Yes and no. I value my online relationships as much as I do IRL relationships. As an introvert in real life, I'm more of an extrovert online so have a tendency to talk more. Also have become friends with a wide variety of people, more culturally diverse, that I don't have off line. When you talk with someone everyday versus occasionally, you develop a closeness with those people. Of course, it depends on whether they are being real or have an online persona. I see my son, who is an aspie and can be quite opinionated in real life, have a richer experience online because of the diversity of people he interacts with. So, there's that.

Same here. I've had what I thought were real friendships which actually weren't when people simple walked away and we never spoke again. So it made me rethink online relationships. The problem maybe is we feel invested in what we think is a friendship, when the other person doesn't feel as invested because it's an online thing versus real life, so it makes it easier to walk away. The same goes for work, because, I had some close relationships but really only work buddies until leaving the job and everyone moves on.

I also prefer not to, but can tune out the tv, video game, music, whatever is going on in the background. Except for my husband, when he's having one of those days where he needs to share all and coming out of his office to talk to me every five minutes. LOL!

Hmm. Interesting thought! Probably. To me a Paollyanna is blindly optimistic, too cheery. I'm more of a cup half full type of person and try to see things in a positive light, rather than negatively. Can we train our mind to think that way? I don't know. I think some folks are hardwired to be positive or negative, and then some of it is temperament. I remember this writer who was in a class with me and everything she said or wrote was so negative. When I suggested she try to look at things with more positivity, when providing feedback, it almost caused her to have a breakdown. She just couldn't think that way at all. It was an interesting conversation but I had to talk her down off a fencepost so she wouldn't quit.

Finished Hard Day for a Hangover and now I want to go back and reread the trilogy in order. Picked up and read Seven Day in June by Tia Williams which was quite good. Two very flawed, dysfunctional characters meet again after 15 years. Can they make a dysfunctional relationship into a healthy one. “Eva Mercy is a single mom and bestselling erotica writer who is feeling pressed from all sides. Shane Hall is a reclusive, enigmatic, award-winning novelist, who, to everyone’s surprise, shows up in New York. When Shane and Eva meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly, raising not only their buried traumas, but the eyebrows of the Black literati. What no one knows is that fifteen years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one crazy, torrid week madly in love. While they may be pretending not to know each other, they can’t deny their chemistry—or the fact that they’ve been secretly writing to each other in their books through the years. Over the next seven days, amidst a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnect—but Eva’s wary of the man who broke her heart, and wants him out of the city so her life can return to normal. Before Shane disappears though, she needs a few questions answered…” Williams recommended One Day by David Nichols as one of the books that inspired her writing, so that one is in the stacks now.

Sounds really interesting and since it's free on kindle unlimited, will have to read it. Thanks!

The third and final book in Darynda Jones Sunshine Vicram series came out called A Hard Day for a Hangover which has some laugh out loud funny moments. Enjoying the heck out of it. “Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good. Like we said, the new day can take a hike.”

What an awesome idea!

Yep. Since 52 books is officially ending at the end of the year, someone, it hasn't been established yet. will at some point, in 2023, will post a "What are you reading? thread. Sorry it's so vague, but I don't know how much time I'll have so can't commit to a weekly thread in 2023. In the meantime, until the end of the year, everyone is welcome to drop in to talk about your reads.

Gak! Oh my goodness no. That would have driven not only me, but everyone else cuckoo.

Lol! How about a simple “what are you reading?” Which anyone can start. The goal of 52 Books changed some time ago when everyone decided to set their own goals or to simply just read what they wanted, but the title stuck. Now back to your regular scheduled program….

Yes and it was a hard decision, but have too many things on my plate to continue the challenge on WTM. However, the blog will remain active so if you want to join in that way, you're always welcome.

I’ve got my eyes are bigger than my stomach syndrome because I want to read all Sandy and Amy’s recommendations. Think I’ll start with Water like a Stone, now in my virtual stacks and look forward to reading it this month. Currently reading Nora Robert’s The Choice and love the characters and the storyline. Makes me want to live in Ireland and maybe by chance find a portal to the other side. 😊 Waiting on the nightstand is the newest Armand Gamache story, A World of Curiousities. I’m going to check out the first episode of Three Pines on Amazon Prime, think of it as a mystery series separated from the books, and see how I like it. Tonight we watched Willow, the original 80's movie which James watched for the first time and greatly enjoyed.

Link to week 49

Happy December! It's cold and rainy and we're tucked up, nice and cozy with books and family. The best place to be, whether it be physically or virtually. Thanks to Sandy and Amy we've had a grand year, going on a crime spree. Let’s end the year with a feeling of festivity, joy, and a reminder that rich uncles frequently change their wills during the Holidays so be on your best behavior. What have been your favorite categories this year? Have you discovered any new genres to love? · Grandparents of Crime: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · Romantic Suspense: Holiday in Death by JD Robb · Golden Age: Mystery in White by F. Jefferson Farjeon or Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers · Classic Children’s Mysteries: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley · Historical Mysteries: The Queen’s Christmas by Karen Harper (Tudor) or Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Rayburn (Victorian) · Religious Characters: The Raven in the Forgate by Ellis Peters or Twelve Drummers Drumming by CC Bennison or Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry by Harry Kemelman · The Americans: And Four to Go by Rex Stout or The Finishing Stroke by Ellery Queen · True Crime: The Meaning of Our Tears: the True Story of the Lawson Family Murders of Christmas Day 1929 by Trudy Smith · Police Procedural: Water like a Stone by Deborah Crombie · Around the World: Maigret’s Christmas by Georges Simenon or Voices by Arnaldur Indriðason · Hanukkah: Festival of Deaths by Jane Haddam Challenge: Give up your life of crime by recommending a favorite mystery book to a BaW friend. Our A to Z and Back Again letter and word of the Week are D and Delight. Link to Book Week 48 Visit 52 Books in 52 Weeks where you can find all the information on the annual, mini, and perpetual challenges.

I was not aware that you are spectrum adjacent, so a little grace and I apologize. Off to watch a movie. Good night!

Remember that last word thing. 😉

You know what this sounds like to me. That you are talking about someone who is on the autism spectrum who takes everything literally. I’m not saying she is, but that’s the impression since I have an kiddo on the spectrum who does take things literally.

How about when you get what you want out of the post, the answer or something to think about presumably, let that person have the last word. You don't need to continue. So figure out when that point is and stop.

I've discovered that discussions will take the turn for the worst and people start getting defensive when they don't know the answer to the question. It's gone beyond a discussion to making them rethink and reevaluate and that's what makes them defensive. The discomfort in not knowing what they think and having to try to figure it out. It may be that continued questions have undercovered something they don't want to think about.

There are also times when someone is going through something, we have no idea what it is, but their cup overflows, and they take it out on the last person to say anything. Around my house, we ask, are you in the red. If yes, then we deal with the underlying issue first, before continuing the conversation.

To try and not shout over the other person with a megaphone. To try and not get up on a soapbox and shout strong opinion, without listening. My husband has strong opinions and when he gets started, after a bit we tell him he's monologuing and would he like to actually have a conversation, or does he just want to talk what ever out. So folks will listen if you are shouting from the town square, but only for so long.

I've been here from more than 20 years and this forum as a whole is what got us through our homeschool journey. I think I discovered WTM book first, then the forum, and feel in like/love with everyone here. I think James was four at the time and Y'all held my hand, gave us encouragement, and the wide variety of curriculum sent me down so many rabbit holes. Good ones. My aspie was easily bored, so had to change up constantly, but in the end we were successful. We never expected to homeschool from K to 12 but took it year to year and I don't think we could have done it without all of you. I stayed for the comradery, and also the book talk as well. 😁 52 books will end this year, but I may occasionally start a 'what are you reading' threads because you know I love to hear about what you're reading. I'm in my 60's now, James is taking college classes online, but still occasionally needs mom's help so still have my foot in the game. But stayed because I like it here, it's become a habit, a respite from life, and it's also ever changing. I've seen the lean away from traditional, can I call it that, homeschooling, into something different, so really can't offer advice to the newbies. But I enjoy the diversity of opinions and have learned so much. I like discussions, not necessarily debates which aren't much of a debate when the focus is I'm right, and you're wrong. I'm of the camp there are no wrong opinions, just different opinions. And that's okay. It's when it creates a divide, that I chose not to engage. I've learned to let people have the last word rather than go down a rabbit hole, I've learned to let it go, rather than fight about it. I've also had to learn to let people go, rather than hold on. But also to let new people in. This place really is like a neighborhood, full of a variety of families, and it's fun to get together and talk, discuss, debate, help one another. That's what this forum means to me.

These are awesome. Did you see the “Go away, I’m introverting socks?” Got to get a pair of those.

Oh. That sounds good!