Berly Browses Books - 7

Hi. I'm Kim and I've been on LT since 2008. Happily married for over 30 years, I'm a mom of 3, one of them married, and we all live in Oregon. I have an eclectic work history: nerve regeneration research at Boston Children's Hospital; advertising account exec; editor and writer (Milkweed Editions and Portland Parent Magazine); MN Timberwolves Community Relation Mgr and 501C3 Account Exec; accounting, client acquisition and website development for Clarus (a water cleaning company my Husband started here in Portland); Business and HR Mgr for a Montessori school and I am now a Dyslexia Tutor! Also, I am a third degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. And I am on two Advisory Councils for Literary Arts here in Portland. I read almost everything, although I lean towards Fiction. And I love Halloween!!

So many choices!! What should I read?
Reading Now
@ Backfired: Attention Deficit (🎧 5.5 hours) by Leon Neyfakh and Prologue Projects
@ The Ghost Cat (B 265 pages) by Alex Howard
✔ How Music Works (B 383 pages) by David Byrne
@ Overcoming Dyslexia (B 596 pages) by Sally Shaywitz, MD

Ideas/Next...
@ To & Fro (B 416 pages) by Leah Hager Cohen
@ The Library of Borrowed Hearts (B 347 pages) by Lucy Gilmore
@ How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe (B 239 pages) by Charles Yu
✔ The Body (B 452 pages) by Bill Bryson

Source
✔ = Off the shelf (not acquired this year)
L = Library
↩ = Reread
@ = Acquired this year
✗ = DNF
? = Need to get
IR = Indiespensable Readers
ER = LibraryThing Early Reviewer

Media
B = Printed Book
🎧 = Audio
K = Kindle
GN = Graphic Novel

Read in November ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2024 Total ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
85. @ From Here to the Great Unknown (🎧 6 hours) by Lisa Marie Presley 4.5
84. @ Deeper Than the Dead (K 392 pages) by Deborah Webb 3.5

Read in October ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2024 Total ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
83. @ Never Been Witched (🎧 10.25 hours) by Molly Harper 3.5
83. @ Big Witch Energy (🎧 10 hours) by Molly Harper 3.75
82. @ Classics of Horror: Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (🎧 3 hours)by James Krasner 4.0
81. @ Witches Get Stuff Done (🎧 8.5 hours) by Molly Harper 3.25
❤️ ↩ Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 4.0
79. @ The Librarianist (B 349 pages) by Patrick DeWitt 2.75
❤️ L Think Twice (🎧 9.75 hours) by Harlan Coben 4.0
77. @ First Frost (🎧 10 hours) by Craig Johnson 3.0
❤️ @ Somewhere Beyond the Sea (🎧 16 hours) by TJ Kline 4.0

Read in September ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2024 Total ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
❤️ @ James by Percival Everett (B 305 pages) 5.0
(retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
74. @ Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng 3.5
73. @ Finding Mr. Write (K 362 pages) by Kelly Armstrong 3.25
72. @I Can't Make This Up (🎧 11.25 hours)by Kevin Hart 3.9

Read in August ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2024 Total ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
❤️ @ The Woods (🎧 12.5 hours) by Harlan Coben 4.0
70. @ In Any Lifetime (K 319 pages) by Marc Guggenheim 3.75
69. L I is for Innocent (🎧 9 hours) by Sue Grafton 3.5
68. @ Day of the Iguana (B 154 pages) by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver 3.5
67. @ Six Years (🎧 10.5 hours) by Harlan Coben 3.5
❤️ ↩ Parable of the Sower (🎧 12 hours) by Octavia Butler 4.0

Read in July 937 pages / 44 🎧 hours
2024 Total 2,834 pages / 340.25 🎧 hours
65. L House on the Endless Waters (B 100/309 pages) by Emuna Elon DNF
64. @ I got a "D" in Salami (B 169 pages) by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver 3.5
63. @ Niagara Falls, or Does It? (B 137 pages) by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver 3.5
62. @ A Little Ray of Sunshine (🎧 15.5 hours)by Kristan Higgins 3.0
61. @ Now That You Mention It (🎧 11 hours) by Kristan Higgins 3.5
❤️ ✔ Interior Chinatown (B 266 pages) by Charles Yu 4.0
59. L "H" is for Homicide (🎧 8.5 hoursby Sue Grafton 3.5
58. @ Twas The Knife Before Christmas (🎧 9 hours)by Jacqueline Frost 4.0
57. @ Broken Bayou (K 265 pages) by Jennifer Moorhead 3.5

Ratings
❤️ Favorite(s) of the month
Loved it! 5.0
Really Good 4.0
Good 3.0
Hmmmm 2.0
Don't Bother 1.0

Source
IR = Indiespensable Readers
LT = LibraryThing Early Reviewer
✔ = Off the shelf (not acquired this year)
L = Library
↩ = Reread
@ = Acquired this year
✗ = DNF
? = Need to get

Media
B = Printed Book
🎧 = Audio
K = Kindle
GN = Graphic Novel

Read in June 1,897 pages / 36 🎧 hours
2024 Total 8,399 pages / 296.25 🎧 hours
56. L Let Us Descend: A Novel (K 316 pages) by Jesmyn Ward 3.0
55. @ Dear Sister (🎧 9 hours) by Ruth Harrow 3.0
54. L Everyone on This Train is a Suspect (K 335 pages) by Benjamin Stevenson 3.75
53. ✔ Lore Olympus (GN 384 pages) by Rachel Smythe 3.0
52. L Broken (In the Best Possible Way) (🎧8.5 hours) by Jenny Lawson 4.0
51. @ Night Watching (B 351 pages) by Tracy Sierra 3.0
❤️ @ Life's Too Short (🎧 9 hours) by Abby Jimenez 4.5
49. @ The Friend Zone (🎧 9.5 hours) by Abby Jimenez 3.5
48. @ The Curious Secrets of Yesterday (K 281 pages) by Namrata Patel 3.0
47. L The End of Mr Y (K 125/511 pages) Scarlett Thomas - DNF
❤️ @ The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store (B 385 pages/🎧 12.5 hrs) James McBride 4.5

Read in May 537 pages / 21.5 🎧 hours
2024 Total 6,502 pages / 260.25 🎧 hours
45. @ Yours Truly (🎧 11.5 hours) by Abby Jimenez 4.0
❤️ @ Part of Your World (🎧 10 hours) by Abby Jimenez 4.5
43. @ Fugitive Telemetry (🎧 4.5 hours) by Martha Wells 3.0
42. @ Moranifesto ( 🎧 10.5 hours) by Caitlin Moran 3.25
41. @ My Favorite Terrible Thing (K 285 pages) by Madeleine Henry 3.0
40. @ The Wolves at the Door (B 252 pages) by Judith Pearson 3.5

Read in April 1,222 pages / 38.75 🎧 hours
2024 Total 5,965 pages / 238.75 🎧 hours
39. ✔ The Inmate (K 388 pages) by Freida McFadden 3.0
38. @ A Murder to Remember (🎧 10 hours) by Brynn Kelly 3.5
❤️ ✔ No Time To Spare (B 215 page) by Ursala K. LeGuin 4.5
❤️ L Inferno (🎧 17.25 hours) by Dan Brown 4.0
35. @ A Wizard of Earthsea (B 299 pages) by Ursula K. Le Guin 3.5
34. @ Hypnotized by Love (K 295 pages) by Sariah Wilson 3.0
33. @ Lovers at the Museum (K 25 pages) short story by Isabel Allende 3.0
32. @ The Murder House (🎧 11.5 hours) by James Patterson 3.5

Read in March 1,206 pages / 72.75 🎧 hours
2024 Total 4,743 pages / 200 🎧 hours
❤️ @ Just for the Summer (🎧 11.75 hours) by Abby Jimenez 5.0
30. @ The Bad Weather Friend (K 374 pages) by Dean Koontz 4.0
29. L Another Man's Moccasins (🎧 9 hours) by Craig Johnson 3.0
❤️ L Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma (K 285 pages) by Claire Dederer 4.5
27. L Ghosts (🎧 10.25 hours) by Dolly Alderton 3.0
26. ✔ The Lost Journals of Sacajewea (B 249 pages) Debra Magpie Earling 2.75
25. @ The Promise You Made (🎧 7.5 hours) by AJ McDine 3.5
24. @ The Running Grave (🎧 34.25 hours) by Robert Gailbraith 3.5
23. L The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (B 298 pages) by Karina Yan Glaser 4.0

Read in February 2,837 pages / 51 🎧 hours
2024 Total 3,537 pages / 127.25 🎧 hours
22. @ Black Cake (B 401 pages) by Charmaine Wilkerson 3.75
21. ✔ One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (🎧 4.25 hours) Alexander Solzhenitsyn 4.0
20. @ Dr. Anderson's Nanny (B 227 pages) by Amy Hahn 2.75
19. ✔ The Heart's Invisible Furies (B 580 pages) by John Boyne 3.8
❤️ ✔ Anne Frank:The Diary of a Young Girl (🎧 11 hours, Selma Blair) Anne Frank 5.0
17. @ Moriarty: The silent Order (🎧 5 hours) by Charles Kindinger 4.0
16. ✔ Moriarty: The Devil's Game (🎧 4.5 hours) by Charles Kindinger 4.5
15. Last Night (K 319 pages) by Luanne Rice 3.5
14. @ Shutter (B 300 pages) by Ramona Emerson 3.5
❤️ @ The Measure (🎧 11 hours) by Nikki Erlick 4.5
❤️ @ Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting (K 352 pages) by Clare Pooley 4.5
11. @ The Bee Sting (K 658 pages) by Paul Murray 2.75
10. @ Stay Close (🎧 11 hours) by Harlan Coben 3.5

Read in January 700 pages / 76.25 🎧 hours
2024 Total 700 pages / 76.25 🎧 hours
9. L Chenneville (B 307 pages) by Juliette Jiles 4.0
❤️ @ Deaf Utopia (🎧 11 hours) by Nyle DiMarco 4.25
7. @ Cormoran Strike Series #6 The Ink Black Heart (🎧 33 hours) by Robert Galbraith 3.5
❤️ ✔ What To Say Next (B 293 pages) by Julie Buxbaum 5.0
5. @ Exit Strategy Murderbot #4 (🎧 4 hours) by Martha Wells - 4.0
4. ✔ Fight Night (B 100/251 pages) by Miriam Toews - DNF
❤️ @ Yellowface (🎧 8.5 hours) by R.F. Kuang 4.5
2. ✔ Tom Lake by (🎧 11.5 hours) Ann Patchett, read by Meryl Streep 4.0
1. ✔ Twelve Slays of Christmas (🎧 8.25 hours) by Jacqueline Frost 3.5

Berly's Best of 2023
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (Children's Book)
Demon Copperhead Barbara Kingsolver
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Roadkill by Dennis E. Taylor
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris

I can't resist buying books!!
I seem to manage to read around 50% of my newbies, except in 2019 where I (ahem) added a few more books to my collection than normal. But I killed it in 2020 when I read almost 75% of my newbies and in 2022 I read 70%!!

2017 47/85
2018 45/88
2019 45/128
2020 78/103
2021 50/105
2022 54/77
2023 56/88

Let's see how I do this year...

2024 45/68 Read
✅ The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
✅ Yellowface by R.F. Huang
✅ Last Night by Luanne Rice *
✅ The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz *
✅ Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (From Hil) *
✅ Exit Strategy by Martha Wells *
✅ Cormoran Strike Series #6 The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
✅ Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco *
✅ Stay Close by Harlan Coben *
10. Not That Bad by Roxanne Gay (From BLBera) *
✅ Dr. Anderson's Nanny by Amy Hahn (From BLBera) *
✅ Wizard of Earthsea by Ursala LeGuin
✅ The Measure by Nikki Erlick
✅ Shutter by Ramona Emerson *
✅ Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
✅ Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson *
17. River of Darkness by Rennie Airth *
✅ Moriarty: The Devil's Game by Charles Kindinger *
✅ Moriarty: The Silent Order by Charles Kindinger *
20. World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil *
✅ Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu *
22. Heading North by Holly M. Wendt * (Thank you Stasia)
23. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (Thank you Rhonda) *
24. How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu
✅ Lovers at the Museum short story by Isabel Allende *
26. The Lies Among Us by Sarah Beth Durst *
✅ The Promise You Made by AJ McDine
✅ Cormoran Strike Series #7 The Running Grave by Robert Gailbraith
✅ The Wolves at the Door by Judith L Pearson
30. The Devil's Element by Dan Egan *
31. Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, MD
✅ A Murder to Remember by Brynn Kelly *
✅ The Inmate by Freida McFadden *
✅ Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran *
✅ My Favorite Terrible Thing by Madeleine Henry *
✅ Night Watching by Tracy Sierra *
✅ Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez *
✅ Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez
✅ The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
✅ The Curious Secrets of Yesterday by Namrata Patel
41. To & Fro by Leah Hager Cohen
✅ Twas The Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost *
✅ Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead *
✅ Dear Sister by Ruth Harrow
✅ The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
✅ In Any Lifetime by Marc Guggenheim *
47. Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb *
✅ A Little Ray of Sunshine by Kristin Higgins *
✅ Now That You Mention It by Kristin Higgins *
✅ Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
✅ I got a "D" in Salami by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
✅ Niagara Falls, or Does It? by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
✅ Day of the Iguana by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
54. The Zippity zinger by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
55. The Night I Flunked My Field Trip by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
56. Holy Enchilada by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
57. Help! Someone Get Me Out Of Fourth Grade! by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
58. Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up? by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver *
✅ James by Percival Everett
✅ Six Years by Harlan Coben *
60. The Gift of Aging by Marcy Cottrell Houle & Elizabeth Eckstrom
62. The Horse by Willy Vlautin
✅ I Can't Make This Up by Kevin Hart
64. The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard
65. My Friends by Hisham Matar
✅ Finding Mr. Write by Kelly Armstrong
✅ First Frost by Craig Johnson *
✅ The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt *

✅ Read
* Free or gift

LT Reads
✅ Jan - The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff with Beth and Ellen
✅ Feb - Chenneville by Paulette Jiles with Beth and Ellen
✅ Feb - The Bee Sting by Paul Murray with Mark and Others
✅ Feb - The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne with Stasia
✅ March - The Lost Journals of Sacajewea Debra Magpie Earling with Beth and Ellen
March - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (Watch movie)
✅ April - Monster: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer with Ellen and Beth
✅ June - The End of Mr Y Scarlett Thomas with Ellen and Beth
X June - The Known World by Edward P Jones with Ellen, Bill (WeirdO), Judy, Katie, Jim (MagiciansNephew), Judy (ffortsa)
✅ July - House on Endless Waters by Emunah Elon with Ellen and Beth
✅ September - Let Us Descend by Jasmyn Ward with Beth and Ellen
October - How Music Works by David Byrne with Stasia
November - My Friends by Hisham Matar with Beth and Ellen
December - The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich with Ellen and Beth

Literary Arts 24/25
October 9, 2024 - Amy Tan
November 19, 2024 - Abraham Verghese
January 16, 2025 - Timothy Egan
February 13, 2025 - Masha Gessen
April 15, 2025 - Emily Watson

RL Book Club #1 2024
✅ February Rules for Commuting by Iona Iverson
✅ April The Wolves at the Door by Judith Pearson
✅ June The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
✅ August Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
October The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt

New RL Book Club #2 2024
✅ June The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
✅ July Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
✅ September James by Percival Everett (retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
October Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
November The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt
January True Grit by Charles Portis

And Honorable Mentions
The Physics of Everyday Things James Kakalios
No Two Persons Erica Bauermeister
Crying in H-Mart Michelle Zauner
Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Evil Eye Etaf Rum
Hello Beautiful Ann Napolitano
Spare Prince Harry
Go As A River Shelley Read
✅ Everything Inside Edwidge Danticat
✅ Tom Lake Ann Patchett

I am going to try and keep track of series I am currently enjoying here:

Series/Author/Next Book
A Royal Spyness Mystery // Rhys Bowen // #2 A Royal Pain
Bobiverse / Dennis E. Taylor / #5 not yet published
Bridgerton / Julia Quinn / #3 An Offer From A Gentleman
Commisario Brunetti by Donna Leon / read 1,2,4,8 next #3 The Anonymous Venetian
Cormoran Strike Series / Robert Galbraith / #8 ??
Elizabeth Cage / Jodi Taylor #4 ???
Finley O'Sullivan / Debra Webb #3 All the Little Truths
In Death Series / JD Robb / Naked in Death #1 (I have been reading out of order)
Kinsey Millhone Mystery Series / Sue Grafton / Read ABCDEFGQX / Next H
Kopp Series / Amy Stewart / #2 Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Mickey Bolitar / Harlen Coben / #4 not yet published
Murderbot Diaries / Martha Wells / #5 Fugitive Telemetry
Quantum Earth / Dennis E. Taylor / #3 ??
Sandham Murders / Viveca Sten / #11 not yet published
Sunshine Vicram / Darynda Jones / #4 ??
Sweep Series / Ilona Andrews / #6 not yet published
The Åre Murders / Viveca Sten / #2 Hidden in Shadows Dec '23
The Chronicles of St Mary's / Jodi Taylor / #7
The Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries / Jacqueline Frost / #2
The Time Police / Jodi Taylor #5 ???, Santa Grit 4.5
The Thursday Murder Club / Richard Osman / #3 The Bullet That Missed
Walt Longmire / Craig Johnson / Junkyard Dogs

Hubby signed me up for The Indispensable Reader collection from Powell's. (Thank you!!). Over the years I have received over 90 installments (some with two or three books), and I haven't read all the books yet. Not even close!

Possibilities??
Silas Marner by George Eliot (a classic with a new afterward)
Running the Rift by Naomi Benson (Stasia really liked it)
The Listeners by Leni Zumas
How Music Works by David Byrne
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison
The New & Improved Romie Futch by Julia Elliott
A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

The complete list can be found here --

https://www.librarything.com/topic/336987#n7662792

You know, in case I need more ideas for books to read!

Total Read - 47
✅ 2023 - Demon Copperhead
2023 - Trust (Diaz)
2022 - The Netanyahus
* 2021 - The Night Watchman
✅ 2020 - The Nickel Boys
✅ 2019 - The Overstory
✅ 2018 - Less
✅ 2017 - Underground Railroad
* 2016 - The Sympathizer
✅ 2015 - All the Light We Cannot See
✅ 2014 - The Goldfinch
✅ 2013 - The Orphan Master's Son
✅ 2012 - NO AWARD - Swamplandia - Nominee
✅ 2011 - A Visit from the Goon Squad
✅ 2010 - Tinkers
✅ 2009 - Olive Kitterridge
✅ 2008 - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
✅ 2007 - The Road
2006 - March
✅ 2005 - Gilead
2004 - The Known World
✅ 2003 - Middlesex
✅ 2002 - Empire Falls
✅ 2001 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
✅ 2000 - The Interpreter of Maladies
✅ 1999 - The Hours
1998 - American Pastoral
✅ 1997 - Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer
1996 - Independence Day
✅ 1995 - The Stone Diaries
✅ 1994 - The Shipping News
1993 - A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain
✅ 1992 - A Thousand Acres
1991 - Rabbit at Rest
1990 - The Mambo Kings
✅ 1989 - Breathing Lessons
✅ 1988 - Beloved
✅ 1987 - A Summons to Memphis
✅ 1986 - Lonesome Dove
1985 - Foreign Affairs
1984 - Ironweed
✅ 1983 - The Color Purple
1982 - Rabbit is Rich
✅ 1981 - A Confederacy of Dunces
✅ 1980 - The Executioner's Song
1979 - The Stories of John Cheever
1978 - Elbow Room
✅ 1977 - NO AWARD
✅ 1976 - Humboldt's Gift
1975 - The Killer Angels
✅ 1974 - NO AWARD
1973 - The Optimist's Daughter
✅ 1972 - Angle of Repose
✅ 1971 - NO AWARD
1970 - The Collected Stories of Jean Stafford
1969 - House Made of Dawn
* 1968 - The Confessions of Nat Turner
1967 - The Fixer
1966 - The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter
1965 - The Keepers of the House
✅ 1964 - NO AWARD
1963 - The Reivers
1962 - The Edge of Sadness
✅ 1961 - To Kill a Mockingbird
1960 - Advise and Consent
1959 - The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters
1958 - A Death in the Family
✅ 1957 - NO AWARD
1956 - Andersonville
1955 - A Fable
✅ 1954 - NO AWARD
✅ 1953 - The Old Man and the Sea
✅ 1952 - The Caine Mutiny
1951 - The Town
1950 - The Way West
1949 - Guard of Honor
✅ 1948 - Tales of the South Pacific
✅ 1947 - All the King's Men
✅ 1946 - NO AWARD
1945 - A Bell
1944 - Journey in the Dark
1943 - Dragon's Teeth
1942 - In This Our Life
✅ 1941 - NO AWARD
✅ 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath
1928 - The Bridge of San Luis Rey

* Have on hand
✅ Read

Please join us if you are interested in Reusing and Recycling. People are sharing brand and book suggestions and also keeping track of their efforts. Check it out!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/339326

Below is my personal list of what I am doing and want to be doing. I plan to keep updating this as I make improvements in my lifestyle this year. Brands listed are my choices and more suggestions are listed in the above thread.

Things I was already doing
*Carry reusable shopping bags
*Reuse packaging and don't overwrap (I have a whole closet of boxes and packing material I recycle)
*Use recyclable paper and cardboard instead of styrofoam packing material
*Buy my veggies in cardboard crates instead of plastic containers whenever possible
*Use a home soda maker with reusable bottle
*Dishwasher detergent -- Planet
*Silicone and beeswax dish toppers/wraps
*Garbage Bags -- Seventh Generation
*Compost Collector under sink that goes into city Compost Bin
*Cloth Napkins
*Wider comfort range for heating and cooling house
*Motion detectors on lights to keep them off when not in use
*Keeping a reusable water bottle and cup in the car
*And a reusable utensil kit in my glove compartment
*And a reusable metal straw
*Phone Case -- Switched to compostable case by Pela
*Toilet Paper -- Who Gives A Crap (recycled) Grove (bamboo)
*Laundry Detergent sheets -- TruEarth
*Cloth "Paper" Towels -- Marley's Monsters
*Recycled Paper Towels -- Who Gives A Crap
*Sponges compostable -- If You Care
*Scrub Cloths cotton and cellulose -- Down to Earth Basics
*Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner--works great!! https://www.blueland.com/products/toilet-cleaner-starter-set

Next steps
*Transitioning from liquid soap, shower gels and shampoo to solid versions not packaged in plastic. This one may be a bit harder for me with my skin allergies, but I am going to try. I am using up what I have left and then I will try to make the switch.
*Toothpaste
*Composter -- outside
*Ridwell for recycling things

450 years for a plastic bottle to break down in the ocean
114* years since first plastic was invented
90 percent of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs
80 percent of plastic in the ocean originates on land
59* years since the first plastic bag was created
1 rubbish truck of plastics enters the ocean every minute
We typically use a plastic bag for less than 15 minutes
Most tampons have plastic in them
*(+5 years since publication)

How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum. Awesome book!! Read it!

So, on the job front...

So, I am up to 8 students ages 6-17 and 50/50 boys and girls. Still using tiles for some of them, but the upper levels use an iPad version of Barton called Whizzimo. I am also full-time on Zoom for one student. We have moved to the fall schedule so I am tutoring from 2-6 M-Th and a Zoom meeting twice weekly at noon. Leaves me my mornings to get stuff done at home. Loving the staff and the kids. I am training for level 4 online and in-person with my tutor tomorrow. This covers spelling rules, like "C" makes the sound /s/ when followed by watchout vowels i, e and y. I am feeling very lucky right now! : )

I hope you're not adding anything new, Kimmers, cause here I am saying "New thread orisons!"

Nope. I reserved all my spaces!! Thanks for the warm welcome. Smooch.

Brunch at Cheryl's restaurant with LT friends!! Roni, me, Juli, Lynda, Reba, Ellen and Chris.

I was good and got credit for my used books at Powell's and then promptly spent it all! LOL

My Friends by Hisham Matar and The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard. : )

Happy new thread! Congratulations on your new books, and happy reading.

Happy new thread. Great meet up pic. One day I will get back to Powell's! What a wonderful shop.

Happy New Thread!

>19 EllaTim: Hi there! And thank you.

>20 charl08: Powell's is indeed wonderful! And dangerous for the wallet! I was good this time. : )

>21 elorin: Thank you! And nice to see you here.

>17 Berly: So fun to see everyone!!! Love our meetups.

Happy new thread, Kimmers and thank you for sharing that lovely meet-up photo.

Happy new thread, Kim. Great meetup pic!

>17 Berly: wow! What a great turnout.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Kim!

Happy new thread. Great meet up photo.

Looks like I'm in for a gloomy day. I'm hoping it will brighten up. You've got a bright start on this new thread, so I'll take that to brighten my spirits. I'm almost done with my bookcase project and with my read of On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed. I'll finish the book, then work on shelves.

Have a good day!

Happy New Thread, Kim! I'm glad that you made good use of you Powell credits. It's the thing to do!

I'll ask you the reading question I have in mind when I hear young women speaking........ If their children learn to say "our neeshin, the U Ass A," are they going to be confused when they learn that a long A is pronounced ay or a short e+ss is pronounced ehs?" (Just one example among hundreds) What do you think?

Enjoy your day!

>23 SuziQoregon: It is always fun and I think we are lucky to have such a large number of members who show up at our get-togethers. : )

>24 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! Lots of fun and the conversation never lagged!

>25 jessibud2: Hi there! Thank you. I have to go check people's threads and see what books they got.

>26 figsfromthistle: We are lucky to have so many members live so close by. : ) And there were even a few who couldn't make this meetup!

>27 drneutron: Thanks, Doc! Space stuff has been interesting lately. I hope everyone gets to come home soon. Spring is a long way off.

>28 quondame: It wouldn't be much of a thread if I didn't have visitors like you -- thanks for stopping by!

>29 BLBera: Hi TwinB! Wish you could have been here, too. xoxo

>30 weird_O: Wishing you success with the bookcase!! I know you need it. ; ) And I hope by gloomy you only mean your weather. Sending bright thoughts your way.

>31 LizzieD: Yes, explaining letter sounds becomes even more confusing when factoring in regional accents. The program is based off how national news anchors talk, LOL. Right now I am leaning about what is called "schwa" -- that's when vowel + L makes the /ul/ sound no matter the vowel. Or another schwa is when closed A or O in unaccented syllable makes the /u/ sound. English is so complicated!

Sounds like you had a nice meetup at Powell's.

Happy New Thread, Kimmers. Love the Meet Up pic. I miss this group. Was Rhonda out of town? We did our own Meet Up, last Friday.

Happy New Thread, Kim. A meetup and a lovely picture - wonderful!

Hi Kim! LOVE the meet up pic! How wonderful!

Kim, if I get assigned a student in October (or more likely November), I may be teaching the same phonics that you are, though most likely to non-dyslexic kids. It makes me think I should go back and shadow my friend the reading teacher again, and more often.

English is certainly confusing. If I could remember the pronunciation rules in French, it would be easier that our own native language. But then, it IS our language and our brains have gotten used to it!

p.s. That's quite a busy schedule you have!

>39 ffortsa: I couldn't agree more, Judy. English is a frustrating medium but I love it to bits!

Happy new thread, Kim!

Happy new thread Kim!

Happy new thread! Lovely meet-up picture---hopefully I will see you all soon.

Happy new thread, Kim! Looks like you had a really good time at the meet-up.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Kim! I hope you enjoy My Friends. I really did like it. 4.5 stars. Great meet up photo! How I am I so late to get to your thread ?

drive-by *smooch*

Hi Kim my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.

Dropping in to say hello. Hope all is well

Wow -- very late with this but "Happy New Thread". Hope your week is going well.

Late but better than never, I suppose! Happy new thread! Hope all is well.

I'm way behind. Happy new one, Kim. I love the meet-up photo.

Happy new thread, Kim!

ETA: The plan now is to come to Oregon for spring break. Maybe this time will happen. 🤷‍♀️

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

Happy new thread, Kim! Nice to see (well, not really as I missed the photo) that you had a Powell's meet up and were good and used credits towards new books.

Hey Kim- how is your RL bookclub #2 October read going? (Frankenstein)

I am still part way through but have to admit it is easier to read and more interesting to me now that I am up to the section where the 'monster' gets to say his piece.

Sorry everyone. Life has been a lot. My Dad fell when he got back to FL and wound up in the hospital, then back to rehab at his retirement village, then evacuate for hurricane #1, then he fell again and hit his head, back to the hospital, back to rehab, evacuate for hurricane #2, back to rehab. Unfortunately, all of this head trauma and moves has him really confused. My brother just flew down to see him in person and he's not doing well. We have to figure out where to move him now because his independent living apartment is no longer an option. I am so sad because he was doing pretty well when we all saw him in late August. Undecided whether it will be Assisted Living or Memory Care and whether still in FL or move him closer to one of us kids. SO last weekend was spent checking out retirement villages here. Did find one we (my sister and I) like, but they do not currently have an opening. #1 on the wait list.

In addition, I am still busy with tutoring (7 students); the Literary Arts Book Festival is November 2nd and I am heavily involved with that; still assisting in TKD classes and I am also filling in several times a week this month in the TKD office while my friend visits her kids around the country. Also son had nose surgery.

Way too much!!!

Thank you for keeping my thread warm in my absence. I miss being here. xoxo

On the fun side, I saw Amy Tan speak and her talk was amazing!! One of the best author lectures I have seen. It should be available on the Literary Arts thread in a month or two after they edit it and get it up.

Re-reading Frankenstein was really interesting and my book club had a great discussion. Sooooo different from the movies. Totally enjoyed it. Major beefs with how both Dr Frankenstein and the Monster behaved, but no surprise there. ; )

Also read The Librarianist which I found really disappointing. I have liked two of DeWitt's other books, but in this one, the sections felt unrelated and there were several plot points I found unbelievable. I have nothing against a quiet, introverted reader (obviously), but the book kept claiming he was happy and I didn't think he was. Other people have liked this one a lot more than I did so....

And I have made lots of Halloween cookies. : ) In my office, the kids got to each put a bat up on the wall and some decorations on the glass door. They loved it! And my Mr. Pumpkin Head has a new costume every week. So far s/he's been a vampire, a ghost, and is now a princess. Next week will be a pirate.

>57 Berly: I hope you quickly find a new place where your father will be comfortable and you will feel comfortable about his care.

It's soooo difficult when they are far away and you can't monitor on a regular basis. Bringing him closer to you guys is a good idea, just wishing logistics were easier.

{{hugs}}

Don't forget to breathe!

Oh Kim, I'm so sorry to read about your dad's health. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you find a good solution soon. These are such stressful moments. I hope that you can always find short moments for yourself. I'm sending lots of positive thoughts. 😘💖

Kim, I'm very sorry about your dad. He's been through a lot, as have you and your sibs. I hope new care arrangements come together soon both for your dad's needs and the family's peace of mind. Wishing you the best during this tough time.

>57 Berly: That's very sad about dad's situation...Florida really doesn't sound like a viable option any longer.

I hope the family gets together on a good decision soon, so your stress levels can return to normal. "Happy" for your great Tan experience! *jealous mumbles*

Sorry to hear about yor about dad's situation, Kim.
My thougts are with you and your family.

>57 Berly: "Way too much!!!" -- I think so!! So sorry to hear about your Dad and hope you find a good place for him soon. #1 on waiting list is too bad though (at least I've heard much worse)

I saw Amy Tan interviewed on TV recently and think it was much like her talk "on the road". It was very interesting.

How nice that you're making your office a fun place for the visiting kids. Sounds like you're a Halloween fan.

You're also a strong woman and I'm sure you'll make it through all of this OK even though I know it's difficult and no fun at all. Sending as much MOJO as possible southward.

>57 Berly: Kim, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. It really is too much! I hope for all of you that new arrangements can come together soon. I know how difficult it is, as we went through similar problems with my mom 9 years ago. It's so stressful. As >64 RebaRelishesReading: said, #1 on the wait list is not bad. I hope something might open up there soon for you. Sending you lots of (((((hugs)))))!

>58 quondame: Exactly! Thank you. : )

>59 jessibud2: Thank you for your understanding. And the remainder to breath.

>60 Ameise1: Positive thoughts much appreciated!

>61 lauralkeet: Thanks. I need those positive thoughts. xoxo

>62 richardderus: It was really nice to have Amy Tan to look forward to in the midst of everything else going on. Smooch.

>63 SirThomas: Thank you Thomas.

>64 RebaRelishesReading: >65 atozgrl: #1 on the wait list is the next best thing to being in, but who knows how long the wait will be?

Thanks for the hugs!!

Hey TwinK! Sorry to hear about your dad. It would be great if he could be closer to you. Hugs.

My Dad just is not steady anymore and hates being in a wheel chair. He fell yet again. Another hospital visit and then back to rehab. MRI tomorrow which should tell us if he had a stroke, but that doesn't tell us how to care for him. And we still don't know if he should go to Assisted Living or Memory Care...we need to figure out his new norm. 24-7 care is exorbitantly expensive. Sigh. Talking with siblings again prob on Tuesday after test results.

On the bright side, I spent yesterday at a TKD tournament (just as a spectator) and saw a bunch of friends and my old master, Master Hong, and his wife and two kids. And daughter S came with me and I got to introduce her to everyone. She is no longer practicing, but she is a black belt too. It was lots of fun.

And then I met up with Hubby and my middle daughter and my son at a pumpkin farm. We took a hay ride, and found our way out of the corn maze, ate some yummy food and brought back some fun decorations and caramel popcorn. Yay!

>69 BLBera: Hi Twin! Yes, it would. Not sure how we could get him out here physically. It would be a real challenge. But we'll see....

Okay, starting How Music Works by David Byrne...



The Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of Talking Heads presents a celebration of music that offers insight into the roles of time, place and recording technology, discussing how evolutionary patterns of adaptations and responses to cultural and physical contexts have influenced music expression throughout history and culminated in the 20th century's transformative practices.

>72 Berly: That book has been sitting on my shelf for years - I keep meaning to read it & never get to it....

You could read it now?!?! : )

Also starting an appropriate title for October...The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard.



12 decades, 9 lives, 1 cat Early morning, 1902. In a gloomy Edinburgh tenement, Eilidh the charlady tips coal into a fire grate and sets it alight. Overhearing, a cat ambles over to curl up against the welcome heat. This is to be the cat's last day on earth. But he is going to return... as The Ghost Cat, a spirit-feline destined to live out his ghostly existence according to the medieval proverb of "The Cat with Nine Lives" - For Three He Plays, For Three He Strays, For Three He Stays. Follow The Ghost Cat as he witnesses the changes of the next two centuries as he purrs, shuffles and sniffs his way through the fashion, politics and technological advances of the modern era alongside the ever-changing inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement. As we follow our new spirit-feline friend, this unique story unearths some startling revelations about the mystery of existence and the human condition and provides a feel-good read full of charm for any fan of history, humour and fur-ridden fun.

Tea Bag Quote: Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of reading it.

LOL.

Hi Kim, so sorry about your dad. I hope you can move him somewhere appropriate, very soon.

>57 Berly: oh my gosh that all sounds so awful. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all that
I hope things get better, somehow.

And I agree on Frankenstien. I've read the original twice and a Manga version, and the actual story has been SO LOST thanks to Hollywood.

(And the fact that a female author, who wrote one of the first entries in horror/science fiction genre is getting overlooked, which makes me extra spicy).

At any rate, saw the other post too and I wish you and your family the best in finding the new normal for your dad.

Sorry to read about your dad. I'm glad you have siblings to help decide what to do. Best wishes. I also found The Librarianistvery disappointing. I love his book The Sisters Brothers, so it was a disappointment indeed. The Ghost Cat sounds like fun read, Kim.

>76 Berly: Words to live by, along with "erase your cookies before you go."

*smooch*

>70 Berly: So glad you had a fun day in the midst of dealing with deciding about and finding care for your Dad. I know you'll find the strength to deal with it but it certainly isn't easy. ((Kim))

>70 Berly: Sounds like fun, TwinK!

>76 Berly: Love it!

I heard DeWitt speak last year about THe Librarianist and he just didn't convince me. I will give it a pass.

>74 Berly: Lol - I know, right? You should see my TBR list....

Hi Kim my dear, so sorry to hear about your Dad's health issues, it is so sad that this has happened when he seemed to be doing so well. I am sure that you and your sister will make the right decision for him, his confidence has certainly taken a big knock and at that age, it is not good.

Apart from what's happening with your dad, you are a very busy bee my dear, it makes me seem sloth like in comparison. We both send love and hugs to you and your family my very dear friend.

Happy Halloween, my friend. I know you and your family celebrate this one with great gusto.

I'm enjoying The Ghost Cat so far. About to start the 1942 chapter.

I'm in the apparently large group of readers who were disappointed by The Librarianist. The Sisters Brothers was SO good!!

Sorry to hear about your dad, Kim :( That sounds really tough to navigate. I hope you and your siblings find a solution that works for everyone.

I hope you had a fun Halloween!

I'm sorry to hear about your father Kim :( It's hard when you worry about someone so much, and you can see they're not themselves. My dad hasn't been the same since his stroke nearly 2 years ago, he worries all this time and it makes me worry!

>72 Berly: looks interesting! My lovely other would read that I reckon (he pretty much only reads history and music biographies).

I am anxious to hear about the Book Festival. I know you couldn't have had as much fun as we had last year. :)

I've been really sick lately. Another reason for my LT absence. And, as a result, didn't get to help setup or attend the Portland Book Festival this year. Major sadness. : ( This year has been a lot. And my dad is still not doing well. Had to up it to 24-7 nursing care in the rehab unit. He just keeps falling and now he is having a hard time getting any words out at all. Sigh. Sibling talk on Monday or Tuesday to strategize.

I did get antibiotics and Prednisone, so finally feeling a little better today.

And I previously got two new books:


Every Brain Needs Music by Larry Sherman and Dennis Plies

and


American Salvation: How Immigrants Made America Great by Gregg Cooley

Excited to read both of them!!

>90 Berly: Sorry to hear that you have been under the weather, Kimmers, but glad that you seem to be on the mend.

Feel better soon. 🍯🫖

>90 Berly: - So sorry about all the stresses. They always seem to come together, don't they? Kim, does your dad have a wheelchair? If not, it sounds to me like he needs one, especially if he has 24/7 care, he shouldn't be walking; that would help eliminate falls. {{hugs}}. Believe me, I know how difficult all this is, especially from such a distance. Please take care of yourself - that is also very important!

Sorry to hear about your health issues, Kim and the continuing difficulties with your father. I hope things improve on both ends. 🙏

We sure miss seeing you around.

Oh, so sorry you are ill. And that you missed the Portland Book Festival, because I know you take such delight in it each year. Here's to a fast and complete recovery.

I hope you feel better soon, Kim! I also hope that the strategy session about your father goes well.

Healing thoughts going out to you, for your health, and to your whole family as you deal with your dad's care needs.

There's not much practical advice I can offer on the latter, except to say I've been through it (with my mom), and may be beginning it (with DH), and it's a road no one wants to walk. You are fortunate to have sibling support. Remember to be kind to yourself, too, during this difficult journey.

>90 Berly: So sorry you're having such a tough year, Kim. Sending virtual hugs and hopes that things get better.

>90 Berly: I'm glad you're well enough to come tell us the news, though I'm sure it's no fun to talk about it. Get to feelin' better soonest, smoochling.

Sorry to read that you are not feeling well, Kim, and things are difficult for your dad. Wishing you the best.

Sorry you're not feeling well and your dad isn't doing well either. Hugs

Feel better, TwinK. Hugs.

Hi Kim! Wishing you and your father the best. I hope you manage to find a good place for him.