tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9635517690526515162024-02-19T18:24:06.607-05:00Off my shelfA collection of thoughts on whatever strikes my fancy, but mostly about books these days.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-63717794044674093592011-01-18T12:30:00.002-05:002011-01-18T12:45:35.541-05:00HodgepodgeIt has been a while since my last posting and the reasons for that are myriad. For one thing, I had a cold, and for another we have had snow days which kept me at home doing things besides going online. Also, my grandmother passed away last weekend and the doings associated with that have taken up a considerable amount of time. I have managed to read a great deal though, and to try out a new recipe and that is what I wish to discuss.<br /><br />First off the recipe. My father in-law sent me a great cookbook for Christmas called <span style="font-style: italic;">Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys</span> by Lucinda Scala Quinn. It was a great read and filled with recipes I wanted to try. The first one I attempted, with a great deal of help from my darling husband, was for hand-held chicken pies with a cream cheese pastry crust. They were fantastic! Many of her recipes make a large number of servings, and this was no exception. It was supposed to make ten, but I think we got our crust a little thinner than we were supposed to and we made twelve. Good thing too since Sunshine ate four for dinner and I put away three. (They aren't that big to be honest). At any rate, that only left five for the following day (today actually) so none are left to be frozen for a quick lunch one day which is what she recommends. These came into existence when one of her sons mentioned how much he had enjoyed Hot Pockets at a friend's house. Yeesh! I can't imagine telling my mother who was not a professional cook that Hot Pockets tasted good (since they don't, and they smell worse), so I shudder to think of her response to this. It worked out well for us though! I'm going to try another of her recipes tonight with the turkey burgers we are having. Parmasean topped baked fries.<br /><br />I have also managed to read the following books since my last posting. I suppose I should have waited for Wednesday but what the hell. I've read: <span style="font-style: italic;">Nemesis </span>by Agatha Christie, <span style="font-style: italic;">River of Darkness</span> by Rennie Airth, <span style="font-style: italic;">Fleet Street Murders</span> by Charles Finch, and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks</span> by E. Lockhart. I also started <span style="font-style: italic;">A Murderous Procession</span> by Ariana Franklin. I make no apologies for being an avid mystery reader, and it is not surprising that most of ones I read are either by British authors or set in England since I'm a quite the anglophile as well. However, I do wish to broaden my reading habits and read books set in other countries besides the UK and the states. <br /><br />Oh, and I ran across this on the site Jezebel and thought it was fantastic! I only wish I was of the age to participate, or worked with children who were. And I would really like to meet the kids in the featured video. <a href="http://jameskennedy.com/90-second-newbery/">90-Second Newbery. </a><br /><br />And I really need to figure out how to insert multiple pictures.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-16140537844885788482011-01-09T14:34:00.003-05:002011-01-09T14:42:47.629-05:00Cooking experimentOne of the types of books that I am constantly purchasing is cookbooks. I have a LOT of cookbooks, and I realized over my Christmas break that while I read them, I haven't actually made anything (or much of anything) from many of them. Certain books are in heavy rotation while others have languished. So this year one of my goals is to make at least one thing (preferably more) from each cookbook I own.<br />I started this off today with The Deen Brothers Cookbook. Previously I had only made a soup from this book which wasn't particularly good. Today I made bourbon glazed pork tenderloin and goat cheese grits. The tenderloin was good, but would have been better if I had marinated it, but the grits were fantastic! I hope that for future recipe attempts that I will remember to photograph the results to share. But take my word for it, if you like cheese grits, this recipe is great.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-46073913724572854232011-01-07T12:35:00.002-05:002011-01-07T12:38:17.790-05:00Call for reading suggestionsWhile planning out my course of attack for the read the alphabet and read my name challenges I realized that I have a dearth of titles on my to be read list that start with the letters I, Y and Z. In fact, I only have one Y and one Z. This makes me nervous since if I don't like those books I would either have to admit defeat or continue reading something I dislike. And you should all know my philosophy on reading stuff you don't like. So, any suggestions? I like a wide range of books so feel free to suggest anything, as long as it isn't written by a Palin or Snooki.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-2332968532746139522011-01-04T10:25:00.002-05:002011-01-04T10:30:30.987-05:00ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZThis year instead of participating in a crap ton of challenges I am only going to do three. I am aiming to read 75 books this year, as well as retrying the Read Your Name Challenge since I didn't finish that one the way I had hoped. Technically I read my first name so I could count it. Finally, I'm doing a challenge of my own making. Read the Alphabet! Each book needs to start with a letter of the alphabet for a total of 26 books. The exception being x where words with x as the second letter count, like excellent, oxen, or axiom. Qualifiers like "A" and "The" do not count towards A or T, unless you are reading A if for Alibi. I'm very excited! At first I thought I would try to do it in alphabetical order, but I am hard at work on a K and want it to count.<br /><br />What are your reading challenges going to be this year?Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-64514605057815121182011-01-03T09:09:00.002-05:002011-01-03T09:32:31.529-05:002010 book awardsOk, I don't have anything to actually give the authors of the books I've deemed award winning, but I like to acknowledge the books that I thought were the best in the genres I read this year.<br /><br />Best cookbook: <span style="font-style: italic;">Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys</span> by Lucinda Scala Quinn. This was a Christmas gift from my father-in-law, and while I have yet to make anything from it the book was a very good read and is filled with recipes that I can't wait to try. Runner up: <span style="font-style: italic;">Screen Doors and Sweet Tea</span> by Martha Hall Foose<br /><br />Best general nonfiction: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Happiness Project</span> by Gretchen Rubin. I found it to be really inspiring and a very entertaining read. Runner up: <span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked Plants</span> by Amy Stewart.<br /><br />Best travelogue: <span style="font-style: italic;">Stephen Fry in America</span> by Stephen Fry. As fun as it is to experience another country via armchair, it is amazing what you can learn about your own as well. Runner up: <span style="font-style: italic;">A Year in the World</span> by Frances Mayes.<br /><br />Best novel: <span style="font-style: italic;">The School of Secret Ingredients</span> by Erica Bauermeister. It was a delightful read, the only drawback being that it makes you hungry. Runner up: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Help</span> by Kathryn Stockett.<br /><br />Best mystery: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Vanishing of Katharina Linden</span> by Helen Grant. I kicked myself for not figuring it out. Great creepy read. Runner up: <span style="font-style: italic;">Dead Woman's Shoes</span> by Kaye C. Hill.<br /><br />Best children's book: <span style="font-style: italic;">A Bear Called Paddington</span> by Michael Bond. Why on earth did I not read this as a child? Runner up: <span style="font-style: italic;">Howl's Moving Castle</span> by Diana Wynne Jones.<br /><br />I read 67 books in 2010, which is well shy of my goal of 100, but not too far off of 75 which is the most I've read when I've kept count. I completed all but two of my book challenges (read my name and the 100 book challenge) which I think is quite the accomplishment considering I got married. How about you? What are your favorite books from this year?Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-83283765341654390362010-12-13T13:13:00.002-05:002010-12-13T13:25:17.963-05:00Four Christmas ReadsChristmas books are a tricky thing. Sometimes the setting is only secondary to the plot which makes them not truly a Christmas read. Other times the author goes too overboard with Christmas and it winds up being <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">overwrought</span>. Typically my favorite holidays literary passages are one chapter in a children's book such as A Year Down Yonder or the Four Story Mistake. However, I have found a few Christmas books that are quite fun to read.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nigella Christmas</span> by Nigella Lawson. Yes, this is technically a cookbook, but Lawson's style is heavy on the narrative, and it is well written entertaining narrative at that. I don't know how many recipes I will make from this book considering I don't have ready access to goose fat and have no desire to eat a steamed pudding. It is a delightful read though.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Immoveable Feast</span> by John Baxter. This is another food related book, but it is not a cookbook. It is a memoir of one Christmas where the author prepares the Christmas feast for his wife's French family. Each chapter focuses on the journey to obtain ingredients for a specific course along with related stories from Christmases past. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, unless you have food issues in which case you might want to pass it by. It will make you hungry.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Stupidest Angel</span> by Christopher Moore. I've blathered on about how much I enjoy this book in an earlier post ages ago, but it deserves another plug. It is a sort of Christmas Story for the literary set. (Yes, yes I know, that's actually a book too! But Schwartz goes on to die in the book and who wants to endure that?) Only with zombies, profanity and lots of sex. Delightfully wicked. The extra bit in the 2.0 edition doesn't really add anything, but it is nice to spend more time with the characters.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Twelve Terrors of Christmas</span> by John Updike and Edward Gorey. At a scant 32 pages, and predominantly illustrations this book is a delightful little truffle of naughtiness. Many things at Christmas are cloying, and the expectations to do so many things and do them perfectly can leave folks overwhelmed to say the least. This book skewers many of those traditions in Gorey's well known macabre way.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-51322236088792160192010-12-08T09:22:00.004-05:002010-12-08T09:41:32.004-05:00W3dnesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JMsLPuzf6R0hUDfjO-xMaPA82z4B5K3cA2FqN2IEVJvEhEEay_Bc3UBlnEQO1Tpr9Yrdi1f7AZDDQrpNDNSJcfCes8de8Im0_i-DkfE-nkX3QmXIdf9vpCxFV94u7n8471iFaHX440xz/s1600/www_wednesdays4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JMsLPuzf6R0hUDfjO-xMaPA82z4B5K3cA2FqN2IEVJvEhEEay_Bc3UBlnEQO1Tpr9Yrdi1f7AZDDQrpNDNSJcfCes8de8Im0_i-DkfE-nkX3QmXIdf9vpCxFV94u7n8471iFaHX440xz/s200/www_wednesdays4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548317512906204674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It has been a while so this one will be interesting!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What have you been reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Since my last post I have read the following books: <span style="font-style: italic;">A Year in the World</span> by Frances Mayes, <span style="font-style: italic;">Clara's Kitchen</span> by Clara Cannucciari, <span style="font-style: italic;">A Spy in the House</span> by Y.S. Lee, <span style="font-style: italic;">Case of the Missing Servant</span> by Tarquin Hall, <span style="font-style: italic;">Stephen Fry in America</span> by Stephen Fry, <span style="font-style: italic;">Howl's Moving Castle</span> by Diana Wynne-Jones, <span style="font-style: italic;">A Bear Called Paddington</span> by Michael Bond, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Vanishing of Katharina Linden</span> by Helen Grant, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Fifty Acres and a Poodle</span> by Jeanne Marie Laskas.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What are you currently reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I started <span style="font-style: italic;">Fever Crumb</span> by Philip Reeve last night. I'm enjoying it, but not loving it.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What will you read next? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have the following books checked out: A Natural History of Love by Diane Ackerman, Dead Woman's Shoes by Kaye Hill, and one other mystery who's title escapes me.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-52968693372985130282010-12-07T12:29:00.003-05:002010-12-07T15:13:28.154-05:005x5: First Holiday EditionFive Christmas Songs I Love<br />1. I Saw Three Ships performed by the Bare Naked Ladies<br />2. Step Into Christmas performed by Elton John<br />3. Christmas Wrapping performed by the Waitresses<br />4. Merry Christmas from the Family by Robert Earl Keen<br />5. Linus and Lucy performed by Vince Guaraldi<br /><br /><br />Five Christmas Songs I Hate<br />1. Feliz Navidad (mainly because it gets stuck in my head)<br />2. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (do I really need to elaborate?)<br />3. Is That You Santy Claus? (This one isn't a bad song, but it was playing in every store my sister and I went into when we were doing all of our Christmas shopping in one night back in college.)<br />4. I'll Be Home For Christmas (it makes me cry)<br />5. Twelve Days of Christmas (again, because of the ear worm effect, but also because of the aggravating repetition. <br /><br />So how about you? What are your holiday musical loves and hates?Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-16577766197514397022010-11-30T14:00:00.002-05:002010-11-30T14:12:44.092-05:00Challenge Updates!I have completed my Fantasy reading challenge and the 1st in a series challenge.<br /><br />Fantasy:<br />1. Bite Me by Christopher Moore<br />2. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris<br />3. Soulless by Gail Carriger<br />4. Savvy by Ingrid Law<br />5. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman<br />6. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones<br /><br />1st in a Series<br />1. Still Life by Louise Penny<br />2. The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee<br />3. Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan<br />4. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson<br />5. Haunting Jordan by P.J. Alderman<br />6. Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall<br /><br />Still working on Reading My Name (only two more letters to go!) and What's in a Name which is proving to be very tricky.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-21944247119473049882010-11-23T12:47:00.003-05:002010-11-23T12:52:18.192-05:00Some food for thoughtThis is taken from an article in <a href="http://crosscut.com/">Crosscut</a> a daily guide to local and Northwest news based out of Seattle, on the recent banning of the book Brave New World at a local high school. The defenders of this action are saying it isn't a ban, just the the book is suspended from the curriculum until teachers have more training on how to teach it with more sensitivity. Ahem.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Huxley imagined a world of genetically engineered, pharmaceutically controlled drones who wouldn't know much about books and literature, or anything unsanctioned, save consumerism and sensuality. The idea wasn't to ban books, but make them irrelevant, to suspend any interest or engagement with them (and much else). "</span><br /><br />Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I think I'm going to make a point of reading tonight. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-42913264689233361782010-11-09T12:46:00.002-05:002010-11-09T12:50:57.793-05:00and this is why we are such a perfect matchHere is a snibblet of a conversation my husband and I had the other day. <br /><br />LW: You know who would be great to have in the zombie proof fortress? Pyro!<br />Sunshine: Ooh yeah! He could just torch them!<br />LW: Jean Gray and Cyclops would be very useful too.<br />Sunshine: Don't forget Wolverine!<br />LW: I don't think that would be a good idea! I mean, obviously we would want him in the fortress, but not as a fighter. What if he got bitten?<br />Sunshine: Don't you think his healing power would stop him from turning zombie?<br />LW: I don't know, but would you really want to risk it? Then we would need Magneto.<br />Sunshine: And nobody wants Magneto.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-65243515986863021422010-11-02T12:53:00.005-04:002010-11-02T13:04:48.968-04:00From the Shelves: Stephen Fry in America<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXyPufY30GnfsCLZT6K8xp1Wl9mozpMKXAgaoMfsGImlyufn1K4EI58BmwRUeKEgE_xiTOLyfvRaGr736YpQrMNIMo9UeS8Phuob0B17urwemdFRpSHtt0v1_qJ4M-x6CyejPki6f5HB2/s1600/stephen-fry-in-america.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXyPufY30GnfsCLZT6K8xp1Wl9mozpMKXAgaoMfsGImlyufn1K4EI58BmwRUeKEgE_xiTOLyfvRaGr736YpQrMNIMo9UeS8Phuob0B17urwemdFRpSHtt0v1_qJ4M-x6CyejPki6f5HB2/s200/stephen-fry-in-america.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534998419755575058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I read <span style="font-style: italic;">Stephen Fry in America</span> this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is potentially risky to read a comedian's take of your country, particularly when you know that there is much to criticize or mock. However, while the book was funny, the humor was in no way mean spirited. Fry has a genuine affinity for the US but the book also wasn't fawning. He really did an amazing job of highlighting different elements about each state and giving pertinent historical information where applicable. I can honestly say that I managed to learn new things about each state and about my fellow countrymen. I will never get over the picture of a six year old riding a sheep at the junior cowboy rodeo he visited. (I will double check the book to get the exact name and location).<br /><br />I did find it disappointing that he didn't truly visit three states (Delaware, Ohio and Idaho), and that he only visited Arlington Cemetery in Virginia and Asheville in North Carolina, but I realize that he did have time constraints. I'm sure anyone reading his book from other states will also point out things he missed in their home states. I do hope he does a sequel (I can give him tons of recommendations for Virginia and North Carolina), and I would love to see the footage he shot for the BBC special that was the point of the whole trip. At any rate, the book was a lot of fun and if you teach sixth grade social studies or state history in elementary school it would be a great place to start to discuss what he missed in his visit to either the country as a whole or a state in particular. <br /></div>Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-16030076497751531542010-10-27T15:20:00.003-04:002010-10-27T15:28:39.910-04:00Random ThoughtsThis is a rather disjointed post, as I am feeling a wee bit disjointed myself.<br /><br />1. We just got the DVD Lust for Life in at work and every time I see it (it is in my office waiting to be cataloged), I get the Iggy Pop song stuck in my head. Sadly, I only know the tune and that one lyric. Grr argh.<br /><br />2. It is almost Halloween and I don't live some place that is considered tropical. It should not be 80 degrees!<br /><br />3. I am having a horrible time finding plain ground pork in my town. It makes no sense, and I need it to make meatballs.<br /><br />4. Christopher Nolan's third Batman film finally has a <a href="http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=29317">title</a>. I was less than excited by it, but I eagerly anticipate the movie. <br /><br />5. China's gross population imbalance (it is roughly 120 boys born per year to 100 females according to MSBNC) is going to cause a lot of problems in the near future. One that is minor in comparison to the others is "how will they craft their female sports teams with so few girls?" Granted, it probably won't matter that much considering the sheer astronomical size of their population, but it is something to think about. <br /><br />6. I wish I could bring my dog to work.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-52475982429727015992010-10-18T13:14:00.002-04:002010-10-18T13:19:44.639-04:00Musing Mondays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBzd1VOZgojQ7WtE8K99Oh8HgZ_16umm2pQsEdZtft7_Xkm2rVkBg2oVlGibv04cKplTwcd9qJd_14OrKpUYznoncv8jjF2ssbMg7Ly472ndPkq11oKXDAKes-LxDMiFt-0GIwKtFE_K8/s1600/musingmondays_rebeccas12.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBzd1VOZgojQ7WtE8K99Oh8HgZ_16umm2pQsEdZtft7_Xkm2rVkBg2oVlGibv04cKplTwcd9qJd_14OrKpUYznoncv8jjF2ssbMg7Ly472ndPkq11oKXDAKes-LxDMiFt-0GIwKtFE_K8/s200/musingmondays_rebeccas12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529435891470759634" border="0" /></a><br />This question comes from the blog <a href="http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/">Should Be Reading</a>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (<em>the bigger ones</em>), or mass market paperbacks (<em>the smaller ones</em>)? Why?</span></strong><br /><br />I vastly prefer trade paperbacks to either hardbacks or mass market paperbacks. They are the ideal weight and size, and fit nicely into the front pocket of my backpack that I routinely use as a carry-on bag when flying. Also, they are better quality than mass market and a better price than hardback. That being said, there are some books that I want in hardback to withstand the multiple re-reads. I am longing to get the Melendy Family books by Elizabeth Enright in hardback, and if they ever release <span style="font-style: italic;">Ballet Shoes</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Dancing Shoes</span> in hardback I will jump on those as well. But overall, I prefer trade paperbacks.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-31726669892478592502010-09-29T10:26:00.003-04:002010-09-29T10:33:43.161-04:00W3dnesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oWa03etE8rIVL94_pSf2ArRw2yNpJ-MXfNRMqXIJwZ4MPQYwQKA2qtStPV0Nh8sqcMEv_6nEvV0wtnZu6yTOzB1jqtKoDujW2mWo8sZaWVbLNzi1SAEydclAcjzmkmoD289bx5ZOjxRy/s1600/www_wednesdays4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oWa03etE8rIVL94_pSf2ArRw2yNpJ-MXfNRMqXIJwZ4MPQYwQKA2qtStPV0Nh8sqcMEv_6nEvV0wtnZu6yTOzB1jqtKoDujW2mWo8sZaWVbLNzi1SAEydclAcjzmkmoD289bx5ZOjxRy/s200/www_wednesdays4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522341943397592226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What have you been reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I finished <span style="font-style: italic;">The Help</span> by Kathryn Stockett and <span style="font-style: italic;">The School of Essential Ingredients</span> by Erica Bauermeister. </span></span>I really enjoyed <span style="font-style: italic;">The Help</span>, but I loved <span style="font-style: italic;">The School of Essential Ingredients</span>. I gave up on <span style="font-style: italic;">The Book of Air and Shadows</span> by Michael Gruber.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What are you currently reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I am currently reading <span style="font-style: italic;">A Year in the World</span> by Frances Mayes. </span></span>I'm really enjoying it, but man does it make me hungry! All of those luscious descriptions of food.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What will you read next? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yesterday I checked out the following books: <span style="font-style: italic;">How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Clara's Kitchen</span> by Clara Cannucciari, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Case of the Missing Servant</span> by Tarquin Hall, and <span style="font-style: italic;">A Spy in the House</span> by Y.S. Lee.</span></span> I'll see which one strikes my fancy first after I'm done with the Mayes. If anyone has any suggestions for books whose titles start with either V or L I would greatly appreciate it.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-88771951536397670182010-09-15T15:02:00.003-04:002010-09-15T15:06:35.806-04:00W3dnesdayNo cute picture today, as my computer is being cranky.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What have you recently read?<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I just finished reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Red Sky at Night</span> by Jane Struthers and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam</span> by Chris Ewan.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What are you currently reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I checked out <span style="font-style: italic;">The Book of Air and Shadows</span> by Michael Gruber on Monday when I had to go the Social Security office to change my name. I'm finding it hard to get into.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What will you read next? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I should read <span style="font-style: italic;">The Help</span> which is this month's selection for my book club, but I might go with <span style="font-style: italic;">The School of Essential Ingredients</span>.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span>Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-40117017974457926162010-09-14T14:01:00.002-04:002010-09-14T14:27:16.448-04:00Updates!I've managed to read 51 books so far this year, and my to be read list has swollen to 574. You might remember that when I first posted about my reading challenges that it was around 491. Never enough time to read!<br /><br />Here is the status of my reading challenges.<br /><br />Our Mutual Read: The Victorian reading challenge is done!<br />Fantasy: 5/6<br />First in a Series: 5/6<br />Read My name: 11/14 All I need is a Y, a V, and another L<br />What's in a Name: 3/6 I'm still missing a food, body of water, and a title<br />Typically British: 6/6!!! Hooray! Another challenge is complete. I read the following books for this challenge.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Red Sky at Night</span> by Jane Struthers<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Serpent's Tale</span> by Arianna Franklin<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">King Solomon's Mines</span> by H. Rider Haggard<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Invisible Man</span> by H.G. Wells<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bellfield Hall</span> by Anna Dean<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Twenties Girl</span> by Sophie Kinsella<br /><br />So Bob's Your Uncle!!!Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-53964374869120424752010-09-09T13:09:00.002-04:002010-09-09T13:19:13.978-04:005x5<span style="color:#3366ff;">Five reasons I want to move to Asheville:</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">1. They still have four seasons there! You know, instead of cold, hot, and hotter.</span><br />2. Cultural opportunities abound. Music, theater, art, dance. <br />3. They have fabulous resturants. I miss having a choice of nice places to go to eat. <br />4. The downtown area is pedestrian, bicycle and dog friendly. <br />5. It is a great fit politically for us. I didn't see a single Palin sticker the whole time I was there, and I saw a number of things promoting buying local and recycling.<br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Five reasons to stay where I am:</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">1. The cost of living is much cheaper.</span><br />2. I would have to find a new hairdresser, dental hygenist, massuese and OB/Gyn if I moved. Don't laugh, good ones of those are hard to find.<br />3. My job is here.<br />4. We have a support structure in place here.<br />5. I would have to give up my book club and my dance class.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-47718522297445454462010-09-01T09:22:00.003-04:002010-09-01T09:39:47.026-04:00W3dnesday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pjoKVOSmyNKp1Bw87Uks5NvMuMBb8wwSW2xWb27tsupspzOC73gtWikkJ2IAE3Hawx5HxpGbler64q3ST4maZ_KgxvEolmNoFaBr7yMevMXC-G1B2HYP9yJNai4NituiMsufcHfikKna/s1600/www_wednesdays4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pjoKVOSmyNKp1Bw87Uks5NvMuMBb8wwSW2xWb27tsupspzOC73gtWikkJ2IAE3Hawx5HxpGbler64q3ST4maZ_KgxvEolmNoFaBr7yMevMXC-G1B2HYP9yJNai4NituiMsufcHfikKna/s200/www_wednesdays4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511934935447081314" border="0" /></a><br />After a month long hiatus, I return! The reasons for the break are copious, and don't truly need to be elaborated on beyond the fact that I am getting married this Saturday. So what have I been up to since my last W3dnesday post? Quite a lot actually.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What have I recently read? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I read: <span style="font-style: italic;">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</span> by Barbara Kingsolver, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">The Serpent's Tale</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Grave Goods</span> by Ariana Franklin, <span style="font-style: italic;">A Fatal Grace</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cruelest Month</span> by Louise Penny, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</span> by Stieg Larsson, <span style="font-style: italic;">Never Trust a Thin Cook</span> by Eric Dregni, <span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked Plants</span> by Amy Stewart, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Flow: The Cultural History of Menstruation</span> by Elissa Stein (which I will review after the wedding-it will be a doozy!) I also started, but did not finish <span style="font-style: italic;">Major Pettigrew's Last Stand</span> by Helen Simonson (I just wasn't in the right mood for it, but I plan to return) and <span style="font-style: italic;">A Yank Back to England</span> by Denis Lipman because it got fairly repetitive and I found the author to be a tad annoying. I might return to it. This brings my total to 51 books counting picture books.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What am I currently reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I am currently reading <span style="font-style: italic;">The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam</span> by Chris Ewan, although I have temporarily set it aside because I was finding that bits and pieces were sneaking into my dreams when I read it before bed and the results weren't pretty.</span></span> I typically have weird and vivid dreams anyway, I don't need any help there.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What will I read next? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister packed in my overnight bag for the mini-moon.</span></span></span>Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-9596830488904758002010-07-23T11:29:00.002-04:002010-07-23T11:51:15.090-04:005 x 5This week's topic: Five literary characters you hate/love<br /><br />Five characters I hate!<br />1. Dolores Umbridge, from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter</span> series. Of all the villains in this series I loathe her the most. She is concern only with retaining her power and obtaining more. She cares nothing for the truth or fairness, and what's worse, she pretends to be sweet while doing horrible things. Plus, the bitch escapes punishment. HATE her.<br /><br />2. Nurse Ratched, <span style="font-style: italic;">One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</span>. Another person who is only concerned with her own power and who misuses it. <br /><br />3. Fudge, first appearing in <span style="font-style: italic;">Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing</span>. I feel like I am alone on this one, since so many reviews of these books talk about how he is a typical little boy and how funny he is. I completely disagree. I think he is a horrible brat.<br /><br />4. Debbie van Pelt, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Sookie Stackhouse</span> series. She is a character with no redeeming qualities whose death can't come quickly enough.<br /><br />5. Tinkerbell, from <span style="font-style: italic;">Peter Pan</span>. I know that Tink commits an act of great self-sacrifice, but this is after a great deal of extremely bad behavior, including trying to murder Wendy. I don't find her sympathetic in the least, and am shocked by how many people seem to think she is wonderful.<br /><br />Five characters I love!<br />1. Flavia de Luce, first appearing in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie</span>. Flavia is a precocious and entertaining narrator and sleuth. She's also a little scary at times which adds to her appeal for me.<br /><br />2. Fred/George Weasley, from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter</span> series. Yes, I know that they are two characters, but as they are always together in the books I'm counting them as one unit. Fred and George provide the best examples of comic relief in the books, and I think that Rowling's choice to kill Fred in book seven is highly unacceptable and flat out wrong.<br /><br />3. Miranda Melendy, first appearing in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Saturdays</span>. When I was younger I harbored a desire to either be her, or at least be friends with her. To this day, I would like to be friends with her.<br /><br />4. Gen, first appearing in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Thief </span>by Megan Whalen Turner. It is difficult to discuss why, precisely, I love Gen without giving away major plot points. Suffice to say that he is clever and talented, loyal, brave and very complex. If you haven't read this book you should. It is the first in a trilogy, but after what happens in the second book I became furious with the author and thus haven't read the third. The first book, however, is brilliant.<br /><br />5. Abby Normal, first appearing in <span style="font-style: italic;">You Suck</span> by Christopher Moore. This little goth teenager is one of the funniest narrators I have ever come across and two of her more colorful catch phrases (Fucksocks and Fucktard) have wormed their way into my vocabulary. <br /><br />So what about you? Who do you love and hate? Or love to hate?Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-84008059475662565412010-07-21T16:12:00.003-04:002010-07-21T16:19:34.457-04:00W3dnesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBdIc2KcBENp1Im5WS7S1Ojhhm9_69yhWksBRLWZQvwTkHpxLxITx27uhinCW9Q1b49e2sRni1hdprjt8i8RyGNzys8oMepCbRDvBWQOPplbgfhyENCo78ASTZPAMGS64qpjtWMyjAEkK/s1600/www_wednesdays4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBdIc2KcBENp1Im5WS7S1Ojhhm9_69yhWksBRLWZQvwTkHpxLxITx27uhinCW9Q1b49e2sRni1hdprjt8i8RyGNzys8oMepCbRDvBWQOPplbgfhyENCo78ASTZPAMGS64qpjtWMyjAEkK/s200/www_wednesdays4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496455081424057442" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Everyone should know the drill by now!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What have you recently read? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Since my last W3dnesday post I have read the following books: <span style="font-style: italic;">The Invisible Man</span> by H.G. Wells, <span style="font-style: italic;">Still Life</span> by Louise Penny, <span style="font-style: italic;">Folk Wisdom for a Natural Home</span> by Beverly Pagram, <span style="font-style: italic;">A Monstrous Regiment of Women</span> by Laurie King, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Dinner at Miss Lady's</span> by Luann Landon.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What are you currently reading? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I am currently reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</span> by Barbara Kingsolver.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What will you read next? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm not sure what I will read next. I keep hoping my copy of A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny will come in, and if it does I will start it next, probably before I finish the Kingsolver book. We've gotten a ton of new books in here at work and I may cave and check one of those out before anyone else. The perks of being the cataloger!</span></span></span></span> </span></span><br /></span>Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-44050890497869118392010-07-19T11:44:00.003-04:002010-07-19T11:58:56.567-04:00Challenge complete!This weekend I managed to complete one of my challenges when I finally finished reading The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. I read four books for the Our Mutual Read: Victorian Challenge, hosted by Amanda from Blog Jar. The challenge has its own separate blog though, <a href="http://ourmutualread.blogspot.com/">Our Mutual Read</a>. I did level one participation which means I read at least two books written during the years 1837-1901, and the other two were either non-fiction or neo-Victorian.<br /><br />Here is my list:<br />King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard, published in 1885<br />Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, published in 1897<br />The September Society by Charles Finch, neo-Victorian<br />Below the Peacock Fan: First Ladies of Raj by Marian Fowler, non-fiction.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-91151277312663317792010-07-15T08:36:00.005-04:002010-07-15T14:05:37.718-04:00From the Shelves: Still Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMFM-Kv3SbNMbaKxwA26yiQLq3yfp5MPaciifMx8B9JOPUww4TsFrYY23nbh1WNXv8-DBjnopS0m5d9WAVS64EyyrrBCY6X01jwQtD0QDdRvREpQRZ58LkN_J8eqnODb8Svk8RozayUD-/s1600/still-life2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMFM-Kv3SbNMbaKxwA26yiQLq3yfp5MPaciifMx8B9JOPUww4TsFrYY23nbh1WNXv8-DBjnopS0m5d9WAVS64EyyrrBCY6X01jwQtD0QDdRvREpQRZ58LkN_J8eqnODb8Svk8RozayUD-/s200/still-life2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494111237094881010" border="0" /></a><br />I literally finished reading this book last night and it was wonderful! The plot concerns a suspicious death in a small town in the province of Quebec. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is sent to investigate. No one can quite believe that it was murder, who would want to murder retired school teacher Jan Neal? She was, by all accounts, universally loved. Surely it had to have been a tragic hunting accident? The reader knows better of course, this is, after all, a murder mystery novel.<br />The plot and characters captured my attention and held on to it from start to finish. I loved the character of Gamache, and how the author was able to flush out all of the characters, even fairly minor ones, into realistic people. I found the character of Yvette Nichol, a novice detective who has a massive ego, particularly interesting and aggravating. I wonder if she will appear in any subsequent books?<br />The mystery was tightly crafted and full of surprises. I loved all of the subplots and twists and how everything came together. (That is one thing I can't stand, when an author introduces minor mysteries or storylines and then fails to resolve them.) It was a thoroughly original in terms of how the mystery was solved, and the motives behind the crime, and it was exceedingly well thought out.<br />The book also provided for me an introduction into Canadian life, or at least a segment of life in Quebec. I know very little about our great neighbor to the north, and I loved noting the differences between American police work and Canadian. (I know that this is fiction of course, but those parts have to be based in reality or no one would believe them.) And those differences are pretty substantial at times. For instance, if the police were in the home of suspected murder in the states, the parents would have had the right to demand that they leave if they didn't have a warrant, and that doesn't appear to be the case in Canada. I don't know if this is just that Canadians are less paranoid/law suit happy than Americans or if the police really do have the right to stay until they crack you. See how little I know about Canada?<br />My only regrets are that Jane Neal's art doesn't actually exist, and that some of the inhabitants of Three Pines, more than likely, aren't in the other books in the series. This is an extremely well done mystery, and I extend a huge thanks to Tucker for recommending it to me. Highly recommended.<br /><br />Edit: Apparently, the other books in the series also take place in Three Pines! Joyful day! Poor Three Pines, you are apparently like Cabot Cove Maine.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-69812846803557372772010-07-13T16:49:00.003-04:002010-07-13T16:58:24.238-04:00What are your favorite genres?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp2Sp6yx450GzjzoiRaSCqTaav1uOIDthhg0Y6iknXXxPGC3k-uFonMllp5W-91RgDE23o6O7Y1HK5JNv_aWfHkcKt_zkVFSNDRQGv8uWjNlWnpyWA8lP7RbbYVN7L2DtzPcoP2g5vu-d/s1600/The+Book+List+Meme+Photo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp2Sp6yx450GzjzoiRaSCqTaav1uOIDthhg0Y6iknXXxPGC3k-uFonMllp5W-91RgDE23o6O7Y1HK5JNv_aWfHkcKt_zkVFSNDRQGv8uWjNlWnpyWA8lP7RbbYVN7L2DtzPcoP2g5vu-d/s200/The+Book+List+Meme+Photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496258079206178" border="0" /></a><br />Participating in a fun question posed by <a href="http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/">Lost in Books</a>. What are your favorite genres to read? (Everyone has at least one favorite type of book that they gravitate towards, even if they read widely.)<br /><br />1. Mysteries. I love them! I generally prefer cozy mysteries (ones without a whole lot of blood and guts), but have been known to read gritty ones.<br /><br />2. Historical novels. I am embarrassed to say that I don't necessarily enjoy reading books written during the Victorian era, but I love to read books that are set in that time period. I don't limit myself to that time period though. Early 20th century, the regency period, and even the renaissance, middle ages, or ancient Greece/Roman times have all made appearances.<br /><br />3. Fantasy. I don't really go for high fantasy so much, but I love magic and myths and that sort of thing. I should amend that statement, I'm picky about my high fantasy.<br /><br />4. Memoirs. I love to read about people's lives and when they are written from a first person point of view they are even more fascinating.Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963551769052651516.post-90849105429067009832010-07-09T09:48:00.003-04:002010-07-09T10:52:27.484-04:005 x 5So I am modifying the traditional format of five loves/hates for this week's topic. The books I've selected are either not the best well known by a (fairly) famous author or are ones that I don't think get noticed.<br /><br />5 Children's literature gems<br /><br />1. <span style="font-style: italic;">Danny the Champion of the World</span> by Roald Dahl. This book is not nearly as well known or as popular as books like <span style="font-style: italic;">BFG</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</span> which is a shame. I read this book for my children's literature class, and it was the first thing to make me laugh after September 11th. It will forever hold a special place in my heart because of that. If you are a fan of Robin Hood stories you will appreciate Danny and his father's attitude and the crafty way they thumb their noses at the system. And as always, full of laughs and slightly twisted incidents. Classic Dahl in other words.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-style: italic;">Gone-Away Lake</span> by Elizabeth Enright. This happens to be a Newbery Honor book and so comes marked with a highly visible and well known endorsement, but I still think it is under read. Actually, I think all of Enright's books are, but that is another post.* This story, and its sequel, revolve around the adventures that Portia Blake has with her cousin Julian when she and her brother Forest come to stay with Julian's family for the summer. Together they discover what once used to be a lake (and is now a swamp) and an elderly brother and sister who still live in the old lake houses. I loved this book as a child, and will still re-read it if I need something extra comforting.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-style: italic;">In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson</span> by Bette Lord. This book has an odd sounding title that on the face of things doesn't make sense. Or at least, it didn't make sense to me as a child. This is one of those books that I read as an adult and kicked myself for not reading it as a child. It is a fantastic and engaging story of a young Chinese immigrant making her place in American society through the use of that quintessentially American past time baseball. It is funny and touching and I loved it.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-style: italic;">Murder for Her Majesty</span> by Beth Hilgartner. I started this book one night thinking I would read a few chapters and go to bed. I read the entire thing instead. It has everything a book should have: engaging, memorable and believable characters, a tightly woven and plausible plot, witty dialogue, elements of danger and suspense, and a satisfying outcome. I recently suggested this book to one of my co-workers for her granddaughter. She absolutely loved it (the granddaughter), taking it on errands with her that afternoon because she didn't want to stop reading it. And once she was done she firmly informed her grandmother to thank me for suggesting it. Hurrah! It is such a great book.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-style: italic;">One Hundredth Thing About Caroline</span> by Lois Lowry. Lowry is probably best known as the author of the Anastasia Krupnik series and, more recently, as the author of <span style="font-style: italic;">the Giver</span> and its sequels. This particular book, which also has two companion novels Switcharound and Your Move J.P., focus on the title character of Caroline, a young girl with a love of science and dinosaurs and an overly active imagination. Here's the plot synopsis from Wikipedia (there isn't one on amazon because the book appears to be out of print). "Caroline Tate discovers a note written to the mysterious man living in the apartment above her, telling him to "Get rid of the kids". Caroline jumps to the conclusion that she and her brother are going to be murdered, and she's even more horrified when her single mother starts to date the man." The book is a real joy to read, and if you can find it, I highly recommend it.<br /><br />5 Adult literature gems<br /><br />1. <span style="font-style: italic;">Cat Who Had 14 Tales</span> by Lilian Jackson Braun. I used to love her Cat Who series, but it has gone on for far too long and the quality has really gone down hill. However, the early books in the series are great and so is this short story collection. They are very different in style from her Cat Who series, and this is an excellent choice for the beach or a long plane trip because of the length of the pieces.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-style: italic;">Dog's Life</span> by Peter Mayle. A light, humorous read by Peter Mayle. I think every dog owner imagines a voice for their dog, but rarely is it as well executed as it is here. Great beach reading, or a mid-winter pick me up. My sister also loved it and we don't always see eye to eye on books. This book really is hysterically funny. I think I may just have to re-read it.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-style: italic;">In a Sunburned Country</span> by Bill Bryson. Bill Bryson turns his attentions to Australia in this work (in case you couldn't guess by the cover which features a kangaroo). Highly informative, accurate, funny, and as always there is a large element of environmentalism. Bryson also has a knack for pointing out the alarming and dangerous parts of an area, and Australia is jam packed with deadly things for him to point out. Really well done and it taught me a lot about a country and continent that I knew very little about.<br /><br />4. Little Heathens by Mildred Kalish. So many books about the Great Depression deal with the politics that swirled around it, and/or focus on the worst of what happened, so it was nice to read a first person account from someone whose life was hard, yet still happy and secure. I gave this book a glowing recommendation to both of my parents who grew up in the forties. I'm amazed at the body of knowledge that Kalish accumulated during her childhood and felt at times extremely inadequate in my resourcefulness and abilities. I cannot imagine what it was like to bake a cake on a wood stove, and thankfully, I will never have to attempt it. This book will make you admire the work ethic, resourcefulness and determination of that generation, as well as feel very relieved that, as a rule, the average person does not have to work as hard as they did on a daily basis. Great book.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-style: italic;">Sunshine</span> by Robin McKinley. I thought this was a great new take on the vampire mythology, updating it without stripping it of the sinister aspects. However, I felt as if I was missing some major piece of information, almost as if this was a sequel to another book. But it isn't. I do hope that she writes a sequel to this one though. Robin McKinley is primarily known for well written YA and children's fantasy, but this book isn't for intended for young children. I highly recommend it.<br /><br />*Years ago I went into a Barnes & Noble looking for a copy of the third book in Enright's Melendy quartet series to give to my niece. (I owned the other three books and she had borrowed the first two and loved them). They did not have it or the fourth book, although they did have the first two books. I asked about ordering it and when the teenage girl helping me looked it up she said that it was out of print. I was aghast and said as much, which prompted the response of "kids today don't like to read books like that." OH REALLY? Who's laughing now that the whole set was reissued in hardback?Librarian Whohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297586158986723969noreply@blogger.com0