Roni Reads and Retails: Books and Crafts X

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Discussão75 Books Challenge for 2013

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Roni Reads and Retails: Books and Crafts X

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1ronincats
Editado: Dez 1, 2013, 11:54 am


















Best Fiction Books of 2012

Night Circus
Ready Player One

Best Children's Book of 2012

The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
(This is the first of the series The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place but it's the only one I've read so far.)

Best Series of 2012

Paladin's Legacy series by Elizabeth Moon
Toby Daye series by Seanan McGuire
Connor Gray series by Mark Del Franco

Best YA Series of 2012

Seven Realms by Cinda Williams Chima

Best Non-fiction of 2012

The Closing of the Western Mind by Charles Freeman
James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Lives of Alice Sheldon by Julie Phillips

Find my final 2012 Thread here

2ronincats
Editado: Dez 1, 2013, 11:57 am

Goals for 2013:

To read 150 books.

To read 50,000 pages.

These two are at a comfort level for me--I almost always go past them, but I don't want to make reading a chore.

To acquire fewer books than I did last year (95).

I've been making this goal to acquire fewer than I read, but I think that is being too generous. This will be more of a challenge, and includes all books, including gifts and trades, except those free Kindle books.

To read 40 books off my own shelves that were there prior to 2013, and of those 40, 25 must have been in my library by 1/1/12.

I failed miserably on this goal last year, only reading 16 of the 30 I aimed for, but I have joined the ROOT group and want to prioritize reading my own books. This will be about 25% of my total reading, so I should be able to do it if I set my mind to it..

To pass as many books as I acquire on to others through donations and swaps--in other words, they left MY house and went elsewhere.

I was doing pretty well on this one until the last month!

Half-Year Update

1. 88 books read

2. 29,131 pages read. Average book length=331 pages
Average pages read per day=161

3. 54 books acquired. Danger, Will Smith, Danger!

4. 29 books off the shelf, 17 prior to 2012, 12 from 2012

5. 39 books out the door, a deficit of 15 books so far.

Dec. 1 update

1. 152 books read

2. 50,740 pages read

3. 77 books acquired

4. 35 books off the shelf

5. 55 books out the door

3ronincats
Editado: Jan 4, 2014, 9:58 pm

Books read in 2013

* indicates re-read, # indicates library book, + indicates Kindle book, % indicates Book Off The Shelf (BOTS)

January

1. Seven for a Secret by Elizabeth Bear (128 pp.)+%
2. Adam, Eve, and the Serpent by Elaine Pagels (154 pp.)%
3. The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson (352 pp.)+%
4. Unveiling Islam by Ergun and Emir Caner (234 pp.)%%
5. The Becoming by Jeanne Stein (295 pp.)%
6. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (652 pp.)%%
7. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (288 pp.)
8. The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima (517 pp.)#
9. The Cookie Book by Maritza Breitenbach (167 pp.)
10. The New Moon's Arms by Nalo Hopkinson (323 pp.)%
11. Reflections: On the Magic of Writing by Diana Wynne Jones (362 pp.)%
12. Necessity's Children by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (336 pp.)+
13. Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay (96 pp.)%%
14. Infinity's Hold by Barry B. Longyear (281 pp.)%

February

15. The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood (313 pp.)#
16. The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin (175 pp.)*
17. Jhereg by Steven Brust (239 pp.)*
18. The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima (598 pp.)#
19. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (598 pp.)
20. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay (673 pp.)%
21. The Conjuring Glass by Brian Knight (202 pp)
22. Shadow of Knight by Deborah Harkness (581 pp.)#
23. City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte (464 pp.)+
24. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson (284 pp.)#
25. Goblin Moon by Teresa Edgerton (293 pp.)%%
26. Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk (355 pp.)%%
27. The Clockwork Three by Matthew Kirby (386 pp.)%%
28. The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin (429 pp.)%

March

29. Peter, Paul & Mary Magdalene by Bart Ehrman (272 pp.)%
30. Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Coterill (240 pp.)#
31. Yendi by Steven Brust (209 pp.)*
32. The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly (311 pp.)*
33. Taltos by Steven Brust (181 pp.)*
34. Dragon by Steven Brust (286 pp.)*
35. The #1 Ladies Detective Agency# by Alexander McCall Smith (235 pp.)%%
36. Murder Most Crafty by Maggie Bruce (330 pp.)%
37. The Witches of Wenshar by Barbara Hambly (339 pp.)*
38. Rapture in Death#+ by J. D. Robb# (324 pp.)
39. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (440 pp.)
40. Alien Tango by Gigi Koch (428 pp.)
41. Teckla by Steven Brust* (214 pp.)
42. Phoenix by Steven Brust* (245 pp.)
43. Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire (338 pp.)

April

44. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin* (205 pp.)
45. Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (485 pp.)
46. Old Filth by Jane Gardam# (239 pp.)#
47. Goliath by Scott Westerfeld (543 pp.)#
48. Fire Season by David Weber and Jane Lindskold# (287 pp.)
49. The False Prince by Jennifer Nelsen# (342 pp.)
50. Merchanter's Luck by C. J. Cherryh* (208 pp.)
51. Graceling by Kristin Cashore% (471 pp.)
52. Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch (303 pp.)
53. The Great Transformation: The beginning of our religious traditions by Karen Armstrong% (398 pp.)
54. The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord# (303 pp.)
55. The Crimson Brand by Brian Knight (374 pp.)
56. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel% (501 pp.)
57. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White# (335 pp.)

May

58. Athyra by Steven Brust* (243 pp.)
59. The Bible: A Biography by Karen Armstrong% (229 pp.)
60. Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal (319 pp.)
61. Heavy Time by C. J. Cherryh% (330 pp.)
62. The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers% (456 pp.)
63. The Borgias: The Hidden History by G. J. Meyer (429 pp.)
64. Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill# (424 pp.)
65. The Creature in the Case by Garth Nix (109 pp.)
66. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon% (656 pp.)
67. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman# (451 pp.)
68. Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner# (320 pp.)
69. City of Lies by Lian Tanner# (278 pp.)

June

70. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver# (307 pp.)
71. Attempting Elizabeth by Jessica Grey+ (321 pp.)
72. Here, There Be Dragons by James Owens% (326 pp.)
73. The Magistrates of Hell by Barbara Hambly+ (256 pp.)
74. Jhegaala by Steven Brust* (304 pp.)
75. Orca by Steven Brust* (290 pp.)
76. Limits of Power by Elizabeth Moon (492 pp.)
77. Issola by Steven Brust* (255 pp.)
78. Dzur by Steven Brust* (285 pp.)
79. The Orphanage of Miracles by Amy Neftzer (314 pp.)
80. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer* (366 pp.)
81. Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George (225 pp.)
82. Lady of Devices by Shelley Adana (210 pp.)
83. Poison by Bridget Zinn (276 pp.)
84. Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers (252 pp.)
85. Sister Mine by Nalo Hopkinson (305 pp.)
86. These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer (378 pp.)
87. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (181 pp.)
88. Hellburner by C. J. Cherryh (393 pp.)

July

89. Beyond World's Woes by Mercedes Lackey (331 pp.)
90. Path of Beasts by Lian Tanner (337 pp.)
91. The Engines of God by Jack McDevitt (419 pp.)
92. The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope (266 pp.)
93. Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke (337 pp.)
94. Restoree by Anne McCaffrey (252 pp.)
95. The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall (283 pp.)
96. Devil's Cup by Georgette Heyer (310 pp.)
97. Huntress by Nicole Hamlett (178 pp.)
98. Iorich by Steven Brust (319 pp.)
99. Taash and the Jesters by Ellen Kindt McKenzie (233 pp.)
100. The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (484 pp.)
101. Spindle's End by Robin McKinley (422 pp.)
102. Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss (356 pp.)
103. Jinx by Sage Blackwood (360 pp.)
104. Water Witch by Connie Willis and Cynthia Felice (216 pp.)
105. The Seven Towers by Patricia Wrede (264 pp.)
106. Quantam by Manjit Kumar (372 pp.)
107. The Paths of the Dead by Steven Brust (399 pp.)
108. The Lord of Castle Black by Steven Brust (397 pp.)
109. Sethra Lavode by Steven Brust (351 pp.)
110. Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox (365 pp.)
111. Rimrunner by C. J. Cherryh (287 pp.)

August

112. Fool's War by Sarah Zettel (455 pp.)
113. Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu (312 pp.)
114. The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor (336 pp.)
115. Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox (442 pp.)
116. Daily Life in Biblical Times by Liora Ravid (461 pp.)
117. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (387 pp.)
118. Med Ship by Murray Leinster (640 pp.)
119. The Woodcutter by Kate Danley (346 pp.)
120. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (185 pp.)

September

121. Tripoint by C. J. Cherryh (361 pp.)
122. Mainspring by Jay Lake (320 pp.)
123. The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (335 pp.)
124. Ceremony in Death by J. D. Robb (340 pp.)
125. Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire (357 pp.)
126. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher (378 pp.)
127. The Merry Misogynist by Colin Cotteril (274 pp.)
128. Thieftaker by D. B. Jackson (367 pp.)
129. Keeping it Real by Justina Robson (333 pp.)
130. Finity's End by C. J. Cherryh (564 pp.)
131. Shadows by Robin McKinley (356 pp.)
132. Tiassa by Steven Brust (335 pp.)

October

133. Hounded by Keven Hearne (304 pp.)
134. The Hopfield Tales by Mike Evers (194 pp.)
135. Ad Eternum by Elizabeth Bear (96 pp.)
136. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (403 pp.)
137. Gooseberry Bluff Community College of Magic by David Schwartz (416 pp.)
138. Cyteen: The Betrayal by C. J. Cherryh (359 pp.)
139. Zealot by Reza Aslan (272 pp.)
140. The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer (252 pp.)
141. Ghost Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (328 pp.)
142. Dragon Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (373 pp.)
143. Cyteen: The Rebirth by C. J. Cherryh (248 pp.)
144. Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman (128 pp.)

November
145. Cyteen: The Vindication by C. J. Cherryh (308 pp.)
146. Balance of Trade by Lee and Miller (451 pp.)
147. Trade Secret by Lee and Miller (356 pp.)
148. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (310 pp.)
149. Revenant Eve by Sherwood Smith (472 pp.)
150. Fundamentalism and American Culture by George Marsden (260 pp.)
151. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (339 pp.)
152. Silver by Rhiannon Held (317 pp.)

December
153. A Turn of Light by Julie Czernada (854 pp.)
154. The Cats in the Doll Shop by Yona Zeldis McDonough (140 pp.)
155. How to Ditch your Fairy by Justina Larbalastier (336 pp.)
156. Vast by Linda Nagata (403 pp.)
157. A Laurel Burch Christmas by Laurel Burch (80 pp.)
158. The Seven-Petaled Shield by Deborah Ross (463 pp.)
159. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (371 pp.)
160. The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke (235 pp.)
161. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (622 pp.)

4ronincats
Editado: Jan 4, 2014, 9:51 pm

Books acquired in 2013

This will be only dead tree books and books for which I actually paid money on my Kindle. All the free Kindle books don't count.

January

1. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (kindle, Amazon, 1.99)
2. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (gift)

3. NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman (kindle, Amazon, 2.99)
4. The Cookie Book by Maritza Breitenbach (ER)
5. Blood Maidens by Barbara Hambly (kindle, Amazon, 1.99) Already read, copy for my library
6. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (PBS)
7. Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara (PBS)
8. Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (kindle, Amazon, 9.99)

February

9. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (Amazon, 9.77)
10. Alien Tango by Gini Koch (B&N, 6.79)
11. The Conjuring Glass by Brian Knight (ER)
12. City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte (kindle, Amazon, 9.99)

13. Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz (kindle, Amazon, 2.99)
14. The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester (gift, Paul)
15. The Practical Potter by Josie Warshaw (AABS, 7.00)
16. The Political Career of General James H. Lane by Ks. Historical Society (AABS, 12.00)
17. The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall (AABS, 3.00)
18. Foreigner by C. J. Cherryh (AABS, 3.25)
19. A Change of Heart by Candace Hern (kindle, Amazon, 2.99)

March

20. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (library, 1.00)
21. Palimpsest by Catherynne Valente (library, .50)
22. Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire (Mysterious Galaxy, 7.99)
23. Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch (MG, 7.99)

24. The Shadowed Sun by N. K. Jemisin (MG, 14.99)
25. Glamour in Glass by Mary R. Kowal (MG, 14.99)
26. Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (MG, 9.99)


April

27. Cyteen: The Vindication by C. J. Cherryh (pbs)
28. A New New Testament (ER)
29. Terry Pratchett: The Spirit of Fantasy by Craig Cabell (MG, 14.95)
30. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (MG, 16.95)
31. Fyre by Angie Sage (Amazon, 17.99)
32. Eating Right With Diabetes by Amy Stockwell Mercer (ER)
33. Goliath by Scott Westerfeld (MG, 9.99)
34. Fool's War by Sarah Zettel (Book Tales, 3.00)
35. A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge (
36. Magistrates of Hell by Barbara Hambly (Amazon Kindle, 3.79)
37. Attempting Elizabeth by Jessica Grey (Amazon Kindle, .99)
38. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (Amazon, 1.99)


May

39. The Borgias: The Hidden History by G. J. Meyer (ER)
40. The Creature in the Case by Garth Nix (Amazon Marketplace, )
41. Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers (Amazon Kindle, 1.99)


June

42. Limits of Power by Elizabeth Moon (Amazon, 14.28)
43. Quicksilver by Pam McCutcheon (pbs)
44. Golden Prophecies by Pam McCutcheon (pbs)
45. The Orphanage of Miracles by Amy Neftzger (ER)
46. Mad Maudlin by Mercedes Lackey (library sale, .25)

47. Blood Rites by Barbara Ehrenreich (pbs)
48. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Amazon, 15.22)
49. A Turn of Light by Julie Czernada (MG, 20.00)
50. The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (MG, 26.99)
51. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (MG, 7.99)


July

52. Infinite Jest by David Wallace (Amazon Kindle, 1.99)
53. Judge Sn Goes Golfing by John Scalzi (Amazon Kindle, .99)
54. Ungifted:Intelligence Redefined by Scott Kaufman (Amazon Kindle, 12.99)

August

55. The Thieftaker by D. B. Jackson (B&N, 7.99)
56. The Barbarian Conversion by Richard Fletcher (pbs)
57. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (Amazon Kindle, 1.99)
58. Whiskey and Water by Elizabeth Bear (pbs)
59. Daily Life in Biblical Times by Liora Ravid (ER)


September
60. Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire (Amazon, 4.79)
61. Regenesis by C. J. Cherryh (pbs)
62. Shadows by Robin McKinley (Amazon, $12.30)


October
63. Silverlock by John Myers Myers (Amazon Kindle, .99)
64. Ad Eternum by Elizabeth Bear (Amazon Kindle, .99)
65. Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong (Bridge library, 00)
66. Ink and Steel by Elizabeth Bear (pbs)
67. Revenant Steel by Sherwood Smith (MG, 7.99)

68. Hexed by Kevin Hearne (MG, 7.99)
69. Hammered by Kevin Hearne (MG, 7.99)
70. Phoenix Rising by Ryk E. Spoor (B&N, 6.39)
71. The Unforsaken Hiero by Sterling E. Lanier (pbs)
72. Indexing by Seanan McGuire (Amazon Kindle, 3.99)

November
73. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (Amazon, 10.80)
74. Trade Secret by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Amazon, 15.00)

75. A Secret History by Mary Gentle (pbs)
76. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (ubs, 3.81)
77. Einstein Must Die by Chris Kohout (Amazon Kindle, .99)
78. Nov. 22, 1963 by Steven King (Amazon Kindle, 2.99)

December
79. The Seven-Petaled Shield by Deborah Ross (Amazon Kindle, 5.99)
80. The Adventure of Creation edited by Holly Lisle (Amazon Kindle, 5.49)
81. A Study in Silks by Emma Holloway (Amazon Kindle, .99)
82. Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey edited by Todd MCaffrey (Amazon Kindle, 2.99)
83. Dark Eden by Chris Beckett (LT Santa gift)
84. Johannes Cabal, The Necromancer by Jonathan Howard (LT Santa gift)
85. Silvered by Tanya Huff (MG, 7.99)
86. The Warded Man by Peter Brett (MG, 7.99)
87. On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae Lee (ER, 0)
88. The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley (Xmas gift)

5ronincats
Editado: Dez 1, 2013, 12:09 pm

Welcome, friends! The above lists and tickers are slightly out of date and I will try to get everything updated in the next day or two--especially the books read in November part.

ETA pretty much caught up now!

6tloeffler
Dez 1, 2013, 12:02 pm

Hello, Roni! Beautiful picture up top! Hope you're doing well and that the holidays are good to you!

7rosalita
Dez 1, 2013, 12:22 pm

Happy new thread, Roni!

8calm
Dez 1, 2013, 12:43 pm

Happy new thread Roni.

9richardderus
Dez 1, 2013, 1:12 pm

Oooh the lit-up bridge is lovely!

10Crazymamie
Dez 1, 2013, 1:59 pm

LOVE the thread topper! Happy new thread, Roni! You are doing a great job of reading what you have purchased this year - so impressive!

11DorsVenabili
Dez 1, 2013, 3:45 pm

Happy new thread, Roni!

By the way, I do like the pet collar thingy on the previous thread, but can see where it might be a tad bulky. Top-notch model though!

12HanGerg
Dez 1, 2013, 3:46 pm

Ooh, I'm one of the first! Yay! Thanks for the recipe Roni, I shall certainly pass it on! Regarding my poor sales at my last craft fair; well, I don't feel too bad, as there was no-one to sell to, which isn't a reflection on ME, more on the people who were supposed to be doing marketing etc. It's a learning curve I guess, and I learnt, don't do that particular fair again.
Looking forward to the Etsy shop...

13phebj
Dez 1, 2013, 4:34 pm

Hi Roni! What a great picture to start your December thread with. Hope you're having a relaxing Sunday.

14mirrordrum
Dez 1, 2013, 9:30 pm

happy new thread, Roni. popped by to say thanks for the holiday wishes. :-)

is your threadtopper Sandy GooGoo harbor? i scarcely recognize it anymore. if 'tis, it looks just a bit different from the way it looked during the 40s-80s. haven't been there since my Dad died almost 30 years ago.

in the post-WWII days, they used to have harbor cruises on a big, diesel-smelling boat and Dad took his kids (students and summer camp kids) every year so Mom and I went too. in the late 40s and 50s, a lot of what we saw were tin cans, subs, flattops and many small boats ferrying officers to and fro with assorted flags fluttering in the sterns. i mostly remember running up and down the stairs (they were stairs, not ships' ladders) from one deck to the other.

15LauraBrook
Dez 1, 2013, 9:36 pm

Howdy, Roni! Hope you are relaxing at home with your feet up and a good book nearby.

16RebaRelishesReading
Dez 1, 2013, 11:16 pm

Just noticed you've passes the 150 mark. Congrats! Glad the LaMesa sale went well and hope you get some relaxation now.

17scaifea
Dez 2, 2013, 6:43 am

De-lurking to apologize for not posting much lately. So glad to see that your craft fair adventure was a success!

18ronincats
Dez 2, 2013, 11:17 pm

I could have sworn I came back here last night to reply to my visitors. Oh well.

Hey, Terri, you were the first. I hope you are enjoying Joplin tonight!

Thank you for dropping in, Julia and calm.

Glad you like the photo, Richard, but it's a ship that's lit up--not the bridge. At first I thought it was one of the aircraft carriers, but I think it must be a destroyer.

Thank you, Mamie.

I am biased toward that model myself, Kerri.

Welcome, Hannah. Let me know the results if your hubby does use the technique.

Hi, Pat! We did a bit of relaxing yesterday, but I needed to get to the pottery studio to glaze some bowls for Christmas presents.

Ellie, that is San Diego Harbor. I think the shot must be from North Island across the bay to the Embarcadero, with the downtown skyline all the way to the right. They still have the harbor cruises, and yes, the boats have stairs,not ladders, but I don't know if they are the same boats.

Hi, Laura. See above re: relaxing. We did go out for a late afternoon dinner and walked through the mall afterwards--that was relaxing.

Thank you, Reba. Not much time for relaxing--got to pack away craft stuff and start with Christmas stuff!

Thank you, Amber. Glad you could drop in. I'll have to check with you on the Etsy thing.

So today was the start of the fall wardrobe turnaround. Sandals went up on the shelf at the top of the closet, closed shoes came down and onto the etagere that organizes my shoes. And, with my new orthotics in mind, I actually have weeded out 13 pairs of shoes that I am unlikely ever to wear again, at least not comfortably. I have always been of the mind that, no matter how unlikely, holding onto the shoes was no more of a hassle than figuring out how to get rid of them. I know I could just take them to Goodwill, but the majority are quality shoes, bought at Nordstrom for $70 on up (and up), because I have high arches and a narrow heel. So if anyone is interested in extremely lightly used size 8 medium and narrow shoes, speak up!

Sleeveless and short-sleeve tops came out of dresser drawers to make room for turtlenecks when I bring them down from the attic tomorrow. As did summer pjs.

The DH finally brought in the craft fair stuff from the truck at 6:00 tonight, so I was able to get out the bowls and the metal jewelry organizer that I use for my own jewelry out of that stuff and pick up my stuff that was strewn all over the top of the dresser and put it properly away. Also put the craft stuff in the proper corner spot where it will be out of the way until the next fair.

Watching the Seahawks and Saints. Ellen should be happy. I have a soft spot for Drew Brees from when he was here in SD, but I can be happy for Ellen.

19dk_phoenix
Dez 3, 2013, 12:07 am

Oh wow, a full closet reorganization for the season! I don't have enough discipline (or storage space) to do that. Maybe someday. It sure would ease up the clutter, that's for sure...!

20scaifea
Dez 3, 2013, 6:47 am

I'm basking in the glow of your organization skills - love it!

21sibylline
Dez 3, 2013, 8:36 am

Me too, I am impressed - I seem to always bring out a few things at a time.... and there's always one bin that goes missing. This year I can't figure out where my winter boots went.

22RebaRelishesReading
Dez 3, 2013, 3:09 pm

I went out with bare toes and no sweater this morning and nearly froze!! I wonder if fall/winter is here to stay this time or if it will all turn around again soon.

23streamsong
Dez 3, 2013, 3:21 pm

Hey, congrats on blowing on by your 150 book goal .... and the 50,000 page one, too!

Gorgeous stuff at the craft fair. Will you be doing more?

24LizzieD
Dez 3, 2013, 6:17 pm

I thought it was a bridge too, but now I see..........anyway, it's an amazing photo.
Congratulations on your 150! *sigh* I buy as though I were going to read 150, but I'm not quite caught up to where you were in June, a humbling thought. I'm not going to reach my 40,000 page goal either, but I think I'll be closer than I was last year. My ticker factory counts are missing from last year's threads. Does that normally happen?
And I wish my feet were short enough to take you up on the shoe offer. Oh well.

25ronincats
Dez 3, 2013, 10:36 pm

I finished off these two things while at the craft fair on Friday and Saturday. The scarf is from a rather expensive yarn that changes color and texture as it goes. I snagged this pattern for that yarn from the internet, but think it would have done better with a more solid stitch.

26ronincats
Dez 3, 2013, 10:45 pm

Faith and Amber, if I only had a reasonable amount of clothes, it wouldn't be too bad. I'm getting tired of getting up and down the ladder to the attic, though. Turtlenecks, sweaters, winter pjs and sweats are down. Sleeveless tops and short-sleeve tees are in one of the tubs ready to go back up.

Lucy, I can't find my winter boots either--of course, it's been 3 years since I've been back in the winter, so it's been a while.

Reba, it's been sprinkling off and on this afternoon/evening. I wish we would just get a good solid rain! But you are leaving it all behind.

Thanks, Janet and Peggy! No, that's my second and last craft fair for the season--now it's getting ready for Christmas time. Peggy, my tickers are still there for the 2011 groups--I just checked--so I think they should still be there for 2012. You don't want to pull a Cinderella stepsister act?

27dk_phoenix
Dez 3, 2013, 11:02 pm

Oh man, I love that tree... is that the tree pendant everyone was talking about on your previous thread? I admit I only scrolled quickly to try and catch up and must have missed the first reference. It's absolutely gorgeous!

28TinaV95
Dez 3, 2013, 11:13 pm

I am baffled too, by the lack of purchases of the Tree of Life pendants. I can't remember whose theory it was on the last thread that said maybe it's because folks are thinking of gifts and don't know what to buy others. That might be it I suppose. I just thought those would sell OUT! They are so beautiful (and meaningful)!

Maybe Etsy really is the way to go... You have a small army of folks here that are a built in client list already. ;)

29rosalita
Dez 4, 2013, 9:14 am

I love the colors in your new scarf, Roni. And count me as a big fan of the Tree of Life pendants. So beautiful.

30Morphidae
Dez 4, 2013, 9:51 am

Another Tree of Life fan. It's the item you make that I'm most likely to buy.

31lyzard
Dez 4, 2013, 4:58 pm

Me, too!

32cameling
Dez 4, 2013, 5:12 pm

Gorgeous pendant, ROni. I love the Tree of Life. That's one of my favorite designs and you've captured it so beautifully. Good luck during the craft fair this weekend.

33phebj
Dez 4, 2013, 8:57 pm

Another beautiful tree pendant, Roni. Can't wait for the chance to buy one!

34ronincats
Dez 4, 2013, 10:11 pm

Hi, Faith, Tina, Julia, Morphy, Liz, Caro, and Pat--thank you so much for all the tree of life love! If you are seriously interested in one, please PM me!

Well, you all may have noticed that there hasn't been a lot about books on my thread for over a week. There's a reason for that. And here it is.



Book #153 A Turn of Light by Julie Czerneda (854 pp.)

Whew! The trade paperback is a full 2 inches thick! And it was worth every page. This is Czerneda's first sally into fantasy--she's written over a dozen very decent science fiction books--but it is one of the best fantasies I've ever read.

Jenn Nalynn is approaching her 19th birthday and adulthood and her only wish is to travel outside Marrowdell and see the world. But that is the one thing that others will kill to prevent. Because if she leaves, Marrowdell will be destroyed.

This is a magical book. Not that it is full of people doing magic. No, Marrowdell IS magic and the loving descriptions of its geography and inhabitants and their interactions brings it fully to life. Run, don't walk, to the nearest book source and get this book by this fantastic Canadian author! For this book, RD, I am warbling like a nightingale.

35richardderus
Dez 4, 2013, 10:45 pm

**LAAAALEEEELAAAALEEEELAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA**

I
CAN'T
HEAR
YOU

*OHVOEDEEEEEOOOHHHDOEDEEEOOOHHHDOE*

skedaddles at top speed

36dk_phoenix
Dez 5, 2013, 9:39 am

PM sent!

Also have added the Czerneda book to the TBR list. I don't often pick up giant tomes, but if it's well worth it, it might happen! A guaranteed excellent fantasy read is mighty enticing!!! I know of her sci-fi work but haven't ventured into it yet. However, supporting a local Canadian author (I think she lives about an hour away) sounds good to me... :)

37humouress
Dez 5, 2013, 10:23 am

Hi, Roni. I'm not sure how it happened, but you dropped off my radar two and a half threads ago (but I see from the books you've read that I'm going to have to go back and catch up). I think it must have been because the number of unread posts were so high that I left it for later, and as you moved onto a new thread, it slipped down my list and disappeared.

I really like the copper and malachite Tree of Life (in post 203 a couple of threads back).

The Czerneda looks good; will add it to the wish list.

38sibylline
Dez 5, 2013, 10:51 am

Resistance is futile.... the Czerneda is on the list...... sigh.

39Cobscook
Dez 5, 2013, 12:55 pm

Another tree of life fan here....of to send you a PM.

40ronincats
Editado: Dez 5, 2013, 4:19 pm

Faith, Nina, Lucy--you won't regret checking out the Czerneda! Nina, I don't understand--just because you moved to another country with your family, why would that interfere with your LT time? ;-)

Thanks, Heidi.

Richard is ignoring my review, isn't he?

Okay, so a good follow-up to the Czerneda book is what I just finished.



Book #154 The Cats in the Doll Shop by Yona Zeldis McDonough (140 pp.)

This is an ARC that was picked up at a book show by a good friend who knows about my collection of cat books and my love of children's books last year. I started it a while ago but got distracted by other things. Today, I though its shortness and simple story would be a great contrast to the Czernada, and it was. Simple and sweet, this is a sequel to The Doll Shop Downstairs, which I have not read, but I can imagine the story. This family of immigrant parents and their American-born daughters in NYC in the early 1900s, I would think (there is still war going on in Russia), are welcoming a young cousin sent to them from Russia. There are complications and also there are cats who help iron on the complications just by being there. Charming.

41humouress
Dez 5, 2013, 9:28 pm

>40 ronincats:: I don't quite understand either, Roni!

But my daily schedule is different; my youngest used to go to long daycare for 3 days a week, so I'd drop off and pick up both kids together. Now, they both go by bus, but one pick up has me leaving the house at 11:00, dashing back for lunch, and then the second pick up at 3:00. Distances to the schools are further, so there's more travel time. After school activities are on a different schedule, too, involving more dashing around. Then there's homework; though only my eldest gets any. He used to refuse to do any with me, so my mum used to do it with him. Now he just plain refuses to do any! :0) So that takes ages. Then, by the time he finishes his after school classes, there's a fight through traffic to get home, just in time (actually, a bit late) for the bedtime routine. After which I usually collapse in front of the TV.

Plus, life is busier; we've had a trip to London and to Malaysia, and my parents came over - and very kindly gave us 'flu, which we're just getting over. I've got less reading time, so I suppose fewer books to log means less LT time, too. :0( I read about 10 books in January, compared to 1 in November; I thought this year I had my 75 in the bag, finally, but I may fail at the last hurdle.

But that reminds me; I meant to say last time - belated congratulations on your double 75!

42EBT1002
Dez 5, 2013, 10:50 pm

Hi Roni! Congrats on such success for your 2013 goals!! And the photo at the top of your thread is really lovely.
And how wonderful to get lost in a magical 2-inch thick fantasy novel!! Nice.

43ronincats
Dez 6, 2013, 12:20 am

Nina, Nina, that was tongue-in-cheek! I really do completely understand! And now I'm just tired, after reading all of that.

Thanks, Ellen! It was nice indeed.

Been to the pottery studio tonight to pick up my bowls that I glazed Sunday and throw a few pieces as this Saturday is the student sale which means no class this week either!
The one on the left is a Christmas gift for my niece, who actually requested a bowl!!!

44humouress
Dez 6, 2013, 12:38 am

*blush* (but now I've listed it out, I'm beginning to understand)

er … but your bowls are gorgeous - as always. I love the drama in the right hand bowl.

45DeltaQueen50
Dez 6, 2013, 12:48 am

Hi Roni, I've taken a BB for Turn of Light and finding out that the author is a Canadian is an added bonus!

46mirrordrum
Dez 6, 2013, 1:01 am

>25 ronincats: the tree of life is marvelous, the scarf is faboolous. i've *just* this week started knitting and am fumbling but infatuated. i'm starting with trying to do simple 14 x 14 knit-only throws for shelter cats via The snuggles Project. the geography of RA makes it all quite giggle-making when i try even basic things. such fun.

i yearn to be able to knit w/ cruelty-free wool yarns and recycled fair trade sari yarn, but that's a ways off. you shall be my inspiration!

47souloftherose
Dez 6, 2013, 7:58 am

#25 As always, I love the tree!

#34 "it is one of the best fantasies I've ever read." Uh oh, wishlist hit and I bet it's not released in the UK.

#43 Lovely blues and drama as Nina said :-)

48HanGerg
Dez 6, 2013, 8:39 am

Love the bowls, as always, Roni. You get such lovely, vibrant colours in your glazes. If I'd gone to your craft fair, I think I would have gone away with armfuls of your pottery! I've also wish listed the huge new fantasy find, and will have to check out some of her SF as well…
Tempted by a tree of life pendant, but thinking again of those pesky international postage costs, unfortunately : (

49avatiakh
Dez 6, 2013, 8:59 am

I added Czenada's scifi to my 'to read' list after going to her talk about the role science fiction could play in children's education a few years ago. Now adding A turn of light to my list as well.

50sibylline
Editado: Dez 6, 2013, 11:10 am

Those bowls are beautiful Roni, just wonderful, your niece will be thrilled.

I do sympathize totally with Nina - when I moved back to VT from Philadelphia I lost a whole support system (like the next-door neighbors whose daughter is my daughter's lifetime best friend) - and acquired a long long back and forth to school, to town.... you've all heard me whine about it. Now that it is over and my daughter is driving herself around most of the time, I have, for example suddenly found I have time to read over 100 pages a day regularly, as opposed to the earlier 50-60 - and often more. AND I can mess around on LT AND I have time for more exercise AND I'm actually making some of the doctor appts I've been putting of for myself AND I have more time for music. In short - I have anywhere from one to four more hours a day and it is amazing how much time that is. Plus she is more independent about everything so we don't have long involved homework crises anymore or other dramas, they've just tapered off. (You know, the hysterical late trip to Staples or wherever to get the right kind of posterboard that it turns out you didn't need....) Thank heavens for books on CD because they were lifesavers with all that driving around. Nor do I begrudge the time spent on the LD, but now that it is ending, I am astonished how consuming it was and how, where you live, makes such a huge difference - the city is a really good place to be with a younger kid, it turns out!!!! I suspected it was, and I was right. We could do things like walk to the Franklin Institute, Art Museum, Library, and Academy of Nat Sci in 15 minutes from our house, and two decent playgrounds, and you bet I spent lots of time making the circuits! The best though was kids and neighbors so close by. School close by. All of that!

OK I'm bloviating, ...... off I go!

51PaulCranswick
Dez 6, 2013, 10:31 pm

Great pottery as always Roni. Have a great weekend. Stats up shortly but because I've been under the weather they have been stretched over a few days so may not be quite as accurate as usual.

52richardderus
Dez 7, 2013, 2:04 pm

The blue glazes are glorious. Simply entrancing. Like having a night sky in your hands. *aaahhh*

53ronincats
Dez 7, 2013, 3:08 pm

No problem, Nina. See, you got all that off your back and some buddy-sympathy to boot.

Judy, I made sure to note Czerneda was a Canadian author just for you. Bam!

Ellie, my OA is bad enough for knitting and crocheting (osteoarthritis)--I can't imagine with RA! But you know, there are some simple knitting looms that produce some very nice stuff and probably would provide more stability. Like this:
I chose the Martha Stewart one because it had the best picture, but there are several at about half the price of hers, under $20.

Thanks, Heather. Since she's a Canadian author, maybe she'll be available?

Hannah, you are SO complimentary! {{{Hannah}}} Yes, those pesky international mailing costs would double the cost. Maybe I should have Darryl smuggle a handful of the trees over on the next visit?

Kerry, that sounds like an interesting talk. I have read 2 of Czerneda's science fiction trilogies and enjoyed them, but I was blown away by this, her first fantasy.

Thank you, Lucy. I KNEW that the LD driving herself would free up simply loads of time for you and hope you are enjoying the adjustment. Of course, once this book is out of the way, it will be easier.

Thank you, Richard. *smooch*

Well, I just gained an extra week yesterday. For the last few days I had been directing my activities and pacing myself thinking we would be leaving next Wednesday. Yesterday I suddenly realized that I had just x'ed out the second week of December from my mental calendar and I have that extra week to finish up here and get ready!

54rosalita
Dez 7, 2013, 6:22 pm

Congrats on "finding" an extra week, Roni! Hope you're having a great weekend.

55EBT1002
Dez 8, 2013, 1:36 am

Lucky niece!

56ronincats
Dez 8, 2013, 12:33 pm

Thank you, Julia and Ellen, for dropping by. Yesterday didn't see much getting done--we had a cold front with some (not enough) rain passing through and I had a proto-headache due to the pressure drop that I couldn't shake all day. However, I started three books--that shows you I had trouble settling down to anything! On the Kindle, some children's book that is old enough to count toward my ROOT goal The Librarian (Book One: Little Boy Lost), only it was purchases 4/3/12, and I really need books acquired earlier than 2012. Then I started a dead-tree book that's been sitting around forever, Vast by Linda Nagata, which would count for the ROOT goal and the Women of Genre challenge. That's a huge generational starship saga. And finally, I stuck the first CD of the audio book I ordered by mistake from the library of How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier to finish up my Women of Genre challenge into my laptop while aimlessly playing solitaire on it, and got through the first 4 disks (2 to go) last night. If I'd had the paper version, I'd be done by now but I would have played 40 fewer games of solitaire.

Plans for December reading:

Rereads:
Regency Buck--Heyer book of the month with Liz & Co.
Un Lun Dun--group read, if I can fit it in

Challenge reads:
5 books bought before 2012--I've started one, but need to choose 4 more and stay focused if I want to meet this goal.
2 women authors new to me--that would be the Nagata and Larbalestier.

Huh? That sounds doable. Surely I'm forgetting something.

57humouress
Dez 8, 2013, 5:24 pm

>50 sibylline:: Thanks for empathising!

>53 ronincats:: Finding an extra week is so much better than losing one, which is what I tend to do at this time of the year.

58Donna828
Dez 9, 2013, 11:11 am

I would like an extra week…or two! This said after spending most of the day with my nose in a book yesterday. I still have presents to wrap on the dining room table which I am doing a great job of ignoring!

That is a lovely opening shot, Roni. Such Christmassy reflections in the water. I had to scroll back up because when I first checked out your new thread you had the old picture up there. Sneaky!

Have a good week. Send me a few of your extra days if you can't use them!

59ronincats
Editado: Dez 9, 2013, 3:29 pm

Nina, you are right. I think this is the first time I have ever found EXTRA time! So much better.

Donna, glad you enjoy the picture. I'm sorry, but I'll be using all my extra days!

So I just finished my first audiobook.



Book #155 How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier (336 pp.)

Entertaining light fantasy about a high-school age girl in an alternate reality who wants to get rid of her parking fairy and attract the new boy. I enjoyed the little details of the slang and the school setting, as well as the reader's Australian accent. But this is light and should be avoided by all means by Richard dear. Although I feared at first I would not have enough interest in the character to persevere, it was quick reading and, as I said, entertaining.

60Cobscook
Dez 10, 2013, 7:39 pm

Glad you found an extra week in your month Roni! I wish I could as well. My work schedule has gone suddenly mad, and I have to get to work an hour early each day. That means I've had to ask my folks to drop my daughter off to school for me in the mornings. Luckily they live 5 miles away and are retired! I have three days off over Xmas and I am looking forward to it quite desperately!

61richardderus
Dez 10, 2013, 8:56 pm

Even the title...just no. I am a mass of mental hives!

62dk_phoenix
Dez 11, 2013, 9:19 am

>59 ronincats:: Hah! I read that one a few years back, and found it cute but not wonderful. Entertaining enough to get to the end, and a nice, light distraction... but that's about it.

63DorsVenabili
Dez 11, 2013, 5:05 pm

Hi Roni! I'm just popping in to say hello and that I love the bowls in #43.

Also, congrats on finishing the Women of Genre challenge! I totally dropped the ball on that one, but I should go back to see what others have done. Sigh.

64quinaquisset
Dez 12, 2013, 12:36 am

I really liked the idea of personal fairies! And her worldbuilding, and some of her narrative tricks. Larbalastier is on my watch list.
If you want deeper, her Daughters of Earth was a great review of feminism in sf over the decades.

65ronincats
Dez 12, 2013, 12:48 am

Welcome, welcome, visitors!

Heidi, believe me, it's the first time in my life I've actually found extra time! Hope things quiet down for you soon. Hard to believe that Christmas is just 2 weeks away!

Richard, I would NEVER want to ditch you!

Faith, exactly!!

Hey, Kerri! Well, I'm still in the middle of the Nagata book, book 12, but I'm definitely on track to make the challenge. Thanks for the bowl love!

So, after adding the two LT Xmas books I received from Cee (bahzah) (and those would be Dark Eden by Chris Beckett and Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard), I was just thinking that I needed to be very careful for the rest of the month, because that makes 84 for the year. So of course, while we were out today (another cortisone shot for my plantar fasciitis, which hopefully will be more effective, and a stop by the bead store) I was also in the vicinity of my favorite independent bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy, and 3 books hopped into my car with me. One doesn't count because it is a gift for my greatniece (Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale) but the other two do--The Silvered by Tanya Huff and one I wouldn't have picked up on my own, but it is the favorite fantasy of the year by my recommendation guru at the store, Patrick. I told him about A Turn of Light, which he hasn't read yet. Oh, the book he recommended was The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett, which features demons preying on mankind.

I'm working on Vast, the last book for my Women of Genre challenge on WorldWithoutEnd. com (12 books by 12 award-winning women authors who I had not read before in 2013), and The Seven-Petaled Shield by Deborah J. Ross, which was picked by someone in my book discussion group and sounded like and so far seems like pretty generic standard fantasy.

I need to read 5 more books this month for my ROOT challenge, all books acquired prior to 2012, of which Vast is one. Looking through my acquisition lists and focusing on quick reads, I'm choosing Summer Knight by Jim Butcher, The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke, Elantris by Brandon Sanderson, and Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, subject to change at any time.

66ronincats
Dez 12, 2013, 12:50 am

QQ, you sneaked in while I was writing the above. I agree with you, and the feminism in sf nonfiction book is on my wishlist. The library has it and I plan to get to it next year.

67kgodey
Dez 12, 2013, 1:59 am

Ooh, you have some good reading coming up! Elantris and The Ladies of Grace Adieu, especially. The Warded Man is weird... whenever I think about it, I think it's just an okay series, but then I can't wait for the next book.

68Morphidae
Dez 12, 2013, 8:57 am

*perks* Women of Genre challenge?

69ronincats
Dez 12, 2013, 12:27 pm

Here, Morphy! https://www.worldswithoutend.com/authors_wogf.asp

I'm looking forward to those, Kriti. Good to hear.

70richardderus
Dez 12, 2013, 1:00 pm

The Ladies of Grace Adieu! Oh yes oh yummy! I hope you like it as much as I did.

Boo hiss plantar fasciitis.

71sibylline
Dez 13, 2013, 5:43 pm

Uh oh, Daughter's of Earth onto the wobbling tower.

I didn't know you had p.f. Ouch! Hope the shot helps.

72ronincats
Dez 13, 2013, 6:29 pm

Thanks, Richard. I've heard nothing but good about it.

Yeah, it's been on mine for most of this year, Lucy. I just needed to read her fiction first, for my WWE challenge. Yes, I've had it all this year and my first shot, in October, didn't help at all. This one is stronger and deeper, so we'll see.

73humouress
Dez 14, 2013, 10:29 am

Ooh - double ouch. I managed to give myself p.f. just over a year and a half ago, but fortunately, I haven't needed shots (touch wood). The doctor did say, though, it would take 6 months to a year and a half to get over it. He gave me some exercises to do (which I wasn't very conscientious about doing, except when it really ached) and I bought a few pairs of off-the-shelf orthotics for various pairs of shoes, so at least I haven't had to give up my shoes.

Mind you, I'm not supposed to wear heels because of it - not that I was supposed to anyway, because of all the aches and pains I picked up after pregnancy.

Speaking of changing countries, I've had to get nearly 10 pairs of shoes mended after coming back. The ones I didn't take with me suffered from not being worn for ages in this climate, and the ones I took with me suffered from being worn out.

Best of luck with your plantar fascists; I hope it gets better soon.

74quinaquisset
Dez 14, 2013, 10:11 pm

Ooh, a new Tanya Huff. I loved the werewolf family in her Blood series. Hmm, I think it can go on my wishlist for the next month.

75ronincats
Dez 15, 2013, 12:49 am

Hey, Nina--mine has been around for 11 months now. I wasn't wearing heels anyway--gave that up years ago--and found these Clarks that I really liked, so bought two more pairs, in the colors I wear most! Their soles come right up and my orthotics fit in perfectly--I did go up a half size, though. If my sister likes them, I'm going to get her a pair for her birthday.

I probably won't get around to it until I get back, QQ--I have those ROOT books to finish up in this calendar year!

I've been flitting around lurking on threads, but haven't been too chatty. Have most everything packed, all the gifts either mailed or in a special box to go in the vehicle. At pottery today, I trimmed 5 pieces and threw 4 for when I get back. Some of my pieces sold at the student sale last Saturday, $32 worth, although I don't know which pieces went until I get out my inventory and see what I sent that didn't come back. A couple of mugs at least. Might check that off tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm cleaning house and leaving it in halfway decent shape, although I'm sure the cats will do their best to help entropy do its work while we are gone. I have to pack up what jewelry tools and supplies I am taking with me, now that I have pulled from my supplies plus new stuff to fill two bead organizers with beads and findings for my oldest great niece, who is into beading too. I also have to pull out the Christmas CDs to listen to on the trip and get out a crochet project or two to take along as well. Somehow crocheting while everyone is sitting around talking is more socially acceptable than surfing on the computer. Don't understand that, myself! And then we'll be packing up food to take for snacking during the trip, and checking the weather reports frequently. I also have to check out motels that take pets and cheap gas stations before we leave. And I STILL haven't done my Christmas cards...I think I'll go read.

76PaulCranswick
Dez 15, 2013, 4:13 am

Roni - I hate all those greek and latin terms that are basically names for different types of pain. Wishing you in good, plain old english, a wonderful weekend.

77rosalita
Dez 15, 2013, 4:34 am

Your pre-trip activity sounds very organized, Roni. I wish I could be that organized but I always put things off until the last minute and then inevitably forget something.

78sibylline
Editado: Dez 15, 2013, 9:45 am

So well put, Paul! Good luck with it. My former harp teacher had some p.f. trouble and one physical therapist LITERALLY did some kind of acupressure on a particular spot that made all the difference, as in, immediate relief. She can do it herself along with her exercises and she hasn't had any problems now in four or five years. She lives in NJ however, a bit far from San Diego!

I loathe getting ready for trips - can't stand coming back to a messy house either. (Not that mine is every more than controlled chaos, mind you) - and all the toys I have to have with me to be happy.

79phebj
Dez 15, 2013, 8:24 pm

Hi Roni, I hope you have a great trip. I used to have trouble with plantar fasciitis years ago. Luckily, daily stretches finally got rid of it. I keep them up to this day just in case it thinks of coming back.

I've been admiring my new tree of life necklace and look forward to wearing it to several events coming up next week.

Will you be on LT while you're away?

80DeltaQueen50
Dez 15, 2013, 9:33 pm

Hi Roni, sounds like you will be on the road soon, hope you will be able to check in to LT while you are away. Have a safe trip.

81Donna828
Dez 15, 2013, 9:47 pm

Safe travels, Roni. I hope the snow fairy stays away while you are on the road. I dislike all the preparations for a trip, but it is so worth it for peace of mind. Have a wonderful time with your family.

82kgodey
Dez 15, 2013, 9:59 pm

Have a great time and drive safe, Roni!

83ronincats
Dez 15, 2013, 11:53 pm

Our plans are to leave on Wednesday and arrive on Friday. Weather looks decent at this point. I have done absolutely NOTHING today except read about 150 pages of Vast. Nothing, I tell you! So tomorrow had better be productive.

Thank you, Paul. Best wishes right back at you for surviving SWMBO's absence and the sole care of your two youngest, as well as avoiding crippling book avalanches!

Julia, it only SOUNDS organized. ;-)

Lucy, I wish I could teleport her out here to fix my heel! And yes, it's amazing how many toys I need to take with me.

Pat, I keep stretching, plus wearing my boot at nights, and hoping. Yes, once we get there, I'll have access to LT, but you know how it is being around family--don't know how much online time I'll have.

Thanks, Judy, Donna and Kriti, for the wishes for safe passage. So far the weather reports are looking good, and we have the flexibility to move up or delay our return if there is bad weather around that time.

84brenpike
Dez 16, 2013, 4:39 am

Glad to hear our super hero also ducks out to read when the to-do list becomes overwhelming! Have a safe trip and a good visit. I will enjoy thinking about you being nearby. . .

85dk_phoenix
Dez 16, 2013, 9:05 am

Sunday afternoons are made for doing nothing but reading, despite the piles of things that need to be done, in my opinion... :P

86Cobscook
Dez 16, 2013, 10:47 am

Hi Roni! I received my tree of life pendant this morning in the mail....it is so so lovely! Thanks a bunch for mailing it to me. I know my mom is going to love it!

87EBT1002
Dez 16, 2013, 12:45 pm

#75 - very cool shoes. I like the way they look! (including that they look comfortable)

88ronincats
Editado: Dez 16, 2013, 3:50 pm

Thanks, Brenda! When we travel so far to be in the middle of the state, we often don't do much traveling further east once we are there.

Faith, I like your philosophy.

Heidi, good to know it's there, and I certainly hope your mom likes it.

Thanks, Ellen--very comfy!

And, at long last:



Book #156 Vast by Linda Nagata (403 pp.)

What can I say about this book? Vast in scope, in time, in space--and yet with characters we can identify with. This is classic sf in the modern style. Very good.

And this is a ROOT book and it completes my WorldWithoutEnd Women of Genre Fiction challenge for 2013!

89DorsVenabili
Dez 16, 2013, 4:08 pm

#88 - Hi Roni! I just read the description and I'm intrigued by Vast. Are there a lot of battle/action sequences? That tends not to be my favorite thing, but otherwise it sounds right up my alley

Have a safe trip!

90richardderus
Dez 16, 2013, 4:31 pm

So Vast is book 4 of a series, is it. Ah-hummm. Permaybehaps I'll find a stand-alone of hers?

91ronincats
Dez 16, 2013, 5:13 pm

Actually, I read this as a stand-alone, Richard, and it held up pretty well. There were references to prior events but no reliance upon them for the story's plot. Kerri, no battle scenes at all, really.

92TinaV95
Dez 16, 2013, 9:42 pm

Hey Roni... I've not been here for a while, but I'm off to send you a PM about the Tree of Life now. :)

93DorsVenabili
Dez 16, 2013, 10:27 pm

#91 - Thanks, Roni! Good to know.

94ronincats
Dez 16, 2013, 10:32 pm

Saw it, Tina. How was your first day?



Book #157 A Laurel Burch Christmas: Color the Season Beautiful with 25 Quilts and Crafts by Laurel Burch (80 pp.)

I love Laurel Burch designs, especially her cats. I have an extensive collection of her cat jewelry, and some other crafts and clothing. I received this book for Christmas last year, and so when I needed one more 2012 book for my ROOT challenge, I figured it was time to give this one a good looking-at. Laurel Burch suffered from osteopetrosis, a bone disease that caused super-fragile bones and many fractures, and died at age 61 in 2007. Despite this painful disease, she created some of the most vibrantly alive and gorgeous designs I've ever seen. These are no exception.

95humouress
Dez 17, 2013, 10:06 am

Safe travels, Roni.

96ronincats
Dez 17, 2013, 5:11 pm

Whew! Christmas cards are DONE! Actually, I like doing it--I just always put it off to the last possible moment for some reason. So, now some last minute tidying up, dishes, refrigerator, and we'll be ready in the morning.

Oh, and I finished my book group book.



Book #158 The Seven-Petaled Shield by Deborah J. Ross (463 pp.)

Don't bother. It's pretty standard high fantasy--DWJ would have a field day with her Guide--done competently but unexcitedly. But, the kiss of death for me, it ends smack-dab in the middle of the action. No warning, except that I could see I was at 98% on my Kindle and there was no way it could even reach a slight pausing point in the remaining 2%. I HATE it when authors do this. And the author discarded the only interesting character, a woman, from the story near the end after she had fulfilled her function, I presume because only a young male could be the hero? Not happy I had to buy it for this book chat...

97ronincats
Dez 18, 2013, 1:14 am

Well, time to sign off, turn off the computer, and pack it in. See ya all soon.

98calm
Dez 18, 2013, 11:23 am

Safe travels Roni, have a great Christmas.

99RebaRelishesReading
Dez 18, 2013, 6:12 pm

So if all continued as planned you're on your way by now. Hope all is going well and that you have great holidays.

100richardderus
Dez 20, 2013, 11:16 am

In anticipation of all the beauty you create so generously and effortlessly continuing into 2014, dear and wonderful Roni:



Celebrate the return of the light with feasts, merriment, and gratitude for all the wonders of this wide green earth.

RMD

101sibylline
Editado: Dez 20, 2013, 8:22 pm

Popped the Nagata on the Wishlist. I guess I should check out this genre fiction thing you did? Somehow I never quite picked up on the fact that you were doing. Did you post your list of what you would read somewhere? I'll go look up top before I make more of a fool of myself than I already have!

102ronincats
Editado: Dez 20, 2013, 11:09 pm

Safely arrived at my destination in Kansas, clear roads all the way, but as weather addicts know, Canada sent a blast of cold air down into the Midwest last night, so after two days of weather in the 50s and 60s in our travel, today the temps were in the 20s. Brrrr! Snow is supposed to arrive tomorrow, but we are probably on the northern edge of the precipitation.

Thanks you, Calm. Reba, it's always good to see family. We had supper over at my mom's.

Richard, that is lovely! *smooch*

Lucy, it wasn't an LT thing, although I found out about it from someone talking about it on their thread. The challenge on the WorldsWithoutEnd.com website for 2013 was to read 12 women of genre from the website's award-winning selection who were authors you had not previously read--that were new to you. This was a problem for me because I had read so many of the ones listed, but actually there were plenty.

Nalo Hopkinson
Kristin Cashore
Karen Lord
Kelly Barnhill
Sarah Zettel
Rachel Hartman
Elizabeth Knox
Justina Robson
Libba Bray
Leigh Brackett
Justine Larbalestier
Linda Nagata

I'll list the books tomorrow, but it's bedtime now, CST.

103LizzieD
Editado: Dez 20, 2013, 11:15 pm

Have a lovely, lovely time in Kansas, Roni! I don't know where I've been but it hasn't been your thread for awhile, worse luck to me.
I've read a Nagata, but it must be in the attic because I don't see it in my catalogue, and now I don't remember the title. I think I liked it though. And the Czernada is firmly on my wish list. Meanwhile, I am NOT going to WorldsWithoutEnd website, am not am not am not......well, maybe just for a quick look-see.

ETA: Deception Well

104alcottacre
Dez 21, 2013, 5:56 am

Glad you are safely arrived, Roni. Merry Christmas!

105LizzieD
Dez 21, 2013, 2:16 pm

Is Kansas getting the ice that Oklahoma has? I'm afraid you may have walked into it, Roni.

106Whisper1
Dez 21, 2013, 2:50 pm

Dear Friend

I am in awe of your talent. The pottery is beautiful. The multicolored scarf is incredible.

Where do you get the energy?

All good wishes for a wonderful holiday.

107ronincats
Dez 21, 2013, 9:16 pm

Peggy, Weather Channel is saying that I-95 or whatever it is that goes past you is plenty wet al the way up and down! Stay dry! It started snowing here about mid-afternoon today and there are about 3 inches of snow on the ground now. It is light, fluffy, powdery snow and simply beautiful, especially since we have nowhere to go now!

Deception Well is evidently on of the earlier books in the series of 4 books--I didn't realize Vast was part of a series until Richard told me.

Linda, I am in awe of your spirit. I get the energy from being retired and mostly pain-free--and wish the same for you! Best wishes for a good holiday to you as well. Are your grandchildren going to be part of your Christmas?

Thanks, Stasia. Finals week is over--I hope you are enjoying your break and Christmas with your family.

108ronincats
Dez 22, 2013, 10:03 am

Who'd a thunk that your San Diego connection would be posting snow pictures?

109humouress
Dez 22, 2013, 11:33 am

Very Christmas-y!

Glad you arrived safely before the snow dropped.

110qebo
Dez 22, 2013, 11:38 am

Fresh snow is beautiful if you can ignore the practical consequences.

111sibylline
Dez 22, 2013, 12:21 pm

I've only read three of those writers!! Robson, Brackett, and Cashore! I'm copying that list. Let me know when you find these cool things, Roni!

Safe driving around. Just give them time to plow if you can! We have an inch and a half of weird crunchie stuff and then a 1/2 inch of pure glaze on all trees etc. Pretty but lethal. We is going noplace today. I is thinking of baking, which I never do as a basic pro-active dietary measure. This kind of weather though, it triggers something.

112richardderus
Dez 22, 2013, 12:52 pm

>108 ronincats: Oooooo pretty! Such fun to see clean, bright snow all piled up and purtyful. So glad you're inside looking out, however, since driving in snow for long distances isn't terribly much fun.

113TinaV95
Dez 22, 2013, 1:16 pm

It was a great first week, Roni!!!! ;) Blissfully happy... that's me!

January 8...that's the first paycheck!

114DeltaQueen50
Dez 22, 2013, 1:36 pm

That's quite a scenic change from the pictures we usually see on this thread. I suspect you will enjoy the white stuff all the more, Roni, knowing that you have warmth and sunshine waiting for you at home.

115jnwelch
Dez 22, 2013, 5:47 pm

That's in San Diego? Hardly seems possible, Roni. Jeez Louise.

116ronincats
Dez 22, 2013, 11:10 pm

Nina, I know that's not the kind of weather you are getting! And we are glad we got here before the storm as well.

Katherine, once here, we had nowhere we needed to go! Made a big pot of chili at my sisters and let the rest of the family come to us while we watched the Chiefs lose. They are all educators, so no one had to work or go to school today. Perfect, after 10-11 inches of snow.

Lucy, the reviews of the books for all those authors, such as they are, are all in my threads, and you can find the books in the list in the third message of the thread.

Richard, it really is beautiful! I haven't seen any snow for 3 years, and haven't seen this substantial a snow for over 5 years, so it is a lovely novelty--and I won't be here long enough for it to pall.

Woo hoo, Tina! Way to go, girl.

Exactly, Judy. See message to Richard above. We are having a white Christmas for sure!

Ha ha, Joe. See what happens when you just drop in instead of reading the thread! This is central Kansas, which is where I am right now.



Book #159 Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (371 pp.)

This is the first of the final three books I need to read to meet my ROOT challenge (see goals above in second message) and book 4 of the Harry Dresden series. I like this book the best yet of the series. Harry is as usual between a rock and a hard place, but he manages to be one tough nut to crack.

118jnwelch
Editado: Dez 23, 2013, 10:00 am

I knew it was central Kansas, Roni. Really. I was just testing you. *hides face behind table laden with Roni's beautiful ceramic bowls*

Phew! Kansas makes a lot more sense. If it had been San Diego, it probably would've been a sign that the last days are upon us.

119DeltaQueen50
Dez 23, 2013, 7:58 pm

Well, the last days of the year are upon us, so I will take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year, Roni.

120calm
Dez 24, 2013, 8:37 am

May you have a book filled Christmas, Roni

121sibylline
Dez 24, 2013, 9:15 am

Merry Christmas, Roni!


122ronincats
Dez 24, 2013, 10:09 am

Linda, all my best to you for Christmas!

End days indeed, Joe!

Merry Christmas, Judy, calm, and Lucy. Those corgis are adorable!

I'm making progress on The Ladies of Grace Adieu on the reading front.

Because of being with family this holiday, there is a good possibility I won't make it around to everyone's individual threads. So let me wish you all a very merry Christmas! May peace be with you and good will between all of us predominate!

123SandDune
Dez 24, 2013, 10:36 am

Roni have a great Christmas and New Year!

124DorsVenabili
Dez 24, 2013, 11:04 am

Happy Holidays, Roni! It was lovely getting to know you this year!

125susanj67
Dez 24, 2013, 11:36 am

Roni, that is some serious snow further up the thread! I hope you have enough woollies to keep warm. Best wishes for Christmas and a crafty 2014 - I am looking forward to seeing more of your lovely pottery and knitting.

126humouress
Dez 24, 2013, 1:11 pm



Just to remind you of San Diego while you're in Kansas, Roni ;0) This is more like the weather I'm having.

Wishing you the best for the festive season, and a wonderful 2014!

127qebo
Dez 24, 2013, 4:44 pm

128EBT1002
Dez 24, 2013, 4:49 pm



Happy Christmas, Roni!

129Donna828
Dez 24, 2013, 4:51 pm

Roni, it looks like you might have a White Christmas with all that snow. I'm so glad you arrived in Kansas before it did!

Merry Christmas to you, my friend. Stay warm!

130cameling
Editado: Dez 24, 2013, 4:53 pm

Have a very merry Christmas and happy new year, Roni!

131ronincats
Dez 24, 2013, 5:40 pm

Brrr. It is 73 in San Diego today and a high of 26 here--but here there is a white Christmas! Thank you so much, Rhian, Kerri, Susan and Nina, for visiting and your Christmas wishes.



Book #160 The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke (235 pp.)

This book of short stories continues in the world Clarke created in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, and I think I like this world better in the short tastes here.

132ronincats
Dez 24, 2013, 5:41 pm

Katherine, Ellen, Donna and Caro, you slipped in while I was writing--Merry Christmas to you all and thank you for visiting!

133PaulCranswick
Dez 24, 2013, 9:50 pm



Dear Roni - Queen of sci-fi, pottery princess, jewel of jewelry production. Have a wonderful Christmas in snowy (my goodness) San Diego. xx

134TinaV95
Dez 24, 2013, 11:00 pm

Roni...Here's wishing a Merry Christmas for you and your entire family. My love to you!

135ChelleBearss
Dez 24, 2013, 11:07 pm


Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

136swynn
Dez 24, 2013, 11:08 pm

Merry Christmas, Roni!

137AMQS
Dez 25, 2013, 1:52 am

Dear Roni, best wishes to you for a very merry Christmas!

I need to come back an spend some more time here -- great reads!

138kgodey
Dez 25, 2013, 2:34 am

Merry Christmas, Roni!

139Storeetllr
Dez 25, 2013, 2:53 am



Merry Christmas, Roni, and warmest wishes for a wonderful New Year filled with good books, good friends and good times!

140avatiakh
Dez 25, 2013, 3:01 am

Merry Christmas Roni. Looks like you're having a very white one.

141Chatterbox
Dez 25, 2013, 3:39 am

Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas, Roni; hope you get some R&R after all the craft fairs!

Snow is lovely, as long as it isn't you doing the shovelling... :-) (Don't volunteer....)

142-Cee-
Dez 25, 2013, 7:53 am

Hope you are having the merriest of Christmases - enjoy the snow!

143streamsong
Dez 25, 2013, 9:54 am

Merry Christmas and Happiest of New Year's!

144cushlareads
Dez 25, 2013, 10:37 am

Merry Christmas, Roni! Hope you are having a lovely day.

145Morphidae
Dez 25, 2013, 12:52 pm

Have yourself a merry little book-filled Christmas!

146phebj
Dez 25, 2013, 9:05 pm

Hope you've had a great Christmas celebration in Kansas, Roni. I've just come from Katherine's thread where she posted a picture of your tree of life necklace displayed in her house. I think that's a great idea and I'm going to look for the perfect place to display mine too. It's such a beautiful necklace and I really enjoyed wearing it to some of my holiday parties.

147Crazymamie
Editado: Dez 25, 2013, 11:17 pm



Merry Christmas, Roni! Hope it was filled with fabulous!

148ronincats
Dez 25, 2013, 11:21 pm

Oh my, how it warms the cockles of my heart to have all you wonderful people dropping by with Christmas greetings! I love it!

Thank you, Paul, Tina, Chelle, Steve, Anne, Kriti, Mary, Kerry, Suz, Cee, Janet, Cushla, Morphy and Pat, for coming by since my last post!

Today was filled with family, opening of gifts, and eating of delicious food. I only got one book, but it was a picture encyclopedia of jewelry-making techniques. Lots of good stuff in it! And our gifts to others were all a big success! We have another mini-Christmas on Sunday (when my other nephew and his wife and son arrive from Florida) and on Monday (when my brother and his wife come out), so the festivities will stretch out a bit, but today was lovely--and with all the snow still on the ground, WHITE! I am working on Elantris now, my final book for my ROOT challenge, and should easily have it finished before the end of the year--that will be the last of the books I brought with me, and I will start on my Kindle at that point.

I will have to delay my 2013 wrap-up until I get back to San Diego. I copied my Numbers document where I track all my books over to my laptop, but should have exported it so that my Excel app could read it on this computer. I also can't get into any of my Zynga games on this computer. :-( I may be forced to upgrade my operating system...

149HanGerg
Editado: Dez 26, 2013, 5:29 am

Hi Roni! I'm getting to the party a bit late, but I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas! I've enjoyed swapping books recommendations (although with your vast knowledge, the flow is mainly one way!) and art and crafty projects with you in 2013, and long may it continue!
Here's a traditional British Christmas pudding for you to enjoy!

150sibylline
Editado: Dez 26, 2013, 7:48 am

Happy for you that your Christmas was such a nice one. Ours was delightfully tranquil too and folks seem happy with eachother and their loot!

151RebaRelishesReading
Dez 26, 2013, 10:15 am

Hi Roni. I'm glad you're having such a nice, white Christmas in KS. Safe travels home.

152tapestry100
Dez 26, 2013, 11:46 am

Merry Christmas, Roni! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!!!

153RosyLibrarian
Dez 26, 2013, 12:33 pm

I hope you had a nice Christmas Roni!

154lkernagh
Dez 26, 2013, 6:01 pm

Hi Roni - Stopping by with belated Christmas wishes and a

155dk_phoenix
Dez 26, 2013, 7:39 pm

Merry belated Christmas, Roni... hope you're enjoying Elantris!

156UnrulySun
Dez 27, 2013, 2:05 pm

Happy Holidays Roni! I hope all is well with you and you're able to snuggle in with your furbabies and create some more crafty goodness for us to admire.

157richardderus
Dez 27, 2013, 3:19 pm

That sounds like the best sort of xmas, and the jewelry-making encyclopedia was a perfect gift. Sending love and hugs Kansasward!

158jnwelch
Dez 27, 2013, 3:57 pm

Happy Holidays, Roni! I liked Elantris when I read it - a sister gave it to me and got me started on Brandon Sanderson.

159RebaRelishesReading
Dez 29, 2013, 6:01 am

Hi Roni...thinking of you enjoying KS :)

160ronincats
Dez 30, 2013, 9:44 am

Hey, Hannah, Lucy, Reba, David, Marie, Lori, Faith, Kathy, Richard, Joe, and Reba again! Thank you for stopping by and keeping my thread warm during my absence. Lots more family time in the interim, no more snow but we hit the freezer yesterday with temps down to zero overnight and up to 18. Today should be warmer, but we still have about a third of our snow still. Which is good because my great-nephew from Florida, who arrived Saturday night, wants to do snow angels and snowmen today.



Book #161 Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (622 pp.)

This will probably be my final book completed for 2013 and completes my ROOT challenge for the year of reading 40 books off my own shelf, 25 of which had to be acquired prior to 2012. It was a very enjoyable classic fantasy--lots of people have mentioned liking the magic system but for me, it was the characters themselves that immediately pulled me into the story and kept me there. I can see why this book has so many fans.

161richardderus
Dez 30, 2013, 10:02 am

OMIGOSH that's is TOO DARNED COLD. 0° is really just a short hop away from 100° in discomfort. You can't go outside without suffering. You can't wear normal clothing. Special skin unguents are required. Ick.

I'm glad that family time is making up for it!

162tapestry100
Dez 30, 2013, 11:38 am

>160 ronincats: - I've really enjoyed what I've read by Brandon Sanderson but haven't read Elantris yet. I'll have to check it out. Stay warm!!!

163RebaRelishesReading
Dez 30, 2013, 1:19 pm

Do you even want to know that East County is going to be 78 today? :>

164Morphidae
Dez 31, 2013, 11:18 am

We're about to have our third night of 11 below zero... brrr....

I like Brandon Sanderson, too. Except I really disliked his children's book, Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians. I enjoyed the Mistborn series.

165ronincats
Editado: Dez 31, 2013, 4:38 pm

Hey, it's back up to a high in the 50s today--I am surviving! Thank you, Richard. Reba, we saw the short sleeves at the Poinsettia bowl, so I figured.

Morphy, I was not wowed by that book either, and haven't read any of the sequels. This is my first "real" Sanderson. I haven't started the Mistborn series yet, but I have some of the books in my tbr shelves.

Realistically, I'm not going to get out to everyone's thread today to wrap up the old year. We are resting a bit now, but will be busy with family all evening and night. Tomorrow will also probably be full, and then we'll be on the road again heading back home. Let me wish everyone a very Happy New Year! I'll try to catch up Sunday when back in my own little house.

166Storeetllr
Dez 31, 2013, 4:39 pm

Happy New Year, Roni!


167TinaV95
Jan 1, 2014, 12:50 am

Happy New Year, Roni!!!!

168humouress
Jan 3, 2014, 3:39 am

>165 ronincats:: You know, I was tempted by that graphic for a while.

Off to find your 2014 thread ...

169ronincats
Jan 4, 2014, 10:59 pm

Home today, and thanks to additional visitors Mary, Tina, and Nina for coming by. I feel so far behind on the 2014 threads--even the short ones are already 50-60 messages and several people are on multiple threads already. However, now that I am home, I can access my spreadsheets and wrap up my 2013 goals and numbers.

Goals for 2013:

To read 150 books.

To read 50,000 pages.

I read 161 books for a total of 54,244 pages. Book length average was 337 pages.

To acquire fewer books than I did last year (95).

I acquired 88 books this year, so met this goal, although it was close.

To read 40 books off my own shelves that were there prior to 2013, and of those 40, 25 must have been in my library by 1/1/12.

I more than doubled the number of books read off my own shelves and met this goal by the skin of my teeth, exactly 40 books with 25 acquired prior to 2012.

To pass as many books as I acquire on to others through donations and swaps--in other words, they left MY house and went elsewhere.

I failed this one. I only sent off 55 books and, since I left town on the 18th, wasn't able to make it up at the last minute by dumping an additional 33 at the neighborhood library.

Yearly summary stats for 2013

Books read: 161 Pages read: 54,244 pages

Books new to me: 123 Rereads: 38

Books from the library: 42
Books from my own shelves: 40
Books acquired in 2013: 88
Books read of those acquired in 2013: 48 (55%)

Genre of books read:
Science fiction 30
Fantasy 80
Children's 15
Nonfiction 17
Romance 5
Mystery 8
Fiction 3

25 male authors, 131 female authors, 5 combo

Genre of books acquired:
Science fiction 15
Fantasy 45
Children's 5
Nonfiction 15
Romance 4
Mystery 2
Fiction 2

Total spent on 88 acquired books = $433.95

Books out the Door 55

Bookmooch 2
PaperBackSwap 50
Gifted 3