Two more finished books for the Read-a-Thon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13532290-a-wicked-war" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333576659m/13532290.jpg
" />A">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13532290-a-wicked-war">A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln, and the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico by Amy">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41851.Amy_S_Greenberg">Amy S. Greenberg

My rating: 3">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/740189559">3 of 5 stars


Not a military history of the Mexican War, but more the story of five men involved in it and how a little remembered event affected US history for years afterward.  Not a shining moment in US history.



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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15798336-a-spoonful-of-sugar" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344370751m/15798336.jpg
" />A">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15798336-a-spoonful-of-sugar">A Spoonful of Sugar: A Nanny's Story by Brenda">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6459201.Brenda_Ashford">Brenda Ashford

My rating: 3">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/740194221">3 of 5 stars


Okay, but...a little cloying.



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Mid afternoon break for Read-a-Thon

Just as I was starting my second book, A Wicked War by Amy S. Greenberg, Lorie came over with her books, which led to discussions.  And then Lee came with his book and that led to more discussions with the two of them.  And veggies and dip to much. 

Then Lorie had to leave to buy feed for her horse and now Lee has gone, so it is time to get on with my book.  Am still hopeful of several others visiting before the day is done, if only so they will eat some of these cookies.

First book of Read-a-Thon Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17669062-shaman" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1364007577m/17669062.jpg
" />Shamanhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17669062-shaman">Shaman> by Kim">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1858.Kim_Stanley_Robinson">Kim Stanley Robinson

My rating: 4">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/739838190">4 of 5 stars


This is a good coming-of-age-in-the-Ice-Age story.  There is much realism, with just a touch of the mystical that holds the shamanistic force here.  Many things are not fully explained but simply accepted as part of what life is. 



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And the first post of Read-a-Thon day.

To answer the questions:
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I'm reading in Middle America, the Kansas City area, to be more precise.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Come on. That's like asking a mother who her favorite child is.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I made pumpkin cookies just for this event--and I hope to eat them all.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm a reader and have been for the last sixty-five years. I'm retired now, but keep busy volunteering and traveling. (And thank you for holding this readathon while I'm at home.)
  5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I'll do more of the hourly activities.

And I'm starting off With Kim Stanley Robinson's Shaman while I eat my breakfast.

Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-Thon

No book review today, but an announcement of the October 2013 Read-a-Thon, which is this Saturday, beginning at 7 a.m. I will be hosting an open house come read with me event for the whole 24 hours. Feel free to attend for as long as you can. There will be food involved. Hope you can get in some reading during the course of the day.

Who Are We Really?

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A book about family, about language, about human nature, about secrets, about memories.

To recount the plot is to involve pages of spoilers, but the story of siblings Rosemary, Fern, and Lowell will remain with me for a long time. The things we do for family and the things families do to us! Oh, I left out one of my favorite characters--the ventriloquist's dummy Madame DeFarge.



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It's Summer--Time to Chill Out a Little

We've already had 90 degree weather here, so it's time to start looking for books to cool off. Here's one for busy readers--it's short, it's entertaining, and it's even mildly educational. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you are looking for a factual history of times when the Thames froze over you'll need to use one of the books listed in the back of the book. But if you would like a short, chronological feel for reactions by the citizens across the centuries, this is a delightful way to experience the cold, the awe, and the wonder of a river iced over deep enough to work and play on it.


Each "chapter" is only a few pages long, more vingettes that short stories, but each has it's own voice. Although each instant is dated, you might want a reference handy as there are only a few references to the current ruler. (Unless you are a big history buff and have things like that memorized.)

I give this a 3.5 or even a 3.75.

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Books and Death and yet not depressing

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a special book. It is the story of an exclusive book club with just two members, Will and his mother--but it is so much more than that.

It's a tribute to a remarkable woman who cared about people, especially the voiceless people of the world, with a passion. It is a loving memory of the woman who spent the last two years of her life staying in touch with the people she loved with grace and dignity. It is a resounding vote of confidence in the lasting contribution of books to the well-being of the human spirit.

I wish I'd met Mary Ann Schwalbe. She sounds like she was of the good people. And I have several (many) books I wish we could have talked about together.



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Last Read-a-Thon post

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A successful look at the Alcott family from a fictional point of view. It expands the story without violating conventions of the time. This is a good example of fictionalized biography.

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I must admit I didn't stay up the entire time. I fell asleep about 3 a.m. for an hour. But I've enjoyed the whole thing immensely.

And thanks to my visitors. Lorie and Jean each came over read for awhile. And Gena came over unexpectedly and gave me a revitalizing neck and shoulder rub. This was such a lot of fun that I know I'll be tempted again in October by the next one.

Second book finished for Read-a-Thon

The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is kind of like one of those dreams where things start out very life-like and plausible and gradually things start turning odd. That is if you dream of Edwardian England and eccentric families.

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So far, Lorie has been over to read with me and says she'll be back later.

It's Time to Start Reading!!!

And the big adventure begins with The Tofu Quilt by Ching Yeung Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a delightful book filled with marvelous word picures of growing up in Hong Kong--"only" a girl. But she was so lucky. She was a girl with a fierce mother who supported her wish for an education beyond elementary school.

I am going to read some of these next week to the first graders, since they are so interested in poetry.





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Do I have a plan yet? Yes, of sorts

I am arranging this Read-a-Thon as if it is a party. I'm assuming that at least a few of my RL friends will show up at some point for a while. If nothing else, they can play along with some of the mini-challenges. I'm thinking of trying the new recipe for Spinach cake (it's healthy, right?) as well as veggies with hummas. Probably order in pizza for supper. And lots of M&Ms. As for my Reading List (in no particular order--it's just how they are stacked by my chair0: The Art of Racing in the Rain (I must finish this by Monday for Book Group), The Comfort of lies by Randy Susan Meyers, The perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky;Perfect Timing by Catherine Anderson; Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods, The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones,Family Pictures by Jane Green; The unknowns by Gabriel Roth, You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney. And I'm putting rereading some of my Georgette Heyer books in as my fall-backs.

Prepping for the Read-a-Thon (Sort of)

As the Read-a-Thon approaches (April 27) I've been debating strategy. Should I start with a boring book and get it out of the way? Should I read a short book first, finish it quickly, and feel like I accomplished something? Should I just keep a stack of books on hand and just dip and swing my way through? Should I alternate between "book" books and stuff on the e-reader? How much time should I allot to posting stuff on the blog as I go along? Can I make a party out of this? I've certainly had stranger themes for a party.

Can I stay awake for Twenty-four hours?

I'm getting ready to participate in the Dewey 24-hour Read-a-thon. (http://24hourreadathon.com/) which takes place on Saturday, April 27. This means for that day and night from 7 a.m. I should be reading, blogging about it, eating, and ignoring everything else. I'm just warning everyone now. However, if any of my friends would like to join me for all or part of the experience, feel free to join in, either virtually or physically. Anyone who would like to come to read at my house for a few hours--we can make a party of it, play an author-type game, write our own book. The rules seems rather fluid about how we carry it out. Anyone who would like to contribute chocolate will be welcomed with open arms.

Steampunk with knitting needles

Needles and Artifice: A Refined Adventure Story with Ingenious Knitting Patterns by The Ladies of Mischief
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

How often do you get a steampunk adventure WITH knitting patterns?

The story follows the adventures of a group of Ladies who turn male/female relationships upside down, but in a genteel sort of way. There is always time for tea and knitting. (It was so nice to know that Kristoff makes a good cheese toast. I'd like to meet him myself.)
The moral of the story...Don't mess with intrepid ladies with mad mechanical skills.

The patterns are probably not for beginners and a few look rather daunting at first glance, but many of them look like something that can be worn whether or not you are into steampunk.

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The Red Queen's Daughter

The Red Queen's Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Red Queen is Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VII, who survived him and later married and had a daughter Mary. The story is narrated by Mary and chronicles her (Mary's) training in white magic and then employment as a Lady-in-Waiting by Elizabeth I.

This interesting story moves slowly, because the author has packed it full of details about Elizabeth I's court, from the convoluted relationships of various courtiers to how the elaborate clothing was taken care of. I happen to enjoy that kind of book, but that's me.

The magic seems a little more iffy. Mostly, we are told "And she told me to figure it out for myself", and remarkably Mary jumps right in and, except for a case early on, has no problems.

Task 30.7 B



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Big Blue Book fulfills cover expectations

The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


If you like books set in England at the turn of the 20th Century that feature people with enough money to indulge their eccentricities you might like this one. There are lots of references to political and social movements of the period.
This book moved rather slowly and had lots of people drifting in and out. At one point I was going to stop reading it, but decided to keep at it just to see what happened to the characters. It makes you think that maybe all their quirks KEPT the characters from being happy.
This is not the happiest book I've ever read.

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An Alaskan Life and Lovin' It

Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs: Family, Friends, and Faith in Small-Town Alaska by Heather Lende


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's not that death has no mysteries for someone who writes obituaries, it's that the writer has turned death' mystery into a way of meeting and celebrating life.
Lende survived a serious bike accident and went on to not just cope with life but to enjoy the good with the bad. Along the way she has written about her life in Haines, Alaska and her friends and neighbors--both the living and the dead. An Episcopalian, she draws on a great wealth of spiritual tradtion to tie life together.
I had enjoyed her first book If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name, which came out just before her accident, and I must say that I've enjoyed this one just as much.

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A Three Dog Life

A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is Abigail Thomas' account of her life after her husband Rich was hit by a car and suffered massive brain damage. Her life changed and she had to plan for the future, while her husband remained living in the ever-present now. In addition to Harry, the beagle who was with Rich at the time of the accident, she acquires Rosie (half whippet, half dachshund) and the beagle Carolina Bones.
I empathized with her, almost to the point of reliving my own years following my husband's long bout with a brain tumor. While there are some differences (as a neurologist was quick to point out), I still saw many of the same behavior in my husband.
The amazing thing is that I did not find this book to be depressing, nor was it full of Pollyanna-ish cheerfulness.

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GoodRead Seasonal Reads Summer Reading

Once again I've been lured into the GoodReads Seasonal Reading Challenge.
This summer there are 56 tasks, with most of them requiring one book to be read for completion.

Of the several hundred people who have taken up the challenge, most don't plan to finish all the tasks--they have a life that revolves around work, family, recreation, and other things. They pick the tasks that dovetail with their list of books they want to read and get on with it.

Some of us create our list of books we want to read from the list of tasks. My actual TBR list never seems to have quite what's required for the challenge, but I've discovered some great books along the way. I'll be sprinkling those titles through here the next three months.

(And if you'd like to try GoodRead try here http://www.goodreads.com/. The Seasonal Challenge is under Groups. Tell them I sent you.