I decided to put these two books together because they are about strong women. :-)

If you, or someone you know has reached 'a certain age' then I highly recommend this book! The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules, by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg (and translated from the Swedish by Rod Bradbury) follows the exploits of five senior citizens. At one time their retirement facility had been one of the best, but now, under "new management" things have become less than satisfactory ... poor food, coffee is limited to three cups a day ... of a cheap, instant brand, residents are no longer allowed outside ... and so on. When they see a documentary on TV about prison conditions, and realize they'd be better off in jail, they set off to do just that (with the woman in the title at the helm). It might just change the way you look at someone with a walker!

Although 100 Years of Challenge and Change: Whatcom Women and the Bellingham YWCA, by Lynne Masland, came out several years ago (for the centennial) I did not read it until now. It is a nice collection of pictures, history, and short biographies of the women that made an impact here in Whatcom County. I remember when it was popular to have birthday parties at the Y ... swimming, cake, friends ... it was great fun!

Reading Hermit With Dog

Kiwi recommended The Curious Guide to Things That Aren't, by John D. Fixx and James E. Fixx with illustrations by Abby Carter. There are many things to enjoy about this book! The idea started with the father (in 1959) and was finished by the son. Then, there are clues for the 'thing that isn't' so you can guess what it might be, followed by a definition or definitions, some of which are obscure (so that adds a bit of history, right)? It is a sort of 'hidden' alphabet book as there is an entry for all 26 letters. And finally, there are the gentle illustrations. I'm calling them that because they are not brash, or 'in your face' .... just nice pictures, often with a clue, that just fit the text perfectly.

Here's another fun travel book ... 'armchair' for me, but the real thing for others! Film and TV Locations: a Spotter's Guide is a Lonely Planet book. There are pictures, location, and a description for dozens of places where movies or TV shows were filmed. I was not familiar with as many as I thought I'd be and this was still a great read. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

I remember being puzzled as to how to eat a Cornish Game Hen at a formal dinner once, sure wish I'd had this book then! How to Eat a Lobster and Other Edible Enigmas Explained, by Ashley Blom, and illustrated by Lucy Engleman explains not only how to eat many odd foods, but also how to use chopsticks, sip soup properly, taste wine and so on. A nice little 'how to' book. :-) I'm still not interested in sushi, however!

For a most irreverant history of our neighbors to the north, try A Hoser's Guide to Canadian History: a Really Good Attempt to Explain How We Got Here, by Kirt Purdy. I laughed, and rolled my eyes, and groaned ... but I will add that it helps, in fact, it might be mandatory, to know a bit about Canadian history before reading this version. ;-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

There are books on how and where the famous died, and where to visit the grave. This book, as the subtitle suggests, is about how death might happen: Final Exits: the Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die, by Michael Largo. There's the expected causes such as war and disease, and the unexpected, such as speeding down a lake in a jet ski and colliding with a flying duck. Or being hit with lightning while wearing an under-wire bra. Or washing dishes in a metal sink during a thunderstorm. Or sign language being considered a gang sign. Interesting and one of those books with short entries that's easy to read during ads, or between other books.

Does it seem like we've become a rude society? Do good manners seem to be a thing of the past? It's true, and that's what F You Very Much: Understanding the Culture of Rudeness -- and What We Can Do About It, by Danny Wallace is all about. It seems rudeness can spread in a ripple effect, even witnessing a rude interaction can make us more likely to be rude ourselves. There is a neurological explanation for this. Some- times it's cause by a misunderstanding because manners differ between cultures (in some, the 'thumbs up' gesture is considered rude). The author offers some solutions, too. A most interesting, if sometimes rather sad, read.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Fashion on the Ration: Style in the Second World War, by Julie Summers, is one of those wonderful social history books. Well researched, well written, and extremely interesting this is how the citizens of London stayed clothed during WWII. Pretty much everyone had a uniform (for some, it was the first new clothing they'd ever had). Women wore trousers because they were easier to sleep in when they had taken shelter from the bombings. Trousers lost the turn up (not a popular move, but necessary). Dress codes were eased (women no longer had to wear hats in church). Towards the end of the war it was all about "make do and mend". I have even more admiration for those who lived through this, and, I came away with a whole new respect for someone that was totally unexpected!

Another excellent social history read was Dust Bowl Girls: the Inspiring Story of the Team That Barnstormed Its Way to Basketball Glory, by Lydia Reeder. In the 1930's, from a tiny college in Oklahoma there emerged an unstoppable girls basketball team! The coach was tough, workouts were hard, long, and mandatory. They all had to attend class. Don't miss the rules of the game, they were much different than they are today. Remember, too, this was a subject of great controversy at the time because "women competing in basketball games would sooner or later cause the downfall of modern culture" (p. 80) The aforementioned coach was the great uncle of the author. Just a great read!

Reading Hermit With Dog

Spring starts March 20. I have just a couple of books for that. :-)

When the Wind Blows is the story of a windy spring day and a special walk with Grandmother, her grandson and their dog. Read this book out loud and enjoy the sounds of the words while you look at the pictures. As with When the Snow Falls, this book was written by Linda Booth Sweeney and illustrated by Jana Christy.

I read Silent Spring a very long time ago. (I refuse to say just how long) ;-) I was most impressed (and shocked, dismayed, etc.) So, when I found this nice little biography of the author, I thought it was just too good to pass up. (It was). Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World, by Laurie Lawlor, illustrated by Laura Beringessner was an informative read, even for an adult. Naturally Silent Spring was not well received by the chemical companies (what 'til you read what they said about her), but better minds prevailed, thank goodness. Worth a look!

Reading Hermit With Dog

The new Flavia de Luce novel, The Grave's a Fine and Private Place, by Alan Bradley, is a worthy addition to the series. Dogger has taken Flavia and her sisters out on a boat where they discover a body. Who is it? Also in this small village is a church where the vicar was charged with killing three of his parishioners. Did he? Once again Flavia is on the trail to solve these mysteries. Love the interaction of the main characters here!

Posie Parker was hoping for some time off after her first case (read Murder Offstage for that) but finds herself busier than ever. In The Tomb of the Honey Bee, by L.B. Hathaway, she is asked to find a missing brother and in so doing, she uncovers family secrets, hidden tunnels, and an unusual coin. All dealing with honey. From the British Museum, to excavations in Egypt, this is just a fun read. I love how the author explains at the end of her books what events are true, and which are the ones she made up. This is the second in the Posie Parker Mystery series.

Reading Hermit With Dog

St. Patrick's Day is this Saturday!

When Fergus and his family leave Ireland during the potato famine, he cuts a branch from a blackthorn tree and carves a shillelagh. It is passed down from generation to generation and that is the story in The St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh, by Janet Nolan and illustrated by Ben F. Stahl. Nicely done.

S is for Shamrock: an Ireland Alphabet, by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Matt Faulker is one of those ABC books I enjoy so much. There's a fun alphabet, and a bit of history about Ireland, and wonderful pictures. There are extra activities available on line, too.

Jamie has been told he is too small to be in the parade because he can't walk all the way to the top of Acorn Hill, but can he? St. Patrick's Day in the Morning, by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Jan Brett will answer that question. Fun to read out loud (and maybe try a bit of an Irish accent). ;-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

This is an absolutely charming and delightful book! I enjoyed every story in it! The title holds a clue: Death and a Cup of Tea, edited by Jess Faraday. Each story has something to do with a cup of tea. There's an old fashioned mystery (with a librarian), one from the future, even one with a basketball game. It won't take you long, and be sure to have a cup of tea handy.

Here's a book I loved even though I'll never use it as it was intended: Secret London: an Unusual Guide, by Rachel Howard and Bill Nash. It's an amazing collection of things to see in London, obviously, and while it does have the usual touristy information such as location, hours, etc. it also has a lot of history. From the serious to the silly, the religious to anything but, the pompous to the playful, it was a great way to learn more about London.

Reading Hermit With Dog

I picked up this book because I liked the title: Long in the Sleuth: a Tension on a Pension Mystery. :-) Set in a Jewish retirement center the adventure begins when someone dies from a poisoned knish. Several of the residents set out to figure out the who and the why. Author Carol Novis does a nice job with her debut novel (and I learned a bit about Jewish marriage law).

Here's a nice little dog book from the UK: The Goodness of Dogs: the Human's Guide to Choosing, Buying, Training, Feeding, Living with and Caring for Your Dog, by India Knight. Part owner's manual, part training guide, and some fun stories about the author's dog.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Who and what is out under the moon? And how does the moon change from night to night? Find out in Moon: a Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup. This is the third book by Teckentrup I've used in my blog and they are all wonderful! (See the posts for January 5, 2017, and, March 7, 2017).

Reading Hermit With Dog

Canadian Reader left behind a set of dvds for a show I'd never heard of: Last of the Summer Wine. Kiwi and I gave it a try a few weeks ago. It follows the antics of three men (almost retirement age) wandering around Yorkshire looking for something to do. It took about four episodes to get us hooked. It is silly and whimsical and charming! I had to learn more ... and ... I discovered there's a book! Last of the Summer Wine: the Story of the World's Longest-Running Comedy Series, by Andrew Vine is a wonderful history of this quirky show. It aired for 37 years! The Christmas episode drew more viewers than the long awaited, much anticipated, first time ever release to the TV screen of Gone With the Wind! The book is a delightful read, but except for the prologue (which is beautiful) probably would make more sense if you've seen the show.

Also from Canadian Reader came a recommendation for Brighton Belle: a Mirabelle Bevan Mystery, by Sara Sheridan. Set in post WWII England, Mirabelle is working at a debt collection agency. It is quiet and steady, just what she likes after the chaos of the war years. Then she is sent on the hunt for a pregnant Hungarian woman and that all changes. Lots of twists here! People are not what (or who) they seem. And where are all the gold coins coming from? What is happening at the race track? Just a thrill of a read, kept me up far into the night.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Today is the start of the 2018 Iditarod. I found just one new to me book this year: The First Iditarod: Mushers' Tales from the 1973 Race, by Helen Hegener. The author did a great job on her research and in tracking down and interviewing the men who ran the first race. At that time there were few trails, and they weren't groomed! The mushers often broke trail as they went along. No straw for dog beds at checkpoints, and they carried everything they thought they'd need. Some had huge freight sleds. As the first team came down the main street of Nome he was handed bells for his lead dog ... there was a law on the books (from 1905) that prohibited any team running in the down town area without them. And while even back then, a red lantern was given to the last team that came in, it was missing, so for that one year, a blue lantern was used. Wonderful tales, and many familiar names as these are the fathers and grandfathers of mushers in the race today.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Theodor "Ted" Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was born on March 2. According to Wikipedia he is the ninth best selling fiction author of all time. This past week I read three of his books: one old favorite; one that makes more sense to me than it did when it was first published; and one that is new to me.

McElligot's Pool is a story of possibilities ... of what could happen. While the farmer is sure there is nothing to be caught in McElligot's Pool, Marco is sure it could be filled with wonderful fish from all over the world. Magical back then, magical still.

I was right! You're Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children is much funnier now than when I first read it in 1986. A visit to the doctor results in pokings and proddings, and ever more doctors, an abundance of pills, and an avalanche of paperwork. Although sadly, it seems, a tale of more fact than fiction.

Dr. Seuss wrote My Many Colored Days way back in 1973, expressing how he felt on different days. He wanted someone other than himself to illustrate it and it took until 1996 for that to happen. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher did a wonderful job of capturing his feelings. I'd not read this before now and am glad I finally did.

Thanks to Constant Reader for telling me about this special day. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog