Cheli's 2010 75 Read

Here's the link to my bio

This is where I will be posting my reviews and comments on the books that I am reading in 2010. Comments and insights are welcome from others.

I am joining SqueakyChu in an additional challenge inside the 75 book challenge. I'd made a suggestion about this at the end of the 999 Challenge but it never went anywhere, so I can incorporate my little categories into this.

The Take It or Leave It Challenge: This will be directly incorporated into my 75 Books Challenge. Each month I'll pick something different that I think would be fun to read. Join me, if you'd like. Hint: Always check your TBR pile first when selecting a book!

January, 2010: I will read a book with a color in the title.
The Picture of Dorian Gray - gray
Plum Pudding Murder - plum

February, 2010 In honor of Valentine's Day - a book with LOVE in the title
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Mastered by Love

March, 2010
In honor of St. Patrick's Day - a book with SAINT or GREEN in the title - Murder on St. Mark's Place
A book by an LT author - Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik
A Book about Women in History in honor of Women's History Month - Perfection Salad: Women and Cooking at the Turn of the Century

April, 2010
In honor of the Easter bunny- a book with AN ANIMAL in the title
To recognize the change due to the coming of spring - book titles that suggest Sweaters
Early Reviewer books

SPOILER FOR OTHER MEMBERS DOING THE TIOLI CHALLENGE- MY FUTURE MONTHS

May, 2010
In honor of my birthday - a book about my home state.
In honor of my wedding anniversary (36 years) a book with Love or Marriage in the title

Welcome back!

Good luck on reaching your goal. You can do it! LOL.. like the bar, btw.

Glad to see you back, Cheli! I hope I get as many recommendations from your thread in 2010 as I did in 2009.

Hi there Cheli ...I've got your starred

Glad to see you're back, too, Cheli. I've got you starred so we're all ready to go. I'm looking forward to getting a lot of great recommendations from you again, next year.

Cheli, I'm still with you, too. Looking forward to another great year!

Another great year of reading, coming up!

I've got you starred again Cheli, and I look forward to seeing what you'll be reading in 2010

edited because I can't spell.

I finished my first books!



#1 THE LOST THRONE
Author: Chris Kuzneski
Read: Jan 1 - Jan 8
Format: Unedited Proof Book, 495 pages
Source: publisher for review
Setting: St Petersburg, Russia; Greece
Subject: murder, smuggling, antiquities
Category: ER/ LT Recommendations
Genre: mystery-police procedural
Challenges: 101020, Thriller Suspense, TBR, 75 Book, Endless Europe, Chunkster

DJ Jones and Jonathan Payne are disturbed while on vacation and enlisted to rescue a damsel in distress (Allison) who has witnessed the murder of her employer in St. Petersburg, Russia. Determining that the reason for the murder by a hit man has something to do with what Allison's boss was looking for, the three set out on a treasure hunt.

At the same time Nick Dial, the head of Interpol's Homicide division is investigating the brutal mass slaying of an entire community of monks in Greece. The stories are fast paced and intricately interwoven throughout until they converge at a thrilling climax.

I received this book for review from the publisher, and to be honest, I had delayed reading it, now I wished I hadn't. I found out that this was the third in a series with these characters and I will definitely be looking for the first two books. What a great way to start 2010!

#2 THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
Author: Oscar Wilde
Read: Jan 1 - Jan 8
Format: audio, Overdrive, 7.5 hours, 456 page equivalent
Source: public library
Narrator: Michael Paige
Subject: art, bargain with the devil, hedonism
Setting: England
Category: Surprise: Books I want to read
Challenges: 101020, SYLL, 75 Book, Audio
Stars: 3

Dorian Gray was a young man that had his portrait painted by Basil Hallward. Basil had a "crush" on Dorian and felt that the Dorian's "beauty" and his association with young man was the reason for Basil's new success. While at Basil's, Dorian is introduced to Lord Henry Wotton and is fascinated by the philosophies which embrace hedonism professing the pursuit of beauty and sensory satisfaction are the primary reasons for existence. This leads to Dorian's "bargain with the devil" to have his portrait absorb the ravages of age rather than his own visage.

Art seems to be key in this book - the portrait is mandatory to the plot, but then there is the character of Sybil Vane, whom Dorian Gray "loves" except that what he loves is not the girl but the characters that she represents on the stage. When he no longer worships her art, he no longer loves her.

Dorian Gray's debauchery is cataloged throughout and the activities that he engages are made apparent by the ravages to the portrait.

Knowing to a certain degree what the story was about, the beginning was hard for me to get into. But once the story proceeded to the details, it was more entertaining.

The Lost Throne looks like a winner, so is your review!

Wow, you're off to a great start with these 2 books, Cheli. Dorian Gray has always been one of my favorites among the classics and one that I re-read periodically.

Terrific start to your reading year, Cheli! Congratulations.

#3 POLK: THE MAN WHO TRANSFORMED THE PRESIDENCY AND AMERICA
Author: Walter R. Borneman
Read: Dec 31 - Jan 8
Format: audio, PLAYAWAY, 13 hours, 445 page equivalent
Source: public library
Narrator: Alan Nebelthau
Subject: James Polk, President, US History, western expansion
Setting: California, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, DC
Category: Histories/Bio
Challenges: 101020, SYLL, USPC, 75 Book
Stars: 3

James Knox Polk is remembered mainly as the first "dark horse" president but historians feel that he was a near-great president. He grew as a politician under the tutelage of Andrew Jackson. He was a compromise candidate of the Democrat party in 1844 after serving as Governor of Tennessee and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He promised before election that he would only serve one term ad that his objectives were to reduce the tariff, create an independent federal Treasury, annex Texas and bring in Oregon and California . He accomplished all of these while serving as commander-in chief during the Mexican American War.

Polk was a no-nonsense President who, when Rivers and Harbors legislation was proposed ( the largest bit of pork barrel legislation ever put before the congress) at the same time as important legislation regarding tariff reduction, Polk waited for the passage of the other vital legislation before vetoing the rivers and harbor bill with the message "many of the projects were of a local measure and far beyond what could be called essential to the nation's commerce" .He stated that "to call the mouth of a creek, a harbor, cannot confer the authority to spend money for its improvement. Should this bill become law, the precedent that it establishes will inevitably lead to large and annually increasing appropriations and drains upon the treasury. For it is not to be doubted that new and other localities will demand of their representatives in Congress " equal representation.

POLITICAL COMMENT
Polk presidency seems to be mirror reflection of what is happening in today's politics - he was accused of starting the Mexican War and the Whigs were constantly battling to show him up, but when it came time to act, the appropriations that were needed were passed without issue. To this day we have unnecessary expenses for "improvements" that are not needed simply as part of pork barrel legislation. What a shame that we did not learn from history.

I have this one ripped to my MP3 on hold until his turn comes up in the queue.....That will be at least another year. Is is worth holding onto, or do you think anything better will come up by then?

> 10 The Plantation, the first in the Kuzneski series, sounds great. I may have to look this up. Like I need another series to follow...

Great comments on the Polk book, also!

The Polk book definitely is worth the time. I found it extremely informative and even had info on the Mexican war so much so that I didn't need to get a separate book for it.

Cheli, you're blazing a trail for those of us a few presidents behind you!! If I finish my cold mystery tonight, I plan to start on JQA.

I don't know anything about this president, so thanks for the review, Cheli ....you've piqued my interest. I'm going to keep my eye out for this when i'm next in a bookstore. My husband is a political junkie, so I'm going to try and read this without him knowing and then quiz him when I'm done. ;-)

#18 I had exactly the same thoughts!

#4 PLUM PUDDING MURDER
Author: Joanne Fluke
Read: Jan 9 - Jan 13
Format: audio, 8 Discs, 9¼ hours, 303 page equivalent
Source: public library
Narrator: Suzanne Toren
Subject: bad business, murder, recipes
Setting: Lake Eden Minnesota
Category: Cozy mystery, culinary mystery
Challenges: 101020, SYLL, , 75 Book, Audio,
Stars: 3

For all those who are regular Hannah Swensen fans, this was as enjoyable as all the others with the renewed appearances of Moishe, the cat, Hannah's two boyfriends, Dolores (her mother),her sisters, niece, and co-workers.

Hannah is supplying cookies to Crazy Elf town where Christmas trees are sold along with other amusements to entertain the tree buyers. The shady business owner is found murdered by Hannah and Norman (boyfriend #1) and while Hannah tries to solve the murder, she also tries to figure out why Carrie (N9rman's Mother) seems to be hiding something from her friends and son.

It is delightful how the recipes that are included (28 total) are interwoven in the story and how the characters fit together so perfectly. Looking forward to the next one.

This is the only HS book I haven't read yet ... thanks for the review, Cheli. I've definitely got to get it off my TBR tower soon.

The Apple Turnover Murder is coming shortly. I was lucky and got it through ER.

#5 WHISKEY SOUR
Author: J.A. Konrath
Read: Jan 8 - Jan 15
Format: Paperback, 276 pages
Source: Public Library
Setting: Chicago
Subject: serial murder
Category: A Full Course Meal
Genre: mystery-police procedural
Challenges: 101020, Thriller Suspense, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 2½

The heroine of this tale is named Jack Daniels so when I was looking for a book that would give me the "Cocktails" for my Full Course Meal, I thought this would be perfect. It fit the category but was not particularly palatable for me. The story is set in Chicago and tells of a serial killer who targets "sluts".

This mystery wasn't really a mystery because the reader knows right from the beginning who the bad guy is and what he is thinking and doing. He is vicious and sadistic. The descriptions of his crimes are graphic and frightening. He went after Jack without any real provocation other than the fact that she was in charge of the investigation into the brutal crimes he committed. Character development left something to be desired.

I have ready many murder mysteries but these murders are among the most grisly that I've read, (and I have read about the BTK murders). It was sickening to read about the sexual assault of his victims both alive and dead. It truly was frightening so much so that at times I had to put the book away because I couldn't bare anymore. Thriller, yes...entertaining, no. I definitely will not be continuing this series.

Editorial: I have to say that I do not feel that the graphic details of the viciousness that were included in this book were warranted and that the story would have been more palatable without all the specifics. I also believe that the details included could lead to them be used in real life and that would very sad.

Chelli

Just stopping by to say that I saw the recent photo of your grandson on your home page. He is adorable!

> 26 Thank you for the warnings re: Whiskey Sour. I agree with your comments about unwarranted graphic descriptions. Writing grisly murder mysteries are not something just anyone should attempt.

OK, I am skipping Whiskey Sour too. Thanks for the heads up, Cheli!

I certainly agree with you regarding the reaction to viciousness and graphic details. I had a strong reaction to Not Just the Levees Broke by Phyllis Montana-Leblanc. I read many books regarding hurricane katrina that were excellent, and then along came this one filled with blame, nastiness and what felt to me to be a violent use of the "F" word on almost every other page. I felt the book dripped with anger and savage nastiness.

Interestingly, when I posted a review on Amazon, the response to the review left me with the same reaction to the book -- unnecessary violent words and hate, for which I have no comprehension or understanding.

#6 THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL
Author: Steven Berry
Read: Jan 14 - Jan 18
Format: audio, 12 Discs, 15½ hours, 618 page equivalent
Source: Public Library
Setting: Denmark, Venice, Asia
Narrator: Scott Brick
Subject: world takeover, biological warfare, miracle cure, Alexander the Great
Category: I Heard it!
Genre: International intrigue
Challenges: 101020, Thriller Suspense, 75 Book, SYLL, Chunkster, Audio
Stars: 3½

This book is the third installment of the Cotton Malone mystery series and it continues to utilize the historical mysteries of the past to entertain in the here and now. In this story Cotton is drafted out of his retirement by friends to assist them in preventing the Supreme Minister of the Central Asian Federation from utilizing biological warfare to take over the world.

Okay, I know that that sounds pretty melodramatic, but basically that's the plot. It doesn't seem that it would be plausible but Steve Berry somehow manages to take these unusual situations and make you suspend your belief, and go with the characters through their trials and emerge from the dangers triumphant.

I really like this series and look forward to the future installments.

I like the Steve Berry books, too. Not great literature, but great fun :)

30> Interestingly, when I posted a review on Amazon, the response to the review left me with the same reaction to the book -- unnecessary violent words and hate, for which I have no comprehension or understanding.

Linda, I think people who say such ugly things are truly the ones without comprehension or understanding. They lash out with hateful words because that's all they know, and they have no good words for anyone or anything.

I see that a lot on all kinds of internet forums, which is why I tend to stick mostly with LT. I read where more and more websites are shutting down their "comments" functions because of the irresponsible verbal abuse that is rampant these days.

Sorry! *jumps off soapbox* Here's your thread back, Cheli!

My daughter, the ultimate social networker, posted a great quote on her FB page: "(daughter) is a big fan of free speech, but thinks that there are some people who would definitely benefit from having READ ONLY access to the Interwebs.

I heartily endorse this one.

#7 MY NAME IS WILL
Author: Jess Winfield
Read: Jan 17 - Jan 19
Format: Trade Paperback, 300 pages
Source: Blog giveaway
Subject:Shakespeare, drugs, sex
Setting: Santa Cruz, CA
Category: Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC
Stars:½

I don't really know what to say about this book. It's basically about a graduate student named William Shakespeare Greenberg who rather than spend the time and effort he needs to on his thesis, he spends his time getting laid, smoking pot, and other reprehensible activities. I saw no value in this book at all.

I guess it just wasn't my type of book.

#35, Cheli, please tell us what you really think:) Is a half star the worst rating we can give?

This is one book that won't be going on my TBR pile. Look on the bright side: At least you didn't have to pay for it.

#35 Cheli- this is one I've tried twice, and it may go into the abandoned book pile. I had the same reaction you had, although probably not quite so strong. If I hadn't just finished The Book of William, which is heads and shoulders about Winfield's book, I might have been more inclined. But with 20+ ARCs waiting (2 more arrived today), I think this one may go to member giveaway.

#35: OK, one to skip. Hope the next one is better for you!

Good to know it sucked. I might've picked it up thinking it was a smart book.

#36 Linda, ½ star is the lowest rating possible as far as I know. I wish we had a way to say the rating was zero or negative but not so far. I know there are good books out there waiting for me, so I'm just moving on.

#40 cyderry, I wish we could give a negative number. I can think of 2 books I'd give a -5 to. One I said the only good thing about it was that if there was a snowstorm and your heat went out, you could at least use it for kindling.

>35 cyderry: - Cheli - I read My Name is Will a year or two ago, and it has not stuck with me at all. I remember very little about it. So, perhaps that's the one bright side - at least this 1/2 star read will fade quickly :)

I've posted my TIOLI challenges for the next few months in my OP so I have time to figure out what book fits each challenge. I have my February book all picked out but I still have to search for the other three. Do you think that I should post the book title when I find it or after I read it?

Ok---egg on face....#37 where I said I was abandoning. I picked up My Name is Will last nite so i could write an "Unfinished Friday" post for my blog. I started looking through it to see how far I'd gotten, and I'm now hooked. It's hilarious. Although I'm not into the whole drug scene at all, the rest is such a fun spoof, I've been neglecting other stuff I wanted to read today to finish this one.

So maybe the third time is the charm....

If third tme is the charm, it will have to wait a few years before that happens.

No .....you're right. My final decision that My Name is Will is not quite unmitigated crap can be seen on my blog in the Unfinished Friday post (I'll link after it posts tomorrow). Abandoned. Junk food for the brain with no nutritional value.

#8 BORDERLINE
Author: Nevada Barr
Read: Jan 14 - Jan 18
Format: audio, 11 Discs, 12½ hours, 384 page equivalent
Source: Public Library
Setting: Big Bend Natl Park, Texas
Narrator: Barbara Rosenblatt
Subject: Illegal Border crossings, rafting expeditions, politics
Category: I Heard it!
Genre: Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, Audio
Stars: 3

This is the 15th novel starring Anna Pigeon as our favorite National Park Ranger. Anna is on administrative leave after the incidents at Isle Royale and is taking a rafting expedition in Big Bend National Park with her husband Paul Davidson and several college students.

This story departs from the normal Anna Pigeon tales in that Anna is not "on duty" yet somehow gets involved in the intrigue of a political marriage gone bad, a murdered pregnant woman, while a new born baby is at the center of the tale.

The story seems to be missing some the attention that the other books have had on the National Park where the story takes place. I never got the feel of the park itself and I felt that the story was too much centered on who the baby was rather than how it all happened. There were many great parts (amusing, thrilling) but overall, not one of my favorite Anna Pigeon stories.

#47: Yet another series I need to get back to . . .

# 9 Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest
Author: K. Jack Bauer
Read: Jan 17 - Jan 27
Format: Hardback, 327 pages
Source: Public Library Interlibrary Loan
Subject:Presidential Biography, Mexican War
Setting: Texas, Mexico, Washington
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, USPC
Stars: 3

Have you ever heard of Zachary Taylor? Do you recognize the name? Other than having been the President of the United States sometime before Lincoln, would you know anything about him? Would you think that people would elect a man who had never served in an elected office? As I read this book, I was filled with questions about a man who served as the 12th President of the US and no other executive or legislative office.

What makes politicians think that they are qualified to give orders for a military action and what makes military men think that they are qualified to govern? Throughout this book Zachary Taylor faced issues dealing with the orders of the government officials sending orders to him for the military actions whether it was the War of 1812 or the Mexican American War. It is a shame that during a time when communications between the battlefield and Washington took weeks, politicians would make policy changes and send orders which resulted in difficulties for the military leaders to obey without increased dangers and loss of life to the army troops. The biggest question is, did he learn from that situation?

The man was an enigma, that's what the book said. I agree. He appears to be non-partisan in the short time that he served as President. During the election time, he did not campaign, but stated when asked about running for the office " My opinion has always been against elevating a military chief to that position." but that if he was elected he would serve "so as to be President of a nation and not of a party." When the members of the Whig party were drawing him into the election he tried not to step on the toes of any of the major political players and wouldn't answer as to his stance on the issues. He merely said that he would support the decisions of the Congress as long as they did not violate the Constitution.

President Taylor appears to have seen issues in only black or white and only had the ability to use his military training to handle those issues. If he didn't understand or feel qualified to handle a problem, he apparently passed it on to a subordinate. He had no clear plan of what needed to be done when he took office, and he didn't give the impression that he wanted anyone else's ideas either. He ultimately flew by the seat of pants through several issues before his unexpected death.

I was actually looking forward to reading this book about the life of the 12th President of the United States. I knew absolutely nothing about Zachary Taylor and was anxious to find out about the man. The details that were disclosed about his life and activities were many, yet I don't think that I'm really sure of his standings on the issues of the time even after reading this book, the man is still an enigma. I good general yes, president, not sure.

One note - I don't understand the title because yes, he was a soldier, but I wouldn't say that he was a statesman and I never really saw him as a planter, either.

#10 DRESSED FOR DEATH
Author: Donna Leon
Read: Jan 25 - Jan 30
Format: audio, CD 8 Discs, 9.75 hours, 352 page equivalent
Source: public library
Setting: Venice, Italy
Narrator: David Colacci
Subject: FRAUD,
Category: Cuddle up with a cozy mystery
Challenges: 101020, SYLL, 75 Book, Audio
Stars: 3½

Commissario Guido Brunetti's mysteries third installment exposes several imperfections in Brunetti's nature -- some charming, some perplexing, all fascinating.

A man's body wearing a dress and new high-heeled shoes, beaten beyond recognition, is found in an area frequented by prostitutes. What initially is thought to be a transvestite's violent death, slowly evolves into a tale of intrigue involving lawyers, fraud, money laundering and transvestitism.

Guido notices that the shaving of the body doesn't appear to be expertly done which leads him to question if the victim was truly a transvestite. His own sensitivities make the Commisario question his prejudices as his investigation treads through the world of the demimonde. At the same time as Guido is struggling with his own bigotries he has to deal with his private satisfaction as his superior, Vice-Questore Patta, copes with the departure of his wife in the arms of a well-known pornographer.

Paola and the kids go off to vacation without Guido which necessitates the need for additional characters to interact with Guido so we are introduced to Signorina Elettra Zorzi, a new secretary/assistant. Supposedly the secretary to Patta, her abilities for computer hacking as well as contacts in the "outside" world bode a great future for this character.

The social observations at the end where the victim's widow states that no matter that it was proven that her husband was not a transvestite, he will always be remembered for being found dead in dress, makes the reader stop to think of what else Brunetti's future will comment on in society.

Again, a winner with Commisario Guido Brunetti.

Simply stopping by to say hi.

Am I right that Jackson will be a year old in February? My but didn't the time fly right on by?

Yes, Jackson turns one on the 20th, you are good for remembering that, Linda.

Grandchildren are such a joy...such a blessing...The first year speeds right on by and you wish you could capture every minute and hold it in a jar, keeping the lid on tight so that the light shines through the glass on the nightstand, each light a memory of a smile, a crawl, a laugh, a first holiday...a first tooth, a first step.......

True, so true.

I really need to get back to the Leon series. I only read the first one, but I own six or so of the series.

January RECAP
Well, January was very busy for me outside of reading. I worked for my husband for 2+ weeks following a longggg weekend at New Years with family and my new grandson. So I only managed about ½ of what I wanted to get read. But ½ is better than none.

The best of the month was my first book - The Lost Throne
The worst of the month - My Name is Will

Dressed for Death
The Picture of Dorian Gray Tioli Challenge
Plum Pudding Murder Tioli Challenge
Venetian Betrayal
Borderline
Polk : the man who transformed the presidency and America
Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest
The Lost Throne
My Name is Will
Whiskey Sour

6 mysteries
2 fiction
2 History

I'm hoping to do better in February, I have planned:

True Colors**
The California Gold Rush and the coming of the Civil War**
The Matters at Mansfield
Decoding the Lost Symbol**
Salad - Crazy salad : some things about women
Death on Demand**
Design for murder**
Eggs Benedict Arnold**
Mastered by Love**
The chocolate Cat Caper**
Someone to Love
Empire of Ivory
The Three Musketeers (group read Feb/Mar)**
Sea of Monsters
Apple Turnover Murder**
The Charlemagne Pursuit
Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
A Separate Country**

** denotes books on my TBR list

Dressed for Death is one I've not yet read in the series. I have to go look for a copy soon. Thanks for the tip, Cheli.

Cheli, did you ever get your copy of The Apple Turnover Murder? I am chomping at the bit to read it but my copy hasn't arrived yet.

Not yet. I'm waiting too, impatiently!

#11 The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War

Author: Leonard L. Richards
Read: Jan 28 - Feb 1
Format: paperback, 277 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Setting: United States - California, Washington, DC, Panama
Subject: California, Statehood, Compromise of 1850, Gold Rush
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book
Stars: 4½

Have you ever wondered what was involved in bringing a new state into the union? This book details the history of the statehood of California as well as the politics that surrounded the procedure following the discovery of gold in 1847.

Just as the Mexican-American War is ending, gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in the Sacramento Valley. Now the word Gold Rush is not exactly accurate. Word was sent to Washington of the discovery, but they didn't believe it at first. By the time the gold hunters were "rushing" off to California, months had passed. The new miners came from parts of California, the eastern United States, Mexico, Australia, China and South America. Some travelled around the Cape Horn, others crossed the isthmus and then back north up the Pacific coasts. Either way it took months to get to the gold fields.

With the influx of all the gold hunters, California, part of the land settlement with Mexico, had sufficient population to apply for statehood immediately. Californians wanted to be admitted to the Union as a free state and drafted a constitution stating that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in the State." However, the Southern Slave states were adamant that they needed room to expand and that due to Missouri Compromise the southern portion of California, at least, should be slavery friendly.

California's statehood became a major bone of contention between the abolitionists and the pro-slavery lobbies of the day. Unionists fought secessionists, fistfights turned into duels. Henry Clay proposed a Compromise which would aid the South in retrieving runaway slaves while California was admitted as a free state. Just as a deadlock seemed imminent, President Taylor, strongly in favor of California statehood without compromise, dies leaving Millard Fillmore (who was in favor of the legislation) to support and sign the documents. Would matters and history have been different if Taylor had lived? We will never know.

The men that were elected to represent California in the Senate were actually Southern slaveholders and voted in numerous instances in the South's favor prior to the war. To reach California without going by sea, a need for a transcontinental railroad was debated. Southerners wanted a route through Texas, while Northerners wanted the route to go through the Nebraska territory. The need for land required the organization of the Kansas and Nebraska territories.

In the decade before the election of Lincoln, the California Senators, Gwin and Broderick were major players in the controversies between the North and South. Broderick who was violently opposed to Buchanan due to a Buchanan's handling of the patronage positions in California, fought with Stephen Douglas against the statehood submission from Kansas. Gwin, on the other hand, was close to Buchanan and when the issues came to a head, knocked out not only his fellow Californian but Stephen Douglas from their positions of influence in the Senate.

Due to the loss of his influence, Broderick encountered difficulties when he returned to the west for elections, and was killed in a duel the day after elections were held. Gwin and his followers were blamed for the "assassination" of Broderick. Later, Gwin's return to Washington went unnoticed due to the recent activities of John Brown in Harper's Ferry. The nation, due to the politics of North vs. South, was being torn apart. How appropriate that, at the same time that North and South were ripping each other apart, the politicians of California sent a bill to Congress to separate California into two states?

When the war finally began, California remained on the side of the Union and its yearly gold shipment supported the war effort throughout.

Did the discovery of Gold in California, hasten the call to war while assisting the Union during its trial? How interesting it might be if we could re-write history?

This was a well-crafted book telling the tale of California's statehood using the people that created it. The prologue starts with the duel in which Senator Broderick is killed and then the story weaves its way through the state history bringing the reader full circle to that point in time showing all the while the importance of the men and the events involved.

Could you put that on the 'hold for big sister' pile? This one looks quite interesting, and I'm sure the Californian in my household would like to flip through it next time we visit.

I will mark it for you. Do you still want The Lost Throne?

no....thank you.

#60: That one looks very good, Cheli. Thanks for the recommendation. I will see if I can find a copy.

#60 Great review, Cheli!

#61, I do the same thing with my little sister. She rarely comes onto LT so it usually involves email though.

One of your TBR books is called Crazy Salad?!?!

I am INSANELY curious, now... and rather hungry...

I have two books that I'm waffling on for my Salad course of my Full Course Meal category -
Perfection Salad which "presents an entertaining and erudite social history of women and cooking at the turn of the twentieth century. With sly humor and lucid insight, Laura Shapiro uncovers our ancestors widespread obsession with food, and in doing so, tells us why we think as we do about food today"
and
Crazy Salad which "is an extremely funny, deceptively light look at a generation of women (and men) who helped shape the way we live now. In this distinctive, engaging, and simply hilarious view of a period of great upheaval in America, Ephron turns her keen eye and wonderful sense of humor to the media, politics, beauty products, and women's bodies."

That's what the descriptions are for each of the books. I've gotten both from the library and am trying to decide on one. I may just 'bite' the bullet and 'suffer through' both - after all, salad is great for a diet, right?

hi wahat is your name.

#68: Of the two, Perfection Salad is the one that appeals most to me. I checked and my local library has it, so I am adding it to the BlackHole.

Stasia, that's the one I was leaning toward and think I am going to go with that one. If I want more salad later, I can always go back for seconds, right?

#12 The Matters at Mansfield: Or, The Crawford Affair

Author: Carrie Bebris
Read: Feb 2 - Feb 4
Format: Paperback, 286 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject:betrothals, elopements
Setting: Buckinghamshire, Gretna Green, Mansfield
Category: Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 3

Mr. & Mrs. Darcy are married and have a baby daughter when they visit the ancestral home of Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine de Burgh. We are reintroduced to the Darcy family relatives - Colonel Fitzwilliam, Anne De Burgh, Lady Catherine. We see new characteristics to their personalities - some predictable, some totally unexpected.

The story revolves around elopements, betrothals, bigamy, and murder. The surprise of the book, IMHO, is the elopement of Anne de Burgh with an unknown man after they are apparently introduced on the dance floor. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam race after the "lovers" who are headed to Scotland where they marry without the delay required for the reading of the banns. Some of the action is totally expected while other parts of the adventure are startlingly.

About 1½ years ago I found this series about Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy's adventures after their marriage where they turn into detectives solving problems for themselves and their family members. The series resurrects Elizabeth and Darcy with their personality quirks and devotions to each other.

There is a new installment of this series due out later this year and I will definitely keep an eye out for it. This is a fun series utilizing familiar characters in a different way.

#71: Definitely!

> 72 Sounds like a series worth checking out. I cringe at the thought of starting another series, though... I'm so behind on my mystery series and it's all the 75ers' fault!! I keep discovering new authors!!

Profiler -

If you liked Pride and Prejudice and enjoy mysteries, then this series is a blending of the two and a delightful lighthearted blend at that.
I'm reading a bunch P&P sequels this year and it's inrteresting how different authors take Austen's characters and send them on unique adventures.

Oh yes, I've been meaning to get this book. I've already read the others in the series and enjoyed them. Thanks for the reminder, Cheli

#13 Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Times

#14 Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Once Upon a More Enlightened Time

Author: James Finn Garner
Read: Feb 5 - Feb 6
Format: Hardback, 163 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject:fairy tales
Setting: various locales, times
Category: Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore
Genre: Childrens books
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 3

How many of us as children heard the fairy tales Hansel & Gretel, Puss in Boots, and the Tortoise & the Hare? How many of us wanted to be the Princess & the Pea?(me), The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, or Goldilocks? Did we know at that time we were being exposed to sexist, discriminatory, culturally biased material by our parents and loved ones? Did we have any idea of how these "fairy tales" would affect our futures?

These alternate versions of the beloved "fairy tales" by Aesop, the Brothers Grimm, and Hans Christian Andersen, to name a few take a decidedly different turn when written from a politically correct angle. Who would believe that Snow White and her wicked stepmother would end up friends, or that the Tortoise would be disqualified after the race? These are but a few of unusual twists and turns that political correctness takes in these stories.

I heard about this books from Whisper1 and ran right out and got them from the library. Some of the tales are so funny I laughed till I cried, others not so much, but definitely worth the read. Thanks Whisper!

I've mooched my copies, and am dying to get them so I can read these.

#77 Cheli, I'm going to try to find one of these books. I'm curious, but skeptical. I was a fairy tale junkie as a kid - I loved them, everything about them. Why would Snow White and the wicked stepmother becoming friends make the story better? And what is the moral of the story if the tortoise is disqualified? I've had it up to here with political correctness, so if these re-tellings are intended to spotlight just how ridiculous it is, I'm sure I'll enjoy them. :-) So, being forewarned about my receptiveness (or lack), is one book better than the other?

I've been thinking about you all weekend - hope that the storm we heard about in your area didn't cause you any damage or hardship. Are you still housebound? You're online, so I'm assuming you've got power - and heat - that's what I was worried about.

Yes, in inquiring minds want to know. Are you handling the snow in MD okay, Cheli?

Our turn is next--8 to 12 inches between tonight and Wed morning.

Cheli

I'm so glad you laughed right out loud at these two very hilarious books.

First of all, thank you all for worrying, but our little corner of the world is just fine. No, we didn't lose power (though my SIL did 10 miles down the road).However, we have been housebound since the snow plow didn't make it through until this afternoon. The boys (my husband and homeless friend living with us at present) spent the past two afternoons shoveling the driveway and unburying cars for us as well as a few neighbors. I just had to make sure that they had plenty of sustinance, so big breakfasts and homemade dishes were in abundance this weekend from my kitchen. Our official measurement was 31" and now we are being warned of another 5-10" expected starting tomorrow night.

I hope ths works, here's a picture from our front yard. The fence in the background is about 4½' high and this is after the wind has blown some of the snow away.

We will glady take 1/2 of it up here. Glad to hear you all are ok, and that you know understand that life can go on in a snow storm. Just wish you weren't going to get more. Everyone needs time to recover.

Glad to know you are safe and sound, Cheli!

The weatherman who correctly predicted our totals, says that starting tomorrow afternoon we can expect the next storm to give us another 8-12".

I just hope that the ILL that I have been expecting this week, doesn't get here anytime soon, because can't get to the library!



This is what we found when we opened the garage door when the storm was starting to wind down, (still a few more inches to fall). the trees which cover the driveway held down the accumulation on the driveway so it was deeper in other areas.

Cheli!!!!!!!!!

Spoilers for the TIOLI challenge?!

*Faints in horror* :)

What beautiful snow photos! I am glad you are safe and warm. Our weather forecast in Bethlehem, PA area is 11-17 inches tonight-tomorrow.

Linda,
I'm hearing 8-15" or 12-18" for us, still a little much whichever we get. Apparently both storms have centered my area as the bullseye! How fortunate can you get. Just stay in and stay warm. Read a good book.

It doesn't bother me because I don't do the shoveling and I would be perfectly contented to stay in for weeks provided there are enough groceries (we're fine for now) but my husband was a little stir crazy after only 2 days.

I think we're at 8 inches so far. On TV, they just mentioned my town as having the most snow in the area, which always seems to happen. I was at home today and possibly tomorrow, too.

It's very pretty outside and, when you don't have to travel, it's not so bad.

My non-reading sister sent this picture from her backyard (she has several acres) and I have to share it. I think it is hilarious. The deer may have to start tunneling soon!

That is quite a picture, Cheli! Thanks for sharing it. It's raining again in San Diego, with snow up in the mountains.

That is one funny photo!

Great pictures - especially the deer! Glad to hear you are safe and sound, and warm and well-fed. I'm a bit jealous about the snow - we've only gotten a couple of inches in the last 2 rounds and then just a lot of cold wind to blow it around. We keep hearing on the news how bad it is in DC, and how much more is being forecast for them.

The snow is falling now and the total additional snow we are expecting by the end tomorrow is somewhere around 15". Even my husband (Mr. Nothing-stops-me-from-going-to-work) has thrown up his hands and said that he is staying home tomorrow.

Yeah, me too. 8^}

--> 90

I love the deer picture that your sister sent you. That is so precious, but sad in a way.

#15 TRUE COLORS

Author: Kristin Hannah
Read: Jan 27 - Feb 10
Format: Hardback, 393 pages
Source: St Martin's Press for review
Subject: sisterhood
Setting: Washington state
Category: Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore
Genre: ROMANCE
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 2½

This is the story of three sisters - #1- Winona is the responsible one who has tried to take care of the entire family since their mother died, #2 Aurora is the go-between the one who always tries to settle things, and #3 - Vivi Ann is the spoiled one, she's beautiful (like a Barbie doll) and charming and Daddy's favorite.

Luke came back to Oyster Shores and renewed his friendship with Winona who unbeknownst to him and loved him since high school. Luke starts to date Vivi Ann and Winona won't tell Vivi her feelings so she becomes bitter and resentful of the relationship. When Vivi Ann two-times Luke with the ranch hand (Dallas), Winona's jealous reactions force her to blurt the news to Luke and set into motion physical and emotional fights that reverberate through the relationships of family and friends.

As the story evolves and the relationships between the sisters deteriorate, Vivi and her new husband (she married the ranch hand) have to deal without her family support when he is accused and convicted of murder.

The second part of the story surrounds Noah, the son of Vivi and Dallas and the difficulties of growing up with a convicted murderer for a father. Noah's issues and beliefs bring about the changes and help reconstruct the family relationships of the three sisters and bring about the satisfying ending.

I felt the story was a bit predictable and that the characters were very ordinary. The storyline didn't seem to be very surprising and the ending seemed very expected.

#97: I think I will give that one a pass! I hope your next read is better, Cheli. Of course, since the Winter Olympics are being moved to your front yard, you may not have time for any reading :)

Oh, those poor deer! I hope they're able to find enough to eat...

#16 SOMEONE TO LOVE

Author: Jude Deveraux
Read: Feb 4 - Feb 11
Format: audio, CD 8 Discs, 9.75 hours, 423 page equivalent
Source: public library
Setting: England
Narrator: Stafford Clark-Price
Subject: Lost loves, ghosts, suicide
Category: Romance
Challenges: 101020, SYLL, 75 Book, Audio
Stars: 3

Jace Montgomery's fiancée, Stacy, commits suicide while she's vacationing in England. When Jace accidentally discovers a letter and photograph of Priory House in Margate, England--the village where Stacy had committed suicide -- Stacy had received just before her death, Jace decides that he must investigate.

Finding Priory House is for sale, Jace buys it to use as his base of operations ad once he arrives, it doesn't take him long to learn that the house is haunted by the headstrong ghost of Ann Stuart, who died under similar circumstances, and he has a hunch that there is a connection between the two.

Jace encounters Nightingale Smythe (Ni), a beautiful foreign correspondent and together they investigate the circumstances and people who affected Stacy and led to her end.

Stasia -
Since the Winter Olympics are coming to my neighborhood, then I hope they bring very, very very fast stopwatches because the downhill will be finished in a flash!

The cross country skiers will have to follow really strange routes (over the golf courses) and the ski jumpers could have a bit of difficulty getting the air!

#101: Well, the Games will certainly go quicker that way!

whew!! wipes brow those last two can go to the NTY (No thank You) pile. Those are the kinds that make me stay away from romances...

True not the best, but you can't always have a GWTW.

#17 DECODING THE LOST SYMBOL


Author: Simon Cox
Read: Feb 13 - Feb 14
Format: paperback, 240 pages
Source: FSB Associates for review
Subject: Free masons, Washington, Jefferson
Category: Books found on the Internet/thru LT
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC
Stars: 3

This is not a typical book in that there is no plot, no characters, yet it was very interesting because of all the information that was dispersed to the reader. The author has researched all the little nuances of the references in the new Dan Brown book The Lost Symbol so that when I do sit down to read that book later this year, I will definitely keep this one close at hand to explain to me all the covert hints that I would have missed the first time around.

I like the way that the book is laid out - alphabetically identifying the clues that will be seen in The Lost Symbol. Each clue is explained as to how it is used related to the book. I would definitely say that it will be useful when I read the Lost Symbol making that reading more enjoyable by enhancing the experience.

#18 HAIL TO THE CHEF

Author: Julie Hyzy
Read: Feb 10 - Feb 15
Format: paperback, 328 pages
Source: Public Library
Setting: Washington, DC
Category: Cozy Mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL,
Stars: 3½

In this second installment of the White House Chef series, Ollie Parras, the newly promoted Executive Chef of the White House, is startled when she, along with the First Lady and others, is quickly evacuated to the bunker during a bomb scare. While she tries to keep everyone calm by devising tasty meals with MREs, she overhears discussions related to the First Lady's inheritance of interests in a company which revolves around scientific research. Other partners want to sell but the First Lady wants to wait for the future. As they are released from the bunker and return to their duties preparing for the Christmas holidays and decorations, Ollie is the first to come upon the Chief Electrician after he is electrocuted.

Because of the bomb scare, all workers are required to take training to identify warning signs of possible danger. Ollie, her curiosity activated, asks a friend who is a retired electrician how someone as experienced as the CE at the White House, could have been put in the danger that resulted in his death.

As Ollie tries to investigative and continue her preparations for the holidays, she draws herself into dangerous situations before the climax of the story.

Even though the situations are a bit over the top in this mystery, I still enjoyed the adventures that Ollie managed to get caught up in. I definitely will be continuing this series in the future.

The Complete World of Greek Mythology


Author: Richard Buxton
Read: Feb 16 - Feb 19
Format: hardback, 245 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: mythology
Category: Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads
Genre: Culture
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL
Stars: 2½

I have started reading the Percy Jackson series so I thought I should brush up on my mythology before I got too far along in the Riodan series, so I picked up this book at the library.

I was surprised with very detailed lists of major and minor Greek gods as well as indications of their spheres of influence. The book included charts of the genealogy of the Gods (who begat who), details of ancient myths, and pictures of beautiful sculptures and art work from centuries ago I was, however, disappointed that there was not a detailed listing of the constellations and their connections to Greek Mythology.

Two things surprised me the most - 1) Apollo was the only God who didn't get his name changed when the Roman Gods were identified and 2) many of the myths both Greek and Roman have been used through the ages for a cultural basis - i.e. in Literature there is the Divine Comedy, Iliad and the Odyssey, art has Rembrandt's Rape of Ganymede, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and of course, there are sculptures galore.

A few other items that interested me were 1) I never realized that Poseidon was Zeus' brother 2) Zeus was so promiscuous ( had had over 25 different partners both mortal and immortal and a great number of children) and 3) many of the gods were patterned on the Egyptians' deities.

Overall, it was a very enlightening book and I'm glad that I happened upon it at the library.

I love finding surprising books at the library. Congratulations on a successful treasure hunt.

I'm impressed....certainly a change from presidents and cozies. Will keep my eyes open for that one on the library shelves.

#20 MASTERED BY LOVE

Author: Stephanie Laurens
Read: Feb 19 - Feb 23
Format: Paperback, 434 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble - Owned
Subject: marriage, love
Setting: England, Northumbria
Category: Love is a Many Splendored Thing
Genre: ROMANCE
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI- FEBRUARY
Stars: 4

Dalziel was the head of the area of the War Office that managed the espionage operatives during the Napoleonic wars. Now the wars are over and Dalziel has watched each of his friends, one by one, find a bride and settle down to a normal life. But can he? He joined the service of his country in his youth and for that his father ceased all communication with him. Now when he no longer needs to work in the War Office, he resigns his commission and plans to head home to try to restore his relationship with his father, but he is too late. Just as he is packing to leave he receives notice that his father has died and his is now the new Duke of Wolverstone.

Royce Varisey arrives at his ancestral home and is met by Minerva Chesterton, the woman who served as his father's chatelaine and his mother's companion until her death. He remembers her only as a child but as the time passes and he begins t take up the reigns of control for his estates, he realizes that she is the woman that he needs to share his life, but she has other ideas.

This story is probably one of Stephanie Laurens' best because she takes a character that has been a mystery throughout the series (Bastion Club) and finally identifies who he is and why he is the way he is. Watching the interaction between the characters and reviving those from stories past, makes a rich and vibrant tale of love and romance mixed with intrigue. I'm not sure that it would be as enjoyable as a standalone novel, but having read all the others that preceded it, this book was terrific!

Cheli

The art of the Pre-Raphaelites contains many wonderful paintings inspired by mythology.

For example, here is J.W. Waterhouse's painting of the Sirens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Siren.jpg

#110: I will have to dig that one out and read it. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Cheli.

Catching up on your thread Cheli and I've got to say the picture of the deer is priceless.
Hope by now your snow is beginning to melt, it seems winter is not letting go of its grasp here in Cleveland.
Anyway, wishlisted Greek Mythology and The Matters of Mansfield thanks for the recommendations.

#21 Millard Fillmore, America's 13th President

Author: Dan Santow
Read: Feb 26
Format: hardback, 110 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Presidential history
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, USPC
Stars: 2

This was a very, and I stress very, brief biography of Millard Fillmore. It supplied a few major notes of interest but definitely for a history not enough.

I had requested a more in depth biography from ILL but it didn't seem to be coming and then I was notified that my Franklin Pierce ILL was in and so I ordered this book to have something for Millard Fillmore. Wouldn't you know when I went to the library to get this and Franklin Pierce, the other ILL had showed up. I thought I'd whip through this one just in case it was enough, but no such luck.

#22 EGGS BENEDICT ARNOLD

Author: Laura Childs
Read: Feb 18 - Feb 27
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Source: Author for review
Subject: murder, funeral home
Category: Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery
Genre: Cozy mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC
Stars: 2½

The second Cackleberry Club mystery begins with the discovery of Ozzie on the embalming table dead by an unknown hand that has killed him by removing his blood. Sounds kind of creepy but the story moves away from the method to the interaction of Suzanne with Sheriff Doogie who is being pressured by the Mayor of Kindred to solve t he murder quickly. Suzanne's finding of another murder victim several days later, doesn't help Doogie's situation.

As the story evolves, the activities at the Cackleberry Club help to move the story along until the Cake Decorating Contest and Winners Gourmet Dinner bring all the pieces together.

I truly enjoy the cozy mysteries by Laura Childs, but I don't think that this was one of her best. I felt a bit shortchanged because the culprit didn't seemed to really appear in the story until the end. I felt that the reader wasn't really given enough information to solve the mystery with the clues given throughout the story. That said, I still enjoyed the tale and will look for the next one.

#115: I am currently reading the first book in the series and feeling completely underwhelmed by it. I think I am going to give the rest of the series a pass. Too bad, because I really like her Teashop Mysteries series.

There's a new TeaShop mystery out called The Teaberry Strangler.

#117: I have it on my PBS wishlist already. I need to get the last 3, which I have read, but do not own.

I've got the new Laura Childs teashop mystery on reserve. Hoping it comes in soon.

I've never heard of the Laura Childs series...
Oh, all I need to do is live until I'm way over 100 and then perhaps I will have conquered planet tbr.

Laura Childs has three series. My favorite one is the teashop series. She has also got one set at a breakfast diner-type place, called the Cackleberry Club series. The other one is set at a scrapbooking store in New Orleans.

Most people enjoy the Teashop mysteries the best.

FEBRUARY RECAP
Well, February with all the snow storms kept me busy both with reading and without. So I only managed about ½ of what I wanted to get read. But ½ is better than none.

The best of the month was - The California Gold Rush and the coming of the Civil War
with a close second being Mastered by Love.

Hail to the Chef
Eggs Benedict Arnold
Someone to Love
Mastered by Love
True Colors
The Matters at Mansfield
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Time
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Once Upon a More Enlightened Time
The Complete World of Greek Mythology
The California Gold Rush and the coming of the Civil War
Millard Fillmore, 13th President
Decoding the Lost Symbol

4 mysteries
2 fiction
3 History
3 Romance

I'm hoping to do better in March, I have planned:

The Three Musketeers (group read Feb/Mar)
Empire of Ivory
Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
The Charlemagne Pursuit
Salad - Perfection Salad, Women & Cooking at the Turn of the Century
Franklin Pierce, Young Hickory of the Granite Hills.
Death on Demand
Design for murder
Sea of Monsters
Apple Turnover Murder
A Spy in the House
The Exploits and Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy** - Elizabeth Aston
Murder on St. Mark's Place
Hush
The chocolate Cat Caper**
First come Marriage

#23 ELLA MINNOW PEA

Author: Mark Dunn
Read: Feb 28 - Mar 1
Format: hardback, 203 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: fiction
Category: Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads
Genre: fiction
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL,
Stars: 4

This is a story of a fictional island where the inventor of the phrase "THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPED OVER THE LAZY DOG" which uses all 26 letters in the minimum number of letters. The inhabitants of this island off the coast of South Carolina, treat words and letter as something special until one day when the letter Z falls off of the monument starting this tale.

The Island council decree that the author is telling them that they should no longer use this letter and out law its use. The punishments are ridicule for one offense, stocks, or flogging for the second offense and banishment or execution for the third offense.

The people adjust until the next letter and the next letter begin to fall in the same manner with the same punishments decreed. A faction attempts to find a way to have the Council realize that their decisions are cruel to the language loving people. They convince the council that anyone could have determined that sentence but the council will only relent if someone can create another sentence with 3 fewer letters while using all 26.

The continuing problems of their dwindling language due to the loss of letter after letter is at times heartbreaking and other times amusing. Finally, without even trying a sentence which fulfills the requirements is found 3 hours before the deadline.
This book was one of the first that I have read recently that I just couldn't put down. Even though I knew what the result was I was driven on to the end to see how it was accomplished.

I have to thank tututhefirst for recommending this book. You were right, my sister.

I read Ella Minnow Pea last year and loved it!

Me too!

#24 EMPIRE OF IVORY

Author: Naomi Novik
Read: Feb 10 - Feb 15
Format: AUDIO, 10 CDs, 404 pages equivalent
Source: Public Library
Setting: Africa, England, France
Category: I Heard Them!
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, Audio, Read your Name - Letter E, TIOLI
Stars: 3½

Temeraire and Laurence return from their travels to China and their battles along the way to find that the dragon fleet has all come down with a mysterious illness that is killing and incapacitating dragons small and large, quickly and slowly. Nothing that the dragon doctors try has prevented this major catastrophe. Laurence notices that the symptoms resemble the illness that Temeraire suffered on his way to China. The aviators suspect that some of the food that Temeraire received in Africa aided his recovery, so Laurence and Temeraire head to Africa to search for the cure.

After their arrival in Capetown and Temeraire's remembrances of a special mushroom, the crew find a sample and sent to work testing to see if it works against the consumptive disease. As the test dragons begin to recover, Laurence and the crew head into the interior searching for more mushrooms.

This story is crammed with perilous adventures, characters that we have taken to our hearts, as well as a delicate handling of the issues of slavery, colonialism and biological warfare. It was fun to see the adventures evolve without the constant inclusion of military movements as in the previous installments. The beauty of the story and the relationship between Temeraire and Laurence draw the reader further and further into the tale and now toward the next installment. I can't wait!

I've got books two and three, Throne of Jade and Black Powder War, of this series on the TBR pile. I need to get to them! Thanks for the reminder and the review, Cheli!

eta: I'm glad you liked Ella Minnow Pea. I read it last year and really enjoyed it.

Hi Cheli. Ella Minnow Pea sounds really good and I've added it to my wishlist. I've got the first in the Temeraire series to read this month, good to know the later books are good.

129>> if you are going to read His Majesty's Dragon the first in the Temeraire series, be sure to sign up for the TIOLI challenge since Naomi Novik is an LT author. It seems that Naomi Novik is a great hit this month in the "read an LT author" group.

#25 Millard Fillmore: Biography of a President

Author: Robert J. Rayback
Read: Mar 2 - Mar 11
Format: hardback, 447 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Biography
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, USPC
Stars: 3½-4

Okay, I'm a little bit stunned. I thought when I got this book that I would be a tad bit bored because I had never pictured President Millard Fillmore as particularly interesting (maybe it’s the name) but that was my pre-conceived impression even after I had read a brief biography. Read on and see all that this man did in his lifetime and then tell me he was boring.

During the recession times of the Tyler Administration, Fillmore (a self-taught lawyer) was runner-up for Speaker of the House and became chairman of Ways and Means Committee. At this time he put forth some unusual ideas, i.e. If incomes fell 25% due to government policies, government salaries should be reduced by 25%; he also took responsibility for a law which when enacted caused hardship for settlers and fought to represent their rights for fairer treatment by landlords. (Interesting to say the least.)

He became a national expert on public economy and banking needs. "What businessmen needed, declared a businessman, was a national bankruptcy act to free them of the shackles of past poor judgment." It was also "claimed that old debts dampened their enthusiasm for new ventures and delayed recovery." (Does this sound familiar?) Fillmore shrewdly devised a way to pass a new tariff bill, kill President Tyler politically while smashing the Compromise Tariff of 1833 which was in part the cause of the economic woes of the time.

At the same time, the North/South issues were escalating and Fillmore's actions showed how the North felt they were oppressed by the Southern legislators and Southern President who were causing manufacturing and commerce difficulties.

After his Washington experience, he was appointed to the Comptrollership of New York state and during that time he worked to have the Erie canal and canal basin enlarged, revised the banking code (which was adopted nationally 16 years later) and established a more stable currency based on NY state and Federal bonds.

He was sent back to Washington as the Vice President under Zachary Taylor. His political enemies from NY did everything in their power to make him completely useless as a politician while VP but he maintained himself as a man of principle notifying President Taylor that he would vote against him in the Senate on the Compromise of 1850 if the vote came to a tie and his vote was taken. Fortunately, Taylor never had the chance to veto the bill because of his sudden death, and Fillmore work to pass the legislation to calm the political firestorm of the time. Fillmore's belief was that the compromise bills were an "equality of dissatisfaction" which give the nation time to calm down. He took a great deal of criticism for his part in the Compromise but said "The man who can look upon a crisis without being willing to offer himself upon the altar of his country is not fit for public trust." His first 10 weeks in office passed the needed legislation which calm the storm clouds and reduced the threats of secession and disunion.

During the remainder of his administration, he worked to maintain the equilibrium of the situation surrounding the Compromise of 1850. Though he had the power as President to crush his enemies who had belittled him when he was VP, he was not a vengeful man, and felt that it was more important as President to be a statesman rather than a politician. Because of his policies the South was unable to take any action and prosperity and industrial development increased.

Millard Fillmore was recognized by both the North and South for holding the union together by honoring the rights of both sections even though they were contrary to his personal beliefs. Unfortunately, all the work that he did to balance the issues during his administration were undone by the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1853 after he left office. Upon retirement, he returned alone to his home in Buffalo (his wife died 3 weeks after he left office) , where he was the Chancellor of the University of Buffalo and the President of the Historical Society and started the second chapter of the SPCA. In 1856 he ran again for President as a member of the Know Nothing Party but was defeated.

I had a hard time putting this book down once I got into the political career of this self-taught, intelligent, and dedicated statesman. To say the least, IMHO, it was fascinating. What sadden me most about this book was that I got it as an Interlibrary loan from a library that still has the little cards in the back to show when it was checked out, and this book had been sitting on the shelf for the last 37 years. It had not been read since 1973. How sad that such a well-written book, should sit unread for so long. I highly recommend this book for those looking to learn something about the obscure Presidents of our nation.

Cheli, I just checked our library catalog and discovered that they are seriously lacking in adult-level biographies of Fillmore. I'm adding this one to my wishlist so that I don't forget about it when I am ready for Fillmore. Like you, I'll have to get it on an ILL, but several area libraries have a copy. Worst case, I'll have my son check it out of his university library and bring it home for me. Thanks for a great review.

Thumbs up on your excellent review of Millard Fillmore: Biography of a President. Good Job. I too would assume that a biography of Fillmore would be boring compared to those of the more high profile presidents, but you make it sound very interesting.

ETA: Congrats on the "hot review"!!

Thanks. I'm kind of stunned by the reaction to the review.

I was really surprised at my feelings about the book because I had read a few other reviews after I wrote mine and those people didn't seem to get the same thing out of the book that I did. SOme said that he was naive and stupid because of how he treated his enemies, but I just felt that he was taking the high road and prefered not to shrink to their level. It made me admire his fortitude. Maybe I missed something that they saw, I just didn't.

What sadden me most about this book was that I got it as an Interlibrary loan from a library that still has the little cards in the back to show when it was checked out, and this book had been sitting on the shelf for the last 37 years. It had not been read since 1973

Does that library still use the cards for checkout? Some libraries that check books out electronically don't stamp the dates anymore, but still keep the old cards in so they know the book's pre-computer-era history.

Though it wouldn't surpise me that the book really hadn't been read since 1973. I'm often amazed to see which of our non-fiction books haven't been read in years and years.

I'm currently reading McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom. The first 200+ pages are pre-Civil War background. I don't remember him being too complimentary about Fillmore, though I'll need to go back and look.

The library that it came from is not using electronic checkout yet. I know because my best friend works there and she told me that the book was on the shelf for possible disposal since it hadn't been checked out for so long. I think they were preparing for electronic check out and sorted those oldies for last to be included.

I have Battle Cry of Freedom on my list for maybe next month or May at the latest. I'll keep an eye out to see how you liked it. I'm finishing Franklin Pierce's bio this week (his was only on the shelf for 5 years) and then I'm starting Impending Crisis. I'm getting closer to the Civil war with each book and I can actually feel the tension building in the years as they go along.

#136 Then I'm glad you "rescued" Millard Fillmore; having now been recently checked out, they will probably keep him on the shelf a while longer!

As I read the opening chapters of Battle Cry of Freedom, I was just blown away by the political chaos which led up to the Civil War. I knew it was really bad, but it was way beyond even what I had realized.

#137 I'm glad to see that you are enjoying Battle Cry of Freedom - I think it is a wonderful book. And I agree with you about the "political chaos" that existed in the country in the years before the war. It makes anything we're putting up with now seem pretty tame by comparison, doesn't it?

The Millard Fillmore books looks great. And, your hot review is well deserving.

Thank you very much.

As I said I'm getting closer and closer to the Civil War and I don't know if its anticipation or tension from the buildup of reading these presidents in 1850s but I'm getting to where I really just want iut to start. I want to see how all the idiocy causes all these disasterous events.

I must have the luck of the Irish this week!
I won Teaberry Strangler and Supreme Courtship this week on two different blogs!

I had been given a signed copy of Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs so I'm send my winning copy to a friend here at LT who loves her books too.

You are lucky!!

Supreme Courtship and Teaberry Strangler are both near the top of my TBR pile.

I hope to be right up to the Civil War by the end of the year, then spend next year reading lots of books about Lincoln and the Civil War, either one category challenge or two. Not sure yet.

How I wish I had more time to read. I see all these wonderful topics and books and know that there simply aren't enough hours in the day....

Teaberry Strangler--what an interesting title!

#141: Congratulations, Cheli! You will have to let me know how Teaberry Strangler is.

#26 Franklin Pierce: Young Hickory of the Granite Hills

Author: Roy Franklin Nichols
Read: Mar 12 - Mar 20
Format: hardback, 547 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Biography
Category: Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, USPC, Chunkster
Stars: 2½

Franklin Pierce was the man elected to follow Millard Fillmore as President of the United States. The two men were completely different and not just in their political outlooks but in their approach in life.

"The Democratic Party was to become for Pierce his family, his fraternity, his church, and his country." Pierce was the son of a Revolutionary Officer and his hero worship of all things military (especially Andrew Jackson) in his early years pushed him toward a career dedicated to his nation.

After he was basically drafted for the Presidential election in 1852, his son was killed in a train accident on his way to Washington and his wife, being hysterical, blamed his election saying he needed to concentrate on the problems of the nation so God had taken her son so to get him out of the way. Suffering from his loss, Pierce, nevertheless tried to balance the factions of the Democratic party but was not up to the task. His cabinet members had no experience in foreign affairs (except for Buchanan).
That said, he did have a certain administrative ability and was able to identify areas of improvement in mail services, staffing shortages, and military requirements.

"His offices (throughout his life) had come to him because he was useful as a compromise choice to settle differences between contending parties." He wasn't always the best qualified and because of that, many issues escalated during his administration. Pierce authorized the opening of the Kansas/ Nebraska territories in 1853 before the surveys were completed in 1856. This resulted in conflicting property claims.

Franklin Pierce's Presidency lacked diplomacy both foreign and domestic so that he was not able to garner the nomination of his party again in 1856.
Pierce was strongly opposed to the Civil War feeling that a peacefully solution should have been found.

He condemned the Emancipation Proclamation saying "he couldn't understand how the people of the United States would tolerate this attempt to 'butcher' their own race for the sake of 'inflicting' emancipation upon the 4 million Negros who were in no sense capable of profiting by freedom."

His death in 1869 was not heralded as had been his other predecessors.

Editorial: I guess at this point I have to say that IMHO, this man probably didn't deserve to be elected to the office of President of the United States. However, due to the issues of the time and the inability of the factions to reach any agreement as to what needed to be done, no one would have been able to resolve the issues any better.

Cheli..
As usual, another great review!

#27 MURDER ON ST. MARK'S PLACE

Author: Victoria Thompson
Read: Mar 4 - Mar 20
Format: Paperback, 277 pages
Source: Barnes & Noble
Subject: murder, Midwifery, Coney Island
Setting: New York City, New York
Category: Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery
Genre: Cozy mystery
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC, TIOLI
Stars: 3

Midwife Sarah Brandt, delivers Agnes Otto's baby on the same night as the news arrives that Agnes' sister Gerda has been murdered. Trying to calm her patient, she agrees to try to find the murderer. The mystery evolves showing the background of Sarah's former life as well as that of Officer Malloy. The historical references of the time as well as the founding of Coney Island was very entertaining.

I just could never get a feel for this series...but I'm not sure if it was the characters, the plot, the time frame or what....and I can' tell from your comments if this was one you'd recommend or not.

#147: I like that series. I think Thompson does a good job of capturing the feel of the time and place.

I do like the series mainly, I think, because it is set in a different timeframe and with a main character whose nature is completely different from what I know. Sarah lived in time that is completely foreign to what I do and therefore the mystery/book also shows me something of an era I haven't experienced. Maybe that's why I like the Anne Perry mysteries too.

I read the first one in the series so long ago that I hardly remember it. I hope to try to work it in this month but, if not now, soon.

Hey, my ER copy of Apple Turnover Murder finally arrived yesterday. Better late than never, I guess.

I got my copy last week too. I think it was Sonya checking up on the books that hadn't arrved because mine came 2 day air. Remember get some rest.

#28 Perfection Salad: Women and Cooking at the Turn of the Century

Author: Laura Shapiro
Read: Mar 20 - Mar 23
Format: paperback, 227 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: Cooking, nutrition, ecomony
Category: A Full Course meal
Genre: History
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, SYLL, TIOLI
Stars: 2½

This book is basically the history of Home Economics that were taught to the poor in the late 19th and early 20th century. Women in Boston in the late 19th century started a group called the Women's Education Association and later another was the Boston Kitchen. Women's Education Association of Boston "believed that educated women were the natural leaders of a domestic revolution that was only waiting to be ignited."

Women of these organizations worked to improve the appearance, nutritional value and cost efficiency of the food that was being prepared by the lower classes. Notice that taste did not enter into their equation. If it was nutritious and could be made for pennies a day/person, they didn't care what it taste like. However, back in that time , recipes didn't have any consistency until Fannie Farmer came along and standardized measurements. Yes, there really was a Fannie Farmer and when she published recipes they became standards for the new housewives and cooks in the nation. Her books showed basic procedures of how to boil, bake, stew, fry, and debone so that new cooks would be proficient and if when times were tough, domestic help was unattainable.

One of the interesting items was a suggestion that menus be developed according to the workload of the day. Monday - the normal laundry day of the time - was strenuous so potato salad was recommended so that leftovers could then produce mashed potatoes. Tuesday - ironing day - nothing that would give off a scent should be cooked so that the smell of the cooking food wouldn't cling the freshly pressed clothes.

Anything that was served with lettuce was considered a salad - Perfection Salad itself was a mixture of cabbage, celery, and red peppers, chopped finely and bound together by a plain gelatin. Gelatin (KNOX in particular) became very popular at this time. This salad did not last the test of time unlike the Waldorf salad that was developed at the same period. Salads were reserved for the upper class because it was believed that it was Brain food because it required less digestion.

Some fun facts that were noted in the book

1) daily guidelines were for men 90 gr of protein and 4500 calories per day (reduced slightly if not working at physically demanding labor) where women were 1200 calories (obviously they didn't think that housework in those days was physically demanding). 2) Food at the hospitals, almshouses, and prisons was not supposed to be palatable to prevent the people desiring to return for the food. 3) Ladies Home Journal and Good Housekeeping were part of the Home Economics movement of the time. (I didn't know that.)

It was an interesting book, not sure whether I would recommend it or not because the writing style was a bit dry. It's not the type of book I normally read but it was okay for a change of pace. It did have a few good laughs.

I like your review of Perfection Salad although I think I'll pass on this book. I did like your description of how the menus were developed. That's not a bad idea actually ..... there are definitely some foods that leave a lingering smell on your clothes. Everyone at the office always knows when I've had bacon for breakfast!

I just can't imagine having the strength to make potato salad after slaving all day at the laundry. You would have thought they'd make the potato salad on Sunday, so it could be served on Monday without having to do any of the boiling,peeling, chopping, etc.

Maybe they boiled the potatoes together with the laundry? ;-)

Probably they didn't peel them just chopped after boiling.

I laughed the most when I read that they didn't want the food to taste good at the hospitals, almshouses, and prisons because then the people would do what they had to (crimes, sickness) to come back for more.

#29 A SECOND HELPING

Author: Beverly Jenkins
Read: Mar 24 - Mar 27
Format: Paperback, 386 pages
Source: Librarything ER progam
Subject: Foster care, infidelity,
Setting: Henry Adams, Kansas
Category: Books found - Internet/thru LT/library/bookstore
Genre: Cozy romance
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, 50 State
Stars: 3

This book is the continuation of the tale of Henry Adams, Kansas which had been purchased by Bernadine Brown off of EBay. The characters are rich and invite the reader into a place that they are endeavoring to improve with Ms. Brown's help. They have built a school which they name after the current teacher of 40 years, they support emotionally and mentally the five children that they have "adopted" into their town and their hearts, and they have shown that even while their town is being transformed, their lives can be as well.

This book which I won on the Librarything ER program is the continuation of a story started in a book titled BRING ON THE BLESSINGS. Bernadine Brown has divorced her philandering husband and had received a $275 Million divorce settlement which she promptly used to purchase the town of Henry Adams, Kansas off of EBay. The idea is intriguing and I (as an EBay buyer) got caught up in the story - hook, line and sinker. I am definitely going to be looking for the first book. Since this version was a Uncorrected proof I didn't hold the numerous printing errors against the story being told. But it definitely need a good proofreader - not just a spellchecker.

Put this in the Tutu box please....and I want that white house chef one too.....

To the rest of you, aren't you jealous that you don't have an LT sister you can use as a 2nd library (even tho we only see each other every 6-9 months for about 4 hrs total!)

#159: To the rest of you, aren't you jealous that you don't have an LT sister you can use as a 2nd library (even tho we only see each other every 6-9 months for about 4 hrs total!)

Yes, but then, I have Catey and she lives with me :)

#159 I'm jealous that I don't have a sister, period. My 2 brothers are nearly as irritating as grown men as when they were small boys. Ugh. My mom and my daughter are also only-girls - they each have 3 brothers - so we tend to band together at family gatherings (not to mention rule the roost!)

#30 The Wives of Henry Oades

Author: Johanna Moran
Read: Mar 28 - Mar 31
Format: paperback, 347 pages
Source: Publisher, ARC
Subject: Marriage, captivity, bigamy, polygamy
Category: Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore
Genre: Historical Romance
Challenges: 101020, 75 Book, BOSC
Stars: 2

This book was based on the true life story of a man at the end of the 19th century who found himself legally married to two women. His first wife had been abducted and presumed dead while living in New Zealand. Unable to face his loss, Henry Oades sails off to America where his heart is healed and he eventually marries a widow who has no one else in the world. The two fall in love and at this point the first wife reappears with the lost children creating a dilemma. Legally he is still married to #1 but because, according to the California law of the day, she was declared dead, he is legally wed to #2. The story progresses with their trials (really) and tribulations.

I thought the story was slightly boring (reminding me of a My Favorite Wife or Move Over Darling romantic comedies) and just dragged on and on. I don't know if the women of the time were just wimps or if this is actually what happened, but I didn't like the ending and wouldn't recommend the book.

AHEM.......speaking of sisters, I will remind everyone that this is the same sister who asked " Have you read The WIVES OF HENRY OADES? and when I replied that I hadn't but had seen it and was hoping to get a copy to read, she said she'd save it for me. Did she tell me she wouldn't recommend it? NO......................... But it's OK to give it to big sis?

I guess I should be crushed.....It's ok Cheli... I'll read it someday and see if we agree.....

When I asked, I had just started it, and hadn't decided whether I liked it or not. It was okay, IMHO, but a tad boring and predictable when it came to the main story - the ending was different than what I expected.

MARCH RECAP
Well, March was not a very good reading month for me if you take only numbers into consideration. However, the books that I read were surprising in many ways. I read somne great and some not so great books, some thin ones and a number oof chunksters.

The best of the month was - Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
with a close second being Empire of Ivory and Ella Minnow Pea.
The worst of the month - Perfection Salad.

I. Cuddle up with a good cozy mystery (repeat from 999)
Murder on St. Mark's Place

II. Civil War and its Leaders

III. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing

IV. Miss Austen and Her Relations (Pride & Prejudice lives on!)

V. Surprise - Books I find and want to read /group reads (repeat from 999)
Ella Minnow Pea

VI. Crafts, Cooking, and Hobbies (repeat from 999X2)

VII. I HEARD THEM (repeat from 999X2)
Empire of Ivory

VIII. Who/What/When/Where/How/Why? - Bios/history (Repeat from 999)
Millard Fillmore:Biography of a President
Franklin Pierce, Young Hickory of the Granite Hills.

IX. Books found on the Internet/thru LT/at the library/in a bookstore (repeat from 999)
The wives of Henry Oades
A Second Helping

X. A Full Course Meal
Perfection Salad: Women and Cooking at the Turn of the Century

I hope to do better in April, or I'll never make my yearly goal.

The Three Musketeers (group read Feb/Mar) (I'm behind on my group read)
The Charlemagne Pursuit (¾ done) TIOLI
Fax me a Bagel
Apple Turnover Murder TIOLI
The Brutal Telling TIOLI
A Spy in the House
Teaberry Strangler TIOLI
Hush
Victory of Eagles TIOLI
Future Hope
Power of Half
Lumby Lines
The chocolate Cat Caper** TIOLI
The Chocolate Bear Burglary**
The Chocolate Frog Frame-up**
The Mapping of Love & Death
President James Buchanan
Sea of Monsters
Dead Cat Bounce
First come Marriage
4th course of chicken soup for the soul

Book Talley for MARCH:

Books Acquired 7 (0 read)
Books Read Owned 3 (Pages: 1,010)
Books Read Borrowed 6 (Pages: 1,828)
Audio Books heard 1 (11 ¼ hours)
Audios Acquired 1

Total Completed
7 books, 2,838 pages and 1 audio book
4 fiction; 3 nonfiction

Genre Summary:

Nonfiction:
3 books

Fiction:
Novels: 2
Fantasy: 1
Mystery: 1

This thread is getting long so I am moving on.
Here's the link to my 2nd Qtr Thread.