My kids are the only kids... It may surprise you to learn that a few of us here also have children.... Regards, Kareni

I'm another one who didn't get far into the book before abandoning it. Like mumto2, I may need to give it another try. I read that for my book group last year and quite enjoyed it, too. Others here have also read it. Regards, Kareni

Perhaps These Or These Or These Or These Or These Regards, Kareni

Many of the things we did have already been mentioned: Reading aloud from infancy on. Very VERY limited television, DVD, and computer time. Frequent trips to the library (multiple times per week). An abundant supply of audiobooks. Adults also reading for pleasure and necessity. Books as gifts. Regards, Kareni

Do your dogs wear clothes? No. My dog is a naturist. Regards, Kareni

Last night I finished a science fiction book that had an Australian aboriginal component; I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. The Outback Stars by Sandra McDonald "Lieutenant Jodenny Scott is a hero. She has the medals and the scars to prove it. She's cooling her heels on Kookaburra, recovering from injuries sustained during the fiery loss of her last ship, the Yangtze, and she's bored -- so bored, in fact, that she takes a berth on the next ship out. That's a mistake. The Aral Sea isn't anyone's idea of a get-well tour. Jodenny's handed a division full of misfits, incompetents, and criminals. She's a squared-away officer. She thinks she can handle it all. She's wrong. Aral Sea isn't a happy ship. And it's about to get a lot unhappier. As Aral Sea enters the Alcheringa -- the alien-constructed space warp that allows giant settler-ships to travel between worlds, away from all help or hope -- Jodenny comes face to face something powerful enough to dwarf even the unknown force that destroyed her last ship and left her with missing memories and bloody nightmares. Lieutenant Jodenny Scott is about to be introduced to love. Author Sandra McDonald brings her personal knowledge of the military, and of the subtle interplay between men and women on deployment, to a stirring tale that mixes ancient Australian folklore with the colonization of the stars. " Regards, Kareni

Rising freshman - science question I'd suggest attaching some hefty weights to the student so that he or she does not float away. Regards, Kareni

Safe travels and happy reading, Robin. Regards, Kareni

For my book group which is meeting tomorrow, I read Amor Towles' A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel which I very much enjoyed. I'm looking forward to our discussion. "He can’t leave his hotel. You won’t want to. From the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility—a transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel. In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose." I see that this is to be made into a television series-- interesting. *** I also reread a favorite novella which I enjoyed once again -- Sarina Bowen's Blonde Date (Ivy Years 2.5) Regards, Kareni

Some more bookish posts ~ Five Books That Gave Me Unreasonable Expectations for Post-High School Life by Sarah Pinsker What Does a Fantasy Map Look Like? by Jonathan Crowe 7 Stories That Reimagine Some of Your Favorite Classics by Stubby the Rocket Regards, Kareni

What a lovely tribute, BakersDozen. I'm so glad you and your children were able to see Raffi perform. Regards, Kareni

Some bookish posts ~ 100 SF/F Books You Should Consider Reading in the New Year by James Davis Nicoll https://www.tor.com/2018/12/27/100-sf-f-books-you-should-consider-reading-in-the-new-year/ The Tao of Sir Terry: Pratchett and Philosophy by Matthew Reardon https://www.tor.com/2019/03/15/the-tao-of-sir-terry-pratchett-and-philosophy/ 12 Divine Fantasy Novels in Which the Gods Walk the Land by Nicole Hill https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/12-divine-fantasy-novels-in-which-the-gods-walk-the-land/ Five Must-Read Books Inspired by Indian Lore https://frolic.media/five-must-read-books-inspired-by-indian-lore/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Swords and Spaceships Mar 15&utm_term=BookRiot_SwordsAndSpaceships_DormantSuppress 5 Fascinating Uses of Footnotes in Fantasy https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/5-fascinating-uses-of-footnotes-in-fantasy/ Regards, Kareni

As regards souvenirs ~ If you celebrate with a Christmas tree, you might look for ornaments. Sometimes I have converted key rings or cell phone charms into unique ornaments. I also enjoy finding tea towels on our travels. Regards, Kareni

Yesterday I read a novella that I quite liked. I recommend it to those who enjoy fairytale retellings as well as to those who might enjoy reading a male/male romance that has no explicit content. I will certainly be looking to see what this author next publishes. Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray "An m/m World War II-era retelling of Beauty and the Beast.During a chance summer shower, an English country parson takes refuge in a country house. The house seems deserted, yet the table is laid with a sumptuous banquet such as the parson has not seen since before war rationing. Unnerved by the uncanny house, he flees, but stops to pluck a single perfect rose from the garden for his daughter - only for the master of the house to appear, breathing fire with rage. Literally. At first, the parson can't stand this dragon-man. But slowly, he begins to feel the injustice of the curse that holds the dragon captive. What can break this vengeful curse?" Regards, Kareni

I continued reading the Mindspace series and finished Marked by Alex Hughes which I enjoyed. For some reason, my library had only books two and three in this series, so I've requested that they purchase books one and four to complete the series. It may be a while before I can read on. "Freelancing for the Atlanta PD isn’t exactly a secure career; my job’s been on the line almost as much as my life. But it’s a paycheck, and it keeps me from falling back into the drug habit. Plus, things are looking up with my sometimes-partner, Cherabino, even if she is still simmering over the telepathic Link I created by accident.When my ex, Kara, shows up begging for my help, I find myself heading to the last place I ever expected to set foot in again—Guild headquarters—to investigate the death of her uncle. Joining that group was a bad idea the first time. Going back when I’m unwanted is downright dangerous.Luckily, the Guild needs me more than they’re willing to admit. Kara’s uncle was acting strange before he died—crazy strange. In fact, his madness seems to be slowly spreading through the Guild. And when an army of powerful telepaths loses their marbles, suddenly it’s a game of life or death.…" *** I saw that the author has a FREE short work in the Mindspace series. I believe it's set after the first book; however, it would give you a taste of the series. The Kindle book also includes two short stories by the author that are not a part of the series. I enjoyed all three pieces though one of the short stories was decidedly eerie. Rabbit Trick: A Mindspace Investigations Short Story by Alex Hughes "OPEN MINDWhen the cops call me in the middle of the night, I know it’s bad. One of their own is dead, strangled in her car by a professional killer, and it’s up to me, telepath consultant extraordinaire, to pull the rabbit out of my hat and solve the case. Only this time I’m not so sure I can.Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino is breathing down my neck. The dead cop’s partner is too. Here's the bad news. Turns out the woman's five-year-old was in the car when she got murdered. Here's the worst news. No one can find that kid." *** I read another FREE Kindle work, but it was far-fetched and not a book I'll be rereading (copious adult content). Healing Hands: A SciFi Alien Romance by Stella Cassy "A desperate father.A world in danger. Rothren is a linguistics teacher on his home planet—or he was before the Neff virus took hold. Having lost everything, he hunts down a doctor that may be able to help save those who are left. Yet the universe holds more for them than simple business. Can a heart so broken learn to love again?Marie is one half of a pair of brilliant physician sisters. She works tirelessly to provide excellent treatment to her patients, be they human or otherwise. But she's certainly not expecting feelings to develop after being abducted by a large alien. Love appears in the strangest places. " Regards, Kareni