Happy Mothers' Day - and Book 20 - Bob Schieffer's America

Happy Mothers' Day!


Two Beautiful Mothers

My Mother-in-Law
Elsie

My Mother
Lucille

Both lived very long lives: my mother until she was 96 -1/2, and Elsie over 92 years. These photos are both from around the same period : late 1930s or early 1940s. Both loved to read!

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 20

Bob Schieffer's America

by Bob Schieffer

2008

A book of short essays on a variety of topics arranged in 12 larger categories, most of which were used as the closing words on Schieffer's CBS weekly show. There is also some new writing and some notes of updated information regarding some of the essay topics.  These are interesting, and especially easy to read in short spurts of reading time since each essay is very short - but pithy.

"No one had done commentaries for CBS since Eric Sevareid's retirement in 1977, when, in April 1994, Bob Schieffer decided his show that week on the death of Richard Nixon needed a few closing words to put the subject into context.  The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and he had been doing them ever since.  Bob Schieffer's America brings together 168 of his best essays -- from the hard issues of today (2008) to the human stories that show us who we are -- along with a wealth of brand-new material.  These essays speak to us all." 

52 Books in 52 Weeks - Book 19: Cain His Brother

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Cain His Brother

A Novel by Anne Perry

1996

" We have read each other as Cain his brother"

G.K. Chesterton

"Victoria's London was the queen of the universe, a dazzling city from whose magnificent mansions and discreetly luxurious clubs flowed the strategies that built the greatest empire ever known.  Meanwhile, the city's poor suffered and died in hopeless obscurity.  Inspector William Monk believes he knows his city's best and worst -- until the day Genevieve Stonefield comes to plead with him to find her missing husband.  Angus Stonefield had been gentle and loving in his family life; in his relationship with his twin brother, Caleb, a virtual saint.  Now he is missing -- and it appears more than possible that Caleb has murdered him.  As Monk inches toward the truth, he also  moves unwittingly towards the destruction of his good name and livelihood."

Another in the William Monk series, this has several interesting strands, along with the central story of Angus and Caleb.  My husband did not like the ending at all - thought it was too contrived.  I felt the author may have begun with the ending, or at least the premise of the ending, and then figured out how the plot would work. It's always interesting to peek into the world of Victorian London.  It wouldn't have been such a good time for a woman, even a married woman such as Mrs. Stonefield.  While her husband was merely "missing" she could do nothing with or about his business.  She and her children would have become destitute or had to seek the protection of other family members.  As she explained to William Monk, she needed to know if her husband was dead - or still alive somewhere!

About The Author

Anne Perry's other William Monk novels include The Face of a Stranger, A Dangerous Mourning, Defend and Betray, A Sudden, Fearful Death, and The Sins of the Wolf.  She is also the author of fifteen novels, beginning with The Cater Street Hangman, in another Victorian mystery series featuring Inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife Charlotte, the most recent of which is Traitor's Gate.

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 18

Body of Evidence

by Lenora Worth

 "When Texas Ranger Anderson Michaels goes undercover at an animal rescue farm in Texas Hill Country, he lands right in owner Jennifer Rodger's path.  Before long, he realizes that tracking down his target - a deadly drug-trafficking ring that was responsible for the murder of his captain - may be easier than winning this jaded woman's trust.  Experience has taught Jennifer to keep her distance from adventure seekers.  But her life will depend on her ability to push aside her fears - and trust Anderson to keep her safe."

Light reading for sure - a nice quick read!

52 Books in 52 Weeks: Books 16 & 17

Book # 16 

Morality for Beautiful Girls

by Alexander McCall Smith

More from The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency!  In Morality for Beautiful Girls, Precious Ramotswe, founder and owner of Botswana's only detective agency for the "concerns of both ladies and others", investigates the alleged poisoning of the brother of an important "Government Man', and the moral character of the finalists of the Miss Beauty and Integrity Contest, the winner of which will almost certainly be a contestant for the title of Miss Botswana.  Meanwhile, the agency is having money problems, and when unexpected difficulties arise at the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, she discovers that her fiance, the reliable Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, is more complicated than he seems.

In the others of this delightful series that I've read, Precious Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are already married, so this is an earlier story, even if written later.  I need to check the dates of the others!  One other part that really interested me is that her assistant, Mme. Makutsi, always seems a bit less competent than Mma. Ramotswe in the other stories.  In this one, however, she shows her talents at both detection and management!  

Always enjoy any and all of Alexander McCall Smith's books! In addition to the huge international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith is the author of The Sunday Philosophy Club series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, The Girl Who Married a Lion, and 44 Scotland Street.  He was born in what is now Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of  Botswana and Edinburgh University.  He lives in Scotland and returns regularly to Botswana.

Book #17

Smith College Class of 1962

50th Reunion Book

1962: Reflect, Relive, Rejoice!

While not a "regular:" book, this 50th Reunion special publication from my college is fascinating to read! I'm not planning to attend the reunion, although I have attended a few times over the years, and have very fond memories of my years in Northampton, Massachusetts.  Some of my best friends are classmates, even if we rarely see each other.

This 327 page book, which I've pretty much devoured cover-to-cover, contains something about each member of the Class of 1962, with very few exceptions - a few "lost" members.  The Senior photo of each is included, along with contact information and whatever other details the person cared to share - further education, professional &/or volunteer life, family, and more.  Each of us was invited - indeed urged - to send in a more recent photo and a brief essay about our life now and/or through the past 50 years.

When first flipping through the book, I was fascinated to see all the Senior photos and realize that "we all looked alike"!  I hadn't realized how accustomed we have become to our multi-cultural and very diverse current world - in stark contrast to the student body and the world we lived in fifty years ago.  After looking up all my special friends, I found myself reading everyone else's essays too.  It's so interesting to read about the lives of these several hundred classmates!  So sad to read about some who lived such short lives. What a wonderful project!  I'm so happy I sent in my photo and little essay and that so many others did too! I really appreciate all who worked so hard to bring this book to us, the Smith College Class of 1962!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 49th Anniversary

Harvey and Jane!

December 29, 2011