Kopp Sisters #2
by Amy Stewart
Scott County Library hardcover 310 pages
genre: Historical mystery fiction
Set in the 19teens, this book is also based on historical people and events. Constance Kopp is employed as a jail matron for the female prisoners, but longs to be a deputy. When a dangerous prisoner escapes from a hospital room during a storm, Kopp feels personally responsible and tries to track him down. There is less of Norma and Fleurette in this story, but enough to keep Constance grounded and challenged. Fleurette's flair for drama (and skill at sewing) are clearly leading to some new ground for the Kopp sisters. I've already reserved book 3 at the library!
I liked this line from page 282: "The two of them sat resolutely behind bars, having decided, apparently, that they would trade their liberty for familial solidarity. Sometimes a family was like a swamp, everyone mired in the same mud." (I'm not sure I agree with it, but it did make me grin. There's something about family bonds . . . )
I absolutely love her "historical notes, sources, and acknowledgments" at the end of the book. What excellent research! I love how she identifies factual sources and her embellishments in storytelling. She has mad skills! Looking forward to continuing to read these exploits.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Sunday, February 24, 2019
King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village
by Peggieliene Bartels and Eleanor Herman
personal copy paperback 334 pages
genre: biography / memoir
My son Alex and his wife gave this book to me a few years ago. Now that I've finally read it, I need to ask them if they met either of the authors . . . I'm not sure what the connection was for them to get this book and then give it to me. My sister wanted to read it for her book club, so that motivated me to finish it and loan it!
Peggy Bartels was born in Ghana, but had been working and living in Washington D.C. at the Ghanian embassy for years when she received a call that her uncle had died. The "spirits" had chosen her as the new king. After getting over her shock and disbelief, she needed to decide if she would accept the responsibility or not.
Her odyssey (living in the U.S. for 10-11 months each year and then traveling to Otuam, Ghana for the other month or two) was expensive and arduous. Her royal advisors were crooked, stealing from the money that should have gone toward the betterment of the village. The book was interesting and worth reading, but I struggled with the descriptor of her as a "devout Christian" intermixed with her pouring libations to the ancestors and talking to the spirits of the stool for direction.
Here are some passages I noted that I really liked or reacted to as I was reading:
Page 48 - "An African wearing kente, or even regular cloth decorated with adinkra symbols, walked out into the world proclaiming what he or she stood for: strength, family, or forgiveness, powerful concepts that helped you get through your day. Peggy opened her closet and looked at the row of black and brown pantsuits she usually wore to the office. How sad, she thought, that we Americans dress like this. We walk outside every morning with no power, no symbolism, no added bit of spiritual heft to help us meet our challenges."
Page 159 - "My people have no running water, she thought, and bad schools, and minimal health care, and electricity only part of the time. Most have no cars, no television, and no radio, and the kids don't have games or toys. We are poor in gadgets, but rich in so many other ways. And America, despite all its riches , and despite all the buttons you can push there, is in some respects poor."
Page 166 - (When the door fell off the refrigerator and Cousin Charles fixed it with a piece of cork) "'There!' he said, satisfied. He looked at Peggy. 'I know that in America you go out and buy new things when something breaks. But this is African engineering at an African price.'" I love that!
Page 198 - I laughed when I read the section about Tsiami's virility, even though I mostly thought he was a jerk.
Page 260 - "Returning to Ghana had made Peggy more aware than ever before of the concept of African family, of the interlocking layers of support needed to ensure that the weakest do not falter."
Page 317 - When Tsiami explained what Isaiah and Baba Kobena had done, in agreement with Uncle Joseph's daughters, it was heartbreaking. "Those in the room lowered their heads in shame at the story, except for Peggy. Her head was high, and her eyes flashing. But they haven't won, Peggy thought. Because there is a God who doesn't approve of dishonoring corpses, especially that of the person who gave you life. They haven't won because there is a God who hates deceit and bribery and causing pain to innocent people, a God who will punish the wicked. Honor thy father and mother, God said, and he wasn't joking."
Page 333 - "When I first cheerfully got on a plane headed for Ghana I had no idea that the experience would be life-changing. There are many Americans - I myself was one of them - who live in big houses with every luxury money can buy and who are, nonetheless, stressed, depressed, and take for granted so much of what we have. Until my trip to Otuam, I was never grateful for the faucet that brought me clean water, hot or cold, at a touch. For flush toilets. For the ambulance that arrives at our doors within minutes of a 911 call. For food and clothing, heating and air-conditioning. Yet most of the people of Otuam, despite their poverty and their lack of water, health care, and educational opportunities, are grateful for every blessing and find joy in their faith, families, and friends in a way that those of us trapped in suburban depression can't imagine."
personal copy paperback 334 pages
genre: biography / memoir
My son Alex and his wife gave this book to me a few years ago. Now that I've finally read it, I need to ask them if they met either of the authors . . . I'm not sure what the connection was for them to get this book and then give it to me. My sister wanted to read it for her book club, so that motivated me to finish it and loan it!
Peggy Bartels was born in Ghana, but had been working and living in Washington D.C. at the Ghanian embassy for years when she received a call that her uncle had died. The "spirits" had chosen her as the new king. After getting over her shock and disbelief, she needed to decide if she would accept the responsibility or not.
Her odyssey (living in the U.S. for 10-11 months each year and then traveling to Otuam, Ghana for the other month or two) was expensive and arduous. Her royal advisors were crooked, stealing from the money that should have gone toward the betterment of the village. The book was interesting and worth reading, but I struggled with the descriptor of her as a "devout Christian" intermixed with her pouring libations to the ancestors and talking to the spirits of the stool for direction.
Here are some passages I noted that I really liked or reacted to as I was reading:
Page 48 - "An African wearing kente, or even regular cloth decorated with adinkra symbols, walked out into the world proclaiming what he or she stood for: strength, family, or forgiveness, powerful concepts that helped you get through your day. Peggy opened her closet and looked at the row of black and brown pantsuits she usually wore to the office. How sad, she thought, that we Americans dress like this. We walk outside every morning with no power, no symbolism, no added bit of spiritual heft to help us meet our challenges."
Page 159 - "My people have no running water, she thought, and bad schools, and minimal health care, and electricity only part of the time. Most have no cars, no television, and no radio, and the kids don't have games or toys. We are poor in gadgets, but rich in so many other ways. And America, despite all its riches , and despite all the buttons you can push there, is in some respects poor."
Page 166 - (When the door fell off the refrigerator and Cousin Charles fixed it with a piece of cork) "'There!' he said, satisfied. He looked at Peggy. 'I know that in America you go out and buy new things when something breaks. But this is African engineering at an African price.'" I love that!
Page 198 - I laughed when I read the section about Tsiami's virility, even though I mostly thought he was a jerk.
Page 260 - "Returning to Ghana had made Peggy more aware than ever before of the concept of African family, of the interlocking layers of support needed to ensure that the weakest do not falter."
Page 317 - When Tsiami explained what Isaiah and Baba Kobena had done, in agreement with Uncle Joseph's daughters, it was heartbreaking. "Those in the room lowered their heads in shame at the story, except for Peggy. Her head was high, and her eyes flashing. But they haven't won, Peggy thought. Because there is a God who doesn't approve of dishonoring corpses, especially that of the person who gave you life. They haven't won because there is a God who hates deceit and bribery and causing pain to innocent people, a God who will punish the wicked. Honor thy father and mother, God said, and he wasn't joking."
Page 333 - "When I first cheerfully got on a plane headed for Ghana I had no idea that the experience would be life-changing. There are many Americans - I myself was one of them - who live in big houses with every luxury money can buy and who are, nonetheless, stressed, depressed, and take for granted so much of what we have. Until my trip to Otuam, I was never grateful for the faucet that brought me clean water, hot or cold, at a touch. For flush toilets. For the ambulance that arrives at our doors within minutes of a 911 call. For food and clothing, heating and air-conditioning. Yet most of the people of Otuam, despite their poverty and their lack of water, health care, and educational opportunities, are grateful for every blessing and find joy in their faith, families, and friends in a way that those of us trapped in suburban depression can't imagine."
Monday, February 18, 2019
Scar Island
by Dan Gemeinhart
NPMS paperback 249 pages
genre: YA dystopian
A student was reading this when I was subbing last week. I got another copy from the media center and read it to respond to some questions he had. I will see him tomorrow at school.
I made a cheat sheet for the characters because there are a lot of them! (Sixteen boys on a desolate island being punished for juvenile offenses, plus eight adults . . . and three other adults.) Kind of a nasty story, but just right for middle school.
I like that the author referenced great literature - Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, Lord of the Flies, and Moby Dick. I wonder if any students reading this would try to tackle those titles. My favorite character (besides the protagonist Jonathan) was the librarian!
The Admiral and his men are nasty creeps who should not be working with adolescent reform in any way! This book is a page-turner for sure.
NPMS paperback 249 pages
genre: YA dystopian
A student was reading this when I was subbing last week. I got another copy from the media center and read it to respond to some questions he had. I will see him tomorrow at school.
I made a cheat sheet for the characters because there are a lot of them! (Sixteen boys on a desolate island being punished for juvenile offenses, plus eight adults . . . and three other adults.) Kind of a nasty story, but just right for middle school.
I like that the author referenced great literature - Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, Lord of the Flies, and Moby Dick. I wonder if any students reading this would try to tackle those titles. My favorite character (besides the protagonist Jonathan) was the librarian!
The Admiral and his men are nasty creeps who should not be working with adolescent reform in any way! This book is a page-turner for sure.
The Secrets of Wishtide: A Laetitia Rodd Mystery
by Kate Saunders
Scott County Library, audiobook, 9 CDs
read by Anna Bentinck
genre: Historical murder mystery
Set in the 1850s, this was a delightful story! I will have to see if this author has other titles. I didn't make many notes, but it was a good mystery with lots of different elements.
Sir James is a jerk! I disliked him even before I found out about his double standards for his own conduct vs. his wife's (and his deception regarding Esther). I ended up really liking Mrs. Hardy, especially when she told Laetitia "I'm a fallen woman, not a kept one." Mrs. Calderstone's role got better toward the end.
Blackbeard
Mrs. Gammon (Sally or Sarah?)
Mrs. Orn? Helen
So many different characters and locations in England! (And Antwerp . . . )
Arrowsmith / Gammon / Saville
Bentinck's vocal work is absolutely superb!
<Blogged above 2.18.19. Below added 11.29.22>
I don't have a lot to add, but I re-read it in Libby last week. The parents hire Mrs. Rodd to dissuade their son from marrying Mrs. Orm(?), a widow. As she tries to find out more about the woman, she learns that she likes her. But when murders start happening and the young master is going on trial, the case really heats up.
Sisters Blanche and Elizabeth are lovely counterparts to the main characters. But her confidante and landlady, Mrs. Bentley, who once let rooms to
John Keats, is my favorite character.
Pastwatch: the Redemption of Christopher Columbus
by Orson Scott Card
PRMS discard, hardbound, 398 pages
genre: SciFi
Although Card is one of my favorite authors, I have been plowing through this slowly over several months. I'm on page 256, and I've decided to just let it go. I've never been a huge fan of time travel stories and this one is partly fascinating and partly irritating. "Pastwatch" is a technology that allows the watchers to go back in time and observe people and events in the past. Then a watcher realizes that the people being watched can *see* her! This changes everything.
The Christopher Columbus portions of the story - his history, motivations, and beliefs - are interesting, but I wonder how much research Card did and how accurate he is. His sources list at the end is pretty impressive.
A few passages really caught my attention. On page 49, "His words were so confident - yet she felt a dizzying vertigo, as if she stood on the edge of a great chasm, and the ground had just shifted a little under her feet. What sort of arrogance did she have, even to imagine reaching back into the past and making changes? Who am I, she thought, if I dare to answer prayers intended for the gods?"
The conversation on page 194 about going back (and who should go back and why . . . ) would have been a fascinating conversation to have with my peers when I was a teenager or a young adult. Now it doesn't interest me. It seems pointless.
This comment on page 203 amused me. "I know that to mate with someone without marriage is a repudiation of the community, a refusal to take one's proper role within the society."
It feels liberating to not spend more energy on this book. I have so many others I want to read!
PRMS discard, hardbound, 398 pages
genre: SciFi
Although Card is one of my favorite authors, I have been plowing through this slowly over several months. I'm on page 256, and I've decided to just let it go. I've never been a huge fan of time travel stories and this one is partly fascinating and partly irritating. "Pastwatch" is a technology that allows the watchers to go back in time and observe people and events in the past. Then a watcher realizes that the people being watched can *see* her! This changes everything.
The Christopher Columbus portions of the story - his history, motivations, and beliefs - are interesting, but I wonder how much research Card did and how accurate he is. His sources list at the end is pretty impressive.
A few passages really caught my attention. On page 49, "His words were so confident - yet she felt a dizzying vertigo, as if she stood on the edge of a great chasm, and the ground had just shifted a little under her feet. What sort of arrogance did she have, even to imagine reaching back into the past and making changes? Who am I, she thought, if I dare to answer prayers intended for the gods?"
The conversation on page 194 about going back (and who should go back and why . . . ) would have been a fascinating conversation to have with my peers when I was a teenager or a young adult. Now it doesn't interest me. It seems pointless.
This comment on page 203 amused me. "I know that to mate with someone without marriage is a repudiation of the community, a refusal to take one's proper role within the society."
It feels liberating to not spend more energy on this book. I have so many others I want to read!
Thursday, February 07, 2019
American Heart Association Low-Salt Cookbook (4th edition)
A Complete Guide to Reducing Sodium and Fat in Your Diet
Scott County Library hardcover
genre: cookbook, health
I kept this for so long so I could read all the intro info and try a few recipes. I think I'll just add it to my wish list or Amazon cart and get it back to the library. I believe that I could make a bigger effort to reduce my sodium. I am willing to try new things. This book seems much better than the last one I looked at . . . which I may or may not have blogged about. I think the American Heart Association has more information about heart healthy options. I especially like that there are recipes for seasonings, sauces, soups, etc.
Scott County Library hardcover
genre: cookbook, health
I kept this for so long so I could read all the intro info and try a few recipes. I think I'll just add it to my wish list or Amazon cart and get it back to the library. I believe that I could make a bigger effort to reduce my sodium. I am willing to try new things. This book seems much better than the last one I looked at . . . which I may or may not have blogged about. I think the American Heart Association has more information about heart healthy options. I especially like that there are recipes for seasonings, sauces, soups, etc.
Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose
by Joe Biden
Scott County Library hardcover 206 pages
genre: memoir
I was very interested in reading about Joe Biden's son Beau. Those parts of this book were quite good. The political parts, with speeches, travel, etc. were kind of dull. The topics are quite important, but I was more interested in the personal. It kind of amazes me that I didn't realize Biden had such a major personal tragedy early in his adult life! He lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident that injured his young sons Beau and Hunter. . .
On page 77, when he relates President Obama's concerns about a possible "Biden in 2016" campaign, I put a post-it note. "For one thing, the president recognized the media's increasing appetite for the drama of politics over real policy." How sad it is to look back at that sentiment, now that we have a president who is all about drama over real policy.
Page 95 includes an interchange between Biden and Putin, but I question its veracity.
"Mr. Prime Minister, I'm looking into your eyes," I told him, smiling. "I don't think you have a soul."
He looked at me for a second and smiled back. "We understand each other," he said.
If true, that is simply too creepy. Putin is scary enough without him admitting to having no soul.
Scott County Library hardcover 206 pages
genre: memoir
I was very interested in reading about Joe Biden's son Beau. Those parts of this book were quite good. The political parts, with speeches, travel, etc. were kind of dull. The topics are quite important, but I was more interested in the personal. It kind of amazes me that I didn't realize Biden had such a major personal tragedy early in his adult life! He lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident that injured his young sons Beau and Hunter. . .
On page 77, when he relates President Obama's concerns about a possible "Biden in 2016" campaign, I put a post-it note. "For one thing, the president recognized the media's increasing appetite for the drama of politics over real policy." How sad it is to look back at that sentiment, now that we have a president who is all about drama over real policy.
Page 95 includes an interchange between Biden and Putin, but I question its veracity.
"Mr. Prime Minister, I'm looking into your eyes," I told him, smiling. "I don't think you have a soul."
He looked at me for a second and smiled back. "We understand each other," he said.
If true, that is simply too creepy. Putin is scary enough without him admitting to having no soul.
Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents
by Pete Souza
Scott County Library hardcover 238 pages
genre: photojournalism, politics
I didn't like this book nearly as much as Souza's Obama. I appreciate the juxtaposition of Trump's tweets with Obama's demeanor and behavior, but this wasn't as joyous a book as the first one. I find Souza's late-to-the-game understanding of "shade" to be humorous. I also liked that there were some photos I'd not seen before. It would have been disappointing if it were just a re-hash of what's already been published. Overall, I liked it but wouldn't want to own it.
Scott County Library hardcover 238 pages
genre: photojournalism, politics
I didn't like this book nearly as much as Souza's Obama. I appreciate the juxtaposition of Trump's tweets with Obama's demeanor and behavior, but this wasn't as joyous a book as the first one. I find Souza's late-to-the-game understanding of "shade" to be humorous. I also liked that there were some photos I'd not seen before. It would have been disappointing if it were just a re-hash of what's already been published. Overall, I liked it but wouldn't want to own it.
Saturday, February 02, 2019
Okay for Now
by Gary D. Schmidt
Scott County Library audiobook 8 CDs
read by Lincoln Hoppe
genre: YA historical fiction
Gary D. Schmidt is one of my favorite YA authors! He is amazing - Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, The Wednesday Wars, . . . He is simply phenomenal. I am frustrated, though, at how hard it can be to "sell" his books to today's readers. The era for this one (Vietnam War) is so foreign to today's tweens and teens. So many of the cultural references won't make any sense. The angst, family dynamics, and struggles of main character Doug will still resonate, though.
Doug Swieteck's dad is an angry man. When he moves his family to Marysville, New York, Doug is miserable. His brother Christopher has "a twisted criminal mind" and his oldest brother Lucas is in Vietnam. I don't want to give away spoilers, so I'll just say that it's an amazing story and well worth reading! Lincoln Hoppe's vocal work is exceptional; this is a great listen-to.
Things I want to capture: Mr. "Big Bucks" Ballard, horseshoes, orchids, Lil, Spicer's Deli, deliveries, Mrs. Windermere, Audobon's birds, "skinny delivery boy," Joe Pepitone, the jacket, Jane Eyre, art, reading, school, Coach Swieteck, "so-called" gym teacher, the Dougherty family, . . . The Wikipedia page for this book has images of all the Audobon bird drawings that head the chapters. Fun to look at them!
I would love to find a middle schooler who enjoys historical fiction. I'd recommend all three of Schmidt's books and Ruth Sepetys' as well.
Notes from my car:
Unhappy, angry boy with angry alcoholic dad, two mean older brothers, and sweet, resigned mom.
Why set in this era? Connection to modern kids?
"jerk" "remember" "chump" "I'm not lying" etc. . . . repetition used effectively or too irritating?
Dad is reprehensible!
Scott County Library audiobook 8 CDs
read by Lincoln Hoppe
genre: YA historical fiction
Gary D. Schmidt is one of my favorite YA authors! He is amazing - Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, The Wednesday Wars, . . . He is simply phenomenal. I am frustrated, though, at how hard it can be to "sell" his books to today's readers. The era for this one (Vietnam War) is so foreign to today's tweens and teens. So many of the cultural references won't make any sense. The angst, family dynamics, and struggles of main character Doug will still resonate, though.
Doug Swieteck's dad is an angry man. When he moves his family to Marysville, New York, Doug is miserable. His brother Christopher has "a twisted criminal mind" and his oldest brother Lucas is in Vietnam. I don't want to give away spoilers, so I'll just say that it's an amazing story and well worth reading! Lincoln Hoppe's vocal work is exceptional; this is a great listen-to.
Things I want to capture: Mr. "Big Bucks" Ballard, horseshoes, orchids, Lil, Spicer's Deli, deliveries, Mrs. Windermere, Audobon's birds, "skinny delivery boy," Joe Pepitone, the jacket, Jane Eyre, art, reading, school, Coach Swieteck, "so-called" gym teacher, the Dougherty family, . . . The Wikipedia page for this book has images of all the Audobon bird drawings that head the chapters. Fun to look at them!
I would love to find a middle schooler who enjoys historical fiction. I'd recommend all three of Schmidt's books and Ruth Sepetys' as well.
Notes from my car:
Unhappy, angry boy with angry alcoholic dad, two mean older brothers, and sweet, resigned mom.
Why set in this era? Connection to modern kids?
"jerk" "remember" "chump" "I'm not lying" etc. . . . repetition used effectively or too irritating?
Dad is reprehensible!
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