Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally takes place in the time when women were property, and according to law, could be beaten (as long as the rod was a certain size), committed to asylums and so on. They could not vote, own property, and any money they had was controlled first by their fathers, then went to their husbands when they married. Lady Petra is lucky in that her mother left her money to her daughter (her father is fine with this), and, as long as she stays on their land, she can (gasp) ride astride, in her brothers clothing! She has also declared publicly that she has determined never to marry. Her uncle is not so ... understanding ... and sets out to 'do something about it'. Some of Petra's friends have gone missing, even said to have died, but Petra discovers otherwise. Then there is the 'doctor' who can diagnose and treat female hysterics, melancholia, and so on, usually in his asylum. (Perfect for an inconvenient wife). Warning: things take a grim turn at one point, and I'll admit to doing some skimming, but this was overall a good mystery and I learned a lot about an era I only knew in passing.
Tall Reader recently enjoyed a visit from the grandkids, who came with books to share! Some of those, a trilogy, are now on my stack of books to read! The first was Thunder Cave, by Roland Smith. Jacob is living with his mother and step father, not the best arrangement, but he's still in touch with his father who is tracking elephants in Kenya. When his mother is killed when she is out jogging he learns his step father wants to send him to family in Nebraska. Instead, Jacob cashes out his life savings, and heads for Kenya (long story short here, he knows how to do this safely). He ends up becoming dehydrated, which is how me meets Supeet, a Masai, who helps him, and they become friends. Lots of adventure, great characters, some history on the area and the Masai, all in all a great read! Written for ages 10 and up, adults should enjoy it, too. Tall Reader and I did.
Reading Hermit With Dog
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