Whisper1 (Linda's) Thread #6 of 2016 75 Challenge Group

NEWS FROM LILLY



After two spine and neck surgeries at Thomas Jefferson hospital in Philadelphia, PA, Linda is home and doing much better than this time last year. Perhaps surgery #6 and #7 will be the ones that bring relief from pain. She is VERY appreciative of your wonderful kind messages. I watch her smile whenever he visits the 75 challenge group.

Will and I are adjusting to having her with us during the day.

I like Bernadette the visiting nurse. She is a lovely lady who pets me and helps Will know how to help Linda and what to watch for in the event of a temperature spike, or how she should walk to alleviate falling, and I watch her teach Will how to change dressings on surgical sites.

So far, so good!

Wow, Lilly. Thanks for the update. We all are concerned about Linda, and it's good to be reassured she's got great caregivers--you and Will and Bernadette. And you! Not only do you fetch the paper (a paper that I used to write for, by the way, long before you were born), but you are very articulate. Hope to hear from you again very soon. Say hey to Linda for me.

Hi Bill. Are you still in Boston area?

No, back home. Kind of a long weekend visit to see our daughter, and now we're home again. We didn't get to the Gardner, did visit the MFA.

Adorable topper! So glad you're there for someone who's so important to us here, Lilly (and Bill!).

Hi Lilly! Thank you for taking such good care of Linda and Will. We think they're special, too!

I just read a book about a nun named Bernadette. She liked to diagram sentences about barking dogs. I'm sure that you don't bark at your Bernadette, though, since you know she's there to help!

Happy New Thread, Linda! I saw the news from Lilly on FB earlier today. Good to know you're on the mend and have your support system well in place! Hugs to you.

Aw, lovely top post :)
Keep us posted!
;)
I hope you are well, Linda. And getting lots of snuggles from likely people/animals.

Thanks Lilly! You're a gem :)

Brilliant Lilly! You take after your smart mistress don't you? Thanks for letting us know things are good. (How do you type so well?!) Give Linda and Will bigs hugs from me. Thanks.

Thanks for the update, Lilly! My kittens send their regards.

Good dog, Lilly.

Hugs to Lilly and Linda and Will! If you can already tell a difference between this surgery and the last major one, I'm thrilled! Linda L. is right: Good dog, Lilly!

Wow Lilly I am soooo impressed with your typing skills.

Please convey to my friend my felicitation for a Happy New Thread and my sincere wishes that this weekend will herald the first in her full recovery. xx

I love Lilly sharing the news in the top photo! I hope she is able to report that the healing is going well and each day a bit easier.

I read January First several years ago and was also quite touched by it. I saw an update a few years ago on a news type show and, at that time, it looked like her younger brother was also developing schizophrenia. :-( I wonder how they are all doing today.

Thanks for the update Lilly and Happy New Thread!

Thinking of you, Linda and sending lots of healing vibes.

Hugs!

Happy new thread Linda, hope the healing is going well my dear and so nice to have the new from Lilly. Sending love and hugs my dear.

Hello and many thanks to all. Yesterday was a good day; today was one of lots of pain. And, so it goes with all these recoveries -- good days, fine days and days when the pain takes over. I've learned to simply allow the pain its course, to take the medications needed and to sit still.

I've read a few good books, and as always, books are my solace.

BOOK #45


I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Delightful, enchanting, old-world style wit with plenty of charm, this is a lovely classic. Cassandra is struggling to stay happy when it seems all around here is caving in, literally. Years earlier the family father published a book that made him well-known and financially comfortable. This was his last book written as now the creative juices are gone. He, a young man who was the son of their former maid, his son, daughters and quirky wife live in a castle -- an old, old castle that is crumbling daily. The description the author paints is simply genteel poverty with a big deal of fortitude. Near destitute, the father does not fret and appears totally out of it. His daughters wear ragged clothes and pine for a better life.

When two American men enter the scene, they find the castle charming, and the family interesting enough to spend time together. When Cassandra's older sister ropes the affection of one of the men, soon Cassandra's heart is breaking as she discovers her love of the same man.

This is a book worth reading, but I do think it could have had a better ending and perhaps less rambling pages.

BOOK #46


Giants The Dwarfs of Auschwitz by Yehuda Koren and Eliat Negev

This is as the sub title notes "The Extraordinary Story of the Lilliput Troupe"

In the 1930's and early 1940's, the Lilliput Troupe traveled near and far entertaining all who attended to see these seven little people, all from one family, perform plays, perform concerts using various instruments, and sing as high as their voices would allow.

Dressing in lovely handmade customs, wearing lots of make up, and smiling, always smiling, the troupe soon gained fame, not only for their small size, but for their courage and talent. Living in Romania, and consumed with their daily life, they had little knowledge of the war fast at their door step.

Soon Hitler's War would claim the seven Ovitz family dwarfs and other family members, loading them on a train with the final destination of the dreaded killing factories of Auschwitz.

From their first day, Dr. Joseph Mengele, aptly named "The Angel of Death", claimed the family as his testing material.

Watching thousands herded into the gas chambers, and as they watched body after body lay heaped upon piles of death, they knew that as soon as Mengele was finished with his experiments on them, they too would have the same fate.

Well written and highly detailed, using surviving materials and records as well as extensive interviews, the authors deserve much credit for allowing the pride and beauty of the Ovitz family to shine through amid the pain and suffering of a hellish torment.

Using dwarfs to show that the Jewish race was filled with deformity, Mengele was never able to substantiate his wicked, evil thoughts. As the Russian troops approached, Mengele fled the camp, leaving behind his family of dwarfs.

Paradoxically, while Mengele tried to use the theory of eugenics and survival of the fittest to match his creepy, crazy thought processes, it was the fact that the Ovitz family was indeed so different that allowed them to survival. All family members taken to Mengele's lab survived.

What an amazing story! Highly recommended.

Glad you're reading, Linda! I love and adore I Capture the Castle. While I agree that it's not perfect, I don't care much because it's such a lovely experience.
Giants sounds pretty traumatic and amazing! I'd never heard of it, but it's a BB.
Take Care of Yourself!!!!

Hi there. Two great reviews, written under the influence of pain meds no less! Very Impressive. : )

Happy new thread, Linda, and hello to you, Will, and the lovely Lilly. Wishing you diminished pain!

Hi Peggy, Kim and Terri!

I've been inside yesterday and today, resting and reading. Remembering my goal of reading all Newbery award books, I'm going to read a few now and then.

BOOK #47
Blue Willow by Doris Gates


A 1931 Newbery Honor book, it is quite refreshing to read this tale of a young girl tired and weary of moving with her father and mother from job to job, place to place, with no roots. Janey has one prized possession, a blue willow plate given to her a long time ago.

When I think of all the possessions most American children of today own, I wonder if they an relate to an impoverished girl who is so very proud of just one object.

When the dust bowl hit Texas, Janey's family had to leave. Living in a migrant worker life style, they come upon a shack located in the cotton groves of California. From her travels and loneliness, Janey has a chip on her shoulder. Thus, when a girl whose father also works in the fields befriends Janey, it is difficult for Janey to trust.

Soon the Romero family bonds with Janey and she grows confident, while always knowing the back of her mind that she and her family will be moving along as soon as the cotton crop is finished.

When Janey's mother becomes ill and there is no money for a doctor, Janey seeks a local doctor to help, offering him the willow plate.

This is a tale of poverty, and of making the best of life, a tale of trust and friendship, and a tale of forsaking all when love is involved.

Blue Willow looks like a good one. We have started reading the Newbery Award list (the kids and I). We are starting with Shiloh. They have each read a few on their own, but not the same ones, so we are going to just work our way through the list together. I made a jar and cut the list into strips so that they can draw a book to read.

Linda, I am so glad that the surgeries are over, and that you had a good day a few days ago. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending you my love. Hoping that your good day is followed by more and more of those and that the pain will receded and become a thing of the past. Hugs to you, dear one.

Blue Willow is an old sentimental favorite from childhood - I have not reread it because I worried about whether or not it would hold up for me. I Capture the Castle I just read for the first time a few years ago, and I absolutely loved it for its delightful narrator. One of the best first lines ever, IMO. I love what Peggy said about it - "While I agree that it's not perfect, I don't care much because it's such a lovely experience."

>1 Whisper1: (((((Lilly)))))

She is such a cutie!

And... (((((Linda)))))

>25 Whisper1: I haven't read that Newbery book and it looks like a good one. I should slip a couple of them in this year. Hope tomorrow is a good day for you!

Linda, I'm so glad you have such a smart dog. Give her a nuzzle or two behind the ears from me, please. I am another fan of I Capture the Castle. My book group liked it, too. Sending healing vibes....and ((hugs)).

Hi to all, and thanks for stopping by. Pain limits my computer time. I very much look forward to visiting your threads as post surgery pain decreases. Yesterday's visit to Thomas Jefferson was very productive. I'm doing well. I received a full report of surgeries. My, but it was quite extensive.

I saw Gig last night, and she's pumped about another meet-up.

I loved Blue Willow as a child! Glad you enjoyed it. Keeping you in my heart, hope healing is happening apace.

Both Giants and Blue Willow have been added to the wish list!

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well.

BOOK #48


Good Girl by Mary Kubica

This book is the author's debut. It is quite an impressive beginning! Well written with a very good plot, this held my attention from first - last page.

Born to a wealthy family with a beautiful mother and a father who is a judge, Mia Dennert longed to be free of her father's rigid standards. When she was 18, she obtained her own apartment. Unlike her society bound lawyer sister, Mia rebelled from uptight standards and taught art at a school for wayward teens.

When she wanted male companionship, she called her on again/off again boyfriend. Tragically, one fall night when her boyfriend stood her up, she hooked up with another. Soon she realized that she was kidnapped and there was no chance of escape.

Held at gun point in a secluded Minnesota cabin, as winter approaches, she is acutely aware that food and fire wood are low. As the winds howl, Mia turns inside her self.

As the winds howl, and the sun accumulates, they somehow must find a mutual ground in order to survive.

Told from differing viewpoints of the kidnapper, Mia's mother, and the detective who must find her before it is too late, we only glean the emotions of Mia via her captor.

Tightly woven, with a surprise ending, this suspenseful novel is a must read.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #61


How To Heal A Broken Wing by Bob Graham

Oh so delightful and charming, this book found it's way into my heart and made me smile.

In a busy city where people hurry from place to place, failing to notice the event of a bird flying into a glass window, and then plummeting down to the side walk, a small boy named Will notices. While all around him people ignore the feathers that are scattered, and the bird that lies still, Will notices.

And, Will sees a broken wing and worries. Soliciting the help of his parents, he brings the bird home and his father helps design a box, a place of healing. Soon, his parents are also captivated by the hope of regeneration and the ability to heal.

And, after a period of rest and careful monitoring, Will and his parents remove the bird from his make-shift home, and Will gently opens his arms, releasing the bird to fly once again.

A simple tale truly, yet heart rendering in the way in which the mother and father encourage little Will to care.

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JANUARY 2016

1) Warm as Wool by Scott Russell Sanders
2) The Ghost of Nicholas Greebe by Tony Johnston
3) Homeplace by Cynthia Rylant
4) Albie's First Word: A Tale Inspired by Albert Einstein's Childhood by Jacqueline Tourville
5) The Floating House by Russell Sanders
6) Snowed in With Grandmother Silk by Carol Fenner
7) Toads and Diamonds by Charlotte S. Huck
8) Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margareta Engel
9) Hansel and Gretel by Cynthia Rylant
10) Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey
11) The Raft by Jim LaMarche
12) P.Zonka Lays An Egg by Julie Paschkis
13) Lena's Sleep Sheep by Anita Lobel
14) Waiting by Kevin Henkes -- 2016 Caldecott Honor award
15) Apple Cake by Julie Pachkis
16) The Perfect Wizard The Hans Christian Andersen by Jane Yolen
17) Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews
18) When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JANUARY 2016

1) The Disappeared by Kristina Ohlsson
2) The Taming of the Queen by Phillippa Gregory
3) Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb
4) Women I Have Dressed and Undressed by Arnold Scaasi
5) Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe by Brad Bagert
6) Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
7) Jane Eyre Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations by Harold Bloom
8) Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Newbery Honor award 2016
9) Charles James: Beyond Fashion Metropolitan Art Museum by Harold Koda
10) April 4, 1968: Martin Luter King, Jr.'s Death and How it Changed America by Michael Dyson
11) Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

Favorite Illustrated Book of January 2016

Favorite Non Illustrated Book of January 2016


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BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JANUARY 2016

1) With Lots of Love at Christmas by Christine Leeson
2) All the Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen
3) American Wife by Sittenfeld, Curtis
4) Anne of Green Gables (Young Reader's Classics) by L. M. Montgomery
5) Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey by Jamake Highwater, Fritz Scholder (Illustrator) Newbery honor
6) The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
7) The Blizzard by Jim Murphy
8) The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
9) The Cable Car and the Dragon by Herb Caen CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
10) Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
11) The Canning Season by Polly Horvath
12) The Capture (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 1) by Kathryn Lasky
13) I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
14) A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
15) The Chilling Hour: Tales of the Real and Unreal by Collin A. McDonald Young Adult
16) The Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Classics by Charles Dickens
17) The Creeds: Reflections and Scripture on the Apostles' and Nicene by Zondervan
18) Crow Boy by Taro Yashima CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK, CALDECOTT WINNER
19) Dark Voyage by Alan Furst
20) Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynne Withey
21) Diogenes by M. D. Usher, Michael Chesworth (Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
22) The Duchess Of Windsor: The Secret Life by Charles Higham
23) The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope: A Novel by Rhonda Riley
24) Every Soul A Star by Wendy Mass
25) Firegirl by Tony Abbott Young Adult
26) Flowers in the World's Most Beautiful Gardens by Yves-Marie Allain, Alain Le Toquin
27) The Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel, Illustrations by Blair Lent CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED
28) George Balanchine's The Nutcracker photographed and told by Joel Meyerowitz
29) The Ghost in the Mirror (Lewis Barnavelt) by John Bellairs
30) Girl Who Loved Wild Horses written and illustrated by Paul Goble
31) Goody Hall by Natalie Babbitt
32) The Great Migration: An American Story byJacob Lawrence, CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
33) Green Boy by Susan Cooper Young Adult
34) Griffin's Castle by Jenny Nimmo Young Adult
35) Guttersnipe by Jane Cutler Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
36) Hasty Pudding, Johnny Cakes and Other Good Stuff by Loretta Frances Ichord
37) Horns and Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson Young Adult
38) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
39) I'm Nobody! Who are You?: Poems by Emily Dickinson by Edric S. Mesmer
40) If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries: Poems for Children and Other Writings by Judith Viorst
41) Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski Newbery honor book
42) Jesus: An Illustrated Life by Isbouts, Jean-Pierre
43) Jim the Boy by Tony Earley
44) John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats
45) The Journey (Guardians of Ga'hoole byKathryn Lasky Young Adult
46) The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
47) The Kennedy Years: From the Pages of The New York Times by Richard Reeves
48) The Life and Death of Crazy Horse by Russell Freedman , Amos Bad Heart Bull (Illustrator)
49) Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship by Nikki Giovanni Bryan Collier (Illustrator)
50) A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories From the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator)
51) Little Triggers: a novel of crime by Martyn Waites
52) The Littles And Their Amazing New Friend by John Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark (Illustrator) Juvenile book
53) The Littles Go Exploring by John Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark (Illustrator)
54) The Littles Take a Trip by John Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark Illustrator
55) A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
56) Longbourn by Jo Baker
57) The Maid A Novel of Joan of Arc by Kimberly Cutter
58) Martin Luther King, Jr. Revised: I Have a Dream: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King's Landmark Speech by Sandie Smith
59) May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice de Regniers, Beni Montresor
60) The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events byLemony Snicket
61) The Musee D'Orsay by Bonfante-Warren, Alexandra
62) Mutant Message Down Under, Tenth Anniversary Edition by Marlo Morgan
63) My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
64) My Son John by Jim Aylesworth, David Frampton (Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
65) Never Come Back by David Bell
66) The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore with illustrations of Henry Fisher
67) The Nightmare Before Christmas written and illustrated by Tim Burton
68) No Man's Nightingale: An Inspector Wexford Novel by Ruth Rendell
69) No Star Nights by Anna Egan Smucker Steve Johnson (Illustrator), Lou Fancher (Illustrator)
70) Old Masters by Salomon Lilian
71) The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
72) Passing On by Penelope Lively
73) Poems of Childhood by Eugene Field, Maxfield Parris (Illustrator)
74) Prairie Dog Town by Janette Oke, Brenda Mann (Illustrator) Juvenile Book
75) The Ramsay Scallop by Frances Temple
76) Santa's Twin BY Dean Koontz Phil Parks(Illustrator) CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
77) The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
78) Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell
79) Slam by Nick Hornby Young Adult
80) Sojourner Truth: Ain't I a Woman? by Patricia C. McKissak
81) The Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George
82) The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringe
83) Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements Young Adult
84) To Be a King (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 11 by Kathryn Lasky Young Adult
85) Trading Places: Allowing God to Renovate Your Life by Steve Wyatt
86) Transcending: Reflections Of Crime Victims byHoward Zehr
87) The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
88) Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
89) The Underneath by Kathi Appelt David Sma (Illustrator) Newbery Honor
90) Unremarried Widow by Artis Henderson
91) Vessels of Honor by Virginia Myers
92) A Visit to William Blake's Inn by Nancy Willard Winner of both Caldecott and Newbery awards. Young Adult
93) We Fought Back: Teen Resisters of the Holocaust by Allan Zullo
94) When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester Young Adult
95) Worth by A. LaFaye Young Adult
96) The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED BOOK
97) Yolanda's Genius by Carol Fenner Young Adult
98) You're Invited: A Cookbook for Special Occasions by Mary Engelbreit

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY OF 2016

19) Pals by Mary Engelbreit
20) Once Upon a Twice by Denise Doyen
21) Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
22) Ain't Nobody a Stranger To Me by Ann Grifalconi
23) Albert by Donna Jo Napoli with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
24) The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim LaMarche
25) Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena 2016 Caldecott Honor Award
26) A Child's Good Night Book by Margaret Wise Brown
27) Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni 1970 Caldecott Honor Award
28) Dream Animals by Emily Winfield Martin
29) The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
30) Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories by Jim LaMarche
31) The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye by Jane Yolen
32) A Single Shard by Donna Jo Napoli
33) Ouch by Natalie Babbitt
34) Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY OF 2016

12) Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson by Frances Schoonmaker
13) Zora and Me by Victoria Bond
14) A Song For Harlem by Patricia McKissack
15) Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
16) Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia McKissack
17) Bonechiller by Graham McNamee
18) The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Newbery Honor 2016
19) The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan

Favorite Illustrated Book of February 2016

Favorite Non-Illustrated Book of February 2016

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BOOKS ACQUIRED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016

99) 100 Dresses: The Costume Institute / The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Harold Koda
100) Abby Takes A Stand by Patricia McKassick
101) The Adventures of Pinocchio (Sterling Illustrated Classics) by Carlo Collodi
102) Aesop's Fables by Charles Santore
103) Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Leonni
104) Always Remember Me: How One Family Survived World War II BY Russo, Marisabina
105) I Am A Pole by Steven Colbert
106) The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History by Molly Caldwell Crosby
107) And Not Afraid To Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women by Tonya Bolden
108) Angel by Gary Kiliworth
109) Angels on the Roof by Martha Moore
110) Anil's Ghost by Ondaatje, Michael
111) Anna the Bookbinder by Andrea Cheng
112) Anne Morrow Lindberg: Her Life by Susan Hertzog
113) Anthony and the Ants by Gemma raynor
114) Apostle Paul by Nancy I. Sanders
115) The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle
116) As Good As Anybody by Michelson, Richard
117) Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman
118) Before My Eyes by Caroline Bock
119) Behind the Bookcase by Steensland, Mark
120) The Black House by Paul Theroux
121) Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy
122) Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill
123) Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story by C. David Heymann
124) Breaking Free: True Stories of Girls Who Escaped Modern Slavery by Abey Sher
125) Bye-Bye Binkey by Brigitte Weninger
126) C. S. Lewis: A Biography by C.N. Wilson
127) The Cage by Ruth Minskey Sender
128) Caleb's Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall Saga) by Patricia MacLaughlan
129) Changing Light by Nora Gallagher
130) A Child's Good Night Book by Margaret Wise Brown
131) The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert
132) The Cinder Eyed Cats by Eric Rothmann
133) Cinderella: A Fairy Tale Adventure (Fairy Tale Adventures) by Franchesca Rossi
134) Cloud Dance by Thomas Locker
135) A Coming Evil by Vande Velde, Vivian
136) Curse in Reverse by Tom Coppinger
137) The Dance of Fear: Rising Above Anxiety, Fear, and Shame to Be Your Best and Bravest Self by Harriett Lerner
138) Day Dreamers: A Journey of Imagination by Emily Winfield Martin
139) Decades: A Century of Fashion by Cameron Silver
140) The Deer Watch by Pat Lowery Collins
141) Drummer Hoff by Barbara Emberley
142) Dulac's Fairy Tale Illustrations in Full Color by Jeff A. Menges
143) Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
144) Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant
145) The Fifties in Pictures by James Lescott
146) Finding Inner Courage by Mark Nepo
147) The Flower Ball by Sigrid Lalube
148) Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden
149) Fly by Christopher Myers
150) The Funny Little Woman (Picture Puffins) by Mosel, Arlene
151) Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan
152) The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) by McGraw, Eloise Jarvis
153) Good Luck Baby Owls by Giles Milton
154) Goodbye Mousie by Robie H. Harris
155) The Grace That Keeps This World by Tom Bailey
156) Grandma's Gift by Eric Valesquez
157) Great Expectations: The Sons and Daughters of Charles Dickens by Robert Gottlieb
158) The House on Tradd Street by Karen White
159) How to Be Good by Nick Hornby
160) I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
161) I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Horton de Trevino
162) Immortal Muse by Stephen Leigh
163) Kate and the Beanstalk by Mary Pope Osborne
164) Killer's Cousin by Nancy Werlin
165) The Killers Tears by Bondoux, Anne-Laure
166) Lark Studio Series: Handmade Dolls by Lark Studios
167) The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
168) The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell
169) The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O'Hagan
170) Lindbergh by A. Scott Berg
171) The Little Bit Scary People by Emily Jenkins
172) Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman
173) The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman
174) Lunch Box Dream by Toni Albert
175) Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy by Victor Frankl
176) Many Waters by L'Engle, Madeleine
177) Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Cooper, Floyd
178) The Meaning of Flowers: Myth, Language & Lore by Ann Field
179) The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff
180) The Mercy Prayer: The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers by Robert Gelinas
181) Miss Little's Gift by Douglas Wood
182) Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
183) More, More, More Said The Baby by Vera Williams
184) My Attachment by Tracy Kidder
185) The Name of the Rose by Umberto Echo
186) Never Forgotten by McKissack, Patricia C.
187) Never Home by Laird Hunt
188) The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield by Marciano, John Bemelmans
189) No Pretty Pictures A Child of war by Anita Lobel
190) No Time Like Show Time by Michael Hoeye
191) The Norman Rockwell Treasury by Buechner, Thomas S.
192) Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin
193) Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak
194) Pals by Engelbreit, Mary
195) The People Who Didn't Say Goodbye by Merritt Malloy
196) Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander
197) The Rainbabies by Jim LaMarche
198) The Rainbow People by Lawrence Yep
199) Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 4: Autumn Blue, Bad Luck and Trouble, Tallgrass, Winter's Child by Karen Harter
200) The Red Queen) by Phillipa Gregory
201) Rivers by Michael Farris Smith
202) The Romanov Conspiracy by Glen Meade
203) Sand Dollar Summer by Kimberly K. Jones
204) The Secret of the Rose by Sarah Thompson
205) Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
206) Shadow of the Silk Road by Thubron, Colin
207) Sinners and the Sea: The Untold Story of Noah's Wife by Rebecca Kanner
208) The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 10) by Lemony Snicket
209) A Song For Harlem by Patricia McKissack
210) Sparky by Jenny Ofill
211) St. Patrick's Cathedral by Leland Cook
212) The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) BY Cynthia Rylant
213) Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
214) The Tangled Bridge by Rhodi Hawk
215) The Tell by Hester Kaplan
216) The Good and Bad Things About My Life by Ann M. Martin
217) The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne
218) The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events #8) by Lemony Snicket
219) Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris by R.L. LaFevers
220) This Side of Eternity by McMillan, Rosalyn
221) Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming
222) The Tiger's Wife by Obreht, Tea
223) The Turtle Warrior: A Novel by Ellis, Mary Relindes
224) The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Mathis, Ayana
225) Twisted by Laurie Halse Andersen
226) Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne
227) Victoria: The Romantic Heart by Linda Sunshine
228)) The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events, No. 7) by Lemony Snicket
229) Vision of Beauty: Candlewick Biographies: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker by Kathryn Lasky
230) The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffries
231) What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
232) Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom
233) While You Were Napping by Offill, Jenny
234) Who Was Mliton Hershey by James Buckley
235) Wild Wings by Gill Lewis
236) Winter is Coming by Tony Johnson
237) The Witches Curse by Keith McGowan
238) Wither by Lauren DeStefano

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN MARCH OF 2016

35) What To Do With a Box by Jane Yolen
36) Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
37) Over-Scheduled Andrew by Ashley Spires
38) What Can You Do With an Idea by Kobi Yamada
39) Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
40) Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
41) Charley's First Night by Amy Hest
42) Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Mattick
43) In a Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming
44) Can You Yawn Like a Fawn by Monica Sweeney
45) Fritz and the Beautiful Horses by Jan Brett
46) A Story For Bear by Dennis Haseley with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
47) Bug in a Rug by Melanie Watt
48) Strickly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
49) Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
50) Home by Carson Elliw
51) Otto The Owl Who Loved Poetry by Vera Kousky
52) Day Dreamers: A Journey of Imagination by Emily Winfield Martin
53) Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
54) Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
55) The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
56) The Carousel by Elizabeth Rosen with illustrations of Jim LaMarche
57) The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN MARCH OF 2016
20) Icons of Women's Style by Josh Sims
21) Nightbird by Alice Hoffman
22) 100 Dresses: The Costume Institute The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Harold Koda
23) Everything, Everything by Nicholas Yoon
24) We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen
25) The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller
26) The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie
27) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Favorite Illustrated Book of March 2016

Favorite Non-illustrated Book of March 2016

=============================================================

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN MARCH 2016

239) Acqua Alta: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon
240) Alligator Boy by Cynthia Rylant
241) And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
242) Animals on the Trail With Lewis and Clark by Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw
243) The Anonymous Venetian by Donna Leon
244) At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
245) Author Day For Room 3T by Robin Pulver
246) Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson
247) A Beatrix Potter Treasury (Peter Rabbit) by Beatrix Potter
248) Boo Bunny by Kathryn Gilbrath
249) The Book of Unknown Americans by Henríquez, Cristina
250) Brown Bear's Wonderful Secret by Caroline castle
251) Cake Mix Magic by Cynthia Colby
252) Child's Treasury of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter
253) The Circus in the Woods by William Littlefield
254) Come a Tide by George Ella Leon
255) Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi
256) Country Soups by Editors of Publications International Ltd.
257) Crows and Cards by Joseph Helgerson
258) Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
259) Dear Everybody by Michael Kimball
260) The Devil's Star: A Harry Hole Novel (Harry Hole Series) by Joe Nesbo
261) Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering by Rob Bell
262) Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral by Mary Dora Russell
263) Erika-San by Allan Say
264) Fantastic Mr. Fox by Dahl, Roald
265) Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear BY Lindsay Mattick
266) Foundling (Monster Blood Tattoo, Book 1) by D. M. Cornish
267) Fun Stuff Holiday Recipes by Editors of Favorite Brand Name Recipes
268) The Gettysburg Address by Sam Fink
269) Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen
270) The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by McCullough, David
271) Gugu's House by Catherine Stock
272) Henry's Night by D. B. Johnson
273) Heroine of The Titanic bu Landau, Elaine}}
274) Home Town by Tracy Kidder
275) House Rules by Jodi Picoultt
276) Jag by LeAnn Rhymes
277) Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy by Dennis Brindell Fadin
278) The Leopard's Wife by Paul Pickering
279) The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
280) Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Ardizzone, Edward
281) The Littlest Uninvited One by Charles Tazewell
282) The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
283) Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen
284) Men My Mother Dated and Other Mostly True Tales by Brett Leveridge
285) Monasteries: Places of Spirituality & Seclusion Around the World by Parragon books
286) Mother's Song: A Lullaby by Ellin green
287) My People by Hughes, Langston
288) Neville by Norton Justice
289) No Such Thing as the Real World: Stories About Growing Up and Getting a Life bu M.T. Anderson
290) Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them by Clinton Kelly
291) Oink, Oink Benny by Lindgren, Barbro
292) Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story by Marilyn Nelson
293) Plainsong by Ken Haruf
294) A Portrait of Pia by Russo, Marisabina
295) Portraits of African American Heroes by Tanya Bolden
296) The Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg
297) The Red Thread by Grace Lin
298) Rembrandt by Watts, Greg
299) Runaway by Alice Munro
300) The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gamain
301) Snow Angels by Stewart O'Nan
302) Snowie Rolie by William Joyce
303) The Sun's Daughter by Pat Sherman
304) The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
305) The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
306) The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer Holmann
307) A Tugging String: A Novel About Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era by David Greenberg
308) Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan
309) The Vanishing Point by Louise Hawes
310) Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd
311) Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan
312) The Woman I Was Born to Be: My Story by Susan Boyle
313) A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson
314) You Are My Wonders by Love, Maryann Cusimano

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN APRIL OF 2016

58) Hansel Gretel by Will Moses

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN APRIL OF 2016

28) A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson
29) Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson
30) Dreamland by Sam Quinones
31) We Were the Kennedy's by Monica Wood
32) Getting Away With Murder by Chris Crowe
33) The End of Law: A Novel of Hitler's Germany by therese Down
34) Living Well With Chronic Illnes by Johanna Charnas
35) Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
36) Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement by Devery S. Anderson

Favorite Non-Illustrated Book of April 2016:


BOOKS ACQUIRED IN APRIL OF 2016

315) The Amazing Hamweenie by Patricia Bowman
316) Beach Lane by Melissa de La Cruz
317) Bear: Spirit of the Wild by Paul Nicklen
318) The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan
319) The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Schlar
320) Burn for Burn by Jenny Han
321) Cage of Stars by Jacqueline Mitchard
322) Catkin by Antonia Barber
323) City of Orphans by Avi
324) Clair de Lune by Jetta Carlton
325) The Classic Slave Narratives by Henry Louis Gates
326) Creation and Fall Temptation: Two Biblical Studies by Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
327) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
328) A Dark History : The Roman Emperors: From Julius Caesar to the Fall of Rome by Michael Kerrigan
329) Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff
330) Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller
331) Douglass: Autobiographies by Frederick Douglass
332) Feathertop by Robert San Souci
332) Fig by Sarah Elizabeth Schantz
334) The Fig Eater by Jodi Shields
335) Forever by Judy Blume
336) Free Fall by David Weisner
337) Gilt by Katherine Longshore
338) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
339) Guitar Boy by M.C. Auch
340) I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World by Martin Luther King, Jr.
341) Home Place by Crescent Dragonwagon
342) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
343) The Idea of Human Rights: Four Inquiries by Michael J. Perry
344) The Illustrated History of World War I by Andy Weist
345) In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hennefeld
346) The Inquisitor by Mark Allen Smith
347) The Journey Home by Carol Raikes
348) Knocking on Heaven's Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death by Katy Butler
349) Land of the Green Plums by Herta Muller
350) The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
351) Leo The Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
352) Letting Ana Go by Anonymous
353) LIFE the World's Great Civilizations: The Rise and Fall of Nations, from the Ancients to Today by Editors of Life
354) The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist by Dorothy Day
355) A Long Way From Home by Elizabeth Baguley
356) Love Saves The Day by Gwen Cooper
357) Melisande by E. Nesbit
358) Mother's Boys by Margaret Forster
359) Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
360) Out of My Mind by Sharon Darper
361) My Paris Wife by Paula McLain
362) Pre-Raphaelites by Timothy Hilton
363) Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepherd
364) The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill
365) The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall
366) Rembrandt by Gregg Watts
367) Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
368) Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans by Rush Limbaugh
369) Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Gerge
370) The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
371) Shotgun Lovesongs by Nicholas butler
372) Silver Tales Lion in the Long Grass by Ruth Brown
373) Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children by Lisa Wheeler
374) The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Other Beatrix Potter Favorites by Beatrix Potterr
375) The Three Questions Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy by Jon Muth
376) Tulip Fever by Deborah Mogach
377) Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers by Hamish Bowles
378) Warriors #1: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
379) West with the Night by Beryl Markham
380) When I Was Young in the Mountaings by Cynthia Rylant
381) White Noise by Don DeLillo
382) Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN MAY OF 2016

37) Death Be Not Proud by John Gunter
38) Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt
39) The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
40) Alice I have Been by Melanie Benjamin
41) Twain's End by Lynn Cullen

FAVORITE NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK READ IN MAY


BOOKS ACQUIRED IN MAY OF 2016

383) 172 Hours on the Moon by John Harstad
384) American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird
385) A Banquet of Consequences: A Lynley Novel by Elizabeth George
386) Before We Were Fre by Julia Alverez
387) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
388) The Boat: Stories by Nam Le
389) Bulfinch Illustrated Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch
390) Butterfly House by Eve Bunting
391) Butterfly House by Latifah Salom
392) Cloen by Quentin Blake
393) Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata
394) Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
395) Elvis and Me by Presley, Priscilla Beaulieu
396) English Passengers: A Novel by Matthew Kneale
397) Events That Changed the World (Focus on) by Matthew Heatley
398) The Field Mouse and the Dinosaur Named Sue by Jan Wahl
399) Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw
400) German Boy: A Child in War by Samuel, Wolfgang W. E.
401) Giants: the Dwarfs of Auschwitz: The Extraordinary Story of the Lilliput Troupe by YehudaG Koren
402) God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday
403) Halfway to Your House by Charlotte Pomerantz
404) Hope's Boy by Andrew Bridge
405) The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
406) The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe
407) How Does the Wind Walk by Nancy White Carlstom
408) The Husband's Secret by Moriarty, Liane
409) An Illustrated World History: Revolution and Empire
410) Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father’s Secret Children by Kimberly braubakerr Bradley
411) The Lion And The Unicorn by Shirley Hughes
412 The Measure of Darkness by Liam Durcan
413) My Accidental Jihad by Kristen Bremer
414) The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust BY Susan Dworkin
415) No Moon by Irene Watts
416) Old Age: A Beginner's Guide by Michael Kinsley
417) Pardonable Lies: A Maisie Dobbs Novel (Maisie Dobbs Novels) by Jacqueline Winspear
418) The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy by David Nasaw
419) People Who Changed the World (Focus on)
420) Rococo by Adrianne Trigani
421) The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport
422) The Roving Tree by Augustave, Elsie
423) The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow
424) Small Beginnings by Martha Woodroof
425) This Is How You Fall by Keith Dixon
426) Tudor: Passion. Manipulation. Murder. The Story of England's Most Notorious Royal Family by Leanda Di Lisle
427) When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli
428) The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JUNE

59) Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
60) Shooting at the Stars The Christmas Truce of 1914 by John Hendrix
61) How To Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
62) The Amazing Hamweenie by Patty Bowman

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK READ IN JUNE OF 2016

42) Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade
43) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
44) January First by Michael Schofield
45) I Captured the Castle by Dodie Smith
46) Giants The Dwarfs of Auschwitz by Yehuda Koren and Eliat Negev
47) Blue Willow by Doris Gates
48) Good Girl by Mary Kubica
49) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
50) The Last Leaves Falling

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JUNE OF 2016

429) 12 Stories of Christmas BY Robert Morgan
430) Aesop's Fables (Puffin Classics) by Aesop
431) Angels in Art Gift Book & Day Book by Lorenz, Joanna
432) Bear's Picture by Danile Pinkwater
433) Beowulf by James Rumford
434) Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist by Erik Kincard
435) CliffsComplete Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
436) Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
437) Flower Fairies Secret World by Ceceiy Mary Baker
438) Flyaway: Lift the flaps to set the bird free by Lesley Barnes
439) Ghost Train to Freedom by Faith Reese Martin
440) Go to Sleep, Little Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
441) The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
442) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
443) Impressionist Women by Edward Lucie Smith
444) January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her by Michael Schoefield
445) John Denver's For Baby by John Denver
446) Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins by Marion Dante Bauer
447) The Last Pilot by Benjamin Johncock
448) Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Kincaid Classics) by Lewis Carroll
449) Loved: Stories of Forgiveness by Rebecca St. James
450) Mercy by Jodi Picoult
451) Mermaids by Steve Dobell
452) The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
453) Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
454) The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett
455) Sunshine and Snowballs by Margaret Wise Brown
456) Tales of Uncle Remus (Puffin Modern Classics): The Adventures of Brer Rabbit by Julius Lester
457) Two Nests by Laurence Anholt
458) The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth & Allison, Catherine Grahame
459) A Wolf's Tale by Montanari, Eva

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JULY OF 2016

63) White Flour by David LaMotte with illustrations of Jenn Hales
64) For Baby, For Bobbie Adapted and Illustrated by Janeen Mason
65) Come a Tide by George Ella Lyon with illustratiopns of Stephen Gammell
66) Fables by Arnold Lobel
67) The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
68) The Moon's Almost Here by Patricia MacLachlan, Tomie DePaola (Illustrator)
69) Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke
70) The Whalloping Window Blind by Jim LaMarche

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN JULY OF 2016

50) The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell
51) Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley
52) After the Storm by Linda Catillo
53) Marika by Andrea Cheng
54) Miss Jane by Brad Watson
55) Weathering by Lucy Wood
56) Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN JULY OF 2016

ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN AUGUST OF 2016

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOKS READ IN AUGUST OF 2016

Linda, I read through and didn't see it, but shall ask: have you read Pax by Sara Pennypacker?
I highly recommend it.

Glad to see that you are doing better than last year and that Will and especially Lilly are taking good care of you.

You got me with Good Girl I've ordered it from the library. Not sure when it will be ready for pickup - I'm 73 in the queue.

Sending gentle hugs! You know where to get them.

Hi Ellen

When we were on vacation early June, I found a delightful store wherein all proceeds from sales went to cat rescue. They had large book shelves, and some of the books for sale were brand new! I was fortunate to buy a new copy of Pax for $1.00.

It is on the list to read while recovering.

Thanks for thinking of me.

Hi Cheli

Thanks for the hugs. They are most appreciated!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #62

The Amazing Hamweenie by Patty Bowman

Lovely illustrations pull the reader into a tongue in check outlook of Hamweenie the cat who has a wonderful life, but alas, has delusions of grander happenings.

His owner takes wonderful care of him, providing tasty treats and birthday presents. Alas, he longs to be part of show business where he is the center of attraction...which is, as a matter of fact, right where he is.

I think this is a book for older children. The subtleties might not be understood by a younger child.


"

BOOK #49


The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Through a series of short stories, the author captures life in a poorer section of Chicago, IL. The emotions and actions of a pre-teen - early teen aged girl are written so remarkably well that I hated to see the book end.

This is good writing! The life of the character Esperanza Cordero was not always easy, but even the small, every day occurrences are rendered important in the telling. Some stories are sad, others are humorous -- all are crafted excellently.

Hi, Linda.

I enjoyed The House on Mango Street, too.

So glad you're going to read Pax. I loved that one.

When we were on vacation early June, I found a delightful store wherein all proceeds from sales went to cat rescue.

That's the cat's meow! :) Where is it? Maybe I'll plan my next vacation there . . .

Sending continued wishes for your recovery, Linda!

Hi Terri

It is a cute little shop of Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, NJ. And, thanks for your kind words. They man a lot.

http://patch.com/new-jersey/oceancity/mew-to-you-s-cats-and-kittens-looking-for-...

Linda, I'm THRILLED to see the extent of your posting these past few days. I know you're Wonder Woman, but I'm going to take it that you are feeling better! YAY!!!!!

Hi Linda. I'm glad to see all the great reading you've been doing as your body heals. I loved The House on Mango Street and Bel Canto. I hadn't heard of Blue Willow, but it's going on my wishlist. My grandmother had blue willow dishes, and the pattern holds a special place in my heart.

>55 cbl_tn: I hadn't heard of Blue Willow either, and I am lucky to have passed down to me my grandmother's blue willow dishes, so it sounds like a book I must have!

Your strength is an inspiration, Linda.

>50 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Read House on Mango Street earlier this year and thought it delightful! I also thought how nice it would be, if I were talented, to write a memoir of my childhood and the characters which populated my street. it seems like an easy enough .....I just don't have the chutzpa! *sigh*

Hi Linda, hope the recuperation is going ok my dear, sending love and hugs.

>55 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie. Blue Willow is a delightful (earlier) Newbery gem.
>56 kac522: Hi Kathy, welcome to my thread. Many thanks for stopping here, Yes, how fortunate you are to have a set of your grandmother's blue willow dishes.
>57 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! You gave me an idea! I think I am going to write something about my neighborhood friends. This would be written in my journal. Thanks! I remember an entire cast of characters, including Steven who decided to use his sled on a steep hill in a local cemetery. He crashed full force into a headstone...and his head was worse for the wear. He was black and blue for a long, long time.
>58 johnsimpson: HI There John. So nice to see you here! Thanks for the warm wishes.

I read Blue Willow back in the early 1990s, I think it was.

Let's see how chatty we are, when you first log on LT on Wednesday 6th July, check your zeitgeist and post how many talk posts you have written, thank you. Can all who read this spread it about so we can get a good response, it is a bit of fun but it will be interesting to see the figures. I have set up a group called talk posts for the totals to be posted.

hi Lori, thanks for stopping by.

Hi John, I'll check this out, it does sound fun.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #63


White Flour by David LaMottee with illusttrations to Jenn Hales

What an excellent book!! Based on a true-life story of dark hatred met with joy and light. In the hills of Appalachia in Knoxville, Tennessee, there came a group of haters, wearing white and cloaking themselves so their faces did not show; they spewed their words of bigotry and shouted incessantly about "White Power."

Imagine the surprise in being greeted by a group of people wearing cone shaped multi-colored hates and faces painted merrily like clowns. Holding their hand to their ears, pretending not to hear the ugliness, the clowns imagined they heard the words "White FLOUR!." And, they therefore spread white flour in the air, raining down on them gently with a puff of air, their whiteness countered the white robes of hatred.

As the astonished kkk members marched on, fists in the air, the white floured clowns acted as though they believed they heard "White FLOWERS!." And, accordingly, they opened the bags of white flowes they carefully had made which now rained down on all.

Next, from on high stilts, a clown announced that what the kkk held dear was "Tight SHOWERS." And, gathering in a tight knit group, they held a shower like hose pushing themselves tighter and tighter in a circled group.

And, then, to drive their point home even more, when the kkk shouted White Power, they thought they heard WIFE Power and thus joyfully smiled and shouted "Here's to wives and mothers!"

As a kind policeman led the clowns through the center of Knoxville, more people joined the parade of anti-discrimination. Ending the day in a show of strong support for all that was good and right and lovely about a world where all are appreciated and loved for who they were.

Thanks to Peggy McClean for this lovely gift which I will treasure for a long, long time!

Five Stars.

Hi Linda! Glad you got a good report at your last Dr. checkin. Boy, you have spent a lot of time catching up on your book reads on LT! It is so nice to have you here again, sharing you joy of reading. You got me with Good Girl. Lots of hugs.

Hello Dear Friend Kim

It is so good to see you here. I am slowly reclaiming my life. I feel as though the last year was simply a blur of pain. It is nice to feel a bit better. I've had some days of set backs, but over all, I am moving forward. Words cannot express how much the support of you and other LT friends means to me.

GLAD you love White Flour too, Linda!
Now I'm on a crusade to get you to add Jim Wallis's America's Original Sin to your reading list when you feel like tackling something serious.

Thanks for your suggestion. I added to the tbr list. Perhaps if I feel up to it, Will can take me to the library this week. In the meantime, I'll check to see which local library has this one. I like your suggestions...please keep them coming.

>65 Whisper1: dear Linda, so good to read you are slowly feeling better!
It is a long way, but you will get there, (((hugs)))

>62 Whisper1:, Thank Linda and a Happy 4th of July my dear.

Happy 4th of July!

>63 Whisper1: I hadn't heard of that book, and I've added it to my wishlist. And as a lifelong resident of Knoxville, I have to add that the KKK rally was an anomaly. As I recall, it was reported that most of the KKK group came from out of town. It was a reaction to a horrific kidnapping/torture/murder of a young college-aged couple earlier in the year, and they were opportunists who latched onto this terrible event. (I'm not linking to media reports about the murder because the details are too gruesome.) The counter-protest described in the book is much more typical of Knoxville, and why it's such a wonderful place to live.

Here's a local news report on the protest and counter-protest: http://www.local8now.com/home/headlines/7704982.html

Happy 4th of July, Linda!

I'll have to take a look at White Flour. That's a new one to me.

Linda, I couldn't remember the name of the things, but have you tried Lilly with a thundershirt?

>68 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Thanks, as always, for your lovely comments.

>69 johnsimpson: Thanks John. It was low key around here. We stayed home. I've had four -five days of post op pain, so I am taking it easy in the hope rest will help.

>70 cbl_tn: Thanks for the local report regarding the march.

>71 jnwelch: Joe, I think you will like it

>72 PaulCranswick: Good to hear from you Paul!

>73 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I think it is time to look into a thundershirt. This is new behavior for her, and she is certainly scared.

>36 Whisper1: That is a darling book! Adding it to my wishlist.

Thanks for the recommendation of White Flour too. It's also going on the wishlist. What a great message!

It's good you are feeling better and better. Love seeing you around the threads more. :)

Hope you had a great holiday weekend!

>75 nittnut: Hi Jenn. Many thanks for your kind words.

>76 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel. Thanks for stopping by!

BOOK #50


The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell

Four Stars for this well written, poignant tale of Abe Sora, a seventeen year old young man who is dying from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also know as Lou Gehrig's disease. Intelligent, loved by his family, he seeks answers to life's questions, primarily, he longs to know what will happen when he dies. Is there another life? Does he have the right to choose when this one should end?

Throughout his journey, rarely, if ever, does he sink to the depths of why me, why not someone else. Rather, he longs for friends, which he does eventually find through an internet chat room. And, he longs for relief from the fact that each new day brings less muscle coordination.

The author weaves a beautiful tapestry of the friendship of Abe and his two friends who gladly learn to see the world through his eyes. Each day is a blessing, and he and his friends try as best as possible to make each journey special.

The setting is Japan, and I very much liked the way in which the culture was portrayed throughout the story. With a strong bond of his mother and her parents, Abe walks a fine line between wanting them to answer some of his questions, yet not wanting to burden them.

With this wonderful book as the author's debut, I anxiously await another.

BOOK #51

Elvis and Me by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley

While the book is not particularly well written, it did hold my interest. As a child who lived in a small town; attending Saturday afternoon movies was the highlight of the week. The movies of Elvis Presley were a treat to look forward to. And, when I was nine years old, he was my first love. I remember the songs that were sung by this incredibly handsome man. And, in particular, Blue Hawaii was my favorite.

I grew up and moved on, still news regarding his concerts, his marriage to the beautiful, young Priscilla, and then his death from a heart attack, most likely fueled by prescription drugs, were all news worthy events that I followed through the teen magazines.

This is the story of Elvis through the eyes of his very young conquest, then 14 year old Priscilla. She moved often, and as a military child, she learned to adapt. When the magnetic Elvis set eyes on her, she could not help but follow. And, while her parents had grave reservations, still they allowed her to move from Germany to Graceland when she was only 16.

Throughout the story of his temper fits, his obsession with guns, his need to consume heavy duty amounts of narcotics, and his constant need to be surrounded by his core group, Priscilla continued to love him.

They had one child, a little girl Lisa. The parenting was on the shoulders of Elvis. As Las Vegas multi million dollar contracts for shows drawing large sold out crowds, he was away much of the time.

She gave up her young life for a man who dominated and controlled, still after she grew up and found a sense of identity and left him, she continued to love this enigmatic man.

Containing lots of fluff, still the book is worth reading.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #64

For Baby (for Bobbie) by Janeen Mason

Long a fan of John Denver's music, this book immediately held my interest. John Denver wrote this lbefore he became well known. It was a song written regarding a young love, a girl named Bobbie. Now, in children's illustrated book form, it becomes a wonderful love song for a baby, a wee little one that holds the heart and doesn't let go.

The illustrations are incredible! And, the poem is just simply lovely.

Song For Bobby, by John Denver

I'll walk in the rain by your side,
I'll cling to the warmth of your hand



I'll do anything to keep you satisfied
I'll love you more than anybody can



And the wind will whisper your name to me
Little birds will song along in time
Leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime.

I'll be there when you're feelin' down
To kiss away the fears if you cry



I'll share with you all the happiness I've found
A reflection of the love in your eyes
And leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime.

I'll walk in the rain by your side
I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand



I'll do anything to help you understand
I'll love you more than anybody can



And the wind will whisper your name to me
Little birds will sing along in time



Leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime



To hear John Denver singing this song, click on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCAfrYosAio

To hear Mary Traver's (from Peter, Paul and Mary) rendition, click on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6qloM22wmo

Highly recommended!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #65


Come a Tide by George Ella Lyon with illustrations of Stephen Gammell

A delightful story of making the best of a bad situation that is totally out of your control. When it rains and rains and then rains some more, wise sage grandma knows that this does not bode well and that "It'll come a Tide."

And, it did come a tide, a tide of heavy streams of running water that clears everything in its path. As the pigs swirl in the current, and the furniture rides the water to another location, the good people of Clover, Martins and Poor Fork must ride out the tide and start all over again.

Lovely illustrations and a matter of fact story make this a likeable read.

Happy New Thread, Linda! Sorry, for the delay getting over here but you are always in my thoughts. Love the Lily topper!

I see the books are treating you well. I hope you are feeling better, my friend.

>80 Whisper1: I really love that song, and I used to sing it to my daughter at bedtime.

Hi Mark, Thanks for stopping by! While painful, this recovery is so much better than last year's experience.
Hi Linda -- So good to see you here. How neat that you sang this song to our daughter. I imagine this brought back many great memories.

Belated happy new thread, Linda.

I got your PM, Linda. No worries about the book; I've got plenty to read.

I have July 16th marked on my calendar, and I think Gig has marked hers as well. Our mutual granddaughters, Helen and Claire, now 15, will be coming home that day after two weeks hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer camp. No electronic devices, sleeping under tarps (since tents are too much to carry), making cooking fires by rubbing stick together. Oh my.

While painful, this recovery is so much better than last year's experience.
That is great to hear, Linda! First time I've seen you make a comparison.

What Roni said, Linda. Great to hear that this recovery is so much better.

I'm glad you're finding some good, diverting books to read.

I've had increased pain the last week. I believe my body is healing and all those deep tissue muscles that were cut through are now trying to reconnect. The body is truly a miraculous thing. Will often remarks how incredible it is that at conception and as the tiny baby develops, the pathways to the total formation of the eye begin to separate then come together. Cells defining the cornea, the retina, the optic nerve, the pigment, the connections the eye needs to have to communicate with the brain, all are forming at a very early stage to then come together so that we have two eyes, each one with muscles that pull the eye ball in and out so that it can be eventually centered where it needs to be for optimal sight.

Incredible!!!!!

And, so I focus on happy things today, and my mind wanders to the incredible art of Maurice Sendak. And, I marvel that we are blessed on a cellular level to appreciate art, music and the beauty of the world.

A few years ago when I attended a wonderful Philadelphia, PA meet up, Brenda (Brenpike) and Terri Loeffler and I went to the Rosenbach museum.

https://www.rosenbach.org/learn/collections/maurice-sendak-collection

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting this very special place.

>85 DianaNL: Hi Diana Many thanks for stopping by! I hope all is well with you.
>86 weird_O: Bill, I truly hope I can attend the July 16th Bethlehem Library sale. I'll need to a) have the energy b) be careful that no one bumps into me in a crowded room and c) rope Will into driving and attending. I won't know until next week if my body is cooperating and letting the pain level be low. But, I am sending positive thoughts that I will be there.
I connected with Diane and she is coming! Yeah.
>87 ronincats: Hi Roni....Thinking of you and sending all good thoughts your way. Are you enjoyed new creations that you are hand crafting? I so admire your talent.
>88 jnwelch: Hi Joe, I think you would like and appreciate White Flour

Linda, I love how you shared Will's explanation how the eye is formed. Our bodies are truly miraculous. I'm glad that yours is healing, even if you are having more pain now as the deep tissues heal. It's a real treat to see you out and about on the threads. Have a wonderful relaxing weekend!

Hi Donna, thanks for stopping by. And, thanks, as always, for your kind words. Happy weekend to you! I hope you have plenty of time to read.

>89 Whisper1: The Rosenbach was great! I wish we'd had even more time to spend at this little gem of a place.

I read that when Maurice Sendak died, because the collection was not in his will to receive it, it is in the process of being moved back to those in his estate.

Sad, really! But, the Rosenbach did receive many first edition, authographed Melville books as well as a William Blake original art work.

In addition, his will designated $2,000 to be given to the Rosenbach museum.

Love the Sendak in >89 Whisper1:. There's all that pain, roaring all its terrible roars and you fending it off with a protective monster suit and a pile of books. I'll definitely think of that image during my own monster-beset moments.

Andon the days that you do feel well enough to post, we'll all still be here.

And your supper will still be hot. :-)

It is too bad that the Rosenbach did not get to own the collection permanently.

>73 LizzieD:, >74 Whisper1: Our Bella has a thundershirt, which she has had for years, and it works wonders.

>92 Whisper1: What a lovely image!

Thinking of you and wishing you well, Linda. SO glad to read that this recovery is going so much better than the last one. Sending you my love, dear one.

Linda, I got behind but am so glad to hear that you're recovery is going better than it has after previous operations. Sorry to hear that the last week has been more painful again, but as you say, hopefully that is a sign that your body is healing. Thinking of you.

Sending continuing healing vibes across the oceans.

Have a splendid weekend, Linda. xx

I'm so glad you can put the pain in perspective and view it as evidence of healing...and that it isn't as difficult as the last time. It seems very soon to me for you to be braving a crowded book sale---you know how we bargain hunters can be! Please don't take any chances on setting your recovery back. There will be another sale.

>92 Whisper1: What a fantastic image! My grand-niece Lily is crazy for giraffes, and I picture her as that little girl in a few years' time (she's only 3 now). I must show it to her next time I see her.

Sorry you had more pain last week Linda. But way to go on the positive outlook. :) Hope this week comes with just as much healing without the pain.

Hi Linda! I found a package in the mailbox Friday, and since Saturday was my birthday, I view it as a birthday present. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to reading it...ah, ah, any day now, any day.

See, in my family, I can't expect much. My own sister sent me a card with a bookmark; you know, "happy b-day, bro. Knock yourself out" Beeg smile. And my younger brother sent me a card with gloating "you're way older than me" sentiments. Heh heh heh.

Seems to be a lovely day, and I hope that it'll be a pain-free one for you. Really hope to see you Saturday.

Hi Linda, hope your recovery is going ok my dear and you are getting some reading done. Sending love and hugs.

Just checking in and adding my complement of love and hugs!

I always knew that Will was a smart guy. Love his incredible explanation of eyes!

And look at you! Teaming up with the Sendak monsters for the healing. Between your monsters and your Will and your Lilly - you've got this thing! All the best!

Oh, my, it has been awhile since I checked in with your multiple threads! Glad to hear that the latest surgery seems to have gone well and that at least you are having good days now--hopefully more good than bad. You've been reading some adorable illustrated books. Great way to relax! I hope you keep making good progress and that this will be the last time you need to go in for surgery. Healing thoughts are heading your way!

Hi, Linda! Just checking in here. Sorry to hear that the pain has increased lately, but glad the recovery from this surgery is going so much better than last year's.

Linda, I am praying that your recent absence is due to doctor appointments and family rather than any setbacks in your recovery. {{{hugs}}}

Hello to all. After moving forward with a positive outlook, I suffered a set back this week with a series of sleepless nights of pain and days of high levels of discomfort. But, I'm learning more and more how to handle these days and nights. And, as always, reading is the solace.

Many thanks to all of you for your kind words and faithful presence. I deeply appreciate it.
I have read some good books, and thanks to my local library, I found a wonderful publication title Book Page, printed each month, it lists new books on the market. Naturally, I requested some of them and thankfully, Will picked them up for me.

Currently I am reading Miss Jane by Brad Watson. It is breathtakingly beautiful. I'm half way through and hate it to end.

Also sitting on the end table near my reading chair:

Wicked Boy y Kate Summerscale
Everything I Don't Remember bu Jonas Hassen Khemiri
Zero K by Don DeLillo
Close to Shore by Michael Capuzo
The Lynching the Epic Courtroom Battle That Brought Down the Klan by Laurence Leamer

And, an ER copy received in the mail yesterday:

Needless Sufferring How Society Fails those With Chronic Pain by David Nagel

I did it again, I visited the library and in a fit of sheer joy, could not help but place these books in my tote bag.

Since I've been up most of the night, I should make great progress.

Dear Linda, of all the people in the world who know this recovery won't be easy, you're #1. Of all the people in the world who will make it happen, you're also #1!
I look forward to your review of Miss Jane and to hearing that things are easier for you after this set-back.

Hi Dear Linda--I have been mostly off-line recently. Sorry to hear about the increased pain, but am awed by your continued positive outlook and your ability to see it as healing. You are AMAZING! Glad that you have some wonderful new books to distract you and thanks for posting the links to the wonderful John Denver song. Beautiful. Big hugs!

Linda, I'm sorry to hear about your setback but glad you're able to find comfort in books and find the time and energy to update us from time to time.

My library gets BookPage too and I really enjoy paging through it and finding new books to either add to our collection or my own TBR list. I look forward to your review of your ER book. You will certainly be able to give a uniquely personally perspective to it.

Happy weekend! Praying for your continued recovery.

Hi Peggy, Kim and Mary! Many thanks for visiting. I got out of the house today! Will drove me to the Bethlehem library sale where I connected with Diane (Dianekeenoy), Bill (Weirdo) and Bill's friend whose daughter is married to his son. Gig is a lovely lady and we are hoping she will join the 75 challenge group. For now, she is surfing around before jumping in, but we do hope to see her thread soon!

Lunch after the book sale was delightful, and well worth the additional pain and lack of energy I am experiencing now. It was worth every minute of great conversations between Will, Gig, Diane, Bill and I.

I am happy to report that I was able to control myself and only brought home the following:

So many wonderful, spontaneous moments happened this week. Our neighbors (both in their 40's) are blessed with a beautiful little two year old boy. The neighborhood members all share in our delight and joy of this precious life.

One night he pointed to the sky noting the quarter moon. I then went inside and grabbed a copy of Goodnight Moon and gave it to him. He proceeded to read the book to Lilly. It was such an adorable time, and it made us smile and laugh.

Normally I only read one book at a time, but lately, I am drawn to so many excellent books that I'm reading three:

>113 Whisper1: What a delightful and special moment. Thanks for sharing!

I am so glad you have had these wonderful moments lately. Totally jealous of the meet-up! : )

Shame on me, I'm so far behind but always thinking of you and enjoying the gorgeous photos on FB. Wishing you a lovely Sunday, Linda.

>112 Whisper1: The Apple and the Arrow is a good one, Linda - I think you'll enjoy it. And of course Time of Wonder is excellent. Good haul!

Morning, Linda! Happy Sunday! Glad you had a good time at your local Meet-Up! This is becoming such a highlight in our lives. And I am glad you are enjoying your books. Also very important.

Oh, no - setbacks. I'm sorry to hear about that, Linda. As you persevere, may setbacks become fewer and less painful.

Love the covers of your three current reads! And love the pictures of Lilly and her friend!

It looks like you found some excellent books at the sale! I love the story about your neighbor's son reading to Lilly. I'm glad you captured that "Kodak moment"! What a lovely memory for all of you to cherish.

I hope you can persuade Bill's consuegra to join the group. I love that there's a word for that in Spanish! My Mexican sister-in-law's family has embraced me as part of the family, and my father also when he was living. It truly feels like a family relationship, but we have no word for it in English.

Sorry to hear about the setback Linda but glad you managed to get out to a library sale and meet up!

>113 Whisper1: What a lovely story! :-)

I've been following your post-surgery progress here and on FB, and somehow have neglected to post a message. Very encouraging that you are able to get out and about to meetups, even with the occasional setback.

Hi Catherine. While I had additional pain today, it was worth the lovely time shared with Bill, Will, Gig and Diane. I hope you are settling more and more into your lovely home and that it feels like it is your special space.

Linda, it was very good to see you again and to see how well your recovery is progressing. I'll get my list up later today. I'm very happy with what I got.

I've read a lot, but haven't had energy to post reviews. I'm going to try to concentrate and put feelings into words regarding the wonderful books read.

BOOK #52
Marika by Andrea Cheng


In this book, there is a child's perception of the reality of the terror of the Holocaust. Spoiled and living in Hungary with her older brother and well-to-do parents, Marika wants for nothing. Throwing little temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way, finally, her parents practice tough love in telling her why she should not be self-centered when all around her people are losing everything, including their lives.

Wealthy enough to commission fake passports that look real, Marika's father knows that one day they will be necessary.

As the story progresses, Marika does indeed grow up and needs to be responsible for her neurotic mother who cannot handle stress. When they are herded to a place where they do not know if they will return, it is time for Marika to face the bright light of adulthood.

3.5 stars

BOOK #53


After the Storm by Linda Castillo

I enjoy this series of mysteries set in an Amish community in Ohio. With good plots and excellent character development, the author does a very good job at portraying the good, and the not so healthy aspects of the Amish.
Well researched, she knows a lot about the Amish, and it is always interesting to learn more.

The main character is Kate Burkholder, a small-town Chief of Police of Painter's Mill. When a tornado rips through the community, many are left helpless. In particular, because the Amish do not have televisions or communications that would alert them to the impending disaster, Kate tries as best as she can to get to them before the tornado.

When bones left in a crawl space of an old barn are discovered, Kate and her team need to unearth the secret of these 30 year old remains. Learning that there is evidence pointing to the fact that the bones belong to someone who died under mysterious conditions, propels Kate to have increased contact with the Amish community.

Years ago, she was banned from the Amish community, but still knows the Pennsylvania Dutch language and has contacts that can, if they choose, help her. The bones are not the only thing unearthed. With this discovery comes a lot of secrets and trickery.

Once again, there is a strong sub plot of Kate's relationship with State Agent John Tomasetti. As they work to get to the truth, issues arise in their every day life together which could make or break them.

Because I enjoy the writing and the setting, I'll continue to come back to this series.

Three and 1/2 Stars.

BOOK #54

Miss Jane by Brad Watson

This is a must read book. The writing is exceedingly marvelous and crafted in a way in which there is a steady rhythm of life in rural Mississippi. Miss Jane Chisolm is born with a rare genital birth defect. Unable to have children, sexual intimacy or a "normal" relationship, Jane is born with a keen intuition and very bright mind.

Unfortunately, her incontinence interferes with every day interactions with the outside world, still she finds ways in which to draw people to her. Jane is conceived when her father had too much to drink and her mother is in a drugged state of laudinum use. Long past the age of joy in having children, her mother's despondency grows as she perceives the child as a burden. Her father loves her, but cannot express this. Her sister both loves her yet perceives her as a stone around her neck.

The small-town doctor becomes her friend and mentor and the beauty of their relationship is woven throughout the story. Understanding the incredible personhood of Jane, Dr. Thompson grows to appreciate the exquisite beauty of Jane's internal world wherein she fears very little.

As she grows, she exhibits a keen sense of nature, both of growing, living things found in the wood, and the internal personality traits of people which render them kind and sensitive and then bitter and moody.

This is writing at its best!

Five Stars

>139 Carmenere: Cute boy and his dog. Is Lilly a Shelty?

I have enjoyed the addition of picture books on your thread. I am an avid reader to my kids, though they are quickly moving out of this phase (7, 8, 9).

I have enjoyed reading trickster tales to them over the years. Foxy! is a favorite.

> 5 Stars! I can't wait to read this. I have it from the library, moving to the top. Great review!

>129 brodiew2: Thanks for visiting! Yes, Lilly is a Sheltie who possesses all the Sheltie traits - loyalty, dedication to family, very affectionate, territorial, and she barks a lot.

Illustrated books are filled with such wonderful art!

>130 Dianekeenoy: I think you will like this book Diane. The writing is very good!

Miss Jane sounds wonderful! I am trying to keep my wish list manageable -haha- but this will be added. Your "feelings into words" approach worked very well.

The Goodnight Moon pictures were absolutely adorable. Lily is a good listener!

>113 Whisper1: Great photos!

Hi Donna and Darryl. It is wonderful to have young life amid the middle aged and older folk in our neighborhood. This little guy simply loves Lilly. Andres, Jr. tends to be shy. When he does speak, he talks first in Spanish, then smiles and translates in English.

He is very attached to his father and will simply sit on the step and watch as his father mows the lawn. Then, when finished, he follows where ever his daddy goes. Lilly is a gentle dog and allows the little guy to sit by him while he bends down and makes eye contact and smiles. It just warms my heart to see this little life learn more about his environment.

Morning, Linda!
I humbly recommend that you try to track down a copy of Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin. Charlie and I read it last night and it's so lovely. You'll enjoy it, I'm certain.

>78 Whisper1: I am definitely adding this to the pile. My grandfather had ALS. It's a tough disease.

>128 Whisper1: Miss Jane Looks great too.

Sending lots of healing prayers your way. I hope this week is going well.

>127 Whisper1: I saw the first one of that series in my wish list the other day. I left it there, but it's good to know you enjoy the series.

>131 Whisper1: We had Shelties growing up. I loved those dogs.

Hi Linda! What an adorable, thoughtful, loving thing to do, you giving your little neighbor Goodnight Moon.
Hope healing is coming along nicely.

>135 scaifea: HI Amber, I've long ago known to follow your recommendations. Thanks for your praise of this book, which means it is a great one. I've added it.
>136 nittnut: Hi Jenn. I highly recommend The Last Leaves Falling. I'm so sorry that your grandfather struggled with this illness. It is so tragic.
>137 thornton37814: Hi Lori. I enjoy the series. I know there is a new one just published. My name is on the list at the local library.
>138 brodiew2: Shelties are indeed wonderful dogs. For me, this is the breed to have.
>139 Carmenere: Lynda -- always kind and sensitive. Thank you!

Hi, Linda. Hope you're having a good day without too much pain. Looks like you've been enjoying visits and a lot of lovely books.

BOOK #55

Weathering by Lucy Wood

If you are looking for a plot-driven book, this isn't the read for you. If you are looking for a book that is action packed, this isn't the read for you. But, if you are interested in a book with strong character development, then this is a book you might like.

Pearl had a child late in life, that child Ada, grew up without a father when he suddenly left them behind when Ada was just a baby. That Child Ada, also grew up to have a fatherless child. Pepper is sensitive and seems to have a problematic learning disability.

The book is filled with page after page after page of the weather and the river located quite near Pearl's dilapidated, falling apart home.

When Ada scattered Pearl's ashes in the river, little did she know that her mother would return to haunt the house and communicate with Ada. Throughout the book Ada does not seem alarmed at all that her mother's spirit is restless.

As a wet fall turns to a winter of heavy snows, the roof leaks, the paper peals off the walls, and the dampness is ever pervasive. The lights flicker, the wood is wet and smoky, and layer after layer of clothing cannot take the chill out of the air.

Away from society, Ada longs to sell the house and move along, but Pepper roams through the woods and watches others in the small hamlet and develops an affinity for the people and the river.

Slowly, Ada meets local people. And, as a huge storm occurs, Pearl becomes more agitated as her ghostly form turns into the water of the river that pulls her into the swirling torrents and under neath to the bottom of the river where perhaps she can find peace.

Truly, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The prose is poetic. But, the continual descriptions of the wind, the water, the snow, the cold and desolation filled page after page and page. And, the never ending chill was over the top.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #66
Fables by Arnold Lobel

What a great Caldecott medal book containing, short, one-page fables with lovely illustrations by Lobel. Each illustrated fable contains the moral of the story.

>143 Whisper1: Very cool illustrations. I'm a fable fan, indeed. I liked the Crocodile with glasses. For some reason it reminds me of a favorite called Gator Gumbo.

Checking in, Linda, with love for all the pics and reviews. Hope this has been a good day for you, and that tomorrow will be even better!

>142 Whisper1: Very good review, Linda. Recommendations for a book without plot or action is testament to a good writer!

Have a lovely weekend, my dear.

>144 brodiew2: Hello Brodie. I am very much in awe of the illustrators of children's books. I believe it is an under estimated genre.

>145 LizzieD: Hi there Peggy. I'm having a tough day with more pain than usual. But, tomorrow will indeed be better.

>146 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. I found a New York Times book review of Weathering and it was stellar, praising this book as excellent.

>147 Whisper1: Linda, I pointed out that the New York Times commented upon John Steinbeck winning the Nobel Prize with the less than prescient description of his talent as "limited" and "tenth-rate philosophising."

I would back your judgement over theirs!

>148 PaulCranswick: WOW! Thanks for the high praise Paul.

BOOK #56


Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant

This is a small book filled with wonderful tales of the way in which animals change the lives of young and old. I very much enjoy Rylant's works. She is one of my favorite authors. There are twelve stories in this book in praise of the gentle way a pet helps us see the world in an entirely different way.

Linda, you and Will are a true gift to the young children on your street. Their parents must bless you daily. Sending you gentle hugs and whammies to dissolve that yucky pain.

>151 ronincats: It is a situation that in giving, we receive so much more than we thought possible. Our neighbor next door has three lovely grandchildren. Periodically, they ring the door bell, walk in and hand us cards they took a lot of energy to make. Then, of course, there is Ashlee, and Kayla who live across the street. They bless us daily. And, now, little Andres who melts the heart of all who take the time to interact with him.

Our neighborhood is a mixture of retired people, young parents, some of whom make the trek from Easton, PA to NYC to work on Wall Street, and increasingly, there are many Indian families who provide great diversity.

Thank you for your kind comments.

>127 Whisper1: Linda, I really enjoyed the first in this series by Linda Castillo, although my notes indicate that some of the graphic violence got to me, but I continue to see high praises from people like you whose reading tastes match mine, so I'm going to go back and read a couple more in this series.

Tina

I very much like her portrayal of the Amish. And, yes, you are correct, some of the violence is gritty.

Hi Linda. I just finished Miss Jane and you are right...it's a 5 star read. I will be thinking about this book for a long time!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #67


The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

This is a delightful description of Chester Raccoon and his anxiety regarding going to school and leaving his mother. Intelligent and intuitive, Chester's mother plants a kiss on his hand to indicate that wherever he goes, she goes with him.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #68
The Moon's Almost Here by Patricia MacLachlan, Tomie DePaola (Illustrator)


The pairing of MacLachlan, a multiple Newbery medalist and DePaola a Caldecot Medal recipient, yields a marvelously written, stunningly beautiful illustrated tale about a man and his son walking during the gloaming time when the day is transitioning into night and the animals and nature prepare to sleep.

In soft illustrations, the tone is set for quiet. In a lullaby like rendering of the tale, this is a delightful book to read to a child at bedtime.

As the sky turns from white and blue to darkness, all is quiet, all is calm, all is lovely. And as the mama bird sings her babies to the nest before the bright moon fills the sky, father, whose face is painted white like the character Pierrot, carries the weary child as he falls asleep while the moon looks over all and blesses all with light in the darkness. Much like a huge night light of a worldly bedroom, the images show the necessity and beauty of rest.

Oh. I thought I spoke this morning when I read your thread, Linda, but I guess I was on the FIRE, and that makes speaking a chore. So - HI!
Always interested to see what you're reading!

Happiest of Sunday's to you, Linda! Is the Philly DNC madness affecting your area?

>143 Whisper1: I am going to get that from the library. The illustrations are delightful!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #68


Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke

Action packed and simply adorable, this is a story of a Goblin who has a friend Skeleton. When lonely, he can always visit Skeleton, previously crowned as the mighty warrior.

One day the sound of footsteps is heard and the adventurers were storming the dungeon. Alas, they took everything, including Skeleton. Knowing that nobody likes a Goblin, still it was worth the risk of leaving the dungeon to find his beloved friend.

Placing Skeleton's crown on his goblin head, as he travels, he is pursued by the elves and a farmer who affirm Goblins fear that nobody likes him. Still, he risks all to find Skeleton.
And, when he finds him, he finds other goblins who return with him and Skeleton to the dungeon home.

Lovely illustrations with a story that most children would like, this is recommended.

Great to see all these reviews you are posting. It is good to witness how active you are.

>161 Whisper1: This looks really cute.

Hi Bill. I have a follow up appointment in Philadelphia tomorrow with the surgeon. And, the traffic, because of the Democratic National Convention, is going to be challenging.

I'm experiencing an upswing in pain because of healing, but still my spirits are good. I am reading lots of illustrated books that make me happy. I so enjoy chatting with Gig. She also loves children's books and illustrations!

How was your time with your grand daughter when she returned from camp?

Hi Eric. I've been out of touch with you. I hope all is well. I'll visit your thread to see the marvelous books you are reading. Thanks for stopping by.

Stopping in to catch up with you and your beautiful, delightful thread, Linda. Sorry to hear about the increase in pain, but hoping that is temporary because of the healing that you mentioned. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, as always. I loved reading about your neighborhood and its wonderful inhabitants - how fun. The Fables book looks like a good one - we love Arnold Lobel!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #69


The Walloping Window Blind by adapted and illustrated by Jim LaMarche

LaMarche is one of my favorite illustrators, and he does not disappoint in this whimsical tale, adapted from the original book by Charles E. Carryl wherein a ship of fun loving youngsters hope aboard the Walloping Window Blind for an adventure. No matter how high the waves or how fierce the gale, the caption is never troubled.

Leaving the others to steer the ship, as he ate figs (fig newton cookies, illustrated by LaMarche, and a hot dog (toasted pig) noted in original tale. All is fine as they frolic in the ocean, until the meals are served. White the captain is eating his favorites, the crew has hot-cross buns in liquid form with glue holding it together.

Taking the vessel ashore, they played with the local birds and animals while drinking cinnamon tea. Finding another ship in the distance, they left the shore and set course to hop aboard a new adventure.

>164 Whisper1: Gracious. Good luck with your trip to Jeff. Hope it goes well.

We haven't seen the girls since their return from camping. They did post a few photos of the group on FB. Claire was a little apprehensive about it beforehand, but in her FB post, she wrote of having had a great time and already missing her fellow hikers. We will see them tonight. Anniversary today for Judi and me, anniversary for the girls' parents Wednesday. So tonight we feast!

>165 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie. As always, I appreciate your stopping by!
>167 weird_O:> Happy Anniversary Bill. I hope you have a lovely feast.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK 70


The Three Questions written and illustrated by John J. Muth based on a story by Leo Tolstoy

Intelligent, Young Nikolai has three questions he wants answered, they are: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?

Calling upon his friends the heron, the monkey and the dog, each answer from their personal experience. Still, the answers are not satisfying to Nikolai Thus, he journeys high in the mountains seeking the wisdom of Leo the elder turtle.

While talking to turtle, and helping him dig, he hears a cry in the distance and finds a Panda bear with a broken leg. Returning in a storm to find the Panda's baby, he brings the baby to mama Panda. From this experience, the turtle tells Nikolai that the most important time is now, the most important one is the one by your side and the most important right thing to do is to be good to the one by your side.

Beautifully rendered illustrations draw the reader into the boy's life.

Glad your reading is making you feel better.

Sending gentle bear hugs!

HI Cheli

It is so good to see a message from you. Hugs right back!

Hi Linda. What a bunch of gorgeous illustrated books you have been reading. I am making a wishlist of books both to have and to send to my nephews and nieces.

I hope your appointment is full of good news!

Good luck today...with the traffic as well as the appointment!

Hi, Linda.

I love Jon Muth's books, and The Three Questions is a wise one, isn't it?

Hope we get to hear good news from your appointment yesterday.

>175 countrylife: Hi Cindy. Thanks so much for asking. I've noted the outcome of the appointment on threead #7