The Murderbot stories are good, aren't they? My husband and I gave our adult daughter the first one for Christmas, and it didn't surprise me when she went on to buy the next three. A full length Murderbot novel is supposed to be published in 2020, I believe. I recently enjoyed the free story Fandom for Robots BY VINA JIE-MIN PRASAD. I think that fans of Murderbot might also like it. https://uncannymagazine.com/article/fandom-for-robots/ Regards, Kareni

Thank you, Robin, for hosting. And thank you, Amy, for the Flufferton thoughts! Regards, Kareni

welcome back! I'm glad to hear that your surgery went well. How scary an accident for your husband and son; I'm glad they were not hurt. Ouch! I admit to fearing ice... I hope your toe will soon heal. Regards, Kareni

I also enjoyed this free story: Fandom for Robots BY VINA JIE-MIN PRASAD Fans of Murderbot might also like it. Regards, Kareni

This evening I finished my first reread of SK Dunstall's Stars Uncharted. I'd enjoyed the book initially, but my pleasure was dimmed because I had wanted more of the world that the authors had created in their first trilogy. I enjoyed this read more. "In this rip-roaring space opera, a ragtag band of explorers are out to make the biggest score in the galaxy. On this space jump, no one is who they seem . . . Captain Hammond Roystan is a simple cargo runner who has stumbled across the find of a lifetime: the Hassim, a disabled exploration ship--and its valuable record of unexplored worlds. His junior engineer, Josune Arriola, said her last assignment was in the uncharted rim. But she is decked out in high-level bioware that belies her humble backstory. A renowned body-modification artist, Nika Rik Terri has run afoul of clients who will not take no for an answer. She has to flee off-world, and she is dragging along a rookie modder, who seems all too experienced in weapons and war . . . Together this mismatched crew will end up on one ship, hurtling through the lawless reaches of deep space with Roystan at the helm. Trailed by nefarious company men, they will race to find the most famous lost world of all--and riches beyond their wildest dreams . . . " Regards, Kareni

Welcome baby! Regards, Kareni

I'd never heard of this but it certainly looks good. Here's an Amazon link for others who might be interested. Spinning World History, Regards, Kareni

Cost of Living Calculators Is a living calculator similar to a robot? If so, I'd expect the cost to be high. Regards, Kareni

I'm sorry to hear that your grandmother fell, Melissa. Wishing her a speedy recovery. So glad to hear that you'd had such a fine visit. Regards, Kareni

When my daughter was studying that era, we (my husband included) enjoyed listening to a CD by Tom Lehrer. I recommend An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer (This is not for the easily offended even though many of his numbers were first recorded in the fifties and sixties.) You may already be familiar with his songs The Elements (look on Youtube) or Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. We have now collected several of his CDs and I frequently play them.Regards,Kareni

You have hidden depths, Junie, and you just made me laugh. I shared your reply with my husband who said (after laughing), "What are they going to do? Call the cops? There are no cops." I'm with you though in that I'd want someone else around. But, like mumto2, I'd want books. That could be one definition of hell -- solitude and no books. Regards, Kareni

I do indeed know, and I'm eager to read it. I just checked, and I am also second on the library's hold list. Regards, Kareni

Those of you who read on a Kindle might be interested in this Limited Time Offer. Spend $20 and Get $5 Get $5 back in eBook credit when you spend $20 on eBooks between Jan 22 and Jan 28, 2019 Here Regards, Kareni

Now now, HomeAgain. No prying. Regards, Kareni

I've finished several books over the past few days. I enjoyed Carla Kelly's historical romance Miss Whittier Makes a List which features a young American Quaker and a British sea captain. "Miss Hannah Whittier was a most proper young lady, but now she found herself in a most improper position. Not only was she the sole female on a British man-of-war, but the ship's commander, Captain Sir Daniel Spark, seemed to feel she owed him far more than gratitude for fishing her out of the sea. This overbearingly arrogant officer was all that Hannah found infuriating in a man--and it should have been easy to repulse his advances... if only he were not so handsome... if only he did not know how to be so charming... if only she did not find that the salt air worked a sea change on her senses... as powerful currents swept her far from familiar shores into unknown waters where the compass of conscience could not guide her on a course that was headed for the shoals of scandal and rocks of ruin..." ** I also read Rick R. Reed's Sky Full of Mysteries. This is a story (a romance?) that kept me guessing as to the resolution. "What if your first love was abducted and presumed dead—but returned twenty years later? That’s the dilemma Cole Weston faces. Now happily married to Tommy D’Amico, he’s suddenly thrown into a surreal world when his first love, Rory Schneidmiller, unexpectedly reappears.Where has Rory been all this time? Has he time-traveled? What happened to him two decades ago, when a strange mass appeared in the night sky and lifted him into outer space? Rory has no memory of those years. For him, it’s as though only a day or two has passed.Rory still loves Cole with the passion unique to young first love. Cole has never forgotten Rory, yet Tommy has been his rock, by his side since Rory disappeared.Cole is forced to choose between an idealized and passionate first love and the comfort of a long-term marriage. How can he decide? Who faces this kind of quandary, anyway? The answers might lie among the stars…." ** and I enjoyed rereading Anne Bishops' Written in Red once again. Regards, Kareni

This word choice amused me! Regards, Kareni

It was a tad disconcerting to see these two threads next to each other: I need new meat meals New horse Regards, Kareni

I do all of our laundry which includes folding underwear, matching socks, hanging shirts, and folding jeans when dry. I also put it all away. I also wash the dishes and take out the trash and recyclables; I keep our social calendar and send cards for birthdays, etc. My husband does 98% of our cooking, bakes our bread, does most of the house cleaning, all of the yard work, and works for pay. I'm a fortunate woman. Regards, Kareni

Some books that are currently free for Kindle readers: Fantasy...Lucian Bane's The Scribbler Guardian 1: Arks Of Octava Time travel romance... The Draig's Choice (Draig Series) Collection of romance novels... Valentines Days & Nights Male/male romance... Burn Me Regards, Kareni

Some more bookish posts ~ Five SFF Books that Subvert Gender Roles by Amy Ewing 5 Young Adult Novels That Blew Me Away by Django Wexler and an older one for fans of Sherlock Holmes: The Great Pastiche Game: Notable Non-Doyle Holmes Books by Ryan Britt Regards, Kareni

My husband's favorite tea (Earl Grey) comes from the San Francisco Herb Company. We buy it at a local small independent grocery store. Regards, Kareni

Oops! Try this ~ https://bookriot.com/2019/01/15/reading-nook-ideas/ I'll try to correct my earlier post. Regards, Kareni

Some bookish posts ~ From the Word Wenches: Rhapsody in Blue—science and art! From Dear Author: REVIEW: Word by Word by Kory Stamper Long-lost Jane Austen family photo discovered on eBay. FIND THE PERFECT READING NOOK IDEAS FOR SMALL, MEDIUM, AND LARGE SPACES Regards, Kareni

The only dictation that I recall doing in high school was in a foreign language class. Regards, Kareni

What lovely gifts, Amy; brag away! What a wonderful gift from your husband. And I hear you on the perils of reading in bed says this person who hasn't seen 37 in a looong time. Sandy, you do nice work. I liked that rebel bus...very cute! Regards, Kareni