Kristel's 2024 Reading Journal, 2nd Quarter

2nd Quarter of 2024 Reading: I am reading or trying to participate in the following:
Reading 1001 Books (all editions)
Reading Booker Winners
Reading Pulitzer
NPR SFF
NPR Horror

I am in 2 bookclubs.

I participate in Bookspin, Doublespin, Bookspin Bingo on Litsy.

My Tickers:
2024 75 books read


1001 books. It's probably not accurate but close enough.

April Plans:
British Author Challenge
An Old Man's Love
The Warden
Jane and Prudence READ
A Glass of Blessings
Less Than Angels
No Fond Returns
Some Tame Gazelle
American Author Challenge
Nonfiction: Emma's War READ
1001 Books
Under the Net - Iris Murdoch; READING
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Bronte READ
The Book Of Illusions - Auster READ
War Room
Exodus - Leon Uris
The Holy War - John Bunyan READ
Emma's War - Deborah Scroggins READ
Booker
Offshore - Penelope Fitzgerald READ
Bookclub and others
Lessons In Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus make-up; COMPLETED
Weyward - Emilia Hart, WCBC - READ
Open Heart - Elie Wiesel, Jewish book Club
The Wishing Game - LHBC
The Family Chao - for TIOLI, shared read

May Plans:
British Author Challenge
The Wonderland Collection COMPLETED Alice in Wonderland, COMPLETED Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Saw There. COMPLETED
Wild Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evarito COMPLETED

American Author Challenge
Time Will Darken It - William Maxwell

1001 Books
All Souls’ Day - Cees Nooteboom Currently reading
Well of Loneliness - Radcliffe Hall READ
The Names - Don DeLillo READ

War Room
The Pull of the Stars - WWI COMPLETED
Well of Loneliness - WWI COMPLETED

Booker/Pulitzer
The Netanyahus - Joshua Cohen
Girl, Woman, Other 2019

Bookclubs/Others
North Woods COMPLETED
The Pull of the Stars READ
The Wishing Game READ

June Plans:

British Author Challenge
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The Dance Tree COMPLETED
The Girl of Ink & Stars
The Island at the End of Everything

D.H.Lawrence
The Prussian Officer
The Rainbow
Studies in Classic American Literature
The Lost Girl

American Author Challenge
Queer Authors

1001 Books (LeFanu - Macdonald
Mason & Dixon Qrtly read
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes botm COMPLETED
The Diaries of Jane Somers botm
Molloy - Samuel Beckett (tbr takedown) COMPLETED

War Room
English Civil War

Booker/Pulitzer
Master, Slave, Husband, Wife - Ilyon Woo, Winner of Pulitzer Nonfiction category. COMPLETED

Bookclubs/Others
West with Giraffes - Rutledge
Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Sullivan COMPLETED

Happy new thread, dear Kristel.

>5 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul!

Happy new thread!

>7 figsfromthistle:, Thank you Anita!

April TIOLI possibility
1. Holy War - John Bunyan. COMPLETED
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8. The Family Chao
9. Lessons in Chemistry - COMPLETED
10. Read a book whose title includes one, and only one, adjective
11. The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer
12: Read a book with something suggesting music on the cover

13. Read a book with 150 pages or less Open Heart
14. April Fooler: Read a book with magical realism, fantasy, alternate history or humor as a tag Weyward. COMPLETED
15. Challenge #15: Read a book you've owned for more than 10 years or that's been on your TBR list for more than 10 years

April 1st. April Fools Day, second quarter, spring.

Strands #29
“What’s so funny?”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵🔵

Wordle 1,017 3/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

What’s up with connections????and word scapes, and Squardle. OH, It’s April Fools!!!!!!

I played https://squaredle.com 04/01:
*19/19 words (+6 bonus words)
📖 In the top 13% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 6

Happy new thread! Great puzzling!

Karen O

Happy new thread, Kristel!

Happy New Thread, Kristel!

> 12, Thank you Karen.
> 13, Thank you, Anita.
> 14, Thank you Mark

Happy new one!

>16 drneutron:, thanks doc

Connections
Puzzle #295
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟪🟩🟪
🟪🟦🟩🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩

Happy New Thread, Kristel! Happy reading ahead.

>19 vancouverdeb:, thanks Deborah!

Puzzles for Tuesday

Connections
Puzzle #296
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟪🟪🟦
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟨🟨🟨🟨

Wordle 1,018 3/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Antiwordle #786
8 guesses

🟥⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟥🟥⬛⬛⬛
🟥🟥⬛🟨⬛
🟥🟥🟥⬛🟨
🟥🟥🟥⬛🟨
🟥🟥🟥⬛🟨
🟥🟥🟥🟥⬛
🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥

Strands #30
“Rolling in the aisles”
💡🔵🔵🔵
💡🔵🟡💡
🔵🔵

Still working on squaredle

I played https://squaredle.com 04/02:
32/32 words (+25 bonus words)
📖 In the top 1% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 7

Wednesday, weather is predicted be very windy and a chance for rain. A cloudier day too.

Currently reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. 78% done. Will hopefully finish this today.

Strands #31
“Play time!”
💡🔵💡🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵
🔵

Wordle 1,019 3/6

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #297
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟪🟦🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Lessons In Chemistry - COMPLETED ok
Currently reading Under the Net 16%
Weyward 12%
Melancholy of Resistance temporarily on hold. 34%

33.
Book Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2022
Acquisition date/place: 3/2024, Libby
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: a women's life in the 50/60s.
Challenge(s): bookclub read (previous)
Author: US
List book: no
Genre fiction
Liked: I liked some aspects and
Disliked sine aspects.
All ends that ends well!

I played https://squaredle.com 04/03:
*34/34 words (+15 bonus words)
📖 In the top 1% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 8

Thursday. Was so windy yesterday. Got some rain after dark so day was not a rain out but the wind was a challenge. I finished a book and started Weyward yesterday. I am at 44%.

Also reading Under the Net, 1001 botm. I like Murdoch’s writing. I think this one is her debut novel.

Strands #32
“Consumerism”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #298
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Finally some easier ones.

Wordle 1,020 5/6

⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Sweet Thursday, Kristel. I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry. The TV series was a terrific adaptation too.

>30 msf59:, Thanks for stopping by Mark. I think the book was just about written to be a TV series. I enjoyed listening to the author explain how she came to write the book. Very interesting.

I played https://squaredle.com 04/04:
*35/35 words (+7 bonus words)
📖 In the top 29% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 9

>29 Kristelh: >32 Kristelh: Great puzzling! I ended up having to use a clue on Strands, myself. Still fun.

Happy Thursday to you!

Karen O

>33 klobrien2:, Thanks Karen. I owe it to you that I am now doing Strands and Squaredle.

34.
Book Weyward - Emilia Hart
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2023
Acquisition date/place: March 2024, Libby
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: feminism as told by witches
Challenge(s): bookclub read
Author: British/Australia
List book: no
Genre fantasy
Liked: it was entertaining/engaging
Disliked: just a warning, looks at issues of misogyny, abortion

>34 Kristelh: Reneemarie got me hooked on Squaredle. That game drives me crazy! It just doesn’t seem possible that all those words can come out of such a little grid! Yet, there they are. So I half-apologize for getting you involved with that one. 😁

Strands is a treat, though, isn’t it?! That one is pretty elegant; you have to be willing to look for the hidden meaning of the theme, and stay flexible with it.

Karen O

>35 Kristelh: I will have to see if my local library has a copy of that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Kristel.

Happy new thread! Have a fantastic Friday!

Connections
Puzzle #299
🟩🟨🟪🟨
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟦🟩🟦
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,021 3/6

⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

>37 alcottacre:, Thanks Stasia, hope you had a great Friday an a good weekend.

Strands #33
“Am I blushing?”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡💡🔵

>36 klobrien2: That game drives me crazy, too. But I'm okay with that. Most days.

I really like the games Karen and Renee. I find words to be fascinating. I like that they new every day. I like squadle because you can poke around off and on and it generally last the whole day

>42 Kristelh: Have you tried the special puzzles yet? Some of them have 700+ words to find.

You seem to be really good with the bonus words. I stop looking once I find all the official ones with points.

>43 ReneeMarie:, No I haven’t Renee. I accidentally find the bonus words and I also stop after I get all the official ones. I can’t imagine 700 words. How much time do you get? 24 hours like the other puzzles? I also know a lot of weird words from playing words with friends.

Strands #34
“Picture this”
🔵🔵🔵🟡
🔵🔵🔵🔵

>44 Kristelh: You can keep going as long as you need, at least until you clear your cache/browsing history.

Sunday morning. I got back from my visit to Winter Haven to see my girlfriend. It was a good time of talking and enjoying her new place.

I am currently reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë. I am enjoying it.
Also reading Under the Net and enjoying that too.

This will be my last week in Florida. Heading home next Sunday/Monday. It’s been a great season.

Strands #35
“This’ll all blow over”
💡🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #301
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟦🟪🟦
🟪🟪🟦🟦
🟦🟪🟦🟦
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,023 3/6

🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

>48 Kristelh: Good puzzling, Kristel! I used two hints before I got anywhere with Strands. Wordle in 5, for me.

Happy Sunday!

>48 Kristelh:, Thank you Karen.

Wow, squardle takes me all day

I played https://squaredle.com 04/07:
75/75 words (+34 bonus words)
📖 In the top 3% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 2

The fastest ever for me. I played https://squaredle.com 04/08:
*31/31 words (+10 bonus words)
📖 In the top 16% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 3

Strands #36
“It goes by fast”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡

Not a hard one though it took me to the end to get the Spangram.

Today is Monday. I am waiting for the HVAC people to install the new AC. A spenditure I was not anticipating. I am doing the laundry also. I will have to do laundry one more time. I also will have to run to the store so putting a shopping list together. Unfortunately I will have to do that again as well. I think I am going to miss pool exercises and hand and foot. Hopefully I will get to go to pickleball and maybe trivia.

>53 Kristelh: Sorry to hear about the HVAC problems. I understand - we replaced ours several years ago.

Have a marvelous Monday despite the circumstances!

>54 alcottacre:, Thank you Stasia. I look on the bright side. At least I am here yet and not in Minnesota trying to take care of a problem.

35.
Book The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Brontë
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1848
Acquisition date/place: 2017, Audible
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 to 5 stars
Book description/summary: Alcoholism/abusive/romance, strong woman
Challenge(s): TBR takedown, reading 1001
Author: British
List book: 1001 books
Genre fiction, classic
Liked: I liked the female character
Disliked: I disliked most of the male characters but that was the point!

>56 Kristelh: My first Strands word today was the Spangram. The shape of Squaredle made me a little cranky about it.

Having read Anne & Charlotte and based solely on their writing, I feel like I would like Anne better as a person. Based on what I've heard about Wuthering Heights, which makes me not want to read it, I don't think I'd want to know Emily. Someday I'll have to look for biographies and see whether enough is known about them to prove or disprove my theory.

>57 ReneeMarie:, Renee, I think you would like Anne's writing. I think Anne and Charlotte may be more literary but Anne's writing was just plain decent.

>58 Kristelh: Yes, I've read Anne. Her writing is what makes me feel as though I'd like Anne, the person.

>59 ReneeMarie:, I see. Yes, I agree with you!

Tuesday
It’s count down time. Six to seven days before departure.
I am currently reading Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pam. I also am reading Under the Net by Iris Murdoch. This one is so well written. Sentences you just have to savor.
Next up maybe;
Holy War by Paul Bunyan
Offshore - Penelope Fitgerald
The Book Of Illusions - Paul Auster.

Puzzles
Connections
Puzzle #303
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,025 5/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

And I am sad to say I did struggle with Strands today.
Strands #37
“Can I have my quarter back?”
💡🔵💡🔵
💡🔵🟡🔵
💡🔵🔵

Squardle
I played https://squaredle.com 04/09:
*25/25 words (+8 bonus words)
📖 In the top 4% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 4

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 04/10:
*24/24 words (+5 bonus words)
📖 In the top 9% by bonus words

Easier today

Strands #38
“In closing”
💡🔵🔵💡
🔵🔵💡🔵
💡🔵🟡Used a lot of hints today.

Wordle 1,026 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟨🟨
🟨🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #304
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟦🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟦🟦🟦
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Finished Jane and Prudence Started Holy War. This is an allegory and it isn’t as good as Pilgrim’s Progress.

Played pickle ball this morning. Did a shopping trip. Invited out fo supper.

4 to 5 days before migration.

Sounds like a busy day, Kristel, but a nice one. Okay, I should probably know, but where are you going ?

>66 vancouverdeb:. I will return to my home in Minnesota, Deborah. I spend three + months in Florida but it’s time to head north.

Thursday. 3 more days before migration, maybe 4. It all depends on my flock. My daughter and granddaughter are coming down to aid in my return.

Currently reading; The Holy War (not liking it), Under the Net, liking this one.

Gaming results for today.

Connections
Puzzle #305
🟩🟩🟩🟦
🟨🟩🟩🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟦🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Strands #39
“It’s all in your head”
💡🔵🔵💡
🔵🟡🔵🔵

Wordle 1,027 5/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩, If I had followed the alpha rule I would have done 1 better.

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 04/11:
*25/25 words (+8 bonus words)
📖 In the top 1% by bonus words

Friday’s Agenda; wash clothes, finish cleaning house, pack most of my stuff.

Fun stuff: pool, pickleball, read, jigsaw puzzle (must finish), gaming.

Connections
Puzzle #306
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟦🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Wordle 1,028 3/6

⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #40
“You can say that again!”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵💡🔵🔵
🟡🔵

>70 Kristelh: Ooh, nice puzzling today! You got purple first in connections?! Wow! Good job.

It’s supposed to be a stellar weekend in MN, weather-wise. In the seventies, and sunny. Hopefully, a sign for how the summer will be. Wishing you good travels!

Karen O

Just touching base to wish you a lovely weekend, Kristal.

>71 klobrien2:, Thank you Karen. Yes, the temps are improving in Minnesota though they won’t be so high when I arrive. My daughter and granddaughter are flying down today to drive back with me.
Yes! I was pleasantly surprised to get purple first.

>72 PaulCranswick:, Thanks Paul for stopping in!

Saturday gaming
Connections
Puzzle #307
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Wordle 1,029 5/6

⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜
🟩⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩Alpha didn’t work today.

Currently reading The Holy War. I hope to finish today. On deck; The Book of Illusions and Offshore. I will be traveling soon and will not have consistent access to internet.

Today my daughter and granddaughter arrive. We will hopefully get to the beach before we leave sunny Florida.

Strands #41
“Group think”
🔵🔵🔵💡
🔵🟡🔵🔵
🔵

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 04/13:
*20/20 words (+5 bonus words)
📖 In the top 8% by bonus words

Arrived in Kentucky, A little more than 12 hours to home. Today was slow going. Lots of slowed traffic for various reasons.

Maybe will be home tomorrow.

Not much reading has happened. Left my book in Florida because it was hiding under the pillow. I ordered in from MN Link so hopefully I can get it finished before end of month. Tried to read Joseph and His brothers but I did not make any headway.

My gaming overall was bad today.

Connections
Puzzle #309
🟪🟪🟪🟦
🟩🟨🟩🟨
🟪🟪🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Wordle 1,031 3/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨🟨
🟨🟨🟨⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #43
“This and that”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵💡🔵🟡
🔵🔵🔵

I’m travel weary so there won’t be much reading tonight.

36. The Holy War by John Bunyan.
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1682
Acquisition date/place: April 2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 2 stars
Book description/summary: retelling of the Bible; battle of good and evil
Challenge(s): none
Author: England
List book: no
Genre Christian allegory
Liked:
Disliked: it is not engaging at all

Currently reading;
Under the Net by Iris Murdoch which I accidentally left in Florida (was hiding under my pillow. I ordered a copy from MN Link.

Also started; Book of Illusions by Paul Auster. About 40% done.

I am sadly very behind on my reading. Traveling does that.

Gaming for Wednesday
Connections
Puzzle #311
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,033 5/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟩🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #45
“The long run”
💡🔵💡🔵
💡🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵

37.
Book Jane and Prudence - Barbara Pym
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1953
Acquisition date/place: Apr 2024, Hoopla Digital
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: two women, one a country preacher's wife, one an independent woman of London
Challenge(s): BAC
Author: British
List book: no
Genre comedy of manners
Liked: matchmaker and independent woman
Disliked: a bit boring, not much happens.

Thursday.
Todays plan; go to gym? Pick up tax papers. Finish The Book of Illusions.

Games:
Strands #46
“Sew what?”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #312
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,034 3/6

🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Brain seems to be good today. I slept well.

38.
Book The Book Of Illusions - Paul Auster
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2002
Acquisition date/place: April 2024, Hoopla
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: writers writing, women dying
Challenge(s): Special Event, Word of the month, Reading 1001
Author: US Author
List book: 1001 Books
Genre fiction
Liked: story of grief and isolation
Disliked: not Auster's best

>83 Kristelh: Great puzzling today! I did find with everything except Wordle, but managed to eke out a solve.

Are you back in MN?

Karen O

>85 klobrien2: Greetings Karen, Yes I am back in Minnesota. So cold!

Saturday.
Oops, I didn’t check in yesterday. I did go to the gym for exercise. I am sore today. I played pickle ball but the rest of the day I stayed indoors. So cold!!! Even snow in the air.

I finished Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald. Booker winner I believe.

Tried to read a bit of Joseph and His Brothers.

Still waiting for Under the Net to arrive.

Connections
Puzzle #314
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟦🟩🟩
🟦🟪🟦🟪
🟩🟪🟦🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,036 4/6

⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #48
“Walk this way”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵💡🔵🟡
🔵🔵

Sunday morning. Looks like a much better day today. With sun, less win, and a bit warmer.

Started reading Emma’s War - Deborah Scroggins.
I finished and yet to post my brief review here of Offshore.

On tap for today; church and small groups. Reconnect with church family.

Strands #49
“That’s life!”
💡🔵🔵💡
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵

Wordle 1,037 6/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩These rhyming ones drive me crazy and alpha order did not help this time.

Connections is alluding me thus far.

Connections
Puzzle #315
🟪🟦🟩🟦
🟨🟨🟪🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟨

Monday, Weather is a bit improved but not anywhere near Florida conditions. Leaves are popping. Graz will need mowing soon.

Gaming today:
Wordle 1,038 3/6

🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #316
🟨🟨🟨🟨
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🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #50
“Character class”
💡🔵🟡🔵
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵

Currently reading:
Emma’s War - Deborah Scroggins, History of Sudan, religious, civil war

In progress
Joseph and His Brothers
The Melancholy of Resistance
Under the Net

Bible
I Chronicles Chapters 1 and 2. This year I am reading chronologically. I use the Berean Study Bible. Just finished II Samual which covered wars between Israel and the Philistines. The Philistines lived along the coast and were more advanced (Iron Age) than the Israel tribes. Time periods covered from the Judges, King Saul, King David.

>56 Kristelh: I disliked most of the male characters but that was the point! Yes, it was! I read that one after joining LT, but it has been at least 10 years since I did so. I really need to read it again.

Have a marvelous Monday!

>93 alcottacre:, Thank you, Stasia, the best to you, too.

39.

Book Offshore - Penelope Fitzgerald
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1979
Acquisition date/place: 6/25/21
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: neither on land or water!
Challenge(s): reading Booker winners
Author: UK
List book: 1001 books
Genre fiction
Liked: it's a story of "emotional restlessness" of my characters, halfway between the need for security and the doubtful attraction of danger
Disliked: perhaps too short

I mentioned on my thread my favourite puzzle brands, Kristel. I do like Eeboo very much, and also Ravensburger, Heye, Jumbo and Trefl. I do other brands, but one my thread I mentioned what makes me cautious about some brands of puzzles. I think I have read The Book Shop by Penelope Fitzgerald, but I was lukewarm about it. Good for you reading Offshore. It's always good to read from the Booker Prize list .

>96 vancouverdeb:, Thanks Debora, I stopped back on your thread. Thanks for the list. I will be looking for some of those. I have a Ravensberger waiting for me when I get back to Florida next year.

Not sure that I will be drawn to read any more Penelope Fitzgerald but not completely put off by her writing, so maybe.

Happy Tuesday. Windy again and not as warm as yesterday but still an okay day.

Nothing on the agenda except a trip to the gym for some exercise and pickle ball.

My ILL of Under the Net finally arrived. Now to get that done before the end of the month.

Also reading Emma’s War which is nonfiction about Sudan. A lot of information packed into this one.

I finally got the annual read dented, 2%. Joseph and His Brothers. So far it is not an easy read. Hope it gets better. I usually like Thomas Mann and this topic is one I should enjoy.

Today’s Bible read did not include any war other than Psalms which might have pertained but only in a meditative way.

On to gaming, then off to the gym.

Gaming
Connections
Puzzle #317
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,039 6/6

⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Alpha failed me.

Strands #51
“As easy as pie”
💡🔵🔵🟡
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵

I played https://squaredle.com 04/23:
*30/30 words (+10 bonus words)
📖 In the top 4% by bonus words
Play streak: 3

It's Wednesday and it's the 24th of April which means that I know which books are up for June.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Audible (free)
The Diaries of Jane Somers - audible (credit)

So purchased those today.

Today looks like a lovely day with sunshine and less wind. Temperature about the same but with less wind it will feel better.

Currently reading
Under the Net and Emma's War

I played https://squaredle.com 04/24:
*33/33 words (+7 bonus words)
📖 In the top 6% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 3

>98 Kristelh: On to gaming It is funny how we take things. To me, "gaming" means sitting down to a table for a board game - Kerry and I play at least one a day every day (today's game is Wingspan Asia, lol).

>101 Kristelh: I will be curious to see what you think of Emma's War when you are finished with it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

>103 alcottacre:, Have you read it Stasia? Emma's War. My gaming is just myself as I live alone so it's unfortunately computer time. My family live close by but they've become to busy to play games. I do play pickleball with others but that is good for my brain in a different way.

Connections
Puzzle #318
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🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Wordle 1,040 3/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #52
“This is a puzzle”
💡🔵💡🔵
🔵💡🔵🟡
🔵

Struggled with strands today.

>105 Kristelh: You’ve got some lovely puzzling results there today! Good job!

Karen O

>106 klobrien2:, Thank you Karen, thanks for stopping by.

Thursday. Windy again. Rain predicted for weekend. Out for lunch today. No gym.

Made progress in two of my books;
under the Net 45%
Emma’s War 90%, should finish today.

Connections
Puzzle #319
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🟪🟦🟦🟦
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More puzzling.
Wordle 1,041 3/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #53
“That’s cap!”
🔵🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵

40.
Book Emma's War = Deborah Scroggins
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2002
Acquisition date/place: April 2024, Libby
Decimal/ Star rating: 5 stars
Book description/summary: journalism about Sudan civil war
Challenge(s): read American author nonfiction
Author: American
List book: no
Genre nonfiction, journalism
Liked: I learned
Disliked: I thought is was very fairly done, I liked it and cannot come up with a dislike.

Friday; rainy and windy. Yesterday was very nice though in spite of the strong wind.

Currently reading
The Warden by Trollope
Under the Net by Murdoch

Saturday, cloudy, not raining but we got a lot of rain yesterday with some mild thunderstorms. The grass is very green and leaves are popping. It will be green in Minnesota soon.

I played https://squaredle.com 04/27:
*24/24 words (+5 bonus words)
📖 In the top 21% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Haven’t completed this in awhile.

Reading progress
Under the Net 56%
The Warden 56%

More puzzles:
Connections
Puzzle #321
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟦🟦🟦
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,043 5/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟩🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #55
“Call me?”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🔵🟡

Sunday. Today it is church, then small group. We eat together and then do some Bible study. We are eating taco salads. I made a pan of bars (it’s a Minnesota thing) and beef taco meat. The bars are a peanut butter cookie with chocolate syrup swirled.

Reading
Under the Net 63%, need to finish this one! I am enjoying it.
Started The Family Chao but only 6% so far.
Finished The Warden - Trollope. Enjoyed this one.

Weather is cloudy and drizzle predicted. Really getting green and will have to mow the grass soon.

Yesterday enjoyed being out on the golf course watching my granddaughter golf.

Strands #56
“Coming clean”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵

Wordle 1,044 3/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #322
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🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

(I am old enough to get the blue one, and I had the purple and yellow figured out at the same time.

I played https://squaredle.com 04/28:
74/74 words (+37 bonus words)
📖 In the top 1% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 2

Monday, cool, drizzle, grey skies.

I played https://squaredle.com 04/29:
*22/22 words (+4 bonus words)
📖 In the top 15% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 3

Strands #57
“Name dropping”
🔵💡🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵🔵
🔵

Connections
Puzzle #323
🟪🟪🟪🟪
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🟩🟦🟩🟩
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🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,045 3/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

>104 Kristelh: No, I have not read Emma's War yet, which is one of the reasons I was curious to see your final thoughts on it.

There are several places you can play games online with others. My favorite spot is Board Game Arena.

>110 Kristelh: I am going to see if I can get my hands on a copy! Thanks for recommending a 5-star book!

Have a marvelous Monday, Kristel!

>119 alcottacre:, Thanks for the info on Board Game Arena. And, I hope you find Emma's War a worthwhile read as I did.

41.
Book The Warden by Anthony Trollope
Format: audiobook read by
Original publication date: Simon Vance
Acquisition date/place: April 2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 5 stars
Book description/summary: think before you jump into self righteous acts
Challenge(s): BAC
Author: British
List book: classic
Genre literature
Liked: I liked the story and no loose ends
Disliked:

Tuesday, last day of April. Working on finishing 2 books. I think it is doable. Today the sun will shine a little though rain storms are predicted later today. We’ve gotten a lot of rain in the past few days.

Connections
Puzzle #324
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wordle 1,046 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #58
“Pour it on”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

>120 Kristelh: If you ever want a playing partner on BGA, just let me know :)

42.
Book Under the Net - Iris Murdoch
Format: book
Original publication date: 1954
Acquisition date/place: 2016/January
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: search for identity in the streets of London
Challenge(s): Reading 1001, botm April 2024
Author: British
List book: 1001
Genre fiction
Liked: a interesting story with depth that is easy to take
Disliked: it took a little while to engage with the book, and I left it in Florida and had to get it from the library ILL.

43.
Book The Family Chao = Lan Samantha Chang
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2022
Acquisition date/place: 2023, AudioFileSync summer program
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: explores the experience of Chinese children, adopted Chinese, and illegal Chinese through the Chao family restaurant and a mystery
Challenge(s): TIOLI challenge
Author: Asian American author
List book: no
Genre fiction
Liked: it was interesting look at the experiences of Chinese Americans
Disliked: could do without the sexual details

>123 alcottacre:, Stasia, I will look into it. Is there any games that you would recommend?

>124 Kristelh: had to get it from the library ILL. Well, that is a pain! Glad to see you enjoyed it though.

>126 Kristelh: There are a lot of different game genres on BGA. Do you enjoy cooperative games, word games, solo games etc? You can pull up the "Games" tab and bring up games by theme, player count, genre. I have a lot of games that I enjoy and I do not want to overwhelm you since I am pretty much an omnigamer. Many of the game also have online tutorials so you can give them a try before you play.

You've gotten lot of good reading in, Kristel. Classics like The Warden , and heavy weight authors like Iris Murdoch

>127 alcottacre:, Thanks, Stasia. I will look at it. I am kind of a word game person. Always loved scramble and pretty much hated monopoly.
>128 vancouverdeb:. It was, Deborah, and I really liked The Warden and I always appreciate Murdoch.

May Plans

British Author Challenge
The Wonderland Collection COMPLETED

American Author Challenge
William Maxwell maybe Time will Darken It

1001 Books
All Souls’ Day- Cees Nooteboom reading
Well of Loneliness - Radcliffe Hall COMPLETED
The Names - Don DeLillo COMPLETED
The Years - Virginia Woolf COMPLETED

War Room
Napoleonic Wars

Booker/Pulitzer
The Netanyahus - Joshua Cohen
The Promise
Girl, Woman, Other COMPLETED

Bookclubs/Others
North Woods COMPLETED
The Pull of the Stars - Emma Donoghue

TIOLI
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book whose title, subtitle, or author's full name begins or end in the letter "Y" - msg #1
Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey reading

2. Read a book where a 4-legged animal is mentioned in the title - msg #5
Shadow of the Fox or
History of Wolves

3. Read a book with a girl's name in the title - msg #3 Lila, My Antonia, or Eileen Through the Looking Glass and what Alice found There

4. The "In Honor of My Mother" Challenge: Read a book to to spell out MOTHER - msg #4
T - The Years

5. Read a book that you acquired in 2024 - msg #8
The Pull of the Stars COMPLETED

6. Read a book that poses a new question or answers a question already posed - msg #13
What's So Amazing about Grace?

Challenges #7-12
7. Read a book for the Zodiac challenge (Taurus) - msg #16 Girl, Woman, Other COMPLETED

8. Read a book from the list that shows what other LT members have read so far in 2024 - msg #18
Prophet Song

9. Read a book whose title suggests something a person would like to achieve - msg #19 The Promise

10: Read a book with first person narration or featuring first person singular pronouns in the title, eg me, mine Eileen

Challenge #11: Read a book mentioned in one of the Five Books Lists (fivebooks.com) The Promise

Challenge #12: Read a collection of religious or spiritual texts

April Summary
British Author Challenge
The Warden - Anthony Trollope READ
Jane and Prudence - Barbara Pym READ

American Author Challenge
Nonfiction: Emma's War - Deborah Scroggins

1001 Books
Under the Net - Iris Murdoch; READ
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Bronte READ
The Book Of Illusions - Auster READ

War Room
Emma's War - Deborah Scroggins READ

Booker
Offshore - Penelope Fitzgerald READ

Bookclub and others
Lessons In Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus, made up, READ
Weyward - Emilia Hart, WCBC - READ

TIOLI
1. Holy War - John Bunyan. COMPLETED
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8. The Family Chao - Chang COMPLETED
9. Lessons in Chemistry - COMPLETED
10. Read a book whose title includes one, and only one, adjective
11.
12: Read a book with something suggesting music on the cover

13. Read a book with 150 pages or less
14. April Fooler: Read a book with magical realism, fantasy, alternate history or humor as a tag Weyward. COMPLETED
15. Challenge #15: Read a book you've owned for more than 10 years or that's been on your TBR list for more than 10 years

Total books read: 11
1001 Books read: 3
Booker: 1
Pulitzer: 0

Books Acquired in 2024
Collected in January
1. The Covenant of Water - Abraham Verghese (free)1/16/24

Collected in February
2. Prophet Song - Paul Lynch (audible credit)
3. The Rest of Life - Mary Gordon (discard, free)

Collected in March
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Clarke (book for Florida shelf) free.
5. A Place Called Freedom - Ken Follett, (free)
6. 28-Day Fast Start Day-By-Day (purchased). I needed some motivation and a this kind of book usually fits the ticket.
7. The House of Doors - Tan Twan Eng

Collected in April
8. The Pull of the Stars Audible credit
9. Beneath a Scarlet Sky Audible credit
10. West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge, audible credit

Collected in May
11. The Diaries of Jane Somer - Doris Lessing, book
12. My Name is Asher Lev - Chaim Potok, book
13. Under the Yoke - Ivan Vazov, Kindle
14. The Quest - Frederik van Eeden, Kindle
15. Time Will Darken It - William Maxwell, audible credit

Wednesday Puzzles
Connections
Puzzle #325
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨

Wordle 1,047 3/6

🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #59
“A token of our appreciation”
🔵🔵🔵🟡
🔵🔵🔵

>130 Kristelh: If my reading picks up a bit in May, I might join you with All Souls’ Day by Cees Nooteboom.

Thursday, rainy, grey day. Today is bookclub. We will be discussing Weyward.

Currently reading The Years and trying to get All Souls Day started.

Bookspin, My Antonia
Double spin, The Pull of the Stars

Strands #60
“What's my line?”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

Wordle 1,048 4/6

⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #326
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

Strands #60
“What's my line?”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

Wordle 1,048 4/6

⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #326
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟪🟪
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦

44.
Book The Years - Virginia Woolf
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1937
Acquisition date/place: Audible Play, expires 5/3/24.
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 to 5 stars
Book description/summary: time, memory
Challenge(s): Reading 1001
Author: British
List book: 1001 books
Genre novel/fiction
Liked: I liked the themes in this book, time, aging, memory
Disliked: it is SOC which I am okay with but it has set times but still doubles back on itself and there are quite a few characters and some are there only for a brief appearance It's good to "know" a little about the book when taking up the book.

Friday. Spending the morning with my youngest granddaughter. It’s grandparents day at her school.
I finished The Years yesterday. I liked it, recommend it to people who like reading about time, memory, etc. Of course it is SOC.

Strands #61
“A shade envious?”
🔵🔵🔵🟡
🔵🔵🔵

Wordle 1,049 4/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #327
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Currently reading The Well of Loneliness by Radcliffe Hall.

Saturday.
Plans:
Used book sale, last day, will make a visit but probably well picked over.
Pick up things
Start a soup
Read; currently reading Well of Loneliness and All Soul’s Day up next The Wishing Game.

Connections
Puzzle #328
🟩🟪🟦🟦
🟨🟩🟨🟨
🟨🟨🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟪

Wordle 1,050 5/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #62
“The horror”
💡🔵💡🔵
🔵💡🔵🟡
🔵

>140 Kristelh: It seemed a tough day for the puzzles, didn’t it?! I might not have the courage for Squaredle today…

Karen O

>141 klobrien2:. Yes, very hard day, Karen. I did start Squaredle but will see how far I will get.

Sunday and sunshine and not much wind. Temps to be in upper 60s too.

Connections
Puzzle #329
🟪🟨🟩🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩Struggled.

Wordle 1,051 5/6

🟨🟨⬜🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #63
“Tools for the job”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵
🔵

Monday. Cloudy, windy.
Puzzles; I failed at Connections, even after it is revealed , I remain nonplussed. I also failed wordle today. One of those days and alpha doesn’t help!

I did complete quordle, antiwordle to 7, and I got Strand.
Strands #64
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵

Reading:
Finished The Well of Loneliness, need to write this one up yet.

Currently reading
The Wishing Game 21%
All Souls Day

I played https://squaredle.com 05/06:
*29/29 words (+8 bonus words)
📖 In the top 20% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Tuesday — rain, wind, cooler than yesterday.
Reading; The Wishing Game and All Souls Day. Still need to review The Well of Loneliness.

Puzzling; yesterday I bombed on wordle and then today I do this; Wordle 1,053 3/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #331
🟦🟪🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #65
“Can you dig it?”
💡🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵

Winner of Pulitzer for 2024, Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips. I’ve read Lark and Termite by the author. So Pulitzer went to a book no one was predicting.

45.
Book The Well of Loneliness - Radclyffe Hall
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1928
Acquisition date/place: 8/15/19, audible, ibook
Decimal/ Star rating: 2 to 3 stars I think
Book description/summary: life is miserable if you're an invert
Challenge(s): TBR takedown, Reading 1001
Author: British
List book: 1001, Virago
Genre fiction
Liked: more autobiography than literature?
Disliked: I appreciated that it did not go into details that are unnecessary. Not my kind of book.

46.
Book The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2023
Acquisition date/place: 5/2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 2.5 stars
Book description/summary: a little bit of this a little bit of that
Challenge(s): LHBC pick (make-up)
Author: US
List book: no
Genre ??? reads like a YA book, fiction
Liked: I liked parts of it, it mentions a lot of children's book.
Disliked: it tried to be too much, it felt like it borrowed from other sources, it tried to cover too much and to hit LGBT issues, etc.

Too bad The Wishing Game was such a bad read, Kristel. I hope you do read Brotherless Night and it does have a section at the back of the book with group discussion questions, so that would help with reading it with a group. There is lots to discuss. I'm hoping to get to Night Watch. I had it on my wishlist for a long time, but finally my library has gotten it. So once I read some of my TBR pile, I'll get it from the library. I tried Squardle last night and earlier this evening and it is challenging! I got skunked on Wordle yesterday , my first skunk in over 385 games! Argh! Oh well.

>148 Kristelh: The only one of Phillips books that I have read to this point is Lark and Termite as well. Unfortunately, it also the only one of her books that my local library has.

>150 Kristelh: Sounds like I can take that one out of the BlackHole. . . I certainly hope your next read is better for you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

>151 vancouverdeb:, Deborah, that was a long run for wordle. I don’t know what my longest run was but it isn’t anywhere near 385. That had to hurt! Squardle is very challenging.
I often just give up. I put Night Watch on hold on Libby, and the wait is “very long”. Not even in terms of weeks or months.

>152 alcottacre:. Stasia, Libby has Night Watch so I will eventually get it, but it will be a wait.

Wednesday, sun is shining, it is a nice day.

Strands #66
“Can you digit?”
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Connections
Puzzle #332
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Thursday, it was a nice day here in Minnesota. I tried to mow my grass but got the lawn mower stuck in mud. Had to wait for SIL to come pull it out with the 4 wheeler. I mowed a little but will finish tomorrow.

Currently reading All Souls Day and Pull of the Stars.

That is a long wait for Night Watch. I managed to do Wordle in 2 the following day, so that was encouraging after my skunk the previous day.

>157 Kristelh:, Deborah, congrats on a 2. I suspect the long wait will get better because sometimes the library gets more copies when there is a great demand. By the way, you’re killing me with a lot of BBs!

Friday. I have cards tonight (subbing). Finish mowing grass. It’s gotten way too long and parts of yard still to wet.

Currently reading the same. Hopefully finish The Pull of Stars as bookclub is Monday. I am enjoying this one especially the parts about midwifery, medical care.

Connections
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“Like a rocket”
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Monday morning. We had a beautiful weekend here in Minnesota and I had my family around me. Truly blessed, I was!

Currently reading My Antonia - Willa Cather. I will finish today.

I am trying to make progress in All Souls Day - Cees Nooteboom. My 1001 botm.

I finished The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue, Very good, highly recommend this one.

Wordle 1,059 4/6

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Connections
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Strands #71
“Best in show”
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I played https://squaredle.com 05/13:
*23/23 words (+6 bonus words)
📖 In the top 20% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

47.

Book The Pull of the Stars - Emma Donoghue
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2020
Acquisition date/place: April 2024/1 credit, audible
Decimal/ Star rating: 4.5 to 5 stars
Book description/summary: Irish nurse midwife during the Spanish Flu.
Challenge(s): LHBC
Author: Irish
List book: no
Genre historical fiction
Liked: well researched, nursing, politics
Disliked: could have done without the kissing on the roof top and still been a good story!

48.

Book My Antonia - Willa Cather
Format: book/audio
Original publication date: 1918
Acquisition date/place: 2010, used book
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: Immigrant Women Farmers take on Nebraska
Challenge(s): TIOLI/TBR
Author: US
List book: many lists
Genre fiction
Liked: I liked the setting and perspective
Disliked:

Tuesday. Another sun filled day. I do have a dental appt today. My last one was cancelled by them so hope this one goes okay.

Currently reading; The Names by Don DeLillo.

Wednesday, we have clouds today and cooler as well. Today, I will post books over on GR, Reading 1001 for July choices. I could also do some mowing or outdoor work. Still have pots to plant. Of course I will start the day with gym and pickleball.

Strands #73
“American pastime”
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Wordle 1,061 5/6

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Connections
Puzzle #339
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Hopefully will finish The Names by Delillo today. Not my favorite by the author. Also need to try to get some progress in All Souls Day by Nooteboom. Not very entertaining. Dutch man wandering about Berlin taking pictures of fading light.

>163 Kristelh: I really enjoyed The Pull of the Stars too, Kristel. I read it shortly after it came out. I enjoyed her book The Wonder: A Novel a lot too. I was less keen on Room. I hope the dental appointment went okay. I have one for myself next week. Just a cleaning and I hope they don't find any more work to do .

>167 vancouverdeb:, That’s what I had done, Deborah, cleaning, but it had been a whole year so I was dreading going. They have a hard time hiring dental hygienist so they canceled my appointment in the fall. I survived and my teeth and gums are good!

I read Room and agree, not my favorite. I read Astray which I did like.

I played https://squaredle.com 05/15:
*25/25 words (+8 bonus words)
📖 In the top 37% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

49.

Book The Names - Don DeLillo
Format: audio
Original publication date: 1982
Acquisition date/place: May 2024, Hoopla Digital
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: man, language, politics
Challenge(s): Reading 1001, word challenge
Author: US
List book: 1001 Books
Genre modernism
Liked: Setting and the politics
Disliked: sexual content

Thursday, probably grass mowing day. I don’t mind mowing but it does take time from reading.

Puzzles were okay today, not fantastic but no bombs either.

>160 Kristelh: I love My Antonia. It is my favorite Cather.

>163 Kristelh: >164 Kristelh: Dodging those BBs as I have already read them both.

>171 Kristelh: I am lucky in that Kerry does all our lawn mowing. Even if he did not, I would have to have someone else do it. I am highly allergic to grass and the one time (when I was a kid) that my father tried to get me to mow our lawn, I could neither see or breathe after less than 5 minutes.

Hi Stasia. My husband did all the mowing. But since he has passed, I mow and I think about him. It’s a peaceful time. I do sneeze a lot come to think of it!

My Antonia was my first Cather so I have to wait and see if it will be my favorite Cather. I can’t imagine why it took so long to read something by her.

It’s Friday. Woke to a thunderstorm. I will finish mowing today. I mowed the less low spots yesterday. I hope the sun will dry out the rest so I can finish up. The lilacs are in bloom and it smells so nice when mowing by them. I can’t bring them in the house because the scent is too strong. It’s really getting green. Apple and cherry are done blooming. The peonies should be blooming soon. I still haven’t planted my pots.

Completed the puzzles today. I thought the Strands particularly hard today. Had to use a lot of clues.

50 and 51.
Alice in Wonderland
Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There
A Tangled Tales KnotsBook
Format: The Wonderland Collection
Original publication date:
Acquisition date/place: 2023
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: imaginative stories
Challenge(s): BAC
Author: British
List book: 1001
Genre fantasy/Children
Liked: fun stories
Disliked:

Saturday morning, should be a nice day today. Not as warm as yesterday.

Connections
Puzzle #342
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Strands #76
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Hi, Kristel! We had very similar puzzling today—I got Wordle in 4, Connections in 6, and Strands with no hints, finding the theme first. Good day for the puzzles, hm?

Have a great weekend!

Karen O

>175 Kristelh: I enjoyed Alice in Wonderland when I read it in my teens, but I think now I would find quite weird. Glad you enjoyed it.

>178 vancouverdeb:, Deborah, this time when I read it, I tried to find the adult themes that are supposedly there. It is suppose to be quite political. Thank you for stopping by.

I was out shopping yesterday but could not find any of those BBs yet. 😞

Sunday
Cloudy, rain in area.

Strands #77
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Connections
Puzzle #343
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Currently reading

All Souls Day 33%, 1001botm
Girls, Woman, Other 31%, Booker 2019

>177 klobrien2:, Thanks for stopping by Karen. Puzzles a little easier but today wasn’t remarkable.

52.

Book Girl, Woman, Others - Bernardine Evaristo
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2019
Acquisition date/place: Hoopla, May 2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: British, women of all types
Challenge(s): Booker winner
Author: British
List book: Booker
Genre Fiction
Liked: I liked the authors writing and learned a great deal
Disliked: sexual and violent content

>173 Kristelh: I can’t imagine why it took so long to read something by her. Kind of like what I just went through with Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Every time an author passes away and I have never read a book by them I always wonder why I have not gotten to their work yet. Too many authors, not enough "me's".

>183 Kristelh: One that I still need to get to at some point.

Have a marvelous Monday, Kristel!

>184 alcottacre:, Thank you Stasia. I will look forward to your thoughts on Girl, Woman, Other. Have a great Tuesday. I think it is the day you spend with your girls.

Today has been a rainy day here in Minnesota. I did get some reading done. Rainy days are good for reading.

Wednesday
Yesterday was rain almost all day but I did get to the gym for pickleball and also a short walk outside with my dog, Lucy.

Currently reading
Desert Solitaire Edward Abbey, read for TIOLI #1. Completed yesterday. To review. I liked it!

All Souls Day - Nooteboom, botm 1001, 53%
History of Wolves - Emily Fridlund, TIOLI

Also reading these more as references;
Blue Zones Solution
The Blue Zones Kitchen
The Blue Zones Challenge.

Strands #80
“Home grown”
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Connections
Puzzle #346
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Wordle 1,068 4/6

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Winner of the International Booker Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck.

Time to repost my Booker list.
Booker
1. 1969: P. H. Newby, Something to Answer For - Own
2. 1970: Bernice Rubens, The Elected Member - OWN
✅. 1970: J. G. Farrell, Troubles (awarded in 2010 as the Lost Man Booker Prize) -OWN
✔4. 1971: V. S. Naipaul, In a Free State
5. 1972: John Berger, G. - OWN-K
✔6. 1973: J. G. Farrell, The Siege of Krishnapur - READ
7. 1974 ✔ The Conservationist and Holiday - Stanley Middleton
✅ 8. 1975: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Heat and Dust -
9. 1976: David Storey, Saville
✔10 . 1977: Paul Scott, Staying On read 2021
✔11. 1978: Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea READ
☑️12. 1979: Penelope Fitzgerald, Offshore - 2024
✔13. 1980: William Golding, Rites of Passage - READ
✔14. 1981: Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children - READ
✔15. 1982: Thomas Keneally, Schindler's Ark - READ
✔16. 1983: J. M. Coetzee, Life & Times of Michael K READ
17. 1984: Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac - OWN
18. 1985: Keri Hulme, The Bone People
19. 1986: Kingsley Amis, The Old Devils -
20. 1987: Penelope Lively, Moon Tiger -
✔21. 1988: Peter Carey, Oscar and Lucinda OWN
✔22. 1989: Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day READ
✔23. 1990: A. S. Byatt, Possession: A Romance
✅24. 1991: Ben Okri, The Famished Road
✔25. 1992: Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient READ
... and Barry Unsworth, Sacred Hunger
26. 1993: Roddy Doyle, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha OWN
✔27. 1994: James Kelman, How late it was, how lateREAD 2021
28. 1995: Pat Barker, The Ghost Road
✅29. 1996: Graham Swift, Last Orders
✔30. 1997: Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things READ
✔31. 1998: Ian McEwan, Amsterdam - READ
32. 1999: J. M. Coetzee, Disgrace - OWN
✔33. 2000: Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin READ
34. 2001: Peter Carey, True History of the Kelly Gang-
✔35. 2002: Yann Martel, Life of Pi READ
36. 2003: DBC Pierre, Vernon God Little
✔37. 2004: Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty READ
✔38. 2005: John Banville, The Sea - READ
✔39. 2006: Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss OWN
✔40. 2007: Anne Enright, The Gathering - OWN COMPLETED 3/22
✔41. 2008: Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger - READ
✔42. 2009: Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall - READ
43. 2010: Howard Jacobson, The Finkler Question
✔44. 2011: Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending - READ
✔45. 2012: Hilary Mantel, Bring Up the Bodies - COMPLETED 3/2020
46. 2013: Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries
✔47. 2014: Richard Flanagan, The Narrow Road to the Deep North - READ
✔48. 2015: Marlon James, A Brief History of Seven Killings - READ
✔49. 2016: Paul Beatty, The Sellout - READ
✔50. 2017: George Saunders, Lincoln in the Bardo READ
✔51. 2018: Anna Burns Milkman
✔52. 2019: Margaret Atwood, The Testaments, or
☑️Girl, Woman, Other Bernardino Evaristo read 2924,
✔53. 2020. Shuggie Bain Douglas Stewart COMPLETED 3/24/22
54. 2021, The Promise by Damon Galgut
☑️55. 2022, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilakaurns 2024
56. 2023 Prophet Song - Paul Lynch

Booker International
✔ 2016- The Vegetarian - Han Kang South Korea, READ
✔ 2017- A Horse Walks Into a Bar - David Grossman - Israel. READ
2018 - Flights - Olga Tokarczuk - Poland OWN
Hoopla 2019 - Celestial Bodies - Jokha al-Hearth - Oman
2020 - The Discomfort of Evening - Marieke Lucas Rijneveld - Netherlands
2021 - At Night All Blood is Black - David Diop - France OWN
Hoopla 2022 - Tomb of Sand - Geetanjali Shree - India
✔2023- Time Shelter - Georgi Gospodinov - Bulgaria READ
2024- Kairos - Jenny Erpenbeck

>186 Kristelh: It is supposed to rain here this afternoon and I am certainly hoping to get some serious reading done! I have 2 books I need to finish before I leave for Longview on Friday.

>189 Kristelh: Thanks for the reminder on that. I need to see if my local library has a copy of the book yet.

>190 Kristelh: I need to get a better one of those made for myself. Mine is currently a printout from Wikipedia.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Kristel!

hi. im bob

ive just finished a book and im looking for some recommendations. horror and thriller are my type

>191 alcottacre:, Thanks Stasia, have a wonderful Wednesday and I hope your rainy day is a productive reading day. Today I ended up walking the golf course to watch my granddaughter compete in sectionals. I have to return soon and bring her some food to eat. Cool and windy here.

Hi Bob, welcome to Reading 75 books. I read some horror and some thriller but I am mostly a literary fiction reader. Have you tried looking at LT recommendations for you?

I played https://squaredle.com 05/22:
*35/35 words (+9 bonus words)
📖 In the top 49% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Friday; I woke to thunderstorm and rain. I like a good thunderstorm.

Yesterday was a day with sunshine and no rain and I had to mow the grass and get ready for bookclub. We discussed North Woods by Daniel Mason. What an amazing book! Next month it is West With Giraffes.

Currently reading History of Wolves and All Souls Day I am over 50% done with both of them.

I need to review Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey.

Did not get Connections today; only yellow group.

Strands #82
“Raise a glass”
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Wordle 1,070 3/6

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53.

Book Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey
Format: book/audiobook
Original publication date: 1968
Acquisition date/place: 5/21/2022, Barnes and Nobles
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: plants, animals, rocks, people, politics
Challenge(s): TIOLI, #1
Author: US
List book: No
Genre Nonfiction, nature narrative
Liked: I liked the nature and most of the political talk, an interesting man
Disliked: a humanist does not believe in God

Saturday.
Yesterday was extremely windy. Trees went down on my daughter’s home yesterday. Spent evening cleaning things up a bit. Today I and granddaughters are heading into cities for a Twins game.

Connections was less hard today.
Connections
Puzzle #349
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Bringing forward my
June Plans:

British Author Challenge
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The Dance Tree
The Girl of Ink & Stars
The Island at the End of Everything

D.H.Lawrence
The Prussian Officer
The Rainbow
Studies in Classic American Literature
The Lost Girl

American Author Challenge
Queer Authors

1001 Books (LeFanu - Macdonald
Mason & Dixon Qrtly read
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes botm
The Diaries of Jane Somers botm
Molloy - Samuel Beckett (tbr takedown)

War Room
English Civil War

Booker/Pulitzer
Master, Slave, Husband, Wife - Ilyon Woo, Winner of Pulitzer Nonfiction category.

Bookclubs/Others
West with Giraffes - Rutledge
Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Sullivan

Wordle 1,071 4/6

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Strands #83
“Sounds delicious!”
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Sunday
It’s cloudy but we should see some sun and I didn’t see any rain in forecast. It did rain a bit yesterday but not where I was. I was blessed to attend a Twins game in which they actually won. It was a good day.

I did finish History of Wolves and need to review that one. I will use that for TIOLI.

Currently reading
All Souls Day
Whats So Amazing About Grace

I will go to church today. No other specific plans.

Puzzles today
Connections
Puzzle #350
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Wordle 1,072 4/6

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Strands #84
“Beyond Nashville”
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Brain is working today or the puzzles are all easier; I suspect it is the last and not the former.

>204 Kristelh: I had similar nice results to my puzzling today. I think things were easier than usual, but I’m glad to take it!

Karen O

June plans! I have some books I have in mind to read, River East, River West, The Burial Plot, and The King's Witches, and I am hoping I won't have to wait to long for the new book from Jacquline Winspear,The comfort of ghosts . So far I think I am number 16 on 1 copy of The Comfort of Ghosts, so fingers crossed. What's so Amazing about Grace is good read. It's been some years since I read it.

>205 klobrien2:, Hi, Karen, thanks for stopping by. I have checked in on your puzzling daily.

>206 vancouverdeb:, Hi Deborah. I don’t think River East, River West is available in my library system. I should check it out again. I don’t think I’ve ever read Jacquline Winspear.

Monday
No particular plans. I will go to the gym and play pickleball. Go to husbands gravesite today to spend time remembering. Put meat in crockpot for pulled pork. Hopefully do some reading, the end of the month is nearly here and I would like to get a couple more books finished. Especially All Souls Day. I think my daughter and granddaughters will stop by today. It’s cloudy and was raining so not the nicest Memorial Day.

Thanks to all the vets that gave their lives to protect freedom!

I played https://squaredle.com 05/28:
*31/31 words (+5 bonus words)
📖 In the top 22% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Today is Wednesday. The sun is shining. I will go walk the golf course and watch my granddaughter in sectionals.
I will finish A Time Will Darken It and All Souls Day.

Wordle 1,075 4/6

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Wordle 1,075 4/6

Connections
Puzzle #353
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Strands #87
“A good workout”
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54.
Book History of Wolves - Emily Fridlund
Format: book/audio
Original publication date: 2017
Acquisition date/place: 2/1/2017, Indiespensible/Powells Subscription, signed edition
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: Minnesota bound, coming of age story
Challenge(s): TIOLI
Author: US/Minnesota
List book: no, long list Booker
Genre Fiction
Liked: I liked that it was set in Northern Minnesota
Disliked: I didn't think this girl sounded 14 and I did not like one story line of sex offender and the other about religious beliefs.

55.
Book Time Will Darken It William Maxwell
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1948
Acquisition date/place: May 2024, audible
Decimal/ Star rating: 3.5 stars
Book description/summary: best intentions can have devastating consequences
Challenge(s): American author challenge
Author: US
List book: No
Genre Fiction
Liked: In general I liked it but really it is pretty slow
Disliked: very frustrating characters

56.

Book All Souls Day - Cees Nooteboom
Format: book
Original publication date: 1998
Acquisition date/place: 9/25/22, Discover books, used
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: slow, meandering widowed cameraman wanders
Challenge(s): 1001 botm
Author: Dutch
List book: 1001
Genre fiction
Liked: Some great sentences
Disliked: painfully slow, and also some violence

Thursday, windy today. I must get lawn mowed before it rains again.
Also will go play some pickleball before I mow. Then out for supper with oldest granddaughter.

I finished both books yesterday and debating whether to start another before the end of the month. I could listen while I mow.

Connections
Puzzle #354
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Wordle 1,076 X/6

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⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩Way too many options today.

Strands #88
“Pump it up!”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

I think I will start Mason & Dixon and be done with May. I read 13 books in May and that is a good month for me.

Friday morning

Yesterday I did get the mowing done. Got started in Mason & Dixon which is over 700 pages and a lot of characters. It is a wild tale. I will need to work at keeping myself from getting lost.

Today is cloudy, it rained last night and this morning. I will meet my friend for lunch.

Connections
Puzzle #355
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Wordle 1,077 5/6

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Strands #89
“On the yellow brick road”
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Summary for May
I read 13 books in May.
British Author Challenge
The Wonderland Collection COMPLETED Alice in Wonderland, COMPLETED Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Saw There. COMPLETED
Wild Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evarito COMPLETED

American Author Challenge
Time Will Darken It - William Maxwell
History of Wolves - Emily Fridlund
Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey
My Antonia - Willa Cather

1001 Books
All Souls’ Day - Cees Nooteboom Currently reading
Well of Loneliness - Radcliffe Hall READ
The Names - Don DeLillo READ
The Years - Virginia Woolf

War Room
The Pull of the Stars - WWI COMPLETED
Well of Loneliness - WWI COMPLETED

Booker/Pulitzer
Girl, Woman, Other 2019

Bookclubs/Others
The Pull of the Stars READ
The Wishing Game READ

Obtained in May
Collected in May
11. The Diaries of Jane Somer - Doris Lessing, book
12. My Name is Asher Lev - Chaim Potok, book
13. Under the Yoke - Ivan Vazov, Kindle
14. The Quest - Frederik van Eeden, Kindle
15. Time Will Darken It - William Maxwell, audible credit

Bringing forward my
June Plans:

British Author Challenge
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The Dance Tree
The Girl of Ink & Stars
The Island at the End of Everything

D.H.Lawrence
The Prussian Officer
The Rainbow
Studies in Classic American Literature
The Lost Girl

American Author Challenge
Queer Authors

1001 Books (LeFanu - Macdonald
Mason & Dixon Qrtly reading
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes botm
The Diaries of Jane Somers botm
Molloy - Samuel Beckett (tbr takedown)

War Room
English Civil War

Booker/Pulitzer
Master, Slave, Husband, Wife - Ilyon Woo, Winner of Pulitzer Nonfiction category. reading

Bookclubs/Others
West with Giraffes - Rutledge
Beneath a Scarlet Sk

June 1st
I've been reading the Holy Bible: Berean Study Bible in chronological order this year. Today was Song of Solomon. I've completed Genesis, Job, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, Psalms, I Chronicles, II Samuel.

Currently reading Mason & Dixon by Thomas Pynchon. It is a framed story. The book is massive and the audio while well done is a bit hard to not get lost so I ordered the book and using this website for assistance; https://masondixon.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

I am also reading Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo, winner of the Pulitzer, nonfiction category. I should finish it today or tomorrow. Currently at 37%.

Started The Diaries of Jane Sommers by Doris Lessing. I didn't get far. page 4, but I am liking it. This Jane is catching up on the previous 4 years that she did not keep a diary and apparently her husband had become ill and then died. She is examining this aspect of her life. Apparently this was written as two books The Diary of a Good Neighbour and If the Old Could and then combined in this one book. She also wrote it as pseudonymous book because she wondered how the public would receive her book if they did not know she wrote it. Doris Lessing is the 2007 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Puzzles/Games June 1st

I played https://squaredle.com 06/01:
*31/31 words (+24 bonus words)
📖 In the top 1% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1
Haven’t finished this one in awhile.

Strands #90
“Start the day right”
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🔵🔵🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #356
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Wordle 1,078 4/6

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TIOLI - May 2024
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book you selected directly from a Little Free Library or has any of those three words (little, free, library) in the title, subtitle, or author's name - msg #1
2. Read a book where the letters that form the word “read” are to be found in the title - msg #3
3. Read a book with a connection to the month of June - msg #4
4. Read a book that fits a category on the 2024 Seattle Public Library Book Bingo Card - msg #5
5. Read a book with a title of only 1-syllable words but containing at least 4 words - msg #6
6. Read a book related to memory (including memoirs) or with the word "memory" or "remember" in the title - msg #7
Challenges #7-12
7. Read a book that was or could have been nominated for the Man Booker International Prize - The Details - Ia Genberg
8. Read a book retelling a story from another book from a different point of view - msg #9 Silence of the Girls or Fool
9. Read a book that contains an ampersand in the title - Mason & Dixon or The Girl of Ink & Stars
10. Read a book with a color starting with the letter "B" in the title or author's name - msg #The Blue Zones solution and/or The Blue Zones Challenge Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
11. Read a book from the Kirkus Starred Reviews list - msg #26 Number the Stars Lois Lowry
12. Read a book for the Zodiac challenge (Gemini - read a book from the challenger's library - msg #30
Challenges #13-15
13. Read a book where the title and author's name are in different colours on the cover - msg #35
14. Challenge #14: Reread a comfort book that you have read at least twice
15. - msg #
16. - msg #
17. - msg #
18. - msg #

I'm really enjoying Squardle Express, Kristel. That I can actually succeed at! The other Squardle is just too challenging for me.

>221 vancouverdeb:, Good morning, Deborah, I will have to check that out.

I played https://squaredle.com/xp 06/02:
*21/21 words (+6 bonus words)
📖 In the top 4% by bonus words

My rain gauge nearly had 3 inches in it this morning after a night of thunderstorms. I don’t need any more rain.

Connections
Puzzle #358
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🟪🟪🟪🟪Hard one today.

Wordle 1,080 3/6

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I played https://squaredle.com 06/03:
*30/30 words (+9 bonus words)
📖 In the top 9% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Strands #92
“Better with age”
💡🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵

Currently reading
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. I am enjoying it even if it isn’t quite true to the facts. I also have Mason & Dixon in progress as well as The Diaries of Jane Sommers.

I should also add that I am reading The Blue Zones Kitchen. I think I will try some of the recipes. Continuing my Intermittent Fasting as well.

Kristel, I actually managed to succeed with Squardle . This might be my first time, maybe myself second . I’ll post it on your thread . I was happily surprised! I played https://squaredle.com 06/03:
30/30 words (+8 bonus words)
📖 In the top 14% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

>227 vancouverdeb:, congrats Deborah.

57.
Book Master Slave Husband Wife - Ilyon Woo
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1/17/23
Acquisition date/place: May 2023, Libby
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: history of slavery/abolitionist through the biography of a man and woman that escaped
Challenge(s): read it because it won the Pulitzer for biography
Author: Korean/American
List book: Pulitzer, biography
Genre nonfiction, biography, narrative nonfiction
Liked: liked the first part more than the second part
Disliked: got a bit unengaged during the lecture tour in Europe

Tuesday, sun is currently shining but thunderstorms are once again predicted. Hope it’s a miss. Yard is soggy.

Connections
Puzzle #359
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Wordle 1,081 5/6

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Strands #93
“Purposeful pairs”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵💡🔵💡
🔵🟡

I played https://squaredle.com 06/04:
*28/28 words (+5 bonus words)
🔥 Solve streak: 2

>213 Kristelh: Glad to see you liked All Souls Day, Kristel.
I also disliked the violence, that is always hard to read about. But overall I gave it half a star more.

Not even trying to catch up, Kristel, just checking in. I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

>232 FAMeulstee:, I did like it. And I think the translation must have been good when I compared it to your review. Thanks for reading it with me.

>233 alcottacre:, Hi Stasia, thanks for stopping by.

Good morning, Wednesday, no rain today, I wonder if it will be dry enough to mow? Probably not. Hopefully will finish Beneath Scarlet Sky today. I’ve enjoyed it.

Wordle 1,082 3/6

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Strands #94
“They're good people”
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🟡🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #360
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Thursday, another windy day but no rain in forecast and we did get a miss with the storms that came through yesterday. I finished Beneath a Scarlet Sky which I really enjoyed in spite of the controversy about the book. Need to explore this a bit more and then I will review the book. I started One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello. Not really a story but a lot of meaningless pondering about identity??? Thank goodness it isn’t long.

Strands #95
“Tidal treasures”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵

Wordle 1,083 4/6

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Connections
Puzzle #361
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I played https://squaredle.com 06/06:
*55/55 words (+7 bonus words)
🔥 Solve streak: 4

58.
Book Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2017
Acquisition date/place: 2024/April
Decimal/ Star rating: 4 stars
Book description/summary: WWii in Italy
Challenge(s): LHBC read for May 2024
Author: US author
List book: no
Genre historical fiction based on real characters
Liked: I enjoyed this book, it fully explores how awful it could be to be an 18 y/o in Italy at the end of WWII.
Disliked: That this is criticized

>238 Kristelh: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation!

>239 alcottacre: Happy to return the favor, Stasia.

Friday, sun/PC, less wind. Road work out front hopefully is done soon.

Reading: One, None, and Hundred Thousand, The Diaries of Jane Sommers.

Connections
Puzzle #362
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Wordle 1,084 4/6

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Strands #96
“Sorority signs”
🔵🟡🔵🔵
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>241 Kristelh: Have a fantastic Friday, Kristel!

Thank you Stasia!

I played https://squaredle.com 06/07:
*56/56 words (+9 bonus words)
📖 In the top 33% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 5

59.
Book One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1926
Acquisition date/place: June 2024, Hoopla Digital
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary:obsession with identity and how others sees us leads to madness
Challenge(s): Reading 1001; Word Challenge
Author: Italian author, Nobel Prize for Literature winner.
List book: 1001
Genre modernism, philosophy, existential
Liked: it had Kafka feel, or Golgi, etc
Disliked: not much of a story but obsession with identity leads to madness

60.
Book The Details - Ia Genberg
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2023
Acquisition date/place: June 2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: friendships revisited
Challenge(s): TIOLI #7
Author: Swedish
List book: long/short list for Booker International, translated from Swedish
Genre fiction
Liked: a look at friendships
Disliked: didn't really grab me

Saturday, sun is shining. Currently reading The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. This is historical fiction about the dancing plague of 1518.

I played https://squaredle.com 06/08:
*43/43 words (+17 bonus words)
📖 In the top 2% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 6

Connections
Puzzle #363
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Wordle 1,085 4/6

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Strands #97
“Beat the heat”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🟡

June; first week summary
West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge- WCBC - Audible
✔️Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - LHBC - Audible
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry - TIOLI#11 - Libby
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Anita Loos - 1001 - Libby
✔Master Slave Husband Wife - Iilyon Woo - Pulitzer2024 - Libby
📖The Dance Tree - Kiran Millward Hargrave - BAC - Hoopla
The Girl of Ink & Stars - KMH-BAC-Hoopla
The Island at the End of Everything - KMH - BAC - Hoopla
The Prussian Officer - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
The Rainbow - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
Studies in Classic American Literature - Lawrence
The Lost Girl - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
📖Mason & Dixon - Pynchon - 1001QRT - Audible Play, Book
Molloy - Becklet - 1001TBR - Hoopla
The Perfect Horse Elizabeth Lett - JBC - Libby
✔The Details - Ia Genberg, TIOLI #7
✔One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello - 1001 - Hoopla
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner - James Hogg - 1001
Crowning Mercy - Bernard Cornwell - War Room - Civil war
The Silence of the Girls or Fool; Retelling, TIOLI #9

Books Acquired in June
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon (Amazon)
James - Percival Everett
World Travel an irreverent Guide - Anthony Bourdain

>249 Kristelh: Ooh, good puzzling today!

Hope your weekend is going well. You’ve been getting some reading done!

Karen O

You are just great at Squardle, Kristel. I am not bad a Squardle Express, but Squardle is tough. I had a look at The Blue Kitchen Zones at the book store yesterday, but did not purchase it as I have it on hold at the library. Looks interesting.

>251 klobrien2:, thank you, Karen

>252 vancouverdeb:, Yes, I have library copies as well and plan to cook some of the meals. I also am searching internet to see if I can find the ones I like and just print them. I take all day to do the Squardle and many days I do not finish.

Sunday morning, sun is shining but it’s a windy day. Yesterday was very nice.

I am reading The Dance Tree and trying to catch up on Mason & Dixon which is more like taking a college course.

Strands #98
“Way to grow!”
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🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵

Wordle 1,086 4/6

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Connections
Puzzle #364
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Squardle was easier today and did not take long.
I played https://squaredle.com/xp 06/09:
*25/25 words (+4 bonus words)
📖 In the top 12% by bonus words

Monday looks to be a nice day. Less wind and more sun.

Connections
Puzzle #365
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Wordle 1,087 4/6

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Strands #99
“Print edition”
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I played https://squaredle.com 06/10:
*21/21 words (+6 bonus words)
📖 In the top 21% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Tuesday, I spent with ladies in St. Cloud. Wasn’t on line much. Read a bit before leaving.
I did finish The Dance Tree which I need to review. I am concentrating on Mason & Dixon which is literal. Pynchon puts so much into his writings that if you read fast you’ll miss so much and probably not enjoy it.

The weather yesterday was nice but today there is some thunder happening and it will rain soon.

I do need to mow so would be nice if we don’t get much rain.

Strands #101
“By the dozen”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵🔵

Wordle 1,089 4/6

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Connections
Puzzle #367
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I played https://squaredle.com 06/12:
*26/26 words (+3 bonus words)
📖 In the top 47% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 3

61.

Book The Dance Tree - Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2022
Acquisition date/place: Hoopla, June 2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 (C-)
Book description/summary: bees, dance tree, women
Challenge(s): BAC
Author: British
List book: no
Genre historical fiction/LGBTQ
Liked: learned about the dance plague
Disliked: sexual content

Thursday
Pretty good storms yesterday. another 1/2” of rain. Did mow most of yard and will finish today. More humid than it has been.
I did read yesterday both in Mason & Dixon, the Diaries of Jane Somers and started Number the Stars.

Connections
Puzzle #368
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Strands #102
“Good times ahead”
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Wordle 1,090 3/6

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Beautiful day here in Minnesota. Just enjoying the day. Made a nice meal. Playing cards tonight. Read a bit in Mason & Dixon.

I did my puzzles today. Will see if I can get them posted.

Wordle 1,091 3/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
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Strands #103
“Take a load off!”
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Connections
Puzzle #369
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It's Saturday, the end of the week. It is a cloudy and probably rainy day and a bit cooler. A good day to catch up.
Summary for week June 9-15. June Book List
West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge- WCBC - Audible
✔️Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - LHBC - Audible 6/5/24
✔️Number the Stars - Lois Lowry - TIOLI#11 - Libby 6/14/24
✔️Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Anita Loos - 1001 - Libby Reading
✔️Master Slave Husband Wife - Iilyon Woo - Pulitzer2024 -
✔️The Dance Tree - Kiran Millward Hargrave - BAC - Hoopla 6/10/24
The Girl of Ink & Stars - KMH-BAC-Hoopla
The Island at the End of Everything - KMH - BAC - Hoopla
The Prussian Officer - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
The Rainbow - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
Studies in Classic American Literature - Lawrence
The Lost Girl - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
Mason & Dixon - Pynchon - 1001QRT - Audible Play, Book Reading
Molloy - Becklet - 1001TBR - Hoopla
The Perfect Horse Elizabeth Lett - JBC - Libby
✔️The Details - Ia Genberg, TIOLI #7 6/8/24
✔️One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello - 1001 - Hoopla 6/7/24
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner - James Hogg - 1001
A Crowning Mercy - Bernard Cornwell - War Room - Civil war
The Silence of the Girls or Fool; Retelling, TIOLI #9

Books read this week: 6
Total books read in June to date: 7
Currently reading:
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon
Gentlemen Prefer Blonds - Anita Loos
The Diary of Jane Somers
The Blue Zone Kitchen - Dan Buettner

Books Acquired in June
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon (Amazon)
James - Percival Everett
World Travel an irreverent Guide - Anthony Bourdain

Berean Study Bible readings. Reading Chronologically
Proverbs 22,23,24
I Kings: 5,6,7,8,9
II Chronicles: 2,3,4,5,6,7, 8
Psalms: 136, 134, 146, 147,149, 150

62.

Book Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1989
Acquisition date/place: June 2024/Libby
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: Danish help Jews escape
Challenge(s): TIOLI 11
Author: US
List book: Newberry
Genre Children's
Liked: its a good story
Disliked: nothing to annoy the reader

63.
Book Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Anita Loos
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 1925
Acquisition date/place: June 2024
Decimal/ Star rating: 2.5 stars
Book description/summary: dumb like a fox
Challenge(s): Reading 1001 botm/June 2023=4
Author: American
List book: 1001, last update
Genre fiction
Liked: thankfully it was short
Disliked: social climber behaves badly

I played https://squaredle.com 06/15:
*38/38 words (+6 bonus words)
📖 In the top 31% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Sunday morning, sun is shining but I think it will be PC with humidity today. Happy Father's day to the men out there.

My I pad is broken. Not sure if I will replace it. Without it I think I will get more done.

My puzzles for today.
Wordle 1,093 3/6

⬜🟨🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Strands #105
“It’s in the bag”
💡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🟡🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #371
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It's raining, I'm feeling sad. I am sad that Anita F passed away so suddenly. It feels like such a loss. I am sad that my dog is not feeling well and I think it is her lungs and I doubt that it is going to get better.

I will go to the gym and play pickleball and I hope that helps me out of the funk. Yesterday I saw my girls and we celebrated fathers day with my SIL. It was a good day. He also cleaned out my rain gutters for the 3rd time this year. I think it will be good now until this fall. The girls (daughter and granddaughters) and I did a jigsaw puzzle too.

Puzzles
I played https://squaredle.com 06/17:
*26/26 words (+4 bonus words)
📖 In the top 44% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Connections
Puzzle #372
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Wordle 1,094 4/6

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Strands #106
“Picking up the pieces”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🔵🔵

Hope to do some reading later. I have to keep pushing through Mason & Dixon as I want to finish that this month. Also reading Diaries of Jane Somers which I am liking. I also want to get Molloy done this month.

>270 Kristelh: I feel the same way about the loss of Anita M. So sad and shocking. I skipped church and on a long walk to help break my funk. I'm sorry to read that your dog is not doing well. That is hard. Our dog Poppy is well, but I keep in mind that she will be 11 in September and I try to give her lots of love each day.

>271 vancouverdeb:. Hi, Deborah, thanks for stopping by. My dog, Lucy, will be 12 in December. I think she will get better, unfortunately she is a hunter and I suspect she swallowed whole some unfortunate victim. She did the same thing last year. Gruesome detail, I know. Now she has to do the work of digesting.

I think taking a walk in memory of Anita is a good idea. If it doesn't rain today, maybe I will get a walk in, though I doubt that Lucy will be up to it.

Just plain lucky with this one, it could have been anything.
Wordle 1,095 6/6

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Strands #107
“It’s right under your nose!”
🔵🟡🔵🔵
🔵🔵 This one wasn't too bad.

Connections
Puzzle #373
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I played https://squaredle.com 06/18:
*38/38 words (+18 bonus words)
📖 In the top 2% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 2

Yikes! Our neighbour has a cat that is an outdoor cat, though they initially tried to leash train her and keep as an indoor cat . Emmie, the cat mother was a barn cat so I think it's maybe genetic? Anyway , a couple of months I went to pet Emmie, and I got quite a swipe from her claws . My neighbour explained that Emmie had just eaten a mouse and it puts in her in a bad mood while she is digesting the mouse. LOL! I think she is quite a mouser. At least we don't have to worry about mice around the area, fingers crossed. I didn't know dogs were hunters, though out first dog was a lovely Border Terrier and that breed was bred to hunt mice and other small animals. I hope Lucy is feeling better.

>275 vancouverdeb: Lucy is 1/2 beagle and 1/2 pug so I suspect it is the beagle that makes her like to hunt rabbits, gophers, mice, squirrel. It takes her awhile to get it digested but each day should be one step closer to better. She did go for a short walk with me today.

Wednesday is cloudy, windy, but no rain is forecasted. I get my hair cut today. Maybe afterwards I should try to mow.

Puzzles today:
Connections
Puzzle #374
🟨🟨🟨🟨
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🟦🟦🟦🟦 For once it wasn’t so hard.

Wordle 1,096 4/6

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Strands #108
“Home work helpers”
💡🔵🟡🔵
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>277 Kristelh: Great puzzling today!

I got the purple level early today too (not last). And I needed a hint to even get started on Strands.

Have a lovely day!

Karen O

>278 klobrien2:, Thank you Karen.

Thursday, more rain. I did get some of the yard mowed and if it dries up maybe I can do the rest later but probably not as they are the lower spots that are already saturated.

I will go to the gym and then I might get some reading because yesterday there was very little time for reading.

Strands #109
“They're good for a laugh”
🔵🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵

Wordle 1,097 4/6

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And a washout with connections
Connections
Puzzle #375
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Which Eeboo puzzle did you and the girls do, Kristel? I really love them too, and have two new ones arriving tomorrow. They are these puzzles - https://eeboo.com/products/stockholm-1000-piece-puzzle and https://eeboo.com/products/alchemists-orchard-1000-piece-puzzle . I love the gorgeous colours and the images. I know some people don't like the glossy finish, but I like it.

>282 Kristelh: Deborah, We did this one. https://eeboo.com/products/alchemists-cabinet-1000-pc-sq-puzzle

Alchemist’s cabinet. It wash an easy one.

I really like them. The orchard looks fantastic.

Strands #110
“We do”
🔵🟡🔵🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵

Wordle 1,098 3/6

🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜
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Connections
Puzzle #376
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I have done the Alchemist's Cabinet too, Kristel. I really love that series in puzzles - who knew that there were series in some puzzle, or indeed, as I have discovered , puzzle artists. You can even get the occasional " signed by the artist " puzzle too. :-) I am a puzzle Nerd. Dracula's World looks great too. I did one by the same puzzle company earlier this year, Jane Austen's World, which was a gift from my SIL for my birthday. Enjoy!

I played https://squaredle.com 06/21:
*58/58 words (+62 bonus words)
📖 In the top 2% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 1

Saturday, a grey day. My dog is still not feeling well. I will cuddle with her and read. Did the puzzles.

I played https://squaredle.com 06/22:
*39/39 words (+11 bonus words)
📖 In the top 4% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 2

Strands #111
“I love the nightlife”
💡🔵🟡🔵
🔵🔵🔵🔵

Connections
Puzzle #377
🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Wordle 1,099 2/6

⬜🟩🟩🟨⬜
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Summary week of June 16 through the 22nd.

June Book List
West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge- WCBC - Audible
✔️Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - LHBC - Audible 6/5/24
✔️Number the Stars - Lois Lowry - TIOLI#11 - Libby 6/14/24
✔️Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Anita Loos - 1001 - Libby Reading
✔️Master Slave Husband Wife - Iilyon Woo - Pulitzer2024 -
✔️The Dance Tree - Kiran Millward Hargrave - BAC - Hoopla 6/10/24
The Girl of Ink & Stars - KMH-BAC-Hoopla
The Island at the End of Everything - KMH - BAC - Hoopla
The Prussian Officer - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
The Rainbow - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
Studies in Classic American Literature - Lawrence
The Lost Girl - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
Mason & Dixon - Pynchon - 1001QRT - Audible Play, Book Reading
Molloy - Becklet - 1001TBR - Hoopla reading
The Perfect Horse Elizabeth Lett - JBC - Libby
✔️The Details - Ia Genberg, TIOLI #7 6/8/24
✔️One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello - 1001 - Hoopla 6/7/24
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner - James Hogg - 1001
A Crowning Mercy - Bernard Cornwell - War Room - Civil war
The Silence of the Girls or Fool; Retelling, TIOLI #9

Books read this week: 0
Total books read in June to date: 7
Currently reading:
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon, 77%
The Diary of Jane Somers - Doris Lessing, 32%
The Blue Zone Kitchen - Dan Buettner
Molloy - Samule Beckett, 21%

Books Acquired in June
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon (Amazon)
James - Percival Everett
World Travel an irreverent Guide - Anthony Bourdain
The Devil in the Flesh - Raymond Radiguet, 1001, French author
Brotherless Night - V.V. Ganeshananthan, this author resides in Minnesota, teaches the MFA program at the UofM. Director of Minnesota Prison Writing Work. Winner of the Women's Prize.
Time Shelter - Georgi Gospodinov, winner of the International Booker 2023. I've read this and had decided I wanted to own this book as It was a favorite in 2023.

Berean Study Bible readings. Reading Chronologically
Proverbs 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Ecclesiastics 1-12
I King 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
II Chronicles 9

64.

Book Molloy - Samuel Beckett
Format: book/audio
Original publication date: 1947 original, French
Acquisition date/place: 2016, May B&N
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: existential literary work about life/death as experienced by Molloy and Moren
Challenge(s): TBR takedown, Reading 1001
Author: Irish author/written in French
List book: 1001
Genre modernism, existentialism
Liked: I always like that Beckett keeps it short
Disliked: pretty bleak over all. You live/you die, life is miserable

Puzzles today
Strands #112
“Fine diners”
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🟡

Connections
Puzzle #378
🟦🟦🟦🟦
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🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Wordle 1,100 4/6

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I played https://squaredle.com 06/23:
*67/67 words (+15 bonus words)
📖 In the top 29% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 3

No rain today and most of yesterday as well. Hot and humid tho.
Puzzles for the day;
I played https://squaredle.com 06/24:
*20/20 words (+10 bonus words)
📖 In the top 3% by bonus words
🔥 Solve streak: 4

Wordle 1,101 3/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
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Strands #113
“Fine print”
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🔵

Connections
Puzzle #379
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Sqardlewas a bit easier today; I played https://squaredle.com 06/25:
*32/32 words (+2 bonus words)
🔥 Solve streak: 5

Today is Tuesday. I probably will mow the grass as it is another day without rain. Three in a row is a record lately.
Books I am reading
Mason & Dixon, I have a couple hours of listening/reading left on this one so I should make it this week.
West With Giraffes for book club this week.
The Diaries of Jane Sommers, I was unable to keep up with this one but on target to finish book 1 of the 2 that make up this book.

Strands #114
“Frame game”
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🔵

Connections
Puzzle #380
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Wordle 1,102 3/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
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>287 Kristelh: That looks like a pretty good week to me!

I am currently reading Brotherless Night and it is excellent, IMHO. I am very glad it won the Women's Prize.

Have a terrific Tuesday, Kristel!

>295 alcottacre:, thanks for stopping by Stasia, I think this is your meet up day, have a great Tuesday with your girls.

65.
Book Mason & Dixon by Thomas Pnychon
Format: book/audio and helps from M & D Wiki
Original publication date: 1997
Acquisition date/place: May 2024 also I had downloaded it from Audible Play but don't know when I did this.
Decimal/ Star rating: 4.75
Book description/summary: A border between Pennsylvania and Maryland is the British orders
Challenge(s): quarterly read for Reading 1001.
Author: American/USA
List book: 1001
Genre
Liked: I liked the complexities. I appreciated that it was written in 18th century syntax. I liked the playful mix of melancholy/comic. You grow to care about these two men who grow to appreciate each other.
Disliked: there is a bit of vulgar language, a bit of sexual references but mostly it all fits together nicely.

>296 Kristelh: I have a great time with my girls every time we meet up. It always does my heart good to see them.

>297 Kristelh: I thought I already had that one in the BlackHole, but no I did not, despite having several of Pynchon's other books there. I have now rectified my oversight!

>298 alcottacre:. Hi Stasia. I've only read one other Pynchon, Crying of Lot 49 which is one of his shorter ones. I can't say I liked it much but I I think about it often. It was about the mail system if I remember right. Have you read any Pynchon?

July plans:
1001 Books
Indigo - Marina Warner published 1992, botm
Man with the Golden Arm - Nelson Algren published 1949, TBR takedown
Potentials;
The Heat of the Day - Elizabeth Bowen 1001, Word, 1948
Burmese Days - George Orwell - 1001, Word, 1938
Night and Day - Virginia Woolf - 1001, Word, 1919

American Author Challenge
A Council of Dolls - Mona Susan Power

Anita Memorial Read(s) 1920-1930s
Homage to Catalonia - George Orwell
The Road Back - Erich Maria Remarque

BookClub Reads
Tom Lake - Ann Patchett - WCBC
Bruno Schulz: an Artist, a Murder, and the Hijacking of History - Benjamin Balent JBC TIOLI#1
A Bend in the Stars - Rachel Barenbaum JBC

Pulitzer/Booker/Lists
Dragon's Teeth - Upton Sinclair, 1942 TIOLI#6 U

Others
At Bertram's Hotel - Agatha Christie TIOLI#5
Paradise Lost - John Milton TIOLI#7

66.

I read Studies in Classic American Literature by D.H. Lawrence for the British Author Challenge. Lawrence wrote this while he lived in the United States. A set of critical essays begun in 1917.
Chapters include;
1. The Spirit of Place
2. Benjamin Franklin
3. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur
4. Fennimore Cooper's White Novels
5. Fennimore Cooper's Leather Stocking
6. Edgar Allan Poe
7. Nathaniel Hawthorn and the Scarlet Letter
8. Hawthorne's Blithdale Romance
9. Dana's Two Years Before the Mast
10. Herman Melville's Typee and Omoo
11. Herman Melville's Moby Dick
12. Whitman

In reviewing Wiki, apparently this review of Melville is credited in reviving his literary work. As to be expected, Lawrence saw sexuality in a lot of these writings. He reviewed the women of Fennimore Cooper and Hawthorne.

You can find this pdf on line if you would want to read it.

Summary week of June 23-29

June Book List
✔️West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge- WCBC - Audible
✔️Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - LHBC - Audible 6/5/24
✔️Number the Stars - Lois Lowry - TIOLI#11 - Libby 6/14/24
✔️Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Anita Loos - 1001 - Libby Reading
✔️Master Slave Husband Wife - Iilyon Woo - Pulitzer2024 -
✔️The Dance Tree - Kiran Millward Hargrave - BAC - Hoopla 6/10/24
The Girl of Ink & Stars - KMH-BAC-Hoopla
The Island at the End of Everything - KMH - BAC - Hoopla
The Prussian Officer - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
The Rainbow - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
✔️Studies in Classic American Literature - Lawrence
The Lost Girl - Lawrence - BAC - Hoopla
✔️Mason & Dixon - Pynchon - 1001QRT - Audible Play, Book Reading
✔️Molloy - Beckett - 1001TBR - Hoopla reading
The Perfect Horse Elizabeth Lett - JBC - Libby
✔️The Details - Ia Genberg, TIOLI #7 6/8/24
✔️One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello - 1001 - Hoopla 6/7/24
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner - James Hogg - 1001
A Crowning Mercy - Bernard Cornwell - War Room - Civil war
The Silence of the Girls or Fool; Retelling, TIOLI #9

Books read this week: 4
Total books read in June to date: 11
Currently reading:
The Diary of Jane Somers - Doris Lessing, 45%, I hope to finish the first part The Diary of a Good Neighbour by the end of the month.
The Blue Zone Kitchen - Dan Buettner, I've cooked several of the recipes and liked what I've cooked
Tom Lake July's Bookclub read
Bruno Schulz: an Artist, a Murder, and the Hijacking of History - Benjamin Balent JBC TIOLI#1

Books Acquired in June
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon (Amazon)
James - Percival Everett
World Travel an irreverent Guide - Anthony Bourdain
The Devil in the Flesh - Raymond Radiguet, 1001, French author
Brotherless Night - V.V. Ganeshananthan, this author resides in Minnesota, teaches the MFA program at the UofM. Director of Minnesota Prison Writing Work. Winner of the Women's Prize.
Time Shelter - Georgi Gospodinov, winner of the International Booker 2023. I've read this and had decided I wanted to own this book as It was a favorite in 2023.

Berean Study Bible readings. Reading Chronologically
II Chronicles 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.
I Kings, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.

Summary of June
Books Read
West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge- WCBC - Audible
Beneath a Scarlet Sky - Mark Sullivan - LHBC - Audible
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry - TIOLI#11 - Libby
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Anita Loos - 1001 - Libby Reading
Master Slave Husband Wife - Iilyon Woo - Pulitzer biography 2024 -
The Dance Tree - Kiran Millward Hargrave - BAC - Hoopla 6/10/24
Studies in Classic American Literature - Lawrence - BAC
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon, Reading 1001
Molloy - Beckett - 1001TBR - Hoopl
The Details - Ia Genberg, TIOLI #7 6/8/24
One, None, and a Hundred Thousand - Luigi Pirandello - 1001 - Hoopla 6/7/24

Total books read in June to date: 11

Currently reading:
The Diary of Jane Somers - Doris Lessing, Reading the second part
The Blue Zone Kitchen - Dan Buettner, I've cooked several of the recipes and liked what I've cooked
Tom Lake July's Bookclub read
Bruno Schulz: an Artist, a Murder, and the Hijacking of History - Benjamin Balent JBC
Berean Study Bible readings. Reading Chronologically

Books Acquired in June
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon (Amazon)
James - Percival Everett
World Travel an irreverent Guide - Anthony Bourdain
The Devil in the Flesh - Raymond Radiguet, 1001, French author
Brotherless Night - V.V. Ganeshananthan, this author resides in Minnesota, teaches the MFA program at the UofM. Director of Minnesota Prison Writing Work. Winner of the Women's Prize.
Time Shelter - Georgi Gospodinov, winner of the International Booker 2023. I've read this and had decided I wanted to own this book as It was a favorite in 2023.

67.
Book West With Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge
Format: audiobook
Original publication date: 2021
Acquisition date/place: 2024/April
Decimal/ Star rating: 3 stars
Book description/summary: coming of age with zoo animals
Challenge(s): WCf2f
Author: US
List book: no
Genre fiction, historical fiction
Liked: it was interesting story set in dust bowl years
Disliked: