iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In Texas. age verification lock out soon.

330

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I crossed into Texas and OMG, and the interstate speed limit is 75 MPH.

340

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

No, I do not want to hold a baby gator, but thank you.

070

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I haven't worn makeup since 1981, with one exception (I let my niece make me up, slightly, for an event). I'm fortunate to have a decent complexion, and I can't judge women who feel better with makeup; it's a personal decision. I do have memories of the 70s bright blue eye shadow.

0100

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Good morning! It's Banned Books Week, October 4-10, 2026. I'm on a road trip, but don't forget to support libraries and read banned or challenged books. Join my banned book club if you'd like. Schedule and info pinned on my profile page. #BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky

bannedbooksweek.org

Banned Books Week® | October 4–10, 2026

2244

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#BannedBookSkyClub schedule: October/November 2026: Fun Home by Alison Bechdel December 2026: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes January 2027: A Room With a View by E.M. Forster Link to feed in replies. #BookSky Please join us.

Photo of the three book listed in post sise-by-side.

2246

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Dave Conrad @dconrad.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I think the Russian, Fyodor, I think, when he made his declaration to Coss, I was cringing, but then all the stuff about paintings and how much art meant to him was really beautiful, and I felt like it added another dimension to the story, painting as well as music.

111

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Dave Conrad @dconrad.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I finished Fun Home a bit ago and read Flowers for Algernon years back, so now I need to tackle A Room With a View.

061

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I used to read novels by the same author all in a row, one after the other, but I stopped because I found myself getting annoyed with similarities or was comparing one to the other too much or would start to lose interest and burn out even if the book was good. #BookSky

5340

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

katjes2024.bsky.social @katjes2024.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I also loved her latest, Whistler

021

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Rebecca Bowler @greenbowlerhat.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I had never heard of her, but just read Tom Lake and was moved so profoundly! Need to now read everything she’s written.

021

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Ruth Neese @morrigan6.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thank you for that selection. I would never have read Patchett otherwise.

331

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I hate to say I live my life constantly aware of making myself safe from men, but I've been doing the I'm prey they are the predator mode for decades now and I'm tired of it. It doesn't go away when you're old it's permanently ingrained. It's not based on delusion or paranoia but lived experience.

4285

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm going to a Steelers game in November while in the city visiting family, and my sister tells me to bring my Steelers t-shirt or hat. The last time I owned Pittsburgh team spirit wear was in the 1970s. She said she'd lend me a hat.

180

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

2246

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#BannedBookSkyClub announcement! The January 2027 read will be A Room With a View by E.M. Forster. Discussion date TBA. Schedule pinned on my profile page. Link to feed in replies. #BookSky

Photo of book A Room With a View by E.M. Forster.

2193

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

In September, the #BannedBookSkyClub discussed #BelCanto by Ann Patchett. It's been a fabulous discussion, and thanks so much to the participants, especially for their loyalty to books and conversation. It's never too late to join in. Pin the feed to stay up to date. #BookSky

1173

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

@jwheatspear.bsky.social @jwheatspear.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I kept thinking it was gonna be an exercise in Stockholm Syndrome but though the captives adjusted to their lot, they didn’t become persuaded to their captors’ points of view.

131

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

libaoscompanion.bsky.social @libaoscompanion.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

That is so interesting, because the notion that individuals from each side formed into couples, of whatever kind, seemed first improbable, then charming, then natural. Once I got past the point of thinking "this is intolerably improbable," I fell in love and completely committed to the concept.

041

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

libaoscompanion.bsky.social @libaoscompanion.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I read a blog post by Jenny Lawson where she wrote: "Reading is how you fall in love with people different from you, and how you develop compassion for them…because if you love them, you want to protect them." -- a description of how I feel about Bel Canto.

181

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

DreW @hearmeroar11.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It felt long and drawn out to me until the end, which was very abrupt for me. I listened to the audio book so didn't realize I was near the end like I would with a print book.

031

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

DreW @hearmeroar11.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In a way, it made me think of Covid and being at home and trying to come up with new ways to stay entertained, but also the creation of new routines. What happens after is a curiosity for me and wasn't really satisfied for me.

041

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

China M @china-m.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The entire time I was listening to "Bel Canto," I kept comparing it to "Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk: In Haunted, a group of writers are trapped together in a house. Palahniuk's story was a much darker view of human nature, in which the writers destroyed their environment instead of thriving in it.

131

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

China M @china-m.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This was my first one. I'm going back for more. I always get so excited when I learn about an author for the first time and realize that I want to go read all of their books!

022

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

China M @china-m.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I tried to hold back from being too invested in them, because I guessed it would end in tragedy for them. If I loved the characters too much, their fate would have hurt too much as well.

021

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

libaoscompanion.bsky.social @libaoscompanion.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Quite a few years ago, I read a blurb or an interview in which Patchett said that Bel Canto was based on her blended family of origin, which I found hard to understand and confusing.

141

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Costco has a sheep's milk cheese that's really good, if you're not a vegan.

040

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Ruth Neese @morrigan6.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The ending was abrupt, but it was the conclusion of a lengthy hostage situation. The violence at the end contributed to the feeling of being startled.

152

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #BelCanto by Ann Patchett #BookSky Is there anything else you’d like to share about the novel Bel Canto by Ann Patchett?

491

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #BelCanto by Ann Patchett #BookSky What did you think of the pacing of the novel Bel Canto? Did the ending seem abrupt?

3102

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

KatMarie @katmarie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I read Commonwealth (2016) and I was very disappointed because the book lacked a lot. If I had remembered that I had read that book I might not have agreed to read Bel Canto, but I’m glad I read Bel Canto. It was nothing like Commonwealth.

131

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

DreW @hearmeroar11.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It didn't feel like any of the characters were worried about being hostages after the initial negotiation for the women to leave. It felt like it dragged on a bit, which gave us time to get to know them. I wasn't particularly invested in any one character's fate, but I sensed it wouldn't end well

042

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

DreW @hearmeroar11.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I have read Tom Lake (audio book was read by Meryl Streep) and enjoyed the story. I won't run to read another by her, but if I'm in need of a book to read I won't dismiss hers.

031

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

KatMarie @katmarie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

but also, it’s how music transcends and holds everything and everyone together during a dangerous time and situation. I would say music is like another main character in the story. #BannedBookSkyClub #BelCanto

032

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

KatMarie @katmarie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The title of the book, Bel Canto means “beautiful singing”. So you know that music is going to be front and central. I love classical music but I’m not so versed in opera. I think her title works on two levels. Yes, it’s about a beautiful opera singer and her superior voice that enchants everyone.

132

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Ruth Neese @morrigan6.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I was invested in Carmen and Gen, plus Cesar. It’s hard not to be invested in young lovers like that pair. And I wanted Cesar to escape a dismal fate because of his musical talent. I was hoping he would be saved.

041

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Ruth Neese @morrigan6.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

No, this was my first read of any of her books. I would like to read others now, based on the beauty of this book.

031

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

damarobin.bsky.social @damarobin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Her novel The Dutch House is read by Tom Hanks. It is very good

061

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Tammy McLeod @tammydmcleod.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I also just listened to Tom Lake. If you get the audiobook on Libby, it is read by Meryl Streep. And, yes to reading more of her books!

191

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

Hagsploitated @dulcetspacecadet.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I totally thought I had read Patchett before but I guess not. I’ll definitely be reading more. I’m not done with Bel Canto yet but her writing style is so rich and so empathic.

051

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

TBerry @tanyaberry.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Carmen for sure 💔and Gen, of course. They were fundamentally good people caught up in events not of their making even if Carmen was technically on the rebel side, I don’t blame her. I also really hoped things would work out differently for General Benjamin. I liked him.

041

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

TBerry @tanyaberry.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I most recently read Tom Lake which I liked and am now going to go back and reread other of her novels.

173

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #BelCanto by Ann Patchett #BookSky Have you read other books by Ann Patchett? After reading Bel Canto do you want to read more?

6121

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #BelCanto by Ann Patchett #BookSky How invested did you get in the fate of the characters in the novel Bel Canto? Was there anyone in particular?

5111

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

DreW @hearmeroar11.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I thought about it throughout the book, and the few time checks provided were flippant and casual. It bothered me that it wasn't a more central part of the novel, marking time. As a hostage it would be important, I would think, but then for these hostages it felt like a home, so maybe not.

141

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

China M @china-m.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The section when the hostages were allowed to go outside into the garden will stay with me. Their reaction to the beauty of the natural world was poignant and magical.

141

Reposted by Retired-Librarian

China M @china-m.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I feel like time stopped passing for the hostages. It only started up again in moments of change - when they had to start preparing their own food, when Roxane started singing every day, when they were allowed to enter the garden for the first time... Otherwise, their days flowed like a river.

051

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Me, a kid from a working class family, accidentally attended a "rich kids" university. It was a state school, so it never occurred to me that it would be different from other state universities my siblings attended. But it felt like private, and many students were business majors, set to ...

2180

Retired-Librarian @retired-librarian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In my neighborhood, when I see someone pushing a stroller, I check to see if it's a baby or a dog. This last one was a cute little pup.

81377