Susan Used to Live on Reader Lane

[Cynda]

Hi Susan! A spooky might be in order. I'm thinking New Orleans spooky stuff. What are you thinking?

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "Hi Susan! A spooky might be in order. I'm thinking New Orleans spooky stuff. What are you thinking?"

New Orleans sounds like a good spooky setting, Cynda. Look forward to seeing your picks.

So far, my spooky ideas are:
A Thin Ghost and Others, M. R. James,
Fantastic Tales, Iginio Ugo Tarchetti
Carmilla, Sheridan LeFanu (audiobook)
So, England, Italy and Ireland ;)

[Cynda]

I read Carmilla this year. Some good and scary stuff! . . . I am respectfully scared of New Orleans 😳 and changed my mind. I am considering other options. . . . .More to follow. . . . .

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "I read Carmilla this year. Some good and scary stuff! . . . I am respectfully scared of New Orleans 😳 and changed my mind. I am considering other options. . . . .More to follow. . . . ."

Lots of good choices out there! Good luck with your picks

[Susan]

I can’t believe the fall Readathon is just 2 weeks away! As usual, I’m thinking cosy and spooky reading with mysteries, spies, ghosts, and maybe a children’s book or two.

My stack will probably change a bit, but so far, here’s what I’ve got lined up —

A Thin Ghost and Others, M. R. James (ghost stories) (Kindle)
Fantastic Tales, Iginio Ugo Tarchetti (spooky stories)
The Lady in the Lake, Laura Lippman (mystery)
The Circle, Peter Lovesey (mystery)
The Spy on Putney Bridge, David Fitz-Enz (espionage)
Heart of a Dog, Mikhail Bulgakov (fantasy, satire) (library).
Ti Amo, Hanne Orstavik (fiction)
Without End, Adam Zagajewski (poetry).
Caldicott Place, Noel Streatfeild (children).
Nicholas, Rene Goscinny (children)
The Book Lover’s Cookbook, Shaunda Kennedy Wenger and Janet Kay Jensen (cookbook).
Humans of NY (photography)

Audiobook possibilities:
Carmilla, Sheridan LeFanu (horror) (2 hrs, 17 mins)
A Mind of Her Own, Paula McLain (biography) (1 hr, 15 mins)
One of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters

For special snacks, I’ve stashed away an orange/cranberry scone and a bag of madeleines in the freezer. And there may be some pre-Hallowe’en mini candies involved ;).

[Elyse]

Carmilla goes by so quickly on audio! I listened to it during an October Dewey's a few years ago and I had to listen to it twice! lol

[Susan]

Elyse wrote: "Carmilla goes by so quickly on audio! I listened to it during an October Dewey's a few years ago and I had to listen to it twice! lol"

Good to know! Maybe I’ll try tweaking the speed a bit.

[Leni]

Yes! It's the spooky-thon! I have to make sure we get most of the halloween decorations up in time for the readathon. I've almost got my tbr ready.

[Ann A]

So glad to see you gearing up for the readathon, Susan! You always have such an interesting TBR. I love Amelia Peabody. I'm on #13 in the series and I will be sad when it ends.

[Ann A]

And might I add - orange/cranberry scones...that sounds ridiculously yummy!

[Susan]

Leni wrote: "Yes! It's the spooky-thon! I have to make sure we get most of the halloween decorations up in time for the readathon. I've almost got my tbr ready."

What a good idea to decorate in time for the Readathon! I’m going to remember that for next year.

[Susan]

Ann A wrote: "So glad to see you gearing up for the readathon, Susan! You always have such an interesting TBR. I love Amelia Peabody. I'm on #13 in the series and I will be sad when it ends."

I love Amelia Peabody, too. I’m rereading the series by listening to the wonderful Barbara Rosenblatt audiobooks — have you heard them? — she does a delightful job with the characters and the humor.

And, I’ve added “Amelia Peabody’s Egypt” to my TBR fir the Readathon — it’s more of a browse-around-in book, but such fun! I know what you mean about the series ending; I haven’t read the last book because that way there’s still one left ;).

[Cynda]

I read Camilla this year. Scary. Scary. . . . . Good stuff. Enjoy!

[Susan]

Updated Book List

Of course, I won’t read half of these, but I love having choices.

**Book Choice Ideas**

A Thin Ghost and Others, M. R. James (ghost stories) (Kindle)
Fantastic Tales, Iginio Ugo Tarchetti (spooky stories)
The Circle, Peter Lovesey (mystery)
Heart of a Dog, Mikhail Bulgakov (fantasy, satire) (library).
Autumn Rounds, Jacques Poulin (fiction)
Alphabet, Inger Christensen (poetry)
What Narcissism Means to Me, Tony Hoagland (poetry).
The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe, illustrated Gustave Dore (poetry)(library)
Nicholas, Rene Goscinny (children)
The Burial at Thebes, Seamus Heaney (play)
The Book Lover’s Cookbook, Shaunda Kennedy Wenger and Janet Kay Jensen (cookbook).
Amelia Peabody’s Egypt, ed. by Elizabeth Peters and Kristen Whitbread (archeology, Victorian times)
Asterix the Gaul, Rene Goscinny (graphic)

Audiobook possibilities:
Carmilla, Sheridan LeFanu (horror) (2 hrs, 17 mins)
Nevermore: An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe (1 hr, 38 minutes) (library)
The Last Camel Died at Noon, Elizabeth Peters (library)

[Susan]

Meal Plans:

Breakfast —
Apple cider donuts
Coffee

Lunch —
Turkey sandwich on rye
Baby carrots
Snow pea pods

Tea —
Orange and cranberry scone
Hot tea

Dinner —
Leftover roasted chicken
Coleslaw or salad
Toasted roll

Snack Ideas:
—popcorn
—madeleines (frozen)
—Reese’s Peanut Butter pumpkins
—Outshine coconut bar
—apples
—ginger sparkling water

[Kate]

Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. Apple cider donuts sound yummy!

[Ann A]

Looks like you're all set to go, Susan! I'm going to keep Poe in mind for next October - what a great choice.

And yes, I love the Amelia Peabody audiobooks. I especially enjoy the narrator's Emerson ;)

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "I read Camilla this year. Scary. Scary. . . . . Good stuff. Enjoy!"

Looking forward to it! Thanks

[Susan]

Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. Apple cider donuts sound yummy!"

Hi Kate, The Book Lovers Cook Book is a fun book to browse — the subtitle is “Recipes Inspired by Celebrated Works of Literature and the Passages that Feature Them”, a good fit for anyone who likes books and cooking.

I’m really looking forward to the apple cider donuts since last year they sold out, so I’ve been waiting awhile ;).

[Susan]

Ann A wrote: "Looks like you're all set to go, Susan! I'm going to keep Poe in mind for next October - what a great choice.

And yes, I love the Amelia Peabody audiobooks. I especially enjoy the narrator's Emer..."
Yes, I think the next time I read the books, I’ll hear Emerson in her voice (Amelia and Ramses, too)

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Your food sounds especially good. I got a new tea kettle and coffee pot last week.

Looks like a fun TBR list too, hope you have fun.

I enjoyed Amelia Peabody first book but need to read more of the series. I grew up on her Barbara Michaels gothics

[Vanessa]

Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. Apple cider donuts sound yummy!"

Yes ma'am ; cider and donuts this time of year are the yummiest !
I'm going to start a new book with this Readathon .
Thanks for reminding me to get some apple cider .

[Susan]

Looks like a spooky line up! And the apple cider donuts are calling my name - perfect for fall.

[Lynnette]

Good luck tomorrow Susan

[Susy]

Susan wrote: "Meal Plans:

Breakfast —
Apple cider donuts
Coffee

Lunch —
Turkey sandwich on rye
Baby carrots
Snow pea pods

Tea —
Orange and cranberry scone
Hot tea

Dinner —
Leftover roasted chicken
Colesl..."

Susan wrote: "Updated Book List

Of course, I won’t read half of these, but I love having choices.

**Book Choice Ideas**

A Thin Ghost and Others, M. R. James (ghost stories) (Kindle)
Fantastic Tales, Iginio Ug..."

Wow, all set to go with lots of book & food options to choose from. Hope you have a great Readathon, Susan!

And yes, next year I will have my Halloween decorations up in time for the readathons as well!

[Elyse]

Happy readathon, Susan! I will jump on that yum to apple cider donuts!

[Susan]

Opening Survey!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

From beautiful Maryland where the leaves are turning but my houseplants are still enjoying life outside until it freezes

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov which I’ve been saving for today

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

Reese peanut butter pumpkins and ginger sparkling water (but not together)

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I’m retired but still not catching up on the stacks of books I want to read ;). My reading buddy is a middle-sized black and white pooch, Jaxie, who is going to be a lion for Halloween next week. She’ll spend most of the Readathon napping, but there is a special chew for her to enjoy this afternoon.

[Susan]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Your food sounds especially good. I got a new tea kettle and coffee pot last week.

Looks like a fun TBR list too, hope you have fun.

I enjoyed Amelia Peabody first book but need to read more of ..."

Good timing with the new tea and coffee equipment! The Crocodile on the Sandbank is one of my favorites, but the whole series is fun. I’ve read her Barbara Michaels books, too — actually, they would be great for a spooky fall Readathon — maybe next year….

[Susan]

Vanessa wrote: "Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. Apple cider donuts sound yummy!"
..."

Hi, Vanessa, Apple cider sounds delicious. Enjoy your new book and have a great Readathon!

[Susan]

Susan wrote: "Looks like a spooky line up! And the apple cider donuts are calling my name - perfect for fall."

I highly recommend the apple cider donuts! And some spooky reads. Have a great Readathon, Susan! I’ll be stopping by to say Hi!

[Susan]

Lynnette wrote: "Good luck tomorrow Susan"

Thanks, Lynnette. Have a great Readathon!

[Lamilla]

Would love to know your thoughts on Heart of the Dog, Susan! It's one of my fav books by Bulgakov (the second being M&M of course)

[Susan]

Susy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Meal Plans:

Breakfast —
Apple cider donuts
Coffee

Lunch —
Turkey sandwich on rye
Baby carrots
Snow pea pods

Tea —
Orange and cranberry scone
Hot tea

Dinner —
Leftover roasted ..."

Thanks, Susy! Enjoy your Readathon! I’ll be stopping by to see what you’re reading ;)

[Susan]

Elyse wrote: "Happy readathon, Susan! I will jump on that yum to apple cider donuts!"

Thanks, Elyse! Enjoy your Readathon! The apple cider donuts are v.e.r.y yummy ;)

[Susan]

Lamilla wrote: "Would love to know your thoughts on Heart of the Dog, Susan! It's one of my fav books by Bulgakov (the second being M&M of course)"

Hi, Lamilla, Heart of the Dog will be my first Bulgakov so I’m really looking forward to it. Glad to know you recommend it! Have a great Readathon.

[Vanessa]

Susan wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. Apple cider donut..."

Susan wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. Apple cider donut..."

Susan wrote: "Opening Survey!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

From beautiful Maryland where the leaves are turning but my houseplants are still enjoying life outside until it freezes..."

I'm in Albuquerque New Mexico , the largest city on the mid Rio Grande River basin . I took my houseplants in last week ; sometimes the killing frost comes early in the desert .

[Cynda]

Good Morning Susan. I hope you and your doggie have a successful readathon!

[Susan]

Mid-Event Survey! A little late —

What are you reading right now?

The Book Lovers Cook Book, a compendium of quotes about cooking and meals with recipes. Great fun to browse.

How many books have you read so far?

Two short books and a short story:

“An Outpost of Progress,” by Joseph Conrad (short story)
“The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe, illustrated by Gustave Dore
“Heart of a Dog,” Mikhail Bulgakov

I’ve also spent quite a bit of time listening to “The Last Camel Died at Noon,” by Elizabeth Peters, delightfully read by Barbara Rosenblat.

What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the readathon?

Honestly, I could have spent the whole Readathon listening to the adventures of Amelia, Radcliffe and Ramses ;). but I’m trying to mix it up so I’ll say “Autumn Rounds” which features adventures in a bookmobile.

Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Fewer than usual.

[Susan]

Lamilla wrote: "Would love to know your thoughts on Heart of the Dog, Susan! It's one of my fav books by Bulgakov (the second being M&M of course)"

Hi, Lamilla, I thought “Heart of the Dog” was a wild ride and very funny and surprising. I felt so badly for the dog at the beginning of the book that my pooch got a few extra treats, pats and hugs from me. I’m looking forward to reading more of his books now including M&M.

[Susan]

Vanessa wrote: "Susan wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans look good too. App..."

Hi, Vanessa, I’ve visited Albuquerque a few times over the years — what a beautiful area with the mountains. Glad you’ve got your house plants in — mine will probably have to come in next week. Hope you’re enjoying the Readathon!

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "Good Morning Susan. I hope you and your doggie have a successful readathon!"

Thanks, Cynda! I think we are. Hope you are, too.

[Cynda]

Good to see you still here too. Caffiene time for me.

[Vanessa]

Susan wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Susan wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Kate wrote: "Hi Susan I love your planning. I think I need to investigate The Book Lovers Cook book. That sounds right up my street!
Your meal plans lo..."

Hey
I'm enjoying the Readathon very much . Thanks for asking .

[Vanessa]

Cynda wrote: "Good to see you still here too. Caffiene time for me."
It's 10:16 pm in Albuquerque , New Mexico and I'm caffeined out !
I gotta get some sleep in a few hours so I can stop yawning .

[Cynda]

I hear you Vanessa. It is 11:18 in Texas. I will sit in my sofa in about an hour for enough time to decide to read on or sleep on.

[Lamilla]

Susan wrote: "Hi, Lamilla, I thought “Heart of the Dog” was a wild ride and very funny and surprising. I felt so badly for the dog at the beginning of the book that my pooch got a few extra treats, pats and hugs from me. I’m looking forward to reading more of his books now including M&M."
Glad you've enjoyed it and want to read more! And that your pet got additional sweet time with you )) Mine totally slept during my attempt of "reading aloud for you pet"

[Vanessa]

Cynda wrote: "I hear you Vanessa. It is 11:18 in Texas. I will sit in my sofa in about an hour for enough time to decide to read on or sleep on."

😊

[Susan]

Cynda wrote: "Good to see you still here too. Caffiene time for me."

My audiobook lured me into staying up way too late. ;).

[Susan]

Vanessa wrote: "Cynda wrote: "Good to see you still here too. Caffiene time for me."
It's 10:16 pm in Albuquerque , New Mexico and I'm caffeined out !
I gotta get some sleep in a few hours so I can stop yawning ."

Another night owl Readathoner! I see a nap in my future today ;)

[Lamilla]

Susan wrote: "My audiobook lured me into staying up way too late. ;)."
It can work both ways for me - still remember waking up in the middle of the night and hearing an audiobook running...