28 Comments

I recently just got into Joyce Carole Oats's suspenseful and haunting short stories. They are so disturbing and I love it!

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I have never read anything from this author. I'll have to check out her books. Thanks for the recommendation.

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I too was in the path of totality! incredible!

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So incredible!

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everytime I see a story about Nestle Tollhouse cookies, I'm reminded of Phoebe Buffay on 'Friends' and her whole 'Nessslaaay Tol'howwze' bit.

https://youtu.be/S3STSEzUnEc?si=E6j2zn73onRN-aUn&t=71

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I never watched Friends. That was funny.

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Thanks for the update! Don Winslow? I’m not sure I’d start with the City. It’s not peak Winslow, & reads a bit like lots of other writers. The Force & Power of the Dog are unlike anything anyone else has done or us doing. Of course, I’m sure other Winslow fans will have better ideas.

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It sounds like you and Natalie know your Winslow books. I'll take your advice and NOT start with the City series and check out the books each of you recommended.

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Full of good stuff, as usual. Thanks, Gayla.

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Thanks for reading!

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I also was in the path of totality. What an incredible ecoeroence.

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My grandkids loved seeing the eclipse. They will have many more during their lifetime, but probably not another one for me.

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So many great links! Thank you, Gayla. I loved the Toll House Cookie post. I've been making those cookies since I was a wee sprout and never knew the origin.

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Toll House cookies are just the best.

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I just wrote about Don Winslow today because i met him on book tour!!! this is making me think I need to write a guide to dons books.... absolutely pick one up, but i second what Jason said below, the City Trilogy is more mainstream. I would go with Savages, The Power of the Dog, or the Force as well, just depending on which sounds the best to you!

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What timing. Im reading a book a week for 12 weeks as a goal. My list is almost all non fiction. I asked friends their number 1 book and that made some of the list. Other were referenced or suggested from articles i read. Today, Im 4 chapters into Stumbling On Happiness and finding it quite amazing and insightful. For example, He discusses some twins joined at birth who say they are happy and would not want to be separated, if they could. Fascinating discussion of why we ( You and Me) could not accept their happiness is real or feel the twins must be mistaken about happiness....

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I don't read a lot of non fiction except for memoirs. Maybe it's time I branch out. Thanks for reading!

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The Good Girl Guide to murder is a superb YA series!

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I loved the first one and the hold finally came in on the 2nd one, so I just started it. I'm enjoying it so far. :)

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Great links, as always! I just told my 10-year-old daughter, a fellow Ramona Quimby fan, that today is D.E.A.R. Day, and she replied “every day is D.E.A.R. Day for me!” I think Beverly Cleary would approve :)

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Awe, how sweet and how great that she knew what the day means. :)

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This is the third time in less than a week I've heard Don Winslow's name come up. I'm picking something up this week by him, I'll follow the recommendation from a reader below. His work sounds interesting from the blurbs I've read on his books. Thanks for the recommendation!

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Thanks for reading, Patti. I won't get to Don Winslow very soon, let me know what you think if you read one. :)

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Will do!!

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Thank you Gayla, these are always so enjoyable. Are those bluebonnets in the photo? I enjoyed them growing up in Texas but these look even bluer than I remember--lovely! By the way Michael Dirda who wrote about shopping in used bookstores, is one of my very favorite critics and authors. Every one of his books about writers of the past is a wonderful read. I recommend him highly. My first and favorite is "Bound to Please."

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Thanks for reading, Susan! Yes, those are Bluebonnets. I had no idea about Michael Dirda, I'd never heard of him before the article I shared, but I'm going to see if I can find that book. It's not on Kindle on any of the libraries that I have cards to, so I'll have to check at the library for a physical copy.

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I looked and did just find a paperback version (different edition from my PB one) for $20 on Amazon. I know it's steep but it's SO worth it if you can't find another version! (Hope that helps!) Btw I forgot he's a Pulitzer Prize winner!

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Thanks for checking on this for me. :)

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