Whisper1 (Linda) Thread #4 of 2018

This is our Sheltie Lilly who loves the snow! We had an unexpected storm in November, and it was difficult to get her to come inside.
And now, December is here with the time of cold, a time of inconveniences of shoveling snow and a time of beauty as nature proves that the difficulties are worth the spellbinding joy of the feel of a soft blanket, the taste of a warm cup of tea and the love of a book in hand.

BOOK NUMBER 85


Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

This book received many honors, including the 2015 Michael Printz award, a National Book Award Finalist, and one of the top ten best fiction for Young Adults Top Ten.

Few can write magic realism and make it work as well as Alice Hoffman or Sarah Addison Allen, yet Laura Ruby was successful in making this work in Bone Gap.

While at times the plot seemed somewhat convoluted, I stayed with the book, and I'm glad I did. Bone Gap is a small town, one in which everyone knows each other. And, as usual, small towns have their noisy neighbors, their near-do-wells, and a smattering to those who try to rise above the fray and all that is stifling about small-town life.

The book begins with the disappearance of Rosa who left the town as mysteriously as she entered. Finn saw the abduction, but cannot recall the details. Finn is known by many names throughout the town, most of them dealt with his inability to stay on track.

We follow the story of Finn who hears the corn talk to him in his rural setting, who allows the nasty Rude brothers to pick on him and beat him up, and we also know that Finn has a gift of understanding people. He knows his brother loves Rosa, but he is to afraid to try to find herr.

As Finn finds a love of his own and in this strength learns his abilities to face what seems impossible to rescue his brother's love. Only Finn can rescue Rosa, and it is a very difficult task. As the magic both prevents and aids him.

Three and 1/2 stars!

Happy new thread Linda my dear, hope you and Will are both well and getting ready for the festive season. We have been busy today and Karen has finished the tree off and so all the decorations in the house are done now.

Sending love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.

Happy new thread!

Thank you John and Anita!

All good wishes to you and yours!

BOOK #86


First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Sarah Addison Allen is a queen of magic realism. She and Alice Hoffman weave spells so very rich and enticing. With wonderful, soft images, we learn of the Waverly sisters, Sydney and Claire, who follow the Waverly tradition of being known for their excentricities in the small college town of Boscom, North Carolina.

An Apple tree that blossoms in the fall instead of the spring, candy that is made using lavender and lemon verbena, children wished for and children received, friendships that bloom, as the air is filled with expectation.

This was a wonderful journey of mystery and soft, wonderful images that left me longing for more pages. That is the beauty and artistry of Addison Allen, while reading the pages, hoping to learn what is next around the bend, I hate for the book to end.

No amount of description could suffice to explain this magical book. Read it and enjoy!

Four Stars!

Happy new thread, dear Linda.

Happy New Thread, Linda! Hooray for Lilly!

Happy new thread, Linda!

I hope you are nicely cuddled up inside and Lilly enjoys some snow outside.

>7 PaulCranswick: HI Paul. I am truly amazed at the scope of the projects you oversee. How do you find time to read?
>8 msf59: Mark. Good to hear from you. Harmonic convergence is in the air. I went through a pile of my books, four of them were ones from your threads.
>9 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Lilly loves the cold outside so much that we fear she will get arthritis. She loves to sit on the ground and look at the birds and squirrels. Will and I think that we will curtail some of the outside time especially when it is so cold.
I love to visit your threads, particularly when you go to a museum and post the images!

Happy New Thread, Linda! Love the pic of Lilly in the snow. I confess that I'm glad that it's you and Lilly and not May and I dealing with it.
Keep reading and posting!!!!

>11 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I think of you and your mother daily. I admire all you do for her in meeting her needs.

Regarding Lilly, I've always had a pet throughout my life. She truly is one of, if not the best dog I've ever had. She is very attached to Will. Now that I am home during the day, I note how much she loves him. She sits outside of the bedroom door every morning. When she hears him stir she begins to bark and spin around in a circle. Only he can take her out in the morning. Though I try, she prefers that he do this. He likes to read at the kitchen table. Lilly can be found under the table, lying across the top of his feet.

She loves me also, and puts her head on my books when I am reading so that I will stop and rub her ears. Shelties are a breed known for their loyalty to family. They are barkers. I swear that if someone broke in the house, she would follow them escorting from room to room barking while waiting for a pet on her head.

I hope your Christmas time is special. I send all good wishes for a wonderful 2019.

CURRENTLY READING

Happy new thread, Linda!

I have a kitty who loves to go out in rain and snow - we have a kitty door so she comes and goes at will. We keep towels handy during 'weather' because we never know how wet she'll be when she comes in.

the spellbinding joy of the feel of a soft blanket, the taste of a warm cup of tea and the love of a book in hand You've got that pegged, although for me it's coffee.

Hi, Linda. Happy New Thread!

Did you finish First Frost? What did you think? I've read all of hers; it's been a while since we've had a new one from her. She survived what must have been a scary period of breast cancer, if I remember correctly. Lost Lake was the first one she wrote after that.

Happy new thread!

>14 karenmarie: Hi Karen

I really wish we could own a cat. Will's copd kicks in around cat fur. I'm always very careful to brush Lilly every day. But, a dog and a cat sadly would not be possible.

All good wishes for a wonderful holiday!

>15 jnwelch: Hi Joe. I finished First Frost and I hated it to end. Each page was beautifully rendered. My goal is to read all of her books. I own a lot, but need to find others. She did mention at the end of this book that she was cancer free for the last three years. Breast cancer is so frightening. A very good fried who lives in Iowa called to say that her 50 year old daughter was just diagnosed with cancer in both breasts. My heart went out to Sue, not only because she very much loves her daughter, but 25 years ago, she lost her husband to cancer. I wish I was there with her to hug her, as I was able to do when her husband lost his life.

Thanks so much for your frequent visits to my thread. I deeply appreciate it!

>16 drneutron: Hello there Jim! All good wishes for a wonderful holiday to you and yours.

My order from Bookoutlet.com arrived today. It felt like an early Christmas present as like a child, I tore through the box to hold each one.

Here is what I ordered with the gift certificate from my co-workers when I retired:

Happy new thread, dear Linda!! That's quite a book haul there. Isn't it lovely to wake up on a snowy morning and know you don't have to get out and drive in it, be somewhere at an inflexible time, and can just stay in and read some of those wonderful books?

>18 Whisper1: Hi Roni. Yes, that is one of the primary things I love about retirement. Mornings are always more difficult with the levels of pain higher. It is wonderful to take my time getting started. I'm trying very hard not to be obsessed with the housework. Will has a good grasp on that. I simply cannot see a dirty floor and walk away, or see the carpet with the leaves and misc. dirt that Lilly drags in. I really do have to remind myself if I do all the housework, I might feel badly about Will's looking the other way. He is such a wonderful guy, and I pray that I can focus on all the good things. Most of the time I'm ok with it. Mainly, I simply nicely ask him if he can help with a certain chore. I'll tell him I will run the sweeper, and perhaps he can fold the wash. He always agrees.

How is Christmas in California for you?

>18 Whisper1: Wow, those books look great! What a wonderful gift from your colleagues! I know you will enjoy every one of them!

>18 Whisper1: What a great haul, Linda!!!! I see several titles that I need to investigate further. 1944 appeals because it was my birth year but not for 600+ pages. You should be busy for quite some time!
I love to hear about Lilly and Will. I wish I could pass along some of my tolerance of mess; I guess I'm a real book slut. I could also use some of your clean genes. Whichever - YAY RETIREMENT!!!!!

>18 Whisper1: Wow! What a book haul! That should keep you busy, for at least a little while. : )

Love Lilly in the topper! Happy new thread.

Great book haul :) Have a fantastic weekend!

>18 Whisper1: Wow, what a great collection, Linda. I loved Grief Cottage, The Bones of Paradise, and The Gap of Time.

Oh, and happy new thread.

Oh, I missed that there‘s a new thread up and wondered why the old one wasn‘t moving. Happy New Thread and Happy Sunday, Linda! And what a great book haul!

No snow here and there won‘t be any for a while, so the house cat (my neighbors’ who sometimes comes for a short visit and who I feed when they’re away) stays dry and happy. But all around us it‘s snowing/ raining heavily today. Merano in winter often is the one sunny gap in Italy.

Just checking in, lovey!

Love the photo of Lilly in the snow!!

>18 Whisper1: What a wonderful collection!

>21 Dianekeenoy: Hi There Diane. I read two of them already. I am really going to try to read a few from the book hauls before moving along. And, I am going to try to bring only one or two books home from the library in 2019. I love Bookoutlet.com. I find very interesting books there at a great price. Merry Christmas my dear friend!

>22 LizzieD: 1944 is your birth year! It is also Will's birth year. How about that! He will be 74 December 27th. I will be in Ohio with my daughter and family. But will return on the 28th and we will celebrate. Regarding tolerance of mess, I really am so much better than my mother in that regard. She was a clean, neat freak. Obsessively, everything had a place and had to stay there. When my sisters and I played with our cut out paper dolls, we had to carefully cut all scraps and place them in a paper bag. I vowed never to be like her, and I like things neat, but I will not be as compulsive as she was. Merry Christmas Dear One!!!

>23 Berly: I had the Bookcloseout.com card in my hands for one week. I simply had to spend it. It really was a special gift from co-workers who know about my reading compulsion and my desire to accumulate books. If you haven't visited Bookoutlet.com, I highly recommend it:

https://bookoutlet.com/

>24 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Thanks for stopping by. I head out to Dayton, Ohio on Friday to spend Christmas with my family. I pray that I won't be spending an entire day in an airport. That happened the last two years I traveled home.

>25 BLBera: WOW Beth, you read three of those I purchased. I am impressed. Now, I'm not sure which to read next.

>26 Deern: Hi Natalie. I do hope that snow will stay away on Friday. Traveling in bad weather is a very difficult thing to do.

>27 alcottacre: Hi Dear, Sweet Stasia! Merry Almost Christmas. I'm glad that you now have a job wherein you don't have to work Christmas day!

>28 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. Lilly loves the snow. The more snow, the better. If we don't let her outside even for a little bit, she sits at the door and whines and does her sheltie talk. Shelties sometimes make noises as though they are actually talking.

BOOK #87

I decided to put aside Lost Lake and tackled a few of my new acquisitions. I read


Mrs. Hemingway by Naomi Wood

I'll look for more books by this author. This one was excellently written. Ernest Hemingway had four wives. He accumulated them like stars in the sky, looking on the horizon to see the brightest among many. He plucked another woman before letting go of the previous one.

He was a cad, a charmer, a person who most likely thought he was sincere, yet he was far from that! Hadley Richardson was his Paris wife who was with him when he hung along the glamours Fitzgeralds, and the in crowd -- the "lost generation" of authors during that time period. Latching on to Hadley's friend, Pauline Pfeiffer, the three of them traveled and lived together for a period of time before poor Hadley had enough and gave Ernest the divorce he desired. She also gave him one of his three sons.

Fife Pauline), was glamours where Hadley wasn't. She was exceedingly rich and very charming. Neither Ernest or Fife could let go of their emotionally and sexually charged affair. Within days of the divorce from Hadley, he married wife number two. Pauline and Ernest had two sons, a rather large lifestyle in Cuba and the Keys of Florida, but even she could not quench his thirst for cheating and carousing.

Wife number three was Martha Gellhorn, an accomplished journalist who intentionally placed herself on the front line of wars. While Ernest found her incredibly intelligent, he tried to keep her at home, barefoot and pregnant if he could have had his way. He didn't get his way and Martha was the only wife who left him, stinging his ego and for a short period of time, smacking his self conceit.

Mary Welsh was yet another woman found before it ended with Martha. More sedate than the others, she loved him and saw him through his days of talk of suicide. Eventually, he did indeed end his life, leaving each current and previous wife wondering how the storm of his life impacted on them so tragically.

Written from the perspective of each wife, the chapters begin at the end of the relationships as the wives look back, and eventually becoming one of the group of four.

Highly Recommended.

BOOK #88

And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

Well written, the author captured the angst of teen aged relationships and the drama, the mistakes, and the prices paid are all included in this story of 17 year old Emily Beam.

Emily developed a relationship with Paul, and all too quickly it became consuming. When Emily discovered she was pregnant and told Paul, she also noted that she was not going to keep the baby and was not going to stay in the relationship with Paul.

Unfortunately, Paul didn't handle it well and found a gun. He killed himself, but thankfully no others. Emily is left with the severe emotional pain not only of aborting a baby, but of all the repercussions that happened.

She is sent to a New England boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts. Home of the well-known poet Emily Dickinson, Emily Beam works through her grief by reading Dickinson's poems and writing some of her own poems.

The girls at this private school are like most teen aged girls, bitchy, nasty, back stabbing and distrustful. Emily has a lot to deal with.

The story might have fallen apart in the hands of a less skilled author. This Michael Printz award-winner is worthy of the honor.

Hoping your holidays are filled with good friends and good books

(Or in other words, Happy Christmas, to you and yours!)

Have a great holiday with the family, Linda! You will be glad to know, I snagged both the audio and the print book of Small Fry. I should start it, later next week. BTW- I am loving The Library Book. Keep this gem in mind.

Hi Linda, we would like to wish you and Will a very Merry Christmas and festive season and send seasonal love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.

I want to hear a Sheltie talk. :-)

Wishing you, Will and Lilly very Happy Healthy Holidays!

Happy holidays, dear Linda

I Love the Lilly in the Snow picture, Linda. Enjoy your time with family!

Linda--Thanks for the link to book outlet -- like I need another place to buy books!! LOL. The prices do look good though...

I hope you had a great Christmas, Linda, and that retirement is treating you well.

Thank you everyone for your Christmas wishes. They are all deeply appreciated. I spent a week in Beavercreek, Ohio with daughter Amy and family. It was a very special time with snow on Christmas morning! The area where they live is very family centered. Because it is near Wright Paterson, a large Air Force base, there is tremendous spirit as friends become family.

We visited a lovely place call Waynesville, there were many antique shops and unique personally owned restaurants. Will finds it difficult to be away for a week, and he spent many days and nights with neighborhood friends.

Amy has loved Christmas since a child. Her large house is decorated nicely and to walk inside feels like a winter wonderland, reminding me of how much Will and I have cut back on decorations. Alas, this year was the first when we did not have outside decorations.

I spent Christmas gift money on a sale from Bookoutlet.com. A rather large, heavy box arrived and greeted me when I returned from Ohio. I'll spend the day going through the box with glee. I was rather good this year at curtailing book accumulations, however in the last month, I had three gift card purchases. I am in heaven!

Seasons greetings from Singapore, Linda. No snow here!

This is Jasper, our golden retriever; I suspect he would love the snow. He tends to splash water from his bowl (probably to keep cool) but he doesn't seem to enjoy swimming in the pool. Some water dog! ;0)

BOOK NUMBER 89


Jay Asher

This is a young adult book perfect for winter reading during the holiday season. Sierra's parents have two Christmas tree establishments. Every year, one month is spent in California where Sierra has a wonderful friend, but is sad at leaving the other friends behind.

Home is Oregon where there is a large farm of trees and Sierra assists with the business. This year, she falls for a boy who has a troubled past. Her parents do not like her seeing him. In the end, love wins out.

Corny, lovely and well written, this writer also is the author of Thirteen Reasons Why, a story of a young girl bullied to the point of her suicide. What Light cannot compare to Thirteen Reasons Why, but still it is a quick read that made me smile.

2.5 stars.

>45 humouress: What a regal dog! Jasper seems very much at home! Last week was spent with three dogs. One of which was a lovely Golden Retriever. They are such great dogs, so gentle for their size, and Higgins loves his family! My daughter and family also own a English Springer Spaniel. And, last year, my grandson found a rescue dog. When they saw him and brought him home, he was scraggly with ribs sticking out, and he had kennel cough and was filled with red bites. My grandson Jack has the sweetest heart and talked his parents into adopting "Chewy." One year later, his ribs are not seen, he is in perfect health and loves his family. He has soft brown eyes that seem to show a lot of emotion.

>47 Whisper1: Don't be fooled; he looks far more decorous there than he usually is. :0) But he's definitely loving.

How nice to spend time with so many dogs. I hope Will managed alright? Coincidentally, my sister's dog is also called Lily, although she's a Japanese spitz.

Belated holiday greetings, Linda. I hope your first Christmas of retirement was wonderful.

>48 humouress: Nina. I imagine you had a lovely holiday with two young boys, a husband who tolerates your book acquisitions, and a loving dog. We live in a lovely neighborhood. The townhouse units allow for getting to know people if we want, and to go our way if we choose. Amazingly, we have many friends, and no nosey neighbors. We are located off a route that allows access to News York City, an hour and 1/21 away, and Philadelphia, which is a tad more than an hour away. Both places provide many cultural experiences.

Our dog is loved by many. Lilly lives with us two older folk, so she loves it when our neighborhood children visit. And, our 88 and 89 year old couple who live across the street adore Lilly as well.

Will finds it difficult to be away from home for an entire week, so he doesn't mind at all if I stay in Ohio during the holidays. We have our tree, the decorations, and time with friends and neighbors both before and after I leave.

Sadly, our neighbor had a Golden Retriever, when Sasha died we all grieved together. Dogs and books are two of my favorite things.

All good wishes for a bright and happy New Year.

BOOK #90


The Dry by Jane Harper

This is a book to read if you enjoy mystery novels. The Dry actually combines two mysteries. The first, tied into the second. Outback Australia, it is parched without rain for quite a long time It hasn't rained in awhile and there doesn't seem to be a likely chance that it will occur soon. The dry heat surrounds the town and lends to the story of death and suspicion.

When his teen- aged friend was found dead in a river, stones weighing down her body, Arron and his father become suspects. Nothing can be pinned on them, still in this outback, people tend to be nosey and enjoy drawing the wrong conclusions. Aron and his father flee the community as nastiness increases.

Now a financial wizard in the police force that tracks down white collar crime, Aron is drawn back to the area he left and did not return to until now. His friend Luke, who was also a friend of the woman who was found dead in the river, stayed in the area and purchased his father's farm. He married and had two children. His wife and 12 year old son were found in their home shot. In addition, Luke's body was found away from the house. When the authorities arrive they find a little baby unharmed and in her crib.

Aron returns to attend the services of Luke, his wife and son. The local police chief is new and the murder happened one of the first days he took the job. Asking Aron to remain and help him, Aron agrees.

As the memories of the girl buried in the river so long ago, and now his teen aged best friend and family are killed, the plot twists and turns.

This is a cleverly written story. I did not guess who the murderer was and was quite surprised.

Highly recommended

Four Stars

BOOK #91



Miz Berlin Walks by Jane Yolen illustrated by Floyd Cooper

This is a book to keep and read time and time again, both for my reading pleasure, and to be read to the little ones who grace our door. A lovely tale of Miz Berlin who walks every night, the long way around the block. She is rather elderly and is noticed each day by a young black girl who as time goes by, waits each night.

Finally, she gathers courage to met the older white woman and together they walk, and the little one listens as the elderly woman starts and stops, then begins again just where she left off. She weaves wonderful tales for the little one to listen and note the inflection and emotion.

Sadly, one night Miz Berlin does not take her walk. With the help of her mother, they go to Miz Berlin's house to learn she fell. Recovery is long and painful. As the elderly woman passes on, the young girl will always have the loving memories of stories told and hands held as in the early evening two friends walk side by side.

The illustrations of Floyd Cooper are incredible! And, Jane Yolen is one of my favorite authors. Her books are magical, each and every one! This book holds special meaning for me. It was an elderly librarian in a small NE Pennsylvania town who encouraged my love of reading. Just as the young girl in the story will always remember her mentor, I think of Miss Alice Blake often, and she will always hold a special place in my heart as each Saturday, she gave me suggestions of books to read, and then read some of her selections during story time.

Yes, no doubt Yolen was selective in choosing a elderly white woman and a young black girl which added power to the tale of the courage it took for the young girl to wait and walk hope she would be accepted.

For me, this is a story of trust, hope, and remembrance, and mainly the power of sharing stories, and learning to take the time to listen. It is wonderful to read a five star book as the 2018 reading year comes to a close.

>52 Whisper1: Good review, Linda, so good to end your reading year with a 5* read :-)

Happy New Year my friend Anita. May your year be filled with joy, traveling, reading and all teh things that make you happy!

BOOK NUMBER 91


Lost Boy The Story The Man Who Created Peter Pan by Jane Yolen with illustrations of Steve Adams

A delightfully illustrated, a well-written story snippets of the man, J.M. Barrie who in many ways was similar to the well-known and well-liked character of Peter Pan. He was a man who truly lived in a fantasy world, short in stature, high-pitched in voice, he loved to play with children.

While he noted to many that his background was poor, in fact his family was moderately successful and his elaboration was false. He was born of a large family, one of seven who felt he was forgotten. His mother was an instrumental figure in his life as she read stories to the children.

He developed his talents by writing small books that soon became successful, some of which featured a make believe town in Scotland called Thrums. Walking his dog in London's Kensington Gardens changed his life indelibly when he met the Llewelyn Davies children. Soon, he and his dog played make-believe stories in the park.

When he creatively made a character called Peter Pan, a boy who refused to grow up, he pulled together the traits of all five Llewellyn children and incorporated the games they played in the park.

He became close to Sylvia Llewellyn, and when her husband died of cancer, he vowed to support the family.

Later in life as he became a wealthy man from the Peter Pan plays, the copyright of Peter Pan was given to the Great Ormond Hospital for Sick Children in London.

Dying in 1937, the character of Peter Pan lives on today in books, movies and plays.

Four Stars!

Hello Linda my dear, we would like to wish you and Will and your family a very happy new year and hope that 2019 is a good one, sending love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

>56 johnsimpson: Thank you John. I send the same to you and Karen and your family.

BOOK #92


What Is It by Nicole Hoang with illustrations of Dustin Nguyen

A delightful book with wonderful text and illustrations. A little girl notices something flying by. Then, as she studies it, somehow this thing becomes shaped and large. A large animal with sea-shell looking ears who chases her as she runs in fear. Finally, trying to escape by jumping into a pond, the image is gone and she laughs in wonderment.



This was read with one of our little neighborhood friends. He loved it and was clever enough to predict what the girl would do to escape the monster. Gleefully, he took the book home with him.

>51 Whisper1: That one is on my 2019 list!

Hi Linda!

>51 Whisper1: I've got The Dry on my Kindle and look forward to reading it in the new year.

speaking of which,



Wishing you a new year filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and all the wonderful books you could wish for.

>59 thornton37814: I think you will like it. This is a very good start for a highly crafted first book for the author.

>60 karenmarie: Hi, and .same to you!

It is damp outside, grey and gloomy, but inside it is warm as the Christmas tree is still shining in the living room, cookies were made last night with my little neighborhood friend Andres, and there are many books to read. Because the pain level is high today, reading illustrated books and their lovely images, takes my mind to a place where artists draw incredible forms to follow a well-written book.

BOOK NUMBER 93


Stone Angel by Jane Yolen with illustrations of Kate May Green

A young girl and her brother Aron are happy in Paris. They follow the streets to their favorite bakery, and purchase their favorite treat each day.

Now, the brown shirts are in the city. The bad men mean to harm and make no mistake about it, they mean business when they insist that her family, and all Jews must wear the yellow star.

Losing his job, her father knows they must flee, hurry, hurry before it is too late. And, now, gathering their precious children, they run to the forest. When it feels uncomfortable, they run deeper in he woods. Finding others who are also fleeing, they build a community that shares food.

When Papa goes out of the forest with nine others, only three return. This, then is a sign to flee more and more. Now, it is winter and they must travel over the mountains, then more mountains as they head to Spain. Then from Spain, a boat takes them to England to live with a relative.

Finally, when it is over and the little girl and her family miraculously arrive back in Paris, alive, they little girl knows that the stone angel that stands on their building was with them throughout the entire time and protected them.

Jane Yolen never disappoints. Once again, a very deep subject is framed in fear and then hope.

Four Stars.

BOOK NUMBER 94


Circle Unbroken by Margot Theis Raven

A well-written story of the history of the sweetgrass baskets of South Carolina and Georgia. When a young girl asks her grandmother about the baskets, her grandmother patiently tells to story of long ago slavery when her grandfather was taken from his African home and used as a slave on a plantation. After the Civil War, the grandfather and grandmother marry.

They continue the African tradition of the sweetgrass basket weaving. And thus, the circles contained in the basket are a symbolic measure of the circle that binds together.

Two Stars

Happy New Year's Eve!

>61 Whisper1: When I was seeking an audiobook to download for the ride home, The Dry was available. Looks like it will be one of my early completions in 2019! I won't have time to finish it on the drive home, but it will be finished soon!

>66 Berly: I was thinking of you a few minutes ago and here is a message from you! Happy New Year, and I send lots of wishes for good health.

BOOK NUMBER 95


My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen with illustrations of Stephanie Jorisch

This is a lovely tale of a boy who adores his father. His father identifies many objects, in the book the son appears to be telling the reader all of the things his father has taught him. From large to small, his father knows it all.

THREE STARS.

BOOK NUMBER 96

The Giant of Seville by Dan Andreasen

Based on the true story of Giants Martin Van Buren Bates, who was seven and 1/2 inches and is wife Anna Swan who was almost eight feet tale. After joining the circus, they decided to find a permanent home. They settled down in Seville, Ohio, built a house on 130 Acres of farmland. And, the rooms were 14 inches high with eight foot doors.

After staying in Seville, Ohio, they longed once again for the circus life and rejoined.

This is their story of the friendly folk of Seville, Ohio who welcomed Martin and his wife. The illustrations are delightful, and the tale is a good lesson to import on children that we should accept those who are different than we are.

Three Stars

Images (not from book)

Thank you for the stunning card!!!!

BOOK #97


Author Day For Room #3T by Robin Pulver

A cute story of a teacher who has an author visit, and the student reactions to that experience. This is not a book I enjoyed.

I wish you from my heart a healthy 2019 filled with happiness, satisfaction, laughter and lots of good books.

>58 Whisper1: Cute!