Who lives (and lived) in this country has influenced what we eat. For an intriguing look at American history, try The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites, by Libby H. O'Connell. How and what we eat has certainly changed! Beaver Tail was once a favored dish (there's a recipe)! Celery once graced the tables of the rich (and the "aspiring middle class" (pg. 168) with special dishes for serving. You will learn that dye has been added to foods since Colonial Days, that ancient Athens offered take out food, and, my favorite .... tamales are more actually more American than apple pie! An excellent, and sometimes mouth-watering way to learn history.

In keeping with, what, niche history perhaps ??, I read The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, by David Bianculli. A great history of TV, what was popular and why, shows that were turning points in how shows were written or filmed, this is an engaging history of the industry. I loved how it was divided up between sitcoms, medical shows, crime shows, and so forth. There are also interviews with actors, artists, producers, etc. Allow some time for this one, or read a chapter in between something lighter, there's a lot of information here. (Well worth it, though). ;-)

While I found The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasures from The Library of Congress most interesting, I think it might not be for many readers! If you enjoy looking at old card catalog cards and pictures of some of the oldest books in the LC collection, then yes, take a look! If not, just move on. :-) I did like looking at some of the oldest cards in the collection (many handwritten) as well as the books they describe. I miss the drawers and drawers of an old card catalog! I liked browsing through them, heck, I even liked typing up the cards and filing them away!

Reading Hermit With Dog