Whisper1 (Linda's) Thread #8 of 2016 75 Challenge Group

September will be the month when I predominately read illustrated books. The art work in most of the books I choose is breathtakingly beautiful. It is very healing to slowly soak in the images. Somehow, it is balm for a weary soul when I am carried away by the colors, the soft glow, the incredible detail and the mesmerizing ability to bring life to a well-written story..

Here are some images from the works of Bagram Ibatoulline. He is one of my top favorite artists.

From the book Crow Call by Lois Lowry


From the book Thumbelina retold by Brian Alderson


From the book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo


From the book The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman


From the book Great Joy by Kate Dicamillo



From the book The Snow Queen

Such lovely illustrations, Linda!

Gorgeous illustrations. It is such a treat to visit here.

Happy New Thread, Linda! I'll return to enjoy some of those illustrations again and again!

Happy new thread, Linda. The illustrations are beautiful!

Happy new thread, Linda!! I can see how these beautiful illustrations can transport you to a soothing place. It seems as children become adults they don't have the time to explore illustrations as they did when they were young. What an amazing thing it is to see them with the eyes of a child and appreciate them again. Enjoy, my friend!

Happy Sunday, Linda. Happy New Thread. I like the toppers. We are relaxing in Michigan this holiday weekend. I hope you are doing well yourself.
And hooray for a Meet-Up. Someday I will join you.

Happy new thread, Linda. The illustrations in your topper are lovely. It IS a treat to visit here.

Hello and many thanks to all. I know I haven't been as involved in visiting the threads as I would like to be, so I especially appreciate your kindness.

Hi Linda! Happy Sunday.

I love the illustrations you've posted. Thank you.

Sending positive thoughts and healing energy to you....

Happy new thread, Linda!

Lovely illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline, especially Thumbelina and The Snow Queen are marvelous :-)

Happy new one, Linda!

Hi, Linda! Happy new thread, and what lovely illustrations! I hope you're having a nice Labor Day weekend.

Happy new thread Linda and great photo of you and Diane meeting up, I would have liked to have been with the pair of you. Hope all is well with you my dear, sending love and hugs.

Happy new thread! Those illustrations are so careful and detailed, I can see what you mean about the relaxation they offer.

Many thanks to all who visited here! Interestingly, as soon as September arrived, the high temperatures went away and in their place is a delightful breeze and incredible sunsets!

WELCOME TO THREAD NUMBER EIGHT
HERE IS A LIST OFBOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 201, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JANUARY, 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JANUARY 2016

1) Warm as Wool by Scott Russell Sanders
2) The Ghost of Nicholas Greebe by Tony Johnston
3) Homeplace by Cynthia Rylant
4) Albie's First Word: A Tale Inspired by Albert Einstein's Childhood by Jacqueline Tourville
5) The Floating House by Russell Sanders
6) Snowed in With Grandmother Silk by Carol Fenner
7) Toads and Diamonds by Charlotte S. Huck
8) Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margareta Engel
9) Hansel and Gretel by Cynthia Rylant
10) Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey
11) The Raft by Jim LaMarche
12) P.Zonka Lays An Egg by Julie Paschkis
13) Lena's Sleep Sheep by Anita Lobel
14) Waiting by Kevin Henkes -- 2016 Caldecott Honor award
15) Apple Cake by Julie Pachkis
16) The Perfect Wizard The Hans Christian Andersen by Jane Yolen
17) Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews
18) When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JANUARY 2016

1) The Disappeared by Kristina Ohlsson
2) The Taming of the Queen by Phillippa Gregory
3) Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb
4) Women I Have Dressed and Undressed by Arnold Scaasi
5) Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe by Brad Bagert
6) Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
7) Jane Eyre Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations by Harold Bloom
8) Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Newbery Honor award 2016
9) Charles James: Beyond Fashion Metropolitan Art Museum by Harold Koda
10) April 4, 1968: Martin Luter King, Jr.'s Death and How it Changed America by Michael Dyson
11) Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

Favorite Illustrated Book of January 2016

Favorite Non Illustrated Book of January 2016


BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JANUARY 2016

1) With Lots of Love at Christmas by Christine Leeson
2) All the Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen
3) American Wife by Sittenfeld, Curtis
4) Anne of Green Gables (Young Reader's Classics) by L. M. Montgomery
5) Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey by Jamake Highwater, Fritz Scholder (Illustrator) Newbery honor
6) The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
7) The Blizzard by Jim Murphy
8) The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
9) The Cable Car and the Dragon by Herb Caen CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
10) Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
11) The Canning Season by Polly Horvath
12) The Capture (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 1) by Kathryn Lasky
13) I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
14) A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
15) The Chilling Hour: Tales of the Real and Unreal by Collin A. McDonald Young Adult
16) The Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Classics by Charles Dickens
17) The Creeds: Reflections and Scripture on the Apostles' and Nicene by Zondervan
18) Crow Boy by Taro Yashima CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK, CALDECOTT WINNER
19) Dark Voyage by Alan Furst
20) Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynne Withey
21) Diogenes by M. D. Usher, Michael Chesworth (Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
22) The Duchess Of Windsor: The Secret Life by Charles Higham
23) The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope: A Novel by Rhonda Riley
24) Every Soul A Star by Wendy Mass
25) Firegirl by Tony Abbott Young Adult
26) Flowers in the World's Most Beautiful Gardens by Yves-Marie Allain, Alain Le Toquin
27) The Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel, Illustrations by Blair Lent CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED
28) George Balanchine's The Nutcracker photographed and told by Joel Meyerowitz
29) The Ghost in the Mirror (Lewis Barnavelt) by John Bellairs
30) Girl Who Loved Wild Horses written and illustrated by Paul Goble
31) Goody Hall by Natalie Babbitt
32) The Great Migration: An American Story byJacob Lawrence, CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
33) Green Boy by Susan Cooper Young Adult
34) Griffin's Castle by Jenny Nimmo Young Adult
35) Guttersnipe by Jane Cutler Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
36) Hasty Pudding, Johnny Cakes and Other Good Stuff by Loretta Frances Ichord
37) Horns and Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson Young Adult
38) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
39) I'm Nobody! Who are You?: Poems by Emily Dickinson by Edric S. Mesmer
40) If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries: Poems for Children and Other Writings by Judith Viorst
41) Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski Newbery honor book
42) Jesus: An Illustrated Life by Isbouts, Jean-Pierre
43) Jim the Boy by Tony Earley
44) John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats
45) The Journey (Guardians of Ga'hoole byKathryn Lasky Young Adult
46) The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
47) The Kennedy Years: From the Pages of The New York Times by Richard Reeves
48) The Life and Death of Crazy Horse by Russell Freedman , Amos Bad Heart Bull (Illustrator)
49) Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship by Nikki Giovanni Bryan Collier (Illustrator)
50) A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories From the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator)
51) Little Triggers: a novel of crime by Martyn Waites
52) The Littles And Their Amazing New Friend by John Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark (Illustrator) Juvenile book
53) The Littles Go Exploring by John Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark (Illustrator)
54) The Littles Take a Trip by John Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark Illustrator
55) A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
56) Longbourn by Jo Baker
57) The Maid A Novel of Joan of Arc by Kimberly Cutter
58) Martin Luther King, Jr. Revised: I Have a Dream: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King's Landmark Speech by Sandie Smith
59) May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice de Regniers, Beni Montresor
60) The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events byLemony Snicket
61) The Musee D'Orsay by Bonfante-Warren, Alexandra
62) Mutant Message Down Under, Tenth Anniversary Edition by Marlo Morgan
63) My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
64) My Son John by Jim Aylesworth, David Frampton (Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
65) Never Come Back by David Bell
66) The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore with illustrations of Henry Fisher
67) The Nightmare Before Christmas written and illustrated by Tim Burton
68) No Man's Nightingale: An Inspector Wexford Novel by Ruth Rendell
69) No Star Nights by Anna Egan Smucker Steve Johnson (Illustrator), Lou Fancher (Illustrator)
70) Old Masters by Salomon Lilian
71) The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
72) Passing On by Penelope Lively
73) Poems of Childhood by Eugene Field, Maxfield Parris (Illustrator)
74) Prairie Dog Town by Janette Oke, Brenda Mann (Illustrator) Juvenile Book
75) The Ramsay Scallop by Frances Temple
76) Santa's Twin BY Dean Koontz Phil Parks(Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
77) The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
78) Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell
79) Slam by Nick Hornby Young Adult
80) Sojourner Truth: Ain't I a Woman? by Patricia C. McKissak
81) The Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George
82) The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringe
83) Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements Young Adult
84) To Be a King (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 11 by Kathryn Lasky Young Adult
85) Trading Places: Allowing God to Renovate Your Life by Steve Wyatt
86) Transcending: Reflections Of Crime Victims byHoward Zehr
87) The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
88) Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
89) The Underneath by Kathi Appelt David Sma (Illustrator) Newbery Honor
90) Unremarried Widow by Artis Henderson
91) Vessels of Honor by Virginia Myers
92) A Visit to William Blake's Inn by Nancy Willard Winner of both Caldecott and Newbery awards. Young Adult
93) We Fought Back: Teen Resisters of the Holocaust by Allan Zullo
94) When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester Young Adult
95) Worth by A. LaFaye Young Adult
96) The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
97) Yolanda's Genius by Carol Fenner Young Adult
98) You're Invited: A Cookbook for Special Occasions by Mary Engelbreit

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN FEBRUARY, 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY OF 2016

19) Pals by Mary Engelbreit
20) Once Upon a Twice by Denise Doyen
21) Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
22) Ain't Nobody a Stranger To Me by Ann Grifalconi
23) Albert by Donna Jo Napoli with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
24) The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim LaMarche
25) Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena 2016 Caldecott Honor Award
26) A Child's Good Night Book by Margaret Wise Brown
27) Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni 1970 Caldecott Honor Award
28) Dream Animals by Emily Winfield Martin
29) The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
30) Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories by Jim LaMarche
31) The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye by Jane Yolen
32) A Single Shard by Donna Jo Napoli
33) Ouch by Natalie Babbitt
34) Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY OF 2016

12) Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson by Frances Schoonmaker
13) Zora and Me by Victoria Bond
14) A Song For Harlem by Patricia McKissack
15) Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
16) Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia McKissack
17) Bonechiller by Graham McNamee
18) The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Newbery Honor 2016
19) The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan

Favorite Illustrated Book of February 2016

Favorite Non-Illustrated Book of February 2016

===================================================

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016

99) 100 Dresses: The Costume Institute / The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Harold Koda
100) Abby Takes A Stand by Patricia McKassick
101) The Adventures of Pinocchio (Sterling Illustrated Classics) by Carlo Collodi
102) Aesop's Fables by Charles Santore
103) Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Leonni
104) Always Remember Me: How One Family Survived World War II BY Russo, Marisabina
105) I Am A Pole by Steven Colbert
106) The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History by Molly Caldwell Crosby
107) And Not Afraid To Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women by Tonya Bolden
108) Angel by Gary Kiliworth
109) Angels on the Roof by Martha Moore
110) Anil's Ghost by Ondaatje, Michael
111) Anna the Bookbinder by Andrea Cheng
112) Anne Morrow Lindberg: Her Life by Susan Hertzog
113) Anthony and the Ants by Gemma raynor
114) Apostle Paul by Nancy I. Sanders
115) The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle
116) As Good As Anybody by Michelson, Richard
117) Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman
118) Before My Eyes by Caroline Bock
119) Behind the Bookcase by Steensland, Mark
120) The Black House by Paul Theroux
121) Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy
122) Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill
123) Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story by C. David Heymann
124) Breaking Free: True Stories of Girls Who Escaped Modern Slavery by Abey Sher
125) Bye-Bye Binkey by Brigitte Weninger
126) C. S. Lewis: A Biography by C.N. Wilson
127) The Cage by Ruth Minskey Sender
128) Caleb's Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall Saga) by Patricia MacLaughlan
129) Changing Light by Nora Gallagher
130) A Child's Good Night Book by Margaret Wise Brown
131) The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert
132) The Cinder Eyed Cats by Eric Rothmann
133) Cinderella: A Fairy Tale Adventure (Fairy Tale Adventures) by Franchesca Rossi
134) Cloud Dance by Thomas Locker
135) A Coming Evil by Vande Velde, Vivian
136) Curse in Reverse by Tom Coppinger
137) The Dance of Fear: Rising Above Anxiety, Fear, and Shame to Be Your Best and Bravest Self by Harriett Lerner
138) Day Dreamers: A Journey of Imagination by Emily Winfield Martin
139) Decades: A Century of Fashion by Cameron Silver
140) The Deer Watch by Pat Lowery Collins
141) Drummer Hoff by Barbara Emberley
142) Dulac's Fairy Tale Illustrations in Full Color by Jeff A. Menges
143) Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
144) Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant
145) The Fifties in Pictures by James Lescott
146) Finding Inner Courage by Mark Nepo
147) The Flower Ball by Sigrid Lalube
148) Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden
149) Fly by Christopher Myers
150) The Funny Little Woman (Picture Puffins) by Mosel, Arlene
151) Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan
152) The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) by McGraw, Eloise Jarvis
153) Good Luck Baby Owls by Giles Milton
154) Goodbye Mousie by Robie H. Harris
155) The Grace That Keeps This World by Tom Bailey
156) Grandma's Gift by Eric Valesquez
157) Great Expectations: The Sons and Daughters of Charles Dickens by Robert Gottlieb
158) The House on Tradd Street by Karen White
159) How to Be Good by Nick Hornby
160) I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
161) I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Horton de Trevino
162) Immortal Muse by Stephen Leigh
163) Kate and the Beanstalk by Mary Pope Osborne
164) Killer's Cousin by Nancy Werlin
165) The Killers Tears by Bondoux, Anne-Laure
166) Lark Studio Series: Handmade Dolls by Lark Studios
167) The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
168) The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell
169) The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O'Hagan
170) Lindbergh by A. Scott Berg
171) The Little Bit Scary People by Emily Jenkins
172) Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman
173) The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman
174) Lunch Box Dream by Toni Albert
175) Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy by Victor Frankl
176) Many Waters by L'Engle, Madeleine
177) Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Cooper, Floyd
178) The Meaning of Flowers: Myth, Language & Lore by Ann Field
179) The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff
180) The Mercy Prayer: The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers by Robert Gelinas
181) Miss Little's Gift by Douglas Wood
182) Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
183) More, More, More Said The Baby by Vera Williams
184) My Attachment by Tracy Kidder
185) The Name of the Rose by Umberto Echo
186) Never Forgotten by McKissack, Patricia C.
187) Never Home by Laird Hunt
188) The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield by Marciano, John Bemelmans
189) No Pretty Pictures A Child of war by Anita Lobel
190) No Time Like Show Time by Michael Hoeye
191) The Norman Rockwell Treasury by Buechner, Thomas S.
192) Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin
193) Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak
194) Pals by Engelbreit, Mary
195) The People Who Didn't Say Goodbye by Merritt Malloy
196) Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander
197) The Rainbabies by Jim LaMarche
198) The Rainbow People by Lawrence Yep
199) Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 4: Autumn Blue, Bad Luck and Trouble, Tallgrass, Winter's Child by Karen Harter
200) The Red Queen) by Phillipa Gregory
201) Rivers by Michael Farris Smith
202) The Romanov Conspiracy by Glen Meade
203) Sand Dollar Summer by Kimberly K. Jones
204) The Secret of the Rose by Sarah Thompson
205) Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
206) Shadow of the Silk Road by Thubron, Colin
207) Sinners and the Sea: The Untold Story of Noah's Wife by Rebecca Kanner
208) The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 10) by Lemony Snicket
209) A Song For Harlem by Patricia McKissack
210) Sparky by Jenny Ofill
211) St. Patrick's Cathedral by Leland Cook
212) The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) BY Cynthia Rylant
213) Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
214) The Tangled Bridge by Rhodi Hawk
215) The Tell by Hester Kaplan
216) The Good and Bad Things About My Life by Ann M. Martin
217) The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne
218) The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events #8) by Lemony Snicket
219) Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris by R.L. LaFevers
220) This Side of Eternity by McMillan, Rosalyn
221) Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming
222) The Tiger's Wife by Obreht, Tea
223) The Turtle Warrior: A Novel by Ellis, Mary Relindes
224) The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Mathis, Ayana
225) Twisted by Laurie Halse Andersen
226) Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne
227) Victoria: The Romantic Heart by Linda Sunshine
228)) The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events, No. 7) by Lemony Snicket
229) Vision of Beauty: Candlewick Biographies: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker by Kathryn Lasky
230) The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffries
231) What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
232) Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom
233) While You Were Napping by Offill, Jenny
234) Who Was Mliton Hershey by James Buckley
235) Wild Wings by Gill Lewis
236) Winter is Coming by Tony Johnson
237) The Witches Curse by Keith McGowan
238) Wither by Lauren DeStefanojust one object.

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF MARCH 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN MARCH, 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN MARCH OF 2016

35) What To Do With a Box by Jane Yolen
36) Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
37) Over-Scheduled Andrew by Ashley Spires
38) What Can You Do With an Idea by Kobi Yamada
39) Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
40) Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
41) Charley's First Night by Amy Hest
42) Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Mattick
43) In a Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming
44) Can You Yawn Like a Fawn by Monica Sweeney
45) Fritz and the Beautiful Horses by Jan Brett
46) A Story For Bear by Dennis Haseley with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
47) Bug in a Rug by Melanie Watt
48) Strickly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
49) Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
50) Home by Carson Elliw
51) Otto The Owl Who Loved Poetry by Vera Kousky
52) Day Dreamers: A Journey of Imagination by Emily Winfield Martin
53) Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
54) Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
55) The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
56) The Carousel by Elizabeth Rosen with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
57) The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN MARCH OF 2016
20) Icons of Women's Style by Josh Sims
21) Nightbird by Alice Hoffman
22) 100 Dresses: The Costume Institute The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Harold Koda
23) Everything, Everything by Nicholas Yoon
24) We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen
25) The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller
26) The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie
27) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Favorite Illustrated Book of March 2016

Favorite Non-illustrated Book of March 2016

=============================================================

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN MARCH 2016

239) Acqua Alta: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon
240) Alligator Boy by Cynthia Rylant
241) And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
242) Animals on the Trail With Lewis and Clark by Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw
243) The Anonymous Venetian by Donna Leon
244) At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
245) Author Day For Room 3T by Robin Pulver
246) Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson
247) A Beatrix Potter Treasury (Peter Rabbit) by Beatrix Potter
248) Boo Bunny by Kathryn Gilbrath
249) The Book of Unknown Americans by Henríquez, Cristina
250) Brown Bear's Wonderful Secret by Caroline castle
251) Cake Mix Magic by Cynthia Colby
252) Child's Treasury of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter
253) The Circus in the Woods by William Littlefield
254) Come a Tide by George Ella Leon
255) Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi
256) Country Soups by Editors of Publications International Ltd.
257) Crows and Cards by Joseph Helgerson
258) Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
259) Dear Everybody by Michael Kimball
260) The Devil's Star: A Harry Hole Novel (Harry Hole Series) by Joe Nesbo
261) Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering by Rob Bell
262) Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral by Mary Dora Russell
263) Erika-San by Allan Say
264) Fantastic Mr. Fox by Dahl, Roald
265) Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear BY Lindsay Mattick
266) Foundling (Monster Blood Tattoo, Book 1) by D. M. Cornish
267) Fun Stuff Holiday Recipes by Editors of Favorite Brand Name Recipes
268) The Gettysburg Address by Sam Fink
269) Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen
270) The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by McCullough, David
271) Gugu's House by Catherine Stock
272) Henry's Night by D. B. Johnson
273) Heroine of The Titanic bu Landau, Elaine}}
274) Home Town by Tracy Kidder
275) House Rules by Jodi Picoultt
276) Jag by LeAnn Rhymes
277) Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy by Dennis Brindell Fadin
278) The Leopard's Wife by Paul Pickering
279) The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
280) Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Ardizzone, Edward
281) The Littlest Uninvited One by Charles Tazewell
282) The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
283) Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen
284) Men My Mother Dated and Other Mostly True Tales by Brett Leveridge
285) Monasteries: Places of Spirituality & Seclusion Around the World by Parragon books
286) Mother's Song: A Lullaby by Ellin green
287) My People by Hughes, Langston
288) Neville by Norton Justice
289) No Such Thing as the Real World: Stories About Growing Up and Getting a Life bu M.T. Anderson
290) Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them by Clinton Kelly
291) Oink, Oink Benny by Lindgren, Barbro
292) Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story by Marilyn Nelson
293) Plainsong by Ken Haruf
294) A Portrait of Pia by Russo, Marisabina
295) Portraits of African American Heroes by Tanya Bolden
296) The Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg
297) The Red Thread by Grace Lin
298) Rembrandt by Watts, Greg
299) Runaway by Alice Munro
300) The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gamain
301) Snow Angels by Stewart O'Nan
302) Snowie Rolie by William Joyce
303) The Sun's Daughter by Pat Sherman
304) The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
305) The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
306) The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer Holmann
307) A Tugging String: A Novel About Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era by David Greenberg
308) Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan
309) The Vanishing Point by Louise Hawes
310) Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd
311) Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan
312) The Woman I Was Born to Be: My Story by Susan Boyle
313) A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson
314) You Are My Wonders by Love, Maryann Cusimano

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF APRIL 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN APRIL, 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN APRIL OF 2016

58) Hansel Gretel by Will Moses

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN APRIL OF 2016

28) A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson
29) Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson
30) Dreamland by Sam Quinones
31) We Were the Kennedy's by Monica Wood
32) Getting Away With Murder by Chris Crowe
33) The End of Law: A Novel of Hitler's Germany by therese Down
34) Living Well With Chronic Illnes by Johanna Charnas
35) Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
36) Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement by Devery S. Anderson

Favorite Non-Illustrated Book of April 2016:


BOOKS ACQUIRED IN APRIL OF 2016

315) The Amazing Hamweenie by Patricia Bowman
316) Beach Lane by Melissa de La Cruz
317) Bear: Spirit of the Wild by Paul Nicklen
318) The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan
319) The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Schlar
320) Burn for Burn by Jenny Han
321) Cage of Stars by Jacqueline Mitchard
322) Catkin by Antonia Barber
323) City of Orphans by Avi
324) Clair de Lune by Jetta Carlton
325) The Classic Slave Narratives by Henry Louis Gates
326) Creation and Fall Temptation: Two Biblical Studies by Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
327) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
328) A Dark History : The Roman Emperors: From Julius Caesar to the Fall of Rome by Michael Kerrigan
329) Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff
330) Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller
331) Douglass: Autobiographies by Frederick Douglass
332) Feathertop by Robert San Souci
332) Fig by Sarah Elizabeth Schantz
334) The Fig Eater by Jodi Shields
335) Forever by Judy Blume
336) Free Fall by David Weisner
337) Gilt by Katherine Longshore
338) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
339) Guitar Boy by M.C. Auch
340) I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World by Martin Luther King, Jr.
341) Home Place by Crescent Dragonwagon
342) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
343) The Idea of Human Rights: Four Inquiries by Michael J. Perry
344) The Illustrated History of World War I by Andy Weist
345) In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hennefeld
346) The Inquisitor by Mark Allen Smith
347) The Journey Home by Carol Raikes
348) Knocking on Heaven's Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death by Katy Butler
349) Land of the Green Plums by Herta Muller
350) The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
351) Leo The Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
352) Letting Ana Go by Anonymous
353) LIFE the World's Great Civilizations: The Rise and Fall of Nations, from the Ancients to Today by Editors of Life
354) The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist by Dorothy Day
355) A Long Way From Home by Elizabeth Baguley
356) Love Saves The Day by Gwen Cooper
357) Melisande by E. Nesbit
358) Mother's Boys by Margaret Forster
359) Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
360) Out of My Mind by Sharon Darper
361) My Paris Wife by Paula McLain
362) Pre-Raphaelites by Timothy Hilton
363) Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepherd
364) The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill
365) The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall
366) Rembrandt by Gregg Watts
367) Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
368) Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans by Rush Limbaugh
369) Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Gerge
370) The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
371) Shotgun Lovesongs by Nicholas butler
372) Silver Tales Lion in the Long Grass by Ruth Brown
373) Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children by Lisa Wheeler
374) The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Other Beatrix Potter Favorites by Beatrix Potterr
375) The Three Questions Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy by Jon Muth
376) Tulip Fever by Deborah Mogach
377) Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers by Hamish Bowles
378) Warriors #1: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
379) West with the Night by Beryl Markham
380) When I Was Young in the Mountaings by Cynthia Rylant
381) White Noise by Don DeLillo
382) Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF MAY 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN MAY, 2016

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN MAY OF 2016

37) Death Be Not Proud by John Gunter
38) Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt
39) The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
40) Alice I have Been by Melanie Benjamin
41) Twain's End by Lynn Cullen

FAVORITE NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK READ IN MAY


BOOKS ACQUIRED IN MAY OF 2016

383) 172 Hours on the Moon by John Harstad
384) American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird
385) A Banquet of Consequences: A Lynley Novel by Elizabeth George
386) Before We Were Fre by Julia Alverez
387) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
388) The Boat: Stories by Nam Le
389) Bulfinch Illustrated Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch
390) Butterfly House by Eve Bunting
391) Butterfly House by Latifah Salom
392) Cloen by Quentin Blake
393) Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata
394) Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
395) Elvis and Me by Presley, Priscilla Beaulieu
396) English Passengers: A Novel by Matthew Kneale
397) Events That Changed the World (Focus on) by Matthew Heatley
398) The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue by Jan Wahl
399) Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw
400) German Boy: A Child in War by Samuel, Wolfgang W. E.
401) Giants: the Dwarfs of Auschwitz: The Extraordinary Story of the Lilliput Troupe by YehudaG Koren
402) God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday
403) Halfway to Your House by Charlotte Pomerantz
404) Hope's Boy by Andrew Bridge
405) The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
406) The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe
407) How Does the Wind Walk by Nancy White Carlstom
408) The Husband's Secret by Moriarty, Liane
409) An Illustrated World History: Revolution and Empire
410) Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father’s Secret Children by Kimberly braubakerr Bradley
411) The Lion And The Unicorn by Shirley Hughes
412 The Measure of Darkness by Liam Durcan
413) My Accidental Jihad by Kristen Bremer
414) The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust BY Susan Dworkin
415) No Moon by Irene Watts
416) Old Age: A Beginner's Guide by Michael Kinsley
417) Pardonable Lies: A Maisie Dobbs Novel (Maisie Dobbs Novels) by Jacqueline Winspear
418) The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy by David Nasaw
419) People Who Changed the World (Focus on)
420) Rococo by Adrianne Trigani
421) The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport
422) The Roving Tree by Augustave, Elsie
423) The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow
424) Small Beginnings by Martha Woodroof
425) This Is How You Fall by Keith Dixon
426) Tudor: Passion. Manipulation. Murder. The Story of England's Most Notorious Royal Family by Leanda Di Lisle
427) When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli
428) The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JUNE, 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JUNE

59) Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
60) Shooting at the Stars The Christmas Truce of 1914 by John Hendrix
61) How To Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
62) The Amazing Hamweenie by Patty Bowman

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JUNE OF 2016

42) Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade
43) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
44) January First by Michael Schofield
45) I Captured the Castle by Dodie Smith
46) Giants The Dwarfs of Auschwitz by Yehuda Koren and Eliat Negev
47) Blue Willow by Doris GatesFAVORITE ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF JUNE


Shooting at the Stars The Christmas Truce of 1914 by John Hendrix
FAVORITE NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF JUNE

January First by Michael Schofield

==================================================================

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JUNE OF 2016

429) 12 Stories of Christmas BY Robert Morgan
430) Aesop's Fables (Puffin Classics) by Aesop
431) Angels in Art Gift Book & Day Book by Lorenz, Joanna
432) Bear's Picture by Danile Pinkwater
433) Beowulf by James Rumford
434) Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist by Erik Kincard
435) CliffsComplete Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
436) Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
437) Flower Fairies Secret World by Ceceiy Mary Baker
438) Flyaway: Lift the flaps to set the bird free by Lesley Barnes
439) Ghost Train to Freedom by Faith Reese Martin
440) Go to Sleep, Little Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
441) The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
442) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
443) Impressionist Women by Edward Lucie Smith
444) January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her by Michael Schoefield
445) John Denver's For Baby by John Denver
446) Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins by Marion Dante Bauer
447) The Last Pilot by Benjamin Johncock
448) Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Kincaid Classics) by Lewis Carroll
449) Loved: Stories of Forgiveness by Rebecca St. James
450) Mercy by Jodi Picoult
451) Mermaids by Steve Dobell
452) The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
453) Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
454) The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett
455) Sunshine and Snowballs by Margaret Wise Brown
456) Tales of Uncle Remus (Puffin Modern Classics): The Adventures of Brer Rabbit by Julius Lester
457) Two Nests by Laurence Anholt
458) The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth & Allison, Catherine Grahame
459) A Wolf's Tale by Montanari, Eva

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF JULY 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JULY 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JULY OF 2016

63) White Flour by David LaMotte with illustrations of Jenn Hales
64) For Baby, For Bobbie Adapted and Illustrated by Janeen Mason
65) Come a Tide by George Ella Lyon with illustratiopns of Stephen Gammell
66) Fables by Arnold Lobel
67) The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
68) The Moon's Almost Here by Patricia MacLachlan, Tomie DePaola (Illustrator)
69) Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke
70) The Whalloping Window Blind by Jim LaMarche
71) You Are My Wonders by Maryann Cusimano Love with illustrations of Satomi Ichikawa
72) Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone
73) Cricket Song by Anne Hunter
74) Spuds by Karen Hesse
75) Tell Me a Dragon by Jackir Morris
76 Mama Across the Sea by Alex Godard

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JULY OF 2016

50) The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell
51) Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley
52) After the Storm by Linda Catillo
53) Marika by Andrea Cheng
54) Miss Jane by Brad Watson
55) Weathering by Lucy Wood
56) Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant
57) Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe
58) Close to Shore a true Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence by Michael Capuzzo
59) Terrible Typhoid Mary by Susan Campbell Barrtoletti

FAVORITE ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF JULY 2016

White Flour by David LaMottee with illusttrations to Jenn Hales
FAVORITE NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF JULY 2016

Miss Jane by Brad Watson

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JULY OF 2016

460) 365 Reasons for Smiling by White Star
461) The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
462) And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
463) The Apple and the Arrow by Conrad Buff
464) The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
465) At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevaliar
466) Back of Beyond by (Cody Hoyt
467) The Blood of Strangers: Stories from Emergency Medicine by Frank Huyler
468) The Boy from Baby House 10 Publisher: St. Martin's Press by Alan Philips
469) Celestial Navigation by Anne Tyler
470) Children's Books and Their Creators by Anita Siley
471) City of Women by David Gillham
472) Desperate Measures by Laura Summers
473) Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
474) Edmund and the White Witch by C.S. Lewis
475) Faith by Jennifer Haigh
476) Forged by Fire by Sharon Draper
477) The Girls of August by Anne River Siddon
478) Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
479) The Hours Count by Jillian Cantor
480) The Husband's Secret by Moriarty, Liane
481) In My Mother's House by Ann Nolan Clark\
482) Iodine by Haven Kimmel
483) Ironman by Crutcher, Chris
484) Jezebel's Spooky Spot by Alice Ross
484) Moses When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
485) The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
486) Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule by Chiaverini, Jennifer
487) Needless Suffering How Society Fails Those With Chronic Pain
488) The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson
489) The Paying Guests by Sarah Walters
490) Peony in Love by Lisa See
491) The Quality of Mercy: Cambodia, Holocaust and Modern Conscience by William Shawcross
492) The Seeing Stick by Jane Yolen
493) A Spool of Blue Thread by Alice Hoffman
494) Stripped by Brian Freeman
495) Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky
496) Three Questions by Jon Muth
497) Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
498) To Be a Slave by Julius Lester
499) What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George
500) Where We Belong by Emily Giffin
==================================================

ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN AUGUST OF 2016, AS WELL AS THOSE ACQUIRED IN AUGUST

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS

60) The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins
61) This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
62) When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester
63) Summerlost by Ally Condie
64) Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS

77) Once a Mouse illustrated and written by Marcia Brown
78) Uncle Jed's Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell
79) Yakov and the Seven Thieves by Madonna
80) Cinder-Eyed Cats by Eric Rohmann
81) Alice the Fairy
82) Bear's Picture by Daniel Pinkwater
83) Sunshine and Snowballs by Margaret Wise Brown
84) Gulliver's Adventures in Lilliput by Jonathan Swift retold by Ann Keay Beneduce with illustrations of Gennady Spirin
85) Philipok by Leo Tolstoy retold by Ann Keay Bemeduce with illustrations of Gennady Spirin
86) The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson with illustrations of Gennady Spirin
87) Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
88) One Monday Morning by Uri Shulevitz
89) Jack and the Beanstalk retold by Ann Keay Beneduce illustrated by Gennady Spirin
90) A Girl and Her Gator by Sean Bryan

FAVORITE NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF AUGUST 2016

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
FAVORITE ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF AUGUST 2016

Philipok by Leo Tolstoy retold by Ann Keay Bemeduce with illustrations of Gennady Spirin

BOOKS ACQUIRED AUGUST 2016

501) 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Sundblom by Clement C. Moore
502) 365 Dalai Lama Daily Advice From The Heart by The Dalai Lama
503) Alice the Fairy by David Shannon
504) The Bat: The First Inspector Harry Hole Novel by Jo Nesbp -- Allentown Library book sale $1.00
505) Bee Season by Myla Goldberg -- Allentown Library book sale $1.00
506) Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Kathereine Boo
507) Bettyville by George Hodgman
508) The Body of David Hayes by Ridley Pearson
509) The Book of Aron by Jim Shepard
510) The Caller by Karin Fossum
511) The Care and Handling of Roses with Throns by Margaret Dilloway == Given to me by Diane
512) Cassandra's Angel by Gina Otto
513) Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry
514) The Costume Trunk Book by Bob Fuller
515) Deliver Her by Patricia Donovan
516) The Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
517) Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist by Liz Kessler
518) Emily Windsnap and the Moster from the Deep by Liz Kessler
519) The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe == Given to me by Diane
520) Everest by Gordon Korman -- Allentown Library book sale .25
521) Falls The Shadow by Stephanie Gather
522) The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
523) The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat
524) The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner
525) Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson
526) God Got a Dog by Cynthia Rylant
527) House Beautiful 1000 Sensational Makeovers: Great Ideas to Create Your Ideal Home (House Beautiful Series
528) If I Loved You I Would Tell You by Robin Black
529) The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book II: The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
530) LIFE Jesus: Who Do You Say That I Am? by Editors of Life
531) The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian ==Allentown Library book sale $1.00
532) Make Someone Happy by Elizabeth Berg == Given to me by Diane
533) Mice Twice by Joseph Low
534) Midnight Magic by Avi
535) The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson illustrated by Gennady Spirin
536) My Brother's Shadow by Tom Avery
537) My Father, In Snow by E.Sheila JOhnson == Given to me by Diane
538) The Mystery of Drear House by Virginia Hamilton
539) Mystic River by Dennis LeHane
540) Nine Man Tree by Robert Newton Peck --Allentown Library book sale $1.00
541) No, David by David Shannon
542) The Noticer Returns by Andy Andrews == Allentown Library book sale $1.00
543) Ode to Childhood Poetry to Celebrate The Child
544) The Other Me by Saskia Sargenson
545) Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff
546) Owen by Kevin Hankes
547) A Passage To India by E.M. Forester
548) The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton
549) Poems and Prayers for the Very Young
550) Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen == Allentown Library book sale $1.00
551) Sassafras by Audrey Penn
552) Sea Change by Jeremy Penn
553) Silenced by Kristin Olfsson
554) Sister by Rosamud Lupton
555) Sublime Elegance: The Timeless Charm of Evening Gowns by Maria Maccan
556) Sukey and the Mermaid by Robert D. san Souci illustrated by Brian Pinkney
557) The Supremes at Earl's All You Can Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore ==Barnes & Noble sale - $1.80
558) Sweet Sunday by John Lawton ==Allentown Library book sale $1.00
559) The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderseon illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
560) The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks by Katherine Paterson with illustrations of Leo & Diane Dillon
561) Talk, Talk by T.C. Boyle -- Allentown Library book sale $1.00
562) Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos BY R. L. Lafevers
563) Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Robert Kennedy
564) Three Strong Women by Marie Ndiaye --Allentown Library book sale $1.00
565) Twenty-Six by Leo McKay
566) The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
567) We Three Kings by Gennady Spirin
568) What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory McGuire
569) Williamsburg Reproductions, Interior Designs for Todays Living by Craft House
570) The Yonahlossee Riding Camp For Girls by Anton Disclafani -- Allentown Library book sale $1.00
571) You Came Back by Christopher Coake --Allentown Library book sale $1.00
572) Uglies by Scott Westerfeld Barnes Noble sale -- $1.80
573) You Came Back by Christpoher Coake

HERE IS A LIST OF BOOKS, BOTH ILLUSTRATED AND NON ILLUSTRATED READ IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 2016, AND ALSO A LIST OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN SEPTEMBER, 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016

91. Goldilocks and the Three Bears adapted and illustrated by Gennady Spirin
92. Thumbelina retold by Brian Anderson and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
93. East O' the Sun and West O' the Moon by P.T. Lynch
94. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens illustrated by Roberto Innocenti
95. Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting
96. Mississippi Morning by Ruth Vaner Zee and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016

65. Make Someone Happy by Elizabeth Berg
66. We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg
67. A Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
68. Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
69. The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne
70. When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
71. The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach

BOOKS PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2016

574) The Giant of Seville by Dan Andreasen
575) The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
576) The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
577) Tea Time For The Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
578) Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
579) Mrs. Sinclair's Suitcase by Louise Walters
580) Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
581) The Notorious Izzy Fink by Don Brown
582) Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt
583) Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai
584) Little fur The Legend Begins by Isobelle Carmody
585) The Lightning Queen by Laura Resau
586) Dancing Through Fire by Kathryn Lasky
587) A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
588) The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd
589) Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
590) Favorite Paintings From The Metropolitan Museum of Art
591) Lies of the Heart by Michelle Boyajian
592) Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes by Marguerite de Angeli's
593) Noah's Ark by Peter Spier
594) Leon and Bob by Simon James
595 Mr. George Baker by Amy Hest illustrations of Jon J. Muth
596) Swamp Angel by Paul O. Zelinsky
597) The Helo, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster illustrations of Chris Raschka
598) A Treasury of Children's Literature by Armand Eisen

>u>BOOKS ACQUIRED IN OCTOBER 2016
599) Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos
600) So Many Books, So Little Time A Year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson
601) Lamb in Love by Carrie Brown
602) Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Diane Schoemperlen
603) The Accomplice by Elizabeth Ironside
604) The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
605) Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
606) Chef by Jaspreet Singh
607) Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling
608) The Moon of the Wild Pigs by Jean Craighead George Children's Illustrated book
609) The Radleys by Matt Haig
610) Necropolis London and Its Dead by Catharine Arnold

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN OCTOBER 2016

72. Journey to Chernobyl: Encounters in a Radioactive Zone by Glenn Alan Cheney
73. Elizabeth Taylor A Private Life for Public Consumption by Ellis Cashmore
74. Voices From Chernobyl The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Svetlana Alexievich
75. My Father, In Snow by E. Sheila Johnson
76. The Giant's House a Romance by Elizabeth McCracken

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN OCTOBER 2016

97. Kashtanka by Anton Chekhov
98. Owen by Kevin Hankes
99. Sassafras by Audrey Penn
100. Neville by Norton Juster with illustrations of G. Brian Karas

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #91

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Gennady Spirin



As chronicled by Gennady Spirin in the back of the book, this tale has an amazing history. While there were many versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it wasn't until 1831 when a handwritten copy was discovered noting the author as Eleanor Mure. Different from the version we know today, it is an old woman who is the trespasser into the home of the three bears.

Yet another story discovered in 1837 in a collection by a man named Robert Southey also has an elder woman as the intruder.

There are also early versions wherein a fox is the character who breaks into the home of the bears and he drinks milk instead of eating porridge. The title of this publication is Scapefoot.

Fast forward to 1849 when the tale called Silver Hair included a young girl as the interloper. This was found in a book titled Cundall's Treasure of Pleasure Books for Children.

It was in 1904 when a publication titled Old Nursery Stories and Rhymes, illustrated by John Hassall that we finally have the well known tale we know today.

This book written and illustrated by Gennady Spirin includes the young blond girl and the Papa, Mama and baby bears.

With lush illustrations, Spirin paints the bears in a royal fashion. Goldilocks is beautiful, and unafraid when the bears discover her in baby bear's bed.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #92
Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen, Brian Alderson (Adapter), Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)



Written in 1835, this is one of Hans Christian Andersen's first fairytales. While today the title is Thumbelina, throughout the years, the name changed from Tommelise, Little Ellie, and Little Totty.

This was also the first tale wherein Anderson used an animal/bird as a rescuing force.

The story starts with the swallow who tells the story of a woman who longed for a child. Visiting a local witch, she was given a few seeds of barleycorn. When a bud broke forth in the soil, one tight bud unfolded. And, as it opened the teeny, tiny wonderously formed little girl appeared. She was no bigger than a thumb.

Throughout the tale, Thumbelina experiences many adventures and comes upon those, very unlike her, who want to claim and marry her. First a toad looks in the open window and kidnaps Thumbelina, taking her to live on a lilly pad.
It is the river fish who hears her cries and rubbed the lillypad stalk until it broke.

Another creature, this time a beautiful butterfly landed on her lillypad and, taking her dress sash and roping it gently around the butterfly, she is carried down stream. Followed now by nasgy looking may bugs who flew her away, talking her to their home wherein she is deemed two footed ugly and skinny. Too ugly to keep, they dump her on a daisy.

Winter occurs and dejected and cold, she is rescued by a fieldmouse who captures her and makes her keep his abode clean while reading stories to him. He then set-up a visit with an old mole like creature who vows to marry her and keep her in the dark underground.

As they walk through his underground tunnels, they come upon a sparrow, presumed dead. Thumbelina rescues the sparrow from death by keeping it warm with a blanket. On her wedding day, the sparrow flew up through a hole in the ground taking her away as they flew high above the ground, soaring in the air.

In the end, the sparrow gently drops her with the Crystal Fairies who live where she once dwelt. Each flower contains a male and female fairy. The bud she landed upon contained the Crystal King. They married, and each year the sparrow returns to watch over her.

Once again, Bagram Ibatoulline provides detailed, beautiful illustrations that make the story come to life.

Hi Linda! Your reading of illustrated books has inspired me to add more to my reading. I really enjoyed the Caldecott and other honor books I read last month. Yesterday I picked up an illustrated edition of Cider with Rosie for this month's BAC. I'm looking forward to reading it!

HI Carrie

I've mentioned that I am hooked on illustrated books. I enjoy art and the genre of children's illustrated books opened an entire new source of joy for me.

Cider with Rosie is on my tbr pile. I'll see if the local library has a copy of this one when I return the stack of books that need to go back.

Happy new thread, Linda!

I MUST reread those Andersen fairy tales. They're so poetic and powerful. When I was a child I collected about 150 records, certainly half of them were fairy tales (the others were Enid Blyton or taken from cartoon TV shows). The Grimm fairy tales were comparatively brutal, but had a simple structure and were easy to understand. The Anderson ones were much more complex and often bittersweet with tragic endings (the tin soldier, the Christmas tree), so I listened to those not as frequently. I remember very sad parts about Däumelinchen (Thumbelina). However "The Snow Queen" of which I never saw the Disney version was among my favorites. So much courage, such a long journey, and a happy ending! I got an Anderson collection at home, but I'd rather have them read to me. Must check if I find a nice audio.

Happy New Thread, Linda! Beautiful illustrations up top and below.

I've liked other Lois Lowry books, so Crow Call particularly caught my eye.

Happy new one, Linda! As always, your thread is full of beauty. I love those illustrations in the topper. And >25 Whisper1: is fascinating. I love fairy tales, and I think I have to hunt that one down to see the illustrations up close - reminds of Jan Brett.

Fantastic looking new thread, Whisper1. I love the Snow Queen illustrations and the Thumbelina ones as well.

>29 Deern: Natalie, as you can see, I am having great, good fun exploring these fairy tales. Searching and learning the history of them is also very fascinating.

>30 jnwelch: Joe, I agree with you regarding Lois Lowry. I read Crow Call awhile back and loved it. There is a softness about the tale of a young girl walking through the fall woods with her father.

>31 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie. I enjoy the illustrations and stories of Jan Brecht. I've read a lot of her books, but still have many to read. She is quite a prodigious author.

>32 brodiew2: Hi Brodie. I haven't read The Snow Queen yet, but purchased it a few months ago when Bookoutlet.com had a big sale. I've accumulated quite a lot of illustrated books. Some of them I keep after reading them, and then there are others that I give away to young readers. My dream is to own all of Gennady Spirin's works.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #93


East O' the Sun and West O' the Moon Translated by Sir George Webbe Dasent with stunning illustrations of P.J. Lynch

Dating back to 1910, this nordic tale was translated by Sir George Webbee Dasent. In this story, you will find likeness to Beauty and the Beast and also to Cupid and Psyche.

In the forest lives a poor couple with many children. The youngest daughter is by far the most beautiful. As the winds and the snow shake the cottage, bringing additional cold winds, at night a large white bear appears to the peasant and asks for his youngest daughter. In return, the peasant and his family will be very rich and want for nothing.

She is whisked off to a beautiful castle while her parents also live way beyond what they had ever imagined. In reality, the white bear is a man who lies beside the daughter at night. She never sees him.

She is very homesick and asks the bear to allow her to visit her family. Her wish is granted with the condition that she will never be alone with her mother who will attempt to mislead her daughter. When the mother tells the daughter to light a candle so that she may see what is sharing her bed at night, the daughter returns to the castle and follows her mother's instructions.

The daughter sees a most beautiful price, spilling three drops of melted wax on him. Upon his awakening, he explains that if she had only waited one full year, the curse placed upon him by the trolls would have been broken.

Now, all return to the original state of poverty and the handsome man must marry a very ugly troll who has a long crocked nose. Transported to the castle far, far away, located east of the sun and west of the moon, he must accept his fate.

Searching for her beloved handsome man, she must now journey far, far away to a destination near impossible to find. Soliciting help from old women she finds along the way, she is given gifts of a golden items -- an apple, a carding comb and a spinning wheel.

Taking these items with her, she must obtain help for the East Wind, the stronger West Wind and then the more powerful South and finally, the North Wind.

When she arrives and seeks access to the castle, the horrific troll princess refuses. Gradually, the daughter gives her items, one by one, to the troll princess. One night, the handsome man does not drink the poison sleeping potion given to him be the troll lady. And, discovering that the beautiful lady has sacrificed and steadily made the trek to find him, he tells her that the only thing that can save him from his fate of marriage to the troll lady, is that he will marry any one who can wash away the three drops of melted wax.

Alas, the troll princess is not successful, but the beautiful daughter is able to clean the shirt, thereby breaking the spell. And, stealing all goods and money from the castle, they impoverished family, the beautiful daughter and the handsome man escape from the castle that was located East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

This is a book I will purchase and add to my special library of illustrated books. The illustrations are incredibly beautiful, and the tale is magical.

>26 Whisper1: The Thumbelina illustrations are so beautifully illustrated - I love the swallow particularly. As a kid had a record with the story on. The pictures in my head were pretty good too.

>35 charl08: Hi Charlotte. While I learned of many of the common fairytales, I find that there are many wherein I either never heard of, or knew the various versions. Now, as an adult, I am having fun.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #94


A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens illustrated by Roberto Innocenti

The age-old tale of Scrooge who lost his heart as it became hardened by a harsh father, but gained his soul when he was transformed by characters who took him into the past, the present, and then the future, is lushly illustrated by Roberto Innocenti.


Crisp, clear, detailed images enable the reader to feel as though they are transported into the pages wherein the snow is cold, the ghosts are spooky, and we listen as Ebenezer learns valuable lessons, just in time to appreciate the rest of his remaining life.

Roberto Innoccenti was born in 1940 in a town near Tuscany, Italy. Having never attended art school, he is a self-taught weaver of magic. At an early age, he dropped out of school in order to help support his family by working in a steel factory. When he was 18, he moved to Rome and his career was forever changed when he worked in a design, animation studio. Later, he as convinced to work in the art of illustration and was successful in helping the American published Golden Books. As he became more well known, he branched out into the art of children's illustrated books with particular interest in fairy tales.

Here are some of his images for the story of A Christmas Carol.

>34 Whisper1: I think I have to track that one down to see in person, Linda. gorgeous illustrations, and that is one of my favorite fairy tales.

>37 Whisper1: And another of my favorites - we still read that every December. we have many different editions, but not that one. I'll have to look for it.

Happy Wednesday to you, dear!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #95

Train to Somewhere written by Eve Bunting} and illustrated by Ronald Himler



There was a plethora of children who were orphans or homeless in Amerrica during the years of 1850's through the 1920's. There simply were not enough orphanages to accommodate all those in need. The solution was to place children on trains heading for the mid west where at specific stops, adults would look the children over, and then decide which one to take.

Some children landed in good homes and were loved. Yet, others were used as unpaid help on farms or as house keepers. Naturally, those who wanted a child to love, picked the youngest ones first, leaving older ones to be chosen as workers.

Based on this historical event, the author tells the story of Marianne, who with fourteen other children took the train to locations throughout the midwest in the hope they would first and foremost be wanted and loved. Sadly, Marianne was not a beautiful little child. She was heading toward teen age years, hoping against any probability that at one of the stops her biological mother would be there to claim and love her.

Left at the orphanage, she was promised by her mother that she would come and get her when it was financially possible to raise her. With soft illustrations, Ronald Himler's art and Eve Bunting's ability to tell a poignant story, capture the readers emotions as they route for Marianne to be loved.

Her one little friend Nora is easily taken on one of the first stops. Lying and telling the couple that Marianne is her sister, does not entice the couple to take two children.

Alas, as the train approaches the very last stop, in a small town named "Somewhere," Marianne is the only child left. As tears softly fall on her face, she notices that there is one elder couple on the platform. They long for a child and as they tell her they wanted a boy, they readily accept that she is she is the one for them.

Here is a link describing the program:

http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/about/history/orphan-trains?%21acq%21v2%21s-b...

And, here are the lovely illustrations of the very talented artist Ronald Himler

>38 Crazymamie: Many thanks or your frequent visits Mamie. It means a lot.

Hi Linda, your thread is beautiful 🌞

Hi Linda! Happy Thursday. Thank you for sharing such wonderful illustrations.

I really love all the illustrations, Linda. You find such a wide variety of illustrated books and I enjoy that.

Happy September!

Happy new thread, Linda!

Hi Brenda, Karen, Ellen and Darryl. Many thanks for stopping by. It is another hot, humid day. I long for fall weather.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #95


Mississippi Morning written by Ruth Vander Zee illustrated by Floyd Cooper


The life of James Williams is slow and predictable. His father owns a store where locals come to shop for needed hardware items. Men gather on the porch to share conversation in the hot afternoon, and at the cool evening.

Jame's life slowly unfolds into a series of happenings that make him stop and take a listen. James is a good child. He helps with chores around the house which free his father to concentrate on the store. He enjoys being with his father at the store when he can go after his chores.

All too soon his life and his perceptions are about to change. He learns of a fire purposely set by white people intent on burning down the black people's home.

He spends tine with his black friend Leroy, fishing in a place where others cannot see them together. Leroy is told that a white person fishing with a black is "just not normal." LeRoy tells James about the hanging tree where innocent black men are hung for doing something the white men don't like.

James also learns of the KKK. Finding it difficult to believe that white people could so easily be cruel, James is in for the surprise of his life when one day he sees a white robed man with a familiar gait walking toward home. And, now James is confronted with the fact that his father is not a man he believed him to be.

>37 Whisper1: WOW!!!
Hope you're having a good weekend, Linda! Take care of yourself.

BOOK #66

We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg



Poignant, insightful, and heartwarming is the way in which I describe the author's books. When a friend recommended I read Elizabeth Berg's books, I decided to do so, especially since our reading likes are so similar. I am left wondering why I didn't read any of these wonderful stories before.

Written from the perspective of 14 year old Diana Dunn, she experiences normal teen-age angst and growing pains. Still, this particular teen is not an ordinary girl who is living a "normal" life. Diana was the first baby born in the 1950's to a woman who delivered her while in an iron lung suffering from polio.

When her father told her mother that he would find an adoptive home for Diana, in quite frank terms, her mother told him that was not an option. Paralzyed, unable to walk, her mother has a sharp brain, quick wit, and a loving spirit. Continuing to live on a respirator, most everyday functions are handled by Diana and a few others.

Living in poverty in the south, Diana learns to admire her mother and those in the small town who assist her family, and are marvelously likable. While resenting the burden of assisting in the care of her mother, and feeling hedged in by the incredibly, stubbornly angry black care giver, Diana looks back in thankfulness for the guidance and love these two incredible women showed her.

Part of Diana's education occurs during the Civil Rights era. Opening her eyes to no longer accepting the everyday differences and slights that occurred in the south in the treatment of blacks, Diana witnesses how different her mother is than other whites in the south at this historical time.

Highly recommended. four stars

Beautiful pictures, as usual, Linda!

>45 Whisper1: Good morning, Linda! It is hot and humid here, too, and I can't wait for the fall, my favorite season.

Happy Monday, Linda! We are all Welcome Here, nice review!

Good morning, Whisper1!

>37 Whisper1: >46 Whisper1: I was excited to get these from my local library, but sad to find out neither one was in the system. There were plenty of other books illustrated by Floyd Cooper, but not this one. I'll try another library system.

>37 Whisper1: Ha - for once we share an illustrated book!! :)
I bought that one 2 years ago, I wanted to read Scrooge in Italian as well and I loved the illustrations.

Hi Linda, hope you are well my dear. It has been a glorious day here with temperature at 29C due to hot air coming up from Spain and France and then we had a terrific downpour and lightning this evening. Sending love and hugs to you my dear.

We buying books on Saturday?

Wow, those illustrations are beautiful!

>53 Deern: Hi Natalie. It really is a beautiful book. I'm tempted to buy it. I always wanted to learn to speak Italian. I am most impressed that you know this language.

>54 johnsimpson: Hello to you John. I hope all is well. I saw the photos of you and Karen at Paul's birthday bash. How wonderful that you were there!

>55 weird_O: I will be there! Looking forward, as always. I really enjoy our conversations and the wonderful rapport we all share.

>56 cal8769: Hi Carrie. I'm hooked on illustrated books. I enjoy art, and this genre is filled with beautiful images and imaginative drawings. Thanks for stopping by.i

BOOK #67

A Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg

Betta Nolan deeply grieves the loss of her beloved husband. Each day is difficult to get through without him. Selling their Boston, MA brownstone, she gets in her car and drives midwest to Illinois. Landing in a near perfect small town, she decides to buy a rather large Victorian like home and try to acclimate to a different lifestyle.

Unlike many or most widows, Betta is very fortunate in that she has a lot of money to spend. Thus, she decides to live a year of pleasures. Reconnecting with her college friends, she invites them to a weekend at her house. During her marriage, she left them behind, now that she needs them, she reaches out.

While I haven't read a lot of Berg's writings yet, I am beginning to get a feel for her books and her lovely folksy images of finding the importance in random events or items. This book was "nice" without a lot of drama. Perhaps that is why people are drawn to her books. There is a slow pace and pages filled with lovely images. While I liked this book, I don't think it is one of her best.

BOOK #68

Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg

Ann is processing the impending death of her friend Ruth's death from breast cancer. A small and mighty circle of woman friends help Ruth work through the stages associated with the grief of dying. Written in Berg's usual down-home style wherein beauty is observed and life's frailties are examined and over come, some of this rang true, yet other parts of the book seemed forced.

I liked the book though, and could relate to much of it because I lost a female friend to ovarian cancer. Ann's husband and daughter are very patient with her while she spends most of her time helping Ruth. With the exception of a few squabbles, the group of friends hold tight to the mission of working together for the best interests of Ruth.

BOOK #69

Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne

Found in the Young Adult section of the library, this is another example of a powerful book classified in this genre simply because the tale is told by a young man. Pierrot is the young man who has memories of a father who drank far too much to hold at bay what he experienced in a war where Germany was formerly brought low by other European powers. His father was German, his mother was French. Living in France, Pierrot's father became more and more bitter about what Germany lost. Finally, his father died in a train accident, perhaps as a result of suicide. Pierrot was then raised by his French mother. Unfortunately, she soon succumbed to an illness and died, leaving Pierrot to be raised by his father's sister.

His Aunt had the job of a maid in Hitler's mountain retreat, Eagle's Nest. The staff maintained a spic and span residence for Hitler even though he infrequently was in the castle. When he was there, top Nazi officials helped to strategize the progress of Germany's power in WWII, while plotting maddening plans for the extermination of Jews. The author places Pierrot in Eagle's Nest at a pivotal time of his life.

Young and particularly susceptible, Pierrot left behind his French name and claimed the moniker of Peter. Increasingly, he witnessed dual sides of Hitler's personality. There was the Hitler who loved animals, and his dogs were treated better than humans. Then, there was the Hitler who was moody, had violent temper fits, and as the war progressed when other nations grew stronger, Hitler quickly spiraled downward in out of control rage-filled actions.

One of the highlights of the book is Boyne's fascinating depiction of Peter's personality surrendering to Nazi beliefs while he became increasingly enamored with Hitler's power. Portraying Pierrot as a young, kind soul who morphs into Peter, a bold, bossy and unkind bully who betrays everyone who was previously important to him, shows on a microcosmic level how it was that a nation of followers together allowed Hitler to dominate with evil intent.

In the end, Peter is told that the worst thing he could do would be to deny that horrific events happened and that he was a part of the menacing evilness that was Germany. Left alone in a war-torn country, Peter must come to grips with his actions which harmed many who showed only kindness to him.

Highly recommended!

>60 Whisper1: Looks like a good book!

>60 Whisper1: Oh, I LOVED that one. I love all of Boyne's stuff, really.

My copy of Make Someone Happy arrived this week, and I've been enjoying it at the rate of one a day as a quick meditation. Thanks for mentioning it!

You got me with Train to Somewhere. There are several copies in the public library system so I'll look for it on my next library visit!

What gorgeous illustrations, Linda! You are correct, there is so much to see in the pictures, and that is something we tend to forget as adults. Train to Somewhere - what a heart breaking concept.

^Hope you have a great day, Linda!

Wishing you health and happiness and MORE BOOKS!

Have a marvelous birthday, Linda. Your warmth and friendliness is one of the best things about LT. I get a lot of smiles every time I visit you here and see all the endearing illustrations you share. Wishing you a year of fulfilling reading and much good health. ❤️💜💙🌹🎂

Happy Birthday, Linda!

Birthday?!!?! You mean we muffed a chance for birthday cake yesterday? Party hats and balloons and streamers and confetti would have been great! Tossing stuff off the balcony.

Well, happy happy.

Happy Birthday, Linda!

>39 Whisper1: There is an orphan train museum in Concordia KS not far from where I am now. They have a website if you want to check it out.

>70 weird_O: I know, right? When I found out Linda's birthday was today, I couldn't believe we missed the perfect chance for a birthday party!

Hi Linda! Happy Birthday and I hope you and Will had fun in Lahaska!

Happy birthday, Linda! I hope it was a great day for you.

>39 Whisper1: I don't typically read children's books but this one is tempting me.

>48 Whisper1: Shot through the heart with a book bullet.

Happy Belated Birthday Wishes, Linda. Hope you had a terrific weekend!

Happy belated birthday, Linda. I hope you had a great day.

Have a wonderful Birthday!

Thanks to all for your lovely birthday wishes. It was a wonderful weekend. Saturday was meet up day at the Bethlehem library sale. Bill, Gig (friend of Bill's and wonderful, all around nice lady), Diane Keenoy, Will and I bought books and then had lunch, at our usual spot, The Hotel Bethlehem. I so enjoy these delightful folks. We are learning more about each other, sharing our recent stellar reads, and laughing while the time flew right on by.

Yesterday was spent with Will, daughter Breanna and grand daughter Kayla at a lovely place called The Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA (near New Hope). We walked through some lovely, unique shops and had brunch at our favorite restaurant. The predicted showers did not arrive, and we had a wonderful time together. I'm fortunate that Breanna and Will have mutual respect and admiration of each other. And, I am always so delighted when Breanna affirms all that Will has been, and continues to be in her life. And, likewise for Will who laughs and listens to Breanna, and we all loved Kayla from the first breath she took upon entering this world. Life is good. Even though there is still a lot of post surgery pain, I make a conscience effort not to talk a lot about it, and I make a concerted effort not to physically look like I'm in pain.

Year 64 means that each day of the next two years I am closer to retirement. Working in social work for 15 years without a pension means I now have to play catch up. In November, I will be at Lehigh University in my capacity of publications adviser for 32 full years.

My birthday resolution continues to be the same each year, and that is not to draw negative, nasty people. Now, I pray for them and walk away. I cannot afford the energy draining experience that whiners bring. But, on the other hand, if I surround myself with kind, sensitive souls, life is so much easier.

Thanks again to my LT friends. I could never have imagined that I would meet so many lovely people who share a love of reading. I like it here -- I think I'll stay...(I'm smiling of course).

I'm smiling too..... I wished you happy on fb but didn't get over here. Seems as though you had a nearly perfect day! I congratulate you for your determination to stick it out for full retirement. I couldn't do it. On the other hand, if I had tried in my teaching situation, I'd either have died or have killed somebody - really. Retirement is grand, wonderful, splendid, awesome, heavenly, great and glorious --- you get the idea!

I wish you a belated Happy Birthday, dear one. I am so thankful that you were able to enjoy such a wonderful time with your family.
I love your thread. It is like you; so very warm & friendly. The illustrations you have shared are so gorgeous and colorful. I have enjoyed catching up with the LT you.

Books purchased Saturday, September 17th at the Bethlehem Public Library book sale:

1) The Notorious Izzy Fink by Don Brown
2 Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt
3) Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai
4) Little fur The Legend Begins by Isobelle Carmody
5) The Lightning Queen by Laura Resau6) Dancing Through Fire by Kathryn Lasky
6) A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
7) The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd
8) Favorite Paintings From The Metropolitan Museum of Art
9) Lies of the Heart by Michelle Boyajian
10) Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes by Marguerite de Angeli's
11) Noah's Ark by Peter Spier
12) Leon and Bob by Simon James
13) Mr. George Baker by Amy Hest illustrations of Jon J. Muth
14) Swamp Angel by Paul O. Zelinsky
15) The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster illustrations of Chris Raschka
16) A Treasury of Children's Literature by Armand Eisen
17) Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
18) Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London by Andrea Warren
19) Favorite Paintings From The Metropolitan Museum of Art
20) Metropolitan Museum of Art by Newsweek/Great Museums of the World

>83 Whisper1: Looks like you got some great ones in that haul. I noticed my public library has #18 on your list and added it to my wish list the other day. Are #8 & #19 two volumes? or duplicates? #16 should be fun. #11 is such a classic! I really enjoyed #17 when I read it.

Hi Lori The books regarding paintings in the Metropolitan art museum are separate books. I spent $22.00 for all 20 books. The most expensive one was A Sparrow in Terezin. I paid $3.00 for that one - a new copy.

BOOK #70

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin

Periodically a book comes along that seems to jump off the library shelf and into my heart. This was such a story. Ben is an orphan who has had his share of bad knocks. Ben's favorite place is the local library. His favorite person is his adoptive mom who suddenly dies. Flip is a stray dog whose owner sold him for $40 and then Flip became a stray. Halley is the librarian's daughter. She reads a lot in between chemo treatments for a rare form of cancer. Halley's mother mentors Ben and places books aside that she knows he would like.

Ben meets Flip when he followed him home from the library. Ben met Halley when she was also at the library.
Some might call this book syrupy sweet, and it is, but the author makes it work like magic. And, speaking of magic, Halley's father is a successful magician who only wishes he could wave a magic wand to take away his precious daughter's cancer.

When Ben's Aunt tries to take him in after her sister died, His Uncle proves lacking in the parental kindness department. Ben is taken in by Halley's parents, and magic occurs.

This is a wonderful book, filled with joy and sorrow -- just like life.

4.5 Stars.

Belated birthday wishes to you, Linda! It sounds like your day was perfectly lovely. Family and LT friends, both treasures in their own way.

Thanks Julia. It is nice to see you here. Happy Sunday to you.

Recommended by Diane Keenoy, this is very well written, though the subject matter is not easy.

I missed your birthday Linda. Glad to see you had such a nice day.

Happy birthday a little delayed, Linda!

Hi Linda--Going through a rough patch, as you can probably tell by my lack of LT visits. Hoping things clear up soon. So glad you had a nice birthday celebration! : )

Just dropping by to admire your book haul and enjoy the illustrations. Congratulations and thanks, Linda!

Happy Belated Birthday, Linda! Wonderful book haul! Enjoy!

What Deb said, Linda. Happy Belated Birthday!

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes. Fall is my favorite time of year, and having a fall birthday is delightful. This year I hit the big 64! I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that I am that "old." I hope to be like my grandmother who wore sneakers and jeans when she was 88. She refused to let a number define her.

BOOK #71

The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach

While the subject of the world's largest and most dangerous nuclear meltdown on April 26, 1986 that occurred at the Russian Chernobyl nuclear plant is such a difficult thing to comprehend, this book is worth every minute of time taken to read it. The Russian government will never reveal the number of those whose lives were forever destroyed by the nuclear reactor disaster near the city of Pripyat, Ukranine.

Lo, these years later, the radiation count remains high. And, in particular, a large percentage of babies born to women who were exposed to extraordinarily high levels of radiation, are born with holes in their heart (a particular phenomenon of Pripyat.) And, for many, the ticking bomb waits to claim more who now, though they escaped deformity, develop thyroid cancer, which is statistically very high among teens.

Written as a novel, the author did his homework regarding the horrific birth defects that occurred as a result of a meltdown contaminating towns as far as 150 miles away with more radiation than the nuclear bombs of Nagasaski and Hiroshima, Japan.

This is a story of Ivan, 17 years old, who, for his entire life, lived in Mazyr Hospital for Gravely Ill children in Belarus. Grossly deformed, with only one arm and no legs, Ivan's mind is incredibly sharp. In order to counteract the boredom, he reads books given to him by his wonderful friend and nurse Natalya. In order to survive, Ivan makes a game of everything. Sharp, keen and wise beyond his years, Ivan is fully aware of what occurs at the Mazyr Hospital for Gravely Ill Children.

He can predict those whose life will be over within three months. He knows the very married, pious director has sex with specific nurses three times a week and that government funding is misappropriated. He refuses to think of himself as ever becoming a "three monther." He knows he is the most intelligent of all the deformed children, and this is a curse and a blessing.

When a leukemia patient by the name of Polina arrives, he knows immediately that she is as intelligent as he, or perhaps even smarter. Playing a series of games, slowly Polina and Ivan develop a relationship. And amid all the horror, Ivan learns to be as vulnerable as possible, knowing Polina may be worse than other "three monthers."

This is a powerful story written by an incredibly talented author. Scott Stambach writes with such beauty and integrity that at once you cry, then laugh, then cry some more. The beauty of his telling seeps off the page right into the readers heart. Beyond a doubt, this is an author to follow.

Well researched, incredibly beautiful, like bright sunshine that hits your eye and makes you blink from the rainbow colored after effect, this is a book that deserves every single award in publishing.

The story is complex and multilayered, causing the reader to go back to ensure that they comprehend the subtlety and poignancy that comes from a pain filled man who aches to live on in the hope there is a better tomorrow, all the while knowing that the end just isn't pretty.

FIVE BIG STARS for a story that haunts long after the last word is read.

A good book compels the reader to learn more of the subject matter. I found this Academy-award winning documentary titled Chernobyl Heart.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/chernobyl-heart/

*sings*

When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?

Morphy, I am laughing out loud. Thanks for this!

>97 Whisper1: Book bullet on Ivan and >98 Morphidae: love that song!! You go girls!

Hi, Linda! I lost track of your thread somewhere along the way, but I am back now!

A very belated Happy Birthday, Linda!

>80 Whisper1: What a lovely post! I'm so glad to see you had a wonderful birthday, and thank you for sharing your resolution with us. I started sending love to people who stress me, and it makes me feel better around them. I'm less tense during unavoidable encounters.

You're on an Elizabeth Berg roll! I enjoyed Make Someone Happy very much, it really helped me to get into a relaxed mode during my vacation.

Wow! 32 years at Lehigh!! You, my friend, are an institution in the institution! *snork*
Have a beautiful day!

Hi Linda, I have been neglectful of late so I am making up for the lack of messages to you. Hope all is well with you dear friend and you are having a lovely day, sending love and hugs.

>100 Berly: Hi Kim. Many thanks for visiting. Returning to work leaves little time and energy for some of thie things I enjoy the most, ie reading and LibraryThing. I hope you are well my friend.
>101 foggidawn: Hi Mitsi...so good to see you here.

>102 Deern: Hi Natalie, I'm glad you enjoy Make Someone Happy. There are so many gems of wisdom in that small book.
>103 Carmenere: Hi Lynda. 32 years at Lehigh = exactly 1/2 of my now 64 year life. Incredible.
>104 johnsimpson: Hi John. Many thanks for dropping by with such kindness.

BOOK #72

Journey to Chernobyl: encounters in a Radioactive Zone by Glenn Alaln Cheney

I'm usually not harsh when reviewing a book. Realizing that reviews are subjective, I'll state right up front that I have a pet peeve and disdain for arrogance and selfishness, and thus my bias certainly tainted redeeming value of this book. I perceived that this author possessed both arrogance and rudeness, thus tainting my judgment.

It wasn't until 3/4 of the book when facts began to appear regarding the horrific meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor number 4. Most of this book seems to be written tongue in check with an arrogance that I'm sure the Russian people did not appreciate.

The author appeared to be judging the culture harshly. Case in point -- he seemed to brag about his totally rude behavior throughout a good bye party held for him by people who went out of their way to help him. In particular, I was offended by his treatment guides and others who helped him navigate through a country wherein he didn't bother to even try to know the language before taking it upon himself to give an accounting of an accident that required more than snarky descriptions.

Though, he did admit to tears when visiting a facility for children whose bodies were cancer ridden as a result of radiation from the meltdown, a noble emotion that he freely admitted. Yet, other than that, while acknowledging that meals were prepared for him when food was not readily obtained, again he seems to put nose and pinkies in the air, acting like a spoiled college brat when in fact he was indeed a rude adult author.

There could have been less of him, and more of the fortitude of the Russians who continue to this day to go through bloody hell as a result of sheer incompetency of performing a test while shutting down all back up modes that might have ended the travesty of Chernobyl.

No stars for this author.

There was an ER book I would have rated and reviewed higher if the author hadn't been such a jerk. It was Cast Member Confidential about Disney characters at their theme parks. I wonder how I would have rated it if I hadn't thought the author wasn't a self-indulgent creep? And why do authors do this? Kitchen Confidential was like that, too. Is it supposed to be humorous?

HI Morphie! Thanks for visiting. Previously when I had the same type of comments about an author who wrote a book regarding the recovery of stolen masterpieces, he actually told me if I didn't remove the review, he would sue me for libel!

>108 Whisper1:. Wow!

>108 Whisper1: *snorts* I hope you told him what he could do with that threat.

>107 Morphidae: I half-read Kitchen confidential many years ago and thought it was a totally boring book although it was screaming "scandal" at me all the time. I was surprised to see the author recently on Italian TV ("The Taste" now runs here) and really liking him. I had to check wiki to be sure it's the same guy. He seems nice, funny and balanced. Maybe he changed his life in some way or he had a bad ghost assistant writer then? I fear those books are supposed to be humorous, but with themes like Chernobyl it ends.

>108 Whisper1: WHAT?!?!? :O

Mortified that my travels saw me miss your birthday, dear lady. Please accept my belated felicitations.

Huge thumbs-up for your review of Ivan (which is now on my library wishlist)! AND a belated happy-birthday!

>109 brenpike: Hi Brenda. I envision you reading to your two wonderful grandsons! Life is good!

>110 Morphidae: Though that occurred by a LT review, I will not review books on Amazon. It's a totally different negative crowd over there (in my experience.) Two-three times, authors or readers had some very nasty things to say. Yikes!

>111 Deern: Hi Natalie, Many thanks for your visit!

>112 PaulCranswick: Dear Paul, We are both September babies. I am a Virgo. How about you?

>113 countrylife: Hi Cindy, I was thinking of you a few days ago and smiling, remembering your lovely phone call a few years ago. Thanks for the thumbs up. That is a book that still haunts me, and now I am on a quest to learn as much about Chernobyl as I can.

I had a wonderful time today visiting the Allentown Library with Diane Keenoy. We laughed most of the time. It is interesting to know how very alike we are. Here is a list of the books I bought from their sale room:

Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos
So Many Books, So Little Time A Year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson
Lamb in Love by Carrie Brown
Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Diane Schoemperlen
The Accomplice by Elizabeth Ironside
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Chef by Jaspreet Singh
Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling
The Moon of the Wild Pigs by Jean Craighead George Children's Illustrated book
The Radleys by Matt Haig

The above books were purchase for $8.25

BOOK #73
Elizabeth Taylor A Private Life for Public Consumption by Ellis Cashmore



My grandmother loved reading about Elizabeth Taylor. She was indeed an American icon. She was one of the first celebrities who was followed and hounded by photographers. And, while she was upset by the lack of privacy, conversely, she also found ways in which to stay front and center in the media.

A child star who gained fame at the age of eight, the public became obsessed with her beauty. As an adult, she had two many marriages, two of them to Richard Burton. An advocate of Michael Jackson, she stood by him when all around were bringing him down.

This was a rather large book, but it was very well written, so reading it didn't seem like a chore.

It was interesting to read the story of her life, and smile remembering my grandmothers fascination.

Wow! A great haul from the library sale, Linda! I've read Everything I Never Told You and I gave it 4.5 stars. I recall find it very touching to read. Lots of great find there.

Great review of Elizabeth Taylor. It is interesting that Elizabeth Taylor, who likely had a challenging childhood as a child star understood Michael Jackson, who was also a child star.

>114 Whisper1: Virgo too Linda and very much so!

I have reined in my additions this month as money is frankly a little tight and I didn't take any salary from my Project Management company this month for the first time in ages. I am therefore slightly envious of the library book haul. xx

Happy Sunday, Linda. I have not seen you around lately, so I wanted to check in. Glad to see another meet-up happening, along with a sweet book haul. Yah!

Good review of The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko. Thumb! I want to get my greedy mitts on that one.

Nice haul from the book sale, Linda. I loved the Sara Nelson book.

I LOVE your pics from the illustrated books, Linda. I hope you're doing well. I was absent several weeks on LT but I try doing better in the future.
I wish you a lovely start into the new week.

Thanks to all for visiting here. Returning to work is more taxing than I imagined it would be. After seven spine/neck surgeries, some of which had multiple operations during, I now know my body is weary and trying hard to heal.

It is good to be back to the university. After 32 years, I can still say I like what I do. I am fortunate to have a job wherein so many of my talents can be used.

Thanks again to all for understanding that I appreciate your visits here, and when I have more energy, I will be back to checking your threads.

BOOK #74

Voices From Chernobyl The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Svetlana Alexievich


This was a difficult read. It is a well written, factual, emotional book of stories of those who suffered greatly by the nuclear explosion caused by reactor #4 in the Chernobyl area of Russia. The foreward notes that this was an error of faculty engineering, and a host of those in charge who were incompetent.



We will never know the exact number of those who died, or those who were impacted in the Ukraine. Thirty years later, the sarcophagus built to contain reactor #4, still allows radiation to escape. In fact, before time runs out, there is finally a massive effort to build another arch like edifice around the reactor. Meanwhile, the cracked, unsealed walls contain a soupy radioactive mess of sludge that has the potential to cause more damage than the initial explosion.

On April 26, 1968, during a test to ascertain if there would be enough cooling in the reactor, should it breakdown, all back up systems were shut down. When the radioactive piling rods were stuck, a horrific chain of devastating proportions resulted in an immediate melting of the core. A sudden surge of power during the reactor systems test resulted in permanent damage of reactor #4. Spewing radioactivity into the air, especially in nearby communities, emergency firemen were called to help contain the incredible fire. Rushing to the reactor, with no boots or protective equipment, those who sustained off-the chart radioactive chemicals, and died as a result, are heros. This book tells the story of some of those heros, in particular, the husband of Svetlana Alexievich, who was one of the first on scene.

In addition to shoveling, helicopters were also used to pour boron and sand into the reactor in the hope of staving off increasing levels of radioactive chemicals. Approximately 18-20 miles around the area were closed off, leaving areas still to date, a ghost like nightmare. While we do not know the amount of people impacted, studies do show that approximately 115,00 people were evacuated within 36 hours, and then additional people, perhaps over 200,000 were also evacuated after the initial relocation. Later many thousands were charged with clean up. While some wore apparatus to protect them, many did not.



This book tells the tale of those who were first responders, known as "liquidators" of which 28 were dead withing a few months. Additional workers received inordinate amounts of radiation rem, some as high as over 100 rem.

Loaded with facts, this book is the sad, sad story of ineptitude which immediately impacted, and still continues to impact on children who have a high rate of thyroid cancer. Many children have sustained severe birth defects.

The author does not mince words. The first chapter of the book leaves even the most hardened person to feel compassion for those who gave up their lives so that the reactor could cause less harm than it actually did. In graphic detail we learn what happened to her husband as it took 14 days for him to die a terrible death.

Some refused to leave areas vacated. Hiding in the nearby woods, they returned to what ever they could find. Most homes were shoveled and destroyed. When reading this book, there is no doubt that this is an accident felt round the world, and that much higher levels of control need to be in place if we, as a world, continue to use nuclear energy.



Five Stars.

Hi Linda, nice to see you are able to get back to work and to a job you enjoy my dear. Take things steady my dear after all you have been through. Sending love and hugs to a dear friend.

>124 Whisper1: I read Voices from Chernobyl a while back. Thanks for posting your review here. It is definitely a book which should be read by many. Unforgettable ...

>125 johnsimpson: Hi John. Are you having a good birthday?
>126 brenpike: Brenda, I am smiling, knowing how much you and I are alike in our reading selections. Have you read any other books regarding Chernobyl?

>127 Whisper1: I haven't read anything else about Chernobyl. I don't remember now why I chose to read the Alexievich book, but am glad I did.

>115 Whisper1: Don't you just love spending $8.25 for a nice book binge?!
Great review of Voices From Chernobyl. I must add this one to my library requests.

>123 Whisper1: Good to read you still like your work, Linda, but I can imagine it is hard on your body...
Sending much love & hugs

>124 Whisper1: I also found this a powerful read. Would like to read more of her books - I really liked the way she layered the memories of so many people to tell a story that needed telling.

>128 brenpike: Brenda, I find that I am fascinated by the subject of Chernobyl. I ordered another book re. this subject from bookoutlet.com today. And, I requisitioned others via interlibrary loan.

>129 Carmenere: Lynda, Thanks for your kind words. Yes, $8.25 feels like a great amount to spend for good books. Diane and I were able to find a few that looked almost brand new.

>130 FAMeulstee: Hello Dear Anita. I hope you are well. I had a very productive meeting today with students who are trying very hard (and succeeding) in managing our student newspaper business. As I sat with them and we strategized for the future, I remember thinking how much I enjoy working with these very talented, motivated students.

>131 charl08: Hi Charlotte, Yes, I agree. I also liked the layering of memories. This book touched me in a deep way.

BOOK #75

i did it....I read 75 books. Because of the surgeries in 2016, and the fact that I am still recovering from those of 2015, I seriously doubted that I would reach the goal. I feel so very good about the fact that I did it. Periodically, I feel sad that I have not been able to keep up with the threads, and I miss many members of the group. Overall, I am happy to be walking, happy to be functioning, happy to be back to work, and happy to find solace in books.


My Father, In Snow by E. Sheila Johnson

Many thanks to Diane Keenoy for sharing this book with me. She bought it at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem during one of our meet ups. Written by a local author, who also graduated from Cedar Crest College, the private woman's college where I obtained my undergrad degree, this book is small, and mighty.

Beautifully written, it is a lovely, lush tribute to her father. Dying at an early age from a heart attack, this is a wonderful book filled with accolades and memories of her father and life with eight siblings,and a loving mother who also had some health issues. As a child of the 1950's, I could relate to so much of what she remembered.

Her memories are intermingled with those of some of her brothers and sisters. It was a time when life was measured by the small pleasures such as a trip to get ice cream, or a decorated tree with a neat pile of presents for each child on Christmas morning. While reading this, I could almost close my eyes and hear the sounds of summer evenings in the small town neighborhood of my childhood.

Four Stars

Congrats on reaching 75! Well done!

>134 cbl_tn: Many thanks Carrie!

Congrats!

Congratulations on reaching the 75 book mark, Linda. I know you must be exhausted from the physical effort required to be back at work, so I am so happy that the students are such a source of motivation and energy from you. You are amazing!

>133 Whisper1: I am so glad you liked the book, Linda. And, congratulations on hitting 75!

Congratulations on reaching 75!

Congrats on reaching 75.

More congrats from me. And how nice to reach 75 on a book you loved.

Congratulations on reaching 75, Linda! What a challenging year you've had.

My Father, In Snow sounds like a lovely book.

Yeah, Linda, glad you reached the goal!
Hope you are pain-free soon!

Congrats on 75 and on returning to work with such success.

Congrats!

Congrats on reaching 75!

Congratulations on 75!! :D

I've been meaning to read Voices from Chernobyl for a while, you reminded me. I just checked and it's still not available as e-book, but I put it into my basket for the next time I'll order paper books.

Have a lovely weekend!

Congratulations on reaching 75, Linda.

Congratulations on making your goal! WTG!

Hi Linda, congratulations on reaching 75 my dear. Hope you have a lovely weekend, sending love and hugs.

Wishing you a relaxrd weekend, Linda.

Slightly belated congrats on reaching 75 books (excluding those thousands of picture books you also enjoy!).

Have a lovely weekend, Linda, dear.

Hi to all. My lovely neighborhood friends and I baked cupcakes and Halloween cookies today. The, Lilly enjoyed the day when the three girls threw the ball at her nose so that she could bounce it back to them. I'm tired now and have been resting the remaining part of the day, now evening. I finished another book, so all in all despite some increased pain this week, it is a good one.

Pain management appointment bright and early tomorrow should help get on track with resolving some of the most recent issues.

Many thanks for all the posts on my thread. I deeply appreciate the visits.

BOOK #76

The Giant's House a Romance by Elizabeth McCracken

Because Anne Hoffman is one of my favorite aughors, this book worked for me because the author's writing is akin to Hoffman's style.

To enjoy the book, I think you need to dispel pragmatic realism and let go of some practicality. This is a story of a young mid twenty year old librarian in a small Cape Cod town. A loner and introvert, books are her friends. She lives alone and loves the library so much that it seems to be her second home. When twelve year old James enters the library, her life is forever changed.

James is a giant who continues to grow throughout his life. Reaching over eight feet tall, he needs assistance, and his Aunt, Uncle, and librarian friend Peggy help him. Peggy grows to love James and his gentle nature, soaking up his thoughts and providing books and conversation.

When she realizes she loves James in a romantic way, she keeps this to herself. Later in the book, we learn that James loves her as well. As I was reading the book, I wondered why I wasn't shocked by this, and nor did I feel it creepy. This is because the writing style of the author allows for magical realism.

The ending is not quite up to the standard of the rest of the book, and thus it merits three stars.

Good morning, Whisper1. I hope all is well with you!

Hi Brodie. I wish the same to you. Thanks for stopping by.