CBL Goes Off to Work in 2014, part 2
This is a continuation of the topic CBL Goes Off to Work in 2014.
This topic was continued by CBL Goes Off to Work in 2014, part 3.
Talk 2014 Category Challenge
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1cbl_tn
Welcome to my 2nd 2014 Category Thread! This year's categories are inspired by one of my favorite animated movies, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I will attempt to read 14 books in each of 7 categories for a total of 98 books.
Bashful – Books coaxed from my TBR stash
Doc – Books I read to learn something
Dopey - Books I read just for fun
Grumpy – Books full of murder & mischief
Happy - New books
Sleepy - Cozies, comfort reads, and children’s lit
Sneezy - Old tomes (books originally published before I was born)
Bashful – Books coaxed from my TBR stash
Doc – Books I read to learn something
Dopey - Books I read just for fun
Grumpy – Books full of murder & mischief
Happy - New books
Sleepy - Cozies, comfort reads, and children’s lit
Sneezy - Old tomes (books originally published before I was born)
2cbl_tn
Bashful - Books coaxed from my TBR stash
1. Praisesong for the Widow by Paule Marshall (4) - completed 1/12/14
2. In Search of Our Roots by Henry Louis Gates Jr. (3.5) - completed 2/25/14
3. The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs. Beeton by Kathryn Hughes (4) - completed 2/28/14
4. The Technologists by Matthew Pearl (4) - completed 3/22/14
5. The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson (3.5) - completed 4/13/14
6. The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister (3.5) - completed 4/30/14
7. The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte (3) - completed 5/7/14
8. The Beach at Galle Road by Joanna Luloff (3.5) - completed 5/29/14
1. Praisesong for the Widow by Paule Marshall (4) - completed 1/12/14
2. In Search of Our Roots by Henry Louis Gates Jr. (3.5) - completed 2/25/14
3. The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs. Beeton by Kathryn Hughes (4) - completed 2/28/14
4. The Technologists by Matthew Pearl (4) - completed 3/22/14
5. The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson (3.5) - completed 4/13/14
6. The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister (3.5) - completed 4/30/14
7. The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte (3) - completed 5/7/14
8. The Beach at Galle Road by Joanna Luloff (3.5) - completed 5/29/14
3cbl_tn
Doc - Books I read to learn something. This category will probably lean toward non-fiction, but it won't be exclusively non-fiction.
1. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (3.5) - completed 1/14/14
2. Middling Folk by Linda H. Matthews (4) - completed 1/19/14
3. World War One: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley (2.5) - completed 1/19/14
4. The First World War: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Howard (3.5) - completed 1/21/14
5. Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty (2.5) - completed 3/15/14
6. How to Cook a Tapir by Joan Fry (3.5) - completed 3/27/14
7. The First World War by John Keegan (4) - completed 3/30/14
8. A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips (3.5) - completed 4/2/14
9. Calligrams by Guillaume Apollinaire (3) - completed 4/8/14
10. George, Nicholas and Wilhelm by Miranda Carter (3.5) - completed 4/29/14
11. Sold by Patricia McCormick (4) - completed 5/17/14
12. Wild Swans by Jung Chang (4) - completed 5/25/14
1. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (3.5) - completed 1/14/14
2. Middling Folk by Linda H. Matthews (4) - completed 1/19/14
3. World War One: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley (2.5) - completed 1/19/14
4. The First World War: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Howard (3.5) - completed 1/21/14
5. Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty (2.5) - completed 3/15/14
6. How to Cook a Tapir by Joan Fry (3.5) - completed 3/27/14
7. The First World War by John Keegan (4) - completed 3/30/14
8. A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips (3.5) - completed 4/2/14
9. Calligrams by Guillaume Apollinaire (3) - completed 4/8/14
10. George, Nicholas and Wilhelm by Miranda Carter (3.5) - completed 4/29/14
11. Sold by Patricia McCormick (4) - completed 5/17/14
12. Wild Swans by Jung Chang (4) - completed 5/25/14
4cbl_tn
Dopey - Books I read just for fun
1. The Bughouse Affair by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini (2) - completed 1/27/14
2. Napoleon's Pyramids by William Dietrich (1.5) - completed 2/5/14
3. Joy in the Morning by P. G. Wodehouse (5) - completed 2/18/14
4. The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews (4) - completed 3/15/14
5. Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton (4) - completed 4/6/14
6. The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (4) - completed 4/19/14
1. The Bughouse Affair by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini (2) - completed 1/27/14
2. Napoleon's Pyramids by William Dietrich (1.5) - completed 2/5/14
3. Joy in the Morning by P. G. Wodehouse (5) - completed 2/18/14
4. The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews (4) - completed 3/15/14
5. Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton (4) - completed 4/6/14
6. The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (4) - completed 4/19/14
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Grumpy - Books full of murder & mischief. Unsolved mysteries will make anyone grumpy.
1. Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout (4) - completed 1/6/14
2. Killing Cassidy by Jeanne Dams (3) - completed 2/22/14
3. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie (4) - completed 2/28/14
4. The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer (3.5) - completed 4/11/14
5. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis (3.5) - completed 4/14/14
6. The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen (3.5) - completed 5/6/14
7. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie (4) - completed 5/14/14
8. Past Tense by Catherine Aird (3.5) - completed 5/23/14
1. Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout (4) - completed 1/6/14
2. Killing Cassidy by Jeanne Dams (3) - completed 2/22/14
3. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie (4) - completed 2/28/14
4. The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer (3.5) - completed 4/11/14
5. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis (3.5) - completed 4/14/14
6. The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen (3.5) - completed 5/6/14
7. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie (4) - completed 5/14/14
8. Past Tense by Catherine Aird (3.5) - completed 5/23/14
6cbl_tn
Happy - Happiness is a new book!
1. Golden State by Michelle Richmond (2.5) - completed 1/31/14
2. Kilmoon by Lisa Alber (1.5) - completed 2/16/14
3. World War One British Poets edited by Candace Ward (4) - completed 4/14/14
4. Spies, Patriots, and Traitors by Kenneth A. Daigler (4) - completed 4/21/14
5. Paperboy by Tony Macaulay (4.5) - completed 5/4/14
6. The Map Thief by Michael Blanding (4.5) - completed 5/12/14
7. The Devil's Workshop by Alex Grecian (2) - completed 5/30/14
1. Golden State by Michelle Richmond (2.5) - completed 1/31/14
2. Kilmoon by Lisa Alber (1.5) - completed 2/16/14
3. World War One British Poets edited by Candace Ward (4) - completed 4/14/14
4. Spies, Patriots, and Traitors by Kenneth A. Daigler (4) - completed 4/21/14
5. Paperboy by Tony Macaulay (4.5) - completed 5/4/14
6. The Map Thief by Michael Blanding (4.5) - completed 5/12/14
7. The Devil's Workshop by Alex Grecian (2) - completed 5/30/14
7cbl_tn
Sleepy - Cozies, comfort reads, and children's literature
1. Jesus by Anselm Grun with illustrations by Giuliano Ferri (2.5) - completed 2/8/14
2. Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski (4.5) - completed 2/9/14
3. The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon (1) - completed 3/2/14
4. The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (4) - completed 3/8/14
5. Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (4) - completed 3/8/14
6. Once by Morris Gleitzman (4.5) - completed 4/22/14
7. Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy (3.5) - completed 5/10/14
8. Life in New Amsterdam by Laura Fischer (2.5) - completed 5/29/14
1. Jesus by Anselm Grun with illustrations by Giuliano Ferri (2.5) - completed 2/8/14
2. Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski (4.5) - completed 2/9/14
3. The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon (1) - completed 3/2/14
4. The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (4) - completed 3/8/14
5. Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (4) - completed 3/8/14
6. Once by Morris Gleitzman (4.5) - completed 4/22/14
7. Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy (3.5) - completed 5/10/14
8. Life in New Amsterdam by Laura Fischer (2.5) - completed 5/29/14
8cbl_tn
Sneezy - Old tomes - books originally published before I was born. (The physical book may not be that old - or I may not read a physical book!)
1. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (3.5) - completed 1/9/14
2. My Antonia by Willa Cather (4.5) - completed 1/27/14
3. Bleak House by Charles Dickens (3.5) - completed 1/28/14
4. Greenmantle by John Buchan (3.5) - completed 2/26/14
5. The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope (5) - completed 3/23/14
6. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (3.5) - completed 3/27/14
7. The Sonnets of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare (3) - completed 4/29/14
8. Bengal Fire by Lawrence Blochman (2) - completed 5/26/14
1. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (3.5) - completed 1/9/14
2. My Antonia by Willa Cather (4.5) - completed 1/27/14
3. Bleak House by Charles Dickens (3.5) - completed 1/28/14
4. Greenmantle by John Buchan (3.5) - completed 2/26/14
5. The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope (5) - completed 3/23/14
6. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (3.5) - completed 3/27/14
7. The Sonnets of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare (3) - completed 4/29/14
8. Bengal Fire by Lawrence Blochman (2) - completed 5/26/14
9rabbitprincess
Yay, new thread! :D
11RidgewayGirl
How is Adrian doing? Is he back in form or is his back still troubling him?
13cbl_tn
>11 RidgewayGirl: Adrian is doing much better, thanks! His back doesn't seem to be causing him pain. Now that I know what to look for, I've been watching for signs of pain and I haven't seen any. Right now he's on his usual perch on the back of the sofa, staring out the picture window. There's nothing going on outside, but you wouldn't know it to look at Adrian!
>12 Roro8: Hi Ro! I'll drop in on you later to catch up on what you've been reading!
>12 Roro8: Hi Ro! I'll drop in on you later to catch up on what you've been reading!
16cbl_tn
Book 3 in my Sleepy category: The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon
MysteryCAT
GeoCAT
When a consignment of gold is stolen from a New York mint, private detective Fenton Hardy is hired to investigate the theft. Hardy enlists his sons, 18-year-old Frank and 17-year-old Joe, to assist him with the case, as well as their friends, Chet, Biff, and Tony. While the boys are following a lead at a museum, a valuable gold statue is stolen and museum personnel hire Frank and Joe to investigate the theft. Clues send Frank and Joe first to Switzerland and then to Mexico.
I read only a handful of the Hardy Boys mysteries when I was in elementary and middle school. I was primarily a Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew girl. I was drawn to Nancy Drew, the Bobbsey Twins, and occasionally the Hardy Boys by the travel aspect of many of the stories. These books launched me on a lifetime of armchair travels mainly through mysteries.
Sadly, this Hardy Boys adventure didn't work for me as an adult reader. It's implausible that a mint or a museum would entrust the investigation of a gold theft to teenagers. It's also implausible that teenagers would travel internationally and be able to rent cars and hotel rooms at 17 and 18 years old. Is there a company anywhere in the world that will rent a car to someone under 25? However, the target audience would like this aspect of the book as they look forward to the independence of young adulthood.
The flaws that I couldn't overlook had to do with the travel aspect. I know these books are formulaic, but I had always hoped that there was an attempt to include accurate information about the locations around the world for educational reasons. Apparently not. Most of the Mexican action is centered in Yucatán near Merida and Chichen Itza. I've visited Yucatán a few times and read about the area in preparation for travel, so I had enough knowledge of the area to spot some errors. The biggest error is a river scene involving alligators. One of the unusual features of Yucatán is that the fresh water is underground. There are no rivers above ground. There aren't alligators, either, but there are crocodiles. Between the implausibility of the plot elements and the inaccuracies of the setting, I didn't find much to like about this book.
1 star
MysteryCAT
GeoCAT
When a consignment of gold is stolen from a New York mint, private detective Fenton Hardy is hired to investigate the theft. Hardy enlists his sons, 18-year-old Frank and 17-year-old Joe, to assist him with the case, as well as their friends, Chet, Biff, and Tony. While the boys are following a lead at a museum, a valuable gold statue is stolen and museum personnel hire Frank and Joe to investigate the theft. Clues send Frank and Joe first to Switzerland and then to Mexico.
I read only a handful of the Hardy Boys mysteries when I was in elementary and middle school. I was primarily a Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew girl. I was drawn to Nancy Drew, the Bobbsey Twins, and occasionally the Hardy Boys by the travel aspect of many of the stories. These books launched me on a lifetime of armchair travels mainly through mysteries.
Sadly, this Hardy Boys adventure didn't work for me as an adult reader. It's implausible that a mint or a museum would entrust the investigation of a gold theft to teenagers. It's also implausible that teenagers would travel internationally and be able to rent cars and hotel rooms at 17 and 18 years old. Is there a company anywhere in the world that will rent a car to someone under 25? However, the target audience would like this aspect of the book as they look forward to the independence of young adulthood.
The flaws that I couldn't overlook had to do with the travel aspect. I know these books are formulaic, but I had always hoped that there was an attempt to include accurate information about the locations around the world for educational reasons. Apparently not. Most of the Mexican action is centered in Yucatán near Merida and Chichen Itza. I've visited Yucatán a few times and read about the area in preparation for travel, so I had enough knowledge of the area to spot some errors. The biggest error is a river scene involving alligators. One of the unusual features of Yucatán is that the fresh water is underground. There are no rivers above ground. There aren't alligators, either, but there are crocodiles. Between the implausibility of the plot elements and the inaccuracies of the setting, I didn't find much to like about this book.
1 star
19lkernagh
Well.... I am a bit scared to revisit any of the Hardy Boys books of my childhood, now. Mind you, I have always been a little leery that those stories - and the Nancy Drew books - wouldn't stand the test of time as an adult re-read. Instead, I think I will let the nostalgia of the books and my memories of TV shows carry on. ;-)
21sallylou61
The reason that I excluded mystery series writers from the February Random CAT for children's literature was to exclude series such as Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc. I was hoping folks would read literature which would stand up well over time.
22cbl_tn
>21 sallylou61: That was good thinking. I read the Hardy Boys mystery because I was looking for a juvenile mystery that would also fit this month's GeoCAT. There are better juvenile mysteries available. I've got at least one more juvenile mystery on tap for this month, and it should be better than the Hardy Boys book.
23cbl_tn
We have more wintry weather moving in, and we're under a winter weather advisory until mid-afternoon. It's still above freezing here, but the temperature is supposed to drop throughout the day. It's raining now but it could change to freezing rain, sleet, or snow before the day is out. The local schools are out, and they don't have any snow days left. They'll have to make this one up somehow.
It's supposed to warm up tomorrow and be in the 60s by Wednesdays. Maybe this is winter's last gasp.
It's supposed to warm up tomorrow and be in the 60s by Wednesdays. Maybe this is winter's last gasp.
24mamzel
Pretty new thread! In our more temperate clime we have fruit trees in bloom (and allergies in sneeze) and I heard a mockingbird sing it's heart out this weekend.
25cbl_tn
>24 mamzel: Thanks! I spent several days in Florida two weeks ago and already had a taste of spring allergies. I'm looking forward to warmer temperatures, but not to the allergies that come with it!
26cbl_tn
My day started before 5 a.m. so I may have an early night tonight. My alarm went off this morning at what appeared to be the usual time. I got up, took Adrian out, and then fixed his breakfast. As I did this, I looked at the clock in the kitchen and it said 5 a.m. Then I checked another clock and it said 5 a.m. Then I checked my alarm clock and it said 6 a.m. It's an atomic clock and gets its time from a radio signal. Apparently the signal location has already sprung forward for Daylight Savings Time. I can't manually set the clock, so I've changed the time zone to Central so that I the clock will be right the rest of the week. I guess I had a practice run for Saturday night/Sunday, although I don't think I needed the practice.
27VivienneR
Sometimes technology just gets the better of us. 5 a.m. was an early start, Adrian must have wondered why Mum was up so early.
28cbl_tn
>27 VivienneR: Yes, he did look a little confused when I rousted him up to go outside, but he cooperated nicely. No complaints by the time the food appeared!
29lkernagh
>26 cbl_tn: Sorry to see you were woken up earlier than planned but, LOL what a great example of how technology and the political powers that be don't see "eye-to-eye"! ;-)
30cbl_tn
>29 lkernagh: Yes! And the saga continues! The clock was right when I went to bed last night. I remember looking at it when I switched off the light, and it was showing the right time. Sometime during the night it gave back the hour it took away the night before, so I was an hour late getting started this morning. I'm coming down with something and have a little bit of fever this morning so I needed the extra sleep. But it's annoying. I'll have to get out my travel alarm clock and use it until I'm sure the other one has picked a time zone and is sticking with it.
My soap was missing this morning. There wasn't a lot left to this bar. I don't see how Adrian could have gotten to it to eat it. I keep the bathroom door closed and I don't remember noticing that I had slipped up. Also, if he did get it, he managed to do it without disturbing anything else in the bathtub - shampoo and conditioner bottles, etc. I think it's more likely that the sliver that was left went down the drain. If Adrian did eat it I don't think there's anything in it that will hurt him. It was a handmade soap someone gave me for Christmas, and I don't think it contained lye. Adrian is acting normal this morning.
My soap was missing this morning. There wasn't a lot left to this bar. I don't see how Adrian could have gotten to it to eat it. I keep the bathroom door closed and I don't remember noticing that I had slipped up. Also, if he did get it, he managed to do it without disturbing anything else in the bathtub - shampoo and conditioner bottles, etc. I think it's more likely that the sliver that was left went down the drain. If Adrian did eat it I don't think there's anything in it that will hurt him. It was a handmade soap someone gave me for Christmas, and I don't think it contained lye. Adrian is acting normal this morning.
31VivienneR
Sounds like Adrian is a little rascal that you will have to watch carefully :) And the same goes for the clock :))
Sorry, but the clock story made me laugh out loud when I read it. Hope you are feeling better, you deserved an extra hour of sleep.
Sorry, but the clock story made me laugh out loud when I read it. Hope you are feeling better, you deserved an extra hour of sleep.
32cbl_tn
Thanks Vivienne! Adrian did indeed get the soap. He has a place that he hides things (under a side table, and since he can't see me he thinks I can't see him - ha!) and I noticed he was playing with something under there. When I bent down to investigate, I realized it was my soap. I got most of it back from him, and the little bit he ate wasn't enough to hurt him. All I can think is that he must have snatched the soap while I was drying my hair and I didn't notice him slip by me.
The cold is settling in. I don't feel terrible, but I'm sneezing and my nose is running constantly so that it's difficult for me to get anything done. I finally had enough and left work early this afternoon.
The cold is settling in. I don't feel terrible, but I'm sneezing and my nose is running constantly so that it's difficult for me to get anything done. I finally had enough and left work early this afternoon.
33rabbitprincess
Feel better soon! I myself am a bit under the weather so will sniffle along in solidarity.
34cbl_tn
Thanks RP! I'm more uncomfortable than anything. My nose won't stop running and it's hard to get anything done.
35DeltaQueen50
Hi Carrie, I was glad to come home and hear that Adrian is recovering from his mystery accident, but sorry to hear that you are a little under the weather. Hope you are able to shake this cold off soon.
36cbl_tn
Thanks Judy! The worst thing about it is that I can't sleep. I should be asleep now. I may be up for a while watching Murder, She Wrote reruns.
37lkernagh
Sorry to see you have come down with a cold... but good on you for discovering Adrian had made off with the soap. You get to unravel mysteries in your own home!
38cbl_tn
>37 lkernagh: I haven't watched all those Murder, She Wrote episodes for nothing!
39cbl_tn
I've been fighting a cold all week and I seem to be losing. I think it has morphed into a sinus infection. I came home early this afternoon with a fever, which is a new development. I was able to make a Monday appointment with my doctor. There's nothing I absolutely have to do this weekend so I think I'll survive until Monday. I'm currently reading John Keegan's The First World War, but if it's too heavy for a brain with a head cold I'll put it aside and focus on lighter reading until I'm ready to tackle it again. I've started The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, a juvenile mystery with an art angle. It's lots of fun so far. I'm enjoying the girls' adventures in London.
41rabbitprincess
Hope the light reading helps you feel better!
43Roro8
I hope you get better soon. I'm sure Adrian will like having you sitting with your books all weekend as he can snuggle up to you.
44RidgewayGirl
A dog can be an enormous comfort. Too bad he's so small -- otherwise you could teach him to bring you cups of herbal tea. Get well, Carrie.
45cbl_tn
Thanks Ro & Kay! I'm not sure Adrian would bring me cups of tea even if he was bigger. When it comes to food and drink, he thinks it's all about him. Every time I open the refrigerator or a kitchen cupboard, he thinks I've done it with the intent to feed him. If he barked and jumped around at my ankles it would be annoying, but he just sits quietly at the edge of the room and patiently waits for the treat that he's sure will be forthcoming. It's very hard not to give in to that!
Now I'm off to have a cup of tea before I head back to bed!
Now I'm off to have a cup of tea before I head back to bed!
46cbl_tn
Book 4 in my Sleepy category: The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
MysteryCAT
When Kari Sundgren and Lucas Stickney meet as 10-year-olds in an art class at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, they soon become best friends despite the differences in their family backgrounds. Lucas is the daughter of a wealthy lawyer with an international reputation, while Kari lives with her single mom. Four years later, the girls are on the trail of an international art mystery involving a mysterious man they encounter copying Rembrandts first in Minneapolis, and then in London. The trail eventually leads Kari, Lucas, and Kari's mom to Amsterdam.
This mystery combines elements I love – art and travel. I didn't notice anything out of place in the descriptions of London, a city I used to know well. The girls spend a lot of time in the National Gallery, one of my favorite art museums. The mystery is plotted well and the educational elements are incorporated naturally, not shoehorned in as in some children's/YA literature. This is just the kind of mystery I would have loved as a tween reader except for a few things. The story starts with the history of Rembrandt's two portraits of Lucretia, an ancient Roman woman known for her virtue who killed herself after she was raped. The girls also end up in Amsterdam's red light district where they see prostitutes and people on drugs. Some tweens might be mature enough to handle these subjects. I was not at that age. The girls have freedom to get themselves into dangerous situations because they repeatedly lie to Kari's mother. At least Kari feels guilty about it. The dust jacket says the book is for age 11 and up. Due to the nature of some of the subject matter, I wouldn't recommend it for most readers under 13.
4 stars
MysteryCAT
When Kari Sundgren and Lucas Stickney meet as 10-year-olds in an art class at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, they soon become best friends despite the differences in their family backgrounds. Lucas is the daughter of a wealthy lawyer with an international reputation, while Kari lives with her single mom. Four years later, the girls are on the trail of an international art mystery involving a mysterious man they encounter copying Rembrandts first in Minneapolis, and then in London. The trail eventually leads Kari, Lucas, and Kari's mom to Amsterdam.
This mystery combines elements I love – art and travel. I didn't notice anything out of place in the descriptions of London, a city I used to know well. The girls spend a lot of time in the National Gallery, one of my favorite art museums. The mystery is plotted well and the educational elements are incorporated naturally, not shoehorned in as in some children's/YA literature. This is just the kind of mystery I would have loved as a tween reader except for a few things. The story starts with the history of Rembrandt's two portraits of Lucretia, an ancient Roman woman known for her virtue who killed herself after she was raped. The girls also end up in Amsterdam's red light district where they see prostitutes and people on drugs. Some tweens might be mature enough to handle these subjects. I was not at that age. The girls have freedom to get themselves into dangerous situations because they repeatedly lie to Kari's mother. At least Kari feels guilty about it. The dust jacket says the book is for age 11 and up. Due to the nature of some of the subject matter, I wouldn't recommend it for most readers under 13.
4 stars
47cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Sleepy category: Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach
MysteryCAT
Hero Netherfield's family has just moved to Maryland and she must start 6th grade at a new school. She doesn't make friends as easily as her sister, 8th grader Beatrice. Hero is teased relentlessly by her classmates on the first day of school. She is befriended by her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who distracts her from her troubles by giving her a mystery to solve. The previous owner of the Netherfield's house is rumored to have hidden a diamond there. Mrs. Roth introduces Hero to 8th grader Danny, the police chief's son, and together the three unlikely friends search for the missing diamond. Their search uncovers some unexpected evidence that could change opinions about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays.
I've loved treasure hunt mysteries since I was a child, and I enjoyed this one. I also enjoyed the literary references to Shakespeare and the Tudor and Elizabethan history that formed part of the plot, but I'm not sure I would have connected with these aspects of the book as a child. I always liked to read books about children who were older than I was, so I would have been reading about 6th graders in about 4th grade. By the time I was in 6th grade I wanted to read about junior high or high school kids. I didn't start reading Shakespeare until high school. There are also occasional references to adult themes that, if I understood them in 4th grade, would have made me uncomfortable. The book is recommended for 4th-10th grade. Some aspects of the story make it more appropriate for the older end of this age bracket, while the characters will have more appeal for the younger end of this age bracket.
4 stars
MysteryCAT
Hero Netherfield's family has just moved to Maryland and she must start 6th grade at a new school. She doesn't make friends as easily as her sister, 8th grader Beatrice. Hero is teased relentlessly by her classmates on the first day of school. She is befriended by her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who distracts her from her troubles by giving her a mystery to solve. The previous owner of the Netherfield's house is rumored to have hidden a diamond there. Mrs. Roth introduces Hero to 8th grader Danny, the police chief's son, and together the three unlikely friends search for the missing diamond. Their search uncovers some unexpected evidence that could change opinions about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays.
I've loved treasure hunt mysteries since I was a child, and I enjoyed this one. I also enjoyed the literary references to Shakespeare and the Tudor and Elizabethan history that formed part of the plot, but I'm not sure I would have connected with these aspects of the book as a child. I always liked to read books about children who were older than I was, so I would have been reading about 6th graders in about 4th grade. By the time I was in 6th grade I wanted to read about junior high or high school kids. I didn't start reading Shakespeare until high school. There are also occasional references to adult themes that, if I understood them in 4th grade, would have made me uncomfortable. The book is recommended for 4th-10th grade. Some aspects of the story make it more appropriate for the older end of this age bracket, while the characters will have more appeal for the younger end of this age bracket.
4 stars
48cbl_tn
Anyone else out there following Emma Approved? I have a new favorite character - Maddy Bates. I love it when she talks about her Mama!
49RidgewayGirl
Carrie, you are exactly right about kids wanting to read about children slightly older than themselves. A fifth grader doesn't want to read about a ten year old, but will grab anything with "middle school" in the title. With the exception of Junie B. Jones. She is popular and entertaining enough to be read by kids a few years older.
50cbl_tn
>49 RidgewayGirl: I'm glad to know that some things don't change! I'll have to try the Junie B. Jones books. I haven't met her yet, but she sounds interesting!
51RidgewayGirl
I'd recommend listening to the audiobooks for Junie B. Jones. The reader has the voice down perfectly and they are great on a long drive. That was one series that both I and the kids enjoyed, resulting in peaceful long drives to Oma's house.
52cbl_tn
>51 RidgewayGirl: My library has them available as ebook downloads but not audiobook downloads. :( I'll try an ebook and keep an eye out for the audiobooks. Thanks for the recommendation!
53christina_reads
>48 cbl_tn: Yes, "Emma Approved"!!! I really like Maddy Bates too. MAMA!
54cbl_tn
>53 christina_reads: Maddy Bates makes me smile. :)
55cbl_tn
My weekend guest arrived this afternoon. I have a two dog household until Monday. Stella isn't as active as Adrian, but she barks more than he does.
I now know almost all the dogs on my street by name. Adrian and I have run into a beautiful golden retriever a few times while out walking. I met her owner this afternoon while she was out looking for her dog, who took advantage of a briefly unplugged electric fence to go out visiting.
I now know almost all the dogs on my street by name. Adrian and I have run into a beautiful golden retriever a few times while out walking. I met her owner this afternoon while she was out looking for her dog, who took advantage of a briefly unplugged electric fence to go out visiting.
56VivienneR
Just think of all those new friends Adrian has made for you. The unexpected benefits of having a dog.
When we first came to this town we didn't know anyone, and as we went for walks we gave names to all the dogs and cats we met. A pretty little grey cat with a pink nose earned the name Pinky. What a shock to find out his owners called him Spartacus.
When we first came to this town we didn't know anyone, and as we went for walks we gave names to all the dogs and cats we met. A pretty little grey cat with a pink nose earned the name Pinky. What a shock to find out his owners called him Spartacus.
57cbl_tn
Hi Vivienne! I hadn't thought of naming the animals on our street. I'll have to try that with the cats that live across the road.
I have an extra dog this weekend while a friend is out of town. She got sick shortly after eating supper. Luckily I've had practice with Adrian. I checked with my friend and apparently Stella sometimes has a sensitive tummy. I think she got worked up over the cars going by with people on their way home from work, and the neighbor outside in the yard.
I have an extra dog this weekend while a friend is out of town. She got sick shortly after eating supper. Luckily I've had practice with Adrian. I checked with my friend and apparently Stella sometimes has a sensitive tummy. I think she got worked up over the cars going by with people on their way home from work, and the neighbor outside in the yard.
58VivienneR
I know some dogs get a little nervous in new surroundings that can result in tummy upset. Sounds like your visitor might suffer this way. She will probably be ok by morning.
One of our neighbourhood cats follows her mistress around watching her shovel snow or cutting grass. Because of the supervisory attitude of the cat who always looks like she's saying "you missed a bit" that's what we call her - Missedabit.
One of our neighbourhood cats follows her mistress around watching her shovel snow or cutting grass. Because of the supervisory attitude of the cat who always looks like she's saying "you missed a bit" that's what we call her - Missedabit.
59virginiahomeschooler
>56 VivienneR: I'm terrible about remembering people's names but never seem to have that trouble with pets. Apparently I've passed that on to my children because walking down the street today with my daughter and her friend, I heard her saying "That's Rambo's mommy's house. And Auggie Doggie lives there. And that one is Oreo's family. And..." She could name every dog on the street, but the only people's names she knows (or I know for that matter) is her best friend who lives across the street.
60cbl_tn
>58 VivienneR: Missedabit is a great name for a cat! I can picture the attitude.
My house is Stella's second home. Stella and Adrian were adopted from the shelter on the same day. We brought them home together, and they've been fast friends ever since. She comes to our book club meetings with her mommy and she and Adrian play together. She's also stayed with me when my friends have been gone before. She gets very agitated when cars drive by on the street, while cars don't bother Adrian unless they drive into our driveway. I don't think I react the way she wanted me to the alarm she raises.
>59 virginiahomeschooler: That's interesting about the people vs. animal names. I remember animal names better, too. Maybe its because we hear them more? There's a terrier across the street from me named Max. I learned his name from hearing his owner call him frequently. I have trouble remembering the owner's names, but they don't stand outside and call each other to come in!
My house is Stella's second home. Stella and Adrian were adopted from the shelter on the same day. We brought them home together, and they've been fast friends ever since. She comes to our book club meetings with her mommy and she and Adrian play together. She's also stayed with me when my friends have been gone before. She gets very agitated when cars drive by on the street, while cars don't bother Adrian unless they drive into our driveway. I don't think I react the way she wanted me to the alarm she raises.
>59 virginiahomeschooler: That's interesting about the people vs. animal names. I remember animal names better, too. Maybe its because we hear them more? There's a terrier across the street from me named Max. I learned his name from hearing his owner call him frequently. I have trouble remembering the owner's names, but they don't stand outside and call each other to come in!
61clue
My neighbor about 5 doors away walks his dog around the block every evening. I don't think he intentionally walks the cat, but the cat goes too. The dog is a mix and dark and the man wears dark clothes but the cat is bright white. Every night for several years I've seen them come up the street, the cat about 3 feet behind but always on course, never wandering away from the edge of the street. I'm sure he makes fun of the dog since it to be on a leash. I've heard they are going to be moving and I'm so sorry because I love to see this trio meander up the street.
62cbl_tn
>61 clue: I bet the animals will miss their old neighborhood when they move. I have a friend who takes her cats on walks.
63RidgewayGirl
Our cat Tarzan joins Emmie and I on the evening walk. He used to follow along inside shrubs and behind fences. Now he marches along with us, sometimes going off for a few minutes to explore. People do notice.
64cbl_tn
>63 RidgewayGirl: I'll bet Tarzan enjoys being noticed!
65cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Doc category: Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty
GeoCAT - Commonwealth focus (Barbados)
After her arrest for aiding a slave insurrection on Barbados, middle aged Cot Daley is subjected to a lengthy interrogation. She agrees to provide information on the rebellious slaves only if she is allowed to tell her story in her own way. Beginning with her Irish childhood, Cot tells of her kidnapping and transport to Barbados, her sale as an indentured servant, the many extensions to her years of indenture that gave her no hope of freedom until she reached middle age, and her marriage to an African slave, a Coromantee Muslim.
The book is essentially a long monologue only occasionally broken by the thoughts and actions of the interrogator, Peter Coote. By the end of the book, my sympathies were with Coote. I just wanted her to get to the end of her story. Cot didn't have the charisma to carry off such a long tale. I think I would have liked this better as a movie, since in a movie other characters would get to speak for themselves instead of through Cot.
2.5 stars
GeoCAT - Commonwealth focus (Barbados)
After her arrest for aiding a slave insurrection on Barbados, middle aged Cot Daley is subjected to a lengthy interrogation. She agrees to provide information on the rebellious slaves only if she is allowed to tell her story in her own way. Beginning with her Irish childhood, Cot tells of her kidnapping and transport to Barbados, her sale as an indentured servant, the many extensions to her years of indenture that gave her no hope of freedom until she reached middle age, and her marriage to an African slave, a Coromantee Muslim.
The book is essentially a long monologue only occasionally broken by the thoughts and actions of the interrogator, Peter Coote. By the end of the book, my sympathies were with Coote. I just wanted her to get to the end of her story. Cot didn't have the charisma to carry off such a long tale. I think I would have liked this better as a movie, since in a movie other characters would get to speak for themselves instead of through Cot.
2.5 stars
66cbl_tn
Book 4 in my Dopey category: The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews
RandomCAT
This installment of the Meg Lanslow series finds Meg helping to run the Unfair, an alternative to the Virginia state fair. A vandal strikes during the night before the fair opens, stealing some chickens belonging to a couple named Bonneville (only everyone keeps mistakenly calling them Baskerville). More incidents lead Meg to schedule a night patrol using volunteers from among the exhibitors. Naturally, it's Meg and her husband who discover the dead body during their shift. The murder investigation is complicated by the fact that the fair straddles the county line – and so does the body. The officers from small, rural Clay County seem to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Meg's responsibility as a fair official provides a good reason for her to investigate the vandalism and to receive updates from law enforcement officials on the murder investigation. Even though the murder doesn't occur until about halfway through the book, the vandalism provides plenty of mystery and potential suspects right from the beginning. The mystery will appeal to most cozy readers as well as readers with an interest in 4-H and similar organizations, hobby farming, and wine enthusiasts.
4 stars
Next up in audio: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
RandomCAT
This installment of the Meg Lanslow series finds Meg helping to run the Unfair, an alternative to the Virginia state fair. A vandal strikes during the night before the fair opens, stealing some chickens belonging to a couple named Bonneville (only everyone keeps mistakenly calling them Baskerville). More incidents lead Meg to schedule a night patrol using volunteers from among the exhibitors. Naturally, it's Meg and her husband who discover the dead body during their shift. The murder investigation is complicated by the fact that the fair straddles the county line – and so does the body. The officers from small, rural Clay County seem to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Meg's responsibility as a fair official provides a good reason for her to investigate the vandalism and to receive updates from law enforcement officials on the murder investigation. Even though the murder doesn't occur until about halfway through the book, the vandalism provides plenty of mystery and potential suspects right from the beginning. The mystery will appeal to most cozy readers as well as readers with an interest in 4-H and similar organizations, hobby farming, and wine enthusiasts.
4 stars
Next up in audio: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
67cbl_tn
I haven't made a lot of reading progress this week, other than my daily 3 chapters of The Last Chronicle of Barset and making a little progress every day with the audio of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I'm still not feeling 100%, and I've ended up watching White Collar on Netflix instead of reading. Since there's a story arc that spans the series, I end up watching more episodes than I intend to when I start.
68sallylou61
Hope you're feeling better soon, Carrie.
69cbl_tn
>68 sallylou61: Thanks! All of my problems seem to be allergy related, and I live in one of the worst places in the U.S. for allergy sufferers.
70cbl_tn
Book 4 in my Bashful category: The Technologists by Matthew Pearl
In the spring of 1868, a chain of disasters harnessing the power of new technologies terrify the citizens of Boston. Marcus Mansfield and several classmates from the first senior class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) join forces to investigate the mysterious events, identify the mastermind behind them, and stop him from destroying the city and their fledgling school.
This historical mystery has a strong sense of place in Boston, Cambridge, and on the grounds of the fledgling MIT. It captures tensions between science and religion, labor and management, tradition and innovation, and addresses issues of social class, gender roles, and post-traumatic effects of the Civil War. With its emphasis on technology, it could have cross-over appeal for some steampunk fans. I have enjoyed this author's books set in 19th century Boston much more than The Poe Shadow, set in Baltimore and France. Recommended for most historical mystery readers.
4 stars
In the spring of 1868, a chain of disasters harnessing the power of new technologies terrify the citizens of Boston. Marcus Mansfield and several classmates from the first senior class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) join forces to investigate the mysterious events, identify the mastermind behind them, and stop him from destroying the city and their fledgling school.
This historical mystery has a strong sense of place in Boston, Cambridge, and on the grounds of the fledgling MIT. It captures tensions between science and religion, labor and management, tradition and innovation, and addresses issues of social class, gender roles, and post-traumatic effects of the Civil War. With its emphasis on technology, it could have cross-over appeal for some steampunk fans. I have enjoyed this author's books set in 19th century Boston much more than The Poe Shadow, set in Baltimore and France. Recommended for most historical mystery readers.
4 stars
71cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Sneezy category: The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope
The Last Chronicle of Barset once again finds would-be lovers separated by circumstances. Widower Henry Grantly has fallen in love with Grace Crawley, the daughter of poor curate Josiah Crawley. Just as Major Grantly is ready to propose, Grace's father, Rev. Crawley, is accused of stealing a check for 20 pounds. Henry is determined that the cloud that hangs over Grace's father won't prevent their marriage, while Grace is equally determined that she cannot marry anyone while her family is disgraced by the accusation against her father. Our old friend, the bishop's wife Mrs. Proudie, makes it her business to see that Rev. Crawley is relieved of his duties (never mind the ecclesiastical laws apply to the situation). Meanwhile, our old friend John Eames, having risen in the world, continues his hopeless pursuit of Lily Dale, which doesn't preclude him from stumbling into an unwanted romantic entanglement with a new London acquaintance. “Happily ever after” for any of the characters is tempered by our final goodbye to Barsetshire.
Barchester Towers charmed me with its humor, and The Last Chronicle of Barset affected me with its pathos. Trollope's perceptive observations of human nature have a timeless quality. I was particularly moved by his description of the elderly and frail Septimus Harding, my favorite Barsetshire resident. Rev. Harding's son-in-law says of him that “he lacked guile, and he feared God,--and a man who does both will never go far astray.” I can't imagine a better epitaph for a life well lived. This series has earned a spot near the top of my all-time favorites list. Highly recommended.
5 stars
The Last Chronicle of Barset once again finds would-be lovers separated by circumstances. Widower Henry Grantly has fallen in love with Grace Crawley, the daughter of poor curate Josiah Crawley. Just as Major Grantly is ready to propose, Grace's father, Rev. Crawley, is accused of stealing a check for 20 pounds. Henry is determined that the cloud that hangs over Grace's father won't prevent their marriage, while Grace is equally determined that she cannot marry anyone while her family is disgraced by the accusation against her father. Our old friend, the bishop's wife Mrs. Proudie, makes it her business to see that Rev. Crawley is relieved of his duties (never mind the ecclesiastical laws apply to the situation). Meanwhile, our old friend John Eames, having risen in the world, continues his hopeless pursuit of Lily Dale, which doesn't preclude him from stumbling into an unwanted romantic entanglement with a new London acquaintance. “Happily ever after” for any of the characters is tempered by our final goodbye to Barsetshire.
Barchester Towers charmed me with its humor, and The Last Chronicle of Barset affected me with its pathos. Trollope's perceptive observations of human nature have a timeless quality. I was particularly moved by his description of the elderly and frail Septimus Harding, my favorite Barsetshire resident. Rev. Harding's son-in-law says of him that “he lacked guile, and he feared God,--and a man who does both will never go far astray.” I can't imagine a better epitaph for a life well lived. This series has earned a spot near the top of my all-time favorites list. Highly recommended.
5 stars
72cbl_tn
Adrian spent several hours at the groomers yesterday. I think he looks handsome in his warmer weather haircut:
73sallylou61
He looks very cute.
74cbl_tn
>73 sallylou61: Thanks! He uses that cuteness to good effect whenever there's food around.
75rabbitprincess
Awww what a handsome fellow! I hope his haircut will help bring in warmer weather!
76cbl_tn
>75 rabbitprincess: I'm not holding my breath. We have a freeze warning tonight, and the forecast a couple of days ago said we'll get 1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night. I think it's been revised since then, but we may have a "wintry mix" during the day on Tuesday. Yuck!
78lkernagh
Slowly making the rounds and now caught up with your thread, Carrie. Sorry to see the McCafferty book was a bit of a bomb for you. I can see where Cot's monologue can get tedious to read through. I did enjoy The Technologists so happy that one was a hit with you as well. It was my first Pearl read and I am still undecided if I want to read The Poe Shadow.
As for Trollope, I keep seeing such wonderful reviews for the Barchester Tower books, I think I need to move those books up my reading pile. ;-)
Pretty Adrian!
As for Trollope, I keep seeing such wonderful reviews for the Barchester Tower books, I think I need to move those books up my reading pile. ;-)
Pretty Adrian!
79cbl_tn
>77 -Eva-: Thanks Eva!
>78 lkernagh: I'd advise trying The Dante Club next if you haven't read it yet. It's a lot more like The Technologists. The Poe Shadow was a slog for me.
>78 lkernagh: I'd advise trying The Dante Club next if you haven't read it yet. It's a lot more like The Technologists. The Poe Shadow was a slog for me.
80japaul22
Enjoyed your review of The Last Chronicle of Barset. I read and loved the series a few years ago and it will definitely be a series I reread at some point in my life. I think I might try the Palliser series next year, though. Have you read any of those?
81cbl_tn
>80 japaul22: Thanks! I am looking forward to the Palliser series. I've read Can You Forgive Her? twice, but I haven't read any of the others. I think I'm most looking forward to The Eustace Diamonds.
82lkernagh
>79 cbl_tn: - Good to know... thanks!
83cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Sneezy category: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
Miss Jean Brodie is a teacher at a girl's school in Scotland in the 1930s. She thinks very highly of herself, regardless of what others think of her. She's in her prime, and she thinks her students are very fortunate to have her as their teacher while she's in her prime. She has little respect for authority. Miss Brodie hand-picks a half dozen girls who become known as the “Brodie set” - girls who she believes will yield to her influence and, more importantly, whose parents won't interfere with her methods. Even after the “Brodie set” moves on to the upper level with different teachers, Miss Brodie continues to maintain control over their lives. However, her control isn't as strong as she believes it is...
The audio version narrated by the delightful Nadia May possibly weakened the psychological tension for me. I think I would have been more appalled by Miss Brodie's manipulation of impressionable young girls if I had read the book rather than listened to it. I was fascinated by Spark's method of telling her story, which isn't exactly linear. She foreshadows the fate of most of the major characters, but she does it in such a way that the reader (or listener in my case) is compelled to keep reading/listening to learn not what will happen, but rather what will cause it to happen. This short novel is worthy of more than one reading. I'd suggest trying the audio version on the second or third visit to pick up nuances you might have missed in your first reading.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol
Miss Jean Brodie is a teacher at a girl's school in Scotland in the 1930s. She thinks very highly of herself, regardless of what others think of her. She's in her prime, and she thinks her students are very fortunate to have her as their teacher while she's in her prime. She has little respect for authority. Miss Brodie hand-picks a half dozen girls who become known as the “Brodie set” - girls who she believes will yield to her influence and, more importantly, whose parents won't interfere with her methods. Even after the “Brodie set” moves on to the upper level with different teachers, Miss Brodie continues to maintain control over their lives. However, her control isn't as strong as she believes it is...
The audio version narrated by the delightful Nadia May possibly weakened the psychological tension for me. I think I would have been more appalled by Miss Brodie's manipulation of impressionable young girls if I had read the book rather than listened to it. I was fascinated by Spark's method of telling her story, which isn't exactly linear. She foreshadows the fate of most of the major characters, but she does it in such a way that the reader (or listener in my case) is compelled to keep reading/listening to learn not what will happen, but rather what will cause it to happen. This short novel is worthy of more than one reading. I'd suggest trying the audio version on the second or third visit to pick up nuances you might have missed in your first reading.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol
84cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Doc category: How to Cook a Tapir by Joan Fry
GeoCAT - Commonwealth focus
As a newlywed in the early 1960s, Joan Fry spent a year in a Kekchi Maya village in British Honduras (now Belize) with her then-husband, an anthropology graduate student. Fry was just twenty years old when they set out on their adventure. The couple lived in a house very similar to their Mayan neighbors, and Joan had to learn basic survival skills, like cooking whatever was available over a fire, carrying water for their daily needs, doing laundry in the river, etc. The village was at least nominally Catholic, and the Catholic priest hired Joan to teach the village children. Readers see the village and its residents through Joan's eyes as she makes mistakes but eventually learns to fit in and even makes friends from among her neighbors.
The publisher's book summary is a little misleading. Although Fry now knows how to cook the foods she describes using the recipes she shares, she didn't seem to do more than basic cooking during the year she lived in Belize. Most of the food described in the book was cooked by her neighbors and shared with her. Fry seemed to spend more time with the neighbors than did her anthropologist husband, and I'd guess that she had a better understanding of them, too. Fry doesn't overshare personal details of her relationship with her husband, but it's apparent from what she does say that the couple were ill suited for each other and probably married too young. I also suspect that her husband was depressed and might have been better off in a different field of study. I wasn't surprised to learn from the afterword that their marriage didn't last long after their return to the U.S. Their relationship brought to mind The Egg and I, Betty MacDonald's memoir about starting a poultry farm in rural Washington State as a young bride. That marriage didn't last, either. Recommended for readers with an interest in Mayan culture, readers preparing for cross-cultural living, and readers of survival narratives.
3.5 stars
GeoCAT - Commonwealth focus
As a newlywed in the early 1960s, Joan Fry spent a year in a Kekchi Maya village in British Honduras (now Belize) with her then-husband, an anthropology graduate student. Fry was just twenty years old when they set out on their adventure. The couple lived in a house very similar to their Mayan neighbors, and Joan had to learn basic survival skills, like cooking whatever was available over a fire, carrying water for their daily needs, doing laundry in the river, etc. The village was at least nominally Catholic, and the Catholic priest hired Joan to teach the village children. Readers see the village and its residents through Joan's eyes as she makes mistakes but eventually learns to fit in and even makes friends from among her neighbors.
The publisher's book summary is a little misleading. Although Fry now knows how to cook the foods she describes using the recipes she shares, she didn't seem to do more than basic cooking during the year she lived in Belize. Most of the food described in the book was cooked by her neighbors and shared with her. Fry seemed to spend more time with the neighbors than did her anthropologist husband, and I'd guess that she had a better understanding of them, too. Fry doesn't overshare personal details of her relationship with her husband, but it's apparent from what she does say that the couple were ill suited for each other and probably married too young. I also suspect that her husband was depressed and might have been better off in a different field of study. I wasn't surprised to learn from the afterword that their marriage didn't last long after their return to the U.S. Their relationship brought to mind The Egg and I, Betty MacDonald's memoir about starting a poultry farm in rural Washington State as a young bride. That marriage didn't last, either. Recommended for readers with an interest in Mayan culture, readers preparing for cross-cultural living, and readers of survival narratives.
3.5 stars
85DeltaQueen50
Carrie, have you seen the movie of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, starring Maggie Smith? I remember being quite impressed by it, but it was years ago. I am definitely planning on reading this one eventually.
Interesting, we both landed in Belize this month! I am off to Cameroon with Gerald Durell next month.
Interesting, we both landed in Belize this month! I am off to Cameroon with Gerald Durell next month.
86cbl_tn
>85 DeltaQueen50: I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's in my Netflix queue!
The GeoCAT was a good incentive for Belize, wasn't it? I have Gerald Durrell in mind for Cameroon when I get to it, so I'll be watching for your review.
The GeoCAT was a good incentive for Belize, wasn't it? I have Gerald Durrell in mind for Cameroon when I get to it, so I'll be watching for your review.
87cbl_tn
Yay! Another season of Call the Midwife has begun! Tonight's episode had lots of Chummy, and a wonderful sound track, as usual.
88rabbitprincess
We were over at my BF's parents' for dinner today and his mum wanted to make sure that they'd set up the DVR for Call the Midwife :) Meanwhile BF is watching the season finale of The Walking Dead right now -- what a juxtaposition of shows!
89cbl_tn
>88 rabbitprincess: Yes, that is quite a juxtaposition - beginning of life and post-death. (Or are they the undead?)
90cbl_tn
I managed to finish The First World War this evening!* I was determined to get it done by the end of the month. I guess that's a good sign that I'm finally feeling better, since I was making good progress until I was hit by a nasty sinus infection and bronchitis. The review will have to wait until tomorrow.
*That's the book. The war itself ended nearly 100 years ago. ;-)
*That's the book. The war itself ended nearly 100 years ago. ;-)
91cbl_tn
Book 7 in my Doc category: The First World War by John Keegan
Keegan's history of the first World War is exactly what I was looking for as a foundation for this year's World War I reading project. Keegan analyzes Europe's military readiness before the war and describes the inevitability of international conflict once each nation's elaborate and detailed plans had been triggered. His focus is primarily on military tactics and strategies and their effectiveness (or ineffectiveness). I now have a better understanding of the chronology of the war and its great tragedies. I was struck most by the contrast between technological advances in weaponry and in methods of communication. The size of the fronts and the logistics of wired communication resulted in generals far removed from the front and visual oversight of the area under their command. Armies developed elaborate plans for both offensive and defensive actions, and trusted to those in the chain of command to stick to the plan. Communication lines were quickly severed once fighting began, leaving front line commanders without a means of coordinating changes to the plan in response to circumstances.
American readers interested in learning about the U.S. involvement in the war will need to look to additional sources. The Americans don't appear until the last 75 pages or so, and even then the focus remains on the European nations and their armies. Keegan's writing isn't easy to read. He uses long sentences with complex structures. By the time I reached the end of some sentences, I had to go back and re-read the beginning to make sure I got the point. Readers with the patience for Keegan's style will be rewarded with a broad and thorough overview of the military history of World War I.
4 stars
Keegan's history of the first World War is exactly what I was looking for as a foundation for this year's World War I reading project. Keegan analyzes Europe's military readiness before the war and describes the inevitability of international conflict once each nation's elaborate and detailed plans had been triggered. His focus is primarily on military tactics and strategies and their effectiveness (or ineffectiveness). I now have a better understanding of the chronology of the war and its great tragedies. I was struck most by the contrast between technological advances in weaponry and in methods of communication. The size of the fronts and the logistics of wired communication resulted in generals far removed from the front and visual oversight of the area under their command. Armies developed elaborate plans for both offensive and defensive actions, and trusted to those in the chain of command to stick to the plan. Communication lines were quickly severed once fighting began, leaving front line commanders without a means of coordinating changes to the plan in response to circumstances.
American readers interested in learning about the U.S. involvement in the war will need to look to additional sources. The Americans don't appear until the last 75 pages or so, and even then the focus remains on the European nations and their armies. Keegan's writing isn't easy to read. He uses long sentences with complex structures. By the time I reached the end of some sentences, I had to go back and re-read the beginning to make sure I got the point. Readers with the patience for Keegan's style will be rewarded with a broad and thorough overview of the military history of World War I.
4 stars
92cbl_tn
March Recap
Bashful: Books coaxed from my TBR stash - 4/14
The Technologists by Matthew Pearl (4)
Doc: Books I read to learn something – 7/14
Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty (2.5)
How to Cook a Tapir by Joan Fry (3.5)
The First World War by John Keegan (4)
Dopey: Books I read just for fun – 4/14
*The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews (4)
Grumpy: Books full of murder & mischief – 3/14
Happy: Happiness is a new book! - 2/14
Sleepy: Cozies, comfort reads, and children's literature – 5/14
The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon (1)
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (4)
Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (4)
Sneezy: Old tomes (books originally published before I was born) – 6/14
The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope (5)
*The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (3.5)
Best of the month: The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope
Worst of the month: The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon
*Audiobooks
Owned/physical: 2
Owned/ebook: 1
Borrowed/physical: 4
Borrowed/ebook: 1
Borrowed/audiobook: 2
ARCs: 1
Bashful: Books coaxed from my TBR stash - 4/14
The Technologists by Matthew Pearl (4)
Doc: Books I read to learn something – 7/14
Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty (2.5)
How to Cook a Tapir by Joan Fry (3.5)
The First World War by John Keegan (4)
Dopey: Books I read just for fun – 4/14
*The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews (4)
Grumpy: Books full of murder & mischief – 3/14
Happy: Happiness is a new book! - 2/14
Sleepy: Cozies, comfort reads, and children's literature – 5/14
The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon (1)
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (4)
Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (4)
Sneezy: Old tomes (books originally published before I was born) – 6/14
The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope (5)
*The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (3.5)
Best of the month: The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope
Worst of the month: The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon
*Audiobooks
Owned/physical: 2
Owned/ebook: 1
Borrowed/physical: 4
Borrowed/ebook: 1
Borrowed/audiobook: 2
ARCs: 1
93aliciamay
Looks like a mostly good month of reading! I have The Last Chronicle of Barset on my bookshelf, but keep pushing it off (probably due to size). But a 5 star rating makes it much more enticing!
94cbl_tn
>93 aliciamay: It was a wonderful reading month! Do give The Last Chronicle of Barset a try after you've read the earlier books in the series. Trollope revisits characters and themes as he wraps up the story of their lives and loves.
95cbl_tn
I learned this morning that I have a brave little dog. We had a thunderstorm right when we got up this morning. I was able to take him outside during a lull in the storm. Then he sat in his usual spot watching the lightning and listening to the thunder and driving rain. He wasn't nervous at all! We've had a couple of storms during the night when he was in his crate, but this is the first daytime storm since I got him last fall.
96rabbitprincess
Thunderstorms! That must mean the weather is getting warmer! :)
97cbl_tn
>96 rabbitprincess: It got up to 80 F here today. I'm thinking about turning on the air conditioner for a while. It's pretty warm in here.
I hope the warm temperatures reach you soon!
I hope the warm temperatures reach you soon!
98cbl_tn
Book 8 in my Doc category: A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips
After a 20-year absence, Bertram Francis returns to his home in Saint Kitts on the eve of its independence. As he visits his old haunts, Bertram begins to feel like the 19-year-old he was when he left with a scholarship to study in England. He had expected the island to look different upon his return, but he wasn't prepared for the change in the attitudes of his family and friends. Bertram didn't realize he had burned so many bridges when he left. He was an outsider in England, and now he is an outsider in his childhood home.
There is a sense in which Saint Kitts is like the 19-year-old Bertram of twenty years ago, with hope in vague opportunities that will surely come its way with its new independent status. What will the nation look like twenty years from now? Will the tiny nation achieve any more than Bertram did with his independence? Phillips raises many questions and gives hints about his opinions, but he leaves the resolution up to his readers.
3.5 stars
After a 20-year absence, Bertram Francis returns to his home in Saint Kitts on the eve of its independence. As he visits his old haunts, Bertram begins to feel like the 19-year-old he was when he left with a scholarship to study in England. He had expected the island to look different upon his return, but he wasn't prepared for the change in the attitudes of his family and friends. Bertram didn't realize he had burned so many bridges when he left. He was an outsider in England, and now he is an outsider in his childhood home.
There is a sense in which Saint Kitts is like the 19-year-old Bertram of twenty years ago, with hope in vague opportunities that will surely come its way with its new independent status. What will the nation look like twenty years from now? Will the tiny nation achieve any more than Bertram did with his independence? Phillips raises many questions and gives hints about his opinions, but he leaves the resolution up to his readers.
3.5 stars
99cbl_tn
The biggest drawback to warmer weather is that it brings some detestable creatures out of hibernation. Yesterday after work I took Adrian out and had a chat with my neighbor and his dog in his yard. As we were talking, he suddenly exclaimed "Snake!" and, not knowing where it was, I took off running...toward the snake. The neighbor helpfully directed me the other way, then he herded the snake across and out of his yard. He says it was "just" a garter snake. I don't want to get close enough to tell. Happily for me, I only got the tiniest glimpse of it as it slithered out of sight.
100thornton37814
I could have lived for a long time without knowing that the snakes are out, Carrie.
101RidgewayGirl
That's funny. My SO and kids run toward any snake they see. And I'm the scaredy cat because I don't particularly want to hold what ever they find.
102cbl_tn
>100 thornton37814: I could have too, Lori!
>101 RidgewayGirl: Running toward a snake? As far as I'm concerned, that's irrational behavior! When we were kids, my brother and his friends would chase me with the green garter snakes they found in our yard. I haven't quite forgiven my brother for that yet...
>101 RidgewayGirl: Running toward a snake? As far as I'm concerned, that's irrational behavior! When we were kids, my brother and his friends would chase me with the green garter snakes they found in our yard. I haven't quite forgiven my brother for that yet...
103cbl_tn
I have a guest dog for the day. Stella's family is taking their llamas and alpaca to The Great Llama Race today. The dogs were so excited when Stella got here. They raced around the house for probably five minutes before settling themselves on the back of the sofa (in front of the picture window). I'm sitting on the sofa reading Tooth and Claw and enjoying the dogs' company.
104thornton37814
Sounds like the dogs enjoy being together.
105cbl_tn
The dogs are great friends. It's nice to be able to leave them with each other when we can't take them with us somewhere. Stella doesn't play with toys so we don't have to worry about the dogs fighting over the same one.
106cbl_tn
Adrian has a new passion. He's discovered my stash of Ricola cough drops. I've had to retrieve two from his mouth today. I hope I've rounded them all up. I generally carry a couple in my pocket and sometimes they fall out without my knowledge. I don't think there's anything in them that will hurt him, and they do give him sweet-smelling breath, but still...
107thornton37814
LOL. He was just trying to get over his cough or prevent one. What's good enough for his mom must surely be good enough for him. ;-)
108clue
>106 cbl_tn: What a great advertisement for Ricola that would make!
109cbl_tn
>107 thornton37814: He does sometimes have a persistent cough. Maybe this will help!
>108 clue: He could start with Ricola ads and eventually become as famous as Morris the Cat or the Taco Bell chihuahua!
>108 clue: He could start with Ricola ads and eventually become as famous as Morris the Cat or the Taco Bell chihuahua!
110RidgewayGirl
While they probably aren't recommended for dogs, I can't imagine that they would be harmful -- and certainly better for him than soap!
111cbl_tn
>110 RidgewayGirl: Yes, it's definitely a step up from soap! Adrian keeps me on my toes, but he's so sweet and funny that I don't mind it at all.
112cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Dopey category: Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton
Readers familiar with Framley Parsonage might recognize a few personalities in Tooth and Claw. However, the physical descriptions will be unfamiliar. The characters are dragons who sleep in caverns on beds of gold and eat their own weak and dead. Otherwise their morals and values are very much Victorian. If the thought of talking dragons a kind of Victorian England hasn't already alienated you, you might find this tale of a bereaved family, a legal controversy over the father's will, and the romances of the unmarried daughters and son as hard to put down as I did.
4 stars
Readers familiar with Framley Parsonage might recognize a few personalities in Tooth and Claw. However, the physical descriptions will be unfamiliar. The characters are dragons who sleep in caverns on beds of gold and eat their own weak and dead. Otherwise their morals and values are very much Victorian. If the thought of talking dragons a kind of Victorian England hasn't already alienated you, you might find this tale of a bereaved family, a legal controversy over the father's will, and the romances of the unmarried daughters and son as hard to put down as I did.
4 stars
113hailelib
I've got to find myself a copy of Tooth and Claw!
114cbl_tn
>113 hailelib: I hope you do! It's lots of fun!
115cbl_tn
Update on How to Cook a Tapir:
At one point in the book, the author mentioned a man who gave her a ride from San Antonio (British Honduras, not Texas!) to a spot near the village where she and her husband were living for the year. She mentioned that he worked for the Forestry Department in British Honduras. His surname was the same as my sister-in-law's mother's family name. Her mother's family is from Chetumal, right on the border with Belize (formerly British Honduras). I emailed my SIL to find out if he might be a relative. I just got a reply and it's very possible that he is one of her relatives. Her grandfather worked in British Honduras and that's where he met her grandmother. Best of all, the man in the book had the same name as her grandfather. I got the impression from the book that the man was fairly young in the early 1960s, so if that's the case it wouldn't have been her grandfather. This man would be closer to her parents' age and would probably be a cousin if he's related to her. She's going to check with her relatives in Chetumal. One of her mother's brothers is interested in genealogy so I'm sure he'll have an answer for her.
At one point in the book, the author mentioned a man who gave her a ride from San Antonio (British Honduras, not Texas!) to a spot near the village where she and her husband were living for the year. She mentioned that he worked for the Forestry Department in British Honduras. His surname was the same as my sister-in-law's mother's family name. Her mother's family is from Chetumal, right on the border with Belize (formerly British Honduras). I emailed my SIL to find out if he might be a relative. I just got a reply and it's very possible that he is one of her relatives. Her grandfather worked in British Honduras and that's where he met her grandmother. Best of all, the man in the book had the same name as her grandfather. I got the impression from the book that the man was fairly young in the early 1960s, so if that's the case it wouldn't have been her grandfather. This man would be closer to her parents' age and would probably be a cousin if he's related to her. She's going to check with her relatives in Chetumal. One of her mother's brothers is interested in genealogy so I'm sure he'll have an answer for her.
117DeltaQueen50
Wow, Carrie, that is so neat. As Mamzel says, "It's a small world!"
118cbl_tn
>116 mamzel:, >117 DeltaQueen50: I was pretty excited when I came across the name in the book. I certainly wasn't expecting to come across someone I might have a personal connection to! (In a 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon sort of way.)
119christina_reads
>112 cbl_tn: I've got a copy of Tooth and Claw on my shelves...really should sit down and read it one of these days!
120cbl_tn
>119 christina_reads: It's a pretty quick read and it really is lots of fun!
121cbl_tn
I had a nice surprise this morning. My August ER win, Paperboy, finally showed up with the UPS delivery. I had written it off long ago. Loranne followed up with the publisher and they sorted out the problem that prevented the winners from getting the book earlier.
122cbl_tn
I just got back from an afternoon of allergy testing. The list of things I'm not allergic to is much shorter. Basically, I'm allergic to all of the molds and to dust mites, both of which are year-round. I don't think they respond well to the over-the-counter allergy meds, either. I'm allergic to all of the grasses they tested for and about half of the trees and weeds. I'm also allergic to dogs and cats, but they're not as severe as some of the others. Since Adrian has hair rather than fur, he shouldn't cause a lot of problems for me as long as he doesn't sleep in the bed with me. He sleeps in a crate so that's not a problem.
I'm hoping that my GP's office will agree to give me the weekly allergy shots until I reach maintenance and can give them to myself. It's about a 10-minute drive for me, vs. 45-50 minutes to the allergy clinic. If his office will agree to do that, I'll only need to go to the clinic once every 10 weeks or so to pick up new vials of serum.
I'm hoping that my GP's office will agree to give me the weekly allergy shots until I reach maintenance and can give them to myself. It's about a 10-minute drive for me, vs. 45-50 minutes to the allergy clinic. If his office will agree to do that, I'll only need to go to the clinic once every 10 weeks or so to pick up new vials of serum.
123rabbitprincess
Oh no! Sorry to hear about your allergy results! I hope you'll be able to get the shots through your GP and save yourself a bit of a commute.
124cbl_tn
Thanks RP! I have my fingers crossed that my GP's office will agree to do this when I call them tomorrow.
125sallylou61
Those allergies sound like mine -- year round to a large number of things. Recently I've been taking 3 medicines daily (advair discus, singular, and fexofenadine all of which are prescriptions although fexofenadine is now also OTC) and they have done the trick. I hope that you find the injections are all that you need, and that you can give them to yourself. Also, if your allergy medications (i.e. injections) work well, you will probably find that you are not as susceptible to colds and bronchitis (if you have been susceptible to these).
I'm glad you will not have any problems with keeping Adrian. Although both my husband and I are slightly allergic to cats, we still have them (against the wishes of the allergist who tested me).
I'm glad you will not have any problems with keeping Adrian. Although both my husband and I are slightly allergic to cats, we still have them (against the wishes of the allergist who tested me).
127cbl_tn
>125 sallylou61: >126 lkernagh: My aunt had many of the same allergies and had shots for several years. She's been very encouraging and thinks that the shots will make as big a difference for me as they did for her. I've tried different medications and nothing seems to work really well for me. This was the next step. I need to de-clutter as much as possible, particularly in the bedroom. I'll start working on that a little each day. It's a vicious cycle because the fatigue from the allergies keeps me from feeling like doing what I need to do to get and keep the allergies under control.
Adrian was non-negotiable. There are so many benefits to pets that I'm willing to put up with a little discomfort from allergies. I'd feel even worse if I had to give him up.
Adrian was non-negotiable. There are so many benefits to pets that I'm willing to put up with a little discomfort from allergies. I'd feel even worse if I had to give him up.
128cbl_tn
Good news! It looks like my GP's office is willing to help out with the weekly allergy shots until I reach maintenance level. This makes the shots absolutely doable. I have an appointment this afternoon to discuss the details and to be re-tested for asthma now that I'm not sick. I just ordered new bedding which should arrive in a couple of days. I'll be well on my way to getting the allergies more manageable by this weekend. I can do this! As I remove allergens from my environment I should have more energy to tackle even more of the problem areas.
129RidgewayGirl
That is good news. And a good clear-out always makes me feel more energetic. Keep the books, though.
130cbl_tn
>129 RidgewayGirl: I can't imagine a bedroom without at least a few books! I probably need to cull some and see if I can find space for some in other rooms of the house.
131cbl_tn
Book 9 in my Doc category: Calligrams by Guillaume Apollinaire
RandomCAT
This book came up when I was searching for World War I poetry collections, so I decided to give it a try. I discovered that modern poetry isn't my style. Some of the poems didn't make sense to me at all. Some sound ridiculous in English but aren't so strange in the original French. (I read a bilingual edition.) The translation seems to be very literal, and perhaps that doesn't work well for poetry. In general, my favorites are the poems with unusual layouts - “It's Raining/Il Pleut”, in which the lines run from top to bottom instead of left to right, and “The Stabbed Dove and the Fountain/La Colombe Poignardée et le Jet d'Eau”, written in the shape of a dove and a water fountain. The English translation I liked best is “Shadow/Ombre”, which begins:
There you are near me once more
Memories of my comrades dead in battle
Time's olive tree
This poem seems to have the most overt connection to the war. Readers who like modern poetry might want to add this collection to a World War I reading list.
3 stars
RandomCAT
This book came up when I was searching for World War I poetry collections, so I decided to give it a try. I discovered that modern poetry isn't my style. Some of the poems didn't make sense to me at all. Some sound ridiculous in English but aren't so strange in the original French. (I read a bilingual edition.) The translation seems to be very literal, and perhaps that doesn't work well for poetry. In general, my favorites are the poems with unusual layouts - “It's Raining/Il Pleut”, in which the lines run from top to bottom instead of left to right, and “The Stabbed Dove and the Fountain/La Colombe Poignardée et le Jet d'Eau”, written in the shape of a dove and a water fountain. The English translation I liked best is “Shadow/Ombre”, which begins:
There you are near me once more
Memories of my comrades dead in battle
Time's olive tree
This poem seems to have the most overt connection to the war. Readers who like modern poetry might want to add this collection to a World War I reading list.
3 stars
132cbl_tn
Unfortunately I had an appointment with my GP this afternoon and I found out that I can't get my shots there until I reach the maintenance dosage, at which time I can give them to myself. I understand the issues - it's a liability and staffing issue - but it makes it questionable whether or not I'll be able to do the shots. I don't always feel alert enough to drive and it seems like such an imposition to ask someone to take a 1 1/2-2 hours out of their day to take me to get an allergy shot. On the other hand, I also found out that I definitely have asthma. Maybe taking daily asthma medication will help me improve enough to drive myself to get the shots.
133clue
I don't know how much it costs but a friend of mine lives in rural Georgia and is able to get hers at a walk-in type clinic to avoid a long drive to an allergist. Might be worth checking out. Sorry to hear you have asthma but you're better off knowing!
134DeltaQueen50
What a shame, Carrie. That long drive hardly sounds worth it, I sure hope you can find a viable alternative.
135Roro8
Did your GP sound like it was a general policy that they can't do it? Maybe it is worth seeing another GP in a bigger clinic, where there are more staff. Are they worried you will be allergic to your allergy injection? It is possible but this should be revealed on the first or second dose. After that most people are usually ok ( I am a chemo nurse and the first and second doses of anything are the problem ones). If the injections are going to be a good solution they are probably worth the effort. I know most people are reluctant to ask others for help with things like transport but you may be surprised at the amount of people willing to help.
136cbl_tn
>133 clue: From what my doctor told me yesterday, I don't think a walk-in clinic would give me the shots until I reach maintenance. I don't know of any walk-in clinics in our area that aren't owned by one of the local medical groups. It sounds like it's primarily a liability/malpractice insurance issue, I don't think the malpractice insurers in our state will cover any provider other than a specialist to administer the shots while the dosage is being increased.
>134 DeltaQueen50: Judy, I think it will make enough difference in my quality of life that the time commitment will be worth it.
>135 Roro8: Ro, he didn't think there would be any family practitioners in the area who would be able to do it. He doesn't own his own practice, nor do most of the family practitioners in our area. He's part of a large physicians group and he has to follow the company policy. If he owned his own practice I think he would do it for me without question. He's seen 3 generations of my family from the beginning of his practice and at this point we're both pretty sure no one in my family is likely to sue him. Another self-employed practitioner in the area might be wiling to do this for an established patient, but not for a new one. The concern is an anaphylactic reaction while the dosage is being increased. I know there's a risk of that, but I think it's a small one. The specialist's office is across the street from the hospital, where the GP's office is several miles away and I'd probably have to go by ambulance after using the epi pen.
>134 DeltaQueen50: Judy, I think it will make enough difference in my quality of life that the time commitment will be worth it.
>135 Roro8: Ro, he didn't think there would be any family practitioners in the area who would be able to do it. He doesn't own his own practice, nor do most of the family practitioners in our area. He's part of a large physicians group and he has to follow the company policy. If he owned his own practice I think he would do it for me without question. He's seen 3 generations of my family from the beginning of his practice and at this point we're both pretty sure no one in my family is likely to sue him. Another self-employed practitioner in the area might be wiling to do this for an established patient, but not for a new one. The concern is an anaphylactic reaction while the dosage is being increased. I know there's a risk of that, but I think it's a small one. The specialist's office is across the street from the hospital, where the GP's office is several miles away and I'd probably have to go by ambulance after using the epi pen.
137MDGentleReader
I get my serum from one office and get my shots at another office closer to my work. Are there any allergists closer to you than your own?
138Roro8
I hope it all works out for you. I had a feeling it might be a policy and liability issue that was stopping them. If the risk is there for each dose then it is definitely worth being in a facility that can manage any adverse reactions. A few years back, I treated a patient for bee sting allergy. We had to give her increasing doses of bee sting each week until the goal was reached. She did very well, which is lucky as she was married to a bee keeper!
139hailelib
Meanwhile, you should continue with your cleaning and decluttering efforts. Every time we do a "superclean" on our bedroom we have less congestion in the mornings and sleep better for three or four weeks. Good luck with the shots when you do figure a way to get them!
140cbl_tn
>137 MDGentleReader: Yes, but I didn't want to go to the closer allergist because I've got a close connection to someone who works there and privacy is a concern. Also, I'm already established with the ENT and I really like him. A new doctor is an unknown quantity.
>138 Roro8: I can see how being allergic to your husband's occupation (or hobby?) would be a problem!
>139 hailelib: I'm going to do a little at a time and eventually it will get done. With low energy right now, it's too overwhelming to think of doing the whole room at once. I did talk with the maintenance people today about eventually replacing the bedroom carpet with vinyl flooring and addressing the mold problem in the master bath. I'm also due to get a new furnace soon.
>138 Roro8: I can see how being allergic to your husband's occupation (or hobby?) would be a problem!
>139 hailelib: I'm going to do a little at a time and eventually it will get done. With low energy right now, it's too overwhelming to think of doing the whole room at once. I did talk with the maintenance people today about eventually replacing the bedroom carpet with vinyl flooring and addressing the mold problem in the master bath. I'm also due to get a new furnace soon.
141hailelib
Well, everything you do is a step in the right direction. We recently changed brands of toilet paper because the old one was making so much lint. I figured if it was all over the floor then it was probably in the air too.
142cbl_tn
>141 hailelib: I'll have to watch for that. A lot of little changes might have a big impact for me.
143cbl_tn
I just transferred my Sony Reader library to Kobo and was rewarded with a free ebook. One of the books offered was on my wishlist so I snapped it up - Zoo Station by David Downing. I also downloaded a free first-in-series mystery, Fire and Ice, by Dana Stabenow since the price was right.
My new allergy-friendly bedding arrived today, so I left work early to get it laundered and get the bed made. The last load is in the dryer now.
My new allergy-friendly bedding arrived today, so I left work early to get it laundered and get the bed made. The last load is in the dryer now.
144cbl_tn
Book 4 in my Grumpy category: The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer
Lady Ermendtrude Fenner's unexpected arrival at St. Frideswide's Monastery will try the patience of the nuns who make it their home. Lady Ermentrude, a patroness of the monastery, likes to have everything her own way. Her niece, Thomasine, is a novice due to take her final vows in just two weeks. She hopes to stay out of her aunt's way as much as possible, but Lady Ermentrude's sudden illness changes everyone's plans. When first a lay worker in the monastery and then Lady Ermentrude die during the course of a single night under circumstances suggesting poison, suspicion soon turns toward the novice Thomasine. Dame Frevisse doesn't believe Thomasine is guilty, and with Domina Edith's blessing she undertakes her own investigation to discover the true murderer.
Murder in a medieval monastery may have readers thinking Brother Cadfael, but the book reminds me more of Deborah Woodworth's series set in a Shaker community during the Great Depression. Dame Frevisse is more like Sister Rose Callahan than Brother Cadfael. The events take place during the childhood of King Henry VI, and events in his mother's court provide a historical backdrop for the plot. Powerful politician Thomas Chaucer, son of the famous poet, is incorporated into the story as a close connection of Dame Frevisse. The mystery plot isn't too complicated. It's not difficult to guess the identity of the murderer, but the motive remains hidden due to information that isn't shared with readers until the very end. The book is a good beginning to a long-running historical mystery series.
3.5 stars
Lady Ermendtrude Fenner's unexpected arrival at St. Frideswide's Monastery will try the patience of the nuns who make it their home. Lady Ermentrude, a patroness of the monastery, likes to have everything her own way. Her niece, Thomasine, is a novice due to take her final vows in just two weeks. She hopes to stay out of her aunt's way as much as possible, but Lady Ermentrude's sudden illness changes everyone's plans. When first a lay worker in the monastery and then Lady Ermentrude die during the course of a single night under circumstances suggesting poison, suspicion soon turns toward the novice Thomasine. Dame Frevisse doesn't believe Thomasine is guilty, and with Domina Edith's blessing she undertakes her own investigation to discover the true murderer.
Murder in a medieval monastery may have readers thinking Brother Cadfael, but the book reminds me more of Deborah Woodworth's series set in a Shaker community during the Great Depression. Dame Frevisse is more like Sister Rose Callahan than Brother Cadfael. The events take place during the childhood of King Henry VI, and events in his mother's court provide a historical backdrop for the plot. Powerful politician Thomas Chaucer, son of the famous poet, is incorporated into the story as a close connection of Dame Frevisse. The mystery plot isn't too complicated. It's not difficult to guess the identity of the murderer, but the motive remains hidden due to information that isn't shared with readers until the very end. The book is a good beginning to a long-running historical mystery series.
3.5 stars
145cbl_tn
I've spent all day off and on doing some spring cleaning in the bedroom and master bath. I washed all of the curtains and valances, bleached the shower curtain, and vacuumed the air vents. I should sleep well tonight. Thinking about getting the whole house allergy-proof is overwhelming, but I can focus on a couple of rooms. I've already noticed an improvement with the new bedding and the asthma medication.
146sallylou61
Glad to hear that your new bedding and asthma medication are helping you. Cleaning your bedroom and master bath sound like the most important rooms to clean since you would spend a lot of time in your bedroom, and bathrooms can get moldy, etc. I imagine that you are cleaning the rooms you use most often first. It would be ideal if you could get someone else to do at least some of the cleaning so that you would not be creating more dust while doing it.
148cbl_tn
>146 sallylou61: It would be nice to find a reliable cleaner, but doing the work myself doesn't seem to have affected me badly. I wear a mask and my vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter.
>147 hailelib: Thanks! I think the warmer weather and sunshine has helped, too. Mold seems to be my worst allergy.
>147 hailelib: Thanks! I think the warmer weather and sunshine has helped, too. Mold seems to be my worst allergy.
149cbl_tn
Not long ago I bought a treat ball for Adrian. I put a small handfull of Cheerios in the bottom and he has to roll the ball around to get the treats to dispense. He loves it, and I love to watch him play with it.
150lkernagh
>145 cbl_tn: - We just did a major spring clean this weekend as well Carrie and I have to admit that even last night I noticed a difference in my ability to fall into a wonderful deep sleep. Glad to see you have noticed a huge improvement in your allergy symptoms!
>149 cbl_tn: - What a great idea!
>149 cbl_tn: - What a great idea!
151cmbohn
Good luck with all the allergy symptoms. I did those shots for several years. Make sure you change your furnace filter often. It really picks up a lot of animal hair.
Adrian is a honey!
Adrian is a honey!
152cbl_tn
>150 lkernagh: >151 cmbohn: I see the doctor this morning to get the official results from the allergy testing and to discuss getting shots. I've got someone coming this afternoon to look at the mold problem in the bathroom and other things they might be able to do with the house. I'll be getting a washable furnace filter instead of the ones that get replaced every quarter but that don't filter out as many allergens.
I'm not planning for Adrian to go anywhere! Whatever I do to help with my allergies will also help him with his. We're a good pair!
I'm not planning for Adrian to go anywhere! Whatever I do to help with my allergies will also help him with his. We're a good pair!
153cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Bashful category: The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson
MysteryCAT
While Inspector Ann Lindell and her colleagues in Uppsala are investigating the murder of an elderly farmer, another one is murdered. Then another elderly man dies. The murders must be connected, but the investigators are unable to find a common thread. Perhaps they're related to the disappearance of an elderly professor a few weeks earlier, but again, any connection isn't immediately apparent.
This is a fairly solid police procedural, but I didn't like it as well as the ones I've read by Karin Fossum. The police didn't seem to work well as a team. Perhaps that's the fault of the department head rather than a flaw in Lindell's character. Lindell did withhold important information from her colleagues, and she went off on her own to follow hunches. Both of these traits got her into trouble. I don't like cozy mysteries with amateur detectives who unthinkingly put themselves into dangerous situations, and it's even more unforgivable when the investigator is a professional. The book ended abruptly with some threads unresolved. I've come to accept this as a characteristic of many Scandi crime novels. Readers who prefer a tidy resolution to their crime fiction might want to skip this one.
3.5 stars
MysteryCAT
While Inspector Ann Lindell and her colleagues in Uppsala are investigating the murder of an elderly farmer, another one is murdered. Then another elderly man dies. The murders must be connected, but the investigators are unable to find a common thread. Perhaps they're related to the disappearance of an elderly professor a few weeks earlier, but again, any connection isn't immediately apparent.
This is a fairly solid police procedural, but I didn't like it as well as the ones I've read by Karin Fossum. The police didn't seem to work well as a team. Perhaps that's the fault of the department head rather than a flaw in Lindell's character. Lindell did withhold important information from her colleagues, and she went off on her own to follow hunches. Both of these traits got her into trouble. I don't like cozy mysteries with amateur detectives who unthinkingly put themselves into dangerous situations, and it's even more unforgivable when the investigator is a professional. The book ended abruptly with some threads unresolved. I've come to accept this as a characteristic of many Scandi crime novels. Readers who prefer a tidy resolution to their crime fiction might want to skip this one.
3.5 stars
154cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Grumpy category: The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis
MysteryCAT
GeoCAT
Danish Red Cross nurse Nina Borg becomes involved in an international kidnapping when she agrees to do a favor for a friend. All she has to do is pick up a suitcase from a locker. Nina's world changes when she opens the suitcase and finds a naked and unconscious boy. Meanwhile in Lithuania, the boy's mother is desperate to find her missing son. When the police move too slowly for her comfort, she takes matters into her own hands.
I read a lot of predictable crime novels. This one went in directions I didn't expect. It was actually a 4-star book, but I deducted a half star because I found Nina Borg so unlikeable. There didn't seem to be any good reason for Nina not to immediately take the child to the police. Instead, she spends her time running all over Copenhagen trying to decide what to do next. For me, the real hero is the boy's mother, Sigita. As far as I'm concerned, she was the real investigator in this crime novel. If Sigita was the main character in the series, I'd continue reading it without a second thought. Since Nina Borg is the central character, I doubt I'll read another book in the series. There are too many other more tempting books out there.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: Once by Morris Gleitzman
MysteryCAT
GeoCAT
Danish Red Cross nurse Nina Borg becomes involved in an international kidnapping when she agrees to do a favor for a friend. All she has to do is pick up a suitcase from a locker. Nina's world changes when she opens the suitcase and finds a naked and unconscious boy. Meanwhile in Lithuania, the boy's mother is desperate to find her missing son. When the police move too slowly for her comfort, she takes matters into her own hands.
I read a lot of predictable crime novels. This one went in directions I didn't expect. It was actually a 4-star book, but I deducted a half star because I found Nina Borg so unlikeable. There didn't seem to be any good reason for Nina not to immediately take the child to the police. Instead, she spends her time running all over Copenhagen trying to decide what to do next. For me, the real hero is the boy's mother, Sigita. As far as I'm concerned, she was the real investigator in this crime novel. If Sigita was the main character in the series, I'd continue reading it without a second thought. Since Nina Borg is the central character, I doubt I'll read another book in the series. There are too many other more tempting books out there.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: Once by Morris Gleitzman
155cbl_tn
Book 3 in my Happy category: World War One British Poets edited by Candace Ward
(a recent purchase)
RandomCAT
The First World War was immortalized by poets – some who were active participants, and others who waited while sons, husbands, friends, or lovers went to war. This brief collection is a representative sample of war poems by British authors, including a couple of women. The brief biographical sketch that precedes the work of each poet let me know instantly whether or not that poet survived the war. It is frustrating that a few of the bios mention poems that are not included in this collection. Possibly those poems are still under copyright and could not be included in the collection. (Dover seems to keep its prices low by republishing material in the public domain.)
Only a couple of poems were familiar to me before I read the collection: “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke (If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England...) and “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. Of the new to me poems in the collection, the one that will linger most is “The Next War” by Robert Graves. I found it eerily prescient on this side of World War II:
You young friskies who today
Jump and fight in Father's hay
With bows and arrows and wooden spears,
Playing at Royal Welch Fusiliers,
Happy though these hours you spend,
Have they warned you how games end?...
4 stars
(a recent purchase)
RandomCAT
The First World War was immortalized by poets – some who were active participants, and others who waited while sons, husbands, friends, or lovers went to war. This brief collection is a representative sample of war poems by British authors, including a couple of women. The brief biographical sketch that precedes the work of each poet let me know instantly whether or not that poet survived the war. It is frustrating that a few of the bios mention poems that are not included in this collection. Possibly those poems are still under copyright and could not be included in the collection. (Dover seems to keep its prices low by republishing material in the public domain.)
Only a couple of poems were familiar to me before I read the collection: “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke (If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England...) and “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. Of the new to me poems in the collection, the one that will linger most is “The Next War” by Robert Graves. I found it eerily prescient on this side of World War II:
You young friskies who today
Jump and fight in Father's hay
With bows and arrows and wooden spears,
Playing at Royal Welch Fusiliers,
Happy though these hours you spend,
Have they warned you how games end?...
4 stars
156cbl_tn
I guess we're in the midst of dogwood winter here. I just got back from running errands in the middle of what meteorologists like to call a "wintry mix". It seems to have stopped now, but we have a freeze warning for tonight. I hope I don't have to scrape my windshield before I can drive home from work tonight.
157cmbohn
Thanks for the review on The Boy in the Suitcase. I had that one on my TBR list, but I don't think I'll bother.
158cbl_tn
>157 cmbohn: You're probably not missing much. I'd feel differently if the main character had any sense.
159hailelib
Ah yes, dogwood winter! We've got it on this side of the mountains as well. A freeze last night and possible frost tonight.
Hope your next mystery has a main character you really like.
Hope your next mystery has a main character you really like.
160cbl_tn
>159 hailelib: Thanks! I think my next mystery will be a Mrs. Pollifax and I already know I like her!
We've much better weather today with a high in the low 60s. Hopefully yesterday was the last of the really cold weather for a long time.
We've much better weather today with a high in the low 60s. Hopefully yesterday was the last of the really cold weather for a long time.
161cbl_tn
I am on a roll with poetry for this month's RandomCAT, so i decided to start my collection of Shakespeare's Sonnets last night. I can finish it by the end of the month if I read just 10 each evening. It seems like a reasonable goal. We studied selected sonnets in high school, but I've never read the whole collection. I bought my edition at Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon so it has some sentimental associations.
Last night I read sonnets 1-10. None of them seemed familiar so I don't think I had read any of them before. It didn't take me long to get the point. The biological clock is ticking, so don't put off children until it's too late. It brought to mind Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", a poem that seems more memorable to me than any of Shakespeare's first ten sonnets. (That could be thanks to P.D.Q. Bach's Liebeslieder Polkas my high school choir performed one year. I hear the P.D.Q. Bach music in my head whenever I read the poem!)
Last night I read sonnets 1-10. None of them seemed familiar so I don't think I had read any of them before. It didn't take me long to get the point. The biological clock is ticking, so don't put off children until it's too late. It brought to mind Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", a poem that seems more memorable to me than any of Shakespeare's first ten sonnets. (That could be thanks to P.D.Q. Bach's Liebeslieder Polkas my high school choir performed one year. I hear the P.D.Q. Bach music in my head whenever I read the poem!)
162cbl_tn
I had my first allergy shots this morning. So far so good! If their estimate proves correct I should reach the maintenance level around the end of the year.
163LittleTaiko
Hope the allergy shots help! Happy reading.
164cbl_tn
>163 LittleTaiko: Thanks! I hope so too!
165cbl_tn
Not much reading happening today. I thought I'd watch an episode of Last Tango in Halifax and suddenly the whole evening was gone. I'll read my 10 sonnets for the day and call it quits. Maybe tomorrow will be a better reading day.
166cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Dopey category: The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
GeoCAT (occupation focus)
When the CIA needs to get eight forged passports into Bulgaria, it seems like a perfect assignment for Mrs. Pollifax, an amateur who has occasionally been useful to them. All Mrs. Pollifax needs to do is meet a contact and deliver the passports. Nothing ends up being that simple when Mrs. Pollifax is involved. On her way to Bulgaria, she meets a group of young people traveling on the same flight. When one of them ends up in trouble, Mrs. Pollifax may be the only person who can save him.
This book was originally published in 1971, and it is firmly anchored in the Cold War. Yugoslavia hasn't yet disintegrated, Brezhnev is the Soviet leader, and the young Americans look like hippies and are concerned about their draft status. In spite of all the changes in world politics since the book was written, the only detail that made it feel dated is the expressed novelty of someone in the CIA having a phone in his car.
I love the combination of adventure and travel in the Mrs. Pollifax books. Mrs. Pollifax manages to see quite a bit of Bulgaria during her stay, and the descriptions of historic sites and scenery have me longing to see it in person.
4 stars
GeoCAT (occupation focus)
When the CIA needs to get eight forged passports into Bulgaria, it seems like a perfect assignment for Mrs. Pollifax, an amateur who has occasionally been useful to them. All Mrs. Pollifax needs to do is meet a contact and deliver the passports. Nothing ends up being that simple when Mrs. Pollifax is involved. On her way to Bulgaria, she meets a group of young people traveling on the same flight. When one of them ends up in trouble, Mrs. Pollifax may be the only person who can save him.
This book was originally published in 1971, and it is firmly anchored in the Cold War. Yugoslavia hasn't yet disintegrated, Brezhnev is the Soviet leader, and the young Americans look like hippies and are concerned about their draft status. In spite of all the changes in world politics since the book was written, the only detail that made it feel dated is the expressed novelty of someone in the CIA having a phone in his car.
I love the combination of adventure and travel in the Mrs. Pollifax books. Mrs. Pollifax manages to see quite a bit of Bulgaria during her stay, and the descriptions of historic sites and scenery have me longing to see it in person.
4 stars
167cbl_tn
I spent half the day washing all of my bedding. Just when I was looking forward to crawling under freshly laundered sheets, I discovered that Adrian had one of his rare accidents right on my nice clean bed. Sigh! I found some other sheets to use tonight. I put one load in the wash and I'll have to dry it and do the other load in the morning.
169cbl_tn
Thanks Lynda!
I went to sunrise service this morning. I'll be going to our regular church services soon. In the meantime, I've been rewashing the bedding that Adrian wet last night. I also found a tick on his head and I've just removed it. It's been an interesting day so far.
I went to sunrise service this morning. I'll be going to our regular church services soon. In the meantime, I've been rewashing the bedding that Adrian wet last night. I also found a tick on his head and I've just removed it. It's been an interesting day so far.
170thornton37814
>167 cbl_tn: Brumley left me a surprise to find splattered all over the couch this morning. I got out the cleaner, but of course it had to dry before I could sit on it. I'm not sure what made him sick at his stomach. I'm going to have to watch him today to see if he just ate something that didn't agree with him or if it is more serious. He seems to be feeling okay from what I can observe, so I'm guessing it was just a bad stomach.
171cbl_tn
>170 thornton37814: I hope Brumley got over his tummy upset.
172RidgewayGirl
Oh, the joys of pet ownership!
173cbl_tn
>172 RidgewayGirl: Yes! But they make up for it in other ways. It's hard for me to stay upset with Adrian for very long.
174cbl_tn
Book 4 in my Happy category: Spies, Patriots, and Traitors by Kenneth A. Daigler
Revolutionary War espionage seems to be a hot topic right now. It's the topic of a recent popular history by Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade, and even pops up in an episode of White Collar. Readers whose interest has been piqued by pop culture references to Revolutionary War spy rings may wish to delve further into the subject with this analysis of American intelligence activities during the Revolutionary War. With several decades of experience in the intelligence field, the author has a firm grasp of both intelligence operations and American history. This book will be useful to students and scholars of American history, and it will also appeal to general readers with an interest in Revolutionary era history. Recommended.
This review is based on an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
4 stars
Revolutionary War espionage seems to be a hot topic right now. It's the topic of a recent popular history by Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade, and even pops up in an episode of White Collar. Readers whose interest has been piqued by pop culture references to Revolutionary War spy rings may wish to delve further into the subject with this analysis of American intelligence activities during the Revolutionary War. With several decades of experience in the intelligence field, the author has a firm grasp of both intelligence operations and American history. This book will be useful to students and scholars of American history, and it will also appeal to general readers with an interest in Revolutionary era history. Recommended.
This review is based on an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
4 stars
175cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Sleepy category: Once by Morris Gleitzman
GeoCAT (occupation focus)
Felix hasn't seen his parents in the three years since they left him at a Catholic orphanage in Poland, but he expects them any day. Meanwhile, he writes stories about them in the yellow notebook they gave him. Felix has a gift for storytelling. Gradually Felix learns about what the Nazis are doing to Jews in Poland, but in his innocence he often draws false conclusions. One day Felix slips away from the orphanage to search for his parents with no idea what dangers he will expose himself to in the process.
The Holocaust is a bleak subject for children's literature. Gleitzman handles the topic with sensitivity. Felix's stories fortify the spirits of those around him, and they serve the same purpose for readers. There's always a ray of hope that Felix will survive his ordeal. I listened to the audio version narrated by the author. Sometimes authors aren't the best readers for their works, but Gleitzman is better than many professional readers I've heard. Felix's story is continued in several more books, and these are high on my wish list.
4.5 stars
Next up in audio: The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen
GeoCAT (occupation focus)
Felix hasn't seen his parents in the three years since they left him at a Catholic orphanage in Poland, but he expects them any day. Meanwhile, he writes stories about them in the yellow notebook they gave him. Felix has a gift for storytelling. Gradually Felix learns about what the Nazis are doing to Jews in Poland, but in his innocence he often draws false conclusions. One day Felix slips away from the orphanage to search for his parents with no idea what dangers he will expose himself to in the process.
The Holocaust is a bleak subject for children's literature. Gleitzman handles the topic with sensitivity. Felix's stories fortify the spirits of those around him, and they serve the same purpose for readers. There's always a ray of hope that Felix will survive his ordeal. I listened to the audio version narrated by the author. Sometimes authors aren't the best readers for their works, but Gleitzman is better than many professional readers I've heard. Felix's story is continued in several more books, and these are high on my wish list.
4.5 stars
Next up in audio: The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen
176thornton37814
Brumley is doing fine now.
177RidgewayGirl
Lori, I'm glad Brumley's fine. I'm convinced that cats will run like anything to the nearest upholstered furniture when they are feeling nauseous; if they can't make it that far, a carpet will do.
178cbl_tn
>177 RidgewayGirl: From my limited experience with cats, they do seem to have some perverse behaviors. In a room full of people, they'll head straight for the person with the worst cat allergy.
180RidgewayGirl
>179 cmbohn: My cat is white. I usually wear black jeans. He adores me.
181rabbitprincess
>179 cmbohn: and >180 RidgewayGirl: I used to have a black-and-white rabbit, and she would shed white fur on black clothes and vice versa.
182cbl_tn
I hadn't even thought about the shedding problem. Neither Adrian nor Stella (the dog who often stays with us) shed very much. I shed more hair than Adrian does!
183thornton37814
I proudly wear my cat.
184cbl_tn
Book 10 in my Doc category: George, Nicholas and Wilhelm by Miranda Carter
Don't be misled by the title of this book. It's as much a biography of three monarchies than of the three men named in the title. Victoria and her son, Edward VII, receive as much, if not more, attention as George V since Wilhelm became Kaiser and Nicholas became Tsar during Victoria's reign. Wilhelm had reigned in Germany for more than two decades before George V became King.
I referred often to the family trees at the front of the book to figure out who the people mentioned in the book were and how they were related to each other. I could have used more detail in the trees. Some of the cousins, uncles, aunts, and their spouses who mentioned in passing didn't make the cut in the design of the trees, where they were represented as “2 other children”, “3 other boys, 1 girl”, etc. It doesn't help when every family seems to have a Victoria and an Alexandra. Sometimes the author refers to a person by his or her given name and sometimes by a family nickname. Nicholas II's mother is sometimes referred to as Marie and sometimes as Minny; his wife Alexandra is sometimes referred to as Alix and sometimes as Alicky.
George V was first cousin to both Nicholas (their mothers were sisters) and Wilhelm (George's father and Wilhelm's mother were brother and sister). George and Nicholas bore an uncanny resemblance to each other as adults, and on the few occasions when they were together, one was sometimes mistaken for the other. Nicholas and Wilhelm were more distantly related – something like 3rd cousins once removed. From a purely family perspective, Wilhelm seems to be that relative whose visits everyone dreads and who no one wants to get stuck in conversation with at a family gathering. There's one in every family, right? The difference is that with these royals, their relationships, good or bad, had international consequences. It appears that none of the three men who reigned as war broke out were eager for war – not even Kaiser Wilhelm, with all of his bluster – but they were powerless to prevent it. Carter shows just how out of touch they were with the average person in the United Kingdom, Russia, and Germany.
The author quotes extensively from private journals and family letters, memoirs, and some secondary sources. While the title and concept of the book seem to target a general/popular audience, the writing style seems better suited for an academic audience. I don't often see words like “antipodean” in popular literature. Recommended for readers with an interest in European royalty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3.5 stars
Don't be misled by the title of this book. It's as much a biography of three monarchies than of the three men named in the title. Victoria and her son, Edward VII, receive as much, if not more, attention as George V since Wilhelm became Kaiser and Nicholas became Tsar during Victoria's reign. Wilhelm had reigned in Germany for more than two decades before George V became King.
I referred often to the family trees at the front of the book to figure out who the people mentioned in the book were and how they were related to each other. I could have used more detail in the trees. Some of the cousins, uncles, aunts, and their spouses who mentioned in passing didn't make the cut in the design of the trees, where they were represented as “2 other children”, “3 other boys, 1 girl”, etc. It doesn't help when every family seems to have a Victoria and an Alexandra. Sometimes the author refers to a person by his or her given name and sometimes by a family nickname. Nicholas II's mother is sometimes referred to as Marie and sometimes as Minny; his wife Alexandra is sometimes referred to as Alix and sometimes as Alicky.
George V was first cousin to both Nicholas (their mothers were sisters) and Wilhelm (George's father and Wilhelm's mother were brother and sister). George and Nicholas bore an uncanny resemblance to each other as adults, and on the few occasions when they were together, one was sometimes mistaken for the other. Nicholas and Wilhelm were more distantly related – something like 3rd cousins once removed. From a purely family perspective, Wilhelm seems to be that relative whose visits everyone dreads and who no one wants to get stuck in conversation with at a family gathering. There's one in every family, right? The difference is that with these royals, their relationships, good or bad, had international consequences. It appears that none of the three men who reigned as war broke out were eager for war – not even Kaiser Wilhelm, with all of his bluster – but they were powerless to prevent it. Carter shows just how out of touch they were with the average person in the United Kingdom, Russia, and Germany.
The author quotes extensively from private journals and family letters, memoirs, and some secondary sources. While the title and concept of the book seem to target a general/popular audience, the writing style seems better suited for an academic audience. I don't often see words like “antipodean” in popular literature. Recommended for readers with an interest in European royalty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3.5 stars
185cbl_tn
Book 7 in my Sneezy category: The Sonnets of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
RandomCAT
I studied a few of Shakespeare's sonnets in high school, but hadn't read any of the others until now. I think the teachers/textbook editors picked the cream of the crop for high school students – XVIII (Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?), LXXIII (That time of year thou mayst in me behold...), CXVI (Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments). While a few others stood out for me, many of them struck me as just so-so, with over-repetitive themes.
The sonnets don't seem to have been collated in a random order. There is a logical progression from one sonnet to the next. Some sonnets echo the previous sonnet, while others are a continuation of thought. As a whole, I prefer the Dark Lady sonnets to the rest of the collection. I was losing interest in the “you're so perfect” theme, so the Dark Lady sonnets were a welcome change. I'm glad I read the collection once. I'm not sure it's something I'll do again, or at least not until I've read all of the plays.
3 stars
RandomCAT
I studied a few of Shakespeare's sonnets in high school, but hadn't read any of the others until now. I think the teachers/textbook editors picked the cream of the crop for high school students – XVIII (Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?), LXXIII (That time of year thou mayst in me behold...), CXVI (Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments). While a few others stood out for me, many of them struck me as just so-so, with over-repetitive themes.
The sonnets don't seem to have been collated in a random order. There is a logical progression from one sonnet to the next. Some sonnets echo the previous sonnet, while others are a continuation of thought. As a whole, I prefer the Dark Lady sonnets to the rest of the collection. I was losing interest in the “you're so perfect” theme, so the Dark Lady sonnets were a welcome change. I'm glad I read the collection once. I'm not sure it's something I'll do again, or at least not until I've read all of the plays.
3 stars
186cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Bashful category: The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister
GeoCAT
I tend to forget that there were groups and individuals who weren't Jewish who were persecuted by the Nazis during the Holocaust years. Nonna Bannister was one of those individuals. Nonna's father was Polish (possibly of Jewish background) and her mother was Russian. She spent her childhood in Russia, and her immediate family was living with her grandmother in Ukraine at the beginning of the war. Most of the Russians left their town before the Germans reached it. Nonna's father had long been attempting to move his family westward, so he chose to stay put, not realizing what his family would suffer under the Germans. Eventually Nonna and her mother were sent to labor camps in Germany. Nonna was the only one in her family to survive until the end of the war. She trained as a nurse and eventually emigrated to the United States.
Nonna married within a couple of years of her arrival in the U.S., She didn't tell her husband and children about her childhood experiences. A few years before her death, she finally showed her husband the English transcriptions she had made of the diaries she kept during those years. After her death, Nonna's family made contact with a publisher, and a writing team compiled her transcriptions into a book. Nonna's diary transcriptions form the main body of the book, with occasional comments inserted by the compilers to clarify passages that call for additional explanation. This format gives the book an unfinished feel. Usually the professional writer will polish the subject's material to enhance its readability and appeal, and the finished product will read as if it has been written by the subject rather than by multiple authors. I think footnotes might have been a better method for adding comments to what Nonna had written. Recommended for readers interested in non-Jewish Holocaust memoirs who are prepared to tolerate the unusual presentation.
3.5 stars
GeoCAT
I tend to forget that there were groups and individuals who weren't Jewish who were persecuted by the Nazis during the Holocaust years. Nonna Bannister was one of those individuals. Nonna's father was Polish (possibly of Jewish background) and her mother was Russian. She spent her childhood in Russia, and her immediate family was living with her grandmother in Ukraine at the beginning of the war. Most of the Russians left their town before the Germans reached it. Nonna's father had long been attempting to move his family westward, so he chose to stay put, not realizing what his family would suffer under the Germans. Eventually Nonna and her mother were sent to labor camps in Germany. Nonna was the only one in her family to survive until the end of the war. She trained as a nurse and eventually emigrated to the United States.
Nonna married within a couple of years of her arrival in the U.S., She didn't tell her husband and children about her childhood experiences. A few years before her death, she finally showed her husband the English transcriptions she had made of the diaries she kept during those years. After her death, Nonna's family made contact with a publisher, and a writing team compiled her transcriptions into a book. Nonna's diary transcriptions form the main body of the book, with occasional comments inserted by the compilers to clarify passages that call for additional explanation. This format gives the book an unfinished feel. Usually the professional writer will polish the subject's material to enhance its readability and appeal, and the finished product will read as if it has been written by the subject rather than by multiple authors. I think footnotes might have been a better method for adding comments to what Nonna had written. Recommended for readers interested in non-Jewish Holocaust memoirs who are prepared to tolerate the unusual presentation.
3.5 stars
187cbl_tn
April Recap
Bashful: Books coaxed from my TBR stash - 6/14
The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson (3.5)
The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister (3.5)
Doc: Books I read to learn something – 10/14
A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips (3.5)
Calligrams by Guillaume Apollinaire (3)
George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I by Miranda Carter (3.5)
Dopey: Books I read just for fun – 6/14
Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton (4)
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (4)
Grumpy: Books full of murder & mischief – 5/14
The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer (3.5)
*The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis (3.5)
Happy: Happiness is a new book! - 4/14
World War One British Poets edited by Candace Ward (4)
Spies, Patriots, and Traitors by Kenneth A. Daigler (4)
Sleepy: Cozies, comfort reads, and children's literature – 6/14
*Once by Morris Gleitzman (4.5)
Sneezy: Old tomes (books originally published before I was born) – 7/14
The Sonnets of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare (3)
Best of the month: Once by Morris Gleitzman
Most annoying character: Nina Borg in The Boy in the Suitcase
*Audiobooks
Owned/physical: 6
Owned/ebook: 1
Borrowed/physical: 4
Owned/audiobook: 1
Borrowed/audiobook: 1
ARCs: 1
I believe this is the first month that I managed to read at least one book for each of my categories!
Bashful: Books coaxed from my TBR stash - 6/14
The Cruel Stars of the Night by Kjell Eriksson (3.5)
The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister (3.5)
Doc: Books I read to learn something – 10/14
A State of Independence by Caryl Phillips (3.5)
Calligrams by Guillaume Apollinaire (3)
George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I by Miranda Carter (3.5)
Dopey: Books I read just for fun – 6/14
Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton (4)
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (4)
Grumpy: Books full of murder & mischief – 5/14
The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer (3.5)
*The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis (3.5)
Happy: Happiness is a new book! - 4/14
World War One British Poets edited by Candace Ward (4)
Spies, Patriots, and Traitors by Kenneth A. Daigler (4)
Sleepy: Cozies, comfort reads, and children's literature – 6/14
*Once by Morris Gleitzman (4.5)
Sneezy: Old tomes (books originally published before I was born) – 7/14
The Sonnets of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare (3)
Best of the month: Once by Morris Gleitzman
Most annoying character: Nina Borg in The Boy in the Suitcase
*Audiobooks
Owned/physical: 6
Owned/ebook: 1
Borrowed/physical: 4
Owned/audiobook: 1
Borrowed/audiobook: 1
ARCs: 1
I believe this is the first month that I managed to read at least one book for each of my categories!
189cbl_tn
>188 Roro8: It surprised me, too. I only read one chunkster in April. Three books were poetry and went fairly quickly. One of the two audiobooks was less than 3 hours long.
190cbl_tn
Book 5 in my Happy category: Paperboy by Tony Macaulay
I'm usually wary of books that have subtitles like this: “an enchanting true story of a Belfast paperboy coming to terms with the Troubles”. However, in this case the subtitle didn't over-promise. I was truly enchanted by the story of “the only pacifist paperboy in West Belfast”, so I was. Maybe it's because I grew up in the same era, and his reminiscences of mid-1970s pop culture struck a chord with me. The Bay City Rollers, ABBA, Donny Osmond, David Cassidy, Farrah Fawcett, Olivia Newton-John, Monty Python, and Star Wars were popular here, too. It did help that I lived in the U.K. for a few years so I understood the difference between terraced houses and semi-detached houses, I know what hire purchase is, I know about Blue Peter, etc.
Macaulay's peers have a larger role in his memoir than his parents and his two brothers. He writes about a time of life when your peer group has more influence than your family. It's a time of life when your choice of peers is restricted to your neighborhood – people who live within walking distance – and school classmates. They're not necessarily the friends you would choose if your choice was unlimited, but learning to get along and fit in with peers whose interests are different from yours serves to build your social skills.
Readers in the author's age group will likely experience the strongest connection to this book, as well as readers in the UK, and particularly in Belfast. Readers whose interest is mainly in the history of the conflict between Protestants and Catholics may be disappointed. The Troubles are in the background of wee Tony's life, but they don't define his story. He didn't let it define him.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
4.5 stars
I'm usually wary of books that have subtitles like this: “an enchanting true story of a Belfast paperboy coming to terms with the Troubles”. However, in this case the subtitle didn't over-promise. I was truly enchanted by the story of “the only pacifist paperboy in West Belfast”, so I was. Maybe it's because I grew up in the same era, and his reminiscences of mid-1970s pop culture struck a chord with me. The Bay City Rollers, ABBA, Donny Osmond, David Cassidy, Farrah Fawcett, Olivia Newton-John, Monty Python, and Star Wars were popular here, too. It did help that I lived in the U.K. for a few years so I understood the difference between terraced houses and semi-detached houses, I know what hire purchase is, I know about Blue Peter, etc.
Macaulay's peers have a larger role in his memoir than his parents and his two brothers. He writes about a time of life when your peer group has more influence than your family. It's a time of life when your choice of peers is restricted to your neighborhood – people who live within walking distance – and school classmates. They're not necessarily the friends you would choose if your choice was unlimited, but learning to get along and fit in with peers whose interests are different from yours serves to build your social skills.
Readers in the author's age group will likely experience the strongest connection to this book, as well as readers in the UK, and particularly in Belfast. Readers whose interest is mainly in the history of the conflict between Protestants and Catholics may be disappointed. The Troubles are in the background of wee Tony's life, but they don't define his story. He didn't let it define him.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
4.5 stars
191cbl_tn
Adrian had a fun experience this evening. I dropped him off at my friend's house for a few minutes while I went to vote since it was too hot to leave him in the car for even a few minutes. They have several llamas, and they were outside their usual fenced area and next to the house. Adrian got to meet them up close instead of through a fence. I wish I'd had my camera out! He was on his leash and he stayed really still. They sniffed around each other for a few minutes before they lost interest.
192cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Grumpy category: The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen
MysteryCAT
An unknown visitor to the office of publisher Donald Kirk is found dead in a locked room. No one has been seen to enter or leave the room. Most puzzling of all, everything in the room is backwards – including the dead man's clothes. Who was the man, why was he killed, and who murdered him? Fortunately, Ellery Queen is on hand to assist his father, Inspector Queen, with unraveling this unusual mystery.
The mystery is filled with red herrings. Objects at the murder scene and relationships among the characters are described in great detail, yet it's not easy to determine which of them are important and which are irrelevant. The one aspect of the murder that should have been obvious to me was obscured by the many elements at the scene that Queen had to investigate. The most enjoyable aspect of the book is the relationship between Ellery and his father, Inspector Queen. Their strengths complement each other, and their conversation rings authentic.
It's been years since I've read an Ellery Queen mystery, and I haven't often found them where I shop for books. My public library recently added several Ellery Queen mysteries to its collection of downloadable audiobooks, and I'll definitely listen to more of these now that they're more easily accessible.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
MysteryCAT
An unknown visitor to the office of publisher Donald Kirk is found dead in a locked room. No one has been seen to enter or leave the room. Most puzzling of all, everything in the room is backwards – including the dead man's clothes. Who was the man, why was he killed, and who murdered him? Fortunately, Ellery Queen is on hand to assist his father, Inspector Queen, with unraveling this unusual mystery.
The mystery is filled with red herrings. Objects at the murder scene and relationships among the characters are described in great detail, yet it's not easy to determine which of them are important and which are irrelevant. The one aspect of the murder that should have been obvious to me was obscured by the many elements at the scene that Queen had to investigate. The most enjoyable aspect of the book is the relationship between Ellery and his father, Inspector Queen. Their strengths complement each other, and their conversation rings authentic.
It's been years since I've read an Ellery Queen mystery, and I haven't often found them where I shop for books. My public library recently added several Ellery Queen mysteries to its collection of downloadable audiobooks, and I'll definitely listen to more of these now that they're more easily accessible.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
193VivienneR
It must have been lovely to see Adrian with the llamas. All animals seem to be curious about other animals - before losing interest. Heartwarming while it lasts though.
194cbl_tn
>193 VivienneR: Yes, it was great! Adrian is very curious about his surroundings and he is predisposed to be friendly unless the other party makes some threatening movement. I'm constantly surprised.
195mamzel
Good for you - finding a place other than your hot car to leave Adrian. I hate seeing dogs in cars, even with the windows left open. I think their caretakers should spend some time in the closed car wearing a fur coat to see what it's like!
196RidgewayGirl
Here in Munich you can usually bring your dog into the store with you and if it isn't allowed, then there is often a place specifically to tie the leash to. In summer, they often leave out a bowl of water as well. Emmie likes to run errands with me as it's an extra, bonus walk. She's also allowed in the outdoor seating in restaurants and beer gardens, where a bowl of water is brought automatically. She learned to love that soon after we arrived when we spent a weekend with the parts of my SO's family living in Germany and my uncle in law spent most of the meals sneaking her tidbits.
197cbl_tn
>195 mamzel: Adrian loves riding in the car. In cooler temperatures when there's not enough direct sunlight to warm up the interior of the car I'll leave him for 15 or 20 minutes. I won't even think about doing that now that the weather has turned much warmer. He can go with me when all I'm doing is going through a drive-thru or running errands when I'm in and out in just seconds (like returning library books). Otherwise he'll have to stay at home.
>196 RidgewayGirl: Adrian would love that! He's very sociable and he loves to meet new people. They used to do the same thing with dogs - and babies - on the high streets in England. It wasn't unusual to see a dog tied up outside a shop patiently sitting while its owner was inside. (The babies weren't tied up - they just sat in pushchairs or prams that were too bulky to fit inside a small shop.)
>196 RidgewayGirl: Adrian would love that! He's very sociable and he loves to meet new people. They used to do the same thing with dogs - and babies - on the high streets in England. It wasn't unusual to see a dog tied up outside a shop patiently sitting while its owner was inside. (The babies weren't tied up - they just sat in pushchairs or prams that were too bulky to fit inside a small shop.)
198mamzel
At our Trader Joe's they not only have a bowl of water outside for the pooches but a supply of TJ treats for them to enjoy. Not to mention lots of people walking by and giving them pats.
199cbl_tn
>198 mamzel: Too bad our Trader Joe's is way over on the other side of town! the only store in my neighborhood that welcomes pets is the pet store.
200sjmccreary
I love seeing pets in public. I'm not counting the big box pet stores since I never go there. I'm thinking of the small book stores that have shop cats and when people take their small dogs with them. I saw a small dog being carried by its owner somewhere the other day - at the library maybe? The quilt shop I go to has a dog who greets people when they come in and who sits up on the check-out counter demanding attention while your goodies are being rung up and bagged. I think they make public places less sterile or something.
201cbl_tn
Hi Sandy! I like seeing pets in public, too. It's so easy to rush from one task to the next without paying close attention to your surroundings. Pets help to focus your attention on the moment. Adrian has been a great ice breaker. Strangers feel comfortable stopping to talk for a minute when I'm out with Adrian.
203cbl_tn
>202 lkernagh: That would make a great children's book! I wish I could draw well enough to illustrate it!
204mamzel
>202 lkernagh: Definitely a children's book!
205sjmccreary
#203 My daughter is a senior graphic art major at the local university and does wonderful drawings. I'll bet if you went to your local college you could have your pick of art students who would love a chance at a project like that. All you need to do is write the story, and launch 2 new careers at the same time!
206lindapanzo
Hi Carrie, I haven't stopped by in awhile so I thought I'd drop in and say hello. Actually, I haven't stopped by on LT much at all lately.
I read that Ellery Queen last year and enjoyed it. Recently, I picked up two cheapo Kindle books (Kindle Daily Deals). One is a full-length Ellery Queen and the other is a collection of Ellery Queen short stories. I enjoy that series though I don't seem to have read any of them in any particular order.
I read that Ellery Queen last year and enjoyed it. Recently, I picked up two cheapo Kindle books (Kindle Daily Deals). One is a full-length Ellery Queen and the other is a collection of Ellery Queen short stories. I enjoy that series though I don't seem to have read any of them in any particular order.
207cbl_tn
>204 mamzel: >205 sjmccreary: Maybe I can team up with Terri and write an Adrian and Sig adventure! We would have to figure out a way to work LT into the story.
>206 lindapanzo: Hi Linda! I haven't read Ellery Queen in any particular order. I read one or two in my teens because they were in the house. They used to be my father's. I couldn't even tell you now which ones I read. I have the Ellery Queen TV series with Jim Hutton on DVD, and I pulled it out last weekend and watched several episodes. I may do that again this weekend when I'm not reading.
>206 lindapanzo: Hi Linda! I haven't read Ellery Queen in any particular order. I read one or two in my teens because they were in the house. They used to be my father's. I couldn't even tell you now which ones I read. I have the Ellery Queen TV series with Jim Hutton on DVD, and I pulled it out last weekend and watched several episodes. I may do that again this weekend when I'm not reading.
208cbl_tn
I've been adding my family tree to Ancestry off and on this week. I decided to do it manually instead of importing a GEDCOM so I could have more control over what's there and what isn't there. In the process I've been poking around in other contributed family trees where we appear to share common ancestors. I looked at one earlier today which, if it's correct, means I share a common ancestor with Lizzie Borden (eek!) and Bing Crosby. The interesting thing is that I had a great uncle that I always thought looked a lot like Bing Crosby. The common ancestor would be shared with this great uncle.
209rabbitprincess
>208 cbl_tn: That would be fun if you shared an ancestor with Bing Crosby!
210cbl_tn
>209 rabbitprincess: I wish my mother was still living so I could tell her. Bing Crosby was one of her favorite entertainers.
211cbl_tn
I just picked up Adrian from the groomer. We've got a tick infestation in our neighborhood, so I had them cut his hair very short to make it easier to search him for ticks. I prefer his hair a little longer, but his health is more important than his looks. We had temperatures well into the 80s this week and it's still early May, so he will probably appreciate the shorter do. I think he still looks handsome.
212cbl_tn
Book 7 in my Bashful category: The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte
Julia, a young but highly respected art restorer, has been hired by her friend Menchu to restore a 15th century Flemish panel, The Game of Chess, which will be sold at auction in a few weeks. Using X-ray photography, Julia has discovered a hidden Latin inscription on the painting: who killed the knight? What does it mean? Does it refer to the knight in the painting, or to a knight in the chess game depicted in the painting? Julia needs to know more about the painting's history and the three people in the scene. She enlists the help of her friend and father figure César, her ex-lover Álvaro, and an enigmatic chess master, Muñoz. Julia's quest to solve a 500-year-old murder sets off a fresh chain of murders. Will Julia uncover the painting's mysteries in time to save her own life?
The author tried to do too much in a fairly short book. I was fascinated by the art history, the painting's Renaissance setting, and the intricacies and layers of the chess game depicted in the painting. The added twist of Freudian psychoanalysis was too much. The suspense built through the clues in the chess game, the modern murders, and Julia's near escapes is wasted by the lengthy explanation required to tie all of the plot elements together. The idea is better than its execution. I also had a hard time accepting Julia as one of the best art restorers in the field. Wouldn't an expert know better than to chain smoke in front of a valuable painting she's supposed to be restoring?
3 stars
Julia, a young but highly respected art restorer, has been hired by her friend Menchu to restore a 15th century Flemish panel, The Game of Chess, which will be sold at auction in a few weeks. Using X-ray photography, Julia has discovered a hidden Latin inscription on the painting: who killed the knight? What does it mean? Does it refer to the knight in the painting, or to a knight in the chess game depicted in the painting? Julia needs to know more about the painting's history and the three people in the scene. She enlists the help of her friend and father figure César, her ex-lover Álvaro, and an enigmatic chess master, Muñoz. Julia's quest to solve a 500-year-old murder sets off a fresh chain of murders. Will Julia uncover the painting's mysteries in time to save her own life?
The author tried to do too much in a fairly short book. I was fascinated by the art history, the painting's Renaissance setting, and the intricacies and layers of the chess game depicted in the painting. The added twist of Freudian psychoanalysis was too much. The suspense built through the clues in the chess game, the modern murders, and Julia's near escapes is wasted by the lengthy explanation required to tie all of the plot elements together. The idea is better than its execution. I also had a hard time accepting Julia as one of the best art restorers in the field. Wouldn't an expert know better than to chain smoke in front of a valuable painting she's supposed to be restoring?
3 stars
213cbl_tn
Book 7 in my Sleepy category: Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy
White House executive chef Ollie Paras has her hands full preparing for the beginning of the holiday season. Ollie and her staff will be serving Thanksgiving for the President and his wife and a small circle of their friends, then preparing food for a gathering of mothers and children to publicize the gingerbread decorating contest with entries contributed by children from across the U.S. If that wasn't enough to keep the White House kitchen hopping, Ollie and her staff must also participate mandatory training courses with the Secret Service to learn to spot potential security threats. Ollie and Special Agent Gavin start off on the wrong foot, but they gradually earn each others' respect, especially when Ollie's sixth sense starts picking up on danger lurking within the White House.
I still enjoy reading about the behind-the-scenes activity in the White House. I've watched the holiday tours on HGTV so it was fun reading about the preparations for this annual media event. The mystery wasn't as difficult to solve as the one in the first book, perhaps becausethe cover illustration gives away most of the plot. This is one of the better recent cozy series, and I'll look forward to reading more about Ollie's White House adventures.
3.5 stars
White House executive chef Ollie Paras has her hands full preparing for the beginning of the holiday season. Ollie and her staff will be serving Thanksgiving for the President and his wife and a small circle of their friends, then preparing food for a gathering of mothers and children to publicize the gingerbread decorating contest with entries contributed by children from across the U.S. If that wasn't enough to keep the White House kitchen hopping, Ollie and her staff must also participate mandatory training courses with the Secret Service to learn to spot potential security threats. Ollie and Special Agent Gavin start off on the wrong foot, but they gradually earn each others' respect, especially when Ollie's sixth sense starts picking up on danger lurking within the White House.
I still enjoy reading about the behind-the-scenes activity in the White House. I've watched the holiday tours on HGTV so it was fun reading about the preparations for this annual media event. The mystery wasn't as difficult to solve as the one in the first book, perhaps because
3.5 stars
214sallylou61
Re 211---- Adrian does look both handsome and cute in that picture.
215cbl_tn
>214 sallylou61: Thanks! I left the scarf on all day because he looked so dashing in it. I finally took it off before he got in his crate to sleep last night.
216casvelyn
>212 cbl_tn: When was the book written? I've seen photos from the 1950s and 1960s of archivists smoking cigars at their desks with priceless documents spread out in front of them. You'd think they would have known better, even back then, but apparently not.
217cbl_tn
>216 casvelyn: It was originally published in Spanish in 1990 and the English translation was published in 1994. I think she should have known better by that point in time.
219cbl_tn
Book 6 in my Happy category: The Map Thief by Michael Blanding
Michael Blanding seamlessly weaves the story of Forbes Smiley, a map dealer turned thief, with the history of cartography and its significance in European and North American history. Blanding builds a portrait of Smiley within the context of his family friends, and business associates – fellow map dealers, collectors, librarians, and archivists. Smiley comes across as a man who wanted to please, and his desire to be liked drove his business decisions. His personality seems ill suited for a self-employed businessman.
Blanding examines the controversy surrounding Smiley's plea deal in which Smiley agreed to cooperate with authorities by providing a complete inventory of the maps he stole, paying restitution, and serving prison time. Libraries and archives compiled their own lists of missing maps, and their list is much longer than the list of maps Smiley admitted to stealing. Many librarians, archivists, and dealers believe that Smiley stole many more maps than he admitted to stealing. Blanding presents circumstantial evidence that suggests that Smiley might have stolen additional maps, but he stops short of accusing Smiley of the additional thefts. I think this was a wise choice. Blanding's introduction mentions other known map thieves. The missing maps are rare, but they are not the only existing copies, and in many cases the catalog and/or inventory records are not detailed enough to differentiate the library's copy of the map from other existing copies. One university library resorted to a 25-year-old microform copy of its catalog to inventory its collection and compile a list of missing items. Blanding had already mentioned that items from this library's collection had been transferred to another campus library, but he doesn't address the question of whether some of the missing items could have been among the transfers and thus not really missing at all. Another library that accused Smiley of stealing more maps than he admitted to later discovered that one of those maps had been misplaced within the library. Smiley hadn't stolen it after all. There could have been an individual or two who took advantage of Smiley's capture to pilfer a few maps with the confidence that Smiley would be blamed for their thefts.
Blanding's account of the thefts highlights the tension in the library profession between security of the collection, access to the collection, and privacy and confidentiality. Some of the libraries had retained patron logs, call slips, and circulation records that provided evidence of Smiley's thefts, while other libraries didn't retain such records. This doesn't necessarily mean that the libraries that didn't keep patron logs and circulation records weren't properly managed. It may simply mean that those libraries have chosen a different balance of security, access, and confidentiality.
As thorough as this account is, there are still questions surrounding Smiley that will probably never be answered. Blanding's Smiley lost the trust of his business colleagues, and he no longer has access to that world. He deeply disappointed his longtime friends and his family, but none of them seem to have abandoned him. Maybe that's significant.
This review is based on an advanced readers copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
4.5 stars
Michael Blanding seamlessly weaves the story of Forbes Smiley, a map dealer turned thief, with the history of cartography and its significance in European and North American history. Blanding builds a portrait of Smiley within the context of his family friends, and business associates – fellow map dealers, collectors, librarians, and archivists. Smiley comes across as a man who wanted to please, and his desire to be liked drove his business decisions. His personality seems ill suited for a self-employed businessman.
Blanding examines the controversy surrounding Smiley's plea deal in which Smiley agreed to cooperate with authorities by providing a complete inventory of the maps he stole, paying restitution, and serving prison time. Libraries and archives compiled their own lists of missing maps, and their list is much longer than the list of maps Smiley admitted to stealing. Many librarians, archivists, and dealers believe that Smiley stole many more maps than he admitted to stealing. Blanding presents circumstantial evidence that suggests that Smiley might have stolen additional maps, but he stops short of accusing Smiley of the additional thefts. I think this was a wise choice. Blanding's introduction mentions other known map thieves. The missing maps are rare, but they are not the only existing copies, and in many cases the catalog and/or inventory records are not detailed enough to differentiate the library's copy of the map from other existing copies. One university library resorted to a 25-year-old microform copy of its catalog to inventory its collection and compile a list of missing items. Blanding had already mentioned that items from this library's collection had been transferred to another campus library, but he doesn't address the question of whether some of the missing items could have been among the transfers and thus not really missing at all. Another library that accused Smiley of stealing more maps than he admitted to later discovered that one of those maps had been misplaced within the library. Smiley hadn't stolen it after all. There could have been an individual or two who took advantage of Smiley's capture to pilfer a few maps with the confidence that Smiley would be blamed for their thefts.
Blanding's account of the thefts highlights the tension in the library profession between security of the collection, access to the collection, and privacy and confidentiality. Some of the libraries had retained patron logs, call slips, and circulation records that provided evidence of Smiley's thefts, while other libraries didn't retain such records. This doesn't necessarily mean that the libraries that didn't keep patron logs and circulation records weren't properly managed. It may simply mean that those libraries have chosen a different balance of security, access, and confidentiality.
As thorough as this account is, there are still questions surrounding Smiley that will probably never be answered. Blanding's Smiley lost the trust of his business colleagues, and he no longer has access to that world. He deeply disappointed his longtime friends and his family, but none of them seem to have abandoned him. Maybe that's significant.
This review is based on an advanced readers copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
4.5 stars
220RidgewayGirl
Excellent review, Carrie. I have given it a well-deserved thumb.
221cbl_tn
>220 RidgewayGirl: Thanks! I've been very pleased with my last two Early Reviewers reads. It may be difficult to pick my "best of the month" book when it comes time to do that for May.
222DeltaQueen50
Oh, lucky you getting a great read from the ER program.
223cbl_tn
>222 DeltaQueen50: I hope my luck holds out! I have another Early Reviewers book on deck.
224cbl_tn
Book 7 in my Grumpy category: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
MysteryCAT
RandomCAT
Hercule Poirot faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet – a 16-year-old cold case. Caroline Crale was convicted of murdering her artist husband, Amyas Crale over his affair with a much younger woman. Caroline Crale died a year later, leaving a letter to be given to their young daughter when she came of age. The daughter, Carla, has just received the letter in which her mother assures her of her innocence. Carla believes her mother's statement, but she thinks her fiance has doubts. Hercule Poirot may be the only person who could get to the truth of what happened all those years ago. There are five other suspects, and all are still living: brothers Phillip and Meredith Blake, the Crale's nearest neighbors; Elsa Greer, Amyas Crale's model and the “other woman”; Angela Warren, Caroline Crale's younger half sister; and Cecilia Williams, Angela's governess. Poirot asks each of the five for their account of the events leading to Amyas Crale's death and he reaches a surprising conclusion.
In many ways this is a typical country house mystery. There is no doubt that Amyas Crale was poisoned. Other than Amyas and Caroline Crale, only the five living witnesses had access to the poison. If Caroline Crale didn't murder her husband, one of them must have done it. I thought I had the murder all figured out, only to discover that I had fallen for one of the red herrings that Christie so skillfully creates. Christie worked in a pharmacy during World War I, and she is at her best when she writes about poisons. Although this isn't as well known as several of Poirot's other cases, it's still a solid mystery and is characteristic of Christie's work.
4 stars
Next up in audio: Sold by Patricia McCormick
MysteryCAT
RandomCAT
Hercule Poirot faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet – a 16-year-old cold case. Caroline Crale was convicted of murdering her artist husband, Amyas Crale over his affair with a much younger woman. Caroline Crale died a year later, leaving a letter to be given to their young daughter when she came of age. The daughter, Carla, has just received the letter in which her mother assures her of her innocence. Carla believes her mother's statement, but she thinks her fiance has doubts. Hercule Poirot may be the only person who could get to the truth of what happened all those years ago. There are five other suspects, and all are still living: brothers Phillip and Meredith Blake, the Crale's nearest neighbors; Elsa Greer, Amyas Crale's model and the “other woman”; Angela Warren, Caroline Crale's younger half sister; and Cecilia Williams, Angela's governess. Poirot asks each of the five for their account of the events leading to Amyas Crale's death and he reaches a surprising conclusion.
In many ways this is a typical country house mystery. There is no doubt that Amyas Crale was poisoned. Other than Amyas and Caroline Crale, only the five living witnesses had access to the poison. If Caroline Crale didn't murder her husband, one of them must have done it. I thought I had the murder all figured out, only to discover that I had fallen for one of the red herrings that Christie so skillfully creates. Christie worked in a pharmacy during World War I, and she is at her best when she writes about poisons. Although this isn't as well known as several of Poirot's other cases, it's still a solid mystery and is characteristic of Christie's work.
4 stars
Next up in audio: Sold by Patricia McCormick
225cbl_tn
I just had a mild scare with Adrian. He spent the day at a friend's house because I had some workers scheduled during the day today. I picked him up after work, and when I arrived at home, I noticed that my purse had spilled on the floor of the car. A bottle of medicine that was in it had come open and several tablets were on the floor. When I picked them up, there were two missing. I was pretty sure Adrian hadn't eaten them - I think I would have noticed him licking or swallowing something - but since I couldn't account for the other two pills, I called the vet for instructions. She thought he'd be fine even if he did eat the two missing tablets, but to be on the safe side she said I should induce vomiting. I did. Then I found the other two pills in the bottom of my purse. Better safe than sorry. I had a towel all ready for Adrian's use, and I needed to wash a load of towels this evening anyway.
226cbl_tn
Book 11 in my Doc category: Sold by Patricia McCormick
GeoCAT
13-year-old Lakshmi lives in the mountains of Nepal with her mother, stepfather, and baby brother. Like most families, they are very poor, but Lakshmi is happy going to school, playing games with her friends, and tending her cucumbers, all of which she has named. Whenever her stepfather gets money, he spends it on himself or gambles it away, so that there are always things the family needs that are just out of reach. One day a woman gives him money to take Lakshmi with her. Lakshmi believes she is going to the city to be a maid for a rich woman, and that the money she earns will provide things her family needs, like a new tin roof. Instead, Lakshmi is taken to a brothel in Calcutta called Happiness House, where life is anything but happy for the young girls who are forced into the sex trade.
Although Lakshmi and Happiness House are fictional, they represent thousands of young Nepali girls who are victims of sex trafficking. McCormick gets the tone just right. Lakshmi's story is realistic but not overly sensational or graphic. Lakshmi experiences appalling treatment, yet she never completely loses hope of returning home. I was angry and sad for Lakshmi, but ultimately I was inspired by her inner strength, courage, and dignity. There are several organizations that work to rescue girls like Lakshmi from forced participation in the sex trade and to change or enforce laws to reduce the prevalence of sex trafficking. I can't go to India to rescue other Lakshmis, but I can donate to organizations that do.
Most teens will be mature enough to handle the subject matter, which is tastefully handled. It would be a good reading choice for raising awareness of this issue that affects so many women and girls worldwide.
4 stars
Next up in audio: Past Tense by Catherine Aird
GeoCAT
13-year-old Lakshmi lives in the mountains of Nepal with her mother, stepfather, and baby brother. Like most families, they are very poor, but Lakshmi is happy going to school, playing games with her friends, and tending her cucumbers, all of which she has named. Whenever her stepfather gets money, he spends it on himself or gambles it away, so that there are always things the family needs that are just out of reach. One day a woman gives him money to take Lakshmi with her. Lakshmi believes she is going to the city to be a maid for a rich woman, and that the money she earns will provide things her family needs, like a new tin roof. Instead, Lakshmi is taken to a brothel in Calcutta called Happiness House, where life is anything but happy for the young girls who are forced into the sex trade.
Although Lakshmi and Happiness House are fictional, they represent thousands of young Nepali girls who are victims of sex trafficking. McCormick gets the tone just right. Lakshmi's story is realistic but not overly sensational or graphic. Lakshmi experiences appalling treatment, yet she never completely loses hope of returning home. I was angry and sad for Lakshmi, but ultimately I was inspired by her inner strength, courage, and dignity. There are several organizations that work to rescue girls like Lakshmi from forced participation in the sex trade and to change or enforce laws to reduce the prevalence of sex trafficking. I can't go to India to rescue other Lakshmis, but I can donate to organizations that do.
Most teens will be mature enough to handle the subject matter, which is tastefully handled. It would be a good reading choice for raising awareness of this issue that affects so many women and girls worldwide.
4 stars
Next up in audio: Past Tense by Catherine Aird
227mamzel
McCormick is one of my favorite YA authors. She addresses many sensitive topics. You might try Never Fall Down which is about a young man trying to survive the Cambodian genocide.
228DeltaQueen50
Your thoughts on Sold are pretty much the same as mine were. I thought the author did an excellent job telling this story.
I hope Adrian (and you) have recovered from the scare yesterday.
I hope Adrian (and you) have recovered from the scare yesterday.
229cbl_tn
>227 mamzel: Thanks for the recommendation! The public library system has several copies so I've added it to my library wishlist. I'll keep it in mind when we visit that part of Asia in the GeoCAT.
>228 DeltaQueen50: Adrian seems none the worse for the wear today, thank goodness!
>228 DeltaQueen50: Adrian seems none the worse for the wear today, thank goodness!
230cbl_tn
Book 8 in my Grumpy category: Past Tense by Catherine Aird
An elderly woman with no friends and few relations dies in a nursing home. After her death but before her funeral, someone breaks into her room at the nursing home. What was the intruder after, and did he – or she – find it? Then a young woman dies under suspicious circumstances. As DCI Sloan and DC Crosby investigate her death, they find a link to the recently deceased nursing home patient, Josephine Short. Did one death lead to the other? Finding out exactly how the two women were connected may lead to the criminal's identity.
I had an idea early on about the identity of the killer and his or her motive. It seemed so obvious to me that I wondered why the police didn't consider it. As the end of the book approached, I began to question myself, and decided that I had fallen for a red herring. DCI Sloan finally caught on to what I had suspected almost from the beginning. I had hoped for a surprise twist, so I was disappointed that I saw this coming so far ahead. I did enjoy interaction of Sloan and Crosby in the audio version. This is the first book in this series that I've listened to instead of reading, and I picked up on some aspects of the relationship between the partners that I had missed in the print version. The books in this series don't need to be read in any particular order. I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the other books in the series, so I wouldn't recommend starting here.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: The Art Detective by Philip Mould
An elderly woman with no friends and few relations dies in a nursing home. After her death but before her funeral, someone breaks into her room at the nursing home. What was the intruder after, and did he – or she – find it? Then a young woman dies under suspicious circumstances. As DCI Sloan and DC Crosby investigate her death, they find a link to the recently deceased nursing home patient, Josephine Short. Did one death lead to the other? Finding out exactly how the two women were connected may lead to the criminal's identity.
I had an idea early on about the identity of the killer and his or her motive. It seemed so obvious to me that I wondered why the police didn't consider it. As the end of the book approached, I began to question myself, and decided that I had fallen for a red herring. DCI Sloan finally caught on to what I had suspected almost from the beginning. I had hoped for a surprise twist, so I was disappointed that I saw this coming so far ahead. I did enjoy interaction of Sloan and Crosby in the audio version. This is the first book in this series that I've listened to instead of reading, and I picked up on some aspects of the relationship between the partners that I had missed in the print version. The books in this series don't need to be read in any particular order. I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the other books in the series, so I wouldn't recommend starting here.
3.5 stars
Next up in audio: The Art Detective by Philip Mould
231cbl_tn
Book 12 in my Doc category: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
RandomCAT
This biography of three generations of women in Jung Chang's family is also a history of China and its politics from the early 20th century through the end of the Cultural Revolution and Mao's death in 1976. Chang's grandmother was the concubine of a warlord and was among the last generation of women to have bound feet. Chang's mother joined the underground Communist movement in her teens. She married a fellow communist who became one of the top Party officials in the province of Sichuan. Chang's mother also held a leadership position until the Cultural Revolution changed everything. Both of Chang's parents were denounced, lost their positions, and underwent years of physical and mental persecution. Despite the separation of the family – Chang's parents were sent to separate work camps and she and her siblings were required to live at their schools with their classmates – the family maintained strong emotional ties.
Chang's father deeply believed in the principles of Communism, and he lived as he believed. Social privileges were determined by a person's rank in the Party, and Chang's father would not allow his wife (who had a lower Party rank) or his children to benefit from the privileges that went with his status. Unfortunately, when he was denounced as a “capitalist-roader”, his status attached to his family and limited their future prospects.
It was too dangerous for Chang's parents to teach their children anything contradictory to the Party line (even though the Party line constantly changed and often contradicted itself). Any doubts they had about Mao's leadership were not communicated to their children. As a child, Chang unquestioningly accepted Mao's teachings, and when her experiences and observations contradicted what she had been taught, she questioned her experience rather than the doctrine. Her disillusionment with Mao's Cultural Revolution was gradual but irrevocable. In the words of one chapter heading, Chang finally realized that “if this is Paradise, what then is Hell?” In the course of the Cultural Revolution, Chang witnessed the destruction of thousands of years of China's cultural heritage – its landscape ravaged, its architecture and monuments destroyed, and its books burned.
I wasn't as engaged with the first part of the book that describes the life and experiences of Chang's mother and grandmother before Chang's birth. I kept wondering how Chang could possibly know so many details about things that happened before she was born. I spent a lot of time with my parents and grandparents and heard many stories about their early lives, but I doubt that I could write their biographies in such detail. There's a qualitative difference in the writing once Chang begins describing her personal experiences, and the book became a page-turner for me at that point. In the afterword, Chang mentions that her mother spent several months with her in England ten years after Chang had left China, and her mother spent most of that time talking to Chang about her life and Chang's grandmother's life. She left Chang about sixty hours of recordings. I wish that had been communicated in an introduction rather than an afterword. I would have appreciated that part of the book more if I hadn't been questioning Chang's source of information.
4 stars
RandomCAT
This biography of three generations of women in Jung Chang's family is also a history of China and its politics from the early 20th century through the end of the Cultural Revolution and Mao's death in 1976. Chang's grandmother was the concubine of a warlord and was among the last generation of women to have bound feet. Chang's mother joined the underground Communist movement in her teens. She married a fellow communist who became one of the top Party officials in the province of Sichuan. Chang's mother also held a leadership position until the Cultural Revolution changed everything. Both of Chang's parents were denounced, lost their positions, and underwent years of physical and mental persecution. Despite the separation of the family – Chang's parents were sent to separate work camps and she and her siblings were required to live at their schools with their classmates – the family maintained strong emotional ties.
Chang's father deeply believed in the principles of Communism, and he lived as he believed. Social privileges were determined by a person's rank in the Party, and Chang's father would not allow his wife (who had a lower Party rank) or his children to benefit from the privileges that went with his status. Unfortunately, when he was denounced as a “capitalist-roader”, his status attached to his family and limited their future prospects.
It was too dangerous for Chang's parents to teach their children anything contradictory to the Party line (even though the Party line constantly changed and often contradicted itself). Any doubts they had about Mao's leadership were not communicated to their children. As a child, Chang unquestioningly accepted Mao's teachings, and when her experiences and observations contradicted what she had been taught, she questioned her experience rather than the doctrine. Her disillusionment with Mao's Cultural Revolution was gradual but irrevocable. In the words of one chapter heading, Chang finally realized that “if this is Paradise, what then is Hell?” In the course of the Cultural Revolution, Chang witnessed the destruction of thousands of years of China's cultural heritage – its landscape ravaged, its architecture and monuments destroyed, and its books burned.
I wasn't as engaged with the first part of the book that describes the life and experiences of Chang's mother and grandmother before Chang's birth. I kept wondering how Chang could possibly know so many details about things that happened before she was born. I spent a lot of time with my parents and grandparents and heard many stories about their early lives, but I doubt that I could write their biographies in such detail. There's a qualitative difference in the writing once Chang begins describing her personal experiences, and the book became a page-turner for me at that point. In the afterword, Chang mentions that her mother spent several months with her in England ten years after Chang had left China, and her mother spent most of that time talking to Chang about her life and Chang's grandmother's life. She left Chang about sixty hours of recordings. I wish that had been communicated in an introduction rather than an afterword. I would have appreciated that part of the book more if I hadn't been questioning Chang's source of information.
4 stars
232cbl_tn
I woke up this morning to find an Amazon gift card in my inbox. My 6th Thingaversary is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I had already been thinking about the 7 books I "needed" to buy to celebrate. I put the gift card to good use! These books will be showing up in my mailbox soon:
Life in New Amsterdam by Laura Fischer
When Hoopoes Go to Heaven by Gaile Parkin
The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout
At the Edge of Empire: The Backcountry in British North America by Eric Hinderaker
Then by Morris Gleitzman
The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret Sullivan
DNA USA: A Genetic Portrait of America by Bryan Sykes
Life in New Amsterdam by Laura Fischer
When Hoopoes Go to Heaven by Gaile Parkin
The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout
At the Edge of Empire: The Backcountry in British North America by Eric Hinderaker
Then by Morris Gleitzman
The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret Sullivan
DNA USA: A Genetic Portrait of America by Bryan Sykes
233RidgewayGirl
Happy Thingaversary, in advance! And how fun to find an amazon gift card in your inbox! Both Emmie and I think you should buy Adrian a box of dog treats to celebrate.
234cbl_tn
>233 RidgewayGirl: Great idea! I know Adrian would love that. The gift card was a birthday present from my brother and SIL. They're due to return to the U.S. at the end of the week. I've only communicated with them by email while they've been in Germany so I'm looking forward to hearing about their experiences this time around. I'm especially interested in hearing about the choir my brother has been singing with while they've been there.
235VivienneR
>232 cbl_tn: Congratulations Carrie. What a great selection of Thingaversary books you've chosen. I completely missed my 7th Thingaversary a few days ago, but I won't miss the book-buying. Our library booksale is next week and as usual I'll buy lots.
237DeltaQueen50
I love Thingaversaries! We must have joined in the same month, Carrie, as my 6th anniversary is on the 24th of June. I need to sit down sometime and decide which 7 books I am going to gift myself with.
238rabbitprincess
Happy early Thingaversary! Looks like a nice selection of books.
239cbl_tn
>237 DeltaQueen50: We're practically LT twins!
>238 rabbitprincess: Thanks! I had fun picking them, and I'll have fun opening the packages as they arrive.
>238 rabbitprincess: Thanks! I had fun picking them, and I'll have fun opening the packages as they arrive.
240sallylou61
How does one get listed for a Thingaversary? I joined in November of 2007, but have never received any recognition from LT or Amazon around my anniversary date.
241cbl_tn
LT started listing Thingaversaries on the Home Page sometime last summer (if you have selected that module for your home page). It started shortly after my last Thingaversary. That's the only official notice LT makes of Thingaversaries. The tradition that's developed among LT members (maybe in the 75 Books group?) is to celebrate one's Thingaversary by buying one book for each year of LT membership, plus one to grow on. The Amazon gift card was a birthday gift from my brother and sister-in-law. My birthday and my Thingaversary are less than 3 weeks apart, so I was able to use my birthday gift card to buy my Thingaversary books.
242lindapanzo
Carrie, I wasn't aware that LT posted anything about Thingaversaries. I just know that I started during a blizzard one January day about 6 or 7 years ago.
243sallylou61
Re 241: Happy Birthday, Carrie. It sounds as if your brother and sister-in-law were very generous if they gave you a gift card which covered 7 books!
I also joined LT very close to my birthday -- just 2 days before it.
Re 242: Hi Linda. According to your profile page, you have been an LT member since January 13, 2009.
I also joined LT very close to my birthday -- just 2 days before it.
Re 242: Hi Linda. According to your profile page, you have been an LT member since January 13, 2009.
244lindapanzo
Thanks. So five years. Now that I think about it, I do recall buying 6 books in January.
245cbl_tn
>242 lindapanzo: Linda, it's one of the modules you can select from your dashboard to appear on your home page. It's called "Selected Thingaversaries". Depending on your settings, it will display Thingaversaries for your connections and for a random selection of LT members.
>243 sallylou61: Thank you! My brother and SIL were generous, but I also purchased several used books from the Amazon marketplace. I buy more used books than new ones.
>243 sallylou61: Thank you! My brother and SIL were generous, but I also purchased several used books from the Amazon marketplace. I buy more used books than new ones.
246cbl_tn
Book 8 in my Sneezy category: Bengal Fire by Lawrence Blochman
MysteryCAT
GeoCAT
I wouldn't have come across this book if I hadn't been looking for a classic/Golden Age mystery set in India. I was hoping for a forgotten classic. I discovered that this book has been forgotten for good reason. It doesn't match the quality of Golden Age mysteries by authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Josephine Tey, Rex Stout, and others of their era whose works are still in print.
Blochman gives more attention to physical descriptions of the characters than to the development of the mystery plot. The third person narration switches points of view between several characters, resulting in a non-linear time frame. Sometimes an event or clue is mentioned as if it had already been introduced to the reader, only to be described later in the text. Inspector Leonidas Prike regularly blurts out information he's acquired outside the reader's view and has been withholding from the reader as well as from other characters. The difficulty of trying to solve the case alongside the Inspector combined with the overt racism typical of many works written in that area made for an unsatisfactory reading experience.
2 stars
MysteryCAT
GeoCAT
I wouldn't have come across this book if I hadn't been looking for a classic/Golden Age mystery set in India. I was hoping for a forgotten classic. I discovered that this book has been forgotten for good reason. It doesn't match the quality of Golden Age mysteries by authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Josephine Tey, Rex Stout, and others of their era whose works are still in print.
Blochman gives more attention to physical descriptions of the characters than to the development of the mystery plot. The third person narration switches points of view between several characters, resulting in a non-linear time frame. Sometimes an event or clue is mentioned as if it had already been introduced to the reader, only to be described later in the text. Inspector Leonidas Prike regularly blurts out information he's acquired outside the reader's view and has been withholding from the reader as well as from other characters. The difficulty of trying to solve the case alongside the Inspector combined with the overt racism typical of many works written in that area made for an unsatisfactory reading experience.
2 stars
247aliciamay
>231 cbl_tn: I had to skim your review because I'm only on chapter 7. But thanks for your comments about the author's afterword. I have been a bit skeptical about how much detail she includes about her grandmother's and mother's lives - now I can read on with fewer questions.
248cbl_tn
>247 aliciamay: I'm glad those comments were helpful. I thought other readers might be raising the same questions about her sources of information on things that happened before her birth.
249cbl_tn
Book 8 in my Sleepy category: Life in New Amsterdam by Laura Fischer
This book is part of the Picture the Past series intended for children in grades 2-4 to learn about the history and culture of various parts of the United States. Readers learn about the earliest settlers, home life, farming, food, clothing, and schools. Some of the illustrations are reprints from the period while others are modern interpretations of how things would have appeared in the 17th century. The labels and text do not identify which ones are modern and which ones are reprints from the era, and it's not always obvious which are which. The single recipe for pancakes in the section on food is possibly too difficult for most 2nd-4th graders. Many experienced cooks would find it challenging to flip a large, very thin pancake. Some errors slipped through the editorial process. There are mistakes in the labels with a couple of the illustrations, and there is at least one word in the glossary that doesn't appear in the text. I noticed some repetitiveness when I read the book in a single sitting. This wouldn't be as obvious to readers using the book as a reference resource. It would probably work best as a reference source, with the table of contents and index providing points of access to the content.
2.5 stars
This book is part of the Picture the Past series intended for children in grades 2-4 to learn about the history and culture of various parts of the United States. Readers learn about the earliest settlers, home life, farming, food, clothing, and schools. Some of the illustrations are reprints from the period while others are modern interpretations of how things would have appeared in the 17th century. The labels and text do not identify which ones are modern and which ones are reprints from the era, and it's not always obvious which are which. The single recipe for pancakes in the section on food is possibly too difficult for most 2nd-4th graders. Many experienced cooks would find it challenging to flip a large, very thin pancake. Some errors slipped through the editorial process. There are mistakes in the labels with a couple of the illustrations, and there is at least one word in the glossary that doesn't appear in the text. I noticed some repetitiveness when I read the book in a single sitting. This wouldn't be as obvious to readers using the book as a reference resource. It would probably work best as a reference source, with the table of contents and index providing points of access to the content.
2.5 stars
250cbl_tn
Book 8 in my Bashful category: The Beach at Galle Road by Joanna Luloff
GeoCAT
These loosely connected stories of Sri Lanka are mostly undated, but they seem to be set in the 1970s to early 1980s. The stories explore all areas of the island nation, including the capital city, coastal towns in the southern part of the country, towns in the interior, and towns in the north where civil war is brewing. American Peace Corps workers and international aid workers feature in many of the stories in the first half of the book. The Americans are absent from the last few stories in the collection. All of the stories share themes of loneliness, cultural barriers, and class or status differences. The stories are individually strong, yet the collection lacks something. Civil war looms in the background, yet the stories skirt the issues central to the war. It seems as if the author has deliberately avoided the political issues that resulted in war. That might work for a well-known conflict like the Vietnam War, but most American readers will have little familiarity with Sri Lanka's civil war.
3.5 stars
GeoCAT
These loosely connected stories of Sri Lanka are mostly undated, but they seem to be set in the 1970s to early 1980s. The stories explore all areas of the island nation, including the capital city, coastal towns in the southern part of the country, towns in the interior, and towns in the north where civil war is brewing. American Peace Corps workers and international aid workers feature in many of the stories in the first half of the book. The Americans are absent from the last few stories in the collection. All of the stories share themes of loneliness, cultural barriers, and class or status differences. The stories are individually strong, yet the collection lacks something. Civil war looms in the background, yet the stories skirt the issues central to the war. It seems as if the author has deliberately avoided the political issues that resulted in war. That might work for a well-known conflict like the Vietnam War, but most American readers will have little familiarity with Sri Lanka's civil war.
3.5 stars
251cbl_tn
Book 7 in my Happy category: The Devil's Workshop by Alex Grecian
Walter Day of Scotland Yard's Murder Squad can't sleep. Is it a perplexing case that's keeping him up at night? No, it's the thought of impending fatherhood. Before he could finish counting his worries, he's called with the rest of the force to round up four prisoners who escaped when a train crashed into the prison. Or was it five? There's a discrepancy in reports coming out of the prison. Before it's all over, Day will find himself trapped in the underground city. Meanwhile, his wife goes into early labor, unaware that one of the escaped prisoners has a personal score to settle with the Day family. If that wasn't enough, Jack the Ripper is on the loose again...
Victorian crime novels are usually right up my alley, but this one didn't work for me. Apparently this book took up where the first book in the series – a book I haven't read - left off. That didn't bother me. There were lots of gory scenes, with one involving the death of a dog being the most troublesome for me since I was reading it with my dog in my lap. The gore was disturbing, but that alone wouldn't put me off the series. The biggest problems for me were, first of all, that Day and his partner Hammersmith didn't do a whole lot of crime solving; they were sidelined for much of the action. Secondly, the book ended without resolving the problem introduced at its beginning.One of the escaped prisoners wasn't captured, and Jack the Ripper is still on the loose. Thirdly, Jack the Ripper delivered one of Day's twins. That doesn't seem to have sent chills up his spine, and he doesn't seem to have mentioned it to his wife, who is walking her babies around London by herself, with no police protection – not even her husband, who is still in the hospital. Finally, there seems to be something wrong with a crime series where Jack the Ripper is a more interesting character than the supposed hero of the series. I already follow more series than I can keep up with, so I won't mind crossing this one off of my list.
2 stars
ETA: This review is based on an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
Walter Day of Scotland Yard's Murder Squad can't sleep. Is it a perplexing case that's keeping him up at night? No, it's the thought of impending fatherhood. Before he could finish counting his worries, he's called with the rest of the force to round up four prisoners who escaped when a train crashed into the prison. Or was it five? There's a discrepancy in reports coming out of the prison. Before it's all over, Day will find himself trapped in the underground city. Meanwhile, his wife goes into early labor, unaware that one of the escaped prisoners has a personal score to settle with the Day family. If that wasn't enough, Jack the Ripper is on the loose again...
Victorian crime novels are usually right up my alley, but this one didn't work for me. Apparently this book took up where the first book in the series – a book I haven't read - left off. That didn't bother me. There were lots of gory scenes, with one involving the death of a dog being the most troublesome for me since I was reading it with my dog in my lap. The gore was disturbing, but that alone wouldn't put me off the series. The biggest problems for me were, first of all, that Day and his partner Hammersmith didn't do a whole lot of crime solving; they were sidelined for much of the action. Secondly, the book ended without resolving the problem introduced at its beginning.
2 stars
ETA: This review is based on an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
252lkernagh
Well, darn. it looks like The Devil's Workshop is getting some mixed reviews. Sounds like the book was rushed a bit in the writing if it ended without resolving the problem, unless the author plans to carry problems over from one book to the next, which doesn't always work well when a reader has to wait for the next book to be written and then published.
253RidgewayGirl
Oh, well. It isn't as though there aren't enough crime series to keep us busy!
254cbl_tn
>252 lkernagh: I think the plan is to carry over the problem to another book - perhaps the next one, or maybe the one after that. Apparently this book (#3) was connected to book one and book two was more of a stand-alone. I think the ending that wasn't an ending would have bothered me even more if I had paid for the book.
>253 RidgewayGirl: Exactly! I don't think I'll ever catch up with my reading list. It grows faster than I can read.
>253 RidgewayGirl: Exactly! I don't think I'll ever catch up with my reading list. It grows faster than I can read.
This topic was continued by CBL Goes Off to Work in 2014, part 3.
