Bomb Diggity: Staying In Your Good Books By Sharing Memes About Books + A Very Special Reader Comments

/ Ally Bean

Yesterday I learned a new-to-me idiom. It is “in someone’s good books” and is defined by The Idioms as:

If you are in somebody’s good books, it means you have done something good that has delighted them, and if you are in their bad books, you have annoyed them, and they are now angry with you.

Granted over the years I’ve said something similar [to be “in someone’s good graces”] but now I have another respectable idiom to add to my personal lexicon.

Also, I have what will be the catalyst for this blog post: BOOKS.

You see, my little popsicles of profundity, I’m currently at loose ends, a blogging wordsmith with time on my hands because somehow or another IT IS STILL FEBRUARY and not much is going on in my life.

Thus with the aforementioned catalyst in mind I perused my folders and files that are in order for once because I’ve used this winter to get my little bloggy organized for the first time in years.

[To wit please note, there’s a revised About Ally Bean tab; a new Best Of The Bean tab; an updated Blogroll 2.0 tab + a new Header image.]

Getting back to the issue at hand, after looking into my recently organized folders and files I found the following which I present without any personal commentary. Yes, this is unusual for me but I’ll admit that at this point in February my bomb is less diggity than usual.

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AND FINALLY A VERY SPECIAL READER COMMENTS…

After writing the above I realized the following bloggers who comment here regularly are also authors of published books. Seems like a good time to mention them. Click on a name and go say “HI!” Tell ’em Ally Bean sent you.

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📚 Now it’s your turn to stay in my good books, and I know you want to delight me, so leave a comment below! 📚

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203 thoughts on “Bomb Diggity: Staying In Your Good Books By Sharing Memes About Books + A Very Special Reader Comments”

  3. I have gone through the About You, I shall come back to read your fave posts and I am heartbroken, that once again, I have not made your blogroll. Sigh.

    Kudos to you on organising your folders! Rah! Rah! Rah!

    LOVE the book quotes and I have been using the “being in one’s good books” for a while. Graces is good too, of course.

    You know, there are so many memes on January lasting a bazillion days but honestly, the longest month of the year is February!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dale, you’re not on the blogroll? I apologize. In the process of revising it I could have inadvertently lost you. When did you start your blog? I’ll add you in. Thanks for letting me know.

      I’d never heard this “being in one’s good books” idiom before yesterday and I’m surprised about that. You’d think being a wordy girl I’d know it.

      YES! February is so much longer than January. This year in particular has been difficult— for many reasons.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I am not! You need not. I started blogging on this (outside of my starter blogs) on August 12, 2013 😉

        I am rather shocked a wordy girl like you never heard it. But really, we can’t know everything; how else would we learn?

        It IS! I was lucky in that this particular February, I went away on a cruise for a week, which shortened it. Then I was sick like a dog for the week after my return, which made it all the longer again. So sorry it has been difficult for you.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Oh, Ally! I’m sure you could hear the giggles…my giggles…just now when I read “popsicles of profundity”. Girl…you can turn a phrase like no one I know. I enjoyed the rest of your post of course but “popsicles of profundity” gave me pause and I love it. Three more things:
    1. Cheers to you for your bloggy housekeeping…I can’t wait to take a peek at what you’ve done.
    2. The Jane Austen quote? Yes! And I can think of a few people…super stupid ones at the moment who must be entirely illiterate. What other excuse could there be?
    3. Wowza – thanks for the shoutout. Super sweet!
    xo! 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    • Vicki, of late my mind is focused on all aspects of being COLD, hence the turn of phrase. Check back with me in the summer and ask me what I’m calling my readers then.

      One of my NY’s goals is to keep blogging but to do so in a way that makes it easier for me. I realized that while I like connecting with people in blogland I also don’t want to get overwhelmed again like I was last fall. Thus I’m organized, dammit.

      Happy to include you on the list, of course. How could I not? You’re one of the most prolific commenters here. 💕

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Thank you for including me in your blog roll which placed you in my good books. 😉 My mother was British and that was an expression she used often. I haven’t heard it much since she passed many years ago. I enjoyed the memes and in fact, today I’ll be browsing through a favourite used book store. I could spend hours and hours … I’ll be browsing your favourite posts for sure. Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lynette, I like your reasoning for why I’m in your good books. Of course you’re part of the blog roll!

      You know this new-to-me idiom and know that it is of British derivation. Thanks for sharing that. I was reading a comment section and a commenter used the phrase. I immediately researched it to make sure I understood its meaning.

      Enjoy your book browsing. I like to get lost in used book stores, that’s where reading serendipity happens.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I’ll circle back to read the new and improved About you page, and, if I ever get around to revamping my blog (the last major revamp drove me crazy) I might include a “Best of” page or list. I think that’s a great way for people to get to know you.

    Thanks for including me in your list. If your ever appear in one of my books, I hope it’s a good one.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I read you from Reader so will take a gander in a bit at the actual blog to peruse the updates. I agree that “libraries are awesome” and with the gentleman’s picket sign. That brings me to reveal that I seem still to be running into so many books that just don’t make me happy/motivate me/interest me/or are a million pages long and literally say nothing. I feel that all the good book ideas have been used too many times and now are used up and we are reading the same stories just with new names. This comment may not delight you AB, but perhaps it can be voted into the “rather depressing” file?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, I agree with you about: “… running into so many books that just don’t make me happy/motivate me/interest me/or are a million pages long and literally say nothing.” I feel the same way. I don’t know why novels seem so repetitive and unedited lately, but they have. I’ve become comfortable with the DNF [did not finish] concept and refuse to force myself to read something… tedious… lengthy… pointless… et cetera, et cetera.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Well that brightens my day AB! Not the fact that books are not what they used to be, but definitely that I’m not alone in my views. If I kept lists, which I do not, my DNF list would be a book itself.

        Like

    • Deborah, the idiom caught me by surprise which is a good thing, my old brain needs to keep clicking, ‘ya know? The idea for the list of blogger/authors came to me in a flash. Hope I remembered everyone I should have.

      Like

    • Marian, to get to a place of “wordsmith with time on my hands” move to the southern midwest where it snows, gets dirty, turns into ice, then steals your enthusiasm while you wait many sunless days for the ice to disappear completely.

      I’ve never seen or heard that song before but I’m laughing out loud. How trippy! Thanks for sharing it here.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. You had my attention at ‘books.’ I cannot imagine a day without a book to read, although I do long for those page turners and not just the words on a page ones. I like your new header because it is bright and colorful and shows one of your personal interests. I also really like “do no harm, but take no shit.” I think when you reach a certain age you adopt that even subconsciously, but I always appreciate a good reminder. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy, I know how you feel about reading, yet I also know some people rarely, if ever, read a book after high school graduation. Seems like they’re missing something good.

      Yes my motto is one that seems to be more relevant every day. I agree that by a certain age, if you’re self-aware and honest with yourself, you adopt it informally.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Hey Ms Bean – I always like to stay in your good graces – I mean your good book (nah don’t like the term, sounds too Biblical). Anyway, I do love your new header! Kudos for Spring Cleaning of the blog – what a chore. 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laura, hadn’t thought of the idiom in light of the Bible, but I take your point. I see what you’re getting at.

      I feel the new header spiffs it up around here. We all need more cheerfulness in our lives right about now. I heard the term “spiteful joy” used the other day and now that’s how I’m thinking about the header.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Autumn, I agree. Reading does take you out of the here and now in a wonderful soothing way. Of course once you take your nose out of the book there’s reality sitting there staring you in the face. BUT for a short while… ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Did your elementary school classes ever have reading challenges to see who could read the most books in a year (and write a book report on each one)? You’re looking at the winner, every single grading period. 🤓🤓🤓

    I could live at the library. Fortunately, my Middle Child works there, so I’m there constantly, being her chauffeur. Thanks for a post on my fave topic. How cool to have so many authors commenting here! Years ago, did a blogger named Stephanie ever follow you? She was a prolific writer.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bijoux, I don’t remember any reading challenges in elementary school. You went to a more sophisticated school than I did. Why am I not surprised you were the winner‽ OF COURSE YOU WERE.

      Sounds like you have an inside connection at the library! I know for me getting lost in the stacks at the library is a good way to forget my worries— and that’s before I begin reading a book.

      I remember a Stephanie but she was a college prof. Maybe an author, too? Or not even the same person! So many bloggers, so many cool people pass through here.

      Like

  17. Thanks for the author mention, Ally. These days, books are an important arm of resistance and voice for justice. Speaking of voices (and resistance), your motto, “do no harm, but take no shit,” should be flying on flags from every porch. If I knew how to needlepoint, I’d make a sampler emblazoned with those words….

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, happy to include you on the list. You’ve been commenting on this blog for *like* forever. I appreciate that.

      Oh I love the idea of a needlepoint sampler with that motto on it. The flag idea isn’t bad either. I’ve considered that motto my own for years, but it suddenly seems more pertinent now. 🤨

      Like

  19. I’ve never heard this phrase before, and while I like it, I probably wont’ remember it and will still use In My Good Graces. Old dogs, not new tricks and all. HAHA!
    But since it’s fresh, Ally, you are in my good books!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suz, I don’t know why this idiom surprised me like it did, but it’s dull here right now and it was something to research. I’ll try to remember it but let’s get real: how often do I ever talk about a person by using “in good graces,” let alone a similar version of the saying? Not often, that’s for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, if you add a Best Of tab to your blog I’ll look forward to it. For me it was a good exercise to go back to see what I’d written and then decide what to feature. You can define yourself in a different way than the way you explain yourself under your About tab.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. That is ever so kind of you to put my ‘Amusives’ on your Blogroll! I am honoured to be more than just a commenting cool kid. (I would have liked to have been one of the cool kids in high school, but then I realized how free you can be if you do not have to maintain cool kid status…) You are in my good books.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margy, for me cool kids are the ones who are independent, sitting in the back of the class watching the popular kids try to maintain status. Cool kids are beyond status, we’re too smart for that! Happy to have you on the blogroll. The more the merrier!

      Like

  23. I grew up saying good and bad books! So if you’re in “someone’s bad books” – watch out! I knew some people said “grace” but I never, ever said that…it was always “books”. I wonder if it’s a Canadian idiom?

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I’m currently obsessed with the American Library Association’s READ posters and am considering buying all the vintage ones I can find and just wallpapering my house with them. That sounds like a good idea, right?

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I’ve not heard the ‘in my good books’ saying before either. At my writers group last night, a young guy read us his latest chapter. His writing is rough, to put it mildly. He used ‘take it for granted’ but he spelled granted ‘granite’ and many of us cringed. Another long time member suggested that he read more books of his fav genre to give his writing some direction (along with using Grammarly). I thought that was great feedback. “Read more!” Maybe we can gently suggest a writing class at our local junior college too. But I love that the answer starts with books.

    Liked by 1 person

    • ernie, the idiom was a new one for me. Will try to use it, but also don’t think I’ll have many opportunities to use it.

      Many people make mistakes like the ‘granite’ one, I’m sure I’ve done my share of them. Excellent advice to the young guy. Wonder if he’ll take it?

      Like

    • Kari, the idea for adding the list of blogger/authors came to me early this morning. Just hope I remembered them all.

      I added the gone but not forgotten part to the blogroll because I’ve seen many blogs come and go— and miss some of those people to this day.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Some other book idioms that you already know of course: hit the books, read someone like a book, open and closed book. And what a great list of people with published books! 😊

    Like

    • L. Marie, yes, you’re right there are other book idioms I know. Somehow I missed “in someone’s good books” along the way.

      I hope the list of published author bloggers help some readers find bloggers who resonate with them.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I don’t know how I came to connect with these writers, but it is fun to say I know them. My goal has never been to write a book. I like the immediacy of personal blogging, it keeps me on my toes and connected to the world at large.

      Like

  35. Chalk me up in the column of never having heard the “in my good book” idiom. “In my good graces.” Yes, that’s something I’ve heard all my life and wonder if one is an off shoot of the other?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jean, I stumbled over the idiom and was struck by how I’d never heard it before. Seemed unlikely yet there you go. I discovered its meaning but nothing about its derivation. You’re probably right that one of the idioms came first, then was reworded. But which came first? 😉

      Like

  37. It’s wonderful that you included links to authors!!

    While I know the “don’t read” pic is about book banning, it reminded me of an online friend who seems to require herself to finish any book that she starts, no matter how much she hates it. Such a strange use of time!

    Liked by 1 person

    • LeendaDLL, I used to finish reading every book I started, but then wised up and allowed myself the grace to just not finish a book I don’t like. Like you suggested, it was a strange use of my time. Just find a book you like better, right?

      Liked by 1 person

      • Exactly. Why keep putting effort into a no-win situation?

        I recall finishing Shirley MacLaway’s holistic book, back in the 80s (??) and being so annoyed by the stupidity (and I was into holistic stuff at the time) and lack of grammatical editing (“had had” used throughout) that I destroyed it before trashing, to ensure I’d never be responsible for anyone else reading it. Only time that’s happened!

        I was that way about movies till something in the 90s was so bad that I walked out. I still have a hard time turning off streaming movies that were blockbusters, but which I’m not enjoying. I do it, but I feel weirdly guilty.

        Liked by 1 person

  38. I’m still laughing about, ” my bomb is less diggity than usual.” Phrases like that prove your bomb is full-on diggity!

    So speaking of books and trying to stay in your good books. I have a new favorite quote from a scientist in a novel:
    “This is why I laugh at the notion of reconciling faith and science. Science is based on the premise that logic and reason can tell us the true nature of reality. Religion is based on the idea that when logic and reason don’t support a predetermined view of reality, they are at fault.
    The next time you get into a political discussion, stop and ask yourself what amount of evidence would change your mind. If the answer is none, then realize you’re actually in a religious discussion, one more zealot arguing with another.”
    From “Looking Glass” by Andrew Mayne

    How about that as a good observation that seems perfectly suited for this time?

    And thank so much for the shout-out! Appreciate you, Ally Bean!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Wynne, well you know how anyone’s bomb diggity can be fickle especially in February. That’s mine today. A little lacking in spunk.

      The Andrew Mayne quote is great. Isn’t that about the gist of many of these online arguments? I don’t engage, generally slide on by, but the ones I do read are two zealots shouting past each other. To what end, I ask?

      Happy to add you to the list. I’m glad we met along the way.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. You inspire me! Struggling to get through Moby Dick right now. Reading it for my PopSugar challenge this year and it is also on the top 100 books scratch off poster I have. Love your new About Ally and I am happy to see that I am still on the Blogroll, even if it is on the inactive list. Still a few more days in February but we are almost on the other side. Happy Tuesday to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, you’re reading Moby Dick!!! I majored in English Lit and managed to avoid reading that book. You are a martyr to your challenge. I’m impressed.

      I couldn’t remove bloggers who still might come back. I mean some are gone permanently, but I know things change and who knows when someone might come back. Happened just last week in fact.

      I’m counting down the hours until we get to March. I like it better than February the longest short month. 🤨

      Liked by 1 person

    • Marie, the idiom was new to me. I understand what it means, will try to use it in conversation, BUT I don’t know that I’m the sort of person who refers to people in the way that it implies. Still, I’m better off knowing it I suppose.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Oh Ally, I was so delighted to see my name made the author list here. I was just reading a long and enjoying the images you shared and then voila, saw my name and my heart feels full…..
    thanks for that and while I know many of the other authors, I look forward to clicking them all and checking out the ones that are new to me.
    —
    I also enjoyed learning the new idiom “in someone’s good books” – and cheers to the idea of reminding is that reading books augments human wellness (oh, and cheers to the blogging wordsmiths who deliver smiles – and oh my gosh, February is dragging on over here too)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yvette, I’m glad I was able to add your name to the list. You’ve been commenting around here for a long time and I appreciate it. I hope you find some new-to-you blogger/authors to befriend.

      The idiom stopped me in my reading, it seemed like something I should know but didn’t. Of course that’s part of the wonder of reading, learning new things.

      Thanks for linking to this post. I’ll be over to read what you said soon. Well, maybe a tomorrow kind of soon. Busy day here.

      Like

      • Hi – well I am going to make a new post about it – and so the current link is just a sentence….
        but you inspired me to make a short post….
        I will let you know when I get to it….
        ***
        I did set some time aside to blog this week but then the weather was super nice and I did a tiny bit of garden bed clearing – …..
        🙂 and now I am back to getting some blog time in.
        Hope your Friday is going well
        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • I look forward to your post whenever you get to it. Our weather has finally today gotten pleasant. I’ll be outside soon enough puttering in the garden. Wonderful to be part of your blog time.

          Liked by 1 person

  45. Pingback: BOOK SUGGESTION: THIS IS HOW WE GROW – a book for Perspective Taking – priorhouse blog

  46. Hi Ally, Always interesting and fun to read your views, insights, gems on life. Ha, ha “… many jobs, no career…” the most interesting type of person. Your three simple words speak volumes “we are happy.” Possibly the essence of who you are, and where you choose to pay attention … a good thing! Interesting quote from Jane Austen. I do believe many people may not have read one single book (at least since school) I realize I am speaking to the choir when I say ‘truly missing out on one of the great pleasures in life along with opening up an infinite world …” I am not sure where I fit in as a blogger … I visit and read often … I consider many bloggers my friends … I immerse myself in many writing projects … maybe I should adopt a new blogger pronoun? Thank you for being you, Ally! 💕 Erica

    Liked by 1 person

    • Erica/Erika, I’d never thought about how “we are happy” could well be the subtext of who I am. Thanks for pointing that out. Heaven knows I’m not a person who had a smooth and singular career. 😜

      I know people, smart + successful people, who take pride in not reading books— or if they do read books they are non-fiction books. Seems like a self-limiting way to live your life, but so be it.

      The thing I’ve noticed about personal blogging is that you can leave it, then come back either as who you were or someone new entirely. It’s a fluid and flexible way to publish your words, but isn’t for everyone. It does take more time than I’d have thought when I started in 2004. YET I’m still here so I like it.

      Thanks for stopping by to comment. I adore hearing from you❣️

      Liked by 1 person

  48. Thanks for the mention, Ally. I mean, we all want to hang out with the cool kids, don’t we? Speaking of cool, Best of the Bean is the perfect title. I commend you on doing something productive like organizing your files. That’s been on my “someday list” for about 20 years. I am a professional procastinator.😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, it is a conundrum about how to refer to them, isn’t it? If I knew the person first as a blogger then found out they were also an author I go with blogger/author. But some people only became bloggers after they were authors, to promote their books I suppose, so I think of them as author/bloggers. Like it matters! They’re here among us in blogland.

      Like

  50. I wouldn’t go as far as Jane Austen to call people who don’t read novels stupid, but I do find it confounding. I know smart people who smugly say, “Oh, I don’t read novels. I read non-fiction.” That doesn’t impress me. I also remember an old friend who said a long time ago, “I haven’t cracked a book since college.” He was also smart and very busy and macho. He ran a logging company.

    Congratulations on sprucing up your site. I need to do that.

    A humble request: I’d love to be on your blogroll. (Whoops. That reminds me, my blogroll is so out-of-date. I need to add you.)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicki, I’ve had the same experiences with smart people who proudly say they don’t read books since they finished college. I’m supposed to think well of them? I agree they may not be stupid as in incapable of working, but maybe we’d say they were close-minded. Jane may not have had that adjective at her disposal.

      Of course you can be on the blogroll. I crowdsourced it years ago and add people whenever someone shows an interest of being on it. What year did you start your blog?

      Like

  51. Delightful that you are as community minded as ever to spruik other bloggers who write Ally. Books are a window to the world, where we learn things and are entertained. Who wouldn’t want that. I will check out some of the bloggers that I am not yet familiar with. Thanks,
    P.S. Well done on the revamp of the static pages.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Amanda, I like to promote other bloggers when I can. For me blogging is all about community and that we’re all members of many different communities so mentioning who you know elsewhere is important.

      It was time to tidy the tabs so I did it. I may be tired of February but at least I can look back and say I accomplished something good.

      Liked by 1 person

  53. I wasn’t at all taken with that ‘idiom.’ It feels invented rather than organic. I wondered where you came across it – perhaps it’s used in a world I don’t bump up against. There’s an interesting question – if an idiom needs to be explained, is it truly an idiom? Of course, context matters. There are British idioms galore that I’ve had to have explained.

    Anyway, take these musings for what they are – a brain attempting to amuse itself while waiting for a new motor mount to be installed on my car – in a shop that hasn’t yet made the coffee!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, I read the idiom in a comment section of a blog post and realized I’d never heard it before. Looked it up and there it was. In fact some commenters here are familiar with it. I think you’re right that context matters as does the country in which you live.

      Oh dear! Both about your car and the lack of coffee. The former happens, it’s a machine, but the latter… well, that’s just uncouth.

      Liked by 1 person

      • The lesson learned was that the gurus at the dealership, who apparently only know how to plug a car into a computer, couldn’t spot a defective motor mount. The ‘real’ mechanic in an old fashioned shop – a true auto whisperer – found the problem in less than an hour. It’s fixed now, and only took a half hour. I’m back at work and the guys in that independent shop are in my good book.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that the old-fashioned shop guy knew what to look for and fixed it. I’ve had a similar experience so that now when I need my Honda serviced I drive about an hour away to the old-time shop, instead of the dealership 15 minutes away. One place is in my good books, one place is in my bad books.

          Liked by 2 people

  54. Thanks for reminding me to read. I have recently reacquainted myself with books after a 30 year hiatus (kids, work, general mayhem), and I am still finding my way through all the options out there. Maybe my sincere effort will put me in your good books. Also, I adore and relate to: “a woman who does her own thing in a refreshing low-key way, not making a big deal out of it.”

    Like

    • Gwen, I understand about stepping away from reading for fun when life gets complicated. I’ve done the same thing. When it comes to reading for pleasure there are many good options out there now, in fact it can be overwhelming.

      Funny you’d mention this line: “a woman who does her own thing in a refreshing low-key way, not making a big deal out of it.” I was with a group of friends and the topic was how do you want to be remembered when you’re gone. I just blurted out that line without any introspection. Sometimes I know myself better than I think.

      Like

  55. Magnificent bookish memes Ms Bean – I am grateful. I may just steal them and sprinkle them about (with your permission, of course).

    Thank you for the list of the published authors among our bloggy numbers. I’ve bought a couple previously, but will peruse to add to the ever teetering pile…

    Like

    • Deb, do what you will with the memes. They’re everywhere any more and I rarely know where I found them, so feel free to steal ’em.

      I hope I included everyone who comments here who is also a published author. It worries me a bit that I might have forgotten someone, but I did my best.

      Liked by 1 person

  56. Here’s one for you, Ally. I tried to upload the pic, but it didn’t work:

    Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change,
    The courage to change direction when I see them coming,
    And the wisdom not to try to smack some sense into them when I can’t avoid them.
    ;0)

    Liked by 1 person

  58. Well Ally, as I continue to trudge through February, well … the whole Winter actually, I wish my accomplishments were headier, but decluttering has been insightful, while reading would have been more fun. I may have to adjust my Goodreads Goal for 2025 again. I have never heard that idiom but I like it! I also liked the reading memes, especially the first with the Jane Austen quote. I have never read a Jane Austen novel, nor seen a movie based on her books. I know they are airing a Jane Austen series on PBS. I just concluded this season’s “All Creatures Great and Small” on PBS where I saw it advertised. Perhaps I should watch it and may learn something. If a Jane Austen mini-series interests you, I have the details and a factoid from PBS:

    “Miss Austen will air in four episodes on MASTERPIECE on PBS starting Sunday, May 4, 2025, 9/8c. The timing is nothing less than thrilling as 2025 also marks 250 years since Jane Austen was born. 4.”

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, trudging through February sums it up. I know it can be a bleak month here, and where you are, but this year it has seemed endless— even with a few days near 60º. Then back down to ice and snow.

      I don’t have a reading goal on Goodreads, but I know many people do. My goal is more flexible because it’s in my mind, adapted as needs be. 😁

      I read Jane Austen in college and have seen a few movies based on her books. Thanks for the info about the upcoming series. Masterpiece will do it well and I’ll be there for it.

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      • We’ve had snow off and on all day today – this is the Winter we always knew.

        I adjusted my Goodreads goal last year as well. The best I did was when I lost my internet connection after an ice storm in February 2023 and I enjoyed catching up on reading. I can’t be maniacal about reading a set number of books, so I set the bar low.

        It seems like my required reading in college was always the same books, over and over and then there was Beowulf, which I got through thanks to Cliffsnotes.

        You’re welcome Ally. Maybe I will try this show on Masterpiece as well. Thanks for the recommendation by Natalie Jenner.

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          • That’s because we had too many books to read in our college years. I, too, was a literature major and the selection of required books to read and prepare book reports was not really to my liking. I told myself I’ll never finish reading a book I don’t enjoy again, nor push myself to read books, just read to enjoy them.

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            • Same as you. I, also, will not write detailed book reviews of books I read for pleasure. Many bloggers do that and are great at it, but to me doing that would be like homework. Didn’t like doing it in college, won’t do it now.

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              • Yep – I had enough homework in my school days, though today while I was doing my French lesson, I was thinking, here I am telling you I don’t want to revert back to required reading and book reports, yet I am doing French lessons to learn to speak French fluently like before when I was in college. I am 99.9% sure I’ll never speak French as I don’t plan to travel, but it was always one of my favorite classes. And French, along with the NYT games and Solitaire keep my brain sharp, which is a good thing since I live alone.

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    • Also, just thought of it: The Jane Austen Society, A Novel, by Natalie Jenner is delightful. It’s not a Jane Austen novel but is a story adjacent to her. You don’t have to know a thing about Jane Austen to enjoy it.

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  60. My girls are going to LOVE that Jane Austen quote. Two are in the upcoming high school play of Pride and Prejudice.

    I hadn’t heard that idiom before. Thanks for the knowledge nugget, and the blog mention!

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  61. Ally, I enjoyed the memes and recognized some of the bloggers-authors on your list. I like your updated tabs on the blog menu bar. I’m not on your blog roll 2.0. I started my blog in 2016. Between travelling and hosting a weekly blog link-up, I have been behind in leaving comments on blogs I read and follow. Not enough time in the day for blogging (sigh).

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    • Natalie, of course you can be on the blogroll. I crowdsourced it when I started it so it’s a compilation of bloggers who want to be there + fit my criteria for being on it.

      Yep, I understand about falling behind on reading/commenting on blogs. I’m trying to get into a daily groove about doing that but *shockingly* real life sometimes gets in my way.

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  62. It may not be quite as respectable, but I say “You’re on my shit list” rather than “You’re in my bad books.” Sounds much more threatening – just how I like it. Haha. 😉
    Well, speaking of books, I just have to share what I’m currently reading because it’s SO good: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb. It’s well-written, very insightful, admittedly voyeuristic, and like a little bit of free therapy.

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  64. Books! I was just looking at mine, thinking I either need to start a small library, buy another bookshelf, or donate. It’s too bad you don’t live closer, Ally, or you could take a few of mine until it’s time to blog more often. I started two Sandford novels in the last two days and realized I had already read them both. Yikes! Anyhow, onto something I haven’t read and then another Kristin Hannah novel because I can’t stop loving her writing.

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    • Mary, we have LOTS of books around here, too. I sold a bunch last summer, gave a few to the Free Little Library, but still seem to have shelves of them. Of course I consider them my friends so it’s all good.

      I’ve not read anything by Kristin Hannah, so will add her name to my list. Thanks for the suggestion.

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      • Kristin Hannah is awesome, an excellent writer and novelist. She blends the human existence (family/friends) with history. Look for The Nightingale, The Great Alone, The Four Winds, and Firefly Lane, all of which I have read and would completely recommend. She has written many novels, so next one will be Winter Garden.

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        • She sounds like an author I’d enjoy. Thanks for the names of some of her novels. I may have heard of Firefly Lane, now that I think back.

          [Also I haven’t, to my knowledge, put you into moderation yet that’s where you’re going. It’s not personal, it’s WP!]

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    • Christie, the book memes made me smile, not my usual thing to share a bunch of them, but it’s good to try new things. Thanks for checking out my pages. Time for a refresh.

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  66. Ah, the simply wonderful joy of finally finding a moment in my life to visit Ally’s blog didn’t disappoint! I’m glad you’re still reading, writing, and encouraging chats among blogging folks. As always, I enjoy your perspectives, and your encouragement to persevere despite not having time or the ideas to write about. PS – thanks too for your support – it means the world to me!

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    • Shelley, I’m delighted to see this comment from you. We are members of a dwindling group of old-time bloggers, so hearing from you when I know why you’re so busy means a lot. You’re right about people chatting here. I’m pleased of course, encourage it even, but am also amazed by how much people have to say. 😉

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  68. Good for you for organizing things and updating your blog (like the new about me!). I ‘m glad your organizing sparked a blog topic. Once again, this week, there just felt like nothing to write about. I like your idea of picking up on a simple new phrase and running with it.
    Plus, yes, I love books & book memes. I found a series by Emily Kimelman from social media (I adored a rant she made about the current political environment) and am enjoying those books now.
    (p.s. I too have published a book, but didn’t make your list.)

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    • Pat, I may have groused about our February weather a lot last month, but I did finally update and revise this and that around the blog so I wasn’t a total slug. I’m not familiar with Emily Kimelman so will look for her.

      I apologize for not including you on the blogger/author list. I didn’t know you’d written a book. Will correct that oversight immediately. Mea culpa.

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    • Rae Cod, that’s interesting. I’d never heard this idiom, which surprised me, but I understood its meaning. I used “bomb diggity,” which means groovy, in the title of this post and a commenter told me she didn’t know what it meant. Same lesson learned as you, not all turns of phrase are universal even in the same language.

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