Happy Leap Day! Since I did not find any books specific to this unusual day, I decided to do this one book post as it, for me, was a most unusual read. ;-)

Here's one that fits perfectly with the 'you read what??' post of January 3, 2015. Chance for Glory: the Innovation and Triumph of the Washington State 1916 Rose Bowl Team, by Darin Watkins. I have no idea why I picked this book up, unless it's the connection with WSU, but I'm sure glad I did. It was pretty much a 'one sit' read and I was surprised to realize I was reading blow by blow accounts of football games and not being able to put the book down! There's a connection between Jim Thorpe and Eisenhower, new strategies for moving the ball, and something new that allowed the progress of a game to be shared with those far away. Well written, great bibliography, but an index might have been nice.

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A wonderful addition to my books about TV shows collection is Sherlock Chronicles, by Steve Tribe. If you've been enjoying the PBS show on Masterpiece then you'll like this book. I especially enjoyed the bits about the modernizing of Holmes. The image of Sherlock Holmes is usually one of Victorian England, but that's because it was written in the present day, which was that time frame. So, to do that now, Watson's journal becomes a blog, the telegram becomes email, and so on. Lots of fun!

Happily another book about Sherlock came my way: Investigating Sherlock: the Unofficial Guide, by Nikki Stafford. Full of information about the connections between the original books and the series, it also includes bits of trivia on inside jokes, and those 'oops' moments. There are nice biographies of the actors in the major roles, and whose family shows up and in which role. (Some fun surprises here)! There are wonderful comments from serious Holmes/Doyle fans, what they liked or didn't about not only this version of Sherlock Holmes, but other movies, shows, plays, etc. from the past.

If you watched and enjoyed The Dick Van Dyke show then you'll enjoy The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book (revised and updated edition) by Vince Waldron. All the information you'd expect from such a book ... how they cast the show, the writers, the episodes ... and a wonderful description of the episode that holds the record for the longest reaction from the audience (it was recorded before a live audience) ever!

And, finally today, yet another book about Doctor Who. Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? (the ? really is part of the name) are the authors of The Doctors Are In: the Essential and Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who's Greatest Time Lord. A nice look at the various actors who have played the Doctor and how the Doctor has changed with each of them, and yet, still is the Doctor. They share their opinions, too, and they don't always agree!

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My 'flight' trail (see January 16) continued when I found Lest We Forget: Aviation History of Whatcom County: 1941 - 1945: The War Years, by Neill D. Mullen. Here, the author- editor has gathered together the articles from the local newspaper about the men and women who fought in World War II. There were also chapters on the Civil Defense Neighborhood Wardens (mostly women) and training programs, and, two surprises (for me, at any rate) ... Boeing and Firestone had facilities here at that time.

The Women Who Wrote the War, by Nancy Caldwell Sorel is dense and detailed book. The research alone boggles the mind, but what a read! Wow! Here are the stories of the women who reported on the war (WWII). Not satisfied with working on fashion and parties, these women wanted to see the fighting when and where it happened. To do so they had to push the boundaries and prove themselves over and over again. They did so and sent back some of the best reporting and pictures ever.

Their mission was to evacuate sick and wounded troops. Instead they crash landed behind enemy lines. The Secret Rescue: an Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines, by Cate Lineberry is the harrowing story of escape and rescue.

A good friend of mine is putting together a record of what his Dad did in WWII. There are government/military sites where this information may be found and he is combining this with family memories and photos. In this case it is the History of the 4th Combat Cargo Group. The reports from the commanding officer were more fun that you might think! Since this was a cargo group who delivered supplies they practiced dropping these supplies (for those times when they could not land to do so) and one day they were told by the tower near the practice field that the drops seemed awfully far away. The next four landed within 10 feet of this tower! It was also fun to see photos ... since I met his mom when she was a grandmother to see her as a young woman was delightful! I hope many of you are doing something like this. Reading the many published books is interesting, but this adds a personal touch that connects us with the past. Thanks, Pete!

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If you are planning a trip to London, I recommend Secret London: an Unusual Guide, by Rachel Howard and Bill Nash. It is one in the series Local Guides by Local People and is full of quirky, lesser known destinations. J.E. Webb had the idea that street lights could be lit using methane gas from the sewer. One still exists (although uses a different source of energy). There are galleries in unused subway stations and roof top gardens. There's the foundry that cast the Liberty Bell, and a pub that needs no alcohol license thanks to royal decree. Issued by James (the First) in 1611.

For more on London, including places that no longer exist, places that were planned but never built, murderers, highwaymen, and eccentrics (and what they did) and so much more, read Bizarre London: Discover the Capital’s Secrets and Surprises, by David Long.

There are statues of animals all over London, some real, some imagined. Animal London: a Spotter's Guide by Ianthe Ruthven is a picture guide of many of them. Maps are included as well so you can plan your own walking tour.

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Here's the start of a cozy series by C.C. Benison that sounds like it should fit books about Christmas and the Twelve Days of Christmas, but it doesn't! After his wife is murdered, Father Tom Christmas and his daughter have moved to a small town. The peace and quiet he hopes to find is shattered when a body is found in a Japanese Drum. Start with Twelve Drummers Drumming.

Lending a Paw, by Laurie Cass is also the start of a new cozy series. (A Bookmobile Cat Mystery). Minnie Hamilton drives the bookmobile for the local library. On the very first day of service there is a stowaway. Her cat, Eddie, reminds me a bit of the cats in the Lillian Jackson Braun 'Cat Who' books in that he provides useful clues as the story movies along. In the second book in this series, Borrowed Crime, Minnie is fighting for the survival of the bookmobile (the library director is not a fan). Her situation is not helped when a volunteer is shot and killed. It's amazing how much can be expressed/explained with a simple "mrrr".

The Edge of Dreams, by Rhys Bowen, is from her Molly Murphy Mystery series. This time the story uses the then new science of psychology (think Freud) to help solve the mystery and track down the bad guy. The characters are like old friends now and I look forward to their ongoing adventures. :-)

A cat, a library, a lighthouse .... what great elements for a cozy mystery! Booked for Trouble, by Eva Gates is actually the second in the series, but it was where I started. Wonderful characters to both love and hate, I'm going to go 'backwards' now and read the first one! :-) Thanks go to Crafty Reader for this recommendation.

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I wasn't quite sure just what to expect with Pardon My Hearse: a Colorful Portrait of Where the Funeral and Entertainment Industries Met in Hollywood, by Allan Abbott and Greg Abbott, but I'm glad it caught my eye. It all started with two young men buying a used hearse so they'd have a place to sleep on camping trips. (They were geology majors, seems the best places to look for what they were seeking were not the best places for a tent). It evolved into a thriving business including all aspects of the, well, death, business. Eventually their expertise (not to mention limos, etc.) would be used in movies and TV shows. An impressive biography, actually, the folks involved were willing to work hard. If it wasn't available, they built it, if it was something they didn't know, they'd learn.

What does one do with a degree in medieval history? Caitlin Doughty, author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory took a job in a crematory. Always fascinated with death, and how it is dealt with in various cultures, this gave her a chance to study that first hand. A most interesting and reflective memoir.

When bones were found when a sewer line was going in, work came to a stop, initially to be sure there was no indication of foul play. It turned out to be a much bigger find! Forgotten Bones: Uncovering a Slave Cemetery, by Lois Miner Huey is a young reader book explaining how the excavation was done, how it was determined to be a slave cemetery and how recreations of what the deceased might look like are done.

Other books on death and cemeteries (excluding mystery books, there are lots of those ;-)) may be found on the posts from September 30, 2014, March 18, 2014 and October 27, 2015.

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This trail started with How to Build an Igloo and Other Snow Shelters, by Norbert E. Yankielun. It looked like a fun little 'how to' book but actually was a serious, detailed guide on building and using various types of shelter. It explains types of snow (there are many), necessary tools, clothing and survival skills. Very interesting but something I'm glad I don't have to use!

This took me on to Snow, by Ruth Kirk. While this reads a bit like a text book, it is an excellent text book. In 1939 Russia figured that Finland would be an easy and quick invasion. How wrong they were! Outnumbered 42 to 1 they fought back against the Russians, who were neither prepared, nor skilled at fighting in the snow. There are chapters on shelters and clothing (wolverine fur is better than wolf fur). The photos Bentley took (see December 17 post) are discussed as are the dogs and reindeer used for transportation. All in all, a most interesting read.

Where do animals go in the winter? How do they survive? Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner with art by Christopher Silas Neal explains. It might be found on the picture book shelf, but it's an easy lesson about nature. :-)

Think your snowman sits quietly on the lawn all night? Think again! Find out just what they do in Snowmen at Night, by Caralyn Buehner, pictures by Mark Buehner. Follow this up with Snowmen at Christmas to see what they do at Christmas. Who knew snowmen have a secret life! ;-)

It starts with one snowflake. No one believes it will snow, not the adults, not the shows on the radio or the tv, but one little boy believes. Snow, by Uri Shulwvitz is a Caldecott Honor Book (with good reason).

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