M is for Malice by Sue Grafton

 This was a good one!

There were juicy scenes with Dietz, who surprised Kinsey several times by returning to her unexpectedly. The murder victim, Guy Malek, was a sweet and engaging character whose reputation turned out to be grossly exaggerated. The brothers were nasty and interesting. The milieu of this story was much more refined than the usual decrepit and depressing ones of her stories heretofore. And there is the hint of Kinsey coming to terms with her long lost family. 

I read this while on the way to South Dakota for Christmas and our townhouse sale. I finished it tonight, and it was a welcome respite from the sometimes stressful family interactions and townhouse work, not to mention challenging weather! ICE COLD weather, that is, and our impending departure that might be delayed AGAIN. Ouch.... Stressful only because I hate putting Melissa out, but it has been really fun most of the time, and she has been a very attentive hostess. I'm grateful...I'm not sure how I would react to having houseguests so long! December 7 through December 26, at least! Wowsers, she's amazing!

L is for Lawless by Sue Grafton

 This was a romp that was not as much fun as it was stressful and kind of depressing. Kinsey often deals with "underlife," but these folks were particularly low. Kinsey tries to help a neighbor, recommended by lovable Henry whom she can't turn down, and finds herself virtually kidnapped and taken on a wild goose chase to unravel a mystery and find a stolen treasure. The treasure was stolen by a group of unscrupulous men 40 years earlier, and murder ensued, and prison terms served. However, the quest for the treasure proved to be worthwhile. The main villain is truly evil and battering, and we have to have more of him than we like. What is somewhat borderline charming is the way another of the gang, Ray, and his daughter Laura, and his mother Helen become a family for Kinsey. 

I enjoyed having this lightweight paperback along for the trip to Rapid City from Las Vegas since it turned out to be such a comical loading and unloading of passengers as Allegiant tried to get us on a plane that worked. Because I had this entertaining, although somewhat depressing milieu, I was able to withstand the four-hour plus delay with aplomb. I did not get grumpy, nor did I get aprehensive, as Len did. We survived the ordeal and landed safely. This was a good book to have along since it totally "took me away" from the scene and helped me enjoy another world, even though it wasn't a particularly pleasant one. And a nice bonus at the end was Kinsey needing help from her cousin, whom she had rejected up to that point. It was gratifying to see that she needed help, asked for it, and got it. Which also means her cousin Tasha will most likely appear in the next installment. I also liked that Kinsey got a little sentimental at the wedding of William and Rosie. I'm glad it was a sweet occasion and that Kinsey got out of her horrible situation in time to be there. There was definitely the possibility that this adventure would waylay her plans...

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton

 This story finds Kinsey trying to solve a murder of a woman who was shot through a peephole in a door. We at first think its her husband, and then we're convinced it's not. And then the plot twists again. This story has some good characters, especially as Henry (Kinsey's landlord) entertains his brother William and his myriad idiosyncrasies and then his romance. It's a fun one with more light moments than usual. 

I read this on flights to and from Rapid City and while I was there, so my focus was maybe a little off and maybe I was sleep-deprived. Still, it held up as an entertaining diversion through that week of fun upheaval. Actually, this is an attempt to explain why I don't recall more of the plot or the story.

I am noticing that Kinsey is a student of the weather. There is lots of time devoted to cloud cover and the weather in Santa Theresa. Interesting...

P.S. I just found this summary in my journal! I wrote this in Rapid City during my visit there, because I couldn't get my computer to connect to the Stevenson's internet... Here it is:

K is for Killer by Sue Grafton

 I'm plowing through these alphabet mysteries with great enjoyment! This was a fascinating one in that Kinsey steps into a night-time schedule. In the course of her investigation of the murder of a porn star and prostitute, she interviews most people involved at night. She becomes a nocturnal person as well, and is definitely changed by the experience. She works on this case alone, with minimal help from her friend Cheney Phillips, a detective she's becomeing acquainted with.

While I enjoyed this story, and there were many interesting characters, there were lots of loose ends that were never wrapped up. It seems to be a pattern with Grafton that when she ends, she ends quickly. We don't get to see any of the players' reactions to the solving of the case. And in this one, it would have been good to know how Lorna's family members reacted to the finding of her murderer. And did Cheney have increased respect for Kinsey's skills after she solved this one? And how were the unknown lawyer and the water department guy connected? I don't think i'm dumb, it was just never cleared up. It's kind of disappointing to not have answers...but maybe that's more like real life? Or maybe I missed a few clues along the way? Not sure. Still, worth the fun of reading, and of course I'm moving ahead to L!

I'm pretty sure I read this one in the 80s when I first discovered this series, but I had no recollection at all of the settings, the plot, or these characters. All brand new to me this time around. Actually, I just noticed this publication date is 1994, I don't recall much of what I read in the 90s either! Oh well... This record may help in the future???

The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright

 I wish I could remember how this book came to me. I cannot. I do know that I wouldn't have paid for it, since I have low expectations for Christmas stories. I have read tons that are just disappointing. Still, hope springs eternal. 

The story is unrealistic on a lot of levels, the characters are uneven and too sweet in some cases. Not much to engage the reader here, but I did plow on after the little girl got cancer. I wanted to see if Charlee would make it. She did. The fighting and stress between her parents was never resolved. Her troubled brother warmed up to Marva too, which was somewhat surprising. 

One thing that did give me pause, though, was the devotion of Charlee's friend Marva. She's an older woman in the neighborhood who is lonely and befriends Charlee. It made me think about the gaggle of little girls here in Red Canyon who need a Marva. Maggie isn't answering the call very generously at all. This story really made me wonder if I could be more unselfish and more generous in my relationship with these little girls without much supervision or anything meaningful to do. Yikes. Wake up, Maggie!

H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton

 One of the joys of retirement life is getting to enjoy a long series at my leisure all over again. Because I originally read these back in our Laramie days, probably close to 30 years ago, these are like brand new stories to me! I believe I would have remembered this one--maybe I skipped it?

It's different because Kinsey goes underground, fairly unwillingly, and becomes part of an insurance fraud ring. It was fascinating to learn about life in a gang setting, in LA, in a crummy apartment, surrounded by hispanic gang members and a pitbull. It was pretty depressing in a lot of ways, but I really enjoyed Kinsey's introspection as she acclimated to the various characters in the story. And how she began to understand that the line between law-abiding and fraud can be tempting to cross. She waxes philosophical about the people that surround her, and they are interesting characters.

She's very tuned in to sexual energy, and in this story there's a lot of it. Bibianna, the hapless young woman that Kinsey befriends, attracts men powerfully and Kinsey describes it visually and with the feelings and smells that accompany it. The demented leader, Raymond, suffers from Tourette's syndrome, and his physical tics and jerks are brilliantly described. And his narcissism, and his complete disorientation from reality. What's depressing about the complete picture of this criminal is that in the epilogue, it becomes clear that he may escape justice despite his despicable crimes and behavior. Maybe that's an underlying theme; at the end, I was hoping Kinsey would kill him, but no. I was happily surprised that one of the gang members was actually an undercover cop; he was one of the better ones. That was a cool surprise at the end that I didn't see coming.

I also learned a lot about how auto insurance fraud is undertaken and it stinks. Even in the 80s setting, this was perpetuated without the help of the internet. All the paperwork reminded me of how much crime and law enforcement has changed since then! It was a fun romp, despite the depressing milieu and characters. 

The Diary of an American Au Pair by Marjorie Leet Ford

 I was drawn to this book on one of our trips to the Hope Chest, the Catholic's thrift store near us. I always like to check the used books, and this one, of course, caught my eye! Being a former au pair, and all. The first few pages did not excite me, but I decided I should give it a little more time. Since I needed to have something good to help me recover from my second meniscus tear surgery, this seemed like a good candidate. I'm so glad I did! It turned out to be very unpredictable, very interesting, very cultural--about a culture--British--that I love, and of course, it had fascinating characters. It's not a great book or a great story, but very entertaining and perceptive.

I really liked Melissa's (the au pair) reading about her relationship with the three children in the story. The parents were interesting too, but her relationship with the children showed her in the best light. Her commitment to helping the deaf daughter learn language was educational and reminded me of my linguistics training. The parents were drawn pretty true, I think. The love/hate with the mother can easily happen when you live in such close proximity. I loved the visits to the grandparents in Scotland. Another part I enjoyed was just learning about the way the "old moneyed" British live and vacation and raise their children. 

One theme that interested me was Melissa's determination to eat her way to fatness for her American boyfriend in San Francisco. As that relationship declined, and her relationship with Londoner Simon ascended, it was fascinating to read how her thoughts about food and her body changed. And her body thoughts were often those I could relate to, especially at the end when she went through deprivation before settling on health. I think she described well the power that I feel when I'm being true to my health. 

One very fun sidelight is a parlor game Melissa and the children play. You just answer five questions:

1. You're out walking. You come upon a house. Describe the house.

2. Inside, there's a table. There are three objects on the table. What are the objects?

3. Outside, you see a bear. What do you do with the bear?

4. You find a cup. Describe the cup.

5. What do you do with the cup?

After answering these questions, these are the interpretations:

1. The house is yourself.

2. The three objects on the table are the things you do best.

3. The bear is a problem, and what you do with the bear is what you do with a problem.

4. The cup is your love.

5. What you do with the cup is what you do with your love. 

The way the children and the parents answer and interpret their answers is fun to read, and has some surprising as well as some predictable insights. I did this with Leonard and we had a really fruitful discussion about both of our answers. When I did it myself, what was most fascinating to me was how long, and I'm talking perhaps 20 minutes or more, it took me to decide on a house that I wanted to come upon! I mean, I went through the whole gamut of possibilities! I couldn't commit to one for the longest time. Does this mean I don't know myself? Or that I don't want to commit? Or that we've been looking at so many houses over the past few years that the possibilities are just overwhelming? And I took the walk literally, too, like, do I want to be walking in the woods and come upon a cottage? But what about the sunlight I love? Or is it a house on a hill in a meadow? Or is it a modern, urban condominium? My mind just flooded! Fascinating. Probably I would have a different answer depending on my mood.

My objects were a book, walking shoes, and swim goggles!

Leonard, on the other hand, immediately thought of a narrow Victorian. He didn't even hesitate! He saw a doily on the table, kind of an Irene setting. Aren't we so different?

G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton

 This is a good one! Of course I enjoy them all, but this one is spiced up with a romance when Kinsey's life is in danger and she hires a body guard named Dietz. I enjoyed watching their romance develop, and it seems Kinsey has a very soft heart under her crusty exterior. She definitely met her match in terms of competence and independence. 

This story is comprised of two unfolding dramas; one where a psychotic killer tries to intimidate and killer which intertwines with a story of finding a lost woman in "the slabs" of the Mojave Desert. The desert milieu is fascinating, as it houses homeless and many who just want to be off the grid. Henry only figures in peripherally, and Dietz takes center stage. The lost woman's unfolding story is complicated as Kinsey and Dietz try to unravel it. It finally all comes together, but it was hard to follow as the clues came together. I finally made sense of it, but I could never have pulled it together the way Kinsey did! 

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

 This is an amazing book. I'm not even sure how I heard about it. I think I read some reviews online, but I have also heard of Stegner. He's so accomplished and yet so accessible on a surface level. I say surface level because he has so many literary and artistic references that are obscure to me, but aren't necessary to follow the plot. Some of his allusions I got, but honestly, most I did not. Now that I've read it once, I will go back and read it a second time, knowing how the plot goes, I will be able to pause and google the references. It will be worth it, I know, because this is some of the richest writing I've ever read.

Somehow Stegner is able to give us inner thoughts, doubts, and beauty in remarkable ways. He creates such a warm tableau of examples of the friendship of two young couples and how the grow and struggle and develop over the years. It's a beautiful and pleasant story that I savored all along the way...even though there were hints of struggle, they didn't dominate. And then...near the end, these hints became less subtle and drove the action. The friendship is so sweet and so supportive that the pain that (maybe inevitably?) comes is heartbreaking. And yet it's bittersweet because the pain and challenge are handled with so much compassion and admiration. I absolutely love these four characters! 

In the beginning I marked a few of the more remarkable passages, but soon gave up because I would be marking up the entire book! I also think it's a book that would be more appreciated by an older person who has the benefit of some decades of experience of how relationships evolve. I also enjoyed the "publish or perish" pressure because I understand it. Enjoyed is probably not the right word, but I related to it. 

Here's a passage I marked early on:

Charity (one of the four main characters) was clearly one of these (a female version of some superior breed). Born to Harvard, she had gone to Smith and returned to marry Harvard. She had grown up in contact with the beauty and the chivalry of Cambridge. She, and presumably her husband as well, represented the cultivation, good manners, consideration for others, cleanliness of body and brightness of mind and dedication to high thinking that were the goals of outsiders like me, dazzled western barbarians aspiring to Rome. Mixed with my liking was, I am sure, an almost equal deference, a respect too sincere to be tainted with envy.

Here's another:

Time has not dimmed her, sickness has only increased her wattage. She lights things up like a photoflood. 

And one more:

...Charity and Sally are stitched together with a thousand threads of feeling and shared experience. Each is for the other that one unfailingly understanding and sympathetic fellow-creature that everybody wishes for and many never find.

I relished the country scenes in the woods of Vermont. The strong family ties and the strong women and quiet husbands who lived there were fascinating to learn about. The sacrifices and generosity that one couple made for the benefit of the other was so inspiring that I felt truly ashamed. Could I ever be that generous? 

One reason I want to revisit this story with the allusions better-understood is to try to discern what Stegner is saying about faith and suffering. He sees the beauty and describes the pain...I'm uncertain about his resolve or his answers. Both of these couples are beautifully united, and yet Sid and Charity seem to be in such pain in their struggle to control or not be controlled. Sally and the narrator have a healthier relationship, it seems. There's a lot to unpack here...and I am trying to think of someone who would enjoy unpacking it with me...

The Holy Covenants by Anthony Sweat

 This is a very powerful little book that I wish I had had when we were serving in Bismarck! It would make the perfect gift for someone going to the temple for the first time, perhaps with his companion book, The Holy Invitation. This one really helps the temple covenants come "alive" in expansive and meaningful and practical ways. It made me realize, once again, how very literal I can be. He takes each covenant and expands and enriches it so much! I was really only thinking about the surface meaning, and his explanations are brilliant and exciting and applicable. 

And since I got so much out of it as an older, experienced temple-goer, I think it would be a wonderful gift for anyone in the temple-going journey. 

F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton

In E is for Evidence, Kinsey's apartment was blown up. So this next one conveniently takes place up the coast from Santa Theresa, in a little coastal town where everyone knows everyone. She stays in a family-run hotel, and the characters are pretty depressing. The son of the hotel owners has escaped from prison where he was serving a term for a murder he still claims he did not commit. Uncovering the truth from an old murder case means Kinsey is revisiting the past. A lot of her interviews happen in this old hotel or in a seedy bar...Still, there's plenty of humor and good thinking and sleuthing here. I missed Henry Pitts and the other Santa Theresa regulars, but it was interesting to go outside the usual venue with Kinsey on this adventure. 

My knee is feeling better and my COVID has only left a shadow of a cough. I'm grateful Sue Grafton entertained me so well while I was laid up! 

E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton

 I'm working through this series and each one is fun and a little violent. This one has bombs blowing people and Kinsey's apartment up! She is framed in this little adventure, and her ex-husband Daniel shows up. We learn a little more about their history, and his drug addiction and sexual preference. It's amazing how she figures out these obscure and complicated plots. And we also learn why she's so prickly and hard to get close to; she's been royally burned in the past! The characters in this story are friends whom Kinsey knew in high school, and it's interesting to learn a little more about some of her past.

Even though I read this when we lived in Laramie, I had not even a hint of what was going to happen next. It's amazing how my memory is like a blank slate! 

D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton

 Still suffering from Covid AND laid up with a very painful left knee, I sought comfort in yet another lightweight mystery. It was not the most pleasant of milieus, however, and I was a little relieved to have it be done. This "deadbeat" is an alcoholic who killed people in a car crash. Kinsey's attempt to solve his murder by drowning when the police didn't even count it as a murder, took her into unsavory places and people. There is though, despite the seedy characters, Kinsey's usual humor and cynicism to enjoy. Her relationship with policeman Jonah Robb heats up, and she has a harrowing experience at the very end, at the top of a building trying to talk the murderer down. This is a story where her epilogues are too brief! I really wanted to know how she got down off that building. I wanted to know how the characters left behind dealt with this tragedy. But no, her epilogues are brief and to the point. They may be alluded to in the next installment, but maybe not. We shall see!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

 There are a million great ideas in this book!

I took it slowly because there is so much to digest. My biggest take-away, though, is that habits are best formed when they become a part of our identity. In other words, even if you don't work out, or only go to the gym for five minutes, and you do it every day, you begin to realize you are a person who goes to the gym. Your identity changes and pretty soon, your consistency helps you change your self-perception. There are many other great ideas here.

Here's another one. If you want to start a new habit, link it to an existing one. 

And another--you must create a system in order to succeed. In other words, create the environment for your success. Put your chairs in a conversational circle, not facing the TV if you want to spend more time talking with your family, for example. This is reminding me that I need to reread this again and get more nuggets out of here! 

This book is also richly infused with motivating and interesting vignettes of real people and examples. It's a very enjoyable read! But I need to read it more intentionally, and not in bed when I'm ready to go to sleep! It's more valuable than that...

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

 While reading this engaging little mystery, I suffered, and I do mean suffered, from my first case of COVID. It was nice to have such a fun diversion. I'm still in the throes of it, but can at least function and while I'm confined to home, I'm determined to keep up with this documentation.

Like the first two in the series which I read in the 80s, I had practically no memory of this story. It was like reading it for the first time, although Jonah and Henry are familiar characters. In this installment in Kinsey's life, a young man named Bobby hires her to find out who tried to murder him. And soon after getting to know and like him, he is murdered. The setting is more enjoyable than most, because it turns out that Bobby's family is RICH, and some of the action takes place in his beautiful home.

All is not pretty in the family, however, and the scenes with Bobby's stepsister, Kitty, are very depressing. Yet they are real, as she suffers from anorexia and drug addiction. The level of dysfunction in the family is high, and Kinsey's feelings of shock and dismay are relatable. 

A side story is a bittersweet one, where Henry has fallen for a very attractive and hilariously described (by Kinsey, of course) shyster. It's satisfying that Kinsey caught her and got Henry's money back, but the disappointment in Henry is touching. All in all, a good diversion, good laughs, and not too much gore. 

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton

 This one was a fun one, but also kind of depressing. Not one of my favorites, although I did literally laugh out loud several times. What was depressing was the story; a missing woman that Kinsey has to fly to Florida several times to track down, and then has to investigate an older Santa Teresa murder to dig up some evidence on the missing woman. The housing and situation of the people is dark and dank and not a fun world to inhabit. Still, Kinsey's humor shines through.

A significant introduction in this story is that of Jonah Robb, who becomes a good help to her in solving this case and in later ones as well. One thread from A is for Alibi that shows up in this one is that crusty old Lt. Dolan asks Kinsey how she's coping with the aftermath of shooting in self-defense. 

Again, moments in this story had me laughing out loud. I'll have to mark them sometime so I can remember some examples. Right now (Covid brain?) I can't even exactly remember how the case all came together and who was whom. Sheesh. But it was a fun read, that I DO remember!

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

I enjoyed this author so much when I read it in the 1980s, that I decided to start at the beginning again and see where it leads. I love the wit, don't mind the violence too much, and really enjoy the colorful characters. This one is the first in the series, and it seems Grafton was already fully developed in her ideas and writing. I wonder if I'll notice any progression this time through?

This is the story of a woman out of prison who was accused of murdering her husband. She hires Kinsey to find the real killer. Through this story, we are introduced to her landlord Henry and some of her business associates. I didn't remember much about this novel at all, and was horrified that Kinsey was dumb enough to sleep with one of her suspects. The folly of that was borne out when he chased her down, and in high drama, attempted to kill her as she crouched in a garbage can on the beach. Instead, she shot him. What became a pattern in all of the novels is that there is an exciting ending, and then a very brief epilogue. We aren't told very much about how things unwound or came out, which makes the reader curious about the next installment. Threads of the previous stories are woven through later novels, so it will be interesting to see if any of these characters are referred back to later.

The Grafton/Milhone wit was fresh and funny and in full splendor in this beginning book of the series. It was good to be back in Santa Teresa, a place she describes really well. What I also noticed this time around is the absence of technology and how that affects her detective work. She's using phone books and libraries to get the job done. It's like a time capsule. 

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

 In an interesting departure from a series, Paulsen kind of negates the ending of the first book and the second book in the series (The River) by back tracking and speculating on what would have happened if Brian, the 13-year old who was the central figure in The Hatchet had not been rescued. What if he had had to have stayed through the winter? This book answers that question.

I enjoyed this one much more than The River because it was more like the first book, with details about exactly HOW Brian managed his resources and was able to survive. I liked how Paulsen continued to show us Brian's thinking and analyzing throughout the story so we could figure things out along with him. And, he had an interesting rescue experience that was unexpected as he found a trapper's family who took him in. It would have been interesting to read more about that experience, but maybe youth lit has to end before too many pages? Whatever. At any rate, this one is good, with beautiful descriptions of winter's beauty in the wild. I'll take it with me to Rapid at the end of the month for John and Henry to enjoy. 

Seven at Sea by Erik & Emily Orton

 I saw this book on a list somewhere that praised the writing of this husband/wife team who take their family of five children on a months-long sailing adventure. It sounded like an interesting read and it was.

This family is LDS, although it's not overtly stated. You can just tell by some of their practices, and their desire to be a strong family comes through. What is most emphasized, though, is the struggle. The struggle to learn what they need to learn to make their dream come true.

There are other struggles. Erik and Emily take turns writing the chapters that tell the story. It's obviously Erik's dream to sail and take the family off on a long sailing adventure. We learn about Emily's struggle to keep her family safe AND support Erik's dream. She does a good job of making it her dream too, by enjoying the closeness that this potential lifestyle will afford their family.

It's not a sugar-coated story. We learn how hard it is to manage five children, the youngest with Down Syndrome, on a sailboat. We learn how husbands and wives can have communication problems. We see how ego can stand in the way of learning. We learn about all sorts of boat engine problems, as well as safety issues. We learn how hard it is to manage a family's needs for water and food and finding and stowing the supplies. It was often a very exhausting read for me, as I pictured what all went into this adventure. 

Yet, despite the hardships and the struggles to learn, we also see the resulting growth in individuals in the family. We also learn about the kindness of strangers and the support of friends and extended family. It's good to see how much help is given and especially how help is given freely. Overall the learning and the rewards are worth it, at least in the eyes of the authors. The epilogue describes their ongoing adventures, although they are not cruisers, per se, any longer. 

I enjoyed the descriptions of the weather and the challenges it brought, and how close living that way brings out one's character. Erik, in particular, as captain of the boat, had to rise to every challenge to save his family. It was good to watch him learn as he went, the hard lessons of leadership. 

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

 This book was a wonderful read, and creative and brilliant! I loved it so much, and thought, this author is amazing. One of my favorites, especially since "A Gentleman in Moscow," which was equally brilliant and rich. I felt this way all the way through, until the end! Oh, my, what a disappointing conclusion to it all! I'm not even sure what happened at the end; it's a little obscure. But, given time, maybe I will understand that death was the only way that Duchess could have ended? And Woolly too? These two characters were fascinating and troubled...maybe that was the point? I loved Emmett and Billy, and especially how their goodness contrasted with the troubled Duchess and Woolly. Still, I was hoping for redemption for them!

There were other great characters too--Ulysses and the professor were intriguing to learn about. The way the story lasted ten days and yet we learn so much about their lives and thinking. And Sally, the indefatigable Sally who was so capable and so focused and so taken for granted. Such good writing and character development are always appreciated by me, and the way the story came together was brilliant. So many times I was in awe of Towles's ability to make each character's voice and metaphors and analogies unique. Just brilliant. Still, I was hoping for a happier end for them all. 

It's been a week or so since I finished reading it, and I'm still not sure if I want to keep this book and try it again or not. I was so let down by the ending! But maybe taking it on again in awhile will help me understand what Towles is getting at. Yet do I want to believe people can't change? I'm all for reality and not arguing with it, but sheesh... Still undecided. 

The River by Gary Paulsen

 This is the second book in a series which began with THE HATCHET. Henry and I listened to it on our way to St. George from Rapid City this past summer and really enjoyed it. What made The Hatchet so good and so compelling was the way Paulsen revealed young Brian's thinking process as he faced horrific challenges after a plane crash in remote Canada. And survived. This second book finds Brian returning to the remote part of Canada where the earlier story took place.

What I liked was, again, how we see what Brian is thinking and planning. This time he has an older accomplice with him who wants to learn how to survive. When he is seriously injured, Brian has the challenge to get him to safety. It was a good story right up until the end. It ended so abruptly, I wondered if the author had a sudden deadline with no time to adequately celebrate and describe the resolution. It's too bad!

I was going to get and read all three sequels to The Hatchet and then pass them on to John and Henry, because I think they would enjoy them. With this one, though, ending in a rather disappointing way, I wonder if I want to commit to any more in the series. The first was so good, it set up high expectations in my mind that weren't met. 

J is for Judgment by Sue Grafton

 I saw this paperback in the Switchpoint Thrift Store for 50 cents, so I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane and revisit this most engaging series that I read years ago. It was long enough ago that this was like reading a completely new book! The only vaguely familiar part was when Kinsey discovers she has living relatives and her cousins contact her. Her reaction is so strong and so antithetical to what I think I would have done, that it stuck in my memory.

This is a good yarn, and not as graphically violent as some of Grafton's later mysteries in the series. This one deals with the disappearance of a father who developed a ponzi scheme and took the money and ran. Kinsey tracks him down in Mexico, and in the course of the story, connects with his family. It's engaging and not too hard to follow the clues along the way. There isn't a lot of Henry or her home life in this one, nor is there any romance. Still, it's an enjoyable, at times funny and at times tragic story. I really enjoyed Kinsey's analysis of Wendell and whether or not he had any redeeming qualities. The description of his sons, particularly the violent criminal one, was also fascinating. 

Now I wonder...should I start all over again with A??? These sure are fun. And I'm tempted! 

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

 In some of my darker days, this book brought me a little comfort. It was a nice escape this summer when I was trying to figure out how to survive the heat and how to embrace my new life in St. George as the Relief Society president. The negativity was rampant and this book was enjoyable and light.

Too light, really, and very predictable. But the scenes of small town life and people were sweet and you could tell nothing really horrible was going to happen to anyone. It was clear at the beginning that the woman (Anna Kate) was going to stay in Wicklow, that the family mystery would be solved, that everyone would life happily ever after, and even Natalie would find her way. 

What was nice to read about was Anna Kate's love of the little cafe, her garden, and the surrounding mountain woods. She talked to her zucchini plant. She baked sumptuous pies, she used mulberry syrup in the pies from her trees, she listened to the blackbirds sing at midnight, she believed in the dreams that people had when they ate her pie. It's slightly mystical and fun and slightly entertaining. It was so predictable, though, that it got a little frustrating. It's going into the give-away pile that is growing by our front door. 

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

 This is the second book by this author, and it is every bit as good as the first, which I enjoyed a couple of months ago. I am so delighted by this author's humor and his keen eye for characters and interesting details. This plot got a little twisty, but I was able to follow 95% of it.

One thing that particularly stood out to me is the way Elizabeth treats her husband Stephen. And how she thinks about him. His dementia is increasing, and she treats him wonderfully! I found it truly inspiring and instructive. She honors him, she dotes on him, she agrees with him! 

You could almost call this a "cozy mystery" although there is plenty of blood. What makes it cozy is the four friends who live in a senior community and love and support each other. Their capers are inventive and their conversations are hilarious. Their misunderstanding of modern culture often gets them into funny situations as well. Often criminals and others underestimate their abilities and that makes for good  humor as well. I just read there's a third one coming out and I will be ordering it post haste!!!

Maria von Trapp - Beyond The Sound of Music by Candice F. Ransom

 Leonard surprised me by ordering this hardbound, school book from 2002 complete with clear black and white photographs from Maria's life. It was written as a kind of easy reader, I think. I read it a couple of hours and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I am so familiar with the movie and play versions of the story that it was fascinating to read about what REALLY went on Maria's life. She was a hard worker with an undying energy for family unity and family success. There were obstacles all along the way...

It was fun to imagine this large blended family surmounting so many trials after they emigrated to America and began touring. I imagine there must be a lot of people still alive who saw them or who went to their Vermont music camp back in the 1950's. It was also interesting to read about how Mary Martin's husband convinced Maria that letting her book become a Broadway play would earn the family much needed money. Maria attended opening night in 1959, and although the critics found it to be "too sweet," audiences loved it and it ran for four and a half years!

Next, Hollywood made a film version of her life that opened in 1965 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. I remember seeing it not long after it came out and probably strengthened my interest in all things German. I loved the story and the music and we Kublers memorized the soundtrack. What I didn't know is that Maria herself, and her daughter Rosmarie, and her granddaughter Barbara can be seen strolling in the background during Julie Andrews's "I Have Confidence" song. 

This new interest in getting the book was spurred by Len buying us tickets to see a performance of the show LIVE in Cedar City, UT, at this summer's Shakespeare Festival. We enjoyed it but were puzzled about the casting of a black Maria. She had a beautiful voice but her "soulful" movements were awkward from a supposedly Austrian character. I'm not comfortable admitting this. But it's history and it stood out to me. True, all the white performers probably stand out to black audiences, so I am willing to say I could be small minded about this. 

Looking for Rachel Wallace by Robert B. Parker

 I recently reread one of my favorite author's books (Wasted by Sue Grafton) and noticed that Kinsey, the private eye heroine, was reading a Robert B. Parker mystery. It caught my attention because I know Grafton doesn't drop names or references without a purpose. Because I love Grafton's work, I thought it would be worthwhile to see whom she references. I found an old used copy on Amazon and dug right in.

It was easy to see, right away, why Kinsey would read Parker. She is an iconoclast, as is Spenser, the main character in this series. Smart mouth, former police officer, cynic, and a cut-to-the-chase worker are all similarities. This book centers on Spenser's relationship and then search for a gay woman writer and their different world views. Parker did a great job in portraying some of the nuances inherent in women wanting to be treated equally and yet also being vulnerable and in need of protection. It also explores issues way ahead of its time, since it was published in 1980. There was a gut wrenching portrayal of Rachel Wallace being shamed for being gay. 

Spenser is an interesting character because he's literate and somewhat of a bully. The literary allusions are rampant and fun. He's lovable despite his rough edges and is different than Kinsey in that he does have a solid long-term love interest. He's not skittish like Kinsey. Yet the humor and smart mouth are similarly enjoyable in both characters. He's also more vulnerable; we see him crying at scene of people he needed to kill. 

This book is also a bit rough and more graphic than I would choose to have in my life, so I'm not sure if I'll pursue more in this series or not. For now, I'm moving on to other writers. 

Catch Me if You Can by Frank W. Abagnale with Stan Redding

 Jane enjoyed reading this book during her flight and shuttle on her way down here to St. George. She raved about his audacity and found it intriguing what he could get away with. She was even so impressed that she read part of it out loud to us. So I was delighted when she finished it and left it here for me to read. 

I enjoyed it too, but I found it almost completely unbelievable. I mean, really? He passed himself off as a pilot, a visiting business professor, and as a supervising medical doctor. Yes, he's a really good talker and counterfitter of documents, but even so, it's a preposterous story. Teal told me that many of his claims have been debunked, and that makes sense to me. On the other hand, though, she said the movie that was based on the book is first rate. And, she was right! Len and I really enjoyed the movie, with Christopher Walken and Leonardo DeCaprio. Great acting and wonderful slices of life and fashion from the early 70's. Much, much better than the book!

Without the Mask - Coming Out and Coming Into God's Light by Charlie Bird

 I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of one of the greatest "Cosmo's" of all time, BYU's mascot. I liked how he shared his feelings about being gay, about coming out, about feeling different, and about interacting with his family. He also wrote very eloquently and movingly about how being gay is part of his identity. It is not something that can be taken on or off...which I knew, but now understand on a deeper level. An interesting insight he wrote was that, given the choice, he would NOT choose to be heterosexual. The learning and philosophy and interweaving of the Gospel is so fascinating. He has some hard truths to share about how he was treated, although there is no bitterness. He's a faithful member of the church, and he still has no long-term answers about how his gender identity will play out in the next life. We don't know! But he's very willing to live the Gospel now, not knowing, because Christ is central to his identity as well. 

He's found it challenging to find his place. Some of the LGBTQ community are promiscuous and that's not where he wants to be. It's an on-going struggle to find his place and friends, it seems. I have to admire his commitment and faith. AND, it's a very well-written book with great examples of what it feels like to struggle with same gender attraction. 

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

 I have found that most authors who attempt either serious or light-handed work with Jane Austen's characters fall very far short. P.D. James, though, does better than most! I found this hard copy on the "For Sale" shelf at the Santa Clara library. I thought, "Why not?" It's worth the risk of a dollar. Before I risked, it though, I did a quick Amazon review read of James. She is quite the accomplished author, so it's no wonder she did a good job with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy!

This is a mystery with a lot of details and clues along the way. Because I love the P & P characters, especially Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, it was fun to see them so happily married and thriving. Other familiar characters also make an appearance, and James is true to their personalities. The characters lacking integrity get their comeuppance, and that is always satisfying. 

And the mystery aspect kept me turning the pages and reading much later than I should have. It's a keeper which I will enjoy again sometime in the future. And while James is true to the characters, she is less apt to expound or comment in lengthy phrases on the happenings. And the Austen wit is less in evidence. So it's an easier, lighter read all around. Perfect for the little get-aways that I enjoy when I read before bed!

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

 My sister Alice Jane recommended this book to me because she thought it was very engaging AND it reveals a lot about what it's like to be "in therapy." I agree with her assessment! It's kind of cool the way the author interweaves her own struggles and questions with her patients' stories and theories of counseling.There is a lot of wisdom here, particularly in dealing with difficult people and situations. As she shares how and why she counsels her patients, her skill shines through. 

I was disappointed but not surprised at the author's personal choices; ie, sleeping with her boyfriend and involving her young son in the relationship that eventually broke up. She is definitely in tune with the social mores of our time, but it was disappointing to see no remorse over that situation or thinking she had done anything amiss. And her story of finding a sperm donor for her pregnancy shows how completely "modern" she is, not thinking her baby needed a father. 

Still, overlooking those moral differences, there is great love and empathy and commitment with her patients. I enjoyed reading about her dying patient, her narcissistic patient, and her aging patient, all of whom developed and grew over the course of the book. Plus I have to admire how vulnerable and open this author is about her own thinking, insecurities, and life itself. Her own therapy with Wendell was one of my favorite aspects of the book, particularly how she grew to appreciate him. He is a real standout in the book, the way he seems completely authentic and supportive and nonjudgmental. Definitely the kind of therapist I would want!

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 I happened to be in St. George's Barnes & Noble shortly before a trip to Rapid City. I realized I could use a light, fun read on the flights. As I picked this book up, the cover and font spoke "fun" and "intelligent" to me. I read the blurbs and they reflected my first impression. Was it worth the risk to pay full price? I decided it was!

I'm so happy I did! It's a fun read with many wise and serious overtones about growing older, about being needed, and about happiness and loneliness. Along the way there are fun and interesting characters and a complicated plot with several murders. The writing is intelligent and intriguing. I found it took all my concentration to keep the characters straight, but I did!

The winding up chapters resolved the many issues and questions raised, and cemented the fact that the police investigators and the elderly detectives would go on to solve more cases. Watching their trusting relationship grow was one of the delightful aspects of this book.

I also enjoyed the fact that even though the content dealt with several murders, there was little gore or violence that I often see in the mystery genre. This was a like a "comfort mystery"... I seem to be drawn to British authors and settings and this was one of the more enjoyable ones. Now I'm torn between reading it again since I enjoyed it so much or immediately shipping it off to Leslie Polson who shares my taste in humorous stories and characters. Actually this is humor of the best kind; poignant and humane. I enjoyed it so much that even my five and a half hour delay at the Rapid City Airport was not a problem. I just read and enjoyed and waited for the next announcement! That's a good test of holding my interest, for sure! I wasn't even worried and decided if we went, great, and if not, I would enjoy another day or three with Sierra's family. As it turned out, we went, and I got to finish the book in flight. 

Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson

 This book, first published in 2018, gained a wide following early on. I recall that Darci Galligo, my friend in Rapid City, highly recommended that I read it. She suffers from depression and found it so helpful to read this account of stories and experiences that helped her deal with her struggle. 

Johnson recounts many of her own experiences with depression as well as those of others. It's a hopeful book, in that ideas and coping strategies are shared. I got a little bogged down at the end; it felt kind of redundant. I have read widely about this topic, so most of this was not new to me. I did appreciate her faithful approach, and pointed out where church members could do better in supporting and not judging those among us with mental illness. 

I happened to see this on a Relief Society give-away table one evening here in St. George, so I thought it was worth picking up. I thought I would read it and pass it on, but I'm not sure whom to pass it on to. Those that I know who have bouts or clinical or chronic depression are pretty well-versed in the subject. But maybe I could pass it on to someone who doesn't have this background? We'll see. 

I think in its time it was a much-needed book. Now this topic is frequently addressed in General Conference and in Church magazines. I guess it never hurts to reiterate our responsibility to "mourn with those that mourn" and it's always good to be reminded to never judge...

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

 Leonard and I had just returned to Florida after our second Flower Power cruise and were facing two long flights home. I browsed the bookstore at the Fort Lauderdale airport, thinking that a new good book would help me enjoy the flights. Ann had recommended this one quite awhile ago, and I have been waiting to buy it second-hand at a cheaper price. But there were never any cheap ones online, so I hadn't bought it yet. As I contemplated the hours on the plane, I decided it would be worth the full price to be well-entertained! I was not disappointed; it definitely delivered on the good story, good character, good writing metrics. 

Kya, the main character, lives alone in a shack in a marsh after her family deserts her, one by one. By the time she is ten, she is living on her own. The story of how she survives is fascinating, and the description of her surroundings is almost lyrical. It was intriguing and fairly realistic most of the time... A couple of times I got irritated by the leaps of faith required to believe what was going on, but mostly it was pretty believable. I like a good mystery, and this one had some intriguing twists and turns. I liked how the story went back and forth between different points of time in the past. The characters were interesting and consistent. It was interesting to watch Kya deepen her isolation and eventually come out of it... I also liked the descriptions of her marshy environment. 

What Ann really liked was the audio version and how beautifully the story was told with local accents. One connection I liked was that the author earned her doctorate in animal behavior at UC Davis. As Kya learned from the natural world and applied it to human behavior, it gave a lot of unexpected conclusions about both. 

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George

 I happened on to this author when I was searching Amazon for a different author I had heard about in a podcast. The reviews were so glowing, I thought I should try one. This particular mystery was very well-written with very intriguing English characters. However, the crime and milieu were so unpleasant that it kind of darkened my mood. The plot uncovered a specialized prostitution ring that had S&M as its main attraction. I was dismayed by the level of detail and descriptions of S&M, and probably should have left it alone. However, the Scotland Yard detectives were admirable, and I really wanted to know how they would eventually solve the murder that began the story. I finished it on our flight to Florida, and it made those four to six hours go by very quickly! I may try another one by this author, but will be more careful to read the reviews and see what the gist of the crime is before choosing one! This is #10 in a series of Inspector Lynley books, and I really liked his character as he tried to discipline Detective Barbara Havers. After a little break, I may try another one in this series. I really appreciate good writing and colorful, real characters, which this one definitely had!

Cross My Heart by Julie Wright

 This is the book that is dedicated to my friend, McKenna Mendenhall, by her mother, the author, Julie Wright. Again, it's an entirely predictable story, with cute characters and good descriptions of the setting--Boston. Enjoyable but entirely too fluffy for me. I'm giving it away to Beth Farley, also a friend of McKenna's, who claims this is her favorite genre. She's a busy mom, so this might be just what she needs!

Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

 McKenna Mendenhall in our ward is a darling young mother, just bursting with enthusiasm and charm. One day after church I was visiting with her, and she told me her mother, who lives locally in Santa Clara, is a prolific writer. She writes "proper romance" for Shadow Mountain, a spinoff, of sorts, of Deseret Book. I asked her which one was her favorite, and she mentioned "Cross My Heart" because "It's dedicated to me!" When I went online to look for it, I also saw this one and was enticed to order both.

This is a modern tale, where the young woman is thwarted in love, and continually reflects on what Jane Austen would do. Each chapter begins with an Austen quote. It's quite charming, and the conversations are lively. The plots are so predictable in this genre, but still it's fun. Sometimes the sheer goodness of the good characters are a little over the top. It was a little frustrating to have it be so lightweight, but this author writes better than most. 

I enjoyed the southern California setting, of the story, and the description of the brothers and their parents. All very wholesome and good... Still, not my genre of choice...

The Secret Life of Fungi by Aliya Whiteley

 This was a sweet little book gifted to me for Christmas by Glen and Darla Whipple. Their daughter, Michelle recommended it, and they are reading it too.

I found it entertaining, fascinating in parts, and full of wonder. I like reading and learning about the natural world. And the world of fungi IS fascinating and pervasive in our world. I had no idea they were EVERYWHERE! I liked how Whiteley related some of her personal story as she revealed what she learned about fungi. I always like a good English setting, so that was a plus. She describes the smells and sights of the forest beautifully. I also appreciated the short chapters... I could take this book in small chunks and savor each one. 

I enjoyed it, but it is not a repeat read or a keeper for me. I'm trying to think of someone to give it to who would like it. It's such a pretty little book with a great cover. So...do I keep it for that????

The Copenhagen Connection by Elizabeth Peters

 This book was a huge disappointment!

I felt I owed it to Elizabeth Peters to branch outside of her Amelia Peabody series. I thought maybe she would be as sharp and funny and entertaining in other genres. Maybe she is, but this isn't it! It was so bad and so disappointing that I almost quit multiple times. Finishing it did not satisfy me on any level. So, what's interesting is that I did finish it, even though I was not entertained at all. Maybe I like to see if it will get better? Maybe I didn't have anything waiting in the wings? Whatever, this one is NOT a keeper!

Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters

 At last I made it to the final book of the series! Amelia Peabody is still feisty and even more domineering as she ages. This story gives us a peek into the fabulous tomb of Ramses. Many of the experts who excavated this tomb in real life are depicted in this novel. It was fun to read the story of these fascinating characters who spent their lives digging for Egyptian treasure.

This entry into the series is similar to others in that there is humor and interesting characters. Emerson's half-brother, Sethos, has softened considerably and plays a large role than usual. Ramses and Nefret are about to depart on some unknown direction of their own, so this book is a nice culmination of many threads that were started over the course of the series. 

I'm ready for the series to end; the adventures and miraculous rescues have become slightly redundant. I've enjoyed the ride, though, for sure, and feel like I've learned some basics about Egypt and what it must have been like to live and learn in that fascinating environment in the early part of the twentieth century. The attitudes and world events were interesting to learn about. These are fairly light entertaining stories with a healthy dose of humor and mystery. Now I'm ready to move on...

Filled with His Love - Strengthening Our Attachment to God and to Others by Russell T. Osguthorpe

 We love the Osguthorpes!

We first met them when they moved to Rapid City to serve as the leaders of the Rapid City South Dakota Mission in the late 1990s. We enjoyed their friendship for their three years and also visited them in Provo after they were released. Two decades later they served as President and Matron of the Bismarck, North Dakota Temple, and we spent many weekends with them working in the temple. We love their example and their easy, accessible style of loving and friendship. 

Russ and Lolly wrote a book together that I just about wore out studying, called Choose to Learn. Now he's written this book, birthed during the Covid pandemic. This is both spiritual and practical. He asked me to write a review for Amazon and Good reads, so here's my first draft: 

I love when someone takes compelling research from "the world" and applies it to Christian doctrine and practice. In this book, Osguthorpe takes Attachment theory, and uses it as the lens through which to view Gospel principles. I like the blending of religious doctrine (of love and mercy, for example) and how they play out in attachment theory. 

From the introduction:

This book contains three parts. In part one, I introduce the idea of attachment and describe how parent-child relationships can eventually affect adult relationships (particularly marriage) in either positive or negative ways. In part two, I discuss the centrality of one’s attachment to God and how our attachment to God affects all other relationships. Finally, in part three, I focus on how we can strengthen our attachment to God and to others. This final section of the book rests on the assumption that strengthening our attachment to God and to others is, in fact, the primary purpose of mortality. My hope is that the suggestions offered in part three can help readers examine their own relationships and put into practice those suggestions that will lead to stronger, healthier attachments with those they love.

He uses an attachment "frame" to characterize human relationships. The grid is a helpful guide to understand how our self-worth and sociability can result in either secure, anxious, avoidant, or dysfunctional attachment styles. He uses a similar frame with human to God relationships, with self-worth and spiritual strength as the measures. This schema, illustrated in grid-form, helped me understand his assertion that understanding these attachment styles can guide us to specific behaviors to strengthen our attachments and improve our relationships. After all, he asserts, "Attachments bring us the most joy we can feel in mortality." 

While this may sound somewhat esoteric, Osguthorpe uses stories from his life to illustrate these concepts all along the way. Part three, in particular, is fueled by stories and examples that make his suggestions inviting and compelling. His life, family, and friends are colorful and wide-ranging; these are stories to be treasured. 

This is an encouraging and affirming book. One of my favorite chapters is "Live in Mercy and Grace," where he writes: "Living in mercy helps us look past mistakes, and living in grace gives us the power to move forward, pick up the pieces, redirect our thoughts and actions and become a new creature." Another chapter, called "Care for the Whole Soul" invites readers to make healthy choices. He writes: "The oneness of spirit and body that comprises our soul is key to forming healthy attachments. When we do anything that has the potential to improve our physical health, our mental-spiritual health can improve as well. And when we do something to address our mental-spiritual condition, we will feel better physically." 

I found value in considering some of my relationships through the attachment theory lens. In fact, I'm still wondering about how our daughter's first six weeks of life in a hospital affect our parent-child attachment. Osguthorpe's suggestions are welcome additions to my thinking and understanding about that particular connection. As I navigate other, more challenging relationships, I feel encouraged by his assertion that avoidant, anxious, and even dysfunctional relationships can be transformed into more secure and healthy attachments.

And even though the book is engaging and encouraging on its own, there's a bonus: Osguthorpe expands these ideas in a free podcast. His natural warmth comes through his voice and examples. It's like having a personal guide walking by your side, encouraging and believing in you. 

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

 This was a gift from Rulona Stevenson for Christmas and it was the perfect "take me away" kind of story. It has so many real characters and is based on a real person, so there's history unfolding as well as a good story. The author, Kerri Maher, is a good writer and while it's not BEAUTIFUL prose, it's descriptive and entertaining. Not banal, although sometimes the characters seem a bit that way!

I'm sure it would be a mistake to assume that any of this is "TRUTH," but it was still interesting to wonder if this is indeed the way the Kennedy family lived and breathed. And how they used their influence. It sounds like a continuous round of parties and charity balls, and I never really got the sense of much of substance. The competition and athleticism of the Kennedy family was interesting to speculate about, as was the closeness of the siblings.

It was a wonder to me that although her brothers' and father's carousing bothered her, she never confronted any of it. Not sure how she would have, but the hypocrisy must have been hard to live with. And her mother, Rose, and her desperate clinging to her religion with no real explanation as to how or why was weird. Kick, the main character, struggles through the whole book about her love for Billy, but because he's a Protestant, she can't marry him. The whole story centers on this controversy, though we never learn exactly what it is that is objectionable. Maybe I"m weird, but I would have learned a lot from a more detailed and enlightening discussion of the divisive issues, or at least WHY the Catholic church thought you would go to hell if you married outside the faith. That would have enhanced the story for me.

Yet, this love story and Kick's struggle to help her sisters and resolve her issues was interesting to read about. It's a story told with a sympathetic view of her, and she definitely had admirable characteristics. It is a perfect light and clean and entertaining story.