose books I buy in hardcover. In fact, I will actually BUY ebooks from her if no other format is available.

>127 clamairy:, >133 pgmcc: You have a treat ahead of you

>130 Marissa_Doyle: Shopping? LOL

>127 clamairy:, >133 pgmcc:, >131 Sakerfalcon:, >130 Marissa_Doyle:

My introduction to Lois McMaster Bujold was actually The Spirit Ring, which is actually a completely standalone novel, set in a magical version of Renaissance Italy.

Okay, The Curse of Chalion has been tagged in OverDrive and I am actually going to add it to my google calendar for January 1st so I don't forget.

>138 clamairy: Just be aware that not "everyone" raves about Chalion or Bujold.

>140 BookstoogeLT: I assumed as much. But the rating here on LT is 4.27, so I'll borrow it. I have nothing to lose.

Holy Smokaledos Papa Jim, we're closing in the Magic Number quicker than I can drive a formula 1 racecar!

>142 BookstoogeLT: Pedal to the metal! \m/ (ツ) \m/

>143 ScoLgo: Vrooooooooooooom!!!!!!!!

>140 BookstoogeLT: I didn't see anyone claim that. Why so sour? You obviously don't like her writing, switch is fair enough, but you have not given any reasons why.

No, I have not given any reasons....

>1 Jim53: I would say we are truly approaching escape velocity! Good luck. I'll leave you to cross the threshold on your own power ;-)

>138 clamairy: That is one of her books I haven't read yet, though I've read Vorkosigon novels several times. Maybe I will join you! I do own it on Kindle.

>147 BookstoogeLT: Wonderful job! Thanks very much!

>148 MrsLee: A reading party!

>146 BookstoogeLT: You never need to defend your personal tastes in this group. (Unless you want to.)

Jim, I'm leaving #150 to you!

Edited to add: Crap... You posted 149...

I too am a Bujold virgin, for a terrible reason: a person in a science-fiction book club to which I used to belong, who was a true leader in the most-vapid-comment competition, adored her writing and babbled on about it all the time. I know, I'm a terrible person. Since there seems to be a good bit of support for Curse of Chalion, I've added it to the list for my next big grab at the library. Anybody wanna do a group read in January?

>150 clamairy: no worries, that was perfect, since apparently 151 is the magic number.

>152 Jim53: *phew*

>123 Karlstar: >125 Maddz: >132 ScoLgo: Thanks for these comments too. I'll be looking for the works you mentioned.

>151 Jim53: Sorry, I'm booked up through '22....

>137 -pilgrim-: I agree, The Spirit Ring is excellent, too. I would join in on a read of The Curse of Chalion.

>151 Jim53: Looks like MrsLee and I are already in.

>156 Karlstar: Another one! That's four so far.

>151 Jim53: I would join in for a group read of Chalion.

>157 clamairy: I'll give it a whirl. Count me in.

Six!

It would break my rule about buying duplicate copies, since I cannot get to mine under current regulations, but for The Curse of Chalion I am tempted...

>151 Jim53: I'd like to join! It's been too long since I reread The curse of Chalion.

And well done Bookstooge for your heroic effort in getting Jim's thread over the limit!

>151 Jim53:, >161 -pilgrim-: I think I have achieved access to a borrowable copy, so please count me in.

>148 MrsLee: >156 Karlstar: >157 clamairy: >158 Narilka: >159 Marissa_Doyle: >162 Sakerfalcon: >163 -pilgrim-: Wonderful! I've never run one of these before; can someone with some experience in this provide some suggestions, or perhaps take on coordinating? I assume we would create a separate thread, and maybe set some dates for reading parts of the book. Or is it better to just take some time to read and discuss the book as a whole? What else should we know?

I'm having one of those days where I stare at all the library books on the shelf and can't pick one. Guess I'll take a nap.

>164 Jim53: In the olden days there would usually be two threads, a spoiler free one people could visit while still reading, and one with spoilers. People waited until they were finished with the book to start reading and posting in the spoiler thread.

Early on we realized breaking books up into sections for discussion didn't go well because we were all reading at different paces.

>165 Jim53: The way I've participated in previous buddy reads was one thread and people started off with were they were in the book and used spoiler tags for potential book spoilers. For example...

Ch 3. Non-spoiler comments here. Spoiler comments here.

That lets people read at whatever pace and they can go back to open spoilers as they catch up.

>167 Narilka: Yeah, we had no such thing as spoiler tags in the early days of LT. One thread with tags might be the best way to go.

>167 Narilka: That sounds good to me. I may start reading before the new year, depending on how lonely I am over the holidays. I think whoever starts reading can start a thread? Then others can join in as they wish.

>169 MrsLee: Sounds like a plan to me, I will try and get an ebook version soon!

Merry, happy, blessed holidays to all!

>171 Jim53: And to you and yours!

The write-up that I saw for Know It All Jazz suggested that it explained some concepts and differences on which I am not clear, but it turned out to be quite basic. It might be a decent intro for someone who knew nothing about jazz, but there was nothing in it that I didn't already know. If I decide to look specifically for something more detailed, I'm sure I'll find something.

My family knows me well: I received several books for Christmas. The most interesting might be Megan Rapinoe's One Life. While we didn't get to see faraway family in person, we had some nice zoom calls with the grandkids (9 had a very Harry Potter Christmas, 5 a very Pokemon Christmas), my parents (97 and 91), and my three sisters.

>171 Jim53: Happy holidays to you too!

Dadgummit! I hate it when I miss a good piffle party! And I loved The Curse of Chalion so where does one go to sign up?

>176 jillmwo: Jill, it missed you too. Just keep an eye out in January and a thread will appear.

I enjoyed getting back to John Scalzi's Old Man's War series earlier in the year with The Last Colony, so I picked up Zoe's Tale, which retells a lot of the same story from the point of view of the adopted daughter of John Perry and Jane Sagan, filling in a couple of gaps in the original story. It takes a while to get going, but Scalzi does a nice job with establishing Zoe's personality through her first-person narration and interactions with her peers and parents. The Odin are a sometimes-interesting race, particularly in their literal responses to Zoe's sarcastic figures of speech. A decent addition to the series, 3.5 stars.

>178 Jim53: I think you enjoyed Zoe's Tale a little more than I did, I wasn't as patient with the retelling of the story. Will you be continuing with the series?

>179 Karlstar: I will continue the series at some point, but it's not a high priority. Too many things already on the list!

If anyone is looking for the discussion thread for The Curse of Chalion it is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/328368#