As I mentioned on National S'more Day, there is a National Marshmallow Day, too, and it's today!

For the best marshmallows, I've learned, you need to make your own. There's the recipe for that in Marshmallows: Homemade Gourmet Treats, by Eileen Talanian and photography by Courtney Winston. Once you've mastered this, go on to such things as using fruit puree, spices and herbs, and making your own fluff. You can even make your own peeps! To me, these recipes looked hard, but remember, I don't cook! It was fun imagining my friend, who does cook, making some of the things in this book!

If you are crazy for Peeps then you will enjoy Peeps! Recipes and Crafts to Make With Your Favorite Marshmallow Treat, by Charity Ferreira, photographs by Liz Wolfe. There's lots of ways to eat this treat, naturally, but also ideas on making a centerpiece, a wedding cake topper, a holiday wreath, and even a set of checkers! Silly and fun!

Take an armchair camping trip in Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems, by Kristine O'Connell George and illustrated by Kate Kiesler. Beautiful pictures accompany each poem which follow a camping trip from arrival to departure and all the activities in-between. I remember getting dressed in my sleeping bag, sleeping out under the stars, and just so much more. Beautifully done.

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Today it's more on Doctor Who and I am continuing with the BBC books:

I keep Doctor Who: Character Encyclopedia, by Jason Loborik, Annabel Gibson and Moray Laing on the table next to my chair in front of the TV. It's been an excellent reference for me to learn more about the characters, good and bad, who populate the Who universe.

This cover caught my eye ... not that it hurt that the subject was Doctor Who, of course! Doctor Who: the Visual Dictionary: Updated and Expanded has one of those 3-D type images on the front with a great 'switching' image of the Tardis and the 12th Doctor. (Any of you remember 'wiggle' pictures?) As the title implies there are lots and lots of pictures! See all the gadgets and monsters. See what's inside with cut away images, find out which alien is repelled with a water pistol.

For a year by year look at Who try Doctor Who: the Vault, by Marcus Hearn. From the very beginnings to 2013 there are old photos, postcards, and ads for the show. There have been toys, costumes, and comic books, even a song or two and more, so much more! Take your time here, this is an amazing book.

Are you fond of trivia? All sorts of wee details? Then Whology: Doctor Who The Official Miscellany by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright is the book for you! Did you know there are 40 ways to defeat a Dalek? Just how many worlds has the Doctor visited? How many episodes include a dinosaur? I found it better to read this book just a little bit at a time! :-)

The last of the BBC books I've read on this subject is Doctor Who: The Tardis Handbook: the Official Guide to the Best Ship in the Universe, by Steve Tribe. Everything from the various interior designs to that familiar "Tardis wheeze" to a close up of the controls, it's here ... the Tardis, inside and out. All in all a fun book!

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I almost always have a fiction book, usually a mystery, in my 'to be read' pile. Here are the most recent reads:

Rhys Bowen has two delightful mystery series out. From the Royal Spyness comes Naughty in Nice. Being 34th in line for the throne has advantages and disadvantages, the latter being that Lady Georgiana Rannoch was never taught anything, well, useful. It's the Depression and money it tight (as in non-existent). Fortunately the Queen has a small (!) job for her to do and sends Georgiana off to the Riviera. Fun characters, nice detail.

Canadian Reader discovered a new author recently: T. Frank Muir. I found Hand For a Hand to be rather grim, violent, and too 'hard-boiled' for me, but she told me to give Tooth For a Tooth a chance because it dealt with an old crime and was less grisly. It was, and it was a decent story. I think if you like your mysteries to be, mmm, less than cozy you will like these books. :-)

A good change (and relief from the bleak Muir books) was a new book by Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity and the Summer King. If you like a really cozy mystery this is the series for you. (For some these are just too cozy). I have enjoyed this series for many years. Start with Aunt Dimity's Death.

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Originally this book would have been included with the road trip books, but instead Bunion Derby: the 1928 Footrace Across America, by Charles B. Kastner inspired a whole new trail of books. In 1928 not just automobiles traveled on Route 66, there was a foot race, too. The 25,000 dollar prize for winning inspired dozens of men to sign up. Among other things, they were promised food and lodging as they crossed the country. Things were not what they seemed ... the food was dreadful and there wasn't enough to fuel a body working as hard as these were; the lodging was a large tent which was neither warm enough, nor cool enough, and it leaked. There were no showers or laundry (think about that for a minute). No days of rest were scheduled, in fact, toward the end, the promoter/manager added 20 miles a day to the distance required to stay in the race. The author did an amazing job (check out the bibliography) piecing together bits of information from dozens of sources to follow all the runners across the country. And I've not even mentioned the weather, or the road conditions, or the terrain .... Just an amazing read!

One of the many things I like about looking for new things to read is coming across something that is charming and delightful. When Lucy Goes Out Walking: a Puppy's First Year, by Ashley Wolff is one of these! Follow Lucy on a year of walks, watch her grow, watch the seasons change ... and be sure to notice the corners of the past and coming months in the corners. A rhyme for each month adds to the charm. This could easily become a favorite!

In 1909 Edward Payson Weston left New York City bound for San Francisco. On foot. He was 70 years old. He gave himself 100 days to make the crossing, not counting Sundays, which were always a day of rest. So dedicated to the walk, he would go out of his way to avoid taking a ferry to find a bridge, thinking that riding across a river was cheating. The Last Great Walk: the True Story of a 1909 Walk From New York to San Francisco, and Why It Matters Today by Wayne Curtis is about that walk, and a lot more. Along with the journey made by Mr. Weston, the author includes the evolution of going from walking on fours to two, and why it was advantageous. There's a bit of history on the change cities went through as they adapted to a motorized society. There's a discussion on what becoming more sedentary as done to us, and, finally, a return to making cities more walkable again and encouraging leaving cars behind and walking more places. I found the part about different walking gaits to be most interesting. Oh, and in 1910, Edward Payson Weston made a coast to coast walk again, this time starting from the west coast.

For other books on walking, see June 20, 2015 and August 30, 2014.

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Today is Ride the Wind Day. Here's what I came up with to celebrate!

Kites: Flying Skills and Techniques, from Basic Toys to Sports Kites, by Rosanne Cobb. I remember trying to fly a kite as a kid. I'd run and run and all the kite did was bounce along behind me. Avoid that childhood drama by following the instructions in this book! With a very simple design, build and fly a kite. I spent a while saying "Wow!" in the last part of the book showing kites that can tow a three wheeled vehicle, a skateboarder, a skier or a snowboarder.

Flight: Balloons, Kites, Airships and Gliders, by June Loves is a nicely done, simple history book. Good pictures, easy to read, I think kids will enjoy it (I'm never sure anymore, given all that is available on-line) ;-) Be sure to check out the complex box kite!

Ever have the urge to soar like an eagle? I understand that's how hang-gliders feel. Read about them in Hang Gliding and Parasailing, by John E. Schindler. How is it done? What does one wear? I read, I learned, I will keep my feet on the ground. :-0

Just who (or what) uses the wind? Ride the Wind: Airborne Journey's of Animals and Plants, by Seymour Simon, illustrated by Elsa Warnick answers that question. See how birds, bats, insects, seeds, and even spiders use the wind. Lovely illustrations.

One Leaf Rides the Wind: Counting in a Japanese Garden, by Celeste Davidson Mannis and pictures by Susan Kathleen Hartung is a counting book told in haiku. Clever verse, nice pictures with a more detailed history at the bottom of each page made for a an excellent read.

And of course, that wonderful song from the movie Mary Poppins, "Let's Go Fly a Kite" by Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman. :-)

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Time again for another 'bit of everything' post ...

Underworld: Exploring the Secret World Beneath Your Feet, written by Jane Price and illustrated by James Gulliver Handcock is one of those children's books with a lot of detail. I think they've pretty much covered everything that is out of sight (usually) below us. From the earth itself (crust, mantle, core) to hidden cities (bunkers, bombshelters), cemeteries and burial chambers, animals that never see the light of day ... the list goes on. Good explanations explain each entry. I thought this book would be a quick read. It wasn't. ;-) (Well worth the time, by the way). See the March 29, 2014 post for books on Underground London.

I watch many of the CSI shows presently airing, from those set the past such as The Murdoch Mysteries, to variations on Sherlock Holmes, to a long time favorite, NCIS. They are fun, and the bad guy is usually caught. I also realize that they are not like what an actual CSI team does, how they work, and so forth. Learn more about the actual process of CSI work read Behind the Yellow Tape: On the Road With Some of America's Hardest Working Crime Scene Investigators, by Jarrett Hallcox and Amy Welch. At first there was just one school where the necessary skills to work a crime scene were taught: The National Forensic Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. This book follows two of the instructors as they visit graduates of the NFA and follow them on a case. More CSI books may be found in the March 18, 2014 post.

G is for Galaxy: an Out of This World Alphabet, written by Janis Campbell & Cathy Collison and illustrated by Alan Stacy is another of the ABC books I like so much. As expected there is a nice rhyme for each letter as well as more detailed information at the side. A nice tour of the solar system and beyond. (I've mentioned so many Alphabet books I'm not even going to try and include them here);-)

Ever wonder how a snail sees the world? Or the brownsnout spookfish? How about the scallop? Find out in Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World, by Steve Jenkins. Fewer mammal than I would have liked, but overall most interesting.

One of the artists in Masters of Perception (July 14, 2015 post) intrigued me ... Rob Gonsalves ... one of my favorites being the painting where the night sky is made into a cityscape by cutting curtains. It's called 'A Change of Scenery' and may be found in Imagine a Night (written by Sarah L. Thomson). See the northern lights become angels, or a snowy field transform to a snuggly bed. Wonderful! For other artists who challenge our perception see August 5, 2015, and July 7 and 17, 2014.

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A quick search did not turn up a Proverb (or Witty Saying) Day, it did, however, offer up many sites for proverb, quote, or witty saying of the day. County Reader recently shared these books with me:

As They Say in Zanzibar: Proverbial Wisdom From Around the World, by David Crystal is a collection, as the title implies, of wise sayings from across the globe. For some subjects there is a remarkable similarity world wide and it was fun to see the variations on something like 'don't count your chickens before they are hatched' and so on. This is a great book for just flipping pages and stopping at a subject of interest (in my case, dogs) (!)

I would have appreciated hints on how to pronounce the words in The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Worlds From Around the World, by Adam Jacot de Boinod, but just learning about them was enjoyable. There really are dozens of words for snow in Inuit! And many of the .... interesting words under the heading Birth Pains made me shudder. I enjoyed the various words for horses, too. :-)

Lost in Translation: an Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words from Around the World, by Ella Frances Sanders is an absolutely charming book. There's a beautiful word from Swedish for the path-like reflection of the moon on water, one from Malay for the exact time needed to eat a banana, and one from Wagiman for searching for something underwater with your feet. It'd be hard to pick a favorite, but it just might be a word from the Japanese for when you are gazing into the horizon but aren't really thinking of anything. Spend some time with this book, perhaps with a cup of tea.

I like words, no doubt about it. Find other books about them in the 2014 posts from February 25, October 25, and November 15, and the 2015 posts of January 6 and May 23.

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From dull food that was boring with little variety to fancy meals of seemingly endless courses with a bewildering array of utensils to more austere meals during war time; from heavy breakfasts to cereal for a quick start to the day; learn when drinking milk was patriotic, cracking peanuts was sound pollution, and the many firsts with something called Cracker Jacks ;-) .... Three Squares: the Invention of the American Meal, by Abigal Carroll, is history of how we eat. Very interesting with some fun surprises along the way. As regular readers of this blog know, I love a good social history book!

My mother had a box of pamphlet type books with all sorts of recipes that looked a lot like the ones featured in The Gallery of Regrettable Food, by Jame Lileks. Even back then they looked awful! Was it the film? Or the lighting? Fortunately, she never tried any of them. An interesting book, but I would avoid it just before mealtime!

As with other cartoons by Chas Adams, I laughed at many and was puzzled by some in the collection found in Half-Baked Cookbook: Culinary Cartoons for the Humorously Famished.

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Learn how to work with all kinds of manure (and I do mean all kinds) in Holy Shit: Managing Manure to Save Mankind, by Gene Logsdon. The best way to fertilize fields and gardens is the old-fashioned way, and the author explains all about drying and composting and so forth. A very interesting read!

This book took me to The Quarter-Acre Farm: How I Kept the Patio, Lost the Lawn, and Fed My Family for a Year, by Spring Warren. Actually, it lasted for than a year because the family in question opted to keep their mini-farm. (And in some cases, it took more than a year to learn how to make the garden a success). Discover the connection between Legos and a watering system. Read more on snail slime than you might want to know (but the common ones found in gardens are edible). Oh, and for the record, I still like to put black olives on my fingers if no one is watching! ;-)

Farm Anatomy: the Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life, by Julie Rothman, reminded me of a journal one might keep. There are simple drawings of barns and animals, farm equipment and veggies all with a brief handwritten description. What made me smile here is that the author was a native New York City gal until she met the man who became her husband. Just a nice book.

These books would fit nicely with One Woman Farm (June 10, 2014), New Horse Powered Farm (May 18, 2015), and Illustrated Guide to Cows (July 15, 2015).

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It's summer and time for a road trip! (Or, in my case, reading about roads and road trips.) ;-)

I have vague memories of driving down Chuckanut and through Everett to get to Seattle, but I don't think we ever went any further than that. Washington's Highway 99, another in the Images of America series has pictures along the entire route with some nice notes about each. Parts of the route still exist, of course, but so do some of the stops along the way. Some are still in their original location, others have been moved.

Riding across the country takes a long time. A wagon and oxen takes even longer. The automobile changed all that, and someone had to make the first cross country drive. Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns is the book (and PBS show) of that drive. Filled with old photos and excerpts from letters (and wonderful narration if you watch the show) both are excellent.

It takes a bit of doing, but it is possible to find much of Route 66 today and Greetings From Route 66 the Ultimate Road Trip: Back Through Time Along America's Main Street from Voyageur Press tells you how. Filled with nostalgic postcards, old menus (check out the prices!), and 'then and now' photos this was a great armchair trip for me. Lots of fun facts such as where the first stretch of paved roadway was laid, the invention of parking meters or that Airstream trailers started out as a small, canvas covered cart pulled by a mule. If you like, you can take this trip for real, too. :-)

Route 66 changed several times over it's history and there are pictures of some of the old sections in Ghost Towns of Route 66 with text by Jim Hinckley and photographs by Kerrick James. (I rather like the photo of an old road ending in a lake). Be sure to check out the photo on page 34 where there have been a lot of changes. Some of the towns are little more than dust, others are making a comeback as interest in the Mother Road is rising.

Gary Paulsen is the writer, not his son (who is a sculptor) but a comment about how that son learned about a dog needing a home led to Road Trip, written by them both. What starts as a father and son road trip to rescue a Border Collie in need of a home becomes a rescue story of another sort when the car is swapped for an old school bus and other characters climb aboard. Quick read, fun.

Benoit Denizet-Lewis writes about dogs. One year he decided to drive around the U.S. visiting as many doggy people and places as he could. Travels With Casey: My Journey Through Our Dog Crazy Country was the result. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have been talking about to pretty much anyone who will listen! It's nicely balanced as in there's a chapter which includes a visit to the room where dogs who are not adopted are put down, one on life as a reservation dog, and a mention of abuse. He mentions how we changed breeds which resulted in health issues, and has an interesting meeting with the head person at PETA. Mostly though, it's a celebration of people and their dogs and the joy they bring. He talks with photographers, dog walkers, vets, and owners. He visits dog parks and dog friendly hotels and eateries. A most pleasing read. :-)

For other road trips see Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure and Dogtripping (May 17, 2014).

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Some times I think I know more famous animals than people. (I certainly know more famous animals than famous athletes)! ;-)

Tales of Famous Animals, by Peter and Connie Roop with illustrations by Zachary Pullen is a nice collection of biographies of all kinds of animals from Bucephalus to Quest (SAR dog at Ground Zero). In between you'll find Punxsutawney Phil of February the 2nd fame, Lonesome George from the Galapagos Islands, the bear that became Smokey Bear, and many more. There's a nice bibliography, too, for further reading.

I was pleased to find Famous Horses (from the Horsing Around Series) by Barbara M. Linda ... and then a bit disappointed that there weren't more entries. Still, there was a nice combination of historic (George Washington's horse), fictional (Black Beauty), and popular (Mister Ed) and a brief bibliography of books and websites.

There was much to enjoy in Mary and Her Little Lamb; the True Story of the Famous Nursery Rhyme, by Will Moses. It really is a true story and it is told here with the folk art of Will Moses ... the great grandson of Granda Moses! We also learn about the man who put the story to the song we all know, and, who wrote the additional verses. Just a nice read.

Celebrity Dogs, photographs by Kamil Salah and a forward by Bruce Weber, is just that .... dogs owned by celebrities. However, the photos are of just the dogs, none of the celebrities are in sight!

Animals rule! Really! From ancient times to present day animals have been elected, or appointed, to political office. (Most recently, in this area, it was Granny the Orca as mayor of Orcas Island). The King Who Barked: Real Animals Who Ruled, by Charlotte Foltz Jones and illustrated by Yayo is a collection of mini-biographies of those animals. Given some of the recent political activity this might not be such a bad idea. ;-)

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The timing was perfect with this book, Aging Artfully: 12 Profiles: Visual & Performing Women Artists Aged 85 - 105, by Amy Gordon was on my 'to be read' shelf when the story broke on the news of the 108 year old woman who tossed out the opening pitch for the Mariners Game. Evelyn Jones has been a fan of the Mariners as long as there as been a team. She had the same spunk that the women in the book had! (To even qualify to be in the book, the woman had to be at least 85 years old). It is a joyful collection of short biographies of active, talented women.

Continuing with the performing aspect here, there's Peter Paul and Mary: Fifty Years in Music and Life, by Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey & Mary Travers. This is a wonderful, touching and joyful celebration of this remarkable trio. From the early days to Mary Travers death and what Peter and Noel are doing today, this is a great read for anyone who likes folk music and/or is of that 'certain age'!

Where Have All the Flowers Gone: a Singalong Memoir by Pete Seeger (1st edition edited by Peter Blood, revised edition, 2009 edited by Michael Miller and Sarah A. Elisabeth) is part auto-biography, part instruction book, part song book ... just a wonderful jumble of all sorts of thing. Pete Seeger tells about his family, and what music, musicians, and events influenced him. He explains a bit about the history of folk music, how it changes and how it can be modified if needed. There are pages of music for guitar and banjo with pickings and strummings to accompany many of the songs. I found myself humming along as I read this book.

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August 10th is National S'more Day ... who knew?! Not only that, National Marshmallow Day follows at the end of the month!

Since I cannot eat chocolate I have not had a s'more in decades, but if memory serves, mine were nothing like the ones in s'mores: Gourmet TREATS for Every Occasion, by Lisa Adams and photographs by Joyce Oudkerk Pool. With the recipes in this book you can make chewy apricot s'mores, or ones with antioxidants. There are s'mores made with coffee and peanut butter. There's even a pina colada s'more.

Stuck inside? Have kids that need an activity? Indoor S'mores and Other Tasty Treats for Special Occasions, recipes by Nick Fauchald and illustrated by Rick Peterson offers many solutions. Projects range from easy to advanced and include not only s'mores, but popcorn, hot chocolate, fondue (!) and even a snowflake you bake.

And lastly, another one of the alphabet books I'm enjoying so much ... S is for S'mores: a Camping Alphabet, written by Helen Foster James and illustrated by Lita Judge. As always, a great verse for each letter, more detailed information on the side, and then some extra ideas at the end which vary depending on the subject of the book.

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I smiled when I first saw The Essential Mary Poppins: 101 Things You Didn't Know About the Timeless Film and Legendary Cast, by Horace Martin Woodhouse, and kept smiling as I read it. What fun! Who did Dick Van Dyke learn that accent from? (Considered one of the worst ever). Just who did those voices of some of the animated characters? What's odd about the nannies lined up on Cherry Tree Lane? This is a quick, enjoyable read.

Not as quick, and rather more intense, The Making of Some Like It Hot: My Memories of Marilyn Monroe and the Classic American Movie, by Tony Curtis is just what working on the set of this movie was like. Being fitted for dresses and walking in heels weren't the only challenges!

I will admit to a fondness for country music, especially the old trail ballads. That interest lead me to Singing in the Saddle: the History of the Singing Cowboy, by Douglas B. Green. The era of the singing westerns was certainly before my time, so much of this information was lost on me, but the author did a nice job and there is lots of detail here (and I do mean lots)! Singers, songs, songwriters, record labels ... I'll admit I wimped out at some point and just looked at the pictures, but if any of you out there have fond memories of these old movies, take a look at this book. :-)

Hollywood Hoofbeats: the Fascinating Story of Horses in Movies and Television, by Petrine Day Mitchum with Audrey Pavia is a beautifully look back at the use of the horse on film. From the silent films, to the singing cowboys (see above!) to the computer generated images in recent films such as Avatar the authors have done an excellent job here. There's no mincing of words here, the time and films where horses were injured or killed are discussed as well as the changes that were made. Well written, wonderful pictures.

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These books all seem to have something to do with age. Youth (probably mostly boys), pre-teen (probably mostly girls), and 'that certain age' (both genders). ;-)

I have several friends who have raised boys and they all agreed, their sons would have loved this book. The Big Book of Gross Stuff, by Bart King is a book that lives up to it's name. From birth to death (and decomposing) mucus to toe fungus, it's about everything that come out of the human body. More fun than it sounds.

I took a look at Notes From an Accidental Band Geek, by Erin Dionne because it had a French horn on the cover, and I must admit, because it mentioned band. :-) It turned out to be a rather good read about coming of age, the transition into high school, dealing with parents (who, at that age, become so very annoying), and learning to make decisions. Elsie is the main character. Like her father and grandfather, she plays French horn and is determined to get into a prestigious school (and at a younger age than her father). Band, and a new group of friends, would be a turning point in her life.

I will admit to a fondness for those lists of things that prove you are an older citizen. They make me chuckle, and so will Too Old for My Space and Too Young for Medicare, by Joey Green and Alan Corcoran. My favorite actually graces the back cover ... I did go through childhood without an infant seat, air bags, or even seat belts and lived to tell the tale! I used to stand up on the front seat too, so I could see over the dash! :-)

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August 7th is National Lighthouse Day. When I learned that, of course I had to find some books!

The Golden Age of American Lighthouses: a Nostalgic Look at the U.S. Lights from 1850 - 1939 by Tim Harrison and Roy Jones is a collection of photos of lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, lightships and so on. It was a good read, but seemed to pretty much ignore the west coast (with a few exceptions).

Many lighthouse keepers were women. The men would go off to war, or off to search for gold, some died and the wives took over their duties. Mind the Light, Katie: the History of Thirty-Three Female Lighthouse Keepers, by Mary Louise Clifford and J. Candace Clifford contains short biographies and photos of some of them. Nicely done, but still not much on the west coast.

While Lighthouses of Washington: a Guidebook and Keepsake, by Bruce Roberts and Ray Jones did cover Washington lighthouses, it really is more of a tourist guide, with just a little history. Still the pictures were good, and it was nice to learn the status of the lighthouse today. Some are gone, many are tourist destinations, some you can see just from a boat, or across the water.

A book from the series I like so much Images of America did offer more about Washington lighthouses, but just those on the outer coast. As usual with this series, the pictures are wonderful and with excellent captions. Lighthouses and Lifesaving on Washington's Outer Coast, by William S. Hanable is worth a look.

It seems there were always animals at Lighthouses (more than I would have guessed). Read all about them in The Lightkeeper's Menagerie: Stories of Animals at Lighthouses, by Elinor De Wire. From dogs to cats, horses and mules, to livestock (many became pets), to the local wildlife and even a few sea monsters, this was a great read. Some saved lives (a bark could carry further on a stormy night than the foghorn), some provided eggs, some hauled coal from boats to the lighthouse, some just gave comfort, but most were welcome. A very nice read.

I've seen some of the old Fresnel lenses in museums and they are beautiful. Learn all about them, and their inventor in A Short Bright Flash: Augustin Fresnel and the Birth of the Modern Lighthouse, by Theresa Lighthouse. They greatly improved the distance a light could be seen, those on ships loved them, and yet, the U.S. was reluctant to make the change (very frustrating). Lighthouses went dark (and were destroyed) during times of war. A lighthouse along the west coast of Canada was attacked during WWII, but the German subs were chased off. By the Nootka Indians in canoes!

Here's one for the bakers and creative types: Making Great Gingerbread Houses: Delicious Designs From Cabins to Castles, From Lighthouses to Treehouses, by Aaron Morgan and Paige Gilchrist. It was fun looking at the pictures of all the projects, and the lighthouse gingerbread creations are delightful.

There will be more books on Lighthouses, I'm sure, but this is enough for now. And, don't forget The Light on the Island from the September 9, 2014 post. :-)

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August 5 is National Underwear Day! I certainly couldn't let that pass by without doing something!

Underwear, by Helen Whitty, was the first find. It was a nice collection of items, with great pictures and even a fun challenge or two, but it seemed to be limited to clothing for women.

A better balance was found in How Underwear Got Under There: a Brief History, by Kathy Kinshasa, and illustrated by Regan Nicky. Underwear has been worn for many reasons including protection, modesty, support, and even exaggeration to name just a few. These are explained along with some nice illustrations and photographs. The oddest one (to me, anyway) is the bra made from wire-mesh (1885). It's claim to fame is that not only would it give a nice shape under a dress, but the air circulation it provided would allow for more growth!

Underwear: What We Wear Under There, by Ruth Freeman Swain and illustrated by John O'Brien asks the question "What is so funny about underwear?" It then goes on to give a clever, humorous history. (Including what astronauts wear). Take some time with the illustrations, too, there are some delightful details.

If you are in the mood for a more detailed history, try Fashion in Underwear: From Babylon to Bikini Briefs, by Elizabeth Ewing. This is a serious history! The emphasis is more on what women wore than men ... I had no idea of the variety the corset took over the ages. What was rather fun to see was how the "ideal" female shape changed as various body parts were emphasized, or flattened.

The History of Underclothes, by C. Willett and Phillis Cunnington was also a more detailed history. It's a reprint from Dover, and ends in 1939. It'd probably be a bit dry to read all by itself, but coupled with the others listed here, made for an excellent addition.

Many years ago there was an ad on TV that ran for all too short a time. It started with a clothes line .... a fig leaf, loin cloth, etc. passed by, as did boxers, bikinis with hearts and so on. The picture cuts to Michael Jordan, in a nice suit who says "I'm Michael Jordan, and you've been briefed." It was for Haines and certainly one of the cleverest ads I've ever seen.

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"Semper Paratus" is the service motto of the United States Coast Guard. It's in a song I remember learning as a youngster. (I think I learned all the service songs). Today is Coast Guard Day.

Rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard: Great Acts of Heroism Since 1878, by Dennis L. Noble is a collection of true stories about those who willing put themselves in the path of danger to save others. What I appreciated about this book is that it's not just about the successful missions, they didn't all end with lives being saved. It's not fiction, this is real life.

I have only just started The United States Coast Guard in World War II: a History of Domestic and Overseas Actions, by Thomas P. Ostram as Coast Guard Day arrives, but so far it's been most interesting. All I really knew going into this book was that the Coast Guard combines with the Navy in times of war. (And that was because I watch NCIS) ;-) There's lots of information here, and the writing style is a bit dry, but the subject matter has been keeping me going, the Coast Guard has a most interesting history.

For beginning readers, or just to see some nice photos, there's The U.S. Coast Guard, by Matt Doeden. I'd like to think it would inspire young readers to read more. :-)

This might be a bit of a stretch, but Washed Up: the Curious Journeys of Flotsam and Jetsam, by Skye Moody is about coasts so I'm including it with the books about the Coast Guard. :-) There's a lot here ... a little bit of biography, some history (ships lost at sea), some science (ocean currents) and just what does wash up on the beach. There are many types of flotsam and jetsam, and there are collectors specific to each type. Sadly, much of it is garbage nowadays, especially the 'beach flute'. (You might not want to know any more). I especially loved learning that hundreds of Nike shoes washed up on the beach ... but only the left shoe. Why? And where did the right shoes go? Funny, sad, frustrating. Skye Moody is a Washington author.

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Medicine. Good? Bad?

Char loaned me a book that took me far out of what I normally read (and I'm glad she did): Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health, by Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, Dr. Lisa M. Schwartz, and Dr. Steven Woloshin. It will certainly make you think! Just how many tests are really needed? How, and why (and who) created this need for so many? Lots of food for thought here.

Looking for other books that would fit here, I found I Feel Better With a Frog in My Throat: History's Strangest Cures, by Carlyn Beccia. For things like a cough, cold, fever, headache and more, several old cures are proposed and the reader is asked to pick the ones that helped. The answers might surprise you!

For more myths of medicine there's Don't Cross Your Eyes ... They'll Get Stuck That Way and 75 Other Health Myths Debunked, by Dr. Aaron E. Carroll and Dr. Rachel C. Vreeman. I thought the entries here were nicely balanced, in some cases there's not a definitive answer and the authors are willing to say so. I enjoyed their humor, too. :-)

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A segment on a History Channel show What History Forgot led me to a new side trail in my WWII reading. I suggest reading these two books back to back as they fit well together.

Secret Soldiers: the Story of World War II's Heroic Army of Deception, by Philip Gerard is an in-depth, well researched and detailed story of this little known part of the war. Although they were trained just like regular soldiers, and they did serve on the front lines, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops was a group of artists, engineers, sound specialists and actors whose mission was to deceive the enemy ... make the Germans think troops were gathering 'somewhere else'. This included inflatable tanks, special sound effects of men and machines on the move, and setting up camp, etc. They did their job and then vanished from history, even after the war they were not to talk about what they did. Reading how the author did his research was as interesting as his book!

That book, rich in detail about the 23rd matched beautifully with The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery, by Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles. Many of the men were artists and spent their down time with their sketch books and those are the pictures that grace this book. Elizabeth Sayles is the daughter of William Sayles and she grew up hearing stories of the Ghost Army. Included are many personal accounts which make for a riveting read.

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