Lori (thornton37814) Reads with Her Fur Boys in 2019 - Thread 5

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Lori (thornton37814) Reads with Her Fur Boys in 2019 - Thread 5

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1thornton37814
okt 1, 2019, 7:28 pm



Photo: Mr. B and Sherlock enjoy a game of National Park Yahtzee.

Welcome to my 5th thread for the year!

I'm Lori, a professional genealogist and academic librarian who is owned by three male cats. I read 302 books in 2018. I suspect the book-reading will slow down as I endeavor to tame not only book piles but also periodical piles in 2019.

I also participate in the Category Challenge, and since I always include the Category in this thread, I will introduce you to my theme and categories for the year.

I chose classic bands--mostly from the 1960s and 1970s with a few from the 1980s thrown in--to be categories for my theme. I chose twenty bands--fifteen for book categories, four for articles, and one for abandoned books. I am not setting specific targets for the number of books or articles in each category.

I will keep separate totals for books and articles. I think including articles in the reading plan will help me cut down on my reading backlog. The time I spend reading and studying many of these also can be included in my genealogy education plan for my Association of Professional Genealogists membership.

My categories are:
1. The Police - Police procedurals and true crime. I love the British mysteries featuring DCIs, etc., so I suspect this category will see quite a few books.
2. The Who - Other mysteries (cozies, private investigators, thrillers, etc.). Since mystery is my favorite genre, this one will see quite a bit of action, especially from series I wish to continue.
3. Herman's Hermits - Historical fiction. I read a lot of historical mysteries which could be included here or in one of the above categories, but I also enjoy fiction set in different times and places. Several Holocaust stories have captured my attention. Earlier today another genealogist posted a link to a two-volume fiction series based on the Northkill Amish which is important to my own family history. I expect I'll read several volumes that fit here.
4. Beatles - Literary Classics. A little Shakespeare? Dickens? Alcott? Hawthorne? etc.
5. Foreigner - Fiction with a non-US, non-UK, or non-Canadian setting. I'm not eliminating all English-speaking countries or the Caribbean from this one. I'm just trying to diversify my settings a bit.
6. Beach Boys - Miscellaneous Fiction. Some of these will be classic "beach read" type books. This is basically a "catch-all" fiction category.
7. New Kids on the Block - Children's & Young Adult (YA) Books. I'm certain this category will see lots of action at certain times of the year. I may also place some children's and YA books in other categories.
8. Air Supply - Poetry. I've got a couple of larger poetry collections I want to read, but I've found I really enjoy reading poetry. I'm giving it its own category so I'll read more!
9. Four Seasons - Nature/Weather/Gardening Books. Although this is primarily a non-fiction category, I might include a fiction book where some of these topics play a major role.
10. Bread - Food and Cooking. I have lots of cookbooks, books on food habit, and books on culinary history unread. It's time to knock a few of these out! Most of the cookbooks were at least glanced at, but it's time to pay more attention to them and review them.
11. Temptations - Religion. I suspect most of the books I read will be related to Christianity or Judaism. The books do not necessarily need to be theological in nature or on the history of religions. I suspect some of these will be books on "Christian life" or devotional in nature.
12. America - History. It probably seems a bit strange to make "America" the category for a book which is almost certain to include a fair amount of European history as well as American history, but it's the band I chose for the category.
13. Journey - Travel. I enjoy well-written travel narratives. However, I'm using the "travel" term in a broader sense, so if I think it fits, it probably goes here.
14. Mamas & the Papas - Genealogy. These will mostly be books on genealogy as a profession, using certain types of records, and other books marketed primarily to the genealogical community. However, I may include some other things I'm reading primarily because of my genealogical interest. Think of this as my "professional development" category.
15. Eagles - Other Non-Fiction. This is the catch-all category for non-fiction. I used Eagles because a book on birds would fit here!
16. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ) articles. I need to read these case studies that demonstrate problem-solving approaches. I suspect this will be the one with the most articles read of the categories dedicated to a specific journal.
17. Boston - New England Historic & Genealogical Register ("The Register") articles. Since NEHGS is headquartered in Boston, the category seems appropriate.
18. Chicago - The American Genealogist (TAG) articles. I don't have as large of stash of these, and the frequency isn't as great so this one will be a smaller than the previous two. TAG is not published in Chicago and really has more of a New England/Mid-Atlantic focus, but since Chicago is an American city, I used it.
19. Bee Gees - Other articles. Many of these will be articles I found through bibliographies, in databases, or through social media posts that capture my attention, are relevant for my research, or just need to be read. Most will be history or genealogy related.
20. 5th Dimension - Abandoned reads. Let's hope for a small number here!

So happy 2019 reading to everyone! I'll recap reading to the point the thread begins at the top of each thread throughout the year. That way all books and articles appear on the final thread! (I must confess that it gives me a quick way to search to see if I read something that year or another one!

2thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:33 pm

Books 1-10:

1. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote - completed 1 Jan 2019
2. The Dry by Jane Harper - completed 4 Jan 2019
3. Glass Houses by Louise Penny - completed 4 Jan 2019
4. The Chosen by Chaim Potok - completed 5 Jan 2019
5. 365 Meditations from George MacDonald's Fiction by George MacDonald; edited by David Scott Wilson-Okamura - completed 6 Jan 2019
6. The Outrun by Amy Liptrot - completed 8 Jan 2019
7. Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro - completed 8 Jan 2019
8. The Shortest History of Germany by James Hawes - completed 10 Jan 2019
9. Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender by Beth Moore - completed 11 Jan 2019
10. As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner - completed 12 Jan 2019

3thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:35 pm

Books 11-20:

11. Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs - completed 15 Jan 2019
12. Book, Line, and Sinker by Jenn McKinlay - completed 17 Jan 2019
13. Harvest of Secrets by Ellen Crosby - completed 18 Jan 2019
14. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo - completed 20 Jan 2019
15. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson - completed 22 Jan 2019
16. Welcome to the Isles of Mull, Iona, Staffa by John Brooks - completed 23 Jan 2019
17. Nerve by Dick Francis - completed 23 Jan 2019
18. The British Isles: A Picture Book to Remember Her By designed by David Gibbon; produced by Ted Smart - completed 24 Jan 2019
19. Eight Lights: The Story of Chanukah by William F. Rosenblum and Robert J. Rosenblum; illustrated by Shraga Weil - completed 24 Jan 2019
20. The Life of Charlemagne by Einhard; translated by Samuel Epes Turner - completed 24 Jan 2019

5thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:38 pm

Books 31-40:

31. The Scott Country by John Geddie; paintings by E. W. Haslehust - completed 6 Feb 2019
32. Dying Runs in My Family by Guy Conner - completed 11 Feb 2019
33. The Story of Wales by Rhys Davies - completed 12 Feb 2019
34. Miss Mink: Life Lessons for a Cat Countess by Janet Hill - completed 12 Feb 2019
35. Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz - completed 12 Feb 2019
36. Murder Once Removed by S. C. Perkins - completed 15 Feb 2019
37. The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley - completed 16 Feb 2019
38. The Cornish in the Caribbean : From the 17th to the 19th Centuries by Sue Appleby - completed 18 Feb 2019
39. Whimsical Cross-Stitch: More than 130 Designs from Trendy to Traditional by Cari Buziak - completed 18 Feb 2019
40. One Potato, Two Potato, Dead by Lynn Cahoon - completed 20 Feb 2019

8thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:43 pm

9thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:44 pm

10thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:45 pm

Books 81-90:

81. Old Sarum Illustrated Guide by Hugh des Sausmarez Shortt - completed 10 Apr 2019
82. Cambridge in Colour by Kenneth Holmes - completed 10 Apr 2019
83. Going Places: A Motor Touring Guide to Wales - completed 10 Apr 2019
84. Raby: Its Castle and Its Lords by Owen Stanley Scott; revised by Sydney E. Harrison (7th ed.) - completed 10 Apr 2019
85. The Sound of Broken Glass by Deborah Crombie - completed 12 Apr 2019
86. The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett - completed 12 Apr 2019
87. Amish Voices: A Collection of Amish Writings - compiled by Brad Igou - completed 12 Apr 2019
88. Mr. Finchley Discovers His England by Victor Canning - completed 18 Apr 2019
89. I Could Pee on This, and Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano - completed 19 Apr 2019
90. The Amish Cookie Club by Sarah Price - completed 20 Apr 2019

11thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:47 pm

Books 91-100:

91. The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson - completed 24 Apr 2019
92. That Book Woman by Heather Henson; illustrated by David Small - completed 30 Apr 2019
93. Homemade Root Beer, Soda, & Pop by Stephen Edward Cresswell - completed 1 May 2019
94. The Spirit Woman by Margaret Coel - completed 4 May 2019
95. Cover Her Face by P. D. James - completed 5 May 2019
96. Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke - completed 12 May 2019
97. Michael Chiarello's Bottega: Bold Italian Flavors from the Heart of California's Wine Country by Michael Chiarello - completed 13 May 2019
98. Seacrow Island by Astrid Lindgren - completed 14 May 2019
99. The Summer's End by Mary Alice Monroe - completed 17 May 2019
100. The Amish Widow's Rescue by Rachel J. Good - completed 18 May 2019

12thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:49 pm

Books 101-110:

101. The September Society by Charles Finch - completed 19 May 2019
102. Spill by Leigh Fondakowski; performed by L. A. Theatre Works - completed 19 May 2019
103. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths - completed 23 May 2019
104. Yarn to Go by Betty Hechtman - completed 27 May 2019
105. The Religious Body by Catherine Aird - completed 27 May 2019
106. Meet the Sky by McCall Hoyle - completed 1 June 2019
107. Telling Tales by Ann Cleeves - completed 1 June 2019
108. On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher - completed 4 June 2019
109. The Smell of the Night by Andrea Camilleri - completed 7 June 2019
110. Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook by Joanne Fluke - completed 14 June 2019

13thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:52 pm

Books 111-120:

111. The Body in the Wake by Katherine Hall Page - completed 15 June 2019
112. A Sea of Troubles by Donna Leon - completed 16 June 2019
113. Deadly Descent by Charlotte Hinger - completed 17 June 2019
114. Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan - completed 19 June 2019
115. The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCullough - completed 23 June 2019
116. Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny - completed 24 June 2019
117. The Drowning Spool by Monica Ferris - completed 25 June 2019
118. The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad - completed 27 June 2019
119. Anne's Kindred Spirits by Kallie George; illustrated by Abigail Halpin - completed 27 June 2019
120. Milkman by Anna Burns - completed 28 June 2019

14thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:05 pm

Books 121-130:

121. A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie - completed 1 July 2019
122. The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid - completed 6 July 2019
123. The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan - completed 6 July 2019
124. These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore - completed 9 July 2019
125. The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter - completed 15 July 2019
126. Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman - completed 19 July 2019
127. Singapore Sapphire by A. M. Stuart - completed 22 July 2019
128. The Three Clerks by Anthony Trollope = completed 24 July 2019
129. Coffee, Tea, or Murder? by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain - completed 26 July 2019
130. Promise by Minrose Gwin - completed 29 July 2019

15thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:09 pm

Books 131-140:

131. Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan - completed 30 July 2019
132. Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - completed 31 July 2019
133. Suffer the Children by Lisa Black - completed 1 Aug 2019
134. The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews - completed 5 August 2019
135. The Rosewood Casket by Sharyn McCrumb - completed 7 August 2019
136. Eggs on Ice by Laura Childs - completed 9 August 2019
137. Sleeping Lady by Sue Henry - completed 10 August 2019
138. Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower - completed 13 August 2019
139. Willful Behavior by Donna Leon - completed 24 August 2019
140. Molten Mud Murder by Sara E. Johnson - completed 29 August 2019

16thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:18 pm

Books 141-150:

141. The Bodies in the Library by Marty Wingate - completed 29 August 2019
142. Tide and Punishment by Bree Baker - completed 31 August 2019
143. The North-East of England (Travels through History series) by Julian Worker - completed 31 August 2019
144. Read and Buried by Eva Gates - completed 2 September 2019
145. Words Facing East: Poems by Kimberly L. Becker - completed 3 September 2019
146. Negro Folk Music U.S.A. by Harold Courlander - completed 3 September 2019
147. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson - completed 4 September 2019
148. My Little Crocheted Christmas by Doerthe Eisterlehner - completed 5 September 2019
149. Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson - completed 7 September 2019
150. Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves - completed 13 September 2019

17thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:48 pm

Books 151-160:

151. The Night of His Birth by Katherine Paterson; illustrated by Lisa Aisato - completed 13 September 2019
152. Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums: A Guide for Family Historians by Michelle Higgs - completed 13 September 2019
153. Quintessence: The Poetry of Nature by Sara Priestley - completed 13 September 2019
154. A Garden Miscellany: An Illustrated Guide to the Elements of the Garden by Suzanne Staubach; illustrated by Julia Yellow - completed 13 September 2019
155. The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley - completed 17 September 2019
156. By the Mud Stove by Divya Tombran - completed 21 September 2019
157. The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin - completed 26 September 2019
158. The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories edited by Martin Edwards - completed 26 September 2019
159. Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal - completed 27 September 2019
160. A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin - completed 27 September 2019

18thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:40 pm

Books 161-163:

161. The Rough Patch by Brian Lies - completed 27 September 2019
162. Thank you, Omu! by Oge Mora - completed 27 September 2019
163. Can't Judge a Book by Its Murder by Amy Lillard - completed 29 September 2019

19thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:55 pm

20thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:55 pm

Articles 1-15:

1. Pam Prascer Andersen, "Indirectly Identifying Relatives of Michael Kerns of Blair County and Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania," NGSQ 105.2 (June 2017): 85-91. (7 pp.) - completed 2 Jan 2019
2. Claire E. Ammon, CG, “Parents for John Perkins (1788-1852) of Granby, Connecticut,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 105.3 (September 2017): 219-228. (10 pp.) - completed 3 Jan 2019
3. Sue Allan, Caleb Johnson, and Simon Neal, “The Origin of Mayflower Passenger Susanna (Jackson) (White) Winslow,” The American Genealogist 89.4 (October 2017): 241-264. (24 pp.) - completed 4 Jan 2019
4. John M. Freund, “The Parents of Sarah Kelton, Wife of James Bowen of Rehoboth, Massachusetts,” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 171.681 (Winter 2017): 30-31. (2 pp.) - completed 6 Jan 2019
5. Nancy R. Stevens, “Amasa Coburn (1753-1815) of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont,” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 171.681 (Winter 2017): 57-62. (6 pp.) - completed 6 Jan 2019
6. Worth Shipley Anderson, JD, "John Stanfield 'as he is cald in this country': An Illegitimate Descent in Eastern Tennessee," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.2 (June 2018): 85-101. (17 pp.) - completed 8 Jan 2019
7. Harold A. Henderson, CG. "Fannie Fern Crandall and Her Three-Timing Darling Husband," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.1 (March 2018): 35-48. (14 pp.) - completed 12 Jan 2019
8. Nathan W. Murphy, AG, FASG, "Captain Abraham Read and Emelia (Cary) (Read) Gressingham of Virginia and London: More on the Seafaring Kin of the Byrds of Westover, Virginia," The American Genealogist 89.4 (October 2017): 265-271. (7 pp.) - completed 12 Jan 2019
9. Claire Ammon, CG. "Which Amos Lockwood of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Was Gilbert's Son, and Where Did He Go?" National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.1 (March 2018): 5-17. (13 pp.) - completed 8 Feb 2019
10. F. Warren Bittner, CG. "Pity the Poor Pfuhl: The Bavarian Origin of Lorenz Full of Lake County, Indiana." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.1 (March 2018): 19-34. (16 pp.) - completed 8 Feb 2019
11. Cheryl Storton, CG. "Finding Family in Tennessee's Wild Frontier--Catharine Grissom's Kin." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.1 (March 2018): 49-60. (12 pp.) - completed 8 Feb 2019
12. Rebecca I. M. Walch. "The Westchester Petitioners of 1656." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.1 (March 2018): 61-77. (17 pp.) - completed 8 Feb 2019
13. Leslie Mahler, FASG. "The Hinton and Woodbridge Ancestry of Abigail Hinton, Wife of William Averill of Ipswich, Massachusetts." The American Genealogist 89.4 (October 2017): 283-288. (6 pp.) - completed 9 Feb 2019
14. Eben W. Graves. "William Denison of Pullin Point (Boston) and Milton, Massachusetts." The American Genealogist 89.4 (October 2017): 299-302. (4 pp.) - completed 9 Feb 2019
15. Hal Bradley. "Gleanings: Addenda to the Origin of Several Colonial Families." The American Genealogist 89.4 (October 2017): 303-312. (10 pp.) - completed 9 Feb 2019

21thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 7:55 pm

Articles 16-30:

16. Frederick C. Hart, Jr., CG, FASG. "Weed Ancestry of Pioneer American Photographer Charles Leander Weed (1824-1903)." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.2 (June 2018): 103-110. (8 pp.) - completed 9 Feb 2019
17. Ronald A. Hill, PhD, CG Emeritus, FASG. "Forest A. Fisher a.k.a. Waltz: Given Away at Birth." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.2 (June 2018): 111-121. (11 pp.) - completed 9 Feb 2019
18. Nancy A. Peters, CG, CGL. "Hiram Cochran, Freedman of Abbeville County, South Carolina." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.3 (September 2018): 165-180. (16 pages) - completed 23 Mar 2019
19. J. H. Fonkert, CG "A Parental Family for Thomas Tidball of North Molton, Devon." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.3 (September 2018):181-196. (16 pages) - completed 24 Mar 2019
20. Shirley Langdon Wilcox, CG, FNGS. "Information in Family Papers and a First Name: Keys to a California Pioneer's Simmons Ancestry." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.3 (September 2018): 197-216. (20 pages) - completed 24 Mar 2019
21. Sharon L. Hoyt, MLIS, CG. "'Her Sixth Matrimonial Venture': The Many Marriages of Ida May Chamberlain." National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106.3 (September 2018): 217-238. (22 pages) - completed 24 Mar 2019
22. Sue Allan, Caleb Johnson, and Simon Neal, "The English Origin and Separatist Background of Mayflower Passenger Elizabeth (Barker) Winslow," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 173.689 (Winter 2019): 5-17. (13 pp.) - completed 30 Mar 2019
23. Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs, "The Will of Mayflower Passenger Elizabeth (Barker) Winslow," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 173.689 (Winter 2019): 18-25. (8 pp.) - completed 30 Mar 2019
24. Barry E. Hinman, "'Jedidah' Skidmore," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 173.689 (Winter 2019): 37-38. (2 pp.) - completed 30 Mar 2019
25. Nancy R. Stevens, "Edward Bishop (ca. 1618-1697) of Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 173.689 (Winter 2019): 52-65. (14 pp.) - completed 30 Mar 2019
26. Patricia Law Hatcher, "English Origin of Leslie Bradfield of Wethersfield and Branford, Connecticut," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 173.689 (Winter 2019): 66-81. (16 pp.) - completed 31 Mar 2019
27. Clifford L. Scott, "In Search of 'Mr.' Overton: The Ancestry of Rev. Valentine Overton and His Connections to New England Immigrants Rev. Peter Bulkeley, Elizabeth (St. John) Whiting, Martha (Bulkeley) Mellowes, Olive (Welby) Farwell, Rev. Thomas James, Daniel Clark, Rev. Josias Clark, Isabel (Overton) Huit, Elizabeth (Bulkeley) (Whittingham) Hough, William Quarles, and Joanna (Quarles) Smith," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 172.687 (Summer 2018): 221-237; 172.688 (Fall 2018): 323-331; and 173.689 (Winter 2019): 82-91. (36 pp.) - completed 31 Mar 2019
28. Robert Battle, "Illegitimate Names," The American Genealogist 90.1 (January 2018): 23. (1 p.) - completed 31 Mar 2019
29. Patricia Law Hatcher, FGSP, FASG, "Enigmas #31: The Possible English Origin of Mary (Egellston) Sanderson of Watertown, Massachusetts," The American Genealogist 90.1 (January 2018): 51-53. (3 pp.) - completed 31 Mar 2019
30. Robert I. Curtis, "When Did Nathaniel Hatch Die?: Narrowing the Date Range for the Death of Nathaniel Hatch of Barnstable, Massachusetts," The American Genealogist 90.1 (January 2018): 17-22. (6 pp.) - completed 31 Mar 2019

22thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:12 pm

Articles 31-45:

31. Gregory J. Weinig, "A Further Clue to the English Origin of William Godfrey of Watertown, Massachusetts, and Hampton, New Hampshire, and the Name of His First Wife," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 172.688 (Fall 2018): 293-300. (8 pages)
32. Gale Ion Harris, "George Harris of Salem, Massachusetts, with Sketch of Thomas Tuck," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 172.688 (Fall 2018): 301-316. (16 pages)
33. Field Horne, "Family Record of John Bentley (1755-1830)," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 172.688 (Fall 2018): 317-322. (6 pages)
34. Austin W. Spencer, "Joseph Mason of Cummington and Plainfield, Massachusetts, and His Family," The New England Historic and Genealogical Register: The Journal of American Genealogy 172.687 (Summer 2018): 212-220; 172.688 (Fall 2018): 332-340. (18 pages)
35. GeLee Corley Hendrix, CG, FASG, "Going Beyond the Database--Interpretation, Amplification, and Development of Evidence: South Carolina's COM Index and Several James Kelleys," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 86.2 (June 1998): 116-133. (18 pages)
36. "Youth in Industry: Activities of National Youth Administration, 1935-40," Monthly Labor Review 52, no. 5 (May 1941): 1189-1198. (10 pp.) - completed May 2019
37. Gladys J. Shamp, "NYA Opportunities for Youth," Women Lawyers' Journal 17 (1941): 35-36. (2 pp.) - completed May 2019
38. Robert L. Boyd, "Self-Employment and Public Emergency Work in Urban Labor Markets During the Great Depression: The Case of Industrial Cities," Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 42, no. 1 (March 2015): 121-139. (19 pp.) - completed May 2019
39. Patrick Boyle, "Youth Work History," Youth Today (December 2013). (19 pp.) - completed May 2019
40. Marjorie R. Champine, "National Youth Administration in the High School," The School Review 46, no. 9 (November 1938): 679-684. (6 pp.) - completed May 2019
41. Aubrey L. Williams, "The Work of the National Youth Administration," Living 1, no. 4 (November 1939): 65-66. (2 pp.) - completed May 2019.
42. Kenneth J. Bindas, "A New Model Army: The Civilian Conservation Corps, The National Youth Administration, and Modernity," in Modernity and the Great Depression: The Transformation of American Society, 1930-1941 (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2017), 43-81. (38 pp.) - completed May 2019
43. Walter J. Daniel and Carroll L. Miller, "The Participation of the Negro in the National Youth Administration Program," The Journal of Negro Education 7, no. 3 (July 1938): 357-365. (9 pp.) - completed May 2019
44. B. Joyce Ross, "Mary McLeod Bethune and the National Youth Administration: A Case Study of Power Relationships in the Black Cabinet of Franklin D. Roosevelt," The Journal of Negro History 60, no. 1 (January 1975): 1-28. (28 pp.) - completed May 2019
45. Britt Haas, "Playing Politics and Making Policy: Institutionalizing a Vision from New York to Washington," in Fighting Authoritarianism: American Youth Activism in the 1930s (New York: Empire State Editions, 2018), 124-162. (39 pp.) - completed May 2019.

23thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:13 pm

Articles 46-60:

46. Honor Murphy, "NYA Aids Nursing Students: An Adventure in Cooperation in Kentucky," The American Journal of Nursing 41, no. 8 (August 1941): 922-923. (2 pp.) - completed May 2019
47. Sam F. Stack, "The Struggle to Survive," in The Arthurdale Community School: Education and Reform in Depression Era Appalachia (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2016), 87-106. (20 pp.) - completed May 2019
48. Melissa Cornelius Lang, "'We Were Nothing But Rust': Beatrice Green Marshall's Wartime Experience," Oregon Historical Quarterly 116, no. 2 (Summer 2015): 220-233. (14 pp.) - completed May 2019.
49. Kevin P. Bower, "'A Favored Child of the State': Federal Student Aid at Ohio Colleges and Universities, 1934-1943," History of Education Quarterly 44, no. 3 (Autumn 2004): 364-387. (24 pp.) - completed May 2019.
50. Marie Lane, "The Hospital Project of the NYA," The American Journal of Nursing 42, no. 1 (January 1942): 28-30. (3 pp.) - completed May 2019
51. Louis D. Silveri, "Changing Times in the Mountains: Marie Halbert King and the National Youth Administration in North Carolina," Appalachian Heritage 8, no. 3 (Summer 1980): 51-56. (6 pp.) - completed May 2019
52. Kevin P. Bower, "Out of School, Out of Work: Youth, Community, and the National Youth Administration in Ohio, 1935-1943," Ohio Valley History 4, no. 2 (Summer 2004): 27-40. (14 pp.) - completed May 2019
53. Christie L. Bourgeois, "Stepping Over Lines: Lyndon Johnson, Black Texans, and the National Youth Administration, 1935-1937," The Southwestern Historical Quarterly 91, no. 2 (October 1987): 149-172. (24 pp. - completed May 2019
54. Florence Fleming Corley, "The National Youth Administration in Georgia: A New Deal for Young Blacks and Women," The Georgia Historical Quarterly 77, no. 4 (Winter 1993): 728-756. (39 pp.) - completed May 2019
55. Michael G. Wade, "'Farm Dorm Boys': The Origins of the NYA Resident Training Program," Louisiana History 27, no. 2 (Spring 1986): 117-132. (16 pp.) - completed June 2019
56. Marjorie Barton, "Almost Forgotten: The NYA of Oklahoma, 1935-1943," Oklahoma 14, no. 2 (August 2009): 9-16. (8 pp.) - completed June 2019
57. Mollie Felts, "WPA and NYA Projects Relating to Schools in Craighead County, Arkansas," Craighead County Historical Quarterly 21, no. 4 (October 1983): 7-15. (9 pp.) - completed June 2019
58. Kathleen Pruitt, "NYA Girls," Bryan County Heritage Quarterly (February 1995): 29-30. (2 pp.) - completed June 2019
59. Dave Nelson, "Camp Roosevelt: A Case Study of the NYA in Florida," Florida Historical Quarterly 86, no. 2 (Fall 2007): 162-185. (24 pp.) - completed June 2019
60. "Reformatting Newspaper Subject Index Completed by Society Members after 5 Years," Perinton Historiogram 41, no. 7 (April 2009): 3. (1 p.) - completed June 2019

24thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:23 pm

Articles 61-75:

61. "Sample NYA Subject Cards," Perinton Historiogram 41, no. 7 (April 2009): 4. (1 p.) - completed June 2019
62. Lynn Marie Moore, "One Woman's Recollection of the NYA," 32, no. 3 (September 2011): 3. (1 p.) - completed June 2019
63. "Harriet Karlson's Story of the N. Y. A.," Morrison County Historical Society Newsletter 22, no. 1 (2009): 3. (1 p.) - completed June 2019
64. "Shakopee's NYA Camp History," Connections: Scott County Historical Society (Summer 2011): 6. (1 p.) - completed June 2019
65. Kenneth E. Hendrickson, "The National Youth Administration in South Dakota: Youth and the New Deal, 1935-1943," South Dakota History 9, no. 2 (Spring 1979): 131-151. (21 pp.) - completed June 2019
66. John A. Salmond, "'The N.Y.A. at the Sea-Side': A New Deal Episode," Southern California Quarterly 55, no. 2 (Summer 1973): 209-219. (11 pp.) - completed June 2019
67. Ronald M. James and Michelle McFadden, "Remnants of the National Youth Administration in Nevada," Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 34, no. 3 (Fall 1991): 415-420. (6 pp.) - completed June 2019
68. B. Darrell Jackson, PhD, CG, "A Blended English Family in Clark County, Ohio: Was Elizabeth (Blenkinsop) Pearson Inman Winchester a Bigamist?" National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 2 (June 2019): 85-99. (15 pages) - completed 20 August 2019
69. Allen R. Peterson, AG, CG, "It Was All About Money," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 2 (June 2019): 100. (1 page) - completed 24 August 2019
70. Michael Hait, CG, CGL, "Untangling Two Edward Marlows in Colonial Southern Maryland," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 2 (June 2019): 101-110. (10 pages) - completed 24 August 2019
71. Mara Fein, PhD, CG, "Was Dr. Isaac Teller of Dutchess County, New York, and New York City a Patriot of the American Revolution," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 2 (June 2019): 111-124. (14 pages) - completed 24 August 2019
72. Trish Hackett Nicola, CG, "The Two Deaths of Arthur J. Crim of New York, Iowa, Washington, California, Missouri, and Oklahoma," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 2 (June 2019): 125-136. (12 pages) - completed 17 September 2019
73. Glade Isaac Nelson, "Averilla --?--, Colonial Virginia Adventurer: Wife of Majors Thomas Curtis and Robert Bristow," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 2 (June 2019): 137-146. (10 pages) - completed 17 September 2019.
74. Melinda Daffin Henningfield, CG, "A Family for Mary (Jones) Hobbs Clark of Carroll County, Arkansas," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 1 (March 2019): 5-30. (26 pages) - completed 17 September 2019
75. Pam Stone Eagleson, CG, "The German Parents and Birthplace of Adam Cosner of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Wayne County, Ohio," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 1 (March 2019): 31-42. (12 pages) - completed 21 September 2019

25thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:23 pm

Articles 76-77:

76. Worth Shipley Anderson, JD, "Recovering the Identity of Barsheba (Morris) Johnson of North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 1 (March 2019): 43-54. (12 pages) - completed 21 September 2019
77. Ronald A. Hill, PhD, CG Emeritus, FASG, "1861 Plat Maps and the 1860 Federal Census of Hanover Township, Ashland County, Ohio: A Comparison," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107, no. 1 (March 2019): 55-80. (26 pages) - completed 21 September 2019

26thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 1, 2019, 8:36 pm

Well, today was National Homemade Cookie Day! I invited my Facebook friends to bring a batch by the library, but they didn't, so I had to come home and make my own.

I made enough that I'll be able to share with our Awesomely Awful Book Club tomorrow. We're discussing Gothic short stories. Since I forgot to bring home my e-reader (which I left lying on my desk at work), I guess I'll be reading the two stories during lunch tomorrow since the group meets at 2:30. I'm sure the cookies will earn enough Brownie points that it won't really matter if I get around to reading them or not. (I will though.)

One of our librarians received a fairly good sized box in the mail today. She was puzzled about what it could be, but it was hand-addressed to her. When she opened it, it was two volumes of Kazakh literature--one of prose and one of poetry. Both were commissioned by the Kazakh government to be published in English and were published by Cambridge University Press. She isn't sure how they got her name, but we added them to the library's collection. I actually cataloged both volumes this afternoon. I didn't try to add contents for the poetry volume because it would take entirely too long. I did, however, add the stories in the prose collection. I never did find one of the diacritics used in the language in the tools in our software, but I was able to copy and paste the symbol from the Internet and all occurrences seemed to hold.

27quondame
okt 1, 2019, 7:55 pm

Happy new thread!

28thornton37814
okt 1, 2019, 7:59 pm

>26 thornton37814: Thanks very much! I think I saved one more than I needed, but I'll find something with which to fill it.

29harrygbutler
okt 1, 2019, 8:07 pm

Happy new thread, Lori!

30thornton37814
okt 1, 2019, 8:26 pm

>28 thornton37814: Thanks, Harry!

31figsfromthistle
okt 1, 2019, 9:03 pm

Happy new thread!

32Carmenere
okt 1, 2019, 9:40 pm

Happy new thread, Lori! Your topper is adorable!!

33thornton37814
okt 1, 2019, 9:57 pm

>31 figsfromthistle: Thanks

>32 Carmenere: They wanted to play!

34PaulCranswick
okt 1, 2019, 11:03 pm

Happy new thread, Lori.

35fuzzi
okt 2, 2019, 6:52 am

>26 thornton37814: how interesting. Really. Do you frequently get books like that, unsolicited?

36jnwelch
okt 2, 2019, 8:25 am

Happy New Thread, Lori!

What a lot of good reading! I enjoyed your band name categories. Nice to see Mr. B and Sherlock having a good time up there.

37foggidawn
okt 2, 2019, 8:38 am

Happy new thread!

38thornton37814
okt 2, 2019, 9:16 am

>34 PaulCranswick: Thanks!

>35 fuzzi: Not frequently. However, if they are sent, they typically are addressed to the library itself or perhaps to the library dean. It was just strange the way it was sent to her.

>36 jnwelch: They really had a good time playing Yahtzee. Later on they wanted to make Solitaire a foursome.

>37 foggidawn: Thanks!

39johnsimpson
okt 2, 2019, 3:55 pm

Hi Lori my dear, happy new thread.

40richardderus
okt 2, 2019, 7:49 pm

>26 thornton37814: I had not a single inkling that there *was* Kazakh literature. That's just so cool!

Oh, and happy new thread.

41thornton37814
okt 2, 2019, 9:23 pm

>39 johnsimpson: Thanks, John.

>40 richardderus: I want to check out the book of poetry at some point. I guess the government commissioned it so we'd all discover it.

42drneutron
okt 3, 2019, 12:46 pm

Happy new thread!

43thornton37814
okt 3, 2019, 5:38 pm

>42 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

44thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:41 pm



Book 164. Along the Tapajós by Fernando Vilela; translated by Daniel Hahn

Date Completed: 3 October 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: I enjoyed this story about persons living along the Tapajós River system who must move when the rainy season arrives each winter. In this story, they forget their pet turtle, and the children sneak out one night to retrieve the turtle from the now flooded village. They encounter an anaconda. The illustrations were okay but not outstanding.

45FAMeulstee
okt 4, 2019, 3:39 pm

Belated happy new thread, Lori!

>1 thornton37814: Cats playing Yahtzee, doesn't even look that odd ;-)

46thornton37814
okt 4, 2019, 4:41 pm

>45 FAMeulstee: They did seem to enjoy it. Of course, I had to snatch the dice before they ate them. I guess I took all the fun out of it.

47thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:41 pm



Book 165. Iced Inn by Karen MacInerney

Date Completed: 4 October 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: With Adam and Gwen's marriage just a couple days away, their parents, newly arrived on Cranberry Island, cannot get along. Both mothers think the other's child not good enough for their own. Meanwhile someone steals the gifts intended for charity from donors as well as from the church. John, the island's deputy, must investigate while Natalie tries to manage both situations as best she can. The mystery is not very satisfying, but I do like the setting and characters. One budding romance may continue in future series installments.

48thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:41 pm



Book 166. Pumpkin Pied by Karen MacInerney

Date Completed: 4 October 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: It's Harvest Festival time on Cranberry Island, and it looks as if it may be the last. The property's heirs intend to sell to a family who plans to build a big house on it. Unless someone can find a way to purchase it or get a historic or archaeological designation, it will not be available to continue the island's tradition. Someone sabotaged one man's pumpkin that would have won the town's prize. A pig's heart and blood decorate the corn maze's entrance. Mysterious lights appear on the property at night. Then the corn maze catches fire after some popping noises are heard. Who is sabotaging the festival? What's the purpose? Are they trying to scare off the new buyers or the festival itself? Natalie investigates. Will the property sale transpire as planned? A lot is going on in this short story, but the mystery is on the light side.

49thornton37814
okt 5, 2019, 9:44 am

Just a quick note about the order of my Gray Whale Inn series reads. I saw Iced Inn on my Kindle to be read and decided to read it. When I went to add (since I'd failed to do so when I downloaded it) and review it, I noticed it had not been added to the series, so I did that. I spotted a Kindle short with a Halloween setting on the series page and decided I needed to read it so I purchased Pumpkin Pied and read it. I need to go back and read several full installments in the series.

50Familyhistorian
okt 5, 2019, 10:44 am

Happy new thread, Lori. Love the new topper. They look like they are trying to figure out how to score the game.

51thornton37814
okt 5, 2019, 11:31 am

>50 Familyhistorian: I think Mr. B was thinking about how he could put eat the dice!

52thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:41 pm



Book 167. What's That Word?: Vocabulary Quizzes by Douglas Grey

Date Completed: 5 October 2019

Category: The Eagles

Rating: 1 star

Review: These are not vocabulary quizzes unless you count each "puzzle" as a separate quiz--which makes 401 for the entire book. Instead this is one singular long vocabulary quiz. The author should have broken this into separate quizzes with 20 to 25 definitions where one guesses the word. Some terms are easier than others--and some really could have more than one correct answer, although the author only records one. Not recommended. I won a Kindle copy through a GoodReads giveaway. No review was required although one was encouraged.

53thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:41 pm



Book 168. Death Takes Passage by Sue Henry

Date Completed: 6 October 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Trooper Alex Jensen and dog musher Jessie Arnold set sail aboard the Spirit of '98 through the Inland Passage. The cruise commemorates the gold rush by taking a ton of gold to Seattle. When gold rush descendants discover thefts of sentimental items from their staterooms, the Captain enlists Alex's help to find the person responsible. Then a woman is missing and presumed dead, but another woman's body is recovered. Alex realizes something more sinister is afoot, and he doesn't know the number of conspirators involved or whom he should trust. Jessie's observations along with those of a teen she's mentoring in photography assist Alex tremendously. I enjoyed this installment. The characters were well-developed and interesting. I'd love to see some of them in future installments. I listened to the audio version read by Mary Peiffer who did a good job capturing various voices. I want to cruise the Inside Passage now!

54thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:41 pm



Book 169. Are Women Human? by Dorothy L. Sayers

Date Completed: 7 October 2019

Category: The Temptations

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Mary McDermott Shideler introduces us to two essays author Dorothy L. Sayers wrote about women and also provides a few remarks she made in an introduction to another book she wrote. Sayers did not consider herself a feminist although she did believe women should be able to choose a vocation suited to them. She believed aggressive feminism more harmful than helpful. This quick and interesting read shows Sayers' familiarity with philosophy and showcases her Christian faith.

55thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:42 pm



Book 170. The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport

Date Completed: 7 October 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Meri shows up in Canyon Mines, Colorado. It is clear to the inn's owner the girl is running from something, but she hires her to replace a longtime employee who recently left. She introduces her to her friend Jillian, a genealogist, and Jillian's attorney father, Nolan. Although some snooping took place to discover Meri's family pressured her into following the family tradition into medicine. She was a great student, but she flunked out of medical school. That was not her dream. It was that of her parents. Jillian begins exploring Meri's family history to find why the family felt so tied to the medical profession. When Meri's family shows up on the doorstep to force her to return to Tennessee with them, tempers flare. Will Jillian and Nolan be able to get Meri's family to hear her out? Will the family story Jillian uncovered help bridge the gap?

This novel alternated between the present-day in Colorado and 1878 Memphis during the yellow fever outbreak. With family in the area, I've read quite a bit about the yellow fever epidemic in that city, and the author seems to have hit upon the right theme to use in her story. I don't think the alternating times worked as smoothly as in some books. I loved the historical part. I liked the characters in the modern part although Meri's family frustrated me. Some of the things Jillian uncovered could not realistically have been done in the time frame, even if it was realistic a genealogist in a distant city would get up and retrieve records in the middle of the night. Still it was an interesting read, and I'll probably read the next in the series. I received an electronic copy through a GoodReads giveaway. Although reviews are encouraged, they are not required.

56thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:42 pm



Book 171. Cemetery Road by Greg Iles

Date Completed: 8 October 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 2 stars

Review: Although this book was set in my home state of Mississippi, I did not enjoy it or the characters. The lead character who is a newspaperman who sees a body and knows it must have come from not that far away. He uses his drone to spy on the "bad ole boys." However, he's not any better than they are. All the characters are despicable, and I really don't care one iota about what happens to them. The author uses far too much foul language for my taste, and I will not read more works by him. My mom would tell him to wash his mouth out with soap. I received this through a GoodReads giveaway with no obligation to review it although the publisher appreciates them.

57tymfos
okt 8, 2019, 10:17 pm

Hi, Lori! I am so impressed with your reading totals!

58thornton37814
okt 9, 2019, 1:14 pm

>57 tymfos: I'm way behind last year, but that doesn't bother me. I knew I wouldn't be able to repeat last year, and my goals included getting through some of the journal articles. I haven't made the dent there I wanted to make, but I've made progress.

59Berly
okt 10, 2019, 2:46 am

Belated happy new thread wishes!! Dang girl, look at all those books and articles you have read. Impressive.

60thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:42 pm

>59 Berly: Thanks, Kim.

ETA: I need to insert a book I missed adding to the feed.



Book 172. Death Has Deep Roots by Michael Stanley

Date Completed: 10 October 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Victoria Lamartine faces a charge of murder. Her alleged lover Major Thoseby's murder made her the most logical suspect. Attorney Nap Rumbold becomes a late replacement for the defense. Can he save his client from the gallows? Much of the book consists of hearings at the Old Bailey. Some shows Rumbold's activities in trying to clear his client. Lamartine participated in the French Resistance during World War II, and the mystery takes us back to that time to absolve her. Although I enjoyed Perry Mason mysteries during my junior high years, my love of the courtroom mystery did not continue into adulthood. I requested it based on the World War II connection and because of its British Library Crime Classics series designation. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would after discovering it was a courtroom setting. I consider it an average mystery. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

61Familyhistorian
okt 11, 2019, 1:04 am

>58 thornton37814: It must feel good to have made the progress that you have on the journal articles, Lori. They really add up in a hurry, don't they?

62thornton37814
okt 11, 2019, 9:28 am

>61 Familyhistorian: They do. I'm going backwards with the NGSQ articles and staying current now so that works. I know I read some of the NGSQ articles when they came out, but I really don't remember which ones unless I marked them up before. I'm just adding a date read to each article now. That will keep me on track.

63thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:42 pm



Book 173. The Dead Can Wait by Robert Ryan

Date Completed: 12 October 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Set during World War I, Major John Watson must investigate the deaths of men involved in testing weaponry in a secret location. Sherlock Holmes is detained on a remote island, and Watson hopes he can free his friend while reluctantly resolving the problem as a means to gaining access to Holmes. Spy novels are not "my thing," and this one features too much espionage for me. I felt the author inserted filler material which served little purpose to lengthen the novel.

64Familyhistorian
okt 12, 2019, 3:05 pm

>62 thornton37814: Good luck keeping that up, Lori! I always start with good intentions of keeping up but then RL happens.

65thornton37814
okt 12, 2019, 4:01 pm

>64 Familyhistorian: I know. Still I should be able to manage an issue in the 3 months it takes for a new issue to arrive!

66EBT1002
okt 12, 2019, 4:46 pm

Hi Lori. I love the picture of Mr. B and Sherlock playing national park Yahtzee. I'm familiar with Yahtzee but not the National Park variation.

>53 thornton37814: I had not thought of the Sue Henry series in a while. I enjoyed that one, partly because of the part of the world in which it is set.

67thornton37814
okt 12, 2019, 5:39 pm

>66 EBT1002: I saw the game at the the park store at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and added it to my Christmas wish list last year. Someone picked that for my gift! It's fun. I've only read a few of the Sue Henry series, but I've enjoyed the ones I've read. I am not reading them in any particular order, but that one was the perfect one for me at the moment.

68thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:42 pm



174. Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin

Date Completed: 12 October 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3 stars

Review: A series of sketches telling how the various children and adults associated with Oddfellow's Orphanage came to reside there. The pencil illustrations are stronger than the text, but young readers will find them delightful. What child wouldn't love to be in a black bear drawn carriage? I would suggesting reading one sketch per night as a bedtime story for children or one sketch per day as a read-aloud to younger grades. Thanks to Linda for passing her copy along to me.

69richardderus
okt 12, 2019, 7:49 pm

>63 thornton37814: Oh dear. Sounds like a misfire in the making for me as well. Too bad, isn't it, when an updated beloved character isn't improved by the update.

>68 thornton37814: How completely adorable the cover is! The rest of the art must be a lot like it, so that bodes well.

70thornton37814
okt 12, 2019, 9:48 pm

>69 richardderus: I sometimes think they ought to leave well-known characters from other author's series alone. I really prefer the original Holmes stories. On the orphanage book, the pencil drawings were wonderful.

71karenmarie
okt 13, 2019, 7:53 am

Hi Lori, and a very belated happy new thread.

>54 thornton37814: Another book that might interest you is The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers: Selections from Her Novels, Plays, Letters, and Essays edited by Carole Vanderhoof. I’ve been reading it in conjunction with my year-long personal challenge to read all of Sayers’ fiction. It’s very well done.

72thornton37814
okt 13, 2019, 7:24 pm

>71 karenmarie: I'm familiar with the book and have read some of it, but not all. I think I began reading it, but a student in the undergraduate division of the seminary where I previously worked needed it for a term paper so I gave it up. I might try to get back to it at some point.

73thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:43 pm



Book 175. Uniform Justice by Donna Leon

Date Completed: 14 October 2019

Category: Foreigner

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Brunetti's team investigates the apparent suicide of a teen at a military academy. Brunetti and Pucetti agree someone made it look like suicide. Their suspicions seem founded in light of the many things happening to the cadet's family over the last couple of years. The boy's father quickly resigned his legislative seat and separated from his wife following an "accident" in which his wife was shot. He investigated and presumably wrote a report divulging irregularities in military procurements. Italian corruption is a frequent theme in Leon's work, and this novel provides plenty to continue that theme. The title seems ironic in that justice is not served. I enjoyed the development of Pucetti's character in this installment. He proves himself a capable young officer. Audiobook listeners will rejoice the Colacci returned to providing the narration after the last installment's mispronunciations by an inferior reader.

74thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:43 pm



Book 176. The Marches: A Borderland Journey between England and Scotland by Rory Stewart

Date Completed: 14 October 2019

Category: Journey

Rating: 3 stars

Review: This book did not match my expectations. I expected the entire book to be a travelogue, but it also told of the author's relationship to his father and of his father's final years. I enjoyed the travelogue portions which told about the places visited and included interesting historical facts, family history information, and literature relating to the place, as well as a brief description. However, the book overall seemed a bit disjointed. I discovered Stewart resigned his Parliamentary seat within the last week or so, so I suppose it's fitting that I read it now.

75thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 14, 2019, 6:57 pm

I've inserted a book up at position Book 172 (message 59) that I somehow missed adding to my feed.

I'm off to investigate another discrepancy in my totals between Goodreads and here which could result in another addition.

ETA: It will end up being book 154 (message 166) on the previous thread when I get it inserted and the others renumbered on that thread.

76richardderus
okt 14, 2019, 7:04 pm

>75 thornton37814: My count is 10 fewer here than on Goodreads because there aren't many listings for stories in this database and I can't be bothered to create them.

77thornton37814
okt 14, 2019, 8:44 pm

>76 richardderus: Well I always know my GoodReads count includes the abandoned reads, but I knew I was off two. At least I found them. I'd actually reviewed them on LT, but just failed to add them to the feed. I must have been busy those days and just forgot to go back and add them when I got back online.

78thornton37814
okt 14, 2019, 8:48 pm



Book 177. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Wesley Dennis

Date Completed: 14 October 2019

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Paul and Maureen Beebe who live with their grandparents on Chincoteague Island dream of owning the Phantom, a horse no one caught for the past two years in the annual roundup on Assateague Island. They save to purchase the Phantom from the fire chief. Paul catches Phantom and her new foal he calls Misty. When they get to the sale, they find a "sold" sign on Misty, and the fire chief informs them Phantom was also sold. Through a stroke of luck, they are able to purchase them anyway. I'll leave out the rest of the plot to prevent spoilers. This childhood favorite will still charm young readers who love horse stories. It would make a good classroom read-aloud as some Outer Banks dialect is included.

79thornton37814
okt 14, 2019, 9:38 pm



Book 178. A Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear

Date Completed: 14 October 2019

Category: Air Supply

Rating: 2 stars

Review: When I was a child, I enjoyed Lear, but I read only a poem or two at a time. This book was "way too much of a good thing." If I ever read another "There was an old man from" or "There was an old person from" poem again, it will be too soon. He had several alphabets. Many used the same thing for the letters. For example, all used "Xerxes" for the letter "X." Why not a xylophone? In addition to poems and alphabets, Lear included some nonsensical biological drawings and a couple short stories. "The Owl and the Pussycat" is probably Lear's best-known work, and there's a reason for that. It's his best. Lear is best consumed in small doses, and this volume gives one entirely too much nonsense.

80thornton37814
okt 16, 2019, 9:30 pm



Book 179. Baking Basics and Beyond by Pat Sinclair

Date Completed: 15 October 2019

Category: Bread

Rating: 3 stars

Review: This book will prove most helpful for persons new to baking. Experienced cooks will likely possess recipes for most items which are as good or better than those in this volume. I picked up this book several years ago when offered free or cheap for Kindle and am just getting around to looking through it. I found one or two recipes of interest, but I already create many of the baked goods with recipes I won't abandon. Many new cooks prefer heavily illustrated volumes, and this one does not include step by step photos or even photos of all selections.

81richardderus
okt 16, 2019, 10:07 pm

#177 A favorite of my kidhood as well! I'm glad it aged well.

#178 All nonsense has a short shelf-life, I believe.

#179 No. Photos. In a basics book. That's ridiculous. Bakewise and Cookwise are the two I gift to newlyweds who aren't experienced in the kitchen.

82thornton37814
okt 17, 2019, 10:03 am

>81 richardderus: It's fun to re-read old favorites. I was delighted to see Misty was available when I was looking for a book from my Overdrive wish list to download. The cookbook included a few photos, but not enough for a "basics" book.

83thornton37814
okt 17, 2019, 1:31 pm



Book 180. Graze: Healthy Graze Craze Recipes to Kickstart Your Metabolism by Paul Dowling

Date Completed: 17 October 2019

Category: Bread

Rating: 2 stars

Review: Grazing involves eating 6 small meals per day rather than 3 larger ones. Cookbook uses the same ingredients over and over. I'd be completely bored with food if I ate only from recipes in this recipe for a couple weeks. The author uses oatmeal, granolas, quinoa, etc. in abundance. Many recipes are influenced by Hispanic cultures. Recommended for persons seeking this type diet or cookbook, but it's not one for me. I love my Southern foods too much! I received an advance review copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

84richardderus
okt 17, 2019, 1:58 pm

No fried foods = no creedence in my clearwaters.

85thornton37814
okt 17, 2019, 5:15 pm

>84 richardderus: Entirely too healthful for a Southerner. LOL It was too much of the same thing. There were no other reviews on it at all at LT, but when I went to GoodReads to add it, I saw it only had a 2.81 rating there, so I think others shared my assessment.

86thornton37814
okt 17, 2019, 9:43 pm



Book 181. Christian Education: A Guide to the Foundations of Ministry edited by Freddy Cardoza

Date Completed: 17 October 2019

Category: The Temptations

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Christian education has changed quite a bit over the years, but it has also remained the same. The discipline itself has expanded to include many new ministries, and many of us witnessed the development of these ministries. Designed to serve as an introductory textbook for Christian education courses in Christian universities, this book demonstrates the hybrid nature of Christian education today. It draws from philosophy, psychology, business, religion, sociology, and other disciplines to emphasize the importance of ministering to all persons. With chapters by leading Evangelical Christian educators, the book emphasizes personal evangelism in spreading the Gospel and encourages training all believers to share their faith. Some writers developed their topic better than others who seemed to give only superficial treatment to the topic. With more topics to cover than textbooks of forty years ago, the editor's challenge in creating a volume suitable for a foundation course is understandable, but the coverage given some topics which used to garner more attention in courses of this nature is disappointing. This book should serve well as an introductory text for years to come when supplemented by additional content addressing weaker portions of the text. I received this advance review copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review. Although I worked as a seminary librarian when some of the chapter authors attended my institution, I did not allow my friendship with the authors to influence my review.

87thornton37814
okt 18, 2019, 7:23 pm



Book 182. The Way We All Became the Brady Bunch: How the Canceled Sitcom Became the Beloved Pop Culture Icon We Are Still Talking About Today by Kimberly Potts

Date Completed: 18 October 2019

Category: The Eagles

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Author Kimberly Potts provides insight into one of television's most beloved programs of all time. The Brady Bunch never garnered top ratings during its five seasons, but it remains popular 50 years after the first show aired in syndication. Several other programs featuring the Brady Bunch cast appeared throughout the years, sometimes with a "fake Jan" or "fake Marcia." We learn about the show's casting, about Robert Reed's hatred for the program, and more in the pages. Comparisons to other shows of the time and influence upon shows that appeared later are covered. The show's fans will want to own or read a copy of this book. The book provided a trip down memory lane as the author mentioned things I read on the pages of popular teen magazines of the 70s such as Tiger Beat. The book covers the recent HGTV renovation of the home used for exterior house shots. I received an electronic advance review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The publisher classified this book under "Art & Photography" at NetGalley so I expected a little text with a lot of photos. Instead I got a lot of text and no photos. In spite of the disappointment, I still enjoyed the book.

88richardderus
okt 18, 2019, 7:52 pm

>87 thornton37814: Wow! The damned thing is STILL going strong! And Robert Reed, Leonard Nimoy, et alii, should take their stacks of money home and cry on them.

89thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 7:10 am

>88 richardderus: Or their heirs.

90thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 7:10 am



Book 183. Early Alabama: An Illustrated Guide to the Formative Years, 1798-1826 by Mike Bunn

Date Completed: 18 October 2019

Category: America

Rating: 3 stars

Review: The author uses photos, paintings, and maps, mostly color, to illustrate his brief history covering the history of Alabama from the separation of the Mississippi Territory from Georgia until its capital moved to Tuscaloosa in 1826. It spent 1798 to 1816 as part of the Mississippi Territory. I felt some points received better treatment than others. For example, settlement of rural areas received brief mention while coverage of large centers often received more attention tied to an historical figure, such as John Hunt's settlement of Huntsville. The work's bibliography provides readers opportunities to locate works which may provide better treatment in their area of interest in the state's history. The author closes with a historical sites tour which included several sites in Mississippi as well as those in Alabama. The book's illustrations make it interesting, but those seeking a more comprehensive approach to the topic will want to look elsewhere.

91thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 2:13 pm

I drove the loop at Pine Mountain State Park near Pineville, Kentucky today. While the colors are not as vivid as some years, they still were superior to colors I've seen this year because of the drought conditions.







92richardderus
okt 19, 2019, 2:31 pm

>91 thornton37814: Some top-notch leaf-peeping! Love the autumn colors.

93thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 7:03 pm

>92 richardderus: I had to go somewhere to find color. At home, they are just turning brown and dropping.

94thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 7:05 pm



In spite of the name, I didn't see any.

95richardderus
okt 19, 2019, 7:08 pm

96thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 7:13 pm

>95 richardderus: I can hear Arnold Ziffel now. Definitely a bit of false advertising! HEHE

97thornton37814
okt 19, 2019, 7:29 pm

Small book (and map) haul from Cumberland Gap National Park:

98Familyhistorian
okt 20, 2019, 12:18 am

>91 thornton37814: Pretty pictures, Lori, and interesting book haul in the previous post. Not many trees where I am now and the weather is odd, very warm at the beginning of the week but they are calling for snow tomorrow. It was nice to see the sun, though, as it looks like I am going back to rain.

99thornton37814
okt 20, 2019, 12:46 pm

>98 Familyhistorian: Yes. Most of the books have a lot of maps or other information on settlement and the roads in the area.

100thornton37814
okt 20, 2019, 8:57 pm



Book 184. To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie

Date Completed: 20 October 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: While going to St. Pancras train station to watch Andy's group perform, Melody witnesses a protester engulfed in flames by a smoke bomb that somehow contained a harmful poison. Her police instincts kick in, and she rushes toward the victim and begins to clear the station. Andy's manager Tam was injured by the flames. Melody was aided by a mysterious man who suddenly disappeared. She felt sure he was a policeman. Duncan, recently reassigned to the station nearest St. Pancras, comes to the scene with his new team to investigate. Until widespread terrorist activities are ruled out, MI5 is involved the investigation. The deceased's identity must be determined. At first, they suspect group member Ryan who was supposed to detonate the bomb is the deceased man, but when Paul Cole a younger member is reported missing, the investigation shifts focus. Gemma and Melody have their own investigation into a man employed by an electronics store they feel certain killed a teenage girl. Will they be able to find enough evidence for a conviction? I identified the person responsible early in the investigation. Things are not "neatly wrapped up" in this installment. Some threads will be continued in the next installment, but others we may never know the outcome. I feel Crombie is borrowing elements from Louise Penny's novels in "demoting" and "transferring" her characters. This is not enjoyable. I listened to the audio version and enjoyed this.

101jnwelch
okt 20, 2019, 9:43 pm

>91 thornton37814: How lovely! Thanks for posting those, Lori.

102richardderus
okt 20, 2019, 11:06 pm

>97 thornton37814: I used to get razzed hard for buying those books...the Georgia Agrirama one on non-food agriculturals caused my traveling companion *hours* of side-splitting mirth...but I am unrepentantly interested in such minutiae.

103thornton37814
okt 21, 2019, 1:05 pm

>101 jnwelch: You're welcome.

>102 richardderus: I have genealogical reasons for purchasing each book. Several have some very good information on migration through this general area and will provide some good background information I can include in client reports without needing to go to a library to use the books. Good maps in some--and the "frontier trails" one is a big map with a little text info.

104Oregonreader
okt 21, 2019, 3:04 pm

Hi Lori, I haven't visited in quite awhile so I had some catching up to do. I love your categories and I'm in awe of your organization and reading. I love mysteries as well and have checked out several of yours. Happy reading!

105thornton37814
okt 22, 2019, 6:42 am

>104 Oregonreader: Thanks for stopping in. Hope you enjoy the mysteries.

106thornton37814
okt 22, 2019, 8:36 pm



Book 185. The Body in the Dumb River by George Bellairs

Date Completed: 22 October 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 3 stars

Review: With flooding in the area, the local police find themselves stretched to the limit. Since Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard wrapped up a case in the area, they call on him to investigate. The victim James Teasdale, aka Jim Lane, suffers the misfortune of being married to a woman from a snobbish family. He owned a carnival game attraction and spent most of the time on the road. His income helped maintain his wife's standard of living, but she nor her family knew how he really earned the income. While on the road, he lived with another woman to save money. Although the author includes several red herrings, the perpetrator seemed obvious. The writing style did not really grab me. I received an advance electronic copy from the publisher through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

107Berly
okt 23, 2019, 12:01 pm

Misty of Chincoteague!! That was a favorite as a kid. And The Brady Bunch.

The foliage is so pretty, but I am sorry that you missed out on the flying pig so here...

108richardderus
okt 23, 2019, 12:07 pm

Hi Lori! I liked Bellairs's Littlejohn character well enough, but there are an enormous number of them and I can't remotely keep them all straight. That told me something....

I finally reviewed Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears today. It's a nicely told, if utterly predictable, take on a Cajun expat in New York's homecoming. The author liked my review, so that was good.

109thornton37814
okt 23, 2019, 9:44 pm

>107 Berly: Yes. Someone sent me a flying cat video today!

>108 richardderus: Yes. It's always bad when an author doesn't like your review. That happened to me on GoodReads once. I'd made some comment about the lack of plot plausibility, and he tried to take me to task. He didn't convince me otherwise. I stood by my review.

110richardderus
okt 24, 2019, 1:44 pm

>109 thornton37814: A Certain Famous Author took me to school on Facebook about "at-ing" authors in my reviews of their books. "Especially your mediocre ones," he said. And this from someone I'd given four-star reviews to!

He need never worry I'll bother him with a review of any of his future books.

111thornton37814
okt 24, 2019, 6:20 pm

>110 richardderus: I make comments about plot plausibility quite often, but this was the first time I'd been challenged. The author's "agenda" made him blind to the plot's implausibility but I never stated that in correspondence or in the review.

112thornton37814
okt 25, 2019, 6:40 pm



Book 186. Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries by Mike Martin

Date Completed: 25 October 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 2 stars

Review: Sgt. Windflower remembers Christmases past in this volume. It seemed rather disjointed to me. The author overused "be" verbs, and no editor assisted him in cleaning up the sloppy and dull writing. This was my first and probably last venture into this series. The setting intrigued me, but its brevity is the only reason I did not abandon the read. I received an electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

113thornton37814
okt 25, 2019, 7:11 pm



Book 187. Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M. C. Beaton

Date Completed: 25 October 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Agatha Raisin investigates the alleged haunting of a home in a nearby community, but soon the woman who lived there dies under suspicious circumstances. Although Runcorn wants to chalk it up to accidental death, Agatha and her new neighbor Paul Chatterton decide to investigate on their own. Two more deaths occur that may or may not be related to the first. Sir Charles shows up to take part in the action before Agatha solves it. Although the mystery itself is acceptable, I find Agatha's man-craziness tiresome. Penelope Keith's narration bumps the overall enjoyment up a bit!

114thornton37814
okt 28, 2019, 12:53 pm

I began reading The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer as a light cozy read for Halloween. I can't get into the print version--probably because I've been distracted. I want to give the audiobook a try before I completely call it quits, but there's a wait list. I'm suspending it for a bit. Since Mrs. Mewer is a cat, I think it will be cute, but I need to give it a rest until I either get an audio version to try or am less distracted.

115bell7
okt 28, 2019, 1:07 pm

Hello, Lori, I've been absent from others' threads for awhile and am dipping my toe back in a bit while I'm on vacation this week.

This is way up thread now, but just had to say I found it fascinating that your library received those copies of Contemporary Kazakh Prose and Contemporary Kazakh Prose. We did too! (Though now I don't remember who it was addressed to) I thought it was just a Massachusetts thing but apparently not - I doubt they'll get much circulation at our library, but I am somewhat curious to try one of them out. I'll look for your comments if you read the Poetry!

116thornton37814
okt 28, 2019, 3:04 pm

>115 bell7: They must have sent those to lots of folks! Some of our language and literature folks found it interesting when we told them about the books. I suspect a few people will dip into the volumes, but I don't expect anyone will read them cover to cover.

117thornton37814
okt 28, 2019, 5:51 pm



Book 188. Christmastime 1939 by Linda Mahkovec

Date Completed: 28 October 2019

Category: Herman's Hermits

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Lillian, a widower with two sons, wants them to enjoy this Christmas. They live in Brooklyn. She works for an unappreciative boss. When the housewares manager discovers Lillian's art talent and provides an opportunity for her to use it, Lillian's dreams are rekindled. A friend helps her see she may be able to make those dreams come tree. I did not read the other books in the series, but this prequel can be enjoyed by others wanting a nice gentle read. I won this in a GoodReads giveaway. Although an honest review was appreciated, it was not required.

118charl08
okt 28, 2019, 6:01 pm

>113 thornton37814: It's Penelope Keith that makes these for me too. The tv adaptation is nowhere near as funny, imho. She's got that arch tone that somehow puts so much more into the story.

119thornton37814
okt 28, 2019, 10:01 pm

>118 charl08: She's definitely the bright spot on this series.

120thornton37814
okt 30, 2019, 10:54 am



Book 189. Gothic Short Stories edited by David Blair

Date Completed: 30 October 2019

Category: The Beatles

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Our university professor book club usually chooses short story collections we can read together so members who miss a discussion don't feel "behind" when the next meeting rolls around. We began reading this in the spring semester, but we postponed many sessions, resulting in a continuation into the fall semester.

This Gothic short story collection gave us a feel for the development of the genre. Our leader is an English professor who asks great questions that provide a lot of discussion. One professor wrote his dissertation on the Gothic. Many members like the Gothic but each prefers a different style or element. This collection provided at least one or two stories each of us enjoyed at a surface reading, but the discussions made us understand and enjoy most of the rest.

The collection includes:
"Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" by Anna Letitia Aikin
"Captive of the Banditti" by Nathan Drake and an Anonymous Hand
"Extracts from Gosschen's Diary: No. 1" by Anonymous
"The Parricide's Tale" by Charles Robert Maturin
"The Spectre Bride" by Anonymous
"The Tapestried Chamber" by Sir Walter Scott
"Berenice" by Edgar Allan Poe
"The Madman's Manuscript" by Charles Dickens
"Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter" by J. S. le Fanu
"Ethan Brand: A Chapter from an Abortive Romance" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
"The Old Nurse's Story" by Elizabeth Gaskell
"The Body-Snatcher" by Robert Louis Stevenson
"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Stetson
"The Death of Halpin Frayser" by Ambrose Bierce
"Canon Alberic's Scrapbook" by M. R. James
"No. 252 Rue M. le Prince 1" by Ralph Adams Cram
"The Lame Priest" by S. Carleton
"Luella Miller" by Mary Wilkins Freeman
"The Bird in the Garden" by Richard Middleton
"The Room in the Tower" by E. F. Benson

My favorite was "The Yellow Wallpaper," mainly because of the interesting discussion it generated, and my least favorite was "The Bird in the Garden," which was short and seemingly less Gothic than most.

121thornton37814
Bewerkt: okt 31, 2019, 8:22 am

A Spanish professor is hosting a "Día de los Muertos" party Friday night. Those invited should wear costumes. Since we received short notice, I located an Amazon costume (in my size) still in stock I would receive by then. The medieval/Renaissance costume arrived yesterday. The hard part ended up locating enough small cats that I could be the Medieval Crazy Cat Lady. I found two black cats at Walgreens, three Hello Kitty cats at Ollie's, and seven whiskerless gray and white tabby cats at Walmart. I'm using fishing line to add whiskers to the Walmart cats. Most of the cats will be in a basket, but I will pin a couple onto my costume. I ought to find a wig, but I don't want to spend money on one.

122thornton37814
nov 1, 2019, 11:42 pm

The Medieval Crazy Cat Lady

123FAMeulstee
nov 2, 2019, 9:50 am

>122 thornton37814: Aww, a basket filled with cats and a lovely lady!

124richardderus
nov 2, 2019, 1:06 pm

>122 thornton37814: That's a wonderful, original idea! Haw. I bet you got some big smiles.

125thornton37814
nov 2, 2019, 3:59 pm

>123 FAMeulstee: It worked well for the party.

>124 richardderus: People did like the outfit. I put the basket down most of the time. Other people removed things like the horse's head or zombie mask, etc. from their outfits so I didn't feel too bad allowing my kitties to curl up and sleep. ;-)

126johnsimpson
nov 2, 2019, 4:45 pm

>122 thornton37814:, Love the photo Lori my dear, you look lovely and I hope you enjoyed the party dear friend.

127thornton37814
nov 2, 2019, 6:47 pm

>126 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. It was a fun party. The only bad thing about the costume was the sleeves got in the way when I was reaching for food. I managed to drag one across something with blueberry pie filling atop it as I reached for cheese.

128figsfromthistle
nov 2, 2019, 8:44 pm

>91 thornton37814: I love the fall colors!

>122 thornton37814: Great costume!

129thornton37814
nov 2, 2019, 10:15 pm

>128 figsfromthistle: Fall colors are a bit richer where I live now. They're just late this year, although I think they aren't as vivid as some years. The costume was fun.

130jnwelch
nov 4, 2019, 8:08 pm

131thornton37814
nov 4, 2019, 8:20 pm

>130 jnwelch: Thanks. It seems to be a big hit on Facebook where I'm approaching 200 likes.

132thornton37814
nov 4, 2019, 9:07 pm



Book 190. The Fever Cabinet by Frankie Bow

Date Completed: 4 November 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Department chair Molly Barda finds herself trying to make sure new hire Fiona Spencer feels welcomed and integrated into the faculty at Mahina State. Fiona's husband, the headmaster of a private school turns up dead in a fever cabinet in Fiona's office left behind by the asylum which once occupied the building. Although police did not tell Fiona and her mother to remain on the island, motives existed for both to want him out of the picture. Will Fiona stay, will she follow the attorney's advice and skip town, or will she end up behind bars?

The setting in a lesser-known Hawaiian locale makes it interesting, but I thought the writing mediocre. The alternating viewpoints (Molly and Fiona) created a great deal of unnecessary repetition and bogged the narrative down. The sleuthing seemed more incidental than deliberate and felt secondary to the plot. As a person working in academia, the author captures university politics and budgetary woes authentically. I received an electronic copy from the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.

133thornton37814
nov 6, 2019, 9:44 pm

Well Z39.50 doesn't seem to want to let me add any books this evening. Hopefully I'll remember to add the audiobook I completed this evening! This is one case where my review will appear on GoodReads before LibraryThing.

134thornton37814
nov 7, 2019, 10:26 am



Book 191. The Garden Plot by Marty Wingate

Date Completed: 6 November 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Pru Parke moved from Texas to England to pursue her dream of being an English gardener. She found an affordable home to sublet and began accepting odds and ends gardening jobs. She gave herself one year to find her dream job, but that year is almost up. Mrs. Wilson offers her an opportunity to transform a neglected garden, but Pru finds a mosaic appearing to date to the Roman period in the garden's shed when she digs. When she comes back the next morning, she discovers a body. She becomes a little too involved in the investigation and finds she enjoys the inspector's company. Will her nosiness get her in trouble? Will she find a job, or will she return to Texas?

I enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book. It was the perfect type book for my commute to work. While the book is not without fault, the recurring characters are enjoyable. The solution did not seem all that realistic, and the author needs to work on developing some lines into red herrings. Hopefully the next installment will improve.

135fuzzi
nov 9, 2019, 9:14 am

Caught up on your thread!

I've done the Cumberland Gap, lovely place.

Enjoyed your cat lady outfit, clever idea. 😁

136thornton37814
Bewerkt: nov 9, 2019, 11:04 am

>135 fuzzi: Thanks. I speak up there fairly regularly. The genealogist who helps them coordinate the talks for the genealogy jamboree usually asks me since I'm close. It doesn't pay well so he usually asks me closer to the event instead of well in advance. By that time I know if I'm booked for a venue that pays better. I usually do an old lecture there that can be updated minimally rather than a brand new one.

I'm working on a couple new lectures and a big update on another (because it's been so long since I've done it and so much has changed) for various venues in the spring. I may be adding a fourth into that mix when they send out invites for another conference. If not, I can hold off on it until I will be presenting it in summer. It will be quicker to pull together than the others.

137thornton37814
nov 10, 2019, 3:08 pm



Book 192. The Manor House Murder by Faith Martin

Date Completed: 10 November 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 2 stars

Review: Monica and husband Vicar Graham attend a clerics conference at a manor house. A cleric who mentioned a nut allergy dies after eating a dessert infused with peanuts. The chef is appalled someone tampered with his dessert. Monica, convinced Chief Inspector Jason is on the wrong track, begins her own investigation. We see more of Jason's investigation than Monica's. Too many characters and dull writing make this a struggle to read. A few places showed promise but the narrative's flatness returned too quickly. I did not read previous installments in the series so it's possible that affected my enjoyment as well. I received an advance review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

138Familyhistorian
nov 10, 2019, 5:28 pm

What a great cat lady costume, Lori. That event looks like it was fun!

139thornton37814
nov 10, 2019, 8:50 pm

>138 Familyhistorian: We enjoyed ourselves.

140thornton37814
Bewerkt: nov 13, 2019, 8:31 am

LibraryThing apparently hasn't decided whether or not to do the Card Exchange this year. I know several of us have participated in the past. If you've enjoyed it and want it to continue, please go chime in on the thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/312661 Several of us already purchased cards for it!

141thornton37814
nov 15, 2019, 8:22 pm



Book 193. A Mind to Murder by P. D. James

Date Completed: 14 November 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 3 stars

Review: When the administrator officer dies under suspicious circumstances with a handful of suspects, Adam Dalgliesh finds himself plowing through evidence, motives, and less-than-forthcoming suspects to make an arrest. While I suspected the perpetrator, it was not completely obvious. Still the story seemed tedious in places. The library held two Overdrive audio versions and after listening to samples of both readers, I selected the one by Penelope Dellaporta who seemed to use more voice inflection and read at a more relaxed pace.

142thornton37814
nov 15, 2019, 8:53 pm



Book 194. Knot on Your Life by Betty Hechtman

Date Completed: 14 November 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Casey continues to host yarn retreats at the resort across from the home she inherited from a relative. In this installment she finds herself hosting a group of women all acquainted with one another. A Silicon Valley entrepreneurial group on a mindfulness treat also booked the resort. The entrepreneurs are a bit jealous of the extra perks the women receive and ask for knitting lessons which one man thinks would be more "mindful" than the activities the resort's owner planned for them. Casey discovers one of the women dying near the dangerous rocks. A former Chicago private investigator, Casey remains one step ahead of the police investigator. Although not a complex mystery, it was enjoyable. The only other book in the series I read was the first. I received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

143thornton37814
nov 17, 2019, 2:22 pm



Book 195. The Tale of the Good Cat Jupie by Neely McCoy

Date Completed: 17 November 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Heartwarming story of Jupie the cat who adopts pet human Jean to come live with him in the red house. The cat performed many human things during the course of the book, but it's an imaginative story children of yesteryear probably enjoyed immensely. It still holds appeal for cat enthusiasts.

144fuzzi
nov 17, 2019, 6:39 pm

>143 thornton37814: so glad you also enjoyed it.

145ronincats
nov 17, 2019, 7:59 pm

>122 thornton37814: GREAT costume, Lori!!

146thornton37814
nov 18, 2019, 7:17 am

>144 fuzzi: Thanks for the alert. I'm a sucker for cat stories!

147karenmarie
nov 18, 2019, 8:14 am

Hi Lori!

Lovely fall colors in >91 thornton37814:. We have no fall colors except for a slight showing on the maples - everything else has simply turned brown and has fallen or will fall.

>122 thornton37814: Clever and well done.

148thornton37814
nov 18, 2019, 8:49 am

>147 karenmarie: The colors finally became more vibrant here as well, but they were considerably later than normal. Glad you liked my costume.

149thornton37814
nov 18, 2019, 1:32 pm



Book 196. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Date Completed: 18 November 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Catherine Danielle Clark, aka "Kya," grew up in a dysfunctional family residing in a swamp. Her mother abandoned the family, and her older brothers and sisters all left home as soon as they could to avoid their abusive father. Kya remained home. She attended school only one day in her life but was taught to read by Tate who cared for her from an early age. When her father left and did not return, Kya managed to get by with the help of Jumpin,' the proprietor of a shop which helped Kya earn a living from the swamp. After Tate leaves for the university, he encourages Kya to publish some of her observations of the marsh habitat. She becomes a well-regarded biologist. However, the town's prejudice against the "Swamp Girl" manifests itself when Chase's murder results in Kya's arrest even though she was in Greenville at the time of the murder. It's a story to be savored. The book's lyrical prose lives up to its hype.

150thornton37814
nov 18, 2019, 8:56 pm



Book 197. The Caribbean Irish: How the Slave Myth Was Made by Miki Garcia

Date Completed:18 November 2019

Category: America

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Many Irish settled in the Caribbean region, particularly in Barbados, fairly early. They mostly came as indentured servants, but this led to a rumor of enslavement. The sugar trade in the Caribbean drove the need for workers in the region, and the Irish, considered less-than-desirable by other Europeans, produced the essential labor until their replacement by African slave labor. While the book seems to be well-researched, it is not well-documented. With an average of one end note every two pages, the author failed to credit many sources and inadequately cited others by including a title in the text without including pages. The lack of documentation makes the work less useful and less credible. I received an advance review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

151harrygbutler
nov 19, 2019, 8:32 am

>143 thornton37814: Good to see another Jupie fan!

152thornton37814
nov 20, 2019, 8:18 am

>151 harrygbutler: I spotted Jupie on fuzzi's thread and discovered it was available full-text on HathiTrust so I read it there. I'll try to read the others in the Jupie series at some point.

153thornton37814
nov 21, 2019, 6:22 pm



Book 198. Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo

Date Completed: 21 November 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 3 stars

Review: When a mass murderer kills an entire family in horrendous fashion, Police Chief Kate Burkholder finds herself identifying with daughter Mary. As the investigation progresses, Kate uncovers a motive with ties to pornographic films. Tomasetti who failed a drug test some months ago is finally placed on leave with therapy required. Still he finds a way to help in the investigation. The characters in Kate's small force develop more in this installment. Kate's relationship with Tomasetti seemed a bit forced in this installment. The crimes, recorded in gruesome detail, the direction the investigation takes, and the action's climax require a reader who can stomach the graphic descriptions. While it was beyond my comfort level, I still enjoyed some of the novel. The series verdict remains in question. I'm not sure I will continue to read the series if all installments are as violent and graphic as this one. I listened to the audio version. The narrator did a good job.

154thornton37814
nov 22, 2019, 8:28 am



Book 199. The Exchange by Jon Langford

Date Completed: 22 November 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 3 stars

Review: A man tries to exchange an alarm clock at a store. I've heard this story or a similar one used as an illustration in sermons.

Available online here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Exch978.shtml

155thornton37814
nov 22, 2019, 8:47 am



Book 200. A Pioneer Mother by Hamlin Garland

Date Completed: 22 November 2019

Category: America

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: An adult son remembers his mother and his childhood and adolescence. The book shows the westward expansion of the United States as the family moves from Wisconsin across Iowa and into South Dakota over the years. The somewhat archaic language lends beauty to this description of a woman who worked hard and loved her family.

156johnsimpson
nov 22, 2019, 3:50 pm

Hi Lori, congrats on reaching 200 books so far dear friend. Sending love and hugs to you and the Fur babies.

157DFED
nov 22, 2019, 4:37 pm

200 books - wow!! A Pioneer Mother looks interesting!

158Donna828
nov 22, 2019, 4:54 pm

Hi Lori, thanks for posting some fall pictures. We try to map out a scenic route every year during the last week in October. Too bad I didn't get the memo that fall colors were going to be late this year. We saw some but most of the trees were pretty green.

>122 thornton37814: I love the picture of The Medieval Crazy Cat Lady. Thanks for my best laugh of the day!

159Copperskye
nov 22, 2019, 6:20 pm

Wow, 200 books! Congrats! I’m always just glad to reach my 75 goal but with so many books around to read, I should really reach higher!

>122 thornton37814: Very nice and creative!

>140 thornton37814: Yay, looks like it’s on again this year! :)

160thornton37814
nov 22, 2019, 8:40 pm

>156 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. The fur boys have been pretty entertaining lately.

>157 DFED: I picked that one up on someone's GoodReads feed. It's pretty short, but it was fun.

>158 Donna828: Everyone loved the outfit. I think it's a winner.

>159 Copperskye: Glad to hear the exchange is on now. I'm glad others spoke up.

161thornton37814
nov 22, 2019, 9:28 pm



Book 201. The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

Date Completed: 22 November 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: Hanna Casey moves back to Ireland's Finfarrin Peninsula, accepting a job with the local library. Local issues threaten the library's existence. This installment lacked a real plot. It seemed an attempt to acquaint readers with characters. I normally love a book with an Irish setting or one involving a library. The book, however, failed to strike a home run. I did not hate the book, but the lack of plot contributed to its low rating.

162PaulCranswick
nov 23, 2019, 9:32 am

Well done Lori on passing 200 books, an accomplishment I sadly can only dream about.

Have a lovely weekend.

163jnwelch
Bewerkt: nov 23, 2019, 1:17 pm

Where the Crawdads Sing: The book's lyrical prose lives up to its hype. Yes!

The Library at the Edge of the World: I normally love a book with an Irish setting or one involving a library. Me, too. Sorry this one didn't come through. I just finished the enjoyable, if not stellar, Bookshop of Yesterdays, and I've got The Bookish Life of Nina Hill coming up soon. The latter has been getting a lot of 75er love.

164thornton37814
nov 23, 2019, 5:52 pm

>162 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I won't hit 300 as I did last year.

>163 jnwelch: Joe, I may have to try one or both of those you mentioned.

165fuzzi
nov 23, 2019, 7:34 pm

>157 DFED: agreed, going to look that one up.

166thornton37814
nov 23, 2019, 8:03 pm

>165 fuzzi: Hope you all enjoy it. I find things like that interesting. I just happened upon it via a GoodReads friend. I think she read the Project Gutenberg copy, but I think the Internet Archive options are often better resolution so I checked there for it.

167richardderus
nov 24, 2019, 8:14 pm

Brava for reaching and surpassing 200 books read!

168ronincats
nov 24, 2019, 8:19 pm

Adding to the congrats for 200 books. I know I've never reached that number!

169thornton37814
nov 24, 2019, 8:50 pm

>167 richardderus: Thanks, Richard.

>168 ronincats: I read over 300 last year so this one was not quite as outstanding. Still I'd like to complete a triple--even if it means reading several shorter works to achieve it.

170thornton37814
nov 26, 2019, 7:55 am

I'm in Cincinnati. Heard on the radio about a turkey giveaway they are doing at a local shopping center. ;-) Okay, maybe not this year, but some opportunities this time of year are just too hard to pass up. Being in the city with the infamous "turkey drop" is one of them.

171richardderus
nov 26, 2019, 10:53 am

>170 thornton37814: I hope you are enjoying the fleshpots of Cincinnati, Lori, though what led you there is utterly opaque to me.

172thornton37814
nov 26, 2019, 6:36 pm

>171 richardderus: Richard, I lived in Cincinnati 12 years before moving to East Tennessee. The first 2 years I attended a seminary there. I moved away and returned about 2 years later and worked in the library at the seminary. The undergraduate and graduate divisions merged to become Cincinnati Christian University. They announced last month they would close at the end of the semester. I went one last time so I'd get a bit of closure. It was a quick trip, but I enjoyed eating at some of my favorite spots--although all were on the cheaper side--because it's what I wanted.

173fuzzi
nov 26, 2019, 6:37 pm

>170 thornton37814: bwahaha! The humanity! 🤣

I loved that tv series.

Oh, and congratulations! I missed your 200 achievement.

174thornton37814
nov 26, 2019, 6:40 pm

>173 fuzzi: Yes. When I lived in Cincinnati, they always played re-runs after the evening news. It had not been off the air long at the time. I was really upset when MeTV replaced it with "Green Acres." I think I really identified with the show because of my time in Cincinnati. While we didn't have WKRP, we did have WKRC.

175thornton37814
nov 26, 2019, 9:51 pm



Book 202. The Fox in the Library by Lorenz Pauli and Kathrin Schärer; translated by Andrew Rushton

Date Completed: 26 November 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Fox finds lots of items in the library, but he doesn't follow procedures. Mouse apparently didn't know all the rules himself because he told Fox to reshelve a book. Since the book's original publication was European, perhaps rules differ in the author's country. Cute book. Illustrations are mediocre.

176thornton37814
nov 26, 2019, 10:00 pm



Book 203. Prudence Crandall, Teacher for Equal Rights by Eileen Lucas; illustrated by Kimanne Smith

Date Completed: 26 November 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Prudence Crandall, a Connecticut teacher, saw no reasons black children should not attend school. She championed their right to education in the pre-Civil War era. Illustration quality is uneven with some being great and others mediocre. Still Prudence's story is one that should be told.

177thornton37814
Bewerkt: nov 26, 2019, 10:33 pm



Book 204. A Frontier Teacher by David Stienecker; illustrated by Virginia Kylberg

Date Completed: 26 November 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Although the content is pretty good, the illustrations would not engage readers. The scope is a bit broader than the title suggests. The author opens with a discussion of the westward movement and frontier settlement. Topics include how teachers were hired, how they were paid, where they boarded, the schoolhouse, desks, students, textbooks, and more.

178thornton37814
nov 26, 2019, 10:48 pm



Book 205. The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis

Date Completed: 26 November 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Ghost hunters descend upon Holly's grandmother's inn in Wagtail. (Wagtail is a pet-friendly town relying on tourism.) When an unpopular woman dressed as a legendary local ghost drowns in two feet of water, Officer Dave and Holly suspect someone helped her. The author included some successful red herrings. The dogs and cats sense things before humans. It's a cute Halloween book. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jeanie Kanaley. The narrator sometimes read without emotion and often reminded me of a car's GPS which often mispronounces place names. However, Kanaley mispronounced commonplace words.

179richardderus
nov 27, 2019, 5:50 pm

>172 thornton37814: Oh dear, Lori, I am so sorry to learn of your loss! I'd feel bereft if an institution I'd invested so much of myself in had to, or decided to, close. My sympathy.

But on we go, right? So I wish you a Happy Turkey Day! Rob's working, so I'll see him Friday. He's requested green goddess seafood rice for our dinner. Carrot cake with pineapple cream cheese frosting *drool* and whatever he brings to drink. And no effin' Old Stuff (my deeply unloved roommate, gone to visit his son in Connecticut)!! Yay!!

180thornton37814
nov 27, 2019, 7:13 pm

>179 richardderus: My Thanksgiving menu consists of a turkey tenderloin which I plan to crust in herbs and roast, Southern cornbread dressing, green beans, whole berry cranberry sauce, yam patties with butter and brown sugar (instead of a sweet potato casserole), rolls, and pecan pie.

181thornton37814
nov 27, 2019, 7:46 pm

When I went to Cincinnati earlier this week, I spent Tuesday morning at the main library. I'd created a short list of items to examine for genealogy presentation purposes mostly. I added several picture books to the list with a "Just for Fun" label in case I had time to read them before heading to lunch.

You see three of the picture books listed above. We were unable to locate two or three others, and when I'd checked the night before, one title was checked out. Most of the ones we couldn't locate involved cats or libraries.

I do, however, want to comment on my visit. It expanded shortly after I moved. They moved a few departments around at that time, but the "feel" was still there for the most part. They've now moved more things into closed stacks and opened up space as is the trend. They did away with departments for the most part with a central "Information and Reference" area for adults where you send for the closed stacks books. Books are in strict Dewey order instead of being arranged by department. They no longer have "subject specialists" with one exception--history and genealogy. That department, however, is so pared down from what it once was that it doesn't feel like a genealogy library. Even though I know many of the books are in closed stacks and can be retrieved from the department or the central Information and Reference desk, it's no longer a pleasant place to research. It's clear the philosophy of library management changed over the years, and I'm sad to see what once consistently appeared in the top ten list of U.S. genealogy libraries marginalized.

While I'm sure it won't be my last visit to Cincinnati for genealogy research, I'll probably consider driving the extra 3 hours to Fort Wayne when I can.

182Familyhistorian
Bewerkt: nov 27, 2019, 7:58 pm

>180 thornton37814: That sounds good, Lori. Not turkey day on this side of the border but it looks like Black Friday has come north. Belated congrats on reaching 200 and it looks like you are making good progress towards your triple. I think I liked The Library at the Edge of the World more than you. Have a great Thanksgiving!

ETA Too bad that the genealogical part of the library was downgraded.

183thornton37814
nov 27, 2019, 8:56 pm

>182 Familyhistorian: It wasn't just the genealogical section, it was the entire library that was downgraded in my opinion.

184richardderus
nov 27, 2019, 9:27 pm

>180 thornton37814: That's a delicious meal! For my gloriously solitary Thursday feed, I'll have cornbread stuffing with onions, celery, carrots, and corn, plus sausages and mushroom gravy.

>181 thornton37814: Oh, that's always so disappointing when libraries downgrade unique services.

185thornton37814
nov 27, 2019, 10:00 pm

>184 richardderus: I'm looking forward to eating it.

186johnsimpson
nov 28, 2019, 3:26 pm

Hi Lori my dear, hope you have a really lovely Thanksgiving Day with the Furboys and send love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

187thornton37814
Bewerkt: nov 28, 2019, 3:31 pm

When I went Thanksgiving meal shopping earlier last weekend, I saw a turkey tenderloin and decided to purchase it instead of a turkey breast. I thought it would be excellent herb-crusted. I'm so glad I chose this. The flavor was excellent. Most online recipes call for honey mustard, but I'm not a huge fan of mustard . . . although I tolerate honey mustard. I decided to just crust it without the honey mustard. I salted and peppered the tenderloin. I added rosemary although I didn't go overboard with it as rosemary's flavor is strong. Then I added oregano and parsley, pretty heavily. Then I decided to add garlic powder--just sprinkled over both sides but not heavy. It was so yummy! I will make this again!

I also enjoyed cornbread dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pecan pie.

188thornton37814
nov 28, 2019, 3:28 pm

>186 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! It's been very nice. They've been entertaining me when they aren't demanding petting.

189quondame
nov 28, 2019, 4:10 pm


Happy Thanksgiving, Lori!

190thornton37814
nov 28, 2019, 10:09 pm

>189 quondame: Thank you! Hope yours was great!

191thornton37814
Bewerkt: nov 28, 2019, 10:30 pm



Book 206. Murder in Rat Alley by Mark de Castrique

Date Completed: 28 November 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Sam Blackman and his partner Nakayla Robertson investigate a death linked to the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute near Asheville. The man's remains were found when equipment was brought in to help with current operations. He had been missing for decades. His former fiancee does not trust federal officials to get to the bottom of things because she thinks PAGI and other agencies covered up his disappearance. In the meantime someone burns Nakayla's home. Sam and Nakayla must work with several jurisdictional law enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of the case. I enjoy the series, but this installment did not hold my attention as much as some, likely because of some espionage elements. I learn odd bits of Western North Carolina history because of this series. The setting always delivers! This review is based on an advance review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

192Berly
nov 29, 2019, 1:56 pm

Hi Lori! Yes, I am actually trying to make the rounds today. Hopefully RL will slow down for me for a bit.

Okay--fast catchup comments: Congrats on cruising past 200! I know that isn't your total from last year, but I am still in awe. And I absolutely love your crazy cat lady costume photo! What a hoot! Loved catching up on your book reviews (even if the author didn't like some of them--I did.).

And Happy Day After -- enjoy the leftovers. Your turkey tenderloin sounds amazing. : )

193thornton37814
nov 29, 2019, 8:24 pm

>192 Berly: I enjoyed leftovers for a late lunch. I will snack on something in a bit--not too much, but enough that I won't be hungry. I'm definitely keeping the crazy cat lady costume. It fits me!

194thornton37814
Bewerkt: nov 30, 2019, 7:25 pm



Book 207. Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song by Cynthia Grady; illustrated by Michele Wood

Date Completed: 30 November 2019

Category: Air Supply

Rating: 5 stars

Review: This incredible picture book beautifully illustrates slave songs, presents a score with lyrics, and tells the story of each song. A glossary, appendix with scoreless lyrics, and bibliography appear at the end. This book deserves a place in libraries and homes. I don't often keep picture books except for cat books, but this is one that I will keep.

195thornton37814
nov 30, 2019, 7:24 pm



Book 208. Bred in the Bone by Kendra Elliot

Date Completed: 30 November 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 2 stars

Review: FBI Agent Cate Wilde recuperates on Widow's Island. When a hit-and-run leaves a man dead, they feel sure they can prevent the murderer's escape. The investigation, however, turns up clues in a 20-year-old missing person case. I didn't really enjoy this one. Although it happened near Christmas, it lacked the charm of Christmas stories. I did not read the previous installment in the series. Characters seemed a bit flat, and the story itself also lacked adequate development. I won an electronic copy through a GoodReads giveaway. Although a review was not required, one is appreciated.

196thornton37814
dec 1, 2019, 7:50 pm



Book 209. Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library by James Dean

Date Completed: 1 December 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Pete the Cat discovers all sorts of adventures at the library as he picks up and reads different books. It's a cute series book featuring two of my favorite things--a cat and a library.

197thornton37814
dec 2, 2019, 8:28 pm

I promised Meg I'd post the ornament I included in the sock exchange at my sorority meeting.

I could not find a cat ornament available to purchase at any store I visited so I looked through my stash and found a cat ornament kit. When I opened it, the threads were awful. They intended you to only use one thread instead of two. It was 14 count so it definitely needed two. I grabbed the fibers and discovered one color was missing. There were supposed to be two shades of blue, but they only had the darker shade so I had to guess at the lighter and try to find the one that matched the group best. It's a hodge-podge of mostly DMC threads, but a few others like Sampler Threads (for the red color). My black is also another brand because I needed to use it up. (I had plenty of black DMC fiber, but it was newer than the other so I wanted to use the old.) I think it turned out pretty well, although I didn't quite get the hang of bending the little hanger. I did the best I could. Here it is.

198Familyhistorian
dec 4, 2019, 8:06 pm

Turkey tenderloin sounds like a treat, Lori. I will have to see if I can source it around here. Thanks for posting the photo of the cat ornament. It turned out very well especially considering all the changes you had to make to get it to work.

199thornton37814
dec 5, 2019, 8:26 am

>198 Familyhistorian: It really was good. I just happened to spot it at the store and thought I'd try it instead of the turkey breast. I'm glad I did.

200thornton37814
dec 7, 2019, 1:47 pm

Has anyone seen the Shakespeare 2020 Project that uses the Folger Library's digital editions of Shakespeare's works? You can find the reading schedule here: https://iandoescher.com/shakespeare/schedule/. You can find the digital texts here: https://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/download/

I'm still trying to determine if I want that much of my reading schedule eaten up by Shakespeare, but it's an interesting concept.

201tymfos
dec 7, 2019, 9:23 pm

Hi, Lori! I'm sorry to hear about the closing of the school you attended in Cincinnati. My undergraduate college shut down after I graduated, and the seminary where I got my Masters in Religion merged with another seminary and has a totally new name and structure. In addition, now the Junior college I attended has gone through a merger, and taken the name of the other school. I almost feel like I'm bad luck for schools!

It's also a shame about the main library in Cincinnati.

202thornton37814
dec 7, 2019, 9:27 pm

>201 tymfos: I'm glad I got to go before the campus is bulldozed by a developer. I'm sure that will eventually happen. The view of downtown and the Ohio is too good. I predict condos.

203tymfos
dec 7, 2019, 9:29 pm

>202 thornton37814: You're probably right -- prime real estate. (sigh)

204thornton37814
dec 7, 2019, 10:01 pm

205thornton37814
Bewerkt: dec 9, 2019, 6:12 pm



Book 210. Poisoned Pages by Lorna Barrett

Date Completed: 7 December 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 2.5 stars

Review: Tricia's bookstore suffered a fire. As part of its reopening, she hosts on open house. A guest dies after consuming a tainted hors d'oeuvres. Tricia's sister Angelica attempts resuscitation. The mystery's story line feels secondary or even tertiary to Tricia's efforts to succeed her sister as Chamber of Commerce president, vandalism along main street, and bugs being planted. They tie in, but the reader almost forgets what caused the problem in the first place. The story, while enjoyable, is a bit too "all over the place," and the mystery suffers. The police took too much of a back seat, and in a small town, they should have been encountered more often without being called. I've only read a few installments in the series, but I feel the author's enthusiasm for the series declining in this installment.

206thornton37814
dec 9, 2019, 11:36 am

The moderator of the Genealogy@LT Group appears to no longer be active on LibraryThing. It's been several years since the person posted anything. In an effort to resuscitate the group, I posed a question there about Christmas genealogy wishes. If you are a member of the group, I invite you to help me resuscitate it. If you are interested in genealogy, I invite you to join us over there. I have another question up my sleeve to be introduced closer to New Year's Day, but I'd love to see this group active!

207thornton37814
Bewerkt: dec 31, 2019, 11:11 pm



Book 211. Pete the Cat Goes Camping by James Dean

Date Completed: 9 December 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Pete the Cat's family goes on a camping adventure. He enjoys fishing with his dad and eating it when his mom cooks it. To top it off, they make s'mores and talk about Bigfoot. Pete leaves a s'more for Bigfoot. Pete, sharing a tent with his brother Bob, finds it difficult to sleep because of strange noises. Bob accounts for most of the sounds, but what happens when Bob falls asleep and Peter hears a big crunching noise? It's a cute picture book for young readers.

208thornton37814
dec 9, 2019, 6:17 pm

I'll probably post a few more Pete the Cat books in the morning. At the annual faculty/staff party, they will collect children's books to give children staying at Samaritan House, a local shelter. I picked up several Pete the Cat books, but I may need to read them before I donate them later in the morning.

209thornton37814
dec 10, 2019, 8:42 am



Book 212. Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach by James Dean

Date Completed: 10 December 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Pete, Bob, and their mom go to the beach. Pete stays on the beach while Bob goes surfing. Eventually Pete's mom gets him into the water and before long, Bob teaches him to surf. This cute book teaches a lesson about fear!

210thornton37814
dec 10, 2019, 8:45 am



Book 213. Pete the Kitty Goes to the Doctor by Kimberly Dean and James Dean

Date Completed: 10 December 2019

Category: New Kids on the Block

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Pete doesn't feel well. His dad takes him to the doctor. Pete is scared of going to the doctor, but his dad insists she is nice. The doctor finds Pete suffers from a bellyache, prescribes rest, and gives him a sticker. Pete decides the doctor isn't so bad. My biggest criticism lies in the lack of a shot. As a child, my doctor fear correlated directly to the fear of the needle. If Pete's diagnosis required an injection, perhaps more children would be less afraid.

211Familyhistorian
dec 11, 2019, 12:38 pm

>206 thornton37814: I noticed the LT genealogy group when I first started on the social media side of LT, Lori. That was in 2013 and I don't think it was really active even then. I will go and check it out.

212thornton37814
dec 11, 2019, 3:45 pm

>211 Familyhistorian: It hasn't been very active. Let's jump-start it! I'm not sure a lot of the folks in it visit groups regularly.

213thornton37814
dec 11, 2019, 4:00 pm



Book 214. The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch

Date Completed: 11 December 2019

Category: Herman's Hermits

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Charles Lenox runs for a House of Commons seat and investigates suspicious deaths of men in finance. Lenox and Lady Jane Gray make plans for their wedding. While I'm certain the author will use the Parliamentary seat in future novels, it seemed more a distraction in this one. I'm not certain how I feel about a private investigator holding that title and continuing to practice private investigation. James Langton always does a good job narrating books.

214thornton37814
dec 11, 2019, 4:55 pm

Heading out to grab a bite to eat before our Living Christmas Tree dress rehearsal. I'm dreading it--3 hours of standing. I'm not sure I can handle it.

215thornton37814
dec 13, 2019, 4:23 pm

The Overdrive app updated and after logging back in, I can check audio books out, but I can no longer download them to my iPhone. I suspect it's trying to work like Libby, and they may figure it out and fix it, but I've got a several hour drive Tuesday and don't want to be without audiobooks. I need some insights or advice from someone who made the change from Overdrive to Libby. I have 300+ items in my wishlist on Overdrive and do not wish to lose these. I've heard others say they can't access the Overdrive wish list on Libby. After you migrate to Libby, can you still access Overdrive to see the wish list (until you get it transferred). This is only the first of two libraries. I did try downloading a book from my other library and ran into the same problem. However, I can deal with the first one first. Answers? Advice?

216thornton37814
dec 14, 2019, 10:42 am



Book 215. A Holiday Yarn by Sally Goldenbaum

Date Completed: 13 December 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Mary Pisano plans to make her grandfather's house a bed-and-breakfast, but when her cousin Pamela's corpse turns up dead on the property, the knitters find themselves investigating another murder. Light on mystery but full of small-town charm, this mystery works best for fans of the series who already know the characters. While this installment bore the "next in series" notation for me, I read the previous ones so long ago I had forgotten most characters. I suspect it marred my enjoyment.

217thornton37814
dec 15, 2019, 11:32 am

>215 thornton37814: I made the conversion to Libby since it didn't appear I'd be able to access the book otherwise. Libby offers no wish list feature. That's highly inconvenient. The wish list does remain on Overdrive and is accessible online and in the Overdrive app. You just can't download audio books (and perhaps ebooks) to the app any longer. If you try, they show up in Libby instead of Overdrive.

218thornton37814
dec 15, 2019, 11:53 am

Since I will pack my books for the trip today, I opened my SantaSwap packages. Thanks to my Santa for:

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
Poems to Live Your Life By by Chris Riddell
The Christmas Angel by Marcia Willett

219thornton37814
dec 15, 2019, 9:49 pm

The little plastic nose pad on one side of my glasses broke right before tonight's Living Christmas Tree performance. I'll have to wait until after my hair appointment tomorrow to get it replaced. Everyone says they are great about repairing those at Walmart, but the one nearest me doesn't open until 9 a.m., and my hair appointment is at 9:30--a good ten minutes away. My glasses are not very comfy at the moment, so I'm looking forward to getting offline so I can take them off.

220jnwelch
dec 16, 2019, 2:16 pm

I hope you read this after your glasses get comfy again, but Cider with Rosie is a charmer, Lori. I think you'll enjoy it.

221thornton37814
dec 16, 2019, 4:00 pm

>220 jnwelch: My glasses are nice and comfy again. I saw Cider with Rosie on someone's feed in the last couple years and really wanted to read it. I'm glad it made its way to me, but I think I'll save it for after the first of the year. I checked out far more than I'll probably read during the holidays, but at least I won't run out!

222Familyhistorian
dec 17, 2019, 1:27 pm

I hope the living Christmas Tree went well, Lori. Best of luck sorting out your audiobooks.

223richardderus
dec 17, 2019, 1:34 pm

Safe journey, happy visit, and easy homecoming wishes!

224thornton37814
dec 18, 2019, 8:15 pm

>222 Familyhistorian: The Living Christmas Tree performances went very well. I need to download one for the client research trip tomorrow. I'll be on the road 5 to 6 hours. I may need to stay overnight, but I really don't think I will unless I find a lot more than I expect.

>223 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! So far so good. Dinner was almost ready by the time my brother and sister-in-law made it home for work. I cooked pork chops, purple hull peas, fried okra, baked sweet potato, and cornbread. Many of those are favorites of my brother.

225thornton37814
dec 20, 2019, 12:10 pm



Book 216. The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall

Date Completed: 17 December 2019

Category: The Beach Boys

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: When Sadie sees the man she intends to wed in a compromised position with her cousin, she calls off the next day's nuptials. She embarks on a mission trip to Peru and then returns to work in a store in another town. When the family calls her home, she is torn between being obedient and her desire to return to Peru. But circumstances force her to move back home at least until she can gather the necessary funds for the trip. In the midst, she meets Levi, a man new to the area, who saw his brother's wife walk and leave him and their young child. He distrusts women as much as she distrusts men.

I listened to this in audio format. The narrator was good, but not exceptional. The story itself is a nice, clean romance that Amish fiction lovers and those who enjoy gentle Christmas reads will enjoy. It's a typical Amish romance plot with enough of a twist to make it enjoyable.

226thornton37814
dec 20, 2019, 11:54 pm



Book 217. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Date Completed: 20 December 2019

Category: The Beatles

Rating: 3 stars

Review: Men in love with the same woman join the French revolution. It's a love triangle involving a married couple and another man. Madame Dafarge, obsessed with her knitting, presents a sinister character. The far kinder Lucie Manette is devoted to her father. Will those accused of treason keep their heads? Although this is one of Dickens' classic works, it's not a favorite. The memorable opening line is about as good as the novel gets for me. This was a re-read, although it's been several years since I read it.

227richardderus
dec 21, 2019, 3:50 pm

>224 thornton37814: That's a fine meal indeed. I'l be there around six-ish, and double the cornbread. :-)

Soviet Santa says "Happy Yule!" Solstice Greetings to all. Read more here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/soviet-santa

228fuzzi
dec 21, 2019, 4:41 pm

>226 thornton37814: congratulations on that one. I've tried reading it at least three times and get bogged down with every attempt.

229thornton37814
dec 21, 2019, 7:54 pm

>227 richardderus: Thanks. I love cooking, and my brother is an appreciative audience. I knew I was hitting on some of his favorite foods when I made that meal.

>228 fuzzi: It's not my favorite Dickens work. I think the key to not getting bogged down is to read it quickly--even if you aren't picking up every single word. You still get the overall picture. I had the advantage of slugging through it years ago so I knew the plot.

230foggidawn
dec 22, 2019, 11:00 pm

>226 thornton37814: I read that for the first time last year, and found that the memorable first and last lines really were the best of the book.

231jnwelch
dec 23, 2019, 7:55 am

Happy Holidays, Lori. We're off to gather with the family today.

232thornton37814
dec 23, 2019, 9:55 pm

>230 foggidawn: Definitely.

>231 jnwelch: I'm already at my brother's.

233thornton37814
dec 24, 2019, 11:27 am



Book 218. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Date Completed: 23 December 2019

Category: Herman's Hermits

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Set during the years of the Works Progress Administration, this novel weaves the story of a group of pack horse librarians in the Kentucky Appalachian area. Margery spearheaded the efforts in Lee County. Alice, the English wife of the mine owner's son, Beth, Izzy, a slightly crippled young woman, and Sophia, a black woman trained to work in Louisville's libraries for blacks, assisted her. Later others began to help. Some thought the books and magazines might be too unwholesome, but they helped achieve a higher literacy rate in the area. Unhappy in her marriage and beaten by her father-in-law, Alice moved in with Margery. When a drunken man dies, apparently of an injury caused by a library book, the mine owner points suspicion to the very pregnant Margery whose family had a known feud with the man's clan. The book generates interest in the important New Deal era of American history by bringing interesting characters fulfilling an interesting role to life. Although the book included some information on the role of church in the area, particularly in regards to what materials certain persons would read, I felt the author underutilized that element by failing to show characters regularly attending church. The book ably depicts the courage and bravery of the women in navigating treacherous terrain and in humanitarian efforts during a flooding situation. I received this book through a GoodReads giveaway. Although no review is required, one is appreciated.

234quondame
dec 24, 2019, 12:37 pm

Have a comfy, caring, and very

Merry Christmas!

235karenmarie
dec 24, 2019, 1:22 pm

Hi Lori! Line in the sand. I'm so far behind... but best wishes for a


236johnsimpson
dec 24, 2019, 4:17 pm

Merry Christmas Lori my dear from both of us dear friend.

237thornton37814
dec 24, 2019, 9:17 pm

>234 quondame: >235 karenmarie: >236 johnsimpson: Thanks for the Christmas wishes. I'm celebrating with a head cold, but at least it appears to be improving.

238harrygbutler
dec 25, 2019, 9:03 am

Merry Christmas, Lori!

239streamsong
dec 25, 2019, 11:44 am

Merry Christmas from Montana!



I'm sorry about your head cold but glad it's improving.

I'm in awe of the gift that you and all the performers give with your living Christmas tree and other concerts.

240PaulCranswick
dec 25, 2019, 9:53 pm



Thank you for keeping me company in 2019.......onward to 2020.

241AMQS
dec 26, 2019, 2:05 am




Merry Christmas to you and your family!

242thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 9:54 am

>238 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry!

>239 streamsong: Glad you enjoyed the Living Christmas Tree! What a beautiful ornament!

>240 PaulCranswick: Happy to keep you and other company!

>241 AMQS: Thanks, Anne!

243thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 10:10 am



This is the book/DVD haul from Christmas with my family.

244thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 11:16 am



Book 219. Holy Scriptures: Tree of Life Version, TLV by Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society

Date Completed: 25 December 2019

Category: The Temptations

Comments: This Bible version translated for Messianic Jews uses Jewish terminology for many names and concepts. Fortunately our pastor regularly uses many of the terms so I was familiar with them, but many Christians without exposure to Jewish roots and terminology would probably struggle with this version.

245thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 11:33 am



Book 220. Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Date Completed: 25 December 2019

Category: The Temptations

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Christians looking for a great advent devotional will enjoy these selections from "the prince of preachers" to help celebrate the season.

246drneutron
Bewerkt: dec 29, 2019, 3:19 pm

calm and I could use some friends over here in this new joint...

The 2020 Group is up!

247ronincats
dec 26, 2019, 12:31 pm

Lori, I hope you had a merry and blessed Christmas!

248thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 12:33 pm

>246 drneutron: Just joined the group! Now I just need to set up my first thread!

249thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 12:36 pm

>247 ronincats: It was pretty good even though I struggled with sinuses unloading all day. They are much better today, but I'm mostly staying inside. I'm doing laundry at my brother's house since I only brought the smaller suitcase with two tops for every pair of pants. Week's up; time to wash again!

250thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 12:42 pm



Book 221. I Knead My Mommy: and Other Poems by Kittens by Francesco Marciuliano

Date Completed: 26 December 2019

Category: Air Supply

Rating: 3 stars

Review: The photos in this book of poetry are great, but the poems are not as strong as those in I Can Pee on This. I enjoyed "Rainy Days" and a couple others very much, but most of the poems were simply mediocre.

251thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 2:35 pm

We had a strange thing happen last week. It felt like a few chapters from a novel.

Last Wednesday, I'd been doing laundry at my brother's house and had noticed an older neighbor man walking up and down the road with his walker. It seemed a little odd. I'd noticed him a couple times in the morning, but it was probably just the "up the road" and "down the road." I met my brother for lunch and came back to finish a load in the dryer. When I went out to pull them out of the dryer, I noticed him walking "back down the road" again. I thought, "He's really getting in his exercise." When I finished folding things and took them in the house, I noticed he was at the end of the driveway talking to a woman--presumably his wife.

On Thursday, I traveled across the state to do some genealogical research. About 4:30 p.m., my sister-in-law arrived home but noticed he was down in the driveway. She went over to see if she could help him get up. When she got there, she could tell he was dead. His wife said, "He won't listen. He's mad at me, and he won't get up." My sister-in-law knew the woman's mental faculties were never all there, and she didn't really want to leave him with only her there. She also didn't want to make the emergency call with the woman there and uncertain what she might try to do. She called my brother who was still at work and said that the man was down and that she was pretty sure he was dead and asked him to call 9-1-1. In the meantime, the woman said, "He was mad at me and just laid out there on the porch (e.g. carport) and went to sleep. I told him to come in and sleep, but he just laid there and wouldn't listen."

Apparently there were indications he may have tried to get himself up. However, the wife never came to get help getting him up the day before. Pretty soon paramedics and the coroner were on the scene. My brother also left work as soon as he could and came home. The coroner told Jim and Gwen he would come by to talk to them later. At that time no one really knew how long he had lain outside. It had been 26 the night before.

I got back from my research trip around 5:30. Jim and Gwen related what happened, and I told them of seeing him on his walker the day before. Jim told me the coroner would be back. (He'd gotten called to a deadly traffic accident in another town in the county.) When he got there, we went through the events of the last few days. He wrote down the time I'd seen him and my name because I was probably the last reliable witness to see him alive. We don't know if he had gone back into the house and came outside again without his walker or if the woman had taken the walker inside.

The woman's daughter came down the next day. The woman had tried to shut her daughter out of her life, but the daughter knew it was time to take action. She took her mom to a doctor who diagnosed her with dementia and got her admitted to the psych ward of an area hospital for further observation. The social worker at the hospital is going to try to help the daughter get her mother placed in a permanent location somewhere nearer the daughter's residence in the Nashville area. The daughter now legally has power of attorney to act for her mother.

The woman's daughter and her husband have been trying to clean out the house. The couple were first-rate hoarders. I did not go to the house, but my sister-in-law went over to help clean, and my brother went over to help with a couple other things. The bed in the spare bedroom was piled nearly to the ceiling with clothes, many with tags still on them. Two freezers were full of things like sausage, ham, bacon, peas, corn, etc., with expiration dates going back to 2008. The most remarkable thing may be 500-600 containers of laundry detergent. (My sister-in-law took a couple. My nephew took 2 boxes full so he can wash uniforms during softball season--and he said, "I didn't even make a dent in what was over there." Several ministries have been picking up the non-perishable items. One was coming today to take the remaining laundry detergent. They found someone to take the broken-down cars from the yard, and a got who fixes up furniture and stuff got one load yesterday and will come back today. I think they plan to take most of the clothes to the Salvation Army.

Of course, if this had been a mystery novel, death would not be due to freezing, my sister-in-law who discovered the corpse and I who was the last to see him alive would be suspects. I think all of us felt bad last Thursday that we had not discovered him shortly after he had fallen on Wednesday. We wish the woman had enough sense to realize she needed to call us for help. We believe he hit his head on the post as he fell as there was an injury. We've all been trying to make sense of something that makes no sense and never will.

252quondame
dec 26, 2019, 3:01 pm

>251 thornton37814: What a disturbing story!

253ronincats
dec 26, 2019, 3:17 pm

>251 thornton37814: Oh, my dear, definitely disturbing and so sad! I am glad that you and your family are helping out with the aftermath. Bless you!

254Familyhistorian
dec 26, 2019, 8:59 pm

>251 thornton37814: What a strange thing to happen, Lori. How great that everybody is pitching in to help. It's too bad that they hadn't know that help was needed before the man died.

255thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 9:47 pm

>252 quondame: Definitely.

>253 ronincats: It is very sad and disturbing. It's been difficult to fathom at times.

>254 Familyhistorian: It was strange, and it's just so sad the woman didn't call for help before it was too late. We all keep saying we wish we'd seen him before he froze.

256thornton37814
dec 26, 2019, 9:51 pm



Book 222. Sallie Ann Robinson's Kitchen: Food and Family Lore from the Lowcountry by Sallie Ann Robinson

Date Completed: 26 December 2019

Category: Bread

Rating: 5 stars

Review: I love this cookbook. While it provides many recipes from the author's Daufuskie Island childhood, it also provides insight into the culture. I found more than a dozen recipes I will probably use including a chicken stew with vegetables I want to make soon. It sounds like the perfect winter dish! One of the gumbo recipes explained the author likes to quickly fry her okra before putting it in so it is less slimy! Although I eat gumbo with the slimy variety, I think I would enjoy it more with the lightly fried variety in the pot. I loved all the stories of her childhood and her ancestors. Pat Conroy taught on the island one year, and she discusses the wonderful learning experiences they enjoyed under his tutelage. This cookbook is a keeper!

257Berly
dec 27, 2019, 12:22 am

Best wishes this holiday season!! See you in 2020!


258thornton37814
dec 27, 2019, 9:38 am

>257 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

259thornton37814
dec 27, 2019, 9:38 am

Great "Read Around the World" program for Knox County (Tennessee) students: https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/as-seen-on-tv/read-city-usa-launching-ne...

260thornton37814
dec 27, 2019, 11:47 pm



Book 223. The Christmas Angel by Marcia Willett

Date Completed: 27 December 2019

Category: Beach Boys

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Young Jakey reluctantly packs away "Auntie Gabriel" as the story begins. Several story lines begin to emerge. In one, Dossie's parents wish her to give up her food preparation business and resume operation of their family's bed-and-breakfast. In another the dwindling number of nuns must make a decision about staying in their home or joining another group when and an offer arrives. She's also torn by an interest in the mysterious Rupert who seems hesitant to fully commit to a relationship. A developer wishes to purchase their convent to turn it into a hotel. Jakey's dad Clem gave up studying for the priesthood when his wife died. After talking things over with the priest he comes up with a direction for his life and a plan to save the convent. The book wraps up as Jakey unpacks "Auntie Gabriel" during the Advent season. While I enjoyed this story, too many story lines weaken it. I'd love to revisit this convent with stories of visitors to the retreat center and the solace they found through interaction with the key players.

261jnwelch
dec 28, 2019, 1:08 pm

Wow, what a story, Lori. The poor wife apparently couldn't get straight in her dementia-plagued mind what was happening to her husband. Good for her daughter for getting right on top of her mother's situation, and good for so many members of the community for pitching in on the hoarder house. What could they have been thinking amassing all that laundry detergent?

262thornton37814
Bewerkt: dec 28, 2019, 10:36 pm

>261 jnwelch: It's really amazing what the daughter and her husband with the help of people in the community did in a week. They completely emptied the house. I think they left a refrigerator in it. They thought they were going to have to leave a couple of old TVs, but someone came by and got them. Joe, I don't think either the husband or the wife were really capable of living without assistance. He apparently was very frail, but she was senile. Apparently there was just a path in the house beforehand. My sister-in-law has a load of bar soap to take to the guy who is with the ministry that took the majority of the laundry detergent. The bar soap is in unopened multi-packs--probably a couple hundred bars.

P.S. The woman still thinks her brother who died 5 years ago came back to life.

263richardderus
dec 29, 2019, 8:41 am

>262 thornton37814: A happy coda to what was most likely an unhappy life. So much good came out of that very, very depressing incident...things like soap and detergent are so unlikely to be considered when people are planning donations. Food is an excellent donation, no doubt, but few think about the fact that there's no assistance getting/keeping clean available. Dishwasher detergent and dish soap are also helpful donations.

264tymfos
Bewerkt: dec 29, 2019, 4:08 pm

What an amazing story!

>263 richardderus: Richard, you're so right. Our local "food" pantry strongly encourages donations of cleaning supplies, because people can't buy them with food stamps, but most people just donate food items.

Best wishes, Lori!



Happy holidays!

265thornton37814
dec 29, 2019, 6:14 pm

>263 richardderus: Yes. The daughter just needed to deal with the stuff quickly. She'll be working on the logistics of getting her mother transferred to a facility nearer her own home in middle Tennessee this week because she'd rather not have to place her in Mississippi and later transfer her. However, that also means dealing with the logistics of getting her mom on "TennCare."

>264 tymfos: In a way our church is blessed to have so many ministries with different functions. While the food pantry doesn't stock those items, God's Warehouse does. I was in a situation where I didn't really know which local ministries existed where my brother resided, he knew people who knew. It really was remarkable to see how everyone in this area just really helped--either with contacts or being the person to see to something. God definitely put the right people in the daughter's path.

266EBT1002
dec 30, 2019, 7:28 pm

>251 thornton37814: What a story -- so sad and yes, good inspiration for a mystery novel perhaps. Dementia is so terrible.

>256 thornton37814: That cookbook looks and sounds like something we would like!

267thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 10:12 am

>266 EBT1002: I really enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to getting home and creating that one stew recipe!

268thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 10:19 am



Book 224. Finding Grace in Ephesians: A 6-Day Bible Study by Stacey Thacker

Date Completed: 31 December 2019

Category: The Temptations

Rating: 2 stars

Review: The author's thoughts seemed a little "all over the place." The devotion suffers from the same problem many Bible studies for women do. Authors try to be chatty as they would if they were speaking to an audience producing too much excess verbiage for the written equivalent. When will authors and publishers learn that print and public speaking are not equivalent mediums? Better focus and less verbiage would tighten this devotion and create greater appeal. This was adapted from the author's book, When Grace Walks In, published by Harvest House.

269thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 10:48 am



Book 225. On This Day: 365 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes by Robert J. Morgan

Date Completed: 31 December 2019

Category: The Temptations

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Those who enjoy church history will enjoy this daily devotional filled with stories of faithful men and women who would not deny God even in the midst of persecution. While some stories will engage readers more than others, those stories may be different for different individuals. Evangelical Christians may enjoy saints' stories which find little place in their church's teaching. All stories remind one of the words of Revelation 2:10, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." A topical index appears at the end.

270thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 2:15 pm



Book 226. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep

Date Completed: 31 December 2019

Category: The Police

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review: Harper Lee went back home to Alabama to write about the murder of Reverend Willie Maxwell, alleged voodoo priest. Maxwell took out insurance policies on just about every family member he could--sometimes more than one. When they died, he collected the money. People began to get suspicious after it happened a few times. Tom Radney who served one term as representative defended the man who killed Maxwell and admitted to killing him. The successful defense involved an insanity plea. Harper Lee's manuscript never saw light of day. The author probably took a few too many "asides," straying from the focus of the book. While these asides give us insight into Harper Lee, they were not completely relevant to the book's subject. I hate silent end notes. Please provide footnotes at the bottom of the page or at least make the reader aware end notes exist.

271DFED
dec 31, 2019, 3:41 pm

What a crazy story! I'm so glad everyone pitched in to help clear the house and that it's contents did some good - I can't imagine being faced with a hoarder's house to clear!

I hope that you had a pleasant rest of your holiday and wishing you a Happy New Year!

272thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 5:38 pm

>271 DFED: And to clear it out in only a week! I've spent the last week sick so it hasn't been real pleasant, but I'm surviving.

273thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 5:40 pm



Book 227. Come Homicide or High Water by Denise Swanson

Date Completed: 31 December 2019

Category: The Who

Rating: 3 stars

Review: A woman whose husband claims she suffers dementia goes missing in Scumble River. A woman who plans to take the high school principal to court turns up dead. School psychologist Skye Denison-Boyd, now on maternity leave, and her husband Wally, chief of police, investigate. While much of the plot is implausible as in many cozy mysteries, it's still an enjoyable holiday read set around Thanksgiving but referring to Christmas in places. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

274thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 9:06 pm

2019 Year-End Meme:

Describe yourself: The Family Tree Problem Solver

Describe how you feel: Plum Tea Crazy

Describe where you currently live: Glass Houses

Your favorite time of day is: The Darkness

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Library at the Edge of the World

Your favorite form of transportation: The Long Flight Home

Your best friend is: Sworn to Silence

You and your friends are: The Chosen

What’s the weather like: The Dry

You fear: Wild Fire

What is the best advice you have to give: Grow Your Own Herbs

Thought for the day: The Grave's a Fine and Private Place

How you would like to die: Assaulted Caramel

Your soul’s present condition: A Sea of Troubles

What is life for you: Tracing Your Ancestors in Lunatic Asylums

275thornton37814
dec 31, 2019, 9:24 pm

277FAMeulstee
jan 1, 2020, 7:35 am

>269 thornton37814: Congratulations on reaching 3 x 75, Lori!

278thornton37814
jan 1, 2020, 10:51 am

>277 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! I wasn't sure until a few days before if I would actually reach it!

279foggidawn
jan 2, 2020, 8:24 am

>274 thornton37814: I LOL'd at several of your answers, especially the last one!

280thornton37814
jan 2, 2020, 6:24 pm

>279 foggidawn: I couldn't resist that one!