Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Ten

-Great Horned Owlets. Nearby forest preserve.

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:



February:

15) A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler 3.7 stars
16) LaRose by Louise Erdrich 4 stars (audio)
17) Shark Drunk by Morten Stroksnes 4 stars (audio)
18) Cruddy: An Illustrated Novel by Lynda Barry 4.3 stars
19) Black Light: Stories by Kimberly King Parsons 4.6 stars
20) Equinoxes by Cyril Pedrosa 3.5 stars GN
21) That Wild Country by Mark Kenyon 4 stars (audio)
22) Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump 4.2 stars (E)
23) Solitary by Albert Woodfox 4.3 stars (audio)
24) Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis 3.7 stars
25) Sudden Traveler: Stories by Sarah Hall 4 stars
26) Long Bright River by Liz Moore 4.3 stars (audio)
27) Me: Elton John Official Autobiography by Elton John 4.6 stars (audio)
28) The Weight of Dreams by Jonis Agee 3.8 stars

March:

29) The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry by David L. Carlson 4 stars GN
30) The Friend: A Novel by Sigrid Nunez 4.6 stars
31) The Institute by Stephen King 4 stars (audio)
32) A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit 4.6 stars (audio/print)
33) The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner 4 stars
34) Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller 4.4 stars (audio)
35) The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields 4.7 stars
36) The Ice Cream Man and Other Stories by Sam Pink 4.2 stars E
37) The Pioneers by David McCullough 3.2 stars (audio) AAC
38) Deacon King Kong by James McBride 4.5 stars ALA
39) Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo 4.2 stars (audio)
40) Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha 4 stars GN
41) Deceit and Other Possibilities: Stories by Vanessa Hua 4.3 stars
42) The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson 4.5 stars (audio)

April:

43) Simon The Fiddler by Paulette Jiles 4.2 stars ALA
44) The Alphabet House by Jussi Adler-Olsen 3.2 stars (audio)
45) A Season on the Wind: Inside the World of Spring Migration by Kenn Kaufman 4 stars
46) Break Shot: My First 21 Years by James Taylor 4 stars (audio)
47) Uncanny Valley: A Memoir by Anna Wiener 3.8 stars (audio)
48) Some Rain Must Fall: And Other Stories by Michel Faber 4 stars
49) The Wonder by Emma Donoghue 3.8 stars (audio)
50) The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel 3.7 stars ALA
51) The Falcon Thief by Joshua Hammer 4.4 stars (audio)
52) Call Me God: The Untold Story of the DC Sniper by Jim Clemente 4.3 stars (audio)
53) On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong 4.5 stars
54) Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa 4 stars (audio)

May:

55) Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen 3.7 stars (audio)
56) A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell 4.8 stars
57) At Home with Disquiet by Erin Wilson 3.6 stars Poetry ER
58) The End of October by Lawrence Wright 4.4 stars (audio)
59) Writers & Lovers: A Novel by Lily King 4.3 stars ALA
60) Beaks, Bones & Bird Songs by Roger J. Lederer 3.8 stars (audio)
61) So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger 3.4 stars (audio)
62) Panopticon by David Bajo 3.2 stars

"In this riveting medical thriller--from the Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling author--Dr. Henry Parsons, an unlikely but appealing hero, races to find the origins and cure of a mysterious new killer virus as it brings the world to its knees."

^I have heard and seen nothing but glowing reviews for Wright's new thriller, The End of October and since it looks deeply into a pandemic, I thought this would be perfect timing to make this my next audio. I started it yesterday and I was immediately hooked. Wright is mainly known for writing hard-hitting nonfiction, so I find it interesting that he writes quality fiction, as well.

Happy new thread, Mark! Hope all's well!

Good morning, Mark! Happy new thread and happy Saturday to you.

Eek! Now I know for sure I'm living in the matrix. I just walked downstairs and found about an inch of snow outside my window.

Happy new one!

Happy New Thread Mark!

>4 msf59: BB for this one.

Happy New Thread , Mark !

Hi Mark! Happy new thread. I hope everyone is well.

Happy new thread, Mark!

It got cold here again, but shouldn't last too long. Hope your work day goes well!

>5 Carmenere: >7 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. I saw your snowy photo on FB. What a Mothers Day gift! Ugh!

>6 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen.

>8 figsfromthistle: >9 EllaTim: >10 vancouverdeb: >11 BLBera: Thanks, Figs, Ella, Deb & Beth.

>12 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. Only 32F here, when I left for work. May is off to a chilly start. Sighs...

Happy 10th Mark!

Hope you'll have a relaxing weekend, buddy.

>14 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I am working now but looking forward to having tomorrow off.

Happy new thread! I'm sure that artist in >1 msf59: was looking at you.

It is COLD! here in Alabama today - but very sunny. I finished another novella for my novella project. I am trying to read one novella, or short book, every weekend that we are quarantined. Technically this will be the last weekend of quarantine for me, but it looks like we won't be back to work in our offices until sometime in June.

The novella I finished this morning was Blue Fox by an Icelandic author Sjon. I sat outside with my hot coffee and was in the sun, but I was out too early and it was cold. I did the recycling and then sat down again to read. The second time around I was able to tolerate the coolness. The book was 115 pages and was a morality tale set in the very bleak 19th century in Iceland. It involved foxes and avalanches. It was a cool book for a cool day.

Got a mail story for you. A friend of mine was in Rome from the end of February through March 10. She knows of my love for postcards so before she left Rome she mailed a postcard from the hotel desk. I received it on Friday, May 8, 2020. It took almost 60 days for that postcard to get from Rome to Tuscaloosa. It was worth the wait. It is a beautiful postcard of one of the Bellini fountains in Rome.

Back in December I had mailed her a postcard from the hotel in Augsburg, Germany and it took about 3 weeks to get to her. It arrived on January 10 and we laughed about the slowness of the German postal system, but excused it because of the holidays that probably intervened. This time I am sure the postcard was slow because of the Cover-19 crisis. BUT, the mail did get through. Thanks Mr. Postman!

p.s. I also got three Deon Meyer books delivered yesterday by my USPS man. I need them because I have been reading like a house afire!

Happy New Thread, Mark! Great toppers.

Happy new thread, Mark. It is a gorgeous day out there for us - sunny and 27C which is about 80F. I love this early taste of summer.

Birdwatching back when we were lads:

Happy new thread!

>1 msf59: There's that little peeper again. So cute!

>16 richardderus: Thanks, RD! I like that image of the guy reading with his dog.

>17 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Glad you are enjoying your novella challenge. I read a Sjon novella, a few years ago. Very spare. I could use a novella after, A Thread of Grace. I am loving it but it is taking me awhile to get through. Love the postal stories. I think mail just takes longer in Europe. We are spoiled here.

>18 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda.

>19 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Hooray for a summer-like day. Despite all the sunshine here, it remains cool. Nearing 60F, but with a cool breeze. I am hoping we can turn the corner, later next week.

>20 richardderus: Wow! Birdwatching does go WAY BACK, Richard! Grins...

>21 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I had to make my owlet photo a topper, especially with the little peeper.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>7 Carmenere: We've had some snow, too. If April showers bring May flowers, what does May snow bring?

Happy new thread, Mark. Love that topper!

We had snow today, too, but thankfully, it didn't stick. It will go below zero C tonight and we only reached 5C today, barely. Poor Mother Nature, she's lost her calendar. Or her mind....

Passing through, Mark. Sounds like all is well with you and yours. Good good good.

Finished The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston yesterday. Reporting on scientists working to defeat several deadly viral diseases, especially smallpox and ebola. The book's almost 20 years old, but it is pertinent in understanding COVID19 and the challenge that's inherent in containing it and finding a vaccine. Smallpox was eradicated from the earth in 1979 (I think it was; too indolent to look up the date for sure). But the Soviets stockpiled more of the virus than they admitted and by the time the USSR collapsed they'd been secretly working to weaponize it. Preston is an alum of John McPhee's writing course at Princeton U.

Now starting The Overstory.

Apparently our mail people say mail volumes are very high, similar to Christmas. Is it the same there in your area?

A nice 22C / 72 F here today with a lovely breeze to counter the heat. Sorry for your temps. Argh!

>24 tymfos: Thanks, Terri! Good to see you. Boo to snow!

>25 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Boo to snow! Chilly and damp here today.

>26 weird_O: Hey, Bill. Good to see you. I also remember reading The Demon in the Freezer, after his smash-hit, The Hot Zone. I am now reading The End of October, which is an excellent thriller, following a terrifying pandemic.

>27 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb. I want your weather. Wah!! Our parcels have definitely increased but the letters and flats, (magazines & catalogs) have decreased.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you! It got to 32F early this morning, is up to a still very chilly 40F. But we have blue skies, no clouds, and there's a female Cowbird chowing down on the wild bird seed. There's also a male in the Crepe Myrtle doing his funny mating dance thing to try to attract her attention. And a Tufted Titmouse just got a sunflower seeed and is pecking it open on a branch.

I'm pretty sure I saw an Indigo Bunting yesterday, but before I could get the binoculars to my eyes he'd nipped off.

Happy new thread!

>22 msf59:

Mark - yes, "spoiled" here with our 6 days a week Mail Delivery.

Yet, some of us remember those December holiday times when mail was delivered 2 or 3 times A DAY!

The first Indigo Bunting sighting - a welcome Mother's Day Treat - hope your Family has a fine celebration.

ps. even though it is AGAIN going down to freezing tonight.

Happy new thread Mark.

>30 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. I love the bird report and hooray for the tufted titmouse! I hope you get to get a better luck at the indigo bunting!

>31 drneutron: Thanks, Jim.

>32 m.belljackson: Happy Mother's Day, Marianne! Hooray for the first indigo bunting sighting. Always a treat. Boo, to the freezing temps tonight.

>33 mdoris: Thanks, Mary.

-Virginia Rail (NMP)

I was waffling on going out this morning, because of the cold and impending rain but decided to give it a shot and left the house early. It paid off, as I finally saw my nemesis bird- the Virginia Rail, (a lifer). I think I saw two of them and actually I did get a photo, which I can't believe, since I only saw the bird for a few seconds. I will share it in the next day or two. As I was heading back, it began to rain steadily, so I got wet but it was worth it. The rain ended in about thirty minutes, so I tried another spot and saw my FOY, American Redstart. A gorgeous warbler, (NMP):

WOW! Congrats on the lifer.

>35 msf59: What a beauty! Congratulations with your lifer Mark.

>36 alphaorder: >37 EllaTim: Happy to finally get the rail, Nancy & Ella. It took a few weeks but the perseverance paid off.

Nice! Congrats!

>39 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs! A good birding day.

^Some mallard ducklings that I discovered on my walk yesterday. High on the cuteness meter.

'Morning, Mark! You're just racking up the sightings - congratulations on the Rail, FOY American Redstart, and those ducklings are too cute for words.

Happy New Thread, Mark!

Fun to see the bird photos and the owl(s) up top - I can't believe you finally got a Virginia Rail! Cool-looking bird, too.

I'm glad you and Sue had a good, relaxing Mother's Day. In that crummy weather, we actually sat under an awning on our back deck with space heaters to have our brunch.

Not a lot of reading got done. I'm still getting a lot out of Say Nothing and enjoying the Ted Kooser collection.

>42 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. A fun time to be a birder. Glad you like the ducklings.

>43 jnwelch: Morning, Joe and thanks. You know I had to make the owlet photo my next topper. I wish my rail photo came out as clearly. Glad you had a relaxing Mothers Day. We did too.

>35 msf59: Yay Rail! And that redstart's a lovely little item, isn't he?

Happy Monday!

Hi Mark, looks like your birdwatching has been successful lately. Congratulations on your sighting of the elusive Virginia Rail. Hope your reading is going as well. I've been catching up on some classics like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and I, Robot and a few of the many mystery series that I follow, next up for me is All Earth Thrown to the Sky by Joe Lansdale, an author I've come to really love. Have a good week.

>45 richardderus: Hey, Richard. I am glad to finally cross the Virginia Rail off the list. I have several FOY warblers, (5 or 6?) to get to, so it was nice to see the redstart.

>46 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Good to see you. I have been really enjoying my birding excursions, this year, especially the past few weeks. I have not read either The Hunchback of Notre Dame & I, Robot. Bad Mark?

Happy new thread, Mark!

I saw a Black Redstart last week (NMP):

"Following the breakout success of her critically acclaimed and award-winning novel Euphoria, Lily King returns with an unforgettable portrait of an artist as a young woman."

Yes, I finally finished A Thread of Grace. Yah!! It is a great book but it seemed to take me forever to finish. Next up is, Writers & Lovers, another ALA acquisition, (yep, this bookish well, has no bottom). I loved King's last novel Euphoria and look forward to her latest, which has been getting solid reviews.

I've been anxiously waiting for Writers & Lovers as well, Mark. I'm next in line for it, but with extended due dates, it might be a while before I get it. I'll watch for your comments.

>49 msf59:. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about Writers & Lovers. I read an ARC last September.

>48 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. I like the look of your black redstart. It looks bigger than our warbler.

>50 BLBera: >51 alphaorder: Looking forward to digging into Writers & Lovers tomorrow, Beth & Nancy.

>53 msf59: Heh. Clever!

Spend a good birds-n-audio day, and the Weather Goddess should only leave you alone for the rest of May.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday to you.

>49 msf59: I loved Euphoria. Our Library has Writers & Lovers and I’ve added it to my list – whatever that means –I can’t request books right now.

>53 msf59: Those electronic leashes get heavier and heavier...

>54 richardderus: Hey, RD. It is slowly warming up this morning, with lots of sunshine. I got a terrific audio going and the birds should be active on the route.

>55 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Super light mail volume today, so I should be moving at a good clip. Our libraries have not opened up yet either. Sad face. Hopefully, by June 1st, they will cautiously start.

I continue to love all of the bird pictures you are sharing, Mark - although the owls and owlets are my favorites, of course.

>53 msf59: Sometimes I feel exactly like that!

>53 msf59: The cube is missing LT, or for me eBay. I do loose reading time to FB as well, that's for sure.

>57 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia! Glad you are enjoying the bird photos. Owls are very difficult to photograph, or even to see, for that matter, especially with all foliage filling in. I hope I get more opportunities.

>58 quondame: I am with you, Susan. That cube should feature an LT logo. I also get distracted by a a couple different bird sites, which is probably not surprising.

Hi there, Mark. Just read somewhere that the Morton Arboretum will start reopening on June 1st. It'll be nice when the Chicago Botanic Garden does the same.

Did the Blue Angels fly over your area? Quite a bit too far south for us.

>60 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Great to see you. Yes, I heard the news about the Morton Arboretum opening, June 1st. It will only be for members the first 2 weeks. I let my membership lag at the end of March, not knowing how long they would be closed. Time to renew.

I was quite lucky today, to see the Blue Angels, while on lunch, flying along the Eisenhower. Only a few seconds but what a treat:

^Hooray! I finally had a Baltimore Oriole visit my feeder this year! A nice looking male too. This is my new feeder. The dish is for grape jelly and there are two spikes for orange halves. He was feeding from both places.

>62 msf59: He is a handsome beast indeed, Mark. I love to see their vivid colors.

>47 msf59: Not Bad Mark at all. I did enjoy I, Robot and will be reading more Asimov in the future, but The Hunchback of Notre Dame was a slog. I didn't realize that Victor Hugo was really into architecture and filled the book with endless descriptions. Not my cup of tea at all.

Cute duckling picture, Mark. I hope your weather is warming up. We now have rain but it reached 29C (85 F) here for both days on the weekend - Deborah lives closer to the ocean than I do.

The artwork in #1 is reminiscent of Leger....imho.

>53 msf59: Yes. Yes, I agree :) Especially when you are distracted or easily led! (like i am these days) I have been enjoying Art Garfunkel's memoir though, it is prose, poetry snippets and pictures, so is unthreatening :)

>63 richardderus: I agree on the oriole, Richard. The only one that might beat the Baltimore is a scarlet tanager. They summer here. I have not seen one yet, this year but would sure love to see one show up in the backyard:



-NMP

>64 DeltaQueen50: Good to hear I am not totally "Bad Mark", Judy. Grins...I will have to get to I, Robot and it looks like I can skip the Hugo.

>65 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Glad you like the ducklings. We have rain moving in tomorrow, along with the warmer weather. As long as I can sneak out for a couple of hours each day, I will be happy.

>66 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Good to see you. Not familiar with Leger. Bad Mark? I did not realize Garfunkel had a memoir out. Interesting. I have a Paul Simon bio, waiting around here somewhere too.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you!

>62 msf59: Very nice. Good pic, yay for the Baltimore Oriole.

>67 msf59: I haven't seen a Scarlet Tanager, but I usually see one or two Summer Tanagers every year. We're right on the edge of the migration/breeding range map for Scarlet Tanagers, so I don't know what they do here - fly through or mate and settle down for the summer. *smile*

>67 msf59: We got scarlet tanagers all the time in central Texas, it's on their flyway. They are soooo beautiful!

Happy, errmm, Humpday-that-isn't. Long weekend ho!

I love the look of Scarlet Tanagers. Thanks for posting >67 msf59:.

Looking forward to hearing about the new Lily King book. I'm enjoying Bluebird, Bluebird, and the Flaubert, too. It's been tougher to get reading time the last couple of days (>53 msf59: has something to do with that!) We've got a couple of things we need to do post-workout, but I'm hoping to clear some time for the books.

Morning Mark!

I ordered an oriole feeder from the place Zoe recommended in her blog post and it came the next day. Shawn is getting a post for it and oranges today. I can't wait to get it out in my small backyard.

I worked a 13 hour day yesterday so I am planning on taking most of the day off. A box of books arrived for me from Boswell yesterday - I am so happy my reading is back!

Here is what I have going / am planning on starting.
Audio: Emma Straub's All Adults Here
Poetry: The Park
Novel: Kate Russo's Super Host. (Daniel gave me his ARC when I asked about it. Was supposed to be published in June, but has been moved to next January. I am so happy for the treast.)

I really appreciate your birding pics. Glad you can get out there, my friend.

>69 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Hooray for the Baltimore Oriole! A summer tanager is one of my next target birds. I have not seen one yet and they do summer here but are harder to find.

>70 richardderus: Hey, RD. The scarlet tanagers are gorgeous, aren't they. I just saw 3 different warblers at my BBS. Looking forward to having the next few days off.

>71 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. I just saw 2 chestnut-sided warblers and a yellow warbler at my BBS. They are on the move. Writers & Lovers is off to a promising start. Good luck with the workout.

>72 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. Hooray for getting an oriole feeder. Please supply me with a photo, once you get it set up. Has Zoe been getting Orioles regularly?
Love the book report too. How is the poetry collection? Not familiar with Super Host or the author. You will have to enlighten me.

>72 alphaorder: Kate Russo is Richard Russo's daughter.

An unusual view:

>76 quondame: indeed.

>62 msf59: What a handsome bird! He must really have a sweet tooth if he was eating both the jelly and the oranges!

>75 alphaorder: that is pretty cool, Nancy. Looking forward to hearing what you think.

>76 quondame: That is absolutely gorgeous, Susan. Whoever took that photo has to be quite pleased.

>78 alcottacre: I think the Baltimores have a sweet tooth, Stasia. I am just glad there is something that attracts them to our feeders.

Greeting, Mark eMark. I went out of the house today. Got in the car. Drove out the driveway and visited our mailbox (first time in several days). Ho ho. Feeling pretty invincible, I drove four miles to the post office. I even went inside (stepped out of the car first, of course). Spiffy new stamps. I missed the special sale, though; it was yesterday. Damn.

Still powering...slowly...through The Overstory.

Beautiful birds, as usual, Mark! Congrats on the rail sighting! We have a nearby pond where mallards and Canada geese nest. I need to walk by tomorrow and see if there are any little ones yet. They are so adorable when they’re tiny!

I had a Lazuli Bunting visit over the weekend! There’s a photo on my thread.

Enjoy the warmer weather, Mark.

>80 weird_O: Hi, Bill. I appreciate the heart-stopping post office story. LOL. Glad you got out and got some spiffy new stamps. I can understand, The Overstory being a slow read but I hope you are enjoying it. I think it is a stellar read.

>81 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. May is such an exciting time for a birder. Not only for the migratory warblers but for all the seasonal arrivals, to boot. It is raining this morning, so I am bummed I can't get out on my off day. Ooh, a Lazuli Bunting...sounds gorgeous.

>82 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Well, with the warmth comes the rain, so it may be a rain-out today, but I am taking the rest of the weekend off.

"When we see a bird flying from branch to branch happily chirping, it is easy to imagine they lead a simple life of freedom, flight, and feathers. What we don’t see is the arduous, life-threatening challenges they face at every moment. Beaks, Bones, and Bird Songs guides the reader through the myriad, and often almost miraculous, things that birds do every day to merely stay alive."

May is a birder's favorite month, so I decided to go with Beaks, Bones and Bird Songs: How the Struggle for Survival Has Shaped Birds and Their Behavior for my next audio. I snagged it on Audible awhile back. I am sure I am missing out on some lovely photos but it has been a good, informative listen so far.

I am also enjoying Writers & Lovers. She has a smooth, narrative style I really admire.

-Chestnut-sided Warbler (NMP)



-Magnolia Warbler (NMP)



-Wilson's Warbler (NMP)

^Yes, I worked yesterday but I stopped at a local forest preserve, on my way home from work for a couple of hours. I got 3 FOY warblers. The chestnut-sided was on the route, at my BBS. I think I have seen at least 6 different warbler species there, in the past month. The other 2 beauties, were at the FP. Once again, warblers are very difficult to photograph. At least for me and the camera I have. Fast-moving in foliage, is not my forte.

>85 msf59: They're very pretty, and as they're called "warblers" I assume they make pretty noises too. What a combo.

Happy not-working birding today.

>86 richardderus: Morning, RD. They do sing but I have no idea what songs. That is for a more seasoned birder, which I hope to become. I am still learning how to identify them. One step at a time. At least, with the crappy, stormy weather, I can finally catch up on some LT time.

50) The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel 3.7 stars

This is an intricate novel, following several characters, through the years, centering on the disappearance of a woman, named Vincent. The settings include the title hotel on remote, Vancouver Island, and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The writing is pretty solid but if you are looking for a repeat of Station Eleven, in beauty and in context, this may not be the ticket.

51) The Falcon Thief by Joshua Hammer 4.4 stars

As a bird and nature lover, I loved this true-crime tale, with a smart, arrogant and adventurous thief as it's lead. I knew nothing about the lucrative black market on raptor eggs, and the ingenious ways that the eggs are snatched from nests and smuggled out of the various countries. Good audio too. Highly recommended.

53) On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong 4.5 stars

I adored Vuong's poetry collection, Night Sky With Exit Wounds, and he delivers once again, with his first novel. It is written as a letter from a son to his mother, an exploration of these immigrant Vietnamese, fleeing their home country and settling in the San Francisco area. They deal with racism, addiction and the son's sexuality. The prose is beautiful, but also very dark, edgy and brutally forthright.

54) Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa 4.2 stars

It is November 1999. The WTO protests, in Seattle. We are introduced to Victor, a young hustler, trying to sell marijuana to the protesters. Instead he is drawn in to the conflict, and discovers a new direction, for his aimless life. Wow! This was a terrific surprise. The author looks at all the parties involved in this very unsettling incident, that explodes in violence. Of course, the protesters but also the cops, the politicians and one of the attendees for the conference, a Sri Lankan financial minister, who is mistaken for one of “anarchists”. I hope to spread the word on this overlooked gem.

55) Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen 3.7 stars

I have been meaning to get to this Springsteen memoir for a few years. It did not disappoint but he does ramble a bit, and I think it could have been trimmed down and made tighter. I did learn a lot, though, especially his upbringing in New Jersey and his struggles playing bars in the 60s and his eventual rise to fame. I think he is truly one of the great American songwriters. I think he peaked in the mid-80s, but what a stellar catalog he created, in those dozen-plus years. This also worked well on audio, with Bruce narrating.

'Morning, Mark, and happy day off to you. I hope the weather clears enough for you to get outside and up your Warbler and other counts. I love it when you post your lightning rounds.

I loved Station Eleven. I guess I won't go out of my way for her new one, but if I (eventually) see it at a thrift shop or (heavens above) a Library book sale, I'll grab it.

>88 msf59:, >89 msf59: Wow, you have been reading a lot, Mark. All of these look good. I'm a big fan of Station Eleven, so I am anxious to get to The Glass Hotel.

Lots of good reading there, Mark. With the rain, I suspect you will get more in today!

>90 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Believe it or not, I am still missing a few FOY warblers and there are still a couple of lifers, I still need to check off the list. Looking forward to birding with friends tomorrow and maybe Saturday. Yep, I still recommend The Glass Hotel. It reminds me more, of her earlier work, pre-Station Eleven.

>91 BLBera: Sweet Thursday, Beth. Those mini-reviews go back, at least 3 weeks. My print reading has slowed down. A Thread of Grace was a slow read and a chunkster, but it was worth every word.

>92 alphaorder: Sweet Thursday, Nancy. Taking advantage of being stuck at home, with some extra LT time. Despite the rain, our feeders have been active. Saw an oriole and a white-crowned sparrow, along with a completely drenched robin. Keep an eye on your new oriole feeder.

>93 msf59: Zoe just called me. It is raining but she is heading out because she said saw some pretty special warblers on her own feeders. She thinks it is going to be a pretty spectaclar day after the rain moves through, so maybe you should think about heading out there later.

>89 msf59:
A good poet never "peaks." I think that they just start writing in directions that might not "speak" to parts of their audience. Poetry is an art and artists never stand still. They move in the direction that their particular muse takes them.

Picasso's work changed over the years and one has to wonder when he "peaked?"

Just dropping by to day hi. I put my oriole feeder up and am crossing my fingers that they arrive soon. A co worker of mine said she spotted them here in southern Ontario. I absolutely love seeing them. It also means that the hummingbirds are not far behind.

>94 alphaorder: I did get out, Nancy. Only about an hour before the rain came back, with a downpour. I escaped, only mildly damp, but I got to explore a place, I have only visited once before and got 2 more FOY warblers. Now, for the books. Zoe see anything special?

>95 benitastrnad: Yes, the "peaking" expression is strictly personal. I am sure there are plenty of fans that feel differently than I. But, you have to admit, some artists lose that special edge, with age and complacency and evolve into a more mainstream artistry.

>96 figsfromthistle: Hooray for the new oriole feeder, Figs. Sending plenty of positive vibes. Just be patient.

-Keith Taylor

>96 figsfromthistle: and Mark - The Cornell feeder is hopping, including Baltimore Orioles! So any species all at once. 5 feeders, a tray and 2 spikes for sliced oranges! Great for your rainy day, mark:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/cornell-lab-feederwatch/

>98 msf59: - Bingo. Sad but true. With tragic results, most likely, too. :-(

>97 msf59:
Is that "peaking" or is it just because the audience is no longer cutting edge? Who got old? REM or its audience?

Could it be that those going to hear Bruce don't want to hear anything new? they want to hear the good old favorites?

>99 jessibud2: I just popped into the feeder cam and it is still hopping, Shelley. The oriole was still there and then took off. Many more red-winged blackbirds, than we get at our feeders. They are rare visitors. It just isn't the right habitat.

>100 benitastrnad: I just judge it on the song-writing, Benita. We know when a beloved author begins to lose his magic and the same goes for a songwriter. REM is a good example too. I truly love this band, but they really haven't written anything stellar, in the past 30 years or pretty damn close to it.

Blackburnian Warbler (NMP)



Bay-Breasted Warbler (NMP)

^It started out as a rainy, stormy Thursday, but I managed to slip out for an hour or so, before the next round of rain pounded down and I saw 2 more FOY warblers. Both of these are beautiful but the Blackburnian is a definite favorite. These images do not do the birds justice.

>101 msf59:
I think that is because REM has moved on. I don't think they even play together any more. I recently watched a YouTube of an recent Bon Jovi flash concert/jam session and it was really good. I saw a recording of the Boss in a jam session with the E-Street Band and I was bowled over by the power of that performance. It was all old Woody Guthrie songs and folk tunes, but they were having fun and those listening were having fun and it was a great performance. I know it was not a commercial success, but I thought it was great. Of course, I am a folk music fan, so I like it when people drop the huge stage sets and the laser light show, and the dancing girls and just sing. For me that doesn't mean that they have lost an edge, it just means that they are moving in a different direction.

In my case, I like the direction that The Boss is moving. He is becoming more responsible and full of anger and disappointment and perhaps resignation at his audience and at the 1 %, who he is smart enough to realize that he has become part of. I think that he is fighting to remain one of the 99% and it shows in the songs he is writing now. For those reasons I don't think he has lost his edge. I think he has stopped writing the big blockbuster anthems and ballads and has paired his writing down to the bare bones of his ideas. (I see the same thing in Bono) He knows these aren't gong to be big hits, but the message is more important than the sales. I think that disturbs people because most people want to go to a concert and get blown away by the booming base and flicking their Bics, or whatever they do today that is the equivalent, so they can have that "thousand points of light" experience. They don't want to be moved in different directions, or motivated to move themselves in a different direction. They don't want to change or be changed. They want to stay where they are and have the songs reflect where they are. They don't want a flashlight. They want a mirror. That is the antithesis of art.

>103 benitastrnad: "They don't want a flashlight. They want a mirror. That is the antithesis of art." Nicely put, Benita. I prefer the stripped down stuff too but many of my favorite Springsteen songs, were of the quieter, reflective type, like on The River, Nebraska and Tunnel of Love, so he has been taking that approach from the beginning, IMHO.

56) A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell 4.8 stars

It is fall of 1943, and Jewish refugees are fleeing occupied France, into northern Italy, although this axis country just surrendered and the Nazis are moving in. Thanks to the incredible kindness and daring of a network of Italian citizens, they are able to shelter these refugees, despite incredible odds. The story focuses on several different characters, on all sides, giving a vivid picture of this dangerous period.

MDR has delivered again. She is six for six, for me. Here, she has directed her skillful sights on a little known chapter of WWII history, with her bold, writing style, uncanny characterization, and her usual meticulous dive into the research involved. It took her seven years to write this magnificent novel.

**I have a well-worn softcover of this one, if anyone is interested.

Hi Mark! I'm up and about visiting threads!

>102 msf59: Both of those are beautiful birds. OMG! Birding must be a really fun past-time.

I hope you are doing well. Skimming through your thread, I can see that I'm not as behind on you as I am on everyone else, since we're "friends" on Facebook.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Friday to you. I'm glad you're racking up the FOY Warbler sightings. >104 msf59: Both are beautiful birds.

>105 msf59: I've had this book on my shelves since 2007. Sigh. Another one to try to get to in the next year or so.

Blackburn is near me, but I don't think the bird gets its name from there. How beautiful! Thank you for sharing the picture.

Like Karen, I have had A Thread of Grace on my shelf for a shockingly long time. I will move it up....

Happy Friday, Mark!

>105 msf59: I read that very edition. I loved the heck out of the story and, like you, I am routinely impressed with MDR's skills at characterization and at blending her research into a believable world full of kindly people.

Although sometimes "kindly" is equivalent to calling the Furies "the Kindly Ones" for sure.

Happy Friday, Mark.

I enjoyed the Lightning Round! Your review of The Glass Hotel confirms what I've been thinking; I'm going to take a pass. I'm going to keep the Ocean Vuong novel in mind. Like you, I admired his poetry collection. I've got the Springsteen memoir on the tbr shelf and should move it up.

Right now I'm reading the new one by the Poet X and With the Fire on High author, called Clap When You Land. It's a free verse one like The Poet X; man she has a deft hand with that form of storytelling.

Another wet one? I haven't looked at what's predicted yet, but I hope it goes okay for you.

>105 msf59: - This sounds great, Mark. Just curious, how do you get 4.8 stars? Whenever I have rated books, I only see 5 stars and I click on whichever. Pardon my techy ignorance... ;-)

>106 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! Great to see you! Glad you got caught up with my birdy, bookish life. Grins...We are all fine here. Knock wood.

>107 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Another stellar birding day, with 17 warbler species seen, along one stunning lifer. I hope you can bookhorn in A Thread of Grace sometime this summer.

>108 charl08: I think the blackburnian was named after a person, Charlotte. I will have to double-check.

>109 katiekrug: I had A Thread of Grace on shelf forever too, Katie. It is a Helluva book. I hope my warbling nudges you forward on it.

>110 richardderus: Hey, RD. Glad to hear from another MDR fan and a lover of A Thread of Grace. I hope my warbling nudges someone else into reading it.

>111 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe. Lovely afternoon here. I hope you got out for a stroll. I am sure you will really enjoy the Ocean Vuong novel. Strong stuff. Clap When You Land sounds like another winner.

>112 jessibud2: It is strictly a numbers game, Shelley. LOL. Officially, it was 5 stars but I just decided to give it just a smidge less. A gut thing, I guess. Great book, though. I hope it doesn't keep you from reading it. Grins...

Happy Friday, Mark! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! See lots of birds and take tons of pictures :)

Gorgeous birds, Mark! I've seen many, but nothing of note, other than a few Great Blue Herons and some sort of ducklings , all lined up in the sand as the tide was out. They were all looking for something to eat in the shallow water / sand. There are the usual suspects, ducks, seagulls, Bald eagles, red winged black birds, chickadees and various sparrows and wrens, but nothing colorful or exciting.

>115 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! The weekend is off to a good start. Great birding. Not a lot of photos, yet but hopefully a couple of gems.

>116 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb. Yep, this is a birders favorite time of year and lots of ducklings and goslings around too. I am sure there are warblers coming through your area, but they are much harder to see, being tiny and mostly concealed. You got to work for it.

Hi Mark, hope all is well with you? I have been quite successful during the lockdown at enticing more birds into our garden - and I have bought a new bird feeder which I’ve placed nearer to the house so that we can see them better. I’m now getting a little gaggle of starlings every day which do eat a lot of food but I do enjoy watching them as they are so lively and argumentative!

>118 SandDune: Hi, Rhian. Good to see you over here and supplying a bird report too. I hope you are doing well. I think backyard birdwatching has become a relaxing pastime, as more people are stuck home. If you vary the feed in your yard, you can enjoy a bigger variety of birds.

^I had a great birding day yesterday and was joined by three birder friends. And yes, I got my prothonotary warbler, which has been a target bird for a couple of years and as a bonus, I got a pretty good photo! Yah!!

I will report back later...heading out now.

'Morning, Mark, and happy birding Saturday to you.

Congrats on the Prothonotary Warbler. I've never even heard of that one. Nice photo, too.

>120 msf59: ...I never realized birds could be notarys before...and what limb is the little guy missing that he needs a prosthetic?

Happy birding today.

Mark, I wanted to come by and thank you for Fifteen Dogs, which you sent to me a mere 4 or 5 years ago. I finished it this morning and loved it. Thank you, thank you!

Hi Mark. I hope you are having a good weekend. It’s been raining in SW MO all week and continues today. I am itching to get some flowers planted but things need to dry out first.

>105 msf59: Great comments on A Thread of Grace. If I had to pick a favorite MDR book, it would be this one. I’ve been wanting to reread The Sparrow before I read Children of God. Maybe your review is just the nudge I needed.

>120 msf59: Lovely! Congrats.

>120 msf59: That is a great photo Mark.

>120 msf59: wow, excellent photo Mark. Thanks for sharing your birding with us!

Hi Mark! We had mating hummingbirds in the yard this AM. Exciting.

Nice review of Thread of Grace. I might suggest it for our book group. And, if your copy is still up for grabs, I would love to get it.

>130 msf59: Yay for the bird an that cool mystic photo!

>121 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen and thanks! It was a great warbler day yesterday.

>122 richardderus: LOL. Yes, it is a very interesting name isn't RD, and a gorgeous little bird.

>123 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. I must have had two copies of it, because I finally read my copy a few months ago. LOL. You are welcome, I am glad you enjoyed it.

>124 Donna828: Hi, Donna. Good to see you. Bummer about the rain. We have sure had plenty of that too, with another round coming in tomorrow. Ugh. I loved A Thread of Grace. Not sure I will call it an MDR favorite, but it is definitely right near the top.

>125 alphaorder: >126 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Nancy & Caroline. Great bird and happy it posed for me.

>127 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. May is a birders favorite month and I have been taking full advantage of it. I hope you have been getting out for a stroll or two.

>128 banjo123: Happy Saturday, Rhonda. Hooray for mating hummingbirds. I am sure not many people get to witness that. Grins...A Thread of Grace is yours, if you do not mind a well-worn copy.

>129 quondame: Hooray for cool mystic photos, that were completely by accident. Grins...Thanks, Susan.

Whew how did I get so far behind Mark? Caught up now and see that you loved A Thread of Grace so yay for that. I'll be interested to see what you think of Writers & Lovers as I've been seeing a lot about that one. We had one of those fly bys earlier this week and my whole neighborhood was out in front of their houses watching. Very stirring.

>132 brenzi: I missed seeing you around, Bonnie but I am glad you are caught up. Yep, A Thread of Grace was excellent and Writers & Lovers has been very good. I should finish it tomorrow. Cool, that you got to see the Blue angels flyover.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. Yesterday I saw my first female hummingbird. There's a male sipping the nectar now, and the female Red-Bellied Woodpecker has come for sunflower seed brekkie. Let's see - a female Cowbird, female House Finch, I think, a female Cardinal, and a Carolina Chickadee. Yesterday I also saw a Blue Jay.

Morning, Karen. I always like hearing your bird feeder report. I saw a male ruby-throat hummingbird, at our feeder, exactly once. The other times it has always been a female and I have never seen more than one, at the feeder, at a time. I know they are very territorial. Hooray for the Carolina Chickadee! We don't get those here but we have their very close cousins the black-capped chickadee, which stop by regularly.

Sunday orisons, Mark. May a {insert most desired lifer here} swoop down on you, pause to pose for your camera at its best possible angle, and then crap on your car.
(Gawd must see sacrifice or there's trouble a-brewin'.)

>136 richardderus: LOL. Funny, I had a bird crap on my cap, on Friday and didn't realize it until I got home. Little shit! It will be an inside day today, RD. I will pop up and check out the feeders now and then but that's about it.

^I have mentioned how difficult it is for me to photograph warblers, but I managed a common yellow-throat warbler a week or so ago. It just popped out and stayed still, just long enough. Our little bandito!

>138 msf59: Nice!

>139 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy! It has been a great warbler week.

...it took me a moment. B.A.G.

Hi, Mark! Glad to see all those beautiful warblers, including the nice shot you got. I finally saw my FOY baltimore oriole today on the feeder, and added an American Redstart to my life list yesterday (there's a very poor picture on my thread, but it was enough to ID it with the help of my bird book).

Nice review of A Thread of Grace too. I have one of her books, Dreamers of the Day, sitting unread on my shelves and you make me want to pick it up and wedge it into the pile on the nightstand :)

>141 msf59: Heh. That's cute.

>142 bell7: Thanks, Mary. Glad you like the warbler shots. Hooray for the oriole and nice job IDing the redstart and for adding a lifer! Warblers can be tricky to identify but fortunately the male redstart has unique coloring. Dreamers of the Day is the only MDR I have not read. Maybe, you will spark me. Have you read any of her other books? If not, she is a treasure trove.

>143 richardderus: I figured you would appreciate that one, RD!

>138 msf59: Good shot! I miss scenery!

>145 quondame: Thanks, Susan. Why are you not seeing any scenery?

My ARC of the Kate Russo is missing 33 pages! I couldn't believe it - right at a crucial moment...

So I started Missed Translations instead and am enjoying it quite a bit.

>146 msf59: West Los Angeles is close to the ocean, yes, and we have some places that aren't taken over by housing tracts and strip malls, office buildings and freeways, but I'm staying home except maybe a bit of shopping every other week.

>147 msf59: Ha!

Happy Sunday, Mark. I hope you've had a good one.

Where is all this rain coming from? I know, the sky. Man, you'd think the buckets would run dry up there at some point. Debbi and I did take a walk in it this afternoon, and actually had a lot of fun, although we had a lot to hang up to dry when we got back. The Orphan Black cast did a charity fundraiser by reading/performing the scripts for two of the shows via Zoom this afternoon, and we had a blast watching it. We loved that show, although I don't know any LTers who also did. Tatiana Maslany is amazing in it, playing somewhere near a dozen parts.

I'm enjoying the new Acevedo and one called IQ by a new-to-me author named Joe Ide. I'm really liking it, and its main character.

>144 msf59: Oh yes, I've read Thread of Grace, The Sparrow, Doc, Epitaph and The Women of Copper Country. I still have to read Children of God and Dreamers of the Day. She's very good, though I can emotionally handle only one title a year.

>148 alphaorder: Oh, bummer about the Russo, Nancy.

>149 quondame: That explains it, Susan. I can see why you is the. Color.

>150 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Glad you add the best of a rainy day. I never left the house. At least I got some stuff done around here and a nice chunk of reading, to boot. I liked the first 2 seasons of Orphan Black, but felt like that was enough. I agree, Maslany was excellent.

>151 bell7: Nice! You are a MDR fan, Mary. I love her work.

Mark, your owl and other bird photos are amazing. If I'm remembering correctly, this birding thing is relatively new for you, yes? In the past couple of years? Maybe this passion went back further than that, but in any case, I am enjoying it vicariously. You have so many warblers in your area!!!

>138 msf59: I LOVE that warbler!

What kind of camera are you using, BTW?

A Thread of Grace sounds excellent.

>147 msf59: hahaha.

>153 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Good to see you. This summer I will have been into birding for 4 years. It still takes a lot of experience and dedication to become a good birder, which I hope to be someday. There is so much to learn. My camera is a Canon S-50. Nothing fancy, compared to my incredible birder photography pals, (and they are quite a few) but it works fine for me...for now. You will LOVE A Thread of Grace.

>154 Caroline_McElwee: Grins...

Love all those warblers, Marc. So colourful! (why does America get all the colourful birds? Can Mr. Darwin explain this to me, poor European?)

Adding A Thread of Grace to the TBR.

Hi, Ella. Good to see you. I am sure Mr. Darwin would have had a perfect answer for you, although I do not. Grins...Yep, A Thread of Grace was excellent.

>156 EllaTim: What about hoopoes?


Happy Monday, Mark!

Oh yes, wonderful! We do have some. But your warblers really are much more colourful and diverse than ours.

Here, I posted this on my thread, but I think Mark would love this:
Oehoe breeding in flower pot before the window. (Oehoe=Eagle Owl)



Totally insane, these are rare birds, breeding in stone quarries! But isn't this a birders dream?

‘Morning, Mark. I hope your work day is uneventful work-wise and bird-crap-on-the-cap-wise.

>138 msf59: Excellent photo, VCB – very cute bird.

>141 msf59: They’re absolutely nuts. I can’t believe that public health and safety have become politicized. Wait. Considering what’s in the WH, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Go Darwin!

>147 msf59: Belly Laugh.

>155 msf59: Congrats on your almost-4th-year-anniversary of birding.

>159 EllaTim: That's so cool! What a dream...and how smart is that owl? A window will be the warmest place to put her nest, a flowerpot is better at protecting her egg...but just think about the mess.

>158 richardderus: Ooh, that hoopoe is gorgeous, RD. I will have to reserve these beauties for my international birding travels.

>159 EllaTim: These eagle owls are gorgeous, Ella! A birder's dream for sure. Where is this?

>160 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. With the humidity, it is not bad out here at all, plus I saw 3 warblers at the BBS. One was a FOY.

>161 richardderus: Yep, one smart-ass owl. Grins...

>141 msf59: That took me a while, Mark. Are those real signs somewhere?

Are you off work today as well? It's a long weekend here, so people have Monday off for Victoria Day.

>162 msf59: It's somewhere in the Netherlands. There's a YouTube clip as well . In Dutch of course. The man in the picture explains that he prefers them to pigeons, and hopes they come back next year.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GYsWJGW30cA&feature=emb_logo&ebc=ANyPxKqp9...

>161 richardderus: The owlets also can watch TV;-)

>163 Familyhistorian: Happy Victoria Day, Meg! It was not a holiday for us. Our Memorial Day is next Monday. I will be off for that one and it will team up with my long weekend. Yah!

Yes, I would assume those store signs are real. It never stated the location and I guess that doesn't matter.

>164 EllaTim: Thanks for the link, Ella. I will definitely check it out.

"David Bajo's Panopticon positions itself in the dream space between the sharp and the hazy. It's the perfect spot for a borderlands novel that wants to pull apart reality and see what it really means in an age where we're always performing, whether we know it or not. Identity, technology, love, and lust are all at play in interesting ways."

Like many of us here, I am been reading more OTS books and it has worked out well. I also try to select older titles, that have languished the longest. Panopiticon is from 2010 and also an ARC, so I am assuming I acquired it from an earlier ALA but that is a guess. As the brief description reveals, I expected a trippy, otherworldly novel and 60 pages in, it definitely has a dark, atmospheric tone and it has caught my interest. I had brought a back up book, just in case but I think I will stick with it. Oh yeah, there is an owl on the cover too. Grins...

>150 jnwelch:
I have the first book IQ by Joe Ide. There is a series of these and they should be pretty good books. The reviews of them were very positive. First I heard of them was one of the late night hosts that has a summer reading thing had it as one of the choices for that year. It got beat out by Children of Blood and Bone. Anyway, so when I saw it in a used book store for $5.00 I bought it.

>167 benitastrnad: I have also been meaning to get to IQ, Benita. It looks like it might be a good fit for me. Maybe, I will try it on audio.

Northern Parula (NMP)

I had a nice surprise at the BBS today- A nice long look at this beautiful warbler. This is only the second time I have seen one, anywhere. He was flitting around in a small tree, a mere six feet away from me. According to all the local birding reports, it was great day for the warblers.

>169 msf59: A Northern Parula sighting! W00t! One for the books!

(I assume, since you seem pleased. Yay.)

Mark, since reading your threads and seeing the photos of the lovely birds, I consciously try to note which birds are in my yard. My daughter is quite the bird watcher, and daily she sends me images of what arrived at her many feeders.

I know I haven't been as active this year, I hope to change that soon. In the meantime, I love your opening image! and, the Northern Parula, is incredible. The blue and the yellow together are amazing.

>170 richardderus: I was definitely very pleased, Richard. We will see what the BBS offers today.

>171 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. Great to see you stop by. You have been missed. You should let me know what birds your daughter is seeing and maybe she could help identify them in your yard too. I always like getting reports like that. Don't be a stranger.

>173 msf59: ooh yes.... and I don't even live in your country.

One of our commentators is suggesting Boris will be out by Christmas. I don't think you will be so lucky.

>173 msf59: - From your thread to the voters' minds!

>173 msf59:, >174 Caroline_McElwee:, >175 jessibud2: Since the US president has an outsized impact on the world's stage, his (or her, I *devoutly* hope to see soon) level of competence and thus fitness for purpose is of necessity interesting and involving to the entire world.

This one's neither fit nor competent.

>152 msf59: I've enjoyed a lot of her books, and have LT to thank for putting her on my radar. You and others were so enthusiastic, I tried The Sparrow and have been hooked every since.

Lovely warbler in >169 msf59: as well, that must have been fun to see for only the second time! Hope you get some nice bird sightings today as well.

'Morning, Mark! happy Tuesday. I just saw a female hummingbird, which perked me up. Other than that, the usual suspects. I hope your day goes well.

Despite the light drizzle and fog, the BBSwas hopping with warblers. 4 species in less than 15 minutes. More details will follow...

>174 Caroline_McElwee: Good news about Boris, Caroline. I hope we can get them both out.

>175 jessibud2: I like your thinking, Shelley.

>176 richardderus: I am with you on that, RD!

>177 bell7: Hi, Mary. I am elated that I had something to do with turning you on to MDR. Even pre-birding, my warbler instincts were in place. Grins...

I had a Wilson's Warbler today. Love seeing these guys too, with their adorable black caps.

>178 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Hooray for the smile-inducing hummingbird sighting.

I finished another Deon Meyer book yesterday. This time it was Blood Safari and it was another good good good thriller. I immediately started on Heart of the Hunter by Meyer. I can only say that if you liked Bartle Bull you will like Meyer. He manages to turn a mystery/spy/thriller into a journey into the wildlife and the history of South Africa. Blood Safari is about Vulture poaching. A book with birds at the center of the mystery - sounds like it is just up your alley.

from the book description of What You Could Have Won:

Fame is the only thing worth having. Love is temporary brain damage. Or so thinks Henry Sinclair, a failing psychiatrist, whose career-breaking discovery has been pinched by a supervisor smelling of nipple grease and hot-dog brine.

Author Rachel Genn's newest novel, and frankly I don't need to hear another word to download the DRC. Edelweiss and, I presume, NetGalley via And Other Stories.

>182 richardderus: That brief description, certainly got my attention, RD. I will be adding the Genn novel to my WL.

"A stunning successor to his best selling novel Peace Like a River, Leif Enger's new work is a rugged and nimble story about an aging train robber on a quest to reconcile the claims of love and judgment on his life, and the failed writer who goes with him."

It baffles me to no end, why I have not read So Brave, Young, and Handsome. Case in point- I loved Peace Like a River, his debut, which I went gaga over back in 2009 and then I was completely smitten with his last novel, Virgil Wander, which came out two years ago. Well, trying to keep up with my OTS reading challenge, I finally yanked it off shelf and since I also have the audio version, languishing in the dusty stacks, I decided to go with the latter. Off to an interesting start. Even if it doesn't reach the heights of the other two, it should be a decent read, plus I LOVE this kind of setting.

Wilson's Warbler (NMP)

^Okay, this should help prove the fact that May is an absolute great birding month. I was working and still saw 5 different warblers, including this nifty Wilsons, which I saw at the BBS. I also saw a yellow, a chestnut-sided and a magnolia in this spot. I picked up an American Redstart, while carrying my "extra", since the mail volume was so light.

>184 msf59:
I wonder why you haven't read this book as well? I listened to So Young Brave and Handsome and really liked it. It is a modern Western - a quest, with a surprising and not so surprising ending. If you read Enger the ending won't be too surprising. If you don't - it will be a surprise.

It is kind of nice, isn't it, getting some books off the shelf? There are so many great books, it's not possible to read them all!

>185 msf59: Gorgeous warbler, Mark! I've seen nothing interesting lately. I'm trying to keep our post people busy with book orders. Not just mine, but I just got Dave a book by Jeffery Deaver, I forget the title. Then my mom emails me with books that she would like to order. She does not like to order online ( she is 78 ) and it's too complicated for her. So I'm ordering her My Grape Wedding and the like. I hope the library will open soon!

>186 benitastrnad: It took a pandemic, Benita. Grins...Did you ever read Virgil Wander? What a gem that one turned out to be.

>187 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I hope to keep reading OTS, for the rest of the year. I still have some newer books, to fit into the rotation, but that should be no problem.

>188 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb. Glad you like the warbler. Now, you can see why the warbler family is so popular among birders. The variety is stunning, along with the challenge to find them. Glad you are keeping the post busy and I am happy to hear that both Dave and your dear Mom are also reading.

-Tom Gauld

^I shamelessly snagged this from Charlotte. Too priceless not to share again. Gauld also has a new book out called Department of Mind-Blowing Theories.
Yippee!!

I love Gauld's humour. But I'll always stan for Gary Larson:

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you.

>184 msf59: I read Peace Like a River in 2011 and gave it 4.5 stars, and I’m very stingy with stars. One of these days I’ll have to read more by him.

>190 msf59: Everybody could re-post this one and I'd still laugh out loud!

>191 richardderus:, >192 karenmarie: *Like!*

>167 benitastrnad:, >168 msf59: Good to hear, Benita and Mark. I thoroughly enjoyed IQ, and the next one by Joe Ide is out and I plan to read it soon.

Hiya, Mark. I tend to live in the dreamspace between sharp and hazy, and borderlands always intrigue, so I'll keep an eye on your reactions to Panopticon.

Have a good one, buddy.

Y'all are making me want to (finally) get to Peace Like a River, which I've had since... *checking*.... 2013. Huh. That's not as bad as I thought!

**I am having issues, logging on with my iPad, so I may have to wait until I get home before responding.

Now, my work vehicle just broke down. Sighs...

JFYI our dote Tom Gauld is doing a Reddit Ask Me Anything at noon EDT. If you're interested, this is the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/

>147 msf59: LOL!

>166 msf59: I have to get the book just for the cover, you know :)

>169 msf59: Oh, how pretty!

>173 msf59: That should read 'Past Time. . . to go'

>184 msf59: I have read that one. I hope you enjoy it! I really need to see if Enger has published any others as I have very much enjoyed the 2 of his I have read.

>185 msf59: I love his yarmulke!

>195 msf59: I hope your work vehicle gets fixed soon, Mark. What a pain!

>191 richardderus: I should dive deeper into Gary Larson, Richard. I have sampled him here and there over the years, and enjoyed his comics. I see Harry Bliss and Gauld regularly, so that is why I share them more often.

>192 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. So Brave, Young and Handsome has been good but not quite on the same level as Peace Like a River or Virgil Wander, IMHO.

>193 jnwelch: " I tend to live in the dreamspace between sharp and hazy, and borderlands always intrigue..." Then you should LOVE Panopticon, Joe! LOL. It has been trippy at times, but I am still waiting for things to come together. Wait for the final verdict.

>194 katiekrug: I hope you can bookhorn in Peace Like a River, Katie. It is a terrific read.

>196 richardderus: I never did Reddit before, RD. Sounds cool though.

>197 alcottacre: I love the catch up commentary, Stasia. I don't think Enger has released many books but I loved his last novel Virgil Wander. If you have not read that one, keep it in mind. When my work vehicle broke down, I was just a few minutes away from the office, so our branch manager brought me out another vehicle. I loaded up everything in the new vehicle and I was on my way. The supervisor walked back, so not really a big problem.

I always mix up Tom Gauld and Grant Snyder. Their styles and sensibilities are similar.

Drat, about the vehicle, Mark. I hope you didn't have to walk home!

>189 msf59:
Oops! I read Peace Like A River. I still have So Brave Young and Handsome on the shelf. It is the recorded version and since I am not traveling as much it will take me a while to get to it. I discovered my mistake when I went to get Peace off the shelf to move it up to the TBR table.

>200 jessibud2: I will have to look up Grant Snyder, Shelley. Not familiar with him. My vehicle broke down on the route, so I was able to switch vehicles. Just a minor inconvenience.

>201 benitastrnad: So Brave Young and Handsome is not on the same level as Peace and Virgil, but it is an entertaining read and I like the period setting.

Prayer

The windshield’s dirty, the squirter stuff’s all gone, so
we drive on together into a sun-gray pane of grime
and dust. My son

puts the passenger seat back as far as it will go, closes
his eyes. I crack my window open for a bit
of fresher air. It’s so

incredibly fresh out there.

Rain, over.
Puddles left
in ditches. Black mirrors with our passing

reflected in them, I suppose, but I’d
have to pull over and kneel down at the side
of the road to know.

The day ahead—

for this, the radio
doesn’t need to be played.
The house we used to live in

still exists
in a snapshot, in which
it yellows in another family’s scrapbook.

And a man on a bicycle
rides beside us
for a long time, very swiftly, until finally

he can’t keep up—

but before he slips
behind us, he salutes us
with his left hand—

a reminder:

that every single second—
that every prisoner on death row—
that every name on every tombstone—

that everywhere we go—
that every day, like this one, will
be like every other, having never been, never

ending. So
thank you. And, oh—
I almost forgot to say it: amen.

-Laura Kasischke

From Poem-A-Day

>202 msf59: I feel sure that you're already familiar with Grant Snider:

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. I'm sorry that technology let you down yesterday, first with your iPad and then with your work vehicle. I hope today goes better work-wise. I also hope that you have some good birds at your BBS.

Morning, Mark!! You're photos look very professional. You certainly have a way with your feathered friends.
Hope you're enjoying the warmer temps. It seems like all of a sudden, it's summer.

Of course, I just replied to everyone and the post wouldn't go through...sighs.

>204 richardderus: You are right, RD. I have seen his work and did not realize it was him. That is a good one too.

>205 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. My iPad is still acting funky but my replacement vehicle has been fine. Not as Birdy at the BBS, but I did get a few warblers.

>206 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. Thanks in regards to my amateur photography skills. Maybe, after I retire I will purchase better equipment and take a class or two.

Well, that took all afternoon...

^My first library hold is available for pick up. It has been over 2 months! Yippee! It will be delivered curbside. And it is a GN too, which I have been dying to read:

>208 msf59:. Eager to hear what you think. I thought it was a great GN (or GM if you will).

>209 alphaorder: You were probably the one who put I was Their American Dream on my list, Nancy. Looking forward to it.

Thursday, Thursday
can't believe that's today
Thursday, Thursday
and long weekend Friday!

>211 richardderus: - Um... Richard, today is Friday, but never mind. What's the difference after all... ;-)

Yay for library holds! Our library isn't open fully yet, though they are doing curbside pickup. I read so slowly these days that I can suffice with the books I already own.

'Morning, Mark! Happy birding, happy Warbler-ing.

Morning, Mark. Happy beginning of the long weekend!

I liked that >203 msf59: poem a lot, too. Kasischke is really good, and a poet I've only come to know recently. BTW, I keep forgetting to mention that Billy Collins is doing a daily reading of poems with commentary on Facebook. I've been enjoying the sessions - he's a smart guy, besides being a topnotch poet.

Enjoy the day off, buddy. It's just this side of rain where we are; I hope you get a chance to do some birding.

>199 msf59: My local library has Virgil Wander, so I will have to check it out soon! Glad to know that the vehicle was not much of an issue for you.

>204 richardderus: That is a good one!

>208 msf59: My local library has been doing the curbside pick up for a while now and I love it. Glad yours is now providing it too!

Our academic library is still trying to figure out how to do curbside delivery. I keep telling them to call public libraries and find out how they are doing it. Or Barnes & Noble. they did it. If public libraries and businesses can do it surely academic libraries can.

Hooray for curbside pick-up, Mark! Enjoy your new library book.

>212 jessibud2: Heh...Mark left a note on my thread calling today Saturday, so....

White flowers on long stems - have you seen A LOT of them this year?

My yard has been taken over and we can't remember ever seeing any before.

Indigo Buntings are staying around for the first time ever!

Glad to hear you're getting a GN from the library, Mark. A really good one, I thought.

-Cerulean Warbler (NMP)

^I had a great bird outing with friends this morning, on another warbler hunt. My target warblers were black-throated blue and mourning warbler. I missed both but my friends saw the blue briefly. We did get great looks at the cerulean though and this warbler is considered a rarity in this area. My friend Mike got a few terrific photos. I will have to see if I can share one. Several scarlet tanagers were on full display too. I did get a couple of photos, but they were at a distance. 13 different warblers and a 40 species day.

Sorry, very little LT time today. We have two good friends coming over so not much time tonight either.

>222 msf59: Glad to hear that you had a great outing today with your friends, Mark, and hope that you have a wonderful time with your friends tonight.

Beth is coming in from Arizona with her boyfriend so I will not be online much over the weekend either.

I hope you have a terrific holiday weekend!

>211 richardderus: >219 richardderus: Funny, I mentioned to Sue awhile ago that today felt like a Saturday. I must have felt that way since I got up.

>212 jessibud2: My bad, Shelley.

>213 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel. My library has limited curbside pick-up hours, so I need to get over there before they send it back. If you are like most of us around here, you should have plenty of books in the TBR stacks.

>214 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. It was a good bird day and hope to do it again tomorrow morning.

>215 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. It turned out to be a very nice day. I want to read more Kasischke. Good to hear about Billy Collins. I will have to check that out. Thanks.

>216 alcottacre: >223 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. You will love Virgil Wander. That one should have been a bigger LT hit. Hooray for library curbside pickup and have a great time with Beth this weekend.

>217 benitastrnad: I hope your library gets with the program, Benita. Grins...We sure miss our library services, don't we?

>218 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. I should have more requested items coming in soon. Mostly GNs and poetry.

>220 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Not sure about the white flowers. I do not think we are getting them here. hooray for the indigo buntings though. I am surprised we didn't see any this morning.

>221 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I thought you had also warbled about this GN. Looking forward to it.

Sounds like a great birding day! Zoe headed back to the Center for the first time yesterday. She and two other co-workers birded while the Center wasn't open to the public to participate in the WI Birdathon, raising $ for the Natural Resources Foundation and Schlitz Audubon. She recorded 82 species, of which 22 were warblers.

I am thinking about going over there on Sunday morning to pick up my personal office chair. Maybe take a little hike. I miss that place. March 16 was a long time ago...

Oh, I forgot to mention that Shawn saw a female oriole on our feeder this morning!

>222 msf59: Gorgeous Cerulean Warbler ! I do see white crowned sparrows quite a bit when I'm out and they are kind of cute - but certainly not colourful like your warblers.

Hi Mark, you have reminded me not only how much I loved Peace Like a River, but that I have So Brave, Young and Handsome on my Kindle. I have added Virgil Wander to my list as well. I also read and enjoyed a book by Leif Enger's brother, Lin so obviously, they are a writing family!

>226 alphaorder: >227 alphaorder: 82 species and 22 warblers?? That blows my mind. I am completely impressed. I would love to bird with Zoe again. Any clue when work may reopen? I know WI has relaxed some rules. How do you feel about that?

Congrats on the female oriole. I have not seen any at our feeders for the past week or so. It is hurting my feelings.

>228 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb. We will be sad when the warblers leave. A couple different species nest here but the majority will move north and very soon. Are your white-throated sparrows visitors for the summer or do they also keep pushing north?

>229 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Good to see you. So Brave, Young and Handsome turned out to be just an okay read for me, but I LOVED the other 2. I have not read the brother. I may have to try him out.

Hi Mark! Happy weekend!

Happy Weekend to you too, Rachel! I hope it involves some time with the books.

'Morning, Mark! Happy birding, books, and beer Memorial Day weekend.

>222 msf59: beautiful bird Mark. Errr, no social distancing where you are?

Mark - related to Wisconsin opening:
that decision was made when Republican Justices overruled Democrat
Tony Evers SAFER AT HOME order, turning Wisconsin into "The Wild West" as he so famously said.

There is still no contact tracing or quarantine if found.

And, yes, Wisconsin has had low numbers as a result of Evers' STAY AT HOME.
Now, we are reading that people from Illinois are zooming up here.

So, the predicted Second Wave may actually end up followed by a Third Wave.

All of this is covered in THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR.

The book is historical fiction for the plot; gruesome detail and red alerts for the facts of The Spanish Flu in 1918.

>230 msf59:. Well we opened trails on with pre-registration and limited capacity last week. Summer camp (with lots of new procedures and safety guidelines) is set to start on June 8. It helps that our camps are primarily outdoors - we're adding tents so they will only go inside in inclement weather. Those of us who can work from home are asked to continue to do so - no problem here!

I do feel uncomfortable about the hodge-podgey way our state is opening up, but it is not surprising given the makeup of our legislature and supreme court. (I hear there are many people from your state heading into ours for bars and beaches...) In any case, not planning on modifying my approach anytime soon, though it will be harder with the nice weather. I will let you know if we end up going to the Center tomorrow. That is the plan, provided it isn't raining.

>235 m.belljackson: It is just crazy here, don't you think?

Happy weekend, Mark! I have not read any Leif Enger, but I have a copy of Peace Like A River which I keep taking out and then not reading. Maybe next month!

Have a warblericious weekend.

Happy Memorial Day weekend, Mark!!

Last night, I finished the forthcoming debut novel, The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. I've read a few Austen books in my time but certainly not all of them but I did enjoy this one and it makes me want to read more Austen. Next up, another cozy mystery.

-Red-Eyed Vireo (NMP)

Happy Saturday, everyone! I birded a few hours this morning, with my favorite birding couple, the Warners. I got about 45 species, although the warblers are beginning to thin out. We did see a few. We have been seeing a lot of vireos though. I have not been great at IDing these guys but the red-eyed vireos were everywhere, today and yesterday and hopefully this imprinted on my brain. Yesterday was a scarlet tanager day. Today were Baltimore Orioles. Numerous of both were seen.

I ran a couple errands afterwards and then came home to do some yard work, that I have been neglecting. My timing was good too, since the storms just started rolling through. We are in for the rest of the afternoon and night. Hope to get back into the books. Panopticon has definitely tapered off in the second half, so I am trying to stay focused on it.

>233 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I am actually enjoying a beer, right now. Surprised?

>234 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. We are keeping our distance while birding and when passing or chatting with other birders, we keep our masks handy and out them on whenever necessary. I think it has worked out fine.

>235 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Thanks for the explanation of the WI situation. Yep, keep those wild & crazy folks from Illinois out. Grins...We were supposed to go up to Racine, to the harbor there for the weekend with my daughter and her fiance but the stormy weather predicted for today and Monday, put an end to those plans. We would not have gone to any bars or restaurants. That is for sure!

>236 alphaorder: Happy Weekend, Nancy. They will be opening the Morton Arboretum in a similar way, starting June 1st. It will be members only for the first two weeks and you need to schedule an appointment to get in. I hope this is a successful re-opening. We miss that place. I hope you get up to the center tomorrow. It is supposed to be very nice.

>238 banjo123: Happy Weekend, Rhonda. Peace Like A River is a terrific read. I hope you can bookhorn it in soon.

>239 richardderus: It has been a "warblericious weekend", RD. Thanks! And it is finally beginning to really warm up. Yah!

>240 lindapanzo: Happy Memorial Day weekend, Linda. Good to see you. I hope you also enjoying this long weekend. It looks like our weather is finally beginning to warm up. Yes, it will be teamed up with rain, at times, but I am welcoming it with open arms. Enjoy those cozy reads!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

I thought of you yesterday when I saw a post about a fella in, I think, Belgium that has a family of 3 owls living on his balcony and they watch his TV through the window. It much have been awesome to see cute little owls growing right outside his window.

45 bird species this morning! That sure seems like a ton to me. Where were you?

Sounds like your long weekend has gotten off the a great start, with birding both days.

We've been having a nice one, too, albeit with far fewer bird species. I've started Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, and so far so good. We visited Becca this morning before the rain hit, and had a grand time with her and the energetic Indy. Becca gave me a bunch of GNs, which is like water in the desert during these library-less days.

A beer sounds good. I'll resemble that remark.

>241 msf59: What a subtly elegant fellow.

>244 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. It has been a fine, long weekend and I have two more days to look forward to. I think I saw something about this Belgium owl story. I will have to explore further. I appreciate the heads-up.

>245 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe. I have been enjoying the long weekend and yes, I am having a beer. It was nice getting out birding with pals, the past 2 days. Unfortuantely, the warblers are beginning to thin out. Sad face. I will take a break tomorrow morning and then get back out Monday. Reading has been slow and it doesn't help if the book is a bit of a slog.

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore sounds like a fun, diverting read.

>246 quondame: Hi, Susan. I wish I could make out those wonderful vireo eyes, while viewing them, otherwise they have pretty simple coloring. One of the reasons I have a tough time identifying them.

Our white crowned sparrows are apparently here year round, according to whatever I looked up. But I notice them most in the spring and summer. They are crawling on the ground, in the shrubbery. On my walk today I noticed a couple of people way out on the marshes. I think that's were I might find a warbler, but I'd need hip waders and courage to encounter coyotes as they area also plentiful in that area.

Our library is doing a slow re -open! Curb side pick ups starting on Monday. But only for those that have previous holds on books and as they are thousands of books behind, you have to make an appointment for your contactless pick up. " Your patience is appreciated" , says the library. Slow, but a start. And just one branch of the 4 that we have in my city.

>248 vancouverdeb: Happy Sunday, Deb. Glad to hear you get to enjoy the white-crowned sparrows through the year. Ours have mostly moved north. I am sure you could locate the warblers without wading through marshes, but they are difficult to see regardless. It takes some work, but a birder is well-rewarded.

Nice to hear, your libraries are slowly reopening. We are pleased too.

At this time of the end of Ramadan I want to give thanks for your friendship in this wonderful group, Mark. You are definitely the Postie-with-the-Mostie.

Enjoy your long weekend, buddy. Hope I can join you for a few of those beers sometime soon.

>250 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul. I hope you had a good Ramadan. Thanks for your kind thoughts. It has been a very nice weekend. We will definitely have a great time, over a few beers, my friend.

58) The End of October by Lawrence Wright 4.4 stars

“The world was on the verge of a major pandemic of terrible lethality.”

“When good people do good, and evil people do evil, it is not surprising. But when good people do evil, it takes religion to do that.”

Of course, I am not sure reading a thriller about a pandemic, during a pandemic, will be for everyone but Wright has delivered a terrific novel, full of suspense, fear and detailed science. This reminded me of Tom Clancy at his very best, although Wright has better writing chops. He is known more for his stellar nonfiction, but he is equally adept at fiction, as well. This was an excellent audio too.

59) Writers & Lovers by Lily King 4.3 stars

“The hardest thing about writing is getting in every day, breaking through the membrane. The second hardest is getting out. Sometimes I sink down too deep and come up too fast. Afterward I feel wide open and skinless.”

“I hate male cowardice and the way they have each other's back. They have no control. They justify everything their dicks make them do. And the get away with it. Nearly every time. My father peered through a hole at girls, possibly at me, in our locker room. And when he got caught, he got a party and a cake.”

Casey Peabody is thirty-one. She recently lost her mother and is reeling from a broken relationship. She is a server at a trendy restaurant but is also drowning in student debt. Casey is a struggling writer, toiling on the same novel for several years. This is such a smart novel, a beautifully written look at an artist's life, along with her misadventures in love. I also really enjoyed King's last book, Euphoria. She has quickly become a favorite of mine.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you. Sorry one of your current books is a slog, glad you liked The End of October and Writers & Lovers.

Have fun at Bree's this afternoon.

>252 msf59: I've been pondering on this, as I like his non-fiction work. It will probably fall in the basket soon.

>253 msf59: This just landed, and will be read soon Mark. Glad it was a hit for you. I have the earlier one somewhere too.

>253 msf59: Hmf. Evil, vile warbler.

>254 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I actually knocked out a big chunk of my book. Once I get back from the store, I will finish it.

>255 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. Both are very good reads. Sorry, that the next two I have read, were not so great, but that is how it goes sometimes.

>256 richardderus: It's a good one RD! I hope my warbling worked it's black magic.

>253 msf59: I can't wait to get my hands on this one, Mark. I think my library copy should be ready soon.

>258 richardderus: No clue. You are more worldly than I, this simple postman with an immense affection for books and birds.

>259 BLBera: Hi, Beth. Good to see you. I am sure you will enjoy Writers & Lovers. Have you read any of her other work?

"It's 1974 in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and fifteen-year-old Justine grows up in a family of tough, complicated, and loyal women, presided over by her mother, Lula, and Granny. After Justine's father abandoned the family, Lula became a devout member of the Holiness Church - a community that Justine at times finds stifling and terrifying."

I like reading Native American fiction and Crooked Hallelujah looks like it will scratch that itch. Her debut, telling a multi-generational tale, does not come out until July, but I received an advanced e-galley. I decided to read it next, after finally wrapping up Panopticon. Early reviews have been mixed but I did start it and I like her writing style. Fingers crossed, that it doesn't disappoint. Not sure I could handle 3 less than stellar reads in a row. The horror...

>252 msf59: How similar was it to the current pandemic?

>262 thornton37814: Hi, Lori. Good to see you. The End of October was pretty similar to our Covid pandemic, in the early going but the one in the book became much more serious. Of course, we are only a couple months into this one.

>258 richardderus: Jose Mourinho. The self-styled Special One. Previously coach of Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Now coach of Tottenham Hotspur.

Still baffled Mark?

Soccer my friend. Soccer.

>264 PaulCranswick: This is why I did not know who this was. LOL. Thanks for enlightening me, Paul.

'Morning, Mark! Enjoy your birding.

45 Bird Species!

That reminds us of Mr. Malik and Harry's Club Wager in A Guide to the Birds of East Africa.

>267 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Thanks. It was a 2 lifer bird day! These days are precious.

>268 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne! I also loved A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. What a fun read.

-Kentucky Warbler (NMP)

^The Kentucky was my target bird for the day. With help from a top-notch fellow birder, we were able to track this guy down. He was singing up a storm but it was difficult to see him, as he kept moving around from tree-top to tree-top but I got a long enough look to qualify. LIFER



-Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (NMP)

^The cuckoo was not on today's target list but it was on my overall list. Great looks at this beauty and I did get a few photos too, that I will share later on. LIFER

A 2 LIFER DAY

>270 msf59: The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo doesn't look easy to spot. But worth it.

>270 msf59: Congratulations ! 2 Lifers, great.

I'm curious about the Cuckoo, does it lay it's eggs in the nests of other birds? Does it sing Cuckoo?

What a birding day! Congrats!

What a great day for your life list, Mark. Way to go!

>271 quondame: The cuckoos have great natural camouflage, Susan. If you don't see them fly in, they are hard to spot.

>272 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. As far as I know, the cuckoos do not lay their eggs in other bird's nests. They make more of a hooting sound than a normal birdsong. I did not hear it call.

>273 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. It was a good birding day, although the warblers are beginning to thin out. Sad face.

>274 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. It is getting tougher to add birds to my life list, so this is pretty special.

^This is my photo of the yellow-billed cuckoo. The best I was able to get. There are also black-billed cuckoos. I saw my first one of those about 2 years ago.

Hey there, Hope you're having a great weekend.

Just saw this, thought you'd want to know. Scribd is having a live author talk with Jess Walter and Tom Beer tomorrow afternoon/evening (6:30pm EDT). The registration information (its free, but you got to register to get on the Zoom chat) is...

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-scribdchat-jess-walter-in-conversation-with...

>277 mahsdad: Hi, Jeff. Good to see you. Thanks for the link. I will check it out.

>276 msf59: That's a gorgeous personal photo. Well done with that beautiful green and light background.

I had a really good reading weekend with a bit of wedding shopping with my niece thrown into the mix. I finished reading another Deon Meyer book. Dead at Daybreak was his first book published in the US and it was a real thrill ride. I have one more of his to read and then I have to wait for him to write another one.

I finished listening to my audio book The Reader by Traci Chee. This is the first one in a dystopian YA trilogy but it was a good book about reading, writing, and what stories do for us. The narrator on this one was outstanding.

My novella for the weekend was An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by Helene Tursten and it was a laugh-and-a-half. Trust the Swedes to make murder funny. This novella was actually a book of really short terse short stories and they were fun to read.

I got a good start on the last of the Bobiverse books and started reading a gardening book. Gardening is sort of a comfort topic for me and this book is a bit on the academic side so I'll see if I stick with it.

It got hot down here so if I am going to continue to read outside in the morning with my breakfast coffee I am going to have to get up earlier. Can I do that after being spoiled for 2 months?

Congrats on having a 2 Lifer Day, Mark. I also think your picture of the Yellow Billed Cuckoo is lovely.

>279 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I was happy to get that photo. He cooperated, just long enough.

>280 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Thanks for the reading update. Always interesting to hear. If it warming up here, I am sure it is really cookin' down there. Keep cool and enjoy that morning breakfast.

>281 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. It was a fun, productive, birding day.

"For years Carmen Maria Machado has struggled to articulate her experiences in an abusive same-sex relationship. In this extraordinarily candid and radically inventive memoir, Machado tackles a dark and difficult subject with wit, inventiveness and an inquiring spirit..."

I loved Machado's debut story collection Her Body and Other Parties and really wanted to read her memoir. It took me awhile but I am finally getting to the audio of In the Dream House. I start it today.

I didn't have a chance to read much of Crooked Hallelujah yesterday but I am enjoying it and look forward to spending more time with it today.

^It was a Scarlet Tanager day on Friday. They must be nesting in this area, since we saw several and it gave me a few opportunities for some photos. Probably the best looking bird we get here for the summer.

Wow, Mark, that tanager is something! I have never seen one in person (ditto for the cuckoo). I have a friend who lives on a street called Tanager Place but that's the closest I've got! lol

'Morning, Mark! Wow a 2-lifer day and some gorgeous personal photographs. Congrats all around.

>270 msf59: There is nothing more delightful than a double-expectations day! Congratulations.

>283 msf59: I have yet to read Machado's work, but I have the stories on my Kindle.

>284 msf59: How beautiful the tanagers are, that intense scarlet color is so happy!

>285 jessibud2: I am glad you like the tanagers, Shelley. They seem to prefer more wooded spaces, so next time you are strolling through a forest, keep your peepers open.

>286 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. It was good birding weekend.

>287 richardderus: Hey, RD. Now, I am trying to track down a summer tanager. They have eluded me for about 2 years. Some do summer here, so I will get the chance, hopefully soon.

I was here, Mark. I was here! But my mind remains mostly a vast wasteland. Moving toward the end of The Overstory; maybe I can get there tomorrow. Yah, yah. It's very good. The author is a Power(s), all right, but how did he get it?

>284 msf59: Mark, your pictures are getting better and better--what a beautiful shot here! Your pictures are just as good (if not better than) the "NMP" ones.

Hope you're doing well and taking Vitamin D to keep the virus away.

>289 weird_O: Hi, Bill glad you stopped by. Always to hear from you. I know you took a short break from The Overstory but I am happy to see that it wasn't from discontent. Not sure what the author's "Power" is but he is a heck of a writer.

>290 kac522: Aw shucks, Kathy. You made me blush. Thank you. I appreciate it. With the camera I have I seem to do okay, with medium to distant shots but really nailing the beauty of the close-up, is what is eluding me. I didn't realize that Vitamin D helps. I will start taking it. I hope all is well, with you and the family.