Reading list #5

Disclaimer the watercolor was done with an app from a photo.  Its so much easier.

1. The Museum of Lost Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini most recent of the Elm Creek Quilt series. It’s been a long time since I read the series but all the characters came back to me.  Summer is working on her master’s degree and having a hard time writing her thesis so she returns to Elm Creek quilts looking for inspiration and becomes curator of a quilt exhibit at the historic Union Hall currently under restoration. Fun to read.
2. The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods book dealers, grad student researching a missing manuscript, young woman escaping an abusive husband, retired actress who lives next to where the bookshop should be……a bit of a mystery and a bit of fantasy. Just for fun and a break from reality.
3. The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray for book club I read this book early in 2023 it was as good the second time.
4. Little Souls by Sandra Dallas takes place in Colorado during Spanish flu. Good story.
5. The Magdalen Girls by V. S. Alexander sad depressing story takes place in Ireland in 1960’s about girls who end up at church run laundry service because of teenage hormones or someone lied.
6. Lilac Ink by Jean Grainger re read first book of the Knocknashee series 
7. Yesterday’s Paper by Jean Grainger book 2 of series more correspondence between Grace and Richard and a trip to America for Grace and a trip to Europe as a journalist for Richard. The story takes place during WW2. The story was very good but the ending was huh?? Have to wait for the third book in January.
8. The President’s Wife by Tracey Emerson Wood historically novel about Edith Wilson, second wife of President Woodrow Wilson very good.
9. The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan just for fun a short book about a woman in London looking for a book from her great aunt’s childhood. 
10. The Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg a fun book to reread at Christmas time. A man with numerous health problems moves to the south from Chicago. He doesn’t think he has long to live but fresh air, real food at regular times, physical activity and new friends improves his health. I don’t want to spoil the story……feel good book.
11. The Answer is No by Fredrick Backman short story I will read this book again and again.

How many books do I have on my kindle for 2025?  I think it’s going to be a year of escaping reality into books…….. Ann

Reading list #4

1. The Harp and the Rose by Jean Grainger book 3 of the Queenstown series
2. Roaring Liberty by Jean Grainger book 4 of the Queenstown series
3. The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny for book club murder mystery 
4. Book of Ages  The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin  by Jill Lepore biography and letters written by Jane Franklin to her brother Benjamin Franklin. Some letters were just cheery letters from home, others were her viewpoints on the revolutionary war and society or social issues of the time. The author made a point of how boring history can be to read depending on the viewpoint of the writer, she also went on to say that historical fiction can give the reader more insight into how people actually lived in a particular place and time a more realistic history.
5. Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen a more appropriate title might be the Lies I Read in History Books.  The author tells how publishers have sanitized, sugar coated and whitewashed American history so as not to offend anyone and age appropriateness for the students.  It was a tough book to read because it did tell how Columbus actually treated the natives and how the new comers brought disease which wiped out whole tribes, and that all presidents before Lincoln had been slave owners. The book also went on to say how similar history textbooks are from one publisher to another and how history is rewritten from one decade to the next because of how attitudes of the public have changed.
6. The Queens of Animation by Nathalia Holt nonfiction about the women who worked for Walt Disney in the early years of animation to present day. I want to watch Snow White, Fantasia, Pinocchio, Bambi, and Dumbo again. And all the others too. The women didn’t get the recognition they deserved. The technology of the feature length animations was groundbreaking at the time. Fantasia was the first surround sound movie. 
7. A Time for Mercy  by John Grisham for book club lots of details about lawyers preparing their defense and tricks to dsitract the prosecutor.  Very interesting but also long I needed a break from it after every few chapters. 
8. The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams just for fun I needed a cozy mystery after four very serious books.
9. Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay contemporary story about two sisters one a chef and the other dealing with cancer with lots of references to Jane Austen books because she was their mother’s favorite author. 
10. The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict story takes place in England in 1930’s. Characters were real people, six sisters, a couple were fascinated by fascism and communism. A new perspective for me about what was happening in Europe leading up to WW2. 
11. The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald fiction but based on real people and events of 1925 when teaching evolution and creation as learned in the Bible went to court in Dayton, Tennessee. Annabel Craig is 23 years old, married to a lawyer and a self taught photographer who sits in on the trial taking photos. Very good. 
12. Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger #17 of the series another thriller. 
13. The Devil’s Bed by William Kent Krueger one of his earlier books, a political thriller.
14. The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay for book club we read this a couple years ago and everyone had forgotten the characters and plot.  The only thing I remembered was the head of staff at the Braithwaite House in Bath, England grew up in the house.  None of us at book club were fans of Jane Austen and hadn't read any of her books since high school.
15. Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen I tried reading it but only got 1/3 through it.  I don't understand the infatuation with her books.  There just isn't any action in the plot especially after reading William Kent Krueger books.

My no time to sew summer has turned into a no sew fall but these lovely summer like days I have spent on the deck reading or walking instead of downstairs in the sewing room. Time in the sewing room will come when fall turns to winter.  We haven't had rain here since August the weatherman was predicting a drab autumn because it is dry but mother nature had other ideas. This is the prettiest autumn ever and the leaves are still hanging tight. Some maples are a brilliant red others are red, orange, copper, yellow, gold and green all at once.  The colors are in layers with green closest to the trunk. Everyday they are a little more orange and red and someday soon the wind will blow from the north and bring a hard hard frost and all the trees will disrobe until spring and then I will cozy up with a book and a quilt or go to my sewing room. --Ann--

Reading list #3 2024

Tis a lovely day for a Guiness.........

or a lovely day for an Irish coffee

1. A Dress of Violet Taffeta by Tessa Arlen story about a young woman with 5 year old daughter who is abandoned by her husband in  late 1800’s in England. She starts designing dresses to support herself and daughter eventually opens stores in London, New York, Paris and Chicago. Also a Titanic survivor. Good story and wonderful descriptions of fabrics and color.
2. Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb as delightful the second time I read it as the first.
3. The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich children’s book probably 4th grade reading level just for fun.
4. Yule Island by Johana Gustawsson murder mystery takes place on an island near Stockholm, Sweden. 
5. Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Rose nonfiction to keep my kindle streak going. About the importance of art in our lives for our wellbeing. Lots of studies and physiology of how the brain works and responds to the arts. Interesting.
6. The Women by Kristen Hannah for book club best book I have read in a long time about nurses who served during Vietnam war and their return to America.
7. The Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland I read this years ago and very few moments reading it the second time that “oh yeah I remember this” almost like I was reading it for the first time. It’s about a painting probably painted by Vermeer, the Dutch artist. Each chapter is about who owned the painting, how they related to the painting and how they acquired it.
8. Manitou Canyon by William Kent Krueger book # 15 in the Cork O’Conner series.
9. The Paris Novel  fiction by chef, food writer and editor, Ruth Reichl, delightful story about a young woman going to Paris after the death of her mother. A bit of a fairy tale in that the people she meets in Paris each contribute to her finding herself and understanding her mother. Short happy ending book.
10. The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig for book club I just about quit reading it because I was going to miss the discussion but I said one more chapter and the action / tension picked up so I read to the end. The story takes place in 1909/1910 in Montana about a widowed father of 3 boys attending country school. Country school was the best 4 years of school of my life. 
11. Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier another book about Vermeer and his painting.
12. Sulfur Springs by William Kent Krueger #16 in the Cork O’Connor series, lots of twists and surprises.
13. Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes a mix up of gym bags and a drastic change of circumstances forces two women to literally walk in the others shoes. It’s a story of friendship and overcoming hardships and relationships. Very good
14. For All the World by Jean Grainger story takes place in Ireland at the beginning of WWI. 
15. Murder in the Marigolds by Fiona Grace a very short book murder with a horticultural theme just for fun. 
16. Lilac Ink by Jean Grainger Ireland about a young woman with polio in1938 overcoming obstacles and finding happiness and a letter in a bottle.
17. Last Port of Call: The Queenstown Series book 1 by Jean Grainger the story begins in 1912 in Queenstown, Ireland  reverted back to the original Irish name of Cobh with Ireland's independence from Britan. The story is about a young woman and her daughter who inherit the big house and turn it into a bed and breakfast to support themselves. Cobh is the departure point for many Irish leaving Ireland.  Rereading these books after visiting Cobh a few weeks ago.  
18. The West's Awake  by Jean Grainger book 2 of the Queenstown series. This series made me sympathetic toward those fighting for an independent Ireland.

I took a much longer break from blogging than I intended but then not much has been happening on the creative side.  We took a trip to Ireland with son and nieces and families.  It was a tour group and traveling with family was wonderful. We hope to travel together again in a couple years.  We toured the southern part of Ireland this trip.  My previous trips were all in the North to visit relatives so saw lots of beautiful new scenery. More about that in coming weeks.  I have been rereading the Jean Grainger books and trying to visualize  Cobh /Queenstown 110 years ago the only building that I'm sure is still in exactly the same place is St. Colman's Cathederal.

Reading list#2 2024

  

1. Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy I have read other books by this writer that have liked much better. Or maybe it was too slow paced after reading William Kent Krueger. 
2. Three Inch Teeth by C.J. Box another thriller, I read it in one day.
3. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson about Marconi and the invention of the wireless radio which send messages in Morse code. Way more than I needed to know about radio waves and antenna but also growing aggression in Germany before WW1 and a mystery. Wireless radio played a vital roll in catching the villain. 
4. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger for book club a death was it accidental or murder, lots of secrets and confidences, the story takes place in the 1950’s dealing with post was trauma and family. Very good!
5. A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber a young woman dealing with the death of her sister from cancer and a romance, just a nice story after the murder and gore of the 3 previous books.
6. The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner WW2 Japanese and German internment camps in USA, about friendship, family, and home. Very good!
7. Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese about the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and a woman he painted in late 1800’s-early 1900’s and about the woman’s niece during WW2 and the recovery of the painting.  The painting is The Woman in Gold, Ann Marie O’Connor wrote a similar book, The Lady in Gold which was made into a movie with Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. I need to watch the movie again. Very good.
8. Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill about the secret service agent assigned to protect First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for book club.
9. Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict about Mrs. Winston Churchill. Very good
10. Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O’Connor something light after 3 serious but very good books
11. The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear stand alone book, not part of the Maisie Dobbs series. Story takes place in England after WW II and back tracks to WWI in Belgium resistance fighters then to resistance during WW II. Good story and interesting characters.
12. The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht for book club weird story but lots to think about how family stories are passed on and become larger than life. Good book club discussion but no one really liked the book. The grandfather/ doctor in the story carried a copy of The Jungle Book his whole life.
13. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling my knowledge of the book was from the 1967 Disney animation. (I watched that again too) the book was very dark but fun to read.
14. The Tuscan Orphan by Siobhan Daiko WW2 Italy army nurse and orphaned girl, the search for her parents and a love story. The book was ok but not great.
15. Start a new list……..

Fun weekend with the little girls and some of my favorite books. I never get tired of reading kids books. DD and I were shopping together a couple weekends ago we found what she needed in the first store we went to so after a couple other shops we went to the big book store just to read picture books. —Ann—

Reading list #1 2024

1. After Anne by Logan Steiner about Lucy Maud Montgomery writing Ann of Green Gables interesting, she had some problems with depression and her husband also suffered from depression.
2. Open Carry by Marc Cameron similar to C.J. Box and William Kent Krueger books. US Marshall in Alaska parts of the story were pretty far fetched and a lot of current pop culture influences like reality television set in Alaska and “Grumpy’s” rules too similar to Gibb’s rules in NCIS. Don’t know if I will read any more of the series.
3. Tricksters Point by William Kent Krueger #12 in the series more twists more turns more surprises.
4. The Art Collector’s Daughter by Derville Murphy WW 2 France and Ireland the young daughter of an art gallery owner is sent to Ireland to live with a school chum. As an adult she is finally given a framed sketch sent by her father, it contained a hidden letter saying he sent his favorite painting to her…..what happened to the paintings? Murder, mystery, betrayal, plot twists and more.
5. Tamarack County William Kent Krueger book #13 another exciting story. I started it Sunday afternoon and was going to try to finish it before I went to bed but I kept nodding off and would jerk awake as the book slipped from my hands then start the page again. I convinced myself to give up and go to bed because I wouldn’t remember the ending the next day.
6. Ann of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery 
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8. The Flight of the Falcon a lesser known work by Daphne DuMaurier
9. Freydis by Gunhild Haugnes takes place in Greenland 1000 years ago real characters of Eirik the Red, father or Leif Eirikson, and Eirik’s daughter Freydis. Norse paganism, family struggles, coming to terms with the past.
10. Mockingbird Summer by Lynda Rutledge small town in Texas 1964. Turmoil of 1964 through the eyes of a 13 year old girl. Very good.
11. The Beekeeper’s War by Deborah Carr England WWI and WW2 secrets and friendship.
12. The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal for book club family conflict, overcoming problems, seizing opportunities, and brewing beer.
13. Windigo Island by William Kent Krueger #14 of the series trafficking young Native American girls in Duluth harbor and oil fields of North Dakota 
14. Remme A Dog, Her Boy and Their Girls by me.  Last summer when I was finishing my son’s photo books I had the crazy idea to write a children’s book about him and his dog. I gave it to him for his birthday in February.

Time to start a new list. March is here the snow is gone again. I feel like it’s still a long way to spring. I guess I’ll start a new book………Ann

Reading list #5 Happy New Years Eve

  

1. Christy by Catherine Marshall about a young woman teaching in an interdenominational missionary school in the mountains of Tennessee in 1912. The story was inspired by the author’s mother and her experiences teaching in Tennessee. Many of the Tennessee mountain people were of Scottish descent if you have read or watched the Outlander series the Scottish history will be familiar.  The book was published over fifty years ago and I remember my grandmother reading it. I kinda remember my grandmother suggesting I read it. Fifty some years later………I finally read it and it was very good.
2. Color by Victoria Finlay a history and search for artist pigments and dyes before  synthetic dyes were available. What were the raw materials that artist used and how were they processed. It was a book to keep my kindle streak going when I was reading a paper book. Interesting.
3. What Child is This by Rhys Bowen Christmas story set in London during WW 2. Very short story, less than an hour to read.
4. Wild Mountain Thyme by Rosamunde Pilcher modern day romance the book was published in 1987, just for fun. The story takes place on England and Scotland, a writer steals his son from his deceased ex wife’s parents then he drops in on the girl he dumped when he married his ex wife and they take a road trip to the Highlands of Scotland.
5. Less by Andrew Sean Greer for book club don’t bother everyone hated it, I couldn’t finish it. Read the reviews on amazon that have 3 stars or fewer.
6. That Wintery Feeling by Debbie Macomber I had to read some romantic fluff just for fun to get the previous book out of my head.
7. The Silver Ladies do Lunch by Judy Leigh about life long friendships feel good story
8. The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy a book of short stories.
9. Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger book#11 inspired by a real wind storm that blew through northern Minnesota and Canada in 1999, a derecho. I don’t remember hearing that word until one hit Iowa 2 or 3 years ago and one hit here in 2022. Another good story.
10. Winners by Fredrik Backman book 3 of his hockey series this story involves a straight line wind storm but does not call it a derecho. It’s about hockey and competition between two towns, it’s about family and rising above one’s past, surviving and not surviving depending on one’s supporters or lack of supporters.  A very good story. I will be thinking about some of the characters for a very long time.
11. The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford about Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol. A lot of information about the socioeconomics and culture of the time and the publishing industry. Interesting but a chapter a day was enough. 
12. The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli a duel timeline story about Leonardo da Vinci, his painting The Lady with the Ermine, the woman who posed for the painting and a WW2 story about a young German woman who documented the art seized by the Nazis and Italian American soldier who was part of the Monuments Men preserving and retrieving the art. Very good.

Disclaimer the watercolor was done on the Waterlogue app. Another quiet New Year’s Eve celebration at our house and that’s okay. What did I do this past year?? Read lots of books, lots of books I didn’t include all the picture books I read….. I didn’t sew as many quilts as I could/should have sewn judging from the fabrics on the shelves…..there is next year. I knit most of the sweaters twice because I wanted them to fit right, I could have spent twice as much on yarn if I had done it right the first time. Ha ha.  We spent as many weekends at the river as we could with the grands because they were only 2 for a year and plan to do the same next year because they will only be 3 for 11 more months and then they will be 4.  Slow down and let’s enjoy the moment.  Happy New Year!!  Ann

Reading list #4

1. Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger book #7 of the series always good. No longer available on kindle thank goodness the library has a hard copy. Patiently waiting for #8.
2. The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick another great story by the author about reuniting with a family member, secrets, learning to love yourself. Delightful.
3. In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen England WW2 spies, code breaking I like the Rose Code  by Kate Quinn much better.
4. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diane Gabaldon I had to read it again after watching the latest season of Outlander since the series ended on a cliffhanger. There should be a 10th book and 8th season in the future.
5. Red Knife by William Kent Krueger book #8 I couldn’t put it down.
6. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray for book club about the young woman who helped J.P. Morgan build his library of rare books and art.
7. The Address by Fiona David New York end of the 19th century about the Dakota apartment building for the upperclass. A young woman from England is hired to be head housekeeper and immediately promoted to building manager “managerette” was her official title, she worked closely with the architect who is finishing the project, romance follows along with lots of twists. Also a modern day story well actually 1985 setting of a young woman getting out of rehab, trying to stay clean and sober, restart her interior design career and unravel her family roots. Very good!
8. Homecoming by Kate Morton 500+ pages and I read it in 3 days. A mystery from 1959 is unraveled with lots of twists and turns. I figured some things out and then surprise didn’t see that coming. The story takes place in Australia also a present day story of the granddaughter untangling the family history and reconciling with her mother.
9. Heaven’s Keep by William Kent Krueger book #9 another page turner.
10. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus for book club very good
11. Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger book #10 I’m going to be sad when I finish this series. It was a beautiful day so I sat outside and read.
12. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke just for fun reads just like the hallmark series. 

• I started reading Call My Name by Jenni Ogden the first chapter was about the main character being “late” and way too much information I’m of the generation that didn’t speak of such things except in euphemisms. We just put our big girl panties on and kept it private. Another book I read by Kate Clayborn, the main character whined for an entire chapter about her monthly cramps. That and bad language put both authors on my don’t bother reading list. Is this a trend with young writers? 

Off the needles

 

Small finishes this week. All of a sudden it’s sweater weather and wool socks weather. There were two glorious sunny days before the clouds and rain rolled in. I sat on the deck and read. I just finished Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus for book club. Very good book. My book club gave the library money and recommendations for book bags last January the book has been so popular we finally got to check it out in September. Next time we give the library money for a book bag I’m requesting that we as donors get it first. It’s a good day to knit or read or maybe even get to work in the sewing room. Ann

Reading list#3

1. The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper takes place late 1800’s and early 1900’s in Australia orphans and a mystery to unravel about a woman’s identity. Very good.
2. The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar WW2 women who transported planes to airfields around the country for the military and a love story. Very good. For book club.
3. Alaska by James Michener very long book…..but very good fiction and history of Alaska.
4. The Professor’s House by Willa Cather a very short book 170 pages. I have read other books by Willa Cather that I liked much better. 
5. Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas fluff, sitting on the deck kind of book. Takes place present day in Texas a young woman is cataloging quilts in a quilt shop for a museum exhibit also looking for her family. One glaring error early in the book…some one had an angora rabbit and the fur was woven into yarn…..anyone who knows anything about fiber whether in cloth or yarn the fibers are ‘spun’ into yarn or thread before they are woven. The story had a happy ending.
6. The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier a story about swapped identities, family relationships, failing business, can the one who was forced into the other man’s life pull it off? Very good!!
7. The House on Blackberry Hill by Donna Alward a young woman inherits the rundown family mansion from her grandmother’s sister.  Reads like a hallmark movie.
8. The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson for book club Native American story takes place in Minnesota. The gardeners in book club enjoyed this story more than the non gardeners. Part of the story is historical going back to 1860’s the rest is modern day about a young Indian girl in foster care then marrying a farmer and learning to garden. Eventually she reconnects with her Native American family.
9. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny more adventures into Three Pines and murder and Inspector Armand Gamache with lots of references to Emily Carr an early Canadian artist I need to find the novel about her and re read it.  The book was titled Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland.
10. The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton I enjoyed The Hideaway so much I thought I would read another of her books. This was about forgiveness, second chances, starting over and friendship. Nice story with a happy ending but characters rather ordinary.
11. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle takes place on the Amalfi coast of Italy a story about grief and finding yourself. Happy ending.  I only read it because I was there a couple months ago.
12. Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland I had to read this again after reading The Brutal Telling the story takes place in British Columbia in early 1900’s about the artist Emily Carr. She paints the forests and totem poles of western Canada in bold colors and thick paint. Very good!
13. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn contemporary romance, lettering artist and a numbers guy. Just for fun. 
14. How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith for book club, Black history a reckoning with the history of slavery across America.

Coloring

 The little girls came over to play, well first they wanted “second breakfast “ which is always yogurt and fruit then they do puzzles or get out the blocks and they always ask to color, always! Olivia likes the black sheets and the chalky crayons ( the black sheets wash right off she has no problem with that) Madeline likes the regular old crayons and a coloring book but mostly she likes to build with her crayons but they kept rolling off the table so I put them on a plastic lid. She was very happy lining them up and making occasional marks on the paper. I sat and colored too.  I read in a book this spring Beachfront Bakery: A Killer Cupcake by Fiona Grace about a young woman, Ali, opening a pastry shop and involved in a murder investigation who might have been just a little stressed…..anyway Ali goes into an arts and crafts shop, the owner, Delaney, directs her to a table and tells her to do some coloring while she makes tea for both of them.  Delaney tells her that coloring with her non- dominant hand is a scientifically proven anxiety-busting technique. The book did not have a footnote to back up the claim but I found coloring with my granddaughters to be very relaxing especially on a page with large spaces to color. Those books with the tiny intricate designs might cause rather than eliminate stress.  I wasn’t stressed so I used my right hand.  Ann

Reading #2

New reading list and some travel......

1. The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie one of her early who dun its. 
2. Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen an odd assortment of characters who all had trying childhoods, there is an imaginary bird, characters long deceased are telling their story as ghosts, it was a short book so I finished it. The story came together in the end about letting go of the past so your ghosts can rest and you can move forward. 
3. The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane McFhail turn of the century 1900, Mardi Gras, a young woman from Chicago whose husband has disappeared goes to New Orleans looking for him and needs to find a way to support herself. She begins teaching sewing at an orphanage and meets a woman who gives her a room in exchange for sewing a gown for Mardi Gras. It’s a leap year and the women are in charge of the festivities. Interesting but not terrific.
4. Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger book #5 of the series and it ended on a cliffhanger. Wait list for the next book
5. Storm Watch by C. J. Box #23 of the Joe Pickett series read it during a March snowstorm it felt  like I was there almost.
6. The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne a grown up mystery by the author of the Winnie the Pooh  books. An amateur sleuth works out the details of who dun it and how. Just for fun.
7. Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman for book club fiction Southern California dealing with the loss of water. Arizona shut off water to California. 
8. Copper River by William Kent Krueger book #6 couldn’t put it down.The cliffhanger of book 5 resolved and a bunch of new crimes connected and unraveled. 
9. The Italian House by Teresa Crane 1922 a young married English girl inherits her grandmother’s house in Italy she connects with a cousin from her childhood lots of twists near the end of the story and not enough build up of how this is going to be resolved. Not a top recommendation.
10. The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake again this time for book club just as good the second time. 
11. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn fiction WW2 three young women cracking German codes at Bletchley Park they start a literary society because they can’t talk about their work. Some characters are pure fiction some are a combination of real people and a few are true historical characters including Kate Middleton’s grandmother. Very good book all 600 some pages.
12. Puzzles by A.J. Jacobs non fiction about all different kinds of puzzles including A couple chapters on cryptic cyphers. One of those books I read between other books to keep my reading streak going on my kindle.
13. Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik for book club depression era 
14. Pompeii by Robert Harris reread for a very good reason.  Photos below are of Mount Vesuvis and the excavated ruins of Pompeii. 
15. Beach Front Bakery by Fiona Grace fluff airplane reading.
16. The  Revolution of the Moon by Andrea Camilleri takes place on Sicily in 1600’s a woman inherits the throne on the death of her husband, she makes some very important social changes for the good of the people and cleans up some corruption in the church and city council. More airplane reading, short book.
17. Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea by Rebecca Alexander fluff just for fun and started on the airplane.
18. To Sir, With Love by E.R. Braithwaite very slow to start 3 chapters for the first 4 or 5 minutes of the movie. I watched it again, the book takes place after WW2 the movie in the 1960’s. Both were very good.

Reading #1

 

Tuesday the snow started to fall. Sometimes it came straight down other times it was at an angle and sometimes a blast of wind would hurl it against the house and it would backlash swirling in all directions. Wednesday morning the wind cleared the snow from the rooftops and deposited it in driveways a 3 foot drift in front of ours, you have to take my word on that because I’m not going out to take a picture. By afternoon the flakes were getting larger and they were coming sideways. Toward evening the swirls of snow looked like an apparition just outside my window begging to come inside then they would vanish. This storm should be ending Thursday.

It has been a good day or two to read.

1. The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani present day and WW 2 Italy and Scotland about a family of jewelry makers and a nurse. About the importance of passing on the family stories to the next generation. Very good 
2. Abigail’s Shop by Rachel Herron each chapter begins with words of knitting wisdom. A young woman inherits a cottage from an older friend, a love / hate relationship with the older woman’s nephew, a yarn and fiber stash, a few mishaps and a stalker. Fun to read.
3. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger depression era story takes place in Minnesota two orphaned white boys end up in an Indian bordering school. Then the adventure begins when they run away from the school with a mute Indian boy and a little girl. Very good!
4. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen weekend reading of too many football games. A young woman with a sugar addiction is living with her controlling and ailing mother. Family secrets, growing up, relationships, romance, friendship and a mystery. Just for fun.
5. The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake takes place in London in mid 1800’s a young girl who survives the cholera epidemic in 1840’s is taken in by the housekeeper and doctor who saved her. For fear of being turned out the girls takes an interest in the doctors work first by tidying his home clinic then writing up his case notes and drawing his specimens. She also assists as he dissects cadavers at a time when women were not permitted to do such things. Very good now I’m patiently waiting for the next book about Nora Beady.
6. The Less People Know About Us by Axton Betz Hamilton non fiction about identity theft very good!
7. The Surgeon’s Daughter by Audrey Blake the sequel to The Girl in His Shadow more 19th century medicine. Nora goes to Bologna, Italy to study to become a doctor. Describes how children died of diphtheria and a young man dying of tetanus. Thank science for vaccines! Get your updates.
8. Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin about the differences between verbal thinkers and visual thinkers. I have said for years that I am a visual learner yes it really would help if you could draw me a picture as you explain this to me. Verbal learners excel in school, current education trends are catering to verbal thinkers thanks to no child left behind which is excluding the visual learners. Visual thinkers struggle with algebra it’s too abstract, but arithmetic makes sense because it practical quantity, area, volume, 1/4 inch seams etc. just give me the size of the block I can figure out the rest I don’t need written or verbal instruction. I’ll get off my soapbox it was a very interesting book.
9. The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray three stories in one all set in the Chateau where Lafayette was born. This is the Lafayette of the American Revolution his wife championed the cause and shaped the French Revolution. The second story takes place during WW1 and the third during WW2. Very good 
10. Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger book 4 of the Cork Corcoran series.
11. All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot 3rd book in the series like a collection of short stories to read between paper books to keep my kindle steak going.
12. The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton for book club a young woman inherits her grandmother’s house, the hideaway, it needs a renovation. She learns things about her grandmother and herself along the way. Feel good story.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Reading list #5 for 2022 it was time well spent.

Looking forward to more books, using yards and yards of fabric from the stash first order of business is to straighten up the stash. And knitting some of the yarn stash as well. I’m so glad there are libraries and kindles so I don’t have an overwhelming stash of books…….the library keeps them so well organized.

Happy new year

1. The Mill Girls of Albion Lane by Jenny Holmes takes place in England in 1930’s woolen mills. I found it interesting because I toured the Faribault woolen mill in Faribault, Minnesota almost 3 years ago. The story finally picked up the last 3rd of the book when a crime happens and the mill girls start asking questions because the police are not.
2. A Drop in the Ocean by Jenni Ogden a 49 year old introverted medical researcher looses her research grant. What to do with her life? She makes the commitment to live on an island off the coast of Australia overseeing a campground for a year. Life on a small island agrees with her, she becomes friends with the locals and comes to peace with her past. Very good I will be looking for more books by this author.
3. Hutchins Creek Cache by Deborah Garner a New York journalist goes to Colorado to write an old west story about railroads and trains and gets in the middle of a century old theft of gold coins from the Denver mint. Just for fun.
4. Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone Diana Gabaldon final book of the Outlander series very long I learned more about how battles were fought during the Revolutionary War than a person really needs to know.
5. Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger takes place in the arrowhead of Minnesota up there in the north east point. Murder mystery defeated former sheriff is asked to help find a missing Native American boy in the process he uncovers a county full of corruption. Much like C.J. Box Joe Pickett series except it takes place in Minnesota.
6. The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis takes place in 1919 and 1966 in New York City. About a young woman who posed for sculptures in NYC then becomes a private secretary to Helen Frick heir to the Frick fortune and art library. The 1966 story is about a model being photographed at the Frick museum she has some artistic disagreements with the photographer and ends up being snowbound at the museum with a young intern. Together they unravel some mysteries from 1919.
7. The Bitterroots by C.J. Box book 5 of the Cassie Dewell series.
8. Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles contemporary story set on the English coast a young woman dealing with the death of her mother and learning family secrets. Light reading.
9. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny book #5 of series.
10. Treasure State by C.J. Box book 6 of the Cassie Dewell series.
11. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes for book club as good the second time I had forgotten most of the characters and plot. I read it almost 2 years ago no wonder I forgot so much.
12. Murder in the Manor by Fiona Grace just for fun newly divorced New Yorker goes to the seaside town in England where she went on holiday as a child also the last time she saw her father. On impulse she leases a store and opens an antique store then she ends up in the middle of a murder mystery and a burglary.
13. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald for book club a Swedish girl goes to visit a pen pal in a small town in Iowa. The pen pal dies before she arrives, the residents make her feel welcome. Fun to read. I could see it as a fall hallmark movie.
14. Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva fiction some factual how Charles Dickens came up with his Christmas Carol. To get in the spirit of the Christmas season. I started The Chimes a short book written by Charles Dickens. There were so many words and didn’t seem to be making progress with the story but I kept reading for a while. I gave up when I realized I was making mental notes of five letter words for Wordle.
15. Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger second book in the series.
16. Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger another thriller with lots of twists in northern Minnesota.
17. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah stories of Trevor Noah growing up in South Africa.
18. Foster by Claire Keegan a short book less than 100 pages about a little girl being cared for by relatives.
19. Ruby and Roland by Faith Sullivan 1910’s prior to WWI an orphan girl goes to live in Iowa then Minnesota. The characters were interesting, strong independent women, it was a nice short book just over 200 pages. I would have liked to know more about some of the characters and their lives. 
20. A Villa in Sicily  by Fiona Grace short book a woman veterinarian from Boston quits her job and goes to Sicily to restore a fixer-upper. First book of a series, I doubt I’ll read the series.
21. The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum  the transformation from revelry and over indulgence in the streets to our contemporary domestic celebration. Interesting but repetitious. A very thorough look at the socioeconomics and politics of the 1700’s, 1800’s and early 1900’s. It reminded me of something an art history professor said “art did not happen in a vacuum” art was influenced by everything happening around it.  Our Christmas traditions evolved out of the books that were written and stories published in magazines and newspapers, traditions brought by immigrants, abolition, newsy boys, children’s aid society, orphan trains, gift giving and receiving, charities, and reconstruction of the South. I never understood why the Christmas tree was kept as a surprise to the children many years ago……the decorations were the gifts to the children toys, candies, fruit and cookies. Presents were not wrapped and placed under the tree. I really wish I could ask my parents and grandparents how Christmas was celebrated when they were little.
22. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan a very short book set at Christmas time in Ireland in 1985 about the Catholic homes for unwed girls.

Wow I have read a lot of books in 2022 some have been wonderful and others not so much. I will continue reading the William Kent Krueger and Louise Penny books.  It looks like it’s going to be a long snowy cold winter here on the prairie good thing I like to read…quilt….knit and read some more. Ann

Reading list #4

The first blush of autumn on the maple leaves. Looking forward to cooler days.

1. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson depression era Kentucky and the pack horse librarians and a rare blood disorder.
2. Die In the Wool by Katherine Hayton Murder mystery and a yarn shop just for fun and very short, fewer than 200 pages.
3. The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen about an English girl who is studying art in Venice WW2 era and her modern day great niece who inherited the great aunts sketches and 3 keys.
4. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. For book club after the last couple books which were sad and tough to read it was my turn to pick a book so I checked out all the Fannie Flagg books from the library because we needed something fun and uplifting. This was the only Fannie Flagg book that I had not read. The movie followed it very closely but there were parts that were left out of the movie. The book was wonderful and I still love the movie.
5. A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg re read for book club feel good story everything works out for the best for everyone. The second time I read the book and as good the second time as the first.
6. NDearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles book 1 of series I saw this series in a shop when DD and I were in the Black Hills in July it was fun to read because the setting in the Northern Black Hills was familiar but three green eyed characters in the book? Really!?! I asked the assistant at the eye doctors how many green eyed patients they see in a month…..she said one or two a year.
7. Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg second time for this book but I had completely forgotten most of it so was like reading it for the first time, a real treat.
8. Signal Moon by Kate Quinn a short story WW 2 Wren listening to radio transmission and a futuristic twist.
9. Jamaica Inn by Daphne DuMaurier I read this many years ago so long ago that I remembered none of the story but when one character appeared I knew he would be the worst villain but I had no idea how until the end.
10. Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict fiction about an Irish immigrant who is hired to be ladies maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother self educated and inspiration to Carnegie’s public libraries.  Very good
11. Growing Wild in the Shade by Jean Grainger contemporary story mostly ordinary life with some vandalism and drugs at the end. I like her historical novels much much more. Fortunately it was short, 250 pages and I skipped over wardrobe choices, dinner fare, and some conversations. 
12. The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick absolutely delightful about a writer who is in a slump with her latest book and her cleaning lady, about reaching for dreams and aspirations lots of twists and surprises. Wonderful fresh story.
13. Educated by Tara Westover for book club non fiction. I read this 2 years ago the few parts I remembered were so trivial in the storyline it was like reading the story for the first time. I also had the book mixed up with Unfollow by Megan Phelps Roper  about leaving the Westboro Church. Once I separated the books in my head everything made sense. There are a lot of similarities in the two books. Westover and Westboro, those two words are an awful lot alike, two young women with questions about how they were raised and learning to think for themselves, leaving their family but still loving them. It was a good discussion at book club.
14. Poirot  Investigates by Agatha Christie a book of short stories.

Reading list #3

1. The Trouble with Secrets by Jean Grainger takes place in Ireland and Wales in 1950’s and early 60’s, German and Jewish immigrants, unwed mother, a love story and a mystery.
2. The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict fiction but real life mystery of the disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. Very good
3. Taste by Stanley Tucci his life through food. If you have watched Searching for Italy series about Italian cooking you will enjoy this book. Delightful 
4. When We Were Young and Brave by Hazel Gaynor WW2 China children and staff of an international boarding school are relocated during Japanese occupation. Inspired by actual events.
5. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge based on the actual events of the cross country trip of two young giraffes in 1938 from Africa to New York harbor through a hurricane then by truck to the San Diego zoo.  Feel good book very good.
6. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny murder mystery 
7. The Orphan House by Ann Bennett England 1930’s and a modern day search for birth parents
8. The Last Ship Home by Heather Webb immigration story Ellis Island 1902
9. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey for book club homesteading in Alaska in 1920’s and a folk tale about a childless couple building a girl out of snow. Fun story but hard to read about winters and snow when the air conditioner is running. It was not a mental vacation like reading a summer story in January.
10. George Washington and the Irish by Niall O’Dowd how the Irish helped Washington during the American Revolution.
11. Knitting by Ann Bartlett takes place in Australia about loss, dealing with deadlines and baggage, making yourself and others crazy with deadlines and finally dealing with the grief.
12. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny Murder mystery #3 of the series 
13. The Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick  a writer from New York inherits her aunts house and yarn stash in Charleston, South Carolina a feel good book just for fun.
14. Prairie Son by Dennis M. Clausen for book club non fiction about a boy adopted in the 1920’s in Minnesota. Very good but tough to read because he was mistreated by adoptive parents.

I have spent a lot of time reading this summer……my favorite thing to do all summer — Ann—

The watercolor was done with an app.

Reading list #2

Not much blog worthy going on in my life. Oh wait that’s because I have been reading.  Some have been very good books and some just ok. This has been the coldest, windiest, greyest April that I can remember I know it’s May but it finally feels like April after 60 some days of March.  Great weather for reading. Always look for a bright side…The scillas are finally blooming. I’ve driven past this yard a couple times and gasped at the expanse of blue, yesterday I stopped to take a couple pictures.  The house used to belong to a lady in my church, her yard and flowers were always perfect. Now it looks like a student rental and much neglected. To the memory of Mrs. C. She also taught 6th grade I didn’t have her for a teacher but a classmate told me she was the last teacher who read aloud to her class. Happy reading ~~Ann~~

1.  The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs book #15
2. Life in Stitches by Rachel Herron a series of essays about knitting and life.
3. The Existential Worries of Mags Munro by Jean Grainger about a middle aged police woman in present day Ireland
4. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman again for book club
5. It’s Better That Way by Debbie MaComber just fluff for fun
6. The Girl from Ballymor by Kathleen McGurl takes place in present day and 1840’s potato famine in Ireland present day art history student is researching second great grandfather who was a very successful portrait painter.
7. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie another murder mystery 
8. A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin romance takes place during WW2 Christian novel the power of prayer.
9. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman I had to read it again about a young girl dealing with the death of her grandmother.
10. The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs #16
11. Shadows Reel by C.J. Box newest Joe Pickett Wyoming Game Warden mystery
12. The Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear #17 of Maisie Dobbs mystery series
13. Stuff by Daniel Frost a researcher looks into the minds of hoarders.
14. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie a Miss Marple mystery 
15. Stars over Alabama by Sean Dietrich the story begins during the depression of the 1930’s with 3 different small groups of individuals, their lives finally converge the last few chapters of the book.
16. The Good People by Hannah Kent takes place in rural Ireland in 1820’s some people still believed in fairies. 
17. The 100 Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin the ages of the two main characters add up to 100 both are in a long term care / hospital for book club very good 
18. An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon book 7 of the Outlander series it ended on cliffhangers for a couple characters. Good thing there is a book #8.  Most of the story takes place in 1777 and 1778 Revolutionary War in colonial America.

Reading #1

1.  Rules of Civility by Amor Towles takes place in New York City in 1938 very good.
2. To Die but Once by Jacqueline Winspear book 14 of Maisie Dobbs series.
3. Paris for One by Jojo Moyes short stories.
4. Aged for Murder by Fiona Grace  Murder mystery takes place at a winery in Tuscany 
5. The Book of Hygge by Louisa Thomsen Brits pronounced Hoo gah a short book but a lot of words explaining finding comfort and contentment in simple everyday things and activities and appreciating family and friends.
6. The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes another great book by this writer 
7. Roaring Liberty by Jeane Grainger book 4 of Harp and Rose series.
8. Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber takes place in a small town in Alabama, about family secrets, mothers and daughters, forgiveness and healing. A bit of a modern day fairytale. Delightful story and characters.
9. Three Words for Good Bye by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb two sisters travel to Europe in 1937. Family secrets, forgiveness, understanding, using talents 
10. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie a who done it with lots of twists and turns. 
11. Still Life by Louise Penny Murder mystery 

Book number 500 that I have read on my kindle since I got it just over 10 years ago.  The snow is melting again and warmer temps!!  Its fun to walk outside again.  Thinking about the next book.  --Ann--

Reading list #5 2021

1. The Harp and the Rose by Jean Grainger 1920 Ireland’s fight for independence 
2. Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve  Binchy always a good story 
3. Lassoing the Sun by Mark Woods about history and future of our National Parks, also environmental impacts and about the authors mother who introduced him to the parks and nature. For book club very good
4. Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah wonderful story about sisters, growing up, forgiving, and healing.
5. Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini a very long book about the horrors happening in Germany in the years before the United States entered WW2 very good but tough to read. I gave it a break and read a couple books in between.
6. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah for book club I read this earlier in the year very good depression era of 1930’s.  These last two books take place in the same time frame it was an eye opener about what was happening in the world.
7. Who is Santa Claus?  The true story behind a living legend.  by Robin Crichton published 1987 the history and evolution of Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. Did you know Clement Moores Twas the Night Before Christmas was written 199 years ago? Next year is his big bicentennial.
8. Still Me by JoJo Moyes book three of Me Before You series very good 
9. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate post civil war story about Texas and a contemporary story about a young woman teaching in a poverty stricken school. She has her students research the local history.
10. Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher great story about a girl growing up in Cornwall England prior to WW2. She attends a private girls school while her mother and younger sister return to Ceylon where her father is in the shipping business and soon to be transferred to Singapore. The family of a school friend becomes a surrogate family to her. WW2 starts rather than join her family in Singapore she learns shorthand and typing and joins the Wrens.  Over 900 pages but a very good story.
11. The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank a variation of the Christmas Carol a South Carolina elderly (90+) woman realizes how dysfunctional and lacking in Christmas spirit  her family has become. Her cook is called away on a family emergency the replacement cook turns out to be Pearl, the cook from her childhood who taught her everything. Everyone made nice with some spiritual and Gullah magic help. It was all too easy I just about quit reading the book fortunately it was a very short book.
12. In This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear more adventures of Maisie Dobbs. Book #13

So many books to look forward to reading in 2022.  Happy New Year!!  --Ann--

A day to savor

The weather was predicted to change on Wednesday and it did, rain, wind and cold. But Tuesday was the day to savor. I helped pull weeds at McCrorey gardens for an hour in the morning, beautiful sunny morning, then I went to the local you pick raspberries and picked a few pints of delicious sweet berries. Freezer jam was next then after the kitchen was cleaned up I soaked up some vitamin D on the deck and read. It was a perfect day. I was reading Lassoing the Sun by Mark Woods for book club about our national parks. It’s about the history and future of our national parks and environmental changes. I was reading the chapter on Olympic National Park and the impact of sound. So I sat and listened for a while, a few birds, a few insects, the rustle of leaves, small airplanes overhead, but also the constant sound of traffic.  When daughter and I were in Glacier this past summer I made her stop to listen briefly we were far enough from the road that we couldn’t hear the cars. What a treat! But in everyday life if I am outside I can always hear traffic and inside I can always hear the hum of the fridge, the freezer and the dehumidifier. The only time I experience absolute quiet in the house is when the electricity goes out and it’s probably a howling storm outside so it isn’t quiet. Where do we find silence?  —Ann—

Reading list #4 2021

I had a streak going on my kindle of reading 484 days in a row.  I broke that streak when I was helping 2 of my brothers clean out our dad's house.  Then it was time spent sorting through stuff and reading through all the paper bits that Mom, and Grandma saved.  Some evenings I was too worn out to read a book.  My weekly streak is still going but not my daily streak.   Hubby was also off on a hunting adventure so I could spread my piles of save and toss all over the house.  I have reorganized most of it now have have found shelves to store things and maybe someday when everyone feels safe traveling again I will get together with my cousins and we can got through this stuff again and laugh.

I didn't realize how much time I spend reading in the evening while hubby is changing channels.  The latest reading list:

1. True Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie her first Miss Marple mystery first published in 1930. I’m going to read more of her books
2. Letters of Freedom by Jean Grainger a rewrite of this book exploring Carmel Sheehan’s character. Then I reread the second book The Future’s Not Ours To See the first 12 or 13 chapters were at the end of her rewritten book so I started there. I really didn’t see that much was added to the story. Maybe if I had read them more recently I would have noticed the additions but I didn’t.
3. The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah depression era story drought and dust storms west Texas packing up and moving to California. Very good
4. A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry book 2 American antique dealer goes to England to visit her daughter and gets mixed up in a murder mystery.
5. Murder in Nice by Susan Kiernan-Lewis murder mystery with lots of twists in Nice France.
6. Accept My Word by Linda  Hubalek western romance takes place in 1890 in western Kansas, short feel good story
7. Lyme by Mary Beth Pfeiffer about spreading  tick born infections and our changing climate
8. The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin fiction blizzard in Dakota Territory and Nebraska in 1888.  for book club
9. A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs mystery book 11.
10. My Cousin Rachel by Daphne DuMaurier great story and writing. Every word was important. 
11. Spindle City by Jotham Burrello about the textile industry in New England in early 1900’s. Not a great read. 
12. The Long Haul by Finn Murphy for book club, non fiction about long distanct truckers specifically movers.  This was particularly interesting to me because I have been moved four times by professional movers.  Only one mover had some negative hiccups.
13. Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs mystery book 12
14. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot this has been my book to read to keep my kindle reading streak going because each chapter is more like a short story.
15. Blame it on Scotland by Patience Griffin romance, quilters, woolen mill sounded like a perfect story a young woman is on an errand to return a quilt to her mother's cousin in Scotland,  I was looking forward to some family history but it was mostly about the hot and cold romance with the guy in the kilt. disappointing.