Donna's Reading Passion: July - December

We started the second half of the year with a much overdue visit with our daughter Lori and family in Kansas City. Pictured from left to right: my DH of 55 years, Griffin (15), Hope from Denver (9), Audrey (19), Sadie (21), and a very happy Grandma.

Griffin got his first job at What-a-Burger this summer and he made 3 trips with his traveling Lacrosse team. Audrey completed her first year at University of Kansas with straight A’s and is working in the ICU at a local hospital this summer. She is working toward a Physician’s Assistant degree. Sadie completed her Junior year at Prague University in a study abroad program. She went right into her summer internship for Koch Industries in Wichita, KS. Her grandfather is happy to have another accountant in the family. She will graduate from Kansas State next May.

Hope and parents stayed a few days with us in Springfield, MO and then flew off to Cancun, leaving Hope with us for 10 days. She was a perfect houseguest and we had so much fun together. Here is one more picture of her with her Springfield cousins.


Haley is 12 and has found her sport…track. She set a city record for 6th grade girls in the 100 meter dash this spring. Molly is 10 and will be in 5th grade. Hope will be a 4th grader back in CO when school starts next month. My six grandchildren are my delights and biggest joys in life. Thanks for letting me share them with you. Now, back to books!

My favorite books so far this year:
Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy
The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts
The Seed Keepers by Diane Wilson (Book Group)
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Books Read in July:
53. The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrove 3.5 Stars
54. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 3.7 Stars
55. A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy 3.5 Stars
56. The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan. 4.2 Stars
57. Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane. 4.4 Stars ❤️
58. The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore. 3.3 Stars
59. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. 3.8 Stars
60. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. 4 Stars.

I read eight books in July; one was mine. 2,502 Pages.

Books Read in August:
61. The Postcard by Anne Berest. 4.5 Stars ❤️
62. The Maid by Nita Prose. 3 Stars (Book Group)
63. Coventry by Helen Humphreys. 4 Stars
64. The Last Ranger by Peter Heller. 3.7 Stars
65. No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. 4 Stars
66. A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn. 3.3 Stars
67. The Colony by Audrey Magee. 4 Stars
68. Dessert with Buddha by Roland Merullo. 3.8 Stars.

I read eight books in August; one was mine. 2,577 Pages.

Books Read in September:
69. Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry. 4 Stars
70. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. 4 Stars (Group Read with Mark and others)
71: Victory City by Salman Rushdie. 3.8 Stars (Book Group)
72. Diary of A Tuscan Bookshop by Alba Donati. 3.5 Stars
73. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. 4 Stars
74. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo. 4 Stars (Reread)
75. Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo. 3.5 Stars

I read seven books in September; one was mine. 2.519 pp.
Third Quarter Statistics: 23 Books Read; 7,598 pp.

Books Read in October:
76. Learned By Heart by Emma Donoghue. 3.3 Stars
77. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano. 4.5 Stars
78. Matrix by Lauren Groff. 3.5 Stars

Book No. 53: The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Library, 256 pp., 3.5 Stars.

Set in 16th Century France during a time of religious mania and superstition. In the middle of a heatwave women began gathering in the town square of Strasbourg and danced until they dropped. Lisbet lives in the country and just wants to tend her beloved bees and keep the baby in her womb alive after suffering numerous losses. Based on actual events, the author goes on a tangent to show just how little power women had back then.

I read this in bits and pieces which may have diminished my involvement and rating. While I liked it pretty well, others might love it.

Book No. 54: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Hoopla Audio, 336 pp., 4 Stars.

I don't know how I missed reading this classic in my childhood, but found it delightful listening to it with Hope over the course of 12 days and nights. Anne was a fun character with an overly vivid imagination. It was good to talk with her about how children were raised years ago to contribute to the household and not to just be the center of attention. Haha.

I'm glad she liked the book because listening to it gave me a chance to relax from the energy of a 9-yr-old and also a chance to talk about Anne's positive outlook on life despite her beginnings as an orphan.

Book No. 55: A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. Kindle, 416 pp., 3.5 Stars.

Pure comfort read. I picked this book for the title hoping to feel some relief from the brutal heat we're experiencing. The weather on the western coast of Ireland wasn't cold enough for me, although I did love the descriptions of the beautiful countryside. "Out by that ocean, you feel smaller, less important, somehow; it puts things into proportion.”

I was slightly disappointed that this was one of Binchy's character-centered novels that depended on separate vignettes about the disparate group of visitors to The Stone House in its first week of business as a recently refurbished country inn. I read it on my Kindle app so I was surprised when it just suddenly came to an end. I was looking for more interactions between the characters. I read that this was the author's last book before she died in 2012 so perhaps she didn't have time to weave the stories together. It was still an enjoyable read and makes me want to go back and read some of her other books.

Hello Donna and a warm congrats on thread July to December. What great pictures of your wonderful family! Thanks for sharing. It is always so good to see what you are reading. I have "favourited" your best reads.

>1 Donna828: My how they have grown, and gloriously so!

Happy new thread, Donna. xx

Happy New Thread, Donna. LOVE the family topper. Such glowing grandparents.

Happy New Thread, Donna! I love the opening portrait!

I haven't read any of your favorites in >2 Donna828:, so I know I'll have some great reading ahead.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Donna!

Love all family pictures, especially the proud grandparents.

Happy New thread, Donna! What a lovely picture of you and your husband and your beautiful grandchildren!

Happy new thread, Donna. How fast your grandkids are growing up!

So I got my last three books listed with some brief comments. I plan to read up a storm the rest of the month to make up for lost time!

>6 mdoris: Thank you for being my first visitor, Mary. I hope you also enjoy some of my best reads.

>7 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Kids grow up way too fast these days which you have experienced with your own children as you look forward to the next generation.

>8 msf59: Thanks, Mark. We were certainly glowing as we always do when around the grands. The older ones in Kansas City are very busy with their jobs making it difficult to find a time when we can see all three of them. It was worth the trip and getting those hugs in person.

>9 streamsong: Thank you, Janet. I do hope you get to some of my favorites. The Ride of Her Life is a true story about a cross-country trip on horseback and would be my first recommendation for you.

>10 drneutron: Thank you, Jim. I'm not the chattiest one in your group, but I'm still here. ;-)

>11 FAMeulstee: It's good to see you, Anita. I'll make a return visit soon.

>12 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, thanks for that nice compliment.

>13 BLBera: You've experienced that rapid growth with Scout, Beth. Every stage of their life is precious, but I do miss the baby and toddler years.

I am just happy to see that even the older ones still like to spend time with Grandma. :)

Hi, Donna. I saw on Joe's thread, that you still had not read Gift of Rain. I also have a copy languishing on my Kindle. Would you like to do a shared read. Later next month? September?

Happy new one!

>1 Donna828: What a great family gathering!

>17 BLBera: Me too, Beth.

>18 msf59: I would enjoy that, Mark. I will let you choose the time frame as my schedule is pretty much wide open the rest of the summer. Just let me know what works best for you. Maybe we can drum up some more slackers. ;-)

>19 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, almost missed you there. Thank you for stopping by. I am slowly catching up on my starred threads and will pay you a visit shortly.

Book No. 56: The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan. Library, 244 pp., 4.2 Stars.

"Happiness was a strange notion, something that was wrapped neatly and packed into the closing scenes of television shows and daytime films, sharply relieved on the screen but blurry in real life, a vague ideal." (140)

Donal Ryan's books are becoming a real treat for me. The Aylward women of rural Ireland were tightly bound together by hardship, heartache, and humor. Told in a regimented series of two-page chapters with one-word titles, the reader has to work out the connections between the four generations. Nana is the matriarch, who rescues her daughter-in-law from anguish after Eileen's husband and father of newborn Saoirse (Sir-sha) dies in a freak accident. Then there is baby Pearl who completes the family sharing their lives in a small home.

There is a very good story here about family ties, land disputes, and most importantly, a deep bond and tenderness between these four women.

>22 Donna828: That one sounds good Donna. On to the list it goes!

Those are all great family photos, Donna. Everyone looks so happy! It's so nice that you were able to spend some time with Hope.

I've never read Anne of Green Gables, not as an adult, anyway. I have a vague recollection of it being read to me. I should revisit it.

I'm glad to see you liked The Queen of Dirt island!

That's a beautiful family your daughter has!

>23 mdoris: Another Irish author. Can't go wrong...right? Hope you enjoy it, Mary.

>24 Copperskye: Joanne, it's good to see you here. We sure enjoyed our family time in early July. Hope was the perfect houseguest, and we hope to have a repeat visit whenever we get the opportunity. I think much of the allure of Anne of Green Gables had to do with listening to it with Hope.

>25 The_Hibernator: We like them, Rachel! All my grandkids are smart, talented, and kind...and I may be a bit prejudiced. Haha.

So it looks like I had another round of Covid. This time I got the variant with conjunctivitis for some extra torture. I've never had "pinkeye" but didn't enjoy having my eyelids matted together every morning. It cleared up faster than the headaches, sore throat, mucous onslaught, coughing, and extreme fatigue of Covid. I am recovering but still very tired on Day 8. It's been very hot here so taking naps in the air-conditioning hasn't been a terrible way to spend the week.

>27 Donna828: Oh dear Donna, sure hope you are feeling better very soon.

Book No. 57: Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane. Library, 299 pp., 4.4 Stars.

Lehane hasn't lost his touch for keeping me on the edge of my seat. I stayed up late to finish this because I knew I couldn't sleep until I got the whole story. This is a book about a mother and daughter living in Southie (Boston) in the summer of 1974 when their neighborhood was targeted to become part of the bussing project to desegregate the city's high schools. Jules will be a senior this year and does not want to be bussed out of her area, but this is the least of her problems when a young black man ends up in Southie under a subway car. She is implicated in the tragedy and turns up missing.

Lehane does a brilliant job of rendering the tumult of those times and captures the outrage of a mother who doesn't know where her daughter has gone and is willing to do what it takes to find out from the local hooligans what happened that unfortunate night when her daughter didn't come home. It's been a while since I've read anything this intense.

Book No. 58: The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore; audio by Angie Kane. Hoopla, 366 pp., 3.3 Stars.

I think I need to space my books about books out a little more because this one reminded me of some of my recent reads in this sub-genre. I was pretty loopy throughout the experience so perhaps my health was more of a problem than the book. I did really like that Anne of Green Gables had a prominent role in bringing these somewhat odd characters together. It was a decent listen and kept my mind off my woes so it was a success.

Book No. 59: Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. Mine, 179 pp., 3.8 Stars.

Four stars for a book I didn't understand? Well, yes, because I rather liked the head trip of time theory and it's such a cute little book that I've owned for years and finally took a chance on it. I'm still on my meds and floated along with the speculation of "time like a flow of water, occasionally displaced by a bit of debris, a passing breeze."

The book is set in 1905 when Einstein is a young patent clerk working on his Theory of Relativity. Each of the short chapters depicts a dream about time and gave me a lot to think about. Who knows, it might have even inspired me to read the Einstein biography sitting on my shelves.

Happy Sunday, Donna. I am so glad to hear that Small Mercies was a hit and Lehane still has the chops. I will add it to my obese TBR. I scheduled us for September for The Gift of Rain. I will probably kick off the month with it. Glad you are up for doing a shared read with me.

Hi, Donna. Great pics up top! The grands are growing so fast! It’s wonderful that Hope was able to spend time with her cousins. Congrats to all of them on their accomplishments.

I’m looking forest to reading Small Mercies. You also got me with Einstein’s Dreams.

Hope your Sunday is peaceful and pleasant.

Edited to fix typo.

>22 Donna828: I added it to my list, too!

Wow! You've been getting a lot of reading in , Donna. The Queen of Dirt Island was a book I had out from the library, but did not get a chance to read as other books took themselves to the forefront. I look forward to it though. I think I'll try to read a few from the Booker Longlist, once it is announced at 8 am BST. Sorry about the latest round of Covid, and conjunctivitis is not pleasant either. I hope you are feeling much better soon.

>32 msf59: I'm looking forward to it, Mark. It will be good to read The Gift of Rain and hope it doesn't take us as long to read The House of Doors. It's great to always have new books to look forward to, right?

>33 Storeetllr: Hi there Mary! It's always good to see you here. Hope is an only child so cousins are important to her. We had such a good time and had a chance to bond. Our usual times together are short and surrounded with too many other people. Haha.

>34 Nancy618: This is a wonderful surprise, Nancy. Thanks for delurking and making my day! Pretty sure you will like The Queen of Dirt Island. I'm glad I could recommend a book to the one who keeps me informed on the latest new releases.

>35 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah. Thanks for the commiseration on my health woes. I am feeling better but still tire easily and think the cough will probably never go away... It's hard to keep up with all the books we want to read, isn't it? I am looking forward to checking out the Booker nominees for 2023.

Book No. 60: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. Library, 406 pp., 4 Stars

I picked up this book on a whim to give me a breath of cold Alaskan air to moderate these hot humid Missouri temperatures in the upper 90s. I was expecting more myth and less realism. Granted, fantasy about a snow child was in the background, but a very real character emerged and charmed me. I love stories set in nature and this one did not disappoint.

I've seen The Snow Child around. It looks good.

I also enjoyed The Snow Child, Donna. It's a good book to read in the summer heat. :)

>38 The_Hibernator: It was good, Rachel. I dismissed it when it came out because of the fantasy element but the true Russian story that inspired the book just added to the imaginative story.

>39 BLBera: You are spot on, Beth. The descriptions of the snow and cold were very refreshing.

Book No. 61: The Postcard by Anne Berest, translated from the French by Tina Kover. Library, 475 pp., 4.5 Stars.

"The characters in this story are only shadows now... There's no one left who can describe their lives in exact detail. Myriam took most of their secrets to the grave with her. But soon we'll have to pick up where she left off. And write." (Pg. 196)

The Rabinovitch Family history is awakened in 2003 by the disconcerting arrival of a post card with only the names of four family members who died at Auschwitz on it: Ephraim and Emma, parents of Noemie and Jacques. It was 16 years later when the author's daughter related an incident on her playground where a child made a comment about Jews that jogged her memory and made her want to investigate the mysterious post card. The latter 2/3 of the book is about the mother/daughter team that revived the family history and delved into the only survivor's story. Myriam didn't talk about the past but she certainly lived it. We learn her story in the first third of the book which is intense and heartbreaking.

This is a powerful book. The Rabinovitch family had some tough times and lived in several places in Europe before settling in France where the children attended a prestigious school and won many awards. The situation changed so slowly that people didn't realize what was happening. When their liberties became obstructed, the family moved out of Paris and tried to assimilate into the countryside. They couldn't comprehend how dangerous their situation was until it was too late to flee. Such misery. That first part was difficult to read but the mood lightens somewhat as the mother/daughter duo decide to find out about the origins of that postcard. They learn a lot about each other and the author in particular learns to embrace her Jewish heritage.

Donna that sounds like a very interesting book. P's aunt wrote a book Hanna's Diary by Hanna Spencer. She had lived her adult life as a gentile having come to Canada after the war but her children discovered her diary in the attic and realized that she had a Jewish background and many stories to tell. I read it years ago and it was a powerful story too. There are so many personal stories to tell.

Hi Donna, I hope you are feeling better. Great family photos up thread. There's a definite family resemblance.

>40 Donna828: Yeah, I like a little magical realism. Well, I flat out like fantasy, too

Small Mercies was intense, wasn't it! I raced through the ending. The casual racism of the time was shocking.

I have not one copy, but two copies (hardback and paperback) of The Snow Child. I'm not sure how that happened. Even better, the hardback is signed and I don't remember where it came from. I really should read one of them. :) Unlike everyone else, I prefer to read wintery books in the winter and summery books in the summer. I'm glad to see you liked it and look forward to getting to it, hopefully, THIS winter!

>42 mdoris: Your family history sounds so interesting, Mary. I'm glad you have a book (and diary) so that future generations can read and learn about the fascinating stories that would otherwise be forgotten.

>43 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. The recovery was slow but I'm finally getting back to my regular routine and very glad to do so. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures I shared.

>44 The_Hibernator: I enjoy fantasy in small doses, Rachel. I'm definitely more of a realistic fiction fan.

>45 Copperskye: I agree about the blatant racism in the 1970s. We've come a long way since then, thank goodness.

I think you have two good reasons to read The Snow Child, Joanne. It's funny that you have a signed copy and no memory of it. Enjoy your cold reading this winter. I'll be on the beach in my reading life trying to get warm!

Book No. 62: The Maid by Nita Prose. Library, Read for my Book Group, 336 pp., 3 Stars.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did but I couldn't overlook the multiple inconsistencies and loose ends in Molly the Maid's story. I thought the author did a pretty good job of portraying her main character as being neurodivergent, at least to the best of my knowledge. I liked the endearing beginning, but the repetition of Molly's belated grandmother's axioms got old quickly. I got very impatient with so many things that didn't make sense to me. I've been in some luxury hotels but have never seen a maid in the lobby with her trolley of cleaning equipment. The legal scenes in the police station and in the courtroom violated so many procedures that I lost all confidence in the author. I know many people overlook details but I'm unable to do so. There were 13 people at Book Club and most of them had thoughts similar to mine. A few others just looked at it as a "fun" read not to be taken seriously.

Book No. 63: Coventry by Helen Humphreys. My book, 180 pp., 4 Stars.

This is my third book by Ms. Humphreys, and I have enjoyed all of them. This opens on the roof of the Coventry Cathedral with Harriet doing a favor for a friend by filling in as a firewatcher during the nightly bombing raids by Germany during WWII.

It should be routine, but this is the night the Germans got serious, and fires broke out everywhere overwhelming the volunteers. Harriet joins forces with a young man half her age as they seek a safe place while also looking for Jeremy's mother.

It's a fast-paced harrowing story of an unlikely friendship in terrifying circumstances. My only quibble with Ms. Humphreys' books is that they are too short.

>48 Donna828: I own The Maid, and I've read just few pages ,but haven't tried very hard to get into it. Maybe just as well, Donna. Thanks for the reviews. I did love Coventry. It was an excellent read and I think my first introduction to The Blitz. A very powerful read.

>22 Donna828: I read Ryan's From a Low and Quiet Sea several years ago and loved it, so I am definitely going to have to track down a copy of that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Donna!

>29 Donna828: >30 Donna828: Adding those to the BlackHole.

>31 Donna828: I get to dodge that BB as I have already read it.

>37 Donna828: I have owned that one for years now. I really need to get it read!

>41 Donna828: I went ahead and ordered a copy of that one because it sounds like it would be a great one for my Jewish Studies reading. Thanks, Donna.

>49 Donna828: Dodging. . .

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Donna! I hope to see you in Joplin in October!!

>31 Donna828: I'm just getting back to Einstein's Dreams, one of a quartet of books I had going as August began. (The others were The Dubliners, Our Woman in Moscow, and The Bone Clocks.) After finishing Joyce's marvelous short stories, I felt a bit bogged down, so I slipped in a Mary Roberts Rinehart mystery, The Haunted Lady, then focused on The Bone Clocks. And then, and then...James McBride's new one, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. , dropped out of the Amazon van onto my porch. Since McBride got some background about Pottstown from my brother, who's lived there 50 years, well, I was obligated to read it as soon as it became available. I did read it! It's excellent! So back to Einstein.

Sorry. I got carried away there. :-)

Happy Thursday Donna!

>50 vancouverdeb: Deb, a lot of people really liked The Maid and I tried to like it but just couldn't overlook the inaccuracies. I tend to do a close reading for my book group picks and came up with a long list of puzzling scenes. Thanks for stopping by.

>51 alcottacre: It's so good to see you here, Stasia. So glad that your life is returning to normal after some rough times recently. I do hope that our meetup works out whenever we decide to Do Joplin!

I'm glad I got you with some book bullets. I think The Postcard would be a very good acquisition for your Jewish reading. I know it helped me to understand some things better about how Jewish people got "trapped" during WWII. Such a horrifying time to read about, but so important to not forget what happened.

>52 weird_O: Hello Bill. I love that you got carried away with your reading update. It's easy to do and fun for others to see what catches your eye. I am eagerly awaiting your Einstein report. I don't know why I rated Einstein's Dreams as highly as I did (4*) because I didn't understand much of it. Of course I don't understand my own pedestrian dreams so why should I relate to a genius? Maybe hoping some of it will rub off on me? Anyway, I love the look and feel of the small hardcover book and my plan is to reread right after I read Isaacson's biography of Einstein. Don't hold your breath! I've owned His Life and Universe for over 15 years and it hasn't called my name yet!

>53 The_Hibernator: Happy Monday Rachel! We are having some very hot days here in Southern Missouri (Misery) so what better way to spend them than to update my reading and pay some visits around LT? Catch ya later...

Book No. 64: The Last Ranger by Peter Heller. Library, 287 pp., 3.7 Stars.

It's always a good thing when Peter Heller writes another book. This one is all about the wolves in Yellowstone which I find fascinating to read about. Unfortunatley, someone is trapping them and Ranger Ren Hopper is determined to find the culprit. The mystery was okay, but the descriptions of the animals and scenery of Yellowstone were amazing.

Book No. 65: No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. Library, 314 pp., 4 Stars.

Books About Books is one of my favorite subgenres. I liked the little twist in this because it reminded me of Library Thing. We read many of the same books, but we all have our own experiences and opinions about them.

Alice wrote a book called Theo, inspired by her love for her brother. It ended up in the slush pile at a publishing house and was miraculously read by the right reader who pushed for publication. It was interesting to see how Theo came into the right hands at the right time and made some kind of impression on the various readers. It reminded me of Olive Kitteridge. although the connections were much looser as it reached a more disparate group of readers in various localities. It's a love story for book lovers, and I recommend it to my visitors. We need to get the word out!

Book No. 66: A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn. Library, First in a series, 342 pp., 3.3 Stars.

The verdict is still out on this potential series. I ended up liking the book fairly well despite the grisly beginning in a Taxidermy lab. Not my thing at all. I'm also not crazy about putting pins in beautiful butterflies, and the protagonist, Veronica Speedwell, is a lepidopterist. Oh well, I got over it and rather enjoyed the Victorian mystery aspect and didn't terribly mind the little bit of romantic suspense. I must be getting soft in my old age. Ha! I will try the second book in the series before I make up my mind as to whether or not I want to continue. I miss Maisie Dobbs!

>54 Donna828: Right now, it looks like the Joplin meet up will be October 20th. Catey is planning on coming this year for the first time in a while.

I ordered The Postcard based on your recommendation and hope to have it soon. I agree - it is "so important to not forget what happened."

>57 Donna828: I am also a huge "book about books" fan, Donna, so into the BlackHole that one goes. Thanks for that recommendation!

Hi, Donna. Keeping cool? I also just finished The Last Ranger. I also liked it and had similar feelings that you did. Loved the wildlife stuff.

Hi, Donna! I’ve been lurking without commenting but have been enjoying your reading adventures.

>56 Donna828: Dog Stars is the only Heller I’ve read. Perhaps this is a good time to remedy that.

>57 Donna828: I too enjoy books about books. And bookstores. And libraries. Another one for the wishlist.

>58 Donna828: I have read this series. A couple of the books were a bit tedious or over-the-top imo, but, overall, I have enjoyed it.

Have a lovely rest of the week and rest of the summer!

>56 Donna828: *sigh* I really need to get this one!

Hi Donna -- here I am catching up after having lost your thread somehow. Loved the photos and info about your grandkids up top. Grandchildren are definitely one of life's great rewards!

Also saw your comments about Maeve Binchy book you read. I would definitely suggest you continue with her. It's been long time but I've read all of her books and enjoyed them.

Happy Thursday, Donna!

>59 alcottacre: October 20 is now highlighted on my calendar, Stasia. It will be good to see Catey again.
I will be shocked if you don't love The Postcard.

>60 msf59: Today is a bit cooler than the upper 90s and tomorrow will be a blissful 85 degrees for a high, Mark. I haven't been suffering alone and, to be honest, I've just chosen to stay in as much as possible so I haven't been suffering much at all.

Peter Heller didn't disappoint us with his latest. I rather liked The River, but The Guide was not his best work. He always does a good job with nature descriptions, and I don't skip a book because of that consistency. They are quick reads.

>61 Storeetllr: Mary, you definitely need to read The Dog Stars. After all, you know the author after meeting him in Boulder. I may still have a crush. *Blush*

Thanks for sharing your experience with Veronica Speedwell. I think I will enjoy the continuing story. I mostly read series books for a break between heavier books and enjoy the character development. The relationship between V and Stoker is an odd one and will provide some smiles I'm sure.

>62 drneutron: Hi Jim. I hope you get to The Ranger soon. It's a quick read and makes one feel like they are in Yellowstone. A free vacation!

>63 RebaRelishesReading: What a pleasant surprise, Reba. I've been pretty silent on some of the threads but try to keep up with you. I do so agree on Grandchildren being "one of life's great rewards". I've read six of Maeve Binchy's books, but will look up the ones I've missed and keep them on tap as comfort reads. She certainly can transport a reader to a soothing time and place.

>64 alcottacre: Happy Saturday, Stasia!

Book No. 67: The Colony by Audrey Magee. Library, 376 pp., 4 Stars.

A small island off the west coast of Ireland is the setting for this atmospheric novel set in the late 1970s when The Troubles came to a head in Ireland. Lloyd, an English painter arrives for his summer retreat somewhat seasick and demanding of his neighbors. Very little English is spoken on the island making it the perfect place for his neighbor the French linguist to do his research on dying languages. These two grumpy men get along about as well as the Catholics and Protestants whose bickering has turned into open warfare which is reported in short brutal news accounts in between the mundane events on the island.

The bleakness of this book was lightened by James, the teenager who helped keep the two boarders fed and cared for while exploring his natural talent for painting and hoping for the chance to leave the island. Always in the background is the history of the cost of imperialism which is as desolate as the cliffs, the cold damp weather, and the boring meals of fish and potatoes with an occasional rabbit for excitement.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long while.

>67 Donna828: I really need to get to that book soon, Donna.

Excellent review as always.

>67 Donna828: I own The Colony and I need to read it! Mary has told me so, as has Mark and others. So many books, sometimes not enough time! Great review, Donna.

Happy Birthday, my friend. I hope you are having a great day. I also recently read The Colony and I am so glad that you loved it. This will be one of top reads of the year.

I hope you are still up for reading The Gift of Rain in September. I plan on starting it in about a week. We will have a couple others joining us too.

Happy Birthday, Donna! I'm glad to hear you will be going to Joplin on Oct. 20. It will be good to see you again.

>57 Donna828: No Two Persons has made it onto my library hold list from your description, Donna. Thanks for the recommendation although I had to think twice when you referred to Olive Kitteridge.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

Happy birthday, Donna (even if late).

Happy belated birthday, Donna. Many happy returns. I also loved The Colony.

>68 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. The Colony is one of those books that need to be pondered. I hope you like it as much as I did.

>69 vancouverdeb: Yes indeed, Deborah, you need to listen to your friends. If you like Irish literature you will relish this book.

Ah, thanks to Mark, Roni, Deborah, Reba, and Beth for the birthday wishes. The older I get, the more I'd just like to forget about the celebration. My family and local friends made sure that I couldn't do that. It's been a fun few days but I'm ready to move on with my life which will always include reading and this group.

>72 Familyhistorian: I'm glad you are planning to read No Two Persons, Meg. The main thing it has in common with Olive Kitteridge are the short chapters from different points of view. It is more of an homage to books and reading than anything else.

Book No. 68: Dessert with Buddha by Roland Merullo. Library, 270 pp., 3.8 Stars.

I may have rushed through this one in order for it to make my August count, but since I plan to read the entire quartet someday, I can take more time with it the next time around. As usual, Merullo focuses on the two brothers-in-law, Volya Rinpoche and Otto Ringling, as they take a road trip and ponder the meaning of life. There is much food for thought in this series with lots of smiles along the way.

Book No. 69: Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry. Library, 261 pp., 4 Stars.

"Enough time goes by and it is as if old things never happened. Things once fresh, immediate, terrible, receding away into old God's time..." (166)

Tom Kettle is a retired police detective living the good life on the Irish coast. Or is he? Tom has experienced more than his share of losses and his state of confusion is understandable. One must read closely to separate truth from delusion.

There are hidden depths to Tom's story of a phenomenal marriage and family after both he and his wife have experienced hideous childhoods. It's a dark tale that is softened by their love and the compassion shown by others for those undergoing grim circumstances.

Barry's writing is beautiful however the story is oh so bleak. This is the 4th book I've read by this wonderful Irish author. All have been solid and thought-provoking reads.

Great review of Old God’s Time , Bonnie . I really loved it , but yes , a harrowing read . I’ve ordered another likely bleak book from the Booker Long List , Prophet Song . I listened to a couple of very good reviews of it on book tube , so fingers crossed .

>65 Donna828: Senior moment, maybe, but I don’t recall meeting Peter Heller. I do remember loving The Dog Stars, so not all is lost.

>79 Donna828: Sounds interesting, and I’ll add it to the TBR pile for future consideration, but I’m not reading bleak this year. Too much real life bleak for that.

Hope you have a lovely week!

Edited to correct the Touchstone.

>80 vancouverdeb: Deborah, I’m glad I read Old God’s Time, but now I’m ready for some lighter books. I am following your Booker reading with interest.

>81 Storeetllr: My shaky memory tells me that you and Anne missed those afternoon events and drove up from Denver for dinner with us and the evening activities. Here’s a picture of my joy at meeting one of my favorite authors.

>82 Donna828: Love the photo! Hooray for Peter Heller! I was fortunate to have met him in person too. Good guy.

Happy Saturday, Donna. I finished The Gift of Rain yesterday. It is a terrific debut and highly ambitious. How are you coming along?

>37 Donna828: Happy Saturday! As always, I enjoy the photos of your grandchildren. Can it be that Hayley is 12? I remember the photos of her when she was younger!

I checked my library and found that I also read Snow Child back in 2012. I gave it five stars! Thanks for your lovely review.

>82 Donna828: Oh, nice! Yes, it very well might have happened that way.

>82 Donna828: That is a great shot, Donna. I don't know why but he doesn't look as I would have pictured him.

>83 msf59: I'm glad you got to meet Peter Heller, Mark. Did you get a hug??? As I mentioned on your thread, I finished The Gift of Rain and liked it a lot but was overwhelmed by the violence in Part 2. I know, it was war...and I'm a wimp.

>84 Whisper1: What a nice surprise, Linda. Haley will be 13 this Sunday! It doesn't seem possible. I don't know why it took me so long to read The Snow Child. Such a good book. Hope all is well with you. I've been a stranger on the threads recently. I'll try to get by to see you soon.

>85 Storeetllr: Hi Mary. We will just call our Boulder meetup "ancient history" and hope we get a chance to meet up somewhere else while we still can. In the meantime, exchanging pictures and memories will have to do.

>86 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I think I must have seen a picture of Peter Heller before we met because he was just what I expected. A very personable man and a good author. I hope to run into him when I'm in Colorado the next time. You never know...

Book No. 70: The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. Mine (Kindle), 450 pp., 4 Stars.

"You were born with the gift of rain. Your life will be abundant with wealth and success. But life will test you greatly. Remember--the rain also brings the flood."

Phillip Hutton was born to a wealthy Malayan family, but his life wasn't easy. He was half-Chinese and felt like an outsider. When Philip was a teenager, he discovered the world of aikijutsu from his new neighbor, a mysterious Japanese man, and found a sense of purpose and belonging. Endo-San was a gifted teacher of martial arts, but as it turns out, he was also a big wheel in the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

The first section of the book had a meandering pace with the slow buildup of tensions about the spreading war and some eloquent descriptions of the beauty of Penang, "an island so vulnerable, so easy to pluck, like a child awakened by kidnappers at night from his bed." I loved learning about Malaysia before WWII. The second part was brutal, and I had to take frequent breaks for relief. (I deducted half of a star for mental anguish.)

As the war crept closer, Phillip slowly realized he had been betrayed and tried to undo some of the damage by examining his loyalties and making moral decisions about his limited choices. It was hard for his family to know whose side he was really on. Ultimately, he suffered much guilt and spent his last years trying to make sense of those years of Japanese occupation of his beloved island.

You've read some good ones recently, Donna. Luckily both The Gift of Rain and Old God's Time were already on my wishlist.

Book No. 71: Victory City by Salman Rushdie. Library, Book Group, 350 pp., 3.8 Stars.

Best Ending Line Ever: "Words are the only victors"

This was one of the most divergent books our little group of ten has read. One member could only read the first four pages before quitting while another said it was the most moving book she had ever read. I'm kind of in the middle somewhere. I had to force myself to keep going and was glad that I did. Once I got past the difficult names and got into the retelling of an actual lost civilization in 15th Century India, I was hooked.

I could write pages, but briefly this was a retelling of an epic poem buried in the ruins of Victory City, also known as Bisnaga in the book. The city emerged from the magic seeds given to a young girl, Pampa Kampana, after her mother walked into the pyre with many of the other women in their village who had lost their husbands in war. Pampa was favored by a goddess and was given wisdom and a long life of 247 years. There was lots of magic realism here and themes of creation, empire building, reincarnation, feminism, Hindu mythology, religion, greed, etc.

I liked Rushdie's Midnight's Children better, but he is definitely a talented author. I am looking forward to the brief memoir he is planning to write about last year's Chautauqua experience.

>90 BLBera: And I know you've also recently read Victory City. It was a great book for discussion last night.

>82 Donna828: Yes, I think that's right. Fun day and a great souvenir! Did I take that photo? (My memory is pretty bad...)

I actually met him two more times after that - shortly after in Ft Collins when he was at CSU for a reading when Chris was a student (an excuse for a mid-week visit), and again at the Tattered Cover on Colfax a couple years later. Since he lives here, there are more opportunities.

I had Old God's Time checked out from the library several weeks ago but I don't think I was in the mood for something that threatened to be dark. I'll definitely give it another try, though.

Great picture of you and Peter Heller! How exciting! Nice review of The Gift of Rain. I an wondering whether I should order The House of Doors as part of my attempt to read a few of the Booker Longlist, but I think I will wait until the Booker Shortlist is announced September 21.

>56 Donna828: Peter Heller has been on my radar. I'm glad that you enjoy his work. I might give his books a try.

>82 Donna828: Very cool meeting him!

Good to know that Victory City is a good book club book, Donna. I'll keep it in mind for future choices.

>93 Copperskye: You sure did take that picture, Joanne. And you did a good job! Lucky you living in Heller Country. I doubt I'll run into him when I visit Hope and family in Brighton.

I sure understand about mood reading. And, yes, Old God's Time is definitely sad and dark at the same time. I probably should have held off on following up with The Gift of Rain...another downer. But both were very good books.

>94 vancouverdeb: Deborah, I think Tan Twan En's book will be on that Booker Shortlist. He is a gifted author for sure. I will let a little time go by but will definitely read The House of Doors. It's almost time for the shortlist to be released. September is flying by!

>95 thornton37814: Hi Lori, I do hope you get to the Heller books. I've enjoyed all that I've read. He writes mostly adventure stories set in the western mountains with lots of good descriptions of nature. I was very excited to meet him at a writer's event in Boulder, CO. I also met up with some other LT friends. Good times!

>96 BLBera: Victory City made for an excellent discussion, Beth. I think when we all love the book, there isn't nearly as much to talk about. I hope we convinced the one who gave up on page 4 to give it another go.

Book No. 72: Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop by Alba Donati. Library, 192 pp., 3.5 Stars.

"People want stories. It doesn't matter who wrote them; they need stories to take their mind off things, stories to identify with or take them elsewhere. Stories that won't hurt, that will heal a wound, restore trust, instill beauty in their hearts." (Page 85)

This was such a pleasant book after the heavy ones I've been reading. I almost feel like I've been to Alba Donati's snug little bookstore that serves her village of 180 inhabitants in beautiful Tuscany. As promised, it is a memoir and does give a detailed look at the author's life over a 6-month period. It included details about her childhood and family along with the difficulties of opening a bookstore at the beginning of the Covid restrictions. Of course, my favorite parts were the everyday details of bookselling and all that wonderful book talk.

>99 Donna828: I also enjoyed this one, Donna. :)

You know, I've never read a Salman Rushdie book. Something he said was off-putting once - can't remember what anymore. I usually don't skip an author just because I don't like him as a person, but it makes me less likely to pick up a book, apparently

Book No. 73: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Library, 390 pp., 4 Stars.

"Courage is the root of change, and change is what we're chemically designed to do." (360)

Elizabeth Zott is not your typical housewife of the early 1960s. She just happens to be a mother and portrays a chef on afternoon television, but in her heart she is a chemist, and a very talented one at that. This was an interesting concept for a book, but I'm not sure that the juxtaposition of misogyny in the workplace and a dog with a working vocabulary of 500 words worked (although I did love the dog). This was a mixture of tragedy and fun that was a bit of a roller coaster ride. I managed to relax and enjoy what the author was attempting. My takeaway? Like science, life is unpredictable.

>100 BLBera: I know, Beth. I appreciated your review and immediately requested it from the library. You never let me down.

>101 The_Hibernator: His books are not easy to read, Rachel. I also suspect that he might be off-putting in person. I think he has been divorced 4 times. Maybe not the easiest person to be around? I do like the two books I've read by him, though.

>67 Donna828: I loved that one when I read it, Donna. I am glad to see you enjoyed it as well.

>78 Donna828: Weird Bill gave me that one last year for Christmas and I really need to get it read!

>79 Donna828: I am slated to read that one in October. I hope I like it as much as you did.

>89 Donna828: Dodging that BB as I have already read it.

>91 Donna828: Already in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again!

>99 Donna828: I own that one and need to read it.

>102 Donna828: Loved that one!

I hope to see you in Joplin, Donna!

>103 Donna828: Thanks Donna. I am happy that you have liked the same books I liked. No pressure. :)

>104 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, I am planning on the Joplin trip on October 20. You threw me off on your thread when you mentioned you would be traveling during that time. Well, it is a trip I guess. Where else will you be going?

>105 BLBera: On a very rare occasion we might disagree about a book, Beth, but you and I tend to enjoy the same types of books. Thanks for being such a dependable resource.

Book No. 74: Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo. My copy, 549 pp., 4 Stars.

“Throughout his life a case study underachiever, Sully—people still remarked—was nobody’s fool, a phrase that Sully no doubt appreciated without ever sensing its literal application—that at sixty, he was divorced from his own wife, carrying on halfheartedly with another man’s, estranged from his son, devoid of self-knowledge, badly crippled and virtually unemployable—all of which he stubbornly confused with independence.”

This is my second go-round with this book. I entered it on LT in 2017 when I read #2 in the "New Bath" series, but I actually read it back in the 1990s before I was on LT. It was fun to revisit the quirky and generous Donald Sullivan (Sully) who has many personal flaws and makes questionable life choices. He is in his 60s and still struggling to overcome a pathetic childhood. There is lots of humor in these books, along with colorful characters and even some scenes that made me blush.

Book No. 75: Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo. Library, 527 pp., 3.5 Stars.

I enjoyed this sequel when I read it in 2017 but not so much when I reread it this week. I didn't like that the main focus was on one of the secondary characters in the original, Chief of Police Doug Raymer, who played a clueless cop in Nobody's Fool. He is now bordering on insanity after his wife dies and he spends most of his time trying to find the man with whom she was in the process of joining forever when she fell down the stairs and died. Sully is a decade older (now 70) and given only a year or two to live. He's still quirky but is in his right mind and still my favorite character.

There is still plenty of humor in ludicrous situations, but the overall tone was darker and even depressing in some parts. I am almost afraid to read the newest installment which is waiting for me at the library. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to read the three books so close together? Stay tuned...

>106 Donna828: I am heading to Longview to visit my mother on 10/14 then on the 19th (after Catey gets off work) I will be heading to Joplin with Catey in tow and will be returning with her to Longview on the 21st. I will not be heading home to Sherman until the 29th.

>107 Donna828: I still have not managed to read that one. My local library has the following 2 books, but not the first one! Arg.

>108 Donna828: Are you moving on to Somebody's Fool now?

I'm reading one now that might be one you would like, Donna. It's The Whalebone Theatre, and while I am only halfway through, I am loving it. It is wonderful historical fiction, starting in 1914, the beginning of WWI. Cristabel, the daughter of the house is a great character.

>109 alcottacre: Got it, Stasia. I'm looking forward to Joplin, but if it is raining or (heaven forbid) snowing, I may opt out at the last minute. I hate driving on 1-44 with the truck drivers, especially when the roads are unpredictable. Crossing my fingers for decent weather on the 20th. I'll be glad to pass on my copy of Nobody's Fool to you. The print is tiny but it's the same edition that is in our library so I guess that's just the way it is.

>110 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, I'm taking a short break before I read Somebody's Fool. I seem to have too many library books checked out right now. I'll get to it later this month. Have you read it?

>111 BLBera: I'm not familiar with that title, Beth. I'll wait to hear your final verdict before I reserve a copy. Our library has several copies available. I do love me some good historical fiction so I am intrigued. Thanks for thinking of me.

Book No. 76: Learned By Heart by Emma Donoghue. Library, 323 pp., 3.3 Stars.

All of the Donoghue books that I have read have been eloquently written about suffering in one form or another. Her latest is about two teen-age girls in a boarding school in York, England in the early 1800s. The topic is first love, something we have all experienced in differing ways. It's a personal and emotional lasting memory that shapes our lives to different degrees.

This is a true and well-researched story that was well executed but one that I couldn't personally relate to, so all the pathos was wasted on me. Apparently, I wasn't the intended audience, although I'm glad I read it and will keep on reading this talented and versatile author's books.

Congratulations on reaching 75 books, Donna.

>108 Donna828: Congratulations on reaching 75, Donna!

Congrats!

Congrats on getting to (and passing!) 75, Donna.

Happy Saturday, Donna. Congrats on hitting #75! The reviews on Learned By Heart have been a bit lackluster. She is usually quite reliable. May your next read be a fine one.

>112 Donna828: Well, that gives you something to look forward to :). Congratulations on reaching 75!

Congrats on reading 75 books!

Congratulations on reading 75 books , Donna ! I purchased Learned By Heart , so I hope I will enjoy it .

Congratulations on reaching 75, Donna. I will probably give the new Donoghue a try at some point.

So many visitors! Thanks for the congrats from Paul, Anita, Jim, Mary, Mark, Reba, Anita (in Canada), Deborah, and Beth.

>118 msf59:: I have like all of Donoghue's books to different degrees, Mark. They can't all be home runs!

>119 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, I'm definitely looking forward to the third book in Russo's North Bath Trilogy. I just needed a change of pace before I head back there.

>121 vancouverdeb: I was fascinated by the historical aspect of the story, Deborah. It just didn't turn out to be a favorite of mine. I hope you love it.

>122 BLBera: Beth, I will be looking forward to your comments after you read Donoghue's latest. It is definitely a worthwhile read.

Book No. 77: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano. Library, 340 pp., 4.5 Stars.

"Since death is certain, but the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?" Epigraph by Pema Chodron.

I don't usually love books about teenagers (maybe I'm still recovering from raising three of them?) but this one resonated with me. I remember the true event of the young girl being the sole survivor of an airplane crash years ago. I often wondered how someone survives something this devastating. I thought Napolitano did an adequate job of portraying Edward's shock and slow rehabilitation back to functioning in society. But even more I loved the strong friendship that developed between Edward and the special girl next door. This is a great book about compassion and devotion. I think I need to read more of Ann Napolitano's earlier books.

Just a quick visit to say hi and congrats on hitting (and passing) the 75 book mark! Have a lovely week!

Adding my congratulations on reaching the magic number 75, Donna!

Congratulations on 75!

A big hello to Mary, Joanne, and Rachel. Thank you for more congratulations on attaining "the goal". My unofficial goal is 100 books. That number just seems to work out well for me. When I try to read more than that, I feel rushed. I like to take the time to savor a book I'm loving and then let it "rest" a day or two before I write about it. We all have different styles which I why I enjoy LT so much.

Book No. 78: Matrix by Lauren Groff. Library, 260 pp., 3.5 Stars.

Set in 12th Century England, 17-year-old Marie is informed by her beloved Queen Eleanor that she is to become a prioress at a rural abbey. She is the illegitimate half-sister of the queen and has never fit into the court scene that she loves. The abbey is dark and cold, and she finds the nuns in a state of starvation, with too many fresh graves in the graveyard. After a period of grief and self-pity, Marie taps into her inner strength and starts making the changes that slowly transform the abbey to prosperity.

The book was both bleak and atmospheric with strong feminist leanings. I found it to be a mixture of faith and fairy tale with elegant writing that borders on being too ostentatious for my brain, although the words I had to look up were probably appropriate to the times. Sometimes I can be a lazy reader, but I took the extra time with this book.