Thank you, Jay, for letting us know. Please give her our good wishes. Regards, Kareni

Wish your mother a speedy recovery, please. Regards, Kareni

Some currently free books for kindle readers; these look like fun mysteries: Barnabas Tew and The Case Of The Missing Scarab And Barnabas Tew and The Case of The Nine Worlds both by Columbkill Noonan Regards, Kareni

There is a post on the Chat board enquiring about the Benedict Option. Perhaps someone might give information there about the group. Regards, Kareni

Thanks for the explanation, mumto2. I'd heard of a Dalek but had no idea what one liked like. (It's a strange cultural literacy I have....) You may well be correct about me liking the books. I should ask my daughter as she has read my favorite Star Trek books AND has watched some Doctor Who with friends. Regards, Kareni

Welcome to you both! Regards, Kareni

favorite gluten free magazine? If you're following a gluten free diet, I recommend eating food rather than magazines. Good luck! Regards, Kareni

Here's a fun bookish post: Classic Literature as Fortune Cookie Fortunes One example -- "The Lottery Expect an invitation to an exciting event." Regards, Kareni

What a lovely gift, Robin! And what wonderful work, Sandy. I've never seen Doctor Who, but I'm guessing that is a Tardis. What do the other two pieces represent? Regards, Kareni

What a wonderful update, Jann. Congratulations to your daughter! Regards, Kareni

Here's a currently free historical romance about which I've heard good things. Nearly a Lady (Haverston Family Trilogy Book 1) by Alissa Johnson Regards, Kareni

The first author that comes to mind is Julie James; her characters have some witty banter. I'd start with Something About You (FBI/US Attorney, #1). But humor is so subjective. I'm looking at this list 5 Romance Authors Who Will Make You Laugh Out Loud. I've read all but one of those books; while I likely laughed, none of them begged to be reread. I'd also recommend Lucy Parker and her London celebrities series which begins with Act Like It: A Slow-Burn Romance (London Celebrities Book 1) Regards, Kareni

Regarding Morning Glory: It's my favorite of her books, too, and a story I've reread many times. I'll admit that I've never seen the movie. Do you feel it did the book justice? I too was sad when she retired, but it was hard to argue with her decision to spend more time with family. Looking at Wikipedia, I see she retired in 1997 (time flies!) at age 55. I hope she's enjoyed the past twenty years. Regards, Kareni

Moonflower, thanks for sharing your experience with the book as well as the memories of your father. Perhaps one day I'll try my father's favorite series again -- the Lanny Budd series by Upton Sinclair. My father and I made an agreement that I'd read one of his favorites and in return he'd read a romance. I read World's End (The Lanny Budd Novels Book 1), but it did nothing for me (perhaps I was too young). [Admittedly, I'm still a tad annoyed that he never read that romance!] Regards, Kareni

Earlier today I finished a contemporary romance which I quite enjoyed. It had me laughing aloud several times despite the dark backstory each character had. Detour by Reesa Herberth and Michelle Moore, "Ethan Domani had planned the perfect graduation trip before tragedy put his life on hold. Smothered by survivor’s guilt and his close-knit family, he makes a break for the open road. He doesn't know what he's looking for, but he's got the whole summer to figure out who he misses more: his boyfriend, or the person he thought he was. It’s just him and his memories . . . until he almost runs over a hitchhiker.Nick Hamilton made some mistakes after his younger brother died. His violent ex-boyfriend was the most dangerous, and the one that got him shipped off to Camp Cornerstone’s pray-the-gay-away boot camp. His eighteenth birthday brings escape, and a close call with an idiot in a station wagon. Stranger danger aside, Nick’s homeless, broke, and alone. A ride with Ethan is the best option he’s got.The creepy corners of roadside America have nothing on the darkness haunting Ethan and Nick. Every interstate brings them closer to uncharted emotional territory. When Nick’s past shows up in their rearview mirror, the detour might take them off the map altogether." Regards, Kareni

Neither. I vote for hot chocolate. My sister signed me up for an ice cream of the month club as a Christmas gift, so now I have five different pints of ice cream sitting in my freezer. Off to have some ice cream.... Regards, Kareni

A bookish post from the Word Wenches site: Life Lessons in Writing Regards, Kareni

I thought of another marriage of convenience title for you @aggieamy Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer It's a historical romance set in Depression era America. ** And here's a currently free book for Kindle readers that sounds rather bizarre. Virtue at Market Price: A Saucy Tale of Airborne Pirates and Sins Personified (Empyreal Privateer Trilogy Book 1) Regards, Kareni

One supplement you might consider is Larry Gonick's Cartoon History of the Universe. (Be aware that this might not be the best choice if you are a conservative family.) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cartoon_History_of_the_Universe My daughter read through these volumes to accompany her world history studies in 7th through 10th grades. Regards, Kareni

Still trying to figure out my new gadget. . . . Some suggestions-- Historical: The wedding Journey by Carla Kelly The Arrangement by Mary Balogh His At Night by Sherry Thomas Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/114166.Devil_in_Winter Tempt Me at Twilight (The Hathaways, #3) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6264710-tempt-me-at-twilight Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold https://www.romance.io/books/54552da48c7d2383163d9079/eyes-of-silver-eyes-of-gold-ellen-oconnell Contemporary: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29367958-the-wall-of-winnipeg-and-me Regards, Kareni

That was neat, Tap. I'm sharing it with my daughter who teaches English conversation in South Korea as I suspect she'll appreciate it. Regards, Kareni

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Well, drats. I wrote a post and it disappeared into the ether. I just finished reading the graphic novel Luisa Now and Then by Carole Maurel and Mariko Tamaki. It was an intriguing read but the elder Luisa was not the most pleasant of characters. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_6?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=luisa+now+and+then&sprefix=Luisa+%2Cdigital-text%2C243&crid=2Z7R8CN5L2Q1L "At 32, Luisa encounters her 15-year-old self in this sensitive, bold story about self-acceptance and sexuality. Single, and having left behind her dream to become a renowned photographer, she is struggling to find out who she is and what she wants. In order to help and guide her younger self, she must finally face herself and her past. When Luisa finds herself attracted to a female neighbor, things become even more complicated... Insightful and funny, this is a feel-good coming-of-age story." ** I also read SK Dunstall's Confluence for the nth time. I enjoyed it yet again. Regards, Kareni

I guess we'll call that Withering Hope. Regards, Kareni

Seconding the Hank the Cowdog series which was a big hit at our house at that age. Also popular were Dick King-Smith's Sophie books. Regards, Kareni