by Colin Evans
PRMS hardcover 213 pages
genre: non-fiction history
I picked this up while helping kids research Alexander Hamilton (it didn't help for their topic, but did cover the Burr/Hamilton issue). I was intrigued and checked it out for myself. I read about the Hatfields and McCoys (one of those feuds that's legendary, but I didn't actually know anything about it). Then I read the Trotsky/Stalin chapter (especially interesting after reading Stalin's Daughter this summer). Anyhow, I have too many books to read and other things to do . . . so I'm going to return it. But it's books like this that make me want to learn more about history!
The ten chapters are:
Elizabeth I versus Mary
Parliament versus Charles I
Burr versus Hamilton
Hatfields versus McCoys
Stalin versus Trotsky
Amundsen versus Scott
Duchess of Windsor versus Queen Mother
Montgomery versus Patton
Johnson versus Kennedy
Hoover versus King
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
This Road We Traveled
by Jane Kirkpatrick
Hennepin County Library paperback 322 pages plus author notes
genre: Christian historical fiction, Oregon Trail
This was a "like, not love" book for me. I enjoyed discussing it with Katie and Jodi. I always love to hear other people's perspectives! Yeah for book club!
Early on, the book frustrated me with the "men tell the women what to do." I know it's historically accurate, but it bugs me. I liked that Tabby was feisty and spoke her mind, but it took me a while (almost half the book) to begin enjoying the story.
page 102 - conversation between Virgilia and Tabitha - "Ultimately we really only have the choice of trusting that God's with us, willing ourselves to walk with him as we walk this earth, learning from the roads we take." (I hope to someday have this kind of faith and wisdom.)
page 145 - Tabby talking with Judson - "'We gather facts, then listen to our hearts and live with the results.' Wasn't that the way of life? Nobody knows what lies ahead. And if they did, truth be known, they might never have started out."
page 152 - John talking to Tabby about her role in her family - "But there's an aura of wisdom in your efforts, in the way you've lived your life that acts as a beacon for them, for us all. You have a hopeful spirit." (I love that phrase - "hopeful spirit" - I would like to be seen that way.)
page 177 - Pherne talking to Tabby - "Mother, you have the ability to turn sour into sweet. I wish I had half of that imaginative stew."
page 187 - Tabby's observation while they're traveling rough ground on the alternate trail - "Her granddaughters were no longer interested in spelling bees or discovering new words or facts. Being tired and hungry sure affected a child's learning spirit." (Yep. That is so very true! Hence the biggest issue for children of poverty is getting enough food to be ABLE to learn!)
page 198 - the turning point for me. I was finally invested in the story and what happened to these characters. This is the scene where John and Tabby leave on the horses to try to catch up to the front groups who have the cattle and get help, food, something for the families and wagons that are struggling.
page 241 - the conversation between Orus and Tabby. The difficulty of mother-son relationships at times . . .
page 251 - Pherne and Virgil talking - "'Promise me you'll try to see your mother today. I know she can be a trial, but you always seem cheered after you've been with her.' Cheered? Maybe so. 'Right after I feel terrible that I'm so woeful while she who has less than anyone can be so stalwart.' She whispered then, 'I actually sometimes resent her.' He laughed. 'Envy takes its toll. But think of it this way: some of her undaunted courage rubbed off on you, Pherne Pringle.'" (I can relate to Pherne's feelings of inadequacy and frustration! I wish I could relate more to Tabby's stalwart, positive attitude!)
page 269 - Virgilia contemplating her future and her relationship with Fabritus - "Until this journey west, she hadn't thought much about what it took to support another, to keep alive, find ways to sustain a family, and perhaps one day prosper beyond what her own family had done. She couldn't help but remember their comfortable life back in Missouri where they wanted for nothing, where books could be loaned out, read and returned, and necessities and luxuries purchased off supply ships sent down the Missouri from the East." (Why on earth would anyone leave this to travel the Oregon Trail and start from scratch?!)
page 322 - the end of Tabby's note to her granddaughter Sarelia - "We must keep both our feet and wings in good repair to face the uncertain road that is our life." (Love this! The author had a lot of primary source material to write this novel based on the real-life Tabitha Moffat Brown.)
Hennepin County Library paperback 322 pages plus author notes
genre: Christian historical fiction, Oregon Trail
This was a "like, not love" book for me. I enjoyed discussing it with Katie and Jodi. I always love to hear other people's perspectives! Yeah for book club!
Early on, the book frustrated me with the "men tell the women what to do." I know it's historically accurate, but it bugs me. I liked that Tabby was feisty and spoke her mind, but it took me a while (almost half the book) to begin enjoying the story.
page 102 - conversation between Virgilia and Tabitha - "Ultimately we really only have the choice of trusting that God's with us, willing ourselves to walk with him as we walk this earth, learning from the roads we take." (I hope to someday have this kind of faith and wisdom.)
page 145 - Tabby talking with Judson - "'We gather facts, then listen to our hearts and live with the results.' Wasn't that the way of life? Nobody knows what lies ahead. And if they did, truth be known, they might never have started out."
page 152 - John talking to Tabby about her role in her family - "But there's an aura of wisdom in your efforts, in the way you've lived your life that acts as a beacon for them, for us all. You have a hopeful spirit." (I love that phrase - "hopeful spirit" - I would like to be seen that way.)
page 177 - Pherne talking to Tabby - "Mother, you have the ability to turn sour into sweet. I wish I had half of that imaginative stew."
page 187 - Tabby's observation while they're traveling rough ground on the alternate trail - "Her granddaughters were no longer interested in spelling bees or discovering new words or facts. Being tired and hungry sure affected a child's learning spirit." (Yep. That is so very true! Hence the biggest issue for children of poverty is getting enough food to be ABLE to learn!)
page 198 - the turning point for me. I was finally invested in the story and what happened to these characters. This is the scene where John and Tabby leave on the horses to try to catch up to the front groups who have the cattle and get help, food, something for the families and wagons that are struggling.
page 241 - the conversation between Orus and Tabby. The difficulty of mother-son relationships at times . . .
page 251 - Pherne and Virgil talking - "'Promise me you'll try to see your mother today. I know she can be a trial, but you always seem cheered after you've been with her.' Cheered? Maybe so. 'Right after I feel terrible that I'm so woeful while she who has less than anyone can be so stalwart.' She whispered then, 'I actually sometimes resent her.' He laughed. 'Envy takes its toll. But think of it this way: some of her undaunted courage rubbed off on you, Pherne Pringle.'" (I can relate to Pherne's feelings of inadequacy and frustration! I wish I could relate more to Tabby's stalwart, positive attitude!)
page 269 - Virgilia contemplating her future and her relationship with Fabritus - "Until this journey west, she hadn't thought much about what it took to support another, to keep alive, find ways to sustain a family, and perhaps one day prosper beyond what her own family had done. She couldn't help but remember their comfortable life back in Missouri where they wanted for nothing, where books could be loaned out, read and returned, and necessities and luxuries purchased off supply ships sent down the Missouri from the East." (Why on earth would anyone leave this to travel the Oregon Trail and start from scratch?!)
page 322 - the end of Tabby's note to her granddaughter Sarelia - "We must keep both our feet and wings in good repair to face the uncertain road that is our life." (Love this! The author had a lot of primary source material to write this novel based on the real-life Tabitha Moffat Brown.)
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Bury Your Dead
by Louise Penny
Scott County Library audiobook 10 discs
read by Ralph Cosham
genre: detective fiction
I read about this author in the Costco Connection and decided to try one of her books. It made me think "Dad would have loved this!" many, many times.
Chief Inspector Gamache is the head of the Surete in Quebec. He is recovering from an investigation that almost took his life, and killed several of his officers. There are three story lines - what happened in the investigation that went wrong (with flashbacks of conversations with Agent Moran), the murder of Augustin Renault at the Literary and Historical Society, and Agent Beauvoir is looking back into the murder of the hermit in Three Pines.
My dad would have loved these because they are set in Quebec and highlight some of the Francophone / Anglophone tension. There are so many cultural details that would resonate for him. And he liked the old-fashioned detective mysteries. Inspector Gamache is a fantastic character - strong, but flawed and with questions. This story made me miss my dad! (not an easy feat, but time tends to dull some of the frustrations of the past)
Cosham did a wonderful job with the narration - distinguishing the many characters extremely well. Moran was particularly poignant.
Additional notes from my car (added 11.30.16 to the above from 11.27.16):
Champlain - I'm curious! Samuel Champlain - founder of Quebec - burial / body lost / HISTORY! (I am inspired to research this . . . )
Henri, the German Shepherd - love this dog!
Renault "bordered on madness" / "He was the Capitol of the state of madness!"
I also have notes marked 11.10.16 . . .
Missing my dad!?!
Crying a lot lately
midlife? premenopausal? work stress?
This was early on in listening to the book (also pre-Thanksgiving). The story was a welcome diversion during my commute!
Scott County Library audiobook 10 discs
read by Ralph Cosham
genre: detective fiction
I read about this author in the Costco Connection and decided to try one of her books. It made me think "Dad would have loved this!" many, many times.
Chief Inspector Gamache is the head of the Surete in Quebec. He is recovering from an investigation that almost took his life, and killed several of his officers. There are three story lines - what happened in the investigation that went wrong (with flashbacks of conversations with Agent Moran), the murder of Augustin Renault at the Literary and Historical Society, and Agent Beauvoir is looking back into the murder of the hermit in Three Pines.
My dad would have loved these because they are set in Quebec and highlight some of the Francophone / Anglophone tension. There are so many cultural details that would resonate for him. And he liked the old-fashioned detective mysteries. Inspector Gamache is a fantastic character - strong, but flawed and with questions. This story made me miss my dad! (not an easy feat, but time tends to dull some of the frustrations of the past)
Cosham did a wonderful job with the narration - distinguishing the many characters extremely well. Moran was particularly poignant.
Additional notes from my car (added 11.30.16 to the above from 11.27.16):
Champlain - I'm curious! Samuel Champlain - founder of Quebec - burial / body lost / HISTORY! (I am inspired to research this . . . )
Henri, the German Shepherd - love this dog!
Renault "bordered on madness" / "He was the Capitol of the state of madness!"
I also have notes marked 11.10.16 . . .
Missing my dad!?!
Crying a lot lately
midlife? premenopausal? work stress?
This was early on in listening to the book (also pre-Thanksgiving). The story was a welcome diversion during my commute!
Friday, November 25, 2016
Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories
by R.J. Palacio
Hennepin County Library hardcover 303 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Written as a companion book to Wonder (*not* a sequel), this book explores three young people whose lives intersected with Auggie's in some way.
Julian - the "bully" of Wonder - has an interesting back story. My favorite part was the scene with his grandma and his realization of a bigger picture. Great stuff! I also marked the page when Mr. Tushman talks to the three youngsters who are going to be Auggie's welcome buddies. As he leaves the room, Jack says, "I don't know what the heck karma is and I don't know what the heck mitzvah is!" Kids are so great at agreeing even when they don't comprehend!
The second story - Pluto - is about Auggie's childhood friend Christopher. There are some really poignant moments in the midst of Christopher's carelessness, selfishness, and cluelessness. His parents are divorcing. He wants to be in the jazz band with some older boys, but doesn't want to be cruel to the irritating younger kid. My favorite moment is when he wants to go back to the hospital to give his stuffed toy to the boy with the cleft palate who's all alone.
Shingaling is the third story, told from Charlotte's perspective. There's too much girl drama and friendship stuff, but it's definitely realistic. I tagged the part that says, "Funny how all our stories kind of intertwine. Every person's story weaves in and out of someone else's story." I love that! Human experience is full of individuals' stories, but they intertwine. Palacio is a gifted storyteller.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 303 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Written as a companion book to Wonder (*not* a sequel), this book explores three young people whose lives intersected with Auggie's in some way.
Julian - the "bully" of Wonder - has an interesting back story. My favorite part was the scene with his grandma and his realization of a bigger picture. Great stuff! I also marked the page when Mr. Tushman talks to the three youngsters who are going to be Auggie's welcome buddies. As he leaves the room, Jack says, "I don't know what the heck karma is and I don't know what the heck mitzvah is!" Kids are so great at agreeing even when they don't comprehend!
The second story - Pluto - is about Auggie's childhood friend Christopher. There are some really poignant moments in the midst of Christopher's carelessness, selfishness, and cluelessness. His parents are divorcing. He wants to be in the jazz band with some older boys, but doesn't want to be cruel to the irritating younger kid. My favorite moment is when he wants to go back to the hospital to give his stuffed toy to the boy with the cleft palate who's all alone.
Shingaling is the third story, told from Charlotte's perspective. There's too much girl drama and friendship stuff, but it's definitely realistic. I tagged the part that says, "Funny how all our stories kind of intertwine. Every person's story weaves in and out of someone else's story." I love that! Human experience is full of individuals' stories, but they intertwine. Palacio is a gifted storyteller.
Monday, November 14, 2016
The Fog Mound
Travels of Thelonious (book 1)
by Susan Schade & Jon Buller
PRMS hardcover 214 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, adventure
Billed as "part graphic novel, part heroic fantasy," this book is about the adventures of Thelonious (Chip)Munk . . . a clever play on words that most middle schoolers would miss. (In fact, though I've heard of Thelonius Monk and knew he was a jazz musician, I'm not sure I can think of any of his music . . . )
Thelonious gets washed away from his tree stump home in the Untamed Forest during a big storm. He ends up in the Ruined City and meets up with a sneaky lizard (Brown), a kind bookstore porcupine (Fitzgerald), and a bear who works with motors and builds a flying machine (Olive). As the four unlikely friends band together to get Olive back to her home - The Fog Mound - they barely escape the clutches of the Dragon Lady and her minions.
On their way through the secret passageway, they encounter Bill - a miniature human scientist who doesn't talk. Based on the map of the land (page 99) and the map of the Secret Underground Passage (page 100), and the fact that Olive laments accidentally leaving the maps behind, I'm guessing book two involves the Dragon Lady and her minions finding their way into the Fog Mound.
Fun, easy mix of graphic novel panels and prose. I have it shelved in graphic novels. Now that I've read it, I'll be better able to recommend it to the right readers.
by Susan Schade & Jon Buller
PRMS hardcover 214 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, adventure
Billed as "part graphic novel, part heroic fantasy," this book is about the adventures of Thelonious (Chip)Munk . . . a clever play on words that most middle schoolers would miss. (In fact, though I've heard of Thelonius Monk and knew he was a jazz musician, I'm not sure I can think of any of his music . . . )
Thelonious gets washed away from his tree stump home in the Untamed Forest during a big storm. He ends up in the Ruined City and meets up with a sneaky lizard (Brown), a kind bookstore porcupine (Fitzgerald), and a bear who works with motors and builds a flying machine (Olive). As the four unlikely friends band together to get Olive back to her home - The Fog Mound - they barely escape the clutches of the Dragon Lady and her minions.
On their way through the secret passageway, they encounter Bill - a miniature human scientist who doesn't talk. Based on the map of the land (page 99) and the map of the Secret Underground Passage (page 100), and the fact that Olive laments accidentally leaving the maps behind, I'm guessing book two involves the Dragon Lady and her minions finding their way into the Fog Mound.
Fun, easy mix of graphic novel panels and prose. I have it shelved in graphic novels. Now that I've read it, I'll be better able to recommend it to the right readers.
Tuesday, November 08, 2016
The Husband's Secret
by Liane Moriarty
Hennepin County Library
Hardcover, 394 pages
AudioCD 12 discs
read by Caroline Lee
genre: realistic fiction, relationships
Cecilia Fitzpatrick
The epilogue tells so much more of the story! The author uses this technique at other places in the book. "If Janie had lived . . . " Intriguing. The language was often so beautiful in this story. Had I read all of it in print, I would have used lots of post-it notes! As it is, I thought often of how different the characters' lives could have been if they'd had faith in Jesus and turned to him in their times of trouble.
Random car notes:
Overall, an amazing book. I loved the reader's Australian accent. It made the book come alive! I'm interested in finding what else Moriarty has written.
Hennepin County Library
Hardcover, 394 pages
AudioCD 12 discs
read by Caroline Lee
genre: realistic fiction, relationships
Cecilia Fitzpatrick
- 3 daughters - Isabel / Esther (odd, serious, loves learning) / Polly (loves secrets)
- Berlin Wall (repeated in other storylines) - Esther's book, piece from the 80s in the attic
- "the sex thing" - don't talk about it
- husband John-Paul / letter he wrote long ago
- The Biggest Loser (another repeated element in other storylines)
- SuperMom - busy, organized, efficient
- husband Will
- cousin Felicity
- son Liam
- mom has a broken ankle
- hurt, their betrayal
- St. Angela's school . . . (another repeated element)
- Rob (son) and Lauren (D-I-L)
- Jacob (grandson)
- moving to NYC
- emptiness, loss
- daughter Janie died as a teen
The epilogue tells so much more of the story! The author uses this technique at other places in the book. "If Janie had lived . . . " Intriguing. The language was often so beautiful in this story. Had I read all of it in print, I would have used lots of post-it notes! As it is, I thought often of how different the characters' lives could have been if they'd had faith in Jesus and turned to him in their times of trouble.
Random car notes:
- People who've lost someone like to hear stories / memories because there won't be any new memories . . . I love when Cecilia shares her red marching story and Janie's encouragement with Rachel.
- "There's something sinister about PE teachers." Made me laugh! I'd love to share it with my PE teacher colleagues, but it's too strange out of context.
- Rachel and grief group - tragedy bringing out the best OR WORST in people! So true!
- Missing dead people at odd times . . . I can relate. There are times I just miss my mom and feel the tears well up.
- John Paul's mom Virginia - nasty piece of work. "A mother would do *anything* for her child."
- Faith makes such a difference! These people need Jesus. Grief, relationships, marriage, forgiveness, . . . God's got answers!
- F-bombs and taking the Lord's name in vain . . . it's a lot harder to hear these on an audiobook than to read them in text. They used Jesus' name as a swearword, sexual release expression, etc. Gave me more opportunities to pray!
Overall, an amazing book. I loved the reader's Australian accent. It made the book come alive! I'm interested in finding what else Moriarty has written.
Desert Gift
by Sally John
Hennepin County Library paperback 378 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
sad
marriage expert Jillian Galloway
doctor husband
page 186 - first time I sobbed. Jill's sister Viv talking to husband Marty. "It hurts so bad." "I know, babe, I know."
page 230 - Jill's mom Daisy telling story about having Viv ten months later . . . Martian. *Agnes* makes comment and Jill's observation that her mom really loved her.
page 246-7 - Bus accident . . . Agnes dead . . . so very sad. "Jack was . . . far away."
page 324 - Letting go of garbage.
I'm blogging this on 11.8.16 from notes I wrote a few weeks ago!
Main take-aways:
This book really made me sad. It also made me want to become a woman like Agnes - firm in faith, caring about others, not shy about reaching out and speaking truth. Beautiful in her faithfulness to God.
Hennepin County Library paperback 378 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
sad
marriage expert Jillian Galloway
doctor husband
page 186 - first time I sobbed. Jill's sister Viv talking to husband Marty. "It hurts so bad." "I know, babe, I know."
page 230 - Jill's mom Daisy telling story about having Viv ten months later . . . Martian. *Agnes* makes comment and Jill's observation that her mom really loved her.
page 246-7 - Bus accident . . . Agnes dead . . . so very sad. "Jack was . . . far away."
I'm blogging this on 11.8.16 from notes I wrote a few weeks ago!
Main take-aways:
This book really made me sad. It also made me want to become a woman like Agnes - firm in faith, caring about others, not shy about reaching out and speaking truth. Beautiful in her faithfulness to God.
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