Read this for my science writers‘ book club. Interestingly, the group was divided between those who found it grim and those who found it hopeful. I‘m in the latter camp. Sure, the theme is how well-intended human intervention creates unforeseen problems, but ultimately I find it hopeful that scientists continue to look for creative, technological solutions to humanity‘s ecological problems. Kolbert‘s writing is lovely yet direct.

#bookspin
Because I have to do everything the derpy way, here is a photo of the spreadsheet on my laptop with my bookspin list! I hope I am not too late to play! I am back on litsy and ready to join in for 2022. Woot!

#starwarsbuddyread

Yes that says JANUARY. I did read it closer to Jan, but I never posted my review. I quite liked this one although there were times that I would have liked to spend a little longer in a particular timeline. I don‘t mind the multi-thread construction, but occasionally it felt a bit fragmented. Still I enjoyed the adventure, the characters, the humor, the action. Well done.

#bookspin #february @TheAromaofBooks

Finally read this! Connie Willis time travel books are always a turmoil of emotion. She enjoys setting the scene so much that sometimes it feels like the plot is stagnating. But once it gets going, wow. This is part 1 of 2 and it‘s truly part 1 - it just ends in the middle of everything. Ack! Good thing I have book 2 right here ...

My April #bookspin roster! Hopefully I‘ll have more reading time in April. I think things are settling down some, work wise.

1. Last Shot (Star Wars) by Daniel José Older
Blackout by Connie Willis
Assembling California by John McPhee

2. Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart

3. One of Ours by Willa Cather

#weekendreads

My March #bookspin list. I hope it‘s not cheating to double up, but I wanted to make sure I got to at least one book for my yearlong challenge!

Also ... I‘m still reading my February books so 😬🤪

This was an ok romance. Started out intriguing, but the second half was mostly contrived and frustrating. The characters were forced into awkward conflicts and made to react in unnatural ways in order to move the plot to its necessary resolution. I didn‘t really like or relate to any of the characters and I got SO. SICK. of reading about Olive‘s ginormous boobs and Ethan‘s rock-hard abs that I was ready to toss them both into Kilauea by the end.

#nonfiction2021
This was a very important book about a real but largely unseen problem - missing data. When tools, systems, and even medical technology and drugs are developed, it‘s from an assumption that men represent all humans and women represent a special case. The problem with the book is that she too often drifts from her thesis, muddling the point. Also, some of her statistics are of questionable sources. 3/5⭐️

#BookCupidSwap @LadyCait84 @candority

Love all my goodies! Dove chocolates are my favorite, and there‘s 3 different kinds in there 💕 I hadn‘t heard of this book before, but it looks really good. I always like reading more translated works and this seems like it will be creepy and fun! Thank you so much!

❤️📚💗🍫❤️📚💕🍫❤️📚💕🍫❤️📚

#BookCupidSwap @candority

Aaaaaand look what arrived today 😍 Such a cute and festive package ... but I have no idea who my Cupid is. Hopefully she included a note inside!

@Bookbinger - yours is projected to arrive on Friday 🤞🏻

#bookcupidswap @Bookbinger @candority

As usual I forgot to include a note before I sealed up the box! But it‘s on its way, and at least the box is marked with the Swap hashtag. (Also, the box is comically big for what‘s inside, so I hope you‘re not disappointed when you open it 😬)

Happy Valentines Day!

#bookspin #February #MountTBR

I made my list for Bookspin! 10 fiction and 10 nonfiction. Can‘t wait to find out where the spinner lands!

1. I‘m working on a 3000-word feature article about how biological sex differences influence drug efficacy, and it‘s due Friday.

2. Coffee Crisp! I got 4 in my Christmas stocking and I‘m savoring them.

3. First thing in the morning, while I‘m drinking my coffee and getting ready for the day. And last thing at night when I‘m tucked in and relaxing.

@Cupcake12

#recommendsday #webtoons #graphicnovel

My 13 year old is looking for a new graphic novel to read. She has read Raina Telgemeier‘s books and enjoyed them. She is asking for recommendations based on her favorite Webtoons: Gourmet Hound, True Beauty, Castle Swimmer, Edith.

Help me out, littens! I don‘t know a lot of graphic novels. Anyone?

#translations #AmazonCrossing

I expected a psychological thriller, which this was - but with the emphasis on "psychological" and not so much "thriller." It was a suspense book full of sordid, horrifying events, but written in a quiet, gentle, philosophical tone. If that sounds like an odd reading experience, believe me, it was.

This was good, not my favorite Miss Marple but a quick read. The solution was a bit tenuous but overall it was entertaining. #wintergames @FantasyChick

#24b42020 OMG I STINK at readathons! I read this book yesterday, some in the afternoon and some at bedtime. No idea how many minutes. I got through about 5 chapters. Let‘s call it an hour and a half? #wintergames #jingleballers @FantasyChick @TheReadingMermaid

Selfie with a reindeer!
#SelfieScavengerHunt #WinterGames #JingleBallers @FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

#SelfieScavengerHunt #SelfiewithaDisneyDecoration #WinterGames #JingleBallers @FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

#wintergames #jingleballers #holidayread #booktomovie

Highly satisfying account of a puzzling Christmas Eve murder, where everyone has a motive but the evidence points nowhere. Naturally Poirot reveals the truth using his “little grey cells” and a careful study of the victim‘s psychology. Nobody does it like Dame Agatha!

Note, this was made into a TV episode starring David Suchet as Poirot

Watched our favorite modern Christmas movie, ARTHUR CHRISTMAS. I adore this movie! It never gets old! #wintergames #jingleballers @FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

I have put off reading this for many years because I didn‘t want to commit to a 19 book series or whatever, but now that I‘ve read it, I really enjoyed it! The characters are vivid, the quest is exciting, and the world felt rich. Looking forward to book 2.

Reading by the light of the Christmas tree #wintergames #jingleballers @FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

#wintergames #jingleballers #selfiescavengerhunt @FantasyChick

Selfie with a Nutcracker

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

Another easy one
#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @FantasyChick @StayCurious @Clwojick

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

#WGguessthebook #wintergames #jingleballers @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

Starting with an easy one #WGguessthebook #wintergames @Clwojick @FantasyChick @StayCurious

Good morning! #wintergames #jingleballers
1. Coca-cola
2. Eel
3. Silver and gold?
4. Button
5. Four
6. ??? It‘s a fractal, so ...
7. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen (and Rudolph?)
8. Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling bird three French hens two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree 👇

#WGWouldYouRather #wintergames #jingleballers

I hope I‘m doing this right. I tried not to look at anyone else‘s questions before I thought up some of my own. Now, off to answer some!

Doing a little backstage reading while I wait for my part in the ballet dress rehearsal. Hey, I guess it‘s a #holidaytradition - this is my son‘s 7th Christmas recital. Sadly it is his last! He‘s playing Ebenezer Scrooge (and I get to fill in as Mrs Fezziwig!)

#impulseread #holidayread #wintergames #jingleballers

#wintergames #jingleballers #holidayrecipes #holidaytraditions

Not sure anymore what cookbook this came from (and it‘s driving me crazy!) but about 8 years ago I bought a pudding mold that goes inside my slow cooker and started making Steamed Chocolate-Pecan Pudding for Boxing Day each year. It‘s delicious, and not as dense as plum pudding, so a nice bit of dessert after a heavy feast.

#WinterGames #JingleBallers
Don‘t know if this counts as a #HolidayTradition but every December the team travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Dr Porter Classic, a huge synchro competition. Fun fact: Dr Richard Porter “invented” synchronized skating in 1956 by putting together a group of figure skaters to perform precision halftime shows at hockey games.

#wintergames #jingleballers #UglyChristmasSweater @FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

My friend ...

#WinterGames #JingleBallers #holidaycrafting

Working on my new stocking - think I‘ll finish before Christmas?

@FantasyChick @Clwojick @StayCurious

#wintergames #jingleballers

I count 79 points? (I‘m counting Discord messages from Vanessa as “a text from the host”)

#WinterGames #JingleBallers

This year for Christmas I really want ya back and then I can have it for you tomorrow.

#wintergames #selfiescavengerhunt #jingleballers @StayCurious @Clwojick @FantasyChick

Hubby put up the outdoor decorations today so I took the opportunity to get my “selfie in front of outdoor lights”!