Congratulations, Girls, We Are Half Way Through 2023!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Let me just say this.  If you are standing, breathing, can walk, are not in need of ambulatory care, have an active mind and body, and have made it this far, you are doing fine.

                              Who knew what the first half would bring when the ball dropped?  And now here we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Where has the time gone??????????????

                                    And who knows what the second half holds?  Well, shorter days, earlier darkness, holidays both cultural and religious. and before we know it, we start again.  And somewhere in this mix I become a year older.

                                      Will I make my total of 100 books read this year?  Only time will tell.

                                      Congrats to all.  We made it through the first half.

                                        I will be with you all as we experience the second!

                                        See you next month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Farewell To June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       June busted out all over, like it always did.  It was kicked off here with 'Sgt. Pepper,' and then getting ready for the reunion--oh, my God, I still have pics from that I have to post--which was a tremendous success.  I have had some reading and writing challenges this month, but I am determined to plod on.  Keeping up with friends, reuniting with an old one, not to mention classmates from my past, and attending mass in the church I was baptized in.  It was quite an emotional month.

                      Not to mention, as I have, the magnificence of Ruthie Ann Miles in "The Light In The Piazza."

                       Take a look at the woman stretched out in exhaustion, in this picture. That could be me, darlings!  But if I did, I would not be on here with all you readers.  And I would not miss that for the world.

                         I hope your June was as exciting as mine.  I wish you all a happy July.  The Summer fun continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did We Have Fun With The 'Fiend,' Darlings????????????????????

                             On another viewing of 1958's "Fiend Without A Face," I noticed several similarities to  several British-made Fifties sci-fi'ers, such as "The Crawling Eye," last week's "Curse Of The Demon," and "The Quatermass Experiment," known in America as "The Creeping Unknown." All these films show the monster very late, sometimes to the point of almost not at all, and in some ways this would have been better.  Especially in the case of "Fiend Without A Face."

                                What the viewer gets, after over an hour of tedium, are walking cerebellums.  I mean, first of all, the title is singular, and there are plural monsters.  Secondly, they are so funny, especially when they split open and raspberry jam comes out.  I am still wondering how much of the budget constituted the raspberry jam.

                                  Only the last fifteen or twenty minutes make this a laugh riot.  If "Svengoolie" shows it again, and newcomers are curious, I suggest you wait an hour, and then just see the riotous nonsense

                                  In that case, the "Fiend Without A Face" might become a friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, Girls, This Is What I Mean, When I Talk About Color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                  

                    I know I have used these images before, darlings, but they are just so darned excellent.  The first is by Bobby Pearce, from the 2003 flop musical, "Taboo." But this images, darlings, is the best thing about the show.  That outfit, which I might sprinkle with yellow stars, I would be proud to wear to anything--a dinner, a meeting with ANNA, a party, or any social occasion.  It is a fashion statement on its own.

                       As for the second, well it is Sir Cecil Beaton's last effort, the 1969 Broadway musical, "Coco." Which just happened to star someone by the name of Katherine Hepburn.  But it was these red costumes, and Michael Bennett's facility with mirrors and colors, soon to be put to even better use in "Follies" and then "A Chorus Line," that made this show.

                          Girls, I am telling you, I would be proud to wear any one of those gowns.  Even to ANNA.

                           Let me depart for a moment.  People often ask how I knew I was gay.  Now, I cannot deny that "The Wizard Of Oz" has something to do with it--doesn't it but really, it was the opening shot of 1964's "My Fair Lady," with the theatergoers coming down the stairs, that made me gasp.  Darlings, if you gasp at this scene, and are male, you are gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Fashion is about individualizing the individual.  I have my signature colors--jungle red, flaming pink, bright yellow, and orange.  Put in a couple of blues, and I am defined.

                              But how you define yourselves, hons, is up to you.

                              What I want is COLOR.  Always look for it, always wear it!!!!!!!!!!

                               Are you listening, ANNA?????????????????????????????

                                                                                    

The Job A Million Girls Would Kill For? What About Men????????????? Gay Men????????????????????????

                               These questions simply must be asked, darlings.  Why does Anna Wintour's assistant have to be a woman?  Or does she?  Has it always been that way?  Has ANNA ever had a man in that job? If so, I would love to hear from him.  If not, hey ANNA, isn't it about time???????????????

                                  I mean, can we meet at Balthazar, and discuss this?????????????  

                                  I am pretty certain I am not the only male who would kill for this job.  Others just are not as vocal about it as I.  With my storehouse of knowledge, ANNA, I could help you make sweeping changes in the business.  

                                    And changes are needed.  Like, what has happened to color?  Why must everything put on peoples' bodies be so dull?  It is time to liven things up.  Bring us back to the days of Beyonce's yellow gown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    My closet is awash with color.  I have a pink button down shirt waiting.

                                   Let's get at it, ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, What Would ANNA Do???????????????????

                             I know what ANNA would do, darlings.  Being ANNA and wielding the power that she has, she would demand what she wants, and if not, would go to the source.  Which is what I would like to do, but I don't have nearly her kind of power.

                                 Being ANNA is a tough job.  But sometimes I feel as though I am ANNA, like right now.  I am in a situation that has to be resolved, and I don't know what to do.  Maybe I need a personal assistant.  Being The Raving Queen can be tough, too.

                                   So, here's the situation.  I have a ticket for "Sweeney Todd" one week from today, the Wednesday matinee on July 5.  I want to see it for many reasons, but the main ones are Josh and Ruthie.  Readers having been with me know who they are.

                                     Now, the night before, on PBS, they are going to do their annual July 4th Celebration And Concert, starting at 8PM. From Washington, D.C.  Ruthie is scheduled to be one of the performers.  You can bet I will watch, for her.  But I want to know if she will be in the matinee performance of the show, the next day.

                                          I cannot speak for Ruthie, but if it were up to me, I would do the show.

                                         No one, not Broadway Direct, not the box-office, which I cannot reach a person at, will tell me anything.  So, I have to wait till the day they post an announcement, and then try to get an exchange?  If I even can?

                                          Be careful, girls.  But don't underestimate me.  If I have to go through the stage door, and ask the crew, I will.  Or maybe leave a letter for Ruthie.

                                           What else can I do?   Help, ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              You would never be in this situation at all.

                                                Help me, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Now We Can All Learn The Differnce Between Turqoise, Lapis, And Cerulean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                          I mean, girls, even if I am granted the slightest bit of audience with ANNA, I have to be up on my basics!  So, why not all of us?  Afte all, we too have much to gain.

                            Getting to ANNA is akin to The Pope.  I bet even he would defer to ANNA.

                             But these lovely shades will possibly help get a head start.

                               I need more help than can be imagined.  Keep reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                    

It Is Impossible To Underestimate The Magnificence Of Ruthie Ann Miles In ENCORES! "The Light In The Piazza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                      When Ruthie Ann Miles enters from upstage right, the audience went wild.  Before she even sang a note.  And when she and Anna Zavelson go into the thrilling opening number, "Statues And Stories," the audience is off on a gloriously lyrical, operatic and insightful adventure with Margaret and Clara Johnson.

                          Director Chay Yew devises an interesting concept at the start.  As the orchestra launches into the overture, atop the set of Florentian like pillars, a group of ballet dancers appear to foreshadow what is to come, what the audience is going to see.  It is beautiful to watch, though does it add something?  Not really.  But it has a lovely, lyrical look.

                           This show is not so much a musical as a mini opera.  When Anna Zavelson sings "The Beauty Is," in Act One, expressing Clara's hope and yearnings for a future of normality, she breaks the audience' hearts.  And while Miss Miles does the same song in Act Two, it is even more devastating, as the audience knows she is not only letting go of Clara, but through this song, mining all this actress has gone through, including losing a child, then a miscarriage, and finally giving birth to a daughter named Hope.  I felt as much for Ruthie as I did for Margaret, and both do not disappoint.  It is to Miles' credit as a performer and a strong individual that she is able to perform this nightly.

                               Ruthie Ann Miles is the busiest woman on Broadway.  Aside from this, she gives, I hear, a heartrending performance as the Beggar Woman in the "Sweeney Todd" revival, which I hope to see on July 5.

                                For the unimitated this show is about Margaret Johnson and her developmentally disabled daughter Clara, two Southern American ladies, who go to Florence, Italy on a vacation in the late 1950's.  But something unexpected happens.  Clara meets and finds love with Fabrizzio Naccarelli, sung wonderfully by James D. Gish.  All of the ensemble and actors in this production have glorious voices, which Guettel's score demands.  In terms of design, the pillars, and moving frescoes and statues make the city of Florence come alive; there is even a nun in the ensemble, which I would love to play!

                                  Really, this is the best production of this ENCORES! season.  Had this moved to Broadway, of if it should, Ruthie Ann Miles would earn another TONY nomination.

                                     Those who got to experience the magnificence of this production have memories to cherish forever.

                                       It is what we audience members go to the theater for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How About This Foot Ware To Complete The Look For ANNA?????????????????????????

                                       It is all about color for me, darlings, and as long as they don't clash, I see no reason to mix designers.  So, for my feet, how about these Gucci knitted socks, with some Jimmy Choo men's red shoes.  I mean, I could dance in them, like Moira Shearer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         But, really, girls, with the Galliano suit, I think these two would complement each other, and complete the ensemble.

                                            Now, I just have to do a mad dashing shop spree to find them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           As well as money!  Wish me luck, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Happy Gay Pride Sunday, Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Can you believe we are only half a year away from Christmas?

                             So, what better way to mark this than by celebrating Gay Pride?  Isn't this Siberian Husky just adorable?  He reminds me of my affectionate neighborhood friend, Mellow, who is the same breed.  This was taken at Paws For Pride yesterday, and I cannot think of a more loving symbol for this day than this adorable dog.

                             David and I are going to go see the great Ruthie Ann Miles in "The Light In The Piazza," returning to our pre-Covid tradition of going to see a show on Pride Day.  However you choose to celebrate, darlings, make it a happy and joyous one!

                                 We have come too far to have rights taken away!  Be grateful for what we have, and fight to maintain it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   And when you go out, look no less than fabulous, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For Lovers Of Raspberry Jam, Everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          This may be something of a spoiler alert, girls, but concerning the quality of this movie, it almost does not matter.

                            I guess this is about the third time "Svengoolie" is showing this 1958 film, and while the creatures are creative--I love the seasonal Summer sound they make outside in the dark--when you see them spilt open, out comes pouring, yes, raspberry jam.  For 1958, the jam supply must have eaten up much of this film's budget.

                             Which is why it is not especially good.  Anyone brave enough to eat raspberry jam, while watching it?

                                  Nevertheless, everyone here will be watching, for laughs.  Which don't occur until the creatures appear, late in the film.

                                   Join us tonight at 8PM, girls!  Little Pippin can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Wouldn't This Galliano Outfit Be Perfect For My Meeting With ANNA????????????????????????

Not to  mention Gay Pride Sunday, tomorrow, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Really, Galliano is one of ANNA's favorite designers, as one of my lovely readers informed me, so when I saw this, with my inclination toward color, I knew this was the outfit for the meeting.  And a pink--what else--shirt to goe with it.

                                           I am sure ANNA will love it.  As she says, the wardrobe is not doing the job, the applicant is.  But going to ANNA inappropriately dressed????????  Oh, no No NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              So, let me know what you think, girls, and if I get that interview with ANNA, I will let you know.

                                                Hey, ANNA?  Are you, or someone on your staff , reading all this??????

So, How Was "Curse Of The Demon," Girls????????????????????????????

                                      Darlings, as enjoyable as it was, it might have been better had the whole thing been kept psychological.  I have a feeling the M.R. James story, which I have not yet read, did, and this could make all the difference.  Just like "The Turn Of The Screw!"

                                         True, while the monster was both menacing and kind of cute at the same time, it really was not essential.  The black and white visuals reminded me of "Dementia 13," shot six years later, and which rested entiely on the psychological.

                                         See what happens when a studio interferes with director's vision?  The result is something like "Curse Of The Demon."

                                           Still, thanks to "Svengoolie" for giving viewers a look at this seldom seen classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            It would have been a curse to miss it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"It's From This Which You Get Your Strength!" The Red Earth Of Tara, Tara, TARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                         Yes, darlings, that is MY Tara, the house in which I was raised from 1954 until 1980.  I grew up here, and while the color is different--it was brown when I lived there--I still love it, dearly, and wish, like Scarlett, it was a place I could return/retreat to.  Alas..............

                                          Amazing how it looks the same and has been well kept.  I was inside it 12 years ago, and the interior, save for some furnishing alterations was remarkably similar.

                                          There used to be a tree right in front, that stretched to the upper front windows, which was my parents' bedroom.  Looks like it came down as time went on.

                                            David took this as a surprise for me, sneaking off to the neighborhood, while I slept deeply on Dennison Street.  Of all the pics taken of the house, this is the best.

                                                How I long to return to Tara.  But even Scarlett said something about not looking back, because it can hurt you.

                                                  Still, many thanks to David for this memory, which I can share with you.

What Should I Wear To My Interview With ANNA?????????????????????

                         Please, PLEASE, someone at "VOGUE" read these posts, and get me in there for an interview with ANNA.  She is the woman who runs this town, and as her assistant, I could turn this town on a dime.

                         So, imagining I do get an interview, what should I wear?  Here are some suggestions.  Let me know what you think.  And ANNA, if you are out there, feel free to comment.

                          The first would be this lovely pink dress, by Balenciaga, of course, with this nineteenth century styled hat.  A pair of pink shoes and socks to go with it, and maybe some pink coral pearls around the neck.  My signature color is pink, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!  And when I walk into ANNA's office a blazing flame of pink, she will know right away who and what she is dealing with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                          

Or how about this three-piece pink suit, by Balenciaga, with matching pink socks and shoes??????????????

                                                                                  

                                                 

                                                                                   

                                                                                   How about replicating what I wore to my high school reunion????????  A black sports jacket, preferably by Balenciaga, a pink polo shirt, courtesy of Ralph Lauren, and beige pants, ditto.  Combined with some pink Ralph Lauren socks and black business casual sneakers, and it just might go over.

                                                                    

                                     

                                                                                      

                                                                                  

                                    

                                                                                  

                              Now, here is the thing, darlings.  ANNA has said--and I have heard her--time and again-- to wear what makes one feel most comfortable.  To me, this Ralph Lauren baseball cap, with my still wearable 2005 "Light In The Piazza" T-shirt, combined with Ralph Lauren pink pants, or beige, pink socks and black  business casuals is me at my most comfortable.

                                 So, what do you think, girls?????????  Let me know.  And ANNA, please give me a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Believe me, even if I get to have a word with ANNA, I will chronicle it on here!

                                       

                                                                        

                                                                         

                                                                         

Happy Birthday To The Divinity That Is Meryl Streep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Today, the Divine MERYL turns 74, and, darlings, may we all look so good at that age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             How to celebrate MERYL's day?  I would watch one of her movies; in the present mood I am in it would be "The Devil Wears Prada."  For some, it might be one of her darker roles.

                               But I certainly don't wish anything dark for MERYL, just her health, husband and children around her, and a special cake.  With her choice of ice cream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Happy Birthday, MERYL, adored by most!!!!!!!!!  May you continue to inspire with your artistry.

                                   Tennessee Williams once said of her, "I think she will age into the most marvelous Blanche."  Hey, MERYL, the way you look, you could still take on that part.

                                      Why no TW in your repertoire?  Or is there, and I just don't know it????????????

As Far As I Am Concerned, Darlings, Today Is The Longest Day Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         I was always taught it was June 22nd, and damnit, at 68, that is what I am going by.

                       It is a time of reflection; something we have been building toward for the past six months.  Now, having reached that culmination, ever so slowly, starting tomorrow, the days gradually get shorter.  I hate that.  I wish the days would stay this long always.  I know, cold and darkness can be romantic, driving me to Victorian literature, but it is also depressing to have it get dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, and the extra night makes it difficult for those of us fearful to venture out.

                           So, enjoy these days as much as you can.

                           And tell me, what was the shortest night?  Last night, or the one before?????????

                         

A New Cast Of Sondheim's "FOLLIES???????????????????"

                                      It looks like it, doesn't it?

                                     Actually, this is the best shot of the group picture of all the attendees at the reunion. You can sort of see me in the middle on the stairs.  This was taken by David, but I can tell you for certain, especially with a looking glass, who each and every member is.

                                       Except for two attendees, I am fond and proud of everyone in this pic!

                                     Here is to another fifty years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        

Guess What??????????? ANNA Is Looking For An Assistant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, ANNA, I Am SO Available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Anyone on here who reads this blog knows how much I adore ANNA.  And if there are any staff members at "VOGUE" who check in here, then I am telling you I want to be ANNA's assistant.  My social connections, and literary style, plus my encyclopedic knowledge of culture, makes me ideal for the job.  My closet awaits to be on display each day in ANNA's office.  So, how about it?

                        If only someone would contact me on here about an interview.  I am ready.  But my LinkedIn page needs a touch up, and I need to enhance my interviewing skills.  I mean, it is ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         So, what do you think, girls?  Should I apply?  Or I should I just drop in at 1 World Trade Center???????  If I can.

                           Do you know what this means?  I could have the power to turn this town on a dime!

Oh, My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What A Photo For PRIDE Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             This is a photo of Anne Revere and Katherine Emery as the original Martha Dobie and Karen Wright in the original production, 1934, of Lillian Hellman's still relevant play, "The Children's Hour."  What a priceless image.

                               I cannot account for Katherine Emery, but most of my readers on here know Anne Revere as an Oscar-winning character actress, including having deserved to win for her heartrending performance as Jennifer Jones' mother in 1943's "The Song Of Bernadette."  You better be with me on that one, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  So, when I saw this photo earlier, I knew it had to be shared.

                                  The lighting, that shading!  Wouldn't it have been something to have seen this on the stage???????????????

                                    The play desperately needs a first-rate revival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"You'll Wish That Summer Could Always Be Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                        Happy First Day Of Summer, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Now, let us get something straight.  Tomorrow, as I understand it, is The Longest Day Of The Year.  So, does that make tonight The Shortest Night?  Or is that also tomorrow??????????

                                        Despite being fifty plus years out of school, Summer seems always the exciting and fastest moving season of the year.  Many fond and humorous memories of my youth come from this season.  How I would still like to be a beach bunny catchin' rays.  Well, forget it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          My best wishes to everyone for a happy and joyful Summer.  And I heartily agree with the lyric quoted in my headline.

                           Here is that emblematic Summer song from Nat King Cole.  Celebrate and enjoy, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                   

All The Books I Read In 2022!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Yes, darlings, it is time for that annual project where I list all the books I read in the past year.  This year was a record breaker, because I totaled out to 126 books read, surpassing the previous record of 124.  I know it is only two books more, but gain is gain.

                           As for the books listed above, I have only read three.  My list is different and eclectic.  So, here wo go!  Ready?

                                                                           

                                        1. "The Witching Hour," by Anne Rice

                                                                               

                                          2.  "The Liar's Dictionary," by Eley Williams

                                                                               

                                       3. "Autumn," by Ali Smith--The Seasonal Quartet

                                                                          

                                        4.  "Winter," by Ali Smith--The Seasonal Quartet

                                                                          

                                         5.  "Spring," by Ali Smith--The Seasonal Quartet-

                                                                           

                                         6..  "Summer," by Ali Smith--The Seasonal Quartet 

                                                                              

                                        7.       "The Tenant," by Katherine Engberg

                                                                              

                                          8. "Abel And Cain," by Gregor Von Rezzori

                                                                             

                                       9.  "The Divorce Party," by Laura Dave

                                                                             

                                        10.  "All I Want," by Darcey Bell

                                                                            

                                         11.  "Ohio," by Stephen Markley

                                                                              

                                                  12.  "Devil's House," by John Darnielle

                                                                                  

                                         13.  "No One Is Talking About This," by Patricia Lockwood

                                                                                   

                                         14.  "The Night Watchman," by Louise Erdrich

                                                                                 

                                          15.  "When We Cease To Understand The World," by Benjamin Labatut

                                                                                 

                                           16.  "The Great Mistake," by Jonathan Lee

                                                                                

                                       17.  "Today A Woman Went Mad In The Supermarket," by Hilma Wolitzer

                                                                                    

                                         18.  "All Her Little Secrets," by Wanda M. Morris

                                                                               

                                           19.  "Morningside Heights," by Joshua Henkin

                                                                                 

                                        20.  "The Other Family," by Wendy Corsi Staub

                                                                              

                                        21.  "Doctor Dolittle In The Moon," by Hugh Lofting

                                                                              

                                        22.  "There Is Confusion," by Jessie Redman Fauset

                                                                                 

                                      23.  "Burnt Sugar," by Avni Doshi

                                                                         

                                          24.  "Chemistry," by Weike Wang

                                                                           

                                      25.  "Them," by Joyce Carol Oates

                                                                             

                                         26.  The Night She Went Missing, by Kristen Bird

                                                                               
 27.  "Booth," by Karen Joy Fowler

                                                                            

                                             28.  "Checkout 19," by Claire-Louise Bennett

                                                                                

                                           29.  "The Fell," by Sarah Moss

                                                                           

                                               30.  "Small Things Like These," by Claire Keegan

                                                                                       

                                     31.  "News Of The Week," by Paulette Jiles

                                                                               

                                         32.  "All My Puny Sorrows," by Miriam Toews

                                                                         

                                            33.  "Where The Dead Sit Talking," by Brandon Hobson

                                                                                   

                                           34.  "Small World," by Laura Zigman

                                                                             

                                             35.  "Malibu Rising," by Taylor Jenkins Reid

                                                                                 

                                            36.  "What Comes After," by Joanne Tompkins

                                                                                   

                                           37.  "The Jane Austen Society," by Natalie Jenner

                                                                               

                                          38.  "Another Kind Of Eden," by James Lee Burke

                                                                                      

                                        39.  "The Island Of Missing Trees," by Elif Shafak

                                                                                  

                                             40.  "Young Mungo," by Douglas Stuart

                                                                                  

                                        41.  "Honor," by Thrity Umrigar

                                                                             

                                      42.  "The Swimmers," by Julie Otsuka

                                                                             

                                          43.  "Lessons In Chemistry," by Bonnie Garmus

                                                                                     

                                            44.  "West Of Eden," by Jean Stein

                                                                              

                                         45.  "The Love Songs Of W.E.B. Du Bois," by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

                                                                             

                                         46.  "School Days," by Jonathan Garassi

                                                                         

                                          47.  "The Wonder," by Emma Donoghue

                                                                              

                                          48.  "The Last Thing He Told Me,"by Laura Dave

                                                                            

                                        49.  "The Sound Of Thunder," by Taylor Caldwell

                                                                           

                                         50.  "To Look And Pass," by Taylor Caldwell 

                                                                                

                                          51.  "Never Victorious, Never Defeated," by Taylor Caldwell

                                                                               

                                       52.  "This Time Tomorrow," by Emma Straub

                                                                           

                                          53.  "The Earth Is The Lord's," by Taylor Caldwell

                                                                        

                                          54.  "Trust," by Hernan Diaz

                                                                          

                                         55. "Finlay Donovan Is Killing It," by Elle Cosimano

                                                                               

                                         56.  "Remarkably Bright Creatures," by Shelby Van Pelt

                                                                               

                                         57.  "Nightcrawling," by Leila Mottley

                                                                             

                                        58.  "Love Marriage," by Monica Ali

                                                                             

                                         59.  "Last Call--A True Story Of Love, Lust And Murder In Queer New York," by Elon Green

                                                                              

                                          60.  "The Ten Thousand Doors Of January," by Alix E. Harrow

                                                                                  

                                          61.  "The Plot Against America," by Philip Roth

                                                                              

                                          62.  "Mercy Street," by Jennifer Haigh

                                                                            

                                          63. "Marrying The Ketchups," by Jennifer Close

                                                                      

                                64.  "Of Human Bondage," by W. Somerset Maugham

                                                                          

                                      65.  "Mexican Gothic," by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

                                                                             

                                       66.  "Three O' Clock In The Morning," by Gianrico Carofilglio

                                                                           

                                         67.  "The Removed," by Brandon Hobson

                                                                            

                                         68.  "Cold Enough For Snow," by Jessica Au

                                                                             

                                            69.  "All The Lovers In The Night," by Mieko Kawakami

                                                                                  

                                          70.  "The Story Of Little Black Sambo," by Helen Bannerman

                                                                                 

                                            71.  "True Biz," by Sara Novic

                                                                           

                                           72.  "Elektra," by Jennifer Saint

                                                                              

                                           73.  "The Glas Castle," by Jeannette Walls

                                                                             

                                           74.  "The Guncle," by Steven Rowley

                                                                             

                                         75.  "Educated," by Tara Westover

                                                                               

                                       76.  "Cult Classic," by Sloane Crosley

                                                                          

                                          77.  "Greetings From Asbury Park," by Daniel H. Turtel

                                                                                

                                           78.  "These Ghosts Are Family," by Maisy Card

                                                                                

                                         79.  "Fellowship Point," by Alice Elliott Dark

                                                                                

                                           80.  "Facing The Music, A Broadway Memoir," by David Loud

                                                                                     

                            81.  "Mercury Pictures Presents," by Anthony Marra

                                                                               

                                         82.  "Slenderman--Online Obsession, Mental Illness, And The Violent Crime Of Two Midwestern Girls," by Kathleen Hale

                                                                      

                          83.  "Athem," by Noah Hawley

                                                                            

                                         84.  "Wolf In White Van," by John Darnielle

                                                                                 

                                         85.  "Nevada," by Imogen Binnie

                                                                                 

                                         86.  "One Of Us Is Lying," by Karen M. McManus

                                                                                  

                                        87.  "The Vixen," by Francine Prose

                                                                          

                                    88.  "You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty," by Akwawke Emezi

                                                                                      

                                        89.  "Painting Time," by Maylis De Kerangal, Translated by Jessica Moore  

                                                                               

                                        90.  "Vigil Harbor," by Julia Glass

                                                                           

                                          91.  "Rogue Male," by Geoffrey Household

                                                                             

                                          92.  "Fox Creek," by William Kent Krueger

                                                                          

                                         93.  "Wayward," by Dana Spiotta

                                                                          

                                         94.  "The English Understand Wool," by Helen DeWitt

                                                                                 

                                   95.  "The Marriage Portrait," by Maggie O'Farrell

                                                                               

                                        96.  "The Mothers," by Britt Bennett

                                                                         

                                        97.  "Cyclorama," by Adam Langer

                                                                     

                                      98.  "Mohawk," by Richard Russo

                                                                 

99.  "Shrines Of Gaiety," by Kate Atkinson

                                                                       

                                        100.  "The Night Listener," by Armistead Maupin

                                                                                  

                                   101.  "Oliver Twist," by Charles Dickens

                                                                       

                                       102.  "Case Study," by Graeme Macrae Burnet

                                                                        

                                          103.  "Our Missing Hearts," by Celeste Ng

                                                                                     

                                       104.  "Early Light," by Osamu Dazai

                                                                         

                                       105.  "Demon Copperhead," by Barbara Kingsolver

                                                                                 
                                                                             106.  "The Children On The Hill," by Jennifer McMahon

                                                                             

                                      107.  "The Whalebone Theatre," by Joanna Quinn

                                                                          

                                           108.  "The Drowning Kind," by Jennifer McMahon

                                                                             

                                   109.  "The Rabbit Hutch," by Tess Gunty

                                                                           

                                        110.  "They Wish They Were Us," by Jessica Goodman

                                                                            

                                    111.  "The Passenger," by Cormac McCarthy

                                                                         

                                        112.  "The IT Girl," by Ruth Ware

                                                                         

                                        113.  "Tomorrow And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow," by Gabrielle Zevin

                                       

                                                                            

                                            114.  "Into The Water," by Paula Hawkins

                                                                               

                                      115.  "The Return" Of Faraz Ali," by Aamina Ahmad

                                                                            

                                        116.  "The Retreat," by Sarah Pearse

                                                                          

                                  117.  "Trespasses," by Louise Kennedy

                                                                       

                                     118.  "Apartment In Athens," by Glenway Wescott

                                                                                  

                                                119.  "The Latecomer," by Jean Hanff Korelitz

                                                                                 

                                     120.  "The Candy House," by Jennifer Egan

                                                                               

       

121.  "If I Survive You," by Jonathan Esoffery

                                        122.  "The Furrows," by Namwall Serpell

                                                                            

                                    123. "Love In The Time Of Serial Killers," by Alicia Thompson

                                                                                

                                     124.  "Signal Fires," by Dani Shapiro

                                                                          

                                      125.  "Mrs. Dalloway," by Virginia Woolf

                                                                             

                                   126.  "The Hours," by Michael Cunningham

                                 There you have it, girls--all the books read in 2022.  It turns out I miscounted.

I thought I totaled out at 125, but I gave, somewhere along the line, two books the same number, so that it now evens out to 126.

                                   No matter.  This is for all of you to peruse, and I am just glad I got it in before the first half of the year.  Now, maybe, I can return to some book reviewing on here, which I am sure you will enjoy, and some have requested.

                                    Keep reading, girls, and I hope this list helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!