Closing the Audiobook Challenge (Listening Books) for 2021

 

I haven't kept up with the Listening Book Challenge since September. I've had some health problems and I've been of "low spirits" as a result. 

Here we are in December already and I want to wrap up the Listening Book Challenge for 2021.

I'm still not even halfway through the book I started in September, Cuba: An American History by Ada Ferrer.  I selected it for the "Listen to an Audiobook that is over 24 Hours Long" challenge (even if the book is 23 hours and 13 minutes long).  

I was looking at the Audiobook Listening Challenge list to see if any of the books I also read this year for various book clubs or for myself would fit any of the seven remaining challenges for the year.  

I'll add two from my book club reads:

* Listen to an audiobook featuring an LGBTQ romance:

The Long Call by Ann Cleves, narrated by Ben Aldridge

* Listen to an audiobook featuring a protagonist with a disability:

So Say the Fallen by Stuart Neville,  narrated by Deirdre O'Connell

That leaves four challenges on the list for 2021 unfinished.

******

I found not having a monthly book assignment to make it more difficult for me to keep up.  Guess I need more structure to my challenges. 

For the other books I listened to for this 2021 challenge, go to the link below:

https://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/search/label/Audiobook%20Challenge

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - September Audiobook

 I'm going to be cheating on my 

SEPTEMBER Listening Books  

AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE:  

 Listen to an Audiobook that is over 24 Hours Long.

Listening Books  Audiobook Listening Challenge 2021:

https://www.listening-books.org.uk/library/audiobook-listening-challenge-2021

Why am I cheating?  Because the book I plan to listen to is 23 hours and 13 minutes long. 

Maybe Listening Books will forgive me since I will also be reading books for four (4) separate Zoom Book Clubs this month.  

Below a description of the book from the publisher:

"Now, award-winning historian Ada Ferrer delivers an ambitious and moving chronicle written for a moment that demands a new reckoning with both the island’s past and its relationship with the United States. Spanning more than five centuries, Cuba: An American History provides us with a front-row seat as we witness the evolution of the modern nation, with its dramatic record of conquest and colonization, of slavery and freedom, of independence and revolutions made and unmade.

Along the way, Ferrer explores the sometimes surprising, often troubled intimacy between the two countries, documenting not only the influence of the United States on Cuba but also the many ways the island has been a recurring presence in US affairs. "

________

As a Cuban-American I've been interested in this book and what Dr. Ada Ferrer, also a Cuban-American, has to say about the joint history of Cuba and the United States. 

Happy 50th Birthday Dear Richard Armitage - August 22, 2021

 

Dear Richard,

Hope you have the happiest of Birthdays for your 50th.

Not only do you look younger than most 50 year old men I know, you seem to have the energy, and as you say, the curiosity, of someone decades younger.  You are also young at heart, and that is what counts.

Thank you for thinking about us, your fans (well wishers), on your birthday. This year is very special for us too, between your donation to the fan auction of Guy's Iconic Leather Jacket,  and using Orcrist to cut the cupcake on your early birthday video (look forward to seeing it again today). You know us well, and that's nice. 😚

I enjoyed my 50's and I think for you the best is yet to come.

Memories of Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne - BBC America Days - And RA Birthday Auction - #RA50Auctions

 

The first time I saw Richard Armitage was as John Thornton in North & South back in 2005.  My local PBS TV station was one of the few that aired North & South in the US back then.

The second time I saw Richard Armitage was in 2006 (I think, or 2007?) when I saw him as Guy of Gisborne in BBC's (BBC America) Robin Hood.  

At the time I didn't know much if anything of Richard as a person, other than I liked him as an actor and I thought, and still think, he's the most beautiful man I've ever seen.  (I had bought the DVD of The Impressionists from a UK TV Show DVD catalog, but hadn't watched it yet.)  

What made me truly fall for this man Richard Armitage was an interview he gave on BBC America to publicize Robin Hood, I think for Season 2.  The interview is what drew me to seek out more about this man, beyond John Thornton and Guy of Gisborne.  And I've been a fan (well wisher!) of Richard Armitage ever since.  

Below is a link to the interview.  I'm reluctant to post the video because they seem to "disappear" when I post videos on my blog.

https://youtu.be/QWtHWXcR0I0

Still one of my favorite RA interviews.

Another favorite RA interview is also connected to his role of Guy of Gisborne (Series 3), and also Lucas North (Spooks)  He was filming both shows almost at the same time.  It can be found on RA Frenzy's channel on You Tube (interview from 2009).

So this brings me to Richard's 50th Birthday Auction organized by RA Super Fan Guylty Pleasure.  See link below to her blog for more information and follow the blog in the next few weeks for all the details.

 https://guylty.net/2021/08/02/the-big-reveal-ra50auctions/

The most amazing has happened.  The man himself has donated Guy of Gisborne's iconic black leather jacket from Season 1 and 2 for his birthday auction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to benefit LOROS.

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

I wish I had the funds to bid for this legendary leather jacket.

I will confess that I'm surprise and alarmed at how many fans have mentioned wearing Guy's leather jacket if they purchase it in the auction.  HORRORS!  

If I had the money to purchase the jacket I would have a special case built to mount it on the wall and display it in my apartment.  Make sure that the case would store the leather so it would stay in good condition.  And I would certainly keep a record of the provenance of the item, as well as attach a copy to the back of the display case.  (And make provisions in my Will to go to a good Armitage fan home so my relatives don't give it away to someone that wouldn't appreciate it!).

But this is just daydreaming really.  I pray whoever has the winning bid for Guy's Iconic Leather Jacket takes good care of it.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Let us all enjoy the auction and the fandom, bid and buy many items in addition to Guy's Leather Jacket, and celebrate Armitage's Birthday this month.

Below is Richard's Tweet about the Auction:

.@LOROSHospice Sonja has organized an auction for my 50th birthday: A costume item from @BBCOne Robin Hood is part of the auction. I’ll match the winning bid for LOROS. 🥳 🎂 🎉 https://t.co/QU57AS0ANa

— Richard Armitage (@RCArmitage) August 3, 2021

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - August Audiobook

 

The Darkness

By

Ragnar Jonasson 

Narrated by Amanda Redman

This is my August Audiobook challenge:  Listening to an Audiobook set During Extreme Weather

For more on the 2021 Audiobook Listening Challenge click on the link below:

https://www.listening-books.org.uk/library/audiobook-listening-challenge-2021

The Darkness is Book 1 of the Hidden Iceland book series by Ragnar Jonasson.  I'm really looking forward to listening to this book as a lover of Nordic Noir.

I also know about the narrator, British actress Amanda Redman.  I'm a fan of the New Tricks TV series, especially the first seasons starring Amanda Redman. 

Publisher description of the book:

Over a year later Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir of the Reykjavík police is forced into early retirement at 64. She dreads the loneliness, and the memories of her dark past that threaten to come back to haunt her. But before she leaves she is given two weeks to solve a single cold case of her choice. 

As a woman of a certain age myself, and recently retired. I look forward to getting to know DI Hermannsdottir. 

Some Days On Twitter Are Interesting

 

A very interesting tweet from Yael Farber to Richard Armitage:

https://twitter.com/yfarber/status/1412119993534193685?s=2

Time to see you again soon pls. Miss your way.

— yaël farber (@yfarber) July 5, 2021

 Now, does this mean a new play together in the works?  They've wanted to work together again for a long time, since The Crucible,

They are friends, so it can also just be her saying she'll be near where he is again soon.  But I note the "Time to see you again".   Oh, I can only hope it is a new play, though unless it is in New York I won't be able to see it on stage.

*************

The other interesting one is by author Arturo Perez-Reverte, an indirect reply Richard's tweet of earlier today that he is reading The Seville Communion novel.  Now it's been quite a while since Richard has been listed at Father Quart on IMDB for a movie based on this Perez-Reverte novel.

 

A @RCArmitage, que me parece un actor magnífico, lo están tanteando para ver si le apetecería hacer de padre Quart. Ojalá fuera él. Parece que le gusta la novela.https://t.co/28Cd8rILRU

— Arturo Pérez-Reverte (@perezreverte) July 5, 2021

He says Richard is a magnificent actor, and he feels is being courted to see if he wants to play Father Quart.  And he hopes that's the case, and he thinks it seems Richard likes he novel.

________________

I don't know.  But as a fan of Richard Armitage, Yael Farber, and Arturo Perez-Reverte,  I hope Richard is working with both soon, as per Twitter today.

Good start to July for Armitage fans. 

 

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - July Audiobook

 For my July Listening Books Audiobook Challenge

I am selecting the "Free Space -- Choose Your Own Audiobook Challenge." My choice:

 LISTEN TO AN AUDIOBOOK WITH A FEMALE PROTAGONIST THAT IS PART OF A BOOK SERIES

My audiobook for this month is The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths, narrated by Jane McDowell - the latest book in the Ruth Galloway series.

Ruth Galloway is my favorite forensic archeologist.  I also related to Ruth as a person immediately in the first book of the series. I'm not an archeologist, but I share many of Ruth's view of the world.  

If you are not familiar with the Ruth Galloway books, you can read more about them at the link below:

https://ellygriffiths.co.uk/my-books/the-ruth-galloway-novels/

(And of course I agree with author Elly Griffiths that Richard Armitage should be cast as DCI Harry) Nelson)

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - Half Way Point Recap (Six Months)

 I started the Listening Books Audiobook Challenge for 2021 in January and now in June I thought I would look back on my progress at the half way point.

You can find details of Listening Books 2021 Audiobook Listening Challenge at the link below:

https://www.listening-books.org.uk/library/audiobook-listening-challenge-2021

1.  January: "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson - Nonfiction Audiobook that isn't a Memoir.

2.  Feb/March:  "The Garden of Angels" by David Hewson and "The Burning Girls" by C.J. Tudor - Two Audiobooks by the same Narrator (Richard Armitage). (Note:  Tudor's book has two narrators, Armitage and Gemma Whelan.)

3.  April:  "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah - Audiobook narrated by the Author

4.   May/June:  "Dracula" by Bram Stoker - Full Cast Audiobook  

There are no monthly themes this year, just 10 challenges to complete throughout the year. There are also 5 turbo level challenges. I've done both challenges and turbo level challenges, sort of mixing them since January.  You can combine two challenges in one book, haven't done that so far. Plus I need to select a challenge of my own as one of the options. 

I haven't selected my audiobook for July yet. 

Stages of Retirement - What Happened to Monday Holidays?

In the 40+ years that I worked full-time before retiring recently, I was always, always, very aware of the  holidays, especially what we know as the "Monday Holidays".   Not everyone gets the holidays as paid holidays at work, but I was lucky that my various places of work almost always observed all these holidays.  

I was always very aware also so I could request the Friday before the holiday weekend as a vacation day off.  With exceptions, because of my line of work, I could usually take that extra long 4-day weekend.  

It wasn't that I usually traveled during these holiday, I seldom did through the years, but it was the peace of having more than two days to have my own schedule, or more often, to take on a project at home like going through closets.  Sometimes it was taking part in special holiday related events in the area.  

Now between being retired and the pandemic cancelling many in-person events, I barely remember there is a holiday coming up this weekend.  As an older retired friend once said to me, "in retirement, every day is a weekend."

I have to confess that I miss the expectation and excitement leading up to the Monday Holidays when I was in the workforce.  I miss discussing weekend holiday plans with co-workers, even if I myself often didn't have any.  And yes, I miss the expectation as was the case in some jobs early in my work life, that the boss would let us go home early the day before the holiday weekend.  Those were good bosses 😀

   

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - May/June Audiobook

 

My next Listening Book 2021 Challenge Audiobook for May/June is

DRACULA by Bram Stoker

With this audiobook/audioplay by a full cast I can check off the Listen to a Dramatization or Full Cast Audiobook on the challenge list.  

The reason I selected DRACULA by Stoker is that I plan to also listen to some of the Rosenbach Museum's  Sundays with Dracula videos on YouTube  (https://youtu.be/wNLLluLLKpc).  I say "some" because I doubt I'll get through all the videos in May and June,

I read DRACULA by Bram Stoker when I was in my late teens. 

I've watched many TV and movie versions of Dracula and vampires, even before reading Stoker's work.  It will be fun to listen to the full cast audiobook and see how I feel about the book now decades later.

Frank Langella as Dracula

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ARMITAGE AUDIOBOOKS UPDATE:

For May and June I'm also planning to listen to two new audiobooks narrated by Richard Armitage.

Listening now to Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie (Audible US).

Later in May,  Mania by L.J. Ross  (Dr. Alexander Gregory, book 4).  (Publishing expected May 16, 2021).

Mania by L.J. Ross, narrated by Richard Armitage, not available until August 2021.

Stages of Retirement - Update on "To Do" List and My Retirement Type?

 

In a previous Retirement post I wrote about a long retired friend who uses a daily "To Do" list to organize her days.  (See link below):

https://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2021/01/stages-of-retirement-organizing-my-days.html

I wanted to update that post. After looking at various office supply sites and Amazon for notebooks and planners I finally found the one posted above.  I like that I can keep track of dates, times, goals and a "To Do" list, as well as a notes section that I use all the time.  But if I don't finish something I just move it to another day or time, except for things that have a definite deadline.  And some days I just relax and listen or read my books and catch up with podcasts on my list (I'm still behind on those) or listen to music and sit on my balcony in the afternoon to enjoy the breeze.  

But my friend is right, it does give you a "structure" in retirement that helps in some strange way.  

****

What is my Retirement Type?

I regularly visit  the website Sixty and Me (see link below).   They have interesting articles on navigating retirement. 

https://sixtyandme.com/retirement-types/

Types of Retirees

Through her research, Nancy K Schlossberg, Ph.D., describes six types of retirees:

The Adventurer – Embracing a new job or activity that you have never done.

The Continuer – Doing something related to what you have done before.

The Easy glider – Emergent with no plan.

The Searcher – Figure out what is next.

The Retreater – Taking some down time.

The Involved spectator –Being involved in a specific field outside of being employed.

****

Right now going through several months of "pandemic retirement"  I am a combination of "The Adventurer",  "The Easy Glider" and "The Searcher".  But of course,  "Life is what happens when you're making other plans." and you never know what is around the corner.  

The "Adventurer":

I've taken up several new Zoom group/club activities, most involving my love of books, film, and art history.  I hope all these Zoom opportunities continue, but I know once we go back to more "normal" not all of them will.  I didn't have the time, and really the energy, to get involved as much before when I was working.  I've also become acquainted virtually with people that share my interests.  (Thanks in large measure to a long time friend.)  I really enjoy all these activities. 

I've also become a new "YT watcher" of Bald Eagles (Big Bear Valley) and of course our dear DC Baby Panda thanks to YouTube and the National Zoo Panda Cam.   

The National Zoo Panda Cam is not new to me, I've watched all our DC Giant Panda's (Tai Shan, Bao Bao, Bei Bei) from birth to their farewell and departure to China.  I will be so sad when Mei Xiang and Tian Tian and dear Xiao Qi Ji depart for China as well in a few years. 

I do wonder, thinking about our transition to post-pandemic life how much will have changed from our "normal" pre-pandemic life.  I really don't know if I will trust traveling again.  I think I will still use a mask on the subway, train, or plane in the future.  Will I ever feel comfortable in a crowded place again?  Right now I have my doubts.  I'm glad in retirement it will be my choice. 

Happy Birthday Sean Bean - April 17, 2021

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN BEAN

Looking Good at 62

Longevity in their career is not easy to achieve for an actor.  Bravo to Sean for having some of the best roles of his career in this stage of his life.  And to have the respect of his fellow actors and the respect of his fans for his achievements in his craft.

Feliz Cumple 

Snowpiercer - Sean Bean -2021

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - April Audiobook

 

My Audiobook for April is 

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Narrated by Trevor Noah

I'm following the

2021 Listening Book Challenge

And this checks off

Listen to an Audiobook Narrated by the Author

___________

I have to confess that last year's audiobook challenge was easier to follow since we had a specific type of book for a specific month.  

Must be something in me that makes an open ended annual audiobook challenge more difficult to fulfill.  I have to make more of an effort to listen to one book a month rather than procrastinate.

Why this book?  I don't watch the Daily Show but I like watching Trevor Noah on YouTube.  He's a very interesting and very good interviewer.  And funny too. I've had this audiobook in my Audible library for a while and am looking forward to finding out more about Trevor.  

Richard Armitage Winner of Audie Award 2021 for The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories by Anton Chekhov - You Know Why This is Special To Me!

 

That’s lovely🙏 (thanks to Ian Rickson for helping me choose the stories) https://t.co/h4rgqJiZmn

— Richard Armitage (@RCArmitage) March 23, 2021

 

WINNER! The Short Stories/Collections #AudieAward goes to THE CHEKHOV COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES by #AntonChekhov, narrated by @RCArmitage, published by @audible_com. Congratulations! #Audies2021 pic.twitter.com/BdkCX2BUzc

— Audiobooks (@audiobooks) March 23, 2021

If you don't know why this win is special for me you can click below for my previous post on this audiobook.

https://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-answer-to-my-question-chekhov.html

Congratulations Richard Armitage on a great selection of Chekhov short stories and on a marvelous narration.  

 

Stages of Retirement: Dealing with Reality and Researching Some Housing Options

 

As I slowly work on decluttering, with some breaks, I also need to think and plan about housing options and short term - long term options in retirement as an "elder orphan".  

My two options in my thoughts right now are move to another apartment a bit farther away from the city for lower rent (still staying in the same general area) or move to a senior apartment (if I qualify) in my area.  Keeping in mind a possible future move to a life care or continuing care community. 

To help my decision-making I've taken part and watched several senior Zoom seminars that cover these options in part.  (You can check AARP for some of these or your city or county website).  Lots of information to ponder.  I'm happy I've pursued these information seminars; I've learned a lot about the resources out there and about some preparations I need to make.  At times though I feel a bit overwhelmed by all these decisions I have to face. 

But still, even with all these helpful options, I have more concerns.  Also I can't really discuss with anyone.  I have a couple of close friends my age that I've tried to start the conversation with, but they are facing their own dilemmas.  Slightly younger friends don't really want to discuss it at all, they are not there yet, or are facing this with their parents soon and don't want an additional burden.  My limited-distant family is no help at all in a discussion. They're happy with whatever I decide as long as they don't have to deal with taking care of me at all!

Don't get me wrong,  I'm lucky to have several trusted friends I can count on when I need help. I'm very grateful to have them.  But I feel people are reluctant to go beyond the superficial discussion in fear of giving bad advice. They also have their own burdens to deal with. 

Looking for just a new apartment is something I've done before and am starting to do again now.  Of course you can't visit any property other than virtually yet, and I'm not going to make a move until I can see the place in person.  But looking at senior housing/apartments is an entirely new adventure.

Also, am I ready for some of the restrictions of senior housing?  For someone who can be awake at 1:00am watching a TV show, am I ready for a 10:00pm TV noise curfew?  

My problem is, inside my mind I'm still 25 but my body is more like 125.

So, what is the next step for me?

1.  Keep looking at rental apartments online and then make a list of  5 buildings to look at in person when that becomes possible.  

2.  Continue research of senior apartments in my area.  Look at options that I can afford and also amenities that I prefer.  Able to live independently but have some some assistance options and social options.  Make a list of those I want to visit in person.  

3.   Of course, health situations can change rapidly.  Research life-care communities in my area and beyond.  Moving to a more affordable area may be the only option.  

Because of  COVID my goal is a decision and action when things improve in terms of visits to these places. It's looking like 2022.

***************************

I thought I would revisit the Stages of Retirement list.

Researcher Robert Atchley Stages of Retirement:

Stage 1: Planning. ...

Stage 2: Excitement. ...

Stage 3: Honeymoon. ...

Stage 4: Disenchantment. ...

Stage 5: Reorientation & Stability. ...

How am I doing?   

Somehow I skipped the Excitement stage.  But maybe I'm in the Honeymoon stage. 

 Though it may not appear so from this post. But I am enjoying wonderful discoveries in "Zoom World".  Enjoy filling part of my days and nights every week exploring my own interests, even in only a virtual world for now.  

Happy Valentine's Day 2021 Richard Armitage and Sean Bean

 RETRO VALENTINE

Happy Valentine's Day 2021 to my two 

favorite actors

Richard Armitage and Sean Bean

They both continue to challenge me and surprise me with their work and their project choices.  I admire both of them for being their own person and following their own instincts in their careers, and not following someone's idea of what a "star" should be or should do.

In a career where some actors flash a big success for a brief time and are never seen again, both men have accomplished long and steady careers in a very fickle business.  There is much to admire in that and I do admire it very much.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with those you love, Richard and Sean.  💗

Favorite Narrator: My Top 20 Richard Armitage Audiobooks (2006-2020)

 I was looking through my Audible library this week checking my two new Richard Armitage narrated books.  I'm just starting the new David Hewson book, happy that author and narrator (Hewson/Armitage) are collaborating again.  The new C.J. Tudor book I plan to start in March, part of my 2021 Audiobook Challenge.  But I couldn't help but notice all the Armitage Audiobooks in my Audible library, and also a few that I've read/listened to that are not there. I also have several CD's of Armitage narrated audiobooks, dating back to 2006.  

My audio library list review prompted me to start my personal top  RA audiobooks list: 

My Top 20 Audiobooks Narrated by Richard Armitage

(2006-2020)

                         

1.    Lords of the North by  Bernard Cornwell

2.    David Copperfield  by Charles Dickens

3.     Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel by A. J. Hartley and David Hewson 

4.     The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  by Robert Louis Stevenson

5.     Venetia by Georgette Heyer

6.     *His & Hers: A Novel  by Alice Feeney

7.     *The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter 

8.     *A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

9.      The Jackman &Evans book series by Joy Ellis (Read books in order)

10.     The Other People by C.J. Tudor

11.     *The Other Queen: A Novel  by Philippa Gregory

12.      The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories by Anton Chekhov

13.     Robin Hood: The Siege  by Simon Guerrier  (Big Finish)

14.     The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

15.     The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

16.    The Man from St. Petersburg by Ken Follett

17.     The Hiding Place (The Taking of Annie Thorne) by C.J. Tudor

18.      Bedlam by L.J. Ross

19.      The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

20.      Romeo and Juliet: A Novel by David Hewson 

* Narrated by Richard Armitage and additional narrator(s)

I believe Richard Armitage has over 50 audiobooks (audio plays, and podcasts included) as of this moment.  And a new project announced today.  But I thought 20 was a good number to start out with.

I love Richard's voice and performance in all his audiobooks and learned from them all. I've discovered new genres I hadn't explored before. I just mean these are my top 20 favorites for various reasons at this particular moment in time. 

Richard has more audiobooks just published in 2021 and I have just started listening to the new David Hewson book he narrated (see my post on my Audiobook 2021 Challenge).  And there are also some audiobooks I haven't listened to because they are not available in the US, or not yet, and some that have just become available.  I do sometimes buy the CD's for these, but sometimes I wait to see if Audible will eventually have them.  What I'm trying to say is, this list of my top 20 favorites is ever changing with new Armitage Audiobooks.  

I also have not included the children's books and the Love Poems and Meditations because to me they belong in a separate categories.  Also the audio plays with Big Finish and podcasts (Wolverine) belong in a separate category.  

I'm looking forward to starting Gallifrey - Time War 4 (Big Finish) soon, downloaded and ready for listening.

 

Flashback: Sean Bean - Snowpiercer and Windprints

Sean Bean in Windprints (1989)

 

AND

from TentacleTenshi on Tumblr

Sean Bean in Snowpiercer (2021)

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - February and March Audiobooks

 Listening Books Challenge for February and March

Turbo Challenge

Listen to Two Audiobooks from the same Narrator in Different Genres

Narrator:  Richard Armitage

The Books

    FEBRUARY:

The Garden of Angels

by

David Hewson

Historical Fiction

MARCH:

The Burning Girls

by

C.J. Tudor

Mystery/Horror

(Narrators Richard Armitage and Gemma Whelan)

It was because of my Book Guru,  Richard Armitage, that I discovered authors David Hewson and C. J. Tudor.  They are now two of my favorite contemporary authors.  

They are also two of my favorite people on Twitter.  Wonderful interacting with their fans and lovely people.  (And Richard too, of course.)

Audiobook Challenge 2021 - January Audiobook

 

My Audiobook for January is Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, narrated by Scott Brick

My Audiobook Challenge for 2021 is again from Listening Books in the UK.  The challenge this year is a bit different. There is no monthly challenge, but rather 10 CHALLENGES and 5 TURBO CHALLENGES that we have a year to complete, in any order.  Also one book can count for both a challenge and a turbo challenge if it happens to qualify.

So the challenge I'm checking off for January with Erik Larson's book is:

LISTEN TO A NONFICTION AUDIOBOOK THAT ISN'T A MEMOIR

I just started listening to the book and enjoying that the pace is very much like a great mystery thriller, though in this case non-fiction.  And though it takes place in Chicago, I was happy to find there is an architectural connection to my Metro area.

I really should visit downtown Chicago one day post-pandemic. I've been to suburban Chicago three times in my life for work meetings, all three at hotels near O'Hare Airport. But I can't really say I've seen Chicago.

*******

To find out more about the Listening Books Audiobook Challenge 2021 go to the link below:

https://www.listening-books.org.uk/library/audiobook-listening-challenge-2021

I'm also reading/listening to this book for a True Crime Book Club I just joined thanks to the encouragement of my friend Fanny. One positive thing about this pandemic time is that we can experience events beyond our own geographic area thanks to many of them having moved to virtual offerings (mostly via Zoom).  

Some of my Audible Stats for 2020

Stages of Retirement - Organizing My Days - New Task

 

 

I was talking to a friend who has been retired for a while now about some "time structure issues"  I have encountered so far.  She said she had the same experience and the way she manages this is by creating a "To Do" list, a schedule for the day, every morning.  And she completes the list each day even if she has to finish that last task in the evening.   

After our conversation I thought a list, daily or weekly, might be a good thing for me to start in the new year.

I should explain that the "time structure issue" doesn't mean not enjoying the flexibility of time to do what you want, when you want, in retirement.  What I mean is finding, especially now in COVID Lockdown, a feeling of being a bit adrift some weeks. 

Of course right now there's the additional issue that even going to a coffee shop or library or community center to see other humans for distraction/interaction is not a possibility.  

Now the problem with me taking the daily "To Do" list route is that I'm a Type B/D personality.  Having a "To Do" list and a schedule that ruled my life Monday through Friday was something I was happy to leave behind now in retirement.  I enjoyed my freedom from schedules on the weekends, but now that every day is a "weekend" I'm missing a little structure.

So that's were I am today, pondering what sort of list I should start.

I have to build some flexibility in my structure, and structure in my flexibility.

I don't want a list that restricts me from being spontaneous, to walk in a nearby park because I see it's a warm day in winter, even if my list says today I'm organizing my closets. Maybe a weekly "To Do" is more my style than daily.  

I do have some big life and financial "To Do's" I need to resolve early in the new year that are overdue.  Those tasks are easy to put at the top of my lists this month, but what then for the rest of winter?  

I'm aware that having free time is a luxury.  I'm grateful for my retirement.  But I'm also aging, with the worries of staying active mentally and physically for as long as I can.

I'll report back in a future post on how it's going.