I've thought about reading this book for a while, but it seemed like NOW was the perfect time: The Great Influenza: the Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History, by John M. Barry. Dense and detailed ... it's a good thing there is no test (!) ... it was certainly a timely read! (Yes, I did do a bit of skimming here and there). It was a virus that spread, and did so quickly, aided by troop movements (think of crowded trains, tents, mess halls) and by people moving to cities for work (think crowded apartments, people working shifts and sharing beds in shifts, lack of laundry facilities, or even showers). Bodies stacked up in the streets, on porches, next to the bed where they died. There weren't enough coffins, or grave diggers,or space in grave yards. The images that came to mind were overwhelming. Things that were learned include quarantining and distancing, closing schools, churches, businesses, washing hands, Wearing A Mask. Given some of the images on the news I'm not sure we learned these lessons.

What sort of socks do you wear? Are they subtle or wild and crazy? Do you wear them with sandals? I could not resist this book: How to Wear Socks, by John Jannuzzi! It includes a history of socks, types of socks (and what they are made of), how to properly wear the various styles, and how to fold them! There are even instructions on how to darn a sock. I had to learn this ... in a Home Ec class. As I remember, I got a C! There is also a chapter on alternative uses for socks. All in all, a fun read.

This was another title that I could not resist: Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History -- Without the Fairy-Tale Endings, by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie. The author starts with a quote as to how at some point every little girl pretends to be a princess. Every little girl? Not the author! (nor me, nor a couple of friends I've had a chance to ask in the past few days). From ancient times to present day (well, almost) here are short biographies about warriors, schemers, those who liked to party, or were, um, badly behaved. Not all were treated well (sadly, too, as today some of their behavior would be recognized as a mental disorder). What I especially liked is that in the intro (don't miss it!) the author explains how hard it was to write about many of these women. IF there was any mention of them it would have been brief, AND, just who was doing the writing? It is a possibility that the original author, given the times he lived in, would have wanted to show such bold women in a bad light. An excellent read.

Reading Hermit With Dog