fuzzi Goes For Her Usual Five Score or More Again in 2018!

I'm in!

My reading is eclectic, and I review EVERY book I read, so do stop by again.

Oh, and I don't "spoil", so read my reviews without fear!

Here's the link to my ticker:




Reading Register 2018 is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/279507#

My first two books/reads of 2018 are both "comfort" rereads, in an effort to jumpstart me out of my reading funk:


#1 The Pride of Chanur by CJ Cherryh
After a recent reread, I still hold to my opinion of this book: an excellent blend of scifi, technology, politics, and culture, from a different universe...yet the characters remain likeable, and believable, despite non-human appearance. The author and this series is superb!


#2 Chanur's Venture by CJ Cherryh
I just re-read this book, again, but can't say how many times I've read it before. Upon this umpteenth read I will affirm it's still a good, intense story of aliens and alien worlds, filled with believable characters and intriguing technical details. Recommended!

Welcome back!

>3 jfetting: thank you!


#3 The Kif Strike Back by CJ Cherryh

Intrigue, action, politics, rescues, firefights, plot twists and turns aplenty, what's not to love?


#4 Chanur's Homecoming by CJ Cherryh

I just completed yet another reread of this, and I still love it. The author writes interesting, real characters, and the worlds they inhabit are filled with other alien species, each with their own well-developed culture. There is plenty to keep the reader riveted: action, politics, suspense, and more. Highly recommended, but read the first three books in the series prior, or you will have a hard time following the plot(s)!

#5 Genesis (King James Bible) a reread of the first book of the Bible, containing familiar stories including but not limited to Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.


#6 Circus by Alistair MacLean
A twisty tale of espionage, with a circus' high-wire artist caught up in the middle of the intrigue. Nicely done, another gripping read from this author.

#7 Tilly and Tank by Jay Fleck
Cute story, with great simple yet appealing pictures. I enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to reading it to my grandchild...BOOM!

#8 Penguin the Magpie: by Cameron Bloom

This book was not what I expected. Instead of a tale of how a bird helped a family, it is more of a philosophical/help book with this family's travails interspersed throughout. I did love the photographs, though.

#9 Racing Manhattan by Terence Blacker (an Early Reviewer selection)

Entertaining story about a young orphan who leaves home to get into the racing business, and finds a misunderstood and mistreated horse that she believes could be a champion: in other words, this is a pony book.

I did feel that the author did a decent job of telling the story in first-person, which is not always done well, and I appreciated the fact that he did not feel it necessary to flood the reader with excess information that was not needed to tell this tale.

#10 A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer

A thoroughly enjoyable Regency about a marriage of convenience, without the breathless and alarming situations of the typical entry in this genre.

It also has deeper characters and situations, but I've come to expect those from this author. I'm keeping this for a later reread.

#11 The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

While this book may appear dated in some ways, the tale and the pictures are timeless. This one goes in the box for my granddaughter!

#12 Gypsy From Nowhere by Sharon Wagner

I appreciate it when I find an author who can write a story that appeals to both a juvenile and an adult audience. The author of Gypsy From Nowhere, Sharon Wagner, appears to be in that category. While set in Montana of more than forty years ago, this tale is timeless, about a young girl who struggles with her feelings of failure and unworthiness, and how through the love of a horse overcomes her doubts. Never preachy, heavy-handed, or overly dramatic, the author strikes a balance that is just right, and left a smile on my face as I finished the last page.

I plan to not only keep my copy of ths book for a later reread, but seek out her other works.

#13 The I Hate To Cook Book by Peg Bracken

A delightful dry and witty look at cooking for those who find kitchen chores less than enjoyable. The book includes recipes for the novice or uninspired cook, household hints, and even a couple pages of equivalent and substitution tables at the back. While written close to sixty years ago, most of this book is not dated.

From her chapter about leftovers ("or every family needs a dog") we read:

"But still you can't quite bring yourself to dispose of it! So you put it in the refrigerator, and there it stays, moving slowly toward the rear as it is displaced by other little glass jars half full of leftover ham loaf and other things. And there it remains until refrigerator-cleaning day, at which time you gather it up along with its little fur-bearing friends, and, with a great lightening of spirit, throw it away."

I'm keeping this one.

#14 Why I Believe the King James Bible is the Word of God by Peter S Ruckman

This is the transcript of a sermon preached back in the 1980's about why the author believes that the King James Bible is the inerrant word of God. He uses scripture and history to back up his beliefs. It's strong meat but so worth it for the serious or questioning Christian.

#15 My Father, My Son by John Pekkanen and Elmo Zumwalt

My Father, My Son is technically not a difficult book, with an easy-to-read style, the author telling the touching story of a military family without delving into detailed discussions about politics, warfare, or military tactics. But once you reach the midway point, the subject segues into the aftereffects of Vietnam, and the consequences of the methods of warfare used in that conflict. A good though sobering read, told through many interviews of the family and friends.

#16 To Be a Logger by Lois Lenski

Written in the 1960s, this "regional series" tale of the loggers, their families, and their communities in the Pacific northwest is more modern than Lois Lenski's other books, but still was a pretty good read. The author researched her subject well, and it shows in her writing: her children are typical youngsters, caught up in the fun of each day...but after their chores are done. There is a little "preachy" feel in this story about what's best for the forests, but never enough to abandon the book.

#17 Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace

We're back with the usual group of friends: Betsy, Tacy, and Tib, and an addition, Winona Root. Winona's father gets complimentary passes to the opera house, so the friends get to go see real plays. Of course, this encourages Betsy's writing habit.

I liked how the author has grown the characters into 12 year olds, starting to see the adult world ahead, but still rooted in childhood fun. There are bobsled parties, shopping expeditions, and an encounter with a horseless carriage! I especially enjoyed Betsy's first trip to a real library, after one is opened in her town, and her reactions to having a world of literature available.

I read this as a child, and enjoyed it just as much, if not more, as an adult read.

#18 Petra by Marianna Coppo

Petra is the story of a mountain, or is it a pebble, or an egg, or ??

I liked the illustrations, but the tale never grabbed my interest, and I felt some of the vocabulary would be beyond a child's understanding.

#19 Corrie ten Boom's Prison Letters by Corrie ten Boom

In this slim volume we are given a glimpse of life within a Nazi prison, told through letters written by Corrie and her sister Betsie. Their crime? Hiding Jews from the Nazis and assisting their escape. This is a good companion to the excellent The Hiding Place, but can also be read as a standalone volume.

>16 fuzzi: I've got to re-read these as an adult now, too. Every time I see you post that you read one it puts a smile on my face.

>19 jfetting: do it! Do it!

The only one I read as a child was the Downtown one. I think in some ways I appreciate the Betsy-Tacy books more as an adult.

#20 The Black Stallion's Courage by Walter Farley

Hopeful Farm is in need of a new barn, and the only way to raise the needed funds is by racing Black Minx, and The Black! Can Alec and Henry keep The Black's daughter in top racing condition after the Kentucky Derby, and also transition The Black from his life at stud to a successful new career as an older handicap racer?

Another good, solid entry in The Black Stallion series.

#21 Exodus (King James Bible) a reread of the second book of the Bible. Most people should be familiar with the Moses story, leading the Jewish ex-slaves from Egypt, through the Red Sea, to the Promised Land. It's not all good, though, as the people tend to whine and complain about everything, and after agreeing to follow God's Commandments, almost immediately forge a golden calf, strip down, dance, and worship an idol. Humans haven't changed much, ha!

#22 Pirate King by Laurie R. King

I am a big fan of this author's Russell/Holmes books, but had not read this particular installment until now. As I read I discovered that the story line did not involve me, and I struggled to keep going. At about the halfway point it was as if the tale suddenly shifted into high gear, taking me for a joy ride. Not one of the better books in this series, but a decent one.

Note: if you've never read any Russell/Holmes volumes I highly recommend you start at the beginning with The Beekeeper's Apprentice, and not in the middle with Pirate King.

#23 Gypsy and Nimblefoot by Sharon Wagner
Nice followup to the author's first Gypsy book, taking place almost immediately afterwards. The people are real, the kids act normal, and the story isn't contrived. Good read for young or old, especially if you like horses!

#24 The Mansions of the Gods by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo

The Romans decide to subdue the last outpost of Gauls by removing the forest and building a luxury block of flats. The contractor and his underlings have a little difficulty removing the trees due to Getafix' magic, but continue to aggravate our "barbarian" friends. Lots of word play, puns, etcetera, and the artwork is fabulous as always. Another fun adventure of Asterix, Obelix, Dogmatix and the gang.

An example of the quality of the artwork:

#25 Laura's Luck by Marilyn Sachs

Laura is a couple weeks shy of turning twelve, and is headed for camp for the first time due to a family crisis. Despite her unhappiness Laura is determined to be a "good sport" but the situation deteriorates until she winds up in the infirmary. Why can't she just enjoy her vacation like her younger sister Amy is doing?

Well done story by an author whose other works I thoroughly enjoy, and this one is not an exception. Like Beverly Cleary, Marilyn Sachs has truly captured childhood and pre-teen angst without subjecting us to all the whining found in other works of this genre.

#26 The Complete Peanuts 1950-1952 by Charles M. Schulz

I really enjoyed reading this book containing the first three years of Peanuts comic strips. Although I'd seen many before in a "selections from" collection there were other strips I'd never read before including: Violet's mudpie baking (she adds eggs and cream), Charlie Brown's first appearance wearing his trademark zigzag shirt, bratty Lucy in her crib, and later on we are treated to the first time Charlie Brown has Lucy hold the football for him.

Schulz' work is timeless despite being almost 70 years old. My copy is from Kindle, but I liked this so much that I might get the hardcover version as well.

#27 Gypsy and the Moonstone Stallion by Sharon Wagner

Wendy and her friends come upon evidence that a horse is living on Wild Horse Island, could it be the Moonstone Stallion of legend? And can the horse be found and rescued before development contractors start blasting sections of the island?

This is a charming story of teens who love and care for horses, and the third in a series.

#28 The Collected Short Stories of Louis L'Amour, Volume 7

Good solid collection of the author's frontier stories with the emphasis on westerns. None of those added to this volume appeared to have been included just to "pad" the collection. And for those who are fans of the Ward McQueen/Tumbling K stories, you'll be pleased to find at the end six tales about him and Kim Sartain.

#29 Counting With Barefoot Critters by Teagan White

The illustrations and rhyme of this book are cute, but not sappy. I really liked how the number of animals on the right side page was the same number of leaves, or flowers, or bugs on the left side. Very nicely done, going straight to my granddaughter!

#30 The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
This has been and remains one of my favorite reads. I have perused Sherlock Holmes stories in the past, and was unimpressed, but Laurie R King takes the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle character and adds dimension, breathes life into a well known detective. She also adds a foil for Holmes, a young girl, orphaned, but independent, a teen with similar wit and mental ability to challenge the great detective to leave retirement in order to apprentice her.

Sounds silly, unrealistic, contrived? Doesn't matter, because it works. And for the hours it takes to finish the book, I am there with the unlikely pair, seeing their faults and strengths, learning to love them for who they are.

Highly recommended.

#31 A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King (reread of a favorite)

We're back with Russell and Holmes in this sequel to The Beekeeper's Apprentice. Russell is busy with studies and research at Oxford, looking forward to attaining her majority and inheritance within a few weeks. Then she meets an old friend, becomes involved with a new organization for women's rights and social support, and finds that her future is headed in a different direction than she'd been planning.

Strong sequel, with enough sleuthing and verbal interchanges between the characters to keep fans of the first book happy.

#32 The Black Stallion Mystery by Walter Farley

Alec and Henry see some yearlings for sale that look as if The Black was their sire, so they jump on a plane to Europe to investigate, and take their prize stud and main money-making racing stallion along? Really?

Much of this entry in The Black Stallion series requires the reader to suspend common sense. I have no plans to ever read it again.

#33 O Jerusalem by Laurie R King

A worthy addition to Laurie R King's Russell/Holmes series, taking place during an interlude of The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I enjoyed how the author wove the characters within post-World War I history, and made the streets and countryside of Palestine come alive in sight, sound, and smell.

#34 Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy is two years older, and heading for high school with old friends and new, exploring new interests, and feeling the effects of attention from young men. I like how religion, principles, and moral courage were interjected to the narrative with a gentle hand, making for a slightly more "grown up" story.

#35 Betsy In Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy visits a friend in Milwaukee, and decides to change herself into a more fascinating persona, with humorous results and only partial success, as the real Betsy keeps rising to the surface.

With each addition to this series, I find myself enjoying it more. The details from this period, a century ago, are intriguing, and add depth to the storyline, such as the porter brushing off Betsy's outer garments before she departs from the parlor car. I loved reading about the immigrant population's Christmas traditions, so similar to my own family's, drawn from my Germanic heritage. This was an entertaining read, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book.

>35 fuzzi: I loved the ones with Betsy in high school. Has she met Joe yet?

>37 jfetting: yes! I read her Junior year book last night, not yet reviewed it, and the next one is Betsy and Joe.

#36 Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace
We're back again with Betsy and her friends. Her older sister Julia has left for "university", and Betsy tries to be more responsible, mature, but her attempts often backfire in ways she never imagined. Still, she's writing again, which is an improvement over last year and her dismal essay contest results. Amusing, touching, even exasperating at times, this book is a keeper.

I love how they roll the carpets back to dance in the living room and eat weird things like onion sandwiches and I love Julia's eventual career path. You're inspiring me - I have to find these books again (I know I keep saying that!)

>40 jfetting: they've been reprinted!

I found most of my copies at a library sale, am missing just a couple in the series. Funny thing is that, as a child, I only read one of them, didn't realize they were a series (pre LT and internet).

#37 Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy is a senior, and has two young gentlemen actively wooing her: her old chum, Tony, and the boy who caught her eye four years before, Joe. She also is looking forward to adulthood with some reflection as to how she should act and what she wants from life. As the previous entries in the series, it's still a joyful book, but with slightly more serious overtones, and the author conveys the emotions and meditations of a seventeen year old quite well.

This series just gets better and better!

#38 Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy is finally doing what she and her friends had talked about for years, going on a tour of Europe. From the cruise boat to the Azores, and to other exotic places such as Algiers, Venice, and Oberammergau, Betsy discovers the Great World she wants to write about, makes new friends, and learns about love.

What really makes this book stand out are the details, the descriptions of the streets and countrysides of her tour. The author based these books on her own life, which explains how we are easily drawn into Betsy's adventures.

#39 The Horse-Tamer by Walter Farley

Forget the last two books in the series, this one reads more like the Walter Farley we've come to appreciate!

The Horse-Tamer begins with Henry and Alec waiting for their plane to depart, and Henry starts talking about his brother, a horse "tamer", not trainer. The remainder of the book is the story of Bill Dailey, and how he managed to retrain vicious or severely unruly equines.

Sounds hokey, but the narrative works, has the elements that usually make Walter Farley a good read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

First Quarter Best and Worst Reads:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/279507#6438039

#40 Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy settles down in marriage, learns to cook, continues to write, and delights us as always.

And with this, the tenth book in the series, we finish the tales of those little girls from Deep Valley, Minnesota of a century ago.

#41 Sergeant York by John Perry

Before I read this biography of Alvin York, I only knew a little about him, that he was a hero of WWI and had won medals for courage.

But Sergeant York was more than that, a man from the backwoods of Tennessee, used to hunting and farming, and had strong principles. After being drafted he filed to be a conscientious objector, not wanting to kill based upon his Christian beliefs, but after prayer he decided that fighting for defense was acceptable.

The first sixty pages is pre-WWI and his return to the USA, and the rest of the book details his work establishing schools for the poor children of the hills who had no access to education. I liked how Alvin York stood by his principles, butting heads with those who wanted to use his name to fill their own pockets, or further their own political careers.

Sergeant York was not perfect, had flaws, and this bio did not hide them, but told his story in a well-balanced way, and without heavy religious themes that might keep non-Christians from reading his story.

#42 Ruth (Bible)
A touching story of a woman who loses everything, except her widowed daughter-in-law who refuses to abandon her.


#43 Covered Wagon Women Volume 2 edited by Kenneth L. Holmes

This is a thoroughly engaging book composed of journals kept by women as they crossed the prairies in 1850, destination California, Oregon, or Salt Lake City. The daily struggles to feed their families and stock, keep their children safe, and assist in all aspects of survival are fascinating to read, and contemplate. I especially enjoyed comparing the descriptions of the same landmarks, like Chimney Rock, by different writers. A map of the routes taken would have been great.

#44 The Valentine Box by Maud Hart Lovelace

While some aspects of this tale are dated, the core story of a shy girl wanting to be friends is timeless, and brought a smile to my face.

#45 The Trees Kneel at Christmas by Maud Hart Lovelace

Charming story of a Syrian family living in post WWII Brooklyn, New York. The title refers to a tale the grandmother tells six-year old Afify and her brother Hanna, about how on Christmas Eve the trees in Syria kneel for the newborn Jesus, and how you can see it if you only have faith enough. Afify decides to see for herself, and plans to visit the park at midnight while everyone is at church.

This author is a winner. I fell in love with her Betsy-Tacy books, but have found other of her works are just as wonderful to read. The children are typical children, and in this particular tale we see a slice of first and second generation immigrants mingling their old world traditions with the new ones of their adopted land. Wonderful read.

#46 Greenville: Images of America by Roger Kammerer

This is a (mainly) picture history of a town close to where I live. I enjoyed seeing the old photos, and reading the captions, but mourned to see how many of the lovely structures of the past had either burned down or been razed. The section on tobacco farming and auctions was fascinating. Recommended if you're interested in history, or seeing historic images of a small town in North Carolina.

#47 Teen-Age Dog Stories edited by David Thomas

I have found that short story collections can be a mixed bag of good, mediocre, and awful tales, but Teen-Age Dog Stories was a pleasant exception to my usual experience with the genre. A couple of the stories included were old favorites from familiar authors, but the others were good enough to make me want to look up other works by their authors. Don't let the title dissuade you from trying this book: the stories within are not juvenile, include more adult themes, though never in a graphic manner.

#48 Kazan: the Wolf Dog by James Oliver Curwood (aka Kazan, Father of Baree)

Kazan is one of those books from the early 20th century that works well as a youth or adult read: there are elements of cruelty, violence, and brief descriptions of a small pox plague and its effects on the inhabitants of northern Canada, but nothing overly graphic. The author, better known for his work The Grizzly King which was made into a popular movie The Bear, displays his literary ability as well as his first-hand knowledge of the subject matter, having lived in the time and places he writes about. Curwood composes better than Jack London, and with less of the societal commentary that drags the telling of the latter author's works such as White Fang. And Curwood was an early advocate for conservation and limiting the unfettered slaughter of animals of his time, and it shows in his writings without being preachy.

This was one of my favorite books of my childhood, and it remains a favorite read some 45 years later.

#49 Under the Sweetwater Rim by Louis L'Amour (reread)

After reading this book again, I have to say that Under the Sweetwater Rim is a little better than the standard "good" Louis L'Amour. All the characters are believable, the plot is interesting, (involving Army payroll), and I found myself rooting for the hero. There are also a couple strong women in the mix, which is not unusual for this author, but always welcome. In some L'Amour novels there's a lot of angst by the protagonist about not being good enough for the love interest, but it's nicely muted here. Good solid read.

#50 Lord of Thunder by Andre Norton

I'm glad that Andre Norton did a sequel to The Beast Master, mainly because I liked the characters, but partly because there were a couple things in the plot that I felt needed to be addressed. Good news is that one item I was wondering about does have a follow-up in this volume, but unfortunately the author again left some unfinished story lines, they're just hanging there. Still, if you like this author, and especially if you liked the first book, I'd say this was worth reading. I'll probably keep it around on my shelves, as some of these books are getting hard to find.

#51 Projects for the Birder's Garden: Over 100 Easy Things That You can Make to Turn Your Yard and Garden into a Bird-Friendly Haven by Fern Marshall Bradley

This would be a good reference book for beginners who are interested in starting a bird garden, as it has plenty of feeder projects, recipes for bird feeding, and other bird-related information included. For those of us who have been watching birds and creating habitats for years, it's pretty elementary stuff, but still worth a look.

#52 Christmas Horse by Glenn Balch

Ben and his family live on a ranch in Idaho, where they breed and raise horses and cattle. It's the only life he has known, but now that he's 14 he has to go to school in Boise, several hours' drive from home.

When he goes home in December, his Christmas present is a 'green broke' horse he had his eye on, to train as his own cow horse. But in a week he has to go back to Boise? How can he train his horse, "Inky", while at school?

Ben does some growing up in this book as he works hard to balance school and the challenge of finding time and money to take care of his horse.

This book is suitable for either adults or juveniles. I read it when I was about 12, but it was just as good as a reread, some 45 years later.

#53 The Dog Who Bit a Policeman by Stuart Kaminsky

Though slower starting than other books in the series, this did finally pick up and I enjoyed the rest of the story. The investigation of dog-fighting included descriptions of the fights, which bothered me even though they were not particularly graphic. Worth reading, but it's best if you've read previous entries in the series.

#54 Year of the Unicorn by Andre Norton

An intriguing telling of a familiar plot: maidens are given to mercenaries as payment for services rendered in battle, but in this version the mercenaries aren't quite human, and only one of the young girls has the ability to see beyond the illusions. Enjoyable but not predictable read.

#55 Anne's Colors by Kelly Hill - (Early Reviewer)

A delightful little book full of colors and patterns, and a wonderful introduction to Anne of Green Gables.

#56 Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley by Marguerite Henry

Cute pony story told partly through diary entries, partly in third person.

#57 Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

I love the wordless story and the illustrations of this book, about a little girl and a wolf pup who both get lost in a snow storm.

#58 John Muir's Wild America by Tom Melham

This is not strictly a biography, as it lets the reader know much more than this famous naturalist's history. The author not only writes about Muir's life and exploits, but follows in his footsteps, climbing the same peaks, walking the same trails, even kayaking down some of the rivers that Muir wrote of. It makes this a more personal and highly enjoyable read. And the many photographs just enhance the experience. Highly recommended.

#59 St. Peter's Fair by Ellis Peters

Another good mystery about Brother Cadfael, with lots of history sprinkled about the story to give it a ring of authenticity. I thought I knew the murderer, then I wasn't sure, then I found out...love mysteries that don't make it too easy to guess. A keeper.

#60 The Black Stallion and Flame by Walter Farley

Fairly standard fare about Alec and The Black, caught in a situation similar to the one that brought them together. I do enjoy how the author writes about their relationship, the rest of the story is okay.

#61 Double Star by Robert Heinlein

An actor is hired to play the part of a missing dignitary, with some predictable and unexpected results.

This is one of the better vintage Heinlein, with plenty of twists and political machinations.

#62 Captain Kidd's Cat by Robert Lawson

In this book the author tells the tale of pirate Captain Kidd through the eyes of his ship's cat, McDermott. Amusing, but with enough real-life events to move this from a child to youth reading category. The illustrations are marvelous, detailed, humorous. Good read, I enjoyed the cat's commentary which is not too "cutsey" as an adult read.

#63 Merchanter's Luck by CJ Cherryh (reread)

Original review from 2011:

I recently read this for the first time, and enjoyed it as I do most of CJ's books. I liked it a lot better than Tripoint.

2018: Upon rereading, I found I had greater appreciation for the nuances of each character's personality in this story. The tragedy in Sander's past also touched me more deeply than I recall from my first read 7 years ago. Very good book.

#64 Hill's End by Ivan Southall

While seven schoolchildren are on a hike in the nearby hills, a freak and severe storm hits, decimating the area. With no adult to advise or guide them they try to make their way home, unaware of what the storm has done to their town as well.

Okay, this one I could NOT put down, stayed up waaaay past my bedtime. A gripping story for youth and adults.

#65 My Recipes Are For The Birds by Irene Cosgrove

Nice little spiral-bound guide to birds and feeders, including recipes. The recipes use some ingredients that either are no longer available (Grape Nuts, All Bran cereals) or not recommended (bread crumbs, honey). I did get some ideas for ingredients to try when I make my suet cakes next autumn.

#66 The Will To Win: the True Story of Tommy Smith and Jay Trump by Jane McIlvaine McClary

Here's another book to add to my "Why didn't I read this before???!" category.

Whether or not you are a fan of horse sports you might enjoy this biography of the rider Tommy Smith, and his mount Jay Trump, who together won the Grand National steeplechase in 1965. The author gives us the high society beginnings of Tommy contrasting with the hard-luck short track racing origin of Jay Trump. It's well-written, interesting, and intriguing enough to keep the reader up past bedtime. I'm keeping this one.

#67 If a Horse Had Words by Kelly Cooper & Lucy Eldridge

Nice illustrations. The text is rather advanced for the intended audience.

#68 Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King

Adequate entry into the Russell/Holmes series, light on sleuthing, reads more like a travelogue. Amusing.

#69 The Lonely Sea by Alistair MacLean

A very good collection of this author's shorter works, most of which are page-turners, aka "don't-turn-off-the-light-yet-I-have-to-find-out-what-happens" type of reads.

And in forty pages MacLean enthralls the reader with the hunt for the Bismarck, and does it so much better than CS Forester could in a full length novel.

I'm keeping this one!

July reads so far:


#70 What In The World Is Wrong With Gisbert? by Jochen Weeber - (ER)

Interesting little book about how a giraffe feels when teased. While it expresses the emotions of being "picked on" fairly well, the "everything is fine now that my friends like me again" ending was a little unrealistic. I thought it would have been better with more of a "I like me for me" moral. Not bad, but not a book I'd give to my granddaughter.


#71 Rebel With a Cause by Franklin Graham - (ROOT)

This book has been sitting around my shelves for sixteen years, recommended to me shortly after I became a Christian...and yet I've avoided reading it for no particular reason I can think of.

That being said, it's a pretty good read, not glossing over nor glorifying Franklin's wild, wild days before he decided to give up rebellion to start following Jesus. The author shows his own flawed nature, while struggling as the son of a famous preacher. I never felt the book was preachy, but more of a journal of this young man's journey into maturity.


#72 The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren

Delightful read about a young girl, her family, and two other families that live in close proximity to each other in the Swedish countryside. I love how the children are real, and the adults aren't treated as buffoons. The author adds some Swedish traditions to the mix that make this book even more special. Now I have to find the other books in the series...


#73 Emily Climbs by LM Montgomery

This volume continues the story of Emily of New Moon. Like many of this author's protagonists Emily is an orphan, though taken to raise by somewhat sympathetic distant relatives. And like Anne of Green Gables, Emily loves to write, though no one seems to understand her creative drive. However, unlike Anne, this installment of the series is mainly told through journal entries.

It's better than other LM Montgomery's works I've read, though not quite as rich and full as her previous Anne series. Overall, I did enjoy reading about Emily and her family, her experiences at a new school, and plan to read the third book in the trilogy. Recommended.

#74 The Black Stallion's Ghost by Walter Farley

Another weird/strange entry into an otherwise enjoyable series: Alec and the Black encounter a haute ecole horse trainer and his grey mare deep in the Everglades, resulting in a supernatural experience. No, just no.

#75 Mollie: The Journal of Mollie Dorsey Sanford

I've read several other diary/journal volumes from the mid 1800s USA, but found this one to be particularly enjoyable. The author started writing down her thoughts and experiences at age 14 when her family moved from Indiana to Nebraska, and continued it into her adulthood, marriage, and beyond. It's not only well-written, literate, but also it sheds more light upon the mores of the time period. The author also includes a few of her own attempts at poetry, which I thought were pretty good. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has a passing interest in history.

I loved the Emily books back in the day - almost better than the Anne of Green Gables books.

>78 jfetting: that's interesting. I prefer Anne, but not by a lot. After I'd posted my review, I went back and read other reviews. Several people mentioned Emily's series being a little darker, aimed at an older audience perhaps.

#76 Knockout Game a Lie?: Awww, Hell No! by Colin Flaherty

Some of us prefer to "stay in our comfort zone", only read those books we're pretty sure we'll like. So I wasn't sure if I wanted to follow a friend's recommendation to read a book about a controversial topic, the "Knockout Game".

This book wasn't easy to read, not due to the writing style, but because the author did such a thorough job to prove the existence of what many "experts" insisted was a myth. Videos, testimonies, pages of footnotes are offered as conclusive evidence, and helped me see the truth behind the political pontificating.

It's not something I want to read again, but I'm glad I exited my comfort zone long enough to read it once.

#77 Hosea (King James Bible)

and

#78 Joel (King James Bible)

These two books of the Bible are considered "minor prophets", not because they're not important, but because they are not long as other prophetic books like Isaiah (66 chapters).

Both Hosea and Joel were called by God to preach repentance, to remind the people of their sins and the need to turn back to their Creator.

Wonderful examples of God's patience are included.

#79 Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

This was a classic that I'd missed reading for over five decades but determined to attempt this year. It was an enjoyable read, believable, and kept my interest throughout the tale.

#80 The Moor by Laurie R. King (fourth in the Russell/Holmes series)

I first read this mystery back about 2009, so I decided a reread and review was in order. I'm so glad I did.

The mystery itself is interesting, well-written, but what always impresses me with this particular series is the characters and how they relate to one another. The people are believable, the area/background is accurate, the period is well-researched. Definitely recommended, but be sure to read the books in order!

#81 Sackett's Land by Louis L'Amour

The date is about 1600, and small landholder Barnabas Sackett dreams of going to the new world to seek his fortune. How he handles hostile natives, pirates, and the wilderness makes for an entertaining first book in the Sackett series.

#82 Mistress Masham's Repose by T.H. White

An amusing tale of an orphaned heiress who tries to hide a settlement of tiny people from her heinous guardians' greedy grasps. As with previous works, the author uses dry humor throughout the story and obscure references to elicit a chuckle. Definately a read for a more subtle audience.

#83 The Black Stallion and the Girl by Walter Farley

I changed my mind...

Sometimes when I've read a childhood favorite, it remains a favorite, but more often it loses something in revisiting. Frequently I regret rereading a story, once so beloved, but now become tarnished. I never considered The Black Stallion and the Girl as a favorite, so I approached my reread with less than high hopes for a change in feelings.

And yet, they were there.

With the addition of a new trainer to Hopeful Farm we are once again treated to not only schooling methods and daily care of thoroughbred horses, but also shown the racing world struggling with changes to its long held domination by men. The author explores the inroads women were making into the sport at the time this book was written, some fifty years ago, done with a fairly deft hand, much more realistic than agenda-driven. And through it all Walter Farley shines in his details of the jockey rooms, the paddocks, the announcer's booth, even the starting gates so central to it all.

While I would not place this with the best of the series, it's close. Don't judge this book by its cover, or title.

#84 Back to God's Country by James Oliver Curwood

As a youth I read a book by James Oliver Curwood about a wolf-dog cross and loved it. As an adult I have not only rediscovered and delighted in the animal tales by this author, but have also enjoyed his other works, including this collection of short stories. It's a keeper.

In Back to God's Country we read about people and situations of one hundred years ago, in some of the most inhospitable regions and conditions imaginable. While many of the people are similar in nature (fur trappers, hunters, Mounties, etc.), the stories are individual tales of love, hate, desire, will, and despair. And they are all good reads, every one of the stories in this book is engaging, which is unusual in most short story collections I have read in the past.

If you've never read anything by this author before, I believe this book might be a good place to discover a writer who is underappreciated for his works. And I hope you enjoy his written words as much as I have.

#85 Kings I (King James Bible)

#86 Kings II (King James Bible)

These books tell the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, and don't pull their punches. While there are some good kings, there are some really nasty characters who leave the God of their fathers to worship idols, and engage in child sacrifice. Lots of life lessons can be found in these histories.

#87 Too Much! Not Enough! by Gina Perry

Bright colorful pictures are the highlight of this book, but the opposite concepts might be difficult for a young child to comprehend.

One of my reading challenges in August was to read a book with "mountains" in the story. So, I decided to read the Sackett Series challenge September book a little early...


#88 To the Far Blue Mountains by Louis L'Amour

In this sequel to Sackett's Land we find our protagonist trying to escape his native England in order to return to the American wilderness that he loves. On the way he makes friends, defeats enemies, and has several adventures.

I liked this installment a little better than the first, but both are enjoyable and engaging reads.

#89 I Chronicles (King James Bible)

I've often felt that 1st and 2nd Chronicles were companion books to 1st and 2nd Kings, but they really aren't. 1 Chronicles starts from the beginning with Adam, and lists the people and kings over the years, including most of their progeny. It does impart some familiar history that has already been recorded in 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings, but in more of a technical nature. There is a lot of numbering of people in this book, and laying out who was going to fulfill what task in the temple, sort of a blueprint for service to God. 1 Chronicles doesn't read like personal history as much as the previous chapters of the Bible.

#90 Emily's Quest by LM Montgomery

A satisfying continuation of the Emily trilogy, focusing on her writing aspirations as an adult.

#91 The Simplicity of Salvation by Peter S. Ruckman

A short sermon about how the Bible teaches the simplicity of coming to Christ/becoming born again, including examples of the convoluted thinking that keeps people from God. Good and short and to the point.

#92 II Chronicles (King James Bible)

A continuation of the history of the Jewish people. The inability to stay on a moral path seems to be a universal trait, shown by their apostasy and revival cycles repeated throughout this book.

#93 Ezra (King James Bible)

This book tells the story of how Cyrus the king of Persia was moved to let the dispersed Jews return to their homeland and rebuild their temple. It's a sad but also joyful book of how the people return to rubble and begin cleaning up, crying tears of joy when the foundation of their new temple is completed.

#94 Nehemiah (King James Bible)

This book continues the story of how the dispersed Jews had returned to their homeland and how, led by Nehemiah, rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Despite the lies and deceit of certain people trying to stop the Jews from rebuilding, the wall and gates are completed, and the people start living according to their laws again...though with some difficulty as always. Human nature hasn't changed a bit.

#95 Esther (King James Bible)

Esther is one of my favorite stories from the Bible. A young Jewish orphan is chosen by the king to be his new queen, but she does not reveal her heritage. When the king's counselor Haman decides to use his influence to have all of the Jews destroyed, Esther must weigh her own life against those of her people.

#96 Bilbo's Last Song by JRR Tolkien, illustrations by Pauline Baynes

What a delightful read this was, though the best part was the illustrations by Pauline Baynes, the same artist whose sketches adorned the original Narnia books. I especially liked how she told the story of The Hobbit at the bottom of each page while still illustrating Bilbo's final poem above, in the main portion. Nice little book.

#97 The Patchwork Cat by Nicola Bayley and William Mayne

When my children were small, my mother gave them this book as a gift. I recall we all loved reading it, but as often happens, it got lost somewhere, sometime over the years. So I was very pleased to get the opportunity to reread and re-love the story of Tabby and her patchwork quilt bed, and to enjoy the wonderful illustrations. A keeper.

#98 Hot-air Henry by Mary Calhoun

Henry wants to ride in the hot-air balloon, but the mean man won't let him get close. So Henry tries to stowaway but winds up soloing in the balloon, higher and higher. Fun story, great illustrations, and a good companion to this author's other works.

#99 The Black Stallion Legend by Walter Farley

Not worth the paper it's printed on, seriously. Go back and reread the first five or so entries in the series and be content.

And here it is...#100!


#100 Locked Rooms by Laurie R King

I love this book, I've read it more than once, twice, maybe even more than thrice. The author does a fantastic job of not only giving us a twisty plot, but also developing the characters even more so, beyond the previous installments of the series. I don't think there is anything I can fault in this one.

Congratulations!!!

>103 jfetting: thanks!

#101 Job

This is supposedly the oldest book in the Bible, taking place before Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. Job is a righteous man, but finds himself stricken by tragedy and illness. Three friends come to comfort him but wind up saying Job's troubles must be due to something he's done, that he's being punished by God. Sound familiar?

God finally shows up and we learn a bit about His mercy and our own self-righteousness. Not boring, a solid read with plenty of lessons for us to learn.

Congrats!

Congratulations!

>106 swimmergirl1: and >107 pamelad: thanks!

Onward...


#000 Behold Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer

I decided to read this, as I have loved other books by this author.

The characters were uninteresting, despicable, and I gave up after trying several time to finish it. Sorry, life is too short and there are too many books waiting to be read to waste time on something I don't like.

#102 The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack

I recently found a hardcover copy of this book to give to my granddaughter, so of course I had to reread it! And it holds up very well from my childhood recollections.

Ping is a little yellow duck who lives with his extended family on board a boat, with daily forays along the shore to forage for tasty bits. One day Ping "misses the boat" and finds himself alone for the first time.

The story is simple but not boring, about a topic that young children are familiar with: getting lost. And the illustrations reflect the simplicity of the story, richly colored by one of my favorite artists, Kurt Wiese. I'll keep my copy until I can share it with my granddaughter.

#103 Psalms

Probably the best-loved and most frequently read book of the Old Testament, and of the entire Bible. There are 150 psalms, some very long (Psalm 119 has 176 verses) and others just a few verses in length. Psalms are songs, poetry, and for many people, a comfort or spiritual blessing. And though they were originally intended as religious reading, many expressions such as "...though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." will be familiar to a secular reader.

#104 Gunman's Rhapsody by Robert B Parker

I recently discovered the works of Robert B Parker, and I believe I'm hooked...

Gunman's Rhapsody is a retelling of Wyatt Earp's time in Tombstone, and a good one at that. The author writes dialogue that sounds like real-life conversations, and his characters are interesting, flawed, though likable. This was my third western by this author, and I plan to read more from his plethora of published works.

#105 The Warrior's Path by Louis L'Amour

Well-written addition to the Sackett series, with Kin Ring taking the leading role as he and his brother Yance search for a couple young girls taken hostage, supposedly by members of the Pequot tribe.

#106 My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen

This is a delightful collection of stories about the dogs that the author has known and loved. It made me smile, and chuckle several times. Highly recommended for dog lovers, but worth reading by anyone.

#107 Champion Dog Prince Tom by Jean Fritz and Tom Clute

What a fun reread this was, a book from my childhood that was just as good some fifty years later.

Based upon a true story, this is the tale of a cocker spaniel that was born a runt, and overlooked because of his size. However he went on to win championships in both obedience events and field (hunting) trials. A pure joy to read.

#108 Ecclesiastes
An elderly king who has had everything he ever wanted grouses about how it never made him truly happy, that he can't see what good it all was in the end. A humanistic look at life, with a thought-provoking summary in the last two verses. Not an easy book to read, but definitely one containing ideas and situations with which we all can identify as we get older.

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#109 Song of Solomon
A love song, poem, with many beautiful lines that are still part of commonly-known and used phrases. For the Christian this book has underlying themes that describe the love of God for His children, His church. Also not an easy read, but worthwhile.

#110 The Two Mrs. Abbotts by D.E. Stevenson

In this third book in the Miss Buncle series we have moved forward in time to England during World War II. Miss Buncle, now Abbott, is a mother with two typical tykes but remains the same delightfully confused individual from the past. However, in The Two Mrs. Abbotts we get to know her niece Jerry much better, and we follow the trials they all face due to the military conflict. This is a welcome addition to the other two Buncle stories as it is full of subtle, dry humor, and plenty of character development. Recommended.

#111 Peter Pan by JM Barrie

Maybe I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd read it as a child, but as an adult I found it just annoyed me, tremendously, especially the character of Peter. I think this is one case in which the Disney adaption was better than the source. Seriously.

#112 Pony Club Team by Josephine Pullein-Thompson

This is the second book in a series about children and ponies and it's quite enjoyable. I appreciate how the author is able to write "children" so well without getting into the usual stereotypes. As a non-rider, I did get lost a little when they were describing their dressage lessons but that didn't take away from the story itself.

#113 The Puppy Sister by S.E. Hinton

Nick wants a brother or sister, but his parents get him a puppy. As much as he likes his new pet, Nick keeps wishing Aleasha were human, his sister...and so does Aleasha, with humorous results. Fun story, great illustrations.

Assignment in Eternity by Robert A. Heinlein
#114 This is an early Heinlein that should appeal to lovers of the genre, or lovers of Heinlein. I really liked the first story which turned out to be a forerunner to one of my favorite Heinlein books, Friday, but the rest in the collection were just okay.

#115 Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

Adam is an eleven year old son of a minstrel, and training to follow in his father's footsteps. While out on the road Adam's dog is stolen, and then he and his father become separated. Alone in thirteenth century England Adam uses his wits and talents to not only survive, but to locate both his father and his dog.

This book deserves its Newbery Metal, as an extremely well-written, believable, and exciting story for all ages.

#116 Isaiah
This Old Testament book contains 66 chapters, the same number as the books in the AV Bible. Recurring themes in Isaiah are the apostasy of God's people, their wickedness, but also God's repeated offer of forgiveness, and His longsuffering (patience) towards all. I noted many, many references to the Lord's salvation to any and all who come to Him, and that the Lord God is the only true God; other gods that are worshipped are mere idols.

Even a casual reader will recognize passages that have been used in English secular literature and lyrics.

Where does the time go?

Third Quarter Best Reads (and Worst): July to September

I had a bunch of good "new" reads, but nothing rated higher than 4 stars...

4 Star Reads

Mollie: The Journal of Mollie Dorsey Sanford
Back to God's Country by James Oliver Curwood
The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
The Simplicity of Salvation by Peter S Ruckman
Bilbo's Last Song by JRR Tolkien (illustrated edition)

4 Star Rereads
The Moor by Laurie R King
The Patchwork Cat by Nicola Bayley

5 Star Reads (all rereads)

Books from the King James Bible: Hosea, Joel, Kings I & II, Chronicles I & II, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ester, Job
Locked Rooms by Laurie R King

Stinkers

The Black Stallion Legend by Walter Farley
Behold Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer

#117 Brimstone by Robert B. Parker

Another good tale told by an author who I have added to my favorites' list. Parker manages to paint his pictures and flesh out his plot with very brief descriptions and terse dialogue, and I intend to continue to read his works. Recommended, but first read the prior two books in the series.

#118 Mrs. Mike by Nancy Freedman and Benedict Freedman

A "just one more chapter before turning off the light and going to bed" type of book, full of location details and human relationships within the pages. It never was boring, often touched my heart, and kept my interest for the entire read.

#119 Jubal Sackett by Louis L'Amour

Jubal heads west from North Carolina for the far blue mountains that fascinated his father, Barnabas. On his journey he meets friend and foe, and overcomes numerous physical obstacles.

This was my first L'Amour read, and remains one of my favorites.

#120 Cuddled and Carried by Dia L. Michels and Mike Speiser

Lovely illustrations, but some of the words used, like "nurtures", may be hard to explain to a young child.

#121 Tawny by Thomas C Hinkle

Feared for his size, wild-born Tawny is assumed to be a cattle killer. After being wrongfully accused of slaughter actually done by wolves, he winds up being hunted unmercifully by the ranchers. Despite his fear of men, the huge dog comes to trust a young cowboy, but with a huge bounty on Tawny's head will anyone listen to the truth before shooting?

Hinkle writes a ripping good tale, and has a way of putting the reader inside the story. I also appreciated his descriptive passages, none of which slowed down the exciting narrative.

#122 The Leper of St. Giles by Ellis Peters

Adequate entry into the series. Cadfael was his usual curious self, but I guessed WhoDunIt early on.

#123 Tacey Cromwell by Conrad Richter

Conrad Richter has a way of totally immersing the reader in the time and circumstances of the past, and he does so again fairly well with Tacey Cromwell. Portions of the narrative that take place in the poor section of town reminded me of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. However, unlike most of the other books I've read by this author I was not entirely engaged and felt that the ending was a little hurried, lacked closure. I'd still recommend this but have no plans for a reread.

#124 The Radney Riding Club by Josephine Pullein-Thompson

Henry asks Noel to visit with his family over the summer, and together they decide to start a riding club of their own. Advertisements attract a variety of riders, all different ages and types, so each club day is anything but boring! While I do not understand some of the equestrian lingo, I still enjoyed the situations and personalities of the club members.

#125 Thundering Hooves edited by Christine Pullein-Thompson

Most short story collections I have read have been a mixed bag of good and awful, but this collection was a delight. The author/editor included works by several authors I was unfamiliar with, and only one story which I disliked, a chapter from Animal Farm (which I'd previously read). Recommended to horse-lovers and others who just like a good short story collection.

#126 The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters

Another good comfy mystery with Brother Cadfael, taking place in the winter of 1139. I appreciate how the author weaves history and culture of the time into the story without being obvious. This particular entry into the series was a tad better than the last, with the murderer not being obvious until revealed, which I appreciated.

I didn't intend to reread this one, but it just happened, ha! My review from five years ago is below.


#127 Jump-shy by Joan Houston

Some books read as a youth can stay vivid in the mind. For me, Jump-shy was one of those, a story that I reread repeatedly, until at one point it was lost, and no longer a part of my library. I have recently acquired another copy of this sweet and charming story, and discovered that the years have been kind...it transcends the years between childhood and middle age, and remains on my favorite list.

Tam and her older sister Cynnie are spending the summer with their uncle in Vermont, which means riding lessons! Cynnie has worked hard at her horsemanship, and is rewarded with her own dressage horse. But Tam likes the older neglected and mistreated Merlin, once a champion jumper, but now a ruined "jump-shy" horse. She and the stable hand Steve concoct a plan to reteach Merlin how to jump again, so her uncle will buy him for her own.

Nice story, good characters, and lots of humor. Recommended.

#128 Time For the Stars by Robert Heinlein

Thoroughly enjoyable older SciFi story that omits technology details that would have dated it. Think I might keep this one for a reread.

#129 One Day Event by Josephine Pullein-Thompson

The next installment of the young pony crowd, with the usual foibles and bickering. The kids are real, and I'm learning about dressage and cross country riding without having been on a horse more than once or twice in my life! Enjoyable.

#130 Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein

One of the better books by this author, a tale of a teen's fight for survival in the wilds of a remote planet. One evening I read past my usual bedtime, not wanting a pause in the story. Definitely recommended.

#131 Pony Club Camp by Josephine Pullein-Thompson

And so we come to the final book in this enjoyable series. The Major has decided to have a week-long camp for pony club riders. Henry and Noel are put in charge of most of the activities, and despite the usual silliness and fussing amongst the younger members, an enjoyable time is held by all.

I'm no equestrienne, have virtually no experience with live horses, so some of the activities and terminology in this and the other books was new to me. It didn't matter, though, because the technical aspects of the story weren't the focus, the characters were, from pretentious and bossy Christopher, to annoyingly selfish Margaret, or clueless Joy. And the author let you see the growth and maturing of these typical young teens throughout the five books.

I plan on rereading the series again, and recommend them as a not-too-serious diversion for even the unhorsed adult reader such as myself.

#132 Roger Zelazny's Visual Guide to Castle Amber by Roger Zelazny, Neil Randall, and Todd Cameron Hamilton

A nice companion to the Amber series complete with blueprints of Castle Amber and overviews of all the characters. Recommended for fans.

#133 Ride the River by Louis L'Amour

Mountain gal heads to the city to pick up an inheritance left by a friend of the family. She meets with trouble and danger from those who will stop at nothing to take her money, and possibly her life.

I enjoyed this addition to the Sackett series, and would have liked reading more about Echo and her family.

#134 Waldo & Magic, Inc by Robert Heinlein

I read the first half of this book, but found the characters only mildly interesting, the plot banal, and the added supernatural "magic" aspects poorly done. Not even close to a decent Heinlein imo.

#135 Blue-eyed Devil by Robert B Parker

Another entertaining installment in the Cole and Hitch series. The characters and dialogue raise this author's additions to the genre high above the average western. Recommended, but read them in order.

#136 The Four Graces by D.E. Stevenson

In this fourth and last of the Miss Buncle series we are focused mainly on the local minister Mr. Grace and his four unwed daughters. I found this book a little slow to grab my attention, but it finally did and I enjoyed the rest of my read. I was just a little disappointed that Miss Buncle does not appear in the narrative, although she is mentioned in passing. Worth reading, especially if you enjoy other books by this author.

#137 Prince Valiant, Vol. 5: 1945-1946 by Hal Foster

After a year waiting for this installment to be reprinted I was finally able to find out what happens to an angry Prince Valiant and the woman he refers to as a sorceress, the queen of the Misty Isles, who Val blames for the death of a friend.

Foster's illustrations are a delight, and the storyline is quite good, too.

#138 Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour

Set during the Cold War era, Last of the Breed is the story of a US Air Force pilot who is captured by Soviet agents and imprisoned in Siberia. The authorities intend to extract information from Lt. Joseph Makatozi regarding technical secrets using any method available, including torture. However, “Mack” does not cooperate, but escapes into the wilds of Siberia as winter approaches. He uses his survival skills to not only stay alive, but keep a jump ahead of the best Russian trackers available. As the weeks and months pass, Mack finds himself reverting to become a warrior, with a mindset much like one of his Sioux and Cheyenne ancestors.

Hard to put down, this one will remain on my shelves for a future reread.

Fourth Quarter Best Reads
First time reads

Mrs Mike by Benedict Freedman
Tawny by Thomas Hinkle
Thundering Hooves by Christine Pullein-Thompson
Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein
Prince Valiant, Vol. 5: 1945-1946 by Hal Foster
Album of Horses by Marguerite Henry


None


None

Rereads

Jump-shy by Joan Houston


Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour
Jubal Sackett by Louis L’Amour


None

Best of 2018 (work-in-progress)

First time reads

Circus
I Hate to Cook Book
My Father My Son
Corrie ten Boom's Prison Letters
Laura’s Luck
The Complete Peanuts 1950-1952
Betsy In Spite of Herself
Betsy and Joe
Betsy and the Great World
Betsy’s Wedding
The Valentine Box
The Trees Kneel at Christmas
Anne’s Colors
Wolf in the Snow
Hills End
The Will to Win
The Lonely Sea
The Children of Noisy Village
Mollie: The Journal of Mollie Dorsey Sanford
Back to God's Country
The Simplicity of Salvation
Bilbo's Last Song
Gunman's Rhapsody
Adam of the Road
Mrs Mike
Tawny
Thundering Hooves
Tunnel in the Sky
Prince Valiant, Vol. 5: 1945-1946 by Hal Foster


Counting With Barefoot Critters
John Muir's Wild America


Why I Believe the King James Bible is the Word of God

Rereads

Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown
The Black Stallion's Courage
O Jerusalem
Kazan
Christmas Horse
The Moor
The Patchwork Cat
The Story About Ping
Champion Dog Prince Tom
Jump-shy


Chanur’s Venture
The Kif Strike Back
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
Jubal Sackett
Last of the Breed


The Pride of Chanur
Chanur’s Homecoming
Genesis (King James Bible)
Exodus (King James Bible)
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
Ruth (King James Bible)
Hosea (King James Bible)
Joel (King James Bible)
King I (King James Bible)
Kings II (King James Bible)
Chronicles I (King James Bible)
Chronicles II (King James Bible)
Ezra (King James Bible)
Nehemiah (King James Bible)
Esther (King James Bible)
Job (King James Bible)
Locked Rooms
Psalms (King James Bible)
Ecclesiates (King James Bible)
Song of Solomon (King James Bible)
Isaiah (King James Bible)

#139 Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey (reread)

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#140 Album of Horses by Marguerite Henry

A delightful overview of different horse breeds with gorgeous illustrations by Wesley Dennis.

#141 Dog Days by Joyce Stranger

This is the fifth in a series of books by Joyce Stranger about dogs, their training, and also filled with remininsces about her life experiences with critters of all sorts. Another gem by an author who knows animals so well.

2019 challenge is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/301211#6673976