I've read other books on tea, but I think A History of Tea: the Life and Times of the World's Favorite Beverage, by Laura C. Martin, might be my favorite. Lots of fun stuff here! Tea was once traded for horses. It was once made into bricks, which stored well and traveled easily. The samurai contributed to the spread of tea houses and the tea ceremony. Considered a medicine, it was first found in apothecaries. The first tea bag was introduced in 1904, by Thomas Sullivan of New York. Oh ... and here's something that was news to me: Peter Stuyvesant brought tea to New Amsterdam (later to become NYC) in 1647. Ten years before it was introduced in London!

For a fun look back at some of the foods that we ate, were popular, or made their first appearance, check out The Century in Food: America's Fads and Favorites, by Beverly Bundy. There's a nice time line for each decade, and some great pictures, but sadly, somewhere along the line the decision was made to put white type, in a small font, on a pastel background so some sections were hard to read. (Although younger eyes might not have the same problem). ;-)

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And finally, for this holiday season, a few fun books for the upcoming Twelfth Night.

I've listed many versions, or perhaps they are visions, of The Twelve Days of Christmas and them to fall into two categories: traditional and non-traditional. And, there always seem to be more! Still not a song I like much, but I love many of the visual interpretations. And even a few of the 'twisted' musical versions. (There's one from the about the twelve days after Christmas that is a hoot)!

For a traditional look at this song take a look at The Twelve Days of Christmas with illustrations by Emma Randall. It's a nice, rather folksy look with interesting borders for each day. Watch how each picture just keeps getting busier ... and busier ... :-)

Alison Jay is known for her crackle-glaze style artwork, which makes her version of The Twelve Days of Christmas truly unique. Follow along as the couple does a bit of shopping and then heads off to a Christmas party. See if you can spot another familiar holiday character in each of the pictures!

I decided to call the version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, with pictures by Greg Pizzoli, a "cross over" version. While the gifts involved are traditional (well, mostly), those receiving them are not! Love the swimming swan with a floatie! Do the parents look a bit worried to you?

I guess you just can't start kids too young on this traditional (if annoying) song. The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jane Cabrera is a board book! Here you will find a party tree, and drumming dogs ... elves and snowmen ... and a special ride home at the end. Charming and fun.

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I have a few more Christmas mysteries still to post! :-)

Seems I'm reading the Snow Globe Shop Mystery series, by Christine Husom, out of order, The Iced Princess is the second in the series. (See December 9, 2017 for the others). The holiday season is approaching fast so store owners Camryn and Alice (aka Pinky) hire some extra help. (Their stores are adjoined so they will share). Turns out the new employees do not get along and soon, one of them ends up dead. Other suspects, and events from the past emerge as the police and store owners try and figure out the why and how of the murder. And who, or what, is responsible for the light in the store bathroom going on and off at random times?

For some reason I especially enjoy short stories this time of year so Murder Under the Christmas Tree: Ten Classic Crime Stories for the Festive Season, edited by Cecily Gayford, was the perfect read. It's a collection from familiar authors (Sayers, Doyle, Marsh, Peters, and more) with familiar situations (locked doors, vanishing weapons, 'traditional' motive), making for some needed 'down time' in front of the fire. :-)

And, one last Christmas mystery (I think) (!) Six Cats a Slayin', is part of the Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James. Two notes arrive for Charlie ... one an unwanted invitation to a gathering he'd rather not attend, and one included with a box of five kittens, pleading for him to care for them. He reluctantly goes to the gathering (where the body is found) and happily takes in the kittens. Turns out, the corpse is not who she said she was ... and why had she returned to town claiming to be part of an old family? And who left the kittens? Is it the same person spotted peeking in the windows? Sad and fun, this has been an enjoyable series. Diesel, a Maine Coon Cat (and 'the cat in the stack') is a favorite character of mine.

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It is the morning of Christmas Eve and Santa is sick, too sick to get out of bed. Will Christmas be canceled? (The title is a bit of a spoiler here)! ;-) Find out what happens in this clever, rhyming story. (I read it out loud). Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Mark Chambers.

Depending on your age you'll either find the entries here familiar, or puzzling! Mid-century Christmas: Stocking Stuffer Edition, by Sarah Archer. Wrapping paper was new ('created' when someone ran out of tissue paper). Many things were made from foil. Cards (both U.S. and Russian) had a spacey theme.

I had such fun reading this book! I nodded so much I almost made myself dizzy! ;-) See how many things you remember in The Boomer Book of Christmas Memories, by Vickey Kall.

Although Canadian Reader gave me Christmas at the Vinyl Cafe, by Stuart McLean, last year, I just could not bring myself to read it. (He died in February 2017). This year I could, and it was wonderful. Most of the stories were ones from his radio show, (the first time all the Christmas ones have been gathered together) but there were also five new ones! Charming, delightful and funny (Dave does manage to get himself into, um, interesting situations) this will be a yearly read for me.

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Happy Solstice! From here on, the days will start getting longer again. This was cause for celebration in many cultures and you can read about them in The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice, by Carolyn McVickar Edwards. Mine was the 5th Anniversary Edition, but I've not read the earlier versions so I don't know if there were any changes. The grand variety of stories was certainly fun, but I most enjoyed the spins on familiar carols to make them appropriate for the solstice.

Today is the first day of winter, the shortest day of the year. Learn how humans figured that out in The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice, by Wendy Pfeffer and illustrated by Jesse Reiseh. Loved the different time periods, and locations and how various civilizations determined the day. In the back there are activities to do, too.

Yule: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Winter Solstice, by Susan Pesznecker, from Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials was a delightful read. From the old rituals (tied to nature and a rural life) to new (adapted to city life and schedules determined by the clock), to recipes and crafts, it's all about celebrating this dark time of year. What I really liked was the idea of combining the various celebrations: pagan, religious, secular, personal ... embrace the differences and make something special of your own.

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An old standard is given a delightful new look in Jingle Bells, illustrated by Susan Jeffers. It's the perfect day for a sleigh ride for the young girl and boy ... and their dog ... (keep an eye on him). Look for things along the way, too, deer, swans, a mouse ... Charming!

On a Wintery Morning, by Dori Chaconas and illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson is a sweet, story in rhyme, about a father and daughter on an early morning walk. There's snow, and bunny tracks and more. It will make you smile.

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It's been some time since I read one of the Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery books, by Kate Kingsbury, but I remembered them as enjoyable reads. Mulled Murder was no exception. There have been some big changes: long time staff are moving on, one will be getting married at the Pennyfoot, on Christmas Eve. There are many events (some good, some .... well, a tradition). A body is found on the beach, and then another behind the house. One is dead, the other, a young woman, is alive but with amnesia. The plumbing stops working. And all with new staff who do not always seem qualified. And what about the old tunnel (once thought to be used by smugglers) leading to the beach from the wine cellar?

A Scandal in Scarlet is the fourth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany. There's been a fire at a local historic house, one that brings in a lot of tourist dollars. An auction is planned to raise money for repairs, but that's when all the trouble starts. The body of the museum chair is found in the set up room for the auction. She is an ex-wife, and not too popular. Neither is the new wife, actually. And there are children (now adults, but with a grudge). And what about the murder from seven years ago? There are too many details, a lot of suspects, each with a good motive, will Gemma Doyle be able to figure it out? Another fun romp!

Author Donna Andrews has several Christmas themed mysteries in her Meg Langslow Mystery series, and Lark! The Herald Angles Sing may be the best. When an abandoned baby is found in the manger of the Christmas pageant during a rehearsal, the hunt is on for who and why. As details emerge, it becomes a case crossing county lines (rivals at best) which, for legal reasons, hampers what local officials can do. But what about a band of well meaning locals? And if they get caught? Loved the solution here! Talk about the power of women! :-)

The elves are getting ready for Christmas when they discover that the sleigh is not ready for flight. What to do? Is it time for a new look? So many elves, so many ideas! Which one will Santa chose? Check them out in 12 Sleighs of Christmas, by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by Jake Parker.

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Do you have stacks of books all over your house? Do you worry if your 'to be read' pile has fewer than a dozen books on it? If so, you might just enjoy I'd Rather Be Reading: the Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life, by Anne Bogel. I smiled and nodded frequently as I read this book, especially over how to arrange your collection! I laughed out loud when the author explains how designers say to do this, and then to ignore what they say! (Thank goodness, because that advice can be silly). And, I did read under the sheets with a flashlight. I don't pick books just because they are on a list of some sort. There is much to enjoy here! :-)

It's coming up on the time of year when I pull out the dvds to my favorite holiday movies. I play them each year, and in a particular order. Canadian Reader brings some, too, and we add them to the pile. Christmas has long been a popular theme in movies, and TCM has put together a lovely collection on just this: Christmas in the Movies: 30 Classics to Celebrate the Season, by Jeremy Arnold. There's a synopsis, and a bit of history, a listing of the cast and some great pictures for each entry. A very nice read.

Another book on the subject of horses on my 'to be read' pile was The Equine Legacy: How Horses, Mules, and Donkeys Shaped America, by C.S. Purdy. These animals worked everywhere ... breaking trails west, pulling plows, building roads, towing ferries and barges, working on treadmills to run ... well, many things, in mines, cities ... they helped deliver mail and keep the streets safe. The author is convinced they are the unsung heroes of our past. (And that there should be more than a few statues in their honor). Well read, well researched, this was just a great read! Oh, when that fire bell rang? The fire wagon, usually pulled by three horses, could be heading out the door in seven seconds.

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It is a wet, grey day when a grandmother takes her granddaughter to the ballet. Her dress is uncomfortable and there is an annoying boy in the lobby of the theater. Then the music starts, the curtain goes up and she is captivated by the colors and dances of The Nutcracker and the evening goes from dull and boring to magical. The magic continues as she and her grandmother walk home. Waltz of the Snowflakes, by Elly MacKay is a charming wordless book worthy of several viewings.

Giraffe Problems, by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith deals with something about which I have no experience, none at all .... being Too Tall! A giraffe feels bad about his neck, after all, there is so much of it! He tries various ways to conceal it. Will he ever get used to being so tall?

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Old Moorhan's Shredded Sporran, the fourth in The Belchester Chronicles, by Andrea Frazier is best described as "another tongue-in-cheek romp for our intrepid decrepit heroes." That is perfect, and I quoted it in full, from the back cover. Lady Amanda and Hugo are home again, hoping for some peace and quiet after their 'vacation' in Scotland. Alas, that is not to be as Hugo's less than pleasant sister arrives, with two wild, destructive kittens. Priceless heirlooms have gone missing, and staff are dropping dead around the estate. Pay some attention to the names, they are listed at the front. They are often not pronounced how they look!

The Lawley Case, in the Markham Sisters Mystery series, is the last story in the last book I have by Diana Xarissa. I now have to wait for Canadian Reader's arrival in mid-December. This time the sisters have some truly annoying guests at the B&B, and Stuart, the gardener is worried about conversation he overhears at the hardware store. Could someone be growing .... special plants? And why has the stepson of an elderly friend of his returned? Aggie, the kitten, is beginning to display special talents, too, keep an eye (or maybe that should be ear) on her.

For a charming and delightful winter time cozy mystery, read Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women, by Emily Brightwell. Set in Victorian England, even single men have a house staff, and those working for Inspector Witherspoon often help with his cases. (Unbeknownst to him). After all, servants might not talk to a detective, or a constable, but they will talk to other servants! This year everyone had made special Christmas plans, but they may all have to be canceled when Inspector Witherspoon is given a case ... pretty much a cold case ... it is six weeks old and the initial man on the case bungled it badly. I picked this book up because of the theme, but it is the 36th title in this series! I may have to go back and start at the beginning. :-)

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I actually read these books this past summer, but when I discovered that December 7th was on a day I usually do a post, the timing was just too good to ignore. ;-)

A couple of excellent shows on the History Channel about Pearl Harbor sent me on the hunt for books. The first to arrive was a short, juvie biography: Doris Miller: Hero of Pearl Harbor, by Bill O'Neal. (His mom was expecting a girl, and, liking the name, kept it. He would often go by the name 'Dorie'). Needing a job, Dorie joined the Navy. At that time, African Americans were only allowed to work in the mess, but fortunately, he had been watching the gunners at work. When the attack came on December 7, 1941, he took over one of the guns, firing at the incoming planes until he was out of ammunition. Yes, this was written for young readers, but it's a nice bio of a remarkable man. Perry told me Doris Miller shows up in the movie 'Tora! Tora! Tora!', but is unnamed.

The holiday season is coming, but this will be a holiday like no other. Pearl Harbor Christmas: a World at War, December 1941, by Stanley Weintraub is a time line history of the days following the attack in Hawaii to January 1, 1942. I like how the author covered, well, many things. From what the enemy was planning and doing, to soldiers on leave (with good food. And beer. Lots of beer.). Soldiers in Germany were only allowed to play one song (O Tannenbaum). Archibald MacLeish, then director of the Library of Congress, requested permission to move many of the founding documents to safe storage in Fort Knox. Plans were made to cover the war on several fronts, not all were sound plans. I loved the description of Churchill flying in to D.C., which was all lit up, after he'd been in black out conditions for years in London. One line, from an old hymn, took on special significance.

Seems Churchill was not familiar with the hymn 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and was moved by the line 'in the dark streets shineth'. There was a reference to it in a speech he made, (along with one from Franklin Roosevelt) in those dark days of December 1941. Author David McCullough wrote a nice history of those speeches, combined it with the stories behind 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' as well as wonderful archival photos to create a companion book to a concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I've not seen the concert, but In the Dark Streets Shineth: a 1941 Christmas Eve Story was a powerful, reflective read. (And it seems, that while Churchill might have sung lustily, he was not always in tune)!

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While not quite a picture book, Weird But True! Christmas: 300 Festive Facts to Light Up the Holidays does have a lot of pictures so for that reason I'm am including it here. It's just a fun little book with odd facts from Christmas celebrations around the world. It's one of the National Geographic Kids publications so the photos were excellent. :-)

I think this book would make a wonderful companion to Sing a Song of Seasons (November 23, 2018 post) as both deal with seasonal changes. Here, in Sometimes Rain, with words by Meg Fleming and illustrations by Diana Sudyka, it's with short rhyming verse and delightful pictures. Both celebrate the outdoors.

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When looking for books on winter, the holidays, and so forth, I came across Twelve Kinds of Ice, by Ellen Bryan Obed and illustrated by Barbara McClintock. It is one those books that is a 'quiet delight' and while it is cataloged as a Children's book, adults will enjoy it ... maybe even more so. It starts with the first ice of the season, that which is thin and appears on the surface of a water bucket and is easily broken with the tap of a finger. As the book progresses, the ice gets thicker and lasts longer, finally reaching the point of being strong enough for skaters (don't miss Dad and his skating partner). Eventually, of course, the days get longer and the ice gets thinner, Dad calls it 'punk ice'. Lost items appear ... mittens, even a broken hockey stick. There is one more ice left, a very special ice, but you'll have to read the book to find out what it is. Charming, sweet, this is a special read.

I've decided to call Bibliophile: an Illustrated Miscellany, by Jane Mount 'wonderfully absorbing.' In the introduction it said the goal was to increase the pile of your 'to be read' books ... and it will! It started with pictures (hand drawn, not photos) of books on shelves and just sort of took off from there. The author/illustrator asked friends what books they liked, which they might use to define themselves, favorites as a kid, and so on. It also describes wonderful bookstores world wide (one in Japan has bike racks, and places to secure your dog ... and a pet hotel). There are also fun quizzes throughout, one with a five word description of a book, see how many you recognize! Warning, this is an easy book to just read 'one more page' until there are no more. (A personal observation here: I found it odd that neither Robert Louis Stevenson nor O. Henry were mentioned).

Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, by Shanna O'Reilly and Brennan O'Reilly is another in the Images of America Series. Located on what became the campus of the University of Washington, it was a celebration of sorts. Many states, cities, and countries were featured in the various buildings and pavilions. There was even the biggest Ferris wheel in the world. (You'll chuckle, these days it'd barely make it in a kiddy park)! As always, wonderful pictures, but for the first time I found a few typographical errors. Still, a most interesting read.

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It starts with Andy giving a homeless man with a dog some cash and a gift card to a local pet store. Next thing he knows, the man is on the news because he fought back when attacked and his dog bit the attacker. By law, the dog is taken into custody (to be sure she doesn't have rabies). Then the homeless man is accused of murder. Andy takes his case, and the dog ... since he runs a local shelter, the authorities allow him to house the dog during her holding period ... which turns out to be a good thing. She is pregnant. As with his other Andy Carpenter Mystery books, author David Rosenfelt slowly adds details, and humor, to make his case in Deck the Hounds.

Here we go again ... another Markham Sisters mystery! I'll admit, since they are published in a collection of four, I find it hard not to just read one right after the other. Fortunately, it's easy enough to separate them in my posts! ;-) The Jackson Case is the tenth in this series by Diana Xarissa. This time, it's the money (and planners) from a recent charity auction that have vanished. A lot of locals put in a lot of hard work on this auction, it was supposed to raise money for cancer research. There were snafus and last minute changes, but it came off well, and a lot of money was raised. The next morning neither the planners nor the money could be found. Where (and who) are they? Was there a local connection? And if so, who?

I just couldn't resist, all it took was a turn of the page to move on to The Kingston Case. The sisters are back from a visit with Aunt Bessie (which is described in Aunt Bessie Observes, but I'll have to wait for the arrival of Canadian Reader to read that one). They are expecting a guest, a guest who turns out to be the ex-wife of one of the newer residents to Doveby Dale. Is she coming to try and reunite with her ex? (She's tried before). And who is sending William threatening letters? This is the eleventh in the Markham Sisters Mystery series by Diana Xarissa.

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Life is busy, what might it take to slow it down and enjoy a day with family? A small child makes just such a wish in Before Morning, by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beth Krommes. Loved the explanation of wishes and invocations at the end. (Given the weather in some parts of the country recently, I can see where this story might not be appreciated by some)!

Based on a true event, and tango makes three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, and illustrated by Henry Cole, is the story of two male penguins who bonded in the zoo in Central Park. They built a nest and sat on a rock they'd placed in the center. One of the zoo keepers took an egg from a nest with two and swapped it for that rock. Silo and Roy carefully tended to the egg until it hatched, and then proved to be wonderful parents to the little female named Tango. Don't miss the Afterword, there's a wonderful story there, too.

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I am quite enjoying the Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery novellas, by Diana Xarissa, they've been 'cheerful' mysteries, if I may call them that. There are no bodies to be found, just 'something' that needs to be solved. In the case of The Irwin Case, it's credit cards that are being refused. All over town, for several different people, all tourists. There is one connection ... can you find it?

Who knew being a photographer of food could be so deadly? Or is that even the reason for the murder? There are lots of suspects in Murder and Food Porn, the eighth Northwest Cozy Mystery by Dianne Harman. Once again Al De Duco and his Doberman, Red, take on the case. As usual, a nice 'northwest' feel to the story, and, in keeping with the theme ... recipes!

Although Patricia Lorenz grew up in a house with indoor plumbing, her grandparents had an outhouse and that was what she used when was there. For some reason that would later inspire her to gather stories about the history and humor and personal experiences all about the 'back house'. The result was Great American Outhouse Stories: the Hole Truth and Nothing Butt. There was one wife who did not want to return to the hunting cabin until there was an outhouse. Now, the husband (and others) certainly did not want to spend valuable hunting/vacation time building one, but then one of them realized they could build it at home where there was access to electricity and power tools. That's just what they did. On the front lawn, of a house in the suburbs! Outhouse tipping was a popular Halloween prank across the country. One had to be wary of 'other' residents: snakes, mice, and spiders. Catalogs were placed on the bench to use as toilet paper ... and some pages where better than others!

Here's a book where I would have liked a bit more information! Seems the author, er, artist, did 'custom' drawings of outhouses, based on someone's job, or an overheard conversation. At any rate, it was an interesting read (look?) and would make a good companion to the above entry: The History of Outhouses according to Robert F. Falk.

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The title Bugles, Boots, and Saddles: Exploits of the U.S. Cavalry, edited by Stephen Brennan caught my eye because of the connection with horses. I thought it rather an interesting way to write a history book ... it's a collection of first hand accounts, letters, etc., rather than something more traditional. It made for interesting reading, but I'll admit to missing a good bibliography and index. George Washington did not think mounted troops would be of much use early in the Revolutionary War. The Buffalo Soldiers saved the day many times in battles with the Indians after the Civil War. I also would have appreciated further information on a comment made at the start of the last chapter "By the 1890s, the glory days of the U.S. Horse Cavalry were over and done." ?? They were used in World War I, unless those were not considered 'glory days' ? I obviously had a mixed reaction to this book. :-)

Do you like poetry? I do like some ... I prefer something that rhymes, and has a nice rhythm. Turns out Fiona Waters does too! She put together a wonderful collection of poems, enough to last a year (if you read just one a day) and asked Frann Preston-Gannon to do the illustrations (which are wonderful). I loved the poems about the night, stars, and rain the best, but pick your favorites in Sing a Song of Seasons: a Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year.

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The woods are quiet, the trees are bare. Deer is trying to explain to Squirrel what snow is like, and that it will come soon, but waiting for it is boring. Still, Squirrel is determined to stay awake. Hedgehog and Bear have also never seen snow and join in watching for that first snowflake (and each believe they found it). Waiting for Winter, written and illustrated by Sebastian Meschenmoser is filled with great pictures, fun antics, and one puzzled woodcutter.

Fourteen children are waiting at the train station. They are orphans, heading west, to start a new life with a new family. Marianne is sure her mother will be waiting for her at one of the stops (she did say she was heading out West, after all), but the train makes stop after stop and the other children all find new homes, no one appears for her. Train to Somewhere, by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ronald Hinter is a beautifully done story of the Orphan Trains that operated between 1850 and 1920.

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An Old, Cold Grave, by Iona Whishaw is the third in her Lane Winslow Mystery series. When one of the Hughes sisters is getting something out of their root cellar part of the roof caves in revealing a small skeleton. Who is it? Male or female? It will lead to some tragic secrets of a family that once lived nearby. I loved how the complete story here was tracked down (to say much more would be a spoiler). A bit darker than the earlier books, I think, but this series has just been an excellent read and I now have to await Canadian Reader's next visit to read the next book! Setting is just north of the border, so descriptions of the area will be familiar to many of you.

Snowballs and Scotch Mist, the third in the Belchester Chronicles, by Andrea Frazier, is what I consider a 'traditional' cozy ... that is .... a remote manor house or castle, a group of twelve guests, and snow. Lady Amanda and Hugo have been invited to spend Burn's Night in Scotland. Add a piper who strolls the halls much too early in the morning, weak tea and no alcohol, a few family secrets, and of course, a body, and you have a nice afternoon read.

This time it's the Medieval Herbalists that are gathering for a retreat (and wedding) and Jane is hoping this one will go better than the first two. Alas, it is not to be and the body of a popular herbalist and photographer is found along the banks of the river during the first annual rubber ducky race. As with her earlier books, author Ellery Adams creates interesting characters and settings in Murder in the Secret Garden, third in the Book Retreat Mystery series.

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Did your family take road trips? Back before seat belts were mandatory, and the 55 mph speed limit? Richard Ratay did, and wrote about it in Don't Make Me Pull Over: an Informal History of the Family Road Trip. There are chapters on the history of the U.S. highway system and the support system that grew up around them, as well as what it was like to be a family of six stuffed into one car, with all the necessary luggage, snacks, blankets, etc. that were needed. From leaving home at 3:30 am (to avoid rush hour traffic in Chicago) to their dad, who, if he had his way, would not even have to stop to refuel, the trips were always an adventure. Learn about the advent of drive through eateries and how the station wagon got that name. (The Ratay family never had a station wagon, in spite of it being a big family). Airline deregulation changed everything, and afterwards, the author says, they would "make a trip, but not a journey." Hmm.

Do you remember salads, on a proper salad plate, of 'something' in gelatin and plopped on a leaf of iceberg lettuce? Did you know it was a fad from times past? Seems fruits and veggies were considered messy and needed to be confined. In the fifties baby food (pureed) was used to make 'jiffy' gourmet dishes. There was a popular buffet offering called Fruit Cocktail-Spam Buffet Party Loaf. So many of these fads sound awful, but reading about them was fun in Fashionable Food: Seven Decades of Food Fads, by Sylvia Lovegren. Photos would have been nice. Anything in aspic still makes me shudder.

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Murder in the Paperback Parlor is the second in the Book Retreat Mystery series by Ellery Adams. Once again Storyton Hall is hosting a themed retreat ... this time for authors and fans of Regency Romance novels. (It's Valentine's Day, after all). Turns out one of the authors is not as well loved as she thinks and ends up dead. Finding out the who and the why makes for another fine entry in this series. I read it on a recent dark and rainy day, which was perfect. :-)

Events from the past come to the surface in Encounters and Enemies, by Dianna Xarissa. In the past women married young, often to someone their parents selected, so marriages were not always happy. Where might this lead? And were all the stories even true? Women, who may or may not have had an affair with a prominent man of years ago are dying. Is there a connection? And what about Melanie, who was much younger? This is the fifth of the Isle of Man Ghostly mysteries.

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Lady Amanda Golightly is at it again in White Christmas With a Wobbly Knee, the second Belchester Chronicles mysteries by Andrea Frazer. Thinking to open parts of her grand house to public tours, Lady Amanda holds a Boxing Day Gathering for her elite (make that quirky and eccentric) friends. In return, they need to give her feedback. Instead of a proper tour, a body is found. The motive is not too hard to figure out, the man was writing a tell all book. The means ... well, there were five of those! Lady Amanda is also dealing with the unexpected arrival of a relative. So much for a quiet Christmas.

An interesting read came from my neighbor across the street: Secrets at the Little Village School, by Gervase Phinn. It's actually book five in the Little Village School series, but it wasn't too hard jumping into the middle. Since it's mostly set in a school there are a lot of students and teachers, but you get an idea of their home life, too. I enjoyed the blend of characters ... there's a teacher who makes you wonder why she ever became a teacher, and an annoying nine year old boy (if you remember the Leave it to Beaver TV show, think Eddie Haskell as a child), but also kids who are getting a new start at a better life and a young teacher starting a new career.

I first saw Dear Mrs. Bird, by A.J. Pearce in The Chuckanut Reader. Constant Reader got to it first and sent me a "read it!!" email, and a few weeks later, I did just that! It's a great read! Set in London during WWII, Emmaline has taken a job at a newspaper. She imagines herself doing important stories about the war but ends up at the 'advice' desk ... working for a woman who won't answer anything she considers 'unpleasant' (which is pretty much everything). Emmaline believes these people need an answer. How she resolves this makes for a grand read.

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Seems Washington DC suffered something of an invasion during WWII. In this case, though, it was expected ... well, mostly! They came to work in offices, to break code, in some cases to be spies. They came in the thousands, so housing became an issue. They worked every shift imaginable so safety and security was a concern. They were women! Lipstick Brigade: the Untold True Story of Washington's World War II Government Girls, by Cindy Gueli is one of those hard-to-put down books. Well researched, there are footnotes and a wonderful bibliography (regular readers know how much I like these). Their work was tedious, often twelve hour days, six days a week. Or hard ... imagine typing and sending death notices for hours every day. Sometimes a job was well below the skill level of the employee, other times if you could 'recognize a typewriter' (but couldn't actually type) you'd get a job. Housing was a huge problem, outhouses were still in use in some places, raising concern for a variety of diseases. Skin color could affect getting a job or housing, too. A compelling look at a unique time in our history. I strongly recommend partnering it with the book from the Images of America series Washington, D.C.: the World War II Years, by Paul K. Williams (see blog post for August 10, 2018). It has several pictures of things that are mentioned in this book.

Women are the weaker sex, right? Not so, and here's a book that takes on just that subject: Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong -- and the New Research That's Rewriting the Story, by Angela Saint. Full disclosure, I got bogged down and ended up doing a lot of skimming, but that might not be true for all readers! There's lots of interesting studies here ... evolution, biology, gender issues (and how they got started). and so on, so I suggest giving this book a try. :-)

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In the next Markham Sisters Cozy mystery, The Hampton Case, by Diana Xarissa, Janet is pleased that Edward (who may or may not be a spy for the government) is coming for a visit. Just before he arrives, there is a fire at the local market. Was it arson? Will the owner rebuild? With his connections can Edward help with the investigation? There is a kitten now, too, will she take to Edward?

Here's the first in a new series: Buried in a Book, by Lucy Arlington. Dumped from her job of many years, Lila Wilkins is lucky to find a new one immediately. It's at a literary agency and she looks forward to being paid to read! Her first day starts with a latte. And a body. Her mom, a local psychic, lives nearby and offers to help. And, Lila is a single mom of a teen aged son. Loved some of the query letters, they were a hoot! (This is the Novel Idea Mystery series).

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Looking back at the entries I have posted, are ready to go, and the books on my pile of 'books to read' I see there have been and are lots of horse books. Perhaps I am revisiting my childhood when those were the only books I wanted to read. Saddlebags for Suitcases: a Wartime Ride Across Canada, by Mary Bosanquet is another tale about someone who went for a long, very long ride. It's just prior to WWII (it actually starts while Mary is on her ride). Although she is British, she decides a ride across Canada would be a grand adventure, and something to remember should the world really fall apart. She starts on the west coast, where she figures horses will be cheaper. She rides across the mountains, and the prairies. She makes the local newspapers so often gives speeches at schools or churches. She has no fear about asking a home owner for shelter at night. Along the way she meets many families who came from England and they share memories of their faraway home. Beautiful writing, of an old style .... the first chapter being an excellent example ... "After an Adventure" does not mean when the adventure is over, but seeking an adventure!

One of the first things the pioneers did as they settled a new area was establish schools. Read all about that history in One Room: Schools and Schoolteachers of the Pioneer West, by Gail L. Jenner. There are pictures, a few poems, and some wonderful memories of those who attended them. Of course, they tried to establish order, and discipline, and even a dress code. Until someone realized how hard it was for the girls to wear dresses when they had to ride a horse to school! New Mexico had a school for the deaf as early as 1887.

Perry warned me about this book. Said it read like the best adventure fiction (but is non-fiction). It does! It did! Indianapolis: the True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man, by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic is the amazing story of a ship that was torpedoed just prior to the end of WWII. The higher ups decided the captain was at fault and are determined to have that decision stand. Those that were there think otherwise. An 8th grader thinks otherwise, too (what 'til you read about him, wow!). Even the commander of the ship that sank the Indianapolis thinks otherwise. Here is adventure on the high seas as well as high drama in the court room at it's very best.

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Once Upon a Spine, from the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle actually comes before Buried in Books (August 20, 2018 post), but I found I didn't mind reading them out of order at all. Here, for the first time, the parents are all going to meet ... Brooklyn's folks are hippies, in fact, they still live in the commune where she was raised. And Derek's folks? Well, they are British! Add in one, no, two ... maybe more rare copies of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and you've got quite the mystery going on.

Business is slow at the B&B, but then, it is January, and the weather is cold and damp. Life is not dull, however, as there have been a series of break-ins around town. There's even one right across the street. Should the sisters worry? Can they help find who is responsible? The Fenton Case is the sixth of the Markham Sisters Cozy mysteries by Diana Xarissa.

The sisters are beginning to feel more like a part of Doveby Dale now that their B&B has been open for a while. Janet has even joined the local Ladies' Club. Conflict arises when the suggestion is made to include men in the group. Just who are these men? And is one of them cheating one of the members out of her savings? Joan and Janet are starting to clean out the old carriage house, too ... what will they find? The Green Case is the next in Markham Sisters Cozy series. Author Diana Xarissa is doing a great job! I often read these novellas in one sitting.

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Happy Halloween! Here's an early mystery from Leslie Meier, who writes the Lucy Stone Mystery series (often with a holiday theme). Halloween is coming and Lucy is busy making cupcakes for the annual festival. A fire (and a body, of course) is a distraction ... there are, and have been, other fires. Lucy thinks there might be a connection. There are builders and investors looking for a way around the strict guidelines in the historic district (where many of the fires have been). And a cheating husband, too. In Trick or Treat Murder all the kids are young, one just six weeks old! It was a fun change from 'knowing' them as pre-teens to young adults in later books.

Do kids read, or hear, Mother Goose rhymes these days? I sure hope so because it would make Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters, by Rachel Kolar and illustrated by Roland Garrigue all that more fun! It's good just on it's own, but knowing the 'original' just made me chuckle all the more. Great pictures, clever verse, read this more than once!

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It's hard to believe that Don't Eat Me is the thirteenth Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery by Colin Cotterill. This one is a bit darker than the others, but still with the same wonderful characters and wit that I enjoy so much about this author. There were some tense moments this time, when familiar characters were in trouble and I found myself reading far into the night to find out what happens. (Consider yourself warned).

The Markham Sisters Cozy series, by Diana Xarissa, continues with The Ellsworth Case. Christmas is coming soon and the sisters are looking forward to a break in guests at their B&B. Counterfeit bills have been found at local businesses. Curiously, their guests are paying in cash. An obnoxious woman who has been staying with Mr. Chalmers suddenly shows up on their doorstep, willing to pay a lot to stay at the B&B, should they take her in? Interesting things keep showing up behind the shelves in the library, too.

A recommendation from Constant Reader took me to The Calculating Stars, by Mary Robinette Kowal. It looks to be the first in The Lady Astronaut series. What a read! It's an alternate history book: on March 2, 1952, a large meteorite hits earth. The eastern seaboard is pretty much gone. The aftermath will be devastating (think dinosaurs). The space program is accelerated as plans are made for colonizing the moon and beyond. Most of the (human) computers are women. Most of them were also pilots in WWII (ferrying planes around as needed). All of the pilots chosen for the space program are men. Think of the time frame here ... the 1950's ... discrimination, segregation .... (some things didn't change) ... the author does an amazing job weaving all these elements into her book. Wow!

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I think this book: Lady Long Rider: Alone Across America on Horseback, by Bernice Ende would go well with Man & Horse: the Long Ride Across America, by John Egenes (August 31, 2018 post). Ms. Ende has ridden thousands of miles across the U.S. both east/west and north/south. Her rides start in Montana, so to do her round trip ride across the United States, she had to actually pass by her home, and then come back! She often 'slept rough', wherever she found herself at the end of the day, and once spent a (severe) winter in a tent in a barn, just to prove to herself she could do so. I chuckled over the chapter on her 'vacation' ride ... a short ride of just 600 miles. Not surprisingly, she is a member of the Long Riders' Guild.

I first got interested in the Cook sisters with a segment on Mysteries At the Museum. It was just prior to the outbreak of WWII. Jews were trying to get out of Germany but the guards at the borders would confiscate anything of value, leaving them with nothing. Two English spinsters though, bedecked in jewelry and furs, were not even questioned. They were careful ... they never took earrings for pierced ears, for example, as neither of them could wear them and having them might cause suspicion. They'd meet with the families before checking into a hotel because you shouldn't just leave wearing a fur coat, you should enter wearing one, too. And Ida and Louise did much more! Safe Passage: the Remarkable True Story of Two Sisters Who Rescued Jews from the Nazis, by Ida Cook is that story. One of the sisters wrote popular romance books and the money she earned from that went to help rescue as many people as possible. They continued to help during and after the war, too. Just an amazing read! (And it all starts with a love of opera)!

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Remember that old poem 'from ghoulies and beasties .... and things that go bump in the night' ?? (anon) ... just what are those sounds we hear at night? For a wonderful explanation, try this book Kiwi shared with me: My House is Alive: the Weird and Wonderful Sounds Your House Makes, by Scot Ritchie (yes, one t in Scot). Keep an eye on the cat.

Here's the second in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series by V.M. Burns: Read Herring Hunt. Again there is a story within a story as the main character is working on her book (also a mystery). A local football star is the prime suspect in a murder, but Samantha Washington (owner of the Bookshop) is convinced he's innocent. Her grandmother and her friends are back to help (they are hysterical!) but the evidence is stacking up .... this series is progressing nicely.

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