Thoughts . . .
I read _3_ books this February.
Milkman took me forever to read but I loved it. It will (I wanted to write ’twill’ but it looked wrong, ‘Twill‘) possibly be one of those interesting stories and TELLING of a story that stays with me and grows in the As. (The As are admiration and appreciation.) It was so uniquely crafted! And involving and absorbing and brain-invasive. You can see that I also loved My Sister, the Serial Killer for 5 slices of pie. So Lucky was intense and had much to admire but elements didn’t tickle the (my) exacting finicky appreciation to the spot of oo-ah-ah. Yet it is still good! I do think it has much in style and topic and pace to admire.
I’m still* listening to Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. I have some issues.
I’m still in the beginning of The Italian Teacher. At this point, I have basically abandoned it. I have basically gotten so annoyed with the idea of trying to read on that I’m blastin and cursing the concept of ebooks. I don’t exactly know why I am so aggrieved nor why I just can’t shrug and say, “meh. I’m done.” I just have decided to not read a damn thing since or instead.
Ok, start of rant. It reminds me a The Paris Wife and I could not abide that book. NO. Something about poor putupon wives with little kids and over the top big personality husbands that just … annoys the super crap out of me.
And this makes me sad. SAD! because this is a TOB book and it has effectively KILLED my TOB momentum and enthusiasm. AND typing that, realizing that makes me sad and mad. WHY did this book derail my M and E? WHY? And now I am annoyed with myself for being derailed and annoyed and unhappy about it all. UGH.
I was SOOOO excited for this Tom Rachman! I loved The Imperfectionists!
I blame it on what else happened in February: mild flu, husband catching cold, said cold being caught by me, cold running various versions of its mutations throughout my body over weeks. I am now starting to feel better. Hub is still doing some cringe-worthy coughing bouts.
Which is the perfect segue to #LetterMO! Write? right?!
I wrote 100+ letters during the month of February. I received 46 pieces of fun mail during the month. Twenty-two people mailed me letters or postcards and of course, I wrote them back (if I hadn’t written them first… TAG YOU’RE IT!) Be warned, my corresponding drops off sharply in Spring. If you want to write me, don’t expect a quick return letter, but do know that I *will* eventually write back. I did try to write all of my book-blogger-penpals once this month. If you wanted a letter and didn’t get one, I’m sure it was lost in the mail. (HA! No, do not let me blame the usps. If you want a letter, please let me know. I apologize and will write you straight away. Or by summer. same thing.)
This was a good #LetterMo. It grounds me in some way I have yet to explore fully.
Time for the TOB part of the post. 
I updated my brackets: Just click on the pic below to access a printable link.
The extended highlights are new from the last post of this pic. I will be following this TOB with regret that I didn’t read more but I’ll end up being wildly enthusiastic about the tourney while I kick myself for not having my own knowledge of what is being discussed. At this point, I’m rooting for Milkman to take the rooster.
Finally, PIE:
Chocolate Cherry Pie. [Cherry Pie Day is Feb 20.]
Are YOU excited for TOB this year? Do you like Cherry Pie? Did you know that March 2nd is Banana Cream Pie Day?!?!
Mentions pizza pie and probably Honey-Pie.
narrated by Thandie Newton. Beyond fabulous! 
by Madeline Miller
participated in one of the best book club discussions I’ve ever experienced! Very fun.
by Patricia Lockwood, a book I think I want to reread but in print. It was one that stayed with me and still perplexes.
Have a fabulous Month of December! May you meet your reading goals and have a Happy Holiday Season.
