I'm keen to get back here and link hop (thank you @Robin M & @Kareni). Seconding what others said about your DD's wedding @Mothersweets - well done on navigating past your shyness (!) - and on your trip to family. So lovely to read of nice things like this happening. To books completed (before my allotted time here runs out): The Poor Clare ~ Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, narrated by Derek Perkins (2h 18m) (3) (my nod to spooky October.) After the senseless shooting of her beloved dog, a woman’s curse on the perpetrator has far-reaching consequences on her own family. Once she witnesses the effect the curse has brought on her granddaughter, and is not able to find a way to reverse it, she becomes a Poor Clare (a nun in the Franciscan Order of St. Clare) to try to find absolution for what she has done. This was definitely the shortest story of Gaskell’s I have read. I prefer the author's longer works and added to brevity of The Poor Clare, the story ends rather abruptly. (I’m guessing that if the character doing the narration ended up with Bridget’s painting of the Virgin Mary after her death, that he must have ended up married to Lucy, Bridget’s granddaughter?) Emily Dennistoun ~ D. E. Stevenson, narrated by Emma D'Inverno (9h 3m) (2.5) Not a favourite Stevenson title, too many misunderstandings due to lack of communication. Alice and Yvette are the girl villains in this story, prepare to dislike them. Stevenson crafted two emotional defunct parents for Emily and Charlie. Extra: I thought it was interesting how the author was highlighting the possibility of Frances ‘unknown’ father to be a cruel/violent man and ‘not a gentleman’, yet Mr. Dennistoun was all that, in his own brutish way, to his family and was considered an upstanding member of society: definitely a vintage era story. Confessions of a Bookseller: Diary of a Bookseller Bk2 ~ Shaun Bythell (2.5) (328pgs) At around 45% I started to skip read, as this felt like a slightly varied repeat of the first book. I prefer the first book, perhaps because I listened to it as a really well narrated audiobook; and, felt this one was definitely a second book and, for me, not the better read. Extra: Quite a few (!!) f-bombs in this one: I’m glad I was reading, and not listening, as with an audiobook there is no way to skip them.

Over the last few year, especially, rereads for me are usually fiction audiobooks and comfort based, late night listens with a/some good characters and a skilled narrator, others become rereads just because I'm in the right mood to revisit to that book/author/series (Peter Grainger's D.C. Smith series) and want something to listen to while my hands are busy but my mind doesn't need to be. The outlier to all that is the KJV bible, which has become a life time reread for me. Favourite, or impacting, reads, thinking of books like Killers of the Flowermoon, One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment, The Note Through the Wire, The Invisible Child (which I said I'd reread but never have) are usually one offs, perhaps because they're non-fiction (?), and there are so many 'next' books I want to visit. So I said all that to say this, I don't (usually) reread physical books, even favourites, but will relisten to select audiobooks. Q: Wondering if others that reread also rewatch favourite movies/tv shows? (Other than a few BBC Jane Austen's, I don't do that either.)

Got me thinking about my own rereads ( and found some new titles to try😄)

I think I may have (?) completed my a-z challenge, I just need to shift titles around a bit more yet before sharing. Titles just begun in my book life: Take Six Girls: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters ~ Laura Thompson, narrated by Maggie Mash (15h 51m) I sped read through a hardback copy of this a while back - necessary for this title initially, I think, because of all the photos - and decided having Maggie Mash read this to me at a slower pace was a good revisiting option. Recently completed: The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz ~ Erik Larson, narrated by Matt Addis (4 ) (20h 31m) (sip listen) While this biography-styled read is about Churchill during WWII, so many other people feature in this well-written and narrated book. Many of the stories shared are from diaries, including excerpts from various, by in large, unknown Britons, and then from easily recognised people like Mary Churchill, and, Hermann Göring. Extra: some gritty, and, adult encounters content. One F-bomb. The Diary of a Bookseller: Bk1 ~ Shaun Bythell, narrated by Robin Laing (4stars for the audiobook) A diaried format is not, usually, a favourite genre for me, yet it works for this book: admittedly reading this memoir as an audiobook helped with the enjoyment factor, the skilled narration kept me listening and earnt this diary an extra star. I can see why others would, and do, get offended by the sardonic tone Shaun uses to write his bookselling diary in; and, the backhanded slap downs he seems to take at others is not always PC. Some of the writing is really humorous and I’m always pleased when his staff member, Nicky, a Jehovah Witness, gets her own back on this, seemingly, cantankerous, curmudgeon-y young Scotsman. I enjoyed her rationale on why she files books where she does. ie: For the possible filing of The Odyssey. (Nicky) “The Odyssey goes in the Fishing section”. (Shaun) “Why?” (Nicky) “ Because they’re on a boat aren’t they, and what do you eat when you’re on boat? Fish. “ I thought the book ended rather abruptly and on a pretty sad note. Extra: a few bawdy excerpts, and ‘adult content’ mentions about sellers/browsers of erotica. Help, I'm Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope ~ Sally Clarkson (e.book) (4) (256pgs) This is a read geared for those who appreciate a faith based memoir, inspirational styled book - and who don't have a hate on the author. This is the first book I've read of Sally's where she talks more candidly about the struggles/differences that she and Clay have navigated through in their marriage relationship, usually it's a topic she sidesteps with the focus, more, on mothering and friendships. I probably enjoyed the chapter that she almost apologizes for its negative tone the most 😋

Currently school holidays here, which helps too. Govt directive when alert levels shifted on Tuesday (was) for Auckland schools to reopen 18th Oct. I wonder if this will still happen….. ( have you heard anything more about this @lewelma?) Crèches have “reopened” in Auckland with limited numbers and a cap of 10 children per care bubble, no crossing bubbles.

I too liked the three Ibbotson books my (younger years) DD handed to me to read, because she though they were, "So good": they were.

This true story is just lovely! Thanks for sharing.

If I don't post now I'll run out of time ..... (hope to be back to continue reading later). Titles just begun: Miss Silver Comes to Stay: Bk16 ~ Patricia Wentworth, narrated by Diana Bishop this is a repeat, late-night, listen. Confessions of a Bookseller: Diary of a Bookseller Bk2 ~ Shaun Bythell (library loan) Being an avid avoider of spooky/horror reads I thought if I, still, can’t settle to listening to Frankenstein this year perhaps reading a rather short gothic work by Elizabeth Gaskill - I’m slowly working my way through her books – might (?) be my personal nod towards Spooky October: The Poor Clare ~ Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell Completed last week: Prince Philip Revealed: A Man of His Century ~ Ingrid Seward, narrated by Julie Teal (3) The beginning of the book was interesting, then the author started to repeat herself which makes a biography lose its sparkle. I’m rather a fan of Queen Elizabeth II, and, Prince Philip so was happy enough to listen to Ingrid Stewart’s take on ‘presenting’ Prince Philip to us, yet this isn’t a book I’d really recommend to others unless they knew next to nothing about Prince Philip (and/or don’t mind the repetitious factor).

So lovely to read this Kareni 💟 What a beautiful, exciting, visit for you all. (That counts for the best (!) early Christmas present.)

My intended Christmas items via US sites just got a bit more interesting… (cross posting from the Wuhan thread) USPS international delivery to various countries, includes NZ and Australia, has been suspended/disrupted until ….(?) https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm

USPS international delivery’s disrupted/suspended (currently includes Australia and NZ) https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm

I ended up with a small gush of holds becoming available, a great problem to have though it has required some juggling and returns, so I’ve ended up starting a few books all at once. I’m enjoying my first few chapters in Becoming Jane Austen ~ Jon Spence, and here are the other titles I’m sip reading from: Prince Philip Revealed: A Man of His Century ~ Ingrid Seward, narrated by Julie Teal (12h 9m) The Diary of a Bookseller ~ Shaun Bythell, narrated by Robin Laing (9h 41m) Even though this doesn’t have super high ratings on Goodreads, so far, 15% in, I’m finding it interesting and entertaining, and discovering titles I’m not familiar with (ie: Any Human Heart ~ John Boyd). Help, I'm Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope ~ Sally Clarkson (256pgs) Emily Dennistoun ~ D. E. Stevenson, narrated by Emma D'Inverno (9h 3m)

So good to see that you enjoyed it!! (I have been wondering if I should start it or let the next person in the loan cue have it.)

For those in autumn, enjoy: it's my favourite season of the year. It is lovely to be in spring time, though, and to see our trees budding and spring bulbs flowering; and, to get out in the sunshine to watch the lambs frolicking about in the paddocks. To books. I'm sorting through my options of what to, try to, read next and thinking I may start either Becoming Jane Austen ~ Jon Spence, or, The Girl from the Channel Islands ~ Jenny Lecoat. Currently listening to these audiobooks and enjoying both of them: Picture Miss Seeton: Bk1 ~ Heron Carvic, narrated by Phyllida Nash (repeat, late night listen) and The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz ~ Erik Larson, narrated by Matt Addis.

I found this interesting: An (NZ) Breakfast show interviewing Imperial College London’s Sir Roy Anderson about rates of vaccination. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6RPnO4zB3xA

So good to read about your Dd’s weddings, @Mothersweets (hoping the pending one goes well for all , for you especially). My heartfelt condolences over your recent loss @LaughingCat (and, to be dealing with your loved one’s pancreatic cancer also. May they continue in their “doing better” trajectory ). ___________________ Because I love, and collect, picture books I’m mentioning Mornings with Monet ~ Barb Rosenstock , illustrations by Mary GrandPré (5 out of 5). The text is engaging and interesting: the artwork is exquisite and makes this picture book a keeper, for me. I’m mostly relistening to familiar authors, Ngaio Marsh mysteries, and, Dorothy Gilman’s books. Other audiobooks completed recently : Simon the Fiddler ~ Paulette Jiles, narrated by Grover Gardner (4 ) (11h 39m) I found Simon’s story, and character, interesting and though there was more profanity than I’d usually endure in an audiobook the writing style is reminiscent of News of the World, just lovely in places; and, I wanted to listen to the end to see what became of Simon and his sweetheart, an indentured governess for Ireland, Doris Mary Aherne. Extra: Other than one character who is noted as having a ‘potty’ mouth, yet is not given airtime in the story to spout his “filth” the cursing is in context and is not excessive. Cursing and religious profanity. Two F-bombs and one ‘n’ word. One bawdy, barroom song. Doris’ employer stalks her. Some sensual/attraction tension - the bedroom door stays shut throughout the entire book. The Keeper of Lost Things ~ Ruth Hogan, narrated by Jane Collingwood and Sandra Duncan (2 ) (8h 35m) The "Lost Things" are mostly all connected to lost lives, lost hopes, lost loves, lost innocence. Pretty much, think of every hard, sad, broken, hurtful thing that can happen to people in life, and it’s in this book. The story is well written, and narrated, yet I found some of the content rather gritty: telling something, nearly, euphemistically doesn’t make it easy to digest (we are (were) in hard lockdown here) so I’m not gifting this book ‘enjoyment/appreciation’ stars. Not a book I’d recommend; however, if you enjoy Rachel Joyce’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry you’d probably really enjoy this book, though there is more sexually riske/fetish mentions in The Keeper of Lost Things. Extra: f-bombs and profanity.

Appreciating each one for info sharing, and/or, posting in this thread. Thank you.

Avocado chocolate mousee (delicious); and, as already mentioned, guacamole.

‘Liking’ and posting is giving me ‘there is a problem’ message. If this goes thru, I’m reading posts and liking them 😊

Wow! thank you so much for hunting up those helpful info links. ( I was hoping, sort of, that that massive influx - half a mil people - were a very real contributor to our housing crisis: an estimated 200,000 is still a lot (!) of recent returnees.)

Wondering if you have a link you could please share for that number of kiwis who have definitely moved back to NZ ? (I've tried to google search it, but am not pulling up anything definite just one article that says half a million "could" move back ....)

I'm threads behind in reading so posting a marker "post" here so I can try to keep up with reading, next current threads, and catch up on previous ones. I'm books behind in sharing so will just restart here 😉 30/05 - 31/05 84, Charing Cross Road ~ Helene Hanff, narrators Juliet Stevenson & John Nettles (5/5) Having this book read to me was the perfect way to enjoy these letters: the narrators made the audiobook a pleasure to go through. ( I referred to the book afterwards, for the portions I wanted to revisit. .. I’m now reading the second half of the story, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, in my printed copy.) For me, this book was about a love of literature and beautifully published works, and a genuine friendship that developed between purchaser and procurer/seller, not an romance between Frank and Helene as the film seemed to portray 18-19/06 Summer Half: Barsetshire Bk5 ~ Angela Thirkell, narrated by Penelope Freeman (4/5) I had a few false starts with Summer Half and put it aside and then had another try at giving this Thirkell book a chance. The right frame of mind makes all the difference, what previously felt like a 'silly' book ended up being a witty, humorous read filled with literary references. I really enjoy, Goodreads, Michael Bafford's review of this book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2998185192 Extra: There are a few retro, earlier-era, racially inappropriate mentions in this book. Romances are all clean; though Rose, an immature girl who is described as "so entirely foolish, and [...] so absurdly pretty" has a history of being a serial fiancé. 19/06 - 04/07 A Gentleman in Moscow ~ Amor Towles, narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith (4.5/5) The language usage in this book is a delight to listen to and I was sad to have the book end. The story covers (Count) Alexander Rostov’s house arrest from 1922 to 1964, and interwoven to create an interesting story are the lives of others who step into his confined world. Alexander’s world view covers thoughts ranging across evolution to Christianity, "To what end, he wondered, had the Divine created the stars in heaven to fill a man with feelings of inspiration one day and insignificance the next?” and so many lovely references to literature, and interesting cooking snippets about dishes being prepared. Extra: With the onset of the couples affair, I thought the story was going to generate down in racy bedroom scenes between the actress and the Count - so pleased the author didn’t do that - there are some bedroom scenes, but other than the mention of the actresses’ dress shooshing to the floor, after that, the door stays shut. 04/07 – 07/07 Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz ~ Michael Bornstein, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat, narrated by Fred Berman (4.5/5) Juvenile non-fiction. The 4.5 stars are for the audiobook, not for Michael Bornstein's experience, I found the narrator hard to listen to initially. Young Michael's survival is miraculous; and, then to have all of his mother's siblings survive the holocaust is nothing short of a miracle. The authors tell this next portion euphemistically, this is a memoir for children: To make it through the horror of the holocaust and then be abused by a predator in Germany..... no wonder Bornstein was loath to pause there. I appreciated that Bornstein was courageous enough to show that not all who appear kind are good people, and not all (seemingly) unkind people are cruel. Sobering reading, carefully told. I’m enjoying reading these current listens, so far….. The Spy and the Traitor ~ Ben MacIntyre, narrated by Ben Macintyre (I'm listening as a much quicker speed, otherwise the narration is a little irritating for me) The Ragged Edge of Night ~ Olivia Hawker, narrated by Nick Sandys (Cc)

Books completed over the weekend. The Empty World ~ D.E. Stevenson (3) (273pgs) A lite dystopian read from one of my liked vintage-era writers. I was keen to find out what happened to each of the women, and how Stevenson was going to sort out the bad guys. Like other Stevenson’s books I’ve read this one has the bedroom door close. Some Christian content, which I appreciated, and, LOTS of smoking, which is always rather disconcerting in vintage reads until I remember the era these writers lived in. A significant detractor for me was the inclusion of a song using the ‘n’ word which features in a drunken shooting scene amongst the bad ‘guys’. In true D.E. Stevenson, she gives us another abrupt ending to a story. Age of War: The Legends of the First Empire Bk3 ~ Michael J. Sullivan, narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds (4 ) (16h 47m) I will absolutely need to listen to the next book in the series as the ending generated a must know what happens next. (Can't say much about the last few chapters, or that ending, without creating major spoilers.) The writing, character development, and storyline in this book are all much better than those in the second book in this series. Extra: some "swearing" in Rhune. Letting go of the past. Teens kissing. Domestic abuse. Non-consensual kiss. Violence stemming from war.

So happy to read that! (I live with cat-lovin' people and their fur babies, and unwell cats are worrying ... and expensive.) I like your moggies names🥰 Thank you, and wishing you a lovely mother's day too. (Beautiful potted plants!)

@Robin M and @mumto2 I appreciate the idea sharing for your own approaches to the A-Z challenge. Well done!! on completing the last months librarian mumto2. I've just started Martin Chuzzlewit ~ Charles Dickens, nudged along by @Lady Florida. posting about this title and Dombey & Son, another Dickens title I have on my want to read list. After starting and stopping a few books, I'm hoping that A Completing of The Watsons by Rose Servitova will be my keep reading title.