NOVEMBER ROOT - Progress Thread

Each month I've been choosing the library or museum because of an event or celebration taking place related to the location of the choice.
In November we are back in the US celebrating Thanksgiving (Canada did it last month.)
MUSEUM OF THE MONTH - THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE


When you visit the Smithsonian, you’re entering the world’s largest museum complex, with approximately 155 million artifacts and specimens in its trust for the American people. As a center for research, the Smithsonian is also dedicated to public education; national service; and scholarship in art, design, science, technology, history, and culture.

The Smithsonian Institution has 19 museums and the National Zoological Park, some of which include the National Postal Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of African American History and Culture, U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Arts and Industries Building as well as the following.

Smithsonian Institution Building (“Castle”) the original building and home to the Smithsonian Visitor Center



National Museum of Natural History


Hope Diamond


National Museum of American History

The flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner

First Ladies Ball gowns


National Air and Space Museum
SHUTTLE DISCOVERY

Spirit of Louis to Moon lander


Neil Armstrong's suit from the first Moon landing


Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden



The National zoo








James Smithson, the illegitimate child of a wealthy Englishman, had traveled much during his life, but had never once set foot on American soil. Why, then, would he decide to give the entirety of his sizable estate—which totaled half a million dollars, or 1/66 of the United States' entire federal budget at the time—to a country that was foreign to him?

Some speculate it was because he was denied his father's legacy. Others argue that he was inspired by the United States' experiment with democracy. Some attribute his philanthropy to ideals inspired by such organizations as the Royal Institution, which was dedicated to using scientific knowledge to improve human conditions. Smithson never wrote about or discussed his bequest with friends or colleagues, so we are left to speculate on the ideals and motivations of a gift that has had such significant impact on the arts, humanities, and sciences in the United States.

Smithson died in 1829, and six years later, President Andrew Jackson announced the bequest to Congress. On July 1, 1836, Congress accepted the legacy bequeathed to the nation and pledged the faith of the United States to the charitable trust. In September 1838, Smithson's legacy, which amounted to more than 100,000 gold sovereigns, was delivered to the mint at Philadelphia. Recoined in U.S. currency, the gift amounted to more than $500,000.

After eight years of sometimes heated debate, an Act of Congress signed by President James K. Polk on Aug. 10, 1846, established the Smithsonian Institution as a trust to be administered by a Board of Regents and a Secretary of the Smithsonian. Since its founding, 175 years ago, the Smithsonian has become the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums, the National Zoo, and nine research facilities.
It operates as a trust and is not formally a part of any of the three branches of the US federal government. The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. It was originally organized as the United States National Museum, but that name ceased to exist administratively in 1967.

Called "the nation's attic" for its eclectic holdings of 154 million items, the Institution's 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo include historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in the District of Columbia. Additional facilities are located in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. More than 200 institutions and museums in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and Panama are Smithsonian Affiliates.

The Institution's 30 million annual visitors are admitted without charge. Its annual budget is around $1.25 billion, with two-thirds coming from annual federal appropriations. Other funding comes from the Institution's endowment, private and corporate contributions, membership dues, and earned retail, concession, and licensing revenue. As of 2021, the Institution's endowment had a total value of about $5.4 billion.

Password is ROOTS

The percentages will be calculated and a star awarded for those on target to reach their goals. More stars for farther toward their goal. If anyone's number is incorrect, please let me know and I will make the necessary adjustments. So go out there and dig those ROOTs.

The following members have been removed from the active group because 1) they have not reached 25% of the goal and they have had no active participation in the last 6 months.

Ameise1
floremolla
h-mb
Kiwi_des_neiges
lepensuer
mandymarie20
nebula21
Quaisior
Sace
Val_Reads

Here is how our active participants stand.

beach85★ 36 / 36 100.0%
benitastrnad★ 81 / 62 130.6%
bragan 74 / 85 ★ 87.1%
brakketh 28 / 30 ★★ 93.3%
ca_dmv 10 / 12 ★ 83.3%
Caramellunacy★ 35 / 20 175.0%
Carmenere 12 / 25 48.0%
cecilturtle★ 57 / 50 114.0%
Charon07 10 / 11 ★ 90.9%
clue 35 / 50 70.0%
Coach_of_Alva 16 / 25 64.0%
connie53 40 / 45 ★ 88.9%
crazy4reading 8 / 30 26.7%
curioussquared★ 56 / 50 112.0%
CurrierBell★ 14 / 13 107.7%
cyderry★ 299 / 84 356.0%
detailmuse★ 40 / 40 100.0%
DisassemblyOfReason 78 / 100 78.0%
enemyanniemae★ 68 / 60 113.3%
FAMeulstee★ 69 / 24 287.5%
Familyhistorian 61 / 65 ★★ 93.8%
fuzzi 40 / 100 40.0%
HelenBaker 41 / 48 ★ 85.4%
Henrik_Madsen 37 / 50 74.0%
humouress 26 / 40 65.0%
Jackie_K★ 68 / 60 113.3%
janoorani24 9 / 20 45.0%
johnxlibris 13 / 21 61.9%
justchris 37 / 100 37.0%
kac522 70 / 75 ★★ 93.3%
karenmarie 26 / 30 ★ 86.7%
Kristelh 44 / 50 ★ 88.0%
Kwharton 4 / 12 33.3%
LadyBookworth★ 20 / 20 100.0%
leslie.98 43 / 80 53.8%
lilisin 53 / 60 ★ 88.3%
lindapanzo 62 / 72 ★ 86.1%
LoraShouse 10 / 15 66.7%
Lynsey2 33 / 50 66.0%
madhatter22 22 / 50 44.0%
majkia★ 99 / 65 152.3%
martencat 12 / 30 40.0%
misscleasia 6 / 20 30.0%
Miss_Moneypenny★ 115 / 80 143.8%
MissSos 16 / 25 64.0%
MissWatson 71 / 75 ★★ 94.7%
Nickelini★ 46 / 26 176.9%
QuestingA★ 48 / 35 137.1%
rabbitprincess 47 / 60 78.3%
readingtangent★ 42 / 25 168.0%
Rebeki 16 / 18 ★ 88.9%
ritacate 22 / 24 ★★ 91.7%
Robertgreaves★ 84 / 84 100.0%
rocketjk 19 / 30 63.3%
rosalita 45 / 48 ★★ 93.8%
sallylou61 27 / 30 ★ 90.0%
si 20 / 25 80.0%
sibylline 6 / 16 37.5%
susanj67 33 / 50 66.0%
This-n-That 7 / 14 50.0%
torontoc 28 / 30 ★★ 93.3%
vestafan 49 / 60 81.7%
wandaly★ 22 / 18 122.2%



We had some avid readers that reached their goals this month -- Jackie_K, beach85, Robertgreaves, detailmuse, cecilturtle, and curioussquared!
Those that have have reached their goal - cyderry, Nickelini, CurrierBell, readingtangent, FAMeulstee, LadyBookworth, Caramellunacy, benitastrnad, majkia, enemyanniemae, wandaly and QuestingA were joined by Jackie_K, beach85, Robertgreaves, detailmuse, cecilturtle, and curioussquared !
Our top star readers closest to reaching their goals, are:

MissWatson 94.7%
Familyhistorian 93.8%
rosalita 93.8%
torontoc 93.3%
kac522 93.3%
brakketh 93.3%


The goal for November of 2,528 has been reached already! We are less than 100 books from our goal!
Let's give Thanks by reaching our goal this month!

As we near the end of 2021, thoughts turn toward the new year. Will things be better or will they turn bad again?

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas for next year's theme?
Any suggestions?
Should we revisit the leftovers from this year - Great Capitals of the world, Nature, 12 animals in the Chinese cycle of years, or Ancient and Modern Wonders of the World?

Let me know what you think.

CAN ANYONE GUESS WHAT DECEMBER'S LIBRARY/MUSEUM WILL BE?

I like the idea of exploring nature next year, after being in urban environments this year. But of course I'll be happy with whatever we choose!

Also, the National Air and Space Museum is definitely high on my list of museums I'd like to see :)

Also also, good job us for reaching the November goal already!!

I'm happy with any theme (I've a preference for nature, but I've loved the museums and libraries this year so also happy with built environment theme), I'm just glad that the group will cotinue!

The National Air and Space Museum is on my list too! I'm also always up for a good sculpture park.

>3 cyderry: My guess for December is the Royal Museums at Greenwich, including the Greenwich Observatory as the home of GMT.

Now that we've spent a year visiting libraries and museums to choose our books, I would be in favour of places to read next year - beaches, scenic vistas, parks, etc.

>6 Robertgreaves: I like the idea of places to read....I can think of lots of possibilities!

Thanks for setting us up, Chèli. The Smithsonian is definitely on my bucket list now!

>6 Robertgreaves: Great idea!

I am happy with any theme and really like seeing what you pull for the lead each month, so I vote that you keep surprising me. I do have a preference for places to read, but, honestly, will be happy with any of them.

Chèli, I noticed that for at least several months, you were looking for a new administrator for this group for next year. I don't see that notice any longer. Have you decided to continue next year? I hope so; you are continually doing an excellent job.

I have actually been to the Smithsonian - or, at least, the Air and Space Museum. I've been to the Mall maybe three or four times; the first couple of times, we thought we'd start with the National Air and Space as it's at the beginning and work our way down, only to emerge dazed when they kicked us out at closing time. The next time, I thought I'd pop in for old time's sake and then go on to the Natural History Museum - only to be just as fascinated as before and get caught in the same time warp.

I have no idea what December's museum will be but my personal favourite is the Natural History Museum in London; the outside at least as much as the inside. I'm looking forward to finding out what you've picked, Chèli.

>10 sallylou61: Did it seem that I was trying to enlist someone to take over? I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I worry that my little themes for each month are a bit too much to my liking and boring to everyone else as well as sometimes I lose track of the calendar and am late posting the start of the month.

But I love our group here at ROOTS and you all make me feel very appreciated for my efforts.

>12 cyderry: I don't know if it's an LT automatic thing since they changed the layout of the discussion pages, as I think I've seen it on every group I'm part of - when you go to the group page, on the top right underneath the name of the admin (ie you in this case) is a notice saying that 'this group is looking for an administrator'.

>12 cyderry: I don’t manage to post very often, but I wanted to say that you do a brilliant job! I’m so grateful that this group exists, so thank you for the hard work you put in.

This year’s theme isn’t the one I voted for, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I definitely want to visit the Smithsonian now and am wondering how long you would need to see everything…

>12 cyderry:, >13 Jackie_K:. Thanks to Jackie_K for giving a better explanation than I did. I personally have not seen the message on other groups, but I only participate in two currently. I really enjoy your themes and your creativity; it appears as if you work very hard for our ROOTs group. You are very seldom late in posting the monthly thread; if you will be late (such as on a special trip), you let us know ahead of time.
In my opinion, you do an excellent job, and I'm glad you will be continuing next year. Many thanks.

(P.S. The message is appearing again tonight on my screen!)

>14 Rebeki: I live in the Washington, D.C. suburbs and, to be honest, I think that you could take an entire month and still not be able to see everything at the Smithsonian. I've known people (family members that come to visit) and they think that they can see 3 or 4 museum a day - nope not happening. I remember several years ago before I retired when my husband and took a staycation and spent a week trying to see all the museums. Didn't happen. We went to the Art Museum and Portrait Gallery for 3 days and still didn't see it all. Air and Space I could wander around for at least 2 days if not more and don't get me started on the National Museum of American History.

When they say the Smithsonian is dedicated to education and scholarship in art, design, science, technology, history, and culture they aren't kidding. I will never see it all because it is still growing.

As for seeing it all, my husband and I are trying to plan a trip to the UK in 2024 for our 50th anniversary. I know you are in London so you have probably been to most of the places that are on my wish list. I know I will never be able to see everything that I want. The secret I think for us both is to just enjoy and marvel at the things and places that we have seen and will see if we make these trips.

I'm planning on continuing next year, even though this year I've fallen way behind. RL has been taking away my reading time.

I'll probably do a bookshelves purge this month to help get my ROOT totals closer to my goal.

Thanks for not kicking me to the curb.

>12 cyderry: I’m pretty new here, but I’ve enjoyed the libraries and museums this year a lot! I’d love to see any of the themes you suggested, but if you need help picking, I’d vote for combining places to read and nature!

>12 cyderry: I echo the sentiments expressed here, how much your efforts are appreciated! I have so enjoyed your postings of these beautiful libraries and museums and am excited to see what you will do for next year :)

Hi Chèli, I can only agree with all the posts above. You are amazing and it's very understandable you are late sometimes with the new month tread. And I think we don't mind at all.

December museum: the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam!

I have no favourite them for next year. I like to read all information about the things you pick.

Finished ROOT # 41 for the year # 1 for November

Diepe toverij by Diane Duane

Tickers updated.

I finished my first ROOT for November. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep. This was a very good work of narrative nonfiction. It read more like a novel than a true crime work of nonfiction until the last third of the book. Then it became much more narrative nonfiction. It delved deeply into the evidence of what Harper Lee did and wrote while she was investigating this tangled murder mystery in South East Alabama. Very well done. And a very good study of Alabama and the legacy of Jim Crow and other things racial.

>16 cyderry: When you have somewhere like the Smithsonian on your doorstep, I think it’s a blessing knowing you’re never going to run out of things to see. It’s a bit tougher on visitors from further afield, but I guess you just have to work out what you’re most interested in and prioritise. I hope to have the opportunity to face that challenge one day!

We have nothing on that scale here, but I enjoy the fact that whenever I go to the Natural History Museum, the V&A and Kew Gardens - some of my favourite places - each visit is different from the last. It helps that entry to the first two is free, so you don’t feel compelled to see everything in one go.

Your planned trip sounds great and I’m intrigued to know what’s on your wish list :)

I've just added my first ROOT for November (#69 for the year) to my own ticker - group ticker left alone!

I have finished my first root for November, The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall.

It looks like I'll be reading more of those short books on my shelves between now and 31 December!

>25 KWharton: Yes, I've done that the last few years. Because it's a busy time of year, it's easier to read a lot of short books rather than a few long ones, AND it gets a few more off the shelves!

I am proud and happy to announce that I have reached my goal!

>27 MissWatson: Well done, Miss Watson. Congratulations

>28 Robertgreaves: Thank you. I got sidetracked by far too many new books this year.

>27 MissWatson: Hooray, well done!

I've finished my 2nd ROOT of the month (#70 for the year), will add to my ticker only.

Finished ROOT # 42 for the year # 2 for November.

Lichtval by Nicolet Steemers

Own Tickers updated. Did not touch the group ones.

>27 MissWatson: yeah!!

How many think this would be a good picture for the group next year?

>33 cyderry: I like it :-)

>33 cyderry: My house!--minus the chandelier--how did you know?

>33 cyderry: Hits rather close to home ;0)

>33 cyderry: I can't see it :(

>1 cyderry: Looks like an interesting place.

>33 cyderry: I love it! I feel right at home there!

I have my first ROOT for november Mademoiselle Else by A. Schnitzler which has been on my shelf since 2008.

Group tickers are updated

>33 cyderry: enthusiastic thumbs up!!

>33 cyderry:
That looks like my office. When the lockdown started back in March 2020 I had one bookshelf in my office and NO books piled on the floor. Now I have so many books on the floor it is hard to scoot my chair around.

I've just added my 3rd ROOT for November (#71 for the year) to my own ticker.

>33 cyderry:. Love it. That made me chuckle.

>33 cyderry: That's my living-room! Almost. I've got no chandelier. But the piles on the floor – ah well, now the secret is out. Perfect for next year's group picture.

>33 cyderry: Not my house, mainly because I read ebooks and audiobooks, but virtually oh so true! Thanks for all you do Cheli!

I have ROOTS 2 and 3 for November, including the 1000 page Paul Auster novel 4321 which I found very pleasant to read despite its length: The Tablets of Light by Danielle Ram Hoffman and 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster

Group tickers are updated

I can report five ROOTs for this month, so far, and am already working on the next.

I bailed on my second ROOT of November: The Athenian Murders, by José Carlos Somoza, translated by Sonia Soto. My personal ticker is up to date.

I can't see the picture, but reading all the comments makes me think it is a great picture. ;-)

Almost finished another ROOT.

I finished a ROOT. This one was Last Chicken in America by Ellen Litman. Nice solid book, but not exactly to my liking. At the end I read that one of the author's teachers was George Saunders. Immediately, I thought, it shows. I am not a big George Saunders fan.

I just added ROOT #4 for November (#72 for the year) to my own ticker.

Finally a 2nd root for the month, this one over 500 pages, A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul and now I am being sidetracked by a library book.

Finished ROOT # 43 for the year # 3 for November.

De kleur van de zee by Anita Shreve

Own Tickers updated. Did not touch the group ones.

Finished ROOT # 44 for the year # 4 for November

Erken mij by Esther Verhoef

Own tickers updated. Did not touch the group ones.

I finished a ROOT. I finished listening to Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid and really liked it. It was a fun read, but it had enough in it that it made me think as well. Not just fluff. This one was a good one.

My 50th ROOT (of 60; only 10 more to go!) is Safety-I and Safety-II, by Erik Hollnagel. Personal ticker has been updated.

My fourth ROOT for November (61 books this year so far): Unnatural Death by Sayers which is part of an anthology I've had for enough years that I can't remember how I got it... I know it was given to me.

Group tickers are updated.

#3 for the month, The Messenger by Marcus Zusak taking me to 46/48. My goal is in sight but I managed to acquire two more books today...

First ROOT for Nov and #29 for the year ( one more to go to meet my goal) No tickers updated and the review is on my thread.

Just finished my 72nd and target goal ROOT in the wee hours this morning. Mission accomplished!!

>60 lindapanzo: Brilliant, well done!

>60 lindapanzo: wow! great job!

>60 lindapanzo: Congratulations!

I've finished 5 and 6 for November.
Group tickers are updated:

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe which I've had since 2013 and
Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You by Alice Munro which I've had since 2014. It's an original paperback from the 70s with an advertisement for cigarettes... oh the good old days!

>61 Jackie_K: >62 Cecilturtle: >63 MissWatson: Thanks. I was so far behind a few months ago that I never expected to reach that goal this year but my ROOTs reading has boomed the last couple of months.

Didn't read any books in November as I instead decided to read manga instead. But since I read 18 volumes in a soccer series, I have easily cleared my goal for the year.

>60 lindapanzo: good job!

Read 6 ROOTs in November, making a total of 75 ROOTs.
My own ticker is up to date.

The ticker on my thread is up to date.

I have managed one more root for the month, The Necessary Angel by C.K. Stead, 47/48. I am working on one more which will take me to my goal early next month.

Too many library holds came in for me this month. I don't think I'm going to be able to finish another ROOT for this month to meet my goal. I'm at 64/65.

I was surprised that my two most recent reads were not ROOTs, I could have sworn I bought them last year. So I'm still at 6 ROOTs this month, but I have reached my goal at last.

Here is my report for November 2021:

UpROOTED books: 9
ROOTless books: 9
Added to the treebook TBR shelves: 1

The ROOTs were:

The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius
To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
Still Me by Jojo Moyes
A Blink of the Screen by Terry Pratchett
A Woman Unknown by Frances Brody
Hare Sitting Up by Michael Innes
The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson
Murder in Pug's Parlour by Amy Myers
Cruel Habitations by Kate Charles

ROOTs in YTD: 93

(Group tickers not touched)

I'm now at 51/60 and my personal ticker is up to date. I'm going to have to find some short books if I want to make my goal this year! Fortunately I have a backlog of comics :)

I didn't manage any more ROOTs in November, so that's 4 for the month for me (giving me a total of 72).

December thread is up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337185#

I've fallen behind on my ROOTs reporting and reading. Adding 4 books for October to my ticker. No ROOTs read in November, despite my best intentions.

>2 cyderry: I was getting confused with the stars because I thought people who have reached their goals had only one star - and then I realised that their names are starred rather than their numbers. Is it possible to use a different colour star for them? Maybe the green LT star, for instance?

>77 humouress: Sorry, a different color star is beyond my ability. The green star is part of LT programming which I cannot access.

>78 cyderry: No worries then.

got 4 read in November, for a total of 72.

>2 cyderry: I know it's a few days late, but can these be added to the group's November total?

I had four ROOTS in November. No tickers updated.

The four were as follows:
1 Nonfiction - Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep
1 Recorded book - Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
2 Fiction - Last Chicken in America by Ellen Litman
Color of the Sea by John Hamamura

The best of them was Furious Hours this was very well done narrative nonfiction.