When author Karen Le Billion and her husband moved their family to France (near his parents) for a year, she learned just how fussy they were about eating ... and that wasn't just their two young daughters. French Kids Eat Everything: How our family moved to France, cured picky eating, banned snacking, and discovered 10 simple rules for raising happy, healthy eaters, is her delightful memoir of that year. How children are raised is very different in France ... kids learn to eat (or at least try) anything that is put on their plate. They will sit quietly for hours (meals are very important, food is savored, it's a very social thing) and not fuss. How is this done? There are some excellent and very specific rules for doing this ... and they work! There are recipes, too. Wait until you read about how a school lunch is done in France!

Instructions for basic coffee, maybe even barbaric coffee (I'm not sure about this, not being a coffee drinker) are to be found in Home on the Range: a Culinary History of the American West, by Cathy Luchetti. There's also one for 'Army Coffee for One Hundred'! There are recipes for venison, fish, and squirrel, too. There's also a lot of history and letters and journal entries from a lot of pioneering folk. A rich, detailed read with dozens of amazing archival photos, the very first one from this area!

Reading Hermit With Dog

All that is needed to formally adopt Catherine is to have her step-father sign some papers. He has no problem with this and yet, he ends up dead. You'll learn a bit about adoption law in Murder on Union Square, one of Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mysteries. The step-father is an actor in a troop that has refused to sign on with the Theatrical Syndicate, might that be a concern? Since Frank Malloy found the body (he was meeting with Mr. Vaughn to get the papers signed) he is arrested for the murder. How they clear his name makes for a fun romp through the New York theater scene of the day, a newly opened shelter for unwed mothers, and even a seance! This is one of my favorite series ... great period details and character development ... easy to read, hard to put down!

The Little Old Lady Behaving Badly, by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg is the third in the adventures of the League of Pensioners. Determined to provide money for better care for others of retirement age, they raise money in .... unusual ways. This time it involves the theft of a yacht. A very expensive yacht. One that the owner keeps 'off the books' in another country so he doesn't have to pay taxes on it. So, the thinking goes, if it is stolen, can he report it? Again, just a fun adventure, but I was also disappointed this time ... lots (and lots) of foul language which I thought was unnecessary. Same author, same translator (Rod Bradbury), so what changed?

Reading Hermit With Dog

I'm not quite sure how I stumbled upon Barbed Wire: the Fence That Changed the West, by Joanne S. Liu, but I did, and I'd glad! It's a well written history of something that changed lives and livelihoods dramatically for everyone from the native peoples, to the ranchers, the cows, to how the cattle were managed and brought to market. The impact was huge. In the past fences were made of wood or stone, but these were rare in the west, and the area to be covered vast, making those options extremely expensive. Barbed first showed up in France, and there were a two or three designs from there. (There are all kinds of variations on the 'barb'). At first it was made by hand (just thinking about that made my hands hurt). It was sold door to door. Even then it was considered inhumane, and, it was subject to lightning strikes. All in all, just a fascinating read ... and all the while a few lines from the musical Oklahoma! by Rodgers and Hammerstein ran through my mind. (From The Farmer and the Cowman Should Be Friends) (about the cowman, two singers) "He come out west made a lot of changes." "He come out west and built a lot of fences! And built 'em right acrost our cattle ranges!"

When Aime Tschiffely gave a lecture about his ride from Argentina to Washington, D.C. Ana Beker was in the audience that day and it inspired her to take her own long distance ride. She was a woman, well, a girl, according to the male dominated society she grew up in, and certainly would be unable to undertake such a journey! (The men she challenged to come along turned her down, and even Tschiffely didn't think she could do it). Her ride took her from Buenos Aires to Ottawa. The Courage to Ride: One Woman's 17,000-mile Mounted Odyssey From Argentina to Canada, by Ana Beker is the story of that ride. A fascinating read!

Reading Hermit With Dog

The Road to Dr Pepper, Texas: the Story of Dublin Dr Pepper, by Karen Wright, was a book about the beverage, yes, but also about a small town and a family. Early on all advertising was word of mouth. Early on there was no caffeine in the ingredients. And, at one time, it was used in the making of moonshine! In WWII one family member was assigned to the medical corp because he had worked for a doctor ... and when he explained what Dr Pepper was (not who), he was still assigned to the medical corp! When her father and husband died, the daughter took over ... but since she had worked at every job as she was growing up, she did a bang up job. When all other soft drinks (including other Dr Pepper facilities) changed to high fructose corn syrup (it's cheaper) this little plant did not ... nor did it update the equipment ... instead, they used this as their selling point and offered tours ... it was a huge success. The formula is kept in vaults in two separate banks, and has never, ever included prune juice. ;-)

Here's something that would be a good read with the above book: Fizz: How Soda Shook Up the World, by Tristan Donovan. For me the first chapter was a bit dry, it's all about the chemical make up of fizzy water! After that though, it was a good read. At first medicinal, flavors were added to make it taste better (lots of them)! Soda fountains took over during Prohibition and soon became a local gathering place. Pepsi was the first to make short, 30 second commercials (radio), Coke managed to bypass the sugar shortage in WWII by convincing the government their product was necessary for morale. Soon there were many variations, including those with as much sugar and caffeine as allowed, to diet versions, to sports drinks, power drinks and so on. Not a bad history!

Then, move on to Sundae Best: a History of Soda Fountains, by Anne Cooper Funderberg. Fizzy water was 'natural' at first, but soon chemists figured out how to make their own ... then the problem became containers. Ones that wouldn't leak or break under pressure. As we learned in Fizz, a drink that was once a medicine became a treat and things just sort of took off from there. Early on the customer could pick a flavor, mix several, or ask for a 'don't care' ... that is, a drink that used up the last bits of whatever flavors were just about gone. Presentation (and delivery) became popular and the faucets got bigger, flashier, and more ornate (don't miss the pictures in the back of the book). Soda fountains then embraced that new fangled contraption known as the bicycle. Some even installed bike racks and sold repair kits. After the war egg drinks were popular. These required a certain 'choreography' to make properly and provided entertainment to the customers. At some point someone added ice cream. Soda fountains were a family friendly and respectable place to gather. Once just a counter, they expanded to include tables and then offer hamburgers, etc. Popularity dwindled as fast food chains with pick up windows took over. Too bad! There's a glossary of "hash house Greek" (the slang used for orders) and a list of the movies including soda fountains. Nicely done.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Charlotte Holmes is at it again, posing as the front for her very sick brother, Sherlock, in this, the second Lady Sherlock book by Sherry Thomas, A Conspiracy in Belgravia. Mostly dealing with rather mundane cases, that changes when she is tasked with finding a lost love. Both parties are married to others, but for the past many years they have had a rendezvous of sorts and now one of the two has not appeared. Add to this an illegitimate half-brother and a very strange marriage proposal and you have quite the read! Great period details.

Death in Dark Blue is the second in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series by Julia Buckley. Good news is, a wife once thought to have been a murder victim has been found ... well, seen would be more like it. No one has had actual contact in any form with her for more than a year. And pictures indicate she is expecting. Is she being held against her will? And what is the connection when her best friend turns up dead in Blue Lake? A nice follow up to the first book.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Summer can mean time near water ... the beach, a lake, or a pool. Lists of 'summer reads' or 'beach reads' are popular and lots of folks will have a book tucked in a bag or tote to read while they are enjoying the sun outside of the water --- so --- how about a book that can actually go IN the water? Marco Polo! 11 Pool and Water Games, by Kristin Harpster and illustrated by Jack Keely is just that --- a waterproof book! It contains (no surprises) the rules for eleven water games. Just a lot of fun!

In the past it was necessary to try and predict the weather using the sky, or wind, or clouds, even animal behavior ... and from that came ways to remember these predictions. These are now considered folklore and Red Sky at Night, by Elly MacKay is an excellent collection of them. The author's wonderful artwork illustrates once popular weather sayings, take your time and enjoy it! In the back there is a section as to why (and how) these 'weather wisdoms' work.

Reading Hermit With Dog

It started with a PBS show recommended by Canadian Reader and ended with the book of the same name: Murder on the Home Front: a True Story of Morgues, Murderers, and Mysteries During the London Blitz. Molly Lefebure was the assistant to the forensic pathologist Dr. Keith Simpson. She took notes while he investigated the scene of death and/or did the autopsy (not all deaths were murder). This took them to horrible places of squalor, small rooms with no electricity or running water; buildings that had collapsed; and tiny medical facilities where a coat closet had become the morgue. Sometimes there were bombs dropping around them, too. Trained as a journalist, Ms. Lefebure writes what she sees, so this is not a book for the faint of heart. (Trust me)! An incredible memoir, the author ranks high on the list of books involving strong women I've used in this blog.

Here's an odd read: A Burglar's Guide to the City, by Geoff Manuagh. It was quirky and rather fun and decidedly a way of looking at things I've not ever even thought about! Most of us look for a door when entering a building, others do not. Fancy window ledges might provide toe or finger holds, fire escapes can indicate how many apartments or rooms are on a floor. Fire codes can tell a lot about a building, too. For many it's not what they take, but how they do it: they can be more familiar with the blue prints than the actual architect, they study traffic patterns, sewer and water lines, and so on. The vault may have a strong door, with alarms, etc. but what about the floor? The author also tells of thefts from times past to present day, not all of them solved. If you want something different, give this a try!

Reading Hermit With Dog

As you might have guessed, given the title, in the fourth of the Corgi Case Files books, Case of the Pilfered Pooches, by J.M. Poole, dogs are missing. Dogs chase after a tennis ball tossed at local off leash parks but don't return. Is there a method to the choice of dog? Who is behind the thefts and why? Zack and his delightful Corgi dogs Watson and Sherlock have the matter under investigation. The answers may surprise you!

British Library Crime Classics are reissues of books from times past, in the case of Bats in the Belfry: a London Mystery, by E.C.R. Lorac, the 1930's. A once popular author (with a high maintenance wife) has gone to Paris. Or so everyone thought until his suitcase and passport are found in a damp and dismal garret. Lots of interesting characters, including someone with a most distinctive beard, unexpected relatives, a possible inheritance ... all the elements are here for a great mystery. And as for the 'means' ?, well, it starts with a popular game of murder and the question "How would you dispose of a body?" Keep an eye out for others from the British Library and the Poisoned Pen Press.

Reading Hermit With Dog

I have mixed feelings about Unraveling the Mysteries of the Big Bang Theory: an Unabashedly Unauthorized TV Show Companion: the Updated Edition, by George Beahm. On the one hand, it was fun reading the new information, mostly about the women who are now part of the cast. The writer has a nice (if somewhat irreverent) style. On the other hand, some of the information I liked from the original book is not included here ... so ... if you are someone who has this on your shelf, do you now keep both of them? Of course, you could be someone who does not worry about things like this at all and will read this and just move on. :-)

Have you ever considered living on the water ... actually on the water? Staying Afloat: Life Aboard Houseboats, Barges and Liveaboards, by Jeri Callahan, is a delightful collection of stories about just such a life on Seattle's Lake Union. Meet the diverse characters who make up a community ... one that both respects privacy and takes care of the neighbors. Once a cheap way to live, now one that is very expensive, follow the 'adventures' of finding moorage, connecting to a sewer, and living in a (sometimes) very small space.

Reading Hermit With Dog

Like the second book in the Baby Ganesh Agency books, this one, the third, would have been a one day read if I hadn't had company coming that day. I shouldn't have started it that morning, but I just could not resist. The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star, by Vaseem Khan, takes the reader into two strange worlds: that of the film industry, where a huge (and I do mean huge) epic film is under production when the star vanishes during a performance on stage (he's also a rock star); and that of the community of eunuchs (with a secret). Scary things happen, there is a wonderful rescue scene, and once again, the little elephant proves to be a most useful part of this quirky team. Great characters, great story, great read!

Murder at the Puppy Fest is one of the Melanie Travis Canine Mystery books by Laurien Berenson I enjoy reading. Instead of the usual dog shows (although there are those, too), this time the main event is a Puppy Fest, designed to promote the adoption of mixed breed dogs. There is no 'why' about the motive, really, Mr. Brody is a wealthy man. The 'who' however ... well ... there are nine adult children, three ex-wives, eight spouses, and dozens of grandchildren! As always, I love the interaction with the dogs.

Reading Hermit With Dog

This is a big, heavy book! You might consider reading it at a table. ;-) Can you imagine the New York harbor without the Statue of Liberty? Or Central Park, reduced to an 80 foot wide swath of land running the length of the island? These, and other ideas may be found in Never Built New York, by Greg Goldin and Sam Lubell. Ideas span the centuries in this interesting collection of ideas. There's something that looks like a large parking garage, but with houses on the levels ... much like a neighborhood where all the houses are different, but housed in a concrete structure. Many ideas have several levels for trains, cars, pedestrians, etc. There's even a plan for an elevated railway from 1878 that is powered by air. And bridges that support skyscrapers filled with offices and apartments. Some are elegant, some are ugly ... which is probably a personal view. ;-)

Kiwi brought a book to share on our last visit. The Complete Muffin Cookbook: the Ultimate Guide to Making Great Muffins, by Gloria Ambrosia might be a cookbook, which can be a mystery to me, it's also just a fun read. Don't miss the intro on the chapter about muffins with fiber! While I didn't find the 'easy' recipes all that easy, Kiwi assures me they are. ;-) And what a treat, I not only got to share a fun book, there will be muffins, too!

Reading Hermit With Dog

That wonderful book Drawn From Nature (June 13, 2018 post) sent me looking for craft books. While not especially crafty myself, it is fun to look to projects others might try. Here's what I found: Organic Crafts: 75 Earth-Friendly Art Activities, by Kimberly Monaghan. The projects look like fun, the directions look easy to follow, and there are 'Nature Notes' scattered throughout ... which were great for this non-crafty person to read. :-)

Talons of Power is the ninth book in the Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland. It's another exciting adventure, but a bit darker this time. As other young dragons come under the influence of Darkstalker (once thought long dead), Turtle decides to stay hidden as he figures out what to do. How should great power be used? What constitutes a hero? Again, this is a great series!

And finally today, a book I've being trying to find for some time now: Red Light, Green Light, by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Leonard Weisgard. I remember reading it over and over when I was a kid and it's just as good now! (This doesn't always happen so I've learned to be careful about reading childhood favorites). Although I did not realize this at the time, it was a book about traffic safety ... I just liked the pictures!

Reading Hermit With Dog

In honour of Canada Day, today's post will be books recommended by Canadian Reader. :-)

I'll start with Death of an Old Git, by Andrea Frazer, the first in the Falconer Files Murder Mysteries. What a great start! What if the victim was so disliked no one much cared if he was dead? Did everyone in the small community have a motive? Just a hoot of a read! Great characters ... especially the new (young) partner to Inspector Falconer. More books have been ordered and will be part of our book swap when Canadian Reader is here for a visit this summer!

This next title was another outstanding find! A Killer in King's Cove, by Iona Whishaw, is the first in the Lane Winslow Mystery Series. It's set nearby, in Nelson, B.C. just after World War II. Newcomer, Lane Winslow, is hoping to settle in quietly, she is looking for a refuge after working as a spy, which of course, she can reveal to no one. When a body shows up in the creek providing water to her (and a few of the neighbors) with her name in the jacket pocket, all sorts of secrets begin to emerge. And not just hers. Canadian Reader warned me, it would keep me up late, and it did. While I will have to wait for the next books until our summer visit, CR is already up to book four!

Reading Hermit With Dog