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I've found a trove of O. Henry stories and have been reading for my online readings lately. He's always been one of my favorite authors.

So, to start of this year's reading list, here's the O. Henry stories I've read so far:

1. Churchez La Femme � Two reporters decide to follow up on an old case where $20,000 has gone missing from the owner of a cafe, with the possible blame falling on a well-respected man who was supposed to invest it. Of course it doesn't end as expected. This was an entertaining read.

2. By Courier � Another charming short story. There's been a fallout between a man and his love. Can things get patched up by a street urchin turned messenger?

3. Buried Treasure- This story is now one of my favorites. Two friends fall for the same young woman, but one day she and her father disappear. Soon after, one of the friends is approached by a farmer with a map and an intriguing story of hidden treasure. The adventure doesn't go as expected.

4. Brickdust Row- A story that will make you laugh and cringe. A young man who owns a vast estate decides to take a holiday on Coney Island and falls in love with a working girl. But will his actions make their romance impossible?

5. Best-Seller. Mixed feelings on this one. On one hand it is funny. On a train ride, a man runs into a colleague who expounds on the faults of popular romance novels. Then he proceeds to tell his own tale of how he recently became married. A warning- there are words and terms here that, shall we say, have not aged well. I wound up not using this as a reading.

6. A Technical Error- Mixed feelings here. There are some funny moments but the story takes a really dark turn at the end. A man finds himself a witness to a longtime feud between families, a longtime animosity with its own code of honor.

7. A Service of Love- Fans of Gift of the Magi will love this one. A young artistic couple find themselves running low on money to continue their classes, so the wife decides to find work as a tutor. Can't say too much without giving away spoilers, but the ending is sweet.

8. A Matter of Mean Elevation � I didn't use this in my readings � a few terms and phrases haven't aged well-- but it was fairly amusing. When a prima donna goes missing, the town she was in turns the place upside down to try to find her. The ending has the O. Henry twist.

9. A Retrieved Reformation � Loved this one! A safecracker is released from prison, but is soon back to old tricks. He manages to elude the authorities, but love winds up causing the man to turn a new leaf. Will he be allowed to resume this new life?

10. A Sacrifice Hit- An aspiring author is bound and determined to get his work published. He even goes as far as wooing and marrying one of the favorite readers of a local publisher in hopes his book will mark his place in history. Of course, things don't go according to his plan.

11. A Poor Rule- Three men fall for the same woman. This competition remains more or less amiable until a fourth, a newcomer to the town, enters the fray. One thing the young woman has said is that she values honesty from her friends and suitors. When they take her at her word- will their honesty backfire?

12. A Lickpenny Lover- A young woman who works selling gloves in a large department store has no trouble getting men to court her. Indeed, one young man finds his mission in trying to get her to agree to marry him more challenging than he thought. Did she outsmart herself, though, or is she right in her assessment of her suitor?

More O. Henry Stories

11. Hearts and Hands. A very short, very sweet story, possibly inspired by O. Henry's own stint with the law and prison. Here, a young lady recognizes an old friend, who is handcuffed to another man, while on a train.

12. Girl. This might be one of O. Henry's funniest, certainly one of the funniest I've read so far. Also, probably the best twist ending. A young man goes to find a young woman he had been searching for, hoping to bring her back to his home.

13. From the Cabby's Seat. This one was frustrating. It starts out good and even though I (thought I) could see the ending, I found it entertaining. But then there is the twist at the end- something O. Henry is well-known for. And it just fell flat. It didn't make any sense to me. Well, can't win them all.

14. From Each According to His Ability. An amusing short tale. A young man of leisure counsels a n'er-do-well on the finer aspects of men's fashions, with interesting results. Not the best of O. Henry's work but fun.

15. Fickle Fortune or How Gladys Hustled. Didn't care for this one. To get through it, you have to read it like a parody of a melodrama (maybe this was supposed to poke fun at some of the melodrama movies?) But there were too many things that just did not make sense at all.

16. Extradited from Bohemia. An amusing tale (if a bit misogynistic) about a woman who dips her toes in the more eccentric world of Bohemia in New York. The result is she tries to cut ties with her previous world, which doesn't go as planned.

17. Dougherty's Eye-Opener. A husband whose "work" consists of betting takes his wife out to dinner after only having meals at home for three years. He winds up seeing her in a whole new light. A cute story.

18. Conscience in Art. A hilarious short story. A man is convinced to help a friend, who has been known to cross the legal lines, in an art sale.

19. Confessions of a Humorist. I have to wonder how much of this was autobiographical. In this short story, a man is discovered to be quite the wit during a retirement party. He's thrilled at first, especially when this talent turns lucrative. But he soon tires of it, and people start turning away from him. The resolution is hilarious, unexpected and ironic.

Still going through O. Henry stories.

20. Mammon and the Archer. A clever title for a clever short story. A young man expresses his despair to his father about a woman he is afraid he will never get to call his own. So the rich dad and the man's aunt both try to help the young man � and try to determine if money can indeed buy anything, or if love conquers all. The answer is open to interpretation.

21. Makes the Whole World Kin. I can so easily see this being turned into a short play. This hilarious story centers on a burglar who breaks into a house- and discovers that he and his intended victim have something in common.

22. Lost on Dress Parade. Amusing if predictable. A young man goes out once every 70 days to live the high life. He meets a young woman who has sprained her ankle in a fall. He falls for her, but may have compromised his chances with her by playing his role as a wealthy idler a bit too well.

23. Lord Oakhurst's Curse. I just didn't get this one. Best thing I can say about it is that it was a very short short story. Didn't get the joke, wasn't sure what the curse was supposed to be. Can't win them all, I suppose.

24. Little Speck in Garnered Fruit. I saw the ending coming but this story is still pretty funny. A newlywed bride asks her husband to go out and find her a peach. Trouble is, it's early spring. Despite this obstacle, the young man will stop at nothing to find his love's desire.

25. Jimmy Hayes and Muriel. Jimmy is sent to join a group of rangers to help patrol the area. He brings with him Muriel, to the surprise of his fellow rangers. She winds up providing a valuable service in the end after the rangers are surprised by a roving band of infamous outlaws. Sweet and funny, and a bit sad.

26. Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet. Really mixed feelings on this one. It's funny overall and the ending is fantastic, a bit of a double twist. But there are parts and terms in here that, shall we say, haven't aged well.

27. Innocents of Broadway. A clever short story with an ambiguous ending. Two men accustomed to shady deals are completely taken off guard when a stranger trusts them with $5,000. They debate how they can keep this windfall without it actually being theft. The ending is open to interpretation but they might have outsmarted themselves.

By O. Henry:

28. Money Maze. I found out later that this is actually part of a larger collection of stories, Of Cabbages and Kings. I read another chapter from this ("Fox-In-The-Morning") and really liked it. So I think I may in the near future read the rest of this. From what I've read, the chapters are loosely connected, and this bit stands well on its own. It has O. Henry's signature wit, plus a dash of intrigue. Focusing the fictional world of Anchuria, an investigator is sent to finding money stolen from that country.

29. Nemesis and the Candy Man. A bit of patience is needed for this one, it almost reads like two separate stories � until you find out the connection at the very end (although the connection is hinted at). It's hard to give a synopsis without giving away spoilers, so I'll keep it brief. The titular candy man is indirectly and innocently responsible for the reforging of one relationship and breaking another.

30. Memoirs of a Yellow Dog. Cute, if a bit misogynistic. The story is told from the first-person, errr -- first-canine � point of view. The four-legged focus relates his coddled life with a woman and her husband. There's more than a few laughs to be had.

31. Man About Town. This was hilarious! An inquisitive man is bound and determined to define and meet a typical "man about town," and interviews several people to try to get a satisfactory answer. He does get his answer, but it's not what he expects.

NOT by O. Henry

32. Social Media and the Public Interest, by Philip M. Napoli. A worthwhile read, even if a lot of things have changed since this was written and published. Napoli goes into detail how social media, especially the larger sites, have completely upended how information is read and spread � and not usually for the better. While there have been efforts made to quash the amount of bad information, is it enough? Napoli outlines the issues, how several thoughts and concepts � such as the idea of stopping bad information with more information � don't work in today's hyperconnected world. He also goes into some possible solutions, such as considering the larger social media as publishers and bringing these sites under stricter FCC control (which is an idea that has been vehemently resisted). The problems and history are well-explained, and many of his ideas should at least be discussed (not sure I'm on board with a couple of them but they merit debate).

33. Love Me More Than Anything in the World, by Mira Furlan. Mira Furlan, who died way too young in 2021, is probably best known (at least in the United States) for playing Minbari ambassador Delenn of Mir in the 90s television series Babylon 5. Babylon 5 is my favorite series of all time, and Delenn is my favorite character in the show (and one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, period). Furlan penned this autobiography, ending it a few years before she died, and it was published posthumously about a year after her passing.

Anyone who is a fan of the sci-fi series or anyone who likes a fantastic autobiography will enjoy this. Furlan is no holds barred, brutally honest about her homeland, her adopted home of the United States, her career milestones but most of all about herself. A common theme is trying to find where she fits in � with her family, which includes a mother and father who fell hard in love with each other, then nearly as quickly fell out of love. With her homeland, which became embroiled in a horrifying war which pitted Serbians and Croatians against each other, neither group Furlan felt she belonged to. With being a famous actress in her homeland- but that fame forced her to flee when publicity against her reached vitriolic levels. With living in the United States as an immigrant.

Furlan was practically playing herself when she played Delenn: an idealist who becomes disgusted when people and circumstances don't measure up in her opinion, and she does not hold back on her opinions, which can be savage. This was an amazing book, highly reflective on not just her life but about the world around her.

Currently reading: The Future of the Mind, by Michio Kaku; Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus; and Akron's Daily Miracle, by Stuart Warner.

36. Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus. Read this for my book club. I can see why so much has been made of it. It's cliche but it will make you laugh and cry, sometimes within the same page. The book focuses on Elizabeth Zott, a smart, ambitious woman who lives in the 1960s, where brains in a woman aren't always valued, especially in her chosen field in the sciences. Scary thing is, while the book was set decades ago, too many of the issues Elizabeth deals with still resonates today. She contends with harassment (twice taken to brutal levels), theft of her work and the stigma of being an unwed single mother to a child who is beyond precocious. But Elizabeth holds her own through the power of her convictions and no-nonsense demeanor. The funniest moments, which make up half the book, is when she is coaxed into doing a televised cooking show, which mixes cooking with chemistry. Despite the reservations of some and the outrage of the producer, her unique approach winds up being a hit with the television audience � even when her uncompromising bluntness rubs some the wrong way.

37. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by Suzanne Collins. I read the initial trilogy ages ago and enjoyed it. So I was looking forward to this prequel set more than 60 years before the action of the original books, which centers on Coriolanus Snow, the main antagonist in the series. It did not disappoint. It's an interesting character study and origin story for the sinister and cunning Snow, who we see as a teen boy on the cusp of graduating and heading, he hopes, to the university and to bring the Snow family back to its glory days. The war referred to in the original books had just ended a decade ago, so there are many who still remember, including Snow, his grandmother and his older cousin Tigris (her appearance was a bit of a surprise). You see the sociopathy, but you also see a character who, at this age, may not be a lost cause. He's ambitious and coldly pragmatic, but he also cares deeply for his cousin and comes to fall for Lucy Gray, the District 12 tribute whom he has been assigned to mentor. Snow's family has hit on hard times, with the death of his parents and the devastation of the war. However, he's also attracted the attention of Dr. Gaul, the Head Gameskeeper who has no scruples, and Dean Highbottom, who seems to have a personal grudge against the 18-year-old Snow. It's hard to escape the comparisons between the Roman-style gladiator games and the Hunger Games in this prequel, especially when the characters residing in the Capital have Roman-inspired names. By the end, you can see that Snow has passed the point of no return, and how the Hunger Games as we see them with Katniss came to be.

Currently reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury, The Future of the Mind, by Michio Kaku, and Akron's Daily Miracle, by Sturt Warner.

38. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. I love the movie adaptation of this story and have wanted to read the novel for some time. It's definitely worth checking out. Bradbury does a good job of showing, not just telling, and creating a deliciously dark story without being overwhelming or resorting to gratuitous gore. Another feature I really liked is the father, Charles. Typically in a book where your main protagonists are minors, the adults are very much background characters- good mentors at best, worthless at worst. The father here is very much an active player. The two boys, Will and Jim, have their moments to shine but they know they can rely on Will's father to also lead the way when need be. It's also nice that Charles, too, learns and grows from when the mysterious and sinister circus comes to their quiet town. All this said- I found I preferred the movie. The biggest issue I had with the novel is that Bradbury used too many analogies that just didn't fit and were distracting. For example, describing something as being cold "as an albino frog." Huh?? It reminded me of those lists you sometimes see circulating around about high schoolers and their attempts at analogies and descriptions. It was distracting and took me out of the story.

Currently reading: The Future of the Mind, by Michio Kaku, and Akron's Daily Miracle, by Sturt Warner.

39. Sister of the Golden Circle. Amusing story. A young man gets two unexpected and unpleasant surprises on his honeymoon. One, he becomes the victim of mistaken identity. Two, his new wife goes along with it.

40. Ships. A chapter in a longer work "Cabbages and Kings." Two men help a third try to establish a shoe store (with ulterior motives of their own. But when sales threaten to slump, they concoct an underhanded plan to drive up sales.

41. Shearing the Wolf. Two grifters have made themselves at home in a friendly town. However, when a wealthy man looks like he is going to go for a scam, with the idea of exposing the scammers, the two try to stop him- one for an unexpected reason. Did NOT see that twist coming!

42. Rus in Urbe. Cute story, if predictable. Wasn't hard to see the ending. A man tries to throw off a colleague's entreaties to go to the camp for the summer. Eventually, he slips and is forced to confess why he'd rather stay in the city.

43. Round the Circle. Predictable, but still amusing. A sheep rancher sets off to visit another sheep rancher to purchase a ram. However, he gets lost on the way. While trying to find his way out of this precarious position, he starts thinking of the last, hard words he exchanged with his wife. And how boring it must be for her. And how he needed to be a better husband. These thoughts go round and round in his head... until he finds his way home and comes full circle.

44. Roses, Ruses and Romance. An older gentleman, who is a romantic, makes an unlikely friendship with a younger man of business. Then one day, the older man spies a lovely young woman in the house next to his, and seems to get promising signs of a mutual love.

45. Psyche and the Pskyscraper. Two young men vie for the affections of a lovely lass. One of them decides to take her to the heights of the city, with unexpected results. Unexpected and funny conclusion.

46. Proof of the Pudding. A man pleads his case for the quality of his novel to his publisher friend, asking for a chance to prove that the way he writes his characters and their reactions is realistic. When they go to find this proof, they both get the shock of their lives.

47. One Thousand Dollars. A young man inherits $1,000. His vexing dilemma is how to spend it. The result and aftermath are a nice twist.

The following are all O. Henry stories except where noted:

48. The Champion of The Weather. An amusing story about how one man is able to figure out about another man living in New York with only two words.

49. The Chair of Philanthromathematics. Two opportunity seekers and low-level grafters get a lucky strike and decide to start a free school. The story got a couple of chuckles out of me, as well as providing a bit of cynical food for thought.

50. The Call of the Tame. This was hilarious! A visitor to New York runs into an old friend, but to his dismay finds his friend has been citified by the comforts of the big metropolis. Reminded me a bit of Country Mouse, City Mouse.

51. The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock. Serious and moving. A young man anxiously awaiting an answer from his sweetheart runs into a man in the park claiming to be a prince in disguise. The meeting winds up being an unexpected boon.

52. The Caliph and the Cad. Cute story. A blue-collar man likes to dress to the nines in the evenings to mingle and learn about the upper crust. One night, he makes an interesting discovery about himself.

53. The Cactus. One of the sadder O. Henry stories I've read so far, although the narrator is a bit of a jerk and what happens is his fault. The man in the story reflects on how things went so wrong with his sweetheart. At the end, he finds out he didn't read the signs.

54. The Buyer from Cactus City. Not sure how I feel about this one, because the ending confused me. The senior co-owner of a popular goods store sends his junior partner to the big city to make some purchases to sell. The main supplier tries to wine and dine the younger man, who has never been to the city, with mixed results.

55. The Badge of Policeman O'Roon. Two military buddies reunite, and when one, now a mounted policeman, winds up getting too tipsy for duty one night, his friend trades places, with unexpected results.

56. The Adventures of Shamrock Jolnes. Obviously, a parody of Sherlock Holmes. I'm thinking O. Henry was a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle because of the many subtle (and not so subtle) nods, winks and pokes in this funny short story.

57. The Admiral. Another story connected to Cabbages and Kings. During a drunken cabinet meeting, the leadership of Anchuria decide as a sort of joke to appoint a man as admiral to their so-far nonexistent navy. The man they choose is, to put it politely, not very bright but is an experienced seaman who is completely fearless.

58. Telemachus, Friend. Two friends vying for the affections and hand of a lady agree that one will not woo without the presence of the other, so neither has unfair advantage. Their longtime friendship will be tested through courtship, engagement and the eventual wedding- although the lady is the most tested.

59. Suite Homes and Their Romance. One of O. Henry's funnier stories. A man suspects his wife has been indiscreet with the household income. However, he could have never guessed what she actually had been up to. The twist here is one of the best.

60. Squaring the Circle. Fun story, although I did see the ending coming. The last survivor of one family that had been part of a lethal feud finds out the last surviving member of the other family has moved to the big city, so he goes on a mission to execute this final nemesis. He quickly finds himself out of his depth.

61. The Crow, by James O'Barr. An incredible graphic novel, both raw and poetic. The movie starring the late Brandon Lee was based on this story. A man and his fiancée are killed by a ruthless gang after their car breaks down. He comes back to exact his revenge. The images are mostly black and white as well as halftones, appropriate to the stark world and the worldview of The Crow as he ruthlessly hunts down those who killed not only him but murdered his happiness.

Another batch of O. Henry stories:

62. The Diamond of Kali. I enjoyed it. Some terms haven't aged well and there are some liberties taken but this who story is so over the top zany it really doesn't matter. I can see this story polished up and tweaked as a short play.

63. The Detective Detector. A flip side story to Shamrock Jolnes, where the good doctor has a conversation with a cunning Moriarty-type figure. Absolutely hilarious.

64. The Day We Celebrate. Two friends, and American and a British try to make their way. They wind up in rough terrain after they leave a banana plantation and try to make their way back in town, which is celebrating an important holiday. Quite amusing, especially when they realize what holiday it is.

65. The Country of Elusion. An interesting commentary on freedom versus strict rules. Sometimes, in O. Henry's take, one can resemble the other. Here, a young woman wines and dines with her friends through the evening but then goes to her conservative parents in her equally conservative town- and seems more content there.

66. The Count and the Wedding Guest. A young woman catches the eye of a man. But she isn't everything that she seems, as the man comes to find out. The ending is quite funny. I guessed at part of it but the twist at the very end was amusing.

67. The Cop and the Anthem. I've read this before but it is worth re-reading. This is one of O. Henry's best-known and best. Here, Soapy is looking to get a three-month sentence in prison so he can avoid being exposed to the cold winter that is coming. Trouble is, no officer seems to want to arrest him.

68. The Complete Life of John Hopkins. "There is a saying that no man has tasted the full flavor of life until he has known poverty, love and war." This is the first sentence of the story. Quiet, unassuming John Hopkins, while on a simple errand for a cigar, winds up experiencing a taste of all three in one night. Quite funny!

69. The Coming-Out of Maggie. Funny, but uses terms that have not aged well. Didn't use this for my reading. Quiet wallflower Maggie excites everyone when she brings a beau to the dance hall one evening. She doesn't anticipate this raising the ire of some of the other men.

70. The Clarion Call. The ending made me laugh out loud. A criminal and a detective who share a common past history run into each other. The detective strongly suspects his friend of a murder but finds his hands are tied. However, the criminal gets a little too sure of himself, forcing the detective to find a creative solution to getting his suspect while keeping his honor intact.

71. The City of Dreadful Night. There's a poem of the same name by James Thomson, but I'm not sure there's a connection. In O. Henry's tale, people near Central Park are forced out of their homes to spend the night in the great outdoors of the park (possibly through a misunderstanding). The night proves to be a trial for the many families and individuals forced from the indoors to the more primitive outside. The ending results in even more consequences.

Another batch of O. Henry stories:

72. The Girl and the Graft. Possibly O. Henry's kindest take on women, although I hesitate to call it a feminist tale as I've seen others write. More a statement on the barriers women would have faced in the turn of the 20th century. Here, a friend of the narrator, a "classy" grifter, shares a tale about how what he calls a woman's nature led him to a not unsurprising conclusion.

73. The Fool-Killer. Another gem that made me laugh out loud. A man meets up with a longtime friend and artist, and he calls his friend a fool for abandoning his family (and family fortune) for love. The artist friend introduces the man, a writer, to absinthe. Suddenly, the writer sees a figure straight out of the southern tales he has been brought up on, a "fool-killer" who targets fools. I saw the ending coming, but it's still an amusing story.

74. The Flag Paramount. Another chapter in Of Cabbages and Kings. Probably one of the saddest stories I've read by O. Henry. The simple but dogged first admiral of Coralio comes across a man and his companions who are wanted for desertion. What happens is a battle between patriotism and cunning.

75. The Ferry of Unfulfillment. Cute story, but O. Henry's done this particular theme � misunderstanding leads to potential love thwarted � several times before. Here, a shop girl is heading towards a ferry so she can get home, when she catches the eye from a man who is visiting from Nome, who falls head over heals for her.

76. The Enchanted Profile. An older woman, who happens to be one of the wealthiest women in the world, is enchanted by a lovely young woman. The younger woman agrees to be the matron's companion and maid, but a buying spree by the millionairess leads to buyers remorse, and causes the younger woman to rethink the agreement. The ending made me chuckle.

77. The Duel. When one typically thinks of duels, images of swords or guns generally comes to mind. But what is depicted in this short is a duel of ideals between two friends. They had come to New York City from the west, eager to make their fortunes while not "selling out." One friend accuses his comrade that he has, indeed, become a part of the city and mulls whether to head back west.

The following are O. Henry short stories:

78. The Poet and the Peasant. Not sure I liked this one. Here, O. Henry combines two stories in one and (I think) tries to connect them through a lesson(?). Haven't decided if this was clever, or an attempt to be clever. Leaning towards the latter the more I think about it. One story is about an effort to trip up a local editor who rejected a poet's work as being too artificial. The other concerns a country fellow visiting Manhattan who is trying to make connections without success.

79. The Plutonian Fire. An editor is trying to help his friend come up with a successful piece to submit. A story about love. The results are not what he expects. Pretty funny and I like the ending, didn't see it coming.

80. The Pendulum. This one was OK, but I read another similar to it a month or two ago. Here, a man married for two years gets a shock when he finds his wife has gone to visit her sick mother, leaving him all alone for the first time in their two years and despondent. The ending was predictable.

81. The Octopus Marooned. Another tale featuring the hijinks of Jeff Peters and Andy Tucker. I'm really liking O. Henry's pair of n'er-do-wells. Here, the two decide to stop in a small town during a rainstorm. Andy notices something and the two decide to take their advantage in a clever scheme. Of course that scheme gets derailed- but not in a way I saw coming! Absolutely hilarious!

82. The Missing Chord. One of O. Henry's more serious short stories, but incredibly sweet. Here, a visitor at a modest home out in the country is surprised to hear sweet music playing from a piano in such an unlikely place. The owner of the house tells him the story behind it, and it's a touching tale.

83. The Marry Month of May. While O. Henry often writes about couples falling in love, this one is refreshing in that its two main protagonists are older. An old man has fallen for his servant but they both have an obstacle: his daughter. Funny story; while O. Henry frequently breaks the fourth wall, he really uses it well here.

84. The Making of a New Yorker. This is a love letter from O. Henry to New York City. A writer, who has traveled to many cities to get a feel for their personalities, has stepped into New York. For once his is flummoxed. He can't get a clear read of this metropolis and isn't even sure he likes the place. But then something happens and he sees the humanity under the steel and glass facade. Really like how O. Henry gives the various cities personalities, the descriptions are both amusing and accurate, from what I can tell.

85. The Lost Blend. Mildly amusing, although unlike fine wine, it hasn't aged well. Two men accidentally wind up making the perfect alcohol, and try to recreate the recipe.

86. The Last Leaf. I remember reading this in high school, and The Last Leaf is another favorite. O. Henry is known for his humor and twists, but this is certainly one of his more serious tales. Here, a young woman falls ill and is convinced she will die when the last leaf from a scraggly vine outside falls. Can her roommate convince her otherwise?

87. The Lady Higher Up. This tale needs to be better known. Here we get the point of view about New York from Lady Liberty herself while she talks to another statue. Funny but sweet, and I love how it ends.

88. The Indian Summer of Dry Valley Johnson. Didn't care for this story. One, there are terms that haven't aged well. Two, while when this was written, age differences of 15, 20, even 25 years or more weren't uncommon between couples, the overnight relationship that developed here came off as squicky. Here, an older man, semi-retired, has dedicated his life to his strawberry gardens. One day, while chasing away some marauding neighborhood kids, he falls for the oldest sibling, who is 19.

89. The Higher Pragmatism. One of O. Henry's more insightful stories. Here, a young man runs across a homeless man at the park. The young lad is interested in hearing the older man's story but winds up sharing as much information about himself-- and learning something about himself in the process. Also, there's a heavy theme of things happening for a reason.

90. The Harbinger. Did not like this one. In fact, this is one of my least favorite stories so far. O. Henry's stories that have women in them tend to be a bit misogynistic but this one was on a level that was off-putting. A shifty group of men realizes the wife of one has a whole dollar that she earned. They want the husband to get that dollar, and at any cost (including beating her up...ugh). They want to go drinking on that dollar. Now, the husband does not do anything that drastic and in fact winds up staying with his wife for the night. But the recurring thread that he could made me cringe.

91. The Hand That Riles the World. Our intrepid unheroes Jeff Peters and Andy Tucker go to Washington D.C. to help a friend get a much-coveted federal post. This is actually a pretty honest job for the grifters (in fact, their commentary on D.C. is funny). Of course, it doesn't go according to plan but to say much more would give away the fun twists.

92. The Halberdier of the Little Rhinschloss. When the owner of a German-themed restaurant decides he wants to hire someone to wear armor he had assembled and play the role of halberdier, he finds an unlikely but perfect candidate. The Halberdier is put to the test one night when a group coming to the restaurant recognize him. This was a fun story, even if I did see the ending coming.

93. The Green Door. One of O. Henry's better known and better-written tales (although warning- some words and phrases have not aged well). Here, an adventurous man is given a business card with three words "The Green Door." This card takes him on an unexpected journey.

94. The Girl and the Habit. This was hilarious! A young woman, who has worked for years as the cashier at a popular restaurant, is informally adopted by an older, wealthy couple and given the best in education and training. However, some habits die hard, as she finds out to her chagrin.

And now for the two that are NOT by O. Henry

95. The Future of the Mind, by Michio Kaku. A very dense read, but worthwhile. Here, Kaku goes into the technology that is already out there to improvements that are possible when it comes to dealing with the brain, with mental disorders and even with AI. This book was published in 2014, so I'm curious to see if there's an update. What technologies are measuring up to their potential? Which ones had to be scrapped? I was astounded at what can already be done, such as recording simple thoughts. Kaku brings up the possibilities � and the potential dangers � of technology and the mind.

96. Akron's Daily Miracle, by Stuart Warner and Deb Van Tassel Warner. This is a collection of essays from former Akron Beacon Journal staff (plus material from former staff of a local radio station and the former local television station.) This is not going to be an unbiased review since I know (or at least know of) most of the people who wrote columns for this collection. It's a bittersweet read. One, you get a look at what used to be versus how things are now. Reading about what newspapers used to be able to do and the staff that used to run the paper is depressing. Also, several of the writers here have since died- one of them, Art Krummel, died earlier this year. I've known him and his wife Char for several years. I've also worked with a couple of the writers (albeit only briefly). This is a wonderful and unique perspective of Akron's history from some of the area's best storytellers, people who often had a front-row seat in covering the major events in Akron (and even beyond). My overwhelming thought reading this was that if someone is putting together a time capsule, this book needs to be included. The overarching book tells the history of the Beacon Journal, from its days when it was owned by the Knights to the present day. I do like the addition of information regarding the now lost radio station and local television station. It was also a trip down memory lane for me- I recall a lot of the signature pieces and work when it first came out, such as A Question of Color. Anyone interested in Akron's local history should get this book.

97. The Ransom of Red Chief. I've read this one a few times, and am reading it as a part of my audio readings. Some might say it's a bit dated but it's still fun and hilarious. Two grifters decide that an easy way to make money would be to kidnap the son of a wealthy man. They get more than they bargained for.

98. The Ransom of Mack. It's a shame this short story isn't better known. I can see this adapted as a short play or short film. It's really funny! Here, two friends decide to settle in a cozy cabin and enjoy the spoils of their "labor." But one friend decides to intervene when he hears the other man is going to marry.

99. The Purple Dress. An amusing tale of two women who vie for the attentions for an eligible and eccentric bachelor. The friendly competition has one wishing to sport a red dress, one a purple one.

100. The Proem, by the Carpenter. This serves as the preface to Cabbages and Kings, and nods heavily to where O. Henry's tale got its name.

101. The Prisoner of Zembla. This tale starts out like a typical fairy tale: angry king is determined to marry off his daughter, but the princess loves a poor student. It ends the way you think it will... until it doesn't. Ending is amusing.

102. The Princess and the Puma. Another O. Henry story that should be better known. Here, a rancher spies a lovely woman at a watering hole � and a puma hidden in the grasses, ready to attack. What follows is an unlikely start of a possible romance.

103. The Pride of the Cities. This was an odd tale. A New Yorker, in the city at a time when most are on vacation, winds up striking a conversation with someone who is visiting from the west. Or, they try to talk but they more talk over each other, and one-up each other, on the benefits of their cherished home town. Mildly amusing but not a favorite, personally. Went on a bit long.

All by O. Henry

104. The Sleuths. This one is hilarious! We see Shamrock Jolnes again, this time as he assists a man who is looking for his sister. Or, at least he tries to help, but another sleuth is called in to assist. Definitely ribbing Conan Doyle with this one.

105. The Skylight Room. I remember reading this in either middle or high school. I recall really liking this story at that time, and I do still enjoy the ending. But overall, reading this with more adult eyes, I realize this story really has not aged well in a couple respects. I now only consider it meh.

106. The Shocks of Doom. One of O. Henry's more mediocre stories. One, too much of the plot twist is given away too early. Also, the ending just didn't work for me. The rapport between the two main characters � one recently made homeless and someone who had been on the streets for a while -- was good, even sweet. But the reader already has an idea on how it's going to very early on. Meh.

107. The Rubber Plant's Story. I really enjoyed this story, told from the point of view of a rubber plant. We follow it's travels as a young plant in a pony circus to a young woman's flat. Very funny tale!

108. The Rubaiyat of a Scotch Highball. An enjoyable story, even if some terms may not have aged too well. The story follows a young man who decides to cut out alcohol after overhearing a snide remark from a colleague. His wife is not entirely on board but the way they reconnect is sweet (even if it is misunderstood by their landlady). Do wonder how much of O. Henry was in the fictional man; the author struggled with alcoholism and drinking in excess contributed to his early death.

109. The Romance of a Busy Broker. Interesting tale- it's told through the eyes of an onlooker, a worker at a brokerage firm observing the behavior of his boss and his secretary. The whirlwind of activity is high, with an added dose of office intrigue. Also- the ending surprised me, didn't see it coming. Made me laugh out loud.

110. The Robe of Peace. Really, really funny. Hard to give out much of the plot without giving away spoilers. Two men find their mutual friend by accident and the most unlikely place. His reasons for being there are even more incredible. The ending had me cracking up.

111. The Roads We Take. Ick. Didn't care for this one at all. It hasn't aged well and the ending just didn't work for me. Here, a group of desperados plan a heist, but nothing goes right.

112. The Remnants of the Code. A chapter from Of Cabbages and Kings. The town drunk has hit rock bottom and decides to use a hidden ace to blackmail a respected wealthy man. Will his code of honor, however, work for or against him?

113. The Reformation of Calliope. An OK story with a sweet ending but I've seen a similar plot in at least one other O. Henry tale, and done better. Here, Calliope has gone on yet another rampage, but this time the marshal has rounded up some men to put a permanent end to his wild behavior. The final standoff at the railway station holds an unexpected surprise. I do wonder how much of Calliope is O. Henry writing about his own struggles and hopes for forgiveness. I did have to read the ending twice to figure out just what happened.

114. The Red Roses of Tonia. Easter is fast approaching, but Tonia doesn't have her coveted Easter bonnet because the train delivering it to her has broken down. Two gentlemen dash off to find a suitable substitute hat at a store across town, each hoping to best the other in finding a hat � and a place at Tonia's side. The ending is rather different. Amusing story, especially liked the exchanges between the two suiters.

115. The Rathskeller and the Rose. In this tale, a young man covets the part of the lead in a new play, where he will be alongside a pretty and popular actress. But in order to win her opinion, he has to show her that he can play someone from the country-- which is something the actress would know about from first-hand experience. The ending was predictable but amusing.

116. Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe, by Mark Dawidziak. I remember reading a lot of Poe's works in middle and high school, and have even read several of his stories and poems for my online readings. But until I read this excellent book, I didn't realize how little I knew about Poe himself. Really, I knew next to nothing about this mysterious and often misunderstood author of such tales as "Fall of the House of Usher" and "William Williams." I would recommend this book for any Edgar Allan Poe fan. What's more, it should be offered in middle and high schools for a couple of reasons. One, to teach about an author preteens and teens usually like. But another reason is Dawidziak's book goes through many of the erroneous beliefs about Poe and dissects them, laying out the fallacies and how critical it is to evaluate source materials for bias. The author especially concentrates on the mysterious circumstances of Poe's death, a mystery that remains unsolved even now and will probably remain unknown. There are many, many (many) speculations and theories about how Poe met his end at age 40, with some ideas more credible than others. Dawidziak � and his many sources � go through several, ranging from almost certainly NOT the cause of death (rabies) to the most likely (which I'd never heard or read anyone else mention but honestly makes a lot of sense. Read the book for what that is). The book doesn't just focus on Poe's death, but his vibrant and active life. A lot of myths get exploded in "Mystery of Mysteries." Only quibble is sometimes the way the book is setup-- with alternating chapters between the time shortly before his death and his life leading up to that point � was a bit jarring, especially towards the end. But this is a minor nit. I highly recommend this not just for the incredible research on Poe, but as an example of the importance of evaluating and considering sources.

The other stories here are all by O. Henry:

117. Tictocq. A silly short story that is obviously a spoof on Agatha Christie's Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Here, Tictocq, who is in Austin on business from the French government, is asked to intercede in the theft of what is considered to be a critical item from a political candidate. Far more barbed than the Shamrock Jolnes stories.

118. The Whirligig of Life. An OK short story, not one of O. Henry's best. Here, in a remote Tennessee town, a married couple asks a local judge to divorce them. The following actions are predictable but sort-of sweet.

119. The Voice of the City. The theme of "trying to catch the character of a place" is a common one for O. Henry, but each story goes about it in a different way, and so far each take I've read is masterfully done, including this one. Here, a young man tries to ask various residents of New York City what this metropolis would sound like if it could speak. The answers he gets vary wildly. Didn't see his conclusion coming but it was satisfying.

120. The Unknown Quantity. For the most part, I really liked this short story, arguably one of O. Henry's most thought-provoking. Only thing that really didn't fit was the beginning paragraphs about Algebra, that was a bit clunky. But the rest follows two young men: a man from a wealthy family and a man from a working class family. When the rich man's father dies and he realizes how his dad got his fortune, the son wants to make amends. He asks his dear friend, who comes from a family of watch-makers and repairers, how he can repair the past damage done by his father's underhandedness and greed. The friend, indulging in a bit of schadenfreude, goes into why his young and rich friend can't undo the harm. However, O. Henry not only hints at a bit of hypocrisy in the watch-maker, but in trying to prove his point the working class friend winds up helping his rich friend accomplish his goal in an unexpected way.

121. The Thing's The Play. A man is invited by a writer friend to see a concert. During the intermission the writer complains about the difficulty of a recent assignment to find the humor in the situation he had encountered as his editor had requested. The man listens and proceeds to tell his writer friend how the story could have been written with a humorous bent- and is surprised when the writer fails to see the laughs. A good illustration on how humor is relative.

122. The Theory and the Hound. A law official is sent to a remote town to arrest a man. There are several problems: He has never seen this man, only heard a description, which fits two men in this town. Also, the suspect � wanted in murdering his wife � is going by another name. He tests out a theory to great success to make the arrest. I actually liked the story until the very end, which uncovered the theory in question. Ugh. It didn't sit well with me, especially since real life indicates otherwise.

123. The Tale of a Tainted Tenner. I remember reading this in high school and enjoying it. Enjoyed the re-read but couldn't help thinking the ending fell a bit flat, as if O. Henry wasn't sure how it should end. Still, aside from that, it's still an entertaining short story from the point of view of a 10-dollar bill.

124. The Sparrows in Madison Square. Definitely one of O. Henry's darker comedies. This twisted tale follows the adventures of a young man who wants to make his mark as a writer, and he's sure he has the recipe for instant success and easy cash. The story takes a dark turn when his dream doesn't materialize and he blames his former inspiration � the little sparrows in the park. It gets really dark from there. The ending is funny in a macabre sort of way.

125. The Song and the Sergeant. A half dozen people find themselves kicked out of a fancy restaurant and before a desk sergeant after quarreling too loudly in the high-class eatery. The sergeant is determined to figure out the story behind the squabbling and accusations. The story's ending is predictable but the tale is still sweet.

126. The Social Triangle. The general overall story is predictable but still enjoyable. Here, a man from the lower rungs of society finds the courage to shake hands with his hero, a successful district leader. The leader, himself inspired by the encounter, finds the courage to approach a wealthy businessman about helping out the neighborhood. The wealthy man, looking for purpose, tours the neighborhood in question and finds new life for himself as he realizes the good he can do, including to one man he talks to- the first man the reader meets.

127. The Story of An Hour, by Kate Chopin. I was reading a bit about the reactions to this story when it first came out in 1894, it was met with some controversy. I can see why. Indeed, I can see it raising some eyebrows even today. Interesting sidenote, the original title was The Dream of An Hour. Interesting change. At any rate, a young woman has just been told that her husband has died. Her reaction is not what one might expect. It is well-written, and keeps you guessing as to what direction the story will go.

128. Eve's Diary, by Mark Twain. I read this, considering it for my online readings. I'm glad I read the whole thing first. The first three-quarters I really enjoyed. The shortish story is mostly told from Eve's view, and it's whimsical and humorous. It's the last bit that made me cringe. This story's conclusion did not age well. I guess, typing out loud, the ending could be seen as an exaggeration, too. Maybe it should have been interpreted that way, as her thoughts being ridiculous and over the top? That would be like Twain. Now that I'm writing this, I may have to think it over.

129. A Dark Brown Dog, by Stephen Crane. On the surface, this reads like a sinister version of the "boy and his dog" story. That's dark enough. But when you read this as an allegory to the Civil War and slavery, that's a whole other level of bleak. It's well written, to be sure. The message can't be missed, and the story is heart-breaking. I do recommend it- but follow it with a comic chaser. There's a lot of emotion packed in a short tale.

130. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, by Ambrose Bierce. A Confederate sympathizer faces the noose after he tries to sabotage a bridge used by the Federal Army. He dreams of escape. The resulting tale has a bit of a twist at the end. While the ending might seem old hat now, it was novel when this was published.

131. Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein. If you are a fan of World War II historical fiction, read this. This is an amazing and detailed story focusing on two young women who meet during the war, their friendship and the perils they face when a mission goes awry. The first two-thirds is told from one point of view, the remaining third from the other. It's hard to tell who the narrator is in the first part- which I liked because it keeps you guessing how much she is sharing the truth. There's so, so many layers of subterfuge, sleight of hand and intrigue in this quick read (I finished it in three days). Some parts of tough to read emotionally, especially the descriptions of torture. Then again- those descriptions are honest. A good book for teens wanting to know more about this part of history (with the understanding that some liberties were taken, these didn't bother me because the story felt plausible) and for those who love a good, suspenseful story.

132. The Eyes Have It, by Philip K. Dick. This was a hilarious short story! The narrator is reading a book he found, and winds up taking it a little too literally. It can also be seen as a poke at some of our turns of phrase. Either way, it made me laugh. I had fun reading it for my online reading.

133. Witches' Loaves, by O. Henry. This short story, while amusing at first, has a twist that's actually quite sad. It's a tale of a middle-aged baker, her distinguished customer, and the perils of jumping to wrong conclusions. In this narrative, the result of the erroneous assumptions is nothing short of disastrous. I do like the story, title is in poor taste, though.

134. While the Auto Waits, by O. Henry. O. Henry is known for his twists, but what I liked about this one is that there are hints to the twist throughout this story. It's worth a read- and a reread. Here, a young woman imperiously tells a young, modest-looking man about the boredom she feels with her wealth.

135. Ulysses and the Dogman, by O. Henry. This is somewhat similar to another O. Henry short story (that one told from the dog's point of view). That story was amusing, misogyny aside. This one, not sure how I feel about it. OK, that's not true. I didn't care for it. The positives is that the beginning paragraphs and the descriptions of the men consigned to walking the family dog are hilarious. But it sort of devolves into the two main characters bar-hopping and getting drunk, and I really hated the ending.

136. Transients in Arcadia, by O. Henry. This was a charming tale, perhaps a bit predictable, but lovely all the same. A young man and young woman meet at an establishment that's considered the area's "best kept secret." They get to enjoy each other's company, but at the end, the reader discovers they haven't been forthright with each other.

137. Tracked to Doom, by O. Henry. After reading this, I'm convinced that O. Henry really did not like Agatha Christie's stories. While his parodies on Sherlock Holmes are funny, this- where once again we meet French detective Tictocq � is rather mean-spirited. Also, there's some phrases that haven't aged well. Didn't care for this one. Here, Tictocq is called upon to solve a murder-- and he basically flubs every hint and clue.

138. Tommy's Burgler, by O. Henry. This was cute and funny. A burgler is interrupted during his theft attempts by a sweet and precocious boy. The resulting exchange brings some surprises. Reminded me a bit of Six Characters in Search of an Author- except a lot funnier and sweeter.

139. To Him That Waits, by O. Henry. In this story, which centers on a reclusive hermit who has shut himself from the world after a romance turned to disaster, O. Henry turns the phrase "good things come to those who wait" on its head. The hermit is tempted to rejoin society after his heart is won again by a vacationing woman. Will he be able to leave his secluded life?

Currently reading: First They Killed My Father, by Loung Ung, and The Hard Way on Purpose, by David Giffels.

140. First They Killed My Father, by Loung Ung. I remember watching the documentary based on this autobiography about four years ago, so I knew I was in for an intense story. Ung writes about her tumultuous childhood in Cambodia, and when the Khmer Rouge took over. She was only 5 years old when her family � her parents, her six siblings and she were uprooted from their comfortable middle-class life to becoming refugees on the run. Ung describes weeks of starving when food rations were low, of being recruited to a camp that trained soldiers when she wasn't even 8, and the constant violence and threats she had to navigate. I read that around 2 million were killed during this period. That's horrible enough, but when you are talking about a country where the population was only around 7 million... I have no words. I was moved to tears more than once, and now want to check out her second novel, which focuses on her life in the United States. It's a tough read emotionally, but Ung's story needs to be heard.

141. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, by Mark Twain. I remember reading this when I was in elementary school and didn't really care for it. I didn't understand why it was considered funny. As an adult, I can appreciate the humor more. This is a story within a story (I note this is a common writing style for this time period), where the narrator reluctantly listens to a long, drawn-out tale while he is looking for information on someone.

142. The Minister's Black Veil, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne is an underrated author, with a talent for writing creepy stories. Here, the local minister shows up one day wearing a piece of black crepe over much of his face. This accessory elicits a horrified reaction from the townspeople. Why he has done this is not revealed until the end, and the reason is unsettling.

143. My Kinsman, Major Molineux, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A young man named Robin travels to Boston, to look for his prestigious relative Major Molineux in hopes of getting a head start on life. However, his is puzzled and dismayed when many of the townspeople give him the cold shoulder at his queries about where Molineux lives. An excellent short story that keeps you guessing until the end, even with hints throughout.

144. A Horseman in the Sky, by Ambrose Bierce. This tale, set during the Civil War, follows a young soldier, who signed for the Union army despite hailing from Virginia. One day, while on watch duty, he is faced with a difficult choice when he sees a Confederate soldier perilously close to the hidden Union camp. An amazing short story, with a gut punch revelation at the end.

145. Regret, by Kate Chopin. A well-told story, although the ending might not sit well in today's world (personally, I think it can be read a couple different ways). Here, a single, middle-aged woman finds herself reluctantly watching the children for a frantic neighboring mother, who must travel for a family emergency. At first the woman struggles, then adapts, then even begins to enjoy spending time with her charges. When the mother returns, the woman barely has time to register her feelings before the children go back home.

146. The Luck of Roaring Camp, by Bret Harte. This story put me in mind of Little Miss Marker by Damon Runyon or Tokyo Godfathers. It's a bittersweet story, although it does have terms and attitudes that haven't aged well. In the tale, a woman has died giving birth to a baby boy in a mining town full of men. The men decide to take on the care of the baby, and the whole camp transforms for the better. The ending is rather dark, though.

147. The Purloined Letter, by Edgar Allan Poe. An interesting mystery, and the idea of the setup was novel for its time. Basically, a letter is stolen, and the thief is known. But now the police need to retrieve that letter. Problem is, they can't find it so the prefect turns to Dupin for help. It's a bit slow and meandering in the middle but a good tale overall from the man who basically invented the mystery genre as we know it.

148. Bartleby the Scrivener, by Herman Melville. I wasn't sure I was going to like this one, because I could not get through Melville's Moby Dick, even though I really wanted to like his magnum opus. But this longer short story was a treat that could provoke interesting deliberations. A lawyer in a prosperous office hires a scrivener, or someone who writes out copies of cases. The scrivener, Bartleby, is a puzzle from the start but at first proves to be a diligent worker. But over time, Bartleby stops doing his work, and in such a passive manner the boss isn't sure how to handle it. The ending is rather sad but there are so many questions: why did Bartleby decide to stage this revolt? Was anyone at fault.

149. An Angel in Disguise, by T.S. Arthur. This one did not age well. The mother of several children has died (and is not seen kindly by the neighbors, who I get the impression never tried to help). Her healthy children go off to homes where they can be made useful and put to work, but no one knows what to do with the one sickly child, and the neighbors debate whether to dump her off at the local poor house. It comes off as ableist and "inspiration porn," not to mention the issues of forced child labor, and the fact that the other children were adopted because they could be used for labor.

150. Killers of a Certain Age, by Deanna Raybourn. Funny story- when I went to go pick up my copy at the library, I was told I was the third person to pick up this book that day. I can see why- it's great! Fantastic summer read, with a good blend of humor (I lost it with the French poodle app icon and message) and action. I am so, so hoping a good director/producer team picks this up and turns this into a movie. Oh please let this happen. In this story, four women who have been working for 40 years as trained assassins are all retiring, with the agency pitching in for a celebratory cruise. They quickly find out that they themselves have been marked for death, and have to figure out who and why. Who is unveiled quickly, but all the pieces of why left me guessing to the end. A fun and funny book, loved it!

151. The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by Edgar Allan Poe. I remember reading this in either middle or high school, so I do recall the conclusion. Still, it was worth a re-read. The story meanders a bit but it is an interesting look at what launched the modern detective story. Here, the reader first meets Dupin, a well read and observant man who manages to piece together clues that have alluded the police after a horrific double murder.

152. A Jury of Her Peers, by Susan Glaspell. This is a Glaspell's short story adaptation of her own one-act play Trifles. If you've read that, this story follows the same plot and sequence and has the same characters, just in short story form. For those who are not familiar with either work, a woman is accused of murdering her husband. Her story is paper thin, but the men in the story � the sheriff, the county attorney and the man who found the husband's body � are trying to figure out a motive for the killing. The sheriff's wife and neighbor's wife, are the primary focus. As they gather things to take to the imprisoned women, their concerns over what the men dismiss as "women's matters" leads them to discover a critical clue. This is a well-written, tight story, with excellent contrasts between the men and their short-sightedness and the women who are ignored.

153. The Mystery of Marie Roget, by Edgar Allan Poe. This short story is the second detective mystery that Poe wrote, and a sequel to The Murders in the Rue Morgue. It's based on a real-life murder (I think this may be the first fictional mystery based on a real case). His three mysteries are a good study on how the genre of the murder mystery started and the tropes you see even now: the brilliant but often eccentric detective, his loyal sidekick, the frazzled and sometimes bumbling policing agency, the need to look for clues to piece together whodunit. So from that angle, the academic one, this story is worth a look. But as a story itself it is really frustrating and it's the weakest of the three. It's a shame because Marie Roget starts out the strongest of Poe's mysteries. But it is so repetitive. Many of the same clues are repeated, at length, at least three times, and the ending is less than satisfactory (and I'm putting that nicely). There are some funny lines, mostly from Poe's detective Dupin, but overall the story is too long, too repetitive and the ending just falls flat. The weak ending might be because the actual case this was based on was never resolved. Still, I have a hard time imagining anyone beyond a die-hard Poe fan and/or mystery fans enjoying it.

154. Thunderstruck, by Erik Larson. Larson again proves why he is considered one of the best history writers out there. This book follows two stories. The first is Guglielmo Marconi, a young man from a privileged family who is fascinated by electromagnetic waves and sets out to create a system of wireless communication. This journey itself is a fascinating one- Marconi is brilliant and dogged but is hampered by several factors. One, he was constantly seen as an Italian "foreigner," and as someone who didn't even have a science degree. There were times he wound up being his own worst enemy as well. He obviously does succeed, and his invention leads to people being able to send messages from across the globe in a matter of minutes. His invention first found success on ships, where captains could communicate with other ships, with ports, and even send out distress calls. One way it was used was to help police find and arrest a killer- and that's the second story. Hawley Crippen was licensed as a doctor but most of his life was spent more in the sales business (mostly in snake oil). Crippen murdered his wife and tried to flee to America with his mistress, but the sharp-eyed Captain of The Montrose, the ship they tried to escape on, started to piece together that this "man and his son" were likely the couple the police in London were looking for. Excellent read, can't recommend it highly enough. I found it hard to put down.

155. Red Stockings, by Louisa May Alcott. Meant to include this in the last roundup. Fans of Alcott's work will most likely enjoy this short story. Some of the rationales involving the two main characters gets a bit convoluted at times but I did like the humor. This story is also not as preachy as some of Alcott's stories can be. Here, a young man visiting with his sister falls for a young lady who likes slightly eccentric fashion (including her red stockings) and long, brisk walks. She introduces him to the ideas of true charity and feeling � but he teaches her a few lessons as well.

Currently reading: The Hard Way on Purpose, by David Giffels, and Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

156. Dracula, by Bram Stoker. This is actually a re-read for me � I've read this a couple of times. I've been reading it as a part of my annual "spooky reads." This is the longest work I've tackled. Glad to read it again- I've picked up on things I'd either forgotten about or just didn't notice. One thing I've observed is how tight the writing is � a big complaint about most classics is that they tend to meander and drag out far longer than necessary. Stoker does not do this � from the first couple pages there's the feeling of suspense. Also, I forgot how much humor there was in the story � yes, there are some funny moments and observations.

157. Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. This. Is. Hilarious. Fans of either author need to read this collaboration. The general premise is an angel and a demon have become unlikely friends while they do their respective jobs on Earth. When they get word that the apocalypse is coming, Aziraphale, the angel, and Crowley, the demon, realize they rather like Earth and its people, and don't want to see things end. They work together to make sure the end of the world never comes. The story is full of dry humor, keen observations and surprises.

158. Bearskin, by the Brothers Grimm. Thinking of tackling the Grimm Brothers stories as a part of my next reading series. This is one of the darker tales, and rather unusual. Here, a soldier returning home from war realizes there's no place for him. He runs into a being who turns out to be a devil, who is impressed with the soldier's courage. The devil promises to make the soldier rich if he refrains from bathing, cutting his nails, trimming his hair and praying for seven years � if he survives. A minor spoiler-- this may be the first story I've read where both the bargainer and the devil walk away happy.

159. On the Gull's Road, by Willa Cather. A sweet, sad tale of a young man who falls in love with a woman while he is on a cruise ship. There are two issues: she is married, and she has a serious illness. The short story follows the course of their relationship and its inevitable end.

Currently reading: About Your Father, by Peggy Rowe, and The Hard Way on Purpose, by David Giffels.

160. About Your Father and Other Celebrities, by Peggy Rowe. Peggy Rowe is the mother of Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs, among many other television credits). Fans of Erma Bombeck's style of writing will love this collection of stories about the Rowe family. Rowe has a droll writing style and she shares some wonderful stories about her, her husband and their children. My favorite was a tale from when she was young and was asked by her father about her and her friends riding their horses in the local parade � that story had me laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face, and I even had to put the book down for several minutes. I took riding lessons for many years and know a thing or two about horses, so I just knew (generally speaking) how this was going to go. This book was a treat and left me smiling.

161. The Rose Code, by Kate Quinn. I kept hearing from my friends how good this book was and wow, it did not disappoint. I'm hearing there may be a television series? I hope so. At any rate, this is a work of historical fiction- but with a LOT of history. I'd advise reading the author's notes at the end to appreciate how much is pulled from what actually happened. This story follows three young women who wind up working at the famed Bletchley Park, where many of the top minds worked to break the various secret codes, including the infamous Enigma Code, during World War II. The three � which includes the wealthy and confident Osla, who is dating a Greek prince; the tall and proud Mab, who is looking for a better life and a good husband; and the shy and awkward Beth, who happens to be really good at puzzles. However, a traitor at BP coupled with a horrific event shatters their friendship. The story goes back and forth between the period of the war and to 1947, after the war and right before the wedding of Princess (later Queen) Elizabeth and Prince Philip, when the three must reunite to solve one final code. This was a wonderfully crafted story, with each character's story unfolding like, well, the petals of a rose. Highly recommend this one to history fans and anyone who likes a well-paced mystery.

162. Cinderella, by the Grimm Brothers. This might be a re-read, I'm not sure. I've read a LOT of variations on the Cinderella story. Indeed, I'm convinced most countries have their own variation on the tale of a young and beautiful maid who is treated poorly by her stepmother and stepsisters, and is forced to do all of the household work. That part holds true in this tale; her father remarries a few months after her mother dies. What's interesting is that the father is still alive, but doesn't stand up for his daughter. Yikes! There's no fairy godmother, per se, more the spirit of Cinderella's mother who sends help through birds. No glass slippers or pumpkin coaches, either. It does end in Grimm fashion, with the stepsisters getting a dose of vengeance. Nothing on the stepmother, though. All in all an interesting take on a well-known tale.

163. Cat and Mouse in Partnership, by the Grimm Brothers. I think I've either read or seen a short animation based on this story. Here, a cat and mouse decide that because they get on so well, they decide to set up house together to help each other out. One thing Cat does is secure a large pot of fat for use during the bitter cold winter, when other food is hard to get. However, Cat is obsessed with this pot of fat and invents stories so she can have some of the fat herself. The ending may come as a shock to those expecting the wrong-doer to get justice or to learn a lesson. However, it is an honest conclusion.

164. Brother Lustig, by the Grimm Brothers. I've never read this one before, and it's quite different from most tales along this line. It kind of strikes me as bits and pieces of other stories, cobbled together. Brother Lustig is a soldier who has just been discharged from service with a chunk of bread and four coins. On his way across the country, he encounters three beggars total (who are really St. Peter in disguise). Lustig gives away a portion of his bread and a coin to the first two beggars but eats the final portion himself, and spends his last coin on beer, so when he encounters St. Peter in disguise again, he has nothing to give. St. Peter and the soldier wind up traveling together (my one complaint about this story is it's never clear when Lustig figures out that he is travelling with a saint). Lustig's actions are not saintlike but what's interesting is that his thoughts and deeds are understandable. He's not entirely good, he's not entirely bad. He's not a Stingy Jack, but he's not a typical fairytale hero, either. He's human. Clever and pragmatic are probably the best words to describe him. I found that a refreshing change.

165. Little Briar-Rose, by the Grimm Brothers. I think I've read this before but it's been a while. This is the Grimm Brothers' take on Sleeping Beauty. Here, the king and queen have a long-awaited daughter, but only invite 12 of the 13 mystical Wise Women to the party honoring the infant princess. The 13th, jealous of not receiving an invite, puts a curse on the baby, but it is partially negated through the blessing of the 12th Wise Woman, who had not bestowed her gifts yet. Of course, the curse happens, and the kingdom's people fall asleep as well as the princess, and a huge wall of thorny buses grows around the kingdom. Finally, when the spell is due to be broken, a prince comes and saves the day. While dark (of course), I've actually read darker.

166. Letters from an Astrophysicist, by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. This is a collection of letters, emails and other correspondence to and from Tyson, well-known astrophysicist who frequently gives talks about the universe and cosmos. These notes range from sweet (one of my favorites was from a first-grader who wanted to become an astrophysicist) to vitriolic. Tyson handles them with a usually gentle but firm and no-nonsense style. His writing style, like his speaking style, is easy to follow and down to Earth (I had to say it). Really enjoyable read. His essays on what he saw on September 11 were well-written but made me tear up. He and his family at the time only lived four blocks from the Twin Towers, so he had an all-too close first-hand view of what happened.

Currently reading, The Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturlson

167. Donkey Cabbages. I think I've read this one before. A hunter shows kindness to an old woman, who returns the favor by telling him about an old cloak and a bird's heart. These lead him to prosperity, and he decides to see the world. While traveling, he finds a huge castle where an old witch and her daughter live. Under pressure from her mother, the daughter woos the hunter and cheats him out of the heart and the cloak. However, a chance find in a field of cabbages gives the hunter an opportunity for revenge. Interesting tale with the typical morale most would expect from a fairy and folk tale.

168. Death's Messengers. This was different. You don't often read tales about Death actually losing a fight (although it's not unheard of), but when the story opens Death encounters a giant and loses badly. A young man takes pity on Death and helps him regain his composure. In return, Death tells the young man that his life will not be taken until Death's messengers come first to warn him.

169. Clever Elsie. Not sure how I feel about this one. Here, a vain cook for a family has been tasked to cook two chickens. However, when the master is delayed in bringing his guest, Elsie makes excuses as to why it wouldn't hurt to sample... and sample... and sample the two delicious birds. Her way out of it avoids trouble for her, but parents reading this to their children may question the moral lesson.

Unless otherwise noted, these are all Grimm Brothers tales:
170. Thankful, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. A sweet if dated story. Could be good to read to younger kids but might not resonate with older kids. Here, two girls make a bet � whose family turkey is heavier? One bets her cherish doll, the other her workbox. They both learn lessons on the foolishness of their actions.
171. Fitcher's Bird. A rather different take on the Bluebeard tale, with a couple twists. The heroine and her family work together to thwart a rather shady and seedy old man who makes girls "disappear." Interesting tale.
172. Ferdinand the Faithful. A teen comes into an odd inheritance from his impoverished godfather on his 14th birthday. With his gift, a white horse, and his penchant for kindness, he travels the world and is in the end rewarded. I enjoyed this tale, which was a new one for me.
173. Faithful John. A dying king charges his most faithful servant for taking care of and advising his young son, who becomes king once the old king has passed away. Faithful John finds himself challenged as the young king wants passionately to do the one thing the old king did NOT want to do, and the trustworthy servant finds me must risk his life to keep his promise. I enjoyed this story, the moral is predictable but the path is not. Part of the ending is a bit eyebrow-raising, though.
174. Eve's Various Children. Didn't care for this one, it did not age well. Here, Eve has the opportunity for her children to receive blessings from God, but ... she at first only shows God her "pretty" children and hides the less fortunate and dirty children away. The morale is questionable- the attractive children have higher status, and it's strongly implied they are all boys. The lower but less powerful positions go to the "ugly" children- again implying in most of the cases they are boys.

Unless otherwise noted, these are all Brothers Grimm tales.

175. Hans in Luck. An amusing short story about a young man named Hans, who has just completed his apprenticeship and is eager to go home to see his mother. He is given a large lump of gold as payment. But as he travels, he winds up trading his gold for a horse, the horse for a cow and so on. With each trade, he considers himself more fortunate for the deal. The reader may or may not agree but in the end he is content with his fate. One of the better tales, and could make for a fun debate.

176. Going A-traveling. A very short story about a young man with more ambition than sense. He decides to go see the world but despite his best efforts manages to find just the wrong thing to say to the people he encounters. Reminds of the story "Soap."

177. Godfather Death. I think I've read this story before. A poor father chooses Death as godfather for his youngest son, and this son works with Death as a renowned physician. However, he's tempted to defy Death's orders on two occasions and must face the consequences. Good story overall about not pressing one's luck and defying powers greater than you. I can see where some readers might object to the beginning (the father declines God's offer to be godfather).

178. Gambling Hansel. This is an odd tale, reminds me of a couple stories. The title character is a man who obviously likes to gamble. One day, he is given three wishes- and his responses surprise God, but they are granted. Soon the mediocre gambler can't fail and even cheats Death for a time. But his gambling ultimately leads to his downfall.

179. Fundevogel. A forester finds an abandoned child and names him Fundevogel. The foundling and the forester's daughter Lina become close. However, the family's old cook decides that Fundevogel would be good to cook up for dinner. Lina overhears the cook's diabolical plans, and the two children run away. They are pursued by two dim servants, but the children always manage to hide and outsmart their pursuers.

180. Frederick and Catherine. This short tale is mildly amusing but hasn't aged well. Don't really like the stories when one spouse is portrayed as a complete buffoon. Here, Frederick asks his wife to do various tasks but she manages to completely mess up each time due to a lack of common sense.

181. Hansel and Gretel. One of the Brothers Grimm's better-known tales. The two titular children must outsmart first their stepmother and then a wicked witch during a period of great hardship, when they are left in a forest to starve. While the tropes of the stepmother and evil old woman are dated, there's still something whimsical about the story, with its edible house, magic and happy ending.

182. The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn. Another amazing story, Quinn once again hits it out of the park, as her character Bea would say. I've also read The Alice Network and read The Rose Code a couple months ago (incidentally, one of many wonderful things about Briar Club is a neat Easter Egg regarding The Rose Code). This story is different from the previous two books, more intimate. In the previous stories I've read, the history plays a big role and the characters are reacting to the historical events around them. Here, the history is important � especially the McCarthyism and the "Red Scare" � but the events take a back seat for the most part as the reader gets to know all of the residents at Briarwood. Not all of the characters are likable, but they are all fascinating. While we might not agree with their actions (especially for a couple of them) we also understand why the characters are the way they are. The chapter on Grace is the most fascinating (as I figured it would be), but I think my favorite was the chapter on Reka, the old Hungarian woman with a bristly temper. In between the chapters on the various characters, there are "sub chapters" of a couple pages written from the point of view of the boarding house itself. It's an unusual dynamic and transition style- but it worked for me. Also, do read the author's notes in the back about the historic inspirations, those are always enlightening.

183. The Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturlurson. I decided to give this a shot because of my interest in myths in general. The Prose Edda is considered one of the two authoritative sources for what we know about Norse myths and ancient Norse lore (the other is the Poetic Edda). Well, I can now say I've read this (or, actually, listened to it while working on a project). Dry toast has more appeal. It starts off sort of strong with going over Ragnarok but then it loses steam. There's no order to it. Also, a lot of it was just mentioning who the main figures were and what their many proper titles were. The last quarter of this was full of "fascinating" facts such as how 13 people together are a crowd (the work goes into more numbers), what the parts of the body are called (like elbow, knee, hand...), the proper names for creatures, the proper names for women, the correct titles for Jesus Christ, etc. Only a third of the Prose Edda actually contains stories about the characters from Norse myth (and I'm being generous). The rest is mind-numbing filler. One interesting takeaway- the names of the dwarves come from this work. The only thing I could recommend this for is research purposes.

These stories are by the Brothers Grimm unless otherwise noted.

184. Little Brother and Little Sister. I think I've read this one before. A brother and sister run away to escape the cruel treatment of their stepmother, who is also a witch (these stories are NOT kind to stepmothers!). The stepmother enchants a stream and the brother turns into a roebuck. The sister and her transformed brother find an abandoned cottage and make their new home there. But both their lives change when a king and his hunting party come to the area. An enjoyable, traditional fairy tale.

185. Lazy Harry. Loosely connected to another tale, Lean Lisa. Lazy Harry strives hard to live up to his moniker, and finds the perfect spouse to assist with this. Even at the end when they encounter a mild setback, they remain happy with their life. This story and the following story Lean Lisa reminds me a bit of the contrast between Fiddler Jones and Cooney Potter from Edgar Lee Masters Spoon River Anthology.

186. Lean Lisa. Loosely connected to Lazy Harry. Lean Lisa is a hardworking woman, even to the point of working herself and her husband to exhaustion. One night, Lisa comes up with a scheme to raise money to buy a cow. Then, if the cow had a calf, the calf could be sold at a good price. Lisa's husband dreams of enjoying some milk from the cow, which Lisa strongly objects to � all of the milk, she says, must go to the calf. Eventually the couple comes to blows.

187. Knoist and his Three Sons. The best thing I can say about this tale is that it's brief. I figured at first this story about Knoist and his three odd children was supposed to be some sort of analogy, but by the end I don't think the story knew what it was supposed to be. Disappointing.

188. King Thrushbeard. I recall seeing an animation based on this story. Here, the story features a lovely but haughty princess who not only rejects her suitors but mocks them. Her father the king finally has enough and marries her to the first beggar he sees, much to the horror of the proud princess. Her fine clothes and delicious meals are replaced with a tiny hovel and barely enough food to survive on. The princess learns about hard work and humility.

189. Jorinda and Joringel. This story features two sweethearts who get too close to an enchanted castle. Joringel is frozen in place as he watches his love Jorinda turn into a songbird and is caught in a cage by a cruel witch, who collects young maidens and cages them as bird. Joringel must figure out how to break the enchantment. I can see this adapted as a picture book or short movie.

190. Iron John. This is a weird one, rather meandering. A king's hunting men and their dogs go missing in the woods. A travelers comes to town and offers to solve the mystery. He does- and captures a wild man named Iron John. Then you never hear about that traveler. Instead, the story pivots to the king's son and Iron John, who winds up helping the prince as he ventures into the world.

191. How Six Men Got On in the World. I've read variants of this story before. A recently discharged soldier, disgruntled with the paltry sum he was given, vows to become a wealthy man (this seems to be a common theme in Grimm tales). Along the way to seek his fortune, he meets five other men, each with a special ability. They work together to make off with a vast sum of wealth, despite the treachery of the local king.

192. Hans the Hedgehog. A man wishes for a son, and vows he'd even choose a hedgehog for his son. He eventually gets his wish-- a son comes to him who is half hedgehog, half human. Eventually the son, called Hans, makes his way into the world, much to the relief of his parents. Story was a bit hard to follow at times, and one scene was quite brutal. Still, a decent story about how keeping promises will bring rewards.

193. Herr Korbes. Interesting story with an unexpected ending. Several entities, including a hen, a rooster, an egg, a needle and a millstone venture together to see Herr Korbes. The reason is left until the end. The last line in the story made me chuckle.

194. Hans Married. Weird tale, and the ending was a head-scratcher. The uncle for young Hans wants to marry his nephew to a wealthy young woman and uses deceit to make the marriage happen. Slowly, and too late, the bride finds out about the deception.

195. Klondikes, Chipped Ham and Skyscraper Cones: The Story of Isaly's, by Brian Butko. This was an interesting piece about an area company, Isaly's, which was popular and ubiquitous up until the 1980s in the Ohio, Pennsyvania, and West Virginia areas. Most (maybe all, this book is more than 20 years old) of the physical storefronts are gone, although Isaly's does have an online presence. As the title suggests, the company is best known for its chipped chopped ham and Klondike ice cream bars, which can still be purchased, and its Skyscraper cones. Isaly's was started by a Swiss cheesemaker in the early 1800s and at its peak had hundreds of stores and plants. It's an interesting look at what makes a business successful � and what can make a business fail. This short read is a close look at the rise, success, and fading of a family business. The book also includes numerous photos and several sidebar stories. A good read for local history buffs and for those looking to learn about business operations.

Author is The Grimm Brothers, unless otherwise noted.

196. Little Snow-White. The tale of Snow White has a lot of variations (I've heard there's one where Snow White is actually the villain, want to check that one out sometime). But I think this rendition is by and large the best known one, aside from the animated adaptation by Disney. Here, a young princess excites the jealously of her stepmother, the vain and proud queen with a magic looking-glass. Snow White finds refuge with a family of seven good-hearted dwarves. It ends happily ever after for everyone- except the evil queen, who meets with a brutally creative end.

197. Little Red-Cap. A slight variation on another well-known tale, Little Red Riding-Hood. The basic elements are the same: a young girl delivering goodies to grandma is led astray by a Big Bad Wolf. A couple interesting notes: Little Red-Cap is more pure of heart than most adaptations I've seen, and there's a short epilogue at the end where it is obvious that Little Red-Cap has learned her lesson.

198. The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster. I never read this when I was younger, and I lament that. But I am glad that I've read this as an adult. As a fan of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass (it's hard not to compare those stories with The Phantom Tollbooth), as a child, I would have loved the extraordinary adventures and outlandish characters, such as Tock the Dog, the Humbug and the Mathemagician. As an adult, I love the layers of wordplay and allusions here. If this isn't on reading lists in grade schools, it should be. Perhaps even middle schools as well. In this story, a young boy named Milo, who is suffering from extreme ennui, suddenly finds a mysterious package at his home. He assembles the pieces inside and creates a tollbooth. With the map, which is also included, Milo finds himself in The Kingdom of Wisdom. Soon, he is on an adventure to find two exiled princesses to help heal the kingdom.

So, a quick update on the short stories I recently finished, both by the Brothers Grimm:

199. Maid Maleen. Surprised this tale isn't better known. With a bit of tweaking, I can see this being made into a children's picture book or even an animated feature. In this story, a princess � the titular character � falls in love with a prince. However, her father has another prince in mind for her. When she refuses, her father locks her away in a tower for seven years with her maid-servant. The seven years pass, and Maleen realizes that no one is going to free them. So they slowly dig their way out of the tower to find that the kingdom is no more. Maleen must make her way into the world that does not know her regal standing.

200. Master Pfriem. This is actually pretty funny, especially since I think we all know a Master Pfriem, a temperamental man who finds fault with anything and everything, and always insists that he is right.

I've finished some more stories, all from The Brothers Grimm:

201. Our Lady's Child. The storyline is fairly straightforward but I can see this leading to discussions on morality. Here, the Virgin Mary takes a 3-year-old daughter to heaven after her poor parents can no longer care for her. Then at age 14, the Virgin gives the girl a set of 13 keys that open 14 doors in heaven. She is free to open up 12 of the 13 doors, but is forbidden to open the 13. The girl can't resist the temptation of the unknown and opens that 13th forbidden door, which she lies about. These actions get her cast down from heaven, and her persistent lies have serious consequences.

This brought to mind a short documentary video I saw on YouTube by Townsends about poverty. Why, if you have divinely given powers, wouldn't the entire family be helped in this situation? Wouldn't keeping the family together be better in the long term? This I suspect is one of those "it's a product of its time" moments. Families in deep poverty weren't kept together. When a poor woman became widowed, one of the first things done was that the children were removed and sent to farms or factories to work. It would not have entered anyone's mind to keep the family together � unless both the parents and children found better circumstances. Now that I think on it, I am trying to recall any story where an impoverished family wasn't forced to surrender a child or their children to a farm, factory or workhouse. In a few cases, if the child was lucky, they went to better-off relations who might treat them decently. Maybe one- A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Here the whole family is helped. But honestly, this is an anomaly.

NOT arguing for a return to breaking up families like what used to happen. Just thought this was interesting. This short story certainly provoked a lot of interesting musings.

Also, the reason why the girl couldn't open the 13th door was a bit puzzling. I don't want to get into spoilers but it seemed to me the child was just set up to fail.

202. Old Sultan. I think I've read a variation of this story before. Here, an old dog in the twilight of his life is about to be shot by the farmer. The dog's friend, a wolf, helps the dog with a scheme that will win the farmer's lifelong gratitude, and it works. The wolf, in turn, wants a sheep from the farmer's flock but the dog betrays the wolf to his master, the farmer. In the end, the wolf is defeated and the dog and wolf become friends again.

Another short story but I can see this one stirring some interesting debates. Who should the dog have been more loyal to? The farmer, who have the dog board and bread in return for hard work? Or the wolf, who honestly put his life on the line to help the dog? I imagine the answers would have been strongly one way two or three centuries ago, especially since wolves are almost always the stereotypical villain of these stories, but I'd be curious as to the consensus now.

203. Old Hildebrand. This was an amusing tale. Here, the local parson concocts a scheme to spend a lovely day with Hildebrand's wife � a plot she is all too willing to participate in. However, a friend of Hildebrand points out the scheme and figures out a way for Hildebrand to catch the two.

204. Odds and Ends. This story is straightforward and short. A lovely but lazy lass casts aside any flax she finds the least bit troublesome. Her more industrious maid takes the cast away "odds and ends" to fashion a pretty gown for herself.

205. Old Rinkrank. A princess agrees to go over a glass mountain with a prospective bridegroom so he can win her hand. However, she slips, and the enchanted mountain opens up and she vanishes, to the despair of the prince and the young lady's father. The princess winds up being the captive of Old Rinkrank, who makes her do chores around his abode. One day, however, she manages to outsmart him.

206. Mother Holle. I've also seen this story under other names, including Mother Hulda. Here, you have the familiar trope of beautiful and virtuous daughter versus ugly and lazy stepdaughter. I've noticed that beautiful young ladies can either be good or lazy, but the plain or ugly women are nearly always bad, even evil. Not a new revelation for me, just pointing it out. The lovely daughter is forced to work for her stepmother and stepsister. One day, she accidentally drops her spindle down the well and is forced to retrieve it. At the bottom, she discovers a whole new land which includes an old but kind woman, who makes the young woman do simple chores. The old woman, Mother Holle, lets her return home when the daughter expresses homesickness (which is a bit of a head-scratcher, but... moving on) and rewards her with gold. The greedy stepsister, envious of this wealth, decides to take a trip down the well herself. The stepsister's outcome is considerably different from the more virtuous young woman.

207. Snow-White and Rose-Red. I've read this one before, plus a variant called "Tender Morsels" which was an interesting take on this story. The general plot involves the two eponymous sisters who do everything together, including helping their mother. Their lives take a turn when a large but kindly talking bear asks for refuge one winter night and winds up staying with them, sleeping at their hearth in the evenings. When spring returns, the bear leaves. During the warmer months, the sisters encounter an unpleasant dwarf at several ventures. This is an OK, if somewhat disjointed tale (there's a whole side story with an angel that goes nowhere). Also, while the reader is told how the two girls are different in a couple sentences, they are never shown how different they are supposed to be. Their initial reactions towards the bear also don't make a lot of sense given their general empathy with the woodland creatures.

208. Our Lady's Little Glass. I really liked this very short but very sweet story, which serves as a sort of origin story about how a particular flower was named. A wine merchant gets his wagon stuck. Our Lady offers to free the wagon for him for a glass of wine. The merchant wants to oblige, but doesn't have a glass to offer her. Our Lady takes a small, cup-shaped flower and uses that.

209. Sharing Joy and Sorry. Unfortunately, folk tales and older stories that tell about and normalize spousal abuse are all too common. What's not so common is a story about the abuser getting a comeuppance, especially when it's in the hands of the law and not some supernatural happenstance. Here, a man is horrible to his virtuous wife and winds up being sent to jail. He is released on condition that he becomes nicer. This doesn't last long and in the finale he winds up chasing her with scissors and is throwing things at her. He again has to face the courts and the magistrate doesn't swallow his story.

210. Simeli Mountain. This story should sound very familiar to anyone who knows about the tales of the Arabian Nights. A poor man spies a dozen men chant a phrase near the base of a mountain. The mountain opens up and the men go in. They come out with full bags. Curious, the man repeats the phrase he hears, goes inside the mountain, and finds poles of gold and precious gems. He takes some for himself and is able to provide food for his family, as well as help for others in need. He also excited the jealousy of his wealthy and greedy brother.

211. Little One-Eye, Little Two-Eyes and Little Three-Eyes. I've read this one before. Here, three sisters and their mother live together, but hardly in harmony. The mother, Little One-Eye and Little Three-Eyes constantly torment their two-eyed sister for her plainness. Little Two-Eyes is helped by a kindly women, who first gives her a way to keep from starving, then later giving her a precious gift.

Final post of 2024.

All of these, again, are from the Brothers Grimm.

212. Strong Hans. I really liked this one, mostly because I had no idea where this story was going. That can sometimes be a negative but in this case it's a compliment because the plot still came together well. It's just that I had no idea how things were going to turn out. That's rather unusual in these old fairy and folk tales. Here, a young mother and her son are kidnapped by a band of thieves. They eventually escape, and Hans goes on a series of adventures. Don't want to give any spoilers- part of the fun, as I said, are the surprises.

213. The Aged Mother. Still mulling how I feel about this one. Even for a Grimm Brothers tale it's pretty dark. One could have fun debating the morality and implications of this short tale. Here, an older mother who has lost her family and friends has become angry, especially with the loss of her two children when they were younger. Then one evening she is shown a vision of how things might have gone.

214. Sweet Porridge. This short story made me laugh. If there isn't a picture book adaptation for children somewhere, that is a shame. A little girl comes across an older woman in the forest (who is NOT evil, for a change). The old woman gives her an enchanted pot, which feeds the girl and her mother sweet porridge whenever they wish. But one day, the mother forgets how the spell works.

215. Stories about Snakes. There's actually three very short stories here, all of them concerning snakes. The first is rather sad but decent. The second and third are just odd. What's unusual is that none of the snakes are portrayed as evil- indeed, the first and second stories feature snakes that are actually quite benevolent. Different, but as someone who likes snakes, it's nice to see stories where they are not maligned, even if the tales are a bit weird.

216. St. Joseph in the Forest. A fairly predictable story, but a pleasant read (although the end is, well, typical Grimm). Three sisters, one at a time, venture into the woods and encounter St. Joseph. Each sister, who are all different from each other, meet different fates depending on how they have behaved.

217. Rumpelstiltskin. A very well-known tale. A miller brags to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The miller's daughter is distraught because she has no power to do this, but she is visited by a strange little man who offers to do the task for her in exchange for something. The third and final time, the daughter promises the odd man her firstborn child, but when that child comes and the man comes to collect, she cries until he relents and tells her that she must guess his name. Always wondered how this one might be adapted for today. I have read a couple of more modern adaptations, "A Curse Dark as Gold" by Elizabeth C. Bunce and "The Witch's Boy" by Michael Gruber, both very good.

218. Rapunzel. A familiar story. A sorceress takes a baby girl from a family after she catches the father stealing rampion (otherwise known as rapunzel, which I never knew) from her garden. The sorceress eventually locks the child up in a high tower, but her efforts to keep the child hidden away are thwarted when a prince happens by the tower and hears the girl singing.

Currently reading: Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Survivals by William Ratigan, and The Hard Way on Purpose by David Giffels, both of which I'm about halfway through.