A Grave Matter is the third in the Lady Darby mysteries written by Anna Lee Huber. On the night of the Hogmanay Ball the caretaker is killed when he interrupted grave robbers. The strange thing here, is that this grave is far away from where the body might be sold, plus, it has been in the ground nearly two years, rendering it useless to a buyer. AND, only the bones were stolen. The (expensive) clothes and jewelry were left behind. It would happen again. And again. Who was targeted, and why?

The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala is another in the Bookclub Mystery series by Laura DiSilverio. There is a death at a gathering of gothic mystery writers. The victim has no connection to any of those gathered. Or does he? What secrets are they hiding? A nice cozy, with a few twists I did not see coming. :-)

A warning here ... this series just sort of pulls you in! Shortly after finishing A Grave Matter I started the fourth Lady Darby book by Anna Lee Huber: A Study in Death. While Lady Darby is painting a portrait her client drops dead. She was young and healthy but the doctor has ruled it a death by apoplexy. Lady Darby is not so sure. Her investigation takes her to a chemist in on the 'wrong side' of town, fancy gatherings (with a dress with sleeves that are too poufy, even though she did ask that they be toned down), and a confrontation with her soon to be father-in-law (who is not amused that his son has refused to marry the 'proper' young woman that he has selected). Just a wonderful series, atmospheric, and engaging.

Tall Reader shared Brownies and Broomsticks, by Bailey Cates with me. It is the first in her Magical Bakery Mystery series. Katie has moved back home to Savannah to help with the bakery her aunt and uncle are opening. She also is told she comes from a long line of witches (something her parents chose to ignore telling her). On the day of the grand opening a woman (who has had nasty dealings with many of the townsfolks) is found dead in her car. A nice cozy, I look forward to the next book (which Tall Reader has just delivered)!

Reading Hermit With Dog

This amazing biography is about an amazing man who does not consider himself a hero. He explains why in Sully: My Search for What Really Matters, by Chelsey B. "Sully" Sullenberger III with Jeffrey Zaslow (originally published as Highest Duty). From the time he was a young boy Sully loved anything about flying. To that end he trained, read, practiced ... He studied reports on plane crashes, what went wrong, what might have done differently, etc. On January 15, 2009, it all came together when he landed his crippled plane in the Hudson River. Mesmerizing.

Women like to fly, too, and they were finally able to prove just how good they could be in WWII. It was a tough struggle, but hundreds of women served their country by ferrying planes across the country. Early on (by treaty, it seems) planes could not fly across the U.S./Canadian border so those bound for Nova Scotia would actually be pushed across! From there a British pilot would take the plane on to Britain. On Silver Wings:1942 - 1944: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II,by Marianne Verges is a thrilling history of that service.

If you are a long time PNW resident then much of this book will be familiar: the locations, the names ... well, it will if you are of 'a certain age'! Island Bush Pilot: Founder of San Juan Airlines, by Roy Franklin is a wonderful read of the history of the airline service in the San Juan Islands. It was hard work, at times there was just one pilot who carried not only passengers, but freight, and the mail. He provided medical transportation (for both the local doctor, and to the mainland to the hospital), carried the mail, and dropped food and supplies to fire crews. Just amazing!

Reading Hermit With Dog

Wandering Reader loves pop-up and moveable books and has an amazing collection including both. Pop up books do just that, the image pops up when the page is turned while moveable books have a flap to lift, or a tab to slide, etc.

The first on a recent list was The Toy Cupboard, by David Wood. From the research I did it looks as if it is a 'traditional' interactive book with treasure chests that open to a fishing line that actually catches a fish, to puzzles and more (no electronics needed)!

Next was one called Mickey Mouse Waddle Book: the Story Book With Characters That Come Out and Walk, from Walt Disney Productions. This looks like an oldie, one date showing was 1934. Here, it looks like figures are put together and then are able to waddle down an incline.

William and the Christmas Moon: a Shadow Casting Bedtime Story, by Laura Robinson looks most interesting! The information I found mentions laser cut images and a "specially designed flashlight" so as to cast shadows on the wall!

And a special mention here to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Frank L. Baum) .... while not a favorite story of Wandering Reader, the pop up version of Robert Sabuda was the first of his amazing pop up books WR opened ... and gasped when the tornado spiraled up off the page! Needless to say, it was the start of the Sabuda collection for this reader!

Reading Hermit With Dog

I had a mixed reaction to the joy of leaving your sh*t all over the place: the art of being messy, by jennifer mccartney. (yes, all lower case!) On the one hand, it is a witty and hysterical parody of the decluttering books that are so popular, especially one (see the January 9, 2016 post). I laughed and nodded frequently. On the other hand, it is full of foul language, something I feel is totally unnecessary 99% of the time. (Note: this is a Very Personal opinion here and I've been told that this is the 'new' way of writing and that I am being stodgy. That's fine with me! The English language draws on so many languages and is so varied and complex I see no need to resort to such language). So, if you are able to just sort of 'skip' over the bad language, or, it just doesn't bother you, then I think you will enjoy this book. As to the 'decluttering' issue, I have friends on both ends of the spectrum. One house is bare and spare with no knick knacks or piles of books anywhere. The other is stuffed full of books and treasures collected on travels, both around the world and to the nearest thrift shop. Some are home made, or by a local artist. Both home owners are content and enjoy their surroundings ... and that, to me, is the key. There's no need to do what 'everyone' is doing (and is it ever really everyone??), do what makes you happy.

Twenty-Odd Ducks: Why, Every Punctuation Mark Counts!, by Lynne Truss and illustrated by Bonnie Timmons is a clever book that explains punctuation to young readers. It makes learning grammar fun!

It's back to the WWII trail for this book: Helluva Town: the Story of New York City During World War II, by Richard Goldstein. So much happened there it's hard to know what to say! Ships were built, U-boats lurked off the coast, troops trained, celebrated their last night in the U.S. and then were shipped out, refugees escaped invading armies from across Europe, shows with patriotic themes filled the stages of Broadway (those in uniform got in free), Canteens were popular .... famous actors could be seen setting up tables, etc.,then performing (for free), then cleaning up afterwards. When all the bright lights made NYC an easy target, 'dimouts' were imposed everywhere. A most interesting read. (Side note here, originally, in the opening number for On the Town, the words really were "It's a helluva town" but the powers that be thought that was too rough for the movie audience and had it changed to "wonderful town.")

And lastly, a new trail for me ... Bees! From Constant Reader came recommendations for two books on this subject and Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save Them, by Laurence Packer is the one I read first. Factual (there are dozens, maybe hundreds of types of bees) and fun (despite the myths, some bees are lazy, or solitary). From how they do what they do, to Colony Collapse (and what it might mean), to what we can do to help bees this proved to be a most interesting read.

Reading Hermit With Dog

At first it was a simple wheel barrow, then a cart pulled by a horse. The food was made at home and sold on the street. Samuel Jones may have been the first to create an indoor space for diners (SRO) and then (with customized appliances) a kitchen. When streets started to get congested, these 'eateries' moved off to the side and, eventually, lost their wheels. To attract more women and families, booths were added. The evolution of this once (and future, it seems,) favorite eatery is beautifully told and illustrated in The American Diner, by Michael Karl Witzel. When the men went of to fight in WWII, women moved behind the counter ... and became an American Icon! There is diner slang: "zeppelins in a fog" for sausages and mashed potatoes, for example. They were known for good (local) food and great service, clean restrooms and endless cups of coffee. With the creation of the interstate highways (which bypassed so many of the small towns), faster cars, etc. the fast food establishments took over with generic food the same everywhere (but you could grab it and eat it in the car) and the diner declined. Fortunately, it is making a comeback.

Seems waitressing isn't the bad job so many seem to think it is. The hours allow a mother to be home when her children get in from school, and the money is better than an office or factory job. The difference may be is that those interviewed for Counter Culture: the American Coffee Shop Waitress, by Candacy A. Taylor all worked in the smaller, local diners, etc. Here, they establish a customer base of folks who become friends and a waitress may serve three or four generations of the same family. None denied it was hard work, but many are working well into their seventies and eighties, not because they have to, but because they love what they do. An eye opener of a book about a dying breed of the American work force. Very interesting!

For a different look at the job, this time from a high end restaurant, there's Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip - Confessions of a Cynical Waiter, by The Waiter, Steve Dublanica. Part biography, part memoir, part "what do I want to do when I grow up" musings, this book started as a blog. The author started out studying to be a priest, worked in the health care industry and various other jobs before starting to wait tables. The blog was a way to cope, and vent frustrations. Anonymously he was able to talk about the good, bad, rude, and surprising moments of the job. It caught on and he was asked to write a book (where he had to give up being anonymous ...) A different customer base, plus alcohol and the fancier meals offered make this a contrasting look at the profession from Counter Culture, but also an interesting read. (A wonderful observation from Constant Reader is that one book is about serving people and the other about deserving tips and such without really earning them). (See what you think!)

Reading Hermit With Dog

November 3rd is Sandwich Day! There are lots of books out there about making the perfect sandwich, but this one was different and caught my eye: The Bear Ate Your Sandwich, by Julia Sarcone-Roach. A sandwich is missing, but just who ate it? Follow along this delightful ... 'explanation' ... of why there's nothing left of said sandwich but a wee bit of lettuce. Be sure to check out the bear in the park. :-)

At the Same Moment, Around the World, by Clotilde Perrin is an amazing way to show children the various time zones. Starting in Senegal it shows what a child may be doing at the same time. Wonderful illustrations. I love how the first and last pictures work so well together. :-) At the end is a brief history of how we keep time and a fold out map. This book would go well with While You Are Sleeping: a Lift the Flap Book of Time Around the World found in the October 6, 2015 post.

Reading Hermit With Dog

I was using Google images looking for inspiration for a birthday card and instead found a new book trail! I came across a wonderful picture of a woman on a plow, which took me to Wikipedia and an entry on the Women's Land Army. These were women, who, in WWI and WWII, took up the traditional men's duties on farms in the UK. Naturally, I had to learn more!

First up is The Women's Land Army, by Neil R. Storey & Molly Housego. This is a short history of how it got started, what training was provided,and what happened when the men came home (think no pension, etc). Full of wonderful photos, it's a wonderful overview of a remarkable program.

Then, for a more in depth look, try The Women's Land Army, by Vita Sackville-West. It includes all the charts and statistics the government likes, but also descriptions of the various jobs and some great anecdotes. Those who were part of the WLA were given a certain amount of time off each week/month ... except for those milking cows. (Think about it)! Those working in the forests did ALL the jobs, from finding the trees to cut, to cutting them down, hauling them to the sawmill, and so forth. (Woman are strong)! One farm was heavily shelled but would carry on with the necessary work (the men fighting would need the food, after all). The comment here was that the "war was the sidehow" ... so very British! And, my favorite ... the Queen held a big gathering for the Land Girls. Initially it was set up to be held outdoors, but she decided that indoors would better since the Girls had probably had enough of being outside. :-)

Talk about strong women! Nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers, spies, journalists, and even soldiers on the front lines, they did it all. Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics, by Kathryn J. Atwood is a collection of short biographies about these amazing members of "the weaker sex." (Hah!)

Reading Hermit With Dog