The Book Challenge discussion

1. No More Mopes, by Chief David Oliver. Brimfield, Ohio is a tiny township near the city of Kent, with a population of around 10,400 (it's about 20 minutes or so from where I live). When Oliver, the township's police chief, decided to start a Facebook page for the police department, he expected to get a few hundred likes. Instead of a few hundred likes, the Brimfield Police Department's Facebook page now has more likes than any other police department in the nation, save New York City. I just peeked at their Facebook page, and the page has nearly 137,000 likes, from people in every state and several countries. This book is a compilation of some of the chief's favorite Facebook posts.
If you follow the police department's page, you can see why it is so popular- Chief Oliver is very no-holds barred, very honest and often very, very funny. He has a way of telling stories about the various "mopes" (police slang for a crook or ne'er-do-well) and his officers' responses. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but several of my colleagues at the newspaper have, and they have assured me that my impressions I get of him on Facebook - as someone who is outspoken, boisterous, and very open and honest- are on target. There are some serious posts - like his thoughts on the triple homicide that took place not all that long ago, and September 11. But most of the columns are wry observations about the criminal element. He does stress- both in his book and his page- that people can reform. He's open about his own past, where he describes himself as being without character (although not a criminal) until he met "Mrs. Chief." Sales from this book, by the way, benefit the department's charitable activities, such as Shop With A Cop and help for juvenile victims of sexual abuse.

2. Sybil Exposed, by Debbie Nathan. I remember reading the famous book, Sybil, by Flora Schreiber in my late teens or early 20s. Indeed, I read it twice, fascinated and horrified by the case of a woman who split into 16 different personalities due to the horrible abuse inflicted on her by her mother. It was gripping, appalling, had a happy, healing ending... and was mostly fiction, according to Nathan and her research. What really happened is just as interesting, and Nathan does a good job relating how and why this could have happened, why the story was so easily swallowed and the lasting impact on society even today.
First, you have Sybil (really Shirley Mason), a highly sensitive, creative individual who loved to draw fantasy pictures and write fiction- both things that her extremely conservative parents and neighborhood forbade her to do. She was a very anxious girl and woman who craved attention and a creative release. However, her mother, while she may have suffered from depression- more on that later- she was NOT the monster Sybil portrayed her to be. There's no evidence to back up any of the allegations- indeed, there were stories that have been refuted. For example, the story about how Mattie threw Shirley into a grain bin which nearly suffocated her? Complete fabrication- there was no grain bin as described in the book on the property, and never had been, according to Nathan. Indeed, Flora herself had serious doubts early on in writing the book when she visited Shirley's town - she noticed the lack of the grain bin. And that whole story about the sex orgy in the woods? Problematic since there are no woods where Shirley grew up- just prairie flatland.
Next you have Connie Wilbur, Shirley's long-time (VERY long time) psychiatrist. Connie was a woman who wanted to be a doctor and scientist in an era when women typically did not go into those fields (her parents discouraged her from those pursuits, and you get the impression they encouraged college mostly in hopes of Connie getting her Mrs. degree). Pursue science, and later medicine, she did, but she was dealt two significant setbacks. The first was early in her career, when an athlete's foot creme she created burned the soles of her patients' feet. The second, when she entered psychiatry happened after World War II ended. She was employed at a hospital, and considered a great doctor, especially with "female hysterics." A short movie was even made about her treatments and success. But once the men who had been employed there came home, Connie got a pink slip.
So basically, you had two women who craved recognition, and when they found each other, they wound up feeding off each other's need for attention. Connie's methods of treatment, if they would have been fully known then, would have raised eyebrows at the time and certainly would have meant the loss of her license today. But this was a time when mental health was just being explored as a potentially treatable condition, and a lot of things simply weren't known or understood. For example, Connie used large doses of Pentothal, then called "truth serum," to get at Shirley's repressed memories. Now, we know that Pentothal is more likely to bring out hallucinations than truth. Then, anything said under the drug was considered gospel, for the most part. It's easy to see, understanding the culture, why Sybil's outrageous stories could have been considered true, for back then (perhaps even now), if something were found deficient, the mother was always to blame. Depression? Blame the mother. Anxiety? Blame the mother. Asthma? You guessed it (and no, that is not a joke).
So it's likely that Shirley and Connie at least half-believed the stories about the multiple personalities. In a way they probably felt they had to, because both had so much riding on those stories being true- Shirley, to keep Connie close by, and Connie, for the professional recognition and respect she desperately wanted.

Currently reading: Cleopatra: The Search for the Queen of Egypt, by Zahi Hawass and Franck Goddio, and Blimp Pilot Terrorizes Akron and Other Hot Air, by Bob Dyer.

3. Blimp Pilot Terrorizes Akron (And Other Hot Air), by Bob Dyer. Bob Dyer, a longtime columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal, compiles a number of his columns in his latest book, ranging from the 1990s to current. They are divided by topic. I think the most amusing were his columns on his ventures with piloting various contraptions, including a stock car, a train and, yes, the Goodyear Blimp. His writing is often humorous, occasionally insightful, sometimes acerbic and always entertaining.

Currently reading: Yearning for Normal, by Susan Ellison Busch, The Winged Tales, by Vladislav Krapivin. Also still slowly making my way through that book on Cleopatra (good information, wonderful photographs- but who the heck thought it was a good idea to make the text barely 8 points, dark tan, on beige paper? Very hard to read!)

4. Yearning for Normal, by Susan Ellison Busch. This is a powerfully written book on the author's struggles in dealing with her son, who has Deletion 22q.11. I had never heard of this condition but I guess it is fairly common. What happens is a small portion of the 22nd chromosome is deleted. This tiny deletion can cause a myriad of problems, as Busch outlines. Breathing difficulties. Developmental delays. Orthopedic difficulties. Even psychiatric issues. Busch relates her struggles in an honest and easy-to-follow tone. Her view also is interesting as someone who is not only a mother, but a nurse. This was an insightful read, and I'd recommend it for anyone facing a similar diagnosis.

5. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote. This has been on my want-to-read list for a couple of years now. We see novelized nonfiction on a fairly regular basis now, but from what I understand this book was groundbreaking for its time. Capote's narration of the murder of the prominent Clutter family, and the arrest, trial and execution are meticulously told. What comes out is a chilling portrait of two men - Dick Hickock and Perry Smith - who planned the murder of the family for money. The reason is chilling enough, but the cold calculation and utter lack of remorse, especially from Hickock, will make your skin crawl. The book also captures the scene of the town- the day of the murders, and the comparative aftermath, when once neighbors started casting suspicious eyes at each other before the culprits were caught. What was striking to me is just how different 1959 was, compared to today. Capote's book is not just a story about a brutal murder, but a time capsule. For example, this was a widely publicized case back then- but it was not national news. Today, something like this would probably be international news. It was much easier to disappear back then; indeed, half of the reason why Hickock and Smith were caught was because they were stupid and overconfident. Also have to give credit to the dogged police work as well; they had little to work with initially, and nothing like the internet or any easy means to get word out nation-wide.

Currently reading: Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris.

6. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. Wow. I've heard this recommended many times, and it did not disappoint. I was also warned to have hankies on hand for the final few chapters. Yes, that was good advice as well. I finished this in two days. The protagonist is Hazel, 17, who has terminal cancer. A new drug has bought her some time, but she is acutely aware of her own mortality. In many ways, she is a typical teen, trying to find her place in the world, but at the beginning you get the sense that she's (understandably) discouraged and frustrated by her limitations. One night, however, during a support group meeting she's dragged to by her mother, she meets Augustus, a cancer survivor, and they both share strong feelings for each other. Their journey includes a trip to Amsterdam to meet the author of Hazel's favorite book. This story is humorous and heartbreaking by turns (the later especially in the final chapters), with fantastic characters. The book doesn't whitewash going through cancer. What I really liked, too, were Hazel's parents. They are good, ordinary people - neither horrible nor saintly- trying their best under incredibly difficult circumstances (and that is putting it mildly).

7. Flora and Ulysses, the Illuminated Adventures, by Kate DiCamillo, with illustrations by K.G. Campbell. This is a charming and quirky story good for older grade school. The story is embellished with wonderful black and white illustrations. Flora, a young girl who latches on to the label of "cynic" that her mother has given her, loves comics, much to her mother's chagrin. Her life changes when she rescues a squirrel and adopts him. The squirrel had a near-death experience after being sucked into an overly powerful vacuum cleaner belonging to a neighbor but comes back to the brink with the power to fly, to write and to understand the humans around him. Together, Flora and Ulysses seek adventures. Parts of the book are told from Flora's point of view, and others from the squirrel's. Only complaint is labeling the mother a villain early on (although in the end she does come around). I realize this is for children, and from a child's point of view, but a lot of literature and television portray parents as dumb and to be disobeyed. It bothered me here.

8. Me talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris. One word can describe this collection of essays from Sedaris: hilarious! This compilation includes several stories about his family, including his early childhood, his battle of wills with his elementary school speech therapist, his brief "career" in jazz, his brief stint as a performance artist, and his trips to France. The opening story on his dealings with his speech therapist and his stories on trying to learn French were among my favorites. Definitely want to read more of his books!

Currently reading: Catch-22, by Joseph Heller (a little more than halfway through), and Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut (just started)

9. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. Most people are familiar with the title, which has become a part of the English lexicon to describe a situation that is unassailable due to conflicting rules. In this book, Yossarian, an Air Force bombardier during World War II, is sick of the war and wants to go home. The problem is that he has to be proven insane to go home- but Catch-22 states that those expressing concern for their own welfare about flying cannot be insane, and that you have to be insane to keep flying. Yossarian is trying to convince his superiors that he is crazy but that is tough to do when most of those around him are nuts without even trying. The first two-thirds reads at times like an Abbott and Costello routine, with a lot of rapid-fire (if dark) humor. The book takes a more serious turn in the final chapters. I did not expect it to end the way it did. The novel suffers a bit from "book bloat," as a colleague of mine once put it, and there are parts that are repetitive. But Catch-22 offers a wry and pointed look at bureaucracy, leadership, truth, the concept of power corrupting, and that those who seem the most insane are really the sanest.

10. The Winged Tales, by Vladislav Krapivin. This is actually two stories, possibly connected (the connection, if it is there, is a bit ambiguous). I read a translation of these stories (originally written in Russian). The English translation is a bit rough in spots but the stories themselves are enjoyable and highly imaginative. The first story, The Pilot for Special Missions, involves a young boy Alyoshka, who winds up going on a fantastic adventure to retrieve a lost model ship for a girl he admires. The tale combines adventure with fairy tale (several fairy tales are mentioned) as Alyoshka seeks to find the model- and find out more about himself and his own destiny. The ending surprised me, but I thought it appropriate. My overwhelming thought while reading this was that I could so easily see an animation artist (Hayao Miyasaki comes to mind) doing an animation based on this story. From the woman with the hat collection to the young pilot on special missions, this just begs for a movie. The second one is The Magic Carpet, where two friends discover that a carpet given to them by the one boy's aunt can actually fly. Along with two friends, who join them on occasion, the two go on flights around town, where they discover an old house, fix a clocktower and face other dangers. Again, this story doesn't end the way I think it would, but I liked that. I like a good surprise.

Currently reading: Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut (almost done).

11. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut. This one may be my favorite Vonnegut book so far. It's so absurd, but there's an undercurrent of truth, even to the most absurd scenario. The narrator of the story starts out just wanting to do a book on Felix Hoenikker, the co-inventor (fictional) of the atom bomb. During his travels to speak with those close to the famous inventor, the narrator John discovers that Hoenikker had devised a theory on something far more destructive than the A-bomb- and created it. John's travels put him in contact with Hoenikker's three children, one who commands a high position on a tiny remote island called San Lorenzo, one of the poorest areas on the planet. It's during his travels and especially his stay on the island that he comes in contact with Bokononism, a sort of religion that is banned on the island but is nonetheless embraced. The journey and realizations weave in and out like the cat's cradle, but of course all it takes is one pull of a string- ice 9-to unravel everything. The ending is a sort of thumbing of the nose at what we consider conventional.

12. The Last Runaway, by Tracy Chevalier. I found this very hard to put down, and finished this in a weekend. I've enjoyed Chevalier's other books and this one delivers the same wonderful narratives and memorable, nuanced characters we come to expect. What's cool about this book is that most of the setting is in Ohio, mostly the Oberlin area. Honor Bright ventures to America with her sister Grace when the latter becomes betrothed to a man from their town who recently immigrated there. Nothing goes as planned; Grace's sudden death leaves Honor feeling unmoored and lost in this strange new land. I loved the contrasts between Honor's memories of her predictable, orderly life at home and the unknowns in the new country. Everything, from the wildlife to the food to the constant state of movement among the residents, strikes Honor as foreign. The overarching issue is the issue of slavery. The times is the early 1850s, more than a decade before the Civil War. Oberlin had a reputation of being a staunch abolitionist area, and Honor herself, a Quaker and coming from a country that had long outlawed slave labor, feels compelled to help the runaways that come through the area. But her wish to help comes in conflict with the views of her new family and those in her small settlement near Oberlin. The stance is not to support slavery, but not to actively aid runaways so not to conflict with the recently passed Fugitive Slave Laws. Slavery, of course, is deplorable, but The Last Runaway looks at why the institution lasted as long as it did, and why even those professing to be against slavery often considered it a necessary evil, or at the very least, something that needed to be phased out slowly if possible to avoid economic collapse. Honor's new husband and family also have additional reasons for their reluctance to assist runaways, which come out late in the story. The reader may ultimately disagree with their view, but one also can't help but sympathize with their reluctance to take sides. An excellent book that, while it covers a long-ago time period, has a lot of relevance to today's world, where abuses - both with workers and the environment- are written off as economically necessary by many.

Currently reading: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, and The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, by Rosemary Ellen Guiley.

13. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. I have seen the Orson Welles movie and have read the charming "The Eyre Affair" so I already knew the gist of this story, but I've never actually read the novel until now. Only regret is waiting so long to do so. I really, really enjoyed this classic. Jane Eyre is such a fantastic character. Jane is so spunky, especially as a child. A pet peeve of mine is many times, children in classics are far too passive with cruel, bullying adults and children, to the point where they border on Mary Sue/Gary Stu. But she's still vulnerable and classy. This book has a bit of everything- romance, or course, a bit of adventure, gentle humor and even some supernatural elements. My only question involves a bit of a spoiler..
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(OK, I understand Mr. Rochester couldn't divorce his first wife because the law prohibited it on the grounds that she was insane. Soooo... why didn't he seek an annulment instead? That is different from a divorce, and from what I understand about the rules he had ample grounds to appeal for annulment- under fraud and intent to deceive.).

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this one, and would have liked this in high school. While it is longer, it's fairly well-paced, and Jane is engaging enough to keep even the slower sections interesting.

14. The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, by Mary Ellen Guiley. This wasn't what I thought it would be- but I like it all the more for what it is. And what it is, is not just an encyclopedia of general legendary phenomenon (like brownies, ghosts, poltergeists, etc.) but an encyclopedia of major haunting incidents, "hot spots" for haunting, and even people connected to it (active members of paranormal research groups, well-known mediums and those who were the subject of paranormal phenomenon). at the end of each entry is a listing of books and further readings on that topic. It covers a huge time span, from times BCE to at least the 1990s. This is invaluable to anyone who participates in paranormal groups or those with a keen interest in the topic. The entries cover all areas of the world, but is concentrated on the United States and the British Isles.

15. My Father's Arms Are a Boat, by Stein Erik Lunde and Oyvind Torseter. This was...OK. The story itself is sweet, if a bit meandering. The language is too complex for preschool but the story itself is a bit simple and whitewashed for gradeschool. Still, the image of the father and child consoling each other over the loss of the mother is tender and gentle. The illustration technique- 3D cutouts- was neat. But the illustrations didn't always match with the text, and almost seemed a part of a different story. This could have worked if that second story was followed through with, but it didn't work for me as it stood.

16. Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad. I think I might have read this in high school. I'm not sure. I didn't recall anything about it. After reading it (perhaps for a second time?) I can see why I wouldn't have remembered it, and I suspect I won't remember anything about it a year from now, other than the fact that the story's only saving grace was its brevity. If this had been any longer, I wouldn't have finished it. Why this is considered a classic and a must-read escapes me. It's awful. The sentences run on, the plot meanders like the river in the story and it's hard to follow. There's some interesting written imagery but there's all this build-up to meeting the main villain, and then the actual meeting feels anti-climatic. The only benefit I pulled from this is now I know where "The horror! The horror!" comes from.

Currently reading: Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, and The Color Purple, by Alice Walker.

17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker. The depth and breadth of this book is amazing. There is a large cast of well fleshed out characters. Not all of them are likable, but all are interesting. What I found neat is how much the characters, particularly the main protagonist Celie and her husband, change through the years. The husband starts out as a jerk, but by the end slowly has mended his ways. Celie seems a passive, fearful. woman but survives a good deal to even get to where she is. The book is told through a series of letters, mostly written by Celie, who first writes to God, then to her younger sister Nettie, whom she becomes separated from. You see glimpses of Celie's world - a world of low education, lower social standing, Jim Crow and prejudice - and Nettie's world, where she serves as a missionary in Africa, in its early days of colonialism by Europeans. Many large issues are addressed through the eyes of Celie and Nettie. Also impressive is Walker's handling of Celie's written voice. From the dialogue, it's obvious Celie is not well educated but the words still flow well, and the dialect does not prove a stumbling block to the pace of the story.

18. Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. what made reading this book interesting was reading The Color Purple at the same time, and reading The Ecyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits just beforehand. The former has scenes taking place in Africa around the same time period, and the latter addresses some of the ghosts and spirits mentioned in Things fall Apart. The story centers on Okonkwo, a well-regarded leader in his fictional village in Nigeria. Okonkwo prides himself mightily in the fact that he pulled himself up through the ranks through his own strength and courage, and he looks down on those he perceives as weak. He especially has nothing but scorn for his late father, a gentle but weak man whose shadow Okonkwo has sought to wrest himself free of his entire life. Okonkwo is a hard man, even abusive, to his family. His downfall, though, happens after he accidentally shoots and kills the son of a recently deceased elder. During his time in exile, in his mother's home village, Okonkwo's village sees major changes from the influx of white colonists eager to take over the land to plant rubber trees. The book is balanced and unflinching in dealing with both Okonkwo's tribal customs and the white settlers - including white missionaries. Both have issues and problems, both have good. Still, it is painfully apparent (as history shows) how disasterous colonialism was to Africa. Okonkwo's end is sad but seems inevitable; he represented the old ways, the old leadership, which has effectively been nullified by the outside world.

19. Doll Bones, by Holly Black. I really liked this coming of age story for the most part, although i'm not sure I liked the ending. The story follows three longtime friends, Poppy, Alice and Zach. We hear the story mostly through Zach's voice. The three have been playing an intricate fantasy game for years, using numerous dolls and figures, including the "Queen," an antique china doll. But when Zach's recently returned father decides that his son shouldn't be playing fantasy games with two girls, but should be spending more time with boys playing basketball, Zach finds himself torn. It looks like the end to the threesome's adventure until Poppy has a dream involving the antique doll, which propels Zach, Alice and Poppy into one final and real adventure. Mystery, adventure and a good dose of outright spookiness make for a fast-paced tale. What I liked was watching the three change on their adventure, particularly Alice. The very end felt a bit forced, as if the author was trying very hard for an upbeat ending. Not sure a happy ending was fitting, though. All three were beginning to change even before the story got going, and I got the impression that after this final fling, the three would eventually drift apart, as what happens so often in real life. All in all, though, I found this an enjoyable tale.

Currently reading: Darius and Twig, by Walter Dean Myers, and Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel.

20. Darius and Twig, by Walter Dean Myers. Another excellent book by Myers. Darius and Twig are best friends living in Harlem. Twig, generally the more assured of the two, seems to have his path clear for him; as a talented mid-distance runner, he seems guaranteed to get a scholarship for college. Darius, a talented writer, isn't as sure of his path. He longs to be a writer but finds more roadblocks in his path (I love the subtle commentary here; Myers is excellent at the writer's credo of show, don't tell). they work to maintain their friendship through growing up, facing their insecurities and living their own dreams. Myers does a wonderful job fleshing out the main characters. The situations are so real and believable. Even the school bully is sympathetic. I recommend this for preteens and teens.

21. On Writing, by Stephen King. This one has been on my want-to-read list for years. I can see why it is so highly recommended by writers. King keeps his advice succinct, and he relates it as only he can- with his humor and no-punches-pulled style. This book is just fun to read on its own, and offers a lot of insight into King himself - his struggles with writing and working with publishers, his family life, his struggle with alcohol addiction and even the horrific accident that nearly killed him. King follows his own advice in show, don't tell, and even the sections that aren't obviously a lesson are still lessons in good storytelling. Can't get better than this- an entertaining read that also offers solid advice on the craft of writing.

22. The Killer of Little Shepherds, by Douglas Starr. Anyone interested in true crime stories and forensics should read this. Part of the story follows Joseph Vacher, who was compared to Jack The Ripper. When finally caught and put on trial, Vacher would confess to killing 11 people - mostly preteen and teenage boys and girls, several of them shepherds (hence his nickname used in the title). He may have been responsible for more than double that number. The book also tells the equally fascinating story of Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne, one of the fathers of forensic scientists and one of the most respected forensics experts in France. Many of his observations and discoveries are still used today (for example, identifying a gun used in a crime by the grooves on the bullet). The research and list of sources is extensive, but Starr keeps the book highly readable. I really like the sidenotes on the comparisons with Sherlock Holmes, which was contemporary for that time. I kept thinking Sherlock Holmes when Lacassagne was described. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did not model Holmes after Lacassagne, but there are some similarities- and many differences. It was neat reading the commentary from Lacassagne and other forensics experts on Holmes; it's much like the opinions of today's investigators on the CSI shows and similar fare. Interesting, and nice exposure to the latest scientific developments, but too deus ex machina and too quick. Much was made, for example, how Holmes never conducted an autopsy.

23. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams. My only regret reading this book is waiting so long to pick it up. This is hilarious, full of droll humor and hilarious observations. A lot of memes and geek in-jokes are more clear, too. In the book, Arthur Dent is saved from being part of Earth's annihilation by his longtime friend Ford Prefect, who just happens to be an alien. Their adventures include meeting with a whole bevy of quirky characters, such as a depressed robot and an annoyingly helpful ship. It's hard to do a review without giving away too many spoilers, but as I said, this book is a lot of fun.

24. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou. An incredible book, about Maya's childhood and teen years in Stamps, Arkansas and, later, San Fransisco. Angelou just has this way of writing that is both sheer poetry and searingly blunt at the same time. She and her brother bailey were raised by their grandmother in Stamps for most of their childhood, before moving to live with their mother. She describes her life in a deeply segregated and often impoverished time, looking at both the issues affecting the nation as well as the issues of growing up. Angelou describes trying to find her place in the world, when she sees herself as not really fitting in anywhere. She relates her rape by a much older man as a child, one of the most heartbreaking sections. She describes how books and the written word slowly brought her back into the world. A beautiful and honest memoir from an incredible woman.

Currently reading: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.

25. Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel. Oppel packs a lot of story and a lot of information in relatively few pages. In this book, Ben discovers that his parents have adopted a baby chimp to use for an experiment on language learning. Ben's father, a prominent professor, wants to see if the baby chimp, whom they name Zan, can learn and use sign language. Of course, anyone today who has read about gorilla and chimp studies probably knows the answer is a definitive yes, but this story takes place in an earlier time. Ben is at first not happy about not only moving across the country for his father's new job, but having to view Zan as his new baby brother. But Ben soon becomes attached to Zan, and the feeling is mutual. Zan is very affectionate and picks up sign language, but there are constant reminders that Zan is not a human, despite his human clothes and surroundings. Problems soon ensue; it is painfully obvious the father has not thought things through. Ben and his family are soon faced with many hard decisions concerning Zan's ultimate fate. I really enjoyed this story, save for the very ending. I thought the author cheated a bit. The ending was sweet but I think the point could have been brought home in a way that didn't feel so deus ex machina. But other than the ending, this is a good, thought-provoking read about human responsibility.

26. Breakfast of Champions, by Kurt Vonnegut. This is the fourth Vonnegut book I've read. I didn't care for this one. I really liked it at first, but then it just got weird and not a little bit crude, and for no apparent reason. I don't mind odd or crude if there is a purpose. The ending was a bit unexpected, which I did like. In this book, a mediocre author finds himself surprised that he has had an impact after all- but not necessarily in a positive way. The illustrations were an interesting and fun touch, as well as the little explanations throughout of sundry, ordinary things.

27. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. I really enjoyed this one. It's a bit slow and long-winded in places but the story itself is great, as are the characters. Pip, the hero of the story, has grown up with his harsh, even abusive sister and her kinder, good-hearted husband. His life is spent dodging his sister's wrath and attending the eccentric Miss Havisham. He falls for Miss Havisham's adopted daughter Estella. One day, when he's a teen, he gets a mysterious message- an anonymous benefactor aims to bring up Pip like a gentleman, with money, fine clothes, education and more. Pip is ecstatic - finally he sees a way to be worthy of the proud and beautiful Estella. But the teen soon realizes that money and prestige can only do so much to make him happy. Pip watches his ideals and his scruples change, and he is not happy with the changes he sees in himself.

Will be picking up tomorrow: Grapes of Wrath, Game of Thrones (graphic novel), Stayin' Alive and Hollow City.

28. Game of Thrones (graphic novel, vol.1) by George R.R. Martin. OK, when I ordered this, I didn't realize it wasn't the exhaustive novel. I was also warned that when I do get the novel, it's something around 700 pages- i.e., only get that one book. That said, how did I like my first foray into this wildly popular series? Let's put it this way: I'd only planned to read a bit of it before bed. Yeah. Next thing I know, it's well past midnight, but I finished it. Wow, what an amazing, detailed story. Looking forward to ordering more. It's tough keeping all the characters straight -- Martin has a pretty big world -- but I imagine with more familiarity it will get easier. I've never seen the HBO series, only stills, but I do like how the artists had their own take with the characters. The illustrations are gorgeous, I'm trying to think of a graphic novel done better. Marvel 1602 MIGHT compare, but that's the only one I can think of. There's just so much detail, both in the characters and backgrounds.

Currently reading: Hollow City, by Ransom Riggs, and Stayin' Alive, by Jefferson Cowie.

29. Hollow City, by Ransom Riggs. An excellent follow-up to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. The sequel picks up where Miss Peregrine left off, with Jacob, Emma, Bronwyn, Millard, Olive and the other Peculiar children on the run from their once safe island. Their teacher, Miss Peregrine, is stuck in bird form. The children make their way to London, hoping to find someone who can help their teacher regain her human form, dodging the bombs and air raids of World War II, as well as the hollowgasts and wights hunting them. It's hard to write about this book without giving spoilers, but this book was hard to put down, had a couple interesting twists and leaves the reader with a cliffhanger ending. Obviously, a third book is planned, and there was much rejoicing (by me, anyway). The tone in this book is darker as Jacob and the others confront the duel dangers of the war and the supernatural, as well as the perils of growing up.

30. Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar lee Masters. This is a collection of 244 free-form poems total, the vast majority of which are epitaphs from the deceased residents of the somewhat fictionalized small town of Spoon River. I saw a musical based on these poems ages ago and really liked it. The premise is that the dead speak to the living, the veneer of civility stripped away. They have nothing to hide anymore. Some of the poems are reflective, some are sweet, and show a contented life (Lucinda Matlock, Lois Spears and Fiddler Jones are my favorites in this category). From soldiers who died in battle to children succumbing to disease, from the lower end of society such as Daisy Fraser to banker Thomas Rhodes, there is a varied cross-section of humanity. Several poems reflect bitterness, and more than a few stories -- the Minerva Jones arc and the story of Nellie Clark especially-- are horrifically tragic. In addition to the personal stories, many of which are connected to paint a more complete picture of Spoon River Life, there is The Hill, which begins the anthology, plus The Spooniad and The Epilogue. Didn't care for the epilogue, personally. Just too bizarre after the realistic feel of the rest of the anthology. Also, I noticed most of the poems Masters added in his 1916 expansion tend to be heavily rhetorical and more standalone. All in all, though, using Spoon River Anthology would be a good, accessible way to introduce older grade school readers and teens to poetry.
Currently reading: Stayin' Alive, by Jefferson Cowie, and The Wave, by Susan Casey

31. The Wave, by Susan Casey. I should point out that what I was reading was an advanced galley copy a friend and coworker was giving away (she had been weeding her bookshelves and brought in a whole bunch of books, including this one). I point this out because the one nit I had about this book might have been fixed in the final product. That said, I really enjoyed this one. I never knew a book on ocean waves could be so fascinating, but it was. Casey gets her information from numerous viewpoints, including scientists studying waves and global warming, insurance companies who must deal with the aftermath of destructive waves, and, perhaps most interestingly, surfers. That last one may sound a bit odd, but I really liked hearing about the different professional surfers, the places they go and the dangers they face. Surfing has this "beach bum" image, but I began to appreciate just how strong and athletic surfers have to be with the movie Soul Surfer. With The Wave, I began to appreciate further the rigors of surfing, as well as the many dangers. Wow, talk about your extreme sports! I have a whole new respect for surfing as a sport after reading this. It's interesting to realize that rogue waves and superwaves, which is what Casey concentrates on, defy the laws of physics- proving once again that Mother Nature scoffs at man's carefully laid rules. I think the most chilling story I read, one that just occupied my mind for a long time afterward, was the 1,740 foot wave that obliterated a coastal area in Alaska. The new World Trade Center 1 tower is only slightly taller, at 1,776 feet. It wiped out four square acres, a small city in this area. Only four people in the direct line of fire survived, and that in and of itself is a miracle. This was a fast and easy read. While there is a lot of scientific information on waves, it's easy to follow. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in natural disasters, the ocean or even on surfing.

32. The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy. Full disclaimer, this is actually a reread. I stumbled across this online at the The Gutenberg Press online and decided to reread it. I love the two movies with Leslie Howard and Anthony Andrews. This book is enjoyable, if you are willing to overlook a couple plot contrivances (like the kidnapping and later release of two of the Scarlet Pimpernel's devoted followers). It was worth reading again. The book is short, well paced and just plain fun.

Currently reading: Stayin' Alive, by Jefferson Cowie, and The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.

Oh wow, I just realized I'm a couple books behind in updating. OK:

33. Stayin' Alive, by Jefferson Cowie. I have really mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, it is very well researched, and covers a breadth of information about the high point and fall of American unions. The book includes unusual and interesting tie-ins with the union spirit of whatever year he is covering to the movie and music scene, as well as the political climate. The book has just about everything but the kitchen sink- and that might have been part of the problem. The official page count is 488 pages, but when you consider there's 8 pages of pictures and nearly 100 pages of index and bibliography, the actual literature part is roughly 370 pages. It took me about five weeks to slog through this book; it doesn't usually take me five weeks to get through a book of that length. Another book I'm reading now, Grapes of Wrath, is longer, but at less than two weeks of reading I'm already on page 324. This book wasn't poorly written per se and as I said, the information was interesting. But -- and I have yet to figure out precisely why-- it just didn't hold my attention. My mind kept wandering after a couple pages. I will admit, half the time my thoughts were along the line of "how can people be so stupid and short-sighted??" after reading something- that is hardly the author's fault (and probably his intent). But this was just a tough book to get through. Again, I can't pinpoint why, exactly. It was just not an easy read.

34. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. I'm surprised I hadn't read this one; I've loved Steinbeck even as a high schooler. The Pearl had always been my favorite, but now it's hard to choose between that and Grapes of Wrath. It starts out a bit slow but then picks up. Really, this should be required reading for everyone. High school. Those in public office. Those who think wealth accumulation is not a zero sum game, those who think the poor don't do enough to get out of poverty, and rock bottom wages one can't live off of are justifiable because only the nonskilled will make them, they really need to read this book. It may be set during the Depression, but there are some frightening parallels to today (including the droughts). The story follows the Joad family, who wind up forced from their farm after the bank seizes the property. They make the trek to California, where liberally-distributed handbills tantalizingly describe hundreds of jobs for the taking, green fields full of fruit trees, basically the land of milk and honey. It's no spoiler to say that the reality does not live up to the advertisement. Of course, the Joads often find themselves thwarted as they pursue their dream of regular work and a permanent home. What surprised me, though, were the many moments of charity, of heart, from the people the Joad family come across. There are so many great characters, particularly Tom Jr., a young man released from parole after killing a man in a fight, but who has not been embittered by his time in jail; Casy, a former preacher who is trying to find his spiritual footing; and Ma Joad, who is now one of my favorite fictional characters. Ma Joad is someone with an instinct for what people need, whether it's the soft, diplomatic touch, a stern warming or a healthy dose of fire. The reader will see liberal doses of all three.

35. History's Greatest Lies, by William Weir. This is an entertaining read for history buffs (and perhaps for reluctant readers). Weir goes into several oft-repeated historic tales and exposes the lies- then tells the truth (or, in a couple cases, as close to the truth as we can know). For example, that story about Nero fiddling while Rome burned? Didn't happen (for starters, the fiddle didn't come into existence until more than a thousand years after Nero's death). Indeed, while Nero was no great emperor (in fact, he was probably the worst one, after Calligula, in my opinion), his actions during the fire that destroyed a large part of Rome were probably his most noble. According to Weir, Nero risked his life several times to save others.

The most intriguing story was about the death of John Dillenger. The official story is that Dillenger was fatally shot by FBI agents outside a Chicago theater in July 1934. However, forensics evidence (and the lack of it) and conflicting stories casts doubt on this. Throw in that J. Edgar Hoover needed Dillenger's death to retain his own job after a previous capture attempt went horribly wrong, it's not hard to believe that there could have been a cover-up.

The most disturbing was the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, anti-Semitic propoganda crafted during Tsar Nicholas II's regime by his cohorts to deflect attention from the tsar's ineffectual leadership. In case you have never heard of this (I had not), the Protocols were supposed to be an outline of a Jewish plan to take overthe world. Nicholas II, having some honor, actually rejected using it once he realized upon investigation that the so-called documents were a forgery but the Protocols still managed to spread. The Protocols are partially responsible for one of the greatest atrocities in modern history, the Holocaust. There are still segments of the world's population that still believe it. Sickening.

There's a lengthy bibliography and notes. The book is chock full of illustrations and sidebars, and the histories are told in an easy to follow, engaging style. Those who like history should enjoy this, and I can see even those who may not like reading liking this book's easy-to-follow format.

Currently reading: Cleopatra, by Zahi Hawass and Franck Goddio (back to this one), and Wards of Faerie, by Terry Brooks. Also ordered four more books from the library: Just My Type: A Book About Fonts, by Simon Garfield; The Devil's Teeth, by Susan Casey; The Family That Couldn't Sleep, by D.T. Max; and The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman.

36. Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt, by Zahi Hawass and Franck Goddio. I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, you can't get more authoritative on Egypt than Hawass and Goddio. The concept of this book is fascinating; researchers went to underwater cities to see what they could find out about Cleopatra, and to one spot on land to see if her tomb could be found. The facts are interesting, and the diving pictures are stunning. I also loved all of the information of the variety of artifacts found. I do wish there would have been more size comparisons but I guess when you only have so much room that becomes tricky. For example, there was a massive statue pictured- then on the next page there was a picture of the statue being brought up by the divers, and you could appreciate how huge it was. My biggest problem with the book - and this is why it took so long to get through - is that while the book is heavy on the pictures (a good thing), the mercifully short introductory chapters to each section were hard to read. I question the sanity of whomever decided that a spiderweb thin font at what looked to be 80 percent black would be a good choice. Couple this with the fact that much of this font was overlaid on a 10 percent gray screen... yeah, talk about tough to read. That was frustrating.

Currently reading: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadima, and Just My Type, by Simon Garfield.

37. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman. This is a must-read for anyone who works with different cultures. This one deals a lot with the Hmong culture. The book focuses on one family, the Lees, and their second youngest child Lia, who was diagnosed with severe epilepsy. Her parents took her for treatment at a county hospital in Merced, but the clash between Hmong culture and the western/medical culture, coupled with significant language barriers, led to multiple misunderstandings and deep distrust on both sides. At one point, Lia was even taken into state custody when her parents didn't giver her the proper medications (due to a combination of suspicion and not comprehending the complicated and changing regimen the doctors wanted them to follow). That move -- which even the foster family condemned and even the doctor who started the process said he regretted -- created a further rift in relations. The antipathy on both sides was at least partially responsible for Lia's final two grand mal seizures, which put her in a vegetative state at age 4. This is not in the book, but she lived for 26 years in a vegetative state, dying two years ago. Fadiman includes a lot of interviews from the Lees, the doctors at the county hospital, others in the Hmong community and those who work with Hmong. On one hand, you do feel bad for the American doctors; trying to work with Hmong, whose customs and language are worlds different from American culture, would be difficult, especially at the end of a 30+ hour shift. But it also highlights the hubris of American culture and Western medicine. I am glad to say, according to this book, that steps were taken by the hospital after what happened to Lia to make sure that not only interpreters but cultural brokers in the facility when communicating with Hmong patients. It's sad, however, it took such a tragedy to do what should have been done in the first place. If a facility knows that it has a sizable immigrant population, then efforts should be made to at least have a rudimentary understanding of that culture. My knowledge of Hmong culture is limited, but even I knew things about the culture that the doctors then were clueless on. Fadiman covers the family every other chapter, with the other chapters dedicated to Hmong culture and the Vietnam war; the U.S. withdrawal was the impetus for the Hmong to immigrate to the United States. I do wonder if the author's speculation that Lia might have had (and the author does say "might") a normal life, with the simplified medicine regimen (which the parents did follow), had her doctors done more effective communicating to begin with, is a stretch. To be sure, better understanding would not have created the deep distrust felt not only by the Lees but their entire family (and Hmong families are very close-knit). But Lia had her first seizure at 3 months old, and she often had multiple seizures a day, which eventually had an impact on her language skills and abilities. The window between the consistent medicine regimen and no seizures to the final two that left her nearly brain dead was a scant few months. When you look at any condition - whether it be dementia, cancer, Parkinson's, or another disorder- striking at an atypically young age, the prognosis is never good. We will never know, however. Only other nit I have is specific dates are scant; a part of this could very well be that the Hmong concept of time and date is very different from the American view.

Currently reading: Just My Type, by Simon Garfield, and The Devil's Teeth, by Susan Casey.

38. The Devil's Teeth, by Susan Case. The Farallones, about 30 miles west of San Fransisco, are a desolate series of islands, remote and dangerous to get to. The area's claim to fame, however, is that it is the fall destination of Great White sharks, who feast on the island cluster's seal populations before heading off to destinations largely unknown. The area is prime ground for researchers interested in studying white sharks (as well as sea birds). This is an area few get to see beyond a quick boat tour. Staying on the island is a privilege granted sparingly, save for the staff and interns, but Casey was able to access the island and witness its shark population not once but several times (the final time not without considerable controversy and danger). Her book is short but densely packed with information on Great Whites, the seabird population, the issues with both, the history of the island and her own observations and adventures. I've always been fascinated by sharks and consider myself fairly knowledgeable but I learned several things. One of the more amusing notes is that white sharks can tan. Sharks - or at least Great Whites - are more intelligent than we sometimes give them credit for, and each individual has its own personality. There's also a misconception about blood in the water and "feeding frenzies" but attacks don't generally mean a free-for-all at the food. Sharks have a pecking order as to who eats. The "Sisterhood" -- the large female sharks - pull rank, and when a Sister is eating, the male sharks hang back (or will get attacked). The members of the "Rat Pack," or the male sharks, then follow. The researchers had names for the sharks- like Cal Ripfin, Stumpy, Bluntnose and Bitehead - and kept logs on them. The two researchers quoted in the book had a catalog of more than 100 individual sharks. The sharks found at the Farallones are on average larger than sharks found elsewhere; 15 feet is smallish, 20 feet uncommon but not off the bell curve. The ending of the book was a bit unexpected but in hindsight not surprising. A bit sad, in some ways. At any rate, I highly recommend this for those interested in sharks, history and nature. Reluctant readers might like this one due to the casual, conversational language and the adventure aspect.

39. Just My Type, by Simon Garfield. You would think a book on fonts and typeface would be as interesting as a novel on watching grass grow, or a treatise on the qualities of paint drying. This book shows that with the right approach and in the right hands, any topic can be made interesting. It probably helps that with my job, where I do a lot of page layout and graphic design, coupled with having a mother who is a longtime calligrapher, that I would find this topic of interest. Still, I think anyone who has ever used a computer and wondered at all the fonts may find the history behind the font's creators interesting. In addition, the book goes over what fonts seem to work best and where, why some fonts work better for some types of signs, and the controversy surrounding Comic Sans. It's fascinating to me how intent and passionate type designers can get over various typefaces. There are several fascinating, and even a couple sordid, tales regarding a few of the fonts we use and the people behind them, such as Eric Gill (of Gill Sans fame). This is a good book for those who work in design or just like odd, random history.

40. The Family That Couldn't Sleep, by D.T. Max. This is a fascinating book on the history and types of prion diseases, a perplexing and frightening malady that only in the past few decades humanity has really begun to understand. Prion diseases include "mad cow," scrapie, kuru, fatal familial insomnia (where the book takes its name), chronic wasting disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Each of these diseases has its distinctions but all leave a similar mark: a victim -- whether it be a cow, sheep, human or deer -- experiences sleeplessness, hallucinations and aggressive behavior before falling into a coma and expiring. An autopsy of the brain shows holes in the grey matter as well as a spongy consistency. Prion diseases defy what we know about disease. Instead of a bacteria, a living agent that can be killed, or a virus, with a genetic makeup that can be destroyed, prions are proteins that have malformed and cause surrounding proteins to also become deformed. Prions are extremely difficult to destroy since they technically aren't living matter. Prion disease also can be inherited, infectious or sporadic (although the final category is under considerable debate; there is a school of thought that sporadic cases are only cases where the contagion can't be traced. One of the more memorable observations is that "the absence of evidence isn't the evidence of absence.") The book's chapters alternate between the sad story of a family in Venice -- one of roughly forty families worldwide who suffer from fatal familial insomnia, which generally strikes when someone is in their forties or fifties and kills quickly -- and information on infectious prion diseases such as kuru, scrapie and "mad cow," the latter to which came about due to the unintended consequences of human tinkering with biology. There's a lot of science, but the book handles it with easy-to-follow language. Even more interesting are the stories of the scientists, researchers and the history behind the prion diseases. This was a fascinating- if chilling- read.

Currently reading: Wet Work, by Les Roberts. Also just ordered several books from the library.

41. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is actually a reread. I read this in high school and hated it. Just didn't get it. I can certainly appreciate it more as an adult. I'm more familiar with the time period, the setting and can understand the underscoring tragedy. Also, there are a lot of corkers in this, as well as a lot of foreshadowing. So yes, I like it now, although it's not going to stand out as a favorite. I can't help subtitling it Incredibly Stupid People With Obscene Amounts of Money Doing Incredibly Stupid Things. Also, I stand by what I've said earlier- this is not a good book for high school, unless the teacher (or another class) has taught something about the Jazz Age and that time period. There are better written books out there, including Gordon Korman's Jake Reinvented (an updated Gatsby) that cover the same themes.

42. Harvey Pekar's Cleveland, with art by Joseph Remnant. This is a black and white graphic novel abotu Harvey Pekar and Cleveland. It's told in first person, and offers not just a look at Pekar's life but at the history of Cleveland, told with a no-holds barred view. Pekar, a comic book writer and music critic, is probably best known for his comic series American Splendor. The book's graphic novel format is highly appropriate given the subject. The book is a fast read, with a conversational tone. Pekar goes through Cleveland's strengths and stumbles, as he has seen during his years in the area. A really good read for fans of Pekar's work and for local history buffs.

43. Wet Work, by Les Roberts. I picked up this one with a bit of trepidation, because this is a sequel to The Strange Death of Father Candy, which I felt lukewarm towards at best. I'm glad I gave this followup, which brings back Dominick Candiotti, a chance. Indeed, I found it hard to put down. Dominick has been working for a shadow agency, his boss only known to his as Og. Dominick is a hired assassin, something he is imminently qualified for due to the nature of his work in the military. Dominick is contracted to take care of threats to the country. However, he starts getting suspicious about his assignments once he starts ferreting information about those he was asked to take care of, and one day Dominick decides he has had enough and wants to quit. He find out very quickly that Og does not let people just walk away, and soon Dominick is running for his life while trying to piece together what The Brownstone Group really is. For readers who like a good action-adventure, Wet Work won't disappoint. It's pedal to the metal from start to finish.

44. The Impossible Knife of Memory, by Laurie Halse Anderson. The general premise of this book is pretty standard for teen lit: Teen who doesn't fit in at all in school believes most everyone else is a petty zombie (Haley's word, in this case), and wouldn't understand how much her life sucks. In the course of the story, she finds out differently. Still, this books is enjoyable for several reasons. It is interesting to see the independent, willful and yet vulnerable Haley grow and change as the school year progresses. The characters are well-written, their struggles believable. And Haley's life is complicated by a father who served overseas in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and suffers from PTSD. Most of the book is from Haley's point of view, but there are several one-page sections where the reader gets a glimpse of father Andy's thoughts and nightmares. Haley and Andy spent several years on the road while Andy worked as a trucker, but came back to their hometown for a more normal life. Unfortunately, Andy's nightmares drag him deeper and deeper into the bottle and into drugs, with Haley trying to both protect him and feel her way around a new school environment. Complicating - and enriching -- her life is Finn, a smart handsome young man (and almost impossibly sweet and understanding) who falls for her. Throughout the book, Haley has to decide how much to let Finn, and others, know about her past and present. All in all a good, fast read.

Currently reading: The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal, and The President and the Assassin, by Scott Miller.

45. The Kingdom of Little Wounds, by Susann Cokal. This is an interesting and fascinating mix of intrigue and politics, a bit of fantasy/fairy tale thrown in for good measure. The tone reminded me a bit of Pan's Labyrinth. There's no similarity in plot, but there's a rich beauty and a sharp horror blended in this story that reminded me of del Toro's movie. The book is set in the Scandinavian city of Skyggehavn, and the plot is described by the author herself as "a fairy tale about syphilis." That should give you a clue about the graphic nature of this novel- it's not for the easily offended. I'm also a bit surprised it's considered YA. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with anyone under 16 reading this. It's explicit in many passages, and a scene towards the end is a bit over the top (those who have read "Kingdom" know what I'm talking about), although I have to say it's well foreshadowed. The story, which concerns a fading, meek king and his sickly family trying to hold on to the throne, is told from several points of view. The two main protagonists, Ava Bingen and Midi Sorte, who both work at the palace, serve as first person narrators. Other characters, such as King Christian and Queen Isabel, relate their stories in third person. An unusual treatment but it works. Interspersed with the story about Skyggehavn are fairy tales-- familiar stories with a bizarre and unsettling twist. The ending is left up in the air, and up to the reader to deduce, which I thought appropriate. All in all, I liked this. I also liked the historic notes at the end; this is a work of fiction but many things described such as the mercury fountain (yes, a fountain that spewed mercury) and the medical treatments and philosophies have a historical basis.

Currently reading: The President and the Assassin, by Scott Miller.

46. The President and the Assassin, by Scott Miller. Really enjoyed this one. I didn't appreciate what a tumultuous time the late 1800s and early 1900s were. The story focuses on two different stories: President William McKinley's involvement in the Spanish-American War and the United States' increased international presence (not to mention prestige), and the story of Leon Czolgosz, the radical anarchist who would assassinate McKinley. It's an interesting juxtaposition. I, at least, got the impression that while McKinley and the United States government were casting their eye on overseas market opportunities, they were missing the problems and strife at home. One interesting point that comes up is that the impression from the typical school history books is that this was a fairly easy battle for the United States- and it was. But I get the impression here that the U.S won not because its forces were superior or its leadership stellar- but that Spain grossly underestimated the threat the newer nation posed. Indeed, no one thought the U.S. stood a chance.
There were a lot of interesting tidbits. One, McKinley was the first president to ride in an automobile. I also didn't realize how much he conducted his presidential work from his Canton home. Another interesting tidbit -and I wonder if this is still done? - is that the hulls of navy ships are painted gray in times of war, and white in times of peace. I wonder how that tradition started.
Besides McKinley and Czolgosz, Miller's book also gives a lot of page time to Theodore Roosevelt, whose brash antics won him both acclaim and criticism; Emma Goldman, a prominent figure in the anarchist movement - some of her ideas would be radical today; and many others from the war abroad and the conflict at home.
The novel is easy to read and follow, and is written with a lively voice. One section that stood out was the description on how the United States took Guam; I laughed out loud at that passage. I finished the novel quickly, and was always reluctant to put it down.

Woohoo! I'm officially at 50 books and counting! Woot! A lot of ghost stories in this report- I thought it would be fun to do something related to Halloween, but alas I got the idea too late. Might try that again next year, and pick up books in September :P

47. Folk and Festival Costume, by R. Turner Wilcox. I had mixed reactions to this book, which is a reprint of a book published in the 1960s, with intricate drawings of folk costumes and traditional garb. An impressive range of countries is covered, from Afghanistan to Yugoslavia. Most countries get one, sometimes two pages, with a brief description of the history of the country or ethnicity (British Crown colonies and various areas of the United States are covered, for example), plus a description of the apparel and accessories. This book is a sort of time capsule, not only for its sketches but for the countries represented (Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia don't exist anymore). The description and terms of the garb seems accurate, from my experience. But I'd double check some of the historical facts outline here. A couple things I read seemed a bit suspicious to me. One example I found was in reference to foot binding in China. The information states that it is believed that the tradition started in about 1200 with a Princess Taki, who was born with clubbed feet, so foot binding was started to please this princess. I was curious about how this practice started (arguably one of the worst "fashions" ever inflicted on girls and women). The only reference I could find to a Princess Taki is of a Japanese princess born in 751 (no where near 1200). From what I've been able to find, the practice of foot binding actually may have taken place earlier, about 1100 or even before 1000, but it's not certain). The origin on how this practice started is not clear but the two most popular stories involved concubines, not a princess. And the book refers to the description of the feet as "little golden lilies." It's not "golden lilies" - its "golden lotuses." I prefer "cruel," "barbaric" and asinine, but I digress. So yes, before using this book for any papers, double check the information.

48. The Face In The Window, by Chris Woodyard. Chris Woodyard is best known for her series of stories on reported hauntings, especially her Haunted Ohio series. This book is a bit different from her typical collections, where she writes about her own experiences at haunted locales. The Face In The Window is a compilation of Victorian (and some Edwardian) era newspaper articles about ghosts, poltergeists and other unexplained phenomenon. It's hard to imagine today, but these were often big stories. I enjoyed this book on three fronts: One, it covers the Victorian era. Two, it covers the supernatural. Three, it covers Victorian journalism. As well as unexplained occurrences, Woodyard's book covers a couple of hoaxes perpetrated on the citizenry. A couple stories made me chuckle (like the obvious rivalry of two Ohio cities), but far more were heartbreaking and more than a few made my hair stand on end.

49. Civil War Ghost Trails, by Mark Nesbitt. I really liked this book. It's easy to follow and just packed with information. Nesbitt starts out each chapter with a summary of the major Civil War battles, then goes into the stories of the hauntings of each area. The author shares stories from others, including other authors, as well as his own experiences with EVP recordings. It also includes one of the scariest stories I've ever read of a haunting; two women leaving Gettysburg College's Pennsylvania Hall one evening rode the elevator to leave, but the elevator went past the first floor and continued to the basement. Let's just say I hope I never see what they saw because there would be a wet spot in the elevator.

50. Wards of Faerie, by Terry Brooks. Book one from Brook's The Dark Legacy of Shannara series. It has been a very long time since I've ventured into Brooks' magical and history-filled land of Shannara. A coworker was weeding her bookshelves and brought this one to work. I'm so glad she did. I've already put the next two books on my want-to-read list. I am curious as to how accurate I will be with my predictions at the end, but this is a great adventure yarn and a fast read, with one twist I did not see coming. In this book, Druid Aphenglow Elessedil is researching the Elvin histories, trying to see if she can find a hint of anything that might protect the magic users and the Four Lands from the increasingly ominous actions of the Federation. Aphen does find something- a journal from an Elvin princess from long ago. The discovery puts Aphen's life in danger and sets off a quest to find what is described: the missing elf stones. Brooks touches on a lot of history from his previous books, which was a nice refresher for me and provides a good grounding for the action. My one nit is at one point, there is a traitor- and I thought who the traitor was was revealed far too early. I think the suspense could have been lengthened. Other than that, I enjoyed this first installment and am looking forward to the other two.

Currently reading: Ghosts of Savannah by Terrance Zepke, and Inside Syria by Reese Erlich.

51. Ghosts of Savannah, by Terrence Zepke. This was OK. It's a nice, short and fast book to read for those looking for a quick reference to Savannah and its ghostly denizens. It has some nice pictures as well. The strongest point is the website information and traveling information provided. Wasn't crazy about the almost fictionalized and dramatized tones, especially in the beginning of several chapters. Still, it's a nice, light book to keep handy since it includes the pertinent information on the locations mentioned, such as addresses, whether the place is open to the public (most listed here are) and if there's a cost.

52. Vampire Forensics, by Mark Collins Jenkins. This is a fascinating look at the origins of vampire lore from all around the world (or a similar manifestation). I've always considered myself tolerably well-read on vampires, but I was surprised how widespread belief in vampires - or an equivalent - was, and how long such legends have been around. This book goes into the various legends, especially the most famous Slavic-based vampires, the stories behind them and explanations as to why the seemly terrifying phenomenon occurred. Fair warning- this is not a book for the weak of stomach. It's not gratuitous by any means, but Jenkins goes into some detail about funerary practices, embalming rituals, cremation, and the ways people would prevent the dead from rising again. There were many diseases - most notably rabies and tuberculosis - that often were mistaken as vampirism. This book also goes into related undead legends. For example, one possible origin for the word "zombi" is the Angolan word for the name of a deity. No book on vampires would be complete without the nods to the Hollywood contributions to the legend, nor a mention of Vlad Tepes, as well as Bram Stoker's famous novel. A lot of information is packed in less than 300 pages.

Currently reading: Inside Syria, by Reese Erlich, and Ohio Train Disasters, by Jane Anne Turzillo

53. Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum. My checking this book out around the time of the unfortunate incidents in Ferguson and in Cleveland was a bit of a coincidence. I actually obtained this book at the library because I saw the title on the list of books for a newly formed book group and was intrigued. This book was published in 1997, but everything in it is still relevant today. In a way it's rather sad that the points and issues in a book that's 17+ years old are still problems today. Tatum's book packs a lot of information in less than 300 pages, which includes a list of further reading material, notes and a bibliography. Tatum has taught classes and workshops on race relations, in an attempt to start dialogues on the issues that people face when it comes to race and ethnicity. This is an eye-opening book, narrated in a tone that assigns no blame, but just points out certain truths about the different worlds that people who are white and people who are considered minorities live in.With a gentle touch, Tatum talks about white privilege, how many things taken for granted by whites are a big issue for anyone not white. I have often heard - and have even said myself in the past - that racism is overplayed and overhyped, and used as an excuse. If we ignore the issues, they will resolve themselves. But as this book illustrates, it's not so easy. Racism can take many forms, and can manifest in numerous, subtle ways. The most telling example came from a testimonial from a young Korean American woman whose parents brought her up as a white person- with no acknowledgement of her roots. This might seem to be the best way to assimilate someone, but she cited examples of where, despite her "white" background, she was still treated as Asian- an identity she knew little about but could not ignore. Another surprise was the problem of complete immersion when it comes to ESOL students. The common practice is to discourage talking in the students' first language - both at home and at school. Even the parents are encouraged to speak English, something that they, as adults, are going to struggle with. The fact that this would lead to conflicts at home was not a surprise to me. This is a huge issue with immigrant families. Children and even teens tend to pick up a second language much more quickly than their adult parents, and have more exposure to it. One Spanish-speaking individual described how his family, when encouraged to speak only English to learn the language faster, wound up not speaking to each other at all. That actually causes more problems in the long run, and, according to Tatum, allowing lessons to be taught in both English and the student's native language when possible actually accelerates- not hinders- learning. Perhaps more importantly, it allows for students in different cultures to acknowledge and maintain pride in their own ethnicity. They can absorb the culture here without sacrificing their heritage. Another shock was Tatum's recommendation that white people interested in forming an organization to help combat racism can form all-white groups, or at least have submeetings where whites alone would attend. This sounds counterintuitive to say the least, not to mention prejudiced. But her reasoning for it actually makes a lot of sense when you read why. Another interesting point (one I've heard brought up before but told very clearly here) were examples of, when Tatum asked her students to describe themselves, white students seldom if ever described themselves as white or with an ethnic identity. Black students, Asian students and other minority students almost always describe themselves as such. The reasons are very telling about race issues in this country (it explains the title of the book).
The only thing that made me raise my eyebrows a bit (and this might not be incorrect) was Tatum's assertion that Hispanic and Latino/Latina were interchangeable and depended on what the person in question preferred. I was taught differently- that "Hispanic" designated someone from Spain, and Latino/Latina was someone from Central or South America. However, this could either a. be a regional difference, or b. it could be something that was true when the book was published. This is a very tiny quibble- barely a half-quibble, really. Ultimately, I strongly recommend anyone wishing to understand the backgrounds and history of people of different races and ethnicities, and, more importantly, how to forge better understanding between people to read this book. It's a quick read, packed with solid information and good suggestions.

54. Ohio Train Disasters, by Jane Anne Turzillo. The one word I could use to best describe this book is "frustrating." I really wanted to like this, for it covers two of my interests: local history, and local disasters. Turzillo covers 12 train disasters that occurred within Ohio, each horrible accident with its own compelling stories. I have read about the Ashtabula train disaster of 1876 and the Doodlebug crash in 1940, but the other incidents were new to me. This book is not terrible, but it has some issues that could have been resolved with more time in the editing process. There are three main problems that should have been addressed before the book was sent to the printers.
1. The book is too short. It's 128 pages, which is slim for a nonfiction work, especially one with 12 separate stories. That page count includes the source list. This might be an issue with the publishing house; perhaps it dictated the book size. If this were the case, there were some other actions that could have been taken to flesh out the stories. I'm a fan of photos in nonfiction works, for example, but some could have been removed to make room for information (for example, there are two large headshots of the victim of one of the train disasters, someone who's barely mentioned).
2. It needed more polish. The writing is not horrible; I've certainly seen worse. But some of the sentences come across as awkward, the organization off and some of the word choices questionable. An example: in one chapter, the story of a man who was burned alive was told from two different views, and in two different parts of the chapter (once at the beginning, once towards the end). Those paragraphs should have been kept together (this was, by the way, one of the most gripping and horrifying stories told here. Rescuers were unable to free one man as fires got closer, so the poor soul passed along some of his possessions along with the entreaty that his family be contacted. He slowly burned to death before his would-be rescuers eyes. The description, well done here, gave me chills.)
On a side note, there were a couple instances where the author used the [sic] designation for "clew" in cited material. Actually, this is an acceptable spelling for "clue" and was frequently used in the Victorian era (the time when the majority of these wrecks took place). A bit of reorganization here, a bit of massaging there, some tweaking and this could have been a better read.
3. Too many holes. This was the most egregious problem. I could have ignored the first two, but there are a lot of unanswered questions and several places where the information provided should have been expanded. A few examples:
- There is a sad story about a young boy who was critically injured. He was worried about his parents who, unfortunately, died in the wreck. The last sentence about him stated that the doctors feared he wouldn't live... and that's it. So, did he die of his injuries?
- One train wreck was described as taking place one mile north of the Hudson border. This needed clarified. My initial thought was "so why not say the incident happened in Twinsburg?" It hit me later that during that time there was a Hudson Village and a Hudson Township (the two merged in 1994). I'm guessing that the accident occurred in Hudson Township, just north of the village proper, given where (I think) the old depot in Hudson used to be (that depot was demolished in 2013). But this should have been clarified.
- In the same chapter, there is mention of a Grace Perkins who received minor injuries, but became ill due to exposure in the cold weather. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I'm guessing this is Grace Tod Perkins. Grace Tod Perkins was one of the most prominent women of the time in the Akron area. Also, her husband, Col. Simon Perkins, was a prominent business man, and her father-in-law, Gen. Simon Perkins, was the founder of Akron. I think another sentence or two explaining who she was would have been appropriate (especially when a couple of paragraphs are used for an obscure song and dance man and his group who I guess was well-known at the time). Also, Grace Tod died a couple of years after this train disaster, and I'm wondering if this was, indeed, the same person, if her death and the exposure were related? I can see someone not from Akron missing this detail, but the author is from Akron.
- In another chapter, there's a sad story about a family traveling to another part of the country to start a new life in a newly purchased home. The mother and the three youngest children managed to escape the train, but the father died. However, nothing is said about the two older boys who were with their father at the time of the accident. I'm guessing they, too, perished but it's not stated.
There are also a few times when the information just seemed incomplete. I'm guessing in at least some cases, the information simply may not be available. Most of these accidents happened more than 100 years ago, and records get lost, misplaced and destroyed. That should have been added -- that records could not be found or were unavailable - when that was the case (there is one instance where the author does do that, but I suspect there were some other occasions where this would have been a fitting addition.)
I do hope the author considers revisiting and revising this book. It has a lot of potential. The "skeleton" is there. There are a lot of good stories -it just needs work.

Currently reading: Inside Syria, by Reese Erlich, and Dr. Mutter's Marvels, by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz.

55. Inside Syria, by Reese Erlich. Anyone wanting a detailed primer on the history of Syria (which explains the mess over there now) should seriously consider reading this book. Erlich, a longtime journalist who has visited the country on numerous occasions over several decades, gives a multifaceted account of Syria's roots, particularly the time between World War I to present day. This probably hit the press just before ISIS rose to power. There's a lot of material; I generally read about half a chapter a day to let it sink in. Erlich includes his interviews with the people in Syria, from ordinary citizens to members of the many rebel factions to government officials. There are chapters devoted to the power play and alliances between Syria, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Russia and other countries. Also included is a timeline, plus a Whos-Who, to help readers keep track of the many factions and people involved in this bloody conflict. It gives yet another illustration how meddling by the United States and Europe have had far-reaching repercussions.

56. Readicide, by Kelly Gallagher. This should be required reading by anyone involved in education - especially policy makers. Gallagher's book is a quick read and very focused on the schools. From the beginning, the author acknowledges that the problem of "readicide" has several facets but his book centers on the problem with the schools and how the problems can be resolved. Readicide (as I'm sure people can figure out) is the killing of the love of reading. This slaughter is not intended (at least, the optimist in me hopes it is not), but is the result of a curriculum that focuses heavily on passing tests. I'm sure teachers who have read this were cheering in several places- but his book is preaching to the choir when it comes to the dedicated educators. He brings up many points I've heard before, but provides many concrete examples of why today's education policies are so flawed, and on so many levels. I can only hope his message gets to the right ears, or I truly fear for the future.

57. Dr. Mutter's Marvels, by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz. Anyone wishing to learn more about early medicine really needs to read this book. It was just fascinating, from beginning to end. Aptowicz gives us a look at one of the pioneers of plastic surgery, Dr. Thomas Dent Mutter. He performed delicate and dangerous operations without anesthesia, which included repairing cleft palates and performing skin grafts on burn victims (which he perfected). One procedure, taking a flap of skin from an amputation to seal the opening -- is still done today and called The Mutter Flap. Mutter also started using anesthesia on a regular -and successful- basis with his patients, and championed its use. It seems hard to believe today, but he faced an uphill battle from many doctors on the issue. Many of his contemporaries viewed anesthesia with skepticism due to the uneven results and the difficulties with measuring the amounts needed. Mutter also was known for being tidy, insisting on cleanliness even before germ theory was an accepted fact. He also was a respected and beloved teacher, and several of his students went on to make their own mark in history. There's an extensive museum in Philadelphia which houses Mutter's vast collection of oddities, specimens and casts. I really want to visit that museum, especially after reading this.

58. Bloodfire Quest, by Terry Brooks. The second book in The Dark Legacy of Shannara series. This was a great follow-up to the first book. There was one twist I saw coming since book 1, but there were a couple of developments that caught me by surprise. Like most trilogies, this has a few ongoing threads. In one thread, you have Khyber Elessedil and Redden, who have all but abandoned the quest for the Elfstones and are desperately trying to escape the Straken Lord after the all but abandoned search for the legendary Elfstones goes horribly wrong. In another story, Arlingfant and Aphenglow are on a mission to find a way to reseal the Forbidding after the Ellcrys- a magical tree that blocks the demons from entering the Four Lands- tells Arling that it is dying. The third main story concerns Railing, the twin brother of Redden, who is trying to find a way to rescue his brother. This is a fast read and hard to put down. A couple elements seemed a bit Deus Ex Machina, but all in all I enjoyed it. My one big concern is how the heck is Brooks going to wrap everything up in just one more book? There's a lot unresolved by the second book's end.

59. Cleveland TV Tales, by Mike and Janice Olszewski��. Television enthusiasts and local history buffs will enjoy this book, which is full of stories and anecdotes from the early days of television. A lot of the personalities and shows were before my time, but I gave this book to my parents as a Christmas gift. For the most part I liked this book; it's a quick read, with a lively narration style. I do wish some things had been fleshed out. People from my parents generation and older will probably be able to connect the dots but I was left scratching my head over some things (for example, the book describes Dottie West, a Cleveland housewife turned Country singer and star "with a tragic past." So... what was tragic about her past? (I looked it up- abuse as a child and a lot of money problems as an adult, from what I found). But there are many things to enjoy. The chapter on Linn Sheldon (best known for his character of Barnaby) was my favorite. There were a couple times I had to put down the book I was laughing so hard, such as one tale where someone off the street walked right into the studio- while they were recording- to ask Sheldon for directions to the restroom (this was in the days before the doors were closed and locked). Also loved the chapters on feisty television personality Dorothy Fuldheim and horror host Ghoulardi. One thing I didn't realize was that the show Gilligan's Island had two actors with Cleveland connections, one of the many bits of trivia shared.

60. Charlie the Flatulent Christmas Angel and Other Poetic Stories of Joy
by Steve Case, with illustrations by Brian Scoop Diehl. I can see parents cringing a bit at the title of the book (while their kids snicker in glee)- but there should be no qualms in purchasing this book for kids (and kids at heart- I got this for my dad for Christmas.) It's very light-hearted and fun. The poems here are very sweet, like Charlie's toots, with a good moral message and just a hint of mischief. Also, I never knew there were so many words for "fart" - which, by the way, is never used. The illustrations are well done, too, adding to the whimsy and amusement.

Currently reading: Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style, by the Smithsonian.