November 28 is Red Planet Day. Mariner 4 was launched on this date in 1964. There are lots of books on this subject, fiction and non-fiction so I'm just going to mention a few today.

After several recommendations I finally read The Martian, by Andy Weir ... and I liked it! A huge dust storm and a freak accident strands one astronaut on Mars. He is, however, not dead. Now what? I was sucked into the action as he figured out how to communicate with NASA, figure out how to (maybe) grow food until a rescue mission might reach him ... all sorts of interesting 'challenges' occur ... And, in case you missed the ads, it's now a movie! :-)

May 2013 was when Curiosity reached Mars. What was it's mission? What did it find? How did it get it's name? Ron Miller (best known for his space paintings) explains all this in Curiosity's Mission on Mars: Exploring the Red Planet.

It's been a long time since I've donned a pair of 3-D glasses (yes, I have my very own pair!) but it was worth it to see the pictures in Mars 3-D: a Rover's-Eye View of the Red Planet by Jim Bell. There are nice descriptions with each picture.

The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury was one of my first science fiction books. What an introduction! The story that stuck with me the most is the one where a father promises to show his son some Martians ... and then does. (It's more impressive than it sounds here, trust me). ;-)

Find Mars and the Mind of Man on the November 25, 2014 post.

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It turns out I've been celebrating Buy Nothing Day (the day after Thanksgiving) for many years now! I even avoid any on-line shopping 'just because'! At some point I decided it'd be a good time to do books on ads. :-)

made you look: How Advertising Works and Why You Should Know, by Shari Graydon and illustrated by Warren Clark, while aimed at younger readers, proved to be an excellent read. All about how marketers target specific age groups, how carefully ads are worded, and how to recognize (and avoid) the hype. I loved the little 'Try This at Home' boxes found throughout with things to try, such as looking for products in a movie or TV show, to emphasize just how invasive advertising is. I know it looks odd, but the lower case letters in the title are fine. (Even if it does bother me just a bit)!

There is a method to the madness of getting a point across and it is all in the subtitle of Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear, by Frank Lutz. (emphasis is mine). From advertisers to politicians to getting a seat on a flight after the doors have been closed the author explains what works and what doesn't. It's why welfare became assistance, and garbage collectors became sanitation engineers. (And, one that bugs me ... a used car is now a pre-owned vehicle). This was interesting and educational, and a bit sad as pretty much anything anymore has a 'spin' put to it. Listen carefully folks!

Personal ads are always interesting, and have been around for a long, long time. To read some of the best, try Man With Farm Seeks Woman With Tractor: the Best and Worst Personal Ads of All Time, by Laura Schaefer. Funny, sad (sometimes both at the same time).

For other fun personal ads, see Strange Red Cow in the May 16 post.

I see where some stores are opting out of 'Black Friday' this year. Good for them!

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Autumn is the time when nature slows down and prepares for winter. In November, by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Jill Kastner reflects this beautifully. From bare trees to sleeping bees, this is a great book to share with a child (or pet).

I remember singing Over the River in elementary school. Linda Ashman (author) and Kim Smith (illustrations) give it a nice twist in Over the River and Through the Wood: a Holiday Adventure. Just how to folks get to grandmother's house these days? I have a couple of observations though ... sometimes the sleigh runners seemed to be on bare pavement (or much too close), and, just one horse?

From the wonderful series by Jennifer Chiaverini comes A Quilter's Holiday. A cornucopia that once was the centerpiece of holiday tables has been found again. In the past, each member of the family put an item in it that was symbolic of something for which they were thankful. Syliva Bergstrom decides to restart this tradition by asking each quilter to design a quilt block for the cornucopia. The story of the design each quilter picked and why makes for a nice, fireplace read.

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My Mom used to line dry all the laundry, as did I for many years. The Clothesline, by Irene Rawlings and Andrea Vansteenhouse with photography by David Foxhoven and Jason McConathy, is a lovely, nostalgic look back at this seemingly lost chore. Included are tips on caring for vintage fabrics, the 'proper' way to hang clothes (unmentionables on the inside, please), and the evolution of the clothespin.

Continuing along the nostalgia trail is a book about aprons. I really don't remember my mom wearing one very often, although there were several in a cupboard. EllynAnne Geisel, author of The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort has different memories and at some point decided to gather them into a book. In addition to the aprons from her family, she collects them, too, as well as patterns to make them, and any stories that came with them. They will make you smile.

There are lots of wonderful pictures in Aprons: Icons of the American Home, by Joyce Cheney. There's also a bit of history, the fabrics used, how styles have changed, which all make for a most interesting read.

Will you be wearing a fancy apron on Thanksgiving?

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More books from across the pond today, and, one odd one that needed a place to go. :-)

Cities change over time and London is no exception. Buildings are torn down (or are burned or bombed), jobs (and the lingo that goes with them) become obsolete. Richard Guard gathers many of these together in Lost London: an A - Z of Forgotten Landmarks and Lost Traditions. A very nice read.

Find out if you are British or not by how you answer the questions in Very British Problems: Making Life Awkward for Ourselves, One Rainy Day at a Time, by Rob Temple. (I could be) (!) I found myself nodding and laughing as I read this book about British behaviour. Fun!

Ever wonder who figured out we could donate blood? For a quick (it's a kid's book) but informative biography, read Charles Drew: Doctor Who Got the World Pumped Up to Donate Blood, written and illustrated by Mike Venezia. (Be prepared for some bad jokes, too) ;-) I first heard about Dr. Drew on an episode of MASH so it was nice to learn a bit more about him.

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If you've been reading my blog then it will come as no surprise that I love books about TV shows, so was very excited when I found Investigating Murdoch Mysteries: the Official Companion to the Series, by Michelle Ricci with Mir Bahmanyar. All about the actors and characters, wonderful pictures, and fun bits of trivia (who stays in 'period' shoes even when their feet won't be in the shot?) How are the sets designed? What does the author of the books think of the series? How (and why) does the series differ from her book? Just a great read!

Do foods and drinks you read about, or see, in science fiction shows, books and games every sound interesting? Ever wish you could relax with a nice cup of Klah? If so, you'll find the recipes in The Geeky Chef Cookbook, by Cassandra Reeder. The two subtitles tell all: Unofficial Recipes from Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and more ... and ... Real-Life Recipes for Your Favorite Fantasy Foods. Some sound quite good, some, well, let's just say 'interesting'! ;-)

If you like CSI shows, mysteries, and are a crafty person as well, then you should enjoy Criminal Crafts: Outlaw Projects For Scoundrels, Cheats and Armchair Detectives, by Miss Demeanor A.K.A. Shawn Gascoyne-Bowman. Learn how to make a cake with a file in it (okay, so it was really a cell phone so 'Happy Birthday' could be played from inside the cake). Carve a gun from soap. Knit a noose using just your fingers. Personally, I loved the gingerbread men decorated as crime scene bodies!

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While on the prowl for books about night I came across some books about beds, naturally! There are lots of books on this subject ... human, canine, flower ... and maybe at a later date I'll go back for more, but for now, this is it. ;-)

Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, a History of Messy Rooms, by Wade Bradford, illustrations by Johanna van der Sterre. I remember asking this question, and come to think of it, getting the same answer. Seems it's a question that has come down from the earliest of times!

For a nice history of how humans have slept through the ages, read What You Never Knew About Beds, Bedrooms, and Pajamas, by Patricia Lauber, illustrated by John Manders.

Remember waterbeds? I had one, and loved it! ;-)

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November 11 is Veteran's Day, a day to honor all living veterans. It's also Washington State Day. On Nov 11, 1889, Washington became a state, the only one named for a president.

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion, by Jane Barclay and illustrated by Renne Benoit was a nice find. It's one of those gentle books that says so much .... in this case, a Grandfather explaining what it was like to be in a war, and why it (and those who served) should be remembered.

Veterans Day: Remembering Our War Heroes, by Elaine Landau explains a lot about this special day ... how it got started, how it is recognized (in cities, towns, and schools with a great variety of activities) and why it is important.

Thank you all for your service.

And, something to celebrate Washington State Day:

This book almost made me want to drive around the state ... Spanning Washington: Historic Highway Bridges of the Evergreen State, by Craig Holstine and Richard Hobbs. There are lots of bridges in Washington State! New and old, floating bridges, draw bridges (and other ways of opening up to let boats pass), in every sort of design imaginable. Some are gone but there are pictures, others are no longer used except for tourists. Great pictures, interesting text!

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The poet and composer never met. The music was written first. The poem was set to a lot of other tunes before being forever joined with the one we know so well. (Imagine it with Auld Lang Syne) !! America the Beautiful: the Stirring True Story Behind Our Nation's Favorite Song, by Lynn Sherr, is a delightful history of the song that many believe should be our national anthem.

If you are looking for a smallish book to carry in a pack or pocket to read on the bus or ferry (you know, for the few of us left without e-readers!) try Washington's History: the People, Land and Events of the Far Northwest, by Harry Ritter. Since the entries are short this was one of those books I just kept reading and reading .... ;-)

Every state has a state song. They come in the form of a march, hymn, or waltz. Some held a competition, others put new words to a familiar song. Some adopted an entire song. One state used a song from a Broadway Musical. And this is just the official state song! State Songs: Anthems & Their Origins, by John Hladszuk and Sharon Schneider Hladszuk was a most interesting read. A piano or keyboard is nice, but not necessary. :-)

What was it like living here during WWII? I wish now I'd asked my folks more questions. Home Front America: Popular Culture of the World War II Era, by Robert Heide and John Gilman is a good look back at that. There are good pictures to go with information on ration books, victory gardens, meals (most servicemen would refuse to eat Spam once they came home) as well as movies, music, books and comic books. Check out some of the ashtrays, and Bakelite radios in patriotic colors!

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My recent reading seems to be all over the place!

Paul Revere's ride, the horrible winter at Valley Forge, Molly Pitcher ... how much was actually true? Founding Myths: Stories That Hide Our Patriotic Past, by Ray Raphael breaks these events, and more, down into what is fact and what is fiction. Well researched and well written, it certainly kept me reading ... and while not surprised at the 'spin' (there's that word again) put on some things, it was also just a bit depressing!

For a nice, traditional, cozy mystery try Death and the Lit Chick, by G.M. Malliet. A castle (where there's no cell phone coverage), a storm (that takes out the electricity), secret passages (which of the guests has been here before?) and a gathering of mystery writers ... what could go wrong?

Here's one that fits well with my 'strong women' posts, especially the one from June 2, 2015. Cowgirl Up! A History of Rodeo Women, by Heidi M. Thomas is filled with short biographies of the women who followed the rodeo circuit riding the same rough stock as the men (and sometimes beating them). These are amazing women! One of them, when encouraged to stop what she was doing (you know, because it was not really a fit job for a woman) joined the WACs and learned to fly a plane. After that she became a certified scuba diver instructor!

For more on one of these amazing women see The Lady Rode Bucking Horses from the June 2, 2015 post.

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I was recently shown the book Be Prepared: a Practical Handbook for New Dads, by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden. It looked most interesting so I asked to borrow it and decided to make a 'dad' or 'guy' post. :-) There are instructions for holding a new baby (and up to one year of age); changing a diaper (and a hoot of an 'emergency' diaper), and bathing. There are chapters on what the mother is going through, too. I have been told, by an actual parent, that the information is sound. :-)

There was a time when housework was considered work for the womenfolk. That is changing and here's a book to help: How to Get Things Really Flat: Enlightenment for Every Man on Ironing, Vacuuming and Other Household Arts, by Andrew Martin. What's the best way to do the laundry? Or dust a room? What is the difference between various projects for doing them? Do men and women wash dishes differently? A fun read, with instructions that will really work. :-)

Many years ago I came across a book designed to help single men prepare quick, easy and tasty meals: A Man, a Plan, and a Can: 50 Great Guy Meals Even You Can Make, by David Joachim and the editors of MensHealth. Easy recipes, mostly involving opening cans and combining the contents into quick and easy meals. I can't get my hands on a copy now so I checked on amazon and discovered there are now several more titles in the series. If you are 'cooking challenged' this is worth a look.

And lastly, an entire book of essays about dirt and cleaning! Dirt: the Quirks, Habits, and Passions of Keeping House, edited by Mindy Lewis. See if you spot yourself in one of these essays from supercleaners, to the 'don't look, don't see' sort of housekeepers. Some are funny, others rather sad, but I found it most interesting to see what writers would say when given a common subject.

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November 2 is Deviled Egg Day, but how did they get that name? You'll find out in Who Put the Devil in Deviled Eggs? The Fascinating Stories Behind America's Favorite Foods, by Ann Treistman. Sometimes it was very clear where something came from, other times there were rivalries as to where/who/how it started. There's a recipe for each food included along with the history and some fun bits of trivia.

D'lish Deviled Eggs: a Collection of Recipes From Creative to Classic, by Kathy Casey is full of an amazing variety of just what can top a deviled egg. From crab, to beets, radishes and wasabi, there are some curious suggestions here. You can use bacon, steak and pork. There's even something called the Dirty Martini deviled egg!

I know someone who makes such amazing deviled eggs that many of us would just stand around the plate, you know, making polite conversation and so forth, until, amazingly, the eggs were gone and we'd wander of in different directions.

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