Tess Rolls Fives in 2024
This topic was continued by Tess Does Her Own Thing-2nd page.
Talk 2024 Category Challenge
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1Tess_W
Hi, I'm Tess. A once-retired high school history teacher and now part-time history professor and a very part-time (6 hours per week) private school history teacher. I tell people that I'm recycled! I live with my husband of 49 years on 3 acres in central Ohio. No, it's not "good" land, mostly clay; but I do manage to grow peppers, tomatoes, flowers, potatoes, and herbs. I'm really into canning and dehydrating foods to have a sustainable pantry that is also chemical and GMO free.
1st time making grape jelly--not a jelly fan, but the grape juice was free!
This year I want to either begin or complete some author's canons.(Dickens, Balzac, Hardy, Trollope, Buck)
My rating system:
1 star--waste of paper and ink
2 stars-Is this literature? -major flaws or mind numbing boring
2 1/2 stars-not so bad I had to stop reading, but I wanted to!
3 stars-average
3 1/2 fun, informative, thought provoking
4 stars-excellent read
4 1/2 exceptionally good, among my favorites
5 stars-in all ways a superior read
My reading year runs from Dec. 25 to Dec. 24
I try to always read from my own TBR. I have whittled down my TBR from 1500 books to a little less than 300 in the past 10-11 years. My goal is to get down to somewhere around 100. New books are so tempting!
TBR on Dec. 25 2023: 307
Hosting Duties
January MysteryKit Short Story Mysteries
February ScaredyKit Gothic
February CalendarCAT
March RTT Medicine & Epidemics
April HistoryCAT Riots, Revolution, and Mayhem
May RandomKit
June Book lists PrizeCAT
November PrizeCAT Children's Book Awards
1st time making grape jelly--not a jelly fan, but the grape juice was free!
This year I want to either begin or complete some author's canons.(Dickens, Balzac, Hardy, Trollope, Buck)
My rating system:
1 star--waste of paper and ink
2 stars-Is this literature? -major flaws or mind numbing boring
2 1/2 stars-not so bad I had to stop reading, but I wanted to!
3 stars-average
3 1/2 fun, informative, thought provoking
4 stars-excellent read
4 1/2 exceptionally good, among my favorites
5 stars-in all ways a superior read
My reading year runs from Dec. 25 to Dec. 24
I try to always read from my own TBR. I have whittled down my TBR from 1500 books to a little less than 300 in the past 10-11 years. My goal is to get down to somewhere around 100. New books are so tempting!
TBR on Dec. 25 2023: 307
Hosting Duties
January MysteryKit Short Story Mysteries
February ScaredyKit Gothic
February CalendarCAT
March RTT Medicine & Epidemics
April HistoryCAT Riots, Revolution, and Mayhem
May RandomKit
June Book lists PrizeCAT
November PrizeCAT Children's Book Awards
2Tess_W
JANUARY
This month I started making my own almond extract. Should be done in 18-24 months.
Recipe:
1 pound of raw almonds, chopped or slivered. I just put whole almonds in my food processor and pulsed twice. Be careful not to get them too fine! Put in a 32 oz mason jar and add vodka to the neck of the jar. Place in a dark, cool place and shake about once a month-every two months or whenever you think about it! When you have determined that it is extract, (the alcohol smell/taste is very light and what you taste is basically almond flavor), strain to separate, discard almonds.
1. The Pickwick Papers 3.5*
2. The Death of a Neanderthal 2*
3. The Denisovans 2.5*
4. H is for Hawk 3*
5. Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War) 5*
6. Come into my Cave 3*
7. Early Christian Fathers 4*
8. Andorra Revealed 4.5*
9. Bad Days in History: A Gleefully Grim Chronicle of Misfortune, Mayhem, and Misery for Every Day of the Year 3.5*
10. Helen of Troy by Margaret George 4*
11. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell 4*
12. What She Left Behind by Ellen Wiseman 3*
13. The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliffe 3.5*
14. Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy by Philip Freeman 5*
15. Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell 3* (barely)
This month I started making my own almond extract. Should be done in 18-24 months.
Recipe:
1 pound of raw almonds, chopped or slivered. I just put whole almonds in my food processor and pulsed twice. Be careful not to get them too fine! Put in a 32 oz mason jar and add vodka to the neck of the jar. Place in a dark, cool place and shake about once a month-every two months or whenever you think about it! When you have determined that it is extract, (the alcohol smell/taste is very light and what you taste is basically almond flavor), strain to separate, discard almonds.
1. The Pickwick Papers 3.5*
2. The Death of a Neanderthal 2*
3. The Denisovans 2.5*
4. H is for Hawk 3*
5. Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War) 5*
6. Come into my Cave 3*
7. Early Christian Fathers 4*
8. Andorra Revealed 4.5*
9. Bad Days in History: A Gleefully Grim Chronicle of Misfortune, Mayhem, and Misery for Every Day of the Year 3.5*
10. Helen of Troy by Margaret George 4*
11. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell 4*
12. What She Left Behind by Ellen Wiseman 3*
13. The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliffe 3.5*
14. Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy by Philip Freeman 5*
15. Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell 3* (barely)
3Tess_W
FEBRUARY
I made vanilla extract in 2020 and it was ready to gift in 2023.
16. Cathedral by Ben Hopkins DNF
17. The Making of Byzantium, 600-1025 3.5*
18. Extinct Birds 5*
19. The Woman They Could Not Silence 3.5*
20. The Devil's Disciple 3*
21. To Try Men's Souls 5*
22. Ephesians 3*
23. Found Object 3.5*
24. Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues 2.5*
25. Rhinos in Nebraska 3.5*
26. Elvis, What Happened 3.5*
27. Gentleman Jim 3.5*
28. Atomic Steppe 3.5*
29. The Monster of Florence 3*
30. We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance 4*
I made vanilla extract in 2020 and it was ready to gift in 2023.
16. Cathedral by Ben Hopkins DNF
17. The Making of Byzantium, 600-1025 3.5*
18. Extinct Birds 5*
19. The Woman They Could Not Silence 3.5*
20. The Devil's Disciple 3*
21. To Try Men's Souls 5*
22. Ephesians 3*
23. Found Object 3.5*
24. Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues 2.5*
25. Rhinos in Nebraska 3.5*
26. Elvis, What Happened 3.5*
27. Gentleman Jim 3.5*
28. Atomic Steppe 3.5*
29. The Monster of Florence 3*
30. We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance 4*
4Tess_W
MARCH
In September of 2023 I canned 17 quarts and 70 pints of organic green beans.
1. Polio 4*
2. Justinian's Flea 3*
3. The Disappearing Act 3.5*
4. I Found You 4*
5. Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals 3.5*
6. Bonnie Prince Charlie and the '45 3*
7. The Thirty Years War by Hourly History 3*
8. The Black Arrow 3*
9. The Viscount's Sinful Bargain 4*
40. Along the Broken Bay 4.5*
In September of 2023 I canned 17 quarts and 70 pints of organic green beans.
1. Polio 4*
2. Justinian's Flea 3*
3. The Disappearing Act 3.5*
4. I Found You 4*
5. Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals 3.5*
6. Bonnie Prince Charlie and the '45 3*
7. The Thirty Years War by Hourly History 3*
8. The Black Arrow 3*
9. The Viscount's Sinful Bargain 4*
40. Along the Broken Bay 4.5*
6Tess_W
MAY
One of my favorite months because on the last week of the month I get to plant the flowers and veggies outside! One of my favorite flowers are hollyhocks. Sadly, last year, my 3-4 year old hollyhocks got rust and I had to pull them up! On to new ones (already purchased) this year that claim to be rust resistant
One of my favorite months because on the last week of the month I get to plant the flowers and veggies outside! One of my favorite flowers are hollyhocks. Sadly, last year, my 3-4 year old hollyhocks got rust and I had to pull them up! On to new ones (already purchased) this year that claim to be rust resistant
7Tess_W
JUNE
Everything is beginning to bloom! One of my favorite plants are peonies. They are so fragrant. However, their actual blooms only last about a week, so just a short time to enjoy them. All of my dark pink ones have passed! They were 20+ years old and had a good run. Just light pink and white ones remain. Oh, they also attract ants!
Everything is beginning to bloom! One of my favorite plants are peonies. They are so fragrant. However, their actual blooms only last about a week, so just a short time to enjoy them. All of my dark pink ones have passed! They were 20+ years old and had a good run. Just light pink and white ones remain. Oh, they also attract ants!
8Tess_W
JULY
Most people that I know don't "like" July. They say it's too hot! I say, bring it on! This is not my pic, but I have the exact same pool that is backed up to the deck. When we open our pool, I will take a pic and repost!
Most people that I know don't "like" July. They say it's too hot! I say, bring it on! This is not my pic, but I have the exact same pool that is backed up to the deck. When we open our pool, I will take a pic and repost!
9Tess_W
AUGUST
We have lots of cookouts and swims in August. This is my youngest son's favorite: vegetable pizza
2 cans pillsbury crescent roll dough (I normally make my own=flour, sugar, yeast), but in a pinch....
1 cup mayo
2 TBSP dry ranch dressing (I make my own, but again, you can buy the dry Hidden Valley Ranch or its equivalent)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, matchsticked
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped (or any color pepper)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Spread the crescent dough on a cookie sheet and bake as directed. Let cool. Mix the mayo, cream cheese, and dry ranch dressing together until well blended. Spread on crescent dough. Add each of the vegetables and top with cheese. Cover and store in fridge. I usually bring to room temp 1 hour before eating. It's gone in a flash! This isn't my pic--who knew I would ever need a pic of my food? But mine looks just like this!
pic by Amanda's Cookin'
We have lots of cookouts and swims in August. This is my youngest son's favorite: vegetable pizza
2 cans pillsbury crescent roll dough (I normally make my own=flour, sugar, yeast), but in a pinch....
1 cup mayo
2 TBSP dry ranch dressing (I make my own, but again, you can buy the dry Hidden Valley Ranch or its equivalent)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, matchsticked
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped (or any color pepper)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Spread the crescent dough on a cookie sheet and bake as directed. Let cool. Mix the mayo, cream cheese, and dry ranch dressing together until well blended. Spread on crescent dough. Add each of the vegetables and top with cheese. Cover and store in fridge. I usually bring to room temp 1 hour before eating. It's gone in a flash! This isn't my pic--who knew I would ever need a pic of my food? But mine looks just like this!
pic by Amanda's Cookin'
10Tess_W
September
The last of the month is harvest time. I alternate planting and canning different items about every 2-3 years, depending upon usage. In 2022 I canned about 40 pints and 20 quarts of tomatoes, so I didn't need any in 2023. I use the canned tomatoes to make chili, tomato soup, marinara sauce, and whenever else canned tomatoes are needed. It's a lot of work to preserve tomatoes!
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The last of the month is harvest time. I alternate planting and canning different items about every 2-3 years, depending upon usage. In 2022 I canned about 40 pints and 20 quarts of tomatoes, so I didn't need any in 2023. I use the canned tomatoes to make chili, tomato soup, marinara sauce, and whenever else canned tomatoes are needed. It's a lot of work to preserve tomatoes!
11Tess_W
October
Potato month! 2023 was my first attempt at growing both red, white, and sweet potatoes. I was most excited for my German Butterball potatoes and I got NOTHING, even though it did appear above ground that everything was going well. I did harvest Pontiac Red, Yukon Gold (not very many), and two kinds of sweet potatoes. Will give potatoes another go next year!
Potato month! 2023 was my first attempt at growing both red, white, and sweet potatoes. I was most excited for my German Butterball potatoes and I got NOTHING, even though it did appear above ground that everything was going well. I did harvest Pontiac Red, Yukon Gold (not very many), and two kinds of sweet potatoes. Will give potatoes another go next year!
12Tess_W
NOVEMBER
I celebrate November because it is the month of my mother's birthday. She is going to be 91 years young this month! She still plays the organ and piano at church, sings in the choir, and wears heels!
I celebrate November because it is the month of my mother's birthday. She is going to be 91 years young this month! She still plays the organ and piano at church, sings in the choir, and wears heels!
13Tess_W
DECEMBER
May your holiday be blessed!
My "parlor" tree decorated with a Victorian angel theme.
May your holiday be blessed!
My "parlor" tree decorated with a Victorian angel theme.
14Tess_W
This is just an extra. I made laundry detergent and I deem it a success. The cost for 5 gallons was just over $7. That makes the cost of each load about 17 cents. Our ladies service group made this and put it in every USED glass container with a lid we could find. (spaghetti sauce jars, etc.) We donated 8 oz. jars to the food bank and they reported their clients loved it! Next time I make it will search for a substitute for the Borax to be more eco-friendly. I did need to mix it with an immersion blender after I put it in the jars. (I skipped this step initially, directions stated it was optional.......)
Recipe
1 bar Castile or Fels Napatha soap, grated
1 cup washing soda
1 cup Borax
3 gallons water
10-20 drops of essential oils (for scent), optional
In 1 gallon of hot water on the stove, melt the grated soap. Stir frequently and do NOT boil.
In the 5 gallon container, add the other 2 gallons of hot (from the tap) water, the washing soda, and the borax. When the soap is melted, add this to the bucket. Stir very well and leave set overnight. It will jell. The next day, mix with an immersion blender and put in containers. Glass works best. Use 1/4 cup for regular laundry.
NON-FICTION CHALLANGE (75 Group)
January - Prize Winners - prize winning books that won literary prizes that are off the beaten tracks. Not the National Book Award, Pulitzer, or other prizes of that ilk. There will be more details in subsequent posts.
February - Women's Work - what women do or did. This could be books about WWII pilots, civil war nurses, the women who sued Newsweek over pay and promotion issues, or the history of home economics.
March - Forensic Sciences - forensics is a wide open topic so read about criminal forensics, genetic forensics, even astronomical forensics.
April - Globalization - all things global, exports, international banking, terrorism, pandemics.
May - Wild Wild West - books about the western U.S. Historical or modern. Indian wars, water wars, conservation, settlement, etc.
June - Middle Europe - anything about Europe from the Elbe to the Ural's, from Finland to Turkey. History, language, travel, etc.
July - Insect World - insects are important. Butterflies, honey bees, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, etc.
August - Being Jewish - this topic is wide open as long as it is nonfiction. Zionism, modern Israel, history, religion, Kabbalah, Judaism.
September - Essays - any book of essays. Scientific, religious, political, racial, social commentary, etc.
October - Music, more music - lots of books being published now about composers, the music industry, history of music, and even memoirs and biography's from the Boss to Bach.
November - Too Small to See - books about Bacteria, Viruses, Atoms, Dust. maybe even microaggressions?
December - This is a dual topic month. As You Like It - whatever you want to catch up on that is nonfiction
OR
Political Biography - ancient or modern, any person who had a role in politics of their day. Even people who might not have had a job or title, like historian Theodore White, or women like Madam Chiang Kai-Shek or Nancy Regan. People who had influence in the politics of their day, but not a job title that would indicate the scope of their power.
PAUL'S WAR ROOM CHALLENGE (75ers)
MONTH - BY - MONTH IN THE WAR ROOM
JANUARY - The Ancients (Greeks, Romans etc)
FEBRUARY - The American War of Independence
MARCH - The War of the Roses
APRIL - Wars of Religion
MAY - The Napoleonic Wars
JUNE - The English Civil War
JULY - Colonial Wars
AUGUST - World War Two
SEPTEMBER - The American Civil War
OCTOBER - American Follies (Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Gulf Wars)
NOVEMBER - World War One
DECEMBER - The Spanish Civil War
WILDCARD - Pick your own fight!
Recipe
1 bar Castile or Fels Napatha soap, grated
1 cup washing soda
1 cup Borax
3 gallons water
10-20 drops of essential oils (for scent), optional
In 1 gallon of hot water on the stove, melt the grated soap. Stir frequently and do NOT boil.
In the 5 gallon container, add the other 2 gallons of hot (from the tap) water, the washing soda, and the borax. When the soap is melted, add this to the bucket. Stir very well and leave set overnight. It will jell. The next day, mix with an immersion blender and put in containers. Glass works best. Use 1/4 cup for regular laundry.
NON-FICTION CHALLANGE (75 Group)
January - Prize Winners - prize winning books that won literary prizes that are off the beaten tracks. Not the National Book Award, Pulitzer, or other prizes of that ilk. There will be more details in subsequent posts.
February - Women's Work - what women do or did. This could be books about WWII pilots, civil war nurses, the women who sued Newsweek over pay and promotion issues, or the history of home economics.
March - Forensic Sciences - forensics is a wide open topic so read about criminal forensics, genetic forensics, even astronomical forensics.
April - Globalization - all things global, exports, international banking, terrorism, pandemics.
May - Wild Wild West - books about the western U.S. Historical or modern. Indian wars, water wars, conservation, settlement, etc.
June - Middle Europe - anything about Europe from the Elbe to the Ural's, from Finland to Turkey. History, language, travel, etc.
July - Insect World - insects are important. Butterflies, honey bees, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, etc.
August - Being Jewish - this topic is wide open as long as it is nonfiction. Zionism, modern Israel, history, religion, Kabbalah, Judaism.
September - Essays - any book of essays. Scientific, religious, political, racial, social commentary, etc.
October - Music, more music - lots of books being published now about composers, the music industry, history of music, and even memoirs and biography's from the Boss to Bach.
November - Too Small to See - books about Bacteria, Viruses, Atoms, Dust. maybe even microaggressions?
December - This is a dual topic month. As You Like It - whatever you want to catch up on that is nonfiction
OR
Political Biography - ancient or modern, any person who had a role in politics of their day. Even people who might not have had a job or title, like historian Theodore White, or women like Madam Chiang Kai-Shek or Nancy Regan. People who had influence in the politics of their day, but not a job title that would indicate the scope of their power.
PAUL'S WAR ROOM CHALLENGE (75ers)
MONTH - BY - MONTH IN THE WAR ROOM
JANUARY - The Ancients (Greeks, Romans etc)
FEBRUARY - The American War of Independence
MARCH - The War of the Roses
APRIL - Wars of Religion
MAY - The Napoleonic Wars
JUNE - The English Civil War
JULY - Colonial Wars
AUGUST - World War Two
SEPTEMBER - The American Civil War
OCTOBER - American Follies (Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Gulf Wars)
NOVEMBER - World War One
DECEMBER - The Spanish Civil War
WILDCARD - Pick your own fight!
15Tess_W
MONTH - BY - MONTH IN THE WAR ROOM
JANUARY - The Ancients (Greeks, Romans etc)
FEBRUARY - The American War of Independence
MARCH - The War of the Roses
APRIL - Wars of Religion
MAY - The Napoleonic Wars
JUNE - The English Civil War
JULY - Colonial Wars
AUGUST - World War Two
SEPTEMBER - The American Civil War
OCTOBER - American Follies (Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Gulf Wars)
NOVEMBER - World War One
DECEMBER - The Spanish Civil War
WILDCARD - Pick your own fight!
17pamelad
Looks challenging! I also plan on reading some Honore de Balzac in 2024. Birgit was reading The Human Comedy, and it looks interesting. I have At the Sign of the Cat and Racket ready to go. How did you choose the books in >5 Tess_W:?
18Tess_W
>17 pamelad: I just Googled Balzac books in order of publication and took the 1st hit--they may or may not be correct! And of course, this is only doable if I can obtain the books.
>16 VivienneR: TY!
>16 VivienneR: TY!
19MissWatson
This is a great set-up, Tess! So many of my own favourites!
I loved reading Pearl S. Buck as a teenager, in translation back then, and whenever I can lay my hands on an original these days I'm pleased to find she holds up well.
And I'll be interested to see what you think of Balzac. I've got a long way to go there myself.
I loved reading Pearl S. Buck as a teenager, in translation back then, and whenever I can lay my hands on an original these days I'm pleased to find she holds up well.
And I'll be interested to see what you think of Balzac. I've got a long way to go there myself.
20JayneCM
Ooh, love it! I want to read (or reread) pretty much every book you have listed. I did The Good Earth in high school and it has stuck with me all these years. I must read some more Pearl S. Buck.
Looks like a fantastic 2024 ahead!
Looks like a fantastic 2024 ahead!
21majkia
Good luck with your challenge. I'm a Trollope lover, so will keep an eye out on that category.
23MissBrangwen
Hi Tess, I love your setup! Focusing on author's canons is such a good idea. I'm especially looking forward to your comments on George Eliot and Thomas Hardy. I also admire your intention to pick five countries for global reading - I just try to do it on the go, but a concerted effort might be needed to really succeed (or at least to have more focus).
I'm looking forward to following along here!
I'm looking forward to following along here!
24DeltaQueen50
Enjoy your 2024 reading, I am looking forward to following along!
27christina_reads
Looks like you've got a lot of great 19th-century reading ahead of you! I really need to get back to the Barsetshire series; the last one I read was Doctor Thorne.
28mstrust
I want to wish you great luck this coming year. I feel like you are scaling the rugged Mt. Classics for 2024 and I'm looking forward to your reviews. Enjoy!
29lowelibrary
Good luck with your reading this year. I have not read any of these authors (with the exception of Charles Dickens) so I am looking forward to the reviews.
30kac522
Great set-up! I've got some similar ideas for mine and will be sharing Dickens, Eliot, Hardy & Trollope with you.
I'm very impressed with your progress on your TBR--from 1200 to 300! That is awesome and a main goal for me next year. My TBR has been hovering around 550 for several years now--seems I bring in as many as a I read. Oh well...there's always next year...
I'm very impressed with your progress on your TBR--from 1200 to 300! That is awesome and a main goal for me next year. My TBR has been hovering around 550 for several years now--seems I bring in as many as a I read. Oh well...there's always next year...
31clue
Looks like you'll have great reading year! The first Pearl Buck I read was as a teen and I read quite a few. I would like to reread them...sometime!
32rabbitprincess
Have fun with rolling fives this year! I hope you find some interesting books in your academic reading category in particular :)
33Tess_W
Yikes! I have misplaced the Bingo Dog. Could somebody help me out with the link to pick up the card? Please and thank you!
37Tess_W
My reading year has always began on Dec. 25 (to read new Christmas books!) and ended on Dec. 24. So at this moment I'm trying to flesh out what books I might need to secure from the library for my January reads. I noticed on the Bingo card there is a square "In another cultural tradition." Just what does that mean?
I think I will begin my new reading year with the following: (beginning on Dec. 25--more than likely several days later)
On deck:
Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War) for the January HistoryCAT read--North/South American Wars (NF 404 pages)
The Pickwick Papers Personal Cat/Dickens canon DONE
The Death of a Neanderthal Reading Thru Time
The Goddess Abides Personal Cat/Buck cannon
That's all that's planned....I will read more, but not sure what yet!
possibilities:
H is for Hawk Birds of a Feather
That Quail Robert Birds of a Feather
Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
Short mystery stories from an anthology
I,Eliza Hamilton Janus (RTT)
The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron non-fiction challenge
Ruth (Gaskell) AOTM
I think I will begin my new reading year with the following: (beginning on Dec. 25--more than likely several days later)
On deck:
Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War) for the January HistoryCAT read--North/South American Wars (NF 404 pages)
The Pickwick Papers Personal Cat/Dickens canon DONE
The Death of a Neanderthal Reading Thru Time
The Goddess Abides Personal Cat/Buck cannon
That's all that's planned....I will read more, but not sure what yet!
possibilities:
H is for Hawk Birds of a Feather
That Quail Robert Birds of a Feather
Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
Short mystery stories from an anthology
I,Eliza Hamilton Janus (RTT)
The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron non-fiction challenge
Ruth (Gaskell) AOTM
38JayneCM
I am also planning to start The Pickwick Papers in January - joining the Dickens readalong VERY late!
41mysterymax
I think Pearl Buck was a great writer. One of the houses she lived in when she returned to the US is about 30 miles from me, but it is a private home now, with no notice of her.
42hailelib
I remember liking The Good Earth when I read it decades ago and I've thought about reading something of hers later this year.
Good wishes for the New Year and your new challenge.
Good wishes for the New Year and your new challenge.
45MissBrangwen
>44 Tess_W: Yay, I hope you have a great start to your challenge!
46Tess_W
>45 MissBrangwen: TY!
My thingaversary is in December. I "spent" most of my book selections, but since I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas, I've gone and spent it at Audible....they were having a twofer sale. My late 2023/early 2024 purchases:
The Inquisition: A Captivating Guide to the Medieval, Spanish, Portuguese, and Roman Inquisitions A brief overview, thinking I will get more book ideas after reading this
Burning the Books: A History of the Deliberate Destruction of Knowledge
The Lake House by Kate Morton
Fahrenheit 451 This will be a re-read
My thingaversary is in December. I "spent" most of my book selections, but since I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas, I've gone and spent it at Audible....they were having a twofer sale. My late 2023/early 2024 purchases:
The Inquisition: A Captivating Guide to the Medieval, Spanish, Portuguese, and Roman Inquisitions A brief overview, thinking I will get more book ideas after reading this
Burning the Books: A History of the Deliberate Destruction of Knowledge
The Lake House by Kate Morton
Fahrenheit 451 This will be a re-read
47Tess_W
My first read of 2024 (my year runs from Dec. 25-Dec. 24) (Started before Christmas)
1. The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. Since I read this in 2022 and was not enamored of it, I was dreading the re-read. However, I had set my mind to reading Dickens' canon in publication order. Since I read it the last time, this time I thought I would listen to it on audio. Sadly, the audiobook irritated me more than the original paper book! This book was narrated by Rory Kinnear and Neil Gaiman. They were horrendous! The yelling and the falsetto voices were just atrocious. It was also difficult for me to clearly understand great parts of the working class speech. Was the story any better? Meh! For enjoyment purposes: 2.5 stars 32 hours 27 minutes. CAT: Personal Dickens Canon, Bingodog-Person's name in the title
1. The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. Since I read this in 2022 and was not enamored of it, I was dreading the re-read. However, I had set my mind to reading Dickens' canon in publication order. Since I read it the last time, this time I thought I would listen to it on audio. Sadly, the audiobook irritated me more than the original paper book! This book was narrated by Rory Kinnear and Neil Gaiman. They were horrendous! The yelling and the falsetto voices were just atrocious. It was also difficult for me to clearly understand great parts of the working class speech. Was the story any better? Meh! For enjoyment purposes: 2.5 stars 32 hours 27 minutes. CAT: Personal Dickens Canon, Bingodog-Person's name in the title
48pamelad
>47 Tess_W: Sounds like punishment. What did you do to deserve Pickwick Papers? I hope your next read is much more enjoyable!
49Tess_W
>48 pamelad: I'm a glutton for punishment! I knew I didn't like the book, but am committed to reading the entire cannon in 5 years in publication order! At least I think the worst is out of the way. I think I have read 9/15 of his novels and probably several essays. Out of the 9, I think The Pickwick Papers are the least interesting, followed closely by The Old Curiosity Shop, maybe Barnaby Rudge.
50thornton37814
Interesting set-up. I used to start the year with a Dickens in the mix, and I was thinking about doing that again. I'll see what has been longest since I read it or has not been read and decide from that. I'll probably use either a free ebook or library ebook. One book I really want to re-read this year is The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas.
51Tess_W
>50 thornton37814: I read The Count in 2018. It was so very long!
52Tess_W
Lots of short books last 2 days. Football on TV from 11AM-well after 1AM each day, so it's my husband's "sitter!" I just have to plop a plate in front of him and he's happy! Meanwhile...I just read!
2. The Death of a Neanderthal by Lonnie Goff. This was a short, poorly written book. By poorly written, I mean misspellings, incorrect punctuation, etc. If the author can't even get that correct, what about the information? I have my doubts about the 500 million years ago.....anyway. Not impressed at all. There really wasn't anything in this book that would be a surprise to anybody. 101 pages 2 stars (I should have DNF'd it, but it was so short.....)
RTT-Prehistoric
3. The Denisovans by Charles River Editors About a species (not a word I concur with or would use) of man, related to the Neanderthals. They found 5 skeletons in a cave in Russia in 2008. However, Neanderthals and homo sapiens also used this cave, so I'm not sure what good DNA analysis may be. I am not learned enough to argue anything on these prehistoric topics, except the dates used by anthropologists or paleontologists are not what is usually used by historians. Quite frankly.....I'm bored with this type of book that argues dates and dates and dates! Sadly, I'm just not interested enough to do any research myself. 49 pages 2.5 stars RTT-Prehistoric
4. H is for Hawk by by Helen Macdonald has been languishing on my shelf for several years. This is the story of Helen, who is grieving the death of her father. As something to take her mind off the passing of her father, she decides to train a falcon. She was heavily influenced by T. H. White's book, The Goshawk. (He is better known for his book, The Once and Future King). White was a tortured individual and so is Helen. The writing is beautiful and transfixing when describing nature. However, the reader is unsure if at times Helen is describing her own experience or relating something that happened in White's book. The entire book has an mystic quality; making the reader decipher What is real, imagined, or being retold. 300 pages Non-Fiction CAT: Birds of a Feather 3 stars
2. The Death of a Neanderthal by Lonnie Goff. This was a short, poorly written book. By poorly written, I mean misspellings, incorrect punctuation, etc. If the author can't even get that correct, what about the information? I have my doubts about the 500 million years ago.....anyway. Not impressed at all. There really wasn't anything in this book that would be a surprise to anybody. 101 pages 2 stars (I should have DNF'd it, but it was so short.....)
RTT-Prehistoric3. The Denisovans by Charles River Editors About a species (not a word I concur with or would use) of man, related to the Neanderthals. They found 5 skeletons in a cave in Russia in 2008. However, Neanderthals and homo sapiens also used this cave, so I'm not sure what good DNA analysis may be. I am not learned enough to argue anything on these prehistoric topics, except the dates used by anthropologists or paleontologists are not what is usually used by historians. Quite frankly.....I'm bored with this type of book that argues dates and dates and dates! Sadly, I'm just not interested enough to do any research myself. 49 pages 2.5 stars RTT-Prehistoric
4. H is for Hawk by by Helen Macdonald has been languishing on my shelf for several years. This is the story of Helen, who is grieving the death of her father. As something to take her mind off the passing of her father, she decides to train a falcon. She was heavily influenced by T. H. White's book, The Goshawk. (He is better known for his book, The Once and Future King). White was a tortured individual and so is Helen. The writing is beautiful and transfixing when describing nature. However, the reader is unsure if at times Helen is describing her own experience or relating something that happened in White's book. The entire book has an mystic quality; making the reader decipher What is real, imagined, or being retold. 300 pages Non-Fiction CAT: Birds of a Feather 3 stars
53lowelibrary
>52 Tess_W: I also use sports (basketball in his case) to "babysit" my husband.
54Tess_W
>53 lowelibrary: Hah! When I was younger it tended to tick me off--now.....I like it!
55dudes22
>52 Tess_W: - I mentioned over on the Random thread that I'm hoping to read {H is for Hawk this month too. A friend recommended it a few years ago and it's been sitting waiting for a while.
57VivienneR
>47 Tess_W: Ouch! I seem to remember that when I read all of Dickens' books (many decades ago), Pickwick Papers was the one I liked least.
>56 Tess_W: Love that image! Happy New Year!
>56 Tess_W: Love that image! Happy New Year!
58Tess_W
5. Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War) by Robert Kellogg This was a non-fiction read and the diaries of John Ransom, a Union soldier and POW. The conditions were atrocious and sickening. However, I'm not sure it was entirely on purpose, as the Southern States were starving themselves and short on supplies. The sheer cruelty was intentional and there was no excuse. A good read. In the past I wanted to read the novel Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor, but not sure that I now want to read the fiction after reading about it from the horses mouth. Excellent read! (From the Sabin Americana Collection) 394 pages 5 stars CAT: Jan Hist Cat: North/South American Wars and Conflicts BINGODOG: Topic of which you have specific knowledge
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60japaul22
>58 Tess_W: This will go on my list for next year. I realized as I was thinking about themes for this year that next year is the 160th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. So in 2025, I think I will have a Civil War focus.
61Tess_W
>60 japaul22: If you enjoy the Civil War and non-fiction, I think you will like this book.
62lkernagh
Hi Tess. Kudos on being able to grow the crops you do in clay-based soil! I have stalled (for the moment) with my Trollope reading but hope to get back to The Barsetshire Chronicles at some point this year. Wishing you a wonderful year of reading in 2024.
63Helenliz
Happy new year, Tess.
I'm impressed with the setup you have. I have grand plans and then fail to follow through. I'm hoping you manage better than I would!
I'm impressed with the setup you have. I have grand plans and then fail to follow through. I'm hoping you manage better than I would!
64JayneCM
>47 Tess_W: Oh dear! This is the only Dickens I have not previously read, probably as the story just didn't appeal. I was going to start with The Pickwick Papers as I am hoping to do Dickens in publication order too. But it keeps getting blown out of the water! One of my book groups started 2024 with War and Peace (two big books in one month may be too much - we will see) and then they have chosen Bleak House for March, which will totally mess up my order.
What to do?!
What to do?!
65Tess_W
>62 lkernagh: TY!
>63 Helenliz: Usually, my plans fall through about half way through and I just read willy nilly!
>64 JayneCM: Love Bleak House!
>63 Helenliz: Usually, my plans fall through about half way through and I just read willy nilly!
>64 JayneCM: Love Bleak House!
67Tess_W
6. Come into my Cave by Linda Hardy. This was a prehistoric novel that centered on a young boy and his scandalous idea overwintering in a cave instead of making the long arduous trip south. His "people" did not live in caves as it was the abode of animals. In this particular cave, an alusia is seen tending to her babies. The description makes this animal seem as if it is a small dinosaur. I did a quick search of Google and I can't find such an animal. An integral component of the plot is who is more dangerous: man or animal? I feel as if this book might be a YA book, however there is no indication that is the case. I picked this up at a Friends of the Library sale for 10 cents--and it was worth that and no more! 104 pages 3 stars RTT Prehistoric
70Tess_W
>69 Ann_R: Hi, Anne! I seem to be finding a consensus that Pickwick is not the fav of most!
7. Early Christian Fathers by Cyril C. Richardson This is one of my academic reads.
There were many case studies, but I only read the ones dated about 110 CE to 160 ish CE. That took care of more than 50% of the book. The most interesting was Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Romans and The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Ignatius is asking his fellow Roman believers to leave him alone and not be generous with their gifts or clamoring. He is afraid that these will draw people’s attention to him and away from God. He feels that by whatever means (fire, cross, wild beasts, wrenching of bones, etc.) that he is on the path to Jesus Christ and is eager to meet him. In 156 CE Polycarp, the leader of the Church in Smyrna was martyred. His followers wrote the article I read, and it is one of the earliest known writings about martyrdom. This article traces the account from hand to hand, who copied what, who carried to whom, etc. read about 200/416 pages 4 stars CAT: Academic Reads Off to FOL sale! BINGODOG: 3 word title
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7. Early Christian Fathers by Cyril C. Richardson This is one of my academic reads.
There were many case studies, but I only read the ones dated about 110 CE to 160 ish CE. That took care of more than 50% of the book. The most interesting was Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Romans and The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Ignatius is asking his fellow Roman believers to leave him alone and not be generous with their gifts or clamoring. He is afraid that these will draw people’s attention to him and away from God. He feels that by whatever means (fire, cross, wild beasts, wrenching of bones, etc.) that he is on the path to Jesus Christ and is eager to meet him. In 156 CE Polycarp, the leader of the Church in Smyrna was martyred. His followers wrote the article I read, and it is one of the earliest known writings about martyrdom. This article traces the account from hand to hand, who copied what, who carried to whom, etc. read about 200/416 pages 4 stars CAT: Academic Reads Off to FOL sale! BINGODOG: 3 word title
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71Tess_W
Been busy with this stuff:
Got 2 gallons of grape juice--which we won't drink. I tried my hand at jelly. Neither of us are jelly fans, we much prefer jam or preserves, but hey, it was free! One jar did not seal so we tried it this morning on a piece of toast and it was very good. Very grapey! I will give some to kids/grandkids because we would be lucky to eat 2 jars in a year. For Christmas I made vanilla flavoring (extract) for all the ladies. It was 3 years in the making. In December I started some almond extract and it should be done in 18-24 months.
Got 2 gallons of grape juice--which we won't drink. I tried my hand at jelly. Neither of us are jelly fans, we much prefer jam or preserves, but hey, it was free! One jar did not seal so we tried it this morning on a piece of toast and it was very good. Very grapey! I will give some to kids/grandkids because we would be lucky to eat 2 jars in a year. For Christmas I made vanilla flavoring (extract) for all the ladies. It was 3 years in the making. In December I started some almond extract and it should be done in 18-24 months.
73thornton37814
I picked up some Muscadine Jelly at the Amish store before Christmas. I've enjoyed eating it. I guess I should have ordered more strawberries from the band in the neighboring county where one of my cross stitch group's children is a band member. I just got enough to freeze some for eating as strawberry shortcake (or with pound cake). If I'd ordered an entire flat, I probably would have had enough to make preserves. However, I have plenty of jams, jellies, and preserves at the moment.
74Tess_W
>73 thornton37814: I love strawberry shortcake! What kind of "cake" do you make?
75thornton37814
Usually the really light kind that uses only the whites, but I sometimes do pound cake. The one with the whites has fewer calories!
76charl08
Wishing you a great year of reading.
I admire your patience with the extract-making. I made some sloe gin years ago and made the mistake of not hiding it away for the full anticipated duration. (It still tasted very good, so no real harm.)
I admire your patience with the extract-making. I made some sloe gin years ago and made the mistake of not hiding it away for the full anticipated duration. (It still tasted very good, so no real harm.)
77Tess_W
>75 thornton37814: You are much more disciplined than I! I make a heavy, shortcake, almost like a sweet biscuit!
>76 charl08: Thank you!
>76 charl08: Thank you!
78hailelib
We usually use pound cake with strawberries and some vanilla ice cream for shortcake but I did in the past sometimes make the sweet biscuity type.
79Tess_W
>78 hailelib: My sons like to pour milk over their strawberry shortcake and strawberries
81Tess_W
>80 mstrust: So easy! Vodka & vanilla beans! Vodka & almonds..........and time!
82Tess_W
8. Andorra Revealed by Clare Allcard This is an anthology of essays about life in Andorra. All are informative and most are entertaining; some being written tongue in cheek. I can honestly say, "I never knew....." 282 pages 4.5 stars
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83Jackie_K
>82 Tess_W: Oh, I like the sound of this, onto the wishlist it goes. Andorra is one of those places I know next to nothing about, even though it's not (geographically) super-far away from the UK.
84Tess_W
>83 Jackie_K: I think you will like it!
9. Bad Days in History: A Gleefully Grim Chronicle of Misfortune, Mayhem, and Misery for Every Day of the Year by Michael Farquhar Wickedest, weirdest, wildest, grim, true stories of much little known incidents in history. It took me 3 years to finish, but glad I read it and also glad to be finished. Decidedly from a western perspective. 3.5 stars 484 pages
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9. Bad Days in History: A Gleefully Grim Chronicle of Misfortune, Mayhem, and Misery for Every Day of the Year by Michael Farquhar Wickedest, weirdest, wildest, grim, true stories of much little known incidents in history. It took me 3 years to finish, but glad I read it and also glad to be finished. Decidedly from a western perspective. 3.5 stars 484 pages
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85Tess_W
Well it's only Jan 11, but I've been following my cats since Dec. 24 and I'm already finding them too confining. Thinking of abandoning the plan and just go with the "whim" category by month only. I should have known better! I still want to read ABOUT the same thing, maybe.........will change CATS to months! Lesson learned...again! I think each month will feature a food I preserve or grow.
86Tess_W
10. Helen of Troy by Margaret George A retelling with embellishments of Homer's epic, The Illiad. The story really focused on Helen, Paris, and Menelaus. As I find with myths, I really needed a chart of who's who and who is a god and who is mortal. This was one of the better. George always tells a good story. 636 pages 4 stars
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87Tess_W
Doesn't matter how "warm" the house is, when it is 9 degrees (F) (-12C) and going to get down even lower tonight with winds sometimes gusting at 50 MPH, I'm always cold! My husband has a T-shirt and sweatpants on. I have a long-sleeved T-shirt, a fleece hooodie, sweat pants, 2 pairs of socks, and slippers. I'm still cold! The only way I can get warm is to be in the kitchen and cooking or underneath the covers. My skin is so dry that it's screaming "help me!" I just baked a cinnamon cake and now I'm going to go get under the covers and read a book! Not looking forward to tomorrow, I have a root canal! Wake me in April.
88pamelad
>87 Tess_W: Commiserations on the root canal, Tess. Such a long time sitting in the chair with your mouth wide open then a few more hours of drooling, and chewing the inside of your mouth by mistake. On a very cold day in Melbourne (nowhere near as cold as -12F, more like +45F, though it might occasionally get down to 32F overnight) I'd have the central heating on, two woollen jumpers, and be sitting on the couch under a blanket or two.
89RidgewayGirl
>87 Tess_W: Condolences on the root canal. When I got up this morning, it was -14 Fahrenheit! Our poor heating system has been running non-stop and I'm considering the purchase of a heated throw blanket for the sofa.
90lsh63
>87 Tess_W: Sorry about the frigid temps and the root canal. I just got an email that I need to schedule a visit for what I am calling a fact finding mission for a previous root canal. The tooth isn’t bothering me but some weird spots keep coming up on my X-rays.
91lkernagh
Stopping by to get caught up and see you are experiencing the double whammy of cold temps and a root canal. Wishing you a quick recovery and warmer temps!
92Tess_W
Thanks for all the good wishes concerning the root canal. I was sooooo lucky--only one root on this tooth. I've had a tooth done before that had 4! I was in and out in about 50 minutes with little or no pain. Now the temp--will be sub zero (F) tonight!
11. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell A great psychological thriller, my favorite sub-genre. No more because I don't want to give away anything. Glad I gave Jewell a second chance, because my first read of hers, The House We Grew Up In only netted 2.5 stars. Listened to this on audio and the reader was good. 10 hours 44 mins. 4 stars CAT: January Scaredykit-Psychological Thrillers
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11. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell A great psychological thriller, my favorite sub-genre. No more because I don't want to give away anything. Glad I gave Jewell a second chance, because my first read of hers, The House We Grew Up In only netted 2.5 stars. Listened to this on audio and the reader was good. 10 hours 44 mins. 4 stars CAT: January Scaredykit-Psychological Thrillers
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93MissWatson
Glad to hear the dental work wasn't too arduous. Stay warm!
94mstrust
Glad your root canal wasn't so bad!
I always have to switch to heavier face and body moisturizers, and a moisturizing shower gel, in the winter. I can't stand that dry itchiness.
I always have to switch to heavier face and body moisturizers, and a moisturizing shower gel, in the winter. I can't stand that dry itchiness.
95staci426
Hello. A little late getting around to threads. Love seeing the photos of all of your flowers and homemade goodies. That veggie pizza recipe looks really good. Might have to try that.
I tried reading Helen of Troy last year but couldn't get into it for some reason. Glad you were able to enjoy it. I have a Kindle book called Helen of Sparta which I'm guessing will cover the same things, so I was going to give that one a try this year to see if I enjoyed it more.
I tried reading Helen of Troy last year but couldn't get into it for some reason. Glad you were able to enjoy it. I have a Kindle book called Helen of Sparta which I'm guessing will cover the same things, so I was going to give that one a try this year to see if I enjoyed it more.
97hailelib
The cold is heading this way but not as bad as you have been getting. We will be in the teens for lows the rest of the week. Keep warm.
98mathgirl40
Glad to hear that you are recovering from the root canal.
Thanks for the Helen of Troy recommendation. I've enjoyed a couple of Margaret George's other books and will add this to the TBR list.
Thanks for the Helen of Troy recommendation. I've enjoyed a couple of Margaret George's other books and will add this to the TBR list.
99Tess_W
Well as I get up for my only day of work this week, it is a nippy 4 degrees (F) or -15 C! The winds are 20 mph so the real feel temp is -16 F or -27 C. Cold enough! It's spelling bee today and I am the spell master, reading the words and sentences. Exciting day, although I seem to be easily amused. I'm off to make oatmeal, my husband requested this. I don't eat it, although I like it, there is not enough protein in it to sustain me. So I will fix myself 2 eggs. Yesterday I baked 1 pound of bacon and today will warm 2 slices of that and I'm set until lunch. Wednesday is pizza day at school. A thoughtful (and wealthy!) parent caters pizza to us every Wednesday at no charge. Includes a salad! Yesterday I made a pot of minestrone soup, so that will be dinner! I will post a pic and the recipe for it later today! I have a recipe for homemade Amish soda crackers........never made them before.......do I want to invest the time? Maybe, but not on a work day? We'll see! Have a blessed day!
100Helenliz
>99 Tess_W: Ok, I'm now hungry! Have a good day and enjoy the spelling bee.
101MissWatson
>99 Tess_W: Oatmeal...now that's an idea for this snow day...
102Jackie_K
Glad to hear you're recovering well from the root canal, I've never had one but from all the reviews, I'll try and avoid! I hope you get to school OK, that sounds bitterly cold and I'm sure travelling won't be fun. It's cold here too (it was -5C yesterday when I went to de-ice the car), not as severe as your weather but bad enough! We've luckily escaped the snow - it's been very heavy in northern and southern Scotland, but I'm in the central belt which has for the most part been spared. I've gone and refreshed the food and water for the birds this morning, poor things will be struggling.
103thornton37814
>99 Tess_W: We were zero degrees F yesterday morning. I think someone said that was -17C. BRRRR
104Tess_W
12. What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman This was the story of Clare, committed at age 18 to an asylum for the insane by her father for rebellion. This was the 1920's and women had very few rights. She spent all of her life institutionalized in brutal conditions. This was a work of fiction, but very realistic from the non-fiction that I have read on the same subject matter. I listened to this on audio and it distracted from the story as the reader was overly dramatic, breathless in every sentence. There was a dual timeline, which was totally unnecessary, dealing with teenage angst, for the most part. 11 hours 20 mins 3 stars
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105VivienneR
Glad your root canal wasn't too difficult. Those two words strike fear in me. And your preserves are wonderful. Congratulations.
106Crazymamie
Tess, what a lovely set-up you have! Looking forward to following your reading adventures.
107Tess_W
Caught the buying bug today and purchased:
A Day of Fire A Novel of Pompei by E. Knight Short stories each from a different perspective
A Bakery in Paris post WWII
The German Wife post WWII
I Found You a psychological thriller by Lisa Jewell
A Day of Fire A Novel of Pompei by E. Knight Short stories each from a different perspective
A Bakery in Paris post WWII
The German Wife post WWII
I Found You a psychological thriller by Lisa Jewell
108beebeereads
Your reading plans look great. Looking forward to following
109mstrust
>104 Tess_W: Sounds very much like the story of Opal Petty.
110Tess_W
13. I completed Rosemary Sutcliffe's The Lantern Bearers The action picks up when Rome decides to leave Great Britain. Without Roman "protection", Britain is ripe for invasion. The protagonist of the story, Aquila, a member of the Legion, deserts, and he and his family decide to stay behind. The remainder of the book tells of Aquila's trials and tribulations in repelling the Saxons. I found Aquila not to be a really likeable person, but that is neither here nor there as far as the story goes. "We are the Lantern Bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind" This is a book written for YA's. However, teaching YA's, I can tell you that in no way, at least for the current majority, would YA's have an interest in or be able to understand this book's place in history. I enjoyed this book and in the future, on one of my buying "sprees", will look for the other books in this series. 240 pages 3.5 stars (Paul's January "War Room")
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111Tess_W
14. Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy by Philip Freeman. Freeman is well known in the historical world as the author of what is considered "the best" biography of Julius Caesar. (I have not read). In this book, the author begins at the beginning when Hannibal's, father, Hamilcar Barca, became General of the Carthage forces. Hannibal was aged around 8-10 at this time and swore to his father that he would never become a friend to Rome. After the death of his father and at the age of 26, Hannibal became the General of the Carthage forces. Some print was dedicated to the "story" of the war elephants, but this author said too much is made of that particular episode as it was not nearly as successful as people currently believe. Most of the book centered on the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE and what Hannibal did and did not do. What he did was surround Rome and route the Roman legion. What he did not do was invade the city proper and raze it; for he could have. He has been hailed as both a hero and a coward for this decision. Hannibal thought it not a wise use of resources nor worth the loss of the tens of thousands of lives it would have cost for an invasion of the city proper.
I also liked this book because the 19 pages at the end listed several of the main scholarly writings from which the author obtained his information. Amongst them: Livy, Polybius, Pinder, and Plutarch. The author attempts to evaluate their bias.
I loved this book! This has been my most interesting read thus far this year. Thank you, Paul, for creating this Ancient Rome War Challenge and getting me out of my comfort zone. 239 pages 5 stars BINGODOG: Less than 100 members (40)
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-4
3.5 stars 2
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-3
Avg 3.6 (50.5/14)
I also liked this book because the 19 pages at the end listed several of the main scholarly writings from which the author obtained his information. Amongst them: Livy, Polybius, Pinder, and Plutarch. The author attempts to evaluate their bias.
I loved this book! This has been my most interesting read thus far this year. Thank you, Paul, for creating this Ancient Rome War Challenge and getting me out of my comfort zone. 239 pages 5 stars BINGODOG: Less than 100 members (40)
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-4
3.5 stars 2
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-3
Avg 3.6 (50.5/14)
112Tess_W
Just planning.....next week is February! POSSIBILITIES:
Paul's War Room-US War for Independence To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom by Newt Gingrich
The Second Coming by Walker Percy PrizeCAT (PEN/Faulkner Award 1981-read a book with a prize from your own country)
Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft Feb ScaredyKit-Gothic Novel
Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews Feb History Cat-Georgian/Regency & Feb CalendarCAT-romance
We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarch Feb RandomKit: Escape/Rescue
The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw (play script) AOTM
The Monster of Florence Mysterykit
The Woman They Could Not Silence: one woman, her incredible fight for freedom, and the men who tried to make her disappear Nonfiction-75ers-about women
****Finish Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell (RTT Prehistoric) finished
****Finish Ormond by Charles Brockton Brown off my shelf!
Paul's War Room-US War for Independence To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom by Newt Gingrich
The Second Coming by Walker Percy PrizeCAT (PEN/Faulkner Award 1981-read a book with a prize from your own country)
Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft Feb ScaredyKit-Gothic Novel
Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews Feb History Cat-Georgian/Regency & Feb CalendarCAT-romance
We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarch Feb RandomKit: Escape/Rescue
The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw (play script) AOTM
The Monster of Florence Mysterykit
The Woman They Could Not Silence: one woman, her incredible fight for freedom, and the men who tried to make her disappear Nonfiction-75ers-about women
****Finish Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell (RTT Prehistoric) finished
****Finish Ormond by Charles Brockton Brown off my shelf!
113Helenliz
>112 Tess_W: Good luck with Stonehenge. I finished it and had a good rant about it. I then cleared my shelves of most of Cornwell's books.
114Tess_W
>113 Helenliz: Well I did love Cornwell's Last Kingdom, but this one is moving ever so slowly!
115Tess_W
15. Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell is a 497 page novel about the building of Stonehenge. IMHO, it was more about the actual transport of said stones, which is conjecture, and paganism than anything else. I was not impressed. I have read better concerning Stonehenge, but I can't put my finger on the title or author. I read Cornwell's Last Kingdom and loved it. Stonehenge, with it's plethora of minor characters that I could not keep up with, not so much. 497 pages 3 (barely)*, RTT Prehistoric Times P.S. I've been to Stonehenge, and it's marvelous in that it makes you wonder! The Salisbury Plains are also quiet and peaceful.
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 2
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-3
Avg 3.6 (53.5/15)
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 2
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-3
Avg 3.6 (53.5/15)
116MissBrangwen
>115 Tess_W: Like you I loved visiting Stonehenge, but I will pass on this book. All the reviews I have read of it by LT friends so far have been rather negative.
117hailelib
My favorite memories of our first trip to England were visiting Bath and the Roman baths and then a stop at Stonehenge on the way back to London.
118Tess_W
>117 hailelib: I loved Bath, also! We went to the Bath Cathedral. I think Bath is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to.
119thornton37814
I haven't thought ahead to February yet. I'm still kind of in the "as the mood strikes" mode. I'm trying to finish an Early Reviewer book that is poorly written. I feel obligated to read it because of its ER status. I suppose it's possible I'll finish it in January, but an early February finish is more likely. I have a few more hours on a Wrexford & Sloane historical mystery although I should finish it sometime this week too.
120Tess_W
16. I cheated a bit and managed to sneak another piece of history into my reading this month, The Histories by Herodotus. I did not read the entire book, but focused on The Second Persian Invasion of Greece, since it was timely for this challenge. I read about 30+ pages.
This from the preface: Knowledge of the invasions is derived almost entirely from the account of Herodotus, who wrote about 20 years after the actual events. It is generally believed that his accounts of the Persian invasions to be somewhat accurate; with numbers being primarily in question.
My favorite part focused on the resistance of the Spartans during the second invasion, led by Persian King Xerxes. There is reported dialogue between King Xerxes and Spartan Demaratus. (I had to look him up, either a traitor or an ex-pat) Xerxes has asked how Sparta can stand up to the might of the Persians. This is where most historians say Herodotus makes a numerical error, stating the Persian army numbered 2,641,610 warriors. According to Marincola (editor), this was and astronomical and impossible number. The remainder of this “book” (section) is Herodotus’ account of the stand of the Spartans under their king, Leonidas at the mountain pass of Thermopylae.
Herodotus writes that the men were buried where they fell, along with those who had died before the departure of the men Leonidas had dismissed. There is an epitaph over the mass grave which said,: In this place, four thousand Peloponnesians fought four million men.” This was a Persian victory in 480 BCE.
I found this portion of The Histories to be fairly accurate given the above caveat. That being said, I know next to nothing about ancient history, so I have nothing to dispute! 33 pages 3 stars Paul's War Room: Ancient Greeks/Romans
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 2
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-3
Avg 3.5 (56.5/16)
This from the preface: Knowledge of the invasions is derived almost entirely from the account of Herodotus, who wrote about 20 years after the actual events. It is generally believed that his accounts of the Persian invasions to be somewhat accurate; with numbers being primarily in question.
My favorite part focused on the resistance of the Spartans during the second invasion, led by Persian King Xerxes. There is reported dialogue between King Xerxes and Spartan Demaratus. (I had to look him up, either a traitor or an ex-pat) Xerxes has asked how Sparta can stand up to the might of the Persians. This is where most historians say Herodotus makes a numerical error, stating the Persian army numbered 2,641,610 warriors. According to Marincola (editor), this was and astronomical and impossible number. The remainder of this “book” (section) is Herodotus’ account of the stand of the Spartans under their king, Leonidas at the mountain pass of Thermopylae.
Herodotus writes that the men were buried where they fell, along with those who had died before the departure of the men Leonidas had dismissed. There is an epitaph over the mass grave which said,: In this place, four thousand Peloponnesians fought four million men.” This was a Persian victory in 480 BCE.
I found this portion of The Histories to be fairly accurate given the above caveat. That being said, I know next to nothing about ancient history, so I have nothing to dispute! 33 pages 3 stars Paul's War Room: Ancient Greeks/Romans
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 2
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-3
Avg 3.5 (56.5/16)
121Tess_W
January Recap
Books read-16
Cheers (4-5 star reads)
Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War)
Early Christian Fathers
Andorra Revealed
Helen of Troy
Then She Was Gone
Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy
I consider the Hannibal and the Civil War Rebel Prisons the top picks.
Jeers (less than 3 star reads)
Pickwick Papers
Death of the Neanderthal
The Denisovans
Not a bad month, reading wise!
Books read-16
Cheers (4-5 star reads)
Life and Death in Rebel Prisons: Giving a Complete History of the Inhuman and Barbarous Treatment of Our Brave Soldiers by Rebel Authorities, ... Ga., and Florence, S. C (Civil War)
Early Christian Fathers
Andorra Revealed
Helen of Troy
Then She Was Gone
Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy
I consider the Hannibal and the Civil War Rebel Prisons the top picks.
Jeers (less than 3 star reads)
Pickwick Papers
Death of the Neanderthal
The Denisovans
Not a bad month, reading wise!
122Helenliz
>117 hailelib: That's a great outing.
>118 Tess_W: #pedant alert: technically it's Bath Abbey, as it's not the seat of a bishop; despite it being the Bishop of Bath & Wells, the seat is at Wells. But it was a Cathedral and remains big enough & impressive enough to be a Cathedral. Bath is lovely, no arguments here on that score. I love the mixture of ages of architecture, all in that lovely honey coloured stone.
>115 Tess_W: you were kinder than I was! I thought it a pile of misogynistic twaddle. I finished it and cleared my shelves of all his unread books, after that I felt under no obligation to read any of them.
>120 Tess_W: I read Herodotus in a 4 volume edition. Its a fascinating mix of fact and hearsay. Some sections you feel you could believe, others leave you wondering.
>118 Tess_W: #pedant alert: technically it's Bath Abbey, as it's not the seat of a bishop; despite it being the Bishop of Bath & Wells, the seat is at Wells. But it was a Cathedral and remains big enough & impressive enough to be a Cathedral. Bath is lovely, no arguments here on that score. I love the mixture of ages of architecture, all in that lovely honey coloured stone.
>115 Tess_W: you were kinder than I was! I thought it a pile of misogynistic twaddle. I finished it and cleared my shelves of all his unread books, after that I felt under no obligation to read any of them.
>120 Tess_W: I read Herodotus in a 4 volume edition. Its a fascinating mix of fact and hearsay. Some sections you feel you could believe, others leave you wondering.
123Crazymamie
Echoing what Helen has to say about Herodotus. There is a memoir which I loved titled Travels With Herodotus.
124Tess_W
>122 Helenliz: You are correct, it was called the Bath Abbey......not sure why I wrote Cathedral! It was 1 AM? That's my story!;)
125Tess_W
>123 Crazymamie: Going to put that one on my WL!
126pamelad
>123 Crazymamie:, >125 Tess_W: I've read a few by Ryszard Kapuściński and am a fan of his political and travel books e.g. Shah of Shahs, The Emperor and The Shadow of the Sun.
127Tess_W
>126 pamelad: The Shah sounds great, also. Off to either secure it or put on WL!
128Crazymamie
>123 Crazymamie: *grin*
>126 pamelad: I also really enjoyed The Shadow of the Sun. I need to get to those other two you mention - adding those to The List. Thanks!
>126 pamelad: I also really enjoyed The Shadow of the Sun. I need to get to those other two you mention - adding those to The List. Thanks!
129LisaMorr
Your thread made me so hungry! Great job with what you produce and process from your land! And really interesting reading so far.
130Tess_W
>129 LisaMorr: Thank you!
I'm taking a big DNF for Cathedral by Ben Hopkins. I've started it twice, but I don't feel like keeping a list of who's who..........for 800+ pages. It's not a bad story..........Maybe at a different time.
I'm taking a big DNF for Cathedral by Ben Hopkins. I've started it twice, but I don't feel like keeping a list of who's who..........for 800+ pages. It's not a bad story..........Maybe at a different time.
131VivienneR
>123 Crazymamie: I have Travels with Herodotus on the shelf too. I'm looking forward to it because of all the good opinions here.
132Tess_W
17. The Making of Byzantium, 600-1025 by Mark Whittow This particular version has been on my shelf since 2009. There is a newer version and from reading the cover of that newer version, I believe some of Whittow's criticisms of archaeological research (or lack thereof) during this time period has been addressed. This book begins with the last 14 years of the Roman Empire, which was already in decline. The authors spends much time about the "name" of the empire, which went way over my head. He argues that because the name had changed from "Rome" to "Byzantium", it signaled a significant change. Admittedly, I don't teach this period of history, so I can't negate that idea. However, I would think any reader of history would agree that it wasn't only the name that indicated a significant change in the status quo post Roman empire. Whittlow's second emphasis is on the loss of the aristocracy as it had been known. He points to various studies on members of the ruling elite and the senate remnants who completely changed their name(s). He claims that instead of longer names that indicated esteemed heritages, names were shortened to just one or two names, such as a first name and perhaps a surname. His thesis is that the aristocracy of the 7-8th century (and indeed until the 16th century) was unawares or unconscious of their ancestry. The third main point of the book dealt with economics and agriculture--not so interesting! IMHO the author does a great job of tying all these things together to "create" a "New Rome." Off the shelf! 480 pages 3.5 stars
133Tess_W
18. Extinct Birds by Julian P. Hume. I bought this brand new (plastic wrap still intact) in 2009 at a garage sale. This is a beautiful book listing and detailing bird extinctions of the last 1000 years. Sometimes there are only 2-3 lines on a specific bird, but oftentimes there are 2-3 pages. Some of the extinct birds have only been "recovered" through fossil records and have never been recorded as being seen. This book is more like a reference book with copious notes. It isn't a book to just sit down and read. I have read it in portions, trying to cover one letter of the alphabet weekly. However, that really didn't work and it has taken me three years to complete the book. I have to confess that the lengthy portion on Hawaiian and New Zealand birds sort of blurred together. This is a beautiful book, but since the price is exorbitant on Amazon, it's off to be listed! 604 pages 5 stars
134pamelad
>133 Tess_W: Congratulations! Sticking with a book for three years is impressive. I hope you can sell it for a small fortune.
135VivienneR
>133 Tess_W: The person who put it in a garage sale sure missed out - on both a beautiful book and potential revenue!
Three years - you got your money's worth!
Three years - you got your money's worth!
136Tess_W
>134 pamelad: Well.....I would read it religiously for 2-3 weeks and then it would languish for 2-3 months! So I guess I did stick with it, sporadically! Considering I paid $3 for it and they are selling for $70 on Amazon, I'm hoping for a good return on my "investment."
19. The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore This was a biography of Elizabeth Packard. Elizabeth was involuntarily committed to an insane asylum in 1860 by her husband for not believing in the same religious (denomination) values as himself. (so she must be crazy, right?) This book is the story of her fight for freedom and her fight for the rights of women across the U.S at a very difficult time. (1860-1864) This fight for those diagnosed as "insane" was the catalyst for the fight for women's rights in general, and the right to vote and own property, specifically. It was a great book....until the prologue, where the author goes into modern day politics...sort of ruined it for me; hence minus 1/2 star. However, I will say that to dismiss or silence one, hinting that they are "crazy" is a workable tactic. 560 pages 3 1/2 stars Feb Prize Cat: A prize in your own country. This book won the Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (2021)
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 4
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-1
Avg 3.6 (68.5/19)
19. The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore This was a biography of Elizabeth Packard. Elizabeth was involuntarily committed to an insane asylum in 1860 by her husband for not believing in the same religious (denomination) values as himself. (so she must be crazy, right?) This book is the story of her fight for freedom and her fight for the rights of women across the U.S at a very difficult time. (1860-1864) This fight for those diagnosed as "insane" was the catalyst for the fight for women's rights in general, and the right to vote and own property, specifically. It was a great book....until the prologue, where the author goes into modern day politics...sort of ruined it for me; hence minus 1/2 star. However, I will say that to dismiss or silence one, hinting that they are "crazy" is a workable tactic. 560 pages 3 1/2 stars Feb Prize Cat: A prize in your own country. This book won the Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (2021)
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-1
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 4
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-1
Avg 3.6 (68.5/19)
137Tess_W
>135 VivienneR: Yes, I think I paid $3 for it and it's selling on Amazon for $65-70!
138Tess_W
20. The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw. This was a simple play in 3 acts. The protagonist is known to be anti-religion??? However, in the end, we do see that his heart is not all black. Meh........100 pages 2.5 stars Going to count this an the ugly cover on the BingoDog.
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 4
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-1
Avg 3.6 (71/20)
1 star
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-5
3.5 stars 4
4 stars-3
4.5 stars
5 stars-1
Avg 3.6 (71/20)
139Helenliz
>133 Tess_W: After sticking with it for 3 years, I think you are certainly due a return on your $3 investment!
140mstrust
Congrats on finishing your bird book, which is an achievement.
>136 Tess_W: I published a piece about Opal Petty, who was committed at sixteen by her religious family because she wanted to hang out with her friends. She remained in the asylums of Texas for over forty years, her family having lost track of her. It was criminally easy to have a woman committed.
>136 Tess_W: I published a piece about Opal Petty, who was committed at sixteen by her religious family because she wanted to hang out with her friends. She remained in the asylums of Texas for over forty years, her family having lost track of her. It was criminally easy to have a woman committed.
141Tess_W
>140 mstrust: Is that piece available for me to read?
142Tess_W
>133 Tess_W: Sold for $60 plus shipping!
143LisaMorr
>142 Tess_W: Well done!
144clue
>142 Tess_W: Good for you!
145Jackie_K
>142 Tess_W: Wow, that was definitely worth doing!
146pamelad
>142 Tess_W: Congratulations! Now you can buy $60 worth of books.
147MissWatson
>142 Tess_W: Congrats on your good bargain!
148mstrust
>141 Tess_W: Let me go find it.
Okay, this was from Jan, 2023, one that was for just my paid readers, but I'm happy to share it now:
https://jennifermorrow.substack.com/p/autumn-lives-here-155
Okay, this was from Jan, 2023, one that was for just my paid readers, but I'm happy to share it now:
https://jennifermorrow.substack.com/p/autumn-lives-here-155
149Tess_W
>148 mstrust: Oh, I didn't know it was subscription or I would not have asked! Thanks for sharing!
150mstrust
That's okay, it's a year old. Every other week is paid, so even I didn't know if it would be a paid or free week when I went looking.
151Tess_W
21. I completed To Try Men's Souls by New Gingrich. This was a book that explored four main facets of American's War for Independence: 1) Washington Crossing the Delaware 2) Thomas Paine's contributions 3) Brutal conditions suffered by American Troops 4) Hessian involvement. If you are wanting blow by blow battle scenes, this book is not for you. There are few battles. The book focuses more on the conditions under which America's troops labored; and they were brutal, more so than I had realized. I was leery of reading this book because I had to read some of the author's position papers for a class I took, and I was not a fan! That being said, this book is top notch, IMHO. I'm going to seek out his next, Valley Forge: George Washington and the Crucible of Victory. 345 pages 5 stars
ETA: Gingrich has both a B.A. and and M.A. in history and was a history prof for 7 years. Makes sense!
ETA: Gingrich has both a B.A. and and M.A. in history and was a history prof for 7 years. Makes sense!
152Tess_W
On Thursday evening I had the pleasure (?!) of attending a "Meet the Author" event at our local art gallery. The author was James Grippando. He writes legal fiction. He talked about how to get started writing. I would not have gone, but a friend needed somebody to go with, so with the promise of dinner (!) I went. I also purchased a hardback book (Gone Girl) for $24.95 that I really didn't want, but hey, I don't often get a signed book! Mr. Grippando was very cordial and stayed for over an hour after his speech signing books and chatting.
153pamelad
>152 Tess_W: Is it Gone Again? That book won the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction. Once you start looking for obscure book prizes you find them everywhere!
154Tess_W
>153 pamelad: Nope, it really is Goodbye Girl his newest. (I read Gone Girl by somebody else and was confused!;) I think it came out in January of this year.
155thornton37814
>136 Tess_W: I enjoyed that one more than you did!
>151 Tess_W: I still find it hard to wrap myself around Newt Gingrich as a fiction author!
>151 Tess_W: I still find it hard to wrap myself around Newt Gingrich as a fiction author!
156LisaMorr
>155 thornton37814: that’s what I was thinking too, I’d be curious to know how much he wrote and how much his co-author wrote
157Tess_W
>156 LisaMorr:
>155 thornton37814:
I also thought the same thing. Now, from being forced to read his position papers for a college course, I knew that he could write non-fiction fluently. However, the writing in this book is just superb. I scanned the internet for comments or information on who wrote what, but they both claim they are a team and truly co-authors. I read that Gingrich reads a book every 1-2 days and annotates them all.
>155 thornton37814:
I also thought the same thing. Now, from being forced to read his position papers for a college course, I knew that he could write non-fiction fluently. However, the writing in this book is just superb. I scanned the internet for comments or information on who wrote what, but they both claim they are a team and truly co-authors. I read that Gingrich reads a book every 1-2 days and annotates them all.
158LisaMorr
>157 Tess_W: That's really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
159Tess_W
>158 LisaMorr: YVW
22. Ephesians by Dr. Bill Creasy This was an audio with a blow by blow commentary for each verse. The main point of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians is that they might be reconciled to God and each other. Dr. Creasy is very plain spoken, but a bit droll. I would probably not use him as a commentator again, although I have no specific complaints. A little under 4 hours. 3 stars
22. Ephesians by Dr. Bill Creasy This was an audio with a blow by blow commentary for each verse. The main point of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians is that they might be reconciled to God and each other. Dr. Creasy is very plain spoken, but a bit droll. I would probably not use him as a commentator again, although I have no specific complaints. A little under 4 hours. 3 stars
160Tess_W
23. Found Object by Anne Frasier A psychological thriller about a killed B movie star and her daughter and husband. I feel this book had potential but it was not realized. 269 pages 3 stars
161Tess_W
24. Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy. I had great hopes for this book, but the more I read the further those hopes took a nosedive. For starters, one would think that the book would focus on 8 plagues in some detail. However, the author divided time into 8 periods and discussed, too briefly IMHO, plagues and diseases in that time period and how they shaped/caused history. The author claims that humans no longer lay eggs because 10-12 million years ago (sigh) a virus entered our bodies and destroyed that function. By the end of the book, there was no respect remaining for the book or author. I can honestly say that I think the author needs some help/counseling if he believes his own ideas: China did a better job of controlling Covid-19 than the UK or US. Their numbers are better than the UK or US. They could take some lessons from the Chinese. Socialism is the only way that disease is going to be eradicated. Does he really believe that China reported all their cases? This author had a political agenda and it was quite obvious to this reader. Sorry I wasted my time and raised my BP;)! 304 pages 1.5 stars
162Tess_W
25. Rhinos in Nebraska: The Amazing Discovery of the Ashfall Fossil Beds by Alison Pearce Stevens This book is about the discovery of and implications of the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Antelope County, Nebraska. The author asserts that 10-12 million years ago (sigh!) there was an explosion in what is now near Yellowstone that produced a cloud of volcanic ash that drifted eastward causing the animals to inhale it and die. Fossil remains were first found in 1971 by a 17-year old farmer when a juvenile rhino skull was poking out of the ground. The site is still being excavated. To date they have found over 19 skeletal remains of hippo like creatures related to the horse, camels, sabre-toothed tigers, and a dog-like bone crushing mammal, among others. Great quick overview of the discovery and remains. It might be a YA book, though that is not indicated. 135 pages 4 stars RTT Prehistoric
163LisaMorr
>161 Tess_W: Oh my! Sorry you had to read that one. Ugh!
164christina_reads
>161 Tess_W: Just...wow.
165mstrust
It's startling how often I'm reading a book that has nothing to do with politics but the author is suddenly throwing in their ideology. It's so weird.
166MissBrangwen
>161 Tess_W: Wow, that sounds truly terrible!
167Tess_W
26. Elvis: What Happened? by Steve Dunleavy as told to the author by Red & Sonny West and David Hebler, former body guards and roadies for Presley. Given, they had an ax to grind as they were fired by Vernon Presley as he felt they were leeches and a bad influence on Elvis. Influence or influenced? Elvis had some very bad habits before these boys became employed, however, they undoubtedly contributed to his problems and made millions from this tell-all. Pretty sad story of a very gifted performer. Some of his antics would not be tolerated today--such as a proclivity for 15-18 year old girls. Most of this information can be confirmed with other accounts of Presley's life. Again, I find myself in possession of a very expensive book that I purchased from.....I don't know where.......but I paid little for it at a charity shop or a garage sale. It's selling at Abe's for $90 and Amazon from $70. Going to post it for $65 and see if I can get rid of it quickly! 332 pages 3.5 stars
168LisaMorr
>167 Tess_W: Wow, you are doing great with re-selling! I'm just now starting to think about getting rid of books that I will never read again. Will need to have a look around online to see if there's anything I have that's worth the effort of trying to sell.
169Tess_W
>168 LisaMorr: I won't sell anything for much less than $20-30 as Amazon takes almost 40% from small sellers. I haven't sold anything in several years, but have found books while cleaning off shelves and reading that I had no idea were worthy anything! If I sell this one I will have made $200 this month. I don't think I have anything else that is worth anything!
170LisaMorr
>169 Tess_W: Thanks for the info. I hadn't really considered it previously, but I will take a look!
171Tess_W
27. Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews A Georgian romance, book 2 in the series. Predictable, but enough tension to make a good read. I listened to this on an audiobook. Feb Hist Cat/ Feb Calendar Cat 4 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-7
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars
5 stars-6
Avg 3.6 (96/27)
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-7
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars
5 stars-6
Avg 3.6 (96/27)
172Tess_W
28. Atomic Steppe by Togzhan Kassenova Learned a lot for this book! I never had even heard of the nuclear tests that took place in Kazakhstan from 1949-1989, with no regard at all for the local population. After reading, actually, the population has survived better than one would think. The cancer rates are still higher than the general population, but not as high as estimated. The name of the test site was Semipalatinsk, or "Polygon" for short. In the minds of the people who have lived there, they think they are legend if they survived. Many think that they are now immune from radiation and other diseases. This was just horrible what the Communists forced on the Kazakhs. In actuality, this was a public health disaster both for humans and animals. Many two headed animals were born as well as children with severe disfigurements. When the Soviet Union fell in 1989, Kazakhstan found itself the owner of the 4th largest nuclear arsenal in the world buried within its mountains. They chose to ask the world community for help in containing it instead of going rogue. The US, Russia, and Kazakhs helped with the clean up. And by cleanup, I mean containment. The plutonium is buried deep within the mountains. I enjoyed reading this although I came upon it when I was looking for the Polygon Wood (Battle of Ypres WWI). 384 pages 4.5 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-7
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-1
5 stars-6
Avg 3.6 (100.5/28)
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-7
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-1
5 stars-6
Avg 3.6 (100.5/28)
173MissBrangwen
>171 Tess_W: That is a series I want to read, too! I see that the audiobook is narrated by Alex Wyndham. How did you like him as a narrator?
I personally cannot stand his reading style! I listened to The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews, which was narrated by Justine Eyre, whom I just loved. However, the second book in that series is read by Wyndham and I couldn't listened to it. I switched to the ebook after trying for two hours. His style is just not for me!
I personally cannot stand his reading style! I listened to The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews, which was narrated by Justine Eyre, whom I just loved. However, the second book in that series is read by Wyndham and I couldn't listened to it. I switched to the ebook after trying for two hours. His style is just not for me!
174Tess_W
>173 MissBrangwen: I would agree--he is not a very good narrator!
175Tess_W
29. The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston I wanted to love this book, as I am a lover of true crime. But I didn't. It was likeable to a point, but about midway through it became an effort to read. This is the story of a serial killer in Florence in the 1970's-1980's. It's really more about the bungling antics and corruption of the Italian police than the actual killer. Really, it is not surprising that the killer was never found what with evidence being switched, politicians inserting themselves into the investigation, etc. It made me think of the Amanda Knox goings on in the early 2000's. Even the author was arrested (and then released) as a possible accomplice in these murders, although he didn't live there when they began! A convoluted mess that I'm sure will never be solved at this late date. It is sad that there seems to be no justice for the victims' families or the perpetrators. I took a BB for this book from Tanya. I listened to this on audio, 9 hours 47 minutes. 3 stars CAT: February Mystery Kit True Crime Unsolved
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-8
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-1
5 stars-6
Avg 3.5 (103.5/29)
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-8
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-1
5 stars-6
Avg 3.5 (103.5/29)
176Tess_W
Planning....
To finish in February:
We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth (audio)
Ormond or the Secret Witness Complete by Charles Brockden Brown (Ebook)
March Planning:
Sweet Bean Paste audio (RTT), maybe Justinian's Flea (need to secure)
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (ebook) award new to you (Mythpoeic, 2006)
The Second Rider by Alex Beer rec by Birgit (ebook) Historical mystery
The Airman and the Carpenter Twofer-March ScaredyKit (True Crime) and March Calendar CAT-Lindbergh Kidnapping on March 1 (1932). paperback
Polio by David Oshinsky HistoryCAT Science & Medicine, RTT Medicine/Plagues/Epidemics (ebook)
Forensic Sciences-Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals (Great courses, 75's NF--Forensics)
The War of the Roses--if time 75's March The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson (ebook)
To finish in February:
We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth (audio)
Ormond or the Secret Witness Complete by Charles Brockden Brown (Ebook)
March Planning:
Sweet Bean Paste audio (RTT), maybe Justinian's Flea (need to secure)
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (ebook) award new to you (Mythpoeic, 2006)
The Second Rider by Alex Beer rec by Birgit (ebook) Historical mystery
The Airman and the Carpenter Twofer-March ScaredyKit (True Crime) and March Calendar CAT-Lindbergh Kidnapping on March 1 (1932). paperback
Polio by David Oshinsky HistoryCAT Science & Medicine, RTT Medicine/Plagues/Epidemics (ebook)
Forensic Sciences-Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals (Great courses, 75's NF--Forensics)
The War of the Roses--if time 75's March The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson (ebook)
177threadnsong
Hello Tess and sorry to be so late checking in! I love your monthly offerings and your multitude of cannings are truly an accomplishment.
Have enjoyed spending time this evenings catching up on your reading adventures. I think I started Pickwick Papers but never went back to it. And Stonehenge - well, I will not pick that one up. I started one by Bernard Cornwell (the one about building a cathedral) because there was a mini-series about it, but I found the book waaay too detailed for my tastes.
Congratulations on your many accomplishments, and I'll be interested in what you think about The Penelopiad. I have it on my shelves and it might be time for a re-read.
Have enjoyed spending time this evenings catching up on your reading adventures. I think I started Pickwick Papers but never went back to it. And Stonehenge - well, I will not pick that one up. I started one by Bernard Cornwell (the one about building a cathedral) because there was a mini-series about it, but I found the book waaay too detailed for my tastes.
Congratulations on your many accomplishments, and I'll be interested in what you think about The Penelopiad. I have it on my shelves and it might be time for a re-read.
178Tess_W
30. We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth was a biography of Jan Baalsrud. Jan was a Norwegian who was a British trained commando in WWII. A group of 10 left the Shetlands and landed in Norway to disrupt the Nazi's who had entrenched themselves. Jan's group was betrayed and he was the only survivor. Through amputating his own toes and suffering the interminable cold, he finally was taken by charitable Sami (Northern Scandinavians), who were fired at, across Finland into Sweden. He found the Norwegians very gracious and they helped him even though to do so put themselves and their families in peril. A great survival against all odds story. 257 pages 4.5* February RandomKIT: Escape or Rescue
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-8
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-6
Avg 3.6 (108/30)
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-8
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-6
Avg 3.6 (108/30)
179LisaMorr
>172 Tess_W: Atomic Steppe sounds really interesting - a BB for me!
180Tess_W
woo hoo! Just got Justinian's Flea from Libby, so as soon as I finishPolio, I'm off to another "plague'!
>179 LisaMorr: I hope you enjoy. Can be dry in places!
>179 LisaMorr: I hope you enjoy. Can be dry in places!
181Tess_W
Last day of February and March LEAPS at us!
Total books read: 14, 1 DNF, 2 currently reading will be carried over to March
Cheers: (books rated 4-5) Great month for good reads!
Extinct Birds
To Try Men's Souls
Rhinos in Nebraska
Gentleman Jim
Atomic Steppe
We Die Alone
Jeers (book rated less than 3)
Cathedral by Ben Johnson a DNF, may try again at a later date
The Devil's Disciple
Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues
Everything else was an average (3) or more thought provoking!
Total books read: 14, 1 DNF, 2 currently reading will be carried over to March
Cheers: (books rated 4-5) Great month for good reads!
Extinct Birds
To Try Men's Souls
Rhinos in Nebraska
Gentleman Jim
Atomic Steppe
We Die Alone
Jeers (book rated less than 3)
Cathedral by Ben Johnson a DNF, may try again at a later date
The Devil's Disciple
Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues
Everything else was an average (3) or more thought provoking!
182Tess_W
31. Polio by David Oshinsky was a NF book about the disease from the 1920's until 2000. A very interesting book, especially about both Salk and Sabin; what scoundrels! I won't tell more so as to not give it away. I know it's cliche, but this NF read like a work of fiction. It was tense and I was on the edge of my seat. 369 pages 5 stars RTT March: Medicine/Plagues/Epidemics, March HistoryCAT: Sci/Medicine, March Prize Winners: A Prize that is new to you: Herbert Hoover Award, awarded by the Herbert H. Hoover Library Association.
And with this book I've been sucked into a big ole rabbit hole! I have just requested 3 different books about diseases & plagues from the library.
And with this book I've been sucked into a big ole rabbit hole! I have just requested 3 different books about diseases & plagues from the library.
183Jackie_K
>182 Tess_W: Going to add that to my wishlist!
184clue
>182 Tess_W: I was surprised to learn recently that one of my friends had polio as a child. What's worse is she has developed the condition that comes in later years to some polio survivors. Her husband, a retired doctor, has died recently and she has had to leave their two story home and move into assisted living. I would never have guessed such a thing would happen to her, she's always been very healthy and active.
185Tess_W
>184 clue: Yes, I did some more reading after the book and read that post-polio syndrome can happen 40-50 years after "recovery." Scary!
186Tess_W
Today I canned 4 pints of chicken, 4 pints of Italian roast beef and 8 pints of vegetable broth. I save all the ends of my carrots & the peels, celery bits, and the tops and the skins of onions in a freezer bag till it gets full. Then I put it in the roaster or the crockpot, cover with water, add 2 bay leaves and a handful of peppercorns and cook on low for 8-12 hours and then into jars & pressure canner for 25 minutes. It is organic (all the veggies are) and salt-free! I do the same with chicken bones and beef femurs for meat broths.
187Helenliz
>182 Tess_W: that does look good.
188Tess_W
32. Justinian's Flea by William Rosen. I feel that I have been fleeced by the ole bait & switch! I thought the book would be about the plague under Justinian's rule in AD 500-600's. Instead, I got a massive sweeping history of Byzantium, clear through WWI! This was a monumental task and not done well IMHO. It is rambling and there is no clear thesis. The author jumps from topic to topic and some of them I can not even connect to yersinia pestis, which had 15 pages dedicated to its evolution. I was 200 pages into the book (6 chapters) before the lil flea was introduced. And that was it--just one chapter. The remaining chapters dealt with how the flea helped to cause the downfall of Byzantium and also how it helped to rebuild Europe. I wanted pestilence and disease and misery and suffering! What I got was a scientific/historical treatise of 300 years of history and some of it so specialized that I had never even heard of it before--and I'm a history prof. (Sasanian Empire) This seems like it could be a book of separate historical essays that are only lightly connected. I read about the architecture of the Sophia Hagia as well as the yaka (?) timber used to build it; the entire chapter! I read about the Sub Atlantic Climate Change in Rome from about AD 100-750. I "think" the premise of the book was that all these things had to work together to create the perfect storm for the flea to evolve and wreak its havoc. I'm a simple woman with simple needs, I wanted more FLEA! 364 pages 3 mediocre stars RTT: March/Medicine/Plagues/Epidemics March NF/Forensics March HistoryCAT: Sci/Medicine
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
116/32= 3.6 avg read
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 5
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
116/32= 3.6 avg read
189Tess_W
33. The Disappearing Act: The Impossible Case of MH370 by Florence De Changy is the story of the missing Malaysia Airliner that disappeared in 2014 never to be seen or heard from again. Very suspicious activity by the Malay government and also one of the pilot's family. To date, nothing definitive, but there is information out there. 438 pages 3.5 stars Scaredykit March: True Crime.
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 6
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(119.5/33) avg read 3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 6
4 stars-5
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(119.5/33) avg read 3.6
190Helenliz
>188 Tess_W: *snort*. A case of the mistitled book, by the sounds of it.
If you did want a history of Byzantium, I read the 3 volume edition by John Julius Norwich years ago and quite enjoyed it. Not sure I can remember anything of it at this remove.
If you did want a history of Byzantium, I read the 3 volume edition by John Julius Norwich years ago and quite enjoyed it. Not sure I can remember anything of it at this remove.
191dudes22
>189 Tess_W: - There was just a report last night on the news that "they" are apparently going to go looking for it again. New technology or something - I wasn't paying a lot of attention.
192MissBrangwen
>189 Tess_W: That sounds interesting, although I don't think I could read it because I would get nightmares! I remember so well when it happened and cannot believe it has been almost ten years since.
193threadnsong
>189 Tess_W: I always wondered what happened to this flight. And there are still no answers? Wow, that is intriguing.
194Tess_W
>193 threadnsong: No answers, just theories. They found 3 pieces of flight wreckage that belongs to the same type of plane near where they think it went down. However, there were no markings on these pieces and could have belonged to any plane that was the same model. However, I did some research and it appears there is now some new technology available and they are going to be doing some more searching.
195pamelad
>189 Tess_W: It has been in the news again here because a fisherman found a plane wing of the coast of South Australia not long after the Malaysian Airlines plane was lost. It wasn't investigated at the time because it was outside the search area. https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-trawler-skipper-s-memory-from-the-deep-dredges...
>188 Tess_W: I read the first volume in the Julian Norwich trilogy >190 Helenliz: and struggled to keep up with all the popes. In a book of 367 pages I imagine that Byzantium would be just a list of names and massacres.
>188 Tess_W: I read the first volume in the Julian Norwich trilogy >190 Helenliz: and struggled to keep up with all the popes. In a book of 367 pages I imagine that Byzantium would be just a list of names and massacres.
196Tess_W
>190 Helenliz: I really wasn't looking for a history of Byzantium, as I just read one (see 132). I was looking for information on Justinian's plague and got suckered into a complete history book by a guy who does down a multitude of rabbit holes!
197Tess_W
>195 pamelad: I am running fastly away from any other histories of Byzantium! I hate lists and plethoras!
198Tess_W
Sadly, my mother passed away quickly this evening from a massive brain bleed. She was 90+ years old and tonight she is in paradise. She will be missed. Love you, momma!
200DeltaQueen50
My heart goes out to you and your family, Tess. Condolences on your loss.
202MissWatson
I am so sorry for your loss, Tess.
204christina_reads
Adding my condolences and praying for your family.
208pamelad
So sorry to hear of your mother's sudden passing, Tess. My condolences to you and your family.
209lowelibrary
Condolences on the loss of your mother.
212MissBrangwen
I am so sorry, Tess. I hope you will be able to find comfort in your faith and your memories ♥
213Tess_W
Thank you all so much for your condolences. We made funeral arrangements today for the funeral on Friday. Not looking forward to it. Nor the house clean out. Between crying and being depressed, I did manage to get one book read and about a ton of food eaten.
34. I Found You by Lisa Jewell This it the 3rd book I've read by this author and while they are not 5 star reads, they keep me coming back. Jewell is a psychological thriller author. This book was about amnesia and the past. I will continue to seek out the author as soon as the library gets more of her works. One did have to suspend belief a few times near the end, but all in all a good read. 352 pages 4 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 6
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(123.5/34) avg read 3.6
34. I Found You by Lisa Jewell This it the 3rd book I've read by this author and while they are not 5 star reads, they keep me coming back. Jewell is a psychological thriller author. This book was about amnesia and the past. I will continue to seek out the author as soon as the library gets more of her works. One did have to suspend belief a few times near the end, but all in all a good read. 352 pages 4 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 6
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(123.5/34) avg read 3.6
214pamelad
>213 Tess_W: I Found You must be a real page turner, so I'm putting Lisa Jewell on my list.
I hope the funeral goes well and you can spend some time with people who have fond memories of your mum.
I hope the funeral goes well and you can spend some time with people who have fond memories of your mum.
215Tess_W
>214 pamelad: Well, good, but I wouldn't say page turner!
216threadnsong
Oh Tess, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom and her sudden passing. Hugs and love to you during this time.
217Tess_W
>216 threadnsong: TY so much.
218Tess_W
35. Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals Elizabeth Murray I listened to this on audio. It's from the Great Courses library. This was a general history overview of various types of crimes and an example of each. Most were very general and it was nothing new. A lot of time was spent telling about what was NOT available at the time of the crime. The most interesting was the Romanov's and mitrochondrial DNA testing that is now available, which cleared up who was found in the graves and excluded all of the Anastasia wannabees. Also a good chapter on archaeological forensics in dealing with genocides and mass graves. 13 hours 32 mins/25 lectures 3.5 stars March NONFICTION: Forensics
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(127/35) avg read 3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-9
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(127/35) avg read 3.6
219Tess_W
36. Bonnie Prince Charlie and the '45 by Sir Walter Scott This was an excerpt from Scott's Tales of a Grandfather. It told the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie from his landing in Scotland through the Battle of Culloden and his eventual escape from Scotland. I think Gabaldon's version of the Battle of Culloden is much better. I don't think I will be seeking out the unabridged version. 4 hours 45 minutes AOTM: Sir Walter Scott 3 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-10
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(130/36) avg read 3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-10
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(130/36) avg read 3.6
220VivienneR
Tess, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. You honoured her with a beautiful photo!
221beebeereads
I add my condolences to you and your family. The suddeness makes it all the harder. I do hope you can bask in good memories...a lovely picture for sure.
222thornton37814
I'm a little behind on threads. I'm sorry about your mother. I treasure all the memories I had of my mother, and I'm sure you will do the same.
223charl08
So sorry to read about the death of your mum. I love the photo you shared. I will be thinking of you at such a hard time. Glad that you found a book in >213 Tess_W: that held your attention for a while despite it all.
224Tess_W
Thank you all again for your condolences. The legal paperwork has been started, the funeral arrangements are signed and will take place on Friday. About the only thing I can do is read--I just sit and read. I have no energy or gumption for anything else.
37. Thirty Years' War: A History from Beginning to End by Hourly History was a very brief overview of the war; it's causes, biggest fights and personalities, and eventual outcome. This was stock textbook material, but a good read for somebody who has not studied this war. It was a freebie from Audible, 1 hour 33 mins. 3 stars Paul's War Room March
38. The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson This was the story of Shelton, a young lad of about 18, who is naive (maybe dumb!) and a tad cruel. He is caught between trying to avenge his father's murder and trying to figure out his guardian, a man who keeps changing sides in the War of the Roses. Shelton is hard to like, he stumbles around, and quite frankly, I just didn't care what happened to him! Meh Pauls' War Room March 233 pages 3- stars.
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-12
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(136/38) avg read 3.6
37. Thirty Years' War: A History from Beginning to End by Hourly History was a very brief overview of the war; it's causes, biggest fights and personalities, and eventual outcome. This was stock textbook material, but a good read for somebody who has not studied this war. It was a freebie from Audible, 1 hour 33 mins. 3 stars Paul's War Room March
38. The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson This was the story of Shelton, a young lad of about 18, who is naive (maybe dumb!) and a tad cruel. He is caught between trying to avenge his father's murder and trying to figure out his guardian, a man who keeps changing sides in the War of the Roses. Shelton is hard to like, he stumbles around, and quite frankly, I just didn't care what happened to him! Meh Pauls' War Room March 233 pages 3- stars.
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-12
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(136/38) avg read 3.6
226MissWatson
>225 Tess_W: I couldn't agree more!
227hailelib
>225 Tess_W: Good advice!
228mstrust
>225 Tess_W: Exactly. In my library, I keep a big card my sister sent me that has Ron Swanson on the front and the quote "I can do what I want."
229Tess_W
39. The Viscount's Sinful Bargain by Kate Archer This was a Regency romance in which the Viscount was required to marry to save his family's heritage. Predictable, but a good read. Loved the strong-will of his intended.252 pages 4 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-12
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(140/39) avg read 3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-12
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(140/39) avg read 3.6
230Tess_W
Oops, fell off the book buying wagon tonight:
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Have wanted to read this for a long time!
A Thousand Brains by Jeff Hawkins--a NF about a new theory of intelligence
The Marriage by K.L. Slater a psychological thriller
Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter the etymology of such words!
Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers this is my weakest area of US history, thought I would brush up!
The Shepherd's Life by John Rebanks a memoir of an Oxford drop out
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Have wanted to read this for a long time!
A Thousand Brains by Jeff Hawkins--a NF about a new theory of intelligence
The Marriage by K.L. Slater a psychological thriller
Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter the etymology of such words!
Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers this is my weakest area of US history, thought I would brush up!
The Shepherd's Life by John Rebanks a memoir of an Oxford drop out
231dudes22
>230 Tess_W: - I've heard good things about The Covenant of Water from member of my book club. I hope I can get to it soon.
232Jackie_K
>230 Tess_W: The Shepherd's Life is terrific, I really hope you enjoy it!
233RidgewayGirl
Tess, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mother was beautiful.
234Tess_W
>233 RidgewayGirl: TY! She was beautiful on the inside and the outside!
235christina_reads
>230 Tess_W: I've been meaning to read some of John McWhorter's books...I've read some of his shorter stuff and he seems like a really interesting person!
236KeithChaffee
I would gently warn you, though, that while McWhorter is terrific on linguistics, you should be wary when he's writing on social/political issues, where he is a bit of a kook.
237Tess_W
>236 KeithChaffee: Thanks for the warning!
238Tess_W
40. Along the Broken Bay by Flora Solomon is the story of Manila and the Philippines from 1941-1945 under Japanese occupation. Specifically it is the story of two women and how they lived trying to get supplies, protecting their children, and yes, even aiding the guerillas. Although a work of historical fiction, I found it to be very accurate, even if glossed over for the sake of brevity. Nicely done, Ms. Solomon! 398 pages 4.5 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-12
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(144.50/40) avg read 3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-12
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(144.50/40) avg read 3.6
239clue
I've added this to my list. Since I read We Band of Angels in 2017 (seems like maybe a couple of years ago!) I've meant to read more WWII history in the Philippines. Though this is fiction, I'm sure I'll learn something from it.
240Tess_W
>239 clue: I've just added Band of Angels to my WL. I have read hundred of books on WWII, but most dealing with the European theater and/or Hiroshima. Am trying to expand more to the Pacific.
241MissBrangwen
>225 Tess_W: I definitely agree!!!
>238 Tess_W: You hit me with a BB there! I don't know that much about the history of the Philippines, but this sounds very interesting.
>238 Tess_W: You hit me with a BB there! I don't know that much about the history of the Philippines, but this sounds very interesting.
242Tess_W
I am in the midst of a 700+ chunkster, so will not be finishing anything else this month. March roundup:
Books read: 10
Cheers (4+ stars):
Polio: An American Story
I Found You
The Viscount's Sinful Bargain
Along the Broken Bay
Jeers: (less than 3 stars)
None!
April Plans:
Finish A Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese RTT Mar Med/EPi/Plagues (leprosy)
Finish From Here to Eternity FINISHED
Finish Ormond (Off shelf) FINISHED
The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus by Margaret Atwood (RTT Ancient/Biblical Times) slated to read this several times and have not
Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence (The Troubadours Quartet) March Mysterykit:series
Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich March HistoryCat: Riots, Revolutions, Mayhem FINISHED
The Quail, Robert March Randomkit: Enchanted Garden Visitors this book has been slated every month since last December!
Globalization Globalization After the Pandemic: Thoughts on the Coronavirus Non-Fiction
Wars of Religion The Burning Chamber (French Wars of Religion) Paul's War Room
Books read: 10
Cheers (4+ stars):
Polio: An American Story
I Found You
The Viscount's Sinful Bargain
Along the Broken Bay
Jeers: (less than 3 stars)
None!
April Plans:
Finish A Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese RTT Mar Med/EPi/Plagues (leprosy)
Finish From Here to Eternity FINISHED
Finish Ormond (Off shelf) FINISHED
The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus by Margaret Atwood (RTT Ancient/Biblical Times) slated to read this several times and have not
Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence (The Troubadours Quartet) March Mysterykit:series
Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich March HistoryCat: Riots, Revolutions, Mayhem FINISHED
The Quail, Robert March Randomkit: Enchanted Garden Visitors this book has been slated every month since last December!
Globalization Globalization After the Pandemic: Thoughts on the Coronavirus Non-Fiction
Wars of Religion The Burning Chamber (French Wars of Religion) Paul's War Room
243pamelad
Good to see you gave The Viscount’s Sinful Bargain a cheer. I’ll give it a try.
244thornton37814
>242 Tess_W: While I'm not reading a 700+ page chunkster, I'm not sure I'll finish anything either. I accidentally left one I'm reading at work on the desk there. I could have probably finished it over the long weekend if I'd brought it home with me. I'm reading one on my Kindle that I might finish. I may get through a cookbook too.
245Tess_W
>244 thornton37814: That's a bummer when you leave a book. The last time I did it I was going to be gone for over a week. I bought it on Kindle so I wouldn't have to wait to finish it!
246Tess_W
41. From Here to Eternity by James Jones First impressions: WAY too long! Jones sure does love his adverbs! This is a WWII story about soldiers stationed at Pearl Harbor that encompasses the time before and after the attack. I found it to be a microcosm of society: the brooders, the self-entitled, the loud-mouth boasters, etc. Really nothing exceptional. If you are wanting to read about WWII, this isn't the book. This is about men who served in WWII. I did see the movie about 20-30 years ago starring Burt Lancaster and Frank Sinatra. At that time I considered it a romantic movie as the focus seemed to be (if I remember correctly) the affair Lancaster has with Deborah Kerr. I did read the "newly restored" digital version of this book which included previously edited material detailing homosexual activity and sex workers; which added nothing to the book. However, in 1951 I bet it would have been scandalous. 972 LONG pages. 3 stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-13
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(147.50/41) avg read 3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-13
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(147.50/41) avg read 3.6
247hailelib
>246 Tess_W: From your description there are other really long books I'd rather read.
248pamelad
>246 Tess_W: That's ridiculously long! Congratulations on finishing.
249Helenliz
>246 Tess_W: I knew it was a book, then a film, but had no idea it was *that* long.
251thornton37814
>246 Tess_W: WAY too long! You made me laugh right away. I think that about many books.
252Tess_W
42. The Secret History by Procopius This was a tell-all by Procopius, who served as the official scribe and historian for Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. (6th century) Procopius wrote what historians consider a respectable if not propagandistic war history of Justinian's reign. The publication of this book did not happen until after his death. One could only imagine the horrors this author would have been subjected to if he were alive when published. Is it true? Probably some of it; though to what degree or percentage one will never know. Most scandalous was the sexual appetite of Theodora. Evidently one of her favorite sexual escapades was sprinkling her genitals with grain and allowing geese and ducks to peck off the grains. ???? We do know that Procopius' numbers were incorrect as he uses the number 1 trillion to describe the number of people that Justinian slew. That was more than the total world population at that time, especially since part of these years were plague years. Favorite "new" word--rapine (violent seizure of someone's property). 3 stars 205 pages RTT: Biblical/Ancient
43. Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor by Martha Roth This was a compilation of various laws that have been translated. There was no commentary and it was very dry. I recognized a lot of similarity between the Biblical Book of Deuteronomy and some of the Assyrian or Hittite laws. As Israel had fought wars with both, it is to be expected that certain customs would be transferred and adopted. Probably the most famous translation contained within is the Code of Hammurabi. I felt like I was reading lists of things, no real story here, strictly the laws. The law about lending/borrowing an ox was very lengthy! 304 pages 3 stars RTT: Biblical/Ancient
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-15
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(153.50/43) avg read 3.6
43. Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor by Martha Roth This was a compilation of various laws that have been translated. There was no commentary and it was very dry. I recognized a lot of similarity between the Biblical Book of Deuteronomy and some of the Assyrian or Hittite laws. As Israel had fought wars with both, it is to be expected that certain customs would be transferred and adopted. Probably the most famous translation contained within is the Code of Hammurabi. I felt like I was reading lists of things, no real story here, strictly the laws. The law about lending/borrowing an ox was very lengthy! 304 pages 3 stars RTT: Biblical/Ancient
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-15
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
(153.50/43) avg read 3.6
253Tess_W
I can't even remember what I've planned to read!
April Plans:
Finish A Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese RTT Mar Med/EPi/Plagues (leprosy)
Finish From Here to Eternity FINISHED
Finish Ormond (Off shelf) FINISHED
Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence (The Troubadours Quartet) April Mysterykit:series
Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich March HistoryCat: Riots, Revolutions, Mayhem FINISHED
The Quail, Robert April Randomkit: Enchanted Garden Visitors this book has been slated every month since last December!
Globalization Globalization After the Pandemic: Thoughts on the Coronavirus Non-Fiction
Wars of Religion The Burning Chamber (French Wars of Religion) Paul's War Room
April Plans:
Finish A Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese RTT Mar Med/EPi/Plagues (leprosy)
Finish From Here to Eternity FINISHED
Finish Ormond (Off shelf) FINISHED
Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence (The Troubadours Quartet) April Mysterykit:series
Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich March HistoryCat: Riots, Revolutions, Mayhem FINISHED
The Quail, Robert April Randomkit: Enchanted Garden Visitors this book has been slated every month since last December!
Globalization Globalization After the Pandemic: Thoughts on the Coronavirus Non-Fiction
Wars of Religion The Burning Chamber (French Wars of Religion) Paul's War Room
254Tess_W
44. Ormond by Charles Brockden Brown Written in 1799 this "gothic" tale is set in Philadelphia. It's labeled as gothic, however, I don't find a lot of the normal gothic elements contained within. It is the story of Constantia, a single women who cares for her down and out, blind father. There are scoundrels along the way and she deals with each righteously. She may be a bit naive, or is she just very humble? This was a very slow-paced book which focused on character development. Written as 3 separate works (Vol 1, Vol 11 and Vol 111). However, they must be read in order and completely before the story can be understood. They are all free on Kindle. 348 pages 3- stars
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-16
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
156.5/44=3.6
1 star
1.5 stars-1
2 stars-1
2.5 stars-2
3 stars-16
3.5 stars 7
4 stars-6
4.5 stars-2
5 stars-7
156.5/44=3.6
255Helenliz
>252 Tess_W: that sounds like two rather different books!
This topic was continued by Tess Does Her Own Thing-2nd page.
