Silent Book Clubs + Michelle Obama

Are you familiar with silent book clubs, such as Silent Book Club®?

Are you a member of one?

If you're not, here's a little information for you -

From Google:

"Global communities of readers

Silent Book Clubs are global communities of readers1. Unlike regular book clubs, there is no assigned reading2. Participants bring their own books of choice, and they read together in a quiet space23. The goal is to support local businesses, talk about books, and enjoy uninterrupted reading time45."

https://silentbook.club/pages/about-us

https://silentbook.club/pages/submit-an-event

https://silentbook.club/pages/chapter-map

I am not a member of a silent book club, but would certainly give one a try.

Honestly, it does sound like something I would enjoy quite a lot.

Maybe I'll give some thought to starting a small one if there's not one close by. We'll see.

But first, before I start thinking about it too hard, I'd like to invite you to join me for my little one-time only

 "Kaye Barley's Meanderings and Muses 

Michelle Obama On-Line Silent Book Party"  

to

 show support for Mrs. Obama on January 20.

The rules include (and yes, these are my rules 'cause it's my blog).

1. That you join me in reading one of two books written by Michelle Obama.

OR

2.  That you join me in reading one of these books on January 20, 2025 instead of watching TV that day.

3.  Read in print form, or electronic, or listen to it - whatever is your preference.  Just (see Rule #2).

4.  If you feel the need to discuss either, or both, of these books, Yay! Please feel free to share your thoughts either in your own Silent Book Club, or by leaving a comment right here at my blog.  (see Rule #2).  

5.  But, be warned, the comments are moderated.               By me.  

Which means that comments may not be visible immediately after posting because I won't be in front of my laptop 24/7, AND, it also means, if they're mean hateful shit comments they Will. Not. Be. Posted.

6.  In keeping with the history of book clubs world-wide, be they silent or loud and rowdy,  snacks and beverages of the readers' choices are encouraged during reading time January 20, 2025 in support of Michelle O'bama.  (see Rule #2).  

I hope some of you will join me!

Spread the Word!

No RSVP Necessary

🍻

A reminder. Why we need stories -

 We have always needed stories.  We always will.

During the toughest of times, like now, we turn to art.

The art of a story . . . a photograph . . . a painting . . .

An old photograph has the ability to bring an old story into the present, to bring an old memory to the forefront, unite some hearts and make us smile.

My longtime fascination with old photos and the forgotten stories behind them led me to this story.

I've been known to make up stories for old photos I find in flea markets.

The true story that goes with this beautiful mysterious photo is more magical than fiction.

I love this story.

Written by Marissa J. Lang

ThisphotoontheNationalMallcaptivatedthecountrydecadesago.

Therealstorybehinditremainedamystery—untilnow

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/interactive/2024/national-mall-breakfast-1974-photo-recreation/?

Harry Naltchayan

Joyce Naltchayan Boghosian
daughter of late Post photographer Harry Naltchayan

Snow, soup, and football - Yay!

Snow and Soup go together like apple pie and ice cream.  Like a horse and carriage.  Like meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  You know - like that.

The corn and potato and bacon chowder I fixed several weeks back was a hit so we thought we would try it again. 

But because following a recipe to the exact teaspoon is beyond me, I played around with two recipes that are similar.  And, yes, I probably added a couple  little touches of my own.

You just never know around here exactly what to expect.  Admittedly, there's been more than one "well, let's not try this again" outcome.

Fingers crossed for today's soup.

A combination + of

https://www.kayebarleymeanderingsandmuses.com/2024/11/snow-day.html

And

https://www.kayebarleymeanderingsandmuses.com/2024/03/whats-cooking-in-meat-camp.html

Annabelle thinks it's all good.  Yep, a small piece of cooled potato will suit her just fine after a walk in the snow.

IF we can get her to cone in!

She loves the snow.

And a little later -

Football!

Yay!

Today

Today

AFC Wild Card

Chargers

Texans

4:30 PM

Today

AFC Wild Card

Steelers

Ravens

8:00 PM

No Chiefs game this week-end.  🙁

Our Christmas tree and secret wishes

 

I have never had a set date for putting up a tree, or for taking it down.

Usually it goes up shortly after Thanksgiving.  Sometimes Thanksgiving night.  

Sometimes it doesn't get put up at all.

If ones goes up, it will usually (not always) come down sometime in January.

This one may stay right where it is for the next four years.

This particular sweet little tree has become very important to me.

It has become a recipient of my thoughts, and tears, wishes and prayers.

As most of the country worries about California today, one man, yet again, makes his horrible self conspicuously more horrible by his lack of empathy, common sense and common decency. 

He's an idiot.

A monster.

How will we survive for four years?  

Sane people will be suffering breakdowns - physical, mental, emotional, economic - individually and collectively.

After reading all I can possibly stomach of his hateful ignorance, I find comfort sitting quietly with only the light shining from our little Christmas tree.

My mind wanders through thoughts of past Christmases.  Those spent with friends and family that are no longer here.  

And I find myself sharing thoughts about how our world is today.  

The tree is little, but mighty - as trees are; even if they're not really "real."

This tree, along with some treasured old ornaments hanging on its branches, now has some of my thoughts hanging there as well.  And a secret wish or two.

Along with my thoughts relating to the stupidity he's spouting about

        The Gulf of America.

                       Canada. 

                                Greenland.

                                           The Panama Canal.

You know - crazy shit.

Gramps is cra-cra.

Dangerously so.

Crazy shit flying out of the mouth of a monster who calls himself a leader.    Pfffttt.

The only "leading" he's capable of is leading us into one crisis after another while embarrassing us.

By the time he's finished destroying this country I will be bent (not broken) with the heaviness of it all.

I just need to decide whether I can do it without the peace I've received from this sweet little tree. It's going to be a very long, brutal four years.

Is it about time to pack her up for a year's worth of rest?

Or not.

Resolution(s) ?

 

Even if I don't always announce my intentions to lose weight, those intentions live full-time in my head (as i grab a hand-full of oreos).

I guess it's only on New Year's Day intentions become resolutions.

Is that how that works?

But, anyhoo, aside from that little nugget . . .

For the past few years I have borrowed Laura Lippman's idea for a simple, concise one word resolution.

This year I don't even feel comfortable doing that.

I thought I might use "disengage."

That's honestly the word that suits my state of mind best right now.

But, instead, I think I'm going to say, quite simply, this:  

I will disengage as I can in that I will continue not watching the news.  I will pick and choose what headlines I want to delve into or walk away from.  I will not allow a slimy cretin I believe to be a greedy soulless, heartless monster enter my mind on a daily basis.  Fuck him and his band of greedy spineless idiot disciples.

But.

My disengagement only goes so far.  

I have deep reserves of fight left in me for the important battles coming our way.

Queue Tom Petty (and turn it up!!!)

Well, I won't back down
No I won't back down
You could stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won't back down

No I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won't back down

(I won't back down) Hey baby
There ain't no easy way out (I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won't back down

Well, I know what's right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around
But I'll stand my ground
And I won't back down

(I won't back down) Hey baby
There ain't no easy way out (I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground (I won't back down)
And I won't back down

(I won't back down) Hey baby
There ain't no easy way out (I won't back down)
Hey I won't back down

(I won't back down) Hey baby
There ain't no easy way out (I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground (I won't back down)
And I won't back down (I won't back down)
No I won't back down

Songwriters: Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne. For non-commercial use only.

Books I Read in 2024

And -

Ta DA!!!

 Here's my annual "Books I Read This Year" post.

They are all books I enjoyed, and enjoy recommending.

I'm not one to continue reading a book if it's not appealing to me. 

I have, however, highlighted in red the books that were, to me, especially memorable.

Some of these are Advance Reading Copies I was lucky enough to receive, so may not be available just yet - but worth the wait!  


Mixed in with the books is some "book art" I like. Some I've used in previous posts, some are new to me. I enjoy finding new (to me) artists as much as I enjoy finding new authors and poets.

Enjoy! I hope you find some new books and authors to add to your own list.

If you're an author and find your name on this list - Thank You!!!

Those we Thought we Knew by David Joy (re-read)

The Women by Kristin Hannah (re-read)

• Inheritance by Nora Roberts (re-read)

• Nightwork by Nora Roberts
• Ship Watch by Jonathan Scott Barrett
• The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle
• 
  
  
  
• The Bookstore at River's Edge by Phillipa Nefri Clark
• No Place Like Home by Barbara O'Neal
• The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan
• Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
• 
  
  
  
• The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby
• Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris
• Mind Games by Nora Roberts
• The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer
• 
  
  
  
• Random in Death by J. D. Robb
• A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci
• Sara Starting Over by Dee Ernst
• Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
• 
  
  
  
• Bookstories by Sarah Tollok
• The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
• Man in the Water by David Housewright
• Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor
• Last House by Jessica Shattuck
• 
  
  
  
• The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna by Erin Palmisano
• How the Light Gets In by Joyce Maynard
• Murder at the Paris Fashion House by Nancy Warren
• Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson
• 
  
  
  
• The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie
• A Very Bad Thing by J. T. Ellison
• The Paris Cooking School by Sophie Beaumont
• The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster by Shauna Robinson
• Memories of the Lost by Barbara O'Neal
• 
  
  
  
• The Essential Elizabeth Stone by Jennifer Banash
• Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay
• The Paris Gown by Christine Wells
• The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan
• All They Need to Know by Eileen Goudge
• 
  
  
  
• The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock
• A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes
• A Will and A Way by Nora Roberts
• In Wilderness by Diane Thomas
• The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
• 
  
  
  
• Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman
• Funny Story by Emily Henry
• Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman
• Escape to the Country Kitchen by Hannah Langdon
• 
  
  
  
• Pippi's Inn for Wandering Spirits by Erin Ritch
• The Summer Club by Hannah McKinnon
• Table for Two by Amor Towles
• The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers
• A Summer House on Arran by Ellie Henderson
• 
  
  
  
• Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger
• Bring Me Sunshine by Alex Brown
• The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey
• 
  
  
  
• The Note by Alafair Burke
• Blind to Midnight by Reed Farrel Coleman
• Water, Water by Billy Collins
• 
  
  
  
• A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner
• When the Only Light is the Moon by Rita Wilson
• Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen
• The Mirror: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 2 by Nora Roberts
• Echo by Tracy Clark
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
• The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier
• A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
• 
  
  
  
• Passions in Death by J. D. Robb
• Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
• Magic Enuff by Tara Sringfellow
• 
  
  
  
• The Little Lost Library by Ellery Adams
• The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
• Angel of Vengeance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
• The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman
• The Colony Club by Shelley Noble
• 
  
  
  
• The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
• The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
• Perfect Storm by Paige Shelton
• Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan
• Let Us March On by Shara Moon.
• 
  
  
  
• Saltwater by Katy Hays
• Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel by Rebecca Raisin
• The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning
• 
  
  
  
• The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister
• The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw
• Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
• 
  
  
  
• One Midnight With You by Shari Low
• The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley
• Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz
• 
  
  
  
• The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald
• The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams by Karen Hawkins
• The Little Provence Book Shop by Gillian Harvey
• Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff
• 
  
  
  
• In the Midnight Rain by Barbara O'Neal
• The Witches of Santo Stefano by Wendy Webb
• The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
• 
  
  
  
• The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
• The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
• Christmas with the Knights by Hannah Langdon
• 
  
  
  
• Tis The Season For Secrets by Kate Callaghan
• The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
• The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin
• The House that Florence Left by Chris Penhall
• The Summer That Shaped Us by Lori Wilde
• 
  
  
  
• The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelley
• The Paris Inheritance by Natalie Meg Evans
• Holiday Hideaway A Short Story by Mary Kay Andrews
• Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff
• Night and Day by John Connolly
• 
  
  
  
• Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
• Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb
• Kate & Frida by Kim Fay
• A Fashionably French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
• 
  
  
  
• The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Susan Meyers
• The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
• The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper
• Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
• 
  
  
  
• A Slant of Light by Kathryn Lasky
• Robins in my Kitchen by Bryony Hill
• Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
• 
  
  
  
• A Very Irish Christmas by Debbie Johnson
• A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn
• Christmas at a Highland Castle by Rachel Barnett
• 
  
  
  
• 'Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson
• Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
• Highlands Christmas - Wishes Come True by Amy Quick Parrish
• Christmas Cancellation by Evie James
• The Wedding People by Alison Espach
• 
  
  
  
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison
• The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel
• Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
• The Paris Chapter by Victoria Walters
• 
  
  
  
• Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson
• The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans
• This Must be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell
• The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
• One Day and Forever by Shari Low
• 
  

Did you notice the one book highlighted in purple?

• 
  
• Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
• This book will be published in May.
• Go ahead - right now! - pre-order it.
• More about it here
• 
  

Happy New Year

and

Happy Reading!