For a look at something both far away (at least from where I write) and long ago, try Forgotten Queens, by Kevin Walsh and the Greater Astoria Historical Society. Part of the Images of America series, it is, as expected, filled with wonderful archival photos of what the borough of Queens looked like in the early to mid 19th century. Each photo offers up a bit of history, too. A most interesting read!

Here's an earlier book by Kevin Walsh: Forgotten New York: the Ultimate Urban Explorer's Guide to All Five Burroughs. Since it's a travel guide there's information on subway and bus routes in addition to the photos and historic information. Even as an armchair tourist this was interesting. :-)

For more (a lot more) on strong women check out Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, & Heretics, by Jason Porath. This is a teen read so the entries are fairly short. Still, there's a lot of information here, with interesting pictures that reveal many elements from the short biographies.

In an effort for full disclosure here, I did not read this book in it's entirety! It came (of course) during Christmas, there was company (great visits!!), a bout of the 'big bad bug' ... and, I knew there were lots of others waiting, so I have returned The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars, by Dava Sobel without finishing it. What I read, though, was good. Talk about strong, intelligent women!

Reading Hermit With Dog