Tess Has No Rhyme or Reason Part I

Hello, my name is Tess. I’m once retired, but now a working part-time history professor. In my spare time I read, grow food, and can food. I also love on my children (2 boys ages 45 & 46) and 7 grandchildren (ages 7-25). Besides homesteading I like to READ and travel! I read historical fiction, history, and the classics 80% of the time. I am not that creative, hence no categories. I also can not function within any reading parameters, so I don’t’ create my own CATS. For the 2025 challenge, I will just keep a record of my reads by month and one of my favorite recipes for that month. I will participate in Cats/Kits when what I’m reading for the month fits!

My reading year is December 25 through December 24th--so I can start reading new Christmas books right away!

Number of books on TBR on Dec. 25, 2024:399

P.S. Some of the pics are mine, some are not--I usually don't take pics of my food! However, ALL of the recipes are mine, tried and true for many years.

Hosting Duties:
January Nature Kit Sheep and Shepherding
January RTT Look to the Heavens
March Cover Cat farm animals
March SciFi/Fantasy Kit Magical realism
April Scaredy Kit Arachnids, Insects, & Reptilia
September Random Kit
October Scaredy Kit Gothic
November Mystery Kit Psychological mysteries/thrillers
December Color Cat purple

January 2025
Best Ever Yeast Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 eggs
8 cups flour
Procedure:

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water in small bowl. Add 1 TBSP. sugar; set aside. Mix shortening and sugar until blended. Add salt, eggs, and 2 cups milk; beat. Begin adding flour, 2 cups at a time. Midway through, add yeast mixture. Then continue adding flour. Dough will be sticky to the touch.

Cover and let rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down. Make into rolls using flour hands. Set aside and let rise again until doubled in bulk. Bake at 400 for about 10 minutes.
Yield: 4-5 dozen
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult
Oven Temperature: 400°F
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Inactive Time: 3 hours


Books Read
1.

February 2025


Raspberry Muffins (can use blueberries, blackberries, or cherries)
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Procedure:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat with cooking spray or Crisco.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups of the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined; the batter will be lumpy. Toss the berries with the remaining flour in a bowl. Gently fold the berry mixture into the batter.

Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining sugar. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Serve warm.
Yield: 12 muffins
Degree of Difficulty: Very easy
Oven Temperature: 400°F
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Books Read
1.

March 2025
Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Icing (A Martha Stewart Recipe)
Ingredients:
Cookies:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
2 cups packed brown sugar 1 15-oz can pumpkin (1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins, optional, but delicious

MAPLE ICING
4 TBS. (1/2 stick) butter (salted or unsalted)
2 cups confectioner's sugar
2 TBS. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. maple extract

Procedure:
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl, set aside.

In a mixing bowl, better butter and sugar on medium speed until fully blended and slightly fluffy. Mix in eggs and beat. Add pumpkin, raisins, and vanilla and continue to mix until well blended.

Add flour mixture, and mix until combined

Chill batter in refrigerator at least 15 minutes (this will help the cookies from spreading too much while baking.)

Scoop batter onto parchment lined or lightly greased cookie sheet using a cookie scoop or large spoon. (About 1-2 to 1 tablespoon)

Bake cookies in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

Cool a few moments on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack. Frost the cookies with Maple Icing while still slightly warm.

MAPLE ICING
While the cookies are baking, melt butter in a small sauce pan or in the microwave. Mix melted butter with powdered sugar in a large bowl, using a whisk until well combined. Add milk, and extracts. Whisk until smooth. Use a small knife or the back of a spoon to spread icing on top of cookies. If you frost the cookies while they are still just slightly warm, the icing will dry with a nice smooth finish

Degree of Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Oven Temperature: 375°F
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes



Books Read:
1.

April 2025
Crockpot Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
5-6 pound turkey breast (boneless or with bone)
14-16 ounces of cranberry sauce (canned or homemade
1/2 cup orange juice
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix (store bought or homemade)
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
Place turkey breast in crockpot.
Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over turkey breast.
Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 3-4 hours, until turkey is tender (but still juicy) and at 165 degrees F.

Serve with the cranberry sauce!

May 2025
Honey Mustard Chicken

Ingredients:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
1-2 TBSP. olive oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red peppers 1/4 cup plain yogurt (Greek if possible, can substitute vanilla)
1 TBSP. honey
1 tsp. crushed brown mustard seed

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 TB. oil in a Dutch oven or oven-safe pan. Season the chicken with the pepper and the crushed red peppers. Place half of the chicken in the pan and cook both sides until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the second batch of chicken and and more olive oil, if needed. Brown both sides.

Add the remaining ingredients to make a dressing.

Add a sprig of rosemary. (Optional)

Return all of the chicken to the pan, drizzle the dressing over the chicken, put the pan in the oven and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

June 2025

Baked Steak with gravy and mashed potatoes (My hubby's fav)

1-2 lbs. of round or cubed steak
If round steak, pound it to tenderize. Coat meat in flour and brown. Place in crockpot and add 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or make your own). Cook on high 5-6 hours or low 7-8 hours. Remove meat from crockpot. If more gravy is needed, add 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch dissolved 1 cup of milk or water to crockpot, stir, add lid and cook for 10-15 minutes until thick. Put meat back into crockpot while mashing potatoes. I actually double this recipe because we think it is better on the 2nd day!

Mushrooms are optional, but really deepens the flavor.



Read
1.

July 2025
Ham and Bean Soup

1 lb. beans (great northern, lima, navy, or pinto; I prefer great northern)
Soak beans for 12-24 hours in cold water, covered.
Pour off water and rinse thoroughly discarding any beans that appear discolored or bad.

Put beans in pot with 8 cups of water. I also add 1/2 lb (or more) of cubed ham chunks. I always make this right after Christmas when we have a ham bone remaining and use that in place of the ham chunks.

Optional: carrot coins (fresh) or grated carrots, I always add 1-2 packets of sodium free chicken bouillon powder--makes it so much more tasty@

Bring pot to boil, turn down and simmer until the beans are the consistency that you like them. (usually around 90 minutes for me). Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with hot cornbread slathered with butter!

August 2025
Scalloped Spaghetti, Cabbage, and Cheese
An Old Amish Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. spaghetti, cooked
1 cup cabbage, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 TBSP. butter
2 TBSP. flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
6 TBSP. bread crumbs

Optional: You can add ham chunks.

Procedure:
Combine cooked spaghetti and cabbage. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour, then add the milk, and cook, stirring until thickened and smooth. Add the cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Combine with spaghetti and cabbage. Place the mix in a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Servings: 6

September 2025
Spanish Rice
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
4 cups prepared white rice (2 cups dry = 4 cups prepared)
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Procedure:
1 In a large stock pot, brown ground beef, onion and green pepper. Pour out any extra oil. Add rice and tomato sauce. Stir until combined and heated through. Salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat and add cheese if using. Leave sit 2-3 minutes Stir to combine.

Serve with cornbread!

Servings: 6
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

October 2025
Apple Maple Turkey Burgers with Maple-Dijon Sauce
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey (I use 93/7)
1/2-1 cup bread crumbs (the more water/fat in turkey, the more you will need)
1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chunky applesauce
2 TBSP maple syrup
1 tsp poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste (I don't salt as the bacon is salty enough for me)
Mix all and make 4-6 patties, fry in skillet with little oil until cooked through (they do fall apart easy if grilled)

For the sauce:
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
2 TBSP Maple Syrup
1/4 cup Mayo

The sauce MAKES these burgers!

November 2025
Mongolian Beef (a copycat of PF Changs)
Ingredients:
1 lb. flank or sirloin steak, thinly sliced across the grain
1/4 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
vegetable oil, for frying
2 green onions, thinly sliced

For the sauce:
1/2 cup soy sauce (or amino acids)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. grated, fresh ginger (or equivalent dry)
2 tsp. vegetable oil
Procedure:
In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, 2 tsp. vegetable oil and 1/2 cup water. Heat soy sauce mix in a medium saucepan until slightly thickened, about 5-10 minutes, set aside.

In a large bowl, combine steak and cornstarch.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess oil.

Add soy sauce mix to beef over medium heat and cook until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in green onions.

Sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Optional: top with grilled asparagus spears or broccoli florets.
Servings: 4

December 2025

In 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, which led to extensive surgery and radiation therapy. When I recovered from that grueling experience, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I didn't have any of the common cancer risk factors, except for being overweight, so I embarked on a diet and exercise program. In no time, I lost 100 pounds. There were no secrets—just cutting my food intake by 50%. (I still need to lose 30 more pounds.)

I also became more mindful of what I put into my body. Since then, I've probably had fast food only twice, and we rarely eat out because I can't control what goes into my food when dining out. My love for canning has also played a big role in teaching me about food—both its preservation and preparation.

This is "Big Bertha," my 23-quart pressure canner. I currently have about 800 jars (pints and quarts) of organically grown food stocked up, which I can choose from whenever I need it. My pantry includes potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, chili, green pea and ham soup, chicken, roast beef, beef stew, jams, cranberry juice, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, Italian sausage, broths (chicken, beef, and vegetable), pumpkin, applesauce, apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, blueberry pie filling, peaches, many types of beans, and pears. I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few items, but you get the idea.

People often ask, "Does it taste the same?" I’ll be honest—nothing beats fresh food, but the preserved versions are a close second. Have I ever canned something I wouldn’t do again? Yes—rope sausage, beets, pickles, and apple butter. And I'm reconsidering canning corn. It takes an excruciating 8 hours for two people to shuck and remove the kernels from the cobs! Plus, fruit can be too sticky and messy for my liking.

People also ask why I don’t freeze more food. I do freeze, mostly meats. But what happens if the power goes out for more than a day or two? I feel safer with canned goods, knowing they don’t depend on electricity to stay preserved.

Bon Appetit my friends!

The Whole Kit and Kaboodle

Paul's 75 Group Reads
January : Prelude - Europe in the 19th Century (European Literature of the 19th Century) The Kill by Emile Zola

February : The Journey Begins - A Wider Scandinavia (Books by authors from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland) Something by Hans C. Andersen or Smilla's Sense of Snow

March : Into the Red Zone - Books from authors from Countries which were part of the Warsaw Pact) Hadji Murad Tolstoy

April : Scimitar and Cross - Books from authors from European Countries within the Ottoman Empire Chronicle in Stone Ismail Kadare

May : Interlude - Non National Languages - Books originally written in European languages that are not tied to a particular nation i.e. Yiddish, Regional languages such as Catalan, French, Spanish and Portuguese outside their borders including Latin America, Africa etc) The Stories of Tevye the Dairyman by Sholom Aleichem

June : Caesar to Meloni - Books written originally in Latin or Italian. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri

July : The Germanic World - Books written by authors writing in German from Germany, Austria, Switzerland The Second Rider (Europa International Mysteries and Crime) by Alex Beer

August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month - Books by authors from the Benelux countries (Netherlands, Belgium. Luxembourg) The Discomfort of Evening by Lucas Rijneveld

September : Interlude #2 - Books About Places in Europe (Travel, Non-fiction) Bill Bryson.........

October : La Belle France - Books by Authors from France Emile Zola

November : The Iberian Peninsula - Books by Spanish authors The Time In Between

December : Welcome Back to the Future - Translated Literature in the 21st Century A General Theory of Oblivion Trans from Portuguese

75 Non-Fiction Reads
January-Lesser known prize winners V13 Niche Market Newspaper of the Year Award (2024)
February-Cartography Maphead by Ken Jennings
March Espionage and Counterespionage The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
April Revolutions Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry
May Modern China (since 1911) The Last Manchu Paul Kramer
June Natural Disasters A Furious Sky by Eric Dolan
July Fish and Fishing What a Fish Knows by : Jonathan Balcombe
August Movies, Movies, Movies - books about the making of movies, the movies themselves, women in the movies, and even biographies of movie stars, so yes, Mommie Dearest would work here as would Barbara Streisand's tome. Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder by William Shatner
September Transportation Ghost Road by Anthony Townsend
October bibliophilia limit it to those who love to read or collect books. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
November Holidays and Cultural Events The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate
December-As You Like It TBD

AOTM Reads

RTT Quarterly Reads
Jan-March Renaissance A Chaste Maid in Cheapside
April-June 17th Century The Suitors of Yvonne Crow Hollow
July-September 18th Century Maria or the Wrongs of Woman
October-December Napoleonic Era A Place of Greater Safety

Zola Reads
January 2025 The Kill
March 2025 Money
May 2025 The Dream
July 2025 The Conquest of Plassans
September 2025 The Ladies of Paradise/The Ladies Delight
November 2025 Pot Luck

>3 Tess_W: These dinner rolls look absolutely mouthwatering!! Thank you for sharing these recipes.

Your recipes are great, as are the pictures. Thanks for sharing those goodies.

What a yummy Challenge!

Have a delicious year of reading!

Love all the recipes! Enjoy a great reading (and eating) year in 2025.

No need for rhyme or reason with those tasty offerings! Happy reading in 2025, Tess!

Congrats for being up and ready for 2025!

Those recipes look good, thanks for your generosity in sharing!
Wishing you a year of great reading!

I found a couple of recipes for this noncook to try. >7 Tess_W: and >8 Tess_W:.

>24 lowelibrary: Amongst the easiest and more people ask me to make the steak and gravy than anything else!

>16 GraceCollection:
>17 LadyoftheLodge:
>18 majkia:
>19 pamelad:
>20 JayneCM:
>21 VivienneR:
>22 DeltaQueen50:
>23 mstrust:
>24 lowelibrary:

TY TY TY!

Congrats on a very yummy setup, Tess! The Ham and Bean Soup is something I will try soon!
On the reading front, Paul's 75 Group Reads are very enticing, I think I'll pop over...

I always like to read your posts. Great recipes. I used to can pickles when I had my large family. I freeze my rhubarb since it is easier.
Good luck on your 2025 challenges.

>27 MissWatson: Hope you enjoy! Having them tonight for dinner---first snow of the season!
>28 mnleona: TY!

I look forward to following your reading again in 2025 not to mention the cooking, gardening, canning and all other things you tell us about from your busy life!

>29 Tess_W: We had our first snow on Thursday, and I put chicken soup on the menu. It's simmering now...

Good to see you back for another year, Tess!

Just a quick stop to say hi and looking forward to your reading next year.

>30 clue:
>32 Jackie_K:
>33 dudes22:

TY TY TY!

>31 MissWatson: Yum!

This is a delicious thread, Tess! I love the recipes :-) Good luck with all your challenges.

Some wonderful recipes that you have listed here, might give a couple of them a go.

>35 susanj67: TY!
>36 Zozette: TY!

Good luck with your reading Tess! I really want to try to make the dinner rolls and the Spanish rice. I used to make rolls with my mother when I was younger, then I started buying them when one day my rolls didn't rise and my father and brother made fun of me lol.

>38 lsh63: LOL, not rising has happened occasionally to the best of us. Most of the time, so I surmise, is the yeast is old!

Dec. 25 is my official beginning of a new reading year! This has been a tradition for years to sort of jump start and "allow" me to begin reading books that I received for Christmas. As always, I try to read from my shelves. I have 399 books including tree books, audio books, and ebooks to select from this year.

What am I reading now:
The Tiger Queens by Stephanie Thornton (Medieval RTT) Done
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller (SS)
The Goddess Abides by Pearl S. Buck
Nicholas Nickelby
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

What I will begin in the next week:
The Kill by Emile Zola
V13: Chronicle of a Trial

I'm still due 9 books for my Thingaversary in December. I will purchase throughout the year.

>40 Tess_W: Happy reading for 2025!

The recipes look yum! Look forward to trying some of them! :)

Good reading in 2025.

My first read of the "new" year!

1. Not sure what I was presupposing when I began reading The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton. It’s billed as the lives of the women of Genghis Kahn. I was hoping to get totally immersed in the life of Genghis via his wives. I certainly did become involved in the lives of his wives, but feel cheated out of the more historical nature of Genghis himself. I felt that in this book Thornton focuses on the relationships of the women to the detriment of the historical (fiction), and since the women’s relationships are all fancy, I feel that ultimately, the book was lacking. It also felt overly long. 492 pages 3 stars #1,6 BingoDOg

Happy reading in 2025! I am looking forward to following along here!

2. Harold Harefoot by Mark Craster-Chambers A very short biography about a little known king. Harold I was a son of King Cnute and stepson of Queen Emma, Cnute's second wife. Emma did much to destroy Harold's reputation, but as to the truth, little is known except he reigned from 1037-1040. His body was disinterred and beheaded, chopped up, and thrown in the sewers in London, so the story goes. A local farmer found the body and buried it in St. Clements Dane Church in London, again, as the story goes. I bought this book for a nickel at a garage sale. There were multiple grammatical errors. 70 pages 3.5 stars (info only)

3. The Heroic Legacy of the 6888th Battalion: How Major Charity Adams and the Six Triple Eight Overcame Racism, Misogyny, and War by Tiffany C Kingsbury

An inspiring account of their remarkable service during World War II. Tasked with an enormous responsibility, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Batallion were entrusted with sorting and delivering over 70 million packages and letters, stored across 70 warehouses in London, to the correct soldiers. Despite no prior planning from the Allies, particularly the U.S., they succeeded in this directive. Their work involved opening and reading letters to identify recipients, writing correspondence, and cross-referencing outdated military rosters. With only six months allocated, they completed the job in three months and were then sent to France to continue their mission. Despite their exceptional service, they were segregated from the regular Army and Air Force, forbidden to eat, sleep, or socialize with their fellow soldiers simply because they were Black. What a testament to bravery and patriotism. 124 pages 5 stars

4. The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre I listened to this on audio and I'm glad I did because I don't think I could have kept reading such a slog-fest! This is Le Carre's indictment of corporate greed set in Kenya. Justin Quayle, was a British diplomat who uncovered a multinational pharmaceutical company's illegal drug trials on unsuspecting Africans. Quayle's wife knew too much and so was "eliminated." The pacing was soooo slow! I'm not a spy thriller/espionage reader to begin with, and this book further confirmed my dislike for that genre. 17 hours 6 minutes (576 pages) 2.5 stars



Gonna slow down a bit on reading! Since Dec. 23 I've read for 2-3 hours, did a household chore, read 2-3 hours more, cooked dinner, read until I fell asleep. We had our Christmas early and my house is clean! Today I canned 6 quarts of ham and bean soup with leftover ham.

5. The Nazi Hunters by Damien Lewis Historical account of the SAS, a secret group of commandos formed by Winston Churchill (Secret Air Service). Their primary effort during the war was to get supplies behind enemy lines, usually by parachuting. This often involved the Maquis, a secret French resistance group composed mostly of young men who had escaped STO (Nazi compulsory labor service). Following WWII they were to be disbanded. However, they were not actually disbanded and became covert Nazi hunters, looking for those who had escaped the trials at Nuremberg. The first half of the book involved me doing a lot of name and place researching as I couldn't understand the French pronunciations in the audiobook. The second half of the book seemed to drag with endless repetition of efforts to bring Holocaust perpetrators to justice. 12 hours 51 minutes (441 pages) 3 stars

6. Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood. This book is classified as non-fiction. This was a true story of two young Jewish music prodigies who were on the run from the Nazi's. They were successful because they changed their identities and were overly clever for their age. This incident took place in the Ukraine. The oddity of this book is that it is written in free verse. I'm not a poet or a poet critic, but I just ask "why?" Most of the writing seems to be prose to this non-poem reader. Choppy prose.......Others must like it better than I as it has won a plethora of awards. 352 pages 3 stars

7. Columbus Landed on Caicos by Commodore P. Verhoog, Holland-American Line (Retired) This was printed in a magazine published by the Naval Institute of History in 1954. I came upon this publication while researching an advertisement for my upcoming cruise which states, "Turks and Caicos--where Columbus first landed." Of course, me being the history prof that I am, I blinked because I had never heard this before. It is generally accepted in academia textbooks that Columbus first made landfall on San Salvador Island. The difference is 250 miles (381 km) While the Commodore's research is compelling, I'm not sure he has me convinced.

Whoa, you're ready for 2025! Happy new year!

Happy New Year and good luck with your reading.

Getting to your thread reminded me of why I hadn't seen some of the categories I was looking forward to reading in some of the Category Challenges--it's because they were in the 75 group instead. I've made a note of them so hopefully I'll be able to dip into whichever challenges I want in the months I want! I loved the 75 non-fiction challenge this year, but I do need to locate a good prize winning nonfiction book for January.

I'm looking forward to following along again this year. Have a delicious reading year!
You can find me here
https://www.librarything.com/topic/367017#8712413

8. Brunelleschi's dome by Ross King A NF informative account of the dome on top of the Florence Cathedral. This book is firstly a biography of Brunelleschi and secondly a history of architecture. Occasionally this book got bogged down in engineering technicalities which were over my head. I would have liked to have seen more history of the local time period. However, all in all, it was a good book. 208 pages 3.5 stars

People who continually operate with an “Us vs. Them” mentality have a really hard time caring about the “Thems.”

Hoping for the demise of the “Thems” makes the “Us’s” cause less virtuous.
You can work toward what is good and righteous without demonizing others. You really can!
#lovepeople

Happy New Year, Tess!

Found you here, Tess. Your opening posts have made me hungry already and I am trying to lose weight!

>56 Tess_W: Yes that is probably my world view too. I am a togetherness type of guy, I suppose. I am Senior Contract Manager on PNB118 and technically 3rd boss in the project team. 2nd boss and the chap I sit next to in our shared office is Commercial Manager an incredible guy called Mr. Lim (a Korean). Possibly the hardest working chap I have worked with in my 37 year career so far. He can be confrontational whereas I am a bit more approachable - he is the iron fist and I am his velvet glove. We still have 40 staff in our team despite the project being close to close-out and he still smiles when I go personally to every staff in the morning to personally wish them happy new year or to give each of them a quick pep talk. He calls it my ritual and I always tell him that there is no "us and them" only us.

>56 Tess_W: I am reminded of the song "Different Strokes for Different Folks." "We got to live together." And another; "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

Hello Tess! Glad to catch up on your reading since Christmas, and wow, thank you for the terrific recipes. Will enjoy continuing to read your reviews and I can almost taste January's dinner rolls right now.

9. The Kill by Emile Zola This is the second novel (but read 3rd) in his Les Rougon-Macquart series, set during the Second French Empire in Paris. It focuses on the rise of Aristide Saccard (Rougon), a ruthless and ambitious man who profits from the economic boom following the Franco-Prussian War, particularly through real estate speculation. Saccard's wife, Renée, symbolizes the moral decay of the wealthy, engaging in an affair with her stepson, Maxime. I have not liked this book as well as the first two. I just want to tell Zola: I get the greed and decadence. Can we move on? 320 pages 3.5 stars Emile Zola Reading Group. Please join us: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/24460/Emile-Zola-Group-Read

10. The Case for Heaven by Lee Strobel is a book that investigates the concept of heaven from a Christian perspective, using journalistic methods to explore its validity. Strobel, a former atheist, applies his background in law and journalism to examine scientific, theological, and historical evidence regarding the afterlife. In one chapter Strobel gets quite scientific interviewing a neuroscientist about her experiences with patients who have had near death experiences or out of body experiences. Much of the book is speculation and is more suited to believers than others. 93 pages RTT Look Toward the Heavens! 4 stars

11. Christ in the Old Testament - Free Grace Broadcaster - Issue 259 Various authors This was a book of sermons by those considered great: RC Sproul, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, etc. The focus of this collection of sermons was how Christ was revealed in the OT. Some really good stuff here! 155 pages 4 stars

12. The Duchess of Amalfi by John Webster A tragic play about a young widowed duchess who marries her steward, Antonio. Because of societal conventions and the fact that her brother is politically important and best friends with the cardinal, this marriage must be kept secret. The Duchess bears three children. Her brother and the cardinal descend into madness and ultimately the Duchess, Antonio, and their three children are killed. 88 pages 4 stars RTT Renaissance

13. A Chaste Maid in Cheapside by Thomas Middleton A satirical play set in 17th century London that focuses on hypocrisy. Showcases society's concern with money and appearances. 70 pages 3 stars RTT Renaissance.\

>62 Tess_W: I am reading 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. It is also has Christian feelings as he is a pastor.

>65 mnleona: I know people who have read that book and some said they liked it and others said they did not!

14. A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm by Phillip Keller In this book the author tells the story of the 23rd Psalm from the Shepherd's point of view. He likens us to sheep (as does Scripture) and makes it very clear that the purpose of the shepherd is to make sure his sheep are free from predators, are fed, and have a place to lie down and rest. Great analogies. I started this in mid 2024 and just finished. There were three components to my study of this book: The book, the workbook, and the auditory edition. They were all complementary. 72 pages 4 stars January Nature Cat/Sheep/Shepherding

I love your thread title and your approach to reading!

You’ve made good use of your time over the holidays, Tess. Lots of interesting stuff here, as usual!

>68 purpleiris: Ty
>69 MissWatson: Snowed in, nothing else to do!

15 I Know Where you Live by Gregg Olsen This was a psychological thriller with not so much thriller! The story of a pedophile vigilante. Meh Free Kindle Read of the Month Sept 2023. 301 pages 3- stars

>70 Tess_W: Oh! I saw something mentioned on the news, had no idea it touched you, too. But I am sure you laid in sufficient provisions, especially regarding reading material.

>70 Tess_W: We are supposed to get some snow today so I went to the store to get some groceries.

I guess I'll see tomorrow if this storm lives up to its hype or not. They are going to let us leave at 11:30. If the weather gets too bad, they may let us leave earlier--or we may decide to do so on our own.

>74 thornton37814: We got about 6 inches on Sunday and supposed to get 2-4 inches beginning on Friday. Stay safe!

>73 mnleona: Stay safe, Leona!

I only got about an inch of snow in central Minnesota. Watching FOX Weather now and Memphis is on the news.
Remember, Minnesota and Wisconsin have the equipment for snow removal. I have a granddaughter who worked from home yesterday; she lives in Ft. Worth.
One thing I have failed to do this winter is to have a bag with my medicine and overnight things if I need to leave. I have kids with 4 wheel drives; I live rural.

Stay safe.

>74 thornton37814: The part of it we got was definitely real. We got 10" inches and our average for a year is 3! Its been colder than usual too, tonight with the storm over it's going to get down to 16.

>77 clue: Stay safe. It is the black ice that is so dangerous.

Cold day/night with low @ 6 F (-14 C). Nothing to do but read! (and eat!)

>79 Tess_W: Same here, more of the white stuff yesterday, just when all the roads were clear and dry! Today it is starting to melt a bit though, and I got the walkways and vehicles cleared again. Stayed inside for an "at home" day yesterday, just reading and drinking coffee.

>79 Tess_W: I told my daughter what you said she laughed. I had more snow overnight also.

Wasted the last week on TWO DNF's! I'm not going to count either one, this just for notes sake.

Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan What a slog fest this was! I could have cared less about any of the characters. BTW, there are so many that even the author offers the first two pages with a character list. The premise is that many people from many walks of life live on Caledonian Road and although living separately, they are really a "community." I listened to 4/23 hours.

The King's Gambit by John Maddox Roberts This is book #1 in the SPQR Detective/Mystery Series. I attempted to listen to this on audio, but I was lost from the beginning. Many of the names are very similar and I could not auditorily discriminate. Also, not real familiar with Roman social/government operations such as Praetor, Questor, etc. etc. I may try this again in the future if I run across a hard copy. Listened to 2/6 hours.

16. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. Dickens is just the best, even though a bit verbose. I thought I had read Nickleby before, but didn't remember it nor have any record of it. I started this book in Sept. 2024, and have read piecemeal since then. The book seems to follow along the very familiar Dickens: orphan, boarding school, poor house, greed, corruption, etc. I enjoyed this much more than others, such as Oliver Twist or the Pickwick Papers. 1126 pages 5 stars

17. Rodin’s Lover by Heather Webb is a mesmerizing and beautifully written novel that brings Camille Claudel’s story to life with emotional depth. Set in 19th-century Paris, the book features notable figures like Claude Debussy, Monet, Emile Zola, and Victor Hugo, even though in small roles. Love, ambition, artistic genius, and insanity entrance the reader. The emotional connection to the characters was profound. I felt a sense of loss when the book came to an end. I’ll definitely be seeking out more from Heather Webb in the future! 320 pages 5 stars

>84 Tess_W: This is interesting...I started looking for this and found that it's out of print. It must still get lots of interest because some people, lost in their dreams, have used copies for sale in the hundreds of dollars. I did find one for a reasonable price online at an actual brick and mortar store I've bought from before. Internet shopper beware!

(wonder why the publisher hasn't rereleased it?)

>85 clue: I purchased this in 2023. At that time, I did not think it was over-priced.

18. The Signalman by Charles Dickens
Set in a lonely railway signal box, the tale follows a narrator who encounters a troubled signalman, haunted by eerie premonitions of disaster. Short on plot. 56 pages 3 stars

19. An Introduction to the Universe: The Big Ideas of Astronomy by Guy Consolmagno. The author, the chief astronomer at the Vatican Observatory, gives an overview of the history, key discoveries, and fundamental principles of the astronomical universe. This was much less academic than I had hoped. I feel these might be good lectures for college freshmen. Nothing new here! 25 lectures 5 hours 25 minutes.

20. A Fair Barbarian by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows American girl Barbara, aged 19, from the Nevada silver mines to England to visit her cousin Violet. Barbara is seen as the barbarian by the refined British society. It's a play on manners with a few comedic scenes. Fairly even and non-descript. 153 pages 3 stars meh

21. Marguerite and Gaston: The Secret Love of Marguerite d'Angoulême and Gaston de Foix by Rozsa Gaston What a great little book about a little known relationship/event. Marguerite will go on to become Queen of Navarre upon her marriage to Henry II of Navarre. The story though, is of Marguerite's love for Gaston de Foix, a young army general who is killed in battle. 108 pages 4 stars

22. William Wilson by Edgar Allen Poe The titular character has a doppleganger. 24 pages 3- stars meh

I am finished with January's reads. Recap:

22 books read

Cheers (4 stars and above):
1. The Heroic Legacy of the 6888th Battalion: How Major Charity Adams and the Six Triple Eight Overcame Racism, Misogyny, and War by Tiffany C Kingsbury
2. A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm by Philip Keller
3. Nicholas Nickelby by Charles Dickens
4. Rodin's Lover by Margaret Webb
5. Marguerite and Gaston: The Secret Love of Marguerite d'Angoulême and Gaston de Foix by Rozsa Gaston
6. Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt

Jeers (less than 3 stars)
1. The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre
2. The King's Gambit by John Maddox Robert DNF (will try again later)
3. Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan will NOT try again

Plans for February
Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg Paul's Grand Tour of Europe-Scandinavia
Maphead by Ken Jennings 75's NF--maps
The Blue Sky by Galsan Tschinag RTT Feb Colors
SUICIDE FOREST: The Mystery of Aokigahara Nature Kit: Forests, Farms, Grasslands Feb.
A book by James McBridge AOTM
Betrayal at the Vel d'hiv by Claude Levy-random number generator from TBR

23. The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt This book was so overwhelming in content that it will be difficult to review more than superficially at this time. I listened to it on audio and jotted down a few notes when I could. I'm going to buy a hard copy and re-read. The Swerve is about the rediscovery of an ancient manuscript, De Rerum Nature, by the Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius. At a loss for words at this time, I will just list what I believe are some strengths and weaknesses of what I have heard.

Strengths:
1. It's scope is broad (could also be a weakness)
2. The author provides a rich historical context and content
3. The author writes about how Lucretius' ideas influenced others such as Darwin and Galileo.

Weaknesses
1. The author is very opinionated as to the thesis that this one particular manuscript was a greater influence that others. (although I will accept, because I have not researched, that it may be the oldest original manuscript still surviving--not a copy)
2. The author's focus on the "swerve" (the idea that atoms can change direction unpredictably, which Lucretius used to explain free will) seems a bit forced or illogical to this reader--it's probably me!
3. Romanticized the past--especially the Renaissance; making it linear.
4. The author really doesn't delve deeply into the content of De Rerum Nature, only the parts the fit the Epicurean argument.

9 hours 41 minutes, tentativley 4 stars--this may change upon my re-reading and digesting more of the content.

This was a recommendation by Tanya

24. Pickpocket's Apprentice by Sheri Cobb South. This was a novella or the prequel to a mystery series featuring John Pickett. Tells of John's background and how he became a Bow Street Runner. It was good enough that I will seek out the next in the series. I got this free on Kindle at sometime. 126 pages 4 stars Regency Rec by Pam

>94 Tess_W: I didn't know about this prequel, I must have missed it on Pamela's thread! I just bought it for 0,99€ on kindle.

25. Maphead by Ken Jennings Listened to 5 chapters DNF

As a fan of trivia and maps, I had high hopes for Ken Jennings' Maphead, but unfortunately, it fell short. Jennings, it would seem would have a lot of interesting ideas for a book about maps and geography. However, the execution just didn't live up to expectations.

First off, the book often feels more like a collection of random facts rather than a cohesive exploration of geography and maps. While some parts are interesting, many sections drag on with seemingly irrelevant tangents that add little to the overall theme.

The writing style seems like that of a juvenile set of encyclopedias. I can also do without the "hells".......one would think he had a wider vocabulary!

The narration was totally boring, probably due to the written material.

26. The Asylum by Nathan Goodwin This is the first in the Forensic Genealogist series (maybe a prequel). The genealogist, Martin, Farrier, investigates a mysterious asylum from the 1920s, where a woman was confined under strange circumstances. A great start to a new series. Not sure about the timeline, but they were using manual micro-fiche at the library, so 1950-1970's? 96 pages 4.5 stars First rec by Thornton and then by Robert.



Also read The Lady From Shallot a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson which I've read many times before. Always good!

>97 Tess_W: I bought a collection of Tennyson's poems recently and plan to read them this year. I haven't read anything by him so far.

>98 MissBrangwen: I've only read a couple. When we used to teach about the Crimean War (not in our standards anymore) I used the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade. I do miss the "old" days when education was freer to explore off the text page; the days before end of the course testing by the State.

>95 MissBrangwen: Same here, just snagged it on Kindle. Thanks for the BB.

27. The Rider on the White Horse by Theodor Storm This was a novella that blends folklore and mystery. The setting is a Frisian (had to look it up!) village and centers upon the return of a ghostly rider on a white horse that brings suspicion, change, and tragedy. I think perhaps some of the symbolism went over my head as this is supposed to be a great work and I found it to be meh. 288 pages 3 stars RTT: Color

Just 99 cents on Kindle!

>101 Tess_W: We had to read this in school and at the time it just didn’t make much sense to me. I’ve always wondered what I would think of it now.

28. Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark by Hester Chapman A biography about the English princess (King George III's sister) who married Christian, heir to the throne of Denmark, at the age of 15. Matilda was raised in seclusion and was the youngest of nine children. She was a child when it became political expedient for Britain to have an alliance with Denmark and Matilda was to effect that. By age 16, Christian of Denmark was a severe alcoholic and mentally ill. His mental condition deteriorated throughout the years and he was barely lucid. This is the story of Matilda's marriage, Danish politics, Matilda's adultery with the royal physician, Johann Friedrich Struensee, and her untimely death. Quite a good read! I will look for more from Ms. Chapman. I bought this for 20 cents at a Friends of the Library sale. 221 pages 5 stars CoverCat: Gold

29. The Island of Lost Maps by Miles Harvey This was ostensibly (per the cover) a book of a true story of cartographic crime, about a map thief in the late 20th century named Bland. If that were the focus of the story, that might have been good. However, there was not nearly enough material for a book, so the author decided to throw in the kitchen sink. A map spoke to the author and told him to take a circuitous route home through a non-existent town called El Dorado. We had a rehash of Treasure Island's booty and following the path of John C. Fremont (27 pages). Anything that might be remotely related to the word "map" was included. I'm trying not to type that this book was a joke. Boo hiss 432 pages of sheer boredom--why am I plagued by being a completist (most of the time!) 2 stars 75's NF Feb-Cartography

30. The Aspern Papers by Henry James This was a novella told by an unnamed narrator (that sometimes switches from first to third person) who is either an author or a publisher. He is trying to secure papers from the deceased poet Aspern. They are said to be in the custody of his former lover, now in her 90's and her niece, now in her 70's. The question is: how far should one go to obtain what they want? Much better than The Turn of the Screw, IMHO. I listened to this on audio-3 hours 26 mins 4 stars rec by Judy

>101 Tess_W: >102 MissWatson: I hated this at school - I read it in 8th grade and I think that was too early. I used to teach it to 11th graders and that was more successful I believe.
I do love it now, but that is largely due to the setting, and I wonder how that is conveyed in translation.

>103 Tess_W: I took a BB from Birgit for another book about Caroline Matilda, I already bought it and hope to read it soonish. Her life sounds so interesting.

>104 Tess_W: This sat on my shelves for years. After several tries, I realized it wasn't me.

>106 MissBrangwen: The setting was the best part!

>107 clue: Glad it's just not me!

31. Lantern In The Window: Western Prairie Brides by Bobby Hutchinson. This was a historical romance where the trope was the mail order bride. Nothing unexpected! I got this free on Kindle in December 2017. 107 pages 2.5 stars

>97 Tess_W: I've borrowed The Asylum from KoboPlus.

>104 Tess_W: 432 pages of sheer boredom? You're a glutton for punishment!

>111 pamelad: Well.........I kept thinking it was going to get better!

32. The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins is a gothic mystery, but unfortunately, the hotel itself only makes an appearance in the last 4-5 short chapters. I didn’t feel that Collins captured the eerie atmosphere typical of the genre in this novel. Compared to his other works, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It’s my third Collins novel, and I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as The Woman in White or The Black Robe. 142 pages 3- stars Feb ScaredyKit-Haunted Houses & Locations

Sorry that one wasn't haunted enough. I remember being all prepared for a good ghost story with The Haunted Bookshop and feeling that the title was a bait and switch (the story was alright anyway).

33. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park This novel was based on the true stories of two characters, Salva Dut and Nya, in Sudan. The story alternates between their perspectives using a dual timeline as they try to survive the second Sudanese Civil War. The search for drinkable water is both dangerous and sometimes elusive. The story was good enough, but seemed to be overshadowed by endless short, choppy sentences. This was written for "juvenile readers", so I'm sure that is the reason for the language construction. Wish I had paid attention to that before I purchased it! 3- stars 128 pages

>103 Tess_W: What a surprise and a bargain!

34. Nagasaki by Eric Faye A short novel about a non-descript man, Taniguchi, who owns his own home. One day Taniguchi finds that someone has been living in his house. The remainder of the book are the thoughts and feelings of both Taniguchi and his uninvited guest. 112 pages 4 stars

35. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata is the story of Keiko, an 18 year-old young woman who works at a Convenience Store for 18 years. She has been derided by friends and family as to her choice, or lack thereof, of careers. She finally quits and begins a search for a new job. On the way to her temporary job interview.........116 pages 4 stars

36. Betrayal at Vel d'Hiv by Claude Levy The reason that I elected to buy this book at a Friends of the Library sale ($1) was the cover which said: "Thousands of Jews in Paris were rounded up and taken to the Velodrome for staging for German pickup. However, these Jews were rounded up by the French."..... Today there are those that deny the French were involved. The author has over 120 pages of documents and statements from those rounded up and French gendarme to prove his thesis. One of the saddest chapters was of the 4,051 children rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. Not one returned. 285 pages 5 stars

37. The Weaver Takes a Wife by Sheri Cobb South is a good natured Regency romance which centers around Ethan Brundy, a skilled and hardworking weaver, and Helen Randy, a young woman from a noble family. They are "forced" into a marriage to pay the debts of her father. They have an "agreement", no "marital duties" for six months. The story mainly takes place during these six months. The is book # 1 in a series. I didn't mean to buy it, but it was a good read. 269 pages 3.5 stars

38. Stark Decency by Allen V. Koop was a NF read about German POW's in Stark (Berlin) New Hampshire during WWII. I only recently became aware that the US housed such POW's and this is the second book I've read about this situation. Seems there were about 500,000 POW's housed in over 70 camps throughout the U.S. Most of the prisoners to New Hampshire came from Africa and Normandy. It is good to note that at least in NH, the Geneva Convention was strictly observed. There were problems in the camp, but the biggest one was the Germans vs. the Nazi's. To most Americans, Germans and Nazi's were the same thing. To the Germans, at least in these camps, they were not. The book was written when in 1985 five of the former POW's came back for a sort of nostalgic tour of the former camp with their families. 150 pages 4 stars This was a BB from Lori (Thornton) although I think I liked it better than she.

39. A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts by David Wilber This NF read explained Passover, Pentecost. Rosh HaShanah, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of the Tabernacles, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah and Purim. Explained the why and the how of the current day celebration as well as their place on the Gregorian calendar. 88 pages 3 stars

>121 Tess_W: When we were on a tour of Camp Atterbury in Indiana, we learned that it was also a site that housed POWs and had a large hospital.

>121 Tess_W: If you haven't read Summer of my German Soldier by Bette Greene you might like to check it out. It was very popular at the time it was published and won several awards. It was a 1978 movie but I haven't seen it.

>124 clue: Have read that about 10 years ago, but the actual events seem hazy. I may look up the movie!

40. Money by Emile Zola The focus of book contained in the Rougon-Macquart series is the Bourse, or the stock market floor, where at least 80% of the novel takes place. TBH, this was as dry as dry for me! Zola does a great job in every single book exposing the evils of excess and greed via different vehicles. This one just did not interest me! Perhaps I lost a bit of interest because I listened to this on audio instead of reading it in a hard copy, where I find I'm usually more engaged. I won't try another Zola on audio! 16 hours 54 minutes 3-stars March Zola group read.

41. The Gun by C.S. Forester The story of a legendary bronze cannon "found" by Spanish guerillas during the Peninsular War. The cannon is refurbished and is the centerpiece of the story. Meh 196 pages 3- stars

42. The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James Portrays societal expectations, choices, and consequences though the main character, Isabel Archer. Isabel is a "free spirit", so she claims though out the book. Isabel refused the affections and marriage proposals from at least 4 different men, because she does not want to be tied down. However, for reasons unknown, she accepts the proposal from an "unconventional" man. Thy lying scoundrel is not so unconventional. Isabel was just an idiot throughout the book. The men who "loved" her were also idiots. Ninety percent of the book are just conversations between the men and women involved. There wasn't one person to like or respect throughout the book. Kept thinking it was going to get better-nope! 704 pages 3- stars

>128 Tess_W: I got my Henry James period over with when I was young and had more time. Lots of pompous waffle.

>129 pamelad: Yes, this is my 2nd (Turn of the Screw) and probably last, although I do have Washington Square on my shelf. It sounds too much like this one though and I will probably donate it.

Busy 2 days. I came upon 4 whole, boneless hams that were originally $45 each, marked down to $2.84 each as the best buy date was that very date. I snatched all 4 up and this is what I made for $11.36

8 one pound packages of sliced ham for lunch meat sandwiches (Food Savered & frozen)
19 pints of ham chunks (canned for soups, omelettes, etc,)
8 quarts of navy bean & ham soup
4 quarts of green pea & ham soup
2 pounds kept out for dinner during the week that I will fix with my last 5 sweet potatoes from the 2024 garden
1 big pot of ham and bean soup for dinner tonight with cornbread and LOTS of butter
1 ham went to my son

Pretty good for less than $12.
The neighbor came over because she said she was walking by and she could smell something "real good." We have a 200 foot driveway.......so.......however, I do my canning in the garage so not to steam up the house. I gave her a quart of ham & bean soup!

Also canned 4 pounds of boneless chicken breasts.

Tomorrow I plant my tomato, cucumber, & pepper seeds inside and place on warming mat.



Feeling "springy" so made an orange dreamsicle cake

43. The Red Sea Rules by Robert J. Morgan Morgan uses the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to suggest strategies for navigating difficult life situations. Key principles include acknowledging your challenges, staying calm, and transforming fear into confidence.

February Stats:
Books read: 23 (many were 200 pages or less-by design)

Cheers (those books rated 4-5 stars)
Pickpocket's Apprentice by Sheri Cobb South
The Asylum by Nathan Goodwin
Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark by Hester Chapman
The Aspern Papers by Henry James
Nagasaki by Eric Faye
The Convenience Store Woman by Sakaya Murata
Betrayal at Vel d'Hiv by Claude Levy
The Weaver Takes a Wife by Sheri Cobb South
Stark Decency by Allen V. Koop

Jeers (books rated less than 3 stars)
Maphead by Ken Jennings DNF
The Map Thief by Michael Blanding
Lantern in the Window by Bobby Hutchinson

I'm not participating in any March challenges unless by coincidence something I'm reading falls into place.
March reading plans:
Hadji Murad by Tolstoy
The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
Light & fluffy while I cruise!

Wow! You go to the head of the class when it comes to finding bargains!

>134 DeltaQueen50: TY It's just "something" to do! I canned 30 lbs. of potatoes today

>134 DeltaQueen50: Agree! Go, You! I am impressed.

Hi Tess I applaud your finding bargains and your canning and meal prep. I’ve been sitting for the past hour wondering what the heck my husband and I bought from our grocery store trip. It’s not just eggs, just about everything is high!

>136 LadyoftheLodge:
>137 lsh63:

I find it "fun" to shop for bargains and I usually end up at the grocery 2-3 times per week just to see what has been marked down. Since January 1 I haven't spent more than $10 per week for groceries (pantry challenge), except for these hams!

Getting ready to teach one of my favorite units in 10th grade American History, WWII. I always begin with studying the various personalities and political philosophies of Marx, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and Churchill, Chiang-Kail shek, Mao, Hirohito, and Tojo, after a quick review of the Treaty of Versailles.

>133 Tess_W: Have a great trip, Tess.

>139 pamelad: T-27!

44. End of the Vine by Acton Manning Book # 1 in a Detective Dan Winters series. Dan is a grieving widower who works for the suicide squad at the local PD. He has a great sense of smell and at one time took the sommelier test. If you aren't interested in all things wine (and I'm NOT!), then this probably isn't the read for you. 228 pages 3- stars


45. The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix A graphic novel that explains the life of Bonhoeffer for those aged 10-13. As an educator, I believe this work would be too difficult for most of that age. Of course, the graphics distracted me. It made clear Bonhoeffer's dilemma: should a man dedicated to God become involved in actively opposing the government, even if that government is unjust? I think this book would appeal to a young reader who already has a good grasp of WWII and an interest. 176 pages 3- stars

46. Hadji Murad by Leo Tolstoy explores themes of loyalty and the consequences of violence in this novel which delves into the conflict between the Russian Empire and the Muslim Chechens. I might have enjoyed it more had I been better acquainted with the Caucasian War and the different perspectives involved. The story shifts between various viewpoints and time periods, which gives it a less cohesive feel compared to some of Tolstoy’s more famous works like War and Peace or Anna Karenina. The pacing is slow and drawn-out, with lengthy passages of philosophical musings or war descriptions that can feel repetitive. These extended sections seem to serve as a substitute for deeper emotional engagement with the characters. Additionally, the novella's relatively brief length—just 104 pages—likely contributed to the underdevelopment of its characters. This was Tolstoy’s final work, published posthumously. 3 stars

47. Joe Gould's Teeth by Jill Lepore I can't understand why a book would be written about Joe Gould. He was an eccentric figure from New York, also known as Professor Seagull. His life was marked by frequent stays in insane asylums and bouts of homelessness. Gould claimed to have written a monumental work, "The Oral History of the Contemporary World", but it was never found. In 1922, he had all his teeth removed at Manhattan State Hospital, as the belief at the time was that mental illness was linked to bad teeth. He also "stalked" the African-American sculptor Augusta Savage. At one point, Ezra Pound and e.e. cummings even wrote a letter to a judge declaring Gould to be competent. But when he passed away, not a single person showed up to his funeral.

I listened to this book on audio, narrated by the author herself. Honestly, I would rather endure the sound of nails on a chalkboard or an animal screeching endlessly than listen to her read another book. 3 hours 12 minutes 2.5 stars

>143 Tess_W: oh dear, that sounds like a bit of an ordeal! Although interestingly, recent research seems to support a link between poor dentition and later mental ill health, particularly dementia.

>144 Jackie_K: Wow! That's interesting.

Fell off the wagon........although in December I did not buy my Thingaversary books.....bought 6 in January, so these 5 complete my 2024 Thingaversary. Audible had a sale......I got 5 Audible books for $20.96

The Wives: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo
Death in Avignon by Serene Kent
Until It's Over byNicci French
Louisiana Longshot by Jane DeLeon
Slow Horses by Mick Herron

If you are in to Holmes type mysteries, here's the French equivalent (?) at a great bargain:
The Arsene Lupin MEGAPACK®: 11 Classic Crime Books! for FORTY CENTS (Kindle versions)

>147 Tess_W: Thanks, I just bought it! It was €0,45 in Germany, so that is fantastic! So far I only own the first of the books in paperback, but I haven't read it yet.

>131 Tess_W: What an excellent achievement! And a terrific bargain!

Congratulations on the completion of acquiring your Thingaversary books. I'm trying not to buy any more books because I have more than enough to last the rest of my life, not counting the library books I will borrow, so it looks like my next Thingaversary will be a challenge.

>149 VivienneR: I think that I probably won't do the Thingaversary thing anymore, either. I have enough books probably to last the rest of my life, also. I don't want my children to have to clean out like I had to do at my moms--took about 9 months of weekends and 90 min there and 90 min back. Most of the house (knick knacks, clothing, books, and sheet music) items were donated--not even the grands or greats wanted them--although they were very nice! I think if I could give advice to people, it would be--start downsizing at age 50 and be done by age 65!

>150 Tess_W: I understand. I have no grandchildren and just one son. I know what he might want or be able to use and everything else is being severely reduced. You are younger than I am, so have more time to prepare and I'm sure your grandchildren will want keepsakes. Until recently, the library took donated books for the booksale but were being overwhelmed. I will be joining you for the NoBooks Thingaversary this year. :)

>151 VivienneR: I don't think I'm much younger (or if so, not by much) than yourself!

48. Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson is a psychological novel that centers around a chance encounter of two men at an airport while a plane is delayed. The chapters alternate between the present and the past. It took me 2-3 chapters to get the time/place/characters situated in my mind, however, following that it was a good story. It was a story within a story which is ultimately about moral ambiguity. 208 pages 3.5 stars rec by ridgeway girl

I have never canned potatoes! I've got a bag. Perhaps I should give it a try. I'm sure I can look up the directions online. I tend to purchase the diced potatoes for soups, so perhaps I can can them diced!

Glad you enjoyed Stark Decency. I think you did enjoy it a little better than I did, but it was still interesting.

I may give a try to the regency romance about the weaver if one of my libraries has it. I don't read that genre a lot, but I do occasionally. I just need a little variety to my reading at times!

>153 thornton37814: The best potatoes to can are reds or yellows--the russets tend to dissolve when being canned. I also have found that quartering most potatoes is the best to keep them together. You can always dice them once you open them. We like the canned potatoes the best for frying or roasting (add at the last minute). I guess soup would be good also--just remember they have cooked for quite awhile already and in reality only need warmed up.

I "rebel" can yellow potatoes, meaning I don't peel them. I brush them real well with a scrub brush when washing them. When I can potatoes I put in 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp no salt chicken bouillon per pint--gives them a great taste--doesn't taste like chicken! (Double it for quarts). Pressure can 35 mins for pints and 40 mins for quarts.

>147 Tess_W: Thanks, 43 cents here! Great bargain.

49. Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak This is by far one of the funniest books I have ever read! It's the story of microbes. We travel with them for a day. There are 4 of them: Min (E. Coli), Rae (streptococcus), Dennis (fungus) and Jake (corynebacterium). We travel from a book all the way to the belly button with multiple stops in between. The story line is funny and the art is wonderful. I've read it 3 times today! Nobel prize winner here! 40 pages 5+ stars

50. Los Alamos by Joseph Kanon was billed as a historical mystery thriller, I would say it is light on the thriller. The story centers on Joe, an intelligence officer sent to Los Alamos to investigate a disappearance/murder and possible security breach. "Oppie" and a few other notables are there. This book was pretty heavy handed on the sex scenes, which didn't really advance the story. Several of the characters had personal moral dilemmas with their involvement in the creation of a weapon of mass destruction. Good portrayal of life in the compound and surrounding "town." 416 pages 4 stars

>156 Tess_W: That book looks adorable -- now I know what I'm getting my nephew for his 3rd birthday!

A couple more short ones off the shelf!

51. The Ash Tree by M.R. James The short story takes place during the witch trials of the 18th century in England. A woman is hanged for being a witch and a few odd occurrences over the years. The ending was a mild surprise for me! 28 pages. Free Kindle book of the month in Oct. 2023 3 stars



52. The Library Window by Margaret Oliphant another piece of Gothic lit. Is the library window real or a figment of one's imagination? Only 99 cents on Kindle US, purchased in Oct. 2023. 40 pages 3 stars

>156 Tess_W: I read this book earlier this month and gave it to my grandson last weekend.

53. Dereliction of Duty by H.R. McMaster This non-fiction book examines how the Vietnam War was managed, offering some eye-opening insights. It starts by highlighting the contrast between Kennedy's success during the Cuban Missile Crisis—where his advisors were experienced politicians and statesmen—and the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion, where his advisors were primarily from the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). From that point, both Kennedy and Johnson increasingly relied on heads of state and other political figures for advice on handling the Vietnam conflict. The book suggests that the attack on the USS Maddox was likely instigated, possibly even a hoax. While many historians view the incident as suspicious, they stop short of definitively claiming it never happened. The author argues that President Johnson, preoccupied with his domestic agenda, "The Great Society," didn't engage deeply in Vietnam. Instead, he allowed figures like Robert McNamara and the Bundy brothers to make most of the key decisions, with minimal input from the JCS. 480 pages 4 stars

54. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry This is the story of Tom Kettle, a retired policeman who has lived a quiet and solitary life after the death of his wife, Margaret. When he moves into a new home and has a new "view" and observations, it brings back memories, grief, and trauma that is difficult for Tom to confront. This book is depressing from beginning to end. The past and the present lines were sometimes difficult for me to follow. 272 pages 2.5 stars

55. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy Set in 1970s Ireland during The Troubles, this story tells of the religious divide between Catholics and Protestants through a series of character studies. The protagonist, Cushla, a 24-year-old Catholic school teacher, finds herself involved in both personal and political conflicts. She assists a student from a mixed marriage and embarks on an affair with Michael, an older, married, Protestant man. Seemingly oblivious to the deep divides around her, Cushla operates in a world where others seem to be more attuned to the divisions between faiths. The time and place are alive with vivid detail. However, the relationship between Cushla and Michael is far from unique. Michael himself believes that their attraction is divine, telling her, “God put you in front of me, and I couldn’t do anything about it. I have nothing to offer you” (paraphrased). 320 pages 3.5 stars rec by Vivienne

>164 Tess_W: I gave Trespasses 4.5 stars and thought that the romance was the weakest part of the book, but it accomplished the goal of inserting Cushla into the upper-middle class Protestant milieu, so was useful. Perhaps Cushla was naive and idealistic rather than oblivious.

Hello Tess and glad to finally catch up with your books and your reading for this year. And your canning! Oh my am I impressed. Glad to know you are continuing to read on such a wide variety of topics, and hope your class on WWII is proceeding well.

>165 pamelad: Perhaps! I can go naive or oblivious!

>166 threadnsong: It's actually, the Holocaust, specifically and we just finished a detailed study of the various death camps. Next we are on to Irene Sendler and then Bonhoffer.

If you are interested in ancient history: Flavius Josephus: The Complete Works of Flavius Josephus the Whiston translation, is on sale on Kindle (US) for $.99!

See you in 10 days! Off on my first ever cruise!

>169 Tess_W: Enjoy your cruise, Tess!

Hope you have a lovely time, wherever it is you are cruising to!

Have a wonderful holiday, Tess.

Bon voyage! I hope you have lots of fun and read many books!

How great, I hope you enjoy every minute!

How wonderful! Bon voyage indeed and enjoy your first cruise ever.

>169 Tess_W: Smooth sailing! I hope there is no unpleasantness such as sea-sickness to spoil it.

>171 Jackie_K: Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas, Puerto Rico.

Bon Voyage! Cannot wait to hear all about your cruising, having cruised to the places you are visiting. Stay safe and be well.

Arrived in Ft. Lauderdale (Florida) yesterday. Shocking to go for 30 degrees to 86 degrees in 3 hours! Checked in at hotel, went to dinner, and sat in the sun by the pool. Today we are off to the Everglades in a airboat. Tomorrow we go to an Air-Naval Museum and Sunday we board the boat. Did finish a book while sitting in the sun.

56. Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce follows 47-year-old Margery, a lonely and unhappy science teacher, who decides to transform her life. She embarks on a quest to find a rare gold beetle that her father once described to her. To help with this adventure, she hires Enid Pretty, a young woman who couldn't be more different from her. Their contrasting personalities lead to a series of comical situations as they travel to New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, in search of the beetle. Along the way, they're also pursued by a former soldier struggling with PTSD. Their journey is filled with humor and unexpected moments, but the novel concludes on a deeply emotional note. It's one of the best books I've ever read! (Forgive any errors, I'm typing from my phone!) 355 pages 5 stars

>179 Tess_W: Ooh, this one's been on my shelves for a while -- glad you enjoyed it so much!

>179 Tess_W: I don't think I have this but I've meant to read it since it came out! Thanks for the reminder.

>179 Tess_W: Don't get eaten by an alligator!

Miss Benson's Beetle sounds good so I've put it on hold. Long wait list.

>179 Tess_W: That sounds like an interesting trip!

>179 Tess_W: - I've got this somewhere on my TBR pile. Glad to hear it's good.

>179 Tess_W: Swamp boat ride!

Home from the cruise, it was wonderful! It lasted 7 days and on day 8 I've developed a really bad cold and probably pinkeye! Pics to follow at a later date. Devastating to spend a week in 87 (F) degree temps and come back to 29 (F) degree temps! I haven't been able to get warm the entire day.

57. Off the Wild Coast of Brittany by Juliet Blackwell is a historical fiction novel set during WWII. The story unfolds on the Ile de Feme in present-day Brittany and follows two sisters, Natalie and Alex. Natalie, a cookbook author, is working to restore an old bed and breakfast, while Alex is coping with the gradual loss of her sight. During the renovations, the sisters discover a hidden cache of costumes, which leads them into the past and introduces the WWII storyline.

In this historical thread, the narrative focuses on Violette and a German occupation officer, and while it could have been the heart of the book, it faltered for me. The German officer’s revelation that he is a cross-dresser detracted from the story’s mood and seemed to shift its direction in a way that didn’t resonate with me. 464 pages 3 stars

Welcome back! I hope the temperature shock doesn’t last too long.

Glad you had a good time on the cruise Tess. First of many? Sorry about your cold, but at least it held off until after your holiday.

>188 pamelad: Probably first of many! Won't go back to the Caribbean (too many other places), but I did like the experience. Already "shopping" for next one (2026). Among the top contenders: Alaska, Scandinavia, Boston/New York/Maine/Nova Scotia.

58. Give Me Liberty of Give Me Death by Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry, an American patriot, gave this speech on March 23, 1775, at the Second Virginia Convention in St. John's Church. They met in the church instead of the capitol in Williamsburg. No written copy of this speech in his own hand, or any version, survived. The version we know today was reconstructed decades later by William Wirt, based on recollections of those who heard it.

Some of my favorite lines.........
1) ...ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth....(sadly something we can not do today)
2) .......Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Interesting to note, later, Henry became an anti-federalist and fought against ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing it gave the government too much power and the people not enough. He refused to sign it!

We cruised to Alaska twice and same for the Boston etc. trip. Both were excellent.

59. Chronicle in Stone by Ismail Kadare This was my first Kadare read and I was underwhelmed. The blurb on the back cover describes the book as "stunning", "compelling" and "enchanting." I found those adjectives overstated. I was hoping to get some insight into Albanian culture, but there was such a hollowness about it, that hope was not realized. The story is told by a young boy, aged 10-12, during the WWII invasion by the Germans and counter-invasion by the Greeks. The narrator doesn't bring a closeness between himself and the reader, but a more distant relationship. Perhaps it is the large amount of magical realism that kept this reader from engaging. 322 pages 2.5 stars

60. No Home for Killers by E A Aymar) is billed as a thriller ( but not so much). It is the story of one very violent and dysfunctional family. I never understood the reason for the dysfunctionality. That being said, there is a lot of graphic sexual violence, for violence's sake, as I don't think it advanced the plot--so beware. I skipped 2-3 pages here and there because I don't need/want to read this level of violence. I almost stopped reading at several points. If you want a plot that is resolved, you won't get one here. Basically, the story of two sisters who are trying to solve their brother's murder. This brother was also an abuser, himself, and the uncle a sex trafficker. 335 pages 2 stars

Welcome back from your cruise, and glad it was a good one (without the pink-eye - yeck!). I've heard cruises are addictive, and I can't wait to hear about your next one.

>192 Tess_W: Hmmmm, violence for violence's sake is not my idea of a good way to tell a story or advance a plot. I totally understand your skipping pages along the way and your stars make sense.

I couldn't find the topic for sales/bargains!

But, the very first Pulitzer Prize (1918) is for sale as an ebook on Kindle for $.49 (US) His Family by Ernest Poole.

About that cruise.......My sister and I sailed the Caribbean March 30-April 6 aboard the Holland New Amsterdam. Ports of call: The Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and two ports in the Bahamas.

The ship: lovely! The food: lovely! The people: lovely! The weather : lovely! (86-87 each day--perfect was in 30's at home down to teens at night) In ship entertainment/programs: lovely! The flight: lovely!

The shore excursions: left much to be desired, costly, not worth it! But, we were first time cruisers and just bought whatever they offered. Won't do it again!

The sailing experience: Fort Lauderdale and Miami had big storms for 3 days before we left. Our sailing was a bit rough, according to everybody we talked to. They told us it was either their roughest sail or close to it. Didn't really bother me much, except a couple of times I had to grab the rails. However, my sister spent the first day in bed so sick. She ended up taking oral dramamine and putting on those patches behind her ears and she was fine.

Some initial thoughts: Countries/beaches (white sugar sand) very lovely; but they don't have anything over the Gulf Coast Florida beaches and are much more expensive and inconvenient. For example, in the Turks & Caicos, if you wanted a beach chair, the cost was $40 EACH. The $40 chairs were one mile down the beach. To get a closer one was $65. Bottled water was $5-10 per bottle depending upon where you ordered it from. A Cuban sandwich or a burger was $15-pesos (more American$) Some places took only credit cards and some took only cash. The DR conversion was $1 US=60.75 pesos, not a good deal for travelers. Something that costs $39 DR cost me $80+ in American Money. (including taxes)

While I enjoyed very much the experience and the time spent with my sister, I really have no desire to return to the Caribbean. The cost is prohibitive, all the countries are level 2 safety concerns, and the amount of people that approach you to buy, buy, buy is off putting. There seemed to be no such thing as browsing! As I stated above, the Gulf Coast of Florida can provide one with the very same setting in a cleaner, less expensive, and what I feel is a safter environment.

Pictures to be added later!

>195 Tess_W: Hubby and I sailed on Holland and liked it the best. We tried a few other cruise lines but none were as appealing as Holland.

61. Crow Hollow by Michael Wallace. Wallace is one of my favorite writers. This book did not fail to satisfy, although probably not his best (The Red Rooster). This story takes place in the 17th century, primarily in the Puritan communities that surround Boston. There is no witchcraft, but a healthy dose of loyalist vs. self-governing sympathies. Throw in a romance, a few hangings, and what more could a girl want? 358 pages 4 stars

62. I read Death in Delft by Graham Brack It is a historical mystery set in 17th-century Netherlands. The story follows Master Mercurius, who is secretly both a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister—a dual identity he must keep hidden. When young girls begin to disappear and are later found dead, Mercurius is called upon by the city's authorities to help solve the crimes. He does so with the help of noted artist Johannes Vermeer and scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. Of course, the "science' is rudimentary in the 17th century and the reasoning skill of Mercurius is not really reasonable; but it all works together to give the book a 17th century Dutch atmosphere. I listened to this on audio. 5 hours 59 minutes (243 pages) 3.5 stars RTT: 17th Century

Glad you enjoyed your trip! As someone who lives in the Caribbean, I have to say taking a cruise here is a very specific experience. Most times, the beaches and cruise stop areas are not at all accessible to local residents, so the prices are specifically aimed towards cruise ship passengers and completely ridiculous as you experienced.

I've never been to the Gulf Coast Florida beaches and want to check them out based on what you've said. I feel like there is no comparison at all between Caribbean beaches and South Florida which I'm more familiar with. Of course I am probably very biased. :)

>199 purpleiris: There is a difference between night and day from the Atlantic/Southern Florida beaches and the Gulf Beaches such as Bradenton, Sarasota, and Anna Maria Island.

>200 Tess_W: Good to know! Adding the Florida Gulf coast to my list of travel destinations. Maybe not anytime soon though!

Bad girl at Audible......had books in my price range....$3.99!

Written in Bone by Sue Black
The Crow Trap Ann Cleeves although I've watched all the Vera's on TV, never read a Vera book. This is book 1
The Boy From the Wood by Harlan Coben
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench
Her One Mistake Heidi Park
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

Bad girl at Audible......had books in my price range....$3.99!

Written in Bone by Sue Black
The Crow Trap Ann Cleeves although I've watched all the Vera's on TV, never read a Vera book. This is book 1
The Boy From the Wood by Harlan Coben
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench
Her One Mistake Heidi Park
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

>203 Tess_W: No such thing as "bad girl" when one is buying reading material of any kind, as I see it. Today was 3x Kindle points, so I ended up with a bunch of new Kindle books. I fall for those bonus points every time. On top of that, I got into the "stuff your Kindle" freebies in cozy mysteries....

>204 LadyoftheLodge: LOL, no, not really bad, but just like my food diet, I put myself on a book diet and haven't been able to stick with either!