I once loved trail riding, and could spend many happy hours in the saddle, but I never thought about riding clear across the country (or further)! Many have, however, and John Egenes was one of them. In 1974 he and his horse, Gizmo, put their feet into the Pacific Ocean and then headed across the country to do the same in the Atlantic. Man & Horse: the Long Ride Across America is their story. Something about it really caught my attention ... what he had to say, what happened along the trail, I can't really put my finger on it, but this was a one day read.

It's an old theme: city boy meets country girl ... this time with hysterical results. I laughed so hard my sides hurt while reading The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill, by Bradford M. Smith with Lynn Raven & Nancy Raven Smith. There's a horse who loves water (picture those automatic waterers for stalls), a pony who is clever with latches, a cat named Duck ... and many other beasties who find a home at Whimsey Hill (did I mention the wife likes to bring home rescue horses)? A delightful and charming memoir.

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Here's the first in a new series, by a new (at least to me) author: Murder for the Books, by Victoria Gilbert, the debut for her Blue Ridge Library mysteries. After a dramatic change in her life, Amy has moved in with her aunt who lives in a small town in Virginia. There is a decades old murder, seemingly solved, except for one person who believes his great-aunt was innocent who convinces Amy to do a little research. Enjoyed the 'sleuthing' here ... done with old newspapers, microfilm, and so forth. :-)

Nasty characters make an appearence in the third Writer's Apprentice Mystery (think back to the missing person from the second book). There's some rather scary stuff going on in A Dark and Twisting Path, by Julia Buckley. There are some nice (unexpected) family connections, too, though, and several wonderful pets.

It won't take long for some of you to realize that Boats and Bad Guys is the second book in the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series by Diana Xarissa. Feeling more settled in now, Fenella Woods is planning on taking the ferry 'across' (to the mainland) to do some research for the book she's writing. That all changes when she finds a dead body. In her cabin. While not pleased to be connected with another murder, she does end up helping with the investigation and learning more about the small town she now calls home along the way. Of course, her aunt, the ghost of the series, wants to help!

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Like the Twenty Mule Team, another well known icon of the Old West is the Wells Fargo wagon, it's still in use today, actually. In the beginning, it was all about delivery, the best possible. Whether by wagon, ship, horse, dog sled, on foot ... of mail, packages and people. At one time there were more than 100,000 miles of routes and included shipments to Mexico and even China. Women were hired to run the offices, handle the mail, send messages ... and even drive one of the wagons! (This was not discovered, however, until the death of 'Charles' Pankhurst, proved that one of the best drivers, one who smoked, drank and even voted, was female). The company was forward thinking in many ways: those working the southern route had to be bilingual, for example. Often Wells Fargo was the first to have the new technology, from phones to punch cards, credit cards, drive- through banking, and so on. Wells Fargo, from the Images of America series, by Dr. Robert J. Chandler, differs from others in this series in that this company is still in existence. (Yes, the song from The Music Man, "Wells Fargo Wagon" by Meredith Willson did run through my mind as I read this book)!

I found The Horse in the City: Living Machines in the Nineteenth Century, by Clay McShane and Joel A. Tarr, to be a "scholarly" read ... which to me, means it was both interesting and a bit dry! Beautifully researched, the authors used everything from newspapers to Teamster magazines, agricultural journals, city directories, veterinary manuals and so forth to gather information. In some chapters (as in how much land it took to provide hay for working horses) this came across as a bit tedious, and every so often I got the impression that the authors aren't horse folks ... but .... that being said, for the most part this was a fascinating look at a time when the horse played a vital role in city life. They had to be housed, and fed. Streets were designed so they could safely make a corner without backing up, or gradual enough on a slope so they wouldn’t slip. There was a huge support industry, which provided thousands of jobs, including removal of waste, and carcasses ... which happened more quickly than you might think as every part of the body was useful for something (talk about a detailed chapter here!) and some times it needed to be salvaged before rigor set in. The horse trolley paved the way to life in the 'burbs, giving citizens access to work, shops, churches, etc. but able to live out where the air was clean. To my surprise, there are more similarities to the auto industry than you might think. :-)

The Frederick & Nelson stores used to be huge, and offer all kinds of goods and services such as a staff library, kindergarten for staff and shoppers, staff chorus (which sang at holidays), even an ice skating rink. In 1950 there was live coverage of election returns in the front window, and once, even live animals in their window displays. The motto was that they would find what the customer wanted even if it wasn't at their store. At one point there was a separate entry for men to use on (whatever) floor so they did not have to pass through the lingerie department, which made them uncomfortable. For a wonderful look back at this iconic store, look no further than the Images of America book Frederick & Nelson, by Ann Wendell. I have a dim memory of this store, but I was small, and it was big, and that's pretty much the extent of said memory! :-)

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The next in the Charles Lenox mysteries, by Charles Finch is The Inheritance. A curious message arrives from a former classmate, who then vanishes. There has always been mystery surrounding this person ... his tuition way back then, was paid by a mysterious benefactor who was never revealed. Now there is an inheritance, again from a mysterious source. Is it worth killing for?

Murder at the Waterfront, by Dianne Harman, is the next in her Northwest Cozy Mystery series. Responding to comments from readers she's given a bigger role to one of the side characters. This time the murder is at a new (and very expensive) condo. Owners, partners and others (maybe) have mob connections (maybe) so Al De Duco takes the lead on the investigation. Not bad, this is a fun series, but I miss the other characters!

Canadian Reader arrived with a lot of books, including the second book in the Lane Winslow Mystery series by Iona Whishaw: Death in a Darkening Mist. It's winter and Lane Winslow and a good friend are enjoying the waters of a local hot springs. At one point, Lane things she hears someone speaking Russian but that seems a bit unlikely .... until a body is found. Because she can speak Russian, Lane is able to help the police, but this opens up events from her past. Again, just an amazing read and just as hard to put down as the first book. (Canadian Reader noticed that I would wander to the door and back to let the dog in and out with the book in hand).

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Did you ever (even once) wish there was a way to figure out just what was that squished 'something' was on the side of the road (or in the middle of the road)? Well then, here's the book for you: Flattened Fauna: a Field Guide to Common Animals of Roads, Streets, and Highways. Revised. (honest!) Author Roger M. Knutson combines a dry sense of humor with natural history in this strange guide. Oh, and do be careful about confusing bits of flattened sod and sticks with critters! A strange but fun read.

Have you ever seen a book title that made you smile? Or one where the author had the perfect last name for the subject (and wonder if that name was real)? How about those with a double meaning (intentional or otherwise)? Bizarre Books: a Compendium of Classic Oddities, by Russell Ash & Brian Lake is a list of such books, and proved to be quite the fun read. They are all actual books ... written and published. I found several that I've seen and/or read.

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The Resistance Man: a Mystery of the French Countryside was the next of the Inspector Bruno books by Martin Walker that I read. A man is dead, and found at the scene are bills from a train robbery of times past. Artwork and antiques have been stolen. Is there a connection? What about the French Resistance? Again, just a nice mystery with some historical touches, and a new puppy!

Next in order for the Aunt Bessie series, by Diana Xarissa, is "E", that is, Aunt Bessie Enjoys, another one of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery books. While I'm not sure what Aunt Bessie is enjoying since older folks, most of them friends of hers, are dying, I certainly enjoyed it! I thought I was paying attention, but there was a twist that caught me by surprise! Love that!

Buried in Books is another in the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle. You'd think planning a wedding would be enough, but add a convention, reunion with old friends, and a murder (of course) and you are in for a busy week! This series is full of great characters and the soon to be in-laws are no exception. Keep an eye on the Moms!

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If you remember a box in the cupboard featuring a wagon with a mule team then you are most likely (ahem) a person of a certain age! From the Images of America series comes The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley, by Ted Faye. Even back in 1892 the image was marketing genius: America was strong, hardworking, etc. It conjured up a nice image of the wild west, too. Headed west to seek gold, most passed by (and often cursed) the dry lake beads scattered with rocks (some boulder sized) of borax. This was a useful ingredient in many products (the most popular being laundry detergent) of the day so transporting it became a major industry. Huge wagons were designed, with wheels weighing up to 1000 pounds, made of iron and wood. Mules were used because they were stronger and less likely to spook than horses. The fact that the teams were so long was not really a problem since there were no sharp corners on their routes. In 1894 a steam tractor was purchased to pull the heavy wagons, but it broke down in the desert heat and had to be hauled out ... by the mules.

For another trip down memory lane (for some of us), try Better Than Homemade: Amazing Foods That Changed the Way We Eat, by Carolyn Wyman. This was a delightful little history of convenience foods: meals that were easier for working moms to serve, rolls that popped out of a tube, or milk or juice from a powder. Loaded with saturated fats and high fructose corn syrups, we all know better than to eat most of them and yet, they still fly off the supermarket shelves. (I love the comment in the introduction about foods no one admits they eat!) The same author wrote Spam: a Biography found in the post of June 21, 2016. Fun!

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Country Road ABC: an Illustrated Journey Through America's Farmland, by Arthur Geisert was .... interesting ... ! I was puzzled by some of the choices for the letters, and at first I tried to follow the roads in the pictures (!) ... but, all in all, this is a good alphabet book with some great illustrations. Be sure to read the section at the end that explains the words the author uses. :-)

While not a picture book in the traditional sense, that is, for children, Aurora Borealis: a Photo Memory really is just that. Pictures, with the briefest of descriptions from three photographers: Dennis C. Anderson, Larry Anderson (no relation) and Wayne Johnson fill the pages with wonderful images of the Northern Lights at all times of the year. Amazing! Thanks to Tall Reader for the loan of this book!

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As promised, Canadian Reader brought the first book in the 'other' series by Diana Xarissa and I'm happy to report that Arrivals and Arrests (an Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy) is good! When Fenella Woods inherits an apartment, er, flat, from an aunt, she packs up her life and moves to the small town of Douglas. Within 24 hours she discovers a body of someone she only recognizes because earlier that day he had knocked on her door asking if she wanted to sell her flat. What a way to meet the people of her new home! Her aunt (one with a bit of a 'reputation', it seems) is the ghost who wants her niece to 'investigate' and there is a pushy kitten looking for a home. All in all, an excellent start! Thanks to Canadian Reader, I have the next few here on my pile, too! :-)

Dog shows are busy places so no one noticed when one of the vendors went missing. Until the body was found, of course. Turns out, she was not as popular as thought, and many people had had unsatisfactory dealings with her, thus making the search for the killer all the more difficult. Add to that a series of burglaries (in several different precincts), and a missing dog sitter. How were they all connected? Ruff Justice, one of the Melanie Travis Canine Mystery books, by Laurien Berenson is another of the 'poodle' mysteries that are great cozy reads.

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You'll notice several of the Images of America books in upcoming posts, I've recently had several shared with me, or purchased a couple, or borrowed them! They make a nice read on a hot (much too hot) summer day. First up was Washington, D.C.: the World War II Years, by Paul K. Williams. There were already changes being made (office space, housing) as the war in Europe created an influx of people moving into the area. After December 7, 1941 it increased dramatically. The Pentagon was built in a remarkably short period of time, temporary housing went up on the Mall and so on. Tiny plots of land became Victory Gardens, the female work force was huge. Many items were rationed, books were collected to send overseas ... as with every book in this series the photos are amazing. There's a good sense of how it might have felt to have actually been there.

I have a feeling that Pullman, by Robert Luedeking, might have a limited reading group, such as graduates of WSU, or those who live(d) there! Well, I fit the first category, and this is from the Images of America series, so how could I not read it! Watch the city grow (and burn) and learn a bit about the history of the area. There was an interesting celebration at the end of WWI, and a snow sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and a 'time line of photos' as to how Main Street has changed. Now, a book on Pullman might not be of interest to you, but one of the things this series does is focus on small towns and cities across America so check to see if there is something local for you. :-)

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Feeling nostalgic? Thinking of your childhood? Genny Zak Keiley must have been in that frame of mind when she wrote Green Stamps to Hot Pants: Growing Up in the 50s and 60s. What a blast from the past, as the saying goes! Full of pictures of what was popular and memories from the author and her friends, this was a fun/sad/happy read! The author grew up in the Twin Cities so much of the memories are from there, but hey, we all had similar stores, schools and so forth.

And speaking of nostalgia ... can the sight of candy bring back memories? Does the packaging send you back in time? In the 1970s author Darlene Lacey began collecting candy wrappers. The collection grew and became a museum! Her book, Classic Candy expands on that with a history of the candy industry in the U.S. From family run stores to large companies, buy outs, and takeovers, this is both about the history and the marketing strategies used to sell sweets (not that that is especially hard). ;-) I found the business angle a bit confusing at times, but the pictures were great!

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Gary Paulsen has always had dogs. Lots of dogs. Lots of dogs! Read about a few who have had a huge impact on his life in My Life in Dog Years. One dog saved his life, another was a guardian against bullies, another the guardian and protector of an entire farm filled with animals. I laughed until my sides hurt, and, of course, wept. Dogs are amazing.

Dogscaping: Creating the Perfect Backyard & Garden for You and Your Dog, by Tom Barthel proved to be an interesting read even for this non-gardener. Seems it is wise to design a yard for the type of dog you have ... high energy, prone to dig and so forth! You learn which plants are toxic and those that help control pests. As both a dog owner and a serious gardener Canadian Reader said this was an excellent read. :-)

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As expected, it did not take me as long to read the third of the Veronica Speedwell Mystery books: A Treacherous Curse, by Deanna Raybourn. This time there is a mummy (hence the curse). An important 'find' from the tomb has gone missing, and there have been sightings of Anubis, both in Egypt and in London. Interesting stories about events in Stoker's past appear in the newspaper ... who is this reporter? Are they even true? Can they be explained? There's a royal connection, too. Great period details, intriguing mystery, hard to put down.

The Constant Princess, by Philippa Gregory, came as a recommendation from Canadian Reader. It is a rich, detailed novel about Katherine of Aragon. Practically from birth, this daughter of the rulers of Spain was raised to be the bride of Arthur, first son of the King and Queen of England, thereby uniting two countries. Sadly, he died not long after they were wed and this is the story of how she became the first wife of Henry VIII. Lots of politics, and maneuvering, betrayal along with lots of period details. The time it took for the research this little known story of a 'lie that changed history' is mind boggling.

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Canadian Reader is coming for a visit, hence the theme for today's post!

I have always enjoyed ferry rides, but then, I am not dependent on a ferry to get me to work, or appointments, and so forth. Canadian Reader says that can alter one's thinking, and, that Adrian Raeside in No Sailing Waits and Other Ferry Tales: 30 Years of BC Ferries Cartoons, is spot on with what goes on with this important part of the provincial highway system. It's a nice sort of history, too. :-)

It's been a while (October 28, 2014 post) since I've included a book from the Bathroom Readers' Institute, but when I saw Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges Into Canada, eh, I just couldn't resist! It's full of fun bits of history, short biographies, humour, trivia ... and the best things about each of the provinces or territories. Divided up by short, medium and longer reads, you can pick what best suits your situation. ;-)

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