Chat

[Martha]

Honestly, I'm not sure where this particular list came from & the link at the top no longer works. I know many people read through the Bible in a year, but I've never managed that. I agree with you that for those of us who do read it, it's an ongoing thing usually. Some in the group have replaced it on their list.

[Nicolle]

Doesn't the link work anymore? It's just a random website list and had more variety than most lists so I chose that but we can change the odd book if we like. Most of us have.

[Martha]

I've tried it a couple of times. At least you've listed the books in a post. I've changed a few myself. :-)

[Martha]

Just tried it again ... just the main site and got the same thing.

brittybooks.com

It's in a foreign language. I'm guessing an Asian language.

[Nicolle]

Just tried myself and I see what you mean. It wasn't like that before. Oh well. :)

[[deleted user]]

Nicolle I forbid you to no longer be a moderator!!!

[[deleted user]]

Did I word that right??? Lmao

[Book Concierge]

I thought this was interesting ...
BOOK RELATED Benches in London: https://www.yahoo.com/travel/london-b...

[Book Concierge]

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday - surrounded by good friends, loving family and warm memories.

My brother arrives in about two hours and I probably won't be online again until the weekend. Probably won't be getting much reading done either. Oh, well ...

[Martha]

Happy New Year to you all!! Hope you had a safe New Year's Eve and will have a prosperous 2015 with lots of good reading ahead!!

[Book Concierge]

Did anyone else here about the latest Alexander McCall Smith book - Emma: A Modern Retelling

He has apparently taken up the challenge to revisit a classic and moderinze it. My local indie bookseller absolutely loved it.

[Martha]

I had not heard that. It sounds good.

[Martha]

I do hope to keep updated with this group, but wanted to let you know that my husband had a stroke yesterday. We are camping in southern Illinois so he is in a hospital 3 hours from home. Future is unclear at this time.

[Book Concierge]

Martha wrote: "I do hope to keep updated with this group, but wanted to let you know that my husband had a stroke yesterday. We are camping in southern Illinois so he is in a hospital 3 hours from home. Future is..."

Oh, Martha ... My prayers are with you and your husband.

[Martha]

Thanks, Tessa! I've been trying to rest in between getting some neglected chores done. He's doing well ... Mostly affected his speech. He seems to be able to understand everything now ... this came back after a couple of days. He will need therapy to learn how to talk again. He can say some words, just now when he tries. He gets frustrated when we don't know what he wants.

I want to get a thread up for November nominations. Will try to do that in a day or 2.

[Martha]

I deleted the duplicate comment. Sometimes I get in too big of a hurry if I'm using my phone to post and end up posting twice.

Good news for us. Jerry continues to improve slowly, but surely. Making steady progress. Seems to be struggling less this weekend with getting words out. I have FINALLY gotten some help with my chronic pain. Have a prescription for a med to help with nerve pain and it's working!! Had hip injections on the 23rd and they have helped considerably. The worst hip is still a little painful, but not nearly as much as pre-injection. It's my Christmas miracle!

[[deleted user]]

Hey all...I am sorry about my absence in the last while...I have been trying to read the books that I have started and getting them off my currently reading shelf here at home....I have about 8 that I have to finish off...Right now I am finishing off Dragonfly in Amber...I will be back soon I promise!!! XOXOXO

[Martha]

Nice to hear from you, Teri-Lynn. I have several books that I need to finish as well. Just haven't been as diligent toward my reading lately.

[[deleted user]]

I was like that at the end of the year...I was so stressed out about the holidays that I couldn't concentrate on the books...

[Martha]

Not sure where else to put this ... maybe we need another discussion thread. Hmmm ... will think on this one. Anyway I did a little cleanup in our group read thread. I made another discussion folder of Past Group Reads 2012-2014 and moved all those folders to that one. As is our policy, all of them will remain open for discussion for any who decide to read them in the future. I'm behind on several group reads so I may get to some of them this year. Who knows?

If anyone has any ideas on getting more interest & discussion going in our group, please share them either here or in a PM to me.

Have a great day!

[Book Concierge]

Well ... my husband is having his spinal fusion surgery tomorrow and I'll be off-line for several days.

I managed to get the audio of Roots: The Saga of an American Family on an MP3 player, so I'll be listening (or trying to listen) to that this week.

[Martha]

Good luck to him & you! Will be thinking of you both tomorrow.

[Book Concierge]

Martha wrote: "Good luck to him & you! Will be thinking of you both tomorrow."

Oh my stars, this has been a rocky road! The surgery went very well and was a complete success, in that his sciatica is completely gone.

But ... we have struggled with pain management issues and side effects of pain meds. We were sleeping 1 or 2 hours at a time and so stressed. Finally saw a neurologist on Thursday, got a new Rx and what an improvement! I may actually be able to go back to work this week (I've been off on family medical leave since March 8).

As for reading ... I started a book on March 12 and I'm on page 118. I started the audio of Roots on the MP3 player, switched to CDs in the car ... I'm all the way up to disc # 4 (of 26 discs) ... I may finish it this year .... LOL

[Martha]

Glad to hear things are going better! I was slowly listening to Roots, but we have a family crisis now. My youngest son was admitted to the ICU Sunday with severe pancreatitis which was causing organ failure. He's still there, but thankfully, he is improving slowly. They hope to sit him up today. He has fewer tubes attached to him now. Was on a ventilator for over 48 hours, then on a sleep apnea machine for a day. I'm exhausted. My husband is sick and cannot visit him, but has to take care of our granddaughter. I've been leaving the hospital to come home & spend time with her to give him a break. Family & friends have been great, but it's so tiring to drive back & forth & sit most of the day. If it weren't for having a walker I'd never be able to do all the walking even though the waiting area is so close. I am listening on my drive, but trying to finish Einstein first. Will get to Roots in a few days.

[Book Concierge]

Martha wrote: "Glad to hear things are going better! I was slowly listening to Roots, but we have a family crisis now. My youngest son was admitted to the ICU Sunday with severe pancreatitis which was causing org..."

OH, Martha ... what a "perfect storm" of stressful emergencies! Sounds like your son is on the mend, and I pray that his recovery is speedy.

[Martha]

My son passed away Friday afternoon. Gratefully, some of us were able to be with him during this sad time. He was no longer conscious, but I feel/hope he knew we were there. His funeral was yesterday & we have been overwhelmed by all the love and support. The funeral home could barely hold all those who came to say goodbye. I am incredibly sad.

My granddaughter is gone now as well. Her mother took her yesterday. She promises we will be able to visit & we scheduled 2 for May, but the woman has proven to be a liar over the years so I believe we will be in court before this is over.

I think I will feel more like reading and fulfilling my moderator duties soon, but just not up to much right now. Maybe next week. If someone would want to post a nominating thread for a May book in the next day or 2, that would be wonderful. If not, I'll try to set something up next week.

Need to get dressed & face the day. Going to meet with my son's employer today & lawyers tomorrow.

[Book Concierge]

Martha wrote: "My son passed away Friday afternoon. Gratefully, some of us were able to be with him during this sad time. He was no longer conscious, but I feel/hope he knew we were there. His funeral was yesterd..."

Martha, please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved son. And to have your granddaughter taken away is just too, too sad.

Do not worry about the group for now. We could all use a rest from all the stress of the last month, and some time to just catch up.

My prayers are with you, your husband, your granddaughter and your son.

[Martha]

Sorry I've been absent for awhile. My husband's health began to deteriorate rapidly about 2 months ago. He had a major event (probably a stroke) on the 22nd & died. I'm glad I was with him & that help arrived rapidly, but it was not enough. Our family has has an awful 2 years, but I remain hopeful for good health & peaceful times ahead.

I'm not crocheting at all ... can't concentrate on the stitches. I'm reading a little at a time. I know it will come back in time.

[Paula]

Martha wrote: "Sorry I've been absent for awhile. My husband's health began to deteriorate rapidly about 2 months ago. He had a major event (probably a stroke) on the 22nd & died. I'm glad I was with him & that h..."

Very sorry to hear this sad news, Martha.

[Martha]

Thank you, Paula.

[Book Concierge]

Hi, Martha ... how are you doing?

I feel terrible that I've sort of stopped reading the books on this list. Even the one that I recommended (Lucky Jim)!

Seems that since I retired I am reading LESS, rather than more. Still intend to get back into the swing of things ... but you know what they say about good intentions ("The road to he** is paved with good intentions...")

[Martha]

Hi, everyone! Just wanted to check in & let you know that I’m ok. Jason & I are still pretty busy. The paperwork is calming down some, but we’re still busy with appointments & we took a short vacation a month ago. Just a visit to Lincoln’s New Salem SHS & then spent 2 days driving down part of the Great River Road on the Illinois side. Visited Nauvoo. Pretty interesting. We needed to get away & I wanted to see how he would do with me on a trip like that. It went very well & he even said that he was having the best time. He rarely expresses things like that. I think we’ll be fine, but sure do miss our guys that are gone. I’m still getting to see my granddaughter quite a bit. Her mom is expecting a baby in about a month. Izzy wants to know if her baby brother can come when she comes to visit. LOL

[Book Concierge]

Thanks for the update, Martha. I love driving vacations! Meandering about, stopping when something interests me ... that's my idea of relaxation.

[Martha]

I love to plan trips, but I love the meandering, too. We're going away again for a few days. Traveling to southern IL to Metropolis to see the large statue of Superman & visit the museum there. Then we're going to Nashville for a couple of days to visit friends and see some Christmas lights. If we see anything that interests us on the way, we're stopping. LOL

I've done a little more clean-up in the Group Reads folder by moving some of the older threads to archive or past group read threads.

[Book Concierge]

We'll be taking off next week for a meandering trip down to Texas ... including taking the scenic route down to Hannibal MO, and then on to Jefferson City ... We're going to stop for a couple of days in Oklahoma City because neither of us has been there before. Then we'll spend a week in Waco Texas before heading on to San Antonio to spend Christmas with my family. On the way back we'll stop in Shreveport LA, Jackson MS, and Memphis TN.

[Martha]

Sounds wonderful!! I love Hannibal!!! My home town is Leesville, LA & I went to college in Natchitoches, LA, It's the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase & so beautiful. We're hoping to go to LA next spring or fall. NEVER in the summer. Too humid! Enjoy & have a wonderful trip & holiday with your family.

[Book Concierge]

Sorry to be somewhat MIA ... my husband is having some health issues that are keeping us busy. He's getting a pacemaker next week ...

[Martha]

Apologies for being absent so long. We ran into some repair issues in my garage. I'm still slowly dealing with the clutter that was in the garage attic because I told the workers to not put anything back up there. I cannot go up a ladder anymore so just want to get rid of it. May have to hire someone again. I work very slowly. We adopted a dog over a year ago & he's so attached to me.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in reading a book from the list with me & has the time, just let me know here or message me. I'm just too busy to put much work into this if there's no response. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

Martha, I would be interested in reading a book with you. :)

[Martha]

Great! Do you have one in mind?

[Melissa (ladybug)]

How about either The Thirteenth Tale or The Time Traveler's Wife

[Martha]

I’ve read The Thirteenth Take so The Time Travelers Wife would be my choice. Although I wouldn’t be opposed to reading The Thirteenth Tale again. Very good book.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

The time traveler's wife would be good. :)

[Martha]

I don’t think I own it. I lose track. I’ll order from the library if I don’t have it. Do you have a time frame in mind?

[Melissa (ladybug)]

January/February? would work for you? It seems like a thick book 500+ pages so maybe? I don't own it also. so am going to get it from my library overdrive system. :)

[Martha]

Sounds good. When I get back on my laptop tomorrow I’ll list it as our group read. Maybe others will join in. Ya never know!

[Book Concierge]

I've read both the books you were looking at. Both good choices for a buddy read.


I've also been absent. Hubby dealing with several health issues, then we were thinking about selling the house and were decluttering, etc (but eventually decided NOT to sell at this point). Blah Blah Blah...

I definitely feel your "pain" Martha about the garage attic. I've stiff and sore just thinking about it... LOL.

On the plus side, you'll feel so much better once it's done!

[Martha]

Thanks, Tessa. Yes, it has been a mess. Hole in roof caused slow leak which caused mold. Ugh. The mold is gone & I FINALLY got the hole repaired. Roofers didn’t want to deal with a small repair job. Took some annoying, yet polite phone calls from me. The problem in this area is they are still doing whole roofs from the massive tornado that went through here Dec. 1, 2018. So much damage in the town 8 miles from here. A little here (not at my house), but we were out of town at a Special Olympics event. The town looked like a war zone. We got back just after the tornado went through. They were so upset, but I just kept reminding them that we were lucky to have been out of town. It’s a trip I’ll never forget nor will they.

Hope your husband is doing better.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

How is everyone doing? What are you reading? I am presently reading Jurassic Park. Is interesting and somewhat different than the movie.

[Martha]

I've always wanted to read that one. Still listening to Lonesome Dove. Haven't made much progress, but am liking it so much. Gus is a hoot!

My son & I are doing ok. A little bored from time to time. Staying busy decorating for Halloween ... his favorite holiday. His doctor has recommended that he not go back to work yet. Our county is a hotbed of cases ... more every day. I'll be glad when it slows down. We are very careful when we do have to go out.
Hope you're doing well!