Back when Constant Reader suggested Keeping the Bees (November 8, 2016 post) a book about the Mason Bee was also included. I finally got around to reading Mason Bee Revolution: How the Hardest Working Bee Can Save the World One Backyard at a Time, by Dave Hunter and Jill Lightner. This bee does not make honey, is not aggressive (and doesn't sting), doesn't swarm, and likes to stay close to home (as it were). This makes it an excellent addition to a back yard. It is a much better pollinator, too. This is a great 'how to' book if you are thinking of adding bees to your yard.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen, by Laurie R. King came out some years ago but I did not read it until now. It is the first of the Mary Russell Novels which partners a retired Sherlock Holmes with a precocious 15 year old orphaned girl. Intellectual and quick witted, she is just what he needs. Lots of clues, disguises, and deductions here, it was a delightful read.

Lastly, a mystery by an old favorite writer. It actually involves a wasp rather than a bee, but it's close enough! Death in the Clouds is one of the Hercule Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christie. All the elements are here: a closed room, a few people all within sight of each other, a limited time frame for the murder to occur .... a wonderful, traditional English cozy. I followed the clues (or rather, what I thought were clues) and came up with the wrong person! A wonderful way to spend that nasty weekend in February. :-)

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Here's a book for one of my many trails on Strong Women: Frontier Grit: the Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women, by Marianne Monson. The author used letters, and interviews with descendants so there are some personal tidbits you might not find in other books. One woman, for example, actually preferred living under a tarp, or in a tent as there was less housework! One of the best known stage coach drivers ever was discovered to be female when the body was being prepped for burial. (She was only ever robbed once ... after she shot or ran over other attempts, the word got out no one tried again). One was driving a dog team (on one of the longest routes ever) was in her eighties. Thanks to Constant Reader for this recommendation!

The Chaos of the Stars, by Kiersten White came to me from Tall Reader who said "I'd like to get your take on this." I found it to be an interesting take on the coming-of-age story only in this case the main character, Isabelle, is the daughter of Isis and Osiris, who, since they are immortal, are still alive today (although Isabelle is mortal). Sent to San Diego to stay with her brother (also mortal) she meets someone with a life similar to hers.

And now, perhaps, the end of one trail. Remember back to books on snails and slugs? (See the posts of March 20, 2015, and April 28, 2015). I went searching for other books and found something that looked most interesting: The Slugs of Whatcom County, by ten county authors. I requested it but it could not found. It is a very small book, and those can hide so Constant Reader kindly did a thorough search but was unsuccessful. There was a non-circulating copy however, and CR did take a look at that. Well! Turns out it is a parody of Bridges of Madison County! Not what I was looking or hoping for. So, with Thanks to Constant Reader I am moving on to other trails!

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Wonderful things can come from mistakes, and one such thing is the Slinky! I used to love sending mine down the stairs at the house I grew up in. And the sound it made when I would tilt it from hand to hand. The Marvelous Thing That Came From a Spring: the Accidental Invention of the Toy That Swept a Nation, written and illustrated by Gilbert Ford with photographs by Greg Endries is the story of how it came to be, and, how it first became popular.

What can a little girl with a great imagination do in a dark attic, and a light switch? Find out in the wordless book Shadow, by Suzy Lee. Creative and fun, and not a computer, tablet or smart phone in sight!

I'll admit, I selected this book because the horn on the cover looked like a French Horn! (So many times the 'horn' is a trumpet). Gabriel's Horn, by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Maria Surducan is the story of a tarnished old horn left with Gabriel and his family by a mysterious stranger. The more good deeds they do, the brighter the horn gets. The end notes say it is a modern twist on an old Jewish story about Elijah the Prophet. It's a great read!

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Canadian Reader told me about attending a cheese making class, which (no surprise) inspired a new trail for me! The first book to arrive was Milk Cow Kitchen, by MaryJane Butters (really!) Now, I don't cook, will not be making my own cheese, and, alas, will never own my own cow and still this was just a wonderful read! Mouth watering recipes, advice on selecting, housing, feeding, milking, breeding your own cow, marketing your product, as well as a chapter on 'cow decor', it all should keep you reading right to the end of the book. There are also many "fun facts" such as 'Did you know that two thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey?' (!)

Here's a cheese related story: Edward Trencom's Nose: a Novel of History, Dark Intrigue, and Cheese, by Giles Milton. For generations at least one Trencom has the 'nose' for cheese ... but ... is that good or bad? Edward gets a surprise when he comes across a crate of past records of his family. Not bad! Made me hungry for a grilled cheese sandwich. Very ordinary, given the cheeses described here, but it was handy. ;-)

Although big city born and raised, Brad Kessler always felt the need to get away from all the noise and concrete of New York. He and his wife did so, moving to Vermont, raising goats and making cheese. Goat Song: a Seasonal Life, a Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese is both detailed and delightful. The sections on some of the specifics of raising goats and making cheese is certainly more than I'll ever need to know, but woven throughout ... the passages on taking the goats up the mountains to graze,for example, milking them, and making the cheese are almost lyrical. (Rather fitting, given the title). ;-)

Think Wisconsin is the only place to get wonderful cheese? Think again! While not as well known as those in the Dairy State, there are many incredible cheeses and cheese makers here in the northwest and Pacific Northwest Cheese: a History, by Tami Parr will tell you all about them. Many are only sold locally so it might be worth seeking the nearby ones out and trying them out. :-)

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Since this series started with May, and since I was already reading them out of order, I went ahead and read February Fever, by Jess Lourey, before going back to start at the beginning. Set on a train, in a snowstorm (sound familiar?) this one had a slightly claustrophobic feel to it (nice job on the part of the author, I thought). It's a bit darker than the first book I read though, with some sad events from the main character's past. (It could be tying up loose ends from earlier titles). Still, a nice cozy, with some delightful characters.

A Front Page Affair is the debut novel of Radha Vatsal, and what a read it was! It is the first the Kitty Weeks Mystery series she has planned. Set in New York City in 1915, Kitty (Capability) Weeks wants to be a journalist. She's well educated and well traveled, but is stuck doing the fashion page. Until she attends a high society function that is. Just a wonderful start!

I mentioned how the ending of the last Peculiar Crimes Unit mystery ended 'up in the air' and that I was glad I could move on to the next title quickly. Well, I am and I did! Bryant & May: Strange Tide, by Christopher Fowler was a welcome relief as well as the expected twisted mystery. I love the older characters in this series, and that these are 'thinking' mysteries. Not that I figure them out, of course! ;-)

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I love getting email from Constant Reader, especially when it includes three very special words: Have You Read .... ? Sometimes I have, sometimes I haven't, as was the case with The Sea Wolves: Living Wild in the Great Bear Rainforest with amazing photographs by Ian McAllister. Tucked between mountains and the sea it is a unique ecosystem along the central coast of British Columbia. The wolves who live here are shorter than their inland cousins, and of a more reddish color. They swim readily in the pursuit of food, and include salmon, mussels and barnacles in their diet. They also have a long and happy relationship with the Raven. (Wolves have been seen eating birds, but never a raven). Published in 2010, the future of the Great Bear Rainforest was in question, but a google search tells me that as of 2016 it became part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy and will be protected from logging and development. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. :-)

Have you watched Vera on PBS? I have not, but I did recently finish The Moth Catcher, by Ann Cleeves, and her books are the foundation for that series. (It was included in the stack of books from Canadian Reader). A bit slower paced that other cozies I've read, the pace builds rather slowly until you realize you are Not Putting It Down until you are done! And even though I am starting in the middle of the series, there is enough description of the characters and so forth, where I never felt at a loss as to who was who or how they related to each other. (Also, thanks to County Reader who first recommended this author, which is when I asked Canadian Reader if she'd read any, which is why this title ended up in the stack of books she left here). :-)

Here's a blast from the past ... one of the entries in the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown (with some illustrations by Itoko Maeno). It was in the stack left by Canadian Reader and what fun rereading Claws and Effect was! If you have an old favorite I highly recommend a revisit!

I just got word that Stuart McLean died. He had a wonderful show on CBC Radio called 'The Vinyl Cafe.' I was a huge fan! I have two of his books on my shelf: Stories from the Vinyl Cafe and Vinyl Cafe Unplugged. More about them in the post from June 14, 2014. I will miss him.

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Those who know me know that I am 'kitchen challenged' ... and that seems to have inspired two wonderful books for gifts this year from Canadian Reader. The Quick Six Fix: 100 No-Fuss, Full-Flavor Recipes, by Stuart O'Keefe (with Kathleen Squires) boasts just six ingredients, six minutes prep, and six minutes cleanup. As a novice I'm betting it takes me a bit longer, but, the instructions are clear, and there are handy tips throughout. There are delightful stories from the author, too, as to why a particular recipe sparks a nice memory.

This is a Cookbook: Recipes for Real Life is by brothers Max and Eli Sussman. It is not just a book of recipes, but also a book of hysterical stories! Be sure to check out the chapter on Midnight Snacks. (You might not wait until midnight to try them). ;-)

Here's one to go with the January 14, 2017 post dealing with outdoor cooking. The Lewis & Clark Cookbook: Historic Recipes from the Corps of Discovery & Jefferson's America, by Leslie Mansfield. Granted, the recipes have been updated so as to be prepared in a modern kitchen, but I enjoyed the historic entries that were included.

I was hoping for a book about eating a bug to use with one of my cookbook posts, but alas, it seems to have gone missing so I may not have a chance to see it. However, I did find Extreme Food: What to Eat When Your Life Depends On It, by Bear Grylls and it includes a chapter on bugs (and other creepy crawlies). As a former camper (and that's camping, not glamping!!) I appreciated what the author is teaching here. And equally glad I never would have had to use said skills! Well written and with a nice touch of humor, there are chapters on finding, catching or gathering, and preparing everything from beast to plant to bug (or slug). Enjoyable even if you don't camp (or glamp). :-)

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Here's the first in a new (to me, anyway) series: Rules of Murder, by Julianna Deering. When the author set out to write her mystery, she decided to try and break (or bend) the 'rules' for a mystery Ronald Arbuthnott Knox set out in his 1929 Decalogue (they are listed in the book). I will admit here, I almost was ready to give up as it was getting a bit too 'romancy' for me ... but then the body was found, and then a "what?" moment followed by a ??!! moment, so my advice is ... keep reading!

Death By the Book is the next in the series by Julianna Deering. While I enjoyed some of the details here (old hat pins and book quotes found with each of the bodies) and the maiden aunt from Chicago, the main female character was rather 'clingy' this time. Now, that could have been due to the visit from the Aunt, too. Remember, this was an age of 'proper behavior' and the aunt is very big on that sort of thing. ;-)

And a return to a favorite series here, another Peculiar Crimes Unit mystery by Christopher Fowler: Bryant and May and the Burning Man. A homeless man dies in a fire on the steps of a bank where a protest had taken place earlier that day. Accident? Coincidence? Planned? Other bodies show up involving death by fire. As usual, wonderful ties to London's past as the quirky Bryant and May figure things out. I promised no spoilers in this blog so I'll just say I'm very glad I can move immediately on to the next book in this series. ;-)

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This is a sweet little lullaby book about the night sounds on two continents (take some time with the pictures!): Cricket Song, written and illustrated by Anne Hunter. What do you hear at night? I used to hear frogs. In the spring they'd be so loud their song would drown out my stereo (kinda dates me, doesn't it). ;-)

So many old favorites here! I found myself smiling at every page with Starry Night, Sleep Tight: a Bedtime Book of Lullabies, illustrated by Gail Yerrill. See how many you recognize.

I'll end today with an old favorite of mine: Last One Home is a Green Pig, by Edith Thacher Hurd and illustrated by Clement Hurd. It is one of the many "I Can Read Books" that were popular (ahem) a while back!

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Working with the public can be ... interesting ... and that seems to be especially true in a book store! Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores, by Jen Campbell is proof! I laughed, I chuckled, I rolled my eyes! If you work also work with the public you should, too! :-)

Once upon a time the private life of the president was just that ... private. (Imagine)! Partner that with a formidable wife and staff willing to support her and you get our first female president. Madam President: the Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson, by William Hazelgrove reads like good fiction (but check out the bibliography) and explains how they were able to keep the health of Woodrow Wilson secret as his term in office was completed. Hard to put down! (A side note here ... I just love the name of an assistant to the VP ... Thistlethwaite! Trying saying that three times rapidly). ;-)

Canadian Reader brought me a nice stack of books when she came to visit and among them was The Truth According to Us, by Annie Barrows. She is the co-author (and niece) of a favorite of mine: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. (See the November 4, 2014 post). This new book is also an excellent read. Set during the Depression, Layla has angered her father by refusing to marry the man of his choice. He cuts her off and instructs his brother to find her a job. She is sent to a small town in West Virginia as part of the Federal Writers' Project, they want a book of the town's history for the upcoming sesquicentennial celebration. As she interviews the townsfolk she learns that there is often more than one view of past events, uncovers long buried secrets, and makes friends with the quirky family who agreed to board her during her stay.

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A lot of research went into Man o' War: a Legend Like Lightning, by Dorothy Ours. She was able to build suspense, even though the outcome is a matter of record! She included other horses and races and their owners and jockeys. She discussed race strategies (some not always legal in the early days) and how that changed. This was before starting gates, so the start of a race was always a challenge ... how to get all the horses lined up as best as possible to insure a fair start!

He was an odd looking horse, sort of like he was put together just a bit wrong. And yet, he could run, really run. He liked the longer races, and mud was just fine with him. He often came from behind inspiring his fans (and they were legion) to call out "Here comes Exterminator!" ... and that is the title of this book: Here Comes Exterminator: the Long-Shot Horse, the Great War, and the Making of an American Hero, by Eliza McGraw. At times a sad read (the ASPCA was just getting started) but overall an interesting one.

Many years ago there was a wonderful special on PBS about the Queen and her horses. Seems that is not out in dvd form, but I did, finally, find a book! All the Queen's Horses: a Celebration of Her Majesty's Love of the Horse, by David Elliott tells a little of the history of the royal family and the horse, and the horse events the Queen enjoys most. I love the sense of history throughout. One job, The Office of the Master of the Horse in the Royal Household was created by Richard II in 1391. I would have liked more pictures, but mostly just enjoyed this book (with a cup or two of tea, of course). ;-)

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I recently learned that February 2nd is Sled Dog Day! It seems to be in honor of the dogs that pulled the sleds that took the serum to Nome to stop an outbreak of diphtheria 1925. The weather was such that planes could not fly (think open cockpit here) so the decision was made to transport the serum by dog sled. I decided to include two of my favorite books again, and when I looked back I saw that I used these two books in my first post on February 8, 2014, so I wasn't too far off Sled Dog Day, even though I didn't know it! They were: The Cruelest Miles: the Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against An Epidemic, by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury, and The Great Serum Run: Blazing the Iditarod Trail, by Debbie S. Miller and illustrations by Jon Van Zyle. Expect more books about these amazing dogs come March and the Iditarod.

Today is also Groundhog Day. Will there be six more weeks of winter? Find out more about this rather strange holiday in Groundhog Day! by Gail Gibbons and Groundhog Weather School, by Joan Holub and illustrated by Kristin Sorra. Both are picture books so they won't take you long and are just plain fun to read!

Spring is coming. Isn't it? One young groundhog thinks it is but the males in the family disagree. Read how she convinces the retiring elder to change the way things have always been done in Punxsutawney Phyllis, by Susanna Leonard Hill and illustrated by Jeffry Ebbeir. Great fun!

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