This is an excellent book for both young and old. The characters really hold the interest and give a great day-to-day what it was like to be black in This is an excellent book for both young and old. The characters really hold the interest and give a great day-to-day what it was like to be black in the early sixties. Humor and pathos make it a page turner....more
Everybody needs to take a sabbatical from their life-even Death. This amusing book that details what happens when HR requires Death to take his vacatiEverybody needs to take a sabbatical from their life-even Death. This amusing book that details what happens when HR requires Death to take his vacation days. My alternative title- "Life Lessons from Death....more
The tragedies in this book seem to grow exponentially. First there is the dehumanizing cruelty of slavery. Next the consequences of primitive medical The tragedies in this book seem to grow exponentially. First there is the dehumanizing cruelty of slavery. Next the consequences of primitive medical practices that leave countless victims in their wake. Add to this the unscrupulous practice of a physician who is looking for fame and fortune, while fighting against the terrible restrictions of medical ethics, and you have the story of Anarcha, a slave, a victim, and ultimately a hero.
This is the story of Dr. James Sims who P.T. Barnumed his way into fame and fortune as the founder of modern gynecology on the backs (more correctly-uteruses) of slaves. Experimenting on them, claiming successes and hiding deaths and failures, he strove to become a champion of himself as great surgeon.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. Read it with a dictionary, and unless you are a physician, a Grey's Anatomy. It is easy to dismiss all these 19th century barbaric practices with regard to obstetric fistulas and experimentation on enslaved women as a thing of the past. Until you read the epilogue about Africa today. ...more
Lucy Hart loved the Clock Island books as a child. The Mastermind there would grant brave children their wishes if thOne of my best reads of the year.
Lucy Hart loved the Clock Island books as a child. The Mastermind there would grant brave children their wishes if they could answer his riddles. Now she has a wish, and just like Charlie Bucket, the eccentric children's book author, Jack Masterson, is having a contest to give his long awaited next book to the winner à la Wu-Tang Clan. It will be worth millions, and only a select few adults have qualified for the game. Who will win?
As a bibliobibliophile� this is my favorite genre, books about books. The Clock Island series sounds amazing, and my wish is that it was real. I'd read it to my grandkids.
� A.Leimbach, though I am also considering doublebibliophile....more
A sixty year old woman's husband leaves her for a round the world cruise and she moves across the country to a beach house. She becomes a sort of GladA sixty year old woman's husband leaves her for a round the world cruise and she moves across the country to a beach house. She becomes a sort of Gladys Kravitz of civic affairs, finding code violators everywhere and seeking justice. This is very funny, lots of laughs in rapid fire that can take your breath away. I loved her long treatise about health after 60 (too long for me to type in here), and moments of wise advice:
“It’s hard to accept. One minute you’re a parent to a small child. You have all the power. You say what’s for dinner. You say when bedtime is, when the homework gets done, whether or not so-and-so can sleep over. And then, suddenly that power is gone. Motherly advice is now an insult. Fatherly wisdom is offensive. Opinions are hurtful. Everything is a judgment. So, what do you do? You take a step back. You hold your tongue. You say to yourself, It’s their life. You say it so many times it loses its meaning. You try to diffuse the bomb.�
This poor man's version of Bonnie and Clyde, details (via historical fiction) the Depression Era story of Bennie and Stella Dickson. Bennie (27) meetsThis poor man's version of Bonnie and Clyde, details (via historical fiction) the Depression Era story of Bennie and Stella Dickson. Bennie (27) meets 15 year old Stella at the roller rink and sweeps her off her feet. They end up running away and robbing banks. Caught up in the romance of the bank robbers of the era, they travel the midwest stealing cars and robbing two banks in a year long crime spree that ends up just like the heroes they worship. You can't help but feel a little sorry for them, and disapprove of J. Edgar and the F.B.I. and for his publicity seeking, quick shooting ways. A good director could make their story as compelling as Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde....more
I will never think of Spokane the same way. This novel is set in 1909 Spokane, Washington during the labor unrest. We see the "Wobblies", the InternatI will never think of Spokane the same way. This novel is set in 1909 Spokane, Washington during the labor unrest. We see the "Wobblies", the International Workers of the World, trying to organize with peaceful protests with such radical ideas as free speech and free press. Real characters like Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, communist, radical, and founder of the A.C.L.U populate this story of the wealthy mine owners busting up union organizers with brutish Pinkertons, corrupt police, and politicians. Into this setting we have two brothers, tramps, who arrive in Spokane looking for work. Reminiscent of the Civil Rights movement, we see the unjust imprisonment, lawlessness, betrayal, and a few women with hearts of gold. The story is compelling and the revelations of this corrupt, desperate time, make it a great read....more
3.5 stars. Charlotte used to be a child detective like Encyclopedia Brown or Nancy Drew. Unfortunately life isn't as easy as a twenty five year old tr3.5 stars. Charlotte used to be a child detective like Encyclopedia Brown or Nancy Drew. Unfortunately life isn't as easy as a twenty five year old trying to find herself. She doesn't want to be that child detective anymore, but a mystery draws her in against her wishes and we are off to the races- or at leasta union-busting start-up. This has an interesting cast of characters (lots of LGBTQ+ folk), and is the setup for a series. I liked the premise and found the characters much more interesting and entertaining than the mystery itself....more
This thriller reminds me of The Davinci Code. A woman in prison for murder, a puzzle savant, and an ancient Kabbalah ritual with a golem, come togetheThis thriller reminds me of The Davinci Code. A woman in prison for murder, a puzzle savant, and an ancient Kabbalah ritual with a golem, come together in an effort to create a pathway to eternal life. ...more
This is the women's sports version of Invisible Women. It is a troubling look at the way sports, especially running, ignores women's biology and creatThis is the women's sports version of Invisible Women. It is a troubling look at the way sports, especially running, ignores women's biology and creates many physical and emotional problems for young women. It should be a must-read for parents of daughters, especially those entering sports. ...more
This is longer than I usually listen to on audio, but it went quickly. You get a blow by blow of Harry's life in short chapters, that I feel may have This is longer than I usually listen to on audio, but it went quickly. You get a blow by blow of Harry's life in short chapters, that I feel may have had some (lots) of help from a ghostwriter. He and Meghan come across as more sympathetic than I thought, and it seems to substantiate the reports of the royal family being dysfunctional and at odds with each other often. I do feel more sympathy for their loss of security when Prince Andrew still has his (along with his palatial digs.) If you are interested in the royals, this is an interesting addition to the canon....more
An inspector finds a life raft with a notebook about a group of survivors. Questions abound as how long did they survive and can the inspector believeAn inspector finds a life raft with a notebook about a group of survivors. Questions abound as how long did they survive and can the inspector believe that one of the passengers was the Lord....more
An easy brain candy book to listen to while gardening. Couple don't get along, spend a year apart, yada, yada, yada.An easy brain candy book to listen to while gardening. Couple don't get along, spend a year apart, yada, yada, yada....more
It is always interesting to read the original and see the differences between it and the popular interpretations. The original is much more cerebral aIt is always interesting to read the original and see the differences between it and the popular interpretations. The original is much more cerebral and much less horror. ...more
This is a very good story of classical music, musicians, practice , and a black man trying to break into this overwhelmingly white world. Oh yes, and This is a very good story of classical music, musicians, practice , and a black man trying to break into this overwhelmingly white world. Oh yes, and his Stradivarius violin is stolen. It is a good page-turner. ...more
One part art history, 9 parts inspiring sermon, this book is an exhaustive look at Rembrandt's painting and Christ's parable. If you think you know thOne part art history, 9 parts inspiring sermon, this book is an exhaustive look at Rembrandt's painting and Christ's parable. If you think you know this parable, you only know the tip of the iceberg. This beautiful book goes way deep and will make you ponder the characters in the story long and hard in your own life. ...more
This memoir/history/how-to book on breadmaking is informative, entertaining and inspirational. Alexander chronicles his year-long quest to recreate thThis memoir/history/how-to book on breadmaking is informative, entertaining and inspirational. Alexander chronicles his year-long quest to recreate the perfect loaf of bread from his past. It has nearly persuaded me to buy a kitchen scale and try something more than the NY Times no-knead bread recipe....more
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