Amber's (scaifea) Thread #10

Hey, everybody!

I'm Amber, a one-time Classics professor, turned stay-at-home parent/lady of leisure, turned part-time library assistant, turned once again Classics professor, and turned librarian again. I spend my free time sewing, writing, knitting, baking, and, of course, reading.

My reading life is happily governed by lists, which means that I read a healthy variety of things across various genres.

I'm 48 going on 12 and live in Ohio with my husband, Tomm; our son, Charlie; Mario, the Golden Retriever; and Agent Fitzsimmons, the Border Collie.

Here I am modeling the gorgeous headband that Ana (the library patron for whom I'm learning Spanish) brought back from Guatemala for me:



Favorite Books from 2022
Solutions and Other Problems
Beat the Reaper
Hyperbole and a Half
We Ride Upon Sticks
The Prestige
The Ogress and the Orphans
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
A Fatal Grace
The Ghost Writer
In the Woods
This Book Is Gay
Brothersong
A Court of Thorns and Roses
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Waiting for the Flood
Heartstopper
Alice I Have Been
Cemetery Boys
The Plot

What I'm Reading Now:
-The Girl from the Sea (from my Read Soon! shelves)
-Lemon Drop Dead (mystery)
-Let It Snow (romance)
-Black Butler volume 1 (manga)
-The House Next Door (wishlist book)
-The Phoenix and the Mirror (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books)
-East (Beauty & the Beast retellings)
-Cinderella Is Dead (audiobook)
-Shakespeare for Squirrels (Moore Bibliography)
-A House with Good Bones (from the library displays)
-Nick and Charlie (from my Read Soon! shelves)
-The Halloween Tree (impulse library checkout)

The books I have going at once and the On Deck books nearly all come from the following categories and lists:

-14 years ago I started working my way through a handful of awards lists for children's books. I've finished a fair few of those, but I'm still working through the 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die list, and I try to stay up to date with several of the YALSA awards each year.

-A mystery

-A romance novel

-Manga

-A book from my wishlist (it's *so* long)

-A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List

-A Beauty and the Beast retelling

-An audiobook, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/clean/drive/pack and unpack cargo at work

-Agatha Christie's bibliography

-Stephen Fry's bibliography

-John Boyne bibliography

-Neil Gaiman's bibliography

-Christopher Moore's bibliography

-Maggie Stiefvater's bibliography

-The NEH Timeless Classics list

-The National Book Award list

-The Pulitzer list

-An unread book from my shelves

-A book from my Read Soon! shelves

-Book-a-year challenge: A few years ago I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've since been trying to fill in the gap years.

-A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

Books Read

JANUARY
1. A Face for Picasso (Schneider Honor Book) - 7/10
2. The Devotion of Suspect X (audiobook) - 9/10
3. Heartstopper vol 4 (series read) - 9/10
4. Elatsoe (audiobook) - 9/10
5. A Court of Silver Flames (a Beauty and the Beast retelling) - 10/10
6. Shuna's Journey (manga) - 9/10
7. Still Alice (audiobook) - 8/10
8. My Hero Academia vol 7 (manga) - 9/10
9. Summer Bird Blue (audiobook) - 8/10
10. A Heartbeat Away (audiobook) - 8/10
11. A Parcel of Patterns (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10
12. Jacquard's Web (wishlist) - 6/10
13. Spider Sparrow (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10
14. Radio Silence (audiobook) - 10/10
15. I Am Not Esther (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10
16. The Day the World Came to Town (audiobook) - 9/10
17. When He Was Wicked (romance) - 9/10

FEBRUARY
18. Tarnished Are the Stars (audiobook) - 8/10
19. A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns (for a couple of my category challenges) - 8/10
20. Assassination Classroom vol 3 (manga) - 8/10
21. Drums Along the Mohawk (NEH list) - 7/10
22. My Hero Academia vol 8 (manga) - 10/10
23. In the Ravenous Dark (audiobook) - 9/10
24. The Beauty and the Beast (B&B retellings) - 9/10
25. So Cold the River (audiobook) - 9/10
26. The Joy Luck Club (unread book from my shelves) - 9/10
27. Taken at the Flood (Christie bibliography) - 8/10
28. The Secret Life of Bees (Books I'm Reading with My Friend, Rob) - 7/10

MARCH
29. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (audiobook) - 9/10
30. Given Vol 1 (manga) - 10/10
31. Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club (audiobook) - 9/10
32. Last Night at the Telegraph Club (Stonewall Award) - 9/10
33. Sarah's Key (audiobook) - 9/10
34. Almost Flying (Stonewall Honor Book) - 8/10
35. The Cat Who Saved Books (audiobook) - 10/10
36. Assassination Classroom vol 4 (manga) - 8/10
37. Killer Research (mystery) - 8/10
38. The Weird Sisters (audiobook) - 9/10
39. Lest Darkness Fall (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 6/10
40. The Call of Cthulhu (editing job for my classicist friend) - 2/10
41. Heartless (audiobook) - 8/10

APRIL
42. My Hero Academia vol 9 (manga) - 10/10
43. Ape House (audiobook) - 8/10
44. The Screwtape Letters (audiobook) - 7/10
45. Strange Objects (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10
46. Two Night in Lisbon (audiobook) - 8/10
47. The World Without Us (audiobook) - 8/10
48. Mrs. Stephen Fry's Diary (Fry bibliography) - 8/10
49. Given vol 2 (manga) - 10/10
50. On the Road (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 7/10
51. The Ghost Drum (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10
52. It's in His Kiss (romance) - 9/10
53. The Woman in White (audiobook) - 9/10
54. A Gentleman in Moscow (wishlist) - 7/10

MAY
55. Bad Feminist (audiobook) - 10/10
56. Destination Unknown (audiobook) - 9/10
57. Pi: A Biography (wishlist) - 6/10
58. The Strain (audiobook) - 7/10
59. Freewater (Newbery Medal) - 9/10
60. My Hero Academia Vol 10 (manga) - 10/10
61. Assassination Classroom Vol 5 (manga) - 8/10
62. The Young Elites (audiobook) - 8/10
63. Blizzard of Glass (audiobook) - 8/10
64. The Witches (audiobook) - 8/10
65. Silverlock (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 6/10
66. The Night Strangers (audiobook) - 9/10
67. Ash (audiobook) - 9/10
68. The Changeover (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10
69. Lunatics (audiobook) - 8/10

JUNE
70. Avalon High (audiobook) - 8/10
71. Hollow Kingdom (from my Read Soon! shelves) - 8/10
72. The Darkness Outside Us (Stonewall Honor Book) - 9/10
73. The Things That Keep Us Here (audiobook) - 8/10
74. The Plot and the Pendulum (mystery) - 8/10
75. My Hero Academia vol 11 (manga) - 9/10
76. The Coming of the Dragon (audiobook) - 9/10
77. Beauty and the Werewolf (B&B retelling) - 9/10
78. Mother May I (impulse library checkout) - 8/10
79. They Came to Baghdad (Christie bibliography) - 8/10

JULY
80. The White Devil (audiobook) - 8/10
81. The Jumbies (audiobook) - 8/10
82. The Martian (audiobook) - 10/10
83. Kon Tiki (NEH) - 6/10
84. Assassination Classroom vol 6 (manga) - 7/10
85. The Looking Glass Wars (audiobook) - 8/10
86. Snow, Glass, Apples (Gaiman bibliography) - 10/10
87. When She Woke (audiobook) - 8/10
88. The Hawkline Monster (from the library displays) - 8/10
89. Premeditated Peppermint (mystery) - 8/10
90. The Lost Sun (audiobook) - 8/10
91. Wildwood (unread book from my shelves) - 6/10
92. Ordeal By Innocence (Christie bibliography) - 7/10
93. Sin in the Second City (audiobook) - 8/10
94. Notes on a Nervous Planet (from my Read Soon! Shelves) - 7/10

AUGUST
95. On the Way to the Wedding (romance) - 8/10
96. The Snow Child (audiobook) - 8/10
97. Firekeeper's Daughter (Printz Award) - 9/10
98. The Tiger (audiobook) - 7/10
99. My Hero Academia Volume 12 (manga) - 9/10
100. Forgotten Bookmarks (an unread book from my shelves) - 8/10
101. The Star-Touched Queen (audiobook) - 8/10
102. Throne of Glass (mother's day present from Charlie) - 8/10
103. The Agathas (audiobook) - 8/10
104. The Thief of Time (Boyne bibliography) - 8/10
105. Toxic Toffee (mystery) - 8/10
106. Queen Charlotte (romance) - 7/10
107. Making Faces (B&B retelling) - 4/10
108. The Lodger (audiobook) - 8/10
109. Greywaren (Stiefvater bibliography) - 10/10

SEPTEMBER
110. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher (audiobook) - 8/10
111. Concrete Rose (Printz Honor Book) - 9/10
112. The Great Gatsby (unread book from my shelves) - 9/10
113. Les Miserables (Book-A-Year Challenge) - 9/10
114. Beastars vol 1 (manga) - 7/10
115. The Moving Finger (Christie bibliography) - 8/10
116. Tiger Lily (audiobook) - 9/10
117. Floodland (library display book) - 7/10
118. The Neil Gaiman Reader (Gaiman bibliography) - 10/10
119. The Ugly Duchess (audiobook) - 3/10
120. Wrapped (audiobook) - 9/10
121. Glitterland (romance) - 8/10
122. The Deep (audiobook) - 8/10
123. Marshmallow Malice (mystery) - 7/10
124. Eleanor & Park (audiobook) - 8/10
125. I'm Glad My Mom Died (Alex Award) - 9/10
126. My Hero Academia vol 13 (manga) - 9/10
127. Promise Boys (audiobook) - 9/10
128. Boy Meets Boy (audiobook) - 8/10
129. Evil Under the Sun (Christie bibliography) - 8/10

OCTOBER
130. The Mysterious Island (NEH Timeless Classics) - 7/10
131. The Farm (audiobook) - 9/10
132. The Lost Library (impulse library checkout) - 10/10
133. Ghost Wood Song (audiobook) - 9/10
134. Z for Zachariah (audiobook) - 8/10
135. Towing Jehovah (wishlist) - 6/10

Presenting Mario and Simmons in: She's On My Bed!
(Featuring Mario's New Shoes!)



Charlie in his Homecoming finery:

Happy new thread.
Shiny shoes. I like to see well presented shoes. Not that I have a thing about shoes at all, oh no, not me.

>7 Helenliz: Thanks, Helen!

Yeah, he's pretty particular about his shoes being pristine.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm mostly puttering around the house today because I don't seem to have any real energy. S'okay. I'm not working today or anything, so I can afford to slouch a bit, I suppose. Curried Carrot Soup for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I finished up Promise Boys on audio. Still working on the Christie book.

The Crafting Report:
Work continues on the pride hearts.

What We're Watching:
A Drunk History episode.

Yesterday's Teen Tuesday went really well! They were both more serious about the book spine poetry and had more fun with it than I dared to hope. And my janky attempt at a photo shoot corner worked out pretty well. Here's my example poem with photo taken in the cobbled-together corner:

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Amber!

Why does Mario wear shoes? Just a fashionista or...?

>11 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

>12 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

She's having some old lady joint issues and they're exacerbated by our non-carpeted floors (it's hard for her to get up when she lies down on them). The grippy shoes help.

Here is my once per thread check in, Amber. I am not sure why I cannot seem to manage more than that. . .

Happy new one!

127. Promise Boys by Nick Brooks (audiobook) - 9/10
Urban Promise Prep charter school in DC gets all the praise for being a place where underprivileged boys are given a chance at success and learning self-worth. But when the principle (and founder) of the school is murdered in the building and three students are the prime suspects, the truth about the toxic culture in the school begins to leak out.

A solid YA mystery with Dark Academia vibes. I enjoyed how the pieces of the solution were slowly unfolded from the viewpoints of several characters, including the three suspected students. And the final reveal was nicely satisfying, if not as twisty and shocking as I’d have liked.

>15 scaifea: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Amber!

Happy new thread, Amber!

>5 scaifea: Mario has to endure so much...
Was it hard to get her used to the shoes?

>13 scaifea: - Aw, poor girl. I'm glad there's something to help her!

How old is she now? About 10?

>16 alcottacre: Welcome, Stasia! I hope you love it!

>17 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

Thankfully, it was no trouble at all - she took right to them!

>18 katiekrug: We got her when Charlie was...6? So yeah, she's 9.5-10.

The long-suffering look on Mario's face ❤ Happy new thread!

>19 scaifea: My local library has a copy, so I am hoping I can get it read before I head out of town in mid-October.

Happy new thread!

>13 scaifea: I also am having old-lady joint issues, so I feel a kinship with dear Mario. Perhaps some grippy shoes are also in my future ...

Happy new thread, Amber!

>24 rosalita: I definitely vetoed some shoes on a recent shopping trip for not being grippy enough.

Happy new thread and loving strokes to Mario.

Happy new thread Amber!

Mario has my sympathy for sure.

Happy new thread!

Thanks, everyone!

>24 rosalita: *snork!* Mario highly recommends.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 9-2, picking Charlie up from school, doing the menu planning for next week and prepping the grocery list for tomorrow, figuring out what to feed the Scaife Men tonight, taking Charlie back to school to a home soccer game (the band is pep-banding), then picking him back up at some point when the game is over. I'm already tired. Ha!

On the Reading Front:
Nearly finished with the Christie book, and I started listening to Boy Meets Boy.

The Crafting Report:
I worked on cutting out pattern pieces for Charlie's costume.

What We're Watching:
Agents of SHIELD.

I actually rather like the idea of book spine poetry. And as a professional videographer/producer, I believe the photo turned out great :)
Oh, and Happy New Thread! I don't know why, but dogs wearing booties is beyond adorable.

>10 scaifea: Your book spine poetry example is terrific! What fun!

Great reading lately!

Karen O

>32 Ravenwoodwitch: I love book spine poetry. It's really fun. And thanks for the photo love!

Also, yes, dogs in booties are always adorable.

>33 klobrien2: Thanks, Karen!

128. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan (audiobook) - 8/10
YA m/m romance in which, well, boy meets boy, boy has some questionable interactions with his ex-boy and so causes new-boy sadly to bolt, then boy makes romantic gestures to get new-boy back. On the surface it sounds…not great, and if it weren’t for the excellent characters that make up boy’s friends and the fun/funny takes on high school vibes, it would have been. But those good things are really good and make it not only a tolerable read, but a good one. I was recommending it to Charlie by describing it as a story that feels like it happens in the halls of Glee’s high school.



129. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie (Christie bibliography) - 8/10
Another banger from the master of the red herring and the impossible-to-guess ending. I loved it.

Christie does hit the spot. Amazing when you consider how many books she wrote.

Anyway. The volume of Euripides plays I had from the library contained 5 plays, so I've read another one. Orestes. In once sense it follows on directly from the end of Electra, but in another it has no relationship, in that it was written afterwards and not intended as a sequel - we're not in Shakespeare's Henry series here. So that felt a bit odd initially, that the announcement of Castor as to the actions expected wasn't the start point of this. It's rather blood drenched. We start with the aftermath of the matricide and then they decide to murder Helen. Still not sure I follow that logic. The end, with a god appearing and telling everyone how it would be, is that a common thing? Two on the trot using that as an ending makes it seem so. I also wondered in this, were most plays written in either monologue, or in two handed text. Even if we know there are 3 people on the stage, the conversation seems to be, in the main, double handed. Was that a stylistic convention?
There are 3 more in the volume, but I think I'll give it a rest there for a bit, the Complete plays of Aeschylus has arrived in the library, so comparing his Electra to Euripides will come next.

>37 Helenliz: I haven't read his Orestes in a very long time, so I can't comment on details much. But yes, the god coming in at the end to tie up lose ends is extremely common - it's where we get the phrase "deus ex machina" because the deus (god) would appear in the machine (a crane contraption above the stage).

In Aeschylus' time, two people on stage at once (not counting the chorus) was a new thing, and by Euripides' time three was normal, but yeah, most dialogue is between two people only. And there were only three actors total, so you never have a death happen on stage - it's always a messenger who comes on to tell the tale of the off-stage murder - because you couldn't afford to have one of only two/three actors lying 'dead' on stage.

On the Agenda for Today:
Well, I didn't to the menu planning or get my grocery list sorted yesterday (too lazy after work), so I'll do that this morning and then get to the grocery store at some point. I also need to back cookies for the Friday After School Treat. And also laundry. The football game this week is tomorrow, so we have a rare fall Friday night together at home. We may do a Family Game Night or maybe just watch a movie.
Frozen Friday Dinner.

On the Reading Front:
I started The Mysterious Island yesterday, which I think will be pretty cool, and I also started listening to A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

The Crafting Report:
I started knitting a cowl for myself a couple of days ago, and I worked a bit on that yesterday.

What We're Watching:
Some Psych and a Bee & Puppycat.

>38 scaifea: thank you. That all makes sense.

>40 Helenliz: Excellent!

On the Agenda for Today:
Charlie has an away football game tonight, but until then we're just hanging out at home. I'll do some laundry, maybe bake a cake, some cleaning, and maybe some sewing. Not sure what Tomm and I will have for dinner - Charlie will have concession food at the game.

On the Reading Front:
Still reading The Mysterious Island and listening to A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

The Crafting Report:
The cowl is coming along nicely.

What We're Watching:
Some Arrested Development, some Attack on Titan, and I watched a couple of OUAT episodes.

On the Agenda for Today:
Laundry, meal prep for Charlie's lunches this week, some cleaning, dog. brushing and nail clipping, prepping my schedule/to do list for the week, possibly some sewing, hopefully some reading. Tomm's in charge of dinner tonight; I think he's grilling pork chops.

On the Reading Front:
Still plugging along with The Mysterious Island, which I'm enjoying but which is pretty lengthy. I think, though, that I'm going to abandon A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. Not quite vital enough of a phenomenon for me to continue. Meh.

The Crafting Report:
I made some progress on my cowl, and I also started a new crochet project, which may be part of my Halloween costume, if I have the time to finish it. We'll see...

What We're Watching:
A couple of Psych episodes and some Arrested Development.

On the Agenda for Today:
Some cleaning, some laundry, some writing, some sewing. Band booster meeting tonight. Ginger Meatballs over rice for dinner tonight, I think.

On the Reading Front:
Look, The Mysterious Island is long, okay? But I'm enjoying it so far.

The Crafting Report:
The cowl is coming along, and so is the new crochet project. I'll see if I can remember to post photos later.

What We're Watching:
It's officially Spooky Season - WOOT! - so we've started our annual Scaife Family Halloween Movie Marathon. Last night was Hotel Transylvania, plus the Halloween episode in the first season of Modern Family.

On the Agenda for Today:
It's Tuesday, so you know that means I'm working 12-8 and running Teen Tuesday. This week they'll be helping me make some spoooky (not really) decorations for the library, and I'll get them a sort of behind-the-scenes look at how we do displays. Before I do in to work I'll do some laundry and probably work a bit in the sewing room - Charlie's costume is coming along, but since this year he wants to help make it, it's a little slower than usual because that kid doesn't have a lot of free time in the fall...

On the Reading Front:
I 'finished' The Mysterious Island - I admit to skimming large chunks (I liked the story but the time spent on geography details was, I think, unnecessary) - and started If You Deceive. I'm listening to The Farm, which is interesting so far.

The Crafting Report:
Quite a bit of time spent in this category yesterday: I finished cutting out the coat part of Charlie's costume, then worked on my crochet project.

What We're Watching:
Tomm wasn't feeling well last night, so when I got back from the Band Booster meeting, Charlie and I started Red White and Royal Blue. So far so excellent (we're about 45 minutes in).

130. The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne (NEH Timeless Classics) - 7/10
Five civil war POWs escape their incarceration in, of all things, a hot air balloon, only to get caught up in a massive storm and blown off somewhere in the pacific. They find themselves stranded on an unknown island, which they proceed to make their home for as long as needed. They have run-ins with pirates, befriend an orangutan, and get help from a mysterious benefactor, who turns out to be a crossover hero from another of Verne’s tales.

A fun-enough story, although a little long in the tooth in several places. Plus, well, casual racism. And not a female character in sight. All in all, a very male-centric playing-out of the Could You Survive on a Desert Island fantasy, which may be why, ultimately I didn’t love it – it was certainly not written with me in mind.

Hi Amber. Been awhile since I posted on your thread(s). I thought I should at least delurk to say I haven't picked up any BBs so far but I do like your reviews. Not that I lack for TBRs!

Heya Amber!

I think there's no shame in skimming sections; if it gets you to the story than thats what it takes. I skimmed the story-within-the-story for Misery and I still adore that book to pieces.

Hi Amber my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend.

>47 SandyAMcPherson: Hi, Sandy! No worries. I don't really get around the threads much at all these days either. Who knew having a kiddo in high school would mean I'd be so busy all the time? Plus, job. So. Anyway, it's good to see you!

>48 Ravenwoodwitch: I agree 100%. It's just like Ted Lasso says about torn butts: ain't no shame.

>49 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!!

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 9-2, then probably just puttering around the house, maybe doing some crocheting. Carrot Soup for dinner tonight, since I didn't make it last week.

Teen Tuesday went really well! The kiddos seemed to have fun helping me decorate the library. I'll try to remember to post some photos of the results later on. Oh, and excellent news: they were asking about book clubs and what they're like, which turned into me offering to have one TT a month be a book club week, and they all were enthusiastic about it! Folks, the kids are alright.

On the Reading Front:
I listened to some more of The Farm, but didn't have a minute to crack open If You Deceive at all yesterday. I'll definitely have some reading time today, though.

The Crafting Report:
The crochet project moves along - I can't remember if I've actually mentioned what it is, but I'm making a Puppycat that may be a prop for my Bee costume, if I end up making one. Otherwise, well, we'll just have a Puppycat in our house, and I'm okay with that, too.

What We're Watching:
Charlie and I watched another half hour or so of Red White and Royal Blue, which continues to be a delight.

>53 scaifea: Well that sounds like an excellent result at TT night.

I googled Puppycat, not knowing what that might be. One of the question alternatives offered was "Can anyone explain Bee and Puppycat?". So I feel reassured by not having the foggiest!

Morning, Amber. Sorry A Constellation of Vital Phenomena isn't working for you. It was the best novel I read that particular year. His last 2 books were very good as well. Maybe it was audio experience?

>54 Helenliz: Bee & Puppycat is a very strange, but in a very, very good way, show. We all adore it here at Scaife Manor. And Charlie and Tomm both say that I *am* Bee, which seems to make it a good costume for me.

>55 msf59: I don't think it was the audio, Mark. I think I just don't like grim stuff. I know you do, though, and I'm glad you loved it!

On the Agenda for Today:
Laundry, menu planning and prepping my grocery list, possibly some sewing. I need to call the vet and see if I can get Mario in today - she's been limping lately and we've tried to troubleshoot on our own, but we just can't figure out what's going on, and the last couple of days it's gotten worse. Poor girl. And she's so stoic about it; she doesn't even whimper.

On the Reading Front:
I'm abandoning If You Deceive for being a barely-veiled rape fantasy. It's Outlander all over again. Just...no. Is there some sort of niche romance subgenre for women who like to fantasize about being abused by Scottish lairds?! I mean, honestly, I try not to yuck other people's yum, but this is ridiculous.

The Crafting Report:
Puppycat is nearly finished!

What We're Watching:
We introduced Charlie to Little Shop of Horrors last night.

Poor Mario! I'm sending lots of good thoughts her way that it's something easily remedied.

>59 rosalita: Thanks, Julia. She's my buddy and I admit that I'm worried about her. I dropped her off at the vet's office about an hour ago - the vet didn't have any open appointments, but she'll take a look at her in between her morning surgeries and her afternoon appointments and call with and update. Fingers crossed.

I finished Promise Boys last night, Amber, and came by to thank you for your recommendation of that one. I thought it was very good.

>60 scaifea: Crossing my fingers for Mario too!

>61 alcottacre: I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Stasia!

And thanks for the Mario wishes.

131. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith (audiobook) - 9/10
Daniel believes that his parents are happily enjoying retired life in Sweden until the day he gets a call from his father telling him his mother has had a mental breakdown, been admitted to a mental hospital, and escaped. And then his mother calls him, telling him that everything his father has told him is a lie and to meet her at the airport. And so begins his mother’s struggle to convince him of a town-wide cover-up of the murder of a teen girl and a conspiracy against her for trying to uncover the truth.

A really well-done plot with great pacing and some clever twists. Tilda’s story is at all times equal parts convincing and suspicious, and it keeps you guessing right up to the end.

>63 scaifea: - I read that one almost 10 years ago now and remember al most nothing about it. Apparently, I gave it 3.5 stars, though.

Glad you enjoyed it!

ETA: I hope Mario's leg is nothing major. Nuala occasionally develops a limp, often after she's been at day care and over-exerts herself. SO far, we've only had to take her to the vet once for it when it didn't clear up after a day or so. They just gave her some doggie ibuprofen and said to not let her jump or run (ha! as if we could prevent that completely...).

>64 katiekrug: It's been on my list forever, and it was worth the wait!

And thanks - here's hoping they can patch her up easily.

I hope Mario feels better soon!

Oh poor Mario. Hope doc can help her.

>66 curioussquared: >67 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, ladies. Still waiting for the call. Keep those fingers crossed.

So here's what the Tuesday Teens did this week. I think they did a great job:

Yes, they definitely did a great job!!

Wow! I love that, Amber. What a fun group.

>69 scaifea: Wow, these are just great! Did you give them the ideas and they executed them, or did they come up with the concepts themselves? Either way, I love it!

Thanks, all!

Julia: I had the concepts ready and they carried them out. I think they kind of loved being able to contribute the something public like the decorations, which is pretty cool.

Love the decorations! I'll bet they had a lot of fun making them.

They did a great job of bringing your vision to life. I'm not surprised they loved doing it. It has to feel good walking into the library and seeing things you made with your own two hands decorating the shelves. I imagine it gives them an even stronger connection to the place, which is really neat.

The decorations came out fabulous, Amber! What a great job by the teens.

*Fingers crossed* for Mario as well.

Love the book jack o lantern. Looks like excellent fun.
Hope news on Mario is good, when it comes.

>69 scaifea: they certainly did a great job! Nice!

Thanks, everyone!!

>75 rosalita: Julia: I certainly hope that's the result! The PR person in charge of the library system's social media contacted me; she wants me to send her all the Teen Tuesday photos I take because "...this is exactly the kind of thing I want to post on Instagram." I'm chuffed.

On the Agenda for Today:
Grocery shopping this morning, then cookie baking and weekly bill sorting. Laundry. Possibly some cleaning. Tonight is the last home game of the season, and we'll get to see the band's second halftime show, which is all Michael Jackson music. I'm ready to see Charlie do some moonwalking (no joke)!

Mario has a torn ACL, which generally needs surgery to correct, but we most definitely can't afford that. So, we're going with meds and as much bed rest as we can get her to do. We're hoping we can get it healed enough to keep her as mobile as possible from here on out. She's 10+ and a large dog, so there's not much else we can do. I'm sad, because she's my buddy and I wish we could do more for her. But she doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain and she's in good spirits, so we'll take it.

On the Reading Front:
I started Starfish yesterday and also Ghost Wood Song on audio.

The Crafting Report:
Puppycat is finished! I also worked a bit on knitting the cowl.



What We're Watching:
A Magic Puppy.

Ouch, poor sweet Mario. I hope the meds and bed rest help her to feel better. Enjoy the halftime show!

So sorry to hear about Mario's bum knee. As you say, at least it doesn't seem to be painful for her but I know it's still hard to see her struggle to do her usual things. Please deliver some consoling ear scritches from me when you have time.

>82 rosalita: Ears have been happily scritched in your honor, Julia.

Reading Update:
I'm abandoning Starfish. Free verse only works if it reads like actual verse and not prose just chopped up to look like verse. I didn't feel anything poetic about this, which is too bad because the intention in the plot (fighting against fat shaming and bullying based on weight) is a good one. So, moving on.

>83 scaifea: Yay!

>69 scaifea: Those are a blast!

I'm sad about Mario. I wish dogs could live pain free.

Hugs to you and Mario both.

Puppycat is adorable. I think I missed what he/she is for though.

>86 quondame: Thanks. Me, too. She really doesn't seem to be in much pain, though, which is great.

>87 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba. Puppycat may be part of my Halloween costume, if I decide to go as Bee.

On the Agenda for Today:
Today's the Day! I get to co-host the library booth at the Newark (OH, obvs) Pride Fest!! So excited. But also slightly worried about being cold all day - the high is only going to be 54. So I'm packing layers along with the crocheted pride hearts! Woot!!

Enjoy Pride Fest — I hope you get some sunshine to at least give the illusion of warmth.

>89 scaifea: Wow -- 54 degrees -- maybe Pride Fest should happen during Pride Month :) Hope you have lots of nice visitors to your booth and lots of warm things to drink to stay warm

>63 scaifea: I own that one and really need to get it read. I must move it up the list.

>69 scaifea: Oh, those are terrific!

>80 scaifea: Sorry to hear about Mario's torn ACL and hope that the rest will help her.

I love the Puppycat!

>80 scaifea: Sorry to hear about Mario's torn ACL, Amber.

We had a lot of those with our Chow Chows in the past, and surgery didn't always give good results. It also needed weeks (in a few cases even months) of rehab after surgery. So I think you made a good decision for Mario.

I hope Pride Fest is a rocking good time.

>90 rosalita: There was very little sunshine, and my colleague and I were freezing the entire day. But still, worth it. So much fun and so many wonderful, fun, kind people. I'd do it again in a second.

>91 RebaRelishesReading: I think they have their reasonings for doing it on October, but I forget just what they are. It's usually not quite this cold this early in October, too. Anyway, it was cold but a lot of fun.

>92 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! I think you'll love The Farm when you get to it. And thanks for the Mario wishes - she seems to be doing better on the meds, and we've ordered a brace for her, too. Hopefully that will help.

>93 FAMeulstee: Oh, that makes me feel much better, actually. So thank you for that, Anita! She's doing pretty well so far and getting even more snuggles than usual (which is saying something).

>94 MickyFine: It definitely was!

I had a wonderful time at the Pride Fest yesterday! My cheeks hurt from smiling all day. Everyone was so kind and happy and having a good time, and so many people were happy to see the library represented there. We gave away all our prizes and swag, and I met some very cool people, including some amazing drag queens, who were performing all day. One of my favorite bits was when a couple of my regular Tuesday Teens walked by and their faces just lit up when they saw that I was there for the library. I love that they know they have a friend and ally at the library - I want my library to be a safe and happy space for them, always.

But today I am 100% beat. Big old headache and bone tired. Still, things to do: I need to do some baking, meal prep for Charlie's lunches this week, laundry, tidying up my office, and I need to make some progress on Charlie's costume. Ooof.

On the Reading Front:
I didn't have the time nor the energy to crack open a physical book, but I did listen to more of Ghost Wood Song, which is excellent so far and perfectly spooky for this time of year.

The Crafting Report:
I was planning on working on more crochet hearts while sitting at the booth yesterday, but it was too cold! So no crafting accomplished yesterday.

What We're Watching:
Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors

132. The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead (impulse library checkout) - 10/10
Told in turns by a ghost librarian, a cat who fancies himself the Guardian of the Books, and a young boy turned detective, this is the story of a library that was lost and how a new little (free) library ignited the spark that led to the solving of an old mystery.

Rebecca Stead is one of those authors who, in my world, can do no wrong. This book is further proof of that fact. So lovingly told, it’s a sweet and wonderful story (but one that is never in danger of becoming saccharine) with humor and pathos and a cool little mystery at its heart. And there’s a lot of heart here. One thousand percent recommended.

>101 scaifea: You sure sold me on The Lost Library! One can’t pass up a book with that kind of rating! 8>)

Karen O

>102 klobrien2: Yay! I hope you love it as much as I did!

I hear Mario tore his ACLU; I'm so sorry :(
Injuries on animals are always so sad; I hope he feels better soon.,

And cool of you to do all that work at Pridefest. We had one recently in my area too, which surprised me. But it sounds like you made sure everyone felt safe and had a good time.

>104 Ravenwoodwitch: The meds really seem to be helping Mario a lot, so fingers crossed that the trend continues.

Honestly, my colleague, who has ran the library booth at Pride for several years now, did most of the work, but I had a great time helping out. I hope she lets me join her again next year!

On the Agenda for Today:
It's Staff Development Day at the library, so we'll be closed to the public but putting in a full day of meetings and such. I prefer this staff day to the one in the spring, because this is the one where we get to stay at our branches and just hang out with the people we work with all the time, instead of the entire system meeting at a convention-like center for the day (which I find exhausting). This is more like hanging out with friends while also sort of doing some work. Feels like a holiday, to be honest. For example: We have an ongoing prank war with another small branch (we send each other envelopes full of glitter, or dvds with googly eyes on the cover faces, or hack into each other's library accounts and request books with embarrassing titles for each other,...). One ongoing prank is sneaking one particularly realistic-looking rubber cockroach back and forth in our delivery cargo. So, this weekend I made some cupcakes; one of my colleague is bringing in some dates, which we'll use as roach bodies on top of the cupcakes, and we'll use decorating icing to add antennae and legs. We'll be delivering these treats to the other branch on our way to lunch...

On the Reading Front:
Another day without a lot of reading time, but I did manage a few pages of Towing Jehovah and I listened to more Ghost Wood Song.

The Crafting Report:
I made some progress on my knitted cowl. There are several sections, each with a different pattern, and the one I'm currently working on is a real pain in my butt. Thankfully I'm nearly finished with that section. Whew.

What We're Watching:
We finished up Red White and Royal Blue, which was excellent, and then we watched an episode of Glee.

Hi, Amber.

Thanks for the good review of The Lost Library; I added it to the WL. One of my books right now is the YA The Brothers Hawthorne, courtesy of Becca. This series always makes me think of The Westing Game.

I enjoyed learning the origin of deus ex machina up above and the discussion of theater back then. I’m enjoying the new Emily Wilson translation of The Iliad, and we’re having a bit of a discussion on the various translations over on my thread. Her own comments are at posts 74 and 75. I expressed my belief that the Stanley Lombardo translations are still your favorite. Did I get that right?

Wow...torn ACL...poor Mario. Seems like it should hurt...glad it doesn't seem to. *pets*

>106 scaifea: Your prank war sounds epic!!

>80 scaifea: I'm sorry to hear that Mario tore her ACL. Back in July, we thought maybe Skye had a tear but it turned out to be a hip issue that steroid injections helped. I'm not sure we would have opted for surgery either, if it had been. Copper had had successful surgery on both of hers but the rehab is long and stressful and there seem to be good outcomes without surgery these days.

>101 scaifea: That sounds good!

>107 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! The Barnes books are on my list - I've heard nothing but great things about them. I'm glad you're enjoying them!

*whispers* I tried reading Wilson's Iliad translation and stopped after the first few pages. I found her translation incredibly clunky and was baffled by some of her choices. I know I'm an outlier here, but yeah, I'll stick with Lombardo. I am happy to see her refuting the label of first woman to translate Homer, which is just plain silly. First to manage to get a major publisher, sure. Most definitely not the first to translate.

>108 laytonwoman3rd: She seems to be doing really well on the meds! We're encouraged by her progress.

>109 curioussquared: It's so much fun, and it doesn't get too over-the-top (we all know we don't want actually to scare each other, so it's just silly stuff). The Roach Cupcakes were a huge hit yesterday!

>110 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. It really helps to hear others say that surgery is not the only - and even maybe not the best - option.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 12-8 and running Teen Tuesday. (Today we're having cookies and tea and chatting about classic horror novels and the books and movies they inspired - I'm going to read out the first sentences/paragraphs of the classics and see if they can guess which are which first. Should be a good time.) Before I go in I need to make the cookies for TT (pumpkin chocolate chip), and I'll probably do a load of laundry, too.

On the Reading Front:
Still working on Towing Jehovah and Ghost Wood Song.

The Crafting Report:
I made a little bit of progress on the cowl yesterday, but that's it.

What We're Watching:
Glee and Futurama.

Happy Tuesday!

Glad you had a good time at pride fest.

The lost library looks interesting. I will add it to my list.

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies sounds delicious. Enjoy!

>115 scaifea: Oh that sounds fun. I wonder how many they'll get right.

Coworkers and I had a fun discussion once on whether Frankenstein qualified as the first horror novel or not (I'm in the camp that says Sci-Fi) and I've always thought Psycho should be included in the classics lists.

sorry to hear about Mario's ACL. Poor pup.
Pride sounds fab all round.
Love the prank ideas!
I've started my next project (because one is never enough), french knitting a jacket. I may be here some time...
Have entirely lost track as to what day it is, so have a good one >:-)

>117 Ravenwoodwitch: They got a few of them, but I think they had more fun with the ones that stumped them!

Frankenstein is first and foremost a scifi (Shelley's called the founder of the genre, after all), but part of what makes it fascinating is how our perception of the story has evolved over the years, to the point where pop culture renditions are barely recognizable compared to the novel, and they're 100% horror, of course.

I've not seen Psycho on any classic horror lists. Interesting.

>118 Helenliz: Mario is doing really well, actually! We're very happily surprised and hope that it's a continuing trend.

Good luck with the jacket!!

On the Agenda for Today:
I have a tele-visit with my pharmacist (just a check-in about my meds), and then I'm planning on spending most of the day in the sewing room, working on Charlie's costume. The band is acting as pep band for the soccer game tonight, so I'll be taxi-ing him back and forth to that, too. Leftovers (or possibly Chinese takeaway) for dinner tonight.

The Tuesday Teens continue to amaze me. I was a little worried that they would think last night was too much like school, but they *loved* talking about classic horror and the history of the genre and were more animated and engaged than some of my best college courses. They were surprised at some of the origins of horror lit ("Shakespeare wrote about the supernatural?! I had no idea!") and they had fun trying to guess the books from the first paragraphs (and more than a few paragraphs had them immediately saying, "OH! I NEED to read that one!") So, mission accomplished. Charlie even told me - the sweetheart - that it was his favorite TT yet. I'm proper chuffed.

On the Reading Front:
I listened to more Ghost Wood Song but didn't even get a chance to crack open Towing Jehovah yesterday.

The Crafting Report:
I knitted a couple of rows on my cowl yesterday, but that's it. It's nearly done, though!

What We're Watching:
More Futurama.

Congratulations on another successful TT, Amber. You are on a roll!

>122 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

>121 scaifea: That TT sounds like music to my ears. I, too, remember being thoroughly surprised at how much I enjoyed the likes of Tell Tale Heart when I was in high school.
Good luck on the cowl!
Would love some pictures when finished.

>121 scaifea: Congratulations on the success of Tuesday Teens! You have every right to be chuffed.

>119 scaifea: I must be reading/watching the wrong modern takes on Frankenstein - they seem to be mostly comedies.

>121 scaifea: Hmm, "back and forth" shouldn't it be "forth and back?" and why did that occur to me today?

>124 Ravenwoodwitch: I'll try to remember to post photos when I'm finished!

>125 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! I'm really surprised at how well the program seems to be going.

>127 quondame: Most idioms that include motion like this one seem to start with the motion toward instead of away. It may have something to do with one's perception. Also, well, idioms are just that. Idioms. They don't have to (and rarely do) follow logic.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working the 9-2 shift today and it will likely. be a doozie. With the eclipse on Saturday, this is the first day we'll be handing out free glasses, plus our Friends of the Library group starts their annual book sale today in our large meeting room. I predict a mob. *sigh* I can't wait to argue with people about our policy of only handing out one pair of glasses per person and three per family. Should be a fun time. *mops up the sarcasm dripping from that sentence*

On the Reading Front:
Slow going these days with the reading, but I should have some time this evening to open a book while I wait for Charlie at a library program he wants to attend at another branch. Just finished Ghost Wood Song on audio - review to come, probably tomorrow, but I'll say here that it was excellent.

The Crafting Report:
I made some good progress on Charlie's costume yesterday! Hoping for more time this weekend to work on it.

What We're Watching:
I watched a couple of OUAT episodes while Charlie was at the soccer game. Man, that show goes completely off the rails in the later seasons, but I can't stop watching because of Gold. But honestly, he's the only redeeming quality about the entire thing. Yoicks.

>129 scaifea: Season 5 of OUAT is TERRIBLE. I do think it improves quite a bit in season 6 but I highly advise not watching the reboot of the show in season 7.

Your TT sounds a delight. Almost makes me miss programming.

>130 MickyFine: Season 7 is a reboot? Weird.

On the Agenda for Today:
Grocery shopping, then maybe some sewing, then Charlie (who has the day off school) and I will go out for celebratory Pumpkin Pie Blizzards this afternoon before he has to report to the band room for tonight's away game. Tomm and I are having a date night; we're heading to the local nursery for some fall porch decorations and then out to dinner.

On the Reading Front:
Still plugging along with Towing Jehovah. I started listening to Z for Zachariah yesterday, too.

The Crafting Report:
I will likely finish up the cowl today, and I also started a new crochet project - something for Charlie for Christmas...

What We're Watching:
Some Glee and some Futurama.

>132 scaifea: I read 'nursery' and forgot that was what they call plant places and had a good laugh.
mmm, pumpkin pie blizzards...

>133 Ravenwoodwitch: It *is* a funny term. Makes me think of the baby mandrakes in HP.

>111 scaifea:. Hi, Amber. I suspected that you wouldn’t like Emily Wilson’s Iliad, only because you didn’t think much of her Odyssey. It falls in the category “you never know” for me. If we were in a bookstore, I’d be extolling its virtues to you and, if you bought it, you’d think my book views sure are cock-eyed. Her Iliad strikes me so differently from what you describe - charged, propulsive, exciting. Oh well.

You know I’m also a fan of Lombardo’s translations, so I’ll content myself with our shared reactions to those.

Thanks for answering my Agamemnon question. What a goofy idea he came up with, that almost backfired on him.

>135 jnwelch: I think it's always more difficult to be happy with a translation when you know the original. I just don't understand some of her choices and I don't think she reflects at all well what Homer gives us in the Greek, nor do I think she's sacrificing meaning for form, since her style feels awkward. Lombardo gives us the best of both worlds: he understands to original and both reflects that understanding in his translation while making the English modern and fluid and lyrical.

Agamemnon is a terrible leader and makes horrible decisions, which is all part of Homer's effort to show us the horrid side of war.

133. Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters (audiobook) - 9/10
Shady Grove wants nothing more than to be a good enough musician to play in a bluegrass band with her friends, and she wishes her daddy’s fiddle hadn’t drown in the lake with him 5 years ago. It was a special instrument that, when played just right, could call the dead, and there’s a good chance Shady would be able to use it since she already can sense the ghosts all around her in her daddy’s childhood home and in the woods surrounding it. That seems an impossible dream, though, until her stepdad is murdered and her brother is blamed. It’s then that the ghosts start calling her to find her daddy’s fiddle, and she’s determined to do just that so she can use it to find out who really committed the crime. But there’s a reason her family hid the fiddle and lied to her about it – the cost of playing it is higher than she can imagine…

This YA novel has it all: bisexual bluegrass-playing teens, multiple murder mysteries, a fiddle that can raise the dead, and spooky atmosphere for miles. What more could you possibly need in a fall read?! I adored it.

>136 scaifea:👍

>131 scaifea: Yeah, half the cast didn't renew their contracts so the show has a time jump/reboot. They tease it a bit in the season 6 finale so you'll get a sense of the premise. I didn't make it past the first few episodes of season 7. One of my friends watched the whole of it and highly advocates pretending it doesn't exist.

I hope you had a lovely time on your date with Tomm and pick up for Charlie isn't crazy late.

Amber, a friend posted this elsewhere and I immediately thought of you and your TT crowd:



Hope you date night was fun. Have a great day!

>139 MickyFine: Oh wow. Okay. Well, the litmus for me is if Gold is in it. If not, I'm out. He's the only reason I'm still watching.

And thanks! We did, and it wasn't!

>140 lauralkeet: Oh, I LOVE that!! Thanks, Laura!

On the Agenda for Today:
The band has been invited to be the pep band for Denison University's football team today at their game, so that's where Charlie will be for most of the day. I'll be here working on his costume, mostly. Leftovers, or Frozen Friday Except on a Saturday for dinner, I think.

Tomm and I had a really nice date night yesterday. We love the nursery we go to; they're always decorated to the nines and they have gorgeous mums and pumpkins and such for fall. Then we went to one of Tomm's favorite restaurants and had a lovely dinner: https://hudson29.com/locations-menus/new-albany/ He had the Gerber Farms Chicken and I had the cheeseburger.

On the Reading Front:
Reading time continues to be at a premium these days, but I did listen to more Z for Zachariah yesterday.

The Crafting Report:
The cowl is finished! Photos to come. And I worked some on the crochet Christmas project.

What We're Watching:
Some Modern Family and some Psych.

>141 scaifea: Robert Carlyle did stick around so... have fun with season 7? Lol.

Wishing you a productive sewing day and looking forward to photos of the cowl.

>144 MickyFine: If nothing else I'll just ff through the non-Gold scenes...

The cowl:

That looks beautiful and cozy!

>147 MickyFine: Thanks! The yarn I used is so soft and linen-like. I love it.

On the Agenda for Today:
It's chilly and overcast here, but as much as I'd love a cozy day of blankets and books and tea on the couch, I have a long list of things that need doing. Laundry, sitting down with Charlie to order some costume supplies and some warm school clothes (sweaters and such), getting my xmas project To Do list started, weekly bill sorting that should have happened on Friday and didn't, baking (Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Glaze), dusting (ugh.), meal prep for lunches this week, brush the dogs, prep my daily to do lists for this week, tidy up and put away the leftover yarn and supplies from the cowl, write a book review (I finished my audiobook this morning), sewing Charlie's costume. And then dinner, of course, which will be Pua'a Pork and peas.

Oh! And I also need repair a small tear in the lining of my dad's old pea coat from his Navy days (in the late 50s). He gave it to me when I went off to college and I wore it up until the last few years, and now Charlie wants it for his winter coat. It's still in excellent shape and by far the warmest coat I've ever had. I love that Charlie wants it now - three generations!

On the Reading Front:
I read some of Towing Jehovah and finished Z for Zachariah.

The Crafting Report:
I worked a bit on crocheting Charlie's xmas present and also started knitting a little Yoda to go with the Star Wars display. And I made good progress on Charlie's costume! Yay!

What We're Watching:
Some Modern Family (we're watching through the Halloween episodes), some Psych, and then the new Haunted Mansion movie, which is pretty solid. Bonus points for the Dan Levy cameo.

Hi Amber, been awhile since I posted here, though I drift by every few days...
>101 scaifea: I think that story sounds invitingly intriguing. My library has this one, but I can't get past the general Rebecca Stead book lists (the PL here seems to have adopted a *very* wonky batch of software). Some days it is easier to simply visit the bricks & mortar.

Aww, I love that your Dad's pea coat is making its way to Charlie! I have a dress my mom bought on her honeymoon that she later gave to me. I wore it for years but it no longer fits so I'm hanging on to it to give one of my nieces when they're older.

Good luck completing all the things!

>150 SandyAMcPherson: I hope you find it, either way. I think you'll love it! But even if you get lost in the Stead Stacks, everything I've read of hers is excellent, so it's a win-win.

>151 MickyFine: Thanks!

134. Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien (audiobook) - 8/10
A teen girl lives on her own on her family’s farm in a protected valley, and in fact thinks she’s possibly the only person left alive after the nuclear attacks until a man in a radiation suit enters the valley. She had both hoped for and feared this event, and it soon becomes clear to her that fear is the proper response…

An interesting little thriller, although the main character’s choices sometimes irked me, and that says, probably, a lot more about me than about the book; she yielded way too much ground to the dangerous and violent macho bullshit of Radiation Suit Man. So while it’s a good read in most respects, I was too frustrated by her actions and the resolution to love it.

>149 scaifea: Oh, I love that the pea coat has reached three generations. While my grandparents were either (mum’s side) very good at donating everything to people in need or (dad’s side) using everything until there were only scraps left I do have a few things that have been passed on. As a teenager I used my mum’s old pea coat (from the 60s) every day for years. It’s quite fitted and I’m not as rake-y as I used to be so I don’t think I’d fit into it now.
And I have two of my grandma’s old silk dresses from the 30s, including her wedding dress. I can fit into both of them and mum and I have been considering trying to make a few changes to make them wearable (switching a whole row of mostly broken buttons up the back to a hidden zipper, etc.) My brother and I also have our grandpa’s and grandma’s old watches, respectively.

>149 scaifea: I love the idea of your three-generations coat!!

Sharing the love for the coat. Any chance of a photo as the third generation takes over?

>155 PawsforThought: Aw, that's sweet!

>156 RebaRelishesReading: Right? I love it so much that he wants to wear it.

>157 lauralkeet: I was just thinking yesterday that I should see if my sister has a photo of Dad in the coat when he was in the Navy (she's the keeper of such things) so I could do a side-by-side! I'll see what I can do...

>158 scaifea: A side-by-side is a great idea!

On the Agenda for Today:
It's the Dolly shift for me today, so not much else on the list. Chicken with Cider and Apples for dinner tonight.

On the Reading Front:
I got through nearly all of my To Do list yesterday and *still* had enough time to finish (finally) Towing Jehovah. Woot! I also started listening to Cinderella Is Dead.

The Crafting Report:
The lining on Charlie's 'new' pea coat is now mended, so now it's ready for the dry cleaners. I also made progress on the crochet Yoda.

What We're Watching:
Some more Modern Family halloween, some Psych, and we introduced Charlie to Beetlejuice. He was very pleased to see a young Moira.

>159 lauralkeet: I hope she has a picture of him so I can make that happen!

Not lot to report, just popping in.
Love the pea coat being handed on again. I have a green velvet jacket that was dad's (it was the 1980s, it explains a lot) that I had altered after we clear the house. Had it shortened in sleeve & body to fit me. It's a smidge wide in the shoulder, if we're being critical, but it is only a smidge.

>162 Helenliz: A green velvet coat sounds fabulous!

>146 scaifea: Oh that looks so cozy! I love the colors for it too.
>149 scaifea: Its so wonderful when family pieces like that get passed down. I have a genuine leather belt with fringe my mom bought from the 70s that I'm hoping to pass down a couple generations, too.
I'm glad to hear the new Haunted Mansion movie turned out good. I'm in the smaller section of the public that liked the original Eddie Murphy film but I have room for this one, too.
>160 scaifea: How familiar is Charlie with the rest of Tim Burton's catelog? It being October and all (*wink wink, nudge nudge*)

>164 Ravenwoodwitch: Thanks for the cowl love! I'm wearing it at work today and it is extremely cozy.

I am loving all the passed-down duds stories! Very cool.

Oh, we WILL be watching Nightmare Before Christmas this month. I should introduce him to Sleepy Hollow soon, and I've not seen Sweeny Todd but want to...

>158 scaifea: Side-by-side is a great idea -- you might even want to frame them for your mantle or desk or someplace where you could enjoy it regularly.

>166 RebaRelishesReading: Sad news: My sister couldn't find any photos of my dad in the coat. I'll probably still try to get one of Charlie in it, though.

On the Agenda for Today:
I'm working 12-8 and running Teen Tuesday (today we'll be playing a game of Fluxx and I'll survey them for what they'd like to do about the book club and such). Before I go in I'll do some laundry and maybe sew a little bit. We'll see.

On the Reading Front:
I started The Halloween Tree yesterday and yowza is it ever good already. I'm not sure why I haven't just sat down and read all of Bradbury's stuff straight through yet. I think that's in the cards for the near future. He's amazing. I also listened to more Cinderella Is Dead, which is pretty good so far, too.

The Crafting Report:
Nothing happened in this category yesterday. Too busy with other stuff and too tired at the end of the day. I can report, though, that one of my library colleagues has finished a couple of tie fighters for the Star Wars display and they are very cool! Another colleague is working on a millennium falcon and I'm excited to see it.

What We're Watching:
Some Modern Family, some Psych, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

135. Towing Jehovah by James Morrow (wishlist) - 6/10
God is dead and his corpse is floating somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The angels choose a disgraced ship captain to lead a disparate crew on a secret mission to tow the holy vessel to a final resting place in the arctic circle. Weirdness ensues.

It started out good – the writing is pretty great and the weird was a good weird. But then is just…stayed…weird…with no real dynamics. And the characters were more annoying than eccentric. So, in the end, sort of disappointing.

Sorry your side-by-side photo idea didn't work out, Amber. But I'm sure the coat will be well-loved and -worn regardless!

As someone who recently finished Fahrenheit 451, I feel this. I've got Something Wicked waiting in the wings, and I've got this one on the To Read list now.

>168 scaifea: Great to hear about The Halloween Tree, but I’m not surprised. I’ve been meaning to read more Bradbury. I read, and really liked (despite what I suspect was a bad translation and not Bradbury’s fault) Something Wicked This Way Comes last year. It was such a vivid description and it felt like I was actually there.

>169 scaifea: It was already weird dialed to 11 at "corpse"

>170 lauralkeet: Me too, Laura. But yeah, I happy that the coat is getting a third gen owner!

>171 Ravenwoodwitch: Yes! I would also recommend Dandelion Wine, which is set in the same fictional town as Something Wicked. His prose is just beautiful.

>172 PawsforThought: Something Wicked is so good. I recommended it to Charlie and it made him an instant fan.

>173 quondame: Huh. See, and I think transubstantiation is about as weird as it gets... It's very difficult to out-weird traditional religion, really.

On the Agenda for Today:
Lots of errands to run today. I have to pick up some Mario meds refills, drop off the coat at the cleaners, stop in at my eye doc's office to get my glasses adjusted (they're driving me crazy, slipping down my nose all the time), get some costume supplies at the fabric shop, and make a Target run. I may do some sewing this afternoon, too; we'll see how zonked I am after all that running around. Leftovers for dinner.

I had 6 Tuesday Teens, and they seemed to have fun with the card game. We also chatted about the book club weeks, and they decided that for the first one (next month), they'll all pick something in the Dark Fairy/Folk Tale genre and come in to discuss what they read. Should be a good time.

On the Reading Front:
Still working on The Halloween Tree and Cinderella Is Dead.

The Crafting Report:
I finished knitting Yoda's ears yesterday.

What We're Watching:
A Drunk History.