I've found several 'firsts' for new series and authors (at least for me). One of them was Out of the Picture, the first of A Shepherd Sisters Mystery books by Tracy Gardner. A rather typical start: relationship break up, loss of job, return to small home town ... but after that I liked how the story progressed. Savanna is an art authenticator, and while there isn't much of that needed in this tiny town (she's teaching art at the elementary school), it is that skill which allows her to discover what might be a fraudulent painting. (Loved the clues here)! And, there are dogs! Oh, and sisters. ;-)

This Side of Murder, by Anna Lee Huber, was the first in her Verity Kent Mystery books that I've read. Verity Kent has reluctantly agreed to attend a party, she is, after all, still grieving the death of her husband in World War I, but figures a bit of fun might be good for her. It is anything but (of course)! There are bodies, and a cryptic message that her husband had committed treason. And perhaps most un-nerving, someone knows what she did during the war, and no one is supposed to know that .... Ms. Huber also writes the Lady Darby Mystery series.

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During these uncertain and troubling times I look for something fun to read and this title: The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World, by Eric Weiner caught my eye. I can be a bit of a grump, too, and then, when I read that the author's favorite character in the Pooh books was Eeyore (mine, too), well, I just had to read his book! The author visited several of the countries that rank high on the happiness scale (and one of the countries that ranked low) to find out what they might have in common. The answers, or at least some of them, might surprise you. This is a book that will make you think (and maybe call a friend late at night). I'll leave you with this: if you don't use a skill, you will lose that skill. Compromise is a skill and something that seems to be lacking in our society today ....

I'm listing these two books together because they have something in common. The Answer is ... Reflections of My Life, by Alex Trebek proved to be one of those 'dangerous' books, in that the entries are short so it was easy to read 'just one more' and suddenly find you are at the last page! It was fun learning about how he ended up where he did, and loving it. There's a bit about his family, and naturally, his cancer diagnosis. He's worried, though, about what is happening these days, and this is the commonality with the book above ... we have lost the art of compromise, something that is especially important in politics.

Travels with Casey: My Journey Through Our Dog-Crazy Country, by Benoit Denizet-Lewis, was a great summer read ... travel without the hassle! ;-) The journey actually starts out in the cooler months so the author started by heading south, then west, then north, avoiding both the coldest and hottest times of the year in the 'other' part of the country. At first Casey is not all that keen on the idea of traveling in the RV, which is of some concern, but, being a dog, he does adapt. The focus here is dogs ... shelters, shows, rescue groups, groomers, trainers, parks, and so on. A warning, it's not all positive encounters. The author, who teaches writing as well as having articles in The New York Times Magazine, is good at asking questions and producing a nicely balanced account. Most enjoyable.

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The Body on the Train is part of the Kate Shackleton Mystery series by Frances Brody. During a routine delivery of forced rhubarb, a body is found. Who is he, and how and why did he end up in a box car? Reluctantly, Scotland Yard calls on Kate to help out (which is frustrating as they do not give her all the details). When there is another murder Kate is sure they are connected, but the how and why will result in her life being threatened. Recently too, a local home for orphans was closed, and demolished ... why so quickly? A nice, rich, detailed story.

A Stroke of Malice is one of the Lady Darby Mystery books by Anna Lee Huber. It's January, 1832 and Kiera and her husband are at a Twelfth Night Party. It should be a happy and joyous celebration, but something is not right, there are .... undercurrents of emotion going on. During a tour of the tunnels underneath the grand house, a body is found. It is dressed well, so it's not someone hiding out, or looking for shelter in the bad weather ... Naturally Sebastian and his wife investigate, but that becomes dangerous when her life is threatened. These are well written and absorbing mysteries, great reading for these times when we are supposed to stay at home. :-)

The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers (And Their Muses), by Terri-Lynne DeFino was totally off the mark from what I usually read. It wasn't a mystery, or historical fiction, or non-fiction. It was much more 'romancy' (in fact, the author has just such a series out). Still, the idea of an 'old folks home' for authors intrigued me, so I gave it a try. While there were parts that were just too graphic (for me, anyway), I did like the characters. They had a past together, they all had health reasons for being at Bar Harbor, and even the attendants are more than just 'employees'. I don't want to say too much, because all the reasons develop into a rather enjoyable story!

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Farm and country life is ... different ... and that is beautifully, and often humorously described in Dear County Agent Guy: Calf Pulling, Husband Training, and Other Curious Dispatches from a Midwestern Dairy Farmer, by Jerry Nelson. Wonderful short essays on winter, chores, calving, parenthood ... I quite enjoyed this book. The one when the farms were give 'real addresses' was a hoot! Lutefisk still does not sound appealing. ;-)

People who work with the public are often the recipient of a funny or unusual quesion, request or demand. Gina Sheridan has gathered up a collection of those in a specific job in I Work at a Public Library: a Collection of Crazy Stores -- from the Stacks --. I loved that the chapters were divided by Dewey Decimals numbers! A quick read, some good chuckles.

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For the Love of Books: Stories of Literary Lives, Banned Books, Author Feuds, Extraordinary Characters, and More, by Graham Tarrant was one of those fun reads about, obviously books! It's pretty much exactly what the title and subtitle suggest, plus some fun facts and tidbits scattered throughout. Did you know that most of the poems by Emily Dickinson can be sung to the tune of "Yellow Rose of Texas"? Quite the fun read.

I have not yet read all the way through How to Read Water: Clues and Patterns from Puddles to the Sea, by Tristan Gooley as it is a complex read so I am reading it in between other books. I've read other books by this author ... he's good, and can explain things in a clear, concise manner. There's a lot to learn from water, whether it is the movement of waves on a lake, or the ripples on a puddle. There's light, and color, too! Later: I finished it by the time of this posting ... now I need to think about it. :-)

The more I read For Better and For Verse: an Omnium-Gatherum of Words at Play, by Susan Jones, the better I liked it! (Mom would have loved it!) The English language is rich in words from other countries and this book tells where they come from, the meaning (there is sometimes a difference between the original and how the word is used today), and then includes a poem or quote using that word ... and then one that the author herself has written and that's where the fun is! Witty and clever and just downright fun. My favorite was nativity (this is how it shows).

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On a suggestion from Seattle Reader I hope to be doing a post in the near future on what folks like to reread. Do you have favorites you return to over and over? Wandering Reader was one of the first to send in a list, which included 84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff. It sounded familiar, but I have no idea why, so I got a copy ... and read it in one sitting! It is sweet and charming and I understand why Wandering Reader likes it so much. It is a series of letters between a writer living in New York and a used book dealer in London. She is looking for quality used books, and boy, do they deliver! Over the years a friendship develops. When she realizes they are still coping with food rations and restrictions (eggs, for example) she finds a way to have fresh eggs delivered, or meat, and other treats. They never meet face to face, it is a friendship of letters and a love of books.

This took me almost directly on to The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, by Helene Hanff, her journal of when she finally was able to travel to London. She meets up with family of the writers of the original letters as well as fans of her book. She sees 84, Charing Cross Road for real (it is now empty) as well as so many places she's always dreamed of seeing. Another nice read, but heed the suggestion in the introduction here and read the other book first! :-)

In these days of the 'stay at home' directive, arm chair travel is the way to go, but then, to be honest, it's the way I travel anyway. :-) Missions Accomplished: and some funny business along the way, by Tim Jenkins took me to several distant destinations. The author travels for business, which can often mean deadlines for meetings, connecting flights and so on. Weather, traffic, delays in flights and more can affect this, often in amusing ways.

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A body has been found in a churchyard. It is obvious that the body has been moved, and there is a strange tattoo on one wrist. Sam Hawke (aka Samantha) was there when it was found, good thing for her, as she is a journalist and it is a much more interesting story than the latest fashion (which is what she is supposed to report on). Dr. Higgins, an ME sees some similarities with other, unsolved cases. Can they figure things out? Add to this, there is a ... complication ... in Sam's life. I can't say too much here since I promised no spoilers, but it's big! Death on Hanover is the third of the Higgins and Hawke Mystery books by Lee Strauss.

A new book, a new series, a new (to me) author! It was all here in Last Pen Standing, the first in the A Stationery Shop Mystery series by Vivian Conroy. An inheritance (given before a death, actually, so her grandmother can enjoy seeing it put to use) allows Delta Douglas to quit her job and move back to the small town of Tundish, Montana to become co-owner (with a good friend) of a small shop. At their very first crafting event a body is found. Are the police on the right track? Join up with Delta, the 'Paper Posse' (a group of local crafters) and a wonderful dog as they work out the answer.

This time the read was in the middle of a series, the Library Lover's Mystery series, by Jenn McKinlay. It all starts with a hit-and-run accident, with no one seriously hurt. Things escalate though, when a murder attempt is made on the victim. She is well liked, what could be the motive? Is there a connection to the books-on-cd found in the car that was involved in the hit and run? Do note, Hitting the Books does take sort of a dark and sinister turn, perhaps a bit more than the usual cozy ... ?

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Full disclosure here folks, I know this author ... he is family! So, I might be a bit biased, but, on the other hand, it's not a subject that I'd normally read, so that might give me a bit of objectivity! ;-) And, because he is my brother-in-law, I am doing a rare, one book post!

For years the author thought about writing a book, fleshed out a chapter now and then, but the project pretty much was in limbo until he retired and he could put in some serious time on it. Which he did. Understanding the Spiritual Puzzle: Spiritual Insights for Real World Problems, by Bob Bernet is the result.

If you have the feeling that something is missing from your life, something that might make it more complete, then give this book a try. You do not have to be religious to be spiritual (I liked that), it's more a way of thinking and behaving (at least that's my take on it). In these unsettled times, I found this is a good choice for dealing with power plays, protests, and divisive nature of 2020. Finish the puzzle that is your life! ;-)

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I loved the title of this book: Crazy Travel Stories ... who could resist? It was just that, too! Author Liam Lynch travels to places far from the usual 'tourist destination', often alone and not always speaking the language. Sometimes he'll hook up with someone else doing the same thing. There are snakes, and camels, scams and friendly natives. As much as I enjoyed this quick read, it suffered from a lack of careful proofreading (remember, do NOT trust your Spell Check program);-), made especially clear when freight was used instead of fright!

Again, there were several books in-between these two reads, but they fit well together! Author Matthew Felix was young, and poor, but wanted to travel. He perfected the method of seeking out single rooms, or even beds that were cheap, many in, well, not the touristy parts of town! One sounded tinier than the smallest travel trailer, but had an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower. The ongoing theme in his book may be found in the subtitle: Porcelain Travels: Humor, horror and revelation in, on and around toilets, tubs and showers. Do not take your flushing toilet, hot water on demand, or designated tub/shower for granted! Because he was willing to adapt to many unusual (and sometimes uncomfortable) situations, he was able to travel far and wide, and has some wonderful tales to tell. (One was a bit creepy, though, and to my mind he could have left it out).

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