It's only June (although near the end) and already too hot and dry for me, so I figure I'm in serious trouble as we head into our normally dry time of the year! To that end, I thought I'd read some books on rain. :-)

A new publication, Rain: a Natural and Cultural History, by Cynthia Barnett, was the first book I read this time (there are other rain titles in the October 25, 2014 post). I really enjoyed this book! Barnett includes all aspects of rain: history (floods, droughts, rainmakers); forecasting; as well as popular side of rain (songs, movies, books). Nicely written, whimsical as well as serious.

Friends chuckled when I told them I was doing a post on rain books, and then offered these two recommendations: Rain Check: Baseball in the Pacific Northwest, edited by Mark Amour and photos from the David Eskenazi Collection. It's a nice collection about the history of the sport in this area. And, for those who like to garden: Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape, by Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden. It's how to capture, store and use rainwater for gardens, yards and so forth.

A book from my past: Rain Makes Applesauce with words by Julian Scheer and pictures by Marvin Bileck. I have a happy memory of reading this to kindergarten age kids. They loved the detailed pictures, the silly text, and the repetition of 'and rain makes applesauce'. Try it with a group of youngsters, you won't be disappointed!

I Love the Rain, by Margaret Park Bridges, illustrated by Christine Davenier is new to me. Meet Molly, who hates the rain, and Sophie, who doesn't, and watch the transformation. I especially loved the tap dancing rain drops.

And a mystery, included here because of the title: Raining Cats and Dogs, by Laurien Berenson. This time chaos seems to be the keyword as Melaine, her son, new hubby and five standard Poodles adjust to life together in a small house. For a night of peace (or so she thinks) Melanie and one of her dogs visit a nursing home, but the quiet is interrupted by a murder of one of the residents. The dog/human interaction in these books is wonderful.

A side note here: Earl Emerson's Thomas Black series is set in Seattle. I read the first title, The Rainy City, some years ago. It was a bit more 'hard boiled' than I like (but that's a personal thing), but I liked the descriptions of, well, the rainy city. :-)

Stay cool everyone!

Reading Hermit With Dog