Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

 This book was recommended to me by both Teal and Montana's mom when I was with them in November at the Orchard. Montana's mom was a school librarian, I believe, so I was interested in her book recommendations. And I knew Teal was into fantasy, but I kind of hoped this wasn't quite so fantasy-like. I was wrong. It was very true to the genre and why I find it so tough to get into it. Ann loves it too; and I keep thinking I may like it if I keep trying?

This one was so dark and cold that I almost quit reading it several times. I found it tough to keep the different characters straight. The imagined world with its weird inhabitants were mysterious and I couldn't unravel their purpose or their challenges easily. They were only gradually revealed.

However, about half-way through the book, I began to wonder how it would all turn out. Teal being Teal, I assumed the female characters would save the day...and I began to wonder how that would happen. And they did, and how they did it was interesting. Lots of magical powers and weirdness, but also a lot of clever world-building and fantastic environment building. Stoic characters and monsters inside of bodies...lots of unusual things. Not my favorite, but I did soldier on to the end. No, I will not take this author on again. But now I will have something to talk to Teal about in Mexico in April. What is it about this make-believe world that she finds compelling? 

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

 This was a delightful little story with good illustrations. It's a chapter book with a good message, that kept me reading. I liked the fresh idea of telling a story from the animal's perspective. The animal characters and the humans both were interesting and life-like. I enjoyed the way the story came together and the satisfying way it came to be resolved.

I would love to share this book with John, in particular. I will save it for him, although it's hard to imagine him reading...both the boys are so into their technology! But maybe it will be handy when we travel this spring if he is "off" his technology? 

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

 This is another book recommended by our friends and neighbors, Marian and Brian Wangsgard. They both love this book and enthusiastically told me I wouldn't be disappointed. I would give it 4 stars. Yes, it's delightful and very clever, and it helped me through a day I had a bad headache, but is it a great one? No.

It reminded me of the Guernsey Potato Peel Society (wrong title, but I know what I mean) book in two ways: it's a story told in letters (epistolary) and it's set among an isolated, usually friendly society. The people and their letters are very charming. And it took all of my brain power to understand some of the nuances that come near the end of the story.

The part I didn't like was the cruelty of the ruling board and the lack of any substantial resistance to it. I know the author intended it as a cautionary tale, but there isn't any subtlety to it. I felt a bit clobbered over the head with that. But what is fun is the mental challenge of the words, and I had to admire the vocabulary of the residents as they chose words that would not contain the forbidden letters but still get their ideas across. There are parts that are just so clever I laughed out loud and shook my head. This author is brilliant and obviously a lover of words and wordsmithing.  I also enjoyed the development of the romances and relationships as they unfolded. Nice too, that the whole story ended happily. It's a charming book with a sinister undertone. Enjoyable. 

The House of the Spirits by Isabelle Allende

 My neighbor Blanche is Puerto Rican and only became a reader in adulthood. She told me first book she ever read opened up a whole new world to her. It was this one. And it is an amazing book... It's written unlike any book I've ever read. The sentences are long and the paragraphs are often a whole page or more! It makes you kind of breathless as you read! The images and the density of the writing is so rich, though, that you are immersed completely. It's a feeling that's kind of hard to describe. Add to this the fact that the characters and settings are fascinating, and move from urban to rural and back, and over three generations of time. It's a broad and sweeping look at a family and a country's culture.

It's also fairly violent and depressing. The hardships described and the cruelty of the patriarch are hard to live through. I love so much of the Hispanic culture, and the intense emotions and drama illustrated here are consistent with my impressions. It's lively, it's dramatic, and it's easy to get caught up in the drama. These characters love passionately and live without compromise. 

There's also a mystical element that is quite interesting. Some of the characters have otherworldly beauty and green mermaid hair. They can levitate around the room. It's kind of a shadow theme in the book. The political climate of the country is also an interesting theme, especially as the dominant rich are overthrown by the peasants. It can be very graphic. It's never boring.

I enjoyed reading this book for the most part, but I wouldn't choose to live through it again. What I enjoyed was thinking about why Blanche found this book so captivating. I haven't visited with her about it since I've read it, but it's on my agenda to seek her out to do so. I love a good story and great characters, but this one had more graphic violence and pain than I would choose...

When Hoopoes go to Heaven by Gaile Parkin

 The story of the Tungaraza family continues that was begun in Baking Cakes in Kilgali. This one focuses on ten-year-old Benedict and his world. He supports his mama's (actually grandmother's) cake business with his ideas and care. Because I learned to love this family, I was excited to read more of their story and their goodness. I was not disappointed.

This sweet boy, Benedict, reminded me often of our grandson Henry! Often thoughtful and quiet, often introspective, and a deep thinker, there were definite similarities. Benedict's constant desire to do good and be good for his beloved mama and baba was tender to read about. His struggles to understand the world and people around him captured the spirit of an inquiring, youthful mind. It was sometimes painful to understand some of the atrocities happening around him, but because of his tremendous family support, he was able to withstand and not internalize the evil around him. Such goodness was beautiful to read about. 

I always love reading and learning about Africa as well. The different dialects and ethnic groups are confusing in this book, but weren't necessary to understand the story. I just let them pass over me and not worry about the details. I'm saving it for Sierra, to see if she is interested in this sequel. I haven't heard how she likes CAKES yet...

Mud, Rock, Blazes by Heather "Anish" Anderson

 I love hiking and I love hiking books! And this is an interesting one by a very driven woman. Her descriptions of how she drives herself to her edge every single day of her hike is amazing to read. I enjoyed the external challenges of bears, snakes, blisters, storms, lightning, and all the rest. But the internal, mental challenges were even more interesting to read about.

Anish had already captured the Fastest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail, but she somehow told herself that was a fluke. She felt like an imposter. She wasn't really an athlete. So she took this FKT challenge on to probe to herself she could also do it on the AT. And wow, does she ever. She definitely explores her inner drive and landscape very deeply. Her soul and body come together in an interesting way. I have never driven myself this way, but it's interesting to read about the body's limits. She seeks to find her body's limits, and then goes beyond. Somehow it makes fascinating reading.

I want to hike part of this trail! But next month I want to hike in California! Maybe it's time for me to move beyond this type of book and get an actual guide book for these trails that I want to take on. I'm pretty sure I"m not a through-hiker, but I'm most anxious to be a section hiker! In the meantime, I hike in Snow Canyon State Park and Zion National Park on a regular basis. I can do 5-9 miles without a pack very nicely. I love how that feels! I'm having trouble finding people who want to hike as much as I do; most want to do five or so miles at the most. Usually that's okay, but I"d like to push on a little harder. On Wednesday, my friend Diana Lemmon and her brother Andy and I are going to hike THE NARROWS in Zion. We'll see how long I last on that one! Woohoo!

Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

 Boy, did I get lucky! Len and I were in the Laramie airport, heading home from Don Polson's funeral, when I finished that stupid pickleball book. I threw it in the trash. And then, I noticed a bookshelf with FREE BOOKS for waiting passengers! And I hit the jackpot with this one... I have heard of it and have never read it. Well, it captivated me for the entire waiting period, both flights home, and for several days after. How did I miss this book before? It was published in 1990. Better late than never.

Kingsolver's analogies and descriptions are breath-taking. The way she describes the sisters and their relationship is amazing. All of her characters in this little town are interesting and so REAL. Their conversations are interesting and ring true. There is a mystery that unfolds about the family that Codi, the main character, unravels that is fascinating. The relationship between Codi and Loyd is delightful to read about as it develops. Honestly, this book was a marvel, page after page of beautiful writing and interesting content. I loved how Codi's help more or less saved the community from the devastating effects of the mine. I loved how she became a teacher and enjoyed reading about her relationships with her students. It was all so, so enjoyable, despite it being set in a dusty, hard environment. These people are hard working and interesting. And eventually, good things happen to them. I love it when good things happen to the right people! 

Even though I'm not familiar with this tribe or this environment, it rang true with my Lakota experiences in South Dakota. I loved the integration of the people of different backgrounds; and it was fascinating to read how Codi had felt like an outsideer all of her life. Her journey to recognize her belonging and her desire to belong was a beautiful introspective story in and of itself. And a great reminder that we see the world as WE are, not how it is!

The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery

 Both Brian and M Wangsgard recommended this book as uplifting and fun. I thought I'd give it a try despite finding this author slightly annoying when I read her octopus book. I hoped she would do better with a pig story, and besides, the Wangsgards loved it, so, I gave it a try.

It was an okay book with some fun descriptions and a lot of diversions to the author's other adventures. The good good pig is their pet at home, but the author travels a lot researching other animals, and these stories came into this story frequently. She also included some interesting pig history and pig knowledge that was interesting.

I'm not sure precisely what it is that annoys me about this author. She seems a good person, and a real community organizer. That I admire. I think what gets me is her continual attempts to attribute greater intelligence and human qualities into this pig than the evidence warrants. Granted, I'm not there, and maybe this pig really did have different grunts to greet individual people, but I find that hard to believe. I helped raise many pigs, and never had a glimmer of what she describes! Still, it makes a nice story, and it certainly held my interest. She certainly went all out in giving this pig a great life, including spa days. Maybe that's what was annoying? So many people need kindness; and this pig got so much... Yet she also included the neighborhood kids in the pig's care, so that was a plus. 

I also liked the description of the small New England community in which the author lives. She and her husband have created a nice life, it seems. It was fun to read about these country farmers and their neighbors...

Zero Zero Start by C.S. Singer

 Len bought me this book online as a surprise. It was advertised as a pickleball mystery, which he thought would be right up my alley! When I looked at it, though, I was a little suspicious because it was one of those self-published books. But, I thought, why not give it a try? After all, it was a very thoughtful gift. 

I read the first page and realized it was substandard writing. Very simple sentences with nothing imaginative right out of the gate. So I put it aside. Then when he noticed I hadn't read it, I decided to give it another try. I took it on our trip to Laramie for Don Polson's funeral. After all, we would have a lot of time on airplanes and in airports, and it might be fun.

WRONG. It started out simply, with some adequate descriptions of people playing pickleball and those parts were real and accurate. But the characters and the plot were totally lacking. Lots of pointless descriptions of clothes and junior-high relationships. The more I read it, the more I thought I should toss it in the trash. And then the language got obscene and the characters more inane, but I soldiered on! 

When we left the Laramie airport, I tossed it in the trash. There was a bookshelf of free books that I could have donated it to, but it was so bad, I didn't want to waste anyone else's time! It's too bad because a mystery among a group of pickleball players could be a fun premise. This one isn't it. 

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

 I have been striking out lately on finding any good books to read. And I wanted to send Leslie Polson a lighter, uplifting book to give her a little relief as she mourns the loss of her husband Don. So I went to my neighbors, M and Brian Wangsgard, and asked them for recommendations.

M pulled out her journal and went through her past several years of library books, and gave me some suggestions. I read Amazon reviews and then ordered several of them, used, to try them out. This one is the best of the lot!

I read the first couple of pages before my most recent trip to Rapid City, wondering if it would be a good candidate for the flight and shuttle reading. It was! It was compelling and interesting from the first few pages and the heroine was a very wise and likeable woman. And it only got better from there!

I don't know much about African history, but this story reveals the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide years. The beautiful pace of the conversations between Angel, the woman who bakes cakes, and her customers is delightful to read. As the conversations unfold, you learn a lot about the culture and the challenges of the people in this tight little community. Angel has suffered tremendous loss herself, and as she unravels some of her stories, you learn about what AIDS and violence have done to people. And yet it's a very hopeful and upbeat story, despite the hardships and the heartbreak these people suffered and are suffering. That's the beauty of this book--it reminds you of the goodness of people and why we need to support strong community-building. 

This author is amazingly eloquent and poetic as she shares the beauty of the African culture and the struggle to overcome the more destructive aspects of it. And there is gentle humor throughout the story as well...Just a delightful read! There are two more books about Angel's family, and I will order those shortly. 

In general, this book just made me feel very grateful. Angel and Primus are raising their grandchildren and have many challenges, but they are meeting them with such grace and courage. It made me feel somewhat ashamed to be irritated or troubled by anything in my life!

The Mystery of the Ivory Charm by Carolyn Keene

 I had just flown in to Rapid City Regional for another grandkid fix, and Sierra picked me up. After lunch with Mike, she had a couple of boxes of books to drop off at the used bookstore. I helped her carry them in, and happened to flip mine open to see what she was giving away. BIG MISTAKE! There, in all their dark blue glory, were my Nancy Drew mysteries! Oh, no! How could I part with them again. Sierra said, "Don't look!!!" But it was too late. The deed was done. I thought, "She's right. I don't need these. But then I saw my very first one, and it was this one. I flipped open the cover, and there, in Grandma Ellerson's distinctive handwriting was my name, and 1955, and Grandpa and Grandma. I was five years old; how could I have read this then? And the copyright was also 1955, so it was a brand new book when I got it! That was a huge purchase for them back then. I had to keep this one. And even though it's not the first book in the series, it's the first one I read.

So, I didn't even look at the others, nor open the other boxes. I just took this one. I took it over to Melissa's the next day, and she said, "I would have liked those!!" Who knew? So, I read it every night while I was there, and finished it, and left it in her guest room.

It was a huge step into another time and place. Talk about nostalgic!!! Nancy and her boyfriend Ned, who invited her to a fraternity weekend at Emerson College... Nancy, whose best friends, Bess and George are cousins. George, a "very boyish girl" -- and the ivory charm is the center of the story that includes a little "Hindu boy" and "Indian boy" and various other racial and ethnic names. It's just amazing to see how differentl;y cultural differences are depicted in this era! And it wss disappointing how little nuance or mystery was woven into the story. Nancy is the heroine and can do no wrong. Her father lets her lead the way in the investigation and it's an idyllic little world. I guess that was attractive to me when I was younger? No character developmebt at all...Just trite conversations and predictable conversations. It was disappointing. I wasn't particularly curious about how it would even turn out. It was 200 pages long, but I lost interest way before that. What kept me going was the cultural issues. I also kept hoping that maybe some of it would ring familiar to me. None of it did. 

One thing that probably attracted me back then was Nancy's relationship with her father. He had endless faith in her and her abilities; he financed everything; he had influential friends who could help her, and he treated her like an adult. One subtle thing that came through that I"m not sure I noticed back in the day was how limiting and jealous her boyfriend Ned was. And it was kind of fun to be back in a world devoid of computers and cell phones and any sort of technology...where letters were written and circuses came to town. It was a nice visit, but I don't want to live there!

Wild by Cheryl Strayed - Second Read

 I'm so glad I saved this book! I just reread my initial response to it, several years ago, and I am less shocked and dismayed this time around about her earlier heroin use. Maybe because I knew it was coming? At any rate, this woman finally got her head on straight, and it was fun to witness the process through her writing about her hiking.

I am more motivated than ever about two places to hike: the John Muir Trail, though it's not mentioned too much here, and Crater Lake. I must go see and hike near Crater Lake! I must! I will! 

Cheryl's descriptions of the people she meets along the way are one of the things that made me enjoy this book so much. It's fun to remember my early wandering days around Europe and being open to meeting and bonding with people in this fashion. I wish I had journaled more about them! It's crazy how I thought I could never forget those people or places, and yet...I did! I'm doing a better job of journaling these days, and that's one of the reasons. It's also good to reflect as I write on what makes each person a unique gift. 

 

Thirst by Heather Anish Anderson - second read

 I'm so happy I saved this book for a second read. It's been awhile since my first read throgh, and I enjoyed it just as much this time around. I like how she describes her hike day by day, practically. Since we've been living in St. George, I've been able to hike more regularly.

I'm so funny, though, because I read about Anish's adventures, and I think, I should do that! Yes, I could do ten or twenty miles a day with blistered feet! And then I go up to Snow Canyon and hike, which I love, and I'm really tired after five or six miles! One day I did nine, and had to rest for two days! It would be fun to build up my stamina, but at age 72, maybe this isn't the right goal for me. 

Through-hiking isn't my goal, but building up to ten is a worthy goal, one that I could possibly sustain. And I would love to do more hiking with the grandkids, although Henry is the only one currently who seems to enjoy it. That's okay. And this weekend, Gabe has agreed to hike with me when I'm there. Hooray! Hooray!

Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler

 This is the second of two Anne Tyler books I picked up for next to nothing or maybe they were free. This one was worth more than I paid, for sure!

This author amazed me with her ability to describe thought patterns so familiar to me, in her main character, Rebecca. This woman had a busy, service-driven, frenetic life, and wondered what she had become. She didn't feel like herself anymore. Yet she was in her fifties...Still, how she thought and what challenged her, and her frequent negativity mirrored many of mine these past few years. 

Another intriguing aspect was her wondering about "the road not taken." She had jilted her high school boyfriend for an older man who swept her off her feet. Years after her husband died, she wondered what her first love was doing, what he was like, what her life would have been like if she had a "do-over."

And somehow she found the courage to look him up, meet him, explore a relationship with him. I loved how her ruminating and fantasizing were challenged by reality. Her obsession with her weight and wanting to look her best was familiar to me. 

This author did an amazing job of describing Rebecca's full life of service to her family that she couldn't always appreciate. When her old boyfriend meets her family, she's embarrassed by how they look and act, and yet HE obviously marvels and appreciates them. I think this is often how I am...worried about the wrong things! Her life is full and she somehow can't see it. The way she cares for Poppy, the hundred year old uncle, begins to open her eyes. She's been blind to the joy she creates all around her. 

The family that she's nurtured all these years obviously takes her for granted, and she notices it. She's the center of the family in many ways. She keeps the family business and home going. It's easy to understand how she felt unappreciated and put upon. It was good to see at the end that she realized that she really was having a wonderful time. 

It was a good reminder for me of the power of our thinking, and how our circumstances don't dictate our happiness or unhappiness, it's how we think about our circumstances. I think it was cool that she reached out for something different and gave it a fair chance. And it showed her growth that she wasn't willing to be the safety net for a lonely and stodgy man. I loved how her heart softened around Poppy, when she finally realized that she would enjoy it more if she allowed her heart to soften. Maybe that's what this whole story was about; how choosing a better lens to see one's situation literally changes the situation. 

Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler

 This was one of two newish books that were both by Anne Tyler and were both free on a give-away table. I vaguely recalled reading this author before (I checked; I read Amateur Marriage three years ago and didn't particularly like it), so I thought it was worth another try.

This was a soft story with mild characters. I enjoyed the character of Micah, the Tech Hermit, who led a very simple life. The people around him are colorful and he doesn't understand them very well. He's caught in a quandary with the son of a former girlfriend, and he acts with solid integrity to help the family sort out their problems.

But the most interesting relationship was that with his girlfriend of three years who is a teacher. She's obviously trying to move their relationship to the "next level" but Micah doesn't get it. She finally gives up and breaks it off. It was interesting to me to watch Micah slowly become aware of how empty and unfulfilling his life is without her. I was hoping he would wake up by the end of the story, and I'm happy to report that he did!

This is a mild story with a lot of mundane details; not a real page turner, but an adequate summer read. I'm giving this author one more chance before I move on...

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

 I had seen this around bookstores and wondered about it, so when it was on a Thrift Store shelf for 50 cents, I picked it up. It's a book of essays that can be read in any order, but they do have recurring characters. The humor in this book is biting and clever. I'm not sure it's good for me! But "wickedly funny" comes to mind. I kept thinking of Arthur Mecchi as I read it...It's a similar sense of humor.

It's hard to believe that someone could write about their meth use and have it be funny. Somehow, it is! The absurdity of his thinking as he was high was both heartrending AND funny. His family stories are just unbelievable; in particular, his parents. He captures their absurdities brilliantly. I wondered throughout this book how true some of his experiences were. One, where he works as a mover in NYC, was so descriptive and cleverly funny that I read it out loud to Leonard. 

I think I'll keep this around to read again on occasion...but not sure if I'll read any more by this author. It is fun to read these vignettes and enjoy them one by one. It'll be good for my 3AM wakeups when I can't get back to sleep, but need something shorter to take my mind back towards slumberland. 

The Legacy of Luna by Julia Butterfly Hill

 I really enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite things in life: TREES!

I started this while Len and I were in Bigfork, Montana, and I was savoring every deep breath of PINE and loving being among the trees again. It was the perfect read for the flights back home!

Julia Hill recounts her journey to become involved in saving a particular old growth redwood tree, named LUNA. She's very naive, and passionate, and risks her life without very much background or knowledge of trees or the environmentalist movement. It reminded me of when I marched against the Viet Nam War knowing very little about any of it!

As Butterfly takes us along on her life in the upper reaches of Luna, we learn along with her about the various forces at work to destroy the forest. She is spurred on by her spiritual confirmation that she MUST save this tree, no matter what. As time goes on (she lives in the top of this tree for two years), she learns and grows and becomes even more committed to this particular tree. 

I enjoyed learning about her challenges--how to stay warm, how to survive in the storms, how to toilet, how to keep her mental health, and how to stay in a place of love when dealing with the loggers who were determined to oust her. Even though her view is definitely her view, and there's no redeeming words for the logging executives or the politicians involved, it's till worthwhile reading her story and her viewpoint, I think. I'm clearly on her side, but I'm cognizant that there is more to this fight than is presented here. 

Butterfly is a descriptive and good writer who was able to keep me turning the pages. I was also intrigued as she climbed around Luna barefoot, and felt the tree's strength. It was heartbreaking to read about her reaction to Luna's destruction. Since this book is twenty years old, I'm wondering what is going on with her and with Luna nowadays...

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

 I usually enjoy Elizabeth Berg, or at least I did when June Apaza and I were both reading her back when we both worked at TIE. We even met her when she came to Border's, and that was fun. She was very approachable and fun to visit with. So when I came across this book in reading some reviews, and realized it was the first in a series, I was excited to try it out.

I love series because it gives me a head start with each new book, to already know the characters. We get to go deeper and longer. So I thought, great, this will be the first of a few more I will enjoy. So I ordered it used, and saved it for our flight to Salt Lake City, and then continued on to Kalispell for our pickleball tournament in Bigfork, Montana. 

It was the perfect read for these flights. It was simple, sweet, and cozy. The characters were interesting and true. The lonely widower, the sweet neighbor widow, and the misunderstood teen became a great support system for each other. How it all comes together is an enjoyable and sweet story. It's enjoyable to read about characters with integrity and who have qualities I admire. And I like happy endings. This had all of that. Having said all that, though, it was also kind of bland. Like, it held my interest, didn't require a lot of analysis or entice deeper thinking, but that was it. I am not inclined to continue the series because I think there are more compelling stories out there. 

Then Again by Diane Keaton

 This book caught my eye one day while browsing at the Treasure Chest, a thrift store nearby. It was only $.50, had interesting photos, and because I enjoy and admire Diane Keaton, I believed it was worth the risk. I'm glad I did.

Keaton compares her life with her mother's. We learn a lot about her family during her growing up years, and the how the relationships develop over time. We don't get details or a chronology; we get interesting impressions and very insightful observations. These memories and insights are shared via vignettes that reveal Keaton's rich inner life. She uses her self-deprecating humor to describe her attempts to become an artist. In the end, she decides she's "artistic," but not an artist. Few Hollywood stars would be so open about their embarrassing missteps. I admire Keaton's honesty about what she learned from her less successful movies, artistic endeavors, and directorial attempts. 

Keaton describes her bullemia and how she talked her way out of it with her therapist. She is clear about her wanting an audience more than a family like her mother had. She is honest and honoring of her romances with Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, and Al Pacino. There are many fascinating anecdotes about these and other famous friends and how they navigate life. The most telling to me was about Jack Nicholson, and how two years after the filming of "As Good as it Gets" she received a check from him with a lot of zeroes; he was sharing his percentage with her. She is not a snarky gossip. She is a clear-eyed observer of her own behavior and sees others with compassion and mostly, admiration. I appreciated that. 

Her description of her family life, and how she adopted two children when she was older, was interesting. She finds purpose in nurturing her extended family as well. This book was published in 2011, and she's had a lot of commercial success since then. It would be interesting to read an update...  The book left me wanting to see some of her movies again, especially The Godfather trilogy and Annie Hall, since she revealed a lot about what was going on behind the scenes in the making of these movies. 

I have always admired her style; and I understand more of her thinking now. This was a worthwhile read. Her devotion and care for her parents are admirable traits. Her humility and taking herself lightly are also impressive to me. Would I make similar choices? No, I did not, and would not. But she has qualities worthy of consideration, for sure. 

The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson

 While browsing at our favorite thrift store, The Treasure Chest, I came across this hardback, library edition from Arizona book for $.50. I had heard of this author and that she was light and fun and had great recipes. In fact, the woman at the checkout said, "Oh, you'll love her recipes!" They are gathered at the end of the book, all together, so they are easy to find. The directions are well done...but these recipes are not health food. And the reason is, the master sleuth in this novel is a caterer, and she's always cooking something. It shows up in the story a lot, and seems to figure prominently in building a "cozy" atmosphere. However, she probably wants to be known for great food, and that often means high fat and high sugar. Which is the case here. None of these are keepers.

And...I thought I deserved a light and fun summer read. This one was just too light and too unrealistic. Multiple times I thought, this is a waste of time. The characters were flat and uninteresting. The plot was convoluted and crazy. The caterer's husband is a sherriff and was also investigating the murder, and did so many unethical, unbelievable things that I literally rolled my eyes. One reason I enjoy mysteries is that I learn about the law and evidence and technical things like that. This one was just false on every level; nothing of value was here for me. And yet, I stuck with it. Maybe I hoped it would get better? Here's the truth: It did not. It's on its way to the D.I. pile. 

Death and Croissants by Ian Moore

 I know better than to be sucked in at a Barnes & Noble sale table, but I fell for this one! I even read the first couple of pages before purchasing, and they were funny and clever... I enjoyed the first few chapters; the author has a good sense of humor, but it soon bored me. I didn't care about the characters even though they were somewhat charming. The milieu was a French B & B, and it should have been fun and charming, but somehow it got old fast for me. By the final few chapters, I didn't really care "whodunnit" and I had to force myself to finish it. Too bad, because the setting and some witty lines were good. Oh well... Plot was entirely lacking and confusing. Not much else to say about this except it's going in the discard pile. 

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

I happened to be browsing around Barnes & Noble one hot day, and found this book on sale. I vaguely recalled reading reviews about it on Amazon years ago, and was intrigued. Since I was ready for a new read, I snapped it up. I've been reading my old journals instead of novels lately, and I was ready for some new material.

I really enjoyed this nonfiction book that is jam packed with scientific information--more than I will ever remember--and also fascinating stories of the people who have devoted their lives, careers, or time to discovering and climbing the world's tallest trees. The focus is on redwoods in northern California, and I had to think about my dad every time I picked it up to read! I wondered how many of these trees he had seen. He had a great love for redwoods and worked with Dr. Taylor, back in the day, to encourage their growth on the Archer Taylor Preserve, even before it was the Preserve.

I wondered how much of this information he already knew. I remember one really interesting hike I took with Jane, Ann, and Ludwig, where we found a grove in Redwood Creek that had interesting burls growing out of them. It took Jane awhile to find it, but she had been taken there by my dad and shared how thrilled he was to have found them. 

I found the descriptions of the climbing riveting! I literally held my breath when the climbers were foolhardy or careless. The author goes to great lengths to explain different climbing techniques, and those were fascinating too. I'd love to visit the canopy they describe! It's amazing that the canopy was so recently discovered and so little understood! It's heart-breaking to think about the amount of redwood groves that were thoughtlessly logged and destroyed. I'd really like to take a trip to see these remaining redwoods; I've never explored Humboldt County or the other sites described, but I'd like to. However, I will not be climbing! I wish there were a simpler way to visit the tops of these trees...

The redwood grove on the preserve feels like a sacred cathedral to me, and has always inspired awe in me. This book has interesting characters who the author describes very well. The author is also a climber, and I enjoyed reading about his experiences, too. I'm thinking about who else would enjoy this book when I pass it on...probably Jane is at the top of my list. Well worth the time, but not a keeper. 

The Rose Project

 Our new friends in St. George, Steve and Kathy Young, listened to this book on a recent trip and raved about the story and the characters, but most of all about the production. I probably should have listened to it too, but needed a good read for my trip to Rapid City, so I ordered a used copy from Amazon. It filled the bill for airport and inflight reading perfectly! 

It really helped me gain some insight into the autistic mind and how it differs and works. The main character is a professor attempting to date and find a wife. Along the way he meets a woman who does not fit his criteria for a wife, but turns out to be a great partner. In trying to solve the mystery of who her father is, the main character dramatically improves his social skills. They have to work as a team and that's what helps him want to change. 

I enjoyed learning about the kind of thinking he had to do to overcome his more natural inclinations. I liked that he was very pure in heart and recognized (eventually) the corruption of his best friend. I liked that it was a fairly clean book too... And I enjoyed the Australian backdrop and New York city settings. 

Pride and Prescience: Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged by Carrie Barrus

 I was browsing in the St. George library and saw this book in a display. I picked it up and read the first few paragraphs and figured it had potential. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and hoped it might be in a similar realm. It was not. Not even close! This book was ponderous and boring and stilited. I kept thinking I should give it up because it was going nowhere, but there was a murder to be solved, so I stuck with it to learn the culprit. I got to the most unsatisfying end, and realized I should have quit far sooner. There was no character development and really no explanation as to the magic involved in the mysterious artifacts. It was just a strange boring setting for Elizabeth and Darcy to superficially interact. I should know by now that Austen is in a class by herself!!! Will I ever learn? At least I didn't waste any money on the deal. Only time, which is perhaps even more valuable!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

 When this book first came out, there was great excitement, and it seemed everyone loved this story. Back in the day (1997?) I wanted to see what the fuss was about, so I read it. I recall thinking, Huh. Not particularly impressive. Fun, cute, but nothing great. And I didn't continue on reading the rest of the series. Because Henry has chosen to go to Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter part of that, I figured I ought to give it another chance. After all, I don't want to be ignorant of what we're seeing. So, I borrowed a copy from my friend Dawna Gower, and just finished it this afternoon.

I was hoping I would see it differently now, and that I would enjoy it more this time around. I am sorry to say that mostly I enjoyed it less! There are too many characters to keep track of! They are fairly one-dimensional. I liked some of the interesting concepts like unicorns being so special, and owls being messengers, but overall it was rather ho hum. I do admire Rowling's imagination, though. I could never create a game like Quidditch! There were clever book titles and educational traditions like wearing cloaks and learning spells, but it got a little redundant by the end of the book. One thing I did really like was the development of the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They didn't like her at all at first, but they were all able to grow and become fast friends through their experiences together. I liked that message.

When I was about half-way through, I thought I should seek to borrow Book 2, because I was still thinking it was enjoyable enough to continue. Today, though, now that I'm finished with Book 1, I don't have much interest in Book 2 or beyond. Maybe watching the movies will be better prep for the Universal Studios anyway. Like the books, though, I've only seen one of the movies, and that was years ago, and all I can remember is that it was very dark. We'll see...

Every Needful Thing edited by Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye and Kate Holbrook

 I picked this up at Deseret Book on a whim. I had read some biographical details of both of the editors and knew they were articulate disciple scholars. I loved that this volume was all women authors, because I've been lamenting for quite awhile now the low number of women speakers at General Conference. I didn't know what the essays would be like, but I knew they would enlighten and challenge me and uplift me more than my steady diet of fiction has done lately!

This past year I've noticed that I don't remember as much when I read at night as I used to. Maybe I fall semi-asleep before I stop reading? Whatever the reason, I usually had to start over the next night if I stopped in the middle of one of these essays. They were often heavy with philosophy or reflection that was challenging to absorb on a light read. I enjoyed the autobiographical elements of each woman's life, and they were each VERY different! Some were more engaging than others...

There are lawyers, scientists, artists, and all around deep thinkers in this collection. Their unique perspective was shared with rich examples from their various cultures around the world. It was heartening to read that such accomplished and noted women in the world are also faithful, practicing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And, they don't all claim to have it all figured out. I found that very real and refreshing. 

One of my favorite essays is by Marion Bishop, and is entitled "Becoming Mormon." She has Wyoming roots, she's an ER doctor, and she addresses specifically how she was, as a woman, able to draw on male role models in the scriptures. I liked that, and felt kind of sheepish about my assertion that I need to learn from female role models in General Conference, In fact I liked this essay so much that I sent it to Glen and Darla Whipple, and Glen agreed it was a good one. 

I want to reread some of these and see if I can retain a little more in the daylight. I am also thinking about lending it to my neighbor M. I think she would like it. 

Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton

Grafton died of cancer after this last book of hers was published. Her family said, "For us, the alphabet ends in Y." I was sorry to have the series end with such a sordid and violent story. I wonder if the darkness of this last entry into the series was a reflection of how she was feeling? The tone isn't depressing, and Kinsey retains her spunk, but the subject matter and criminals are cold and violent and sordid. 

I must have read it when it first came out, but I didn't write about it here. I think it was probably because I disliked it so much. Because I was on a quest to finish the series this time around, I wasn't about to skip it. AND, I wanted to see if I had the same reaction this time around.

I am not sure I would ever choose to read it again, but it wasn't as upsetting as it was the first time around. There is still the trademark snappy humor and interesting characters, but there were too many graphic details of the teenagers' rape scene that were referred to over and over again. I didn't need to be reminded, and I didn't appreciate it. And, in the parallel story, the crazy serial killer Ned also showed his slimey violent self in colorful detail. Overall, the violence and descriptions were not to my liking. 

I enjoyed Pearl's emergence as somewhat of a hero after her earlier in the series introduction as a homeless n'er do well. Henry didn't get much air time, and neither did Cheney or Jonah. However, Cousin Anna's pregnancy may have presaged some interesting plot twists in upcoming Z. Too bad we'll never know what Grafton had in mind. I would have enjoyed seeing some of Kinsey's loose ends tied up neatly. For example, when would Henry die and leave her the house, etc.? Would he leave it to Pearl and others? What about Rosie and William? And where would Cheney end up? And would Dietz return for a romantic yet noncommittal relationship? Or would he finally be ready, and would Kinsey be ready to commit? And what about all of those Millhone relatives? Would there ever be good relationships built with them? So many questions...

It's kind of a relief to have the series be done, and it's also kind of sad. I really enjoyed the whole thing, and I'm also ready to move on. I've begun reading my journals, and there are plenty of them. So before I set out on another ambitious series, I'm committed to at least take one trip through my many, many journals.  

X by Sue Grafton

 I'm nearing the end of my second time through this series, and it makes me sad that I'm almost done! I'm sure I read it when it came out in 2015, and I bought a copy for Melissa, who read it too. I saw her copy when we were in Rapid City last Christmas, and I was tempted to borrow it. But I didn't want to be tempted to read it out of order, so I ordered a cheap used copy from Amazon and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I finished this afternoon, a beautiful spring day in St. George, in the sunshine. I remember it as being kind of a dark story, but it didn't strike me that way this time through. And why didn't I write about it on this blog when I first read it? I was at least partially retired, but I must have just spaced it out. Now I'm more disciplined and careful--I don't allow myself to start my next book until I've recorded the one I just finished. I notice that with my aging brain, I have to be much more methodical about how I operate, or else things just fall through my sieve.

This story had three different threads, and lots of interesting characters. Happily, I was able to track them all. Maybe the warmer weather is helping me think and remember things better??? At any rate, all three stories were interesting. At one point, I thought they might intersect, but they did not. 

The first thread focuses on a rich couple's acrimonious separation and divorce, and centers on the theft of a Turner painting. Of course that intrigued me because he's one of my favorite artists. The second thread involved a psychopath killer whose wife left some mementos for their daughter, and Kinsey has to follow cryptic clues to trace his crimes. And the third one is Henry's new neighbors who turn out to be squatters and criminals. They are elderly and devious. This story comes unraveled when Henry discovers they have diverted his water source when he is desperately trying to conserve water because of the drought. The California weather and landscapes always figure in Grafton's stories, and being a native Californian, that always interests me. 

I'm ambivalent about beginning Y because it is Grafton's last book in the series. She died before she got to Z. I am so curious about how she might have tied up some of Kinsey's story's loose ends. Would her boyfriend Dietz come back to stay? Would she find peace with her family? Maybe some of these will be hinted at in Y is for Yesterday. I can't imagine writing so well when one is suffering from cancer and treatment. Wow. 

V is for Vengance by Sue Grafton - 2nd review

 This story was intriguing and fun, with disparate characters coming together in unexpected ways. It really shows Grafton's development as a writer. I especially enjoyed it because I could follow all of the threads. The characters were interesting, as usual, but one in particular became more likable as time went on. Dante, the mobster, was trying to get "honest" and I was hoping he would safely escape at the end. And the bad informant cop seemed to get away, but at the very end Grafton gives us a juicy tidbit that is very satisfying. I also liked the way Kinsey and Dante interacted.

I doubt if Nora's life was anything like real; but it's fun to imagine a country club lawyer's wife with money to burn and how she dresses, socializes, etc., I guess I'm not looking for reality, so it's okay that she was rather unbelievable and shallow. And how could Dante fall instantly in love with her? Who knows? All in all, these were fun people. I was disappointed that Cheney and Kinsey's relationship never reheated, and that Kinsey's family didn't enter in, but the obnoxious reporter that makes frequent appearances came out better in the end and almost makes up for the lack of the other characters' lesser roles.

I read this while waiting for winter to end in St. George, an unlikely long winter. I got to the end during a three day getaway with Leonard in Las Vegas, and it was fun to have such a good book when there was some restful downtime between our outings. I wish I could have enjoyed it around the pool, but it wasn't open yet...Alas, what a problem, huh? 

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

 This was an intriguing one. Kinsey again solves an old case - twenty plus years- and the flashbacks to the sixties as told by the other characters is a fun look at the stereotypical hippie and commune culture. In the modern part of the story (late 80s), Kinsey puts together cryptic clues from fascinating characters to eventually solve the crime.

She has little help from her old flame Cheney Phillips in the police department, but at least he makes an appearance or two, and seems to be moving on after being dumped!

My favorite part of this story was watching Kinsey finally learn some of the other side of her estranged family's story. And there's a sweet moment when she finally thaws out to the point of meeting her autocratic and well-known grandmother. I also loved it when she grilled the detective who had investigated her Aunt Gin. We finally get a closer look at this character who has figured strongly in every episode but only from a very narrow point of view.

I also loved how we got to see Walker, an alcoholic criminal, start on the road to sobriety and better thinking. Grafton's gift of illuminating characters' thinking is one of her best. I learn a lot from thinking about the criminal, the timid, the confident, and other types of personalities that she so thoroughly describes as they move the plot forward. Of course I enjoyed a brief look in on Stacey Oliphant and Con Dolan, the retired law enforcement buddies she has worked with before. 

I'm feeling glad to be near the end of this marathon, to move on to other things, but also a little sad because I enjoy these stories and characters so much. Sometimes, though, I'd rather read than engage with the real world, and that isn't always healthy for me, especially when there's Relief Society work that would bring more good into the world. Still, I love my time with my nose in a good book! If only thses weren't so addictive!

T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton

 This was riveting. I liked the variety of having an additional narrator besides Kinsey. Hearing Solana's point of view added to the tension in the story. In fact, the tension in this story and the way it unfolded really held my interest. Solana's devious plans and actions as she stole someone's identity and then proceeded to take advantage of Kinsey's elderly neighbor were instructive. It was interesting because it seemed so easy to do, and she had a lot of know how and a lawyer to help her. I also kept thinking about how this was the 80s and would not unfold this way with today's technology.

I was disappointed that near the beginning Kinsey explained why she broke up with Cheney. Oh, no! He added so much spice to the story! He does make a brief appearance near the end of the story, but the romance is not re-ignited. Bummer! I liked that aspect of the series because it showed a new and vulnerable side of Kinsey. I was also hoping for some more family connections, but there wasn't time in this one, I guess. The side story of the accident where the missing witness was an ex-con provided a break from the main story. Now that I think about it, the woman who was trying to take advantage of the system by claiming injuries was similar in deviousness to Solana. Two very dishonest women. And the ex-con, an earnest ventiloquist, seemed to be doing what he could to get himself healthier. Not sure about that, but he was definitely an interesting character.

This was a fun winter read which I enjoyed immensely as I snuggled under blankets in our living room, waiting for work men to arrive or depart as our basement repair nears its completion. While this story had horrible villains, it was not a depressing read. In fact, Kinsey challenges us at the end to do our part to protect children and the elderly. I liked that!

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

 My neighbor, Blanche Rich, put this in my hands a couple of weeks ago. She reads books by the stack and this is one of her favorites. The copy she gave me is her "loaner;" she won't lend her original copy out because it's too dear to her. This intrigued me! I let it sit a few days because I'm in the middle of the Sue Grafton marathon, and I'm up to "T." I was afraid I would forget the characters and plot if I took a little break from "T," but a couple of nights ago, I was in the mood to be swept away. And once I began The Snow Child, I didn't want to stop. It consumed me for several days, and I enjoyed every moment.

It's not a happy story, but it's a sweet and real story. It's not depressing, per se, but rather more philosophical. I kept wondering if it was "real" or a metaphor. I just read some reviews and one called it "fantastical reality." The characters are interesting, and the interplay between fantasy and reality moved the plot and my curiosity forward. 

I enjoyed the beauty of the writing. Beautiful language and poetic descriptions abound. The Alaskan backdrop is breathtakingly described. And the inner life of the characters is also beautifully rendered with sympathy and frankness. These homesteaders live a hard, cold life. Yet the joy they stumble upon is palpable and understandable. I especially enjoyed the character of Esther, who befriends shy Mabel and insists on becoming her friend. I also liked how the characters, especially Mabel and Jack developed over the years. They had lonely times and bonding and joyful times. They read each other's moods and wondered about each others' silences. The author described the development beautifully. 

One thing that I wondered about was whether or not there would be any reliance on God. He is mentioned occasionally, but is not a central driver of any of these characters. They had a strong sense of integrity and of keeping their word, but no ultimate expectation of help in dark times. Mabel's suicide attempt at the beginning of the story showed her hopelessness. There were lots of opportunities for faith to be exercised but it didn't enter the story in any explicit way. It was faith of a subtle type, perhaps; a hope in the words of Mabel's sister, for example. Interesting for me to ponder what was missing there. 

S is for Silence by Sue Grafton

 In this installment in the series, Kinsey again is asked to go back to the past to figure out an unsolved mystery. What was different was that the present was interspersed with chapters from the past. So we learned about the characters from different points of view in different points in time. It was a nice effect.

Like several of these books, though, there were quite a few characters to keep track of. The missing woman, Violet, was the center of the story, and it was her daughter, Daisy, who hired Kinsey to find her. Turns out there were many people deeply involved in her life and story, and keeping track of them proved challenging for me. Not bad, but I did have to keep my wits about me!

There was very little of Henry or Cheney in this story because she was on site trying to solve this missing person mystery on site in a lot of little towns not too far from Santa Theresa, but far enough that she had some interesting overnight accommodations. As usual, the characters were interesting, and again, Kinsey became friendly with several of the players. She is definitely warming up in her relationships! 

This has been a nice escape as we are stuck at home more than usual as our demolition and remodel of our downstairs is going on. It's frustrating to have it go on so long, but this series has been fun. I might have overdone it yesterday, but it was nice to hunker down in a couple of blankets and read to the end. I do have to pace myself, though, because it can be depressing if the story is seedy or violent. This one was slightly seedy, but not too violent... The parts that I enjoyed were the looks into 1953 when Violet disappeared, and I could relate to the babysitter's emerging love life. It was neat to see the potential of that relationship being rekindled later in life. That was a nice plot twist. Grafton had a lot of cultural references from the fifties too, like movies and TV shows that were before my time. Still, it added some color...

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

 This might be my favorite Kinsey Milhone story in the whole series. In this episode, Kinsey is hired to pick up a young woman, Reba, being released from prison, and they become friends in crazy escapades. Reba is a worthy opponent to Kinsey's reasonable advice, and so Kinsey is led into many dangerous situations. I enjoyed the rapport that these two developed, and it was cool to see Kinsey warm to having a friend.

In this book Kinsey also warms to a very attractive detective, Cheney, whom we've met before. But in this story, his romantic moves and conversation are exhibited in a captivating way. I was kind of anxious to get to the end, because he seems like such a good guy, that I didn't want the relationship to go south. I wanted brusque and prickly Kinsey to get to keep her equal partner and not blow it. 

I liked the ending when Reba was able to outsmart her evil, using boyfriend and bring him down. It was satisfying to see him get his just desserts, which isn't always the case in Grafton novels nor in real life! 

Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton

I enjoyed this story because it was a significant departure in Kinsey's usual modus operandi; she teamed up with two  older detectives who kept the dialogue and action interesting and often funny. The search for the killer of a missing Jane Doe from years  earlier was the premise, and apparently this story was inspired by a real-life case. The other part that was interesting to me was when Kinsey learned more about her blocked out childhood and even had a visit with her aunt. I can sense her very gradually warming to the idea of having a family, and I just wish this subplot had been fleshed out a little more.

The other part of this one that made it interesting to me was the way Kinsey discovered the fabric in a quilt that matched the dead girl's pants. The fabric, the people in the small town, and the earlier time and lifestyle were all things to which I could relate. It wasn't as dark and sinister as some of Grafton's settings, and I liked that.

Kinsey's spunk is still evident and I enjoy the unraveling of the plot twists; this was cool because it was a plot that merged with a concurrent present plot. It definitely held my interest as I worked through it and kept MOST of the characters straight. Either I'm getting smarter or this plot was easier to follow than some of those I get lost in!

P is for Peril by Sue Grafton

 I am already to P! This one was different in two ways. First, there was a whole lot of technical detail about Medicare and Medicaid funding and its relationship to care homes. It was boring! And I kept thinking there must be a reason for this, but I'm still going to skim it because it's entirely too detailed. The other difference is that this story ends without an epilogue. Typically, Grafton ties up about 80% of my questions in an epilogue that comes after the final action in the story. This one had no such epilogue, and the exciting "ending" to the side-story of Kinsey's almost-romance came well before the end of the book. So this "soft" ending with Kinsey chatting on the patio over a glass of wine with the two murderers was surprising. Also, that these two are the murderers is only implied, not spelled out. Like many other readers, I thought maybe the epilogue had been torn out of my used copy! But as I thought about it, I realized Grafton was giving me the hints of the ending and letting me figure it out. Which I did. 

It isn't one of my favorites; there isn't enough of Henry or William or Rosie, but the Havener brothers are rather intriguing characters. It was interesting to experience Kinsey's initial attraction to Tommy Havener turn to distaste and fear. I was totally unprepared for Mariah's character to turn out to be an imposter... So there was a lot to manage in this story. Still, the characteristic Kinsey humor made this an enjoyable read, although her penchant for descriptive detail got a bit tedious. 

It was a good airport read as Len and I flew in from Bozeman, Montana to Denver and had HOURS to await our delayed flight to St. George. It made that time enjoyable, even though it was late and frustrating! The de-icing took over an hour!!! It's always good to have a diversion that is engaging, and this series always is!

I read some reviews of this book mostly to test my theory of who the murderer was, and many fans were disappointed in this installment in the series. One reviewer recommended J.D. Robb instead of Grafton, so I'm considering trying her out after I get to Y. 

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

 I seem to have a somewhat "down" time every January. Christmas and its wonderful anticipation and excitement are over, and it's usually cold. This year we had just returned from South Dakota when I picked up this book. I have read it before; I read it years ago, but somehow neglected to write about it. I found this copy on a "free" table at Vernon Worthen Park, where the Sun River Library was giving away some of their books. I remember liking it, so I thought it was worth visiting again. I originally read it because Sierra told me it was her favorite book. This is probably because it evokes Africa in vivid ways for her. I have always appreciated Barbara Kingsolver, so this was another reason I read it. My first time through was at least ten years ago, and I just remember being appalled by the father's behavior and marveling at the way the family figured out how to live. 

This time around, I was again blown away by the level of detail, understanding, and research that goes into a Kingsolver story. The native languages, the culture, the other languages like French and Afrikaans are all contributors to the story and characters. The political history is detailed and heart-breaking. And of course the agriculture, the history, the anthropology, the climate, the biology and whole milieu are loaded with fascinating detail that enrich and give context to the story. And...the biblical references are meaningful too...this author goes deeply into every aspect of her story.

The story of the Belgian Congo becoming independent is the backdrop to this family's drama. As the father, a Baptist preacher, attempts to bring his version of Christianity to the local village, it becomes clear that this will be a culture clash. It clashes at every level: belief, how to farm, how to think, how to BE. All of it! It's astonishing and depressing to watch. I'm not sure if my January doldrums contributed to my sadness when I read it, or if this all-encompassing book caused my doldrums! At any rate, it wasn't exactly depressing, just food for thought about how much can go wrong when we think we have the answers for how others should live.

The characters grow over time. They are fascinating. The twins Adah and Leah, in particular, are uncommonly brilliant and as we read their thoughts and conversations, I was hanging on by my fingernails. I'm not sure I understood it all...especially the depth of Adah and her cynicism and Leah and her politics. Rachel, the oldest daughter, exhibited so much selfishness and obtuseness and cluelessness that she was often unintentionally hilarious. However, I could definitely relate to her thinking as she suffered through their village life. Maybe that's the beauty of this story; I could relate to all of the characters except the father. He was too far gone, but the others...yes, I could relate to Leah's passion for freedom for Africans, to Adah's loneliness, and to Mary Ruth's free spirit and love for other children. And the poor mother...it was very hard watching her suffer and navigate her marriage, but eventually she got up and moved. Especially in her later years and her thinking about motherhood, I could relate to what she was feeling.

I'm not sure if I will take this one up again. I'm going to ask Sierra if she's read it lately and if so, if she understands it differently now that she's a mother. 

O is for Outlaw by Sue Grafton

 

N is for Noose by Sue Grafton

 Over Christmas and three weeks in South Dakota, I finished M. I didn't take N because I thought it would be good to take a break, and it was. I read Conference talks, catalogs, and of course my scriptures. Still, it was a long break and I was excited to get back into a good mystery!

I enjoyed this one. The setting reminded me of a Lake Tahoe area, only a small town with small town people. The small town characters turned against Kinsey during her investigation, and that was scary. I also related to her discomfort to staying with Selma, the police detective's widow who hired her. Her anxieties over the temperature, the food, just being a guest were all relatable, especially coming off three weeks of being a guest at Melissa's. Gratefully, my experience was good; Kinsey's was bad!

I enjoyed the learning about the high moral character of the police detective who had recently died, and it was refreshing to know there are people like that in the world. Of course I know that, but it's good to read about them as well. The snowy and cold setting were hard to live through again, having just returned from a harrowing icy road trip, so I had to take a break near the end to catch my breath! 

Still and all, an enjoyable read and a good one to unravel!