Tess is Shelf-ish in 2026

Hi, my name is Tess (Teresa) and I'm from Central Ohio. I’m a semi-retired college history professor who loves to read. My husband of 50 years is chair-bound, so apart from a few weeks each year when I travel with my sister, I’m at home. I have two children and seven grandchildren—all within twenty minutes of me—so I’m truly blessed. When I’m not reading, I enjoy cooking, growing my own sustainable organic foods, and pressure-canning what I harvest. I’m also active in my church, where I teach an adult Sunday school class.

This year I’m hoping to clear some space on my shelves, so I’ve created categories to help guide my reading. I am determined not to purchase any books in 2026. I have 400+ unread books and then there is the library. Mantra: I do not need to purchase books! I plan to guard my shelves carefully and avoid being overwhelmed by the usual “kits and cats.” Some categories already have chosen titles, while others will unfold naturally as the year goes on. My goal is to read 100 books in 2026.

I especially like historical-fiction (based on real people & real events), non-fiction, psychological thrillers, and true crime. I don't read fantasy and rarely sci-fi.

MT TBR 1-1-26 476 BOOKS

Ratings:
I'm a tough cookie, a book must be better than average to get a 4 or 5 rating!
1-2 unreadable, a waste of paper and ink, nothing redeemable, probably DNF, complete waste of my valuable time
3-average, mediocre, not bad, can be informative or enjoyable**
3.5-better than average but lacking in something**
4-great read, enjoyable**
4.5-spellbinding
5- masterpiece

**most reads here

Hosting Duties:
January RTT Contemporary Retellings of Classics
February Non-Fiction medicine/disease
March RandomKit
April Color/Cover Cat-yellow and/or celestial object such as sun, moon, or stars
June Arts Cat Ballet & Broadway
November HomeCat Pantry
December-Decades The decade you were born

75's NON FICTION
Non-Fiction:
1. Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools
2. Josephine Baker’s Secret War
3. The Faith and Practice of the Quakers: The Philosophy, Theology and Teachings of the Society of Friends
4. Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ
5. The Cruel Way: Switzerland to Afghanistan in a Ford, 1939
6. The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America
7. Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World
8. Wordslut
9. Scattered Among the Peoples
10. Solovine by Albert Einstein
11. The Destruction of Libraries Throughout History
12. American Barns

Things to read 2026

Non-Fiction:
1. Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools
2. Josephine Baker’s Secret War
3. The Faith and Practice of the Quakers: The Philosophy, Theology and Teachings of the Society of Friends
4. Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ
5. The Cruel Way: Switzerland to Afghanistan in a Ford, 1939
6. The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America
7. Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World
8. Wordslut
9. Scattered Among the Peoples
10. Solovine by Albert Einstein
11. The Destruction of Libraries Throughout History
12. American Barns

JANUARY



1. The Trial of Socrates by I.F. Stone 3*
2. The Roman Republic by Captivating History 4*
3. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 3.5*
4. The Roman Republic by Captivating History 3*
5. The Third Reich by Robert Bolano 3*
6. Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones 3*
7. Arthur and George by Julian Barnes 4.5*
8. Maigret and the Lazy Burglar by Georges Simeon 4*
9. Mae and Me by Joyce Martin Sanders
10. Mrs. 'Arris goes to Paris by Paul Gallico 3.5*
11. James by Percival Everett 3*
12. See Now Then by Jamaica Kincaid 2.5*
13. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden 5*
14. Nuremberg: The Reckoning by William F. Buckley 3.5*
15. Antigone by Sophocles 5*
16. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros 3*
17. Maigret's Failure by Georges Simeon 3.5*
18. Caroline by Sarah Miller 5*
19. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden 4.5*
20. When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke 5*
21. Chillicothe, Camp Sherman and the Spanish Flu: The Making of Blood Alley by Rami Yoakum 5*
22. Unforgettable by Meryl Sawyer DNF

FEBRUARY

1. A Brief History of 7 Killings by Marlon James 2.5*
2. Josephine Baker's Secret War: The African American Star Who Fought for France and Freedom byHanna Diamond 4*
3. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins 3*
4. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 3*
5. Elijah & Elisha: Living for God's Testimony by Titus Chu 2.5*
6. In the Deep by Loreth Anne White 3*
7. Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini 3*
8. Simo Häyhä: My Winter War Memories: The Contextualized Memoir by Taavetti Äes 3*
9. The Truth About St. Kilda by Donald Gillies 4.5*

MARCH


32. The Underground Railroad Adventure of Allen Jay by Marlene Targ Brill 3*
33. Susanna's Sisters by Patricia Brown and Simon Webb 3*
34. Goodnight, Vienna by Marius Gabriel 3.5*
35. Seven Words by Susan Robb 5*
36. Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo 4*
37. A Love Story by Emile Zola 3.5*
38. A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology by Mike Rinder 4*
39. When Comes the Spring by Janette Oke 3.5*
40. I Am Hutterite by Mary Ann Kirkby 5*
41. Life at the Dakota by Stephen Birmingham 4*
42. First, Second, and Third John by Rodney Combs 5*
43. Becoming Mrs. Abbott by Kiersten Modglin 2.5*

APRIL


MAY


JUNE

JULY


AUGUST


SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER


NOVEMBER


DECEMBER

I love to cook and bake, so will frequently post appetizing pics of my endeavors. (If I can remember to take a pic of them--something I'm not used to doing)

Welcome to tea & sweets! (peanut butter cookies, molasses sugar cookies, and anise stars)


(not my pic, but I bake all 3 of these)

January's "plan"
Emile Zola group read-The Sin of Abbe Mouret
Stealing Little Moon
James
Arthur and George
The Third Reich by Roberto Bolano

Kits/Cat: TBD

I love the title of your challenge, Tess. Happy reading!

It looks like you are ready for 2026 - readingwise! You've made me realize that I didn't keep track of any hosting duties - I better get that done! I'm looking forward to following along with you in 2026.

Nice set up, Tess! Happy reading in 2026.

Happy reading in 2026! Enjoy emptying those shelves!

>10 VivienneR:
>11 JayneCM:

TY TY!

Nice set-up, Tess. I'm hoping to concentrate on my TBR this year too. Both physical and ebook.

Great blessings to you and your reading in the new year.

>13 dudes22:
>14 lowelibrary:

TY TY!

Happy reading in 2026!

Wishing you great reading in 2026!

I hope you have a great reading year Tess!

>16 NinieB:
>17 mstrust:
>18 lsh63:

TY TY TY!

A nice, short, flexible challenge. Happy reading!

>20 pamelad: TY, Pam!

Happy reading in 2026. The picture of cookies looks yummy.

>22 LadyoftheLodge: TY!

Thanks to you and others who host. Have a great 2026 of reading.

>24 mnleona: TY Leona! Back atcha.

Wishing you all the best with your reading challenges.

Nice to find you here, Tess!

>27 PaulCranswick: Been here for years! Nice to see you here!

Now that Kits/Kats posted, I have a January "plan!"

The Third Reich by Roberto Bolano (Pauls75 Chilean author)
Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones) NF 75's Lesser known Award Winners (2025 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children,Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Listed – Middle Grade – 2024)
James by Percival Everett story retold (RTT)
Arthur and George by Julian Barnes (RTT 19th Cent)
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean (Jan NF Cat)
The Great Portrait Mystery by Austin Freeman (Jan ArtsCat)

I am reading James as well. The Disappearing Spoon looks interesting.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you will be reading in 2026! Hope you enjoy it all.

Great intro pic!! I'll be following along again in 2026. I hope you enjoy your year.

>32 beebeereads: TY!

That really is a great title! I hope you have a great year of reading and I am looking forward to following along.

Best wishes for a happy reading life in the new year!

My first read of 2026 (reading year begins on Dec 25 for me!)

1. The Trial of Socrates by I.F. Stone Stone's thesis is that the charges of impiety and corrupting the youth against Socrates was just a contrived charge to get rid of a man that was always in their face. Stone posits that the real reason Socrates was charged is that there was a fear that Socrates encouraged civic disloyalty by questioning the status quo. Athens had just been defeated in the Peloponnesian War and was suspicious of any anti-democratic activity. The author emphasizes Socrates’ association with oligarchic figures such as Critias and Alcibiades (Thirty Tyrants) and his open contempt for democratic decision-making. According to the author, it was a strategic move that the accusers called for the banishment of Socrates, for they knew that would not be acceptable to him, that he would opt for death. By his death, Socrates became one of the most famous martyrs for free speech. Had he lived, he might have become just another old man wandering the streets talking to himself. This book made the New York Times Best-Seller List and the 501 Books YMR List. I may have read this book before—the arguments feel familiar—but if so, it would have been twenty-five to thirty years ago.

2. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn is the first book in the Bridgerton series and follows Daphne Bridgerton as she and her mother, often at odds, try to find her a husband in London society. This is a Regency Romance that is explicitly steamy in a few places. This was a gift to me for Christmas from my son's girlfriend. Predictable, easy read. 464 pages 3.5 stars CAT: 19th Century, RTT-19th Century

>37 Tess_W: That's a series I want to read one day, too.

>38 MissBrangwen: I'm not really a romance reader, but I liked this one. I hope you do, too!

3. The Roman Republic by Captivating History is a short introduction to the very basics of the Roman Republic. This would be suitable for either later high school students or college freshmen. 86 pages 4 stars CAT: NF

Well, already I see that my CATS aren't working! I won't be able to track by months. I'm going to change my CATS to months!

>41 Tess_W: I'm always on the lookout for good books to give my kids as part of their curriculum. I'll make sure to avoid this one!

It's that time of year!

End of the Year meme - 2025

Describe yourself: The Goddess Abides
Describe how you feel: A Place of Greater Safety
Describe where you currently live: The Asylum
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Off the Wild Coast of Brittany
Your favourite form of transportation is: EXPLORING EUROPE: Free as Birds in Our 1975 VW Camper
Your favourite food is: A Bakery in Paris
Your favourite time of day is: The Dream
Your best friend is: Ruth
You and your friends are: On the Bright Side
What’s the weather like: A Furious Sky
You fear: Betrayal at the Vel D'Hiv
What is the best advice you have to give: Do Not Lick This Book
Thought for the day: What is Religion?
What is life for you: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
How you would like to die: The Case for Heaven
Your soul’s present condition: On God's Time
What was 2025 like for you? Pot Luck
What do you want from 2026 A Passion in the Desert (About 6’4, tanned, 6-pack, etc. etc.)

Great meme, Tess. Love your advice answer.

>43 Tess_W: Amazing! I'll second what you want for 2026 for myself too

😜

5. I read Roberto Bolano’s The Third Reich. Needless to say, it was not at all what I expected. It is the story of Udo, a master gamer and developer, who can’t quite distinguish between reality and imagination. The more Udo plays the game, the deeper he recedes from reality. Quite a commentary on power, memory, and using violence as a hobby or pastime. I can think that the book was supposed to be a type of psychological thriller or haunting, but it really just didn’t work for me. The pace was very slow. 288 pages 3 stars

>43 Tess_W: I would love to join you on your visit to the Bakery in Paris!

New Year greetings from Kuala Lumpur. My project is at least physically completed and an addition to the city scape.

Look forward to keeping up with you in 2026

>48 PaulCranswick: WOW, Paul, I'm impressed. Will you be staying or returning to England?

Surprisingly I may be transferred to Egypt as we have a big job involving 30 new building there.

Much closer to "home" though, Tess.

Good luck with your book-buying ban. I imagine that will never be a project of mine.
>1 Tess_W: You are lucky to live so close to your grandchildren. We hope to move closer to ours once my husband retires in a few years.

I will take a couple of peanut butter cookies from the plate in >7 Tess_W:! Have a great reading year.

I have completed my reading of Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones. This nonfiction work addresses the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century practice—sometimes forcible—of removing Native American children from their homes and placing them in government boarding schools, ostensibly for education but in reality, for “Americanization.” There is no question that this was an abominable and unjust practice.

However, I found that the author does not effectively demonstrate how or why this system was as horrific as it undoubtedly was. With a few substitutions of names and terms, the book could just as easily have been about women forcibly committed to lunatic asylums, children placed in orphanages, or African American boys sent to “reform” homes in the Jim Crow South. This book does not evoke a sense of time or place.

The author further weakens his argument by including the story of his sister, who reportedly loved the boarding school in question and went on to remain there as a teacher for years after her graduation. The author himself also worked at this same institution for two years as an adult.

I also believe the intended audience (ages 8-12) is misjudged. I teach students aged fifteen to eighteen and serve on a reading task force that coordinates ELA selections with History class topics for students aged 12-18. Based on that experience, this book would miss the mark for both middle-grade readers and older students.

Finally, the dominant tone of the book is one of anger and resentment. While such emotions are entirely understandable given the subject matter, the persistent tone may alienate some readers. Additionally, the frequent naming of government officials across multiple presidential administrations seems misplaced for a book aimed at children. Having just finished the book, I cannot recall the names of any of the individuals mentioned or clearly articulate what specific actions they took or failed to take.

I recognize that I may be in the minority in my assessment, as Stealing Little Moon has received numerous awards. 280 pages 3- stars
(Revised review)

6. Arthur and George by Julian Barnes is historical fiction set in the late 19th and early 20th century. Arthur is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and George is the real George Edaljii, who was convicted of mutilating animals. The book, while containing some police procedural, is really about racism, as George was a Parsee. The book is very well written and understated, no court room theatrics. Many rabbit holes to go down in this book! It seems that the author stayed very close to the true story, only embellishing conversations when the gap appeared. 400 pages 4.5 stars Rec from Pam



ETA: Just found out that there is a 3 part TV series on Masterpiece Theatre about this book. Masterpiece has a holiday special of $1.99 per month for 2 months. Just signed up and will binge Masterpiece Theatre for the next 2 months; a unexpected jaunt because I don't watch TV as a general rule.

>55 mstrust: TY

>54 Tess_W: I have this one on my to read list. Good to see your review. I wonder if we can get Masterpiece Theatre in Australia?

>57 JayneCM: It's part of PBS. I have Amazon Prime and it was only $.99 for the first two months when I bought it through prime. I've looked over the menu today and there are several good show hubby and I are going to watch, like Maigret. Your fellow Aussie, pamelad recommended it to me.

7. Maigret and the Lazy Burglar by Georges Simenon. I'm glad I gave Maigret a second chance. This is book 57/75 and I guess you do not have to read them in order, however much I would like to do that. This was an easy read as Maigret investigates the death of Honoré Cuendot, a small time non-violent thief. However, his superior does not want him on the case, but wants him on the more pressing string of bank robberies. Good read 160 pages. 4 stars

>59 Tess_W: Have you read non-Maigret works by Simenon? I find that they often have a dark, creepy side which is strangely discomfiting but never scary or graphic. The Little Man from Archangel is a good example.

>60 Cecilturtle: To date, I have not. Read my very first Maigret in November, 2025 and now this one. I will put your suggestion on my WL!

8. Mae & Me by Joyce Martin Sanders This short 44 page bio is the story of gospel singer Joyce Martin (The Martin's) and her long journey from birth mother to mom. Pretty much what I surmised! I've seen the Martin's perform numerous times when taking my mother to gospel concerts. 44 pages 3 stars

9. The Great Portrait Mystery by R. Austin Freeman This was a Dr. Thorndyke (part doctor, part barrister--from what I understand!) mystery centering on a stolen painting. The painting was only stolen for a day and then returned. The why of the matter is the fodder of the book. As a bonus the mystery is linked, very loosely, to the 17th century King James II and Samuel Pepys. 144 pages 3 stars CAT: January Arts Cat-painting

Lots of reading under your belt, already, Tess! I am glad to enjoyed your second outing with Maigret.

9. Mrs. 'arris goes to Paris by Paul Gallico is a "cute" read telling the story of an English char woman going to Paris on money she won betting on sporting games. A pleasing, unique read, but I wouldn't want to read any more! Decade Cat (1958) 157 pages 3.5 stars

>65 Tess_W: I remember enjoying the book. The movie that came out in 2022 was also charming!

10. James by Percival Everett This is said to be a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn. It's been awhile since I've read Huckleberry Finn, but I wouldn't say it's a reimagining. I would say that Everett has borrowed two characters and the Mississippi from Twain and told a separate story. Jim wishes to be called James in this novel and he is highly intelligent and literate. I listened to this on audio and was not a fan of James code-switching, although it is a survival technique, according to the author. I seem to get into the rhythm of a book when listening and code-switching was just aggravating. Perhaps if I was reading a hard copy if would not have been the stumbling block that it became for me. Another stumbling block was the inclusion of events/personas who didn't belong during the time period in the south. For example, James talks about Kierkegaard. Also, at the end of the book, there is talk that slavery needed to be subdued due to the white man's guilt. I don't think white guilt was a consideration in the 1850-1860's? There seems to be a lot of heavy handed moralizing or sermon preaching contained in this novel. It's not that I don't agree with it as a person, but it's not what this reader wants to read, regardless of the topic, while reading fiction. The hype for this is/was big. It did not live up to the hype, IMHO. 7 hours 49 minutes (304 pages) 3 stars RTT Reimaginings/retellings

11. See Now Then by Jamaica Kincaid What a frustrating book to read. The narrative lacks any clear structure and feels less like a memoir than a collection of vague musings. The prose follows a repetitive pattern—see how he… now she… then he—that resurfaces again and again with seemingly no purpose. The story often alternates between past and present with no markers or transitions. I think the author wanted to draw the reader to view the marriage, but with all the nows and thens with no idea how that moment was arrived at, it only distanced the reader; they didn't care. I should have DNF this book, but it was short and I thought surely it would get better. 192 pages 2.5 stars

>67 Tess_W: I agree with you that the book did not live up to the hype, but several others love it. Reading the book does not help with code-switching.

13. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden This memoir presents a one-sided account of what appeared to be a happy, stable marriage between Belle and her husband, James. Married for twenty years, they shared a Manhattan apartment, a home on Martha’s Vineyard, and three children. Conflict was rare, and family life formed the center of their world.
When the pandemic struck in 2020, their children were 11, 15, and 17. With New York City largely shut down, the family moved to their Martha’s Vineyard house—a place they had never occupied during winter. Though life there was unfamiliar, the adjustment seemed smooth, even pleasant. James appeared to be a devoted husband and an attentive father.

Then, without warning, James announced that he was leaving. He offered no explanation and expressed no interest in keeping the house, the apartment, the car, or even shared custody of the children. The only admission he made was to a brief, month-long affair with a colleague. That conversation marked the last time Belle ever spoke to the man she had been married to for two decades.

Belle was left stunned and searching for answers. Twenty years later, she still does not know why he walked away. James maintains only minimal contact with the children—seeing them on birthdays, major holidays, and occasionally attending a tennis match. The children say they know no more about their father’s life than Belle does.

This is a compelling and emotional read. You can feel the author's anguish and unanswered questions. 239 pages 5 stars

14. Nuremberg: The Reckoning by William F Buckley Buckley was a family "word" growing up as my parents either watched or listened to a television or radio show hosted by Buckley. So when this book became the Kindle book of the day in 2018, I snatched it up. This book is a historical fiction read post WWII. It follows a fictional protagonist—Sebastian Reinhard, a German-born American who serves as a translator at the trials. Reinhard's job is to translate anything Kurt Amadeus says from German into English. Throughout the course of the trial and subsequent execution, Reinhard learns of his own heritage and the fate of his own father. To be honest, I was more interested when Buckley dropped names such as Goring, Ribbentrop, and Speer, than I was in this actual story. I found the fictional characters somewhat flat and featureless. This book did not have the emotional impact for which I had hoped. 384 pages 3 stars

15. Antigone by Sophocles It doesn't get any better than this! Does one act on their conscience (as dictated by gods) or does one obey the state? Using this this year in my Western Civ I course and the students are liking it! 60 pages 5 stars

>72 Tess_W: It's been so long since I've read this, Tess, but I remember loving it in college! Thanks for the reminder and I'll add to my reread list.

>73 h_here: Hope the re-read is good!

You've managed an impressive number of books already, Tess! I've never read Sophocles' Antigone, but when I was in school a million years ago I studied Anhouil's play Antigone in French literature.

>75 Jackie_K: Not really impressive--I start on Dec. 25, an old custom for me. As a teacher I did not work for that last week in December, and my husband "allowed" me that week to book binge on my new Christmas books. I probably got 4-5 books read during that time. So, I got a week on you!

I honestly did not know there was another version of Antigone until you just commented. I love LT! I just purchased the book and can't wait until I can read it. Thank you, Jackie!

16. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros A very much familiar romance trope and not smoothly done. 432 pages 3 stars

17. Maigret's Failure by Georges Simenon This is book 49/75, but only my third read. I really must read these in order, however, these were given to me by a friend, that obviously did not own the entire set nor read them in order. That being said, I think this book is less about being a detective and more about realizing that one is aging, human, and fallible. Maigret discovers that he made a mistake in a past case and he begins to question his effectiveness. 176 pages 3.5 stars

>78 Tess_W: I started with the early ones and it is fascinating to see how technology, especially police technology, changes over the years.

18. Caroline by Sarah Miller This novel retells the period the Ingalls family spent on their Kansas claim, but from the perspective of Caroline rather than the children. I appreciated how closely the author follows the events of Little House, giving the reader a sense of familiarity. The author’s note at the end is also especially valuable, as it clarifies which events in Little House were likely fictionalized or inaccurate.

The most striking difference between the original book and this retelling is one of perspective: what feels like adventure from a child’s point of view is often a genuine threat to survival when seen through the eyes of a mother. For readers who love the Little House series, I heartily recommend this book. 375 pages 5 stars

>80 Tess_W: Just checked and my local library has a copy. It's on the "get soon" list. I'll see when I can fit it in.

>81 thornton37814: I hope you love it as much as I did!

Planning for Feb
The musts:
NF-Josephine Baker's Secret War (audio) ArtCat Artist bio
Paul's 75 -Anglo Caribbean author-A Brief History of 7 Killings by Marion James (Libby)
RTT-Agents of Change Diary of a Plague Doctor's Wife: A Novella set in 1720s Marseille by Heather Darsie (ebook)
____________________________________________________________
The want tos:
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (19th century) (audio)
Finish Elisha & Elijah (book)
Poetry Anthology of Stephen Vincent Benet (book) DecadeCat 10's (1917-1920 selections)
A Kingdom Far and Clear CoverCat blue (book)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks NFCAT Medicine & Disease (audio)
Hearts Of Fire: Eight Women In The Underground Church And Their Stories Of Costly Faith Voices of the Martyrs HomeCat: Living Room (book)
The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket (school library), Randomkit: Hospitals

19. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden A psychological thriller with some major twists and turns. 338 pages 4.5 stars

20. When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke. I've never read a Janette Oke. My mother read Oke and since my mother read 90% Amish romance, I just thought Oke was an Amish romance writer. My friend informed me I was incorrect and that Oke wrote "prairie romance." She promptly gave me two books in The Canadian West Series, the first being When Calls the Heart. This is a historical romance set in the 1900's somewhere in Coal Valley in Alberta. Elizabeth left her wealthy home to "follow her dream" of teaching on the frontier. She endures the hardships quite well. She also makes a friend in the Canadian Mountie, Wynn. Reminds me of Little House on the Prairie only in a coal town. Sweet and cute, but not overly so. Will at least read book two at sometime. 228 pages 4 stars

>85 Tess_W: There's a popular Hallmark TV show based on this series, though I haven't seen it...I think they're at season 13 or something ridiculous like that!

>86 christina_reads: Oh wow, I don't watch TV unless something special. Since I liked this book, I will look it up. We don't get Hallmark for free, so my chances of actually watching it are slim. However, I have been known to stream something for 30 days and then binge it!

>85 Tess_W: Janette Oke is a native of Indiana. I started to read her books when she was not well known. I used to work with her son (who was not a very nice person). I am glad to see that she has been recognized for her writing. Some of her books have been rewritten for young readers.

>88 LadyoftheLodge: Interesting!

21. Chillicothe, Camp Sherman and the Spanish Flu: The Making of Blood Alley by Rami Yoakum is a non-fiction work addressing the local events of the Spanish Flu of 1918 in and near Camp Sherman in Chillicothe, Ohio. (about 50 miles south of my home) I’m not sure when, if, or where I purchased this 66 page “pamphlet.” I found it stuck into a 1970’s college history text. It does look like something I definitely would purchase. I came across this last week during the great blizzard when I was purging my shelves. This is self-published and hand stapled.

Having taken many history courses during the course of my career, I, of course, have heard of Camp Sherman in relation to WWI and my local area. It was the “soldier factory” for much of central and southern Ohio as well as part of West Virginia and Kentucky. At the time it was constructed it consisted of 2000 buildings, which was 1500 more than the entire town of Chillicothe. The town grew by over 54,000 people in about three years. Today, the population of Chillicothe is about 21,000, with the biggest employer being Kenworth Trucks. (Census.gov)

A Prisoner of War detention facility housed hundreds of German soldiers captured during the war. Most arrived at Camp Sherman in July and November of 1918, just a few months and days before the end of the war but were not released until July of 1919.

There was a theatre and two YMCA’s on the base as well as football and baseball fields. There were protests because some of these buildings were built right over the top of sacred Hopewell Indian Mounds.

Approximately 5,686 cases of influenza were documented among Camp Sherman soldiers in 1918. 1,777 of them were unable to ward off the disease and died. Corpses were stacked within the camp until a temporary morgue could be set up in the Majestic Theatre. Bodies would be "stacked like cordwood" at the theater while it was operated as a morgue. Body fluids that were drained during the embalming process ran off into the alley next to the theater giving it the nickname of "Blood Alley."

While the original Camp Sherman was dismantled in 1920, 500 acres of the site has been turned into an Ohio National Guard Training Center. There is also a memorial park and historical placard on the property. (Ohio State Parks & Recreation Dept.)

This written for posterity's sake and all info is from the book, unless otherwise stated.


* my book has no cover on it

22. Unforgettable by Meryl Sawyer This is a DNF. The book jacket promised mystery and romance, and just delivered explicit gratuitous sex scenes. It was so heavy on the sex that it interfered with the plot. I like steamy bits now and then, but this was overdone. I read 176 /416 pages. 2.5 stars

January summary:
Books read -22

Cheers (rated 4-5) 11 books, 50%
Chillicothe, Camp Sherman and the Spanish Flu: The Making of Blood Alley by Rami Yoakum
When Calls the Heart Janette Oke
The Housemaid Freida McFadden
Caroline Sarah Miller
Antigone Sophocles
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris Paul Gallico
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage Belle Burden
Maigret and the Lazy Burglar Georges Simeon
Arthur and George Julian Barnes
The Trial of Socrates I.F. Stone
The Roman Republic Captivating History series

Jeers (rated less than 3) 4 books 18%
Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools Dan Sasuweh Jones
See Now Then Kincaid Jones
Unforgettable Meryl Sawyer DNF

A good month!

What's up for February:
The Musts:
Finish Elijah and ElishaREAD
NF-Josephine Baker's Secret War (audio) ArtCat Artist bio READ
Paul's 75 -Anglo Caribbean author-A Brief History of 7 Killings by Marion James (Libby) READ
RTT-Agents of Change Diary of a Plague Doctor's Wife: A Novella set in 1720s Marseille by Heather Darsie (ebook)
____________________________________________________________
The want tos:
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (19th century) (audio) READ
Finish Elisha & Elijah (book) READ
Poetry Anthology of Stephen Vincent Benet (book) DecadeCat 10's (1917-1920 selections)
A Kingdom Far and Clear CoverCat blue (book)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks NFCAT Medicine & Disease (audio)
Hearts Of Fire: Eight Women In The Underground Church And Their Stories Of Costly Faith Voices of the Martyrs HomeCat: Living Room (book)
The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket (school library), Randomkit: Hospitals

23. A Brief History of 7 Killings by Marlon James The first book of February is quite a stinker! The novel opens in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1976. The attempted assassination of Bob Marley in December of that same year begins the country's senseless violence that continues even unto this day. The book focuses on 6 other assassinations or killings and from what I understand from the preface, they are symbolic: killing of a gang leader, murder of a political opponent, retaliation gang related killings, next generation gangster wars, drug related murders, and revenge murders. Mix that in with lots of drugs, and that's the book. Quite repetitive and quite monotonous. Had I know more Jamaican history, maybe the symbolic killings would mean something to me, but as it was, it was just a haze of murder and drugs. Didn't really work for me. It took me a month to get through this book at 20 pages per day. Man Book Prize Winner 2015. 688 pages

>92 Tess_W: I started to read that one the year it won the Booker Prize, but based on reviews, I decided I wouldn't enjoy it, so I didn't. It was just too long to try to invest the time to read it.

>85 Tess_W: I have never read a Janet Oke but I've bought a lot of them because she's one of my sister's favorite authors. Though she is in the moderate stage of Alzheimers she still seems to be able to read so I bought one for her Christmas. She liked it and asked me to read it. Accordong to the cover it is a companion story to the Hallmark TV Series which I don't know anything about. I will read this book soon.

>94 clue: I don't watch TV as a general rule and we don't get cable--hubby doesn't really care for it. However, we get a 7 day free trial so I think I will sign up and binge for 7 days!

24. Josephine Baker's Secret War: The African American Star Who Fought for France and Freedom by Hanna Diamond. This biography of the WWII jazz star began with her move from the US to Paris. Her original show seemed to be quite risque. However, it evolved into more music and less flesh as time progressed. This book tells of her fame which allowed her to move freely (mostly) across borders with secrets pinned to her clothing or mixed in with her music. Details a lot of her work in North Africa and after serving in the Ladies Auxiliary Air Force of France, part of the Free French Underground, often called Gaullists. While jazz and performance were the basis for the book, the book focused almost exclusively on Baker's intelligence work. 352 pages 4 stars 75's NF Jazz

>96 Tess_W: That sounds really fascinating -- BB for me!

>92 Tess_W: I have thought about reading this given my interest in the Caribbean, but a book that long has to be gripping. I don't think I want to devote all that time reading about murders. So thank you for warning me off!

>96 Tess_W: This does sound fascinating!

25. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is a 19th century detective mystery novel. It includes the necessary ingredients for such a story: red herrings and methodical investigation(s). The story revolves around the disappearance of the Moonstone, a large and valuable Indian diamond, from an English country house. The story is told from multiple perspectives, some biased and with limited knowledge. The pacing was a bit slow for my taste. 642 pages 3 stars RTT: 19th Century

26. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster This is a child's fantasy book. When Milo returns to his bedroom, he is in the doldrums. He finds a tollbooth in his room and drives his toy car through it. That's when the adventures begin. I did not read this as a child. As an adult, my favorite thing about the book is the word play, some words are taken literally with hysterical effect. For example, Toc is a watchdog, literally. His body is a clock and he tocs. He is often frightened by people wanting to kill time. Whether is a character that can not make up his mind. As far as the story goes, it is fairly childish, but I can see it working for 8-12 year olds. 288 pages 3 stars

27. Elijah & Elisha: Living for God's Testimony by Titus Chu I'm not sure if this would be classified as a Christian devotional study or biographies. Chu has told the story of both prophets, placed them in their historical setting, with emphasis on their service to God. I found the book a tad shallow and repetitive. 150 pages bought for $1 on Kindle. 3- stars



28. In the Deep by Loreth Anne White This is a psychological thriller based in a small town in Australia, although the action begins in Canada. The story follows Ellie Creswell-Smith, an heiress, whose husband is brutally murdered. Very interesting and tense, until the last chapter. 3.5 stars 367 pages

29. Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini is a historical fiction concerning the women who served as telephone operators for the Signal Corps in France during the Great War. These women were called "hello girls" and were recruited for their previous experience on a switchboard and their knowledge of the French language. The author used the information about Grace Banker, a real-life hello girl, on which to base this novel. The novel follows three girls after graduating from high school, getting their first jobs, and their eventual application and acceptance into the program. I find that the sense of history is good, but that all three girls and their lives are very similar. Several times I had to go back and connect the dots. I feel that more character differentiation would have been good for this reader as many of the characters just blended together. Also, 460 pages is a bit too much. 3 stars

30. Simo Häyhä: My Winter War Memories: The Contextualized Memoir by Taavetti Äes

This is a primary source with commentary type memoir. Häyhä was a Finnish soldier who took part in the Winter War against the Soviet Union. This book is a collection of his writings, notes, and letters from him to his family and friends. It is translated roughly, by whom, my ebook edition does not say. By roughly I mean that there are 2-3 pages at a time that are not translated at all. There are some photos. The last third of the book is about the other men in Häyhä's unit and the Battle of Kollaa. In this battle the Finnish unit repelled the Soviet advance because they had skis and the Russians only had motorized vehicles which were not maneuverable through the passes. This was a difficult book to read due to the rough translation and the many Finnish names and places. 290 pages 3- stars

31. The Truth About St. Kilda: An Islander's Memoir by Donald Gillies. This book offers a truly unique perspective on life on St. Kilda. Donald John Gillies lived on the remote Scottish island from birth until the age of twenty-four, and his firsthand experience gives the narrative an authenticity that is hard to match. Much of the book centers on the powerful role religion played in shaping daily life, though Gillies also provides vivid glimpses of hunting fulmar, the influence of schoolmasters, and the excitement surrounding the arrival of ships from the mainland.

His deep love for the island is unmistakable and shines through in his warm, heartfelt writing. A thoroughly delightful read. 197 pages 4.5 stars

Thank you to @john257hopper for bringing this book to my attention—it was sitting in a donation tote until I read his review, which sent me digging it back out!

>102 Tess_W: I think a lot of books are "too long" these days. I think it's a symptom of the lack of editing at the major publishing houses.

>105 thornton37814: I do agree. For years my average book was between 290-320 pages. I would say it's up around 375 now with many totaling 400 pages. For my tastes, that is just too long! Of course, there are exceptions!

>106 Tess_W: Agreed!

Since I probably wont' finish a book today--here's the February roundup:

Books read: 9

Cheers (rated 4-5) 22% (not a good number!)
The Truth About St. Kilda by Donald Gillies
Josephine Baker's Secret War: The African American Star Who Fought for France and Freedom by Hanna Diamond

Jeers (rated less than 3) 22%
A Brief History of 7 Killings by Marlon James
Elijah and Elisha by Titus Chu

March "Have to's"
The Faith and Practice of the Quakers: The Philosophy, Theology and Teachings of the Society of Friends by Rufus Matthew Jones
Finish Goodnight, Vienna by Marius Gabriel
Finish I, II & III John by Rodney Combs
Finish In Search of Lost Books by Giorgio von Straten
A Love Story by Emile Zola

March "Want to's"
Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Wood
Stephen Vincent Benet 20 Short Stories by Stephen Vincent Benet (Randomkit--What's in a Name?)

>104 Tess_W: Definitely taking a BB for The Truth About St Kilda.

32. The Underground Railroad Adventure of Allen Jay by Marlene Targ Brill I was browsing the library for Quaker history books and found this. I was raised as a quaker until the age of 12, when we moved to another town with no such meeting, so I'm always interested. The Faith and Practice of the Quakers3 stars 75 NF Religious (Sects?) March RandomKit What's in a Name



33. Susanna's Sisters by Patricia Brown and Simon Webb This book documents the rise of Quakerism and other sects during the 17th century in England. It centers particularly on the experiences and roles of women within these movements by giving multiple concrete examples. There were a plethora of topics that were just barely mentioned, so it seems for mentioning's sake. 58 pages 3- stars March Random Kit-What's in a Name

34. Goodnight, Vienna by Marius Gabriel This historical fiction novel follows Katya Komarovsky, an ex nanny to the Tsarevich and med-student wanna be. However, due to circumstances in Europe at that time (early 30's), Katya had to forgo medical school to seek employment. She moves to Austria to become nanny to a child piano prodigy, probably suffering from Asperger's, in early 1938. In just a few months, German tanks and troops moved into Vienna consummating the Anschluss. The remainder of the story, although interesting, is a very familiar WWII Nazi trope. Interesting characters appear such as Freud and Asperger. At 379 pages it could have been shortened. (too many train rides, too many checkpoints) 3.5 stars

35. Seven Words by Susan Robb This was a re-read, or more like an in depth study of Christ's words from the cross. I re-read this in prep for a Lenten class I am teaching. I like the way Robb mixes in Jewish/Roman history with this event. 106 pages 5 stars

36. Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo This nonfiction book tells the remarkable story of Ellen and William Craft, enslaved people who carried out an ingenious escape in 1848. William had been apprenticed to a cabinetmaker as a young man, which gave him some familiarity with the world beyond the plantation. Ellen’s mother was enslaved, and her father was the plantation owner, which meant Ellen had a light complexion and could convincingly pass as white. During their escape, she disguised herself as a white man while William posed as her enslaved servant.

Woo builds the tension throughout their journey to freedom. The book continues to follow the Crafts well into their later years, including their two decades living in the United Kingdom from 1850 to 1870 after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act made the United States unsafe for them. This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and both have been exceptionally well written. 409 pages 5 stars RTT: Antebellum South

Note: Am I getting ADD as I age? It seems I'm growing restless reading any book much over 300+ pages, which are most of the 400+ books on my shelf. This just started in the last year. It doesn't matter if the book is interesting or not, my enthusiasm just wanes!

>113 Tess_W: It must be catching. We talked about this very thing at our last book club meeting. Everyone agreed they just didn't want to read books over 400 pages even if they weren't rushed for time. All eight in the club are retired and it's not a matter of time really. The reason is still undefined.

>113 Tess_W: I am curently reading this. It is the selection for one of my book clubs this month. I am really liking the pace of the narrative right now. Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much.

>115 beebeereads: I hope you enjoy it as much as I!
>114 clue: Good to know it's just not me! I don't even want to read books over 300 pages, but that's near impossible.

37. A Love Story by Emile Zola Part of the Rougon-MacQuart Series
This novel centers on Helene, a widow who lives with her epileptic (?) daughter in Paris. Her daughter has a seizure and she knocks on the neighbor's door for help and meets Dr. Henri. Later in the book, after much conflict, they begin an affair, which does not end well. Helene is much oppressed by others in the book: Dr. Henri, her daughter, the Abbe & his brother, and Fetu, an old lady she tried to help. This seemed to be an out of the ordinary write for Zola, forgoing politics and business in favor of romance. 304 pages 3.5 stars

>114 clue: I found this while I was doing a little light research:

Having trouble reading those chunksters after age 70?

The "Slow Down" Effect: Research shows that reading speed and information processing can slow down in one's 60s and 70s, making long, complex books feel more taxing.

Time Consciousness: Life feels more precious at 70. There is often less patience for books that take too long to get to the point or have "sagging" middle sections.

Higher Standards: With a lifetime of reading experience, you likely know what you enjoy and have no desire to finish books that do not immediately captivate you.

Distractions & Fatigue: Modern life, technology, and general fatigue can reduce the ability to focus on complex, long narratives for extended periods.

>117 Tess_W: Thanks for these nuggets of wisdom. I feel a lot better now about being in my 70's. I am much less likely to slog through a book just to finish, more likely to skip to the ending or put the book back on the shelf and select something else.

>117 Tess_W: I definitely feel the last one! I have to put my phone in another room to concentrate!

38. A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology by Mike Rinder This memoir is Mike Rinder’s personal account of his more than forty years in the Church of Scientology. Over time, Rinder rose into the upper ranks of the organization and became one of its most visible representatives. Born and educated in Australia, he was introduced to Scientology through his parents, who became involved with the movement during his youth. Although Rinder won a scholarship to attend Adelaide University, he declined the opportunity in order to join the staff of Scientology through the Sea Organization, signing the well-known “Billion Year Contract,” a symbolic pledge of lifelong service.

The Sea Organization originally functioned as L. Ron Hubbard’s floating headquarters, allowing the founder of Church of Scientology to operate from ships and, as critics later suggested, move quickly if necessary. Rinder’s tell-all account describes an intense and demanding environment within the organization. He recounts periods of working five or six days without sleep, abusive leadership practices, and what he claims were questionable tax and labor practices. Also interesting that they courted "famous" people and treated them much differently that "ordinary" members.

Over time, Rinder became increasingly disillusioned, particularly with directives requiring members to target critics—often former members or government investigators—with aggressive tactics. At the age of fifty-two, he quietly left the organization one evening, ending a life that had been almost entirely devoted to Scientology.

Rinder also describes the personal sacrifices required of members. The church discouraged having children, and although he and his wife had two, he saw them only once or twice a year for brief visits lasting just a few hours. After leaving, Rinder says he himself became a target of the organization. His departure led to estrangement from family members who remained in the church. The Church of Scientology, however, strongly denies the accuracy of the claims made in the book. Rinder dedicated this book to his children, that one day they may realize the "truth."

The basic premise of scientology: human beings are spiritual entities who have lived many past lives and possess far greater abilities than they currently realize. Scientology teaches that people can regain these abilities and achieve spiritual freedom through a structured process of self-examination and spiritual training.

The seems to be quite believable and seems to line up with other cursory read statements of others. 352 pages 4 stars 75: NF Religious Sects

I listened to this on audio/ (& pdf) , read by the author, and he was such a bad reader. Nobody could guess he was from Australia, because he had a harsh Boston accent. I sped it up to 1.25 and the accent wasn't quite as harsh.

39. When Comes the Spring by Janette Oke This is book two in the When Calls the Heart Series. This book is much slower and has a lot less plot than book one. Elizabeth and Wynn are married and move to his new Mountie post. Times are tough as Wynn is often away. The description of the loneliness and harsh winters are heart-felt. Hoping that book three has more of a plot! 260 pages 3.5 stars

40. I Am Hutterite by Mary Ann Kirby is a poignant memoir of one family’s place within the religious community of the Hutterites in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the story of leaving that closed community and trying to assimilate outside the community.

The Hutterites are an Anabaptist Christian group who live communally, sharing possessions, labor, and daily life. Kirkby spent the first ten years of her life in this tightly structured society before her parents made the difficult decision to leave the colony and enter mainstream society. Once outside the community, life was very difficult and most of the family would have preferred to return. However, the pride of her father makes the return not possible.

This book was both specific to the Hutterite community and universal in telling the story about family, faith, and identity.

While I greatly enjoyed this book, its story reminded me of experiences that many people have had growing up in close religious communities—including my own. I was raised in a very strong Quaker community that, in many ways, resembled the Hutterite world described in the book, though without the communal living. We shared many of the same beliefs, practices, and ways of thinking, and it provided a wonderful childhood.

Like Mary-Ann in the memoir, my life changed when my family moved about thirty miles away because of my father’s new job. I struggled with that transition and did not care for my “new” life. In many ways, I experienced the same emotions and adjustments that Ann-Marie describes in the book. I did not fully feel settled again until I went away to college several years later. Looking back, however, I can say that growing up in that close-knit community was a truly great early childhood.

The only “problem” I had with this book is that it often grouped all religious communities together, such as the Mennonites, Amish, etc. My experience has been that notion is very far from reality, even generally. 274 pages 5 stars

>122 Tess_W: Taking a bb on this one. I grew up in a close knit Roman Catholic community where church was the center of our lives. The community has changed a lot and I don’t live there now, but I still have fond memories of my childhood days there.

41. Life at the Dakota by Stephen Birmingham The author traces the history of this unique apartment building from its conception until 1979. I found the history (almost a mini biography) of Isaac Merrit Singer to be some of the most interesting material contained within the book. The author describes the hotel's unusual location, large apartments, lofts made from 6 feet of extra ceiling space, and the triangular fortress-like towers of the 8th and 9th floors. He covers noted personalities to live there such Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, and Boris Karloff. He does mention John Lennon and Yoko Ono, but they were reclusive and not much was known of them while at the Dakota. Lennon was assassinated at the front door of this hotel in 1980, a year after the book was published. The first chapter discusses the neighborhood of the Dakota and a map was needed of NYC 1880ish. Although very interesting, it felt a bit dated. 270 pages 4 stars

42. I II & III John by Rodney Combs. Verse by verse expository teaching. Very good! 154 pages 5 stars

43. Becoming Mrs. Abbott by Kiersten Modglin Billed as a psychological thriller. The story follows Rachael and Caide Abbott, whose troubled relationship becomes the center of a murder investigation when Caide’s mistress is killed. One must suspend all belief to finish reading this book. 444 pages 2.5* (didn't finish last 75 pages--too ridiculous)

Went to the last ballet of the year, La Boeheme. Great as always! Can't wait to see what they are doing next year!

44. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is a children's fantasy that offers subtle moral lessons. Through Charlie Bucket's journey through Wonka's factory, the reader learns about the pitfalls of greed, selfishness and being a braggart. The characters are quirky, but ultimately integrity is rewarded. 144 pages 3.5*



Read in advance of my 2 granddaughters who are involved in this school play as an oompa loompa and the makeup "artiste."

45. In Search of Lost Books by Giorgio Van Straten This was a book pondering about "lost" volumes of literature or poems. The author selects eight works that were either mythical or are "missing" and hypothesizes as to what became of each work. Interesting reading. 122 pages 3.5*

46. An American Marriage: The Untold Story of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd by Michael Burlingame. is a nonfiction work that traces Abraham Lincoln’s relationships—from his courtship of Ann Rutledge and Mary Owens (the former dying, the latter rejecting him) through his presidency, assassination, and Mary Todd Lincoln’s departure from the White House. The book presents an overwhelmingly bleak portrayal of Mary Lincoln and the couple’s home life; across its 310 pages, virtually no positive qualities are attributed to her. While much of the material is familiar, the author provides far more detailed accounts. However, the citation method—placing sources in the back by page number and, when multiple references appear on a page, identifying them by the first three words of a phrase rather than a number—is cumbersome. Some sources also seem questionable, such as secondhand accounts involving private letters and observations passed through multiple individuals. Even so, the book reinforces the idea that politics has long been, and remains, a dirty, dirty business. 310 pages 3 stars

>130 Tess_W: ...and all that happened to her was that three of her four children died and her husband was murdered sitting beside her...

>131 clue: agree! This book basically covered courtship and married life, including household management. It really didn't touch much on any of the deaths, except for their effect on Mary and hence the marriage. So perhaps, I should have added to my review: a limited scope. It truly was just an analysis of the marriage, mostly focusing on Mary. She did have odd "tendencies" before her and Lincoln even married.

47. I read these 4 children's books before giving them to my granddaughter. I'm counting them as one book

The Gruffalo
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

March Wrap-up I won't finish another book this month so:

Books Read: 16

Cheers (books rated 4-5*)
Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon Woo
A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology by Mike Rinder
I Am Hutterite by Mary Ann Kirkby
Life at the Dakota by Stephen Birmingham
I II & III John by Rodney Combs

Jeers (books rates less than 3 stars)
Becoming Mrs. Abbott by Kiersten Modglin

"Plans for Next Month'
Finish Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase
Finish FDR's Funeral Train by Robert Klara
American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles by Thomas Keneally (RTT Americas excluding the Old West)
The Black Death: A New History of the Great Mortality in Europe, 1347-1500 (75's NF The Body)
Murder in the British Museum: A 1920s Historical Mystery in London by Jennifer Alderson (ArtsCAT)
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (ArtsCAT)

48. Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase A good Regency romance with witty repartee. A few steamy bits. Either the book or the author was a referral by pamelad. 354 pages 4 stars

>135 Tess_W: I so enjoy Loretta Chase! If you continue with the series, book #2 Mr. Impossible is widely loved, and my personal favorite is book #3 Lord Perfect.

>136 christina_reads:
Thanks, they are both on my WL!

>135 Tess_W: Glad you liked it.
>136 christina_reads: Lord Perfect is my favourite as well.

I indulged! Audible was having an 85% off everything, and I got 13 books for $42!
Murder at the Natural History Museum
Make no Bones
Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus I've read before and have on Kindle, but thought a reread by Audible would be nice! (and it was $2.43)
The Hot Rock
Nanjing Requiem
Growing up Amish
Terms of Endearment
The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon
Fates and Traitors (John Wilkes Booth)
Down and Out in Paris and London
The Marquise of O and Other Works
Penelope's Bones
Masterpieces and Mysteries Top 10 Fascinating Facts About the Louvre Museum by Casper Dene

>139 Tess_W: That’s quite a haul! Enjoy!

>139 Tess_W: Oh, I didn't know about that sale! Thank you for mentioning it. I got some audiobooks from my wish list for a greatly reduced price now, including Miss Wonderful.

>141 MissBrangwen: Serendipity!

49. FDR’s Funeral Train: A Betrayed Widow, a Soviet Spy, and a Presidency in the Balance by Robert Klara. Although the time period covered in this book is only two days, the book contains detailed information about FDR's death and transport to Washington DC for the funeral and then on to Hyde Park for his burial. The book tells about the thousands of people who stood up to 24 hours in the cold and the rain just to get a glimpse of the train. It also tells of the private tensions and personal tragedies aboard the train from the grieving Eleanor Roosevelt to the wholly unprepared and ignorant Harry Truman. FDR had never included Truman in any cabinet meetings, and in fact, he had only been to the White House for a photo op twice.

One strength is Klara's storytelling ability. This book reads like a novel but is non-fiction based on declassified information and conversations.

While the espionage/spy subplot was interesting, not sure how much it was really related to the topic at hand. It sure makes McCarthy's accusations within Truman's government a bit more believable.

I really enjoyed this off-beat topic. 273 pages 4.5 stars

50. I started out by reading Murder in the British Museum: A 1920s Historical Mystery in London by Jennifer S. Alderson. This is book 2 in a series, A Traveler's Tale of Murder. This was a cozy mystery set in 1925 in London. The protagonist, Evelyn Cartwright, is taking a sightseeing trip when the curator of the museum is murdered with an Egyptian artifact. Of course, an unlikely suspect is accused, and Evelyn vows to come to their aid. This was a straightforward mystery with little surprise. Good description of the internal workings of a museum. The story line: just average. 232 pages 3 stars

51. Daniel Webster and the Devil Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent by Stephen Vincent Benet. These are 2 short stories, the first being more widely recognized. I would categorize them as legendary tall tales. In each, Daniel defeats an enemy by his wit and argumentative skills. Total 38 pages. 3 stars

52. I read an epic poem by Stephen Vincent Benet: John Brown's Body. This poem won a Pulitzer Prize and is set during the US Civil War. The title of the poem is taken from both an actual event and its resultant song. The poem follows multiple characters both Union and Confederate and multiple social classes from the poor, wealthy plantation owners, slaves, and military personnel. IMHO this is such a great work of history (historical fiction). 357 pages 4*

I also read a short story By the Waters of Babylon which is set in post-apocalyptic society that fears forbidden knowledge. John, the son of a priest, defies tradition and travels to "Babylon", (NYC) and discovers many new things. When he returns home, him and his father think it best not to discuss his discoveries. 15 pages 5*

I've got about another 800 pages of Benet in an anthology, but will put it back on the shelf, for now.

53. American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles by Thomas Keneally This biography traces the life of Daniel Sickles—Congressman, Tammany Hall insider, Civil War general, U.S. Ambassador to Spain, and notorious womanizer. Even before his marriage, Sickles was involved with a mistress, and throughout his life he seemed to live in two worlds: one of public service and another marked by deception and excess.

Sickles moved among powerful figures such as Presidents James Buchanan and Ulysses S. Grant, as well as Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. His most infamous act came when he shot and killed Philip Barton Key II—the son of Francis Scott Key—after discovering Key’s affair with his wife. In a landmark case, Sickles became the first person to successfully use the “not guilty by reason of insanity” defense.

Sickles lived to the age of 95, never abandoning his unfaithful habits. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Sickles, but Thomas Keneally, as usual, writes a good book.

I listened to this on audiobook (13 hrs 40 mins, or 416 pages). 4* RTT: 19th Century America

54. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott A short novella (my edition, but some editions are short stories) based Alcott's time as a nurse volunteer during the Civil War. This is an early work and very rudimentary. 104 pages 3 (very average) stars
RTT 19th Century America

55. Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again by Paige Dickey Memoir about leaving an established home with cultivated and beloved gardens and beginning again. I listened to this on audio and it left something to be desired. Chapter after chapter description of flowers using their Latin names, which I had to look up, if I could "guess" at their spelling. That got too cumbersome so the last half of the book I felt I skimmed--didn't look anything up so I'm really unable to comment on the plants and shrubbery. Perhaps in the book it had pictures of all of the flowers mentioned and/or discussed? The first two chapters were lovely, about deciding to sell the home of 30 years and move. The rest of the listening was frustrating for me. 5 hours 17 mins 244 pages 2.5 for enjoyment, 3* overall RTT: April/Spring

>148 Tess_W: In my experience some books definitely do not work as well as audiobooks as in print. It sounds like Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again is one of them. I'm sorry it was frustrating.

Nice to see Stephen Vincent Benet being read. The Devil and Daniel Webster is one of my favorite short stories.

56. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce Event that takes place during the US Civil War. 24 pages 5 stars

57. Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson WOW! What a great psychological suspense novel. The basis for the novel is the amnesia of the main character. Highly recommend. 371 pages 5 stars

>152 Tess_W: Adding this one to my WL!

>152 Tess_W: I am also taking a BB for this one.

>153 MissBrangwen:
>154 lowelibrary:
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

58. Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. This is a memoir by Tammet, an autistic savant, who also has synesthesia, in which numbers are seen by colors and shapes, not by digits as we see them. The author can easily memorize Pi up to 20,000 digits and has memorized prime numbers to the millions. However, he was hard pressed to solve many ordinary math problems in school. In fact, he was just an "average" student in school. He is also fluent in 10 languages. The book focuses not only on his special abilities, but also of the struggles: epilepsy, social isolation (mostly self-imposed), and bullying.

While I found the book well-written and thoughtful, I don't believe Tammet's case was exceptionally "special." I could change just one or two abilities and/or struggles and be able to identify a dozen students. If the reader is looking for an extreme case to study, this would not be the book. 258 pages 3.5* 75's NF: The Body

59. Hot From the Preachers Mound: The Sermons of Billy Sunday (Revival Classics Library Book 1) by Billy Sunday

This was a collection of sermons by 1920's pro baseball player turned evangelist, Billy Sunday. He was known as much for his "performances" as he was for his message--which was focused on the evils of alcohol. It would seem that Sunday's sermons were confrontational and filled with vivid language that brought up vivid imaginings. If you are looking for something deep or heavy theology, you won't get it in this book. Many of his sermons are repetitive with almost the same language. I didn't really read this book for the theology or a religious experience, but read it to become more familiar with the 1920's reform movements. I was trying to see if there was any connection to John Scopes and the famous "Monkey" trial, but found none. 192 pages 3 stars

60. Probing the Ethics of Holocaust Culture by Claudio Fogu et. al This Harvard Press publish for the Holocaust and Genocide Studies probes how narratives of the Holocaust are constructed, questioning whether certain portrayals risk sterilizing or distancing the atrocity. Fogu has concerns about collective memory, asking who has the authority to interpret suffering? He challenges storytellers, authors, and researchers to be ethical and remember without distortion as well as avoiding simplification. He also reminds the reader to ask: WHY this is being remembered: Is it for history's sake, political use, or societal justification(s)? With the eyewitness generation now gone, we must rely on the accounts they recorded or passed down. Very good academic read. I had to read a press book this semester and glad I chose this one, even though I generally don't like an essay anthology, all of these essays were quite focused. Didn't love the one with all the data schema, but suppose it was necessary. 528 pages 5 stars

61. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith is an early twentieth-century novel about an impoverished family struggling to survive in a decaying castle. The story is narrated by Cassandra Mortmain, who records the family’s travails in her journal, attempting to "capture" the essence of their daily lives.

There is a cast of distinctive characters, ranging from a former artist’s nude model to a young woman yearning for love, as well as wealthy American suitors. While the novel was not anything deep, it was an enjoyable and at times an amusing read. 351 pages 4*

I have discovered that I have 14 books that are short stories. I don't really like short stories...but perhaps it's because I try to read the entire book at once. I've got a new "method." After each novel or non-fiction that I read, I'm going to read one short story--just one from a book I select. I will then bookmark it and put it back on the shelf. I will report it here, but won't count it in my numbers until the entire book is read. Short stories, here I come!

I think a number of us here do the same with short stories. Sometimes one as a palate cleanser before a chunkier book is just the ticket!

62. Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman is a psychological thriller that takes place in the titular city. The protagonist, Laura Powers, struggles to make sense of the appearance of a small boy with little memory from the woods behind her house. The author does a good job in creating tension and showing that memory is a very fragile thing. A free Kindle read from 2020. 314 pages 4 stars

63. Sputnik: The Shock of the Century by Paul Dickson. This is another university press book that has been on my shelf for at least 5-6 years. This was the historical account of the launch of Sputnik-1 and its impact on the American people. Dickson writes about the change in the school curriculum, how neighborhood watch programs were developed out of fear, and how this event intensified the Cold War, among other things. Sometimes there were some dense details, but for the most part this book is written like a narrative and the storytelling is interesting. 324 pages 4 stars

I'm on a streak I don't want to be on--I'm getting off! I've read 3 UP (University Press) books in the last month. When I went looking for one, I found another one, and then another one. I much more enjoy my psychological thrillers and historical fiction! Anyway, off the shelf is off the shelf, eh?

64. Ugaritic Texts: Ba'al Cycle by Scriptural Research Institute) Where to begin? Ugaritic was a Semite language spoken in Syria about 12-13 BCE. These texts were found on 25 clay tablets in the city of Ugarit and it is a cycle of stories based on Ba'al, the god of many things for the Canaanites, but specifically the storm god. In these stories, Ba'al is having to fight the other gods for supremacy. I can most liken the stories to Greek mythologies where the gods are volatile, vengeful, and brutal. This was a difficult read, and I did not seek commentary or research as I read--I wasn't that interested. The stories seem fragmented. The closest thing I can compare it to is Gilgamesh, which I love! This I didn't love so much! 182 pages 3 stars



I'm also working on a difficult NF read about Jamestown. Been working on it for a month--not difficult, but I'm not focusing!

65. Under Lying by Janelle Harris is a psychological thriller that deals with truth, deception, and the burden of past choices. The reader is unaware of what is real and what is concealed. There are shifting perspectives of both lies and truth. In general, thought this book was better than average, however, it's a dual timeline and the "Then" timeline could have been cut in half and the story not ruined, IMHO. At the center of the story is a missing child. 301 pages 3.5* Free Kindle book in 2019.

66. Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke The author takes what could be an amusing and educational topic and used it to promote the ideas of queerness and racism. She begins by saying that all non-Africans appropriated the “ideal butt” from the exploitation of Sarah Baartman, a Black South African woman who was displayed in 19th-century Europe because of her body. Baartman becomes a key example of how Black bodies were objectified and turned into spectacles for white audiences, who later appropriated the idea or style. Radke also brings into some of her essays her queerness and her discomfort when somebody commented on her butt when she was younger. I’m not sure what the point was, that idea surfaced several times but was not fully developed. I feel her sexual orientation interrupted the narrative rather than augmented it. I’m going to step out here and say something that I know nothing about, that I think she was hinting, very weakly, that gender identification shapes ideas of beauty. There was a modicum of history about the obsession with the butt, from the 19th century to the pop icons of today such as Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Beyonce, just to name a few. Her point in this essay was to show how the “ideal” body—particularly the butt—moves from stigmatized to widely accepted once it becomes profitable. It was difficult for me to focus. Just when I thought I was settling in on a topic, a new one appeared, leading me to think the topics were in general superficial. Fun factoid: without the gluteal muscles, humans would not be able to run, and that the shape of the butt can influence speed—a detail that stands out more clearly than many of the book’s other arguments. 307 pages 2.5 stars

April Roundup
Books read: 18

Cheers (4-5 stars)
FDR’s Funeral Train: A Betrayed Widow, a Soviet Spy, and a Presidency in the Balance by Robert Klara
John Brown's Body by Stephen Vincent Benet
By the Waters of Babylon Stephen Vincent Benet
American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles by Thomas Keneally
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman
Sputnik: The Shock of the Century by Paul Dickson
Probing the Ethics of the Holocaust Culture by Claudio Fugo

Jeers (less than 3 stars)
Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke

A great reading month with almost 50% of books read rated 4* or higher!

May's Plan:
finish The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola group read
The Road to Oxiana (75 NF Travel/Tourism)
19th Century America Excluding the Old West-The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allen Poe
Napoleon's Doctor: The St Helena Diary of Barry O’Meara RTT It happened in May

kits/kats/ & as I desire

67. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce A quiet, soft story about a very ordinary man who takes off walking to comfort a dying friend. The transformational journey is more important than the destination, though. Done well. 338 pages 4.5 stars

68. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder This is book one in Wilder's famous series about life on the frontier Written for children ages 8-12, it is still a very enjoyable read for this adult. I've read this series at least twice and perhaps three times. Each book is readable in 2-3 sittings. This particular book tells of the Ingalls family living in the woods in Wisconsin post Civil War. At this time the Ingalls family is composed of Ma, Pa, Mary, and Laura. My favorite episodes in the book are maple sugaring and hog slaughtering (non-gory) time! 256 pages 5 stars

69. Nine Days in May: The General Strike Strike of 1926 by Jonathan Schneer Found this book while looking for another with a similar name. This book is a non-fictional account of the 1926 British General Strike, when nearly three million workers walked out in support of coal miners facing wage cuts and longer hours. Schneer covers the strike from many different perspectives: labor unions, government leaders, strike breakers, and the ordinary man. Schneer is a good story teller. Schneer’s thesis—that despite the scale and potential of the 1926 strike, both labor leaders and the government acted cautiously, preventing it from escalating into a true revolutionary crisis. There were chapters that were dense and technical and seemed to be a foreign language if one was not familiar with British labor history, but all in all a very readable book. 426 pages 4 stars

>158 Tess_W: I read I Capture The Castle in a German translation as a teenager and have wanted to reread it in English for many years. I hope to get to it one day.

>159 Tess_W: That's a good plan! I hope you are successful!

70. Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman I "found" this on my bookshelf at school and just sat down and read it! (after school, of course!) This book spans Lincoln's life from his boyhood through his assassination with a collection of pictures beginning in 1848 when Lincoln was a lawyer on the frontier (Illinois). This is a great biography and even greater set of pictures. Reading age 10-15. 165 pages 5 stars

Finished both my tree book and my audiobook at the same time!

71. The Jamestown Adventure by Ed southern This NF book was comprised of letters, supply lists, and promotional materials for the colony of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in the New World, from 1605-1614. Jamestown had a very rough start. Of the 144 men that left England, only 100 stepped off the boat in 1607. A year later only 35 survived. Two years later there were none of the original settlers to survive. Most died of disease, starvation, and Native American attacks. At one time Jamestown was so desperate for settlers they asked the Lord Mayor of London to send them a boatload of convicts from Newgate Prison. Most of the book is very dry, but the Starvation Years section was quite interesting. 250 pages 4 stars



72. Five Days in London, May 1940 by John Lukacs This book focuses on five critical days in the life of the British War Cabinet as its members debated whether Britain should negotiate with Hitler or continue fighting. The crisis came at a crucial moment: Winston Churchill had been prime minister for barely two weeks, Lord Halifax strongly opposed Churchill’s determination to continue the war, and nearly 300,000 British soldiers were trapped at Dunkirk.

One of the book’s strengths is its attention to the attitudes and morale of ordinary British citizens, giving readers a sense of what the public understood and how they reacted during the crisis. However, one weakness is the portrayal of Neville Chamberlain as largely resigned to losing power and supportive of Churchill. This interpretation differs from many other historical accounts, which often describe Chamberlain as resentful of Churchill and willing to create difficulties for his new government.

This was a very readable and interesting book. I listened to this on audio. (6 hours 25 mins =256 pages) 4 stars

ETA: After some research, it does appear that Chamberlain opposed Churchill at every turn UNTIL 1940 and then supported him in the war effort.

73. The King Tides by James Swain This is a crime thriller wherein the star of the show is Jon Lancaster, a retired cop and former Navy SEAL who now works as an unofficial private investigator specializing in protecting vulnerable children. Jon is located in Florida and this case is about a young teen girl who is being shadowed by unknown individuals who have tried to kidnap her twice. Lancaster teams up with FBI agent Beth Daniels, herself a survivor of abduction, and the two uncover connections to human trafficking and online predators. This is the first book in the Lancaster & Daniels series. The story line was good enough, but the sentences were short and choppy and chapters were the same. I will not be seeking out other books in the series. This was a free book from Kindle in 2024. 318 pages

74. The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean This book demonstrates above all, that Sam Kean is a teacher. A good teacher will tell stories and not just spout unrelated facts. People will remember stories along after the formula or fact is forgotten. Instead of treating the Periodic Table as a chart that just tells the weight and number of electrons for each element, Kean tells an interesting story about that element. The stories range from war, fraud, madness, genius, and occasional explosions. The book's name is taken from the story about Gallium, which will melt when immersed in solutions hotter than 156 degrees. Therefore, a "prank" used to be to serve tea with a Gallium spoon and it would disappear as it sat in the hot tea. This witty book is not written for chemistry majors, but readers who may have hated chemistry in school but enjoy history, strange trivia, and odd personalities. A great read. 391 pages 4.5 stars

75. Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath This was a bunch of steamy pornographic drivel. Illegitimate son of a duke and daughter of an earl. Why did I finish? 389 pages 2.5 stars free Kindle book of the month Nov. 2023.

76. The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola This particular work seems to be a little different from my reads thus far in the manner in which it is presented. There's a lot going on so I will be short: The marketplace of Paris is very bourgeoisie and will go to great lengths to maintain the status quo. IMHO they aren't necessarily doing it to be evil, but doing it out of greed to maintain their status. 320 pages 4 stars

77. The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron tells of Byron’s travel through the Middle East, particularly Persia (Iran) and Afghanistan in search of architecture. It’s more than the normal travelogue, more like a detailed diary of culture observations. Byron can be witty, snobbish, and even cruel (speaking). His traveling partner, Christopher Sykes, seems to be the exact opposite, he seems to be Jerry Lewis to the author’s Dean Martin. His descriptions of the mosques are particularly “breathtaking.” However, he is very opinionated, and his judgements of cultures would today be classified as almost racist, but for 1937, I feel that it would be labeled “harsh.” In addition to harsh, I would also suggest that his writing at times could also be apologetic or dismissive towards the local people and customs. If one wants to read an interesting book about Middle Eastern travel, this is it. If one wants to read an unbiased book about Middle Eastern travel, this is NOT it. I listened to this on audio, 11 hours 26 mins (322 pages) 3.5* rec by Pam

78. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder This is the story of Almanzo Wilder growing up as a boy in up-state New York. I was really able to appreciate this book as it told the story of trying to save potatoes from a killing frost, the country fair, and Almanzo's possible apprenticeship. What a great read. Glad I'm revisiting this series again. 384 pages 5 stars

79. Zuleikha by Guzel Yakhina This work of historical fiction is set in Kazan (USSR) in the 1930's amid Stalin's round up and deportation of the kulaks. Zuleikha, a young Tartar woman is brutalized by her husband and mother-in-law before the Red army arrives, kills her husband and puts her on a transport to Siberia. The hunger, freezing river crossings, overcrowded trains and arbitrary cruelties are drawn from the exile experience of her grandmother. My only complaint about the book would be that the ending seemed rushed and too hopeful, given the historical reality. When I bought the Audio version of this, I also got a free PDF, so I read part of the book and listened to part. I've been really sick with bronchitis, so it was nice to be able to lay down and close my eyes and listen. 502 pages 4 stars

>179 Tess_W: I’m sorry to hear you’re unwell, my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Yakhina is an author who sometimes pops up on my radar, seems like she is worth checking out.

>180 MissWatson: TY, Birgit. On my second round of antibiotics and prednisone and I think I'm finally feeling better! Yakhina has a 2nd book translated into English, A Volga Tale, which I would also like to read.

I've just started Europe Central by William Vollmann and it's massive! 832 pages. I'm just recovering from bronchitis and not sure if I have the strength to continue! It's also a "thinking" book! Will consider putting it down and going for some fluff.

Fluff is the thing to go for as a convalescent.

>179 Tess_W: -Sorry you're not well. Although the plot of the book doesn't appeal to me, I do like the cover.

Hello Tess! I'm so glad to be finally catching up with your thread, and thank you for continuing to comment on mine.

>117 Tess_W: So glad you posted this! The discussions you had about editors letting books spill over into 350+ pp these days was so true and I'm glad it's not just me rolling my eyes at the length.

>128 Tess_W: I so loved both this book and its sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator when I was growing up! Roald Dahl had both biting commentary and humor, not to mention a fantastic imagination.

I tend to read short stories as "before bedtime" reads. The format of books helps me disengage my brain from both work and screentime, and if I pick up a short story and then put it down, that's not a problem when I pick it up again. Your plan sounds like a good solution to your predicament.

Looking forward to the rest of your reading year!

Am reading Europe Central by William Vollmann This guy is all over the place! It's a bit historical, a bit fiction, a bit fantasy, a bit stream of consciousness, and a bit of "nonsense" in one! The author is wearing me out. Maybe I'm trying to analyze it or figure it out too much. Maybe I should just read!

80. Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy This book is generally classified as an utopian novel, but I'm not sure I can agree with that. This novel imagines the U.S. in the year 2000 through the eyes of Julian West, a Bostonian of the mid 19th century. The book doesn't seem to have a lot of plot, but certainly lots of ideas, mostly concerning labor and economics. Parts of this book are highly entertaining while parts are very dry, especially when the author writes a philosophical aside. All in all a good read about what the ideal society should look like. The only really big criticism of the book is that the font size is either 6 or 7, I could barely read it even with bifocals. 124 pages 4 stars

81. Europe Central by William Vollman is very difficult to review. It’s supposed to be a historical fiction novel, but I wouldn’t classify it as such. Just “what” it is, I don’t know. There is no central plot within this 832 page book. Instead, it is 37 interconnected “short stories.” These stories encompass soldiers, artists, generals, spies, political leaders, and ordinary civilians trapped between two totalitarian systems. The central is the space between Germany and the Soviet Union where ideological philosophies compete with each other. The most memorable characters of the novel, to me, were Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Dmitri Shostakovich, Friedrich Paulus, Kathee Kollwitz, and Herman Goring. Especially interesting was Shostakovich, who was a musician trying to walk the line in the Soviet Union, but also trying to be creative. It is interesting that I read an article in a journal last year that was basically a denigration of Shostakovich’s musical talent. The article intimated that he was not a good composer, and many musicians did not understand what the hoopla was about. My response to this NOW, is that I think he did his best, not what he wanted, but his best to avoid antagonizing Stalin and avoiding the gulag.

The novel is fragmented, does not proceed chronologically, and alternates between reality and some sort of haze or dream state. I’m having not-so-good flashbacks of Slaughterhouse-Five. It jumps in time, place, and perspective.

There are some great questions subtly asked within this novel. Probably the most important is: What happens when ideology becomes more important than life? BTW, not answered in 832 pages.

I’m sure there are tons of nuances that went right over my head.
I can’t really recommend this book, but I’m ok with having read it. I’m afflicted with completism, so there are few that I DNF. 832 pages 3 stars

>188 Tess_W: reading this review reminded me of another novel about Shostakovich which you might enjoy, Julian Barnes' The Noise of Time. The book you reviewed sounds interesting, but there's no way I'm going to read an 832 page novel!

>189 Jackie_K: I will look into the Barnes book. You could always read only the chapters on Shostakovich. Each chapter is really a short story within itself. I think there are at least 3 and maybe 4 on Shostakovich.

82. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury The sophomores at school read this book last year and so thought I needed a reread. The kids didn't like it so much. However, I dearly love this book and it's among my top 10 all time favorites. Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn books in a future society that discourages independent thought. Montag begins to question the world values and secretly begins to read books that he was supposed to have burned, which means he has to be exterminated. He escapes and joins a rag tag group dedicated to preserving knowledge by memorizing books. They sit around the campfire and recite what they have memorized: Ecclesiastes & Revelation (Montag), The Republic (Plato), Gulliver's Travels, Huckleberry Finn, Walden, and Shakespeare, among others. The ELA teacher at my school had the students write about what book they would choose to memorize and so we had a discussion about it in the teacher's workroom one day. I would probably choose the book of Matthew and Wuthering Heights--if I were able to memorize two. What would you choose? 249 pages 5 stars

I will not finish anymore reads in May, so here's May:

Books read: 15

Cheers: (Books rated 4-5 stars) 12
Jeers: (Books rated less than 3 stars) 1

What a great reading month! 80% of my reads were at least 4 star reads!

What's up for June?
finish The Agony Column by Earl Biggers
Barns: A Pictorial History by Jill Caravan
The Marriage of Megotta byEdith Pargeter
On The Banks of Plum Creek

Congrats on such a super reading month!
I can’t imagine memorising an entire book, but I’d like to save Austen’s Persuasion.