A Room Of Books

Reading about Ilse and her Greenland is like learning about a whole new place on the map. I believe my teachers kept slightly silent about this island. That is okay. Greenland is not going anywhere. Hope I do not hear about its demise due to climate warming. Now that it is still here we have to take advantage of seeing it and meeting its people. I like the characters in the book. Ilse, the main character, is a book translator. When she talks about her work, I feel fascinated. Translating books for a living seems so romantic. To translate your words into a different language, like French, must make a heady experience.I can not imagine looking out my window and seeing a iceberg as I cook in the kitchen.

 No one can figure out a marriage except for the people who live in it. Outside people only see what the couple wants us to see. Then, you need to ask does the couple know each other fully? I know there are some marriages where men hardly say a word. Perhaps, that goes for women too. No wonder there are so many marriage counselors. Is it better to keep secrets or is it best to tell all? This woman is married to Wayne. Now, he is her ex. I read the lines where they are talking to one another on the phone and realize there are many thoughts not spoken. If we talk about their marriages behind their backs, it is simply because their words and body language set us to wondering what does go on behind those doors.  These people are trying to save children from troubled homes. Freya has done something. Wayne seems to threaten her about it. She doesn't seem like she would hurt a child. When your nerves are tight because your living in a  bad marriage, anything might happen. Not a good place

A key figure in crime has been murdered. When police and detectives arrive, the killer is long gone. He also went after the wife. He did not catch her. Now, no one can find her. She must fee as frightened as a puppy, newly born. The woman is pregnant and has a serious illness. They mus find her. Time is not on her side. Lola's feet are bloody from walking. I hope she does not need to hide for long. The author writes that cicadas live underground for seventeen years. Will Lola be in hiding for a very long time?  When thinking of her, the word exile comes to mind. It just seems when you need to run, the running never stops. All of a sudden life changes. You are an heroic survivor. I think Antonia Scott would understand Lola's hunger for life. She will not give up. Strange to me, I have become more in awe of Lola than Antonia Scott. Antonia Scott is our main sleuth. The woman with the brain who sees beyond what is visible. Where are we? Spain.

There is a bear in the forest.  There is a new rule. No one should or needs to go in the forest. It takes courage to accept that the bear killer is so close. Of course, there are those who will go in the woods anyway. One man goes in with a butcher knife. They start to think another way. That bear maybe is a man. Take your pick. It is interesting that some times there are wild men in the woods. These are called feral or wild men. They feel safer in woodland territory rather than where people live. I get the impression they are out of their mind.  I wonder how much damage will the can of bear spray do to an uncivilized, ferocious man? I will just keep guessing without taking myself to the land of trees for an experience. Perhaps, the wild man's theory is I won't bother you, if you don't bother me. On the other hand, he is out for a kill because you are on his land supposedly. It is a good book for the weekend or a sleepless night.  

     Yikes! I tried to act cool, calm, and collected. It did not work. I feel frightened, spooked. There is no way I can finish this book. Lindy Ryan is a great writer. Usually, books do not scare me. This one is making me shiver. This is my book review. I can not finish it. What the author set out to do, she has done.  Thank you for a complimentary copy given by St. Martin's      

 Grief is a word we would like to remove from the dictionary. It is a word that only brings tears and sad memories. Claire's mother has been gone for only a week. Every where Cllaire looks there is the sight of her mother doing different activities. Grief is a word that needs acceptance for the sake of our sanity. It is said you have to bend into the word. Do not fear it.  Claire also has a daughter. Her name is Lilah. Her husband's name is Greg. Another word that spooks us is cancer. Claire's mother dies of cancer. The Summerville Sisters is not depressing. It is sad. We can go to our private, safe place and read about the characters so like ourselves. There it is alright to wish for a sister. Claire also must deal with family secrets. It is not the right time. It is not the wrong time. It is just time to open the linen closet  and gather the sheets of truth. Time.   .

 I just couldn't handle it. I have bee n fighting with this book or with Danje. The writing about the storm is really good. The problem is Danje. I just couldn't reach him. Sorry.

  It is not exciting, It is softly dramatic. Through her eyes again we learn the importance of a name.  Most people call her Becky. We have heard that name so often. We can draw pictures of a Becky. She wants the name Rebecca. It is facts like that which lead us through Pennsylvania and Auckland, New Zealand. Yippee! she mentions row homes. It is well know where they are found. In New Zealand are the black beaches. I have never seen one. Can't imagine one. How many can remember where they drank their first beer? Rebecca Beardsall remembers. It happened in New Zealand at the first legal pub. Altogether it is a visit to a trunk of memories. There are Crazy quilts, Double Wedding Rings and papers full of words.  We can not miss writing more about New Zealand. Sixty volcanoes are there. One is named Ruapehu.This review could go on and on. Every page is interesting in The Unfurling Frond including the calmness felt at a volcanic site. Sit or lay anywhere and joy in the abundance of life

 Travelers and those who are officially connected to Chichen Itza and El Castillo link these wonders to extraterrestrial environs. Many of us do not believe in an extraterrestrial world. Others of us care not a bit about these extra wonders. Some of us are curious about the the artifacts or the people who lived at that time. This is why it is important to make sure these places remain protected. Their voices speak to us in many different ways. This book is not just about Chichen Itza and the Mayans. There are the other wonders to look at and think about. The books style is wonderful. The words are simple. It is easy to understand. One could possibly write that the words chosen are relaxing. Do not miss being an armchair traveller with this book beside you.

 Raj Taney did not just hear about the US as a melting pot. For him, the melting pot was a reality. In his family, there was a living documentary going on. In his day to day life lived the languages and the life styles of the Italians, Puerto Ricans and Indians. In any home,  meal time is very important especially dinner time. There is where we tell what happened to us in the past few hours since breakfast. When his Grandmother cooked,  he listened to her tell stories. This book is a coming of age story. It is a different kind of story. The author's life is about living a mixed race life whether you wish to or not. For every story, there is an ethnic dish. His life is like the booths at the World Fair. Every booth is different. He cooked along with his grandmother and his Aunt. Since it is food that made the different race stories come to life, there are recipes in the "Colorful Palate" for the reader to try cooking.

th     Meeting Gertrude is half the fun enjoyed in this book. Most importantly there is Henry Truelove and Morwenna. It is a love story. It takes place in Tudor times. This is a good book to read during the Christmas season. The song, I do not know the exact words, is a part of the story. The one about the partridge in a pear tree. If there is a feeling that you would like to draw away from the season, the ebook is still good. It is the time of the Tudors. There are small historical facts sewn throughout the tale. Henry Truelove is very attracted to Morwenna. When he can not see her, he writes delicious love lettters. He writes the letters and holds them because it is the sweating season. That time is like our Pandemic. The less you go out and the further away you stay from one another is the best. On the lighter side are the eight milk maids. Henry sends them to Morwenna. On and on it goes. There is no stopping this special  Medieval frolic in words. Morwenna is just like a modern wom

So many added truths to American History must not remain unknown. New Histories written will include and not exclude Indigenous people. In this instance, we are thinking and writing about the Native Americans. God only knows how much physical and emotional pain these people have endured. More negative realities will coexist with Native American as long as long as their histories remain buried far from the eyes of  successive generations. Just thinking of future ways the Native American might suffer is heart rending.

This is a very good mystery. There are many characters. Learning the attributes of each one is exciting. We have a victim here. Although we do not get to know her, she is magnetic. We care about Danni. I would like to read more mysteries by this author.

If I heard all the sounds close and faraway from me, I would feel confused. Probably, a headache would follow. This college student hears every single sound  around him. He also walks the grounds more than anyone would feel happy about. His routine is so regulated that he "sleepwalks" through a walk or run. I am thinking the routine in our days might lead to danger. Taking time for granted is a loss of something, beautiful or mediocre every time. He is studying his bodies action like a scientist might study his body.For me his observations are pretty difficult to understand I might have experienced a few of these feelings. It is good to know someone else is around to give credence to my days. Falling back in time is an aid for him.It helps him cope with different struggles like loneliness on a college campus. Obviously, this book has many layers. It is like a labyrinth you wish to visit every day. One part of the maze is the story about his relationship with his father. This

Each Christmas, some Christians choose to draw closer to Emmanuel. This book speaks of a Nativity experience. "Experiencing the Nativity Within"  has many practical methods of joying in this Holy Day. There are meditations, prayers and music. Listening to appropriate music parallels the reading assignments. All have that one goal of transforming us to renew our love of the Lord in a new and innovative way. There are many new ways of looking at the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Thoughts about Mary and what she might or would face are fascinating. If Joseph chose to reject her, she would have the name adulterous tagged to her. With that deed named as her character she would face execution. She would have become a martyr.There are many tiny facts disclosed that we might not have thought about through the years. I believe this book written by Mischa V. Alyea can help us enjoy the season more than in the past.  

No matter our age our childhood will stay with us. Our problems, whether illness or relational, relate to our childhood. This is why it is very important to nurture our inner child. Ignoring the fact that our childhood environment has meaning will not make us survive the everyday world in which we live. A neglected inner child leads to Lung cancer or other awful illnesses. A journal is one way to keep up with all your explorations and discoveries.

 Leave No Trace by A. J. Landau Nothing but pain would paste in our throats and eyes if we experienced the Statue Of Liberty's explosive attack. One induced by terrorists. It would feel to shocking for words. Then, to look and see or hear about all the injuries and deaths. Truly, our national parks are an American blessing. One of the care group and workers is an Angela Pierce, the first and youngest Black woman to hold the job. She is the special agent in charge.She works with the NPS's Investigative Service Branch. If this had really happened we all would find ourselves walking slowly, missing a meal worried and thinking how could it happen. I like the story because it is so present. The pandemic is mentioned. "The Expectant Detectives" They are moving to the Cotswolds from London. Also, there is a  new baby arriving. It is their time to catch the Happy bus and smile. Life could not feel better. Best of all,they have a sense of humor. In the country, I think, you ca

 In the South, there are mysterious and horrid murders committed by someone, maybe an overseer. Whoever has perpetrated the crimes is not talking. These bodies were discovered in the Twenties. There is also black father and son argument which leads to murder. Oddly, the murder was not reported to the authorities. So much about peonage is known and more unknown. It seems to have been a common occurrence for a lack of justice to take place. There were the Black Codes. These were no help to those working under peonage. Being unemployed could get a man arrested. With the signing of contracts, there was no protection. Most of the peons could not read or count. Only the owner of the plantation could gain something from a slave who put an x by his name. Did he work those hours? Who was telling the truth? Pontius Pilate's words come to mind. "'What is truth?'" This is one of the sad periods of History written about or not written about by Historians. Peonage is a word wit

This subject is very interesting. So often, our focus is on those huge catastrophes that might strike our lives. There is no pain so small that it might leave us feeling less than well. Pain is pain. It changes us. Our environment and the caretakers there serve as places we might wish to think about knowing they can effect our inner selves. I like this book. Dr. Meg Arroll writes about a difficult subject with simplicity and compassion. Thank you to Harper One and Netgalley for a complimentary copy.  

  Fronting them is a term used for gangster activities or terrorist groups. In "The Handler," by Monica McGurk an orphanage is hiding more information than it is giving.Shockingly, there are spies working in and around the area. Their job is serious. At the beginning blood is spilled. Maybe you should gather in all of your courage before reading this part. The book is very good. The story seems very real. There are guns hidden in the back of pants. In this place, women are not falling apart. Their goal is clear. Along the way we learn there is a mystery about Bree's mother's death.Her name is very pretty. Mary Margaret Kelly. Really, Bree does not know anything about the woman. I am sure before this book finishes we will know the bio of this woman. Already, I have learned something about Professional gangsters. They use silencers and they do not have any ID on their bodies. This first murder scene is really gruesome. I did not expect it. I am still alive. So it did no

 One of the biggest stressors in life is when we lose a loved one to death. It is highly likely your life and thoughts will change in some way. For Catherine Coldstream it is her father's death. The author chose to become a nun. Much Later,  she leaves the cloister. Immediately after opening the book, there is a feeling that is not earthly. It is like opening a door to a quiet place of solitude. I suppose it is a feeling of transcendence. In the beginning, you can feel Catherine's excitement to become a nun. Catherine Coldstream carried her Viola along with her to the monastery. Quickly, there is the first discovery. It is not easy to become a nun: write a letter, step off a bus and into a monastery and sing. It takes years to learn a new way of life. It takes great desire and patience. First of all, you need a prayer stool.

It is Jane, LuLu and Rina. They live in China. They are preparing for Lulu's weddingl Lulu's feelings are not the norm. She feels like running away. Everybody has control except for Lula. What a nasty predicament. Jane has a goal too. She has been told and thinks that she is ugly. She dreams of getting a plastic face lift. and Rina wants to pull away from the work world. The book hums a tune of excitement. Waiting to see what will happen is almost impossible. On the underside is a scheme involving money, something about money and robbery. There is so much going on here. The ladies are definitely liking the word freedom. On their routine days all three have allowed others to take over their lives. Their new slogan is do it my way or do not do it at all.

Not every  one can write humor. Matt Hay can write in a really funny way You have to laugh as he tells about the deafness he experiences everyday. Basically, his point is not to make us laugh but to remember the music of our time. His time is the Eighties. All of us have such a play list in our memories: the Seventies, the Sixties or the Fifties maybe. It is amazing. Songs played while riding in a car or just sitting around had more meaning than we thought.  While reading about Matt Hay's hearing worsening,  there is the desire to rehear the words of the songs from our past. Were the words filled with a message or just random words? If one of these is true, that means there is another place to explore our dreams, motivations and desires. Perhaps, in the end we will truly appreciate our hearing. Maybe a playlist of music can take us home again.  

 Who ever heard of it? A cemetery for stories is being built. I never would have guessed in a million years.Jullia Alvarez has a wonderful imagination. It does hurt or make you cry thinking that all the stories in the world may become lost, never written or never published. The first story is about two sisters, Perla and Filomena. The setting is in Dominica. Perla does move to New York. Everything becomes more exciting when a man enters their lives. 

Ou   There are many questions and answers about racism. The word racism has many meanings for different people.It is like a balloon you can not burst. The darkness hangs heavily like a storm. This is why the book is so interesting. Michele Norris shocks us awake. Racism does not have to scare us. That is if we talk about it.Racism needs as much attention as the human brain. It is complex.

 There are three sisters in  Christy Hayes book. Each daughter's name begins with the letter "T.  Like any family they face different struggles every day.  Because of  Dustin's mother there is a mother -  in - law problem.  Maybe it is not fair to blame her for all the problems. When Tegan's marriage hits a hard place, Tegan and Dustin are not prepared. This creates a bundle of problems that will affect the whole family. The book is good. You never know what to expect next. One thing I know. You can not hide problems under a rug. This is the reason we have such a big mess here.