Lori (thornton37814) Reads While Petting Cats in 2017 - part 2

Sherlock claimed the shirt I purchased in support of the Gatlinburg fire relief efforts as his own. I put it on the bed temporarily while I put other purchases away. When I went to hang it in the closet, Sherlock was too cute to move. I eventually managed to hang it.

For those who need a reminder about my "categories" for 2017 since I include these from the Category Challenge on all my posts, here they are:

1. Johannes Lantz - Around the World.
2. Rev. Stephen Batchelder - Borrowed Books.
3. Rev. Nathan Ward - Christian Classics.
4. Lucinda Virginia Phillips - Series.
5. Godfrey Dearborn - Literary Classics.
6. Richard Thornton - History and Genealogy.
7. John Perkins Historical Fiction.
8. Mary Ann Harris - Children's/YA.
9. Joseph Fowlkes - Non-Fiction.
10. Francis Aldridge - Fiction and Other Literature.

Abandoned reads: Thomas Duke

In the next few messages, I'll update you on my 2017 progress to date. The top will only reflect reading until the thread begins. I will number new reads below in the thread so you can see the progress.

2017 Reads to Date - #1-10

1. Lost Attractions of Sevier County by Tim Hollis and Mitzi Soward
2. Stake & Eggs by Laura Childs
3. The Fish Can Sing by Halldor Laxness
4. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
5. Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park by Lee H. Whittlesey
6. Mexican Ice Cream: Beloved Recipes and Stories by Fany Gerson
7. The Queen of the Frogs by Davide Cali and Marco Soma
8. A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
9. The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA by Doug Mack
10. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

2017 Reads to Date - #11-20

11. The Inflated Story of Noah by Dr. Dan Bellamy
12. The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel
13. The Confessions of St. Augustine by Augustine; translated by Edward B. Pusey
14. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
15. Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs
16. One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
17. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
18. Down by the Riverside by Jackie Lynn
19. Cats, Cats, Cats by Leslea Newman
20. The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan

2017 Reads to Date - #21-22

21. Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien
22. Little Cat's Luck by Marion Dane Bauer; illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell

Progress on options for a few of my categories will be posted in this post and the next several.

Johannes Lantz (Around the World)

Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique (Virgin Islands)
The Devil Takes Half by Leta Serafim (Greece)
Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten (Sweden)
Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti)
Justine by Lawrence Durrell (Egypt)
A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn (South Africa)
The Abandoned Room by Wadsworth Camp (Panama)
Children of the Street by Kwei J. Quartey (Ghana)
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)
The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison (Tibet)
Gardens of Water by Alan Drew (Turkey)

Stephen Batchelder (Borrowed)

Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell
Strawberry Yellow by Naomi Hirahara
Funeral Music by Morag Joss
The Banks of the Boyne by Donna Fletcher Crow
Why Shoot a Butler by Georgette Heyer
Seneca Falls Inheritance by Miriam Grace Monfredo
The Fish Can Sing by Haldor Laxness - completed 6 Jan 2017
Death Assemblage by Susan Cummins Miller
Slight Mourning by Catherine Aird
The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin
The Alto Wore Tweed by Mark Schweizer

Nathan Ward (Christian Classics)

The Treasury of David by C. H. Spurgeon
Confessions by St. Augustine
The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer
God in the Dock by C. S. Lewis
A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly
The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Francis of Assisi
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther
Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross

Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
A Prayer for the Night by P. L. Gaus
Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger
Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay
Scandal in Skibbereen by Sheila Connolly
Stake & Eggs by Laura Childs - completed 2 Jan 2017
Back to School Murder by Leslie Meier
Bowled Over by Victoria Hamilton
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon
Death on Blackheath by Anne Perry
The Dream Stalker by Margaret Coel
A Deadly Cliche by Ellery Adams
Eggsecutive Orders by Julie Hyzy
Blood Atonement by Dan Waddell
Manna from Hades by Carola Dunn
Ashes and Bones by Dana Cameron
While My Pretty One Knits by Anne Canadeo
The Dead in their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye

Godfrey Dearborn (Literary Classics)

Moby Dick by Herman Melville (to be read with a book by Nathaniel Philbrick)
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevannes by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
The Virginians by William Makepeace Thackeray
A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The Spy by James Fenimore Cooper
The Alhambra by Washington Irving
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott
Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe

Richard Thornton (History & Genealogy

Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir
Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie
The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer
Colonial New England on 5 Shillings a Day by Bill Scheller
The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer
Child Life in Colonial Times by Alice Earle
The Jew Store by Stella Suberman
Cabins in the Laurel by Muriel Earley Sheppard
Where We Lived by Jack Larkin
Rethinking Home by Joseph Anthony Amato
A Storm of Witchcraft by Emerson W. Baker
Seventeenth-Century America by James Morton Smith
Letters from Forest Place by E. Grey Dimond
The Highland Scots of North Carolina, 1732-1776 by Duane Gilbert Meyer
Cemeteries and Gravemarkers by Richard E. Meyer
The Famine Ships by Edward Laxton

Note: I read books for this category in January, just none of these!

John Perkins (Historical Fiction)

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner
The Accidental Empress by Alison Pataki
The Malice of Fortune by Michael Ennis
When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman
Katherine by Anya Seton
The Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Angels Anglada
Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
Broken Music by Marjorie Eccles
A Simple Murder by Eleanor Kuhns

Adding:
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

That Book Woman by Heather Henson
Cats, Cats, Cats by Leslea Newman
The Best Cat in the World by Leslea Newman
The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub
The Greek Who Stole Christmas by Anthony Horowitz
The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuwen
World of Pies by Karen Stolz
The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan

Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

Storm Kings by Lee Sandlin
The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Forever Liesl by Charmian Carr
Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet by Jeffrey Alford
A New Turn in the South by Hugh Acheson
Books to Die For by John Connolly
If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende
Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook by Debbie Macomber
Why Read Moby Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Cooking of Southwest France by Paula Wolfert
The Story of Charlotte's Web by Michael Sims
How to Read Novels Like a Professor by Thomas J. Foster
The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma
Promised Land: Thirteen Books that Changed America by Jay Parini
At Home with Books by Estelle Ellis
Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing by Claire Kehrwald Cook
The Good Book by Andrew Blauner
Our Father Abraham by Marvin R. Wilson
Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale
A People and Their Quilts by John Rice Irwin
See Rock City by Donald Davis

Francis Aldridge (Fiction & Other Literature)

A Lowcountry Wedding by Mary Alice Monroe
The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
New Mercies by Sandra Dallas
School for Love by Olivia Manning
The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas
A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse
Finn by Jon Clinch
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart
The Land of Green Plums by Herta Muller
Dog Songs: Poems by Mary Oliver
Good Poems, American Places by Garrison Keillor
Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters

This should do it for now. Feel free to comment while I adjust the picture size and fill in reserved spaces.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better now :).

>16 foggidawn: Thanks! I think I'm all caught up now!

>17 lunacat: Thanks. I'm glad to be feeling better too.

Happy new thread, Lori! Glad you're feeling better.

Happy new thread, Lori.

>20 harrygbutler: Thanks. Just hoping the fever doesn't return this afternoon. I'm ready to get out of the house for more than the doctor and grocery store/pharmacy.

>21 Ameise1: Thanks!

Just marking my place...

>23 Morphidae: Thanks, Morphy!

Interesting article on Laura Ingalls Wilder books in New York Times today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/books/review/little-house-laura-ingalls-wilde...

Happy new one, Lori! I LOVE the topper photo!

Happy new thread!

>26 Crazymamie: Thanks. That's one of my favorite recent cat photos.

>27 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

I need one of my genealogy books--a very thin one--for something on which I'm working, but I cannot locate it. I was pretty sure I last used it right before a recent trip to Raleigh and stuck it inside one of the totes, but it is hiding very well. I just ordered another copy. I'm sure I'll locate the original copy now. ;-)

>29 thornton37814: I'm in much the same position with the next book in order with my reading of Agatha Christie books in publication order, and also with P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster. We own those books, but I don't know where they are. In both cases, though, I'm hoping I can just get a reading copy from the library.

>30 harrygbutler: This is one I doubt is available at the library. I need my own copy anyway. If I own two copies, surely I'll be able to locate at least one of them when I need it.

I made "stewp" today. I just didn't thicken it as much as a stew because I opted for diced tomatoes instead of tomato paste.

Happy New One!

Happy new thread, Lori!
Sherlock didn't look like he was giving up his place there ;-)

>33 Berly: Some of those spool tops remind me of ones my mom used to own! I'm pretty sure most of the thread went to either my sister-in-law Rhoda or to my sister-in-law Gwen's mom.

>34 FAMeulstee: It took awhile! He wanted to be Smokies Strong!

Happy new thread, Lori! The "stewp" looks good! I can practically get a sniff of it over by me ;)

LOL Sherlock is indeed a sleuth, he scoped out the new shirt before the others.

>36 Carmenere: Sherlock is definitely the one who investigates things first. The "stewp" was very tasty! I'll eat some for lunch tomorrow too.

23. Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay

Date Completed: 7 Feb 2017

Category: Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 3 stars

Review: In this installment, Mel and Angie take the cupcake van to a rodeo up north. The head of the rodeo is glancingly shot and then the star of the rodeo ends up dead. At first he appeared to be gored by a bull, but when no blood turns up on the bull's horns and the medical examiner agrees it was something else, they must find the weapon and the killer. Needless to say, Mel become involved. Also Mel and Angie make a bet with the barbecue vendor next to them regarding sales. When they find their freezer unplugged, they are sure the men next door did it, but they lack evidence. This one just didn't quite work for me as well as some of the others in the series. It may be because I didn't really like the rodeo characters and setting. The book ends with a big cliffhanger.

I was flicking over your last thread and saw the post from Christmas time, about the white chocolate pretzels. You mention that you bought "almond bark and pretzels", what is almond bark? Do you literally dip the pretzels in melted white chocolate? (you can see I'm intrigued)

>9 thornton37814: it took me an absolute age to read The Scarlett Letter. I started it when my oldest was having his school visits (3+ years ago) and I finished it 2 point something years later!!! So, good luck to you on that one. Maybe continuity was my issue. So many books seemed to book horn themselves in.

>39 LovingLit: Yes. That's exactly what you do. Almond Bark looks like this:



It's not real white chocolate (although you can use real white chocolate). It's a vanilla coating. It's cheaper than real white chocolate when you make as many pretzels as I made for all the nieces' and nephews' families. I just put it in a pie plate in the microwave and stir it at the intervals suggested on the package until it is all melted. Then I put a handful of pretzels in and pick them up with a fork and place them on waxed paper to harden.

I've read The Scarlet Letter at least three times. One of my ancestors' wives is supposedly the inspiration for Hester Prynne. It is not the wife from whom I descend, but I like to imagine the story with my ancestor as I re-read. The first time I read it was in 9th grade for English class.

>40 thornton37814: wow, that product amazes me. There is nothing on the packaging to suggest what its ingredients are. Is it a well known product? What I mean is, is it one of those products that has become common knowledge, so what it actually is is beside the point?
White choc pretzels sounds fantastic.

I enjoyed reading your lists. This must have taken a long time to compile.

Hi Lori! Just a quick drive by to get caught up. Yum to white chocolate pretzels. I keep milk chocolate and white chocolate coating in the pantry to be used as needed.

Really interesting article on Laura Ingalls Wilder. Thanks for sharing the link.

I'm quite fond of stews and soups, myself; your hybrid title is perfect!

That is good going Lori racking up 44 posts on a new thread whilst I am flying across three oceans!

Happy new thread, my dear.

>41 LovingLit: Almost every store stocks Almond Bark. Their stocks are much more plentiful around Christmas. They provide a bit more around Valentine's Day too. It's very common. The Walmart website provides the ingredients and instructions for use:

Ingredients:
Ingredients: Sugar (Sugar, Cornstarch), Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Whey Powder, Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier) And Artificial Flavor. Contains Soy And Milk Products. This Product Was Packaged In A Facility That Handles Milk And Peanuts.

Directions:
Instructions: Melting directions. Microwave: To microwave entire amount Of coating,place in a microwave dish And microwave for 90 seconds, then stir well.Continue To microwave for 15 second intervals, stirring well after eachinterval, until smooth. If melting less than entire amount, reducemicrowave time accordingly. Oven: place desired amount in oven pan.Preheat oven To 120 And place pan in oven for approximately 15 minutesor until coating is soft. Remove And stir until smooth. Sauce pan: placedesired amount in sauce pan. Melt over very low heat about 8 minutes,stirring until smooth. Note: do not overheat. Overheating will causeproduct To scorch or caramelize. Use only dry utensils for melting orstirring. Moisture could cause the coating To solidify or separate. Tothin for dipping, add one tablespoon or more Of solid vegetableshortening And stir until smooth. Do not add water, milk, oil, margarineor butter To thin. Peanut butter crackers. Sandwich two snack crackerstogether with a generous amount Of peanut butter. Press together sopeanut butter spreads To edge. Using tongs, dip crackers into meltedcoating. Place on foil or waxed paper To harden. Almond bark candy. Meltcoating. Stir until smooth. Mix in almonds. Spread out on foil or waxedpaper To cool. Break into pieces for serving. You may substitute othersalted nuts for the almonds.

>42 Whisper1: I created them back in the fall as I was developing the categories. I just began inserting things from my wish list into them.

>43 karenmarie: I'm a dark chocolate person myself. I love the white chocolate pretzels though.

>44 countrylife: I must confess I heard Rachael Ray call something she made that once, so I borrowed the term from her.

>45 PaulCranswick: I hope you arrived safely at your destination.

I LOVE the idea of stewp!

Excellent Laura Ingalls Wilder link.

How cool about your connection with Hester Prynne('s inspiration). Have you spent much time in Salem? I'm sure you've been to the New England Genealogy Society, right?

I think you need to come back so we can have a little meet-up! My office is a couple of block away from NEGS.

>48 michigantrumpet: I've only been out on Cape Ann one time so only once to Salem. Most of the time, I just stay in the Boston area. I always make time to research at NEHGS when in Boston. The folks there always give me good lunch suggestions. I do need to make another trip up there. Not sure when it will be. The last time I was in New England was about 4 years ago when I spoke for NERGC. Their schedule and mine haven't worked well the last couple of times. It was in Manchester, NH that year so I flew in and out of Manchester.

>47 thornton37814: I'm a dark chocolate person, too, but any-kind-of-chocolate-coated-pretzels are wonderful. And the ritz-peanut-butter-chocolate-coated crackers are to die for.

Happy weekend, Lori.

>50 karenmarie: Most things are better with chocolate!

>51 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara.

>52 DianaNL: Awww! Such a cutie! Almost as cute as the 3 curled up beside me.

24. The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny

Date Completed: 12 Feb 2017

Category: Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #4: Read a devilish book

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: When young Laurent LePage comes into the bistro telling about a big gun and a monster, no one believes him until he is found dead the next day. Although Gamache retired from the surete to Three Pines, his memory of the crime scene overturned an "accidental death" ruling to murder when he noticed something missing which should be present as well as a positioning technicality. Isabelle LaCoste assumed the chief inspector position with Jean-Guy as her assistant. The village is visited by a professor and by two CSIS agents, all of whom studied the man believed to be responsible for building the supergun no one was sure existed. Also at the center of the mystery is a play written by one of Canada's most evil serial killers. A second death occurs.

I'm a bit conflicted about my rating. I'm certain part of me wants Gamache back in charge of the surete. The others kept him involved in the investigation which was probably a bit of a stretch of what would actually transpire. The other thing bothering me is the reader is expected to believe this supergun was in the woods near Three Pines for 25 years without anyone finding it. As many times as people tramped in and out of the woods near the village in the other installments, I find it difficult to believe it was hidden all that time.

I love many aspects of the series, but I really don't like the "dark side" to it. I suppose I like things slightly "cozier" than the series is. The atmosphere is becoming more like Twin Peaks. I think the plot in this installment ventured too close to the espionage genre for my comfort.

The afterward of this installment indicates it was based on a real life scenario. Perhaps it was a little too chilling for the tastes of some readers of the series such as myself. This isn't my least favorite installment of the series, but it is far from my favorite.

Hi Lori and Happy New Thread. Sherlock is, of course, adorable, but I also love the shirt he claimed. My sister lives in western North Carolina and this past fire season was so disheartening.

I need to return to the Louise Penny series.

>55 EBT1002: I'm trying to get caught up with it. I need to read one more before the new one comes out, probably around the end of August, if it follows the normal publication pattern.

>49 thornton37814: When you do know when you might be back in the area, please let me know. Would love to meet you in person, Lori!

>57 michigantrumpet: I doubt it will be this year, but hopefully I can arrange to get back up there in 2018. I'm definitely overdue for a New England visit.

I know it's February already but I really want to get a list together of 10 - 12 series I want to finish this year. The Three Pines is going to be one, I'm sure.

>59 Morphidae: It's definitely a good one to go on the list. I just made a list of ones I wanted to get to the next in the series on. In some cases, I'll try to catch up; in others, I'll just try to make progress.

My nephew inherited the "carpentry" gene from my paternal grandfather. One of his friends is getting married and asked him to make a bed for them. My nephew took wood from his friend's great- or great-great-grandparents' home to create this:

>61 thornton37814: WOW! Gorgeous.

>62 Berly: Wow, that is absolutely stunning. I want! A lot! If only I had any kind of practical talents for such things. What a wonderful wedding present.

>61 thornton37814: Nice job!

Very nice! I love the contrasting stains.

>54 thornton37814: Nice review, Lori! I think I liked it better than you did. I have read A Great Reckoning, the newest one and will be interested in hearing what you think.

>61 thornton37814: Beautiful! I love that the wood was taken from family homes.

>61 thornton37814: >66 karenmarie: I agree. What a treasure.

>62 Berly: I think so too.

>63 lunacat: His aunt didn't inherit that gene.

>64 harrygbutler: He always seems to do a wonderful job.

>65 drneutron: I wonder if he tried to be close to the original wood color on part of it.

>66 karenmarie: I really think it's the fact it's close to a genre I'm not crazy about it part of the reason I didn't enjoy it. My least favorite installment is one that reminds me even more strongly of that genre.

>67 Morphidae: I love the fact he was able to repurpose wood from the home to make a genuine heirloom.

25. Eight Cousins, Or the Aunt Hill by Louisa May Alcott

Date Completed: 14 Feb 2017

Category: Godfrey Dearborn (Literary Classics)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #17: Read a book by an author whose full name is at least 5 syllables long

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Rose is orphaned. Her legal guardian is her Uncle Alec. She moves to the "Aunt Hill," the home of six aunts and seven cousins, all of whom are male. Her color is pale, but Uncle Alec prescribes sunshine and play. She must also learn to eat oatmeal and not drink coffee, among other changes. The book was pretty progressive for its time. Even though today's children will not relate to much of what takes place, it can still be enjoyed within its historical context. Alcott did a remarkable job with characterization. This is one reason the novel stands the test of time.

>69 thornton37814: Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom are probably my favorite Alcott books. I love Little Women, of course, but Rose's story was my favorite as a child.

>70 foggidawn: Yes. I remember liking Eight Cousins better than Little Women also. I don't know if I ever read Rose in Bloom, but I'll try to get to it sometime.

>69 thornton37814: I have a copy of Eight Cousins packed away somewhere. There are several Alcott books I've been meaning to read. One of these days!

>72 aktakukac: I know what you mean! I have a lot of books that are "out of sight, out of mind."

Nice review of Eight Cousins. I am not sure I could have listed any books by Loiusa May Alcott other than, of course, Little Women.

>74 EBT1002: Well, she did write Little Men too.

26. Selected Poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Date Completed: 15 Feb 2017

Category: Godfrey Dearborn (Literary Classics)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #17: Read a book by an author whose full name is at least 5 syllables long

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Longfellow's poetry was written in an era in which many poets expressed their faith in their poetry regardless of whether the theme of the poem dealt with religion. This collection contains several of his shorter selections such as "The Village Blacksmith" and "Paul Revere's Ride" as well as the full text of his longer historical poems "Evangeline" and "The Courtship of Miles Standish" and selections from "Song of Hiawatha." Many of the lines are longer than those with which readers of modern poetry are accustomed. The poetry's rhythm lends itself to a slower reading than some. Still these are classic poems. I enjoyed reading some for the first time and re-reading others.

>76 thornton37814: Longfellow is quite good, isn't he? I read the poems in Tales of a Wayside Inn last April (which includes "Paul Revere's Ride") last spring, and I liked them well enough to pick up a copy of The Song of Hiawatha with illustrations by Frederic Remington that I'll likely get to sometime this year.

>77 harrygbutler: I will get to "The Song of Hiawatha" eventually since it is one of the poems named on my Authors card game. This book allowed me to mark off "The Village Blacksmith," "Evangeline," and "The Courtship of Miles Standish" since all of those were complete. I wanted to read or re-read all of the titles over 4 years. I may be able to complete it sooner since some of the works are poems and short stories, as in this case.

>69 thornton37814: : I read Eight Cousins, Or the Aunt Hill and Rose in Bloom a few years ago. I was enchanted with both, but liked the first best.

>76 thornton37814: : Here am I - an American who's never read a word of Longfellow. I need to remedy that. Nice review!

>54 thornton37814: your TIOLI theme, read a devilish book, reminds me of one of my fave bookclub themed reads. We each had to read a book to the theme of the seven deadly sins. I think lust and wrath were the most represented sins from the group!!

>79 countrylife: I remember memorizing at least part of "Paul Revere's Ride" in school. Students today, of course, don't memorize poetry--at least according to my informal survey on Facebook where teachers, parents, etc. commented. I'll have to check out the sequel to Eight Cousins.

>80 LovingLit: Since that book dealt with the "Beast" of Revelation, I thought it fit the "devilish" category. It's probably easiest to find lust and wrath, although gluttony would certainly not be far behind them.

Attack of Shiny New ARCs!

I may not make it through all my February or March planned reads. I was attracted to some shiny new ARC's.

One came at the offer of the publisher through private contact, and I've actually begun reading it.

Sue Spertus Larkey / Bone Soup and Flipped Bread: The Yemenite Jewish Table

It's rotating in and out with some other things I'm reading.

However, today I received a notice from NetGalley I was approved for one of the books I requested from this month's Early Reviewers batch. I then looked at my pre-approvals where I found another title I requested from this month's ER batch. I found another book already on my wish list, and two more books which sounded interesting to me. So my NetGalley haul for the day is:

Wolf on a String / Benjamin Black
New Boy / Tracy Chevalier
Adam and the Genome / Dennis R. Venema and Scot McKnight
Heading Out: A History of American Camping / Terence Young
The Old Testament Is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment / Brent A. Strawn

I need to re-read Othello before I tackle the Chevalier book. I am currently reading Dark Night of the Soul (at lunch or in the mornings when I'm watching the front desk in the library), The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap (at home with cats on the lap), the above-mentioned cookbook (on iPad), the Bible (year-long read, but not straight through like some are doing), and The Inquisitor's Tale (on iPad). My current audiobook is Eva Gates' By Book or By Crook (generally in the car). I want to read The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart over the weekend if I can. It's checked out and at home. It's for the British author challenge.

I guess some of the stuff will be pushed later in the year. So many books, so little time!

>61 thornton37814: That is a gorgeous bed! What talent! All the more special for having been made from materials from the family home!

>76 thornton37814: When you come to visit (do you detect a theme here?) we can go to visit the Longfellow house over in Cambridge! (As long as you come between May and October ...)

https://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm

>69 thornton37814: One of my childhood favorites. For a while, my daughter was the only girl among 7 boy cousins and brothers. It reminded me a little of the book. With the exception of the orphaned bit. I liked Rose in Bloom quite well too.

>83 michigantrumpet: That would be a neat place to go. I saw all the Concord author homes although I wouldn't mind seeing them again.

>84 nittnut: That would be a pretty similar situation!

>54 thornton37814: I haven't read very far in the Penny series so haven't got to The Nature of the Beast. I am curious when you said, also at the center of the mystery is a play written by one of Canada's most evil serial killers, is that a real serial killer? If so, which one?

>61 thornton37814: That is a beautiful handmade bed.

I'm hoping too finish The Ivy Tree this weekend as well, but then I started it over a week ago. That's what happens when reading multiple books at the same time.

27. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch

Date Completed: 17 Feb 2017

Category: Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #18: Read a book with a title word beginning with "L"

Rating: 3 stars

Single Sentence Review: I would prefer to visit the bookstore than read about it.

Review: Wendy Welch and her husband Jack decide to open a used bookstore in a small Virginia town. Everyone thinks they are nuts. No one expects it to last. Their resources were few. At first they mostly relied on their own books and yard sale books. When they open, they also begin receiving books for trade. She recounts their difficulties. My favorite chapter in the book gave details on a multi-state bookstore tour they made. She gave high praise to Square Books and to the town of Oxford, Mississippi, which made me very happy since it is in my home state and is a place I enjoy visiting when I'm in Oxford. The book bogs down a bit in the details of owning and operating a bookstore, but I suspect it might be attractive to someone considering going into the used book business. One chapter is a list of recommended reads. I questioned some of the choices and agreed with others. Ultimately I would rather be browsing the shelves of the bookstore while petting one of those adorable foster kittens in their online virtual tour than reading about it. Fortunately it's not that long of a drive, so I may actually be able to visit.

Eight Cousins is fresher than Rose in Bloom imho. Rose in Bloom feels more preachy. I read both multiple times as a child, along with Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys, Under the Lilacs and An Old-fashioned Girl. Can't say I didn't get a good grounding in Alcott's books!!

A quick hello, Lori, hopes that you're having a good weekend.

>88 ronincats: I seem to be in the minority by never reading Rose in Bloom. Time won't permit it for awhile, but I'll try to get to it later in the year.

>89 karenmarie: It was a busy weekend, as you can tell by my lack of response over the weekend. I did find time for reading and am almost done with one book. I just didn't spend as much time online. What time I did spend was mainly working on genealogical stuff -- some for me, some for a client.

28. The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank

Date Completed: 20 Feb 2017

Category: Francis Aldridge (Fiction & Other Literature)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #18: Read a book with a title word beginning with "L"

Rating: 2 stars

Review:Normally I enjoy Frank's books, but I did not connect with this tale of a woman who after years of tolerating her husband decides to exert herself. It glorifies divorce, marital infidelity, and more. Too much of the book was set in Atlanta instead of the Charleston/Sullivan's Island area. I'm struggling with whether to continue to read her work or not. I love Charleston/Low Country settings, but the last couple of Frank books disappointed. Perhaps it's time to move on.

29. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?: Dr. Seuss's Book of Wonderful Noises by Dr. Seuss

Date Completed: 21 Feb 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA Literature)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Very cute rhyming book about sounds Mr. Brown can make which encourages the child to imitate Mr. Brown. This should be lots of fun for the preschooler!

30. All Aboard!: National Parks by Kevin Meyers and Haily Meyers

Date Completed: 21 Feb 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA Literature)

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: I loved the idea of a book on national parks for preschool children. This one is mostly filled with a nicely drawn illustration which will appeal to children,the name of the park, a phrase describing the park, and one or more things associated with the park labelled. Since Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about 30 to 45 minutes away, depending on traffic, I'll use it as an illustration. The phrase is "Savoring the fall colors." The things associated with the park are backpacks, tents, kayaks, marshmallows, flashlights, and squirrel. Personally I love the park in all its seasons! I was a bit disappointed a few other parks were omitted. Shenandoah or Everglades would have been nice to include for more representation East of the Mississippi. Denali and Hawaii Volcanoes would have been nice additions to expand beyond the "lower 48." Still, it's a nice introduction for youngsters going on their first camping trip.

31. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Date Completed: 21 Feb 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA Literature)

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Kitten mistakes the full moon for a big bowl of milk in the sky. She tries to get it, but fails. It's a cute book for preschoolers and could lead to some interesting conversations about the moon, about reflections, about kittens. Since giving bowls of milk to kittens is discouraged, I'm a bit surprised this book incorporated this, but it might lead to an interesting conversation about what you should or should not give to a kitten.The illustrations are well done. It is deserving of the Caldecott Medal it won.

The preceding three books were purchased for a baby shower later this week. I just thought they should be read first. They are all board books.

Just dropping by to say hello. I have to echo what everyone else said - Sherlock is adorable, the bed your nephew made is beautiful, and Sherlock is adorable.

>94 thornton37814: I'm still surprised that picture books include cats playing with yarn or string! Sure, milk can give them diarrhea, but if they swallow yarn it can cause an obstruction in their intestines.

>96 BookLizard: True about the string and yarn. Of course, they are only going to bat at it when you are knitting and crocheting, but, at least, you can do your best to keep it out of their mouths!

You are way up with your reading, Lori. Happy Wednesday.

>98 Ameise1: Too many are children's books though -- at least this month. That will slow down later in the year though. Honestly those last 3 were only read because I needed to read them since they were in my hands. LOL

>99 thornton37814: Well, it's always good to read books which are in your hands, isn't it?

>95 thornton37814: I was wondering where the interest in kids books was coming from! ; ) Have a great day.

>100 Ameise1: Absolutely.

>101 Berly: I have always loved children's books. However, I don't usually read so many.

>28 thornton37814: : Lori, I read the first in Dorothea Benton Frank's Lowcountry Tales, which I enjoyed. My next was one of her stand-alones, and I hated it so much that I never went back for more Frank. It sounds like the one you recently read would have put me off her work all over again.

>103 countrylife: I liked several of her works, but this one was the worst yet for me. The one before wasn't much better. She's only got one more strike, and she's out!

I finished an audiobook on the drive across the mountains today. I just got back to my hotel room after hanging out with friends for the evening (discussing genealogy). I'm too tired to post the review. I'll either get to it after I get back tomorrow evening or on Sunday.

Happy weekend! It sounds like you're having a great time. :)

>106 nittnut: I had a blast! I've been home about a half hour now. I'm too tired to do the review tonight so I'll work on it tomorrow.

Me. Brown was well-loved in our house. I miss the days of board books, although we still have a few around here...just in case! I gave up on Dorothea Benton Frank quite awhile ago. She is too hit-and-miss for me.

>108 Donna828: If it weren't for the fact most of her books are set in the vicinity of my favorite city, Charleston, I would have too by now.

32. By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates

Date Completed:24 Feb 2017

Category: Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Lucy Richardson quit her Harvard library job, leaving behind Boston and rejecting the marriage offer from the man her family wanted her to marry. She went to visit the relatives on the Outer Banks. After being introduced to the head librarian, she received an offer to become assistant librarian. The library is hosting an exhibit of first editions of Jane Austen's works. At an event to celebrate the exhibit, the library board chair is murdered and the head librarian is found with the likely murder weapon in her hand. Then the first editions begin disappearing in publication order. As in most cozy mysteries, some circumstances stretch the reader's imagination. The main one for the duration of the series will be the suitability of a lighthouse as a library. The main one for this installment concerns the security over the exhibit. As far as characterization, the author created some likable and some despicable ones. I really wish a few more of the despicable ones could have been guilty this time so we don't need to deal with them in the next installment. Several contradictions were in this book -- all minor -- but things a good editor should have noticed and corrected. Despite the problems, it was a fun "listen" (audiobook). I would probably prefer a different audiobook narrator. I found her voice annoying at times, and characters were not always distinguishable.

>110 thornton37814: Interesting. I must admit to never having heard of that one before but it does look like fun, Lori. xx

>111 PaulCranswick: It was perfect for listening to in a car.

Hi! Glad you had fun on your trip.

>113 Berly: I'm just quite thankful I didn't have the traffic headaches those coming in and heading back to Raleigh had. It took 4.5 hours for them to drive 3 hours coming and over 6 hours to drive the 3 hours going back. Traffic accidents in a road construction zone.

33. A Prayer for the Night by P. L Gaus

Date Completed: 28 Feb 2017

Category: Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 4 stars

Review: It's a rumspringa gone awry. A group of nine Amish youth become involved in drugs to the point one is murdered, apparently by a drug dealer. Another is injured. One of the girls seeks help from pastor Cal Troyer and reserve sheriff deputy Professor Michael Branden. Sheriff Robertson finds himself at odds with DEA on how to handle the case when the girl is kidnapped by the dealers. Jeremiah Miller, whom we met in an earlier installment, is in this installment. Will the youth renounce their Amish faith or return once their rumspringa is up? Will they even be alive to make the choice? Will marriage follow for the girls? I don't want to give away too much. I stumbled upon the audio version of this series a couple of installments back. I really enjoy George Newbern's narration of the series. It is published by a mainstream publisher, but it would still be appreciated by those enjoying Christian fiction. This installment is probably a bit "preachier" than some of the others as both Pastor Cal Troyer and the Amish bishop offer advice to the young people.

34. Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross

Date Completed: 28 Feb 2017

Category: Rev. Nathan Ward (Christian Classics)

TIOLI Challenge: None. This one was originally written in Spain in the 16th century so it borders on being "Old Spanish" but is probably considered "Modern."

Rating: 3 stars

Review: This book is a Christian classic. It is somewhat like a commentary on a poem. The reading requires contemplation, and it really should not be rushed. The fact I was in a rush to complete it probably influenced my lower rating. I found the language a bit "stilted" and the sentences too long for most modern readers.

It's now only a couple of months until my book will be released. I was contacted by the publicist this week for biographical info he can use in promoting the book. My first book signing has also been set up. I was glad to know things are on schedule!

>117 thornton37814: Exciting! Will you be visiting a conference or a book store for the signing?

>118 harrygbutler: The signing will be at National Genealogical Society's Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. The book officially releases that week.

>117 thornton37814: Congrats, Lori. Glad to hear that everything is settled.

Wow, Lori! Congratulations.

Fat fingers, sorry.

>120 Ameise1: Yes. When you don't hear anything for awhile, you begin to wonder. I was hoping no news meant good news. It was nice to finally know things were definitely on track.

>121 karenmarie: >122 karenmarie: You definitely removed the evidence of the "fat fingers." It looks perfectly normal to me this morning. Thanks.

>117 thornton37814: Congratulations! How exciting!

Hurrah for book publishing, and sounds like the perfect venue for a signing.

>124 aktakukac: Yes.

>125 ronincats: I enjoy genealogy conferences very much so I'm pretty excited about doing the signing there.

35. Bone Soup and Flipped Bread: The Yemenite Jewish Table by Sue Spertus Larkey

Date Completed: 1 Mar 2017

Category: Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review: The author gives readers insights into both the cultures of Yemen and of the Jewish people in this volume. A great deal of cultural and background material is woven into the book -- from the introductory chapters which are almost entirely cultural to the recipes grouped in two sections. She shows the reader the importance of food to the Yemen Jews in normal things in the life cycle -- birth, circumcision, Bar/Bas Mitzvah, betrothal, marriage, days of blessing, and mourning. She also shows the importance of good in the feasts and holidays and on the Sabbath by the Jews. This is a winning combination for anyone interested in more than just a recipe book. The cultural foodways shine in this volume. I received an electronic advance review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow! So exciting about your book!

>35 thornton37814: As one who is interested in both cultlures and food, that sounds quite interesting. And there are recipes, too? Have you tried anything?

>128 streamsong: Yes. There are recipes in it. It will be released March 15, I believe. I have not tried the recipes yet, but I may try a few if it doesn't expire on me first.

36. Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes by Maya Angelou

Date Completed: 2 Mar 2017

Category: Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #8: Rolling challenge: Read a book whose title begins with the letters of MARCH in rolling fashion

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Angelou relates episodes from her life along with the foods accompanying those moments. I found the earlier incidents and recipes more interesting than the later ones for the most part. It is most likely to appeal to fans of Angelou's writing rather than cookbook aficionados.

>117 thornton37814: Wow, that is exiting, Lori, congratulations!

>117 thornton37814: Wow! Congratulations!

>130 thornton37814: I liked Hallelujah! The Welcome Table really well. I am a fan of Maya Angelou's writing, but all the recipes I tried were fantastic.

>131 FAMeulstee: Thanks

>132 nittnut: The recipes are similar to recipes in other books. I think the version of the lemon meringue pie with bread in it and the caramel cake that sounded like it might be infused with caramel in addition to the frosting may be the more unique offerings. They were both mentioned early.

37. Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture after Genetic Science by Dennis R. Venema and Scot McKnight

Date Completed: 2 Mar 2017

Category: Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: My hopes for this book exceeded what was presented. I expected more from genetic science than the very basic information presented. I supposed the authors think Christians know nothing about genetics, because that is how they treated the matter. The book is really more about how we should view Genesis 1-11 in view of modern science. Findings of the human genome project are taken into account in the author's argument of a theistic evolutionary approach. The writers incorporate too much from apocryphal works for their conclusions to be accepted by many Evangelicals. They spend a lot of time discussing the literary Adam, the historical Adam, and the genealogical Adam. Ultimately they were not very convincing in their arguments. While I received an Advance Review Copy from the publisher through NetGalley, I forgot I had pre-ordered a copy. I compared both and am basing the review on the completed copy.

38. Cabins in the Laurel by Muriel Earley Sheppard

Date Completed: 3 Mar 2017

Category: Richard Thornton (History & Genealogy)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 4 stars

Review: This is an interesting blend of history and folklore about Western North Carolina, specifically Yancey and Mitchell Counties. While Sheppard does not cite her sources in many of the historical portions, it is clear she has read court files concerning many of the incidents she describes. Much of the folklore portion is told through the form of ballad. In fact, one of the ballads and incidents it described was the basis for Sharyn McCrumb's The Ballad of Frankie Silver. Most readers from Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina will recognize the author's accomplishment in storytelling. Even though it is older, it has held up well because of this.

Happy weekend, Lori.

Congratulations, Lori!! Official title???

Hello, Lori!

Strolling by for a visit! Hope that you're having a great day.

Cabins in Laurel sounds interesting, and so does the Bone Soup book which kind of surprises be because I think of "Bone Soup" as being a health trend right now, so I wouldn't expect a book steeped in culture about it. Although, Bone Soup is just what I call homemade broth.

>136 Ameise1: Thanks.

>137 DianaNL: Nice graphic there!

>138 Berly: Everything in the series begins "Research in . . ." with the state name following so it will be Research in Mississippi. Of course it officially will receive two series tracings which is a little odd.

>139 alcottacre: Thanks for dropping by!

>140 mdoris: I spent most of the day researching a North Carolina genealogical problem. I tackled some steps beyond what I'd intended to do today which put me behind on the second project I'd intended to work on today too. I guess I'll make a trip to McClung next week.

>141 cammykitty: It does contain a recipe for Bone Soup in the section called "Daily Round." It's apparently very common Yemen fare. I really enjoyed Cabins in the Laurel. I told a friend of mine this evening I thought she'd enjoy it.

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm invoking the Nancy Pearl rule. This is actually the first time I've abandoned an audio book--at least as far as I remember.



The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh

Date Abandoned: 4 Mar 2017

Category: Thomas Duke (Abandoned Books)

Comments: Abandoned book. The story has two parts. The modern part deals with the daughter of a woman who disappeared and is presumed to have died in the river. Her friend, a special needs girl, disappears. When she is found over a year later, her body is dismembered. The older part deals with the mother, an orphan who makes her way to the Ozarks to take a job for a couple of years. Let's just say I saw where this book was headed and didn't like it. It gave me the "creeps." I listened to the audio version of the book. I quit listening after the second of eight sections.

Hi, Lori! I love the thread-topper of Sherlock!

>145 tymfos: He does make a lovely thread topper!

>144 thornton37814: The weight of blood was obviously too heavy!

Still you have made one heck of a start to the reading year.

Congratulations on getting published, Lori!

>147 PaulCranswick: Yes. It wasn't for me!

>148 countrylife: Thank you!

39. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare

Date Completed: 7 Mar 2017

Category: Godfrey Dearborn (Literary Classics)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Othello, believing the report of the lying Iago, believes his wife Desdemona was unfaithful to him. Much of the evidence rests on a handkerchief. It's definitely sad as are most tragedies. Sadly there are far too many people who tell lies with consequences just as devastating as the ones in this play. It also shows the consequences of jealousy.

>144 thornton37814: I will be sure to give that one a pass!

Swinging by with a hello!

>151 alcottacre: Stasia, I think I picked that one up as a book bullet here somewhere, but it did not work for me at all.

>152 Morphidae: Thanks, Morphy! I'm way behind on threads.

40. Lion, King, and Coin by Jeong-Hee Nam; illustrated by Lucia Sforza

Date Completed: 7 Mar 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 4 stars

Review: This is an informative children's book about how we came to have money. It discusses bartering, exchanging goods, and the difficulty of finding someone who actually wanted what you had to trade before currency. It talks about some of the precursors to coinage. The illustrations seem to fit the period of history being discussed. I received an advance review copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.

41. The Old Testament Is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment by Brent A. Strawn

Date Completed: 8 Mar 2017

Category: Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #7: Read a book where the author's first or last name has exactly five letters

Rating: 2 stars

Review: Strawn creates an analogy of the Old Testament being a language which he carries throughout the book. The only problem is the analogy is a flawed one. He makes many of his points with illustrations from linguistics. He uses data from studies showing less biblical knowledge. In spite of the author's deep research, I'm not convinced he made his point in a convincing manner. I'm not certain his solution is practical. The Old Testament is alive and well at our church because our pastor uses it to deepen our understanding of God in all three persons. There are riches and treasures in its pages, and Strawn tries to become too philosophical about the problem when the truth of the matter is that studying the Old Testament is the only solution for what he sees as the process of dying. Pastors and Sunday School teachers need to teach the Word of God -- and all of it. Too many churches got away from using curriculum that takes readers through the entire Bible within a certain amount of time and began using topical studies. Don't get me wrong. There is a time and place for topical studies, but church members need exegesis too. I receivved an advance review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Someone pointed out Pat Conroy's The Water Is Wide is available for $1.99 on Kindle today.

42. Wife of the Gods by Kwei Qwartey

Date Completed: 10 Mar 2017

Category: Johannes Lantz (Around the World)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #2: Read a book set in a real country other than the US, Great Britain, France or Germany

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Detective Inspector Darko Dawson of the Accra branch of the CID is sent to Ketanu to investigate the murder of a young woman, Gladys Mensah, who was studying medicine. She was especially interested in finding a cure for AIDS. Dawson and the local chief Fiti did not always see eye to eye on suspects or how to treat them. Police brutality is a bit of an issue. Dawson was assigned the case because he spoke the local dialect. His mother's family was from the area, and he was familiar with it. His aunt lived there. In fact, Darko's mom never returned home from a trip there years earlier. Although the author used red herrings, I figured this one out pretty early on and wondered how Darko would handle it when he figured it out. I am not a huge fan of African settings, but this one worked for me. The characters were interesting, and it was interesting to discover some aspects of modern culture are present in the country. I look forward to the next installment. I listened to the audio book from Tantor Media, narrated by Simon Prebble, who did an excellent job.

Our church called off Sunday morning's early service because of the threat of snow. The other two services are still scheduled. I think the person making the call saw it as a way to get back the hour of sleep he'd be losing Saturday night. ;-)

*snerk* good call!

>158 thornton37814: We don't have the clocks going backwards and forwards in Malaysia so I will have to reacquaint myself with that pleasure when I relocate. xx

Paul--In the Fall it is great fun as we gain an hour, but in Spring, not so much. I am pouting tonight at the lack of an hour of sleep.

Hi Lori!! Enjoy your afternoon services and hope you don't get too much snow. ;)

We are changing to summer time on the last Sunday of March but we already have wonderful spring weather.
Happy Sunday, Lori.

>159 drneutron: We had NO snow.

>160 PaulCranswick: I think most of us would prefer to stay on the same time year-round, but generally the preference would be to keep Daylight Savings Time rather than Standard so we have more light at the end of the day.

>161 Berly: Yes. It's a shame you lose an hour to gain that hour in fall. The forecasters were predicting too much early in the week. If they call for a big snow, we get nothing. I expected nothing, and that's what we got -- zilch.

>162 Ameise1: We used to change a bit later, but people like Daylight Savings Time so they made it start earlier.

>160 PaulCranswick: I personally hate it, so maybe I need to move to Malaysia!

>164 alcottacre: Thanks for stopping in Stasia. I don't really like changing it, but I do prefer the daylight in the evening.

43. Voice of Freedom : Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Date Completed: 14 Mar 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #4: Read a book by a female author with a female main character

Rating: 5 stars

Review: Well-done and well-researched book about Mississippi Civil Rights movement figure Fannie Lou Hamer. The story is written in poetic (although non-rhyming) form. The book includes a biographical sketch of Hamer, a time line of the Civil Rights movement, and a bibliography of sources on Hamer. It is well-deserving of all the awards it received.

44. The Forbidden Garden by Ellen Herrick

Date Completed: 14 Mar 2017

Category: Francis Aldridge (Fiction & Other Literature)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #4: Read a book by a female author with a female main character

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: Sorrel Sparrow leaves her sisters and business partners to go to Kirkwood Hall in England to bring a long-neglected Shakespeare Garden that is said to be cursed back to life. I missed the first installment in what appears to be a series featuring the sisters. This one mainly involves Sorrel and with mostly new characters present, keeping track of the characters and separating them from each other should not have presented problems. However, it did. I found myself confusing the various persons. I flipped to the front of the book, hoping this was one of those books with a "cast of characters" in the front, but it was not. While I enjoyed reading about the garden and what Sorrel was doing, I really felt the novel lacked a real plot. While the gardening aspects of the novel are very well done, the rest of it is not. The book was described as "Gothic" in some of the descriptions, but it fails to deliver in the same manner novels written in the heyday of the genre in the 1970s did. It simply did not produce the same types of tension. I received a copy of the book through Library Thing's Early Review program in exchange for an honest review.

45. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson

Date Completed: 14 Mar 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

Rating: 5 stars

Review: A boy and his grandmother travel across the city by bus on a rainy day after church. Their destination is a soup kitchen in a poor section of town. The boy learns a few lessons along the way. The book is beautifully illustrated, and the story shows young readers positive things in negative circumstances. It teaches gratitude for the things we do have. The book received the Newbery Medal and a Caldecott Honor. The illustrations are remarkable. The story can be enjoyed by younger children but is probably an advanced second grade or early third grade level book vocabulary-wise.

46. They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

Date Completed: 14 Mar 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 5 stars

Review: This is a perfect picture book for very young readers. It is also one that would be a great read aloud for preschoolers. Lots of different animals see the cat. The cat is illustrated through the eyes of each of them. Some of the illustrations are quite whimsical! I loved it, even in spite of the fact one of the creatures that saw the cat was a snake. My heart usually races whenever I see pictures or photos of those, but I managed to stay relatively calm since it didn't look very real. I read the library copy. Now I want my own!

47. Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews; illustrated by Bryan Collier

Date Completed: 14 Mar 2017

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 4 stars

Review: This Caldecott honor picture book is the autobiography of the jazz musician Troy Andrews. Illustrator Bryan Collier did a great job. My biggest complaint was the text sometimes mentioned an instrument which was not included in the accompanying illustration. For example, "the tuba--which rested over the musician's head like an elephant's trunk!" No tuba or sousaphone is in the accompanying illustration although a sousaphone is in the illustration above the one accompanying that bit of text. The illustrations are colorful, often reminding readers of the colors of Mardi Gras.

Hi Lori--No snow and lots of books. Life is good!!

>171 Berly: Definitely good.

48. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick; illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Date Completed: 14 Mar 20107

Category: Mary Ann Harris (Children's/YA)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 5 stars

Review: This lovely book tells the story of Winnie-the-Pooh, from the time he was seen by the vet Harry Colebourn through his time as mascot for a group of Canadian soldiers to his time in the London zoo until Christopher Robin Milne befriends him and he becomes the storybook character. The illustrations are great. I loved the album in the back with pages from Harry Colebourn's diary showing where he purchased the bear, the accession record for Winnie at the zoo, and other photos of the real WInnie's life.

I really should read Finding Winnie as it is our city's "One Read" this year. I kind of like it when they choose a children's book so that all ages can participate. Winnie won the Caldecott Medal last year. I know my two local granddaughters would love it as they are big Winnie-the-Pooh fans.

Big congratulations, Lori, on the upcoming release date for your book and your first official book signing!

>174 Donna828: Donna, I think even adults will learn a bit about the real Winnie.

49. New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

Date Completed: 16 Mar 2017

Category: Francis Aldridge (Fiction & Other Literature)

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: This is the most disappointing installment of the Hogarth Shakespeare series I've read to date. The author reimagines the setting of Othello as a sixth grade classroom in 1970s Washington, DC. Osei is a new kid from Ghana who makes friends with Dee. Ian is the class bully. Other children, the teachers, and a principal all carry on the other parts. The handkerchief of the original play is now a pencil case. The re-imagining did not work for me. I felt I was reading a book marketed for middle schoolers. I felt the sixth graders of the 1970s were a little more like modern sixth graders than ones of that era. I did get a chuckle out of the reference to Joe Namath and his pantyhose as I remembered the original stir the commercial created. This retelling does not make me want to grab any of the author's other works. This review is based on an advance review copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

>176 thornton37814: Too bad, Lori. I'll steer clear of this one. I never liked Othello anyway; Iago's betrayal combined with Othello's stupidity is not my cuppa.

A couple of Chevalier's other books are really good, IMO: Girl with a Pearl Earring and Remarkable Creatures. My wife has liked others of hers I haven't read.

>177 jnwelch: I think a lot of us are underwhelmed by Chevalier's effort.

That's a shame - I generally enjoy Chevalier's books!

>179 DFED: I'm glad her other books are better.

You are reading up a storm now that your book is done, Lori. Congratulations on publication and the upcoming book signing.

>181 Familyhistorian: I need to slow back down. I have 4 presentations coming up in the next 6 or 7 weeks. One only needs to be slightly updated. I need to replace slides on at least half of one presentation to make it inclusive of two other states. The other two are totally new. One will be easy to do. The other will take more time. I suspect I'll get most of the easy one (which is also the first presentation) done next week. I'll probably update the one that needs minor updates next since it is the next in sequence. Then I'll do the one that just needs examples on the slides swapped out (although I have a pretty neat "new" thing to include). I'll save the most time to work on the one needing the most work.

>182 thornton37814: That sounds like a busy schedule, Lori. Sometimes it is crazy making having a full time job and lots of other things going on the side. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

I keep my fingers crossed zhat all presentations go well, Lori.
May I ask you why you're reading such a lot of children stories this year? You probably told it once and I have forgotten the reason.
Happy Sunday.

>176 thornton37814: I find Tracy Chevalier a bit hit and miss and it looks like she really missed this time!

>183 Familyhistorian: Yes. I got the proof of the book yesterday and needed to go through it rather quickly for the editor. She asked a few questions just for clarification, so I've made those clarifications. I think I'm in pretty good shape.

>184 Ameise1: I guess I'm reading them because they are coming into my hands. I purchased three of them for a gift and just couldn't give them without reading them first. LOL Then I've read some as they cross my desk to be cataloged. So it is more circumstance than anything. The original plan was to try to read about one each month. As you can see, I've already exceeded my goal.

>185 PaulCranswick: She missed as far as I was concerned. I'm glad to know she's not consistent. If I try her again, I'll be sure to look for one consistently rated high.

50. The Dream Stalker by Margaret Coel

Date Completed: 22 Mar 2017

Category: Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #15: Read a book that holds an odd-numbered position in a series

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Father John discovers the body of a man whose face was shot off. It's happening at the same time Vicky Holden is opposing the placement of a nuclear waste facility on the Wind River Reservation. Soon others are found dead in the same manner. The Bureau of Indian Affairs chief, local law enforcement, Father John, and Vicky "team up" once again to solve this case. I listened to the audio book version read by Stephanie Brush. I find this series enjoyable for listening. Father John is a likeable, but slightly flawed, priest. Vicky is more of an activist than I am, but her character seems to fit well into the series. The recurring law enforcement characters are enjoyable as well.

Hi Lori! Stopping by to get caught up.

>157 thornton37814: - Great review! Looks like we had the same reaction to the Qwartey book.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Hi Lori, Happy beginning of the weekend!
I'm really surprised about New Boy! I absolutely loved The Lady and the Unicorn but sometimes a good author produces a dud :0(

>188 lkernagh: Thanks. I guess I was in good company on that one. Hope your weekend is great too.

>189 Carmenere: It's my least favorite Hogarth Shakespeare to date. Maybe she needs to stick with her own plots instead of Shakespeare's?

51. The Banks of the Boyne: A Quest for a Christian Ireland by Donna Fletcher Crow

Date Completed: 24 Mar 2017

Category: Rev. Stephen Batchelder (Borrowed Books)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #7: Read a book where the author's first or last name has exactly five letters

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: This novel is difficult for me to describe. There are two sides to it--a historical one exploring centuries of the story of the Lanark family, a family with Scottish origins residing in Ireland and a modern one telling the story of Mary an American girl who wants to live happily ever after with her fiancee in an Irish cottage but finds herself in the midst of the Irish Republican Army unrest. Like most novels with a historical and modern thread, I much prefer the historic and wish the modern had been omitted. In this case, I felt it was unnecessary since the saga could have moved forward another generation or two to include that element. Crow is a cut above most Christian novelists, and her research into the time period shows. Those interested in the history of Ireland will enjoy this work.

Happy Sunday, Lori and thanks for the explanation.:-) I would do the same in this circumstances.

>191 thornton37814: That really is a dreadful cover, Lori! I trust that the content is a little better as it is a subject that I am very interested in. My Maternal Great Grandparents were on opposite sides of the Irish divide so to speak - one catholic and one protestant. They eloped to Yorkshire in the late 1880s.

Have a lovely Sunday.

>192 Ameise1: I knew you would understand.

>193 PaulCranswick: It's definitely dated too. The book was in my TBR pile forever because I didn't want to begin a chunkster. I resolved to get it out of the TBR pile this year. Your family history sounds interesting. I enjoyed the historical portions of the book quite a bit -- and that portion was the most prominent. My rating of the book dropped more because of the modern element.

>191 thornton37814: It does look like a style of cover from the '70s, Lori. My Irish ancestors left before the more recent troubles which was good for them but not for be because I can't figure out where in Ireland they came from. Of course, them ending up in London's East End didn't help much either!

>166 thornton37814: Into the BlackHole it goes! Thanks for the recommendation, Lori.

>195 Familyhistorian: It's not that old. It's more like 15 years ago, I'd guess.

>196 alcottacre: You'll enjoy that one. It won at least 2 children's prizes or honors the year it was released.

Hi, Lori! I've read (in some cases listened to) several of the Margaret Coel books. I really enjoy that series.

I hope you have a great week!

>198 tymfos: I stumbled on them a couple of years ago. It's an older series. The last one felt a bit strange because they lacked cell phones. Of course, I'm sure there are areas without cell phone signals out there so I guess they would just have a lot more of those "can't get a signal" and a few "dropped" calls.

52. Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt

Date Completed: 29 Mar 2017

Category: Joseph Fowlkes (Non-Fiction)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #7: Read a book where the author's first or last name has exactly five letters

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Frank McCourt tells about his impoverished childhood and adolescence in Ireland. His father was a drunkard who could not hold down a job. He eventually left for work in London, rarely coming home. Frank's mother put up with too much abuse from her husband. Death of children was too common in the family. The Catholic Church was important in their live. It's a sad story. Frank finally earns his way to America.

Note: I chose not to put a lot of personal reaction in the review because I think my reaction is still evolving.

53. Scandal in Skibbereen by Sheila Connolly

Date Completed: 29 Mar 2017

Category: Lucinda Virginia Phillips (Series)

TIOLI Challenge: Challenge #2: Read a book set in a real country other than the US, Great Britain, France or Germany. Name the country

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: In this second installment, Maura is running the pub she inherited in Leap, Ireland. A rather brash woman from New York named Althea visits Leap seeking a Van Dyck painting she believes is in the manor house. In the meantime, the gardener turns up dead. Maura and her friend Gillian, a local painter, agree to help Althea in her inquiries while Officer Sean of the guardi and his superior tackle the investigation into the murders. Of course, Maura supplies useful information from time to time. It's a fun visit to Ireland, even if the plot is a bit implausible.

Today is my 10 Year Thingaversary. I've ordered the eleven books for my Thingaversary haul but only the ebooks and one other title have arrived. Another of the books says it was delivered, but I think it was misdelivered to Massachusetts instead of Tennessee. I'm hoping Amazon and the third party vendor can sort it out.

1) Over the River and Through the Wood: An Anthology of Nineteenth-Century American Children's Poetry edited by Karen L. Kilcup and Angela Sorby
2) Ulster and North America: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Scotch Irish edited by H. Tyler Blethen and Curtis W. Wood, Jr.
3) Scotch-Irish Merchants in Colonial America by Richard MacMaster
4) Seeking the Historical Cook: Exploring Eighteenth-Century Southern Foodways by Kay K. Moss
5) Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster by William Roulston
6) Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research by Roseann Reinemuth Hogan
7) Virginia Tax Payers, 1782-1787, Other Than Those Published by the United States Census Bureau by Augusta B. Fothergill and John M. Naugle
8) Snapped in Cornwall by Janie Bolitho
9) Second Star to the Right by Mary Alice Monroe
10) Tenant for Death by Cyril Hare
11) Tupelo Honey Cafe: Spirited Recipes from Asheville's New South Kitchen by Elizabeth Sims and Brian Sonoskus

The fiction (#8-10) was all ordered in Kindle format. Everything else was print. The first book is the one missing. The sixth has arrived.

Happy Thingaversary!

>202 thornton37814: A varied selection, Lori! I'll be interested in hearing about Over the River and Through the Wood once you get it and have a chance to read it. I just got a collection of poetry by James Whitcomb Riley, Riley Child-Rhymes, but I haven't had a chance to read them yet.

Congratulations on your tenth year on LT and on rewarding yourself so lavishly, Lori!

Happy Thingaversary Lori!

>203 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>204 harrygbutler: I've had my eye on that one for a long while. I found a great deal on it for a used "very good" copy. The book dealer says "the post office made a processing error which lead to an incorrect reading on the tracking number." They say it should be on its way to me now. Apparently the post office marked it as "delivered" when it was merely shipping out.

>205 karenmarie: I splurged price-wise more than I normally do. However, some of my books were purchased used at good savings.

>206 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori!

Congrats on your Thingaversary and nice book haul. : )

Happy Thingaversary, Lori and congrats on your book haul.

Congrats on your 10 year Thingaversary. Looks like a lot of thought went into those choices.

>208 Berly: Thanks. I can't wait for the rest of the books to arrive.

>209 Ameise1: Thank you very much.

>210 Familyhistorian: It was fun choosing books, mostly from my wish list. I actually used a couple of these books for individual essays at the McClung Historical Collection the other day and realized I wanted to read the entire books.

54. Black Plumes by Margery Allingham

Date Completed: 30 Mar 2017

Category: Francis Aldridge (Fiction & Other Literature)

TIOLI Challenge: None

Rating: 3 stars

Review:Things aren't quite right at the Ivory household as we are introduced to Frances Ivory. Soon Robert is found dead and stuffed into a cupboard. A soft-spoken detective is the lead investigator into the affair, and soon a second corpse turns up. The solution is pretty obvious although one of her red herrings had me second-guessing for a bit. I did not like the post-investigation wrap-up in which the family members all discussed how they already knew who the murderer was. If they knew, why didn't they turn him in? It really makes no sense. I listened to the audio of this. It was okay but not outstanding.

Happy tenth Thingaversary!

Happy Tenth Thingaversary! Seeking the Historical Cook sounds the most interesting of your nice book haul.

>213 foggidawn: Thanks.

>214 countrylife: I picked that one up after spotting it as something a genealogy friend of mine who studies colonial herbal medicines read. It was too interesting not to purchase!

I was checking the headlines out this morning in the paper from the area where I grew up. One of the area high schools held an "Edible Book Festival": http://djournal.com/news/photo-gallery-edible-book-festival/

>216 thornton37814: Fun! The A Farewell to Arms entry was funny, and I did like the Swiss Family Robinson entry as well.

>216 thornton37814: Thanks for sharing this link. Happy weekend, Lori.

Congrats on the landmark 10th Thingaversary, Lori!

>199 thornton37814: It's an older series. The last one felt a bit strange because they lacked cell phones.

I'm not too bothered by older mysteries without cellphones. I just view them as a kind of "period pieces" -- very recent historical fiction.

Actually, we still have spotty mobile reception around here. I'd imagine that isolated areas of the western reservations might be that way, too. Didn't Craig Johnson's recent Longmire novella, that was set in Wind River Canyon, deal with some communications dead spots?

>217 harrygbutler: I thought some of you would like these.

>218 Ameise1: You're welcome.

>219 tymfos: It probably did. It just has a modern feel to it with the exception of the technology.

Happy belated Thingaversary, Lori!

I read the Fannie Hamer book yesterday and agree with you - it does deserve all the rewards it won.

>221 alcottacre: Glad you were able to get your hands on it.

A belated Happy Thingaversary, Lori!

Happy 10 years, Lori!

>223 ronincats: >224 Copperskye: Thanks to you both!