A fascinating history which I know nothing. I had to watch the miniseries twice with captions in order not to confuse the characters. I decided to listen to the novel, and I am having the same trouble, but this time, I have a character map. The narrator has the best voice.

What intrigues me the most, that I think the adaptation misses, is the different definitions of bravery that the three different cultures have.

Visited the spinal surgeon. He still wants me out of work till March 19th. He said I could "visit" my class. Afterward, I talked to my principal. She asked me how many books have I read since my surgery. 17. There's not much else I can do except for light housekeeping. I do need a project.

Tulipomania and the Golden Age of Dutch Art entwined together so tightly that one can't tell the difference between lust and greed.

The climax brings to mind the moment when George Bailey of Its A Wonderful Life becomes unhinged toward Uncle Billy.

An innocent act brings the downfall of several characters.

#FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

He has seen cities to dream about: the gleaming domes of Constantinople; the ravishing, mirrored streets of Venice, corrupt and seductive, like Amsterdam's wanton sister.

#FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

My comfort reads:
anything by Louisa May Alcott or
Lucy Maude Montgomery or
Cassandra Clare

I like series because the characters become familiar (family)

I like magazines- just looking at advertisements is comforting.

#SundayFunDay @BookmarkTavern

+ I enjoyed reading the family scenes
+ Description of Venice was fabulous
+ I liked Commissario Brunetti and his interactions with the other characters (his children, suspects, his boss)

- I vehemently disliked the public prejudice of lgbtq. It implies a mother, identified as lesbian, could lose custody of her children
- (TW) child abuse
- Translation at times was confusing.
#jubilee #foodandlit @Catsandbooks @Texreader #LitsyAtoZ

I'm hoping the doctor will release me to go back to work this week, but hopefully, I can get a bingo.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

There were moments of incomparable joy interspersed with intense violence and extreme sadness. Towles wrote in such a way that you forgot the instability of the boys. Each one had flaws and something that made you want to hug them, to know them in real life. I also loved the way that Dumas Three Musketeers, the Count of Monte Cristo, and Greek myths paralleled the travels of our young protagonists.

#sharreadathon @TheAromaofBooks

Beautiful!!!

Reread. I didn't like it as well as Fourth Wing. I'm not a reader who enjoys very detailed spice, but I am still invested in the characters and I love the action. Letter I #LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

The drive from Salina to Morgen was three hours, and for much of it, Emmett hadn't said a word.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

#sharreadathon @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

1 - not joyful, but a moment of pride and relief. When my community thought there was an active shooter at our high school, the law enforcement and emt barreled through barricades to get to the staff and students. After finding nothing, the students and staff were given trauma support and counseling.
2 - Onyx Storm
3 - mental therapy day
4 - got to visit my fifth graders today. They made me feel like a movie star ❤️❤️
5 - litsy bookmail

Starting this one today after seeing @Texreader for #jubilee I am hoping it's a series.
#FoodandLit @Catsandbooks

#LitsyAtoZ

#top10thrillers @Chelsea.Poole

I don't read a lot of thrillers, but there was a time I read Nordic Noir and the tagged series was one of my favorite. I also liked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson, the Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler (these kept me up at night), And, my all-time time Nordic Noir author was the Department Q series by Jussi Adler Olsen (it had some humor).

EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

What a fascinating family. From unethical actions such as paying off voters to support Lincoln's nomination (could you imagine if someone else had become the Republican nominee in 1860?) to influencing international leaders and styles. THE SCANDALS!! The Medills gave Jacie O her first job in journalism. I had never heard of these people, but I am so glad I read about them. They're the ones to thank for the "funnies."

I have only read 12. Standouts include Bleak House that I did with a buddy read on this platform. I also enjoyed Age of Innocence when we read it in high school. I believe it may be the reason I wanted to read classics until I tried Ulysses with @Daisey and Ibailed on her. I also loved the beautiful writing of All the Pretty Horses.

#TBT @dabbe

@CoffeeK8 @marleed

From the standpoint of ambience, the good people at Howard Johnson's had decided to carry the colors of their well-known rooftop into the restaurant by dressing the booths in bright orange and the waitresses in bright blue - despite the fact that the combination of orange and blue hasn't been known to stimulate an appetite since the beginning of time. 😆

#sharreadathon @sharread liked A Gentleman in Moscow @TheAromaofBooks

It's so pretty!!!!

This should not be happening. And, all I hear is, "teachers should be carrying." What if the teacher is unstable like the one I reported for saying she would shoot them all. Still teaching, by the way. This is what sent me in the depression spiral 2 years ago. I can't go back. I should be grateful it's a false alarm. I am grateful, but mad. I am so angry.

Friends - stop and pray, send positive energy. Our local high school is on lock down. Rumors of active shooter. Nothing confirmed. Every mother's and teacher's nightmare. I don't have one there, but I do have past students. Mcdowell

Rebecca Yarros is a brilliant creator. 2nd Read

Starting now for #sharreadathon @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#ChunksterChallenge2025 #bitsychunkster @amiable

I think, with some rewriting, the book could be stellar. It is written through the eyes of Wyatt Earp's girlfriend, Josephine Marcus. It goes from silliness to expository from chapter to chapter. I enjoyed the nonfiction parts more than the supposed dialogue and action.

The writing reminded me of Paulo Coehlo. Very philosophical.

The sport of girls' boxing is compared to multiple aspects of life: dreams, quirks, visions, ways of thinking, and futures. Each girl is different, but all 8 girls are the same - with the same wants and fears and strengths.

I'm glad I read it.

I think I will read the tagged in honor of @sharread

A Gentleman in Moscow was one of the last books that she posted and enjoyed.

I will also devote my time in the land of Fourth Wing this week.

#sharreadathon @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I lost my receipt for tomorrow night's release party. I won't be able to go because I can't drive yet, but still.

I think this describes all of Marie Lu's works. She is an autobuy for me.

#SundayFunDay @BookmarkTavern

The planning of the actual rescue mission of the prisoner of war camp was thoroughly and meticulously researched from several primary sources. A must-read for those who want to know more about World War II in the Pacific.

Many trigger warnings -violence, massacre, torture, starvation.

Very memorable moment was during the rescue - the POWs were so traumatized that they had to be persuaded to leave. It broke my heart.

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

I remember as a child and seeing The Earth's Children everywhere. I knew just by looking at the covers that they were going to be great reads. I just forgot about them. Thank goodness they are in my universe again. In fact, I can't wait to finish reading the series just to start again. This one, in particular, is the best at survival in the wild - the Ice Age wild.
#ChunksterChallenge2025 #bitsychunkster @Amiable
#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

1 Playing in the snow with my youngest daughter. .
2. Stopped taking pain medicine, including Tylenol PM.
3. Won at a 2048 game (match numbers till you get to 2048 - took me 4 weeks)
4. Started my knitting again.
5. The new season of All Creatures Great and Small started.

#5joysFriday @DebinHawaii

@JacqMac @DaveGreen7777 you're it

She was dead.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Not plot-driven. Not character-driven. Pure lust-driven.

Having been spoiled by Maas and Yarrow, it just doesn't come to their standards. I also thought it was too much like Cassandra Clare.

I did enjoy Trink (a Brownie - hadn't read about them since my Girl Scout days) and the setting-New Orleans. I want to visit NO for my 50th this year. It really did add to the atmosphere.

##FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

SCORE!!!!!!!

Did anyone watch Masters of the Air - Tom Hanks and Steve Spielberg miniseries of "The Bloody Hundredth"? My favorite part was in the last episode when they did not fill the plane with bombs but food parcels for the Dutch even though there were still Nazis in the Netherlands. After they made the drop off, they saw tulips formed in the words, "Thanks, Yanks." It still fills me with tears.

It took me 4 months to finish. It is an affront to my beloved childhood books. I can understand Maguire's need to explain evilness in some people. But, I don't understand his theory. Is he saying revenge is the cause of evil or how they were raised? I didn't have any sympathy for Elphaba, except when she was a baby and a child. I have read Glinda was the villain, but she is barely in the last half. Glinda is hated because of the shoes. SHOES!!!

I read 32. A lot came from my childhood. A few from reading for Battle of the Books. And, I love children's lit. A few that are memorable, besides the tagged,are Kira-Kira, Bud, Not Buddy, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Excellent literature. So many I still need to read.

#TLT @dabbe

@CoffeeK8 @megnews

What a reminder in this day and hour!!!

I just love Ayla.

What's for dinner? Stamppot - it makes me think of the Netherlands impoverished version of pinto beans here in southern Appalachian. .

#FoodandLit @Texreader @Catsandbooks

I love a good animal book from a writer who loves animals. Read in honor of the new season of All Creatures Great and Small. Each story is remembered lovingly or harrowingly by the patient's distinct personality and the ornery personality of some owners. This set of memories is focused on the new medical technology in veterinary practices after WWII. The funniest story is about AI (artificial insemination).

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

1 I embrace the cold.

2 Tagged- read with a book group.
#TwoforTuesday @TheSpineView
@TheAromaofBooks

Thank you @wanderinglynn for celebrating your birthday with us.

#49bdaygiveaway

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader
Completely heartbreaking. Generational and cyclic drug abuse, feelings of inadequacy, early parental deaths. It just breaks your heart to learn about Lisa Marie's troubles and how she tried so hard to become a better, hands-on parent.

You have to appreciate someone who becomes vulnerable by allowing scrutiny and criticism from fans and the press when all their lives they tried to stay away from the limelight.

This was my first completed book of 2025. I wanted to read it because Nicola Coughlan is rumored to play the author.

At first you can tell Ms. Monaghan is not a professional writer. But, it doesn't matter. That's the point. She is not a writer, she's a mom. She's a mother who has to creep her way into SYRIA on the precipice of the war to RESCUE her baby from a very abusive man. I was sobbing.

#SundayFunDay @BookmarkTavern

Am I the only sentient being in the universe who vehemently dislikes this book?

I first bought it, with glee, 20 years ago. I didn't get through Part 1 before I donated it to the county library.

When I heard about Broadway, in disbelief, I thought it won't last. Never went to see the show, but my devotion to Jonathan Bailey, I started reading again before I saw the movie. Loved the movie so I can't wait to see it on stage. WHAT AM I MISSING?⏬️

Next....

My neurological/spinal problems didn't surface until I tried to dance to Austin Butler's Elvis. I was swinging my arms to Suspicious Minds and thought that doesn't feel right. That was in April. The dance caused a pinched nerve. The MRI proved how long I was dealing with arthritis and myelopathy. So, I will always be grateful for Elvis and his music.

The tender love story between Achilles and Patroclus was inspiring and lovely. At times, I found myself thinking these things really happened, as if it was written as historical fiction. Did Thetis, Apollo, and Artemis really involve themselves in everyday lives? Then, my conscious mind returned to reality. I completely forgot that they were characters of Homer. That is powerful writing.
Ms. Miller, hurry and get better.
#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

Her writing is exquisite.

Next listen-

2024 National Book Award

Told from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave, from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (learn from my mistakes - NO NEED TO READ TO PREPARE). Would anyone like to do a buddy read? Very informal - just read and share thoughts of each chapter. No time table. Could take all year or a week.

I can understand the appeal to little boys in the 19th century, but the language made me violently ill. I can't stand the racism. People are going to say that's the way of the times. My stance remains that it is the way of our times now when we should always be mindful and be on our guard towards ignorance.

The only reason I wanted to read it is so I can read James from Percival Evererett.

#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader

My father was a king and the son of kings.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl