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Conversations at The Compass
I just finished my 3rd book for The Compass and suddenly realized that for each Compass point so far, the crime fiction reads have been FIRSTS: In series or, in Iceland, first crime fiction book for one of the co-authors. I might just see if I can continue that trend - not just read the next in a series or by an author I already know and like who writes crime fiction (remember my goal is crime fiction reads around the world), but actually to seek out a new series (author I've read before ok with that) or a new author entirely It's basically fine-tuning my theme which also helps narrow the reading choices. I have a lot of such 'firsts' on my TBR too.
How's everyone else doing with their goals/themes in The Compass? Have you found yourself fine-tuning your book selection process?
How's the quality of the books you are reading? So far, mine have all been good and would read more in series and/or by author.
For all those who did Steeplechase last year - how are all your reading companions handling the travel? I mean our steeds of course. Bessie refuses to join me. She's too comfy in the hay filled barn on the snow covered Racht Family Farm and the Cabana Boys are spoiling her horrendously. I thought she might mosey out and join me on the trip to Bangalore, India as there were cows and cowherds present, but she took one look at my Time Machine and absolutely balked! She would not cooperate. Bessie is NOT into time travel, not even just back to the early 20th Century.
Her loss. I mean, India reveres the cow. They are everywhere. On the other hand, she might have refused to return home, so maybe it was for the best.
I should mention that last time I visited and checked around to see that all is in order, I spotted quite a library of smutty romance novels of all genres stacked on shelves built by the Cabana Boys in one corner of the hay loft. The boys let me know that Sparkle, Buck, Elsa, Domino, and quite a few others have come to visit, bringing fresh books and spend hours reading them aloud to each other. I also noticed that Ice Planet Barbarians - at least 6 from the series - were under a pile of hay right next to where Bessie was lounging. Don't know why she was hiding them from me - afraid I would steal them?
I haven't heard or seen Sparkle since the end of 2024. She's like disappeared. She is having fun with your guys' mounts and steeds! She has zero interest in me and my books. Maybe she will like the Book of Doors for early March. Maybe she will come with me to Mexico for the Hibiscus Daquiris.....
Domino has decided to retire. The Steeplechase was much more difficult than she expected. However, I'm not traveling alone. My 2 1/2 year Australian Terrier, Stanley, was eager to join PBT after he discovered Oliver was a long time member........including 2020 Vice President and MVP of the Baseball challenge all those years ago. Unfortunately, he's spoiled and will only fly first class. That's bound to cost me a fortune. He just ordered a language course, too.
Well I knew Domino was indulging in some of those smutty romances with Bessie! But I can just imagine how eager she was to retire after climbing Mt. Everest after all those laps! Welcome, Stanley! You have big paws to follow but somehow I think you are up to the job.
I do hope he learns how to say Woof in different languages - in France it's Wouf Wouf - with the appropriate accent of course.
Here's a cheat sheet for him: www.languagepro.com.br/woof-woof-dog-...
I am not doing the Compass this year, so no travel for Buck, except for his visits to the barn to hang out with Bessie, Sparkle (when she shows up), and the Cabana boys. He is not thrilled with the cold temps, so he doesn't stay long. He has decided hanging out in a sunny spot is the place to be right now.
Sparkle now LIVES in that Barn. She only shows up for Buck and Bessie and Ennaoj. Its me she won't show up for.... She's singing on the mic, playing card games, nestling in the Hay. The only she doesn't appear to care for is books!
Elsa has definitely sought refuge from the moving chaos in the barn with Bessie. She does love some of those smutty romances, not to mention the margaritas CGI Tom and the cabana boys have made for her in giant washtubs. (She's a thirsty gal!)She does show up occasionally to do a bit of heavy lifting and to reach those high shelves of the bookcase so I can pack away the treasures. I told her she absolutely MUST be here the second week of Feb, but her response was a noncommittal "we'll see...."
Darwin moved back to the Galapagos Island, but he still takes trips to appear at conservation events. His manager tells me that he refuses to get on the plane without his audiobooks. He keeps asking me to send more!He liked Playground and The Last Cold Place: A Field Season Studying Penguins in Antarctica and wants to see the penguins for himself.
Rambo and I aren't doing Compass but he was happy that I read Diary of a Pint-Sized Farmer: A Year of Keeping Sheep, Raising Kids, and Staying Sane earlier this month.
Dr. Hippo is busy with his medical practice back in Africa but invited me to drop in and pay him a visit if the Compass takes me in his direction. He travels a lot for work, so he said he can meet me in most any African country.
Ennoaj has been traveling, sporadically with me, spending most of her time with the gang at the barn. I drop her a postcard and let her know where I am heading and she surprises me with visits.
Astra is super happy now that her twin sister Laerke is travelling with us. They weren't overly excited about Dallas, too warm for them, but are excited for our next detination, Seattle, which is close to their permanent home.
George the Mule has been busy plotting your courses on his huge globe. He loves to follow along with your travels.He says you may find some interesting books in the Dublin literary awards.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/the-aw...
Amy wrote: "Sparkle now LIVES in that Barn. She only shows up for Buck and Bessie and Ennaoj. Its me she won't show up for.... She's singing on the mic, playing card games, nestling in the Hay. The only she do..."Buck is so happy to know that Sparkle is at the barn full time now. He says that he will be spending most of his time there from now on. Apparently she continues to dazzle him!
Booknblues wrote: "George the Mule has been busy plotting your courses on his huge globe. He loves to follow along with your travels.He says you may find some interesting books in the Dublin literary awards.
https..."
So pleased that George is acting as your assistant, BnB!
Theresa wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "George the Mule has been busy plotting your courses on his huge globe. He loves to follow along with your travels.He says you may find some interesting books in the Dublin lite..."
He likes spinning the globe.
Lyn wrote: "Amy wrote: "Sparkle now LIVES in that Barn. She only shows up for Buck and Bessie and Ennaoj. Its me she won't show up for.... She's singing on the mic, playing card games, nestling in the Hay. The..."I should also mention that in addition to paw, claw, and hoof service from the Cabanna Boys and shelves of smutty romances, Joy's Magic Trunk is in pride of place and seems to be bottomless. I also heard that Tom and Steve have a surprise coming for them... a large screen smart TV and subscriptions to streaming services - and providing a satelite dish as there is no cable service in that hilly (actually old mountains) area. Bessie confessed that they are all eager to watch the All Creatures Great and Small series - old an current.
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@Joy @ Fran @ Shelley @ JenK For those who read The End of Drum-Time by Hanna Pylväinen, do you recall location settings?
I found mentions in the book of Garasavvon, and on the map program I found two close together. This location appears far north in the Tundra. Does this sound right for the book’s setting? I am traveling North from Istanbul.
Gárasavvon, FIN
Gárasavvon, SWE
Nancy, I took a look at my review, and the majority of the book is set in the land of the Sámi reindeer herders in Scandinavia. The herds must move across boundaries in order to graze (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia). I know part of it involves the settlements but don't remember the names. It is set in what used to be called "Lapland" (but this is now considered a derogatory term). It is now called Sápmi. I think you should be safe in traveling north from Istanbul, as a good portion of it definitely takes place in the tundra lands, north of Finland and Sweden.
When I googled it, it said Sweden.I didn't put a country with tags and I usually do if I know for sure.
11 people tagged it as Sweden and 5 people tagged Finland.
NancyJ wrote: "@Joy @ Fran @ Shelley @ JenK For those who read The End of Drum-Time by Hanna Pylväinen, do you recall location settings?
I found mentions in the book of Garas..."
The whole idea of border and dividing the area, now Sápmi, is one discussed in the book so both could work. I believe that they wintered in Sweden though.
Thank you all for your help. I’ve been looking forward to this book, so I’m glad it fits. I’ll use the starting village in Sweden as my map point for now since it’s early in the book. The whole northern cap from Trovo Norway to Murmansk Russia also fits the North bearing. Thanks!
If anyone besides me is not good with maps, longitude/latitude, etc. I have found a very easy way to check if your book fits a direction. Simply ask the "Google lady" (that is what we call her around here-lol) if the direction of the place you are leaving is in the direction of the place you are going to.Example:
Is the flight path to London northeast of New Jersey
AI: Yes, the initial flight path from New Jersey to London is northeast (NE). Explanation: The initial bearing from New Jersey to London is 50.90° NE.
Joanne,I don’t think Google”s AI is always very smart. It somehow gave you the information for New-jersey In Trinidad and Tobago, to London England. LOL. The trick is to click on the links to see where it got the information. Unfortunately, none of the programs are perfect.
When I used Distance.To directly, I had more control over the choices and I was able to pick New Jersey, USA. It was very fast. It gave me ENE.
1. When I googled “Is the flight path to London northeast of New Jersey” it gave me the same answer it gave you. Below the answer were some links to show where it got the information. It used Distance.To, but the map shows a line from New-jersey in Trinidad and Tobago and this additional info.
#1 New-jersey
Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago
Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago
Latitude: 10.23333 10° 13' 59.988'' N
Longitude: -61.63333 -61° 37' 59.988'' E
Local time: 12:19 (13.02.2025) : (America/Puerto_Rico)
Flight route: 4,438.86 mi (7,143.65 km) (8h 54min)
The flight distance between the nearest airports New-jersey (BLA) and London (LHR) is 4,438.86 mi (7,143.65 km). This corresponds to an approximate flight time of 8h 54min. Similar flight routes: BLA → LGW , BLA → LTN , BLA → STN , BLA → BZZ , CCS → LHR
Bearing: 50.90° (NE)
The initial bearing on the course from New-jersey to London is 50.90° and the compass direction is NE
Distance: 4,453.14 mi (7,166.64 km)
The shortest distance (air line) between New-jersey and London is 4,453.14 mi (7,166.64 km).
================
2. When I used Distance.to directly, I entered New Jersey and it gave me several options, including New Jersey USA. It used the middle of New Jersey.
Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States of America
Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States of America
Latitude: 40.16706 40° 10' 1.416'' N
Longitude: -74.49987 -74° 29' 59.532'' E
Local time: 11:16 (13.02.2025) : (America/New_York)
Flight route: 3,501.51 mi (5,635.13 km) (7h 7min)
The flight distance between the nearest airports New-Jersey, USA (EWR) and London (LHR) is 3,501.51 mi (5,635.13 km). This corresponds to an approximate flight time of 7h 7min. Similar flight routes: EWR → LGW , EWR → LTN , EWR → STN , EWR → BZZ , PHL → LHR
Bearing: 77.60° (ENE)
The initial bearing on the course from New-Jersey, USA to London is 77.60° and the compass direction is ENE.
Midpoint: 52.18358,-41.74472
The geographic midpoint between New-Jersey, USA and London is in 1,752.66 mi (2,820.63 km) distance between both points in a bearing of 77.60°.
Distance: 3,505.32 mi (5,641.26 km)
The shortest distance (air line) between New-Jersey, USA and London is 3,505.32 mi (5,641.26 km).
============================
I also asked google, using different questions. One gave me the answer from New Jersey to London Ontario. Another told me that no, London was not in the Northeast, it was in England
3. When I googled “Is London Northeast from New Jersey?”
AI Overview
No, London is not northeast of New Jersey, as London is in the United Kingdom and New Jersey is in the United States. New Jersey is part of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States
I NEVER use the Google voice, Siri, etc. for any questions. It doesn't always understand and anyway I want to see the information. I actually turned Siri off on my iphone. When my husband or son asks her something, I look it up myself to show I can often do it faster. Of course, I'm still using online Google but I can see more choices and the sources. Of course, it's great for anyone who has difficult with eyesight, typing, etc. but I am kind of a control freak and reluctant to trust it.
Robin P wrote: "I NEVER use the Google voice, Siri, etc. for any questions. It doesn't always understand and anyway I want to see the information. I actually turned Siri off on my iphone. When my husband or son as..."I don’t know if Joanne used voice, but I got the same bad answers when I typed the questions. I used the correct spelling of New Jersey, but the answer was still wrong.
I haven’t had any success with voice programs either. I know I might need to try it soon though.
Oddly Google gave me a different answer when I mis-typed London as Londin. It used the correct New Jersey, but showed me a map to London Ontario.
The chatbots are more reliable than a Google search, but still can make errors, which they call "hallucinations."
Thanks, but the flight path looks NE to me anyway. I will let Fran make the call on it.
Joanne wrote: "Thanks, but the flight path looks NE to me anyway. I will let Fran make the call on it."I think we are close enough to NE
Booknblues wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Thanks, but the flight path looks NE to me anyway. I will let Fran make the call on it."I think we are close enough to NE"
Thank you Fran
Joy D wrote: "The chatbots are more reliable than a Google search, but still can make errors, which they call "hallucinations.""Haha! That is funny. I never used any of this stuff, and I thought that AI was reliable. I guess not.
Joanne wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Thanks, but the flight path looks NE to me anyway. I will let Fran make the call on it."I think we are close enough to NE"
Thank you Fran"
We are not going in to the whole ENE realm when you get to that point, you could almost use either NE or E. They are kind of gray areas.
I just eyeball using the straightline apps. If it looks at all questionable or to my mind too close to another compass point, I either pick somewhere else or confirm with Fran. So far it's worked for me. And Fran is quite kind and liberal. I'm only looking to read crime fiction anyway from different places that are books I already have on my TBR. I have A LOT. I also am only looking at location - generally country - tags. I am thrilled to return on this spin to India as I have several series I want to start or am behind in that are set in India. I'm still hoping to get to Japan - so far no direction has brought me close - because I have so many translations of Japan's Golden Age mysteries to read in my TBR Towers.
And the Edgar nominations added to my list - that's where the one I just read for Argentina came from. So good!
Booknblues wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Thanks, but the flight path looks NE to me anyway. I will let Fran make the call on it."I think we are close enough to NE"
We are not going in to the whole ENE realm when you get to that point, you could almost use either NE or E. They are kind of gray areas."
That’s wonderful. I can’t tell you how many times I thought I had the perfect fit, but it was just a little off. Thanks Fran!!!
Theresa wrote: "I just eyeball using the straightline apps. If it looks at all questionable or to my mind too close to another compass point, I either pick somewhere else or confirm with Fran. So far it's worked f..."I'm doing only crime or true crime for Compass too. I'm hoping to get to India soon because I have so many great options.
Olivermagnus wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I just eyeball using the straightline apps. If it looks at all questionable or to my mind too close to another compass point, I either pick somewhere else or confirm with Fran. So f..."It's amazing how many crime fiction options there are for India. I had sort of noticed you were doing crime or at least some crime for compass. Will enjoy seeing what you read for diffirent locations. I suspect my TBR will grow.
Ok hive mind- I'm in Seattle headed West- looking at a map for Asia that would be China basically, right?
I got north, so I looked at the map to see what was north of Turkey and it turns out Latvia is there. So I looked up the Latvia shelf, and immediately found a book that’s on my TBR in a very high place. It’s a Beatriz Williams book, Our Woman in Moscow, with lots of tags for Latvia!
Joi wrote: "Ok hive mind- I'm in Seattle headed West- looking at a map for Asia that would be China basically, right?"Looks like more Mongolia, or possibly far northern Japan.
Joi wrote: "Ok hive mind- I'm in Seattle headed West- looking at a map for Asia that would be China basically, right?"Sure. Beijing China would be perfect. Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, and Pakistan are all on the path. It’s ok to go a little farther South or North and still be in the right range. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Laos, Nepal, Bangladesh, and parts of India might be considered WSW by some programs, but they are much closer to West than Southwest, so they work.
Amy wrote: "I got north, so I looked at the map to see what was north of Turkey and it turns out Latvia is there. So I looked up the Latvia shelf, and immediately found a book that’s on my TBR in a very high p..."That sounds perfect. When I went north from Istanbul I went to northern Sweden and read End of Drum-time
Joi wrote: "Ok hive mind- I'm in Seattle headed West- looking at a map for Asia that would be China basically, right?"Since you are going straight West, I found it easiest just to google first what North latitude Seattle was on - 47z then googled all countries on latitude 47 N. Here is the link to the Wikipedia list: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/47th_...
Staying within the max milage in E/W direction - you can get as far west from Seattle as Zurich - approx 12300 miles - even into France. Check the rules as I think the max is about 13,000 miles.
Quick note - two searches I used thought New Mexico was in Maryland. I got the right results when I used the city name. Joanne has a similar glitch with New Jersey (google thought it was on a South American island. Pls double check maps to be sure. Using cities or state abbreviations may help.
I always seem to miss "spin day" by 50 pages or less 😟
Joanne wrote: "I always seem to miss "spin day" by 50 pages or less 😟"Hah! I skin in... staying up way into the wee hours Tuesday night, then delaying opening my office until I finish and get some sort of review up. Frankly, I'd just let it slide until the next week but there's already 2 or 3 weeks at least between my spins, and sometimes I have a book lined up to read that could fit immediately, and fit other challenges, if the direction is good.
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Thanks, I didn’t realize it was also set in Italy. I loved Tsar … , so I’ll bump it up the list. I went with the China book for this week. I hope I get West again next time.