fuzzi Excavates More of Her ROOTs in 2017!

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fuzzi Excavates More of Her ROOTs in 2017!

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1fuzzi
Modificato: Dic 30, 2017, 12:22 am

I'm back, after a very successful 2016 ROOTing endeavor: my challenge was 66, but 103 books were ROOT'd, woo!

I'm going for a nice, round number, 100.

Here's my ticker:




2rabbitprincess
Gen 1, 2017, 12:16 am

Welcome back and happy new year!

3Familyhistorian
Gen 1, 2017, 4:15 pm

Good luck with both of your 2017 ROOTing goals!

4enemyanniemae
Gen 2, 2017, 1:58 am

Happy to see names I recognize! Good ROOTing and very Happy New Year.

5cyderry
Gen 2, 2017, 12:53 pm

Hope you unearth some good ones!

6MissWatson
Gen 2, 2017, 4:56 pm

Happy reading!

7avanders
Gen 2, 2017, 7:40 pm

Welcome back & Happy 2017 ROOTing!

8readingtangent
Gen 3, 2017, 6:25 pm

Wow, 103 ROOTs! I wish :). Here's wishing you similar success in 2017.

9fuzzi
Gen 3, 2017, 6:39 pm

>2 rabbitprincess: >3 Familyhistorian: 6 >7 avanders: >8 readingtangent: thanks for stopping by! :)

Last year I actually READ 63 books that qualified as ROOTs, but I also rehomed 40 ROOT books, unread.

I'm working on those shelves...

10connie53
Gen 5, 2017, 7:16 am

Hi, Fuz! Good to see you again. Happy ROOTing.

11Robertgreaves
Gen 5, 2017, 9:05 pm

I didn't realise you had two threads going. Marking this one.

12fuzzi
Gen 7, 2017, 1:29 pm

First ROOT of 2017 is done!

#1 The Years of Change by Mollie Hardwick

This is the third book in the Upstairs Downstairs novels, based upon the award-winning series from the 1970s. I thought this was an adequate adaption of the screenplays/scripts, but felt the writing could have been a little better. Some of the chapters ended rather abruptly, or were not resolved, and seemed to be missing a scene.

A fan of the television series would probably enjoy the books.

13fuzzi
Gen 7, 2017, 1:30 pm

>10 connie53: >11 Robertgreaves: good to see you, thanks for stopping by!

14Limelite
Gen 7, 2017, 4:57 pm

Impressive Goal! Mine is about 1/10th yours. Slow reader who tends to pick fat books, I guess.

I'd be curious if and how you plan your reading year. Some ROOTers have very interesting systems of choosing, detailing, and cataloguing the books they plan to tackle. Do you, or are you utterly spontaneous in your choices?

15fuzzi
Gen 7, 2017, 9:02 pm

>14 Limelite: I don't read as many "fat" books as others. I read on the bus, and in bed, and a large book is cumbersome!

I'm not totally spontaneous in my ROOT choices. I look for ROOT books that fit a reading challenge, like TIOLI, or AlphaKIT, but I don't always read what I plan!

16readingtangent
Gen 7, 2017, 10:02 pm

>9 fuzzi: Re-homing definitely counts, and 63 read is still a LOT! Impressive :).

17fuzzi
Gen 8, 2017, 2:37 pm

>16 readingtangent: thank you. Each year I've upped my ROOT challenge, and managed to meet it.

18fuzzi
Modificato: Gen 8, 2017, 2:54 pm

#2 Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments

I've followed horseracing since I was a pre-teen "horse crazy" adolescent, so I thought this might be an entertaining read. It was that, and more.

The choices for the "moments" weren't just actual races, like Seabiscuit versus War Admiral, or Secretariat's huge Belmont Stakes win (both of those made the top five), but included other notable firsts, such as revolutionary new helmets for jockeys that have saved many lives since the 1950s, or the development of the starting gate which most race fans take for granted.

Each "moment" was two to four pages long, well illustrated with photographs, and often had lesser known facts included. I found myself putting down this book frequently, not because it was boring, but to watch internet videos of the older races described.

Nice job, Blood Horse editors, this is one claimer I'm keeping!

19Limelite
Gen 8, 2017, 5:01 pm

>18 fuzzi:

I know I'd enjoy that book. Thanks for the title!

I'm a rather late blooming fan of Thoroughbred racing both domestic and international. (Actually have TVG on as I'm typing.) So, when Lime Spouse and I decided to own horses again, we adopted two OTTBs for career/life re-purposing. As it turned out, two horses came available for paid adoption simultaneously. When I found out their breeding and prices, I couldn't believe they could be ours.

Now we're the happy parents of Whirlwind (5), by Tapit and Kitten's Warrior (4) by Kitten's Joy. The added bonus is that they were born on the same day 1 year apart. Love at first sight!

20fuzzi
Gen 8, 2017, 7:53 pm

Oh, wow, a Tapit offspring? I know that name, will have to look up Kitten's Joy.

Last July we drove to Chicago to see our grandbaby, and drove home by way of Kentucky. I planned a visit to Old Friends', and got to see Silver Charm, Tanner's Way, War Emblem, and Alphabet Soup, to name a few. Great place.

21Limelite
Gen 8, 2017, 10:27 pm

Is that like the Kentucky Horse Park where Man-o-War and other outstanding horses (and horse people!) are buried? I visited there years ago when John Henry was still alive, a resident, and still his nasty self.

22fuzzi
Modificato: Gen 9, 2017, 12:49 pm

>21 Limelite: it's close to Kentucky Horse Park, and houses many retired thoroughbreds. I "met" the aforementioned TBs, plus one of only two surviving offspring of Genuine Risk, Genuine Reward.

Website is here: https://www.oldfriendsequine.org/

I would have liked to have met Forego, Foolish Pleasure, and Sham. They've all been gone for years. :(

23Limelite
Gen 9, 2017, 9:51 pm

Yes. Are there any more beautiful athletes than TBs?

Several years ago someone -- a woman, IIRC -- wrote a moderately hailed book about the TB racing life that I meant to read. But now I no longer remember title or author. Can't remember if it was fiction or memoir. . .hmmmm.

24fuzzi
Modificato: Gen 10, 2017, 11:16 am

>23 Limelite: there is something about watching a horse run that brings me to tears. I recently rewatched Mine That Bird's Kentucky Derby run, and I just sat there, overwhelmed. I also have rewatched Forego's unbelievable stretch run in the 1976 Marlboro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWeWHgHivWk).

Years ago I read a book, Little Vic, by Doris Gates. I recall one of the characters reading a passage from the Bible, which sticks in the mind of the young man, "Pony" Rivers. It reads like this:
"Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men." (Job 39:19-21)
There's more about the horse in that chapter, but those three verses, to me, describe a horse beautifully. "Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?" Whew.

BTW, Little Vic is a perfectly acceptable adult read, and I recommend it.

Have you read Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit: An American Legend? It's superb!

25Limelite
Gen 10, 2017, 1:25 pm

Oh, dear! Aren't we supposed to be reading our own tomes?

I enjoyed the Dick Francis books based around the British racetracks and bloodstock industry. He certainly did a lot to pique my interest in a jockey's life.

Beautiful passages from Job -- not a guy I'd expect to wax ecstatic about horseflesh. I haven't read "Seabiscuit" but did watch the well-acted film. Absolutely amazing horse, small body housing a great heart.

Have had the Keeneland mixed sales on all morning. Just admiring -- and sitting on my hands, even here! I love attending and TV-ing horse auctions. But auction sheds are Most Dangerous Places -- NEVER buy.

26Limelite
Gen 10, 2017, 1:44 pm

Found a good list of novels about racing and horses here:
https://www.bustle.com/articles/77288-13-books-about-horses-for-grown-ups-in-hon...
Only tome I own and have read from it is The Horse Whisperer. About a 3-star read.
Lord of Misrule is the one I was trying to remember.

27fuzzi
Modificato: Gen 10, 2017, 6:47 pm

I know, we're supposed to read our own books, tomes...but if one or two or a dozen somehow make their way to the shelves on their own...

I've read a couple of the Dick Francis mysteries, but only a couple. They were "okay", imo. I'm generally not a big fan of mysteries, although I've discovered some lovely series here on LT.

Watching Keeneland sales? Oh wow! I'd love to do that.

I read The Horse Whisperer a couple years ago, agree on a three star, I gave it 3 1/2.

I'll check out that list of novels, thanks.

28avanders
Gen 11, 2017, 12:25 pm

Congrats on 2 ROOTs pulled already!
I like that your # of ROOTs matches your % of your ROOTs goal accomplished....
THAT'S the math dork in me... ;)

29fuzzi
Gen 11, 2017, 2:06 pm

>28 avanders: hahaha! I'm the opposite of a math dork, and it took me about 45 seconds to figure out what you were saying.

No worries, it's all good. :)

30avanders
Gen 12, 2017, 12:13 pm

>29 fuzzi: lol! it's nice that we're all so different ;)

31fuzzi
Modificato: Gen 12, 2017, 5:33 pm

>30 avanders: we complement each other, vive la différence!

Today I saw a riddle posted outside the medical school bookstore, and within a minute, had figured out the answer. A very, VERY smart student, science/math/pre-med couldn't figure it out even with lots of hints.

Why did the pig go into the kitchen?

He wanted to do some bacon (baking) :D

32fuzzi
Modificato: Gen 12, 2017, 9:02 pm

#3 Showdown Trail by Louis L'Amour

The book Showdown Trail consists of two novella works: The Trail to Peach Meadow Canyon and Showdown Trail. Both were written by the author under a pseudonym, the latter tale rewritten as the novel The Tall Stranger.

Of the two stories, I liked the second one better, and on its own would have given it 4 stars. However, both are worth reading, especially if you appreciate L'Amour's works.

33fuzzi
Gen 17, 2017, 1:05 pm

#4 The War to End Wars by Mollie Hardwick

In The War to End Wars we are back with the Upstairs, Downstairs families during World War I. The books follow the television series fairly closely, so there are no real surprises.

And while reading this particular volume, it struck me that "no real surprises" was what was missing: there is no depth to this book and the previous ones, they are taken from the television scripts without adding anything, and so are not very good literature.

I like cotton candy and fluff reads as much as the next person, I suppose, but there could have been some deeper writing here, more insight into the inner thoughts of the characters, and some more information about the situation, the first war that involved Europe and the Americas.

It was an okay read, and I enjoyed it for taking me back to a series I loved to watch every Sunday evening. Beyond that, there isn't much.

34avanders
Gen 23, 2017, 11:55 am

>31 fuzzi: lol nice riddle ;) I ... didn't figure it out before clicking on your spoiler ;P

35fuzzi
Feb 4, 2017, 1:58 pm

As of today, I have read and kept 4 ROOTs.

I have also rehomed 24 books.

The 24+4=28 ROOTs! :)

36avanders
Feb 8, 2017, 4:00 pm

Woo hoo congrats!

37fuzzi
Feb 14, 2017, 8:16 pm

#5 Shag by Thomas C. Hinkle

Shag is a throwback, a well bred Scottish staghound that does not show his pedigree. His owner, unaware of Shag's inner potential, gives him away time after time, trying with good intentions to find a permanent home for an imperfect hound. Eventually the oft-rejected and unwanted dog makes his way into the wild, to survive, but ever missing the man he adores. Good dog story by an author who excels in the genre.

38fuzzi
Mar 5, 2017, 10:21 pm

#6 When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman

Ms. Penman paints a detailed and interesting portrait of Maude and Stephen's struggle over the English crown. While staying true to her source material, the author clarifies the politics and intrigue of the time, making this book a pleasant and engaging read despite its length. I also appreciated how each character is drawn, filled out, brought to life within the pages of this work, and even how the more devious and despicable players are given a human side to their heinous deeds.

An excellent read, and soon to be followed by the next book in the series, Time and Chance.

39fuzzi
Mar 11, 2017, 7:29 pm

#7 The Aesop for Children illustrated by Milo Winter

Beautifully illustrated, with familiar tales from my childhood, this book should have been a sure winner with me.

It wasn't.

I found myself stopping my read to see how many pages were left.

I think there were just too many morality tales too similar to one another to make this enjoyable.

40fuzzi
Mar 12, 2017, 6:13 pm

#8 Luck of the Irish by Ruth Adams Knight

When the plane carrying Stephen's father is presumed to have gone down in the jungles of Venezuela, he finds his life and plans for college have crashed as well. The running of the family's farm falls squarely on his young shoulders, alone, until the day a courier arrives with a dog. Rex is a show dog, destined to board in the kennels at the farm. Angus decides to stay, willing to help Steve with the farm chores for only room and board, but turns out to have experience with training show dogs as well.

Though much of this tale is obviously dated, and some of the descriptions might be considered offensive by modern standards, it still is a pretty good tale of a boy and his dog.

41fuzzi
Mar 21, 2017, 7:51 am

#9 Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Such a disappointment. As I read this book, I became involved in the story of a twin who feels as if she's not appreciated or loved as much as her younger sibling. However, the whining and paranoid rants by the teen-aged narrator start to get wearing, and eventually ruined the book for me. It's too bad, as life on the island was interesting, with descriptions of the daily routine of crabbing or fishing well done, and a nice touch. Not recommended unless you appreciate self-involved, pity-me, "it's all God's fault" type of narration.

42fuzzi
Mar 28, 2017, 8:35 am

#10 Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon

I've never seen the musical The King and I in its entirety, but I'm fairly familiar with the story. However, the musical and the book upon which it is supposed based are worlds apart.

Anna is a widow, with two young children, and the opportunity to support herself by teaching the children of the king of Siam. She endeavors to not only instruct the youngsters in the English language and customs as requested by the king, but also tries to instill the concepts of mercy, justice, and freedom for all in those who will someday rule Siam.

This story is based upon the writings of the real Anna, who went to Siam in the 1860s, and faced a society where slavery was accepted, where bribery was the norm, and where the whim of an angry ruler could condemn an innocent person with no recourse, and no repercussions. I was fascinated with the insight into Siam of almost two centuries ago, and found myself deep within the story for most of the book. Recommended.

Note: the edition I read was listed as abridged, but perhaps edited would be a better description.

43Caramellunacy
Mar 28, 2017, 11:05 am

>42 fuzzi:, I am glad you enjoyed Anna and the King of Siam, I read it (once upon a time) after having really enjoyed the Jodie Foster movie Anna and the King - which in retrospect has tiny Draco Malfoy in it! - and remember finding it fascinating.

44Robertgreaves
Mar 28, 2017, 7:16 pm

>42 fuzzi: When a friend of mine was living in Thailand I visited him every now and again, and I gather the Thais really, really don't like Anna Leonowens, saying she was nowhere near as influential as she made out and that she gets a lot of credit for social advances she had nothing to do with in reality.

45fuzzi
Mar 28, 2017, 9:33 pm

>44 Robertgreaves: well, every writer does have a bias of some sort. It also might be that Thai people don't like being portrayed as they were in Anna's writings.

I still enjoyed the book.

46fuzzi
Mar 31, 2017, 10:34 pm

#11 The Enchanted Isle by D.E. Stevenson

One thing I enjoy about D.E. Stevenson's writing is that she not only makes her characters REAL, but she lets her stories progress at their own pace, without need for melodramatic additions or artificial stimulations. The Enchanted Isle is described as a romance, but it's more about people: their problems, and their faults. From the vindictive, petty spinster who is never happy unless she's making others miserable, to the self-centered professor who emotionally abuses his children without being aware of it, even to the lonely headmistress who mistakenly thought she had everything she's ever wanted, we see a slice of small town that could be much like our own.

As I read I never felt as if the author was manipulating me emotionally as happens with other novels, but that she was sharing the ups and downs of people much like those around me. I liked the clean, fresh manner of Charlotte Fairlie's world, and wouldn't mind returning if it were possible.

47fuzzi
Apr 7, 2017, 4:04 pm

#12 Santorini by Alistair MacLean

A NATO surveillance ship crew witnesses an unidentified military-type plane crash into the sea close by, as a businessman's yacht nearby catches on fire, requiring a rescue...coincidence?

There's a bit of national security doings going on in the background while the NATO ship's good captain and crew try to figure out who sabotaged a military flight carrying nuclear mines that could explode with the slightest provocation. And what about that mysterious entrepreneur?

Though slightly dated, this is a good solid adventure/suspense story by the author of The Guns of Navarone.

48fuzzi
Apr 8, 2017, 8:03 pm

#13 Guide to Water Gardens: Ponds, Fountains, Waterfalls, Streams by Kathleen Fisher

A well-written and organized guide to designing, creating, installing, and maintaining all different types of outdoor water features. I liked how it did step by step instructions for novice to intermediate hobbyists. As I read I also jotted down notes for future projects. I intend to keep this book as a reference volume.

49fuzzi
Apr 11, 2017, 12:45 pm

#14 Seven Baptisms by Peter S. Ruckman

An interesting little book about all the occurrences of "baptism" in the Bible, and an interpretation of what each one means. The author doesn't claim to know everything, but backs up his suppositions with other scripture. Nice read.

50fuzzi
Apr 15, 2017, 7:56 am

#15 On With the Dance/Endings and Beginnings by Michael Hardwick

With this two book compilation, we conclude the original story of the Bellamy family and their family of servants, from the BBC series Upstairs Downstairs. I feel these books are better written than the previous two, and can be enjoyed either on their own or as part of the full series. Worth reading, especially by fans of the original television production, or by those who appreciate the genre.

51connie53
Apr 17, 2017, 2:26 pm

Hi Fuz, just stopping by your thread to see what you have been reading. Quit a lot I see.

52fuzzi
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 7:03 pm

>51 connie53: hi! Thanks for stopping by...yes, I have been focusing on my ROOTs again this year.

Right now the weather is mild and perfect for yard/garden work, and my reading will probably suffer until the heat arrives, at which point I'll be inside more, and read more!

53avanders
Apr 27, 2017, 11:00 pm

Almost halfway there! Way to go!

54fuzzi
Apr 28, 2017, 6:59 am

>53 avanders: thank you! I've not read another ROOT, as I've been busy with outside stuff, mostly, and right now I'm reading a (oh no!) LIBRARY book before bed every night.

Glad you stopped by. :)

55fuzzi
Apr 30, 2017, 9:08 pm

No more ROOTs in April, Real Life has been limiting my reading time. I've been reading Mirror Dance at night, but I fall asleep after about 15 minutes of reading...it's not the book, I'm just tired from outside stuff!

56floremolla
Mag 1, 2017, 4:50 am

>55 fuzzi: conversely, I had a good reading month in April but good weather is forecast for this week and I have a lawn that needs mowing, weeds to pull....so May might be a lean ROOTing month. Isn't there something quite nice about being physically tired at the end of a day in the garden, as opposed to being exhausted by dealing with other stuff like phone calls, appointments, accounts....? yuck.

57fuzzi
Mag 1, 2017, 12:22 pm

>56 floremolla: agree totally on the different types of exhaustion. Both my dh and I are pleased, tired, but pleased with the progress in the yard.

Once the heat hits here in NC (usually late April) there's no way I will be outside much during the day, and I will be reading more!

58avanders
Mag 23, 2017, 7:59 pm

>54 fuzzi: lol I do that too... read library books. I try to cut down because of the ROOT situation.. but then I also think, but libraries are good! Must support the libraries.... ;)

59fuzzi
Mag 23, 2017, 8:34 pm

>58 avanders: exactly!

I've just started my first ROOT of May (hangs head) but fully intend to meet my goal in 2017!

60avanders
Mag 23, 2017, 11:38 pm

You can do it!! 🎉🎉🎉

61fuzzi
Mag 24, 2017, 6:51 am

>60 avanders: thanks! It's a good one, Partisans by Alistair MacLean. So far I am really enjoying it!

62connie53
Mag 27, 2017, 3:26 am

>61 fuzzi: A ROOT on the go! Good job.

63fuzzi
Mag 27, 2017, 8:01 am

>62 connie53: and it's a good one! RL has been keeping me away from it, but perhaps this weekend...

64fuzzi
Modificato: Mag 31, 2017, 10:34 pm

#16 Partisans by Alistair MacLean

A thoroughly engaging story of intrigue in the early days of World War II, with enough twists to satisfy a pretzel connoisseur.

65floremolla
Giu 1, 2017, 4:42 am

>64 fuzzi: pretty twisty then! :)

66fuzzi
Giu 1, 2017, 12:29 pm

>65 floremolla: oh, yeah. I like it when I can't anticipate the storyline.

67rabbitprincess
Giu 1, 2017, 6:46 pm

>64 fuzzi: Well then, I shall be sure to pick that one up next time I see it in a secondhand bookstore! (With MacLean, I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.)

68fuzzi
Modificato: Giu 11, 2017, 6:30 pm

>67 rabbitprincess: I recommend it highly, very good read!

I keep looking for Alistair MacLean's in used book stores, and sometimes I find them.

69fuzzi
Giu 11, 2017, 6:34 pm

Three more ROOTs were removed today, unread:

I Will Fight No More Forever by Merrill D. Beal - I have tried several times to finish this book, but I can't, it's so disheartening!

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary - read in my youth, bought again a few years ago and have yet to read it...out it goes!

Never Again: Securing America and Restoring Justice by John Ashcroft - a present from a family member, so I have kept this for years, unread. I doubt I'll ever even open it, so off the shelves...

70fuzzi
Modificato: Giu 12, 2017, 12:44 pm

Yes, I'm at the halfway mark, two weeks early!

#20 The Grandfathers by Conrad Richter

An amusing tale of life in the mountains of western Maryland from a century ago, told through the eyes of a 16 year old girl. As always, this author makes his characters interesting. Recommended.

71rabbitprincess
Giu 12, 2017, 5:41 pm

>70 fuzzi: Congrats on being halfway through already!

72floremolla
Giu 12, 2017, 6:32 pm

>70 fuzzi: well done on your early halfway mark!

73MissWatson
Giu 13, 2017, 4:03 am

>70 fuzzi: Admirable progress, congrats!

74fuzzi
Giu 17, 2017, 11:23 am

#21 A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery

I like L.M. Montgomery's charming tales of Prince Edward Island as much as anybody, I suppose, and that's coming from someone who has read a lot of her works.

However, A Tangled Web does not only drag out the opening scene to almost the first quarter of the book, but the cast is too large and unwieldy to handle without creating score cards, especially considering most belong to one of two clans: the Darks, and the Penhallows.

This might wind up being a good read, but life is too short for me to continue reading it. No stars, since I did not finish the book.

75connie53
Lug 18, 2017, 2:57 am

Half way point! Very good job, Fuz!

76fuzzi
Lug 18, 2017, 6:56 am

>75 connie53: thank you. I had a "bad" June, but I'm hoping to get more "out the door" this month.

77connie53
Lug 20, 2017, 1:47 pm

>76 fuzzi: I know, I get a lot more reading done out in the garden.

78fuzzi
Ago 6, 2017, 7:37 pm

#22 Begat: the King James Bible & the English Language by David Crystal

A non-religious book about the origins of idioms traced back to the King James Bible. The author distinguishes between those expressions that are merely quotations, and others that have been hijacked for secular use, often appearing in advertisements and movies.

The author also added appendices and indices to the back of the book.

The book was not boring, but intriguing, and kept my interest throughout. This one is a keeper, and will remain on my shelves.

79rabbitprincess
Ago 6, 2017, 7:56 pm

>78 fuzzi: David Crystal's books are always so interesting! Will have to add this one to the list.

80fuzzi
Ago 6, 2017, 8:47 pm

>79 rabbitprincess: I'll have to check out his other books, thanks!

81fuzzi
Ago 11, 2017, 10:03 pm

#23 The Satan Bug by Alistair MacLean

Another good read by a master of mystery, intrigue, adventure, and suspense, this time involving a biological weapons research facility. The bad news is that two high-level employees are dead, from exposure to deadly compounds, but even worse is that flasks containing toxins that could destroy all life on earth are missing, and possibly in the hands of a madman. Better than Bond, and more believable.

82fuzzi
Ago 19, 2017, 8:32 am

#24 The Rawhide Knot by Conrad Richter

In this collection of short stories the author's ability to weave his tales of pioneers in few but highly descriptive words is in full display. Each story has an underlying theme of frontier marriage, rough but strong, as the title implies, and needs to be read unhurriedly, as much of the beauty of the prose will be missed otherwise. As with Conrad Richter's other works I have read, The Rawhide Knot comes highly recommended.

83fuzzi
Ago 20, 2017, 8:00 pm

#25 Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry

This is one of the few books by this author that I'd not read as a youth, but I enjoyed reading it as an adult. Brighty is a not-quite wild burro that lives partly in an offshoot of the Grand Canyon, and partly with those humans he likes. He deals with challenges including mountain lions, and those who would abuse his good nature.

Though somber in parts, and with some brief mentions of violence, it is an entertaining read for young and older animal lovers alike.

84fuzzi
Set 18, 2017, 8:38 pm

#26 Seven Resurrections by Peter S. Ruckman

An interesting short book about all the resurrections listed in the Bible, including but not limited to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Worth a read for any semi-serious student, or perhaps just the curious.

85fuzzi
Set 27, 2017, 9:37 pm

#27 Seven Sevens by Peter S. Ruckman

This is a transcript of a numerology sermon preached in the mid 1960's. While a few references feel outdated, the Biblical observations and applications are timeless and made me go "Oh...wow..." on several occasions. Worth reading, and rereading.

86fuzzi
Set 27, 2017, 9:38 pm

Coming Up: the October Purge...

87fuzzi
Set 28, 2017, 7:52 pm

#28 The Two Raptures by Peter S. Ruckman

Comparing scripture with scripture, the author lays out why he believes the Bible teaches of two Raptures, and does a most-convincing job. Extremely interesting and fascinating little book by one of my favorite preacher/teacher authors.

88fuzzi
Modificato: Ott 1, 2017, 9:22 pm

Math is not my strong suit, by any means, and my ROOT numbers didn't seem to be adding up correctly, so I went back through my reading register, added my read ROOTs (28, matched here, woo!) and my rehomed books that were not counted as read ROOTS (47), and came to the conclusion that I have CHEATED MYSELF.

I should have 75 ROOTs through September, not the 60 I had on the ticker.

I feel better...

89rabbitprincess
Ott 1, 2017, 9:39 pm

>88 fuzzi: Hurray!

90fuzzi
Ott 1, 2017, 9:45 pm

Oops, still miscounted. I have 48 rehomed books actually listed on another thread...make that 76 ROOTs.

91floremolla
Ott 2, 2017, 4:10 am

Lol, you're exactly on track anyway - just over three quarters of the way through the year and through your ROOT goal - you can do it! :)

92fuzzi
Ott 3, 2017, 1:23 pm

>91 floremolla: thank you! I appreciate that.

Here's my latest:

#29 The Judgment Seat of Christ by Peter S. Ruckman

Excellent booklet about the Christian's expected judgment by the Lord, and what we should do in order to not show up with empty hands. The author uses scripture to back up his ideas, and his writing is not hard to understand.

Definitely recommended for a Christian who believes the Bible is the word of God, or even someone who wants to see beyond the hype of television and "experts", to understand what many born-again Christians believe.

93fuzzi
Ott 3, 2017, 9:04 pm

Rolling right along...

#30 Fact, Faith, and Feeling by Peter S. Ruckman

A great little book based upon a sermon by the author. In simple terms and using illustrations from his experiences, he teaches the reader about the difference between fact, faith, and feeling, and how to not confuse them with each other. I consider this a valuable resource for any Christian.

94fuzzi
Ott 4, 2017, 12:41 pm

#31 Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage by Peter S. Ruckman

This is a fascinating look at what the Bible teaches about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and it's not necessarily what any of us would assume. The author takes scripture within context to show what God actually says about what marriage is (hint: it's not a ceremony), and when divorce is acceptable. Also within this volume is more scriptural information regarding remarriage.

Not what I expected it to be, not judgmental at all, very different from traditional opinions, and as always with this author, supported by Sola Scriptura, the Bible.

95fuzzi
Ott 4, 2017, 12:42 pm

As you can see by reading the last few entries, I'm working on a stack of booklets and books by Peter S. Ruckman, given to me a couple years ago. I'm really enjoying them, too.

96connie53
Ott 15, 2017, 3:24 am

Way to go Fuz! I like your math!

97fuzzi
Ott 22, 2017, 9:29 pm

#32 Discrimination: the Key to Sanity by Peter S. Ruckman

This is a tough review to write. I don't often read a book that challenges what I have been taught, or how I believe, but this one did. And as I struggled with what was written, I recognized that no matter how I felt about it, the words were truth, and since they were backed up by Scripture, I had to rethink my own thoughts. Whew. There were several quotes I contemplated sharing here, but I think instead I'll paraphrase, and let you read the book for yourself for the rest.

Discrimination is a word that has had its meaning changed. A discriminating person used to be someone who knew how to choose between good and bad, right and wrong, or something simple like choosing between different vintages of wine. Somewhere along the way the term has come to mean something very different, and we are the poorer for it. Also, today everyone is focused on "rights", who has what rights to different things. However, and this is a BIG however, we should examine where these rights came from. If someone gives you a right to do something, to go somewhere, to be someone, you are acknowledging that they not only have power to give you that right, but also TAKE IT AWAY. If our rights come from a government, they can be revoked by the government as well. But if our rights come from God, only God can take them away, and all the laws and bureaucracies of the world can not.

It was definitely a heavy read for me, but a book I plan to reread, to meditate upon, and discuss with other in the future.

98fuzzi
Modificato: Ott 29, 2017, 3:16 pm

I just removed 51 books from my shelves, which brings my ROOT total to 131 for 2017. :)

See my rehoming thread for details:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/245074#

99fuzzi
Modificato: Nov 23, 2017, 8:26 pm

#33 Little Hawk and the Free Horses by Glenn Balch

An engaging story of a Comanche boy, from the time in early America when horses were a novelty. Well-written, suitable for preteens and up.

100fuzzi
Nov 23, 2017, 8:25 pm

#34 The Monument by Gary Paulsen

A thoughtful story about life in a small farm town in Kansas, told through the eyes of an adopted girl.

101fuzzi
Nov 26, 2017, 5:29 pm

#35 David's Ranch by Don Wilcox

This is a grammar school textbook that tells a story about a young man in order to teach environmental science. David is given a section of land on his father's ranch to use for grazing cattle, and as we read we see how he learns soil conservation techniques in order to protect it from damage. Interesting, mildly preachy.

102fuzzi
Dic 2, 2017, 4:47 pm

I cleaned off some of my shelves today, and if the book had been sitting there for at least a year, unread, it counts as a ROOT for me!

Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God: The Life Story of the Author of My Utmost for His Highest - (ROOT)
The Quicksilver Horse by Anne Digby - (ROOT)
Jonathan Edwards: Basic Writings - (ROOT)
Mew is for Murder - (ROOT)
Aquariums For Dummies - (ROOT)
Christianity Is Jewish - (ROOT)
Birds of North America - (ROOT)
A Field Guide to the Butterflies - (ROOT)
Mimosa - (ROOT)
A Field Guide to the Ferns - (ROOT)
A Field Guide to Wildflowers - (ROOT)
Dwight L Moody - (ROOT)

103fuzzi
Dic 5, 2017, 7:14 am

I think this is the next ROOT I've read since November 26th:

#36 Night Without End by Alistair MacLean

Gripping tale of survival in a harsh environment, with some intrigue and "who-done-it?" mixed in, with quite good results.

Solid book by the author, and definitely recommended.

104fuzzi
Dic 6, 2017, 6:58 am

#37 There's an Owl in the Shower by Jean Craighead George

In the past I have read and loved books written by this author, so was looking forward to There's an Owl in the Shower. I was very disappointed. While Jean Craighead George's descriptions of the animals in their natural environment were still fairly good, the stereotypical bad/good humans and the preachy environmental message really spoiled it for me. Too heavy-handed and agenda-driven, I did not enjoy this as much as I wanted.

105fuzzi
Dic 7, 2017, 6:59 am

#38 Betsy & Tacy & Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace

Here in the second book of the Betsy-Tacy series we are introduced to their new friend, Tib, and learn about what it might have been like to be a young girl in the late 1890s. When Tacy catches Diptheria, she can't play for months, and her whole household is quarantined. So her friends send her messages using a fishing pole over the fence. Sweet and enjoyable, fine for elementary school children. Adults may enjoy it too, as the author does not "talk down" to her audience. Recommended, but read the previous book first if you can.

106fuzzi
Dic 11, 2017, 7:48 pm

I just hit 157 ROOTs for 2017, though not all read.

#39 Striding Folly by Dorothy L. Sayers

As a teen I loved the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, and read them all after seeing a couple of the BBC productions starring Ian Carmichael. So when I found a book by the same author, and about Lord Peter Wimsey, I expected a winner. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed. This volume includes an incredibly long introduction (31 pages!) and three short stories/novellas.

Problems? There wasn't much mystery or suspense. Or maybe Wimsey just doesn't work as well in a shorter format, at least not for me. Or maybe my tastes have changed four decades later. I have no plans for a reread of what I considered to be pablum.

107fuzzi
Dic 13, 2017, 8:45 pm

#40 Buckskin Brigade by Jim Kjelgaard

This is a series of short stories about early American pioneers, mountain men, trappers, and settlers, all heading west from the safety of civilization. The author has taken historic accounts and fleshed them out into involving tales of bravery. I've read a number of Jim Kjelgaard's other works, and I have to rank this one among the best. Definitely recommended.

108fuzzi
Dic 15, 2017, 9:54 pm

#41 Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace

In this, the third installment of the series, Betsy and her sister Julia have a huge quarrel, and the girls meet some new friends who help them realize how special America is. Another enjoyable addition to the Betsy-Tacy books.

109fuzzi
Dic 19, 2017, 10:56 pm

#42 The Dreamstone by CJ Cherryh

Some of this story felt familiar, akin to other "elves & men" tales such as The Lord of the Rings. And yet, the author added more mystery, and depth to the characters, whether to the dislike or delight of the reader. I enjoyed it enough to plan on reading the second book in the series.

110fuzzi
Dic 22, 2017, 7:29 pm

#43 Life, Love, and Laughter by Peter S. Ruckman

An eclectic collection of observations and humor, collected over a fifty year ministry. I enjoyed some of it, but not enough to reread.

111connie53
Dic 24, 2017, 3:39 am

Happy holidays, Fuz!

112fuzzi
Dic 30, 2017, 12:10 am

Argh! I messed up my 2017 ticker when I created one for 2017.

113floremolla
Dic 30, 2017, 10:08 am

It's not just me then! Stopped myself just in time from doing the same thing yesterday. Hope you have your data and can recover the situation.

114fuzzi
Dic 30, 2017, 4:22 pm

>113 floremolla: I had the "goal" and "done" numbers referenced on another thread, so I just recreated the 2017 ticker.