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.

Reading Hermit With Dog