The Book Challenge discussion

Bonk, by Mary Roach. Bonk is essentially a book about the studies done and discoveries made about that intimate coupling that can produce offspring. Yes, sex. This was really a fascinating, and funny, read. The one chapter on pigs especially made me howl. Roach has a great turn of phrase and a droll sense of humor. Not to mention an adventurous spirit, given this book and a couple of others, including one on the science of cadavers and one on the science of the paranormal (that latter one I have and hope to get to before the end of this year). Another great moment is how Roach talks her husband into participating in a study with her. But as well as being entertaining, this book is also informative and covers topics I never even knew existed, much less thought about. I know the topic will be enough to make some people squirm but give this book a chance.

Currently reading: The Six Wives of Henry VIII, by Alison Weir.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII, by Alison Weir. This book has been on my want-to-read list for some time, and it did not disappoint. It was 571 pages, not counting the bibliography, index and family tree charts, but it was a fast 571 pages. Indeed, I'm trying to recall the last time I sailed through 500+ pages so quickly, it was hard to put down. The topic of the book is obvious from the title, but Weir goes into each woman's personality and the politics surrounding their marriage (and in some cases the ending of that marriage). It also clears up many misconceptions people may have on this colorful and pivotal time in history. I'm eager to check out more of her books. They are full of information but easy to follow and digest. I recommend it to anyone interested in history.

Currently reading: All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. This is another that's been on my want-to-read list for some time.

3. All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. I've been wanting to read this one for a while. It did not disappoint. I've heard its praises sung many times, and I'll be joining that chorus. It starts out good but about three-quarters in, there's a couple plot twists dropped I did not see coming, and the ending brings everything together. The bulk of the story is set during World War II, and much of the tale is told through two youths in that era- the French daughter of a locksmith and museum employee, and a German boy who lives with his sister in a small orphanage. I don't want to get into too much of the plot- it's tough to do so without giving away spoilers. I will say this is a sensitive and humane story that weaves their stories of struggle, along with the people around them. I highly recommend it to high school age, and anyone interested in reading about World War II.

Currently reading: The Island of Lost Maps, by Miles Harvey

4. The Complete Poems, by Emily Dickinson. This includes 597 poems. I actually read this through Bartleby.com. I think there is a book, published in 1924, with an introduction from her niece. I have a poetry reading I've done since spring 2020, with Dickinson and other poets. I read all of the poems here, averaging three poems per reading. I recall reading some of Dickinson's poems in high school and being rather underwhelmed. I appreciate her more as an adult. I know I had this mental image of her, and a good deal of what I thought was wrong. I'd say the bulk of her work centers on the theme of death and mortality, but her observations made me chuckle more than once.

5. Beyond The Monument: The Civil War Soldiers of Twinsburg, Ohio, by Veronica Hughes. I purchased this book for a project I'm working on, and am happy I had the chance to do so. Admittedly, I'm not sure this will appeal to anyone beyond local history and hardcore Civil War buffs, but I loved it. I love reading about local history. Here, Hughes researched the names found on Twinsburg's Civil War monument (and beyond) to tell the stories behind the names etched in stone. Most of the stories are, understandably, brief. Still, it was neat to read about people who lived in another time, during a national war. My favorite section was on the Squirrel Hunters, a 'Minute Man" style Ohio militia that served for about two weeks to repeal Confederate troops aiming to take over Cincinnati and Covington. I consider myself fairly well-versed in Civil War history but I'd never heard of this particular militia! The book can be read straight through or by chapter in any order. All in all, a great resource for anyone interested in northern Summit County history.

6. The Island of Lost Maps, by Miles Harvey. My reaction to this book is a bit mixed. On one hand, I do recommend it. It should be required reading for archivists and anyone who handles rare, valuable materials. This book was published 20 years ago but I suspect a lot of problems outlined here still exist. The topics are fascinating. Part of the book deals with Gilbert Bland, who was accused of stealing hundreds of rare maps from books. He went to libraries across the country, asked to look at rare volumes, and use a razor blade to surreptitiously slice out precious maps to sell to collectors and dealers. Harvey also goes into a few other cases of cartographic crime; the story from Yale involving two priests was probably my favorite, although I was laughing one paragraph and cringing the next. The author also goes into the history of map-making and how precious early maps were. Stealing maps, at one point in history, could bring a penalty of death and trade routes were jealously guarded. My issues with the book are fairly minor. It's highly readable and easy to follow, but Harvey does get carried away at times with his turns of phrase. The part about a ghost of a former librarian at Peabody and his reaction to Bland's destruction of books made me cringe. Also, the author does not excuse Bland's behavior but does try a bit too hard to reflect on the whys. I could sort of understand this hyper-reflection if this crime spree was isolated, but Bland had several brushes with the law before this infamous case. Yes, he had a tough childhood but ultimately, he made his own bad decisions. That said, though, for those interested in delving into a bit of interesting world history, this book is worth checking out.

Currently reading: The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein

7. The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein. This was an eye-opener. In Rothstein's book, he outlines the fallacy of thinking that today's segregation patterns are de facto and largely by choice. I knew about tactics such as red-lining but had no idea how pernicious, and how often federal laws supported, items like contracts that specifically prohibited selling or leasing apartments and homes to Black individuals or families. There were two examples he gave where the courts struck down these contracts but by the time they acted it was too late. Justice delayed is justice denied. Never quite grasped that sentence until the past year or so, but this book clearly outlines why it carries such weight. The final chapters of the book include possible solutions and a good Q&A/rebuttal section. The solutions would be difficult to implement- which Rothstein admits. But I always like it when an author at least tries in a book of this nature. Only two points of disagreement- one is Rothstein said that housing developers are encouraged to build more expensive homes as a way of segregating. This is partially true- but it's not the only reason. Another, possibly bigger reason are increased EPA and greenspace requirements, which means housing developments cannot cram 10 houses on half an acre. This is not a bad thing but that means housing developers are not going to construct $50,000 homes anymore because they'd lose money. This, too, needs addressed somehow although I admit I'm not sure how. The other point is more irritating. He mentioned that many Black women are single because Black men are marrying white women. As someone with a mixed-race family, the way this was phrased rubbed me the wrong way. Love can be found in a variety of different colors. I will look at this as a small blunder in an otherwise solid book, though. I do recommend it, The Color of Law is well-researched and thought out (aside from those two points).

Currently reading (or will be soon, once I get these books): The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee, and All Boys Aren't Blue, by George M. Johnson. While waiting on those, will probably start with Scott Westerfeld's Imposters.

8. Imposters, by Scott Westerfeld. This is the first book in a new trilogy set in the "Uglies" universe. Here, we are introduced to a new heroine, Frey. Frey is the identical twin sister of Rafi. The two have been raised by their cruel, ambitious father in two separate ways. Rafia is the one raised as the heir to the family fortune and power, the diplomat. Frey has been raised as a trained assassin, guard, and body double. Few people have seen them together; the majority of the populace are only aware of Rafi, not knowing she is sometimes "played" by her twin in certain circumstances. Their father's expansionist ambitions go full force when Frey is sent to a neighboring city as a hostage, where she has to masquerade as the savvier Rafi. But during this operation, Frey comes to realize the depths of her father's cruelty and starts plotting ways to save her sister and get revenge on her father.

Imposters did not disappoint, and I can hardly wait to dive into Shatter City, the second book. There were a couple minor twists I figured out but I did not expect the book to end the way it did. It was a pleasant surprise but logical. In the book, all the characters deal with some level of feeling or being an imposter of sorts, so much of the book deals with building up trust and alliances. Fans of the "Uglies" books will not be disappointed.

Currently reading: The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee.

9. The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee. Read this for my work's newly launched book club. Overall, this is a worthwhile read. It goes well with two other books I've recently read: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein (which McGhee quotes from several times), and Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson. There are many strengths to this book, which is easy to read, with an engaging tone. I liked the running metaphor of the filled public pool (which, I'd heard of this happening but did not realize the extent). McGhee uses both past and present examples of the issues we are facing, and ties them together. I also like how she outlines what hasn't worked in trying to bridge the racial divide- and what HAS worked. That is always refreshing.

However, my one issue is her entire theme that racist laws and mores have been created because of the zero-sum analogy. She argues that we need to realize that the issues are not zero-sum, and that by elevating the currently marginalized in society, we elevate everyone. I partially agree- but only partially. Yes, I agree that removing racist policies and barriers will elevate MOST people and certainly will benefit society as a whole. But to argue that zero-sum is a false narrative is a bit disingenuous. The hard reality is that any time you deal with scarce resources — finite openings at the elite high school, limited slots at the prestigious university, a handful of job openings for that Fortune 500 company, a select number of seats in the boardroom — you are dealing with zero sum. When people who have been used to things being a certain way, who have counted on having easy access to those resources, suddenly have more challengers vying for those opportunities, they will do whatever possible to keep their historic edge.

Zero-sum is not necessarily the problem. I use the example of a hypothetical high schooler who skates by with a C+ average who has an eye on a prestigious university because gee, they have an outstanding soccer team but also, once you graduate from there, you have an easy slide to a top job due to having gone there. Even though his grades are less than stellar, he still has an excellent chance in getting into that school because he's white, he's wealthy, and mommy, daddy, auntie, grandpy and great-grandpy all went to that university. A lot of universities put high emphasis on legacy students because they want that sweet alumni cash. However, legacy entries have come under fire in the past couple years. I heard one is planning to do away with giving weight to legacies, and I think one state is considering legislation to ban the practice at the public universities.

So, going back to little Mr. Mediocrity. Ten years ago, even five years ago, he would have easily coasted into that university of his dreams. But now, with legacy enrollment under suspicion and more institutes of higher learning trying to attract minority and first-generation students through scholarships, our hypothetical teen has gone from perhaps facing 300 students for 100 seats, but with a decisive edge, to facing a thousand plus students for those same seats- but without the advantages he once would have had. So, in this zero-sum scenario, he loses.

This is NOT a bad thing. Quality should be rewarded, and the mediocrities be allowed to come short of the finish line. But we also need to acknowledge that in a world order where we bring in equity- where everyone is given the tools they need to succeed — that the coasters and those wielding power and wealth will lose. Again- this is not a bad thing. But the minority that will lose are going to put up a heck of a fight- and we need to realize this. The ultimate goal, then, is to elevate as many as possible and to try to make sure that those who will lose out either won't lose anything they can't afford to lose, and slackers are encouraged to not coast and rely and privilege to get places.

However, all in all, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. I do recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about the divides in our country, both past and present.

Tried to read: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4, by Sue Townsend. One of my book clubs picked this one for our March book. To be fair, I am not the target age range for this book. This for me falls in the same category as Where the Red Fern Grows and Catcher in the Rye. If I were a preteen or young teen, I think I would have enjoyed the adventures, exasperations and quirks of the hero, Adrian. The book is, as the title suggests, essentially Adrian Mole's diary, which he writes in pretty much daily (I think, as noted I did not finish). However, I am well into middle age, and only got about a quarter of the way through before giving up. I think I chuckled once (one of the scenes between Adrian and an old gentleman he is helping- those were some of the strongest moments) and smiled a few times but- I just couldn't get into it. I think a big part of it is that the writing is far more sophisticated than you would usually see in a 14-year-old, but at the same time the protagonist shows a level of cluelessness that would rival that of a child half that age. The first I could get through- I just kept thinking Young Sheldon. But both together just created this disconnect. I know kids that age can be clueless but this was extreme. In addition, the adults weren't much better.

Another issue is that as I was trying to read this, I kept thinking the story line would have worked better as either a movie or a television series (actually, found out tonight there WAS a PBS series based on this book). Adrian Mole illustrates why I detest the "the book is ALWAYS better than the movie." Some stories work better in books. Some in movies. Some in a series. Then you have the uncommon gems with good adaptations in multiple forms. At any rate, I didn't think the overall structure for the story worked in a book form but I could see it reworked as a movie, especially the scenes with Adrian and Baxter, the old man.

Currently reading: Shatter City, by Scott Westerfeld, and Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult.

10. Shatter City, by Scott Westerfeld. The second book in the new Imposters series. This second installment left me eager to get my hands on the third. The first one sets the stage and centers on issues of trust. This one seems to focus on identity, particularly with Frey, who more and more has to meld her personality with her identical twin Rafi, and Rafi with her. Frey has plans to take care of her tyrannical father- but those plans are quickly uprooted, and she finds herself in Paz, a completely different city which she has to adapt to- and to help after disaster strikes. I finished it in a weekend- Shatter City was hard to put down. One plot element brought up in the first book is answered here, and I'd pretty much guessed it. But that in no way impacted my enjoying this novel. What I've always liked about this series is the inventiveness of the technology- but for some reason that really struck me with this book, the creativity with the gadgets, like the mood enhancing implants.

11. Lightning Strikes, by Daniel Babka. Written by a local author. It's actually a short story, set in an area near me. It needed a bit of tweaking and re-arranging but all in all it wasn't bad. The protagonist in 12-year-old Ben, whose quiet world is disrupted in a memorable way one afternoon. I think this has the potential to be expanded into a larger story. One thing really bothered me- this had what is generally a standard disclaimer attached to fiction works: the names and places are fictitious... any resemblance, etc. etc. Problem is that, one example, Twinsburg Heights is not fiction- that's a real place and anyone living in the northern part of this county is going to recognize it. That really needs updated or modified if there are later editions.

Currently reading: Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult. I'm about half through. Mixed feelings and a major reservation- but I'll refrain from too much judgement until the end because it's possible the problems I have could get resolved.

12. Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult. Frustrating. That's the best single word to describe this novel. There was so much to like about it. The characters are the strongest feature. Each of the main characters are so well fleshed out. They all have their flaws but remain sympathetic. Their reactions to the school shooting — the central event — are realistic. The writing is well organized, going back and forth between the present and moments in the past. Bit by bit, the reader pieces together the whys of what happened during those 19 minutes at Sterling High, a fictional suburban school set in New Hampshire. The ending has a twist that took me by surprise, but on reflection it was believable, and the clues were there. Just about every angle — bullying, tough love, parenting, societal masks, self-awareness — are weighed here.

However, there are a few issues. There's a romance that crops up between two of the characters that felt a bit contrived. If that were the only issue, I'd let it slide. Another issue involves the plot twist, which was satisfying and cleared up a couple issues. But to get to that point, the defense attorney essentially had to break an agreement outlined by a signed affidavit, which I find hard to believe that it would have been that easy. There's a couple other issues but I'm trying to stay out of spoiler territory and the plot twist makes up for and even resolves the other issues.

But the main problem I have is, to me, a fatal flaw. A lot of the court procedure was well-researched, so it's jaw-dropping that this issue would have been brought up as a plot point. And here, I have to go into spoiler territory.



SPOILER ALERT

There's a plot arc where one of the characters, Alex Cormier, a recently appointed judge, has been assigned the case involving Peter Houghton, who has been accused of killing 10 students and injuring 19 others. The problem is that her daughter Josie was injured that day (although not by Peter). Very early on, it is established that Josie was a witness to what happened, and her boyfriend Matt was a main target and one of the ones killed. This plot arc involves Alex struggling whether to take this case because it has the potential to make her career, or recuse herself to spare her daughter, who is struggling with what happened.

As the story unfolds, far more is revealed setting up multiple links between Josie and Peter, and even between Alex and Lacey, Peter's mother. Indeed, there are a lot of ties that become known to the other characters well before Alex goes so far as to hear Peter's plea.

This would never, ever happen. The connection between Josie and Matt- again, known early on, even before there's any trial-- would have been enough grounds for Alex to recuse herself from the case or, failing that, for someone to step in and bring it to a higher authority. Alex tries to brush off the conflict, thinking that her experience as a defense attorney can make her a good judge for the case. No, just no. No one with any legal training would buy that. Eventually, both the prosecution and defense bring up a possible conflict but it's too late to be believable, and I don't feel they pushed nearly hard enough. Neither side would benefit for having her as judge. In the end, Alex does decide to, reluctantly, step down, after the plea is entered. But things would never have been allowed to go so far, someone would have brought up the conflict well before that plea hearing. It's also unbelievable that Alex wouldn't have been censured or even suspended for not recusing herself earlier in the process. Public officials have been disciplined for less. In the end, that bit of drama wasn't even needed. There was enough going on without this arc. This just soured the book for me.



Currently reading: Bluebeard, by Kurt Vonnegut.

13. Bluebeard, by Kurt Vonnegut. This might be my favorite Vonnegut book, excepting maybe Slaughterhouse-Five. It's written as the autobiography of an eccentric artist who constantly flips back and forth from his storied past to his, until recently, quiet present. There was only one point where I got a bit confused as to when the action took place, otherwise the time jumps were well-handled. The book is fiction but Vonnegut does weave some historical figures and artists in this tale. Bluebeard is classic Vonnegut- eclectic, thoughtful, slightly off-beat and delightful. The best part is the ending. Throughout the book it is hinted that our protagonist, an Armenian artist and former war veteran, has something fascinating and mysterious tucked away in an old, converted potato barn. It is tough to build up something like this without the reveal being anticlimactic, but Vonnegut pulls it off.

Currently reading: Mirror's Edge, by Scott Westerfeld. Started yesterday, already more than a third through it!

14. Mirror's Edge, by Scott Westerfeld. The third book in the Imposters series. Like the other two, I finished this one over a weekend- it was hard to put down. Here, Frey must again balance who she is and who others believe her to be as she, the rebels and the free cities unite against Shreve and her father. But for the first time, she doesn't look like her identical twin sister, having undergone surge to give her a new face and new appearance. Frey adopts a whole new identity to network with some of the groups within the city and discovers there's a good deal more dissent and underground activity than she dreamed possible. Indeed, Frey discovers she barely knows her home. Again, like the other two books, the action is non-stop. There's a twist at the end I did not see coming (which I'm sure will come into play in the fourth and I think final installment- boo!- which I've already started reading). And the last sentence in Mirror's Edge made me squeal with joy. There's a BIG hint with the name of the final (sigh) book. So far, have to say, another masterful series by Westerfeld. My only complaint? I'm almost done with it.

Currently reading: Youngbloods, by Scott Westerfeld.

15. Youngbloods, by Scott Westerfeld. Wow. My only negative reaction is that this was the last book. Still, the story wraps up well (although there are some ways I can see how another series could be started). The start of this book was strongly hinted at in the previous novel: Frey has joined Tally Youngblood's crew of rebels, who call themselves the Youngbloods. Obviously it was great to see Tally and Shay again, and I liked the parallels drawn between Tally and Frey. I'll try not to get into too many spoilers, but Frey discovers that her father's ambitions were more sinister and far-reaching than she, or anyone, could have dreamed after they stumble across a group of kidnapped children. The ending really puts the protagonists in a Catch-22, with no easy way out. I do hope Westerfeld revisits this world. I just love the characters, the nuanced stories, the conflicts, and the creative technologies.

Currently reading: Mafia Cop Killers in Akron, by Mark J. Price. Also will do a re-read of Maus.

16. Mafia Cop Killers in Akron, by Mark J. Price. This admittedly is a reread. I think it came up in recommendations, and for some reason when I went to look for it on Goodreads it wasn't showing that I had read it, despite the fact that the premise sounded familiar. I figured perhaps I was thinking of another book by Price, or another of the books on local crime and disasters I've read (and I've read quite a few). It wasn't until I put this on my currently reading "shelf" that it came up that I had read this before. Oh well, I'm not even mad about it. I'm supporting a local author (and now a colleague), plus the book itself was definitely worth a reread. The book centers on late 1917 to 1919 in Akron, when seven officers were gunned down, with five dying from their injuries. Most of the shootings were officially connected to The Furnace Street Gang (and all were suspected of being connected to this group of criminals). The book pulls from newspaper accounts, interviews and numerous other records and makes for a compelling read.

Currently reading: Saving the News, by Martha Minow.

17. Maus, by Art Spiegelman. This is actually a re-read. I read this years ago, either when I was going for my MLIS or shortly after I graduated. Even after so many years of being on the bookshelves, this still sets the bar for graphic novels (it was serialized from 1980 to 1991). Overall it's about World War II and the Nazi atrocities, but Maus is told in a very personal, no-holds barred, warts and all view. The author relates not only his father's experiences in the war and in the concentration camps, but his own personal experiences with his parent which is often strained. It breaks my heart that at least one school district wanted to bar it from its high school. This should be required reading at high school level, not removed.

Currently reading: Saving the News, by Martha Minow.

18. Saving the News, by Martha Minow. Journalism and Constitutional scholars should pick up this book- while it is a little dry at times, Minow makes both a good argument as to why the Constitution supports the government taking a more proactive role in supporting legacy news media and the work of news reporting, and how the country could, and perhaps should, do it. This runs contrary to the more laissez-faire ideal that permeates the political and economic landscape now. Her ideas for supporting legacy news and reining in the gargantuan social media platforms are solid, for the most part.

19. Ten Ohio Disasters, by Neil Zurcher. Zurcher, who has written many books on the curiosities of Ohio, has put together another fantastic read, this time with 10 infamous incidents in the Buckeye State. Many of these events, such as Cleveland's downtown balloon launch that went awry, an ill-fated parachute jump, and the Blizzard of '78, he covered during his many years as a local television journalist. A few, such as the Golden Age Nursing Home Fire, were stories I'd never heard. A few others, such as the Xenia tornado outbreak — still considered the worst tornado outbreak in the nation's history- I'd heard about but the personal stories related here added more depth to what I knew. I recall reading about Skippy, the Morgan horse which helped save several circus horses during a fire in a very short story aimed at children; I did not know until this book that was actually a part of a much more horrible tragedy that left dozens of animals dead in a circus tour that had come to Cleveland. The stories not only include information on the tragedies but more personal stories of those impacted, as well as the stories of those who tried to help. Definitely a worthwhile read for history buffs and those who like local history.

Currently reading: Sheehan's Dog, by Les Roberts

20. Sheehan's Dog, by Les Roberts. Fans of the author's mystery series featuring Milan Jacovich will enjoy this latest book. It's not really in that series, but readers will recognize a couple characters in Sheehan's Dog. I do wonder if Brock Sheehan, the protagonist here, and Milan, might team up in a future book. That could be interesting- they have a lot of similarities physically but are rather different in terms of codes of ethics and I can see them clashing. At any rate, Sheehan has retired to a houseboat after serving several years for the Cleveland Irish gang as the main enforcer of the gang's leader. However, his isolation is interrupted by the appearance of Linus, his deceased sister's son. Linus got into a shoving match with a local basketball icon who had served jail time for running a large dog fighting ring but shortly after getting out was signed up by an NBA team. That rising star is later found dead, and Linus is the main person of interest. Sheehan is thrust back into the Cleveland scene, in a world he barely recognizes, as he works to clear his nephew. Brock Sheehan is dogged and determined- which makes up for his occasional lack of finesse (his attempts at trying to pass off as a reporter were pretty amusing and fooled almost no one). Anyone liking a good mystery and Roberts' previous books will welcome this one to their shelves.

Currently reading: Journalism and Jim Crow, edited by Kathy Roberts Forde and Sid Bedingfield

21. The Silent Twins, by Marjorie Wallace. There was a movie released based on this book, but alas it wasn't in theaters long so I didn't get a chance to see it. At any rate, this book is a series of interviews with June and Jennifer Gibbons, twins who refused to communicate with anyone except themselves for a number of years. The author also includes interviews she had with other family members, with teachers and with medical personnel who worked with June and Jennifer, as well as writings from the twins themselves. It's a strange and sad story. My overwhelming thought was that I have never heard of a case where children were so coddled and yet so neglected. To be fair, the adults in their lives and even the so-called professionals had no idea what to do with them and their lack of communication. June and Jennifer were largely left alone to their own devices until their activities turned to serious crime. Ultimately, this was a sad case of where the twins developed a strong love-hate relationship. They could not seem to function separately (although this was never tried with any serious effort) and they could not exist together. A good if sad story, and Wallace put a lot of time and research into this work.

22. Journalism and Jim Crow, edited by Kathy Roberts Forde and Sid Bedingfield. This is an excellent, if at times painful, read on the influence of newspapers — both Black- and white-owned — after the Civil War and especially after Reconstruction was abandoned. The book, with chapters written by multiple authors, especially concentrates on white-owned newspapers in the south and the many of the owner's overt and public support of white supremacy. Black journalists and papers do get a good deal of mention, mostly in the context of the uphill battles they faced in combating Jim Crow, keeping their newspapers afloat and, in some cases, staying alive. I think the most horrifying account I read were about how one prominent paper would actually publish "rumors" about suspected upcoming jailbreaks targeted at Blacks accused of a crime, what time the groups of "upstanding citizens" might form and where... and by the way, here's a train schedule to the area if anyone else wants to come in.

23. Chatter, by Ethan Kross. The author takes an interesting look at the internal monologues, or "chatter" we all have, going over the positives and negatives. Kross is a scientist who studies psychology and in his first book he goes over why some of the things we do, even things that seem to be on the surface to be positive (such as venting our frustrations) can have a negative impact overall, and what we should do to turn our internal thought processes to constructive action. He includes several studies and even personal anecdotes. The author's writing style is easy to follow and conversational; I finished it quickly.

24. A Tale for Halloween, by Loretta Ellen Brady. I read this as a candidate for my Facebook readings. While a bit dated, it's a cute story for younger children, not at all scary. Two children growing up in a poor family find themselves in the middle of some Halloween fun when their pumpkin, various turnips and other vegetables come to life. They are met by friendly witches who add to the fun before getting the children home safely- with a couple of special gifts at the end. I do like how this turns some tropes on their head (the witches are kindly, black cats are actually good luck). A charming tale for youngsters wanting to celebrate spooky season without actual scares.

25. The Bogey-Beast, author uncertain (the source I found and read this from has "retold by Flora Annie Steel (1922)" What a charming and fun short story! An old woman finds a black pot, and her adventures begin. At each turn, she sees a positive where many may have seen woe. This is a great story for younger children looking for some safe, scare-free Halloween fun.

26. The Monkey's Paw, by W.W. Jacobs. This is actually a re-read for me; I recall reading this short story in... high school? Maybe middle school? It was worth a re-read. There's a reason why this creepy tale with a good lesson- be careful what you wish for- has stuck around for more than a century. Here, a family receives a visitor, a longtime friend, who has a strange monkey's paw that will grant three people three wishes. The visitor tries to throw the paw away into the fire but is stopped. The family asks for the paw, and the visitor reluctantly gives it to them but warns them about using it. The family uses it. Without giving away any major spoilers, tragedy strikes soon after.

27. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving. I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this short story. It's a fun, slightly spooky tale that's pretty well-known due to the many adaptations. In a nutshell, Ichabod Crane, the new schoolmaster for Sleepy Hollow, is an eccentric, superstitious and at times selfish man who still charms the local ladies with his sophisticated manners and education. The men of the town think less highly of him, particularly Brom Bones, the town's golden boy. Things get tense when Crane falls for the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel. Lurking in the background are the many dark tales that the locals like to tell, especially about the Headless Horseman. One thing that surprised me was finding out that many of the places mentioned in this story exist. Also, the oft-referred to book penned by Cotton Mather may have existed as well (I couldn't find anything by "Cotton Mather's History of Witchcraft, a New England Almanac" but Mather did write a good deal of literature about witches and witchcraft.)

28. The Cask of Amontillado, by Edgar Allan Poe. Another re-read for me. Haven't read this short story about one man's sinister revenge plot in some years. Worth a re-read. This is one of Poe's better known stories. Here, Montresor, the narrator, has been nursing a grudge against Fortunato, a wealthy local, for some time. The nature of that grudge is never stated, but Montresor has concocted what he considers the perfect revenge by using Fortunato's weakness: fine spirits.

29. The Furnished Room, by O. Henry. I loved reading O. Henry's short stories in high school. I admit I'd forgotten about this one. Here, a young man rents a room in an area that has seen better days. While there, he asks the landlady about a young woman, his lost love whom he has been searching for. The landlady tells him the young woman's description does not sound familiar. But that evening, the young man has a sensation that his love was there, unseen, in his room.

30. The Phantom Coach, by Amelia B. Edwards. I read this one for my reading series, and it was fun to do. This somewhat longer short story is well-paced, and is creepy from the start. I do wonder if Bram Stoker had read this tale- there's a scene in Phantom Coach (which predates Dracula by more than 30 years) that reminds me of the early moments the novel. Here, a recently married man has gone out on a hunting trip, but gets lost as a snowstorm rolls in. He finds a traveler and insists on following the traveler to shelter. The traveler reluctantly takes the young man to his master's home. The owner has shut himself away from the public for several years but winds up being quite hospitable and helpful. Or is he? Don't want to spoil the ending so I'll stop there.

31. The Cats of Ulthar, by H.P. Lovecraft. Really like how this combines typical folk tale with a dash of ancient Egypt and Egyptian myth. Here, a small town has two nasty residents who take pleasure in killing to area's felines. The human residents are afraid to confront this fearful duo, but one day they go too far after some visitors visit. Delightfully creepy. Lovecraft's stories have a reputation (deserved) for... not aging well. But this one is not as bad in that regard as some of his other tales.

32. The Terrible Old Man, by H.P. Lovecraft. Really creepy, but also has a surprising dose of dry humor. Dark humor of course, this is Lovecraft after all. But I actually chuckled at a couple of spots. Was not expecting that. At any rate, three men (bankers? lawyers? just robbers? Wasn't entirely clear but not sure that matters) go to the home of a mysterious old man in hopes of "helping" him part with some of his ample cash. They get more than they bargained for.

Currently reading: The Rise and Fall of the Associated Negro Press by Gerald Horne, and Carmilla, by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu.

33. A Ghost Story, by Mark Twain. This may be the funniest ghost story I've ever read. A man stays in a room, which he fears is haunted- only to be confronted by the biggest spectre known in the late 1800s. Don't want to give too much away, but fans of Twain's wry humor and way with words should enjoy it. Not too scary, if someone is looking for a fairly short read for older children.

34. Yuki-Onna, by Lafcadio Hearn. This is a really old tale from Japan, about a snow woman who drains the life force out of people. A younger man is, surprisingly spared. Some time later, he meets a beautiful young girl and falls in love- but she may not be what she seems.

35. The Family of the Vourdalak, by Alexei Tolstoy. Really love this Slavic-inspired vampire tale. The narrator is an old man who is quite the character himself. His infatuations inject some humor into this thrilling tale, where the older gentleman relates his encounter with vourdalaks. It's engaging from beginning to end.

36. The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry. I've lost track of how many times I've read this short story by O. Henry. It's one of my favorite Christmas stories. The plot is probably well-known to most but just in case: a young woman sells her hair so she can buy a splendid gift for her husband. But he has a surprise for her when he gets home.

37. Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen, by O. Henry. I thought I'd read all his stories but this was a new find. Made my day! This tale highlights the typical O. Henry dry wit and twist ending. The main protagonist, a poor man named Stuffy, meets with an Old Gentleman every year to enjoy a sumptuous meal at Thanksgiving. But there's a problem this year: Stuffy has already had his fill of Thanksgiving cheer. What will happen to the annual tradition?

38. Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, by Mary Roach. This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. Roach has a way of making the technical easy to understand, and her topics are so offbeat as to be fun and fascinating. More importantly, her sharp wit and turn of phrase will have you laughing. Do read the footnotes, some of the best gems are there. Here, the author looks at the science used to explore various aspects of supernatural phenomenon. All the stories on the research are fascinating (although fair warning- don't try to eat while reading the chapter on ectoplasm).

39. Carmilla, by Joseph Sheridan le Fanu. This story predates Bram Stoker's Dracula and may have had a role in inspiring the better-known novel. In this story, the young female narrator and her father get unexpected visitors, and they wind up playing host to a charming young woman for several months. This arrangement seems ideal, the two women get along well. But meanwhile, girls and young women are perishing from a mysterious ailment. The mystery slowly unravels due to the local doctor and a visit from a general who is a friend of the father and who is dealing with his own tragedy. It's a good read, and a must-read for those interested in vampire stories.

Currently reading: The Rise and Fall of the American Negro Press, by Gerald Horne, and Lavinia, by Ursula Le Guin

40. The Fir Tree, by Hans Christian Anderson. I read this short story, about a fir tree who envies, well, everyone and everything else, as a candidate for my story readings. I didn't care for it, though. The character of the fir tree was a bit annoying and the overall message — appreciate what you have and be grateful to the present- is ham-fisted. Not one of Anderson's better stories.

41. The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Anderson. I think I've read this before, and I've seen several adaptations through the years, including one of my first ballet performances when I was in grade school (the former Ohio Ballet did a dance adapted from this story- it was one of two story ballets Heinz Poll ever staged, the other being The Jungle Book). I plan to read this closer to New Year's Eve, since this is actually more of a New Year's story. It's a well-known, if sad, tale, about a miserably poor Match Girl who, after she cannot sell any matches, decides to light a match to ward off the chill. In the fleeting glow of the feeble light, she seems many enchanting holiday scenes.

42. The Elves and the Shoemaker, by The Brothers Grimm. I've read several versions of this charming tale but not this particular one. Parents of young children should be aware that this is a "Grimm" version and while it's not too dark there is one scene that might raise eyebrows. Still, this is a sweet story and if you can get past the description of the elves, it's a nice tale on being thankful and giving in return- even if the end result might not have been what you wished.

43. Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking, by O. Henry. I am not sure I've ever read this short story, about a traveling vagabond who gets by on his charm and music talent. I love this author and this story was fun but not one of my favorites. Whistling Dick, in his effort to find some easy comfort, unwittingly falls into a plot made by other fellow drifters to rob a wealthy plantation owner.

44. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. I read the novella years ago, and I re-read it for my online readings. While there are a ton of adaptations, many quite faithful, the story that inspired all of these adaptations is still worth checking out. It gets a bit wordy in places but there are numerous little asides and quips that almost never make it to an adaptation. I also picked up on something this time around about the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come that I missed in the previous reading and I've never, ever seen used in any adaptation- I think it really does speak, just not in an immediately recognizable way.

Currently reading: The Cricket on the Hearth, by Charles Dickens, and The Rise and Fall of the Associated Negro Press, by Gerald Horne (I should be done with both before the end of the year)

45. The Rise and Fall of the Associated Negro Press, by Gerald Horne. This was... OK. The book focuses on Claude Barnett, who founded the Associated Negro Press, the counterpart for the Associated Press, but with its staff of reporters focusing on news for Black newspapers and on issues concerning Black people- both in the United States and, later, in Ghana, Nigeria and several other African countries. Barnett is a fascinating figure, who, for the post part, successfully straddled the line between the interests of Black people throughout the world and his own business interests. It's pointed out throughout the book that Barnett's crusade against Jim Crow and segregation would lead to the demise of the ANP. This is repeated multiple times, even in chapters outlining the ANPs heyday. This point was struck home, multiple times, to the point of tedium. The book also really glosses over Barnett's death, after hinting at, but not going into, his health problems- again, numerous times. Also, sometimes the choice of words is rather unfortunate. One of the more glaring occasions for this is regarding Alice Allison Dunnigan, who was described as having "wailed" about lost opportunities and how she never lost an opportunity to complain about the least slight. This makes Dunnigan sound like a petulant toddler rather than a talented journalist with legitimate complaints. I say this is still worth a read because it covers a slice of American history that I'm sure few people know about, but there are issues.

Currently reading: Cricket on the Hearth, by Charles Dickens, and Lavinia, by Ursula le Guin.

46. The Cricket on the Hearth, by Charles Dickens. I read this for my video readings. This might be the first book I kind of regret doing. I've never actually read it, but I saw a good adaptation years ago at one of our local theaters and remembered it was a charming story. And the story is charming- just really, really wordy. It's only three "Chirps," but it could have been condensed into two, or even one and a half. The story was written at a time when authors were paid by the word and oh laws, it shows. It's also clumsy in spots. While it is a cute story, my recommendation is to find an abridged version.

Currently reading: Lavinia, by Ursula Le Guin. (more than halfway through, actually enjoying it a little more this time around).